s we head into a new year, it’s a good time to reflect on all that we have accomplished and to look forward to the possibilities of the year ahead. It is a time to set new goals, make new plans, and start fresh.
This year, moreover, in the last three years, we have all been through a lot. We have faced challenges and hardships and had to adapt to a new way of living. But through it all, we have persevered and shown our resilience.
As we embark on this new journey, it is important to remember that we are not alone. We are part of a larger community, a global family, and we have the support of countless others who are also striving for a better, brighter future.
As the great philosopher, Aristotle once said, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Let us remember this as we enter the new year, and let us work together to achieve great things.
So as we enter into the new year, let us not forget the lessons that we have learned and the strength that we have gained. Let
us continue to be kind and compassionate, and to strive for a better future for all. Let us be inspired by one another. Let us draw strength from the achievements of those who have come before us, and let us support and encourage one another as we pursue our own dreams and goals.
We are deeply grateful for all the support of our publication and our team over the years. We are committed to bringing you the stories of the incredible people, events, and businesses that make up our community.
Here’s to a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year for us all! Let us embrace the possibilities and opportunities that it holds, and let us support one another as we strive for a better future for all.
We hope you enjoy this month’s issue of Avila Beach Life. Cheers!
“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something.”
— Neil Gaiman
Greetings, fellow Avilones . Happy New Year, one and all! Yep, we made it –er, limped – through 2022 and now face the challenges of 2023. The first task is post-holiday tidying up. Put the decorations back in the closet, place the used gift wrap in the trash, and figure which of the gifts you received need to be returned for store credit towards something you can actually use. At the beginning of last year Covid was still very much on our minds. Booster shots were readily available, and people were still wearing masks at indoor locations, but things began to open up by mid-year (thankfully). While Covid is still a factor – particularly these winter months
– greater concerns loom over the economy, and the prediction by some that a recession is coming seems to dominate the news these days. Interest rates are up, real estate sales are cooling, and inflation just won’t go away and leave us alone. At least gasoline prices are going down. Kinda makes me want to go for a drive just to enjoy the savings.
The Foundation Board of Trustees has been shuffled a bit heading into 2023. Retiring from our board is Mike Ginn, who has served for 12 years – three as president. Dang, we will miss him! Next on the “shuffle” list is 2022 President Cyndy Lakowske, who, along with her husband Steve, is relocating to Sedona in a few months and will leave the board at that time – another great loss for the Foundation and our community. Fortunately, 2022 vice president Barbara Nicholson has stepped into the 2023 Presidency – she will be terrific! Replacing Barbara as vice president is Saul Golberg, who has been with us since 2016. Ellen Pitrowski enters her fourth year as secretary, and Patrick Corrigan enters his second year as treasurer. Rounding out our line-up for 2023 are returning Trustees Bev Aho, Lucinda Borchard,
Joe Caradonna, Percy Jones, Paul Prather, Debra Pritchard, and Richard Zacky. My thanks to each of them for their dedication to the community.
Preview of Coming Attractions: Last month, I mentioned that the Foundation had been in discussions with local historian Pete Kelley about the sharing of his incredible treasure trove of old-time photos and stories about Avila in the early days. Well, the date is set! Pete will offer these photos and his knowledge via a slide-show presentation and narrative on Thursday evening, March 30, at the Avila Beach Community Center. Mark your calendars and be on the lookout for an invitation to attend in another month or so. The event is free but will be limited to the first 80 people who sign-up. Dinner is not included, but available will be some desserts, coffee, and adult beverages.
