Fiesta del Sol

Solana Beach is a sleepy little sea-side town on the California coast...right along Highway 1.   I was told that in the 50's and 60's Solana Beach was not exactly a "hot spot" for growth because people felt it was to far from the main stream development path in San Diego. 

All I can say is...thank G-D for that.

Solana Beach has grown up since then, and there has been plenty of development, mostly East towards I-5.  Coastal SB remains pretty mellow most of the time.  Except, that is for their 33rd annual street fair to kick off Summer.  FIESTA DEL SOL which translates to...Party of the Sun.

It wasn't very sunny... but AspenSpin did a cruise bye anyway. 2 days of Localism.  Free music, mediocre street food ( although the sweet corn was top notch), eclectic arts & crafts, political booths, non-profits, dogs, kids, parents and seniors.  The best mode of transport to Fiesta del Sol at the plaza just above Fletcher's Cove was definately beach cruiser. The place was packed.  A. Party could not hang until final curfew, 9pm, so I missed the 2 headliners The English Beat and Donovan Frankenreiter, but the joint was jumping.

It was a mighty chill scene. Click 4 pix.  FIESTA DEL SOL      

Plastic Bags are BANNED in Aspen.

Aspen, Colorado bans single use plastic bags at grocery stores. The ban is effective 5/1/12Solana Beach, California voted to ban single use plastic bags at grocery and retail stores and restaurants. The ban will go into effect in approximately 3 months. s

 Act Locallly / Think Globally

On May 1, 2012 Aspen's three grocery stores will ban single use plastic bags. Plastic bags will no longer be an option.   City Market, Roxy's and Clark's Market will also impose a 20 cent fee for paper bags.  Carbondale is banning single use palstic bags too.  The City of Aspen is offering free cloth bags (while they last).  Click 4 details and other environmental tips from The CITY of ASPEN

Last week the Solana Beach, California City Council voted to ban the use of plastic bags in Grocery Stores, Restaurants and Retailers. A 10 cent fee will apply to each paper bag used.  Click here for the story.  Solana Beach bans Plastic Bags

Upon first glance a required ban of plastic bags in Aspen (population 6,658) and Solana Beach (population 12,867) seems like a drop in the bucket.    These are two very small towns...one in the Rocky Mountains and one in So. Cal. on the Pacific Coast. What they have in common is, both cities heavily rely on the environment for recreation, tourism and lifestyle.  In Aspen its the skiing and riding, the hiking, biking, fishing, camping etc. that make it happen.  In Solana Beach its the surfing and sponging and SUPing and fishing etc. that carry the day.  

According to the WorldWatch Institute a plastic bag ban in China has reduced usage by 66% and saved 40 billion bags and 1.6 million tons of petroleum.  Before the ban China was using 3 billion bags a day

It took me a while to realize how these "baby steps" can help and how important they are. Start in your own backyard, in your own neighborhood, in your own town.  Everybody needs to change their behavior immediately because climate change is upon us.  I'm not a scientist or a meteorologist, but I can see the weather changing right before my eyes....and I don't like it.  The entire World needs to react and take care of business.  Acting locally can have a tremendous impact on a Global problem.

Don't delay, start today.  It's not B.S. Take baby steps in your own house.

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