Section a for web

The

Issue 573

Island Moon

The voice of The Island since 1996

April 9, 2015

Around The Island

By Dale Rankin

editor@islandmoon.com If you noticed your dog or your spouse acting a little odd over the weekend cut them a little slack; we were all a little lunitical as we had three days of a full moon and the moon passed into the earth’s shadow and turned blood red in a total lunar eclipse that lasted less than ten minutes making it the shortest of its kind this century.

Here on our little sandbar the water returned from wherever it had been for the past few weeks covering the barnacle line on our docks and resubmerging the sand islands that had popped up on the west side of The Island. Life as we know it has returned to normal, or at least what passes for normal hereabouts.

Haunted house And speaking of the paranormal – The Island now has a haunted house.

We won’t reveal the address but we can say that things are getting strange up in here. It started when the owner noticed that the clothes in an upstairs closet kept falling off the hangers but the hangers did fall with them. Then the lights started turning off and on by themselves; even after the owner made a point of turning them off before he left, only to find them on when he returned. There were also some strange temperature changes.

Then one night his dog went missing from the bed and he found him upstairs staring into the same empty bedroom where the other weirdness had transpired. When he called the dog, the dog refused to turn around and backed down the hall all the while staring into the empty bedroom with his hair standing up. The owner, who says he doesn’t really believe in the paranormal, called in the ghostbusters and didn’t tell them where the problem was coming from. After about an hour of testing the ghostbusters determined that the problem was indeed coming from the bedroom.

We’re told that some traditional remedies were used; sage burned around the doorways, etc., but haven’t heard if the incantations worked their magic. We’ll let you know if there are further developments or if the call goes out for the eye of a newt.

Island Moon writer nominated for Hugo Island resident and sometime Moon writer Arlan Andrews’ science fiction novel “Flow” has been nominated for a Hugo Award, science fiction's equivalent of the Oscar, which will be presented to the winner at the World SF Convention in Spokane, Washington, in late August. The story is a sequel to Arlan’s last novel "Thaw," and takes place after the next Ice Age begins to thaw, revealing a much-changed world completely different from today's. The story is a sequel to "Thaw," Arlan’s last book and takes place after the next Ice Age begins to thaw, revealing a muchchanged world completely different from today’s. His next story in the series will be "Fall," which details the further adventures of the very small wanderer, Rist, as he literally falls into yet another strange environment, this one in the Great Basin that was once the Gulf of Mexico.

We’ve been accused of writing some science fiction here at the Word Factory from time to time, but this is the first time one of our writers has been nominated for an award for it.

Congratulations Arlan!

Windstorm Word out of Austin is that the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association expects to have $4.9 billion in its reserve fund by the time Hurricane Season 2016 arrives in June; enough to cover damages from a 100-year

Around continued on A3

Free

Weekly

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Photo by Steve Coons

Egg ‘Hunters’ Converge on Billish Park

Update on Island projects

Spring Break 2015 Numbers Down Almost 12%

By Dale Rankin The rainy weather during Spring Break 2015 dropped the numbers from 2014 by 11.7% according to Paulette Kluge, President of the Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau. Kluge told the Island Strategic Action Committee Tuesday that while the Coastal Bend numbers were down, they were not down as much as those in Galveston and South Padre Island which saw drops from 30% to almost 50%.

Part of the drop in the South Padre numbers may also have the result of internet reports that last year lines at the Homeland Security/Border Patrol checkpoint on northbound U.S. Route 77, the only route through the King Ranch between Corpus Christi and the Rio Grande Valley, were more than four hours long.

Park Road 22/SPID Water Exchange Bridge. City staff told the ISAC Tuesday that the design for the water exchange bridge are 90% complete and the environmental assessment required by the Texas Department of Transportation has been sent and city planners are awaiting comments. They said they

Families Relish Hot Dogs and Annual Easter Egg Hunt

By Brent Rourk Overcast skies and cooler weather did not deter Islanders from enjoying the 18th Annual Easter Egg ‘Hunt’ on Saturday at Don and Sandy Billish Park. Close to 800 adults and children flooded the park and enjoyed the childrens’ rides as they waited for the classic hunt perhaps more appropriately known as an Easter Egg ‘Gathering’.

Earlier than ever, adults lined their chairs along the marked off egg hunting areas, while children took photos with ‘Da Bunny’, savored delightful baked goods, watched as SMA Builders’ Club students painted their faces, took turns on the kiddie rides, and munched a hot dog or two. By 11:45 there were about 300 people lined up at the roped off areas and that number grew by hundreds as the minutes ticked away.

Many families slowly strolled the park, munching hot dogs and taking advantage of the cooler weather, donning jackets and sweaters. The ‘trackless’ train made its rounds in the park, offering rides to children and adults alike.

Easter Egg collecting baskets seemed larger this year as large bags and household pails outnumbered the traditional, cute Easter baskets.

Children became antsy as the minutes ticked away with some groups of children obviously planning their ‘hunt’ before the official start.

Island Projects continued on A6

Egg Hunt continued on A2

Nation’s Largest All-Volunteer Beach Cleanup April 18

Inside the Moon

Volunteers needed for Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup Volunteers are needed for the nation’s biggest all-volunteer coastal cleanup Saturday, April 18.

The 2015 Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup takes place at 30 of Texas’ most popular tourist beaches. Volunteers can sign up online at www.texasadoptabeach. org to take part in a fun-filled day at the beach that makes a difference.

“The Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup is a great day at the beach for a great cause," said Texas Land

Commissioner George P. Bush.

"Come out for sun and sand and help keep Texas beaches clean at any of our 30 clean-up sites along the coast.

The Adopt-A-Beach clean-up starts at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 18."

Each volunteer will be given data cards, gloves, pencils and trash bags.

All volunteers are advised to wear closed-toe shoes, bring sunscreen and plenty of drinking water. The Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach

Cleanups are held rain or shine!

Texans who are not able to attend the cleanup can help keep their beaches clean by making a taxdeductible donation online at www.

TexasAdoptABeach.org. There are several different Adopt-A-Beach sponsorship levels ranging from $25 to $25,000, allowing both individuals and corporations to contribute to this major cleanup effort.

Clean Up continued on A4

Fishing A5

A little Island history

How The Island was Developed

Editor’s note: We are in the process of gathering information on development of The Island in the years between 1960 and 1990. The information in this story came primarily from three sources: Attorney Bill Edwards who represented Island property owners in a lawsuit against Island developers, longtime Islander Bob Maupin who was a member of the Padre Isles Property Owners Association Board of Directors for several year, and Pat Mutchler who worked for, and continues to work for, the major companies involved in Island development for more than thirty years.

If any of our readers have information or documents about

this time period please share it with us. This story is the first of what will be an ongoing series of this Island history.

Whoop It Up A7

By Dale Rankin The year was 1979 and the Padre Island Investment Corporation under its original ownership had platted Seawall damage after Hurricane Allen and built infrastructure for a majority of the lots The deed covenants in the on The Island. The last area to be sold original lot sales by the PIIC had and developed was known as Cape a unique provision; the purchasers Summer and is the area which we of the lots were not allowed to now refer to as the Ski Basin. PIIC improve them until all the lots in had begun the 4000-acre project in the surrounding subdivision had 1965.

History continued on A4

Archie's New Adventure

Sports A8

AirTales A9

By Carole Jenness Remember Archie. His boat went down Well here is another story going around Archie got a brand new bigger boat He tried to take it out, but it wouldn't float!

He cranked up the motor, and got ready for a trip

Wildflowers A11

But something stuck. Archie couldn't leave the slip Tried as he might something was stuck Archie thought "well that is just my luck"!

Then Archie heard some strange grinding sound

So that's my story sad but true

You won't believe what Old Archie found

Thought I'd take the time to tell it to you

Stuck in his prop tending to come out later

Can't swim in our canal, scared of what will find

Was chopped up parts of an Ole alligator!

Might find parts of a prop or gator left behind!

Live Music A16

A2

April 9, 2015

Island Moon

The Travelling Moon Gets Around

Egg Hunt continued from A1 As Kim Erwin’s voice, amplified by a megaphone, began the 10 second countdown, several kids pushed against the ‘restraining’ rope, ready to pounce on any unsuspecting or hidden egg and toy. The smiles on the young childrens’ faces were priceless.

When the siren went off, hundreds of children instantly flooded the hunting grounds in waves, like locusts decimating crops. In about 90 seconds the field was clear, baskets were full, smiles were plentiful, and many children were observed seeking a quiet and safe spot to thoroughly inspect their prodigious hoards of sweets and treats.

The park was quiet at 6:00 AM on Saturday morning and by 10:00 AM it was efficiently transformed into a central party site for Islanders. By 4:00 PM everything was gone except for some trash barrels. The 18th Annual Easter Egg Hunt, cosponsored by Keller Williams Realty and Kiwanis Club, was obviously a success.

