Inside the Moon
Dee-Scoveries A6
Fishing A7
Snake! A9
Boots on the Ground A15
The
Issue 585
Island Moon
The voice of The Island since 1996
July 2, 2015
Around The Island By Dale Rankin editor@islandmoon.com
Up Vermont way a fellow was released from jury duty when he showed up to court wearing a blackand-white-striped jumpsuit with a matching beanie. A judge told him he could be charged with contempt for his sartorial choice but instead sent him home. File that away for the next time you get a jury summons.
Weekly Photo by Mary Craft
Fisherman Hospitalized After Contracting Bacteria in Corpus Christi he couldn’t hold food and was visited by emergency medical technicians. On June 21 he awoke “cold and clammy” and was admitted to the hospital. His left leg was amputated below the knee shortly after entering the hospital and up until Monday had little brain activity, couldn’t breathe on his own and his blood wouldn’t coagulate.
Friends and family of former Palo Duro High School coach Doug James,78, say James was admitted to the hospital last week and has been through life-threatening situations all week.
In Barcelona the Lexus car company sent science nerds into overdrive when it released a video of a hoverboard that uses magnet technology and superconductors cooled by liquid nitrogen to rise and float the rider an inch above the earth like Back to the Future. The company says it won’t release the product to the public but didn’t say why. Think of it…skateboards on the sand.
Free
FREE
A former high school football coach from Amarillo is intensive care (as of earlier this week) at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital after contracting a bacterial infection caused from a cut he suffered while fishing in the waters of Corpus Christi.
Family members say James was doing “some breathing” by himself and his brain has gone into survival mode from the bacteria attack.
James and some friends went fishing June 19 when he scrapped his knee and continued fishing in the water and that night cleaned his cut with overthe-counter medicine. The next day
James was the head football coach at Palo Duro H.S. in Amarillo. For 17 years his teams were known as “The James Gang.
It’s Time to Light it Up!
4th of July Island Blast and Boat Parade Set for Saturday Viewing Areas
Closer to home the summer swings along with beach driving becoming a little more treacherous each day without rain or the high tides of last week as the normal summer beach conditions kick in with windblown sand piling up next to the dune line. It has been a quiet and relatively slow Tourist Season so far compared to the past couple of years. But hang on to your koozies folks, there is plenty of Tourist Season left and we’re about to hit the sweet spot.
PINS bunkers and Last week we ran an item concerning whether there are World War II era bunkers on Padre Island National Seashore. We got a response from PINS Superintendent Mark Spier who reports that there are some concrete boxes in the ground on the northern end of the park but they are not bunkers but cisterns used for collecting water. Spier says there was a radar site also on the northern end of the park. During the war what later became PINS was used as a bombing target for pilot trainees at the Naval Air Station and was actually one of the three sites considered for the nuclear test site before the selection of the Los Alamos site in New Mexico. As we reported last week there are the remnants of gun bunkers near Horace Caldwell Pier in Port Aransas where guns were placed to guard the pass but none on the National Seashore. In an unrelated history matter… on Sunday, July 26 on the beach next to Caldwell Pier there will be a reenactment of the planting of the first United States flag on Texas soil which occurred on July 26, 1845. The ceremony will be done by the Palo Alto Battlefield Historical Society from the Rio Grande Valley complete with period costumes. The dragoons will splash ashore at 1 p.m. and the public is invited to attend.
What’s in the water? In what must be placed in the Only OnThe Island Department we are getting reports from pool people all over The Island that they are having trouble with “milky” looking water and gummed up water filters. According to them the problem is lack of chlorine in the tap water. Oh the humanity! While this doesn’t qualify as an Island Disaster yet it is something for pool owners to be
Around continued on A3
Island Blast after 7pm
Launch Site
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So far no plan for The Island
By Dale Rankin More than a year ago the Corpus Christi City Council approved a total of $2.2 million to update a much needed comprehensive plan for the city’s future through 2035. The previous plan was based on data and projections from 1987. The Boston-based planning group Goody Clancy, at the suggestion of City Manager Ron Olson, was hired to produce the new study, called Plan CC 2035, to begin the process at a cost of $900,000 and the resulting document is now available for viewing in draft form on the city’s website. Included in the 300-plus page report is a detailed plan for downtown development and a 429 word section on Island development which contains only broad goals and points out that, unlike most small communities, The Island does not have a “downtown” but rather
Flour Bluff Editor’s note: The following is the full text of the section concerning Flour Bluff in the Draft Plan CC 2035
Land Use Character Related To Nas-Cc And Waldron Field
tagin
Boat
Plan CC 2035 is City’s Blueprint for City’s Future
Flour Bluff’s character is and will be significantly influenced by the presence of NASCC and Waldron Field. NAS-CC, of course, is a major employer in the city, and there are strong economic reasons to retain the military presence in Corpus Christi. Once a separate community, Flour Bluff retains a quiet residential character, with a range of housing from very affordable units and multifamily housing to large-lot single-family homes.
Restrooms
No Boat Traffic
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The Department of Defense has encouraged communities to work with military bases to develop land use studies and implement them.
Flour Bluff continued on A5 Look up in the sky…at 9:15 pm this Saturday, July 4, as the third annual 4th of July Island Blast fireworks show will take to the sky from the launch site at the west end of Whitecap Boulevard. Organizer Jerry Watkins says everything is in place for the show, however this year’s show won’t be accompanied by the spectacular grass fire which happened last year when the falling embers lit up the spoil island across the canal from the launch site. “The Flour Bluff Fire Department has tried to do a control burn on that island twice,” Watkins said Wednesday. “But it’s too green to burn. They are going to try one more time but if they can’t burn it neither can the fireworks.” The $15,000, 22-minute fireworks show is funded by donations from Island residents and businesses and is done by a professional fireworks company hired for the occasion. In only three short years it has become a highlight of the Island calendar and a reason to throw the Mother of All Deck Parties on Island canals. Portable restrooms will also be placed at the end of Whitecap and at the Caravel boat ramp for public use.
Party on the Patios The fireworks show builds on a tradition begun sixteen years ago by Islanders Ann Weber and Harald Meyers who, along with their
Fireworks continued on A3
Live Music A18
a retail section spread along the SPID/Park Road 22 corridor, and calls for “neighborhood villages” at both the SPID/Commodores and SPID/Whitecap intersections which will require more planning to facilitate. (For the complete language of the plan as it pertains to The Island and Flour Bluff see the stories in this issue). The report divides the city into seven distinct sections with a distinct development plan for each. They are: Downtown, Westside, Northside, Southside, Midtown, Flour Bluff, and Padre/ Mustang Islands, but provides a comprehensive plan for downtown only. Critics of the plan including the Corpus Christi Builders Association say most of the focus of the plan is on the revitalization
Plan CC continued on A5
Padre/Mustang Planning District Future Land Use Padre Island and Mustang Island contain residential neighborhoods with year-round residents and “winter Texans,” tourist-oriented developments and attractions, and public parks and beaches. Unlike many beach communities that have a small-town core with a walkable cluster of restaurants and shops that serve both visitors and residents, Padre Island commercial development is spread along the SPID/Park Road 22 corridor. The remaining developable land on Padre Island is controlled by a small number of owners. The new Schlitterbahn Waterpark and resort will be a big visitor attraction and is likely to encourage additional residential/ tourist development.
Island continued on A5
A little Island history
Texas Horse Marines Captured Ships from Horseback on Copano Bay
It was this month 179 years ago that the Texas Horse Marines, a mounted company of Texas Rangers in the service of the Texas revolutionary army rode into Texas history. In 1836 the Rangers, under the command of Maj. Isaac Watts Burton, had been dispatched by Gen. Thomas J. Rusk to watch a stretch of the Gulf Coast south of San Antonio Bay and when they heard of a suspicious vessel in Copano Bay, the Rangers hid on the shore and sent up distress signals. Considering how much Texas history has occurred on horseback it isn’t surprising to learn that one of the Republic’s greatest naval victories was achieved by 20 or so armed and mounted Rangers known to history as the Texas Horse Marines.
Standard issue tomahawk This little-known band of Texas patriots, under the command of Maj. Isaac Watts Burton, is believed to be the only Marine unit in history to receive a tomahawk as standard issue and perhaps the only one to capture three ships while riding horses and without firing a shot.
