Like many others I've certainly had a great time and learned much from my personal involvement on Active 
Rain. The people I've met and the friends I've made as a result of AR has truly enriched my life in many ways.
At this point the majority of my posts were written as Localism, I've loved showcasing my communities with others. Yesterday I realized I was approaching 100 and I thought I'd like to do what I can to give back to my community in my own small way with a post that could hopefully help our beautiful state and the planet.
- Keeping California Green and our Oceans Clean ~ It's the California Coastal Clean Up Day, September 15th, 2007.
The third Saturday in September has been designated as a special day for volunteers to participate and give back to their communities by cleaning up our beautiful state. September 15, 2007 is the 23rd Annual CA Coastal Clean Up Day, hours are 8:00 a.m. to noon. This year it's expected that over 50,000 volunteers will participate in over 700 community sites within our state.
Coastal clean up involves each and every city regardless of the location within the state. My small community of Brea, located in Orange Countyis about 20 miles inland from the coast. So you ask what could we do here to clean up the coast? Our project usually includes cleaning up our creeks which flow to the river, (albeit dry most of the time) which flows to the ocean during the rainy season. Our charge is removing vegetation and debris from the creeks that flow down stream. This year we've had so little rain in our state the clean up is even more essential. If you know of a teacher, click here for a special link for student participation.
- Clean up day is a volunteer event, and we need your help!
In addition to to clean up 
day there is a special group that participates in a three-week program "Coast Weeks", September 15 through Sept Oct 7 celebrating coastal resources throughout the "Golden" State. Click here to view scheduled events for Coast Week. At times I've had people ask my why California is called the Golden State, I think the official answer is because gold was discovered in 1848 in our state, the beginning of the California gold rush. Others may say it's the golden-orange colors of the poppy our state flower. As for me, you need only to drive up Highway 5 through the middle of the state in the summer time to see how our hills turn golden brown. At least that's the way I like to think of them. Much of our state was originally a desert, much of it remains that way today.
Along with our mountains and deserts, California has some of the 
most spectacular coastlines in the world, a true joy to experience. I bike at the beach regularly with great friend and fellow Rainer, Marlene Bridges. We both participate annually Superbowl Sunday in the Pacific Shoreline ½ Marathon (new name for 2008) in Huntington Beach, the official Surf City. It's a great place to enjoy the sights and my love of the outdoors year round.
It's the responsibility of each and everyone of us to do our best to preserve our coastlines for future enjoyment. If you're in CA I would urge you to participate in this event. If not, regardless of your location, I know there are similar events scheduled everywhere. If you're participating now, or plan to do so, I'd love to hear from you, feel free to add a link to your event.
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