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Recently in Hurricane Ike Category
Here we are. A year since Ike waved his cowboy hat and sang The Yellow Rose of Texas as loud as he possibly could as he stomped and splashed in the Gulf of Mexico and eventually buried Galveston with his wrath. Ike stopped in Galveston long enough to send a postcard to the nation. You know what I mean.
It's strange for me to think back to a year ago and remember the feelings gathered around the imposing storm. Residents tackled plywood when they could find it. Families and animals scattered I-45 in escape pods. National media broadcasted "imminent death" for those of us who chose to stay on the Island. My mind at the time couldn't comprehend that. Instead, we who thought we were staying behind laughed it off. Shrugged our shoulders and dug through the almost empty ice chest.
Friday morning, September 12, 2008. I woke up to my cell phone ringing in the kitchen. It was before 7 a.m. I felt as though death may have played a cruel joke on me and let me live through a terrible accident. I had no idea why people were calling me so early. Then I was told to turn on the news. I saw the Gulf of Mexico erupting into the seawall. Finally frightened, some of us decided to skip town and retreat with the others. I packed a bag. Locked the house. Took one last look at the boarded up homefront and snapped a photo. Broadway was deserted. The apocalypse may as well have come to town. But I trucked on. Officially on the run from Ike.
I still get chills and uneasy feelings thinking back to those few days Ike came to town. It is really, really weird (to me) that it happened a year ago. I remember after the storm thinking and saying that the Island would be different from here on out. I even blogged about it (read it here). But I must say, a year later, that the Island is doing well. And dare I say almost back to normal. Now there will be certain things that won't be normal for some time. But the healing has prospered.
For those of you who don't subscribe to the Houston Chronicle or who don't read it online (I just scan & utility-read it myself), check out today's edition!
Bistro LeCroy owner, Tommy LeCroy is featured among others . . .
http://blogs.chron.com/hurricanes/2009/09/ike_back_on_the_strand.html
You know, I've been curious to see what media coverage was going to look like - will the coverage highlight how far we've come as Islanders or will it showcase devastation and how far we've still to go? But the big day will be Saturday. What are you hoping for in terms of media this week?
To showcase Galveston's incredible resiliency and progress just one year after Hurricane Ike, a series of "Revival and Reflections" events will take place beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8 on the 109th anniversary of the Great 1900 Storm and continue through Sunday, Sept. 13, as Galvestonians, friends, visitors and supporters come together to celebrate "Revival and Reflections... Marking the first anniversary of Hurricane Ike, September 8-13, Galveston Island, Texas."
For more information about "Revival and Reflection" events to be held, call the Galveston Island Visitors Center at 888 GAL ISLE (888.425.4753), visit online at www.galveston.com, www.recoverygalveston.org, or email to info@galvestoncvb.com.
Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009
To download the official press release, click here.
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009
- "A Salute to Galveston": Moody Mansion Museum, 2618 Broadway. Presented by the Treasure Ball Association September 5-13.
- Remembrance Concert: 6:30-8pm. Music by the Lance Aldridge Band. Saengerfest Park, 23rd and Strand. Throughout the concert, the multi-media presentation of Ike's wrath and destruction, as well as scenes of Galveston's rebirth and redevelopment will again be presented. The concert is free and open to the public.
Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009
- "A Salute to Galveston": Moody Mansion Museum, 2618 Broadway. Presented by the Treasure Ball Association September 5-13.
- Remembrance Concert: 6:30-8pm. Music by the Galveston Beach Band. Saengerfest Park, 23rd and Strand. Throughout the concert, the multi-media presentation of Ike's wrath and destruction, as well as scenes of Galveston's rebirth and redevelopment will again be presented. The concert is free and open to the public.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2009
City of Galveston-sponsored "Revival and Reflections" events continue on Friday, Sept.11 with a
To download the official press release, click here.
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009
Saturday, Sept.12 will feature a full-day of "Revival and Reflections" activities that will include a solemn ceremony and documentary showings on the eve of the first of anniversary of Hurricane Ike. In addition, throughout the day a variety of ancillary events are planned to commemorate Ike's one year anniversary.
To download the official press release, click here. To download additional information regarding the Artist Studio Tours, click here.
Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009
The 6-day "Revival and Reflections" events, ceremonies, and commemorations marking the first anniversary of Hurricane Ike conclude Sunday, Sept. 13 with several events:
To download the official press release, click here.To download additional information regarding additional fundraising / ancellary events, click here.
To highlight the many "Revival and Reflections" events and activities planned to mark the first anniversary of Hurricane Ike, a 4-page full color newspaper "pull-out" supplement will be included in the Galveston County Daily News' Sept. 6 edition.
It has been an insane whirlwind since, well, I guess since IBC announced that we were resurrecting Galveston's legendary Bathing Beauties contest back months ago. The last couple of days have been no different!
