being sandy feet

last minute cancellation May 8-11

2008-05-02T17:19:00.003-05:00

at the Sandbox has left me with an unexpected vacancy next weekend. Know someone who needs a very cool place to stay on SPI next weekend? I am ready and willing to make a deal!!! (spisandy@gmail.com)

Mobile Vet Service Coming to SPI

2008-04-30T09:10:00.001-05:00

Those of us with pets will be happy to welcome a new vet to the community - especially one who makes house calls! Got this from the most recent SPI Chamber Newsletter:

Dr. Missy�s Vet Mobile

Dr. Missy Denny Bruce

112 San Antonio Circle

Los Fresnos, TX 78566

956-755-9009

Professional veterinary care has never been so convenient! Dr. Missy Denny Bruce will be bringing a new concept in veterinary care to South Padre Island and surrounding areas, Dr. Missy�s Vet Mobile. The new 26 foot mobile unit will be equipped with digital radiography, state of the art blood work machines, and a complete surgical suite. Services will include, but not be limited to: Wellness exams and vaccinations, including yearly heartworm and intestinal parasite examinations, spays, neuters, de-clawing, general surgery, dentistry, and illness/injury exams including blood and urine analysis and x-rays. Dr. Missy�s Vet Mobile is now scheduling for appointments beginning May 14, 2008.

Update - got the following testimonial from Stephanie Wilson who told me I could post it with her blessing:

Back when we first got our dog Annie, she was having some major digestive problems. We had taken her over to the Brownsville Animal Hospital and Dr Denny saw her (diagnosis - acid reflux.) The next day Dr. Denny (now Bruce) actually called the house to see how she was doing - I was amazed - I had never had a vet (or Dr) actually seem to care.

At that time we also had our dog Schroeder who was very old (15). She was so kind and gentle and caring with both of them.

We were sooooo sorry when she married and moved, and delighted to hear that she had moved back.

I am really glad to hear that she is now a traveling vet - I won't have to figure out how to get the dogs to Brownsville during business hours.

Stephanie

Seems we are fortunate indeed to have Dr. Missy back!

My nephew the painter

2008-04-27T09:18:00.005-05:00

Emerson Schreiner, who just happens to be the progeny of my sister Debra, recently had a show of his paintings at a gallery in Holland, MI. (If you caught the strummers at Louie's for Pirate Days, you got to see Em in full pirate garb playing the fiddle to "Drunken Sailor.")

I love this photo of him with one of his masterpieces and am just as proud as I can be of him.

Raina Rose tomorrow night!

2008-04-24T08:45:00.004-05:00

Please come support live music while having a great opportunity to chat with JoAnn Evans, candidate for Alderman.

The fun starts at 5:30 PM at the SandBox Inn- 117 E. Saturn Lane.

We could do something like this on SPI

2008-04-21T20:58:00.003-05:00

A cool fundraising idea from the Florida Keys that utilizes a long stretch of beach and a big group of people to make art -- http://cbs4.com/greenflorida/cheeca.lodge.islamorada.2.704156.html

vote for SPI - every day!

2008-04-18T18:54:00.002-05:00

YOUR VOTE IS NEEDED TO MAKE SOUTH PADRE ISLAND
"BAREFOOT-FRIENDLY"

We're excited to announce our participation in this year's Surfrider Foundation Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project. The Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project was launched in 2007 to help raise awareness and support for the Surfrider Foundation and its efforts to protect and preserve our world's oceans, waves and beaches through a series of beach restoration events.

This summer, the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project will be traveling coast to coast, from Montauk, NY, to Austin, TX, San Francisco, CA, and one city to be voted on by the public. We're excited to let you know that South Padre Island was chosen as a voting city!

We're inviting members, friends, family, coworkers and other people the age of 21+ to vote daily for South Padre Island at www.BarefootBeachRescue.com . The winning location will receive funds to help with campaign work and other programs and host a beach cleanup and celebration event on Saturday, August 23, 2008.

As special thanks to volunteers, singer-songwriter Tristan Prettyman, after joining volunteers on the beach, will perform live at the special celebration. Guests will also enjoy beach-inspired bites and Barefoot Wine and Bubbly.

Voting ends July 15, so be sure to cast your vote here.
--

sand pirates

2008-04-15T11:35:00.005-05:00

The SoBs attracted a fine turnout at Wanna Wanna for a sandcastle demo/lesson as part of Pirate Days last week. Thanks to Laurie Gaudi for a great photo. (From left: sandy feet, Amazin' Walter and William Lloyd.)

