Having the Royal Couple in town over the weekend received the most buzz but was certainly not the only thing going on in Santa Barbara. (Presidio Sports Photo)
It’s Saturday in Santa Barbara.
And it seems like everyone’s watching …
That’s because Kate’s in town with her polo-playing Prince.
Kobe’s here too, actually – only he’s got a signing (non-polo) gig going down …
So there’s an ‘extra buzz’ all around.
But, ain’t nothin’ we can’t handle — YO!!
And then, of course, under the global radar screen –there are the normal … everyday …wonderful … fun events that make Santa Barbara such as awesome place to live.
Individually and collectively, these local activities help further define who we are…
As a people.
As a community.
And especially today – with a gi-normous number of ‘em all over town!!
Are you ready??
WARNING!! BUCKLE UP!!
Donncha O'Siadhail from Ireland won the Semana Nautica 5k biathlon in 45:56.
*At East Beach, Semana Nautica’s Biathlon has a new first face at the finish – not perennial winner — local guy Jon Clark (he finished #2) — but Ireland’s Donncha O’Siadhail.
* At Goleta Beach, the SB Tri Club hosts ‘Steve’s Tri’ — a fun, friendly & free triathlon in loving memory of Steve Issaris, a decorated triathlete and awesome guy, who died suddenly eight years ago.
* Meanwhile, over at sun-drenched Leadbetter Beach — thousands celebrate inclusiveness at the Pacific Pride Festival.
*Then there’s tennis … tennis … and more tennis at – where else? The Tennis Club of SB, tucked in b-b-beautifully on the back side of The American Riviera.
First up is the USTA National Men’s 50 Tennis Hard Court Tennis Singles Championship (Mark Fedderly defeats Pierre Mareschal 6-7 (3-7),6-2, 6-0). Then Doubles … Then celebrating local legend Harvey Bottelsen’s induction into the SB Tennis Patrons Hall of Fame. (BTW – Patrons is pronounced ‘pay-trons’ for all you margarita-slinging ‘paa-trone’ aficionados).
Then the 75th Annual Santa Barbara Open Finals…
‘A great day for tennis – like always!’ sez Elizabeth Winterhalter, Patron Prez.
*The American Cancer Society launches Goleta’s Relay for Life — a touching 24-hour walking fundraiser at Ellwood Elementary School to help fight this horrible disease with ‘love, love, love.’
*Alpha Resources Center performs the trifecta – a ‘Triple Play Day’ — ‘climbing canyons’ (hiking Mission Canyon) … ‘walk & roll’… then a Family BBQ @ Girsh Park.
2011 Beach Soccer Slam champions AV Boas, who defeated the 2010 champions in a shootout to claim the title.
* There’s a Grunion Rugby event at Elings Park (Ever been to a rugby party??)
* At UCSB’s Caesar Uyesaka Stadium, the SB Foresters win 13-1 in afternoon battle in exciting Rawlings’ California Cup action….
HANG ON!! HANG ON!! ALMOST DONE!!
And last but certainly not least (and with our apologies if we missed something) is the ….
*The 2nd Annual Beach Soccer Slam – a sand soccer tournament at West Beach!!
In the interest of full journalistic sportz disclosure – this eight team beach tourney is hosted by Presidio Sports and presented by Community West Bank — along with sponsors The Training Room, The Neighborhood, and ‘in-kind’ support from other cool local businesses.
‘Had a blast today,” sez Miles Maassen later. He’s a cool dude — a San Marcos Royal, UCLA grad & returning Slam veteran whose team loses in a penalty shoot-out for the 2011 Summer Slam World Championship Crown.
Players, staff, and fans of the Beach Soccer Slam attended the after-party at The Neighborhood on Saturday evening.
And as day turns to dark – more good stuff…
On a night when Eddie Vedder was rocking the County Bowl, there were friendly competitions (ping & other pong) and truly ‘spirited’ conversations re-capping the day’s events, along with watching ESPN highlights (hey – congrats ‘Jetes’ on ‘3K’) playing on those flat screen ‘jumbotrons’ high above — right here where the locals go to chill — ‘The Neighborhood.’
More Beach Soccer attendees celebrating a great Saturday at the Neighborhood.
Oh — WAIT!!
Can’t forget Facebook buddy Magda Arroyo’s Birthday Roller Boogie Party — a ‘retro’ skate & dance with ‘70’s and ‘80’s tunes to benefit her Santa Barbara West Boys & Girls Club …
OK!! OK!! THINK WE’RE DONE!!
All in all – a spectacular Santa Barbara day!!
And a little something for everybody.
Right, Kate?
And then, of course, there’s Sunday ….
