Waves January 2023

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Waves Magazine | Mike Burke

P.O. Box 3343 | Galveston , TX 77552

P: 409-789-1160 www.wavesgalveston.com

her t r S e re t r Mike Burke mburke@wavesgalveston.com 409-789-1160

tr t e ter Tiffany Bergeron tbergeron@wavesgalveston.com

e t e re t e re t r Christopher Bergeron cbergeron@wavesgalveston.com

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Richard Henderson, D.V.M. J.A. Bunny

Jan & Dean Billy Powell

Chris Gonzales

Max Conner

Tom Valliere

Charlie Bresenhan

Paul Hager

Bob Rohan

John Valastro

Kathy Valastro Holly Ross

Dr. Tara Wegryn

J. Chumley Photography

Thomas Waggoner

Zach Tate

Lynda Watson

Shaye Henderson

James Clark

Christy Monroe

Renee Hartfield the e WavesGalveston.com

Facebook / WavesGalveston

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Waves Magazine

P.O. Box 3343 | Galveston , TX 77552

P: 409-789-1160

Waves Magazine is produced monthly. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used or reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.

BURKE’S BRIEFS

e e r 0 3 er

Ihope everyone rang in the New Year with great joy and happiness. I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you for your wonderful support all through 2022. We couldn’t do all that we do without you. You make publishing Waves each month fun and exciting. We truly love what we do!

There is a rumor going around that there might be another Waves Social Party coming soon. I’m guessing that this rumor just might be a true one. Stay tuned for the exciting details and information. tre e h e er th S rt r t t e e See r the

PET Corner

Galvestonians start complaining when the temperatures on the island drop into the fifties. It is hard to imagine thriving in a world whose temperatures rarely get above freezing and may plunge to fifty below zero. The polar bear has done just that. About 150,000 years ago, polar bears evolved from grizzlies and became a separate species that are highly adapted to living on open sea ice. During this evolution, their coat colors changed from brown to colorless. The polar bear’s hair shafts are actually clear but appear white due to light reflection. Interesting too; their skin itself is black allowing more efficient heat absorption when the sun is out. Hair color for camouflage, skin color for heat absorption. Polar bears are so tolerant of cold temperatures that they can swim in open icy seas for days at a time. They spend so much time in water that they are the only bear to be classified as marine mammals. A person would die of hypothermia in minutes if they fell into the same water that polar bears find comfortable.

Unlike most mammals that take advantage of abundant food supplies in the summer, mid-winter is the prime time for polar bears’ hunting season. When the arctic ice is at its thickest, they are on the hunt for seals. Seals must keep breathing holes open in the ice and the bears stake these out. They will lay in wait for hours hoping a seal will pop up for a breath. If the seal is up for more than a couple of seconds the bear will move at lightning speed to make the kill. A polar bear’s hearing is so keen he can detect a seal’s movement under 3 feet of ice. The fat from the seal flesh is a most precious nutrient for a bear providing needed calories to generate body heat. Only one in fifty hunts is successful and a bear needs at least one seal per week in the winter to stay healthy.

A bear must be patient and persistent to be a successful hunter. As the ice melts in the summer, it becomes more

difficult for the bears to ambush their prey. Polar bears can lose a great deal of weight in the summer as food becomes more difficult to secure. They often resort to scavenging trash around human settlements, eating shore birds, and finding washed-up fish.

In recent decades the sea ice melts sooner in the summer and freezes later in the fall so the bear’s hunting season is shortened. A shorter hunting season means less food and thus smaller fat stores to survive the cold. Scientists believe this is one of the factors causing the worldwide decline in polar bear populations. There are an estimated 26,000 polar bears in the world today, less than half the numbers of the early 1900s.

bowhead whale to provide meat for their families. The remains of the whale carcass are left on the shoreline for the local polar bears to feed on. Up to eighty bears arrive to eat the remains. Polar bears are normally solitary animals but for the Great Polar Bear Feast, they put their differences aside and gather in large numbers to enjoy the calorie-rich whale flesh. This provides a valuable resource for the bears that often have difficulty maintaining their body weights. None of the whale’s body goes to waste.

The Great Polar Bear Feast is an amazing documentary available on PBS that is worth checking out one cold night this month. It gets you up close to one of the world’s mighty carnivores enjoying their annual all-they-can-eat buffet. Bon Appetite, bear style.

An amazing polar bear event occurs each September in the arctic village Kakovik on Barter Island. For many generations, the indigenous people hunt one

h r e er

Galveston Veterinary Clinic

2108 61st Street Galveston, TX 77551

Re l ati o nshipAd v ic e

with

Jan & Dean

He e r e r h e t re r e re te t e the h e the t t th e ere t h e he h e ee t r t e r e t h e r e t h e t e t t t ether the r e e h e ee e re re t e th e h ther t e ther her rt e t r e t t te t the ter t e e e e re t e th her h e ere th t he t the h e t t t r e t t t te t r t h t er er - t t th r e e the ther e ere tt t h her h e r he h e t et th th ht t r e h h r e e t t t t ter e t e t Ser he t e t e h ther r 30 te r re t th e t S her h e r et ther r e th the r e t e r t th h e t e e her h the e re rt t he re e e the re r e ee t t e -S e ee h e

Oh, Sven, you are a man of my own heart. I hate talking on the phone. Not only do I hate it, but I also just don’t understand it. Ask Dean because he will tell you, “Never call Jan in an emergency, she won’t answer.” It’s true. Just text me a time to be somewhere and we can converse then. You haven’t said anything about a long-term commitment or that you love her...only the fact you might move in together. Well, I would consider moving in and just keep things the way they are. I doubt she will ever change and I don’t think you can put up with this in the long run. Time for greener pastures, in my opinion.

Hello, Sven. I feel your pain. Nothing is more annoying than someone who is constantly glued to their phone talking endlessly about nothing. Obviously, Anna’s friends and phone rank way ahead of you. She finds life on her phone way more interesting than she finds you.

Fortunately, I don’t have this problem with Jan. She rarely, if ever, is talking on the phone. She is telling the truth about not answering her incoming calls. If I ever have an emergency, I will go directly to 911.

I am not making light of your situation, Sven. I find your girlfriend’s addiction to her phone very irritating. This is not something I think will change. I also think you have a problem other than her love life with her phone. I don’t think she is very into you. Her phone and friends are what are important to her. Unfortunately, you are not.

My suggestion is to move on and find someone who is fun to be around and do things with. You are not going to have that with “Cell Phone Anna.”

Well hello and happy new year! I hope everyone is doing well and staying warm. Nothing gives Bunny more pleasure than making a huge pot of soup in the winter season. I got this recipe from two sisters that love to cook. It is very easy and very good.

Balbina and Francie’s Cream of Broccoli Soup

- Melt butter in a stockpot

- Add onions, and cook till translucent

- Stir in the chopped broccoli and carrots

- Slowly sprinkle the flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring - Simmer and stir for about 5 minutes

- Slowly add the chicken broth, stirring

- When everything is blended, 15 minutes, add the milk/cream

- Keep warm, but make sure it doesn’t burn

- Add cheese and croutons if desired, after dishing up.

