April 2010 Archives

Attention Bathing Beauty Shoppers!  Your attention please!

The on-line shop www.glamoursurf.com has implemented a 20% discount for any purchase made through the website for the 2010 Galveston Island Beach Revue.  All you have to do is type in the code word "Galveston" when you check out.

There you have it folks.  Go vintage.

Update: Glamoursurf has a blog entry on the Beach Revue & some additional info on their discount here.
 

This is the fourth of in a series of four bios of the judges for this year's Bathing Beauties Contest.  Please join us on Friday, May 14th at the Historic Hotel Galvez & Spa from 5-7pm for a casual poolside Meet & Greet and come out to the Beach Revue (details at www.galvestonbeachrevue.com) main event, the Bathing Beauties Contest on Saturday, May 15th.


Barbara Crews, a Galveston native and Ball High graduate holds a Masters degree in Sociology from California State University at San Jose.  She returned to the Island (by choice!) in 1978, served as a member of the Galveston City Council from 1985-1990, was elected Mayor of Galveston in 1990 and served as such until 1996.  She was awarded the "City Livability Award" by the U.S. Conference of Mayors in 1995 and was the recipient of the GCDN and GHF's Steel Oleander Award in 1998.

Barbara is the former Executive Director of the Kempner Fund in Galveston, current President of Temple B'nai Israel and Co-Chair of Galveston County Restore and Rebuild.  She was recently appointed to the Texas Natural Disaster Housing Reconstruction Advisory Committee and serves as a Regent on the board at Galveston Community College.  Barbara lives in downtown Galveston and is a great advocate for the redevelopment and promotion of downtown Galveston. 
 

Frank joined Houston's Local 2 team in 1995.  He has received Best Weathercaster awards from the Associated Press seven times, the Houston Press Club four times, the Houston Press newspaper four times and the Dallas Press Club three times. The Houston Chronicle named Frank the "Ultimate Weatherman."

A Washington & Lee University graduate, Frank received his Broadcast Meteorology Certification from Mississippi State University. He holds the seals of approval from both the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association.

Frank owns a home in Galveston and will always be appreciated by Galvestonians for his extensive and honest coverage of Hurricane Ike's destruction in September of 2008.  Frank walked the streets of downtown Galveston on the air, giving displaced Islanders their first real picture of what it was really like on the Island.  He flew over homes on the west end, taking personal calls from homeowners and delivering firsthand the good - and sometimes devastating news of the state of their homes.  Islander By Choice appreciates Frank's dedication to Galveston.
 
To meet Frank Billingsley, judges, and Bathing Beauties, join us at the Meet & Greet at the Historic Hotel Galvez & Spa on Friday, May 14 from 5pm to 7pm.  More information at www.galvestonbeachrevue.com

Kelley oversees Sales and Marketing for Sullivan Interests, one of the creators of West-End Galveston community Evia off 99th Street. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Baylor College of Medicine Partnership as well as the Salvation Army Board of Advisors. She is the Development Chair for the Galveston Historical Foundation, and serves on the GC Foundation Board of Directors. Kelley is on the Executive Committee for the Galveston Economic Development Partnership and member of the Advisory Boards for both the Ronald McDonald House of Galveston and The 1894 Grand Opera House. Kelley comes from a "who's-who" of inspirational Galveston families and is the oldest of Gerald and Susanne Sullivan 's 5 children with 1 sister (Kristen), 3 brothers (Todd, Billy and Johnny) and, to date, has 9 (!) nieces and nephews. IBC loves Kelley's dedication and commitment to Galveston Island!

Stay tuned for more judge announcements in the coming days!  To meet Kelley, judges, and Bathing Beauties, join us at the Meet & Greet at the Historic Hotel Galvez & Spa on Friday, May 14 from 5pm to 7pm.  More information at www.galvestonbeachrevue.com
 

There are a lot of things that we don't like to do and there are a lot of things that we don't like to do.  However, there are very few things that we don't like to do that we like to do.  Let me explain.

