Land lines: Island businessman and developer James “Beau” Yarbrough this week confirmed he had acquired a 3.34-acre parcel at 81st Street and Stewart Road, not far from the Tor Baseball Field in Galveston. That explains the freshly posted “Sold” sign.

On tap: The craft beer craze of recent years has inspired a flight of new entrepreneurs across Galveston County. But few of those are women. Teffeny Caruso is out to change that.

Schmear campaign: As the rest of the free world enjoyed what industry observers call a bonafide bagel boom, the island and Galveston County have endured a noticeable hole in the market. No one knows why.

On the waterfront: Texas-based TopSide Marinas this week announced it had acquired waterfront assets of the Galveston Yacht Basin, 715 N. Holiday Drive, from sellers Greg Pappas and Rocky Sullivan, managing partners of GYB Investors, resolving months of rumor and speculation.

Minding manors: After well more than a year of work and renovation, businessman and island art gallery owner Graham George is preparing to open boutique hotel The George Manor, 1502 Market St. in Galveston. George plans to open the eight-suite hotel in a historic 1860 house originally built …

Talk of Tiki: A long-awaited mixed-use luxury development is getting closer to reality in Tiki Island.

Center piece: As promised, Friendswood attorney and developer Jerome Karam has added 135,000 square feet to JMK5 Holdings’ growing commercial real estate portfolio.

Luxury lowdown: A five-story, 300-unit multifamily luxury development is set to rise on six acres next to the Galveston Yacht Basin on the island’s East End.

Happy meals: Mid-county McDonald’s fans are lovin’ it. After months of waiting, a bigger and better McDonald’s Restaurant, 2300 Interstate 45 in La Marque, debuted this week under new owners carrying on a family tradition.

The median price of properties rose to $399,000 compared with $310,000 for the same period a year ago, according to sales data. And homes aren't on the market for long.

Supply-side: Readers are hungry for buzz on the opening-day status of Lil’ Buffalo Grille in Evia, a neighborhood at 99th Street and Schaper Drive on the island’s West End.

Sequel in store: After about 30 years in Texas City, Plano-based Cinemark will close at year’s end, making way for another movie theater concept to take its place.

Business buy: A 35-year-old Bacliff millwork company grossing more than $3.5 million a year has a new owner as the former one prepares for semi-retirement.

Little lagniappe: As promised, La Marque’s cuisine scene just got a little spicier. Husband-and-wife team Kendrick and Deshanda Barrow this week launched The Bourbon Bayou Catering & Takeout food truck at Gulfway Plaza, 11001 Delany Road.

Under construction: Crews this week officially broke ground on the 64,000-square-foot Moody Neurorehabilitation Institute, a research and rehabilitation facility that will replace a longtime island facility specializing in brain injury care.

Checking in: Is Dave Jacoby the new owner of island hotel property Pearl Inn, 1002 Seawall Blvd.? And is he soon to be the owner of a private beach in Galveston? “No comment” and “no comment,” Jacoby, a Galveston Island Park Board trustee, said this week.

Running on empty: Inquiring readers are wondering about demolition of what was a Murphy USA fueling station near Walmart, 6810 Seawall Blvd. in Galveston.

Hub-bub: An unconfirmed but very reliable rumor is making the rounds that Amazon Logistics plans a 180,000-square-foot warehouse on state Highway 96 and Tuscan Lakes Boulevard.

Soul shaking: Better get those fried pork ribs while you can.