Coming Through in the Clutch: We at the Foundation were delighted to receive a year-end grant from PG&E in the amount of $10,000. These funds will be used for our ongoing Avila Beach beautification projects, such as the seasonal beacharea sand and
debris removal program, the maintenance and restoration of Avila’s public art installations, and towards the removal of graffiti on local public structures. Many thanks to PG&E for the company’s longstanding commitment to our community, and to PG&E Public Policy and External Affairs Eric Daniels for his advocacy on our behalf. Some of you may have noticed the graffiti attack earlier this year on one of the Avila Beach Lifeguard Towers murals that have been enjoyed by so many since installed by local artist Colleen Gnos. I am pleased to report that Colleen and local Avilone Bev Aho recently applied some “elbow grease” to remove the graffiti, after which Colleen touched up the damaged area using her special skills. While we can hope no further attacks occur, it is likely that there will be more knuckleheads out there just waiting for the opportunity to ruin things for the rest of us. Thankfully the Foundation has a special fund set aside to pay for any further graffiti or damage to Avila’s public art installations.
That’s all for now. See you at the beach!
Well, my friends, as you know, we lived through a very bad weather weekend in the middle of December when, of course, Santa’s Doggie Parade was scheduled. I am sorry to say that, even though we really need the rain, it sure picked a bad time to drop on us since I had to cancel the parade.
On a good note, I am happy to tell you
that we will be hosting our first-ever Cupid Paws Parade on Saturday, February 4, and want everyone to know that red costumes for Christmas or Valentine’s Day would be totally appropriate! Registration and check-in will be held in front of the Old Custom House from 10-10:45 a.m., and the parade will begin at 11 a.m. I won’t be announcing any of the special attractions
that are being planned at this time, but it will be great. Petco Arroyo Grande once again donated doggie treat bags for each participant!
Please check out our website at avilabeachcc.com for more information and your registration form. See you at the parade!
You never know where you will find really interesting facts about our beautiful community. This month, I had the pleasure of meeting with Jim and Corine Ellsworth to discuss their generosity of giving back to the Point San Luis Lighthouse. Little did I know that they have such a rich personal history.
Jim was born in San Luis Obispo but moved to the Bay Area when he was very young. He married Cathy and had two children, Tim and Jamie. Cathy worked at the same law firm in San Jose as Corine, and the two couples became very good friends. Unfortunately, Cathy died when the children were 7 and 8 years old, which devastated her family and Corine as well. Corine lost contact with Jim and his family and eventually divorced her husband, Mike. After about three years, Corine decided to call Jim to see how he and the children were doing. They had dinner to catch up…and have been together for 35 years!
Corine has spent her entire career in the legal field and is currently the foreperson for the San Luis Obispo County Civil Grand Jury. She is perfect for this position since she has a great understanding of the oversight responsibility of the 19-member Civil Grand Jury over the county processes. A grand jury examines all aspects of local government, ensuring that the county is being governed honestly and efficiently and that county monies are being handled judiciously. You can learn more about the Civil Grand Jury at slo.courts.ca.gov.
Jim was a maintenance mechanic at the Permanente Cement Company until he retired at age 52. Since he is not one to sit on his hands, he needed an outlet for his many talents after finishing a number of projects around their home in Avila Beach. Luckily for the Point San Luis Lighthouse, he began to volunteer for the restoration of the facilities with Walt Musso, and, 17 years later, he is the president of the Lighthouse’s Board of Directors and still working around the Lighthouse.
Not to be left out of the fun, Corine has also been volunteering at the Lighthouse for 17 years in the kitchen, and Wild Cherry Canyon parking for events and concerts…and both have been tour guides for a number of years.
When I asked Jim what he loves about living in Avila Beach and being at the Lighthouse, he said, “what’s not to love about the view and the weather and the people and everything that is so beautiful here!”
Now, you are probably wondering why I have attached so many historical pictures to today’s column, and the reason is something that many long-time residents already know: Jim’s dad Burton and Uncle Edwin sold Les’s Market on Church Street to start Ellsworth Market on Broad/Lincoln in San Luis Obispo. They had the best meat market in the state, and Uncle Ed actually was a hunter and brought some of his meats to the market. Eventually, they sold the market, and today it is the Lincoln Street Market, at which I had lunch today and was able to photograph all of these pictures. The food is still terrific, as the many Cal Poly students that form lines each day can attest!
