Greetings, fellow Avilones. I trust you are making the best of this summer, what with all the disruptions that have dominated our lives. How is it possible for days and weeks to drag on, yet rush by at the same time? Huh? Well, it sometimes feels like just yesterday that our country first entered shutdown mode, and sometimes it feels like eons ago. It also seems that each day plods along so painfully slow as we await and yearn for a return to normalcy. For many taking the road of caution, the world has shrunk to what can be safely done within the confines of our community. Others more prone to risk-taking have ventured into other parts of the state and country out of boredom and desire to go about their lives as accustomed. We all seek out pleasure in whichever ways we can despite any challenges we face.
My role at the “Foundation” has taken on an altered flavor this year. Ordinarily mid-summer would be the beginning of our grant-making season, which involves developing the new grant application, circulating the request for proposals, and preparing for all the processes that go along with it between now and December. Lots of moving parts that typically proceed smoothly. But now, things are different. Several of our current agency and project grantees have been closed for business, or have greatly altered their services, resulting in deviations from what the “Foundation” had funded for this year. We have been monitoring their status and, in some cases, have modified grant awards to best enable the continuation or return to business for said agencies. At question is how many of our grantees will be back in operation in time to adhere to deadlines to apply for 2021 funding, and how we address the current and pending needs. For example, the Central Coast Aquarium and Avila Beach Community Center remain closed, with no certain date of re-opening. The Avila Trolley sits idle, the Junior Lifeguards program is operating a scaled-down version of its camp, Operation Surf may or may not be able to run their scheduled October camp, and Bellevue-Santa Fe School has been out of touch since classes were canceled. The PathPoint summer beach area clean-up project launched on July 13th, but temporarily utilizing agency staff rather than program clients until given approval by the State. Special thanks to project co-sponsors Chevron and SLO County Supervisor Adam Hill. Decisions on how to deal with our next round of grant making procedures will be the primary discussion at the “Foundation’s” July 23rd Board of Trustees meeting.
As Avila Beach remains an active favorite of locals and visitors alike, there are many people behind the scenes doing things to keep it special. Some “shout-outs” are in order, so please join me in recognizing a few. First, how can we be anything but awed by the great job done by our local firefighters called to action during the June fires in Avila and Shell Beach? As flames consumed 100s of acres, amazingly not one structure succumbed, thanks to the heroic efforts of Cal Fire and other central coast fire stations. And let’s say thanks to local resident Bev Aho for her work advocating for the removal of excess trash at the beach and park, and for picking up after the irresponsible littering by some who abuse our areas for their pleasure. And how about appreciation to Saul Goldberg and his team for replacing all the educational signs along the Bob Jones Trail that many have enjoyed. Thanks also to Rangers Chuck Woodard and Tim Fees from SLO County Parks who, after being recruited by Julie Andrews-Scott, and on their own off duty time, removed the weeds at the corner of San Miguel Street & Avila Beach Drive by the Avila Beach welcome sign. If you readers know of others in our community deserving of a “shout-out”, please let me know.
And now, for the BIG news of the day! After months of trading phone calls, emails, and dealing with the insurance company, we finally received word that the Arts Obispo claim to replace the stolen Avila Beach Lifeguard Tower mural panel was approved. Sheesh, it’s been a long seven months since the discovery of the theft, but no one ever said dealing with insurance claims was easy. We do, however, have to come up with the $250 deductible to fully fund production and installation of the replacement panel. Anyone out there want to cover that cost and be the funding “Angel”?
On another Avila Beach public artwork matter, an issue has popped up that we did not anticipate. By now you have all seen the second public art project affixed to the wall outside of the Central Coast Aquarium. Due to ongoing area watering spray, Aquarium staff were periodically wiping down the surface of the mural panels to keep them in pristine condition. Lo and behold the Aquarium remains closed, thus spots are building up and need some regular attention. Artist Colleen Gnos did previously discover a solvent that nicely does the job, but we may require a willing volunteer to do some spot cleaning as needed. If you have the interest and some extra time on your hands, please let me know by emailing rickinavila@yahoo.com. Should no volunteer(s) step up, someone might have to be hired to do the work. The “Foundation” does maintain a Public Art Development and Preservation Fund, so if you are interested in donating to that fund, please send your check to: Avila Beach Community Foundation, PO Box 297, Avila Beach, 93424.
Lastly, if you have 17 minutes to spare and some popcorn to microwave, how about visiting for the first time, or again, the video titled “Storied Past of Avila Beach”? It’s very interesting and can be found at: http://www.avilabeachfoundation.org/avila-historical-film--photo-gallery.html.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach.
***********************************************************************
Complete the Envision Avila Workshop Survey Below!
Deadline to Complete Survey is Monday, August 17th
Estimated time: 15-20 minutes
As part of the Envision Avila and the Avila Community Plan Update, the County of San Luis Obispo has organized this important survey to gather feedback and ideas on potential land use changes and regulations being considered for the Avila Community Plan update. Thank you for making your voice heard!
