Flour bluff messenger issue 2

Flour Bluff

M e s s e n g e r

ISSUE 2 February 2016

Free

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Page 2

Flour Bluff Messenger

Town Hall Meeting

Panhandling, Crime, Plan CC 2035

February 2016

Upper Deck is Open At Laguna Reef

Turtle Cove Residents Frustrated by Code Enforcement Raid Residents of the Turtle Cove neighborhood have been calling for increased police presence to stem the criminal activity in the area. On Tuesday, February 9th, CCPD responded to their pleas for assistance in a way that frustrated many residents. 20 police cars invaded the neighborhood, along with code enforcement officers who left notices on houses throughout the neighborhood.

District 4 City Council Member Colleen McIntyre, At Large City Council Member Chad Magill, and Chief of Police Mike Markle answered questions at the February 10th Town Hall Meeting Police Chief Markle apologized for not communicating with residents beforehand and assured residents at the meeting that the notices were meant to be “the beginning of a discussion, not a citation.”

The weather has been perfect for enjoying a meal outside on the water.

Homeless and Roadless Colleen McIntyre explained the new anti-panhandling ordinance, and announced she is working to widen Sandy Way to address safety concerns.

Plan CC 2036 Code violations don’t look like a discussion anyone would willingly want to begin

Chad Magill answered questions about his response to the proposed comprehensive Plan CC 2035. Magill has organized what he would like to see in the new comprehensive plan into a document he calls Plan CC 2036.

Carpet Cleaning

February 2016

Flour Bluff Messenger

Page 3

Doing it in the Bluff

By Jeff Craft

Warm Welcome We made it to Issue 2, and I want to thank everyone who has come up and said nice things about Issue 1. I am humble enough to realize that I am in Texas, and folks here are generally pretty kind. If anyone else blesses my heart, I don’t know what I’ll do. A whole new raft of people wrote letters and columns for this issue, and I hope y’all will bless their hearts too. There’s still room, if you’ve got something to say, I hope you’ll say it here.

selves. They could theoretically deed the street to the city, but only after they pave it. While we try to find a way around that little logic bomb, McIntyre is working on incremental improvements.

In the meantime, McIntyre told residents at the Flour Bluff Town Hall Meeting held on February 10th that she is working to have Sandy Way widened to its surveyed width to help address safety concerns and provide better access for emergency services.

Masked Burglars in Pine Hollow

McIntyre Proposes Widening Sandy Way

Residents of the new homes in the Pine Hollow subdivision near Purdue Rd. and Retta Dr. reported a rash of burglaries and in February. A home security cam captured three masked men creeping around a house. CCPD advised residents to report all suspicious activity and remove valuables, keys, and garage door openers from vehicles parked outside.

Residents of Sandy Way, the narrow, unpaved road off of Don Patricio, have heard a lot of reasons why their street can’t be paved over the last half century.

“It’s crooked” “It’s going to be a multi-million dollar project” And the latest, “It’s a private street” According to research done by District 4 Council Member Colleen McIntyre when she came in to office, the developer who originally subdivided the area didn’t deed the street to the city. The fact that Sandy Way was built before annexation should have some mitigating effect on that excuse, since there was in fact, no city to deed the street to. The City of Corpus Christi has offered nothing but excuses to the residents of Sandy Way since they forcibly annexed The Bluff in 1962.

Who owns the street then? It would seem the residents of Sandy Way do, since they’re expected to pave the street themwww.edwardjones.com

You Can’t Control the World,

but You Can Control Your Decisions

Sometimes the market reacts poorly to world events, but just because the market reacts doesn’t mean you should. Still, if current events are making you feel uncertain about your finances, you should schedule a personal financial review. That way, you can make sure you’re in control of where you want to go and how you get there.

Call or visit your local financial advisor today.

Melanie L Hambrick Financial Advisor .

10241 S Padre Island Dr Suite 135 Corpus Christi, TX 78418 361-939-7572

Collen McIntyre has proposed widening Sandy Way to allow emergency traffic to come and go smoothly

Jeff Craft, Editor / Publisher

Bravo District Too Big CCPD Chief Markle announced that he plans to change the way police districts are organized in Corpus Christi to allow officers to patrol smaller geographic areas. Under the current system, Bravo District, which includes The Bluff, stretches from Kings Crossing to Mustang Island. The long distances between areas in the same district can cause officers to take longer to arrive at a crime scene.

Cite and Release Kicked Down the Road City Council chose not to take any action on a proposal by a group of Corpus Christi Citizens to allow police to give a citation to appear in court instead of taking offenders to jail for small amounts of marijuana. If City Council takes no action within 45 days, the group will begin the process of putting their initiative on the November ballot. CCPD Chief Markle told the Council he was already working on a plan to accomplish the same goal.

Uber is Still a Thing City Council, under pressure from traditional taxi services had planned on discussing regulating Uber drivers under the same rules as taxi drivers but removed it from the agenda at the last minute. Traditional taxi service in other cities where Uber has become popular have successfully survived competition from Uber by changing their business model to providing premium service.

Stripes HQ Moving to Dallas

Member SIPC

Published monthly Next Issue March 11

Energy Transfer Partners bought Corpus Christi-based Susser Holdings Corp. in 2014, putting the company’s Stripes convenience stores under the management of Sunoco. Last November, Sunoco announced that it would be opening an office in Dallas where it will be closer to Energy Transfer Partners. Now Sunoco has announced it will close the Corpus Christi office. Layoffs effecting 161 workers are set to begin April 1st.

ETY-1403A-A

The Flour Bluff Messenger

Contributors

Ryan Rock

Kyle Hoelscher

Jeff Rank

Cliff Zarbock

Colleen McIntyre

Ruby Martinez

Shirley Thornton

Photographers

Miles Merwin

Jeff Dolan

Editorial Board

Jeff Craft

Melanie Hambrick

Tom Hollingsworth

Letters policy Letters must be signed, and the author may be contacted to verify his or her identity. Letters to the Editor may be edited to fit the space available.

Contact Jeff Craft (361) 443-2137 editor@flourbluffmessenger.com Facebook: facebook.com/flourbluffmessenger Total ciruclation is 10,000 copies. Distribution includes locations in Flour Bluff, and select areas of North Padre Island and Corpus Christi’s South Side.

Page 4

Flour Bluff Messenger

February 2016

Riviera Redneck

Rumors

Iris

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By Jeff Craft My earliest memory is of my mother teaching me to read. I must have been pretty young, I can’t remember what it was like not knowing how. She let me read all her books as soon as I could pick them up. I didn’t always understand everything, but she was a good teacher, and more than anything she taught me believe I could understand if I tried.

I know that my recollections of my mother are imperfect. It is impossible that she was as kind and gentle and loving as I remember, but that’s how I remember it. Even if I apply some skepticism and reduce her legend by half, she was still a better parent than I deserved. Maybe some of it got passed on and will eventually come out and surprise my children.

Mom died the night of the Wolf Moon. It wasn’t a shock to anyone, least of all me. I had visited her the day before, and saw she was almost gone. I told her what I could, but I don’t know if she knew I was there. So that night, while my sisters were waiting by her side, I was on the beach, out in the cold wind, watching the moon rise over the Gulf with a friend who had come to comfort me.

