Questions & Answers

Can I fish on San Luis Pass pier now?

Mikeyggww — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:40:45 GMT

Don't know if the pier is open and legal to fish now.

Thanks!

Carelton Courtyard Apartments

seashell — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:47:58 GMT

Just wondering if anyone knew anything about these apartments...If they are very damaged or even still standing. Haven't heard much about the East side of Galveston, so I was curious.

Artists in Sangerfaest Park

bayartist — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:56:35 GMT

I have seen artists working in Sangerfaest Park downtown and wondered if anyone knows what is required to paint and sell there.

Stewart Beach/Sandpiper motel area??

Paxton Fan — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:47:40 GMT

I realize it is difficult to get around on the island, but NONE of the news stations are giving any info or pictures of the Eastern end of Galveston Island at all?? I am curious how the stewart Beach end of the island (motels, condo's, houses, apts, etc.) are doing after the hurricane?? Still standing, destroyed? Anyone know???

The Fishing Pier

catzs64 — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:42:12 GMT

This has probably answered in a previous post, but I could not find it anywhere. How does the Fishing Pier off of 61st fair? Initially, during the eye, I saw videos that it was damaged pretty bad. That was before the back side of Ike hit. I heard on a news report after the storm that the only pier left standing is the flagship hotel.

Does anyone know for sure?

New Blog to help answer Disaster related questions

MarkJohnson09 — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:19:46 GMT

I have been working with my friend of over 15 years to start a blog with disaster related information to help assist people like me and others who have big questions in regards to Hurricane Ike and recovering. Please if you have questions ask him directly on his blog. He's a disaster Expert with 30 years of experience.

Mark J.

READ NOW:

http://www.stanmiller.wordpress.com

Living In Galveston

beaches — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:47:04 GMT

As a visitor to Galveston each year,it is very exciting to my family.I just want to ask the locals if living there is always exciting or do you loose that excitement the longer you live there.Just curious!!

Lakeside at Campeche Managment Co??

Lakeside Rsdnt — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:41:23 GMT

Does anyone have any idea what company manages Lakeside at Campeche? I went back to my apartment and saw the damage but don't have any numbers to call for the apartment complex.

La King's Confectionary & Fullen's Waterwall Restaurant

greeneyes — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:20:58 GMT

Three of my favorite places in Galveston were damaged or destroyed by Ike. I read in another thread that there are plans to open one of them, the 61st Street Pier. Can anyone tell me the status of the other two...La King's Confectionary and Fullen's Waterwall Restaurant, both on The Strand? Thanks!

Relocating

Krista — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:12:34 GMT

My husband and I are relocating to Galveston Island this summer. I am very excited about our move but need some help from REAL people that live on the island. We are looking for a place to rent. Preferably an apartment to start with, but here is my problem: I can look at pictures and descriptions on the internet until I'm blue in the face, and it still doesn't tell me, Is this REALLY a decent place to live? Is it a good neighborhood? I want someone who lives there to tell me, Don't live here, here or here, but this and this are good places. We currently live in Oklahoma City, and when we first moved here, we moved to the "south side" which inded up being a nightmare. We now live on the city's northwest side which is so much better. Can anyone help me? It is just my husband and myself, all kids are grown and on their own. However, we do have two adorable chihuahuas that will be moving with us.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Krista

Taking a cruise, ferry or go around?

subnet_rx — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:17:22 GMT

Hi, we're taking a cruise this weekend and I'm trying to figure out the best way to get to the port. I'm coming from the east on I-10 on Sunday morning. Should I take 124 to 87 and take the ferry, or go to Houston to go around the bay?

61st St. Pier

TX Traveler — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:38:26 GMT

I know that it takes me awhile to notice some things, but . . .

Did Ike wash away a fishing pier on 61st? Wasn't it like painted purple?

I know the pier further out on like 89th was washed away, but I just realized that there might have been one there also.

Who is playing where?

Susie2dive — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:15:36 GMT

I am bringing a couple of friends to the island this weekend. Where can I find out about the music scene on the island?

Simp's Kitchen

TX Traveler — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 03:37:04 GMT

I've been on the lookout for word of Simp's Kitchen. Did it make it through IKE? Do they plan to reopen? This restaurant was off like 26th and Ball. It had far and above the best "home cooking" on the island, maybe in all of Texas.

places to eat fresh seafood

cutelilvette — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:36:25 GMT

My husband and I will be coming to galveston May 7th. We love to eat at the local restaurants that cook fresh seafood. Any one have ideas? Also like to see local places not just comercial areas. We are planning on tent camping and want to make sure it is safe. Any info will help. We love galveston and would like to live there someday. Always looking to see new things every trip we make

Anyone know these artists?

bayartist — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 03:29:23 GMT

Has anyone seen or know the Oil Painter artist, John Merlin Tassin who used to paint on Strand Street, also the Caricature Artist ''Tim" ?

I used to paint watercolors years ago with them near the Old Strand Emporium and would like to know if they survived Ike ok. Also if there are any street artists now painting once more on the Strand. I would like to again if I can find a spot...It was a wonderful place to unwind on weekends.

