It's A Mitzvah Monday Surf & Culture Report

Lost Boys & Co...

Looks like a cross between a raccoon, an anteater, an aardvark and a nine-banded armadillo without the shell.  Saw it in the backyard.  Have no idea what it is.  LoLa says it's a chupacabra.  Definitely not a chupacabra...

What we do have a definite take on, is the day and it is beautiful although a tad cool.  Unlimited visibility after the rain did a spit-shine number on the atmosphere and mostly sunny, with the exception of a few Toy Story™ clouds to the south.  Winds out of the north by 3kts at checkout and a smooth sea surface for your surfing pleasure.  The air temperature was a sparkling (as in chilled champagne) 47.0° and 60.8° in the brine.  High tide at 5:34am +5.9' and low tide at 12:20 +0.3'.  Some radical tides throughout the Thanksgiving holiday with minuses in the afternoons starting tomorrow.  A deep -1.6' on Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) which should saddle-up all of our beach glass collectors and have them combing the beach in droves.  The buoy shows a WSW swell out of 257° at 3.6' and we agree with that with outsides to 4'.  Breaking through all of the tides pick your spot for the appropriate barrelage.

Then we had this photo sent to us by a typically unimpeachable source, Big Daddy himself.  He says this is a photo, we assume he snapped, of Easky at Haggerty's.  Upon closer inspection, we must admit we had some doubts.  The genuflect takeoff was pure Easky, likewise the outstretched "Mammy" arms.  However, last time we looked, Haggerty's was a LEFT, not a right.  As fate would have it, we are meeting this evening with a group of alumni of the Haggerty's Surf Club and we will let them have a look.  If we were guessing, we'd guess Jaws, 2006, Laird Hamilton.

 This could help you BIG time...  Thanks to Edrina and Sandy for the excellent suggestions!

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!   It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement. Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates. Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course. There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open. How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy? Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day. My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running. OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes. Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre? Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands. Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip. You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.   Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about? Blessings.

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"When the surf breaks, we'll fix it..."
 The Professor!!