The “soldiers at sea” in this instance had been dispatched to the Texas coast by Gen. Thomas J. Rusk, who feared that Mexican troops might land on the Texas coast. This was in June of 1836, three months after
Texas’ decisive victory at San Jacinto but the Mexican army was still in Texas. A Mexican insurrection was very much on the minds of the new Texas government.
History continued on A6
A2
Sandhenge
This Island Stonehenge was built on the beach last weekend either by Druids, space aliens, or tourists from OTB.
Robert Pruski, Jr. 361.652.2278 adventure1mgmt@gmail.com
July 2, 2015
Island Moon
Thor God of Thunder from Port Aransas found this message in a bottle on the beach a couple of weeks ago and is waiting for an archaeologist to be on hand for him to open it in case the genie has to be stuffed back in the bottle. We’ll let you know how it goes.
Fun at the ski basin - photo by Miles Merwin
Justin Jones and Sarah Anderson went fishing with Ernie Buttler out of Snoopy’s Pier this week and landed these fish when they took part in the Texas Combat Marine Outdoors program. The program takes Texas wounded warriors and their families out for a day on the water. Anyone wishing to contribute to the program can help by donating at Snoopy’s.
What can we fix for you today? Computer, Tablet, and Smartphone Repair, Web Design, On-Site Services, Remote Support
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Our experienced lenders are with you, providing you expert personal attention and knowledge to guide you through each phase of construction and/or financing. Whether you are just beginning with a lot purchase, ready with your plans and to start construction, or wish to purchase, refinance or remodel an existing home or building, we offer competitive rates, attractive terms and customized solutions. We’ll be with you until the keys are in your hands.
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Want to know more? Just give our Branch Executive Officer, Dan Suckley, a call at 361-949-8070. NMLS# 613900
July 2, 2015
Island Moon
Letters to the Editor
Moon Monkeys Mike Ellis, Founder
Gate
by Mary Craft mkay512@aol.com or @padreeyelander on twitter
Dear Mr. Ron Olson
New Advertisers
City Manager City of Corpus Christi I sent you an email last week concerning the continuing problem of vehicles crashing into the gate or fence at the PIYC. (For the record, this has not cost the Padre Island Yacht Club anything since the automotive insurance for the drivers has picked up the bill.)
Distribution Pete Alsop Island Delivery Coldwell Banker Advertising Jan Park Rankin Classifieds Production Manager Jeff Craft Contributing Writers Joey Farah Andy Purvis
The photo above shows the signage at the West end of Whitecap. The only indication of a change in direction is in the left land and can be interpreted as applying to both lanes. Picture #2 shows the fence and gate for the Yacht Club. You
Mary Craft Maybeth Christiansen Jay Gardner Chad Peters
Ronnie Narmour Brent Rourk
Texans will have the opportunity to assist with the state’s disaster recovery from the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred from May 4 to June 19. Dozens of qualified Texans will be offered temporary jobs as local hires of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in its Austin, Denton, and Houston offices.
Dr. Donna Shaver Photographers Miles Merwin Jeff Dolan Mary Craft Ronnie Narmour Office Security/Spillage Control (Emeritus)
FEMA has partnered in this venture with the Texas Workforce Commission. Those interested may go to http://www.workintexas. com and create an account. Once logged in, click on “Search All Jobs” and type “FEMA” into the search bar. Currently, there are six job categories posted: • Administrative/Clerical • Customer service • Logistics
Riley P. Dog
• Report writing
Publisher Dale Rankin About the Island Moon
The Island Moon is published every Thursday, Dale Rankin, Editor / Publisher. Total circulation is 10,000 copies. Distribution includes delivery to 4,000 Island homes, free distribution of 3,000 copies in over 50 Padre Island businesses and condos, as well as 600 copies distributed in Flour Bluff, 1,400 copies on Mustang Island and Port Aransas businesses.
• Switchboard/Help desk • Technical/Architecture/Engineering FEMA positions with detailed job descriptions will remain posted through July 24 or until the jobs are filled.
Vacant Lots
News articles, photos, display ads, classified ads, payments, etc. may be left at the Moon Office.
14646 Compass, Suite 3
editor@islandmoon.com Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper
Where to Find The Island Moon WB Liquors Port A Arts
North Padre All Stripes Stores
A Mano
CVS
Coffee Waves
Whataburger
Moby Dicks
Doc’s Restaurant
Spanky’sLiquor
Snoopy’s Pier
IGA Grocery Store
Isle Mail N More
Carter Pharmacy
Brooklyn Pie Co.
San Juan’s Taqueria
Ace Hardware
Wash Board Laundry Mat
Texas Star (Shell)
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
Gratitude Gift Shop Keepers Pier House Port A Glass Studio The Gaff
Commodore, PIYC
Whataburger on Waldron Ethyl Everly Senior Center Fire Station
Candidates must be 18 years of age or older and must be a U.S. citizen. Qualified applications will be forwarded to FEMA staff, who will select candidates for interviews. Selected candidates should have a valid government identification card, such as a driver’s license or military ID. Candidates will be required to complete a background investigation, which includes finger printing, and additional ID, such as Social Security card, birth certificate or passport. The hiring process may take up to 15 days from the date of application. FEMA is committed to employing a highly qualified workforce that reflects the diversity of our nation. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, political affiliation, non-disqualifying physical handicap, sexual orientation, and any other non-merit factor. The federal government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Why are there so many vacant lots not being mowed? There is a fire hydrant in this mess!! Pic was taken at the corner of Gypsy and Eaglesnest Bay Dr. Rebecca Kinkle
The following schedules will be observed for City Departments: Solid Waste Services: • Garbage and recycling Collection: No changes in schedule. • Recycling Drop-Off sites will be closed Saturday, July 4th but will reopen Sunday, July 5th, from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The locations include the HEB at Leopard Street, the HEB at Alameda Street and Glazebrook Street, as well as the Fellowship of Oso Creek Church located at 7402 Yorktown Boulevard. • Heavy Brush: No changes in schedule. • Landfill: The J.C. Elliott Transfer Station’s Citizen Collection Center will be closed Saturday July 4th and will reopen Monday, July 6th from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Animal Care Services: • Closed Friday, July 3rd. • Reopen Saturday, July 4th for adoptions from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
City Marina: • Open Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th.
Police Station
Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History:
Stripes on Flour Bluff & SPID
• Open Friday, July 3rd and Saturday July 4th from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
A Mano in Port A has new fun colorful Mexican folk art for your home or garden. The new arrivals came from San Miguel, Delores Hidalgo and Michoacan. They are located on Hwy 361 near the Tower Center. AE Tech Services can repair your computer, tablet and smartphone. They do web design and have on-site services as well as remote support. They are located at 4855 S. Alameda and can be reached at 452-1066.
Business Briefs Johnny D’s Restaurant location again has a new potential tenant that would put in a restaurant featuring classical French and Italian cooking along with fresh seafood, steaks with the spice of Southwestern cooking. They plan to have palapa bar and other outside seating areas for dining and an area for live music and dancing outside and a dining room and lounge inside. Both investors have a lot of restaurant experience, one here locally and the other in New Mexico. Summer Golf Camp directed by Patrick Kelliher, PGA for ages 6 – 17 will be held July 20 – 24 1:00 – 3:00 pm at the Schlitterbahn Country Club. The fundamentals of golf, etiquette and rules of golf will be taught and clubs will be provided if needed. The groups will be divided by age with a 6 to 1 ratio. Cost is $99 for members and $119 for nonmembers. Call 949-4221 to register. The Boathouse Bar & Grill invites you to enjoy the 4th of July fireworks from their patios. Ice 9: Joe Satriani Tribute Band will be there to help celebrate the event. Cancun Seafood Bar & Grill has several lunch and dinner specials with different veggies each day. The food continues to get rave reviews and the prices are reasonable. Their house wines are currently from Chile.
All are encouraged to visit https://www.fema. gov/disaster/4223 for news and information about this disaster
Around continued from A1
Send letters and photos to editor@islandmoon.com Or visit us on Facebook at The Island Moon Newspaper
City Independence Day Schedule Most City of Corpus Christi offices including City Hall, libraries and Municipal Court will be closed Friday, July 3rd in observance of the Independence holiday.
