Live Happily Ever Now

Sunny Cove Blow Hole - Santa Cruz, CA

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 20:25:00 +0000

The recent storm and huge surf created a Blow Hole at Sunny Cove in someone's driveway last week. It was quite the scene at this multi-million dollar home in Santa Cruz, CA.
I also drove by the some of the other beaches on the Eastside that were pretty washed out.The ocean will always win if you build it this close to the ocean (and on top of a giant cave in this case).

Bridge School&'s Guide The Seperatista Soundsystem - San Francisco

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 05:22:00 +0000

Neil Young Performing "Heart of Gold"

While it has taken me awhile to get a blog post up these days, I definitely wanted to share thoughts on my first Bridge School Concert from a newbie's perspective. After many years of SXSW and ACL, I was looking forward to the cooler weather, and returning to the place where I caught my first concert back in the 90's for Kamp KOME. Here are my takeaways:

If you are on the lawn, get there early, and try to sit in front of a projector screen. Will make it easier to find your spot later in the dark, and nice for watching the show. Bring a larger blanket so that you have room to layout during the show.
The line takes foreeevvver to get in. I would have gladly paid the get in VIP line for the small fee they charge. I think it was like $5, well worth skipping a long line.
You can bring in water, but they take the caps (not sure why). You can also bring in any food you want. Seems very easy to sneak booze in, from a flask in a pocket, to beers and wine hidden under false bottoms, to hollowing out bread and putting a bottle of vodka in it, you should have no problem sneaking booze in. Can also put it in a blanket or jacket that you are holding, seems like at concerts they almost never check anything other than your bags.
If you don't bring booze, prepare to pay. We didn't, and the $16 beers and $48 bottles of wine hurt. Also having to get up and navigate through the maze of people downhill and uphill gets tedious. Much better to bring your own in this case with your food. Side note, they have security patrolling the crowd in the daylight hours, so it needs to be kept on the lowdown or wait until dark to keep the booze out. Saw a bunch of people get their booze taken.
If you are on the lawn, go to the far bathrooms, not the center ones by the concession stand. Smaller line as most don't realize that they are there.
Bring a flag, glowstick, or something to find your blanket/chair on the lawn for once it gets dark... especially after a couple of beers it can be crazy trying to find your spot. It isn't as bad as the chair maze you have to navigate at ACL, but definitely a challenge to not step on anyone's blanket and make your way back to your marked off space.
It gets cold on the lawn.. not sure about the seats, but bring lots of blankets and warm clothes. Other than Jack Johnson, I was most likely the only person wearing sandals and shorts. I was pretty much frozen by the end of the night. Bring lots of layers and extra blankets (or tequila).
There were too many bands and breaks in between sets. I would have been happier with less bands and longer sets. Was amazing to see Neil Young perform "Heart of Gold" and "Harvest Moon", Jack Johnson, Arcade Fire, MMJ, and Fun. also put on a good show.
Overall it was a great show, that went very late, with lots of breaks. Can't beat the music you get for your buck on this one all for a great cause. We will for sure will be heading back to a future year at Shoreline.
Here are some videos I captured to remember the evening, nothing fancy, just memories for me :).

Bridge School&'s Guide The Seperatista Soundsystem - San Francisco

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 18:40:00 +0000

Mat McHugh & The Seperatista Soundsystem

I have been a fan of The Beautiful Girls for as long as I can remember (not sure how I discovered them many years ago but I am glad that I did...), and after catching Mat McHugh solo and acoustic a couple of times in Austin, I was pumped to catch him with a full band at the Independent in San Francisco. The new "grown up" Mat McHugh (aka Mat McHugh & The Seperatista Soundsystem) has not forgotten what I loved about The Beautiful Girls, and that is that bass (lots of bass at the show), guitar, rhythm, and some horns can make you dance your ass off one minute, and make you feel the raw emotion and internal reflection of love, life, pain, and happiness the next.

While I truly enjoy all of TBG/Mat's music, I have a special connection to La Mar (the ocean), as it helped me get through the unexpected passing of my mom 7 years ago. I couldn't help but feel the pain in my heart watching Mat perform it live and plugged in (with horns!), and I have shared this song with so many loved ones who have lost someone over the years (and it has helped them sturdy up their heart as well).

