Port Aransas South Jetty

Mayor, trustee races to be decided

BY MARY HENKEL JUDSON SOUTH JETTY EDITOR — 05/08/2008

Predictions of a voter turnout between 800 and 900 were being made as early voting drew to a close on Tuesday, May 6. As of early afternoon Tuesday, 475 had cast ballots, according to election Judge Maudina Bomarito. Based on the early voting turnout, Bomarito, a veteran election judge, predicted that election day (Saturday, May 10) will bring another 300 to 400 voters.

A big bite

05/08/2008

A great blue heron flips a fish in the air just before consuming it while wading through beach waters near the south jetty on Sunday, May 4.

New finance director is on the job at city hall

BY PHIL REYNOLDS SOUTH JETTY REPORTER — 05/08/2008

Port Aransas' new director of fi- nance is no stranger to the job. She's not even a stranger to coastal issues. Darla Honea, who went to work for the city on Monday, April 14, comes from the city of South Padre Island, where she was the director of finances since 1998.

Park improvements take shape

BY PHIL REYNOLDS SOUTH JETTY REPORTER — 05/08/2008

Work is about 25 percent complete at Roberts Point Park, where a $1.5 million multi-job project is making improvements to restrooms, relocating the Patsy Jones Amphitheater and building a lookout at the end of Roberts Point. The project will place the new amphitheater about halfway between the end of the point and the Texas Department of Transportation ferry landings.

Golf cart bridge to link course

BY MARY HENKEL JUDSON SOUTH JETTY EDITOR — 05/08/2008

A bridge linking a practice range and the first three holes of the Newport Dunes Golf Course on the west side of State Hwy. 361 to the other 15 holes on the east side of the highway should be completed by mid-July. That's the word from Texas Gulf & Harbor, Ltd.

Blessing of Fleet Saturday at 2 p.m.

05/08/2008

Boaters will carry on a centuriesold tradition started in southern Europe when the fourth annual Blessing of the Fleet is held here on Saturday, May 10. In European fishing communities, a blessing from the local priest was thought to ensure a safe and bountiful fishing season.

Political Cartoon

05/08/2008

Voter IDs are back on table

Dave McNeely — 05/08/2008

There is a certain irony to the United States Supreme Court's upholding an Indiana law on April 28 requiring showing a photo identification to vote. It has been the high court, after all, that over the years has made it easier to vote, not harder.

Candidates deserve consideration

Mary Henkel Judson — 05/08/2008

Anyone who offers himself or herself for public service as an unpaid member of the city council, school board or water district deserves our gratitude and respect, whether or not he or she is our candidate of choice. These are thankless jobs that, if done well, require hours away from home, family and work, acute attention to detail and a certain amount of abuse.

God bless our royalty

Steve Martaindale — 05/08/2008

Who says we don't have royalty in the United States? All-Star baseball player Roger Clemens some years ago had an affair with the then-wife of professional golfer John Daly and it is big "news." Now, don't go trying Now, don't go trying to blame the messenger, saying the scandal sheets and mass media are forcing paparazzi-style news down our collective throat.

Cactus Pryor has gone fishin'. His column will return next week (we hope).

05/08/2008

Letters to the Editor

05/08/2008

Answers needed Port Aransas city government and its employees have started to feed at the public's expense with the increased revenues from a higher tax base and fees filling the city's bank accounts. This is coupled with dubious expenditures, studies, and travel for all the higher ups, and added to salary/wage increases, higher than the public sector.

Git your 'Boots' on BAND IS FRIDAY'S SUNSET SOUNDS FEATURE

05/08/2008

Grab a picnic, a blanket and a pair of dancin' boots (or flip flops) and head on down to Roberts Point Park on Friday, May 9. The Sunset Sounds concert series will present this month's band, Boots. The band originally formed as a neighborhood backyard pickin' and singin' group that played just for fun.

A place in the shade

05/08/2008

With an umbrella set up for some shade, an angler enjoys some time alone on the north jetty on San Jose Island on Saturday, April 19. This photo was shot from a small private plane passing over the island.