When my phone rang, the moon was almost halfway across the sky. My poor sisters had been waiting for me to come home so they wouldn’t have to tell me on the phone. I never understood why people think its harder over the phone. It isn’t. I had let her go already.

I had let her go years ago. Alzheimer’s had slowly taken away the gentle woman who taught me to read, and replaced her with a stranger. The new Iris was just as kind as she had ever been, maybe even quicker with a smile or a laugh. For a few years she remembered who I was. Then she thought I was my father. Then she didn’t know me at all. Then she could no longer speak. The woman who gave me language lost hers.

I was never very good at regular visits even before she began to slip away. I left the slow decline of my mother in the hands of my two sisters, who never once complained that I wasn’t there. They’re far stronger than I am, and I am grateful for it.

So when Iris started to fade away for good, I wasn’t sad, so much as relieved her struggle would be ending. When she was truly gone, I was more happy for her than sad for myself.

Since then I’ve broken down some. I try to keep that to myself. I think I’m afraid of sympathy. I don’t really know what to do with it. I’m not going to bother trying to figure it out at this point, but there it is.

I’ve never been much for going to church.

Mom must have understood that, and only ever insisted I go with her for Christmas service when I was around. I didn’t mind that

one so much, there was a lot of singing, and everybody sang, so nobody could hear how badly I messed up their songs.

My folks tried to drag me to church more when I was a kid, but they eventually saw it my way. Most of the time it was a pretty tame Methodist service, but somehow around the age of 9 or so, I found myself with my parents at a real Billy Sunday Style Revival.

I don’t know how my parents ever got there.

Maybe the preacher was famous or a friend invited them, whatever. I remember asking my parents in the car on the way home why the preacher said people with rainbow stickers on their cars were evil. My mother, Iris Craft, told me exactly what she thought of that, “That’s just stupid. Just because he’s up there preaching doesn’t mean he knows anything. If you want, we’ll go buy a rainbow sticker right now.”

She was a much better mother than I was ever a son. When I started this column I promised to be honest with you, and that was how it was, honestly.

Iris Leah Craft Iris Leah Craft 80, of Corpus Christi TX passed away on January 24, 2016.She was born May 27, 1925 in Yale Ok. To Ira and Billie Canfield.

Iris graduated high school in Stillwater Ok in 1953 and continued her education at Oklahoma State University. From there she graduated from Juniata College in Huntingdon Pa in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in Education.

Iris met her husband, Tom Craft while attending Oklahoma State University. In their early years, they lived in Oklahoma, Nebraska and Pennsylvania. Later, they settled in Arizona and stayed there until retirement. They finally moved to Bowie TX, where they spent many happy years together.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Iris is survived by her husband Thomas Craft , daughters Susan Giesing, Amy Craft and son, Jeff Craft all of Corpus Christi TX, 2 sisters Cynthia Barnes, Oklahoma City, Judi Simon, Memphis Tn. Sister-in-law Helen Gunter of Terral Ok. and brother, Bill Canfield of Tyler TX. 5 grandchildren Felicia Lasso, Alexandra Lasso, Jeremy Lasso, Declan Craft, Augustin Craft, and 1 great grandchild, Bentley Lasso, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

If you like the paper and want to see more of it, visit our advertisers, cut out their coupons, and let them know where you saw the ad.

Laguna Reef Restaurant at 4242 Laguna Shores Road invites you to dine on the water. Laguna Reef offers indoor and outdoor dining, and has just finished a new raised deck for better views of the Laguna.

They’ll cook your catch and can be reached by land or sea.

VFW Post 8932 at 720 Jester invites all veteran and active duty service members to join. Anyone on active duty gets their first year of membership free.

Cliff Zarbock, AKA Mr. Real Estate, is Flour Bluff’s Realtor. Check out his report on the state of the Flour Bluff real estate market in this issue.

Waypoint Marine has the new 2017 Mako 19ft Pro Skiff available now for $23,420. The model year is not a typo.

Waypoint has 2017 Mako 19 Pro Skiffs for sale right now.

Rank Law Firm has expanded and moved downtown. The new firm is called Rank and Hanna LLC. The new firm will continue to practice civil litigation, family law, and business law, but will now also practice bankruptcy litigation, and debtor/ creditor law.

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Melanie Hambrick can help you make sense of investing. Melanie now serves as president of the Flour Bluff Business Association.

Captain Ryan Rock of Corpus Christi Inshore Fishing Charters is offering a winter special, a full day of fishing for $350 for 1 person, and $50 per additional person.

And Captain Ryan guarantees you’ll catch a fish, or the trip is free.

State Farm Agent Michael Morgan has offices on Saratoga and Staples, but he’s a Hustlin’ Hornet at heart. Michael now serves as Secretary for the Flour Bluff Business Association.

The Flour Bluff Business Association invites you to join for only $65 per year, and encourages everyone to shop local and Keep It In The Bluff!

Events The next Veterans Roundtable Meeting will be Tuesday, February 9, 2016, 9-11 AM, in Room 126, Del Mar College, Center For Economic Development, 3209 S. Staples. All Veterans, their families and anyone interested in Veterans affairs, are invited. Coffee & Doughnuts are provided.

Hope to see you there.

Brent Chesney’s Sandcastle 5k Run and Walk Benefiting the American Diabetes Association Sandcastle Camp for Kids On Saturday May 7th, starting at Bob Hall Pier, the first ever Sandcastle Run/Walk will occur. The run will include a wonderful course around our beautiful beach. This great event will benefit the Sandcastle Camp for Children with Diabetes. Sponsorships are available For more information, please contact Hannah Chipman at 361-888-0268 Over Valentine’s weekend, bring your love to the 5th Annual Coastal Bend Boat & RV Expo, the largest indoor show in the Coastal Bend area. Join thousands of fellow adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts February 12, 13 and 14, 2016 and explore all the different types of adventures to be had – and the fun and fast toys that go with them. More than 150,000-square-feet will showcase the latest variety of new bay, offshore and pontoon boats, as well as gas and diesel motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, toys haulers and more … all under one roof at the Robstown Fairgrounds!

Laguna Little Miss Kickball Tryouts will be held Saturday February 20th from 11 am to 2pm.

NAS Corpus Christi is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year with several events leading up to a culminating event on March 12, which will include an official ceremony, flyover, static displays, tours, concert and fireworks.

Steve Fouts of Citrus Solution Carpet Cleaning will get your house clean without using dangerous chemicals or detergents.

A golf tournament is scheduled for Friday morning, March 11. And, the South Texas Navy Historical Committee is planning a 1940s-themed gala Friday evening. The official ceremony will be held Saturday morning, March 12, beginning at 11 a.m. - 75 years to the minute that the commissioning ceremony was held.

Papa Murphy’s Pizza on Waldron across from McDonald’s has a coupon for 25% off your order in this issue.

Following the ceremony, the festivities will continue with static displays, tours, entertainment, concert and fireworks.

