Skip to main content

Coastal Scene

Page 1

May 2017

Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

Magazine

SHRIMPOREE 2017 It’s all ABOUT the Shrimp!

Camping on the Beach Making Memories Real Estate Coastal Bend is Growing

FREE

Please Take One


NEED GLASS? HAVE GLASS. WILL TRAVEL.

24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

EVINS

Glass Service

#/--%2#)!, s 2%3)$%.4)!, s !54/ s 4).4).'

“WE SPECIALIZE IN SERVICE” Auto Glass Replacement or Repair

s -ACHINERY s 4RACTORS s -IRROR 7ALLS

101 N.P.I.D. (at Bear Lane) Corpus Christi

s 7INDOW 4INTING

EMAIL – evinsglass@yahoo.com FACEBOOK – Evins Glass WEBSITE – www.evinsglassservice.com

s 2ESIDENTIAL #OMMERCIAL 3HUTTERS

INSURANCE CLAIMS WELCOME

s $ESKS 4ABLE 4OPS s 3HOWER $OORS s 7INDOWS 3TOREFRONTS

MOBILE SERVICE! 2

361-884-3995 We Come To You. oastal

Scene


Table of Contents 8

14

18

ene oastal ScMagazine Volume 5 Issue 2 Summer 2017

Debbie Aylesworth Editor/Publisher debbiea@cbredbook.com

Brenda Dodson

In Every Issue: 16 Publisher’s Note 4 Calendar of Events 36 19 Business Directory 38 22 From the Cover: 24 28 5 29 30 32 34 Aransas Pass Shrimporee

Camping on the Beach… Make it Memorable

Office Manager/ Sales Associate/ Photographer office@cbredbook.com

Gary Kuhn

Coastal Bend Real Estate Market is Growing

Sales Associate office@cbredbook.com

Feature Home

Tina M. Riley Production Manager/ Graphic Designer

Unique Experiences Can Be Found Around the ‘Bend’

snobawl@hotmail.com

Coastal Faces and Coastal Places Art in the Coastal Bend Preserving a Local Treasure ... Coastal Gardens: Summer Fun The Calm Before the Storm

Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

advertising and distribution

361.790.7106 office@cbredbook.com www.shopcoastalbendonline.com

Coastal Scene Magazine ©2017 is a free publication published 4 times per year and distributed throughout the Coastal Bend. Reproduction in whole or in part without the express written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Coastal Scene Magazine cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of content or opinions expressed by its authors or advertisers. Coastal Scene Magazine office is located at 361 S Commercial, Aransas Pass, Texas 78336.

3


PUBLISHERS NOTE:

W

and it made me appreciate the weather here Welcome to our 2017 Second Quarter edieven more. There is something refreshing about tion of Coastal Scene Magazine. We are rockin’ the breeze from the water in our area here that and rollin’ in South Texas. The sun is shining, keeps you comfortable even when the mercury the fish are biting and the water is warm enough climbs to the 90s. to play in again. Inside this edition, you’ll find some great I am just as excited about this publication as reasons why we love to live on the coast. We’ll I was our first one back in March of 2013. We are more than blessed by the way you all have Debbie Aylesworth, tell you about our community festivals and area attractions. You’ll find information on recreational Editor/Publisher embraced and welcomed our magazine in your activities such as fishing, boating or just playing businesses across the Coastal Bend. We put a lot on the beach. We invite you to stay in a bed and breakfast, of miles into delivering Coastal Scene Magazine to key one of our cottages or select a hotel. Our seafood is the best businesses, hotels, restaurants, select convenience stores in the state and choices abound for all types of and local Chamber of Commerce offices. food including the Mexican, Asian, good Texas You can live in Texas all your life and not know all Barbecue, Italian there is to know about our great state. This is one of the and home-cooking. reasons I’ve wanted to publish this magazine, so I could We have an share with you – even if you’re from Texas – how woninteresting article derful it is on the coast. The temperatures are milder than about camping on my previous home in Amarillo. The lows are absent and the beach with a the highs are more like April and May in the Panhandle. terrific recipe to try I spent a week last month in West Texas with the winds on a portable grill blowing 45 miles an hour and temperatures in the 90s or fire you build on on one day and in the 60s the next. It was not pleasant the beach. There are also some great tips on fishing and information about what areas to look for while you wadefish, kayak or fish from a pier. Our area has many guide services if you are interested in Donor stand donated by H. Lancaster Co. going deep sea fishing or having the expertise of local fishermen and their s !CTIVE 6ETERAN special talents at finding fish in the gulf waters. -ILITARY $ISCOUNTS One noteworthy point in our SandFest story is the cons &IRST 2ESPONDER tribution made by a local business. Herb Lancaster of H. $ISCOUNTS Lancaster Co. in Aransas Pass, designed a special outdoor s 'ROUP 2ATES weather proof wooden donor stand that is placed at each sculpture. SandFest goers can then place ‘dollar a vote’ bills s 'IFT #ERTIlCATES into a slot that counts towards the winner of the People’s Choice award. Lancaster does this every year at no charge including other furniture that is used at SandFest. We hope you enjoy Coastal Scene Magazine. We covet your opinions and comments. You can reach me anytime at 361-790-7106 or email debbiea@cbredbook.com. Let me know what you like or if there is something you want more information about. We aim to please.

844-FLY-SNJ4 (844-359-7654)

WWW.TEXANWARBIRDADVENTURES.COM

4

oastal

Scene


Shrimporee‌.It’s All ABOUT Shrimp!

S

Shrimp is one of our most savored seafood and we are not alone. Many underwater animals also partake in the love of this proliďŹ cally reproducing and uniquely avored delicacy. Fish, dolphins, whales, sharks, starďŹ sh, sea urchins and crabs relish them. Birds like pufďŹ ns, penguins, curlews, seagulls (they will eat almost anything!), and amingos also feast on shrimp. In fact, Pink amingos and Roseate spoonbills eat so much shrimp, their feathers absorb beta-carotene chemicals that give them the pinkish plumage they are known for. Shrimp are rich in selenium, vitamins B-6, B-12 and E, iodine, copper and antioxidants like omega-3 which feeds the brain. So, if you aren’t feeling as smart as you would like to be, come to the Aransas Pass Shrimporee

Life is better when you have a plan.

0LANS YOU CAN CUSTOMIZE FOR YOUR NEEDS s ,OW MONTHLY PREMIUMS Farmers Identity ShieldSM fraud assistance and credit monitoring. &ARMERS (ELP0OINT§ CLAIMS SERVICE s 3E (ABLA %SPAŽOL

We are Insurance. We are Farmers. Call for a FREE quote Bart Floerke

Roxanne Swierc

Brian Niemann

Alex Hinojosa

1605 US Hwy 181, Ste. E PORTLAND boerke@farmersagent.com

904 Memorial Pkwy. PORTLAND rswierc@farmersagent.com

508 S. San Patricio St. SINTON bniemann@farmersagent.com

361 S Commercial St., Ste 2 ARANSAS PASS ahinojosa1@farmersagent.com

361-643-6500

361-643-6264

361-437-4646

Auto | Home | Life | Commercial Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

361-758-7971

farmers.com 5


“This is the biggest event we have around here and people look forward to it,” said Rosemary Vega, Chief Executive Officer of the Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, the organizer of the event. “Shrimporee is designed to please everyone. It’s expected of us.” on June 9, 10 and 11, 2017 at the Aransas Pass Community Park. You might even change skin colors with all the shrimp you can eat. The magic of the human love of shrimp was what started Shimproree in the first place. Back in the post-World War II era, then President Harry Truman called for communities across the United States to celebrate the victory over Imperial Japan and the

Axis powers of Germany and Italy. NAS Corpus Christi was completed in 1941 and was home to the Blue Angels from 1949 to 1955. Navy air training facilities were all over the Coastal Bend including Flour Bluff, Beeville, and Kingsville. Meanwhile, the three US Air Force facilities, Kelly, Randolph and Lockland, in San Antonio and Bergstrom AFB in Austin were also in a post-war frenzy of military training activities. A sense of American patriotism was literally in the air all over South Texas as the area was nicknamed Air University. To meet President Truman’s call for celebration, local community leaders dangled shrimp to attract the military and civilians to Aransas Pass back in 1948. Corpus Christi and San Antonio have not stopped coming up to present times, as they represent nearly half of annual Shrimporee attendees. One third of attendees come across the Harbor Bridge from Corpus Christi and about twelve percent from the San Antonio-Austin Corridor. The Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce has for years displayed street-wide banners in three locations across San Antonio that offer a reminder to the thousands who have passed on from generation to generation a tradition of coming to the Aransas Pass Shrimporee.

Check out our upcoming events: – 69th Annual Shrimporee June 9– 11, 2017 – Hotties on the Harbor – Taste of Aransas Pass – Custom & Classic Car Show Sat. Sept. 6th

6

oastal

Scene


The Chamber sends two street-wide banners to San Antonio that offer a reminder to the thousands who have passed on from generation to generation a tradition of coming to the Aransas Pass Shrimporee. The 69th Annual Aransas Pass Shrimporee is one of the biggest festivals in Texas with 60,000 plus attendees expected from June 9-11, 2017. Over 120 booths of food, arts & crafts, coastal environmental education, live music and the Aransas Pass-based Wagner Carnival make this event a long-time favorite of locals and the neighboring communities of Rockport-Fulton, Ingleside and Portland. There will be an open air market this year, featuring area grown fruits, vegetables and homemade pickles, jams and jellies. This is a special-flavored South Texas coastal experience. Aransas Pass residents line the streets Saturday well before 10:00 am when the Shrimporee Parade begins in downtown at Commercial and Wheeler. Later that afternoon is the Men’s and Women’s Sexy Legs Contest. On Sunday afternoon is the Shrimp Eating Contest in the HEB main tent. Food booths are operated by local non-profit organizations such as the Aransas Pass High School Athletic Booster Club. Many of these non-profit depend on Shrimporee for their entire year of contributions back to the community. Scholarships are provided for numerous students through the funds raised during this three day festival every year. “This is the biggest event we have around here and people look forward to it,” said Rosemary Vega, Chief Executive Officer of the Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, the organizer of the event. “Shrimporee is designed to please everyone. It’s expected of us.” “It’s an event that keeps giving back all year,” Vega said. “Anybody can come and get food or entertainment to their liking”.

The 2017 live music lineup is once again a top headliner with country music artist Tracy Lawrence on opening night Friday, June 9. Jaime y los Chamacos, Albert Zamora and Massore bring the best of Tejano showmanship on Saturday night, June 10. Texas acts Clarissa Serna and Los Lonely Boys keep the Shrimporee vibrating on Sunday afternoon through closing time at 6:00 pm. There is FREE parking at the Palm Plaza (Bealls/Churches Chicken), the Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce 130 W. Goodnight and Compton Hall at 704 Yoakum with FREE bus shuttle on all three days. Gates are open from 6:00 pm to midnight on Friday, June 9, 11:00 am to midnight on Saturday, June 10 and from 12 noon to 6:00 pm on Sunday, June 11. It is too tough to tell, but the live music, carnival, arts & crafts booths and the variety of food booths are all equally popular at the annual Aransas Pass Shrimporee, making for a formula for success since its beginnings 69 years ago! FROM BOARDROOM TO BALLROOM … WE MAKE EVERY EVENT SPECIAL!!

