Free L.A.’s free store will be somewhat similar to this Fo’ Real Free Market from Richmond, Virginia

Vassar College student and L.A.-native Laura Smith is dedicating her summer to establishing a free store in Los Angeles.

Set to launch in June 2012, Free L.A. will seek to divert waste and promote reuse while spreading awareness and engaging the community in dialogue about environmental and social issues. All items in the store will be free — it will operate on donations, namely clothing, books, and CDs — and it will incorporate a time-share and skill-exchange component. It will be a space in which community organizations and individuals can host free events for the public, including themed discussions and workshops, even events ranging from knitting lessons to yoga classes to open mics. 

Free stores have existed in a variety of contexts and capacities, including at schools, such as the Vassar College Free Market, in storefronts, such as the Baltimore Free Store, as guerrilla stands, like No Moola in Hawai’i, and even online, including Freecycle. What they share is a lack of fiscal exchange and a desire to reimagine the relationship both between people and their material goods and between people and their communities.

This free store is still searching for a home! Free L.A. is currently seeking free initial space from June-August — one room accessible to the public in the greater Los Angeles area, ideally near public transportation. While there will be no monetary compensation for the owner of the space, Free L.A. will collect donations for different charities from week to week and the owner will have a defining voice in selecting these organizations.

Want to get involved and join the Free L.A. team, or offer use of your space for the project? Contact Laura at lausmith [at] vassar.edu

Simplified Distributed Solar Illustration. The figures are not very realistic, but it gets the point across. Click the image and then click it again on the next page to see a larger version of it.

Benefits of Distributed Rooftop Solar Schemes Like This

Due to the fact that rooftop solar schemes involve only a few or several kilowatts of solar panels per rooftop, rooftop solar panels are spread out (distributed) over a much larger area than they would be if installed in a typical solar power plant.

Typical utility-scale solar power plants contain many solar panels clustered barely a few feet away from each other, and this puts them at risk of the worst reliability issue that solar power plants have — clouds, which I discuss in the “reliability benefits” section below.

The reliability issue also creates a need for a large amount of backup from other non-solar power plants, or from batteries, which are a more expensive alternative.

Reliability and Cost Benefits

At a conventional solar power plant, storm clouds can cover most of the solar panels and significantly reduce their power output.

When this happens, natural gas peaking power plants may be switched on to compensate for this, or modern baseload power plants (natural gas, coal, nuclear, geothermal) may be adjusted, such as GE’s recent combined cycle natural gas (CCNG) plant, which can adjust its power production by 50 MW per minute to compensate for those pesky clouds.

Now, for the good news: Distributed solar schemes have the potential to reduce the need for backup generators and energy so much that only a small fraction of the solar panels would need backup at any given moment. In other words, little energy storage or backup is required, which saves a massive amount of money.

There will be large storms, which are exceptions to this rule but, not most of the time.

Why: Spreading solar panels out over a large area of hundreds or even thousands of miles, across the U.S or large U.S. regions, for example, means that when a few houses are overcast by clouds, less than 20 kW of solar panels are affected, compared to an example 20,000 kW of panels at a utility-scale solar power plant.

This is up to 1,000 times worse!

Another potential cost benefit: Land does not have to be purchased for rooftop solar panels, because they are put on existing rooftops. Most rooftop space is not put to use. Therefore, putting solar panels on them isn’t really a waste of space, because they are generating clean electricity while occupying no additional land.

Efficient.

h/t PR Newswire

Related posts:

1. Solar Backup Myth
2. Solar Power Can Fit on Existing Land
3. Walls that Generate Electricity

Construction will pick up at Temescal Canyon Park in Pacific Palisades this summer as crews begin building a stormwater diversion structure. The project is part of the Temescal Canyon Park Stormwater Best Management Practices Project (BMP), run by the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works.

The $8 million project is an effort to stop stormwater from running into Will Rogers State Beach and reduce beach pollution by diverting water from an existing storm drain under Temescal Canyon Road to new facilities in and near Temescal Canyon Park. After being held at a pretreatment facility on the site, the water will be sent through the sewer system to a treatment plant.

