My Blog

Island Home Tours

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:27:42 -0600

Spring always brings renewal. I think that is why Home Tours are often held during the spring months. Winter is over and people are anxious to be out and about.

At the end of April, we held the First Annual Padre Island Showcase which featured 36 homes open for tour. Now, we are starting the second week of the Parade of Homes that is sponsored by the Builders Association of Corpus Christi. Originally, Upper Padre Island was to have 6 homes on tour. However, three homes were sold before the Parade opened and that left three to be open for viewing. Of the three, one already has a pending contract. All homes featured in the Builder’s Parade of Homes are newly constructed homes that are ready for occupancy.

Currently, we have 21 new construction homes actively for sale on Upper Padre Island. Many are still in the construction phase. They range in price from $169,900 to $825,000. The advantages for buying a new home include fewer maintenance issues for several years. Normally, new homes come with a 10-year builder warranty program. Also, they are clean and ready to accept their new owners. Moving in does not usually involve cleaning, painting, and floor covering issues.

Come and join us when you get the chance……See you at the Beach!

USS Lexington: Corpus Christi's Floating Museum

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:12:07 -0600

Like boats? Options on Upper Padre Island abound. You might own your own boat, you might join the Padre Island Yacht Club, you might catch the Jetty Boat in Port Aransas OR you might trek over the bridge to North Beach in Corpus Christi and tour the ultimate “boat”, better known as the USS Lexington! As far as my grandson is concerned, this is an “all-day” adventure. We explore every nook and cranny that is open for public viewing. Sometimes, we are lucky enough to find the “library” open and hear wonderful stories from the “volunteer” on duty.

Few cities can boast of a “treasure” as unique as this World War II era Essex-class aircraft carrier. This ship was laid down on the 15^th of July 1941 in the Fore River Shipyard. She was launched on the 23^rd of September 1942 after being re-named “Lexington” to commemorate the CV-2 USS Lexington, lost in the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942. After commissioning on 17^th February 1943, this ship served with honor for over 48 years before decommissioning on 8^th November 1991. Corpus Christi Texas became her home and she serves us well as a wonderful museum ship.

The designation of National Historic Landmark was bestowed in 2003. You can tour this unique piece of history, everyday except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For further information: www.usslexington.com Come and join us when you get the chance…See you at the Beach!

St. Joseph Island: A Nature Lover's Dream

Wed, 02 May 2012 09:27:18 -0600

It is a beautiful day in South Texas. Need something to do? Consider this….hop in the car and take the short ride to Port Aransas.

At 900 Tarpon Street, stop the car and enter Fisherman’s Wharf. This long time establishment is home to the Wharf Cat, Scat Cat and Jetty Boat. For off-shore and deep-water trips, the Wharf Cat and Scat Cat are a perfect choice. However, for a fun and peaceful day in the sun, the Jetty Boat answers all your desires. The Jetty Boat is a passenger ferry that makes about 10 trips per day between Fisherman’s Wharf and St. Joseph Island.

St. Joseph’s (St. Jo) is 28 miles long and less than 2 miles wide and it is only accessible by boat. Even though it is a privately owned island, the beaches in Texas are public property. There are no public facilities or buildings on the island; therefore, it remains in its natural state, perfect for beachcombing, surf fishing, swimming or relaxing. You can rent a cart from Fisherman’s Wharf for $10 per day to carry your gear back and forth. Spend a few hours or all day. The cost is $12 round trip for an adult and $6 round trip for kids 12 and under.

For specific times and information call: 361-749-5448 or visit: www.jettyboat.net Just going to Port A for the evening? Take the daily “Dolphin Watch” boat ride from 4:30 to 5:30PM on the Jetty Boat! Then take advantage of having dinner in one of the many great restaurants in Port Aransas. Come and join us when you get the chance…See you at the Beach!

Fly the Friendly Skies: Out of Corpus Christi International Airport

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:48:08 -0600

Need to get to the airport? No problem. Just follow the divided highway west from the Island and watch for the signs to the airport. About 30 minutes later, you will pull up in front of Hayden W. Head Terminal located at the Corpus Christi International Airport.

This 165,000 square foot facility took two and a half years to complete. It contains 17,000 square feet of glass, for a bright open public area that showcases the 42 piece glass sculpture that hangs from the ceiling. The walls are also used to showcase pictures of nature and scenes from Corpus Christi, both present and past. Three airlines service our airport. United Airlines provides 39% of the passenger service, followed by Southwest with 31% and American Eagle with 30% passenger capacity that represents more than two dozen flights in and out of Corpus Christi every day.

