October Issue of Civic Couch

CIVIC COUCH

Brent Broza

October 2010

PLUS: Inspired to Paddle Kevin Barry Interview Ocean Dreams Manhattan Beach Open Dropping In With Chris Wells And More!

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CONTENTS

8 Steppin In

26

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10 In Focus With Brent

The 50th Anniversary of the Manhattan Our interview with Manhattan Beach Beach Open played on despite the un- native and photographer Brent Broza. timely end of the AVP tour days before it was slated to start.

Together But Separate

6 Calendar

Upcoming events in the South Bay

7 Comments

What you had to say about our past articles.

32 Lobster Festival

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South Bay pro surfer Chris Wells drops in to give us an interview.

22 Q&A - Kevin Barry

Brother and sister duo Al and Aimee Lay talk about what it’s like to make music with your sibling.

Kevin Barry describes what it takes to run a successful restaurant and what it’s like to pursue your dreams

18 Inspired to Paddle

26 The Happy Man

Carly Rogers describes her experience with the Catalina Paddleboard Race.

Q & A with local artist Andy Brown

30

ing Pumpkins

Pictures from the 2010 Redondo Beach Hermosa 24 Surf N Turf Lobster Festival One mans record breaking trek to raise money for our local schools

13 The Next Step

In August 2006, Janne Kouri’s life 29 1000 Miles For Children changed in a split second. An avid Local Manhattan Beach resident will athlete, Janne was participating in a solo the Baja 1000 for charity beach volleyball tournament.

On The Cover: Manhattan Beach photographer Brent Broza Photo Credit: Brad Jacobson

21 Dropping In With Chris

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25 20 Years of RacOver the years, the World Famous Pumpkin Race has become a cherished hometown event

35 Ocean Dreams The Cultural Arts Division of the Manhattan Beach Parks & Recreation Department presents a new exhibition titled Ocean Dreams

From The Editor:

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am having fun. This issue of Civic Couch is composed of many articles that hit on topics I love.

We were very lucky to have our friend Carly Rogers write an article about her experience training and competing in this years Catalina Paddleboard Race. The story is both inspiring and heart felt. Congratulations to Carly for living in the spirit and accomplishing her goal.

Interviewing Brent Broza was fun. The photo shoot was interesting. We were looking for a gritty area here in Manhattan Beach to shoot. Brents work has a dark feel to it so I wanted to match his profile pictures to his work. I’ve always been intrigued by the bridge under Sepulveda Blvd. When I mentioned it to Brent, he replied “OH, the hobo bridge”! He tought me a little history about the bridge and it worked great (although I don’t recommend going there after dark).

For those of you who do not know Kevin Barry, read the Q & A. He is not only a great Entrepreneur but also an incredible philanthropist. I am honored to call him my friend.

This is our 3rd magazine, and from this issue forward we will be distributing our online magazine on a monthly basis, covering the people, places and events of the South Bay. If you have any suggestions for an article, let us know.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me. brad@civiccouch.com So, take a minute, pull up your laptop and check out our newest addition – let us know what you think!

Sincerely, Brad Jacobson Publisher www.civiccouch.com

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Concerts In The P

“Journey” cover band “Don’t Stop Believin The Manhattan Beach Concerts in the Park series is an annual, summer-long event held each year at Polliwog Park. It runs from the last week in June through Labor Day weekend and has featured such artists as the Doo-Wah Riders and Lisa Haley and the Zydekats, as well as a host of other talented musicians. These performances are open seating and free to the public.

Park End Strong

n’ “ performs to over 13.000 in the series finale

Calendar

Upcoming Events for October

Jimmy Miller Foundation Surf Fiesta 10/10/2010 Manhattan Beach

The Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation Fiesta, aka “The Jimmy”, is a unique team surf contest that brings together surfers, friends and family to remember and celebrate the life of Jimmy Miller. The Jimmy is designed to be fun and foster teamwork and friendly competition.

Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair

Manhattan Beach Pumpkin Races

10/02 - 10/03

10/24

HAVE SOME SERIOUS FUN - Enjoy the funspirited tradition of the Pumpkin Race with your family, friends and neighbors and do The Fair is fun for all ages. Great fair food, beautiful arts & a seriously good thing for our schools, our crafts from hand selected vendors, free entertainment on our children and our community.

Main Stage and South Stage, games for kids of all ages and of course, the Kids Country are just some of the venues avail- Join the thrills and spills of the 20th Annual World Famous Pumpkin Race at the 2010 able for visitors. This event is a Manhattan Beach tradition!

Manhattan Beach Pumpkin Race Festival on Sunday, October 24, 2010 at the pier in Find more info at: http://www.mbfair.org/Welcome.html Manhattan Beach, CA. Manhattan Beach Beach

Ocean Dreams: The Beach Life Fantastic September 25 – October 14, 2010 Manhattan Beach Creative Arts Center

The Cultural Arts Division of the Manhattan Beach Parks & Recreation Department presents a new exhibition titled Ocean Dreams: The Beach Life Fantastic from September 25 – October 14, 2010 at the Creative Arts Center (CAC), 1560 Manhattan Beach Blvd.

Paintings and sculptures created by Brad Parker, Blu Rivard, and Donjo portray exotic beach culture and fantastic ocean life. Gallery hours are Tuesday & Thursday 2-6 p.m., Wednesday 4–8 p.m., and Saturday 1-5 p.m. Admission is free

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Comments Recent replies to our articles

Rocco

Manhattan Beach Open

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for doing such an outstanding article on an amazing musician, Rocco Deluca. I had the pleasure of meeting him about a year ago and he is the real deal. He is an artist and pure to his music. I love his music and wish that more people took notice. His live performances are his greatest gift. Thank you for getting him out into the public eye and for writing about him to show his down to earth nature.

It’s a great mag & great article. Keep up the good work!

No to old school rules! They need to give our Beach Olympic hopefuls a place in the USA to still play the game that is played in the Olympics.

