Keep the Cudas Swimming!

 A group of parents have come together to save Aqua Park and the NSB High School Swim Team (Read Here For the History)

Aqua Park has reopened during specific times for anyone who wants to take advantage of the great pool. It is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7am till 9am and Monday thru Friday from 3pm till 6pm for the summer (with lane availability)for anyone of any age. They have been signing up sponsors and because of the community support they have been able to lease Aqua Park this will help secure a 2011 swim season for the NSB High School Swim Team.


They still need help from local business and the community in order to continue through the end of the year. 

Other things they offer, birthday parties, pool parties, weddings, wedding receptions, Boy Scout /Girl Scout meetings, church outings,or any kind of community activities you can think of.

Please help keep Aqua Park open to all those who feel so strongly about this beloved pool. Check our their website for sponsorship opportunities, donation information and much more.

Thank you for supporting all of our sports programs in New Smyrna Beach! 

Around Town~Weekend Events

The end of July already! It is hot, humid and only three weeks until school starts! Summer is flying by. There is not many things going on this weekend. There is the Festival of Nations at the Restaurants on South Beachside. Farmers Markets on Saturday in Edgewater and New Smyrna Beach, racing at the New Smyrna Speedway and of course the beach!

In addition it is Kid's Day at The Green Market in Port Orange at the Pavilion. There are a ton of fun activities for the kids, a farmer's market, food vendors and more.

What are you doing this weekend?

Eat Street

The restaurants on the South Causeway in New Smyrna Beach, called “Eat Street” will host The Festival of the Nations – A Global Food Fair from July 28 through August 8. The festival involves multiple eateries honoring the cooking styles, classic dishes and entertainment of 20 countries and culinary regions.

Global Food Fair passports are available at each participating restaurant and online at NSBEatStreet.com. The passport lists all participating restaurants and their adopted counties. Each restaurant has adopted two counties during the 10-day festival with one country being honored during the first five days and the second country being honored during the second five days. Guests will get their passport “stamped” by the host restaurant for every country visited during the event. Guests also have the chance to win “Free Dinner for Two for a Year” by completing entries every time they visit a country. The entries are located at each host restaurant.

In addition to special menus and dishes honoring the adopted countries, many restaurants also offer cooking demonstrations, special wine pairings, decorations and staff trained in the adopted country’s language. You can get more details on the Eat Street website.

Dress Code?

 Have you looked at the dress code? Here is the statement on the Volusia County Schools website:

District Student Dress Code Adopted The School Board of Volusia County recently adopted a district-wide dress code.  Beginning with the 2011-12 school year, the dress code applies to every student in a Volusia County public school and replaces individual dress codes that varied school by school. The dress code establishes minimal guidelines for the appearance and dress of students.

I like the "establishes minimal guidelines"  I LOVE the poster with what is acceptable, let me hang that sucker on my fridge. I will wave it at my kids as they go out the door. PUHLEESE.


Here is it for your downloading pleasure.... DRESS CODE

Have you been shopping for shorts that are mid-thigh for a girl yet? If you have and have found them and they are not hideous and your daughter will be caught dead in them please tell me where you found them.  I have been told that I should be prepared to pick up my child because she is not wearing those UGLY things. I am curious to see how exactly this will be enforced. If they send one child home will they send them all? I see a mass exodus of preteen and teen girls on day 1-3 of school. Then they will give up. I hope. 


My son has an opinion of all this. He is 14 and spent two years at Warner Christian in a uniform. He says, "bring them on". I overheard a discussion about this at one of his baseball games and he was a uniform proponent. He said, "it is easy, you get up slap on a pair of shorts and a shirt, it all matches and no one cares". Such a boy. I love boys. They like long shorts and I am thinking they don't care about spaghetti straps.
  
I bet no boys get sent home on day 1-3 of school. 

Before it is all said and done, the powers that be will wish they had left it all alone, or adopted uniforms....I will be the mother who gets the call on day 1-3 of school to come get my non-compliant child. I will also be the mother with 50 pictures of others students that did not get sent home....