700 W. Wheeler Ave. | Aransas Pass, TX 78336 361.758.0009

www.aransaspassciviccenter.com

SMALL TOWN ATMOSPHERE WITH ALL THE AMENITIES OF THE BIG CITY * CORPORATE CELEBRATIONS

* BANQUETS * WEDDINGS & RECEPTIONS

* TRADE SHOWS * TRAINING CLASSES

* SEMINARS & MEETINGS

ELEGANT, FUNCTIONAL, AND AFFORDABLE

CALL FOR INFORMATION WE WILL EASILY ACCOMMODATE SPECIFIC NEEDS TO ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL EVENT.

Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

7


Fishing in South Texas

8

oastal

Scene


W

With summer upon the Coastal Bend, ďŹ shing, ďŹ shing and more ďŹ shing will be taking place all across South Texas. Tourists visit the Coastal Bend area for the beaches and great ďŹ shing water. With summer tourism, comes area attractions and things to do everywhere. Fishing in South Texas gives anglers opportunities for freshwater lakes and rivers or bay and deep sea ďŹ shing in the Gulf waters lining Nueces, San Patricio and Aransas Counties. Fish in fresh water sources are bass, a variety of panďŹ sh and catďŹ sh while saltwater varieties of ďŹ sh include redďŹ sh, ounder, saltwater trout, grouper and the list goes on. Bay ďŹ shing and deep sea ďŹ shing will offer ďŹ shermen an endless choice of tackle, bait and lures to reel in their limits. For ďŹ shing, ďŹ shing guides, deep sea ďŹ shing trips and kayaks are available. Each spot in the Coastal Bend offers unique opportunities for any type of ďŹ shing.

FLOUNDER What is it called when you go out in the water at night with a light and a pole to look for a camouage hiding ďŹ sh? Flounder Gigging! One of the many ďŹ shing experiences available in the Coastal Bend area is ounder gigging.

s 4RUCK $ECALS

s !LUMINUM

s -AGNETICS

s 7OOD

s "ANNERS

s 0LASTIC

s $ECALS

s 6INYL ,ETTERING

Call us for all your signage needs!

1-800-841-6872 www. SignXpress.net

4404 S.P.I.D.

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78411

SHIPPING AVAILABLE

A multi-pronged spear at the end of a long pole, usually 8 to 14 feet long, is called a gig. The gig is used to spear the ounder. A light is used to spot the outline of the ounder at the bottom of a shallow area of the bay. Flounder lies on its side and blends in with the ocean oor. It changes it’s color/pattern to match the area it’s in, from blackish-brown to light gray or a mottled color. Because of it’s laterally compressed body, the ounder lies at on its side and looks up. Being able to blend or burry itself in the ocean oor makes the ounder harder to see by its prey and by ďŹ shermen. The southern ounder is the most abundant atďŹ sh in Texas waters. March through December, female ounder make their way in to the bay areas to feed after spawning. Fall is the â€œďŹ‚ounder runâ€? and prime season for ounder gigging. The majority of ounder caught the bay are female but male ounder can be found as well though they tend to stay in the Gulf of Mexico year round. Female are the larger of the sought after ďŹ sh, growing up to 25 inches long. Males only grow up to 12 inches. Flounder meat is high quality and the added uniqueness of catching it makes it a popular Coastal Bend

&OHDQ 3RUWDEOH 5HVWURRPV &RQVWUXFWLRQ ‡ 3DUWLHV 7UDLOHU 8QLWV ‡ &RPIRUW 6WDWLRQV 7UDLOHU +ROGLQJ 7DQNV 6HSWLF 3XPSLQJ 6HUYLFH

361-883-6642 888-883-6642

)D[ ‡ LQIR#VNLG R NDQ FRP

Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

9


game fish. In Texas, flounder must be 14 inches long to keep and each person is limited to catching five per day. There are several fishing guides offering flounder gigging. With the help of special lighting and a gig, participants look for and spear flounder during a five to six hour night flounder gigging trip.

BLACK DRUM The black drum is a thick fish with a lot of whiskers under the lower jaw. The younger black drum have four or five vertical bars on the sides. The bars disappear with age. The color on the backs and sides of the drum vary. The bellies on older drum are usually white. Drum from Gulf water usually lack color. The Texas record for drum by a sports angler is 78 pounds. According to local guides, drum are the perfect fish for any skill level of angler to catch. Tackle can be rod and reel, trotline, hand line or cane pole, and bait for drum is not expensive. Peeled shrimp tails are the most popular bait used to catch drum. Put the baited hook on the bottom, and wait for the drum to swallow the bait. The drum will most likely

361.226.1478 (Office) r 512.363.7865

Steve Smith Smittyscarts@yahoo.com

(Cell)

REDFISH The Coastal Bend also offers fishing excursions for those who prefer the rod and reel approach. Arguably the most sought fish in the bays of the Gulf Coast, the redfish can be found throughout the Coastal Bend. We even have an area referred to as Redfish Bay in Aransas Pass. Catching the redfish can be a challenge. In fact, several tournaments test the skill of the redfish fisherman. Once hooked, the redfish is a fighter challenging the skilled angler. This fish also is wanted for its meat. Redfish are found looking for prey along grass lined shores, deep cuts, flats and reefs. According to www.coastalbendfishing.com, redfish prefer shallow water, one to four feet deep, and tend to gravitate to oyster reefs and breaks in shoreline. Large schools of redfish will wander the shorelines eating while preparing to spawn. Late summer is known as the “redfish rodeo.” We have that to look forward to so get your tackle ready.

SPECKLED TROUT

L >, <%% %1 r /1ŋ 8ŋ8 ŋ88V 6

Golf Cart Sales & Service 10

have the bait in its mouth before swallowing the bait, so fishermen have to wait until the drum moves off the bait then jerk the rod tip up to set the hook. The daily bag limit for black drum is five between 14 – 30 inches in length. No more than one black drum over 52 inches may be retained per person per day and count as part of the daily bag limit and possession limit.

The most frequently caught fish in the area is the speckled trout. This fish is often found in large groups along surf and around oyster reefs and shallow grass beds. Speckled trout is popular because of its flaky meat and abundance. The challenge is in selecting the right bait and location for the size of speckled trout desired. Time of year and time of day dictate where to find trout. Early mornings and late afternoons of warm spring and summer months find the speckled trout in the shallow areas of grass flats, oyster reefs and grassy shorelines. As the day heats up, it’s time to swim on to the drop offs and channels. In the colder months, it’s in to the deep holes such as harbors and channels. Locating speckled trout can be as simple as looking for “slicks” on top of the water. While excited, the trout will regurgitate, spilling partially digested fish and oils into the water. The oils float to the top of the water and creates a slick film. The primary fishing area near Aransas Pass is Redfish bay. Watching the fish cleaning tables at the various boat ramps

oastal

Scene


around Aransas Pass you will see good catches of redďŹ sh, ďŹ&#x201A;ounder, speckled trout and drum being brought in. The primary focus is ďŹ shing the 14,000 acres of seagrass ďŹ&#x201A;ats in the area for redďŹ sh and the various channels, cuts and deep holes for trout. In addition to some of the richest marine habitats in Texas, Aransas Pass offers several protected areas that can be ďŹ shed on windy days. Regardless of wind direction, there is always a ďŹ&#x201A;ats or deep hole behind a wind break that can be ďŹ shed in with the potential to make a good catch. Aransas Pass is also a jumping off point for offshore boats that head up the Aransas Channel to the Gulf of Mexico out of Conn Brown Harbor or the San Patricio Navigation District Marina near Ransom Park. One of the top destinations in Texas for bay and ďŹ&#x201A;ats ďŹ shing is around Rockport. Copano Bay has numerous shallow oyster reefs while St. Charles Bay and RedďŹ sh Bay are where the back water redďŹ sh action is. In Aransas Bay, there are open water reefs for trout and the St. Joe shoreline has inlets and tidal lakes for redďŹ sh, ďŹ&#x201A;ounder and trout action. There is something for every avid ďŹ sherman or the tourist wanting a taste of the sport. Check out www.coastalbendďŹ shing.com for locations and where to ďŹ nd guides and tips. Anglers heading out to catch some monster ďŹ sh in the Gulf wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be disappointed. Water temperatures at press time were near 75 degrees. Jason Avery of The Wash in Rockport is an avid ďŹ sherman. He told about his favorite ďŹ shing locations. Not to give away any secrets but look for his boat in the tall brush of Aransas Bay between Rockport and Aransas Pass. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have found a place to catch stingray â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a size good enough to ďŹ let,â&#x20AC;? Avery said.

-XO\ 6DW 6XQ

-HZHOU\ &ORWKLQJ *LIWV

7H[DV +DQGPDGH *RXUPHW )RRG +RPH 'HFRU 0XFK 0RUH )RU 0RUH ,QIR &DOO RU

Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

9LVLW 7H[DV0DUNHW*XLGH FRP 11


Species

Daily Bag

Length in Inches (Minimum)

FRESHWATER BAG LIMITS

Bass: No limit

Bass, striped and hybrid striped bass (also known as palmetto or sunshine bass)

5 (in any combination)

18

Bass, white

25

10

Bass, yellow

No limit

No limit

25 (in any combination)

12

Catfish: channel and blue catfish, their hybrids and subspecies Catfish, flathead Crappie: white and black crappie, their hybrids and subspecies

5

18

25 (in any combination)

10

Paddlefish

No harvest allowed 1

No limit

No limit

No limit

5 (in any combination)

No limit

5 (only two can be less than 16 inches in length)

No limit

Gar, alligator Sunfish: various species including bluegill, redear, green, warmouth and longear Trout: rainbow and brown trout, their hybrids and subspecies Walleye, Saugeye

Daily Bag

Length in Inches (Minimum — Maximum)

1

38 — No limit

Bass: striped, its hybrids and subspecies

5 (in any combination)

18 — No limit

Catfish: channel and blue catfish, their hybrids and subspecies

25 (in any combination)

12 — No limit

Amberjack, greater

Catfish, flathead

5

18 — No limit

No limit

14 — No limit

Cobia

2

37 — No limit

Drum, black

5

14 — 30

Catfish, gafftopsail

Drum, red

3

20 — 28

5/2 (in any combination)

14 — No limit

Gar, alligator

1

No limit — No limit

Grouper, gag

2

22 — No limit

Grouper, goliath (formerly called Jewfish)

0

Catch and release only

Mackerel, king

2

27 — No limit

Mackerel, Spanish

15

14 — No limit

Mullet: all species, their hybrids and subspecies

No limit

Sailfish

No limit

Flounder: all species, their hybrids and subspecies

Seatrout, spotted

5

15 — No limit

No limit

8 — No limit

Snapper, red

4

15 — No limit

No limit

10 — No limit

1

24 — 28

Snook Tarpon Triggerfish, gray

84 — No limit 15 — 25

Sheepshead

Snapper, vermilion

No limit — 12 (during Oct., Nov., Dec. & Jan.)

