RECENT HEADLINES

Hang Ten! Fun in the Sun

Last week, Latitude 29.2 Surf Shop in Crystal Beach had an amazing ribbon-cutting ceremony! With their dedicated team, owners Mike and Bella Gilbert have spent the last several months remodeling and restocking to bring you all the latest styles and the best quality beach gear around. Catch the wave of excitement at 1406 TX 87, Crystal Beach, open every day from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Don’t miss out, come on down and ride the tide with Latitude 29.2 Surf Shop!

Battleship Texas Refloated in Galveston

The Battleship Texas was successfully refloated in Galveston after being docked for the past 18 months for repairs. The historic ship received a fresh paint job and 700 tons of new steel. Although this phase is complete, there is still work to be done, with another 2 years needed to rework the deck and interior. Commissioned in 1914, the Battleship Texas is the only remaining battleship that served in

New vessel added to Galveston ferry fleet

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) proudly unveils its latest maritime marvel, the Galveston to Port Bolivar ferry, in a momentous dedication ceremony honoring the esteemed pioneer of Texas transportation infrastructure, Esperanza “Hope” Andrade. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first ferry to be named after a woman and the first to be named after

Spring Fest Jeep Show Takes Over Festival Park

A Day of Fun and Fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Hospital
Festival Park was packed with Jeep enthusiasts and families last weekend for the Spring Fest Jeep Show. Dozens of tricked-out Jeeps competed for trophies in various categories, while live music and a Cajun food truck kept the crowd entertained. The event was organized by local Jeep enthusiast Matt Willoughby, who also

THANK YOU, Very, Very, Very Much!

(Lyrics from the musical SCROOGE)
By Linda Elissalde
My birthday is February 14. There are some people who claim that I tell this to everyone I meet. (Surely they jest.) In many ways my birthday celebration(s) seem like a musical show. First is the anticipation, then the overture, several acts and a finale. This year my 83rd

Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine.

nora0That must have been what Nora heard as she fed the “hungry” seagulls on the ferry boat last week. The boat was only half full, or half empty, whichever you prefer…so the back of the boat had no cars. The perfect space for flying friends to take a little rest as they crossed the gulf. And right in the midst of them all was Nora Cortino, a true animal lover to the core. She has ridden the ferry boat

COC Welcomes New Staff Members

Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce new additions to their team. Sue Simmons, the Membership & Events Coordinator, will be a friendly face of the Chamber in the community and will be responsible for managing membership and provide help in organizing Chamber events. Leslie Hodges, the new Office Administrator, will handle the day-to-day

Indulging in Tradition

The Sweet Story of Girl Scout Cookies
Since its inception in 1912, the Girl Scouts have been more than just an organization – they’re a cherished tradition, empowering girls and fostering leadership skills. One delightful emblem of their legacy? Girl Scout cookies, those scrumptious treats that evoke nostalgia and delight with each bite. These iconic cookies trace their roots

Texas Twist

Bee Cave Bob Predicts Early Spring
Earlier this month, Bee Cave Bob emerged from his burrow and didn’t catch sight of his shadow, signaling an early spring for Texans. This deviation from the norm adds a twist to the annual weather prediction ritual, embodying the unpredictability synonymous with Texas. While Bee Cave Bob offers his forecast in Texas, Punxsutawney

A Most Gala Evening

By Linda Elissalde
Wine! Glitter! Beauty! Happiness! That is what happens when Sicily Meets Texas at BOLIVAR PENINSULA CULTURAL FOUNDATION’S (BPCF) ANNUAL WINE TASTING PARTY. The Moutons’ Villa Oasis served as backdrop for this glittering event. Elinor Tinsley, Vicky Norris, Sandi Covington, Linda Chesser, Marsha Fredenburg,

Contrasting Forecasts and Reality Check

Texas Winter Weather Predictions Update
The Farmers’ Almanac’s winter weather predictions for the 2023-2024 season sparked anticipation and curiosity among weather enthusiasts across the United States. As the Almanac projected, many regions, including Texas, braced for potentially colder temperatures and increased precipitation. After recently passing the meteorological

Peace, Love, Beads

The 2024 Lighthouse Krewe Mardi Gras Parade was an absolute blast! On Saturday, the parade kicked off at 11:30am at Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and cruised down Hwy 87, spreading joy and excitement to the many parade goers. The floats, vehicles, and golf carts were all decked out in vibrant colors and decorations that perfectly captured this year’s theme of “Peace, Love, Beads.” From the

Eagles Crazy Hat Party

Bolivar Peninsula’s Pre-Mardi Gras Extravaganza
The Eagles Crazy Hat Party, held annually on the Friday night preceding the Mardi Gras parade, transformed Bolivar into a colorful spectacle of creativity and fun. This cherished event, hosted at the Eagles, added another layer of excitement to the pre-parade festivities. Partiers embraced the Parade theme of “Peace, Love, and Beads,”

Mardi Gras: A Colorful Tapestry of Tradition and Celebration

Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday” in French, stands as an iconic celebration that traces its roots to ancient pagan rituals and Christian traditions. The name originates from the tradition of indulging in rich, fatty foods and revelry on the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent in the Christian calendar. Lent is a period of fasting and reflection leading up to Easter, so Mardi Gras