I am not a very great athlete.   It seems that I can either hold my own or flat out stink at various sports.  As a kid, I loved baseball and could field like a champ, however, I couldn't hit that stinking leather ball if my life depended on it.  so that was out.  I tried tennis and had the endurance to play 6 sets if i wanted to.  The problem was, I would lose 0-6 unless my opponent fell over dead.  I was that bad.  Then i tried swimming and i was really good at it.  I was fast and i could go all day.  The problem was, I hated it.  I loved competing.  I loved winning.  I just hated practicing every day.  In college, I boxed on the amateur level for a little while and was pretty good (but in that sport, you could fly a plane between the line between good and very good)  However, while training for boxing, i realized for the first time in my life that i was a very good runner.  I could dominate the casual runner on a 3 miles course.  Problem: I hate running.

When i saw that the Triathalon is coming back to Galveston (ironmanlonestar.com) this weekend, I started thinking about how dedicated these folks are to do all of the training and hard work.  What goes through these people's minds?  Why would they put themselves through all of this training for a t-shirt?  How hard do they have to work?  Well, some of these question were answered by my triathlete friend, (and by the way, triathlete winner!) Betty Massey.

Betty said that she started running when she was 48 and ran 11 marathons between 2000 and 2006.  After retiring from distance running, and being too competitive in nature to stop, she now does triathalon sprints.  Here you swim .5 mile, bike for 12 miles and run a 5K.  She trains for the triathalons by keeping in shape and then, 8 weeks in advance of the event, she does "two a days" combining two of the three sports training in one day. 

One thing I always wondered about was why a triathalon started with the swim.  I wouldn't want to get out of the water and jump right on a bike for the chaffing factor.  I have asked this question to a few people and the best answer i get is something about fatigue and drowning factor which i suppose offers some merit.

This weekend's Ironman Lonestar festivities will bring 6000 people from every state and around the world to the island.  So whether you're into sports or not, it should be a celebrated event in that it brings revenue and exposure to the island and island businesses.

So pretty much, from my competitive nature, this is the event for me.  All three things that i hate and am good at all wrapped up into one event that equals a 2 hour vomit fest.  I should start training for 2011 now!  BTW, if you are signed up for this tomorrow's sprint event, don't get your hopes up on being the first across the ribbon.

Betty Massey: "I intend to win!"
 

The Beach Revue is coming up quick and all of us at IBC are excited about this year's event!  We appreciate all the support and help we've gotten from sponsors and fellow community members - we truly couldn't put this event on without you.  (check them out at www.galvestonbeachrevue.com)

Of course what would the Bathing Beauties Contest be without a panel of distinguished judges?  We are so excited to announce our celebrity judges for this year's Bathing Beauties Contest!  Over the next couple of days, we'll announce one more of our celebrity judges.  

IBC recognizes the great importance of preserving and promoting this Island's history.  That's one of the reasons why we are proud to reserve a seat at the judge's table each year for the Galveston Historical Foundation's acting president.

David Bowers is the current GHF President (and, as such has a weekly column in the Galveston Daily News every Saturday), a member of the Galveston Rotary Club and a big brother in the Galveston Big Brother, Big Sister program.  Historic Preservation is a passion for David and he currently is President of the Galveston Historical Foundation.  David received the Distinguished Volunteer Service Award from GHF and has restored older homes and a corner store.  David has been an Islander By Choice since moving here in 1989!

Stay tuned for more judge announcements in the coming days!  To meet David Bowers, judges, and Bathing Beauties, join us at the Meet & Greet at the Historic Hotel Galvez & Spa on Friday, May 14 from 5pm to 7pm.  More information at www.galvestonbeachrevue.com
 

Check it out.  The 2010 Galveston Island Beach Revue (put on by IBC) is only a month away.  In case you haven't paid attention to the events calendar over to your right, May 14-15 needs to be marked on your calendar.

Last year IBC successfully brought back the Bathing Beauties Contest from years past, and this year's event promises to be better.  Added this year are two mini events prior to the main event.  Friday evening, May 14th, the Historic Hotel Galvez & Spa will host a meet & greet, and then on Saturday, May 15th, in front of the Historic Hotel Galvez & Spa will be a weenie roast and the Bathing Beauties Contest, beginning at noon and 2 p.m. respectively.

So "get in the swim" and come join the festivities.  Attendance is free.

