Today's Dance & BBQ

Well, the big day finally came! We didn't have as big a turn out as we would have liked. But everyone who came had a great Tri-Tip BBQ meal, had fun hanging out and dancing the Salsa!

Getting the BBQ going in the morning with my Dad.  It was a beautiful day in Santa Maria.

We had some really neat raffle gifts including amongst others some wine tasting tours in Paso Robles, and Kayak rentals in Morro Bay.

Mom made me stop dancing to draw the names for the raffle and everyone was pleased with the results, and then I went back to dancing. I do love to Salsa!

Thanks to everyone who took part we raised a little over $3,000. for the Northern Santa Barbara County Special Olympics group!

Also, a really big thanks to CPSalsa for providing the music.

And an especially big Thanks! to SEIU Local 620 for providing both their building, BBQ, and cooks. Plus all the drinks, chips, and all the other "little" parts necessary to make it a wonderful day.

My year as Miss Teen San Luis Obispo County 2016 is now drawing to a close, but this was a wonderful way to finish. A very busy day spent with friends all helping the wonderful athletes of Special Olympics.

Tickets for the July 16th Summer Salsa for Special Olympics

The ticket button is now live for the coolest event of the summer on a warm summer night!

Where?

114 Vine St Santa Maria,CA

Why?

For the fun of it and to support Special Olympics Northern Santa Barbara County!

Some details ~

The tickets are $30.00 per person and include the "Santa Maria" style BBQ, a raffle drawing, and the dance.

The event will start at 2pm and run until approx 9pm (or??)

All proceeds will be going to
 Special Olympics Northern Santa Barbara County.

You can choose the number of tickets you want after clicking the 
"Buy Now" button.

After your purchase you will receive an email that will be your ticket, be sure and print it out!

Tickets may also be purchased at the door, but it's better to purchase early so we know how much food to buy!

Summer Salsa for Special Olympics

With the help of the CalPoly Salsa Club, I'll be putting on a dance and BBQ this summer on July 16th. 

It will be at 114 Vine St. in Santa Maria, and the BBQ will start at 2pm with the dancing starting around 6pm.

Once again it is benefiting Special Olympics Northern Santa Barbara County.

the ticket page will be going up later this week, come join us if you can. 

It will be a fun evening!

The BBQ at Lake Cachuma!

The Rally and BBQ benefiting Northern Santa Barbara County Special Olympics
 is one week from tomorrow on April 9th! 
I hope you will come join us!

So I thought you might like to know a little about where we're going to have all that great food!

The BBQ will be at the Lanford Memorial Campground at Lake Cachuma just off of Hwy 154. 

Cachuma Lake is set amidst acres of wilderness flanked by the picturesque Santa Ynez and San Rafael Mountains on the San Marcos Pass leading into the Santa Ynez Valley. It is a beautiful, short drive from Santa Barbara and just minutes from Solvang and the Chumash Indian Casino!

The County of Santa Barbara has managed the 9,000 acre Cachuma Lake Recreation Area since 1953. Cachuma Lake was formed by the construction of Bradbury Dam in that same year. They offer year-round camping, fishing and boat rentals for both individuals and groups. They even have yurts for campers to rent!

This campsite has an 18' diameter yurt with electricity inside, running water,
 and a beautiful view of the lake!

A Bald Eagle spending it's winter vacation at Lake Cachuma!

They also have a year-round two hour boat tour at the lake on their 30 foot pontoon boat, the Osprey, to view wildlife including migratory waterfowl that is offered by naturalists from the Santa Barbara Country Parks division. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning from November through February they go out looking for Bald Eagles, Osprey and Golden Eagles that have come south to spend the winter in milder climates. Later in the year there are Western Grebes doing their dance across the water, and there is something fun to see at any time of the year! Weekday private cruises are also available for group of 15 or more.

The Lanford Memorial Campground is situated on a small peninsula at the lake, can hold up to 120 campers and has 30 campsites, plus two large brick BBQs with electricity, a fire pit, water and eight 16’ long tables.

We’re going to have some wonderful “Santa Maria style” Tri-Tip sandwiches, homemade chili and all the fixings! 
The tickets are $50. for a single or $85. for a couple.

So come join us for a great time in a beautiful location, and help us help 
Northern Santa Barbara County Special Olympics!

The Northern Rally Start

For those folks joining our rally from the north, this is the place to be 10 am April 9th!

(scroll to the bottom of the post to get your tickets!)

Santa Maria Harley-Davidson has been in business for over 30 years. They have been in their current location at 2022 Preisker Lane since 2003.

They sell both on road and off road vehicles with over 250 motorcycles, ATV's and Side by Sides in stock. They carry multiple brands, including Harley, Honda, and Kawasaki. They have a full service and parts department. Plus all the motorcycle accessories and clothing to make your ride enjoyable and your bike look super!

