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Island Area News ● Events ● Entertainment

May 25, 2012

The only Island soon to have more Water Parks than Grocery Stores. Next Publication Date: 5/31/2012 Facebook: The Island Moon Newspaper Year 15, Issue 424

Around The IslandBy Dale Rankin

[email protected]

The talk on The Island this week is dominated by the City Council approval of the financing plan for the Schlitterbahn Resort and a bridge to go with it. We’ve covered that in detail in this issue so we won’t belabor it here. We’ll just say things look like they might be rolling our way hereabouts. As the Chinese say, may you live in interesting times.

Dog owners bewarePeople with young dogs beware. We hear there

is an epidemic (may be too strong a word) of parvo going around our Island. Young dogs are especially susceptible and a few have died. Call Dr. Christi over at Padre Island Animal Hospital if you have questions but look out for your four-legged friends.

Flying pool troutThis one in from the Moon’s You Can’t Make

This Stuff Up Department. Residents on the Main Canal walked outside last week to find a live trout about nine inches long swimming in their pool. The pool is built out over the canal and its lip four feet above sea level. So one of three things happened, someone put the fish there just because they could, the trout jumped in there on his own, or a bird dropped it in there.

Human interaction was ruled out so it’s either a fish jump or a bird drop; unless it was a practical joke like the time they put that pound of Limburger cheese on the Moonwagon exhaust manifold. When it first heated up it smelled like a wet dog in the shade but by the time we got to the Moon office it smelled more like that closet at grandma’s house no one ever talked about.

At any rate the fish was in there and he was alive. He was fished out with a pool net and put back in the canal where he swam away with a heck of a fish story to tell. Our friend Wimberley Mike says he thinks maybe that fish was trying to commit suicide by launching himself into thin air.

Fish are funny.

Bilge waterSpeaking of canals, the water out there has

been kind of musty brown with bubbles lately. Or as our Mexican friends would say marrón mohoso con las burbujas. Las burbajus just kind of turn up from time to time, bubbles of unknown source. They blow in against the bulkheads near the Styrofoam cups. The wind has been shifting a lot of late so the flotsam and jetsam has found the far corners of the canals. The water has certainly been muy mohoso all right. Visibility is almost nil. We hear it’s been pretty mohosa around Baffin Bay as well. In contrast the water along the Packery and on into the IWC has been beautiful.

Natural BeachThere’s a lot of seaweed coming in and it has

stacked up the highest along the beach just south of Bob Hall Pier in Kleberg County. The beach there is now labeled a Natural Beach and that’s a pretty accurate description. At times the road

Inside the Moon...

Travelling Moon A2 Beach to Bay A10 Island Living A 18Pancho Villa’s Treasure A9

Photo by John Cooper

Fishin’ with Farah A8

Love, Island Style

Aubrey used a more land-based approach but with the same result. He got the Amazing Walter (in the hat) to work his magic and build a sand sculpture with the magic words in it then took Haley for a beach walk and showed it to her. They were visiting from Oklahoma and now have a great story to tell when they get back home.

We offer these two approaches to matrimonial success to you knuckleheads out there thinking of writing your proposal on a box of matches and slipping it under her door. If you want good results show a little creativity. It turns out women like that…who knew!?

If she lives through it I’m marrying her! At least that looked like the plan when Ross McCormick waited for his future wife Rachele to hit the ground on Mustang Beach. Instructor Ray Cordova for Sky Dive South Texas landed her safely to the beach and Ross took it from there. Adam Abelow did the photography.

Around the Island Continued on A 3

Goodbye, cruel World!

Schlitterbahn Si!City Council approves tax incentives, funds for Water Exchange Bridge

Work may begin within two monthsBy Dale Rankin

In less than an hour at City Hall on Tuesday the Corpus Christi City Council cast two unanimous votes that taken together could change the landscape on The Island.

The first vote was 8-0 – Councilman Mark Scott was not present but abstained due to a potential conflict of interest – to approve a $117 million tax incentive plan which allows the developers to move forward with financing on the $552 million plan that would bring a Schlitterbahn Resort and Waterpark, IslandWalk retail development and marina to The Island.

In a separate move the council also passed a proclamation earmarking part of an estimated $13 million in money left over from a 2008 bond package to pay for the Water Exchange Bridge under Park Road 22 (SPID) that would connect Lake Padre on the west side of the road to a proposed canal on the east side which would allow boats to pass from the open Gulf of Mexico, through Packery Channel, under the bridge, and into the existing canal system. It would also include cart paths and pedestrian walkways under the roadway. The bridge’s cost is estimated at $8.5 million and design work is well underway for the project.

Approval of the tax incentive package and the second vote Water Exchange Bridge - also 8-0 with Scott abstaining - are the first major projects approved by the city for The Island since the citywide vote to approve Packery Channel in 2000.

Schlitterbahn is a New Braunfels based company with three existing parks in Texas in New Braunfels, Galveston, and South Padre. The South Padre park was originally designed to be built on The Island but was moved after the first attempt to build Packery Channel was rejected by voters in the late 1990s.

The tax incentive plan approved by the council vote includes $5 million set aside from a city sales tax to fund new businesses. The remainder of the $117 million is in the form of sales tax rebated to the developers after the park and surrounding businesses are open and flowing cash. Plans for that surrounding development include 3500 feet of a new canal which would connect the existing deadend canal just north of Whitecap to the Water Exchange Bridge and to the waterpark. That development would include hotels, condos and single-family homes.

The bulk of the tax incentives in the plan — $78 million — are generated by the Hotel Occupancy Tax from new development within the project. City staff stressed to the council that all of the tax incentive money granted to the developers in the plans is generated from new business in the project. The project is expected to generate $259 million in new revenue for the city and would not take money from other city projects. Out of the $259 million about half of that amount would go to the Flour Bluff Independent School District over the course of the agreement’s 25-year life, and

Schlitterbahn Waterpark/IslandWalk Development Timeline

Timeline Continued on A3

Fore or against

Election Day is Tuesday

The crowds at Padre Isles Country Club have not been just for golf lately. Early voting has been brisk there and ends Friday. For a complete list of Election Day polling places see the story on page A3 in this issue.

Don’t Forget about the Island Moon Market this Saturday on the Seawall.

Food, Music, Vendors, Beach Fun. 7:40 am to 7:40 pm - Be there or be square!

Tax Incentive Plan approved by City Council. May 22, 2012.

Finalization of financing by developers for Phase I of the waterpark. Negotiations are in the final stages and are expected to be completed within the next few weeks.

Permitting for Schlitterbahn Waterpark. The permitting is essentially complete and awaiting a financing package. Developer Paul Schexnailder has been working on permitting for the park as negotiation with the city on the tax incentive plan went forward. The plans call for expanding the existing Natural Wildlife area near Primavera from the current 21 acres to 51 acres.

Purchase of Padre Isles Country Club. The Waterpark would be located on nine exiting holes of the golf course. Once the purchase is complete – possibly with in the next few weeks- and work begins on the Waterpark a decision will be made by developers on how many holes, if any, on the course will remain open during construction. So far no decision has been made. Possibilities include keeping some holes open during construction, or closing the course altogether until the work in complete. Current plans call for a reconfigured 9-15 hole course once construction on the Schlitterbahn park is complete. A likely scenario would be for an

Schlitterbahn Continued on A3

A 2 Island Moon May 25, 2012

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Seashore News

Seashore Early Childhood Academy had its graduation this week. SECA’s 18 pre-k students graduated May 22. Spaces are available for summer care by calling 361-949-1530.

Wines Around America

SMA 8th Grade Visits the Solar House. Mrs. Sikes 8th grade Science class visited the newly built house with solar power on Whitecap. This is the first new construction house built with solar panels on The Island. The house is being built by Tranquility Homes. Gianluca Ferrario with Bodine Scott Renewables demonstrates how the solar panels work. The 8th grade class has been building working models of solar houses.

The Island Foundation will host a wine class on Wednesday, May 30, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, at the home of Colleen McIntyre (address will be printed on tickets). The cost is $20 and the instructor is Edward Costley from Republic National. This is a Community Programs Education Event of the Island Foundation. The class is two hours and will include 6 to 8 - 2 oz tastings.

Only 50 tickets will be sold, first come first served! Tickets will be available at all three campus offices or contact Sharon Watkins, Community Programs Liaison to the Island Foundation, for tickets and more information: [email protected].

On April 26th, the Island PIPPs Chapter of the Corpus Christi Red Hat Society held a Tea Party at Miss K Bistro & Catering in Port Aransas. A delectable array of tea sanwiches, desserts and teas were served. Tea-rrific fun games and prizes enhanced

this event.

