Avila Beach Life • January 2021

LOCAL NEWS ... BEACH VIEWS • JANUARY 2021

AVILABEACHLIFENEWS.COM

Happy

New Year

SEE PAGE 4

JAKE EYRE WALKS ACROSS AMERICA, ENDING IN MORRO BAY SEE PAGE 6

AVILA VALLEY GRAPEVINE: UNDERSTANDING AQUACULTURE

SEE PAGE 7

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 19 93446, CA

PORT SAN LUIS: AN OFFICER-IN-CHARGE REMEMBERS

******ECRWSSEDDM****** POSTAL CUSTOMER AVILA BEACH, CA 93424

ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

2 | Avila Beach Life — January 2021

Through Print

making communities better

A Choice for

2021

Publishers

Hayley & Nicholas Mattson hayley@13starsmedia.com

MANAGING EDITOR Brian Williams

A

LAYOUT DESIGN EDITOR Mike Michaud

Community Writer Camille DeVaul

Ad Design Jen Rodman

Administrator

Cami Martin office@13starsmedia.com

Hayley & Nicholas Mattson Publishers

CONTRIBUTORS Betty Hartig Dr. Cindy Maynard John Salisbury Kathy Mastako Mary Foppiano Rick Cohen Contact Us 805.466.2585

Visit our website! avilabeachlifenews.com avila beach life is published monthly. all rights reserved , material may not be reprinted without written consent from the publisher . avila beach life made every effort to maintain the accuracy of information presented in this publication , but assumes no responsibility for errors , changes or omissions . avila beach life is a product of 13 stars media .

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you are wonderful and don’t forget to make some art - write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can.

And I hope somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself. ~ Neil Gaiman

s we welcome 2021, we can all agree that we deserve a do-over! Starting now, we will only say kind words on social media, respect other views on personal space, constitutional rights, political positions, start a workout routine, and eat healthier!

Well, that may be too much to ask all at once, but if we can remember we are not individually or collectively perfect, we try to do our best, and if we respect others’ freedom and rights, we will be addressing the future squarely and together.

As for us, we will take 2021 to begin a more acute campaign to use our community voice to continue to support our community of entrepreneurs, small business owners, artisans, and residents. We will provide clear and researched information while balancing our inalienable and constitutional rights with public health and safety in all of our publications.

Last year, we had little information about a novel virus. Now we have a year of adjustment, research, and informa-

tion to inform healthy and independent decisions for our community. We will be there every step of the way to make sure our community continues to function safely and securely for ourselves and our posterity. One thing we know is that we are strong and resilient. We are pioneers and have an independent spirit that guides our way in faith and family.

Let’s choose to make 2021 great by going the extra mile for each other. If you want people to wear masks, offer to supply places you visit with extras. Or stay home even more often to prevent conflict with personal space in public areas. There is always more we can give so that other people can be more free, safe, and comfortable.

As a community, we are the pillars that make it a great place to live, and we will be sure that Avila Beach Life will continue to deliver the quality content that makes it a part of our community fabric. We want to thank you for your continued support as we venture forward into a successful 2021.

Be well, share love, and be a good human.

Recommend Hal & Blue Heron...

Blue Heron Realty has Given Us the Confidence to Buy and Sell Multiple Properties...

“We have had the pleasure of residing in the outstanding community of San Luis Bay Estates for many years now. Our introduction to the area began through the personable and friendly Blue Heron Real Estate team. Their knowledge and professionalism have given us the confidence to buy and sell multiple properties, not only in SLBE, but other locations in SLO county. We highly recommend Blue Heron Realty for all of your real estate needs.”

Thank You for the Excellent Service...

“In today’s business environment, it is hard to find good, honest, and competent companies to do business with. Over the years I have found Blue Heron Realty to be one of those companies. You have represented me in a very professional manner in real estate transactions over the past years with both sales and purchases. Thank you for the excellent service.

D

SOL

D

D

SOL

SOL

350 Ocean Oaks Lane,Avila Beach

Stunning 3 bedroom, 4 bath luxury condo featuring Craftsman Style architecture set among oak covered hills with great views of Avila Beach. End unit with only 1 shared wall located at the end of the street with no through traffic, providing privacy and a peaceful atmosphere. Asking price $1,599,000.

6283 Kestrel Lane, Avila Beach

2755 Foxen Canyon Lane, Avila Beach

Great Skylark Meadow home with superior privacy. This Abalone floor plan features a main level master suite, powder room, open living room and dining area with fireplace and access to the view deck with retractable sun shade. Large bonus room gives you nearly 2,000 sq.ft. of living space. Asking price $899,900.

