Birds Sing Soothing Lullaby
A Calming Prescription
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
The spring is always a good time to relax, refresh, restore ourselves and find a soothing sense of calm.
From meditation and yoga exercises to solitary Japanese “forest bathing” strolls and the warm, Danish hygge snuggly lifestyles, everyone is looking for an escape.
But, putting the demands of the world on hold, can be difficult – which is why doctors in Scotland have come up with advice that’s literally for the birds: a prescription to “Watch the birds.”
In Scotland’s Shetland Islands medical centers have teamed up with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to encourage people to watch and listen to the birds around you.
Other countries, including the U.S., have recognized the health benefits of bird watching and connecting to nature…even if it’s just the view from your window.
Florence Williams, author of The Nature Fix, agrees this can be the best medicine. “When you hear birdsong your brain puts out more alpha waves, making you feel more calm and alert.”
The Rx is good for the environment, too, getting people to appreciate nature and want to protect it and the birds’ soothing lullabies…
wrapping ourselves in a blanket of calm.
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Rumaki Rocks Lunar New Year!
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
The perfect appetizer to serve guests when you’re celebrating the Lunar New Year (February 10, 2024) – the Year of the Dragon – is rumaki. 
This blast-from-the-past has connections to Asia and Polynesia, tiki culture, and the swinging era of the 1950s and 60s.
Rumaki was a staple on the menus of tiki-themed restaurants in Beverly Hills and Hollywood.
Created by Trader Vic restaurant founder Victor Bergeron, this popular pupu platter bite tastes just as good today as it did then.
SurfWriter Girl Patti’s parents were regulars at Trader Vic’s and not only had rumaki there, but made it at home. So, she has a personal recipe on hand just for you.
Patti’s Rumaki Recipe
“Three’s a charm” with this rumaki recipe because it only requires three ingredients – chicken livers, water chestnuts (8 oz. can, sliced) and sliced bacon. Cut bacon slices in half or thirds. Place a piece of liver and a water chestnut slice on top of each bacon section. Wrap the bacon around the liver and water chestnut and secure the ends together with a toothpick.
Put the rumaki skewers on the top of a broiler pan. Broil in the oven (3 – 4 inches from the heat) for 8 – 10 minutes, turning each piece once during cooking.
Serve the rumaki while it’s hot – either plain or with a teriyaki sauce or Dijon mustard for dipping.
Then dive in!
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Seven Lucky Gods of Japan
Watching Over You in 2024
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
With the New Year beginning and so many unknowns ahead it’s reassuring to have the Seven Lucky Gods of Japan to guide us.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel discovered this little book published over 50 years ago by Japanese author Reiko Chiba that outlines who these seven gods are and the roles they play in influencing our lives.
Dating back more than 1000 years, Japanese lore has it that at the beginning of the new year, the gods take over a magic treasure ship and become sailors traveling from heaven to all the earthly ports bringing magical gifts ranging from invisibility to wisdom, wealth, good fortune and more.
For each of us there is also a special god in the group that watches out for us based on our profession – say an accountant, dancer, gardener, or teacher.
Ebisu, the god of wealth, good fortune and fair dealing, watches over merchants, sailors, fishermen…and the butcher, too.
Daikoku, the patron god of farmers and tradesmen, is also a demon-chaser. People in the countryside pay homage to him during the harvest.
Hotei, the god of fortune and guardian of children, is said to have been a real person who was both a Zen priest and a rogue. He keeps an eye out for everyone from cooks to fortunetellers and politicians
Benton, often called the goddess of love, is also the goddess of muse, influencing and inspiring those in the arts – actors, writers, musicians, dancers, painters and sculptors.
Bishamon is a guardian of Buddhist values and giver of fortune, treasure and happiness. He is a healer, too, and the patron god of doctors, soldiers and priests.
Jurojin, the god of wisdom, guards over teachers, accountants, engineers, journalists, judges, and even gamblers.
Fukurokuju is the god of happiness, riches and long life. A philosopher, who loves to play chess, he looks out for athletes, gardeners, magicians and scientists
So, whether you’re looking for love, luck, longevity – or laid-back surfing days – there’s sure to be a Japanese God watching over you in 2024!
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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The Holidays Are A Puzzlement
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
“It’s a puzzlement,” the King of Siam (now Thailand) says of the world to Anna in the Broadway stage and film hit The King and I.
It’s a puzzlement at SurfWriter Girl Patti Kishel’s house during Christmas and New Year’s, too. That’s when her husband Greg tackles his annual jigsaw puzzle.
It’s been a holiday tradition for years now…with lots of different puzzles taking shape.
Seeing Greg organize the pieces on the table is like watching General Patton moving the troops across Europe.
Greg starts by putting together the borders, especially the hard-to-find corners. After that the battle is on!
Given the size and complexity of the puzzle – and some of the unique shapes of the pieces – it can take a few days or over a week to finish.
Everyone who drops by for some hot apple cider or to say “Merry Christmas” adds a few pieces to the puzzle and watches the picture take shape.
And, one way or another, before the year is out the final puzzle piece is put in place.
Wishing you Piece on Earth in 2024
Sunny, Patti & Greg
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Trader Joe’s is an Adventure!
Oso Creek Trail is Just Around the Corner
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Shopping at Trader Joe’s is always an adventure. You never know what exotic things you’ll discover. Moroccan mint tea. Peach Bellini jam. Key Lime pie. Icelandic yogurt. Jerk chicken with mango chutney. Imported wines and craft beers. Seasonal offers designed to tempt you.
Now that the autumn weather is finally here it is a great time to go exploring at Trader Joe’s, especially in Mission Viejo, CA.
That’s because there’s a hiking path right behind the store – the Oso Creek Trail – which winds for over 4 miles along a meandering creek and a rustic setting with native plants and animals.
Just steps away from busy streets and shops there’s a whole other world of California oaks and sycamores, elderberries and willows and wild life including deer and squirrels, turtles and lizards, finches, sparrows and hummingbirds.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel even spotted some Great Egrets wading in the creek and flying above the trees.
And have you ever seen fairy houses before? Created by artist and self-proclaimed fairyologist Andreas Frank, these diminutive dwellings are nestled into the trees just waiting for their occupants to come home.
There is a tiny library, too, and a coffee house and other fairy gathering spots. Maybe even a surf shop. Keep a sharp eye out and you might spot them.
Local volunteers help to maintain the trail and plant new vegetation each year so there’s always something magical to see.
So, after exploring Trader Joe’s, heed the call of the wild and experience the natural wonders outside.
Wait till you see the amazing seasonal offers Mother Nature has on display!
Please post your comment below. Comments will appear the next day.
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Pann’s Restaurant is Iconic
A Trip Back to the Future
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
For a trip Back to the Future Angelenos and visitors to the City of Angels should definitely stop by Pann’s restaurant near LAX airport.
Started in 1958 by Greek immigrants George and Rena Panagopoulos, Pann’s is known as much for its Googie “atomic age” architectural style – with bright colors and bold, sweeping geometric shapes – as its great food and friendly service.
Named by the Los Angeles Conservancy “One of the last and best of the iconic, futuristic coffee shops designed by the prolific firm of Armet & Davis,” Pann’s is an LA institution and has been a backdrop in TV and films, including Pulp Fiction and Bewitched.
