Cell Phone on a Kite Aerial Photos by Steve Coons
Issue 552
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The Island Moon
November 13, 2014 Around The Island By Dale Rankin editor@islandmoon.com
They are starting to show up. Texas Snowflakes. They form clouds pushed south by low pressure systems spun off of the Polar Vortex as it blasts out of the frozen Artic and sweeps across the square states with nothing to stop it but barbed wire fences. They start arriving in mid-autumn and by Thanksgiving they dot the landscape. They often land near the beach, and surround the belt sander track at The Gaff, and pile up at Island Italian on Sunday nights. No, they aren’t really Texas Snowflakes they just follow the same weather patterns. This week marked the sightings of the first caravans of Winnebagos pulling cars and with little yappy dogs in the windows as the latest Artic Blast swept down from the Great White North dropping temperatures as far south as Oklahoma City by 34 between Monday and Tuesday. Their arrival marks the beginning of the third and last season on the Island calendar – the Winter Texan Season (Nov-March –Spring Break), which follows Turtle Season (AprilJuly) , which follows Tourist Season (Memorial Day-Labor Day with an Indian Summer at Spring Break). You know The Gaff; the place where there, on a ceiling tile, a Winter Texan scrawled the immortal words: To those whose love us May God never turn your heart And to those who dislike us May God turn your ankle So that we may know you by your limp Welcome home Winter Texans.
Our friend Dan We lost a great Islander and true gentleman last week with the passing of long-time Islander Dan Winship. His imprint on The Island was evidenced by the standing-roomonly-out-the-door crowd at Island Presbyterian Church on Saturday. Those of us who knew Dan knew that Dan was a graduate of Texas A&M University where he and Nueces County Judge Lloyd Neal were members of the Corps of Cadets. The program for Dan’s funeral contained the words to the Aggie War Hymn and Judge Neal read aloud The Last Corps Trip written by P.H. DuVal, Jr. Class of ’51 which is the traditional sendoff for the Aggie faithful and read each year at the Aggie Bonfire. Referring to entering the Pearly Gates it ends with the words, “And the colonel of the Cadet Corps said as he stiffly took the stand, ‘It’s just another Corps Trip, boys, We’ll march in behind the band.” Then about an hour later the Aggie football team kicked off in Alabama against #3 Auburn. The Aggies had been in a bit of a tailspin of late, losing three of their last four and barely getting by the juggernaut Warhawks from the University of Louisiana Monroe the week before by a 2116 score. They were starting a true freshman at quarterback on the road; there was little joy in Aggieland. But miraculously Auburn fumbled on two of their last four plays from scrimmage, the first on the Aggie two-yard line as they drove for the winning score and the second astoundingly on the snap from center as they entered field goal range, with the Aggies recovering both securing the three-point upset and sending delirium throughout the Aggie Nation. Now we’re not saying that proves anything about divine Aggie allegiance, but is does make you think. Maybe someone up there said this one is for our friend Dan. Dan and Karen have been the driving force behind the building of the new Port Aransas Art Center. Maybe Saturday’s message is that we need to get that thing built, and maybe we can put Dan and Karen’s name on the sign. Because, after all, even if it wasn’t divine Aggie intervention there in Auburn on Saturday, why take any chances? We’re just saying… So long Dan, you are missed. Say hello if you see us Around The Island.
The Island where good things come to those who bait
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Weekly
$30 Million Development Planned Along Packery Channel
Update on Island projects
Water Exchange Bridge and New Island Canals
Traffic light at SPID/Aquarius Intersection necessary to attract new hotel
By Dale Rankin The public comment period for permits to cut new canals on The Island, including the one which will run under the Water Exchange Bridge on SPID, ended last week with nine queries from the public filed.
Projects continued on A3
La Posada!
th
40
Annual
The kickoff party for the 40th edition of the La LA POSADA Posada Lighted Lighted Boat Parade Boat Parade is less than three weeks away. The organizers at the Padre Island Yacht Club are still looking for live auction items and door prizes. The party that starts it all runs from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Scuttlebutt’s Restaurant on Tuesday, December 2. Bring a toy for Toys for Tots. For complete La Posada information see page A5 is this issue.
Junior Maroon Hornets One Win Away From Super Bowl!
On Saturday the FBYFL Junior Maroon Hornets will face the Oso Bears, and the winner will earn a spot in the South Texas Youth Football League Super Bowl. The team, composed of 9 and 10-year olds, won last Saturday, beating the Warcats 12-6 in double overtime. Photos by Shannon Trial
By Dale Rankin A $30 million development including a 101 room hotel and retail sites at the intersection of SPID and Aquarius at the base of the JFK Causeway is moving through the planning process and will be presented to the Island Strategic Action Committee at its next meeting on Tuesday December 2. Walter Busby, Managing Partner with Turner Busby Development in San Antonio, is the developer of the project, which is called Packery Pointe Subdivision. “We have been working on this project for about a year,” Busby said, “Before that we couldn’t see the reason for being there, but with the development, such as Schlitterbahn, which is now coming in it makes sense.” Turner
Busby
Development
developed the 3500-acre Alamo Ranch subdivision in San Antonio, several hotel projects, and Eagle Ford Landing which is a $31 million, 378-unit apartment community on the southeast side of San Antonio. Busby’s partner in the company is Tom O. Turner whose grandfather was the founder of Sigmor and the developer of Sonterra Country Club in San Antonio. Aside from the hotel, Busby said a Starbucks coffee house and other retail developments are planned, along with a small bar/restaurant operation which would be located on the portion of the site which fronts Packery Channel on the east. He said in order for the hotel to be included in the development a traffic light is needed at the intersection of SPID and Aquarius.
“It will stay green most of the time, but it needs to be there for safety.” The company hired Urban Engineering to conduct a warrant
Development continued on A4
Inside the Moon
Airtales A4
“We need to have something to slow down traffic in that area,” Busby said.
SH 361 Widening In Port Aransas Set To Begin Week Of Nov. 17 Initial work will include single lane closures, one-way traffic during the day
SH 361 Improvement Project – Port Aransas, Texas
Hornet quarterback Nash Villegas looks to pass down field to receiver Ryan McMinn as linebacker Chase Welp holds off a defender. Villegas completed several long passes and ran the ball well, including a touchdown run during regulation. more photos on page A2
The project to widen SH 361 from Avenue G to Access Road 1A in Port Aransas is set to begin the week of Nov. 17, weather permitting. Initial activity will include asphalt milling and repaving of existing sections of roadway. This will require single lane closures and one-way traffic where the work is taking place. One-way traffic will be controlled by flaggers. The lane closures will only take place during daytime hours.
Motorists should expect delays. The $13 million project will add a travel lane in each direction, 1.3 miles of center, left-turn lane, a 5-footwide sidewalk on the west side of the road, a 10-foot-wide sidewalk on the east side of the road and a curb and gutter drainage system. Construction is estimated to be completed by the end of 2016.
A Little Island History
The hotel was used to house potential land buyers who came to the Island from as far away as Europe, Canada and South America who hoped (literally) to get in on the ground level of Island development, It was also a Mecca for tourists who just wanted to enjoy the beach plus nightlife with live music and a dance floor. The few homes that were here at the time were located near the Packery Channel. There was a Dairy Queen at Encantada where
On the Rocks A7
Hornets in the Playoffs A8
The Million Dollar Inn’s Heyday Years 1967 - 1972 By Mary Craft The Million Dollar Inn Opened its doors in 1967 on the beach between the Holiday Inn (formerly Red Carpet Inn) and the Island House Condos. It was part of a plan to bring South Florida, Fort Lauderdale style development to the Island.
Fishing with Farah A7
October 2014
Cold-Weather Gardening A9
the school is now, Seven Seas Souvenir Shop next to it, Jito’s Surf/ Snack Shop where the Country Store was, In & Out drive thru burger place where Prudential Real Estate building is, Frenchy’s Bar where American
Bank is, Loma Alta kitchenette motel where Scuttlebutt’s is and the Western Motel in the building next to Island Italian.
History continued on A6
Live Music A16
A2
Island Moon
Work on Whitecap
Island Birds
November 13, 2014
Photos by Miles Merwin
This guy has been living on a sailboat mast over on the Gypsy Canal. This photo of him was taken Saturday just as the sun was going down. He's around here every night and early morning, some birds these. They fly thousands of miles to migrate to their perfect weather every year, there and back, amazing birds, wait till you see the mileage they clock in their lifetime, amazing creature. Snowbirds indeed! Photo by Mark Middleton
The Padre Island Property Owners Association is refurbishing the median along Whitecap. There will be new plantings, boulders and river rock instead of the white rock.
Junior Maroon Hornets Photos by Shannon Trial
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Running back Johnathan Everett outstrips his defenders as he heads toward the end zone. Everett scored the overtime touchdown in the Hornets' Nov. 8 playoff victory over the Warcats.
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Defensive end Maurice Alcorn makes a tackle for a loss during the first half. Alcorn made several key tackles in the team's victory, including a stop on fourth down during overtime.
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November 13, 2014
Island Moon
Moon Monkeys
Letters to the Editor Peddlers
Mike Ellis, Founder
Door to door solicitations appear to be on the rise in our area, so I wanted to take the time to remind all residents about the changes that we instituted last year to our peddler ordinance. Any violations of this law should be immediately reported to the Police Department by calling 361-886-2600 or 911. Permit – all peddlers are required to “prominently display” their permit. They also shall produce photo identification if requested. Distribution
Hours – At this time of the year, peddlers may only work 9am – 6pm. During Daylight Savings Time, they are allowed to work 9am – 7pm.
