PUBLIC ART

San Antonio's Sea Island gives iconic Jolly Jack statue major makeover

Jolly Jack has greeted Sea Island guests for 60 years.

Photo courtesy of Sea Island Shrimp House.

San Antonio seafood lovers stopping by the Sea Island Shrimp House, at 322 W Rector Dr., might notice a big absence. Jolly Jack, the 10-foot tall captain that has greeted landlubbers for six decades, has stepped down from his perch to enjoy a spa day.

According to a release, the iconic statue needs some major work to ensure he can continue his duties. Local business Christopher Stuart Cast Stone will restore the damaged areas of the concrete statue and reinforce Jack’s structure with fiberglass, but don’t dare accuse the iconic captain of getting filler.

Jolly Jack has shown off his fresh catch since Sea Island first opened in 1965. By the time he washed ashore, such towering statues were common in the United States, both as roadside attractions and kitschy signage for family restaurants.

The Big Boy statues, guardians of their namesake California restaurant chain, are the most famous of all, but plenty of other American eateries were swept up in the fad. In town, San Antonio sculptor Antonio Medina, who also created Jolly Jack, erected a row of Mayan-like warriors for the now-shuttered Karam’s Mexican Restaurant.

Jolly Jack Sea Island A crew preps Jolly Jack for the big move.Photo courtesy of Sea Island Shrimp House.

Over the years, Jack has tried on a few looks. The colors have changed, and a few details have come and gone, but he still kept his essential welcoming personality. The restoration work will return Jack to his original 1965 appearance.

One thing he has never had to fret about is weight. Although he has never stepped onto a scale, Sea Island’s owners estimate that he is still a lean 1,000 pounds.

As with any good makeover show, Jack will return to Sea Island with a grand reveal. The owners are planning a public party as part of their 60th-anniversary celebrations. The team estimates the work will take eight weeks to complete.

“Jolly Jack is part of our history and part of our family,” says CEO Barclay Anthony, the youngest son of Sea Island Shrimp House cofounders Dan and Chrissy Anthony, in the release. “This is our way of honoring Jack’s legacy and celebrating the generations of guests who’ve grown up with him.”

FLOOD RELIEF

Where to donate and dine near San Antonio to support flood relief

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As parts of the Hill Country recover from the devastating July 4 floods — and brace for more rain — countless San Antonio-area organizations, businesses, and individuals are joining forces to support communities in need. While community members held many fundraisers and donation drives over the holiday weekend, we've put together a list of how locals can help now.

Please keep in mind that recovering areas can be overwhelmed by a well-meaning outpouring of support. If you want to donate physical items, make sure they are going to an organization that is prepared to process supplies. Otherwise, a donation of cash or a gift card is best.

We will update this list as we hear of more resources. If you are a hospitality business owner organizing a fundraiser or supply drive and would like to submit it to this list, please send us a message here. Please include address, time frame, and desired goods or offer. The initiative must be published on a public platform (e.g., Facebook or Instagram) to be considered.

Direct Aid

These organizations are on the ground or otherwise activated in affected areas and are widely recommended as trusted recipients of donations and volunteers.

