Have you ever wondered why San Antonio Bay is the ultimate spot on the Texas coast for great recreational fishing and duck hunting? Areas of extensive shallow water habitat cover the bay bottom and are utilized by fishes at all stages of life. These benthic habitat types vary along the Texas coast and include wetlands, oyster reefs, seagrass, tidal and mud flats. They provide spawning grounds, food and shelter for many commercially and recreationally important species. These benthic habitats are not only utilized by fishes and other aquatic organisms but also by waterfowl and migratory bird species as resting, breeding and feeding grounds. The most common type of benthic habitat is open, muddy bay bottom. These areas do harbor marine life, but not nearly to the extent of other habitat types. Open bay bottom dominates San Antonio Bay but other important benthic habitats such as oyster reefs and seagrass beds are also commonly found. San Antonio Bay comprises approximately 10 percent of all the oyster reefs along the Texas coast and 5 percent of the total seagrass coverage.

Seagrasses are most commonly found along the Matagorda Island shoreline but can also be found growing in areas of shallow water throughout the bay. Seagrasses are true flowering plants that grow rooted and completely submerged underwater. Seagrass beds create highly productive shallow water habitats and perform a variety of ecosystem functions. Their leaves and roots oxygenate the water column and sediment as well as maintain water clarity by trapping loose sediment and fine particles. Their extensive root and rhizome system reduce coastal erosion by stabilizing sediment and their leaves dampen wave energy providing added protection to the coastline. The habitat provides nursery grounds for many juvenile species such as red drum, spotted seatrout, blue crabs and shrimp as well as a direct food source for larger organisms. Sea turtles, waterfowl and manatees can all be seen consuming the seagrass blades, roots and rhizomes.

Five seagrass species can be found on the Texas coast: turtle grass, shoal grass, manatee grass, star grass and widgeon grass. Although five species of seagrass occur along the Texas coast, distribution and species composition varies along the coast as a result of freshwater inflow, salinity, depth and water clarity. San Antonio Bay is comprised mostly of Halodule wrightii (shoal grass) and Ruppia maritima (widgeon grass) most likely because both species are tolerant to wide ranges in salinity and can withstand periods of flooding and drought.

Seagrasses are an indicator species that reflect the overall health of the ecosystem. Identifying threats to seagrass habitat is crucial to managing and conserving habitat for aquatic organisms within the bay. Threats and actual loss of seagrass are attributed to both natural and human-induced processes. Natural disturbances include storms, drought and algal blooms. Human-induced disturbances include hydrological modifications, coastal development and propeller scarring. Seagrass beds are impacted by disturbances either by direct physical damage (uprooting, removal or burial) or indirect damage such as creating unfavorable conditions (decreased water quality or shading).

Propeller scarring is one of the most significant threats to seagrass. A mid- 90s study documented heavy propeller scarring along the Texas coast and spurred a statewide education and outreach campaign by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to increase awareness of the importance and value of protecting seagrass. This campaign has since grown to include proper boating practices to avoid damaging seagrass beds, habitat assessments, field sampling coast wide, and implementation of a new state regulation. As of September 1, 2013, it is illegal to uproot seagrass with a boat propeller from the bay bottom anywhere in Texas coastal waters. TPWD Coastal Fisheries Division is coordinating with TPWD Law Enforcement to ensure awareness of the new regulation. Outreach and education materials include literature distribution to local boat dealers and bait shops, billboards and social media. New signs located at your local boat ramp offer general information about the protection of seagrass and encourage good boating practices. Boaters are encouraged to avoid seagrass beds along the coast by remembering to LIFT, DRIFT, POLE OR TROLL: LIFT motors when in shallow vegetated areas; DRIFT by using the wind to cross shallow flats; use of a push POLE through shallow areas; or TROLL with a trolling motor in shallow fishing areas.

Greetings fellow culinary enthusiasts! Welcome 93 degrees. I hesitated to pre heat the vintage Chamber oven that came with our historic house mostly because I wanted to keep it at a comfortable 73 degrees inside. Strange smells are not uncommon, but I did hesitate to open the oven after the odor of gas permeated the air. My chemically treated hair soon singed from the flames after opening the oven. I turned off the gas and decided to cook outside.

Grilled Pizza

Add 1 tablespoons of fast rise yeast and 1 tablespoon of white sugar in 1 c warm water. Set outside grill to 400 degrees. Let yeast mixture set to bubbling. Add yeast mixture to 2.5 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons of oil. Mix, and work into dough. Roll out onto a well- oiled, pizza grilling pan.

