People

Thanks to all who serve and have served our country!

BARSHA is my new favorite beach city find. Tomorrow night we're having a little get together with my friends at The Beach Reporter so come by and sip some wine with us. If you haven't been to BARSHA yet, this is your chance to check it out. The owners are a husband and wife team and who are passionate about food and wine and sharing their knowledge, plus they couldn't be more lovely and welcoming. It's the kind of place you want to bring your friends to and hang out. 

Hope to see you there!

{photos by Penny Cordero for Beach City Lifestyle}

Last Sunday I was invited to a brunch by two ladies who I've grown very fond of and who I've either written about or mentioned here on the blog. The brunch was held at Shelley's house and was given in collaboration with Amelia of Eating Made Easy to help bring awareness to Prop 37. Along with the good eats, it was both fun and educational. I'm voting yes on Prop 37. Since Amelia is really the expert, she can explain it better than myself, so here is what she has to say about:

     I believe we have a right to know what’s in our food.

     For that reason, among many others, I’ll be voting Yes on Proposition 37 two       weeks from now.  If Prop 37 passes, foods containing genetically engineered       ingredients (approximately 80% of products in a grocery store) will have to           disclose that on the label.

   Right now, we have no way of knowing whether we’re eating genetically                modified foods.  That’s just not right.

Please check out this video for more information about GMOs and why we need to know about them. 

 John A. Zehntbauer and Carl Jantzen founded the Portland Knitting Company, the predecessor of Jantzen Inc, in January 1910 in Portland Oregon. The founders were members of the Portland Rowing Club, and in 1913, the company was asked to provide a rowing suit for use in the chilly mornings on the Willamette River. The one-piece garment of pure wool that Carl Jantzen designed eventually became the prototype for the rib-stitch swimsuits that were first produced in 1915. In 1921 they discontinued the use of the name bathing suits and used swimming suits in all of the advertising. After their lead, manufacturers throughout the world used the term swimming suits. 

If you didn't get a chance to hear my interview with Buzz Swarts on the internet radio show, I wanted to post it here as well. I interviewed Buzz last month and we talked about his dad, Hoppy Swarts, and his life as a surfer, the Palos Verdes Surfing Club, and surf culture back in the thirties and forties. We also talked about Buzz's career as a beach volleyball player back before it became the grand stand event it is today. I have a very nostalgic view (perhaps idealized) of how beach life was back in the day, whether it be in the 1930s, or the 1970s when Buzz was playing volleyball on the beaches of So Cal. I really enjoyed our conversation and it was a lot of fun for me to hear his story. I say this in the interview, but he really is the living link to the beginnings of surf culture here in the South Bay. 

The above photo labeled "Cove" is taken in Palos Verdes Cove. Lower photo is taken in Malibu of some of the surf club members. 

top surf photo taken by Doc Ball / volleyball photo taken by Robi Hutas

bottom photos via surfing heritage foundation and unknown source

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