I graduated from college (Texas A&M - WHOOP!) with a 2 year old son, Nicholas. I received a BS in Marine Biology/Marine Fisheries, and it was always my dream to be involved with animal care at a zoo or an aquarium. Since I was 5, my ideal career never changed...I always answered the question of what I wanted to be when I grew up the same way..."a zoo keeper". After being blessed with the arrival of my first son, my priorities did a 180 degree change. Instead of working weekends, holidays, and evenings as I would have done caring for animals, I decided that I needed a flexible job that would provide me with as much time with my son as possible. That thought turned into me taking a high school science teaching position...I was enthralled with the idea of weekends off, eventually having th... 01/15/2011

Galveston Civil War Re-Enactment  It is not just ‘little’ boys who like to play soldier.  Get out your 1863 civil war garments and join the invasion on Galveston Island, January 7-8th 2011.  The great battle of Galveston anniversary January 1, 1863 will be honored this weekend on the island.  This will be the 148th year since the historical battle took place on both land & sea and lasted for several months.  This week ends events will include living history encampments, a battle re-enactment, numerous commemorative battle tours including a walking tour of Galveston’s downtown, boat tours of the harbor and a tour of the Broadway cemetery. For more information *Picture: Galveston Historical foundation*   01/04/2011

GALVESTON ISLAND TREES After the storm of 1900 the people of Galveston replanted all the trees that had been lost to the Hurricane. Many of those great live oaks grew and lined the streets proudly for over 100 years.   On September 13, 2008 another storm came into the city of Galveston, and damaged over 11,000 of those stately trees on city property alone, and over 30,000 more on private property. Tree experts stated that the salt water which covered the Island was an unprecedented disaster and the impact on the eco-system was unexpected. Galveston Island Tree Conservancy member Donna Leibbert petitioned city hall to have some of the trees preserved for sculptures.  Her persistence paid off. Today the Conservancy is planning to plant over 700 trees, all in one day March 26, 2011. They ... 12/29/2010

  The Elissa When you come to visit Galveston, one of the historic items you don’t want to miss is the ‘Elissa.’  The Elissa is one of a few surviving Tall Ships that has been restored and continues to sail the Gulf of Mexico. This beautiful ship was built in 1877 in Aberdeen Scotland by the well respected ship builders, Alexander Hall & Company.  She measures 205 feet in length and 99 feet high.  During her 90 year tenure she carried cargos to every port around the world.  In 1961, before she could be destroyed, maritime archeologist Peter Throckmorton recognized her and purchased the Elissa in Piraeus Greece.  In 1975 The Galveston Historic Foundation purchased her for $40,000 and sent a group of restoration volunteers to Greece to make her sea worthy and sail her back to Galveston.  ... 12/22/2010

The Salvation Army Has Meant So Much to So Many By Fred Niccum Special to The Galveston County Daily NewsPublished December 19, 2010 When I was 5 years old, spending half my time on the streets of El Paso and the other half with my mother, brother and sister, I was picked up and placed in Baptist Children's Home in San Antonio.We had no presence of a father in our home. I finally met him when I was 30 years old. I remember when I was with my mother, she would take me and my siblings to a school gym at Christmas where The Salvation Army had created a toy warehouse and we could pick out a toy.I vividly remember selecting a Flyer red wagon and a bag of candy. These were my two gifts, which made my Christmas!I lived with my mother in projects in El Paso, and she knew how to make the best of... 12/20/2010

GALVESTON THEATER TUNA CHRISTMAS plays again.  In most minds it wouldn’t be Christmas if Tchiakovskty's classic Christmas Ballet the ‘Nutcraker’ wasn’t on stage somewhere and we weren’t hearing the famous music that has become such a part of Christmas.    However…………………………………… Here in Texas we have our own tradition that gives us that warm, cozy feeling of the holidays, home and family……..’TUNA CHRISTMAS’ ……… If you have never experienced the knee slapping, make your tummy sore from laughter stage play of ‘TUNA’ you are missing out!!  This hilarious theater presentation is a two man show.  Joe Sears and Jaston Williams… play….Well, they play everybody.  These two very funny guys play the roles of over 20 characters, with split second wardrobe changes and all. (They wrote the play and d... 12/14/2010