So, back to the rest of the Island now . . .
We mentioned in an earlier post that we were invited to the Pachyderm Club to talk about IBC bringing back the Beach Revue. The coolest part - aside from meeting some really nice folks and the ginormous Bathing Beauties panoramic when you walk in - was getting to meet a couple of the Ball High School students & the teacher who created the Ike documentary.
(Please.tell.me.you.know.exactly.what.I'm.talking.about).
Aside from getting all mush-faced watching the documentary preview again (I so cried watching it the first time), we at IBC were so honored to meet these guys. They are incredible people, Islanders, and brilliant to boot! Seriously, Ball HS gets no props!
Aside from buying an ad in the movie premiere brochure, IBC decided to donate a portion of the Bathing Beauty proceeds to this endeavor. You know why?
Because this project rocks. The students rock. Mr. Weiss rocks. Our Island rocks. The message of the film is about hope - and that rocks. They are trying to go to The Big Apple and get on some talk shows. Oh, and they are submitting this puppy into a bunch of film festivals. Sweet Action!!!
And all of us here at IBC love our Island and support all people getting involved in our community - particularly young people.
So, tomorrow, we hope to see all of you at the world premiere!
Tomorrow, Thursday May 21, 2009, Islander By Choice - and probably as much of the Island that can fit in The Grand 1894 Opera House - will watch the world premiere of Ike: A Documentary The Story of a Torn City Rebuilt by Everyday Heroes! BYOH (Bring Your Own Hanky).
In case you haven't been witness to their insane media coverage (hurrah!), the documentary was done by some of Gtown's own Ball High School students and their teacher, Robert Weiss! For full bios on these phenomenally talented and incredible human beings - visit the website and read "Our Story."
With today being the 6 month anniversary of Ike, all of us Islanders have been a bit reflective. All you have to do is check out an Islander's Facebook page or read today's guest column by Norman Pappous in today's GDN to see the reflection and insight into how far we have come.
For me, I am still as extremely proud of our Island and our community as I was in November. And, I am especially proud because while we've had a lot of support, we haven't garnered quite the support and headlines as other major catastrophes. Katrina comes to mind. Generally, I'm ok with that because I'm realistic. I know we don't have the social cache that the Big Easy has; perhaps someday we will recapture that torch from our heyday pre 1900.
But the National Trust for Historic Preservation has sent me over the edge. I've come to expect that the national media outlets will constantly refer to New Orleans - even the somewhat recent phenomena of referencing New Orleans as the equivalent of the "Gulf Coast." But the National Trust?! Dudes - you're breakin' my heart!
Just take a stroll on their website. Sure they mention "New Orleans and the Gulf Coast," but take a look at their links, and you'll find sparse discussion or links to Gtown and a whisper about Mississippi! What gives?
I'm fired up! I can work to forgive national media outlets, I've let it go about Houston media since they've rediscovered us (one important exclusion is the Houston Press and John Nova Lomax who should be given a key to the City of Galveston for his passionate, in-depth, and smart stories on our beautiful Island). But, I expect more from the National Trust - they are positioned to be one of our most powerful and passionate partners in advocating for our rebirth post-Ike. But instead we get nary a link and old photos from 6 months ago!
So, I posted a comment to their Facebook page. Feel free to express yourself if you feel the need. Now where is the IBC Calm Down Cow? I need to calm down. . .
By request (thanks James), a reminder to readers that the City of Galveston updates its list of registered contractors often. The city's website - http://www.cityofgalveston.org/ - has a plethora of information with regards to the city itself, Ike Recovery, and assistance.
Here's the updated list as of February 17, 2009:
registered_contractor_list_as_of_2-17-09.pdf
Oh. And IBC strongly suggests you go with a registered contractor!
So this post is a bit late, but that is in no way a reflection of its importance. While we were evacuees in evacuation site #2 (casa del Mondo parent's in Victoria) we visited the local Home Depot in preparation for our return to the Island.
We purchased many things:
generator (the Mondos)
first aid kits
gas cans
gas
bug spray
gloves
work boots
trash bags
batteries
a cow.
Yes, a cow.
Yes, you can buy a cow at Home Depot in Victoria. However, if you DO decide to purchase a cow at the Victoria Home Depot, be prepared to defend its honor to the cashier who will likely insist it is, in fact, a sheep. Rest assured, it is a cow. A "calm down cow" as we have come to know and love. Some people use biofeedback, some people count to ten. We pet the cow. And it works.
As Christopher Walken might say, we've got a fever... And the only prescription is more cow...
