Inside the Moon
Grow Your Own A6
Fishing A7
Winter Texan Roundup A13
The
Issue 614
Island Moon
The voice of The Island since 1996
January 21, 2016
Around The Island By Dale Rankin editor@islandmoon.com As the smoke started to rise on Tuesday the phones at the Word Factory lit up. Fire crews were burning brush along State Highway 361 as part of their regular maintenance when the wind is blowing in off the Gulf of Mexico keeping the smoke and flames on the bay side away from the roadway.
There’s just something about a fire that gets peoples’ adrenaline running and brush fires in particular. And when they can get up close and personal like this time it’s even better. As a news anchor we used to say during video of house fires, “No one was hurt but just look at those flames!”
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Islander Zahn Takes Seat as Port Chairman
Developer Pledges to Move Forward With Canal on Lake Padre
By Dale Rankin Longtime Port Aransas resident Charlie Zahn was sworn in as the Chairman of the Port of Corpus Christi on Tuesday marking the first time for an Islander to hold that seat. Zahn takes over the port at a time when it is experiencing unprecedented growth with $40 billion worth of new development either underway or permitted and in the development process and as outbound tanker ships recently began moving oil from the Eagle Ford Shale play to overseas ports with the lifting of the ban on the exportation of domestically-produced oil. Two months ago he accompanied Texas Governor Greg Abbott on a trade mission to Cuba and has also made several other trade missions for the port to Central and South America in the past year.
Live Music A16
Mardi Gras Registration A15
“We’re not waiting on the city to commit to the Water Exchange Bridge” By Dale Rankin
Port Chairman Charlie Zahn with his wife Linda Zahn is appointed to the board by the Nueces County Commissioners Court and chairs the commission
Port continued on A4
Developer Paul Schexnailder said this week he will proceed with the digging and bulkheading of 1200 feet of new canals on the 100plus acres of undeveloped land controlled by his company on the Gulf of Mexico side of SPID “within the next sixty days” even as the City of Corpus Christi continues to work on a Memorandum of Understanding for the $10.5 million Park Road Exchange Bridge.
The design of the Park Road 22 Water Exchange Bridge calls for three arches much like this single-arch bridge in Commander’s Cove. proposed 22 Water
The city has been at work for more than a month on the MOU which would outline the agreement between Schexnailder and the city for moving forward with the bridge project and has not given a date for the work to be finished.
New bollards
Mayor Nelda Martinez told the audience at the Padre Island Business Association lunch last week that the city will not commit to the building of the bridge until there is certainty that the canals will be built.
Photo by Ronnie Narmour
The new Harbor Bridge will be 1050 feet long and 530 feet tall.
Crews in Port Aransas are replacing old bollards on the beach with new bollards on the beach. Normally that wouldn’t be much in the way of news but there are a few wrinkles that are drawing attention. First, the new bollards are closer together than the old ones, so close that a golf cart can’t squeeze through anymore. That’s pretty serious business hereabouts as it necessitates the schlepping of an ice chest across burning sand. As a general rule we Islanders are against schlepping in all its forms, but particularly when it involves an ice chest. The second difference is that the new bollards are taller, which means using them to sit on becomes a real issue. A fall from such a precipitous height could result in the spilling of a beverage; and you all know how we feel about that.
Barefoot Mardi Gras Saturday, February 6
The seventh annual Barefoot Mardi Gras celebration is now only two weeks away on Saturday, February, 6.
And third, they are round on the top which means you can’t perch you drink on top either. Did this sound like a good idea at the planning meeting? Have you ever tried to balance a halffull can of anything in a koozy on soft sand? Oh the humanity!
This year an afternoon festival has been added to the schedule which will be held at Briscoe King Pavilion during and after the parade, which has new starting point this year at Whitecap Beach. The route was extended north to Whitecap in order
Oh well, new bollards are as certain in this climate as death and taxes. But next time maybe let’s have us a bollard committee to see to it that the needs of the Plebeians are taken into account. It’s tough enough being a Plebeian without falling off a towering bollard onto your golf cart and spilling your drink. We got scruples you know.
Seashore Middle Academy Gets High State Mark
Pole dancing Along with new bollards the other thing as certain as death and taxes on our little sandbar is that wanna-be racecar drivers will take out the light pole on the Aquarius Extension.
For more information on the event see the entry forms and schedule on page A15 of this issue.
By Brent Rourk Seashore Middle Academy on The Island is ranked by the website SchoolDigger as the 15th best middle school (out of 2038) in Texas. The word circulated quickly at Seashore Middle Academy this week as teachers engaged curious students in the classrooms . Seashore Middle Academy is known for its academic rigor, positive small school atmosphere, and dedicated teachers who tirelessly work to help their students master curriculum. The smaller teacher: student ratio also promotes trust and respect among staff and students, further
Around continued on A2
By Colleen McIntyre and Barbara Beeler
The final event of the day will be the Kings and Queens Ball at the Veranda at the Schlitterbahn waterpark which will begin at 7 p.m.
SchoolDigger Ranks SMA 15th in the State
SMA continued on A5
“We are not going to wait on the city to move on the bridge,” Schexnailder said after the mayor’s speech. “Our Army Corps of Engineers permit requires as a material feature the construction of the canals and the bulkheads leading to the water exchange bridge. The concept that they will not be done is not reality. The canals and bulkheads will be built before the bridge can be completed. It is my hope that the city will build the bridge in congruence with the canals.”
Bridge continued on A5
Seashore Charter Schools: The Early Years
to relieve overcrowding along the route, which now stretches from Whitecap south along the beach to the county park at Bob Hall Pier.
For the first year Barefoot Mardi Gras has added the Island Foundation Schools to the list of non-profit organizations it will benefit, along with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Corpus Christi. We include information on the schools in this issue.
Mardi Gras Parade Route A15 A little Island history
“We will not build a bridge over a pond,” Martinez said.
It takes a community to educate its children, and Seashore Charter Schools are an embodiment of this concept. 20 years ago the first community organizational meeting was held in Katie Howell's living room. After trying unsuccessfully to pass a bond election to bring an elementary school campus to the island, they took matters into their own hands. Someone read the poem IF....and discussed what the community could create” IF” – “IF” we had small class sizes, ”IF” we had individualized instruction, “ IF” we worked across the curriculum, “IF” we had multiage classes,” IF” we focused on character and social skills, “ IF” we had the parents involved….. The dream began with a small group of Island residents: Peggy Shirley, Belinda Stump, Debbie Lichtenberger, and Luis Villarreal. Luis' children never even attended a Seashore school. Jimmy Driver
was first CEO/Principal of Seashore Learning Center which opened its doors in 1995 as a private school with 15 students, grade pre-k through third grade, and one teacher, Lori Hernandez, in an old convenience store building. The first year was spent writing a charter to be awarded one of the twenty 1st generation charters authorized by the Texas Legislature. The charter was written to develop a mixed age program for our students with strong cross curricular activities. Students wore uniforms. Some island residents may still remember seeing kids in the bright dolphin print shirts, royal blue jumpers, and khaki shorts around the island. When charter was approved, the Island Foundation purchased the old Dairy Queen and opened as a public school K-4 in 1996 and moved the preschool to Island Presbyterian. Construction soon began on the Tarpon Building.
A Prank for the Ages
Editor’s note: This story doesn’t really have a connection to The Island except that somehow it seems that it fits with the Island’s sense of humor; and besides with the approach of Football Withdrawal when the season ends in a few weeks we figure now’s a good time to tell it. His name was Johnny Chung, a 6-foot 3-inch 212-pound halfback who was half Hawaiian and half Chinese and in 1941 he was a Heisman Trophy contender who could run like the wind and who ate bowls of wild rice for energy during halftime. He was billed as the Celestial Comet and he played for the Plainfield Teachers College Lions whose team colors were mauve and puce. He was written up in the New York Post’s College Grapevine column, “Johnny
Chung, Plainfield Teachers’ Chinese sophomore halfback has accounted for 57 of the 98 points scored by his unbeaten and untied team in four starts. If the Jersey dons don’t watch out, he may pop up in Chiang Kaishek’s offensive department one of these days.”
What if… The problem was that of all the things mentioned in the above paragraph, including the Celestial Comet and Plainfield Teachers College, the only two that actually ever existed are the New York Post and Chiang Kaishek; everything else
History continued on A6
Seashore continued on A5
A2
Around continued from A1
The latest event was over the weekend when a Dodge pickup with Florida plates turned the pole into half a chopstick and left behind enough parts and debris to start a junkyard in Acuna. At the rate things are going AEP needs to bid out the salvage rights at that site for anyone who needs side mirrors, battery brackets, bed covers, or, in the latest case a cell phone charger.
January 21, 2016
Island Moon
with all those little green toadstools that have sprung up so the when the next Dale Earnhardt wanna-be comes a-barreling down the pike and takes out the pole he doesn’t blow out half the lights on The Island.
Moon at Pisa
It’s not a Quick Draw Saturday Night on our Island unless some knucklehead crashes into the light pole and blows out the lights. You can lead a Plebeian to the chicane but you can’t make him turn.
