April 2009 Archives

 

This past Saturday, Mrs. Mondo and I hung out with local artist Bud Clay Thomas to talk art, music, and his upcoming first solo show here in Gtown.

Bud Clay Thomas will have his first solo show on Galveston Island this Saturday, May 2nd, at Bacchus Wine Bar on the Strand (2404 Strand) from 6 p.m. until midnight.

This premier event, entitled [Surface Tension], is at least a year in the making as Bud became an Islander By Choice in the spring of 2008. Bud and his girlfriend (she's another post in the making) moved to Galveston in order to be involved in the local art scene.

At 24, Bud has traded his rural upbringing for an Island lifestyle. He grew up in a small country town just outside of Abilene, where as a kid he worked on farms with cattle. But Bud thrived more on making music and art. After playing in a band for a few years, he decided to develop his fondness and talent for drawing into a true calling and vocation. Bud began to study art on his own, learning about other artists in order to establish his own stroke. He dreams of one day creating art that moves people politically.

With [Surface Tension], Bud hopes to fully entangle himself into the Island's small yet developing art scene. He has shown work in Galveston previously in group art shows, but he looks forward to standing out on his own this Saturday.

This body of work that will be displayed at Bacchus was all created post-Ike. (You can stop by Bacchus before Saturday to check out a preview of the show). Like many artists, he lost many supplies and tools and had to start over.

Beginning anew was not as difficult as Bud initially thought it would be due to the support and encouragement of many people. Bud spent a month and a half after the storm roaming around Austin and Abilene without the means to paint in order to ease his frustrations, and he found himself anxious to get back to work. Upon his return to the Island, Bud painted for two straight days. And, he counts Marcel Duchamp as an influence on his work. (Cheers to you R. Mutt).


Bud Clay Thomas at Bacchus Wine Bar

Marcel Duchamp: "I discarded brushes and explored the mind more than the hand." But Bud did not completely throw the brushes away. They became a tool for blending unless a painted line was necessary. The majority of the work he created was done through a combination of pouring, squeezing, and atomizing - in a specific sequence. He then manipulated the materials to produce work of non-representational composition; like lyric-less music. (Sweet action indeed). Included in the exhibition is a piece of work that is a direct reference to The Style, or De Stijl, and specifically Piet Mondrian, a Dutch painter. The piece of work is titled "Piet's Nightmare," as the lines are crooked and the color is blended.

So, what does the title of his show mean exactly? Surface tension is an effect within the surface layer of a liquid that results in a behavior analogous to an elastic sheet. (Whoa? What?)  Basically, the effect of surface tension permits insects to walk on water and for drops of water to bead up. Bud's [Surface Tension] exhibition is woven into this idea by beginning his works flat, creating a plane (in the vein of Jackson Pollock). Using various materials he gives the canvas topography and then floods it with color.

So, we'll be down on Saturday to check out the full show and hope to see you out at Bacchus for some great art and great company, and just as importantly, to support local! Oh, and if you haven't checked out Bacchus yet, it's a treat - we loved the moody vibe, sofas, and of course all accented by Bud's fantastic paintings!
 

Most people can remember Glen Campbell's song "Galveston," as well as ZZ Top's song "Balinese" about the infamous Island establishment that once stretched out over the ocean like an abandoned road.  Fewer probably remember Gene Autry's "Gallivantin' Galveston Gal."  Along with the 1900 storm and Ike, these are a few of Galveston Island's claims to fame. 

I figured I would let Islanders in on some perhaps forgotten nuggets of trivia one may find combing through the Island's history.

In 1983, the Oscar winning film Terms of Endearment starring Jack Nicholson and Shirley MacLaine contained a scene that was shot in Galveston.  It's the scene where they take a ride in a silver Corvette along a stretch of beach.

In 1989, Roy Scheider (of Jaws fame) starred in a movie called Night Game that was partially filmed in Galveston.

In 1999 rapper DMX filmed the video for his song "Party Up (In Here)" in Galveston at Frost Bank downtown.

Does anybody have any random tidbits to add?  If so, show and tell.
 

