Life Rolls On

For the past few weeks, I've been somewhat MIA.  From taking unplanned trips to visit family to a broken computer... it feels like forever since I posted.  fyi: Forever = 15 days ;)  In my last post, I mentioned the awesome AWESOME day we had at Wrightsville Beach.  Now... computer fixed and my feet firmly planted back in Wilmington... it's time to rewind to October 1!!  :)

Just like last year, my husband and I volunteered with Ocean Cure for "Life Rolls On: They Will Surf Again".  It was something that I decided I wanted to get involved with after attending a benefit concert in February 2010.  During the concert, I saw "Wrightsville Beach" pop up on the screen and wondered why I had never heard about this organization.  So... if you don't know anything about Life Rolls On (LRO)... it's a subsidiary of the Dana & Christopher Reeve Foundation that was founded by Jesse Billauer, a young surfer who was left quadriplegic after a wave pushed him head first into a shallow sandbar.  His story is really really inspiring and motivating... I would highly recommend everyone watching "Jesse's Story."

I would also... tell anyone and everyone (my friends will vouch for it!)... that if you can ever volunteer for "They Will Surf Again"... you must.  It's one of the most inspiring things to be a part of.  Words can't begin to describe it and  pictures can't capture how unbelievably amazing it is...  you have to be there to feel the energy... to see the hope, happiness and witness the freedom.

"LRO is an avenue to hope, independence, freedom, happiness, inspiration, and teamwork.  It is about bringing people together and changing lives one day, one program, and one person at a time.  Each of LRO's amazing programs offers the opportunity for the physically disabled to open their minds, help them forget about their challenges and to be thankful for the opportunity to still be alive."

While my husband spent the day in the ocean with our friends and community helping get the participants surfing, I (much like last year) hung out on the beach.  BUT... this year, I actually got to do a lot more!!  This year, I not only volunteered with Ocean Cure for the LRO event... but I was also doing double duty by volunteering with Surfrider! During the event, I had a container of cigarette butts on display for playing "Guess How Many"... and we-- Bonnie, Ginger, my kids and I-- constructed a giant footprint in the sand to help raise awareness to the amount of litter-- especially plastics-- picked up off our beach!  From plastic water bottles to kids toys... all of the litter in the footprint (minus the containers  of cigarettes we displayed) was picked up by my friends Ginger and John on their Monday morning turtle walks during nesting season.  What they were able to do during their morning walks... is just more proof that with simple actions we DO make a difference.   Having the footprint on display during the event, had many advantages.  The obvious is that people were interested, but what was also great about it is that kids came to borrow toys that were in the footprint.  :) Since I'm now volunteering with my local chapter of Surfrider, this is an awesome opportunity to plug Raptoberfest.  Rap...what?! You ask. The whole month of October, Surfrider is dedicating to Rise Above Plastics (RAP)!  ...AND you know I'm ALL about Rising Above Plastics. :)  So... without further ramblings....straight from Surfrider... Here are 10 easy ways to reduce your plastic footprint:  Stop using single-use plastic water bottles.  In nearly all cases, the water out of your tap is just as safe – if not safer – than the water distributed in single-use plastic bottles.   Instead, buy and use a reusable bottle and fill it with water. Whenever possible, buy food in bulk.  Buying food in bulk helps to reduce the total amount of packaging materials consumed. Buy your music electronically.  By purchasing your music electronically, you avoid the need to create plastic compact discs, plastic jewel cases, and cellophane wrapping. Stop using plastic grocery bags.  Each year over one trillion plastic bags are used worldwide.  Because these bags are so light and thin, they are easily carried by the wind out into the environment.  Instead, use reusable bags to get your groceries and other purchases home. Say “NO” to pre-packaged single serving portions.  These types of products are among the worst when it comes to excess packaging. Reusable containers are rad! When it comes to lunch and leftovers, ditch the plastic bag and use reusable containers instead.  Reusable containers are just as easy to use and far less harmful to the planet Buy a reusable travel mug.  Use a reusable travel mug or to-go cup for your coffee, tea and other beverage purchases.  Think of all the lids (as well as the waxed paper cups) you’ll save. Always look for alternative packaging. Many items such as soft drinks, detergent, cat litter, etc. come in alternate packaging (such as aluminum or cardboard) that can be more easily recycled than plastic. Buy and sell secondhand.  Clothing, toys, baby gear, furniture, household supplies, sporting goods and many other consumer items can often be found through secondhand sources, thereby reducing the amount of new plastic entering the waste stream.  Recycle! In those instances where you must use plastic, please make sure to recycle it.

Happy Raptoberfest... get your rethinking, reducing and reusing on.  Join your local Chapter of Surfrider... get involved in an organization that makes you feel awesome because you're doing awesome.  Do something that matters... and most importantly have fun. :) 

This post is dedicated to my Grandpa.

