LOCAL NEWS ... BEACH VIEWS • AUGUST 2020
AVILABEACHLIFENEWS.COM
You are
Photo By Jay Olsen
AMAZING t a h t r e b m e m e R
SEE PAGE 4
VIEW FROM THE BEACH: BRINGING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE SEE PAGE 6
MORE EXAMPLES OF FARMERS BEING GOOD STEWARDS SEE PAGE 7
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 19 93446, CA
CARD GAMES AND VACATION KISSES AT POINT SAN LUIS
******ECRWSSEDDM****** POSTAL CUSTOMER AVILA BEACH, CA 93424
ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
2 | Avila Beach Life - August 2020
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E
ach month as we build out our publications, we are reminded of what incredible and resilient communities we live in and why we are proud to share and print the stories of the people who make it so special. August 2020 marks the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote. We believe our history is significant, and that is what all of our publications are once they are printed, a piece of history. We learn from what others have experienced, we learn from their mistakes and shortcomings, from their triumphs, and successes. Experiencing the stories of the courageous people of our past, even if today, we would look at some as ignorant, teaches us all a valuable lesson. And that lesson is not worth giving up. If we could be open enough to imagine what a moment in their time looked like, we can be proud of how far we have come. Now, we still have work to do; we
will always have work to do. That is the beauty of it all. The minute we do not see that change is needed in one form or another to address current issues, that is when we stop moving forward, and that is when we stop growing. Today I am proud to live a time that is not absurd for me to be a woman publisher, co-founder of a local media company, productive member of society, wife, and mother. My husband and I are a team, and together we divide and conquer, we are proud of what the women and men did together 100 years ago, they laid a foundation that we could all build upon, initiate change and inspire us to do better. Life is not easy; at times, you may have to work every day to get to where you want to be. Some days may be harder than others, darker than others, but you always have the choice to start over. The choice is up to you. We did not become publishers by chance. I did not leave my medical executive career to become the co-founder of
a media company without a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. The road has not been easy, to say the least, but I will tell you every moment has been worth it, and our kiddos have been right there with us through it all. So as we continue to walk through these challenging times, of open and closures, school or no school, mask or no masks, vaccine or no vaccine, protest or no protest, remember to love one another, give someone the benefit doubt, appreciate the differences of opinion before you shut them down completely, belittle them and spread hate as we see in the comments on our social media. Remember the support, love, and “in this together” we started this pandemic with because that is all that matters at the end of the day. We hope you enjoy this month’s issue of Avila Beach Life. Stay safe, share love, and be a good human, because you are amazing… remember that.
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Avila Beach Life - August 2020 | 3 FOUNDATION NEWS AND VIEWS
And Now For Some Big News Rick Cohen Avila Beach Foundation
G
reetings, fellow Avilones. I trust you are making the best of this summer, what with all the disruptions that have dominated our lives. How is it possible for days and weeks to drag on, yet rush by at the same time? Huh? Well, it sometimes feels like just yesterday that our country first entered shutdown mode, and sometimes it feels like eons ago. It also seems that each day plods along so painfully slow as we await and yearn for a return to normalcy. For many taking the road of caution, the world has shrunk to what can be safely done within our community’s confines. Others more prone to risk-taking have ventured into other parts of the state and country out of boredom and desire to go about their lives as accustomed. We all seek out pleasure in whichever ways we can, despite any challenges we face. My role at the “Foundation” has taken on an altered flavor this year. Ordinarily, mid-summer would be the beginning of our grant-making season, which involves developing the new grant application, circulating the request for proposals, and preparing for all the processes that go along with it between now and December. Lots of moving parts that typically proceed smoothly. But now, things are different. Several of our current agency and project grantees have
