The Top Gun Fishing Tournament was held on Oct. 16th at Wahoo Saloon. This competition, for local bay fishing guides, was started in 1993 by Jim Bob Burdett. It kicked off at 7:00 AM and the weigh-in was at noon. The 2002 Top Gun winner was Captain Vere Wells. His trout 26 1/8" @ 5.06 lbs., red 23 3/4" @ 5.06 lbs., & flounder 17 1/4" @ 2 lbs. allowed him to claim the cash prize of $2,400.00. And, more important than the money, Captain Vere now owns the bay bragging rights! Captain Jack Barton followed in 2nd place. Pictured right, Captain Wells gives $240.00 of his loot to the Laguna Madre Humane Society's raccoon mascot, Coona. Pictured left to right, Captain Wells, Charlotte Romay, Debbie Holliday, and Matt Thornton. Great job Captain Wells!

It is the time of year when hummingbirds are passing through to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Central America. Hummingbirds' migration is triggered by length of day. They are the smallest bird in the world, weighing about 1/10th of an oz. & consuming 50% of their weight in nectar daily. Many Island residents put out "fuel" for them. Hummingbirds also hunt insects. They frequently pluck their prey right out of the air while hovering! Mosquitoes, gnats, & fruit flies are a few of the flying insects hummingbirds gather on the wing. They can hover in midair and fly in just about every direction: up, down, side to side, forward, backward and even upside down! Their normal flight speed is 25-30 mph but during a high speed dive certain species can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. We'll have the little guys heading back North next Spring.

Remember that you got this scoop here first! By using the latest in computer espionage software, we were able to obtain the cover picture of the 1st Edition Ladies Kingfish Tournament Cook Book! Inside sources say that the book is now at the printers and it will go on sale this coming December. This was the brainchild of LKT Committee member Christi Carrasco. She proposed the idea as an extra fundraising project. The LKT Committee passed it along to the SPI Chamber who gave it the green light. The recipes were contributed by anglers, captains, area residents, friends, and family members. The book contains 245 various recipes. Proceeds from the sale of the cook book will benefit the Friendship of Women. The cover photo and art work within are that of Island local Zeke Garrett. WTG Zeke! We only knew of your skills at Blackbeards! It is evident from early reserved sales that a second printing of the book may be necessary? If you would like to reserve one or more copies, call the SPI Chamber (956) 761-4412. The 1st Edition will more than likely become a collector's item. Eat your heart out Betty Crocker!

I truly appreciate the support that everyone gave to me concerning last week's 1st Newsletter. Apparently, the powers at the Visitor's Guide for South Padre Island were very pleased with your response. The email compliments really helped! So, I retain the free email address, use of the Cray IV computer, and the free cold brew now and then! And, thanks to all of you, I am now the Editor and will be allowed to use the company's Lear Jet, if we ever get one! I was told that only one recipient requested their name be removed from the mailing list because the newsletter was only written in English. I am very sorry for my limited linguistics ability and writing in English is still a challenge for me. Habla?

I had several emails inquiring about my name? Well, this is a small island but we do have some heavy-weight names. For example, we have Sandy Feet, Amazing Walter, Billy Boomerang (years ago), Spirit, Dunehead, Whiskey Willie, and I.B. Hooked just to name a few. My name doesn't seem outta place on SPI. I don't know how the staff at the Coastal Current every over-looked me for writing some articles for them? However, the only other company perk that job would have given to me would have been a desk and having to listen to "Yo Bubba" Jim Goller, according to I.B. Hooked!

On a serious note, the Roar by the Shore had some tragedy that saddened us. Three people died in two separate accidents. We all regret the loss and our prayers are for the loved ones of those who lost their lives. I believe the SPI PD did a great job given the number of motorcycles, pedestrians, and autos that were on the street during the event. It is a difficult task to make anything safe when carelessness and recklessness become part of the equation.