Pete Alsop Island Delivery Coldwell Banker
No Soliciting Signs – Peddlers MUST adhere to this request.
Advertising Jan Park Rankin Classifieds Arlene Ritley Design/Layout Jeff Craft Contributing Writers Joey Farah Andy Purvis Devorah Fox
Several residents have asked about banning door to door solicitation. Courts have ruled against communities that have done so as well as those which have too stringent regulations. When we amended the ordinance last year, we tried to address resident concerns while keeping the ordinance inline with constitutional protections. Daylight hours, background check, permitting, and honoring No Soliciting signs are all in the ordinance. If you do not want solicitation, I encourage you to put a No Soliciting sign on your home. If any peddler violates any of the above laws, I encourage you to report them to the Police Department.
Mary Craft Maybeth Christiansen Jay Gardner Chad Peters
As always, if you have any concerns or questions, please call or email. ElectColleen@ gmail.com 361-549-8341
Todd Hunter Dotson Lewis Ronnie Narmour
Colleen McIntyre
Brent Rourk
City Council District 4
Dr. Donna Shaver
6.4 pounds per day
Photographers Miles Merwin Jeff Dolan Mary Craft Ronnie Narmour Office Security/Spillage Control (Emeritus)
Riley P. Dog Editor/Publisher/Spillage Control Supervisor Dale Rankin About the Island Moon
The Island Moon is published every Thursday, Dale Rankin, Editor / Publisher. Total circulation is 10,000 copies. Distribution includes delivery to 4,000 Island homes, free distribution of 3,000 copies in over 50 Padre Island businesses and condos, as well as 600 copies distributed in Flour Bluff, 1,400 copies on Mustang Island and Port Aransas businesses.
Each person in Texas generates about 6.4 pounds of garbage every day. Think before you toss something out. Can you donate it, reuse it, or repurpose it? Many Texas communities have curbside recycling or collection centers, and some retailers have bins to collect your recycling. By recycling paper, metal, plastic, and other materials, you can reduce waste, help conserve energy, and preserve our natural resources. Tossing coffee grounds? Why not compost them and improve your soil at the same time? In 2012, Americans generated about 251 million tons of trash and recycled and composted almost 87 million tons of this material—a 34.5 percent recycling rate. Recycling and composting that much municipal solid waste saved enough energy to power 10 million U.S. homes for a year. Lisa Wheeler Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Mystery Plant of the Week
News articles, photos, display ads, classified ads, payments, etc. may be left at the Moon Office.
Seawall
Dale, thank you for you excellent analysis of the seawall situation. There are too many chefs cooking this soup which is sure to result in an unpalatable mess. As a result nothing will get done. In the event of a direct hit by a Cat 3 or better the seawall will crumble, swamping much, if not most, of the Island. Our insurance rates will skyrocket and many properties will be uninsurable. At that point, and that point only, the seawall will be properly rebuilt and maintained. But I guess you don't have to be Nostradamus to see that coming. Robert Danesi
Vets at A&M CC A record number of active duty military, veterans, and their dependents are currently enrolled at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. A total of 1,223 students, nearly 11 percent of the University’s student population, are categorized as military, which includes students who are enrolled in the ROTC Islander Battalion, active duty service members, veterans, or military dependents. Cassandra Hinojosa
Projects continued from A1 The questions raised with the U.S. Corps of Engineers, five of them from residents on Cain Harbor, will now be addressed by the developers along with questions from state regulators about the possible need for mitigation for new construction in the area around Lake Padre. Several plans for development around Lake Padre are still under consideration by developers but all contain two marinas, a widening of the water passage from the lake to Packery Canal, and the dredging of the lake itself. City planners told the Island Strategic Action Committee (ISAC) last week that the final design of the Water Exchange Bridge is expected by April 2015 with construction anticipated to begin in August, with the digging of new canals to begin prior to that date.
Schlitterbahn waterpark Work continues at the Schlitterbahn waterpark but at a slower pace through the winter months. Developers say about 100,000 cubic yards of cement is still needed for completion of the park which they say can be poured in less than six weeks. Developer Paul Schexnailder told the ISAC last week that the park is on schedule to be open by Spring Break 2015.
Did Ya Hear?
A3
by Mary Craft mkay512@aol.com or @padreeyelander on twitter
New Advertisers Bella’s Nails Spa is offering a grand opening special of 20% off. They have six massage/pedicure stations, several manicure tables and they also offer waxing and eyelash extensions. Hours are Monday – Saturday 9 am – 7 pm and Sunday 11am – 6 pm. Appointments and walk-ins welcome. Call 867-1281.
Business Briefs Cancun Mexican Restaurant has done an extreme make over to the building next to Padre Island Burger Company. Along the right wall as you enter is a long bar separated from the rest of the restaurant by a half wall. The tables are hand carved wood with laminated tops. The restrooms were totally removed and rebuilt and central a/c was put in. A roof structure has been built over the side patio. And for me this next item is my favorite – an acoustical ceiling to absorb the sound. No opening date is available. Scuttlebutt’s now has Medical Mondays and will give a 10% discount to anyone wearing scrubs or with a hospital ID. Oliver! will be featured at the Harbor Playhouse November 21 – December 14. For tickets call 882-5500. The Monthly Padre Island Business Association Mixer will be held at San Jacinto Title on Tuesday, November 18th 5:30 - &:30 pm. And as always there will be door prizes, refreshments food and networking. You do not need to be a business owner to join the fun. Several commercials were recently filmed in Corpus Christi. The “Pepsi Veterans Thank You” event was filmed aboard the flight deck of the USS Lexington and featured singer Blake Shelton. More than 2000 military veterans and locals got to enjoy the free concert. The 60 second commercial will air on Thanksgiving during the Seattle/San Francisco game. UPS turned a block downtown into a winter wonderland and that 60 second commercial will air during the holiday shopping season. Plant & Book Swap in Port A will be held 9 am – noon Saturday, November 15th at the Parks & Rec at Avenue A & Cut Off Road. New this year are games and prizes for kids of all ages. Mayor Nelda Martinez announced at Kiwanis Club luncheon that the Texas Department of Transportation is increasing its contribution to the Harbor bridge by more than $200 million due to escalating costs since the estimates. Don’t forget if you are out of town you can still read the Island Moon every Thursday on The Island Moon Newspaper Facebook page.
The Island Moon Newspaper Yes, Virginia, it did snow on the Island, once, a long, long, time ago.
15201 S. Padre Island Drive, Suite 250 Corpus Christi, TX 78418 361-949-7700 editor@islandmoon.com Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper
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Does anyone know what this plant is called?
A4
November 13, 2014
Island Moon
Airtales By Jason Towns I’ve missed a couple of contributions to the Moon lately due to a quick stint of military duty with my Reserves unit: a cargo haul to a couple of our bases in Japan utilizing the veritable C-5 Galaxy. Although I’ve flown several such missions to various parts of the world over the past few years, I consistently find them difficult to write about. The problem comes from many conflicts within my own personality: the fun-loving pilot versus the former warrior versus the small business entrepreneur versus the taxpayer! A C-5 trip—and probably any duty in the employ of the Federal Bureacracy—tends to really pit all these mindsets against one another.
A Flying Pig The actual hands-on flying of the C-5 is pretty darn cool and would make any pilot wanna get out of bed in the morning. The airplane is almost 250 feet long with a wingspan of two hundred twenty three feet. The cockpit is three stories off the ground and the whole kitn-kaboodle rolls along on twenty-eight tires; I’m not sure what size they are but I can say they’re each about waist high. The rear twentyfour of said tires are mounted on four trucks of 6 apiece with the rearmost sets able to “caster” with the flick of a switch on my center console.
by Dale Rankin We’ve had some time now to digest the numbers from the November 4 elections and there are some trends, lessons, and surprises.
A pilot's IPad shows a typical transPacific circuit as the airplane nears the West Coast. few hours for a couple more nights of the posh accommodations they’ve likely been saving years to enjoy. Yes, it seems every overnight stop in this airplane results in some sort of major delay awaiting shipment of a valve, fitting, circuit-board or bolt which suddenly has decided to break just as we’re ready to board and go. The lack of spare parts and proficient mechanics in the military often gets me extended vacations in nice places, but this is where the businessman in me would really really like to fire someone.
Sure enough, we return to the hotel that afternoon and it’s not until around 2:00 am two days hence when I’m notified the airplane is finally fixed and ready. I notice on my way up the ladder the 144-foot cargo bay is chock full and I find myself hoping at least some of it is actually essential to national defense. I often feel these scheduled trips are simply filled just because they’re scheduled; everyone knows this is too often how government works. By sunrise we’re off the ground-- heading east but immediately turning right to avoid smacking into Diamondhead— and rolling on around to the northwest A San Antonio based C-5 Galaxy unloads towards Japan.
passengers and cargo in Okinawa Japan last week. This affords a pretty impressive turning radius for such a massive beast and why I often feel taxiing the Galaxy is more fun than flying it. Takeoff roll isn’t exactly a kick-in-the-pants but eventually things are moving pretty quickly; a fully loaded C-5 with fuel for intercontinental excursion weighs around 800,000 pounds, requires about 170 mph to lift off and must roll over a mile to make that speed. The feeling starts out akin to putting a farm tractor in first gear and ends with that of riding the tip of a bullet. Once airborne, it handles like most any other airplane but burns a bit more fuel: about 3700 gallons per hour. We typically do this for anywhere from six to ten hours, allowing sufficient time for each of the three or more pilots to retire for a good nap in one of the two bunk rooms or to bake chicken and potatoes in the galley’s convection oven. By my math the round-trip from Lackland AFB in San Antonio to Okinawa Japan cost just over half a million bucks in fuel alone.