Barefoot and boat rides Our friend Charley Rouser, recently arrived from Rockport is now offering canal tours in his boat the Gatsby. We took one last weekend and were once again reminded that ours is a different Island when seen from the water side. Charlie will pick you up at your house and is featuring Valentine’s Day tours special enough to make up for a forgotten anniversary and prevent nights spent sleeping on the couch. Call him at 940 7041005
The Gatsby The urge to accelerate through the chicane on the Commodores end of the street seems overwhelming and overrides the good sense of knowing there is a curve and a utility pole at the other end. The good news is that AEP has replaced the pole so many times it looks like they have built a belt and suspenders system
We’re looking forward to the Barefoot Mardi Gras in a couple of weeks. There will be a new addition this year in the afternoon with a kidfriendly event over at Briscoe King Pavilion right after the parade. We’ll see you there, in the meantime say hello if you see us Around The Island.
Sue and Ken Parsons recently took the Moon with them to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This was part of a Western Mediterranean cruise on the Viking Star. Other sites visited were Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Rome, Malta and Majorca.
Congratulations Keith Burlett and Susan Wardle. It's a boy!
SMA continued from A1 encouraging students to engage and achieve. Annually attaining high marks on state-wide tests, SMA has repeatedly put students in a position to succeed in rigorous high school and college environments.
Barefoot Mardi Gras February 6, 2016
Calendar of Events January 29, 6p
Fat Friday Party @ The Boathouse
February 6, 11a
Parade @ The Beach Between Whitecap & Briscoe King Pavilion
February 6, 11a-5p
Festival @ Briscoe King Pavilion
February 6, 7p-12a
King & Queens Ball @ Schlitterbahn
According to their website, SchoolDIgger was founded in 2006 “to empower parents like you to make informed choices about choosing a school for your child.” Ranking schools can be a tricky business because there is a lot of data to continually examine. Also changes occur regularly, and sometimes advances and upward (or downward) trends are not always easily determined let alone shown on a simple graph or chart. Their database contains profiles on over 136,000 schools in the United States (in every state) including 20 years of enrollment data. According to the SchoolDigger website, additional data includes ‘several years of
Seventh grade student marlena Osgood was amazed at the rankings SchoolDigger ranking, stated, “Seashore Middle Academy has always set high expectations for all students. The teachers and staff are committed to student success and will go the extra mile for each and every student – providing excellent instruction and educational opportunities for experiences and competitions that enhance the learning experience. “
www.barefootmardigras.com
SMA staff member Shannon Trial commented, “It’s exciting and gratifying to see how SMA compares to comparable schools in the state. Our school community knows how remarkable we are, and now the rest of the state will as well.”
Eighth grader Cole Miller is honored for SMA to be ranked so high. Photos by Brent Rourk
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test scores, crime data, real estate data, and everything our team hopes is useful in helping you make better school choices. SMA Director Barbara Beeler, pleased at the
Seventh grade student Mariana Osgood added, “I think that it is amazing that we are the 15th best middle school in Texas. Our school is not as big as other schools, but our academics, great teachers, and sport s make up for it.” Eighth grade student Cole Miller stated, “It is an honor knowing that all of the hard work we have put into school is paying off and shows in the rankings. I am honored to be in the top 20.” Seashore middle Academy is another reason why we are pleased to be a part of this exciting and successful sandbar. Hats off to all of the students, families, staff, and community members who contribute to SMA’s success.
♥ Home Decor ♥ ♥ Chocolate & Coffee ♥ ♥ Gift Baskets ♥ ♥ Wine Accessories ♥ ♥ Jewelry & Purses ♥ ♥ Sunglasses ♥ Open Tuesday - Thursday 10-5 Friday 2-5 ♥ Saturday 10-? 14254 S. Padre Island Dr. Suite 103
January 21, 2016
Island Moon
Did Ya Hear?
Letters to the Editor
Moon Monkeys Mike Ellis, Founder
by Mary Craft mkay512@aol.com or @padreeyelander on twitter
PI DOG Needs YOU!
Distribution
GLO
Pete Alsop Island Delivery
Moon,
Coldwell Banker Advertising Jan Park Rankin Classifieds Arlene Ritley Production Manager Jeff Craft Contributing Writers Joey Farah Andy Purvis Devorah Fox Mary Craft Maybeth Christiansen
Our 2016 Art Contest is now open and ready to receive new works of art! The Adopt-A-Beach Children's Art Contest is a great way to teach kids in grades kindergarten through 6th how trash on our beaches affects marine life and our Texas coast. Forty students will win wonderful prizes from United Airlines, Royal Caribbean, Schlitterbahn, the Texas State Aquarium, Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the Houston Zoo. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, March 2, 2016. Read about the rules and requirements on our web site, and then start creating! Winning artwork will be included in our 2017 calendar. If you are already eager to start cleaning our beaches, head down to South Texas for one of our Winter cleanups. You can register online!
Jay Gardner Todd Hunter
• Friday, February 12th at Edwin Atwood Park on South Padre Island
Dotson Lewis Ronnie Narmour
• Saturday, February 13th at multiple locations in the Coastal Bend area
Brent Rourk Dr. Donna Shaver
Thank you for being a part of the Adopt-ABeach family. We look forward to seeing you at a cleanup this year!
Photographers Miles Merwin Jeff Dolan
Texas General Land Office
Mary Craft Ronnie Narmour Office Security/Spillage Control (Emeritus) Riley P. Dog
Grocery Store Hello Dale. I have never written to you before but I am a long time reader and I always appreciate your tireless advocacy for us Islanders. Recently I came across an article on "the daily meal" website that mentioned that there is a section on Trader Joe's website in which it is possible to request a store be built in any given area. Apparently if enough people send in a request they will look into the feasibility of coming to that town.
Publisher Dale Rankin About the Island Moon
The Island Moon is published every Thursday, Dale Rankin, Editor / Publisher. Total circulation is 10,000 copies. Distribution includes delivery to 4,000 Island homes, free distribution of 3,000 copies in over 50 Padre Island businesses and condos, as well as 600 copies distributed in Flour Bluff, 1,400 copies on Mustang Island and Port Aransas businesses. News articles, photos, display ads, classified ads, payments, etc. may be left at the Moon Office.
The Island Moon Newspaper 14646 Compass, Suite 3 Corpus Christi, TX 78418 361-949-7700 editor@islandmoon.com Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper
Where to Find The Island Moon Port Aransas Lisabella’s Restaurant Pioneer RV Park
Sandpiper Condos WB Liquors Port A Arts
North Padre
Stripes @ Beach Access Rd. 1A
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)
Port A Parks and Rec
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
Woody’s Sports Center
Subway
Shorty’s Place
Flour Bluff
Giggity’s
H.E.B.
Stripes @ Cotter & Station Gratitude Gift Shop Keepers Pier House Port A Glass Studio The Gaff
Liquid Town Whataburger on Waldron Ethyl Everly Senior Center Fire Station Police Station Stripes on Flour Bluff & SPID
I don't know if you have ever been to a Trader Joe's but in my estimation they are perfectly suited to our community here. They are smaller than the average supermarket but have fresh produce among other things. They also cater to a more upscale population such as we have here, yet they are very inexpensive. I think that the Island could support a Trader Joe's by itself but since they have such a cult following I am sure that they would draw traffic from the other side of the bridge as well. Maybe it is just a pipe dream on my part, but maybe you could write an article in the moon encouraging people to visit the website and request a store. If enough people do this maybe we stand a chance. I will include the links for the article and Trader Joe's website.
Youth League Sponsorships Needed Sponsorship for girls youth sports $200 — Corpus Christi, Texas I am currently in search of individuals and/or businesses who are willing or able to sponsor a local youth sports team. This is for the Laguna Little Miss Kickball league, a nonprofit organization that gives our girls an outlet to learn valuable life lessons while enjoying a very fun sport. Your sponsorship is not only great for tax purposes, but you also get your name or business name on the back of the teams jerseys (worn at multiple tournaments around town and south Texas), but additionally, a banner with your name or business name will be placed on the outfield fence as well. This is definitely an investment in little girls lives and is a very rewarding feeling on top of that. If interested, send me a message on FB, text me at 361-446-0587 or email me at derrick.b.born@ gmail.com
Send Letters to editor@islandmoon.com Or Facebook:
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PI DOG would like to get together a group of owners and dogs to march in the Barefoot Mardi Gras Parade on the beach Feb. 6, 2016. The parade starts at 11:00 AM. Please respond to bevhoffman@aol.com if you are interested. We need an approximate number to turn in to the parade coordinators on our entry form. We have been in the last two Mardi Gras Parade and have had a good time. Look in the Padre Moon newspaper for more information about the parade route.
Red Hot Lovers OPENING WEEK, is over!!! The cast of The Last of the Red Hot Lovers did an amazing job!!! Thank-you, to Jimmie, Lisa, Amy, Karen, Emily, D"Dee, Paula, Brooklyn & Jt. A Huge thank-you, to the volunteers and our sponsors Balinese Wellness Spa and Starkey's Management!! Something about it takes a village, well it really does to make this all come together live of stage.
A3
Business Briefs New Advertisers Coastal Bend Tourism Travel Fair will be held at the Port Aransas Civic center on Thursday, January 28th 10 am – 3 pm. There will be over 40 booths showcasing tourist attractions plus nature seminars, door prizes and more. Admission is free. Pier Pressure Marine Construction can build your palapa, boat lift, deck or dock and they also service and repair underwater lights. For more info email pierpressure13@ yahoo.com or call 205-4988. The 19th Annual Dine Around in Port A will be held on Monday, January 25th 5 – 8 pm. There will be limited tickets available for this popular event. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the Port Aransas Chamber office at 403 W. Cotter. There will be 24 restaurants participating.
