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Recently in Island Recovery Category
Don't forget that this Saturday, Nov. 21 is the Free Tree Giveaway for 2,000 trees! See the announcement below. Also, here's a link from the GCDN regarding a new ordinance for plantings in the right-of-ways. Galveston Re-leaf: Free Tree Giveaway on November 21stFree trees will soon be available to Island property owners who lost trees to Ike's salty surge last year. Nearly 2,000 trees will be given away to Galvestonians on Saturday, November 21st. The trees were donated by the Tree Folk of Austin, Apache Foundation, and Randalls. WHAT: Galveston Free Tree Giveaway WHEN: Saturday, November 21st - 9a.m.-4p.m., and Sunday, November 22nd (if there are remaining trees) 1-4p.m. WHERE: Galveston City Hall parking lots 823 Rosenberg Stipulations: Trees will be given away on a first come, first serve basis. Limit two trees per address. Identification and a city utility bill with a Galveston address are required. Recipients must sign an agreement to plant in Galveston and care for the tree. Trees may only be planted on private property; not in the city's right-of-way. A variety of tree species, selected especially for Galveston, will be available at the giveaway. Large species include live oak, Mexican white oak, Mexican sycamore, and sweet gum. Smaller species include mountain laurel, Mexican plum, loblolly pine, and a fruited pear. Each tree is potted in a 5-gallon container. Planting and care instructions will be provided. Additionally, mulch from the City's recycling center will be available for free. Members of the City of Galveston's Tree Committee and the Galveston Island Tree Conservancy will be on hand to load trees and offer planting advice. More volunteers are needed. Please contact David Schuler at (409) 599-7578 to help with the giveaway. Donations to assist with replanting Galveston will be gratefully accepted. Contact: Ken StebleinPhone: 772-3500
Claire and Ashley, fantastic job on the traditional dunking of the Aggie ring this weekend. We were proud to witness it. Whoop!
This is a different kind of chug I'm talking about now, though.
The kind that goes "chugga chugga, chugga chugga - cho cho"!!!!
Tomorrow, Tuesday - 6-8pm at the G-town Convention Center - be there!:
Mobile Society: Attend Galveston-Houston I-45 Corridor Mobility Open Houses this Week
The public is encouraged to attend and participate in a series of open houses to discuss mobility issues along the Galveston-Houston I-45 corridor. These meetings are a part of the planning process and an important local step in the pursuit of federal funding to address growing traffic congestion. Three workshops will be held to solicit public feedback:
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
§ 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
§ Galveston Island Convention Center , Ballroom A
§ 5600 Seawall Blvd. Galveston , TX , 77551
Four potential transit alternatives have been identified for consideration. Over the next nine to 10 months, the project team will evaluate public comments provided at the public meetings and through the project website, www.galvestonrailstudy.com. Additionally, comments can be sent via email to: info@galvestonrailstudy.com.
This study is sponsored by the City of Galveston , Galveston County , and the Federal Transit Administration and is being coordinated with Harris County , the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the 11 cities in between Galveston and Houston .
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?
With so much going on this upcoming week and weekend for Revival & Reflections, I'm a bit overwhelmed. So, I'm trying to look at each activity one-by-one so I don't miss a thing.
 The first annual Artist Studio Loft Tours is going on, put on by the Artist Homestead Galveston Island and sponsored by the Galveston Historical Foundation. AHGI is a local organization comprised of Galveston artists, friends, neighbors, local business owners, real estate agents, and community leaders who seek to attract artists to live and work on the Island. You can check them out at www.artisthomesteadgalvestonisland.com
Here's the info on the tour coming up:
Artist Homestead Galveston Island Presents 1st Annual Artist Studio Tours
September 12 from 1:00-5:00 PM. Admission is $5.
You can purchase tickets in advance online or at the studios themselves. Studios on Tour: - Janet Y. Hassinger, MFA 3510 Ave. S 1/2
Watercolors Investigating a Unique Perception of the Coral Reef - Stephanie Thomas, Artist 1109 25th Street
Works in Clay for Homes and Gardens - Sallie Anderson 1605 24th Street
Watercolors Reflecting the Excitement of Everyday Things - Jul Kamen 1506 21st Street
Contemporary Quilts Add an Extr Dimension to a Renovated Galveston Corner Store - Gayle Reynolds, The Water's Edge Studio & Gallery 1302 21st Street
Paintings which bring you the charm that is Galveston - René Wiley Studio/Gallery 2128 Postoffice Street
Colorful Oils Presenting Galveston's Abundance of Alleyways, Birdlife and more - V. Starke/Art Market 2001 Postoffice Street
Expressionist Art touching on women's issues and creating mood in abstract - Martha J. Terrill 1214 14th Street
The Art of ArrangingThings in New and Interesting Ways- Fantasy in Assemblage - Beachtown Open House- East Beach Drive
Exhibit of Pre and Post-Ike Photography
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.