been closed for business, or have greatly altered their services, resulting in deviations from what the “Foundation” had funded this year. We have been monitoring their status and, in some cases, have modified grant awards to best enable the continuation or return to business for said agencies. At question is how many of our grantees will be back in operation in time to adhere to deadlines to apply for 2021 funding, and how we address the current and pending needs. For example, the Central Coast Aquarium and Avila Beach Community Center remain closed, with no specific reopening date. The Avila Trolley sits idle, the Junior Lifeguards program is operating a scaled-down version of its camp, Operation Surf may or may not be able to run their scheduled October camp, and Bellevue-Santa Fe School has been out of touch since classes were canceled. The PathPoint summer beach area clean-up project launched on July 13 but temporarily utilizing agency staff rather than program clients until approved by the State. Special thanks to project co-sponsors Chevron and SLO County Supervisor Adam Hill. Decisions on how to deal with our next round of grant-making procedures will be the primary discussion at the “Foundation’s” July 23 Board of Trustees meeting. As Avila Beach remains a current favorite of locals and visitors alike, there are many people
behind the scenes doing things to keep it special. Some “shout-outs” are in order, so please join me in recognizing a few. First, how can we be anything but awed by the great job done by our local firefighters called to action during the June fires in Avila and Shell Beach? As flames consumed 100s of acres, amazingly, not one structure succumbed, thanks to the heroic efforts of Cal Fire and other central coast fire stations. And let’s say thanks to resident Bev Aho for her work advocating for the removal of excess trash at the beach and park, and for picking up after the irresponsible littering by some who abuse our areas for their pleasure. And how about appreciation to Saul Goldberg and his team for replacing all the educational signs along the Bob Jones Trail that many have enjoyed. Thanks also to Rangers Chuck Woodard and Tim Fees from SLO County Parks, who, after being recruited by Julie Andrews-Scott, and on their own off duty time, removed the weeds at the corner of San Miguel Street and Avila Beach Drive by the Avila Beach welcome sign. If you readers know of others in our community deserving of a “shout-out,” please let me know. And now, for the big news of the day! After months of trading phone calls, emails, and dealing with the insurance company, we finally received word that the Arts Obispo claim to
replace the stolen Avila Beach Lifeguard Tower mural panel was approved. Sheesh, it’s been a long seven months since the discovery of the theft, but no one ever said dealing with insurance claims was easy. However, we have to come up with the $250 deductible to fund the production and installation of the replacement panel fully. Anyone out there want to cover that cost and be the funding “Angel”? On another Avila Beach public artwork matter, an issue has popped up that we did not anticipate. By now, you have all seen the second public art project affixed to the wall outside of the Central Coast Aquarium. Due to ongoing area watering spray, Aquarium staff were periodically wiping down the mural panels’ surface to keep them in pristine condition. Lo and behold the Aquarium remain closed; thus, spots are building up and need regular attention. Artist Colleen Gnos previously discovered a solvent that nicely does the job, but we may require a willing volunteer to do some spot cleaning. If you have the interest and some extra time on your hands, please let me know by emailing rickinavila@yahoo.com. Should no volunteer(s) step up, someone might have to be hired to do the work. The “Foundation” does maintain a Public Art Development and Preservation Fund, so if you are interested in donating to that fund, please send your check to Avila Beach Community Foundation, PO Box 297, Avila Beach, 93424. Lastly, if you have 17 minutes to spare and some popcorn to microwave, how about visiting for the first time, or again, the video titled “Storied Past of Avila Beach”? It’s very interesting and can be found at avilabeachfoundation.org/ avila-historical-film--photo-gallery.html. That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach.
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4 | Avila Beach Life - August 2020 POINT SAN LUIS LIGHT STATION
Card Games and Vacation Kisses at Point San Luis
Kathy Mastako For Avila Beach Life
W
hile flipping through old newspapers a while back, I came across this item in the SLO Daily Telegram, written 99 years ago, in July 1921: The 500 Card Club of Avila and Port San Luis were entertained at the lighthouse last Friday evening by Mr. and Mrs. Watters. The Avila members were taken to the lighthouse in the launch Katherine by James Sullivan of Port San Luis. After a very pleasant evening spent in card playing, the first ladies prize was awarded to Mrs. J. Reynolds of Avila and the gentlemen’s prize to J. T. McAnallen of Port San Luis. A part of Mr. McAnallen’s prize consisted of vacation kisses and in accordance with his usual gallantry he graciously bestowed a kiss upon each member of the fair sex present. What was the “500 Card Club?” What are “vacation kisses?” And who were Mr. and Mrs. Watters and others the article mentions? Wikipedia tells us 500 is a social card game popular in the United States until around 1920 when interest in it started to wane in favor of other games like bridge. But 500 card clubs continue to this