POLITICS FOR UNLEASHED BEACH!!
HALLOWEEN TIPS FOR PETS !

Unleash the Beach News

presents

TIME TO VOTE FOR  PRO-ACTIVE  DOG BEACH ADVOCATES!!

State Senator Ted Lieu  has promised to help us get the pilot dog beach in Santa Monica--no matter what. Due to political re-districting, Sen. Lieu will become our Senator in November.  He has already contacted the State Parks and Recreation Department to see if he could get to the bottom of their denial of our pilot program and is about to re-visit the state parks now that the Director has resigned. A new director still has not been appointed.  However, if State Parks still refuses to allow us to start a dog beach pilot program, Senator Lieu may need to take the campaign to the State Legislature and it could happen soon.

As you know, the Santa Monica City Council voted 6-1 last October to establish and pay all necessary funds for a pilot program. However, since Santa Monica is a state beach, the State Parks has to agree. This is where we have been stuck. (For more background info, visit our website at http://www.UnleashTheBeach.org)

Senator Lieu has asked us to elicit support from the candidates running for office in the State Assembly 50th District. This district  is comprised of  Santa Monica, Malibu, Brentwood, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Carthay Square, West Hollywood, much of Hollywood, Hancock Park, Miracle Mile, as well as Pacific Palisades, Topanga, part of the Santa Monica Mountains and Agoura Hills.   The candidates include: SM Mayor Richard Bloom, and Assemblywoman Betsy Butler.  Both of these candidates maintain a favorable stance towards the dog beach and say they will happily work with Senator Lieu.

Richard Bloom voted in favor of the pilot program when on the City Council in 2011 (not in the 2005 vote) and says he remains in favor.
Betsy Butler has taken a very PRO-ACTIVE stance towards the dog beach.  She herself not only solicited a meeting personally, she has sent her representatives to meet with Unleash the Beach on two separate occasions. Betsy was working on dog beach issues in Redondo Beach when as Assemblywoman there.   She is eager to work with us and says she has made it a priority. We certainly appreciate her activism.


MEANWHILE IN SANTA MONICA...

There are 15 candidates running for 4 seats in the Santa Monica City Council.  Even though the City Council has already voted to approve the pilot program there will be more votes coming up in the future. If Sen. Lieu creates a legislative bill, we want the City to give him full support.  When we do get approval to start plans for the dog beach, we want people who will keep fighting for the best possible outcome and not get discouraged by anything or anyone  who might try to obstrct it.  In that light, we have sent a questionaire to all the candidates to find out what they would do to further this project along.

First of all, Mayor Pro Temp Gleam Davis and Incmbant Councilman Terry O'Day both supported and agreed to present the original bill to get the pilot program last year and will continue to work for it this year.

Gleam especially pushed it through and has stayed in touch comimg to several Unleash the Beach meetings. She has been a real champion.
Terry promises to keep working until we find a solution the State will accept.  For their past efforts, success, and their continued promises we feel that both Gleam and Terry need to be re-elected this year for the sake of the dog beach.

Of the remaining 13 candidates, we have received responses from 8 and they were all favorable towards the dog beach. We thought maybe those who didn't respond somehow didn't see their emails so we tried again. Because we got no response we can only say we don't know what their stance is--or they didn't think it important enough to respond. The following candidates did respond and here is a brief look at how UTB evaluates their responses.

Jerry Rubin who has been a big supporter in the past, inviting us to speak at his activist circle and inviting Ted Lieu- says he will continue supporting a dog beach whether he is elected or not.

Although they don't seem to be as up to date on the issues, the following candidates answered the questionnaire expressed a willingness to learn and help-some more pro-actively than others as you might see from their comments:
Antonio Vasquez, Shari Davis, Frank Gruber, John Mann, Terence Later, John C. Smith, Ted Winterer.

John C. Smith seems passionate about the issue, says he is fully committed and especially 'willing to work to get it done.'
Shari Davis says she would love to have a dog beach, has some practical ideas, and eager to learn more and help.
Antonio Vasquez  expressed interest to learn more and asked how he could help.
John Mann and Terence Later have run before and feel they could be more effective than the less "independent" campaigners at actually getting the pilot started. Both candidates say they have made this a priority in previous campaigns.
Frank Gruber  said he hoped the state parks would change their minds
and Ted Winterer said his family would use it if state parks could be persuaded .

