Sun, 20 May 2012 16:25:36 -0800WeeblySat, 07 Apr 2012 18:41:29 -0800http://www.avilabeachfoundation.org/1/post/2012/04/april-2012.htmlHello friends and neighbors. Here I sit at my computer on this rainy Sunday morning, typing my column instead of playing golf with my pals as is customary this time each week. Once again it looks like a strange season of weather variations - sunny and 80 degrees one day, 55 and cold the next, some rain, then back into the 70s a few days later.   Oh well, it is what it is.

Last month I promised to fill you in on the outcome of the Foundation’s Avila Beach Town Hall Forum held in February, and share the feedback generated by our online survey of those who attended. First, let me report that nearly 100 people were in attendance. They were nourished with a fine meal prepared by Julie Andrews-Scott, treated to the most delectable ever, calorie-filled chocolate chip/macadamia nut cookies prepared by Patty Pinto, then educated by our panel of speakers representing state and local government, P.G. & E., Port San Luis Harbor District, County Recreation and Parks, and Cal Fire. Below are just some of the comments/quotes from the 30 people who took the time to complete our online event evaluation and survey

Asked about suggestions for future Forums, paraphrased responses included:
1) Engage in strategic planning - what/who does Avila want to be in 5, 10, 20 years and beyond? 2) Address parking issues and inability of locals to access downtown businesses most summer weekends. 3) Ways to improve local business and how to manage local events. 4) How to deal with irresponsible pet owners and lack of Animal Control enforcement. 5) Emergency and evacuation planning.

Asked for ideas to enhance life in Avila Beach, paraphrased responses included:

 

1) Find a place for a small enclosed dog park to increase sense of community. 2) Install parking meters at the water front and take away free fishing at the pier. 3) It is probably time to build a parking structure. 4) Make sure Fossil Point is developed appropriately and carefully. 5) Have a paramedic at our fire station. 6) Extend Free Trolley service to and from San Luis Obispo. 7) More collaborative efforts by all agencies in the area. 8) Observatory at old tank site. 9) Open a community garden. 10) Lower the speed limit on the road by the school all the way from 101 to the stoplight. 11) Improve the 5-way intersection at the Avila exit crossing onto Ontario Road. 12) More farmers at Farmers’ Market. 13) Telescopes on the Piers. 14) A golf-cart friendly and accessible downtown. 15) More activities directed toward younger adults (25-40).

Asked what they like most about life in Avila Beach

The responses were consistent and not surprising, like small town atmosphere, friendly people, little traffic, the beach, beautiful weather, community spirit, etc.

Asked what they like least about life in Avila Beach, paraphrased responses included:

1) Weekend and vacationers who do not respect our community. 2) Lack of easy parking during busy season. 3) Only one way in and out of Avila Beach. 4) Not enough trash pickup on the weekends. 5) No place to get gas in emergencies. 6) Lack of business collaboration and cooperation. 7) Difficulty getting vendors to deliver in our area (mostly for restaurants). 8) Excessive activities at the golf course. 9) Debris along Front Street sidewalks and gutters. 10) Business establishments reducing pedestrian ways on Front Street. 11) Too many vacation rentals changing the fabric of the community. 12) Summer traffic. 13) Proximity to Diablo nuclear power plant.

In summary, the survey revealed quite a bit more than I have space for in this column, so I tried to capture the overall sentiments shared by our fellow Avila residents and focused on a few questions that generated concerns and ideas - some we as a community can address and some are beyond our influence. A favorable 60% of the survey respondents indicated a willingness to attend small neighborhood gatherings to talk about ideas and projects we can possibly tackle together as residents and businesses invested in the greater Avila Beach area.   Beginning to convene these small neighborhood discussion groups will become a focus of the Avila Beach Foundation in the coming months. For us, it is all about community engagement and community support.   Working together we have the opportunity and ability to make a difference, but only through a collective involvement can this happen.   As always, we welcome your input. See you at the beach.


]]>Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:49:57 -0800http://www.avilabeachfoundation.org/1/post/2012/02/march-2012-foundation-news-and-views.html_ Happy daylight savings, friends and neighbors!  I don’t know about you, but I very much look forward to enjoying the extra hours of sun for the next seven months or so.   By the time you read this column, the Foundation will have received feedback from our recently concluded community Town Hall Form, which I will share with you in the April issue of Avila Community News.  The input will likely have an influence on the Foundation’s focus in the coming year(s), and I cannot wait to see what the people say.

