Edition 4 August 2026

Calendar

See posted calendars for:

• Mildred B. Owen Concert Hall
• Sanchez Art Gallery
• Pacific Beach Coalition

Photos have been contributed by Leo Leon and Mark Hubbell

Pacifica Voice is eager to receive articles on issues important to our community. Please send them to editors@pacvoice.org for consideration.

To receive press releases and periodic messages from the Pacifica Voice please add your name and email address to our subscriber list – SUBSCRIBE HERE. FREE

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CLOSE TO HOME

Skyline Community Impacted by ICE

Letter from Skyline College President, Nathan Carter, Ph.D.

Dear Skyline College Community,

As our summer sessions begin to wind down, I want to thank everyone for your continued commitment to our students, our shared mission, and care for the college community. I am writing today in response to the District’s recent communication about members of our community impacted by immigration enforcement. 

On Friday, Chancellor Melissa Moreno shared the difficult news that four students from the San Mateo County Community College District were detained by federal immigration enforcement. Three of those students are valued members of our Skyline College community.

Like many of you, I am deeply saddened by this news. I know this situation has sparked a range of emotions across our campus. It is natural to be worried about the well-being of our students and colleagues and the impact this has on their families, friends, classmates, and all those in our college community who care about them.

While there are limitations to what we can share publicly in this evolving situation, those legal circumstances do not diminish the college’s commitment to supporting our students.

Here is what I can share. Since learning of this incident, Skyline College and District leadership have been working closely together to respond. We have been in communication with the students’ families to offer support, helped ensure connections to immigration legal resources, and are exploring additional financial assistance through available emergency resources. Within 24 hours of notice of this incident, at the request of the students’ authorized legal representatives, I prepared three individual letters of support, one for each student, urging for their release so they can continue pursuing their education. Today we have heard back that these letters were received and most helpful. No additional letters were requested at this time. As with any active legal matter, we will continue coordinating closely with the students or their authorized representatives, and appropriate legal representatives to ensure our support is responsive to the students’ wishes while also protecting their privacy and educational information. Our focus remains on supporting our students and helping preserve every opportunity for them to continue their educational journeys.

We also recognize that many members of our campus community may need support during this time. If you or someone you know needs assistance, I encourage you to connect with the following resources:

• Skyline College’s Undocumented Community Resource Center (UCC) for confidential guidance, community connection, and access to Non-Consent Flyers. The UCC has access to free immigration legal support available to California Community College students, faculty, and classified professionals.
• Personal Counseling Services for students and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits for faculty, classified professionals and administrators seeking emotional or mental health support.

As the immediate response continues, I also look forward to engaging our participatory governance groups, including the Academic Senate, Classified Senate, Management Council, and the Associated Students of Skyline College to strengthen our campus protocols, faculty, and classified professionals’ guidance and our long-term support for students. We know our strongest path forward is one that is collaborative, thoughtful, and rooted in our shared commitment to student success.

I also want to ask for your partnership.

If you become aware that a Skyline College student has been detained by immigration enforcement, please notify College leadership immediately so we can coordinate an appropriate institutional response and connect students and their families with available resources as quickly as possible.

We recognize that members of our community may wish to support students in a variety of ways during this difficult time. Because these matters may involve active legal proceedings, coordination with the students’ authorized representatives and the privacy protections afforded to students under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), we ask that employees first contact College administrative leadership to receive proper guidance. Doing so helps us verify requests, coordinate support with the students’ authorized legal and personal representatives, protect students’ privacy and educational records, and ensure that any information shared is consistent with the students’ wishes and responsive to the immediate and evolving needs identified by those representing the students.

I know many members of our community are carrying heavy hearts today. If you have been personally affected by these events, please know that you are not alone. As a college, we remain committed to supporting our students and connecting them with the resources and assistance available to them. Our purpose is not only to educate but also to care for the people who make up this community, especially during moments of uncertainty and challenge.

I hope each of us will continue to lead with compassion, extend grace, and look out for one another in the ways that we can. Thank you for helping make this a community where every person is treated with dignity, respect, and humanity. To anyone affected about this, please know you are valued members of our community and we will work together to support students while staying true to our mission, vision, and values.

With respect and care always,

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UPDATE ON 555 Kelly Farmworker Housing

By Harvey Rarback

At the July 21st Half Moon Bay city council meeting the Council voted to put a referendum on the November ballot. The ballot question is a vote to continue forward with the city agreements for the lease on 555 Kelly – an affordable housing project of 40 units meant for senior agricultural workers in Half Moon Bay and on the Coastside.

We have formed a ballot committee Yes on 555 Kelly to campaign to keep the project going forward. We are always looking for volunteers because it’s going to be a long slog to defeat this referendum.

www.555kelly.org

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CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES

Who reached out to Pacifica Voice Readers

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Mayor Christine Boles, District 2

Hello neighbors and friends,

As I reflect on my first term of office serving you on the City Council, I remember knocking on doors in 2022, saying, “I’m not a politician, I’m an architect. I realized my skills and experience were useful in city government, and I wanted to offer to serve my community in this way.” This was never a job that I ever imagined for myself, but one that I felt called to do.