New facilities at the airport include a completed 10,000 square foot maintenance building, a new rental car facility that is under construction and a runway extension that will cost $50 million and take three years to complete after it begins this fall. The Federal Inspection area can now process 200 passengers per hour and hopes to entice international flights into Corpus Christi. FedEx has just moved into the first building in the International Business Center located on airport property. If you want to fly your own plane to our area, Mustang Beach Airport in Port Aransas is only a few minutes up the coast.

Come and join us when you get the chance…See you at the Beach!

PadreIsland Yacht Club: Celebrating Boating Since 1986!

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 03:31:33 -0600

Island living is all about being close to the water. To be ON the water, you need…A BOAT! Some of us have our boat resting behind the house, in constant view and a constant enticement to enjoy life on the water. However, sharing your pleasure with others can be even more fun.

When you leave Park Road 22 and drive toward the Laguna Madre on Whitecap Boulevard, you will come to the final turn-around, where the land ends and the water begins. At this final point the Padre Island Yacht Club resides. From this point, views of the sun sliding into the water are unobstructed. Members can share this daily phenomenon, as well as their love for water activities. The P I Yacht Club officially began on February 22, 1986 when 25 boat owners met in the Sun Galley Room at Anchor Resort. From that day forward, the fun and the planning have never wavered. By 1994, with a membership of 88 families, the desire for a new clubhouse moved toward actuality. The ground breaking was celebrated in October 1995 and the Grand Opening Dedication Gala was held on the 17th of August 1996.

Many improvements have been made since those early days and now the 180 members can spend more time on cruising and planning parties. Their website is just a mouse click away and you can join the present members for many happy times on the water…you don’t even have to own a boat!! Come and join us when you get the chance…See you at the Beach!

Buccaneer Days...75 Year Anniversary

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 03:02:11 -0600

Apparently this year we slid directly from winter to summer. We passed spring entirely and we did not collect $200. But life is not a board game and weather plays a huge factor in our daily lives. The upside to the warmer temperatures means I have been able to use my pool without the heater. Many years ago, Corpus Christi decided they needed an “official” celebration to mark the beginning of summer.

About 1938, a three day festival became the First Annual Buccaneer Days. The name was based on the legendary pirate Jean Lafitte, who spent the early 1800’s sailing in the Gulf of Mexico and apparently made numerous trips to our area. Once the name was established, the highlights consisted of a parade, pageant and ball. This year marks the 75^th anniversary of that original celebration. The financial beneficiaries of this huge endeavor are the area youth that are awarded college scholarships. However, the city residents that participate are truly the beneficiaries of the 10 days of fun. However, you can stretch the fun quotient by attending the Buc Days Rodeo held in the American Bank Center Arena between April 19th and 22nd. What is life in Texas without a Rodeo? Then the site moves further down the Bayfront and begins with Pirate Queens capturing the Mayor of Corpus Christi, forcing him to read the official Pirate Proclamation and then walk the plank, which ends with a wet introduction into Corpus Christi Bay! From this event on April 26th, the fun never stops and the carnival is officially open, complete with amusement park diversions, a fireworks display on April 27^th , the one mile Junior Parade on April 28th, which draws about 20,000 viewers and leads directly into the Coronation Pageant on Thursday, May 3rd, at the American Bank Center. The huge finale begins at 7p.m. on Saturday, May 5th, when the Lighted Parade follows a 3.2 mile route through the city viewed by an estimated 160,000 people.

Come and join us when you get the chance…See you at the Beach!

Padre Balli Park...Then and Now

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:13:26 -0600

How do you access the Gulf of Mexico without a boat? Easy! You go to Bob Hall Pier on Upper Padre Island. This 1,240 foot concrete pier extends out from the beach and has a “T” at the end. It is situated in Padre Balli Park, which is part of the Nueces County Coastal Park System. There is a small fee to enter the pier, but the fishing remains constant throughout all seasons. Even if you don’t plan to drop a line in the water, just a walk out over the water and back can be fun.

