LA TIMES is a voice of reason: 11/30/11

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-dogbeach-20111130,0,1278564.story 

Keep asking people to sign the petition! We have over 500 in one week. Keep it up!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/allow-the-city-of-santa-monica-to-create-a-pilot-dog-beach/




Thank you, LA Times, for being a voice of reason in the dog beach debate. It is time for the State Parks and Recreation Dept. to follow the State of California's own guidelines as outlined in its Research Bureau report commissioned by Senator Ted Lieu. It is time that animal lovers and their companions stop being disenfranchised from public resources. It is time that the value and importance of animals in our lives be acknowledged and recognized in a just and progressive way. 44% of households have dogs and those dogs are important members of the family. Dogs should not be disallowed their ability to enjoy mother earth. The joy of the beach is the right of all. The beaches in Santa Monica are empty 90% of the time....who are we saving them for?

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/allow-the-city-of-santa-monica-to-create-a-pilot-dog-beach/

WE EVIDENTLY NEED LEGISLATIVE ACTION

http://www.smdp.com/Articles-local-news-c-2011-11-18-72972.113116-State-Parks-puts-dog-beach-plan-in-the-kennel.html

DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED....The State Parks and Recreation is still refusing to consider allowing the public and the City of Santa Monica who is standing up for the public, to create a limited pilot dog beach on a beach which is vastly unused in the morning, on weekdays, in the winter, and in various areas.

We are not asking to bring our dogs to the beach on the 4th of July. We are only asking for a modest pilot program which could be set up at those times and places when NO ONE is on the beach. Those of us who live near the beach can see that there are plenty of times like that.

 We are already exploring legislative outlets to correct this problem. It is a matter of tweaking a regulation in the State Parks and Recreation which gives the staff  total say so about beach use, irregardless of public and city demand.

Recreation with dogs is a mainstream form of recreation which needs to be acknowledged at the state level.
Dog guardians are at least 44% of households. There are more dogs than children. 

We are the public and tax payers, and we have a right to a share of public resources.

All the arguments against dog beaches can be refuted with the state's own research project which shows that more than 60 other dog beaches in California do not have the problems which are always brought up as major concerns. 

We are only proposing a PILOT program to find out and test the feasibility of a dog beach in Santa Monica. At the end of the pilot, if our beach is the one in 60 that fails the test, then we will not get it.

The California Research Bureau Report is downloadable on this website.

Putting out the call to fair minded animal loving people involved with the politics of California who can lend a hand. Please contact us directly at georja@unleashthebeach.org.

More News: Good, Bad, and Ugly

THE GOOD: Warren Eckstein of THE PET SHOW, a nationally syndicated radio show, has interviewed some members of Unleash the Beach and he will air this in L.A. on
Saturday November 12 at 11 a.m on KRLA am radio. He is completely in favor of the dog beach and will promote it from now on. He expects to attract many new supporters to our cause.
He will also put Unleash The Beach on his website, http://www.ThePetShow.com or www.WarrenEckstein.com The taped interviews will also appear on his website soon.


THE BAD: Thank you to the many many people who sent in messages to the Santa Monica Daily Press on their recent survey about the dog beach. Unfortuately, they chose to print the very SMALL percentage of negative ones without stating that this was by far the minority opinion. I am sending a copy of the letter to the editor I wrote to them.

Dear Editor,

I and my colleagues are very disappointed to learn of the way that you have handled your q-line survey about the dog beach pilot program in Santa Monica.  I am told that you had an overflowing amount of positive responses from people who passionately want to enjoy a dog beach. And yet you chose to print the few negative responses you got because they called in on the first day.  This is an outrage. If you are going to have a survey, even if it is informal, and say it runs all week, it is not fair to only print the first 5 people who called. And especially without saying anything about the hundreds who sent and called in positive responses. This is unfair and unbalanced. Many papers have online surveys where you can click yes no or indecisive. But even if you didn't have that, what you print should surely reflect the essence of what the public in good faith sent in.

