Buckler's Craft Fair

Take a ride out to Volusia County Fairgrounds this weekend for Christmas in September at the Buckler's Craft Fair. The fair is Saturday from 10am-5pm and Sunday from 10am-4pm. Adult Admission is $6.00 and children age 4-12 are only $1.00. You can go here and get a discount coupon this allows you to bring a canned good to donate and get $2.00 off one adult admission or buy on adult get one free. All food donations will go to one of our local food banks in Volusia County. This huge craft fair features exhibits from all over the country.

Kayak Adventures with Marine Discovery

Beginning next Tuesday join Marilyn and Mark for Kayak Adventures. Each Tuesday they will travel to a different location for a kayak adventure. You can bring your own kayak or they will provide you with one. Each trip will be about 4 hours including travel time to the destination.

The cost is only $10.00 per person and you can reserve your spot and pay at the Marine Discovery Center. Call 386-428-4828 for more information.

Next Tuesday, the 7th of September they will travel to Snake Creek at 9am. Sleepy Hollow will be on September 14th at 9am. On September 21st they are off to Island Explorations and the last trip will be at 430pm on September 28th to Oak Hill Bioluminescence.

Support your local business!

Gallery Walk

The Monthly Gallery Walk which is sponsored in part by Arts On Douglas will be held this Saturday, September 4th from 4-8pm. You can take in some Artist Demonstrations, Music, Refreshments, and of course artwork and jewelry. 


Support your local business!

Hope Reins

Hope Reins is a non profit organization located here in New Smyrna Beach. Hope Reins provides therapeutic riding and hippotherapy to both children and adults who have conditions like cerebral palsy, blindness, autism, traumatic brain injuries, emotional disorders....just to name a few. I have watched an autistic child come to the ranch and hide in the corner of a stall, crying and screaming, the break your heart crying that you cannot ignore. Six weeks later, she is talking to "her horse", brushing and grooming "her horse" and riding around the arena like she owned it.

 It is truly an amazing program. Hope Reins offers a scholarship program that is totally funded by sponsors from the community. The goal is to never turn a child (or adult) away because of the inability to pay. It is a lofty goal, horses have to eat, vets and farriers must be paid. Hope Rosenthal and Nick Psathas operate Hope Reins with the belief that you get what you give.

Going with the theory that you get what you give....consider giving to Hope Reins, Inc. More importantly, if you have a special needs child or adult, give them a call. They can help!

Art & Wine Walk on Flagler

The monthly Art Walk is this Saturday on Flagler Ave, beginning at 10am take a stroll down Flagler Ave and enjoy all kinds of art, food and drink. There will also be a Wine Walk from 1pm-6pm. Purchase a wine passport and sample your choice of 20 wines out of the showcase 50 wines. You can share your passport with a friend. There will be a drawing for a grand prize at the end of the day. Purchase your passport and get your prize ticket under the canopy at Pine St.


Support your local business! 

Put A Cork On Cancer

Another great event on Flagler Ave Thursday night.....OM Bar is hosting a benefit to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. There will be over $600.00 in prizes, raffles and much more. $1.00 from every drink purchased will be donated and $10.00 from every bottle of wine.

Here is an idea...after you leave Clancy's in support of Sophie's Circle Pet Food Pantry, take your pooch home and come on back down to Flagler and drink some wine!

Support your local business!

Fido Fiesta

Bring your pup to Clancy's Cantina on Flagler Ave this Thursday, August 26th from 6-8pm for the Fido Fiesta. Clancy's will provide appetizers and Silly Willie's will be treating your pooches to goodies. Please bring a pet food donation for Sophie's Circle. If you are not familiar with Sophie's Circle Pet Food Pantry, they are a wonderful group that provide pet food to those that may be having a difficult time feeding their pets. Check out their website for more information.

Grab your leash and your bag of food and come on out to Clancy's!

What Do You Think About School Lunch?

 Sadly, this fruit is probably not on the menu at your child's school. You can see what is on the menu in your child's school by going to School Menu and putting in your state, county and local school. If you are in the New Smyrna Beach area you will find links to our local schools at the end of this post. Jamie Oliver has brought quite a bit of attention to the National problem of school lunch menu's with his show last year, Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. I will admit I watched his show in morbid fascination at the garbage they are feeding the kids in the Huntington, WV schools. Take a look at your local menu, I don't think it is a whole lot better.

Here is a great blog from a "regular person" who is alarmed by what we are feeding our kids. Mrs. Q is eating school lunches for the entire 2010 year. Her thoughts and experiences are quite interesting reading. Check out her FAQ if you have time. 95% of all food in school lunches arrives at the school frozen. In other words..... processed....in other words...yuck!