Where the pier meets the beach, there is a shop and restaurant with a new outdoor deck that was just opened in June 2011 and cost about $850,000 to construct. What exists now is a far cry from the original 300 foot long wooden pier that was first constructed in 1950. After three hurricanes destroyed the wooden piers, the concrete version was completed in 1983. During Hurricane Ike, that made a direct hit in Galveston, the pier was closed for about two weeks to repair the entrance ramp and to repair damage to the bathrooms, showers, and parking lot. Only one picnic table remained, but that was also corrected to higher standards.

Today, this 374.5 acre beach park provides campsites and numerous activity options right here in our own backyard. Many residents can walk to the pier in 10 minutes or less time that is required to drive there.

Come join us when you get the chance…See you at the Beach!

St. Andrew by the Sea: A Church without Walls

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 03:08:46 -0600

Island living is always unique. Every time I drive down Encantada, I delight in the site of a church without walls.

St Andrew by the Sea is a Catholic Church that resides within the Diocese of Corpus Christi and was consecrated in 1971. To me, it represents the ultimate sign of optimism and true faith. To build a church without walls, allows all the abundance of nature to surround you during your time of reflection and worship. It represents eternal hope of good weather and sunny days. It also represents a total sharing with those of us who pass by. To see the candles glowing in the dusk of early evening can be magical to view.

Each year during the Lenten season, St Andrew by the Sea hosts a very popular fish fry on Friday evenings. Chances are you will meet many of your neighbors and friends while you wait in line. The last time I was there, they had to close early, because the supply of food had been consumed by a record number of Islanders. Of course, this is just one of many churches that serve our Island home.

Come join us when you get the chance...See you at the Beach!

Spring Break...Padre Island style!

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 02:48:27 -0600

It is time for the annual Spring Break migration to the coast. My daughter and grandson from “up north” i.e.: Allen, Texas, arrived at the airport yesterday. One of the great advantages to Corpus Christi is the ease of airport access.

I left the Island at 5p.m. and arrived at the airport at 5:30. By 6:30, we were back home. My grandson cleared the front door and walked straight out to the back deck and picked up his fishing pole. For a teenager, this area truly has an appeal. Fishing, kayaking, going to the beach, taking the boat for a spin, climbing all over the USS Lexington, visiting Padre Island National Seashore, taking the Jetty Boat in Port A, or just driving up the coast to Rockport with the top down on the car…the choices to be outside are endless.

Clothing choices are easy too: shorts, t-shirt, and flip-flops….done! With all the hustle and bustle of today’s life, coming to the coast and “doing nothing” also becomes a huge draw, especially for my daughter, the “working mom”. Just sitting by the pool, in the sunshine, with a good book is her primary “modus operandi” for the next five days. I know they are coming to see us as well, but it doesn’t hurt to live in such a “nifty” place.

Come and join us when you get the chance…See you at the Beach!

Ullberg Park: A Padre Island Treasure

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:29:31 -0600

Of the five parks located within the Padre Isles Property Owners Association, one has very special meaning.

Originally named “Seagull Park” and located at 14125 Jackfish Avenue, it was re-named on the 16th of March 2005. From that point forward it has been known as “Ullberg Park, in honor of sculptor Kent Ullberg, an Island resident and internationally acclaimed artist of “nature’s inhabitants”. With examples of his art located throughout the world, we are extremely fortunate to have an abundance in Corpus Christi and several on the Island. Two can be viewed at Ullberg Park.

“The Journey’s End” depicts two endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles and “Windborne II” depicts two eagles in flight. Mr. Ullberg, who was born in Sweden, joined John James Audubon as the only artists to have been elected as a full academian to the National Sculpture Society and the Society of Animal Artists.

Sculptures of enormous magnitude are located in Omaha, Nebraska, “Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness”; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, “Sailfish in Three Stages of Ascending”; and “Reaching Elephant” at the St. Louis Missouri Zoo. Any time that you can gaze upon world-class art, within your own neighborhood, on a daily basis, you can consider it a definite plus in your life.

Come and join us when you get the chance…See you at the Beach!

Community Gardens & Padre Island

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 09:55:40 -0600

Within our Padre Isles Property Owners Association, we have five city of Corpus Christi parks. One of these, Douden Park, has just been chosen for a new experiment. Twenty community garden plots have been installed at a cost of $16,000. Land and water have been provided by the Parks and Recreation Department. The cost of construction was covered by the Padre Island Beautification Trust. When word of this endeavor was publicized, it took only four days to fill the demand for the first 20 garden plots. Now, there is a waiting list for the next 20, which will become a reality when another $16,000 can be obtained to cover the cost of installation.