Rocco was dumped at an airport enclosure in East Bakersfield and rescued by Dara Alford’s son-in-law and daughter. Dara puppysat him for two weeks in April, and they fell deeply, deeply in love, so Dara and Skip had no choice but to adopt the adorable 2-1/2-year-old and bring him to Indian Hill. One evening in July, Rocco was small game hunting out
front, and BAAAMM!!!
He was struck by a rattlesnake. His Dad rushed him to Atascadero Pet Emergency, who were waiting for him with anti-venom. He healed up and no longer hunts by that tree! From East Bakersfield to Avila Beach…Rocco is one grateful Jackwawa (Jack Russell Chihuahua mix)!
Jim and Corine Ellsworth were good friends who went out for dinner to catch up 35 years ago, and have been together ever since. Contributed Photo
An Easter crowd poses in front of a van for Ellsworth’s Market, which still operates as the Lincoln Street Market.
William J. Smith was keeper at Point San Luis from 1905 until 1920, having replaced Henry Young who, after 15 years of service here, moved to the Alcatraz Island Lighthouse. Smith transferred to Point San Luis from the Point Arena Lighthouse, bringing his wife Nannie and their four children, Elsie, Bessie, Edna, and Ralph.
Ralph, age 15 when he arrived, graduated from San Luis High in 1911, where he played on the baseball team and served as student body treasurer. He then attended UC Berkeley where he received a degree in dentistry. On September 11, 1917, while practicing as a dentist in San Francisco, he enlisted in the Army and served with the Dental Corps, 31st Infantry, as a first lieutenant.
During the Russian Civil War, the 31st Infantry was stationed in Siberia as part of the American Expeditionary Force. Ralph was assigned to the camp’s infirmary. Following are excerpts from letters he wrote to his father from Siberia, which the keeper must have shared with the local newspaper. The letters were printed in the December 2, 1918, edition of the San Luis Obispo Daily Telegram:
A Seaport in Siberia, September 10, 1918: Dear Dad,
We arrived here safely and so far things are pretty good. We have had two days of rain and it looks like more rain — the climate here is about the same as San Francisco this time of year. I am assigned to an infantry regiment and am on duty at their infirmary here near the city. I have been about quite a little since I arrived and some parts of the surrounding country are certainly pretty. The railroad here reminds me of the old P.C. [Pacific Coast Railway], only the gauge is much broader.
Vladivostok, September 18, 1918:
I am still pegging along, pulling a tooth now and then. I believe I will take on a name more Russian than mine and call it “Pullatuski.” It is getting a little colder now and I suppose we will have severe weather soon. This is quite a place and in peacetime I imagine it was a lively town.
Vladivostok, September 19, 1918:
Tonight is a humdinger. It has been raining all day and it certainly knows how in these parts, and tonight the wind is howling like it used to at Point Arena. We have stoves fully ten feet high in our rooms and they are lined with brick and when once heated they certainly keep a room warmed up. So I guess we won’t freeze this winter. The Russians built these houses with walls three feet thick, and double windows, and I guess they knew what they were doing. They were great on high ceilings and doors, which reach nearly to the ceilings. I am feeling fine and dandy and expect to enjoy the snow. It will be quite a novelty for us Californians and if we do not have to spend too many winters here it will be okay. The big game up the country a
ways is plentiful I hear, and I hope to get a crack at it before this fracas is over.
Vladivostok, September 24, 1918:
We are having a few fine days. I took a walk along the waterfront Sunday and saw some great sights. I stopped in at the YMCA and I want to tell you those people are on the job all the time everywhere. It is mighty nice for a soldier to be able to go to a place like they have and be able to read or write as he sees fit and to enjoy a little music or play a game of billiards, checkers, chess, etc. All the allied soldiers go there and it helps our boys to get acquainted with our allies. I cannot say too much in praise of the Czechs, by the way. They don’t know what it means to quit. They are some fighters and it heartens them to know that we are with them; what a crime it would have been for us to have stayed out of this. Our boys are in good spirits over here and are well-liked by the natives. I would almost take an oath that nine-tenths of our army would die willingly rather than quit before this is settled justly.
