litter: Surfing Madonna inspires a "Hail Mary" in Encinitas! - 05/04/11 09:35 AM

This unique installation has created an energy befitting the diverse, eclectic spiritual vibe of our city. Those pontificating the Surfing Madonna's removal should direct similar attention to the eradication of litter and cigarette butts besieging our sidewalks, streets, off ramps and highways.
The Surfing Madonna is an Encinitas Chamber of Commerce dream come true, attracting positive media attention and visitors alike. Litter attracts nothing, while blighting our city and tarnishing it's "Community Curb Appeal."
Perhaps the Surfing Madonna represents a hail Mary pass to "Save the Ocean" as the tiled message reads; and our city!
No matter what God you … (1 comments)

litter: Keep your Butts off the beach. - 10/26/10 06:20 AM
When it comes to cigarette butt litter, we all pay.
 Residents and businesses “pick up” the tab.  Cigarette butt litter has to be cleaned up.  This requires additional sidewalk and street sweeping, green-way and park maintenance, storm drain cleaning, and increased maintenance of storm water filters. And, business owners bear the expense of cigarette butt litter cleanup around entrances, exits, sidewalks, and parking lots.
 
Community quality-of-life suffers.  Not paying attention to quality-of-life issues can result in a decline in a city’s foot traffic, tourism, business development, and housing. Focusing on small improvements, like reducing cigarette butt litter, creates safer and more … (2 comments)

litter: Encinitas, CA - One man+One hour+One block= ONE GIANT BAG OF... - 08/24/10 05:44 AM
...TRASH!!!
Having blogged previously about this this vary issue, I am again compelled to bring awareness to the atrocious litter problem that plagues our streets.  Who freaking likes litter?!  Anyone?  What are we as a community prepared to do about it?
It's going to take a village of environmentally conscious citizens that are fed up with the garbage over taking our community. Open your eyes next time you stroll through the village, or drive down virtually any street.  See the hundreds of cigarette butts, overflowing trash cans and debris on the sidewalks, streets and freeway exits?  This isn't going away by … (0 comments)

litter: Smoking responsibly is an oxymoron; do bans work? - 07/14/10 05:55 AM
As an environmentally conscious citizen of the world, I am determined to raise the awareness of issues detrimentally affecting our community.  While my views may be somewhat subjective, I believe that the golden rule applies in everything we do!  While I will fight to the death for human rights, I don't believe those rights should ever compromise the health and quality of life of others
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As a former smoker, I protested in favor of my right to smoke when ever and where ever I pleased. If someone didn't like it or protested, they could kiss my stinky (cigarette) butts!!!
Since … (3 comments)

litter: Army of One, Anytown, USA; losing the battle - 07/09/10 05:27 AM
As an Army of One stationed in Anytown, USA, I am compelled to update my fellow citizens regarding the raging battle against a domestic enemy so great, yet so sublime, they are systematically killing us in ways that (we as a nation) for the most part, ignore.  Perhaps we are in denial, or hoping that someone else will step up and take charge. Or, relying on the government to solve the problem with tax dollars committed to foreign wars and bailouts. 
The enemies within our boarders are sometimes difficult to identify, as they don't have a uniform, nor do they look like the … (1 comments)

litter: Community Curb Appeal - Encinitas, California (Anytown, USA) - 07/03/10 06:57 AM
As I run the streets of my local coastal town of Encinitas, Ca., I am disgusted by the amount of trash littering the streets.  Old Encinitas, west of I-5 along Coast Hwy. is strewn with thousands of cigarette butts, discarded food containers, wrappers and an abundance of miscellaneous garbage. And, it doesn't stop there!  Our city, in addition to the surrounding areas, including Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos & Escondido have a high visability of litter on the freeways, off ramps, vacant lots, business areas, schools and many neighborhoods.
Our home is located in a high traffic area leading to Moonlight … (23 comments)

litter: TOO MANY BUTTS = A PLAGUE ON OUR PLANET! - 06/28/10 09:51 AM
While on my morning trash collection at the cul-de-sac leading to Moonlight beach in Encintas from the corner of 3rd and C Street, I collected approximately 2-Lbs. of assorted garbage following this weekends BroAm Surf Competition and Music Festival.  Of which, I collected an astounding 124 CIGARETTE BUTTS in a one block area.
As a former smoker in the 70's & 80's, I was as guilty as the next smoker when it came to tossing a butt out the window of my car or stubbing a cigarette out on the ground as I stood outside to have a smoke.  Like thousands … (1 comments)