Georja Umano
Unleash the Beach
Santa Monica

WHAT to do about it:   If you still have those letters you sent in to q-line, re-send them as letters to the editor, and there is a good chance they will get published Also, send a copy of them to council@smgov.et and manager@smgov.net to give support to our local politicians and staff who need fortitude to deal with the state.


THE UGLY:  Despite a very convincing conference call from the City Manager's office to the state in which many promises, approaches and concessions were put on the table for a pilot dog beach in Santa Monica, the response from the members of the State Parks and Recreation was completely negative.   This is where YOUR LETTERS will count. Keep writing and encouraging Santa Monica to keep going.  If necessary, we will ask them to lobby our state representatives if we have to go the legislative route. We will keep gathering support and we will NOT QUIT until we have a fair usage of our public beach.

OUR BIG WIN SO FAR

OUR BEST NEWS SO FAR:

On October 25, 2011
The Santa Monica City Council voted 6 to 1 for the City to find a way to work with the state to create an unleashed dog beach pilot program up to the waterline!

The proposal was presented by Mayor pro temp Gleam Davis and Councilman Terry O'Day.
It had strong backing from Councilmembers Kevin McKeown and Robert Holbrook.  Councilmember Richard Bloom, who is also on the Coastal Commission, voted in favor. Councilmember Bobby Shriver gave many warnings and tried to put conditions on the proposal, but in the end he also voted yes. The lone hold out was Councilmember Pam O'Connor.

Heal the Bay Director Mark Gold had sent in his objections, seconded by lawyer Joel Reynolds from NRDC.  Mr. Gold has continued to object to a dog beach on the grounds of potential pollution. The California Research Bureau Report which as surveyed over 60 dog beaches in California states that none of them have caused pollution levels to rise.

Doggie Halloween Parade in Santa Monica!!!

There will be a Doggie Halloween parade on Sunday, Oct. 30 from 1-4pm on Montana Ave.
Register at pet boutique TO WAG FOR on 1123 Montana.
$5 per pet.
Big prizes!
Over $500 worth of prizes for Most Original/Best in Show
Over $250 worth of prizes for Best Duo or Group (Animal /or animal human)
Over $250 worth of prizes for Funniest
Over $250 worth of prizes for most Beachy

It will be a sidewalk parade walking up and down the sidewalks of Montana between 6th and 17th St., stopping a judging stations along the way. You can stroll at your own pace - stop for a drink, or enthusiastically march around twice.  Prizes will be awarded at 4:30pm on 14th and Montana, the broad sidewalk next to the Whole Foods parking lot.

Proceeds go to Unleash the Beach.  Many thanks to Jean McCoy of To Wag For for producing this. When you stop by be sure to thank her!

Let us know if you can volunteer to help people register or help with the voting.

Join us Sept 17 for jazz at The Talking Stick lounge in Venice!

Our story picked up by KPCC Radio!

http://www.scpr.org/blogs/environment/2011/08/26/morning-greens-some-california-pet-owners-want-the/?c=87603

article in the L.A. Times Aug. 25 2011

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-dog-beach-20110825,0,7692828.story

a nice story about Unleash the Beach and the lack of dog beaches in L.A.


http://discussions.latimes.com/20/lanews/la-me-dog-beach-20110825/10

are lively comments submitted about the article, many from UTB members

FUNDRAISER PARTY!

FUNDRAISER PARTY!

