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After a brief rest from 2007, we’re already off to a fast start in 2008 and it’s looking like it will be our busiest year by far! |
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 Whale Tails proudly continues to support Surfrider in their tireless efforts to keep the beaches clean and educate people about Marine Conservation. So far this year we have been involved in clean-ups at Sunset Cliffs, South Mission Beach and Oceanside in our own backyard in Southern California. In addition, we were the “Chip of Choice” at the 8th Annual Surfrider’s Art Gala featuring surf themed artwork from renowned local and national artists including Andy Davis, Michael Cassidy, Wade Koniakowsky, Leroy Grannis, Jeff Yeomans, Neil Bociek, Wyland, Ned Evans, John Sterling, Seth Thompson, Stephen King. There was great photography from Rob Machado, Aaron Chang and many more. The Gala graciously recognized individuals as well as local businesses that have made contributions to protecting the coastal environment and quality of marine life.
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 Word has it that Whale Tails inspired more than a few conversations at the Bel Air benefit for Leonardo DiCaprio’s 11th Hour Action Campaign
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Dr. Wallace J. Nichols Ocean Revolution.
The 11th Hour Action Campaign is an organization that provides funding for college students involved in Environmental Studies.
Ocean Revolution is an environmental organization that challenges individuals and corporations alike to INVOLVE, SOLVE & EVOLVE. Check out their websites. What an amazingly diverse group of incredibly generous people with great taste in chips!
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Whale Tails were on hand for dipping at this year’s benefit for the Action Sports Environmental Coalition. ASEC represents a group of individuals, athletes and companies who are out in the water, breathing the air, and playing in the snow and dirt every single day. Their members are intimately familiar with what’s happening on the planet and have come together to improve our collective environmental impact and to find better ways of educating the world about the dangers of global warming and the need for social responsibility.
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 Whale Tails once again found their way onto the table and into the hearts of all who attended the programs at The Gateway School of Santa Cruz & The La Jolla Children’s School in their efforts to get people more involved in the green movement, environmental awareness and ocean stewardship. With kids like these, we’re all going to be in good hands when it’s time to put the rocker on the porch and get an outrigger and paddle for the longboard!
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 Whale Tails were onboard The Catalina Flyer as it left the dock and headed out for the big annual fundraiser sponsored by The American Cetacean Society (ACS). The members of the Orange County branch sponsor this annual all-day trip around Catalina Island to educate the public about the migration of the Gray Whales. The ACS works to protect whales, dolphins, porpoises, and their habitats through education, conservation and research.
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Our chips once again took the place of popcorn at the San Francisco Ocean Film Festival, which is a volunteer driven non-profit organization dedicated to using film to improve public understanding of the environmental, social and cultural importance of marine ecosystems. This annual festival provides an opportunity to see beneath the surface of the waves and understand just how closely we depend on the ocean for survival. This year’s 5th Anniversary featured 50 films and 28 filmmakers from around the world and featured some amazingly inspiring work.
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Earth Day found us on the beach at Cardiff Reef with Patagonia and our good friends at Pro Peninsula helping fuel the volunteers that spent the morning cleaning up one of our favorite surfing spots. I can still remember back to a South Swell many years ago at the reef where I saw seven dolphins swimming on a wave, one of which jumped right over my head as I paddled out!
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We were on hand again this year as surfers took to the chilly waters of Westport, Washington for Surfrider’s Annual Clean Water Classic. It’s the largest surf contest / ocean event held in the Pacific Northwest. It’s always a good time for a great cause with a bunch of dedicated people coming together for the understanding, stewardship and preservation of the ocean. This year we even had sunshine!