September 20, 1927- October 1, 2011

Our Daily Ocean: Day 100

I went to the beach with every intention of not doing a 20 minute clean up.  You see, I knew my next clean up would be my 100th... and I had big plans for #100.  I had been thinking about it for awhile... I really wanted to invite people to come out and join us for the momentous clean up... but sometimes things don't happen the way we think they should.  As I sat on the beach eating my dinner and snapping photos of the seagulls flying all around us, my husband said, "Look, there's a girl back there picking up litter."  Sure enough, I looked.  Then I paused and said, "Hey! That's Susan!"

Susan is a volunteer with the Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project and contributes to the WB- Keep It Clean blog where she shares not only the litter she picks up, but also the treasures she finds!  Seeing Susan on the beach, made me change my mind about my 100th clean up... I mean... as much as we go out to Wrightsville Beach, we hardly ever run into people we know.  This was a rare event that I couldn't pass up!!   (Guess I'll have to do something for my 101st clean up... ;) )  In our 20 minutes at Access 40, Susan picked up 128 cigarette butts.  I'm adding that amount to the Wrightsville Beach Community Count (found on the sidebar)... THANKS Susan!!!

Another rare find at the beach last night: a horseshoe crab.  My daughter spotted it and I was super excited that she immediately knew what it was!  All those visits to the NC Aquarium payed off!! ;)  Did you know that horseshoe crabs are considered living fossils?? AND... that they actually are more closely related to spiders and scorpions?!?  Really amazing animal!!  Now, of course, it was no longer living... but it was still super cool to find on the beach especially considering I had started to wonder if they existed in the wild since I've only ever seen them at the NC Aquarium.

 On October 1, I'll be at Wrightsville Beach Access 4 volunteering with Ocean Cure for Life Rolls On: They Will Surf Again.  If you'll be in the area, learn more and register to volunteer here.  

On the same day (and same access), Surfrider Cape Fear Chapter is going to be having a beach clean up to mark the beginning of RAPtoberfest!!  What's RAPtoberfest??  Well... Surfrider will be dedicating the entire month of October to organizing beach clean ups and passing along tips to RISE ABOVE PLASTICS!!!  Bonnie, Ginger and I will be setting up our litter awareness art to help raise awareness to the amount of litter found on the beach... especially plastics!  So come out and see us!!!

20 minutes on September 15, 2011 at Access 40

Litter by weight: 1 lb 7.5 oz 

Cigarette butts: 163

Total amount of cigarette butts removed from Wrightsville Beach, NC in 100 days:

35,104

Surfrider Spring Beach Sweep

On Saturday morning, we met up with our good friend Bonnie at Wrightsville Beach to participate in the Cape Fear Surfrider's Spring Surfer Sweep.  Doing an organized beach clean up is a little different than when we do our 20 minute clean ups... with no time limit we casually stroll and stop to talk A LOT!!  <--- apparently that's something that Bonnie and I are very good at!  ;)  Having gotten rain the day before (and not usually doing morning clean ups), I wasn't sure that there would be much to clean up on the beach.  BUT... as usual... the litter was there.  In fact, between our family and Bonnie, we picked up 3 lbs 4 oz of litter... which included 499 cigarette butts.  I've added those 499 cigarette butts to the Community Count for Wrightsville Beach (check the totals out on the sidebar). 

If you recall, back in January... one of my "More Than Resolutions" was to become a member of Surfrider.  BUT... for our family becoming a member is more than just donating some $$.  We want to make sure that we are actively involved in supporting and participating as much as we can.  And why wouldn't we all??   Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the worlds oceans, waves and beaches.  That's something we all should be supporting. 

 High Five Facts about Surfrider:  

1. Rise Above Plastics:  Surfrider is on a mission to reduce the impacts of plastics in the marine environment by raising awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution and by advocating for a reduction of single-use plastics and the recycling of all plastics. Cape Fear Surfrider has ditched handing out plastic garbage bags for clean ups.  Instead, they're now using burlap bags!    
2. Not The Answer:  Surfrider is opposed to any new off-shore drilling and strongly advocates for America to seek a comprehensive and environmentally sustainable energy plan that includes energy conservation.  Save the date:  Hands Across the Sand is June 25!  
3. The Cycle of Insanity: The Real Story of Water
4. Surfrider SOUP:  Surfrider's informative (and free!) e-newsletter with the latest environmental and coastal news.  (Sign up at www.surfrider.org... in the top righthand corner.)
5.  Surfrider has kick ass apparel.  Seriously.  Looking for a "Ban The Bag" tee??  You'll find it here: Swell Surfrider Store

Ok... so anyone can join Surfrider.  You don't have to be a surfer. ;)  Become involved in anyway you can.  Make a donation, do a beach clean up, sign up for the weekly SOUP, share Surfrider's PSAs...  become engaged to protect what we love; our oceans, waves and beaches.

To learn more about how awesome Surfrider is... check out their website: www.surfrider.org