Government Work After a stop for cargo at Travis AFB in northern California, we typically arrive in Hawaii around 9 pm local time and this is often where the pilotfun stops and the ridiculousness of government work begins. Although Hickam AFB just outside Honolulu is quite enormous, there’s significantly less going on there than during the Cold War days and prior. Nonetheless, the on-base quarters seem to always be either “booked up” or “under-restoration” so I must arrange a fleet of taxis to get our 16-man crew to downtown Waikiki Beach where a “government billeting contract” is in place for a mere $220 per man per night at the 5-star Outrigger Resort. This is where the taxpayer/ conspiracy-theorist in me smells a rat and the former warrior would be content with a tent and a six-pack but what person in their right mind would dare complain? Per regulations we are required twelve hours rest which puts us checking out in the lobby as the tourists are all getting up and about. I get a “thank you for your service” from a dozen or more people as they see us in uniform awaiting a ride back to the base. I feel a tinge of guilt because these folks don’t know the C-5 and military maintenance like I do and therefore don’t realize we’re sure to be returning in a
Stuff I Heard on the Island
Now on the “back side of the clock”, our afternoons in Japan are short as the next couple stops and our eventual departure back towards home are all scheduled for the crack of dawn which means more pre-flight work beginning at 0200. I did have the pleasure of a short visit with former Island residents Bob and Marcy Blagg who’ve been stationed at Yokota Airbase just outside Tokyo where he’s been in command of the C-130 wing there. They are doing well and he is soon to retire and return to Texas with plans to settle in the Fort Worth area.
Roundabout Route Just as nonstop flights to Europe loop far northward to take advantage of that whole spherical globe theory, our final trip back to the mainland United States takes us way up near Cold Bay Alaska. As small as the world has become through technology, there are often areas of such routes where radio contact isn’t terribly reliable and even some of the satellite and digital wizardry aren’t a hundred percent either. The moments—or sometimes hours— of incommunicado always drive home the almost outer-space remoteness of the routes all of us take as air travelers on trans-oceanic flights. At times the nearest Delta or FedEx pilots 150 miles ahead are the only other humans we can contact, and for all you know your Delta pilots may be in the same situation! This trip ended with a stop back in Cali for another night’s rest before proceeding on to Lackland the next day. As reservists it could be months before we fly together again so a case of beer on the patio was in order. I related how much I appreciated the positive get-thejob-done attitude throughout the trip—believe it or not this is an attribute quickly disappearing from so many military aircrews. All too often I find myself dealing with constant complaining and even a little “scamming”—folks actually pushing for some sort of malfunction or delay which could allow more days of per-diem in Hawaii or elsewhere. None of that occurred this time and I was appreciative; so much so I may do this a few more times despite my own eligibility for retirement next June. Either way, when not circling the globe you can usually find me and my fellow Coastal Aviators circling the Island from the Port A airport. Come say hello sometime and let us take you for a much shorter ride than a Galaxy trip; it’s not Waikiki but it’s home!
There were two surprises in the race for mayor. The first was the low turnout. This is the second round of city elections which have been held in the November cycle in conjunction with the Presidential and Gubernatorial races. Historically in the Presidential cycle just over 100,000 people have voted in Nueces County, the vast majority of them inside the city limits of Corpus Christi, and 60,000 in the Gubernatorial cycle. That held true this time with 58,005 voters out of 190,026 registered – a 31% turnout. But in the mayor’s race 13,346 of them voted with their feet – that is to say they walked away from the ballot box without voting in the race. That is more non-votes than second place finisher Bob Jones totaled at 13,241.
Island strength The low turnout bodes well for The Island because as the vote totals in the city races drop the more important the votes of the 6906 registered Island voters become. The two Island precincts voted at a 43% clip which was the highest turnout of any in the county. Islanders cast 2552 votes in the mayor’s race which Martinez won with a total of 23,113. So in spite of the move of city elections to the November cycle, intended to capture the votes of leftleaning voters who didn’t turn out in city spring elections, Islanders voting as a block can still determine who wins city elections. We took a punch but we’re still standing.
Skin of the teeth Which leads to the second surprise of this election; Martinez’ narrow margin of victory – just under 52%. Challenger Jones, a newcomer who started with limited name identification and ran more on personality than policy, got 30% of the vote and if Martinez’ total had fallen below the magic 50% number we would now be in the midst of a two-way runoff which could have been real trouble for the mayor because history teaches that conservative voters turn out in higher numbers for runoffs than their more left-leaning counterparts. The message here is that the conventional pre-election wisdom that Mayor Martinez was unassailable in this election turns out to be wrong. This is a lesson which will not be missed by others who may aspire to the job in two years including the three candidates who won the At-Large races Mark Scott, Chad Magill and Lillian Riojas, all of whom were endorsed by the Island United Political Action Committee and all of whom received at least 18,000 votes.
What’s going on? The question is what is driving the voter unrest. The most obvious reason is the tax and spend city council that has evolved under Martinez’ watch. It doesn’t matter what part of town you live in, an 18% hike in city property taxes in the past two years is a shoe that pinches. It is safe to say that the street tax which has added about $9 million in two years on top of that property tax hike is not popular. Even the people who see it as a necessary evil don’t like it and the people who really don’t like it see it as a politically timid way of not dealing with the elephant in the room, soaring costs of city pensions and public safety which eat up all of the property and sales tax revenue and more. . That’s not to say the voting public is lighting the torches and looking for their pitchforks, but the groundswell is there and if the tax-raising habits continue look for voters to seek change at City Hall in two years. The signs are there. In spite of an increase of $4.8 million in city property tax revenue over last year and a 6% increase in sales taxes the current city budget still does not fully fund the annual cost of city pensions. When asked how he intends to bridge this gap – about $7 million added
UFO Sighting of the Month from the Mutual UFO Network On or about March 31, 1967 two US Military Air Defense Radar Operators tracked a total of eight unidentified targets over coastal areas of southern Florida. The operators and radar stations were separated by approximately 100 miles. These two distinct radar sites were located at Homestead AFB, Florida and the Army Air Defense Battery on Key West, Florida. The radar tracking and observation lasted for approximately 4 hours. Two separate UFO flight areas were identified, one off of the east coast near Miami, Florida (Flight Area A) and the second just south of the Florida mainland and north of Key West, Florida (Flight Area B).
Object Description The only visual object description was from a member of the Army Air Defense launch crew who commented the one object was moving so fast it was like a meteorite, but was flying level. Based on the radar return the primary witness estimated the size of one UFO as between 31 and 100 feet.
to the current $170 million in unsecured debt each year (a conservative figure) City Manager Ron Olson’s answer is growth. But if we can’t fund city pensions in our current high-growth cycle when can we expect to grow our way to solvency; and at what point do annual tax hikes of 8% - actually just under 8% since exactly 8% introduces the possibility of voter revolt and a rollback – stunt the very growth that is supposed to be the way out of the problem. Even in an unprecedented growth cycle we are trying to spend our way out of debt and the voters get it.
A non-issue
In Houston pension debt of $261 million on a $5.2 billion budget is at the center of the political discourse, while in Corpus Christi $170 million in pension debt on total city revenues of $830,117,690 was not even an election issue. The 2015-2016 budget includes a 4% increase for sworn police personnel and a 1.5% increase for general employees at a total increase in cost of $1.975 million. In addition another $700,000 was spent on a 1% increase to the Texas Municipal Retirement System and that 1% increase ( a built-in tax hike) will continue through 2020 with the goal of not adding annually to the pension debt – solvency by 2020 when we stop kicking the can down the street.
None of that sounds like a lot of money if you say it real fast, and certainly streets, police, and city employees, are all worthy funding targets, but also looming out there is a settlement with the feds over the city’s archaic wastewater system which looks like it will come in around a cool $1 billion with a B.
Bleeding eardrums
All of this makes for a restless electorate who have the common sense to understand that no matter how noble the cause for raising more and more tax money sooner or later there is a point of diminishing returns. A nascent anti-tax movement is growing – hence the 2% win - it could be heard in the collective message coming from the challengers in this election cycle but so far the political class at city hall is not listening, citing tax hikes as the only way forward.
I expect by the next city election cycle two years from now the din will be un-ignorable. The trumpeting of the elephant in the room will make some eardrums bleed. The only question is whose?
Thursday, November 13
POA To Hold Town Hall Meeting on Community Center Proposals
The Padre Isles POA will hold a Town Hall meeting for Island residents at the Seashore Learning Center at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 13th to introduce and gauge support for two proposals for a potential Community Center to be built at Billish Park. Based on residents’ overwhelming support for the building of a Community Center given by those who attended the POA Annual Meeting last March, the POA has worked closely with Turner Ramirez Architects and KJM Commercial, Inc. to develop the two proposals which will be presented at the Town Hall meeting. The POA will once again ask for residents’ input on proceeding forward with the project and which design proposal is preferred. Representatives from Turner Ramirez, KJM and the POA will be present to provide information on the designs and construction timelines as well as answer residents’ questions. The Town Hall meeting will be open to the public and light refreshments will be available.