day although, as far as the author knows, not in Avila. “Vacation kisses” were a bit harder to discern. It turns out, as readers might suspect, they’re a type of candy — butterscotch marshmallow. In 1921, a package sold for 10 cents. James Sullivan was the station agent for the Pacific Coast Railway Company at Port San Luis. Later on, he operated the Dance Pavilion in Pismo. Mrs. J. Reynolds was Leona Reynolds, married to Jean Abner Reynolds, a Union Oil Company pump engineer. According to his great-granddaughter, John T. McAnallen came to Avila from Pennsylvania in 1914. He worked as a pipeline engineer for the Union Oil Company. The family moved from Avila to Port San Luis in 1915 and lived at Port San Luis until 1924. At one time, McAnallen was a trustee of the one-room Port School serving the lighthouse children and children of stevedores working at the port. This brings us to Mr. and Mrs. Watters. Watters — The Early Years George Watters was the third head keeper at Point San Luis, succeeding Henry Young and William Smith. Born in Oakland in 1879, into a household with five other children, Watters never
1901 wedding portrait of George Franklyn Watters and Della Ingrim Watters. Photos courtesy Duane Null, great-grandson of George Watters. got to know his parents. His father died the year he was born; his mother three years later. According to family lore, the orphan, George was raised by older sisters. When Watters was 19, he joined the Army and fought in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War. He was honorably discharged a year later. Eighteen months after, in 1901, he married Della Ingrim. Their first child, Lawton, was born in 1902. Becomes a Keeper In 1906, Watters was hired as 3rd assistant keeper at Pigeon Point in Half Moon Bay, and a year later was promoted to 2nd assistant. In 1908, the family was transferred 30 miles north to Point Montara, and Watters was promoted to 1st assistant. During his tenure there, in 1913, his daughter Dorothy was born.
George Watters in his lighthouse keeper’s uniform, with his daughter Dorothy. Serves at Point San Luis In 1920, Watters was transferred to Point San Luis and promoted to Keeper, due to William Smith’s retirement. Dorothy started attending the Port School. When the Port School held their graduation exercises in 1926, Dorothy was cited for her perfect attendance record — neither
absent nor tardy any day throughout her years at the school. That September, Della and Dorothy moved to SLO so that Dorothy could attend San Luis High. There was no way for Dorothy to commute between the lighthouse and San Luis High, so she and her mother, like other mothers and lighthouse children of high-school age, spent school terms boarding in SLO, returning to the lighthouse for visits during school breaks and summer vacations. Befriends the Van Harrevelds While at Point San Luis, the Watters family became friends with J. J. and Constance Van Harreveld. Old-time Avilones will recognize their names as well as the name of their son, “Dutch,” born in 1921. J. J. worked as a pump engineer for the Union Oil Company and Connie was the Avila Beach correspondent for the SLO newspaper, reporting on the happenings in Avila, including Port San Luis and the lighthouse. The two couples spent time playing 500 with the card club, visiting at each other’s homes and touring about the county for picnics, barbeques, and fruit picking. Moves to Point Bonita In September 1929, Watters transferred to Point Bonita in Marin. Why he wanted to transfer is unknown, but a likely guess is that he and Della wanted to be closer to Lawton’s daughter Shirley, their only grandchild at the time. During his service at Point San Luis, George made a point of taking frequent trips north to visit his son and his family. And Lawton returned the favor, frequently motoring south to visit at Point San Luis. The Friendship Continues The Watters family and the Van Harrevelds continued to stay in touch. After the family moved to Point Bonita, George and Della returned to Avila from time to time to visit the Van Harrevelds and other friends in the SLO area. On other occasions, George and Della would host the Van Harrevelds at Point Bonita. Retires to Mill Valley Watters retired in 1941. Immediately following his retirement, George and Della traveled to Avila for another visit with the Van Harrevelds. But George and Della decided not to make Avila their home. Instead, they moved to Mill Valley, likely because it was closer to their family. George Watters died just three years after his retirement, on Sept. 4, 1944. He was 65 years old. The news of his death was announced in the San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune, even though he had left the area some 15 years before. The Point San Luis lighthouse is currently closed to tours, due to COVID-19. The lighthouse staff and volunteers eagerly wait for touring to resume.
George Watters as a private in the U.S. Army, circa 1898.
Constance Van Harreveld, once the Avila Beach correspondent for the SLO newspaper, often wrote about happenings at the Point San Luis lighthouse. She and her husband J.J. became close friends with George and Della Watters. Image courtesy of Mari Raymer.