The SoBs are on their way north to the contest in Port Aransas this week. Amazin' Walter and William will be teaming up again sandy feet and her Team Trowel & Error partner Kirk Rademaker. If you are in the neighborhood be sure to stop by and say howdy...

Happy Turtle Days!

2008-04-12T13:06:00.002-05:00

Nancy just called to tell me that the first turtle of the season has come ashore to lay her eggs, adding that this turtle's tag indicates that she 35 years old, and she returned to SPI to achieve maternal fulfillment during the town's 35th birthday party.

Mere coincidence?
We think not.

Daisy was a good dog

2008-04-10T16:02:00.002-05:00

We lived just down the street from each other and she was either really happy to see me -- or was an expert at faking it. She had a 13-year long love affair with her human companions - Stuart & Diane Williams of Seaside Services and went on to that big endless buffet of peoplefood up in the sky early this morning.

Daisy had a long, happy life in a beautiful place with people who really loved her - loved her enough to let her go when life became too burdensome. Who amongst us - man or beast - could hope for more?

Raina Rose Returns April 25 - Mark Your Calendar

2008-04-08T22:04:00.003-05:00

Raina Rose - singer/songwriter extraordinaire - returns to the SandBox Inn (117 E. Saturn St.) the evening of April 25, 2008. One never needs an excuse to bring great music to the island, but if one did, one might use Alderwoman JoAnn Evans're-election campaign as that excuse, and so I shall.

The concert in the shady backyard sandbox will be open to the public - bring a chair or a blanket, a snack and/or a beverage to share if you like. We will pass the hat around at least twice - once for the musician and once for the candidate. We need JoAnn back on the BOA and we need entertainment like Raina to come back to SPI over and over. After Raina performs, you can get some face-time with JoAnn and give her a chance to win your vote.

More details to follow!

bamboo bicycle

2008-04-04T14:33:00.001-05:00

man o man do i want one of these!

Storm the (Sand) Castle!

2008-04-03T10:37:00.000-05:00

Are you frustrated? Got pent-up hostilities? Need to get in touch with your inner pirate? Well, me hearties, the morning of Sat., April 12 will be yer opportunity to do just that.

The Sons of the Beach - as part of the SPI 35th birthday celebration - will be leading a very special sandcastle experience for all who bring their scurvy dog pirate selves to Wanna Wanna that morning. Amazin� Walter and sandy feet will be out there bright and early working on a sized-large pirate castle for all to admire and have their photos shot with.

Starting around 10 AM, they will start a series of workshops helping kids of all ages (Hey Craft Camp Girls -- I�m talkin� to YOU!) build towers, walls and arches -- and then showing them how to detail out these structures with simple carving tools. The more participants we get, the more impressive the castle will be - before we totally destroy it!

You heard me right. Blame it on the pirate mentality, or blame it on the popularity of the Travel Channel�s �Sand Blasters� shows where beautiful sand sculptures are routinely blown to kingdom come. But once all of these beautiful structures are built and lovingly carved, the next lesson will be in how to create soft-ball sized cannon balls (aka �South Texas Snowballs�). When a sufficiently large pile of ammo has been created -- at approximately 11:45 -- the SoBs will lead the charge to �storm the castle.� Everyone who helped build will be invited to help destroy what they built, taking out towers by throwing sand cannon balls at them.

This event will be fun for spectators (bring your movie camera!) but even more fun for participants. It is free of course and the SoBs will provide all the tools and know-how. (Note: kids 6 and under must be accompanied/assisted by an adult or older sibling.) We are talking about good dirty piratey fun and we hope to see you all there!

Arrrggh!

Can�t wait to see what the late night talk show hosts do with this one.

2008-04-01T20:07:00.006-05:00

Let�s run down the check list real quick:

thong bikinis on the beaches?
check.

nearly-naked co-eds writhing on stage at Tequila Frogs?
check.

Trojan ads everywhere?
check.

�Semana Santa Wet T-Shirt Contest� on Chaos� marquee?
check.

vibrator.com banner flying above SPI?
BZZZTT!

So exactly when was �vibrator� declared a dirty word?

Meanwhile, down on Sheraton beach the U.S. Army was using simulated copulation moves on their mechanical bull as a means of recruiting potential soldiers. Fun!