I have two children in middle school, my daughter takes her lunch, she says by the time she gets through the lunch line to buy, lunchtime is over. This is a good thing, I know what she is eating. My son on the other hand buys every day, he is pretty good about eating what is good for him, but if nothing good is offered what are his choices? Many children are getting their best meal of the day at school, I think the adults should try and make it a good one.

Helpful Links:

School Menu

Chisolm Elementary

Coronado Beach Elementary

Read Patillo Elementary

Edgewater Public

Indian River Elementary

New Smyrna Beach Middle

New Smyrna Beach High School

Volusia Free-Reduced School Meal Application

Pirate's Day to Benefit Canine Companions

First Turn Steak House will hold its "First Party with the Pirates Day" from 4-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug 28th. Participants may come dressed in their best pirate attire. There will be costume contest for adults and kids, raffles and giveaways. This event benefits Canine Companions for Independence, which provides highly trained assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities free of charge. First Turn is located on the corner of Commonwealth and Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange. To donate Items or for more information contact (386) 868-7181 or visit their website.

Early Release at Wonderland Theatre

Looking for something fun for your kids to do on those pesky early release days? The Wonderland Theatre has just the answer. Beginning September 22nd for six consecutive Wednesdays your children can attend classes at The Little Theatre located across from Publix on 3rd Ave in New Smyrna Beach.

Age groups range from 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12, and the cost is $65.00. You must enroll your child prior to the start date, you can enroll at the box office.

If you need more information please check their website or call 386-423-1246.

Back to School~Whew!

I remember when my kids went to school for the first time....my son went I cried. Two years later my daughter went I literally slowed down the car so she could jump out. I gleefully took them to school yesterday and I am happy to report they both survived their first two days at New Smyrna Beach Middle School.

Points to ponder.....6th grade girls are the biggest drama queens....ever. 8th grade boys are gross....totally.

For a fleeting moment today I missed Teletubbies and sidewalk chalk...it was a quick moment, it passed and I am fine.

Shrimp & Seafood Fest

This is a shrimp. A Mantis Shrimp...isn't he cute? He will not be on the menu at the Shrimp and Seafood Fest.  However, most other forms of seafood and shrimp will be available to sample from some of our local award winning restaurants. Samples generally run from $3-$5. This is a great way to celebrate the first week of school, support your local businesses and have some great food and maybe a cocktail! The festival is this Thursday on Flagler Ave from 5pm-9pm.

Happy Birthday Pops!

This is a really old picture of my Dad...it was in the house we grew up in in Central NY. Don't you love the hair? Happy Birthday to him today...we won't talk about how old he is...according to him he is 39.

Welcome to the Weekend!

The countdown is on, the last weekend until school starts in Volusia County! Do I hear a sigh of relief at least from the parents. Perhaps not from my teacher friends but I sure am happy about it! We need to get back into a routine of sorts. This is tax-free weekend in Florida, school supplies and clothing under $50.00 is all tax free from today through Sunday night. Don't forget the Farmer's Market on Canal Street on Saturday from 7:30am-1230pm. Great prices on local merchandise and produce.The East Coast Cruisers Monthly Car Show is this Saturday on Canal Street beginning at 4pm.

Enjoy the weekend!

Around Town~This & That

Here are some interesting options for the weekend.

The Dixie Rex Band is playing at  the Elks in Edgewater on Friday night, they will be there from 630pm - 1030pm and the public is welcome. I know some of these band members and they are great!

The VFW Post 4250 has a dance class every Saturday night at 7pm, the cost is 5.00 and is sounds like fun!

On Sunday from 8am-11am the American Legion Post on Canal Street in NSB serves breakfast. Start your day off right with a breakfast for $5.00.

The Shrimp & Seafood Fest on Flagler is next week, stay tuned for more info on that next week! 

Back to School Help

Many area businesses and groups have back-to-school charitable efforts under way. Here is a list of those in Southeast Volusia:

SCHOOL SUPPLIES, CLOTHING DONATIONS 

Sonny's Bar-B-Q, Port Orange, 1515 Dunlawton Ave., is collecting clothing, including back-to-school clothes, for the Battered Women and Children's Shelter through Aug. 20.


The Junior League of Daytona Beach is accepting donations of new boys and girls socks and underwear to be distributed at its annual Best Foot Forward event scheduled for Sept. 12 at JCPenney in Volusia Mall. The program provides clothing to more than 140 Title I elementary-aged children in back-to-school clothing and shoes. Donations can be dropped off at the League office, 122 S. Palmetto Ave., Daytona Beach, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information, call 386-253-1756.

