Greetings, fellow Avilones.  While contemplating the content for this December’s newsletter, I decided to first look back at last December’s content.  In it, my first paragraph kicked off with this, ”Another December has arrived, and the year is coming to a challenging end.   What a strange journey it has been”.  Well, at the time I never imagined that this “strange journey” would still exist a full year later, but here we are, somewhat running in place.  The country as a whole has haltingly re-opened with businesses and schools functioning better than they were twelve months ago.  But we are still dealing with the pandemic and politics of vaccinations, masking, etc.  I hope that my December 2022 column will not require another visit to this situation. 
 
I’m sure you are aware of the current real estate market, which has been booming for months.  Home prices have exploded, especially here in Avila Beach, where many properties have sold within days (sometime hours), and often for considerably more than the listing prices.  One home in the Pelican Point development inside San Luis Bay Estates went on the market for $950,000 and sold shortly thereafter for $1.2 million!  Crazy, huh?  In spite of escalating prices, there have been many new folks moving into the Avila Beach neighborhoods.  Seeing all those moving vans brought me back to when my wife and I first arrived here in 1995.  We were so excited back then, though over the course of time I have forgotten just how special that moment was.  Sleeping bags on the floor that first night while waiting for the furniture to arrive. The distant sound of the lighthouse fog horn serenading us.  Seeing all these newly arriving, elated Avilones has served as a refresher for me.  I cannot imagine living anywhere else!
 
Two columns ago I put out an appeal seeking stories from readers about how they came to arrive in Avila Beach.  I heard back from John and Robin Kirby, who wrote, “We ended up in Avila Beach in 2010 after having lived in Long Beach, CA for 36 years, and came here because we were looking to leave the Southern Calif. crush.  We have friends who have been living in SLO since 1975 who we would see occasionally.  Those visits, along with more frequent wine country exploration and retirement in 2004, sparked an interest in exploring the Central Coast with the idea of possibly “dropping anchor” here permanently.  As far as Avila Beach is concerned, we are truly “the blind squirrels who found the nut”!  Our friends tipped us to the town, its microclimate and outdoor activities, and we were then on a mission to find a home here. Mission accomplished………and still pinching ourselves!”  Thank you, John and Robin, for sharing your story.
 
I have mentioned many times the value of participating in meetings of the Avila Valley Advisory Council, which takes place on a monthly basis – usually the second Monday at 7:00p.m.  There is much to be learned about our community at those gatherings, along with opportunities to share concerns and ask questions.  One alarming thing I learned at the November AVAC meeting came in the form of warnings about rising cases of crime occurring in Avila Beach and Avila Valley.  Several residents reported incidents of mailbox and package delivery theft, vehicle break-ins and vandalism.  Local postal employee Mary Chiu suggested that those in the Avila Valley neighborhoods with free-standing mail boxes should consider installing receptacles with locking mechanisms, or make an effort to pick up their mail early in the day.  The Sheriff’s Department reminds us to keep our vehicles locked and to not leave valuables inside.  Avila Beach has for so long seemed like a sanctuary from some of life’s evils, and still is in comparison to most places.  But we must take precautions and be on the lookout for those wishing to do us harm.
Last but not least are two things I remind you of each December.  Cal Fire Battalion Chief Paul Lee says it’s time to replace the batteries in our smoke alarms and check our carbon monoxide detectors.  The seasonal changes in daylight savings each year are the perfect periods to complete these tasks.  Also, I urge you to always purchase your postage and ship your packages at our local Avila Beach Post Office to keep it financially viable.  We are so fortunate to be able to avoid the long lines at busier post offices in SLO County, and the friendly and helpful services of Mary, Julie and Cindy are greatly appreciated. 

​That being said, let me wish you Avilones a joyous Christmas and Hanukkah holiday season.  See you at the beach!

Greetings, fellow Avilones.  Now that October is behind us, and the “kiddies” are loaded up with candy from Halloween, we shift our lives in preparation for November Thanksgiving festivities.   This means lavish turkey meals with all the fixings for many of us, and perhaps ham or family favorites for others.  Out of curiosity, I visited the internet to acquire some history about the origins of Thanksgiving, and found endless online representations.  But for the sake of brevity, I copied the following description from the History Channel website, which informs us that “Thanksgiving became an annual custom throughout New England in the 17th century, and in 1777 the Continental Congress declared the first national American Thanksgiving following the Patriot victory at Saratoga. In 1789, President George Washington became the first president to proclaim a Thanksgiving holiday, when, at the request of Congress, he proclaimed November 26, a Thursday, as a day of national thanksgiving for the U.S. Constitution. However, it was not until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving to officially fall on the last Thursday of November, that the modern holiday was celebrated nationally.”  There is soooo much more online on this topic, but I leave that for you to research.