That’s how the USA has been able to dominate at the Olympics. That being said I hope Karch tweaks the rules of the Corona Wide Open to the international beach rules so our hopefuls have a place to play on US soil & they all don’t have to leave the country to be competitive.

Rocco fan

Manhattan Beach Open -2

Hollie Brown Indianapolis, Indiana

Jimmy Miller I loved this article. I have been a volunteer with the Foundation since it started. I have become very close with many of the Marines at CP. It is fair to say that I have received FAR more than I have ever been able to give to these heroes! I cannot imagine my life without the Millers...Jimmy’s essence lives on through the foundation and we recognize that at every session!!!

Hillary Kane

Jimmy Miller -2 I will read about Jimmy and Eric any day. Unfortunately we lost Jimmy at too young an age. Nice to see serious local stories by talented writers and artists. Thank you Valerie for the invite to read your magazine.

Joe Middler

Fonoi WOW! That was amazing, I never knew. I always had great respect for Eric as an athlete, now I have even more respect for him as a person. Thank you.

Bob McCrary

K. Peyton - facebook

There was nothing wrong with the game when “they” shrunk the court 10 years ago. The purity of the game has been lost and it’s very sad that a whole generation of players will never know how real beach volleyball was played. I am looking forward to some 6’8” guy trying to drop off the net and dig a ball.

Here’s to the best “all around” players getting their name on the pier this year.

B. Frohoff - facebook

Manhattan Beach Open - 3 Short court is rad, errors are punished greatly and you have to be very mentally tough, more than big court in my opinion. Big court you can hit the ball out or serve the ball under then net and its no big deal, just go back and side out. If you miss your serve now, you are punished as you should be, if you hit the ball out on a stupid swing, then you are punished. The new game enforces consistency. Out with the old, in with the new. Karch did it, he won a gold medal and several AVP events on short court.

D. McKienzie - facebook

Have something to add? Send us an e-mail: brad@civiccouch.com

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s an ode to the Golden Anniversary, tournament director Jay Saikley and Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Department decided to revert back to the “old” rules.

This included a wider, longer court, removed the antennae, switched to side out scoring and resurrected the old all-white Wilson leather ball (slightly heavier than the current ball used).

It was a one-time nod to tradition, seen as a way to acknowledge the tournament’s 50th Anniversary devoid of the accoutrements the cancelled AVP version entailed. There would be no stadium, bleachers, sideline dancers and sponsor village and very little prize money. The event would be free to all, with no tickets and VIP suites.

Spectators brought beach chairs and the entertainment consisted of sideline heckling and showmanship from a bygone era. Everything was organized in less than a week to preserve a tradition held dear in a community known as the “home to beach volleyball”. The men’s division was won by a pair of hometown boys who were high school classmates at Redondo Union, Olympian Sean Rosenthal and Aaron Watchfogel, providing a storybook ending to a great weekend.

Photo: Brent Broza

Stepping in

by Valerie Buck

The 50th Anniversary of the Manhattan Beach Open played on despite the untimely end of the AVP tour days before it was slated to start.

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Many of the sport’s top stars were absent though. Some were playing in Europe. Some players were unwilling to risk injury for a small paycheck or merely needing a mental break after finding out that the season was cancelled. The women’s side of the draw shone with far less glitter than in years past, suffering under a boycott led by two time Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh. When play finished on Sunday the duo of Heather Lowe and Tealle Hunkus stood on the podium. Lowe’s

highest AVP finish was 5th place, garnered three times. The 25 year old Hunkus, played in her first AVP main draw in the 2008 MBO. Tournament Director Jay Saikley stated “This year’s Manhattan Beach Open is unique in the sense that you cannot earn AVP or International points and there is no television contract. It will be an opportunity to honor the legacy of Charlie Saikley and the history of the sport of beach volleyball in Manhattan Beach. In addition, this format will allow spectators to enjoy long, hard fought games which exemplify the competitive spirit of the game of volleyball.

Aaron Watchfogel and Sean Rosenthal - 2010 Manhattan Beach Open Photo: Brent Broza Men’s Champions

“this format will allow spectators to enjoy long, hard We are moving forward with the fought games which exemplify the competitive spirit traditional style of play and hope that you will be a part of this great of the game of volleyball” tournament, to play for your fans, always a hard sell, having never However, a TV friendly version of tradition, the love of the game been profitable, and which relied beach volleyball didn’t translate and having a permanent plaque on 70% of its revenue from sponinto lucrative network contracts. on the Pier in remembrance of this sorship dollars. Potential inveshistoric 50th Anniversary Manhat- The AVP spent a large portion of tors eyeball the remains waiting its budget buying airtime on diftan Beach Open.” ferent networks to satisfy sponsor perhaps for a bankruptcy to erase millions in debt. visibility demands. Nor did those None would argue that profespurchased appearances on ESPN2 sional beach volleyball in the US and other networks translate into is in serious jeopardy. The situawidespread visibility via hit shows Most of the top names in beach tion after the collapse of the AVP like ESPN Sportscenter. Even with volleyball will be spending the is dire. The one remaining proAmericans dominating the medal remainder of the season in Eufessional tour, the Corona Wide podiums at the Olympics – beach rope playing the FIVB international circuit. Unfortunately, those Open Series, ironically also plays volleyball failed to capitalize on tournaments required registration under those same rules Walsh was the momentum. It is a sport over a month ago and have four boycotting, but for far less prize almost completely devoid of the team-limits per country for playmoney than the AVP tour procasual fan. ers berthed into the main draw. vided. The rationale for the rule This leaves many players personal changes instituted in 2000 by the sponsorship deals also in limbo A statement made just before FIVB (the global governing body without a domestic tour to comfor the sport) and adopted by the 5 p.m., aptly on Friday the 13th AVP being that it made beach vol- shuttered the tour, a victim of the pete in. leyball, especially at the Olympics tough economy. The AVP was more ready for the small screen.