- Instead of croutons, serve with warm bread.

ON FITNESS

2023 Is Your Year to Get Moving!

ndoubtedly, being physically active is good for your health and should be part of your daily routine. Need more motivation to get you into a workout routine? Here are a few facts that may help!

er r e r er r e - cardiovascular exercise helps create new brain cells. This enhances brainpower and brain activity.

r e r t er r e - listening to music while exercising can improve your workout performance by 15%.

r t h r e r e r - exercising increases the production of cells responsible for learning and memory.

r r e - if you run at a 10-minute-per-mile pace, you can burn 104.3 calories per mile. Not a runner? The average person walks about 7,500 steps per day. If you stick to that average step count and live to be 80 years old, you’ll walk about 110,000 miles in your lifetime. Crank that number up to 10,000 steps a day, and look out! Fun fact: You use 200 muscles to take a single step forward!

er e re e e t - exercise helps you to live longer and healthier. Research dating back to the late 1980s has consistently shown that aerobic fitness may help extend lives. There are actual cellular changes associated with regular exercise that keep you younger. Researchers at Brigham Young University who studied the DNA of nearly 6,000 adults found that the telomeres, the end caps on chromosomes that shorten with age, were longer in active people compared to those who were sedentary. This correlated to about a 9-year difference in cell aging between those who were active versus those who were inactive.

et e te - exercising regularly helps boost your immune system. This means you’ll get sick less often than people who don’t exercise. Good news for yogis and runners alike: engaging in any form of exercise aids in bolstering your immunity levels.

re e r re t h e re t - The more muscle mass you have, the more fat your body burns while resting. A pound of muscle burns three times more calories than a pound of fat. Having more muscle than fat means you can consume more calories. Fat and muscle are completely different types of tissue. Muscle cannot turn into fat. People who don’t regularly exercise may lose up to 80% of their muscle strength by age 65.

t e re e r t t t e - e e - exercising can help ease your mind and rejuvenate your body. Working out will make you feel great and boost your confidence. Exercise causes your body to produce endorphins, which trigger feelings of happiness and euphoria. Research has shown that in people with major depression, exercise can increase the chance of remission by 22 percent by circulating endorphins. When endorphins are produced, they also aid in increasing productivity. Not

a morning person? You’re in luck. Studies suggest working out at midday is best, espe cially if you want to boost productivity.

sweat releases -

r t r e the rdirt through your pores, which reduces acne and breakouts. Workouts improve the overall look of your skin. And if you exer cise 3 times a week for 45 minutes, you can help prevent signs of aging.

r t e e t ee ettersleeping or staying asleep, then working out is your answer. Exer cise helps to clear your head and helps you feel relaxed.

if you have troublejust 10 minutesso

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that we should aim to achieve 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, which works out to 30 minutes per day over five days.

t r the r the - studies indicate that children’s physical activity levels correlate closely with their parents. Active parents equal active kids!

The new year is a great time to recalibrate and get on a path of health and wellness. Most importantly, find an exercise routine that works best for you at home or the fitness studio and do it for you and for those who love you.

wish you all a healthy, happy, and peaceful 2023!

e r e er e he er re re h e ter e e t r r t r r he rt e eof exercise makes a difference, especially when it comes to lower ing the incidence of heart disease, so no excuses if you’re pressed for time. But aim for 30 minutes for optimum benefits. Experts at Sh e e er S S er 40 t 11 e t

Shaye

Henderson

Botox for Teeth Grinding

Millions of people involuntarily grind their teeth or clench their jaw. Studies have shown that frequent teeth grinding (known as bruxism) affects up to 15% of adults. Bruxism can lead to aching muscles, headaches, ear pain, jaw problems, disrupted sleep, hypersensitive teeth, tooth wear, and damage to fillings and crowns. Additionally, excessive use can lead to hypertrophy, or enlargement of the jaw muscle which can change the shape of the face creating a more squared-off jawline.

Fortunately, Botox can be an effective treatment for many cases of bruxism. Botox is injected into the chewing muscle, the masseter, causing partial paralysis of the muscle and relieving the adverse effects of bruxism without interfering with normal chewing. A recent 22 patient study performed at the Texas Medical Center in Houston confirmed the value of Botox in relieving the symptoms associated with teeth grinding. In addition to avoiding any future damage to your teeth, this treatment effectively reduces the size of the chewing muscle and softens the angle of the jaw.

A highly publicized example of this involves Bethany Frankel from ‘The Real Housewives of New York’. In 2016, fans

and the media alike noticed a striking change in the size and shape of her jaw. Bethany explained that the change was entirely due to the Botox treatment she had been receiving for teeth grinding and that she had not had plastic surgery as the tabloids reported. In a matter of just a few months, I have seen very noticeable softening of the jaw angle in clients I have treated for tooth grinding. I have even seen it in a member of my family who, not only lost her need for a night guard, but now found she could wake up in the morning without her jaw aching!

Botox is an excellent treatment choice for many people with bruxism, particularly those who find the use of nighttime mouth guards inconvenient and uncomfortable.

If you or someone you know suffers from teeth grinding or teeth clenching, call to schedule a free consultation with me today. This year, give yourself or a loved one the gift of” No more teeth grinding!”

Have a great day, and I hope you continue to

r ara e r n a ard ert fied

Neurologist and Electrophysiologist and a member in good standing with the IAPAM (International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine). Dr. Wegryn received her MD from the University of Florida and residency in Neurology at the Cleveland Clinic. In 1996, Dr. Wegryn founded Houston Neuromonitoring, a successful intraoperative monitoring company that served the surgical community at the TMC (Texas Medical Center) for over 17 years. Dr. Tara Wegryn is currently the director/ owner of Refresh Medispa in Galveston, Texas.

If you have any questions about aesthetic medicine or Refresh Medispa, please send them to Drtara@refreshmedidayspa.com and she will try to answer them in future articles!

Refresh Medispa 2424 Mechanic Street Galveston, Texas, 77550 www.refreshmedidayspa.com

MEET DR. TARA WEGRYN

By: Bob Rohan

Beginning with Seeds

In the beginning there was a seed…

Believe it or not, when I began my business, which was an herb farm, I had never successfully grown anything from seed. That tells you a lot about my personality. Because I was aware that I needed some skills in order to be successful, I took a class. I became a Wood County master gardener. Not only did I make life-long friends, but I also learned how to start seeds successfully.

One of the key factors is where you get your seeds from. Those big seed displays in the big box stores are awful. Even if you do grow from those seeds, the plants are not the best. I know, some of you reading this are doing great with those seeds. You are an exception and obviously talented.

For the rest of us, you need to order seeds from a reputable company that is committed to the preservation of seeds and saving heritage and heirloom varieties.