The Texas Surf Museum Luau Fundraiser Dinner will be held at the American Bank Center Watergarden room on Friday, July 24th. There will be a silent and live auction, an Endless Summer Exhibit and Hawaiian style luau dinner for $125/ticket. Special guests include Bruce Brown, Dana Brown, Robert August, Paul Strauch, Lance Carson and Wingnut. For table information call 8822364.
More positions may be posted on the TWC webpage as the disaster recovery continues.
Have a happy 4th of July everybody and say hello if you see us Around The Island.
Sandpiper Condos
Stripes @ Beach Access Rd. 1A
Woody’s Sports Center
Jim Gaugler
Sara and the folks over at PI DOG report that they now have a 501 non-profit account in place to accept tax-free donations for the park, which will be located near the water tower at the south end of The Island. The next PI Dog activity will be a beach walk on Saturday, July, 18. Meet at the Briscoe King Pavilion at Padre Bali Park at 9:00 a.m.
361-949-7700
Port A Parks and Rec
Sincerely,
Dog Park progress
Corpus Christi, TX 78418
Pioneer RV Park
Again, I am asking for your help to solve this problem before someone is seriously hurt or killed.
aware of unless they want a milk bath. But if that’s the worst problem we have to face here on our little sandbar we will be alright. There’s no complaining on the yacht!
The Island Moon Newspaper
Lisabella’s Restaurant
The problems have occurred late at night. A vehicle making the curve in the right lane will turn square to the gate and focus the headlights on the reflectors when it is 67 feet from the gate. At the legal speed limit, this is 1.3 seconds from impact. So far, we have not had any serious injuries. This could change if a vehicle hits the bollards or the power pole to the right of the driveway.
FEMA Seeks Texans to Work at Disaster Recovery Offices
Todd Hunter Dotson Lewis
Port Aransas
will note there are numerous reflectors on the gate and two recently installed diamond shaped signs (thank you) with additional reflectors.
Whitecap dead ends with the drive to the sewer plant on the right and the drive to the Yacht club on the left. The problem could be solved or mitigated with signs that indicate “Dead End” or “U-Turn”.
Arlene Ritley
Devorah Fox
Did Ya Hear?
A3
Port Aransas Art Center will host their next First Friday Reception on July 3rd 5:30 - &:30 pm. Stop by for live music, refreshments, great art and local artists. Snoopy’s Pier is a great place to escape the summer heat with their A/C inside or shade with breeze on their patio with the view of the Laguna and its boat traffic. They have great fresh seafood in an Island casual atmosphere. It has been a locals and tourist favorite since the 80s. They are open 11 am – 10 pm and accept credit cards. Scuttlebutt’s Bar & Grill is serving a special meal for the 4th of July that includes Southern Comfort smoked brisket, grilled chicken, homemade potato salad and baked beans. As always, you can call ahead to pick up your orders to go and use the convenient parking spots for to go orders. The Island Presbyterian Church on Fortuna Bay has a “Boot Display” exhibit through July 6th to recognize our soldiers who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. A Schlitterbahn bus stop has been added to the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation B bus route 65. The route begins at the La Palmera bus station, stops on Waldron in the Bluff then Schlitterbahn, Port Royal and ends at 11th Street in Port A. The bus makes this round trip six times a day.
4th of July event begins at 5:30 p.m. with live performances by American historical figures, a science show, kid-friendly activities, indoor and outdoor playgrounds and music. For more information visit www.ccmuseum.com
City Parks and Recreation facilities: Golf Courses: • Lozano Golf Center- Open regular hours. • Oso Golf Course- Open regular hours.
Public Pools: All City pools will be Open July 3rd & 4th. Hours vary by pool: • Collier Pool, 3801 Harris Drive, Tuesday– Sunday, 3pm–6pm; Closed Monday. • Corpus Christi Natatorium, 3202 Cabaniss Parkway, Wednesday–Sunday, 12pm–3pm; Closed Monday and Tuesday. • Greenwood Pool, 4305 Greenwood Drive, Thursday–Monday, 12pm–6pm; Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. • H-E-B Pool, 1520 Shely Street, Thursday–Sunday, 12pm–3pm; Closed Monday–Wednesday. • Oso Pool, 1109 Bernice Drive, Thursday– Sunday, 3:30pm–6:30pm; Closed Monday– Wednesday. • West Guth Pool, 9705 Up River Road, Thursday–Sunday, 3:30pm–6:30pm; Closed Monday–Wednesday. Senior Centers: Closed July 3rd Recreation Centers: Closed July 3rd
Fireworks cont. from A1 neighbors throw a party on the patios of their homes at 13758 Three Fathoms Bank Drive where the judging for the parade is held. The public is invited to attend and the party is a good way for Island newcomers to meet some of the old salts. For the third year the band Statesboro Review will play the party which begins at 6 p.m., the bar opens at 5:45, and runs through the fireworks show. The music can also be heard by boaters who raft up along the Main Canal; just follow the music.
The 4th of July Watercraft Parade Things kick off at 7 p.m. when the 16th Annual Watercraft Parade launches from the Padre Island Yacht Club and runs along the Main Canal to the Gypsy Bridge. All boaters are invited to take part and there is no charge nor registration necessary. Muster for the parade begins at 6 p.m. in the canal at the Padre Island Yacht Club and the parade kicks off at 7 p.m. from that location. It’s time to put some fire in the sky on the 4th of July everybody. Get out there and enjoy!
A4
July 2, 2015
Island Moon
The Travelling Moon Gets Around
Frances Seagrave and friends took the Moon treveling with them to Sedona Arizona. Mike and Darla Montano and Robert and Ann Holdsworth took the Moon fishing off the Riviera Maya coast.
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July 2, 2015
A5
Island Moon
Plan CC 2035: District 4 Councilwoman Colleen McIntyre
Plan CC continued from A1 of downtown. Leading the President of the association to tell the Island Strategic Action Committee last month is it “Destination Bayfront on steroids.” That belief is rooted in one of the stated goals of the plan which contains two buzzwords; to “complete a waterfront park and trail network that celebrates the Bay and connects destinations.” The builders’ primary objection to the plan is that, they say, it will inhibit development on the city’s Southside by pushing development toward downtown and points north. One of the plan’s goals for downtown is to “spur housing and other marketdriven development with a more targeted and versatile incentive program.”
Three scenarios The plan considers three scenarios for the city’s development through 2035 with none, so far, recommended but the third more clearly defined. They are: Scenario 1. Called the “Stay the Course” route, predicts that by 2035 Padre Island will gain 2000 new housing units, the same as downtown. Scenario 2. Described as “Targeted Initiatives” calls for downtown to gain 4,000 housing units by 2035 while The Island gains 3,000 housing units, including an Urban Village along with “Employment and retail centers.” Scenario 3: Which, according to the plan, was preferred by slightly more than half of the participants questioned, finds that by 2035 less than 50% of development occurs on the Southside and the Northwest while Downtown adds 7000 residential units and a grocery store and that by then Padre Island will be “built out” with 4700 new units. After the initial public comment period, which ran through June 30, the documents will be revised. Once the second draft of the plan is complete, there will be a second public review for two weeks. From there, it will go to the Planning Commission and the City Council for a vote. Discussion of how the plan impacts The Island and how to form a development plan for The Island will be discussed at the next meeting of the Island Strategic Action Committee which will meet on Tuesday, July 7, at 5:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend.
Island continued from A1 Mustang Island consists primarily of oceanfront lots east of route 361. Unlike the Port Aransas development farther north, there are few large-scale multi-unit developments on Mustang Island.
Future Land Uses The Padre/Mustang Planning District is very important to the tourism economy in Corpus Christi but it is also vulnerable to rising sea level and the impacts of extreme weather events, such as storm surge and hurricanes. Regulations are in place to protect sand dunes as the first line of defense against storm damage. The vulnerability of development in this planning district should be taken into account in the permitting process. Design guidelines for elevated buildings can help ensure an attractive environment while providing for flood protection. The Future Land Use Map emphasizes focusing future development around existing development and as infill. A “Planned Development” land use category for areas around Packery Channel is intended to promote a comprehensive approach to evaluating the type and extent of development best suited to this location. Similarly, on Mustang Island, low-density residential uses predominate on the map. This means that more intensive development would require zoning changes that will trigger greater scrutiny of development impacts on each property.