The Travelling Moon

Hi Dale - my wife Linda and I have been full time island residents for a year and

love it here, but could not pass up an invitation from a friend to join him in

Aruba last week. We took along the Island Moon when we visited Big Momma’s Grill

at Baby Beach. Mike St.Amand

Kim True of the Island Carwash in Athens Greece, with the Island Moon.

Dave & Kay Plut spent the last week of April in Orlando visiting relatives and celebrating their 2nd wedding

anniversary. The “Island Moon” came along for the ride.

Island residents Ed & Judy Marsyla with a copy of the “Island Moon” at Bellows

AFS in Oahu, HI.

Dave & Kay Plut took The Island Moon Newspaper to the Daytona speedway on a

recent anniversary trip.

Pothole of the Week

Gypsy Bridge Pothole Celebrates Sixth Month

Birthday

It wouldn’t be walking yet but the Gypsy Bridge Pothole is approaching weaning age. Those who drive down Gypsy on a regular basis have come to know this old friend like a zit on the forehead that just won’t go away.

The metal plate that covers her makes for some tough sledding and Island drivers have learned to do the Gypsy Swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid her rough edges...look out joggers! There are no sidewalks along Gypsy so joggers and people pushing baby carriages are out there mixing with oncoming traffic swerving to avoid a tire busting. It’s great Island fun.

The problem was discovered by the guys who were operating the dredge in the canal there some time back and saw the bridge from underneath. As we said when the pothole was discovered it is never a good sign when, instead of fixing the hole the city puts up a brand new sign telling you there’s a hole there; it means both are going to be part of the landscape for a while.

Back in November when the sign and metal plate went in that we took the Over on getting it fixed at two months. We were right but still off by a mile on the low side. All we can tell you for now is that the city says repair is “not eminent.” How many months in a “not eminent?...we’re going with four.

Dale Rankin

On April 13, the Padre Island Enrichment (P.I.E.) members lunched at

the Island’s Holiday Inn Beach Hotel and were entertained by a style

show. Style sponsor was Donna Gates, owner of Beach Memories. Donna owns the gift shop at the hotel. The

clothing and accessories were great. The models were several ladies

from P.I.E.

On May 11th, the Padre Island Enrichment (P.I.E.) members held a l

uncheon at the Island’s Holiday Inn Beach Hotel. Crystal Mead, representative for the Texas State Aquarium, presented the history of the aquarium and their new exhibits. Pictured left to right: Crystal Mead presenting 2 free tickets to the

aquarium to the winner Trude Ferguson. On June 8th, P.I.E. ‘s program will

be speaker Sharon Adams of Corpus Christi who won $110,500 on the “Wheel

of Fortune”. Audience participation games will be played. Make your

reservations by noon on June 6th to [email protected].

Padre Island Enrichment

May 25, 2012 Island Moon A 3

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Hurricane season starts June 1. Are you prepared?

The POA is sponsoring a Town Meeting on Saturday, June 9 from 10 AM to Noon at the Family Life Center at St. Andrew By the Sea Catholic Church. The building is located just behind the open air church on Encantada.

The Town Meeting is a result of my having met with the people who are in charge of the Emergency Management Center for Corpus Christi. After talking with the Interim Coordinator and Chief Rocha, we came to the conclusion that the better we were informed about what might happen, the better off we would all be.

We have an added bonus for the meeting. Rhiannon Meyers who is now with the Caller Times was a reporter in Galveston during Hurricane Ike. She was on the Island with the Mayor and others in their emergency management center when the hurricane hit as well as during the days immediately following the event. Her story is one we all need to hear.

Summer vacation is here for our schools. Remember, there is a juvenile curfew. Kids under the age of 17 are not allowed in public places, i.e. streets and parks, etc., from 11 PM to 6 AM. If you see kids out after midnight, call the police non-emergency number 886-2600. Note the number as I’ve been told another number we were given is not working properly.

There are many activities this weekend. Saturday, May 26 is the first Market Days on the Seawall. We encourage you to go over and do some shopping. We’d like to see this be able to continue, so visit the Seawall, Saturday.

The Litter Critter will be in the POA parking lot starting Saturday at 9 AM. We take most everything except paint, chemicals, tires and batteries. The Critter continues to be a great benefit for the Island residents.

Monday, take time to remember all those who have fought for all of us to have our freedom.

By Maybeth Christensen

News From Your

is one lane right next to the weed line where you hope you don’t meet an oncoming car and at high tide there is pretty much no road at all. It’s a great walking beach but don’t plan on driving there unless you have a Bubba Truck, and as in the canals watch out for the flotsam and jetsam.

And speaking of Kleberg So far this season we have not had the first

sighting of a naked man on Kleberg Beach. It is after all early in the Reverse Lobster Tan season. We can however report that we did see the first Man Who Can’t See His Feet Wearing a Speedo. We used our Buck knife to poke out our

Around the Island Continued from A1

announcement on the golf course to be made in congruence with the ground breaking for Schlitterbahn.

Groundbreaking for waterpark work begins. Schlitterbahn owners are wrapping up an expansion project at their South Padre Park. Once that is complete, or possibly before, work will begin on this park. Expect work to begin not later than the end of July, 2012 and possibly sooner. Park owners have said they want Phase I of the park open by the summer season of 2014.

Final plans and funding for Park Road 22 Water Exchange Bridge. Funds from the 2008 bond package, approved by City Council on Tuesday, cannot be allocated to the bridge until 85% of the total bonds in the package are committed. Under current plans that milestone would be reached by mid-August but could be delayed until late 2012 or early 2013. In either case construction on the bridge would begin no sooner than early 2013 with a 13-month construction period which will require reducing SPID to one lane in each direction for as long as six months. Opponents of the bridge project have threatened a lawsuit aimed at delaying the project but so far the opposition has been slight and not organized.

Permitting for the new canal, IslandWalk, and other development west of SPID. While the existing permitting allows for the immediate start of construction on the waterpark it must be altered to allow for a new canal to connect the exiting canal system to the Water Exchange Bridge. This process is now underway and is expected to take six to eight months to complete.

The new canal would begin where the current canal ends near the German Bakery and in addition to connecting to the bridge at a site near what is now the 11th green on Padre Isles Country Club, would also extend westward to the waterpark with a terminus at a marina near Commodores. The new canal would be just over 3500 feet in length and would include new development along most of its banks. Under the agreement with the city, developers would be responsible for digging, bulkheading, and maintaining the new canal.

A best guess for a timeline on construction on the new canal is spring to summer, 2014 at the earliest. Construction on the Water Exchange Bridge will not start until permitting for the new canal is complete and will likely not be done until after the newly dug canal is finished.

Schlitterbahn Waterpark Phase II. This will begin immediately after completion of Phase I in the summer of 2014 and will take about one year. Once complete the waterpark will be open year round and cover just over 50 acres.

Build out of retail and resort developments. This will be an ongoing process which will be determined by a myriad of circumstances including market demand and economic cycles. This will be the last of phase of the development to come to fruition and its exact makeup has not been determined at this time. What is known is that is will include short-term residential dwellings, hotels, retail space, and some common public areas. The beginning of construction on these amenities could begin as early as the time when work on the new canal begins and may continue as long as ten years.

New Marina on Lake Padre. The timeline for this project is very speculative at this time. It will not move forward unless/until the final plans are in place for the Water Exchange Bridge and the new canal to connect it to the existing canal system are finalized. The land for the site is in place, along the shores of Lake Padre just behind Whitecap Liquor and includes a boat barn for boat storage.

Timeline Continued from A1

one good eye and rested sure in the knowledge that the Summer season is upon us.

Good Dog Catchers are hard to findIt was wise political writer who once told we

Moon Monkeys that while the sexy races are found at the top of the ballot on Election Day the ones that effect privacy and property the most directly are found at the bottom of the ballot. “It’s a lot more likely that your dog will get picked up by the Dog Catcher than it is that you will meet the President,” he said.

Election Day is Tuesday so get out there and put a good Dog Catcher to work. Say hello if you see us Around The Island.

Election Day voting places:

19 Port Aransas Community Center –Both Parties

408 N. Alister St.

Port Aransas, TX 78373

Inclusive Precincts: 19

40 Island Presbyterian Church –Both Parties

14030 Fortuna Bay Dr.

Corpus Christi, TX 78418


81 Padre Isles Country Club –Both Parties

14353 Commodores Dr.



6 Ethel Eyerly Community Center –Both Parties

654 Graham Rd.



18 Ronnie H. Polston County Bldg. –Both Parties

10110 Compton Rd.



21 Kiwanis Recreation Center –Both Parties

3933 Timon Blvd.



117 Flour Bluff High School –Both Parties

(Auditorium)

2505 Waldron Rd.



122 Flour Bluff ISD –Both Parties

(Maintenance Dept.)

