Groundbreaking Pictures

New golden shovels ready for action

And we can't forget the important stuff

We ended up with a really nice crowd - around 50 people. It was encouraging to have such an enthusiastic reception.




From Griff, Mother, Sophie, Sadie, and me - Thank You to everyone.

I don't think Garco will be hiring her any time soon

But if they change their mind she's ready.






The Chamber of Commerce and "The Islanders" know how to make someone feel wanted.

And the Garco crew added life to the party!!

Thanks again everyone. I love this place!!!

I Survived

I got through it OK, I think. I was really honored by the number of people that showed up. Thank you, thank you. Pictures later - I'm going to open my bottle of champagne and have a private celebration with Rosie, Griff and the girls.

But, I just want everyone to know how much I really appreciated so many people taking the time to stop by. The Islanders are great ambassadors for the Town.

Bye for now!!

What Shall I Say?

It's Tuesday afternoon and the official Groundbreaking Ceremony for Paragraphs is just a couple of hours away. In true Padre fashion, I stopped by Captain Alan Stewart's place this morning and he is preparing a sign for the occasion. Toucan Graphics also came through with some business cards on a few hours notice. Finally, a stroll down the aisles at the Blue Marlin--a cooler, wine, beer, a couple bottles of champagne--and we're set.

My problem now is what do I say? For a pathologically shy person, like me, the idea of being the center of attention is something I worry for days about. Add to that, the need to actually give some type of a talk - Oh My!! Two hours away and the terror is setting in. What if no one comes, it will be so-o-o embarrassing.

Now focus Joni. What is important about today?

• A chance to thank the Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring this event.
• Thank those wonderful people who end up taking some of their time to show up.
• Introduce my financial partner who keeps me focused --Thanks, Mom
• Introduce my husband and rock -- Love you, Griffy

• Then there is Dennis Franke - When we couldn't decide whether to build a house in the Shores (it would have been a stretch) or have the store and house for the same money - Dennis encouraged me not to give up on my dream and go for the bookshop. He helped us find and purchase a suitable lot and provided a lot of good advice. Someday, Dennis, that home in the Shores is on the agenda. Well, maybe.

• The design and construction management is in the able hands of John Silar from Harlingen. It took us a while to finally get started - John had preliminary plans for the building a year ago - but his patience has been extraordinary. I appreciate his expertise at getting the best quality for the best price. He also has utilized some "greener" technology which makes me feel good and will also be more energy efficient.

• Garco Construction, the general contracting firm is from San Benito and I am really pleased with this selection. B. J. and Junior are such nice guys and now I understand why John told me that if he was building a new house of his own he would have B. J. handle the general contracting. I am sure I will test their good humor when I start making changes!!

In general though, I feel very lucky to have such a good team. I can go back to Denver and focus on the business end of things and prepare to relocate without any worries about the building construction.

But what about my vision for the store. What will my business add to the town? I believe that literature has so much more to offer us beyond it's entertainment value.

1. A community place where people can come to debate, discuss and share ideas. Reading allows us to examine things outside our own experience and having a dialogue is the second step in taking part in the "Great Conversation" that has been going on for centuries.
2. Work to promote literacy and the love of reading.
3. Be a gathering place for readers and writers alike. Provide an alternative to social networking on-line by giving people a place to engage in real face-to-face conversation.
4. Promote the ideal of life-long learning as an equal partner with exercise and diet as a source of improving our lives.

Ok, I think I have some ideas. Please don't rain!! Guess I better get going.

Green Corners Project - Thank You All

I think all these folks deserve a big round of applause from all of us who love this Island. The corner landscaping adds a lovely touch of green all along Padre Boulevard and helps make these commercial properties more attractive. Thank you to all the sponsors and hard working volunteers.


SPIRIT and The SPI Chamber of Commerce announcement:

Padre Blvd. Corners Project

Continues to Grow!

Thank you to everyone who helped make South Padre Island greener!

On Saturday, February 8, 2008, six corners were planted and maintenance was

performed on the twelve corners completed in November 2007.

Additional corners will be planted in April 2008.

To become a sponsor contact the SPI Chamber of Commerce at 956-761-4412.

Corner Sponsors

Alita Bagley, SE Corner of Huisache

Sandra Coulter, NE Corner of Cora Lee

Sierra Title Company, NW Corner of Mesquite

Just Call John, LLC, SW Corner of Huisache

Annabel Givens, SE Corner of Gardenia

San Jacinto Title Services, NW Corner of Hibiscus

Volunteer Labor

Hugh Bresett, Annabel Givens, Paula Bresett, Liz Glascock, Jackie Diermeier, Roxanne Guenzel, Jim Diermeier, Rena Hefflon, Naydene Ford, Darrell Mangham, Kirk Franklin, Murray Nelson,Trey Franklin, Kevin Tenison, John Gieseking

Becoming an Islander

I know it will be a while before my residence is finished and I have a lot of things to do before making my life on the island permanent - I have taken a couple of steps which make me feel more like this is "home".

The United States Postal Service has confirmed that I am enough of a resident to rent a PO Box. The gentleman at the post office could not have been more helpful, and he has remembered me the few times I have been in to ask questions or pick up mail. Two forms of ID and proof of land ownership took care of getting a box assigned to me and now I can receive mail at a real address instead of c/o the La Quinta. I imagine the desk clerks here will be glad of this change, too.

In the interest of becoming part of the small business community on the island I have also become a member of the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce. From what I have seen so far this is a very active organization and I look forward to supporting them in some of their projects.

Especially exciting is their willingness to help me with a "groundbreaking ceremony". The publicity will be great in continuing to build public interest in the future opening of a general interest bookstore on the island.

Each day I try to make a little progress. October is not very far away, especially according to Padre time.