RRR Surf Off!! is GRRReat!!

Huntington Beach Surf Off!! Has BIG Turn Out!

Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel

Photos by Tony and Alex Soriano

Experienced surfers and groms alike turned out for the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Surf Off!! in Huntington Beach, October 4th.

And so did the community…

Including HB City Council members Connie Boardman and Joe Shaw…

with everyone eager to watch the competitions.

 

There were environmental education activities, too.

"Some of my student ambassadors were there, showing how the different densities of plastic floated in water,” Pegasus School teacher Pam Conti told SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel.

Plus there was a beach cleanup hosted by the Surfrider Foundation’s Huntington/Seal Beach Chapter.

 

“It was a great day with 83 to 91 degree weather, no wind, and glassy competition waves,” said H/SB Chapter Chairperson Tony Soriano, noting, “Our beach cleanup had 472 volunteers, picking up 455 lbs. of trash.”

RRR Surf Off!! organizer Seth Matson, owner of the Orange County Clothing Company (OCCC), was all over the beach, keeping things on track and making sure that everyone was having a good time.

Surfrider members Duke Aipa and Greg Goran made it a family day.  

 

So did lots of others.

Alex and Norma Sellers were there with their friend Gaston Caminata, the CEO of Surfrider Argentina.

Whole Foods supplied the healthy lunches.

 

And the other sponsors all pitched in,

 

Making it a day to remember – not just for the trophies…

but for the stoke shared by all.  

 

 Thanks to Alex and Tony Soriano for the photos

    SurfWriterGirls

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Corona del Mar Seaside Garden Brunch

Sherman Gardens – An Oasis of Tranquility

 Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel

When you feel like taking a break from your everyday activities and want to slow down the pace a little there’s a special place in Corona del Mar that’s just steps from the beach…but a world away – the Sherman Library & Gardens. 

An oasis of tranquility that was first opened to the public in 1966, the Sherman Library & Gardens (2647 E. Coast Highway) has colorful flower beds…

a tropical conservatory, water fountains, cacti and succulents, and a tea garden perfect for lingering over tea or indulging in a Sunday brunch.

 

SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel opted for the latter – a relaxing brunch in the Gardens’ Café Jardin and the chance to sample award-winning chef Pascal Olhat’s French “coastal cuisine.” 

With Patti’s husband Greg Kishel on board for the culinary adventure, part of the fun was picking out the different menu items we wanted to try.

A seasonal 4-course brunch ($35 per person), served from 10:30 am – 2 pm, includes an assortment of appetizers, a starter course, main dish, and dessert.

To get the total Café Jardin experience, our game plan called for ordering a variety of dishes – and promising to share.

The appetizers were like miniature artworks – tomato and onion tarts, mini-quiches and a mix of olives, arranged beautifully on the plate.

For the second course, Greg opted for the Vichyssoise cold potato soup, while Sunny went for the smoked salmon mousse and Patti the country paté.

With the main course, Greg ordered eggs Benedict, cooked in the French style with ratatouille and asparagus.

The roasted chicken breast and herb risotto got Sunny’s attention.

And Patti couldn’t resist the grilled salmon.

Then, when we were all still talking about how good everything was, the dessert tray appeared with an assortment of mini-pastries, berries, and individual chocolate mousse cups.

By the time we finished eating we were ready to explore the gardens, named after early California business pioneer Moses Hazeltine Sherman, who achieved success in mining, cattle, and real estate…selling Henry Huntington the Los Angeles Pacific Railroad electric railway system in 1904.

 

Wandering the gardens, immersed in the bygone California landscape, the 21st century was easily forgotten…except for the occasional intrusion of a car horn from the Coast Highway.

 

To make your own garden brunch get-away from the everyday, contact the Sherman Library & Gardens for reservations. Sunday, October 12, is the last day for brunch service until spring 2015.

Or stop by to browse in the library’s extensive Pacific Southwest California history collection, check out the unique items in the gift store or enjoy handmade crepes in the Tea Garden Creperie.

 

Whatever you choose, like a character in a Thomas Hardy Victorian novel, you’ll be “far from the madding crowd.”

SurfWriter Girls

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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.