Hope this helps you decide who to vote for.  All of this is subjective and based their past record and/or on short answers received.  Most important thing is to get out and vote, and please keep the dog beach in mind!
PET HALLOWEEN TIPS AT THE BOTTOM OF PAGE! KEEP SCROLLING!
 Friends and Supporters of Unleash the Beach:
S.P.C.A.L.A.
Animal Defenders International
In Defense of Animals
The Pelican Network
Best Friends
Los Angeles Times
Santa Monica Daily Press
Asst. Attorney General Doug Knoll
Warren Eckstein's 'The Pet Show'
Animal Wellness Center
Center Sinai Animal Hospital
Healthy Spot
To Wag For
Bark Williams
Animal Kingdom
The Omelette Parlor
Rick's Tavern
Misofishy
The Talking Stick Cafe
212 Pier Cafe
Witzend Club
The Golding Gallery



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HALLOWEEN TIPS FOR PETS
Holiday fun for humans can translate into hazards for companion animals. Halloween is the busiest time of year for the Pet Poison Helpline because companion animals often accidentally ingest Halloween candy or décor. Check out the following tips to help keep your furry friends safe and happy this Halloween season:
Keep your animals inside around Halloween and away from the front door during trick-or-treating. Animals can become excited or threatened by visitors, so keep them in a separate and enclosed room where they can remain calm—this also eliminates the risk that they will escape. Don't leave dogs in the yard because they can escape or be subjected to torment by passersby. As an added precaution, make sure that your animal companions wear identification at all times. And if you're going trick-or-treating, don't take your animals with you.
Although all cats should be indoor cats, this is even more important during the month of October—especially if you have ablack cat. Black cats are often associated with dark forces and are an easy target for Halloween pranksters who commit violent acts against unsuspecting kitties. You can also help black cats this Halloween by supporting PETA's SNIP mobile clinic.
Decorations pose a threat to dogs, cats, and other animals. Keep your animal companions away from jack-o-lanterns, candles, balloons, or other decorations that they could ingest, become tangled in, or be injured by.
One of the biggest hazards to four-legged friends during Halloween is candy. Keep candy in secure containers and in an area that your animal companions cannot gain access to. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and sugary candy can lead to pancreatitis. Raisins, certain nuts, and xylitol (an artificial sweetener found in some gums and candies) can also be poisonous to furry friends. Plus, animals don't remove the wrappers from candy and may try to eat discarded wrappers—ingesting these wrappers can cause choking or life-threatening bowel obstruction.
If you think your animal companion has ingested something, symptoms to watch for include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, not defecating or straining to defecate, agitation, increased thirst, an elevated heart rate, and in severe cases, seizures. Contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline immediately.
Do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian or the 24-hour Pet Poison Helpline immediately at 1-800-213-6680 if you suspect that your animal companion has ingested something or might be injured. Keep these numbers on hand for quicker response—the faster that you can get help, the less your animal companion will suffer and the more likely he or she will make a speedy recovery


HALLOWEEN DOG PARADE IN LONG BEACH
HAUTE DOG HOWL'OWEEN PARADE is Sun., Oct. 28, 2012, 2:30 p.m., to include more than 400 costumed dogs and a few thousand dogless gawkers.
Haute Dogs is expected to again donate thousands of dollars to animal welfare programs from money raised. There is no charge to spectate. DETAILS
SEEhttp://www.hautedogs.org/howloween.html
$10/dog, advance
$20/dog day of event
$35/VIP dog (advance only)
V.I.P. (Very Important Pooch!) you and your dog get to walk near the front of the parade

Picnic with Sen. Ted Lieu!

PICNIC with Senator Ted Lieu

UNLEASH THE BEACH SUPPORTERS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED!

A chance for dog beach supporters to meet each other and have fun while also having a chance to meet Sen. Lieu and tell him how important the dog beach is to you!

State Senator Ted Lieu To Be Featured Speaker At Activist Support Circle Annual Potluck Public Picnic
Date: Sunday, August 12
Time: 1:00PM
Location: Santa Monica Clover Park
2600 Ocean Park Boulevard
Santa Monica 90405

Senator Lieu is the representative for the 28th District and soon will be representing Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades and other Westside areas and is working with Unleash the Beach for a pilot dog beach program in Santa Monica!

No charge to attend. Free on-site parking.
Picnic event participants are invited to bring a vegetarian potluck dish to share.

DOGS ARE ALLOWED IN CLOVER PARK ON LEASH. IF YOU BRING YOUR DOG, PLEASE MAKE SURE SHE IS WELL BEHAVED AROUND FOOD!

The Activist Support Circle is an ongoing open support group for progressive activists helping to guard against activist burnout.
Thank you, Jerry Rubin, for the special invitation for Unleash the Beach members!

In the Meantime...Support Is Mounting!

We have been contacted by California Assemblywoman Betsy Butler, who is running for the Assembly seat for Santa Monica, Palisades and other Westside areas in November (vs. Mayor Richard Bloom).

Rep. Butler has been trying to get a dog beach pilot going in El Segundo and is aware of the many potential administrative pitfalls.  She is pro-actively offering to talk to her contacts at the State level about moving our pilot project along and also to working with Senator Lieu.

Two New Influential Supporters Join the Ranks

Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Barry Baum, we now have the support of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association. They have released a statement of endorsement for the efforts of Unleash the Beach!

Ca. Deputy District Attorney Doug Knoll has recently moved to Santa Monica.  He thinks it's a great idea to take his dogs to the beach and will be following up that thought to Gov. Jerry Brown and the Sec. of Natural Resources!

We have also written a letter to the Natural Resources Secretary and requested that when replacing the Director of State Parks (who as you know resigned over a money scandal), that they consider finding someone who is more responsive to the needs and demonstrated desires of the community and animals!

