SOURCE: South Padre Island International Music Festival

Sep 13, 2007 07:00 ET

First Annual Event Will Be November 2-4

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TX–(Marketwire - September 13, 2007) - This island getaway is rolling out the welcome mat for GLBT music fans to attend the first annual South Padre International Music Festival.

More than 40 acts from a variety of genres will perform November 2-4, 2007, during the South Padre International Music Festival. Current acts on the bill who have GLBT appeal include Patrice Pike, Ginger Leigh, Los Amigos Invisibles and Robert Randolph & The Family Band. More acts are announced each week.

For the entire weekend, musicians from three continents will groove, jam and rock Texas’ tropical paradise on three main stages, several satellite stages and additional showcase venues throughout South Padre Island. A three-day festival pass costs $48 a person, granting each pass holder access to every performance venue throughout the weekend.

Dan Quandt, executive director of the South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau, says GLBT visitors and GLBT residents alike are embraced on South Padre Island.

“GLBT visitors should come here for the same reason everyone comes here: It’s a warm, welcoming environment along the Gulf of Mexico,” Quandt says.

South Padre Island hosts three GLBT-oriented events each year: SPLASH in the spring and fall, and the Women’s Festival in November. “These events are open to all but are geared toward the GLBT community,” Quandt says.

Sponsors of the South Padre International Music Festival are the Sheraton South Padre Island Beach Hotel & Condominiums and the South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau.

For more information about the South Padre International Music Festival, visit www.spimusicfest.com.

Did you know?

--  South Padre Island and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, share the same     geographic latitude and same ideal climate. --  Average South Padre Island temperatures in November average from the     high 80s to the low 70s. --  Average South Padre Island surf water temperatures in November range     from the high to low 70s. --  South Padre Island covers 1.81 square miles. --  Nonstop airline service is available to Valley International Airport     in Harlingen, and Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport in     Brownsville.

Contact:
John Egan
UpWord Communications
For the South Padre International Music Festival
512-799-1022
Email Contact

Giant green sea turtle found on South Padre Island

By RYAN HENRY, Island Breeze

September 13, 2007 - 10:48AM

A 300 pound green sea turtle nests on South Padre Island Wednesday night.

Cameron County Park Police gather around a nesting green sea turtle Wednesday night on South Padre Island. An officer on patrol spotted the 300-pound mother on the beach.

Sea Turtle Inc., says this is the first recording nesting of a green sea turtle on South Padre Island.

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Sea Turtle Inc. officials thought their record-setting turtle nesting season had ended on South Padre Island, but they were wrong.

Wednesday night, a Cameron County Parks Police officer spotted a 300-pound green sea turtle nesting north of County Beach Access No. 5.

His discovery quickly excited conservationists at Sea Turtle Inc, who said this was the first recorded case of the threatened green sea turtle nesting on South Padre Island.

“We’ve never had a green sea turtle nest here before,” George said.

Two other green sea turtles have also been documented nesting along the Texas coast this year, George said. This species usually nests around the Yucatan Peninsula, he added.

Because of its size, the turtle was estimated to be 75 years old.

“Greens live well over 100 years old, and they grow up to 500 pounds,” George said. “Even 100-year-old greens will still nest.”

Because of concerns about fluctuating weather in October and early November, the eggs will be incubated in Corpus Christi and likely released there, he said.

Border boom: Mexican investors pump up Padre’s economy  

09:11 PM CDT on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 

By Angela Kocherga / 11 News  

Loading Video…While the nation experiences a housing slump on

 Once completed, the shores will include beachfront and bayside homes, a private marina, and upscale shopping. It’s part of a build up on the island made possible in part by buyers from

 “If we in fact didn’t have

 South Padre has long been a favorite of the wealthy from

 It is difficult to get an exact dollar amount when it comes to money from Mexico invested in

 “There’s more people coming in opening up businesses, coming in and doing investments in property,” said South Padre restaurant owner Eduardo Paez. “It’s a big increase from past years.”  

The owners of three sushi restaurants in

 Even so, there’s concern about a slowdown in this booming border area.  

“Most of the people from

In the meantime there’s hope buyers from across the border will cushion the blow in a declining real estate market.

Black Substance on Beach Still Unidentified

Monday , September 10, 2007    Posted: 06:40 PM

Monday , September 10, 2007
Black Substance Washes Ashore on Beach

Crews took samples

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND - Beachgoers are urged to stay away from an unknown black oil-like substance that washed up on South Padre Island.

Crews with the General Land Office Oil Spill Division took samples and confirmed it’s not oil.

Officials tell NEWSCHANNEL 5 the substance it doesn’t appear to be a threat to the public, since birds and fish haven’t reacted to it.

Senior Response Officer Joseph Hilliard tells us, “It could have possibly originated from an offshore to an onshore discharge. But at this time, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what vessel or facility may have discharged this.”

http://www.newschannel5.tv/2007/9/10/979345/-Black-Substance-on-Beach-Still-Unidentified

The South Padre Island Conventions and Visitors Bureau has announced the 20th anniversary of Sand Castle Days Master of Sand sand-sculpting competition.

The event will be held Oct. 18-21 at the Sheraton South Padre Island Beach Hotel and Condominiums.

Twelve sculptors will compete for cash prizes totaling up to $2,750 for those who finish first through third.

The event will feature three award-winning professional sculptors including last year’s winner Karen Fralich, of Burlington, Onterio; the 2005 first place finisher Carl Jara, of Lyndhurst, Ohio; and the 2007 World Grand Master Champion Rich Verano, of Edgewater, Florida.

For more information, call 1-800-SOPADRE or visit the event’s Web site at http://www.sandcastledays.com/

Padre Island National Seashore could receive federal funding to aid its releases of Kemp’s ridley sea turtles at Padre Island National Seashore .

National Park Service officials on Thursday announced projects it hopes to fund with its 2008 budget.

Padre National Seashore asked for $100,000 to continue funding its recovery efforts of the turtles, said Donna Shaver, chief of the division of sea turtle science and recovery at Padre Island National Seashore.

The proposal, one of 201, is part of the National Park Centennial Initiative, which aims to invest nearly $3 million in new public and private investments over the next 10 years to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary in 2016. The initiative was announced by President Bush in August 2006.

– Barbara Ramirez