Speaking of the “people”, I am pleased to announce the upcoming first of the Foundation’s series on the Historyand Heritage of Avila Beach.  The event is scheduled for Thursday, April 26th at the Community Center.  Each chapter of the series will feature specific topics of our area’s past – the one upcoming includes presentations about the Chumash, energy and fishing industries, and historic Avila families.  This series comes to you because of earlier input the Foundation received when polling the locals on their interests.  Yes, we do listen and very much appreciate your ideas.  Seating will be quite limited, so be sure to visit our website to reserve your seats – www.avilabeachfoundation.org.

Further speaking of the “people”, an unexpected thing is happening with growing regularity.  Though not one of my original goals of the Foundation column appearing each month in the Avila Community News, it has happened nevertheless.  Readers are emailing me with personal stories about their family history in Avila, others simply say “thanks” for all the Foundation does, and more and more I’m hearing from individuals who seek our involvement in seeking resolve for specific Avila Beach-related matters.  I would be the last person to claim much influence when it comes to Avila problem solving, but I have to say it has been rewarding to help address and/or forward to the appropriate sources various concerns and suggestions brought forth by the public.  A few of the relevant examples of public driven action taken include the placement of a warning sign informing drivers of the sudden, traffic stopping left turn into the Avila Barn, along with the cutting back of roadside vegetation to improve visibility before arriving at the curve.  The new bike racks installed at various positions near the beach gained SLO County Planning Department priority once the Foundation received a complaint about bikes parked along the beachfront railings.  And our “Avila Alerts” service was the result of some residents suggesting it would be helpful for everyone to know when roadwork and special events that could impede daily routines are scheduled.

While I don’t consider the Foundation to be a “complaint department” when it comes to addressing issues out of our control, I am receptive to us being a conduit when possible.  As such, there are a few more concerns presently being addressed thanks in part to reader inquiries.  Before long you will see additional industrial strength trash bins along the beach front to help reduce litter found in those areas devoid of easy-access receptacles.  And thanks to ideas shared by beach resident Kristi Yegge, a misplaced stoplight intersection driver warning sign has been moved to a better location by the County – and the Planning Department is looking into turning the loop along San Juan, Front and San Francisco streets into a one-way access.  Plus, members of the Avila Business Association expressed dissatisfaction over the aforementioned stoplight/crosswalk timing cycle, which the County is also looking into.   I am pleased that the Foundation can at times serve as a pipeline, and equally pleased that County personnel often take action when it’s in everyone’s best interest.  

Keeping with the “people” theme, many of you are aware of the proposed Bob Jones Trail bridge over the 101 being championed by Cal Trans, in spite of strong opposition among Avila residents who believe a more user- friendly and less expense underpass is a better alternative.  Our friends on AVAC have established a committee to deal with this issue, and assigned Julia Hartzell its chairperson.  I offer the following summary as provided by Julia.  “SLO County Parks and Recreation has been working on plans for the extension of the Bob Jones Bike Trail from the Octagon Barn on South Higuera to the Ontario Road staging lot at Hwy. 101.  The County is in the process of developing the Environmental Impact Report to support a pedestrian overpass – the report is scheduled to be completed in the next few months.  It is believed by most in our community that insufficient discussion and investigation has been done regarding the option of a freeway pedestrian underpass, which would avert the decimation of the Hwy 101 scenic corridor through Avila Valley while enhancing the pedestrian/biking experience.  A Power Point presentation was given at the AVAC February meeting that included underpass methods employed by other cities, as well as some before and after, superimposed renderings of how this underpass could look and function.  This will be posted for online viewing in the near future.”  Julia encourages anyone with an interest in this project to contact her at Julhartz@aol.com.  Once again I’ve come to the end of my space allocation, thus I sign off with my usual “see you at the beach.”

]]>Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:23:36 -0800http://www.avilabeachfoundation.org/1/post/2012/01/february-2012-foundation-news-views.html_ Hello once again, friends and neighbors.  I am dedicating this month’s column to acknowledge an outstanding response by the members of our community.  BUT FIRST – let me remind you to hurry and register for the February 24 Avila Beach Town Hall Forum II.  It is likely that by the time you read this publication remaining seats will be few, if any.  If that’s the case, we can place you on the waiting list, but please log onto www.avilabeachfoundation.org and look for event information on our home page.