The Oak Hill Community Trust is collecting school supplies for distribution at its auction at the Village Improvement Association Hall, 126 E. Halifax Ave., at 5 p.m. Saturday. Boxes are located at Goodrich Restaurant, City Hall, the Oak Hill library and area churches. Cash donations will be accepted at the auction.

Walgreens in Volusia and Flagler counties are collecting school supplies for area schools. All stores have a drop box for donations. Each store will distribute the supplies to schools in its community.


Regions Bank is collecting school supplies to donate to three Family Renew Community facilities. Supplies can be dropped off at any Regions office in Volusia County.

The Edgewater Edward Jones offices are a drop-off point for schools supplies through Aug. 31. Donations can be brought to the offices at 341 N. Ridgewood Ave. and 1604 S. Ridgewood Ave. during regular business hours.


The Edgewater New Smyrna Beach Elks Club No. 1557, 820 W. Park Ave., Edgewater, is collecting school supplies and gift cards, in conjunction with Gifts of Love foodbank, to be used to purchase new shoes for local students. Donations for shoes can made by check payable to Elks Lodge No. 1557, or by gift cards from Wal Mart or Kmart. Donations also can be dropped off at the lodge from 8:30 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, or after 4 p.m. each day.

The Attic of White Chapel Church of God, 1730 S. Ridgewood Ave., South Daytona, will host its third back-to-school clothing giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 14. The Attic also will be giving away free bicycles.



Edgewater Alliance Church is accepting clothing donations for children who attend Edgewater Public School, donations of new or gently used clothing can be made at the church office on S. Ridgewood.

Sunday Stumble-Surf's Up

Here are some great surfing blogs to start out your week!

Katie Graham Photography - this gal takes some AWESOME surf photography! Since we are talking about photography check out World Surf Photography, also some fantastic shots and they offer tutorials on taking great surf photos yourself. Love Surfer Nancy, she is located in St Augustine, so we could call her almost "local". If you want a report on surf conditions anywhere on the East Coast, then East Coast Surfing is your ticket, he is a one stop shop for all things surfing on the east coast. Just for fun check out Surf Alaska, no one I know is brave enough to even get in the water in Alaska let alone surf, but it is fun to read!

Enjoy and we will attempt to return next week with meaningful, intelligent posts surrounding activities and such in gorgeous New Smyrna Beach!

Weekend!

I am not sure what happened to last week, it went by and I missed it! Hard to believe school starts in a little over a week. Plenty of back to school sales going on, check out Red Dog Surf Shop for some great deals on backpacks. Many of the shops along Flagler have clothing and accessories on sale for the next two weeks. Take advantage and support your local business!

Other things going on, the Canal Street Gallery Art Walk is tonight from 4-8pm.  You can keep up with events on Canal Street with their online calendar. Their new website is very nice, has a listing of all businesses, shopping and so on along historic Canal Street.

Enjoy the weekend!

Fall Youth Baseball

All summer long, you’ve heard me promote and praise the summer program run by Coach Kenney Lutz from the New Smyrna Beach High School Baseball Team.  Now it’s time to transition to fall ball and Coach Lutz has an amazing plan and opportunity for 7^th and 8^th graders.  There will be an informational meeting on Tuesday, August 10^th @ 5:30 at the NSB Sports Complex High School Field. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the program and ask questions.  Coach Lutz is looking for kids that are serious about their commitment to play high school baseball.  His program, work ethic, and baseball knowledge are top notch!

Here is some preliminary information on the program:

• The team will be a part of Central Florida Baseball League which is a High School Prep League
• Their website is here
• The team will play 20 games in the fall ending with a championship series
• NSB Coaches Lutz and Fernandez will be actively involved in the coaching
• The team will participate in workout, practice, weightlifting and a nutrition plan

If you have any questions email me, leave a comment or contact Coach Lutz @ 610-908-2341. 

Food & Drink

 I woke up thinking about food this morning so here are some things to do this week. Norwood's Seafood is holding a wine tasting this Thursday, August 5th, from 7pm-930pm. Featuring 17 wines, appetizers and gourmet cheese. They are giving away a 3 liter bottle of Hahn Estate Pinot Noir during the event. The cost is $25.00 per person, you can call to make a reservation at 386-428-4621. 

 

The NSB Fish House has been open since April at 203 S Atlantic Ave. They are right next to the public beach access. Their sister restaurant is the Upper Deck which has great food. If you have tried them I am interested to hear how they are. We are going to try them this week. If you want to check them out and not spend full price go to Restaurant.com put in our zip code and find NSB Fish House. You can get a $25.00 gift certificate for $10.00. Be advised they add an 18% tip on the check before the discount so be careful when you leave your tip! 

 

Hope everyone has a fantastic Sunday!