Our island has many volunteers and organizations that work alone or in concert to provide activities and events for all Islanders. The Annual Easter Egg Hunt has become a popular Island event for families. Events like this one do not happen without advance planning and lots of work. A huge thanks to sponsors, donors, volunteers, and workers who made it possible. It is another one of those celebrated events that make our Island a grand place to live.

Ralf & Bavaria in the second week in Honduras on Roatan Island now – and of course we had the Moon with us again, for some reading time on the boat before diving, snorkeling and fishing.

Robert Pruski, Jr. 361.652.2278 adventure1mgmt@gmail.com

Barefoot Mardi Gras Donates $10,000

VOTED BEST Veterinarian 2006-2014 Dr. Christi Kresser

Barefoot Mardi Gras presented $10,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters this week from their 2015 event

RAY HERRERA DIRECTOR

Thank You For Supporting CHRISTI KRESSER & Voting Us #1 in the Corpus Christi & Coastal Bend Area VETERINARIAN

Featured Pet

Jack Jack

Jack Russell 5 Years Old Neutered Fully Vaccinated Trifexis Protected Dr. Kresser’s Patient Responsible Owner - Taylor Resides on the Island, Corpus Christi TX Go To padrevet.com For Coupons Must present coupon at time of drop-off

Animal Hospital of Padre Island 14802 Compass (361) 949-8200

April 9, 2015

Island Moon

Letters to the Editor

Moon Monkeys Mike Ellis, Founder

Letter from John White There have been questions raised over the last several weeks about the Beautification Trust, what it has done and what my role has been.

The idea for the Beautification Trust grew from residents wanting to contribute to the beautification of the Island. I had been volunteering with the PIPOA Homeowners Advisory Committee. We took on the project to improve the medians and cul de sacs on the Island.

Distribution Pete Alsop

As I met with neighbors to talk about contributing money to the project in order for us to purchase plants, tree, rocks, etc., they asked how it could be a tax deductible contribution.

Island Delivery Coldwell Banker Advertising Jan Park Rankin

The Trust was created in order to have residents contribute and receive a tax deduction for their contribution.

Classifieds Arlene Ritley Production Manager Jeff Craft Contributing Writers Joey Farah Andy Purvis Devorah Fox

Over the years, I have worked with various projects. We completed 13 medians and cul de sacs using the contributions and volunteers.

Frankly, the volunteer average age exceeded 70, and the work was hard. We stopped when two of the volunteers fell while working.

In the ensuing years, I have worked on the Spoil Island Clean-up, raising money and providing lunch for the volunteers. Since the City will not build a restroom at Billish, I have raised money from the Island service organizations as well as collected cans from the charter school in order to pay for the Skid-O-Kan at Billish.

Mary Craft Maybeth Christiansen Jay Gardner Chad Peters Todd Hunter

I helped coordinate the Island Showcase activities which featured vendors and open houses for homes which were for sale.

Dotson Lewis Ronnie Narmour Brent Rourk

When some residents asked about a Community Garden, I raised funds and organized the building of the first 20 beds.

Since then I have overseen the building of the additional 80 garden beds, the last 20 currently nearing completion.

Dr. Donna Shaver Photographers Miles Merwin Jeff Dolan Mary Craft Ronnie Narmour Office Security/Spillage Control (Emeritus)

I worked the last Saturday and Sunday of every month for about 6 years at the Litter Critter until the City decided to move the location from the PIPOA office to the wastewater treatment plant.

When residents wanted to raise money to buy a patrol boat, the money was given to the Beautification Trust so that, again, donors could take a tax deduction.

in 2012, 2013 and 2014. I was paid a monthly stipend from the Trust for my efforts. When I look at the hours spent, the pay per hour amounted to less than $10. I have promoted Island beautification as well as the Island, attending meetings, meeting with individuals, giving tours to visitors as well as prospective businesses and speaking to various organizations about what is happening on the Island.

I believe I have been a good steward of the funds and have always had the Island and its beautification and improvement as my top – priority.

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 15201 S. Padre Island Drive, Suite 250 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

John White, Sr. Beautification Trust

H-E-B withdraws Blue Bell products Blue Bell Ice Cream has voluntarily recalled some of its products while it continues to work with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

H-E-B has decided to withdraw all existing Blue Bell products on its shelves as a precautionary measure due to food safety concerns. Working with Blue Bell, we will replenish our shelves with new product as soon as feasible.

Customers with concerns may return the product to H-E-B stores for a full refund.

Customers with questions can contact H-E-B Customer Relations at 1-855-432-4438 between the hours of 8AM and 5PM Monday through Friday.

Taxes Editor’s note: Taxes have been a popular subject on the Island Moon Facebook page this week – theislandmoonnewspaper; here are a few samples.

Got my estimated tax statement today and it is a 12% increase from last year. Don't know how much more of the island life I can stand????

Mine increased almost 54%! I will be sitting in their office on May 18! I appealed my property taxes every year in Denton County and only 1 out of 17 years did I not get my tax rate reduced.

It is an inconvenience, but I urge you to take the time to go to their office & appeal. Good luck to each of you.

Marsha Brance

Special Event at the Port Aransas Library The Friends of Ellis Memorial Library will host a special DVD presentation of the opera "La Traviata" on Saturday, April 11th at 3PM in the Library Meeting Room. Filmed at the Metropolitan Opera Company, this beautiful production stars Placido Domingo and Teresa Stratas in what is considered to be the masterpiece composition of Giuseppe Verdi, the preeminent opera composer of the 19th century.

Light refreshments will be served, and there is no admission charge.

The 2015 Texas SandFest in Port A will be held April 24 – 26. There will be live music to enjoy while viewing the many unique sand sculptures by the 17 participants. The cost is $5 and is free for children 12 and under and Port A residents with photo ID.

storm season along the Texas Coast. That’s a far cry from 2008 when the fight over Windstorm Insurance began when the fund had $3 billion.

It’s amazing what a little attention and political pressure can do in Austin. We thank State Representative Todd Hunter for his work on this issue.

Gypsy Reeker

Duckworth Antiques

And all Moon retail advertisers

Back Porch

WB Liquor

Under the Bridge Serving South Texas Seafood Dishes for Over 30 Years Open Daily 11:00 - 10:00

Shorty’s Place

Flour Bluff

Giggity’s

H.E.B.

Lunch Specials 11-2 Daily

Stripes @ Cotter & Station

Liquid Town

The Gaff

Keep up with Island power outages by enrolling in AEP Texas Mobile Alerts. Call AEP Texas at 866-223-8508 to register and receive a text or email to alert you.

Around continued from A1

Subway

Now Accepting Visa Mastercard & Discover

AlsoScoopy’s Veranda With Sweet Treats, Soups, Salads & Sandwiches

Snoopy’s Scoopy’s

(361) 949-8815 (361) 949-7810

The stink from the Gypsy sewer substation has reached full-blown summer odiferous status even before we hit the summer season. Anyone driving up and down Whitecap of late can’t help but cast a sideways glance at the other people in the car until they realize the source is the beloved reeker of Island odors we have all come to know and love. Our city continues to say there is no problem so it looks like the Gypsy Reeker is here to stay. If you are driving down Whitecap everybody, remember to roll up you windows and hold your nose.

In the meantime, say hello if you see us Around The Island.

WHITECAP LIQUOR Liquor

Wine

Beer

14414 Whitecap Blvd.

Corpus Christi, TX On North Padre Island..... near the Beach

Fire Station Stripes on Flour Bluff & SPID

The Friends of Ellis Memorial Library in Port A will host a special DVD presentation of the opera “La Travista” on Saturday, April 11th at 3 pm. It was filmed at the Metropolitan Opera Company and stars Placido Domingo.

Consumers wishing to enroll in AEP Texas Mobile Alerts should call AEP Texas at 866223-8508 to register their home or business account. Once that is done, the consumer will receive a link to a website where they can enroll in AEP Texas Mobile Alerts. If a consumer already has an online account, they can login and enroll for the alerts.

Jesse’s Liquor

Police Station

The Whoop It Up! Fundraiser will be held on Sunday, April 12, 6-10pm, at Whiskey River (Staples and Holly Road). Dinner tickets are $25 and available at any Seashore school or at the door Sunday night. Come out and enjoy the live and silent auctions, dinner, and dancing.

“The deployment of advanced meters across the AEP Texas system combined with the proliferation of hand-held communications devices now makes it possible for AEP Texas to let consumers connected to our lines know that we know their power is out and when we expect it to be restored,” said Wade Smith, AEP Texas president and chief operating officer.

“Mobile Alerts can help us meet ever growing expectations and allows consumers yet another way to be connected to AEP Texas, only this time wirelessly,” he said.

Island Tire

Port A Glass Studio

Larry Joe Taylor and Davin James will be at Third Coast Theater in Port A Saturday, April 11th at 8 pm. It is Port A’s version of a James Taylor concert. Tickets are $30.

Consumers who enroll in AEP Texas Mobile Alerts will receive a notification when an outage has been reported in their area and will get updates as AEP Texas crews determine the outage cause and can estimate when power is expected to be restored.