And if you're feeling competitive, register to participate in one of two categories in the Bathing Beauties Contest; vintage or modern.  And guys are welcome to enter.

Be sure to visit www.galvestonbeachrevue.com for all the details.

See you there.
 

Do you ever drive by Bishop's Palace and think it might the last time you ever see it?  Or drive along the seawall and pat yourself on the back because of your accomplishment?

Well according to an article on the new search engine website Bing, you might.  Click here to read about 12 of the most endangered destinations around the world.  And yes.  Our once-thought-to-be-lost-little-sandbar-of-an-island is number 12.

Please step away from the panic button.
 

As property owners all over the county found out yesterday when they opened their mail and found the wretched little envelope from the Galveston Country Central Appraisal District office (otherwise known as "CAD" which is sorta a funny irony in itself), it's that time of year - property tax assessment time.

For those of us that experienced Hurricane Ike's devastation (yeah, that's a pretty huge pool of folks), one of the silver linings to Ike (we're very lucky to have found a few of those) was the promise of a greatly adjusted appraised property value on our homes and/or businesses.  (In our case, both - as the house and the old shop were "Ike-d", which was not uncommon on the Island I'm afraid) 

Ah, the glory of a reduced value.  It took a little bit of the sting out of paying taxes on what was now the equivalent of an Early American Outhouse for a short time, but the brief respite was so quickly eradicated from my memory when I opened yesterday's mail from CAD with the new appraised value. 

Tell me something... Would you pay $195,220 for a house that looks like this???:

No, I wouldn't either!  But CAD thought we should - at least that was the case until this morning when I had the pleasure (no sarcasm intended - she was great) of meeting our case manager who, after all was said and done, fully agreed that no, this is not the swanky open-air bathroom of a nearly quarter of a million dollar home.  It is a commode in the middle of what was once our entry hall.  Game, set and match.

The bottom line is this: don't take what they give you as the end-all-be-all.  (Unless you're happy with the value, then sit tight and don't say anything!)

There are so many citizens out there that just don't know you can protest these things - and it's fairly easy to do.  My recommendations: 1) call for an appointment to "informally" protest your appraised value (409.935-1980) 2) bring pictures, evidence, advice and or supportive comps from your Galveston Realtor with you to the appointment, and 3) be nice to your case worker - they're just doing their jobs and they really can be reasonable if you just give them the facts.

If you can't come to an agreement during the informal protest, you'll have the opportunity to apply for a date to formally protest.  Hopefully it won't come to that, but if it does, know that it is your right to question this value.

Best of luck - here's a little info direct from the Tax Assessor's office to help you get started!

Islander By Choice will be writing a monthly column in Galveston Monthly.  This is the first of our entries You can pick up a Galveston Monthly free at many local locations.

April is the month that truly exemplifies spring in Galveston. It's not cold and it's not hot. It's a great time to get out of the winter funk and go out and see the island.

While you're out and about, whether you're a local or a visitor, you should put The Elissa and the Texas Seaport Museum on your list to visit. The Elissa is the Official Tall Ship of Texas, and is not only a floating museum, but one of the only ships of its kind to actually sail. She is a three-masted barque that was originally launched on October 27, 1877.

When you visit Elissa, it is hard to imagine that she was very close to being scrapped in Piraeus, Greece 40 years ago. In 1970, Elissa had been altered and had changed hands so many times - most recently by smugglers - she was hardly recognizable as the grand ship she was upon commissioning. It took a trained eye and a fortunate break of an existing builders plate to confirm that this floating vessel destined to be cut up in a Greek scrap yard was once the proud Elissa.

The acquisition and restoration processes were nothing short of remarkable. Because the port is what made Galveston the proud "Wall Street of the Southwest," the idea was to have a permanent symbol of Galveston's maritime heritage. Upon finding that Elissa had called on Galveston's port in 1883 and in 1886, the decision was made that she would call on Galveston once again - as home.

After purchasing the ship for $39,000 in 1975, the Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) estimated it would take another $200,000 investment for her restoration. Shoring up the hull for a crossing of the Atlantic and refitting the masts, deck, and rigging in Galveston took many researchers, craftsman, and volunteers. Some of the techniques to rebuild her hadn't been used in decades.

