At the risk of sounding like a goody two-shoes, here is a suggestion for those of you who can not attend one of the many beach clean-ups today in honor of California Coastal Clean-Up Day:

Please pick up all the trash around your house, including the sidewalks, sideyards, and empty lot next door.

This is not my original thought, but a suggestion mentioned by Lynn of the Pacifica Beach Coalition at a Surfrider San Mateo County meeting earlier this year.  Lynn pointed out that all the trash around our city streets eventually blows west to the bluffs, then down onto the beach, and eventually, out into the water.

My own experience is from walking my dog around town and seeing food wrappers and fried chicken bones littering all-about our sidewalks and yards.  Empty fields and lots along Highway 1 accumulate garbage tossed out car windows.  An empty paper cup from Carmel Valley Coffee Roaster made its way north before being flung out at the corner of Route 1 and Poplar.  Thanks Tourist.  But residents also contribute to the problem.  Particularly egregious is the trail of snack wrappers from our library to the junior high and down Kelly to Cabrillo Highway.

So, if you can’t attend one of the beach clean-ups today, then please just take five minutes to clean up your neighborhood.  :)