Happy New Year fellow Avilones. Whew! The holiday season is in the rearview mirror, and I hope yours was most enjoyable. 2016 is now upon us, and I'm relieved that we've finally turned the corner and are beginning to gain extra daylight with each passing week. Sure, our seasons along Central Coast California are easy to deal with compared to other parts of the country, but I'm a spoiled CA native who would be happy with year round sunshine and warm temperatures.
Here at the "Foundation" we are gearing up for what we hope is another impactful year. But first, I wish to bid what for me is a truly sad farewell to longtime "Foundation" board member and Past President, Mike Ritter. Mike - whom I fondly call "Skipper" - has decided that eleven years on the board is enough and it's time to step aside so others can serve. This decision has been coming for a while, but my groveling and cajoling bought us a few more years of Mike's leadership, wisdom, sensibility and positive demeanor. Thank you so much, Skipper - it won't be the same without you! Also departing after completing a three-year term is Stephen May, who will be missed for his common sense, innovative thinking and dedication to youth education and development. Thank you, Stephen, for stepping up in so many ways.
I must admit that, even after more than 25 years at the helm of several, local non-profit organizations, I feel a sense of loss when having to say "goodbye" to board members with whom I've worked so closely for the greater good. On the flip side, I also feel renewed and energized by the willingness of those who step forward to continue the work of the people they replace. In that tradition, I am pleased to introduce three new "Foundation" Trustees, who begin their three-year terms this month. Please join me in welcoming Brooke Salvini, Saul Goldberg and Paul Prather.
Brooke formed Salvini Financial Planning in 2004, and her office has been located in downtown Avila Beach since 2007. She earned her CPA license in 1984, and also holds a Certified Financial Planning designation. Brooke lives with her husband of 25 years in Edna Valley. Saul, who taught electrical engineering and served as a Department Chairman and Director of the Cal Poly Electric Power Institute, and his wife Carol moved to San Luis Bay Estates (Indian Hill) from San Luis Obispo in 2008. He is a member of the Avila Valley Advisory Council and has served on the boards of the San Miguelito Mutual Water Company and Indian Hill Home Owners Association. Paul and his wife Jackie have owned property in Avila since the late 1980s, and have resided in Downtown Avila since 2003. In addition to helping run the family real estate business, Paul is a longtime member of the Cal Poly Adjunct Faculty, and has served on several boards, including the SLO Children's Museum and Special Olympics. To learn more about Brooke, Saul and Paul please visit the Foundation's website - www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
I've mentioned the "Foundation's" Avila Beach Public Art Initiative several times in previous columns. The deadline to submit artworks proposals has passed, and six artists have entered the competition and delivered proposals for ten different sites on or around the Promenade area. Our selection panel meets this month to choose finalists among the artist projects. In March, members of the community will be invited to a social event where they will meet the finalists and view their proposed projects. Shortly thereafter the selection panel will reconvene to determine the winning project(s). We are extremely excited, and hope you will be too. I am pleased to announce that another donation has come in that increases the amount of art project funds available, thanks to the generosity of the Sara Horne Art Fund. Thank you Sara!
How many of you feel overwhelmed by the speed of technology evolution, and the risks we face using the internet for business, banking and social purposes? I know I am! I invite those of you who share my concerns to register for the upcoming workshop hosted by the "Foundation", titled Internet Safety Tips & Best Practices. This is a free event for Avila Beach and Valley adults, and is scheduled for Thursday, February 25 from 6-8pm at the Avila Beach Community Center. "Foundation" board member Gary Maier - who heads up cyber security for PG&E - will be facilitating the workshop, along with cohort Dennis Royer. Seats for this workshop will be limited, so if you are interested please register online at www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
One more thing before I close, targeted primarily to you senior citizens. A local movement is afoot that addresses the needs for services by the elderly within their community. The Village Movement is a grassroots concept that is sweeping across the nation. It is a new retirement model designed to encourage, protect, and enable at-home independence for seniors. For many, it has meant being able to live out their retirement years at home rather than having to relocate. I invite you to visit www.coastvillage.org and complete the online survey.