Fastrax Oil Change on Waldron next to McDonald’s offers a wide variety of light mechanical services as well as oil and fluid service.

Sunday morning, March 13, a nondenominational church service will be held at the Protestant Chapel, followed by breakfast at the Catalina Club.

Barton St. Pub has karaoke Wednesday through Saturday 8pm to 2 am, daily happy hour and drink specials.

February 2016

Flour Bluff Messenger

Page 5

Get the most out of a popping cork

By Capt. Ryan Rock (313)384-6463 www.CorpusChristiInshoreFishingCharters.com Popping corks are often thought of as just a method of fishing for beginner anglers. Some people have even referred to a popping cork as a “tourist rig”. I believe that to be completely false. While using a popping cork can help a beginner catch more fish, it can also be just plain deadly on an experienced line.

Contrary to some belief, there is a lot of technique involved in using a popping cork. To be more effective you must know and avoid some common mistakes as well as learn to rig, work, and make more effective casts with a popping cork.

I see my clients make many common mistakes with a popping cork that are generally easily corrected resulting in catching WAY more fish. The most common mistake I see is leaving slack in one’s line. This mistake will cause you to catch a small fraction of the fish that bite. When you have slack in your line it creates a few issues. First and foremost you can’t set the hook into the fish so it will most likely leave you with an empty hook. Slacked line will also negatively affect your ability to pop the cork in a loud, aggressive manner which means you won’t grab the attention of as many fish resulting in fewer opportunities.

To prevent slacked line, all you have to do is reel barely fast enough to keep your line tight. The second most common mistake I see is not popping the cork aggressively enough.

The popping noise is what grabs the attention of the fish in the same way a squeaky toy will give a sleeping dog whiplash. This is especially important on windy days or when the water is murky. To get a louder popping noise, simply remember that most of the action should come from your wrist rather than your upper arm or body. Another easy way to get a loud pop and prevent fatigue throughout the day is to put your reeling hand at the butt of the rod and use both hands to make quick, short, and aggressive pops.

When Rigging a popping cork I use a 30lb test fluorocarbon leader tied between a Midcoast products Nexus cork and a high quality 2/0 circle hook such as a Trokar circle hook or a croaker hook. The length of my fluorocarbon leader will vary greatly with the depth of where I find fish. I will use one or two split shots about 2/3 down my leader to keep my shrimp from coming to the surface. When fishing with live shrimp make sure you’re keeping lively shrimp on the hook.

There is no one right way to work a popping cork just like there is no one right way to work any lure. Generally I tell people to make 4-6 initial loud pops right after casting, reel up your slack, wait 5-10 seconds, pop it a couple times, and repeat. Vary your timing to see what works best that day. When fish are slow and lethargic you may need to wait

2017 W E

N a little longer between pops. When the fish are aggressive you can speed it up to cover more water increasing your odds at putting your bait in front of a fish. This concept is one of the things that makes a popping cork so great. You can work it fairly fast or as slow as you need to.

Last but certainly not least is making more effective and efficient casts. When any type of structure such as a drop off, sand hole, or a point is visible; I like to cast just past it and pop the cork into the structure, let it sit for a few seconds, work it out of the structure and reel all the way in after the cork has passed the structure. By reeling in quickly and casting to the next structure you are being effective and efficient because your bait spends more time in an area likely to produce a fish and you are making more casts throughout the day. When you can’t see structure (most days of the year it seems), you need to cast as far as possible.

The further you cast, the more water you will cover, making your cast more efficient.

Casting both far and accurately takes practice and instruction for most people. Doing a little research on casting and practicing in the back yard can help a lot. Hiring a fishing guide for a day can really help you learn to cast, find fish, tie knots etc. making your future trips on the water more enjoyable. As always, stay safe and tight lines everyone.

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When Rigging a popping cork I use a 30lb test fluorocarbon leader tied between a Midcoast products Nexus cork and a high quality 2/0 circle hook such as a Trokar circle hook or a croaker hook.

361-651-BOAT W W W. W A Y P O I N T M A R I N E . C O M

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3033 S. Padre Island Drive Corpus Christi, Texas (Between Kostoryz & Ayers)

Page 6

Panhandling Ordinance

By Colleen McIntyre City Council District 4

The panhandling ordinance was amended to ban panhandling in the downtown and North Beach areas of the city as well as within 25 ft of an ATM, bus stop, or outside dining area effective March 11. Many residents question whether the ban goes far enough and would like the ban citywide. Citywide bans have been overturned by court as unconstitutional.

How can we decrease panhandling in other areas of the city? One piece of the ban includes a public outreach campaign as well as ways for residents to help the poor and homeless while not contributing to drug and alcohol abuse of many panhandlers:

City.

1. Keep the Change – residents are encouraged to give to homeless service providers rather than directly to panhandlers. These signs will be placed in business areas throughout the city.

If you want a sign near your business, please contact the

2. Vouchers – the City and homeless service providers are working with area businesses to create vouchers that residents can give to panhandlers. These vouchers will be able to be used to purchase food at area stores/restaurants and to pay for a bed at a shelter.

3. Food & beverage – Several residents have reported carrying Ziploc bags of power bars, water bottles, and often hygiene items to give to panhandlers and other homeless persons 4. Gift cards – Other residents have reported carrying $5 McDonalds or Whataburger gift cards with them to give to panhandlers and other homeless persons.

Choices like these enable us to care for those less fortunate than we are. They also help us to not be a part of the drug and alcohol problems of the homeless population.

Those panhandlers who are truly in search of food and shelter will have it provided. Those panhandlers who want the cash for other purposes may choose to move on.

In the next issue, I will report on some of the other initiatives we are exploring with regard to the homeless population. In the meantime, please be a part of the solution.

Help decrease panhandling in the city.

Flour Bluff Messenger

Panhandling and Free Speech: “Brother, can you spare a right?”

By Jeff Rank

In January the Corpus Christi City Council passed an ordinance intended to curb “panhandling.” At first blush it may seem like a simple solution to what many perceive as a minor, common problem: that uncomfortable moment when some disheveled person you don’t know asks you to give them money.

But a little deeper consideration quickly reveals that this simple city ordinance touches the deepest veins of liberty, challenges constitutional limits, and begs basic questions about what it means to be American.

The United States Constitution prohibits our government from making any law “abridging the freedom of speech.” Asking a stranger for help is speech. Thus, when a city makes laws that draw lines around who can ask for what kind of help and where they can and cannot do it, free speech issues arise.

Of course, not all speech is protected.

As Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Homes, Jr. famously wrote: “The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing a panic.” The question then becomes “where do you draw the line?”

Hundreds of years of Supreme Court cases, and countless scholarly volumes have been devoted to finding a balance between what is protected speech and what is not.

It may be argued that “Hey brother, can you spare a dime?” is not the kind of speech that the framers of our Constitution intended to protect. But what if that vdime were being used to “Fill The Boot” for our underpaid first responders, or to support a political candidate whose views clashed with the current government? What is the difference, on the street, between “panhandling” and “grass roots fundraising?”

