Babies, Sandcastles and Beach Bars
Man! Leave the island for a few days and all hell breaks loose! An escaped convict is hiding out on the Island! The business group seems to think that there is only one issue in the upcoming election (the one that resides between the north and south lanes on Padre Blvd)! And sandcastling babies are endangered by the possibility of a new beach bar!
People. Get a grip.
One issue at a time -- I'll get to the median thing next. But today's rant is inspired by the ad in the PI/SPI Press that says "ZONE B for BABIES not BARS." The ad implies that sandcastle-building babies (presumably these babies are part of a family unit) and beach bars are mutually exclusive.
As someone who has taught many a family how to build a better sandcastle at both Wanna Wanna and Boomerang Billy's, I can tell you two things that I know for certain:
1. Babies are a lot more prone to destroy sandcastles than they are to build them
2. Beach bars on SPI are family-friendly and a major attraction for both residents and tourists
I will be the first to admit that I don't have a real understanding of what the Palms is trying to do and I may learn something that will change my mind on this subject -- but denying the Palms the opportunity to open a bar solely because babies build sandcastles there is just ... silly. Now, there may be other good reasons for denying this, including parking issues and noise. (WW and Boomies are well-established businesses. Most if not all of the neighbors bought in knowing that there were nightclubs in the neighborhood where music is played and patrons whoop and holler a bit. Opening a new bar in an established neighborhod where one has not already existed is another story.)
The Palms has long rented condos. It is an established commercial enterprise. If the owners are open and upfront about their intentions; are able to provide sufficient parking and are committed to being good neighbors with the surrounding community by self-policing the noise issues, I see no reason to deny them the permits for opening up a beach bar.
But what do _you think?
People. Get a grip.
One issue at a time -- I'll get to the median thing next. But today's rant is inspired by the ad in the PI/SPI Press that says "ZONE B for BABIES not BARS." The ad implies that sandcastle-building babies (presumably these babies are part of a family unit) and beach bars are mutually exclusive.
As someone who has taught many a family how to build a better sandcastle at both Wanna Wanna and Boomerang Billy's, I can tell you two things that I know for certain:
1. Babies are a lot more prone to destroy sandcastles than they are to build them
2. Beach bars on SPI are family-friendly and a major attraction for both residents and tourists
I will be the first to admit that I don't have a real understanding of what the Palms is trying to do and I may learn something that will change my mind on this subject -- but denying the Palms the opportunity to open a bar solely because babies build sandcastles there is just ... silly. Now, there may be other good reasons for denying this, including parking issues and noise. (WW and Boomies are well-established businesses. Most if not all of the neighbors bought in knowing that there were nightclubs in the neighborhood where music is played and patrons whoop and holler a bit. Opening a new bar in an established neighborhod where one has not already existed is another story.)
The Palms has long rented condos. It is an established commercial enterprise. If the owners are open and upfront about their intentions; are able to provide sufficient parking and are committed to being good neighbors with the surrounding community by self-policing the noise issues, I see no reason to deny them the permits for opening up a beach bar.
But what do _you think?
posted by Lucinda at 7:34 PM
5 Comments:
As someone staring down 50 (in December) I am getting very weary of folks protesting because a location may not be "baby/family" friendly. I would welcome a resort where I can relax, have fun and not have to deal with some folks and their out-of-control children. This, of course, is just my humble opinion! Am also looking forward to my trip to SPI in late May (before Memorial Day)
Babies and bars....I think it just gives everyone something to do. Keeps everyone occupied. But what do I know, I don't have kids.
I don't see a problem with another bar on the beach. I love to sit with a cocktail and watch the gulf. It is also fun to sit and people watch on the beach. Mixing it together is great!
~melissa
These "petitions" are very interesting - you either don't want it or you don't want it.
A fact that is hidden in all of the letters, petitions, etc - is that this action by the Palms would be legal and permitted under current zoning. If this is what they propose they have a legal right to do so.
What the Zone B for Babies people want is a change from current zoning.
Look at Wanna Wanna's and Boomerang's - they attract alot of locals as well as tourists. Many people enjoy sitting out on a patio sipping a drink eating a burger while watching the surf and people on the beach. Not all beach bar patrons are loud drunken morons.
If "babies" and their families find the volleyball playing, surf watching actions of the bar patrons offensive - I suggest they move up the beach. (I'm surprised the group didn't bring puppies into the argument as well.)
One thing I have discovered living here is that the only way to control what your neighbering property is doing is to own it.
"One thing I have discovered living here is that the only way to control what your neighbering property is doing is to own it."
Boy you got _that right.
Anyways, kids and beachbars seem to go together almost _too well:
I remember well one evening when Fred and I went to Wanna Wanna to catch the Bongodogs and the kids were dominating the dancefloor. It was a bit annoying, actually, and we found ourselve wondering when the parents would take charge and get those kids in bed so that we could do some dancing ourselves.
Personally, I love the idea of another beach bar. There aren't enough on South Padre. Almost all of the bars, and all of the restaurants are bayside, rather than beachside. Before moving here, my idea of a perfect vacation was a beach getaway with a Jimmy Buffett atmosphere - bar on the beach. And although I know not everyone feels that way, there are certainly many who want to come to the beach, enjoy pina coladas served to them while they soak up the sun, play volleyball in the sand, and listen to a live band that's playing relaxing island tunes. Luckily, it's not easy to change the zoning, so Palms will probably get their beach bar. I certainly hope so.
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