Kevin Scott: September 2009 Archives

Had another "Only in Galveston" moment today. 

So we have some college kids that rent a house across the alley behind us.  Fortunately, we don't have many issues with them but other neighbors do.  It was quiet all summer while the house sat vacant waiting for the students to return.  And return they have.  Bee-bee guns and all.

Apparently, one of our neighbors that we share a back fence line with witnessed some of the college students shooting birds in our back yard.  And then they proceeded to try and climb the fence to retrieve their kill/prize.  Thankfully, she busted them mid-climb of the fence and told them they were trespassing.  I guess the droogs will have a nice treat to scarf on when they get let out this evening.

Seriously?  Shooting birds?  I guess it's been a while since I was in college.  Maybe I should let them borrow my old-school original Nintendo to play Duck Hunt.  Then again, they're probably too young to remember it.

 

Last weekend I had the privilege to visit Texas' little sister Louisiana.  My journey was in celebration of bachelor-hood for one of my closest friends from home.  I must admit my initial concern when I found out that we were going to a casino in Lake Charles.  First off, I'm not a gambler.  Secondly, I really don't like to spend money.  And to top it off, the group was going golfing both Friday and Saturday (this guy is not a golfer).  But.  I had a really, really good time.

I must say that I enjoyed the casino.  It almost makes me wish Galveston would get some.  Wait!  I said almost.  Mainly because the trip to Louisiana may be the best part.  You see, I won't frequent casinos, or Louisiana for that matter (not saying I wouldn't like to).  There's just too much hustle-bustle in everyday life to plan many trips.  But when I do choose to go, the trip is one of the best parts.  Because it's not really that far away.  Which makes the return trip even better (especially after bachelor partying all weekend).  But then I'm biased toward a good road trip.  When you can load up with a few good buddies and roll.

No.  I didn't gamble.  Yes.  I spent money (eating and drinking and on the room).  And no.  I did not play golf (I drove the cart... and got soaking wet Saturday).  I definitely felt like a tourist.  It felt good to spend the time and energy to get there.  And then it felt even better to have a good time.  It makes me appreciate Galveston even more for what the Island is and does for thousands of tourists and residents alike.

In fact, last night I sat on the front porch for about an hour.  Just tasting fall.
 

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.

 

 

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

• The 2009 United Way Galveston Kickoff Luncheon and Hurricane Ike Volunteer Celebration, 12:00 noon-1:00pm, in the Frances Anne Moody Ballroom at the Moody Gardens Hotel
• "A Salute to Galveston": Moody Mansion Museum, 2618 Broadway. Presented by the Treasure Ball Association September 5-13.
• "Revival and Reflections Opening Ceremony and Torch Relay," beginning at 5.30pm at Fort Crockett Park, 4700 Seawall Blvd.

To download the official press release, click here.

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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.

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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.

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Friday, Sept. 11, 2009

City of Galveston-sponsored "Revival and Reflections" events continue on Friday, Sept.11 with a

• "A Salute to Galveston": Moody Mansion Museum, 2618 Broadway. Presented by the Treasure Ball Association September 5-13.
• 25th & Market Street Revival & Street Party: 25th & Market, 6pm - 10pm. Featuring food, music, and raffles to raise money for replanting of Galveston's trees.
• Remembrance Concert: 6:30pm-8pm. Music by Chameleon. 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.
• Opening of the "Ike" Quilt Exhibit and Poetry Readings: at The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, from 7:00-9:00 pm.

To download the official press release, click here.

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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.

• The Mostyn Law Firm Galveston Rebirth Race - 5K Run/Walk. 8:30am. Hosted by the Galveston Historical Foundation. Register at www.galvestonhistory.org.
• Galveston Island State Park Open House: 10:00am-1:00pm at 14528 Stewart Road.
• "A Salute to Galveston": Moody Mansion Museum, 2618 Broadway. Presented by the Treasure Ball Association September 5-13.
• "Warbird Flights and Scenic Air Tours: An Aerial Celebration of Galveston:" 9am-5pm. Lone Star Flight Museum (near Moody Gardens.)
• "Making Tracks to Recovery:" - 10am - 1pm. Galveston Railroad Museum will feature mini-train rides and museum tours. 25th & Strand.
• Artist Studio Tours/Beachtown Open House Photo Exhibit: - 1:00pm -5:00pm. Beachtown, East Beach Drive. . Presented by the Artist Homestead Galveston Island and sponsored by the Galveston Historical Foundation.
• "Celebrate of Endurance" YMCA Benefit: - 3pm - midnight. The event will be held at Crazy Oaks, 12410 Stewart Road.
• "Revival and Reflections" Closing Ceremony: begins at 6pm at Saengerfest Park, 23rd & Strand, with activities throughout the downtown historic district. There will also be a "Shine a Light" Remembrance Walk from Saengerfest Park to The Grand 1894 Opera House. The torch will then be extinguished at The Grand for the final time.
• "Ike: The Documentary" and "The Great 1900 Storm" presentations: Beginning at 6pm at The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St. The last showing of "Ike: The Documentary" will begin at 9:30pm.
• The Ninth Annual Paws Gala: "Meowling Bros and Barkum and Bailey Circus:" - Beginning at 7pm at The Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort. Benefits Galveston Humane Society.
• "Celebration of Determination" Fireworks Display - Beginning at 9:30pm at 29th & Seawall Boulevard.

To download the official press release, click here. To download additional information regarding the Artist Studio Tours, click here.

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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:

• Sunrise Service: Stewart Beach Park Pavilion at 7:00am
• "A Salute to Galveston": Moody Mansion Museum, 2618 Broadway. Presented by the Treasure Ball Association September 5-13.
• "One in a Million Jesse Tree Fundraising Campaign:" - Beginning at 1pm at 25th Street and Seawall Boulevard.
• Citywide "Neighborhood Reconnect 2009" festivities planned and coordinated by individual neighborhoods throughout Galveston
• Galveston Symphony Pops Concert: 7:00pm, Moody Gardens Hotel Ballroom. Admission is free to the public.

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.