Business Briefs Dragonfly Restaurant now has a pastry market. Check out their display case filled with a variety of desserts.
Remember, we have a dinner/play this Wednesday, Jan. 13, limited seating to 40... if you have not purchased your ticket yet, please go to the Business Center or email me at pactdarlene1@yahoo.com I believe we have a few tickets left. Dinner is a salad, roll, lasagna, beverage of your choice and at intermission dessert and coffee. Tickets are $35.00 for dinner& play. Play back on stage, Jan. 15, 16 @ 7:30 & Jan. 17 @ 2:30 Jan. 22, 23 @ 7:30 Closing date Jan 24 @ 2:30 Volunteers are needed for concession, selling tickets, passing out pact play bills & helping folks find their seats. Remember volunteers see the show free & need to arrive at 6:30. Please, email Jean Brown @ grammyjean2011@gmail. com Please, give her the dates & where you would like to volunteer. In the middle of this, we are having a "Snowman Party" January 19 @ 11:30, lunch served at noon. Come dressed in costume if you wish, we will crown the best dressed SNOW WOMAN!!! lots of fun, food & fellowship. Games, we will build a snowman and you must wear a hat, gloves and scarf it will be cold in Pact and it will SNOW that day!! Of course we will watch the movie Frosty the Snowman, all our "food" will be "WHITE". Admission is $35.00, this is a Fund Raiser for Pact. Money will go toward our lighting & sound system. Tickets available at the Business Center or you can email me pactdarlene1@yahoo.com These are also limited to just 40 tickets. This is also, an Old Hat Fashion Show, we have lots & lots of hats to show off!! Then mark your calendars for Jan 29 & 30 @ 7:30 The Forever Opry, starring Katie (who I think has been on stage since she was 6)!!! Singing and entertainment for all...more details to follow asap.
Mikel May’s Beachside Bar & Grill is now serving brunch on both Saturday and Sunday until 2 p.m. with live music during Saturday brunch. Friday night is Jazz night with the Victoria Majors Quartet featuring Friday night dinner specials too. Boathouse Bar & Grill Craft Fair will be held on Saturday, January 23rd 10 am – 3 pm. The Padre Island Rotary Night at the Races will be held at the Veranda Restaurant on Friday, January 22nd at 6 pm. Tickets are $35 and includes dinner. Tickets can be purchased at the Veranda. Padre Island Kiwanis Club is hosting Bingo at the Beach at the Holiday Inn for six Thursdays 7 – 10 pm. The first one will be held on January 28th. Admission is $5 plus cost of a bingo card. There will be a special menu for players. Aunt Sissy's Kitchen was named as a winner of the prestigious Wedding Wire Couples' Choice Awards for 2016 for Catering Services in the Coastal Bend. The Lil Skippers Cove kiddies play area at Schlitterbahn will be closed the next three weeks for maintenance.
Darlene Theatre Manager, Port Aransas Community Theater
POA News REMINDER – MEET THE PIPOA BOARD CANDIDATES – THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 6:30 PM at the Island Presbyterian Annex. The church is across the street from the office @ 14030 Fortuna Bay Dr. MONTHLY MEETING
BOARD
OF
DIRECTORS
appointment (The Board will discuss and nominate a member to represent the PIPOA) b. Seawall maintenance (The Board will receive a report.)
AGENDA – JANUARY 26, 2016
9. ADJOURNMENT: Following completion of Board business, meeting will adjourn. (Motion required)
PIPOA OFFICE – 5:30 PM
Some Happenings
1. CALL TO ORDER 2. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Owners may make comments to the Board. NOTE: Please follow the guidelines below for owner/resident comments: 1. Sign-in with name and contact information. List comment subject area. 2. Limit comments to 3 minutes. Only the Board President can allow additional time. 3. Maintain proper decorum. Please no interruptions, side conversations or spontaneous input from the crowd or Board members. 3. NOVEMBER 24, 2015 MEETING MINUTES: The Board will review the minutes and make corrections as necessary. The Board President will then approve the minutes. 4. EXECUTIVE COORDINATOR REPORT: The Board will hear a report from the Executive Coordinator on POA staff topics of importance since the previous meeting. (No motions)
ROTARY NIGHT AT THE RACES – Friday, January 22, 6 PM Veranda at Schlitterbahn WINTER FLAIR @ the BoatHouse - Saturday, January 23rd 10am to 3pm Arts & Craft Fair Free admission Door Prizes 15241 Leeward Dr. KIWANIS BINGO on the BEACH- starts Thursday, January 28 7 PM Holiday Inn and will be held on the following 5 Thursdays. MARDI GRAS - February 6 - *Parade 11am @ beach from Whitecap to Bob Hall Pier *Festival following parade at Brisco Pavilion -*Barefoot Mardi Gras KING and QUEEN BALL tickets are available at the POA office - $25 in advance, $35 at the door. Event is at Schlitterbahn 7 PM to Midnight LITTER CRITTER – Saturday, February 13, Wastewater treatment plant, west end of Whitecap – 7 AM to 4 PM There is only 1 day of collections in February. CITY BRUSH- setout does not start until February 24!
5. APPROVE FINANCIAL REPORTS: The Board will review, discuss, and then approve all financial reports. (Motion required) 1. Annual Budget update Sheet
ii. Balance
iii. Herndon, Plant, Oakley Investment Account update 6. ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL COMMITTEE: The Board will receive a report. 7. RECURRING BUSINESS: (Motions as required) a. Billish Park Update: the Board will review and discuss. b. Bulkhead replacement: the Board will review and discuss. 8. NEW BUSINESS: a. Island Strategic Action Committee
January on the Beach A9- Photos by Miles Merwin
A4
January 21, 2016
Island Moon
Port continued from A1 which is composed of seven commissioners who serve three year staggered terms. Three commissioners are appointed by the Corpus Christi City Council; three commissioners are appointed by the Nueces County Commissioners Court; and one is appointed by the San Patricio County Commissioners Court. The Port of Corpus Christi is the fifth largest in the United States by total tonnage. His term as port chair also comes at a time when production in the Eagle Ford has dropped with oil prices and the port staff reported Tuesday that barge traffic at the port was down by 33% in 2015 from 6876 barges in 2014 to 5715 in 2015 and it also saw an 8% decrease in volume from the first half of 2015 to the second half. New development along the north shore of Corpus Christi Bay includes the Tianjin Pipe Corporation, a $2 billion development currently under construction which will produce rolled pipe to supply the entire Western Hemisphere. The plant represents the largest single investment by a Chinese firm in the United States. Construction is also underway on a $13 billion liquid natural gas export facility by Cheniere Energy which, according to a company spokesman late last year, will add more than 200 ships per year to port traffic, each ship larger than any to ever previously enter the port. The voestalpine (sic) Group, an Austrian steel company, is also constructing a $740 million facility on the north shore which will produce two million tons of steel annually and employ about 150 people. (There is also another new development said to be in the planning stages which the press is not supposed to know about so we won’t print it here…yet.) ”This is an exciting time to be part of the Port of Corpus Christi,” Zahn said. “We are seeing growth like we have never seen before. There are great challenges and opportunities in front of us.” The Port is taking a lead role in the construction of the new Harbor Bridge. The port staff briefed the board on Tuesday about a $20 million plan, funded by the port, to help relocate residents who will be displaced by the new bridge. The size of scope of the bridge will dwarf the existing structure and, along with dredging in the ship channel, will allow for the passage of the largest ships currently in service.
Port staff on Tuesday also briefed the commission on a recent military operation which saw the rapid deployment of an army force deploying overseas. The port is one of five in the nation which can be mobilized for military operation within forty- eight hours in case of emergency. Along with troops the recent deployment involved the shipment of mobile rocket launchers and involved high-security measures including listening devices to detect swimmers in the water. So as the Port of Corpus Christi enters the second half of the decade and exponential growth that will continue to make it the driving force behind the economy in the Coastal Bend an Islander will be in the lead.
Send Letters to editor@islandmoon.com
Port of Corpus Christi Top 10 Commodities 2014 Inbound Short Tons
Outbound Short Tons
1
Crude Oil 15,683,663.93 Crude Oil
2
Fuel Oil
4,413,610.83 Gasoline
6,186,658.21
3
Gas Oil
4,402,553.79 Diesel
3,465,864.69
4
Bauxite Ore
4,257,669.59 Sorghum
3,209,620.51
5
Feed Stock
2,379,290.99 Condensate
2,659,027.58
6
Naphtha
1,218,646.76 Feed Stock
2,436,673.82
7
Aggregate
969,269.00 Fuel Oil
2,013,517.77
8
Reformate
791,982.31 Naphtha
1,446,662.51
9
Frac Sand
684,212.09 Cumene
1,440,680.82
10
Benzene
642,268.86 Alumina
1,352,653.58
Other Total
Aquarius pole takes another hit
3,741,936.75 Other
25,827,030.17
11,364,520.48
39,185,104.90
61,402,910.14
The fee for an original, renewal or transfer taxicab or vehicle for hire driver’s permit is a nonrefundable fifty dollars ($50.00) and shall be paid at the time the permit application is filed with the taxicab inspector. The fee for a replacement permit is twenty dollars ($20.00). Violators will be subject to the issue of the citations listed above (each carrying a penalty of up to $500) and impoundment of their vehicle.