Highly popular Del Mar Plan featuring 3 bedrooms 2.5 baths located behind the gates of the San Luis Bay Estates in KingFisher Canyon. Enjoy outstanding views of the surrounding hills from the 2 fabulous decks. Priced to sell at $1,175,000.

May the New Year find you Happy & Healthy

For details about properties in Avila Beach and the surrounding areas, please call 805-595-2444

Blue Heron Realty, Remax del Oro. HAL SWEASEY

Recent Sales 2915 Elderberry Ln. $1,250,000

146 Riverview Dr. $452,000

2925 Aerie Ln. $1,135,000

226 Laurel St. $1,225,000

Over 135 properties sold so far in 2020

6345 Twinberry Cir. $779,000

2915 Aerie Ln. $1,100,000

Search properties anywhere in San Luis Obispo County on our new Blue Heron website at

5555 Shooting Star $1,419,000

3265 Lupine Cyn. $1,279,000

69 San Miguel St. $1,284,000

2865 Rock Wren Ln. $1,550,000

2275 Cranesbill Pl. $777,000

2820 Loganberry Ln. $878,900

www.blueheronavila.com

Avila Beach Life — January 2021 | 3 FOUNDATION NEWS AND VIEWS

When Will Life Return to Normal?

Rick Cohen

G

AVILA BEACH FOUNDATION

reetings, fellow Avilones. Bellowing smoke and chugging into 2021, we go, but still with many unanswered questions ahead. When will life return to normal?

Will the promise of a vaccine to fight Covid-19 be the miracle we have been waiting for? Will a peaceful transition of power at the governmental level result in greater harmony among Americans now so very much divided by geography, economics, and personal beliefs? Only time will tell as we anxiously await to regain our footing here in Avila Beach, a community that has, for the most part, been a harbor of calm among otherwise choppy seas.

Avila will not truly become whole again until some of its most cherished assets reopen their doors for good. The local community organizations, hospitality industry, and recreational venues have suffered greatly, remaining just out of our reach. The places we go and people with whom we congregate these days feels so odd, lacking the human touch and easily seen smiles we were accustomed to before the pandemic.

How good it will feel when we can once again hug, high-five, or peck on the cheeks of our friends and relatives. It will feel so nice to sit shoulder to shoulder at tables while we dine indoors or outdoors. It will be so refreshing to once again see kids and adults frolicking about

without wearing masks and having to socially distance. I can hardly wait to meet again without “zooming in.”

Remember when Avilones would gather at the Avila Community Center, visit the Central Coast Aquarium or tour the Pt. San Luis Lighthouse?

Remember seeing the Avila Free Trolley shuttling people around during the busy summer season? Remember strolling along the Promenade during Farmers’ Market season, enjoying the aromas wafting from the food vendors and the rhythmic sounds of live music? Maybe, just maybe, these activities and others will return sometime in 2021. Even when the current health crisis has passed, it will be quite a challenge for our Avila-based organizations to ramp up again. It won’t happen overnight and will require a high degree of community support, the type that is being fostered by Debbie Collins, president, and acting executive director of the Central Coast Aquarium.

Debbie stepped up last spring to provide volunteer leadership as the Aquarium staff were laid off and doors locked due to the required shutdown. She has since been scouring the community, seeking donations to build up financial resources that will enable the Aquarium to resume operations when the time comes.

Debbie also launched a Go Fund Me Campaign as part of her strategy. So, if you want to donate through that platform, simply “google” GoFundMe Central Coast Aquarium, and you will find links to the website.

Speaking of volunteer leadership, it is my honor and pleasure to introduce the “Foundation’s” Board of Trustees for 2021. It is this band of dedicated individuals that accept responsibilities of agency governance, assures our portfolio is properly managed, maintains adherence to

our mission, and ensures that our grant funds are well invested in the community.

This year’s Board Officers are: President Mike Ginn, who has been with us since 2011; Vice President Cyndy Lakowske, who has been with us since 2017; Treasurer Richard Zacky, who joined the board in 2014; and Secretary Ellen Pitrowski, who joined the board in 2017.

Trustees at Large include: Bev Aho, class of 2016; Lucinda Borchard, class of 2011; Joe Caradonna, class of 2019; Patrick Corrigan, class of 2019; Saul Goldberg, class of 2016; Percy Jones, class of 2012; Barbara Nicholson, class of 2018; Paul Prather, class of 2016.

Let me not forget to bid a fond farewell to departing Trustee Brooke Salvini, who was elected to the board in 2016 but had to recently resign upon moving her business from Avila Beach, thus rendering her ineligible to continue.

Many thanks, Brooke, for your years of service.

You will be missed.