Vladivostok, October 28, 1918:
Well, Dad, I am still in the same old place. A few miles north of here are some of the largest wheat fields I have ever seen. This country is the richest in the world, but is woefully undeveloped and everything is done in a primitive fashion.
Winter has set in now by the looks of things and I’ll say that it is some cold. I’ve never felt anything like it. It goes through your ordinary clothes as though you had nothing on but we have all changed into our winter togs so perhaps can stand it. The little streams around here are all frozen over and it looks like Siberia sure enough now. We got President Wilson’s answer to Germany today and that old “Boy” can certainly talk to them.* I hope to get in on a hunting trip that some of the officers are planning on. There are all kinds of game out a few miles. They have a tiger as big as a lion. I saw some at a zoo in town and they are a pretty animal. Then there are bear, lynx and deer; also there are pheasants right around here but we have no shotgun ammunition so they are pretty safe. This is quite a country and if things ever get settled I would not mind living here. The harbor is ideal and is perfectly landlocked, but of course in winter it is a job to keep it open.
I suppose I have told you what a fine people those Czecho-Slovaks are. They have
surely put the fear of God into the Bolsheviks around here. They are a fine-looking lot of fellows. These fellows fought their way through Russia against fearful odds and I think they should be congratulated. They were originally, as you know, in the Austrian army, but they promptly deserted to the allied cause and their capture meant instant death. I know one of their doctors and it is interesting to listen to him tell of their struggles against the Germans and Bolsheviks. My hat is off to them and I wish there were more like them. The Yanks are all in good health and all they crave is a little action but I guess our chance of seeing it is slight, for the Czechs have cleaned up pretty well. Well, Dad, I’ll close for this time and hit the hay.
From your son, Ralph
On May 3, 1919, Keeper Smith received a wireless from Ralph that he was on his way home from Siberia. Lieut. Smith returned home May 6, 1919, on the troopship Logan.
The San Francisco Call reported on the ship’s arrival in San Francisco:
Happy to be out of Siberia, happier to be home once more, 115 commissioned officers of the American Expeditionary Force, the first large contingent brought out of Siberia, arrived in San Francisco today on the army transport Logan. Not one of the returned officers would consent to be quoted concerning conditions in Siberia, but they unhesitatingly declared that Americans are too good to be wasted in a war with Bolsheviks, with Russians and Japanese as allies.
Smith was honorably discharged from the Army on May 7, 1919. Shortly after disembarking, he and his wife drove down to Point San Luis to visit with his father at the lighthouse. (Ralph had married Ira Kruft, a schoolteacher and friend of his sister Elsie, in 1917, shortly after enlisting). What a joyful reunion it must have been; what stories Ralph must have shared!
After returning to San Francisco, Ralph resumed his dental practice. He practiced dentistry in San Francisco until his death in 1950.
*On October 4, 1918, the German Chancellor sent a telegram to Wilson requesting an armistice between Germany and the Allied powers. Wilson’s response, in notes of October 14 and 23, made it clear the Allies would only deal with a democratic Germany, not an imperial state. Germany continued to fight, but on November 7, the German army’s chief of staff contacted the Allied Supreme Commander to open armistice negotiations; four days later WWI came to an end. (Source: History.com.)
A version of this article appeared in the April 2022 edition of Keeper’s Log, the quarterly newsletter of the Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers.
Author’s note: “The Lighthouse at Point San Luis,” published by the United States Lighthouse Society, is now available on Amazon and at pointsanluislighthouse.org. All proceeds benefit the United States Lighthouse Society and the Point San Luis Light Station, two non-profits dedicated to preserving lighthouse history. If you know a lighthouse lover, or someone who enjoys local history, it might make a nice gift.
Postcard photo of 1911 graduating class at San Luis High. Ralph Smith is seated third from left. Courtesy of Pam Parsons
Ralph Smith returned to the U.S. from Siberia on the army transport Logan, shown here. He fought in the Russian Civil War.