Let’s face it.  Nearly two full years into the Pandemic it is not always easy to think of the things for which we are thankful, but mental health professionals tell us that doing so is one of the best ways to deal with the “funk” looming over the lives of many.  While our freedoms have been re-defined, at least temporarily, we are again able to enjoy a lot of the things we took for granted in the past, though with a tweak here and there.  Perhaps we never fully appreciated those things until they were taken away from us.  One day this health crisis will be behind us, and I hope we will have learned some valuable lessons that can be filed away for future benefit.

Turning to something more uplifting, have you stopped by for a visit to the Central Coast Aquarium lately?  In addition to other exciting things going on there, a new occupant arrived and set up home in the Octopus tank.  According to the newsletter I received from the Aquarium, “Octopuses are highly intelligent invertebrates, and we are lucky enough to have a very special Pacific Red Octopus (Octopus rubescens), named Ruby, right here at CCA! Small octopuses, like Ruby, are believed to have the intelligence level of a house cat while others, like the Giant Pacific Octopus, can be even more intelligent!”  This tank was vacant for quite a while, even though the Avila Beach Community Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to the Aquarium in 2019 to complete the habitat.  Unforeseen circumstances – including the Pandemic – caused a delay in the acquisition of a new resident, but no longer.  Stop by and meet “Ruby”.  Do you know how many tentacles “Ruby” has?

In case you are wondering about the latest news regarding progress on the Avila Community Plan, a communication was recently sent by SLO County Planning Manager Arlin Singelwald.  We are told that due to the many comments, questions and concerns about the draft Avila Plan since it was released in May 2021, the matter is being put on pause until the County can conduct another round of in-person workshops.  The recommendation to take this action will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on November 16th.  So, the clock continues to run while this long-awaited project plods forward.  The reason for the delay is not necessarily a bad thing, but it would be nice to see more forward progress.

With the December holidays fast approaching, I once again invite you to consider a special gift for one or more of your Avila Beach family members or friends.  Yes, this is an unabashed “commercial moment”, but worth your attention. Acquire this limited-edition License Plate Holder when you make a contribution in any amount to the “Avila Beach Public Art Development & Preservation Fund.”
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Send your check to: Avila Beach Community Foundation
P.O. Box 297, Avila Beach, CA 93424
Be sure to include your contact information so we can arrange delivery of your frame(s).
 

​That’s it for now, fellow Avilones.  I wish you an enjoyable Thanksgiving celebration. 
​See you at the beach!

Greetings, fellow Avilones.  Well, here we go again.  I guess you can't say we didn't see it coming.  Yes, chapter two of the Pandemic has arrived, and restrictions on our activities are back.  The Delta variant is running rampant, so much so that SLO County has returned to masking up status in all public places.  How discouraging to those of us who were enjoying the rewards afforded the vaccinated populace.  It was so nice to have a few months of non-masking normalcy, which now seems like a cruel tease.  The main difference, however, is that we can still shop, dine out, go to the gym, movie theaters and other indoor entertainment, albeit with the renewed safety precautions.  And, in most cases, the kids are back in school.  Expert opinions vary greatly about just how long all these viruses will continue to disrupt our lives.  But it is what it is, so let’s all muster up the collective will to combat the spread and keep folks out of the hospital.

Speaking of masks, we are only a few weeks away from Halloween.  Ironic that facial coverings are so popular among trick-or-treaters and party-goers, but not so much as a safety measure.  I’m just sayin’.

On a sad note, I bid a fond farewell to my associate - Stephanie Rowe - who has served as the "Foundation's" Project Support Specialist for the past three years. Stephanie was a valued member of our team, and will be missed.  On the bright side, I am pleased to introduce our new Project Support Specialist - Kymberly Fazzio - who began her new role on September 1st.  Kymberly and her husband Frank moved to the Central Coast from Northern California in 2004 to be closer to family and enjoy a better quality of life. Prior to living on the Central Coast, Kymberly held high-level administrative support positions for various Big Four accounting firms and other technical corporations. She recently retired after 16 years at Cal Poly, including five years in the Office of the President.  Welcome, Kymberly!
 
When meeting new Avilones, I find it interesting to learn just how it was that they landed in this jewel of the Central Coast.  Let's face it, most of us arrived here from other parts of the state, or from further regions, for a variety of reasons and paths taken.  My wife and I, for example, were living in the bustling/sprawling Orange County enclave of Irvine in the 1980s.  It was a fun place to be with so much to do and enjoy in the surrounding areas.  The problem was that population growth in Orange County made it increasingly difficult to access the abundance of activities that attracted the multitudes.  It seemed that much of our existence was spent in traffic or in lines waiting to get into theaters, restaurants, banks, etc.  In 1988 we decided to explore other areas to live, and without getting into great detail, ended up initially in Los Osos in 1989, then here in Avila in 1995.
 
The reason I offered the above personal tidbit is to invite others to share their journeys to Avila Beach, which I could then include in future issues of this publication.  If you are willing to do so, write back to me by finishing a sentence or two that begins thusly.  "I/we ended up in Avila Beach in (year) after having lived in (location), and came here because……….”  This sounds like a fun exercise, and I hope some of you will humor me by playing along.
 