Please Watch Your Kids

If you live in or visit New Smyrna Beach and watch the news you know that driving on the beach is constantly under fire. Tragically children have been hit and killed playing on the beach in New Smyrna and Daytona.

I spent the last two days at the beach. I don't usually drive over but I had boogie boards, coolers and kids so I did. I thankfully have teenagers that I don't have to watch every second but remember the days when I did (see pic above). 

Yesterday on three separate occasions small children (under 5) ran in front of me in the driving lane. I am in a black SUV so I don't blend in, not hard to see coming. They just did not look. One of them had no parent in sight and could not have been more than 4 years old. Besides the fact that it is a big parking lot with cars going back and forth there is a very large body of water right there to drown in. Shaking my head.....

Another pair of children ran in front of me with their parents walking behind them, they gave me this sheepish grin and kept walking. Really, you won't be grinning at me like an idiot thinking your kid is cute if he is under the wheels of my truck. Perhaps when they ran in front of me and I stopped you should have explained to them what they did wrong so they might think next time. OR better yet why aren't you hanging on to that 3 year old as she crosses 2 lanes of traffic. You would do it on a regular road why not now?

For the most part I am hopeful (but not certain) that parents are vigilant about watching their kids on the beach. I have to say the past two days concerned me. There is a no drive beach that starts from 27th Ave with plenty of parking and access points along the way. If you have children and are not sure you can watch them adequately in the drive on area than please use the no drive beach.

Thanks for using our beach and please be safe!

Police Athletic League Golf Tournament

 

NSB Police Athletic League is is holding a Golf Tournament at Cypress Head Golf Club on August 27th. The fun starts at 8:30am and all proceeds will support PAL. 

 

Four Person Scramble $60 Per Golfer
Gold Sponsor $440 ~ Banner, 4 Golfers
Silver Sponsor $340 ~ Hole Sponsorship, 4 Golfers
Hole Sponsor $100

For More Information Call (386) 409-0320 (Yvonne or Dianna)

NSB Parks & Recreation Fall Baseball Program

New Smyrna Beach Parks and Rec Fall Youth Baseball/Softball program kicks off with a Camp for children age 7-14. It runs from August 16th through August 19th. It will be held at the Sports Complex from 9am-12pm. The cost is $100.00 for the first child and $95.00 for the second. Registration form can be printed here.

Parks and Rec will also be holding Fall Baseball and Softball for children from age 4-15 years of age. Information and registration forms are below:

Baseball


Softball

Canal Street

There are many exciting things happening on Canal Street. There is a monthly Gallery Walk on the first Saturday of each month. On August 6th it will be expanded and run from 10am-8pm.There is a weekly Farmer's Market at Old Fort Park starting at 7:30am. You can get all the monthly events and a list of businesses currently operating on Canal Street on their website.

Support your local business!

Toby's Pizza

I have had a bunch of emails about Toby's Pizza. Toby's is not gone....the liquor store in their old plaza on Indian River expanded and they moved to the old Ritter's store in the center next door. They are smaller and no longer have inside seating, but the food is just as good and they now have soft serve ice cream. Their huge slice of pizza is still .85 cents and their subs are terrific. Skip Subway and hit Toby's, they are so much better and great service.

Support your local business!

Art & Wine Walk

The Monthly Art & Wine Walk is this Saturday, July 23rd from 10am-6pm on Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach. All sorts of local and national artists will be in attendance, along with crafts, food and entertainment.

Support your local business!

Bonnapalooza 2011 Music Showcase

 
Here is another fun event for the adults....


Bonnapalooza 2011 is being held July 29th at Beachside Tavern. The features Run Rhino, After Indiana, and Oggie and the Halifax Contraband.  Prizes will be given away throughout the night to attendees. 

Doors open at 8pm and it is FREE to the public! Must be over 21 to attend.

The Bonnapalooza 2011 Music Showcase is presented by Yancey's Music Center, NSB Yu-Mi Sushi & Sake Cafe and Red Dog Surf Shop.