My husband, Bob, reminds me that I can no longer say that I’m not a politician, because I have indeed become one by nature of the position. The word always felt a little dirty to me, especially as I think of the self-serving, harmful politicians such as the one currently in the Oval Office.

I was so fortunate to meet Rob Caughlan a couple of years ago, a true environmental hero and smart political operative. He served in the EPA in Jimmy Carter’s administration, founded Surfrider, and won many legal battles to protect our coast, and always with a huge, beautiful smile that made everyone around him feel special and want to pitch in. Rob said that when people lumped all politicians together as evil, he got really angry. He bluntly said that not all politicians are bad, it’s your job to find the good ones, and support them in every way you can.

I vowed when I was sworn in to stay true to the core of who I am and what I believed, to not make decisions thinking about my future or who gave me money, but to carefully consider what’s best for Pacifica, for our residents, our businesses, and our beautiful environment that we steward. I’m sure everyone’s not 100% happy with all my decisions, but they are decisions I can live with, decisions that are sometimes mingled with compromise because of inside knowledge we might have from the city attorney, or because I am only one person and it takes 3 council members to move something forward.

Together with your help we’ve accomplished a lot towards bringing Pacifica to a better place of economic and environmental sustainability these past four years, including laying the building blocks for smart economic development and coastal adaptation, forming a new Climate Action Committee and Plan, removing roadblocks to affordable housing, and strengthening our neighborhoods with strong AirBnB regulations. (We need to get that one over the finish line with the Coastal Commission on August 12!)

It’s been a hard 3-1/2 years, but it’s also been so rewarding. I have learned so much from each of you, from each meeting I attend locally and regionally, and from our professional staff, both those I agreed with and those with whom I absolutely did not agree! My first two years were particularly hard, because I did not have the support, or even basic respect from some other council members. That December day in 2024 when I was intentionally blocked from being considered as vice mayor was actually a turning point, though I did not know it at the time. You all came out in full force supporting me, with beautiful signs sayings “Boles is Ready!” and showed the other council members (other than Mayra) that what they did was unacceptable and undemocratic. The tone of the council changed after that, and we were finally able to start working together as we should, not necessarily agreeing, but respecting each voice and the voices of the people in our districts who put us in office. You did that! That is the beauty of a democracy of the people, when the people speak up to voice their concerns and hold their elected officials accountable!

This year has been difficult too, but in different ways- the growing budget deficit, news of the dirtiest beach, the highest homeless count in the county, the designation of worst place to start a business, and then the collapse of the pier and the Chit Chat which none of us anticipated and all of us mourn. A super El Nino is coming too, so we may not be done…I really appreciate what former mayor Deirdre Martin wrote on social media, “Leadership doesn’t always mean fixing a pier or solving our RV challenges. A good leader is resilient, stays calm and guides through challenging times, is empathetic and listens to her community, acts with integrity and accountability as well as defines a path forward (both good and challenging).”

Today, I am hopeful in ways I have not been in the last 3-1/2 years. We have a good new City Manager, one who understands his role is to serve the community. He listens to the public, actually asks the council’s opinion and sees us as part of a team and not a thorn in his side. We have 2 other amazing women running for City Council this year, Cindy Abbott in District 3, and Margo Meiman in District 5, smart, dedicated Pacificans with vision and with big hearts, along with myself in District 2. We have the potential to have a council majority focused on Pacifica’s future, and not just holding on and protecting the past, which is changing before our eyes every day anyway.

How can we come together to improve our economy, care for our poor, our elderly, our children, our businesses, build affordable housing so Pacifica can stay true to the working-class community we are, and truly steward this beautiful piece (and peace) of paradise called Pacifica.

I’ve had the same quote from Desmond Tutu on my business email for a long time, and I still believe it wholeheartedly, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

I know many of you do a lot already, but I challenge each of us, myself included, to ask ourselves what we can do, where our time, talents, and treasure allow and are most valuable right now, as well as where our individual passion and joy lie. We also need to bring younger people into the fold, to ensure our good work continues. My dear Native American sister Cata Gomes teaches us that her elders took responsibility for 15 generations; the seven that came before, the current one, and the seven that will follow. What is your dream for a better Pacifica and Nation that you want to leave behind?

I want to hear your thoughts! And please support and tell your friends about Cindy, Margo and I. Together, we can build a solid future for Pacifica!

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Cindy Abbott, District 3

For the People, Planet, Prosperity of Pacifica

Love of place and the community of Pacifica is why I’ve decided to run for Pacifica City Council, District 3. What I stand for is bringing the community and local government together, for the people, planet and prosperity of Pacifica.

I’m a lifelong coastal Californian — born in Santa Monica, raised in Pacific Palisades when a middle-class family could afford a home there. Growing up the hills, canyons, beaches, and ocean shaped me; I gained resilience, perspective and a lifelong appreciation for the beauty and power of coastal environments.