10 5

All waters NORTH of F.M. 457 in Matagorda County All waters SOUTH of F.M. 457 in Matagorda County

Snapper, lane

1

85 — No limit

20

16 — No limit

3

17 — No limit

Tripletail

12

14

spotted and Guadalupe

Species

SALTWATER BAG LIMITS

5 (in any combination)

largemouth and smallmouth

oastal

Scene


Trout were showing some interest in shrimp according to local reports. RedďŹ sh were also biting on mullet and shrimp. Other ďŹ shing reports directed us to edges of Aransas Pass/Lydia Ann Lighthouse, located along the Lydia Ann Channel just north of Port Aransas. Another good spot would be the Aransas shrimp boat channel and Dagger Island. Bay Fishing is an outstanding sport for any angler. Bay ďŹ shing in South Texas offers world-class ďŹ shing year round with over 1,000 miles of bays and inland areas to ďŹ sh. Bays in Aransas and San Patricio contain numerous saltwater marshes, channels and shallow ďŹ&#x201A;ats. Although many parts of the bay are very shallow, ďŹ sh are abundant and angling can be done by means of various casting techniques or ďŹ&#x201A;y ďŹ shing. Wade ďŹ shing can be seen year round in the mild temperatures of South Texas. Bay ďŹ shing offers as many different kinds of ďŹ sh as there are ways to snag them. RedďŹ sh are a popular variety, giving anglers a good ďŹ ght regardless of size. Saltwater trout are plentiful and abundant in the spring. Other varieties include: amberjack, Atlantic croaker, black drum,

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Get Caught Boarding Up! WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;VE GOT YOU COVERED

SECURITY & ENERGY Hurricane Rollup Shutters

black ďŹ n tuna, blacktop shark, blue crab, blueďŹ sh, Florida pompano, gag grouper, gray snapper, hardhead sea catďŹ sh, King mackerel, Lane snapper and many varieties of trout, shark and turtles. Kayaks are another favorite venue for ďŹ shing in bays to ďŹ sh shallow or deeper waters. All across South Texas, guides are ready to show you their expertise in locating ďŹ sh to make your trip successful.

RUSSELL INSURANCE Liability Starting at $35.00 MO. 1 Month - 6 Months DWIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - SR22â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Homeownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Insurance Motorcycle Insurance

Locally Owned & Operated -ON &RI AM PM s 3AT AM PM

RANDY RUSSELL Owner/Agent

FREE QUOTES

Meets TDI Requirements %DKDPDV Â&#x2021; +LQJH &RORQLDO Â&#x2021; 6HFXULW\ 6FUHHQV )ROGLQJ 6KXWWHUV Â&#x2021; +XUULFDQH 6KXWWHUV 5ROOXS 5HSDLU Â&#x2021; )LUHSODFH $FFHVVRULHV

2!),2/!$ s 0/24,!.$ 361

A COMPANY YOU CAN TRUST!

Academy Window Coverings

Family owned over 58 years

852-6088

4303 S.P.I.D.

www.academywindowcoverings.com

643-2600

0/24 !6% s #/2053 #(2)34) 361

885-0800

'/,,)(!2 2$ s #/2053 #(2)34) 361

654-2060

777 2!.$92533%,,).3 #/-

Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

13


Port Aransas SandFest is manmade fun with nature’s abundance!

S

RICHARD GONZALES Special Reporter

SandFest is an incredible event organized by a highly qualified spiritual, hard-working at fun-loving Board of Directors. If you have not yet been to SandFest in Port Aransas you are in for an experience just like a magical first-time kiss between two ships passing in the sea that in an eternal split second, spurs a lingering memory…. forever. And that is exactly what sand sculptors want to tattoo you with--the taste of their lips on your sensory through their hand-made creations. “I am still amazed by the relatively small amount of time needed to make a sand sculpture---and the transience and beauty of the material,” explained Joris Kivits, SandFest 2017 Master Solo sculptor. “For me, making sand

sculptures is like a theater set. You can enjoy it as long as it is there, and then the meaning and pictures are the only thing left that remain.” This explanation resonates like the perpetual waves of the Gulf of Mexico washing ashore along the beach setting of the fenced in $10 to get in grounds. Tens of thousands of people come from all over the world to walk barefoot in the sand amidst the smells smelling of freshly cooked food, the sounds of music along the avenue of craft vendors, and the endless visual of sand in its many forms, including a grain in your eye thrown by the prevailing southeasterly winds. SandFest is for every age which is highly appealing to families, friends, couples and individuals. There are

Master Duo 1st place is “Kids are Sweet Little Monsters, Especially When They are Asleep” created by Wilfred Stijger and Edith Van de Wetering. Both are from Holland.

14

oastal

Scene


designated sand sculpting areas for children, beginners, advanced, and the ultimate, Master Solo and Master Duo artists. For three days, competing sculptors meticulously transform a pile of sand into a wellthought out final product. SandFest visitors can easily spend one, two or all three days witnessing these transformations. No matter, the sandy beach venue beckons a pre-calculated lost in space strolling pace that eventually places you magnetically in front of any and all of these different zones of creations, all the while thinking which zone you want to be in. The Master Solo and Master Duo sand sculptors are annually recruited from all over the world including Canada, Germany, Norway, and Holland. A small handful of sand sculptors hail from the United States and an even smaller handful hail from Texas. The 2017 Advanced winner was Julio Cantu Sr. from Corpus Christi with his “Windy Day in Port A” masterpiece. The Master Solo first place winner was Joris Kivits and the Master Duo winners were Edith van de Wetering and Wilfred Stijger both Sand is from Holland. They also won Master nothing Duo in 2015 with a most memorable more than sculpture depicting an elephant using its rock in its trunk to swallow in mermaids. smallest As I was leaving the SandFest form. grounds, I was given a lift by one of the many golf carts in motion and was asked by a lady from Austin who had won. I told her of the two Dutch artists and she immediately recalled the elephants. This recall is exactly what sand sculptors seek in their work. It takes over 250 fun-seeking volunteers from the island and communities on the mainland to make SandFest operate in the smooth way it does. This also includes sponsorships and other support of the local business community which is evident at every glance. SandFest attracts an array of supporters like furniture designer, Herb Lancaster of H. Lancaster, Co. in Aransas Pass. Lancaster designed a special outdoor weather proof wooden donor stand that is placed at each sculp-

ture. SandFest goers can then place ‘dollar a vote’ bills into a slot that counts towards the winner of the People’s Choice award. This is a hats off to the SandFest organizing committee headed by Lisa Sheldon who constantly looks for ways to raise funds on the SandFest premises. Visitors can also get their picture taken for $5 on top of a great sand-sculpted mound that pays tribute to the US Armed Forces in a majestic background of giant flags held up by telephone poles. SandFest is good to the last drop. On Sunday of the three-day event, an hour before closing Sculpting is time at 6:00 pm, people 3-dimensional art with are still coming in and two primary methods, willingly, paying the entry carving (wood, rock/ fee to get in for a first-time stone) and molding (use kiss experience. The SandFest of pieces of a different non-profit organization uses types of material like all funds raised to support the Port Aransas Community sand, ice, clay dough, Theater, Helping Hands Food jello or snow). Bank, Port Aransas Art Center, and scholarships to graduating Seniors at Port Aransas High School. As SandFest grows, so do the funding opportunities and thanks to the tens and tens of thousands who have come to SandFest the third weekend in April the past 21 years.

J’s Coastal Service LLC Owner: Jason MoorE

24 hour Residential & Commercial Septic & Grease Trap Cleaning EnviroCare

361-946-5448 jcoastal@outlook.com

J’s Coastal Service LLC www.jscoastalservices.com

J’s

Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

15


Camping on the Beach… make it memorable! RICHARD GONZALES

WITH ASHLEY POPRIK

Special Reporters

T

There are few enjoyments like coming to the coast for a day-trip outing while soaking in the sun, the water and sand on the beach. The only thing better may be staying overnight waiting for the rising sun in a campsite, cooking over an open fire and relaxing afterwards surrounded by nature’s sounds of wind, wave and wildlife. Beach camping, whether roughing it in a tent or with the convenience of an RV, advances an amazing range of reasons for campers to go to the beach. Boating, fishing, swimming, wildlife viewing, boogie boarding, kite flying, beachcombing, body surfing, shell collecting, birding, racing remote control cars, surfing, turtle watch patrolling, windsurfing, duck hunting, kayaking, beach cleanups, crabbing, geocaching, metal-detecting, or just simply, hanging out are all possible at the beach. Beach campers never waste a moment in time---- as they balance the expected with the unexpected. Planning ahead for a more enjoyable and disaster-free beach camping experience must be at the top of the list. Too much human hedonism that overlooks the essentially required inclusion of natural science, otherwise known as, common sense, will inevitably, cause an eternal memory. Know the high and low tide phases for the time period where you will be on the beach. Stories have been told about how in the middle of the night a campsite is suddenly washed away and vehicles buried in the sand by incoming tidal surges. For that reason, review area towing services in case of emergency. Towing charges can wash your cash away, too. Coastal Bend beaches offer both free and permitted camping opportunities. Free camping can be found through an online community Freecampsites.net that uses an easy nation-wide map-based method to free camping discoveries. There are a few free camping spots in the Coastal Bend. However, most coastal cities and counties

16

oastal

require a permit to park and/or camp on their beach areas. Port Aransas permits are readily available at local convenience stores. Campers have to go to City Hall in Aransas Pass to purchase a permit. The best advice is to make contact with the local governments to make sure you are good to go with the proper permits. Going online to plan for your coastal camping trip will provide you with the most current rules and conditions. Some camping facilities may have a limited number of available sites. Port Aransas has 30 sites and as popular as this site is, camping may be booked. So again, pre-planning is everything to a rewarding camping experience. Texas is the leading State in the country for wind energy production and the Coastal Bend is a part of being number one due to its prevailing southeasterly winds. Make sure your tent is low to the ground and tacked or you may find yourself rolling about like nighttime crawling crabs. Girl Scout, Ashley Poprik, from College Station also recommends bringing odorless toiletries and insect sprays. Anything with an aroma may be unknowingly construed as food by wildlife, oblivious to human needs…and unexpectedly, invites themselves to become a part of your beach camping remembrance. In addition, exploring the dunes is another world. Animals like foxes, lizards, coyotes, snakes and other critters make it their home, so avoid setting up camp there whenever possible. Ashley related that campfires are not always possible with gusty wind condition or in-place park burn bans. Alternative cooking opportunities are cast iron stoves, backpacking stoves or a Jetboil. A Jetboil quickly heats water for meals that only need hot water to cook. Each camping experience is different from another and Ashley recommends to get as many camping experiences as possible, especially on the beach.

Scene


Tips for Camping on the Beach from a Girl Scout: DO’S Do make sure to pack accordingly. Consider where, when and how long the camping will be. Make sure food is in an animal-proof container or they will take the food. Wear sunscreen even if it is not sunny. Pack a water bottle and fill it often to prevent dehydration. Wear bug spray. There will be bugs anywhere there is a campsite. DON’TS Do not spray aerosol spray inside the tent as the waterproofing of the fabric will be impacted. Do not bring scented body washes, etc… because animals will think it is food. Do not litter at campsite as animals will eat trash and get sick. Do not wear open-toed shoes as they are easy to lose and foot protection is priority. Do not bring a lot of technology, camping is the experience, not the news or games.

Amenities Maybe Yes or Maybe No 1. Porta-potties 2. Showers or bathhouse 3. Restrooms 4. Trash cans 5. Bar-B-Q grills 6. Electricity hook-ups (50,30,20 amps) 7. Designated sites 8. Water station 9. Picnic tables 10. Park Ranger 11. Dump station

Beach Camping Planning Guide 1. Be aware of required camping permits 2. Check high tide schedules for bays and the Gulf 3. Be aware of wind speed, wind gusts and wind direction 4. Wash your RV or boat after your stay 5. Beware of blowing sand and salt spray 6. Cellular reception limitations 7 Limits on number of camping days

Del Mar College was named one of the

BEST Workforce Training Centers IN TEXAS by Southern Business & Development Magazine

NURSING AND HEALTHCARE WELDING, MACHINING AND INDUSTRIAL TRADES TRUCK/BUS CDL TRAINING REAL ESTATE COMPUTER TRAINING CORPORATE SERVICES FOR EMPLOYERS AND MORE! Contact us to find out how Del Mar College can work for you!