Community gardens have been utilized for generations in Europe and other American cities. However, they are new to our area. This may seem strange, until you consider we are a community of residents without a grocery store. A trip OTB (over the bridge) to Flour Bluff is required to re-stock the pantry. Another factor seems to be that we build large homes on small lots, then design for low maintenance landscaping or none at all. Hence, the need for arable land with adequate sunlight to grow flowers and food crops. Douden Park contains 6.77 acres and was acquired by the city in 1969. It is encircled by Cobo de Bara and Port Royal. One of our seven boat ramps, is situated across the street.

According to MLS records, zero residences are currently for sale on Cobo de Bara. The last sale was closed on 25 January 2012 and is shown as being on the market for 64 days.

Come join us when you get the chance…See you at the Beach!

Padre Island National Seashore - An Outdoor Lover's Dream!

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:26:35 -0600

Here on Upper Padre Island, we currently have 232 Island Residences for sale. 112 of those fall into the category of duplexes, townhomes, and condos. The starting price is $39,900. While 120 are listed as detached single family residences. 74 of these are located on a canal or waterway. The lowest list price is $209,000. The remaining 46 detached residences are not directly on the water, but many have water views and water access via our boat ramps. In this category, $139,900 is the lowest price listed. In addition, there are 97 single family lots listed for sale, as of today. The entry level price is $19,000.

However, this is not the whole story. Just 12 miles south on Park Road 22, you can gain access to Bird Island Basin, located within the boundaries of Padre Island National Seashore. Entry fees for the park are $5/day or $10/year. Bird Island Basin is ranked as one of the best windsurfing sites in the continental USA. The main claim to fame, at this site, features steady wind, warm water and shallow depths. In fact, even ¾ mile from shore, you can still stand and walk back to the beach. Swimming is permitted on all beaches and a boat ramp gives easy access to the Laguna Madre.

This serves as a perfect launch point for kayaks. There are sites for both RV and tent camping with a permit. It is not unusual to find evening visitors who enjoy the glorious sunsets over the water.

Come join us when you get the chance...See you at the Beach!

Lighthouse Lakes Trails: A Kayaker's Dream!

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:48:45 -0600

The Lydia Ann Lighthouse is a real treasure on our coast. However, it is privately owned and therefore, it is not open to the public. We can all enjoy viewing the Lighthouse, both from land and also from the water.

In 1999, The Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trail was the first Paddling Trail to be created in Texas. It is recommended for Kayak use and not canoe use, due to the prevailing southeasterly winds. There are four separate trails that meander through the maze of black mangrove channels (sloughs) and across open flats. Redfish Loop is the longest trail at 6.8 miles. South Bay Loop is 6.7 miles, followed by Cutters Loop at 5 miles. The shortest loop is Electric Lake Loop at 1.25 miles.

From the put-in, at Lighthouse Lakes Park, it is necessary to cross Aransas Channel. All traffic has right-of-way over kayaks. Therefore, it pays to be safe and cautious. It is also suggested that you have a hand-held GPS to prevent disorientation. Also be sure to include safety equipment, water, sunscreen and insect repellent to your list of gear. Of course, if you can squeeze in fishing tackle and bait, you might be rewarded with spotted sea trout, red drum, redfish or flounder.

The five species of Texas seagrass that abound in this area are protected within the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area. All manner of marine life inhabit these protected waters. Birds, reptiles and wild animals native to this area call these islands home. Spend the day, take your camera and enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer. There are several rental outfitters in the area or bring your own equipment.

Kayaks are also a favorite mode of transportation here in our canal system, on Upper Padre Island. The Laguna Madre is only minutes and an easy glide to the west.

As of today, we have 73 detached single family homes for sale that reside on a canal or waterfront. They range in price from $209,000 to $2,200,000. We also have 109 properties that are attached such as condos, townhomes, and duplexes. Many of these also have water access. Bring your kayak and come join us when you get the chance…See you at the beach!

