Galveston Waves June 2024

Waves Magazine Is Published Monthly By: Waves Magazine | Mike Burke Box 3343 | Galveston , TX 77552

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

Publisher | Editor

Sales Director

Mike Burke mburke@wavesgalveston.com 409-789-1160

Director Of Operations

Tiffany Bergeron tbergeron@wavesgalveston.com

Executive Creative Director

Christopher Bergeron cbergeron@wavesgalveston.com

Contributors

Richard Henderson, D.V.M.

J.A. Bunny

Jan & Dean

Billy Powell

Chris Gonzales

Max Conner

Tom Valliere

Charlie Bresenhan

Paul Hager

Bob Rohan

John & Kathy Valastro

Holly Ross

Dr. Tara Wegryn J. Chumley Photography

Thomas Waggoner

Zach Tate

Lynda Watson

Shaye Henderson

James Clark

Renee Hartfield

Subscriptions Available Waves Magazine

P.O. Box 3343 | Galveston , TX 77552

P: 409-789-1160

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

Happy June, Wavers!

BURKE’S BRIEFS

Thank you all for the very kind words regarding our Waves May expanded issue. The May publication marked the fifth time that Waves Magazine has expanded in size. We couldn’t do everything we do here at Waves without our wonderfully loyal advertisers, readers, and contributors. A heartfelt thanks to all of you.

One of the things that we had an enormous amount of positive feedback on was our Restaurant Section’s new Featured Dishes page. I can understand why you all liked that so much. We are so fortunate to have such a treasure trove of fine dining options. Great locally owned restaurants with terrific hands-on ownership. Our Restaurant Section has taken Galveston by storm for quite a while now. Special thanks go to our Waves “Rock Star” Tom Valliere for his wonderful contributions each month.

be found in Galveston County. We are extremely proud to be introducing it.

I have heard through the grapevine, like Marvin Gaye, that a legendary Waves Social Party is in the works for July. These parties are epic and not to be missed. Stay tuned as all of the details are coming soon.

June also marks the debut of Waves’ newest stand-alone publication. You are really going to enjoy our NEW Galveston County Business Directory - The Ultimate Guide To Galveston. This is the only full-color, category-driven Business Directory to

As I always say, and can’t say enough, Please Buy Local! Almost anything you could ever want or need can be found right here in the Galveston area. Support our local businesses! BUY LOCAL!

See ya around the island...

Mike Burke | Publisher

PET Corner

Tale of a Russian Tortoise

As far as nature’s creatures go, tortoises must be placed high on the lovable list. They are slow-moving, gentle vegetarians that can live longer than humans. If properly cared for with an enriched habitat and nutritious diet they are one of the few reptiles that may enjoy their lives under a human’s care.

However, this story tells the tale of a Russian tortoise whose life was wasted by the act of a greedy animal collector, who for a few dollars grabs up and sells as many tortoises as he can possibly find. The tale should make us all think about the ownership of exotic animals and whether we can call ourselves animal lovers while being their captors. The journey from Russia to an aquarium in a pet shop would prove fatal. Too often the case with animals captured for the pet trade.

Russian tortoises are a common species living in many parts of Russia, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. They are refined and gentle animals. They are collected in mass by individuals who then sell them for what amounts to a few bucks each. Because of their gentle disposition, they are desirable animals for pet shops to order from their suppliers. As a result of over-collection and loss of habitat, Russian tortoises are now one of the many threatened species of tortoises in the world.

had been living in a small aquarium at a pet shop. He was for sale, but no one bought him.

More than likely he and others of his kind had been “collected” in the wild by an individual, sold to a local “supplier”, shipped to the United States, re-sold through the pet trade, and ended up in a pet shop’s ten-gallon prison. He was removed from the habitat he had known his whole life and placed in an artificial environment. Shy and frightened, he refused to eat or drink enough fluids and was consumed by stress.

Ultimately, dehydration and a respiratory infection made him critically ill. Despite antibiotics, fluids, and force-feeding, he quietly passed away. Sadly, his story is much too common. A high percentage of small reptiles, amphibians, and mammals that are collected in the wild enter the pet industry and never survive the first year after capture. Supporting this industry by purchasing wildcaught reptiles, birds, and tropical fish, “animal lovers” are doing a disservice to the natural world.

Several months ago, I was presented with a very sick Russian tortoise that

How could this have turned out differently besides the tortoise never being captured in the first place? If we profess to be animal lovers, should we ever “own” an exotic pet? Should humans have the right to keep animals in confined spaces their entire lives for our own pleasure? A true animal lover would support habitat

protection and enjoy capturing them with a camera lens only. If this tortoise had been purchased soon after import by a true animal lover, he would have been provided a spacious outdoor enclosure full of plants, hiding spots, natural grass, and a nutritious diet. He would have enjoyed basking in natural sunlight and been able to feel fresh air on his face. He would likely have thrived and lived a long, happy life under the care of a person who cared about his welfare. Instead, he quietly faded away, his life wasted without a shot at happiness.

Keeping animals in small cages and containers should not qualify as good animal care. These animals are living a life in confinement only to provide a small amount of entertainment for their human captors. This is not my definition of animal happiness. How many

of these animals if given a choice would choose captivity over being free in their natural habitat? I bet not many. In an ideal world prohibiting any wild animal from being trapped or captured for human ownership would be the norm.

Richard D. Henderson, DVM

Galveston Veterinary Clinic 2108 61st Street Galveston, TX 77551

PET PEEVES Of The Month

Sit Back, Relax, and Enjoy Your Flight… Are You Kidding Us ???

There was a time when many of us enjoyed flying when we were taking a trip. Sadly, those days are long gone. What a miserable experience it is today.

Today we pay exorbitant rates just to check our luggage and suffer outrageous prices for airport beverages, food, and snacks. This is after we practically have to strip down naked to go through a long and slow security process. What a headache.

When we finally walk what seems like miles to get to our departure gate, many times we notice that our flight is either delayed or canceled. If we actually do get to board, we watch as some passengers try to stuff what seems half of their worldly belongings into the overhead storage compartment.

Like a herd of cattle, we finally get to sit down in a seat. Crammed into a small, undersized seat is the case. Then the real fun begins as the unruly passengers and surly flight attendants take over.

Then, there is always the genius passenger who reclines their seat as far back as they can so they can lay in our lap. We sit helpless in this claustrophobic and uncomfortable situation hoping we won’t have to use the restroom.

When the flight is mercifully over, we take another long hike to the baggage claim area. This is when we feel like we are spinning the wheel on Wheel Of Fortune. Will we land on bankrupt and our bags will be lost?

Do We Like Being Charged Outrageous Fees and Prices? Do We Like Being Herded Like Cattle? Do We Like Unruly Passengers? Do We Like Flight Attendants That Act Like They Wish They Could Vaporize Us?

This is what flying on an airplane has become.

NO! WE DON’T LIKE THAT!

We know better than to think that flying will ever return to the way it was many years ago. Here is hoping that things don’t become even worse, though we don’t see how they could.

FOSTER

FOSTER

Fostering Saves Lives. For a weekend or until adoption, give a shelter animal time out of a cage in a home. You could be instrumental in finding that animals new home. From old dogs to bottle baby kittens our foster program is vital to our success.

Fostering Saves Lives. For a weekend or until adoption, give a shelter animal time out of a cage in a home. You could be instrumental in finding that animals new home. From old dogs to bottle baby kittens our foster program is vital to our success.

VOLUNTEER

VOLUNTEER

Volunteers are the backbone of GIHS. Assisting with many tasks at the shelter and off-site events! Sign up today to help advocate for adoptable animals, take a dog for a walk, socialize kittens, or one of any other volunteer tasks that make our mission possible.

DONATE

Volunteers are the backbone of GIHS. Assisting with many tasks at the shelter and at off-site events! Sign up today to help advocate for adoptable animals, take a dog for a walk, socialize kittens or one of the many other volunteer tasks that make our mission possible.

DONATE

Whether in support of one of our designated programs or as a general contribution every dollar supports our mission and it is tax-deductible. We do have an Amazon wish list as well, you can literally give a dog a bone.

Whether in support of one of our designated programs or as a general contribution every dollar supports our mission and it is tax deductible. We do have an Amazon wish list as well, you can literally give a dog a bone.

SHELTER SERVICES:

S a f e h o u s i n g a n d c a r e f o r r e s i d e n t p e t s i n c l u d i n g a n i m a l h e a l t h a n d b e h a v i o r a s s e s s m e n t s R o u t i n e h e a l t h c a r e i n c l u d i n g i m m u n i z a t i o n s , w o r m i n g , a n d t r e a t m e n t f o r m i n o r i n j u r i e s R a b i e s o b s e r v a t i o n s f o r b i t e c a s e s

P a r t n e r i n g w i t h o t h e r o r g a n i z a t i o n s t o t a k e i n a n i m a l s a s n e e d e d

Safe housing and care for resident pets including animal health and behavior assessments. Routine health care including immunizations, worming, and treatment for minor injuries. Rabies observations for bite cases. Partnering with other organizations to take in animals as needed. Coordinating transport for out-of-state placements.

