Avalon

Avalon is the only incorporated city on Santa Catalina Island, in the California Channel Islands, and the southernmost city in Los Angeles County. The city is a resort community with the waterfront dominated by tourism-oriented businesses. Avalon attracts about 1 million visitors a year and is frequently visited by cruise ships. Before European colonization, the island was inhabited by the Tongva people. In 1919, chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. gained control of Avalon and oversaw much of the development of Avalon, including the construction of the landmark Catalina Casino. During World War II, Avalon was closed to tourists and used for military training facilities, including a ball field at the U.S. Maritime Museum. The island was a major source of soapstone to the TongVA, who used the material to make stone vessels for cooking. The Tongva called the island Pimu or Pimugna and referred to themselves as thePimugnans. In the 1860s, German immigrant Augustus William Timms ran a sheep herding business on Avalon Bay for bathing and fishing. The settlement in Avalon was then referred to as Timms's Landing in his honor. In 1883, there were thirty tents and three wooden buildings at Timms’s Landing. Though early maps labeled the town Shatto, Shatto's sister-in-law Etta Whitney came up with the permanent name of Avalon in reference from a poem by Lord Tennyson about the legend of King Arthur.

History

The first owner to try to develop Avalon Bay into a resort destination was George Shatto, a real estate speculator from Grand Rapids, Michigan. The sons of Phineas Banning bought the island in 1891 from the Lick estate and established the Santa Catalina Island Company to develop it as a resort. A fire burned half of Avalon's buildings, including six hotels and several clubs, in 1915. In 1919, due to debt related to the 1915 fire and a general decline in tourism during World War I, the Bannings were forced to sell the island to chewing gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr. In 1945, the island was closed to tourists and used for military training facilities, including a U.S. Maritime Service training facility in Avalon. The Maritime Service would soon be abandoned and all apprentice seaman trained aboard three ocean-going vessels at Long Beach, California. In 1975, Philip de Wrigly deeded the shares in the SantaCatalina Island Conservancy that he had helped create to the Conservancy. The Conservancy now maintains 88 percent of the island, primarily outside of the City of Avalon. It still owns and operates many of the main tourist attractions in Avalon, including the Catalina Visitors Club, Descanso Golf Course, and Catalina Beach Club. It also owns much of its resort and golf course properties within the city of Avalon and still operates the Avalon Country Club and Avalon Beach Golf Course. The Catalina Islands Conservancy is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the island's natural beauty.

Geography

Avalon is located on Santa Catalina Island, approximately 22 miles (35 km) south-by-southwest of the Los Angeles Harbor breakwater. It is the only incorporated city to be located on one of the eight Channel Islands of California. The city has a total area of 2.9 sq mi (8 km²) on land and 58,975 sq ft (5,479 m2) in water. The highest recorded temperature was 105.1 °F (40.6 °C) on July 6, 2018, during a major Southern California heatwave. The wettest year was 1983 with 34.54 inches (87.7 cm) and the driest yearwas 1953 with 4.10 inches (10.4 cm). The most rainfall in one month was 11.68 inches (29.7cm) in May 1921. The most rain in 24 hours was 6.75 inches (17 cm) on October 22, 1941, at the Santa. Catalina airport in Los Angeles County. It has a very mild warm-summer Mediterranean climate Csb, with mild temperatures year-round. The National Weather Service maintained a cooperative station at the Avalon Pleasure Pier from 1909 through 1988. The William Wrigley Jr. Summer Cottage, also known as Mount Ada, is now a hotel. It was built in 1927 and is located at the farthest end of town away from the bay. The Memorial prominently features nativeCatalina Island building materials, including the famous pottery and tile that were made on the island from 1927 through 1937.

Demographics

The 2010 United States Census reported that Avalon had a population of 3,728. There were 1,158 households, out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. The average household size was 2.53. The city had a median household income of $65,433, with 12.5% of the population living below the federal poverty line. In 2000, there were 3,127 people, 1, 158 households, and 719 families residing in the city. The population was spread out, with 316 people (8.5%) aged 18 to 24, 953 people (25.6%) aged 25 to 44, 1, 093 people (29.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 406 people (10.9%) who were 65 years of age or older. The racial makeup of the city was 71.6% White, 0.7% Black, 1.0%) Native American, 0,6% Asian, 20.4% from other races, and 5.4%) from two or more races. In 2010, the population was 2,079 persons (55.8%) Hispanic or Latino of any race. The median age was 37.7 years. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 98.6 males.

