Greetings, fellow Avilones. Happy 2017 to you all – and I do hope it is a year filled with good health and happiness. Many of us will, undoubtedly, face challenges and uncertainty – and for some anxiety over the selection of a new President who promises to shake things up at every level. Change is often difficult, and how people deal with that varies greatly. I was reminded recently that it is important to remain focused on today, and on those things we can control. And to not stress over the future, unknowns and things we have no ability to control. Of course, that’s the opposite of ME! But I’ll do my best.
Speaking of change, the Avila Beach Community Foundation enters the new year with some comings and goings of our Trustees. Outgoing President Rick Rowe, after two years in that role, is handing over the reins to Incoming President Lisa Ritterbuck, entering her second year on the board. Retiring from our board is Carolyn Morton, who was elected as a Trustee in 2008 and served as Board Secretary from 2014-2016. Stepping into the Secretary role is Lucinda Borchard, who first joined our board in 2011. Rounding out or board is Vice President Michael Ginn, Treasurer Richard Zacky, Immediate Past President Rick Rowe, and Trustees Bev Aho, Saul Goldberg, Percy Jones, Gary Maier, Paul Prather and Brooke Salvini. Also retiring from the board is one-time President Julian Varela, deciding that after being on leave of absence for one year, his mounting time away from Avila Beach is too demanding. I look forward to working with this dedicated group of Avilones who donate their time to help keep the Foundation on track, and as an essential community asset. On a sad note, a former Foundation board member and valued member of the community – Ted Ivarie - passed away in December. Ted was the true definition of a “gentleman and scholar”, and will be missed. Rest in peace, my friend.
Yet still on the topic of “change”, to those of you who receive by mail a copy of the Avila Community News, be it known that longtime publisher TJA Advertising has sold the publication to Simply Clear Marketing and Media of San Luis Obispo. “Simply Clear” is no stranger to the local print media arena, since they are producers of the popular Tolosa Press, which publishes and distributes three newspapers along the Central Coast twice each month. After fifteen years John Sorgenfrei, owner of TJA, decided it was time to sell Avila News and focus on other areas of his business. Fortunately for us, the switch should be seamless and could lead to new and exciting possibilities. We thank John and his staff for birthing and raising the Avila Community News for all these years, and we welcome the opportunity to forge a fruitful relationship with Bret Colhouer and his staff at “Simply Clear”.
If you haven’t yet marked your calendars, please do so now! On January 14th, at 3:00p.m., you will want to make your way down to the beach to be among the first to celebrate the unveiling of the new Avila Beach Public Art Project. Yes, I’ve been writing about this FOREVER, but the time has finally arrived. Renowned Artist Colleen Gnos is preparing to install the new murals on the two Lifeguard Towers, which for the winter months have been moved close to the sea walls on both sides of the Pier. Our celebration gathering will along the railing near the Old Custom House, and will include a chance to meet Colleen, learn about the historic-based artwork, and meet others responsible for this long-awaited project.
With an eye peering forward, “Foundation” trustees and staff will be convening later this spring for our bi-annual organizational planning retreat. We do this on a regular basis to review the recent past, and to strategize the coming two years ahead. One of the most important items we discuss is that of defining future community engagement or enrichment activities that could be of interest to our fellow Avilones. It is just these types of discussions that have resulted in previous “Foundation” hosted town hall forums, healthy living and online security seminars, the Avila Albacore Feed and Avila Apple Festival, our current Avila Beach Public Art Project, the community matching gifts initiative, an Avila History and Heritage event, several online community interest surveys, and the 2016 Community Focus Group Workshop. In the past we have counted on the input and feedback provided by those who live and work in Avila Beach to help us shape our plans. If you have any ideas you would like us to consider, please feel free to email me at avilafoundation@gmail.com.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
Speaking of change, the Avila Beach Community Foundation enters the new year with some comings and goings of our Trustees. Outgoing President Rick Rowe, after two years in that role, is handing over the reins to Incoming President Lisa Ritterbuck, entering her second year on the board. Retiring from our board is Carolyn Morton, who was elected as a Trustee in 2008 and served as Board Secretary from 2014-2016. Stepping into the Secretary role is Lucinda Borchard, who first joined our board in 2011. Rounding out or board is Vice President Michael Ginn, Treasurer Richard Zacky, Immediate Past President Rick Rowe, and Trustees Bev Aho, Saul Goldberg, Percy Jones, Gary Maier, Paul Prather and Brooke Salvini. Also retiring from the board is one-time President Julian Varela, deciding that after being on leave of absence for one year, his mounting time away from Avila Beach is too demanding. I look forward to working with this dedicated group of Avilones who donate their time to help keep the Foundation on track, and as an essential community asset. On a sad note, a former Foundation board member and valued member of the community – Ted Ivarie - passed away in December. Ted was the true definition of a “gentleman and scholar”, and will be missed. Rest in peace, my friend.
Yet still on the topic of “change”, to those of you who receive by mail a copy of the Avila Community News, be it known that longtime publisher TJA Advertising has sold the publication to Simply Clear Marketing and Media of San Luis Obispo. “Simply Clear” is no stranger to the local print media arena, since they are producers of the popular Tolosa Press, which publishes and distributes three newspapers along the Central Coast twice each month. After fifteen years John Sorgenfrei, owner of TJA, decided it was time to sell Avila News and focus on other areas of his business. Fortunately for us, the switch should be seamless and could lead to new and exciting possibilities. We thank John and his staff for birthing and raising the Avila Community News for all these years, and we welcome the opportunity to forge a fruitful relationship with Bret Colhouer and his staff at “Simply Clear”.
If you haven’t yet marked your calendars, please do so now! On January 14th, at 3:00p.m., you will want to make your way down to the beach to be among the first to celebrate the unveiling of the new Avila Beach Public Art Project. Yes, I’ve been writing about this FOREVER, but the time has finally arrived. Renowned Artist Colleen Gnos is preparing to install the new murals on the two Lifeguard Towers, which for the winter months have been moved close to the sea walls on both sides of the Pier. Our celebration gathering will along the railing near the Old Custom House, and will include a chance to meet Colleen, learn about the historic-based artwork, and meet others responsible for this long-awaited project.
With an eye peering forward, “Foundation” trustees and staff will be convening later this spring for our bi-annual organizational planning retreat. We do this on a regular basis to review the recent past, and to strategize the coming two years ahead. One of the most important items we discuss is that of defining future community engagement or enrichment activities that could be of interest to our fellow Avilones. It is just these types of discussions that have resulted in previous “Foundation” hosted town hall forums, healthy living and online security seminars, the Avila Albacore Feed and Avila Apple Festival, our current Avila Beach Public Art Project, the community matching gifts initiative, an Avila History and Heritage event, several online community interest surveys, and the 2016 Community Focus Group Workshop. In the past we have counted on the input and feedback provided by those who live and work in Avila Beach to help us shape our plans. If you have any ideas you would like us to consider, please feel free to email me at avilafoundation@gmail.com.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
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