Recently in Kevin Scott Category

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.

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.

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?

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?

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?

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...

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...

So IBC's Galveston Island Beach Revue officially landed on the City of Galveston radar.  Check out the video and official proclamation below.  BLAMMO

Psst.  Psst.

This is classified information straight from City Hall.  So you cannot, I repeat cannot share this with anyone.  Nobody.

If you do, I'll find you.  And the repercussions will be brutal.  Medievil, even.

Okay.  Here goes.

The stair railings have been painted a new color.  Shhhhh.

The word is, the elevator hasn't been stuck for over a month now.

And I can't leave you without something super-top-secret from City Council.  Quiet.  Quiet.  Shhh.  Okay.  It's safe now.  City Council chambers just got a new entrance.  Fancy.

Now.  Don't.  Tell.  A.  Soul.

This message will self-destruct.
 

Ahem.  Ever dreamed of being able to sit in the most advantageous spot to view the Bathing Beauties.  I'm not just talking about getting to the event early enough to grab a front-row-joe space.  I'm talking about being a JUDGE!  Yep.  This year IBC is giving one lucky fan of the event an opportunity to bask in all the glory that is involved with judging the 2011 Galveston Island Beach Revue Bathing Beauties Contest.

All you have to do is click here in order to fill out the application.

It's simple, really.  We just want to gather a few tidbits of information from you including what you love about Galveston Island and why you of all people would make the best judge.  And try to be unique and creative in your responses.  You have until May 12th to get your application submitted, and the winner will be announced on May 13th.  Of course, if you are applying you must be available to attend the Bathing Beauties Contest and be available starting at 1:30.

So come on Islanders, or non-Islanders.  Give it a shot and come mingle with our other fine judges, Joe Jaworski (Mayor of Galveston Island), Cheryl Vaiani (president of GHF), and Laura Elder (GCDN reporter).  Who knows?  You could be this year's difference maker.