The
Issue 573
Island Moon
The voice of The Island since 1996
April 9, 2015
Around The Island By Dale Rankin
editor@islandmoon.com If you noticed your dog or your spouse acting a little odd over the weekend cut them a little slack; we were all a little lunitical as we had three days of a full moon and the moon passed into the earth’s shadow and turned blood red in a total lunar eclipse that lasted less than ten minutes making it the shortest of its kind this century.
Here on our little sandbar the water returned from wherever it had been for the past few weeks covering the barnacle line on our docks and resubmerging the sand islands that had popped up on the west side of The Island. Life as we know it has returned to normal, or at least what passes for normal hereabouts.
Haunted house And speaking of the paranormal – The Island now has a haunted house. We won’t reveal the address but we can say that things are getting strange up in here. It started when the owner noticed that the clothes in an upstairs closet kept falling off the hangers but the hangers did fall with them. Then the lights started turning off and on by themselves; even after the owner made a point of turning them off before he left, only to find them on when he returned. There were also some strange temperature changes. Then one night his dog went missing from the bed and he found him upstairs staring into the same empty bedroom where the other weirdness had transpired. When he called the dog, the dog refused to turn around and backed down the hall all the while staring into the empty bedroom with his hair standing up. The owner, who says he doesn’t really believe in the paranormal, called in the ghostbusters and didn’t tell them where the problem was coming from. After about an hour of testing the ghostbusters determined that the problem was indeed coming from the bedroom. We’re told that some traditional remedies were used; sage burned around the doorways, etc., but haven’t heard if the incantations worked their magic. We’ll let you know if there are further developments or if the call goes out for the eye of a newt.
Island Moon writer nominated for Hugo Island resident and sometime Moon writer Arlan Andrews’ science fiction novel “Flow” has been nominated for a Hugo Award, science fiction's equivalent of the Oscar, which will be presented to the winner at the World SF Convention in Spokane, Washington, in late August. The story is a sequel to Arlan’s last novel "Thaw," and takes place after the next Ice Age begins to thaw, revealing a much-changed world completely different from today's. The story is a sequel to "Thaw," Arlan’s last book and takes place after the next Ice Age begins to thaw, revealing a muchchanged world completely different from today’s. His next story in the series will be "Fall," which details the further adventures of the very small wanderer, Rist, as he literally falls into yet another strange environment, this one in the Great Basin that was once the Gulf of Mexico. We’ve been accused of writing some science fiction here at the Word Factory from time to time, but this is the first time one of our writers has been nominated for an award for it. Congratulations Arlan!
Windstorm Word out of Austin is that the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association expects to have $4.9 billion in its reserve fund by the time Hurricane Season 2016 arrives in June; enough to cover damages from a 100-year
Around continued on A3
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Photo by Steve Coons
Egg ‘Hunters’ Converge on Billish Park
Update on Island projects
Spring Break 2015 Numbers Down Almost 12%
By Dale Rankin The rainy weather during Spring Break 2015 dropped the numbers from 2014 by 11.7% according to Paulette Kluge, President of the Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau. Kluge told the Island Strategic Action Committee Tuesday that while the Coastal Bend numbers were down, they were not down as much as those in Galveston and South Padre Island which saw drops from 30% to almost 50%. Part of the drop in the South Padre numbers may also have the result of internet reports that last year lines at the Homeland Security/Border Patrol checkpoint on northbound U.S. Route 77, the only route through the King Ranch between Corpus Christi and the Rio Grande Valley, were more than four hours long. Park Road 22/SPID Water Exchange Bridge. City staff told the ISAC Tuesday that the design for the water exchange bridge are 90% complete and the environmental assessment required by the Texas Department of Transportation has been sent and city planners are awaiting comments. They said they
Families Relish Hot Dogs and Annual Easter Egg Hunt
By Brent Rourk Overcast skies and cooler weather did not deter Islanders from enjoying the 18th Annual Easter Egg ‘Hunt’ on Saturday at Don and Sandy Billish Park. Close to 800 adults and children flooded the park and enjoyed the childrens’ rides as they waited for the classic hunt perhaps more appropriately known as an Easter Egg ‘Gathering’. Earlier than ever, adults lined their chairs along the marked off egg hunting areas, while children took photos with ‘Da Bunny’, savored delightful baked goods, watched as SMA Builders’ Club students painted their faces, took turns on the kiddie rides, and munched a hot dog or two. By 11:45 there were about 300 people lined up at the roped off areas and that number grew by hundreds as the minutes ticked away. Many families slowly strolled the park, munching hot dogs and taking advantage of the cooler weather, donning jackets and sweaters. The ‘trackless’ train made its rounds in the park, offering rides to children and adults alike. Easter Egg collecting baskets seemed larger this year as large bags and household pails outnumbered the traditional, cute Easter baskets. Children became antsy as the minutes ticked away with some groups of children obviously planning their ‘hunt’ before the official start.
