2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Friday               October 7, 2005  

Galveston Weekend

Galveston tourism officials are advertising that the island is back in business following Hurricane Rita.

This weekend's events include B.B. King's performances at The Grand 1894 Opera House tonight and Saturday, the Historic Downtown Galveston Partnership's Downtown Lofts Tour on Saturday and Sunday, Artwalk on The Strand and Postoffice Streets on Saturday night and the Clean Galveston Walkabout on Saturday.

"Once again Galveston is opening the doors to some of the most beautiful private lofts in Texas for viewing by the public," said Ted Deyo of the HDGP.  "These lofts are located in historic downtown Galveston, where developers are busy restoring many of the early nineteenth century commercial buildings."

For information on B.B. King, visit www.thegrand.com, for the Lofts Tour visit http://www.galveston.com/loftstour/, and for Artwalk visit www.galveston.com/artwalk.  Clean Galveston has published no information on the Walkabout.

Guidry News Service will cover the events in Galveston this weekend, with photos and interviews, on The Online News Station at www.guidrynews.com.

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Texas Gas Service

Texas Gas Service reports that its natural gas system in Port Arthur, Groves, Port Neches and Nederland is safe and operational. Release

"Texas Gas Service employees from across Texas, with the help of Oklahoma Natural Gas employees, have completed a detailed survey to identify and repair damage to the gas system," said a news release.  "Most customers in Jefferson County will find the gas to their homes and businesses on and working."

The TGS notice advises Jefferson County customers that a small number of customers may return to their homes to find that the gas has been turned off at the meter. 

"Texas Gas Service asks customers to not turn the meter on themselves," the notice advises.  "Instead, customers should call the company at 800-700-2443 to schedule a time for company employees to turn the gas back on, free of charge."

If customers smell gas, they should leave the house or building immediately. Do not use a phone or cell phone inside the house to report the smell of gas.  Once safely outside and away from the gas, they should call the company at (800) 959-LEAK to report a natural gas leak.  Texas Gas Service customers on Pleasure Island will need to call Texas Gas Service at (800) 700-2443. 

Texas Gas Service has suspended the mailing of all gas bills until further notice.

"The company is aware that most customers are not receiving mail at their Jefferson County addresses," the release noted.  "Our hearts and thoughts are with the people of Jefferson County, and our 40 employees that call Jefferson County home."

Texas Gas Service provides natural gas service to approximately 565,000 customers in the state of Texas, including customers in Austin, El Paso, the Gulf Coast and the Rio Grande Valley.

For additional information visit www.txgas.com.

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Pasadena City Council

Pasadena City Council on Tuesday voted 5-2, with James Guthrie and Dana Philibert opposed, to approve an ordinance to provide a pay increase for non-classified civilian employees and a pay structure adjustment for classified police officers.  The ordinance had been amended on a motion by Jack Douglas to "increase pay raise to three percent for all employees with salaries of $89,000 or less."

The city council voted unanimously to approve the final reading of a $74,000 contract with The Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc. for victim services.

All other agenda items were approved with unanimous votes.

Guthrie spoke in support of a proposal on the November 8 ballot that would permit the sale of beer and wine for off-premises consumption and the sale of mixed beverages in restaurants on the now "dry" north side.  Guthrie said that it is "the only way to get nice restaurants on the north side."

However, other members of the city council, including Council Member Ralph Riggs were not so sure.  Riggs cautioned that alcohol in north Pasadena will increase the crime rate and police costs.

Philibert said she hopes everyone will "vote their conscience".

Mayor John Manlove reported that the city was "lucky" and that "downed trees and branches' were the only damages sustained by Pasadena from Hurricane Rita.  Manlove announced that the city is moving forward with spraying for mosquitoes and has made arrangement with Waste Management for additional trucks to pick up debris throughout the city.

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City of Houston

Today a Houston couple received a $10,000 check for a down payment on a new home as part of the city’s Homebuyer Assistance Program to help low- and moderate- income buyers get into safe and affordable housing.  This is the first check issued since the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development authorized the city to resume spending HOME funds in mid-September.  Houston now has access to $63 million from HUD to help provide affordable housing for its citizens.

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University of Texas Medical Branch

Larry Jendrusch, director of Senior Services at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, will discuss the new Medicare drug plan at meetings in Texas City and Santa Fe in October.

His presentation, “Need Help Understanding the New Medicare Prescription Drug Plan?”, is part of “The Circle of Life … Transitions” program sponsored by Senior Services.  Jendrusch will discuss the drug plan and Medicare supplemental insurance plans.