Rabies clinics set today, Saturday

05/08/2008

Pet owners will have the opportunity to get their pets' initial or annual rabies vaccination at a reduced cost this week. Pets and veterinary records should be brought to the rabies clinic at 319 Beach St. Rabies shots and tags and city tags will be given for $5 for unaltered animals, and $2.50 for altered animals.

Spots still available in lifeguard course

05/08/2008

There is still time to get certified as a lifeguard in May. Registration will be held throughout the day on Tuesday, May 13. The three-day course for certification in American Red Cross lifeguard, first aid and CPR for the professional rescuer is being offered Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, May 13, 14 and 16. The classes will be held from 5 to 11 p.m.

City offers bike safety on May 18

05/08/2008

Gather up the family and bicycle over to the Port Aransas High School parking lot for a workshop on bike safety on Sunday, May 18, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sgt. Sandy Flores of the Port Aransas Police Department will instruct any who would like to attend. Families should bring their bikes, as instruction is interactive.

Moms swim free on Mother's Day

05/08/2008

In celebration of Mother's Day on Sunday, May 11, all mothers may swim for free at the Port Aransas Community Park Pool, 700 Clark Pkwy. Lap swimming begins at noon on Sundays, and open swim is from 1 to 6 p.m.

GED party is canceled

05/08/2008

A party to observe the closing of a General Education Development (GED) and Literacy Program housed at Community Presbyterian Church has been cancelled, said Alice Marks, an instructor with the volunteer program. The party previously was scheduled for May 15 at the GED classroom at the church's Joint Effort Leisure Ministries center next to the church at 113 S.

WIC representatives will visit Port Aransas Monday

05/08/2008

Representatives from the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutritional program will be in Port Aransas on Monday, May 12. Situated at the Family Center IGA, 416 S. Alister St., they will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. For questions or an appointment, call (361) 767-7777.

Construction progress

05/08/2008

Construction on the new St. Joseph's Catholic Church building is taking shape. The new church is expected to cost about $2 million, and will hold 500 people. Groundbreaking was on Aug. 4, 2007, and completion is expected in November 2008.

PASTOR'S PEN

05/08/2008

In Greek the word 'Pentecost' means "50th." Pentecost Sunday ends the 50- day season of Easter. Pentecost grew from a festival marking the first grain harvest of the Middle Eastern year. It was a festival offering sacrifices to the gods from the first harvest.

Program offers yoga on beach

05/08/2008

Stretch out, relax and rejuvenate your spirit at Yoga on the Beach Saturday, May 10. Nancy Myers will instruct the free class beginning at 8 a.m. next to the Horace Caldwell Pier at the end of Beach Street. The public is invited to attend the class held the second Saturday of the month.

Shooters endangering boaters

BY PHIL REYNOLDS SOUTH JETTY REPORTER — 05/08/2008

Boaters and law enforcement officers are looking for the people who are shooting out navigation lights in Piper Channel, putting boaters at risk. More than two dozen of the lights have been shot out since the channel was re-dredged last year, said Paul Page, president of the Airport and Channel Corporation, the group responsible for the channel.

POLICE BLOTTER

05/08/2008

MONDAY, APRIL 28 • 10:26 A.M . An officer charged a man at Avenue G and Station Street with public intoxication (PI). • 2:35 p.m.

Vandals, thieves hit park concession stand

05/08/2008

Police, as well as a horde of angry Little League parents, are looking for the vandals who have broken in to the concession building at Community Park four times in the past two weeks.

CONSTABLE'S BEAT

05/08/2008

CONSTABLE'S MONDAY, APRIL 28 • 5:30 P .M . A deputy charged two people on the beach with minors in possession of alcohol. TUESDAY, APRIL 29 • 6:40 P .M . A man was arrested in the 600 block of Summer Place on an outstanding warrant.

One charged, one sought in truck burglary at motel

05/08/2008

Port Aransas police have arrested a man accused of stealing an ice chest from a pickup truck. Robert Glen Tatum, 19, of Port Aransas, is charged with burglary of a motor vehicle after a man identified him as one of two people who took an ice chest from his truck on Sunday, May 4.