Development cont. from A1 study last November to determine if the traffic volume at the intersection was sufficient to warrant a light and found that it was sufficient. Busby said his company would spend $425,000 to pay for the light and install a radar sensor on the JFK bridge that would adjust the timing of the light according to traffic flow. Busby said under the plan the City of Corpus Christi would spend $550,000 to alter the road and median structure at the intersection to allow for the safe passage of traffic. “The sensor would make sure the light stays green if traffic started to back up onto the bridge,” he said. The distance from the intersection to the JFK Causeway is the distance of about 120 car lengths. Rumble strips would be installed at the base of the bridge, along with signs and flashing lights warning motorists that there is a light ahead. Busby said that the Texas Department of Transportation has been studying the need for a light at the intersection since 2009. As part of the project a loop would allow motorists who turn left on Aquarius into the new development could go south and re-enter SPID just north of the Best Western Motel. Busby said he will present the full plan to the Island Strategic Action Committee at the December 2 meeting, which will be at 5:30 at Comfort Suites on Windward Drive. The meeting is open to the public.
November 13, 2014
Island Moon
th
40
La Posada Celebration Adds Land Parade By Vic Schreck Commodore Padre Island Yacht Club A land parade is being added to the La Posada schedule this year. The La Posada Christmas Parade sponsored by the Yorktown Fire Station and Padre Island Yacht Club will be three hours long and Island residents are asked to muster at the Briscoe King Pavilion at 5:30pm on Monday, December 8th and participate in all of the route or choose those portions of the Parade route that they desire. Three entry/exit points are identified in the parade route attached. Participants need to complete the entry form so the parade planners know what to expect. Bring candy for the children and help collect Toys for the U.S. Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” Campaign. The Yorktown Fire Department in Flour Bluff and the Padre Island Yacht Club have teamed up to launch an Annual Christmas Parade (land only ).
Monday, December 8, 2014 La Posada Christmas Land Parade Route
The Yorktown Fire Station, led by Chief Dale Scott, has for several years traveled to Padre Island to parade the streets handing out candy to children. This year the Padre Island Yacht Club will join in, along with the Padre Island Golf Cart Club. We encourage all golf cart, ATV and Brush Buggy owners to decorate their vehicles and join in the parade. Please bring lots of candy for the children and in turn we will ask Island residents/businesses to provide toys for the U.S. Marines Toy for Tots Campaign. We encourage all Island residents to decorate their homes and businesses on the street side as well as the water side, as we will be judging them from the land parade. Several Categories – Best Island Christmas Theme, Best Overall Christmas Decorations, Best Christmas Fantasy Decorations Most Creative & Joyful Decorations) will be judged and awarded prizes in each category. This Residential/Business Decoration Judging is one of many official La Posada events supported by the Padre Island Yacht Club and waterside judging will follow later in the week. For additional information go to PIYC.ORG web site. SOOOOO decorate your home, golf cart, ATV or beach buggy and come out for a great time!
Mustering @ the Pavilion @ 5:30 Start @ Briscoe King Pavilion
To Encanta Ave, A 6 Left Palmira Ave,
40th Annual La Posada Lighted Boat Island Dogs Parade
Island Moon
Letters Riley Rightto San Felipe St. Left Cabo Blance, Left Punta Bonaire,
By Riley P. Dog
Right Sea Pines,
It was a good week
Right Palo Seconar, for we Island dogs. I went Left to Stingrays up in Dr. Port Aransas where LaBlanquilla
my friend Deb slipped me a good supply of Soccorro pizzaRight bones.EL There were aLoop, lot of humans at a little square Leftyelling Sea Pines, thing on the wall with people all Right Coral Vine,around on dressed alike running it. Humans are funny. Left Allamanda,
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LA POSADA
Lighted Boat Parade
La posada fills truckloads of toys for Toys for Tots every year
La Posada Schedule By Brent Rourk This year PIYC has many events tied to La Posada and Toys for Tots. You can keep posted by going to www.piyc.org (go to Activities – La Posada December 2nd – La Posada Pre-Party at Scuttlebutts Bar and Grill – 5:00 to 11:00 P.M. There will be silent and live auctions. Bring a toy for Toys for Tots.
December 6th – La Posada Lighted Christmas Tree Party at Port Royal Resort. Be a part of the fun as the large decorated Christmas Tree is lighted. Bring a toy.
December 8th-10th – La Posada Residential/ Commercial Christmas Decoration Judging water side and street side. During these three evenings a team of judges will tour North Padre Island judging decorated residences and commercial buildings. Be ready by December 8th. December 10th – Collector Boat Meeting at PIYC at 7:00 P.M. All collector boat. Captains must attend. December 11th – Captain’s meeting for Lit Parade Boats at PIYC 7:00 P.M. Residential and Commercial. Captains must attend. December 12th – La Posada Boat Parade North side begins at 6, 7:00 P.M. Bring lots of February 2014 toys for Toys for Tots. A flotilla of collector boats will collect toys from docks. People must flash yellow lit collector boats with flashlight to have toys picked up. Enjoy the parade on the North Side of the Island as the boats make two passes around this short course.
Stuff I Heard on the Island
December 8th – La Posada 1st Annual Christmas LAND Parade – 6:00 to 9:00 P.M.. The Yorktown Fire Department has teamed by Dale Rankin with the PIYC to launch this fun community Foundation, International Falls, Minnesota. December 13th – La Posada Boat Parade event. Donate a toy for Toys for Tots. The My friends there will send them to me. Don’t South side begins at 6:00 P.M. A flotilla of There are a lot of things happening on our forget…hotdogs…International Falls. Padre Island Golf Cart Club will be joining this Beach sticker prices collector boats will collect toys from docks. Island this week. Here aremustering a few of them. land parade, at 5:30 at the Pavilion Don’t send anything to the cats. Stoopid cats People must flash yellow lit collector boats A move to raise the price of beach parking on Access Road People are welcome to join Dasmarinas speed5.humps with flashlight have toys picked up. See stickers from the current $12 has to been underway at that point. Drivers on Dasmarinas north of Whitecap will for about a year parade but route. is getting nowhere fast. Registration To register for this year’s boat notice that five new speed humps are now in It will take agreement of the cities of Corpus parade, simply fill out the attached registration place. Congratulations to Dave Zeiler for his Christi and Port Aransas, and Nueces County form and return it to Padre Island Mailpersistence Plus, in getting it done. to do it and so far it doesn’t appear they are the Pharmacy at CVS or North Padre Island 2014 LA POSADAtalking. BOATEven PARADE after theyREGISTRATION agree it will take about No police boat Hardware. You can attach it and email it to a year to get the approval of the Texas General brentrourk@yahoo.com or send it to Brent Corpus Christi Simpson poked the final Land Office sign TheFloyd following information is required. Pleasewhich printmust legibly : off on the deal. Rourk 15606 Gypsy St. Corpus Christi, holeTX in the hull of a police boat to patrol Island The City of Port Aransas sold about $900,000 78418 canals when he told the Island Strategic Action in stickers last year while Corpus Christi sold NAME___________________________________________________________________ Committee (ISAC) this week that he doesn’t only about $700,000. That has led to some Electronic downloads of forms and information have the manpower to staff it. It could happen ADDRESS________________________________________________________________ grumbling in Port A that splitting the sticker at www.piyc.org (Home, La Posada, sooner or later but as of now it will be later. He revenue according to linear feet of beach Registration) told the group that he with would prefer to have a PHONE area code_______________________ CELL_________________________
December 12 and 13, 2014 Registration Schedule Information
maintained by each entity might need a review.
police storefront on The Island and is currently Schedule Mandatory captains’ meeting E MAIL ADDRESS________________________________________________________ Stay tuned. looking Thursday, December 11th , 2014, at 7 p.m. at for a location and then will be looking for volunteersPOWER________ to help staff it. He SAIL________ said his goal BOAT NAME_________________________________ the Padre Island Yacht Club, 13403 Whitecap Island Dog Shelter is to ultimately have an “Island Cop” who is the Blvd. Parade positions, call signs, parademain route,police contact for citizens on The Island. The Island Moon Facebook page – BOAT DESCRIPTION______________________________________________________ communications and safety procedures will be He also saidSTATE the PD isREGISTRATION looking into the use of theislandmoonnewspaper – has become covered. #___________________________LENGTH_______________ the Island bulletin board and by watching
6:30
cameras to catch No Wake violators as part of a
ROUTE 2: see POA I got to go back and Dr.7:00P Christi again because I found Gypsy, Left Whitecap, another one of the pounds I lost. Right Das Marinas, I think it might have been the pizza bones. Or it could have Left Aquarius, been the stuff I found when I went Right trash Whitecap, diving in the office last week. Boy did I get in trouble Right for that. ButTesoro, I scored a piece of an old hamburger thatBara, made my Right Cobo De stomach feel funny.