THE EVIA COMMUNITY Galveston Island enjoys some of the most beautiful architecture in the south.  From 1800 Historical homes to the newest Coastal Community of Evia. This wonderful master Planned Community is nestled next to the newly renovated Moody Gardens Golf Course, and protected by the famous Galveston  Sea wall.  Surrounded by beautiful lush landscapes and ‘lakes’ this little piece of heaven sits at a high elevation, therefore removing the need to raise the homes on stilts.  The architectural style is reminisant of New Orleans or Charleston, with several options….Cottages, Bungalows or Free Standing Homes. The large porches deliver the laid back style only the south can give.  This delightful community has all the amenities one could want.  A centralized green area with gazebo, ... 12/11/2010

CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE! AND HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS ARE IN FULL SWING.  1st Place '09 Bayou Vista Christmas Boat Parade Photo by www.bayouvista.com A few of the upcoming events are listed below: All of December - Moody Mansion and Bishop's Palance decorated with authentic 1900's lights and ornaments. Tours available December 9-12, then nightly 16th-1st - Moody Gardens Festival of Lights December 11 - 6:30 p.m. - Bayou Vista Christmas Boat Parade - starts on Blue Heron this year. December 11 - 7:00 p.m. - 49th Annual Clear Lake Christmas Boat Parade December 11 & 12 - "The Nutcracker" at The Grand Theatre performance by City Ballet of Houston December 18 - Santa's Kingdom Parade & Festival in Santa Fe. 7:00 start NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBATIONS Midnight in the Gardens New Year's Eve Gala - Moody ... 12/07/2010

I was in high school when Dick Clark and his afternoon TV program, "American Bandstand," began being carried by the Houston ABC affiliated station, KTRK-TV.  Less than three years before, Houston radio DJs Bill "Rascal" McCaskill (KREL-AM) and Paul Berlin (KNUZ-AM) had introduced to local teens what would soon be called "Rock and Roll." Most weekday afternoons, my mom and I would sit in the family living room in front of the 21-inch black and white RCA TV and together watch "American Bandstand." In 1957, a country-western singer, Bobby Helms, introduced two songs on American Bandstand, "Special Angel" and "Jingle Bell Rock."  What was odd about this was the cross-over of a country-western performer into the world of rock and roll.  He wasn't like Paul Anka or the Platters. Both tunes a... 12/01/2010

A good portion of Galveston Island has a seawall that somewhat protects its south side from the  anger of the Gulf of Mexico. The first part of that seawall was completed about 1902 after the city had been inundated by the now-famous hurricane of 1900 and the rising waters that it brought. However, there are several miles of the island where there is nothing but occasional sand dunes between dry land and the gulf, and when storms come and the gulf rises most or all of that land is flooded. But if that isn't bad enough, storms as well as the natural action of the gulf cause natural erosion of those beaches. And then there is the other quirk.  Texas has always claimed that those beaches belong to the public.  Access cannot be restricted.  The beaches can't be subdivided and bought. Throu... 11/28/2010

  The annual Galveston Island ‘Dickens on the Strand’ takes place again this year December 4th and 5th.  This wonderful and festive holiday street festival takes a step back in time to a 19th Century Victorian London.  The mystical theme of the festival is taken from the most popular Christmas Story of all time …”The Christmas Carol’ Visitors come from near and far to enjoy all of the festivities.  A 10 - square block area of Galveston’s historic downtown is the back drop and for 2 days is filled with costumes, entertainment, food and art.  You will start believing that you are indeed in another place at another time.  As you make your way through the streets greeted by Victorian dressed characters, some of which you will recognize, you will feel the Holiday Spirits all around you! Her ... 11/28/2010

  For 99 years, soon to be 100, Gaido's Restaurant has contributed a great deal to the success of Galveston Island as a popular tourist destination. It's impossible to extrapolate how many Island businesses have directly benefited by the numbers -- often 2,500 a day -- who have been drawn to visit the city in anticipation to being able to have a meal or two at Gaido's.  The Gaido family has just released a well-done, slick cookbook.  It tells many of the stories of that restaurant and the people who made it what it would become. But what is more important, the reader can actually closely follow the many recipes, and be able to have their own authentic Gaido's Experience at home.  Say you loved their stuffed blue-shell crabs.  The recipe is there.  What about their salad dressings?  Thei... 11/26/2010

Galveston will be hosting Dickens on the strand 2010 in just a few weeks! The first weekend in Decemeber will find Galveston turned into a 16th century town full of fun. To learn more about Dickens on the Strand follow the links!   Dickens on the Strand 2010 11/11/2010

