Christmas Happenings

Here's a really, really crappy image of some gnarly little balsa pig ornaments I've been working on.  I shaped one last year freehand, and I loved it so much, I wanted to make more.  They're perfect for any Christmas tree or rearview mirror.  Look for them posted on the Etsy soon.  They can be to you by Christmas, for sure.

Hand painted with nail polish, because of the readily available colours and awesome sheen. 

Also, took another drive down Ocean Parkway tonight and visited Gilgo Beach for the first time since Sandy.  I was actually surprised at home good the beach looked (albeit it was pitch black) after the amount of water and force that rolled through.  Most of the taller dunes were still intact, and although a lot of the smaller ones are gone, the beach is no worse off than it has been in recent years.  There's a lot to be done still, but Gilgo will live to see another day. 

Stay tuned for more.

Enjoy the Stoke.

Rebuilding After Sandy

I attended a Surfrider Foundation meeting tonight at the Long Beach high school, regarding the aftermaths of Hurricane Sandy, and the strategies that were proposed to be implemented in the rebuilding process.  Most of the topics covered were concerning Long Beach, and the plan to build a retractable storm barrier., as opposed to the Army Corps of Engineers to just dump more sand on the beach.  Surfrider and Long Beach Surf Association were concerned with it changing the unique break that's there, and the fact that it won't do anything to prevent future storm surges. 

It was humbling to see the community (not just composed of surfers, either) speak up and voice their opinions to protect and preserve their hometown. 

The reason I came to the meeting was to hear about the plans for Ocean Parkway, one of the most beautiful strips of road I think exists. Plans are still unclear, but there is talk of construction of a wall that will run the entire length of the parkway.  I was assigned to do more research of how it will effect the environment and beach access.

It was pretty cool to actually be part of the meeting, and to be part of a large organization, especially when it's in my own backyard.