                  Now, getting back to the dedication, I cannot adequately express how impressed I am by the tremendous show of community spirit and generosity in the aftermath of the Foundation’s recently concluded Matching Gifts Initiative.  It began with three well-known private sector partners – Old Custom House, P.G. & E. and Chevron – joining the Avila Beach Foundation in ponying up $5,000 each to create a $20,000 challenge fund.  With a goal to spend the $20,000 by matching numerous individual donations collectively equaling that same amount, we hoped to infuse the greater Avila Beach area with $40,000 to support a variety of community organizations and special projects.  Part of the idea behind the Initiative was to inspire many new donors to offer financial support by doubling the value of their gift, and motivate previous donors of particular organizations to increase their level of financial support.  Also behind the Initiative idea was to enable local groups to expand their donor bases.  Seeking a high volume of donors rather than just a handful of deep pockets, a restriction was in place that only new or step-up donations between $50 and $200 were “match-able”.   Bottom line – the goal was met and surpassed!!!  By the end of the campaign year 142 donors stepped up to the plate and collectively contributed $23,689 – thus surpassing the $20,000 goal.  And $41,006 was distributed to the recipient organizations and projects involved.  Well done Avila Beach, well done!!!

                  Here is the actual breakdown of the campaign, which I think you’ll find informative.  Of the previously mentioned 142 donors, 126 were new and 16 were of “stepped-up” variety.   The largest recipient of the combined funding was the Avila Beach Community Center, which garnered $14,425 to help keep the doors open and the programs running.  Next was $13,950 that went to Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School in Avila Valley to support the purchase of classroom technology and operations of their SciTechatorium.  Bellevue’s remarkable campaign took place in little over one week, and school parents deserve a big “attaboy/girl” for such a swift and generous response.  People’s Self Help Housing received $4,208 for community room improvements at their Lachen Tara subsidized living apartment complex in Avila Beach.  The Avila Beach Sea Life Center received $3,600 for ongoing operations.  The Cancer Well-Fit Program at the Avila Bay Club, through their Christmas fundraiser, earned $2,020 that enables them to conduct an additional session of free rehab fitness classes for first-year cancer survivors.  $1,300 goes into the Avila Beach Foundation’s Emerging Community Needs and Opportunities Fund. The Save Our Schoolhouse fund received $1,000 that will go towards restoring the original historic Avila Beach schoolhouse.  $400 went to the Literacy Council of San Luis Obispo to continue their ESL program at the Avila Community Center, and $400 went to Cal Fire for ongoing efforts to restore the original Avila fire engine, affectionately known as “Grandpa” and seen at many Avila events.

                  You math majors may be wondering about there being only $20,000 in the match fund, yet $23,689 collected in donations.  Well, a fair number of donors gave more than the maximum donation, even knowing a lesser portion would be matched.  To be accurate, only $17,314 of that received was eligible to be matched.  So, the good news is that a balance of $2,686 remains, and if matched in 2012 will be worth $5,372 in project fund availability.  While the campaign is over, steps will be taken to engage the community in identifying a specific new project that could use the funds, followed by a secondary campaign to raise that remaining $2,686.  It will be fun seeing how that turns out.  Do you have any ideas?  If so, you know where to reach me.

                  On a more personal note, I want to thank you readers who send me input, share ideas and raise community issues of concern.  Engaging the public and improving life in Avila Beach is our Foundation’s driving force.  By now you have figured out that the Avila Beach Community Foundation does more than just issue annual grants, though that remains an important function in our role as stewards of the UNOCAL settlement fund.  Expanding participation on your part will enable us to continue on a path that leads to a greater good.  Avila Beach is a treasure and we are ALL stewards of this legacy.  Before signing off with my usual “see you at the beach”, I have to divulge that my wife accuses me of trying to be the next Walter Cronkite by using those closing words.  I didn’t know she was old enough to remember Mr. Cronkite!!!   So, “see you at the beach”.

]]>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 08:01:10 -0800http://www.avilabeachfoundation.org/1/post/2012/01/foundation-news-views-january-2012.html_Happy 2012 everybody!!! My how time flies, particularly for those of us "older" folks who may still recall how slowly it seemed to drag along during our teenage years. Who among us doesn't look in the mirror and wonder just what the heck happened? That must be someone else staring back at us, or a mask-like preview of what we might look like as middle aged or seniors. Don't worry - I'm not writing from a state of depression just because I turned 60 a few months ago, or because I usually feel a bit down during the dreary winter months. Quite the contrary since the calendar already turned the corner and we gain another minute of sunshine each day, and baseball spring training is on the horizon - always an indicator of warmer weather and unfettered outdoor activities to come. Yay!!! 