Friday, December 12, 2014, Galleondepartment-wide Bay/ NAME OF INSURANCE computer system upgradeCOMPANY_________________________________________ that it everyday it has become apparent that the number of abandoned dogs on The Island is Commodores Cove parade. Marshalling will be be in place by the end of the year. should going up steadily and quickly. Some are being at 6:30 p.m. Parade will start at 7 p.m. Additional requirements: abandoned by puppy farms when they become Code enforcement Saturday, December 13, 2014, north and south too old to sell and others, sadly,THE justCAPTAINS' simply CAPTAINS OR A VESSEL REPRESENTATIVE MUST ATTEND Simpson also said as of February 1 CCPD has because people don’t want them anymore and7 PM. sides of Whitecap Blvd parade. Marshalling MEETING DECEMBER 11, 2014 AT THE PADRE ISLAND YACHT CLUB AT taken over code enforcement. That means they know that if& they dump them on The Island we will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Caravel boatnow ramp dumping ALL VESSELS MEET STATE FEDERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. can help police and otherMUST formerly won’t let them starve. Indeed a large number of north of Whitecap Blvd. Parade will start at 6 and ALL VESSELS MUST HAVE A WORKING VHF RADIO. non-police offenses that trespassing is at the good-hearted Islanders are taking the dogs in p.m. top of the list. CAPTAINS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFE AND PRUDENT until they can find permanent homes. OPERATION OF THEIR VESSELS. Sunday, December 14, 2014, at 9 a.m. at the Trespassing we are reaching a tipping point that ONLY ENGINE-POWEREDBut VESSELS ARE ALLOWED TOwhere PARTICIPATE. Padre Island Yacht Club, collected toys will system won’t work much longer. We need an And speaking of trespassing; the No be given to the US Marines for their Toys for PARTICIPANTS ARE ASKED TO COMPLETE THE ENTIRE PARADE ROUTE Trespassing signs that went up on private animal facility where volunteers can take care Tots® campaign. Awards ceremony and brunch WHICH THEY property all over TheFOR Island two weeks agoENTER. are of them while they are looking for a home. will follow at 10 a.m. now gone. The half-life of a No Trespassing
Left Tesoro,
I got to stop writing now my Camino Plata Ct, nose Right is starting to De throb from hitting the space bar. Please send Right Reales me some hotdogs. Just put them in a Left box Whitecap, with Not Hotdogs on the outside and send them LeftSave Aquarius, to the Riley P. Dog
l a u n n A
To contribute items for the live and silent auctions during the La Posada Pre-party at Scuttlebutts on December 2nd, contact Dave Zilar at 214-923-3146.
ROUTE 1: PAVILION 6:00 P
A5
There are plenty of people who will/are helping
This is my
Stop @ Fire Station-Break- Vote Best Decorated Cart-Exit/Entry
Mustering @ Fire Station @ 7:45 ROUTE 3: FIRE STATION 8:00P Right Swordfish, Right Cabana,
sign hereabouts is about the same as a Cheeto in but they can only have so many dogs in their Information Awards will be given for first Indicate Parade Area(s)/Dates in which you will participate: a flock of seagulls. and human second places in the categories: MOST nice friend Deb. homes. If we had a place where the dogs could kept there is no shortage of volunteers. TRADITIONAL; MOST JOYFUL; MOST ______FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12,be2014. GALLEON BAY/COMMODORES COVE ATVs PATRIOTIC; and BEST ISLAND SPIRIT. Let Marshalling area at the entrance to Commodores Canal by 6:30 PM. Developer Paul Schexnailder has agreed to The ISAC this week recommended that some your imagination run wild. The top boat across Parade begins at 7 PM. donate land near the water tower for a dog park. all categories will receive the Fleet Award.ATVs be allowed to remain on the beach but Maybe that would be a good place for a No Kill only if they are low speed. The question is how as well. DECEMBER 13, 2014. NORTH & SOUTH OF WHITECAP BLVD distinguish______SATURDAY, between a low-speed ATV and a shelter All boats must have current registration to and Marshalling by the Caravel Drive boat ramp (north Whitecap) 5:30 high-speed ATV and it has area now been forwarded Something is going to of have to be donebyand nowPM. insurance. to the City Attorney’s office for legal opinion. is the time to start thinking about what is the Parade begins at 6a PM. Working VHF radios are required aboard all best thing to do. Fire hydrants vessels Instructions: Return this completed registration form Electronically to: Brent Rourk at Any ideas? A recent testbrentrourk@yahoo.com of Island fire hydrants found that Rourk 15606 Gypsy St. Corpus Christi TX 78418. Or or Brent All vessels must meet US Coast Guard safety 8% failed inspection corrosion. The MAIL PLUS, the PHARMACY at CVS or NORTH requirements. deliver itdue to to PADRE ISLAND matter became an issueISLAND after a storage facility PADRE ACE HARDWARE. You will receive a confirmation call after I Only engine power can be used during the suffered severe damage over the summer receive your registration form. parade. because the nearest fire hydrant was unusable
Hal Linden, TV’s “Barney Miller”, Right Head Sail, Under the Bridge due to corrosion. Left Frontage Parade registration will not be accepted after Brings Broadway Serving South Texas Seafood for The next check will be for water pressure after the captains’ meeting. Left Jackfish, local builder said he had to install a pump in Hits and Big Band Over 30 YearsThis is the 17th year we will be collectingaa Toys PADRE GOLF CARTS Right Aquarius, new building because the water pressure from Tots® during the La Posada Boat Parade. the nearest hydrant was not sufficient to get Open Daily 11:00 for - 10:00 Sound to the Island Left Sea Horse, Padre Island La Posada Land Christmas Parade Entry Form Toys must be new and in original packaging. water to the second floor in case of a fire. Right Aloha, Have a party, is havehere! attendees bring a toySoand Traditional half-shell season if you’re going to have a fire and don’t have University You are invited to participate in the Padre Island La Posada Land Christmas we will pick up the toys at your dock during a pump make sure it starts on the first floor but Left Commodore, Left Compass,
Right Suntan, (add Right Caribbe)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s ninth the Only parade. Simply flash a white light remember, at our , 2014 from 6‐ 9 p.m. in which we decorate our Parade on Monday December 8 Friday & Saturday fire burns up. season of The Gloria and Robert R. Furgason collector boats showing yellow flashing lights 50 carts, ATVs, & Buggies for prizes and hand‐out candy to the children (do not Bravo! Series presents “An Evening with Hal From 5pm until gone per dozen and$6 we will get to you. Be patient; it will be Right Amdrosia, Linden”, Tony and Emmy Award Winning throw anything from the parade… hazard for children running into the road way). both 11-2 busy and dark. Have a camera ready to Daily lunch specials Broadway and Film Star and TV’s “Barney th
Left Aquarius,
End @ Schlitterbahn 9:00 P. Vote Best AlsoDecorated Cart
on Friday, Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the I ___________________________________________________________ (name) All dogs take notice! Miller” Performing Arts Center.
take a picture of the service member collecting your toys.
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Will be driving an ______ ELECTRIC or Backed by a ______ GAS GOLF CART 7-piece band, Linden, a former Jerky Treats to Return, big band singer and instrumentalist with the _____ 4 SEATER ______ 6 SEATER or Sammy Kaye ______ OTHER Orchestra, will provide decades Veterinarians Provide worth of knowledge and talent and an entire concert filled with an assortment of poise, ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________ Advice entertainment and timeless big band, Broadway,
The controversy surrounding jerky treats for and jazz standards. CELL PHONE NUMBER: _______________________________________________ pets has resumed following an announcement Tickets are available for purchase online at that two major pet treat manufacturers will soon E‐MAIL ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________ tamucc.tix.com or by calling (361) 825-ARTS return their products to stores’ shelves. or stopping by the Performing Arts Center box The treats in question had been voluntarily GOLF CART ROUTE CHOICES: MAY PARTICIPATE IN ONE OR ALL GROUPS BY office Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 recalled, though members of the public were p.m. General reserved-seat tickets range from CHECKING EACH GROUP. warned by the Food and Drug Administration $26-$36; student tickets are $7 with a valid through a report that approximately 4,500 dogs SandDollar ID. _____GROUP 1: BRISCOE KING PAVILLION THROUGH SEA PINES AREA TO POA had reportedly gotten sick and nearly 600 dogs had died, allegedly from consuming jerky treats. Traffic continued from A1
Wednesday All you can Eat Shrimp 4 PM - Close LibationsRib Specials on Prime Mustering @ 5:30 pm Passing lanes on “The Landing Strip” Amusements Ultimately, an identifying cause of the illnesses Thursday 5 PM until it runs Other improvements along the SH 361 corridor and deaths was never found. Some human foods 18 Holes of _____GROUP 2: POA THROUGH TESORO, AQUARIAS AREA TO FIRE STATION 15 between North Padre Island and Port Aransas, out are toxic to pets; onions, garlic, chocolate, Minature Golf
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raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, the sugar colloquially called The Landing Strip by locals, Mustering @ 6:45 pm include $10.5 million, currently not funded, substitute xylitol, and raw or undercooked food to add two “Super Passing Lanes” to State can create major problems for pets. _____GROUP 3: FIRE STATION 15 Mustering @ 7:45 pm THROUGH NORTH END Highway 361 between the SPID intersection on North Padre and Port Aransas. The lanes will AREA (CVS to allow for faster moving vehicles to pass slower moving vehicles without having to cross into Jessie’s Liquor area), ENDNG AT SCHLITTERBAHN PARKING LOT the lane of oncoming traffic, or forcing slower moving traffic onto the shoulder. The new 12Please mail this form to: Bob‐0 Campbell 13606 Moro Lane CC, Tx 78418 or ‐ E‐mail this form to foot lanes will be spaced periodically along the padregolfcarts@aol.com . For more information Call Bob‐O @ (361) 537‐5006 or Vic Schreck @ (214) 668‐6263 18-mile stretch of road. No timetable has been Come join in and drive your Christmas decorated vehicle, hand‐out candy, collect toys for the U.S. Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” campaign and set for the project. enjoy all of the fun.
A6
November 13, 2014
Island Moon
History continued from A1
Caring for our Coast
Nueces Delta Preserve November 15
Adding a swank hotel to this mix was quite the event, kind of like Schlitterbahn is now. Things were about to change dramatically. The hotel got its name from the amount of money it cost to build it. The hotel with beach view restaurant, large lobby, nightclub, ballroom and pool was reminiscent of the Vegas Strip hotel at the time. The gift shop rented out diving gear, surf boards and metal detectors and you could get a room there for $20/night.