C o o r d i n a t i n g t r a n s p o r t f o r o u t o f s t a t e

p l a c e m e n t s

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS:

• Spay/neuter assistance

• Lost pet assistance and recovery

• Humane education for all ages

OUR MISSION

Dedicated to promoting animal welfare and the protection and prevention of unwanted or homeless animals of Galveston Island.

ADOPT FOSTER SPONSOR VOLUNTEER

EDUCATE DONATE

CONNECT WITH US

The “Big Fix”

GIHS is dedicated to ensuring ALL pets are spayed or neutered to decrease the number of homeless and unwanted pets as well as the number of pets entering the shelter. Through generous grant funding, we offer spay/neuter assistance programs at low to no cost for those in need. Contact the shelter for information about the “Big Fix!”

T h e G a l v e s t o n I s l a n d H u m a n e S o c i e t y I N C , f o r m e d i n 1 9 8 1 a s a 5 0 1 C 3 , n o n - p r o f i t o r g a n i z a t i o n O r i g i n a l l y c r e a t e d b y c o n c e r n e d c i t i z e n s t o r e s c u e a n i m a l s f r o m “ t h e p o u n d ” a n d m u c h h a s c h a n g e d o v e r t h e l a s t f e w d e c a d e s T o d a y w e h a v e a h u m a n e s h e l t e r w i t h a n o - k i l l l i v e r e l e a s e

MEET GIHS

The Galveston Island Humane Society, Inc., formed in 1981, is a 501c3, non-profit organization. Originally created by concerned citizens to rescue animals from “the pound,” much has changed. Today we have a humane shelter, providing care for lost or homeless pets, reuniting pets with families, and promoting the adoptions of pets needing homes.

GALVESTON ISLAND COMMUNITY CATS

E m e r g e n c y M e d i c a l A s s i s t a n c e

• Pet food pantry for individuals in need

• Emergency Medical Assistance

WHAT DO ADOPTIONS INCLUDE AT GIHS?

A l l a d o p t e d p e t s a r e s p a y e d / n e u t e r e d a s r e q u i r e d b y T e x a s l a w .

• All adopted pets are spayed/neutered as required by Texas law.

V a c c i n a t i o n s i n c l u d i n g r a b i e s , a s w e l l a s

F

c u r r e n t w h e n p e t i s a d o p t e d

M i c r o c h i

• Vaccinations including rabies, as well as Flea and - Heartworm prevention, are all current when the pet is adopted.

• Microchip.

GICC was established in 2015 and is a progressive Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) program to fix, vaccinate and release feral cats on the island. To date, we have altered over 4000 felines with this program. The success of this program has reduced yearly intake at GIHS and has improved our live release rate in cats from 52% in 2014 to 94% in 2024.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Microchip your pets.

• Spay or neuter your pets.

r a t e D a i l y w e p r o v i d e c a r e f o r l o s t o r h o m e l e s s p e t s , r e u n i t i n g p e t s w i t h t h e i r f a m i l i e s a n d p r o m o t i n g t h e a d o p t i o n o f p e t s n e e d i n g h o m e s A s a n “ o p e n a d m i s s i o n ” s h e l t e r f o r G a l v e s t o n I s l a n d w e a c c e p t a l l h o m e l e s s p e t s e v e n w h e n t h e s h e l t e r i s f u l l I n a c i t y w i t h a h i g h n u m b e r o f h o m e l e s s p e t s , t h i s c o u l d e a s i l y l e a d t o n e e d l e s s e u t h a n a s i a O u r p r o g r a m s w o r k d i l i g e n t l y t o r e d u c e t h e n u m b e r o f p e t s i n o u r c o m m u n i t y . W e a r e c o m m i t t e d t o a s s u r i n g t h a t a d o p t a b l e p e t s a r e k e p t a v a i l a b l e u n t i l t h e y a r e p l a c e d i n a f a m i l y o r t r a n s f e r r e d t o a p a r t n e r o r g a n i z a t i o n O u r s h e l t e r i s m a n a g e d b y a b o a r d o f d i r e c t o r s c a r i n g s t a f f a n d a c t i v e v o l u n t e e r s w h o w o r k t o p r o v i d e f o r t h e p e t

As an “open admission” shelter for Galveston Island, we accept all homeless pets, even when the shelter is full. In a city with a high number of homeless pets, which could lead to needless euthanasia, our programs work diligently to reduce the number of pets in our community.

• Like and share from our social networks.

• Become a member of GIHS.

• ADOPT your next best friend.

M i c r o c h i p y o u r p e t s S p a y o r n e u t e r y o u r p e t s a n d e n c o u r a g e o t h e r s t o d o t h e s a m e

i n 2 0 2 4

• VOLUNTEER at the shelter.

• FOSTER if you cannot adopt.

• DONATE to support our mission.

L i k e a n d s h a r e f r o m o u r s o c i a l B e c o m e a m e m b e r o f G I H S A D O P T y o u r n e x t b e s t f r i e n d V O L U N T E E R a t t h e s h e l t e r F O S T E R i f y o u c a n n o t a d o p t D O N A T E t o s u p p o r t o u r m i s s i o n

We are committed to assuring that adoptable pets are kept available until they are placed in a family or transferred to a partner organization. Our shelter is managed by a board of directors, caring staff, and active volunteers who work to provide for the pets in our care along with creating and managing community programs that will positively impact our shelter. We hope you will join us in our mission to make sure that every pet on Galveston Island can live out his or her life in a loving home.

Famous Rock Bands

Re l ati o nshipAd v ic e with Jan & Dean

Dear Jan and Dean - I am writing to you with a heavy heart. My married adult son Daniel and I have always been very close. I was a single mom when he was growing up and he has always been the top priority in my life. Up until recently, I think I was his top priority too. We have always shared a lot of love for each other.

I am writing to you because this Mother’s Day my son broke my heart. He called me about ten days before Mother’s Day and told me he wanted to take me to my favorite restaurant to celebrate. He told me to pick any restaurant I wanted. He said anywhere was fine, that he wanted to make it a very special day for me. I told him how sweet I thought that was and that I couldn’t wait to share a wonderful Mother’s Day with him. The trouble began when I chose the restaurant. It’s a wonderful restaurant situated on beautiful grounds. It has always been my favorite. It is only about a 45-minute drive from where we live. Two days before Mother’s Day my son called and told me we could not go to the wonderful restaurant he asked me to choose. He said that his wife, Julie, refuses to go there. She told him that with her being seven months pregnant, she didn’t want to ride in a car that long. Are you kidding me? It is only a 45-minute drive at most.

Well, my son took Julie’s side and refused to take me where I wanted to go. I said that she could stay home if she didn’t want to go and that it would only take us about three hours to celebrate Mother’s Day. Julie told him NO. That if she wasn’t going, then he couldn’t go either. My son caved to Julie and said we would have to go somewhere real close to home or we wouldn’t be going at all. This hurt me very much so I told my son to just forget it, that I would spend Mother’s Day alone. He shocked me when he said okay to that and I didn’t even get a phone call on Mother’s Day.

I am still heartbroken about this Jan and Dean. I cannot believe my son would treat his mother this way. I can’t believe he allowed Julie to dictate how he had to spend Mother’s Day with his mom. What is your opinion? --Helen Is Hurt

Hello Helen. I’m very sorry this happened to you on Mother’s Day. This relates to the age-old question of who comes first, the parents or the spouse.

There is something I remember from my college days that my history professor told our class. He said, there are always two reasons for everything, the reason you are told and then the real reason. I do not believe your daughter-in-law’s reason that she didn’t want to take a drive to the restaurant because of her pregnancy for one second.

have mattered to her at all that you and your son share a nice Mother’s Day dinner. In fact, she should have encouraged it.

I hate to say it but I think you have a real problem on your hands. Obviously, your son has little to no backbone when it comes to standing up for what is right. Take care.

My opinion is she is jealous of the relationship you and your son share. I think she views it as a competition. A competition she fully intends to win. It should not

Helen - I can certainly understand the hurt you are experiencing. I have close friends who are mothers of married sons, and they relate similar experiences especially when it comes to playing second fiddle at holidays and special occasions. Like you, when their sons were single and living on their own, they would stop by and call if they needed advice or to help their moms, but once they married and started having children all that changed. From that point on, if they ever wanted to see their sons or grandchildren, they would always have to go to see them, and all the special occasions would always center around the wife’s family. One of my friends told me that for years she grieved over it and wondered what she did wrong, then she remembered that age-old saying that goes “a daughter is a daughter all of her life - a son is a son until he takes a wife”.