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te

If the seed originated in Arkansas, there is a good chance it will do well in hot, humid areas. If it originated in Maine, it’s highly likely that that plant will not thrive in our gulf coast region.

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If you only have 60 days left in a growing season, a vegetable with a 75day maturity rate is not going to work for you.

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Light needs, soil needs, and water needs - Growing on the coast is not easy so make sure you are choosing varieties that can handle a lot of sun, humidity, and salty air.

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One of the biggest challenges with the constant heat and humidity is the creation of the perfect environment for fungus and other diseases. Choosing disease resistant varieties is key to being successful.

All of this information is found in a seed catalog- print or digital- just one more reason to order your seeds from a seed company versus the big box store.

r te Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and Baker’s Creek.

Ho y oss

For more great information, go to www holly ross om

Historical Galveston

By: Thomas Waggoner

Happy New Year, Wavers!

Ihope the New Year finds you both healthy and prosperous. This month I thought we would look at some of the historical places on the island that are as old as Santa himself! They all have registered historical markers on site. So, let’s get started.

Ashbel Smith Building (Old Red) 916 Strand

Ducky’s Beach - 5800 Seawall Blvd.

“In 1838, Col. Ephraim McLean was granted wharf privilege by the Galveston City Company provided he start construction of a wharf at once, which he did at the foot of 18th Street. Shortly after the wharf was completed McLean left Galveston to fight Indians on the frontier, and other adventures followed through the years.”

Fun Fact: When Texas seceded from the Union in 1861, J.C. Kuhn sold his property on the Strand, his residence, his wharf interests, and left for Europe.

Wharf - 102 Kempner Street

“Dedicated in memory of F.M. “Ducky” Prendergast July 31, 1908 – October 29, 2002, Native Galvestonian, Beach Entrepreneur, Lifeguard for Life.” “Ducky Prendergast was one of Galveston’s original professional lifeguards.

Fun Fact: He was credited with saving over 400 people from drowning in the Galveston surf from the 1920’s to 1992.

“First, and originally the only building of University of Texas Medical Branch. Master architect Nicholas J. Clayton designed the massive Romanesque structure. It was dedicated October 5, 1891.”

“Although rooms were almost devoid of equipment, the school boasted a young, vigorous staff. Enrollment in 1891 was 23.”

Fun Fact: The building was named in 1949 for Ashbel Smith (1805-86), pioneer surgeon, diplomat, and “Father of the University of Texas.”

From 1951 to 1992, he owned and operated a legendary beach concession business at 59th Street that became known as “Ducky’s Beach.” This plaque is dedicated in honor of his life-long devotion to the prevention of drowning and improving Galveston’s beaches.”

“In early Galveston much of the waterfront activity centered around these wharves. In 1854, the Galveston wharves were consolidated under the present Wharf Company, but the first wharves were built by private citizens. Menard’s Wharf at the foot of 21st Street was built in 1840 by Peter J. Menard.

Fun Fact: “The famous 1877 Barque “Elissa” is now berthed here and is open to the public for touring, with maritime exhibits.

Kuhn’s Wharf - 102 20th Street

Central

1857 Federal Building - 502 20th Street

“In 1854, a congressional appropriation was secured for the erection of a government building in Galveston for the customs, post office departments, the United States Court, and the United States Marshall.”

Fun Fact: “The building appears on a commemorative United States postcard, issued July 20, 1988, and was re-dedicated as one of the 13 historic Customs Houses in the United States on May 12, 1988.”

er her - 311 e h Street

“Charles Hodgeson Pix was a member of a Texas pioneer family that came to Galveston from England in 1838. He was one of the early English merchants in Galveston who were importers of English goods direct from London.

Fun Fact: The Galveston Tribune was printed here when the newspaper occupied the building from 1906 to 1924 before moving to the Leon and H. Blum building on Mechanic Street. The three-story brick Greek Revival structure is one of the oldest buildings in downtown.

Designed by Frank Cox of New Orleans, this Romanesque revival structure served as an opera house, hotel, and restaurant when it opened for its first season in 1895. It was restored in the 1970s and 1980s to serve as a venue once again for the performing arts. Prominent features of the building include its stone and terra cotta trim. An original cupola over the main entrance was destroyed in the 1900 storm.”

Fun Fact: The structure was converted to a movie theater in the 1920s.

h t te - 1 3r Street

er tt e 1707 e Street

“One of the earliest commercial blocks in Galveston, this row of three three-story brick buildings was constructed for John Berlocher by builder John Brown. The easternmost building, 2309 Mechanic, was erected in 1858. The westernmost, 2315 Mechanic, was built soon after, as both appear on the Map of Galveston, Texas showing The Rebel Line of Works, 1865.”

Fun Fact: After the Battle of Galveston the building was used by the Confederate Army as a Guardhouse. - 1 t e

“In 1873 John Parker Davie had erected on this corner a four-story sixty-room hotel. Originally the Cosmopolitan, it was renamed the Washington the year after the famous old Washington Hotel at 21st and Mechanic Street burned down in the fire of 1877.”

Fun Fact: Davie built on this site one of the first brick buildings in Galveston. Here Borden’s Condensed Milk was first sold. 1894 r er e 0 0 t e Street

“A. Wilkins Miller had this residence built by Galveston contractor R. B. Garnett in 1895. As president of Miller & Vidor Lumber Co., one of the largest in the state, Miller was responsible for the growth of the timber industry in much of southeast Texas and for the development of area rail lines.

Fun Fact: Miller and his wife resided here until 1912.

I hope you have enjoyed these historical fun facts! Galveston’s history is amazing! Have a wonderful New Year and I’ll see you in February!

estaurant

eview

by: Tom Valliere & Charlie Bresenhan

Apoint I often make in these pages and my daily conversations are to support our locally-owned restaurants. I have many reasons to believe in and recommend local businesses over national chains. It astounds me that an island community surrounded by the rich bounty of Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico would have so many chain restaurants selling inferior imported seafood when we have an entire local fishing industry available to us.

Sure, I understand there is comfort in eating at a familiar brand when traveling and I am the first to head for an Arby’s or a franchise burger when on the road. After all, you know exactly what you are getting and are not disappointed. However, it is my mission in these magazine pages and our Waves Magazine Website to introduce you to those tested and vetted local places where you will be treated to some of our island’s best and freshest seafood.

Such a place is our locally-owned gem, Cajun Greek Restaurant.

Perhaps I’ve watched too many Greek wedding movies, but this restaurant always feels like a large and loving dysfunctional family.

The mildly chaotic casual atmosphere, always crowded and generally noisy, adds to the homey ambiance. Watching teaming plates of steaming seafood rush past your table sets your expectations high. An extensive menu carefully honed over the years takes advantage of the bounty of our waters and the skillful kitchen brings out every morsel of flavor. Bold earthy Cajun flavors tempered by thousands of years of Greek recipes blend masterfully into an experience you will long remember.