As a fan of "good" music (my friends always say I have a great taste in music ---- plus I DJ'd my own wedding that featured a lot of TBG), I especially appreciated Mat's reference to "grassroots" music, and couldn't agree more that good music should be shared with friends and family to help keep music alive that isn't necessarily a top 40 hit. Sharing good music with friends and family is what I strive for with my music (along with keeping me sane), and nothing makes me happier than sharing the stoke that comes along with finding a good artist or sharing a good artist with a friend that you would almost certainly never hear on the radio. Cheers to the "Grown Up" Mat McHugh, and I will continue to share his good vibrations that help keep me moving at my own pace as I grow with the sounds of music.

Elephant Seals at Año Nuevo State Park

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 05:56:00 +0000

Stoked to spend some quality time recently with my Pops while supporting a good cause on a beautiful day in Northern California. One of my favorite places on the planet, aka Año Nuevo State Park, hosted "Seal Adventures Day", that benefited the Coastside State Parks Association, where we were able to spend several hours watching the elephant seals mate, fight, and makes lots of cool sounds. I was really stoked on all the friendly volunteer docents, and the park ranger who told me about his surf sessions at the reef by the mating grounds that is one of the sharkiest places on earth for great whites. Good times! Taken January 26th, 2013.

Where did you go?

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 07:50:00 +0000

Insert token blog post explaining why you haven't posted so long, and insert how you are going to push yourself to "write and post more" here. Not really, at this point I am taking the time to reflect and look back on this fun transition period of my life. What a whirlwind couple of Months the end of 2012/beginning of 2013 had in store. From working to volunteering, surfing to house hunting, San Francisco Giants torture to Jack White on a not so silent night, San Diego New Year's eating and sleeping to soon not be sleeping with a baby boy due in March, I have a feeling the ride is just getting started. Cheers to not knowing where this world will take you, and for now I'll just try to keep my head from spinning and find solace in not having to worry about RSVP'ing to SXSW this year. :( Live Happily Ever Now!

Danny Boy! Sharing in my love for the Giants!

So Stoked! We're having a boy!

Sorry Jack White, Tigers were no match for our world champs!

Pretty cool to watch Kelly Slater surf in Santa Cruz

Nat Young hometown favorite! Stoked that he made the tour.

Was packed for the cold water classic

Kelly Snap goes boom.

Took a trip to China Town.

Bath salts lookout.

Cable car fun with wifey on babymoon in SF

Of Monsters & Men at Not So Silent Night

Youngster I was

Grandpa was in town for the holidays. Talking in person vs. our daily call

Jack White can play guitar. Sorry about your Tigers.

Zombie Squid Apocalypse.

Not getting sick of these

Not landlocked anymore

Stoked to speak at Capitola's City Council Meeting for Surfrider

Future Giants fan almost here!

Museum of Modern art in SF

My favorite dog in San Diego!

Our new house in Santa Cruz

Logging HQ

Until next time...

Surfrider Foundation Santa Cruz Chapter

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 23:58:00 +0000

Coming back to Northern California I was super excited to hook up with the Santa Cruz Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, and I am so stoked on the great group of activists that I met so far and all of the amazing things that they are doing with chapter. When I first became a member of the Surfrider Foundation back in the early 90's, I always was passionate about protecting the beaches that I loved in Santa Cruz, and it is such a cool feeling to come back full circle as an adult and to be able to be an active member of my hometown chapter again.

Since I've been back I've made it to several beach cleanups, and attended some great events, and met some great activists! I am stoked super stoked at how welcoming the Santa Cruz Chapter has been, and if you are in the Santa Cruz or Bay Area I highly encourage you to get involved! You can like the facebook page, and check out the Chapter's website for more info, and I look forward to many more years of protection and enjoyment of our oceans, waves, and beaches!

