About three more weeks until Show Time! We’re getting excited over here. It won’t be long, our 41st anniversary of the Texas Crab Festival. Many of you know about our annual festival, which used to be Mother’s Day Weekend, we decided this year to have a 3-day festival again, but this year, it will be…

The upcoming week in mid-April is marked by events that tested the nation’s resilience and redefined its legal and social frameworks. From the heartbreaking conclusion of the Lincoln presidency to the chilling tension of the Space Race and the modern era’s most challenging trials, these dates remind us of the fragile balance between tragedy and…

A Resounding Success at Swedes Park After months of meticulous planning and weeks of physical preparation, the Bolivar Arena Association (BAA) officially brought the thunder back to town this past Saturday. For months, locals passing by Swedes Park watched with curiosity as empty bleachers stood in the middle of an overgrown, neglected field. This weekend, that curiosity…

Mark your calendars for May 2, because the Bolivar Peninsula is about to get a whole lot sweeter! Lemonade Day Galveston County is back, and we are calling on all local youth to step up, squeeze some lemons, and start their very own businesses. What is Lemonade Day? Lemonade Day is a fun, hands-on program…

Get ready for some fun as the Texas Crab Festival is just around the corner, from May 7–9! This beloved tradition is back with a full slate of events that celebrate the very best of Gulf Coast style, offering a weekend of entertainment that the whole family will love. Whether you’re cheering on your favorite…

The social contract is officially under siege, and the primary weapon of choice is the “Speaker” button. We’ve all been there: you’re enjoying a quiet moment in a coffee shop or perhaps trying to browse the silent aisles of a library, when a voice suddenly booms through the room. It’s not a public service announcement.…

Anglers from Texas and across the nation set numerous fishing records in Texas waters via the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Angler Recognition Program (ARP) in 2025. The angler with the most 2025 catch awards was Charles Dewey of Universal City with 52. He averaged an incredible, one record per week, with most of…

We have talked about Aids to Navigation (ATON) occasionally. This column will be about ATON discrepancies. An ATON discrepancy is any deviation from the prescribed location, construction, or function of the ATON. ATON discrepancies can lead to mishaps the same way a missing stop sign at a busy intersection can. The most important thing you…

Surface water temperature is 74 degrees. The water clarity is average for East Galveston Bay. Once again, this week we shifted our focus towards trout on the flats over shell and they did not disappoint with great catches over the last week. Active bait in the area is important, so if you don’t see bait…

Have you ever tried to use a can opener, only to feel like you’re trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube with your feet? Or written a beautiful note with a gel pen, only to discover you’ve smeared the entire contents across the page (and your palm) as you went? If so, congratulations: you might just…

Yep, The Littles turned 9 years old yesterday, on Easter! What a wonderful pair of boys. Twins, but you’d never know it. They are as different as day and night. Fisher asked for a Ripstick, Riggs asked for a cross necklace. Now, how different could that be. They had a swimming party on Friday at…

This week in April marks a fascinating cross-section of the American story, stretching from the high-stakes diplomacy of the Revolutionary War to the cutting-edge frontiers of the Space Age. As we look back at the dates between April 7 and April 13, we see a nation consistently defined by its “firsts”—whether it is the first…

Last week, the Chamber of Commerce hosted a Special Guest Panel that felt more like a masterclass in resilience. Moderated by Christina O’Dell, the panel featured three pillars of the Crystal Beach business community: Shauna Williams (The Salty Mermaid), Millie Murphy (Ship’s Wheel), and Keith Zahar (The Big Store). For over 30 minutes, these leaders dropped the “glossy” persona of success…

The Fraternal Order of Eagles fabulous Auxiliary at Crystal Beach #3719 hosted their annual Children’s Easter Saturday from Noon to 2 pm. The annual tradition from newborns to teenagers is always looked forward to by locals and visitors alike. The Auxiliary set up tons of activities from egg races, catching baby ducks to win prizes,…

By Elinor TinsleyBack by popular demand, the Texas Crab Festival will be presenting the Wiener Dog Races at the Texas Crab Festival on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM.  If you have a full blooded dachshund, and would like to enter your dog in this event, please go to texascrabfestival.org/events to register your “baby”…

There is no greater digital gaslight than the Password Reset Loop. It begins innocently enough. You need to check your electric bill or log into a rewards account you haven’t touched since the Obama administration. You enter your go-to password—the one with your childhood dog’s name and your graduation year. Incorrect. You try the version where the…

By Elinor TinsleyA little bird told us that is if you want to see a lot of different bird species, then come join the Bolivar Peninsula Cultural Foundation for their (almost) annual birding trip to High Island.  Our next event will be on Thursday, April 23, 2026 beginning at 4:00 PM.  We are going to…

Ah, the Texas Gulf Coast summer. It means long days, refreshing Gulf breezes (sometimes!), and endless backyard BBQs. Your deck is the central hub for all this outdoor living, but let’s be honest: that relentless Texas sun, high humidity, and salty air can be brutal. If your deck is looking a little tired, faded, or…

It’s getting to be the time of year when people begin to look at boats. There are boat shows all over the place, and boat shows are one of the best ways to see what is new out there in the recreational boating world. The first time you visit a boat show you will be…

Surface water temperature 75 degrees. Trout are beginning to arrive in their Springtime spots out on the flats over shell beds and have performed the best for our anglers over the last few days. Active bait fish / signs of life are still very critical, so pay attention to your surroundings, including Pelicans, and Wading…