Annnd We're Back! Please join us for our first in-person Chapter Meeting of 2021 at Patagonia Ventura's patio on Tuesday, December 7th at 6:30pm. As the year draws to an end, we are so incredibly excited to gather outside with our community. We've missed you! The meeting will also be live-streamed on Zoom to allow everyone who wishes to attend to do so based on their personal comfort and safety preferences (meeting ID 813 8547 2090).

Cruise on in - or tune in - to partake in our 2021 year-in-review and learn all about Surfrider VC's exciting plans for 2022. Then stick around! Food will be provided and beverages will be generously donated from one of our favorite local Ocean Friendly Restaurants, Rincon Brewery. Beer will be available for all those who are 21+ (just don't forget your reusable pint cup!). Please note that although masks will not be required outside, they must be worn indoors according to Patagonia’s COVID-19 mask policy.

We simply can't wait to see you this Tuesday, December 7th, at 6:30pm!

New Ormond Beach Signage: Our Ormond Beach program team, led by Joan Tharp and Laura Oergel, is happy to share that staff from the City of Oxnard recently installed new signage in the area indicating "potential water quality impairment." This was an extremely positive collaboration, and we look forward to continuing to grow this relationship as our team strives to make Oxnard's beaches and waters as safe and clean as possible. Please note however, although the signs mention potentially contaminated stormwater run off, we know that Ormond Lagoon's water consistently tests as impaired for bacteria in any season.

Donation Drive: Is your old, gently used outdoor recreation gear taking up space in your garage? Want to put it to better use than gathering cobwebs? You're in luck! Surfrider Ventura County is collecting gently used Stand Up Paddle Boards, Kayaks, and Surfboards to help support our essential programs and campaigns. Donors will receive an exclusive Chapter T-shirt and a tax deductible donation slip. Have something to donate? Please contact Laura at chair@ventura.surfrider.org to learn more.

Crucial Testing Update: In early October, the County of Ventura Environmental Department was forced to shut down their water sampling and lab testing due to a clerical error that prevented the lab from renewing their license. Surfrider Ventura County strongly supports the full return of the County of Ventura's year-round water sampling and reporting program, but in the meantime will continue to provide essential data and grassroots activism through our BWTF team's water collection and testing. Our Blue Water Task Force lab is currently in operation and will test through March 2022 to fill in the reduced County sampling and testing during those months. Weekly testing is performed on Thursdays with the results made available on Friday.

Possible Extension: In the event of a future need to extended our water sampling season while the Environmental Department waits for their license renewal, you can donate (specifying "For Ventura County Chapter") to help purchase nitrile gloves, testing supplies, and water sampling poles to keep this vital work going.

Group Cleanups: We had over 70 volunteers join us last month at the Ventura Promenade, removing more than 180 pounds of trash from the high-use area. And now we're heading back for more! We will be out once again at the Promenade on December 18th from 9am-11am (sign up here). Remember, if you need volunteers hours validated for work or school, these cleanups are a great way to get them done! Interested in becoming a core volunteer that helps to run this energizing monthly event? Email beachcleanups@ventura.surfrider.org to learn more. 

Solo Cleanups Continue: A big wave of Surfrider gratitude goes out this month to Bill and Diana Kelly, pictured below, for doing *couple* cleanups twice a week along Sanjon Road and out to the beach. That area of the coast is in particular need of diligent care due to the consistent dumping of trash and cigarette butts next to parked cars. Thank you, Bill and Diana!

Restaurant Recertification: Our OFR team is happy to announce the recertification of a special member of the program: Hollywood Beach Cafe. If you're looking for delicious food right on the beach, look no further! Hollywood Beach Cafe is the perfect spot. Be sure to check them out on Instagram for all the latest!

OFR Recruitment: The OFR team is currently working on recruiting even more restaurants to the program (with exciting news coming soon). To continue this effort, we would like to extend the invitation to you! If you're interested in participating, please reach out to ofr@ventura.surfrider.org to learn more.

Growing the RRP Team: On the second Saturday of November, ten volunteers (joined by beach elders Doc and Carol) helped to pick up over 50 pounds of trash from the Rincon Parkway day-use beach. Along the way, two five-year-olds joined the team to learn more about why we were picking up trash. In exploring the sand together, we discovered what belongs in the ocean and what belongs in the trash bag: straws, confetti, styrofoam, cigarette butts, and candy wrappers. 
 
Monthly Cleanups: Join us where the land meets the sea! Our growing team joins together as a community to help keep the 14-mile parcel of Rincon coastline clean for marine life, recreation, and future generations. Cleanups are help every second Saturday of the month from 8:30am to 11:30am For more information, email rrp@ventura.surfrider.org. Sign-up spots for smaller weekday cleanups are also available with the RRP lead.

New Sponsor & Show: Surfrider member, John Lombardo, has just become a HOTYB ashcan sponsor! John and Ben Aranita co-produce “The Antidote”  TV Show, a live environmentally conscious interactive discussion forum, that you can view on Facebook. Two of Surfrider's stalwarts, Paul Jenkin and Juli Marciel, appeared on the program in November to speak about Surfrider Foundation’s mission, programs, and eco-based system management.