Josh Petray/Staff Writer | Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2007 12:00 am
Bookstore owner Nan Fowler was selected as the Arroyo Grande Chamber of Commerce/s 2006 citizen of the year just in time for her business/s 20th anniversary.
“I/m flying high this week,C said Fowler, an Arroyo Grande resident who runs Nan/s Pre-Owned Books in Grover Beach. “I just think we have everything to give here. Because of the devotion of so many people, it/s just such a wonderful to be.C
Fowler is a former Arroyo Grande planning commissioner, president and founding board member of the Grover Beach Community Library, a member of the San Luis Obispo County Commission on the Status of Women from 1999 to the present and president of the South County Democratic Club from 2002 to 2004.
She was a member of the Arroyo Grande Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from 1997 to 2005, serving as chairman of the board in 2000, is a founder of Gold Coast Investment Club, served as an Arroyo Grande traffic commissioner from 2000 to 2004 and is a member of the Five Cities Quota Club and the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County.
“Nan/s dedication and hard work on behalf of the community makes her an ideal candidate for the Citizen of the Year Award,C said Jim Anderson, chairman of the chamber board.
Her bookstore, located at 1328 W. Grand Ave., celebrated 20 years of business last Tuesday.
For many, Fowler is a familiar face in the community.
She was instrumental in designating the Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach sections of Grand Avenue as “EastC and “West,C respectively, and was honored with the California Chamber of Commerce Small Business Advocate of the Year Award in 2001, in part, for that project.
In 2002, she was a Cuesta College Women of Distinction Award recipient.
“Pure love of South County,C Fowler responded when asked why she chose to be active in the community. “I/m just one of so many that really work together to make it a wonderful place to live.C
Fowler has one brother, former Grover Beach City Councilman David Ekbom; and one daughter, Kristi Turner, who with husband Jeff has given her two grandchildren.
Jan. 21, 2007