By DINA ARÉVALO
Port Isabel-South Padre Press
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com
You may have noticed the pleasant aroma of mesquite smoke from barbecues drifting through the air lately, along with the sight of fireworks displays on Fridays and Saturdays. That, along with lengthening days and the sound of children laughing in yards and playgrounds, can only mean one thing: summer is finally here!
It’s hard to ignore the tug of beautiful sunshiny days when you know there’s a world of fun waiting to be had just a short walk or drive away. From fishing, to visiting our local parks and green spaces, to sunbathing on the sand or frolicking in the water, it seems everyone has begun to heed the call of summer.
We here at the PARADE and PRESS are no exception. A few weeks ago, I got the chance to experience the City of South Padre Island’s first ever Cyclovia event. I had a lot of fun riding my bike along Padre Boulevard and meeting fellow cyclists. Then just a couple of weeks ago our publisher, Ray Quiroga, convinced me to join him and his family for a community bike ride hosted by the City of Harlingen. It was a really enjoyable event as the route took us along the scenic Arroyo Colorado which runs through the heart of the Capital City. And more recently, he, along with several of our colleagues, have been gearing up to take part in the Summer Longest Causeway Run which will occur on Saturday, June 6.
It’s definitely a great time to be outside and be active. And it’s even more so to be able to share that time with friends. I often write about what great resources the Laguna Madre region has when it comes to outdoor fun, but that’s only because it’s true. Our towns work hard to provide us with lots of opportunities to enjoy our natural resources, and they haven’t slouched with their summer offerings. From those pyrotechnic shows on weekends, to screening movies at the Lighthouse, to learning how to build sandcastles, the calendar is pretty full for the next several months.
We’re not the only ones who enjoy this place, though. People from across the Valley and across the state come to enjoy this little bit of heaven with us, and that’s where problems can start to arise. Lots of people means lots of trash. Luckily, there are also community organizations here that are dedicated to helping maintain the quality of our region. The Surfrider Foundation is one such group. A national organization, the Surfrider Foundation has a local chapter which has worked hard to educate locals and visitors alike about our beaches and our environment.
With Memorial Day having heralded the arrival of summer crowds, the Surfrider Foundation is again taking the initiative to help keep our beaches clean. This Saturday they, along with Barefoot Wines, will be hosting a beach cleanup event. The cleanup will take place starting at 9 a.m. at Beach Access 20, located at Gay Dawn Circle. Afterwards, participants will be able to sip on some lovely vino courtesy of Barefoot Wines.
So, while it’s fun to play all day, let’s not forget to do our part to help keep this the amazing place we all love. Pick up your trash, pick up litter and as always, visit us online at www.portisabelsouthpadre.com.
Want the whole story? Pick up a copy of the Port Isabel-South Padre Press, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
Comments