883-WORK (9675)

DelMar.edu/workforce Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

17


Easy Tin Foil Sausage and Veggies Dinner Easy to assemble sausage and veggie foil pack meals. Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 16 mins INGREDIENTS s SFE CFMM QFQQFS s FBST DPSO s MBSHF ZFMMPX POJPO PS NFEJVN s TNBMM SFE QPUBUPFT s NFEJVN TJ[FE [VDDIJOJ s QBDLBHF PVODFT 4NPLFE 5VSLFZ 4BVTBHF s UBCMFTQPPOT PMJWF PJM s UBCMFTQPPO ESJFE PSFHBOP s UBCMFTQPPO ESJFE QBSTMFZ m BLFT s UFBTQPPO HBSMJD QPXEFS s UFBTQPPO QBQSJLB s 4FBTPOFE TBMU BOE QFQQFS s 0QUJPOBM DIPQQFE QBSTMFZ

INSTRUCTIONS $VU UIF UPQ PGG UIF QFQQFS BOE SFNPWF UIF TFFET 5IJOMZ TMJDF 3FNPWF IVTL GSPN DPSO BOE DVU JOUP JODI EJTLT $PBSTFMZ DIPQ UIF POJPO $VU UIF QPUBUPFT JOUP TNBMM CJUF TJ[FE QJFDFT BCPVU QJFDFT QFS QPUBUP EFQFOEJOH PO TJ[F $PJO UIF [VDDIJOJ $PJO UIF UVSLFZ TBVTBHF Assemble 1SFIFBU UIF HSJMM UP NFEJVN IFBU *O B TNBMM CPXM TUJS UPHFUIFS UIF PMJWF PJM PSFHBOP QBSTMFZ HBSMJD QPXEFS QBQSJLB BCPVU UFBTQPPO PS UP UBTUF TFBTPOFE TBMU BOE QFQQFS 4UJS "EE TFBTPOJOHT NJYUVSF UP UIF WFHHJFT NFBU BOE UPTT XFMM 1MBDF QJFDFT PG UJO GPJM PO UPQ PG FBDI PUIFS 1VU B HFOFSPVT BNPVOU PG UIF NJYUVSF JO UIF DFOUFS BOE UIFO GPME VQ UIF l STU QJFDF PG GPJM BOE UIFO UIF OFYU QJFDF PG GPJM UP GPSN B TFDVSF FODBTJOH (SJMM DPWFSFE PWFS NFEJVN IFBU GPS NJO VUFT EFQFOEJOH PO IFBU PG HSJMM VOUJM WFHHJFT BSF DSJTQ UFOEFS 3FNPWF BOE UPQ XJUI GSFTIMZ DIPQQFE QBSTMFZ JG EFTJSFE

18

oastal

Scene


Coastal Bend Real Estate market is growing

S

San Patricio, Nueces and Aransas Counties are experiencing growth in both population and new rooftops. New business continues to move to South Texas with job opportunities for construction as well as other industrial and commercial fields. Apartment complexes are being constructed in all areas as well as new housing developments. Raw numbers of new residents haven’t been provided by any county but the census of 2013 predicted growth and city managers report utilities numbers are increasing. This growth creates a demand for housing. Many temporary rentals are needed as well as opportunities for primary and secondary housing. Coastal Bend realtors are enjoying the flurry of activity and communities from Rockport to Corpus Christi shared that business is booming. They report that the activity was steady here in the spring of 2017. The infrastructure needed to accommodate new homes and people requires each community to take steps to prepare for the new neighbors. Portland construction is finalizing completion of Oak Manor on Moore Avenue. Another area being developed is in the North Shore Country Club area. The City of Portland will be responsible for the streets and maintenance required. David Krebs, mayor of Portland reported that some developers were still busy in a few areas in Portland. “They are finalized but Hogan Homes and some of the other builders went back 2-3 more streets. They are

t u o b a l l It’s A U O Y n e YOU wh ! E M h t i work w ebra Hester

Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

D

®

OR

REALT

Debra Hester 361-563-4600 debralhester@yahoo.com

19


trying to put houses all the way back north of W.C. Andrews (school),” Krebs said. “One that popped up north and west of Ridegepoint is where the old navy housing project was. “Exxon has come in and bought all this propery - 1 mile to 1 1/2 miles north of us. Our growth area has to go west out Moore Avenue….that’s all in Corpus Christi ETJ (extra territorial jurisdiction) area. These are areas outside of the town’s city limits where you can control a little of the growth and incorporate in at some point and bring into the city limits. Doing that is butted our ETJ right up to Corpus Christi’s ETJ. The City of Corpus is going to work with us. We don’t totally have that done but we are in the process,” Krebs said. “In the housing industry, we’re building and have

maybe increased 3-4 percent. We haven’t had a big boom yet. I’ve noticed we have a lot of houses available - especially in North Shore. I’m 2 1/2 miles from the voelstalpine Group plant, I heard it this morning. We’ve had issues with the noise. I wish people would give them a chance to fix this problem. They are working on it and I have faith in them. They have their hearts and minds in the right place.” Krebs continued “Houses are doing well in Portland. Appraisals are going up. We are the center of activity of the Coastal Bend. Exxon is here and more companies are looking at more land, as much as 2-3 thousand acres. I don’t think 10 years ago we knew what Eagle Ford Shale would do to this area. Even the Permian Basin is building that pipeline to bring product down here. It’s

Texas Coast Property Myers - Gallagher Real Estate, LLC.Broker 109 W. Wilson Ave. Aransas Pass, TX 78336

(361) 758-7534 www.TexasCoastProperty.com 20

oastal

Scene


not extremely fast right now. As a city, we are keeping up with it. Our long range planning has helped us tremendously. We hope to keep up with the continued growth. We have a capital improvement plan 5 and 10 years out. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to keep ahead of the ball game. Our wastewater plant is running 50 percent of capacity. When you reach 75 percent you have to do something different. Preplanning is something we are good about doing.â&#x20AC;? In San Patricio and Aransas Counties, rental property is very limited. Due to the fact that there are very few rental homes available in the south San Patricio County, further building and development is desperately needed. With overall home sales being up last year,

developments and subdivisions are being planned. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are building three large subdivisions,â&#x20AC;? Pat Fenton said, Aransas Pass Realtor with Century 21 Lee Real Estate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hogan Homes has property from Avenue A to Third Street in Aransas Pass, I believe plans are for approximately 400 plus homes includeing Joe Myers with his development off of Highland,â&#x20AC;? Fenton said. Plans are in the works for a new RV park in at the corner of Mooney and all the way to Saunders.â&#x20AC;? Preplanning is an important requirement for all coastal communities as businesses and residents continue move south to the coastal areas. Summer months are sure to include activity in real estate that makes the Coastal Bendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy thrive and prosper.

What Pat Touches Turns To Sold! 2149 Mooney, Ingleside

Pass 901 Avenue A, Aransas

Great location! Room to roam with 2.5 acres and huge mature oak trees throughout. Open ďŹ&#x201A;oor plan, wood burning ďŹ replace, stainless steel appliances. Huge screened-in porch with hot tube. Extra large building in back that could be a mother-in-law quarters, office or two car garage. Two a/c units and two hot water heaters. Water well for the yard.

1627 Beasley, e Aransas Pass/Inglesid

trees and Want Privacy? Plenty of fruit tained home mature oak trees. Well main privacy fence. located on large corner lot, motor Three driveways for boat, RV, ceramic tile home, etc. Open ďŹ&#x201A;oor plan, with jet throughout. Large master bath Tray ceilings, tub, big shower, two sinks. en with Cotwo dining areas, open kitch s convey. rian counter tops. All appliance porch on Large covered patio and nice brick ďŹ repit. back of home with outdoor

This is a beautiful piece of land ready for you to build your dream home. Could have different uses. Three light poles to connect electric. Needs well and septic installed. Plenty of trees and highest point on Beasley per seller. This is a great investment property. 5.01 acres, survey in office.

13th St, Aransas Pass

Great place to build your dream home. Wooded and secluded road off DeBerry Avenue. This is a very nice area of town.

isti 1941 Orange, Corpus Chr

o 2087 Dowlor Dr, Refugi

5 Star Realtor, 5 Star Service.

Pat Fenton RealtorÂŽ Cell: 361.332.9496

home Look no more! This gorgeous has a great open ďŹ&#x201A;oor plan! Large closet, master bedroom with walk-in tiled master bath has jet tub, huge shower, double sinks. Granite . counter tops throughout home red Privacy fenced back yard & cove in patio. All bedrooms have walksteel closets. Kitchen has stainless fast appliances, double ovens, break bar. Ceramic tile in bedrooms. n. Near Naval Statio

ained Step into this beautiful, well maint to home located on a cul-de-sac close large schools and town. Open ďŹ&#x201A;oor plan, ng. fenced yard. Nice large storage buildi ous Detached two car garage. Gorge with landscaping. Plenty of room to roam mature a huge wrap-around porch. Nice aining oaks and shaded patio for entert okyour guests. Beautiful sun room overlo and ets cabin ing the backyard. Lots of offered. storage. 13 month home warranty price! This home wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t last long with this

Let me introduce you to the Coastal Bend Area.

granoldam1@aol.com View my listings and more at:

Scan Here to Visit My Website

www.inglesideproperties.com

Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

LEE REAL ESTATE, INC. :fh Î&#x201E; ;]UZRbWQRÍ&#x153; FJ 361-776-0066

21


DREAM

LOVE FAITH

W

When Sherreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cantwell Emster ďŹ rst saw her home at 601 N. Fulton Beach Road, she was attracted to the bay view, the ancient oak trees, the bluff it sits on and the sunrises she now sees each day. The home was built in the late 1940s and is 2,000 square feet. It is ďŹ lled with antiques older than the home itself. It was one of many on the Rockport-Fulton Historic Home Tour in 2015. When she moved in, one of the ďŹ rst investments she made was in central air conditioning. Emster named her home â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dayspringâ&#x20AC;? from Luke 1:78-79 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby, He, the dayspring from on high, hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.â&#x20AC;?

Serving the entire Coastal Bend for ALL Your Real Estate Needs

361-907-4224

53 " s 0ORTLAND 48 LISA ROLAND COLDWELLBANKER COM

Lisa Roland REALTORÂŽ

Multi-Million Dollar Producer USAA / Navy Federal / Cartus Relocation Specialist 22

oastal

(DFK RIĂ&#x20AC;FH LV ,QGHSHQGHQWO\ 2ZQHG 2SHUDWHG

Scene


The yard offered year-round accommodation for hummingbirds and Emster saves on utilities by opening one widow from the east, west, north and one from the south in the spring and fall. Windows provide ample lighting for the comfortable, inviting home. The home’s best features are the bay view and the ancient oak trees according to Emster. The view of wildlife and the setting sun are captivating through the large kitchen window. The home is fenced with a natural green hurricane fence. It is virtually invisible and provides ample security. This property is currently listed with Eling Coastal Real Estate in Rockport. Margaret (Missi) Thomas, the broker, may be reached at 361-729-3424.

Local Love, International Exposure ROCKPORT: 361.729.4044 INGLESIDE: 361.776.3550

361-332-1230 www.jenscoastalbend.com

Real Estate:

Zaricor, Down to Earth Darcy REALTOR ®

361.332.9683 Making Your Dreams a Reality! darcysellscoastalbend@gmail.com

MISTY ASH-KUHN, REALTOR

®

Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

254-855-7957

texascoastrealtor@gmail.com 23


C

Unique experiences can found around the ‘Bend’

Ingleside

areas, observation platforms and many other amenities. It also provides wintering and migratory habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, and other species. Ingleside’s Chamber had their Roundup in April which is the largest event for the chamber. In September there will be a Beer & Wine Festival at the Pavilion in N.O. Simmons Park.