2510 Waldron Rd.



2008 last presidential Election104,057 total vote out of 198,829 total

registered voters

65% voted early

35% election day

2010 63,080 out of 189,528 total voters

52% early

47% election day

Kemp’s Ridley Turtle Nest Count

So far this year, 123 Kemp’s ridley nests have been confirmed on the Texas

coast including (north to south in state):

0 Bolivar Peninsula

6 Galveston Island

0 Brazoria County, N. of Surfside

3 SurfsideBeach

0 Quintana Beach

0 Bryan Beach

0 Brazoria County, N. of Sargent Beach

0 Sargent Beach

0 Matagorda Peninsula

0 Matagorda Island

2 San Jose Island

7 Mustang Island

62 North Padre Island, including 55 at Padre Island National Seashore

38 South Padre Island

5 Boca Chica Beach

about $20 million to the Island Tax Increment Finance Zone – month which is earmarked for improvements on The Island.

So the question now is the timeline – what will be the order of events as we move forward. With the understanding that this is a very fluid schedule, timeline to the left is an estimate on the schedule based on the facts known at this time.

Schlitterbahn Continued from A1


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Yea!!!! We finally made it to Memorial Day weekend! For those of us cubicle-living office workers this will mark the first three-day weekend since New Years!

What a stretch! I don’t even know what I’m going to do with myself. Too bad the winds are forecast to be up and I’m sure the fishin will be tough.

While we’ve been seemingly cursed by the Sargassum this season, we were really blessed this past spring with some excellent birding weather. I managed to snap some mediocre-at-best photos in my yard the other day of a common yellowthroat using my pond, a female

American Redstart, an ash throated flycatcher, Say’s phoebe, a yellow billed cuckoo, and the kiskadees (which are nesting) all within an hour or so. My buddy Topdog down the street actually witnessed 3 buff-belly hummingbirds at the same time fighting over the feeder! Buff Bellies are like the “Huey” of the hummingbird world; they are HUGE compared with the little ruby-throats and black-chins. Make sure your feeders are up. And keep them in the shade all the time, they’ll last a lot longer that way and won’t get all gunky. Topdog says you need to spread multiple feeders out so multiple birds can feed at the same time. Otherwise you get one aggressive hummer trying to guard two feeders. He says you almost have to put the feeders apart to where they can’t see both of them.

We’ve been doing a lot of rock-hopping the past couple of weeks with mixed results. Looks like we’ve settled back into our late-spring pattern, with heavy southeast winds in the afternoon, and a falling tide. This makes for some fairly dirty water conditions in the evening, with the tide ripping out of the channel and the dirty water heading north up the coast (which means the nearshore currents have changed yet again this season, back now to south-to-north for those of you playing the game at home). The south packery jetty has a little bit cleaner water, and the slide-liners sure have been exploiting the conditions. They’ve had the last half of the jetty on the surf-side pretty much taken over trying to get kings, which have been being caught with some regularity. I watched Bob Bennett catch a pretty good one last evening before writing this. I’ve been harassing the local fat snook population, and big Al has

On the RocksBlucher Park

By Jay Gardener

been wading the beach and doing pretty good on trout with topwaters despite the sargassum.

There have been more than a few people trying their hand at snorkeling the jetties. While I myself will do it at least once a year, I typically go in the middle of the day, in the middle of the week. This is for two reasons; the first being that the sun is higher in the middle of the day, so your visibility is better. In addition, the tide is usually slack around then, and not ripping out at 12 knots, which mucks up the water pretty good. Notice these are also safer conditions, which is what some of you greenhorns out there need to pay attention to.

The main reason to go in the middle of the day in the middle of the week is to reduce amount of fisherpersons lines you have to swim through. Case in point were a couple of kids the other day snorkeling on the north jetty. It was in the evening, the tide was ripping out; the kids were having a hard time fighting the current, which was dirty and muddy, and the worst part of it was that they were hanging out right in the middle of 10-12 people trying to get to a hot trout bite. The bite had been going off for days, and these two would-be’s were flopping around in the middle of it, ruining 10 people’s fishing. No bueno. Ya’ll be considerate out there and play nice. Try to remember you’re not the only person trying to enjoy the jetties. And while I’m a working man myself, I try to plan my escapades to the best of my ability.

Welcome to town Keith and Pam Flory (Scott “Bizzy’s” folks) down from Fort Worth. Due to all the fun and fishing Bizzy is having down here, they are looking for property to retire to. Of course what they are looking for is almost impossible to find; they would like an acre on the water. A decent yard for a barn/shop, and some bulkhead for a boat or two. Finding a lot like that is akin to hen’s teeth though; almost impossible in this area. Wish them luck. Hopefully they will find an undiscovered mecca for lots like that for a reasonable price, and I’ll move in next door. Until then, we’ll see you on the rocks!

ISLANDUNITEDPOLITICALACTIONCOMMITTEE(IU‐PAC)ELECTIONTOBOARDOFDIRECTORS

PROXYORABSENTEEBALLOTANNUALMEETING:JUNE13,2012

ELECTSIX(6)MEMBERSTOTHEIU‐PACBOARDOFDIRECTORSFORFIVE(5)TWO(2)YEARTERMSANDONE(1)ONE(1)YEARTERM.NOMINEESMUSTBERESIDENTSOFPADREORMUSTANGISLANDSANDREGISTEREDTOVOTEINPRECINCTS40,81ORPARTSOF19FORCORPUSCHRISTICITYELECTIONS.THETWOYEARANDONEYEARTERMSWILLBEDECIDEDBYELECTEDMEMBERS“DRAWINGSTRAWS”ATTHEEXECUTIVESESSIONIMMEDIATELYFOLLOWINGTHEELECTION.THENOMINATIONSCOMMITTEERECOMMENDSTHEFOLLOWINGCANDIDATESFORELECTION:

1. PHYLLISFREEMAN–6monthappointed/incumbentmember2. SHAWNMCGREGOR–2yearincumbentmember3. STEVEHORTON–2yearincumbentmember4. BOBPAULISON–Isleresident–2007,retiredfromcommandofCoastGuardSectorandAirStationCorpus

Christi,directedalloperationsinSouthTX..“Islandresidentsshouldbewellinformedandthattheirviewsandinterestsarestronglyrepresentedatalllevelsofgovernment

5. BRENTMOORE––Islandresident‐2000.2ndtermPOAboardmember.AVP/PortsSectionManager‐HDREngineering.ParentofIslandgradeschooler.“PromoteaunifiedvotingblockfortheIsland”.

6. JERRYWATKINS–6yearIslandresident,Localbusinessman,memberPIBA,grandparentsofIslandschoolers,SpouseIslandSchoolBoardmember.“Islandgrowthinthebestproportions–gethomevaluesback”

A.VOTEABSENTEE:SELECTUPTOSIX(6)CANDIDATES(Checkorcircle–blanksonrightareforwrite‐incandidates)

0PhyllisFreeman 0_____________________________________0ShawnMcGregor 0_____________________________________0SteveHorton 0_____________________________________0BobPaulison 0_____________________________________0BrentMoore 0_____________________________________0JerryWatkins 0_____________________________________

B.ORDESIGNATEAPROXY:IdesignatethefollowingBoardDirectororpersonaldelegatetocastmyvoteasheorsheseemsappropriate:(Circleone(1))

PamMaupinJohnVaughnWilliamGoldstonSkipGreenstreetJJHartBillBrendel_______________________(other)Attestation:“IamaRESIDENTofPadreorMustangIslandandamREGISTEREDTOVOTEinprecincts40,81or361forCorpusChristiCityElections”.

Signed:___________________________________________PrintedName:___________________________________Phone:____________________________Address:______________________________________________________________________________________________Date:______________________________

1. PROXYVOTESAREVALIDTHIRTY(30)–>THREE(3)DAYSBEFORETHEJUNE13,2012ANNUALMEETING.2. ABSENTEEANDPROXYVOTESBEGINTHIRTY(30)DAYSBEFORETHEANNUALMEETINGANDENDJUNE10,

2012,VOTESANDPROXIESMAYBECASTATISLANDMAILANDMORE(14493SPadreIslandDrive#A),PADREISLESHOMEOWNERSASSOCIATION(14015FortunaBayDrive),MAILEDTOIU‐PAC(13801EaglesnestBayDr.,CorpusChristi,TX78418)ORBYEMAILTO:[email protected]

3. PROXYANDABSENTEEVOTESMUSTBESUBMITTEDBYCLOSINGHOURSATTHERESPECTIVEISLANDBUSINESSESORRECEIVEDBYUSMAILTOIU‐PACBYJUNE10,2012.EMAILSUBMISSIONSTOIU‐PAC([email protected])MUSTBEDATEDBEFOREMIDNIGHT,JUNE10.2012.