He looked like he worked in Ready to Wear January 13 7:05 p.m. 3800 Interstate 69 Access Road Theft Class A Misdemeanor Corpus Christi Police Detectives have released camera surveillance images of a couple that they believe stole a television from a Walmart, located at 3829 Interstate 69, on January 13. Camera surveillance images obtained from the store show a Hispanic male walk into the store through the front entrance wearing a blue Walmart vest and tan pants in an attempt to look like a store employee. A female wearing a black and green striped top and blue jeans entered the store through the garden section. For at least the fourth time since the completion of the Aquarius extension which connects Commodores to the old section of Aquarius an out of control vehicle took out the wooden utility pole located at the spot where the street makes a turn. The latest hit occurred early Sunday when a pickup truck jumped the curb and severed the bottom section of the pole. Unlike in previous hits the downed pole did not knock out power to The Island. Bits and pieces of the truck were left strewn along the roadway including the battery, side mirrors and bed cover.
City Issues Warning to Uber, Lyft, and other drivers Transportation Network Companies (Lyft, Uber X, Sidecar, Wingz, Summon, Taxify and Haxi for example) are currently not permitted to operate in the City of Corpus Christi. Several companies were notified to meet the cities requirements or face enforcement actions as noted below:
FUN
FUN
PADRE ISLAND ROTARY IS BRINGING BACK
NIGHT AT THE RACES Friday, January 22, 2016
Doors open at 6:00 pm The Veranda at Schlitterbahn Tickets available at The Veranda & From Rotary Members $35.00 Includes dinner and cash bar For more info lawalshva@yahoo.com
This is a real night at the races! You will watch actual races shown on multiple TV’s set around the restaurant area. Bet on them with funny money you will receive as you enter. If you want bigger returns, buy a horse for each race for $20, if your horse wins you receive a Bottle of Champagne and $100. At the end of the night, change your winnings in for raffle tickets for tremendous prizes. The more winnings, the more tickets, the more chances of winning. Sponsorships are still available to advertise your business in our program.
The female posed as a customer while the male, dressed as an employee, got a dolly from the back storage area of the store and then loaded up a 60 inch Samsung LED television. They both walked out the front of the store without paying for the merchandise. The stolen television was valued at nearly $1,000. The couple got into a silver Dodge four door truck that was missing the front right fender. The two suspects in this case have not been identified and Detectives need your help in solving this crime. Anyone who recognizes this couple, their truck, or has information about this case should call the Corpus Christi Police Criminal Investigations Division at 886-2840. Anyone who would like to keep their identity secret and provide information to the Detectives should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online at http://www.888TIPS.com. Information provided to Crime Stoppers which results in an arrest may earn the caller a cash reward.
“Companies or individuals who operate vehicles-for-hire without proper license and permits are in violation of the Code and are subject to criminal prosecution and vehicle impoundment.” In the event that you are currently driving for a Transportation Network Company in the City of Corpus Christi you are in violation of the following codes based on the definition of Taxicab and For Hire: Taxicab (defined): Every automobile or motor-propelled vehicle used for the transportation of passengers for hire over the public streets of the city and not over a defined or fixed route, irrespective of whether or not the operations extend beyond the city limits, at rates for distance traveled, for waiting time, for both or at rates per hour, per day, per week or per month under circumstances that such vehicle is routed under the direction of the passenger hiring same. For Hire (defined): For money or other thing of value, gratuities, tips and free-will offerings, whether paid directly or indirectly, as compensation or consideration for services rendered. Sec. 57-30. Certificate, license and permit required.
FUN
driver’s permit from the taxicab inspector. It shall be unlawful for any person holding a certificate for the operation of a taxicab service in the city to permit any person to drive a taxicab or vehicle for hire unless such person shall have a driver’s permit in good standing duly issued by the taxicab inspector, with the exception of inspection purposes under section 57-75. (b)
The port is also taking the lead in the effort to bring a large-scale desalination plant to the Coastal Bend. Port staff told the board on Tuesday a desalination plant that would produce two million gallons of water per day would cost about $200 million, with a congruent transmission system that would cost an additional $50-$100 million. Decisions still to be made include where to locate the plant, with two primary sites under consideration, one in the inner harbor of the port and the second at the La Quinta Channel near Ingleside. Also to be decided is whether the plant would produce potable water or “industrial” quality water which would include the re-use of waste water from the City of Corpus Christi.
Having Zahn, an attorney specializing in water law, serving as the port chairman also comes at a crucial time for the City of Port Aransas which is recent years has found itself in conflict with the port over development on Harbor Island across the ship channel from the town, largely vacant land which is located inside the Port
Rank
Police Blotter
Aransas City Limits. A proposed $140 million development by a pipeline company which would have increased the city’s ad valorem tax income by almost 50% was cancelled after opposition from a citizens group. A recent controversy also developed over plans for a new city marina which would be located along the ship channel at Charlie’s Pasture. According to the information presented to the Port Aransas City Council two months ago a sharp turn in the channel means that the additional port traffic from the Cheniere facility will push high energy bow wakes into the shore near the entrance to the proposed marina. A study is underway to determine how best to deal with the problem. Also, the lease contract between the City of Port Aransas and the Port of Corpus Christi for the land which includes Roberts Point Park, land which is owned by the port, will expire in the next eighteen months and will have to be renegotiated under Zahn’s tenure.
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate or to cause to be driven or operated any taxicab upon or over any street or thoroughfare in the city unless the owner or operator thereof has first secured a certificate from the city to operate a taxicab and the required license and permit to operate such vehicle under this article has been issued. Sec. 57-76. Prerequisites to issuance of license. Upon obtaining a certificate to operate a taxicab service in the city as provided in this article, the holder shall make application to the taxicab inspector for a license to be issued for each vehicle to be operated as a taxicab. The application shall be accompanied by an inspection fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) per vehicle to be licensed. Prior to the issuance of a license for a taxicab, the taxicab inspector shall conduct an inspection of the vehicle to determine that it complies with the requirements of this article and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. In the event a vehicle fails to pass this inspection, the certificate holder shall have ten (10) business days to remedy any defects and submit the vehicle for reinspection without the necessity of payment of an additional inspection fee. After the ten (10) business day reinspection period has lapsed, an additional fifteen dollar ($15.00) inspection fee per vehicle to be licensed will be applied. Sec. 57-96. Taxicab or vehicle for hire driver’s permit required; permit fee. (a) Every person desiring to drive a taxicab or vehicle for hire in the city shall apply for and obtain a taxicab or vehicle for hire
Man leaves store with television on dolly January 13 The Corpus Christi Police Department responded to 938 calls for service and generated 191 reports for formal criminal complaints from 7:00 a.m. January 13 to 7:00 a.m. on January 14, 2016. January 14 The Corpus Christi Police Department responded to 938 calls for service and generated 191 reports for formal criminal complaints from 7:00 a.m. January 13 to 7:00 a.m. on January 14, 2016. January 15 The Corpus Christi Police Department responded to 1046 calls for service and generated 212 reports for formal criminal complaints from 7:00 a.m. January 14 to 7:00 a.m. on January 15, 2016. January 18 The Corpus Christi Police Department responded to 956 calls for service and generated 203 reports for formal criminal complaints from 7:00 a.m. January 18 to 7:00 a.m. on January 19.
Police Calls 13300 block SPID 4:51 p.m. January 18 Driving while license suspended 13800 block Sea Horse 3:06 p.m. January 18 Assault with injury 14100 block Cabana North 7 p.m. January 12 DOA 14300 block SPID 11:50 p.m. January 15 Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle 15100 block Dory 9:30 p.m. January 18 Assault with injury 15600 block Cuttysark 10 p.m. January 15 Burglary from a vehicle 13600 block Port Royal 5:02 p.m. January 15 Duty on striking fixture/Hwy landscaping $200 7100 block State Highway 361 3:16 p.m. January 18 Burglary of a building
January 21, 2016
A5
Island Moon
Bridge continued from A1 Schexnailder said work on the canals will involve the moving of one million cubic yards of dirt which will be used to raise the elevation of the property surrounding Lake Padre by about six feet, a process expected to take seven to eight months. When completed it will include about 18,000 linear feet of water frontage, the deepening of the lake, the widening of the passageway between the lake and Packery Channel -work expected to be complete within two years, and a new marina on the north side of the lake which is scheduled to begin construction by the end of 2016. The city staff told the Island Strategic Action Committee this month that all the necessary paperwork for permitting the bridge has been submitted to the Texas Department of Transportation which owns the right of way along SPID about halfway between Commodores and Whitecap where the bridge would be built, and a mandatory public hearing is expected to be scheduled in the next month. That would clear the way for bids on the bridge once the Corpus Christi City Council determines how to fund a $2 million shortfall for the project. Currently the council has pledged $8.5 million in bond money remaining from bond packages in 2004 and 2008, the remainder of the funding is expected to come from funds in the Island Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone which captures property tax revenue on new construction inside the zone, which includes the bridge site, after 2003 but the council has not acted to approve that funding. The commitment on the funding for the bridge has been delayed due to the lack of the
Memorandum of Understanding between the city and Schexnailder. The city’s Executive Director of Utilities told the ISAC this month that he is currently working on the MOU but did not give a date for its presentation to Schexnailder for his perusal. City engineers also told the ISAC that due to the unusual design of the bridge, a three-arch span of 120 feet which would include a 40 footwide water passage and two adjacent 40-foot pedestrian and cart passages, finding a local contractor who can build the bridge could be an obstacle. The engineers said “there is no bridge like this in the Coastal Bend” since most bridges are a standard “TxDot” design like the sort seen under freeways. The bridges on The Island closest to the design of the water exchange bridge are the arched bridges designed and built by Schexnailder in the Commander’s Cove and Captain’s Row subdivisions. The canal on the west side of SPID was dug during the building of the Schlitterbahn waterpark and currently reaches the site of the water exchange bridge but does not have bulkheads. At its southern terminus it stops about one hundred yards short of connecting with the existing canal system just north of Whitecap. The connection of the existing canal on the Schlitterbahn side, currently filled with brackish ground water, to the existing salt water canal system cannot be completed under the existing Corps of Engineers Permit until the canal connecting to Lake Padre under the proposed bridge is open.