Cook for 5 minutes on grill and then add ingredients and cook for another 10 minutes. My choice for ingredients are, a little olive oil and then some taco sauce, Mexican cheese, and beef fajita meat.

After grilling, top with diced tomatoes, green onions, and sour cream.

Approximate preparation time 50 minutes not including getting a charcoal grill to 400 degrees.

Serves 4 people 2 slices each.

The following girls participated in the Calhoun volleyball camp at Seadrift School gym. The camp was hosted by the new Calhoun varsity coach, Amy Hall.

Back row left to right: Krislyn Key, Karley Gregory, Heather Glover, Coach Hall, Autumn Havens, Camryn Edwards, Kellie Blevins.

Bottom row left to right: Madison Bierschwale, Skylar Hall, Shelby Koliba, Adrianna Thomas, Brianna Cruz.

Seadrift School future athletes wrap up summer volleyball camp.

“The Way I See It” is an attempt by the guest columnist to enlighten readers on a subject, as he views it, and does not necessarily reflect the views of this publication.

The New Crisis for the Same Old Agenda

The primary responsibility of any government of any country is to defend the borders and protect their citizens (and even serfs and peons) from invasion, and the cultural and economic destruction that follows. Barack Hussein Obama has promised Americans that he would “re-make America”, now we are seeing what his “vision” really is. He has consistently refused to protect our borders, refused to enforce any Constitutional Federal Laws that he personally disagreed with, uses Government money to pursue and finance any social or “economic” agenda that he embraces, and usurps powers to the Executive Branch in flagrant violation of the Constitution and the “Division of Powers” therein.

He and his minions and supporters have now created another “CRISIS”, one that not only is a violation of Constitutional Law, natural Law of Nations, and common sense, but is flagrantly done for the purpose of fostering some foreign socialist totalitarian agenda on America by encouraging a physical invasion of foreigners dependent on his agenda of raping the wealth of productive Americans to give welfare and even political equality to incompetent people from foreign lands.

This ‘Crisis’ was planned and orchestrated in the Marxist-Alinsky tradition. For years the Obamunists, and the Mexican Government, have advertised the benefits of the Stupid Gringo Welfare System, and the ways to avoid capture, of if captured how to claim ‘asylum’ due to threats from government, drug cartels, or Commie criminals. (often all the same). The Mexican government has stringently defended their southern border for years, but now has changed their policy and allow thousands of illegal aliens to pass through as long as they are headed to the USA and ‘protected’ by coyotes and the cartels. This is not some ‘accident’! Even FDR said, “Nothing in politics happens by accident!” This is purposeful and has been accomplished by money and secret agreements by the Obama Regime.

Also the economic impact was planned for, FED BIZ OPPS offered employment for “Escorts” for an expected 65,000 Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) on Jan 29, 1914. http://theconservativewife.blogspot.com/2014/06/government-hiring-escorts-for-65000.html The Border Patrol and ICE are overwhelmed by this new ‘mission’ of caring for ‘children’. There is some intentional twisting of past immigration law that makes it “illegal” to deport Illegal Alien Children from “non-contiguous countries”. Obama first asked for $2 billion to spend on this “new emergency”, but it has rapidly increased to $3.7 billion. Meanwhile the Border Patrol can not defend the border because they are too busy taking care “of the children”! The money allocated to this new crisis will be quickly given to ACORN-type organizations run by Obama’s political cronies.

The Lib/ Progressive Media may want to debate the numbers, the numbers are all over the place, but the reality is that while the Border Patrol are overwhelmed by this politically motivated “crisis” there is no real Federal effort to defend the border and illegals from all over the world are pouring across the border. We are facing hundreds of thousands per month. There is practically no deportations being carried out, even those recognized as cartel and violent gang-bangers. Also the majority of the “children” are males 15-17 years old with little education, English, or job skills to survive in the current economy, but are prime recruits for the criminal gangs and cartels.

This is a planned anti-American, anti-Constitutional operation being carried out for political advantage. They got away with “Fast & Furious” so they did this. What is next if they are not stopped?

The current Obamunist “Immigration Policy” is insane, we should study the official Mexican Immigration Laws and adjust ours to match. Also we should close the border from the Pacific Ocean to the Colorado River to all except Mexicans returning to Mexico until Sgt. Tahmooressi is returned to the USMC. If he is guilty of anything, the Corp can investigate, prosecute, and punish him according to the UCMJ. If he is not returned in five business days after the initial border closing, it should be extended through each border state per week.