Whether or not Corpus Christi City Council succeeded in drafting a law that will pass constitutional muster is beyond the scope of this article. If the ordinance is challenged in court, it may leave city taxpayers wishing they could do a little panhandling of their own to cover legal fees. But whether or not this particular city ordinance works as intended, governmental attempts to cure problems by curbing speech always invoke fundamental questions about our freedom and the role of our government.

“The eagle suffers little birds to sing.”

William Shakespeare (Titus Andronicus)

Your County Commissioner

February 2016

Sandcastle Run to Benefit Kids with Diabetes set for Padre Island Event Sponsors Sought

By Brent Chesney, Nueces County Commissioner, Precinct 4 I am pleased to announce the Sandcastle Run for Kids with Diabetes is set!! On Saturday May 7th, starting at Bob Hall Pier, the first ever Sandcastle Run/Walk will occur.

The run will include a wonderful course around our beautiful beach. What better way to start your day than this? This great event will benefit the Sandcastle Camp for Children with Diabetes. I need your help. I am very pleased that great island businesses like Mikel Mays and First Title Company have already stepped up to be a sponsor. The Padre Island Business Association is also joining me in putting on this great event as the colead sponsor with me. We need Island and area businesses and individuals to step up.

We have a great committee made up of your friends and neighbors. Below you will see the different level of sponsorships available. To make this a great event I need your help. The Sandcastle Camp is conducted every summer and it gives kids with Diabetes a chance to go to a special summer camp equipped especially for them. Every single dollar that you donate will go to the camp because the costs to put on the event are covered. So please look into your hearts and wallets and say yes to be a sponsor for this great event. Then tell all your friends to sign up and run or walk. I have attached below the form needed for you to be a sponsor. I need your help. Please consider sponsoring this event that I hope will be a yearly event to benefit kids with Diabetes.

THANK YOU!!

Brent Chesney’s Sandcastle 5k Run and Walk Benefiting the American Diabetes Association Sandcastle Camp for Kids Saturday, May 7, 2016 @ Bob Hall Pier Sponsorship forms, payments, and logos are due ASAP but no later than March 31, 2016

For more information, please contact Hannah Chipman at 361-888-0268

Sponsorship Opportunities Platinum Presenting Sponsor $2,000 (Two available) Premier signage at event Recognition as the presenting sponsor in all pre event, post event, and day of event promotion opportunities Recognition on all marketing materials for the event Recognition on all marketing materials for the event Logo on event t-shirt Opportunity to have a table at the event Company banner or sign allowed to be hung at event Four Complimentary entry fees for race Gold T-Shirt Sponsor $1,500 (Two available) Recognition in all pre event, post event, and day of event promotion opportunities Recognition on all marketing materials for the event Logo on event t-shirt Opportunity to have a table at the event Company banner or sign allowed to be hung at event Three Complimentary entry fees for race Silver Route Sponsor $1,000 (Four available) Recognition on all marketing materials for the event Logo on event t-shirt Opportunity to have a table at the event Company banner or sign allowed to be hung at event Two Complimentary entry fees for race

Send Letters to the Editor to

Bronze Partner Sponsor $500 (Ten available)

editor@flourbluffmessenger.com

Name on event t-shirt

Or leave a comment on our Facebook: /flourbluffmessenger

Recognition on all marketing materials for the event Company banner or sign allowed to be hung at event One Complimentary entry fee for race

February 2016

Flour Bluff Messenger

Cite and Release Campaign Will Petition to Include Ordinance on November Ballot

By Kyle Hoelscher I am the president of NORML – Corpus Christi. We are involved in reforming marijuana laws, however possible. To this end, we spent 2015 lobbying our legislature.

Unfortunately, the legislative session ended in the middle of last year. This means that we will not have another opportunity to change marijuana laws until 2017 comes around.

Meanwhile we can talk, we can put information out, but the truth is that its mostly going to fizzle when we try to do something. So we set our minds to building up our organization’s internal systems and focused on a new Cite and Release ordinance campaign.

Under the Texas Criminal Procedure code 14.06, our local police organization can establish a system whereby they hand out a citation for small amounts of marijuana, rather than taking the person straight to jail. This was enacted by our 2007 legislature to ease the burden on local governments. The idea being that it would save police man-hours, jail space, and unnecessary interruption of the suspect’s life. Austin implemented this immediately after it was passed. It has been a great success there.

No other areas have really taken the state up on this offer. Indeed, we’ve heard from our police organization before that they are trying to set this up, but nothing ever is actually set up. We decided to force the city to consider an ordinance to enact this portion of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The effort was small at first. We only needed 50 registered voters to put their names on a letter of intent to distribute petitions. We put it in correct legal form, which was harder than expected. Then we sent it off to the city secretary’s office. We made sure to send it via certified mail, so that we could get notification when they received it. We assumed that they would just throw it away since it has to do with marijuana law reform. To be honest, nobody expected anyone in city government take this thing to heart at all.

A month goes by. We call. They are working on it, they assure us. Another month, still nothing. I start to call my friends at the City Attorney’s office. It turns out they are very interested in it. They are trying to make sure they will have a policy package to go with it, so we heard. And then we get the news. Its going to be heard February 9th! We get the agenda and additional documents on February 1st.

Now the race starts. We start calling around to the news organizations. We need to get the message out there. Only one company reaches out to us first, KRIS 6 news. They have always been great supporters. They were the

only news agency to show up last year at our global marijuana march. They run the first story on February 5th. Once that story runs, I get word from the caller times KRIS calls for another interview after that. KRIS ended up doing 6 or 7 news stories on this before the actual day of the vote. It seems to be getting real traction. That euphoria starts to set in that says you are on the right path. KIII even does a new interview the same day. Great news.

We never expected to get this much media attention.

The appointed day comes and to my surprise, we have 25-30 supporters in the city council chamber. All the board members show up and we are impressed with the turn out. The city council opens up the floor for public comment. Ten people go up to testify, including local attorneys, former law enforcement, veterans, young people, and conservative Republicans. Police Chief Markle even testifies when the ordinance is called for discussion. Markle agrees with us. Sadly, he doesn’t recommend the ordinance because he thinks it unnecessary. He states that they are already trying to set up a policy that would allow this and he supports setting up such a policy. He might be taking the weasel way out or he might be honestly trying to set it up, only time will tell.

At the end of the day, the City Council declines to vote on it. It does not change NORML-CC’s plan at all. We expected it to die at the city council. Once that happens, a 45 day time period begins. The City Council can take the measure back up for a vote, but if they continue to do nothing, then the City Secretary will give us petition paperwork and the ball will be back in our court.

We will need signatures of 5% of the registered voters here in Corpus Christi. If we do this, then it’ll appear on the November 2016 Ballot. The people will get an opportunity to vote on this law. Considering that 47% of the people in Texas support full legalization, our hopes are high for success on the ballot.

So, that’s where we stand. We are waiting those 45 days. We are setting up the tools we need. We are contacting our lists of volunteers. We are gathering money. And we are continuing our public meetings every 2nd Wednesday at House of Rock at 8pm. We also have our big protest set for May 7th, which will be right in the middle of our petition drive. We hope you’ll support us in the coming months. Head over to normlcc.org for a link to our facebook page. We are keeping everyone informed through that medium.