William J. Smith was the lighthouse keeper at Point San Luis from 1905-20. Contributed Photos
By CAMILLE DEVAUL For Avila Beach Life
Eleven years ago, two friends sat in a Shell Beach cafe and decided to take a dip in the ocean to ring in the New Year. Now, every year since, Alan Raul and Cary Geihs are joined by hundreds for the Avila Beach Polar Bear Plunge.
Countries all over the world celebrate the New Year with a “polar bear plunge” to signify washing off the old year and welcoming new beginnings. Some plunges in the United States date back as far as 1904. In Avila Beach, the plunge is a celebration of fitness, nature, a New Year, camaraderie, and, finally, dessert. The dessert comes as a celebration of braving the cold-temperature waters and can be embraced with a cup of coffee, or something sweet from one of the local Avila Beach establishments. And if you haven’t had enough cold in your day, some ice cream.
The first plunge came at noon on January 1, 2013, with large waves crashing down the beach.
“The ocean gods have been very kind to us. They have not had that big of waves since that time,” Alan says, remembering that first day.
Alan, who in his own words is a “water person,” likes to hold his own plunges throughout the year. He and Cary were brought together through their love of water sports and photography. Both reside in Shell and Pismo Beach and have a fondness for Avila Beach that is unmatched.
The friends’ plunge went from two people to 20 friends plunging the ocean waters together to 200 plungers the following year.
Cary, who watched their innocent dip grow into a thousand participants, says, “I see it continuing to grow each year.”
After the dip drew 200 participants, Alan was approached by the Port San Luis Harbor District while having some lunch in the Avila Market. Turns out the plunge did not go unnoticed and Alan and Cary would have to make this event official with permits and insurance.
To give back to the community, Cary and Alan developed a partnership with the local nonprofit Friends of 40 Prado. With its origins beginning in 1993, the mission of the Friends of 40 Prado is to provide support funding for the nonprofit’s operations and help homeless people in the community find a level of self-sufficiency appropriate to each individual.
To accomplish this supportive effort, Cary and Alan began designing and selling T-shirts at the polar plunge. Proceeds from the shirts help pay for the plunge’s expenses, and the rest go to Friends of 40 Prado.
In 2021, the polar plunge had nearly 1,000 plunging participants and raised nearly $4,000 for the nonprofit. This year, Cary and Alan say they hope to raise enough to give some of their proceeds to another nonprofit, Friends of Avila Pier.
Friends of Avila Pier is another nonprofit that was organzied by volunteers from the Avila Beach community with the sole purpose of assisting in raising funds to preserve, renovate and maintain Avila Pier.
The nonprofit says, “We need to raise money from our amazing community to augment grant funds secured by the Port San Luis Harbor District. This will ensure that the Harbor District can repair and preserve the marine heritage and character of the local port for future generations.”
The Avila Pier has been under renovation and repairs since about 2015. With much of the typical wear and tear damage caused by years of storms, it wasn’t until the humpback whales’ arrival in May of 2015 that ended in closing the pier for public safety. The whales’ arrival in the harbor attracted high amounts of spectators to the pier which caused the pier to sway as people
ran from one side of the pier to the other to catch a glimpse of the whales.
Donations received by Friends of Avila Pier from 2019 through 2021 were used to facilitate the start of Stage 1 repairs in the summer of 2022 — now they are raising funds to help the final two stages of the pier’s restoration.
The pier itself could be considered the heart of Avila Beach and it is where all the action happens on plunge day.
On New Years Day, families and plungers of all kinds gather around the pier, getting pumped up to embrace the chilly waters. A DJ plays music under the pier, getting everyone excited. Since the very first plunge, everyone runs for the waters right at noon. The build up and countdown to the run is one of Cary’s favorite parts of the event.
“It’s a fun event to bring in the new year and wash off the old year,” says Cary. “The fact that were doing it for some good causes [adds to the fun].”
People have started to come to the plunge in creative costumes, adding to the fun of the day. While the beach is full of plungers, there are even more spectators on the pier and boardwalk.