Beachside Tavern is located at 690 East Third Avenue, Beachside in beautiful New Smyrna Beach.

Support your local business!

Beth Moore Simulcast

REGISTER NOW for the Beth Moore Live Simulcast that's coming to Edgewater Alliance Church on Saturday, September 10, 2011!

Beth's transforming Bible studies challenge and inspire women of every age, everywhere.  Joining Beth at this event are acclaimed worship leader Travis Cottrell and the Praise Team. Register by Sunday, July 31, and pay just $15.  From August 1-28, tickets are $20.  A continental breakfast and lunch are included.  Doors open at 9:00 a.m., the simulcast starts at 10:30 a.m., we'll break for lunch at 12:30 p.m., and the day concludes at 5:00 p.m.  Register and buy your ticket online or on Sundays in the church lobby.

Back to School Expo

The 2011 Back to School Expo will be held at Edgewater Alliance Church on Saturday, August 13th from 10am-12pm. This event provides school supplies and gently used clothing to Volusia County Children in grades K-5 at no charge. It is first come first serve, so arrive early.

Volunteers are needed and donations of new school supplies and children's clothing in good condition are being accepted at the church office from 10am-3pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. There is also a donation table set up on Sunday's until August 7th outside the CE Building.

If you would like to volunteer to help information is available on the website.

Edgewater Alliance is located at 310 N. Ridgewood Avenue in Edgewater. Contact Cindy Crandall (386-427-6854) or Katie Henry (386-663-2353) for more information.

Frosty King Creamery

I never turn down ice cream. Ever. It is best if it is not even in my house. So when my parents asked us to go to Frosty King tonight I did not have to be convinced. Frosty King has Soft Serve and Homemade Ice Cream that they make themselves right onsite. They have dairy free selections, yogurt, fresh fruit smoothies, parfaits, milkshakes, floats. If you can think of it and it involves ice cream they probably can make it.

Tonight I had a double chocolate mint ice cream cone. It was ridiculously good. My daughter had a soft serve cone and my son a Root Beer Float. My parents tried Pistachio and Moose Tracks. Delicious. Prices are good and service is friendly. My only suggestion would be when there is a line that one person serve and then the other person ring up the customers. They have one person wait on you and then they also ring you up. Makes it a little slow when they have to wash their hands, don gloves and get to the next person. All in all it is a great local business, with a wonderful product and is absolutely worth a visit!

They are located at 1020 S. Ridgewood Ave in Edgewater.  They do have drive-thru service. You can check them out on Facebook.

Support your local business!

Putt & Crawl

Here is one for the adults.....

Thursday, July 21st beginning at 5pm play Putt Putt golf on Flagler Ave. There will be prizes and drink specials at every hole. You must be 21 to play!

Bag of Books Sale

Come to the New Smyrna Beach Library on Tuesday, July 19th from 9am-4:30pm and grab a bag of books. A bag of paperback books is only $3.00 and two bags is $5.00. The New Smyrna Beach Library is located at 1001 S. Dixie Freeway. You can get a list of all their events here.

Need a Ride?

The newest ride in town is FREE! NSBFREE ride is an eco-friendly 100% electric, 6 seats LSV (Low Speed Vehicle).  They transport passengers FREE of charge around the beach and from the beaches to neighboring communities, shopping, art centers, restaurants, local businesses and community events.

Visiting our beautiful area? Get a ride from your hotel or condo to one of our local restaurants...live here? Take a ride to the Farmer's Market or an event on historic Canal Street. Have one too many Pina Colada's on the beach...get a ride.

It is free and easy...just give them a call to set it up. They operate from 10am til 2am daily and have the friendliest drivers around!

Check them out on Facebook.

Support your local business!