Economy

As of 2016, 38.4% of the population worked in the arts, entertainment, accommodation and food services industries. The number of families in poverty stands at 11.9%. There were a total of 202 establishments with a combined annual payroll of $90 million as of 2012. The Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau operates as the official Destination Marketing Agency for the island. It is open 364 days a year on the Green Pleasure Pier, which is located on the island's north coast. The island's unemployment rate stands at 3.7% as of October 2014, compared to 7.9% in Los Angeles County as a whole. The city has a population of 2,000, with the majority of residents living in the north coast area. The population of the south coast area is 1,000. The average age of the residents is 35 years old, and the average height is 6 feet, 2 inches (183 cm) tall (with an average weight of 100 pounds (45 kg) The city's population has a median age of 28 years old (with a mean age of 26 years old). The average height of the city is 6 foot, 3 inches (200 meters) (including the tallest buildings in the town of Avalon) The average weight is 200 pounds (100 metres) (the average weight for a city of 1,200 people is 250 pounds (91 kg). The city is home to one of the world's largest public parks, the Catalina Beach Park.

Government

Avalon is located in California's 47th congressional district, represented by Democrat Alan Lowenthal. The City Manager is the executive officer of the city and is appointed directly by the City Council. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) operates the Avalon Station in Avalon. The city has its own full-time and volunteer fire departments for incidents within the city limits, while the LASD serves the rest of the island. The U.S. Postal Service Avalon Post Office (ZIP 90704) is located at 118 Metropole Street. The LA County Department of Health Services operates the Torrance Health Center in Harbor Gateway, Los Angeles, near Torrance and serving Avalon. Avalon is in the 26th Senate District and the 70th Assembly District in the California State Legislature. The Mayor is elected to serve a two-year term while City Councilors are elected to four-year terms. The new City Hall was completed June 8, 2004. It contains local government offices as well as the council chambers. It is located on the island of Avalon in the Santa Catalina Islands, which is part of the Los Angeles Peninsula. The island is home to a population of about 2,000 people, most of whom live in the Avalon area of Los Angeles. It has a population density of about 1,000 per square mile (1,200 per square kilometer) The city is located near Los Angeles International Airport, which has a landing strip that runs from the mainland to Avalon.

Politics

Avalon, California has voted Democrat in the last four presidential elections. In 1992, independent candidate Ross Perot carried the city with 323 votes to George H.W. Bush's 315. In 2016, both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton received a lower percentage of the vote than the previous nominees of their respective parties had received. The city has also displayed some independent leanings, with Perot receiving 323 votes in 1992 and Donald Trump receiving 315 votes in 2016. In 2008, the city voted for the first time in its history to back a Democrat for president, Barack Obama. The last time it voted for a Democrat was in 1964, when George W. Bush won the city's first presidential election, John F. Kennedy was elected president. In 1988, it voted Democrat for the fourth time in a row, this time to back Barack Obama, who won the election with 49.8 percent of the votes. In 1996, it went for the Democrats again, with Barack Obama receiving 49.9 percent of votes. It has voted for Democrats in three of the last five presidential elections, and independents in two of the past four. In 2000, it was the first city in California to vote for a Democratic presidential candidate, and the first in the state's history to do so in 1988. It also voted for an independent candidate in 1992, with Ross Perorot, who received 323 votes, and in 1996, with 315 votes, which was the second-highest vote total in the country.

Education

There are two preschools within the City of Avalon, Catalina Kid Ventures and Pre-School Learning for Avalon Youth. For K-12 education, children attend Avalon School. Avalon is a member of the CIF Southern Section. The school mascot is the "Avalon Lancers" or "Lancers" For junior high and high school education, students go to Avalon Christian School. In 2014, LBUSD closed their long-time one-room school, Two Harbors Elementary School, in unincorporated Los Angeles County, citing that just two 4th grade students remained within the two-county area. The island is home to the Long Beach Unified School District, which is part of the L.A. County School District. The Lancers are known as either the Avalon Lancers or the Avalon High Lancers, depending on which team is playing at the time. For high school sports, Avalon is known as the Lancer or the Lancers. The team is known to travel by boat to the island to play home games. In turn, the team travels to the mainland to play away games. For elementary education, Avalon has one other option, the private Avalon Christian school. It is located on 346 Catalina Avenue. Students then attend Avalon Schools for junior high, high school, and elementary school education. The campus is composed of three Mission Style buildings, a gymnasium, four secondary Bungalows, and sixteen elementary bungalows. Children may also study at the private school, which was founded in the 1970s.