IM: As public comment on the first draft of Plan 2035 closes, as the council members supported by Island voters what will you do to ensure that and adequate development plan for The Island is included the final draft of Plan CC 2035, and what will the mechanism for drawing up that plan? R: The current phase of the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan calls only for adoption of goals and policies. One such policy calls for a life span and review schedule for the comprehensive plan and area development plans. As we review the strategies and actions, we need to put a time table for development of the area development plans to ensure the timely creation of an Island plan.
TCEQ Announces Funding of Texas OneGulf, Led by the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Texas OneGulf, led by the Harte Research Institute (HRI) for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, is one of the first RESTORE Centers of Excellence in the nation to receive an award from the U.S. Treasury, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Commissioner Toby Baker announced Tuesday.
“Texas OneGulf joins together for the first time the very best of Texas institutions with a focus on the Gulf of Mexico to make sure our political leadership, resource managers, business and industry, and our citizens have the best available science to address issues affecting the environmental and economic health of our state,” said Dr. Larry McKinney, HRI Director. “Texas is a coastal state and what happens in the Gulf and to the Gulf has real consequences for us all.”
• The Transition Aviation Special District is a land use designation intended to transition residential uses out of the area between NAS and SPID. This area has a significant amount of housing for low-income residents. A framework to set fair compensation for owner occupants and assist tenants in finding new housing will be needed.
R: Each of the planning areas of the City, including the Island, currently have an area development plan and will have their plans updated. The Southside Plan and Downtown Plans were selected as the first two plans to be developed by the consultant because of special needs in the area. Most of the Southside was not developed when the current plan was created in 1989. While the current downtown plan is new, the relocation of the Harbor Bridge has opened opportunities for development which were not predicted or planned for previously. Pàdre/ Mustang Islands will have an updated Area Development Plan. Members of ISAC have already begun looking at the plan.
R: We have not yet discussed this, so I am not certain of the intent of the draft. Currently most of the properties in the area are zoned Low Density Single Family residential. Most developments have been Medium Density Single
• SPID/Whitecap Boulevard intersection: Mixed-use development at this intersection would be suitable for a Neighborhood Village serving the residential areas off Whitecap Boulevard.
The Joint Land Use Study adopted by the City and NAS-CC calls for making future land uses around military airfields (and the civilian airport) compatible with aviation uses. Implementation of this recommendation will strengthen the likelihood that NASCC will continue in Corpus Christi, but it will require transitions in land uses near NAS over the long term, as well as low densities over much of Flour Bluff for new development.
IM: Plan CC 2035, while establishing committees to draw up development plans for the Downtown and Southside areas did not include a planning committee for Padre/Mustang Island. Why?
IM: On Mustang Island it calls for zoning changes " that will trigger greater scrutiny of development impacts on each property." What does that mean?
The establishment of the centers is part of Texas’ ongoing implementation of the federal RESTORE Act, which requires that the five Gulf States affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill establish centers to conduct research on the Gulf Coast region.
Flour Bluff continued from A1
R: Many corners in high value areas have redeveloped as the market has allowed them to do so. New zoning options similar to those in the Barisi Village would be necessary to allow for development of Urban Villages. This type of zoning would allow for a greater variety of mixed residential/commercial properties in close proximity as well as minimized setbacks. These zoning changes would only be approached at the request of the property owners, not at the City's request.
R. It does not indicate that development should be limited. The plan mentions that we have regulations in place for dune management and erosion response. The plan is designed for a growth of 10000 residents on the Island, as well as widening of Hwy361, and improvements to Pk Rd 22 at Aquarius and Jackfish. It addresses the Regional Parkway from 286 to PK Rd 22. In short, while there are some actions in the draft that we will need to address, the draft calls for and plans for growth on the island.
• SPID/Commodores Drive intersection area: Redevelopment of commercial uses now at this intersection, plus development of adjacent property, in the long term could provide an opportunity for an Urban Village, especially with the proximity of the Schlitterbahn development.
• An update to the Area Development Plan for North Padre and Mustang Islands should provide a framework for future land uses and design character in the Planned Development area, balancing the area’s character as a neighborhood for year-round residents, a tourism and resort location, and a place of natural beauty and coastal vulnerability.
Will this be done by zoning changes, and what is meant by "redevelopment" of commercial uses?
IM: The Plan CC 2035 calls for stricter permitting for future development due to vulnerability due to storms. Specifically what type of permitting is involved? It also makes a point of stating " The Padre/Mustang Planning District is very important to the tourism economy in Corpus Christi but it is also vulnerable to rising sea level and the impacts of extreme weather events, such as storm surge and hurricanes." This makes it sound as if development on The Island is not to be encouraged due to storm threats. What is the intent of this language? In your opinion does it mean because of storm threats development on the Island should be limited; and if so, to what?
Creation of a mixed-use, walkable village environment would be beneficial for visitors as well as residents.
Future Planning
IM: At the SPID/Commodores Drive Intersection is calls for "Redevelopment of commercial uses now at this intersection, plus development of adjacent property, in the long term could provide an opportunity for an Urban Village, especially with the proximity of the Schlitterbahn development."
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to these questions. The Comprehensive Plan adoption is being approached in phases. The first, and current phase, addresses the Goals and Policies. The Council read and recommended some changes to these before sending them on for future comment, hearings, and eventual approval. The goals and policies incorporate the legally required Comprehensive Plan - it defines our destination. Most of the concerns from Council, the community, and the questions below come from the Strategies and Actions as well as the Narrative/Background sections. These, when approved, are the pieces that make it easier for staff to implement the plan - it is the roadmap. They have not yet reviewed these in Council.
Texas was the first state to receive U.S. Treasury funds to support its RESTORE Centers of Excellence, research centers created after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to direct penalties in support of programs, projects, and activities that restore and protect the environment and economy of the Gulf Coast region. Texas OneGulf, a consortium of nine Texas institutions, and the Subsea Systems Institute at the University of Houston will equally share an initial $4.036 million.
Future Urban Or Neighborhood Village Opportunities
Family Residential with projections for multi-family or resort developments. All rezonings require public hearings and opportunity for public input. I do not believe any greater scrutiny is necessary and believe this may have merely been a nod to the required process.
Editor’s note: The following is a response from District 4 Councilwoman Colleen McIntyre to questions from the Island Moon concerning Plan CC 2035. Councilman Mark Scott had a family emergency and will respond in a later issue. Mayor Nelda Martinez’ response will be in the next issue. We did not receive a response from council members Chad Magill and Lillian Riojas by press time. We will print their responses as they become available.
After the first two-year push, Texas OneGulf will be driven by a strategic research and action plan and will administer a competitive grant program. “The Texas OneGulf initiative provides an important opportunity to improve not only the health of the Gulf of Mexico, but the citizens of Texas that depend on the Gulf for their livelihood, and are impacted by Gulf-related emergencies,” said Dr. Cheryl Walker, Director of the Center for Translational Environmental Health Research at Texas A&M University Health Science Center, a partner in the Texas OneGulf Consortium. “This funding will build a coordinated program to support disaster research response activities that will allow us to rapidly assess the impact of disasters along the Texas Gulf Coast on human health.” In addition to HRI, partners in the Texas OneGulf Consortium include: • Center for Translational Environmental Health Research at Texas A&M University Health Science Center • Marine Biology, Science and Engineering Departments, Texas A&M University at Galveston • Geochemical and Environmental Research Group (GERG) and Dept. of Oceanography of Texas A&M University • Biological and Environmental Sciences of University of Texas Brownsville • Sealy Center for Environmental Health and Medicine at University of Texas Medical Branch
“Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is not only geographically positioned to contribute, but we also have highly qualified scientists at the Harte Research Institute who have been studying the health of the Gulf for years and will be able to take that research to an elevated level with the additional funding,” said Dr. Flavius Killebrew, President and CEO of A&M-Corpus Christi.