4. PROXYANDABSENTEEVOTESRECEIVEDAFTERTHESETIMESWILLNOTBEACCEPTED.

Editor’s note: The Island United Political Action Committee (IU-PAC) is holding its Annual Membership Meeting on Wednesday, June 13, at 6:00 p.m. at Holiday Inn – Padre Island, 15202 Windward Dr. All residents of Padre and Mustang Islands who are registered to vote in Corpus Christi city elections are eligible to vote and/or run for a board seat. For more information contact Pam Maupin, Secretary, IU-PAC at [email protected], 13801 Eaglesnest Bay Dr.

The PAC is a great Island institution and we encourage everyone to participate.

Purpose: General meeting of the Membership and election of six (6) members to the Board of Directors. Five (5) positions will be Two (2) year appointments and One (1) position will be for One (1) year.

Other details:

1. Candidates must reside on Padre or Mustang Island and be registered to vote in Corpus Christi city elections voters in these precincts – 40, 81 and parts of 361 -

June 13 meeting or vote early

It’s Time to Vote for PAC Board Members2. All residents of Padre and Mustang Islands

(Precincts 40, 81 and parts of 361)who are registered to vote in Corpus Christi city elections are deemed to be members of IU-PAC and able to vote for these positions.

3. Nominating committee has recommended incumbent board members PHYLLIS FREEMAN SHAWN MCGREGOR and STEVE HORTON. Bob Paulison, Jerry Watkins and Brent Moore are recommended for the remaining board positions from membership..

4. Nominations from the floor will be accepted at the meeting upon verification of eligibility.

5. Membership can write-in candidates on an absentee ballot or designate a proxy to vote at the meeting. (See attached proxy/absentee ballot). Ballots found in the Moon, Island Mail and More, Padre Isles Home Owners Association, on the IU-PAC website (www.islandunitedpac.com), FACEBOOK, or any board member.

6. Proxies and absentee votes are valid between 30 – 3 days prior to the June 13 meeting. They

must be cast at Island Mail and More, the Island Moon office, or Padre Isles Home Owners Association by the end of business on June 10, 2011, received by mail, an IU-PAC board member, or by email by midnight June10, 2011.

7. Membership is requested to bring valid identification and voter’s certificate to the meeting.

8. The Two (2) year and One (1) year appointments will be determined by a “draw of straws” among the Six (6) elected newly elected board members at the Executive Session immediately following the Election.

B.O.O.T. CAMP VBS at PADRE ISLAND BAPTIST

FOR STUDENTS FIRST – SIXTH GRADE COMPLETED

JUNE 4 – 8, 2012 9 am – noon 14253 S. Padre Island Dr – Call 361.949.8273 for info.

Download registration forms @ www.theislandchurch.com Beat the lines and pre-register your student on June 2 from

9 am - noon @ Padre Island Baptist!

Facilitated by Steve Garcia, PIBC Children’s Pastor


Who Are the Moon Monkeys

Mike Ellis, Founder

Distribution

Pete Alsop

Island Delivery

Coldwell Banker

Advertising

Jan Park Rankin

Raeanne Reed

Office

Lisa Towns

Classifieds

Arlene Ritley

Design/Layout

Jeff Craft

Contributing Writers

Devorah Fox

Mary Craft

Maybeth Christiansen

Dr. Tom Dorrell

Jay Gardner

Todd Hunter

Danniece Bobeché

Ronnie Narmour

Dr. Donna Shaver

Photographers

Miles Merwin

Office Security/Spillage Control

Riley P. Dog

Editor/Publisher/Spillage Control Supervisor

Dale RankinAbout the Island Moon

The Island Moon is published every Thursday, Dale Rankin, Editor.

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 15201 S P I D. Suite 250. For more information call 361-949-7700 or contact the Moon at 15201 S Padre Island Dr., Suite 250, Corpus Christi, TX 78418 or by e-mail to [email protected].

Letters to the Editor

Patty brings a bright new smile to Michelle’s Salon. Patty, formerly of Sport Clips next to Lowes. Mention this ad and receive 25% off any chemical service and guys, you will receive a complimentary scalp massage on your first visit. If you are looking for a military cut or a super fade, Patty is your girl. As always, Walk-ins welcome

Andy Stansel, Manager

A ResponseMoon,

This is in response to the letter from John P Doyle and “friends”, calling themselves ‘’ Proud Padre Islanders.’’

Mr. Doyle and friends wrote in response to a letter to the editor from Jean Garland.

I am an islander of many years, and I am in the Padre Island and Flour Bluff phone book. I find neither of these 2 writers in said book. Do they really live here?

I agree with Jean Garland. Let’s don’t despoil this island further. Also, consider hurricane force or straight line winds blowing a multistoried water slide into someone’s roof. Who will pay for that if it happens, anyway? Can you say “subrogation”? How long will a homeowner with such possible damages have to wait for payment of repairs, while responsibility is being sorted out?

Ah, the name calling. Mr. Doyle mentions “fanatical concerns” in his letter to the Moon. I want to add that the Caller Times openly supports the waterpark (5/15/12 ) and has painted people living on the island, who disagreed over Schlitterbahn, as basically “unwanted interlopers “at one time, and just “predisposed to oppose”. In days past, the Caller Times has written that we homeowners’ rights to be concerned about the island should logically end at the curbs of our homes. Evidently the Caller Times wants to gain points by mirroring Corpus’s disrespect for Padre Islanders. Back to name calling; the CC City Council looks highly secretive and like liars. They called their closed door meeting to discuss money going to Schlitterbahn development as “...(whatever) Chika”. Oh, really? A fake name for a meeting meets criteria for questions about Open Public Meetings Act and even closed door meetings, for public servants. Some abstained from voting about the project, no doubt to protect themselves from any possible future questions about conflict of interest.

My grandfather said that he didn’t like liars and thieves because they are frequently one and the same. If someone will lie, he probably will also steal. Is anyone on the city council getting money or any perks from the Schlitterbahn project in any way ? If they have taken so much as a lunch or dinner from the developers or property owner, that could be construed as conflict of interest. Why do I voice this? I am recently retired from a large national company who made its employees sign written promises to never behave this way and to avoid even the hint of impropriety in any negotiations.

Back to Mr. Doyle and his friends. I am in the book. So, if they also want to call me fanatical for opposing Schlitterbahn, they are welcome to come over and say that to my face. We can then have “a friendly chat”.

Mary Winborn

A Cautionary TaleDear Editor:

I am assuming that Schlitterbahn is a done deal, so there is nothing more to be said about it. So I’ll say no more about it, except to relate sort of a cautionary tale intended for all those in favor of unrestricted growth to attract tourists. I’ve seen it happen before. When I moved here 6 years ago the Island resembled Ocean City of the 60s. In the 60s I was a young housewife living near Baltimore, Maryland. The favored tourist destination in Maryland was Ocean City, and I would go every chance I got. I loved the Ocean the way Ishmael in “Moby Dick” loved it. Ishmael says: “Go visit the Prairies in June, when for scores on scores of miles you wade knee deep among Tiger-lilies–what is the one charm wanting?–Water–there is not a drop of water there! Were Niagra but a cataract of sand, would you travel your thousand miles to see it?” After a 3-hour drive the beautiful Atlantic Ocean always raised my spirits, and the Atlantic beaches were favorite picnic spots, wonderful places to take your children. In those days you could actually find a parking place in Ocean City, but those days are long gone. The City fathers and developers saw dollar signs when they saw how much people loved the beaches. High rise hotels and high-priced condos began to spring up all along the beach, and of course parking was restricted to patrons of those establishments. I used to imagine the developers saying: “There is an empty spot of land. Let’s put something on it.” Today there is not an inch of empty space anywhere in Ocean City, and a parking spot in Ocean City costs more than parking places in New York. It is a place where no one wants to live any more. I don’t like to even visit there any more. What did they gain with all their growth? An unlivable city. A lot of people made a lot of money, and tourists still come, prepared to spend lots of money. But no one wants to live there. Is that what we want for this beautiful Island, my favorite place in the whole world?

Sincerely Jean Garland

SchlitterbahnReformation needed in

Port Aransas,

For the past month, tourists have been complaining about the showers at I.B Magee Beach. The showers are now being closed early at 5:00 p.m. yet there are no signs informing the public of the changes. Instead, the two older signs indicating later hours of operation are still prominently displayed on the front of the building. One says they close at dusk, the other says 8:00 PM. Tourists camping on the beach, expecting to be able to shower before going out to dinner, are frustrated by the locked bathrooms. Like Martin Luther nailing a list of grievances on the church door, an unnamed protester taped a sign at the top of the stairs: “Two closing times. Both wrong. Easy problem to solve. Someone is not doing his/her job.”

John Kemmerly

Island

Rock Star For A DaySo here’s the deal, you post a video of yourself

singing and playing the acoustic guitar on the website of 104.5 FM – Classic Rock – and Ted Nugent, Styx, and REO Speedwagon will pick the best video. Then when they come to town for a concert at Concrete Street the winner gets to open the show for them.

