SHIRLEY AMBER ZYNDA moved to the Coastside in 1973 and in 1978 founded “The Beachcomber,” a weekly newspaper offering much-needed diversity of views to a rural area previously served by only one paper. The unexpected death of her husband caused severe personal and financial crisis, but she worked hard and resourcefully to keep “The Beachcomber” going. She spearheaded the Heritage Festival, a non-commercial celebration of the diverse cultures of the community. She also promoted development of oral histories, the recorded memories of old timers and is herself the Oral historian of the Spanish town Historical Society. Since her retirement in 1988, she has become Chair of the Health Services Committee for the Community Advisory Board of St. Catherine Hospital. She received the 1985 Woman of Excellence Award from the Half Moon Bay branch of the American Association of University Women and has been honored by the san Mateo County Development Association, the Rotary Club, and the City of Half Moon Bay.