Crews have been working at the site since January, hauling dirt. According to the city, construction of the diversion structure will begin mid-May through October 2012. The city made sure the construction schedule "partially coincide[d] with the summer break to minimize impacts to Palisades High School traffic," states the BMP website.

Construction hours will be from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. during the week, with possible weekend work.

The city says k-rail and traffic lane shifts will be in effect for the safety of both workers and drivers.

The BMP website lists the following potential impacts for motorists and cyclists using Temescal Canyon Road from mid-May through October:

• Two traffic lanes will always remain open in both directions.
• About 1,100 feet of street parking will be removed to make way for motorists and a bicycle lane for those traveling uphill on Temescal Canyon Road.
• About 1,400 feet of street parking will be removed on the downhill side of Temescal Canyon Road.
• A dedicated bike lane will be available at all times traveling downhill.
• About 850 feet of a dedicated bike lane will be removed traveling uphill, so cyclists will have to share the lane with motorists, or use the sidewalk.

For more information about the Temescal Canyon Stormwater Best Management Practices Project, click here.

For photos from when the project started, click here.

All but one beach in Pacific Palisades scored an "A" for water quality in the past 30 days, according to a report released Wednesday by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. The "30 Day Grade" report showed Will Rogers State Beach at Santa Ynez Storm Drain had insufficient data, but the rest were at the top of the class!

Most beaches scored either a "B" or "C" grade during the previous report from the department.

The L.A. County Department of Public Health website says it gives an A through F grade based on the "trend of bacteriological levels at each sampling site over the past 30 days."

Here is how Pali beaches faired:

• Will Rogers State Beach at Santa Ynez Storm Drain: Insufficient Data
• Will Rogers State Beach Stairs at 17200 Pacific Coast Hwy.: A
• Bel Air Bay Club, 16801 Pacific Coast Hwy. (At chainlink fence): A
• Bel Air Bay Club, 50 yards south of storm drain/fence: A
• Will Rogers State Beach in front of Pulga Canyon Storm Drain: A
• Will Rogers State Beach in front of Temescal Storm Drain: A
• Will Rogers State Beach 50 yards south of Temescal Storm Drain: A

According to the department's website, each sampling site is tested for "total coliform, fecal coliform or E. coli and enterococcus bacteria."

The beach grades are part of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's Environmental Health Program.

• For the beach report card for the L.A. County area, click here.

On May 11-12, 2012, the annual Alternative Building Materials & Design Expo (AltBuild Expo) celebrates its 9th year at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium (1855 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401). Presented by the City of Santa Monica, AltBuild Expo & Conference is considered the largest and most-respected green design and building expo in Southern California, serving top industry professionals--architects, builders, contractors, engineers, landscapers--and exhibitors, as well as a large consumer audience. The event highlights programming that serves both those already committed to, and those who are poised to enter, sustainable design.

The Expo features over 150 hand-picked exhibitors covering green building and design materials; energy efficiency techniques and technologies; alternative energy; water conservation and management; environmental plumbing; municipal and state agencies; and non-profit organizations. This year, the Expo also features a curated section of artisan materials and manufacturers.

Although anyone may attend either day, the programming for Friday is geared to the professional, and on Saturday, to the public. More than 40 speakers will address sustainable and alternative building practices. Programming, speakers and exhibitors will be posted on www.altbuildexpo.com.

Current sponsors include American Institute of Architects (AIA), U.S. Green Building Council-LA Chapter, Building Industry Association (BIA)-LA/Ventura County Chapter, Build It Green PermaCity, and Energy Upgrade.

www.altbuildexpo.com

Festival highlights include performances by Dustbowl Revival, La Santa Cecilia, Lux Aeterna and Vaud & The Villains, fitness classes, eco-friendly workshops and a Santa Monica Farmers Market “Chef Challenge” cooking competition.

In addition, festival attendees can learn about recreational classes offered by the City and how to incorporate fitness into everyday life, watch cooking demonstrations and discover local resources offered by a variety of Santa Monica, environmental and local non-profit organizations.

“The City proudly presents this annual festival to celebrate and showcase the unique and progressive programs, businesses, culture and environmental initiatives of Santa Monica,” says Allison Ostrovsky, Cultural Affairs Supervisor for the City of Santa Monica.

