Avila Beach Community Foundation

805.595.4095

  • About Us
    • Foundation History
    • Foundation Mission
    • Board of Trustees & Staff
    • Board Meeting Minutes
    • Monthly News & Views
    • Foundation Past & Current Projects
    • Avila Community Surveys
    • Foundation 990 Tax Filings
  • Grant Info
    • How to Apply
    • Current Grantees
    • Past Grantees
  • Charitable Giving
    • Ways to Give
    • Donor Advised & Special Project Funds
  • Community Links
  • Avila History
    • Avila Historical Film & Photo Gallery
    • Avila Storytelling Event
  • Contact Us

September, 2014

9/1/2014

0 Comments

 
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!

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Rick Cohen
    Executive Director


    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009

    RSS Feed

About Us
Our History
Historical Photo Gallery
Our Mission
Board of Trustees & Staff
Monthly News & Views
Foundation Projects
990 Tax Filings
Grant Information
How to Apply - Annual Grants
Current Grantees
Past Grantees

Charitable Giving
Ways to Give
Donor Advised Funds

Community Links

"Like us"

Picture
Stay informed on Facebook

Sign Up For Newsletter
For Email Newsletters you can trust.
Avila Beach Community Foundation | PO Box 297 |191 San Miguel Street  Avila Beach, CA 93424-0297 |
Ph: 805.595.4095
avilafoundation@gmail.com|
Contact Us | Trustee Portal

BACK TO TOP

© DivTag Templates Ltd | All Rights Reserved