One Last Run

Transplanting yourself from one end of the country to another is a pretty daunting task. Not only do you have the usual issues you may expect, such as finding new schools for your kids or getting to know the nuances of a new town, but there are also other concerns, especially if you are a sports fan. You have to leave behind the common camaraderie that comes with supporting the hometown teams and face becoming a sports pariah in your new place of residence, where your backing of any team with the word ‘Chicago’ preceding the team’s name might be seen as a little odd.

These concerns are doubled when your sport is basketball, which despite its worldwide popularity has not grown nearly as much outside of non urban areas not within the state of Indiana, where they breathe corn and hoops..

In a land where football is king, basketball will always be second or third fiddle.

Which is a shame, as a Chicago player’s untimely injury has proven to me that the Lone Star State definitely has some game, especially when it comes to the San Antonio Spurs.

You see, as I said, I am a Chicago fan by design, meaning that I will support Bears over Texans, something which might be seen as a prosecutable offense by some of my new neighbors. This means that I was watching in horror as the Chicago Bulls star point guard, Derrick Rose, went down with a torn ACL injury, officially calling an end to the NBA Playoffs for at least a year for me as I awaited his return to form.

Once the shock of the event wore off and I stopped crying into my beer, I decided to back a team that I have always had a lot of respect for dating back to the late 1990’s.

The San Antonio Spurs.

In return, head coach Greg Popovich, aging future hall of fame inductee Tim Duncan and point guard Tony Parker have enabled me to enjoy one of the best examples of team play and chemistry then I have ever seen, bar none. The fact that the team is such a mix of old and new talent is admirable and the Spurs go about their business with class and sportsmanship. They really exemplify the spirit and character of the state of Texas.

As of this writing, the Spurs have just advanced to the Western Conference Finals, one series away from the NBA Finals. If the Spurs can win both series and once again reclaim the championship trophy (the trophy will have a short trip from Dallas where it currently resides with the Dallas Mavericks), they will have won it all five times in the last twelve years, further cementing them in history as the fourth best team of all time in terms of championships won.

Even more amazing is the fact that the teams stars are now aging veterans, who rather than slowing down or trying too hard to do things beyond their ability, have grown into a team concept that almost seems out of place in the modern world of money grubbing players more concerned with their bank accounts rather than winning games.

The sacrifice is so refreshing to see that it makes me sad to realize that a large part of the current Spurs roster will most likely be making one of their final runs this season. Age is something that we can hold off for a bit, maybe even ignore if we are healthy enough, but eventually we have to give in to the fact that our bodies are no longer the same as they were.

For the Spurs, who have four main players in their thirties, this does not bode well for the long term of the franchise as far as being a championship contender. Which is what makes this years Spurs team even more special, as you get to see the flames of desire and the drive of a winning spirit one more time before it is all delegated to the history books, locked in the past.

So, for all the sports fans reading this who have gone into hibernation till the first NFL kickoff off 2012, you may want to postpone that nap as you just might miss one of the last great seasons of one of Texas’ finest sports teams ever.

Growing up on the water, I can remember my father and grandfather telling me time and time again, “Ross, many anglers have more boat than brains!” That is truer now than ever.

Summer is here and many people are purchasing boats. How many new/old boat owners have little to no experience operating a boat, have knowledge of boating laws, and/or actually know how to safely navigate the areas they plan to fish or boat? Unfortunately, it is probably a large fraction of boat owners. Most boats today have engines with horsepower comparable to most automobiles BUT boats do not have brakes. That is something many boaters never consider.

In 2010, the United States Coast Guard counted 4,604 accidents that involved 672 deaths, 3,153 injuries, and approximately $35.5 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents. Almost seventy-five (75) percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, eighty-eight (88) percent were reportedly not wearing a life jacket. Ninety-one (91) percent of boating deaths occurred on boats where the operator had NEVER received boating safety instruction. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor (19%) in fatal boating accidents along with operator inattention, improper lookout, inexperienced operators and excessive speed. (USCG, 2011) Those are only the accidents that were reported. How many go unreported? Many of these accidents could have been avoided by using common sense.

After speaking with other captains, seasoned fishermen, boaters, and law enforcement officers, I would like to share a few boating tips and regulations with you:

• Have all proper safety equipment on board that meets or exceeds USCG regulations.

• In the State of Texas a person who either appears to be impaired and/or has a blood alcohol level of
0.08 or higher while operating a boat can be arrested for BWI (Boating While Intoxicated).

• It is not advisable or safe to ski, kneeboard, wake board, or tube in the ICW. With the amount of boating traffic in this channel, this is an accident just waiting to happen.

• Always wear you kill switch lanyard when operating a boat. This can save your life as well as others.

• USCG regulations state a vessel must give way to vessels engaged in fishing, vessels not under command, and vessels restricted in her ability to maneuver. This includes wading anglers, swimmers, anchored or drifting boats and their persons. (USCG, 2012)

• Give way at a reasonable distance. If that is not possible then give way at a reduced, no wake speed. Honor each other’s space.

• Do not create un-needed wakes when passing by boat launches and/or docking areas. Especially when boaters are attempting to dock or load their boats.

• Use a detailed map or a reliable GPS to learn the bodies of water in which you plan to operate your watercraft.

• Always check the current and future weather conditions in the areas you plan to operate your boat.

• Remember just using common sense can go a long way.

As we spring into the hustle and bustle of summer, let’s remember to respect all boaters, kayakers, swimmers, and anglers, as well as treating our beautiful Texas coast with respect. Most of all, do not be the boater with “more boat than brains”!

Have Fun, Stay Safe & Tight Lines!

