I just received the following press release from TXDOT.  This is great news for Port Aransas! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Two Ferry Boats Go Out for Construction Bids  The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Corpus Christi District will be accepting bids on the construction of two 28 car capacity vehicle ferry boats for the Port Aransas Ferry System until 1:00 pm on August 12, 2009.  TxDOT has worked for a number of years with the City of Port Aransas and planned to construct a new 28 car ferry boat to fulfill commitments to increase capacity of the ferry operation. Funding was established through conventional methods as well as money made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) earlier this year.  In mid-July TxDOT was notified that the ARRA funding nomi... 08/03/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Widely regarded as the most historic structure on Mustang Island, the Tarpon Inn has welcomed countless visitors since it was constructed in 1886.  The structure was originally built using surplus lumber from Civil War barracks.  The Tarpon Inn has survived a fire and numerous hurricanes and has served as headquarters for the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and several Military Units.  President FDR was a patron on a fishing trip in 1937. Today, this legendary Port Aransas hotel welcomes island visitors seeking modern amenities with old island charm.  The 24 guest rooms have recently undergone a "major but gentle restoration" and are ready to accommodate a new generation of Port Aransas visitors. Now under new ownership, the Inn offers the perfect setting for Port Ar... 08/01/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Fishing has lured people to the waters off Mustang Island for generations.  There is something for everyone.  Some opt to enjoy fishing in the surf or from one of the local piers.  Offshore fishing is big business in Port Aransas. Some visitors trailer their boats to town and launch them in search of the elusive schools of fish. Many seasoned veterans opt to find a Port Aransas fishing guide to help "put them on fish".  Frank Duxstad (aka Frankie D) established his guide service in 1990.  Frankie D is synonymous with fishing and his charters regularly catch limits of redfish and black drum. Making sure that his customers go home with plenty of fish is serious business, but fishing with Frankie D is all about having a good time.  His website www.FunFishingPortAransa... 07/31/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Southern Living chose the new Mustang Island beachfront development Cinnamon Shore as the site for their new idea house.  The home has been open for public tours since early June and has proven to be a popular stop for Port Aransas visitors. Now you can visit the home in the latest issue of Southern Living or online to see wonderful photos and get design ideas and style tips. Last month I posted a sneak peek video tour of the home.  If you missed it, the story and video are available at Port Aransas Real Estate online. 07/22/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - While many vacation destinations are struggling due to the challenging national economy, more and more people are coming to play in "Port A" this summer.  That was especially evident during the recent July 4th Holiday Weekend.   In a recent story in the Port Aransas South Jetty newspaper, local business owners were asked about the July 4th weekend.  Their answers tell the story:  "slammed" "phenomenal" "heavier than last year" "very strong" "record sales" "we're lucky here" and many more.  The entire article is available here.  For more information on the Port Aransas tourism industry, visit the Chamber of Commerce.  July 4th Fireworks Over The Harbor In Port Aransas Texas 07/19/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - The oldest and largest saltwater fishing tournament on the Texas coast took place this weekend.  The 74th Annual Deep Sea Roundup brought record crowds and perhaps a few record fish.  The Corpus Christi Caller Times Michelle Christenson captured the event with some great photos that are posted at Caller.com The tournament is sponsored by the Port Aransas Boatmen with proceeds going to youth-related activities and scholarships for Port Aransas High School Graduates. 07/13/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Plans were recently announced for a three-story, state-of-the-art, eco-friendly research facility on the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) campus.  The building will be headquarters for the Mission Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) and provide additional offices and labs for UTMSI.  Construction is expected to start later this year and will take 15 months to complete.  Details are available in this Corpus Christi Caller Times article. 07/04/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Craig Millard and Sunny Castor (Principals with the Newport Dunes Golf Course at Newport Beach and Golf Development) made major announcements tonight at a meeting with members of the local real estate community. A new incentive program includes three local builders that will be starting homes, condos and town homes on golf course lots.  Details to follow on the floor plans and pricing. For a very limited time, residential lots adjoining the new Arnold Palmer Signature Course now start at $120k.  This offer will end soon and without advance notice. The links course has been open since October 2008 and is already gaining critical acclaim with 24,000 rounds played to this point. For more information or to purchase a golf course lot, please send email or call 361.749.7... 06/30/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - There is cause for celebration.  It was reported yesterday that Governor Perry has signed into law HB 2276 which amends the State Tax Code to include Port Aransas along with Galveston and South Padre Island in the cities to which special state hotel tax allocations apply.   Simply put, Port A will now receive a portion of the State's Hotel Occupancy Tax Revenue to clean and maintain public beaches.  This will provide an ongoing revenue stream that will help the City fund beach maintenance operations and assist with erosion response projects.  Initial estimates suggest that this could provide the City of Port Aransas with $350k annually and that number is expected to grow over time. The State Comptroller's website reflects the change and the new policy is effective ... 06/23/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Planning a trip to Port A?  If so, you'll want to check out the definitive resource on all things Port Aransas and Mustang Island.  The Port Aransas South Jetty Newspaper publishes a visitor guide four times per year. The guide contains plenty of useful information on places to stay, eat and shop.  The map provides a detailed look at the city and points of interest.  Check out the Port Aransas Visitor's Guide online or download the pdf version of the Summer 2009 issue. 06/22/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Gulf Access Base has the 200 acre McDermott facility on the Corpus Christi Ship Channel under contract with plans to close on the property in December of this year. “This facility is the only one of its kind on the western Gulf”, says Sam Canterbury, Partner in the project. “The facility is highly stabilized with 4,700’ of bulkhead with up to 46 ft of water including a 1,650’ X 500’ slip. We are located only 150 miles from Alaminos Canyon operations which will allow operators to cut transportation costs more than half in many cases.” Plans for the facility include leasing dedicated secure parcels of 1 – 100 Acres as storage, staging, and base operations for deepwater operators in the western Gulf. Load in, load out, fuel, water, and provisions will be available. P... 06/11/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - The Port Aransas South Jetty featured a great story on the new Southern Living Idea House at Cinnamon Shore.  The doors opened on Saturday, June 6th.  Mary Judson (Editor and Co-Publisher) reports that 282 people toured the home in the first two days.   I visited the home last week and it is a masterpiece.  Port A visitors will clearly want to add this to their "to-do list" this Summer Season. The (06-04-09) South Jetty Article appears below with permission: The Idea House sponsored by Southern Living magazine opens Saturday, June 6, in the Cinnamon Shore residential development. It is one of two Idea Houses built for the magazine this year. The other is in Georgia. Admission for tours is $5 per person, $2 of which will go to the Port Aransas Education Foundation.... 06/09/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - The School Board Meeting this Wednesday night will likely be viewed by a packed house.  The issue of whether or not the District should add Football and Volleyball to the existing althelic program has been a hot topic for several months. The Corpus Christi Caller Times featured a story today and interviewed several key "players" in the debate.  The meeting will be this Wednesday at 6:00pm at the Port Aransas ISD administration building (100 S. Station St.).  The Caller Times article is here. 06/08/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Village Walk features three-story gulf view homes currently priced at $398k (including elevator). The owner of this recently completed home selected a colorful coastal interior. For a complete virtual tour and more information on the Buena Vista I floor plan visit Village Walk.  05/24/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - The Dunes Condominiums located at 1000 Lantana in Port Aransas recently installed a new webcam.  The new cam overlooks the Horace Caldwell pier and offers viewers a great beach vantage point from the roof of the condo building.  Check out the Port Aransas Beach Webcam and it will automatically refresh.  If you can't make it to the beach, you can at least have a virtual escape to Port A. The Dunes condos are located in the heart of Port A and this camera will soon be showing throngs of beachgoers as we approach the Summer Season. 05/09/2009