At the corner of La Cienega and La Tijera – near the Baldwin Hills oil fields in Beverly Hills Cop II – Pann’s puts a smile on your face when you enter the door. With its long counter, red leather booths, neon lights and 60s music playing, it’s the perfect place to order a cup of coffee and settle in.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel felt right at home. For Patti this was especially true since she grew up in Culver City just a few miles away.
With Ricky Nelson and Elvis songs in the background, we took our time exploring the breakfast menu before choosing Texas Style French Toast. Like its name, it was Texas-size and large enough to share.
You can order Pann’s omelettes, waffles and chicken, too. Blackened catfish fillet, salmon patties or pork chops. For lunch there’s everything from Patty melts, BLTs, and hamburgers to fish n’ chips and Charbroiled N.Y. steak. And a Daily Blue Plate Special.
So, settle in and enjoy this Jetson’s-style blast from the past.
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Rumaki Rocks Lunar New Year!
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
The perfect appetizer to serve guests when you’re celebrating the Lunar New Year (January 22nd) – the Year of the Rabbit – and throughout the whole year is rumaki.
This blast-from-the-past has connections to Asia and Polynesia, tiki culture and the swinging, Mad Men advertising era of the 1950s and 60s.
Rumaki was a staple on the menus of tiki-themed restaurants in Beverly Hills and Hollywood.
Created by Trader Vic restaurant founder Victor Bergeron, this popular pupu platter bite tastes just as good today as it did then.
SurfWriter Girl Patti’s parents were regulars at Trader Vic’s and not only had rumaki there, but made it at home. So, she has a personal recipe on hand just for you.
Patti’s Rumaki Recipe
“Three’s a charm” with this rumaki recipe because it only requires three ingredients – chicken livers, water chestnuts (8 oz. can, sliced) and sliced bacon. Cut bacon slices in half or thirds. Place a piece of liver and a water chestnut slice on top of each bacon section. Wrap the bacon around the liver and water chestnut and secure the ends together with a toothpick.
Put the rumaki skewers on the top of a broiler pan. Broil in the oven (3 – 4 inches from the heat) for 8 – 10 minutes, turning each piece once during cooking.
Serve the rumaki while it’s hot – either plain or with a teriyaki sauce or Dijon mustard for dipping.
Then dive in!
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Fall is Fiesta Time!
Colorful Pottery is American Classic
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Fiestaware – the instantly-recognizable, brightly-colored pottery – has been adding color to our lives since 1936 when it was introduced at the Pottery and Glass Exhibit in Pittsburgh, PA.
Called “The most collected brand of china in the United States” by The New York Times, Fiestaware – with all the colors of the autumn leaves – is known for its bold, clean lines and art deco styling.
Unlike traditional tableware of its day with decorated images that was sold in place-settings, Fiestaware had open-stock pieces – 37 in all – you could mix and match.
The emphasis was on versatility and fun.
Made by the Homer Laughlin China Company of Newell, West Virginia, an early brochure advertised Fiesta’s unique approach to tableware: “Color! That’s the trend today.
It gives the hostess the opportunity to create her own table effects. Plates of one color, cream soups of another, contrasting cups and saucers. It’s fun to set a table with Fiesta!”
With America in the middle of the Great Depression, Fiestaware couldn’t have picked a better time to appear on the scene and brighten the day.
Fiestaware was popular from the beginning, catching on with households across the nation who loved the product and the price. It’s just as popular today and vintage pottery pieces are sought-after collectibles.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel are Fiestaware fans, too. We love the playfulness of this timeless American classic that turns every meal and snack into a party.
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Soothing Birdland Lullaby
A Calming Prescription
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
The summer is always a good time to relax, refresh, restore ourselves and find a soothing sense of calm.
From meditation and yoga exercises to solitary Japanese “forest bathing” strolls and the warm, Danish hygge snuggly lifestyles, everyone is looking for an escape.
But, putting the demands of the world on hold, can be difficult – which is why doctors in Scotland have come up with advice that’s literally for the birds: a prescription to “Watch the birds.”
In Scotland’s Shetland Islands medical centers have teamed up with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to encourage people to watch and listen to the birds around you.
Other countries, including the U.S., have recognized the health benefits of bird watching and connecting to nature…even if it’s just the view from your window.
Florence Williams, author of The Nature Fix, agrees this can be the best medicine. “When you hear birdsong your brain puts out more alpha waves, making you feel more calm and alert.”
The Rx is good for the environment, too, getting people to appreciate nature and want to protect it and the birds’ soothing lullabies…
wrapping ourselves in a blanket of calm.
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Make Way for the Sloths!
Life in Slo-Mo
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Move over unicorns and flamingos! Make way for the sloths!
Trend-spotters have anointed this reclusive creature that lives in the tops of tall trees as a pop culture favorite.
Native to Central and South America, sloths have the distinction of being the world’s slowest mammal. It can take them a minute or more just to climb 6 feet.
And talk about laid back, sloths spend up to 20 hours a day sleeping. So, it’s a rare sight when you see one on the ground.
SurfWriter Girl Patti & hubby Greg spotted some sloths in Costa Rica’s Manuel Antonio National Park near Jacó, a beach town on the Pacific known for surfing, when they were on a trip there.
“You had to look really closely because they blended into the trees,” says Patti.
Sloths eat a diet mainly of leaves and have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years. Plus some sloths have two toes and some have three.
Why does everyone like them so much? Maybe it’s because in today’s fast-paced, always on-the-go world sloths dance to a different tune.
Movies like Zootopia and Ice Age have helped to give them star power, too. So, get ready to channel your inner sloth.
But, take your time. There’s no rush.
Please post your comment below. Comments will appear the next day.
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Rumaki Rocks Lunar New Year!
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
The perfect appetizer to serve guests when you’re celebrating the Lunar New Year (February 1st) – the Year of the Tiger – and throughout the whole year is rumaki.
This blast-from-the-past has connections to Asia and Polynesia, tiki culture and the swinging, Mad Men advertising era of the 1950s and 60s.
Rumaki was a staple on the menus of tiki-themed restaurants in Beverly Hills and Hollywood.
Created by Trader Vic restaurant founder Victor Bergeron, this popular pupu platter bite tastes just as good today as it did then.
SurfWriter Girl Patti’s parents were regulars at Trader Vic’s and not only had rumaki there, but made it at home. So, she has a personal recipe on hand just for you.
Patti’s Rumaki Recipe
“Three’s a charm” with this rumaki recipe because it only requires three ingredients – chicken livers, water chestnuts (8 oz. can, sliced) and sliced bacon. Cut bacon slices in half or thirds. Place a piece of liver and a water chestnut slice on top of each bacon section. Wrap the bacon around the liver and water chestnut and secure the ends together with a toothpick.
Put the rumaki skewers on the top of a broiler pan. Broil in the oven (3 – 4 inches from the heat) for 8 – 10 minutes, turning each piece once during cooking.
Serve the rumaki while it’s hot – either plain or with a teriyaki sauce or Dijon mustard for dipping.
Then dive in!
Please post your comment below. Comments will appear the next day.
