PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Mustang Island continues to be a popular vacation destination.  This July 4th Holiday Weekend is no exception.  Local law enforcement officials told the Corpus Christi Caller Times "between 60,000 to 80,000 visitors are expected in Port Aransas."  The hotels and condos are booked solid.

If you are headed to Port A this weekend, you are urged to pack some patience.  You will be here along with 79,999 of your closest friends.  Ferry lines will be long and the route over the JFK Causeway onto Padre Island will be backed up on Saturday.  Locals will tell you that the key is to travel early in the morning or late at night to avoid the heavy traffic.

If you do come, you will be rewarded for your efforts.  Seasonal currents have brought in some of the prettiest water that we have seen in months.  The beaches are very clean as the "seaweed" season appears to have ended.  The forecast calls for sunny and hot conditions to continue.  The fishing has been great as well.  

If you have not seen the Port A fireworks show before, you will surely be impressed.  The show begins over the Municipal Harbor Saturday night at approximately 9:20.  All in all, it should be a great weekend on the coast.

View from the Aransas Princess Condominiums on July 2, 2009

View of the Nueces County Park from the Horace Caldwell Pier on July 2, 2009

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Craig Millard and Sunny Castor (Principals with the Newport Dunes Golf Course at Newport Beach and Golf Development) made major announcements tonight at a meeting with members of the local real estate community.

A new incentive program includes three local builders that will be starting homes, condos and town homes on golf course lots.  Details to follow on the floor plans and pricing.

For a very limited time, residential lots adjoining the new Arnold Palmer Signature Course now start at $120k.  This offer will end soon and without advance notice.

The links course has been open since October 2008 and is already gaining critical acclaim with 24,000 rounds played to this point.

For more information or to purchase a golf course lot, please send email or call 361.749.7500

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Planning a trip to the beach this Summer Season?  Now you can check beach conditions online at TexasBeachWatch.com courtesy of the Texas General Land Office.

Each year Americans make 910 million trips to coastal areas and spend $44 billion. In Texas, beaches consistently rank among the state's top tourist destinations. As a way of protecting swimmers and environmental health, Texas implemented the Texas Beach Watch Program.

I am happy to report that the monitoring stations in Port Aransas and on Mustang Island indicate a green light and are currently being enjoyed by thousands of visitors.

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - One of the two 2009 Southern Living "Idea Houses" is located in Cinnamon Shore on Mustang Island.  The home tours began earlier this month and visitors are able to see first hand what will appear in the next few issues of Southern Living Magazine.  Take a sneak peak of the Tarpon Run Idea House with Decorating Editor Jennifer Berno.

If you missed my previous post with details on the home and tours, it is available at Port Aransas Real Estate.

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Announcing new Real Estate Webinars designed to help buyers with information on the real estate market in Port Aransas.

Port Aransas Real Estate 101
Thinking about buying a condo, home or residential lot in Port Aransas? Join in online for a free 30 minute market overview. I'll show tips on how to find properties online. We'll review new developments in the area and answer your questions about property ownership in Port Aransas.

This is a "no strings attached" opportunity to learn more about the local market and tips to save you time and money.

Wed, July 8, 2009 10:00am CDT Register Here

Wed, July 8, 2009 7:00pm CDT Register Here


Village Walk 101
A 30 minute overview of Village Walk in Port Aransas. We'll review amenities, floor plans, interior finish out options, the Home Owner Association and more. As always, feel free to ask questions.

Wed, July 1, 2009 9:00am CDT Register Here

For information on future Webinars visit Texas Island Properties

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - There is cause for celebration.  It was reported yesterday that Governor Perry has signed into law HB 2276 which amends the State Tax Code to include Port Aransas along with Galveston and South Padre Island in the cities to which special state hotel tax allocations apply.  

Simply put, Port A will now receive a portion of the State's Hotel Occupancy Tax Revenue to clean and maintain public beaches.  This will provide an ongoing revenue stream that will help the City fund beach maintenance operations and assist with erosion response projects.  Initial estimates suggest that this could provide the City of Port Aransas with $350k annually and that number is expected to grow over time.

The State Comptroller's website reflects the change and the new policy is effective on July 1, 2009.

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Planning a trip to Port A?  If so, you'll want to check out the definitive resource on all things Port Aransas and Mustang Island.  The Port Aransas South Jetty Newspaper publishes a visitor guide four times per year.

The guide contains plenty of useful information on places to stay, eat and shop.  The map provides a detailed look at the city and points of interest.  Check out the Port Aransas Visitor's Guide online or download the pdf version of the Summer 2009 issue.

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - Coastal residents are breathing a sigh of relief.  Proposed changes to the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) that were being discussed at the beginning of the 81st Legislative Session were punitive to say the least.  In the end, a ten-member Conference Committee found a compromise that some are calling a major victory for the coast.  The Corpus Christi Caller Times has a good editorial on the process and AP reports that the Governor has signed the bill into law. 

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - The Corpus Christi Caller Times reported yesterday that we remain one of the "birdiest" places in the US.  

"Local birders from the Audubon Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi and Coastal Bend Audubon Society counted 217 species in Corpus Christi within a three-day period, down from 241 spotted in 2008.   San Diego, Calif., placed second with 198 species counted.  Nueces County was named the Birdiest Coastal County with 238 species spotted, down from 253 spotted last year."

Nature tourism has been on the rise in Port Aransas.  The local Chamber of Commerce features a dedicated section of their website to offer information on local birding sites.  Check out the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce website or download a pdf of the Birds & Nature brochure which shows the best birdwatching sites in the area.  The complete Caller Times article is available here.

PORT ARANSAS, Texas - The Corpus Christi Caller Times published the 2009 Hurricane Guide for residents and visitors along the Texas Coast.

The guide contains lots of good information:  

• A map with evacuation routes for the greater Corpus Christi area
• Information to help create a hurricane plan in advance of a storm
• Items to include in your hurricane kit
• Instructions on how to properly cover windows and doors
• Details on insurance coverage