The last order of business is a reminder to partake of the upcoming Bob Jones Trail Walking Quiz. It occurs in two parts, with each quiz consisting of five questions to which answers can be found at selected interpretive signs along the trail. One journey starts at the Ontario Road entrance, and the other at the entrance from Avila Beach Drive and 1st Street. All who answer the questions correctly will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card to the Avila Beach restaurant of your choice. Grab your smartphone, put on your walking shoes, enlist family, or friends to join you, and have some fun.

Visit the Avila Beach Community Foundation website, become a subscriber, and learn how to participate at avilabeachfoundation.org.

That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. May the year 2021 be good to you, and may it harken the beginning of better times, greater understanding, peaceful coexistence, and harmony.

See you at the beach!

A Fresh New Look at Managing Bonds For the past almost 40 years, bonds have served their twin purposes of reducing risk and adding value to client accounts. With interest rates now at/near all time lows, those purposes are in doubt. Investors who have depended on bonds for income are now forced to go to longer durations and include lower rated bonds in their portfolios to attempt to earn a reasonable income. If interest rates rise and/or we go into a prolonged downturn, those decisions may prove to be a huge mistake.

We believe there may be a better way to achieve your goals.

Trust, Integrity, Stability On the Central Coast serving retirees for more than 30 years and we are your neighbors.

Now available - no cost 30 minute phone appointments

Thomas B. Paine Paine Financial Services 6627-A Bay Laurel Pl (Avila Village) Avila Beach, CA 93424 805-473-6679

Rules Based Investing for all stock market conditions

www.avilavalleyadvisors.com

Advisory Service and Securities offered through Centaurus Financial, Inc. member FINRA and SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and registered investment advisor.

Paine Financial Services and Centaurus Financial Inc. are not affiliated.

Branch office: 1186 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

4 | Avila Beach Life — January 2021 POINT SAN LUIS LIGHT STATION

An Officer-in-Charge Remembers Point San Luis and Avila Beach

Kathy Mastako

Member, Board of Directors point san luis lighthouse keepers

T

he history of lighthouses in this country began in 1716 with the establishment of a light located on Little Brewster Island in outer Boston Harbor in what is now the United States. In 1789, the ninth Act of our first Congress provided for the transfer of the 12 existing lighthouses in America from the individual states to the federal government. Responsibility for the nation’s aids to navigation was given to Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury at the time.

In 1939, 150 years later, FDR ordered the transfer of the nation’s navigational aids, including lighthouses, to the United States Coast Guard. To say that this decision did not go down well with those employed by the Lighthouse Service is an understatement. Harry Willet Rhodes, who for many years was the superintended of the Point San Luis Lighthouse, along with all the other lighthouses in California, wrote dejectedly to his recently retired boss, H. D. King, “I hope we may live to see the day when Congress regrets having sold us down the river.”

True to the Coast Guard’s maxim “Semper Paratus”—Always Ready— the transition was swift. Keepers could quit, retire if they were eligible, remain a keeper wearing their Lighthouse Service uniform, or transfer into the Coast Guard. Point San Luis’s last civilian keeper, John Robert Moorefield, eventually chose to become a USCG boatswain’s mate, although his duties at the light station remained much the same.

Once Moorefield retired in 1947, the last vestiges of the “lighthouse years” at Point San Luis came to an end. Going forward, the station was staffed by young military men. Their rotations were relatively brief, and so it has been difficult to identify, let alone track down, the men who served here until the station was fully automated and the Coast Guard left in the mid-1970s.

But sometimes there are successes. A case in point is Darrel Beerbohm.

From 1965 until 1967, Beerbohm was the officer-in-charge at Point San Luis, stationed here with his wife and two children. He’s now retired and lives in Louisiana, where he serves on the board of a regional performing arts society. To this day, he remembers Point San Luis with fondness. “I always thought serving at Point San Luis was one of my better jobs.”

At the light station, Beerbohm remembers, “we built a play area with swings, seesaws and an area where the kids could play. It had a large fence around it and a snake-proof wire fence outside of it as there were many rattlesnakes in our area.

My second engineer was quite handy, doing little things. He built a fishpond and connected an old fishpond to it. We built a small hill in the middle to sort of replicate our area. The fish could go from one pond to the other. He built a dock to

almost the same identical layout as the real dock we had.

We all enjoyed the fishponds. Of course, raccoons did, too, so we had to put a wire mesh over the ponds at times to keep them out.”

Beerbohm had served nearly a decade with the Coast Guard before coming to Point San Luis in 1965, which was his first experience at a lighthouse. In September 1967, Beerbohm was transferred to Alaska for a year of isolated duty, his wife and children returning to San Francisco where the family had lived before coming to Point San Luis.

Beerbohm especially remembers the people of Avila Beach: “We had some friends we made in Avila Beach and would have them come to visit quite often. These were locals we made friends with within weeks after we arrived…I became very active in the town civic association and was voted Vice President. The townspeople were great and accepted us with open arms.