• The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment of Texas State University • Center for U.S. and Mexican Law at University of Houston Law Center • Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System-Regional Association
Established in January, Texas OneGulf will launch an ambitious initial two-year research program to address priority Gulf of Mexico issues affecting Texas. Some of those projects include: The establishment of a network of Texas-based Gulf of Mexico experts; the development of metrics to objectively assess the health of the Gulf; developing a system to ensure that the state’s emergency responders have quick and easy access to academic resources when responding to oil spills, hurricanes and other disasters; using autonomous underwater vehicles to track low-tono oxygen “dead zones” off the coast of Texas; and linking the Gulf’s most powerful data and information resources to assure Texas researchers, decision-makers, resource managers and citizens have access to the best available Gulf science.
• Compatible land uses are low-rise, non-residential, and lowdensity residential development. The purpose of setting these parameters is to avoid uses with large concentrations of people.
Future Planning • A Flour Bluff Area Development Plan is needed to set an overall framework for more detailed planning around aviation land-use compatibility issues while enhancing livability for residents through planning for a Neighborhood Village, connectivity, and nature-based recreation.
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A6
July 2, 2015
Island Moon
Stuff I Heard on the Island
DEE-SCOVERIES
Tapas and Jam
by Devorah Fox
by Dale Rankin
http://devorahfox.com There’s a little jewel in Aransas Pass just waiting for you to discover it. It’s not hard to find, just easy to overlook so let me point it out to you. It’s The Rialto Theater on Commercial Street. The Art Deco style venue originally opened in 1937, part of a chain that was headquartered in Beeville. The Aransas Pass theater had 500 seats and at the time was the only air conditioned space in the region. It operated as a single screen cinema until 1991 when it closed, yielding to competition from multiplexes.
only period-authentic materials and furnishings. Jen is more interested in having the building “open and alive even if it is raw.” Her current challenge is to level part of the floor to create a cinema lounge area. Boyd Camera will be donating time and equipment so that the Rialto can offer digital films. Jen has no intention of trying to compete with the multiplexes but sees the Rialto operating as an art house especially since there aren’t any in the area. She’s also looking to establish a year-round calendar. For starters there’s Tapas and Acoustic
Area Development Plans are required by their City Charter for each section of incorporated Texas cities. To fulfill that requirement in 2004 the City of Corpus Christi was about to release a plan for Padre and Mustang islands; this came as news to Island residents who had been neither informed nor consulted about the plan. It was about to be sprung on an unsuspecting Island as a blueprint for their future. When word got out, Islanders, with the help of then District 4 Councilman Mark Scott, got the deadline for issuance of the plan pushed back and Islanders formed a sixteen-member Stakeholders Group and formulated a plan which led to the inclusion of $1.2 million on the 2004 bond election to fund a water exchange bridge connecting Lake Padre to the existing canal system. It was the only Island item on a $50 million bond package and as of this writing - lo these eleven years later - the only project on the 2004 bonds that is still but a dream. The rest are complete. The Island was thrown a bone, as is often the case with our city’s bond elections, only the bridge bone is one we have not yet been fortunate enough to actually sink our teeth into (a story for the next issue). That same 2004 bond package included Phase I of the Bayfront Development Plan which rerouted Ocean Drive Downtown and began a process which over the past decade has seen more than $200 million in public money thrown at downtown with demonstrably little to show for it.
Déjà vu all over again
And there it stood, shuttered, it caught the eye of Jen Rubinowitz. Originally from Indiana and Kentucky, Jen worked for a time for AT&T and MCI. In the 1990s MCI moved to Texas and Jen moved with it. She loves the water, fishing and diving and kept coming back to Rockport and Port Aransas to enjoy those activities. Drawn to “old buildings and old houses,” she spied the Rialto Theater and felt called to do something with it. She was heartened in 2003 when she saw a “Sale Pending” sign and thought that someone would be bringing the Rialto back to life. When the sale fell through, she decided the theater’s revitalization was up to her so she bought it. Cleaning up flood damage to the interior was a monumental undertaking and she ended up having to close the theater temporarily.
Jam every Tuesday night at the Rialto. Saturday, July 4 a special BBQ and Blues featuring the Hot Attacks to benefit the theater is being held at the Tiki Bar located at 508 Bigelow in Aransas Pass. Upcoming events on the Rialto calendar include “Suite Surrender,” a melodrama directed by Karen Cline-Tardiff, slated for August. Set in 1942, it’s the story of two of Hollywood’s biggest divas who descend on the luxurious Palm Beach Royale Hotel, assistants, luggage, and legendary feud with one another in tow and find themselves assigned to the same suite.
When she reopened it Jen’s original concept was to make it a type of artist commune with leased studio spaces, taking inspiration from urban commercial repurposing projects like Boston’s Fanieul Hall Marketplace and Monterey’s The Cannery. That worked for a while. So did having theater groups put on plays but it all didn’t quite turn out the way she envisioned.
Devorah Fox is the author of The Bewildering Adventures of King Bewilliam epic fantasy series, Naked Came the Sharks, Murder and Mayhem in the Texas Coastal Bend and Masters of Time, a SciFi/Fantasy Time Travel Anthology
For more information visit the Web site at www.rialtotheater.org. Send an email to art@ rialtotheater.org or call 361-758-0383. Or, just come by 327 S. Commercial Street in Aransas Pass. I’ll see you there.
http:/devorahfox.com
I fear we now find ourselves on the precipice of a repeat performance in the form of Plan CC 2035. Don’t get me wrong, I commend our current city council for taking the bull by the horns and taking on the much-needed and politically charged task of a comprehensive plan for the city’s future. In many ways the first draft of the plan, which I encourage Islanders to read on the city’s website, is a good start. But having read through it, well, almost all of it since I skipped some of the puffery which are required in such studies, I can’t help but come away with the feeling that we are headed back to the future a la 2004.
Island Left Out The first hint of trouble was when the plan was announced and planning committees were set up to design plans for Downtown and the Southside but not The Island. This was most troubling because The Island already had a de facto planning committee in place in the form of the Island Strategic Action Committee; but it was never asked to formulate and submit an Island plan for inclusion in Plan CC 2035. To her credit then Chairperson of the ISAC Gabi Hilpold tasked her committee with
An examination of the current draft of the plan shows that there are two distinct documents now salient. First, is the broad plan for the city which includes a small mention of The Island and which we have included in its entirety in this issue; and a second plan exclusively for Downtown. I am not trying to fan the fire of us versus them; I think others have done a fine version of that already by not inviting us to the party in the first place. We supported and voted collectively for five current members of the council and when they could have kept an eye out for our interests they did not. Enough said.
Questions asked The questions put to the public in the feedback portion of the plan are telling in themselves. “Do you feel comfortable walking or biking along the street you live on?” 49% said yes. On The Island we have 2.5 sidewalks; one on the Aquarius Extension and one on Whitecap (which it took a pedestrian fatality to get) and a piece of a sidewalk on old Aquarius. The rest consists of marked lanes designated along the curb within arm’s reach of traffic. “Can you walk or bike to a park from where you live?” 63% said yes easily. We Islanders can if we don’t mind walking or biking in the street; however, we don’t go to the parks as they are full of sticker burrs and unusable.
Of Urban Villages What I see is much talk in the plan of Urban Villages and “targeted and versatile incentive program(s)” to “spur housing and other marketdriven development” downtown. I see no mention of any such incentive program for The Island. So far at least, we are once again on our own. There is no doubt we need a plan like Plan CC 2035 and again I applaud this council for taking on the task. As I see it the ball is now in our court; it’s up to us to hold the people we helped elect to their word that they would help us find a seat at the table. I hope things improve and there is time to get there; but right now I have to say it’s starting to look like 2004 all over again.
While patrolling an area between the mouth of the Guadalupe River and Mission Bay, Burton got word of a suspicious vessel sailing into Copano Bay. Burton and his Rangers hurried to the area and issued distress signals to the ship, a schooner named Watchman, which may have also run aground on a sandbar. The Rangers did not respond when the ship hoisted American and then Texan colors, but responded to the Mexican colors.
Jen encourages musicians to participate in the jam. Check your stage fright at the door. The musicians are laid back and eager to share their talent and energy to make a happy noise, and the folks in the audience are relaxed and supportive. The jam “gives people space to work on their fear and develop their talent.” Jen has really enjoyed hearing performances by “the coolest people” and seeing them blossom. She’ll often join in along with her husband, Jake. They met at the Rialto when they started performing together.
