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Visitor's Guide to South Padre Island
Newsletter
11/10/02

5th Edition ~ C. Weed, Editor

A True Love Story: Ronnie Ray and Debra Betterton tied the knot on 11/02/02. Debra was here in 1984 for a short visit to a Buddy Fest at Bay View. Ronnie was in heaven for the few days they spent together 1984 until she returned to OKC. He tried to get something going with Debra afterwards but she had boyfriend and it wasn't to be. Things just went south until they met again this past summer for the first time since their initial meeting 18 years ago. That was all it took to get them sailing off to the alter. Congratulations! Ronnie moved here in 1974, is a Bay charter captain, and owns a business called "The Boat Docktor." Debra is a mortgage banker. The back of the head belongs to Judge Ochoa. Somebody get the Judge some Rogaine!

Rio de Esperanza! The top two photos, at left, are pictures of Esperanza Creek (oophs!) Street looking east and west on Saturday during a lull in the rain. The water flowed into the Padre Boulevard River. The two bottom photos were taken from a balcony of a backyard on the street. This backyard was filled with about 15 inches of water. You see the small blue boat floating in the lower right picture? Words from our weather gurus prior to the first front of the year arriving here was that we would drop a couple of degrees. They were so busy watching the front, they didn't see the back coming! The main point is that we have a drainage problem on the Island and our building elevation ordinance is going to make things worse before it gets any better and nobody in authority seems to care. See the Editor's Comments concerning this problem below.

Isn't this dumb? I remember when the announcement was made about the electronic signs being placed on both sides of the bridge. Great, right? The picture on the right was taken on the Port Isabel side and there really is something wrong here but nobody has said anything about it, so I will. I believe it is pathetic that the Texas Department of Transportation spent big bucks for this electronic sign and installed it behind the traffic lights. The traffic lights partially obscure the visibility of the message when you get close enough to read the sign and while waiting at the light. Common sense says the sign should be higher. However, Benjamin Franklin said, "Common sense is not so common." Are you listening Mario Jorge?

Our newsletter sponsor this week: When "Yo Bubba" Jim Goller learned this weeks newsletter was being sent to over 27,000 people all the way into Laredo, it did not take much to convince the entertainment guide tycoon to become our first sponsor! The Coastal Current Weekly is the Island's only home based entertainment guide. Get your free copy every Friday! Eat your heart out Parade! Thanks for your support Mr. Goller and staff!

Editor's Comments:
C. Weed, Editor

Great News: Another all time high was achieved this past week! Over 16,000 people received the Visitor's Guide Newsletter! That is not shabby! This weeks issue will top out at over 27,000 newsletters! That is something that no other South Padre Island website does, the South Padre Chamber, Convention Centre and Tourist Bureau, or any other entity. We have worked hard to promote the Island and will continue to do so. Our special appreciation is extended to all of the businesses who are taking advantage of our website, http://www.spisland.com! If you would like to have information on how to advertise on the website and become a sponsor of the VGTSPI Newsletter, send an email to sponsor@spisland.com. At $300.00 per year, it will be the best advertising money your business has ever spent!

SUBSCRIBER'S POLL RESULTS: Concerning "Animal Theme Entryways," the poll itself was almost unbelievable. I spent two hours preparing the page and setting up emails to handle the massive volume of votes. The tally was 2 for and 2 against! There seems to be the universal problem on the Island, apathy! Only four votes? So much for polling, I do have the poll page set up for polling purposes. If anyone out there has something of significance they would like to have polled, send me an email cweed@spisland.com. It is obvious that the topic I chose to have polled was not worth the effort. Oh, by the way, you were caught cheating David L.! Shame!

DO YOU LIKE TO GAMBLE BUT CAN'T GET TO LAS VEGAS? This is a new addition to the website where you can play for real money! This section is for ADULTS ONLY! Currently there is a Thanksgiving special for new and old players. Oh, my did I say Thanksgiving? Click here to visit the Windows Casino Page!

IN MY EMAIL: One reader wrote to ask if he built a commercial building on the Island in the effigy of a Ridley Sea Turtle, would he be required to buy a building or sign permit? And, he wanted to know if a complete building, such as that, would meet with Shane Wilson's approval? Really an interesting thought, we need more interest in Sea Turtles, Inc. and that would be a real eye catcher! Another reader sent a letter regarding Shane Wilson's letter of last week: Click Here to Read Letter

Congratulations to Steve "Hemmingway" Hathcock! My good buddy, has just released his latest book, "Behind the Third Dune." He also has released two volumes of "The Rio Story Teller" containing selected works of his own and area writers. Steve is the owner of Island Trading Company at 104 West Pompano, writes regular columns in numerous publications, and is an avid Valley historian and treasure hunter. Make it a point to visit his killer website at http://www.islandtraders.biz and if you'd like to send him an email, send it to stevehathcock@islandtraders.biz. Way to go Steve!