We would assist with various happenings around the town—fairs, fundraisers, and so on… As officer-in-charge, the Coast Guard was happy I was doing this with the townspeople. I received a nice letter when we left Avila Beach, and it was sent to the Coast Guard District Office in San Francisco, where I also received a letter of commendation for things I did at Avila Beach. I cherished the letters from both places.”

He also has warm memories of the local Portuguese fishermen: “There was a group of Portuguese truck farmers and they were especially nice to me and my people. They raised about every kind of vegetable you can think of. I would let them come and fish below my station. They were the only other people I gave a key to our station. They would always call before coming up as we only had a one-lane road to travel on getting from the main road to the station.

Always had to make sure only one car at a time was on this road. These people would always bring fresh vegetables and homemade wine for me and my people.

Me and my four-year-old son would many times go down over the cliff and eat lunch with these friends. They cooked what they caught from the ocean, plus they brought fresh veggies to put in a big pot of stew they concocted from the sea.”

The road leading up to the lighthouse wasn’t much different from the way it is now, Beerbohm recalls, as those who come to tour the lighthouse by shuttle bus can attest: “The road was very winding and narrow.

I believe it to be about 2 ½ miles long.

It ran alongside the mountain, and after every rain, I would have my people go up and clear mud or rocks that had come down on the road. There were maybe two places that two cars could pass, and it was close, so we tried to keep that from happening. There was no footpath to the station, and the general public was not allowed unless me or one of my people granted them permission, and then they came up the road.”

Our staff and volunteers eagerly look forward to the day when shuttle buses can resume traveling that winding and narrow road with guests onboard, and lighthouse tours can begin once again.

Meanwhile, there are virtual tours.

Check out our Google reviews! Visit my805tix.com to learn more about virtual tour dates and times.

The above letter was from the Board of Directors of the Avila Beach Civic Association to the Coast Guard Commander in San Francisco expressing appreciation for having Officer-in-Charge Darrel Beerbohm as a member of the board, Gladys Misakian, signed the letter on behalf of the Avila Beach Civic Association.

The above letter was to Beerbohm from the USCG Commander commending he and his wife for their active involvement in the civic affairs of the Avila Beach community.

Photos from Beerbohm’s photo albums, he recalls that the Coast Guard Emblem was built while he was officer-in-charge at the light station and that they received many compliments on it from Coast Guard inspectors. Contributed photos

Avila Beach Life — January 2021 | 5 A VIEW FROM THE BEACH

Taking Enjoyment in the Little Things

Mary Foppiano

Avila Beach Civic Association

H

i all – I have been overdosing on Hallmark Christmas movies since October 25…and I must admit this has mostly put me in a happy mood. That is, of course, until I start saying the lines with the actors because there really isn’t much else on TV. Then I sing along with the holiday music on the radio while I am driving my

in-laws yellow VW with the roof open, and what more can I say about the fun of the holidays. During this pandemic, my standards are very low, so I take enjoyment in such little things….and hope that you are all finding ways to enjoy the holiday season too. I miss my family and friends and think that FaceTime and Zoom, and other social media venues are saving me. I am also enjoying working from home with my little guys resting peacefully by me. However, I really am looking forward to resuming life with the new normal in 2021.

I am looking forward to opening the Community Center and hosting our fundraising Spaghetti Dinners/Bingo Nights and Pancake Breakfast and Avila Apple Festival….and especially Doggie Parades. I am just looking forward to seeing the Center alive again with our community members and their special events as well as programs that benefit all of us.

I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday Season, and we can get together soon!

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

By MARY FOPPIANO for Avila Beach Life

Anne M. Brown

A

nne M. Brown was born in Los Angeles but raised in Santa Barbara. She attended the University of Washington School of Nursing in Seattle. That is where she met her husband, El, who was an oral surgeon and practiced in San Luis Obispo for 34 years. Anne and El were married for 53 years before his death. They purchased their 2 bedroom/1 bath Avila Beach property in 1967. Every summer, they would load up their cat and dog and the kids and move to that little house for the summer. Anne said they had such great memories of playing at the beach. She said that every night after work, El would go out to the Pier, jump in the water, and then come home and have a beer. After the “Big Dig,” they tore down that little house and built their home in 2002.

Anne was a nurse and was a volunteer Public Health nurse while she had their four children, Marian, Barbara, Cini, and Rich. She went back to work when Marian was 10 years old as a home health care nurse. Her background as a nurse and public health advocate introduced her to many organizations and nonprofits, where she could utilize her strengths. One of the organizations she worked with was the Children’s Home Society of California, a nonprofit organization that had originally started as an adoption agency and then adapted into working to protect children in communities throughout California. Anne and other members of the auxiliary formed the local nonprofit Central Coast Funds for Children, which focuses on children in need within San Luis Obispo. Anne has remained as a trustee of this organization. Anne retired from Public Health and the San Luis Coastal School District in 1993.