The festival is presented by the City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division, Community and Cultural Services Department, and Office of Sustainability and the Environment (OSE) and is produced by Community Arts Resources (CARS).

Event Highlights Include:

OCEAN STAGE: Diverse music and dance performances including Venice-based jazz collective Dustbowl Revival, merging old school bluegrass, gospel, jug band and swing, the South American rhythms of La Santa Cecilia combining cumbia and bossa nova with Afro-Cuban percussion, rock and jazz, LA’s premiere dance-theater company Lux Aeterna, combining urban dance and circus theater, and 19-piece New Orleans orchestra and cabaret band Vaud & the Villains. The stage will be hosted by Natalie J. Forte, who is producer and co-host of Be Green, Santa Monica CityTV’s Emmy nominated eco-friendly show and the popular lifestyle show Get Out!.

FOOD SALON: A culinary stage with a chef challenge, cooking demos, and cookbook workshop focusing on how to cook sustainable and affordable meals using Farmers Market produce, as well as ways to incorporate Santa Monica’s adoption of the “Meatless Monday” movement. The culinary stage includes a new addition this year, the Santa Monica Farmers Market “Chef Challenge” cooking competition featuring Nyesha Arrington, executive chef at The Wilshire and contestant on Bravo’s Top Chef Season 9 and John-Carlos Kuramoto, executive chef at Michael’s. They will face off to create dishes that are quick, easy and affordable using Santa Monica Farmers Market ingredients. Cooking demos will be offered for both adults and children. Attendees can also select from over fifty healthy recipes from Santa Monica chefs and design their own cookbook.

FOOD TRUCKS & CARTS: Over a dozen food trucks and carts will serve a variety of healthy fare and tasty treats, including Border Grill, Coolhaus, India Jones, The Bun Truck, Go Chew Truck and Gastrobus. For a complete list visit www.smgov.net/festival.

MARKETPLACE: Guilt-free shopping featuring earth-friendly, artistic wares, jewelry and crafts from top independent, local artists and vendors.
ECO ZONE: Fun, interactive booths and activities promoting environmentally smart solutions for your home, garden and daily living. Sustainable Works will be offering Vermicomposting, Solar Cooking and Non-Toxic Cleaning workshops.

ACTIVE SANTA MONICA: The hub for all things active. Get moving with Zumba, belly dancing, martial arts, gymnastic, and yoga demos throughout the day. Learn about City classes, recreational programs and how to incorporate fitness into everyday life. Active Santa Monica aims to enhance the wellbeing of the Santa Monica community through fitness, recreation and healthy lifestyle choices. A Taste of Summer with the Annenberg Beach House will offer cardboard yacht building and stand-up paddleboard and volleyball demos.
TOWN SQUARE: Meet the people committed to making Santa Monica shine from organizations such as the American Red Cross, Santa Monica Fire Department, The Broad Stage, Santa Monica Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the Santa Monica Conservancy and many more.

WORKSHOPS: Be inspired and get crafty at one of the many creative workshops. Create spoke cards for your bicycle with the Santa Monica Museum of Art, contribute to an interactive installation with 18th Street Arts Center and make a rocket ship or planet with orbiting objects with the Santa Monica Public Library as part of their Summer Reading theme “Dream Big.”

BIKE ZONE: FREE bike valet is available on 25th Street at Ocean Park Boulevard. Bikers receive a free raffle ticket for participating. Learn do-it yourself bicycle repair, maintenance and safe riding tips from Bikerowave. Santa Monica Spoke will have over 30 bikes on view and will showcase the adaptability of bikes as well as have interactive talks on “bike fit” and education on “confident city cycling.” The City of Santa Monica’s Planning & Community Development and SM Bike Center present a bike rodeo and skill zone where participants of all ages can practice bicycle handling.
ZERO WASTE: The Santa Monica Festival supports the City of Santa Monica’s commitment to sustainability by following zero waste principles to reduce its impact on the environment and community. All electricity used at the event is renewable. Vehicles driven to and from the event are carbon-offset. Zero Waste stations will be set up throughout Clover Park to minimize trash going to the landfill and to maximize recycling and composting. All utensils are either compostable or recyclable. In addition, the Water Resources Division of Santa Monica will supply the festival with chilled water stations and the Westside Food Bank will be selling reusable water bottles for a $2 donation that will provide food to social service agencies in West Los Angeles.

