Of garden tours and doggy walks

Time doesn't stop just because Sandcastle Days is here so I am jumping off the sandpile for a moment to talk about some upcoming events that are going to be too much fun right here on beautiful South Padre Island.

Oct. 28 - Plant swap and secret garden tour brought to you by SPIgardens.com - find out what random acts of green are all about and how you can help SPI become a more beautiful place to live and play. Details here.

Nov. 10 - Laguna Madre Humane Society 2007 Wag Walk - Peach and I will be hitting up friends and family for pledges to see if we can raise a whole bunch of money for the animal shelter. We hope you will be prepared to give and give generously... I will have the pledge form on the beach with me this weekend so if I fail to wave it in your face please be sure and ask me for it ;-)

Also -- Don't forget the music festival Nov. 2-4 and MY 50TH BIRTHDAY PARTY featuring a live performance by the BONGODOGS Oct. 21 starting at 7 PM at the Sandbox Inn.

See ya at the Sheraton!

Sand People Arriving

As I write this the distant roar of the hogs is getting ever more distant. I know they bring lot of money into the island economy but I have to tell you it is a huge relief to both me and Peach when all those loud machines start heading back over the Causeway.

The sand people have already started to arrive and I am very happy to see them. Work on the demo sculpture commences on Tuesday, with the contest proper starting on Thursday. The only judging this year will be done by the spectators, so I hope all of my friends will come out tot he Sheraton on Saturday, carefully and thoughtfully peruse all of the great sculpture that will be out there, and then VOTE FOR MINE! (Just kidding... sorta.)

By Sunday it will all be over for another year, except for the traditional wrap party at sandy feet’s beach retreat - aka The Sandbox Inn. This year there is a whole bunch to celebrate so everyone - and by that I mean everyone who finds him/herself on the Island Sunday night - is invited. It will be a great opportunity to meet and mingle with the visiting sculptors and check out the Sandbox’s newly landscaped back yard - 117 E. Saturn.

Furthermore, Sunday night will kick off a weeks-long celebration of my 50th year on this planet. (Actual date isn’t until Nov. 8 -- but with a bunch of friends in town, I reckon it’s okay to start a bit early.) Presents are neither expected or desired; however, I am requesting guests come prepared to briefly entertain me in some small fashion. Sing a song, read a poem, juggle sandballs, electrocute a pickle, etc. etc. In other words, do whatever you think might entertain yourselves and the other guests as well as me. Silly is good.

Things will get going early with a special command performance by South Padre’s own Bongodogs starting sometime around 7 - so don’t arrive so fashionably late you risk missing them! We plan to have plenty of dips, dunkers and adult beverages on hand, but feel free to bring something to add to the mix if you are so inclined.

Hope to see you!

Sad News in Bongodogland

I just received word that Joey Tamayo's wife Toni passed away yesterday from a very short battle with cancer - she was only diagnosed two weeks ago. The couple has a brand new baby and that makes this sad story even sadder.

The funeral is scheduled for tomorrow (Friday), 2 PM at Holy Family Catholic Church at Harrison and 24th in Brownsville.

The Bongodogs will still perform - with a stand-in singer - at Palm St. Pier tomorrow night - as far as I know. Though who could blame them if they felt they had to back out? Certainly not I...