Encinitas Names Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

ENCINITAS, CA — Encinitas resident and longtime community volunteer Danny Salzhandler has been named winner of the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award, the city announced this week.

Salzhandler has volunteered with several local organizations including the city, Encinitas, Leucadia and Cardiff 101 associations, 101 Artists' Colony, Encinitas Art, Culture and Ecology Alliance, San Dieguito Heritage Museum, Encinitas Library, and American Legion, among others.

Salzhandler was the founder of the Full Moon Poets, which produced Poetry Slams and contributed to the nationally-recognized Arts Alive Banner Program, according to the city. He also worked to bring Operation Homecoming to Encinitas.

Salzhandler created works of art and donated them to various nonprofit organizations in Encinitas for fundraising events. He was also responsible for getting Encinitas included in the "Art Towns of California" book, according to the city.

The Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates "people who have contributed to the city as a senior citizen role model." The awards program is presented by the city's Senior Citizen Commission, in partnership with the Encinitas Rotary Club.

Salzhandler will be honored at the May 24 Encinitas City Council meeting. He will receive a personal award and his name will be listed on a perpetual plaque housed at the Encinitas Senior Center. Additionally, he will be recognized at the May 24 Encinitas Rotary meeting and invited to participate in the Encinitas Holiday Parade in December.