Last Year's Bike Night Calendar

Santa Maria Harley Davidson is also very community minded with monthly BBQs at the store, meetups, Bike Night, and a large commitment to helping Toys For Tots every Christmas.

So, come join us for the Rally & BBQ to have a great time and help 

Northern Santa Barbara Special Olympics!

You can buy your tickets here .

Our Southern Start Point

For all the folks joining our rally from the South, I thought you might like to hear a little about

 Santa Barbara Motorsports.

(They promised coffee and donuts for the folks that get there early!)

They have been located in Goleta since 1963.  For the past six years, the business has been owned and operated daily by four family members; they have an additional 10 full/part time employees.  A few of their employees actively race, while all of the folks at Santa Barbara Motorsports are general motorcycle enthusiasts.   

They are located at 6466 Hollister Ave, having been there for the last four years. 

 They are an authorized motorcycle dealership for Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, KTM and KYMCO and also carry quads, other off road vehicles, and all the gear from jackets and helmets to generators you’ll need to make your adventure complete.  Their two factory trained technicians collectively have over 28 years of experience.  

They are a sponsor of the Lompoc Valley Motorsport Park Project, the Ventura  County Motorcycle Club, Family Off Road Adventures,  and the Central Coast Adventure Riders.

In the past they’ve hosted two KTM off road demo days and one KYMCO scooter demo event.   They currently have a two day campout adventure/dual sport ride planned for May 14th and 15th this year.

So, come join us at Santa Barbara Motorsports to help support 
Northern Santa Barbara County Special Olympics!
You can buy your tickets here , 
and use the Santa Barbara choice to start at Santa Barbara Motorsports!

Our Charity

I though you all might like to hear a little about the charity the Motorcycle Rally is being held for.

We can all learn a lot from the athletes of Special Olympics. From learning that folks we felt were different than us really aren’t that different; they have the same hopes and desires to succeed and live a happy life as anyone else. To truly appreciating the dedication these athletes exhibit no matter what obstacles life has put in their way, should show us all that it’s the journey, not the destination that determines how well life is lived.

 Special Olympics Northern Santa Barbara County is a part of Special Olympics Southern California, which is a division of  California Special Olympics and a part of  National Special Olympics. The athletes can take part in any event Northern Santa Barbara County group holds and can be elected to participate in the regional, national, and world events (such as the Special Olympics World Games held in Los Angeles in June 2015)

All the Northern Santa Barbara County athletes brought home medals~
 in Golf: Athlete - Zachary Alonzo and Unified Partner - Tom Garrard, Level 2 ~ Gold;
 in Bowling: Athlete - Alex Hassett, Silver Medal in singles, Silver Medal in doubles, Silver Medal in team, and a gold medal in Unified bowling. Alex was one of only two bowlers to medal in every group (team, doubles, and singles) 
 and in Softball: Athletes represented from Northern Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara County, and San Luis Obispo County, Bronze Medal

 Zachary Alonzo also won the 2015 Paul & Margaret Thorsen Most Inspirational Athlete Award (you can read about him here à http://www.sosc.org/athletes ) 

The Softball Team at the World Games 2015

Special Olympics Northern Santa Barbara County is an area of Special Olympics Southern California offering 11 different Olympic-type sports programs each year with year-round sports training and competitions to over 1,200 children and adults from Solvang to Santa Maria. All the programs offered provide athletes with the chance to develop physical fitness, sports skills, social skills and self-esteem, ultimately giving people with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to compete, to grow, to learn and to inspire. Special Olympics athletes are able to train and compete at the local and regional level with the possibility of advanced competition, if elected to attend. The minimum age requirement for participation is 8 years old; there is no maximum age limit. 
The programs are offered at NO COST to their athletes.  

Athletes are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender. Special Olympics also offers events for lower ability level athletes to train and compete in basic skills. The development of these key skills is necessary prior to advancing to longer competitive events.  Special Olympics athletes can also participate in Unified Sports® competitions. Special Olympics Unified Sports is a program that combines Special Olympics athletes and athletes without intellectual disabilities (partners) on sports teams for training and competition.  

At Special Olympics Northern Santa Barbara County sports are offered on a two-season sports calendar. For the Spring/Summer ~ Aquatics, Athletics (Track & Field), Basketball, Bocce, and Golf; for Fall/Winter ~ Bowling, Floor Hockey, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, and Volleyball. Athletes may participate in two sports each season, and must designate their primary and secondary sport choices. Athletes may compete at the local and regional level in both sports, but may only attend the chapter-level competition in their primary sport. Each sport trains for 2 hours a week, whether it be at an aquatic facility, track & field, Bocce court, or bowling facility, etc.

As you can see Special Olympics Northern Santa Barbara County is a wonderful organization and worthy of your support. 
To buy tickets for the motorcycle rally hit the link!
And Thanks for helping Special Olympics!
(all photos from the Special Olympics Southern California website)