Clean Water Now! Coalition: 'Adios y muchisimas gracias!'

Original artwork by Laguna Beach native cartoonist John Lara in 1998. Graphic version refined and reformatted by Lorie Locaynia of Lake Forest in 2001.

(LAGUNA BEACH, CA) - The CWN!C which I co-founded and for whom I have proudly served as its only Executive Director is saying "Sayonara". We are presently in the process of drawing down its web presence plus reducing external and internal linkage to the maximum extent practicable.

Soon the site (plus attendant NGO) will become a fond memory and the major traces removed wherever possible. Our heritage of unprecedented, groundbreaking milestones are too numerous to list, but creative innovation was always our subtext goal. Then too, for better or worse, nothing ever dies on the web!

Like they say, don't lead OR assess your life while looking in the rear view mirror, observing where you've been. It's where you're going that matters. We'll be seeking forward-thinking metrics upon which to gauge our new path and measure our accomplishments in 2013. Regardless, the extensive media archives, the remnants of the CWN!C multiple achievements might linger as ghosts in the machine forever, who knows? That's the Tao of the Internet.

One notable exception that cannot go unmentioned are the two separate, distinct beach cleanup programs we pioneered: The often-held Adopt-A-Beach® cleanups and the big yearly venue, California Coastal Cleanup Day. To those we bid a fond and nostalgic "Adieu."

We administered both for 12 consecutive years, and under the supervision of the California Coastal Commission we set the bar pretty high for ourselves and our uncompensated staff. Award-winners, we were the 1st NGO to hold regular cleanups and administer both here in Laguna Beach.

The legacy we've left is intact due to all of the progeny that have mimed our prototype. Our volunteers and participants will have ample opportunities to return  and still perform them as a community service. The torch has been passed. We wish them nothing but goodness in their endeavors.

A special Mahalo and aloha to all who participated in the CWN!C, who supported it financially and/or assisted in any way (irregardless how minor their contribution) over its 14+ year successful arc. 

Special thanks to graphic artist and MAC pro Boyd Jackson of South Laguna.

It's time to move on----From our historical role, one that predominantly focused upon gaining much needed public and intense media attention to water-related deficiencies and adverse eco-impacts inflicted by private and public entities.