Greetings, fellow Avilones. By the time you read this column the month of March will have arrived, which for me always signals the annual re-birth of my optimism and spirits. I shake myself from the short days of winter and get psyched up for daylight savings and major league baseball spring training. Funny that how after all these years – okay decades – I still harbor the same feelings that I did as a youngster during this turn of the seasons.
Unfortunately, I had to submit this column to the publishers too soon to share with you my early February trip to the Panama Canal. Likewise and more importantly the Avila Beach Public Art celebration will have come and gone. Of course, I am assuming that as I was away the rain did not once again delay the art installation on the Lifeguard Towers, causing another postponement of the community celebration, scheduled for February 18th. I have great faith that we can share this occasion as part of the April Avila Community News.
As all you dedicated readers are well aware, the “Foundation” facilitates an annual grant-making process that results in us supporting a variety of Avila organizations and projects. One of the grants we have issued for several years is to People’s Self Help Housing for their supportive housing services at Lachen Tara Apartments in Avila Beach. I imagine many of you wonder why such an apartment building exists in Avila Beach, an area not known for affordable living. Without getting into the deep historical matters surrounding the infamous oil seepage and ensuing clean-up, there were numerous people uprooted that lived in affordable sections of Avila that disappeared in the rebuilding. Lachen Tara Apartments were built to help those affected an affordable opportunity to return to Avila, as well as room for some who work in lower paying jobs locally.
Lachen Tara is presently home to 28 households - including low-income farm workers, fishermen and hospitality employees, the formerly homeless, disabled, single mothers, former victims of domestic violence, and Avila Beach residents previously displaced. 17 of these household received professional clinical case management services in 2016 such as counseling, budgeting, job search assistance, crisis management and more. It is these services that the “Foundation” helps pay for, and has been vital in helping tenants be more stable. And for two years running we’ve kicked in an additional emergency fund to help tenants having trouble paying rising utility costs. We hope you agree that our grant monies are being put to good use when it comes to this project.
While observing from arms-length some recent issues being addressed by the Port San Luis Harbor District, I feel compelled to chime in on two matters. Both have to do with behaving irresponsibly and without consideration of others. Word is that due to growing abuses, one of the few beaches where dogs off leash have been welcome is in jeopardy. People from all over have flocked to that welcome section of Avila Beach, but too many simply refuse to pick up the poop left behind by their pooches. Apparently it has become enough of a cleanliness and health issue that Port staff and commissioners are taking another look at existing ordinances. The easiest solution is PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG. To their credit, the Port folks are exploring a variety of ways to improve the situation. You may want to follow their progress by visiting www.portsanluis.com. And since I mentioned “two matters”, the second is that the Port has announced that district fire rings on Olde Port Beach will become available the first Sunday in March. There are some reasonably strict regulations to follow if you want to enjoy your fire on the beach, but here again it is important to exhibit responsible behavior so the benefit can remain in place. Be sure to learn about the rules before dropping the match.
Okay, I’m through sounding like Mr. Enforcer. So, on a more positive note, I wish to inform any interested Avila groups that SLO County is once again offering infrastructure/beautification grants, and has a fund of $100,000 available in 2017. Applications are due by March 27th. Information and forms can be found at www.slocounty.ca.gov/admin/Resources.htm. Keep in mind that competition for these funds is highly competitive, but if you have a project in mind that meets grant guidelines I say go for it! Oops, I’ve used up all my allotted space, so that’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
Unfortunately, I had to submit this column to the publishers too soon to share with you my early February trip to the Panama Canal. Likewise and more importantly the Avila Beach Public Art celebration will have come and gone. Of course, I am assuming that as I was away the rain did not once again delay the art installation on the Lifeguard Towers, causing another postponement of the community celebration, scheduled for February 18th. I have great faith that we can share this occasion as part of the April Avila Community News.
As all you dedicated readers are well aware, the “Foundation” facilitates an annual grant-making process that results in us supporting a variety of Avila organizations and projects. One of the grants we have issued for several years is to People’s Self Help Housing for their supportive housing services at Lachen Tara Apartments in Avila Beach. I imagine many of you wonder why such an apartment building exists in Avila Beach, an area not known for affordable living. Without getting into the deep historical matters surrounding the infamous oil seepage and ensuing clean-up, there were numerous people uprooted that lived in affordable sections of Avila that disappeared in the rebuilding. Lachen Tara Apartments were built to help those affected an affordable opportunity to return to Avila, as well as room for some who work in lower paying jobs locally.
Lachen Tara is presently home to 28 households - including low-income farm workers, fishermen and hospitality employees, the formerly homeless, disabled, single mothers, former victims of domestic violence, and Avila Beach residents previously displaced. 17 of these household received professional clinical case management services in 2016 such as counseling, budgeting, job search assistance, crisis management and more. It is these services that the “Foundation” helps pay for, and has been vital in helping tenants be more stable. And for two years running we’ve kicked in an additional emergency fund to help tenants having trouble paying rising utility costs. We hope you agree that our grant monies are being put to good use when it comes to this project.
While observing from arms-length some recent issues being addressed by the Port San Luis Harbor District, I feel compelled to chime in on two matters. Both have to do with behaving irresponsibly and without consideration of others. Word is that due to growing abuses, one of the few beaches where dogs off leash have been welcome is in jeopardy. People from all over have flocked to that welcome section of Avila Beach, but too many simply refuse to pick up the poop left behind by their pooches. Apparently it has become enough of a cleanliness and health issue that Port staff and commissioners are taking another look at existing ordinances. The easiest solution is PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG. To their credit, the Port folks are exploring a variety of ways to improve the situation. You may want to follow their progress by visiting www.portsanluis.com. And since I mentioned “two matters”, the second is that the Port has announced that district fire rings on Olde Port Beach will become available the first Sunday in March. There are some reasonably strict regulations to follow if you want to enjoy your fire on the beach, but here again it is important to exhibit responsible behavior so the benefit can remain in place. Be sure to learn about the rules before dropping the match.
Okay, I’m through sounding like Mr. Enforcer. So, on a more positive note, I wish to inform any interested Avila groups that SLO County is once again offering infrastructure/beautification grants, and has a fund of $100,000 available in 2017. Applications are due by March 27th. Information and forms can be found at www.slocounty.ca.gov/admin/Resources.htm. Keep in mind that competition for these funds is highly competitive, but if you have a project in mind that meets grant guidelines I say go for it! Oops, I’ve used up all my allotted space, so that’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
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