Woo-hoo!  Check it out - IBCs are in today's Galveston County Daily News talking about the 2009 Galveston Beach Revue!

Check it out:  http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=7e22bd527ed4816e

Apparently Mondo has an extremely soft spot for baby chicks.  After our "appearance" (is a stint on the radio still called an appearance - I mean, nobody really sees us, right??) on 1540 KGBC this Saturday (thank you again Julian and Bobby!), he spotted them outside the studio and chased one down.  And held it.  And loved it.  And I think we all believe, deep down, that it loved him.  Did anyone bring the hand sanitizer??

 

This just in: we have a confirmed Captain 6-pack sighting from Friday evening.  I don't think he won at foosball, though.  Is that Lois Lane??

This weekend on Galveston Island was an interesting one: weather-wise.  Saturday was insane.  There were actually small tornados reported at Scholes airport which doesn't surprise me considering what we were experiencing at the shop.  The wind was HOWLING - the glass was actually bowing in from the force of the wind and the rain was just relentless.  Some places downtown even had water coming up to the doors (but it didn't stop the Lunchbox Cafe ladies from serving a tremendous lunch this afternoon, thank you!).  At 2pm, it was as dark as it would have been at 10pm.  Nutty I tell you.

Then - Sunday came.  Perfection.  Absolutely beautiful.  I lived in So.Cal for 3 months, people and I can honestly say they've got nothing on April 19th, 2009 in Galveston.

It was so beautiful Mikie and I decided it was a good time to go out and paper the downtown businesses with our new Beach Revue posters (thanks, Willthing - as usual your artistry is amazing) on foot - and then eventually on bike.  We stopped for lunch at the Old Strand Emporium (where you can also find our IBC shirts for sale!) and I was thrilled that they had Tsingtao beer on hand (ahh memories of the honeymoon). 

Later on, Willthing got St. Valentine (his '59 caddy) running and we ventured out on the inaugural summer caddy ride.  There was a TON of folks out and about on Strand and around downtown.  It was great to see how many people were enjoying the sun, the shops and just people watching in general - back on the Island, so close to "normal"...

I wish I had my camera with me.  Alas, I did not so instead I will have to share a shot of my 2 children basking in the sun on another beautiful day on the Island:

 

Don't forget the East End Historic District's first block party of the season is tonight - 15th and Church (they block off the street for the festivities - don't forget to bring a covered dish to share as it is potluck!) and it starts around 6pm.  (it'll be cancelled if it rains) <<UPDATE: EEHD BLOCK PARTY HAS BEEN RESCUEDULED TO NEXT FRIDAY AT 6pm!>>

Also this weekend is Artwalk!  Artwalk locations are spread out as usual.  Most places are open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m, but from 4-8pm, Water's Edge Studio and Gallery will be open.  For more details, please visit www.galvestonartscenter.org.

And PLEASE don't forget Saturday from 11am-12pm IBC will be on the air with 1540AM KGBC chattin it up.  Call in! Share other stuff that's going on around town - whatever keeps me from telling horrible jokes to avoid dead air time!  :)

 

Ahoy Islanders!  Make sure to tune in to AM 1540 KGBC this Saturday, April 18th, at 11 a.m.  At that time, the airwaves will sizzle with the sounds of IBC.  That's right.  Islander By Choice will have its very own hour on Galveston's re-birthed radio station.

There'll be plenty to discuss and fun to be had.  In fact, call in if you get a chance and visit with us.  Tell us about your Galveston Island story or why you love this place so much and call it home.  Or call in and tell us why you love visiting the Island.

Remember.  That's AM 1540 KGBC.  Saturday.  April 18th.  11 a.m.

Now you can do more than shop local and wear local.  You can listen local!

One of the things I love about our Island is the larger community that is made up of the mini-communities that are forged among neighbors, business owners, and friends.  One of the neatest areas/neighborhoods is the San Jacinto Neighborhood and its fantastic neighborhood association comprised of some of the coolest, most talented, and most passionate people I've met on this little sandbar.

