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Newsflash  Recently we drilled for water as part of the plan to provide abundant drinking water and water for agriculture in addition to the existing mineral hot springs and source spring currently feeding the reservoir.
Water flows now even more abundantly at Avalon Springs. With the completion of the first well we have more than enough to supply the needs of the Master Plan. In spite of the setbacks during the drilling process of hitting what seemed like an underground cavern, to having to inject bags and bags of betonite into the hole to stabilize the walls from caving back in, the folks from Weeks Drilling persevered and tapped into an abundant source of drinking water at about 260 feet depth. We've had a water pump that was lowered into the well on a generator and have been pumping over 30 gal/minute (the max capacity of the pump) for a few days. In total over 80 000 yes (eighty-thousand) gallons out of the well in a few days. The water tastes great, has no Boron (which was a concern for us for agricultural use) and is curently running through a series of tests. Upcoming Events at Avalon Springs Making a Loan available to Avalon Why Avalon Springs? Making a Loan available to Avalon :
Unique Secured Loan Opportunity - Avalon is also offering a loan opportunity to select qualified investors willing to loan any amount between $100,000 (min.) to $1.5 million (max.) to Avalon Springs, LP at 8% annual interest for 18, 24, 30 or 36 month term. This would allow Avalon to keep progressing forward on development; and Avalon can pay the lender(s) back from continued capital raises. The lender(s) will be fully secured by the value of the land/property owned by Avalon Springs, with a legal lien filing with the county government providing full security (worth about $4-5 million now after all the work that has already been done with cleanup, improvements, design, engineering and permits), until fully paid back. Lenders to Avalon are first in line ahead of Founding Member investors in terms of security, although both are secured by the highly valuable land and property of Avalon. For more information please contact: invest@avalonsprings.org. Becoming a Founding Member :
Founding Members are the people helping to birth Avalon Springs. While they are Limited Partners, their money is returned almost like a loan. They get all their principal with 5% interest back within a few years, by getting 50% of all profits from Avalon first, once revenues are generated. They are secured by owning all land, property, assets and equity of Avalon until they are fully paid back. Upon full pay back, founding members automatically transfer their "ownership" into the long term land/property holding entity - a non-profit or land trust or foundation that will hold the land long term for the benefit of the community in the "commons" with no individual ownership. After getting their principal and interest back, the Founding Members also get a one time tax deduction as well, in the year they transfer the land to the long term trust. Founding Members also receive guest rights to Avalon as per the perks defined in the Financial Overview document (available upon request). For more information please contact invest@avalonsprings.org Avalon Internship :
Avalon Springs has openings for the one or three month summer internship program for a limited number of applicants. Interns will pay a fee to cover their onsite expenses and receive in exchange the opportunity to actively take part in the play and work that is ongoing at Avalon Springs as well as learn about alternative living. Interns work in a number of areas at Avalon Springs. Aside from the work focus, interns also contribute to all areas of community living such as housekeeping, administration, kitchen help, and general maintenance. Interns have the opportunity to work side-by-side with Avalon caretakers in a guided or independent study of the following areas: · Permaculture gardening and design Added perks: For those interested in this program, please write to our Intern Coordinator, Erin Condo at intern@avalonsprings.org You will receive an application form and information on the program. Avalon Events :
Plurk [play & work with you in the middle] This year's Plurks [Play and Work with U in the middle] are over as the garden rests and the cooler season sets in. Introspection and reflection become the focus. Gratitude for all those who have joined us this year to beautify and bountify Avalon Springs. Stay tuned for the first Plurk in the early Spring of 2009. Visiting Avalon Springs is still possible if you are interested in participating. A community member will host you. Please send an email to invest@avalonsprings.org if you are would like to schedule a visit. Please do not arrive unannounced as we might not be available. Thank you. Avalon Retreat Community (ARC) Membership The Avalon Retreat Community Membership is the pathway for those who want to become part of a thriving community and participate in the emerging sustainable culture at Avalon Springs while securing their benefits at Avalon Springs retreat and healing center once it is open to the public. For more information click here: Avalon Retreat Community. Participation can take many forms from engaging in conversations with the designers and builders or taking one of the workshops being held over the season, helping us build the eco-village or gardening during our work-parties. Our online community offers resources and a platform to share experiences and discussions with a growing community of like-minded individuals. Due to the design of the project only a limited number of memberships are available and we expect that memberships will quickly be acquired. Why Avalon Springs? Avalon Springs is creating the change we want to see in the world. (Here's why we decided to co-create Avalon). Our 318 acres of rolling hilltop land near Calistoga in Northern California has panoramic views of wooded hills and vineyards. Ten natural springs grace the property, including bubbling hot springs for bathing and cool drinkable springwater with various therapeutic mineral components including Lithium and Magnesium.
Project Status After two years of extensive due diligence and after living on the land for over a year, we completed the purchase of our land in 2007. Our extraordinary design team has completed a comprehensive permaculture based Master Plan for the entire land reflecting our vision and goals for the long term. The Master Plan weaves together elements of spiritual intention, ecology, sustainable business, and extraordinary beauty.Ê Our architects and planners have filed a complete Major Use Permit Application with the county government and we expect to secure all permissions by 2008. We are hoping to begin major construction work by late 2008 and to open the retreat center to the public in 2009. We are looking for more Founding Member investment partners who are aligned with this vision and wish to help birth Avalon. And we invite all who are called to become members of our Avalon Retreat Community to join us in co-creating and enjoying Avalon. Lenders who are interested in providing loans to Avalon on a fully secured basis are welcome as well. Please enjoy your visit to our internet home. We ask you to hold this project in your heart, tell your friends as you feel inspired, and send us your prayers and support. Avalon Springs has taken on a life of her own. We invite you to join us in the co-creation of this dream.
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Major Use Permit Application Submitted Katja's Love Affair with Gardening Ecological Assessment Completed
    
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The site was a hot springs retreat center in the past,
operating as "Howard Hot Springs" until 1974. The existing lodge,
sixty-five small cottages, and large bathing facilities are being rebuilt with the help of an expert team of green architects and builders
to create an experiential
learning environment, ecovillage and intentional
retreat that models sustainable practices and consciousness, including
extensive permaculture gardens and an intentional design that invites
residents and visitors to live consciously in each moment.
