SERVING CATALINA & ITS MAINLAND
every week - since 1914
FRIENDS
FRIOAY January 9, 2015
VOLUME 101, ISSUE 2
Www.THECATALINAISLANDER.COM
8
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BRI[[FS
Water Level Update
As of Wednesday, Dec. 30, the
Thompson Reservoir water level
measured 277 acre feet. This
was a 2 acre foot decrease from
the Thursday, Dec. 18, the water
level of 279 acre feet. Information
about the water level following the
late December storm was
not available.
Time Capsule
One hundred years ago, nearly
50 albacore were caught in the
first week of January. The largest
was 27 pounds. Yellowtail were
also in abundance. Seventy-five
years ago, the word "Avalonist" '
was used to describe citizens
of Avalon.
See story, page 3
Mysterious Island
Years before becoming a legend-
ary Island pilot, a high school
student acquired an unusual job--
working for AI "Scarface" Capone.
See story, page 4
Stress is a normal reaction
Some Island residents will experi-
ence symptoms of stress as a
result of the December storm. The
Catalina Island Medical Center's
director of Social Services offers
advice on how to take care of
yourself after experiencing trauma.
See story, page 5
Preseason prepares Avalon
Lancers for league play
The Avalon Boys Varsity Basketball
Team has been preparing for their
upcoming league schedule by play-
ing against tough competition in
the preseason. Avalon has played
15 games in the past month and
has been able to observe what
many successful programs do to
be successful.
See story, page 6
Conservancy Times on
Catalina's water supply .
The Catalina Island Conservancy
starts a series of articles with
common questions and answers
about the Island's water supply.
See story, page 7
Sheriff's Log
The commander of the Avalon
Sheriff's Station says there have
been no golf cart thefts reported
since Dec. 3.
See story, page 11
Catalina Rediscovered
A look back at local life
in the year 1893,
See story, page 13
Harbor Patrol Officer
Tim Mitchell joined
Harbor Dept. in May
BY BRIAN BRAY
In response to last week's trag-
ic nor'easter storm, the Avalon
Harbor Department released the
following press release, written by
Avalon Harbor Master Brian Bray.
The Catalina Islander reprints the
bulk of the press release here:
"On December 30, 2014, the
City of Avalon lost Harbor Patrol
Officer Tim Mitchell, a hero and
beloved member of the city family,
who gave the ultimate sacrifice as
he valiantly served the community
defending life and property.
"Tim was on duty as a Harbor
Patrol assistant, working from a
patrol boat, trying to protect resi-
dents, visitors and boats that were
being battered by the fierce winds
and waves that quickly and merci-
lessly descended upon Avalon last i
night.
Harbor Department, Page 2
Tim Mitchell
I
r
Storm claims two
lives and destroys
multiple boats
BY JIM WATSON
EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to last
week's early holiday deadline,
the Catalina Islander was unable
to provide extensive coverage of
last week's nor'easter storm.
The longtime bane of Avalon
town--the wicked nor'easter
storm--once again reared its
ugly head in historic fashion on
Tuesday and Wednesday of last
week. The resulting destruction
claimed numerous vessels, marine
facilities and the lives of two local
men. The storm winds reached
speeds of up to 40 miles per hour,
and while such winds are not
uncommon in Avalon, the devas-
tation was caused by the easterly
Storm, Page 2
Aftermath of a storm-The last storm
of 2014 claimed two lives, caused signifi-
cant property damage throughout Avalon
and will go down in local history as one of
the Island's major disasters. Seen clockwise
from the top: Two of many boats run run
aground and destroyed, but the Dec. 30-31
storm. Avalon emergency workers at work
after the storm. (Photos by Denise Morris)
An aerial view of damaged boats new Blue
Water Avalon. (Photo courtesy Catalina
Island Chamber of Commerce webcam)
After the storm, debris in Avalon Bay hints
at the power of the storm. Waves crash
into the land and soar as high as a the
Tuna Club (foreground). (Photos by Denise
Morris) For more images from the storm,
see page 9
Bruce Ryder