This saying spotlights the idea that sons may become more focused on their own families once they marry and especially in this case, with a baby soon to be born. I feel your son-in-law did make a great effort to honor you this past Mother’s Day and probably felt very conflicted when his wife didn’t feel like traveling so far. At that point, it might have been incumbent upon you, Helen, to have asked her personally what her favorite restaurant choice would be since she is about to be a new mommy. Surely, you are excited about being a soon-to-be grandma! There is no reason that Daniel couldn’t honor the wonderful mother who raised him and the one who will soon be raising their own child together.

Have a question for Jan & Dean? Go to www.wavesgalveston.com & ask away. You just might have your question answered next month.

ON FITNESS

Shaye Henderson, BSN, M.Ed., M.S., Instructor at Bent On Healthy Living Wellness Center, 2910 53rd Street, Galveston

FOCUS Your Fascinating Fascia

Most people know their way around their hometown streets better than they know the map of their own bodies! Awareness of your body and how it moves and functions is called “proprioception.” A lack of total body awareness or proprioception is one of the most significant causes of aches, pains, and degeneration.

Most people also don’t realize their enormous potential for healing the aches and pains that plague them daily. I recently experienced an acute muscle pull in my upper back directly below my shoulder blade. After three ER visits and one overnight hospitalization, the muscle began to heal. I used every tool in my arsenal to help my body recover. Still, the one technique that was most effective save for a tincture of time, was using my knowledge of the potent healing properties of myofascial massage.

Becoming empowered to transform your painful areas starts with understanding the soft tissue scaffolding called fascia, which connects everything inside you.

Your fascia has been with you since you were 50 cells old – it developed from your mesoderm, the middle of the three primary embryonic layers. The word fascia is Latin for band or bandage. Fascia is a band or sheet of connective tissue, primarily collagen, beneath the skin that attaches, stabilizes, encloses, and separates muscles and other internal organs. Fascia provides

the lubricating barrier that prevents one muscle from catching on another muscle during muscle contraction.

Picture an orange. The orange peel is like your skin; the soft white inner layer of the peel is the superficial fascia just under the skin; the membranes that wrap each section of the orange are like the deep fascia that surrounds the muscles; and each juicy cell is wrapped in more fascia, which is like the fascia surrounding individual muscle fibers. With such a big job, you can see why it is vital to ensure it stays healthy!

How you ask, do you keep your fascia healthy?! Why, through self-myofascial massage, of course! If there is a restriction or adhesion of a part of your fascia, the muscles cannot function

properly, and neither can the joints to which that muscle attaches. Rolling or other self-massage techniques squeeze, knead, compress, and pry loose muscle fibers and their associated fascial tissues. Rolling teases apart the sticky or adhered parts of the tissues, separating the individual fibers within a muscle so that each fiber can pull its own weight instead of its neighbor. Your muscles are then able to contract and release correctly and fully.

Rolling has so many benefits! It relieves aches and pains, enhances breathing function, increases mobility and energy level, reduces stress, and, on top of all that, improves posture and performance.

Tools of the tissue trade include foam rollers and, my personal favorite, Roll Model® Therapy Balls from Tune Up Fitness. Anyone can find their soft and hard spots with these tools. If you are uncertain whether rolling is right for you, check with your physician.

The best place to roll or perform self-myofascial massage is on a clean floor, wall, or chair. A yoga mat on a wood or tile floor will help cushion your body. Dim the lights and play soothing music for added effect. Rolling can be done daily. You can get the benefits of rolling in as little as two minutes! But if you can carve out 15 to 20 minutes a day, you will most certainly feel the results in your body quickly.

So now the cold, hard truth about rolling your fascia….discomfort, ok, downright pain. When you begin rolling, you will probably have some very sensitive areas that make you yelp. This most likely is your body telling you just how bound up your fascia

is and how much you need to be rolling! A good rule of thumb is if an area feels better after rolling, the discomfort is therapeutic and healthy. If, on the other hand, the area feels worse after rolling, there is bruising, or your muscles feel worse the next day, the tissue may not be healthy enough to withstand the rigors of self-massage and should be avoided. But if you can endure a little discomfort as you begin to open up your tight tissues, you will be rewarded with a feeling of warmth flooding into the worked area and a wonderful sense of relaxation, I promise!

Your fascial tissue turns over approximately every two years. That means potentially, two years from now, you will have remodeled yourself from the inside out. You absolutely have the power to rid yourself of the daily aches and pains you feel from the knotted mess that is your under-cared-for fascia. Grab some therapy balls and start your journey to erase pain while you increase your coordination and body sense!

Shaye Henderson

Shaye Henderson, BSN, M.Ed., M.S., Instructor at Bent On Healthy Living Wellness Center, 2910 53rd Street, Galveston

As you age, your skin becomes thinner, especially on the neck. Concealing your neck with clothing like scarfs or turtlenecks is not a practical solution, particularly in Texas with our hot and humid climate. Surgical procedures, though effective, come with extended recovery time, expense, and risk. That is why many people are turning to non-surgical procedures that can rejuvenate thin skin and restore a youthful appearance. We will review a few here.

Botox®️ or Xeomin®️

The platysma is a superficial thin sheet-like muscle that stretches from the jaw-line to the clavicle just below the base of the neck. With aging, the muscle becomes weaker, separates and forms unwanted platysmal bands. Injecting these bands with Botox or Xeomin causes the muscle bands to relax and creates a smoother neck. You can expect results to last 3 months or significantly longer as many of my clients report.

eMatrix™️ Sublative Rejuvenation

In addition to muscle bands, the skin on the neck can get thin and crepey with reduced collagen and elastin content. Sublative

Creating a Youthful Neck

BY: DR. TARA WEGRYN

rejuvenation causes selective damage to small areas of skin leaving adjacent skin intact to accelerate the healing process. Sublative therapy stimulates fibroblasts to increase production of elastin and collagen which leads to tighter skin. Amazingly, you will continue to see improvement in your skin texture for up to 6 weeks after a single treatment! However, usually a series of 3-4 treatments is performed with an impressive cumulative effect.

Kybella®️

Almost 2/3 of adults report that they are bothered by fullness under the chin, the socalled ‘double chin’. In some, the cause is excess fat which can create an unflattering profile. Treatment for this involves disrupting the membranes of the fat-containing cells so that the fat is released and removed from the body. Kybella is an FDA-approved treatment for stubborn fat under the chin. It is made of deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body. Kybella is usually administered in a series of 2-3 treatments, scheduled 4 weeks apart. The total number of treatments can be modified as results are seen.

Conclusion

So remember to include your neck and décolleté in your skincare regime. Apply sunscreen and your skin care products to these areas. If you are not happy with the appearance of your neck, Botox or Xeomin, Kybella or Sublative rejuvenation may be reasonable non-surgical options to consider!

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

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

Have a great day, and I hope you continue to “Look Fresh And Feel Confident”.

www.refreshmedidayspa.com

Bob Rohan, or as he is known in Texas “Bad Bob”, has been playing the fiddle and singing in various groups for over 30 years in Texas, and has opened for Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, Carlene Carter and John Conley to name a few. Bob has played in bands that have backed up country legends like Hank Thompson, Ray Price, Jack Greene, Pam Tillis, and Dale Watson.

Along with songwriting, Bob is also a talented cartoonist and has a self syndicated comic strip titled “Buffalo Gals”. The comic feature is about two cowgirls “Bess Winchester” and “Connie Cheyenne”. The comic strip was inspired after playing with “The Hays County Gals and Pals” a cowgirl western group that toured through Texas, Oklahoma and as far west as Elko, Nevada. Bob has won The Wisconsin State Fiddle Championship and has been nominated several times from The Academy of Western Artists for Best Cowboy Cartoonist.

www.badbobrohan.com

Controlling Gnats - the ones that bite!

As many of you have experienced, some gnats bite- and it hurts! If you are like me, you can also have a huge, red welp that itches for days. And if you are like me, you would love a way to get rid of them or prevent them from coming all together.

Bad news-

Well, I have good news and bad news.

• Most repellants do not work.

• The population size is dependent on rainfall- which we can’t control.

• The population size is dependent on temperatures- which we can’t control.

Good News-

• Once temperatures are above 80, the life cycle is done for most of the year.

• Gnats don’t like dark shady areas, so shady porches are not a favorite spot of theirs.

• Products with Permethrin are effective in controlling the gnats.