ISLAND OBSERVER: TONY AMOS

05/08/2008

This may go down in the ARK annals. Any of you who go boating in the bays will doubtless have seen the untidy nests of the great blue heron built of sticks a few feet above the water on any convenient structure. Nests may be built on old duck blinds, oil and gas standpipes, aids to navigation and partially sunken boats.

That's a big turtle!

05/08/2008

On Wednesday, April 30, a tagged Kemp's Ridley turtle came ashore to lay 91 eggs. Rachel Blair, left, from the Padre Island National Seashore, removes the eggs, places them in a cooler (inset) as Animal Rehabilitation Keep patrolers Xavier Harrison, upper left, and Guy Davis, kneeling, assist in the procedure.

Ferry shuttle to resume routes through summer

05/08/2008

The city of Port Aransas and the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) are offering commuters and visitors another chance to get a ride to work or shop this summer. The ferry shuttle - a bus that starts and ends at the Port Aransas ferry ramps and runs through the city - will start again May 22 and run through Sept.

Artists and artisans to show work at ArtFest

05/08/2008

Art lovers may want to make plans to be in Port Aransas next weekend. The Art Center for the Islands is holding its third annual Artfest on Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Artfest, held in the courtyard of the historic Tarpon Inn, 200 E. Cotter, provides an opportunity to peruse fine arts and crafts in an historic, shady, outdoor courtyard.

Songwriter's event is Monday, May 19

05/08/2008

Bring a lawn chair, blanket and cooler to the 25th annual Songwriter's Showcase in the Tarpon Inn Courtyard, 200 E. Cotter, on Monday, May 19. Music starts at 7 p.m. The showcase gate fee of $5 will benefit The Art Center for the Islands.

Ford is first recipient of new writing award

05/08/2008

Laughing Gull Writing Contest coordinator Ruth Asher introduced a new award at the reception for winning writers on April 13. The Laughing Gull Heritage Award was presented for a nonfiction piece tied to the history and heritage of Port Aransas.

Multiple blessings

BY DAN PARKER SOUTH JETTY REPORTER — 05/08/2008

Some Port Aransas women can expect double and triple-doses of love this Mother's Day. The experience of motherhood is very different for women who have twins and triplets. "There's more trouble," said Marci Morris, a Port Aransas woman who has 11-year-old triplet boys, Elliott, Jason and Ty. "There's more neediness from the kids.

Klostermann design chosen for surf exhibit

05/08/2008

The Texas Surf Museum has selected a design by Port Aransas resident Elizabeth Klostermann to serve as the logo for a major new exhibit to open soon at the museum. The logo will be printed on hundreds of T-shirts and other paraphernalia associated with the exhibit titled, "Texas Women, Texas Waves.

Appraisal notices sent

05/08/2008

Your property appraisal is in the mail. If you own property in Port Aransas, you should be receiving the Nueces County Appraisal District's valuation of your property soon - if you haven't gotten it already.

Mercer house remodeling is PAPHA topic

05/08/2008

Dr. David Murrah will present remodeling plans for the new Port Aransas Museum to the Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association (PAPHA) at their next meeting. The meeting will be held Tuesday, May 20, at the Port Aransas Civic Center, 710 W. Ave. A.

Book club to meet on Tuesday

05/08/2008

There is still time to read the library Book Club's selection for the May discussion group, which will meet on Tuesday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m. They will discuss "The Jane Austen Book Club," by Karen Joy Fowler. The public is invited to join the group at the Ellis Memorial Library meeting room, 700 West Avenue A, Port Aransas.

Port Aransas birding teams place in Classic

05/08/2008

Port Aransas teams were among winners in the Great Texas Birding Classic. Awards were presented in Beaumont on Sunday, May 4. The Port Aransas Spoonbills, sponsored by the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce-Tourist Bureau, took third place in the Big Sit! Tournament.

