We could have used the rain from Tropical Storm Don, but it wasn’t a complete loss after all. You see, we were able to get on the water and film a show with Majesty Outdoors & Columbia Sportswear.

The real star of this event/show is Mario, a 21 old with Down syndrome. This would be Mario’s first ever fishing trip. I was told the day that Mario was born, his Father found out he had Down syndrome; he took off and has never been in Mario’s life. That is a crying shame. It’s amazing what fishing does to help folks like Mario out. After casting lessons from Captain Harold, Mario landed 3 reds by himself using a waker II subsurface lure in Pringle Lake while drifting in the airboat.

The show will air on NBC Sports sometime in February. Majesty Outdoors is a nonprofit organization, and the lodge donated our guides, accommodations, staff, food, and 3 nights for 12-guests from all over the country.

If you’re interested in donating to Majesty Outdoors for the next event, please contact Captain Chris Martin. at 1.888.677.4868.

Click video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1ZZtxGXZSQ

August is not only a month that is hot; it’s a month that brings wonderful opportunities to catch redfish with artificial lures. By the time this article comes to print, some of the most awesome fishing for redfish will have already taken place. Typically, during the month of August and September, we will witness calmer winds out of the north. These light winds will flatten both the surf and bay. Fast action is very common during the low light conditions associated with the first 2 hours of the day.

The fishing forecast for August looks favorable provided we dodge any major tropical weather. Locating both trout and reds for the coming month will continue to include locating active mullet. Recently, low tides and incoming current have kept large schools of redfish feeding in knee-deep water along leeward shorelines of Espiritu Santo and San Antonio Bay. Mixed in with the reds have been trout in the 3-5 lbs. class. The usual pattern during the hotter months is to fish deep during low tides and out going current or fish tight to the grass during periods of high tides with incoming current. West Matagorda Bay will continue to produce along the Cedars, Ranch House shoreline, Cottons, and Greens. The grass beds have been most productive for the redfish while the deeper sand bars located between waist and shoulder depth have been holding most of the trout.

When it comes to world class shooting for duck and geese, it’s hard to beat the Texas Gulf Coast. And, if it’s Pintail, Widgeon, Redheads, and Geese it doesn’t get much better than Seadrift/Port O’ Connor, Texas. Let Team Bay Flats show you the hunt of a lifetime with an action packed day of waterfowl hunting, fishing or both. Our “Cast & Blast” package includes morning wing shooting for ducks or geese followed by a relaxing afternoon on the bay fishing for Speckled Trout, Redfish and Flounder or returning to complete your limit with an afternoon of hunting. Either way your afternoon is totally booked.

On July 23, a catfish tournament for local children at Minjares Farms in Port Lavaca. Children ages 5 to 17 competed to haul in the largest fish. Catching the biggest catfish were: Kayla Mendez (5-8-year-olds); Seth Moses (9-12-year-olds); and John Pina (13-17-year-olds).

Catching the Most Fish were:

5-8-year-olds Carlos Martinez

9-12-year-olds Seth Moses

13-17-year-olds Jamie Gutierris

The Smallest Fish were caught by:

5-9-year-olds Justine Stanley

9-12-year-olds Brenda Cumble

1-17-year-olds Hunter Crober

The Sportsmanship Award was given to Christian Graham.

Russell Cain provided a lunch of hot dogs and Alcoa provided bottled water. Special thanks for assistance goes to Calhoun County Sheriffs Department, EMS, Father Paul of OLG, YMCA, and Chuck Carter.

Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes on August 19, 20 and 21 – the state’s annual tax holiday. Lay-away plans can be used again this year to take advantage of the sales tax holiday.

As in previous years, the law exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 from sales and use taxes, which could save shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend. Backpacks under $100 and used by elementary and secondary students are also exempt. A backpack is a pack with straps one wears on the back. The exemption during the sales tax holiday includes backpacks with wheels, provided they can also be worn on the back like a traditional backpack, and messenger bags. The exemption does not include items that are reasonably defined as luggage, briefcases, athletic/duffle/gym bags, computer bags, purses or framed backpacks. Ten or fewer backpacks can be purchased tax-free at one time without providing an exemption certificate to the seller.

School Supplies

The 81st Texas Legislature passed HB 1801 (2009) expanding the list of items qualifying for exemption from Texas state and local sales and use taxes during the annual sales tax holiday in August. In addition to clothes, footwear and some backpacks, Texas families also get a sales tax break on most school supplies priced at less than $100 purchased for use by a student in an elementary or secondary school.

The August 4th meeting was the last meeting of the Summer and now all members will be ‘gearing up’ for the Fall and the various activities on the horizon.

Preparatory to the election of new officers at the 1st meeting in September, the Nominating Committee under the Chairmanship of Pat Ekstrom will be offering a slate of candidates for the annual election. She requested at the August meeting on Thursday, the 4th, that if any member has the desire to serve as an officer to please contact her. Also due at that September meeting will be the required payment of dues for the year. Please plan to get your dues to either Shirley Gordon, Membership Chairman, or Janet Johnson, President, in a timely manner.

Lydia Strakos, Chairman for the biannual Garage Sale stated that the Fall Sale will be October 15th in the Pavilion and that items are now being accepted for the Sale. If any resident is involved or will be shortly with that uplifting chore of closet cleaning, please contact Lydia at 983-2341 (work), 983-2003 (home), or cell 920-5088, or Debbie Busby. 983-4101 (home) or 512 914-9521 (cell) to make arrangements for the storage of usable items until the Sale.

Shirley Gordon, our Membership Chairman and the local Librarian, announced that Valerie Nelson and sister, Theresa Nelson have become new members. Welcomes to both of you, and don’t think you’ll be bored with this organization; we’ve lots of work for you.

Lydia as New Projects’ Chairman announced that a local electrician has been and will continue to inspect the exterior lighting for its proper functioning around the Community Center. It was agreed by the membership to have him check and repair that which needs work and he will provide to the Club an estimate for additional work.

We welcome any and all interested women at our meetings that are held the first and third Thursdays of the month beginning again in the Fall. Our next meeting will be Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. in the back room of the Community Center. Do plan to come and say hello.