Lydia Ann Lighthouse: A Brief History

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:17:33 -0600

Besides the Packery Channel, we have another pass through the barrier islands at Port Aransas. The unique feature, to me, is the “Lydia Ann” Lighthouse. From 1853 to 1855, a committee determined what type of lighthouse to build. Once the decision to build a brick tower was made, the federal government purchased 25 acres of land on Harbor Island that was ceded from Texas on June 20, 1855. In December 1855, the ship, carrying bricks for the tower, was lost in a storm at the entrance to Aransas Pass. However, during 1856, new bricks arrived, followed by the “lantern room” and the fourth-order Fresnal lens. The 55 foot octagonal tower and the Keeper’s dwelling were complete by early 1857.

Unfortunately, the Civil War began in April 1861, in Charleston, South Carolina, as shots were fired on Federal Troops inside Fort Sumter by Confederate forces. That seemed a long way from coastal Texas, but by Christmas Day 1862, the lens had been removed and buried in the surrounding salt march for safekeeping. Confederate General John B. Magruder ordered the lighthouse to be destroyed to keep it from falling into enemy control. Supposedly, Colonel Marmaduke Hobby placed two kegs of powder inside the lighthouse and destroyed the circular staircase and the upper 20 feet of brickwork. The original lens was never located and the repair of the brick was hampered by a winter storm.

Finally, the Aransas Pass lighthouse was the last principal light along the Texas coast to return to service in the spring of 1867. The lighthouse suffered severe damage during two hurricanes. One on August 18, 1916 and another on September 13, 1919. Electricity was installed in 1928, powered by two diesel generators. By the middle of the 1900s, Aransas Pass had migrated one mile south of the lighthouse. A new light was placed at the Port Aransas Coast Guard Station to better mark the channel. The old lighthouse was de-commissioned in 1954, when the lens was removed and today resides in the Port Aransas Museum. The buildings and tower were sold to private owners in 1956 for $25,151.

In 1973, Charles Butt purchased the property and re-lit the light on July 4, 1989, using a 19^th century Fresnel lens. The old lighthouse is easily visible from Port Aransas, and some fortunate owners who reside at Cline’s Landing have a fabulous view from their condo units.

As of today, our MLS shows three listings at Cline’s Landing from $299,500 for a 2br/2bath, to $735,000 for a unit with 3br and 3 full baths.

Come join us when you get the chance…See you at the Beach!

Exit the Bay by Way of The Packery Channel

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:47:46 -0600

For those who live in Corpus Christi Texas, there are two exits from the “bay” regions into the Gulf of Mexico.

The major cut through the barrier islands is Aransas Pass. Supposedly, the earliest accurate map of Corpus Christi Bay was produced in 1859. As time passed, the channel was dredged and defined to allow passage of the large ships that enter our port on a daily basis. However, the result of keeping one major pass open meant that the tidal energy needed to scour the other passes was reduced. It was not until a 1999 bond issue was passed to open the Packery Channel between Mustang Island and North Padre Island, that a second access point was re-opened. The dredging was completed and the Packery Channel was opened in 2006. The North Jetty is accessed from SH 361 via Zahn Road. There are on-going improvements being made to this popular area.

The South Jetty can be reached from the north end of Padre Island. Both are popular with enthusiasts of fishing, surfing, and bird watching. Many are not aware of another aspect of Packery Channel. That is Packery Channel Park. This area is not adjacent to the Jetties, but does offer wonderful views of the Laguna Madre wetlands. This particular region of the Island is home to many coastal shore birds. The most unique feature being the Live Oak trees that only grows in this small area of the Island. To protect this habitat, The Audubon Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi has purchased 17 lots to create Packery Channel Oak Motte Sanctuary. (2.3 acres) With close proximity to prairie, freshwater, and marine wetlands, this habitat becomes a critical stopover for land birds on migration, including rare species, such as the Golden-Crowned Warbler, Red-Faced Warbler, Varied Bunting, and Cape May Warblers.

On our MLS system, this is known as area 214. Today, there are three active listings in area 214. At $229,750, a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home built in 2007 has 1,496 square feet on a lot that measures 60x120. At $349,900, the second listing has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths in 2000 square feet. This 1978 home has been updated and resides on a corner lot measuring 90X100. The final listing is priced at $750,000. Originally built in 1952, this large property occupies 0.960 acre of land touching Packery Channel. This “estate” has 6 bedrooms and 6 baths in 4,792 square feet. This listing mentions a separate cottage, two efficiency apartments, and a boat house.

Come join us when you get the chance…See you at the Beach!

