On a personal note:
Many congratulations from South Padre Island to Joe and Val. James Robert Mullin arrived and weighed in at a whopping 8 lbs. 6 ozs. Mother and baby are home and doing nicely, under the expert care of the new father.
We love you both and can't wait to see the new addition to the family.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
115 Independent Bookstores Open in 2007
The following information was encouraging after all the doom and gloom which we generally hear from the MSM (mainstream media) about American reading habits.
Anyway, I hope so!!
"The American Booksellers Association welcomed 115 new bookstores that opened for business in 2007. This was the third year in a row that the number of bookstore openings topped one hundred.The move to local independent businesses that are tailored to specific communities is a refreshing move away from the mega-retailers. This is a trend which should fit in well with the South Padre Island business community.
'We're happy to report that 115 ABA member stores opened in 2007,' said ABA CEO Avin Mark Domnitz. 'This is very good news and an indication of a growing trend among communities that are recognizing the unique contributions of local independent businesses. These new ABA member stores offer a one-of-a-kind environment and knowledgeable owners and staff who are dedicated to serving their neighborhoods.'
The new bookstore openings were spread across 35 states, and included a branch store of Florida's Books & Books on Grand Cayman Island and a member store in La Paz, Mexico. The largest number of openings was in California, which welcomed 17 new stores; followed by eight openings in New York; seven each in Georgia and Oregon; six in Michigan; and five each in Colorado, Minnesota, and North Carolina.
Anyway, I hope so!!
Children's Book for February
HEY ARNOLD!
by Craig Bartlett and Maggie Groening
by Craig Bartlett and Maggie Groening
Arnold has a Valentine's Day dilemma. First he sends an anonymous valentine to six-grader Ruth, telling her to meet him at Chez Pierre. Then he receives a valentine from his French pen pal, Cecile, who wants him to meet her at Chez Paris! What's he to do? With a little help from Gerald, Arnold comes up with the perfect plan to meet his two valentines -- but will he face a surprise of his own?
Product Details
- Reading level: Ages 9-12
- Paperback: 64 pages
- Publisher: Simon Spotlight (January 1, 2001)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0689838174
- ISBN-13: 978-0689838170
- Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.2 inches
Information from Amazon.com
Monday, February 4, 2008
El día de los libros
Any way South Padre Island and Port Isabel can take advantage of this? One of the missions of Paragraphs is to promote literacy in the Rio Grande Valley.
From Shelf Awareness today:
"To support the April 30 celebration of El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day 2008), the AAP and ALA for the first time together have created a recommended reading list of some 24 children's books in both English and Spanish for parents and others who choose books for children. The list includes bilingual picture books, coming-of-age stories and nonfiction, all celebrating Latin culture and Latin American identity, and is available online at getcaughtreading.org.
The list was created by the Publishing for Latino Voices Task Force of the Association of American Publishers and the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) division of the American Library Association. The titles were chosen by the ALSC's Quicklists Consulting Committee.
Calling the list 'food for the brain,' Pat Schroeder, president and CEO of the AAP, said, 'We hope this bibliography will serve as a guide for stocking bookstores, libraries, schools, and family bookshelves in homes nationwide.'"
From Shelf Awareness today:
"To support the April 30 celebration of El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day 2008), the AAP and ALA for the first time together have created a recommended reading list of some 24 children's books in both English and Spanish for parents and others who choose books for children. The list includes bilingual picture books, coming-of-age stories and nonfiction, all celebrating Latin culture and Latin American identity, and is available online at getcaughtreading.org.
The list was created by the Publishing for Latino Voices Task Force of the Association of American Publishers and the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) division of the American Library Association. The titles were chosen by the ALSC's Quicklists Consulting Committee.
Calling the list 'food for the brain,' Pat Schroeder, president and CEO of the AAP, said, 'We hope this bibliography will serve as a guide for stocking bookstores, libraries, schools, and family bookshelves in homes nationwide.'"
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Variance Hearing
Tuesday, February 5, we are scheduled to appear before the Board of Adjustments and Appeals. This is to review our request for a variance, by which we are asking that the requirement for a commercial sprinkler fire system and a residential fire sprinkler be waived.
The way I understand it, if I was only building for retail use, there would be no fire sprinkler required because of the limited square footage involved. Similarly, it is not necessary for a single family home to install a fire sprinkler system. But now, when they are combined in a mixed use building both a residential and commercial fire sprinkler system seem to be required. This will add around $35,000 to the cost of construction. Hopefully, we can convince them that it really is an excessive requirement.
The building is to be constructed mostly from non-combustible materials and the retail building and residence are separated by a courtyard and a 2-hour firewall and door. Furthermore, the residence is to be used as a single family dwelling - this is not a condo/business mixed use project, which it seems the code is addressing.
So, I will have the opportunity to meet some more islanders and promote Paragraphs. I just hope they see things our way!!
The way I understand it, if I was only building for retail use, there would be no fire sprinkler required because of the limited square footage involved. Similarly, it is not necessary for a single family home to install a fire sprinkler system. But now, when they are combined in a mixed use building both a residential and commercial fire sprinkler system seem to be required. This will add around $35,000 to the cost of construction. Hopefully, we can convince them that it really is an excessive requirement.
