September 14 – San Diego County Beer Fair gives a taste of beer, sustainability on Sept. 24

Portion of evening’s proceeds will benefit San Diego Coastkeeper

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 6, 2011 – On Saturday, September 17, around 10,000 volunteers will visit 90 coastal and inland cleanup sites for a one-day attack on marine debris and inland pollution. This year, Coastal Cleanup Day coordinators I Love A Clean San Diego and San Diego Coastkeeper highlight on their website several green “in need” cleanup sites, where data from the annual event show a higher demand for volunteers. To reduce the event’s carbon footprint and individual waste, organizers also ask volunteers to select local sites in their own communities and to bring reusable buckets, bags, work gloves and water bottles.
“Trash travels from inland communities into storm drains which empty into our canyons, creek beds and eventually the ocean,” said Pauline Martinson, Executive Director for I Love A Clean San Diego. “That’s why it’s especially important for volunteers to lend a hand in their local neighborhood—our entire county needs a cleaning.”
To encourage participation in areas that need extra hands, San Diego’s Coastal Cleanup Day website, www.cleanupday.org features “in need” sites labeled in green in areas such as Clairemont, Normal Heights, City Heights, La Mesa, Tijuana River Valley and more. These sites were identified based on data from previous cleanups, indicating that some inland sites recover more debris as well as larger items such as tires, couches, and more.
“A recent statewide survey shows that this event significantly increases knowledge about the causes of marine debris—and that’s the first step in stopping the problem,” said Alicia Glassco, Education and Marine Debris Manager at Coastkeeper. “We see Coastal Cleanup Day as a hands-on educational event that connects residents to their neighborhood while removing harmful debris.”
I Love A Clean San Diego and San Diego Coastkeeper also ask volunteers to reduce their carbon footprint while participating in the event. Instead of traveling long distance to a site, volunteers should stay at their local cleanup locations and remember to bring their own reusable bag or bucket, work gloves and water bottle.
Last year in San Diego County, volunteer involvement rose to approximately 9,000 participants, with another 3,000 volunteers lending their support across the border in the U.S./Mexico-shared Tijuana Watershed. Volunteers removed close to 100 tons of debris from more than 80 cleanup sites along the coastline and in canyons, creek beds, lagoons, estuaries and open spaces.
This year, volunteers should register on the San Diego County event website at www.cleanupday.org. The website includes an interactive Google Map with all cleanup sites in the region, including a handful of green “in need” sites. Sites where registration is at capacity are denoted in red. Information for children, scouts, and groups are also available on the website.

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 14, 2011 – On Sept. 24, the participants of San Diego County Beer Fair will enjoy fair entertainment, music and games and learn about the newest brewery trends and techniques. This year’s fair will take place at Ingram Plaza at Liberty Station from noon – 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24. A portion of the proceeds will benefit San Diego Coastkeeper.

Beer lovers will enjoy the day of fun with craft and specialty beer tasting, food samples from local restaurants and entertainment by street performers. The event will give a chance for participants a chance to meet with 20 breweries and enjoy 40 craft beers, while enjoying the beautiful Liberty Station scenery.

San Diego County Beer Fair organizers will hold their event with the environment in mind. Participants will receive a reusable beer mug to reduce single-use cup waste and those who arrive on public transit will receive two extra tasters. In light of SB 568, the statewide polystyrene ban bill, and the City of San Diego’s decision to ban polystyrene food containers at special events starting in 2012, the coordinators ask vendors to choose alternatives for plastic foam containers to serve food and beverages.

The San Diego County Beer Fair will take place at 2756 Dewey Rd, San Diego, CA 92106. To buy tickets, go online or purchase them at the festival. General admission tickets are $35 in advance and $45 the day of the event. The ticket includes ten craft beer tastings and food samples. Early admission tickets are $55 for those who would like to arrive from noon to 1 p.m. General admission starts at 1 p.m. The event will run from noon until 4 p.m.

For tickets and more information, visit www.sdbeerfair.com.

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Founded in 1995, San Diego Coastkeeper protects the region’s inland and coastal waters for the communities and wildlife that depend on them by blending education, community empowerment and advocacy. Visit us online at https://www.sdcoastkeeper.org. Coastkeeper is a registered trademark and servicemark and is licensed for use by Waterkeeper Alliance.