Ingleside is located on the southeast tip of San Patricio County, only six miles from Aransas Pass. It is positioned on the Corpus Christi Bay. December 9-10, 2017 Ingleside Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Renaissance Faire. Held at Live Oak Park, off FM 1069, on Port Avenue. The Faire has a medieval theme and is a favorite event for the area. There is live entertainment, food and fun. Cove Park, located on FM 1069 going toward the bay, has a public boat ramp. Ingleside also has a pool located on Mustang Drive. It is closed during the school year. Ingleside on the Bay is a separate community just south of Ingleside. It has a public boat ramp that is part of Bahia Marina which is included in the park which is located on Ebony and Woodhaven. Whitney Lake is a 50 plus acre project which includes several bird watching areas, extended docks over marsh

Aransas Pass is the home of Conn Brown Harbor, the home port for shrimp trawlers which fish the Gulf of Mexico and helped Aransas Pass earn the title “The Shrimp Capital of the World.” This picturesque harbor setting is a favorite spot for photographers and a preferred location for the purchase of fresh seafood. The annual Shrimporee which will be June 9-11th in Aransas Pass brings record crowds of over 60,000 people. Credit for the increase is given to the entertainment which is a great attraction for the event. Chamber executive director Rosemary Vega is grateful to the more than 800 volunteers making this event possible. The diligent planning of the Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce makes Shrimporee a community celebration. Many non-profit organizations depend on it for fundraising and they, in turn,

Communities scattered along the Coastal Bend of Texas offer their own unique personality and forms of recreation, relaxation, educational activities and shopping. Visitors and potential residents are encouraged to come and “spend a day with the locals.”

Aransas Pass

Photo by

Brenda Dodson 24

oastal

Scene


in Aransas Pass Aquatic Center

Port Aransas

give back to the community in the form of scholarships and other services. It will be remembered for a long time as one of the best attended and successful events since the days of Jerry Lewis and the Supremes who were remembered as entertainers of some earlier years. Pay a visit to the Seaman’s Memorial Tower. This beautiful structure is dedicated to those fishermen who lost their lives at sea. It is located on the point of the southern end of Conn Brown Harbor. Take time to visit the new Veteran’s Memorial Park at the intersection of McCampbell and Maddox in Aransas Pass. This beautiful tribute honors our Veterans from all wars. U.S. Congressman Blake Farenthold presided over the dedication in July 2016. Thousands of redfish inhabit the flats in Aransas Pass, and catching redfish that can exceed thirty pounds is not uncommon. Sight fishing, fly fishing, live bait and lure fishing can be done with great success for the beginning anglers to the most advanced. Speckled trout, redfish, flounder, black drum, and sheepshead are abundant in its bays. The Aransas Pass Aquatic Center, pictured above, is one of Aransas Pass’ attractions. The 50,000 gallon shallow pool for smaller children makes plenty of room for safe play. The center also features umbrella water spouts and slides add the excitement of a ride the older kids are sure to love. There are two diving boards in the deeper end for fun for the entire family. The Rialto Theater doubles as a gallery and live theater opened in 1937. At that time is was more of a movie theater and has been renovated to remain true to its history. A year-round event schedule is in place, full of eclectic performances in the 98-seat theater, fronted by the gallery and lobby for art exhibits. Area artists and supporters of the theater maintain the period attractiveness of the Rialto. It also serves as a meeting place for the Destination Downtown Aransas Pass Merchants Association.

Luxurious accommodations make Port Aransas a favorite for visitors from all over the United States. Port Aransas is the only established community on Mustang Island, north of famous Padre Island. The beach is open to the waves of the Gulf of Mexico and is famous for fishing and surfing. The ferry ride crossing to Aransas Pass is open 24 hours, 365 days a year. Many opportunities abound in Port Aransas for dolphin viewing, deep sea or bay fishing as well as a multitude of shops for souvenirs and dining. Several opportunities are sited right as one exits the ferry for dining, shopping or taking a boat ride in the Gulf. Dolphins are abundant in the area and are especially enjoyable at the end of the day as the large ships come in from sea. Dolphins like the breaking waters of the ships and dance for viewers right in front of the ships as they drive in.

Portland Sunset Lake is a 333 acre area park restored to its natural habitat. The three distinctive facets: recreation, education and conservation are blended to preserve the ecology of rich wetland and the saltwater lake. Winding between the ponds is a paved two mile hiking/biking trail. Fishing is abundant on the Corpus Christi Bay side and kayaking is enjoyed in the southern part of the lake. Fred Jones Sanctuary is a botanically rich protected area considered a hot spot for birders looking for Warblers, Vireos, Orioles and other song birds during migration. Dripping water near a covered viewing area entices birds to show themselves. Many species inhabit the native brush and trees along the creek year-round. This Sanctuary is #74 on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. Indian Point Park is a premiere fishing pier reaching out into Corpus Christi Bay. It is known to produce record Black Drum. The park includes a variety of habitats for shoreline birds. Entrance to the park is free. Violet Andrews Park is a kite surfer’s haven. This beautiful and well maintained park sits on a bluff overlooking Corpus Christi Bay. The coastal wind and chop make launching platforms for extreme kite surfing. It

Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

25


photo by Grayson West

offers 10 acres of wildlife preserve with a 1/3 mile hike/bike trail, two observation decks, a narrow sandy beach and a children’s area. There are also two covered patios for watching the sun set and parking. Portland is becoming well known for the annual Windfest. This year, Windfest was in April. An estimated 15,000 people came to enjoy the carnival, food and live entertainment. This event is sponsored by the Portland Chamber of Commerce.

Rockport/Fulton The Texas Maritime Museum has been educating visitors about the rich maritime history of Texas for over 25 years. Visitors may view Texas History from exploration and settlement, to boatbuilding and shipbuilding, to sports and commercial fishing, and finally the search for offshore oil and gas. The museum hosts the annual Rockport Festival of Wine and Food held every Memorial Day Weekend. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 – 4 p.m. The museum is always closed on Mondays and some holidays. The museum has been designated as the Maritime Museum of the State of Texas. The History Center for Aransas County focuses on the history of those men and women, who founded, settled, and developed Aransas County. The Center provides space for displays, workshops, meetings and gatherings.

26

oastal

Both the Friends of the History Center and the Aransas County Historical Commission are housed here. The house has had many owners including A.L. Bruhl, an early 1900s pharmacist and Rockport mayor, Preston Paul, marine contractor, and Chester Johnson, builder, who saved the home from demolition in 1978. Because Johnson offered a penny for the home, it became known as “The Penny House”. Copano Bay State Fishing Pier, formerly a concessionoperated state park, is a 5.9-acre State Park located five miles north of Rockport in Aransas County. The fishing pier, acquired by transfer of jurisdiction from the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation in 1967, was opened the same year. The old causeway was cut to aid boat traffic, so the pier now has 6190 feet on the north side and 2500 feet on the south side. The Aransas County Navigation District has plans to conduct major renovations and upgrades to this facility. Current plans include a grant funded project to repair and expand the existing boat launching area at this extremely popular facility. Expansion will include an additional ramp lane, refurbished queuing docks, an observation area, and fish cleaning station. Parking improvements will include increased parking area with provisions for improved traffic flow. Work on the facility will also include renovations and repairs to the fishing pier and restroom facilities as well. A fishing license is required to fish from the pier. Built in the 1870s, the 29-room Fulton Mansion was

Scene


a wonder of its time. Restored to original glory, the Mansion represents the best of gracious living during the booming cattle days. Narrated tours provide guests with an educational experience as they view the mansionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s architecture of an exciting period in Texas history. Groups are welcome. Hours of operation are TuesdaySaturday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 12:30-4:30 p.m. Guided tours starts on the hour. Rockport Center for the Arts boasts a state-of-the-art main gallery. The two parlor galleries are dedicated entirely to its member artists, while the main gallery allows the Center to host local, regional, national and international artists in both solo and group exhibitions. The building also houses two visual arts classrooms which are home to numerous workshops, classes, seminars and open studio sessions. A well-furnished potterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s studio is always active and includes a kiln room for daily ďŹ rings. Visitors enjoy the art center gift shop where member artists display a wide range of arts. The Art Center continues to host community-driven events around the arts. Events such as Art Education Days, ArtLink for Kids, the Rockport Film Festival, a Music Performance Series and the Rockport clay Expo are just a few examples. Rockport has over 200 working artists, a variety of downtown art galleries and was recently named a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Top 10 coastal Art Colonyâ&#x20AC;? by Coastal Living Magazine. The Aquarium at Rockport Harbor overlooks Aransas Bay and the harbor. Guests are asked to register for the history of the Aquarium. It features bay and gulf marine life, artifacts, shell collections and many other special displays. Hours are Thursday through Monday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers fund and serve as hosts to visitors. The Aquarium is fun for all ages and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free. The Community Aquatic & Skate Park is nestled in a 12-acre Live Oak forest and is open year round. The park has an 8-lane, heated 26-yard pool and diving area; and a whale shaped zero-depth entry for children with slides and sprays. Facilities also include a bathhouse and a 6,000 square foot modular skate

park. You must be at least 10 years of age to utilize the skate park. Adjacent to the aquatic and skate park is a picnic area and playground with a Âź mile nature trail. The park is closed on Mondays. Goose Island State Park and The Big Tree are only minutes north of Rockport-Fulton in historic Lamar. Open 7 days a week year-round, the gate is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. OfďŹ ce hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Although the park is located on Aransas Bay, there is not a swimming area. The shoreline is comprised of concrete bulkhead, oyster shell, mud ďŹ&#x201A;at and marsh grass. The main recreational activities are camping, excellent birding and ďŹ shing. Other activities include picnicking, boating (motors allowed), nature study, wildlife observation and photography. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Big Treeâ&#x20AC;? at Goose Island State Park was named the State Champion Coastal Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) in 1969, and is thought to be one of the largest in the nation. The updates this year to the presentation of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Big Treeâ&#x20AC;? include a cedar fence protecting it from visitors although all other trees in the area are available for climbing. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Big Treeâ&#x20AC;? statistics: s 4RUNK #IRCUMFERENCE FEET AND INCHES OR METERS s !VERAGE 4RUNK $IAMETER FEET AND INCH OR METERS s #ROWN 3PREAD FEET OR METERS s (EIGHT FEET OR METERS s !GE )N EXCESS OF YEARS Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is one of the oldest in the United States and is the winter home of the Whooping Cranes. It is a world of wildlife. Visitors will ďŹ nd a museum, picnic area, walking trails and a 16-mile paved loop with photo opportunities. Alligators, javelinas, deer, birds and more can be seen there. Last summer in July, raccoons were observed walking quickly to their homes, but undisturbed by the presence of observers.

Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

27


Coastal Faces and Coastal Places BRIANNA TIEPERMAN

Meet Brianna: Brianna “Bri” Tieperman is the daughter of Francine Coxwell of Rockport, TX. She is a senior at Rockport Fulton High School and plans to attend Texas A&M Corpus Christi upon graduation in 2017. Her hobbies include photography, shopping, and spending time with her pooch. Bri takes pride in her part time job with Bella La Rue Boutique, running all social media sites and styling outfits. Her lifetime goal is to open her own women’s clothing boutique in a small town. You can always catch her with a camera in hand, ready for any moment.

