Short Stories from Around Sandcastles

Seven Months Pregnant, but Who's Best at Monopoly?

BTY Sandscrapers has placed for the past three years in the Best Replica category, according to Adam Klekowski.

At the center of the board game design, Klekowski's wife, Cory, 7-months pregnant, was working on the Monopoly sign, surrounded by "Go to Jail" and parking signs, along with player pieces and dice.

Looking at the team Silicate Based Life Forms sculpting 30 feet south, Klekowski said, "They're doing the exact same thing, so we've got to do it better than them."

SBL sculptor Jillian Oliver, back for her second year building sandcastles in IB, said "It's kinda cool to see different interpretations."

As she worked on the board game's "community chest" feature, Oliver said that even though her team won the category in 2010, "We'll see what happens. It might fall apart."

Lemonade Checkpoint

All pedestrians walking down Ebony Street between Third and Fourth streets had the opportunity to buy lemonade at one of two stands.

The call, "Do you want a lemonade?" could be heard from a stand on the south side of the street where 7-year-old Taylor Gibbs sold 40-50 cold lemonades and Otter Pops by 2 p.m. Sunday.

Three doors down, on the other side of the street, brothers Levi and Sam Lord sold more than 40 lemonades and two plates of Rice Krispies treats at their sidewalk stand.

"It's the best in town," Levi said. The boys' father, Matt Lord, said that between the two stands, they had cornered the lemonade market on Ebony Street.

One Man, One Buddha

Back for his 10th year, the one-man Scott Dosch team focused on quality over quantity, building a life-size sitting Buddha.

"If I have enough time it will be a beach Buddha detached from the desire for surf," Dosch said. 

By 2 p.m. he had succeeded, and gave his surf Buddha a tropical shirt and tattoos.

Lower Turnout, but Teen Pageant Winners Make an Appearance

As she watched sculptors refine the edges of their castles, 2011 Teen Miss South County Erin Weaver said that she used similar tools to give herself a manicure.

"That's really crazy," she said.

Next to Weaver, Junior Teen Miss South County Taylor Barber said, "I would not have the patience" for such detail. 

Thirty-five-year IB native and mother to 2011 Junior Miss Eastlake Lisa Osthimer said, "It's not as crowded this year, maybe because of Comic-Con."

Bike Taxi Is Good Business

Bike taxi driver Mesut Yildiz said he planned on making good money Sunday, giving rides from cars to beach and back—"$100-$200 because it is a special day," in comparison to his usual $50-$60 days.

Hands-On Approach to Dreams, No Tools Allowed

Returning for the eighth year, Sand Weavers used sand to illustrate how dreams are created, using only hands shovels and buckets.

"The center is the brain, and it's what creates the different types of dreams," said David Knoles as he hand-formed an archway that he called "the gateway to the dream world."

Knoles said that, when complete, the smooth flowing tentacular bridges extending from the brain to each corner would represent certain dreams.

In the Happy Dream corner, 12-year-olds Gabrielle Cabrera and Dayton Bettencourt built a sculpture with "balloons over here, maybe an animal of some sort over here, and shells," said Cabrera.

Sinking Ship Rises from Sand

Back for their second year, Platt College students created a depiction of the legendary ship-sinking octopus Cthulu.

The 2010 second-place finishers in the Creatures of the Sea category demonstrated their aesthetic more than their engineering skill, according to Alana Brannon, the school's website photographer.

"It's a sinking ship," but not in a figurative way, said Brannon, who added that they were challenged by the fact that sinking ships have only tilted angles.

Seals & Co. Keeps Their Sand Wet

A team of high school friends, The Hungry Hungry Hippos, back for their third year, kept their sand wet for maximum performance. 

"We know each other really well," said team co-leader Neil Heacox.

Better Than Past Years

Three-year-old Delphine looked at the sandcastles and said, "I like that they're really tall."

The thigh-high little girl was back for her second IB sandcastle event, along with parents Dirk and Lea, who declined sharing their last name.

"This year it's much more creative and interesting, whereas two years ago designs were less exciting and more predictable," Lea said.