The building is to be constructed mostly from non-combustible materials and the retail building and residence are separated by a courtyard and a 2-hour firewall and door. Furthermore, the residence is to be used as a single family dwelling - this is not a condo/business mixed use project, which it seems the code is addressing.
So, I will have the opportunity to meet some more islanders and promote Paragraphs. I just hope they see things our way!!
Are Artificial Reefs the Answer?
Beach erosion is a concern in all coastal areas but when one lives on a sandbar it takes on a new level of importance. South Padre Island is it's beaches. They are the reason people come here to vacation, to live and to open businesses. The beaches are also home to a huge variety of wildlife and part of the major bird migratory path in North America.
As land becomes scarce and development moves forward SPI will most likely be facing even more problems with beach erosion than it is now. Last Thursday, the Board of Alderman hosted a workshop where representatives of ASR America presented information on the use of artificial reefs to control erosion and enhance conditions for surfing, fishing and other recreational beach activities.
It is an interesting concept and one which I am sure will be debated passionately as plans for beach renourishment proceed. In a letter to the editor published in the February 1, issue of The Island Breeze, Rob Nixon, gives a thoughtful review of the issues. Rob is Spokesman and Volunteer Coordinator for SPI Surfrider Foundation, Surfrider Foundation, South Texas Chapter. www.surfrider.org/southtexas
As land becomes scarce and development moves forward SPI will most likely be facing even more problems with beach erosion than it is now. Last Thursday, the Board of Alderman hosted a workshop where representatives of ASR America presented information on the use of artificial reefs to control erosion and enhance conditions for surfing, fishing and other recreational beach activities.
It is an interesting concept and one which I am sure will be debated passionately as plans for beach renourishment proceed. In a letter to the editor published in the February 1, issue of The Island Breeze, Rob Nixon, gives a thoughtful review of the issues. Rob is Spokesman and Volunteer Coordinator for SPI Surfrider Foundation, Surfrider Foundation, South Texas Chapter. www.surfrider.org/southtexas
Reading Football, cont.
If you missed the comment from Bettyworm in Natick MA:
La Quinta is having a super ball party and there are lots of other parties at SPIs favorite watering holes, we just haven't decided what to do. It should be a good game!!
And to bring football focus to the two teams who will meet on the gridiron for Super Bowl XLII pick up "Patriot Reign: Bill Belichick, the Coaches, and the Players Who Built a Champion" by Michael Holley or "Tiki: My Life in the Game and Beyond" by Tiki Barber and Gil Reavill".
La Quinta is having a super ball party and there are lots of other parties at SPIs favorite watering holes, we just haven't decided what to do. It should be a good game!!
Kites Over SPI
There was a good turnout - on a perfect day - for the International South Padre Island KiteFest, Saturday, February 2. We had a perfect seat to watch the demonstrations. The festival continues today.
Quad-Kite Demonstration:
A local team does Phantom of the Opera:
Quad-Kite Demonstration:
A local team does Phantom of the Opera:
Friday, February 1, 2008
Reading Football
As you get ready for the big game or to help ease the post-football letdown here are some books to keep the football fever hot.
From the readers at Shelf Awareness:
Of course, I think I am in agreement with Merschel when he writes:
Oh yes -- Life was really good. There is always next year, come on Jay Cutler!!
From the readers at Shelf Awareness:
"Never Give Up: My Stroke, My Recovery, and My Return to the NFL" by Tedy Bruschi with Michael Holley (Wiley, $24.95)
"The Blueprint: How the New England Patriots Beat the System to Create the Last Great NFL Superpower," by Christopher Price (Thomas Dunne/St. Martin's, $24.95)
"Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream" by H.G. Bissinger (Da Capo Press, $15.95)
"Paper Lion: Confessions of a Last-String Quarterback," by George Plimpton (Lyons Press, $15.95)
"Namath: A Biography" by Mark Kriegel (Penguin, $16). "Broadway Joe, football's first TV star."
"Next Man Up: A Year Behind the Lines in Today's NFL," by John Feinstein (Back Bay Books, $15.99)
"The Thin Thirty," by Shannon P. Ragland (Set Shot Press, $18.95)
"Fifth Quarter: The Scrimmage of a Football Coach's Daughter," by Jennifer Allen (Random House, $19)
And for the Texas fans Michael Merschel who writes for the Dallas Morning News adds his picks:
"Twelve Mighty Orphans: The Inspiring True Story of the Mighty Mites Who Ruled Texas Football," by Jim Dent.
"The Blind Side," by Michael Lewis, a look inside the world of an immense -- and immensely talented -- high school athlete. Our critic said, "Mr. Lewis is a terrific reporter and a gifted prose stylist. He absorbs the vibrations of the world he immerses himself in without getting carried away."
And, of course, the just-published "Greatest Team Ever," which Cowboys fans might want to flip through while two morally inferior teams battle for the trophy that every true Dallas resident knows is the rightful property of Jerry Jones.
And in a comment Steve posts:
Here is a link to a video about Michael Lewis' book, 'The Blind Side' and that immense high school (now college) football star, Michael Oher.
Of course, I think I am in agreement with Merschel when he writes:
Your humble books editor, never one to hide his roots, will probably spend the afternoon searching YouTube for video footage of Super Bowl XXXII -- John Elway 31, Green Bay 24. Life was good.
Oh yes -- Life was really good. There is always next year, come on Jay Cutler!!
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