The Artist Homestead Galveston Island project is in creation due the incredible efforts of several San Jac residents as well as locals from around the Island.  The group that is working to attract more artists to the Island through this initiative has already organized, developed a working committee, and has been hard at work to make this fantastic idea a reality! 

The project seeks to attract artists to come to the Island to live and create while also revitalizing our neighborhoods.  This project is based on the Paducah, KY's Artist Relocation Program: http://www.paducaharts.com

Many thanks to those working on this project - particularly those who are on the "working committee" (at least that's what I'm calling them).  These Island residents include Jul & Alan Kamen, Martha Terrell, Tom Schwenk, Bob Strevell, Steve Lanier, David Bowers, and Linda Burton.  (Please forgive me if I've forgotten someone & let me know)! 

More information will be out soon and a website is close to launch from what I hear.  I'll be sure to pass this along when I get more information.  In the meantime, check out page 9 of the April issue of the San Jacinto Neighborhood Association's newsletter where you can find out how to support this project and get more information on this friggin' fantastic project:  http://sanjacneighborhoodassoc.org/April%202009%20Newsletter.pdf  

That's right - it is official.  The date has been set for Galvestonians to descend upon our capitol and represent support for the continued recovery of our City. 

This Thursday, April 16th is the day.  11am is the hour (10am will be a group picture on the capitol steps for everyone there).

The Chamber of Commerce has offered up their free bus seats as well for anyone needing a ride (please contact them to reserve a seat at 409.763.5326.).  Galvestonians are being asked to wear white shirts, blouses or jackets to express their solidarity.  Craig Eiland has asked that we remember the 3 main goals that he's outlined below:

Goal #1 - Get the money
Goal #2 - Accomplish Goal #1
Goal #3 - Never forget Goal 1 and 2

Click here for more info.

I love traditions.  Eating fondue on Christmas Eve after midnight mass, playing football in the street before Thanksgiving dinner, and hunting eggs on Easter Sunday.  I've been very lucky that wherever I am on Easter, that tradition has been accommodated - as a kid, my family and cousins would all descend on one house in Bethany Beach, DE and all the grandkids would tear around hunting for eggs and easter baskets after church.  My Uncle Frank was notorious for hiding eggs in the most impossible places and would go so far as to dig a hole in the sand, drop in an egg, and cover it.  Problem was, ours is a family of dog lovers, so digging in the sand is a great leap of faith - or desperation. 

Eventually, most of my cousins got old enough that the novelty wore off and it was pretty much just my cousin Kim and I climbing over each other on the egg hunts, but we didn't care - it was always fun.  One year in college, my good friend Klayre invited me to her parent's house in Spring for Easter.  There we were - two twenty-somethings running around the cul-de-sac like maniacs looking for plastic neon eggs.

Last year was the beginning of the ultimate Easter Egg hunt for me when I realized what a gold-mine we had at the Nautical Shop with all the potential hiding places.  (Since I've known my husband, he's always been a good sport and humors me for things like this, but I really had run out of hiding places at our house so it couldn't have happened at a better time!) So, we began the first annual come-one-come-all Nautical Antiques Easter Egg Extravaganza:

It was a roaring success.  So, despite the fact that Ike temporarily soured our newfound shop venue, the show had to go on this year.  And it did.  At casa de Willthing.  One important thing to note about this year's eggs: because I waited until the last minute to buy new plastic eggs (the ones I had from last year were Iked) and discovered that Walmart, Randall's and Kroger were fresh out, we had to improvise.

All I can say is thank God for aluminum foil.  And Happy Easter.  I know ours was!

 

 

So it seems the little blog entry I did back in February about KGBC making a comeback got all kinds of Islanders and Island-lovers talking - from BOIs to Gtown lovers "north of Sulphur, Louisiana!" 

Well, I've got more news . . .

Yup, IBC will be on Gtown's own 1540 AM KGBC this Saturday, April 18 from 11am to noon!  Oh, and it'll be LIVE folks.  Scary but oh so much fun.  Admittedly we're still figuring out exactly how to fill that air - aside from all you IBC's calling in to join the fun! 