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In Focus With

Brent Broza

M FEB / MARCH

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anhattan Beach Native Brent Broza starting taking photography seriously about 2-3 years ago. Since then his work has made it in the pages of Surfing Magazine, the CD cover for The Black Pacific, photo on Jack Johnson’s En Concert CD and website, AMP Magazine cover 104, and shot bands such as Gavin Rossdale, NOFX, Pennywise & Ziggy Marley, Kelly Slater, the AVP and many others.

What equipment do you shoot with?

I shoot with a Canon 7D body and generally 24-70mm, 70-200mm & 300mm Canon L lenses.

Influences: Though my work is nothing like these folks, I really appreciate the work of Bruce Weber, Herb Ritz, David LaChapelle, Ansel Adams and Michael Voorhees, who has generously offered up a lot of advice to me.

Over the last few years I’ve noticed that your photographs have been showing up all over the place.

Gavin Rossdale at the White Light White Night concertt

My photos have been featured in Surfing Magazine, Jack Johnson’s “En Concert” Live CD booklet and website, the album/CD cover and promo photos for Jim Lindberg’s (former Pennywise singer) new band The Black Pacific, the AMP (American Music Press) Magazine cover issue 104, CBS Newsletter Cover, Surfline.com, Solspot.com, Waterman’s in Hermosa Beach & I frequently cover events for the South Bay’s Easy Reader. I have also shot restaurant menus, ads and Jack Johnson performing in Santa Barbara images for web content.

How long have you been shooting for?

In 2004 I went on a surf trip to the Mentawai’s and decided to take a Nikon N80 film camera. That was the first time that I really tried to shoot some pix. I started shooting a bit more when I moved to Maui in 2005, but it wasn’t until 2008 that I started to pursue photography more seriously. I’d say that I have been shooting around 2-3 years.

Kelly Slater

9th Street Barrell Continued on next page

Brent Broza

In many of your photos you play with the saturation levels. What is it that you like about the darker feel?

For some reason I like the antique/vintage look I guess. As odd as it may seem, I generally like to stray from straight color images. I like the washed out, pale color look with the darker edge to it. For me, it makes you look a bit more intensely at the image because your eyes are expecting to see color. I shoot all of my images in color, but during editing I run certain images through several looks or styles.

More times than not, I find that I end up using the antique, black & white or sepia style. However, with some images I will push the saturation a bit to go for an exaggerated color or even a warmer, golden 1960’s or 70’s feel.

Do you have a favorite place or trip for shooting?

I haven’t been shooting long enough to know. I have pretty much been only shooting between Southern California and Hawaii. I have a full-time job as a wine distributor in LA’s South Bay and Beverly Hills, so it is hard for me to break away for long periods of time.

I would love to go shoot the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, the entire surf season in the Islands & more rustic/scenic locations in the United States. I hope to make time for some traveling in 2011.

Do you have any favorite subjects to shoot?

I don’t really have a favorite subject to shoot. I find that I shoot more lifestyle photos of friends and family at gatherings or events. I love shooting anything to do with the ocean, sports, music or nature.

For me photography has a lot to do with opportunity and timing. Actually having the opportunity to be presented with amazing subjects or situations. The rest is up to the individual to capture the moment in their own way.

You have been working with interesting mediums.

What have you been using and why?

magnified, crystal clear look) and giclee canvases.

I am not really doing photo prints. Working with these mediums are amazing because they are unique, professionally made and they are ready to hang without having to incur the expensive cost for matting and framing.

What would be your dream photo shoot?

I’m hoping to shoot the incredible waves of Teahupoo in Tahiti next year. I’d like to document the raw, natural beauty & power of that place. It looks amazing.

What’s next for Brent Broza?

I am actually on Maui now for a few weeks to take some new photos, surf and drink some fine wine that I snagged from my wine cellar... Upon my return, I will be featuring some pieces at Trilogy Spa & the Tea Exchange in Manhattan Beach. There is also a possibility of doing a show in Cardiff, San Diego by the end of the year.

I am using very unique substrates/mediums such as, View more images and info from Brent by clicking giclee printing directly on bamboo, giclee photos here to go to his website face-mounted on a polished acrylic (that gives it a

I

n August 2006, Janne Kouri’s life changed in a split second.

An avid athlete, Janne was participating in a beach volleyball tournament. Between matches he decided to take dip in the ocean to cool off. Like so many times before, Janne ran into the water and dove through a wave. But, it was not like every other time - under the wave this time was a sand bar. Janne hit his head on that sand bar and fractured his C5 & C6 vertebrae.

In an instant, he was paralyzed from the neck down.

After two months in ICU in California, Janne, and his new wife Susan, traveled to Lousiville, KY to participate in a cutting edge rehabilitation therapy for individuals with Spinal Cord Injury called “Locomotor Training”. For twelve months Janne and Susan lived in Louisville, and under the watchful eye of his therapy team, saw improvements in his muscle strength, movement and general health. Ready to return home, Janne wanted to ensure that he could continue his athletic lifestyle and his Locomotor Training. After much research, Janne came to find that he was unable to continue his Locomotor Training and fitness regiment and continue to live his life as it was. He wondered what everyone else like him was doing. Being surprised at how little his options were he decided it was not only his responsibility to make this happen for him, be for others also.

So, with the help of his family, and the guiding influence of Dr. Susie Harkema - one of the

The Next Step

The Next Step Training Facility in Redondo Beach

neuroscientists who created Locomotor Training & enhanced Activity Based Therapy techniques and Janne’s lead advisor in Kentucky, Janne and Susan decided to start NextStep Fitness.

A California Non-Profit Corporation, the goal of NextStep Fitness, Inc. is to create a fitness environment for individuals with physical disabilities - where everyday fitness & wellness is available and supported in a state-of-the-art facility. With the combination of cardio workouts, strength training and stretching, NextStep Fitness strives to ensure that having a disability does not mean being unhealthy. Additionally, NextStep Fitness will be the first community-based fitness facility to offer Locomotor Training to clients. Like Janne himself, NextStep Fitness, Inc. strives to help it’s clients stay strong, stay fit and stay healthy.