Join CITGO and Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program to restore the eroded Nueces Delta Preserve. Together, we'll rid the area of invasive species, plant native vegetation and promote conservation along the Coastal Bend bay on Saturday, November 15, starting at 9 a.m Directions to the Nueces Delta Preserve, 3410 HWY 77 Odem TX 78370. Take HWY 37 North past Labonte Park. Merge onto HWY 77 North (Exit 17). Go approximately 2 miles and look for Gatz Rock Yard. Turn right just past the rock yard into the Nueces Delta Preserve. You will go through an archway that says McGregor Ranch.
PACT Begins ‘Charity’ Old Fashioned Melodrama Sure to Engage Audience
The Million Dollar Inn Had two 3000 lb anchors at its entrance which are now located at the corner of Sand Dollar Street. The anchors were salvaged from the hotel in 1987 when the remaining main building was demolished. The timing of the opening was perfect because shortly after in 1968 the fifty miles of beach was declared a National Park and attracted more tourists here. It was always the dream of the two brothers Joe and Charles Fay to own a hotel although neither had any experience. Wilbur King and Dexter Boyne were investors but were not involved in the day-to-day operations. Charlie oversaw the construction of the u-shaped building that opened to the Gulf. The bottom of the U was the main building and had a glass walled third story that gave a panoramic view of the Gulf and island.
By Brent Rourk Audiences are bound to be laughing when Director Salle Ellis and her experienced cast take the stage at PACT beginning this evening to present Charity Begins at Home/Downfall of a Trustingheart. The play follows the model of the old fashioned melodrama where the audience cheers and jeers at the heroes, heroines, and villains. The play runs November 13,14,15,16,20,21,22, and 23. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows begin at 7:30 and Sunday Matinees begin at 2:30. Tickets cost $10.00 and may be purchased at the door 30 minutes before show time, online at BrownPaperTickets.com, or SASSY’s at 1023 Highway 361 Suite F, Port Aransas, Texas 361-749-5030 Mon-Sat 10-5.
business since just after WWII. In 1970 Hurricane Celia hit and destroyed their home. The hotel suffered little damage attesting to its construction. Windows were blown out and a corner of the the third floor roof was lifted. A picture in the Caller Times after the storm showed only one car
PACT will be performing Gift of the Magi in December followed by Sin, Sex, and the CIA in January. For additional information about PACT presentations and information see www.portaransascommunitytheatre.com or call 361-749-6036.
Film Round-Up by Texas Archive of the Moving Image Be part of Texas history November 14-16 The third floor was occupied by the Padre Island Investment Corporation (PIIC) which moved most of their staff here from the building they built that is where Johnny D’s restaurant is. The offices in the hotel included both their corporate and sales offices. In the lounge area they had a large wall map of what the future development canals and lots would look like and a large tabletop scale model of a street with waterfront homes. At the time there was only a vast land of sand. The first bulkheads and houses were built in l968 and sales agents all over the country here and abroad would show a film of Emerald street. The hotel rooms were located in the attached two story buildings and were made with Zachary pre-cast concrete stackable module units. Each of the 112 rooms was well furnished with an original hand painted mural by the well-known German artist Fritz Von Drieberg. In the center was a fresh water pool with landscaping that was visible from most rooms and the main building. The hotel hosted many events including the annual New Year’s Day Beauty and Swimsuit Contest sponsored by the City of Corpus Chamber of Commerce. There was a large spread of food including blackeyed peas for this popular event. Joe and his wife, Betty, lived in town and owned an Adler Sewing Machine shop on Ayers that Fay managed. They had been in that
Texans have recorded their lives, and subsequently, cultural history, on film since the 1890s, but films and videos are fragile and impermanent. Many people do not understand the value of their home movies as historical records that document the social history of the 20th-21st century, telling the story of our lives from the citizen's perspective. The Texas Archive of the Moving Image (TAMI) works to rescue these moving images and showcase their unique contribution to our state's cultural history. TAMI extends the life of Texas moving image history through preservation, education, and free digitization services.
in the hotel parking lot. It belonged to a couple of honeymooners who apparently weathered the storm. Red Carpet Inn and Portofino Condos had heavy damage due to the I-beam and stucco construction. The seawall was in place at the time but the tide was over ten feet and the waves crashed over it. The bottom three floors of both buildings were flooded. The swing bridge, consisting basically of two barges, was also wiped out.
TAMI will host the Texas Film Round-Up in Corpus Christi November 14-16 at the Art Center of Corpus Christi at 100 N Shoreline Blvd. Through a partnership with the Texas Film Commission, the Texas Film Round-Up provides FREE digitization for Texas films and videos, including home movies, industrial films, educational films, advertisements, local television, and other films in an effort to preserve Texas media heritage. To qualify for free digitization, participants must be willing to donate a digital copy of their materials to TAMI’s archive, a digital collection at texasarchive.org.
Joe and Betty cleaned up a few hotel units to live in and for workers helping with the clean up to live. There was food to last for a while because of the restaurant. The hotel was sold in 1972 because one of the investors died and the other wanted out. Joe and Charlie decided it was a good time to sell and go play but unfortunately Charlie passed away two months later. The hotel flourished during those years and was always fully booked during the season but went into a decline after the sale. Read about how and why in the next Moon issue.
TAMI urges potential donors to dig their films and videos out of their attics, sheds, or garages and bring them to the Texas Film Round-Up for free digitization. Many people have long forgotten their family films or videos and have no way to discover their content now that those media formats are obsolete. This is the chance to find out what is on their reel or VHS at no cost.
The information for this story was compiled from talks with former hotel owner Betty Fay, Coldwell Banker realtor Jack Lavers and former PIIC treasurer Pat Mutchler.
TAMI also collects copies of films that are already digitized. Some families have the resources to digitize their home movie collections, but they can still be a part of Texas history by donating this media to the Archive. The Texas Archive of the Moving Image, a nonprofit organization, discovers, preserves, makes accessible, and serves community interest in Texas film heritage. By partnering with institutions and individuals across the state, TAMI digitizes and provides web access to thousands of moving images that offer insight to Texas history and culture. Over three thousand of these films are available to view on the TAMI video library, texasarchive.org. Find out more information about TAMI by contacting (512) 485-3073.
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November 13, 2014
A7
Island Moon
Backwater Adventures
Early Chill
By Joey Farah
Farah’s Fishing Adventures
On the Rocks By Jay Gardner
The first cold fronts always take our bodies by surprise, send an unfamiliar shiver through our bodies. This seems to effect the fish as well as in the beginning of winter temperatures that in January will feel like spring set us and the fish into a short hibernation. With this week’s fronts coming in like a train, look for fishing in the deeper waters in and around our back yards to heat up. The persistent problem
with soft plastics. I’ve been having great luck with the 1/4ounce DOA shrimp. They cast well and you can easily slow the presentation down when the fish are cold. The flounder are still thick along the edges of the Packery Channel but remember the limit is only two until middecember. The action down south for us has been on fire. Limits of drum on live shrimp and reds and trout when we are drifting are the norm. This is the perfect time to get out on the water with friends and family without the crowds. The holidays are coming up quick so if you are planning on having some guests come in give me a call to set up a fun fishing adventure, there are only limited days so set them up now.
Clouds grouped up on the horizon as the front rolled up to the Island, the sun hit my face for what seemed the last time this year. My feet were still wet from the last surf session without a wetsuit and I thought that summer couldn’t come back fast enough. Later that day I relished in a big coat and the rustling of palm leaves outside my window. The fishing will be the same, I will miss the heat but enjoy the cool days and all they bring. The days seem much less rushed and time with my guests is enjoyed with a more somber tone. The boxes of fish are Shane "BOOGIE WOOGIE" slammed his limit of black diverse and mixed with species of all kinds. The winter months drum in the mouth of Baffin this weekend. are a blessing just as our summer sun. This is a special place where the palms sway both ways, north of those large pin perch will soon be over and and south. Take some time to get out, don’t let the use of shrimp along all your favorite fishing this season pass by like a sweeping front. The spots will get easier and more effective. Take beach has less tracks, the bay is quiet except for this time to really learn and gain confidence in the sounds of the whistling winds, birds, and fishing with soft plastics. The pin perch will not drag peeling lines. Follow all our fishing and devour the plastics but they will catch fish even hunting adventures on FaceBook this winter from the dock behind your house, especially and get you’re behind out on the water. JOEY with a little scent additive. The best plan is to FARAH’S BACKWATER ADVENTURES, get out and work the edges of the ICW and the KEEP THOSE LINES TIGHT AND YOUR side channels along the Humble Channel area HOOKS SHARP!
Old man winter is rearing his ugly head already. I took a look at the years past water temperature at the Bob Hall TCOON station, and the trend isn’t exactly pretty on what kind of winter we’re going to have based on historical readings. Unfortunately, this years’ water temperature trends are following within a few degrees of what it did last year. Unless you were vacationing in Brazil all last winter, it was a “less-than-ideal” season for those who like to wear flip flops and shorts as opposed to parkas and gloves. Might as well go ahead and snow again, at least there will be something to talk about this next season instead of how society started to break down due to the cold weather. However the people who are in charge of marketing are bumping the ante up even more this year; Christmas songs were being played on the radio last week, and Black Friday flyers are already hitting my inbox and snail-box alike. What is going on here? Are retailers THAT dependent on Christmas to make ends meet? And what has happened to Thanksgiving? Maybe there is already a sale on turkeys and I’m behind the times around here.