And the winner was…The Island’s own Rich Lockhart. Lockhart graduated from Aransas Pass High School and plays various venues around The Island. He does cover songs and originals and won the contest by doing the Beatles song Come Together. The video is now posted on youtube and to see where Rich is playing live see his calendar at www.richlockhartband.com.

But now Rich is a Rock Star For A Day.

New BookDale,

I saw a couple of weeks back where you showed the covers of e-books from writers in Port A. My latest e-novel, Valley of the Shaman, is available on Kindle version that you may read on your Kindle device, or on a free Kindle reader program that you can download on your PC.

Thanks, Arlan Andrews, Sr. Island

Garbage PickupEditor’s note: This is a response to a letter

in last issue from a reader asking if garbage pickup days on The Island can be changed from the current day of Friday. The problem is that after a weekend fishing trip the remains must be kept for five days until they are picked up as residents are discouraged from throwing them into the canals.

We contacted the City Solid Waste department as well as our Council members requesting they look at changing the pickup from Friday to Monday about a year ago.

The problem is that they would then have to change the folks who are currently picked up on Monday (or any other day) to advise them their pickup day has been changed. No one wants to take the fallout that will cause of taking the angry calls that say “who do those Island people think they are!”

I’ve asked them, again, to take another look at it to see if there is any way to change part of a route, or add part of us to another route, trying to be creative.

They advised me they would. They understand why we are asking, they just haven’t figured out a way to make the change.

I realize we have many second home owners who only spend weekends here. I know several people who push the bins out and move them back for their neighbors, but the fishy smell is one we just can’t correct.

Somehow, we missed this one when the change was being proposed and were not ahead of the curve.

Maybeth Christensen

Moon Online Moon,

Just wondering if you could give me the link to the moon online. We left Corpus, and didn’t bring it..thanks

Janet Newman Island

Editor’s note: The best way is to Google Facebook (you don’t have to own their stock to use it) and put in The island Moon Newspaper. Then scroll down to the date of publication (every Thursday and you can read the paper on line. Hope that helps.

Skip the PlasticMoon,

Skip the Plastic is going to the C.C. City Council meeting next Tuesday, May 29, to push for a fee on single-use plastic bags. This is our chance to show that Corpus Christi can be as cool as Hawaii. Show your support by joining our rally on the lawn of City Hall at 11 a.m. on the 29th!

Neil McQueen

Dear Island Moon,

I am very distressed to hear that a fellow Island resident is planning to move off of the island due to the complaints he has had from IMPROVEMENTS to his home, deck, yard and lots. I only met him today and he lives on Almeria. He has built up his bulkhead, built an incredible deck that is worthy of any La Posada party and all his neighbors can do is complain.

I am disgusted that people on this island are so jealous that they cannot be happy with the improvements that he is making. His deck is phenomenal, well built, will most likely withstand a hurricane. I am disappointed in his neighbors as he has the nicest yard (with actual grass) on the island. He pays out of his own pocket to spray neighbors’ yards to prevent sticker burrs. Why would anybody complain about that?

We are losing our Island everyday with all these “Green” people/transplants who keep moving here from up North and from the East and West coasts ( I am not against going “Green”, I just don’t want it pushed down my throat). If they don’t like the South Texas Island culture, going to the beach/hunting ducks/fishing, then they can move back to where they came from!

This man has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to improve his home and lot and all people do is complain. Because he runs his own business, people are so jealous. It sickens me that people are so jealous that they call the POA and the City to complain because he has this vehicle that promotes his business parked in his DRIVEWAY and in front of his lot. How many realtors have their business plastered on the side of their cars? This is a great injustice and I am sick of this hypocrisy. How many homes on the Island are in need of repair, need their lawns mowed or are crumbling but people still live in them? How many of these houses that should be condemned are filled with drug dealers and prostitutes? I know of several and regardless of the number of calls to the police, nothing happens? I live in Texas and until they take my gun from dead, cold hand, I am going to fight for my fellow Texans.

There is a great injustice here against our fellow Islander and all because people are jealous. Take a walk through his backyard and on his deck, it is incredible, well-built and very expensive. It amazes me that people can’t be happy for someone who is successful. These jealous people who are moving to our Island are really making me angry and those are the nicest words I can use.

I would guess that the majority of these people who are complaining don’t even know where the beach is. They all need to take a “chill pill” and quit complaining about the neighbor who is only increasing the value of their neighborhood, or is that what they are really worried about?

Sincerely, Tommy Hallick Lifetime Islander

Unwarranted Complaints

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New AdvertisersBuddy Walker Home Furnishings is

having a Memorial Day sale May 22nd through May 26th offering 10 percent off your total purchase and 30 percent off accessories. See the home they furnished for The Island Showcase in this edition of The Island Moon. Visit their showroom at 4434 S.P.I.D. between Everhart & Weber.

Cita Resort Interiors in Port Aransas can help you furnish your dream home with furniture and accessories imported from Brazil, Mexico, Morocco, India, Indonesia and Peru. They also carry resort clothing and footwear for men and women. Check out their huge selection at 129 N. Alister.

Ethan Allen Home Furnishings is having a Memorial Day Sale. Get a 10 percent discount storewide on anything and members of the Military will receive an extra 5 percent in honor of their service. The sale runs from May 25th thru May 28th. Stop by their showroom at 4325 S.P.I.D. or you can call them at 361-854-2391.

Gratitude Port A’s most Eclectic shoppe has some funky new arrivals like mirage makers and wave rings. Stop by and say hello to our friend Sally at 316 N. Station Street.

Island Home Center in Port Aransas can furnish your entire home with some of the most beautiful and unique selections on The Islands. They currently have a 15% sale on framed art and special pricing on furniture lines they are phasing out. They are located at 320 Avenue G.

Island Woman Boutique located in The Tower Center in Port Aransas is having a Fresh Produce Trunk Show on Friday June 8th and Saturday June 9th. The Fresh Produce line is known for their colorful and fun prints and over half of everything they sell is made right here in the USA.

J.B.’s Boutique located inside of The Beach Lodge hotel in Port Aransas has everything you need for a fun day at the beach from sandals and sand pails to super cute dresses and beach wear. Stop by and say hello to Belinda and tell her the Moon sent ya!

Carol Albrecht’s My Coastal Home located in The Tower center offers complete decorating services as well as condo packages, furniture, art and a complete line of outdoor furniture. Stop by and see what pieces you can find to spruce up your home for the summer.

Port A Outfitters located at 126 W. Cotter in Port Aransas carries a full line of Costa Del Mar sunglasses as well as Guy Harvey clothing, Saltlife, Shimano and everything you need to take out on the water and catch the big one.

Tranquility Homes can turn your house into an energy efficient money making machine. They offer solar panels, reflective

metal roofs, whole house heating and ventilation and much, much more. Let owner Garrett Dorsey show you how to turn your electricity bill into cash in your pocket. Contact [email protected]

Business BriefsA 30 story residential tower in Port

A is being developed by investors from San Antonio. It will be built near Island Moorings across from Newport Dunes Golf Resort. This project has been in the plans for several years and with current market conditions it is ready to become a reality. Ground breaking is expected within the next 18 months.

The Newport Dunes Golf Resort we hear has two potential buyers who are connected with the above project.

The Pelican Lounge strip mall has framers working on street side unit. We hear there may be a home furnishing store going in. Stay tuned.

Harbour Island in Port A may soon be purchased and made home to an industrial area that would transport its finished goods by ship. The island is located across from the ferry landings.

A housing development in Aransas Pass is underway and will be like no other currently in the area.

Land on the east side of Park Road 22 and south of Whitecap may soon be up for sale and promoted as a potential site for a casino. Two other plats near there have had difficulty selling the properties due to wetland designation which would call for expensive mediation. This would essentially make it undevelopable.

Investors from in town have bought about 20 lots on the Island to build spec homes. There are currently 35 homes under construction with more under way. Things are a poppin’!

The Island Moon Market will be held Saturday, May 26th at the Michael J. Ellis Seawall near the parking lot 7:40 am – 7:40 pm. There are more than twenty arts and crafts vendors that will be on hand. Budweiser and the Island Moon Newspaper are sponsoring this beach event that will be held every fourth Saturday.

The Island Foundation will host a wine class on Wednesday, May 30th 6 pm – 8 pm at the home of Colleen McIntyre. The cost is $20 and the instructor is Edward Cosley from Republic National. Tickets are available at all three campuses.

The Litter Critter will be at the POA office Saturday, May 26th at 9 am. They accept most everything but paint, chemicals, tires and batteries.