Baja 2012

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 06:31:00 +0000

The hurricane crew was running on one vehicle "play it safe" skeleton crew mode down in Baja Sur, and for the first time in many years in Mexico I avoided personal bodily harm. I did not fall off of a cliff, get stung by a stingray, get stuck upside down on a 100 foot waterfall, fall down a flight of stairs, get robbed at gunpoint, roll a truck, get attacked by bees, or any of the other semi-disastrous occurrences that plagued me South of the border. Instead, great surf, great times with great buddies, and made some great friends. I even avoided the multiple scorpion attempts to sting me on the final day of the trip which has been known to be the most deadly (i.e. only pinch me vs. getting the stinger around to my hand), and decided against the last day of the trip "token shower" and managed to avoid the huge snake in the cantina bathroom. What more could guy ask for? How about a video inspired by the OG Magnus Frennmark? Soundtrack includes The Dirty Heads, Mason Jennings, Miike Snow (remix), and Foster the People (remix). Live Happily Ever Now!

Majestic Big Sur

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 06:22:00 +0000

Big Sur is one of those places that makes you realize how unimportant things like phones, tv, and other normal everyday what we think are "problems" are in the grand scheme of things. It was fun camping with lifelong friends, and being "cold" for a change. Let's just hope that nobody falls in the river because I bet those shoes would smell bad... Live Happily Ever Now!

Back To NorCal For The Win

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 01:22:00 +0000

We are about a month into our Northern California homecoming and life indeed is pretty sweet on PST. A little bit of sensory overload at this point, but so excited to be starting our wonderful new chapter in the area I grew up in. Also stoked to be in an area that is Green (compost and trash options at Costco and nearly everywhere), and looking forward to hooking up with the Santa Cruz Chapter of Surfrider in September. Live Happily Ever Now.

Border Crossing

Sadie's first look at the West Coast

NorCal Fire

Surf City Sorta (AKA Capitola)

Unlike Texas, CA Beach Rules...

Hiking in South Bay

Mountain Journey

Giants! Timmy Full Moon Heat

At Home - Beach - Friends

Life Is Better With Best Buddy's Birthday Bash And Daughter

Loose Leaf Bliss

Getting Used to CA Beaches

Support CA State Parks

Right Back Where We Started From

Nice Left

Live Happily Ever Now

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 14:17:00 +0000

6 years ago in June was undoubtedly the worst month of my life. Not only did my sweet Momma pass away, but I was not in a good place in my life overall (you grows up and you grows up). 6 years later looking back, I could not imagine a more different place to be in. Happily married, good job, moving back to California to be with family and friends (and the beach), finding my inner activist with Surfrider, being a better person; and while I still think of my mom everyday (as well as dreams both good and bad alike), most of the thoughts involve smiles instead of tears when I think of her. Here are the lyrics and video from The Transplants "Sad But True", a great song that has gotten me through some tough times.

When the fog comes through the golden gate
And the moon shines on the bay
And everything has changed
Now that you have gone away
Things are getting darker
And it's harder for me to see
And now you're an angel
Lookin over me

Back up back up
Its what you get beat up keyed up this rocky road

Sad but true but the list is too long
If i had to name you all it wouldn't be fit in this song
This magnums got me thinkin and it's making me pissed
Your lives were taken to early and you will always be missed
All the mothers who cry and the fathers who mourn
For every lifes that taken there's another child born
That doesn't make it better and it doesn't make it right
Im just thankful everyday that you came in my life

Back up back up
Its what you get beat up keyed up this rocky road

In a dream you take a trip
Down Shattuck to Durant
Up the hill, to the steps, Sproul Plaza and Telegraph
You pass Channing you pass Derby
You go to Ashby down to Adeleine
Take mlk to fifty-fourth and go down
To Genoa yeah and follow the bart tracks
To Harmon street ahhh Harmon street
Harmon street Harmon street
Yeah it's reoccurring it's like a dream
I live a thousand times yeah
And it's always like the very first time

As time goes on i can never forget
All the times we had memories i protect
Seems like yesterday when i last saw your face
You're no longer here and no one can replace
All the times we had wish they could happen again
I'll hold you in my heart in my heart to the end
If i could make a change it'd be me not you
So hard to sit and cope, so sad but true

Falls on Bull Creek - Lunch Win

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:32:00 +0000

Cubicles got you down? No problem, less than 2 miles from the office lies the Falls on Bull Creek. Fresh off some rain this can be a great cool down spot in the Austin summer heat! Make sure that you bring your 4x4 vehicle to get past the water sections.... ;) Dan is the king of inspiration for mid day weekday cool downs! Wayall!