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Locomotor Locomotor Training is an innovative intervention that helps individuals with gait impairments.

The technique is an activity-based therapy that works to retrain the spinal cord to “remember” the pattern of walking again.

Locomotor Training includes use of body weight supported treadmill training, in which participants are suspended in a parachute-type harness over the treadmill. Once the treadmill begins moving, leg movements are manually assisted by therapists to help patients perform stepping movements on the treadmill. These movements are associated with a pattern of leg muscle activation that is generated by locomotor centers within the spinal cord. Assisted leg movements are necessary in order to stimulate the locomotor centers, within the spinal cord, to activate leg muscles that the patient cannot move voluntarily. The process assists individuals with certain types of neurological dysfunction improve their locomotor skills and eventually walking ability.

Together But Separate

Photo by Paul Bozymowski

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imee Lay’s “Suncatcher” and brother Al Lay’s “Change” reflect the individual styles of shared musical influences and common life experiences. “We feel we have a unique perspective as sibling singers/songwriters…being that our heritage and our experiences have made us in some way, Siamese souls,” Al says.

Al and Aimee came up with their album concept, the co-production of individual albums, during an emotional family trip to the place in which their parents met; their mother’s native country of South Korea. Their parents had not been back in more than three decades, since the time of their marriage.

Their mother, a child during the Korean War, came to California with their Chicago-born father, a chemical engineer at the time, while another war raged in Vietnam. The inter-racial couple had a hard time being accepted both in America and in South Korea. Their mother, in particular, found it difficult to adjust to a new way of life in the U.S. “There was racism around us, no doubt,” Al says about the joining of the two families and of growing up at the time. “There was a lot of heaviness that seeped into us as kids. At the time we didn’t know what it was.”

“We have a very close relationship with our parents,” Aimee adds. “We didn’t have a particularly bad childhood, but it was a heavy one. We were dealing with this huge culture clash and generation gap as well, being that our parents both came from a very different time and place.”

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hat’s the name of your band? What’s the origin of that name?

Photo by Paul Bozymowski

Aimee Lay: For the last year, we’ve just been going by our names (Al Lay & Aimee Lay), being that we released solo albums separately, but have been playing shows and promoting them together. So, we haven’t been 1 unified band or project so much as 2 projects being promoted together.

Al Lay:For the last year, in support of our 2 EPs, we’ve gone by simply “Al Lay & Aimee Lay”.

“I was definitely inspired by the fact that we

were in our Mom’s hometown & country” What genre of music do you consider your work to be?

Aimee: I would say that Al and I are primarily influenced by the Beatles and a lot of sixties and seventies music. .

Pretty much straight forward melodic rock n’roll. We come from the same influences, but it seems that for one reason or another (be it personality, etc.), my stuff comes out a bit more moody and dark than his at times. Other than that, we’re pretty much cut of the same cloth. We were always into music before our time for some reason. In fact, we essentially introduced our parents to the Beatles, whereas it’s usually the other way around Where has been your favorite venue?

Aimee: I’d have to say Spaceland or the Troubadour. The sound is always good there for the most part. Great stage. As for Al & I doing solo shows, Sainte Rocke has been great Al: Of all the venues I’ve personally ever played: The House of Blues in Hollywood. As a duo, I have to say Sainte Rocke in Hermosa Beach. Great venue for sound & vibe.The staff is very cool & help make it a cozy place to perform.

What inspired you to make music together?

Aimee:: Well, our parents met in Korea back in the 60s. Neither one of them had been back for roughly 33 years until we decided to take a trip there recently. It was during that trip to Korea that Al and I really talked about things, what was important to us, etc., and came up with the idea of playing together.

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He had just about completed a solo EP and I had been working on one myself. So it had a lot to do with the timing and a common vision as well. We’d always helped each other on projects, but for one reason or another, never really played together.

Al: A couple years ago, we took a family trip to South Korea, the birthplace of our Mom. While hanging out in Busan, in a place called “Paris Baguette” (great pastries!), Aimee & I started talking about how it’d be great to officially perform together for the first time, BUT at the same time release separate EPs with our own identity... “Together but Separate”.

In my head, I was definitely inspired by the fact that we were in our Mom’s hometown & country; and that we were her children... the children of someone who had come all the way to America, from

so far away. In a way, it’s been a way to honor her, and our heritage as well.

Did you two sing in front of the family or at church?

Who writes your songs?

Aimee: Yeah, we didn’t really grow up going to church. So, we sang in front of family, friends growing up, and like Al said,

Aimee: We’ve always written our own songs separately. We’ve been working on a new project since the release of the EPs though. And we’ve deliberately experimented with writing those songs together to see what we come up with. So we’re really excited about that.

Al: For my EP, I wrote all 6 songs.

She did the same with hers; although we did co-produce each other’s recordings.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Aimee: That we’re family, at the end of the day definitely! Haha!

Like having an old, old friend, it can be both a positive and a negative at times. One the one hand, here’s a person who knows you so incredibly well and understands so much about you; there’s all this depth and respect there…and then on the other hand, because of that history, it’s sometimes more challenging to blaze a new trail, redefine yourself, not get caught up in years of relationship dynamics. But at the end of the day, what’s it all about really? Making music and being in a band is only truly satisfying if you’re doing it with people you respect and feel something for.

Otherwise it can feel quite empty.

Al: Getting along all the time... We are brother & sister after all! :)

Al: In front of family... and in front of nobody in my room!

Aimee: Yeah, we sounded great.

That was probably the first time we realized how good our voices sounded together. Also, nothing can beat singing or playing songs with someone that knows them as well, respects them, and loves them as much as you do.

nothing can beat singing or play“ ing songs with someone that knows them as well, respects them, and loves them as much as you do. mostly in front of nobody in our rooms!

How old were you when you began singing together?