Police Blotter

Summer Crime InitiativeWith what could be another scorching summer

season just over the horizon, most of the public looks forward to the end of the school year, summer holidays, sunny days spent at the beach, and long leisurely vacations. For many police departments across the country, however, the rising temperatures often lead to an increase in violence, property crimes, auto thefts, and traffic accidents. With that in mind, the Corpus Christi Police Department today announced its first ever Summer Crime Initiative, dubbed ”Operation Safe Summer”, a program designed to keep crime numbers from rising along with the thermometer.

Beginning on Friday May 25th, Memorial Day weekend, and ending Labor Day, Monday September 3rd, the Operation Safe Summer will target juvenile crime, burglary, auto burglary, auto theft, graffiti, gang crimes, and traffic safety. The program relies on the identification of “Hot Spots” of increased crime, identified through timely intelligence and crime analysis, followed immediately by the rapid deployment of all available resources to suppress the crime, and verified by relentless follow-up to ensure the problem has been resolved.

Among the strategies designed to reduce juvenile crime, patrol officers will adopt a zero tolerance policy for curfew violators, while working in close cooperation with the Juvenile Assessment Center. The Narcotics/Vice Division will combat underage drinking by identifying and raiding minor parties, and conduct “stings” to reduce the number of establishments furnishing alcohol to minors.

Auto Theft Task Force Detectives will deploy the “bait” vehicle in those areas identified as having high levels of auto thefts and auto burglaries, while patrol officers will employ saturation patrol and conduct driver license checkpoints in those same areas to deter crime. Criminal Investigation Detectives, Crime Analysts, and Uniform Officers will work closely together and with Adult Probation and Parole and Juvenile Probation to identify repeat offenders and apprehend absconders.

Island13900 block SPID 10 p.m. May 18 Assault

by contact

14200 block Ambrosia 7 a.m. May 21 Burglary of habitation

14600 block Zahn Road 7:24 May 19 Possession of Switchblade/knuckles

14900 block Leeward 9 p.m. May 17 Leeward

14600 block SPID 10:30 p.m. May 18 Assault by contact

14800 block Granada 10:26 p.m. May 21 Theft under $500

14800 block Cobo De Bara 9:43 p.m. May 19 Criminal Mischief

13500 block King Phillip Ct. 10 a.m. May 18 Theft

15100 block Leeward 3:30 p.m. May 18 Credit Card debit/abuse

14300 block SPID 9:21 p.m. May 20 Building fire

14500 block SPID 1:40 a.m. May 19 Failure to identify/fugitive from justice

Flour Bluff400 block Anchor 4:16 p.m. May 20 Theft

under $50

200 block Lakeside 12:20 p.m. May 18 Theft

1300 block Waldron Rd. 6 p.m. May 20 Burglary of vehicle

1400 block Waldron 1:48 p.m. May 20 Found narcotics

1100 block Waldron 10:30 p.m. May 19 Criminal Trespass

9300 block SPID 1:25 p.m. May 20 Dead on Arrival

9300 block SPID 9:40 p.m. May 20 Discharge of firearm

1200 block Flour Bluff Dr. 11:39 a.m. May 21 Shoplifting

9600 block SPID 1:30 p.m. May 19 Assault with threats

900 block Admiral 9:19 p.m. May 18 Public intoxication

600 block Castle Park 5:24 p.m. May 19 Terroristic Threat

2400 block Luzius 2:22 p.m. May 18 Harassment

1300 block Glenoak 4 p.m. May 19 Criminal Mischief

2800 block Peter St. 3:53 a.m. May 19 Public intoxication

2900 block Waldron 2:24 p.m. May 19 Assault/Family/Choking

400 block Polaris 11:07 a.m. May 21 Theft under $50

10300 block SPID 7:02 p.m. May 22 Possible Delivery Drug Paraphernalia

2400 block Lorine 7:27 May 22 Harassment


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house. It is important to strengthen the outside of your home so wind and objects do not tear openings in your roof or walls. Some people may want to find out about flood insurance. The National Flood Insurance is a pre-disaster flood program designed to reduce flood disasters. The National Flood Insurance program can be called at 1-888-CALL-FLOOD, Extension 445.

In addition to getting your family, pets and homes safe and prepared, there are various state websites for hurricane preparedness and evacuation, including telephone numbers. Some important contacts include Statewide Road Conditions which can be called at 1-800-452-9292 and going to Texas Online - The Official Portal of Texas at www.texasonline.com.

You can also go to my website which will provide you links, websites to various sources for hurricane preparedness, planning for an evacuation, tips on hurricane preparedness as well as state and federal government resources. Also, if you are elderly or disabled and need hurricane evacuation assistance, you can call 2-1-1. This service will assist you in hurricane evacuation.

Overall, being prepared for a hurricane and living in a coastal region is very important. Please again feel free to check out the campaign website electtoddhunter.com as well as the information that we’ve provided in this article. Hopefully, this will be a quiet season and a safe one.

As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

Legislative UpdateTodd Hunter, District 32

June 1 Marks The Start Of Hurricane Season - Be Prepared And Put Your Plan In Place

The start of hurricane season officially begins on June 1, 2012. Being prepared for hurricane season can help keep your family safe. The 2012 hurricane season as mentioned starts on June 1 and will end on November 30, 2012. It is during this time that most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic Basin and pose a threat to the United States.

All four counties in District 32-Aransas, Calhoun, San Patricio and Nueces-are included among the 14 Tier One counties along the Texas coast. This means that these counties are most likely to be affected if a hurricane makes landfall. It is important that our area, as well as all Texans, prepare for hurricanes by staying informed, creating a disaster plan and following necessary steps to keep their families safe.

When hurricanes make landfall or get close to land, they can affect the lives of thousands of Texans along the coast and across the State of Texas. There are various tips on being prepared in case of a hurricane. Some of the tips include the preparation of a family disaster plan. A family disaster plan includes planning for hazards that could affect your family as well as home. Vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind should be reviewed. You should locate safe rooms or places in your house to store items if a hurricane hazard develops. It is important that families determine evacuation and escape routes from your home and places to meet in case of an emergency. Also, have an out-of-state friend as a family contact so that all family members have a place of contact. Don’t forget to plan for taking care of your pets in case of evacuation.

In addition, families need to create a disaster supply kit. A disaster supply kit includes gathering blankets, pillows, seasonal clothing and special items for infants and the elderly. Please have flashlights, batteries, telephones, radios and sufficient tools in case of an emergency. It is important to have a good first aid kit with medicines and prescription drugs ready and organized.

Living along the coastline also means preparing for hurricanes by retrofitting your

Rep. Hunter represents Aransas, Calhoun, Nueces (Part) and San Patricio Counties.

He can be contacted at [email protected] or at

512-463-0672.

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Located on Padre Island, Johnny D's offers Island dining at its best. Serving Corpus Christi with the freshest local seafood and culinary masterpieces, order the rack of lamb and you'll be calling your friends from the table! Hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday 4:30 to 10pm and Sunday 4:30 to 9pm

15600 SPID On the Island 949-2500

HOURS-Closed SUNDAYS & MONDAYS TUES-SAT 4:30 till 10:00 Daily Features. Fresh Fish.

We will cook your catch.

Check our website for daily specials and more information

www.letseat.at/johnnydsrestaurant

Johnny D’s 15605 SPID n 949-2500

Hours:Open Tues- Sat 4:30 - 10 PM

Sunday 4:30 - 9 PM Closed Monday

We can cook your catch!

Featuring 7 Draft Beers on Tap

Happy Hour4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

$2.00 PintsFull Service Bar

Great Daily Dinner Specials

Located on Padre Island, Johnny D's offers Island dining at its best. Serving Corpus Christi with the freshest local seafood and culinary masterpieces, order the rack of lamb and you'll be calling your friends from the table! Hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday 4:30 to 10pm and Sunday 4:30 to 9pm

15600 SPID On the Island 949-2500

Call island resident Duane Beadle for a free estimate

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Humidity, salt air and wind-driven rain make island homes and structures in the Coastal Bend area more susceptible to leaks, structural deterioration, and intrusive water damage. Using an elastomeric coating system offers a long-term solution to these problems by adding years of protection from the elements as well as aesthetic appeal to any home or outdoor structure.

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Real Estate RoundupBy Mary Lou White

There are always hidden costs in home ownership. For me, there is one that always comes due during tax time and leads to grinding my teeth, when

I see it in the mail. If you have a sprinkler system in your yard, then you know the drill. There must be a ”Back Flow Prevention Valve” between the sprinkler system and the home water supply line. The City of Corpus Christi requires that the BFP Valve must be inspected annually for certification and a fee paid to the City that used to be $15, but is now $20. By the time it is all said and done, the total bill is about $75/$80. However, even that can escalate if “Murphy’s Law” comes into play. Again, I am speaking from experience. All parts age and need replacing, especially those that reside outside and are exposed to our “liquid air”. To replace the Back Flow Prevention Valve, it must be done by a state licensed, City registered plumber or irrigation specialist. In addition, a city permit must be obtained at a cost of $100. Needless to say, the total cost can be an unexpected surprise. As always, age of construction versus technology and code changes come into play.