***FREE ADMISSION***

***Friday July 29 ***

***212 Pier Cafe*** (off Main St., Santa Monica)

***6-10PM***

***swingin' MUSIC with Eric Ahlberg and the Zebra Party Band!*** (Jazz and originals!)

***Great REFRESHMENTS including food and drink!***

*** awesome RAFFLE prizes!*** including facials, hot jewelry, spa treatments, dog walks, dog supplies and more!

***Come and bring ALL YOUR FRIENDS and colleagues to support a dog beach!***

(DOGS NOT ALLOWED IN CAFE but you can hang around outside with them if you want)

***Stop by for a visit or spend the whole evening! *** 

 

--------

 DON'T FORGET:

Between now and Sept. 1 when you make purchases at GOTPETFOOD at 1840 14th St., Santa Monica, and mention Unleash The Beach, 5% of your purchase price will go to support our lovely cause!!!

If you buy pet supplies at GotPetFood on 1840 14th st. (N. of Pico) and mention UNLEASH THE BEACH, 5% of your purchase price will be contributed to our fabulous cause. Don't forget to thank Brian, the owner for this! This offer holds until Sept. 1!

FUNDRAISER PARTY!

***FREE ADMISSION***

***Friday July 29 ***

***212 Pier Cafe*** (off Main St., Santa Monica)

***6-10PM***

***swingin' MUSIC with Eric Ahlberg and the Zebra Party Band!*** (Jazz and originals!)

***Great REFRESHMENTS including food and drink!***

*** awesome RAFFLE prizes!*** including facials, hot jewelry, spa treatments, dog walks, dog supplies and more!

***Come and bring ALL YOUR FRIENDS and colleagues to support a dog beach!***

(DOGS NOT ALLOWED IN CAFE but you can hang around outside with them if you want)

***Stop by for a visit or spend the whole evening! ***

Watch the Video: July 4th Parade - Santa Monica Downtown YAY!

More than thirty dog owners rabid for their beach time paraded proudly with their pups down Main Street in beautiful downtown Santa Monica on Independence Day. Thank you for the enthusiastic turnout. We had lots of new email signups (you can do that too on this page). We passed out flyers co-sponsored by Animal Wellness Centers, which is proud to support Unleash the Beach! Don't forget to "Like" UnleashTheBeach and AnimalWellnessCenters.com on Facebook and Twitter (@DrAnnieAWC). And thanks to the Ocean Park Association (OPA) for coordinating such an enjoyable event!

PARADE INFORMATION FOR JULY 4

IF YOU ARE IN TOWN FOR THE HOLIDAY, COME MARCH IN THE S.M. PARADE WITH YOUR DOG!!! BRING YOUR FRIENDS TOO!

• Arrival time is 8:00 AM July 4. (Request of parade organizers that we come early and bring our signed waivers with us.
• We meet in front of the Civic Center on Main St., between Pico and Colorado.
• All participants must sign waiver. (see attached- copy and bring it if you can-there will be some there
• Both dogs and their humans should dress up in beach and/or 4th of July adornments!
• Parade starts at 9:30. NO ONE CAN JOIN AFTER PARADE STARTS.
• We march down Main St., turn west at Marine and down to the parking lot near Marine on the beach.
• This could be a place to park -- (I hear they don't give out tickets that day but can't confirm it officially)
• You could also park in the structure on 4th and Olympic ( this is the closest and I am told there will be a $3.00 parking fee - entrance on 4th St.) or the Santa Monica mall structure.
• Parade route  is a little over a mile.
• Bring water for your dog.
• Because it is early hopefully it won't be too hot.
• I have asked that we not be near loud music in case it frightens some dogs.
• We will have the big Unleash the Beach banner. (If some of you can't bring dog and want to help carry banner that's cool)
• You are not allowed to join the parade after it starts.
• VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO GET THERE EARLY & HELP ORGANIZE PAPERWORK!
• VOLUNTEERS NEED TO VIDEO TAPE US WITH OUR BIG TURNOUT!