Graduating from Cal State Long Beach with a BA in Psychology, I intended to become a researcher/college professor. With the recession of the early 1980’s, life took a different direction.

I began working at Bullock’s, starting a twenty-year career in corporate retail centered on listening to stakeholders, building consensus, and problem solving. I developed plans ranging from daily sales to five-year organization and capital strategies and have managed more than $20 million in operating expenses across sixty stores. I relocated to become Director of Gross Margin Planning for Macy’s West, partnering with merchants responsible for more than $1 billion in annual sales. My final role was serving as the liaison between Macy’s West — with 130 stores — and Macy’s Systems and Technology. Since then, I’ve led nonprofit programs that support people and community. These experiences have prepared me to address Pacifica’s challenges with a thoughtful, analytical, and pragmatic approach.

After a job elimination – that many others experienced in the 2009 Great Recession – I took the opportunity to become involved in public service. Friends encouraged me to apply for the Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission and to work on a new program: the Skyline College President’s Council Success Summit.

Since then, I’ve continually volunteered my time serving the City: PBR Commission (Chair twice) with topics ranging from the Sanchez Dog Park, Tree Ordinance, Poet Laureate, and most recently E-Bike Safety; Library Advisory Committee (past Chair); and developed the Public Art and Mural Program. Also, on a City Fireworks Task Force (environmental focus); Sea Level Rise Community Working Group; Surf Camp Taskforce to increase equitable access; the Mayor’s Beautification Awards; and continuing to volunteer with Meals on Wheels each week.

Currently Executive Director at Sanchez Art Center, I recognize the value of having welcoming third spaces in town for visitors and residents alike. I’m President of Pacifica’s Environmental Family, presenting educational programs about sea level rise, the Coastal Act, Pacifica’s open spaces, and hosting Electric Vehicle Expos.

Seeing the change in our residential neighborhoods, I’ve been part of the grassroots Pacifica Homes are Not Hotels advocating for balanced regulations for Short Term Rentals. I’m also a member of the Pacifica Historical Society, valuing the care they give to preserving the City’s history and access to it.

My priorities are:

People
Whether discussing beach access, public safety, housing, or social services, our residents care deeply about one another. We need to continue programs like the Temporary Safe Parking Program, Meals on Wheels, aquatics, and our Age-Friendly initiatives. We also need to make affordable housing a reality—not simply hope that more market-rate housing will eventually create affordability.

Planet
Climate change is already affecting our coast, infrastructure, and neighborhoods. The Climate Action and Adaptation Plan provides an important roadmap, implementing it will require collaboration with staff, elected officials, and community. Updating the Local Coastal Land Use Program was a tremendous achievement. Now we need a vision for the entire Pacifica coastline—not one neighborhood at a time. We must improve coastal resilience, maintain public access, and support nature-based solutions.

Prosperity
Prosperity isn’t achieved simply by cutting budgets. We need to strengthen our local economy. Though a bedroom community, we must expand as a place where visitors and residents alike gather, recreate, shop, and dine.

I am running to be a council member who brings community and staff together, digs deeply into issues with an analytical and compassionate voice. I will work to support programs that improve quality of life for residents of all ages, preserve our natural environment while preparing for climate challenges, and encourage economic development that emphasizes local businesses and Pacifica’s unique character. Together, with integrity, persistence, and optimism, we can build a resilient, prosperous, and connected Pacifica for generations to come.

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Margo Meiman, District 5

Twenty-one years ago, I moved to Pacifica with my husband and two young children, and we immediately fell in love with this town’s natural beauty and its wonderful people. Our kids thrived in Pacifica public schools, and I embraced volunteering: various PTO roles, an enduring commitment to the Pacific Beach Coalition, and even a term as President of the Pacifica Mother’s Club. 

I’m running for City Council because I want a better future for Pacifica. I retired in 2022 after 23 years as a high school math teacher, but frankly, I’m not ready to fully retire. I feel a call to serve and I’m answering the call. I intend to leverage my skills as both an educator and civic leader to help Pacifica realize its full potential as a thriving and welcoming community for residents and a coastal destination for visitors. 

Pacifica is facing many challenges—a structural budget deficit, increasing homelessness, an advancing ocean—just to name a few. I don’t claim to have all the answers, and I certainly have a lot to learn. As a City Council member, I intend to investigate the facts, educate the community, envision solutions together and implement those solutions. I will approach the work with optimistic pragmatism.

I like to envision what Pacifica will be like in 50 years. In 2076 my two children will be in their mid-seventies. I like to imagine what they may see as they walk or drive around town: They’ll see crystal clear waters in San Pedro Creek, pristine sand at Linda Mar Beach and a popular Coastal Trail that extends up and down the coast of California. They’ll visit Pacifica’s state-of-the-art library along with their favorite shops and restaurants throughout the city. They will enjoy taking their grandkids to the entertainment center that was formerly Sea Bowl. In 2076 my adult children will still be admiring the views from Mori Point, Aramai Point and the Pedro Point Headlands. 