In this image, taken in Avila in 1938, are (moving from right to left) John T. McAnallen, J. T.’s son Harold McAnallen, and J. T.’s brother-in-law Howard Parks. Note the Marre duplex up on the hill and the barn down in the flats. Image courtesy of Pam Parsons, J. T. McAnallen’s great granddaughter.
This undated image is of the Dance Pavilion and Plunge on the beach at Pismo (then spelled Pizmo) Beach. Rosa and Jim were at one time the pavilion’s proprietors.
Avila Beach Life - August 2020 | 5 HEALTH
COMMUNITY NEWS
The Thinking Workout By DR. CINDY MAYNAR For Avila Beach Life
E A creek-side sign provides information about the purpose of the watershed and how it does not impede the life cycle of migrating steehead. Contributed Photo
Going Up? By BETTY HARTIG For Avila Beach Life
L
ong ago, “Going up?” was a familiar phrase heard while entering an elevator. The days of an elevator operator are long gone, but the use of an elevator to efficiently move people up building floors continues. Steelhead trout need to go up too, but there is no nifty mechanical device with a button they press to move them upstream. It is a rigorous journey that often leaves battle scars. The Marre Weir that lies on the lower end of the San Luis Obispo Creek is visible from the Bob Jones Trail. The weir was built in 1969 by Robert Marre of San Luis Properties. Steel sheet piles were pounded deep into the ground beneath the creek to form a dam-like structure. Its purpose was created as a barrier to prevent saltwater from contaminating freshwater upstream. However, the weir created a man-made physical obstacle for migrating fish. A passage for steelhead, a native species of trout, was needed. Steelhead trout are anadromous, meaning they go to sea. They migrate from the sea to freshwater to spawn. Unlike salmon, steelhead survive spawning and can spawn multiple years. To amend the situation, a fish ladder was built on the north side of the weir. Unfortunately, the fish ladder no longer serves a purpose. A “V” neck notch was created in the center of the weir to attempt to make it navigable for the fish, but that is only possible at high flows. Another hindrance that native species face is the oversubscription of water from the creek due to well water being drawn out. This practice results in a lesser flow of creek water year-round. Steelhead trout are not the only species that need to navigate up the San Luis Obispo Creek to spawn. The eel-like, Pacific lamprey, must also maneuver upstream. They migrate to freshwater for spawning purposes between December and March. The lamprey does not use the fish
ladder nor the sheet piles, it inches its way up in a unique manner. An area of the weir, not visible, was temporarily modified as a passageway. The lamprey, which grows to about 2 feet long, is essential to the streams’ ecology as they are filter feeders that clean water. Currently, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is documenting lamprey passage using a video counting station at the Marre Weir. A Watershed Restoration Grant was awarded for the Lower San Luis Obispo Creek Fish Passage Design and Habitat Improvement Project. Creek Lands Conservation serves as the project proponent recipient working on the proposal. The endeavor is a joint effort with several agencies, including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Marine Fisheries Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and numerous participating consultants. Avila historians can tell numerous stories about the abundant silvery colored steelhead trout population of long ago. One tells how you could pull up your wagon by the creek and use a pitchfork fill up the cart with fish. Creek Lands Conservation is looking ahead with the goal of increasing the steelhead population. Improvements are planned for a fish corridor that hopefully will be one solution for both the lamprey and steelhead. Right now, passage options are being designed based on data and facts. Soon, a fish passageway will move to an implementation stage. This project could benefit hundreds of thousands of fish, but that depends on many other factors than just a pathway. It is crucial to have knowledge of the natural heritage of the area and do our best to restore the native fish population. A conscientious effort is being made to work with farms and cities not to endanger fish. Fish barriers and oversubscription of water all affect fish habitat. Moving forward with Marre Weir modifications that Creek Lands Conservation is developing is a step in the right direction.