Transportation

The city is served by several high-speed passenger boats with daily services such as the Catalina Express to the Los Angeles district of San Pedro. Private vessels that come to Avalon Harbor are assigned a mooring by the Avalon Harbor Patrol on a first-come, first-served basis. Several helicopter companies serve the city, with most landing at the Pebbly Beach Heliport, located south of Avalon Bay. Small planes can also land at theCatalina Airport, known as the Airport in the Sky, located 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Avalon. The main method of transportation within the city is by small gasoline or electric powered motorcars referred to as "autoettes" These include numerous golf carts and similarly sized vehicles. For purposes of vehicle registration, Catalina Island is divided into two classifications: within Avalon and "Interior" (areas outside the city limits). The city has its own strict permit program with which local vehicle owners must comply, in addition to the usual requirements imposed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Only one new vehicle permit is issued for every two permits that become ineligible to be renewed or are voluntarily surrendered. Because of these restrictions, there is no regular vehicle ferry service for visitors to take their car to Avalon and the rest ofCatalina Island. A taxi service is available to provide transportation in Avalon and throughout the island. It is very difficult for a private citizen to get a permit to have a full-size vehicle in Avalon, and is surrendered when residency on the island ends.

In popular culture

The city was the inspiration for the 1920 popular song Avalon, sung by Al Jolson. It is the port of embarkation for the narrator in the Crosby, Stills, & Nash song Southern Cross. The city is also featured in the film version of the classic film The Great Gatsby, which was shot there in the 1950s and 1960s. The film was based on the novel by the same name, starring Gene Wilder, who was born and raised in the city in the 1930s and '40s. It was directed by James Baldwin, who also filmed the film The Godfather: Part II, in which the city is portrayed as the setting for the film "The Godfather" The film is based on a novel written by Wilder and directed by Robert Redford, who lived in the town in the 1940s and 1950s.

Air Quality, Water Quality, Superfund Sites & UV Index

The Air Quality index is in Avalon, Los Angeles County, California = 1. These Air Quality index is based on annual reports from the EPA. Higher values are better (100=best). The number of ozone alert days is used as an indicator of air quality, as are the amounts of seven pollutants including particulates, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, and volatile organic chemicals. The Water Quality Index is 52. A measure of the quality of an area’s water supply as rated by the EPA. Higher values are better (100=best). The EPA has a complex method of measuring the watershed quality, using 15 indicators such as pollutants, turbidity, sediments, and toxic discharges. The Superfund Sites Index is 10. Higher is better (100=best). Based upon the number and impact of EPA Superfund pollution sites in the county, including spending on the cleanup efforts. The UV Index in Avalon = 6.2 and is a measure of an area's exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. This is most often a combination of sunny weather, altitude, and latitude. The UV Index has been defined by the WHO (www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-the-ultraviolet-(uv)-index) and is uniform worldwide.

Employed

The most recent city population of 3,460 individuals with a median age of 34.9 age the population grows by 1.60% in Avalon, Los Angeles County, California population since 2000 and are distributed over a density of 1,198.89 residents per square mile of area (462.94/km²). There are average 2.73 people per household in the 1,143 households with an average household income of $56,540 a year. The unemployment rate in Alabama is 12.60% of the available work force and has dropped -6.24% over the most recent 12-month period and the projected change in job supply over the next decade based on migration patterns, economic growth, and other factors will increase by 14.92%. The number of physicians in Avalon per 100,000 population = 213.2.

Weather

The annual rainfall in Avalon = 11.9 inches and the annual snowfall = 0 inches. The annual number of days with measurable precipitation (over .01 inch) = 30. The average number of days per year that are predominantly sunny = 278. 72 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily high temperature for the month of July and 46.6 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily low temperature for the month of January. The Comfort Index (higher=better) is 45, where higher values mean a more pleasant climate. The Comfort Index measure recognizes that humidity by itself isn't the problem. (Have you noticed nobody ever complains about the weather being 'cold and humid?) It's in the summertime that we notice the humidity the most, when it's hot and muggy. Our Comfort Index uses a combination of afternoon summer temperature and humidity to closely predict the effect that the humidity will have on people.

Median Home Cost

The percentage of housing units in Avalon, Los Angeles County, California which are owned by the occupant = 18.19%. A housing unit is a house, apartment, mobile home, or room occupied as separate living quarters. The average age of homes = 55 years with median home cost = $509,850 and home appreciation of -18.78%. This is the value of the years most recent home sales data. Its important to note that this is not the average (or arithmetic mean). The median home price is the middle value when you arrange all the sales prices of homes from lowest to highest. This is a better indicator than the average, because the median is not changed as much by a few unusually high or low values. The property tax rate of $7.73 shown here is the rate per $1,000 of home value. If for simplification for example the tax rate is $14.00 and the home value is $250,000, the property tax would be $14.00 x ($250,000/1000), or $3500. This is the 'effective' tax rate.

Study

The local school district spends $4,809 per student. There are 22.6 students for each teacher in the school, 5098 students for each Librarian and 840 students for each Counselor. 6.67% of the area’s population over the age of 25 with an Associate Degree or other 2-year college degree, 14.00% with a master’s degree, Ph.D. or other advanced college degree and 6.36% with high school diplomas or high school equivalency degrees (GEDs).