Thinking the signals came from distressed Mexicans, the captain of the Watchman and four of his sailors began rowing ashore in a small boat to aid their countrymen. Captain Burton hid his men in the brush and sent two, disguised as Mexicans to the beach to signal the ship
The Rialto serves as an art gallery too. Check out the gallery and gift shop open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11-4 and Tuesday evenings when the theater is open for the jam. A portion of the sales goes to the theater’s renovation and operation.
Imagine their surprise when about 20 Texans on horseback emerged from their hiding places to capture them. The men were captured and "hog-tied" in short order. Leaving 10 men ashore, the boat would hold only 16, Captain Burton and the other fifteen men put off for the ship. The Mexicans saw them coming and realizing that it was a trick opened fire with what cannon the ship carried. Poor marksmanship on the part of the cannoneers permitted the Texans to gain the ship and with a rush they went aboard and soon had control of the ship. This turned out to be as fortuitous as it was clever. The Watchman, though American-owned, was loaded with provisions for the Mexican Army.
The restoration has been a labor of love. Jen has renovated old houses but never a commercial space and nothing of this size. Some restorers of historic buildings go to great lengths to use
The ship was not much more than headed towards Matagorda when two Mexican gunboats were sighted. Captain Burton at the point of a pistol, forced the ship's commander to signal the captains of the other gunboats aboard for a conference. They came and were promptly captured by the Texans who were disguised
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So here we are
History continued from A1
In 2006 Jen formed her own non-profit organization with an eye toward creating the cinema drafthouse experience, that is, to offer dinner and drinks with movies. To that end she obtained a liquor license for the Rialto so now beer and wine are available as well as soft drinks. In June the theater started Tapas Tuesdays. Guests can enjoy snacks as well as beverages at happy hour prices that begin at 5:00 p.m. and continue until 6:30 p.m. when the stage is available for the acoustic jam.
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formulating an Island plan, but that work fell by the wayside when she termed out and is now being revived by the new Chair of the ISAC Greg Smith. Experience shows us that if we want to be included in a comprehensive plan for the city we will have to do it ourselves; it would’ve been nice to have been offered a seat at the original table, but that is not how things have historically gone for us and this case was no exception. So it goes.
361-949-1900
as Mexicans. Once the crews and remaining officers of the two gunboats realized their captains were held as hostages they surrendered and the Texans sailed them into port. On July 28, the Kentucky Gazette published a letter describing the incident. “On yesterday, news came of the capture of three Mexican vessels by a troop of horses – these you will call ‘Horse Marines’ I suppose.” The letter was written by Edward J. Wilson of Kentucky, who had come to Texas to fight in the battle for independence. Burton’s Rangers, the original horse marines, are sometimes referred to as members of the Texas Marine Corps but they were volunteers and not officially part of the corps. They made quite a sight when they sailed with the ships into Velasco with their beloved horses on board, making Wilson’s “Horse Marines” an apt description. The three captured ships along with supplies valued at $25,000 were later taken to Galveston. Texas kept the cargo and gave it to the Texas army but all three vessels were owned by Americans and were returned to their owners. Source: Texas State Historical Association
July 2, 2015
A7
Island Moon
Backwater Adventures On the Rocks
On the Road Again
By Jay Gardner
By Joey Farah
If you haven’t been out there, the water at the beach has been looking a little beat up lately. Guess what popped up again? Yup, it’s the cold dirty water upwelling occurring at the beach. This turns the surf muddy and chilly, and basically drives most of the fish away. At least the fishing is typically terrible during these events. As I look back through my notes, and on the websites, this is a yearly event the best I can tell. Some years it lasts for a few days, some years it lasts for a few weeks. The original theory is that the nepheloid layer is coming to the shore. The what? Yeah, nepheloid layer.
Farah’s Fishing Adventures
With temperatures on the ride and water levels declining, we have seen the fishing take some turns. Last month anglers could do no wrong even on the weakest of lunar feeding times. When water temperatures soar into the 80's game fish start to focus their activity towards the coolest times of the 24hour clock, they go nocturnal. Many of the mature trout that so many have been catching have been feeding light at sunrise and sun set, and heavy during late night feeding times. At the same time shrimp populations have been exiting the back bays and making their way towards the gulf passes on the road out to the sea. All of this means that when you roll out on the water an hour after first light the fish are full from a night of eating shrimp and small minnows. The answer is to catch the mid-day bite when fish game fish will take bait in between heavy feedings. Many of the trout we are catching between 10am-2pm show pieces of digested shrimp and small pin perch in their stomachs. Growing live croakers into the easily visible sand pockets along the King Ranch Shoreline has been good for two to ten trout every stop. Redfish and flounder have been scattered in everywhere. With the tides dropping out look to the Intracoastal Waterway to be a top producer as the deep water will remain cool all day and host tons of bait. Fish the east and west sides, lures live shrimp, croaker, and for reds and flounder small finger mullet. First light of the day along the edge of the channel can be a fish every cast with soft plastics.
The nepheloid layer is characteristic of the offshore waters here in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Because we have such low river flows out into the Gulf and our converging currents in the Coastal Bend, silt and clays form a layer of “cloudy” water on the bottom up to various depths. The water is typically colder and oxygen poor. It definitely blocks the sunlight which might otherwise support a coral reef system around here, which is the interesting note if you’ve ever wondered why we don’t have them. The nepheloid layer starts out around 40-50 feet of depth and goes all the way out (just ask any of your snorkeling or Scuba-diving friends out there). Of course there’s nothing we can do about the nepheloid layer anymore that we can stop the Sargassum.
Cheryle Kratz with a beautiful 28 redfish from her family's cabin in the Land Cut this week.
As our finned friends are on their summer movements to cooler places so are many of us. We will see folks from far and wide here excited to experience what we enjoy every day. Take the traffic with a grain of salt and relax, you are blessed to be on Island Time all year long. I am on a great journey myself , this week Joey, Coryne and I are headed west towards the pacific to surf and visit family. I am prepared for a memory of a lifetime, hope I don't look too much like a tourist from Texas!
So, how does it get to the beach you ask? Well, I did a little more digging this year, and consulted with one of my favorite mentors, Dr. Wes Tunnell from the HRI. Dr. Tunnell did confirm that it is the nepheloid layer getting to the beach. Then I found a great research paper that had exactly what I was looking for; a diagram of the nearshore and offshore currents, and what time of year you can expect them. The nearshore (on the shelf) currents go from north to south from January to May, and then around June, they switch to south to north. In doing so, these two massive volumes of water collide and cause the upwelling as the oncoming, weaker current gets shoved offshore, pulling the water
up from below and towards the shore as it goes. It’s these same converging currents that cause the massive amount of trash to wash up on the seashore. As more of a “picture it in your head” example, think about the riptide that forms next to the south packery jetty when there’s a south wind. The water is pushed up the beach by the wind until it hits the jetty (an obviously stronger “force”), and then the water flows out, along the jetty at a high rate of speed. Same principle, although in the upwelling case, the jetty is replaced by a larger mass of water headed in the direction of the predominate winds. Don’t you just love science? In any event, the currents change several times a year, in response to predominate winds. Along the beach it can change direction in a matter of minutes; there’s a much less volume (depth) of water compared to the amount on the shelf. It just takes longer with a bigger volume. The upwelling will last as long as the currents are in the process of switching. Sometimes a few days, sometimes a few weeks. A solid southeasterly wind for a week or two should train that stuff out of the system and get our pretty water and fish back. At that point, we will be in the “dog days” of summer, with tropical water coming in from Mexico. I can’t wait! Sarah, I managed to figure out the answer to your question. She asked me the other day “why don’t lobsters from a reef have ciguatera like the fish do?” When we were talking the other night, I failed to realize exactly what the diet of lobsters is. They eat small snails, crabs, clams, and sea urchins. So they don’t have the same diet as barracuda, hence no ciguatera. That comes from dinoflagellates that are eaten by small fish, and then in turn eaten by larger fish. The ciguatera is a background organism in everything, true, but it’s the biomagnification into the larger fish that creates the toxic levels that affect people when they eat it. So there ya go loyal readers, thank Sarah for the question. Drop me a line at jaygardner@scientist.com and I’ll see you all On the Water for the fireworks. Have a safe Holidaze weekend!
