City of South Padre IslandNovember 29 - December 5, 2011
For more information or if you have any comments or questions please contact Info@MySPI.org.
At a Glance
Keep SPI Beautiful Committee Partners with TxDOT to Educate Kids
The Keep South Padre Island Beautiful Committee (KSPIB), an affiliate of Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), is partnering with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to bring the Don't Mess with Texas Litter Force Superheroes to Port Isabel to educate kids on how to become litter-savvy Texans and inspire them to become honorary members of the Litter Force Team.
The Don't Mess with Texas Litter Force Superheroes will visit Garriga Elementary on Monday, December 5th, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. Garriga Elementary is located in 200 West Adams St. in Port Isabel, TX.
In an interactive presentation, the Litter Force will highlight a new online activity book, which features the band of superheroes in games like "The Trained Eye", where students spot the differences between two similar pictures to enhance their ability to spot trash, and "Code of the Road", a word game that asks students to identify pieces of litter flying out of a truck. The site also includes coloring games and more. This online activity book allows them to share the games with their friends and family at home.
In its fifth touring year, the Litter Force is a research-based Don't Mess with Texas program by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) that teaches children about litter prevention. It features superhero mascots that educate students about litter prevention. TxDOT is partnering with Keep Texas Beautiful affiliates to present the Litter Force events.
With the human-size Litter Force mascots Hawk, Ultra, Bolt and K-900, every show is a 30-minute, action-packed performance that teaches students how to prevent the Evil Trash Villains from taking over Texas roadways. Students will have a chance to learn about the new online activity book, watch the animated TV spots and music video, and discover what a powerful force they can be in litter prevention. Students will also receive a hard copy of the activity book at the presentation this year.
The Don't Mess with Texas Litter Force superheroes will also visit Juan N. Seguin Elementary in La Joya, TX, and Zapata Elementary in Mission, TX.
Holiday Window Displays Almost 100 Byers Carolers
In celebration of the Holiday season, the City of South Padre Island transformed the display case in the lobby of City Hall into a holiday window display with almost 100 Byers Carolers arranged to create a variety of "scenes". Long-time Island home owner Sandy Boswell has been collecting the hand-crafted figures for many years and this year she loaned part of her collection to the City to create a display celebrating the Holiday season.
Many of the carolers are dressed in late 19th Century costumes and look like characters out of Dickens' Christmas Carol. Visitors to the display will find a beach scene, a nautical scene complete with a three masted schooner, a Salvation Army Band with their familiar kettle, a group of children roasting marshmallows by a fire or skating on a pond, children waiting to see Santa, shopkeepers with a vendor roasting chestnuts in a kettle, carolers with their director, and children in their nightgowns preparing to dream of sugar plums.
The display is open for the public to enjoy from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
KSPIB Awarded the Silver Star Affiliate Award
The Keep South Padre Island Beautiful Committee (KSPIB), an affiliate of Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), was awarded the Silver Star Affiliate Award at the 44th Annual KTB Conference in June of 2011. The award is in recognition of the accomplishments for the year 2010. In 2004, KTB introduced the concept of Silver Star recognition to reward those communities who sought to go above and beyond the established requirements. To achieve this status, affiliates are required to meet additional benchmarks; they must share information on their mission and goals, answer questions about their educational programs and solid waste initiatives, and participate in the Keep Texas Beautiful or Governor's Community Achievement Awards programs.
KSPIB has the opportunity to compete for the Governor's Community Achievement Award, a landscaping grant through TxDot. Last year, with the help of Councilwoman Evans, Assistant City Manager Darla Jones and the Environmental Health Department staff, the KSPIB committee submitted an application for the GCAA. KSPIB scored 90 out of 100 points, third in our population category for the state and the GCAA Award of Excellence. KSPIB is currently working on the GCAA application for 2011 which is due in early February.
We would like to congratulate the Keep South Padre Island Beautiful Committee and all the 2011 GCAA applicants! The judges found the applications to be simply outstanding, with strong community leadership and awareness as well as innovative projects and programs in litter prevention, waste reduction and beautification activities statewide. Keep Texas Beautiful will present the Silver Star Affiliate award to the Keep SPI Beautiful Committee at the regular City Council meeting on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 5:30 p.m.
The list of first, second, third place and applications receiving a score of 90 or higher is available online at http://www.ktb.org/programs/awards/governors-community-achievement-awards.aspx.
Christmas Lighted Boat Parade
The Port Isabel Chamber will host the 25th annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday, December 3rd at 6:00 p.m. Decorated watercrafts of all sizes will make their way across the Laguna Madre Bay to South Padre Island. Join the fun and initiate the Holiday celebrations. For more information, call the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce at (956) 943-2262 or at director@portisabel.org.
Sweet 16 Invitational
Five teams ranked in the top 25 in the State of Texas will be competing for the title in this weekend's 8th Annual SpawGlass South Padre Island Sweet 16 Invitational, scheduled for December 3-4 at two locations, the SPI Convention Centre and at Port Isabel High School. The 16 high school teams that will compete are: Converse Judson (2010 Sweet 16 Champions), The Woodlands, Houston Yates, Houston St. Thomas, Spring Dekaney, Houston HCYA, El Paso Cathedral, Austin Westwood, Harlingen South, Sharyland HS, Roma, McAllen, Brownsville Porter, Brownsville Rivera, Brownsville Hanna, and Laredo Martin.