Kaiju Sushi

Kaiju Sushi is located at Manzano Fine Foods on Flagler Avenue. Manzano's is one of my very favorite places to have lunch in New Smyrna Beach so I had great expectations of Kaiju! Today they treated us to a quick lunch to try out the Sushi. We ordered Spicy Tuna Roll and Spider Roll, both were fresh and delicious. We also had a Salmon Rice Ball, it was good and very large. Too much for one person(so plan to share)....I will try the vegetable selections next time, I am certain they will be tasty as well!

The Sushi counter hours are 11am-3pm daily and on Friday and Saturday it is 11am-3am. They also deliver to New Smyrna Beach (both beachside and mainland) and Edgewater. On Sundays from 9pm-1am you can head over to the OM Bar on Flagler for Sushi Sundays and try some of their most popular products. 

Support your local business!

Wash Your Dog-Help a Horse

Come on over to Merk's on the North Causeway in New Smyrna Beach on July 23rd. They are sponsoring a dog (and car) wash to benefit Southeast Volusia Humane Society and Stable Haven Horse Rescue.

DONATIONS FOR WASHES
Dogs - $4.00 (basic wash and towel dry)
Cars & Trucks - $6.00 (basic wash)

In addition to the wet festivities there will be giveaways, raffles, 50/50's and gift certificates. Please keep your dog on a leash and if it is not a friendly pooch please leave it home and get your car washed!



Thanks to Merk's for sponsoring this event!

Rest in Peace Jack

“Dogs are miracles with paws.” (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy)

 Jack 

2001-2011

"A person who has never owned a dog has missed a wonderful part of life." (Bob Barker) 

Support Edgewater Fire Rescue

My favorite produce vendor is now at the Edgewater Farmer's Market. After I visited him today I stopped and chatted with the Edgewater Fire Rescue Officers that were taking blood pressure and giving out information. They are in a pretty serious fight to be allowed to transport patients instead of waiting for EVAC Ambulance whenever they have a call.

Why is this important?

In January of 2010, a 32 year old woman with asthma died while Fire Rescue waited for EVAC to get there to transport her to the hospital. The closest EVAC ambulance was 30 minutes away. Requests by Edgewater for permission to transport this patient were denied. Imagine her family standing around watching her die while they frantically tried to save her and were not ALLOWED to take her to the hospital.

In April of 2011 Edgewater Fire Rescue responded to a doctor's office for a patient with heart problems. EVAC was 20 minutes away. Edgewater transported the patient, the Fire Chief who authorized the transport had his Paramedic privileges suspended by the County Medical Director. WHAT?

In June of this year the Edgewater City Council unanimously approved Edgewater Fire Rescue's request to apply for necessary permission from Volusia County to provide full time Advanced Life Support ambulance transport for its citizens and visitors.

The Edgewater Fire Rescue Department is made up of professional firefighters and paramedics who are dedicated to saving lives, that is what they do. Two years ago they saved my father when he was suffering a heart attack, lucky for us EVAC was available and close by so neither of the situations above happened to us.

Take a minute and contact the Volusia County Council members below and urge them to approve Edgewater's application for Advanced Life Support Transport. You can click on their name to go directly to their email. For more information on this contact Edgewater Fire Administration or Chief Stephen Cousins.


Frank Bruno, County Chair
Patricia Northey, Vice Chair District 5
Joyce Cusack, At Large
Andy Kelly, District 1
Joshua Wagner, District 2
Joie Alexander, District 3(Edgewater)
Carl Persis, District 4

Family & Friends Summer Ball

The KC Society is an organization dedicated to improving the lives of our local teens. Their Annual Friends and Family Summer Ball will be held on Saturday, July 23rd at 6:30pm at the Women's Club of New Smyrna Beach. The Women's Club is located at 403 Magnolia Avenue.

There will be dinner, dancing and entertainment. Gift bags and door prizes also will be provided. The cost is $15.00 per couple or $10.00 per person 16 and over. Children up to age 15 are $6.00 each. Space is limited and advance purchase is recommended. 

All proceeds from this event go to the KC Society , you can contact KC Society at 386-689-4979 or check them out on Facebook.

