College of Wooster: Alumni & Friends

This clean-up day is the country’s premier volunteer effort focused on marine environment. Each year more than 40,000 volunteers turn out to over 400 clean-up sites in California to conduct what has been hailed by the Guinness Book of Records as "the largest garbage collection." We will be working at Ballona Creek in Culver City. Throw on some waterproof boots, old work clothes, and plenty of sunscreen to join Wooster Scots alumni, family, and friends in the California Coastal Clean-Up Day. Children are welcome to work alongside their parents.

When and Where to Go on Saturday, September 18th
Please gather by 8:30 am at the registration tables at the entrance to the Ballona Creek bike path at Duquesne Avenue in Culver City.

The Site:
Ballona Creek at Duquesne Avenue in Culver City. The registration tables will be located at the entrance to the Ballona Creek bikepath on the north side of the creek (before you go over the bridge). You should see a Wooster banner on the fence.

Driving Directions:
Duquesne Avenue is about 11 blocks east of Overland between Culver Blvd. and Jefferson Blvd. (Thomas Guide 672 G-4).

From 405 Fwy (heading north), take the Venice/Washington exit. Turn right onto Sepulveda and left on Culver Blvd. Make a right on Duquesne, a few blocks past Sony Studios.

From 405 Fwy (heading south), take the Washington/Culver exit and turn left onto Sawtelle, then left again on Culver Blvd. Follow directions as above. A map and information are also available at http://www.culvercity.org (see Ballona Creek Cleanup).

Parking
Parking is available at the Culver City Transportation Building garage, 4343 Duquesne for a nominal charge ($1.00, I believe). Last year they promised this, but then noone was available to open the garage. We parked either along the road or in the small lot just outside the garage.

What to Wear
The organizers suggest long pants that can be rolled up or shorts if it's hot. Consider layered clothing, a hat, closed-toe shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen. Keep in mind, your shoes and clothing may get wet or dirty. If you have rubber boots or other waterproof footwear you might want to bring them. Last year, those of us who got down into the drainage channel that passes as a creek out here, ended up getting a little wet. If you have ordered them, Scots in Service tee-shirts will be available at registration. (I've ordered a few extra for those, like me, who wait until the last minute.) We will be going out to lunch after, so you might want to throw a change of shoes into your car.

What to Bring
Plastic gloves, trash bags and water will be provided at registration. However, you might want to bring your own sturdier rubber gloves, implements to grab trash if you own them, and more water or other liquids. Handiwipes for afterwards might also come in handy.

At Check-in
Look for me or anyone in Wooster apparel. I've requested a separate table for us, but have not yet received confirmation that they will provide us with one. I'll be collecting your waivers (see below). The Site Capitan will give our group a site orientation, a safety talk regarding the trash, and hand out gloves, data cards, and trash bags. Vounteers will be working in teams of three to five.

Liability Waivers
All participants are asked to sign a liability waiver that states that you are volunteering, you will not perform tasks that are beyond your physical ability, etc. and exempts the sponsoring groups from liability. This form is available at www.culvercity.org (Ballona Creek Cleanup) I will also have the forms available on Saturday at registration. Wooster also requests that we sign similar forms which I will also have on hand.

Trash
Trash bags are to be returned to the check-in table to be weighed and counted. If they get too heavy, they will permit you to tie them and leave them along the creek.

Lunch
Our site is within walking distance of "downtown" Culver City. The casual restaurant where we went last year is closed for rennovations, but I found a new bistro closer to our site and have made tentative reservations for 12:30 pm. They have patio seating so it shouldn't matter that we'll all be in casual attire. The name of the restaurant is: Bistro de l'Hermitage, 9727 Culver Blvd. Tel: 310-815-8222.

I hope you all will plan to join us for lunch. Please let me know so I can make sure we have sufficient seating.

Photographs
We'd like to have some digital photographs to send to Wooster for the magazine, website and other uses. Would anyone like to volunteer to be in charge of photography?

Local SIS Leaders: Rachel Swanger ’82

310/397-1603, swanger@rand.org