BITES Big BITES

Their menu opens with an extensive starter selection that pretty much spans the globe for origin. From their spicy and delicious ceviche with its Latin roots to a Tzatziki and feta cheese plate or delicious Dolmas, those stuffed grape leaves we love so much, we could be on a Greek island. Head over to the boudain balls and the blue crab cakes and we might be on the banks of a Louisiana bayou. Do you get the picture? There is literally something for every taste and the kitchen cleverly fuses these flavors into some surprising deliciousness.

They offer a couple of soups, most notably their gumbo. Everyone has a special recipe and a favorite gumbo. The Cajun Greek version is one of the best. Deep, rich, and dark, loaded with seafood and topped with rice. It is perfect for a gloomy winter day.

Of course, they have a very good Greek salad, classic Gyro pita wraps, and overstuffed, perfectly fried po’boys. But the real stars are on page under “Live Seafood Shack”.

It is here you will find those steaming platters heaped high with the freshest seafood available. Their BOI (born on the island) platter allows you to customize it specifically to your tastes and preferences.

They are a go-to resource for our islanders’ deep lust for spicy live crawfish boiled up with potatoes and corn. Sweet Galveston Bay oysters are still alive as they are shucked and served on a bed of ice. Or

try the peel-and-eat jumbo shrimp, fresh off the boat and served heads off or Creole style with the heads on, served in a spicy French creole wine butter sauce with garlic French bread to soak up that delicious sauce. Messy? You bet! But it will have you coming back for more. How about a big messy platter of fresh blue crabs you can crack and eat at your table? Remember I said messy!

They have a daily offering of boat-to-table fresh seafood. These include our local prized Red Snapper and Flounder. These may be served as a filet or as a whole fish and can be grilled, blackened, or fried and are offered as available and at the current market price.

Other fresh fish include Ahi Tuna, Salmon, and Mediterranean Seabass. All of this may be combined into a platter with oysters, shrimp, catfish, and fried or stuffed crabs. Remember we are talking fresh wild caught high-quality seafood. It is not cheap, but quality never is. However, many entrees won’t break the budget allowing families to dine economically. Their house specialties are where the skills of their kitchen clearly shine. Their Shrimp Mediterranean is a masterful concoction of grilled shrimp, mushrooms, and herbs paired with a New Orleans-style wine sauce and served over Cajun rice. It is amazing.

My personal favorite is their Crabbers Choice Seafood Soup. Described as a Galveston-style cioppino with crab, shrimp, catfish, calamari, and oysters along with corn, carrots, celery, and potato. It is a hearty concoction exclusive to Cajun Greek and is a filling meal.

For the kids, there are hot dogs and hamburgers. But we are Greek right? So, it’s not just a hamburger, but a Greek one with Tzatziki, feta, tomatoes, and more. It is as good as it sounds.

We islanders are a tough bunch. We have survived many hurricanes and disasters. The Cajun Greek is no exception. Flooded out during hurricane Ike, they have bounced back bigger and better. It is in our DNA. These are our neighbors and friends. They have been here many years and will be here for many more. Visit them and start a tradition. It is something you will remember and look forward to on every visit.

te the tr e ter 1 t Street - treet r e the r t e e t r er t

Monday - Thursday 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Friday & Saturday 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Closed Sunday ree 226 61st Street Galveston, Texas 77551 (409) 744-7041 ree e

estaurant

eview

M BITES R Small BITES

by: Tom Valliere & Charlie Bresenhan

e t t 880

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Many times, I have been queried by visitors and residents alike regarding the island’s “best-kept secrets.” Those places not widely known where knowledgeable people gather and enjoy exceptional value or treatment.

Most cities have them and Galveston is no exception. Being a vacation destination with visitors often outnumbering residents, we tend to guard these places lest they become too popular, and we must endure long lines. This month, I am going to share one of these island gems with our readers.

Veterans of Foreign Wars or VFW posts are scattered across the United States. Even small towns tend to have them. Mostly they are restricted to only those veterans that can prove they served in a foreign war. VFW posts thrived after WW2 and the Korean war. They were clubby, smoky, and a great place to enjoy a cheap drink and swap tales of war experiences with fellow servicemen. However, membership was never as popular for Vietnamese veterans and even less so amongst veterans of the Gulf wars. Hence many posts struggled financially and even closed.

Galveston Post 880 was also affected by these changing demographics and was struggling to survive when the COVID crisis hit. With a near-empty bank account and a building in disrepair, the future looked bleak. Enter Post Commander Dean who almost singlehanded -

ly came to the rescue. Throwing open the doors to the public, banishing smoking on premises, and introducing wildly popular Friday evening steak dinners, he and his team of dedicated volunteers have turned the tide and the post is now thriving.

Expertly using Facebook and other local media, Commander Dean’s steak night has become so popular that lines form and they often sell out. Expanding the menu to include T-bones, ribeye’s, salmon and now boneless prime rib, you get a generous onepound portion with a large baked potato, tossed salad, and dessert for less than $20. These are high-quality cuts that rival the best steak houses in the city. Not fancy, but clean, well-lit, and family-friendly, it is a great opportunity to meet new friends or old and enjoy a night out. Many evenings they have a DJ or live music and a full bar with happy hour bargains keeps things lively.

The process is simple. You place your order and pay at the kitchen window. While you are waiting for your name to be called, you may help yourself at the salad bar and find a seat - either in the canteen area or the large adjacent meeting room. When your name is called, you pick up your entree and dress your potato at the potato bar, pick up a dessert, sit down, and enjoy.

They have recently expanded their offerings and now serve a burger special every Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 7:45. For $4 you get a large juicy 1/3 lb. burger with your choice of toppings. Add fries for $2 or have a chicken sandwich, hot dog, or nachos. You can add chili and cheese to anything. Play bingo and win free drink chips while you wait for your burger. If you would rather pay for your drinks, it is happy hour every day until 6:00 PM and drinks are $2 for a domestic beer and $3 for well drinks.

There is a limited menu available every day that varies but is always delicious and of great value.

Pennie’s Take Out Menu

Smoked Brisket

Quality brisket covered with our original rub, slow smoked and ready to be sliced when you order.

Pork Ribs

Pork ribs cooked with our original rub till almost done then basted with our honey sweetened sauce.

Grilled Chicken

Chicken spiced with our rub cooked over wood. Unlike any chicken you have ever eaten.

Link Sausage

Pork and Beef link sausage smoked over oak ready and waiting for you to order.

Sandwiches

Chopped Beef | Sliced Beef | Sausage |Comes with a complimentary 4 oz side

Stuffed Baked Potato

Huge baked potato filled with butter, cheese, sour cream, chives and best of all chopped brisket!

Texas Sized Tamales

Everything is bigger in Texas. Three times larger than our

regular tamales with the same great taste.

Barbacoa (Sat. and Sun. Only)

Pennie Ochoa’s delicious recipe. Tender, moist shredded beef is the result.