Classical music was played for quiet minutes during lunch. Class pictures were taken when the kids walked across the street to the beach. Classrooms were built significantly larger than a typical school, by design, to allow for movement, different learning centers, and different learning areas. Class sizes continue to be kept small to enhance learning Over the years, Island Foundation has added buildings to accommodate a growing population. Early capital campaigns brought in about $60k a year to help fund the effort. The Porpoise Bldg. was built with a loan cosigned by four of the board members. The name Porpoise was selected because it was a “multi-porpoise” building – pardon the pun! It originally housed the preschool, then kinder, and now the office. Another notable addition was the Comark Buildings secured with a Federal Grant, greatly improving the financial status of the school by adding students without adding debt. Over the years, facility use was maximized as grade levels were added. The dolphin building was utilized for drama, art, preschool, kinder, and a one room pre-k to third grade classroom. As a first step to adding Seashore Middle Academy, the Marlin building provided instructional space for seventh grade classes in the upstairs of the Dairy Queen building. Seashore Middle Academy was added to the Island Foundation family in 2007.
Friday, February 12 - Sunday, February 14, 2016 Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds – Robstown, TX Over Valentine’s weekend, bring your love to the 5th Annual Coastal Bend Boat & RV Expo, the largest indoor show in the Coastal Bend area. Join thousands of fellow adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts February 12, 13 and 14, 2016 and explore all the different types of adventures to be had – and the fun and fast toys that go with them. More than 150,000-squarefeet will showcase the latest variety of new bay, offshore and pontoon boats, as well as gas and diesel motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, toys haulers and more … all under one roof at the Robstown Fairgrounds! Last year, record setting attendance over the 3-day event totaled more than 6,000. The Expo offers a rare indoor environment where event-goers can see, touch and compare – all in one place. In addition, many manufacturers and dealers will be ready to make a “sweat heart of a deal” with pre-season low financing, expo specials and rebates. Interestingly, RV travel and ownership continue to grow in popularity – including in Texas - with 7.2 million RVs on the nation's roads. And, the local boating segment is seeing similar upticks. 22% of Texas households participate in recreational boating annually, and with more than 600,000 registered boats, the Lone Star state ranks sixth in boating activity in the country. She adds, “And Texas has more square miles of inland water than any other state. So, it makes perfect sense that families want to spend quality time together having fun in and on the water.”
Seashore continued from A1 Seashore Learning Center provided a unique experience for students. Students set their lunches with placemats, real dishes, fork, knife, spoon, and cloth napkin. They also washed the dishes.
5th Annual Coastal Bend Boat & RV Expo
Seashore Schools run on parental participation, a commodity money cannot buy. Our parents have built playgrounds, laid sod, put up hurricane shutters, sold wrapping paper, and thousands of poinsettias. They continue to supervise lunches, substitute in the classrooms, drive on field trips, and work on our fundraisers: Whoop It Up (May 14th) and the golf tournament.
Free educational seminars hosted by marine, RV and outdoor adventure industry experts will be held throughout the weekend at the Expo. Topics include satellite selection and towing solutions for your RV, as well as saltwater
fishing for sharks, boating inspection, new Evinrude motors, and hunting and fishing laws and safety. (Full seminar schedule attached.)
On the water … The 2016 Expo will feature hundreds of bay and offshore powerboats, luxury cruisers, fishing boats and personal watercraft. So whether your adventure includes fighting for the big catch out in the Gulf, jumping the waves on your personal water craft, cruising around the lake at a serene pace or paddling yourself to wherever you want to go, expo-goers will be able to find it all.
On the open road … The three-day show features a great selection of gas and diesel motor homes, travel trailers, campers, fifth wheels, travel trailers and accessories for outdoor adventurers. Owning a camper gives you the freedom to travel and explore any time of the year. Who wants to stay in a strange hotel when you can travel in the comfort of your own space and at your own pace? Sleep in! There’s no check out time here.
Playing with toys and accessories … Already own a boat or RV? Then the 5th Annual Coastal Bend Expo is the perfect place to outfit your boat or ride with a new sound system, GPS system, fishing or wakeboard tower. Or you can gear up with hottest new kayaks, wakeboards, tubes and towing equipment. Whatever outdoor adventure you want to do, expo-goers can see the latest boat and RV accessories hot off the factory line including sewer and water hoses, awnings, lights and power poles, as well as rocking chairs and more!
The participants … 2016 vendor participants include (alpha order) Gulf Coast Marine, Premier Yamaha Boating Center, Ron Hoover RV & Marine, South Texas Marine Center, and Waypoint Marine.
Dedicated staff, both past and present, has contributed to the success of Seashore Schools. Coach Fernandez has taught hundreds of kids to do the two- step for our Lone Star Stampede. Ken Yarbrough gave the acting bug to many of our elementary students through Schoolhouse Rock. Ashley Knotts directed PACT performances to provide creative opportunities for Middle School kids. Tara Haney has coached, been a co-director, and now coaches at our middle school. Lori Hernandez has come, and gone, and come and gone, still keeps tight friendships with teachers and parents at her first school home. Our first students are now married with children, in the Navy, college graduates, teachers, engineers, in medical residency.... Those first fifteen students, their parents, the first teacher and director, and our original four board members laid an amazing foundation for what we have today. Come celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Island Foundations Schools: Seashore Learning Center, Seashore Middle Academy, and Seashore Early Childhood Academy. Join us for Whoop it Up on Saturday, May14th at Schlitterbahn.
We now have Gluten Free Pizza!
Family Owned & Operated Since 1987
Live Music
THEMinor MEDICAL CENTER + Emergency Family Healthcare Minor Surgery Lab X-Ray Occupational
Ruben Limas Thursdays Brian Winfrey Fridays and Saturdays South Texas Grassroots Sundays 6-9 Reservations recommended
Daily Lunch Specials
Monday - unlimited spaghetti salad and bread $7.50
Quadrivalent Flu Vaccine Now Available! The superior Quadrivalent Vaccine has a broader coverage than the Trivalent vaccine which is more readily available
Open 6 Days a Week
No Appointments Necessary Mon-Thurs, Appointments available Fri-Sat
Tuesday- 9 in. sub for 6in. sub price Wednesday- pasta menu full order for 1/2 order price Thursday- salad 6 in. sub and drink $6.50 Friday- unlimited dinner salad $5.99
The Original Pizza of Padre Island The Island's oldest full-service restaurant Private Party / Meeting Room Available by Reservation
Delivery on The Island after 5pm
Hours: Mon- Thurs 11 AM - 9:30 PM Fri - Sat 11 AM - 10 PM Sun 5-9:30 PM 15370 SPID (Just south of Whitecap) 949-7737 islanditalian.com
Mon. - Sat. 8am - 6pm 14433 SPID “On the Island” Corpus Christi, TX 78418 www.tmcpadre.com
Water Access Laguna Madre
361-949-1900
Check our Facebook page for daily lunch and dinner specials
Seafood BOIL Every Wed. Night
Saturday & Sunday Brunch Live Brunch Music:
Sat: 10am- 2pm Jazz music with Victoria Majors Quartet Sun: 11am-3pm Former American Idol Contestant: Grace Roberson Brunch is served until 2 pm.
Friday Night Jazz Featuring the amazing Victoria Majors Quartet 6:30 to 11 PM with Friday Night Dinner Specials!
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FOR DAILY SPECIALS, LIVE MUSIC AND MENU
CHECK OUT OUR NEW LIVE SURFING WEBCAM: TEXASSURFCAM.COM
A6
January 21, 2016
Island Moon
Homegrown Flavor from an Indoor Garden By Melinda Myers Add some homegrown flavor to your winter meals. From microgreens to tomatoes, it is possible to grow produce indoors. Microgreens are a quick and easy way to add some flavor and crunch to your plate. Just plant seeds labeled for sprouting or microgreens in a shallow container filled with a sterile potting or seed starting mix. Within two weeks you will be harvesting nutritious mini vegetable and herb leaves for salads, sandwiches or snacking.
flower and fruit. Blue light promotes leaf and stem growth, while red combined with blue promotes flowering. Consider investing in energy efficient and long lasting high intensity grow lights for the greatest yields when growing tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and other fruiting plants indoors. Leave lights on for 14, but no more than 16 hours each day. Plants need a dark period as well as bright light each day to grow and thrive.
History continued from A1 was made up by a trio of pranksters who perpetuated a practical joke on the New York media just to see if they could get away with it, and they did, for a while. It all started with three guys who liked to have a good laugh. Morris Newburger was a senior partner at the Wall Street brokerage firm of Newburger, Loeb & Company who liked a good prank. Lew Krupnick ran the mail room at the Newburger company but in a previous life had worked in vaudeville with Jack Benny. Alexander Dennenbaum, known as Bink, was in the broadcast business. During the 1941 football season Newburger would dig through the college football scores that were printed in tiny type in the back of the Sports Sections of the New York papers; how did the scores fit exactly into the space provided, he wondered, did the sports writers make up scores to fill the space? When he read the scores for Slippery Rock Teachers College in Pennsylvania he started to wonder what would happen if he called in a score for a school he made up; would it make the papers.
