Saturday, April 19, dawned bright, cold and nasty in Pacifica, a reminder that our planet is no place for the faint of heart.

But 500-plus Earth Day volunteers would not be deterred by the strong winds and cold temperatures.

Team leaders rallied their troops, people pulled up their hoods and donned their jackets to set out for the tasks they signed up for in better weather. They braved 45 mph winds to celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up, gardening and weeding — from Mussel Rock to Pedro Point. More than 50 businesses pitched in. When added to the 880 students that had already completed an Earth Day event, the total climbed to more than 1,400 volunteers.

"The more miserable, the more memorable," said Aren Clark, a Pacifica

Public Works staff member. And surely this Earth Day was memorable for all participants.

Newly elected U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier issued a Congressional Award to the citizens of Pacifica and the Pacifica Beach Coalition for their outstanding and invaluable service to the community. Rob Caughlan, conservation aide for Jimmy Carter and founding president of Surfrider Foundation presented the award on behalf of Speier who was called back to Washington.

Jerry Hill, San Mateo Board of Supervisors, spoke about Pacifica's beautiful parks and hillsides and the need to fund the parks through Bond Measure O and to also support the schools by passing Measure N.

Work projects throughout Pacifica may have had fewer volunteers than if the weather had been milder, but the hardy ones who showed up collected more than 400 bags of litter and recyclables and completed gardening and habitat restoration projects in addition to removing debris. Many sites reported less litter than in past years, which may reinforce the concept that litter begets litter and that a cleaner place stays cleaner longer.

Volunteers at Linda Mar and Sharp Park beach endured sandblasting while Rockaway volunteers tolerated sea spray from the waves crashing on the rocks. Esplanade beach had limited access so the volunteers braced themselves from the wind while they combed the bluffs and surrounding streets.

A team of Pacifica Public Works and Wastewater Treatment staff volunteered their time to cut and remove rebar that was sticking out of concrete, scoop out hundreds of cigarette butts from the pools, and clean up the creek at the bottom of the "Secret Waterfall" north of Esplanade beach. With the fierce waves and high tide, access was blocked from the beach so they safely rappelled over the cliff with ropes and hauled up the debris the same way.

More than 50 businesses joined the cleanup efforts and removed cigarette butts, plastics, and materials dumped in front of or behind their properties. A majority of the businesses throughout the Manor shopping complex on both sides of Highway 1 joined together.

Thanks to the work of Tam's, You Name It, Pyramid Alternatives, Columbos Deli, Safeway, Manor Music, Coastside Critters and Pacifica Farmers Market, the alley behind their businesses has never been cleaner. Taco Bell had 13 workers cleaning around their two businesses and provided refreshments for the Celebration Party.

Crespi Center, Eureka Square, Palmetto shopping district, Rockaway, and Pedro Point Shopping Center all had multiple businesses participate in the cleanup. The most prevalent trash item reported by most business owners participating in the cleanup was cigarette butts. Many complained about garbage dumped in their driveways or back lots.

Several business owners talked about the need for the city to enforce the $500 dumping fines.

Families adopted Fassler Road, Roberts Road, Beaumont Blvd, Norfolk, Upper Monterey Blvd, and Palmetto Avenue. One resident trimmed the trees by the Manor bus stop to improve the view and reduce the collection of litter beneath their branches.

More than 60 community groups signed up for projects. See inside pages 13A-14A for photos and information about these projects.

Sunset Ridge and Ocean Shore both had school-wide Earth Day events. Cabrillo school had a cleanup, garden event, and organic plant sale. IBL and Ocean Shore School adopted West Sharp Park and Sharp Park Beach.

The celebration event at Sharp Park picnic area was moved to the small hill near the picnic tables. Vehicles were used to protect people and food from the wind. Ian Butler, master of ceremonies and Pacifica's unofficial court jester sang some of his recycling/ plastic/Earth Day songs.

Sue Pemberton of the Marine Mammal Center spoke about a whale found last month in Marin with 500 pounds of net and a comb in her stomach. She also talked about the perils of flushable cat litter and how it spreads a parasite called toxoplasma into the sea environment where it is consumed by otters and other marine life, making them very ill or worse, killing them.

Pemberton asked people to use earth-friendly products for cleaning since detergents exacerbate neuro-toxic algal blooms which devastate sea lion and otters.

Mayor Jim Vreeland thanked the volunteers for their hard work at projects throughout the city of Pacifica. He pointed out that there were projects at every corner of Pacifica and how we as a city can and are making a difference.

Pacifica Beach Coalition (PBC) President Lynn Adams thanked the volunteers. She also praised the PBC members who worked tirelessly to orchestrate this city wide event and who work year round to clean the beaches, educate the public, and advocate for policy changes to protect our beaches and wildlife. None of this could happen without the sponsors and community who joined together to do the work and also to support the PBC financially, she noted.

The financial support provided the celebration event with food and an educational gift for all volunteers. PBC's educational bandanna shows Pacifica's watershed and how the streams and storm drains flow to the ocean.

The city of Pacifica, Pedro Point Surf Club, Parks Beaches and Recreation Department Coastside Scavenger, and the Pacifica Tribune sponsored the event. They also assisted with the Surf Movie and Music fundraiser for the Pacifica Beach Coalition. Coastside Scavenger, another sponsor, collected the debris, recycles, and greenwaste and hauled it away for free.

Pacifican and executive chef of catering at Stanford University, Andrew Mayne wowed the volunteers with locally, sustainably grown root vegetable salad, green salad, tangerines, and macaroni and cheese. Ray of Upper Crust Deli nourished the wind swept, chilled volunteers with hearty sandwiches. All extra food was donated to the SSF Homeless shelter.

While the weather might have been cold outside and the wind strong and fierce, all was well in Pacifica for Earth Day because Pacificans care about the environment and work to make it a better, cleaner, safer place.

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