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Seven Lucky Gods of Japan
Watching Over You in 2022
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
With the New Year beginning and so many unknowns ahead it’s reassuring to have the Seven Lucky Gods of Japan to guide us.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel discovered this little book published over 50 years ago by Japanese author Reiko Chiba that outlines who these seven gods are and the roles they play in influencing our lives.
Dating back more than 1000 years, Japanese lore has it that at the beginning of the new year, the gods take over a magic treasure ship and become sailors traveling from heaven to all the earthly ports bringing magical gifts ranging from invisibility to wisdom, wealth, good fortune and more.
For each of us there is also a special god in the group that watches out for us based on our profession – say an accountant, dancer, gardener, or teacher.
Ebisu, the god of wealth, good fortune and fair dealing, watches over merchants, sailors, fishermen…and the butcher, too.
Daikoku, the patron god of farmers and tradesmen, is also a demon-chaser. People in the countryside pay homage to him during the harvest.
Hotei, the god of fortune and guardian of children, is said to have been a real person who was both a Zen priest and a rogue. He keeps an eye out for everyone from cooks to fortunetellers and politicians
Benton, often called the goddess of love, is also the goddess of muse, influencing and inspiring those in the arts – actors, writers, musicians, dancers, painters and sculptors.
Bishamon is a guardian of Buddhist values and giver of fortune, treasure and happiness. He is a healer, too, and the patron god of doctors, soldiers and priests.
Jurojin, the god of wisdom, guards over teachers, accountants, engineers, journalists, judges, and even gamblers.
Fukurokuju is the god of happiness, riches and long life. A philosopher, who loves to play chess, he looks out for athletes, gardeners, magicians and scientists
So, whether you’re looking for love, luck, longevity – or laid-back surfing days – there’s sure to be a Japanese God watching over you in 2022!
Please post your comment below. Comments will appear the next day.
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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The Holidays Are A Puzzlement
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
“It’s a puzzlement,” the King of Siam (now Thailand) says of the world to Anna in the Broadway stage and film hit The King and I.
It’s a puzzlement at SurfWriter Girl Patti Kishel’s house during Christmas and New Year’s, too. That’s when her husband Greg tackles his annual jigsaw puzzle.
It’s been a holiday tradition for years now…with lots of different puzzles taking shape.
Seeing Greg organize the pieces on the table is like watching General Patton moving the troops across Europe.
Greg starts by putting together the borders, especially the hard-to-find corners. After that the battle is on!
Given the size and complexity of the puzzle – and some of the unique shapes of the pieces – it can take a few days or over a week to finish.
Everyone who drops by for some hot apple cider or to say “Merry Christmas” adds a few pieces to the puzzle and watches the picture take shape.
And, one way or another, before the year is out the final puzzle piece is put in place.
Wishing you Piece on Earth in 2022
Sunny, Patti & Greg
Please post your comment below. Comments will appear the next day.
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Tea Recharges and Rejuvenates
From Ancient to Modern Times
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
According to legend, tea was discovered around 3,000 B.C. when some leaves from a tree blew into the hot water a servant was boiling for the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung. The resulting drink was refreshing and invigorating and eventually became a staple throughout Asia.
By the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 A.D.) the way to brew tea had evolved into an art form with tea valued for its medicinal and spiritual properties. Now there are many teas to choose from and it is enjoyed worldwide.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny and Patti enjoy trying different types of tea and find it’s especially beneficial when we’re feeling tired or stressed.
When Sunny’s niece Jennifer Dumlao, who lives in Texas, surprised us with this beautiful package of teas from Tealish Fine Teas we were excited to try them. The Canadian-owned, family business specializes in creating teas with natural, healthy ingredients that invite you to “sip, breathe, and relax.”
The company’s founders, husband-and-wife Laura and Mike Chodola were in their mid-twenties when they started their tea business in Toronto in 2005. They say, “Our teas are steeped in wellness and meant to inspire you to recharge and rejuvenate, giving you the energy you need to live your best life.”
Tea isn’t just a beverage, it’s a way of life…wherever you live and with whomever you drink it.
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Vans Streams Music and Culture
Programming Off the Wall 2.0
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Lifestyle sports brand Vans is putting its best foot forward online with its new livestream media network Channel 66.
A mix of podcast-style talk shows, panels, sports, music, fashion, and more, the channel was launched as a way to connect with its fans – something that has been hard to do during these socially-distanced times.
Brooke Burt, Vans senior manager of lifestyle brand marketing, said that to communicate with their audience, “we had to figure out how to continue our storytelling.” Only now it’s in a digital sense.
Among the shows already scheduled are: the Chulita Vinyl Club featuring female DJs, shows about skateboarding and roller skating, up-and-coming artists, hip-hop, rock and punk music, visual arts, and a variety of other programs that highlight the creative energy taking place…
in Vans flagship studio in Los Angeles and other artistic hubs including Mexico City, Chicago and New York.
With digital programming Monday – Friday, Vans has found a way to share the stoke. Off the Wall – 2.0 version.
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Martha Stewart Living – 30th Anniversary
Magazine Celebrates the Good Life!
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Martha Stewart Living magazine is celebrating its 30th anniversary doing what it does best – reminding us of the joys of home and the things we can do to make our lives prettier, healthier and happier.
SurfWriter Girls think it’s fitting that the magazine’s milestone anniversary comes during the holidays because Martha Stewart is all about celebrating the special bonds that bring family and friends together…even when we are apart.
Even if you don’t grow your own vegetables, get honey straight from the hive, cook from scratch, or have much in the way of homemaking skills, you can still enjoy seeing how the amazing Martha Stewart puts everything together with ease.
An artist of the home, Stewart has turned her domestic skills into a billion-dollar business empire of books, magazines, TV shows, brands, and more.
A former fashion model and stockbroker, who graduated from Barnard College with majors in history and architectural history, there doesn’t seem to be anything that Martha (as everyone calls her) can’t do.
SurfWriter Girl Patti got a chance to talk to her when Patti was writing a business book on entrepreneurship and remembers how energetic and enthusiastic Martha was.
Not one to be idle, Martha always has something on her plate – pun intended! And, when you read her magazine, you feel like she’s your best friend and is talking directly to you.
Now, as Martha Stewart Living magazine enters its next decade, Martha is poised to help us make the best meals, turn our homes into comforting and inviting sanctuaries, and discover the beauty around us that comes from nature and our own efforts.
Following Martha’s example, to make life bloom, we just need to plant the seeds and till the soil.
Please post your comment below. Comments will appear the next day.
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Grocery Shopping 2020
Home Safe Home
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
In 1826 French food author Anthemel Brillat-Savarin wrote, “You are what you eat.”
Now, in 2020, we can add, “You are how you grocery shop.” The coronavirus has changed our lives in many ways. We’re making fewer trips to the supermarket but filling our carts more. The average amount spent each time has risen to $195.
With people focusing on staying safe at home, food is foremost now – from comfort and convenience food to home baking and fine dining meals made at home or delivered from a restaurant.
Grocery stores generated 8-years of projected sales growth in just months. New store layouts are making things faster and safer with curbside pickups and home deliveries. Ten percent of people only shop online, lifting online shopping to 40% of food sales.
