• Captain Jeff Brandon Fishing Report

    Surface water temperature 71 degrees. The water clarity is good for East Galveston Bay. The Trout this week have transitioned to our Springtime spots out on the flats over shell beds. Active bait fish / signs of life are still very critical, so pay attention to your surroundings, including Pelicans, and Wading Birds. The redfish…

  • State Representative will no longer pursue Texas House Bill 4938

    State Representative Pat Curry’s Statement on HB 4938 The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Reform Bill “House Bill 4938 was filed as a mechanism to shine a light on the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) and to bring the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioners to the table to discuss proposed regulations on the deer…

  • TxDOT Designates SH 87 on Bolivar as Hurricane Evacuation Route

    The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has officially designated State Highway 87 on Bolivar Peninsula as a hurricane evacuation route, providing residents a critical option for safe departure during major storm events. The new designation ensures enhanced preparedness and prioritizes safety for residents and visitors in vulnerable low-lying areas. “As hurricane season approaches, it is…

  • Swedes Real Estate: A Legacy Rooted in Community, Family, and the Beach

    Swedes Real Estate, a cornerstone of Crystal Beach since 1955, has grown from humble beginnings into one of the most recognized names in vacation rentals and property management along the Bolivar Peninsula. At its heart is a deep history of family ties, community engagement, and an unwavering love for the beach. Jim Walters, who partnered…

  • Texas Crab Festival Gear

    Get ready to shell-ebrate the Texas Crab Festival in style! Our vibrant selection of festival apparel is finally here, featuring an array of shirts, tank tops, hats, and visors in a rainbow of colors that will make you feel as bright and lively as Crystal Beach itself! We’ve got the perfect gear for you to…

  • Recreational Boating Safety By Bob Currie

    Recreational Boating Safety – Bucket List

    Actors Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson had a very successful movie about creating a list of things they wanted to see and do before they died. The list of things to do was called a bucket list, as in the term “kicking the bucket.” This column is about an actual bucket that you fill with…

  • Captain Jeff Brandon Fishing Report

    Surface water temperature 69 degrees. The water clarity is about average for East Galveston Bay. The Trout are becoming more active and we are still catching them in deeper holes, as well as out on the flats over shell. Active baitfish / signs of life are still critical, so pay attention to your surroundings. The…

  • Calling all Wiener Dogs

    It’s that time of year again and it will be here before you know it. The annual Texas Crab Festival Wiener Dog Races will be held at the Texas Crab Festival on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 10:30 AM We’re looking for dachshund contestants for the race and need you to register your dachshund fur…

  • This Week In History

    This Week In History

    From groundbreaking discoveries to unforgettable moments, this week in history has witnessed events that shaped our world. Whether it’s pivotal battles, scientific breakthroughs, or cultural milestones, the past comes alive as we look back at the remarkable—and sometimes surprising—events that occurred in these seven days. March 25, 1965 – Selma to Montgomery March ConcludesOn this…

  • Georgias Sand Bucket

    Slippin’ and a’Slidin’

    Well, we did it! Five years later, we’ve decided to go ahead and get a new pool. A couple of the legs rusted out (we’ll have to figure out how to remedy that) and the liner faded from a bright vibrant blue to almost white, so, time to go! The new pool should be delivered…

  • Fun at a distillery with a non-drinker!

    A few weeks ago, my sweet niece called and asked me to meet her and her brother and their spouses for a weekend in Louisville Kentucky. Their mother was turning 70 years old and there was going to be a surprise party for her. My brother and her divorced many years ago, but their mom…

  • Pseudoscience Spotlight: The Hollow Earth Theory

    Throughout history, the idea that our planet might be hollow—and perhaps even inhabited inside—has captured the imagination of adventurers, mystics, and conspiracy theorists alike. Known as the Hollow Earth Theory, this concept stands as one of the more outlandish and enduring claims in the realm of pseudoscience. The Origins of the Hollow Earth Concept The…

  • Saving a Steel Giant: The Massive Restoration of the Battleship Texas

    In 1914, the United States Navy commissioned a battleship that would go on to make history: the Battleship Texas. This formidable vessel saw service in both World War I and World War II, earning its place as a revered national treasure. But by the late 2010s, time, saltwater, and decades of insufficient maintenance had brought…

  • Let Them Eat Cake!

    By Elinor TinsleyBay Vue Methodist Women (BVMW) held their annual bake sale in Bay Vue parking lot by Hwy 87 on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Cakes, pies, cookies and myriad treats were available from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM or until all were sold. This major fundraiser for the year supports many of our outreach…

  • List your Vacation Rental on CrystalBeach.com

    For over two decades, CrystalBeach.com has been the trusted online gateway to everything the Bolivar Peninsula has to offer. Today, CrystalBeach.com welcomes thousands of visitors to our website monthly, alongside a strong social media presence, including over 23,500 followers on Facebook and growing engagement across Instagram, X, and other platforms. This reach positions CrystalBeach.com as…

  • Sears Mail-Order Homes: Building the American Dream

    Sears, Roebuck and Co.—a name once synonymous with mail-order catalogs—became a household name not only through its vast selection of consumer goods but also by revolutionizing the way Americans built their homes. The concept of Sears mail-order homes, introduced in the early 20th century, exemplifies innovation in both construction and distribution, leaving an indelible mark…

  • Recreational Boating Safety By Bob Currie

    Recreational Boating Safety – What’s My Line?

    We don’t carry ropes on our boats. We carry lines. Lines are used for securing our boats to the dock, to another boat, or to a stationary object, but never to an Aid to Navigation (buoy or piling), and for towing in an emergency. Different line materials are for different tasks. Choosing the wrong line…

  • Captain Jeff Brandon Fishing Report

    Surface water temperature 70 degrees. The water clarity is about average for East Galveston Bay. The Trout are becoming more active and we are still catching them in deeper holes, as well as out on the flats over shell. Active baitfish / signs of life are still critical, so pay attention to your surroundings. The…

  • Georgias Sand Bucket

    Double Down

    Of course, I’m jumping ahead, but I’m so excited to tell y’all this part, it’ll wait. We, my daughter, Leigh, and Mel, daughter’s best friend, took off Really early Friday morning for Tulsa for the wedding shower of my soon-to-be Granddaughter-in-law, Chyna. I know, what a beautiful name for a super beautiful young lady. She’s…

  • Lost in Translation: Hilarious and Bizarre American Phrases Explained

    If you’ve ever tried explaining American phrases to someone who didn’t grow up in the U.S., you know it can feel like wrangling cats—or should I say, herding cats? Our language is filled with oddball expressions that make perfect sense to us but leave outsiders scratching their heads. Take a phrase like “raining cats and…

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