Menudo (Seasonal) Honey comb tripe in a spicy Mexican soup

Sides and Dessert

All sides are made fresh at Pennie’s

Potato Salad

Dill based cool refreshing chopped potatoes mixed with dressings.

Pinto Beans

My own recipe made fresh daily. Lots of love goes into the beans. Green Beans Banana Pudding Trifle

rom Team Koops!

The Beach Bum

Happy New Year, Wavers! You Bum hopes you rang in a good one. I love the holidays. I always get to see some friends and family that I haven’t seen for a long time. This year was no different.

One of the fun things to do when you have a great group together is to gather around and tell some jokes and riddles. This led me to an idea I had the other day while I was out riding around in my ol’ scarab. It’s not like me to have many thoughts in a day, but here is what had me thinking…

What are some of your Bum’s favorite riddles? I came up with some that are brain teasers, some are funny, and some are a little of both. Here ya go…

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A. Go to rock concerts h t thr t he t t e t t t e he t t t e t

A. An anchor

h e t e r e t h hee t e e t re h e h t t

A. A golf ball

You Bum is a bit of a history buff. really like this next one… he 4th re e t the te St te h the e re t t the ere t r ther th e

A. They were the same man. Grover Cleveland served two terms as president, but the terms were not consecutive.

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A. They all made right-hand turns. r r r h t r t e t r A. A rocking chair

Here is one for you baby boomers: e t the

A. He uses the PAWS button h t re the e t 3 etter th r e S S

A. N T Each letter represents the first letter of each number one thru ten h e e r e rr e three e She t et r e e t r e e r te th e

A. She is a minister t the t r e e re he t r re r e 3 te t t e the e er h h r the t

A. An hour. The first pill doesn’t take 30 minutes to take

Let’s make it a great 2023!

112th Celebration DI S L ES ON

23rd Street Station Piano Bar Ladies Night w/ Laura Magers 7p-10p

Sharky’s Tavern Starts at 8p

Bubba’s On The Strand Starts at 8p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar Wild Texas Thurs w/Davey Wild 7p-10p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar

Sing-a-long Sunday w/ Thomas Cokinos - 5p-9p

Bubba’s On The Strand The Band Stranded | 4p-8p

Farmers Market

3304 Market - 9a-1p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar

Ladies Night w/ Laura Magers 7p-10p

Sharky’s Tavern Starts at 8p

Bubba’s On The Strand Starts at 8p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar Wild Texas Thurs w/Davey Wild 7p-10p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar Mike Sueiro - 7p - 11p

Bubba’s On The Strand The Band Stranded | 9p-1a

Sharky’s Tavern Live Band | 9p - 1a

Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe 413 20th St. Alejandro Escovedo - 8p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar Dr. B on Keys | 7p - 11p

Bubba’s On The Strand The Band Stranded | 4p-8p

Sharky’s Tavern Live Band | 9p - 1a

Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe 413 20th St. Marina Rocks W/ Special Guest Wrecks & Janet Bell - 8p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar Gary Graham - 7p-11p

Bubba’s On The Strand The Band Stranded | 9p-1a

Sharky’s Tavern Live Band | 9p - 1a

Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe 413 20th St. Scott H. Biram - 8p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar Laftown Comedy Show - 7p-11p

Bubba’s On The Strand The Band Stranded | 4p-8p

Sharky’s Tavern Live Band | 9p - 1a

Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe 413 20th St. Paige Lewis - 8p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar

Sing-a-long Sunday w/Davey Wild - 5p-9p

Bubba’s On The Strand The Band Stranded | 4p-8p

Farmers Market 3304 Market - 9a-1p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar Sing-a-long Sunday w/Thomas Cokinos - 5p-9p

Bubba’s On The Strand The Band Stranded | 4p-8p

Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe 413 20th St. Ray Bonniville - 2:30p

Farmers Market

3304 Market- 9a-1p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar

Sing-a-long Sunday w/Davey Wild - 5p-9p

Bubba’s On The Strand

The Band Stranded | 4p-8p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar Ladies Night w/ Laura Magers 7p-10p

Sharky’s Tavern Starts at 8p

Bubba’s On The Strand Starts at 8p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar Wild Texas Thurs w/Davey Wild 7p-10p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar Piano Asylm With Mike & Jayme - 7p-11p

Bubba’s On The Strand The Band Stranded | 9p-1a

Sharky’s Tavern Live Band | 9p - 1a

Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe 413 20th St. Madam Radar - 8p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar Davey Wild - 7p

Bubba’s On The Strand The Band Stranded | 4p-8p

Sharky’s Tavern Live Band | 9pm - 1a

Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe 413 20th St. Grifters & Shills / Brightwire - 8p

Sharky’s Tavern Starts at 8p

Bubba’s On The Strand Starts at 8p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar Wild Texas Thurs w/Davey Wild 7p-10p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar Clay Howell - 7p-11p

Bubba’s On The Strand The Band Stranded | 9p-1a

Sharky’s Tavern Live Band | 9p - 1a

23rd Street Station Piano Bar Dave Thomas - 7p-11p

Bubba’s On The Strand The Band Stranded | 4p-8p

Sharky’s Tavern Live Band | 9pm - 1a

23rd Street Station Piano Bar

Ladies Night w/ Laura Magers 7p-10p

Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe 413 20th St. JM Stevens - 8p

Sharky’s Tavern Starts at 8p

Bubba’s On The Strand Starts at 8p

Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe 413 20th St. Gabe Wootton, Stefan Prigmore - 8p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar Keith Neubauer- 7p-11p

Bubba’s On The Strand The Band Stranded | 9p-1a

Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe 413 20th St. Possessed By Paul James | 8:30p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar Aassi Windom- 7p-11p

Bubba’s On The Strand The Band Stranded | 9p-1a

Farmers Market 3304 Market- 9a-1p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar

Ladies Night w/ Laura Magers 7p-10p

23rd Street Station Piano Bar Wild Texas Thurs w/Davey Wild 7p-10p

Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe 413 20th St. Betty Soo, Pat Byrne | 8p

Sharky’s Tavern Live Band | 9p - 1a

Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe 413 20th St. Chris Gantry | 8p

Sharky’s Tavern Live Band | 9p - 1a

Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe 413 20th St. Shake Russell | 8p

8 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A fun and varied pops concert modeled after the famous Vienna New Year Concerts – including a world premiere by Ketil Hvoslef! A fun, virtuoso duo featuring our concertmaster and principal bass.

Smith/Luck: The Star Spangled Banner ee o e o GISD and GSO are collaborating in an exciting new program, led by GSO violinist Kristina Davila. Her fourteen young students will perform a short piece – from memory!

Sibelius: Karelia Suite; excerpts Mozart: Three German Dances

J.Strauss II: Overture to The Gypsy Baron Hvoslef: Lilith and Eve Christina LeBlanc, violin Laura Bolsen, double bass Copland: John Henry

J.Strauss II: Artist’s Life Waltzes

J.Strauss I: Radetzky March Sousa: The Stars and Stripes Forever

FEBRUARY 26

VALENTINE CONCERT

Internationally acclaimed opera star Ji-Young Jeon joins GSO for a concert of beautiful arias, ending with Respighi’s Pines of Rome, birds and all!

