Happy July everyone! July is a month filled with celebrations and holidays that bring people together in various ways around the world. In the United States, Independence Day on July 4th is the highlight, marked by fireworks, parades, and barbecues to commemorate our nation's founding. Canada observes Canada Day on July 1st, featuring festivities that include concerts, fireworks, and patriotic displays. France celebrates Bastille Day on July 14th, with spectacular fireworks and parades honoring the French Revolution. Japan celebrates Tanabata Matsuri, a vibrant star festival filled with colorful decorations and traditional performances. These holidays foster a sense of community and national pride, offering a chance to reflect on history and heritage while enjoying the chance for family and friends to get together.
It might seem early for some, but I am already excited about the start of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. Officially known as the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, they will take place July 26th to August 11th. This marks the third time Paris has hosted the Summer Olympics, previously hosting in 1900 and 1924. According to press, the event will be notable for its unique and innovative opening ceremony, which will feature a floating procession along the Seine River, concluding with a spectacular display at the Eiffel Tower. The Games will feature around 10,500 athletes competing in 329 events across 32 sports. Notably, this Olympics will have an equal number of male and female athletes participating.
This month the foundation spotlights Operation Surf. Van Curaza, a surfer for over 45 years, is the program founder of Operation Surf. Once a professional surfer, Van has dedicated his life to helping others through the transformative experience of surfing. His work has been featured in numerous publications, including ESPN and Southwest Airlines Spirit magazine, and has earned him the first annual Blue Mind Award. He has recently been featured in the award-winning Netflix documentary, RESURFACE. Additionally, his work has been featured in the first study of its kind on surfing as an alternative treatment for veterans with PTSD by Dr. Russell Crawford, “The Impact of Ocean Therapy on Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.”
Van created Amazing Surf Adventures to help at-risk youth. Having experienced his own challenges in his youth and through his own struggles with addiction, Van turned to surfing throughout his life as a means to stay positive. With the hope of being of service and passing on this positive experience, he set out to help others, particularly veterans, which is how the Operation Surf programs were developed and created.
Finally, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the loss of long time Avila Beach Community member, Lisa Newton. Her celebration of life ceremony was held last week. Friends and loved ones gathered to remember the enduring impact she had during her lifetime. Lisa was a great friend and strong advocate for preserving all we love about Avila Beach. Her participation and input on community matters was always in the interest of keeping the spirit of small-town Avila alive and well. Her presence and generous spirit will certainly be missed.
In the absence of the Avila Beach Life publication, here are a few community reminders for July:
Avila Beach Civic Association: 4TH OF JULY PANCAKE BREAKFAST and Doggie Parade
The Avila Beach Civic Association is pleased to announce the 2024 Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast & Doggie Parade. Breakfast will be held at the Avila Beach Community Center, 191 San Miguel Street from 8:30-11:00 am, followed by the Doggie Parade on the Avila Promenade at 11 a.m.
Tickets for the breakfast are $10 for adults and $5 for children 6 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the door of the Community Center office. There will be tables outside in the Healing Garden with puppy sitters so that everyone can bring their pets to the breakfast.
The Doggie Parade will be held on the Avila Promenade at 11:00 am. Parade participants will receive goodie bags donated by Petco Arroyo Grande.All dogs must be registered and checked-in between 10:30-10:45 am to receive a contest identification number for the costume contest for categories: best dog costume, best dog/owner look alike, best holiday look, funniest costume, and best in show.
For more information, to purchase your tickets, or register your dog(s), visit www.avilabeachcc.com or call (805) 627-1997.
It might seem early for some, but I am already excited about the start of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. Officially known as the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, they will take place July 26th to August 11th. This marks the third time Paris has hosted the Summer Olympics, previously hosting in 1900 and 1924. According to press, the event will be notable for its unique and innovative opening ceremony, which will feature a floating procession along the Seine River, concluding with a spectacular display at the Eiffel Tower. The Games will feature around 10,500 athletes competing in 329 events across 32 sports. Notably, this Olympics will have an equal number of male and female athletes participating.
This month the foundation spotlights Operation Surf. Van Curaza, a surfer for over 45 years, is the program founder of Operation Surf. Once a professional surfer, Van has dedicated his life to helping others through the transformative experience of surfing. His work has been featured in numerous publications, including ESPN and Southwest Airlines Spirit magazine, and has earned him the first annual Blue Mind Award. He has recently been featured in the award-winning Netflix documentary, RESURFACE. Additionally, his work has been featured in the first study of its kind on surfing as an alternative treatment for veterans with PTSD by Dr. Russell Crawford, “The Impact of Ocean Therapy on Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.”
Van created Amazing Surf Adventures to help at-risk youth. Having experienced his own challenges in his youth and through his own struggles with addiction, Van turned to surfing throughout his life as a means to stay positive. With the hope of being of service and passing on this positive experience, he set out to help others, particularly veterans, which is how the Operation Surf programs were developed and created.