The Santa Monica Festival is free to the public and takes place on Saturday, May 19 from 11am – 6pm in Clover Park, 2600 Ocean Park Blvd., between Cloverfield Boulevard and 28th Street. Parking and bike valet are free.

The Santa Monica Festival is sponsored by Chobani Greek Yogurt, Intelligentsia, Izip, KCRW 89.9 FM, Santa Monica Mirror, Yelp.com, Santa Monica Place, West LA Takeaway, Farm Fresh To You and Local Yocal.

For more information and a complete list of events, please visit www.smgov.net/festival.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SantaMonicaFestival
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/SantaMonicaFest

RELATED

1. 21st ANNUAL SANTA MONICA FESTIVAL
2. 21st Annual Santa Monica Festival
3. Santa Monica Festival at Clover Park 5/8

Time:May 19, 2012 from 8am to 2pm
Location:Mar Vista Recreation Center
Street:11430 Woodbine Ave.
City/Town:Los Angeles
Website or Map:http://www.laparksfoundation.…
Export to Outlook or iCal (.ics)

Since 2009, when Mandatory Water Conservation took effect, LADWP water customers have successfully reduced water consumption citywide by nearly 20%. Though overall water use continues to be significantly lower than it has in the past, water use in recent months has risen sharply since January. Year-to-year trends are more modest, but are still cause for concern with overall water use from July 2011 to March 2012, up nearly 3% when compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year. Single-family residential customers alone have demonstrated an increase in water use of more than 5% for the same period, while multi-family residential customers are up just over 1%.

LADWP urges all customers to keep saving water, and money, by continuing to abide by Mandatory Water Conservation measures put into effect in 2009.  Reducing water use is as simple as checking sprinkler timers, checking indoors for leaky faucets and toilets, and using a hose fitted with a shut-off nozzle when watering landscape or washing your car.

“In 2011, our customers reached a per capita water usage of 123 gallons daily – the lowest in Los Angeles in more than 40 years and the currently the lowest among any U.S. city with a population over one million,” said James McDaniel, Senior Assistant General Manager, LADWP Water System. “Still, even with this remarkable achievement, recently we’ve noticed water use on the rise and with temperatures climbing and summer coming, we’re asking our customers to once again take a look at their water use and see how they can use less.”

The recent uptick in water use this fiscal year is especially concerning following a dry winter and a below-normal snowpack this year. Dry years require increased purchases of expensive imported supplies from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to supplement Los Angeles’ water supply, resulting in higher costs for customers. LADWP customers can curb the impact of the dry winter by increasing water conservation efforts to reduce the city’s overall water demand and thereby reduce the amount of purchased water needed. Since LADWP customers pay only for water used, without any fixed water charges, any additional reduction in water use will result in direct savings on their water bills compared to what they would have paid without conservation.

In June 2009, the City of Los Angeles instituted Mandatory Water Conservation, which restricted outdoor watering and prohibited certain uses of water. The outdoor watering restrictions currently in effect allow customers to use sprinklers three days a week based on their street address. Customers whose address ends with an odd number – 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 – are allowed to use sprinklers on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Customers whose addresses end in even numbers – 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 – are allowed to use sprinklers on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Watering with sprinklers is allowed before 9:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m. only, regardless of the watering day, for a maximum of eight minutes per station.

Mandatory Water Conservation also places restrictions on specific water uses, which also remain in effect. Restrictions include prohibiting customers from hosing down driveways and sidewalks, requiring all leaks to be fixed, and requiring customers to use hoses fitted with shut-off nozzles only, among other measures.

To assist customers in conserving water, LADWP offers numerous rebate programs and incentives for switching to water-efficient devices as well as tips for easy ways to reduce water use. Information on the water conservation rebates, as well comprehensive information on Mandatory Water Conservation, is available at www.ladwp.com or by calling 1-800-DIAL DWP.