Alan, who is contemplating wearing his own costume this year, says, “We have quite the spectator audience.”
Polar Bear Dip T-shirts will be available on the day of the event, and both Alan and Cary recommend coming early to find a good parking spot and to enjoy as much camaraderie as possible. And if years prior are any indication, it is sure to be a good turnout this year.
“We used to have flyers and post on windows and everything,” says Alan. “We don’t even do that anymore. It’s almost a given. Everybody in this area knows.”
Some people, like Cary, view the New Year’s Day plunge as a symbolic start to the year. But others, like Alan, just do it for fun.
“Any excuse to do something extreme, I’m game for it,” he says.
Whatever your reason for being a polar bear on New Years Day, remember to “Be Bold ... Get Cold.”
For more information on the Avila Beach Polar Bear Plunge, visit avilabeachpolarbearplunge.com
Friends Cary Geihs (left) and Alan Raul pose in front of one of the iconic Avila Beach lifeguard tower. Photo by Rick Evans The Polar Plunge starts alongside the Avila Pier at Noon each year. Photo by Rick Evans A photo from the second Polar Plunge at Avila Beach where more friends joined Cary and Alan. Contributed photo Cary with his schnauzer’s Grace (left) and Grant at Avila Beach. Photo by Rick Evans Cary during their first polar dip eleven years ago. Contributed PhotoAreport last year from the Environmental Protection Agency states that over one-third of the food produced here in the United States is not eaten. This uneaten food wastes the resources of those of us who produce and deliver it, plus it creates a whole bunch of environmental impacts. The most single common delivery to landfills (24 percent) or incinerators (22 percent) in the United States is food waste. Changes to the food system are essential to eliminate food waste. Even if fossil fuel emissions are eliminated, the present food system prevents getting to the goal of reducing emissions by achieving global emissions to the magical 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
Reducing food waste can help feed the world’s growing population, which is predicted to increase from the present 8 billion population to another half billion
people at the end of this decade, 9.7 billion by 2050, and 10.4 billion at the end of this century as predicted by the United Nations. We will need to increase food production by 50 percent to meet the challenge of feeding all these people and knocking back on food waste worldwide will go a long way to help the situation.
The EPA reports are staggering when you see what goes into producing all that food loss and waste (FLW). Here is a long list of the estimated FLW during all stages of the food supply chain (cradle to grave): 161 billion to 335 billion pounds of FLW per year or 223 to 1,000 pounds per person per year; 140 million acres of agriculture land equaling the size of California and New York combined; 5.9 trillion gallons of blue water (rivers, dams, aquifers, lakes, etc.) that power 50 million homes, and that’s not counting landfill emissions that is equivalent to the annual emissions of 42 coal-fired power plants. The uneaten food has enough calories to feed 150 million people each year which is 25 percent of the people short of food in the states.
The EPA’s goal now is to cut in half these statistics by using three key points: First, the best environmental benefit is “prevention” instead of recycling. Second, the largest energy and greenhouse emissions benefit is
BOB JONES TRAIL By BETTY HARTIG For Avila Beach Life
There is a muscular medium-sized cat in town that is often seen near hiking and biking trails, like the Bob Jones Pathway. It is not a domestic cat nor the news-making mountain lion. This cat is a bobcat, which is easily identified by black tufted ears with prominent white dots on the back. Bobcat sightings have kicked up a notch recently, just like other wildlife that reside in San Luis Obispo County.
Bobcats are appropriately named after their short, bobbed tail. The tip of that tail is black on top and white on the underside. The feline has a round face with ruffs of fur on the side of the head resembling sideburns. Bobcats can vary slightly in size and physique but commonly are about two feet in height at the shoulder and can weigh between 12-33 pounds. The cat’s furry body is brown to light gray with black spots and bars, handsomely designed but also advantageous to blend in while hunting. Bobcats are about one quarter the size of a mountain lion and 2 to 3 times as large as a housecat. It is interesting to note that bobcats have a stealthy stride and can run up to thirty miles per hour, strategically placing their back feet in the same spots where their front feet have stepped. That action smartly reduces noise while moving about. Those skills, along with amazing jumping abilities, make them a top-notch predators.