Golf Carts Abound on the Island

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:23:06 -0600

Our master planned community is a unique combination of residential homes and tourist destinations. I think many residents, like me, want to spend their non-working hours as though they are on vacation.

To accommodate that lifestyle, the City of Corpus Christi adopted ordinances, in 2011, to allow the use of golf carts on some of our Island streets. Golf carts used on city streets are no longer registered by the State of Texas. They now are regulated by city ordinances.

Here on Upper Padre Island, we can use golf carts on streets with a speed limit posted at 35 mph or less. We can cross a street with a higher speed limit, only at intersections, designated by the city. The golf carts must have headlights, tail-lights, reflectors, mirrors, a parking brake and a “slow moving” emblem. We can travel by golf cart to the beach on Whitecap Blvd. and cross Park Road 22, at the traffic light. That serves a majority of our residents.

However, a segment of our homeowners on the northern end of the Island, are without direct access by this route. Relief is in the works. The extension of Aquarius and Dasmarinas to connect with Commodores has finally begun. Utility lines are being installed and the new roadway is scheduled to be finished before the end of 2012. This completes a design feature that was planned from the very beginning of Island development. According to a local spokesperson, traffic will not be allowed on the completed roadway, until it is officially used to host an Island party and community gathering. A parade of golf carts will be part of this first official use.

Come join us when you get the chance…See you at the Beach!

Whoop it Up - Annual Return of Whooping Crane Flock & Festival

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 01:17:16 -0600

Winter here in the Coastal Bend of Texas can be warm and sunny one day and cold and wet the next. You just need to keep your closet stocked with sweaters AND shorts! For those of us who live here or rent here, during the winter season, one occurrence each year is unique.

The annual return of the Aransas-Wood Buffalo Whooping Crane flock. They are one of the rarest animal species in North America. These white birds with black wingtips stand about 5 feet tall and sport a crown that is bright red. They have a loud, resonating call that carries for miles. This last remaining wild flock, winters along the coastal bend, with the largest numbers located within the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Austwell, Texas, 45 minutes north of Rockport. They feed on blue crabs and wolf berries, which are usually plentiful in the winter Texas landscape.

However, this year, due to lack of rainfall, special measures have been taken to enhance their survival. Officials have increased fresh water output from existing wells in the refuge and conducted a “controlled burn” of 654 acres of whooping crane habitat to improve food resources. The “Whoopers” have flown 2,500 miles south from the Wood Buffalo National Park in northwestern Canada. It was reported that 37 chicks were fledged this past summer. That added to the 283 birds counted in Texas last winter, might mean that the flock would surpass the 300-bird milestone. Quite an achievement, from the 21 remaining birds in the late 1940’s, that led to conservation efforts.

The 16^th Annual Whooping Crane Festival will take place in Port Aransas, Texas on February 23-26 this year. Make your plans now to attend.

Come join us when you get the chance… See you at the Beach!

Back to School...Padre Island Style!

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:10:35 -0600

As the holidays fade into memory, parents are focused on returning to a “normal” schedule at home and at work. That means that children will be heading back to the classroom.

Here on Upper Padre Island, we have a charter school system that opened in 1995 with 15 students from pre-K to Third Grade. Today, three campuses serve more than 400 students. Both Seashore Learning Center and Seashore Middle Academy are Texas Education Agency Exemplary Campuses. Class sizes do not exceed 20 students at grades K-4. Core areas are reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. Field experiences, class visitors and technology-based experiences are used as a means of enriching the curriculum.

Charter schools are Tuition Free, non-sectarian, and non-discriminatory public schools established and governed according to Texas Law. They must be approved by the Texas State Board of Education and can be set up by a non-profit organization. In our case, Island Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to serve and support education and community interests on Padre Island. SLC and SMA do not get property tax dollars, do not receive capital funding from the State of Texas and receive $1,800 less per student than traditional independent school districts. Yet, they have built gymnasiums at both schools and benefitted from the significant amount of autonomy that this system provides. To view their test results and read about their goals and faculty, visit their website: www.islandfoundation.com

A third campus, Seashore Early Childhood Academy offers facilities for Infants, toddlers, preschool, after school care, drop-in care, and summer day camp. If you have young children at home, consider the advantages of living in our close community with the abundance of nature just outside your door… Mother Nature’s classroom!

Come join us when you get the chance…See you at the Beach!