What Is It?I clearly remember (why?) when I first heard

about a back flow prevention valve. It was “last century” during an episode of “Quincy”, portrayed by Jack Klugman. It showcased the tradegy that can result, to human health, from a tainted water supply. Obviously, we are all aware that water flows through pipes into our homes. The City goes to great expense to provide a clean and safe supply of water to the customers that “tap” into their supply lines. The direction of the water flow is determined by “pressure”. Water flows from “high” pressure to “low” pressure. Here on the Island, water quality and water pressure have long been issues of contention. When the “pressure” in your water supply line becomes too low, then water “siphons” from your home into the city water system. In other words, it flows backwards. Without the Back Flow Prevention Valve in place, water could be drained from your sprinkler system pipes back into your home and even back into the supply lines. Any contamination within those pipes caused by a leak or break would now be brought inside for possible human consumption. Needless to say, yard waste and yard products should remain outside and not inside.

Proper Procedures To UseAccording to Lee Swanner, of Swanner

Landscaping and a licensed Irrigator that I

interviewed on an Island jobsite, the following components should be used to protect the water supply, in your home . First, the main water line into your home should have an “Isolation Valve” that separates your exterior irrigation system water pipes from your interior water system. The main advantage here is the fact that you can turn off the exterior system for repair and still have water flowing in your home. Second, the plastic pipe that supports the “brass” Back Flow Prevention Valve” needs to be “schedule 40” pipe that is “thick wall” pipe and not easily damaged or susceptible to “weed eaters”. Finally, even your hose bibs that we all use to attach our water hose outside should have a small back flow value attached between the hose bib and the water hose. For futher information regarding proper exterior water systems, Lee Swanner can be reached at 361-695-0603.

The Final SurpriseKeep this in mind, when you open exterior

“boxes” buried in your yard. This past February, my husband was doing a plumbing repair job. We had to cut off the water inside our home. I went out to shut off the water valve, in our yard. After removing the cover, I almost reached down before I realized a large snake was coiled inside the box! He seemed to be dormant, but it was un-nerving, just the same. Any time you open a “junction” box in your yard, please look carefully…….Being informed is a good thing.

Island Real Estate Ticker

8 Commercial Properties For Sale From $150,000 to $4,557,465

1 Multi Family Complex For Sale For $2,500,000

134 Island Lots and Land For Sale

48 Parcels on a canal or water From $99,000 to $395,500

86 Parcels not on water From $19,000 to $299,900

222 Island Residences For Sale

105 Attached Homes For Sale From $34,900 to $495,000

72 Detached Homes on a canal or water From $184,900 to 2,200,000

45 Detached Homes not on water From 136,000 to $513,000

Just Published

New Local History Book!The Robert Mercer family kept a daily diary for 11

years in the mid 1800s about their life and times on Mustang Island. They called the diary the Mercer Logs as they were bar pilots. The Mercer Logs are unprecedented in that they are

the only record of the early pioneer days on Mustang Island. The Port Aransas Preservation and Historical

Association has published this invaluable historical record by way of the book, The Mercer Logs: Pioneer Times on Mustang Island, Texas. Local historian and PAPHA board member J. Guthrie Ford, Ph.D., chose approximately 250 verbatim log entries and organized them in topical chapters, such as Extreme Weather,

Maritime World, and Ranch and Cattle Era. This 110 page, coffee-table size book, of which only 251 were printed (each book is numbered), also contains 28 images, photographs, and maps pertinent to the Mercer family. The Mercer Logs book is available at the gift shop of the Port Aransas Museum,

open Thursday through Saturday, 1-5. The book can also be mail ordered by clicking on the Gift Shop tab at www.portaransasmuseum.org.

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Gone Fishin’Karankawa Cove

Capt. Joey Farah (361)442_8145 Facebook: Farah’s Backwater Fishing Adventures

The orange clouds framed the big mesquites that hung out over the cliffs and into the water. As we closed the distance I could see the mirrored surface along the beach alive with baitfish and large wakes of patrolling redfish. White egrets looked up in amassment at the sight of encroaching man. This hidden place is one of the best secret hide-a-ways I know. Sometimes when the crowds fill the Lagoon and Baffin I just retreat to this cove to escape. As the boat slid to a stop and the waves drifted out away from our invisible hide, I began to whisper the story of Karankawa Cove. Many years ago when I was in high school a friend lived down the shoreline from this place. We explored all places unknown and found this cool spot. Tailing redfish at first light was an everyday experience when we stayed the night at Cameron’s house. One morning we walked by the cliffs and I noticed some burnt clay and shells. We soon found a few arrowheads at he base of the broken dirt. Suddenly we felt like we were in a different world. I could then picture the fires and smoking fish as well as the wealth of fish to be speared and caught in nets out in front of the small cliffs. We let the redfish chase crabs all morning with out a cast, looking for more artifacts that would link us to our Indian world. A few days later I passed the cliffs and was sight casting to some reds when I heard my buddy screaming out for me to come over. I thought that he might have seen a good school of reds or something but when I walked up I saw a dirty piece of human skull. None of us wanted to touch it and we all had great fear raise shivers down our spines. After a while we made a cutout in the dirt along the bank and rolled the skull up the cliff and laid it to rest back in the earth. We loved that cove and had so many little adventures back there, but after that day none of us ever suggested that we go back. Years later I put some duck hunters along the beach just south of it and made an excuse to wander off. As I rounded the corner and ducked under the trees growing out of the bank, I sat and enjoyed the quietness. The spirits of that place are forever in my heart, only because I’ve stopped and taken them in. Now I miss that place after a while and long to visit. Most of the time I tell the story but often the people with me seem a bit to removed from the spirit of wild places so I just glow inside to myself as the sun comes up over those old mesquites.

Well this last week I visited the old cove and took some customers that I know would enjoy it weather we caught fish there or not. As we set the boat down I could see them light up as their eyes took in every detail of this enchanted old Indian camp. They were waiting for the story, and the spirits had missed us as well. The cove was electric, alive with baitfish jumping

out of the water. The shore birds danced and jumped trying to decide what minnow to grab. The sound of the boat barreling in never even stopped the orchestra of life. I polled the boat out to the ancient oyster reef and slid in the anchor. The water was the color of tea and fish

would roll as they moved close enough to since the boat at our feet. The first casts were eaten by thick solid trout, we put six big trout in the boat in six casts. My whispering was only to keep the guys from jumping up and down and making noise so not to spoil our presence. The sun cleared the top of the trees and lit us up and the shadows of gulls sent mullet scattering around us. “The chance for us to bring in a MONSTER TROUT in great right now lets move around and try to find her.” We moved over away from the boiling water of fish and edged up closer to the Old Indians Look out on the cliffs. There at its beach we caught the biggest fish of the day. As we slowly idled away that morning a smile glowed on all of our faces with the spirit of wild places and Old Indians.

Fishing this WeekDuring light winds look for areas rich in tidal

current to be holding most of the fish. Stained water continues to infect us here in the Laguna Madre but get used to it, it will most likely stay here for a while. The live croakers are the best bait right now and producing some great catches. We have caught many big trout in the last few weeks and with the little croakers growing up a bit, look for June to improve even more. Down south fishing has been great as well with the Tide Gauge being a good place to start early in the morning out about 6ft deep. As winds pick up move to grass lines on the South Shoreline and the Eastern grass lines of Yarborough Pass. The Land Cut is still very good but not every day. Wait for Southeast winds before you make the trip down that far. Many days in Baffin have been as fast as you can cast out you are getting bites, but small aggressive fish are leaving fishermen disappointed. Timing is very crucial, make some afternoon trips down and you will find the bigger fish feeding in the windy conditions in the late evening. Emmorts Hole has laid stained with Brown Tide and this is making finding the grass lines difficult for many fishermen. During the hottest part of the day look for the deepest water to hold cooler water, current, and a lot of good fish. Come bye Marker 37 and check out our daily catches mid-day and I’ll be happy to chat and help anyone out with a few hints and good spots, just don’t ask me were Karankawa cove is at! Follow our catches on Facebook and as always Keep those lines tight and your hoods sharp!

Leah Harmon with a nice trout from Laguna Shores this week.