The discussions are free of charge and scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.   Boxed lunches will be provided to those who reserve a space.

The meetings will be held on Wednesday, October 12 at First Presbyterian Church, 1112 Seventh Street North in Texas City and on Wednesday, October 19 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 13217 FM 1764 in Santa Fe

To register call UTMB Senior Services at (409) 747-2141, or toll free at (888) 887-6800.

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Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was honored as the Fair, Festival or Special Event of the Year by the International Entertainment Buyers Association at its 35th annual awards banquet in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday, October 4.

The show was selected from a slate of four finalists. Other finalists included Austin City Limits,  Austin, Texas; Big Valley Jamboree, Alberta, Canada; and the Bonnaroo Festival, Manchester, Tennessee.

The honor is awarded to “the festival, fair or non-touring event that utilizes artists as a major element of the event that attracts a large and diverse audience while displaying and exhibiting professional organization, management and production.”

IEBA is a non-profit member-networking organization dedicated to providing professional development, information and educational opportunities to its members and member organizations.

IEBA’s membership includes talent buyers (venue managers, tour promoters, stadiums, fairs, festivals, special events, carnivals, race tracks, universities, live theatre, etc.) and talent sellers (artists, managers and agents).  The membership is also open to related entertainment professionals and service providers (production companies, media, advertising, promotion, music publishing, music business service providers, and equipment manufacturers and providers).

The 2006 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs February 28 to March 19.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. More information about the show can be found at www.rodeohouston.com and www.hlsr.com.

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Galveston's East End Historical District

Galveston's East End Historical District Association will celebrate its 30^th year anniversary "as a guiding force of preservation, as well as supporters of old-fashion neighborhood camaraderie" on Friday, October 14.

Festivities start at 5:30 p.m. with a proclamation at Alderdice Park at 15th Street at Ball.  At 6 p.m. the celebration continues with a block party dinner at Darragh Park.   

"Come join us for diner, champagne and cake," said James Grady. 

For information email jgrady@utmb.edu.

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Island etc.

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Galveston's Ball High School

Ball High School will celebrate Homecoming activities both inside and outside the school during the week of October 10. 

"Ball High School Student Council asks that residents and local businesses show their support of the school by decorating in Ball High’s school colors of purple and gold," said a news release. 

The school’s annual Homecoming Parade is Wednesday, October 12 at 6 p.m.  The parade will run approximately one hour and will feature the Ball High School Marching Band, Tornettes, ROTC, Tor Watch, football players, cheerleaders, and various other school groups. The parade begins at 43rd and Avenue P, east on Avenue P to 39th Street, south to Seawall Boulevard, east on Seawall Boulevard to 35th and Seawall, north on 35th Street to Avenue O and back to Ball High School.

Activities will culminate with the announcement of the Ball High School’s Homecoming King and Queen during the football game on Friday, October 14 against Brazoswood High School.  The game begins at 7:30 p.m. at Kermit Courville Stadium.

For more information, contact Ball High School at (409) 766-5700.

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Galveston College

Galveston College will host a Hispanic Heritage Celebration featuring folk guitarist, Jesus “Chuy” Negrete, titled “500 years of Mexican/Chicano History in Song” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 13, 2005 in the Atrium-Northen 119.

The free event is being sponsored by LULAC Council 151, Galveston College Hispanic Student Organization and the Student Activities Council. 

For more information contact Maria Eliaz at (409) 944-1336.

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Galveston Historical Foundation

Seamanship training onboard Texas' Tall Ship Elissa is continuing at Pier 21.  This year’s free program began with an orientation session on September 17 but the second session was cancelled because of Hurricane Rita.

The next session will be held Saturday, October 15.

Any interested person between the ages of 11 to 16 is invited to attend the second session of the Youth Seamanship Training Program and consider signing up for the full course.  Parents, guardians, aunts, uncles, etc. are welcome to accompany their children—to the session on October 15 or the entire training program.

Each every-other-Saturday session begins and 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Children should bring a sack lunch. Those children who go on to participate in the 14-session program have the rare opportunity to learning the arts of the sea by becoming an integral part of the Elissa crew.

Participants are required to attend only 10 of 14 every-other-week sessions.  Those children who complete the program will have the opportunity to serve as crew members when Elissa sails in the spring.

