Back to School Expo

No Strings Attached Clothing Giveaway and Edgewater Alliance Church are holding a Back to School Expo on Saturday, August 11th. This event will provide quality used clothing and new backpacks and school supplies to elementary age children in the area. The even will run from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Edgewater Alliance Church. Children who live in Volusia County and are in Kindergarten through grade 5 are eligible!

The church is located at 310 N. Ridgewood Ave in Edgewater. If you would like to volunteer you can find the form here.

Art Stroll & Racing

A few things coming up this weekend....

Racing at New Smyrna Speedway Saturday night. The Brighthouse Challenge Series.

The 1st Saturday Art Stroll is on Canal Street starting at 10:00 am.

Farmer's Markets at Norwood's Seafood on the beach, in front of City Hall and Hawk's Park in Edgewater.

Gnarley Charley's Grom Surf Series will have their next event Saturday morning at the Crawford Beach Ramp. Registration is at 8:00 am.

What else is going on?

Gifts of Love

The Gifts of Love back to school program is collecting school supplies thru August 17th to distribute to local children. Drop off donations at 223 Canal Street in New Smyrna Beach. Call 423-5257 for more information.

Back to school information:

NSB Middle School Summer Newsletter - open house dates etc.

Go to the Schools page on the Volusia County Schools website - find your school, they have all been updated with information on orientation, open houses, meet the teacher etc.

Time To Eat

Here are a couple great chances to eat. I love to eat.

American Legion Post 285 "Riders" are holding an Italian Night tomorrow night. It starts at 5:30pm at their Post at 4497 US in Edgewater. The dinner is open to the public, the cost is $7.00 and there will be a raffle.

American Legion Post 17 located at 619 W. Canal St. in New Smyrna Beach has a spaghetti dinner every Thursday night from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

Enjoy and support your local American Legion!

Art & Wine Walk

Wine & Art Print Available Here

The monthly Art & Wine Walk is this Saturday on Flagler Avenue. The Art starts at 10:00 am and the wine at 1:00 pm. Wine tasting passports are $20.00 and can be purchased on the corner of Flagler and Cooper.

Support your local business!

Who is Charley...and What is a Grom?

Who is Charley? He is Charley Hajek...and he has been surfing for a gazillion years (well at least 30 years) and he has a bunch of championships to show for it. Known here in NSB as Gnarley Charley, he has taken on the daunting task of teaching Grom's to surf and compete.

By the way...a GROM is a "young" surfer, not necessarily a beginner but usually under the age of 15.

Gnarley Charley runs the Gnarley Charley Surf Series at the Flagler Ave Beach Ramp. This gives kids a great opportunity to surf in competition, learn how to compete and have a GREAT time doing it.

The next contest is on August 4th, registration starts at 8am and the competition starts at 9am. You can get more information and registration forms on his website.

If you have a Grom or wanna be Grom, or even if you want to learn to surf give Charley a call and he can set you up with some lessons.

You can check out the action, look at some pictures and meet Charley on his website or his Facebook page.

Support your local business!

Garden Swap Party

The Edgewater Permaculture Society's Annual Plant and Garden Swap is coming up on August 11th. The event will he held at Menard May Park in Edgewater. This free public event is being held from 9am-11am. The park is located at 413 South Riverside Dr. Bring plants, garden items, tools, seeds, chimes, yard art...anything garden related to swap with other local gardeners.

There will be free drinks, locally adapted seeds, door prizes, coloring books and other things for the kids....

For more information on what the Edgewater Permaculture Society does check out their website.

Here a couple of helpful links to plant related "stuff" I like.

Cooking with Herbs

Herb News

Lindley's Garden Center

My Yard Pinterest Board

Free Haircut at JCPenney

Free Haircuts for your K-6th grader during the month of August at your local JCPenney Salon.

Call for an appointment.

Volusia Mall - 386-252-4104

Sanford Mall - 407-323-1310

Titusville - 321-269-3811

Benefit For Sophie's Circle

Kay's Designer Consignment in Ormond Beach is holding a fundraiser for Sophie's Circle Pet Food Pantry on August 2nd. The fun starts Thursday at 6:00 pm. There will be prizes, raffles and of course all kids of things to buy. 20% of all purchases will be donated to Sophie's and all proceeds from raffles and prizes will go directly to Sophie's. Sophie's provides pet food to those that may be having a tough time purchasing food. This directly keeps pets in their homes and out of the local shelters!

If you are a local business and would like to donate a gift certificate or service for the raffle please contact Kay at 386 - 615 - 8060.

