Lifeguard Tower Art: Venice Flower Power

I was a happy participant in the "Portraits of Hope Life Guard Towers" public art project (posted earlier about it here). This week, the sunny and bright art floral panels were added to the tower.--Stef McDonald

Skateboarding Dog in Venice

Photos taken in Venice Beach, CA. The skateboarding dog's name? Bony Hawk. --Stef McDonald

Surfing in Los Angeles: Places to Go

I posted a list on Citysearch of my go-to places for the surfing in Los Angeles experience.--Stef McDonald

Oil Spill Reaction Online

I saw on Facebook that some friends had joined a group calling for the use of BP executives to plug the hole--and then I heard about this fake BP Twitter account that tackles the subject of the oil spill with razor-sharp satire (we'll see how long it's up before BP takes it down--betting they'll be able to stop this faster than the mess they made in our seas). Of course, it's an environmental tragedy that is breaking our hearts--but sometimes you've gotta use humor to deal with news this bad. Oh, and it also feels good to do something to support those environmental organizations that work tirelessly to protect our seas. (Here in LA, we salute Heal the Bay and Surfrider.)--Stef McDonald

Jack Johnson's Concert to Clean the Beach

Another reason to love Jack Johnson: he's performing a free concert on the Santa Monica Pier to help Heal the Bay, a kick-ass organization that works to keep our sea and seaside clean in Los Angeles. It's billed as a "Concert To Clean The Beach" and that's how you get your ticket to see him perform on the pier -- by participating in a beach clean-up organized by Heal the Bay a few days before the concert.--Stef McDonald

UPDATE: It was great. Not sure how long this will be live, but the concert was streamed live and can be seen here.

Movie Preview: 180° SOUTH

Can't wait to see 180° SOUTH and to hear the full soundtrack...

Gleeking Out: Puck in GQ

Mark Salling of "Glee" (he's Puck) is in the new issue of GQ (photos are also online) looking awfully cute in board shorts, with swoon-worthy props: a guitar and surfboard.

She's Back: Gidget!

Here she comes again... Gidget!

Oil Spill Horror: Taking Action

If you're like us, you've read about the oil spill and felt bad about it, but maybe you have stopped short of looking at too many images or reading deep into how terrible it really is. Take a look at these photos from the Boston Globe. It's horrible. So what can we do? Wind power, people! Read about it and put in your two-cents and write to Congress, asking for a change. --Stef McDonald

Video: Surf Prankster

I might be late to the party discovering Remi Gaillard's videos, but I just got forwarded one (thanks, Dad!) and he's a hilarious prankster. Here he is attempting to surf. More of his video are on his site.--Stef McDonald

Rainbow Bright: Eco-Friendly Flip-Flops

Thanks to the Sweet Greens blog for posting about the super-cute and eco-friendly flippies from Simple. A pair of flip-flops made of recycled soda bottles, rubber, and paper--and they're this cute? Well, hello!--Stef McDonald

Out in the Sun: Safe Sunscreen

Something that cannot be denied: surfer girls get a lot of sun. But there's good protection from the harmful rays and you might be surprised by what's in most sunscreen products (you don't really want to know, but you really should pay attention). I posted about safe sunscreens on my other blog: Sideshow By the Seashore. Lather up.--Stef McDonald

Designer Boards, Bags, More

Refinery 29 featured the painted boards by designer Alexandra Cassaniti; I also like the board bag, vial necklaces filled with sand or compost, and bags.--Stef McDonald

Surfin' Sheep Video

Thanks to our pal Donna from Betty Belts for alerting us to this promotional video for a company that works with wool.--Stef McDonald