In general, bobcats are solitary and elusive, typically avoiding humans. Vocalization seldom occurs. Hissing, growling, and screaming, are used when necessary. Preferred habitat preferences are areas with dense brush cover or steep rocky terrain, where excellent climbing dexterity is utilized. The wildcat is usually active at night, and during twilight hours; however, it is not unusual for daytime
contact. Bobcats are wary of people. Nonetheless, unprotected pets may be at risk. It is best not to leave small pets unattended outdoors. Bobcats are predominantly carnivorous, feasting on rabbits, woodrats, raccoons, birds, reptiles, and even deer fawns, which are all abundant wildlife living in Avila’s woodlands, especially along the San Luis Creek. The bobcat plays a key role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem by controlling prey populations, patiently stalking and ambushing prey from the ground, trees, logs, or rocks using a lethal pounce! It is no wonder that bobcats have been spotted more frequently near the Bob Jones Trail. There is a convenient food source and water nearby, which is critical for survival; with the extended periods of drought, the area becomes prime real estate for a variety of animals.
Female bobcats normally have a litter of 2-4 kittens born in April through July. Birthing takes place in dens found in caves, hollow logs, or trees. It is surmised that kittens follow mom by focusing on the white underside of her tail along with two white spots on her ears. Those markings are useful adaptations for helping keep her youngsters in line. Young bobcats leave the family at approximately eight months old.
If you see a bobcat while you are trekking outdoors, do not approach it. It is best
by reducing food waste at home and restaurants. Third, and here comes the rub for me anyway, “Focusing on reducing FLW of the resource-intensive foods, such as animal products, fruits, and vegetables, can yield the greatest environmental benefits.”
Is this a veiled meaning that we need to go all out for organic food and cut back on fertilization such as nitrogen products? I thought we were going to have to increase production by 50 percent to feed upcoming increases in population and they are saying we need to cut back on meat, fruit, and veggies because they can spoil easier than other foods? I worry they are looking at trying to dictate a diet that doesn’t have a lot of food waste (“prevention as in first”) in the name of “saving the environment.”
A few energy notes: You have probably read, in WSJ and others, that the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility for the first time with 192 laser beams heated and compressed a capsule of hydrogen to previously unattainable temperatures and pressure and igniting fusion reactions that produced 50 percent more energy than the laser beams had delivered. This is a major breakthrough akin to the Wright brothers’ flight.
The other discovery is that the rocks from
the moon brought back by a China mission contain a rare lunar crystal from the near side of the moon that may provide limitless power forever for the world. The crystal contains Helium-3, which may be a stable fuel source for nuclear fusion reactors and seems to be fairly common on the moon and very rare here on earth. So, the race to the moon is on, and where we should first be doing more exploration and investment before Mars. There is the “NASA Artemis Accords that describe a shared vision of principals in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 to create a safe and transparent environment that facilitates exploration, science, and commercial activities for all of humanity to enjoy. More than a dozen countries have signed the Artemis Accords.” Guess who hasn’t? China and Russia are not among the signers because they claim that the accords are a vehicle for American domination of space, so expect that to be a future problem when miners start arriving on the moon not unlike what happened here in Califonia when gold was discovered — every man for himself.
“I want to make it abundantly clear (common political speech) after several months of alternate energy articles that I am not a climate-change denier, but in many cases a climate-change-solution denier!”
to respect all wildlife by keeping a distance. When encountering any wildcat, back away slowly and deliberately from the animal. Do not run away, as that could trigger a feline’s hunting instincts. Making loud noises and waving your arms can help scare the animal away.
Normally people see wildcats, such as bobcats and mountain lions, on athletic jerseys or school marquees. Here in Avila Beach, we see these wild creatures in our own backyard in a natural setting. How fortunate we are for this opportunity.