-Leslie Leslie Baskerville is known as the modern day ‘Cinderella.’ Leslie runs a concierge service right here in little Rockport, TX. She spends her days making dinner for you, running errands, and taking you to appointments. Anything that may need done, she is willing to help. Ms. Baskerville grew up in a small town and wanted to come back to one with old fashioned neighborhood things. “It’s me, a dog, and two cats. I get vacation and work in one day.”

-Teddy, owner of ‘The Board House’ in Port Aransas, TX -

– David Wonders –

Teddy said the reason behind his shop and what he does is due to a love of skateboarding, the community, and everyone involved. You can catch his team and others at the local skate parks or even out ‘hanging ten.’

If you’re too old for a balloon call ‘Hospice.’

-Mr_Rigaroos! “Come get a shave at Mr. Rigaroos shaved ice.” #getashave

28

oastal

Scene


Art in the Coastal Bend DONNA S. WARNER Local Artist

T

The Coastal Bend, the Rockport-Fulton area in particular, beckons to artists from all walks of life. Rockport is located on the shores of the Texas Gulf Coast. Surrounded by barrier islands, it is known for its fishing, birding and especially its art. Although seemingly an unlikely haven for artists, it has drawn creative persons from all walks of life for years. An artist colony since the early 60’s, in 2009 it was named as one of the top ten artists colonies in the US by Coastal Living Magazine. Why did this small coastal town achieve national status? The answer can be found in its art history as well as its current commitment to art. Art in its truest form in Rockport began with Simon Michael whose influence stretched from teaching to establishing a center for the arts. Simon Michael was born in 1905 and died in 2002. Friends remember him as a complex individual with an unparalleled love of life. He saw the world as few others and his art was a reflection of his inner being. “Give them diamonds and rubies” was a favorite phrase he often used recalls his students. The Coastal Bend College in Beeville where Michaels taught, honored him by naming the gallery in the Frank Jostes Visual Arts Building, the Simon Michael Art Gallery. Simon Michael is known as the “godfather” of the art movement in South Texas. Michael’s techniques live on through the art of his students. One such student, Dalhart Windberg, born in 1933 in Goliad County, began to attract national attention in the 1960’s. A true master artist and past Texas State Artist, he and his son Michael taught art classes, in the same manner as taught by Simon Michael. Estelle Stair moved to Rockport in 1962 and began her art studies with Michael. A major force in the Rockport art community, she taught and conducted weekly

“paint-along” sessions. In 1967, Stair together with Jan Wendell and other local artists formed the Rockport Art Association, known today as the Rockport Center for the Arts. When she moved her gallery to the historic ship chandlery and grocery building on Austin Street in 1978, the Association followed suit. In June of 1969, the first Art Auction was held, raising $2700 for the association’s building fund. The first Art Festival took place in June of 1970, where more than 100 artists displayed work up and down Austin Street. In 1983, the dream to have a place to exhibit, to offer art education, and to expand the cultural horizons of the community came to fruition when through a generous donation the historic (1890) Bruhl/O’Connor home was acquired, moved to its current location and became the home of The Rockport Center for the Arts. Today roughly one-third of tourists in the RockportFulton area participate in art and cultural activities, compared with the state average of 10 percent. Why? Because there are over 15 art galleries and numerous festivals including the Rockport Art Festival, Seafair, Oysterfest, and Hummerbird Festival where art and music are predominant. Approximately 300 artists live in the area, including Al Barnes, Kay Barnebey, Shirley Blackman, Anita Diebel, Jesus Moroles, Steve Russell and Kent Ullberg. The Rockport Center for the Arts’ state of the art main gallery hosts local, regional, national and internationally acclaimed artists. Two parlor galleries are dedicated entirely to member artists’ work. A garden gallery, two visual arts classrooms and the Sculpture Garden complete the assets of the Art Center. When asked why it happened, Stair was overheard to say, “Blood, guts, and perseverance led to the Art Colony in Rockport.”

Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

29


Preserving a local treasure ...

T

ELIZABETH LYONS LAC Class XXI

The Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce has created a Leadership Aransas County Program which offers skills training and idea experimentation which will create an attitude receptive to new approaches and adventure in the study of Aransas County issues. It is the goal of the program that the graduates of LAC should have the strongest potential for future leadership and will have the capability of contributing greatly to Aransas County through their continued service in the Chamber of Commerce, city and county government and many other worthy endeavors. The Leadership Aransas County Projects were created to expand each participant’s awareness of the impact servant leadership can have on the community as well as themselves. The project allows the class to use tools and knowledge of our county that they have acquired during their leadership journey. Over the past few months, the Leadership Aransas County Class XXI has been raising funds to replace the

30

oastal

fence around the Rockport Cemetery with a six foot commercial grade chain link fence. The class chose the project as a way to preserve one of our local treasures. The Rockport Cemetery, which is located at 2040 Tule Park Drive in Rockport, is a Texas State Historical Site that has served the citizens of Rockport-Fulton for over a century and a half. The oldest marked grave is that of Emma Fulton who died in 1876. She was the granddaughter of George Ware Fulton who was instrumental in the development of the area and was interred in the cemetery in 1893. A large number of burials took place here in 1918, the year of the devastating influenza epidemic. The cemetery contains the graves of veterans of the Texas Revolution, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Each year people come from all over to visit the cemetery, especially during the wildflower bloom as the cemetery becomes a beautiful and peaceful place. Sadly, vandalism has increased over the past

Scene


few years. The destruction to some grave markers is due, in large part, to easy access into the cemetery caused by the state of the existing perimeter fence. The Rockport Cemetery Association maintains the cemetery and doesn’t have the funding necessary to replace the damaged fencing. Through various fundraising efforts, the LAC class has managed to not only raise the funds needed to replace the fencing, but additional funds will be used to create an arched entrance off Tule Park Drive and all excess funds will be donated to the Cemetery Association to keep in their general fund for operating expenses. The class has held a stuffed baked potato sale and they sold raffle tickets for items valued at over $2000. The winners were announced at this year’s R-F Chamber Business Expo on April 27th. A Facebook page, The Rockport Cemetery Mending Fences Projects, has been instrumental in creating public awareness and dialogue and has resulted in several donations. The community has been very generous, as have two local foundations which have provided substantial grants allowing the class to meet and exceed their fundraising goal. It is through all these efforts, as well as private donations that the class has managed to get the project started early. They are looking forward to completion by May. Dennis Ramey with A to Z Fencing has been kind enough to not only provide the materials at cost, but he and his team have been working diligently to remove the current fence in preparation for the new fence. Griffith and Brundrett kindly provided the surveying.

Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

31


Coastal Gardens: Summer Fun CHRISTY TINSLEY-ILFREY

W Gulf Cordgrass

Gayfeather 32

Winter crops â&#x20AC;&#x201C; broccoli, cauliďŹ&#x201A;ower, and many leafy greens â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are succumbing to the escalating heat. Some days, I think Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m watching them incinerate before my eyes. Summer squash, green and white varieties of zucchini, and tomatoes produce bountifully at a pace I can hardly match. Watermelons grow on the vine, and soon I will cut into one of those sweet juicy fruits while I fan away the ďŹ&#x201A;ies. A hundred or so corn plants give me hope that this year I will ďŹ nally have a successful harvest. This winter and spring have been warm; some days were downright hot. The scorch of summer is upon us, and only the strongest (of plants and perhaps people) will survive. Indian Blanket ('AILLARDIA PULCHELLA) thrives in hot, dry spaces with well-draining soil. It will re-seed but does not overrun other plants (usually.) When most other plants struggle, this maroon-to-red, orange-to-yellow ďŹ rewheel ďŹ&#x201A;ower continues to shine. Indian Blanket grows naturally throughout much of the US and Canada. It serves as a nectar plant to a variety of butterďŹ&#x201A;ies. Gayfeather (,IATRIS SPP ) adds a hint of lavender to hot, dry gardens. This is a summer and fall bloomer, usually in conjunction with Seaside Goldenrod 3OLIDAGO SEMPERVIRENS) and grows in similar conditions as Indian Blanket. Gayfeather also offers nectar to numerous butterďŹ&#x201A;ies. It is occasionally visited by hummingbirds. Pink gaura (formerly 'AURA LINDHEIMERI, now /ENOTHERA) stands 3 to 5 feet tall. Its other common name is Whirling ButterďŹ&#x201A;ies, so named for the similarity of its dainty ďŹ&#x201A;owers to butterďŹ&#x201A;ies dancing on the breeze. Like Indian blanket and Gayfeather, Gaura blooms proliďŹ cally in hot temperatures and well-draining soil. Another tall and showy summer bloomer is Plains coreopsis (#OREOPSIS TINCTORIA). It prefers similar growing conditions to those of Indian blanket, Gayfeather, and Pink gaura. Beach Rosemary (#ONRADINA CANESCENS) and LargeFlowering Beach Rosemary (#ONRADINA GRANDIm ORA) are native east of Texas along the Gulf Coast. They are not related botanically to the garden variety Rosemary (2OSMARINUS OFl CINALIS) but they do look similar to that more familiar plant. Like Rosemary, these Conradinas are

oastal

Scene


edible and have lavender-to-blue blooms. However, the ďŹ&#x201A;avors of the Conradinas are subtler and blooms last longer, sometimes year-round. Conradinas attract butterďŹ&#x201A;ies, too! Summer is deďŹ nitely beach season, so my family and I spend a lot of time studying the plants from Padre Island National Seashore to Port Aransas, the ďŹ&#x201A;ats between Port Aransas and Aransas Pass, and along the shores of Aransas, Little, and Copano Bays. Some of our favorite summer beach plants include Seaoat (5NIOLA PANICULATA), Beach Panic Grass (0ANICUM AMARUM), Railroadvine ()POMOEA PES CAPRAE), and Beach Morning Glory ()POMOEA IMPERATI). Seaoat is a protected plant species in many coastal communities because it helps to stabilize dunes and prevent beach erosion. This plant is also attractive to waterfowl and butterďŹ&#x201A;ies. It is perhaps the most recognizable and romantic symbol of tropical and subtropical beaches worldwide. Beach Panic Grass, Railroadvine, and Beach Morning Glory all help to stabilize dunes, as well. Panic is often described as â&#x20AC;&#x153;weedyâ&#x20AC;? in appearance, but its blue-green foliage is strikingly beautiful. The delicate blooms of railroadvine (lavender) and morning glory (white) soften their rugged appearance. Gulf muhly (-UHLENBERGIA CAPILLARIS) and Gulf cordgrass (3PARTINA SPARTINAE) grow along the coastline in seeps and other moist areas. They look almost identical most of the year: both are approximately 3 to 4 feet tall, and both have roundish dark green leaves. Their differences lie in their blooms, however. Gulf cordgrass is starting to bloom now but Gulf muhly will steal the show mid-fall. Cordgrass puts on white, slightly fragrant spikelet blooms. Muhlyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bloom is pink, airy, and reminds me of cotton candy. Both attract a host of butterďŹ&#x201A;ies. On the coastal prairies are three species of bluestem grasses: Coastal (3CHIZACHYRIUM SCOPARIUM VAR LITTORALE), Silver ("OTHRIOCHLORA SACCHAROIDES), and Brushy (!NDROPOGON GLOMERATUS). Neither coastal or silver are commonly found in the nursery trade, and all three are typically sought after by restoration gardeners only. Brushy bluestem prefers moist to semi-moist soil. Sand Cordgrass (3PARTINA BAKERI) ďŹ&#x201A;ourishes in hot, dry conditions. In fact, it grows so well it should be planted only in contained spaces or beds with solid barriers. These grasses make excellent sustainable alternatives to high-maintenance hedges and provide habitat for birds, butterďŹ&#x201A;ies, and other wildlife. Coastal prairies with a kaleidoscope of colorful ďŹ&#x201A;owers and grasses swaying in the breeze; beaches and bays dotted with plentiful birds and butterďŹ&#x201A;ies: summer is a fascinating time to explore the nature of the Coastal Bend.

Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

Plains Coreopsis

Pink Gaura 33


The calm before the storm: preparing for hurricane season

H

Hurricanes are part of life on the coast of Texas and it’s something businesses and individuals can prepare for - this phenomenon that wreaks havoc when it comes ashore. As hurricane Sandy made its way to the Eastern coast in October 2012, meteorologists called the storm unprecedented in terms of its potential for damage and fatalities. Every year, the world experiences hurricane season. During this period, storm systems spiral out from the tropical regions surround the equator and approximately 40-50 of these storms intensify to hurricane levels according to meteorologists. In our part of the earth, the season runs from June 1 to November 30, while the Southern Hemisphere generally experiences hurricane activity from January to March. So, 75 percent of the year, it’s safe to say that someone somewhere is probably worrying about an impending hurricane. Hurricanes begin as harmless thunderstorms that are blown out to sea and as the warm waters meet the cooler air temperatures a rotation in cloud activity, much like the draining of a sink begins to take place. As soon as the rotation reaches 75 miles an hour the storm is classified as a hurricane. Trade winds naturally blow from Africa. Some storms can come undone and disappear but many times they hit land with winds at 100 or 150 mph. In the United States, we face this possibility several times a year and the tides and rain accompanying a hurricane can be as devastating as the winds. Hurricanes can drop one to two feet of rain in a single day. Hurricanes that begin as trade winds from Africa are identified early enough to give warning of their impending landing. However, in 1983, Hurricane Alicia made landfall on August 18 at the extreme western end of Galveston Island at 2 a.m. The tropical depression which became Alicia formed the morning of August 15 from a cluster of thunderstorms that developed on the western end of a cold front that had moved off the Mississippi and Louisiana coast the day before. As the depression drifted toward the western Gulf of Mexico, it organized and intensified quickly over the very warm waters. Alicia became a tropical storm around midday August 15 then strengthened into a 75 mph hurricane by the evening of the 16th. The storm continued to intensify reaching its maximum intensity of 115 mph around mid-

34

oastal

night August 18 shortly before making landfall at 2 a.m. This is different than with recent storms such as Katrina and Rita which tracked for several days over the tropical waters before making landfall. In speaking of preparing for hurricanes, the population is always admonished to give thought to what rising waters will do to your property, not just the violent winds of a hurricane. The storm surge in Hurricane Rita did more damage than the actual winds. Returning to normal is almost impossible when property has been standing in water for two-three weeks. Since 1851, 63 hurricanes have struck the Texas coast. The greatest threat to lives, according to the National Hurricane Center, is the storm surge and large waves. Storm surge can reach heights well over 20 feet and can span hundreds of miles of coastline. It can also travel miles inland. In preparation for this season, thought must be given to the reality of what one will do after the storm. Below are some measures to take before the storm. Some safety measures include: 1. Storing valuables in plastic tubs with locking tops and being able to secure and move all your valuables within 15 minutes of evacuation. Shut off the main circuit breaker to prevent short circuiting and eliminating the threat of electrocution. 2. Store rarely used or expensive items in the attic or on high shelves 3. Develop a plan of action to keep from panicking during an emergency. 4. Have an evacuation route and alternatives planned in the event you are asked to evacuate. 5. Communicate your plans to friends or family outside your area. 6. Battery powered radios or televisions can be used in the event of a power outage. 7. Never drive on flooded roads. If you encounter flood waters when driving, turn around, don’t drown. The American Red Cross 24 hour number to call for assistance is 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) Persons deciding to ride out the storm also need to be aware of what area agencies plan to do and when they could expect to be in service after a storm. Follow evacuation orders provided by your local officials. Once

Scene


the evacuation order has been given, it is wise to leave immediately. Take your hurricane supply kit with you and leave as early as possible to avoid heavy trafďŹ c and hazardous weather. Remember that large boats and trailers may not be allowed to cross local bridges and causeways once high winds commence. Prepare to stay at your evacuation destination for a week or more, as re-entry into the affected area may be restricted. Galveston residents went back early after Hurricane Ike to no power or water. Many were not prepared for survival without water, sewer, grocery stores and gasoline pumps for many weeks that followed the actual hurricane. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in a name? For the Coastal Bend, the name Celia brings memories of one of the worst hurricanes to hit the area. In August 1970, Hurricane Celia pounded the Texas coast. The Category 3 storm had sustained winds of 130 miles per hour and is the costliest storm to hit the middle coast area. Because of its impact and lasting impression, Celia will not make another name appearance. The naming of storms began in the 1950s and was done by the National Hurricane Center. Today, there are six lists of names managed by World Meteorological Organization. The lists are used in rotation and recycled every six years. Names are only taken off the list if a storm is deadly and/or so costly that use of that name for another storm would be inappropriate and insensitive. The name is ofďŹ cially removed at the annual WMO meeting and a new name selected and added to the rotating list. There are 21 names for each season. If more than that number of storms occur in a single season, additional storms will be given names from the Greek alphabet. 2017 storms will receive the following names: Arlene Bret Cindy Don Emily Franklin Gert Harvey Irma Jose Katia Lee Maria Nate Ophelia Philippe Rina Sean Tammy Vince Whitney Actions to take when a storm is in the Gulf s ,ISTEN FREQUENTLY TO RADIO 46 OR ./!! WEATHER RADIO FOR bulletins and forecasts of the stormâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s progress. s $OUBLE CHECK ITEMS IN YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT s &UEL AND SERVICE YOUR VEHICLES s )NSPECT AND SECURE MOBILE HOME TIE DOWNS s "OARD UP WINDOWS IF SHUTTERS DO NOT EXIST IN CASE STORM moves quickly and you have to leave. s 3TORE LAWN FURNITURE AND OTHER LOOSE LIGHT WEIGHT OBJECTS such as garbage cans and garden tools. s 'ARAGE OR STORE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT BEING USED s &OLLOW INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED BY LOCAL OFlCIALS %VACUATE IF ordered to do so. Final actions to take if leaving s 4URN OFF PROPANE TANKS s 5NPLUG SMALL APPLIANCES

s %MPTY REFRIGERATOR AND freezer. s 4URN OFF UTILITIES IF ORDERED to do so. s ,OCK HOME SECURELY s 4AKE PETS WITH YOU Final actions to take if staying s #LOSE STORM SHUTTERS s .OTIFY FAMILY MEMBERS OF your evacuation plans. s ,OWER WATER LEVEL IN SWIMming pool by one foot. s 4URN REFRIGERATOR OR FREEZER to coldest setting and open only if necessary. (25 pounds of dry ice will keep a 10-cubic foot freezer below freezing for 3-4 days.) s &OLLOW INSTRUCTIONS FROM EMERGENCY MANAGERS AND BE prepared to turn off utilities if ordered to do so. s "OARD UP REMAINING DOORS BRACE GARAGE DOOR AND REMAIN inside. Stay away from boarded up windows. s 4AKE REFUGE IN A PREDETERMINED SAFE ROOM SUCH AS AN INTErior closet, bathroom or hallway. s $O EXPECT EMERGENCY RESPONDERS TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST YOU during a land falling hurricane.

HURRICANE SUPPLY LIST The American Red Cross recommends that you have the following items in your Hurricane Supply Kit. s "U MFBTU B TFWFO EBZ TVQQMZ PG OPO QFSJTIBCMF GPPE BOE XBUFS 0OF HBMMPO PG XBUFS QFS QFSTPO QFS EBZ JT SFDPNNFOEFE s #BUUFSZ QPXFSFE QPSUBCMF UFMFWJTJPO PS SBEJP XJUI FYUSB CBUUFSJFT s 'MBTIMJHIU XJUI FYUSB CBUUFSJFT s 'JSTU "JE LJU BOE NBOVBM s 4BOJUBUJPO BOE IZHJFOF JUFNT IBOE TBOJUJ[JOH HFM NPJTU UPXFMFUUFT UPJMFU QBQFS GFNJOJOF IZHJFOF QSPEVDUT FUD

s 8IJTUMF s ,JUDIFO BDDFTTPSJFT DPPLJOH VUFOTJMT BOE NBOVBM DBO PQFOFS s $BTI s &YUSB DMPUIJOH CMBOLFUT BOE TMFFQJOH CBHT s .BUDIFT JO B XBUFSQSPPG DPOUBJOFS s 1IPUPDPQJFT PG JEFOUJlDBUJPO JOTVSBODF QSFTDSJQUJPOT IPVTFIPME JOWFOUPSZ DSFEJU DBSET BOE MBUFTU VUJMJUZ CJMM s $% PS QIPUPDPQJFT PG JNQPSUBOU EPDVNFOUT TVDI BT CJSUI NBSSJBHF DFSUJlDBUFT BOE UJUMFT s 1SFTDSJQUJPO NFEJDBUJPOT FZFHMBTTFT DPOUBDU MFOT TPMVUJPO BOE IFBSJOH BJE CBUUFSJFT s 'PSNVMB CBCZ GPPE EJBQFST BOE QBDJlFST s 1FU DBSSJFST MFBTIFT TIPU SFDPSET BOE GPPE GPS FBDI BOJNBM s " NBQ TIPXJOH DPVOUZ SPBET BOE IJHIXBZT s 5JSF SFQBJS LJU CPPTUFS DBCMFT QVNQ BOE mBSFT s 8IJUF EJTUSFTT mBH s 5PZT BOE HBNFT GPS DIJMESFO s -JTU PG GBNJMZ QIPOF OVNCFST BOE BEESFTTFT PVUTJEF UIF BSFB

Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

35


CALENDAR

summer 2017 events june

july,

June 2-3:

LAC Attack â&#x20AC;&#x153;C.P.R.â&#x20AC;? Kayak Fishing Tourney

contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d

July 4:

Register at www.rockport-Fulton.org or FMI call 361-729-6445

Patriotic Boat Parade & Wendall Family Fireworks, Rockport

June 7 & June 21:

3DWULRWLF ERDW SDUDGH QRRQ :HQGHOO )DPLO\ )LUHZRUNV 6KRZ GXVN

Kayaks & Critters, Aquarium Education Center For ages 8-14 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m.