Comfort food treats from Little Debbie snack cakes and Hostess Twinkies to potato chips and munchies are flying off the shelves, sending Frito-Lay’s sales growth into double-digits.
Oranges, which have vitamin C and keep for a long time, have become food stars. Sales in July were up 52%.
Pantry staples, including dried beans, pasta and rice, are soaring, too. With time on our hands, we’re cooking and baking more. Sales of yeast jumped 600% – when you can find it!
And “frozen foods are a powerhouse,” says Supermarket News. Seventy percent of shoppers are buying more frozen fruits and vegetables, pizzas, desserts and prepared meals.
From microwave dinners to fine dining, we’re stocking up, staying safe, and enjoying the comforts of home.
Please post your comment below. Comments will appear the next day.
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Puzzling Times
Putting the Pieces Together
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
“It’s a puzzlement,” the King of Siam (Thailand) says of the world to Anna in the Broadway stage and film hit The King and I.
At times like this, his words ring true. As we puzzle what to do, many are putting the pieces together…in jigsaw puzzles. With people at home, jigsaw puzzle sales are skyrocketing. Ravensburger, a top puzzle company, says its sales are up 370 percent.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny and Patti know how popular puzzles can be. Patti’s husband Greg is a puzzle aficionado and can’t wait to get started as soon as he opens the box.
He’s very strategic. Seeing him organize the pieces on the table is like watching General Patton moving the troops across Europe.
First Greg puts together the borders. Then the battle is on! “Putting puzzles together takes strength,” says Greg. “You have to watch your back muscles when you’re leaning over the table. And, if you get stumped, look at the puzzle from the other side.”
Putting together puzzles is something you can do by yourself or with anyone who wants to join in.
It’s fun and therapeutic, too…as you see the results of your efforts and the picture takes shape. SurfWriter Girls think it’s the purrfect pastime – the cat’s meow.
And, when the puzzle is finished, there is a sense of pride and accomplishment. Even if we can’t control the world around us, we are still the masters of our own puzzle domains.
Please post your comment below. Comments will appear the next day.
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Birdland Lullaby
A Calming Prescription
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Given all the stress that everyone’s under these days, health professionals are recommending all kinds of ways to feel the calm.
From meditation and yoga exercises to solitary Japanese “forest bathing” strolls and the warm Danish hygge snuggly lifestyles, everyone is looking for an escape.
But, putting the demands of the world on hold, can be difficult – which is why doctors in Scotland have come up with advice that’s literally for the birds: a prescription to “Watch the birds.”
In Scotland’s Shetland Islands medical centers have teamed up with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to encourage people to watch and listen to the birds around you.
Other countries, including the U.S., have recognized the health benefits of bird watching and connecting to nature…even if it’s just the view from your window.
Florence Williams, author of The Nature Fix, agrees this can be the best medicine. “When you hear birdsong your brain puts out more alpha waves, making you feel more calm and alert.”
The Rx is good for the environment, too, getting people to appreciate nature and want to protect it and the birds’ soothing lullabies…
wrapping ourselves in a blanket of calm.
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Cheers to the Lunar New Year!
Whiskey Sour Makes for Sweet Start
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
There’s nothing like a whiskey sour to toast in the Lunar New Year and celebrate the Year of the Rat and special times throughout 2020.
A drink that dates back to 1872 – when an English sailor, who opened a bar in Iquique, Peru, first made it – a whiskey sour provides just the right blend of sweet and sour.
For advice on how to make this classic drink, SurfWriter Girls turned to our friends Bob and Joanne Osgood, who are known for their hospitality, good food and spirits.
Bob Osgood’s Whiskey Sour
Blend 2 oz Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey, 1 oz. lime juice, 1 oz. lemon juice, 1 oz. simple syrup* in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Then pour into old fashion glass over ice. Garnish with citrus wedge (lime, lemon or orange) and a maraschino cherry.
*Simple Syrup – make by combining 2 C water and 2 C sugar heated over stove until sugar dissolves. Bottle and save extra syrup for later.
One of the secrets to Bob’s drink is the fresh limes he uses – picked from their tree.
Wishing you a year that’s more sweet than sour in 2020!
Sunny, Patti and Greg
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Fall is Fiesta Time!
Colorful Pottery is American Classic
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Fiestaware – the instantly-recognizable, brightly-colored pottery – has been adding color to our lives since 1936 when it was introduced at the Pottery and Glass Exhibit in Pittsburgh, PA.
Called “The most collected brand of china in the United States” by The New York Times, Fiestaware – with all the colors of the autumn leaves – is known for its bold, clean lines and art deco styling.
Unlike traditional tableware of its day with decorated images that was sold in place-settings, Fiestaware had open-stock pieces – 37 in all – you could mix and match.
The emphasis was on versatility and fun.
Made by the Homer Laughlin China Company of Newell, West Virginia, an early brochure advertised Fiesta’s unique approach to tableware: “Color! That’s the trend today.
It gives the hostess the opportunity to create her own table effects. Plates of one color, cream soups of another, contrasting cups and saucers. It’s fun to set a table with Fiesta!”
With America in the middle of the Great Depression, Fiestaware couldn’t have picked a better time to appear on the scene and brighten the day.
Fiestaware was popular from the beginning, catching on with households across the nation who loved the product and the price. It’s just as popular today and vintage pottery pieces are sought-after collectibles.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel are Fiestaware fans, too. We love the playfulness of this timeless American classic that turns every meal and snack into a party.
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Tommy Bahama
Island Food and Fashions
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
For a taste of the islands and a convenient spot to check out the latest beach fashions, Tommy Bahama offers a great escape from the summer sun.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel and Patti’s husband Greg settled in at the Newport Beach, CA location.
With all the great menu choices and colorful tropical drinks, you can easily while away the day.
From chicken sliders, coconut shrimp and all-American burgers to ahi tuna bowls and cilantro & ginger crusted mahi mahi, there are plenty of choices to tempt you.
Plus, the assortment of island-inspired beach and active wear will have you relaxing in style – at home or on the sand.
With locations from Waikiki to Manhattan Island, there’s sure to be a Tommy Bahama waiting for you to drop anchor.
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Pann’s Restaurant
A Trip Back to the Future
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
For a trip Back to the Future Angelenos and visitors to the City of Angels should definitely stop by Pann’s restaurant near LAX airport.
Started in 1958 by Greek immigrants George and Rena Panagopoulos, Pann’s is known as much for its Googie “atomic age” architectural style – with bright colors and bold, sweeping geometric shapes – as its great food and friendly service.
Named by the Los Angeles Conservancy “One of the last and best of the iconic, futuristic coffee shops designed by the prolific firm of Armet & Davis,” Pann’s is an LA institution and has been a backdrop in TV and films, including Pulp Fiction and Bewitched.
At the corner of La Cienega and La Tijera – near the Baldwin Hills oil fields in Beverly Hills Cop II – Pann’s puts a smile on your face when you enter the door. With its long counter, red leather booths, neon lights and 60s music playing, it’s the perfect place to order a cup of coffee and settle in.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel felt right at home. For Patti this was especially true since she grew up in Culver City just a few miles away.
With Ricky Nelson and Elvis songs in the background, we took our time exploring the breakfast menu before choosing Texas Style French Toast. Like its name, it was Texas-size and large enough to share.