You got a bet One night after dinner Newburger went to a pay phone and called the New York Times, the New York Herald Tribune, and all of the twelve daily newspapers printing in New York at the time. First in line was Harold Rosenthal who worked at the Herald Tribune. Take it one step further and grow a few of your favorite herbs on a warm sunny windowsill. Select a container with drainage holes and set on the appropriate size saucer to protect your woodwork. Fill the container with well-drained potting mix and plant seeds or transplants. Purchase basil, chives, parsley, oregano and rosemary plants from your local garden center or the produce department. Greens, like lettuce and spinach, will also grow in a sunny window or better yet under artificial lights. Grow them in a container filled with a well-drained potting mix similar to your windowsill herb garden. Plant seeds according to the seed packet. Continually harvest the outer leaves when they are four to six inches tall. Those that like a bit of a challenge may want to try growing a compact tomato, pepper or eggplant. You’ll get the best production with a combination of natural and artificial light or full spectrum lights. Natural sunlight and full spectrum lights contain the variety of light plants need to grow,
Use a timer to ensure the plants receive the right duration of light. Most flowering and fruiting plants need a high intensity of light, so keep the lights six to twelve inches above your plants. Use reflective surfaces under and around the plants to bounce light back into larger plants. Increase your indoor growing space by going vertical. Shelf units with built-in light fixtures like the Stack-n-Grow Light System (gardeners. com) provide multiple layers of growing space. And once your tomatoes, peppers and eggplants start flowering, you will need to shake things up a bit. Gently shake the plants several times a week, better yet daily, to move the pollen from the female to the male parts of the flower so fruit will develop. A gentle breeze from a fan or vibrations from a battery-operated toothbrush work well. Indoor gardening won’t yield the same results as a sunny outdoor garden, but the flavor can’t be beat when gardening outdoors is not an option.
Moon Phases, January 2016 Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Tides of the Week Tides for Corpus Christi (Bob Hall Pier) January 21 - 28 2016
Day
High /Low
Tide Time
Height in Feet
Sunrise Moon Time Sunset
Th
21
Low
6:44 AM
-0.8
7:20 AM Set 5:02 AM
21
High
3:53 PM
1.4
6:01 PM Rise 4:08 PM
F
22
Low
7:33 AM
-0.8
7:19 AM Set 5:56 AM
22
High
4:31 PM
1.4
6:01 PM Rise 5:04 PM
Sa
23
Low
8:19 AM
-0.7
7:19 AM Set 6:46 AM
23
High
5:02 PM
1.3
6:02 PM Rise 6:00 PM
Su
24
Low
9:01 AM
-0.6
7:19 AM Set 7:31 AM
24
High
5:25 PM
1.2
6:03 PM Rise 6:56 PM
M
25
Low
9:39 AM
-0.5
7:18 AM Set 8:13 AM
25
High
5:41 PM
1.1
6:04 PM Rise 7:50 PM
25
Low
11:45 PM
0.7
Tu
26
High
2:27 AM
0.8
7:18 AM Set 8:51 AM
26
Low
10:14 AM
-0.3
6:05 PM Rise 8:44 PM
26
High
5:53 PM
1.0
W
27
Low
12:11 AM
0.6
7:18 AM Set 9:28 AM
27
High
3:32 AM
0.8
6:06 PM Rise 9:36 PM
27
Low
10:46 AM
-0.1
27
High
6:06 PM
1.0
Th
28
Low
12:40 AM
0.5
7:17 AM Set 10:02 AM
28
High
4:41 AM
0.7
6:06 PM Rise 10:27 PM
28
Low
11:14 AM
0.1
28
High
6:20 PM
0.9
Moon Visible
88
“Plainfield Teachers College 27, Winona 3.” “Plainfield Teachers? That’s a New Jersey school?” “Yes,” Newburger said. In fact it came to mind because his secretary lived in Plainfield, N.J. At 2 a.m. he ran out to the newsstand and bought all twelve papers and sure enough, right there between Penn State 40, Lehigh 6 and Potomac State 13 and Shepard Teachers 0 was Plainfield 27 Winona 3. Newburger called Krupnick in Brooklyn, “They bought it!” Krupnick ran to the newsstand to check, he knew Newburger well. On Monday Newburger was having lunch with a colleague and told him about the great team Plainfield had. “Who are they playing next?” his friend asked. “Randolph Tech but it’s an away game,” Newburger said, making up another name. “I don’t know either team but I’ll take Randolph for five dollars,” his friend said. “You got a bet,” Newburger said.
Boarding House Smithers and Hurry Up” Hoblitzel
The trio had the wind in their prankish sails now; Newburger wrote the Plainfield fight song, stealing directly from Cole Porter. You’re the top You’re a double feature. You’re the top, You’re a Plainfield teacher. Unsung.
You’re not me,
86
Far above New Jersey’s swamplands, Plainfield Teachers’ spires That got on the wires. Perfect record made on paper, Imaginary team! Hail to thee, our ghostly college, Newbury granted an exclusive interview with The New Yorker. “It’s too bad about Chung,” he said, “He was a stalwart, shifty. All-American material!” Croyden sent out a final press release. “Due to flunking’s in the midterm examinations, Plainfield Teachers has been forced to call off its last two scheduled games.” The Philadelphia Record was remorseful that the team quit playing; “The place had possibilities. We don’t see why exposure of the gag should have to end the team’s career. It should keep playing the rest of the season. We want to know how it made out with the nowcancelled games. And we want to know if the Celestial Comet could make All-American. “ In 1956 when Norman Wong was starring in the Canadian Football League Smith wrote, “The China Clipper as they call him, is reported to be almost as good as Johnny Chung, the Celestial Comet, whose triple-threat genius put the Plainfield Teacher in the headlines 15 years ago. A minor point of difference between the two; Johnny Chung didn’t exist, and neither did the Plainfield Teachers except in the imagination of Morris Newburger who created the college, team, and star as a sports page hoax. Chung was the prototype of all the galloping ghosts and flying phantoms that clutter the autumn editions. Kwong is as corporeal as meat loaf.”
As for Croyden, he never worked again.
You’re the key,
Dale Rankin
To a Plainfield title.
Send Letters to
But if Johnny, I’m the bottom, You’re the top.
Too much gee whiz not enough so what! 92
The Herald Tribune printed a parody of the Cornell Alma mater, “Far Above Cayuga’s Waters.”
And so ends the legend of the Celestial Comet, Plainfield Teachers, Hurry Up” Hoblitzel, and the W-Formation with Boarding House Smithers lining up backwards. Even though they never existed their legend lives on.
You’re just the most,
I’m a little man, a timid fan, a flop. 96
Time Magazine called Newbury who begged them to hold off on the story until Plainfield “finished” its season. Time wrote, “For three weeks running, the sports page of the New York Times had dutifully recorded the football victories of Plainfield (N.J.) Teachers College. The Philadelphia Record and other papers also took occasional notice of unbeaten Plainfield Teachers. The holy error in all the reports was that Plainfield and it opponents were nonexistent.”
Product of a dream!
You’re a teacher’s idol. 99
If Plainfield could make it through the season undefeated they might make it to the Blackboard Bowl in Atlantic City. The last two games of the year were set against Appalachian Normal on Thanksgiving followed by Harmony Teachers. Newbury and Dannenbaum sent the rumor out that Notre Dame Coach Frank Leahy was considering a move to Plainfield Teachers. That set Smith and others on the trail of an interview with Hurry Up” Hoblitzel for a backgrounder on the now semi-legendary W-Formation; they line up backwards! But when they called the Board of Education in Plainfield, N.J. they were told no such place as Plainfield Teachers could be found.
“Just outside,” said Dannenbaum, and by the next week Plainfield’s 2-0 start was creating waves in the college football world and calls to the Plainfield Sports Information Office rang at a specially installed $5 per month line in Neuberger’s office where a “Mr. Jerry Croyden” fielded calls. “Croyden” was named after the Croyden Hotel which was located on the Upper Westside of Manhattan not far from Newburger’s office. Croyden got busy cranking out press releases for the Plainfield Lions on college letterhead extolling the talents of the Celestial Comet Johnny Chung, named after Newburger’s dry cleaner, and the genius of the Plainfield coach Ralph “Hurry Up” Hoblitzel who was “a former Spearfish Normal star” who has devised the ingenious “W-Formation,” in which both ends, including “Boarding House Smithers” lined up facing backwards.
You’re Johnny Chung. 99
A brush with immortality
Mark a phantom, phony college
You’re a galloping ghost, 98
On November 8 the papers and wire services reported a 14-0 Plainfield squeaker over Ingersoll with the Celestial Comet scoring both touchdowns! The sportswriters called Croyden asking for lineups which Newburger supplied by using the names of people he knew on Wall Street, installing himself at Left Tackle. The names on opposing defenses were those of other Wall Streeters who Newbury and Dannenbaum didn’t like.
In Philadelphia the next weekend for the PennNavy game Newburger almost forgot to call in the Plainfield score which they won 35-0. At the Philadelphia Record a re-write desk editor asked Dannenbaum if Plainfield was in Delaware, when Dannenbaum said yes the editor asked if Plainfield was in Wilmington.
