ISLANDER BY CHOICE - IBC GALVESTON

The shirt off your back...

2011-07-13T00:18:29Z

Yeah, about that - is the current shirt you're donning boring, ratty or simply pitted out thanks to this crizazy heat and you're looking for the next fashion statement to add to your 'robe?

Well then do we have some good news pour vous!

IBC is thrilled to unveil their latest addition to your fine tee collection and we'd like to invite you to join us all next Friday, July 22nd from 5:30-8pm at Riptide Surf Bar (also one of our fine 2011 Beach Revue sponsors!) to check it out!

The fine folks at Riptide will be offering us some fab happy hour drink specials - AND they are offering their spectacular seawall view completely free of charge!!!

So we hope you'll plan on joining us - come sip a drink, share a laugh, peek at the shirt. You can even try your hand at winning one by "pinning the tail on the donkey" (that's actually a little hint at the shirt design!) and if you don't win, you can always buy one if you like it!

...We think you'll like it! :)

Friday, July 22nd 5:30-8pm
Riptide Surf Bar (904 Ave M... 9th & Seawall)

History on Tap - Elissa - July 9, 2011

2011-07-09T18:21:36Z

The Galveston Historical Foundation is beginning a series of History on Tap events in which a local venue will be paired with a wine, spirit, or beer and there will be a short lecture on each. Tonight at 7pm, the first such pairing will be held on the Elissa and the beverage of choice is none other than Elissa India Pale Ale made by the St. Arnold's Brewery in Houston (and it is fantastic by the way).

The first two beers come free with your $20 admission ticket (sales start at 6:30). There will be a presentation on the making of Elissa (the beer) and why they chose Elissa (the Ship) to be the namesake. There will be another presentation on the commencement of the effort to raise money to help Elissa (ship) sail again. Additional beers can be purchased for $3 each.

So if you're wondering what to do this saturday night, come join us on board for a brew and know that you're helping the cause of keeping her sailing!

*picture of tall ship elissa courtesy of the GHF

I Don't Have an Island Problem...

2011-07-08T13:29:09Z

Hello. My name is Mondo. And I'm an Island-holic. It's been several weeks since my last trip to the mainland.

Some people give me a hard time about my issue. They say I'm missing out on things on the mainland. They tell me that I should cross over the causeway more often. Explore my surroundings. Branch out, even.

I say that I do. I now make it west of 26th Street every weekday (gotta get the little lady to-and-from school). And most weekends too. It's not that I dislike the mainland. I don't make a specific effort to elude its existence. I simply have no reason to make regular use of the causeway (in all its splendor). Don't get me wrong. There are certain times that I even enjoy getting out of town, but it seems so easy to stay right here and feel content.

I know you (my fellow IBC's) understand. And I appreciate the support of my family. And strength of my friends. As I ENJOY my problem.

Light a Roman Candle and Hold it in Your Hand (Not Really)...

2011-07-01T13:00:23Z

I remember in college celebrating the 4th of July rather regularly. It seemed each summer, amid the blistering boil of the July heat, I ventured to the Garner State Park area with friends. Always an enjoyable time of floating the river with ice cold beer (and I mean iced down in a cooler-tube, hardcore, I know). Good times indeed.

Then it seemes like the 4th kind of dropped off my radar. Probably due to the fact that my first job out of school had me working each 4th of July until 3 PM. What kind of rip-off is that?

Now living on the Island (especially the last three years), I find myself heavily anticipating the annual celebration of America's liberty. I guess it really caught focus when we started this company (IBC) with fine friends and chose to enter a "float" (and I use this word with all terms of the true definition lacking) in the 4th of July parade that cascades through downtown to the delight of all attendees.

And this year I'll get to celebrate the 4th of July with my little lady for the first time. I know she's still too young to understand (9 months), but I hope to instill in her a sense of pride and community. And what better way to show her the true spirit of her country than to parade her through the streets of one of America's most unique towns. Galveston Island.

Almost happy birthday America...

2011-06-26T19:52:29Z

I hope everyone is planning on attending (if not participating in!) the upcoming annual 4th of July Parade and Celebration on Monday, July 4th!

The parade will start at 10am at the Galveston Railroad Museum (check 'em out - they're open 7 days a week now!) and will end at the same place with FREE hot dogs and lemonade - plus an awards ceremony for the parade entries!

IBC will be there again with the Bathing Beauties of the Galveston Island Beach Revue and we invite you to come catch some beads, eat some dogs and celebrate the birthday of our country.

Left: 2009 parading Bathing Beauties (pictured: Cindy Buckley, David McGivern, Dana Blue, Secelia Garrett, Carly Oquendo, Chandler Rainey, Klayre Lewis, Katrina Leonard, and Melozi Scott) Right: 2010 parading Bathing Beauties (pictured: Catherine Stroud, Scott Moga, Alicia Cahill, Alice Berry as "Miss Formica Dinette", Michael Morris, Peggy Davenport, Claire Leger, Dana Blue, Natalie Hardin)

And a gigantic thanks to our armed forces - past, present and future for serving to protect this place for all of us.