In 50 years, some things will have changed—Pacifica will have many new businesses and a few thousand more residents—but overall, our small town flanked by ocean and hills will have its special vibe intact. 

My “optimistic pragmatism” comes from a background of hard work. My family moved a lot when I was growing up because my father was a submariner in the Navy. We spent time in Indiana, Japan, Hawaii, Connecticut, Monterey, and Scotland. Eventually we settled in Virginia, where I attended high school and college.

Although my professional life began in market research, I was drawn to education and launched my career as a teacher in Virgina. My husband and I moved to the Bay Area in 1996, and we have never looked back. 

In the 2000s, while raising a family and working with energetic and promising teenagers at Hillsdale High School, I became increasingly concerned with the health of our planet—their planet. Starting in 2020, I began devoting hundreds of hours to climate causes; I trained as a Climate Reality Leader, I served on Pacifica’s Climate Action Plan Task Force, and I currently serve as vice chair for the City’s Climate Action and Resilience Committee.

We have some tough decisions to make here in Pacifica as we forge a path into the future. We need to balance our needs of today with the realities and opportunities of tomorrow. It is my privilege to run for City Council and help chart this course; I’m ready to dig in, work hard, and listen carefully. Please reach out with your ideas; I’d love to hear from you: MargoForPacifica@gmail.com.

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HOUSING

On Pacifica‘s Motorhome Parking

By Suzanne Moore, Pacifica Housing 4 All

Homelessness is one of the most difficult social issues of our time, and Pacifica and our Coast currently have the highest unhoused population in the County. I am grateful for the efforts of both the Pacifica City staff and Council to facilitate collaboration among these important concerned parties: the County, the Coastal Commission, neighboring coastal communities, and both our housed and unhoused community members. Help from all concerned is crucial to effectively address the problem.

We know our Coast is unique:

• Essential workers with limited income are found in community-sustaining work such as agriculture, care of children/elders/the disabled, home care, merchant support, and tourism. Our coastal economy sadly depends on these low-paid workers.
• Transportation is limited, so workers need to reside close to their employment.
• Housing is expensive, and affordable rental units are scarce.

The two main causes of homelessness are poverty and lack of affordable housing.

Success in reducing homelessness and any environmental impacts of encampments requires temporary and interim housing …and it must be where the unhoused work, live among family and friends and their community, and where they have established resources. As we anticipate both the closure of Linda Mar State Beach to overnight parking and completion of the 3-year Safe Parking Program in the Manor, we should prepare for where vehicles will relocate – and consider the options.

The Safe Parking Program (SPP) has a proven track record: in spite of a tight housing market and rising rents, 38% of program participants were successfully rehoused – much higher than other safe parking programs. The SPP brought many vehicles off neighborhood streets, and mitigated environmental concerns through trash pickups and RV grey/black water programs.

This program could be extended and expanded to meet the identified needs along our coast, but it needs the collaboration of other coastal communities, the Coastal Commission, and the County for much-needed support. If you agree, send an email to our electeds and say:

• The Coast has a confirmed need: Pacifica and the Coast had the highest numbers on the County’s recent 2026 Homeless Count.
•  The Coast is unique: economies are dependent on low-wage earners, transportation is limited, and housing costs are out of reach for low-paid workers.
• Pacifica’s Safe Parking Program (SPP) has demonstrated its success to rehouse program participants, reduce motorhome parking on neighborhood streets, and mitigate environmental impact.
• There is interest among coastal stakeholders to create partnerships, replicate the Safe Parking Program (SPP), and better address the coastal homeless crisis.
• We seek financial support from the County to extend and expand the SPP while we seek other solutions to address this crisis.

Pacifica City Council: citycouncil@pacifica.gov

County Board of Supervisors: BoardFeedback@smcgov.org

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Pacifica Planning Commission Monday Aug. 3: Quarry Appeal Hearing 

By Peter Loeb 

The quarry applicant has proposed 1225 units of below market rate (BMR) housing in the quarry. The city issued a 100-page determination of inconsistency. The quarry applicant appealed the determination in an 8-page letter. 

The agenda staff report on Aug 3rd recommends denial of the appeal and presents findings to adopt in support of the denial. The findings respond to each of the main arguments in the appeal. 

• the project is subject to the 2025 Local Coastal Land Use Plan, 
• the project is subject to the 1983 ordinance that requires a public vote for approval of housing. 

The staff report says: 

RECOMMENDED ACTION: 

Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt the proposed resolution denying the appeal, and upholding the Community Development Director’s determinations that the project is subject to (1) Ordinance 391-CS, and (2) the 2025 Local Coastal Land Use Plan, as set forth in the Final Inconsistency Letter dated June 5, 2026. 

You can view the agenda packet for the hearing which includes the staff report and other documents such as the city’s determination of inconsistency letter and the quarry appeal letter here. Select Planning Commission in the box on the upper left where it says Meeting Group then find the Aug. 3 meeting date and click on Agenda Packet. 