In addition to all the health care and children’s advocacy organizations, Anne still found time to be a supporter and administrator of Festival Mosaic as well as a supporting member, donor, and docent for the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center. Her love of performance, music, and education fueled her desire to support these organizations and help develop them for future generations to enjoy.

PET OF THE MONTH

TAHOE

T

By MARY FOPPIANO

ahoe Keeney is a 72-pound, 3-year-old Golden Doodle (Standard Poodle and Golden Retriever mix). They have had him for 2 years now that he was re-homed from a ranch in the Fresno area. It was unfortunate that he became an outside ranch dog after the owner became allergic to him during and after her pregnancy.

Doodles, for the most part, are not ideal for outdoor ranch dogs because they need a lot of attention and human contact. Luckily, the owners were aware of this so, when Jim and Pat Keeney advertised on Craig’s list that they were an older, active couple with lots of love and attention to give to any Lab, Lab

mix, or Doodle, preferably a big dog, they answered their post in one day.

Tahoe was originally named Dako, so their five-year-old grandson, Camden, helped them rename him to a similar sounding name, “Tahoe,” where their whole family vacations every year.

The perfect name was meaningful to all of them.

Jim and Pat feel truly blessed by his presence. Tahoe goes everywhere with them. His favorite place is the Avila Dog Beach, where he is the best swimmer and ball retriever on the beach.

They said that they have had Labs their whole life, and Tahoe could outswim any of their past dogs…and currently any other dog on the Avila Dog Beach.

Besides riding in the car with his head out the window, Tahoe’s favorite thing is to wait for the three garbage trucks that make their way into their cul-de-sac every Thursday. He is such a gentle dog, but you would never know it by the way he carries on with very loud ferocious barking and jumping at the window. He waits at the front winder early Thursday morning and will not settle down until after the third truck has come and gone. It is his one big job in life to protect their home from those big, bad garbage trucks… and he is so very proud of himself.

Tahoe is truly the best, most humandog they have ever had, and they love him with all their heart!

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!

Anne has been a member of the Avila Valley Advisory Council for over 14 years. She is respected for her insight, competence, and efficiency. She reviews and makes very pertinent comments regarding all new proposed projects submitted to the Avila Beach sub-committee and the Land Use sub-committee.

Anne has been a strong member of the Avila Beach Civic Association Board of Directors for many years. She has provided support through leadership, donations, and hard work. Anne has always been there to help our community because she said Avila Beach is a special place. She misses when it was a real town with kids going to school and people living there before it was overtaken by vacation rentals.

When I asked Anne why she has given back to her community for most of her life, her response was that as a citizen of this world, she felt that it was important to pay attention and do what she can to make it a better place. She said that she got her desire to help others from her mom, who was also a nurse during World War II. She went with her mom to roll bandages and learned to knit for the Red Cross.

Anne’s dad was an orthopedic surgeon and major during World War II. He thought he was going to be stationed in Alaska, so 10-year-old Anne knitted him a heavy scarf. The joke was that he was stationed at 29 Palms and really did not need a heavy scarf.

I know that Anne is appreciated for all that she has done for the Greater Avila Beach community as well as all of the organizations she has assisted. A few years ago, the Avila Beach Community Foundation presented Anne with their Community Spotlight award for her Leadership in the Avila Beach community. The ABCA Community Service award is just one more way that we are able to let Anne know how much we appreciate and value her.

6 | Avila Beach Life — January 2021 COMMUNITY NEWS

Hiding in Plain Sight

By BETTY HARTIG For Avila Beach Life Wildlife is abundant among the coastal oak trees that line the Bob Jones Pathway. However, some of the smaller creatures that flourish in the area are far from visible. If you take a closer look, you can see some interesting dwellings. There are numerous vegetation structured mounds that resemble haystacks, which can be 3 feet high or more, comprised of twigs and various forest debris.

They are the homes of the nocturnal duskyfooted woodrat. It is unlikely that you would ever see a woodrat, but their nests can be spotted by merely scanning to the left or the right of the trail. The dusky-footed woodrat’s tidy abode is far from a nest. It is more like a mansion with multiple chambers, rooms, hallways, and several bathrooms for waste. In fact, their homes are multi-level. Surprisingly, there are no building permits required for these strategically placed residences. The woodrats are skilled at constructing satellite dens in trees as well. Simply look up in the oak trees, and you will notice what appears to be a large cluster of debris, that is an extensive nest for the little furry critter. It sure would be intriguing to watch the acrobatics used for assembling these high rises.

