As I sit at the computer today in my Avila Beach office, this is the first time in many months that it has been warm enough to keep the front door open. And, for a change, I gaze upon people walking down San Miguel Street toward the beach wearing shorts, swimsuits and flip flops, instead of sweatpants and parkas. It looks like most of the rain is behind us, leaving once thirsty water supplies at higher levels, and once brown hillsides a lush green. It’s time to SPRING FORWARD!
Speaking of “SPRING FORWARD” – that could easily be the theme of the upcoming Avila Beach Town Hall Forum, scheduled for May 6th at the Avila Community Center (see flyer in this issue of the Avila News for details). The program for the evening is one I hope those in attendance will enjoy - starting with the 6:00p.m. social hour and information session at which complimentary, delectable appetizers and fine wines will be served. The purpose of this, our first Town Hall Forum, is to follow up on the recently concluded Avila Beach Survey by further engaging the public in some forward-thinking dialogue, thus bringing forth new energy and ideas that the “Foundation” can use to help guide its support of future projects to enhance the Avila Beach lifestyle. Seating for the Forum is limited, so make your reservations soon to guarantee a spot.
Last month I mentioned a donation by Avila Beach resident Joan Sargen to establish a new donor directed fund, with its title and purpose to be announced later. Well, both have now been determined. I am pleased to officially introduce the Avila Beach Communities Enrichment Fund. This fund will help support projects or programs that enrich the social, ecological or artistic fabric of the greater Avila Beach communities. Area residents and businesses are invited to contribute to the growth of the fund at any time throughout the year. Such donations are tax deductible, and checks should be written to the Avila Beach Community Foundation. Please be sure to include a reference on the check memo line stating ABC Enrichment Fund.
My final comments for this month’s column go right to the core of what the “Foundation” is all about. For many years now, our Trustees have granted funds on an annual basis to local organizations and projects whose work has helped make Avila a wonderful place to live. Two grants awarded for 2010 will have a particularly strong impact on the community. Though you will undoubtedly read more about it in another portion of this publication, I am proud to report on the “Foundation’s” role in supporting the new Avila Beach Sea Life Center’s re-opening scheduled for early spring. Once you walk in the front door, among the first things you see will be the Entryway Tank exhibit, to which we contributed $5,000. And when you see the smiling faces of children arriving at the Center, they may be part of the Youth Scientist for a Day Program, with many of the youngsters participating because of $5,000 in scholarship funds provided by the “Foundation." The other 2010 grant of major consequence is that which we furnished to expand management staffing at the Avila Beach Community Center. As current ABCA President Terry Eberhardt so eloquently espoused, the Center is a growing business that needs more attention above and beyond what the volunteers are able to provide. With the $20,000 “Foundation” grant awarded, the ABCA directors just hired their first ever paid Executive Director, DeDe Sanfilippo, to work with the current program staff and board. Stop by and meet her when you get a chance.
That’s it for now. The Avila Beach Community Foundation welcomes your input and is happy to answer any questions you may have about supporting our mission to enhance the Avila Beach Lifestyle. Call 595-4095, or visit www.avilabeachfoundation.org
Speaking of “SPRING FORWARD” – that could easily be the theme of the upcoming Avila Beach Town Hall Forum, scheduled for May 6th at the Avila Community Center (see flyer in this issue of the Avila News for details). The program for the evening is one I hope those in attendance will enjoy - starting with the 6:00p.m. social hour and information session at which complimentary, delectable appetizers and fine wines will be served. The purpose of this, our first Town Hall Forum, is to follow up on the recently concluded Avila Beach Survey by further engaging the public in some forward-thinking dialogue, thus bringing forth new energy and ideas that the “Foundation” can use to help guide its support of future projects to enhance the Avila Beach lifestyle. Seating for the Forum is limited, so make your reservations soon to guarantee a spot.
Last month I mentioned a donation by Avila Beach resident Joan Sargen to establish a new donor directed fund, with its title and purpose to be announced later. Well, both have now been determined. I am pleased to officially introduce the Avila Beach Communities Enrichment Fund. This fund will help support projects or programs that enrich the social, ecological or artistic fabric of the greater Avila Beach communities. Area residents and businesses are invited to contribute to the growth of the fund at any time throughout the year. Such donations are tax deductible, and checks should be written to the Avila Beach Community Foundation. Please be sure to include a reference on the check memo line stating ABC Enrichment Fund.
My final comments for this month’s column go right to the core of what the “Foundation” is all about. For many years now, our Trustees have granted funds on an annual basis to local organizations and projects whose work has helped make Avila a wonderful place to live. Two grants awarded for 2010 will have a particularly strong impact on the community. Though you will undoubtedly read more about it in another portion of this publication, I am proud to report on the “Foundation’s” role in supporting the new Avila Beach Sea Life Center’s re-opening scheduled for early spring. Once you walk in the front door, among the first things you see will be the Entryway Tank exhibit, to which we contributed $5,000. And when you see the smiling faces of children arriving at the Center, they may be part of the Youth Scientist for a Day Program, with many of the youngsters participating because of $5,000 in scholarship funds provided by the “Foundation." The other 2010 grant of major consequence is that which we furnished to expand management staffing at the Avila Beach Community Center. As current ABCA President Terry Eberhardt so eloquently espoused, the Center is a growing business that needs more attention above and beyond what the volunteers are able to provide. With the $20,000 “Foundation” grant awarded, the ABCA directors just hired their first ever paid Executive Director, DeDe Sanfilippo, to work with the current program staff and board. Stop by and meet her when you get a chance.
That’s it for now. The Avila Beach Community Foundation welcomes your input and is happy to answer any questions you may have about supporting our mission to enhance the Avila Beach Lifestyle. Call 595-4095, or visit www.avilabeachfoundation.org
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