You can order Pann’s omelettes, waffles and chicken, too. Blackened catfish fillet, salmon patties or pork chops. For lunch there’s everything from Patty melts, BLTs, and hamburgers to fish n’ chips and Charbroiled N.Y. steak. And a Daily Blue Plate Special.
So, settle in and enjoy this Jetson’s-style blast from the past.
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Springtime Renewal
A Home for Everyone
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Now that spring is here it’s a time for new beginnings. Not just in nature and the beauty all around us, but for everyone.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel are excited about the work that Irvine-based Jamboree Housing is doing to help the homeless in Orange County have a fresh start in a warm, safe place to call home.
Jamboree Housing is working hard to provide housing and supportive services for those in need and bringing people together as a community with social activities and after-school programs for kids.
The mission of its team members is to “transform lives” and “strengthen communities,” helping families, seniors, veterans, and people with special needs to have affordable, permanent housing. Jamboree is committed to this goal and in collaboration with other organizations is creating lasting solutions to the housing crisis.
Helen Cameron, an analyst with Jamboree Housing, told SurfWriter Girls, “The most exciting thing we are doing is taking people off the streets who are chronically homeless with a disability and providing permanent, supportive housing. We couldn’t do it alone. It’s all about partnerships.”
Thanks to Jamboree Housing and its partners, more people are finding the welcome mat is out this spring.
That’s definitely something to sing about.
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Rocket Rocks SoCal
Photo taken by Greg Viviani
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Where else but SoCal would you come across a Buck Rogers’ style space ship parked on the beach or in the desert waiting to take off?
The head-turning, silver bullet-shaped ship is the work of artist/sculptor Dustin Otterbach, who uses reclaimed materials in his artworks to inspire sustainable and responsible practices. The Otterbach Rocket, which merges the body of a 1983 Jetstream 31 and the nose from a Boeing 727, even has a VIP lounge inside.
With its 25th century look SurfWriter Girls Sunny and Patti think it’s perfect for a trip up the California coast or into the future. Along the way be sure to look at some of Otterbach’s other creations.
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Call of the Wild at Trader Joe’s
Exploring the Oso Creek Trail
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Shopping at Trader Joe’s is always an adventure. You never know what exotic things you’ll discover. Moroccan mint tea. Peach Bellini jam. Key Lime pie. Icelandic yogurt. Jerk chicken with mango chutney. Imported wines and craft beers. Seasonal offers designed to tempt you.
Now that the autumn weather is finally here it is a great time to go exploring at Trader Joe’s, especially in Mission Viejo, CA.
That’s because there’s a hiking path right behind the store – the Oso Creek Trail – which winds for over 4 miles along a meandering creek and a rustic setting with native plants and animals.
Just steps away from busy streets and shops there’s a whole other world of California oaks and sycamores, elderberries and willows and wild life including deer and squirrels, turtles and lizards, finches, sparrows and hummingbirds.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel even spotted some Great Egrets wading in the creek and flying above the trees.
And have you ever seen fairy houses before? Created by artist and self-proclaimed fairyologist Andreas Frank, these diminutive dwellings are nestled into the trees just waiting for their occupants to come home.
There is a tiny library, too, and a coffee house and other fairy gathering spots. Maybe even a surf shop. Keep a sharp eye out and you might spot them.
Local volunteers help to maintain the trail and plant new vegetation each year so there’s always something magical to see.
So, after exploring Trader Joe’s, heed the call of the wild and experience the natural wonders outside.
Wait till you see the amazing seasonal offers Mother Nature has on display!
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Picnic Celebrates Accomplishments
A Time To Party!
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
You couldn’t ask for a better picnic spot than the historic Hart Park in Orange, CA. With its mature trees, outdoor spaces and an Olympic-size pool from the 1930s nicknamed the “Orange Plunge,” it’s got everything.
Everywhere SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel looked we could see people having fun at Orange County’s Celebration Recovery Picnic – eating hotdogs and chili, competing in watermelon contests, dancing, getting their faces painted, and more.
Sponsored by the Mental Health Association of Orange County, Jamboree Housing, NAMI OC, and other community health organizations, the annual picnic does more than bring people together. It’s a healing event that celebrates their accomplishments in overcoming life’s setbacks – emotional, physical, and other difficulties.
Helen Cameron, Director of Supportive Housing at Jamboree Housing, told SurfWriter Girls, “I love going to the picnic each year because we see all the success stories. It’s great to see people having fun and enjoying the day.”
Picnics – eating outside with family and friends – originated in France in the 1700s, but now they are an American tradition…
and this year’s picnic was definitely something to celebrate!
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Nifty Fifties Toys are Back!
New Spin on Hula Hoop and More 
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Wham-O – the cool 1950s toy company that launched the mega-selling Hula Hoop – is getting its game on with new must-have toys for the 21st Century.
The maker of Frisbee, Slip ‘N Slide, Super Ball, Trac Ball, Silly String, Hackey Sack and Boogie Board is ready to rumble with updated versions of its classic toys and new inventions.
Introduced in 1957, Wham-O’s iconic Hula Hoop sold an incredible 100 million units in three years. There was hardly a kid in America that didn’t have one. At the height of the Hula Hoop craze everyone was doing it.
Now, the Carson, CA, company that specializes in selling fun has a new management team and a reinvigorated commitment to getting kids (and adults) to put down their phones and grab Wham-O’s latest creations.
Wham-O president Todd Richards has some surprises up his sleeve – including a square-shaped Frisbee! It’s more aerodynamic than the original and designed to fly farther and straighter.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel’s reaction to that is: “Wow!”
The company made a big splash at the 2017 Hong Kong Toy Show and is excited about the new toys in its development pipeline. Plus, it’s asking people to submit their own ideas for the next hot thing. If you’ve got an idea, just call them.
In their prime Wham-O toys were more than a pastime. They were part of our lives, going to the park or beach with us. Or whiling away summer days in the backyard. You could toss, throw, juggle, slide or boogie on them.
And no batteries needed!
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Energizing Summer!
Energy Czar Greg Kishel Keeps It Cool
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Now that the temperature is rising it’s important to keep cool and save energy, too,
SurfWriter Girl Patti’s husband Greg Kishel, who’s the Energy Czar at their house, knows how to cool things down. He’s the one who checks the HVAC system and the window seals.
To beat the summer heat, he has some other ideas, too – like replacing the air conditioning filter (every season) and stocking up on drinks for the fridge.
“In the mornings, when it’s still cool out, open the windows and blinds to circulate the air,” says Greg. “Then, before it gets hot in the afternoon, close everything up until the evening when you can open it up again.”
Air conditioning is great, if you have it. “But, use fans, too,” Greg advises. “They can direct and help to circulate the air. Plus you’ll use less energy”
Another of Greg’s tips is: “When there’s laundry or other chores to do get them done in the early morning before the house heats up.”
And try to use the oven and stove less. Summer is a perfect time for salads and sandwiches. Or use the outdoor grill. “When you do cook inside, use an exhaust fan to vent the hot air out of the house.”
Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be ready to chill out on even the hottest days.
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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John’s Restaurant Has Local Vibe
Serving the Neighborhood
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
When you’re in the mood for comfort food or want to hang out in the neighborhood everyone needs a special spot to go. For SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel that’s John’s.