Island Projects continued on A6
Egg Hunt continued on A2
Nation’s Largest All-Volunteer Beach Cleanup April 18
Inside the Moon
Volunteers needed for Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup Volunteers are needed for the nation’s biggest all-volunteer coastal cleanup Saturday, April 18. The 2015 Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup takes place at 30 of Texas’ most popular tourist beaches. Volunteers can sign up online at www.texasadoptabeach. org to take part in a fun-filled day at the beach that makes a difference. “The Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup is a great day at the beach for a great cause," said Texas Land
Commissioner George P. Bush. "Come out for sun and sand and help keep Texas beaches clean at any of our 30 clean-up sites along the coast. The Adopt-A-Beach clean-up starts at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 18." Each volunteer will be given data cards, gloves, pencils and trash bags. All volunteers are advised to wear closed-toe shoes, bring sunscreen and plenty of drinking water. The Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach
Cleanups are held rain or shine! Texans who are not able to attend the cleanup can help keep their beaches clean by making a taxdeductible donation online at www. TexasAdoptABeach.org. There are several different Adopt-A-Beach sponsorship levels ranging from $25 to $25,000, allowing both individuals and corporations to contribute to this major cleanup effort.
Clean Up continued on A4
Fishing A5
A little Island history
How The Island was Developed
Editor’s note: We are in the process of gathering information on development of The Island in the years between 1960 and 1990. The information in this story came primarily from three sources: Attorney Bill Edwards who represented Island property owners in a lawsuit against Island developers, longtime Islander Bob Maupin who was a member of the Padre Isles Property Owners Association Board of Directors for several year, and Pat Mutchler who worked for, and continues to work for, the major companies involved in Island development for more than thirty years. If any of our readers have information or documents about
this time period please share it with us. This story is the first of what will be an ongoing series of this Island history.
Whoop It Up A7
By Dale Rankin The year was 1979 and the Padre Island Investment Corporation under its original ownership had platted Seawall damage after Hurricane Allen and built infrastructure for a majority of the lots The deed covenants in the on The Island. The last area to be sold original lot sales by the PIIC had and developed was known as Cape a unique provision; the purchasers Summer and is the area which we of the lots were not allowed to now refer to as the Ski Basin. PIIC improve them until all the lots in had begun the 4000-acre project in the surrounding subdivision had 1965. History continued on A4
Archie's New Adventure
Sports A8
AirTales A9
By Carole Jenness Remember Archie. His boat went down Well here is another story going around Archie got a brand new bigger boat He tried to take it out, but it wouldn't float! He cranked up the motor, and got ready for a trip
Wildflowers A11
But something stuck. Archie couldn't leave the slip Tried as he might something was stuck Archie thought "well that is just my luck"! Then Archie heard some strange grinding sound
So that's my story sad but true
You won't believe what Old Archie found
Thought I'd take the time to tell it to you
Stuck in his prop tending to come out later
Can't swim in our canal, scared of what will find
Was chopped up parts of an Ole alligator!
Might find parts of a prop or gator left behind!
Live Music A16