Closing Out The Year at Coldwell Banker Island

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:44:22 -0600

We are all quickly sliding into the next year of our lives. Our real estate office here on Padre Island is more quiet than normal. Many agents are taking the time, between Christmas and the New Year Holidays, to rest and re-charge for the coming seasons.

However, there are always a few “late closers” that for one reason or another are destined to close before the end of the year. It takes extra patience to deal with these files, because so many people involved with these transactions are away from their desk and timing can be tricky. Even finding a moving vehicle can be difficult this time of year!

According to our local Multiple Listing Service, as of today, 302 residences have closed in 2011, here on Upper Padre Island, for a total sales volume of $68,395,896. The average sales price, for residences, is listed as $226,476. The end of year report also shows 83 lots and land parcels sold in 2011 for a total sales volume of $4,242,479. The average sales price for vacant land, is listed as $51,114.

In addition to these sales, MLS showed one commercial property sale and three multifamily unit sales. Of course, we still have two business days to go and no doubt there are buyers, sellers, and agents working hard to meet that deadline.

Maybe in the months to come, you can discover your future here on Upper Padre Island and become a statistic in next year’s article!

Come join us when you get the chance…See you at the Beach!

La Posada & a Very Padre Island Christmas Time!

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:31:05 -0600

We are quickly approaching Christmas here on the Island.

December 9 & 10, were the nights when our canals were full of boats, strung with lights from stem to stern. That was the 37^th year that the La Posada Parade has brought joy and friendship out on the boats and decks. Many homes along the parade route host parties to watch the boats glide by and then load up the boats that stop, to collect toys for contribution to Toys for Tots.

The lighting display does not belong to boat owners alone. It is truly magical to glide through the canals at night and see the many decks and back yards transformed to celebrate the season. It is hard to decide which gets top billing, the front yard facing the street or the back facing the canal.

Of course, the weather can help you decide to tour by boat or car. Yesterday morning, as I drove to town, the water was like glass, without a ripple, and the fog was shrouding the landscape like a blanket. The entire environment was poised in calm and quiet as though it was waiting for the day to begin. Then, it started to mist and rain gently. Before long the wind picked up and the clouds hung low. But, just before sunset, a glorious orange glow came through my kitchen window and I looked out to see a flaming sunset, with the clouds showing pink and orange in the reflected sunlight.

That is the epitome of weather at the coast. Highly variable and always influenced by the water that surrounds you. This is also the time of year when that seldom used fireplace in the living room, can bring such pleasure and also serves for hanging our Christmas stockings and allows Santa a point of entry!

Come join us when you get the chance…See you at the Beach!

Flour Bluff...Curious Name, Outstanding School District

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:51:42 -0600

We are residents of Upper Padre Island, but we are part of “Flour Bluff” Independent School District. Flour Bluff resides “over the bridge” and across the causeway that crosses the Laguna Madre. It seems like a strange name for a community in the southern coastal bend of Texas.

According to the website: www.flourbluffschools.net, the name came about in 1838, because of a dispute between a French baker and the Mexican government. France blocked the Mexican seaports from the Yucatan to the Rio Grande. Corpus Christi Bay became the delivery port for goods to be smuggled into Mexico. Rumor has it that the Mexican government raided the port and dumped out all the flour barrels onto the beach. Hence the name Flour Bluff!

A mere 54 years later, in 1892, the Flour Bluff Independent School District was established and today it emcompasses 156 square miles. Within those boundaries, reside the Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi Army Depot, Flour Bluff, and northern Padre Island. There are six campuses located on 170 acres. 5,600 students are enrolled in classes from pre-kindergarten to 12^thgrade.

Through cooperation with the City of Corpus Christi, a public library has been located on the school property. As a home owner, your property taxes support our public school system. The quality of that school system affects the value of your home. This close “ symbiotic “ relationship does exist in every community and we are lucky to be part of an award-winning and forward-thinking school district.

Come join us when you get the chance…See you at the Beach!

Another Offering of Higher Education

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:26:16 -0600

Higher education can be a lifelong pursuit. In addition to Texas A&M Corpus Christi, we are also privileged to have another alternative in Del Mar College / Corpus Christi. For comprehensive information, their website: www.delmar.edu can provide a wealth of information.