I'll do my very best to keep politics out of this newsletter; but, I can't resist commenting about the upcoming Round Ball Tournament (for three teams) at the Convention Centre slated for November 22nd-24th. The tournament was already booked when it was realized that the used wooden floor purchased last year, was not any good. The moral to that story is never send a surfer to purchase a used round ball court! Another "after-the-fact" problem arose when it was identified there was not enough seating space. To make a long story short, something around $400,000.00 had to be allocated for purchasing a new floor and bleachers. At this writing, there is no word about the electronic score board? I never recognized the advantage of booking an event before you have the facilities to host it. It certainly worked great for the Round Ball Tournament! So, I am pleased to announce that I am within a breath of closing a deal to bring an NCAA spring-board diving competition to the Island next year. If the deal closes, maybe we can all look forward to our Convention Centre finding the funds to build an Olympic size swimming pool with approved diving apparatus! Hey, we will already have the bleachers! And, to cancel the diving competition would be out of the question!

I discovered a great link for free printable lists. List Organizer offers a variety of free lists including grocery lists (alphabetical and category), menu planner, clean house, travel, to-do, money, and paper file. This may save you some time and make your life easier. List Organizer can be accessed at http://www.listorganizer.com/lists.htm. I didn't find a list to remind me to carry my list? :-)

With Halloween only a few days away, check out this great Optical Illusion Ghost Picture! Make sure your speaker volume is turned up louder than normal so you can hear the faint, but low murmur that got the photographer's attention first. Round up your whole family and see who will see it first! It took me a couple of minutes to see it, but when I did, it really stands out! To help you, concentrate around the table in the picture and don't focus too much on one spot. Keep looking at the table and toward the window and you'll eventually see it. The site address is http://home.attbi.com/~n9ivo/whatswrong.swf. Enjoy! Hey, if you find a great web site, email me the link!

Again, please forward this newsletter to everyone in your address book. Your family and friends can subscribe by clicking on the email address at the bottom of the page.

Well, that's another wrap! Until the next week (Maybe I'll get another promotion?), have a great week and enjoy another day in paradise where ever you are!

October 31st
Many tourists are unaware of the popularity of Halloween on the Island. Most of the local bars sponsor costume contests and over the years have evolved into coordinating their contest times whereby local and area residents can participate in several contests over the evening. Lloyd Llove will be at Kelly's Irish Pub again this year to entertain and host the costume contest. Starting time is at 8:00 PM and the costume contest will be held at 11:00 PM. Other times and contests to be announced as soon as the schedules are available.

November 2nd and 3rd
Tails Over South Padre Fun Fly Festival will be held in the "Flats" north of the Convention Centre. B&S Kites is the event sponsor. There is no admission charge. The fun fly is for all ages, featuring kite flying demonstrations, and several giveaways! Call (956) 761-1248 for more information.

November 3rd
The 9th Annual World Championship Texas Gulf Shrimp Cook-Off, sponsored by the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce will be held at Port Isabel Baseball Fields. There will be amateur and professional divisions with cooking teams from all over. Starting time is 11:00 AM. Just follow the signs in Port Isabel. If you have an interest in entering, call (956) 943-2262 or (800) 527-6102.

November 11th-15th
SPI Golf Club & SPI Convention Bureau sponsor the The Texas Senior Open to be held at the South Padre Island Golf Course. The Pro-Am is Nov.12 with Senior open to follow! Call (956) 943-4653 or see http://www.spigolf.com

November 22nd-24th
South Padre Island Roundball Invitational Tournament NCAA Men''s Division 1 Basketball Tournament. New Mexico State, Tulsa, and UT Pan Am will play in a 3 team ''round robin''! This event is sponsored by SPI Hoops, Inc. & SPI CVB and will be held at the South Padre Island Convention Centre. Tickets go on sale October 14, 2002. Call 888-774-8587 for more information.

November 29th
The Lighting the Island is sponsored by the SPI Convention & Visitors Bureau. Plan to join Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus for the official lighting of the Island, refreshments and Christmas carols will be served at SPI Visiters Center, 600 Padre Blvd. beginning at 6:00 PM. The admission is free. Call (800) 657-2373 for more information.

Legal Stuff:
I am told this paragraph must always be a part of this newsletter, no matter how boring it is. Without it, somebody may interpret this newsletter as SPAM (South Padrians Against Me?). So, you are getting this Newsletter because you subscribed (in most instances) to it. VGSPI does not want to clutter anyone's email box with unsolicited email. If you do not want to continue your free subscription to this newsletter, please click on the email address located at the bottom of the page to have your name removed. If you decide to have your name removed from the list, please make sure and delete the newsletter from your email in-box and empty your trash! Please allow 3-5 business days to have your name removed from the list; and, then we will no longer be married!