The life cycle of the gnat begins in running water- streams, creeks, rivers. The female lays eggs attached to submerged debris and the pupae grow and develop under water until maturity. Only the females bite and feed on blood.

In our coastal area, there is generally only one generation per year.

To control the gnats, bright yellow sticky strips or aluminum pie plates coated in oil hung in the sunlight will attract the gnats. Once the gnats land, they are stuck and no longer a problem.

If you are going to be outside for a length of time, using a product with Permethrin in it on your clothes will help.

By the time you read this, we will probably be over the 80° mark and the gnats will be done for the year. So, file this info away so you will be ready when the next round arrives.

For more great information, go to: www.hollykross. com

Ross

Shamus is the perfect dog for someone seeking an easygoing, older companion who is gentle, sweet, and gets along well with other dogs. He doesn’t pull on the leash and is well-suited for an older person or a low-energy household. Although he prefers a calm environment, he enjoys playing with other dogs. Shamus, a beautiful ginger boy, is around 10 years old and has no health issues. He is a Shepherd mix and would love to share sunsets and quiet moments with you in a loving home.

The Galveston Island Humane Society is always in need of volunteers, fosters, and adopters. By spending time with the shelter dogs, you can help them socialize and also promote their adoption. Becoming a foster parent or adopting a dog like Shamus can give them the mental and emotional break they need from shelter life. If you’re interested in fostering, please visit www.galvestonhumane.org/foster.

If you’re interested in adopting Shamus, please apply at www.galvestonhumane.org/adopt.

Fun Facts Historical Galveston

By: Thomas Waggoner

Radio Stations, Lighthouses, and Fire HousesGalveston’s Rich History

Hello Waver’s! Summer is here and the Island is bustling with visitors. Here are a few tidbits I found while doing some of my research. Let’s start on the Radio!

KILE RADIO AM 1400

KILE was a Top-40 station licensed to Galveston, Texas. The call letters for the station were KILE and it debuted on September 2, 1957 at 6am. The morning show was called Hit the Deck while the afternoon program was called Teen Tempos. Fun Fact: KILE was housed in the Hotel Galvez for a while.

“I had the privilege to work at KILE when the studios were in the Galvez Hotel from 1969-1974 One of the hi-lites of my life.” ….James Layer

KUFO RADIO FM 106

The station was located on the east side of the Flagship Hotel at 2500 Seawall Blvd. It was shaped like a UFO. It was elevated with lights running along its edge and a line of windows running all around the circular-shaped building. Guests would walk over to request their favorite songs at its flying saucer-shaped studios. The radio station would also help the community.

“I was given a 45.. of “Galveston’’ by Glen Campbell. I believe he was there promoting the song’s release. If you donated a can of “Campbell’s Soup,” you were given a 45 of his song. Glenn Campbell happened to see me making a donation, and asked me and my Mom to come talk to him on air ...” -Stephen Rodwell, Sr.

Fun Fact: KUFO also had a bumper sticker. Stereo 106 FM.

Minnie Fish - Galveston Equal Suffrage Association

In 1914, Minnie Fisher Cunningham embarked on a 50-year political career as a champion of civil liberties and gender, racial, and economic justice. She began as president of the Galveston Equal Suffrage Association. She finished her career as campaign manager for John F. Kennedy. Along the way, she ran for Texas governor and United States senator. As president of the Texas Equal Suffrage Association, she personally lobbied the U.S. Congress to pass the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. Fun Fact: “Minnie Fish,” was the nickname President Franklin D. Roosevelt affectionately called her.

Galveston Jetty Lighthouse

On Nov. 12, 1918, the Galveston Jetty Lighthouse was dedicated and

its lamp lit for the first time on the island’s East End, one day after the end of World War I. The Galveston Jetty Lighthouse has survived over 100 years and now sits on the corner of 39th Street and Avenue Q on Galveston College’s campus. Fun Fact: John L. Sullivan donated more than $20,000 to restore the original cupola for the Galveston Jetty Lighthouse replica to be built.

The Concrete Ship -SS Selma …..the SS Selma rests in a significant site in Galveston Bay, … near the “marine battleground” for part of the Civil War’s Battle of Galveston in 1863.

A former city editor of the Galveston Daily News and retired copy editor of the Houston Chronicle purchased the Selma in 1992. His name is A. Pat Daniels of Houston. The oil tanker SS Selma is the only permanent, wreck near Galveston. It lies approximately one mile north of The island. Fun Fact: Built in 1919, President Woodrow Wilson approved the construction of 24 concrete ships of which only 12 were completed.

Falstaff - The Island’s Beer

Galveston and Falstaff Brewery were important contributors to the beer industry in Texas in the late 1800s and 1900s. The Galveston Brewing Company, established in 1896, became one of the largest and most successful breweries in Texas. It changed ownership and became Galveston Houston Breweries Inc. but was eventually purchased by the St. Louis-based company Falstaff in 1955. The brewery employed hundreds of workers until it was heavily damaged by Hurricane Carla in 1961. It also had railroad tracks running along two sites to transport the beer to the mainland for larger distribution. Fun Fact: Containing only 3.5% alcohol, the beer was advertised as a medicinal tonic “especially good for people of a nervous temperament and frequently prescribed by physicians.”

A Galveston Famous Drink?

The local legend goes like this: The margarita was invented in 1948 for singer Peggy Lee. Lee was singing in the Balinese Room. Bartender Santos Cruise made the drink for her with what was then a new type of liquor. It was called tequila. Her husband, a guitar player in the band,

KILE RADIO AM 1400 KUFO RADIO FM 106

Minnie Fish Galveston Jetty Lighthouse

was drinking a popular drink at the time called a sidecar. A sidecar was made with Brandy, triple sec, and lime juice with sugar around the rim. Santos substituted the tequila for the brandy and the salt for the sugar. When Mrs. Lee asked what they should call it her husband suggested margarita. Fun Fact: Peggy is short for Margaret. Legend says that on that day the margarita was born at the Balinese Room.

Galveston’s 1st integrated Firehouse In 1957, Star State Company No. 3 became the first firehouse in Galveston to integrate. The city continued to use the building as a fire station until it was decommissioned in the 1960s. Fun Fact: Genoice Walker, Lucious Pope, and Leroy Small were hired in 1957 becoming the first firehouse in the city to integrate with African American firemen.

Galveston never disappoints with its rich diversity and culture. I hope you’ve enjoyed these fun facts. Stay cool and don’t forget to explore our great island!

Catch you next month!

Thomas Waggoner

The Concrete Ship -SS Selma Falstaff Beer

The Balinese Room and the legend of the Margarita

Pennie’s Take Out Menu

Smoked Brisket

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

Pork Ribs

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

Grilled Chicken

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

Link Sausage

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

Sandwiches

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

Stuffed Baked Potato

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

Barbacoa (Sat. and Sun. Only)

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

Sides and Dessert

All sides are made fresh at Pennie’s

Potato Salad

Dill based cool refreshing chopped potatoes mixed with dressings.

Pinto Beans

My own recipe made fresh daily. Lots of love goes into the beans.

Spanish Rice

Green Beans

Cole Slaw

Banana Pudding Trifle

by: Tom Valliere & Charlie Bresenhan

Katie’s Seafood House Restaurant & Market

Big BITES

Galveston Island is a very special place for those of us who call it home and the thousands of visitors who enjoy our beaches and attractions every year.

With the Gulf of Mexico and thirty-two miles of sandy beaches on one side and the incredibly productive brackish waters of Galveston Bay on the other, Galveston has always been nurtured and defined by our marine environment.

Galveston has certainly changed over the years, a thriving industrial port and financial center has yielded to a large cruise ship industry, tourist and leisure business, and a sprawling medical complex. While many things have changed, a common thread throughout our history has been our abundance of fresh seafood harvested from our local waters.

Visitors flock to our local restaurants with the expectation of being served freshly caught high-quality seafood. However, that may not always be true. Let me explain.

Each American consumes on average about 21 lbs. of seafood annually. More than 60% of that is imported. Shrimp are the most popular seafood consumed in the US and that figure rises to 90% imported. Most of that is farm-raised in Southeast Asia and Central America.

With that amount of product coming from multiple regions, mislabeling and misrepresentation of species and origin is unfortunately widespread. Estimates vary but studies have shown that more than 30% of the seafood sold and served in the US is misrepresented in some manner. In some instances that figure is much higher. Tests run by US Government agencies as well as private labs including DNA testing confirm this.

Counterfeiting is a global problem and is not confined to high-visibility luxury items such as Rolex watches and Gucci handbags. It affects every part of our daily lives.

In my previous career, I worked as an advisor to the US Patent and Trademark Office and US Army Material Command addressing problems of counterfeit electronic components entering the US and contaminating military spare parts inventories.

