Padre Elite Blog

By: Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor Growing up the daughter of a restaurateur taught Nadia Turner the importance of customer service and accommodating a client’s wishes. The family’s 5,000-square-foot Ann’s Restaurant in San Juan was a popular spot for local residents and Winter Texans in celebrating birthday parties and anniversaries. Turner has stayed in the […]

By ALEXANDREA BAILEY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com Diane Johnson believes this year’s SPI Wahoo Classic fishing tournament will be lots of fun, and doesn’t imagine any shortage on boats. “We are looking forward to catching a lot of fish,” said Johnson, who’s a member of the tournament’s board of directors. She estimates about 40 boats will participate, and […]

By ALEXANDREA BAILEY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com The South Texas Ecotourism Center (STEC), located off highway 100, has announced that it will be hosting a fall speaker series. This series will consist of expert speakers giving presentations at STEC over a multitude of nature-centered topics. All talks will take place at the center from 5:30 – 7 p.m. […]

Special to the PRESS This August, Laguna Madre area veterans will be able to learn about services that are available to them without having to travel outside their community. On Aug. 31, 2023, from 3-7 p.m., the first ever Laguna Madre VetFest will be held at the Port Isabel Event and Cultural Center. The mission […]

Special to the PRESS DHR Health says to get ready to make a splash at its Annual “Fishing for Hope” Tournament. The tournament will be held at Jim’s Pier on South Padre Island on Aug. 26, 2023. More than just a fishing tournament, the event is also an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on […]

Special to the PRESS A new boat fundraiser has been launched to help Sea Turtle Inc. save and protect sea turtles. With only 1000 tickets sold, this is a once and a lifetime chance to win a boat, trailer, and motor valued at more than $60,000.00 and save a sea turtle at the same time. […]

Special to the PRESS The South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary (SPIBNCAS) will be celebrating Big Padre, the American Alligator’s 56th Birthday on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and everyone is invited. Big Padre is an American Alligator that is an astonishing 12-feet and six-inches long and weighs approximately […]

Eloteros trawl the north end of the island in converted vans and buses slinging variations of elotes in this (sometimes) fruitless, fun job. By Aaron Nelsen August 4, 2023   Rental condos, kitschy souvenir shops, and golf carts are the stuff of summer vacation for tourists on South Padre Island. But residents prefer beach barbecues, bobbing […]

by: Brian R Svendsen Posted: Aug 6, 2023 / 11:38 AM CDT Updated: Aug 6, 2023 / 05:17 PM CDT SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The South Padre Island City Council voted this week to approve buying more mats for beach access points. City Council agreed to allocate almost $40,000 from the Beach Maintenance general fund. Kristina […]