So, for shame, I must admit that my mind slipped yesterday while writing about events going on during ArtWalk. How I forgot this, I'll never know. Great IBC's and friends (who moved from Las Vegas roughly 5 years ago), Clyde & Kimberley Wood, will reopen The Witchery on Saturday, August 22! Previously the shop which offers metaphysical books, gifts, and more was housed at 2510 Market Street. Post-Ike, they are now among the great retailers and restaurants along Postoffice Street at 2116 Postoffice Street (a couple of doors down from Mod Coffee & Teahouse). You may have noticed ongoing renovations at the building all summer along, including a great new paint job, but the inside workings have remained a secret behind brown paper lining the windows. All we get to see for now is a "coming soon" sign. But, if I know the Wood's and judging from the shop's previous location, the items will be awesome, unusual, and plentiful, and the interior will be incredible - no detail is ever left untouched. Definitely check them out - there is something for everyone and plus, I've heard, bagpipers will be welcoming back this great local business Saturday evening.
So lots going on this Saturday during ArtWalk that I thought I'd pass along. . . 1st - check out the still new art gallery, Local Color Galveston "Where Local Artists May Expose Themselves." Mondo and I visited the owners, Katy & Darren Cleveland a while back. Loved the new space and really enjoyed meeting these new IBCs and their children. Great addition to the art scene and the great people scene on the Island. You can find them at 120 20th Street in downtown Galveston (down from Somewhere in Time).  2nd - the Galveston Art Center (who are sponsors of ArtWalk) will be in their temporary new location on 25th St. in the old Maceo Spice storefront. Remember to go check them out too. 3rd - Did you know that a few weeks ago in the beginning of August, 18 teams of architects and designers from the Houston area got together at Rice University to look at Gtown's Seawall? Their task was a design competition around a site along the Seawall that is a "hingepoint" between downtown and the beach. Competitors had 8 hours to come up with a design idea that works for locals and tourists! The 18 designs are going to be on display for one night only during ArtWalk! Go check it out! Apparently many of the designers and judges will be there. It's from 6pm to 9pm (during ArtWalk) on this Saturday, August 22 at 2326 Strand (in the fantastic Sealy-Hutchings Building next to Luigi's) Check out the group who organized this awesome idea, Rice Design Alliance at www.ricedesignalliance.org
When Mondo and I moved to the Island and into our newly purchased 1870 vernacular Greek Revival, we knew we'd be in for lots of work that would have to be fueled by love, passion, and sometimes sheer force of will. We quickly realized that we'd have to add more money to our list (almost always the case) and better food than could be microwaved. See, our house was a foreclosure. Great deal you may be thinking. Sure, it was. Of course the house was also listed as "renovated." Haha. Some of you already know what we knew when we first looked at this place. Sometimes the Island plays loose and fast with terms like "renovated" and "restored."
Long story short. We.had.no.kitchen. Now, don't think we don't know that tons of people before us braved far worse. One gentleman bought a building with no roof and camped inside while he restored the building around him. That is a testament to the love and ingenuity of Islanders. Even though our roof was in good shape, the kitchen turned out to be a life lesson in knowing what you want. It took us a lot longer than it should have - 10 months - mainly because we had a hard time deciding what we wanted our kitchen to look like. We had to eat though. And microwaving and frying on an electric skillet (thanks to my great in-laws) helped a lot. But, without our downtown's Bistro LeCroy, we may never have survived on microwave dinners and pudding pouches alone. That first week in the house (which also had a busted furnace), it was a cold December evening, and we were already craving real food. So we drove downtown looking for hot food out of an oven. And there she was: Bistro LeCroy at 2021 Strand.
 Great food, great ambiance, and great people. Tommy and Barbara, the two owners who also happen to be cousins, welcomed us. The staff was just as welcoming - Victor and Gina Galvez not only were great staff, but we now count them as friends too. We soon became regulars, and unfortunately for our waistlines, continued dining at the Bistro long after our cozy kitchen was up and running. When Ike hit, Tommy and the building owners, Dale and Diane Olson, stayed for the storm trying to salvage what they could. For a while, we were afraid that our kitchen away from home would not return. But they have. They now have been open for a week, and we've filled our bellies twice. You have to check it out. Great food. Great people. And great new additions not only to the menu but to the restaurant. Dale and Diane are BOIs and Ball High School sweethearts (I must say that I also count them as IBCs - they chose to come back to the Island after years in California).