"Got an Adult Novelty Ad? Don't Fly It Over South Padre Island"

how the world views spi

2008-03-31T12:20:00.002-05:00

I was reading an online article about our new fire chief, and this is how it describes SPI:

"The city has one small neighborhood and the rest of the town is primarily hotels, motels and high-rise condominiums."

Do tell.

link

Help Clean Up Boca Chica Beach TODAY!

2008-03-28T14:04:00.003-05:00

I just got a call from Scarlet Colley. It seems that some folks went to a lot of trouble to pick up and bag spring break/holiday trash on Boca Chica Beach, but were not quite able to finish the job. The mound of trash-filled plastic bags left behind is of obvious interest to coyotes and other critters. According to Scarlet, right now it will still a relatively easy matter to pick up and properly dispose of the bags. In another few days, it probably won't be.

Breakaway Cruises has generously offered the use of the Xcape Aquadog so volunteers can finish the job. Anyone interested in helping out should show up at the Xcape dock (at the Sea Ranch) prior to 4 PM Today (Friday) and be prepared to sling some trash bags.

p.s. If you still haven't seen me kick sandsculptor ass on the Travel Channel, (or you can't get enough of watching it!) the show will be airing again on Sat. March 29 at 11 AM

Bike-Cam 2

2008-03-25T11:46:00.002-05:00

Once again, I pedal into the heart of spring break, where I have fun at the expense of a bull-riding lassie who is probably not what you would call "army strong" material...

Bike Cam 1 - sandy feet pedals padre to the heart of spring break

2008-03-22T16:37:00.003-05:00

Take a virtual bike ride down the beach to Army/National Guard/Geico Beach. I have just uploaded the first installment, and more will follow....

Bongodogs at WW 2nite!

2008-03-22T16:21:00.003-05:00

The B-Dogs! Tonight! at Wanna Wanna!

This is something worth leaving the compound for. (Yes, "Holy Hell Week" has got some residents feeling a bit... beseiged.) But it's almost over, everyone rolling in dough and looking forward to Pirate Days in April.

Just in Time for Easter

2008-03-21T15:52:00.003-05:00

The Celtic Cross is ready for a beach wedding.

Andy Bowie Park in Danger

2008-03-21T14:57:00.001-05:00

This from Surfrider Rob Nixon:

South Texas Surfriders!,

On Friday, March 14, Surfrider Foundation South Texas Chapter submitted a sealed proposal to the Cameron County Purchasing Department in response to RFP #080204 which requested proposals to develop a time share hotel resort on all or a portion of Tract 1, 20.91 acres, inside Andy Bowie County Park on South Padre Island. We are simply asking Cameron County to leave Andy Bowie a public park for use by the residents and visitors of Cameron County under the control of the County Parks System without the development of a private time share hotel resort.

Surfrider Foundation South Texas Chapter believes that allowing this development to go forward in Andy Bowie Park is a direct contradiction to Cameron County Park's mission statement, "To provide safe, quality outdoor recreation opportunities to the citizens and visitors of Cameron County at an affordable price and to develop and protect the County's coastal resources and natural habitats." The South Texas Chapter of Surfrider Foundation fails to see how the development of a hotel resort will protect the County's coastal resources and natural habitats. Furthermore, allowing this project in Andy Bowie Park, a public county park, will reopen the door to Isla Blanca Park by setting a precedent for allowing private hotel resorts in County public parks.

Surfrider Foundation South Texas Chapter is of the opinion that all of Cameron County's public parks are exactly that, public land that is to be used by all of the citizens of Cameron County. It is not the Cameron County Parks business to be leasing out this public land to private resort developers at a premium price when other privately owned land is available to be purchased for the purpose of private development. All one has to do is refer to the Cameron County Parks mission statement to define the boundaries and duties of the County parks system.

Surfrider Foundation South Texas Chapter urges all concerned citizens of Cameron County to call, write or email your County Commissioners, Judge and Parks Directors and express your opposition and concern in regard to the private development of Andy Bowie Park and all other Cameron County Parks. The following is a list of Cameron County Commissioners and Park Directors and their contact information:

Judge Carlos Cascos:

(866) 544-0830

Carlos.Cascos@co.cameron.tx.us

Sofia Benevides (Commissioner Pct.1)

(956) 574-8167

Sofia.Benavides@co.cameron.tx.us

John Wood (Commissioner Pct.2)

(956) 983-5091

jwood@co.cameron.tx.us

David Garza (Commissioner Pct.3)

(956) 361-8209

DAGarza@co.cameron.tx.us

Edna Tamayo (Commissioner Pct.4)

(956) 427-8069

ETamayo@co.cameron.tx.us

Javier Mendez (Park Director)

(956) 761-3700

JMendez@co.cameron.tx.us

Joe E. Vega (Deputy Park Director)

(956) 761-3700

JEVega@co.cameron.tx.us

The Candidate Posts - Pt VI

2008-03-18T10:53:00.002-05:00

Re: Am I That Candidate?