RELATED

1. LADWP presents Recycled Water
2. Watering Lawns Three Days a Week Allowed Under New Plan
3. Receive A $300 Rebate For A High Efficiency Clothes Washer

The Pacific Palisades Garden Club held it's annual Spring Garden Tour on April 29, taking home and garden lovers through five private gardens and a native plant garden at Canyon Chater Elementary School.

According to the PPGC, the tour visited two gardens on Iliff Street, one on upper Chautauqua Boulevard, another garden on El Medio and then one along San Remo.

The garden at Canyon Charter Elementary was a special stop for the PPGC, since the the club helped establish the garden. The garden is currently maintained by parents and students, says the PPGC.

Garden tour ticket sales will benefit school garden programs, local beautification projects and help build scholarships for horticulture and garden design students.

Scroll through the photo gallery for some highlights from the tour! If you have photos to share, please upload them to the story by clicking the "Upload Photos and Video" button just below the pictures.

• For more information from the Pacific Palisades Garden Club, click here.

81 percent support LADWP increasing its local solar goal to 1,200 megawatts. Support for this goal remains strong across the political spectrum, with majorities of Democratic, Republican and Independent voters all expressing support.

A memo detailing the survey findings is available online at www.votesolar.org.  The poll on L.A. attitudes toward renewable energy was conducted by the public research firm Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) for the Vote Solar Initiative.

“Sunny Los Angeles has enormous potential to lead the state in solar energy, and in recent months city leaders have done a commendable job of putting L.A. in a position to harness that homegrown renewable resource,” said Susannah Churchill, Southwestern Solar Advocate for Vote Solar. “Our poll shows that this is the kind of solar progress that Angelenos overwhelmingly want to see in their community.”

“Local solar power puts our energy dollars to work building a healthier and more prosperous L.A. An expanded solar program would put more boots on roofs and create more jobs in areas that need them most,” said Bill Gallegos, Executive Director of Communities for a Better Environment (CBE), a leading environmental justice organization. “Poor communities often get the worst of the fossil fuel energy system. It is only fair that they enjoy the environmental, health, and economic benefits of the clean energy system.”

“In addition to proving hugely popular among L.A. residents, expanded use of local clean energy can reduce the city’s dependence on out-of-state dirty coal power,” said Evan Gillespie Sierra Club, America’s largest grassroots environmental organization. “City leadership has set an exciting goal of getting LADWP off dirty coal. It just makes economic and environmental sense to harvest our homegrown solar resource, creating more local jobs and economic development for Angelenos.”

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is the largest municipal utility in the country, accounting for 10 percent of California’s electricity demand. The utility currently gets less than 1 percent of its power from solar generation. Los Angeles has recently taken important steps to expand its use of local solar power. In September 2011, LADWP reopened its Solar Incentive Program with a goal of installing 125 megawatts (MW) of solar to meet on-site power needs at homes and businesses. And in April 2012, the City Council and Mayor authorized LADWP to move forward with a new program called CLEAN LA Solar that will add 150 MW of rooftop solar power to the city’s electricity mix. Together these programs will result in about five times the amount of solar currently installed in L.A. and generate enough electricity to power more than 60,000 homes.

Survey findings confirmed that Los Angeles voters stand behind the kind of solar leadership demonstrated by the city and would support further solar investment. An overwhelming majority feels that the city should achieve 1,200 MW of solar, which is LADWP’s share of Governor Brown’s statewide goal of 12,000 MW of local clean power by 2020. 1,200 MW of rooftop solar would generate enough clean, reliable electricity to power more than 260,000 homes.

Methodology:

From March 14-18, 2012, FM3 completed 400 telephone interviews with registered voters who are Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) customers. Results for the full sample have a margin of sampling error of +/- 4.9%.

About Vote Solar:

The Vote Solar Initiative (Vote Solar) is a non-profit grassroots organization working to fight climate change and foster economic opportunity by bringing solar energy into the mainstream. Since 2002 Vote Solar has engaged in state, local and federal campaigns to remove regulatory barriers and implement the key policies needed to bring solar to scale. www.votesolar.org

About FM3:

Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) has specialized in public policy-oriented opinion research since 1981. www.fmma.com

RELATED

1. UCLA Study Calls for Cheaper Solar
2. Mayor Authorizes DWP to Buy Solar Power from L.A. Homes, Businesses
3. LA City Council Unanimously Approves Solar Feed-In Tariff Program; Solar Companies Accepting Project Submissions Through April 30

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Trading in your old cell phone for the latest technology can be expensive, but now there’s an eco-friendly way to get cash for your electronics.