Tips for navigating the survey:
- Use your cursor to click anywhere in the left side of the survey to "activate"
- Use your Page Up/Page Down and Up/Down arrow keys to move within the survey to review all information OR click on the left side buttons under the home icon to move directly to each of the survey sections
- There are five sections of survey questions (use the scroll bar to see all questions and click Submit after each section):
1. Avila Point Land Use
2. Cave Landing Land Use
3. Town of Avila Beach
4. General Land Use Suggestions
5. Vacation Rentals
Complete Survey Now!
My role at the “Foundation” has taken on an altered flavor this year. Ordinarily mid-summer would be the beginning of our grant-making season, which involves developing the new grant application, circulating the request for proposals, and preparing for all the processes that go along with it between now and December. Lots of moving parts that typically proceed smoothly. But now, things are different. Several of our current agency and project grantees have been closed for business, or have greatly altered their services, resulting in deviations from what the “Foundation” had funded for this year. We have been monitoring their status and, in some cases, have modified grant awards to best enable the continuation or return to business for said agencies. At question is how many of our grantees will be back in operation in time to adhere to deadlines to apply for 2021 funding, and how we address the current and pending needs. For example, the Central Coast Aquarium and Avila Beach Community Center remain closed, with no certain date of re-opening. The Avila Trolley sits idle, the Junior Lifeguards program is operating a scaled-down version of its camp, Operation Surf may or may not be able to run their scheduled October camp, and Bellevue-Santa Fe School has been out of touch since classes were canceled. The PathPoint summer beach area clean-up project launched on July 13th, but temporarily utilizing agency staff rather than program clients until given approval by the State. Special thanks to project co-sponsors Chevron and SLO County Supervisor Adam Hill. Decisions on how to deal with our next round of grant making procedures will be the primary discussion at the “Foundation’s” July 23rd Board of Trustees meeting.
As Avila Beach remains an active favorite of locals and visitors alike, there are many people behind the scenes doing things to keep it special. Some “shout-outs” are in order, so please join me in recognizing a few. First, how can we be anything but awed by the great job done by our local firefighters called to action during the June fires in Avila and Shell Beach? As flames consumed 100s of acres, amazingly not one structure succumbed, thanks to the heroic efforts of Cal Fire and other central coast fire stations. And let’s say thanks to local resident Bev Aho for her work advocating for the removal of excess trash at the beach and park, and for picking up after the irresponsible littering by some who abuse our areas for their pleasure. And how about appreciation to Saul Goldberg and his team for replacing all the educational signs along the Bob Jones Trail that many have enjoyed. Thanks also to Rangers Chuck Woodard and Tim Fees from SLO County Parks who, after being recruited by Julie Andrews-Scott, and on their own off duty time, removed the weeds at the corner of San Miguel Street & Avila Beach Drive by the Avila Beach welcome sign. If you readers know of others in our community deserving of a “shout-out”, please let me know.
And now, for the BIG news of the day! After months of trading phone calls, emails, and dealing with the insurance company, we finally received word that the Arts Obispo claim to replace the stolen Avila Beach Lifeguard Tower mural panel was approved. Sheesh, it’s been a long seven months since the discovery of the theft, but no one ever said dealing with insurance claims was easy. We do, however, have to come up with the $250 deductible to fully fund production and installation of the replacement panel. Anyone out there want to cover that cost and be the funding “Angel”?
On another Avila Beach public artwork matter, an issue has popped up that we did not anticipate. By now you have all seen the second public art project affixed to the wall outside of the Central Coast Aquarium. Due to ongoing area watering spray, Aquarium staff were periodically wiping down the surface of the mural panels to keep them in pristine condition. Lo and behold the Aquarium remains closed, thus spots are building up and need some regular attention. Artist Colleen Gnos did previously discover a solvent that nicely does the job, but we may require a willing volunteer to do some spot cleaning as needed. If you have the interest and some extra time on your hands, please let me know by emailing rickinavila@yahoo.com. Should no volunteer(s) step up, someone might have to be hired to do the work. The “Foundation” does maintain a Public Art Development and Preservation Fund, so if you are interested in donating to that fund, please send your check to: Avila Beach Community Foundation, PO Box 297, Avila Beach, 93424.
Lastly, if you have 17 minutes to spare and some popcorn to microwave, how about visiting for the first time, or again, the video titled “Storied Past of Avila Beach”? It’s very interesting and can be found at: http://www.avilabeachfoundation.org/avila-historical-film--photo-gallery.html.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach.
***********************************************************************
Complete the Envision Avila Workshop Survey Below!
Deadline to Complete Survey is Monday, August 17th
Estimated time: 15-20 minutes
As part of the Envision Avila and the Avila Community Plan Update, the County of San Luis Obispo has organized this important survey to gather feedback and ideas on potential land use changes and regulations being considered for the Avila Community Plan update. Thank you for making your voice heard!
Tips for navigating the survey:
- Use your cursor to click anywhere in the left side of the survey to "activate"
- Use your Page Up/Page Down and Up/Down arrow keys to move within the survey to review all information OR click on the left side buttons under the home icon to move directly to each of the survey sections
- There are five sections of survey questions (use the scroll bar to see all questions and click Submit after each section):
1. Avila Point Land Use
2. Cave Landing Land Use
3. Town of Avila Beach
4. General Land Use Suggestions
5. Vacation Rentals
Complete Survey Now!
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