Day: November 9, 2026

Nov 09
Honoring Service: The History and Significance of Veterans Day

Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, commemorates the end of World War I and honors the bravery and sacrifice of military veterans. The United States formally began observing Veterans Day in 1919, following the resolution of the Great War. In 1954, the holiday was officially renamed Veterans Day to honor American Veterans of all […]

Nov 09
Your Feedback Matters: Take the Alligator Gar Survey

TPWD Inland Fisheries Division is currently seeking public input on alligator gar fishing regulations as well as angler practices and preferences. Your anonymous responses to this three-minute survey will help shape the future of alligator gar fisheries management in Texas. Thank you in advance for your time and input. Click the link below to take […]

Nov 09
When the Beach Was the Highway: Life on Bolivar Before Hwy 87

Today, cruising down Texas State Highway 87 is simple. You roll past colorful stilt homes, turn into The Big Store for ice and bait, and glance out at the Gulf horizon without thinking twice about the pavement beneath your tires. Driving directly onto the hard-packed sand at South Monkhouse or barrel access points is purely a leisure activity—a place to […]

Nov 09
Midterm Participation in Texas: A Pure Look at the Data

Texas midterm elections have experienced a structural transformation over the past twelve years, marked by expanding voter registration, higher turnout baselines, and an overwhelming shift toward early balloting. Between 2014 and 2026, the state’s raw participation more than doubled. In the 2014 midterms, voter participation was relatively low, with only 4.7 million ballots cast from […]

Nov 09
Fishing and Freezing Your Catch: A Fisherman’s Guide

Fishing has long been a beloved pastime and profession along the Texas Gulf Coast, with anglers savoring the thrill of reeling in fresh seafood. But what happens after the catch? One of the best ways to preserve your hard-earned haul is by freezing it—but is frozen fish ever as good as fresh? Understanding the benefits, […]

Nov 09
Trapping Spirits: The Story Behind the Southern Bottle Tree

The bottle tree, a vibrant fixture of folk art throughout the American South, carries centuries of spiritual history rooted in ancient African customs. The concept of capturing spirits inside glass vessels traces as far back as 1600 B.C. in Egypt and Mesopotamia, where the sound of wind whistling across bottle openings was interpreted as trapped […]

Nov 09
Recreational Boating Safety – Boating After Surgery

Last week a friend, neighbor, and fellow fisherman suffered a major heart attack. He underwent two major procedures within five days: heart catheterization and the placement of stents in some of his arteries. He is home now, but he has a long way to go before he hits the water again. This article will discuss […]

Nov 09
Captain Jeff Brandon Fishing Report

Surface water temperature is 74 degrees. This week when the wind cooperated, we went straight to the reefs and caught Specs, Sand Trout and Redfish. We have been using light colored paddle tails with 1/4 oz heads, fished in the upper water column, as well as under a Harvey Tackle popping cork with a 12-18” […]

Nov 09
The Garage Door Jam at 7:55 AM

You hit the automatic garage door opener while holding three travel mugs, a laptop bag, and a lunchbox, only to watch the heavy metal door shudder, reverse three feet, and lock down in open defiance. The kids are strapped in to the back seat, the first school bell rings in twenty minutes, and you are standing in the driveway manually wrestling a motorized […]

Nov 09
And the Beat Goes On

Here’s the plan Stan … As it turns out, a good buddy will be leaving our neighborhood too soon. As we mourn her leaving, on the other hand, we are happy for her and know this is the best thing that could happen to her. Thanks to two fantastic daughters who love Vicky with all […]