Give Back to Protect Our Environment

Billed as the largest single-day volunteer event in San Diego, the 28th annual Coastal Cleanup Day is Saturday, Sept. 15. Around 8,000 volunteers are expected to come out to 85 sites across the county to perform cleanups and other beautification projects at local creeks, bays, parks and beaches, including a site at Lake Poway. Organizers of I Love a Clean San Diego remind us that while the event is called “Coastal” Cleanup Day, 80 percent of the sites are in inland areas where the majority of marine debris originates.

Last year, volunteers picked up 150,000 pounds of debris from across San Diego County, and an additional 2,000 volunteers gave support south of the border along the internationally shared Tijuana River Watershed. Along with trash removal, other activities include storm drain stenciling, invasive plant removal, native planting and graffiti removal. Volunteers of all ages are needed from 9 a.m. to noon. You are encouraged to gather your own re-usable cleanup supplies like reusable water bottles, gardening gloves and buckets to collect trash and register right now at www.cleanupday.org.

A LOOK BEHIND THE ORANGE CURTAIN

As we learned at the standing-room-only town hall meeting at Templar’s Hall in January, Poway is not immune to the problem of teenage drug abuse. Now, the award-winning documentary film Behind the Orange Curtain will have its San Diego premiere Tuesday night from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Poway Arts Center.

Conceived when the owner of The Performers Academy in Laguna Hills accompanied her daughter to the funeral of a 17-year-old friend who had died of a prescription drug overdose, the film dives deeply into the issues of a problem where there is no easy answer. While this documentary was filmed in Orange County, the rise of prescription medication abuse, addiction and death is plaguing youth and destroying families across the country. Guest speakers will include former Padre Bret Boone, Pacific Treatment Center’s Will Wooton and Poway High graduate Aaron Rubin and his family, who are featured in the film. Reserve your free tickets at www.hope2gether.org.

FREE DENTAL CLINIC

Your children can get a free dental sealant, screening and varnish this Saturday when the non-profit Neighborhood Healthcare hosts a free clinic. Partnering with the North County Dental Task Force, First 5 San Diego, Share and Care, San Diego Dental Society and a dedicated volunteer team of San Diego dentists, hygienists and assistants, the clinic will run from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. At Ray M. Dickinson Wellness Center, 425 N. Date Street in Escondido.

The fluoride varnish is a coating painted on to the teeth to prevent new cavities and stop ones that have already started. Your child is welcome regardless of your financial situation. Walk-ins are accepted but priority will be given to those with appointments. Phone (619) 692-8858 by Friday.