The BionicSwift, created by Festo as part of its Bionic Learning Network, is a revolutionary development in robotics, combining engineering ingenuity with inspiration from nature. This lightweight, agile robotic bird mimics the elegant flight of a swift, providing an extraordinary glimpse into how technology can emulate the complex mechanics of animal locomotion. At the heart…

Wiki Loves Earth is an annual international photographic competition, organized by local Wikimedia chapters, groups, and volunteers across the globe. Participants take pictures of their country’s natural heritage, focusing on sites of national importance or those that are in need of protection. Anyone can join in! For more than a decade, the volunteer-organized Wiki Loves…

By Ed Snyder Just a nibble at first alerted the lady angler to grab her rod to catch what she thought would be but a small fish. Seconds later she was straining and hanging on for dear life screaming for her husband. Quickly racing over to help he grabbed her around the waist, yelling, “HANG…

Many accidents occur every year involving the trailering of boats. There are many things that can go wrong when you are trailering your boat to the ramp and back home again. Accidents occur that lead to injury and even death in some cases. This column will discuss safe trailering. Hopefully you will learn something new…

After the Arctic Blast this past week, we had quite a drop in Surface Water temperatures, however by Saturday Temperatures were back up to 48 degrees. The water clarity is still good for East Galveston Bay considering all the North Winds we have encountered. The low tides have forced us to adjust our target areas,…

The concept of ancient astronauts, or extraterrestrials influencing early human civilizations, is one of the most enduring and controversial ideas in pseudoscience. Popularized by authors like Erich von Däniken in his 1968 bestseller Chariots of the Gods?, the theory proposes that many ancient structures, myths, and technological advancements were the result of extraterrestrial guidance. While…

And it did! Wasn’t it beautiful? Can we depend on Snow every 4 years? I hope so! My boss texted me, “Stay home!” So, I did. What fun to stay in jammies until 10 in the morning. Didn’t lose internet, so it was easy to work from home. For two days! He, the boss, was…

By Elinor Tinsley On January 15, 2025, the Bolivar Peninsula Cultural Foundation, along with the Eagles 3719 and the generous use of their event room, were pleased to present a book signing of our own local author, Brenda Lewis. Brenda’s book was available at Amazon in mid-November and she quickly sold out of her first…

The Texas Crab Festival Committee selected the winners in the annual Texas Crab Festival T-Shirt Art Contest for 2025. They want to extend a warm and friendly thank you to all the talented artists who participated. The creativity and imagination displayed in each submission showcased diverse talents and reflected the spirit of our beloved Festival…

And Baffle the World Against All Odds and Common Sense By J. Lee Austin, MD Those of you playing along at home may have detected a recurrent theme running through my gripping tales of death defiant capers. In the psychiatric journals I think they call it Chronic Intractable Imbecility. Today’s yarn abides the pattern, so…

Participate in a 50/50 drawing to help raise funds for the non-profit Crystal Beach Cemetery. All funds will go the maintenance of the cemetery grounds. Buy your ticket now at the Eagles. The winning ticket will be drawn on March 1, 2025 at the Eagles after the Mardi Gras Parade. The winner does not need…

The Bermuda Triangle has fascinated people for decades. This stretch of ocean, shaped like a triangle between Miami, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico, is famous for stories of disappearing ships and planes. But what’s the truth behind the mystery? Let’s take a closer look at the facts and myths.  The Claim: Strange Things Happen Here People…

Wind and Weather Weather in general is one of the most important factors in our lives. We need to know what the weather forecast is so we can dress accordingly as well as act accordingly. The cause of most weather phenomena is uneven heating of the earth’s surface. Wind and weather are almost the same…

Looking to buy, sell, or trade something in the Crystal Beach area? CrystalBeach.com makes it easy with our *Classifieds* section! Whether you’re searching for a new vehicle, hiring for your business, offering free items, promoting services, or advertising something unique, our platform has you covered. Posting your ad is completely free, making it a hassle-free…

What else do you on a frigid day like this? Well, other than making chili, I decided to start a puzzle. Come to think of it, I guess it’s been two years since we dragged out the puzzle table. Probably because I haven’t bought a new puzzle in a long time. This year, a friend…

Ah, New Year’s resolutions—the promises we make to ourselves after the post-holiday haze of eggnog, sugar cookies, and Netflix binges. January 1st dawns like a crisp blank page, and we eagerly write down our intentions for a better, brighter version of ourselves. Fast forward a few weeks, and that once hopeful list has somehow migrated…

By J. Lee Austin, MD For those dear readers here in Galveston County/Bolivar, wondering who in the world I am and what the heck I am doing here, this note’s for you. For my Substack readers around the world, no worries, I love you too 😉 I’m not from The Peninsula, but I got here…

Are you a local homeowner interested in listing your property for sale or rent? CrystalBeach.com is your perfect platform! With our updated and modernized website, we make it easier than ever to showcase your vacation rental or home for sale to thousands of potential buyers and renters. For over two decades, CrystalBeach.com has been the…

How America’s National Bird Was Chosen The bald eagle, a symbol synonymous with American strength and resilience, wasn’t always the official national symbol of the United States—at least not in a formal legal sense. That changed when President Biden signed a law solidifying the bald eagle as America’s official national bird, finally putting to rest…

By Linda Elissalde Is there anything she cannot do? Dr. Melanie Wallace has more talents than one can ever articulate. She is sister, wife, mother, grandmother, cellist, teacher, principal, chef, artist, party giver, actress, church class teacher, and provider of a life changing experience at the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse near her home. I…