Dusky-footed woodrats are small cinnamon to gray colored rodents with long whiskers, rounded ears, and bristly tails. They average about 16” in length from the tip of their nose to the end of their tail. Their tail is about half of their total size. The rodent closely resembles a big mouse. The name dusky footed refers to the color of their feet. Woodrats are commonly called packrats. They are hoarders, collecting various objects that humans have discarded near their stomping grounds. They especially like shiny objects. Due to their propensity to exchange an item, they are carrying for anything new they find; they are also referred to as trade rats. It is not unusual to find plastic bottles used as reinforcement materials for their shelter; other objects can be interesting interior decor.

Dusky-footed woodrats prefer to live in dense vegetation amongst oak trees. The sticks they use to build their lodges are deliberately placed to allow safe entrance and exits. To ensure a comfortable living environment, the woodrat places California bay leaves around the edges of their nest within their houses to control ectoparasites, such as fleas. The leaves contain potent organic compounds which are toxic to flea larvae. Dens contain a nest, one or more pantry chambers, which store leaves, grass seeds, and nuts for future consumption. Although

woodrats are solitary, living alone in their carefully designed quarter, they live in a community with several nearby neighbors. Interestingly, their domed shaped home can house successive generations. It is common for a woodrat to add to their inherited den, making the nest larger by skillfully remodeling.

Dusky-footed woodrats are chiefly herbivores but will eat insects, mealworms, and crickets. They consume a variety of cuttings from branches and leaves, as well as fruits and nuts. The environment along the Bob Jones Trail provides an excellent living area for this somewhat cute rodent. Plenty of sticks to build homes and an abundant food supply. These impressive animals are prolific in all California coastal oak forests. A 1993-94 study that took place at Camp Roberts concluded a high dusky-footed woodrat population, as many as 27 rats/acre, can occur in oak woodland with well-developed vegetation structure.

The dusky-footed woodrats are an important part of the ecosystem. They are prey for their natural predators, which include coyotes, bobcats, owls, and hawks. It is captivating to learn about our wildlife neighbors. Take time to observe the Bob Jones Trail’s surrounding environment; it can lead you to fascinating discoveries.

Dusky-footed wood rat (Neotoma fuscipes) This type of rat inhabits the Pacific coastal area of the United States and lower California. Photos by Kenneth W. Fink

PERSEVERANCE

Air Force Veteran Jake Eyre’s Walk Across America Ends in Morro Bay Eyre’s journey came to a historic end on Wednesday, Dec 23, in Morro Bay after 12 months

By CAMILLE DeVAUL For Avila Beach Life

S

tarting in January 2020, Jake Eyre and his furry companion Bella began their journey in Miami, Florida, on foot to eventually make it to the West Coast.

Now, 12 months later, Eyre and Bella have made it to Morro Bay’s end destination and are reuniting with their family, just in time for the Holidays.

“It’s kind of a bittersweet thing. This has been a great chapter of my life. This past year has been full of so many great experiences, but I’m also really excited for the next chapter,” Eyre shared.

While in the Air Force, Jake met people who had completed their walk across America.

From there, the idea stuck with him.

“Something just rose up inside and said okay, if this is something you want to do within the year of getting out of the air force, do it-I just made it happen,” Eyre explained.

After serving four years in the Air Force, Eyre and Bella drove down to Miami, Florida, sold his car, and prepared for their exciting adventure.

At first, Eyre’s family was a little skeptical about his plan, but after watching him go through with what he wanted to do, they were all on board, “I am extremely blessed to have the family that I do. They are so supportive.”

As Eyre and Bella continued their journey, the pandemic was hitting hard in the U.S. At a point, he decided not to go through Virginia because he had heard they had strict stay-athome orders and did not want to run into any potential roadblocks.

As he ventured on, he explained that COVID-19 did not affect him or his journey much. Eyre said his roadmap included states that were less restrictive and was welcomed with open arms.

Instead of taking a straight shot to the West Coast, Eyre went up the East Coast, eventually making his way along the American Discovery Trail. At a certain point, he decided to make his own trail.

“I hit some roads that were just in the middle of nowhere, just rural roads in the country that hardly anyone ever sees and just got to see a lot of raw beauty out there,” Eyre said.

Utah easily sticks out as his favorite state because of its beautiful terrain and kind people.

Eyre’s walk started just like that, a walk. His own adventure with Bella. Early on in Eyre’s trek, people wanted to donate money to him.

They asked why he was doing this walk? Did he have a cause he was sending a message for?

After doing some research, Eyre asked people to donate to the “Back on My Feet” Organization.

“I realized how much people wanted to give.