The lessons learned from that experience also hold true for seafood. The cure is deceptively simple, yet complex to implement. Simply put, “know your supply chain”.

In the art world and antiques, it is called “provenance”. In legal parlor, it is called “chain of custody”. In electronics, we call it “traceability”. It is all the same. Know where your product comes from and have an unbroken chain back to the source.

In Galveston, Katie’s Seafood sets the standard by having an in-house captive supply chain. This family-owned restaurant is supplied by its own fleet of fishing boats and its wholesale seafood business. This assures their customers are getting authentic and fresh seafood on every visit.

Buddy Guindon, owner and family patriarch, is a founding member of a non-profit organization called “Gulf Wild”. Created to address management of the Gulf of Mexico fisheries and bring order to a rather chaotic conservation effort imposed by the federal government, Gulf Wild has implemented a well-monitored program that ensures your seafood was harvested by US fishermen using innovative conservation methods. They have implemented a “real-time” tagging and tracking system called “TRANSPARENSEA” that traces each target fish and allows their restaurant to tell you exactly where the fish on your plate was caught, the time it was caught, and the boat and captain’s name. You cannot get that assurance of freshness and authenticity from a national chain restaurant.

their website at www.gulfwild.com for more information.

The Restaurant

You not only get a guarantee of freshness and authenticity when you visit Katie’s, but you also get a highly skilled kitchen staff and a very innovative menu. Note: We have previously reviewed this restaurant (October 2020) and their general manager Brett Otteman in a Spotlight article (October 2021) and those are available in our online archives at www.wavesgalveston.com.

I am pleased to report this restaurant has continued to evolve and sets a high bar for its innovative and creative new dishes and adaptations of traditional dishes.

Buddy Guindon and Katie’s Seafood have gained a national reputation through the reality TV series “Big Fish Texas” which aired on the National Geographic network and featured the Guindon family and their fishing fleet www.natgeotv.com. The series has made Buddy a national figure and a spokesperson for responsible harvesting and management of our Gulf fisheries.

There is much more to this story than can be told in this short article. Visit

On a recent visit, we sampled several new dishes that demonstrated the capabilities of their talented staff. Their “burnt ends”, a twist on that Kansas City barbecue specialty, smokes and seasons chunks of Amberjack in a seafood version of that dish. It is amazing and a must-try on your next visit. However, that is just the start. Their menu is extensive and their kitchen is flexible and more than willing to honor special requests.

Their “Happy Hour” is now one of the island’s finest. Drink specials pair with an innovative menu of “Fishing Trip Munchies” that constantly evolve but always include their acclaimed Snapper Wings. This innovative play on traditional Buffalo wings is sold by the piece and may be ordered plain or spicy. It is the one dish you must try! Another dish I enjoy is their Greek Fisherman’s Caps. These crispy fish sliders come with parmesan and feta cheeses and a Greek dressing. Served with a pico and fries, they are excellent.

A large bar and seating area accommodates gatherings and a festive

atmosphere sets the tone. A large deck overlooking the fishing fleet offers all-fresco dining and a pooch-friendly setting for our furry partners.

The restaurant has been criticized in the past for its high ambient noise levels making conversation difficult. I am pleased to announce they have addressed this issue with innovative sound-deadening techniques and materials integrated unobtrusively into their architectural scheme. On my recent visit, I could tell the difference. The noise levels are much attenuated and normal conversation was easy.

Katie’s is not the only good seafood restaurant in Galveston and others also source their seafood from Buddy’s fleet, however, if you want a true waterfront dining experience with an excellent kitchen and top-notch service, this is an experience you do not want to miss. If you only go for a happy hour drink and a snapper wing or two, say hello. I’ll be the big guy at the end of the bar with gray hair and a plate of burnt ends!

The Market

Not in the mood to go out?

Staying in a condo with a full kitchen and want to boil up some shrimp? Maybe you want to take some island magic home with you.

Katie’s Seafood Market is where to go. Located about a half block from the restaurant, Katie’s Market offers the same boat-to-table freshness as you will find at the restaurant. An unassuming sort of ramshackle storefront on the waterfront, this is the place. Go early and you will likely see island chefs making purchases for their daily specials. The store opens onto a working dock and boats continually unload fresh seafood in the back. Trays of fresh fish and shrimp of every size and description tempt the shoppers. Everywhere there is ice and dripping water. It is mildly chaotic. Clerks weighing and bagging orders, filet knives flashing at workstations in the back, forklift trucks in the streets, and hungry pelicans begging for a handout. A pure island experience equal to all others, and it’s free!

Take some island magic home with you. It doesn’t matter if you flew or drove

to Galveston. Katie’s will package your seafood to ensure it arrives chilled and fresh. If you prefer, you can arrange for it to be shipped directly to your home. Remember Katie’s is also a large wholesaler and supplier nationwide. They have extensive experience in packaging and shipping highly perishable seafood anywhere. Stop by and say hello even if you are not planning to buy anything. My bet is you will change your mind and leave with some fresh shrimp. Anyway, it is a unique experience. If it were mine, I would charge admittance. I am glad Buddy doesn’t.

Katie’s Seafood House Restaurant

Hours of Operation: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily 2000 Wharf Drive Galveston, Texas 77550 (409) 765-5688

www.katiesseafoodhouse.com

Katie’s Seafood Market

Hours of Operation: 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM daily 1902 Wharf Drive Galveston, Texas 77550 (409) 763-8160 www.katiesseafood.com

NEW WAVES FEATURE

Introducing the latest feature of Waves Galveston! At Waves, we have a passion for food and we love to try out diverse cuisines from various culinary experts.

Moving forward, we will be sharing with you some of the best menu items from our favorite island restaurants each month, along with detailed descriptions and specials. Stay tuned to explore new flavors with us!

The Waves SectionDining Team

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

Pennie’s Tex-Mex Takeout 1713 37th Street (409) 765-5719

June Featured Dishes

Snapper A La Grecque

Sauteed snapper filet served on Mediterranean rice and topped with an authentic Greek sauce of pulverized onions, olive oil, lemon, and spices. Opa!

Red Snapper Inn

402 Blue Water Hwy, Surfside Beach (979) 239-3226

Aguachile

Spicy shrimp ceviche marinated with cucumbers, onions, red bell pepper and serrano lime sauce with avacado tostadas.

Shucks Tavern 414 21st St. (409) 444-1700

Gulf Red Snapper

Tortilla-crusted Gulf Red Snapper over cilantro rice, wilted spinach, with a lime Beurre Blanc, grilled pineapple Pico de Gallo, and 2 gulf shrimp.

Saltwater Grill 2017 Postoffice Street (409) 762-3474

Taquilo’s Mixed Grill

Certified Angus Beef® and chicken fajitas, shrimp besos, and vegetables with pineapple and pico. Served with flour tortillas, rice, and frijoles a la charra, pico de gallo, and guacamole.

Taquilo’s Tex-Mex Cantina 2101 Postoffice (409) 497-4279

Pork Ribs

June Featured Dishes

Oven-roasted prime rib served with char-grilled asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes, au jus, and horseradish sour cream. (Fridays and Saturdays only).

Cooper’s Landing 11150 Termini-San Luis Pass (409) 539-5534

Seafood Salad

Mix greens, pepperoncini peppers, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber english, feta cheese, pita bread topped with lobster pieces, crab meat, & shrimp.

Cooper’s Landing 11150 Termini-San Luis Pass (409) 539-5534

Lamb And Sea

American Red Snapper in crab hollandaise with 3 grilled lamb chops on mint sauce. Served with seafood stuffed mirliton, asparagus and mashed potatoes. Culinary Heaven!

Katie’s Seafood 2000 Wharf Rd (409) 765-5688

Voted #1 Seafood Restaurant Brazosport Facts Readers’ Choice Awards 2021/2022

Lin Biar Owner / Chef

SPIRIT SPIRIT SPIRIT AND SOUL AND SOUL AND SOUL

An encore to our 45th season, GSO and the Galveston Heritage Chorale will explore the rich history and importance of song in African American culture, from traditional spirituals through jazz.

SUMMER YOUTH SUMMER YOUTH SUMMER YOUTH

Calling all serious young musicians! Challenge yourself through intensive orchestra rehearsals wit h professional musicians & teaching artists. On the last day of class, play in a Youth Orchestra concer t!