Raymond Lieke

Chamber of Commerce

Keepers Pier House

Kody’s Restaurant on Hwy 361 in Port A again has Prime Rib Wednesdays.

Consumers served by AEP Texas in south and west Texas now have the option to be notified by text message or e-mail when their home or business is affected by a power outage.

Holiday Inn

Ethyl Everly Senior Center

Mermaid Seafood Restaurant has opened in the Bluff where Tapatio Restaurant was near Flour Bluff Drive.

Keep Up With Island Power Outages on Your Phone

Public Library

Gratitude Gift Shop

Whitecap Cross Fit Gym near Scuttlebutt’s has closed.

Congrats to Rod Leonard who shot a 67 at Palmilla Golf Course this week. In all his 73 years he has never shot that low a score.

Island Italian

Whataburger on Waldron

A successful restaurant owner who does not have a place on the Island is looking at the property where Johnny D’s Restaurant was located. Stay tuned.

There are many good things happening on the Island I love and have devoted literally thousands of hours of my time since arriving here in 1996.

Scuttlebutt’s Restaurant

Woody’s Sports Center

Business Briefs

The Padre Island Dog Owners Group will be heading to the Port Aransas Dog Park on Saturday, April 11th. They will meet at 10:00 am at the dog park located at the Port Aransas Community Park (700 Clark Parkway just off Ross Ave.)

The PIPOA contributed $20,000 to the Trust

Publisher

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

The Island Foundation was kind enough to host the account as they are a 501c3. It is regrettable that the Island Foundation has decided not to do community programs, which this was truly such a program. With that being said, for now the Beautification Trust does not have a “host.”

When residents wanted to raise money for a dog park, the Trust was used. Residents wanting to raise money for new playground equipment at Billish Park used the Trust.

Riley P. Dog

Did Ya Hear?

A3

13313 S. Padre Island Drive Corpus Christi, TX 78418

361 949-9289 whitecapliquor@yahoo.com http://www.whitecap.vpweb.com

A4

History continued from A1

infrastructure in place and were ready to be developed. That meant that purchasers of lots couldn’t landscape them or build a house on them until all the streets, drainage, curbs, and other amenities were in place.

Under those conditions the developers eventually sold about 7000 lsland lots and were using the money collected from newlysold lots to build infrastructure for lots sold previously. The plan worked fine as long as money from land sales kept coming in and there was more land to sell to fund expansion of infrastructure.

The lots were sold on time by the Padre Island Investment Company, and then the notes were bought by Westinghouse Credit Corporation. Beginning on the north end of The Island, canals had been dug in all the way to Sea Pines and land sales and the building of infrastructure was moving south. Westinghouse was also funding the building of infrastructure. Padre Isles County Club was opened on July 4, 1973 and it looked like things were moving along.

April 9, 2015

Island Moon

Real Estate Ticker

See you at the courthouse

Padre Island Real Estate Activity March 15-March 31

It was about that time that the phone rang in the law office of local attorney Bill Edwards. Things had stalled on The Island and a group of property owners were looking for a way to recoup some of the money they had invested. The property owners had formed an association prior to the bankruptcy and now they hired a Dallas law firm to represent them, and Edwards was the local attorney.

By Cindy Molnar Coldwell Banker

“The developers were keeping a dredge working on The Island to make it look like they were doing something,” Edwards said last week. “And the Corps were dredging and throwing up an eyesore. The last street at the end of Cabana already had the utility poles up, but because the developers had not put in the infrastructure no one could build there.” ”

Waterfront Homes Sold 14818 Cobo De Bara Circle 14133 Bounty Average Sales Price $400,500 63 Waterfront homes listed from $309,500-$1,500,000

The first thing that happened was the Corps dredging stopped.

Interior Lot Homes Sold

“Somebody found a Piping Plover,” Edwards said.

The next thing that happened was that Edwards filed a Class Action lawsuit on behalf of the property owners against PIIC and Westinghouse. Edwards said there were two quirky but important requirements included in the rules for the lawsuit: First, the class action automatically included all of the Island property owners, to be excluded they had to make a written request for the court’s permission – less than a dozen opted out. Second, there was a clause in the proposed settlement that owners had to agree to which gave the judge in the case the right to take ownership of the land titles.

13946 Laffite

“The property owners were all in,” Edwards said. “Their titles were on the table.”

15409 Salt Cay B

A way forward

15401 Gun Cay #4

14749 Dasmarinas 14406 Aquarius Average Sales Price $266,966 47 Interior Homes Listed from $182,900-$485,000

Waterfront Condominiums/Townhomes Sold 15401 Gun Cay #501 15401 Salt Cay #805

After some legal maneuvering a settlement was reached which recovered about 25% of the property owners’ initial investment.

Average Sales Price $224,500 101 Listed From $50,000-$529,000

“That was very unusual,” Edwards said. “In these kinds of deals the people who bought property very seldom get any money back because there is none to be recovered.”

Interior Condominium/Townhomes 14898 Granada

But the cost of the lawsuit was more than the PIIC could bear.

They took bankruptcy and Westinghouse took over the project naming William Fennell as the Manager of Gulf Isles Limited.

Pat Mutchler, who now works for Developer Paul Schexnailder, began work for Mr. Fennell in December, 1990.

15010 Leeward #605 15209 S. Padre Island Dr. #802 Average Sales Price $87,116 49 Listed From $93,000-$295,000

In September, 1994 Schexnailder and his partner Bert Williams purchased the residential assets of Gulf Shores Limited, primarily on the west side of SPID, and in December, 1994 they purchased the remainder of Gulf Shores’ property on the east side of SPID; their purchase totaled about 1200 acres including the country club under the Asset Development Corporation. Williams passed away in 1997.

Seawall in 1980 after damage from Hurricane Allen

Waterfront Lots Lot 25 Cayo Gorda Lot 16 Port Royal 51 Lots Listed From $129,900-$1,200,000

Interior Lots Sold

While the exact purchase price has not been disclosed several people close to the deal said the purchase price was in the $3 million range.

102 Lots Listed From $38,900-$292,000

Commerical Lots 14 Lots Listed From $113,900-$4,557,465

By the late 1970s the Barataria section, divided into five separate sections just north of Whitecap, was finished, and the Ports O Call subdivision south of Whitecap, also divided into five separate sections, was supposed to be finished before Pointe Tesoro at the end of Whitecap, but had been delayed, Commodores Court Unit 2 was also not complete. However, by the end of 1979 all had their infrastructure in place and the Cape Summer section, with the digging of canals underway, was the last to be completed.

“When I moved to The Island in the 1970s I could see the Cape Summer area from my house,” said longtime Island resident Bob Maupin. “It was a salt flat and you could watch deer and coyotes roam there. But by 1980 they were working out there.”

PIIC looked to have a viable and ultimately profitable business model. Then Mother Nature intervened.

Hurricane Allen In early August, 1980, Hurricane Allen was a Category 5 storm with winds up to 190 mph. A huge storm which covered the entire Western Gulf of Mexico and as it bore down on the Texas Coast was so large it put the entire Texas Coast under a hurricane watch and forced the evacuation of one million people. As it approached the coast it stalled and made landfall in the King Ranch to the south of The Island, but even with the near miss it put a 9-foot surge tide on The Island, demolished the seawall, and wiped out what construction had been underway at Cape Summer. This proved to be a (no pun intended) watershed moment in Island history. It began a series of events which proved to be a turning point in Island development which still reverberates today.

PIIC found itself without the money necessary to finish out Cape Summer and had no more new subdivisions to sell in order to raise it. They were at a crossroads and the pace slowed.

Clean Up continued from A1 Local Adopt-A-Beach Areas

• Port Aransas—Nueces County

• Rockport—Aransas County

Check-in: Avenue G at the beach

Check-in: Rockport Beach Park beachfront pavilion,

Contact: Deno Fabrie. 361-749-0256, deno.fabrie@ texasadoptabeach.org

Contact: Kerry Goodall, 361-729-6661, kerry.goodall@ texasadoptabeach.org

• Mustang Island State Park, Corpus Christi—Nueces County Check-in: Park Headquarters Parking Lot, 17047 State Highway 361

• Aransas Pass/Redfish Bay—Nueces County Check-in: Lighthouse Lakes Park, 4 miles east of Aransas Pass on Highway 361

Contact: Nina Cardenas, 361-749-5246, nina.cardenas@ texasadoptabeach.org

Contact: Richard Gonzales, 361-779-7351, richard.gonzales@ texasadoptabeach.org

• Packery Flats —Nueces County Check-in: Parking lot off Hwy 361, on Mustang Island near the Packery Channel

• Portland—San Patricio County Check-in: Sunset Lake Park, 201 Sunset Drive, adjacent to Highway 181

Contact: Teresa Carrillo, 361-882-3439, teresa.carrillo@ texasadoptabeach.org

Contact: Aneita Ortiz-Cedano, 361-816-1766, aneita.cedano@ texasadoptabeach.org

• North Beach, Corpus Christi—Nueces County Check-in: Texas State Aquarium, 2710 North Shoreline Boulevard, Contact: Rosanna Gossett, 361-881-1204, rosanna. gossett@texasadoptabeach.org

• St. Jo Island/Port Aransas—Nueces County Check-in: 8:00 a.m. – Fisherman’s Wharf, 900 Tarpon Street Contact: Deno Fabrie, 361-749-0256, deno.fabrie@ texasadoptabeach.org

• Cole Park (Kid’s Place), Corpus Christi—Nueces County Check-in: 1526 Ocean Drive

*Limited access – advance reservations required

Contact: Chelsea Craig, 361-946-3996, chelsea.craig@ texasadoptabeach.org

Then in the late 1980s Westinghouse itself fell into financial straits and worked out a settlement which put Westinghouse’s property and that of Island property owners into a single trust; things began to look up. But fate intervened when in the late 1980s the Savings and Loan industry across the United States collapsed like a tragic house of cards. The bottom fell out of the S&L industry eventually costing taxpayers $124 billion and leaving Island developers without the funds to finish out the infrastructure necessary for Island lot owners to be able to build on their property.