The ECO ATM, which can be found in malls across Southern California, pays customers for old cell phones and electronic gadgets.

The machine identifies devices and give an initial cash offer. The customer is then asked to plug the phone or product into the machine for diagnostic testing, at which point a final offer is given.

The customer’s driver’s license is then scanned so an in-store credit can be issued. Users can also choose to have the funds donated to charity.

The phones are then re-sold to be refurbished or recycled in an environmentally responsible manner.

ECO ATM is backed by the same company that operates Red Box and Coinstar.

To find a kiosk near you, visit ECO ATM.

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power General Manager Ronald Nichols released a statement Tuesday afternoon about a second power station in Pacific Palisades. According to the statement, the Palisades needs another station to keep up with customer demand.

Nichols stated that the department is in the very early stages of the process and that no location has been officially selected. However, since the LADWP owns land next to Marquez Elementary, many residents have strongly opposed the possibility of building the station so close the school.

There have been two community meetings regarding the station to date. The meeting held at Marquez Elementary on April 16 was particularly heated, with many parents and kids voicing concerns over fire danger and possible health risks.

But, what if we could avoid building another station altogether?

Just this week, Pali Patch blogger Nancy Dolin wrote a post about the possibility of Pali going solar. She wrote about about Open Neighborhoods, a group that is working with the LADWP to find alternative solutions ... instead of overloading the grid.

Do you think it's possible for Pali to go off the grid … by way of solar power, or another alternative power source? Tell us in the poll below, or in comments!

It all began when 17-year-old Boy Scout Josh Lappen, in the process of earning that Eagle Scout status, looked to fulfill his community service requirement. Wanting to do something for the environment, he reached out to a local state park to offer free manual labor. With budget cuts so deep that there was no one to answer his call, Lappen eventually found his way to City Forester Walt Warriner.

As reported in the Santa Monica Daily Press, Warriner connected the ambitious Boy Scout with a pilot program the city recently started with the United States Forest Service. With the goal of earning “carbon credits” by planting 1,000 trees, the city had everything they needed to get the program started, including tress and space. They just needed someone to plant them. That’s where Lappen and his team of volunteers (including his Boy Scout Troop 2) came in.

"This project was completely up my alley," Lappen told the Daily Press. "It was everything I could have thought of, wanted or dreamed of in a planting project."

On National Arbor Day, (April 28^th), Lappen and his crew began planting California sycamore trees in a previously untended asphalt lot along Michigan Avenue at 22^nd Street in Santa Monica. The trees should reach heights of 20 or 30 feet in ten years, with officials set to monitor their progress over the next century.

Green building highlights include FSC-certified wood, locally sourced materials, low-flow water fixtures, low-VOC paints/adhesives/finishes, smart building controls for energy management and abundant access to daylight. During construction, 50 percent of all construction wastes were recycled or salvaged; outside, native, drought-tolerant landscaping reduces the amount of water required to keep plants green and happy.

image via Shore Hotel

The Shore worked with a LEED consultant not just on this, the green build basics, but on their daily operations, which prioritize recycling and eco-friendly cleaning products. Nor does the focus on the environment stop there, as the Santa Monica Mirror reports that the hotel’s “Green Concierge” provides personal recommendations and in-depth knowledge of green and sustainable activities, services, and events in the Santa Monica area, including hybrid taxi companies, organic restaurants, fair-trade coffee shops, “community-enhancing yoga studios” and holistic, natural spas.

The hotel also wants you to join in the green effort. While many hotels offer placards with options for saving water (and the hotel’s laundry budget) by opting not to have your towels replaced everyday, the Shore Hotel goes further in its encouragement of green guest behavior, and offers a nice bit of kick-back as well: for every night a Shore Hotel guest decides to forgo having their room serviced, they will receive a $10 credit toward their stay, or toward amenities like surfboard and bike rentals.

The new lights are expected to provide better lighting, but there will be no lights tonight during the changeover.

Join the forum discussion on this post