YEAH! THE ELECTIONS ARE OVER: After watching millions of TV commercials bashing opposing candidates and hearing the television commentators elaborate pros and cons of scenarios of things that could happen but probably won't, it is finally ended! If you took all the campaign advertising at face value, nobody was worth being elected. Although South Padre Island's own Ed Cyganiewicz did not win in his bid to be elected State Representative of District 43, he is certainly not a loser. To unseat an incumbent is a monumental achievement. This is Ed's first attempt to "run with the big dogs." I certainly hope it will not be his last! I experienced a little frustration over my phone answering machine because I missed personal calls from President George Bush, former President Bill Clinton, Phil Graham, and a host of others wanting to talk with me. Little did I know when I became the Editor of this newsletter that would I be receiving calls from Presidents and former Presidents. I sure hope their calls weren't important!

A HOLIDAY REMINDER: I am reminded by my good buddy, Lloyd Llove, that those desiring musical entertainment for the holidays, including New Year's Eve, should book someone now! Visit the Lloyd Llove's Musical Website to learn more about him. If you would like information on booking Lloyd Llove, send him an email at lloydllove@spisland.com . You owe me two Lloyd!

Why are there trees on top of that building from last week's edition: Several people wrote in with what they thought the reason for putting the tree atop the new high-rise on SPI; but, many thanks to Michael Reta who sent me what appears to be the most logical answer to last week's question about the trees on top of the buildings: Click here to read the Information

P&Z Should review the building elevation ordinance before it is too late! Russell Judith, commented, in a meeting this past April, that the building elevation ordinance was a problem that was going to create a lot of havoc for the town if it wasn't addressed. Mr. Judith pointed out that new residential construction, under our existing ordinance, pose a potential of flooding older properties and also makes it virtually impossible to consider walkways down easements on streets containing combinations of old and new properties. There wasn't much more than just a grunt at the meeting and the committee went on to other affairs. Apparently the issue is not as significant as whether a shark entryway is a sign or a canopy? I really do believe serious consideration should be given to Mr. Judith's observation before some of the folks living in the lower-older properties will be looking at that shark through a scuba mask!

A Weather Hype? Does anyone remember the good old days (and with rightful cause) when we all cussed the weatherman because his forecast was wrong? I have a theory that several year ago at a weatherman's convention one of these wizards made a proposal to his cohorts that they needed to devise something to take the heat off of their profession. Chi-ching, El Nino was born! I fell so sorry for El Nino, he has been blamed for flooding, tornadoes, fires, drought, and a myriad of other events only limited by the imagination of the "expert of the day." I am somewhat amazed that El Nino did not take the rap for the causeway disaster? Well, El Nino has served the weather predicting bunch so well, I think they decided not to beat ole El Nino absolutely to death, so later, they gave him a little sister named La Nina! That completed the loop, whatever El Nino didn't do, La Nina did it! If my theory is correct, weathermen aren't so dumb after all!

Obesity is Declared Illegal and Violators Will Be Prosecuted! I have made some interesting observations over the past couple of years concerning fast food chains, diet-nutrition, and obesity. About 60% of the citizens of our country are overweight according to the government actuaries. One report states that obesity in adults, defined as a BMI e30, costs the health care system $238 billion out of a total of $1.3 trillion or one out of five health care dollars. $102 billion of the $238 billion is directly attributable to 15 adverse health conditions caused by obesity. Looking at what we eat, frequency of eating, and diet is probably a good idea.

In the days of the tobacco industry issues they banned TV ads, televised advertising campaigns against smoking, placed warnings on the cigarette package, and added a hefty penny in sin taxes on the purchase of a tobacco products. Recent tobacco court cases have not gone well for the cigarette manufacturers. These things did not happen over-night in the tobacco industry, but evolved slowly to where we are today. I believe the same thing will happen relating to fast food chains and obesity issues.

Let's turn the clock forward in time to the year 2020 and take a trip to the drive thru at McDonald's. After placing your order, the attendant will ask you the height and weight of everyone riding with you. If you have someone who does not fit the weight prescribed by government actuaries, the Big Mac you ordered for that person may be changed to a veggie McMushroom burger! You're not going to be able to lie about anyone's weight because you have driven upon the SGFFCS (Surgeon General's Fast Food Chain Scales). Given the manufacturer's weight rating on your vehicle combined with the weight of the persons with you, the attendant will be able to calculate, within a pound or two, the car's total combined weight. If you are over the allowable weight, and you can't prove to the attendant that you are not carrying sacks of concrete in your trunk, you're gonna get stuck with a selection of either a McMushroom, McCarrot, McZuccini, McTomato, or McVeggie sandwich! If you do manage to get your Big Mac past the attendant, be prepared to show a valid ID. You must prove that you are 18 years of age or older before they hand it over to you! If you don't get your Big Mac, drive off to the Blue Marlin. Are you in for a surprise! Upon your arrival at the check out stand, your height is automatically calculated by the latest in laser scanning technology and you have stepped on another of the Surgeon General's scales. You're gonna be sick when the checker sends your T-Bone steak and chocolate cookies zooming back at you and starts yelling that you need to go to the cottage cheese or fresh produce isle because you weigh too much to purchase IBFOP's (Items Banned from Obese People)! OK, OK enough is enough; get to a restaurant quick! When you hit the Pantry Grill Room, you will be confronted with another laser height scanner, the SGRS (Surgeon General's Restaurant Scale), and the same weight rules prescribed by government actuaries. If you meet height and weight requirements, you will have a choice of four sections to be seated. The SFO (Smoking for Obese), NSFO (Non-Smoking for Obese), NSNO (Non-Smoking Non-Obese), or the SNO (Smoker Non-Obese) section. If my vision of the future is accurate, we could easily see illegal IBFOPs sold on street corners and IBFOP houses just as we see illegal trade in drugs today. And, can you imagine what type of Surgeon General's Warnings would be found on food products? If you are overweight and caught without a doctor's prescription for the Hershey bar in your possession you may be in trouble. The government and many citizens have already sentenced those of us who have been unable to quick smoking. The handwriting is on the wall for all the folks who do their weight lifting with a spoon and fork. Don't be bitter, after all they did their best to keep people from smoking. And, do you think that recent years' recalls of hamburger meat and other food stuff is merely by coincidence? Or, is the government already playing a psyche with you about food? And, before you answer, please remember many years ago they said males who smoke become sterile! I know the beginning attack has already started against obesity, just as in the early days with smokers! And, please don't send me any hate email about me being anti-obesity, I am getting the hang of it too! Oh, speaking of food, what would have happened in the music industry if Karen Carpenter would have eaten the ham sandwich and Mama Cass could have gotten herself a McMushroom sandwich, instead?