Finally, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the loss of long time Avila Beach Community member, Lisa Newton. Her celebration of life ceremony was held last week. Friends and loved ones gathered to remember the enduring impact she had during her lifetime. Lisa was a great friend and strong advocate for preserving all we love about Avila Beach. Her participation and input on community matters was always in the interest of keeping the spirit of small-town Avila alive and well. Her presence and generous spirit will certainly be missed.
In the absence of the Avila Beach Life publication, here are a few community reminders for July:
Avila Beach Civic Association: 4TH OF JULY PANCAKE BREAKFAST and Doggie Parade
The Avila Beach Civic Association is pleased to announce the 2024 Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast & Doggie Parade. Breakfast will be held at the Avila Beach Community Center, 191 San Miguel Street from 8:30-11:00 am, followed by the Doggie Parade on the Avila Promenade at 11 a.m.
Tickets for the breakfast are $10 for adults and $5 for children 6 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the door of the Community Center office. There will be tables outside in the Healing Garden with puppy sitters so that everyone can bring their pets to the breakfast.
The Doggie Parade will be held on the Avila Promenade at 11:00 am. Parade participants will receive goodie bags donated by Petco Arroyo Grande.All dogs must be registered and checked-in between 10:30-10:45 am to receive a contest identification number for the costume contest for categories: best dog costume, best dog/owner look alike, best holiday look, funniest costume, and best in show.
For more information, to purchase your tickets, or register your dog(s), visit www.avilabeachcc.com or call (805) 627-1997.
Central Coast Aquarium:
Nature Track:
Join NatureTrack on AVILA BEACH, Saturday, August 17
Free Freedom Trax Devices For Wheelchair Users Will Be Available
Put this date on your calendar: Saturday, August 17 from 11am to 3pm, when NatureTrack will be at Avila Beach to introduce those who use wheelchairs to the Freedom Trax devices at no cost to make a closer connection to nature. These devices will enable users to get up close to the waters’ edge and navigate the beach under their own control with a joystick. Experience what people have consistently remarked… “This is a real game changer!” Residents and visitors are welcome to take advantage of trying a Freedom Trax device on their wheelchair. Looking like tank tracks, these game changers can traverse uneven ground. Use them for someone who has balance issues on irregular surfaces – think family reunions, anniversaries, weddings and include everyone. NatureTrack invested in the Freedom Trax to provide to those who want to experience nature or need a little bit of help from some friends to attend an event or enjoy a sunset with no barrier to afford the chance.
In order to accommodate people in wheelchairs we do ask for the RSVP form to be filled out in advance. This gives us measurements to have a Freedom Trax unit ready for your chair. If your automated chair is too big for the device, we also have two manual wheelchairs you can transfer to, for you to experience first-hand how a joystick is aptly named here – it really is a joy to move yourself safely through the sand, or over trails and fields if you’ve been in a wheelchair and have to rely on someone to push you.
People who are unsteady on their feet are welcome to try one on a first-come first-served basis or can also fill out an RSVP Form. Big events held in parks can be hard on the rider and the human pushing a chair over uneven terrain. Think of NatureTrack the next time. Sue Eisaguirre, founder of NatureTrack has even met people north or south of Santa Barbara in order to give them the Freedom Trax with a brief demo on how to set it up. She’s remarked on how incredibly grateful they are for the assistance. Sue will not rest until everyone has access to nature.
For the Avila Beach event, we will be meeting on the beach at Front Street and San Juan Street, near Central Coast Aquarium at 50 San Juan Street, Avila Beach, CA 93424.
NatureTrack connecting people to nature, every day, every way.
WHO: NatureTrack Foundation
WHAT: Freedom Trax Beach Day
WHEN: August 17, 2024 from 11am – 3pm
WHERE: Avila Beach, 50 San Juan Street, Avila Beach, CA 93424
RSVP: (970) 739-6743 or [email protected]
Thanks to the Avila Beach Community Foundation for their support.
NatureTrack is a 501c3 nonprofit that provides outdoor docent-led field trips during the usual school day for Santa Barbara County children at no cost to the schools or students, utilizing local trails and beaches throughout north and south county. NatureTrack’s mission is two-fold: to encourage students to embrace our natural world with respect and wonder, inspiring them to be stewards of our natural resources, and prepare school-aged students with the attitudes, leadership skills, and habits for lifelong learning.
NatureTrack expanded its mission of connecting kids to nature and is now connecting people who use wheelchairs of all ages to get out into nature using Freedom Trax. This device quickly changes a manual wheelchair into a battery powered, all-terrain vehicle which can easily traverse sand and trails. Now NatureTrack wheelchair users of any age can enjoy natural areas previously inaccessible to them using Trax. https://naturetrack.org. NatureTrack is expanding its reach up to San Luis Obispo and down to Ventura County with the Trax program. Thanks go to the grantors including: UCSB’s Coastal Fund, California State Coastal Conservancy, Parks California ‘Route to Parks’ grant and the Coastal Resource Enhancement Fund. And now, the California Access for All grant to expand the Freedom Tracks program up to North SB County. Sending out a shout to the Avila Foundation’s local support for accessibility at that beach.
https://NatureTrack.org
Have a great July everyone! Go Team USA!
RSS Feed