Harvey “slow foot” White with two nice trout from “the cove”

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For ALL Your Memorial Day Needs

Open Monday- Sunday 8:00 am - 10:00 pm 2016 On the Beach

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Joe Sanchez III 210-844-9840

361.749.7570www.islandwomanboutique.com

Fresh Produce Trunk ShowFriday and Saturday, June 8th and 9th from Noon to 6PM

Island Woman BoutiqueIn case you aren’t familiar with fresh produce, it all

started with graphic t-shirts Mary Ellen and Thom Vernon designed and sold in a t-shirt kiosk at the 1984 Olympics. Twenty-six years later fresh produce is still going strong. fresh produce is known for their color and fun prints and they now manufacture about 70% of their line in the USA.

We hope you can join us for fashions, food and fun!

The Tower Center1726 State Highway 361, Suite G

Port Aransas, TX 78373

Hair Salon

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Trivia Question of the Week from last issue:What is the story of Pancho Villa’s treasure said to have been

buried in the Coastal Bend?

When it comes to stories, legends, and lies in Mexican history one man retired the trophy. Doroteo Aranga, born in Las Nieves in 1877, became the warlord, bandit, terrorist to the Southwest United States, and to cement his legend the Will O’ the Wisp that Black Jack Pershing chased into the mountains of Northern Mexico but never caught.

No one knew him as Doroteo Aranga but history is full of his stories as Pancho Villa. We will leave the full saga of Pancho Villa and his place in the Mexican Revolution for another day. Our story concerns not his exploits fighting for and against the Mexican Army in the same war but rather his considerable talents as a plunderer. With his early “career” built on cattle rustling he was a leader who knew how to turn firepower into money.

He was also a know lady’s man who left behind a string of “wives” who made a decent living by embellishing his exploits and signing photographs of him well into the second half of the twentieth century. One of these women was still driving around Matamoros in “Pancho’s Cadillac and scrawling Mrs. Pancho Villa with a withered hand on pictures of Villa in bandoliers into the mid 1980s. While it was mathematically possible one had to suspend belief when shelling out five dollars a pop, but like much of Villa’s life the legend outweighed the doubt.

As the fellow said in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, ““This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.”

What’s going on? It was in the late 1950s when a series of

letters began arriving at city offices in Corpus Christi, Robstown, San Antonio, and the small South Texas border town of Roma. Much of the interest centered on Roma, a town hard on the Rio Grande that was and still is the center of one of the most active traditional smuggling routes along the U.S./Mexico border. Their questions were specific; can you send a map of Roma showing the location of the cemetery, what is the exact mileage from Roma to Robstown? What was going on?

The source of the inquiries was traced to one lady in Brawley, California who it was later revealed was born in the town of Mercedes in the Rio Grande Valley. She said she had been one of Villa’s “secretaries” who had accompanied him on the raids of ranches from the Rio Grande to Monterrey then running north of the border to bury the loot. She gave exact locations of the treasure; a cemetery in Roma – there were three, one at Los Saenz half a mile from the old Roma Cemetery, and another at Escobares miles further up the road. These were cemeteries everyone who had lived in the area knew about but coming from the Villista they had the ring of at least plausibility which was enhanced when the story was picked up by the

San Antonio Express-News which featured a photo of the woman decked out in full uniform and Sam Browne belt in spite of the fact that Villa’s soldiers didn’t wear uniforms.

She told of a trip to a point just south of Corpus Christi where a packtrain of loot was buried, another was dug in near a cemetery in Robstown, more in the burial grounds of Mission Conception in south San Antonio.

Treasure hunters armed with metal detectors and shovels fanned out across South Texas like two-legged gophers and went to work.

Loot in Robstown?The woman warmed to her task and told lurid

stories of traveling with Villa and mule drawn caravans across the border without mentioning that Villa was the most wanted man in Mexico at the time by the Americans who had lined the border with soldiers from El Paso to Brownsville, not to mention the Texas Rangers. The only time Villa was known to have been near South Texas was when he raided Nuevo Laredo and was immediately chased all the way to Monterrey by Mexican troops never to return to the Texas borderland again. He did send raiding parties along the border after that but never returned himself for fear of being chased by American troops which, as he found out, were not shy about passing into Mexico looking for him.

So did Pancho Villa bury loot in Robstown or just south of Corpus Christi? According to one lady in California he did, but if it’s true no one ever found any of it that we know of, if they dug it up they didn’t tell anyone, which would make them the first people in history to have anything to do with Don Pancho and withstand the urge to tell anyone about it.

It turned out that the genesis of the questions to city employees in 1955 came from a wily publicity man associated with the movie The Treasure of Pancho Villa, a fanciful tale of an American adventurer who fought with Villa. Its stars were Rory Calhoun, Shelley Winters and Gilbert Roland and it bore a resemblance to anything that actually took place only in the fact that it was set in Mexico and there was a character names Pancho Villa. It is still shown occasionally on Turner Classic Movies and memorable only for the line. “Kill you for a woman, gringo? Never! But for the gold...?”

It was the publicity man who found the old woman in California and worked a media campaign to generate the inquiries to the cities. Once the cities were involved the newspaper in the Texas border region jumped on the bandwagon and the story had legs. Think of it as the early twenty-four hour news cycle we live in today only the newspaper version with a longer timeline. “There must have been some truth to the story or the papers wouldn’t have kept printing it,” so the reasoning goes.

“This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.”

Where were the first houses built on North Padre?Trivia Question of the Week

By Dale Rankin

The real Pancho and his crew

Sunday’s are special at Scuttlebutt’s, $3.00 Mimosas $3.50 Bloody Mary’s

Happy Hour 7 Days a week Great drink Specials! Live Music.

Book your office party today! Call Holly at 765-2222


Home Remodeling and More...

28 Years Experience l Commercial & Residential

On The Island

Duane Ebert Cell: (361) 658-2459 Bus: (361) 949-0661

Member

Padre IslandBusiness Assoc.

Season’s Greetings & Happy HolidaysSeason’s Greetings & Happy Holidays

Home Remodeling and More...

28 Years Experience l Commercial & Residential

On The Island

Duane Ebert Cell: (361) 658-2459 Bus: (361) 949-0661

Member

Padre IslandBusiness Assoc.

Season’s Greetings & Happy HolidaysSeason’s Greetings & Happy Holidays

High Quality Work at Competitive Pricing!

27 Years Experience ● Commercial & Residential

On Padre Island Duane Ebert

361-658-2459 | 361-949-0661 decksanddocksnorthpadre.com

Member Padre Island Business Association

Island CreatIons

Doing Everything a Home or Business Needs

960-0327Owned & Operated by

Island Residents David & Katherine PierceReferences Available Upon Request

Commercial & Residential

Insured Member, Padre Island Business Association

Member, Builders Association, Corpus Christi

RemodelingTotal Renovation & Remodels, Outdoor Kitchens & Spas, Additions, Kitchen & Bathroom Upgrades, Sunporches, Replacement of Windows and Doors, Roofing, Painting & Stucco

LandscapingDesign work, Yard Maintenance, Decks, Pergolas, Installation of Rock, Grass, Plants, Trees, Walkways, Paths, Tree Trimming, Container Planting, Vacant Lot Mowing & Shade Covers. All Kinds of Fencing, Pressure Washing & Deck Staining & Sealing

ConcreteDriveways, Patios, Sidewalks, Patio Overlays, Decorative Stamping & Staining, Decks, Bulkheads, Grouted Stone Walls & Patios, Decorative Stone Paver Driveways & Patios

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Beach House Realty361-332-1021

CHARMING WATERFRONT single bedroom condo with washer/dryer. Remodeled interior, beachy colors, tile floors, upgraded bath, elec box/plugs switches replaced, ceiling fans, new baseboards, window coverings, privacy door on patio. This is a must see showing pride of ownership. Close to the proposed new Schlitterbahn and convenient to everything. Think investment! $105,900

WATERFRONT--Fortuna Bay’s finest! 3/2 penthouse with high ceilings, completely redone in style with stainless, glass tile, granite, quality fixtures throughout, sumptuous baths, attractive furnishings, storage closet, boat dock, community pool/hot tub, tile/carpet. Ready to go, just move in or rent out--vacation rentals okay. Bring your boat. $185,900

2217 State Highway 361, Suite A-1, Port Aransas, Texas 78373Beach House Realty, Gail D. Spinn, Agent

Mary Ann McShane, Realtor, GRI, SRESe-mail: [email protected]

Corpus Christi Realty GroupConsidering a move to the Island?

Let me help you find your piece of Paradise - waterfront or interior homes, condos, townhouses, lots

Considering selling your Island Property?

Call me for a free consultation to obtain the current market value along with tips to make your property the one buyers will put on their “must see” list

Island Office (361) 215-8629

Sonic Drive-In 14401 S.P.I.D. Corpus Christi -

(361) 949-7886

Beach to Bay Relay Marathon 2012

Photos by Miles Merwin

sectoin a final

Documents

island moon publishing

padre island drive

island moon newspaper

padre island animal

fish story

fish jump

moon office

water parks