You’re a football star, a backfield czar, 94
writers is too much gee whiz, not enough so what,” and the rule applied here. With the inside track on Heisman candidate Johnny Chung none of them stopped to wonder how the star player’s name found its way into the school fight song. Even with Newburger and Dannenbaum occasionally calling in different scores to different papers the groundswell of Heisman support for the Celestial Comet continued to grow unabated. Newburger poured it on. He extolled the win over Randolph Tech and it became the Lion’s sixth of the season with wins over Benson Institute, Scott, Chesterton and Fox in spite of the fact that it was only the second week of the college football season.
It was the great New York sports writer Red Smith who said, “The problem with most sports
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January 21, 2016
A7
Island Moon
Backwater Adventures
Walking on the Moon
By Joey Farah Farah’s Fishing Adventures We have passed through the peaks of winter as most of the threats of a real deep freeze are behind us. In years past I can remember when we had consecutive days under the freezing mark where there were isolated fish kills because of extremely cold water temperatures. In the 80's we had two very cold years that froze the Coastal Bend to the bone. One year we had temperatures in the teens for days, fish where
is what makes this the best two months for hunting them when they are at their heaviest. Fish of the same size group follow the same patterns as their body temperatures are the same. Wade fishing allows anglers to move very slow and present their lures at the slow speed that cold and stunned baitfish’s are moving. Too many times I see lines of wade fishermen spread out marching and casting viciously. This is not
Jimmy Harmon with a big trout caught on the King Ranch Shoreline drifting the deep guts on a warming trend after a cold front. dead everywhere. The Chantelle's behind the house were carpeted with big trout and reds along the bottom. The Oso Bay had ice on top of it halfway across! The years that followed were tough years for sport fishing, as fish stocks were hurt along the entire coast. Fast forward ahead 8 years and we enjoyed the best big trout years anyone had seen in decades. In 1996 we had a rebounding population explosion of trout stocks that had matured into 8yr old mature fish. A similar population explosion of mature fish is upon us now. We have seen some good years of trophy management with the "one trout over 25", at this point it's made a populous that is HEAVY ON THE LONG SIDE! This is the year to fine tune your skills and raise the bar on your fishing and focus on quality. Hang some
sneaking up to them, neither is powering in in front of others jumping out and walking around the boat for 30min before blasting out the area, this practice is executed daily by some of our TROPHY TROUT TRACKERS FROM OUT OF TOWN. Have some manners and respect for others on the water. Get away from the crowds and slip into a zone of concentration. When you fall into that perfect dream out there and your imagination is full of big trout while you pitch to each sand spot that's when the magic happens. The next few months are those days that can bring the heaviest trout to hand. Come spend the day with me hunting for a trophy and catching good keepers along the way. I've brought my
On the Rocks By Jay Gardner I was doing a bird survey out around Packery Channel today, and right off the bat I noticed that the water is STILL way up, and was still coming in! What is up with this water level??!! We really need it to drop out for several reasons; to concentrate the fish in the channels so we can catch them easier (LOL), the receding tides can clean the passes, and so the piping plovers will have somewhere convenient to feed. The… what? plovers?! You ask…yeah, piping plovers. These little birds weigh in at a whopping 3.5 ounces, and stand a towering 5 inches tall, and that’s on a good day. If you’re flying by the channel edges in a boat, you won’t even know they’re there in the intertidal zone feeding up on fly larvae and polychaete worms (small marine worms that live at the edge of the water). In addition, they are all over the beaches during this time of the year. They are an odd migrant, as they spend a majority of their time down here. Around late April or May, they will pop up to Cape Hatteras or the Great Lakes and bust out a nest and fledge some hatchlings. By September, they are done and headed back down this way. They are all over the beaches during this time of year during high tides (like today) but when the tides drop out they move to the backside of the Island and feed in the exposed mudflats. There are several other birds that do this, such as sanderlings and ruddy turnstones. Birds that feed in similar areas and/or on similar foods are called “guild species”. When you see one species, you’re likely to see the others. In addition, I ran into a good sized flock of semipalmated plovers on the Causeway (22 of them in one group!). Semi-palms are darker than their piping plover counterparts, as both of them have yellow legs. However, I’ve never seen more than a couple of piping plovers together at one time, while semi-palms will bunch up. So, sometimes you can use behavior as either a primary or secondary indicator for species identification. I use behavior with piping and snowy plovers; the typical, “run, stop, poke at something, then pause, run, stop, and poke at something, then pause again…..” Anyway, fun times with birds lately.
Piping plover that are underway at “The Bowl” a few miles south of Bob Hall. While it’s not exactly a calendar event or newsworthy to many people, I always wait anxiously for Groundhog Day on February 2nd. Because, you know, spring is just a short two months away. Maybe I’m just getting nervous about a long winter because I don’t have my typical late February trip to the Florida Keys planned this year. I may have to suck it up and make it through the winter here without a winter-symptoms-alleviatingvacation. The absolute horror! Ha! You should be seriously planning on getting your float together for the Mardi Gras Parade as well. I hope the weather is half as beautiful as it was last year. Also, mark your calendars for the Billy Sandifer Big Shell Clean up that is scheduled for February 27th. Show up, suit up, and lets get it done. And even though it’s around 6-7 weeks out, please come join us at the American Bank Center on March 10th for the CCA-Corpus Christi Banquet. If you have any questions about any of the activities I’ve mentioned, you can always find the organizations on the Facebooks, or you can drop me a line at tarponchaser@mail.com See y’all on the rocks chasing sheepshead! Reports have been good.
This weekend is the “Blue on Tour” amateur film event at the Harte Research Institute on the TAMUCC Campus. This traveling film festival highlights conservation and people that help protect the sustainability of our oceans. The event is this Saturday, January 23rd, and starts at 5:30pm. Dr. Sylvia Earle will be the keynote speaker (something worth going for alone!). Registration is free, and contact blueontourcctx@gmail.com for more information. Keep up with your calendars folks, it’s pretty busy at this time of year. Next weekend (Jan 30th) is the Burners Without Borders Clean up of Kleberg Beach and the new Nueces County beach. You can also see the restoration efforts
Trophy hunting big trout during this time of year is prime time! memories on the wall and achieve some goals in fishing that guarantee that you, your friends, the kids, and the grandkids get out of bed early and make a few more casts after staring at your trophy trout mounts on the wall.
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cost down $200 right now with the absence of expensive bait and fuel. It is the right time to give me a call and treat yourself to some time on the water to ignite your angling. GET OUT AND GET WET! Follow all our hookups on FACEBOOK AT JOEY FARAHS FISHING!
It is no secret that big trout gather in the areas with soft black mud on the bottom during these coldest of times. Some important things to know are that they do not stay there 24/7. As the mid day sun warms the shallows with the dark soft mud holds in the heat and will attract and hold bait and game fish. The small worms, crustaceans, eels, crabs and shrimp all hide in these soft bottoms as well and burry up in the mud. Game fish use these places as food stations. After holding their bellies to the warm mud for warmth they acquire small parasites on their skin. These can be seen easily with your eyes. The trout will move to small gravelly sand areas close by to scratch them off. This is clear during warming trends after extremely cold periods when every cast into the brightest "sand spots" produce fish. The brightest spots are the gravel-bottomed holes and the fish will be scratched up. There is not set rules in finding monster trout, the game changes not by the day but by the minutes. Each one of these old and wise mature trout THE DRUM RUN IS ON!! Weekday drum trips settles into their own routine, but right now are on a discount this month give FARAH a call. that schedule is dominated by regulating BAFFIN BAY LIVE SHRIMP their body temperature. This one factor
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A8
January 21, 2016
Island Moon
SPORTS Sports Talk
Lawrence Phillips Former NFL Player Found Dead in Prison Cell By Dotson Lewis Special to the Island Moon Dotson’s Note: For the past few years, I have been following very closely the reports of research being done regarding football contusions and Veterans’ PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Until I read about Lawrence Phillips’ brain being donated for research, which was being done by Boston University and the Veterans Administration, I had heard nothing about the VA working with other entities in researching the effects of PTSD & concussions. Thanks to Josh Peter, USA Today sports writer/reporter, for his contributions to this article. Lawrence Phillips, a former football star facing murder charges, was found unresponsive early Wednesday January 13, 2016, at Kern Valley State Prison and rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokeswoman Terry Thornton told reporters. On Friday (January 15th) the Kern County coroner ruled the death a suicide. Phillips, 40, was facing the possible death penalty in the alleged murder of his former cellmate at Kern Valley State Prison. At a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, a Superior Court judge ruled there was "sufficient cause to believe'' Phillips committed murder, according to court records, which cleared the way for a trial that could have ended with Phillips getting the death penalty.
Phillips wrote in a letter dated March 5, 2015. “My anger grows daily as I have become fed up with prison. I feel my anger is near bursting and that will result in my death or the death of someone else.’’
Jesse Whitten, the attorney who was representing Phillips, said the outcome of the hearing was no surprise and Phillips thought he would prevail. “There was nothing about his demeanor that made me think he was suicidal at all, or depressed,’’ Whitten told reporters . “He was very confident about winning this case and he was even optimistic about his appeal on his prior cases.’’
Phillips was the star running back on the University of Nebraska’s national championship teams in 1994 and 1995, and a first-round pick, sixth overall, in the 1996 NFL draft. He played for three seasons with the St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers. In 2009, he was sentenced to 31 years in prison for two separate incidents, driving his car into three teenagers and assaulting an ex-girlfriend.