To say the least, the budget was blown. Seven years and $4.5 million later, the GHF and Galveston had a tall ship that was the pinnacle of historic ship restoration.

Since Elissa's first modern sailing trip under her original square rigging on August 31, 1982, Elissa has called on ports in Corpus Christi, New Orleans, Miami, Charleston, Baltimore, and Washington DC. The apex of these modern voyages was a sail to New York Harbor in July of 1986 for the centennial anniversary and rededication of the Statue of Liberty. 

On the voyage home from New York, Elissa made a stop at the Mystic Seaport Museum. This museum is home to the 1841 whaling ship Charles W. Morgan. There was no way to know during that visit that the Charles W. Morgan would, in a much different way, call on Galveston 22 years later.

In 2007 the Morgan  began undergoing an extensive restoration and required live oak wood to make new framing ribs. Live oak is the perfect material for shipbuilding because of its strength, resistance to rot, and the sweeping curves of the tree.

In September, 2008 an abundance of live oaks became destined to make the journey to the Charles W. Morgan's aid when Hurricane Ike flooded Galveston with more saltwater than it had seen since the storm of 1900. The loss of Galveston's historic  live oaks had a silver lining in that some would be used for the preservation of another grand ship.

The upkeep of Elissa requires approximately 20,000 man (and woman) hours and costs an average of about $60,000 per year. Twice a year, all of the rigging is pine tared and the brightened wood is revarnished to protect against the elements. Once a year, all of the sails are removed and inspected for wear and repaired accordingly.

To do all of this work, GHF and the Texas Seaport Museum rely on many extremely dedicated volunteers. General volunteers are welcomed year round, however, for those who would like to work toward becoming a member of the crew of the Elissa, the training program begins in July and goes through March.

After dedicating 20 Saturdays towards training, volunteers will be a member of the crew that sails Elissa in the annual March sea trials. These daily sails, to many, are the reward for a year worth of hard work and dedication. However, if sweating your Saturdays away 100 feet in the air isn't your cup of tea, you can make a tax deductible financial contribution that will help preserve Elissa and the Texas Seaport Museum for generations to come.

The museum is the home for Elissa, but also offers a wealth of information about maritime history. A cannon from an original Texas Navy ship is featured there and has a great story of being lost and found numerous times. The four coins that are underneath Elissa's masts are revealed, a lesson in shrimping and shrimp netting is explained, the bell from the USS Galveston is on display, and you can find information on immigrants that came into Galveston's port seeking a new life in America.

Elissa and the Texas Seaport Museum are open every day from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Pier 21. On your next visit downtown, set aside a couple of hours to visit the museum and the majesty of Elissa. I know you'll be glad that you did.

Special thanks to John Schaumberg for contributing to this article.

I LOVE Easter egg hunts.  I will always remember growing up, our families - cousins aunts, uncles, grandparents and all - would go to Bethany Beach, Delaware for Easter weekend. 

After church, we'd all come back to the beach house where the adults would hide eggs all over the property - Uncle Bill and Uncle Frank thought it was pretty funny - year after year - to DIG A HOLE in the sand and bury eggs.  Hmm... I wonder why we never had a correct count of "found" eggs after each hunt?!?!?

Anyway, last year, Willthing was gracious enough to allow me to get my kicks by having the Easter egg hunt at his house since the old shop (which would have been the typical venue for a great egg hunt - so many places to hide 'em!) was out of commission.  I was hoping that the new shop at 22nd and Mechanic would be ready for its inaugural egg hunt in 2010, but it just wasn't meant to be... Stay tuned, though - next year the Nautical Egg-stravaganza hunt WILL return!

This year, I'll have to be content with the festivities at Crazy Oaks (12410 Sewart Road) and the annual Bunny Roast (don't worry - no REAL bunnies are harmed in the making of this event!) and if last night's fun and musical enjoyment (courtesy of the Brandon McDermott Band) was any test, tonight and tomorrow should be a blast. 

Oh, and did I mention there's an egg hunt tomorrow as well?  Yup.  See you there, but watch out - I'm not shy about pushing women or children out of the way when it comes to egg hunting - I got pushed around by the bigger cousins at our hunts and it only sharpened my skills.  As my mom would say, it builds character anyway.

Happy Easter!