• North Padre Island, Corpus Christi—Nueces County Check-in: Padre Balli Park Office, 15820 Park Road 22 Contact: Todd Dwyer, 361-853-9877, todd.dwyer@ texasadoptabeach.org; Gladys Choyke, 361-816-1243, gladys.choyke@texasadoptabeach.org; Jim Needham, james. needham@texasadoptabeach.com • Padre Island National Seashore—Kleberg County Check-in: Malaquite Visitor Center, 20420 Park Road 22

Meanwhile Island property owners had to renew a portion of their Army Corp of Engineers permits which required the creation of 10 acres of wetlands at a cost of $49,000 an acre.

As the work was being done the Corps began dredging under a permit issued in 1953 and depositing the spoils on 200 acres along the east side of the Laguna Madre which blocked the water view of Island homes with a western view.

Contact: William “Buzz” Botts, 361-949-8068, buzz.botts@ texasadoptabeach.org

Spa Packages Starting at $159

• Baffin Bay, Loyola Beach, Riviera—Kleberg County Check-in: Kaufer-Hubert Park, FM 628 Contact: Susan Ivy, 361-595-8591, susan.ivy@ texasadoptabeach.org

At that time 7000 lots had been sold but only 5400 had been provided with the infrastructure needed for development, leaving a total of 1600 separate purchasers with lots they could not build on. Taken as a whole it was more than Island property owners could stand.

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April 9, 2015

A5

Island Moon

Backwater Adventures On the Rocks

By Joey Farah Farah’s Fishing Adventures

Spring Winds If you are waiting for the winds to calm down you will not be going fishing for quite a while.

We usually stare out over rough seas during the month of March, with winds to 30mph daily. This is the second week of April and we have only just begun to see the southeast winds take over.

This is a great thing and the key ingredient in the improvement of water quality and fishing. Just after the giant full moon last week the tides started to come in and clean out some of the water close to the Packery inlet. Strong southeast winds will push water into the bay system from the Six reds on the first drift! Baffin Bay rock piles are hot. gulf. The Land Cut has started anglers abusing them for over three years. The to see some trout movement as well and with difference is in, one the blank. The rods can the strong southeast winds moving water north bend over in a circle with big drum over and from Mansfield every day, look for water clarity over again, they take impact much better than to start to improve from the south. The time to most rods and the main difference is the eyes. get out and do some spring fishing is now, not The Salinity has 316 stainless steel eyes that when the winds stop. will never rust, and lots of extra glass and wrap The live bait has been plentiful and live around the base of them. Many times this epoxy shrimp and popping corks are the best and most resin is put on sparingly and your eyes wiggle productive way to fish at this time. Fishermen loose and come out, that isn’t going to happen.

Check them out and see if you like them, I guarantee you will feel more fish and be able to bury the hook in the jaw of your next trout a little faster, mainly you will be buying a rod that will last years rather than one season.

The bow of the boat listed to the side as the winds hammered against the boat. The sound of the radio disappeared in the wind and spray.

When the boat finally stopped behind Padre Island a peaceful quiet overcame us like we had just stepped out into a different world. The winds wiped swirls across the shallow flat that stretched for miles up to the back of the sand dunes of Padre’ Island. Old Father Island had held his arms up and protected this small cove for centuries. I first found this cove many years ago when I and a friend snuck out of the house for three days and drove my aluminum boat and 8hp all the way down to Baffin. The winds of spring break could not damper our Spring Break fever. The small cove was the only place that we could fish with 40mph winds blowing us around. Over the years the cove has had a number of Dolphins wash up and die there. I was always curious about that and mentioned it to an old commercial fishermen once and he told me they all go there to die. Like a mystical Capt Farah and Cove with another monster bone yard on fabled times where whales settled on the beach in their last days. The redfish from Baffin Bay this week. herd always sticks around for a few days to say their goodbyes and then leaves. We stopped can cover a lot of water working drifts over the flats using popping corks. Some important things to remember this week is while drifting keep the corks separated. Too much noise from multiple corks will spook fish and make tangles for you as well. Many times if you have four anglers try several different styles of corks and find out what type and leader length is working best. When positioning the boat do not drift the exact same drift every time, the boat’s presence when drifting will move and spook fish so alternate your path to stay in water you have not fished. Sometimes you can return back to a productive drift 30 minutes later and do well.

The flats just beside the ICW will hold a lot of gamefish at this time because the shrimp migration is centered on the ICW Channel.

Shrimp will move at night and then settle in the muddy bottoms close to the channel at first light. Look for groups of birds to be hanging out on spoil islands and the side of the channel to indicate where the most concentrated areas are for bait. When the water clarity is dirty try a small red or glow bead at the hook to catch the eye of predatory fish. The addition of scent to your live bait only increases your chances so look for PRO CURE and FISHBITES at Marker 37 for an added spice to your bait.

As Easter is behind us, thoughts turn to spring, the start of baseball season, the Masters in golf, the NBA championship (GO SPURS!), where to get the best deal on a cheap gas grill because during the winter the old one tanked out, weeds popping up with the lawn, and of course the perennial favorite, taxes going up again this year. Shocker on the taxes, I know. It will be interesting to see what the new “satellite” appraisal offices will yield (or not).

mouth (a general rule for most fish I would assume, lol).

One interesting point that Mike made was the deliberate usage of the term “stung” by a fish.

There IS a fish out there that can be caught next to the jetties that will get you a good “sting”, but it’s actually an electric shock. A buried ambush hunter, the southern stargazer will give you a nice tingly shock if you touch them on top of their head or between their eyes. It feels like a fresh 9-volt battery on your tongue when it hits you (because EVERYONE has done that, right? Or is that just me? oops). The stargazers bury themselves in the sand with only the front of their face, mouth, and eyes looking out of the sand waiting for a meal to swim by (hence, stargazer). As they have a propensity to bury in the sand at the beach, occasionally people will step on them and get a mild shock (which I have done many times, as I typically wadefish barefoot at the beach.) It gets my attention every time it happens. Sometimes in the fall they can be quite thick, and it feels like you’re

I got an email from Mike from Michigan the other day asking what a particular fish was that he caught at the jetty. Although he didn’t include a picture, I had a great idea from his description of “similar to a gulf toadfish, but orange, brown…in color.” That would be the oyster or leopard toadfish, which is equally as scary looking as the gulf toadfish. He was told by someone next to him not to touch it, as it could “sting” you. All toadfish around here have sharp spines on their operculum (gill plate) that can give you a pretty good poke it you try to handle them. However, unless you let it get infected, that’s all it is; just a poke. They don’t have any venom per se.

However, if you catch a lionfish (which too have been collected off the Packery jetties in the past two years) those things DO have venom on their fins, and will get you pretty good. People who are allergic to the venom may go into anaphylactic shock. Lionfish are very unique however, and look like “it’s not from around here.”

That’s because they aren’t; they’re IndoPacific fish that were released in the Caribbean and are expanding range Hairy blenny on the rocks dramatically.

There are some other fish that are caught at the jetty which are ugly looking, but very harmless.

The hairy blenny grows to around 10 inches, is a dark black-purple fish that is shaped like a toadfish. These guys, however, are much more “evolved” and are entirely rock dwellers.

Hairy blennies have no spines on them that are hazardous (save their dorsal fin; don’t try to swallow them whole and live or they will poke the roof of your mouth). They are cute little fish underwater, hang on the rocks in the waves and wait for bait to come around, and chase each other around trying to establish dominance over the rest of the blennies. Fun guys. But, they do have some little teeth and are aggressive, so I suggest you don’t put your fingers in their

walking through a small 9-volt mine field.

There are other fish out there too that have big heads and look scary. There are big head sea robins too, which have the really big pectoral fins and look like they’re flying underwater.

They also have spines on their operculum, but other than that are fairly harmless. Go ahead and stick your fingers in their mouths, its fine.

Ha! April is cranking up to be one extremely busy month. What I’m fearful of is the amount of stuff on my calendar for May already as well.