That Chicken Little is Full of #$%@, Man...

2011-06-24T13:23:30Z

Sheesh. Is the sky really falling? A few times this week I've been pelted by wet drops of... well... water. It's pretty strange.

It was rather enjoyable how whatever this new phenomenon is sure did save the Island from the heat-miser that had been ruling as of late. Even it was brief, it was worth it.

Now. What do we have to do to keep this cool liquid relief coming around?

A Night to Remember...

2011-06-17T13:32:43Z

Last Saturday evening was great. My two ladies and I had a great at-home dinner with some good friends, and the dinversation (that's right - I just made up a word - and for the slow ones it is dinner + conversation) was... unique. To say the least.

But maybe the coolest part of the night was the finale. It ended in fireworks. Literally. You see, the Galvez celebration was that same night, and they put on a fireworks display that just so happened to coincide with the departure of our guests. It was pretty neat to be able to see and hear the explosions in the sky as our night ended. A dandy treat, indeed.

It got me thinking. Maybe the Island should have a brief fireworks show every summer weekend. Or would that take all the fun out of it?

Summer-summer-summertime...

2011-06-10T16:11:06Z

It's official. It's H-O-T, and the first day of summer still looms in the near distance. Air conditioners are already putting in over-time, sputtering as much conditioned refreshing air as possible. Pets are whining to be let inside in order to avoid the heat's wrath. Records are being broken as the temperature plays Russion-roulete with us.

And I can ask only two things at this point:

1. What's August gonna feel like? Yikes...

2. And two, what are you doing to try and keep the heat from invading your personal space?

Where am I, Galveston? (May 31, 2011)

2011-05-31T22:14:25Z

Hint #1: This is not a parting shot from the Endeavour of the International Space Station. It's right here on our beautiful Island... It's somewhere here... Any ideas?

18th Annual Back Garden Tour: Saturday & Sunday June 4&5

2011-05-31T18:59:38Z

Blast! There is a list of reasons why it sometimes stinks to work on the weekends - especially on an Island where fun, unique events are a common occurance... That and the fact that weekend days are often enjoyed pool - or beach - side with a frosty beverage in hand; which I've found to be a widely frowned upon thing to have in hand while at work...

"Clean Galveston's" annual Back Garden Tour is another. We have yet to be able to attend this fantastic event but continue to hear rave reviews from even the blackest-thumbed attendees (or whatever color is the true opposite of green). Translation: you don't have to be a master gardener to enjoy the beauty and visual appeal of a well designed, executed and manicured backyard. Plus, flowers are pretty.

The gist is this: tickets can be purchased in advance for $7 bucks. They're $10 the day of and the hours are: Saturday June 4th from 10am-5pm and Sunday June 5th from 12 noon to 5pm. (No after-hours backyard lurking, please -- unless you've been personally invited by the owner!)

There are 8 private backyard gardens on tour this year and you can purchase tickets at a number of locations. Tickets are available for purchase online at http://www.cleangalveston.org/events.html and at galveston.com as well as area businesses including Tom's Thumb Nursery (2014 45th), Speedy's Printing (715 24th), Eiband's (2201 Postoffice), J Bangle's Silk Stocking Gallery (1124 25th) or the Galveston Wreath Co (1515 19th).

So get out there and enjoy how clean our Island is - maybe with a bit of sunblock too... Sheesh who turned the heat up the past few days?!

**Rain dates are the following week, June 11th & 12th - just in case...

2011 Galveston Island Beach Revue a Success...

2011-05-27T13:09:14Z

Well, it's official. This year's Beach Revue was another success. I can't say enough about the Friday night Bands & Bombshells music groups who performed (The Brandon McDermott Band and The John Evans Band), the folks who dressed up and attended the downtown event, and our glorious contestants in Saturday's Bathing Beauties Contest. Whoo-whee. The ladies really got down to business this year. And when I say business, I mean they brought IT. The outfits and accessories this year blew us (and the judges) away. And our winners really proved what this event is all about, borrowing a recipe from the Island's past and adding that extra something that pushes it over the top.

Winners are: Crowd Favorite - Traci Lynn Cowart; 2nd Runner-up - Alice Berry; 1st Runner-up - Annette Green; and Winner - Alana Anderson.

We at Islander By Choice hope that many of you attended and enjoyed the events as much as we did, and we hope that you will continue to help make the Beach Revue a great Galveston Island event.

And finally, here's a great-big THANK YOU to all of our sponsors and individuals who assisted in making this year's Beach Revue happen. THANK YOU!

Here's to next year...

Memorial Day Ceremoy at Seawolf Park Monday May 30th

2011-05-26T21:18:24Z

Just a quick general invitation to the upcoming Memorial Day Ceremony that will be held at Seawolf Park (51st Street bridge towards TAMUG/Pelican Island, take it to the very end of the road, and you're there!) on Monday, May 30th at 11am.

FREE ADMISSION and PARKING folks - can't beat that! From 10:30-11:30am.

They'll have a few speakers from various military branches, "Tolling of the Bell" and "Laying of the Wreath".

