San Antonio Bay Partnership presents Paddle the Bay Series

Archived in the category: Fishing Reports, General Info
Posted by Joyce Rhyne on 17 Jul 14 - 0 Comments

Paddle Barroom Bay

Sunday, August 10, 2014 9 am – 3 pm

Launch at Little Jetties

6 mile round trip paddling tour with instruction & bay ecology presentation.
Ideal for novice paddlers.

Paddle Mule’s Slough

Sunday, September 14 8 am – 3 pm

Launch at 16th St At ICW

13 mile round trip paddling tour and marsh ecology presentation.

Ideal for experienced paddlers.

See the fish jump & run, shorebirds feed & fly while dolphins breech close by as we explore the wondrous estuaries around Port O’Connor. Paddle with local guide Alan Raby along segments of Texas Parks & Wildlife POC paddling trail. Relax & enjoy lunch while Texas Master Naturalist Allan Berger introduces us to the ecology of the bays & marshes.

$20 / person includes lunch & soft drinks. Proceeds support San Antonio Bay Partnership efforts to protect restore and enhance our estuaries for the benefit of the ecosystem and its human uses. To find out more about our efforts and to buy tickets to the Bay Paddling Series and other events go to SABayPartnership.org

Questions? Contact Allan Berger 713-829-2852 allanrberger@comcast.net Need a Kayak? Discounted rental provided by DolphinKayak.net

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.

Cooking With G… by Janie Goldman

Archived in the category: Featured Writers, General Info
Posted by Joyce Rhyne on 17 Jul 14 - 0 Comments

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.

Girls Participate in Volleyball Camp

Archived in the category: General Info, School News
Posted by Joyce Rhyne on 17 Jul 14 - 0 Comments


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”.

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