Before the Buccaneer Hotel was destroyed New Year's Day 1999, several folks, including the Olson's, salvaged tons from the old building including beautiful, hand painted wood trim.
 The Olson's, Tommy, & Barbara have incorporated this historic woodwork inside the restaurant and also installed original doors from the old Ursuline Academy.
Go by and grab a bite to eat. If not running around, Tommy and Barbara will probably be at the family table (straight back from the front, on your right if you come in via the atrium). Say hello and have Tommy tell you some of the history of that great place from the Civil War, the 1900 Storm, and even stories of reported hauntings. Maybe you'll become a regular too.
This should prove to be a...hot...subject. Pun obviously intended.
As most of us know by now, the smoking ban has passed in Galveston for a January 1, 2010 debut. We IBC'ers are a good mix of smokers and non, in fact I think the non-smokers are the minority (not to point towards the 3 smokers in our lovely group of course). In various reports and word of mouth it looks like this is a very comprehensive ban and I wonder if it might be a little too comprehensive. I've read where it applies to patios connected to restaurants which seems really heavy handed to me. I can understand the need for people who do smoke to still want to be part of the social interaction.
I've never smoked. Growing up with a dad dealing with lung cancer scared the hell out of me to ever try them (side note - dad's great and had a full recovery). But it's never bothered me that others do. I might not agree with it but it's their business to smoke if they want. As a business owner though I've mulled over the personal / professional reasons for supporting or not supporting a ban. Ultimately, I believe it's the business owners right to decide what is in their best interests. Selfishly though, I couldn't be more ok with the ban. I don't know if it's so much for health reasons as it is for general comfort and enjoying not smelling like a cigarette when I go home.
I've not spoken with the other IBC'ers on this and look forward to their contributions to this conversation, as well as our readers. So all that being said - what do you all think about the ban?
 The tree replacement team certainly has their work cut out for them (did anyone ever win the naming contest for that committee??). In the meantime, crews have begun the removal of thousands of the Island's trees left dead or dying (paging Dr. Kevorkian) in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Officials have estimated that nearly 11,000 trees located on the City's right-of-ways, property owned by the city and in/around city parks will be removed. Some streets or parks might be closed temporarily for safety reasons while the trees are cut and removed, so here's a list of those areas in case you run into a detour, that's probably what's up: - Lindale Park - 4th Street and Marine
- Adoue Park - 12th Street and Ball Street
- San Jacinto Park - 19th and Avenue K
- Shield Park - 33rd Street and Church Street
- Lasker Park - 42nd Street and Avenue P
- The grounds of the Wright Cuney Recreation Center - 718 41st Street
- Alamo Park - 51st Street and Avenue N
- Jones Park - Jones Drive and 71st Street
- Schrieber Park and adjacent ball fields - 83rd Street area near Scholes Airport
- Sandhill Crane Park and soccer complex - Stewart Road and 7 Mile Road
Good news? Okay, I have some. The cost of the tree removal IS 100% reimbursable from the federal govt under the current emergency declaration until September 12th. AND, we WILL get new trees - who knows what type, but the City will probably have to foot the bill for those. I believe the timeline for replanting is not until next fall, though. Check out the City's website for more info about the tree program at www.CityofGalveston.org or you can call the Parks&Rec Dept at (409) 621-3177. You can also email trees@cityofgalveston.org. My guess is the trees themselves will not be the ACTUAL ones responding to your emails, but what do I know? One last piece of good news for Galvestonians. If you have a dead/dying tree due to Ike on your private property, you may be eligible for free removal through the City's program. Call Beck Disaster Services at (409) 974-4243 to pre-register and get on the list. Surprise! You will have to meet FEMA's assessment/eligibility requirements to qualify for the free tree removal but give it a shot anyway, folks - don't take a chance and risk your property to a potentially dangerous falling tree. Be safe out there. Stay out of the heat - go shopping downtown! :) PS. A friendly reminder from our fantastic PIO Alicia that "bonafide" tree removal techs will not ask you to sign anything or to pay any money to remove trees if they are in front of your house. You WILL however need to move your vehicles to avoid getting towed while the removal is happening. Beware of fake tree people and don't park in front of an orange-spotted tree!
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