We will continue to fight as long as y’all continue to support.

Page 7

Letters to the Editor Colleen McIntyre Mrs. McIntyre, This is in regards to the Sandy Way street issue that we are having. Mr. Jeff Craft that an article in his new paper called the Flour Bluff Messenger. We are still having the same problems that we had when you got elected and promised to look into this matter. Here are some issues that we’ve had for quite a while: 1. In order for city to pave or blacktop street we as residents that live on this street must pay for the re-location of the power pole because it sits in the middle of the so called street.

2. We must also pay for the lowering of the manhole because city built it too high.

3. After talking to city managers for some time when I first built out here they finally corrected the street name from Pecan Street to Sandy Way. 4. Yet fire fighters and MRT’s usually get lost when an emergency occurs. Just yesterday the fire trucks had a hard time trying to get to a fire in the woody area near the end of the street, 5.As for taxes, some of us are paying the same amount as residents with paved streets.

6. All we are asking is just blacktop the street as it is, till the city gets the money to pave and widen the street. There are a number of potholes in the street.

7. Summer is coming and I would sure like to BBQ and have a hamburger without dust or sand in it because people get lost and come and back out at a fast rate of speed when they realize it’s a dead end street.

Thank You. Raoul A. Lerma

Sandy Barbeque First let me say “thank you” for your newspaper that focuses on Flour Bluff and its residents. I am a resident of Sandy Way off of Don Patricio. Your article was very informative. While it is true that the city doesn’t recognize this as a street, we pay street maintenance fees when in fact we don’t have a street. So I ask myself, “ where do all the fees and taxes I pay go to?” I have lived on this street for 28 years and have asked the city for help in blacktopping the street to no avail.

I see this as a public safety issue because I have seen fire trucks, ambulances and police cars unable to attend emergency because no one knows where this “street” is. Because the city only grades the road, I have seen grasses encroach into the street making it even more narrow than it is. We have had fires at the dead end of our street in the brush, and fire trucks have been unable to get to the fire to put it out. In the raining weather, our street floods and develops pot holes, and in the summer, it is so dry that sand is always blowing into our homes and makes it hard for us to be outside and bbq because sand gets into our food. I have felt that Flour Bluff is the city’s red-haired stepchild. We are ignored or pacified with telling us that something will be done soon. I (we) are tired of being ignored.

Come on CC we are taxpayers like everyone else. Pay attention to our issues now instead of only when its election time.

Marie Lerma

Responses I read article on Sandy Way and wanted to follow up on it. Approximately two years ago, I worked with residents to discuss improvements on their street.

When a neighborhood is built, the developer builds the road and the other infrastructure necessary for the neighborhood. He/she passes the cost of this on to the property owners and then deeds these improvements to the City - in other words….Unless you live on Yorktown, Waldron, Flour Bluff or a handful of collector roads, you paid for your street to be built.

The problem with Sandy Way - this did not happen and it is not a public street. This street was not developed to City standards and has not deeded to the City. It remains a private road. This occurred in several areas where homes or businesses were built on caliche or dirt roads before annexation in the Bluff, the island and the northwest. t The City has periodically “bladed” the road to make it more drivable. They are looking into other options including the possibility of widening of the “bladed” area. We continue to look for a solution to this decades old problem.

Sandy Way

Colleen McIntyre

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Mr. Real Estate’s

Flour Bluff Messenger

February 2016

2015 Flour Bluff Market Report

By Cliff Zarbock 2015 was another record setting year for Flour Bluff home sales!

Hello everyone my name is Cliff Zarbock aka Flour Bluff’s Realtor, aka Mr. Real Estate.

Having grown up in The Bluff and still living here today with my wife Ashley and 4 children, I have a deep love and connection to our small but growing community. That’s why for the past 5 years I have been focusing my real estate business attention here, having helped others buy and sell countless properties right here in my own backyard. Because of my local market expertise, I have been given the opportunity to write this monthly

in 2014 but still a very impressive figure.

TAKE AWAY: More homes are selling for more money! However, these reports do show us that we may be at the peak of the market and the growth does appear to be leveling off a bit. This is mostly due to the low inventory.

So if you’re ready to sell, now’s the time!

My predictions for 2016 The 2016 outlook looks promising but the inventory level could still use a jolt. Local developers recognize this and are rushing to meet the demand by building new homes in the area which is certainly helpful. That, along with more homeowners seizing the opportunity to take advantage of the hot market and get top dollar for their homes will be enough to keep the engine running strong throughout the year.

Fed Expected to Raise Rates

Real Estate Column here in the Messenger.

My goal is to keep all who are interested informed with our ever changing real estate market. In each issue I will provide updates to the local market conditions, provide easy to read market reports showing exactly where the market has been and more importantly where it’s heading. For most of us, our homes are the largest investments we’ll ever make.

So this column will help everyone keep their fingers on the pulse of their biggest asset. So without further ado… here’s my 2015 year end market report.

Flour Bluff Sales up 20% in 2015 Flour Bluff absolutely crushed it last year, selling 301 properties!

That breaks down to 25 a month!!

A 20% sales increase compared to 2014 and a 40% increase from 2013.

The total dollar volume reached just over 54 million dollars; compared to the just 28 million sold in 2013.

The average sales price went up as well. Rising 4.8% to settle at 180K for the area. Certainly not as strong as the 10.2% increase we saw

We will be also keeping an eye on the interest rates. There was much talk in early 2015 about a rate hike but it wasn’t until December that the Federal Reserve finally took action with a small increase. They are expected to do more of the same throughout 2016 so we’ll see what that does to those seeking affordable financing. If consumers are unwilling to pay higher rates we could see the market begin to turn. Until then, buyers will continue to lock in the historically low 30 year fixed rates.

When it’s cheaper to buy a home then rent one, the market will stay strong!

Discover why over 17 million homeowners trust us.

FBISD is without a doubt a huge draw for The Bluff and in my opinion is the largest factor keeping our real estate market strong.

With the ongoing improvements and planned expansions in the offing for 2016, (which I will cover in more detail in a later issue), FBISD will continue to draw people in seeking a top tier education for their children.

And where there is demand, prices will rise.

Michael Duren Morgan, Agent 5515-B Saratoga Blvd Corpus Christi, TX 78413 Bus: 361-992-3636 michael.morgan.b4j0@statefarm.com

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LIke a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® CALL ME TODAY.

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February 2016

Flour Bluff Messenger

Market Report

Sellers Market To determine if it’s a “Buyer’s Market” or a “Seller’s Market”, you need to know what the current “Month’s Supply of Inventory” is. This figture represents the number of months it would take to sell all current homes on the market if no new ones went for sale. A 6 month sell out is considered a balanced market. More than that is a “Buyers Market” and less is a “Sellers Market”. As you can see from the graph we are at 4.3 months of inventory. Meaning it’s certainly still a Seller’s Market so if you’re considering selling your home now’s the time!