Eric Holder must be impeached. He is the key. The DoJ has stonewalled and protected all of the Obamunist minions for years and refused to investigate, much less prosecute, flagrant violations of existing law. Congress must act or the Union is finished. But there is no real “will” in the Republican Leadership to restore a semblance of Constitution Government because the RINOs are too invested in their own power, campaign fund raising, and re-election to give a hoot about the Constitution and America. Look at how the RINOs backed Thad Cochran in Mississippi by hiring Dem political operatives to get primary votes to defeat a reformer!

And the 288,000 new jobs created that the Obamunists are bragging about? Over 270,000 are ‘part-time’. At the same time over 500,000 previous full time jobs were eliminated or turned into part-time, mostly because of ObamaCare.“Unemployment numbers” are reduced by jiggling the numbers and putting people on SSI Disability or permanent welfare. The ‘Workforce Participation Rate’ is the lowest in over 30 years. The GDP is shrinking in an inflationary economy and Obama claims a “Recovery”.

Mike Hopkins, Sr.
September 16, 1944 – July 14, 2014

Mike Hopkins, Sr. passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Brenham, TX on July 14, 2014 with his loving wife of nearly 40 years Nina by his side. Services will be held Friday July 18th at 2 PM at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Brenham officiated by The Rev. Cecilia Smith & followed by a reception honoring his life and legacy at Mike Hopkins Distributing Company. Memorial Oaks Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Mike was born to Elizabeth Marie & David Flinnoye Hopkins just outside of Texas on September 16, 1944, but he got to Texas as soon as he could! A true Texan at heart and spirit, he leaves a legacy strong in foundation and purpose throughout our great state and country following his personal philosophy of Pass-It-On. He has cultivated many in our community and beyond to do the right thing for the right reasons with integrity and character.

His early days were spent in Galveston before earning a degree from Texas A&M and serving our country as a Marine. A true visionary from the beginning, he used his experiences like being the personal driver for General O.R. Simpson and being one of the first bar operators on Northgate to achieve future goals. He lived by never giving up and if you can’t outsmart them, then you can certainly outwork them following the three A’s of success: Ability, Aptitude, & Ambition.

This passion and vision led him and his wife Nina to Austin in the mid 1970’s to take over as the Executive Director of the Wholesale Beer Distributors of Texas (WBDT). This position allowed them to flourish both professionally and politically as they set the groundwork and together built the legacy that is now known as the Texas Three Tier system.

After reaching the pinnacle of influence in Austin (and most would say Washington, D.C. as well), Mike once again pivoted course for his family when an opportunity presented itself to be the Bud Man in Brenham, TX in 1989. The Hopkins, now including daughter Holly and son Mike Jr. moved to Brenham to start Mike Hopkins Distributing Company Inc. which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year.

After 25 years in Brenham, Mike’s passion of Pass-It-On has now fulfilled itself and lives on in all of us. While some may know that he was behind the Budweiser Clydesdales marching down Main Street, most don’t know he was behind the current EMS location or countless other improvements in our community. Never wanting credit, Mike Hopkins Sr. was involved either financially or personally with virtually every project that impacts a life in our community because he truly believed in Pass-It-On.

His accolades and accomplishments fill volumes and speak to his legacy. Some of the many are being named Washington County Man-of-the-Year in 2008 and being a founding member of the Texas Lyceum and Center for Coastal Conservation (CCC). His love of deep sea fishing led him to serve on the Board of Directors for the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and the Houston Big Game Fishing Club. Following his philosophy of Pass-It-On, he served on the Executive Committees for the Texas A&M Chancellor’s Council, Volunteer Services Council at the Brenham State Supported Living Center, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Locally, if there was a club, he was a supporting Member.

Mike is survived in death by his wife Nina and his brother David and his two children Holly Hopkins Richardson (Mark) and Mike Hopkins Jr. (Elizabeth) and his grandchild Tyler Henry Hopkins and nephew Nick Stratos. He is also survived by special friend of the family, Michael Dudich.

Memorials may be made to the donor’s favorite charity, or to the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA). Flowers will be received at Mike Hopkins Distributing Company.

Mike goes to Heaven in peace leaving a life and legacy of Pass-It-On with a cold glass raised high saying this Bud’s For You.

 
Funeral arrangements for Mike Hopkins are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.