San Jose Heritage Rose Garden

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 18:04:00 +0000

Growing up my Pop used to take us to watch planes land, and to this day I'm always looking up for planes flying overhead. Fast forward to today, I was stoked when we decided to visit the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden, where we were not only able to see the planes rush by, but we also could smell over 3,000 types of roses (depending on the season) while doing it. It was a fun place to visit on a beautiful afternoon in sunny San Jose, and in a world where technology runs my life, it was nice to stop and smell the roses.

Port A Camping Trip

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:08:00 +0000

One of my favorite things to do in Texas is enjoy the beach (surfing and horseshoes come to mind), the only bad thing is I live in Austin and this is not a day trip under most circumstances. Luckily for me my birthday lines up on the same weekend as the GLO's first Adopt-A-Beach cleanup, so I can make it a weekend camping trip and give back to help protect the beaches that I love so much. We had a great crew that consisted of family, friends, fellow members from the Surfrider Foundation Central Texas Chapter (made some new friends as well), and of course my dog Sadie. Here are some pictures from the trip taken on my birthday present the GoPro2, and on a side note keep an eye on your keys when you are drinking whiskey on the beach, you never know where they may end up...

Surfrider Central Texas Chapter Lady Bird Lake Cleanup

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 22:43:00 +0000

This Saturday we will be holding our second Lady Bird Lake cleanup of 2012 with Keep Austin Beautiful. Considering the weather will be about 45 degrees warmer than our last cleanup in January, we are anticipating another great turnout! If you ever have thought about volunteering I highly encourage it, it is a great way to connect with other like minded people while helping to protect our wonderful city for future generations. For more information check out our website, and you can always touch base with me if you have any questions.

Braving the cold in January

The Shins SXSW 2012

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:37:00 +0000

The Shins put on a solid set at the Google Parking lot (the afternoon is a good time for The Shins), and being a fan of James Mercer and Garden State both made this a great show for me. Also enjoyed the great ambiance with the Capitol building as the backdrop.

Pharoahe Monch - Simon Says (SXSW 2012)

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:37:00 +0000

I'm not going to lie, I was a little disappointed after Mos Def backed out of the Google Parking Lot gig leaving Blackstar incomplete, but it was a pleasant surprise to see Pharoahe Monch up on stage with Talib Kweli performing "Simon Says". This song brings me back to the Boiler Room days, so go ahead rub on your _______________.

The Dirty Heads - Spread Too Thin (SXSW 2012)

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:30:00 +0000

The Dirty Heads at Wahoo's

After planning for 6 or 7 showcases on Saturday night, I was thrown a SXSW curveball when Wahoo's Fish Taco decided to reveal their four day secret show lineup that included The Dirty Heads on Saturday night. This cancelled my previous planning, as I am a huge fan of The Dirty Heads and Wahoo's.

It was pretty cool to see such a great lineup at Wahoo's where we normally are holding our Surfrider Central Texas Chapter monthly meetings. If you are interested in giving back to our beautiful city and coast (Texas has 367 miles of coastline), I strongly encourage you to attend one of our Chapter meetings, where we discuss upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. Also, I couldn't be more stoked on Jeff and the entire crew at Wahoo's for bringing in such great bands for SXSW, and for always being so hospitable to Surfrider and yours truly during all of our events and meetings throughout the year.

Spread Too Thin

Me, Neil and my "little" bro Walt

Going on our 4th day of SXSW festivities (all day, all night), Wahoo's kept the momentum going with a free keg of Dos Equis flowing when we arrived. Mix that in with a couple of their margaritas (maybe a bulldog or two) and it was good time with lots of good people at this event. The Dirty Heads played 4 or 5 songs off of their upcoming album, including the new single "Spread Too Thin". They had the whole place rocking with their customary lead off song "Neighborhood", along with a solid mix of songs off of their first album Any Port In a Storm, including one of my personal favorites "Check The Level". It was a great setlist, and am looking forward to their new album coming out later this year. I managed to take some Flip footage, and big thanks to Wahoo's and The Dirty Heads for an awesome conclusion to SXSW!