Get out and get wet! We are.
Cheryle's redfish had a perfect heart on the tail, great end to a couples weekend at the cabin.
January through May currents
Brett Dunn and his crew with a nice morning of fishing the Land Cut with capt Farah. June through August currents
Noon time trout pics are hard to take with caps on.
Some local Island residents scored some nice trout during the week away from the crowded weekend frenzy. King Ranch Shoreline.
Tides of the Week
September through December currents
Tides for Corpus Christi (Bob Hall Pier) June 25- July 1, 2015
Day
High /Low
Tide Time
Height in Feet
Sunrise Moon Time Sunset
Moon Visible
Th
2
High
6:08 AM
1.7
6:37 AM Set 7:15 AM
2
Low
9:50 PM
-0.7
8:28 PM Rise 9:02 PM
F
3
High
6:41 AM
1.6
6:38 AM Set 8:16 AM
3
Low
10:35 PM
-0.6
8:28 PM Rise 9:52 PM
Sa
4
High
7:11 AM
1.6
6:38 AM Set 9:20 AM
4
Low
11:22 PM
-0.4
8:28 PM Rise 10:40 PM
Su
5
High
7:38 AM
1.5
6:39 AM Set 10:23 AM
5
8:28 PM Rise 11:24 PM
M
6
Low
12:11 AM
-0.2
6:39 AM Set 11:26 AM
6
High
8:03 AM
1.3
8:28 PM
6
Low
2:49 PM
0.8
6
High
6:21 PM
0.9
Tu
7
Low
1:05 AM
0.1
6:39 AM Rise 12:07 AM 72
7
High
8:24 AM
1.2
8:28 PM Set 12:29 PM
7
Low
3:20 PM
0.5
7
High
8:18 PM
0.9
W
8
Low
2:08 AM
0.4
6:40 AM Rise 12:49 AM 61
8
High
8:43 AM
1.1
8:28 PM Set 1:31 PM
8
Low
4:01 PM
0.2
8
High
10:28 PM
0.9
Moon Phases
99
99
96
90
82
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A8
July 2, 2015
Island Moon
SPORTS One Giant Step
Sports Talk
Rick Monday's act still heroic after 39 years
By Andy Purvis Special to the Island Moon
By Dotson Lewis Special to the Island Moon Dotson’s Note: This being the July 4th edition (Published on July 2nd) of The Island Moon, I believe that it is appropriate to refresh your memory of this sports happening which stands out to me as being a very memorable patriotic/ sports moment. I’d wager that most of you over the age of 50 remember it, and for you youngsters who never heard the story, this is a dose of patriotism/sports to assist you in your observance of Independence Day. My thanks to Major League Baseball writer, Ben Blatt, for many of the facts contained in this story. It was 1976, a fun year for America. It was the country's bicentennial, the war in Vietnam had ended a year earlier and everyone really wanted to put all the problems from the 1960s, Watergate and Vietnam behind them and just enjoy the country's yearlong 200th birthday party.
there were 50-something thousand people in the ballpark and I only wanted them to swing at me, so I could defend myself and do a job on them." Monday continued, "Doug Rau, a left-handed pitcher for the Dodgers at the time, came out of the dugout and I handed the flag to him. The two guys were led off the field through the Dodger bullpen. After the guys left, there was a buzz in the stands, people being aghast with what had taken place. Without being prompted, and I don't know where it started, but people began to sing 'God Bless America.' When I reflect back upon it now, I still get goose bumps." Thirty-nine years ago, cable television was in its infancy and the Dodgers rarely, if ever, televised a home game. A Super 8 film of the incident would not surface until 1984, so the moment might have been captured only by Vin Scully's vivid description of it on radio. Luckily, in the photographers' well that day was the late James Roark, who was shooting stills for the now-defunct Los Angeles Herald Examiner. Roark had the perfect angle and snapped the now-classic photo of Monday whisking the stars and stripes away just as one of the protesters was going to light it on fire.
"James Roark took the picture, and it was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize," said Monday. "This past winter, my wife and I had been looking at a lot of photos that had been in the April 25, 1976: Chicago Cubs' Rick Monday rescues archives, and one of the photos the American flag from a planned burning by protesters we came across was a picture during a game at Dodger Stadium. of James Roark and I standing together, holding up the photo On April 25, the Chicago Cubs were visiting that he took. The anniversary means a lot Dodger Stadium for a three-game series. because it was a moment captured in time by Playing center field for the Cubs was Rick James, who is no longer with us, and he has Monday, the first player taken in the amateur been greatly missed over the years. draft that was created 11 years earlier. The letters I've received from that day have Monday recounts the moment in his own run the gamut of emotions. They've been from words. "In between the top and bottom of the children who were not born yet and had only fourth inning, I was just getting loose in the heard about it. They've been from Vietnam outfield, throwing the ball back and forth. Jose veterans, including one yesterday. This soldier Cardenal was in left field and I was in center. I wrote that there were two things that he had don't know if I heard the crowd first or saw the with him in two tours of Vietnam. These two guys first, but two people ran on the field. After things kept him in check with reality. One was a number of years of playing, when someone a small picture of his wife. The other was a comes on the field, you don't know what's going small American flag that was neatly folded. The to happen. Is it because they had too much to picture was folded inside the flag and in the left drink? Is it because they're trying to win a bet? breast pocket of his uniform. Is it because they don't like you or do they have He would be in mud for weeks and months at a a message that they're trying to present? time. Those two things were what he looked at to connect him with reality, other than his buddies, and some of them were lost in battle. He wrote in the letter, 'Thanks for protecting what those of us who were in Vietnam held onto dearly.' That means something, because this wasn't just a flag on the field. This was a flag that people looked at with respect. We have a lot of rights and freedoms, not to sound corny, but we all have the option if we don't like something to make it better. Or you also have the option, if you don't like it, [to] pack up and leave. But don't come onto the field and burn an American flag." Later that year, Monday was given the flag by the Dodgers' general manager at the time, Al Campanis. It hangs proudly in his home in Vero Beach, Fla.
Rick Monday & James Roark When these two guys ran on the field, something wasn't right. And it wasn't right from the standpoint that one of them had something cradled under his arm. It turned out to be an American flag. They came from the left-field corner, went past Cardenal to shallow leftcenter field. That's when I saw the flag. They unfurled it as if it was a picnic blanket. They knelt beside it, not to pay homage but to harm it as one of the guys was pulling out of his pocket somewhere a big can of lighter fluid. He began to douse it.
The event was voted as one of the 100 Classic Moments in the History of the Game by National Baseball Hall of Fame. Dotson’s Other Note: For you Moon Monkeys who are interested, here is the website to viewthe video this classic moment in the history of baseball: http://agencypages.net/ AgencyPages/11-52/ Your comments, suggestions, 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
Joseph Ferrell once said, “The man who most vividly realizes a difficulty is the man most likely to overcome it.” He didn’t have an intimidating name like Tiger, Shark or The Golden Bear, but this guy could toast it off the tee. He would cut the fairway right down the middle like a ripe watermelon. Humble and often shy, he spurned the spotlight. He hit golf balls, smoked big cigars, and dodged haters for a living. His drives had “deep threat” written on them, and he played with a chip on his shoulder. He once said, “Golf will make you take up another sport.” He understood that he who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still. Oh, he was good. He even once hit an alligator swimming in a pond about 140 yards away. This fellow won despite the hardships he faced. An exceptional talent with a golf club, he remained emotionally tough against adversity at every turn. Unlike Jackie Robinson, he had no team around him, protecting him and cheering him on. It was him against the culture, against the times, and against the golf course. He was the very definition of “speak softly and carry a big stick.” He could chip with the best and he would swear at times that his putter wriggled like a garter snake. Famous sportswriter, Grantland Rice, once said, “Eighteen holes of match play will teach you more about your foe than 18 years of dealing with him across a desk.” Charlie Sifford opened the door for African Americans and took the game of golf one giant step further than anybody else.