A ‘V’ neck notch was cut in the Marre Weir on the San Luis Obispo Creek to allow steelhead through. Contributed Photo
in two sessions per week of muscle-strengthening activity such as weights or resistance bands. Add in yoga, tai chi, or stretching session to increase flexibility and balance for the ultimate all-around activity plan. It sounds simple, right? And yet, in my years of private practice, I’ve come across some pretty good excuses to not exercise, such as: • I don’t have time • Exercise is boring • I’m too tired • I have to wait until I lose weight Here are some tips from my clients: 1. Get some support. A buddy system can really keep you accountable. Plus, it’s a lot more fun, and time goes by faster when you have somebody to talk to. 2. Enlist the help of local libraries which have yoga, tai chi, and other exercise DVD’s that are free to check out. Or go online to YouTube for great exercise videos. 3. Check-in with your community center and churches. They typically have exercise classes. 4. SLO has some great hiking trails to add some beauty to your workout. 5. Exercise channels on TV can be helpful and fun also. And if your job requires lots of sitting at a computer as mine does, try this. Sit on a large exercise ball and type at your desk. It’s great for a core workout and improves stability and balance. Start somewhere. If working out at a gym doesn’t do it for you, try something fun or lively, like kayaking, salsa dancing, or walking in the outback. Chances are, if it’s fun, you’ll keep it up. The critical point is to pick something that brings your body, mind, and spirit into harmony and leaves you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Your brain will love you for it.
veryone experiences fears about getting older; that our mind won’t remain sharp over time. It’s true that our reaction time and our ability to process information declines with age. This may affect how quick we balance our bank account, text a friend, or learn a new task. But the good news is that participating in some type of activity can help slow age-related mental decline, have a neuroprotective effect on the brain, and enhances our brain health and plasticity. Exercise improves immune function and relieves stress, a must in today’s society, especially recently. Research shows a newer benefit is that being active can promote good brain health. According to a study at Tufts University, a group of physically active peers was able to process information faster than their sedentary peers. This ability was even more pronounced after the age of 50. In fact, older persons who exercise just 30 minutes a day three times a week had almost a 40% lower risk of developing dementia. Even those who took up exercise later in life reaped benefits. Physical activity boosts mental performance by increasing blood flow and circulation to the brain and increases the gray matter’s ability to make use of it. This alteration in the brain structure also helps generate new neurons, maintain healthy nerve cells, and improve cognitive functioning, like reasoning, remembering, imagining, and learning. Exercise increases “good feeling” brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which also play a role in reducing pain. Here’s an easy formula from the American Heart Association to remember for exercise guidelines: Thirty minutes a day, five times a week of Cindy Maynard Ph.D., RD, is a health psychologist, regissome type of aerobic activity such as swimming, tered dietitian, and a health and fitness writer. Dr. Maynard is dancing, hiking, or stair climbing. You can divide passionate about health and wellness and motivates people towards this time into two or three segments. Next, engage better health. You can contact her at drcindymaynard@live.com.
6 | Avila Beach Life - August 2020 A VIEW FROM THE BEACH
Bringing a Smile to Your Face
Mary Foppiano Avila Beach Civic Association
H
i All – We survived the Avila Fire with no loss of life or structures due to the extraordinary skill and dedication of our firefighters; our local businesses were just beginning to open, and the beach was as beautiful as always. Then the COVID-19 pandemic reared its ugly head again, and people were getting sick and dying at an increasing rate throughout California and most areas of the country. After being on the State’s watch list for the third consecutive day, many of our local businesses including indoor dining at restaurants, closure of bars and wineries and anything that cannot be done outside, and beauty shops and nail salons, to name a few, closed again on July 16, before the Avila Beach Community Center was even allowed to open. These are things that we all know…
and, hopefully, will be able to see reopen or open shortly. In order to bring a little smile to all of you during this challenging time, here are a few pictures of our Golf Cart 4th of July Parade that socially distanced through the San Luis Bay Estates, down the Bob Jones Trail, and stopped at Mulligan’s for a little food and drink. We all had a great time but, knowing me and my love of our furry friends, I know you are not surprised that I really missed hosting our annual 4th of July Doggie Parade. Since I posted pictures of past Doggie Parades last month, I thought that you would enjoy seeing your neighbors celebrating the holiday with patriotic attire and decorations. Hope yours was as enjoyable as ours and you are staying well! Central Coast Aquarium – Some changes are going on at the Central Coast Aquarium in the near future. After three months of a temporary shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are starting the process of reopening the Aquarium. They are looking forward to once again serving the community and continuing their mission, which is dedicated to ocean stewardship, marine education, and community engagement. Part of their reopening plan includes repopulating their tanks will local marine life and developing new ways to provide modified marine science education programs that adhere to public health guidelines. For addi-
tional information or to volunteer, contact them directly by email at info@centralcoastaquarium.com or by mail to Central Coast Aquarium, PO Box 460, Avila Beach, CA 93424. Also, welcome Debbie Collins as their Interim Executive Director. Get Involved - The Avila Beach Civic
Association is always in need of people who want to become involved. As you have read above, we have a variety of opportunities. If you have a few hours to spare and would like to work in our garden, on our website, in our office, or at our future events, please contact me.