Rossini: Overture to Gazza Ladra (The Thieving Magpie)

Puccini: Quando me’en vo, Ji Young Jeon, soprano

Puccini: Crisantemi

Puccini: Vissi d’Arte, Ji Young Jeon, soprano

Wagner: Prelude to Lohengrin, Act I

Johann Strauss, Jr: Klange der Heimat Ji Young Jeon, soprano

Richard Strauss: Morgen, Ji Young Jeon, soprano

Respighi: Pines of Rome

APRIL 2

MOZART & RAVEL

Anton Nel joins GSO for Mozart’s gorgeous 24th piano concerto surrounded by French works of amazing women composers Mel Bonis and Lili Boulanger - ending with the second suite from Ravel’s most magnificent orchestra piece: Daphnis and Chloe.

Mel Bonis: Ophelia Mozart: Piano Concerto No.24 Anton Nel, piano Lili Boulanger: D’un Soir Triste Ravel: Daphnis and Chloe, Suite II

MAY 14

TCHAIKOVSKY’S SECOND

World Premiere of a new piano concerto by Norwegian composer Ketil Hvoslef with Andrew Staupe and Tchaikovsky’s Second Symphony, nicknamed “Little Russian” - meaning Ukrainian, and serves as a very meaningful, beautiful - and intense! – season ending.

Glinka: Ruslan and Ludmila Overture Hvoslef: Piano Concerto No.2 Andrew Staupe, piano

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2

CURTAIN GOING UP

By: Paul Hager

Happy New Year! Most columns of this sort start off each new year with a retrospective of the year just passed. I wanted to put a twist on that tradition by looking to the future with musicals that are scheduled to open on Broadway in 2023.

NE C HE N OR RO Y N

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s latest musical, a modern update on the classic fairy tale, comes to Broadway following a run in London’s West End. First Preview: February 17, 2023 Opening: March 23, 2023 | Starring: Linedy Genao, Carolee Carmello, Grace McLean, Jordan Dobson, Morgan Higgins, Sami Gayle, Christina Acosta Robinson

Writers: Andrew Lloyd Webber (music), David Zippel (lyrics), Emerald Fennell (book).

Lincoln Center Theater will bring the world of Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot to vibrant life once again when it produces a new version of the classic tale, reimagined for the 21st century. | First Preview: March 9, 2023 Opening: April 13, 2023. | Starring: Andrew Burnap, Phillipa Soo, Jordan Donica. | Writers: Frederick Loewe (music), Alan Jay Lerner (original book and lyrics), Aaron Sorkin (additional book). | Director: Barlett Sher

The Bob Fosse musical revue features an eclectic song list from Neil Diamond to George M. Cohan. | First Preview: March 2, 2023 Opening: March 19, 2023 | Concept: Bob Fosse | Director: Wayne Cilento - who starred in the original 1978 Broadway production.

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What do you get when you pair a semi-neurotic, New York comedy writer with two music superstars from Nashville? A hilarious and audacious farm-to-fable musical about the one thing Americans everywhere can’t get enough of: corn | First Preview: March 8, 2023 Opening: April 4, 2023 | Starring: John Behlmann, Kevin Cahoon, Andrew Durand, Caroline Innerbichler, Ashley D. Kelley, Alex Newell

Writers: Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally (music & lyrics), Robert Horn (book).

Loosely based on Martin Scorsese’s 1977 movie, this musical will use John Kander & Fred Ebb’s songs, with new ones by Kander & Lin-Manuel Miranda, to depict a post-WWII New York in recovery. First Preview: March 24, 2023 Opening: April 26, 2023. | Writers: John Kander (music), Fred Ebb (lyrics), Lin-Manuel Miranda (additional lyrics), David Thompson (writer), Sharon Washington (co-writer). :

This new musical adventure based on the 1985 blockbuster and pop culture phenomenon is brought to the stage by the movie’s co-creators, Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis. | First Preview: June 30, 2023 Opening: August 3, 2023. | Starring: Roger Bart, Hugh Coles Writers: Alan Silvestri & Glenn Ballard (music & lyrics), Bob Gale (book).

PAUL HAGER

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M usic P rofile

Additional Photos Courtesy Chris J. Hardy

Clear Lake area singer-songwriter, Chris J. Hardy, said that if he won the lottery the first thing he would buy is a house. And the first thing he would put in that house would be an old-school jukebox. Hardy’s childhood interest in 1950’s music, 45 rpm records, and the machines that played those records, everywhere from arcades and pool halls to restaurants and bars, provided a foundation for his love of music today and can be heard in his recently released (Spotify) song, e Though the song was written and recorded some years ago, Hardy only recently made it available.

“I had a project I was working on, and we recorded a bunch of songs. We didn’t finish the project, but I decided to go back and finally start catching up on releasing songs,” Hardy said.

As a musical artist, Hardy is relentless in his search for the right sound for his songs and has a diverse catalog of original music that touches on dark and moody in the spirit of Stone Temple Pilots unplugged to songs with a red-dirt, upbeat country flavor. Regardless of the genre, Hardy’s lyrics are thought-provoking and performed with a passionate, honest delivery in his immediately recognizable, unique voice.

Born in 1980 and raised in Webster, Texas just south of Houston, Chris Hardy has played consistently for more than 20 years throughout the Clear Lake, Houston/Galveston region. From guitar playing in metal bands to his more recent solo or duo singer-songwriter gigs, Hardy’s name is well known. r 013- 017 he e rhe e the r h r t e e t t Hardy produced the compilations with bands from the region that included Mama Tried, Cassette Tape, and Oceans Of Slumber.

“I’m very proud of what I was able to accomplish during those years. The shows were huge events. I still consider the albums the best things I’ve done. Each one was like a snapshot yearbook of our local scene,” Hardy said.

More recently, in December 2022, Hardy won e t t er re t the th S (S rt ) r held at Scout Bar in Webster.

“I grew up cutting my teeth in the music scene right here on the Gulf Coast. As soon as I could hold a guitar and bum a ride, I started going to every show and playing every show I could get to and not much has changed since,” says Hardy.

Chris J Hardy

Hardy spent his 20’s in metal and industrial bands like Demiurge, Prototype 13, and Erase the Virus.

“I really got to experience the decadence of it all and live out some of my biggest rock and roll fantasies. What a crazy awesome ride that was.”

Playing guitar (and not singing) was initially satisfying enough for Hardy and it wasn’t until he was in his 30’s that he began singing.

“The older I got and the more I experienced, the more I felt like I had something to say. There was no lack of words, but it did take a while to find my voice.”