It’s important to note that the Planning Commission hearing is not a hearing on the project itself but rather on the legal determinations that the project is subject to (1) Ordinance 391-CS (the City’s voter-adopted initiative requiring a vote of the electorate to develop housing on the project site), and (2) the 2025 Local Coastal Land Use Plan. 

If the Planning Commission denies the appeal, the quarry applicant can then appeal to the City Council. If the City Council denies the appeal, the quarry owner can then decide whether to litigate the appeal by filing a lawsuit in local court.

The hearing is 7:00 pm, Monday, August 3 at City Council chambers, 2212 Beach Blvd. You can also watch the hearing on zoom and speak in the meeting at https://pacifica-gov.zoom.us/j/81156158241 

You can watch the meeting on TV on Comcast channel 27 or watch a live stream of the meeting at https://www.cityofpacifica.org/LiveStream or www.pacificcoast.tv

You can email comments to publiccomment@pacifica.gov prior to noon on the day of the meeting. Put quarry appeal in the subject line and include your full name in the email.

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California Coastal Commission Hearing on Pacifica’s Short Term Rental Ordinance

From a Pacifica Voice editor

August 12th CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION HEARING ON PACIFICA’S SHORT TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE:

Advocates for Pacifica’s Short Term Rental (STR) Ordinance ask community input to the Coastal Commission to oppose the Commission Staff Report.

 Advocates of Pacifica’s Short term Rental Ordinance are seeking community opposition to the Commission’s Staff Report. Our current ordinance, based on similar ordinances from Bay Area communities with primary residence requirements and 60-night maximum unhosted rentals, is not supported in the Commission’s staff recommendation.

Evidence exists that STRs have contributed to the scarcity of Pacifica’s long-term rental stock, yet the Commission is recommending to water down the ordinance. With rising housing costs, a scarcity of rental housing stock, and the highest number of homeless in our County, Pacificans need to defend our ordinance.

Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 9:00 a.m.  Hearing W13b
Subject: City of Pacifica LCP Amendment Number 2-PAC-25-0079-2 (Short-Term  Rentals) 

Please read our Virtual Hearing Procedures Here and if you wish to speak via Zoom, phone or in person, please complete a speaker request form which can be found on our agenda webpage. The in-person address is below. If you have questions

pertaining to speaking at this hearing, please email Executivestaff@coastal.ca.gov

Scotts Valley Hilton
6001 La Madrona Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(415) 904-5200
(562) 477-9089 (during hearing only)

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HIP HOUSING CALENDAR PROJECT

Filled with local children’s artwork and information about HIP Housing, since 2001 our annual calendars bring warmth to thousands of homes, and educates the community about HIP Housing’s affordable housing programs.

2000+ calendars are printed and distributed throughout the community annually! The project is made possible by local sponsors. The artwork used in the calendar are selected from HIP Housing’s Calendar Contest.

Each year we receive hundreds of entries from children in kindergarten to 5th grade in San Mateo County. Children draw a picture of a home and write a quote about “what home means to me.” The calendar has become a community favorite!

Click HERE for 2027 Contest Entry Details

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Housing Workshops Save the Dates

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CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT

Good News for Pacifica Trees! We Have a Canopy Goal!

By Paul Totah 

Look above you. If all you see is the sky, then this is for you.

We hope that very soon you will see more trees throughout Pacifica, as the city has pledged to increase our urban tree canopy cover to 25 percent. And, as many of you know, Pacifica is a Tree City USA member, and most cities that have that designation also have tree canopy goals.

To reach this mark, we need you to join us in being a tree hero! All of us need to pitch in as we work toward this common goal to protect and grow our urban forest. To keep us informed and united, we invite you to sign-up for our newsletter by sending an email to treecitypacifica@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name. We will also be sure to invite you to our annual Arbor Day tree planting, which this year will be Nov. 7 in the north part of town.

What is a Tree Canopy?

A tree canopy is made up of the upper layer crowns of trees, including branches and leaves, that cover our residential and business districts.

Why Is this Important?

Trees provide shade, reduce urban heat, help get rid of air pollution, reduce stormwater runoff, prevent flooding, provide habitat for wildlife, adds beauty to our streets, supports mental and emotional health, encourages outdoor activities, increases property values, attracts businesses and is key in the fight against climate change as trees absorb carbon.

What Can You Do?

First take care of the trees on your property. Make sure they are well maintained by hiring licensed arborists to prune them. The longer they stay healthy, the better they will serve you and all of Pacifica.

Plant new trees, and when you do so, follow the instructions that you can find on sites such as these.

Take to heart your role as a tree ambassador — as someone who can help others also understand the value trees provide. Spread the word through social media, word of mouth and by attending city council meetings when issues surrounding trees arise.

Be on the lookout for illegal tree removals. Anyone removing a tree of a certain size needs to have a permit posted on or near the tree to allow for appeal. Sadly, some tree companies have been removing trees without a permit.

Finally, check out our Facebook page and our new Instagram account for more information.

Now What?