Sounds like a nice thing to attend on a very important day...

(PS. Check out the Cavalla while you're over there!)

Two Words for You... BEACH REVUE...

2011-05-19T18:45:49Z

That's right boys and girls. Unless the rapture gets us this weekend, the 2011 Galveston Island Beach Revue is upon us. Fasten your seatbelts.

In case you need to get familiar with all that the Beach Revue entails, click here.

And in case you need some helpful hints and tips for the weekend, click here.

Otherwise, it's time to get all vintage-like and kick-off the summer season on Galveston Island.

See you there...

Seafarers Center Gala

2011-05-17T15:23:35Z

This Friday, May 20th at 7:00pm is the Seafarer's Center Gala. This year's Gala will be honoring The United States Coast Guard.

The Galveston Seafarers Center gives seafarers from around the world a place to find a little comfort, communicate with loved ones, and worship in a friendly welcoming environment. Centers around the world share this mission to provide a temporary home to those who spend a great deal of time away from theirs.

The Seafarers Center Gala is the primary fundraiser for the entire year. It is held this May in honor of Maritime Day which falls on Sunday, May 22nd this year.

Please visit www.GalvestonSeafarersCenter.org for more information on ways you can help fulfill the Center's mission and information on the upcoming Gala.

Weekend Tips to the 2011 Galveston Island Beach Revue

2011-05-13T13:03:00Z

So the first day of the 2011 Galveston Island Beach Revue is one week away! With this being our 3^rd year putting on the Revue and resurrecting the historic Bathing Beauties Contest, I thought we could share some tips as well as give you more info on what's going down.

So here goes. And remember admission is free to all Beach Revue events!

Friday Night, May 20: Bands & Bombshells

7pm to 10:30pm in Downtown Galveston

1. Go Vintage & Get Pinned Up. - We're excited to announce that we've got a Pin Up photographer coming out to Bands & Bombshells. So get your vintage on and come ready to get some Pin Up shots taken of you with or without a vintage Cadillac as a backdrop! For more information on the photographer, Alyssa Holub and Mileslove Studios Eye Candy, click here!

2. Meet Us Downtown - We officially kick off your Galveston summer at 7pm which means parking is free downtown. (Of course parking is still at a premium - we are on an Island). Don't wanna drive? Walk, bike, line up a cab, etc!

3. We're Outside - Yup we'll meet you outside at Saengerfest Park. And don't let the fencing fool you - it is free to get in.

4. Bring Some Dough -That fencing I just mentioned is due to the cash bar! So bring your cash for beverages! Also, we'll have a merchandise booth set up to purchase your Pin Up shots and Beach Revue souvenirs. Hungry? Visit any of our downtown eateries to fill your belly including Bands and Bombshells' sponsor, Yaga's Cafe

5. Bring the Kids - Kids are welcome - we got music and room to roam! So bring 'em out for music and dancing for an evening under the stars in Downtown Galveston.

Saturday Mid-Morning, May 21: Salute to the Bathing Beauties

11am to 1:30pm Hotel Galvez Lawn

1. Parking is Primo - So get thee to the Seawall early. Now you've gotten primo parking for both the lawn party and the main event!

2. Again We're Outside - So bring your hats and sunblock people. Drinks and food will be provided until the Hotel Galvez runs out.

3. Games & Jams - Aside from hanging on the lawn with some Bathing Beauties, enjoy some live music and games out on the new Centennial Green.

4. Salute the Queen - And don't miss the Bathing Beauties as they salute the historic Hotel Galvez in celebration of her 100^th year as the Queen of the Gulf!

5. Definitely Bring the Kiddos - The Hotel Galvez is putting on quite a spread including games, refreshments and music. Perfect mix of things to do while overlooking the Gulf.

Saturday Afternoon, May 21: Bathing Beauties Contest

2pm to 4pm Beachfront, Hotel Galvez

1. Baby it's Hot Outside -Since Beach Revue is the official kick-off to your Galveston summer, we're all about enjoying Island life outside. This event is on the actual beach. So come prepared to be standing in the sun and sand which means at least slather on the ol' sunblock and don a hat. And outfit your kids and dogs accordingly (don't forget a water bowl along with a leash for the pooch).

2. Refreshments Just in case you forget your own, we'll have water, some sodas, and sunblock for sale at the Souvenir booth.

3. For the Big & Lil' Kids - We're on the beach. Again, can we emphasize anymore that this is a family friendly affair? Aside from the beach though, we're hosting a Hula Hoop Contest at Intermission which is the time between the Modern and Vintage portions of the Contest. Open to all ages!

4. Surround Seating -You've got your choice in seating depending on what time you arrive for the main event. It's first come, first serve, so you've got Seawall seating and beachside seats on 3 sides (one side is pretty much blocked by tents). You can stand or bring a chair. Chairs may also be available for rental that day on the beach.

5. Honor Our Armed Forces - This year's Beach Revue falls on a very special day - Armed Forces Day - so don't be late or you'll miss the national anthem and perhaps an additional surprise.