Then the wind blew the first match out. There was hardly ever any wind at Dodger Stadium. The second match was lit, just as I got there. I did think that if I could bowl them over, they can't do what they're trying to do. I saw them go and put the match down to the flag. It's soaked in lighter fluid at this time. Well, they can't light it if they don't have it. So I just scooped it up. My first thought was, 'Is this on fire?' Well, fortunately, it was not. I continue to run. One of the men threw the can of lighter fluid at me. We found out he was not a prospect. He did not have a good arm. Thank goodness.
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sponsor and asked to eat somewhere else, but not in the clubhouse. They found black cats in their beds at the hotel. They also heard the ruffled curses from the gallery and often found their balls kicked into the rough. Charlie struggled to overcome his anger and used counseling to help him along the way. Still, Sifford was able to win the 1963 Puerto Rico Open. Charlie Sifford won $341,000 on the PGA Tour and almost $1 million on the Senior Tour (now called the Champions Tour) with seven wins. Sifford was an original member of the Senior Tour created in 1980. At the age of 64, Charlie was the oldest Senior Tour player and finished 28th on the money list in 1986. Sifford won the 1967 Greater Hartford Open and the Los Angeles Open in 1969. He also won at Sea Pines in 1971. One of his greatest wins came after a 22-foot birdie putt on the first hole of “sudden death” in the 1975 PGA Senior Championship. He collected $7,500 for the victory. It was of small consequence after not being invited to the 1974 Masters, even though he had qualified. His last tournament appearance came in 2011, at the Liberty Mutual Legends-of-Golf Tournament. This event was part of the 70 and older players of the Champions Tour. His partner was none other than Lee Elder. In 1975, Lee Elder became the first black player to participate in the Masters Tournament. Charlie Sifford never played in the Masters Tournament or The Open Championship. Clarence Rogers of the National Negro Golfers Association (NNGA) said, “There would have been no ‘Tiger’ Woods without Charlie Sifford, at least in our lifetime. He was a beacon of life.” Woods concurred. Earl Woods, Tiger’s dad, and Charlie became friends when Tiger was a junior golfer. Tiger wrote, “My pop likely wouldn’t have picked up the sport, and maybe I wouldn’t have either.” Tiger paid tribute to Charlie many times calling him the grandfather he never had, and Sifford referred to Tiger as his adopted grandson. “Charlie won tournaments, but more important, he broke a barrier,” said Nicklaus. “I think what Charlie Sifford has brought to this game has been monumental.”
Charlie Sifford Started in the caddieshack Charles Luther Sifford was brought into this world on June 2, 1922. He was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. His dad was a factory worker and taught Charles the meaning of hard work and the value of a dollar. Sifford became a caddie at a local whites-only golf course at the age of 13. The story goes that he was paid 60 cents a day for his efforts. He gave his mother 50 cents and spent the rest on himself and cigars. He would play the course with other caddies on Mondays when allowed, and often broke par. At the age of 17, his family moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Charlie turned pro. He would grow to 5’ 8” inches tall and weigh a sturdy 185 pounds. Charlie served his country in the segregated Army of the Pacific Theater, during World War II. He endured the hardships of the Battle of Okinawa and returned home wanting to play golf for a living. Sifford began playing golf professionally in 1948. He started playing on the United Golf Association Tour, where African-American golfers played for relatively small purses on mostly public courses, because most private clubs would not allow minorities to play. Charlie won six Negro National Open Titles before making his PGA Tour debut, at the ripe old age of 38. Charlie first attempted unsuccessfully to qualify for a PGA Tour event at the 1952 Phoenix Open. He was allowed to play in an all-black foursome that included the great boxer, Joe Louis. In 1957, Sifford won the Long Beach Open, which was not an official PGA Tour event but was co-sponsored by the PGA and had many well-known white golfers in the field. He also played in the 1959 U.S. Open and finished in a tie for 32nd place. In October of 1960, Charlie finished second to Billy Casper at the Orange County Open. Sifford became the first black golfer to participate on the PGA Tour in 1960. Players whose last names were Hogan, Casper, Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, and Snead dominated the links in the world of golf. Even after the PGA Tour had dropped its “Caucasian only” membership rules in 1961, Sifford and other black golfers endured all kinds of racial threats and hazards. Wonderful black players like Pete Brown, Lee Elder, Calvin Peete, Jim Dent, and Jim Thorpe would follow in his footsteps. In fact, it was Brown who became the first black golfer to win an official PGA Tour event in 1964, at the Waco Turner Tournament, played in Oklahoma. They were often barred from clubhouses and the club restaurants, so they had to leave the course to change their shoes, to shower, change clothes and get something to eat. Sifford claims he was once given $20 by a tournament
What they were doing was wrong then and in my mind, it's wrong now. It's the way I was raised. My thoughts were reinforced with my six years in the Marine Corp Reserves. It was also reinforced by a lot of friends who lost their lives protecting the rights and freedoms that flag represented. So I started to run after them. To this day, I couldn't tell you what was running through my mind except I was mad, I was angry and it was wrong for a lot of reasons.
Tommy Lasorda was in his last year as thirdbase coach before he took over for Hall of Fame manager Walter Alston. Tommy ran past me and called these guys every name in the longshoreman's encyclopedia." Lasorda recalls, "I saw Rick start running over from center field to left. I didn't know what it was, but as soon as I saw him start, I took off and I ran out there, and of course, by that time, Rick had picked up the flag and continued running. When I got there, I see these two guys and I told them, 'Why don't one of you guys take a swing at me?' because
Eighteen holes of match play will teach you more about your foe than 18 years of dealing with him across a desk
Charlie Sifford wrote in his autobiography, Just Let Me Play, about the trials and tribulations he fought to play the game he loved. The following is a funny story about a fellow golfer who would become one of his best friends. “How the hell did he shoot 63?” asked Arnold Palmer, after the first round of the 1955 Canadian Open. Of course, he was talking about Charlie Sifford. Sifford led Palmer by one stroke and was standing right behind Arnold when he said that. Sifford responded to Palmer’s surprise, “The same way you shot 64. That’s how we met,” laughed Sifford. Charles Sifford died on a Tuesday at the age of 92. The date was February 3, 2015. It seemed almost appropriate for Charlie to leave us during Black History Month. Charlie’s wife Rose had died in 1998 and they had two sons, Charles Jr. and Craig, three grandkids and one great grandchild. More than two hundred mourners attended his funeral, yet it is sad to say that no current PGA Tour golfers were present. Sifford had experienced a stroke one month before entering a hospital in Cleveland, not far from his home in Brecksville, Ohio. Charlie had lived in Northeast Ohio, for many years and was the former club pro at Sleepy Hollow in Brecksville. At his funeral, twentyseven of the local members of (NNGA) each placed a golf ball in a container that was to be given to the family. In 2004, Charlie Sifford won his most important match by becoming the first black player inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Interestingly, Charlie chose his dear friend, Gary Player, a South African player, to present him for induction. Sifford was also presented with the Old Tom Morris Award in 2007. Fortunately, in November of 2014, three months before Charlie passed away, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama at the White House. Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer are the only other golfers who have received this honor. The medal was promptly displayed next to his casket along with a photo of Charlie with a big cigar in his mouth. Former Chief Justice of the Unites States, Charles Evans Hughes, once said, “When we lose the right to be different, we lose the privilege to be free.” Charlie Sifford was both different and free and one heck of a golfer. Save us a tee time, Charlie. 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.
July 2, 2015
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Snake! Snake! Run for your very life! This photo of a Diamondback Watersnake appeared on our Facebook page, theislandmoonnewspaper, this week and created quite a stir; be advised the shot of the snake eating the fish, or saving it from drowning if you prefer, was not taken on The Island. However, Islanders report the sighting of several of them in recent weeks, possibly related to the recent rains, under decks and in one case on an Island doorstep. They are said to be a bit aggressive but are not poisonous and should not be confused with the poisonous Diamondback Rattlers which inhabit our dunes. Islander Harald Meyers reports that he lost his dog to a rattlesnake bite in the dunes north of Packery a few weeks ago. The water snakes feast on fish and the occasional water rat but other than scaring the begeebers out of us they don’t pose much of a threat to Island humans; except of course for heart attacks.
Solar Panels
Solar panels went up last weekend as Island radio enthusiasts get ready to have some fun on the 4thof July weekend. The gear, located in the adjacent vacant lot, is powered by the panels.
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July 2, 2015