Hope I can manage to get it all done and find some time to get out on the rocks. See you loyal readers there.

Convictions in Padre Island National Seashore Illegal Hunting Incidents

Stacy and Scott with Stacy's first drum.

Baffin Bay the boat and the winds whistled in our ears. The first cast I made over the edge of the drop off was a short one into a small washed out hole.

THUMP! I could see a redfish bolt out over the shallow sand like a kid that stole a cookie. He turned against the bend of the Waterloo Rod and with that his head rose out of the water in an explosion of white water. I turned him up into the skinny water and enjoyed watching

This Sunday is the second MARKER 37 MARINA JACKPOT FISHING TOURNAMENT, the last one had sixty people entered. This is not your regular tournament, only one species of fish is what they are looking for and it will not be announced until Saturday evening! Big trout, redfish, sheep head, drum, etc. This is going to get interesting for sure, the cash payout is big and the first two places get money and third place gets a new WATERLOO ROD. Normally one would have to order WATERLOO rods on Ryan Richter with a big redfish from the rocks of Baffin the internet and custom order them. Marker 37 just got a rack full of them, him come to hand a few minutes later in shin the Salinity Rods are the 4-WHEEL DRIVES deep water. I bent down and pinned him to the OF FISHING POLES. I have rods on my boat bottom. The DOA SHRIMP was perfect on the that have been in the hands of thousands of outside of his mouth like I planted it there for a photo. I turned to the rest of the anglers still putting on their waders, with an outstretched hand I flipped him back into the water like a sacrifice. They jumped out and spread out while I just stood close to the boat. With rods bending every now and then I relaxed and got in the boat. I stood with my eyes closed and put my face into the winds. I could smell the ocean and the grass growing on the dunes. The salt and seaweed that lay on the barren sands behind the dunes. These I thought are pure winds, absent of city life, city stress, city drama. I breathed a little harder and let the Winds of Spring fill my lungs and heart. When I let out all the air in a long breath, with it came out all the winter in my soul. I felt the sun peak out of the clouds and with it a new beginning. Spring is here ride the winds of change and enjoy all our blessings along the Ocean.

Gary Richter with a nice trout drifting the Lagoon with live shrimp and popping corks.

By Jay Gardner

Keep up with all our hook up’s on Facebook at Joey Farah’s Backwater Fishing and go out there and get Wet! For any help setting up your next adventure on the water give me a call at (361)442-8145

In March 2015, five local duck hunters plead guilty in Federal court to illegal hunting within the boundaries of Padre Island National Seashore. The hunters were charged with illegally discharging a firearm within a National Park and for the illegal taking and possession of wildlife in two separate November 2014 incidents. Each of the individuals was fined a total of $300.

“The National Park Service tasks its employees and volunteers with the preservation and protection of our natural resources. Stopping those hunting within our boundaries is an important part of the protection of our wildlife as well as the visiting public,” said Padre Island National Seashore Superintendent Mark Spier.

The hunters were discovered in the northernmost section of the park along the

Laguna Madre, adjacent to lands then owned by the Texas GLO. In one incident three hunters were contacted the week prior when Park Rangers discovered them building a duck blind just outside of the park boundary. Park Rangers advised those individuals of the regulations and boundary issues at the time, but just one week later those hunters were found hunting in the National Seashore. In the second incident, hunters disregarded clearly marked boundary postings and were caught by Park Rangers actively hunting beyond the posted signs.

In addition to fines, three of the five hunters also face state charges from Texas Parks and Wildlife for exceeding daily possession limits.

A sixth hunter, a minor, received warnings for the above listed violations.

April Moon Phases

Tides of the Week Tides for Corpus Christi (Bob Hall Pier) April 9-15, 2015

Day

High /Low

Tide Time

Height in Feet

Sunrise Moon Time Sunset

Th

9

High

8:56 AM

1.7

7:11 AM Set 10:51 AM

9

7:50 PM

F

10

Low

12:46 AM

0.0

7:10 AM

Rise 12:40 AM

10

High

10:06 AM

1.7

7:51 PM

Set 11:43 AM

Sa

11

Low

1:44 AM

0.1

7:08 AM

Rise 1:33 AM

11

High

11:13 AM

1.7

7:51 PM

Set 12:40 PM

Su

12

Low

2:54 AM

0.1

7:07 AM

Rise 2:24 AM

12

High

12:06 PM

1.7

7:52 PM

Set 1:40 PM

M

13

Low

4:15 AM

0.2

7:06 AM

Rise 3:13 AM

13

High

12:46 PM

1.7

7:52 PM

Set 2:42 PM

13

Low

7:49 PM

1.1

13

High

9:50 PM

1.2

Tu

14

Low

5:39 AM

0.3

7:05 AM

Rise 4:00 AM

14

High

1:16 PM

1.6

7:53 PM

Set 3:45 PM

14

Low

7:36 PM

1.1

14

High

11:51 PM

1.3

W

15

Low

7:00 AM

0.4

7:04 AM

Rise 4:45 AM

15

High

1:40 PM

1.5

7:54 PM Set 4:50 PM

15

Low

7:49 PM

0.9

Moon Visible

82 74 64 53 42

31

21

A6

April 9, 2015

Island Moon

Stuff I Heard on the Island

Police Blotter Speedy on the hammer April 6 6:00 p.m. 1100 Shephard Drive Aggravated Assault

by Dale Rankin As I sat through the first meeting of the new members of the Island Strategic Action Committee Tuesday night it occurred to me that this is the third time in its five year existence that group has been re-membered. Until recently the group had been under the leadership of the original Chairperson Gabi Hilpold; on Tuesday night long-time ISAC member Greg Smith was voted in as the second Chair. The members are sworn in for three-year terms but half of the first group who drew the short straws, literally, were termed out last month leaving only three of the original members in place.

Change since 2010 Things were very different in 2010 when the ISAC was formed by the Corpus Christi City Council. It came about because the Island United Political Action Committee turned out 2500 voters in the city election and The Island had no organization to funnel our voice through to reach city hall after the election. The pace of change has increased greatly in that time and so has the pressure on Island organizations.

As Island population has grown steadily in the past decade, from under 7000 to now closing in on 10,000 permanent residents, the demands on the ISAC and the Property Owners Association have escalated with it. The change in attitude toward the POA by its members in attendance at the annual meeting last month was startling. In previous years the meetings have been uneventful gatherings where the budget is handed out, questions from the crowd are fielded, and plans for various projects are described. This year it seemed the gathering was one ignition source away from a conflagration and I must say they haven’t calmed down much since.

Lack of transparency The source of the agitation, the best I can tell, has to do with a lack of transparency that has been part of the organization’s culture for as long as I can remember. The first POA annual meeting I attended was in the Executive Director’s office and when questions were asked that he didn’t want to answer the meeting went into “Executive Session” which basically consisted of us getting the heck out of the office and minding our own business.

The latest flap is over access to the Island Beautification Trust bank account but that appears to be headed towards a resolution.

I think the only solution to the current divide between the POA board and a certain section of its membership is for the POA to post its check register on its website each month. This is a simple procedure which involves cutting and pasting a PDF file and would go a long way toward the kind of transparency that is required of public entities in the internet age. Anything less, I fear, is going to mean the continuation of mistrust from some members, even as the number of members increases and the expectations of their organization grows with it.

It seems a small thing to ask of an organization with salary and administrative expenses of $135,000 (2013 budget) with about half of that going to the Executive Director. Show your members where the money is going and let’s move on.

ISAC At the ISAC the pressures are very different but the stakes are no less severe; planning for

the future of The Island for the next generation.

As we sit here today The Island has no real development plan for what promises to be a definitive era of growth in the next few years.

Think of this; by this time next year the Schlitterbahn waterpark will be fully done, State Highway 361 between Padre and Port A will be under construction, and likely to remain that way one way or another for years to come.

The SPID Water Exchange Bridge will be under construction, and at the rate things are going most of the vacant lots on The Island will have houses and the increased traffic that comes with them. The pressure on our infrastructure is growing by the month and the ISAC is the only Island organization with the wherewithal and the mission to create a plan.

Two out of three isn’t good enough There are currently no firm plans in place for the repair of two of the three most important man-made structures on The Island in case of the Big Hurricane which sooner or later is bound to hit. The JFK (TxDot) is the only one of the three with funding available for repairs.

The Michael J. Ellis Seawall is privately owned and the only plan in place to fix it is to levy a special assessment against seawall property owners. That is a large burden on a small number of people for what is essentially a public asset. To lose it would likely have an effect on insurance rates across a large swath of The Island, not to mention prohibiting development within 300 feet of the dune line. Think about that. The ISAC is the only organization with the ability and agenda to take this issue on.