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 Like I said, it’s been a busy year and its not even summer yet! We are really looking forward to some great events on the horizon and are extremely excited about what the future holds. Ric, Terry and I can’t begin to express how much we appreciate your support and how grateful we are that you continue to make our amazing Whale Tails journey possible. The spirit of Ocean Conservation is alive and growing! We’ve been told that “the ride” is just beginning for Whale Tails and we’re looking forward to a time that we can broaden our support and raise the bar on our commitment to a better future for our oceans, the whales and our planet. We believe that we’re all in this together and are honored to have you as involved friends and loyal customers. We’re looking forward to seeing you at some of the events this year. Until then, Taste the Difference & Make A Difference on this little blue ball we all call home.
In Friendchip,
Ric, Terry & Rick
For related stories click on our Press Page
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Thanks to our great customers and friends at retail, Whale Tails is pleased to announce our first donation to support ocean conservation. It's a great story that we're all a part of.
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Magdalena Bay - Baja California, Mexico |
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Well it has been almost ten months to the day and Whale Tails Tortilla Chips has reached their second milestone. Their first milestone was on Nov 11, 2005 when Rick Grant along with Ric and Terry Kraszewski produced the very first bags of Whale Tails Tortilla Chips. The second milestone was achieved today when they reached across the International Border and made their first donation to benefit marine conservation.
Chis Pesenti of ProPeninsula and Ric of WhaleTails |
Pictured to the left is Chris Pesenti of Pro Peninsula accepting the generous donation from Ric Kraszewski co-founder of Whale Tails Tortilla Chips. Chris of Pro Peninsula sits on the board of directors of Solis's Magdalena Baykeeper program in Baja California, Mexico. Chris was instrumental in putting Julio Solis and Whale Tails Tortilla Chips together. Rick Grant, “the other Rick,” put the word out to the Whale Tails Advisory board (made up of scientists, researchers, teachers, conservationists, retailers and customers) asking for suggestions on what individual or group should be considered for the first ten percent. After reviewing all the suggestions, the decision to go with Julio Solis seemed to be the best fit.
Julio Solis's Magdalena Baykeeper (Vigilante de Bahía Magdalena) group has been around for over a year now, just a little longer than Whale Tails Tortilla Chips. Chris Pesenti says “I have been truly impressed with their works. Julio Solís is a longtime fisher and resident of Puerto San Carlos. He started the organization to confront the water pollution issues in Magdalena Bay. Magdalena Bay comprises one of the most important wetland ecosystems on the Pacific coast of North America. The bay provides shelter for Pacific Gray Whales to rear their young before making the long journey north to the Bering Sea. Julio Solis can definitely make a lot happen with a little bit of money. Paying for the gas that goes in the panga boats, so the group can go out and do their monthly water quality surveys would make a huge difference. The current cost of fuel is so expensive that lack of funding could literally stop this effort.”
Julio Solis Dir Vigilante de Bahia Magalena |
Rick Grant, who has spent many years surfing and traveling in Baja Mexico, put it this way. “We told everyone we wanted to give this first ten percent to someone who has struggled to get their conservation effort off the ground, just like we have had to do with Whale Tails Tortilla Chips. We were able to relate to Julio's request and then make it happen. Its the same type of help Whale Tails Tortilla Chips has received from retailers like Whole Foods Southern California, Whole Foods Washington, Jimbo's Markets of San Diego, the Birch and Monterey aquariums and small delicatessen markets like Pelly's Cafe in Carlsbad, Olive Tree Market in Pt. Loma and Peoples Organic Food Store in Ocean Beach.” Ric Kraszewski of Whale Tails Tortilla Chips said that “Chris met us when we had a prototype and a dream. He has watched both us and Julio grow and I feel grateful that he put us together.” Chris Pesenti's group Pro Peninsula will act as a “pass through” organization. That would mean that a US organization receives the money and passes it on to the Mexican group. Chris Pesenti said, after receiving the donation, “both Whale Tails Tortilla Chips and Magadalena Baykeepers started with a desire to preserve our marine environment and I can't think of a better place to join together in that effort than 'Mag Bay' the birthplace of our California Grey Whale.”
To find out more about Julio Solis and Chris Pesenti you can visit their website: Pro Peninsula.org
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Whale Tails