           

Charity Spaghetti Dinner

 
 St Peter the Fisherman Episcopal Church is one of the many supporters of the Community Hot Meal Program, they are hosting a "Charity Spaghetti Dinner" on Monday, July 11 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Goodrich's Seafood and Oyster House, 253 River Drive in Oak Hill. This buffet meal will include spaghetti and meatballs, salad, breadsticks, a brownie and ice cream dessert and coffee or iced tea. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. Tickets are $7.00 per adult and $5.00 for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased at the Church office weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All are welcome. Please help support those who are fed by the Community Hot Meal Program. Contacts Judi Jodoin - 386.428.5853 or Marie Ladley - 386.663.7324 for more information.

Around Town~Things To Do

Bethune Beach-July 3, 2011

A couple of things going on this week! 

Come out to Chick-Fil-A in Edgewater on Friday from 5pm-7pm for a Cow Appreciation Party. If you come dressed like a cow you get free chicken. (I wonder if I wear black shorts and a white T-shirt they will think I am a cow) There will be door prizes, games and lots of fun!

Come out and watch the Cubs tomorrow night in Daytona Beach and support the Halifax Humane Society. Bring a non-perishable dog food item and get a voucher for a free hot dog! They play the Tampa Yankees at 7:05pm.

Big Planet Pizza Pub has live music tomorrow night at 6pm on the deck. Gina and Tony Cuchetti will be entertaining!

NSB Yu Mi Sushi in New Smyrna Beach has ladies night tonight, 2 for 1 house wine and Sake all night long!


Enjoy the day!

East Coast Cruiser Night

Club President Ron Hartwell's '32 Ford Roadster

 

Saturday, July 9th is the next East Coast Cruiser night on Canal Street in New Smyrna Beach. Come out to Canal Street and check out some of the hottest cars around. There is entertainment and many of the local businesses are open for your enjoyment. The fun starts at 4pm.

Support your local business!

Home Ec Class

Here is another interesting thing for the children.....you know the ones...they are bored and whining, eating everything in sight...those wonderful children. If they are between the ages of 5 and 18 you can send the little darlings to day camp to learn to fend for themselves.

A week long Home Economics Day Camp will be sponsored by Volusia County's 4-H Program. It is being held July 11-15 at the Volusia County Agricultural Center (at the fairgrounds) in Deland. Hours are 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Topics will include nutrition and healthy image, common courtesy, hand and machine sewing, jewelry making, scrapbooking, herb gardening, canning, baking and cooking. The fee is $25, and registration is due by Wednesday, July 6th. I checked today and there is space available.

For more information and a registration form, please call Extension Agent Laura Cash at (386) 822-5778.

Children's Summer Cooking Class

The Simple & Fresh Cooking School in New Smyrna Beach is holding 2 day cooking classes for kids 12-18 years of age. The classes are from 9:30-3:00 pm and will be held on July 11-12 and July 25-26. Get full details here.

Lost Lagoon Wings & Grill

Lost Lagoon is a little hole in the wall in New Smyrna Beach. We had lunch their yesterday, they have one of the best cheeseburgers I have had in a long time. They have some awesome chicken wings and other appetizers. The service is excellent and the beer is cold. Check them out at 515 N. Dixie Freeway.

Support your local business!

Hunt's Steakhouse

I am out being a tourist this weekend and thought I would share some local restaurants with you. Hunt's Steakhouse is brand new and is located across from McKenna's next to Wendy's on US1 in New Smyrna Beach. It is small inside, with a small bar and dining area. We were eating late so there was no wait, service by Felicia was excellent. She was very personable and made recommendations on the menu items. The food was very good, the steak was tender and cooked just right and the sides were excellent. My companion had swordfish and it was also quite tasty. I took my son home a HUGE piece of chocolate cake for dessert and he gave it a thumbs up. I am a huge fan of the NSB Steakhouse for anything related to beef but Hunt's is worth a visit! 

Happy Independence Day!

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Weekend! 

See you next week!!