Me, Lauren, and Hector Mendieta but he loved to play “dumb” with strangers, and watch people’s reactions to him. He also loved playing the “crazy card” with people until they got to know him a little better. He would always come clean, and make a new friend at the end of every encounter. We all loved to watch Hector in action, and it never got old, as he was constantly coming up with new gags and stories. And speaking of action, among many other projects, Hector organized, garnered donations, and rallied troops to build the handicapped accessible piers out at the MDC/Flour Bluff fish hatchery at the Kidfish ponds a couple years back. This was a sorely needed project for children and ADA persons to enjoy the fishing. Hector ran into my dad at the store one day, and talked him into helping out as well for several weekends. My dad tells me of how much fun he had with Hector while they were working and sweating in the summer heat, and I’m glad my dad got to spend time with him. He played bass guitar in a band. He helped out at the local church. He helped with our banquets and other events. He volunteered time at the hatchery with our friends Robert and Rodney. He donated years of his own time and money getting projects like these started and more importantly, finished. Currently Hector and I were working on a nearshore reef site out of Port O’Connor. Hector was in the middle of getting us some dock space at the barge canal to stockpile materials and for work space for the reef pyramids to be built this coming season up there. He leaves some big shoes to fill, and we will all miss his can-do attitude. Hector leaves us all too soon, and the world is a darker place without his light shining. All of our hearts are heavy at this loss. See you on those fabled rocks in the sky buddy.
Sorry I’m a little slow on the up-take this week folks, I got wonked in the head this past weekend clearing some brush and got myself a minor concussion. I really appreciated the advice from the doctor when I asked him what I could do, and he said “wear a helmet next time you clear brush.” Thanks Doc, that was a big help. How about the headache and blurry vision right now? LOL.
Hector Mendieta and his wife at the pier dedication Dangit……as I sit here writing this, I just received news that our good friend Hector Mendieta passed away in his sleep last night in Victoria. This comes as some very sad news to all of us. Hector was a good friend who spent a large amount of his time helping people, and volunteering for organizations, namely CCA. Hector was early 50’s, and this is kind of a shock. Hector was a lawyer in Victoria and maintained a second home in Flour Bluff, as he loved to fish the Laguna. I met Hector maybe 7 years ago, and he was one of those people who you were instant friends with. He was always smiling, telling stories and jokes, and just had that magnetic personality that people speak about. Hector was very intelligent,
Anthony "THE TOOTER" with one of his Baffin Bay drum.
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Bonnie "THE HAMMER" filled her birthday wishes by tackling this black drum on live shrimp and watching her family catch and enjoy there back yard.
Tides of the Week
Mary Ann McShane 361-215-8629
Day
High /Low
Tide Time
Height in Feet
Sunrise Moon Time Sunset
Th
13
Low
12:40 PM
0.6
6:48 AM Set 12:16 PM
13
High
9:25 PM
1.8
5:38 PM Rise 11:47 PM
F
14
Low
1:34 PM
0.8
6:49 AM Set 12:53 PM
14
High
9:47 PM
1.7
5:38 PM
Sa
15
Low
5:35 AM
1.1
6:50 AM Rise 12:38 AM
15
High
8:26 AM
1.2
5:37 PM Set 1:28 PM
15
Low
2:44 PM
0.9
15
High
10:05 PM
1.7
Su
16
Low
5:41 AM
1.0
6:51 AM Rise 1:29 AM
16
High
10:31 AM
1.3
5:37 PM Set 2:03 PM
16
Low
4:13 PM
1.1
16
High
10:23 PM
1.6
M
17
Low
5:56 AM
0.8
6:52 AM Rise 2:20 AM
17
High
12:13 PM
1.4
5:36 PM Set 2:38 PM
17
Low
5:43 PM
1.2
17
High
10:39 PM
Tu
18
Low
6:15 AM
0.6
6:52 AM Rise 3:12 AM
18
High
1:28 PM
1.6
5:36 PM Set 3:13 PM
18
Low
7:06 PM
1.3
18
High
10:52 PM
1.5
W
19
Low
6:36 AM
0.4
6:53 AM Rise 4:05 AM
19
High
2:26 PM
1.7
5:36 PM Set 3:51 PM
19
Low
8:29 PM
1.4
19
High
11:00 PM
1.5
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A8
November 13, 2014
Island Moon
SPORTS Flour Bluff vs. San Antonio Southside Sports Talk-Special to The Island Moon By Dotson Lewis Dotson’s note: Flour Bluff plays San Antonio Southside at 7:30 p.m., Friday night at Southside’s home stadium. This game is the first round (Bi-District) of the Region IV 5A Division I, of the Texas High School Football Playoffs. I thought that it might be enlightening for Flour Bluff Hornet fans to learn about Friday night’s opponent, San Antonio Southside Cardinals from persons who should know them best, the players and the head coach. Much of the following is what they shared with the San Antonio media. The directions to the stadium and other information can be found at the end of the article.
San Antonio Southside
Ricky Lock-Head Football Coach San Antonio Southside When Coach Ricky Lock took over the Southside High School football program in February, he challenged the Cardinals with a demanding offseason that tested their physical and mental toughness from the get-go. Coming off a 1-9 season, Lock's new players bought into his tough regimen and dared to dream big. More importantly, they showed an eagerness to put in the work to improve. Chugging along at 7-1 with two games left in the regular season, the Cards are in the midst of a turnaround that has them on the cusp of making school history. They also have the Southside community, which has endured decades of losing seasons, buzzing with excitement. "Everybody's been very supportive," Lock said Thursday. "Everybody has a little hop in their step. The school and community are proud. We have a lot of blue-collar people out there and their kids reflect their parents' work ethic. We tell our kids to play for their community, school and family. If they can't find a reason there, they're in trouble. We have Southside in front of our jersey and we put the player's name on the back of the jersey, so they'll play hard for one or the other." Southside is one victory away from setting a school record for the most wins in a season. The Cards beat Medina Valley 35-14 to tie the mark established by the 2011 team, which finished 7-4 after losing in the first round of the playoffs. Linebacker Diego Avila and his teammates have stepped up consistently since Lock, 50, became Southside's head coach after five seasons at Gonzales. A 1982 Caldwell High School graduate, Lock played football at Texas Lutheran and transferred to Sam Houston State when TLU dropped scholarships.
any given night. It's got to be in the stars and the cards. Martin got us." Avila said the loss was a wake-up call for the Cards. "We learned that no matter how good our season is going, that we can't let up," he said. "We can't come out flat." Led by sophomore running back Matt Collier and senior quarterback Brandon Herrera, Southside rebounded with a solid victory against Medina Valley. Collier rushed 27 times for 307 yards and two touchdowns, and averaged 11.4 yards a carry, and Herrera ran for 187 yards on 18 carries and three TDs. Collier has carried the bulk of the Cards' offense, rushing for 1,326 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 6.9 yards a carry. "Matt has gotten better and better as the season has gone on," Lock said. "He's has good vision. He's very elusive and uses his blockers well. He has the ability to stop and start on a dime. He's got a lot of football savvy. He understands the game. Matt just makes things happen. He's exciting to watch. He's very reliable. For the most part, he always takes care of the football, other than against Martin." Senior Brandon Herrera started the season at wide receiver, but moved to quarterback after junior Jonny Herrera went down with a seasonending knee injury in the first series of the fifth game.While Herrera has completed 16 of 32 passes for only 148 yards, he's done a good job of executing the offense. He has rushed for 357 yards and three TDs, and is averaging 6.9 yards per tote. "We beat Somerset with him," Lock said. "Brandon's done really well. He's a good leader and our kids believe in him. Great kid. Studies the game. He plays hard and is a fierce competitor. He's a good guy to have in there because he leads. He's very quick, very fast." Herrera, who also starts at cornerback on defense, rushed for 180 yards in the win over Medina Valley. Herrera credits Lock and the coaching staff for laying the groundwork for the Cards' turnaround. Six Southside players start on offense, defense. Senior center Jesse Longoria, senior guard Gilbert Barrientes, senior tackle Justin Escobar and Avila at tight end have done the heavy lifting up front. Escobar also starts at defensive tackle. "All those guys have done a great job on the offensive line," Lock said. "They've worked hard and have gotten better and better." Senior David Garza, who has 23 receptions for 338 yards and one TD, is the Cards' leading receiver. Garza also starts at cornerback on defense. The Cards have six players who start both ways – Avila, fullback/linebacker Devin Collier, Escobar, Garza, Herrera and offensive tackle/nose guard Jesus Moron. Devin Collier is Matt Collier's cousin. A third Collier, Jacob, Matt's brother, starts at free safety. Avila, the team's top tackler, and outside linebacker Eliud Mendez are the defensive leaders. "Avila is very easy to coach," Lock said. "He has a nose for the ball. He doesn't make a whole lot of mistakes. He's not the fastest guy in the world, but he is very heady and he's all over the field. He's very intelligent is a very good student of the game. He has a chance to play at the next level. Eliud is having a terrific year. He's done a real good job at outside linebacker. He's made a lot of big plays for us this season." A pleasant surprise has been the play of Herrera's younger brother, freshman safety Johnny Herrera, who leads the team in interceptions with five. He returned a pick for a TD against Somerset, and had two interceptions against Medina Valley.
Southside seniors Justin Escobar, left to right, Brandon Herrera and Diego Avila have played key roles in the Cardinals' turnaround season. "We're just having a very good year,” Lock said. “It's mainly because of the kids and their effort, and their attitude and approach every week. We challenged them as coaches. We didn't waste any time. We changed the whole approach in the offseason and it's really paid a lot of dividends up to this point." Southside has gone 174-430-14 and made the playoffs only four times in its history. The Cards are 0-4 in the postseason. The 2014 team was undefeated until it lost to Laredo Martin 28-21. The loss came after Southside had improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in district with a 17-14 win over Somerset. "We went down to Laredo and it felt more like a field trip," Lock said. "It didn't feel right from the get-go. We were flat after the Somerset game. It was pretty noticeable. We turned the ball over four times. We hardly had turned the ball over all year. We had four, including two in the fourth quarter when we were ahead 21-20. It was just one of those nights. It's Texas high school football. Anybody can beat anybody on
Looking Back With Bart By Andy Purvis Special to the Island Moon Marcel Proust once said, “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” Every once in a while, I meet an athlete who becomes a true friend, a guy I can trust and one I feel comfortable with. Bart Shirley is one of those guys.