This we do know - we'll be chattin' it up about the 2009 Galveston Beach Revue: Bathing Beauties Contest that IBC is resurrecting on May 19.  And as always, all things local and all things lovin' the Island.  Who knows, maybe we'll be riveted by WillThing's stories of "Sailing Saturdays" (you know you're dying to know)! 

Anything in particular you want us to talk about?  Let us know.  Hope you'll tune in - better yet, give us a jingle when we're live on the air & give the Island some love! 

Call in at 409-744-1540!

On behalf of IBC, Happy Easter to all!  And be careful out there on the hunt . . .

Happy Easter everyone - now we can go back to all those pre-lenten bad habbits!!!  Whoohooo!!  Just kidding...  maybe...

So one of the things I love about living on Galveston Island is the fact that you simply never know what you'll get to see or experience each day.  Take yesterday for example.  Mikie and I head to work to open up the shop (yes, we're still at only 1 day/week capacity, but we're getting closer every day!!!) and it seems as though it's going to be like any other day...  But, my friends this is Galveston - always have your eyes open and camera ready...

Then, our buddy Clyde (that's "worshipful master" to you freemasons out there) swaggers in just to say hi.  We get to talking and he tells us he's been practicing his new bagpipes - yes, BAGPIPES.  "Do you have these bagpipes WITH you by any chance" I ask... 

So, Tom Green, Mikie, some customers and I were serenaded by the hum of the Irish music bag (made that up) while they shopped and we listened.  Seriously - where else does this happen!??! 

If I can get Willthing to show me how to hook this up to the video I took, you'll get to hear it too! 

Reminder - In case you haven't heard yet (how that's possible with this Island's grapevine, I'm not sure), we wanted to remind everyone about a great event taking place tomorrow.  Not only is it a great, positive event, but it supports one of our Island's great social service providers - The Jesse Tree.  And, on a personal note, I think our social service providers rarely get the props they deserve. . .

Hope to see you guys out tomorrow - & bring a buck folks.  Here are the details as they've been passed along to us:


Give Galveston A Hug
Saturday, April 11 at 25th & Seawall.  Line up is at 9:45am.
The Jesse Tree www.jessetree.net

I want to expand on my earlier comment to Adrienne's last post.  The Galveston Community Recovery Committee (GCRC) did precisely as asked by City Council.  It created a plan/outline for recovery for our Island.  It did this with an intelligent scope of observation and a tweaked ear of reason.  The committee put aside individual emotion and jumped off of the Island's struggle for stability in an aftermath of confusion that showed true heroism.

I am in awe of what the GCRC accomplished.  Differences were swallowed with pride and the focus thrived on the essential need for recovery.  And a plan.  The committee spent an estimated 6,000 hours accumulating ideas and putting them all together.  Unselfishly succeeding through a daunting task.

Again.  I just wanted to make sure proper thanks were offered.  For a job well done.  Well though out.

Now Galveston Island has an opportunity to prove courageous.  Again.  That is to stay strong in the midst of fearful surroundings.

Hi All,
I hope everyone can come out to the City Council meeting tomorrow (starts at 2pm, but GRC won't be on deck until 5:30pm) or at least catch it on Channel 16 when Betty requests the City Council to adopt the work and process of the Galveston Community Recovery Committee.

I am really proud of the end result of this whole thing - who'd have thought a committee of 300+ could have figured out each other's names, let alone come up with 42 really well thought-out projects.  Some of my favorites: the Downtown Redevelopment Plan, the Galveston-Houston Commuter Rail, the Facade Restoration Program and the Stroll and Roll.  You can check them all out at http://www.recoverygalveston.org/.

 

It appears that the 2009 county property tax appraisals are out.  Yesterday when I opened mine I immediately felt a sense of relief.  This is because it dropped around 30% from last year.  That means less money out of my pocket.  Sweet action!

But then I thought about all the money the city loses because of the drop.  Basically 30% less than the previous year. 

Does anyone mind if I salt the wound?