With summer now in the rearview mirror, Avila Beach should become less congested, though it will be interesting to see how busy it gets during the upcoming holiday season.   Last year, at the height of the Pandemic, travelers tended to stay closer to home, and much of what we experienced were locals enjoying our seaside sanctuary.  I suspect things will look different this season, especially with the opening of the new Flying Flags Avila Beach Camping Resort.  You might want to check out the site, which will have spaces for tent camping, RVs and cabins.
 
Speaking of the holiday season, it’s time to start thinking about your annual year-end donations to support local non-profit organizations serving our community.  All have been financially challenged the past two years, and are doing what they can to stay afloat.  As you know from past columns, the “Foundation” has already committed to provide our grantees with funds equal to what they received the year before the Pandemic, with no strings attached as to how these dollars are spent, be it special projects, programs or general operating.  Along that line, I want to thank the Rossi Foundation for its recent, generous grant to the Avila Beach Community Foundation, which will enable us to invest more funds in our service area.

That’s it for now fellow Avilones.  See you at the beach! 

Greetings, fellow Avilones.  September has arrived, the kids are back in school (in-person and/or online), and summer officially ends on the 22nd of the month, though I doubt we will see much of a reduction in the number of visitors who flock to Avila for at least another month or so.   We are also about to celebrate Labor Day, that time each year when many mothers give birth.  Just kidding, I wanted to see if you are paying attention.  Are you aware that the first Labor Day holiday was celebrated in New York City on Tuesday, September 5, 1882?  Following the deaths of 13 workers during the Pullman Strike in June of 1894, President Grover Cleveland made reconciliation with the labor movement a top political priority, and Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894.  It was created by the labor movement and pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers.

As a “labor” of love and appreciation, I want to thank our friends at Pacific Gas and Electric Company for their recent grant to the Avila Beach Community Foundation.  And a special note of gratitude to local PG&E Public Policy and External Affairs representative Eric Daniels for his support and advocacy.  With this grant, PG&E joins the “Foundation”, SLO County District 3 Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg and Chevron in a partnership that finances a contract with non-profit agency, PathPoint, to provide beach area clean-up services for the high tourism season.  PathPoint work crews focus on removing sand and debris along the beach boardwalk, curbs and planters on each side of the Promenade – areas not usually maintained by SLO County.
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Next, let me introduce the “Foundation’s” newest member of our board, Debra Pritchard.   Debra was elected to a 3-year term as a Trustee during our July board meeting.  As a recent transplant to Avila, she has lived in other parts of the state, country and world during a diverse career path that included a three-year stint with the Peace Corps in the Philippines.  Debra, who arrived in Avila just as the Pandemic was taking off, has also lived in New York, Houston and San Francisco, having achieved successes along the way.  She and her Covid-pooch "Twix" can be seen almost daily on the dog beach.  Her passions are protecting wildlife and the environment, serving as a mentor to youth, travel and biking to the beach.  Welcome, Debra!

I don’t ordinarily use this space to promote non-Foundation activities, but we recently approved some sponsorship funding for an event coming to Avila on October 16th from 10:00 am-1:00 pm at the Avila Beach Community Center.  Titled the “Avila Beach Children’s Business Fair”, this project encourages kids to develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, then open for business in this one-day marketplace.   For more information, visit www.childrensbusinessfair.org/avila-beach.

Some of you more involved Avilones have been following the County’s years-long project to complete a new Avila Beach Community Plan through a series of Envision Avila workshops, most recently held via “Zoom” on August 5th.   I am somewhat surprised that only 40 or so locals logged in, out of 1000+ households.  What does this mean?  Lack of interest in the future of Avila?  Didn’t know the workshop was scheduled?  Tired of a process that advances so painfully slow?  Whatever the case, among those Avilones who have been active, one major topic of concern always discussed is emergency evacuation routing, as it was at the 8/5 workshop.  Chiming in that night was a local retired fire captain (John) who stated that the best strategy in case of a wildfire is to head to the beach.  I have met, or become aware of, a great number of retired fire fighters now living in Avila, which seems to be a magnet for those who spent their careers in fire services.  Several have stated the same thing - "head to the beach in case of wildfire evacuation."  It makes sense when you consider the gridlock that awaits on the 101 for those able to escape Avila.  Perhaps there should be some discussion about preparation of routing and staging/landing areas for locals who heed that “head to the beach” advice.  Parking, supplies, medical services, temporary emergency shelter, etc. could be part of the plan, rather than just having hundreds of us gathering in disorganized mass at the waterfront escape zone.  Your thoughts?

I would like to share with you an example of SLO County Public Works responsiveness to a problem I reported at the July AVAC meeting.  It concerned the somewhat recently created right-hand turn lane at the corner of San Miguel Street and Avila Beach Drive, designed to improve traffic flow for those leaving town.  I had seen cars parked along the curb in the right turn lane, thus rendering it useless in those instances.  My suggestion was that the curb along that lane be painted red to ensure no vehicle parking allowed.  I am pleased to report that Public Works has indicated that they will indeed comply with that request.  We will be “seeing red”, but in this case it’s a good thing.   Our thanks to the County powers that be.

