The Picture Show Gallery Closes

A Season for Good-Byes 

Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel

Adios...au revoir...ciao...sayonara. When the time comes to say good-bye, it isn't easy in any language.

In Seal Beach, CA, lovers of ocean, surf, Hawaiian and tiki art are stopping by The Picture Show Gallery (231 Main Street) to give owner Karen Adler a going-away hug as she makes plans to close her art gallery in September after 37-years.

Karen told SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel that she is going to "focus on my online website pictureshowgallery.com and selling at tiki marketplaces." She will also work as an event planner for Maxim Events in Huntington Beach – "a very creative and exciting new adventure for me."  

SurfWriter Girls have been fortunate to know Karen and to be introduced to some amazing artists by her – Wade Koniakowski, Sean Davey, Doug Horne, Shag, Tim Fogle, Tim Foltz, Ken Auster, and many others.

 

Whenever we've had art questions or wanted to discover someone new on the art scene, Karen has been our go-to person.

With her passion for art and ability to spot talent, Karen has helped further the careers of countless artists. And helped gallery visitors to find just the right work of art. 

  

The Picture Show Gallery has always been more than a business. It's been the place to stop and talk with local artists, see new paintings and beach-themed decor, say "Hi" to Poncho (Karen's art-loving parrot), and connect with the community. So, it's hard to say farewell.  

Karen says she is thankful for “everyone who has bought art from me and had pictures framed over the decades." And for her late husband Mike Adler, who made the gallery a reality.

  

As Karen turns the page and begins a new season in her life now, we wish her much joy and many new adventures – “a time to laugh...a time to dance."  

 

To everything (turn, turn, turn)

There is a season (turn, turn, turn)

And a purpose under heaven.

 

 – The Byrds

SurfWriter Girls

Surf’n Beach Scene Magazine

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Picnic Time Is Celebration Time!

Enjoying Good Vibrations!

Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel

Hot dogs, chili, ice cream, watermelon, carnival games, music and more!

Everywhere SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel looked we could see people having fun at Orange County's Celebration Recovery Picnic – the annual event sponsored by the Mental Health Association of Orange County, Jamboree Housing, NAMI OC, and other community health organizations.

The 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."  

There was something for everyone...with bingo games and a watermelon eating contest.

People lined up for ice cream. SurfWriter Girls spotted Jamboree's Operations Manager Raul Fernandez in line and joined him for a cool treat.   

Looking around, we found a crowd gathered at the face painting booth. Everyone was excited to see the transformations.

Volunteer Sheala Carstairs – with a beautiful butterfly painted on her face – made sure that everyone got chili dogs.

Other volunteers grilled the hot dogs, supervised the games and kept the music going.

Later, Helen Cameron, whose husband Alan was helping out, too, talked more about her goal:

“To help get people with disabilities off the streets and into permanent, supportive housing." She noted that it's a huge task, but when everyone works together it's amazing what they can do.

And, it was amazing to feel all the good vibrations around us.

 

A Dance to Summer – Jules Feiffer

SurfWriter Girls

Surf’n Beach Scene Magazine

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