UTMSI grad wins award for research

05/08/2008

Dr. Nancy Rabalais is the 2008 recipient of the National Water Research Institute (NWRI) Athalie Richardson Irvine Clark Prize for excellence in water research. Rabalais, who received her Ph.D. from UT-Austin Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) in 1983, will be presented with a gold medallion and $50,000 on Thursday, July 10, in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Blue whales in the pink of things

RACHEL PEARSON — 05/08/2008

Well, gentle readers, the weather has brightened up. Last week it was sunny for almost two days, and the flowering cherry trees took advantage of the good weather to drop blossoms all over the street.

Shrimp season closes May 15

05/08/2008

The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both state and federal waters will close 30 minutes after sunset on Thursday, May 15, until an unspecified time in July.

Taco to Go

05/08/2008

Owners Joe and Carrie Molina opened their new restaurant, Taco to Go, in March. Located at 717 Tarpon St., they serve breakfast tacos everyday from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m.

FOR THE BIRDS

05/08/2008

What else is there to talk about except the migration? It's all around us; it's in motion. The proof of migration is in the tops of the trees, in the low foliage, on the ground, flying overhead, in the mud flats and on the beach.

Junior Boatmen learn knot and leader tying

05/08/2008

The Port Aransas Junior Boatmen learned a few new tricks at their Wednesday, April 23, meeting. Tim Bradfield, owner of Big Game Tackle, hosted the meeting at his shop and led a knot and leader tying workshop. Matt McClellen and Chris Wallace, both deckhands at Dolphin Dock, helped out.

Hoopin' it up

05/08/2008

From left, H.G. Olsen Elementary School students Colby Jones, Hattie Longanecker and Olivia Russell do some Hula Hooping at Field Day, a day of fun, offbeat sports sponsored by the Olsen Elementary PTO on Friday, May 2.

Club slates skate event

05/08/2008

Strap on your blades and roll on down to the skate park on Friday, May 16, for Skate-a-palooza. The Port Aransas High School Key Club is having the skating party to raise funds for new ramps at the Community Park skate park, 700 Clark Pkwy.

Outside the box

05/08/2008

H.G. Olsen Elementary School student Jacquelynne Hernandez crawls through a cardboard box as part of an event at Field Day.

Pre-K registration planned at Olsen

05/08/2008

Students may be registered on Thursday, May 15, at the H.G. Olsen Elementary School office, 100 Station Street, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m. for the fall session of pre-kindergarten. Children who will be four years old on or before Sept. 1 will be eligible to attend the Port Aransas Independent School District pre-kindergarten in the fall.

Board meets May 15

05/08/2008

The Port Aransas Independent School District Board of Trustees will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, at the district's administrative offices building at 100 S. Station St. School board meetings normally are held on the second Thursday of each month, but May's meeting was rescheduled partly to accommodate trustees' schedules.

PTO schedules date for officers' election

05/08/2008

Officers for the 2008-09 school year will be elected when the Port Aransas Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) meets on Monday, May. 12. The nominating committee will present a slate of officers to consideration at the meeting that will be at 6 p.m. in the H.G. Olsen Elementary School gym, 100 Station St.

Conner honored for achievement

05/08/2008

Port Aransas High School graduate Stephanie Conner was honored by Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark. on Thursday, May 15. Conner received the Matt Locke Ellis College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Junior Academic Achievement award in nursing.

Port Aransas School Menus

05/08/2008

Breakfast Monday Assorted Cereal Graham Crackers Juice & Milk Tuesday Breakfast Bagel Fruit Juice & Milk Wednesday Scrambled Eggs Fruit Juice & Milk Thursday Cinnamon Toast Applesauce Juice & Milk Friday Assorted Cereal Graham Crackers

EDUCATION NOTES

05/08/2008

I never knew when I was growing up why everyone knew everyone's business in Port Aransas - now I know it was because everyone looked out for each other. I never knew that other schools didn't have a new gigantic library - ours even came with a librarian named Linda Nichols who also taught language and reading.

Island thespians to perform

05/08/2008

Three Port Aransas actors have been cast in "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf" and "Twain's Tales." Jenna Ward, back row, fourth from left, Aaron Kenigsberg, third row, fifth from left and Cas Ward, second row, second from left, are pictured here with the rest of the cast.