As a whole, it appears that homes are sitting on the market a just a little longer these days, taking an average of 113 days to close. Which is 18 more days compared to the 95 days 12 months ago. Note* This is the amount of time it took to “close” the deal, not get an offer. Typically it takes 30-45 days to close on a property once an offer has been accepted.

If we look closer at homes in the 124-179K price range however (which is a large majority of the home sales), we see that they are actually selling a little quicker this year. And a lot quicker compared to 2013! Now only averaging about 85 days to close out; this is a very good number!

That means if you’re wanting to sell a home in this price point, you could expect to get an offer within the first 30-45 days!

I LIVE IN THE BLUFF !

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Flour Bluff Messenger

February 2016

Our Guardian Angel Danny Martinez

By Ruby Martinez Not everyone is fortunate enough to know who their guardian angel is, but we do along with family and friends. Danny was our fourth child born January 4th, 1980. Our oldest child is Jesse R born Jan 14, 1973. We lost a set of twin girls, Monica and Kristy two years before Danny, March 13, 1977 due to complications.

Chair volleyball at Ethyl Eyerly

Ethel Eyerly Community Center The Ethel Eyerly Community Center in Flour Bluff is open with a full activities schedule which is shown below. All are welcome.

Nutritious Meals Served For Persons Age 60 and Over 11:30 A.M. ($1.50 Suggested meal donation) Monday

Thursday

Silver Haired Fitness 10-11 AM

Zumba Gold (Co-Ed) 10:30-11:30 AM

($8/month-Ladies Only)

($20/month, or $4/session)

Computer Interest Group Meeting 12:30-2 PM

Wii Bowling & Chair Volleyball - 12:304:45 PM

Wii Bowling 12:30 PM

Quilting 2nd Thursday of the Month

Tuesday

Friday

Zumba Gold (Co-Ed) 10:30-11:30 AM

Silver Haired Fitness 10-11 AM

($20/month or $4/session)

($8/month – Ladies Only)

Table Tennis & Table Games-12 PM

Table Tennis – 11:30 AM

Wednesday

Bingo -12:30 PM ($.50 Cards)

Silver Haired Fitness 10-11 AM

Site Council Monthly Dinner/Dance

($8/month-Ladies Only)

Every 3rd Friday

Chair Volleyball 12:30 PM-??? (about 3:30 PM)

4:30-7:30 PM

AARP Chapter 4181 Meeting @ 1 PM (2nd & 4th Wednesdays)

Tickets sold by Site Council members or phone reservation: 361-826-2330

Upcoming Outings

Painting Class 1:30-4:30 PM

Aransas Wildlife Refuge / Goose Island

$5 per class 1st & 3rd Wednesdays

Downtown Farmer’s Market Ice Rays Hockey Game

Sign up for outings at the center

Early into my pregnancy with Danny there were complications once again. Doctors explained if we continued with the pregnancy Danny would be born with physical and mental challenges. We were asked to consider abortion. Jesse R was 7 years old and we felt the decision would impact his life. So as a family we discussed the many changes that would occur in Jesse R life.

Our loving son said he understood but he had lost his sisters and wanted his baby brother no matter what.

Danny was born premature, legally blind, severe seizure disorder, retardation and did not speak and much more. When he was born doctors announced he would not live past 1 hour, and for 29 years he proved them wrong. He was in a vegetative state for the last 15 years of his life, living at home with a family that loved him. He was a survivor with a big smile and a contagious laugh . Adults were attracted to his zest for life, and children were not scared of him; they just wanted to try on his helmet (used for protection during seizures). For the first 14 years of his life we made sure he enjoyed life to the best of his ability. He loved camping, going down the rapids, playing in the river and horseback riding. He enjoyed amusement parks and Disneyland, and “yes” Vegas, the lights and the noises. He loved attending his brother’s sports and was even a mascot for the team.

Now that you know a little bit about him, let me explain why he is our Guardian Angel.

Danny died March 10th 2009. I went into a deep depression. One year before his death I read an article in Ann Landers Column. It stated if you find a penny it’s your guardian angel, and if you find a dime it’s the love one that has passed away to tell you they are with you. That story remained it the back of my mind. Then 2 weeks after his death that same story reappeared in Ann Landers column ounce again.

Danny’s monument was ready and placed at the gravesite. So my husband and I went to see it. As I prayed over his grave I asked for a sign to let me know he was “ok”. I felt lost without him and I was going into a deep depression. His godmother called asking me to pick up a chocolate cake and other items for a BBQ. As we departed the grave site on the way to HEB I asked Danny one more time

to show me a sign that he was OK. Since he didn’t speak I was’nt sure what the sign would be, but when I see it I’ll know. As I was stepping out of the car I almost stepped on a dime. Remembering the article I picked it up and asked Danny if the dime was from him; mommy needed more to be sure. I felt the dime was my sign, because since Jesse was little we started collecting dimes. At the bakery the first chocolate cake I picked up; to my surprise had 4 dimes sitting on the top of the container. My heart was pounding so fast I prayed to him, if these dimes were meant for me, they would still be there when I came back with the other items I needed to get. Of course they were still there. As I went to pay at the self-service line in the change return was another dime. Walking out I stepped on another dime. In my heart I always knew it was Danny. I said a prayer thanking him.

We were very lucky and grateful to have Angelita Cantu, his brother Jesse, his nephew Taylor, his nieces Monique, Alexis, Cicely and Clair, Aunt Lamar, Uncle Richard and his Godmother, Rose and Godfather JR, who loved and helped take care of Danny. Since his death we all find pennies and dimes, and give Danny the credit. Until now they would find change, but not only dimes and pennies.

Dimes are found before travel, problems with job, family or illness. Anytime we feel lonely, depressed or just need someone to talk to Danny is there. In my opinion he puts his hand on your shoulder to comfort, listen and not judge. I have a journal where I have recorded 611 dimes along with stories from friends and family with what was going on in their life at the time they found their dimes.

I now pray telling him, not only in life but also in his death he is still helping people.

It’s ok if he needs to go, he will always be in our thought and our hearts. I pray that if you read this story the message is “open your heart to the Lord and the love one that has left us”. Your loved one’s are always with you just look for your sign. It could be their favorite song, a bird, flower, etc. that reminds you of them. Write down your experience.

Daniel “Danny”Martinez 1-4-1980---3-10-2009 We Love You And Miss You Send Letters to the Editor to: editor@flourbluffmessenger.com

Or Post on our Facebook: /flourbluffmessenger

February 2016

Flour Bluff Messenger

The Amateur Philologist

Superbowl 50 at Barton St. Pub

Them as Has the Gold Makes the Rules The Origins of the Modern Golden Rule

By Jeff Craft

Conception On May 3, 1965 a “Wizard of ID” comic strip presenting the first known instance of the satirical golden rule was published in “The Dallas Morning News” and many other newspapers. Johnny Hart was the primary writer and Brant Parker was the illustrator.

In the first panel the diminutive tyrannical King character addressed his subjects from the balcony of his castle and emphasized the need for “peace and harmony”. In the second panel the King continued by stating “We must all live by The Golden Rule.”

had recently pre-empted the video transmission of an important play. Henkey presented a slightly rephrased comical version of The Golden Rule: The Golden Rule applies: He who has the gold makes the rules.