I was set-I had everything I needed-I’m happy that Back on my Feed could play a part in the whole thing,” said Eyre.

Back on My Feet operates in 14 major cities, coast to coast “using running and community to motivate and support individuals every step of the way from homelessness to independence” per their website backonmyfeet.org.

So far, Eyre has raised over $5,000 for the organization!

Now that Eyre’s journey has come to an end, he plans to move to Arkansas, where he has family and attend massage therapy school.

Throughout Eyre’s travels, he has met a lot of people. He said, “My perspective on humanity has changed. There’s no shortage of people who care. If I had to tell someone what I learned from this is that people are pretty amazing.”

And Bella, the husky cross, has enjoyed every step of their journey too.

“She’s a high energy dog, and she loves to walk. She’s as happy as can be. My only worry is when we stop; I’ll have to figure something else out, start running with her or something.

But she’s doing great. She’s my buddy,” said Eyre.

It’s not surprising that this chapter in Eyre’s life has impacted him.

“It’s definitely something that’s empowered me a lot. If there’s something you want to do, you owe it to yourself to make it happen. That’s how I want to live the rest of my life-your the one in control of your whole life.”

What started as a walk for fun has turned into more than Eyre and his family could have ever imagined.

And yes, he has heard all the Forest Gump jokes.

To see more of Eyre’s Walk Across America, visit his Facebook page @jakeswalkacros- Starting in January, Jake Eyre and his furry companion Bella began their journey in Miami, Florida, on foot and came to a historic end on Dec 23, in Morro Bay samerica

after 12 months of walking across America. Photos by Jake Eyre

Avila Beach Life — January 2021 | 7

“Someone may offer you a freshly caught whole large fish like a salmon or striped bass. Don’t panic; take it!” ~ Julia Child

Beneath the Surface

John Salisbury

H

contributor

appy New Year, and glad to have gotten rid of the last one! I was having a little trouble with writer’s block, especially after 15 plus years of doing this column – pushing a couple of hundred times. But then, my grandson, Drake Rucks, some of you may remember as the little guy at the Sunday Schoolhouse Rocks at our tasting room who would show you, with a big stick with a flag on it so he wouldn’t get run over, where to park sent me his Ag. Econ term paper.

He is now a Business Administration major at Cuesta. Voila! There it was, an interesting paper on Aquaculture.

As an inveterate fisherman, he is very interested in the subject and most likely will minor in something along the lines of aquaculture.

Because of the space allowed, the following is

a condensed version of his four-page report: Aquaculture is the rearing of aquatic animals and the cultivation of native aquatic plant life like nutritious seaweed. For centuries, aquatic farms have been a vital element of agricultural development, and in the present day, it provides millions of jobs globally. If managed properly, it may be a fundamental aspect of eco-sustainability.

Aquaculture, in its modern form, was created in Germany in 1733. The scientists gathered fish eggs, raised them, and bred them for generations. There were cases of aquaculture before Germany, yet it was on a much smaller scale.

Earlier on, Romans farmed oysters in Mediterranean lagoons and later cultivated native carp in small man-made ponds as a way to sustain and maintain control of their food sources.

In more recent history, aquaculture has become a big business in many countries, including the United States. In 1853, the farming of Rainbow Trout, on a small scale then, grew into a very popular source of fish in the 1950s. Even though the United States had early exposure and positive response to this method, we aren’t the largest aquaculture producer in the world.

VTT, a revolutionary development and research establishment founded in 1942 in Finland, owned by the Finnish state, is the largest. They promote and sponsor private innovators who utilize sustainable and environmental practices. When it comes to fish farms in the United States, especially in these polarized times, it is difficult for our production of aquatic farmers to financially maintain their businesses.

Many people do not believe the practices of aquaculture to be humane because the aquatic species aren’t living in their natural habitat, and that is understandable. Thus, the management of an entity, private or non-profit, related to aquatic species comes with great scrutiny. In this process of research and development, this is a moment in time (R&D of vaccines for COVID-19) that encapsulates how science and research can lead us to a broader mindset and understanding of what “sustainability” actually means. Do you know how your food gets to your table and who helped get it there?

From the data available, aquaculture farms provide jobs for 18.7 million people globally, and that is information gained from larger countries who actually report to their agri-

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

cultural departments; it is likely that many underdeveloped countries utilize these fishing practices without reporting. The demand for the world’s consumption of aquaculture is as high as 47 percent, and the rest by hard-working fishermen who take the risks in a hazardous industry.

