Volume II, Number 15 Pensacola Beach, Florida November 22 .

November 22, 2006ERspo’seportSurfbyFreddyEspositoSorry No Refunds.Well folks, I just took myfirst Carnival Cruise Ship Vacation to Mexico. This was something I have never done, and hadalways wondered what is wouldbe like.I was lucky to go with greatgroup of people from my wife’sbeauty salon, and was part of abeautiful wedding on board theship.On my arrival I noticed theincredible amount of people allcrammed into a 855 foot ship.There were 2300 passengers and900 crew. This is where things geta little strange, people. I mean,here I was surround by a mixtureof 2300 extremely loud, drunk, andhungry Americans - all with 8 frozen margaritas, six hot dogs andhands full of beer ready to get theirParty On! And, we still have notleft the dock yet. This was the firsttwo hours. Oh, just wait.Then as we left New Orleans,and cruised the Muddy Mississippi River, we were treated to alovely view of the local oil refineries and platforms. Wow, thatwasn't in the brochure, but it sureshould have been.Eight hours later we hit theGulf of Mexico and then everything went downhill quick. Yousee, the seas now were 15 feet fromthe northeast and tossing theship like a small toy. 2300 peopleall puking and bobbing in all directions, still drinking and eating,but a bit uglier than the day before. This was so fun.I slept for 28 hours in a spinning closet. I love this already!The next day was gorgeous,and that was the signal to do themost important thing you do in acruise ship -Eat. Eat and eat again.Dude, it was like a feeding frenzyfor cattle every few hours. Peopleof all ages lined up like lemmingswith more food on their platesthan I had ever seen before. It wasart!It was like this. "Hi sir. Whatwould you want on your hamburger?”“Hmm. Let me see.a hotdog!”The ship finally landed inCosta Maya, small town just builtfor the Carnival Cruise line. It wasPAGE 13Island Timesfilled with dozens of local peopleall working for about 4 a day, living in concrete small houses andlean-to's. I just can't imaginebringing one of them on the shipto witness the excess buffetfeedings. They would go intotoxic shock.Hey, I have an idea. How‘bout we give the children ofCosta Maya just one day’s wastefrom the boat’s food stash? Theycould eat that for weeks. Hmmm.You think?This is where I had a direction change in thought. Here Iwas in a extremely poor countrysurrounded by excess in everything. It was an incredible feeling. People all over the world putdown Americans, and I hate that,but I do see some of the reasonsfor this resentment .The thingsthat are important to us, just don'trelate to the entire world. Weseem to be able to afford certainluxuries that some people onlydream of and we wear it on oursleeves like a badge of honor.Oh wait. It's time to eatagain!The next day we hitCozumel. Wow, what a difference a day makes. Bars. Boats.Food. Drink. And thousands ofpeople, plus perfect surf andcrystal blue waters. A dream. Agreat day for spending all yourmoney.The next day we were sailing back to port and so it was really time to get your food anddrink on.Time to get yourmoney’s worth. Look - land ho!As we docked I was neverso happy to see New Orleans inmy life and to get away from thefood and drink frenzy. I truly expected to see Betty Ford andJenny Craig at the gate saying"Come on in darling, we'll takecare of everything now."In fact, I think they shouldweigh everyone before and after the trip and then charge bythe pound. Think of the moneythey would make.I did had a great time withall of our peeps though. Theysaved the trip for my wife andme, and we love them for it.Glad to be back on land.Globe Trotting Flat Kids Bring Souvenirs HomeA story about the adventuresof Flat Stanley inspired PensacolaBeach School kindergartners andfirst graders to create flat copiesof themselves and send them onadventures of their own. The littleboy in the story, Stanley, was flattened and traveled all over theworld via mail. So, the Beach kids,in a close imitation, sent their copies to family and friends everywhere.The recipients of flat friendsloved the game and have playedtheir parts so well that "ProjectFlat Friend" can be called a majorsuccess.Flat kindergartners have returned from their travels, reporting triumphant visits like FlatCayson who returned from SouthAfrica via Texas, Chicago andLondon. During his visit withAunt Lala he ate lamb tail andescaped being eaten by a tigerfish. He brought back some coolAfrican coins.Flat Eric had a really greattime visiting his grandmother andthen going on a cruise with hisaunt in the Caribbean. They sentpost cards and photos from allports of call.Flat Kat took a trip with hergrandparents in New England.She visited Acadia National Park,ate lobster, and brought back theshells for show and tell.Flat Carlee went to Pennsylvania to visit her grandparentswhere she learned a lot aboutthe state and brought backbeautiful fall leaves.Flat Steele went to Atlantato visit his best friend, Bowen.They went to a University ofGeorgia football game.Flat Clay went to Californiato visit his Aunt Mary whowhisked him away to San Diegowhere he attended a ChargersSteelers game. Later, with thehelp of Hall of Famer WillieBuchanan, he got to hang outin the Steeler's locker roomwhere he met some players andCoach Bill Cowher. Flat Clayeven brought back photos toprove his fifteen minutes offame with the football stars.The story of the travels ofthe Flat Friends from PensacolaBeach will continue. Don't missthe next issue of Island Times.