Stay hopeful! Together we can work to make Pacifica even more green and sustainable!

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Pacific Beach Coalition

July 5th Cleanups

The Pacific Beach Coalition partnered with the City of Pacifica and local nonprofits to facilitate cleanups at three different locations after Independence Day. A total of 127 volunteers collected an astounding amount of debris: 5,003 pounds worth of trash and recycling left behind by 4th of July revelers.

Celebrations like the 4th of July bring family and friends together, but they can take a toll on the environment. PBC is proud to participate in these cleanup efforts! Check out a recap video from Pacifica State Beach’s July 5th cleanup.

Coming Up: Coastal Cleanup Day, Butt Blitz and Fog Fest

Fall is always a busy time for PBC, with three major events in addition to our regular cleanups and habitat work parties. We’d love for you to join us.

• California Coastal Cleanup Day is September 19th. This is a statewide event, where we record every single piece of trash we pick up. All of our cleanups for the month will take place on September 19th, join us at any of our sites from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to protect our coastline!
• PBC’s annual Butt Blitz will run from Sep 14th to Oct 31st. Get your grabbers and containers ready!
• Once again, PBC will proudly march in the Fog Fest Parade and host a booth at this year’s Fog Fest, Sep 26-27. We’ll celebrate this year’s Earth Honoree, steelhead trout.

PBC Honors Teen Leaders

In July, PBC honored three outstanding Teen Site Captains with scholarships as they graduate high school and move on to college. Each of these young women has volunteered with PBC for several years, and they’ve made lasting impacts on the organization. Special thanks to generous donors for our scholarship funds! 

Evie Hall

Evie began her journey as a Teen Site Captain in 8th grade and has grown into an indispensable leader at the Sharp Park Beach monthly cleanups. Over the past five years, she has rarely missed a cleanup and has successfully led events with over 100 volunteers—a testament to her reliability, dedication, and natural ability to inspire others. Evie is headed off to UC Santa Cruz in the fall.

Asha Wojciechowski

Asha has been a dedicated teen leader at Foster City cleanups since 2023. The Foster City events often have 80+ volunteers, and Asha’s initiative and assertiveness has been crucial in making sure the cleanups go smoothly. She has become an extremely trusted and active member of the team.

Asha will be attending Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland this fall.

Charlotte Wang

Charlotte joined PBC’s Pillar Point team in 2024, where she showed off her skills in both coordinating large groups of volunteers and giving one-on-one orientations.

During her time with PBC, Charlotte noticed “how unique people’s experience with conservation and environmentalism is. For some people, they want to know more about the technical information and numbers, and others just want to spend time showing the earth some love. Both are so valuable and make such a huge difference, so getting to watch that first hand was incredible.”

Charlotte will be attending the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, where she intends to study Biology.

Join PBC’s Stewardship Efforts

PBC is always looking for new volunteers and new talent to join our mission of environmental stewardship. We also offer private team building events for groups that are a fantastic way to support this work while learning and working together. Drop by one of our events (see our calendar here), visit our website, or shoot us an email at info@PacificBeachCoalition.org.

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Pacifica Resource Center GoCard Assistance

The GoCard Program helps cover transportation costs for qualifying San Mateo County residents. Eligible participants receive a $200 prepaid card annually to spend on public transit, express lanes, toll bridges, paratransit, and bike or scooter rentals.

If you need help applying contact the Pacifica Resource Center (PRC)

PRC is dedicated to empowering individuals and families by providing essential resources—such as groceries, emergency financial aid, and financial education—while helping to prevent homelessness and build long-term economic stability. We offer food assistance, housing support, financial coaching, tax services, and much more. Whether you are facing a financial crisis or struggling to pay the bills, PRC is here to help you!

If you’re a Pacifica resident and need help, call us to schedule an appointment: 650-738-7470 or visit www.pacresourcecenter.org.

GoCard Eligibility requirements:

• 18 or older
• Income at or below $88,260 (60% of San Mateo County Area Median Income)

What to have ready:

• Email address and phone number
• Government-issued picture ID with date of birth (driver’s license, passport, birth certificate, green card, military ID, or foreign ID)
• Proof of income from the last 60 days: pay stub, tax form, employer letter, or benefits letter. No income? You can sign a self-declaration.
• Proof of address: utility bill, bank or credit card statement, lease, employment letter, USPS documentation, or insurance or tax document

How to apply:

• Pacifica residents: Pacifica Resource Center can help you through the application process. Apply online through the Application Portal or call 650-738-7470 to schedule an in-person appointment.

• Other San Mateo County residents: Find your local Core Service Agency for application assistance at https://www.smcgov.org/hsa/core-service-agencies-emergency-safety-net-assistance.

For more information about the GoCard Program, visit 101expresslanes.org.

