Danny Salzhandler is an artist who creates beauty in the community, and not just through his steel sculptures and biosculptures. The 18-year resident is president of the 101 Artists’ Colony, a board member of Cardiff 101 Main Street, and a Rotary Club member. He is also the founder of Full Moon Poets, which hosts summer and winter poetry slams and works with the Downtown Encinitas MainStreet Association to present Pumpkin Lane at the Safe Trick or Treat event at the Lumberyard each year. The group holds its seventh annual invitational slam Oct. 5 in the Cardiff Library Community Room
Favorite local poet(s): Too many to name but our Poet Laureate Trish Dugger comes to mind. Then there is Jim Babwe, “Swami Bruce,” and George Goddard.
Favorite local spot that inspires him: Moonlight Beach on the Fourth of July.
Favorite meal at a local restaurant: Turkey dinner at the Encinitas Diner.
Last purchase made in Encinitas: The lima bean sampler at
Ideal Encinitas Day: Have a double espresso at Java Hut, listening to live music all day at the beach.
Favorite Civic Organization: Encinitas Rotary.
Most important issues facing the city: Besides public safety, which our city leaders do a great job on, open space, historic preservation, the Hall property, and traffic are challenges for us.
Favorite local business: The little building that has been Shepherds, Naked Bean, and now Java Hut.
Best thing about living in Encinitas: We are already here where everyone wants to be.
The one thing you would change about the city: I would declare it part of Texas. Willie [Nelson] would come here more often.
A place in Encinitas more locals should visit: The veterans’ memorial at Cottonwood Creek Park and the 101 Artists’ Colony when we come back in for a landing.
If you could sum up Encinitas in a couplet, what would it be: Living in Encinitas is so sublime/When you write a couplet there’s no need to rhyme.
The poetry slam takes place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library, 2081 Newcastle Ave. 760-753-4027, sdcl.org, fullmoonpoets.org.