July 8-9:

Deep Sea Roundup, Port Aransas

June 9-11:

69th Annual Shrimporee, Aransas Pass

July 11:

Fri., June 9 - 6 p.m.-11:55 p.m. Sat., June 10 - 6 p.m.-11:55 p.m. Sun., June 11- 12 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

For ages six and up from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Sea Facts & Crafts, Aquarium Education Center July 16:

June 16-17:

Rockport Market Days, Rockport

Texas Game Warden Fishing Tourney

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Music Fri., June 17: Bri Bagwell and Parker McCollum

July 28-29:

Music Sat., June 18: Roger Creager, Reckless Kelly and Shinyribs

Saltwater Sweeties

WK DQQXDO Âż VKLQJ WRXUQDPHQW DQG FRQFHUW LQ WKH SDUN DW )XOWRQ +DUERU 3DUN (QMR\ Âż VKLQJ IRRG DQG OLYH HQWHUWDLQPHQW )0, RU ZZZ WZJDMXVWJRÂż VKLQ FRP

Annual ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ďŹ shing tournament. FMI: 361-510-8708

august

June 17-18:

TSA Youth Sailing Rockinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Rockport 5RFNSRUW <DFKW &OXE ZLOO EULQJ LWÂśV QG 76$ VDQFWLRQHG \RXWK VDLOLQJ Regatta to Rockpor.t. www.rockportyachtclub.org/

july

August 13-14:

TSA Youth Sailing Rockinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Rockport Regatta, Rockport August 19:

Ingleside Chamber Trash and Treasure Fishing Tourney, Ingleside

July 1-2:

Rockport Art Festival, Rockport &DOO RU JR WR ZZZ URFNSRUWDUWFHQWHU FRP

August 19:

Sat., July 1: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun., July 2: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Rockport Market Days, Rockport 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

: AY MONTHLY FIRST SATURD , August 5:

June 7, June 21 , July 5, August July 19, 1, Augu st 9:

June 3, July 1

Kayaks & Critters Aquariu m Educa Fo tio

Art Wraanslk as Pass

Downtown A

.-7 p.m. Art Walk: 5 p.m 30-9:30 p.m. ialto Theater - 7: R e th at ic us M Live

36

oastal

r ages 8-1 n Cente r 4 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m.

Scene


LIFE IS BET TER IN COLOR let us take care of all your printing needs MAGAZINES CATALOGS POSTCARDS CALENDARS & BROCHURES

4954 Space Center Dr., San Antonio, TX 78218 210.804.0390 | www.shweiki.com Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

37


REAL ESTATE (CONT’D) Eling Corp Coastal Real Estate 1602 Hwy 35 N, Rockport 361-729-3424 (See ad Back Page)

ADVERTISING

INSURANCE

REAL ESTATE

Coastal Bend Redbook Directories Coastal Scene Magazine Digital Billboard 361 S Commercial, Aransas Pass 361-790-7106

Farmers Insurance Bart Floerke 1605 US Hwy 181, Ste E, Portland 361-643-6500

CENTURY 21 Lee Real Estate, Inc. Pat Fenton 2527 Highway 361, Suite #B Ingleside 361-332-9496

(See ad page 5)

Del Mar College 101 Baldwin, Corpus Christi 361-698-1247

Farmers Insurance Alex Hinojosa 361 S Commercial St, Ste 2, Aransas Pass 361-758-7971

(See ad page 17)

(See ad page 5)

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Farmers Insurance Brian Niemann 508 S San Patricio, Sinton 361-437-4646

COLLEGE EDUCATION

Aransas Pass Chamber 130 W Goodnight, Aransas Pass 361-758-2750 (See ad page 6)

CONVENTION CENTERS Aransas Pass Civic Center 130 W Goodnight, Aransas Pass 361-758-0009 (See ad page 7)

FLIGHT ADVENTURES Texas Warbird Adventures Flysnj4@gmail.com 1-844-FLY-SNJ4 (See ad page 4)

CENTURY 21 Lee Real Estate, Inc. Debra Hester 2527 Highway 361, Suite #B Ingleside 361-563-4600 debralhester@yahoo.com

Farmers Insurance Roxanne Swierc 904 Memorial Pkwy., Portland (See ad page 5)

(See ad page 22)

Russell Insurance 0ORTLAND s #ORPUS #HRISTI s #ORPUS #HRISTI s

Coldwell Banker The Ron Brown Company ROCKPORT: 361.729.4044 INGLESIDE: 361.776.3550

(See ad page 13)

SEPTIC SERVICE J’s Coastal Service LLC 361-946-5448 jcoastal@outlook.com (See ad page 15)

SIGNS & MORE Sign Xpress 4404 S.P.I.D., Corpus Christi 800-841-6872 (See ad page 9)

SHOWS & SEMINARS Texas Market Guide PO Box 1977, Kyle 888. 225.3427 (See ad page 11)

STEEL Industrial Piping and Steel Co. 333 45th St., Corpus Christi 800-884-1677 (See ad page 39)

(See ad page 23)

MAGAZINES Coastal Scene Magazine 361 S Commercial, Aransas Pass 361-790-7106

PORTABLE TOILETS

Evins Glass Service 101 NPID @ Bear Ln, CC 361-884-3995

Skid-O-Kan 622 McBride, Corpus Christi 361-883-6642 (See ad page 9)

Coldwell Banker The Ron Brown Company Misty Ash-Kuhn 254-855-7957 (See ad page 23)

Coldwell Banker The Ron Brown Company Jen Rubinowitz 361-332-1230

WINDOW COVERINGS

(See ad page 23)

GOLF CARTS

PRINTERS Shweiki Media 4954 Space Center Dr, San Antonio 210-804-0390

Coldwell Banker The Ron Brown Company Darcy Zaricor 361-332-9683

(See ad page 10)

(See ad page 37)

(See ad page 23)

oastal

TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES Coastal Bend Redbook Directories 361 S Comercial, Aransas Pass 361-790-7106

Smitty’s Golf Carts 1540 W Wheeler, Aransas Pass 361-226-1478

38

(See ad page 20)

(See ad page 19)

Coldwell Banker Pacesetter Steel Realtors Lisa Roland 1702 US 181, B6, Portland 361-907-4224

(See ad page 5)

GLASS

(See ad Page 2)

(See ad page 21)

Texas Coast Properties 109 W Wilson, Aransas Pass 361-758-7534

Scene

Academy Window Coverings 4303 S.P.I.D., Corpus Christi 361-852-6088 (See ad page 13)

Thank You

for advertising

with us!


INDUSTRIAL PIPING AND STEEL CO. 4( 34 s #/2053 #(2)34) 48

(361) 884-1677 &AX s % MAIL SALES IPS CC COM

WWW INDUSTRIALPIPINGANDSTEEL COM

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS! Focusing on quality, service and safety we have cultivated strong business relationships with our customers. We are a full-service steel center and a premier rebar fabricator in South Texas. We have #3 through #10 rebar in Import & Domestic. Also housed is structural steel and pipe in carbon and galvanized. With our computerized machines we can handle any job to meet your needs. We also specialize in anchor bolts, accessories, and embed plates.

#ONTRACTORS s /ILlELD -AJOR #ONSTRUCTION &OR EFlCIENCY YOU CAN EMAIL PLANS OR DRAWINGS TO US AND OUR IN HOUSE DETAILER WILL PROVIDE A QUOTE OFF OF THEM

Call us â&#x20AC;¦ We look forward to doing business with you and servicing your steel needs. Living & Leisure in the Coastal Bend

39


4 La Buena Vida

601 N Fulton Beach Rd

COASTAL REAL ESTATE

WATERFRONT BEAUTY ! One of 5RFNSRUW¡V Ă&#x20AC;QHVW JDWHG FRPPXQLWLHV 7KLV EHDXWLIXO :$7(5)5217 6) 0HGLWHUUDQHDQ VW\OH EHGURRP EDWK KRPH FDQ EH DOO \RXUV :LWK IW RI ZDWHUIURQW SULYDWH GRFN DQG ERDW VOLS \RXU IXQ RQ WKH ZDWHU LV ULJKW RXW \RXU EDFN\DUG 3ULYDF\ IRU \RXU JXHVWV DZDLWV LQ WKH VHSDUDWH %5 %$ VXLWH RYHUORRNLQJ WKH SDWLR DQG SRRO DUHD $999,995.

Find Your Place on the Coast!

'$<635,1* 3URSHUW\ (QMR\ EHDXWLIXO ZDWHUIURQW ED\ YLHZV IURP \RX RZQ OLYLQJ URRP RU VLW RQ WKH IURQW GHFN UHOD[LQJ LQ WKH ED\ EUHH]HV 7KLV EHDXWLIXO KLVWRULF EHGURRP EDWK KRPH RQ DFUHV FRXOG EH \RXUV priced at $1,800,000. $Q DGGLWLRQDO DFUH ZDWHUIURQW ORW LV DYDLODEOH IRU an additional $475,000.

470 Augusta Drive

241 Coastal Wildwood Drive Residential, Waterfront, Farm & Ranch, Investment and Commercial Properties

1602 Hwy. 35 N. ROCKPORT, TX 78382

67811,1* 1(: &216758&7,21 EHGURRP VWXG\ RU WK EHGURRP EDWKURRPV /DUJH FDU JDUDJH VHFOXGHG DFUHV RI EHDXWLIXO RDNV 3ULYDWH 321'6 $875,000

149 Kluge Trail

361-729-3424 www.ElingCoastal.com Margaret A. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Missiâ&#x20AC;? Thomas, Broker Elizabeth Martin, Managing Broker

We have many more beautiful properties available. Please stop by our RIĂ&#x20AC;FH DQG YLVLW ZLWK RQH RI RXU DJHQWV

&RXQWU\ &OXE /LYLQJ 5HOD[ RQ \RXU EDFN FRYHUHG SDWLR HQMR\LQJ WKH LQFUHGLEOH YLHZV RI WKH JROI FRXUVH 2SHQ Ă RRU OLYLQJ ZLWK KXJHSLFWXUH ZLQGRZV EULQJLQJ WKH PRUQLQJ VXQ LQWR \RXU /LYLQJ 5RRP DQG 0DVWHU EHGURRP 7KLV EHGURRP DQG KDOI EDWK VTXDUH IRRW EHDXWLIXO KRPH ZLWK Ă&#x20AC;HSODFH LV DOO UHDG\ WR PRYH LQWR Priced to sell $349,000

630 COPANO COVE RD

ELIZABETH MARTIN Managing Broker (361) 205-4442 emartin@elingcoastal.com

$FUHV RI &RXQWU\ /LYLQJ RQO\ WHQ PLQXWHV IURP WKH PLGGOH RI 5RFNSRUW &RPH WDNH D ORRN DW WKLV DGRUDEOH KRPH 7KLV SURSHUW\ LV IXOO\ IHQFHG DQG LQFOXGHV D VWRFNHG SRQG ZLWK D JD]HER IRU UHOD[LQJ $LU FRQGLWLRQHG ZRUNVKRS VWRUDJH DQG DWWDFKHG FDUSRUW :LQGPLOO JDUGHQ DUHD DQG 75((6 <RX GRQ¡W ZDQW WR PLVV WKLV $249,000

JENNIFER BRADSHAW (713) 269-7942 jbradshaw@elingcoastal.com

KEITH HAMILTON (361) 215-3028 khamilton@elingcoastal.com

DAVE FOUNTAIN (361) 205-1867 dfountain@elingcoastal.com

MARK LAUER (361) 463-8305 mrlauer@aol.com

MELISSA DIAZ (361) 386-0707 mdiaz@elingcoastal.com

ANNA ROBERTSON (361) 790-6457 arobertson@elingcoastal.com

%HDXWLIXO &RSDQR %D\ ZDWHUIURQW KRPH $PD]LQJ YLHZV FRPSOHWHO\ UHPRGHOHG WKURXJKRXW 0DVWHU VXLWH SOXV DGGLWLRQDO EHGURRPV $OO KLJK HQG Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHV ZLWK VWXQQLQJNLWFKHQ FDU JDUDJH GRZQVWDLUV XWLOLW\ ODXQGU\ URRP ZLWK KDOI EDWK +XJH GHFN IRU ZDWFKLQJ VXQVHWV DQG FDWFKLQJ Ă&#x20AC;VK $457,000. $OVR YDFDQW ORW QH[W GRRU LV DYDLODEOH VHSDUDWHO\


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Coastal Scene by Digital Publisher - Issuu