Who gets in? Music students (strings, brass, woodwind and percussion) age 10-19

How much does it cost? Only $40! (one time nonrefundable fee)

CURTAIN GOING UP

By: Paul Hager

COM THEATRE ANNOUNCES 2024-2025 SEASON; GALVESTON LIGHTHOUSE PRODUCTIONS BEGINS PURLIE VICTORIOUS REHEARSALS

Once again, the ‘biggest little theater in Texas’ will be entertaining audiences with a lively and diverse season:

THE REALISTIC JONESES by Will Eno - Bob and Jennifer Jones meet their new next-door neighbors, John and Pony Jones. As their relationships begin to irrevocably intertwine, the Joneses must decide between their idyllic fantasies and their imperfect realities in this inside look at the people who live next door, the truths we think we know, and the secrets we never imagined we all might share.

FUNNY BONED -or- How I Learned To SCHTICK The Landing By H. Russ Brown - Out-of-work actor, Leslie, is hopelessly overwhelmed after having bluffed their way into getting hired on as the emergency replacement asst. stage manager of a major Broadway extravaganza. Luckily, veteran vaudevillian, Duppy O’Gale, takes our hapless hero under their wing but, with the arrival of the show’s egocentric star... the schtick hits the fan in this hilariously high-spirited backstage farce.

RIDE THE CYCLONE - Book, Music, & Lyrics by Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond - In this hilarious and outlandish story, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story

to win a prize like no other — the chance to return to life. This popular musical is a funny, moving look at what makes a life well-lived!

SWEAT - By Lynn Nottage - Filled with warm humor and tremendous heart, SWEAT tells the story of a group of friends who have spent their lives sharing drinks, secrets and laughs while working together on a factory floor. But when layoffs and picket lines begin to chip away at their trust, the friends find themselves pitted against each other in a heart-wrenching fight to stay afloat. Winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

DISASTER! THE MUSICAL - Written by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick - It’s 1979, and New York’s hottest A-listers are lining up for the opening of a floating casino and discotheque. Their night of boogie fever, however, quickly changes to panic as the ship succumbs to multiple disasters in this hilarious homage to disaster movies in the era of bell-bottoms, platform shoes, and the hustle... featuring some of the most recognizable songs of the ‘70s! DISASTER! will have you dancing in your seat and rolling in the aisles.

All dates and times are TBA.

Watch our listing sections for details.

PAUL HAGER

‘LET THE PLAY BEGIN!’ - Pictured are the cast and production staff of GALVESTON LIGHTHOUSE PRODUCTIONS [GLP] as they gathered at the landmark Old Central Cultural Center for a read-through of their first production PURLIE VICTORIOUS by Ossie Davis. By the time you read this, the show will be close to up and running as part of the island’s Juneteenth celebrations. See ON THE BOARDS for details, and don’t miss this hilarious show!

ON THE BOARDS [Currently playing]

GALVESTON LIGHTHOUSE PRODUCTIONS [GLP]

• PURLIE VICTORIOUS - By Ossie Davis - June 13-16, 2024 - Various Times https://galvestonlighthouseproductions.org/

THE GRAND 1894 OPERA HOUSE

• Emancipation Celebration Concert - June 8, 2024 - 7:00 PMhttp://www.thegrand.com/

CLEAR CREEK COMMUNITY THEATRE

• THE WEDDING SINGER - Music by Matthew Sklar Lyrics by Chad Beguelin Book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy - June 20 - 23 - Various Times - https:// clearcreekcommunitytheatre.com/

IN THE WINGS [Opening Soon]

• HEAD OVER HEELS - Music and Lyrics from the catalog of The Go-Go’sJuly 19 – August 17, 2024 - 8:00 PM - https://www.islandetc.org/

THE GRAND 1894 OPERA HOUSE

• Dixie Longate: Cherry Bombs and Bottle Rockets - July 6, 2024 - 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM

• An Evening with Richard Dreyfuss - July 20, 2024 - 8:00 PM - http://www. thegrand.com/

PURPLE BOX THEATER

• BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, Book by Linda Woolverton - July 12-21, 2024 - Various Times - http://www.thepurpleboxtheater.com/

M usic P rofile

Support photos courtesy Lightning Rob

T exas Lightning Rob

Ifyou’re a guitar player and you go by the name “Lightning Rob”, you’d better be ready to show off your chops onstage. Thankfully, for Texas City guitarist Rob Balderas, AKA Lightning Rob, he enjoys doing exactly that and has the talent to back it up.

Born in Bedford, Texas in 1988, the 35-year-old guitarist, singer, and songwriter moved to the Galveston area in 2008 and has been wowing local audiences ever since with his vibrant stage persona and blazing guitar licks. With his flowing main of salted brown hair worthy of a Head & Shoulders endorsement, snake-skin boots, and teen-idol smile, Balderas also has the passion to entertain and the on-stage charisma to support his rock star looks.

“I love playing on stage with a great band to a hot crowd, there’s nothing like that in life. The thrill of it, the joy of it, the great vibes… there’s just nothing like it.”

Although primarily a cover artist, Balderas has been writing his own material and playing a few original songs at most of his shows. Several songs on Spotify showcase his guitar-God influences like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Steve Vai as well as early inspiration from Green Day. While internationally known musicians are often mentioned when it comes to naming influences, Balderas says much of his inspiration also comes from Galveston/Houston area musicians like singer-songwriter Britney Doyle and guitarist/singer James Wilhite.

Q & A Texas Music Profile – Lightning Rob

Zach Tate: How did you get the name “Lightning Rob”?

“James Wilhite is probably the best guitarist I’ve been on stage with. His tone, his timing - the way he plays his scales. Just incredible,” Balderas said.

As a part-time private music instructor with guitar and drum students, Balderas says he emphasizes developing a strong sense of rhythm and audience-engaging performance and leads by example with his own commitment to guitar craft and showmanship with high-octane energy. Although Balderas takes what he does very seriously, he says he firmly believes in having fun while doing it. Watching Lightning Rob perform, the evidence is plain to see that he thoroughly enjoys sharing his musical talents with an audience.

Lightning Rob: I was a teenager playing the local venue Dino’s Bar & Grill (now gone, sad face) and I had a lightning bolt guitar strap. I don’t remember how I came across that strap but we had just gotten done playing Voodoo Chile, the crowd loved it and a patron came up and said, “What’s your name boy?!”. At the time my bassist was the only one who called me Rob. I was Robert to everyone else up until then, and he said, before I could respond, “His name’s Rob!” The patron responds, “With hands like that, and that guitar strap, they should call you LIGHTNING Rob!” My bassist smiled and hollered into the mic, “Ladies and gentlemen, LIGHTNING ROB!” The crowd was already hot and when he said that they went nuts. After that, one by one, friends and family started calling me Lightning Rob.

ZT: Do you have any formal music training?

LR: Nope! I worked with a few books, but I learned I’d say 90-95% of my guitaring through listening and breaking down. Meeting with other guitarists in my youth helped on occasion, learning a few tricks here and there. But for the most part, I imitated Green Day’s Dookie album and Metallica’s Black album. Well, the intros at least.

ZT: Where was the first place you ever performed in front of people?

LR: Hmmm, I can’t remember the name of the place, but I know I was about 14 or 15 and my dad took me to some kind of open mic. I was terrified, this little bag of sticks of a boy, probably a 12-yearold-looking kid. But I played Brown Sugar by ZZ Top, then Voodoo Chile and, they were impressed.

Story and Photos by Zach Tate

Performing in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with Saint Anne’s Court in 2006.

I feel like I have family in Galveston. On my weekends off I can come around and have a great time with a bunch of awesome people, laughing and hanging out watching the local musicians.

ZT: Where and when did you first perform as a paid professional?

LR: I don’t remember which place first paid my band. Might have been Dino’s!

ZT: What is your earliest memory of being inspired by music?

LR: I just listened and jammed like anyone else until my skateboarding buddy Kerry Keese played his guitar with his brother for me. They were jumping around their room doing some old-school punk music and it was loud as hell and awesome and just friggin’… It blew me away. That day when my Dad got home I asked him if I could get a guitar. He already had one! The rest is history.

ZT: What artists did you love growing up?

LR: The first music I remember getting into was Michael Jackson’s Bad album. Then I get a Now That’s What I Call Music album, I forget which one… Then Green Day, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, then Audioslave! My Dad got me into Stevie Ray Vaughan then Hendrix and the old school stuff. Now I’m into local artists, some big metal bands, and… I guess I’m really focused on my performances and writing right now.

ZT: Who influences you these days?

LR: Still SRV, he was just amazing. I don’t think people realize how truly important it is to have a good sense of rhythm. I say SRV was the best rhythm guitar player that ever lived. I’m permanently inspired by him, but I’m slowly marching my way to a little bit more progressive technical playing. I’ve always been into Steve Vai’s playing, it’s just a wild and very spontaneous feeling. I might be learning a song of his in the future. Eddie Van Halen is another favorite. I guess the typical guys!

ZT: What is your songwriting process?

