Happy Labor Day from Heal the Ocean!

In this E-Letter:
• The Origins of Labor Day
• Coastal Cleanup Day 9/17 – Please Dive In!
• Charles Vinick talks about his Work with Whales at SBMM (9/15)
• Ablitt’s Back in Recycling Business, Sign Up!
• HTO Joins Drive for Goleta Clean up Measure B
• Hillary Hauser Dancing on Waves Book Signing at Chaucer’s Sept. 21

WHO OR WHAT STARTED LABOR DAY?

The origins of Labor Day aren’t exactly clear. Some historians have it as starting in New York with a labor strike in 1872. Others say it started when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being. In 1887, Oregon became the first U.S. state to make Labor Day an official public holiday.

In any case, it’s a holiday to mark the end of summer, and a great occasion for back yard barbecues and getting together with friends. For some of us working in the environmental field, including Heal the Ocean, it is an occasion to keep on laboring for the ocean we love. We thank all our supporters for helping us.

ANOTHER SEPTEMBER TRADITION: COASTAL CLEANUP DAY!

Continuing the theme of laboring for the ocean, the state of California has designated the third Saturday of every September as Coastal Cleanup Day.This year it is on Saturday, September 17, from 9 a.m. to noon, and in Santa Barbara, a massive cleanup is being coordinated by Explore Ecology . . a great group whose work we all support.

This is an opportunity for YOU to help out in a physical way! You can choose from over 25+ local beaches you would like to work on. Please register here to choose a beach, and GO FOR IT!

Heal the Ocean will be providing reusable horse feed bags (for collecting trash), sturdy gloves, AND… a Free HTO T-Shirt! Please contact Jasmin at jasmin@healtheocean.org or call the office at (805)-965-7570 if you would like to use any of this equipment.

Thank you, Explore Ecology!

Whales Without Walls …Come Hear Charles Vinick Talk About A WHALE of a Project!

**Charles working to liberate a previously captive whale.**

On September 15th at 7pm, Charles Vinick, Executive Director of the Whale Sanctuary Project, (and also a Heal the Ocean Founding Board Member) will be at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum to tell the story of how he is working with a group to establish the first natural seaside sanctuary for whales to be rescued from captivity.

He will talk about how the Whale Sanctuary’s vision is of a world in which all cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) are treated with respect and are no longer confined to concrete tanks in entertainment parks and aquariums. Vinick will explain how the whale sanctuary is being designed in a great oceanic inlet in Port Hilford, Nova Scotia. The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is on the Santa Barbara Harbor breakwater, 113 Harbor Way.

Please click here to register for the lecture.

SIGN UP TO RECYCLE YOUR TYPE 2 & 4 FILM PLASTICS WITH ABLITT’S

Ablitt’s Fine Cleaners on 14 W. Gutierrez St. in downtown Santa Barbara has resumed its Planet Protector Program, where you can bring in your film plastics - such as air pillows, bubble wrap, cleaner's bags,retail bags, clean bread bags, and more!

Ablitt's community events are diverting about 2,000 pounds of film plastic from our landfill every month!

To get involved with the Ablitt’s Planet Protector Program, sign up with your email here, and you will be notified of the next film plastic recycling event.

Happy Recycling!

**Recycling guide created by Jasmin Tupy.**

HTO JOINS DRIVE FOR GOLETA CLEAN UP MEASURE B

Heal the Ocean has joined EDC, Goleta City Council member James Kyriaco, the Democratic Party of Santa Barbara County, and other local conservation groups and businesses are endorsing Measure B to help secure $10.6 million per year for implementing the Creek and Watershed Master Plan for Goleta. This funding will help undertake clean coastal water projects and implement the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan, as well as the City’s Energy and Climate Plan, parks, open spaces, bicycle and pedestrian projects, road maintenance, and other community priorities in Goleta.

Measure B is a 1% sales tax which exempts groceries, gas, and medications, and has been voted to take place on the November 8th ballot.

Please register to vote in the November 8th election - about this and other important measures!

JOIN US FOR HILLARY'S BOOK SIGNING ON 9/21

Chaucer’s Books is holding a book signing event on Wednesday September 21 for Hillary Hauser’s new book, Dancing on Waves. Come join us for an evening of fun, and to hear Hillary answer questions about her adventures that led to the creation of Heal the Ocean!