Shrip boats

cutelilvette — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:45:40 GMT

We have been told that you can go to a local shrimp boat and buy fresh shrimp right off the boat? That sounds great. Is this seasonal? Would they be fishing May 7th?

Serial killer is on the loose, 2 dead and a third survived

bdhobbs1 — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 22:56:15 GMT

Teens find dead body in abandoned house

By Chris Paschenko
The Daily News

Published February 21, 2009

GALVESTON — Teenagers wandering around an abandoned house discovered Friday afternoon the partially clothed body of a woman inside, and police said her is death suspicious.

The gruesome discovery comes just 15 days after a woman was slain and found partially clothed outside a vacant house only six blocks away, and about a month after another woman was found partially clothed, possibly sexually assaulted and critically beaten in an alley about two miles away.

The 46-year-old Galveston woman, who was found beaten nearly to death and left for dead in the alley near 22nd Street and Avenue K on Jan. 17, survived and might have seen her attacker, police have said.

Police have not ruled out whether her attack is related to the Feb. 5 homicide of Evelyn Harvey, 51, of Galveston, whose body was found by an electricity meter reader in the backyard of 3915 Broadway.

As for Friday’s find, police didn’t speculate if it was related to the previous two cases and wouldn’t reveal whether they knew how the woman died.

Police had not identified her as of Friday night, and her body apparently showed no signs of decomposition.

The teenagers phoned 911 at 4:43 p.m. and led officers to the woman’s body in a home in the 1600 block of 39th Street, said Capt. Henry Porretto of Galveston police.

“The death is suspicious, and she was found lying on the floor,” Porretto said.

“She is white, with a light complexion. We need to stress vigilance and for people to be aware of their surroundings, to be safe and look out for each other.”

Police spoke to two teenage girls who were witnesses and escorted them from the scene.

Graffiti is visible through the home’s broken, second-story window.

Trash such as cups, wrappers and soda bottles litter the front yard where grass reaches 3 feet tall in spots.

Wooden lattice is missing in places, allowing access under the elevated house.

Neighbors, who asked to remain anonymous, said the home has been abandoned at least six years, and although they hadn’t seen anyone milling about inside lately, it is a well-known hangout for teens.

The neighbors have called school and city police as well as the city about the problem, they said.

Police would check inside the house on occasion for truancy, they said.

Police asked anyone with information to call detective Fred Paige at 409-765-3766.

Insurance problems

SeaWitchofCypress — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:30:29 GMT

Are any of ya'll still having problems with your insurance companies not shelling out?

The baitshop owners

Jody — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 18:28:15 GMT

I was watching a special on Galveston and hurricane Ike on the weather channel and saw that the owners of the bait shop that is over the water had stayed in their home above the shop.

I have to say that I was amazed at their survival. They got extremely lucky.

They didn't say why they didn't evacuate. They looked like relatively young and healthy individuals who could have left.

Does anyone know these people and know why they chose to stay in their establishment when it was obvious it was going to be in so much trouble.

Grilling in Galveston

Southern — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:37:28 GMT

Need some info if someone doesn't mind -- I'm taking the family down to Galveston (from The Woodlands) for Mardi Gras, and would like to know what the rules are in regards to bringing grilling equipment down somewhere close to The Strand.

We were there last weekend and saw lots of people doing BBQ'ing along the Seawall (along the parade route), but this weekend the activities (including the parades, I assume?) are going to actually be inside The Strand.

We would like to bring a portable (charcoal) grill down so that we can do hamburgers, hotdogs, etc. during the day, in between parades, etc., but I'm not aware as to what the rules are in Galveston regarding this type of activity. Is it only permissible along the Seawall or on the beach? Are any permits required? Or can we just BBQ in the back of our pickup parked in a parking lot somewhere (this is what I'm hoping for)..

Many thanks, and hope to see everyone this weekend! :)

Surfing * The Flag Ship"

Time Bandit — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:58:21 GMT

YouTube - Flagship Pier Galveston Tx Surf Clip

Returning to Galveston after 30 years

dknight — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:12:02 GMT

I graduated from Ball High in 1976. I have not been to the island since the summer of 77. My wife and I are coming down this Friday. We fly into Hobby and drive down. I have mixed emotions about seeing the island. I started 1st grade at Island Elementary and left to go to college in Missouri. I cannot wait to show my wife the place. I grew up in a trailer park just as you get on the island. I eventually moved next to the high school. I used Google Earth and saw that my house was now a parking lot. One of my friends from school works at the Holiday Inn on 50th. When I was there this area was Fort Crockett. There used to be the "snake pit" located in one of the bunkers there. I am sure the island has changed a great deal.

Beach Bonfire - URGENT (please read)

lorenzoF — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 23:23:08 GMT

Every year, it's tradition for me and a couple of friends to go to Quintana/Freeport to have a bonfire from ~4:00 to 11:00PM on a Saturday. Well this next Saturday is our weekend, but apparently Brazoria county has a burn ban. I called around, and found out that Galveston county does NOT,

BUT - i'm trying to find a beach that will allow us to have a bonfire! It's nothing fancy, just a 6 or 7ft tall bonfire, always well-controlled (we dig a hole for it to be in), and we never litter, are always very clean, etc.