PAGE 14November 22, 2006Island TimesThe Promise of Tomorrow’s FishingPete Della RattaLively ByLadiesHook ‘Em UpOur fishing community hereon the Gulf Coast keeps on thinking of ways to better the fishingwhile boosting the economy andall of the environmental concernsat the same time. There is an initiative to produce more artificialreefs to help set up numerousmarine sanctuaries for our futurefisheries. The Reef Fish Restoration Association is a diversegroup of fisherman who would liketo see a long term solution to ourreef fish fishery problems. Belowis some information on the initiative and if interested in becominga sponsor or for more info callPaul Redman at 850-516-1665 ore-mail him at snapperhead3@aol.com.The red box indicates theprojected area for the MPA (Marine Protected Area)Bid ‘Em Up AtJunior CollegeSurplus AuctionGoing Once, Going Twice,Sold!Pensacola Junior College isholding a public Surplus PropertyAuction Saturday, Dec. 2, at thePensacola campus, Building 69,on Douglas Avenue.The preview starts at 8 a.m.and is followed by the auction at9 a.m.On the auction block are:computers, office furniture, equipment and much more - even a vehicle.Garth's Antiques is providing the auctioneer. No creditcards accepted.For more information, visitgarthsauction.com or call 4841742.Pensacola BeachChamber BusinessMeeting 8:30 a.m.November 28Comfort InnThe Gulf Council wants input for each of these entities tohelp develop a plan to bring thefishery stocks back. We believewe have such a plan. The Gulf ofMexico bottom is mostly a vastdesert with the exception of artificial reefs and natural bottom areas. It has been scientificallyproven that reef fish are attractedto vertical structures. Our plan isto use a small portion of barrensea floor and place a diversity ofartificial habitats in it to create amarine protected area ( MPA ). Byestablishing state MPA's we canhelp restore balance in the Gulfof Mexico and safeguard our fishstocks while also providing anabundance of recreational fishingreefs outside the MPA's. This willcreate long term solutions forwhat has become a battle betweenall entities in the fishing communities (recreational, commercial,and shrimping,) one in which fishmay mature and produce maximum offspring.It has also been scientificallyproven that mature Snapper inthe 23" range produce hundredsof times more eggs than a 15"class Red Snapper. For example ittakes two hundred and twelve(212) 15" Red Snapper to produceas many eggs as one 23" RedSnapper - 9, 300,000 eggsroughly. We would like this planto be eventually utilized Gulf widein each county along the GulfCoast.If we use five square milesfrom each county along the GulfCoast of unused, un-fished barren sea floor, and turn it into athriving ecosystem of marine lifeand protect it, we feel this will enhance our fishery like no other.Our economy will benefit aswell by bringing more people tothe chartered fishing boats.They will have to stay in the community and spend more moneyon such items as lodging, gas,shopping and all the other economic factors which make a community grow. By creating thisecosystem, all will benefit and thefuture of snapper and overall fishing will thrive for our children'schildren.Optimists TreasureMaritime TalkMembers of the PensacolaBeach Optimists Club were entertained by tales of sunken treasures and historic shipwrecksduring the program presented byguest speaker, Jeff DeWeese ofO'Sullivan & Creel Accounting onNovember 7.According to DeWeese, 325shipwrecks have been identifiedby side scan sonar in PensacolaBay which have left countlesssunken Spanish treasures. Itemsfrom these wrecks will be on display at the John H. FettermanState of Florida Maritime Museum, which is scheduled to openin 2009. DeWeese said the Spanish government has sent manyitems including gold pieces for themuseum's opening on the 400thanniversary of the founding ofPensacola. The King of Spain mayattend the opening.Pensacola Beach OptimistClub meets the first and third Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at the Beach ChurchHouse. Prospective members arewelcome to attend.Lighted Boat ParadeSaturday, December 2For more information932-1500Sit. Sip. Stay.LOCALS WELCOMEGulf Views from our Tiki BarHappy Hourfamiliar name, friendly faces,frosty libationslocated at24 Via de LunaPensacola Beach850-932-6000SpecialLocalsRoom RatesSPORT FISHING CHARTERSBefore Artificial Reef:MissMarisa46'8 Egg HarborSport FishingAfter Artificial Reef:CAPT MIKE NEWELLMATE GARY COLETrolling Overnight Rig TripsTuna Wahoo Blue MarlinWhite Marlin Sailfish850-936-5074850-232-7118DOCKED AT THE BEACH MARINA655 PENSACOLA BEACH BLVD.Namaste’ SailingBUYING or SELLINGPersonal service from anexperienced a850-434-7300Gulf Breeze850-934-8700Lic.Real EstatePensacolaBch Broker850-934-3233Grey Burge

Macanudo Romeo y Juliete Check Out Our 3 Pack Cigarette Specials LOW CARTON PRICES Full Line of Beach Supplies Beach Toys Beach Floats Sunscreen Coolers . 11.99 5 OPEN Thanksgiving Day. PAGE 12 Island Times November 22, 2006 ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Keep those sharp Sheep