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THE COMMUNITY

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Mildred B Owen Concert Hall

JUNE SCHEDULE 2026

For more info and to buy tickets CLICK HERE pacificaperformances.org

August 1	Jim Moore and Friends featurung Judy Cruces & Jenny Debevec
August 8	From Swing to Soul Clif Payne Celebrates Sinatra
August 15	Back pOrchEstra Original and vintage Roots Rock, Americana, Country Blues
August 22	Carmen Ratti Band featuring Jill Dineen
August 29	Vitamin Em – The goal – to create joyful, uplifting, and moving performances of original and diverse music.
September 12	Melba’s Kitchen is an all women big band that offers a tasty menu of music by Black women musical geniuses
September 19	Orquesta La Moderna Tradición – ensemble dedicated to the full spectrum of Cuban dance music

Pacifica Performances is in the old Sanchez Elementary School, now the Pacifica Center for the Arts at 1220 Linda Mar Blvd. We perform in the Mildred Owen Concert Hall or what we call “The Hall.” All tickets are $25.00 general, $20 for members.

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Sanchez Art Center

Balancing Act, at the waters edge, an exhibition at Sanchez Art Center in partnership with the Pacifica Land Trust, offers views of Pacifica’s coastal habitat and inhabitants, including possibilities for nature-based solutions as a means of resilience.

Gallery hours through to Aug 9, Fri – Sat – Sun, 1 – 5 pm.

Following a well attended community forum, Protecting Our Community From Climate Change Impacts: Help Shape Pacifica’s Resilience Plan for the Coastal Zone, held by the Pacifica Land Trust (PLT) in early May, Sanchez Art Center is pleased to be continuing the visibility for this important project grant funded by the California State Coastal Conservancy. The exhibition titled Balancing Act, at the waters edge, furthers thegoal of the study to engage the community to identify opportunities and envision locations along Pacifica’s six miles of shoreline to implement Nature-Based Solutions that would restore natural habitats in order to protect elements of the built environment while enhancing wildlife resources. Shifting the focus, nature-based solutions (NbS) work in relationship with coastal ecosystems and natural habitat to protect shorelines and adapt to climate change. Wetland restorations and living shorelines—to buffer against sea-level rise, sequester carbon, and provide habitat, have been increasingly prioritized, highlighting the value of working with nature instead of against her.

Digital renderings developed with the PLT by local landscape architect Scott Shoemaker provide a visual foundation to ignite conversation. Collective knowledge, incorporating the geographic and environmental history of the Pacifica coast, lived experiences and cultural wisdom, is being sought to delineate potential areas for innovative solutions.

Photographs by renowned local photographer Stephen Johnson and longtime steward of the coast Mark Hubbell, share the walls, showing the natural beauty of the coastal landscape and the fantastic beings that make their home along the shore. From tide pools to whales, the coast from the north bluffs|Esplanade to Linda Mar|Pedro Point are showcased.

Sheila Gamble-Dorn’s Kelp Basket provides a sense of awe, adding variety to the material in the exhibition while expanding our understanding of the richness of undersea forests that produce this resource. Similarly, On such a full sea are we now afloat (William Shakespeare) presents a delicately stitched undersea world assemblage created with felted wool and handmade paper, by Nancy Enge. Black and white linocut prints by Kristina Ayala of the amazing creatures along our shore are included, along with Tim Berry’s dreamy underwater landscapes. A video installation, Ladder, by Summer Mei Ling Lee, inspire us to look out and consider the future and how to live together with the sea.

Showing concurrently in the galleries are Archana Horsting, Angle of Repose, bringing forward the artists lifelong interest in landscape and architecture, with the use of an engineering term. “Angles are critical in my work. I look for the angles that create dynamism but ultimately come to rest in a vibrant balancing act”, Horsting shares. She further notes that repose is a word of many meanings and associations, including rest and harmony. And this is just the case with the mostly black and white works, composed in oil stick on paper, that invite the viewer to linger, taking in the depth, engaging with the shapes, and developing a personal interpretation and connection with each piece. Also, the Art Guild of Pacifica’s group show, Strangely Familiar.

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August Pacificans Care Highlights

Pacificans Care continues to support community projects that raise funds to support the efforts of Pacifica’s core social service agencies including Pacifica Senior Services, Pacifica Child Care Services, Pacifica Resource Center and Pacifica Service Bureau and the children, youth seniors and families who need access to the important service they provide. We are committed to building a stronger, more resilient Pacifica community. 

2026 Share of Care Drive –We did it!

Thanks to your incredible generosity, our 2026 Share of Care Campaign exceeded our $10,000 goal! We are thrilled to celebrate this achievement with you and our entire Pacifica community.

Your support is making a real difference right now for our neighbors in need. Together, we’re providing critical services through our four core agencies: Pacifica Senior Services is reaching 700 seniors with meals and support, Pacifica Child Care Services is nurturing 370 children with quality early learning experiences, Pacifica Resource Center is helping 1,500 residents in crisis with emergency assistance and groceries, and Pacifica Youth Service Bureau is providing counseling and guidance for youth and families facing difficult times.

This success belongs to all of us. Whether you gave $25 or $250, your
contribution is part of something bigger – a community that shows up
for each other when it matters most. You are the reason Pacificans in need have access to the services that help them thrive.

