Thanks to everyone who ventured out to join us today, even though temperatures were in the 40s when we began our Mussel Rock cleanup. Myrna and Chris greeted a large crowd of teenage volunteers (see photo) from St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Daly City and the Young Dreamers Network. These very enthusiastic volunteers met my new dog, Jordan, shown in photo, who loves everyone, but favors teenagers. Thanks to Chris who made the following suggestion: Jordan should become the official Mussel Rock mascot. So, any time you need a doggie fix or some unconditional love, just come to our monthly, 4th Saturday, cleanups at Mussel Rock from 9.00 am to 11.00 am.

A few, new, regular volunteers have cleaned up. It is encouraging to see more volunteers grow into Mussel Rock Stars, people with passion for keeping our oceans clean starting at this special site. I gave out special gifts of inflatable, solar-powered, LED lanterns to Mussel Rock Stars today, celebrating the 6th year of monthly cleanups at this site. You rock!

We collected 105.5 lb of trash, 15 lb of recycling, 500 cigarette butts, 10 straws and 25 bottle caps. These cleanup numbers seem surprisingly low so I thought about this for a while. One reason may be that the cold weather has kept people inside their cars when at Mussel Rock, and also, perhaps, there are less visitors to the site. I have also spied a mystery man cleaning up the area! Check back on future blogs, perhaps, to find out if I have learned the identity and have thanked the mystery man.

Chris also took the initiative to hand out fliers for the upcoming Surf Movie, the PBC annual Earth Day fund raiser, to be held on 9 February in 2 showings (6.00 pm and 8.30 pm) at the Mildred Owen Concert Hall on Linda Mar Blvd. Get tickets for $15 before the day (see PBC web site for ticket vendors) or $20 at the door. Psst…we will use the proceeds to pay for equipment needed for cleanups and we will be giving out very cool, reusable, metal straws on Earth Day!