People pose for photos from the Fourth of July Golf Cart Parade in Avila Beach. Photos courtesy of Mary Foppiano
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Maureen and Brian Somodi By MARY FOPPIANO for Avila Beach Life
M
y friends Brian and Maureen Somodi have resided in Indian Hill, which is part of the San Luis Bay Estates, since July 2012. Moving from Orange County, they sought the space, beauty, and relaxing community comradery of the Central Coast upon retirement. The residential area of Indian Hill has given them all the solace and feeling of togetherness that they wished for after their busy and compacted life in So Cal. Brian was the CEO of his own company Mobile-Tronics and a real estate broker and appraiser. He is a consummate chef and cannot wait to share some of his new finds when our sheltering-in-place is finished. Maureen has a Master’s in Special Education and taught elementary students. She also lectured parents, fellow teachMaureen and Brian Somodi with Mickey and Mia. ers, and university students in areas of learning styles, support techniques for Photo courtesy of Mary Foppiano
students who needed alternative learning processes, and mainstreaming techniques. Maureen now enjoys reading, fiber and needle artworks, knitting items to donate to Hospice, painting, and writing a family anthology and autobiography starting from the 1600s. She has also reawakened to a new love of writing poetry involving Avila Beach humanness and coping strategies in present times. Maureen has worked with a team in Indian Hill for seven years to successfully lead a Christmas gala called GATHERING OF THE GIFTS, an event that garners gifts for SLO federally funded preschool children. She and Brian participate with another team to organize a WELCOME event for new residents to Indian Hill in an outstanding party every February that further fosters Avila’s mission to socially include everyone. As a five-year docent for the Port San Luis Lighthouse, Maureen totally enjoyed the wonderful and fulfilling experience. She said the history and
ambiance of this treasure atop the majestic Avila coastline offer tours, special events, and a 4th-grade program that she loved assisting during her time at this venue. Worldwide traveling and frequent camping trips in their 5th wheel round out their very full lives with their Morky Mia and their Yorky Mickey. Since moving here, they have been involved in several philanthropic community endeavors and presently work weekly for the 5 Cities Women’s Christian Food Bank in Grover Beach. The Avila Beach Community Center is a favorite place of theirs for enjoying the Avila Apple Festival, spaghetti dinners and bingo nights, and other fun events. Avila’s comradery seeps into the enjoyment of SLO arts, music, theater, and PAC performances. Maureen said that they are honored to support the community of Avila Beach and needs in surrounding cities and look forward to the reawakening of social interaction in our new normal.
FURRY SPOTLIGHT
Pet of the Month
I
By MARY FOPPIANO
n February 2010, a small 4-month old puppy had been roaming the streets and scratched at the front door of a Meter Reader in Bakersfield. Sandy Fredericks was visiting the community and fell in love with him. She said that it had been five years since she had a dog but could not leave town without Murray. He almost died because he was so sick, but she nursed him back to health, and he
has had over ten years of a happy life. Murray and my dog Casey, who died a couple of years ago, were best friends and showed me the dog hug for the first time. This is where they stand up on their hind paws and put their front paws on the shoulders of the other. This was so special and demonstrated how really loving pets can be. Murray is very shy and compli-
ant…and aloof like a cat. He enjoys his walks, people, and other dogs, and has a favorite stuffed toy. However, he really likes cats and especially the feral cat that lives by the Water Company. Sandy said that she is even considering adopting a kitten so that Murray will not be lonely during the day when she must be gone. I bet that Murray will even share his toys with a new friend.
NEXT MONTH’S ‘PET OF THE MONTH’
Please send me your pictures and a short paragraph about your pet to avilabeachcc@gmail.com. Thanks, and introduce us to your furry friend next month!
Sandy and Murray. Photo courtesy of Mary Foppiano
Avila Beach Life - August 2020 | 7 AVILA VALLEY GRAPEVINE
More Examples of Farmers Being Good Stewards
John Salisbury Contributor
I need to start this column with a correction in last month’s issue. I left it a bit confusing writing that photosynthesis in plants converts CO2 into nitrogen (typo) when in fact it converts CO2 into oxygen which is released into the atmosphere and the CO2 and plant material containing nitrogen, under correct farming techniques (no-till), are returned and sequestered in the soil for the benefit of the next crop. In a rush to the deadline, I goofed.