The Dirty Heads - Spread Too Thin (SXSW at Wahoo's Fish Taco)

Tanlines All Of Me SXSW 2012

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:08:00 +0000

This is why SXSW is so amazing, not to see bands like Eminem or Bruce Springsteen (although I like both), but discovering new bands from Brooklyn that you had no idea existed (I'm not that hip). I knew that I would like Tanlines when I first heard their almost island style electro-pop style, and Tanlines were one of the highlights of the festival. Here is "All of Me", and I highly recommend that you check out Tanlines.

Santigold SXSW 2012

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:27:00 +0000

Santigold has been a personal favorite for quite some time, and we were super stoked to start off South By Southwest with Santigold! Although it was mostly the same set as her ACL performance (donkey/horse thing routine included), the free booze courtesy of the Fader Fort, and energy of SXSW brought this set to a whole other level. Here is the second single from her new album Master of My Make Believe, out May 1st:

2012

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:10:00 +0000

Dear 2012,

It seems as if my other websites and blogs have stolen the thunder from my once priority "blog". I have to say, 2012 has hurt a little, but isn't it nice to know, that the lining is silver? BTW, reggae and remixes are two of my favorite things. Here is Miike Snow (who we saw at ACL and will be at SXSW) being remixed by Mark Ronson. Live Happily Ever Now.

Happy Holidays!

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 02:48:00 +0000

An amazing year in Austin, and thanks to my wonderful wife Leyla for not being afraid to make cool art everyday!

Xavier Rudd Concert Footage in Austin

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:13:00 +0000

7 months later I finally uploaded all of my Xavier Rudd videos to youtube! You can view all of the videos at my original post here. Here is one of my favorites with Xavier absolutely jamming on the didgeridoo.

A Live One - Farmhouse by Phish in Austin

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:06:00 +0000

Since moving to Austin I have been surrounded by great music and musicians, and one of my favorites and good friends is local drummer (of Moving Matter and A Live One) and "wayall" man Dan McGreevy. While I wasn't necessarily up to par on the "jam band" scene (if you must label it), Dan showed me that this style of music grows on you quite fast, and to make a long story short, after hating Phish (more like not giving them a shot because of the circumstances) since the late 90's they have turned into a band that I listen to almost everyday. This started with Farmhouse, and since then I've been celebrating their entire catalog. If you are in Austin and can't follow Phish around on tour, check out Dan's band A Live One, and you will be dancing your ass off in no time.

Surfrider Central Texas Chapter Holiday Party

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:48:00 +0000

Tacos for Everybody!

I wanted to recap on the great time had at the Surfrider Central Texas Chapter Holiday Party two weeks ago at Wahoo's Fish Taco in downtown Austin. It was a great event to look back and celebrate a year filled with cleanups, activism, surfing, raising awareness about single use plastics, and many other victories along the way. We had an awesome night that included great food (tacos donated by Wahoo's), great activists, great films (we watched One Beach and One California Day), and great prizes (including sweet shirts from Wavecation) for the top scores in our Rise Above Plastics quiz.

We are all excited for what 2012 will bring, and would like to thank everyone who attended the event and participated throughout the year.

If anyone was interested in taking the quiz, here you go!

1) How many plastic bags are used annually in Austin?

a. 4 million

b. 33 million

c. 263 million

d. 127 million

2) How much does it cost the city and taxpayers of Austin to cleanup plastic bags annually?

a. $850,000

b. $450,000

c. $125,000

d. 952,000

3) How many plastic bags are used by Americans each year?

a. 13 billion

b. 37 billion

c. 100 billion

d. 88 billion

4) What percentage of floating marine debris is comprised of plastic?

a. 90%

b. 20%

c. 40%

d. 97%

5) What percentage of the world’s communities have policies addressing the issues with plastic bags?

a. 25%

b. 3%

c. 11%

d. 40%

6) How Many GLO Adopt A Beach cleanups does the Central Texas Chapter participate in Annually?

a. 2

b. 3

c. 4

d. 5

7) How Many Keep Austin Beautiful at Lady Bird Lake cleanups does the Central Texas Chapter participate in?

a. 3

b. 5

c. 6

d. 7

What you can do:

Choose to reuse when it comes to shopping bags and bottled water. Cloth bags and metal or glass reusable bottles are available locally at great prices.
Refuse single-serving packaging, excess packaging, straws and other 'disposable' plastics. Carry reusable utensils in your purse, backpack or car to use at bbq's, potlucks or take-out restaurants.
Reduce everyday plastics such as sandwich bags and juice cartons by replacing them with a reusable lunch bag/box that includes a thermos.
Bring your to-go mug with you to the coffee shop, smoothie shop or restaurants that let you use them. A great way to reduce lids, plastic cups and/or plastic-lined cups.
Go digital! No need for plastic cds, dvds and jewel cases when you can buy your music and videos online.
Seek out alternatives to the plastic items that you rely on.
Recycle. If you must use plastic, try to choose #1 (PETE) or #2 (HDPE), which are the most commonly recycled plastics. Avoid plastic bags and polystyrene foam as both typically have very low recycling rates.
Volunteer at a beach cleanup.
Support plastic bag bans, polystyrene foam bans and bottle recycling bills.
Spread the word. Talk to your family and friends about why it is important to Rise Above Plastics!

Cheers,

Matt Kuhn

Answers: 1: C 2: A 3: C 4: A 5: A 6: B 7: C

Surfrider Texas Chapters Conference!

noreply@blogger.com (LHEN) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 04:51:00 +0000

I ran out of time to publish this article about my recent trip to the Surfrider Texas Chapters Conference in Galveston, but I will just take a quote from Rob Nixon and say Ditto! From Rob's blog:

All said and done, I personally had a great time with some amazing coastal Activists who put in thousands of volunteer hours a year sacrificing time with Family and surf sessions to ensure that Texas Beaches are preserved and kept open for everyone to enjoy and pass on to the next generation. These exceptional Texans embody what it means to be a Texan. We were all raised with the ingrained ethic of fiercely defending what you love at all costs and that moral obligation passed down from previous generations of Texans to us runs strong throughout the Texas Surfrider Foundation Chapters!

I was so stoked to meet all of the great Texas activists, and the crew from California. Truly inspiring people, and it was great to see the passion that everyone had for protecting the coast!

At Carol Severance's House - Note the house was occupied as a vacation rental as we stood for this kodak moment

From Ellis Pickett from the Surfrider Foundation Upper Texas Coast Chapter:

"about our field trip: We stopped by the beach house owned by California divorce attorney Carol Severance. She is the person who purchased 5 Galveston properties a few years ago. Three of which were already on a list of houses in violation of the Texas Open Beaches Act (TOBA) and subject to removal by the state. She then filed a lawsuit against the people of Texas. Her goal was to overturn TOBA (the law that guarantees public access to our beaches for everyone, not just front-row owners). Six members of our Texas Supreme Court ruled in her favor and against the people of Texas last year. The result: there is no public beach above the high tide line on the West End of Galveston Island. Did I mention that she also accepted the FEMA buyout and netted over $900,000 profit after she gutted the TOBA & has since had FEMA fraud charges filed against her.

Here is a group photo of Surfrider Foundation officers standing in front of the house she is accused of defrauding FEMA in this debacle. And now, for the rest of the story. She applied for the FEMA buyout for houses that were more than 50% damaged. Because they were too expensive to rebuild. She then began to rent the "badly damaged" house on a weekly basis to tourists (as she had done since she bought it). I don't know the actual price, but these houses go for about $4000/week. When FEMA accepted her application, her neighbors were upset. You see, they didn't want the house torn down and the lot turned into public property in the middle of their exclusive, gated subdivision of only 12 houses. The other owners sued to stop the sale. They failed. The deal was about to take place and her good neighbors accused her of FEMA fraud. She inflated the damage estimates in order to qualify for the buyout. How could she continue to rent a house for thousands of $$ a week and still claim the house was beyond repair? Her good neighbors even stated they "did not want the public" in their subdivision. Severance gutted our Texas Open Beaches Act, and her good neighbors gutted her. I guess it was a friendly neighborhood until the repugnant idea of having the public use their beach turned them all against each other."

Again, an inspiring trip, and crucial thanks to the Galveston Chapter for being such great hosts, and I got some surf!