Fall enrollment topped 12,000 students registered for credit, plus additional students registered for non-credit. Del Mar issues degrees in four categories. Associate of Arts in Teaching, Associate in Science, Associate in Art, and Associate in Applied Science. As a public educational facility, Del Mar receives almost 38% of their total revenue from local property owners. For the typical homeowner, that represents about 10% of their total property tax bill. For a quick look at Property Tax tables, go to the Nueces County Appraisal District website: www.ncadistrict.com

There are three campus locations within Corpus Christi. For students living at home and also for adults who want to continue their educational pursuits, this is an ideal opportunity. Communities are measured by their support of higher education and the range of opportunities available to residents.

Here on Upper Padre Island, we are lucky to have easy access to higher education and you can even do your homework at the Beach!

Come join us when you get the chance…See you at the Beach!

College Students and Second Homes?

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:52:51 -0600

Life is full of possibilities. You just have to pursue them. Consider this plan.

You are ready to send your “young adult” to college. Costs are a major concern. At the same time, you want to plan for your own future. It is possible to do both.

Just a few minutes away from Upper Padre Island, is another island. Ward Island is the location of Texas A&M Corpus Christi: “ The Island University”. www.tamcc.edu

Currently, there are over 10,000 students enrolled and future plans include growth for about 16,000 students. It is a beautiful campus that began in 1947 and now includes five colleges situated on 240 acres. There is a cost to house your son or daughter, in addition to the cost of education.

Currently, our MLS system shows 25 listings for condo units at $90,000 and below. Some come with covered parking and boat slips. Others are walking distance to the beach and all come with pool areas. Exercise rooms and club houses are even featured for some listings and a few have private access entry. Now, the cost of housing your student is an investment in your future, as well. We all dream of having a “get away” at the coast and once the need for student housing is over...the parents can reap the benefits of a “coastal lifestyle”.

It is an additional “plus”, that many of these facilities allow short term rentals for future income flow between visits by the owners. Watch the news for developments on the possible location of a new Schlitterbahn, on our Island. That would provide a huge source of employment for young adults and open up a wealth of vacation options for families. www.schlitterbahn.com

Come join us when you get the chance...See you at the Beach!

The Southern Migration...

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 01:15:57 -0600

Recently, I mentioned the return of our “feathered friends”, but I now I need to mention the return of our “Winter Texans”.

They are the “people” version of the annual migration to the South. We are now at Thanksgiving and the trickle will soon become a deluge. All available apartments and condos that allow short term rentals, will be filling up. The high, mid, and low rise condos, on the beach, are especially popular.

As of today, there are 27 beach front properties that have 107 units listed for sale on our Corpus Christi MLS system. Prices range from $97,000 to $735,000. They run along the beach from Port Aransas, on Mustang Island, to our area here on Upper Padre Island. Of course the higher up, the greater the view and usually the higher the price. Almost all of these complexes feature a pool and easy access to the Beach.

I cannot think of a better way to spend your winter than here in the Coastal Bend. Needless to say, many visitors choose to pull their home behind their “tow vehicle” or “drive” their home and tow their car. Either way, we have many RV parks and Campgrounds throughout our area. Quite often this lifestyle leads to making a home purchase. Whatever your lifestyle includes…

Come join us when you get the chance…. See you at the Beach!

Caring for Padre Island's Feathered and Finned Friends

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:30:26 -0600

We are seeing the arrival everyday of our feathered friends from up North, who are coming to spend the winter with us. Even though real estate can be an all consuming occupation, if you care to go down that path, some agents factor in other interests, as well.

One agent in our office, has done just that. He started volunteering on Friday mornings, at the Animal Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) in Port Aransas. That was seven years ago and now he is a member of the scientific staff with the title: Animal Attendant III. The main mission of the ARK is to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife, found sick and injured in our area, then release those animals that recover back into the native habitat. The ARK is located on the grounds of the University of Texas, Marine Science Institute.

When they rescue dolphins, they usually go to the Aquarium sea lab facility for care. Rescued sea turtles normally go to the re-hab facility in the National Park on Padre Island. The major focus for the ARK is often bird rehabilitation. We have an opportunity in the future to use Nueces County land, here on Upper Padre Island, to build a new rehabilitation facility that will not only help injured wildlife, but also serve to educate the future generations of young students and tourists about the importance of preserving our abundant nature and how to prevent hazardous practices from continuing. Land or "real estate" can be used for many purposes. With diversity comes an enhancement and enrichment of our daily lives.

Come join us when you get the chance...See you at the Beach!