Games are scheduled all day Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at both the SPI Convention Centre and Port Isabel High School. There are 27 games in all, with the 3rd place game set for 6.00 p.m. and the title game at 7.30 p.m., both on Saturday at SPI. Under the sponsorship of SPI Hoops, Inc., tournament bracelets for all 27 games are priced at $10 for adults and $5 for students. Individual game tickets will be sold at the door and are priced at $5 for adults and $3 for students. Children under 12 are admitted free. For more information, call the SPI Convention Centre at 1-888-774-8587.
To see the 2011 Sweet 16 Invitational Game Schedule click here.
Dune Restoration Planting
The 2nd Dune Restoration Planting will take place this Saturday, December 3rd, 2011 at the Fantasy Circle from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Everyone is invited to participate and restore our dunes.
Christmas on South Padre Island
The City of South Padre and The South Padre Island Parks, Recreation and Beautification Committee have been busy little elves coming up with events & programs to get you and your business into the Spirit of Christmas.
Nominations are being taken for the Grand Marshall of SPI's Annual Christmas Parade to be held on Dec. 16 at 6:15 PM. Email your nominations to spiparade@yahoo.com. Nominations need to be local individuals or groups that contribute to making the Island a better place. Voting will take place the week of December 5-9 at SPI Welcome Center, SPI City Hall and online at spiparade@yahoo.com.
Want to enter the Christmas Parade? Contact Jacky Conrad at 772-1974 for a form. Forms can also be picked up at the SPI Chamber of Commerce, SPI City Hall or download the form at www.spichristmas.com.
South Padre Island Businesses are welcome to take part in the parade as vendors this year. Contact Jacky Conrad at 772-1974 for more information.
The trophies have been ordered for the annual Christmas Lighting Contest. We will have trophies for the top three winners in both business and residential categories. To get your form please go to City Hall or request one by emailing spiparade@yahoo.com.
Entries will be judged on Sunday, December 18, all entries must be in by Thursday, Dec. 15. For more information please check the website www.spichristmas.com.
 Bulletin Board
Recycling
Recyclable items can be taken to Island Baptist Church every Saturday from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Items that can be recycled are:
- Newspaper
- Cardboard
- Office Paper
- Aluminum
- Tin
- Plastic
To offer a better recycling service please:
- Compact, crush or break down plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, aluminum cans or any other items that may be reduced in size. This helps us use the most amount of space in the bins.
- Remove any food, liquid, metal fasteners, adhesive materials or other items that may contaminate the whole load.
Toastmasters Wanted
The Islanders Toastmasters International Club is now open to the public and invites all to participate and develop valuable communication and leadership skills. "The Islanders" meet every Thursday at 12:00pm at the City Hall Board Room. For more information call Vice President of Membership, Cynthia Jezek at (956) 761-1358 or by e-mail at Cynthia@JezekLaw.com. Come and check out the Toastmasters' experience.
Emergency Information
The hurricane season has started and Emergency Information is vital. There are 4 different ways on how to stay informed during a storm. You can be informed by TEXT, just simply text WEATHER to 80565. By NEWSLETTER, just subscribe by going to the "STAY INFORMED" tab at www.MySPI.org, or by sending an email to dan@sopadre.com with the subject "Subscribe". On FACEBOOK, just simply go to www.facebook.com/SouthPadreIslandEmergency. And by PHONE, just call 1-800-OKPADRE (757-2373).
Mosquito Spraying
If weather permits the Environmental Health Services department will be spraying for mosquitoes every night as needed. For more information contact Environmental Health Services Director, Victor Baldovinos at (956) 761-3226.
Pet of the Week
Bones
Friends of Animal Rescue is looking for a home for Bones. Bones is a beautiful male dog that was abused early in life and through rehab is ready to be adopted. He is loving, gentle, quiet and housebroken. He will make someone who has time to exercise and continue working with him a great dog. Want to know more about Bones? Contact Friends of Animal Rescue at 956-772-1171.
Current Rumors
If you would like to report a rumor or misinformation being spread in the community please vist the City's Rumor Watch service.
Ideas in Discussion
The City uses an idea sharing service that is provided free by IdeaScale. The service is community driven and intended to derive ideas that benefit the entire community with possible solutions or steps to accomplish them. You can view and submit ideas by visiting MySPI.IdeaScale.com.
Calendar of Events
Date
| Event
| Location
| Time
| December 1
| Islanders Toastmaster Club Meeting
| City Hall Meeting Room
| 12:00 PM
| December 1
| ArtSpace Holiday Party
| ArtSpace
| 4:00 PM
| December 3
| Dune Restoration Planting
| Fantasy Circle
| 9:00 AM
| December 3
| Christmas Lighted Boat Parade
| Laguna Madre
| 6:00 PM
| December 3-4
| Sweet 16 Invitational
| SPI Convention Centre / PI High School
|
| December 4
| Farmers Market
| The Shores
| 11:00 AM
| December 4
| Holiday Concert - "Valley Voices"
| Hilton Garden Inn
| 2:30 PM
|
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