Who I want to be When I Grow Up

By Elinor Tinsley
I want to be Linda Elissalde when I grow up. As you probably know, because Linda tells you all year when her birthday is, but in case you don’t know, our dear friend, Linda is going to be 83 years old on Valentine’s Day. Linda considers the entire month of February her birthday, but she shared last week with me because I had my

Speckled Trout Regulation Changes

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWC) approved changes to Spotted Seatrout regulations, modifying the daily bag limit from 5 fish to 3 fish and tightening the slot limit from 15-25 inches to 15-20 inches. The daily allowance threshold for one oversized fish as part of the three-fish-bag was also changed from 25 inches to 30 inches. TPWD estimates these changes can result in a 27% increase

ENTERGY Bolivar Reliability Project

Jim Malain, Customer Service Manager for Entergy Texas, hosted a Community Advisory Panel on Wednesday January 24 to provide an update on the Bolivar Peninsula Reliability Project. This project is part of Entergy-Texas’ ongoing efforts to improve service on Bolivar Peninsula. A combination of new construction and equipment upgrades will address the load growth increase and improve

COC Elects Officers

The Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has announced its new officers for 2024, including President Beth Boles-Terminella, Vice President Brad Vratis, Secretary Shauna Schroeder, and Treasurer Amee Martinez. The Chamber welcomes these new officers and is excited to work with them to continue promoting economic growth in the community. In addition,

What a GIVING community we live in!

This year our Bolivar Peninsula Angel Tree outreach blessed 112 of our Peninsula youth in need.
By Gerry Lang,
Many thanks to Crenshaw and High island Schools for sending out our Angel Tree requests in October to parents needing help with Christmas. In November, Santa’s helpers got busy! Six churches and Two Subdivisions

Elections for Appraisal Districts in Counties with a Population of 75,000 or More

3 CAD Elected Directors – first time in Texas History!
When voters approved Proposition 4 in November, not only did they secure school property tax reductions – they also approved electing three county appraisal district directors in counties of 75,000 or more. Galveston County is one of those counties! In fact, the enabling legislation established nine member boards in those counties

Crystal Beach, Texas (?)

We are all familiar with our little slice of paradise on the Gulf Coast. Crystal Beach is an unincorporated community on Bolivar Peninsula in Galveston County, Texas. Originally known as Patton, Crystal Beach lies along Texas State Highway 87 in the middle of Bolivar Peninsula. Patton served as a railroad station, and when the railroad ended in the early 1940s, the name of the community

Quitter’s Day

The Day Resolutions Take a Hike,
and Pizza Takes the Spotlight

Ah, January 12th, the infamous “Quitter’s Day” – the day when New Year’s resolutions throw in the towel faster than a cat evading a bath. As the gym attendance dwindles and salad bowls transform into ice cream tubs, it’s clear that the January 1st enthusiasm has

The Holiday Spirit is alive and well at the Eagles!

The FOE Eagles truly embodied the holiday spirit on the Saturday before Christmas as they welcomed the community to their Holiday Meal. From succulent ham to juicy turkey and all the fixings in between, the dining room was packed with satisfied stomachs and smiling faces. The Eagles went above and beyond to spread some holiday cheer to all who attended. What a wonderful way

YES! Bolivar Definitely Has Talent

By Linda Elissalde
President of Bolivar Peninsula Cultural Foundation (BPFC) Vicky Norris believed that residents of Bolivar Peninsula deserved a format for displaying their talents. Her enthusiasm resulted in BOLIVAR’S GOT TALENT. The association held open auditions, and seven acts were accepted for competition. First prize

Bay Vue Methodist Church Person of the Year 2023

Worthy: admirable, commendable, decent, deserving, estimable, excellent, good, honest, honorable, praiseworthy, reliable, respectable, righteous, valuable, virtuous, worthwhile

By Linda Elissalde
Bay Vue Methodist honors an outstanding church member each year by designating them

Jingle All The Way

Santa and Mrs. Claus cruised Crystal Beach on Saturday in the annual Chamber of Commerce Crystaland Parade. Beginning at the fire station, Santa and Mrs. Claus boarded their sleigh for an adventurous ride down Crystal Beach Road to the beach and beyond. Following Santa were decorated floats, vehicles, and golf carts decorated in holiday decor to participate in the fun, and perhaps

Making Christmas Brighter

Texas Crab Festival Charities and Entergy Texas Help Christmas Come Early For Families In Need
Texas Crab Festival Charities along with a generous support grant of $15,000 from Entergy Texas, helped Christmas come early for 47 families on the Bolivar Peninsula. Each family was presented with a $200 Big Store food gift card at the Texas Crab Festival Grounds on

Sleigh Bells Ring

Are you listening? There may not be snow glistening, but the festivities are in full swing as Santa and Mrs. Claus made a stop in Crystal Beach on Saturday. They are making their rounds, visiting all the children in the area before their official ride through on Christmas Eve. Their first stop on Saturday morning was at the Eagles. Each child was given a wrapped present and a goodie bag. Visiting with

Site by CrystalBeachLocalNews.com