Located in Cypress (on the corner of Cerritos and Denny), John’s checks all the boxes for what a great local restaurant should be. Warm, friendly, inviting. Check. Really great coffee with unlimited refills. Check. Delicious food. Check. Reasonable prices. Check. It’s one of those places that once you’ve been there you want to keep going back.
Sunny, who grew up nearby in Los Alamitos, has been going to John’s for years. Now Patti is on board. We even have a favorite menu item. The spinach and feta cheese omelet. You won’t believe how much spinach and cheese they put in it! Better than any omelet we’ve had. We always order it with fresh fruit and warm corn tortillas.
John’s is especially busy on the weekends when people come to have breakfast and socialize.You never know who you’re going to run into. Plus you can catch up on the latest news, movie reviews, sports scores, surf conditions, whatever’s going on.
During lunch John’s is packed with people ordering John’s burgers, sandwiches, Patty melts, Philly cheese steaks, Mexican plates, and more.
The burgers come in an array of sizes. The 1/4 lb. John’s Original and 1/3 lb. Specialty Burger.
Plus the 747 – two 1/4 lb. patties, bacon, ham, avocado, American and Swiss Cheese, mushrooms, green chiles, fried egg, tomato, red onions, pickles and mayo. If that doesn’t have your taste buds soaring, nothing will!
Dinner is popular, too, with people settling in over plates of roast beef and meatloaf, fried chicken, juicy New York and rib-eye steaks, and Surf & Turf combos. The fish and chips – made with wild-caught cod, battered fresh – is great to eat at the beach. Or Patti takes it home for her husband Greg.
There are so many things to try, you’ll never get tired of working your way through John’s menu. Just as important as the food, though, is the sense of family that you feel when you walk in the door.
You’re always greeted with a wave and a smile and Maria waiting to pour you a mug of her fresh, steaming-hot coffee.
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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The Holidays Are A Puzzlement
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
“It’s a puzzlement,” the King of Siam (now Thailand) says of the world to Anna in the Broadway stage and film hit The King and I.
It’s a puzzlement at SurfWriter Girl Patti Kishel’s house during Christmas and New Year’s, too. That’s when her husband Greg tackles his annual jigsaw puzzle.
It’s been a holiday tradition for years now…with lots of different puzzles taking shape.
Seeing Greg organize the pieces on the table is like watching General Patton moving the troops across Europe.
Greg starts by putting together the borders, especially the hard-to-find corners. After that the battle is on!
Given the size and complexity of the puzzle – and some of the unique shapes of the pieces – it can take a few days or over a week to finish.
Everyone who drops by for some hot apple cider or to say “Merry Christmas” adds a few pieces to the puzzle and watches the picture take shape.
And, one way or another, before the year is out the final puzzle piece is put in place.
Wishing you Piece on Earth in 2017
Sunny, Patti & Greg
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Pacific Coast Magazine
Celebrates Iconic Coastal California Lifestyle
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
If you haven’t seen the premiere issue of Pacific Coast magazine yet, grab a copy while you still can. The pink, orange and yellow, Endless Summer cover (one of three cover options) lets you know from the start that this is a magazine devoted to the California dream of laid back days of sun, sand, and surf.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug & Patti Kishel love the mix of beach-related stories, interviews, places to go and things to try.
The feature story 50 Years of Endless Summer not only evokes memories of the idyllic, early days of surfing, but will make you want to create new ones. Filmmaker Bruce Brown and legendary surfer Robert August share what it was like making the classic movie while chasing the perfect wave and bring you up to date on where their epic journey has taken them.
And, if you’re hankering for a road trip, then come along for the ride in the Hit the Road story about a trip up PCH from San Clemente to Santa Barbara. Rather than putting the pedal to the metal and trying to get there as fast as possible, this is a leisurely 10-day trip with plenty of time for discoveries along the way.
Other articles on SoCal’s craft brewery scene and Balboa Island will have you reaching for a brewski or trying to choose between a chocolate-covered frozen banana and a Balboa bar.
While you’re at it, be sure to check out Pacific Coast’s Photo Contest. The magazine invites you to upload your best photos of the Cali Coast’s iconic beaches on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. The winner of the contest (which runs through November 13, 2016) gets a 2-night stay at San Diego’s Hotel Del Coronado.
With this bold first issue Pacific Coast is making a big splash!
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Fire and Water
Award-Winning Film Salutes Surfing
and New York Firefighters
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Now that red flag fire warning season is here, it’s important to give thanks to the firefighters who put their lives in danger to keep us safe.
As it turns out, many of them are surfers.
The multi-award-winning documentary film Fire and Water by writer-director Thomas Brookins, which was a big hit at this year’s Newport Beach Film Festival, shows how the brotherhood of firefighters is also a surfing brotherhood.
Featuring rare footage from over 50-years-ago, the film is about NYC firefighter and surfing pioneer Don Eichen. After following his dream to surf the big waves in Oahu, Eichen returned to New York to become a firefighter and introduced surfing there in the 1960s. Eichen surfed at Pipeline and Waimea alongside surfing legends who built the sport, capturing the surfing action on his Bolex camera.
In addition to showing New York’s surfing culture and top surf spots from Rockaway Beach to Montauk, Brookins’ documentary includes Eichens’ footage of surfing legends Eddie Aikau, Greg Noll, Rob Machado, and more. In making the film, Eichen and Brookins were able to save a piece of surfing history.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel think Fire and Water is as much a testament to director Thomas Brookins’ strong desire to get it made as to the lure of surfing. During production Brookins not only had to struggle to find funding and support to make his film, but waged a personal battle against stage-4 cancer.
To see this homage to surfing and firefighting, check for screenings in your area. It will fire up your love of surfing!
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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SurfWriter Cat Smokey In OC Breeze Story
Adventurous Cat Is Neighborhood Legend
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Anyone who writes knows what it’s like staring at the flashing cursor on a blank screen while trying to come up with a story. SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel have had more than a cursor to inspire us. Patti’s cat (SurfWriter Cat Smokey) was there to help.
He would lie on the computer keys, adding his own words and phrases. Or poke at the mouse, thinking it was a toy just for him. At times, Smokey even became the story. In Water is the Cat’s Meow he proudly showed off his sleek, smooth body after Dr. Silvia shaved his fur into a cool, summer sports do.
Since Smokey passed away last February SurfWriter Girls have had to work harder. But, Smokey left us with one last story, which was just published in the Orange County Breeze. To find out more about Smokey and how he left paw prints on so many hearts, read Smokey, The Neighborhood Cat. Just click here: OC Breeze
Post Script
Tina Todisco, Smokey’s first cat mom, shared this background: Smokey was born in 1999 on a Dairy Farm with lots of brothers and sisters, who were all adventurous and curious. “They all loved to jump into any vehicle that had access – the mail trucks and UPS especially!”
In his adopted home the neighbors quickly got to know Smokey. “One neighbor swore Smokey broke into her house and stole something (don’t recall what)! She wanted Smokey apprehended for ‘breaking and entering’. I can imagine the cop’s response! Smokey was also famous for leaving ‘gifts’ – small birds, rabbits, etc on any front porch he wanted to impress…especially the pretty girl cats next door that would sit in the window and Smokey would flirt with.”