That's it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
Here at the "Foundation" we are gearing up for what we hope is another impactful year. But first, I wish to bid what for me is a truly sad farewell to longtime "Foundation" board member and Past President, Mike Ritter. Mike - whom I fondly call "Skipper" - has decided that eleven years on the board is enough and it's time to step aside so others can serve. This decision has been coming for a while, but my groveling and cajoling bought us a few more years of Mike's leadership, wisdom, sensibility and positive demeanor. Thank you so much, Skipper - it won't be the same without you! Also departing after completing a three-year term is Stephen May, who will be missed for his common sense, innovative thinking and dedication to youth education and development. Thank you, Stephen, for stepping up in so many ways.
I must admit that, even after more than 25 years at the helm of several, local non-profit organizations, I feel a sense of loss when having to say "goodbye" to board members with whom I've worked so closely for the greater good. On the flip side, I also feel renewed and energized by the willingness of those who step forward to continue the work of the people they replace. In that tradition, I am pleased to introduce three new "Foundation" Trustees, who begin their three-year terms this month. Please join me in welcoming Brooke Salvini, Saul Goldberg and Paul Prather.
Brooke formed Salvini Financial Planning in 2004, and her office has been located in downtown Avila Beach since 2007. She earned her CPA license in 1984, and also holds a Certified Financial Planning designation. Brooke lives with her husband of 25 years in Edna Valley. Saul, who taught electrical engineering and served as a Department Chairman and Director of the Cal Poly Electric Power Institute, and his wife Carol moved to San Luis Bay Estates (Indian Hill) from San Luis Obispo in 2008. He is a member of the Avila Valley Advisory Council and has served on the boards of the San Miguelito Mutual Water Company and Indian Hill Home Owners Association. Paul and his wife Jackie have owned property in Avila since the late 1980s, and have resided in Downtown Avila since 2003. In addition to helping run the family real estate business, Paul is a longtime member of the Cal Poly Adjunct Faculty, and has served on several boards, including the SLO Children's Museum and Special Olympics. To learn more about Brooke, Saul and Paul please visit the Foundation's website - www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
I've mentioned the "Foundation's" Avila Beach Public Art Initiative several times in previous columns. The deadline to submit artworks proposals has passed, and six artists have entered the competition and delivered proposals for ten different sites on or around the Promenade area. Our selection panel meets this month to choose finalists among the artist projects. In March, members of the community will be invited to a social event where they will meet the finalists and view their proposed projects. Shortly thereafter the selection panel will reconvene to determine the winning project(s). We are extremely excited, and hope you will be too. I am pleased to announce that another donation has come in that increases the amount of art project funds available, thanks to the generosity of the Sara Horne Art Fund. Thank you Sara!
How many of you feel overwhelmed by the speed of technology evolution, and the risks we face using the internet for business, banking and social purposes? I know I am! I invite those of you who share my concerns to register for the upcoming workshop hosted by the "Foundation", titled Internet Safety Tips & Best Practices. This is a free event for Avila Beach and Valley adults, and is scheduled for Thursday, February 25 from 6-8pm at the Avila Beach Community Center. "Foundation" board member Gary Maier - who heads up cyber security for PG&E - will be facilitating the workshop, along with cohort Dennis Royer. Seats for this workshop will be limited, so if you are interested please register online at www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
One more thing before I close, targeted primarily to you senior citizens. A local movement is afoot that addresses the needs for services by the elderly within their community. The Village Movement is a grassroots concept that is sweeping across the nation. It is a new retirement model designed to encourage, protect, and enable at-home independence for seniors. For many, it has meant being able to live out their retirement years at home rather than having to relocate. I invite you to visit www.coastvillage.org and complete the online survey.
That's it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
RSS Feed