Greetings, fellow Avilones. I don’t know if the drought has come close to being over yet, but we’ve sure been hit with a ton of rain here in Avila and throughout the Central Coast. Once again our area has been proven ill-equipped to avoid floods, mud and rock slides, power outages and a host of inconveniences. I guess that’s the price we pay for experiencing mostly mild weather conditions compared to other parts of the country. Worst of all for me has been the weekly cancellation of tennis matches and golf games. But I will set aside that display of selfishness and thank the weather for finally drenching an area so badly in need.
Another unfortunate result of our constant January rain was being forced to postpone the looooong-awaited unveiling of the Avila Beach Public Art Project. While Artist Colleen Gnos has completed the painted panels, the needed four consecutive days of dry conditions to install and seal the panels on the two Avila Beach Lifeguard Towers did not occur the weeks leading up to our grand celebration originally scheduled for January. It is now "tentatively" rescheduled for Saturday, February 18th at 2:30pm weather permitting. Of course the same situation could occur, so please visit our website prior to then for updates.
I am extremely happy to announce the arrival of a new donor-advised fund at the “Foundation”, established by the generosity of San Luis Bay Estates residents Steve and Cyndy Lakowske. Titled the “Avila Beach Trails Improvements Fund”, it was established to support the development of new paths and/or the maintenance and improvement of current trails throughout the greater Avila Beach areas. The Lakowske family consists of avid hikers and runners, and they invite other members of the community to contribute to this fund that can benefit countless locals and visitors alike. If interested, email me at avilafoundation@gmail.com.
While on the topic of donor-advised funds, I encourage those of you readers with a philanthropic mindset to visit our website. Take a look at our current donor-advised funds and see if any appeal to your generosity. Or, you may want to consider establishing a donor-advised fund of your own. Information on how to begin can be found under the “Charitable Giving/Donor Advised Funds” tab at www.avilabeachfoundation.org. Avila Beach is your home, and may be enjoyed by your family and heirs for generations to come. There are many things we can do to support the continuing vibrancy of our town if we team up to make them happen. I hope you will join us in these efforts.
Speaking of “teaming up”, I would like to recognize the combined strategy of the “Foundation” to offer a matching grant challenge to the Avila Beach Civic Association, and the generosity of the individuals who helped meet that challenge to support the Avila Beach Community Center. Part of the “Foundation’s” annual grant to the Civic Association included matching up to $2,500 for new members or for current members willing to “step up” to the next level of membership. Thanks to the membership renewal letters that offered the challenge, twenty helpful “Avilones” sent in their checks and quickly exceeded the goal. Congratulations all around! This is not the first time that the “Foundation” has entered the arena of awarding matching grants, and each time has resulted in success. It’s a terrific way for our local non-profit and public organizations to entice existing and new supporters with the opportunity to see their donations doubled in value.
It is common for me to comment on, and invite you readers to attend or stay informed of, the Avila Valley Advisory Council (AVAC). I attended their January meeting and witnessed one of the larger audiences in quite some time. This usually occurs only when a “hot topic” or two are on the agenda. On this evening we heard from quite a few passionate residents of downtown Avila whose lives continue to be disrupted by residential developments under construction, and from Squire Canyon property owners to challenge an upcoming lot split and possible impact on water access. I always feel compassion for our neighbors who seem to be fighting a never-ending and uphill battle to protect their ways of life, and often come to AVAC meetings where they can be heard by representatives from County Government, Public Planning, Public Works and local law enforcement. Stop by some time and meet the people we all rely on. Or visit the Council’s website at www.avac-avila.org and take a look around.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
Another unfortunate result of our constant January rain was being forced to postpone the looooong-awaited unveiling of the Avila Beach Public Art Project. While Artist Colleen Gnos has completed the painted panels, the needed four consecutive days of dry conditions to install and seal the panels on the two Avila Beach Lifeguard Towers did not occur the weeks leading up to our grand celebration originally scheduled for January. It is now "tentatively" rescheduled for Saturday, February 18th at 2:30pm weather permitting. Of course the same situation could occur, so please visit our website prior to then for updates.
I am extremely happy to announce the arrival of a new donor-advised fund at the “Foundation”, established by the generosity of San Luis Bay Estates residents Steve and Cyndy Lakowske. Titled the “Avila Beach Trails Improvements Fund”, it was established to support the development of new paths and/or the maintenance and improvement of current trails throughout the greater Avila Beach areas. The Lakowske family consists of avid hikers and runners, and they invite other members of the community to contribute to this fund that can benefit countless locals and visitors alike. If interested, email me at avilafoundation@gmail.com.
While on the topic of donor-advised funds, I encourage those of you readers with a philanthropic mindset to visit our website. Take a look at our current donor-advised funds and see if any appeal to your generosity. Or, you may want to consider establishing a donor-advised fund of your own. Information on how to begin can be found under the “Charitable Giving/Donor Advised Funds” tab at www.avilabeachfoundation.org. Avila Beach is your home, and may be enjoyed by your family and heirs for generations to come. There are many things we can do to support the continuing vibrancy of our town if we team up to make them happen. I hope you will join us in these efforts.
Speaking of “teaming up”, I would like to recognize the combined strategy of the “Foundation” to offer a matching grant challenge to the Avila Beach Civic Association, and the generosity of the individuals who helped meet that challenge to support the Avila Beach Community Center. Part of the “Foundation’s” annual grant to the Civic Association included matching up to $2,500 for new members or for current members willing to “step up” to the next level of membership. Thanks to the membership renewal letters that offered the challenge, twenty helpful “Avilones” sent in their checks and quickly exceeded the goal. Congratulations all around! This is not the first time that the “Foundation” has entered the arena of awarding matching grants, and each time has resulted in success. It’s a terrific way for our local non-profit and public organizations to entice existing and new supporters with the opportunity to see their donations doubled in value.
It is common for me to comment on, and invite you readers to attend or stay informed of, the Avila Valley Advisory Council (AVAC). I attended their January meeting and witnessed one of the larger audiences in quite some time. This usually occurs only when a “hot topic” or two are on the agenda. On this evening we heard from quite a few passionate residents of downtown Avila whose lives continue to be disrupted by residential developments under construction, and from Squire Canyon property owners to challenge an upcoming lot split and possible impact on water access. I always feel compassion for our neighbors who seem to be fighting a never-ending and uphill battle to protect their ways of life, and often come to AVAC meetings where they can be heard by representatives from County Government, Public Planning, Public Works and local law enforcement. Stop by some time and meet the people we all rely on. Or visit the Council’s website at www.avac-avila.org and take a look around.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
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