Schools schedule ceremonies to recognize, award students

BY DAN PARKER SOUTH JETTY REPORTER — 05/08/2008

Port Aransas schools will reward some of their best students in a series of assemblies to be held soon. The public is invited to attend. Port Aransas High School's annual academic banquet is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, May 12, at Fins Grill & Icehouse. Students and their parents attend the banquet, which recognizes top students in each class.

FISHING REPORT

05/08/2008

All reports indicate speckled trout and redfish are still flying out of the water and into the boats. Well, a rod or two may come in handy, but catches have been bountiful. Offshore trips have been somewhat limited by the weather, but those who fished caught mostly snapper, shark and kingfish, with some nice amberjack and ling.

A tale of two trout

05/08/2008

Arthur Toscano of San Antonio, above, and Bill Hoffman of Rockport, below, caught these speckled trout off the south jetty on Saturday, April 19. Toscano's trout weighed nearly five pounds, and Hoffman's was a little over 6.

5-of-a-kind

05/08/2008

These five went out on a 24-hour trip aboard La Pesca out of Dolphin Dock on Saturday, May 3. Dave Ault, of Austin, from left, Marcus Cato of Corpus Christi, Grant Schnabel of Austin, Erick Graham of College Station and James Bennett of Tulsa, Oklahoma, each brought in an amberjack.

Field trip bonus

05/08/2008

A Corpus Christi King High School aquatics science class took a field trip aboard the Scat Cat out of Fisherman's Wharf on Wednesday, April 23. Water turbidity samples and plankton were collected, but physics teacher Capt. Tom Buckner collected this 20-pound blackfin tuna.

Snapper happy

05/08/2008

These anglers went out with Capt. Marvin Horner on the Pelican out of Deep Sea Headquarters on Monday, May 5, to catch limits of state water snapper.

Puffer madness

05/08/2008

Charlie Leigh-Manuell of Como, Texas, caught this oceanic smooth puffer on an 8-hour fishing trip aboard the Dolphin Express out of Dolphin Dock on Monday, May 5.

Marlins fall in bi-district

BY DAN PARKER SOUTH JETTY REPORTER — 05/08/2008

The Port Aransas High School Marlins baseball team nabbed the first game of the bi-district championship but lost the second two games of the best-of-three series against the Ben Bolt High School Badgers. The Marlins beat the Badgers, 7-6, in a game played on the neutral turf of San Diego High School on Friday, May 2.

Pooling some talents

05/08/2008

The Port Aransas Swim Team is ready to form this year's team. Swimmers age 4 to 18 are invited to register Wednesday, May 14, at the Port Aransas Community Pool, 700 Clark Parkway, from 4 to 6 p.m. The registration fee of $50 includes a team t-shirt and competition swimsuit for meets.

Close to a shave

05/08/2008

Rob Phillips might be shopping for some extra-sharp razors soon. Earlier this season, Coach Phillips made a bet with his Port Aransas Little League team, the Sunbirds, that he would shave his legs on the pitcher's mound at the last game of the season if the team goes undefeated. So far, the team is sporting an 8-0 record. They have four games left.

Down in the dirt

05/08/2008

Charley Walker of the Port Aransas High School Marlins dives back to first to avoid a tag by a Ben Bolt player during a playoff game on Saturday, May 3, at Gregory-Portland High School. Walker was safe.

Deaths/Funerals

05/08/2008

William F. "Bill" Hurst, 81, of Port Aransas died Thursday, May 1, 2008. Hurst was born September 3, 1927, in Caldwell, Kan., to Fahy and Mina Hurst. He graduated from Kansas State University after serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Island Agenda

05/08/2008

DAILY • Community Park Swimming Pool offers swim lessons and lap swimming, water exercise. Open daily except Mondays for swimming and more. Call 749-2416 for information. • Free use of Computer Resource Center Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; closed Sunday. 430 N. Alister St. Free e-mail. 749-4011.