Al: I must have been 18. So Aimee was 14.

Any fun stories early on?

Al: Sometime after graduating from Mira Costa High, I was feeling restless one day, so I talked to Aimee about taking Mom’s car to “somewhere”, just to get away. We chose Solvang, near Santa Barbara. So, we just took off in that direction. It was a great time! This is probably the first time we started singing together. Since we only had a radio in the car, and what we could pick up was lame, we started singing Beatles songs in 2-part harmony to amuse ourselves. It sounded pretty good actually!

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Whats next?

Aimee: Our current focus is definitely this new band. Chances are, we’ll always have our own songs or whatever, but we’re excited to see what comes of truly working together from the beginning on these new songs.

Al: Now after playing numerous shows, including two “Albuquerque Film Festivals” & places like Saint Rocke, we’ve started co-writing songs with the intention of releasing a 2-song single written by & sang by “Us”.

Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD? Al: Yes. myspace.com/allay www.myspace.com/thelostandfound www.cdbaby.com/allay2 www.cdbaby.com/aimeelay Also, iTunes.

by Carly Rogers

Photo: Brent Broza

I have to say that I’ve never felt closer to my mom, Jimmy, or my friend Ben...three influential people in my life who left us way too early. There’s something about being out on the water alone...I felt them near me the entire time.

So the Wed before the race was my brother’s birthday. He and I don’t see each other often, but he happened to be having band practice that day... preparing for his St. Rocke reunion show. I took the opportunity to see him before the race. I walked into their practice, sat down on an old bench seat, they began to play, my brother began to sing, and my mom was instantly in the room. Tears came way too quick, as I was trying to stay cool with 10 guys in the room.

Our mom has been gone almost 17 years and this is definitely the closest I’ve felt to her.

So now I’m on Catalina, I have my dad and some of my closest friends on the boat. It’s the morning of the race and everything is running smoothly. Super excited, logistics are dialed in. I walk my board over to the start. Assess stepping over the ledge, feel I’m

clear and take a step...CRACK...yes, it’s 5:45 am... and I’ve just put a crack in this small vessel that’s supposed to take me across the ocean. The entire crowd says oooooooh that’s not good. Panic steps in and I yell, “Charlie I NEED your Help!”. Charlie of Bark paddleboards comes to the rescue, Joe steps in too.

“Do you have a sticker?” “I have duct tape” “A sticker would be better. Do you have a sticker?” “Actually, does this work?” I hand him the JMMF sticker and he says it’s the best there is. I’ll be good for a month.

With Joe and Charlie there to save the day, I instantly relaxed and forgot about it. I put my board on the beach down the way. Dialed everything else in. We finally begin to put our boards in the water and I’m close to all of the Donkeys. So much good love and support. Then, a last minute arrival, Anthony Vela, whom I was in Rookie School with, who taught me how to paddle, who is one of my best friends and

has been by my side throughout the entire Catalina journey is next to me for the start. Finally, the gun goes off and we begin paddling through the boats in the dark. All of the Unlimited boards pull away. I look to my left and there is Gus Mc Connell, another first time Catalina paddler, who realized that my brother was Roby Rogers the day before. “Go Gus!” “Hey Carly” “Yeah?” “I just wanted to tell you, I met your mom when I was a little kid. She was an amazing woman. I’m a better man for knowing her”.

Yes he did at 6:00am, in the dark, before I was about to paddle 32 miles. Tears welled up, but it was obviously part of the plan. She was with me in so many ways.

Another part of the race was my lifeguard heritage. I became a lifeguard in 1994 and since then have found love in the ocean in a million different ways. I actually learned to surf after becoming a guard. Mike Inscore was the first one to get me on a paddleboard.

I fell in love in the evening chop paddling between Topaz and the Pier. Then a JG asked me to do Hennesey’s with her. I had never paddled more than a mile and in three weeks time, I was supposed to do a 15 mile race. You can’t say no to a junior guard. There I was on an unlimited board I borrowed the night before, my dad telling me I was stupid, the entire pack left me behind and two or three miles after yelling at myself, I decided that it was a beautiful day, I had never seen the back side of PV and I was going to finish and paddle 15 miles. Classic. But lifeguarding alone has taught me the beauty of the ocean...surfing is now my life, being a junior

Photo: Brent Broza Thanks for the Early morning Ding Repair Charlie and Joe!!! I think you saved me mentally more than the board!!!

Photo: Brent Broza

Nancy Miller (Jimmy’s mother) congratulating me after the race

lifeguard will always be the best job ever, I have carried someone out of the water lifeless and watched someone breathe life back in. I’ve traveled all over the world, been in ocean’s all over the world, made rescues in random places and all of it along side the best family in the world...lifeguards.

So during the race as I was nearing halfway, the lifeguard boat was waiting and two of my best friends who are lifeguards Emily and Tandis were on my escort boat cheering, a song that reminds me of my mom came on on my ipod and I totally lost it. The race gave me so much time to be thankful for all of the beautiful things in my life and the people who have inspired me along the way. I am so proud of all that we get to do with the foundation, the people’s lives we’ve inspired, the opportunities that I have to give and do and achieve.

People always say, oh I could never do that. Gosh, it was such a beautiful break from the chaos of life. No cell phone, no email...just

you and the ocean and all of it’s glory. I sat a bit off the R10 one day, turned off my ipod and sat and listened and watched as 100 dolphins sped by...what a gift.

So then, I bonked after halfway. Totally lost my drive mentally. I was moving really slow, my stomach was frustrated, I was bored. I was over it. I yelled at my crew a few times, my dad took charge, I needed to see the R10 Fast. I finally saw it and began to gain speed, then right as I was rounding the buoy a song caleed Home Sweet Home came on. I knew this part of the race. I had told my donors that I would be home between 1 and 2 pm. (7 to 8 hours). Before the R10 I asked if I would make it under 8...one person slipped and said, “Not a Chance”. The rest of the crew yelled “Maybe???” After the buoy I started sprinting, I had to make it in time, my coach said, “If you keep this up, you’ll make it”. So there I went, Tandis started playing guitar, the another friends boat pulled up and started cheering. I think there were a few BA’s. I passed the whale wall, the Hermosa Pier and my house. I was watching the watch on my board afraid I wouldn’t make it and then I did...7:54:55. I had so many good friends, family, volunteers, lifeguards all on the beach waiting. It felt so good to finish. This race is a marathon, a journey, it’s so much more than a physical accomplishment.