​That’s it for now, fellow Avilones.  See you at the beach!

Greetings, fellow Avilones.  The month of August has arrived, and it won’t be long until yet another summer is in our rearview mirrors.  Do you know that not only is August the eighth month on the calendar, but the word “august” is also an adjective meaning “respected and impressive?”   It is with that in mind that I offer a belated shout out (via Avila Valley resident and local coastal waters aficionado Rob Mohle), to the Pale Kai Outrigger Canoe Club for their litter removal efforts along a stretch of Avila Beach Drive between San Luis Bay Drive and San Miguel Street, which the Club “adopted” 10 years ago to help keep our community beautiful.  This group of paddlers, along with a number of other locals, have made it their mission to pick up after people who find it easier to just toss their trash out the window or on the beach.  Our gratitude to you environmentally responsible Avilones.

I rarely venture into the matters of other SLO County towns, but after reading the July 8-15 issue of the New Times I found a strong parallel between that which Avila Beach has already endured, and the future Oceano may be facing.  I imagine you are all aware of the decades old fight pitting supporters for and against off-roading at the Oceano dunes.  Environment, safety, economy and beach access concerns have dominated that conversation.  I won’t offer my opinions or take sides on this topic.  But portions of the story caught my eye that indicated there are fears for the type of unintended consequences that have occurred in Avila Beach.  One Oceano Advisory Council member pointed to Avila Beach, stating “before the Unocal oil cleanup efforts, which involved tearing down and rebuilding much of the town, Avila Beach was home to mostly working-class people, funky shops and restaurants.  It had a lot of charm, cheap housing, and it basically got wiped off the map ……… and now median home prices in Avila are roughly twice that of other SLO County cities.”  Some foresee the character of Oceano changing with the elimination of off-roading, and have concerns that long time locals will be priced out of the community as it becomes something different.

For good or bad, change is inevitable and occurs routinely in coastal communities everywhere.   Downtown Avila is still undergoing transformation 20+ years since the oil contamination removal.  Continuing to disappear are single family dwellings, being replaced by multi-unit vacation rentals.  Summers now belong to the throngs of visitors who just want a piece of how we live, and it’s hard to blame them for that.  But it comes at a cost as the sense of community togetherness vanishes with each passing generation.  Which brings me to a parallel topic – that being the history of Avila Beach, which is rich and interesting.  The “Foundation” has in the past hosted several events that focused on Avila’s past, and another such event is being considered.  Fortunately, there are a number of multi-generational Avila families still living in the area, and it has come to my attention that some possess historical artifacts, photos and keepsakes they are willing to share.  Likewise, we have a handful of community agencies also in possession of historical items of interest.  The idea being bounced around is that of hosting, for lack of a better title, a “mobile museum”, whereby willing residents and agencies can display some of their collectibles for others to see at one or more local locations on a specified day or two.  What do you think about this idea?  Let me know if you have some cool stuff to share, and/or if you would attend an event of this nature.  You can respond to avilafoundation@gmail.com.

A number of you have asked me about the property owned by Chevron – now known as Avila Point - at which the company had several years ago proposed the development of a major conference center.  Amid community concerns and other matters, that project fell by the wayside, and future efforts placed on hold.  Well, Chevron representatives attended the July AVAC meeting to present a new project concept that strays far from the earlier one.  The property consists of 95 acres originally used by UNOCAL as a petroleum storage and shipping facility, and was sold to Chevron in 2005.  The new project concept consists of nine lots, some of which would be dedicated for public use, including new coastal and woodland trails.  Other lots could be used for parking, public/private development and more. The concept remains a work in progress and includes involvement by SLO County Parks & Recreation and the Avila Beach Community Services District.  Stay tuned for more details as they emerge, or visit  https://avilapoint.com/contact-us/ for updates.

Last but not least, be alerted that the next Avila Community Plan Public Workshop is scheduled via “Zoom” for August 5th at 6:00 pm.  Contact the County Planning Department for details about how to “Zoom in”. 

That’s it for now, fellow Avilones.  See you at the beach!

Greetings, fellow Avilones.  Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!  No, I’m not having a Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz moment, but something akin to that.  Let me explain. Like many of you, I’ve spent my share of time on the Bob Jones Trail – mostly on the stretch from the San Luis Obispo Bay Estates to the golf course and beach.  Over the span of these 25+ years as an Avila resident I’ve witnessed on the Trail a growing number of walkers, runners, cyclists, skaters, strollers, skateboards, scooters, golf carts, wheelchairs, and more.  BUT it wasn’t until last month that I observed two firsts – at least for me.  I was crossing the bridge leading to the 18th fairway at the golf course and heard an audible “clip clop” behind me, turned around and saw two horses also crossing the bridge.  Beautiful beasts they were, and I was truly surprised and pleasantly delighted to see them.  If that wasn’t enough for one day, a little later on while heading back home along the Trail I passed a jogger who had a bird cage strapped to her backside – like would be a backpack.  Inside the cage was a parakeet – yes, a parakeet out for a jog with its adult parent!  I might have commented, but didn’t want to ruffle any feathers. 