Enough about me and on to some important matters, first of which is the official opening of registration for the Avila Beach Town Hall Forum II.   Scheduled for the evening of February 24 at the Avila Community Center, the Forum is once again sponsored by SLO County Supervisor Adam Hill, which means a free light dinner for all attendees being prepared once again by our favorite "Green Cuisine" hostess Julie Andrews Scott. In addition to Supervisor Hill providing another inside look into County Government and local economic vitality issues, among Forum II presenters are State Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian, who will share his experiences in state government, and representatives from Port San Luis Harbor District, Pacific Gas & Electric, Cal Fire, and SLO County Parks and Recreation - each of whom will provide updates on special projects and developments in the greater Avila area. Those of you who attended Forum I recall how quickly the limited seating filled up, so I urge interested individuals to visit the Foundation's website to easily register online - www.avilabeachfoundation.org .

I imagine many of you have been following reports of the struggling U.S. Postal Service and news of pending closures of mail processing centers and Post Office branches throughout the United States. This is no small matter, especially for those who live in lightly populated areas like Avila Beach. With my office in the same building occupied by the Avila Post Office, I see on a near daily basis the amount of foot traffic that occurs - some for the simple task of picking up mail from their post boxes, and some just dropping off mail for general delivery. I believe that potential closures will not necessarily change the ease of those two services, but will greatly impact several other aspects of postal business. Need to have a package delivered? Need to buy stamps? Need to send something Express Mail? The absence of these services in Avila Beach means hop in your car, waste time and gasoline, and stand in long lines. I had the pleasure of enjoying a pre-Christmas lunch with our three friendly, diligent Avila Post Office employees, and I learned that each branch of the Post Office - big or small - is given financial revenue goals to meet. Postmaster Kim tells me that Avila revenue goals are usually met and surpassed, but provides no assurance that the Avila branch would survive when it comes to making cuts. What can WE as Avila residents do? Conduct as much postal business as you possibly can right here at our Avila branch. If money speaks, an uptick in revenue could bode well for the Avila Post Office. A harsh reminder for me occurred ten days before Christmas when I happened to be in SLO. With a stamped envelope in hand and heading towards the Madonna Center, I pulled into the Dalidio post office parking lot, looked in the window and saw a line from here to eternity. Thank goodness all I had to do was drop off the envelope. No such madness at the Avila branch, and I hope we get to keep it that way.

Next I wish to bring you up to date on a couple issues that came up at recent meetings of the Avila Valley Advisory Council - those being the perceived dangerous, eastbound left turn into the Avila Barn, and the providing of commercial trash bins on both sides of the Front Street Promenade. Given the task of looking into both matters was SLO County Traffic Engineer Ryan Chapman. Though he was unable to attend the December meeting, Ryan informed via email of the following. 1. A "Cross Traffic Ahead" warning sign was placed on the right side of Avila Drive about 600 hundred feet west of the Avila Barn, and that vegetation on the left side of the street near the curve was removed to improve visibility if coming upon stopped cars. Ryan believes these steps will help mitigate the problem. 2. As for trash cans along Front Street -Ryan writes "the Public Works Department is not in a position where we can install or maintain trash cans, but can support the project by providing a no-cost Encroachment Permit to any organization that wants to install and maintain the trash cans. In addition, trash pick-up outside the park and plaza can be handled as an adopt-the-road section if there are volunteers willing to manage and place the trash out every other week for pick up.   

While trash along the boardwalk outside the Promenade boundaries is not so bad right now, that wasn't the case this past summer as beachgoers arrived in mass. I walked the area when alerted of the problem and found much more loose litter in areas where trash bins are sparse - it wasn't pretty. What say you, fellow Avila residents? Do you have any thoughts about the aforementioned items, or any ideas to improve the situation? We welcome your feedback via email to avilafoundation@gmail.com. Oops - out of space once again, so it's time to sign off. See you at the beach.  ]]>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 07:50:45 -0800http://www.avilabeachfoundation.org/1/post/2012/01/first-post.html