Host: Gerald Sullivan Location: Sugar Bean Coffee and Cream - Private Meeting Room (11 Evia Main, Galveston, TX) When: Tuesday, December 2, 6:00PM Phone: 409.744.5555 Galveston Island is in a recovery and rebuilding mode and we would like for you to participate in that effort! Please join us for an evening with Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas to discuss your ideas for the future of Galveston Island. What are our greatest challenges and opportunities, what should be the short-term and long-term goals for the island, how will your family thrive as we rebuild our home? These and other topics will be discussed and please come prepared to offer your ideas and input as we seize this opportunity to rebuild Galveston Island! If you would like to submit topics for discussion, e-mail them to ksullivan@sullivaninterests.com. Also, feel free to forward this invitation to other friends who have a vested interest in Galveston Island! Click here for more information.
I heard my new theme song this week on my trip to Texas City to visit my Galveston hair stylist. I hadn't heard this song in a long time, but I found myself belting it out as I drove 45. Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It." Ok, you can stop laughing at me now.
Perhaps I'm moving into the "Anger" part of the Stages of Grief (see last Saturday's post for that explanation), but I'm tired of the Island being thrown under the proverbial bus. I seriously thought Paul Burka's pathetic attempt at gothic mourning would send me out my office window (see this month's Texas Monthly for that piece of optimism). And his is just one in quite a few recent attempts at justifying letting the Island lay down to die. So what to do with all of this pent-up rage? What do all of us do? Whether it is from the insurance game, the Great Permit Wait of '08, the utter lack of people skills by our leaders? The list goes on and on.
We desperately need a figurehead right now - a spokesperson really. (I'll steer clear of overall management and leadership capacity at this point). We need communication, some serious PR that communicates a unified vision, backed up by a concrete, enforceable plan. Hell, we needed that before the Storm, but now it is more serious than ever. We Islanders need that too. We need a leader who presents a vision that will bring together an Island that is truly a place to live, work, raise a family while promoting the tourism industry that represents the variety of attractions this Island has to offer like ecotourism, historic tourism, fishing, the beaches, etc. Admittedly this is no small feat as one must not only deal with the political minefield that is Galveston interest groups but must present a cohesive plan that values and preserves our state's precious history, environmental landscape, as well as creates a diversified workforce with multiple economic engines. Oh, and we need some regulations and actual capacity to ensure quality planning and code enforcement (hello Broadway).
A few folks have come out of the gate here lately. I don't know Gerald Sullivan and am only familiar with what the Daily News has written. But, I do know this. If he is going to lead this recovery committee, he's going to have to step up and speak to the Island as well as bring together the best and the brightest the Island has to offer, and again, represents the Island. For example, if this Island truly cares about middle class flight (anyone out there know who qualifies as middle class on this Island?), you better put some of us on that committee and include an achievable plan as part of recovery. And I'm just saying here - whether it is fair or not, he's going to have to build trust with some of my fellow Islanders. The brouhaha (love that word) that is his family's interest on the Island and the East End Flat's drama befitting only an episode of "All My Children" is his burden to bear. It may not be right. It may not be fair. It is what it is. And nobody knows this better than Islanders.
One last thing. I'd like to give a shout-out to my boy, U.S. Representative Chet Edwards (D) from Waco for truly leading an effort to support the Island post-Ike. Check out the Daily News today for a story on this. That's the kind of leadership we need. Thanks for taking the bull by the horns Chet.
I just read an article from Texas Monthly about Galveston and Ike's aftermath. The last line says that in the end, the sea will always win in Galveston. That pisses me off. The author of the piece is BOI and grew up here. However, of course, he now lives elsewhere in Texas. At the same time he relies on his sense of heartfelt abominations hiding behind his hysterical views of a place he used to call home. In his case, maybe the ocean did win. Maybe it rose up from its depth dwelling soul and captured his courage. But I tell you this, Galveston needs not his kind.
Don't get me wrong. His article triumphed in telling the story of the storm and the pitfalls of destruction along with the Island's leaders' abilities to overcome. And he even tells of his own family's tie with the epitome of Galveston's existence - the 1900 Storm. But one can tell he's lost his G-Town swagger.
Instead he attempts every reason why people should not inhabit the Island. The same reasons he cites for not resurrecting Galveston are the very things that make the folks who chose and still choose to do so brave souls. In all of his words about the Island's history and how it shapes the Island's psyche, he fails to realize that those of us committed to the Island do so to preserve and protect this very history. Without the courage, grit, and passion of 1900 Storm survivors, the author would not only have lacked his childhood but this very romanticized drama of a magazine article.
We need solutions, not soapboxes. However brave we may be, the author snatches up the heroism by his final line. Almost an ultimatum against residents. The sea does not win. It has not won. The sea may have taken things from our Island over the years, but it has not and will never take our one and only weapon against it. Choice.
I would love to post a link to the article, but Texas Monthly's website won't let you read the whole thing. So, if you're somewhere selling mags, pick one up and tell me how you feel about his words.
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 Looking for great gift ideas, authentic island made apparel or need to replace your favorite t-shirt post-Ike? Look no further than Islander By Choice apparel! Click here for our current inventory!
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