The Jimmy Miller Foundation Paddleboard Team

Photo: Brent Broza

This 32-mile paddleboard race…I’ve always wanted to do it. So many legend watermen have paddled before me…Jimmy paddled before me. But, in training this summer, I had no idea what a beautiful, empowering, therapeutic experience it would be. I’ve said numerous times, that I’m falling in love with the ocean in a whole new way. I’ve spent most of my long paddles alone, although huge thanks go out to the Donkey’s and Mermaids! But, to be a woman on a 12 ft paddleboard, 4 miles off shore, alone, is probably the most empowering experience I’ve had thus far. The connection with the ocean, to watch the way the water changes with each touch of wind, to see your reflection in the glass or to battle against head winds and swell, to feel the strength in your body change, to laugh and smile at the beauty of it all…it’s so much more than a race.

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Dropping In With Chris

Photo: Randy Wright/ lasurfpix.com

Pro Surfer Chris Wells

Began Surfing: 10 years old at 1st street in Manhattan Beach. It was great learning to surf there because there were so many good guys surfing there at the time. Guys like Mark and Derek Levy. They taught you how to surf and the overall etiquette of the sport

Favorite South Bay Spot: Redondo Breakwall. It is a spot you have to earn your respect at by showing up year after year and giving the respect to guys who came before you and have surfed there longer than you have.

Near-Death Experience: In 1996 during a solid 10’ North swell, after surfing for an hour I was going

back out on the rocks when a wave caught me by surprise and thrashed me into the rocks. I did cartwheels on my head for 20 yards and was hospitalized with staples in my head, lacerations, broken nose but luckily I escaped w/ my life.

Favorite Surf Trip: Indonesia is always a great trip but now days it is way too crowded. This summer I

went to Nicaragua and caught some really good uncrowded surf. You get on a ponga boat and search for your own slab or beachbreak.

Currently Riding: 5 10�, 18 1/2 wide, 2.2 thick. Rounded square tail (shaped by Wayne Oakamoto) Favorite Surfer: Shane Dorian-He was a great contest surfer for years and free surfer and now one of the best big wave surfers in the world. He is constantly changing and adapting his surfing.

Sponsors: Oakfoils Surfboards, Rip Curl Wetsuits, Adventure Sports Tours, ET surf shop Pre-Surf Rituals: Stretch, Stretch, Stretch!

Words of Advise: Surfing is no different than driving a car.....there are rules! (learn the rules) Beginners should start at a beginer break. They should learn to respect the pecking order in the lineup and NEVER snake anyone! :)

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Q&A with local

Kevin Barry Saving Lives and Serving Dishes

>

When I’m not working I’m

Enjoying Time with my family.... my 2 daughters, Grace, who is now 7 months old, Brynn is almost 2 years old and my wife Shelby (I better not say how old!)

Toughest part of running a restaurant trying to remember all the little details How long have you been in the restaurant Industry During high school in Pacific Palisades I worked as a short order cook at a little cafe on Sunset Blvd (over 30 years later I’m a partner at the Pearl Dragon Restaurant which is directly across the street!)...after college: The Pelican in North Manhattan Beach, West Beach Cafe and Rebecca’s Restaurant in Venice.

DC3, Club LUX and the Broadway Deli in Santa Monica.

Before becoming a restaurant partner, what do you look for?

I hope for honestly and integrity in my partners Favorite dish on one of your menus Sangria’s Blackened Shrimp with the famous orange-Tequilla sauce was created by our dear friend and partner, Chef Oscar Rosales, who died suddenly last year... (he was also the chef at our legendary 12th Street Grill, where he created and perfected this dish!)

Photo: Tom Servais

BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW ...

I enjoy surfing in Hawaii and Tavarua, Fiji and to play volleyball with friends in local tournaments (2010 Seawright 4-person Invitational Champion & International Surf Festival 6-Man Finalist) but I’m most proud of the work I do for the Los Angeles County Fire Department as a seasonal Ocean Lifeguard and as an Instructor and Mentor for the LA County Junior Lifeguard Program How important is the location for a Restaurant?

Say it 3 times fast...one of the most sublime mysteries of life...near the ocean can help!

Getting Involved For me it is very important...producing fundraising events for local schools and the charity foundations that I’m involved in, is much more exciting to me than the day-to-day grind! (my events have helped to raise over 3 million dollars) Organizations Services -Board of Directors: Jimmy Miller Foundation Downtown Manhattan Beach Business Association (President) Dig for Kids Foundation Downtown Hermosa Beach Business Association -Organizing Committee and MC for the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race.

-Sruf n Turf Event Director -Honored in Bank of Manhattan’s Celebration of Entrepreneurship 2009: Distinguished Philanthropic Event for JMMF Surf Fiesta at Sangria Restaurant!

KEVIN BARRY When did you begin lifeguarding?

Rookie year was 1980 and started in “Central Section”, which is the Palisades/ Santa Monica/Venice area...also worked at the Bel Air Bay Club and The Beach Club in Pacific Palisades...transferred to the South Bay or “Southern Section” in 1984.

What are some of the biggest changes you have seen?

The Junior Lifeguard Program has grown almost exponentially in the last 30 years!

Strangest Thing You Have Seen While Life Guarding? with 2 other lifeguards guards I rescued 2 people that were trying unsuccessfully to paddle a piece of “floating art”...the current was very strong and was taking them on a direct crash-course towards the Manhattan Pier!