Capt. Ross Brunner, Back Bay Entertainment
(361) 772-4809 backbayentertainment@hotmail.com

We are all looking forward to vacation and summer fun. Although our official “season” doesn’t kick off until Memorial Day, Port O’Connor fun seems to be in full swing. We live in  an awesome area to just kick back and relax while enjoying all the fun things Port O’Connor has to offer.

PLEASE REMEMBER, while everyone enjoys playing and having summer fun, a perfect weekend can turn to tragedy in seconds. I have listed some  Texas laws to help inform Dolphin Talk readers of their existence. These laws were created by the Texas legislature and are  currently in effect.  The two laws listed below were adopted to help keep our children safe so they can enjoy many happy summer experiences for years to come.

Transportation Code 545.414. Riding in Open Beds; Offense

(a) A person commits an offense if the person operates an open-bed pickup truck or an open flatbed truck or draws an open flatbed trailer when a child younger than 18 years of age is occupying the bed of the truck or trailer.

(b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $25 or more than $200. Plus $70.00 court costs.

(c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the person was:

(1) operating or towing the vehicle in a parade or in an emergency;

(2) operating the vehicle to transport farm workers from one field to another field on a farm-to-market road, ranch-to-market road, or county road outside a municipality;

(3) operating the vehicle on a beach; (in beach areas where vehicles are allowed ) Vehicles are not allowed on Kingfisher Beach.

(4) operating a vehicle that is the only vehicle owned or operated by members of the household;

(5) or operating the vehicle in a hayride permitted by the governing body of or law enforcement agency of each county or municipality in which the hayride will occur.

(a) Compliance or noncompliance with Subsection (a) is not admissible evidence in a civil trial.

(b) In this section, “household” has the meaning assigned by Section 71.005, Family Code.

545.414  was adopted way back in 1995. However, it was amended to its present form and went into effect September. 1, 2001

Texas Transportation Code
Sec. 545.4145  Riding In Or On Boat Or Personal Watercraft Drawn By Vehicle; Offense.

(a) A person commits an offense if the person operates a motor vehicle on a highway or street when a child younger than 18 years of age is occupying a boat or personal watercraft being drawn by the motor vehicle.

(b) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the person was:

(1) operating the motor vehicle in a parade or in an emergency; or

(2) operating the motor vehicle on a beach. (in beach areas where vehicle are allowed.) Vehicles are not allowed on Kingfisher Beach.

(c) In this section, “boat” and “personal watercraft” have the meanings assigned by Section 31.003, Parks and Wildlife Code.

545.4145 was added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1172, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.

Rules For Operation Of Golf Carts /Utility Vehicles In Port O’Connor, Texas

The golf cart or utility vehicle must be equipped with head lamps, tail lamps, reflectors, parking brakes, and mirrors.

An orange “safety placard” triangle must be displayed on the back of the cart.

The golf cart/ utility vehicle shall only be operated during daylight hours, which is ½ hour before official sunrise and ½ hour after official sunset.

The operator of the golf cart/ utility vehicle  MUST BE A LICENSED DRIVER.

A Minor or Adult with NO driver’s license shall not operate a golf cart/utility vehicle. An Unlicensed minor shall not operate the golf cart/ utility vehicle, even with  a licensed parent or legal guardian  on the golf cart/ utility vehicle with the minor.

No open containers of  an Alcoholic Beverage are allowed on the golf cart/ utility vehicle.

If you are stopped by law enforcement, while operating a golf cart / utility vehicle after consuming more the LEGAL limit of alcohol , you Can be charged with DWI. The charge carries the same penalties as DWI in any other vehicle.

The golf cart / utility vehicle shall be operated  ONLY on the side streets of Port O’Connor where the posted speed limit is NOT MORE THAN 35 mph. It shall not be operated on the main highway, which is Highway 185 or Adams Avenue, except for safely crossing the highway from the side streets.

These rules and regulations have been adopted to insure your safety while operating your golf cart/ utility vehicle on the streets of Port O’Connor. The goal of law enforcement and our Justice Court, is to allow our residents and visitors the opportunity  to enjoy these vehicles and to remain safe while doing so.

Approved by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Dept.

The primary goal of Texas law enforcement agencies and our Justice Court is to ensure safety and prevent accidents so everyone can have an accident free and enjoyable summer season.

-Judge Nancy Pomykal

You are invited to participate in the CENTENNIAL REDEDICATION of “ THE LAST STAND” Confederate Monument, designed by Pompeo Coppini.

The dedication will take place on Friday, June 1, 2012 at 3:30 p.m. at DeLeon Plaza in Victoria.

Music will be provided by the Crossroads Community Band.Period dress is welcome.

You are also invited to attend the annual President Jefferson Davis Birthday/Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., June 1, 2012 at St. Francis Episcopal Church Hall. Reservations are required for the lunch.

Contact Ann Heinrich 361-575-0193 or heinrich55@att for more information.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge will be offering our annual FREE Family Fishing Day on June 2, 2012 from 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. This event will include assisted wade fishing, fishing booths and a variety of kid activities. No Entrance Fee or Fishing License is required!!! Limited equipment and drinking water will be available for the public to use. Please register at the visitor center when you arrive to get directions and a free pass for your vehicle.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is one of over 550 National Wildlife Refuges operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for the protection and restoration of wildlife resources for the American people. Aransas was established in 1937 and is approximately 115,000 acres in size. The refuge protects and provides habitat for whooping cranes, alligators, sea turtles, Aplomado falcons and many other species of wildlife native to the region.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is located on FM 2040, Austwell, TX 77950.

To obtain more information about activities, call the Refuge at (361) 286-3559 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily.

Come enjoy your National Wildlife Refuge!