Hello fellow Avilones! Labor Day has come and gone, school is back in session for most students, early fall breezes are arriving, and beach crowds are beginning to thin out. So it goes as yet another season draws to a conclusion. With the ensuing months ahead, the Foundation is functioning on all cylinders between now and mid-November. You already know about the new and exciting inaugural October 4th and 5th Avila Apple Festival. Almost 300 tickets to the dinner at the Avila Barn have been sold, and a few dozen festival booths replete with goodies, games and contests have been reserved. Look for the Avila Apple Festival ad in this issue of the "News". On top of that, the groups who rely upon Foundation funding for special projects, activities and general operations know that grant applications are due September 19th, with review taking place between October 20 and November 10. Foundation trustees will once again be tasked with diligently allocating funds to enhance life in Avila Beach for residents and visitors alike. So as you can see, our plate is full.
Personally having just recently celebrated another birthday, I found myself reflecting on life - experiences from many days past up to more current times. While spending a weekend in Las Vegas with a dozen old high school pals, I realized that it has been 45 years since I last strolled through the exit gate at James Monroe High School in the San Fernando Valley. That got me thinking about other date-related milestones that have conspired to converge in 2014. My wife Kay and I moved to SLO County in August of 1989 - that's 25 years ago. I began my professional, non-profit career at the YMCA in Van Nuys in 1974 - that's 40 years ago. It was 20 years ago that I first became involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of SLO County, while at the same time serving as Executive Director of SLO County HOTLINE. It's been 10 years since my mom passed away - as did Jessie, the first dog adopted by Kay and me. Five years ago my dad passed away - as did Annie, the second dog adopted by Kay and me. Since I consider milestones in 5-10 year increments, next up in 2015 becomes the 20 year anniversary of relocating from Los Osos to Avila Beach. And it's been five years, give or take a few months, since I began writing columns for the Avila Community News. Melancholy person that I am, it's therapeutic for me to "remember when". I thank you fellow Avilones for indulging me in this paragraph of self-reflection, and for continuing on to the next.
Speaking of columns in the Avila Community News, I'm certain you readers have enjoyed and gained from the monthly articles written by local health and wellness "guru" Julian Varela. This Avila Beach resident (and current Foundation board president) has dedicated his life to helping and teaching others to live happy and healthy lives. One of Julian's more recent columns centered on how modern technology and lifestyles are contributing to less exercise in everyday functioning. He asks "when was the last time you manually opened a garage door or walked around a library?" He cites longer and more stressful work schedules that keep us seated for greater periods of time. And, of course, the portions of food we eat and calories we consume are increasing with each generation. Julian's article espouses the importance of getting up and moving around with more regularity. I believe doing so calls for establishing habits and sticking with them. While not everyone is athletic or into cardio-enhancing sports activities, I feel there are a number of "little" things nearly all who lack adequate exercise can do. For example, when you go shopping do you look for the parking spot closest to the store you are visiting? Why not park at the distant spots and take advantage of the extra walking? Do you ride the escalator or elevator when stairs are an option? How often do you rely upon the intercom or phone to communicate with others in your office instead of getting up from your desk and walking over to them? Small and easy options these may be, but not for those who aren't committed to fitness. Keep challenging us, Julian! We need to balance the ever-increasing amount of time spent in front of the screens - be they computers, smartphones, tablets and whatever other devices make for a sedentary society - with activities that help the heart.
Lastly, I could use some help from those of you who make up the fabric of Avila Beach. You can imagine the challenge it is to write a column every month for five years and continually find something worth sharing. We have a vast pool of interesting and talented people living among us, though most do so anonymously. I would welcome the opportunity to devote space in upcoming columns to introduce some of those neighbors unknown to most of us. If you are aware of someone we can feature - even if that someone is yourself - please send me an email with a little background information and how to get in touch with said individual. I will take it from there. I can be reached at avilafoundation@gmail.com. That's it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
Personally having just recently celebrated another birthday, I found myself reflecting on life - experiences from many days past up to more current times. While spending a weekend in Las Vegas with a dozen old high school pals, I realized that it has been 45 years since I last strolled through the exit gate at James Monroe High School in the San Fernando Valley. That got me thinking about other date-related milestones that have conspired to converge in 2014. My wife Kay and I moved to SLO County in August of 1989 - that's 25 years ago. I began my professional, non-profit career at the YMCA in Van Nuys in 1974 - that's 40 years ago. It was 20 years ago that I first became involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of SLO County, while at the same time serving as Executive Director of SLO County HOTLINE. It's been 10 years since my mom passed away - as did Jessie, the first dog adopted by Kay and me. Five years ago my dad passed away - as did Annie, the second dog adopted by Kay and me. Since I consider milestones in 5-10 year increments, next up in 2015 becomes the 20 year anniversary of relocating from Los Osos to Avila Beach. And it's been five years, give or take a few months, since I began writing columns for the Avila Community News. Melancholy person that I am, it's therapeutic for me to "remember when". I thank you fellow Avilones for indulging me in this paragraph of self-reflection, and for continuing on to the next.
Speaking of columns in the Avila Community News, I'm certain you readers have enjoyed and gained from the monthly articles written by local health and wellness "guru" Julian Varela. This Avila Beach resident (and current Foundation board president) has dedicated his life to helping and teaching others to live happy and healthy lives. One of Julian's more recent columns centered on how modern technology and lifestyles are contributing to less exercise in everyday functioning. He asks "when was the last time you manually opened a garage door or walked around a library?" He cites longer and more stressful work schedules that keep us seated for greater periods of time. And, of course, the portions of food we eat and calories we consume are increasing with each generation. Julian's article espouses the importance of getting up and moving around with more regularity. I believe doing so calls for establishing habits and sticking with them. While not everyone is athletic or into cardio-enhancing sports activities, I feel there are a number of "little" things nearly all who lack adequate exercise can do. For example, when you go shopping do you look for the parking spot closest to the store you are visiting? Why not park at the distant spots and take advantage of the extra walking? Do you ride the escalator or elevator when stairs are an option? How often do you rely upon the intercom or phone to communicate with others in your office instead of getting up from your desk and walking over to them? Small and easy options these may be, but not for those who aren't committed to fitness. Keep challenging us, Julian! We need to balance the ever-increasing amount of time spent in front of the screens - be they computers, smartphones, tablets and whatever other devices make for a sedentary society - with activities that help the heart.
Lastly, I could use some help from those of you who make up the fabric of Avila Beach. You can imagine the challenge it is to write a column every month for five years and continually find something worth sharing. We have a vast pool of interesting and talented people living among us, though most do so anonymously. I would welcome the opportunity to devote space in upcoming columns to introduce some of those neighbors unknown to most of us. If you are aware of someone we can feature - even if that someone is yourself - please send me an email with a little background information and how to get in touch with said individual. I will take it from there. I can be reached at avilafoundation@gmail.com. That's it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
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