SERVING CATALINA &: ITS .MAINLAND FRIENDS
every week - since 1914
VOLUME 97, ISSUE 52
YEAR IN REVIEW 2011
,,,,,, December 30, 2011
Part 2 July-December
Firework implodes
While thousands of spectators enjoyed Avalon's Fourth
of July fireworks show, few of them actually saw one explo-
sion that was not planned to occur the way it did. Most of the
300 pyrotechnic shells for the evening were set offelectroni-
cally out on the Mole from a safe distance.
However, about 70 of the larger ones were set off with a
hand-lit fuse from a metal tube called a mortar, sticking out
of a 55-gallon metal barrel packed tight with sand. Some-
thing went wrong with one of them and the barrel blew up
in a fireball, splitting the metal barrel down the middle.
Witnesses said they were amazed that the man who ignited
it was not seriously injured. "It was a pretty catastrophic
equipment failure," said Mayor Bob Kennedy, who was on
the scene and said it was the first time he could remember
when such a mishap had occurred.
Steve Hoofs, Avalon Fire Chief and City Manager, who
runs Avalon's fireworks show as a licensed, private contrac-
Rrework, Page 3
Locals Surf Avalon Bay
A north eastern swell caused by a winter storm passing over
Southern California before Christmas, allowed for a rare and
unique opporttmity for local surfers.
The intense wind that blew from the mainland created con-
ditions inside Avalon Harbor that were just too good for about
15 locals to pass up.
Swells were consistent around 3-5 feet, with many larger
waves crashing onto the beach regularly. About 40-50 spec-
tators gathered near Step Beach to take photos and enjoy
the show.
Some of the brave locals who jumped on the rare op-
portunity to surf Avalon Bay, are rumored to include Pastor
Lopez, Jon Quarnstrom, Weston Leonhardi, Aaron Cush-
ing, Buck Lopez, Adam Thoricht, Eddie Hoffinan, Jim Fe-
lix, Michael McCormick, Chris Arnold, Carlos Hernandez,
Alex Hobbs, Steven Bray and Kaitlyn Lopez.
Holly Hill restoration
The new owners of the Holly Hill House, Mark and Kar-
en Engman, started restoring this Queen Anne style Victori-
an home earlier this year. Original construction of the home
by Peter Gano was in 1890. It is a historic landmark, listed
in the National Register of Historic Places. "We purchased
the home in March this year on an 'as is' basis' with the in-
tention to keep it as our personal vacation home," Engman
said. "Our decision was to restore it to its original form."
During the restoration process, original flooring was ex-
posed, hand carved woodwork earne into view, and original
columns belonging to Gano that were hidden within the walls
were all discovered. "'We anticipate a two-year process," said
Ken Redding, the contractor the Engmans hired to complete
this project. "With that being said, there are a lot of variables
involved in the time table. There was termite damage, which
was greater than expected and it is tmknown what other factors
could arise...the Engmans are committed to see that, whatever it
takes for the best result, they will see it through."
THE DIRTY HEADS
SELL OUT DESCANSO
The Reggae, hip-hop and rock
band, the Dirty Heads headlined a
sold out performance on July 22 at
Descanso Beach on the grass. The
concert was considered a success-
ful event by the Island Company,
visitors and locals alike.
Dirty Heads have been com-
ing to Catalina every summer for
years said cofounder Jared "Dirty
J" Watson. The band was founded
in 1996 by Watson and vocalist/gui-
tarist Dustin "Duddy B" Bushnell.
Dirty Heads, Page 3
$15,000 PURSE FOR
CATALINA SUP FEST
The Catalina SUP (Stand Up
Paddling) Festival came to Des-
canso Beach and Crescent Avenue
September 30 through October 2.
The weekend-long stand-up pad-
dling (SUP) event was hosted by
the Santa Catalina Island Company
and their partners REVO sunglasses,
SUP Magazine, Siena Nevada and
Skyy Infusions. It included two days
of races in the calm waters off Des-
canso Beach Club, SUP films and
numerous entertainment festivities.
sue, Page 3
RICHARD SALDANA
HONORED WITH 2ND
PURPLE HEART
Catalina native son Richard Sal-
dana was 24 years old, serving his
country in Vietnam. A specialist
fourth class, Saldana and other sol-
diers were ambushed. A rocket gre-
nade hit the tank's ammunition can.
The explosion left his right hand
dangling from his wrist and it was
later removed in a field hospital.
The muscles in his left arm were
also badly damaged. He nearly lost
MUSEUM'S 1,000TH
MEMBER
CRUISE SHIP BERTH
OPTIONS FLOATED
The year 2011 marked a mile- In an effort to increase business,
stone as the Catalina Island Mu- the city of Avalon and the local
seum celebrated its 1,000th mem-
ber-Eric Huart.
In 2010 the museum's member-
ship was only about 350 strong.
"This museum has undergone one
of the most dramatic tumarounds
that I have ever seen. It really is
evidence that the public likes what
we are doing and where we are
headed," said Executive Director
the arm, but doctors in Japan were, Dr. Michael De Marsche.
Vet, Page 3 Museum, Page 3
Chamber of Commerce have been
exploring ways to have more cruise
line passengers move more easily
from their ships to the shore. Cur-
rently, cruise lines must employ ten-
ders to ferry people onto the Island.
According to Wayne Grif-
fin, Chamber president and CEO,
cruise line management said a sig-
nificantly higher number of people
would visit the Island if they did
Cruise, Page 3