The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund: The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country started this relief fund specifically for this disaster. It is the main fundraiser being shared by news organizations.
World Central Kitchen: This global organization posted the following excerpt on Monday, July 7: "WCK's Sam [speaking to camera] is on the ground in Texas, evacuating the area during a new round of active flood warnings. The team just finished the day's meal delivery for firefighters who are working on search and rescue, following flash floods that caused deaths and left many people missing over the July 4 weekend."
American Red Cross: The American Red Cross is a world leader in rescue organizations. However, the Central Texas and South Texas Chapters commented on July 6 that it no longer needs donations of physical goods. Online donations to the Red Cross are always open.
Texas Search and Rescue: TEXSAR only operates at the direction of local, state, and federal agencies. As of July 6, teams were still working in multiple affected areas and have not shared any signs of winding operations down.
Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is a religious organization known for its relief works, which it executes in partnership with government organizations. The Kerrville division says it is at capacity for physical donations. Donations are still being accepted online, in a form that is specifically dedicated to the floods.
Mercy Chefs: Mercy Chefs is another faith-based organization with large-scale response capabilities. On July 6, the team marked its first full day of feeding first responders, volunteers, and affected people, and requested meal donations online.
H-E-B: H-E-B has its own official disaster response team, which has donated millions of dollars to certain causes and delivered meals and water to those in need. Shoppers at checkout can scan a code to add a $1, $3, or $5 donation. The entire donation right now goes to providing support to Kerrville and other Hill Country communities affected by floods.
Project Mend: This San Antonio-based medical equipment reuse nonprofit is helping people with mobility aids and other medical devices.
Teladoc Health's Natural Disaster Hotline: Teladoc Health has announced via press release that it is standing by to assist Central Texas flood victims with non-emergency health needs for free. It is not a nonprofit and is not seeking help from the public. It is on this list as a low-effort, no-cost option to share with those seeking resources.
GoFundMe: As always, GoFundMe is a flexible option for those who want to put funds directly in the hands of certain families or individuals who need help. Although GoFundMe does not strictly verify each fundraiser, it offers verification guidelines and offers full refunds within a year in case of fraud.
Operation Airdrop: This nonprofit sends small planes to disaster sites. As of July 7, it is accepting in-kind donations at Burnet Municipal Airport (KBMQ) and Addison Airport (KADS), as well as online financial donations.

Restaurants/Food & Beverage

Lost Bar and Grill: Now through July 13, Lost is contributing $1 for every $10 spent. The far north San Antonio bar is also accepting donations of toiletries, non-perishable food, bottled water, and pet food. 12730 N.W. Military Hwy.
Chunky's Burgers: Chunky's will donate 10% of sales July 8-9 toward flood relief efforts. 4602 Callaghan Rd.
Fitzgerald's: The bar will host Rock4Paws on July 9, an open mic, live music fundraiser for Kerrville Pets Alive, a nonprofit that is assisting pets displaced by the floods. Guests can donate whatever amount of money they can. Pet food and supplies will also be accepted. Doors open at 8 pm. 437 McCarty Rd.
Bandera Brewery: The Hill Country brewpub will donate a portion of sales through July 13 to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. Additionally, it is hosting a raffle and a July 13 barbecue with donations going toward flood relief efforts. 3540 Texas Hwy 16 S, Bandera.
Bud Jones: The South San Antonio seafood restaurant will donate 10% of all sales to flood relief efforts. 1440 S.W. Military Dr.
Free Roam Brewing Co: The Boerne brewpub is donating 10% of all taproom sales through July 8. The brewery has also been collecting donations of various supplies. 325 S. Main St., Boerne.
Fredericksburg Brewing Co: The Hill Country brewpub will donate a portion of sales to support affected flood victims. It is also offering free meals to first responders who are supporting flood rescue and recovery efforts. 245 E. Main St., Fredericksburg.
Club Sirius: The downtown San Antonio bar is donating all proceeds from sales of its Heart of Texas shot to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. 228 Losoya St.
Brevity Coffee: The chain of drive-thru coffee stands will donate a portion of this week's sales proceeds from all locations to flood relief efforts. Brevity has 15 locations across San Antonio and Boerne.
Hopdoddy: All Hopdoddy locations will donate 100 percent of profits from every purchase on Wednesday, July 9, to Texas Search & Rescue.
Cabo Bob's: Burrito chain Cabo Bob's has already completed a round of fundraising at all its locations and is planning another initiative to start Tuesday, July 8. Needs are not yet known, but will be updated on Instagram. The chain has locations in multiple cities.
Folklores Coffee House: Folklores (1943 N. New Braunfels Ave.) is only accepting donations for cleaning supplies, work gloves, detergent, baby soap, and hygiene products. Volunteers are also needed for donation drop-offs.
Roadmap Brewing Co: The downtown brewery (723 N. Alamo St.) is accepting donations for clothing (all ages and sizes), non-perishable food, hygiene products, pet supplies and food, bottled water, bedding, and other essentials until the morning of Wednesday, July 8. Donations will be taken to the Salvation Army in Kerrville.

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Brianna Caleri and Amber Heckler contributed to this article.

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