LR: It’s great! Lots of talent, and lots of bands in general. Inspiration, great people. I’d say Galveston is more welcoming. It’s the friendly backyard, it’s the neighbor’s party you’re always invited to. But the haggling is tough. Kemah is great but very competitive to get into. I don’t have a lot of experience in Houston, but that’s something I’m looking to change this year. I’m looking to actually narrow down the places I play in these areas.

ZT: What do you love most about being in and playing in Galveston?

LR: I feel like I have family in Galveston. On my weekends off I can come around and have a great time with a bunch of awesome people, laughing and hanging out watching the local musicians.

ZT: What is your musical goal for 2024?

LR: An album for sure. To start doing more originals in my sets and start moving north and traveling around Texas. And to provide well for myself through music.

LR : Sometimes it is music first, sometimes it is words first. It really just depends. Now that I think about it, it is usually music first. I just write a lot of poetry I suppose.

ZT: How do you determine what songs to cover and what is your method for learning that song?

LR: Most of the time it’s out of utility. I need to learn this for that, or that for this. Sometimes me or my family will hear a song that sounds like it would be fun. Sometimes it’s fan service. I’m having a hard time memorizing lyrics lately, so I feel like God might be moving me to fulfill my purpose as a writer.

ZT: What is the best part about being a musician these days?

LR: It is now and always will be the people. People telling me that their night was made because of the band, and memories and feelings and experiences were had and made and recalled all at once. I feel like it’s my way of being of service to the world.

ZT: What is your biggest frustration with being a musician?

LR: Cables, ugh, cables man.

ZT: What is your opinion of the Galveston / Houston music scene?

ZT: Where is the best place for people to find out where you’re playing next?

LR: For now it’s Lightning Rob on Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, and TikTok. The website will be coming soon, and I will announce it on those. Also, you can leave a Google review on the Lightning Rob Google page!

Lightning Rob will be performing at Sharky’s on June 7th and at the Poop Deck on June 22nd.

Lightning Rob attends Open Jam at Katies Bar with James Wilhite 2016

Lightning Rob on stage with St Anne’s Court in 2005.

FISHING on the Island

Serious Tackle Box The With

Experienced Fishing Advice To Make Fishing Great Again

Chris Gonzales

Serious Red Snapper Bottom Drop

While most sizeable red snappers of 15 to 25 pounds and over tend to suspend somewhere in the mid-depths of the water column, they do go to the bottom area regularly to feed. This red snapper bottom drop leader system will get you down there, bit, and is durable enough to bring your sow red snapper to the gaff.

I don’t recommend fishing with a double drop bottom rig, the illustration has one only to show the two different knot and hook arrangements. If you feel that you must use a double drop, dropper knots are a must for both legs. Using two surgeon’s loops has the danger of the top knot being pulled apart and the mono failing when a heavy pull is put on the bottom leg. If the top leg of a double surgeon’s loop bottom rig has the fish on, it’s not a problem, the knot is working against the hook’s pull as it is designed to do. What this also means is that a surgeon’s loop, single drop bottom rig is OK to use. Proper tying of a dropper loop or surgeon’s loop knot is in just about any good fishing knot book or on the info sheet on knots that comes with various brands of mono.

Don’t forget to lubricate your mono with saliva before tightening your knots. Dry friction is a bad thing that will damage/weaken your mono — not only that, but dry knots don’t seat as tightly as when lubricated. Wearing gloves also gives some hand protection while letting you tighten knots securely - watch out for those sharp hooks too. While the 300# clear mono and the 6 ft. vertical section from the dropper leg to the swivel may sound like overkill, they do have a specific purpose. The 300# mono provides high abrasion resistance by its size alone; that 6 ft. section is additional insurance against a cut-off should your big snapper or grouper get into a structure. When some sort of structure hang-up comes your way, give slack for a minute or two, fish do swim out at times when the pull on them is gone. Give’m slack, wait, and wind tight - you might get lucky and the fight will be on again.

The illustration’s uppermost hook is an Owner “Ringed” Super Mutu, 3X Strong in 10/0 size. These guys are sharp, strong, and expensive and they hook and hold with a vengeance. The ringed feature allows for a freedom of movement that lets a live bait swim with less restriction and gives a strip or chunk bait a bit more enticing look as it works in the current. The Owner is shown on a single mono-strand dropper leg. To get this single leg, cut the top strand of a dropper loop knot and tie your hook on. The illustration’s lower leg is a dropper knot loop. This double-strand mono is naturally stiffer and therefore less prone to tangle on the vertical section of the leader on the drop to the bottom.

Leg length of around 10 inches isn’t a problem; longer ones may twist on the drop a bit but will usually unwind when at the bottom due to the current flow and the swivel connection to your main line. The bottom hook shown is a Mustad Demon Perfect Circle Hook in 10/0 size. This is another sharp, strong, extreme penetrator that’s relatively inexpensive; they also hook and hold till the gaff is struck.

The Mustad is shown looped directly on the dropper loop; the loop must be inserted through the hook’s eye from the “bend” side of the hook, then looped and twisted around the shank twice as shown, then snugged against the hook’s eye. Securing the hook to the loop in this manner, from the “bend” side causes the hook to rotate into penetration as the line comes tight.

Serious Red Snapper Bottom Drop

The breakaway loop of weaker mono that is the connection to the short surgeon’s loop at the bottom of the vertical section and the sinker is one of those simple things of importance. The name says it all, “breakaway”, that’s what this weak link does should your weight get hung up in a structure. This saves your rigging without a lot of heavy pulling and the overstressing of anything, including yourself.

This bottom rig should always be fished vertically or very near it; use enough weight to get it there, then reel up until you just feel the weight of the sinker. A vertical drop gives you more “up and away” from structure motion per turn of the reel handle after the hookup. While on the subject of the hookup, circle hooks demand that you don’t try to “set the hook”. You must wait for the line to come tight, bowing your rod deeply — then, and only then, wind like crazy to get your trophy’s head up and coming your way. Backing up a bit, don’t mask/obstruct the hook gap (point to shank) of a circle hook with your bait -- hookups will be difficult if the bait is firm enough — I’ve seen “hookups” turn into lost fish more than once because of this masking.

your offering. The nibblers don’t want to be eaten, so they have moved on. Give it a minute or so; a bowed rod may be your first indication of a big take and hookup.

The details and why of this red snapper bottom drop are some of the things that let 10%of the fishermen catch 90% of the fish. Whatever the kind of fishing, you are ahead of the game when the big one gets on and the details are covered. Using this rigging as described will get you to the bottom with a bait presentation that results in hookups — you just need to be fishing over where your targeted sow red snapper lives.

Should you be using a live bait, the strike and hookup can be hard and fast. A big strip bait such as an 8” x 3” x 1 “ piece of bonito, bluefish, or blue runner is another story. Small fish nibbling on your strip are doing more than making your rod tip do that annoying dance. They are also helping to send out a scent cone down current. The stopping of the nibbling doesn’t necessarily mean that your bait is gone, it could be that your real target has shown up and is eyeing

Chris Gonzales Owner - Serious Tackle

Pro Fishing Gear & Tackle

• Baits/Lures

• Custom Rods

• In-House Rod/ Reel Repair

• Reel Parts

• Rod Components

• Inshore/Offshore Tackle

• Custom Rigging • Custom Splicing

Ingredients

Sweet corn-1 large ear grilled then cut off cob

Avocado-1 peeled and cubed

Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad

Roma tomato-1 cubed Cilantro-1/4 cup chopped fresh Pumpkin seeds- 1/8 cup

Oaxaca cheese- 1/4 cup grated

Serrano pepper-1 tsp chopped (more for hotter salad)

Lime juice-1 tsp

TSS Tex Mex Seasoning-1 tsp

Sea salt-ground to taste

Mixed peppercorns-ground to taste

Texas sweet corn is stocked up at almost every grocery store right now so the next couple months I will feature a new recipe using fresh sweet corn.

I picked up yellow and bi-color from my local HEB the past couple weeks to start making some of my favorite summer recipes. This month is a grilled sweet corn salad that is a perfect pairing for any grilled protein including wild game. The recipe can

be double or tripled for serving more dinner guests or leftover for lunch the next day. Its really delicious and easy to make.

Directions

Combine all ingredients stirring well, cover and set in fridge for two hours before serving.

