The Case for a Dog Park on SPI - An Open Letter to the SPI City Council

I just sat down and read the spiffy booklet meant to help me become an informed voter when the town’s bond elections comes up in May. The art is awesome; the descriptions concise; the tie-ins to the Comprehensive Plan clearly indicated; the explanation of the additional taxes I can expect to pay easily understood. And did I mention the art is awesome? I am not joking; I who was at one time adamantly opposed to spending money on a community center am now leaning towards supporting it. The city has done a good job of selling me on these community improvements and I commend our city council on their efforts.

The only place I would rather live than the SPI I know and love would be the SPI depicted in those o-so-pretty drawings....

But there is one more teensy-weensy amenity I would beg the town’s planners to consider implementing sooner rather than later:

The Case for a Dog Park

I recently returned from a brief stint as a guest winter Texan operative working undercover at Bentson Palm Village RV Park in Mission. The place is humungous (over 800 sites and still mostly full as of mid-March) and was crawling with Canadians and Midwesterners - very friendly types and I couldn’t help but notice their youth and vitality as well as the fact that so many of them travel with dogs -- and not just little dogs, either.

The RV Park itself is lovely - nicely vegetated and well-maintained, located right across from Bentson State park and just down the way from the butterfly sanctuary. But one of the coolest things about this resort is the dedicated dog run and dog agility park. It is a huge fenced area - stickerburr-free and outfitted with a palapa and shady benches for dogpeople, water bowl (and a spigot to fill it), and a poop bag dispenser and trash cans. There were tennis balls and tennis ball flingers. It was doggy heaven and after a few tense butt-sniffing moments, all the dogs within adjusted just fine to one another’s presence and proceeded to have big fun each and every time we visited it. This was my (and my dogs) first dog-park experience and it was overwhelmingly positive.

I know that a lot of the folks who live on the island have dogs. I also know that a lot of our visitors have dogs: many of whom travel with their canines, and I think many more would if we made it easy and pleasurable for them. I myself rent out a dog-friendly condo and a majority of my guests take advantage of the opportunity to bring the family dog(s) along on vacation. How wonderful would it be to offer them a place where their dogs can run free and socialize with other dogs - and where dogpeople can socialize with each other! What an amazing marketing opportunity for the town to be able to tout itself as the doggone-friendliest island in Texas -- or maybe the world!

Right now the town is sitting on a piece of property (next to the Travelodge) that isn’t being used for anything. Put a fence up and you’ve got instant dog park. Sure, it would take a little money to do it as right as Bentson Palm Village does it, but hold a few fundraisers or even charge folks a little bit to use it.

Or here’s another idea that wouldn’t cost the town a cent: designate a certain block of time - say 6-9 AM - as free dog on the beach time. Folks who don’t like dogs could walk earlier or later. Dogpeople would be expected to pick up poop and police their own animals and could still be cited for failure to do so. I saw this very plan in action at a beach community in Australia and it sure seemed to work beautifully. Since our leash ordinance is currently being enforced on a complaint-driven basis, it wouldn’t really even change things much and I think we could create a lot of good will for the island by advertising our dog-friendly beaches and accommodations.

I would ask the esteemed members of our city council to give this idea some serious thought, please -- and thank you.

The Kick Ass Kennel Club aka "The Posse"

SPI Song Circle Party this Wed.

Music in the SandBox Song Circle Series

While I am taking a bit of a break from house concerts (next up: Jennings and Keller in May!) I have decided to try something a little different next week, in honor of the spring break visit of my all-grown-up-and-musical nephews.
The first ever SandBox Song Circle is scheduled for this Wednesday, March 3 in the back yard- potluck at 5:30, music starts at 7(ish). Everyone is invited! Come prepared to play, sing or listen.

Sort of Like Karaoke, only better!

As the name suggests, song circle participants arrange their chairs in a circle and see how much fun we can have strumming, drumming and singing together. Everyone gets a turn to sing, lead, or request a song. Everyone participates and yes, listening is a form of participation. Here are some guidelines I picked up, courtesy of PortlandFolkMusic.org:

Song Circle Etiquette

Come prepared to listen or to sing.
When your turn around the circle comes, you may present a song, lead a song, request someone else do a song or pass.
Songs with choruses are encouraged for singalongs.
If the presenter requests that instruments accompany his or her song, join in. Be mindful of drowning out voices with loud instruments.
The "blue book" (Rise Up Singing) is often used for singalongs. If you use it, let others know what page your selection is on.
Have fun!

More info at http://www.sandboxinn.com/songcircle.html

Link

Caught in the google loop

Researching specific image ideas for an upcoming sand sculpture contest sculpture, I am using the search terms "contemplative" and "back" in a google image search. On page 2 of this image search, I encounter one of my own sand sculptures: this one.

I find this a bit mind-boggling.

Happy Trails, Number 69

Today I got on a boat with Scarlet Colley, Mary Laddis, Rozzi the dolphin dog, some island visitors and a whole bunch of formerly cold-stunned green sea turtles -- each of which sported two new finrings and a unique number scrawled in white out.

These were the survivors and our mission was to return more that 60 of them to the wild as Texas Parks and Wildlife had deemed the water warm enough. We chugged across the bay from PI, picked up the turtles at the Sea Ranch and then headed north.

We (gently) tossed turtles in spurts, carefully observing to make sure that each one grabbed a big lungful of air or two and then dove down deep. "Bubble butts" - distressed turtles that float on the top of the water - are cause for concern and must be retrieved with nets and brought back to land for tests and medicine at Sea Turtle Inc.

We had to bring three "BB's" back to the Sea Ranch. Wishing numbers 1, 10 and 29 a speedy recovery -- and a ride on the next boat out.

I'm sure there are lots of women aged 50-60 willing and eager to bear your love child, dude

I stopped flushing money down the match.com toilet ages ago. However, I still receive and sometimes read the "matches we've chosen for you" emails -- primarily for their entertainment value.

Here's a good one:

outspokenman10
55, Kingsville, TX
5'8" (172.0cm),
Seeks: Women 50-60

He is divorced
His faith is Christian / Protestant
He definitely wants kids

"Perfect Pair"

What it is: an adult beverage comprised of pear vodka and fresh-squeezed whatever (today it's oranges)
When it is to be consumed: at precisely 5 PM after an at least somewhat productive day (slackers don't get perfect pair rewards 'round here)
Where: On a deck, preferably in the sun's waning rays

Additional Information: This is not a sociable drink, nor is it something you drink more than one of. Too much damn trouble. So you better make it good and big enough the first time.

Sez Who: Me. The keeper of the inn. That's who.
Official Mac Time: 4:57 PM