The steam has cleared and the music has faded, but the spirit of the 41st Annual Texas Crab Festival is still buzzing across the Bolivar Peninsula. This past weekend, May 7–9, Swedes Park in Crystal Beach was the epicenter of Gulf Coast culture, bringing together thousands of locals and visitors for a three-day celebration that…

Long time readers are familiar with my many Close Calls, some of which involved my Dear Mother, the guardian angel who snatched me away from an early demise on a number of occasions. In her memory, and for new subscribers who may have missed the first iteration, here is the new and improved telling of…

Hard to believe, but The Big Store is officially hitting the big 4-0! To celebrate four decades of serving our peninsula neighbors, we’re throwing a massive three-day anniversary bash from May 12–14. Whether you need to stock up on supplies or you’re just looking for some Tuesday-through-Thursday fun, make sure to mark your calendars. We’ve…

Practical Disaster Prepping-Part 3 The simplest and least expensive option is to stay with family or friends who live far enough away that a local disaster won’t affect them. Make it mutually beneficial. They agree to host you in an emergency, and you agree to host them. This could be immediate family or an aunt,…

After years of low Sunday attendance, the shift to a Thursday through Saturday schedule was all about creating the best possible experience for our guests and supporting the vendors who make the festival so special. By moving our third day to Thursday, we hoped to create a dedicated “Locals’ Day” – the perfect opportunity for…

BOLIVAR PENINSULA CULTURAL FOUNDATION – May Presentation Do Mermaids really exist? Do Mermaids’ Tails carry Tales? Will Juliette Jellyfish ever find true love? What will the girls on the beach discover? These and other inter-species questions will be answered by Bolivar Peninsula’s famous (infamous?) Way Off Broadway Ensemble Players. Bolivar Peninsula Cultural Foundation is hosting…

Living on the coast and lucky enough to have that salt air on our faces and salt water flowing through our veins sometimes makes us think there’s nothing better than salt water, but the blood that flows through our veins is one of the greatest treasures life has to offer and is definitely “thicker” than…

Each May during Teacher Appreciation Week, a group of volunteers headed up by the Bay Vue Methodist Women have been providing the staff at Crenshaw School a Teacher’s Appreciation Luncheon.  Along with the BVMW, other church members and members of the Lazy Ladies Aerobics class, these fine folks sign up to bring a tableful of…

There is a specific, cruel type of retail karma reserved for the person who runs into the store for “just one thing.” You know the feeling. You’re in the middle of cooking dinner and realize you’re out of eggs. You don’t even grab a cart; you just walk in, snatch the carton, and head for…

Survival is the “preservation of one’s own life under conditions of immediate peril.” To preserve one’s own life at sea requires the ability to live through extreme conditions of emotional and physical shock, and hardship for an indefinite period of time. When faced with an open water survival situation, it is important to remember that…

That’s what I’m here for, that’s what it’s all about! Where do I begin? Well, I’ll start off with good ol’ Mother Nature. She turned another request/prayer into reality. No rain! Even some (a lot) of sunshine on Saturday. I actually had to un-layer a bit. Thank you Mother Nature! Of course I’ll be talking…

Check out the upcoming events on Bolivar Peninsula—there’s always something going on! From community gatherings and outdoor adventures, the calendar is packed with fun for everyone. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, don’t miss out. Upcoming Events See Full Bio

The middle of May has historically been a season of monumental shifts in the American landscape. From the earliest days of colonial settlement at Jamestown to the expansionist fervor of the Mexican-American War and the transformative judicial rulings of the late 19th century, this week marks several “firsts” that defined the nation. May 12 May…

New Thursday – Saturday Dates: May 7 – 9, 2026Food to Tempt Your Taste Buds, Competitions & More…Don’t Miss It! Bolivar Peninsula Charities, is thrilled to present the 41st annual Texas Crab Festival at Swedes Park on the Bolivar Peninsula. Entertainment lineup includes: Shinyribs, “a melting pot of Texas blues, New Orleans R&B-funk and horn-driven…

While the live music is loud and the crowds are cheering at the crab races, there is a quieter—but equally thrilling—excitement building next to the T-Shirt booth. The Texas Crab Festival Silent Auction will be open, and this year, the selection is as vast as the Bolivar horizon. Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a coastal…

When we think about disaster preparation, the first step is to decide whether to stay or evacuate. This may sound odd, but we need to make that decision now, before the disaster strikes. Most people wait too long to decide and risk getting caught in massive traffic jams or trapped by rising water, fire or…

There is a theory floating around the internet that the shopping cart return is the ultimate litmus test for moral character. It is an act that is objectively “right,” yet there are no legal consequences for failing to do it. There is no “Cart Police.” No one is going to give you a ticket for…

Safe Boating Week is from May 16-22, 2026. The purpose of the Safe Boating Campaign is to promote boater education and safe operation so that all boaters get home safely. Getting home safely from a recreational boating outing is simply a matter of following some important good practices. Some of the good practices are required…

By Linda ElissaldeAmaryllis is the only genus in the sub tribe Amaryllidinae. It has two species: Amaryllis Belladonna and Amaryllis Hippeastrum. The colors vary. Amaryllis Hippeastrum can be grown inside during winter months. Amaryllises are bulbous plants. With care, bulbs can produce flowers for many years. (Thank you, GOOGLE.) I once had a piano piece…

I think that may be a statement of fact! Along about this time of year, after going round and round with vendors (I do love them so), I do get a little “crabby.”  I am, after all, the queen of emails, the fact that people don’t actually read all my emails, what’s up with that??…