ODDS AND ENDS:
I offer a delayed “shout-out” to the SLO County Public Works Department for quick action after I sent an email asking that the weeds at the corner of San Miguel Street and Avila Beach Drive be removed.  I noticed that visibility of oncoming, outward traffic was hindered due to the height of the weeds.  In less than one week the weeds were “wacked” sufficiently to improve the sight lines.  My thanks to Director John Waddell for his timely mitigation of the problem.

I know this may sound redundant, but the summer crowds have arrived.  Things around Avila will begin to look more normal again, harkening back to pre-pandemic days.  Community events are returning to venues such as the Avila Beach Golf Resort, Central Coast Aquarium, Point San Luis Lighthouse and others.  We will miss another year of the Avila Farmers’ Market, but hope for a robust revival in 2022.   I imagine it will take some time to iron out just where and when the wearing of masks and social distancing will still exist.  In spite of California relaxing standards, it appears that individual counties and businesses are still able to implement protective measures if they so choose.  We need to support their decisions.

On a related note, it appears that the “Foundation” Board of Trustees will be meeting in-person this July.  Our last in-person gathering occurred in January 2020, but seems like forever ago. We have since then been conducting business in front of our screens. I don’t feel guilty in admitting my “Zoom” fatigue runs high.  While it may be convenient for meetings of all sorts, I believe the impact is a reduction in the depth of dialogue and exchange of ideas – to say nothing of the technical difficulties that some of us have experienced during “Zoom-time.”   Virtual meetings have their place, but for a “relic” like me who thrives in face-to-face encounters, the sooner I can surround myself with actual people in 3-D form the better.   The energy generated by being with others is difficult to replicate while squirreled away in one’s room.

You may recall that last year around this time the “Foundation” announced its intention to stray from our usual grant-making processes to aid those agencies we support due to the economic challenges they were facing.   Applicants had historically competed annually for the funding of programs, projects, or operating capital for the finite dollars available.  Last year our Trustees felt the best way we could help our community partners was to simply allocate to agencies the same grant amounts they received the previous year, and that said funds could be used for any efforts to keep their doors open, or to restore operations when the time came.  Here we are a year later and much is still uncertain, though beginning to improve.  Revenue challenges remain for most non-profit organizations, and more time will be required to achieve solvency.  With that in mind, the “Foundation” Board of Trustees has decided to once again roll over grants to our agency partners for the same amounts as awarded in 2019 and 2020.  It is our sincere hope that next year we can resume usual grant-making processes.

As always, I welcome your feedback, input and ideas to help enhance life in Avila Beach. 

That’s it for now, fellow Avilones.  See you at the beach!

Greetings, fellow Avilones.  June is upon us and life as we knew it before the pandemic is beginning to return.  We have all been celebrating the achievement of SLO County reaching the orange level of reduced restrictions on our movement and activities thanks to far fewer Covid cases.  Vaccination rates are continuing at a respectable pace as folks are seeing the benefits attached.  As for Avila Beach, activity at our shorelines has been rocking for several months, and will likely explode over the summer.  Be prepared for lots of traffic and competition for parking spots.  There may be some slight relief ahead once the free Avila Trolley begins operating.  See more on this further down. 

Every so often I sit at my computer and wonder just what the heck to write about in my next column.  This marks one of those moments.  Thinking out loud, let me begin with a little history about the “Foundation’s” e-newsletter and Avila Beach print publications.  My tenure as executive director of the Avila Beach Community Foundation began January, 2009.  One of my first challenges was coming up with ways to build awareness and get more attention to the existence and work of the “Foundation”.  The organization had been here since 1998, had funded a great many projects, but done so with limited community knowledge.  Fortunately, there existed a monthly print publication produced in Pismo Beach, intended for Avila Beach residents and visitors, called the Avila News.  I approached the publishers and negotiated a deal whereby the “Foundation” would be one of the featured article contributors, and at the same time pay to have the newspaper direct-mailed to all Avila area households and businesses. 

As I’m sure you know, print media has been struggling for many years, as the digital world tightens its grip as an information provider.  Facing mounting costs, the original Avila News publisher decided to get out of the business and sold to another local news source.  We maintained our previous arrangement for a while until that publisher threw in the towel.  Then followed a third publisher, and not so long after the fourth and current publisher – 13 Stars Media – which renamed and began publishing in June 2019 the present Avila Beach Life monthly newspaper.  So here we are today in spite of a sometimes rocky and uncertain existence.  This is my 145th column written since that first one in February, 2009.  I don’t know if that makes me an accomplished writer or just a hack with a byline………..LOL.  For those who prefer to read the digital version of my column each month, or catch up on past columns, you can subscribe to the “Foundation’s” e-newsletter by visiting our website – www.avilabeachfoundation.org. 

