A Day Without A Bag

Volunteers from Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society and the Surfrider Foundation were on State Street yesterday, giving out free reusable shopping bags. The Day Without a Bag event was an effort to educate the public about the environmental dangers of disposable plastic bags. The bags get into the ocean and kill wildlife. Governments in Ireland, China, and San Francisco have adopted measures to control the problem, and activists would like the public to ask officials here to consider legislation to regulate the bags. For more info go to http://www.echossb.com/ or http://www.surfrider.org/santabarbara/

Bikers Ride for Children's Toys

Today was the 21st Annual Santa Barbara Motorcycle Toy Run. Hundreds of bikers rode from Carpenteria to Goleta in a benefit ride to provide Christmas toys for low-income families.

Project Healthy Neighbors

Project Healthy Neighbors was at Casa Esperanza this morning providing numerous health services to the homeless. Free shoes, survival backpacks, and haircuts were also given out. The event will continue tomorrow and Wednesday from 8:30 am to 10:30 am. Some of the services provided are: TB screening, flu vaccinations, HIV testing, mental health assessment, and domestic violence solutions info.


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Now playing: Alice in Chains - Them Bones
via FoxyTunes

Free Respirator Masks at Library

Respirator masks to protect people from Tea Fire smoke are available at the front desk of the Central Library in downtown Santa Barbara.

Protest in Santa Barbara Against Prop 8

Hundreds of people turned out today at the Sunken Gardens to protest against the passage of Proposition 8. After the 10:30 rally many protesters marched to State Street. Proposition 8 was a Constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.

Tea Fire Burns Homes in Santa Barbara

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Now playing: Boston - Something About You
via FoxyTunes

Last night there was a lot of smoke and ash in the downtown area, but it has not been bad today. It may get bad again this evening as the sundowner winds pick up again.

Forest Defenders Party at Cuneo Creek

I had a great time this weekend at the Hurwitz Out of Humboldt Party in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. I saw many activists that I had not seen in years. We celebrated the end of the Hurwitz era in the Humboldt timber wars.

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Now playing: The Moody Blues - I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)
via FoxyTunes

High Winds Topple Tree

High winds from a late winter storm caused a tree to fall in Chase Palm Park. The tree crashed into the playground, damaging a structure.

Anti-war Protesters Create Giant Peace Sign

Hundreds of protesters in Santa Barbara today marched down State Street to the Sunken Gardens where they formed a giant human peace sign. The protest marks the fifth anniversary of the Iraq War.

Arlington West

Every Sunday, Veterans for Peace set up thousands of crosses in the sand next to Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara. The memorial for soldiers killed in the Iraq War, is known as Arlington West.

Grenada Theatre Re-opens

Tonight was the Grand Opening of the renovated Grenada Theatre in Santa Barbara.

Sidewalk Internet and Portable Condo

Today in Santa Barbara I ran into a portable laptop internet access service on State St. And then I ran into Delbert and his portable condo.

Photos from Santa Barbara

I took these pictures while on a walk to Lazy Acres Market where I bought some herbal remedies.

Activists want Amtrak to Blow Horn