In 2011, Hardy was a self-described “coffee shop crooner” and released his first solo album, e St but by 2014 formed a red dirt, rock and roll band called Hardy and Co. These days Hardy plays mostly acoustic solo or duo

Story and Photos by Zach Tate

shows around the Clear Lake area (frequently with another well-known Clear Lake artist, Matt Cash) in restaurants and bars, with occasional performances in the Houston or Galveston area.

“When I’m not busy making a living as an entertainer doing cover shows for local restaurants and watering holes, you can still find me playing my original music and passion projects for anyone who will listen.”

Like many musicians, deciding how to approach recording and releasing material has been challenging, Hardy said.

“Today’s world is all about content, just get it out there and don’t stop putting it out there. Release singles one at a time and go for it. Do that times and you got yourself an EP. Do it ten times, you got an album. Just get it out of your head and onto something.”

While streaming services and the internet in general have “leveled the playing field” for unknown artists to exist alongside more famous ones, the playing field has also become crowded to a point where supply outweighs demand and being heard, while possible, doesn’t happen on a large scale for most artists. A saturated music market has also diminished the value of recorded music according to Hardy.

“We live in a world where people have devalued music to a state of entitlement. Why should I pay for anything when I can stream it or just download it pretty much for free? Nowadays music has never been more accessible and yet undervalued,” Hardy said. “Every band, no matter how big or small, can be on the same platforms for anyone to access all over the world. The hard part is letting them know you exist.”

For most long-time Gulf Coast musicians, playing in Galveston is inevitable and Hardy is no different.

“Galveston is where I have some of my best memories; from running around the Old Fort on Bolivar as a kid to teenagers running wild and free without a care in the world until the cops showed up... I love Galveston and will always feel at home with my toes in the Gulf. I consider myself lucky that the first gig I ever played in Galveston was at the legendary Balinese Room. What a great time that was! Except the loading in or out… that pier was a long heavy haul to the end,” Hardy said.

As the local musician experience goes, Chris Hardy is as well traveled through the region, genres, and performance configurations (from solo to with a band) as anyone. And while he can recount his experiences

through his songs, none, he said, resonates more strongly these days than in his current favorite selfpenned tune “The Medicine Song”.

“It’s a weird, back-handed happy little ditty that, although I wrote it back in 2018, is just now getting out there. After a health scare that took almost a year to recover from, I needed to write something to the future me. To this day that gift to myself has helped me get through whatever has come my way,” Hardy said. “I was in the most pain of my life. It put a different perspective on everything. When you think you’re going to die, all the other problems of the world don’t mean s**t. I thought, I’ve got to write something to remind me that nothing in life, no matter what you’re going through, there’s a lesson to learn, take the time to recognize the journey and appreciate the lesson.”

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“I really got to experience the decadence of it all and live out some of my biggest rock and roll fantasies. What a crazy awesome ride that was.”

Legendary Balinese Room Galveston Texas

Galveston waters are home to a diversity of fish, from giant hard pulling monsters to sleek, sneaky predators that require skill to outsmart. From the inshore waters of Galveston Bay to the clear blue waters found offshore, when it comes to salt-water fish, Galveston, Texas stands out as one of the hottest spots in the world.

Join us in this section featuring advice, techniques and stories of the “big one” with local pro’s like Patrick Lemire and Max Conner. Find recommended bait and tackle shops as well as powerhouse charters to get you out on the water in search of the “catch of a lifetime”. Enjoy!

Pro Fishing Advice To Make Fishing Great Again

Tackle Box

The With Chris Gonzales

Surgeons End Loop

The surgeon’s end loop, the easiest to tie of the mono-filament loop knots. I think it’s a somewhat overlooked knot and misused at times when it is utilized. When applied correctly, numerous uses throughout the water column come to mind, ranging from free-lining near the surface to heavy single drop bottom rigs.

Knot strength is always something to consider when selecting any knot; this one is rated at about 95%. When talking about knot strength, remember — if your mono isn’t I.G.F.A. Line Class rated, you can bet that it will over test its stated pound test. What this translates into is that, with a 95% knot, it won’t fail until somewhat over the stated pound test on the spool.

The surgeon’s end loop tying is shown at the top of the illustration. Form the knot as shown, hold both strands at 1, moisten the mono with saliva, tighten evenly by pulling on the loop. It should now look like the illustration’s second view, left. This is the basis for the rest of the rigs to be covered. They will be the correct loop to hook connection, and why; the freeline/sow rig variations, and the single drop bottom rig, and why.

The correct loop-to-hook connection is shown in oval “A”. Get there by passing the loop through the hook eye from the “bend” side of the hook. Now, twist it and pass the loop over the bend side of the hook, twist it again and pass the loop back over the hook bend, then twist it and pass it over the bend side of the hook one last time. Evenly snug it up a bit and the wraps around the hook shank will look like those in oval “A”. Oval “B” shows how the wraps look when tightened against the hook eye. What it also shows is the direct pull, in line with the hook point. Another great benefit is that, when the line comes tight at the hookup of your target species, the force applied to the hook causes its eye to be forced down; this rotates the hook point into faster, deeper penetration.

Don’t give away this hookup advantage by passing the surgeon’s loop through the hook eye from the other side. Oval “C” shows the different hook point position in relation to the pull of a tighten line; this pull obviously won’t rotate the hook point either. Carefully do this connection both ways and see the benefit for yourself, it’s one of those little things that do make a difference.

The freeline/sow rig difference is the use of, and size of egg weight that’s used. This is about as simple as rigging gets, for just about anything without a lot of mono-slicing teeth. That would include ling, snapper, dolphin, grouper and amberjack. With a nose-hooked, whole baitfish on the hook, use anything from no

weight to, say up to a 12 oz. egg weight for depth control. Depending on the depth of the target species and the strength of the current, varying the size of the egg weight will get you there.

The bottom rig shown at the bottom left of the illustration is a double drop version. I only show a double drop to clearly show the possibility of a break off if a big bot tom fish gets on the lower hook, “E”. This would come from the bull on the bottom hook and the force it would apply to the top surgeon’s loop knot, “D”. The oval to the right shows this problem in closer detail. The pull from the bottom hook on the top surgeon’s dropper loop is shown at “1”. The pull on the top knot that is the correct loading on a surgeon’s dropper loop knot is shown at “2”. This is why a single drop bottom rig is my preference

knot. It’s guaranteed that one big bottom fish at a time is enough on the other end of your line anyway. The surgeon’s dropper loop is formed and tightened like the end loop, just with more mono on the back side to tie up the lower portion of the rig. A surgeon’s end loop is at the bottom to attach the sinker, as shown.

The surgeon’s end and dropper loop knots are some of the most versatile, easiest to tie, and have high strength...they are knots that will get the job done for you in a variety of situations — offshore and inshore. I’ve used them offshore with mono ranging from 30 to 300# for many years.