Corpus Christi Treasure Just being around Bart; made me feel ten-years old. He has a way of serving as the rainbow in everybody’s cloud. In my opinion, Bart Shirley was born with a heart three sizes too large. There is nothing this man would not do for you, and that’s a good thing. Bart is humble, Godfearing and snail quiet. I proudly refer to him in public as a “Corpus Christi Treasure.”
professional baseball player, but as a true and devoted friend,” said Salmon. One of those devoted friends was a fellow by the name of Garron Dean. Garron has been a Bart Shirley fan for sixty-plus years. “We went to junior high and high school together and participated in sports together all those years,” exclaimed Garron. “Upon graduation, he went to Texas and I went to LSU and we lost each other until he returned to Corpus Christi. Bart had been in Japan playing baseball.” Dean continues, “Bart is one of the most honest individuals I have ever known and a devout Christian who spends a lot of hours devoting his life to Christ,” said Dean.
Barton Arvin “Bart” Shirley was born on January 4, 1940, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Bart played and starred as a shortstop in baseball for Head Coach A.J. Luquette and left halfback in football for Head Coach Bill Stages, for Ray High School. His play was such that Bart was inducted into the Ray Texans’ Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. After graduating from Ray in 1958, Bart signed an athletic scholarship and headed to Austin, Texas, to play for the Longhorns. In 1959, after his freshman year, Bart would line up as a halfback for legendary football coach, Darrell Royal. Bart would complete four of ten passes for two touchdowns, while executing the halfback-run option. One of those touchdown passes came against the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, for a Texas win. Bart also rushed for 90 yards on 25 carries and caught two passes for sixteen yards.
Sent the signing bonus home to mom Bart’s star shined even brighter on the baseball diamond for the 1960 Longhorns, as Bart started at shortstop for Head Coach “Bibb” Falk and was voted to the All-Southwest Conference team. Later that same year, Bart was signed as an amateur free agent by celebrated scout, Hugh Alexander, of the Los Angeles Dodgers. “Once I signed the contract I lost my amateur status at Texas,” said Bart. “I went to Spring Training in 1960 and sent my signing bonus home to my mother.” In 1961, Bart Shirley reported to the Atlanta Crackers, the Dodgers’ Double-A team, of the Southern Association. Bart later joined the U.S. Army Reserves and attended basic training, in 1961. He would fulfill a six-year obligation to his country. By 1962, you could find Bart playing shortstop for the Triple-A Omaha Dodgers of the American Association. In 1963, he would hone his skills for the Triple-A Spokane Indians of the Pacific Coast League, before being called up to the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 14, 1964. At the beginning of the 1966 season, Bart was called up again to the big club on April 19th. Shirley would stay with the Los Angeles Dodgers until June 25. Walter Alston and the Dodgers continued to play well and won the 1966 National League pennant with a 95-67 win-loss record. With stars like Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, winning was made easy, but it was not enough. Bart was proud to be a part of that team. The Dodgers were swept by the Baltimore Orioles for the 1966 World Series title. Bart received his share of the 1966 World Series money.
Interestingly, Bart’s high school relationships with teammates stand as strong today as ever. They continue to move in and out of each other’s’ lives to this very day and gather occasionally to remember and celebrate their past. Bart and his current wife, Victoria, make their home here in Corpus Christi. What I would want to leave with Bart and others is the realization that whoever you are, there is some younger person who thinks you are perfect. I would count myself as one of those who feel that way about Bart Shirley. The fact is we need our heroes more than they need us. 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 Story Time with Uncle Andy on Tuesdays 5-6 PM and Dennis & Andy’s Q & A Session each Thursday night from 6-8 PM on ESPN 1440 KEYS.
Off to Japan In 1971, Bart decided he was not yet through playing baseball and did what many American players have done before him. He headed to Japan. There he signed with the Chunich Dragons of the Japan Central League. Bart would play there for two years. Other American Major League players that played in Japan while Bart was there include Clete Boyer, Davey Johnson, John Miller and his close friend Jim Lefebvre. Bart Shirley returned to the States in 1973 to manage in the Dodgers’ Minor League system. Bart would manage a total of 401 games in three years, while winning 199 for a .496 winning percentage.
Back to Corpus Christi Chris Steinbruck Flour Bluff Hornets First Year Coach After being victorious Friday night, the Hornets will play the winner of Donna (6-3) vs. Mission Memorial (3-7) in the next round of the Region IV Class 5A Division I, football playoffs. For driving directions to the Southside Stadium in San Antonio go to the website: https:// www.athleteguild.com/venue/san-antonio-tx/ cardinal-stadium-southside-high-school
Pastor Mark Salmon introduced me to Bart Shirley. Mark had met Bart in August of 2001 when Mark became the Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church. Mark Salmon, being a diehard baseball fan of the Yankees, and his friend Bart spent hours talking baseball. “His greatest days were not when he was a
The physical address of the Cardinal StadiumSouthside High School is: 1460 Martinez Losoya Road; San Antonio, TX 78221 Dotson’s other note: Good luck to the Hornets. We will attempt to keep you up to date on Texas High School Football Playoffs. Comments/ Questions, 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
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November 13, 2014
A9
Island Moon
Beautify Corpus Christi
The Travelling Moon Gets Around
Cold Weather Plant Protection By Chelsea Craig, Executive Director, Beautify Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is certainly not known for her display of all four seasons. Many would argue the consistently warm (hot) weather is one of her greatest appeals. However, as this week has proven, we are capable of at least a few cold days and nights from time to time. Short-lived as it may be, cold weather can cause devastating damage to your plants in very little time. Consider these options to protect your plants for our “winter” days.
Move the Mobile Native Islander Sarah Gilliam celebrated her 17th birthday with family and friends at the Veranda. Pictured L-R is Julia (sis), Olivia, Sarah and Brooklyn. Photo by Mary Craft.
New Reef is Already Home to Fish Islanders Jerry and Sharon Watkins took The Island Moon to the Soggy Dollar bar in the British Virgin Islands this week. Thanks guys we love that place!
Easiest and most beneficial for your plants is to get them out of the way of danger. Any of your plants that are capable of being moved should be moved indoors for extreme weather. Given that our temperatures rarely drop below freezing, placing your plants in the garage would be sufficient. If your plants are small, bringing them in the house is a nice way to hold onto a little green amidst the cold. Avoid placing plants near a vent as they can dry out with the exposure. Also, if the temperature drop is extreme, be cautious how near the window your plants have been placed. Freezing temperatures can transfer if the plant is touching the glass.
Once again, Mulch The Reef is marked on the surface with this bouy
John Wilkins just returned from a business trip to the Orient. While in Xian, China, John thought the Terra Cotta Warriors would enjoy reading a recent copy of the Moon.
If you have been following our columns, you may have noticed a theme. Mulch seems to be the gift that keeps on giving. We know mulch is a useless way of maintaining moisture throughout the drought-ridden summer, but it is also quite useful as insulation from temperature changes. In the winter, mulch can be used to protect the root system of plants from the cold weather. Mulch’s moisture retention is also an added benefit as plants are often slower at drawing in water when the temperatures are low. As the weather is changing, apply a new layer of mulch approximately 2-3 inches thick. If you are not mulching the entire bed, mulch around the plant starting about 1/2 inch from the stem and extend to at least the length of the longest stem, as that is where the root system will reach. If you happen to have a tree that has experienced a fall in south Texas, those leaves will provide a great option as mulch material. Not only do leaves provide some of the best insulation, but they are also free and do not need to be removed from the plant once their purpose has been served. The leaves will break down and add nutrients to the soil. Straw is the next best mulch option, as it provides good insulation and is easily removed once the weather is warm. Any mulch, however, is better than no mulch at all.
Moon Travels to Canyon Lake (near New Braunfels) The walk across the Dam was nice, along with a great Marina. We wanted to ride the Jet Skis, but November is a bit too chilly in the water. They were having a bike race with quite a lot of participants, but traffic wasn't too bad. Tim and Pat Oman
Cover Them
For a few cold nights, covering your plants may be the best option for you. An old blanket or drop cloth can be used to lightly cover the plant. To prevent damage to the plant from the cover, try your best to keep the cover from resting on the foliage of the plant. Use sticks or stakes to hold up the material. You can also use sticks or stake to create a teepee-like structure around the plant to ensure it will be covered without the weight of the material. Burlap is a good option for this, as it will allow some breathability and light exposure. A plant blanket can also be purchased. Covering your plants is best for protecting from frost. Remember to remove the cover during the day so you plants can receive light and air. In our windy city, you will also most likely need to secure your covering to prevent it from flying away.
Cold weather is not a topic we discuss too thoroughly in our area. However, our plants will appreciate our having a plan, just in case. As always, be on the lookout for more beatification suggestions from your Beautify Corpus Christi Association. Find out what we are working on in your city by following us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/beautifycc. Join in the effort by becoming a member and/or volunteer today! Visit BeautifyCorpusChristi. org or call Chelsea Craig, Executive Director at 361.946.3996 for more information.
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Island Moon
November 13, 2014