I was working with the MLS today to get some of the newest numbers and see how things are looking. The data is as follows: 605  residential listings in Galveston 48 pending _________ 557 active 53 sold in last 30 days 37 expired in last 30 days 103 new listings last 30 days or: 138 sold/pending/expired in last 30 days vs 103 new listings... net change - 35 properties off the market. My take: It looks great! Galveston's best time to buy vacation/resort homes is in the off season, but its also our "slow" time. Prices have come down significantly and it looks like buyers are taking advantage. Though its clearly a buyers market now... if the trends continue into the next spring, our inventory may go down down down. It may even convert over to a neutral market in 2011... so my thought is... ... 11/10/2010

GALVESTON LONE STAR BIKE RALLY 2010     The constant buzz of engines is heard all around Galveston Island this weekend as the annual Lone Star bike Rally rolls into town.  This is the largest motorcycle event in the nation, lasting four days and welcoming riders from all over the country.  If you love Harleys’ you will love this event.  There is always a classic bike show with some of the most spectacular bikes on display.  The personalities that fill the island this time of year are eclectic and interesting.  Celebrity bike builder Rick Fairless of “Ma’s Roadhouse” and Jay Barbieri of “Two Wheel Thunder”. Some of the most famous tattoo artists from around the country will be on hand to show off their artistry along with continuous live music entertainment. There will be military exhib... 11/06/2010

  GALVESTON ISLAND Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?        Galveston Island sits just 35 short miles southeast of the Houston Metropolitan area.  Working in the city and living on the island….Talk about ‘cake’ Galveston is a barrier island located on the Texas Gulf Coast with the Gulf of Mexico on the south, West Bay on the west (go figure) and Galveston Bay to the north.  This small island is less than 30 miles long and 3 miles wide.  The island is packed with things to do from the arts, good food, theater, mardi gras, fishing and of course a lot of sand and sun!! The Bay offers a backdrop for all kinds of water activities.  Artist Boat is one of these, but with a twist.  Artist Boat is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes preservation of coastal margins a... 10/29/2010

This is the most articulate and correct analysis I have ever read about public and subsidized housing.  While the author, Stephen Austin's comments are directed to those who live in Galveston, Texas, his facts and conclusions are on the money. I thought I'd share it with you, with the permission of The Galveston County Daily News. ==================================================================================== By Stephen Austin In August 1963, I dragged my father to hear Dr. King have a dream in Washington. Later, I worked with the Chicago chapter of the Black Panther Party. I have played other roles in the civil rights movement. My heroes all are black: Dr. King, John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Fredrick Douglas, Bird, Malcolm and Louis Armstrong. Calling me a racist won't get much trac... 10/20/2010

                                      Happenings Galveston Texas      Water, Ghouls, Ghosts, Food, Festivals, Fun…......................             And did I say Water?            10/15/2010

By Bill CherryRealtor Mr. Sam, like his brothers, cousins and uncles, worked for the patriarch of the family, Jasper Tramonte. Mr. Jasper had a meat-packing business in Galveston, Texas on Broadway, near 61st Street. It was called the High Grade Packing Co."We useah so muchah cereal in our Boohkanear weenies, the Pope eatsah them on Fridays," was Mr. Jasper's favorite self-deprecating joke. And, even though we had heard him say it a thousand times, we'd still break up in almost uncontrollable laughter every time.Mr. Jasper had left Sicily without much of an education when he came to America, but he made sure that all of his children got college degrees. Mr. Sam got his from Texas A&M.When one of his boys did something that displeased Mr. Jasper, the first words out of his mouth were pre... 10/14/2010

One of my favorite places to hang is at The Spot in Galveston Texas. It is located right on the Sea Wall at Galveston. The Spot is actually divided into two or three sections. There is the Biker Bar that you see in the photo above and below. These are not the mean bikers like you see on TV. But bikers that like to ride up to the beach and then stop in for a beer or two. They also serve mixed drinks if you prefer. I really enjoy the open atmosphere. Everyone can look out to sea from every location in this place! This is a family place as is the next building is the restaurant where they serve the most awesome burgers and BIG ONION RINGS! They also have an ice cream shop and desert shop. They have cheese cake in many flavors, pecan pie, Boston Creme Cake and so much more I can't remember ... 10/06/2010