  Have you ever looked at a map of the world? Look at Texas with me just for a second. That picture, with the Panhandle and the Gulf Coast, and the Red River and the Rio Grande is as much a part of you as anything ever will be. As soon as anyone anywhere in the world looks at it they know what it is.  It's Texas.  Pick any kid off the street in Japan and draw him a picture of Texas in the dirt and he'll know what it is. What happens if I show you a picture of any other state? You might get it maybe after a second or two, but who else would? And even if you do, does it ever stir any feelings in you? In every man, woman and child on this planet, there is a person who wishes just once he could be a real live Texan and get up on a horse or ride off in a pickup. There is a little bit of Texa... 04/29/2009

Just when you think that you have seen everything on this low barrier island off the coast of Texas, you look up and a single bright pink Rosiette Spoonbill decides to reward you with a fly by!  You may ask yourself , 'was that a flamingo??'  But it was not......  It was our very own Texas Rosiette Spoonbill.  The bird makes it's home along the coastal marshes of Texas.  Come down for a look see.  Maybe we can help you make your nest along the Texas Gulf Coast too!   For more information feel free to call me at: Patty Eggleston 361-876-8991 Realtor Port Aransas Realty 04/26/2009

Port Aransas, Texas is calling to you! Make the Call to find out how to live the beach life!  Oceanview lots starting from the mid $150s.  Gulfview homes starting  in the $300's!  The time to act is now.   Call 361-876-8991 to find out how to join the chocolate lab in the water!! Patty Eggleston, Realtor Port Aransas Realty 361-876-8991 http://www.buyporta.com 04/26/2009

One fine day, Uncle Butch decided to visit port Aransas to see the gift shops and experience all the ambiance of beach life!  Suddenly, he came face to face with the giant shark on Alister Street in Port A.  He survived the encounter and has the gift receipts in his wallet to prove it!  One is never too old or too young to be photographed inside the jaws of this megaladon! 04/26/2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - As previously posted, SandFest was a big success and crowds were estimated at 80,000 despite an incorrect gloomy weather forecast.  Visitors from Austin, San Antonio and Houston missed the torrential rains that drenched those cities.  If you missed the previous post with the SandFest video, you can find it here. One secret that has been discovered in recent years is that Monday morning is a great time to see the sculptures without the crowds and parking issues.  I spent about 30 minutes walking through the amazing sculptures this morning.  Here are a few of my favorite photos. The images below were taken this morning as well.  Saturday night several area Fire Departments responded to  a grass fire in the dunes.  The blaze was allegedly started by a vehicle illegall... 04/20/2009