OK Monday Morning Quarterbacks, here's your chance! How well can you throw passes in traffic? Check out this link: http://www.gamerival.com/index.cfm?game=F8396097

Oh those dirty pop-up ads are driving me crazy! If this is the way you feel and you use the IE Browser (Internet Explorer) there is a small freeware pop-up killer program that you can download. I have tried it all week and it seems to work quite well for the price! It will kill about 80% of those pop-ups. It will not stop a popup that has navigational bars on it. However, you will be amazed at the number of pop-ups it stops! Download it at this link, remember this is only for those who use the IE Browser: http://download.com.com/3302-2366-10130968.html

Look into the cystall ball and type in a question: From time to time I am stumped concerning questions that I raise about things and questions that other people ask me. Please allow me to share my primary informational source that I use to resolve these matters. Click here to get an answer to any question.

Have ya'll even looked at the games and fun stuff on the main website? CLICK HERE TO SEE!

Laugh of the Week! As a senior citizen was driving down the freeway, his car phone rang. Answering, he heard his wife's voice urgently warning him, "Herman, I just heard on the news that there's a car going the wrong way on I-35. Please be careful!" Herman said: "It's not just one... It's hundreds of them!"

Thought for the Week: Why did kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Teaser of the Week: Three people check into a hotel. They pay $30 to the manager and go to their room. The manager suddenly remembers that the room rate is $25 and gives $5 to the bellboy to return to the people. On the way to the room the bellboy reasons that $5 would be difficult to share among three people so he pockets $2 and gives $1 to each person. Now each person paid $10 and got back $1. So they paid $9 each, totaling $27. The bellboy has $2, totaling $29. Where is the missing $1? If you know the answer, send an email to cweed@spisland.com (See the answer in next week's issue!)

Last Week's Teaser Answer: Name an English word of more than 2 letters that both begins and ends with the letters 'he' (in that order). (And "hehe" is not an acceptable solution.) The two words that are answers is headache and heartache. Charla Tibbetts got headache correctly. Jaime Cantu of McAllen and Claudia Lopez of Donna correctly answered with both words. Grey, the word must begin with "he" and end with "he." So "brotrothe" is not in the realm of the teaser because it does not begin with "he;" and, I believe the correct spelling of the word you sent is "betroth." Thanks to everyone for responding.

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. Hey, if you find a great web site, email me the link!

I can't believe that is 5 weeks! It really is fun and I appreciate all the subsribers! Until the next time, have a great week and enjoy another day in paradise where ever you are!

Yours truly,
C. Weed, Editor
cweed@spisland.com

GREAT LINKS:

Visitor's Guide to South Padre Island

Slideshow of 166 South Padre Island Pictures

PLEASE WELCOME THE NEW AD LISTINGS:

Becky's Place

Gulf View I Management Rentals

Events on the Horizon:

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 16th
SPI Padre Island Golf Club is having a four-person golf scramble. Shotgun start at 12:30pm. Golf awards presentation with Luau dinner at Louie's Backyard at 7:00pm. Entry fee and dinner is $100.00 and dinner only $35.00. Sponsored by Laguna Madre Christian Academy. Call Rob Meyer (956) 761-4913 or (956) 371-5015, Ben Brooks (956) 943-5545, or Meagan Rossman (956) 761-3372.

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 of 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 Visitor's Center, 600 Padre Blvd. beginning at 6:00 PM. The admission is free. Call (800) 657-2373 for more information.

December 13th
15th Annual Island of Lights Christmas Parade is sponsored by Club Padre. The parade will be held on Padre Boulevard starting at 6:30pm. A total of $3000 in cash awards to the top three entrees in three categories!
Phone (956) 761-2582 for more information.

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