Hello, friends and neighbors. By the time you read this column we will likely be driving home from work in the dark for the first time in many months. On the flip side, morning wake up calls for most will occur after the sun has arisen – but not so for you early birds who enjoy your 5:00a.m. cup of coffee, or those who want to be among first arrivals at the gym.
I ask that you indulge me for two paragraphs while I espouse on behalf of the non-profit sector. With a 30+ year career in the non-profit field, this time of year usually sees me focus on year-end, holiday giving. Having run programs in Southern California for the YMCA and American Red Cross, and managed local agencies Big Brothers Big Sisters, HOTLINE and a few not so well known organizations, I know firsthand how the non-profits that provide essential and life enhancing programs rely on the generosity of those who save their giving for the holiday season. The Avila Beach Community Foundation is in the business of supporting local projects and programs that help make Avila a very special place to live. Based on some of my previous columns, you readers know that I constantly encourage folks in the area to contribute their time and/or money toward the cause(s) of your choice. There is no better time of year to do so then now. Why? Read on……….
Through the remainder of this year, any gift between the amounts of $50 and $200 to one or more of the eligible local programs or projects of your choice will be matched dollar for dollar through the Foundation’s Matching Community Gifts Initiative, until we exhaust the $20,000 fund established by the Foundation and our Initiative partners P.G.& E., The Old Custom House, and Chevron. Surely the opportunity to double the value of your generosity is quite attractive. Another reason for giving now is that monetary contributions that occur by December 31st each year are eligible for tax deductions, to the extent you are entitled by law. The third, and perhaps most compelling reason to give now, is the warm feelings that come with being generous during a time of year when others less fortunate have little reason to celebrate. Please take a few minutes to visit our website and look for the banner on our home page about the Matching Gifts Initiative, then scroll down the page for prospective donor instructions.
Okay – off my soapbox now and back to current events. Have you, by chance, noticed the shiny new blue bike racks that dot the corners up and down First Street? Our two-wheeler friends can now safely secure their preferred mode of transportation in designated spots, instead of up against the beachfront railings they used to occupy. It is no coincidence that the County finally installed these racks. Even though the County had plans for the future installation of these racks, doing so seemed to have fallen on a distant back burner. It wasn’t until a couple Avila Beach residents expressed unhappiness seeing so many bikes stacked against the view railings this past summer that the bike racks became a higher priority. I applaud those few who spoke up, and those who listened. Sometimes all it takes is a little positive dialogue to bring about positive changes.
And speaking of local issues, concerts on the golf course has popped up once again. Yes, in the past I have written about the convenience of having a popular entertainment venue so close to home. And, yes, I still support that position, though with some reservations. In mid-October, the golf course hosted a concert attractive to the younger generations that caused an unfortunate result. Due to unforeseen staging complications and poor monitoring of audio systems, residents of downtown Avila Beach had to endure extreme sound and vibrations until 10:00p.m. on a weekday night. It was not surprising that this experience launched a small uproar among locals whose peace was disturbed. I am pleased to report that representatives of the golf course responded to those in the affected neighborhoods with an apology letter, explanation, a promise to face the stage away from the beach area in the future, and a pledge to discontinue certain types of concerts that do not fall in line with the their entertainment mission. In my opinion a balance must be achieved between the right to run a business and the right to live in a peaceful environment. I am glad to see residents stand up for their rights, and equally glad to see good business coupled with common courtesy. Like I stated earlier, sometimes all it takes is a little positive dialogue to bring about positive changes. Keep it up Avila Beach!
That’s it for now. I wish each of you a very joyous, happy and healthy holiday season. As always, the Foundation welcomes your ideas and opinions. We can be reached at 595-4095, or avilafoundation@gmail.com.
I ask that you indulge me for two paragraphs while I espouse on behalf of the non-profit sector. With a 30+ year career in the non-profit field, this time of year usually sees me focus on year-end, holiday giving. Having run programs in Southern California for the YMCA and American Red Cross, and managed local agencies Big Brothers Big Sisters, HOTLINE and a few not so well known organizations, I know firsthand how the non-profits that provide essential and life enhancing programs rely on the generosity of those who save their giving for the holiday season. The Avila Beach Community Foundation is in the business of supporting local projects and programs that help make Avila a very special place to live. Based on some of my previous columns, you readers know that I constantly encourage folks in the area to contribute their time and/or money toward the cause(s) of your choice. There is no better time of year to do so then now. Why? Read on……….
Through the remainder of this year, any gift between the amounts of $50 and $200 to one or more of the eligible local programs or projects of your choice will be matched dollar for dollar through the Foundation’s Matching Community Gifts Initiative, until we exhaust the $20,000 fund established by the Foundation and our Initiative partners P.G.& E., The Old Custom House, and Chevron. Surely the opportunity to double the value of your generosity is quite attractive. Another reason for giving now is that monetary contributions that occur by December 31st each year are eligible for tax deductions, to the extent you are entitled by law. The third, and perhaps most compelling reason to give now, is the warm feelings that come with being generous during a time of year when others less fortunate have little reason to celebrate. Please take a few minutes to visit our website and look for the banner on our home page about the Matching Gifts Initiative, then scroll down the page for prospective donor instructions.
Okay – off my soapbox now and back to current events. Have you, by chance, noticed the shiny new blue bike racks that dot the corners up and down First Street? Our two-wheeler friends can now safely secure their preferred mode of transportation in designated spots, instead of up against the beachfront railings they used to occupy. It is no coincidence that the County finally installed these racks. Even though the County had plans for the future installation of these racks, doing so seemed to have fallen on a distant back burner. It wasn’t until a couple Avila Beach residents expressed unhappiness seeing so many bikes stacked against the view railings this past summer that the bike racks became a higher priority. I applaud those few who spoke up, and those who listened. Sometimes all it takes is a little positive dialogue to bring about positive changes.
And speaking of local issues, concerts on the golf course has popped up once again. Yes, in the past I have written about the convenience of having a popular entertainment venue so close to home. And, yes, I still support that position, though with some reservations. In mid-October, the golf course hosted a concert attractive to the younger generations that caused an unfortunate result. Due to unforeseen staging complications and poor monitoring of audio systems, residents of downtown Avila Beach had to endure extreme sound and vibrations until 10:00p.m. on a weekday night. It was not surprising that this experience launched a small uproar among locals whose peace was disturbed. I am pleased to report that representatives of the golf course responded to those in the affected neighborhoods with an apology letter, explanation, a promise to face the stage away from the beach area in the future, and a pledge to discontinue certain types of concerts that do not fall in line with the their entertainment mission. In my opinion a balance must be achieved between the right to run a business and the right to live in a peaceful environment. I am glad to see residents stand up for their rights, and equally glad to see good business coupled with common courtesy. Like I stated earlier, sometimes all it takes is a little positive dialogue to bring about positive changes. Keep it up Avila Beach!
That’s it for now. I wish each of you a very joyous, happy and healthy holiday season. As always, the Foundation welcomes your ideas and opinions. We can be reached at 595-4095, or avilafoundation@gmail.com.
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