sandy feet's Island Survivor Message Board With all the tragic events unfolding elsewhere in the nation, it is no surprise that our own small tragedy - the fatalities and loss of our lifeline to the mainland - has gotten a bit lost in the print and broadcast media shuffle. Thanks to the web, however, those who are interested have been able to follow our story on-line and are making good use of message boards to answer questions and diffuse rumors. I have a few messages of my own I would like to deliver ...: To the whiney tourists who got stranded here with their vehicles and somehow seemed to think it was SPI's fault: You are the weakest link; please leave (but only when your ferry number comes up, of course.) To the sizeable majority of stranded visitors who decided to make the best of the situation and maintained a cheerful and helpful attitude (i.e. the stranded bald guys who took up temporary residence at Wahoo's last week): Thanks for your patience and good humor and please come back soon! To the Circle K People: Thank you for leaving two stores open and stocked -- but did you really have throw all that plywood up over the windows of the other ones? It just looks bad... To the heros - sung and unsung - the ferry and shuttle operators working tirelessly day and night to keep traffic flowing to and from the island; the anonymous person who has been delivering my paper at an amazingly early hour (sometimes via golf cart) throughout this whole ordeal; the resourceful folks over at the Blue Marlin who are somehow keeping shelves stocked without raising prices to the exorbitant range: Chip Spangler for starting a donations fund for the families of the causeway victims (Account #029025, First National Bank, P.O. Box 3640, SPI 78597); local business owners who are keeping their doors open and their workers employed while trying to hang on in hopes of better days; people like Fred of Laguna Vista who made a special trip over in his boat to deliver pet medicines for my dogs ("My first drug run," he says sheepishly) -- merci mucho and may your hard work and dedication be paid off somewhere down the road in increasingly wonderful karma. To TxDOT, Eddie Lucio, Jim Solis, Mayor Ed and the Board of Aldermen -- I am sure that you have all had to listen to a fair amount of bellyaching but I think I speak for a lot of Island residents and visitors alike when I say that your efforts on our town's behalf have not gone unnoticed and unappreciated. To all the people from around the country who have closely followed this story and sent encouraging words, promising they will not let this catastrophe prevent them from coming back to SPI to spend money at the first opportunity - Thank you for not cancelling and welcome to the South Padre Island adventure. To Island Business Owners: One way to let the world know your hours of operation or any specials you may be offering is to call me (761-6222) or e-mail updates to webwiz@spionline for immediate and free posting on SPIonline.com. To the frequent visitors up the Valley who are wondering if it is okay to come back - You betcha! We've got reduced room rates! All the essential services! Plenty of culinary options! No shortages of cold beer! T-shirts galore and a gorgeous beach that is open 24 hours a day with plentiful elbow room for all! We'll even throw in a FREE dolphin watch cruise on your way over here! HOT TIPS * Are you single and lonely? We have it on good authority that love is being found on the ferries. Seems that all that romantic cruise time is throwing people together who would not normally have a reason to engage in casual conversation and cupid's tiny little arrows are zinging. * Suvivorfest '01 - Everyone still here definitely qualifies as a survivor, so be sure to get down to Dolphin Cove on Sun. the 30th for Survivorfest. Joe Buck tells me this is going to be a good one and to expect something special to commemorate the causeway victims. * Tour de Isla - What better place than here? What better time than now? Plans are in the works... stay tuned for details. * Sand Castle Days is a go - Here's your chance to see some 15 of the world's best sand sculptors do their thing at the 14th annual Sand Castle Days, Oct. 18-20 at Boomerang Billy's Beach. On the web: The latest news from the Island, updated several times daily by yours truly posted at www.SPIonline.com The latest on Sand Castle Days at www.sandcastledays.com

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