The third structure is the canal system which as we speak has $8 million in POA funds to repair a bulkhead system that would likely cost several orders of magnitude more than that even in the case of a Category 2-3 storm which we narrowly missed in 2008 with Hurricane Ike. The current plan calls for requesting funds – in addition to the $8 million - from FEMA to repair the bulkheads in the form of long term bonds through the recently-formed Municipal Management District. There are several major problems with this approach. First, there is no guarantee we will get the funds. 2) We have no estimate – or even educated guess – about how much bulkhead repair would actually cost since nothing resembling actuarial numbers have been gathered. 3) Since the canals – as opposed to the bulkheads – are private property no public funds will be available to clear them of sand or debris in case of a severe high water event.

Imagine our Island without a functioning canal system or seawall. That is not a Sky is Falling suggestion given our current state of (lack of) planning.

The political position of The Island has improved greatly since 2010. We are in a better position to steer our own destiny since (most of) The Island was annexed into Corpus Christi in 1980. We have the organizations in place to plan our future; the POA, ISAC, and Island United Political Action Committee.

The pressure on each is sure to increase with population and if any of the three fails to meet is mandate it won’t matter what the other two do.

An island without a seawall won’t have much use for a canal system and an Island without a canal system won’t have much use for a seawall.

And an Island without the IUPAC won’t have the political clout to help fix either.

A 27 year male victim called Corpus Christi Police after his girlfriend attacked him with a hammer.The victim said that an argument escalated and his girlfriend became violent.

She picked up a hammer and struck him in the leg. She then started breaking windows and hitting the walls with the hammer.

During the altercation the victim was able to get the hammer away from the female and placed it outside on the front porch. Moments later she ran outside and grabbed the hammer and ran back inside.

Officers were able to go into the house and arrest the 30 year-old female for aggravated assault. She was additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance when officers found methamphetamine in her purse.

The victim refused medical treatment for his injuries.

Possible Jumper DisruptsTraffic Over Harbor Bridge For An Hour April 1 Harbor Bridge Jumper 5:40 p.m.

Traffic was disrupted over the Harbor Bridge for an hour Wednesday evening because a 23-year-old woman climbed the structure of the bridge outside of the public access.

Corpus Christi Police responded to several calls of a woman who climbed the support structure of the Harbor Bridge in a dangerous manner at 5:40pm. The 23-year-old woman wore a white sleeveless shirt, pink shorts, and black sandals and climbed over barricades to the top support structure of the bridge. The Corpus Christi Police Hostage Negotiators responded along with the Corpus Christi

Fire Department, The Corpus Christi Port Police, and the Corpus Christi Marina Patrol.

Traffic was blocked in the lanes nearest to the 23-year-old woman until 6:45pm when the 23-year-old woman climbed down from the support structure and was apprehended by Corpus Christi Police.

The Corpus Christi Police took the 23-yearold woman to the hospital for a mental health evaluation so that she may get the help she needs.

The priority for the Corpus Christi Police Department is for the 23-year-old woman to get help she seeks, but it may be possible the woman could later face criminal charges of Criminal Trespass.

Island Police Calls 13500 block SPID (JFK Causeway) 12:53 a.m. April 1 Unlawful carrying of a weapon/ DWI 14200 block Ambrosia 6 a.m. April 1 Theft $1500-$20,000 14300 block SPID 7 p.m. March 31 Criminal mischief $500-1500 14800 block Compass 6 p.m. April 1 Unauthorized use of trailer/flatbed/homemade trailer 14300 block Cruiser 11 a.m. April 4 Burglary of habitation 15200 block SPID 9:49 p.m. April 4 Gasoline theft 15300 block Bonasse 7 p.m. April 3 Criminal mischief $1500-$20,000 15900 block Palmira 1:30 a.m. April 5 Burglary of habitation Beach Marker 250 3:07 a.m. March 31 Vehicle impound

Island Projects Continued from A1 expect to hold a public hearing on the project in June with bids to follow and construction to begin soon after.

Plans call for a three-tiered bridge with 40foot spans for two pedestrian/cart paths and a 40-foot wide waterway with about 15 feet of clearance. The cost of the bridge is estimated at $8 million however, city staff told the ISAC that due to the rising cost of concrete in the area and ongoing work on the new Harbor Bridge the cost could vary. In recent months the cost of concrete in the area have risen from $86 per cubic yard to $106 and are expected to reach $120 by the end of the year.

Access Road 3-A. Improvements to Access Road 3-A, at the north end of the Michael J. Ellis Seawall, which were approved in the bond vote in 2014 are set to begin after summer 2015 and complete by summer 2016. It is undermined if an alternate route to the South Packery Beach will be built during construction, or whether the current bollards blocking beach traffic on the south end of the seawall will be removed to allow access to the South Packery beach.

Traffic Light at SPID/Aquarius intersection.

City staff said traffic study continues on the need/advisability on a proposed traffic light on SPID at the Aquarius intersection. Developers who own the adjacent property on the east side of the roadway have asked the city to install the light in connection with development of a retail center and hotel.

However, the traffic counters put in place the Metropolitan Planning Organization prior to spring break at several Island locations as part of a summer-long traffic study have inexplicable been removed. It is unknown if/when they will be replaced.

Encantada traffic. City engineers are going to explore the possibility of limiting traffic on Encantada around the Seashore Learning Center to allow for better pedestrian access.

Beach bathrooms. The price of new restroom facilities on both sides of Packery Channel has dropped from $1.4 million (about $300,000 per stall)to a total now of about $500,000. Planners are still undecided on whether to build structures which can be removed in case of a storm, or hiring out the job to a private contractor who would service them. They said that experience has shown that the more elaborate the structure of restrooms, the more likely there is to be vandalism.

“People seem to like to tear up expensive stuff,” an ISAC member said. “They tend to leave the cheaper stuff alone.”

My fellow Islanders…the ball is in our court.

Schlitterwork continues

Pet Adoptions at Ace Weekly pet adoptions are being held at ACE Hardware on the Island Saturdays from 11-3. The events are held by Mission Pawsible Animal Assistance. Stop by and say hello and if you can’t adopt an animal they would gladly take a donation for care of the animals in foster homes.

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W illiam a. T hau iii, P.C. “F ormer U.S. N avy L awyer ”

l Divorce and Separation l Child Custody and Support l Adoption/Guardianship l Paternity Cases l Wills and Probate

l Auto Accidents l Personal Injury l DWI l Criminal Justice l Military Law

ConvenienT Flour BluFF loCaTion 9708 S.P.I.D., Suite A-101 s C orPus C hrisTi (361) 937-5513 s T oll F ree 1-877-888-1369 Licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas Former President of the Corpus Christi Family Law Association (1999-2000) Selected as a Texas “Super Lawyer” in November 2003, October 2004 and October 2005 Issues of Texas Monthly

April 9, 2015

By Brent Rourk

‘Whoop It Up’ A Jailbird Hit went unnoticed and the bull ridin’ event was called off cause of fear. The bull went back to pasture. Didn’t see any spittoons so the chewin’ and spittin’ sharpshooter championship will have to wait another year. Dang!

The best shindig goin’, ‘Whoop It Up’, was a sure fire hit agin last Sunday at Whisky River on Staples Horse Trail, though the evenin’ was spiced with several arrests and jailings.

While that was lightin’ up the evenin’, a posse of outlaws played musical bar stools or (with bellies full of fantastic BBQ from master mess hand ‘Unwild’ Bill Schroeder) tried roping whatever was in sight. Other more lawfulminded frontier folks line-danced until their spurs fell off.

The sizzlin’ and well-attended Island foundation Schools fundraiser fetched well over $30,000 as town folk and ranchers alike hungry for some big ole prizes, donated by dang near every generous business around, gathered around the silent auction tables. There was more commotion at those auction tables than a fox in a henhouse. The same folks later went hog wild on the live auction prizes. Had to restrain some of the locals from gambling off the ranch for some of the prizes. Can you image winnin’ a Bed & Breakfast in Fredericksburg (with certificates for vittles and duds), a huntin’ trip at Townsend Ranch, a week at a condo in Gulfshores, Alabamie, a big ole beach bonfire hootenanny, and a huntin’ n fishin’ jamboree in Baffin Bay? Caused all kinda mule kickin’.

Was some mighty happy winnin’ ranchers and slickers. Course, we all know that behind every successful rancher is a wife who works in town.

The Colorful Jail

A7

Island Moon

BBQ time Now ‘bout those arrests. Reckon they weren’t real arrests but some type of game to raise money and spirits. Apparently, one of the sheriffs or mayor arrested anybody for $20.00.

Well, heck it seems like big crowd wanted a lotta people arrested. Among those jailed were the sheriffs of SMA (Barbara Beeler) and SLC (Maria Thompson), Island Foundation Schools Mayor Lisa Scheerer, island territory rag writer Dale Rankin, and a host of others. Those suspected outlaws stayed in jail too, that is until they raised $30.00 to git out. Geesh, a few of the shindiggers said that they shoulda left ‘em in longer and raised the bail to a few thousand.

Maybe coulda lowered the national debt too.

Mayor Scheerer went plum crazy over the event. She admitted, “The most fun part was the jail.” [Gotta keep an eye on a mayor who says stuff like that]. She also shared, “A lot of people were signing up for the silent auctions. We are blessed that a lot of people donated really good items.” She was real ‘preciative.