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Catching a Wave With Robbie Maddison
Australian motorbike rider pulls off amazing stunt!
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
When the weather is great and it’s an awesome day, what are you going to do – ride a dirt bike or go surfing?
For Australian motorbike stunt rider Robbie “Maddo” Maddison the answer is “both.”
Maddo, the motorbike stunt double for James Bond actor Daniel Craig in the Bond movie Skyfall, spent two years preparing to live his pipe dream of surfing on a dirt bike.
This year he succeeded, partnering with DC shoes to turn his dream into a reality, surfing on his dirt bike in Tahiti.
Drawing stares and applause from amazed onlookers, Maddo’s stunt, immortalized on video by DC, has had more than 22 million views.
To see Maddo’s epic bike ride and an exclusive interview with him by Cristina Costea, take a look at this feature story SurfWriter Girls friends at BookSurfCamps.com shared with us. Just click on: Pipe Dream
Then hold on for the ride of a lifetime!
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Celebrate Chinese New Year – 2016
Make Way for the Monkeys!
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Chinese New Year 2016 is the Year of the Monkey, the ninth animal in the Chinese 12-month zodiac cycle.
Since the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 210 AD) the Chinese have marked each year with an animal sign representing what the year holds in terms of fortune and prosperity. The animal also foretells the personalities of the people born under that sign. Linked to the phases of the moon, the Year of the Monkey lasts from February 8, 2016 to January 27, 2017.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel learned that this year is likely to be a lively one especially in business, finance, and politics. Just look at how Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump are shaking up the race for President. The Chinese believe the Year of the Monkey is a time to take risks and be innovative. Be alert for deceptions, though. The monkey is tricky and you need to focus on the facts, not your emotions.
Artists Doug Horne and Shag have captured the essence of the monkey in their art with playful monkeys that are always up to something. Now that their year is starting, you can be sure that the monkeys will be in a party mood.
People born in the Year of the Monkey are sociable and confident – a little mischievous, too! – good decision-makers, creative and energetic. But, they can also be short-tempered and self-centered.
If this is your year, some of the people you share it with are Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Dickens, George Lucas, Mel Gibson, Annie Oakley, and Elizabeth Taylor.
SurfWriter Girls friend Cynthia Mejia-Giudici, an Asian community liaison with the Seattle Art Museum, says, “The Year of the Monkey will be fun.” There are lots of ways to ring in the New Year – going out to dinner, giving red envelopes with money inside, putting up decorations, and setting off fireworks.
Or, celebrate it surfer style and head out to the River’s End restaurant in Seal Beach where owner Mike Balchin has his good luck, surfing monkeys up front to greet you!
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Aussie Skateboarding Cat is Kool Kitty
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
In the Land Down Under where everyone knows how to have fun…even the cats want to get in on the action, as shown in this video of Didga, the skateboarding cat. Whether it’s hanging toes on the nose or going nose-to-nose with the doggy onlookers at the local skate park, Didga is the cat’s meow.
A rescue cat trained by Aussie Robert Dollwett, who goes by the name CatmanToo, Didga is a feline skateboarding phenom whose video exploits have been viewed by millions. He’s one doggone cat. Just ask all the dogs.
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Friends of the Library
Make Holiday Shopping Easy
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
“A friend with a book to read, is a friend indeed.” – SurfWriter Girls
During the holidays crowded shopping malls and maxed-out credit cards can put a damper on what should be a festive season.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel know how to turn shopping angst into shopping joy…with a little help from your Friends of the Library. To find gifts for everyone on your list, check out SurfWriter Girls story in the O.C. Breeze
Books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, they’ve got it all.
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Fall – When More than the Leaves Change
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Fall is a time of transition. Between the sun-splashed days of summer and the festive days of winter, it’s a time to celebrate the earth’s bounty and take stock of where you’re going.
Take a look at SurfWriter Girls fall story in the OC Breeze. Then get ready for all the new changes ahead! Just click here: OC Breeze
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Make Way for the Minions!
Summer Movie Makes Big Splash
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
The Minions took in over $115 million on its opening weekend, grabbing the number one spot and turning the Minions into millionaires.
With Minion-mania taking the nation by storm the Minions are showing up everywhere – from TV shows and shopping malls to McDonald’s.
In the middle of all the fanfare lovable Minion Bob slipped away for a Ferris Bueller-style day off from the media and headed out to Huntington Beach.
Away from his Minion cohorts and the Hollywood glitz, Bob spent the day in Surf City soaking up rays…and even catching some waves. After amazing the locals with his ability to do toes on the nose, Bob was ready to get back to being a movie star.
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Disney X Vans
Young at Heart Collection
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Man o’ man, check out the new Vans!
Vans and Disney have joined forces to create a new clothing collection that just hit stores in time for summer.
Now, along with the must-have Mickey Mouse ears souvenir and iconic Mickey Mouse watch, you can add Vans shoes and T’s to the list.
There are even backpacks in the line-up.
Vans and Disney have been OC neighbors and partners going back to their early beginnings. Vans has made shoes for Disneyland cast members throughout the park – from its submarine ride to the monorail.
With this new collection, the public can share in the magic, too.
Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and your other Disney favorites are ready to step out in style when you are.
Please post your comment below. Comments will appear the next day.
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Artists Monkey Around
Hey, Hey, We’re the Monkeys!
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Summer’s the time to focus less on business and more on monkey business. Just ask tiki artist Doug Horne and 60s-retro artist Josh Agle (AKA Shag), whose tropical scenes often include a playful blend of monkeys and mayhem.
Doug Horne’s monkeys are mischievous pranksters.
Shag’s monkeys are 60s-style swingers.
Wherever there’s fun to be had, you can count on the monkeys to be in the middle of the action. To see more monkeys look online at tikiroom and Shagthestore.
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
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Beach Bongo and Bikini Art
Shag – the Swinging Retro-Style Artist
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Josh Agle, better known as Shag to the many followers of his retro-style artistic creations, has a swinger’s view of life with a 60s sensibility.
Looking at his paintings of hip people in Hugh Hefner, Mad Men-type settings – from cocktail parties to backyard barbecues – you feel immersed in the go-go era.
Shag’s paintings are populated with an assortment of lounge lizards, glamorous women, Vegas Rat Pack types, night club-goers, and other cool cats (both human and feline).
Karen Adler, owner of the Picture Show Gallery in Seal Beach (231 Main Street), told SurfWriter GIrls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel that Shaq has a unique style that really captures the essence of the 60s.
Gesturing to the paintings on display in her gallery, she noted the attention to period detail that Shag takes with each artwork.
Adler, who has featured Shag’s artworks at the Picture Show Gallery for over a dozen years now, said, “Everything he does is creative, bright, and fun.”
Shag’s paintings are playful and draw you into his own mod world, filled with turtle-neck-wearing sophisticates, bikini-clad bombshells, martini-drinkers, and more.
When you look at Shag’s beach art you feel like you’re in the middle of Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello’s Beach Blanket Bingo movie. So, get ready to party!
In addition to the artworks on display locally at the Picture Show Gallery, Shag has his own gallery, Shag the store, in Palm Springs, located at 725 N Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262.