Well, no.

Honestly, I don�t feel I have the knowledge or experience to do the job justice. I think I could learn what I need to if I really threw myself into it, but being a single, self-employed person who has to travel a fair amount to earn a decent living, I simply can�t afford to commit to three years for the going rate of $3.

Furthermore, Wednesday is ukulele night here at the Sandbox Inn.
;-)

I appreciate the calls of support I received - had there been a few more of them I might have been persuaded to see it through - but today is the last day to pull out gracefully and I have no wish to be the spoiler in a 3-way race. Therefore, I have withdrawn my name from the ballot.

Thank you for your kind attention.

The Candidate Posts - Part V

2008-03-17T14:12:00.000-05:00

Here on South Padre Island, there is core of smart, like-minded people who are interested in the issues facing our town, who keep themselves informed of developments and are articulate enough to persuade others that they know what they are talking about. I would call this group the island �Brain Trust� and while the individual members don�t always agree on everything, I do believe they can -- with spirited discussion -- come to something close to agreement about what is annoying and what is pleasant and how we should prioritize methods for decreasing the former and increasing the later. I know this because I encounter it day after day - in email, on the SPI Forum, at an end-of-the-road beach party, in the check out line at the Blue Marlin or sitting around the table at a CPAC meeting. The Brain Trust draws on the individual strengths of its members, reasonable people can be expected to listen to reason and eventually - in even the most diverse of groups - consensus can be reached. And that�s when things get done.

An effective alderman needs to pay close attention to the Brain Trust. S/he needs to initiate discussions and explain how and why s/he�s voting and not just allow the voters to see the decision-making process but encourage them to take an active part in it by participating in the Brain Trust Forum.

What would this forum look like? Well, it would bear more than a passing resemblance to spiforum.org. This forum and I have enjoyed a love/hate relationship, but Jason has come closer to getting it right than anyone -- a thankless job to be sure -- and some good things have come from it. As I see it, the main problem is the bullying. Some posters have a nasty tendency to ridicule, gang up on and shout down anyone who doesn�t agree with them. The result is that a lot of people who read the forum refuse to post anything, and that is unfortunate.

If I were an alderman, I would set up a new forum (or work with Jason to create a new �room� in his existing forum) that would be much like what he already has done -- with the following important differences:

1. While the forum would be open to everyone to read, I would not allow anyone to post who is not signed in with his/her real name and a fully-developed profile identifying the poster�s relationship to the island (i.e. full-time resident; business owner; 3-times yearly visitor; property owner; P&Z member, etc.) This would help make the forum more like an actual meeting where flesh & blood people talk face to face and know exactly who they are dealing with. I believe such a system would encourage and reward civil discourse - because expressing contempt for your opponent is not a terribly effective way to win him over to your way of thinking.
2. But if/when discussion does get too heated, posters who cannot disagree amicably would be bounced out (i.e. banned from posting) for a �time-out� period of a week or two. I know this puts a lot of pressure on the moderator(s) who must decide when someone has crossed the line, but there is no way around it. Respect and courtesy for opposing viewpoints is the only way you are gong to get the participation of everyone who has an opinion.

To take this idea even further, I think it is absolutely essential that we no longer allow candidates for office the luxury of public silence. You don�t like SPIRIT? Can�t stand the SPI Forum? Then brother you better get busy and set up a forum that you _do like because an office-holder who cannot or will not explain and defend his/her stances on the issues in a public forum is disrespecting the people who voted him/her in. I don�t agree with Mayor Bob on everything, but I am impressed that he takes the time to address the public at large using his real name, and that is why he will likely get my vote. (JoAnn Evans has participated on the forum as well as her opponent Mary Phillips -- who did not deserve the reception she got there and I don�t blame her for not coming back.)

A candidate for office who wants my vote would agree to let me in on his/her thought processes and s/he would be willing to do so in a totally public place (i.e. online forum) so that I know s/he is saying the same thing to me as to everyone else.