Perfection In 1972 a columnist called “The Plainsman” in Lubbock, Texas published what I consider to be the perfected version of the saying: Them as has the gold makes the rules!

Wizard of ID, May 3, 1965

Flour Bluff History

Old Photos of the Month

Photos courtesy of Barton St. Pub

This caused some confusion because his listeners were uncertain about the nature of The Golden Rule. In the final panel the troubadour character delivered the explanatory punchline.

Revision In December 1965 a sports columnist named Ben Henkey complained that the money from television advertisers was negatively distorting the broadcast of football games. For example, a television commercial

Degeneration In 1982 an executive working on an economic development plan in North Carolina referred to the quip: Referring to the complexities of the financing arrangements and the need for dozens of documents, Peet said, “It all comes down to the Golden Rule. They got the gold; they make the rules.”

Fishing off the Don Patricio Causeway in Flour Bluff, Circa 1932

Karaoke

Wednesday - Saturday 8p - 2a

Happy Hour Every Day Noon - 8p

Daily Drink Specials Barton St. Pub bartonstpub.com • 10618 SPID • 361-937-3167

JFK Bridge under construction in 1972

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Flour Bluff Messenger

February 2016

Happy 45th Anniversary!

Sue and Jim McClurg celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on Sunday February 6th at VFW Post 8932. They are shown here wit their Daughter Shannon and Grandsons Sean and Guerry.

Sue and Jim met at St. Simon’s Island in Georgia, just as Jim was returning from his second tour of duty in Vietnam. They were married on February 6th, 1971, at Epworth By the Sea on St. Simon’s Island. Jim retired from the Marine Corps as a Master Gunnery

Sergeant after 32 years and 10 months of service. Sue is an artist and writer, and currently teaches several classes at the Corpus Christi Art Center, including jewelry making with dichroic glass.

Open

Sun to Thur 11:00am - 9pm Fri & Sat 11:00am - 10pm

Phone: 361.937.2600

VFW POST 8932 FLOUR BLUFF FIRST YEAR OF MEMBERSHIP IS FREE FOR ALL ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS

If you

Freedom, Thank a Vet!

HOURS: MON - FRI 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM SAT - SUN 2:00 PM - 11:00 PM

720 JESTER, CORPUS CHRISTI

361-937-9999

February 2016

Flour Bluff Messenger

Lynn Kaylor Has Left the Building

By Shirley Thornton, thepapertrailnews.com Lynn Kaylor, Flour Bluff ISD Public Information Coordinator, retired in January after faithfully serving the district for twenty-four years. Hired in 1992 as an administrative assistant to Leroy Dehaven and Carol Goodman, Kaylor began a job that allowed her to work where her kids went to school and have the same days off as they did. In those first days, she had no idea what her job would become when administration handed her the first of many tasks that changed the face of Flour Bluff schools.

Dehaven put Kaylor in charge of planning and executing the school’s 100-year celebration, which came with a homecoming parade. Being a King High School graduate, Lynn knew only a little about Flour Bluff from her husband Jimmy and his family and friends who grew up in the area. That quickly changed. During her research into the beginnings of the school, she interviewed many people whose families settled Flour Bluff or taught in the district in the early years.

She collected memorabilia, listened to stories from locals, and became immersed in the rich history of a little community dubbed “Gateway to Padre Island.” Before long, Kaylor didn’t just live in Flour Bluff; she lived Flour Bluff. She was evolving into a Hornet! The transformation was so evident that people often asked her what year she graduated from Flour Bluff.

“Everybody thinks I went to school in Flour Bluff. They always want to know what year I graduated and are quite surprised when I tell them that I didn’t attend Flour Bluff at all. It’s just that I’ve been here so long, and I know so many people through my husband Jimmy, my kids, and all my contacts through work.”

The Public Information Office, created by former Superintendent Carol Moffett to advertise what was going on in Flour Bluff ISD, became Kaylor’s home base. There she performed a myriad of duties, which included handling all district media and publications, running the print shop, organizing special events such as Relay for Life, setting up the Hornet Spirit Shop, creating t-shirt designs, developing an employee wellness program, tending to student registration,

working with all the booster clubs, maintaining the district website and social media sites, taking care of employee service awards, helping former graduates with their reunions, building relationships with local businesses, and anything else that no other department in the district managed. In her early days with the district, Kaylor used the school van to pick up kids to register for summer school if they had no way of getting there. “I just did whatever they asked me to do to serve the kids of this district.”

“Mrs. Moffett gave me this job along with a bunch of duties.

I started visiting with Realtors, giving tours of the district to families wanting to move in,” said Kaylor. “I come to work every day with a mission, knowing what I need to do, and it rarely happens. Once I get here, I get a phone call to take pictures or meet with the media or set up tours. Even people just lost on the street who see ‘Information’ on this building come in to ask about city bus schedules and things like that.

I would let them know that I didn’t have that kind of information, but I always try to help them by looking it up or putting them in contact with the right person.” Kaylor has also worked with law enforcement to give them information about former students and was once asked to provide old yearbooks for an investigation by NCIS of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.

Kaylor said that she faced many challenges during her tour of duty with Flour Bluff ISD. Her husband, Jimmy Kaylor, served on the local school board for many years, and some people often thought that she received special treatment because of that. “That couldn’t be any further from the truth,” Kaylor said. “If anything, it made my job harder because of other people’s wrong perceptions.” She went on to say that it even made it difficult to visit with a teacher about one of her children.

One of the biggest challenges, according to Kaylor, is “heading off the negativity from the media.”

She explained that FERPA and privacy laws prevent her from offering some information that may be crucial to understanding the full story of a particular incident. “All I can do is sit back silently and listen to the rumors. I wanted to say ‘Let me tell you what really happened’, but I can’t. The media often reports just a part of a story that comes from something a person said, which sometimes shines a negative light on the teachers, administrators, and kids, which they don’t deserve.” Kaylor said, “I’ve made a lot of friends in the media, and I know they have to do their jobs. But, they can respect me, and I can respect them.”

Page13

“What I like most about working here,” Kaylor said, “is the diversity of the kids, who come from all kinds of backgrounds. The Navy base brings in lots of families from around the world, and we get their children who have been all over the world. Every student learns something through these military kids’ experiences just by going to school with them.”

“I also like the way we’re set up with all of our campuses on one block. In larger districts, there are feeder schools. Here the kids move from campus to campus and know about the buildings and the teachers and principals before they ever get there.” Kaylor explained how the students move with the same basic group of friends from building to building, play on the same teams, and get to work together, in some cases, from kindergarten through twelfth grade. “Everybody knows everybody else.”

One of Kaylor’s favorite projects is the yearly homecoming parade. “It’s been such a staple in this community, and it is a lot of hard work. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that has to be done ahead of time. But, when you’re standing down there that night lining up everybody and you see the kids all excited and the streets lined with hundreds of people watching, it’s great. It’s like a wedding. You work really hard to make it a memorable time for everyone, and when it’s over, you can finally relax.” Because Kaylor runs back and forth constantly checking to make sure that every float is in place and that nothing happens along the way, she has never been able to sit and watch the 24 parades she has put in motion. “It is so much work, but it is so worth it!”