Support your local business and your local pets!

District 3 Debates

The primary is August 14th, absentee ballots have arrived in mailboxes this week. The Volusia County Council elections are extremely important to the future of our area of the county. District 3 encompasses New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Oak Hill, Samsula, much of Port Orange and a few other pieces of the county.

Our candidates include Jim Hathaway (NSB City Commission) Justin Kennedy (Edgewater City Commission) and Deb Denys.

You can meet the local candidates at the Edgewater Landing Clubhouse on Thursday, July 19th at 6:30. Meet them, chat with them and ask questions.

The debate schedule is below:

Saturday, July 21st - Brannon Center, 9:50 am. - Hosted by Headline Surfer

Tuesday, July 24th - Brannon Center, 5:30 pm - Hosted by the Daytona Beach News-Journal

Saturday, August 4th - First Baptist Church, New Smyrna Beach, 7:00 pm - Hosted by Cindy Todd

The candidates will also appear on the Marc Bernier Show on Wednesday, July 25th at 5:00 pm

Whoever you support it is important to understand the issues, how the candidates plan to develop our economy and most important to me what type of person they are. I support Justin Kennedy for our District because I know what he stands for, his economic development plans and what kind of guy he is. I think Jim Hathaway is a pretty nice guy too and I am looking forward to hearing what he has to say at the events mentioned above.

If you have not made up your mind on who to vote for, hitting one of these events is a great way to help you decide.

Flagler Avenue Open

This Thursday, July 19th is the Flagler Open, this annual adult mini golf tournament starts at 5:00pm and runs til about 9pm. It is $10.00 to putt and stroll through 18 holes of mini golf all along Flagler Ave. There are prizes and drink and food specials throughout Flagler Ave. The street WILL NOT be closed to traffic this year. Come down and enjoy the fun! This is an adult only mini-golf event.

Fall Soccer

The Volusia-Flagler YMCA is signing up Fall Soccer right now. Soccer is offered at the Edgewater location and the Port Orange location. They are also offering Youth T-Ball at the Port Orange location.

Kids who play sports eat better, do better in school and are more active. Here is an article from Livestrong talking about just that.

Support your local youth sports!

Around Town-Weekend Events

So what is happening this weekend at the beach....

The Classic Car Show presented by East Coast Cruisers is tomorrow on Canal Street from 4pm - 8pm.

Farmer's Markets at Norwood's, Old Fort Park and Hawk's Park in Edgewater - all tomorrow.

Low Cost Shot Clinic at the Edgewater Animal Shelter - 605 Mango Tree Drive in Edgewater.

New Smyrna Speedway has racing tomorrow night starting at 7pm.

Here is one for next week. Luna Bella Restaurant in Venetian Bay is having a wine tasting from 6-8pm on Tuesday, July 17th. Taste a variety of wines and enjoy appetizers.

There is not a whole lot going on. Enjoy the summer weather and fewer crowds.

Support your local business!

Motorcycle Skills Challenge

The 6th Annual Police Motorcycle Skills Challenge is this Saturday, July 14th. It is being held at Home Depot on SR 44. The activities start at 9:00 am. Admission is free and they will be raffling off a bicycle. This is fun for the whole family, come out and see the NSB Motorcycle Officers compete in skills challenges, obstacle courses and more. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Special Olympics.

Edgewater Animal Shelter- Shot Clinic

This Saturday, July 14th is the next low cost shot clinic at the Animal Shelter. You can get a full list of products available and prices on their Facebook Page. The clinic is from 9am - 12noon. It is first come first serve. They are located at 605 Mango Tree Drive in Edgewater.

Besides great deals on products, shots and microchipping there are a ton of animals there that need homes. Cats of every color, size and variety...dogs, puppies, kittens. If you have room in your home and heart one of these animals will make a great addition to your family. The little dog above came from the shelter and now lives in heaven at my parent's house.

Check out my earlier post on all the action taking place at the Shelter.

Paddleboard New Smyrna Beach

My daughter decided she wanted to try stand up paddleboarding, and since anything involving exercise and outside is always encouraged I was all for it. I checked around and after a chat with Erik Lumbert at Paddleboard New Smyrna, we decided a lesson for my daughter and a friend would be the best bet to get her started. I took them over on Saturday morning and Erik got them squared away with boards, paddles and a lesson on how to get on, get up and down, turning, all the fine points of paddling...to my surprise (amazement) and pleasure they were up and paddling in record (at least in my book) time.