ALL ARE WELCOME! IT WILL BE GREAT TO HAVE A BIG SHOWING OF SUPPORT FOR DOG BEACH! LOTS OF PRESS!!!
-----------------
here is the waiver you can print and bring with you for each person:

SANTA MONICA JULY 4th PARADE
AGREEMENT, WAIVER, AND RELEASE
Please do not FAX this document to us.
Bring one signed original for each person in your group to the Check-in Booth on the day of the parade.
I have read the Santa Monica July 4th Parade Participants Guidelines, and hereby agree to abide by the provided restrictions.
I hereby waive, release, and discharge any and all claims for damages for personal injury, death, or
property damage which I may have, or which may hereafter accrue to me, as a result of
participation in said activity. This release is intended to discharge in advance the Ocean Park
Association and the City of Santa Monica, their volunteers, officers, employees, sponsors, supporters
and agents from any and all liability arising out of or connected in any way with my participation in
said activity, even though that liability may arise out of negligence or carelessness on the part of the
Ocean Park Association and/or the City of Santa Monica, their officers, employees and agents,
and/or parade organizers, parade participants or spectators. It is understood that this activity involves
an element of risk and danger of accidents and knowing those risks I hereby assume those risks. It is
further agreed that this waiver, release and assumption of risk is to be binding on my heirs and assigns.
I agree to indemnify and to hold harmless the Ocean Park Association and the City of Santa Monica,
their volunteers, officers, employees, and agents free and harmless from any loss, liability, damage,
cost or expense which they may incur as the result of my death or any injury or property damage that
I may sustain while participating in said activity.
If I intend to operate a motor vehicle I assert that it is registered and in safe operating condition, that I
am a licensed driver and that I assume full responsibility for the use of my vehicle in the parade. I
agree to indemnify and to hold harmless the Ocean Park Association and the City of Santa Monica,
their volunteers, officers, employees, and agents free and harmless from any loss, liability, damage,
cost or expense which they may incur as the result of the operation of my motor vehicle in this event.
No known physical or health limitation prevents me from safely participating in this event. In
consideration for being allowed to participate, I personally assume all risks, whether foreseen or
unforeseen, in connection with the event of any harm, injury or damage that may befall me as a
participant.
If I am injured during the event, I authorize any physician licensed in California to perform such
emergency treatment as she or he believes, in his or her sole judgment, may be necessary. I am over
the age of eighteen and legally competent to sign this liability release or I have acquired the written
consent of my parent or guardian. I understand that the terms herein are contractual and not a mere
recital, this instrument is legally binding, and I have signed this document of my own free act.
Further, I agree that photographs, pictures, slides, movies or videos may be taken of me in
connection with my participation in these events or activities without compensation from anyone,
and I consent to the use of these photographs, pictures, slides, movies or videos for any legal
purpose.
I HAVE FULLY INFORMED MYSELF OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS LAIBILITY RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF
RISK.
Name: __________________________________ Signed (if under 18, guardian): ________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________
Vehicle License Plate ____________________________________________
Date:___________________ Name/Relationship of Guardian: __________________________________
Please do not FAX this document to us.
Bring one signed original for each person in your group to the Check-in Booth on the day of the parade.

NEXT UTB MEETING: Saturday morning, July 9 at 10:30 am

Next UTB MEETING:  Saturday morning July 9

Our next meeting will be Saturday morning, July 9 at 10:30 in West L.A.  If you are on our email list we will send you the details.

UTB Meeting June 18

We held our first meeting in quite awhile on Saturday morning, June 18, with eight members in attendance. We discussed current status of Santa Monica City Council resolution, state assembly bill to authorize a dog zone at Dockweiler Beach, and we took suggestions for publicity, membership outreach, and organizational planning.

Stay in the know and get involved: Sign up for our mailing list!
 (by filling in the form on this page)

Doggone It We're a Dog Blog Now

Welcome to the new website of Unleash the Beach! We're still barking and advocating for a beach dog zone in Santa Monica.

In the coming weeks, we'll be migrating much of the content of our old website here.

And we'll be posting updates on the issues that affect dogs who want to pound sand and fetch soggy tennis balls.