Shark Week in the South Bay? only sand sharks, which are completely harmless but are quite large and look like leopard sharks Most important thing for swimmers/surfers to keep in mind while out in the ocean? watch the ocean conditions for awhile before you go in and always swim in front of a manned lifeguard tower!

What does a normal lifeguard shift include? it really depends on the beach and location of your tower...if you are near a public parking lot or in a strictly residential area your daily activity can vary greatly... watching the water for 8 hours is your number one job and focusing that hard can be very exhausting...it can be hours of nothing and then 2 minutes of action!

TEN YEARS FROM NOW I HOPE... to still be a Junior Lifeguard Instructor, so I can share my love of surfing and the beauty of the ocean with my kids as they go through the program!

Kevin is a general partner of Memphis Cafe in Manhattan Beach, Sangria Restaurant in Hermosa Beach , M Cafe at South Bay BMW in Torrance and is a limited partner of Falcon Restaurant in Hollywood, and the Pearl Dragon Restaurant in Pacific Palisades. Kevin is also an Ocean Lifeguard and a Junior Lifeguard Instructor for the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Photo: Scott Gorski

20 YEARS OF RACING PUMPKINS

Ready, set, go! Join the thrills and spills of the 20th Annual World Famous Pumpkin Race at the 2010 Manhattan Beach Pumpkin Race Festival on Sunday, October 24, 2010 at the pier in Manhattan Beach, CA. Invented in Manhattan Beach, CA in 1990 the World Famous Pumpkin Race is a national and state awardwinning event that brings families and communities together for a celebration of creativity, ingenuity, diversity and fair play. The fun, quirky event has a proven magnetic appeal that touches lives in a powerful and positive way. People of all ages and abilities light up with excitement as they build Pumpkin Racecars and participate in thrilling and fun-spirited races.

Approximately 12,000 people attended the Manhattan Beach Pumpkin Race Festival in 2009 and 15,000+ are expected this year. The festival has been hailed by South Bay residents, city officials, business leaders, and education foundations and as one of the best community traditions ever held in the area.

For our very special 20th anniversary celebration the Manhattan Beach Pier Area will be transformed into a Halloween Fall Harvest setting featuring Pumpkinrace Land where creativity and innovation runs wild and cheaters never prosper. Festival attendees dress in colorful costumes and enjoy fun activities for the whole family. Participants enjoy the thrill of hand crafting and decorating their Pumpkin Racecars and competing in the World Famous Pumpkin Race, which is free to enter.

20th Anniversary Celebration Manhattan Beach Pier Sunday, October 24th, 2010

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The Smiling Artist

Andy Brown Manhattan Beach local Andy Brown has had a passion for drawing for as long as he can remember.

As of late Andy has taken his appreciation for drawing to utilize aerosol paint - his recent body of work is working with aerosol to depict human expression in a street art style that creates curiousity or perhaps apositive emotion in the viewer.

He has spent time traveling locally and internationally for the past 6 years and a lot of the inspiration comes from meeting and talking with different people, ultimately getting down to what makes people happy, and remembering those conversations and bringing that vibe to a wall or a canvas to share.

“I have always drawn because I enjoy the process, luckily for me some of the times the outcome can be appreciated by others.”

Civic Couch (CC): When did you become interested in art?

CC: Which artist have influenced you?

Andy Brown (AB): I have always drawn as far as I can remember- as far as becoming interested in it I think my interest has just naturally progressed since I was a young lad around age 10 or so.

AB: Some artistic influences would be Friends and just seeing other creative work. I wouldn’t necessarily consider myself very knowledgeable about other artists, although there are many whose work I do enjoy.

CC: How did you discover your talent for faces?

CC: Why do you utilize aerosol paint?

(AB): I started drawing these abstracted faces when I was travelling often starting about 6 years agosomething to do to help enjoy passing time on a plane, or sitting at a terminal.

AB: Well using aerosol is just a way to make these faces larger an relevant in that specific context.

Aerosol has come a long way and is now high quality paint with many colors and varieties of paint styles. It’s travelling towards a system with different paint producers in varying packaging and varying tips- similar to traditional paints. It’s interesting to see thus happen.

CC: Where do your ideas come from?

AB: My ideas come from living life and enjoying it.

Sometimes an incident might inspire and sometimes I’ll just start to draw and the lines will build from there without a pre conceived or established idea to communicate.

CC: What has been your favorite project?

AB: I dont really have a specific favorite project.

I guess im lucky enough to be able to like them all for different reasons. My favorite project to do is large outdoor/ indoor pieces - most recently in San Francisco and also freestyling in Venice. I may have one coming up in Downtown Los Angeles for an interior space.

CC: What do you enjoy most about your work?

AB:The flexibility and freedom of it- just doing it. It’s like anything you enjoy, the process is the destination.

CC: Before getting involved with art, you were involved in the fashion industry. Tell us a little about that experience.

AB: I am still involved in working in the apparel world- I am currently working with a company called Cash Crop which is a Mens clothing brand operating out of Downtown LA. I have worked in this industry for about 7 years, being able to travel quite a bit and see different cities all over has been a great experience.

CC: What projects are you currently working on?

AB:I am currently building a body of work to eventually show somewhere- just waiting for the right place and time to show the work.

CC: You also have a tee shirt company (www.Soldierleisure.com). How is it different working on a canvass compared to clothing?

AB:With soldierleisure, I am using drawings and screenprinting them on cotton. You can create duplicates off of the original easily and it is also rasy to transfer to people. With working on canvasIm not making duplicates- and obviously they go different places and are more permanent.

CC: Any advise for the young artist?

AB: !! I would say stay focused and always make time and space for doing something creative you enjoy. I think it can be a very healthy activity

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1000 MILES FOR CHILDREN LOCAL MANHATAN BEACH RESIDENT WILL SOLO THE UPCOMING BAJA 1000 FOR CHARITY Manhattan Beach resident, Lance Kane, will be competing as an ironman in the upcoming Tecate Score Baja 1000 to raise money for charity. The Baja 1000 is the longest, non-stop, point to point off road motorsports race in North America. Over 400 competitors are expected to join the race which starts in Ensenada, Mexico and ends over 1000 miles later in La Paz, north of Cabo San Lucas.

