Submitted for Sara Kessler, Director of Finance for Lone Palm Foundation:

2016 Beach Bike Poker Run

The weather leading up to the 2016 Beach Bike Poker Run was looking really ominous, but in true Parrot Head style we squashed the rain and kicked out a sunny fun filled day for all.  Incredible bike decorations this year; PHolks went all out in creativity and craziness and were rewarded with prizes from generous local merchants for their efforts.

Congrats to winners:
FINS – Renee Synan, Tara Dyer, Jessi Holland, Lauren Bressler
FEATHERS – Julie Armani, Jan Hicks, Jessi Holland, Lorretta Alexander
PIRATES – Paul Rodock, Arthur Armani, Bob Messig, Geneise Messig.

There were great tunes cranked out by our own DJ JD (John Dyer) and after the bike decoration contest and some shirts and other bling shot out to the crowd, we had a record 230 fun loving people ready to party and ride for our charity, Semper Fi Odyssey Kids Camp.  We raised $7200 (another new record) that all went to send children of wounded marines and sailors to adventure camp for a week and mentoring for the rest of the year.  Partying with a purpose, this event was a great way to give a little back to the families who have given so much for us. After stopping at each of our sponsor sites (Emerald Club, Jackie’s American Grill, Rucker Johns, the Irish Pirate, Sharks Den, Emerald Grill and Flipperz),  we all made it back to the Emerald Club in one piece and tallied up poker hands garnered from the ride with the winners being: $300 1^st – Angie Stabler, $200 2nd – James Hicks, and $100 3^rd – Ana Rita Eason.  Congrats!

Raffle winners of lots of great donated prizes were announced, more tunes played, more shirts and bling shot out to the crowd, food put out for grazing, and then Sela Dub up on stage followed by Mike Mixer later on.  Anyone who didn’t have fun on this day had to be legally dead!  A wonderful charity event with lots of fun laughing people at the Emerald Club with our own Parrot Head new owner, the one and only Matt Morel.  Special thanks to the core group of Parrot Heads that stepped up and made this all happen.  See all y’all next year!!

Now that all y’all have recovered from the Beach Bicycle Poker Run, it is time to get the creative juices flowing again!  This Friday’s PHlocking will be getting us ready for summer at the Fair.  Yep, we will be having a Parrot Head PHair,  just like the county or state fairs!  There will be booths where you can try your luck at winning prizes.  We are looking for Parrot Heads to dress the part by picking  a favorite  PHair activity be that a Bearded Lady, pig run, tractor pull, dwarf bowling, biggest cabbage, livestock judging, sheep……??? , rodeo fun….well you get the idea.  Hope to see you there…at the PHair!

Please join the community as we stand for clean oceans and renewable energy. (see attached flyer)   We will gather at the ocean by the Emerald Isle Pier at 11:50.  We encourage you to ride your bike or walk but if you drive, the parking fee is $15 and refundable if you are there less than 30 minutes.  At noon, we will join hands for 15 minutes. A wonderful opportunity to show your support, bring your kids and grandkids and get them involved early in helping to nurture and protect our Earth.

This event is worldwide and is growing every year.  Hands Across the Sand / Land, founded in 2010, grew into an international movement after the BP oil disaster in April of that year. People came together to join hands, forming symbolic barriers against spilled oil and to stand against the impacts of other forms of extreme energy.

• This isn’t about politics – it’s about protection of our oceans and marine life, our coastal environment, our coastal economies our mountains, valleys and meadows.

• The Hands Across the Sand/Land events are aimed at steering America’s energy policy away from its dependence on fossil fuels and towards clean energy.  We are drawing an imaginary line in the sand and on our lands, which make for a powerful image to say NO to dirty fuels and YES to clean energy.

The Parrot Head Beach Bike Poker Run is on, dress for the weather, and you will have fun. You can go by car, bike or foot. Over 50 raffle prizes and gift certificates. Registration starts at 11:30 the ride starts at 2. Come on out and make the best of the situation cause that is what Parrot Heads do. This is a public event so bring your friends and neighbors! Don’t miss this annual event.

Hands Across the Sand event is at 11:50 with hand holding at 12 to 12:15. There will be a plane fly over to take some pics so lets turn out in numbers.

Yes, we do have culture around the area and now is your chance to enjoy some musical entertainment.  This event will benefit the Friends of the Library for the building fund.   Parrot Heads can listen and enjoy all types of music!