At the conclusion of my first paragraph, I made mention of the free Avila Trolley.  Well, I just got off the phone with the agency that operates the Trolley (SLORTA) and was told that service will be launched on July 10th and run on Saturdays  from 10 am to 9 pm, and Sundays from 10 am to 7 pm, through September 26th.  It will travel from the Pismo Outlets to Fat Cats at the Harford Pier.  Before the pandemic struck, this service typically began each year in April, timed with the start of the Avila Farmers’ Market season, and ran through October.  The 2021 schedule may vary as the season progresses, and the full route schedule can be found on the SLORTA website - http://www.slorta.org/schedules-fares/avila-trolley/

Piggybacking on the history theme of this month’s column, I want to add that the “Foundation” has been in agreement with SLORTA for many years whereby we provide a matching grant that enables the Trolley to offer free rides for all.  This grant, which now stands at $3,700 annually, represents a partial subsidy of the overall operational costs.  Though not mandatory, riders are encouraged to throw in a buck or so to help keep the Trolley on the road, which helps reduce vehicular traffic and offset scarce parking spots. 

Many of you are following the situation at Cave Landing, which had become a growing encampment for the homeless.  Following an outcry by locals frustrated by dilapidated conditions and lack of adequate oversight, the County finally stepped in to mitigate the problem, and invited other area human service agencies to participate in serving and relocating the encampment residents.  We learned at the May meeting of AVAC that shut down, clearing and cleaning of the site took place on May 12th and 13th.   This is just the first phase of the rehab project that will include a welcome upgrade that should allow visitors to once again enjoy this unique piece of property.  Stay tuned for progress reports.

That’s it for now, fellow Avilones.  See you at the beach!

Greetings, fellow Avilones.  The month of May has arrived, and Avila is teeming with businesses, visitors and others anxious for a return to better times.  Before we get into the nitty gritty of this column, I offer a moment of light education pertaining to the use of the terms “Mayday” and “May Day”.  They are similar in pronunciation, but wildly different in meaning.   According to the dictionary, “Mayday” is an internationally recognized distress signal, while “May Day” is a spring holiday and, in some places, a celebration of working people.   This is just one example of how the English language can be so confusing to foreigners trying to learn it.  Words with multiple meanings are called homonyms, and there are so many of those in the English language it can make your head spin.  If you care to entertain your mind for a few minutes, just google ‘homonym examples’ and look around.

Last month I shared with you the news that the previously stolen lifeguard tower mural panel had finally been replaced. But there remained one piece of the puzzle that had yet to be determined, which has now been resolved.  Originally, the artwork was a collaborative effort between the Avila Beach Community Foundation, which initiated and arranged for funding of the project, Arts Obispo of SLO County, which facilitated the artist selection process and assumed ownership of the artwork, and Port San Luis Harbor District, which agreed to have the panels installed on their lifeguard towers.  This was all well and good until early in the 2020 pandemic, when Arts Obispo suffered financial and staffing setbacks that resulted in the agency wanting to relinquish ownership responsibility for the artwork.  Without getting into the details, I am pleased to report that, after several discussions between the Foundation and Port San Luis, the Harbor Commission board voted unanimously to accept ownership of the artwork.   This is a pleasing and positive outcome that ensures the continued enjoyment by Avila Beach public art enthusiasts.

Also last month, I chimed in about the situation involving the homeless encampment and general conditions up at Cave Landing.  I made mention of efforts being launched by SLO County Parks Department to address the problems, and I now have more information to share, courtesy of an email sent by Concerned Citizens for Avila that reports thusly.  “The County Board of Supervisors has recently approved a plan from the County Parks Department that takes the crucial first step towards fixing Cave Landing. The plan funds a resurfacing of the parking lot, a turn-around for emergency vehicles, and new barriers that protect environmentally and culturally sensitive areas.  The plan also calls for budgeting a full-time ranger to permanently patrol the area, which will require approval in the 2021-2022 budget. The Coastal Commission has been clear that for now, the area needs to remain open 24 hours.  Importantly, construction will necessitate the removal of encampments in the area, and a full cleanup of the site.  County Parks has been working closely with the Department of Social Services, Sheriff’s Office, and County Behavioral Health to make sure the site is cleaned up in a safe and effective way, while offering a wide variety of supportive services to the current camp occupants. The Parks Department is also in discussions with Coastal Commission staff to hopefully install a temporary gate that can remain closed at night during the course of construction.  This project will improve safety, end the current situation, and pave the way towards a long-term solution”.  I will try to keep you up to date as things progress.
 