Throughout her career, Kaylor collected anything pertaining to the school. “When I did the 100-year celebration, people brought in all kinds of things for us to display. They Continued Next Page

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Flour Bluff Messenger

February 2016

Lynn Kaylor Continued

didn’t want it back, so I kept it. For many years, in the back of my mind, I had a vision for a school museum. I just felt we needed to put up a display of what we have and highlight the past. What other district functions the way we do? How many districts brought in an old aircraft hangar and made it into a gym? Nobody does that kind of thing.”

Kaylor has displayed many items on the

walls of the building where she spent her career. It is the start of the Flour Bluff ISD Museum. Behind a locked door in the same building, pieces of Flour Bluff school history rest in boxes, on shelves, in filing cabinets, and on tables awaiting the return of a retired Lynn Kaylor who will finish out the vision.

“When I’m digging through these old records and pictures and such, I get even closer to this school. It makes me feel like I grew up

Lynn Kaylor (left) and FBISD’s new Public Information Coordinator Kim Sneed with quilt made by Kaylor

here. I just hope the district doesn’t grow so much that this room becomes real estate that they need for something.”

Among the memorabilia is a collection of Hornet mascots, designed by Kaylor and drawn by Joungsik Chung, a local artist.

“When Coach Mike Crowe came in 1998, he thought we needed a more ‘intimidating’ Hornet. He, along with Mrs. Moffett, asked my help to come up with a new look that showed power and strength.

That’s when I contacted Chung, and from there it’s history. We just kept making Hornet after Hornet to represent every activity, group, club, and organization of the district.

I even have one of Elvis,” Kaylor said with a smile.

“I call Lynn Elvis because she is such a huge fan of Elvis,” said Flour Bluff Superintendent Joe Kelley. “And, like Elvis, her legend will live on in a positive way for many years to come. Her dedication to the kids of this District has been steadfast for twentyfour years and is greatly appreciated. She is a trusted friend and colleague, and I will miss our day-to-day interaction. I wish her the best in retirement.”

January 30, 2016, brought to a close Lynn Kaylor’s career with Flour Bluff ISD. “We plan on being in the community, and I am

keeping my season football tickets. I’m never going to give those up. People know they’ll be able to call on me to help serve on committees or volunteer in the district; they know I’m not just going to walk away. I will still help with the Foundation for Educational Excellence, another thing I helped start. I want to continue to be a part of the community because I feel I still have something to contribute,” said Kaylor about how she plans to stay involved with the district.

As for Kim Sneed, a resident of Flour Bluff who has two children attending the district, who will use her skills and knowledge from working with the Corpus Christi ISD Office of Public Information to follow Kaylor’s lead, Kaylor said, “She’s going to be great.

She just has to put her mark on it.” There is no doubt that Lynn Kaylor left her mark on Flour Bluff ISD, a school she continues to love and serve in any way she can.

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Lynn’s collection of Hornet Mascots

February 2016

Flour Bluff Messenger

New Brewery Open on NAS

Page15

Lorelei Brewing Company Brings Craft Beer to The Bluff Varian and Laura Criser have been talking about opening a brewery for years. They searched for a location to set up shop, eventually deciding the best location was right in their own back yard. Varian operates Corpus Bayside Construction and Remodeling out of an office at 520 NAS, and the building he was using for storage turned out to be the best fit for a brewery. The zoning and the space were right, and they turned what used to be a storage room into an inviting location where they serve their unique collection of hand-crafted beer.

5 new beers only available in Flour Bluff: Buxom Blonde Ale Commission IPA Seeing Double IPA Breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day Oatmeal Stout Weissbier Wheat Beer

Making the transition from home brewing to a commercial brewery wasn’t easy, but the research wasn’t bad. After several trips to other cities, investigating microbreweries and tasting a lot of beer, they enlisted the help of long time friend and master brewer, Matt Redpath.

Varian and Laura Criser

Redpath’s experience was instrumental in making the conversion to large scale brewing. Redpath traveled between Buffalo New York and Corpus Christi during each critical phase of the transition to help his friends create some very tasty beer.

Photos by Jeff Dolan

Best quiz ever: at their pre-opening tasting event, beer lovers were asked for their opinions on three new beers.

Oil Changes Air Oil & Fuel Filters Transmission Fluid Flush Radiator Flush Diesel Injection Service Rear Differential State Inspection

Light Mechanical Services Alignment Tire Rotations Brakes Shocks

1237 Waldron Rd (Next to McDonalds) (361) 937-0988

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Flour Bluff Messenger

February 2016

Barefoot Mardi Gras Parade 2016

FBBA Spotlight: HEB

Dude, where’s your steer? Crawdad Man 2016 said nobody wanted to ride the steer this year so he “borrowed” the costume from the ranch and came to watch the parade instead. Crawdad Man 2015 pictured below.

Javier Wiley of HEB addressed The Flour Bluff Business Association at their February Luncheon. He announced that HEB has launched an e-commerce site where customers can order from HEB online at heb.com

Members meet at noon on the first Wednesday of every month at Funtrackers.

Find out how membership can benefit your business! Come to a meeting or visit flourbluffbusinessassociation.com.

Call Jennifer (361) 877-2906 for more information

The Flour Bluff Business Association appreciates and supports our 2015 members Flour Bluff Members

Abbey Homes Real Estate, Inc. Bay Area Quick Care Beacon Chiropractic Clinic Bluff Boarding Kennel Candlewood Suites Naval Base Cherry’s Soda Shop Coastal Community and Teachers Credit Union Coastal Wellness Colonia Del Rey/CC RV Resorts

Dani’s Lock & Key Eddie Savoy Edward Jones Eisenhauer School of Twirling Face Family Future Family Health Clinic & Minor Emergency FASTRAX Flex Fit Gym Funtrackers - FEG-FT LLC HEB PLUS #18-057 Howard’s BBQ & Catering IBC Bank

Jack & Jill of Many Trades JD’s Auto Center J & S Mini Storage Laguna Reef Restaurant Navy Army CCU New Concept Catalogs O’Gorman & O’Gorman, Inc. Papa Murphy’s Pizza Patricia Paradise Phoenix Clean Rank Law Firm Real Life Corpus Rustic and Refined

Signs Today, Inc. St. Peter’s by the Sea Timon’s Ministries Ultima Real Estate Wells Fargo Bank - Flour Bluff WELP LLC Wind & Wave Watersports Wright Architects

Associate Members

1st Community Bank Aire Serv of the Coastal Bend

Allstate American Bank Cat’s Eye Investigative Services Grande Communications Keller Williams Island Properties David Klein, Esquire Michael Morgan State Farm Insurance Nueces Title Pioneer RV Resort Republic Services Tandem Marketing Services, Inc Toucan Graphics

hip is s r e b m e

Full M

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per yea

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Bluff Flour Bluff Business Association