Phillips was allowed to wear civilian clothes to the hearing rather than the prison-issued orange jumpsuit. “He was like a kid on Christmas morning,'' Whitten said. "We got his court clothes. He picked them out. They fit really great, so he was really happy.’ “He started the hearing by telling me, ‘Hey, relax, man. I’m going to be held to answer (for the murder charges). It’s just a formality.’ “But by the end of the day, Whitten said, Phillips had grown frustrated. “I do think it was hard for him to sit there and listen to people accuse him of this stuff,'' he said. Tony Zane, who coached Phillips at Baldwin Park High School in Southern California, said he received a letter from Phillips about a month ago and there was no indication Phillips was suicidal. "It had nothing indicating anything like this,'' Zane told reporters. “He was talking about the fact that his mom had gotten him an attorney.’’ Phillips’ former cellmate, Damion Soward, was found unresponsive April 11th in the cell the men shared and died as a result of strangulation, according to a coroner’s report. What was believed to be blood was found on Soward, Phillips’ white T-shirt and several other items, including pill bottles, a folder and a bag, according to the incident report. Prison officials immediately identified Phillips as a suspect and the Kern County district attorney’s office launched an investigation. Criminal charges were filed September 1, 2015. The month before his cellmate’s death, Phillips wrote a letter to his mother saying he thought his anger might lead to his death or someone else’s death. “I feel myself very close to snapping,’’
$6.00
Lawrence Phillips
Family Donates Phillips Brain for Research Lawrence Phillips' family has opted to donate the brain of the former Nebraska and NFL running back to researchers studying the traumatic brain injury, an attorney representing the family told reporters Friday. Dan Chamberlain, an attorney representing the family, told reporters that Phillips’ mother, Juanita Phillips, has agreed to donate her son's brain to Boston University's Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Program. Researchers at BU and the Department of Veterans Affairs have identified CTE in the brain tissue of 88 of 92 former NFL they've examined posthumously, according to BU CTE Program spokesperson Maria Pantages Ober. Chamberlain said Juanita Phillips initially objected but changed her mind when he explained that the findings could help explain Phillips’ death and help further understand brain trauma and the dangers of football. “She wanted an explanation about what happened, and I told her, ‘Look, the only way you can really explain it is by examining his brain,’ ” he said. “I told her, ‘You owe it to your son, you owe it to every other NFL, college and pee wee and high school and middle school player that played football.’ ” Phillips’ estate could be eligible for up $5 million from the NFL players’ concussion settlement, according to Chamberlain, who said the money was also a factor in the decision over what to do with Phillips’ brain. “I just want to make sure that we take care of him, his estate and his mom,’’ Chamberlain said. Dotson’s Other Note: Hopefully you read carefully the second paragraph in the “Family Donates Phillips Brain for Research” section of this article. It’s great to see that the VA is working jointly with other researchers to prevent/cure brain damage. I will keep you posted as to how it’s going. Your comments, suggestions, questions and concerns regarding Sports Talk articles are greatly appreciated, please call the Benchwarmers at 361-560-5397 weekdays, Mondays thru Fridays, 5-8 p.m. or contact me. Phone: 361949-7681 Cell: 530-748-8475 Email: dlewis1@stx.rr.com
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Teeing Off On the Quarterback By Andy Purvis Special to the Island Moon He was born hardnosed. Everything he did was fast. He talked fast, ate fast, and rushed the quarterback fast. It was like he had builtin radar. God only makes a few outside rushers on defense. He was what a defensive end should look like: tall and agile, ill tempered and impatient. At 6’ 8” tall and 280 pounds, he looked like LeBron James in football gear. There was not much for him to be afraid of, on or off the field. If you saw his footprints in the sand, you’d call 911. When he flew on an airplane, he needed an extra ticket for his helmet. He looked like something that had just walked up from the railroad tracks looking for food. He was the kind of guy from whom you would hide the good china, when he entered your home. A savage competitor with a huge appetite, he owned the temper of gunslinger John Wesley Hardin and could change directions like an antelope. He would dispose of an offensive lineman like swatting a fly. He could spot a sweep coming two plays ahead, and his hands smelled like a quarterback. He was also weather-proof; the worse the conditions, the better he played. While others did wind sprints and jumping jacks, he practiced a forearm shiver to the face and the head slap. Blocking this guy was tougher than curing cancer. The scariest guys in pro football were the ones who never said a word, no matter how hard you drilled them. For the Chicago Bears, after a whole week of workouts, playing a game was like having a day off. Other teams would rather play the Vikings twice, than the Bears once. The Vikings may beat you on the scoreboard, but the Bears would make you ache. They didn’t call them “The Monsters of the Midway” for nothing. It was man-to-man every Sunday, in the National Football League. Each player thought to themselves, I’m going to be better than you at this moment. It’s hard to intimidate other players in the NFL. How do you intimidate guys who can bench press a Coke machine? The war in football is not only physical, it contains words as well. This fellow used every last resource to anger his opponent. He would insult your family, your heritage, even your haircut. Sacking the other team’s quarterback is like devastating a city. “I was just doing what I did best, teeing off on the quarterback,” exclaimed Atkins. Some years ago I stopped talking about Doug Atkins for the simple reason that I realized that those who had never seen him play didn’t believe me. “We played mean,” said Doug Atkins. “We knew everybody else had it better than us.” He was so good his middle name should have been “Canton.” Douglas Leon Atkins was born in Humboldt, Tennessee, on May 8, 1930. Atkins led his high-school basketball team to 44 consecutive victories. Atkins enrolled at Tennessee on a basketball scholarship, but once the head football coach saw his combination of size and agility, he was persuaded to join the football team. He would become a national champion with the 1951 Tennessee Volunteers, coached by legendary Bob Neyland. The following year, 1952, Atkins was chosen to the NCAA Football All-American squad. He also won the SEC Championship in high jump by clearing 6’ 6”. Doug Atkins is one of the few players to have his number retired at the University of Tennessee. Atkins was drafted in the 1953 NFL draft with the 11th pick by the Cleveland Browns. An instant starter, Cleveland won the Eastern Conference Championship, in 1953. In 1954, Atkins helped the Browns win the NFL Title. He would be traded the following year, to the Chicago Bears. Atkins was considered too much trouble for owner and head football coach Paul Brown. “He was not a good practice player,” said Brown. George Halas traded the Bears’ 1955 third and sixth draft pick for Atkins. Halas would prove to have vision, as Atkins was selected to eight ProBowls during his 12 seasons with the Bears. He also was selected First Team All-Pro four times (1958, 1960, 1961, 1963). He is a member of the NFL 1960’s All-Decade Team. Eventually,
he was traded to the New Orleans Saints in 1967, where he would finish his career. Atkins always credited George Allen, the Bears’ defensive coordinator, for letting him concentrate on rushing the passer instead of covering short passes, as he had done previously.
Doug Atkins Doug Atkins played in 205 games (the most at that time for NFL linemen) during 17 seasons, and also intercepted three passes. He only missed 17 games during his career. In 1963, the Chicago Bears set the team record for allowing only 18 touchdowns to be scored, while setting a league low average of giving up 10 points per game. In the title game, played in 8-degree weather in Chicago, Atkins and the defensive line put so much pressure on quarterback Y.A. Tittle of the Giants, that Tittle threw five interceptions. The Bears defeated the New York Giants for the 1963 NFL title, 14-10. Atkins’ highest salary was $25,000. It has been said that Atkins once told “Papa Bear” Halas, “You don’t pay me enough to practice and play on Sunday.” He may have been right. In 1969, on the final play of his NFL career, 39-year-old Doug Atkins sacked Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dick Shiner, securing the New Orleans Saints 27-24 victory. Atkins was inducted into the Pro-Football Hall of Fame in 1982 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1985. He was also selected into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame. His collegiate jersey, #91, was retired by the University of Tennessee in 2005. Even though Atkins only played three seasons for the Saints, the club retired his #81. The only other number retired by the Saints belongs to Hall-of-Fame running back, Jim Taylor, the #31. There is no way of telling how many “sacks” Atkins would have recorded as that stat was not tracked until 1982, well after his playing days were though. In retirement, Atkins sold caskets, drove a truck, ran a beer distributorship and worked in the county tax office. His first wife, Joyce, died in 2000. Doug Atkins died from natural causes at his home in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Wednesday, December 30, 2015. He was 85. He had been ailing for quite a while, as a result of numerous injuries he received during his playing days. Atkins also suffered from Addison’s disease and heart problems. He was afraid of having knee surgery, so he resorted to using a cane and, eventually a wheelchair, in his last years. Atkins was survived by three sons, Dalton, Kent and Neil, his wife of 12 years, Sylvia, a brother Royce, four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. In 1983, John Facenda described the play of Atkins this way for NFL Films: “Doug Atkins was like a storm blowing over a Kansas farm house. He came from all directions. All you could do was to tie down what you could and hope he didn’t take the roof.” Andy Purvis is a local author and radio personality. Please visit www.purvisbooks. com for all the latest info on his books or to listen to the new radio podcast. Andy’s books are available online and can be found in the local Barnes & Noble bookstore. Andy can be contacted at purvis.andy@mygrande.net. Also listen to sports talk radio on Dennis & Andy’s Q & A Session from 6-8 PM on Sportsradiocc.com 1230 AM, 96.1 FM and 103.3 FM. The home of the Houston Astros.