Along the line of random observations, I have some “rants” to express.  Not surprisingly, we are beginning to see the return of creativity when it comes to people finding free parking spots while visiting the beach.  This is an ongoing problem in our residential parts of town, and one that sticks out to me is among the most frustrating and dangerous.  Not so very long ago, County Public Works installed a right-turn lane at the corner of San Miguel Street and Avila Beach Drive, which made traffic flow at that intersection better and safer.  Lo and behold, I have recently seen vehicles parked right at that corner, thus blocking the right-hand turn lane designed to allow for drivers exiting San Miguel Street.  Since we cannot rely on good manners and common sense, I believe it is time to paint the curbs red along that corner.  There is only room for two vehicles along that curb, so not much a loss of available parking.  My second “rant” involves the Avila Beach Golf Resort, and the growing number of people who can be regularly seen walking or biking ON THE COURSE!  This presents a danger for these intruders who show no fear of golf shots coming their way, and who can become belligerent after being informed by us golfers that they have strayed off the Bob Jones Trail.  It’s only a matter of time before someone gets plunked by an errant golf ball, or we see physical altercations that result in injury.  Golf course management needs to be more pro-active and vigilant to better avoid the inevitable.
 
Last but not least, I am pleased to report the return of the seasonal beach area clean-up project financed by the Foundation and our funding partners Chevron and SLO County District 3 Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg.   Beginning May 10th, you will see a crew from PathPoint several mornings each week working to remove sand and debris from designated sidewalks, gutters and planters along the beach front, making the areas safer and cleaner.  The project runs through early October. 

​That’s it for now, fellow Avilones.  See you at the beach!

Greetings, fellow Avilones.  Daylight savings has finally arrived, meaning more time outdoors and warmer temperatures enjoyed by those of us who don’t thrive in the cold dark months.  And to those of you who celebrate the holiday, let me wish you a happy Easter.  By the way, did you know that ALL chocolate covered bunnies have been banned this Easter to help protect the species from abuse?   Haha, just kidding, April Fools!  Of course, we all look forward to April 15th as the deadline to file personal income taxes.   And speaking of taxes, isn’t it super that the government stimulus checks we received in 2020, and forthcoming again, are tax-free?  I hope these financial gifts are being put to good use, and back into the economy to help the many charities, businesses and their employees who have struggled of late.

In case you haven’t noticed, the long-awaited replacement of the Avila Beach Lifeguard Tower #2 mural panel was installed by artist Colleen Gnos and her team on March 5th.   I have written several times about the theft of the original panel, which occurred in late 2019.  It was a long and arduous road to restore this beautiful artwork, but the end product looks great.  Be sure to look for some photos and a related story in this month’s issue of the Avila Beach Life print publication mailed to your home.   If you are new to the community, take a trip down to the beach and see both Lifeguard Tower murals.  They have become a cherished Avila asset.

Next, I would like to be among those to welcome our newest SLO County District 3 Supervisor.  Dawn Ortiz-Legg was chosen to replace former Supervisor Adam Hill, and has been busy getting up to speed on all aspects of the job.  Dawn has been present at Zoom meetings of the Avila Valley Advisory Council for a few months, and I also had the opportunity for a personal “get to know you” Zoom meeting with her last month.  My initial impression of Supervisor Ortiz-Legg is that she brings a lot of enthusiasm to the position, arrives at meetings highly prepared, and is up to the task of representing  Avila Beach interests, along with the other communities in her district.

You may be aware of recent concerns expressed by members of the community regarding the homeless encampment up at Cave Landing.  It has certainly been a hot topic discussed at recent AVAC meetings, where representatives of various SLO County agencies have been tasked to address the situation.  To no one’s surprise, but of great consternation, there are no easy resolutions to the situation.  It is said that as many as 100 persons occupy the homeless encampment, which is not equipped with any supervision, waste management or sanitation, thus presenting a dangerous and unhealthy environment.  Among the present obstacles are a lack of County resources, both funding and personnel, to say nothing about the biggest hurdle being the Coastal Commission and that agency’s insistence that all public beach areas be 24-hour accessible.  While enforcing restricted hours, or installing a gate during hours of closure, seem a common-sense approach to the problem, that may never come to fruition.  Don’t get me wrong.  I have great compassion and sympathy for people lacking housing the result of poverty, mental health issues, or by choice.  Better alternatives must be made available to provide safer quarters for not only the homeless, but also other members of the community who just want to enjoy our public spaces.  We did learn at the March AVAC meeting that the SLO County Parks and Recreation Department is pursuing grant money to help ameliorate the Cave Landing problem.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

I wonder how many of you have noticed the ever-escalating value of homes in Avila Beach and our surrounding areas.  As a sometimes hobby in times of boredom, I log onto websites showing listings and sales in Avila and Shell Beach.  Homes don’t stay on the market very long before they are sold, especially those under $1 million, of which there are few.  And the growing number of multi-million-dollar properties listed is mind boggling.  While I am aware that low interest rates, the arrival of retirees, second home owners, and relocation by professionals who can work remotely from anywhere have contributed to the scenario, I am still left in amazement by the soaring property values on the Central Coast.  I fear that the economic divide will become even greater, and fewer young people will be able to afford to live in SLO County.  I worry that downtown Avila is succumbing to the influx of vacation rental homes, packing in multitudes of visitors that can stretch our capacity and resources beyond management.  It seems that the train has left the station when it comes to controlling growth.  I thank my lucky stars for the 25 years my wife and I have resided in Avila, but I feel nostalgic for the slower-paced Avila of days past.  There is still much positive about life in Avila, so I guess I should stop complaining, “smell the roses”, and enjoy what we have.