I’d almost bet that most fishermen haven’t given the lowly surgeon’s end loop or

when using a surgeon’s dropper loop dropper loop a lot of thought, I didn’t

think so. These simple connections have used, but like anything else, they can surgeon’s end and dropper loop knots to use and you, too, will soon appreciate their simplicity, strength and multiple applications.

until about 10 or 12 years ago. Maybe I’ve given it too much thought, but I don’t their good points; when properly tied and bring problems when they’re not. Put thetop surgeon’s loop knot, “D”. The oval

Chris Gonzales

Ingredients

Directions:

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Recipe Of The Month

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PET PEEVES

Of The Month

Fake Handicapped Parking Placards

It seems like a daily occurrence. In almost any parking lot we may be in, we witness someone that has parked in a handicapped or disabled parking place that is obviously not handicapped. In fact, some people that are parked there almost run towards the store to beat us to the door.

e a H e ll a l fied en r e ent and a n rea ed t e fine r lle all parking in handicapped parking spaces from $250 minimum to $500 maximum, to a minimum of and a a t ea en e t e fine n rea e and n t er e added.

Parking in a handicapped parking place when you are not handicapped is disgraceful. People that use someone else’s disabled parking placard are just plain horrible human beings. We have even discovered that a person can go online and buy a fake parking placard on several different websites. How disgusting of a person would you have to be to do something like that?

Handicapped parking places exist because there is a real need for them. Respect our fellow citizens that really need to utilize these parking places.

e e t he e e r h e r e he the re t t he th e e th t the re er te th t the t re t e t the e e

E D T I E THAT

Let’s all band together and stop this widespread practice. When we see someone that is parked in a handicapped parking place illegally, let’s report them! Let’s keep the handicapped parking places open for the people that really need and deserve them.

Have a Pet Peeve Contact us at www.WavesGalveston.com and tell us about it. We just may use yours next month!

Happy 40th Birthday model cj reese

Photographer Paul Fischer

Boutique for the Community They Love

Krystale and Floyd Brown were born and raised in Galveston. As children, the appreciation of the island and its history was through a different lens, but always existed because of their families and the heritage they had built. The matriarch of the Brown family was, the one and only, Lady (Lillian) Brown, as the community and church members referred to her before her passing.

“ She he e e e he t h e h he th t he th e h ee e t r t e

In honor of that selflessness and eagerness to hold the community together and care for each other, Floyd and Krystale felt it only fitting to pay homage to Lady Brown by naming their boutique after her when they opened over two years ago.

While on active duty, Krystale had already started the online boutique. She then decided a brick-and-mortar location in the heart of Galveston was the perfect way to continue once she moved back to the island and started a new life for herself and the kids while her husband, Floyd, is still deployed.

Again, the quintessential extension of family history in service and benevolence is the core of the Brown spirit and how they brought this into a boutique for all.

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The idea of welcoming all is shown not only in the prices but also in the ability to reach out and help those in need. Thousands of dollars in products are donated to women and children who have escaped domestic violence.

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The Houston based “The Rose” has a mission of offering health services for men and women who need mammograms for early detection of Breast Cancer. Krystale and Floyd, through their Lady Brown Boutique, focus their fundraising on acquiring funds for those who may not qualify for the service of The Rose and especially those fellow veterans who do not have the adequate paperwork needed for the VA to fund the early detection screenings. As of now, a goal for Krystale is to offer visits from the mobile screener via The Rose on the island throughout the year. It is still in the works, and she is looking forward to advancing on this project.

All of this service and community involvement is at the forefront of what is actually their business, Lady Brown’s Boutique, which is already a staple on the Mardi Gras apparel and accessories scene, being right outside the paid entrance gates and therefore accessible to all, for free.

The boutique is overflowing with apparel, accessories such as boas, hats, glasses, tons of bead styles, and the ever-famous Lady Brown Boutique custom t-shirts.

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The boutique will also do custom deliveries as far north as League City. From home accessories to apparel to everything in between at a price anyone can afford, Lady Brown’s is a must-stop year-round.

During Artwalk weekends, Krystale offers free vendor space for up to five local vendors and/or artists to display and sell their items with no vendor charge and profits stay with the vendor/artist.

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Krystale can also do - r e t th t er from out of town via facetime and/or other video formats. But, to truly enjoy the whole community feeling and the year-round, all-day sip and shop, the in-store experience cannot be beaten. Krystale offers coffee, cocoa, and even an extra special spiked splash and other beverages as you shop or wait on your shopping other half.

It is truly a place to visit, shop, talk, enjoy, and probably get some special insight into why the Brown family loves Galveston.

632-2974 facebook@ ladybrownsboutique

Reflections

ew ear s Resolution 2023

“O

k my island friends it’s a new year and time to get moving!”, this is probably not what you want to hear after a New Year’s Eve celebration of excess food and drink! Ugh!!!

Every year we attempt New Year’s Resolutions because that’s what people do. I’m guessing about 99% fail. Why? Because it’s nearly impossible to stick to a resolution, especially the most common ones, like eating better, losing weight and to stop smoking.

Have you ever wondered why it is so difficult? You have to realize you are trying to change a behavior that took years to develop and you are trying to change everything on January 1st.

Usually, resolutions cost money that most of us don’t have, especially around the new year. So, let’s think about a resolution that can change you, change the world and it’s absolutely free. Most of all, it’s something you can be successful at and do 365 days a year, if you choose to do it. Now, I didn’t say it would be easy, but even if you fail one day or multiple days, you can get right back to keeping your New Year’s resolution because failing is just a misstep, not a total, “oh well I messed up, so I quit”.

How about a New Year’s resolution that says: I’m going to be kind and charitable - these two things are an act of “love”. The greatest thing about this resolution is, it’s absolutely “free to give”. Plus you can give it to your family, friends and even total strangers.

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What is true kindness and charity? I believe it is that which comes from the heart. It feels right, there is a real sense of

peace, no reward or recognition, there is pure joy and satisfaction.

Kindness is a selfless act. One of the major positive effects of charity is simply feeling good about giving. Being able to give back to those in need will help you achieve a greater sense of personal satisfaction and growth. Simply put, “it feels good to help others”.

There are so many ways to be kind and charitable. It’s not always about giving money. Have you heard the phrase, “let me give of my time, talent and treasure”. Almost everyone thinks of money when you mention treasure, but one of the greatest treasures we all possess is “Love”. When you give love freely you can help everyone you know and even ones you don’t. There are many people who have a lot of money, and aren’t happy and others who have little, but always have a smile. If you have love, you have a kind heart and those two combinations lend themselves to charity that can change the world.

So, you possess something that everyone envy’s or desires. Are you willing to make a New Years Resolution that can help change the world? It’s free, its healthy and it’s contagious. It’s something you can renew every year and every day, and it never gets old.

Let’s begin 2023 with a simple prayer: Lord Jesus, your love knows no bounds and you give without measure. All that I have comes from you. May I give freely and generously in gratitude for all that you have given to me. Take my life and all that I possess - my gifts, talents, time and resources - and use them as you see fit for your glory. Amen

“To my island friends, hope you have a great 2023!” “Regardless of your New Year’s Resolution, hope you find love, health and peace in 2023”.