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nother example of farmers trying to be good stewards of the soil is what almond growers do when they take out non-performing orchards. In the past, and you have seen this along Interstate 5, the big piles of trees pushed together were usually burned, adding greatly to the air pollution in the San Joaquin Valley. A side note, while growing up in the Delta in the 1950s and 1960s, we could always see the Sierras to the east and Mt. Diablo to the west year-round but not anymore and for way too long. Instead of burning, they are now chipping and turning back chips into the soil, increasing the carbon storage versus releas-
ing it into the air. This helps retain moisture, which is a real benefit in the drought-prone Central Valley. The benefits from a study by the University of California, Davis versus burned almond piles showed that by returning and interning the chips into the soil, 5 tons of carbon per hectare (2.5 acres) were sequestered, water-use efficiency increased by 20%, and crop yields increased by 19%. So, three huge big wins by building a carbon sink and increasing water and nutrient retention resulting in fewer fertilizers, irrigations, more yields. While we are on an environmental kick, here is a fantastic environmental gamechanger with a project that could plant 1.2 trillion trees on enough room on the planet that would suck up more carbon each year than humans emit! Trees are being planted by drones firing seed missiles into the ground restoring the world’s forests.
Almond growers have been turning removed trees into chips and then turning them back into the soil. File photo Two operators with ten drones can plant 400,000 trees per day! That sure beats planting by hand or broadcasting with helicopters, which is effective but has a much lower survival rate. Just four hundred teams could plant 10 billion trees per year and with more
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is NOW! Chinese proverb BioCarbon Engineering from the UK has developed a drone that fires a biodegradable seedpod into the ground with pressurized air at 120 pods per minute at each predetermined spot. These pods are filled with a seed already germinated with nutrients and other vital components when penetrated into the earth and activated by moisture, grow into healthy trees. First, the drones fly over the area to be planted, map it collecting data about the soil conditions, and topography determining the best places for the trees to survive.
operators and drones, ten times that amount of trees. These drones plant 150 times faster than the best other methods and four to ten times cheaper. Every year, 15 billion trees are destroyed by natural and human causes — an acre and a half every second. Even with 50 billion dollars spent replanting worldwide, there is a net loss of six billion trees. Governments have made commitments to restore 350 million hectares (875 million acres), the size of India, with 300 billion trees by 2030. The way it is going that is not going to happen without some new tech-
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Celebrating the Fourth of July Dear Editor, With every event in Avila canceled, residents of San Luis Bay Estates in Avila Valley made their own 4th of July fun. Masks were worn, and social distancing was a priority. Approximately 35 people decorated their golf carts, bikes, and Vespas and paraded through the neighborhood down to the golf course for lunch to go from Mulligans. Neighbors cheered and waved their flags, showing great community support! Tom and Claire Holbrook Avila Beach Residents
nology and these drones could fill the gap between what is the targeted plantings and reality. The plan is to train locals, especially in underdeveloped countries, to be pilots of the drones, do the agroforestry, continual care for the trees, making environmental restoration a way to make it profitable for the region. It would sure beat being a third world hand tree planter at a buck a day a whole more productive. These forests could also have great benefits like stabilizing the ground, redirecting wind patterns with windbreaks, fresher air, beautiful visual landscapes, and not set up for another Dust Bowl as we talked about in last month’s article. These drones planted seed missiles are designed to biodegrade in moist soils, carry multiple seed types and sizes suitable for the region, and scaleable for challenging planting conditions opening up more sites that were inaccessible before. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we started and funded a Tree Foundation for the Central Coast and plant, with this new technique, native evergreen Live Oaks on the west side of the coastal range in suitable sites and Valley Oaks over the grade around Paso Robles where they are more suitable? It would be quite a change in our landscape and viewshed. It would also create fantastic biodiversity of plants and animals if we could bring back our oak forests. Just imagine the barren hills around the city of San Luis Obispo reforested similar to our oak tree environment in Avila Valley. A proven project like this would be a much better use of “Green Funds” than a lot of the programs that waste money with “pie in the sky” projects. Imagine the number of trees that could have been planted with the half-billion+ dollars lost with just the Solyndra debacle.
8 | Avila Beach Life - August 2020
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