"Elissa’s Youth Seamanship Program focuses on life-skills training, building self-esteem, and instilling self-confidence through the accomplishment of clearly defined and attainable goals," said a news release.  "Likewise, the physical aspects of square-rig seamanship encourage teamwork, communication, and collaboration.  Above all else, the children learn how to accomplish a task with help from their teammates."

For more information or the complete schedule for the youth seamanship training program, contact John Schaumburg, ship manager or Kurt Voss, director, Texas Seaport Museum, at (409) 763-1877.

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North Galveston County Chamber of Commerce

The North Galveston County Chamber of Commerce will hold its Second Annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, October 29 at the Dickinson VFW Memorial Post 6378 at 5204 Highway 3 in Dickinson.  

"Activities will include a business expo showcasing local businesses, a kid zone featuring exotic animals, face painting, snow cones and more, a BBQ Cook-off, the Cruisin’ for Schoolin’ Biker Rally benefiting the chamber’s scholarship fund and of course, food and arts & crafts vendors," said a news release.  "Live entertainment will be provided by a local favorite, Mean Gene Kelton & the Die Hards with featured guest Monica Maria and the 1^st Annual 'Bayou Idol' talent contest."

The event is free to the general public    

Call (281) 337-3434, email dspain@ci.dickinson.tx.us, or visit www.northgalvestoncountychamber.com for additional information.

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Galveston Musical Club

The Galveston Musical Club will host guitarist/songwriter Jim Howard of Spicewood Texas Sunday, October 9, 2005 at Edgewater Concert Hall, 2228 Seawall Boulevard in Galveston.

The presentation entitled “The Beauty of Big Bend: Music & Images” will include original music and photography reflecting Howard's time spent in the Big Bend area.

The program will begin at 4:00 p.m., immediately following the 3:30 p.m. Club meeting. 

For more information visit www.gmc-music.org, email info@gmc-music.org, or call Anita Donatto at (409) 789-2584.  

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Scheduled Meetings
Meetings will be held in the regular meeting place of the city council or other governmental body, unless otherwise specified.

Today, October 7
8:00 BB King, The Grand 1894 Opera House
8:00 Once Upon A Mattress, Clear Creek Country Theatre, 18091 Upper Bay Road, Nassau Bay

Saturday, October 8 
8:00 Wings Over Houston Airshow, Ellington Field
6:00 - 9:00 Artwalk, Downtown Galveston
8:00 BB King, The Grand 1894 Opera House
8:00 Once Upon A Mattress, Clear Creek Country Theatre, 18091 Upper Bay Road, Nassau Bay
 
Sunday, October 9 
8:00 Wings Over Houston Airshow, Ellington Field
2:00 The Arts Alliance Center of Clear Lake Regular Meeting, 2000 NASA Parkway, Nassau Bay. Mark Greenwalt, one of the featured artists in the exhibition SUBTEXT will speak
2:30 Once Upon A Mattress, Clear Creek Country Theatre, 18091 Upper Bay Road, Nassau Bay
 
Monday, October 10 
9:00 Galveston County Commissioners Court, Holbrook Building
1:30 Jefferson County Commissioners Court
4:00 Galveston Landmark Commission
5:00 Friendswood City Council Special Council Retreat
6:00 La Marque City Council
7:00 Nassau Bay City Council
7:00 Shoreacres City Council
7:00 High Island Independent School District Board of Trustees

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Gulf Coast E-news, published by Guidry News Service, provides comprehensive coverage of posted public meetings in Galveston, Harris and Jefferson Counties as well as regional news impacting the Upper Texas Gulf Coast.

Jim and Lynda Guidry are publishers of Gulf Coast E-news and The Online News Station.

Carl Guidry covers events in Jefferson County.  Anita Donatto covers the education beat in Galveston. Patty Mayeux is editor of Gulf Coast E-news.

Robert John Mihovil is a special photographic correspondent for Guidry News Service  

We are seeking to hire reporters & marketing agents to expand our coverage in Jefferson & Harris Counties. 

Guidry News Service offices at 1818 Church Street, Suite 4, Galveston, TX. 77550 / P.O. Box 2130, Galveston, TX 77553
(409) 763-NEWS (6397), or email us at News@guidrynews.com

Subscriptions to Gulf Coast E-news are $300 per year, or $75 per quarter, plus sales and use tax. 

This electronic  newsletter replaced, and expanded on, the mission of the Galveston Fax, established by Jim and Lynda Guidry on Galveston Island in  July 1996; and Clear Lake Area E-news, begun on January 2, 2002.