Erik was awesome, he was incredibly patient with two thirteen year old girls and his staff is super nice. I chatted with them while I waited and they were well informed and gave me a ton of information on the sport. I will actually be trying it this week (on a weekday with no witnesses).

Paddleboard New Smyrna is located at 177 North Causeway. They are right across the little canal from Gerry's Marina, where the boat rental place is. You can get great information on their website, Erik was quick to email me back and he spent quite a long time on the phone explaining my options. Great customer service.

They have tours, lessons, rentals and they sell boards (which is good since I see me being coerced into purchasing one in the near future...)


Support your local business!

Paddleboard New Smyrna Beach

NSB Parks & Recreation Programs

New Smyrna Beach Parks and Recreation is holding some programs this summer. Hatha Yoga at the Women's Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Tai Chi on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Brannon Center and Boot Camp at the City Gym. Beginners are welcome! Get complete details on all three programs here.

Pancake Breakfast

Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 21st! Cub Scout Pack 72 will be hosting a Pancake Breakfast at the Elk's Club on Park Avenue in Edgewater. They will serve some of the best pancakes around for $5.00. All you can eat for $5.00, support the Scouts. Awesome!

Backpacks and Shoes for School

It is time to think about getting ready to go back to school! Yay I say! the Gifts of Love back to school Shoe Sign Up will begin July 11th, it will continue until August 3rd. It is Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am until 12 noon at the United Church of Christ in New Smyrna Beach. The Church is located at Washington & Faulkner Streets. Please know what size shoe your family members need, bring a Social Security Card, proof of residency and income. If you need more information call 386-423-5257.

Need a backpack and school supplies? The Family Worship Center in Port Orange is doing their annual backpack giveaway again this year. It is done on a first come-first serve basis and this year they have 750 backpacks to give away. You need to preregister on their website or call 386-788-3966. The backpacks will be given away on August 4th at the center located at 4425 S. Ridgewood Avenue in Port Orange.

Around Town-Weekend Events

Excellent Fireworks on Flagler this evening...great reports from the street! Plenty to do this weekend!

Farmer's Markets on Saturday at Norwood's Fine Seafood, Old Fort Park and Hawk's Park in Edgewater.

A low cost shot clinic will be held at Family Dollar tomorrow from 9am-11am. It is Cash only and a vet will be administering the shots.

Christmas in July is tomorrow along Canal Street. Should be fun for all ages.

My daughter and her friend are taking a stand up paddle lesson at Paddleboard New Smyrna. Will let you know how that goes. Should be entertaining at the very least....

There is racing going on at the Speedway in Daytona.

What else is going on??

Happy Independence Day

Whether or not you are having a barbecue, day at the beach, watching fireworks or just hanging around the house. Enjoy your Independence Day. Support your local business and be sure and

Thank a Veteran

Beth Moore Simulcast

On September 15th Edgewater Alliance Church is pleased to present Living Proof with Beth Moore...This simulcast with Beth Moore and Travis Cottrell is September 15th, doors open at 8:30 am with the program beginning at 9:30 am it will run til 4:30 pm. Breakfast and Lunch are included.

Edgewater Alliance Church is located at 310 N. Ridgewood in Edgewater. You can register online on the church website. Advance registration will run until August 14th and is $20.00. You can still register after that for $25.00 until August 31st. Registration closes August 31st. Space is limited so don't wait. Call 386-427-0385 for tickets or more information.

Christmas in July

Thinking about Christmas? No me either...not even on the radar yet. Here is a good way to have some fun in New Smyrna Beach and get a jump start on Christmas.

Christmas in July will be held on Canal Street on July 7th from 10am-5pm. Santa Claus will make a visit to Christmas Park, there will be an ice cream social, holiday music, a bed race, scavenger hunt and entertainment. The monthly Gallery Walk is also the same day...this will give you a chance to get that early shopping done in one of the many galleries and shops in the Canal Street historic district.

Support your local business!

Independence Day

Hard for me to believe it is July 1st already. What is going on around town for the 4th? The beaches are already busy, restaurants crowded and traffic as busy as it gets. Good for our local business. Good reason to stay home for the locals!

If you are looking for Fireworks Volusia County Moms has a great list of events around the county.

July 3rd the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is having a Climb to the Moon event. Space is limited for this spectacular event by the light of the full moon. Call Mary for information and advance tickets at 386 761 1821 ext 10.

The New Smyrna Speedway is having a Family Fun Night on July 5th. It is 5.00 for adults and free for kids under 11. Gates open at 6:00pm.

The Coke Zero NASCAR Race will be held on the 7th at the Speedway.

What else is out there?