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL ON THE 12th!!!


  Friends and Supporters of Unleash the Beach:

Santa Monica City Council
Senator Ted Lieu
Mayor RIchard Bloom
Assemblywoman Betsy Butler
State Deputy District Attorney Doug Knoll
S.P.C.A.L.A.
Animal Defenders International
In Defense of Animals
The Pelican Network
Best Friends
Los Angeles Times
Santa Monica Daily Press
So. California Veterinary Medical Association
Center Sinai Animal Hospital
Animal Wellness Center
Warren Eckstein's The Pet Show
Healthy Spot
To Wag For
Bark Williams
Animal Kingdom
The Omelette Parlor
Rick's Tavern
Misofishy
The Talking Stick Cafe
212 Pier Cafe
Witzend Club
The Golding Gallery

JUNE 5:  VOTE WITH UNLEASH THE BEACH IN MIND!!

Unleash the Beach News presents Your Vote For The Santa Monica Dog Beach Senator Ted Lieu has asked us to elicit support for the dog beach from all the candidates running for office this year in the State Assembly 50th District. This district  is comprised of  Santa Monica, Malibu, Brentwood, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Carthay Square, West Hollywood, much of Hollywood, Hancock Park, Miracle Mile, as well as Pacific Palisades, Topanga, part of the Santa Monica Mountains and Agoura Hills. We have done our due diligence by contacting each of the candidates and their campaigns a few times to make sure they understood the issues and tried to get a clear picture of where they stand regarding the dog beach. We are happy to share this information. Assemblywoman Betsy Butler - who is currently serving in the South Bay enthusiastically endorses a pilot dog beach. She has already conducted meetings with involved parties to try and help get a dog beach pilot program in Redondo Beach. Redondo is probably a more difficult location as some of the city officials involved strongly oppose it. Admittedly Santa Monica has a head start on Los Angeles as we have the full support of the City Council, and now we also have the support of Senator Ted Lieu. Betsy promises to work wholeheartedly with Sen Lieu and a dog beach is something she truly believes in. Even though she does not have dogs herself she sees how happy all are at dog beaches.  She is also on the Assembly committee that would oversee this issue should it end up in the legislature. A staunch environmentalist, Betsy is endorsed by the California League of Conservation Voters on all issues, including water quality, ocean protection. Mayor Richard Bloom - 'I think I've already answered your question by voting for the pilot project in Santa Monica.  I haven't changed my position, continue to think it is worthy and would vote accordingly in the legislature.  So, I am glad that Sen. Lieu is on board and am happy to lend my support." Richard is a member of the Coastal Commission which could weigh in on this. Although in the first vote of 2005, he voted no, he has changed his mind in the 2011 vote and now thinks it would be a great asset to the city. A pilot program would be essential to prove that a dog beach can work as well here as it does in the almost 60 other dog beaches in the state. Brad Torgan - "I support your attempts to create a pilot off-leash dog park at Santa Monica State Beach... State Parks’ concerns are very real, and shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand, especially when it comes to things like liability and resource protection.  That said, you have something now that you didn’t have in 2006; evidence of over six more years of experience with dog parks at urban beaches in cities like Long Beach and Huntington Beach.That makes a pilot program, a time limited experiment if you will, a perfect compromise. If Senator Lieu has asked you to request a commitment to work with him from the Assembly candidates in AD 50, then that commitment he has from me.  This is a bipartisan no-brainer". Brad was the Chief Counsel for State Parks for several years and stood for their position in the dog beach battles in Santa Cruz. However he feels that since Santa Monica is an urban beach plowed daily, there is not the same concern for wildlife habitat; and the fact that we have community support and City Council support is important to him.  He is the only Republican running for this office. Torie Osborn - We have tried to reach Torie many times, and received a letter from Madeleine, her campaign manager that she is too busy before the primaries to get back to us. We then contacted her p.r. people who contacted her campaign manager for us. I finally was able to speak with Madeleine and she told me Torie knows nothing of the issue. I happily emailed her all the relevant documents and history of the dog beach campaign, told her I was happy to answer any questions, and also told her that her response was going to go in this newsletter. I followed up again earlier in the week and was told she would try to get something out. We are still waiting... Of course there are different issues to consider when voting, but wouldn't it be great to get a candidate who will enthusiastically help us and Senator Lieu make our dog beach happen! PLEASE EXPRESS YOUR OPINION BY VOTING. Don't forget to sign our online petition if you haven't done so and to enlist your friends. GO TO: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/allow-the-city-of-santa-monica-to-create-a-pilot-dog-beach FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS OF UNLEASH THE BEACH: Santa Monica City Council Senator Ted Lieu S.P.C.A.L.A. Animal Defenders International In Defense of Animals The Pelican Network Best Friends Los Angeles Times Santa Monica Daily Press To Wag For Got Pet Food Healthy Spot Animal Kingdom Omelette Parlor 22 Pier Cafe Misofishy Rick's Tavern

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.