If you haven’t had a chance to contribute yet, donations are still
welcome and will continue to support these vital programs throughout the year. Every gift helps us build a healthier, more resilient Pacifica.

Thank you for being a champion for our community. We are grateful
for your partnership and proud to work alongside neighbors like you.

With heartfelt appreciation – The Pacificans Care Board of Directors

Pacificans Care Presents Coastal Cheers! – Pouring Hope for Neighbors in Need

If you enjoy fine wines and craft beer, this is the event for you!Join in the fun of Pacificans Care’s Coastal Cheers, a fine wine and craft beer tasting event. Mark your calendars to attend this one-of-a-kind event planned for:

Sunday, September 20^th from 1:30 to 4:00pm
at the Pedro Point Firehouse
on Danmann Avenue. Mark

via this QR code. Interested in being a sponsor? Contact Bruce Banco at bbanco@aol.comor call 650-888-9444

Rockaway Ricky’s 2027 Dog Days of Pacifica Calendar Contest!

Another amazing year is in the books! This year’s Dog Days of Pacifica Calendar Contest featured 67 incredible pups, along with a fun new addition—families could reserve a special calendar date for their pet’s birthday, gotcha day, or another meaningful occasion. How fun is that?

With so many adorable entries, the competition was tough, and our online community made every vote count. Now for what you’ve been waiting for… our 2027 Calendar Winners! 

Lucy – Murphy & Winnie – Gisele – Ginger – Oliver – Finnegan – Gretel 

Misha – Jellybean – Lovey – Nori – Mickey

 Be on the lookout for the 2027 Dog Days of Pacifica Calendar this fall—it’s shaping up to be one of our best yet!

As always, we rely on the generosity of our community to continue helping pets and the people who love them. Please consider making a donation at www.rockawayricky.org. Every contribution, big or small, helps make a difference.

Help Pacificans Care Make a Difference. . .

Pacificans Care is the only Pacifica nonprofit organization solely dedicated to supporting social services in Pacifica from children and youth to families and seniors.

Pacificans Care is an all-volunteer organization administered by an active Board of Directors comprised of community members dedicated to making a difference in our community.

Your contributions to Pacificans Care help to build a healthy, self-sufficient, and improved quality of life for those in need in Pacifica.

Thank You for your continuing generosity.

• Christine Stahl, President – Evelyn Taverna, Vice President 
• Piper Hanson, Corresponding Secretary – Janine Galligani-Ray, Recording Secretary – Jerry Ward Treasurer
• Bruce Banco –Jennifer Barnette – Alice Bull – Karen Ervin – Horace Hinshaw – 
• Ginny Jaquith – Xenia Gholli – Bill Meyerhoff – Bill Michaelis 
• Gina Miglio – Nancy Munroe – Mauricio Rodriquez – Jeanne Salisbury – Barbara Wolf

Pacificans Care is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Federal tax ID #77-0004308

Visit PacificansCare.com for more information about Pacificans Care

Pacificans Care Board of Directors and Pacifica Social Service Agency Directors

For more information about Pacificans Care:
Website: PacificansCare.com
Email:pacificanscare1982@gmail.com
Facebook.com/PacificansCare
P.O. Box 875, Pacifica, California 94044

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HOPE: Healing, Overdose Prevention and Education

by Susanne Hoff

HOPE: Healing, Overdose Prevention and Education are currently preparing for the Third Annual HOPE Walk and Resource Fair.

Every life lost to overdose is someone’s child, parent, sibling, friend, or neighbor. Together, we can honor those we’ve lost, support those who are grieving, and help prevent future tragedies through education, compassion, and community.

Please join HOPE: Healing, Overdose Prevention and Education for our 3rd Annual HOPE Walk and Resource Fair:

Saturday, August 29, 2026
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Vallemar Elementary School 377 Reina Del Mar, Pacifica

This free community event will include:

• A memorial walk to honor loved ones
• Overdose prevention and harm reduction education
• Naloxone (Narcan) education and resources
• Community organizations and local services
• Hidden in Plain Sight Interactive Exhibit

Whether you’ve been personally affected by addiction, want to learn how to save a life, or simply want to stand with your community, we invite you to join us. Join HOPE in replacing stigma with understanding and create hope for those who need it most.

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Palm-a-Palooza

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Apply for Pacifica Childcare

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Coastside United

CUI Community Meeting: (Third Tuesday) 6:30pm – 8:00 pm PT

Come to our Community Meeting to share ideas, get support, and find motivation. We must keep fighting against the Trump administration’s policies that undermine our constitutional rights and threaten our democracy! Come with your ideas on how to build momentum and to discuss actions we can take.

We look forward to seeing you! In-person or on Zoom.

Little Brown Church, Pacifica Historical Society
1850 Francisco Blvd, Pacifica, CA 94044

Zoom Link – Click Here

Meeting ID: 850 0277 7361 Passcode: 656308

There is limited seating (for 60); please arrive early to be assured of a chair

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