The Palm Springs gallery (and an online website) features a variety of original paintings and prints, cloisonné jewelry…
painted handbags…
pillows and beach towels, glassware, and more.
So, when you’re feelin’ groovy take a look inside Shag’s retro world and slip into a pair of paisley bell-bottoms or neon mini-skirt.
Please post your comment below. Comments will appear the next day.
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
A Sea of Gifts to Discover
Celebrating Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s Gifts
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
During the holidays when much of the focus is on gifts – what to give and what we’re hoping to receive – the best gifts of all may not be in stores, but waiting for us to discover on the beach.
“The beach is not the place to work, to read, to write or think,” begins Anne Morrow Lindbergh in her much-loved book, written in 1955 – Gift from the Sea.
“Rollers on the beach, wind in the pines…One falls under their spell, relaxes, stretches out prone. One becomes, in fact, like the element on which one lies, flattened by the sea, bare, open, empty as the beach, erased by the tides of all yesterday’s scribbling.”
With “patience,” Lindbergh writes, one will come to experience the “gifts from the sea.” Whether it’s a rare shell or a perfectly-rounded stone, a strong emotion or a new sense of awareness, the gifts will come.
Lindbergh, the wife of famed American aviator Charles Lindbergh, found solace by the sea and shared her musings in her books.
In keeping with this, SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel wish you a Christmas stocking filled with your own gifts from the sea:
Simplicity. Studying a sea shell found on a walk, Lindbergh observes how simple it is. “One learns first of all in beach living the art of shedding, how little one can get along with, not how much.”
Solitude. “It is a difficult lesson to learn today…to practice the art of solitude,” writes Lindbergh. Yet, alone on the beach, she “watched the gulls…dip and wheel and dive for the scraps I threw them.” And, felt a kinship. “The beauty of earth and sea and air meant more to me. I was in harmony with it, melted into the universe.”
Friendship. Lindbergh savors the gifts of friendship exchanged on the beach, openly and freely. “The pure relationship, how beautiful it is!” she notes. “Strangers smile at you on the beach, come up and offer you a shell. Nothing is demanded of you in payment, no social rite expected.”
Home. Gazing at the oyster beds, Lindbergh recognizes the importance of home and of “forming ties, roots, a firm base.” She sees each oyster “has its place on the rock to which it has fitted itself perfectly and to which it clings tenaciously.”
Balance. Lindbergh’s closeness to the sea with the ebb and flow of the tides gives her a “balance of physical, intellectual, and spiritual life. Work without pressure. Space for significance and beauty. Time for solitude and sharing.”
Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s love of the sea and her patient explorations of the beach environment enabled her to experience and share its gifts.
At this holiday season SurfWriter Girls Sunny and Patti wish you these “gifts from the sea”… and more.
Beach salvage mini-sculpture by OC artist Marty Naftel
Happy Holidays!
Patti and Sunny
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
Cowabanga – Christmas is Coming!
The Surfing Santa of Seal Beach
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
When children in Seal Beach hear the sound of jingle bells ringing instead of looking to the rooftops, they look out at the ocean – for a glimpse of…
Santa on his surfboard.
And, to their wondering eyes, who does appear? Michael Pless Sr, minus the reindeer!
Known as the Surfing Santa of Seal Beach, Pless, the owner of M & M Surfing School, puts on a red Santa wetsuit and white beard every year and surfs up and down the shoreline to spread the joy of Christmas to one and all.
Pless, who has been doing this for two decades, has his wife Jill on board, too, dressed as Mrs Claus…
and son Michael Jr. – as Frosty the Snowman – all riding the waves together.
Pless told SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel that he likes “keeping the spirit of Christmas alive for all ages.”
As the Surfing Santa of Seal Beach, he brings joy to the community and holiday magic while celebrating the sport he loves – surfing!
So, when you’re walking along the sand in Seal Beach and listening to jingle bells coming from the ocean, don’t be surprised when you see Surfing Santa riding a big wave coming your way!
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
Surfing Museum’s Century of Stoke
Exhibit Showcases Huntington Beach Milestones
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Less than an hour before the opening of the International Surfing Museum’s new exhibit Century of Stoke, Exhibit Director Dave Reynolds and the museum’s Director of Business Administration Paul Taylor were on their hands and knees carefully laying cut-out footprints on the floor.
The footprints, arranged in chronological order around the main exhibit area, “each represent a milestone in the history of Huntington Beach and the people who went before,” Reynolds told SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel.
And what a history it’s been – taking the tiny community, once known as Shell Beach before oil and rail car mogul Henry E. Huntington put his name on it, and turning it into the surfing capital of the world.
The 100-year procession of visionaries, entrepreneurs, surfers, board shapers, artists, musicians, community leaders, and more who forged HB into the Surf City USA of today is on display in Century of Stoke, curated by Reynolds and surfing’s first professional world champion Peter (PT) Townend.
From the original 1914 cornerstone of the Huntington Beach Pier…
To colorful surfboards used by surfing legends…
A statue of Duke Kahanamoku…
Awards and vintage photos…
Paintings and artworks…
Beach music record album covers…
Movie posters…
Even a replica of Gordie Duane’s famous surfboard shop…
The milestones are here.
And the memories…especially the memory of Natalie Kotsch, the transplanted Canadian and non-surfer, whose desire to preserve Huntington Beach’s surfing history led to the creation of the International Surfing Museum in 1987. The spirit of museum founder and muse Natalie, who passed away last February, is intensely present in the exuberance of the exhibit itself and within the hearts of those who are carrying on her legacy.
A highlight of the exhibit’s opening was the unveiling of the drawings for the museum’s planned expansion that will increase its square footage from 2,000 to 7,000 square feet and enable it to showcase even more surfing memorabilia and artwork.
Museum Director-at-Large Cindy Cross said to SurfWriter Girls, “We’re incredibly proud of all the changes these past few years. And the expansion, it’s so good that Natalie knew about it.”
Cross, who worked closely with Natalie to reach this point in the museum’s evolution, added that there is more work to do to turn the museum into what Natalie envisioned. “We still need to raise more money. About $2.5 million. That would give the museum the space and security to pursue the truly world-class facility this city deserves.”
To help the museum reach its goal, proceeds from Huntington Beach’s 100 Years of Surfing events scheduled this year have been designated to benefit the International Surfing Museum.
This includes the Greens Room Golf Tournament, Monday, July 28, at Seacliff Country Club. Named after the surf term, the green room, which describes the perfect spot inside the barrel of a wave, the tournament features professional surfers and surf industry leaders among the players and is open to the public.
Tony Soriano, Chairperson of the Surfrider Foundation’s Huntington/Seal Beach Chapter, told SurfWriter Girls, “Surfrider is helping to promote the museum’s fund-raising efforts. It shares many of the same educational goals that we have and deserves as much support as the community can give it. The International Surfing Museum is preserving our surf culture and is recognizing the achievements that improve our sport and the beach community.”
Looking around at everyone enjoying the Century of Stoke exhibit, SurfWriter Girls Sunny and Patti were definitely “picking up good vibrations.”
Now that Huntington Beach is celebrating its centennial summer we’re excited to see where the next footprints lead!
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