Huge props to the long-standing Al Merrick Channel Island Surf Shop located in Santa Barbara's Funk Zone for hosting its 1st Annual Love Beats Cancer fund raising event. For the event, local vendors provided free tacos, soft drinks, and coffee; world class free styling surfer, Nate Tyler, showed his new Volcom-sponsored movie entitled "Mute;" surf industry manufacturers provided top shelf quality products for raffles and silent auction; and an honorable cancer foundation co-sponsored the event. It was another wonderful garden party on the store patio with fun for all, but for a serious cause. The event has significant meaning to Al Merrick, his bloodline family, and his surfing community family. It was only a few years ago that one of his precious young grandchildren passed away following a long and painful battle with cancer.
Following the film, I introduced my 16 year old nephew to Nate Tyler. This was significant, too, because my nephew is experiencing his 6th day in the USA. He has come from his home in Cologne, Germany, to my Santa Barbara home to attend high school for one semester. Nate was an engaging gentleman and spoke with my nephew about the camera equipment used for filming, as well as the surfing locations shown in the film. This is something that would not likely occur in Cologne, let alone within Deutschland. The kid had stars in his eyes.
THANK YOU, AL MERRICK and CHANNEL ISLAND SURF SHOP! 
