Recently in William Wright Category

Not sure how many NPR addicts we've got out there (I'm assuming quite a few) but for those interested I heard a good piece today on my drive up to the Oklahoma Territories and thought I'd bring it to show and tell.

Give it a listen here and let me know your thoughts. I actually wasn't aware about a lot of these issues.
 

Be sure to stop by our eBay auction and put your bid in for our one of a kind autographed Galveston Island Beach Revue calendar. All proceeds from this sale go to the Galveston Island Humane Society which is currently undergoing construction of their new facility! You can check out their progress and more information on this fantastic Island program at galvestonhumane.org.

CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR BID!

The calendar is our debut yearly calendar and features some highlights from last year's Beach Revue. Be sure to get your bid in, help out a great cause and have some Bathing Beauties to keep you company year around!
 

It's that time of year again...time for holiday cheer, time with family and friends, being part of a mob of Santas walking through downtown Galveston...

Join Islander By Choice Saturday, December 12 for the 2009 Santa Pub Crawl. We'll kick it off at 7 p.m. at Molly's Pub on Post Office St. with additional stops at regular intervals all evening.

To stay on Santa's good list this year, there are 2 rules:

1. Come dressed as Santa. Hawaiian Santa, Sexy Santa, Traditional Santa...all Santa are welcomed but the more the merrier.

2. Got some random things around the house you don't need anymore? Old magazine? Borrowed screwdriver from your neighbor? Wrap it up and add it to the community gift bag. People expect Santa to come bearing gifts, who are we to disappoint?

Please feel free to invite friends and spread the word. Got questions? Email will@ibcgalveston.com and he'll get you lined out.

Be sure to swing by our Facebook page and drop us a line if you're planning on coming!

If we don't get to see you on Saturday, Happy Holidays to each of you from us at Islander By Choice!

Interesting article today on 9 common sayings that originated from sailing. For instance:

9. Under the Weather

Keeping watch onboard sailing ships was a boring and tedious job, but the worst watch station was on the "weather" (windward) side of the bow. The sailor who was assigned to this station was subject to the constant pitching and rolling of the ship. By the end of his watch, he would be soaked from the waves crashing over the bow. A sailor who was assigned to this unpleasant duty was said to be "under the weather." Sometimes, these men fell ill and died as a result of the assignment, which is why today "under the weather" is used to refer to someone suffering from an illness. A related theory claims that ill sailors were sent below deck (or "under the weather") if they were feeling sick.

Check it out for the rest of the list!
 

New Galveston merchants Fit 2 Run are putting on a "MAKE ROOM FOR THE TURKEY!"  5K run/walk/stroll/roll on Friday, November 20, 2009.
 
This is a fun, social event (just like the Harvest Moon & Margarita run), and your participation will help assist our local Gleanings From the Harvest in providing Thanksgiving meals to Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in Galveston County!
 
MAKE ROOM FOR THE TURKEY! will start and end at Mario's on the Seawall.

* begin running/walking around 6:30pm, please show up earlier

* entry is $15 for anyone ages 13 & over (this is whether you participate or attend for support and cheering). under age 13 are free.

* entry includes t-shirt, food, eligibility for door prizes and fun activities for children.

* cash bar available

* they ask that each person who attends (regardless of age) donate a non-perishable food item for this event. PLEASE bring this food item with you on Friday, November 20th, to Marios.

* they will provide a reflective band for you to borrow during the event, but invite you to wear your reflective gear and/or bring a flashlight or glow sticks. Remember, it gets dark early. (Fit 2 Run also has some fun and functional reflective items - they really make a difference!)
 
TO REGISTER - please print the 2nd page of the form (download the form), fill it out and turn it in one of the following ways:

* bring your form FIT TO RUN along with your check (payable to FIT to RUN) - they prefer you bring it in....we like to see your smiling faces!

* mail your registration form & check: FIT TO RUN  528 23rd St, Galveston, 77550

* fax the form to: 281-605-1995 and bring your check with you to the event
 
Feel free to call 409-539-5150 with any questions. They are looking for volunteers to help spread the word around town as well.
 
Learn more at: www.Fit2RunGalveston.com
 

Moody Gardens to Offer Free Admission to Galveston Island Residents and Employees

Galvestonians are invited to become tourists in their own town and visit Moody Gardens on Galveston Appreciation Day, Sunday, Oct. 18. Current Galveston residents, employees who work on the island and their immediate families will receive a free Day Pass that entitles them to one entrance to Moody Gardens attractions: Aquarium Pyramid, IMAX 3D theater, 4D Special FX Theater, Ridefilm Theater and the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat.

"If you've never visited Moody Gardens or if you haven't been here recently, we invite you to take advantage of this day," said John Zendt, Moody Gardens general manager. "We want to thank our community members for their support and offer them what we do best."

With the new exhibit Forgotten Gateway: Coming to America through Galveston Island set to open on Nov. 21, Galveston locals whose families migrated to the U.S. through the Port of Galveston will also be encouraged to notify Moody Gardens and sign up to share their immigration stories.

To receive the free pass on Galveston Appreciation Day, guests must show proof of residency or employment with a driver's license, ID, utility bill, paycheck stub or work ID badge. Food and drink, gift-shop items and other special activities and events are not included in the free Day Pass. For more information, please call Moody Gardens at 800-582-4673.

At a Glance

What: Galveston Appreciation Day
When: Sunday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: Moody Gardens, One Hope Blvd. Galveston
Who: Current Galveston residents and employees
Detail: Guests must show proof of residency or employment to receive free Day Pass
Information: Please call 800-582-4673
 

In reviewing the web site for the Texas Navy (of which I've recently been given the rank of Commander - truestorypeople), Mikie asked me to review the video back to a frame. All in the room agreed the mannequin on the right bares a striking resemblance to Mr. Culpepper.

Thoughts from the peanut gallery are encouraged.


 

A friendly reminder to all our pirate loving friends out there, today is International Talk Like A Pirate Day. You can read up on it here but in the meantime I suggest ye view this link and get on board for this most special day.


 

A few years ago (ok, more than a few) I found myself in New Braunfels visiting friends at the River Road Ice House. It was a typical hot Hill Country summer and the refuge found in the air conditioning that afternoon was a welcome break.

As luck would have it - a friend of mine was playing acoustic that afternoon there and on stage with him was Drew Kennedy. I'd not gotten the chance to hear Drew before and was looking forward to hearing a new artist.

I walked away that afternoon with, what is still to this day, one of my all time favorite songs - "Cincinnati". I've had the opportunity to stay in touch with Drew over the years and was so happy to hear that he'd be playing in Galveston. As my luck would have it though, I'm out of town with work for the next 10 days and have to miss his show.

This is where you all come in.

I've spoken before of my love of the Old Quarter and of the importance of live music and supporting those that make it. Drew will be joined on stage tonight by Rodney Hayden, another fantastic Texas musician. I'd encourage each of you to take some time and go give them a listen. Aside from being a music nut, I'm excited to see artists returning to Galveston to apply their trade, be it on canvas or via guitar. Support for it is so important for our little corner of the world.

Before the show, swing by Molly's Irish Pub and say hi to my new roomie Kristi - an Austin transplant to the island and then after the show (Old Quarter shows end around midnight), head on over to Yaga's to check out another friends band Honeybrowne.

See - I've got your Friday night already planned. Just send me pictures please.

Although I couldnt find a version of Cincinnatti online, here's a clip of another of his songs.
 

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?