Matchbox Twenty

RH Chili Peppers

Heart

Korn

The Black Keys 6. Queen

Journey

Genesis

Gorillaz 10. The Police

11. Poison

12. The Eagles

13. The Cranberries

14. The Doors

15. Smashing Pumpkins

16. The Cars 17. The Beach Boys

18. Oasis

19. The Beatles 20. Tool

The Beach Bum

Misunderstood Song Lyrics

Happy June, Wavers! Your Bum has been spending quite a bit of time out on the water lately. It’s not like I would be working or anything. I had a random thought the other day while I was out riding around in my ol’ scarab. It’s not like me to have many thoughts in a day, but here is what had me thinking:

We have all done it. Sang along with a song we were certain we knew the lyrics to only to eventually find out at some point that we were butchering the song and

Tiny Dancer by Elton John Misheard Lyric: “Hold me closer, Tony Danza.”

Actual Lyric: Hold me closer, tiny dancer.”

Misheard Lyric: “There’s a bathroom on the right.”

Actual Lyric: “There’s a bad moon on the rise.”

Like a Virgin by Madonna Misheard Lyric: “Like a virgin, touched for the thirty-first time.”

Actual Lyric: “Like a virgin, touched for the very first time.”

Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi

Misheard Lyric: “It doesn’t make a difference if we’re naked or not.”

Actual Lyric: “It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not.

its lyrics. We have all been guilty of mishearing and then repeating song lyrics. It’s so prevalent a problem that there is actually a word for it: mondegreen. I have put together a little list of some of the most often butchered song lyrics that I have made mistakes with. I am sure you can come up with more.

Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix Misheard Lyric: “Scuse me, while I kiss this guy.”

Actual Lyric: “Scuse me, while I kiss the sky.”

Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac

Misheard Lyric: “Grow your own weed.”

Actual Lyric: “Go your own way.”

Blinded by the Light by Manfred Mann

Misheard Lyric: “Wrapped up like a douche, another rumor in the night.”

Actual Lyric: “Revved up like a Deuce, another runner in the night.”

Two Tickets To Paradise by Eddie Money

Misheard Lyric: “I’ve got two chickens to paralyze.”

Actual Lyric: “I’ve got two tickets to paradise.”

Summer of ‘69 by Bryan Adams

Misheard Lyric: “I got my first real sex dream.”

Actual Lyric: “I got my first real six-string.”

Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds by

Misheard Lyric: “The girl with colitis goes by.”

Actual Lyric: “The girl with kaleidoscope eyes.”

Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival

The Beatles

June

June

June

June

R eflections

by: John & Kathy Valastro

2024 Hurricane Season commences: Be On Guard

To island friends and coastal communities,

As the 2024 Hurricane Season commences, it is imperative for us to remain vigilant. Every June 1st serves as a stark reminder that our cherished island paradise must be prepared for the potential challenges brought forth by Mother Nature.

The prevalent sentiment during this time is one of unease and apprehension. The uncertainty tends to evoke a sense of anxiety. For those of us who have resided on the island for over five decades, we have become accustomed to handling such situations with composure. Procuring batteries and additional supplies of water becomes a standard practice. Those in possession of generators ensure their functionality by replenishing with fresh gas and stocking up on fuel. While newcomers and those still reeling from the impact of Hurricane Ike in 2008 understandably harbor apprehensions, we empathize with your concerns.

readily accessible is equally important. Finally, it is advisable to empty and unplug refrigerators and freezers, leaving them ajar to prevent the odious smell of spoiled food upon return.

The lessons learned from past experiences have reiterated the devastating potential of tropical storms. While we take the hurricane season seriously, we refuse to succumb to living in perpetual fear. By respecting the weather and diligently making necessary preparations, we can navigate these challenges effectively.

Allow me to elaborate on the precautions we can collectively take. Firstly, it is crucial to have access to a dependable information source and media platform. Secondly, a well-devised plan and a designated safe location away from potential tidal surges are essential. Thirdly, informing others of your whereabouts and intended destination is imperative. Additionally, ensuring the availability of all medical records and medications, as well as stocking up on water and food for multiple days, is crucial. Having cash and credit cards

For those opting to remain, exercising prudence is paramount. Understanding the susceptibility of your area to flooding is crucial. Notifying family members of your decision to “ride out the storm” is essential. Equipping yourself with a generator and sufficient fuel for at least a week, as well as stocking up on batteries, food, and water, is imperative. Safeguarding vital medical records and prescriptions in waterproof containers, using zip lock bags to protect electronic devices, and considering the procurement of portable charging devices due to potential prolonged power outages are also crucial measures.

A pre-hurricane gathering is a customary ritual for many thrill-seekers and adrenaline enthusiasts. While documenting the storm through videos is anticipated, it is prudent to acknowledge that some, like myself, will choose to vacate the island early. Having weathered numerous storms in the past, advancing age dictates the wisdom in securing the premises and departing.

In conclusion, to all my esteemed island friends, may you relish the summer of 2024 while remaining vigilant to the potential looming off the coast.

Let us collectively offer our prayers for the preservation of our island paradise during this hurricane season. It certainly cannot hurt.

Warm

Regards, John and Kathy Valastro

Cookin’Column

Summer is here on the Island,

my friends, and it is H-O-T! And as the temps go up, my desire to cook over a hot stove proportionally dwindles. While it may be almost impossible to avoid cranking up the heat to cook dinner, it doesn’t have to be so for tasty appetizers or the sweet stuff. So step away from that stove and take a look at these tasty treats that will cool you and yours down all summer long!

First is one of Bunny’s favorites: Garden-Fresh Bruschetta. Fresh and simple, it’s always simple to prepare. The toppings can vary but always include fresh tomatoes and basil. Bruschetta is perfect as an appetizer, a side dish, or a snack served with crostini. Use fresh, ripe tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes work well too. While dicing the tomatoes, place them in a colander to drain.

Next, turn basic ice cream sandwiches into an impressive frozen dessert in no time with only 3 or 4 ingredients. Seriously, this ice cream cake is such a crowd-pleaser and oh-so-easy!

GARDEN-FRESH BRUSCHETTA

Ingredients

• 20-24 ounces fresh tomatoes (4-5 Roma tomatoes

• or 3-4 regular tomatoes), diced small

• ¼ cup fresh basil chopped finely

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

• 1 clove garlic minced

• ½ teaspoon each salt & pepper (or to taste)

For Serving

• 1 baguette, sliced

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or to taste)

• 1 clove fresh garlic for toast

Instructions

Dice tomatoes about ¼” and lightly drain. Mix all ingredients and let stand at room temperature for at least 1 hour. Slice the baguette, brush with olive oil, and toast or grill until lightly browned about 2-4 minutes. Rub each toasted slice baguette with a clove of peeled and sliced garlic. Top with tomato mixture.

EASY ICE CREAM SANDWICH CAKE

Ingredients

• Ice Cream Sandwiches- This recipe uses a total of 6 vanilla sandwiches to build the two layers of this ice cream cake. I use Blue Bunny brand, but you can use any brand you can find in your local grocery store. The only requirement really is that they are rectangular, or your cake will have lots of gaps.

• Cool Whip- Technically you can make your own whipped cream if you prefer, but I say keep it simple! An 8 oz. tub of Cool Whip works perfectly for this Easy Ice Cream Sandwich Cake recipe. It even comes in Extra Creamy, Sugar-Free, or Lite varieties if you have a preference!

• Oreos- You only need 4 or 5 crushed Oreos for the Oreo layer, but you are of course welcome to add

more! There are also lots of fun flavors to experiment with here if are feeling creative. Mint Oreos work great.

Now that you have selected all of your chosen ingredients, it’s time to assemble this cake!

Assembly

• First, line an 8 1/2-inch by 4 1/2-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Allow the extra paper to line the walls and hang over the sides of the pan.

• Unwrap 3 of the ice cream sandwiches and line the bottom of the pan. You will need to cut one of the sandwiches in half and lay the halves side by side to properly fill the pan.

• Next, top the ice cream sandwich layer with 4 oz. of Cool Whip (approximately half the tub). Spread the Cool Whip layer evenly over the sandwiches.

• Now sprinkle the crushed Oreo cookies over the layer of Cool Whip, distributing them evenly.

• Next, add the final layer of ice cream sandwiches over the top of the Cool Whip and Oreos. Place the sandwiches the same as the first layer and gently press them into the Cool Whip layer to squish the Whip into the sides and crevices.

• Finish by spreading the remaining Cool Whip onto the top of the ice cream sandwich cake and covering it completely.

• Finally, cover the cake with plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for at least an hour until firm.

• When you remove the cake from the freezer, lift the parchment and remove the cake from the pan. Then use a knife to smooth out the Cool Whip on the top and sides, redistributing it if necessary.

Your easy ice cream cake is ready to serve! To decorate your ice cream sandwich cake, add some rainbow sprinkles, more crushed Oreos or even a chocolate drizzle on top. I’ve even added sliced strawberries and blueberries for the 4th of July.

GARDEN-FRESH BRUSCHETTA

HappyBunnyTrails

EASY ICE CREAM SANDWICH CAKE