Theresa Dorsey co-won the Musical Bar Stools. Now how in fair daisies do ya cowin a musical bar stool contest? The Ropin’ competition was purdy tough and one of them deputies said that every rope tosser would win a prize. The line dancin’ was a might popular too.

Lotta folks kickin’ up the floor in their Sunday best seemed to have a heckuva time. Everybody was whoopin’ it up. The hog callin’ contest

About the vittles: Folks was runnin’ out the door to get in line at the BBQ feed trenches.

Tasty beef, salads, bread, beans, and all the fixins fed the whole town. Calmed everybody right down fer a bit. Ole Schroeder could make a mangy possum taste like a feast fit fer a city slicker.

Mr. Dorsey at the 'Vittle Line' Sheriff Beeler seemed to have a good time and because nobody got real rowdy she didn’t have to toss ‘em out near the hitchin’ posts. Instead, she kicked back and enjoyed the evenin’.

Except for some auction excitement, all of them cowpokes and cowgirls acted like angels.

Sheriff Beeler mentioned that, “SMA will use their share of the proceeds from the shindig to get a classroom set of iPads [some new-fangled contraption that kids in the school use these days].”

Now when these shindigs are so big and work like the best wagon team, ya gotta know that

there was a mess of deputies who was fussin’ and workin’ hard fer darn near a moon to make it happen. Course, a big thank you to Whiskey River for lettin’ the Island Foundation have the shindig. Then more thanks to all of them generous business type folks who donated some great prizes. Too many to list here. Live auction donors – we love ya! Y’all give more support than a well-broken-in saddle. Hey, a big thanks to the staffs at the Island Foundation Schools.

Them educatin’ folks supported the shindig and came ready to kick up their heels. Then there was a group of island slickers who was fussin’ a whole bunch over this. Agin, there are too many to list, but there was a few who need to be mentioned for their work. Ya gotta know that for a whole moon they put their work, families, ranch chores, hog callin’, milkin’, and quilt makin’ to the side a bit while they worked on the shindig. They were Becky Bice, Roberta Soward, Jennifer Cain, Lisa Scheerer, Kim Evaristo, and Joanne Soward. There was a mess more of ya too. You know who ya are and a big thank you to all of ya. Best shindig of the year!

Shoo wee!

The mayor, sheriffs, and deputies all hope to see y’all back at ‘Whoop It Up’ next year.

Practice the ropin’, spittin’, line dance, and jailbreakin’. And bring yer posse too.

To make sure ya get back next year, I’m passin’ on some advice that pioneer and great-grandma Opal shared - may your belly never grumble, may your heart never ache, may your horse never stumble, may your cinch never break.

Remember cowboys: If yer not makin’ dust, then yer eattin’ it. Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from any direction. Finally, always drink upstream from the herd. See y’all.

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April 9, 2015

Island Moon

SPORTS Sports Talk

The headlines: NFL Has Hired the First Female Official The facts: NFL preparing to hire new officials

By Dotson Lewis

Special to the Island Moon Note: The NFL administration is hard at work with proposed playing rules changes, and pressure regarding players’ and owners’ conduct. For a change, things were quiet on the officiating front…until a couple of days ago when my voice mail & Email started filling up with questions regarding the hiring of the first female on-the- field official. This was not a fact, but many thought it had happened. The following are the facts in the matter. Thanks to Mark Schultz, writer for the “NFL Zebras” for his help in providing you the information.

As far as football officials are concerned, the NFL is in a critical time in that the NFL vice president for officiating, Dean Blandino, will be hiring new officials, assigning positions, and beginning the orientation process for new zebras.

The 2014 season saw a near-record number of retirements, forced or voluntary. It is predicted that there will not be such a drastic change this year.

One year ago, the NFL saw some of the most wide-spread change in a generation as 13 officials retired before the start of the 2014 season and two more officials, Kirk Dornan and Chad Brown, retired in the middle of the season. Other officials missed significant time due to injury or illness and it is unclear whether those officials will answer the bell for 2015.

The NFL already has three slots to fill with the retirements of Brown, Dornan and Tom Stabile.

As of now, we don’t know of any more officials who have decided to retire, but there could be more openings as officials evaluate their standing with the league, their age and their health. Also, the NFL could weed out officials who are not performing to standards, creating more openings.

Mike Carey. Craig Wrolstad and Ron Torbert became white hats to replace the retired Scott Green and Ron Winter. At times, the NFL pushes referees to retire if they have a veteran official waiting to be a white hat. The NFL encouraged Gerald Austin to retire to make room for Alberto Riveron to be a referee. There were rumblings that the NFL encouraged Winter to retire after 2014 to make room for a new referee. When Mike Carey suddenly retired, the NFL tapped Allen to replace him.

If the NFL were anxious to promote a veteran official to white hat, they would have done so and not assigned Allen. If a referee retires this year, it will be his own choice and not with any “encouragement.”

The facts: Female officials This could be the year that the NFL officially breaks the gender barrier and hires a female official full time. Sarah Thomas has spent two years on the advanced training roster, working NFL preseason games, being mentored and being scouted by the NFL. Maia Chaka has also spent time on the advanced training roster, and the NFL could add another female official in the program, possibly Cat Conti, a NCAA Division I official. Whoever is the first female hired, they will feel the pressure to succeed, so Blandino wants to make sure the first female official is really ready to go; however the commissioners’ office could be anxious to see history made.

Cat Conti

Last season saw three new referees appointed including double rookie Brad Allen, who became a referee after the surprise retirement of

Corpus Christi native helped break down racial barriers Professional football in the 1960’s meant putting your hand in the dirt and seeing who was better. Very few of us, if any, grow up to be who we wanted to be when young. This fellow did.

He played with and against players with names that will ring out as gridiron gods and will stand the test of time. They called it the “Golden Era” of professional football. These early days of pro football were not filled with 70-yard pass plays. The game was like an atomic ground war. There were no winners, only survivors.

It was 22 guys with clinched fists separated by less than ten yards of blood-stained dirt. There were no injury timeouts unless you had already used up all your timeouts. It was a time all about moving the chains.

Dotson’s Note: As you can see in the last sentence above, the NFL will not be in contact with any of the officials until May 15th. Also note the headline below does not say that the NFL has hired Sarah Thomas.

According to multiple media reports, the NFL is hiring Sarah Thomas as its first female official.

A source told the Los Angeles Times that the NFL informed current officials that seven men and one woman were selected as new hires for the 2015 season. All of them will have to pass physical exams first.

Sarah Thomas

Bobby Smith with his AFL Trophy

The news of Thomas' hiring was first reported

by Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The league hired the eight new officials because four from the 2014 season decided to retire. Four of the new hires will be considered "floaters" and not assigned to a specific crew.

The NFL has not officially confirmed the new hires and it is unknown if Thomas will be assigned to a permanent crew or not. Being the first woman to officiate at different levels is not new for Thomas. She worked for Conference USA in 2007 and in 2009 became the first woman to officiate a bowl game. She has been in the NFL's Officiating Development program and worked a preseason game last season.

"I set out to do this and get involved in officiating not having any idea that there were not any females officiating football," Thomas told NFL Network in 2014. "Being a former basketball player, you saw female officiating all the time. So, no, I don't feel like a pioneer."

Thomas was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

She played basketball in college at the University of Mobile. After school, she played on a men's team in a church league.

Thomas began her refereeing career in 1999 at the high-school level. Gerald Austin invited Thomas to attend an officials' camp, where he was impressed by her performance and Conference USA hired Thomas in 2007. In 2011, she was the first female referee to work in a Big Ten stadium. A woman did work a game in 2012, when Shannon Eastin served as a replacement referee when the NFL locked out its officials.

The facts: New white hats?

By Andy Purvis Special to the Island Moon

The NFL is now in the dark period with its officials.

They do not communicate with its officials from now until May 15, an acknowledgement that the officials are parttime. After May 15th we will start to get quite a bit of officiating news.

Each official has to pass a physical exam each year during the offseason. In the past, those exams have uncovered health problems forcing officials to retire.

Right now most think that we won’t see dramatic change in staff for 2015. The NFL saw many officials retire last year and the NFL also weeded out some officials that they felt needed to retire. It appeared that Blandino weeded out the officials he thought needed to go last year, either due to eroded skills or for the sake of bringing in new officials. The NFL needs to manage its roster turnover, and doubledigit departures in two straight years would bring in too many inexperienced officials.

Remembering With Bobby

Dotson’s other note: If the NFL does hire a female official this year, I will discuss the matter with some of my friends who have been or are now active officials, and I will share their thoughts with you. Your suggestions, comments and/or questions/concerns regarding “Moon Sports Talk” are appreciated. Call the Benchwarmers 361-560-5397 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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Oscar Wilde once wrote, “The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” You be the judge.

Robert Lee “Bobby” Smith was born on May 18, 1942, in Corpus Christi, Texas. His was a family full of love and compassion, along with a healthy dose of church. Bobby is married with four kids who all have their college degrees.