As an eight-generation of California farmers, we’re frustrated that many consumers believe that their food comes from the back of the grocery store, or anglers fishing for them in a pond in a small town nearby or tackling the seas just for their ocean-caught Salmon. Aquaculture has historically been an incredible source of food far prior to this technological age. The United States has a great opportunity to expand on this industry and utilize the research and revolutionary discoveries being made in other countries, such as Finland. As our world population continues to expand, we need to consider more opportunities for food production, and it is incredibly vital that while doing so, we take the environmental factors into consideration.

As a country, we should elevate all advancements in the aquaculture industry, and most importantly, ensure that food sources continue to be sustained throughout the world.

This Year, Make ‘SMART’ Goals

By DR. CINDY MAYNARD For Avila Beach Life

and made it easier to track my progress.

A= Achievable. Ask yourself if your goal is achievable.

If you’ve never run before, a goal of running a marathon ack when I taught nutrition classes, I would typi- in 3 months may not be realistic. Rather, you may find you cally end my class, asking the participants to set have the resources and ability to start out with a 20-minute a goal for the upcoming week. Responses would walking program. This goal will challenge you rather than range from “I’m going to lose weight” to “exercise more” or defeat you. “eat more nutritiously.” Occasionally there was a person who R= Relevant. Is the goal worthwhile, and will it meet your said, “I’m going to eat fast food twice a week instead of five needs? For a person who just experienced cardiac bypass times a week.” Who do you think was the more successful surgery, losing weight could mean the difference between person? You got it—the fast-food person. The reason is, a quality life and one of immobility. Determine how the he set a very specific goal that he was able to achieve. The goal is worthwhile in your life. This reminder will help person who “wanted to exercise more” got overwhelmed when you want to quit. and easily gave up.

T=Time-bound. What is the completion date for your This is the time of year when people set New Year Reso- goal? Many decades ago, when I decided to quit smoking, lutions. Interestingly, only about 8 percent actually achieve I set a completion goal of 30 days (it takes about 30 days their goals. Here are the top 6 reasons why people don’t to break a habit). I first went to hypnotherapy, visited the reach their goals: website of the American Lung Association, made a plan to • The goal is too vague or too large deal with my triggers, developed strategies for withdrawal • Procrastination cravings, and sought support with Smokers Anonymous. In • Easily distracted other words, I had a goal and a plan to execute it. It met the • Lack of motivation criteria for SMART goals: it was Specific (S), Measurable • Lack of planning (M), Achievable (A), and Relevant (R) as well as Time• Not making time to incorporate the new goal into life bound (T). Like many of us who kicked the habit, I’m happy So, what defines a successful goal and one that is doomed to report I’ve been “smoke-free” for over 30 plus decades. to fail? If you’ve set goals before and gave up, try SMART You’ve chosen your goal. The next step is to put your goals— they might just be your key to success. plan into action. Remember, changing lifestyle habits is challenging. It takes preparation and intention. BackslidHOW TO SET A SMART GOAL ing is expected; we’re only human, but don’t let that deter S= Specific. Make your goal specific. For example, rather you from continuing with your plan as soon as possible. than saying you want to add more fruits and vegetables Consistency is key. Pretty soon, you’ll find that your goal to your diet, specify you will add 1 more cup of fruit and has become a part of your lifestyle and a natural part of vegetables to your diet daily. Or perhaps you want to try your daily routine. meditation. How will you do this? What steps do you need I wish you a happy and healthy New Year. May your to take? Get as specific as possible. right hand always be stretched out in friendship and your M= Measurable. Measure your progress along the way. capacity for love be limitless.

One good way to do this is by keeping a graph or journal.

Cindy Maynard, Ph.D., RD, is a health psychologist, regisA couple of years ago, I made the decision to add more tered dietitian, and health and fitness writer. Dr. Maynard is protein to my diet since I was over-compensating with passionate about the topic of health and wellness and motivating carbohydrates. I kept a daily journal of how many grams of people towards better health. You can contact her at drcindyprotein/day I was getting. It helped keep me accountable maynard@live.com

B

8 | Avila Beach Life — January 2021

Central Coast

Real Estate Email:

Call: 805.709.1126

WWW.SanLuisBayRealty.COM

SanLuisBayRealty@gmail.com

New Homes, Avila Beach ~ 12 NEW LUXURY HOMES REMAIN

$1,950,000.00 - $3,300,000.00 GATED COMMUNITY. MOMENTS WALK TO THE BEACH

Lot #236

Lot #242

Kingfisher Canyon Lot #238

Lot #237

The Villas Custom luxury home sites in a pristine community. Sprawling ocean views of the entire bay.

Close proximity to the Beach, Shopping and restaurants.

Lot 30 : 6829 sqft $789,000 Lot 31 : 6971 sqft $789,000 Lot 32 : 6944 sqft $789,000

EBB TIDE - FOUR LUXURY CUSTOM HOME SITES

call us today!

805.595.7900