Next: Am I that Candidate?

The Candidate Posts - Pt IV

2008-03-16T16:59:00.000-05:00

A government�s one and only function is to make the lives of the governed more pleasant. Its only reason for being is to remove the things that annoy us and increase the things that please us. It is there to enhance not just the lives of the few but of the many. And government becomes dysfunctional when it doesn�t know or care what the majority of its constituents really want.

Some would argue quite convincingly that the SPI town government at this time is borderline dysfunctional and that it is crucial that new, more responsive board members be elected in May. Candidates who limit their communications to pachangas and other small groups of like-minded friends are suspect - fairly or not - of telling those small groups whatever it takes to get votes.

The town council form of government has been around for a long time. Community members elect their representatives and then hope for the best. Accountability shows up 2 or 3 years later in the form of another election. Like the electoral college, this system is a hold-over from the days when most of the �common folk� had no or only limited access to breaking news or detailed position statements from the candidates. These constituents had little opportunity to interact directly with the government and had to trust their elected representatives to speak up for their interests.

The ubiquitousness of the internet has changed everything, of course. Now news and opinions can be posted nearly instantaneously in a place where almost everyone can read and respond. This is a marvelous tool for a true democracy to have and I for one can�t wait to see how local government will evolve as a result.

Clearly the effects are already being felt: Witness exhibit A -- the SPI Forum, imperfect as it may be. (More on that in the next installment!) I understand that the new BOA Boardroom is chock full of gadgets that will allow meetings to be recorded and broadcast on the internet and/or TV. I think it is past time to insist that this system be put into action, giving all SPI stake-holders near and far an opportunity to see our elected officials in action.

Then, once we get the meetings truly open to all, we need to fire up the Brain Trust Forum.

We have a lot of very smart people in this town: Folks who know a lot about building codes, who understand parking issues, who have developed a real appreciation for local flora & fauna and how to best protect it; people who have great ideas for marketing the island; people who understand municipal finance way better than I do (quite a lot of those, probably) and people who know a lot about beach erosion or traffic patterns or sand and sand sculpture contests (that would be me!) These smart people can�t all be alderpersons, because they also have to make a living or spend time with their families or go fishing. However, we are crazy stupid if we do not figure out a way to tap into all that knowledge and experience by making it easy as pie for those smart people to spill the beans.

Next: How I Would Do It

spring break in the sandbox

2008-03-14T13:26:00.004-05:00

still working on that celtic cross....

The Candidate Posts - Part III

2008-03-14T12:09:00.001-05:00

What I Want...

is a say in what SPI will look like in 5-10-25 years... because I plan on being here at least that long! I want this bad enough that I was willing to give up almost every Tuesday night for nearly two years to go duke it out with the other members of the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee.

CPAC was a really interesting experience. I have to hand it to the board that created us -- I think they did an amazing job of deciding who should serve on this committee by handpicking a group seemingly chosen for the amount of suspicion and hostility to which we were likely to be predisposed for one another. The first meeting was in many ways a disaster. (In fact, the committee collectively requested that a photo shot that night be struck from the final document -- the memory was just that unpleasant.) Several members quit fairly early on -- I very nearly did but am glad I did not because I was able to witness an amazing transformation first hand. This group of people with completely different agendas sat down face to face on a weekly basis. We interrupted and we rolled our eyes and we threw up our hands and buried our faces, but we also took turns telling our small stories and describing the SPI of our dreams and at some point we started listening -- really listening -- to one another. And we were able to reach consensus and complete our assignment. Our last meeting was the antitheses of our first: a purely social potluck with spouses at Clayton�s amazing beach home where a good time was had by all.

(Of course it�s not all unicorns and rainbows and feel-good Obama stuff. Writing by committee is my idea of hell. There is stuff in that plan that makes me wince -- but hey, nobody wins every fight. The key of course is picking your battles carefully; knowing when to say, �I will not vote for something that weakens this statement� and when to say �all right, whatever, let�s move on.�)

I really wouldn�t have believed it possible had I not witnessed it for myself. And that makes me think that what worked in the microcosm of CPAC could work towards uniting the various factions at odds in the town.

While it is not practical to propose that the whole town gather weekly for a cozy little boardoom chat to discuss our real feelings, there are ways we can use the internet and new city hall�s fancy high-tech gadgetry to open the lines of communication.

Next: Harnessing the Power of the Island Brain Trust