You’ll never forget the first time you meet him.

His presence can fill up the room. At 73 years of age, his voice is soft and educated; he spoke to me like a father talks to his son. I’ll remind you that it was guys like Bobby Smith that sold this game of pro football to the American public.

In the beginning, everybody is just a kid from somewhere, but this guy ran with the football like little boys do in their wildest dreams.

Some folks say he was so fast he could outrun raindrops. Bobby had all the physical riches: speed, power, vision, energy and size. The only thing that could stop him was perhaps being kidnapped. Retired now, he seems content until you start talking football. You can feel his pulse quicken as the memories come flooding back.

Bobby attended Roy Miller High School from 1957-1959. Besides starring for the football team and running the 100 and 220-yard dash, he was voted class favorite his senior year. The Bucs football team was pretty good and made it all the way to the state semi-finals where Miller played Pasadena. That made Smith the first African-American to play in Rice Stadium.

“When I ran with the track team, there were some towns like Laredo that would not let blacks stay in the hotel with the team. They spread out blankets on the floor in a local gym for us to sleep on,” said Bobby. In 1991, he was inducted into the Miller Athletic Hall of Fame.

During his senior year, he received 81 offers to play college football. Unfortunately, segregation only allowed three colleges in Texas to accept black players. They were: Texas A&I Kingsville, West Texas State and North Texas State. “I received a letter from Darrell Royal from the University of Texas,” said Bobby.

“Royal told me he would love to have me, but the school was not ready to integrate at that time.” Bobby came very close to signing with the University of Michigan, but wanted badly to stay in Texas. He chose North Texas State.

“I never regretted my choice,” said Bobby.

From 1961-1963, Smith was responsible for over 1,500 yards of offense and scored 17 touchdowns for the North Texas State Eagles.

Bobby Smith was picked 6th in the 11th round of the 1964 AFL draft, by the Buffalo Bills.

He received jersey #20 and promptly averaged 4.9 yards per carry in his rookie season, while scoring four touchdowns (once each against the Jets and Chiefs and twice against the Oilers).

Smith rushed 62 times and gained 306 yards.

He caught six passes for 72 yards, while helping the Bills achieve a 12-2 win-loss record in 14 games. Along with stars like Jack Kemp, Daryle Lamonica, and “Cookie” Gilchrist, the Bills beat the San Diego Chargers 20-7 on December 26, 1964, for the AFL Championship.

In 1965, the Bills finished first again in the AFL East with a 10-3-1 record. Again, Buffalo beat the Chargers 23-0 on December 26, 1965, to win their second consecutive AFL Championship. “We wanted to play the Green Bay Packers so bad,” said Bobby. Smith was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers before the 1966 season. He played a limited role in eight games for Coach Bill Austin. Their record was 5-81. Bobby wore #37 and rushed for 93 yards but did not score. The NFL expansion draft in 1967 allowed the newly-formed New Orleans Saints to draft players from other teams. Bobby Smith was chosen from the Steelers. Smith was injured in a pre-season game against the San Diego Chargers. A shoulder injury that involved his clavicle being separated from his sternum ended his career. Smith’s career totals are as follows. He rushed 129 times and gained 536 yards, while scoring five touchdowns. He averaged 4.2 yards per carry. He also caught 21 passes for 214 yards and won two AFL Championship rings.

In 1992, Bobby Smith joined his friend, “Mean Joe” Greene, in the North Texas Athletic Hall of Fame. They are still very close. Their wives were college roommates. In 1961, Eagles’ running back, Bobby Smith, led the team in points scored and total offense.

For Bobby Smith, scoring a touchdown wasn’t about winning a game. It was much more than that. It was about hope. What he and others like him went through helped shape our times.

At the end of my interview, behind those big bright eyes and a smile that lights up the room, my new friend said to me, “I have something they can never take away. I was the first black man selected to the Texas High School All-State Football Team, in Division 4A.” We are what we remember.

Andy Purvis is a local author and radio personality. His newest book “Greatness Continued” in now available to order online at bn.com, Amazon, Google Books, Bookamillion, etc. You may also purchase all three of his latest books at the local Barnes & Noble Book store in Moore Plaza. All three books are also available in e-book format, Kindle, Nook, Apple I Pad and Kobo. Please visit www.purvisbooks. com for more info and leave a message in the guest section. You may also contact him at purvis.andy@mygrande.net and don’t forget to listen to Dennis & Andy’s Q & A Session each Thursday night from 6-8 PM on ESPN 1440 KEYS.

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A9

Island Moon

Airtales

By Jason Towns instrumental in keeping Skydive South Texas organized these past two seasons and thus I would do almost anything for her no matter how wacky.

Weather has continued to dampen wanton acts of aviation on our Island of late but has failed to completely drown it. This week is starting out beautifully and will hopefully stay that way through the weekend; we certainly don’t mind a little rain but the long days of drizzle and low clouds really soak our wings.

Biplane Mike Carpentiero has departed the Island and moved on to Goliad for a few days before heading eastward to Florida. He is doing well as his 86-year-old vintage craft seems to attract passengers of all ages—even in Goliad.

We’ll let you know next year if a return to the Island is in the works for him.

Come Fly with Me However, if you’re itching for a biplane ride and just can’t wait until then, there is still a local opportunity: We plan to offer rides in the 1943 U.S. Navy PT-17 Stearman occasionally throughout the season. It’s a bit expensive ($250 per ride) and only carries one passenger at a time, but is an unforgettable experience and the fee is actually a tax-deductible donation to the Commemorative Air Force Third Coast Squadron & Museum in Aransas Pass. There are only three pilots in South Texas qualified in the aircraft and certified to give rides for the public, so we’ll only be offering them once or twice a month as our schedules permit. We don’t get paid a dime but the Stearman is as much fun as it is challenging to fly so we can’t help but donate our time. I’ll be writing a full

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Flight Instructor Jason Towns prepares to depart on a Stearman biplane flight with Nelson Smith of Houston. Nelson is a direct descendent of the Nelson clan of old Port A! (His dad was not a Nelson, so they figured something out...) column on the PT-17 sometime in the near future, but if you’d like to get your name on the list for our ride days, just email your name and number to: townsmj@gnt.net Finally, as long as we’re on the topic of aerial tours it’s impossible not to mention our locally based full-time service of Stokes Aviation. Port Aransas resident Sandy Stokes is a commercial pilot and holds the required FAA Part 147 Certificate to offer local rides for hire. He can carry up to three passengers in his Bicentennial 1976 Cessna 182 and will ensure you see all the local sights: the Lighthouse, St Joe’s, the ferry landings, jetties, downtown Port A and of course a full beach run. Many say “I want to

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Lovebirds Terry and Crystal of Austin load up for a Valentine's Day sunset tour of the Island with Commercial Pilot Sandy Stokes at the Mustang Beach Airport. see my house” and, well, why not? Although Sandy keeps his airplane in Rockport during the week he is willing to run get it for you with just a little notice! Call him at 281-808-1515 to set up an appointment or visit the Mustang Beach Airport any weekend the sun is shining and you’re likely to find him.

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On the jumping out of airplanes side of the house, a Freefall Funeral occurred over the Gulf on Good Friday. Former avid skydiver Dorice Grove moved to the Island from Arizona a couple of years ago and although no longer active in the falling business she’s phenomenal at the ground-crew business. She’s been

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The skies cleared that Friday for only about an hour which was just long enough for us to pull this mission off for an aviation-brother. The brief blue even made it possible for the Orozco family-- watching from the beach—to witness his final flight, even though it occurred way up at 10,000 feet. Apparently we can now add burials-at-sea to our list of aviation services and activities. Just bring your own corpse… Blue Skies!

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Ricardo’s final skydive was set up for April 3rd here on Mustang Island and multiple family members traveled from various parts of Texas and from as far away as Anthony, New Mexico.

Dorice is an FAA Certified parachute rigger and put her sewing skills to work weeks in advance to expertly craft a very dignified and tightly sealed (but supposedly easily-opened) pouch for Ricardo’s remains. A brief ceremony was held in the hangar with the deceased’s family members, then five skydivers squeezed into our Cessna. The plan was for Dorice to ride as my tandem freefall passenger while her boyfriend Scott Simmers—also a longtime friend of Ricardo’s—met up with us in freefall formation. Two more jumpers came along to photograph the event for posterity.

Dorice held Ricardo’s ashes tightly to her chest as we left the airplane about a mile out over the Gulf.

Scott joined us in less than five-seconds and the two grasped the opposite handles of the pouch and pulled. The Velcro released and away went Ricardo. Well, most of him anyway… We quickly realized the pouch was a bit over-engineered as multiple large particles stayed inside even at 120MPH! Scott gave the handles two or three arcing flops and the rest of our stubborn former skydiver took to the heavens.

Dorice Grove clutches a dear friend's ashes as she exits Skydive South Texas Cessna with Skydive Instructor Jason Towns.

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A10

Island Moon

April 9, 2015