Greetings, fellow Avilones. School is back in session for many, and the end of summer is rapidly approaching. I imagine it is good news for the locals who can “re-claim” our town, and not as great for Avila business owners who experience a reduction in revenue after the tourist season ends. We’ve become accustomed to this cycle for a while now, and for the most part accepted the reality of the situation.
Before we dive further into this column, I share with you some sad news – that being the July 28th passing of Boyd Horne, the first executive director of the Avila Beach Community Foundation. Boyd was hired in April, 2000, continued in that role through 2008, then upon retirement was appointed as a Trustee, where he served for another four years. He was instrumental in helping the “Foundation” achieve official non profit status, and creating many of the policies and practices for the agency. Boyd and wife Sara were long time Bassi Ranch residents, and only recently moved to Northern California to be closer to family. Boyd was highly respected in the community, a valued member of the Avila Valley Advisory Council for several years, and someone I considered to be the quintessential gentleman and professional. He will be missed. Rest in peace my friend. A memorial service is planned for October 5th in Avila Beach. Feel free to contact me for details.
I am pleased to announce that the “Foundation” elected two new Trustees to its board at our July meeting – Joe Caradonna and Patrick Corrigan. Joe and his wife Julie, along with their two daughters, moved to Avila Beach in 2003. Joe is a Realtor/Broker with Cornerstone Real Estate, serving Avila Beach and San Luis Obispo County. Joe spends most of his time with his wife, daughters, friends and neighbors enjoying all that Avila Beach has to offer, including fishing, surfing, sailing, tennis, biking & hiking. Patrick has lived on the Central Coast since 2016. He moved here for the opportunity to be the continuity for clients of a local financial planning firm, with an office in Avila Village. Since arriving here, Patrick has found himself at home by exploring and experiencing all that Avila has to offer, and enjoys running the Bob Jones Trail, hiking Avila ridge and sailing at Port San Luis. He has a passion for aviation, and can often be found at the San Luis Airport. Welcome, Joe and Patrick!
Last month I mentioned that we were still in the process of compiling the data and input received from the “Foundation’s” recent community survey. All has been aggregated and can be found in the form of a slide show. You can see what your fellow Avilones had to say by visiting www.avilabeachfoundation.org. Once on the site, click on the “About Us” tab and follow the drop-down menu to “Avila Community Surveys.” I always find it educational to learn of the varied interests expressed by our neighbors. Let me know if you have anything to add to the conversation.
The clock is ticking for those interested in applying for a “Foundation” grant for services, projects or programs for 2020. Interested parties/individuals have until September 16th to submit their applications. We typically receive about a dozen funding requests each year, and facilitate a competitive process that typically results in the awarding of $50,000-$60,000 in grants. To date the “Foundation” has awarded and helped distribute more than $3 million since 2001. Information on how to apply for a grant can be found on our website, and by clicking on the “Grant Info” tab. You can also view a summary of all grants awarded since 2010. Personally speaking, I am very proud of the impact our modestly sized “Foundation” has made in the Avila communities.
COMING SOON TO AVILA: Two “Foundation” supported projects are reaching the homestretch, both occurring at the Central Coast Aquarium, and we excitedly await their arrival. I am referring to our second public art installation – a paneled mural at the exterior wall of the Aquarium, being produced by local artist Colleen Gnos, slated for completion by the end of September. A community unveiling and celebration will take place shortly thereafter. The other project near completion is the new octopus tank habitat, made possible by a “Foundation” grant to the Aquarium. The tank is ready to go, and now awaits the arrival of its new tenant. Stay tuned.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
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Are You Ready?
Word has been spreading about the possibility of PG&E taking proactive, preventive steps to help avoid the devastation of wildfires by shutting down electricity in the event of conditions that may lead to fires. This could affect the Central Coast even if fires, or the danger thereof, are centered in areas far from SLO County. Below is a checklist produced by PG&E to help residents prepare for such scenarios.
Before we dive further into this column, I share with you some sad news – that being the July 28th passing of Boyd Horne, the first executive director of the Avila Beach Community Foundation. Boyd was hired in April, 2000, continued in that role through 2008, then upon retirement was appointed as a Trustee, where he served for another four years. He was instrumental in helping the “Foundation” achieve official non profit status, and creating many of the policies and practices for the agency. Boyd and wife Sara were long time Bassi Ranch residents, and only recently moved to Northern California to be closer to family. Boyd was highly respected in the community, a valued member of the Avila Valley Advisory Council for several years, and someone I considered to be the quintessential gentleman and professional. He will be missed. Rest in peace my friend. A memorial service is planned for October 5th in Avila Beach. Feel free to contact me for details.
I am pleased to announce that the “Foundation” elected two new Trustees to its board at our July meeting – Joe Caradonna and Patrick Corrigan. Joe and his wife Julie, along with their two daughters, moved to Avila Beach in 2003. Joe is a Realtor/Broker with Cornerstone Real Estate, serving Avila Beach and San Luis Obispo County. Joe spends most of his time with his wife, daughters, friends and neighbors enjoying all that Avila Beach has to offer, including fishing, surfing, sailing, tennis, biking & hiking. Patrick has lived on the Central Coast since 2016. He moved here for the opportunity to be the continuity for clients of a local financial planning firm, with an office in Avila Village. Since arriving here, Patrick has found himself at home by exploring and experiencing all that Avila has to offer, and enjoys running the Bob Jones Trail, hiking Avila ridge and sailing at Port San Luis. He has a passion for aviation, and can often be found at the San Luis Airport. Welcome, Joe and Patrick!
Last month I mentioned that we were still in the process of compiling the data and input received from the “Foundation’s” recent community survey. All has been aggregated and can be found in the form of a slide show. You can see what your fellow Avilones had to say by visiting www.avilabeachfoundation.org. Once on the site, click on the “About Us” tab and follow the drop-down menu to “Avila Community Surveys.” I always find it educational to learn of the varied interests expressed by our neighbors. Let me know if you have anything to add to the conversation.
The clock is ticking for those interested in applying for a “Foundation” grant for services, projects or programs for 2020. Interested parties/individuals have until September 16th to submit their applications. We typically receive about a dozen funding requests each year, and facilitate a competitive process that typically results in the awarding of $50,000-$60,000 in grants. To date the “Foundation” has awarded and helped distribute more than $3 million since 2001. Information on how to apply for a grant can be found on our website, and by clicking on the “Grant Info” tab. You can also view a summary of all grants awarded since 2010. Personally speaking, I am very proud of the impact our modestly sized “Foundation” has made in the Avila communities.
COMING SOON TO AVILA: Two “Foundation” supported projects are reaching the homestretch, both occurring at the Central Coast Aquarium, and we excitedly await their arrival. I am referring to our second public art installation – a paneled mural at the exterior wall of the Aquarium, being produced by local artist Colleen Gnos, slated for completion by the end of September. A community unveiling and celebration will take place shortly thereafter. The other project near completion is the new octopus tank habitat, made possible by a “Foundation” grant to the Aquarium. The tank is ready to go, and now awaits the arrival of its new tenant. Stay tuned.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
*********************************************************
Are You Ready?
Word has been spreading about the possibility of PG&E taking proactive, preventive steps to help avoid the devastation of wildfires by shutting down electricity in the event of conditions that may lead to fires. This could affect the Central Coast even if fires, or the danger thereof, are centered in areas far from SLO County. Below is a checklist produced by PG&E to help residents prepare for such scenarios.
| be-prepared-emergency-checklist_september_2019_column.pdf |
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