Where can I go to have something like this? What beach? It's coming up next Saturday, so i'm running out of options! :(

If anyone has a beach house we'd be MORE than willing to rent it... like I said, we are very clean, courteous, and there won't be alcohol... we just want to have a good clean time with our families.

Please let me know as soon as possible :(

Does anyone know these folks?

TX Traveler — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 04:42:40 GMT

As I have stated on other threads, my family has had a long association with the Flagship Hotel. When Ike blew through, we hoped that it would not do alot of damage to the hotel and the pier. Of course, it did. Not only has it changed the plans of the people who had reservations to stay there, but Ike has undoubtedly changed the lives of many people connected with the operation. When the Flagship closed everyone lost their job.

We have managed to get in touch with Annabelle, the manager. She was so nice to our family through the years. She now has a job off the island. We wish her the best. Annabelle also had an assistant, Marisol. We have not been able to get any information about her yet.

We have heard that Ricardo, a security guard/morning breakfast "host" and his wife, who also worked at the Flagship in Housekeeping, had gone back to Mexico. Ricardo seemed to love his job, and he would say that he was glad to have that job.

We are also wondering about Jeff Taylor, the assistant manager. He was so kind to our family, especially my special needs nephew who just loved the Flagship, the beach, the pool and taking, for him, the long walk to Murdochs to shop and look across the water back to the Flagship. We were glad to see Jeff in a crowd shot on the news a few days after Ike. Hope everything is going well for him.

Of course, during our many years of staying at the Flagship, we had gotten acquainted with Victor, the "bell captain." He would often be the first face we would see when we drove up and the last face we would see as we drove away. More than one time, he would give us a call in our room that our unpredictable van door was sitting wide open. We would close it remotely and walk off and then it would popped right open again. He was the one who told us about first the restaurant, Can't Touch This, just up the seawall, now long since gone and then Simp's Kitchen, "the best Soul Food in the World." He always had suggestions about what to do and where to go and maybe a coupon or two to help you along the way. We heard that maybe he might be working at another hotel along the seawall.

Also, Tuesday nights in the summer would find us on the benches across from the library to hear the Galveston Island Band with director, Frank Incapera. Hope he is doing well, and that plans are in the works to continue that great summer tradition with the area band directors' band. If you have never been, I highly recommend going at least once. This is the place where I first heard the term BOI and sort of felt jealous that I didn't qualify.

I was also wondering about the Admiralty store in the Strand. (I don't think that's how it's spelled.) It is like near the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and it's a bit above street-level. The nicest people ran it. We would buy floor puzzles, books about Galveston and Texas, lighthouses, and stuff there. I hope they were able to re-open.

If anyone knows of any of these people, I would love to hear how it goes for them. Thanks in advance for any info you may have.

upcoming visit

tristan — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 23:50:28 GMT

I am planning on visiting Galvestno in June and was wanting to buy giftcards in advance, so the money doesn't get spent on something else before I leave. Does anyone know what buisinesses are taking credit cards and/or giftcards? Thanks!

Re: Islander East Condos

IWannaBeachHouse — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 15:08:00 GMT

Does anyone know the status of the Islander East Condominiums? My family stayed there last year and loved being right on the beach even though the place isn't as "updated" as the condos on the seawall. Also, what about the Casa Del Mar and The Victorian on 61st...are they open? Thx!

Mermaid and Dolphin

Beachgirl71 — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:24:37 GMT

Does anyone know the status of the Mermaid and Dolphin bed and breakfast? I have been checking their website with no updates listed and today the website is completely down. I hope they are able to make a full recovery. Any news is appreciated!

A Couple Questions

mike85 — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:11:58 GMT

Hello to everyone...I hope that all of you down in Galveston (and the surrounding areas) are doing well.

I visited Galveston for the first time about a month before Ike hit, and my wife and I both enjoyed it a lot. We actually toyed with the idea of possibly moving down in that direction, Galveston or Crystal Beach, if job prospects didn't open up here in the Jasper/Newton area (we moved from Wyoming about a year ago, and had no idea that the job market was so dire in this area of Texas).

Anyway, out of curiousity, I searched for jobs in Galveston on workintexas.com; Surprisingly, there seemed to be an abundance of them. I was wondering if that's truly the case- I would have thought that business would be slow except for cleanup crews/contractors?

If there really are jobs to be had, I was curious what the rental situation is. Is it relatively easy to find a place to stay if you're working in the area?

captains table on west end.

sharon from okla. — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 05:33:58 GMT

does anyone know or have any info on the owners Ann and Ronny. have been coming to galveston for about 30 years. always stay at the Seascape Condos on west end. love going to Captains table for food, some music, and drinks. Would love to know how they are. And also the bartender that worked there for years named Mark. as soon as Seascape opens back up this spring, I'll be there. Love galveston and am heartbroken over ike.