In closing, I bring to you the seasonal reminder from CAL Fire Chief Paul Lee that it’s time to once again check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are in working order, and replace the batteries if needed. It’s nice to have Chief Lee looking out for us. 

That’s it for now, fellow Avilones.  See you at the beach!

Greetings, fellow Avilones.  As we march into March, who knows what lies ahead?  We Do know that daylight savings arrives this year beginning Sunday, March 14th.  We DON’T yet know to what degree Major League baseball is able to return to normal operations, nor do we have a firm grasp of how much longer it will take for all willing area residents to receive their Covid-19 vaccinations.  Life trudges forward with little disruption for some of us, and greater upheaval for others.  Here in Avila Beach much looks fine and dandy on the surface, but not quite as much if we dig a bit deeper. 

Here at the Avila Beach Community Foundation, we continue to monitor the status of the agencies, programs and projects we support with badly needed funding.  As reported previously, our 2021 grantees were given the option to spend their grant funds in any ways deemed essential to continue operating or re-opening their organizations.  Ordinarily we mainly fund specific programs, services or projects, but the past year has called for flexibility.  When we sent this year’s grant award agreements, we asked recipient agencies to let us know how they intended to use their funds, and I want to share the following summary with you, which lists agency name, grant amount and intended use of funds………….

Avila Beach Civic Association ($8,000):  Community Center building maintenance, repairs, utilities, taxes, etc.
Avila Beach Jr. Lifeguards Program ($5,000):  General equipment purchases, scholarships, transportation.
Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School ($3,000):  Offset operational costs due to Pandemic response, such as increased health/safety measures, instructional technology oversight/repair/replacement.
Cancer Well-Fit ($4,000):  Continue/expand wellness program for cancer survivors in our community.
Central Coast Aquarium ($5,000):  Provide vital upgrade and maintenance of exhibits housing sea-life creatures.
KCBX Public Radio ($1,800):  Maintenance of transmitter that serves Avila Beach and South County.
Pt. San Luis Lighthouse Keepers ($4,300):  Facility maintenance and operations.
Noor Foundation of SLO ($3,700):  Clinical operations expenses such as medical supplies, outsourced diagnostics and medical staff.
Operation Surf ($2,000): General expenses for the week-long program held in Avila Beach that serves wounded military veterans.
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing ($2,000):  Supportive housing services for residents of Lachen Tara Apartments in Avila Beach.
Port San Luis Mutts Mitts Project ($5,000):  Purchase of dog waste bags and dispenser upkeep supplies.
Surfrider Foundation ($1,000):  Purchase of laboratory supplies for the Blue Water Task Force program for sampling water flowing into San Luis Creek and Avila Beach.
Avila Beach Life Publication ($4,000):  For monthly mail delivery of this local print news publication to residents and businesses in Avila Beach and Avila Valley.
SLO County Regional Transit Authority ($3,700):  For seasonal operation of the free Avila Beach Trolley.
PathPoint ($10,000):  For seasonal removal of sand transference and debris that collects along the beach boardwalk, planters and gutters on both sides of the Avila Promenade.
 
Moving along, I am pleased to announce the winner of our drawing among those who correctly completed the Bob Jones Trail Walking Quiz.  Congratulations to Suzanne T. in San Luis Bay Estates, who chose a gift card from Blue Moon Over Avila as her prize.  And I want to thank SLBE resident Rich N., who responded to my request last month seeking news of good deeds, actions or activities noticed during pandemic times.   He wrote: “We often see small groups of people picking up trash on the beach in the early morning. I'm guessing these are Avilones who think it important to keep the beaches clean, as do we. In a few short months we've encountered wildlife needing assistance (one-legged sea gull, dead sea lion, a pelican unable to fly, a distressed deer in Indian Hills, and a limping great blue heron on the golf course).  Knowing who to call has been challenging, and not always successful, but in terms of shout-outs, the people at Pacific Wildlife Care have been the most responsive and caring to deal with. Several evenings I've seen groups of Junior Lifeguards trainers on the beach. I've marveled at the exuberance, energy, and pure joy many of these young people bring to their task of training kids not much younger than them”.   Thank you for sharing, Rich!
 
I will continue to make space available in my column for community “shout-outs” like those above.  In these challenging times it’s even more important to recognize exemplary or heart-warming efforts.  If you have any to share, I ask that you please email them to avilafoundation@gmail.com. 

That’s it for now, fellow Avilones.  See you at the beach!