While most entrants compete in several 4 and 2 wheeled teams, alternating drivers and riders, only Kane and a hand full of other entrants dare to endure the elements as solo motorcycle competitors.

The 43rd Tecate Score Baja 1000 is set for November 17th- 21rst, 2010. The actual Race is on Friday November 18th. Racers start in 30 second intervals beginning at 6AM. With approximately 1040 miles to the finish line, competitors are given a specified time limit to finish in.

“Although the race course has not been released yet, I suspect the time limit will be anywhere from 42-48 hours”.

Kane, also co-founder of Racers and Ranchers (www. racersandranchers.com), a not for profit organization spreading goodwill throughout Baja on behalf of the off road community, has decided to race for a cause. Through donations and per mile pledges he intends on raising over $15k to assist Rancho Santa Marta in building the first Multi-Sensory Room of its kind in Baja, Mexico. The specialty equipment, known as a Snoezelen Room (www.snoezeleninfo.com), consists of specialty, gesture technology, equipment designed to stimulate the 5 senses of those who have a sensory, physical, or psychiatric disability. Rancho Santa Marta is an orphanage and school for children with special needs (www.ranchosantamarta.org).

“I have raced these races for years. It’s tough and very demanding, not only on the competitors but on the volunteer support team who chases me throughout the race. My support team will consist of three chase vehicles and 13 people.” “The economy has impacted us all, we gather together as a local community to help our own with great success. I felt it’s time to give to a great cause for those less fortunate who reside only hours away from our homes here in the South Bay.” Despite the negative reports, Kane claims that Baja is as safe as ever. His advice, “enjoy Baja just use common sense, don’t be out late drinking or in places you should not be… if you are, then you’re a target just like anywhere else in the world”.

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83 MILES

Christian Burke taking a rest during his record breaking run

HERMOSA THE

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WHO: WHAT:

Hermosa Beach resident Christian Burke, 44

WHERE:

Burke ran from the Hermosa Pier to the Manhattan Beach Pier and back 24 times.

WHEN: WHY:

September 5th, 2010 at 12 Noon until September 6th, 2010 at 12 Noon

Ran for 83.04 miles within a 24-hour period to beat the previous running-in-sand world record of 62.28 miles.

To raise over $5,000 for the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation. Burke’s 10-year-old daughter attends Hermosa Valley School.

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Redondo Beach Surf N Turf Lobster Festival September 24th - 25th

This years Festival added a new flavor to the mix, certified Angus Beef! The 2010 Surf N Turf Festival included food vendors, live music, games for the kids (and adults), live music and more. The weather was perfect for this event, which was located at the Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach.

US OPEN BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Rosenthal and Wachtfogel Capture US Open of Beach Volleyball;

Hochevar and Denocochea Win Women’s Title Sean Rosenthal and Aaron Wachtfogel made it two in a row at Manhattan Beach, adding the 2010 US Open of Beach Volleyball championship to their Manhattan Beach Open crown from earlier this year when they defeated Matt Prosser and Josh Binstock in the Men’s Open division final of the national championship Sunday afternoon at Manhattan Beach Pier.

Brad Parker “The Moon of Manakoora” Brad Parker “Mister Mai Tai”

Ocean Dreams: The Beach Life Fantastic The Cultural Arts Division of the Manhattan Beach Parks & Recreation Department presents a new exhibition titled Ocean Dreams: The Beach Life Fantastic from September 25 – October 14, 2010 at the Creative Arts Center (CAC), 1560 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Paintings and sculptures created by Brad Parker, Blu Rivard, and Donjo portray exotic beach culture and fantastic ocean life. Gallery hours are Tuesday & Thursday 2-6 p.m., Wednesday 4–8 p.m., and Saturday 1-5 p.m. Admission is free.

From ancient time, the ocean has been a great source of artistic inspiration, not only in traditional painting or sculpture but also in expressions of popular culture. As Hawaii became a popular vacation destination in the 20th century, Americans fell in love with its tropical lifestyle and the romanticized version of an exotic culture – Tiki. Brad Parker is one of those artists fascinated by Tiki art. Moving from Hollywood to Big Island of Hawaii, Parker has developed his distinctive style – a mix of pop surrealism and modern Tiki Culture. “Tiki art is,” said Parker, “a whole new and coinciding old art form at the same time.” Combining his sense of humor and manic details, his painting represents contemporary Hawaiian pop art, in which the old Polynesian wooden statues are reinvented into 21st century pop idols.

From the serene beauty of undersea lifescapes to the majesty of his exotic beach scenes, Blu Rivard’s work allures the audience with astonishing details. His unique interplay of color, light, and texture is eminently recognizable. Rivard loves to dive and travel to exotic and tropical wonder of South Pacific for inspirations.

His undersea lifescapes with biological accuracy reflects his extensive degree of habitat research and behavior observation. With deep care and concerns for planet earth, he is also involved in several marine and environmental advocacy associations.

Donjo began sculpting with a strong emphasis on marine life in late 1970s. His sculptures are created with bronze, copper, fill, or acrylic, and captures the true essence of the sea -- the majestic beauty of the humpback whale or the playfulness of a family of dolphins. According to Donjo, the true objective of his art is to develop public awareness to the preservation of marine life and other endangered species.

After the Rain

POLLIWOG PARK, MANHATTAN BEACH JANUARY 2010

Southern California was hit with a series of rain storms last January which forced California Gov. Edmund Brown Jr. to declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Francisco and Siskiyou counties. Shown here, Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach flooded due to these storms. The city’s mechanical storm water diversions pumped the water out with the assistance of rain senors which activate whenever they sense that 1/10� or greater of rain has fallen.