Avila Beach Community Foundation

805.595.4095

  • About Us
    • Foundation History
    • Foundation Mission
    • Board of Trustees & Staff
    • Board Meeting Minutes
    • Monthly News & Views
    • Foundation Past & Current Projects
    • Avila Community Surveys
    • Foundation 990 Tax Filings
  • Grant Info
    • How to Apply
    • Current Grantees
    • Past Grantees
  • Charitable Giving
    • Ways to Give
    • Donor Advised & Special Project Funds
  • Community Links
  • Avila History
    • Avila Historical Film & Photo Gallery
    • Avila Storytelling Event
  • Contact Us

January 2019

1/8/2019

0 Comments

 
Greetings, fellow Avilones.  Here we are – 2019 has knocked the door down and entered the room.  So, Happy New Year to you all!  Last January I began my column with a few sentences about the state of our country, and speculated about future political unrest.  If anything, I greatly underestimated what was to be.  Our country seems even more fractured and divided than it was last year at this time.  The major issues haven’t changed much, but the rhetoric has resulted in increasing extremism and hatred. With little relief in sight on the national and international front, I turn to my local hamlet for badly needed doses of normalcy, civility and decency.  Avila Beach certainly has challenges, issues and divided interests, but it remains a community that offers more tranquility and quality of life than most places.  I have friends on both sides of the political spectrum, but we agree to disagree without letting the differences hinder our relationships.  Sadly, reason does not exist among the highest elected officials of the land, which in some cases filters down to the populace.
 
Politics and global issues aside, this January presents a particular opportunity for me to reflect because it marks the 10-year anniversary of when I first became Executive Director of the Avila Beach Community Foundation.  It doesn’t seem nearly that long, primarily because the time goes quickly since it’s a only a part time gig averaging about 12 hours per week over the course of the year.  Plus, I really enjoy the work, which makes time fly.  I’ve never before been employed at the same place for such a long period, but here I am, well into my retirement-age years, and grateful for the role.  It has been a real kick to help distribute grants each year – well over $500,000 since I became involved – and to initiate a wide variety of projects and community enhancement activities.  Likewise have I enjoyed working with my colleagues and the Foundation’s Board of Trustees since 2009 – a superb cadre of Avilones dedicated to our community.  So, Happy Anniversary to me!
 
Moving forward, I’d like to announce the “Foundation’s” Board of Trustees for 2019.  Stepping into the role of President is Michael Ginn, who has been on our board since 2011.  Our Vice President is Cyndy Lakowske, who joined the board in 2017.  Continuing as Secretary is Gary Maier, now into his fourth year as a Trustee.  Our Treasurer once again is Richard Zacky, who joined the board in 2014.  Rounding out our Board of Trustees are Bev Aho (2016), Lucinda Borchard (2011), Saul Goldberg (2016), Percy Jones (2012), Barbara Nicholson (2018), Ellen Pitrowski (2017), Paul Prather (2016), and Brooke Salvini (2016).  I feel extremely privileged to work with such a fine group of Avilones.
 
By the time you read this column, the Avila Beach Public Art Selection Panel will have met and chosen either the finalists, or the winning project, from the ten proposals submitted.  Said winner will be announced in the February issue of the Avila News.  I believe we remain on schedule for the artwork installation to be completed by June of this year, after which will come the public unveiling.  Watch for reports.  Special thanks to Project Manager Gary Maier and Artist Facilitator Angela Tahti for their efforts to keep the ball rolling.
 
You won’t want to miss the upcoming AVILA COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT EVENT, so I urge you to grab your calendar and save the date of Thursday, February 28th, from 3:00-6:00 pm at the Avila Beach Community Center.  This will be your opportunity to learn more about the Avila Beach based non-profit organizations, public agencies and neighborhood groups that keep our community humming along.  Meet staff and volunteer leaders, mingle with friends, enjoy free refreshments, win door prizes, help us celebrate the winners of the Avilones of Distinction Awards, and more!  This is a “can’t miss activity,” where attendance is free, and so is use of the public parking lot (parking passes will be distributed) thanks to the benevolence of Port San Luis Harbor District.  Check out our website – www.avilabeachfoundation.org - and keep an eye open for event flyers and details.  We thank Chevron for the generous grant to make this event possible and free to all Avilones.
 
As is often the case when composing my columns for the Avila News, I again share with you some takeaway from the most recent meeting of the Avila Valley Advisory Council.  What was notable this time was the size of the crowd in attendance.  Showing up about five minutes early I discovered the only seats available were folding chairs along the back wall.  Not a common occurrence, but the result of outreach conducted by the Concerned Citizens 4 Avila due to concern about a proposal in the county pipeline to expand the size and scope of special events at the Avila Beach Golf Resort. I offer no commentary here, but for those interested I suggest visiting www.concernedcitizens4avila.org. 

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

Announcing the End of an Era

It is with deep regret I inform you that the print version of the Avila News you have been receiving in your Post Office boxes since 2009, or picked up at various community locations, will no longer be available.  The publisher of the Avila News – Tolosa Press – has ceased operations of their local print news division, which has included the Coastal News and SLO City News, to focus solely on the company’s other services. 

The Avila Beach Community Foundation has covered the costs to have the print version of the Avila News mailed to 1,100 area households each month, at a total expense of over $40,000 since 2009.  It is highly unlikely that another local news publisher will step up to fill the void.  The “Foundation” will be in touch with the other Avila-based organizations whose information has regularly appeared in the Avila News to explore other ways to stay in communication with you loyal readers.  In the meantime, I urge you to continue reading the “Foundation’s” E-Newsletter that will still be emailed to subscribers around the first of each month.  And, I ask that you please encourage your neighbors who are not currently recipients of our E-Newsletter to subscribe at our website – www.avilabeachfoundation.org.  Thank you.

0 Comments
    Picture
    Rick Cohen
    Executive Director


    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009

    RSS Feed

About Us
Our History
Historical Photo Gallery
Our Mission
Board of Trustees & Staff
Monthly News & Views
Foundation Projects
990 Tax Filings
Grant Information
How to Apply - Annual Grants
Current Grantees
Past Grantees

Charitable Giving
Ways to Give
Donor Advised Funds

Community Links

"Like us"

Picture
Stay informed on Facebook

Sign Up For Newsletter
For Email Newsletters you can trust.
Avila Beach Community Foundation | PO Box 297 |191 San Miguel Street  Avila Beach, CA 93424-0297 |
Ph: 805.595.4095
avilafoundation@gmail.com|
Contact Us | Trustee Portal

BACK TO TOP

© DivTag Templates Ltd | All Rights Reserved