Greetings, fellow Avilones. With winter just about in the rearview mirror, spring looms one week after the March 13th return of daylight savings. Time to once again re-set our clocks, and re-set our hopes for a speedy end to the two-plus years long pandemic. While two years lost may not seem like much of a big deal to the younger generations with decades left to live, for those senior citizens with far less future ahead two years is quite a chunk of time. Lately I find myself pondering just how different things have become since early 2020. Remember when the most common litter we found on the ground consisted of cigarette butts, bottle caps and beer tabs instead of discarded masks/face coverings. Remember when you could go to the grocery store and find all the items you normally purchase abundantly in stock? Remember when UPS and FedEx trucks made stops in your neighborhood only once a day instead of all day and evening long? Remember buffet restaurants? Remember daily housekeeping service at hotels? Remember not having to stay six feet away from people, or wondering whether they were vaccinated. There is so much more that has changed, but let’s move on.
What would you do if you were given $5,000 to spend in Avila Beach? Do I have your attention? The Avila Beach Community Foundation is pleased to announce that it is presently accepting applications from local organizations or individuals to compete for a single $5,000 Community Impact Grant, made available in conjunction with a generous contribution by The Rossi Foundation. Proposals for this one-time grant should focus on a new, innovative project, program, event or service to benefit the greater Avila Beach communities, with special consideration given to applicants that would use the $5,000 sum to leverage a matching contribution. Interested parties are required to complete and submit an application and cover letter no later than April 15, 2022. To request an application, please send an email to [email protected]. Or call 805-595-4095 for more information.
In case you haven’t heard the news, the Port San Luis Harbor District Board of Commissioners has appointed Suzanne Watkins as their new Harbor Director. Suzanne’s background includes nineteen years of work experience with the County of Ventura, including the last sixteen years as Deputy Director of the Harbor Department, Channel Islands Harbor. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California at Riverside, a Master of Business Administration Degree from California Lutheran University, has worked on private/public harbor capital improvement projects and managed the lease sites within Channel Islands Harbor. Suzanne lives in San Luis Obispo and took the helm at Port San Luis Harbor District on February 1, 2022.
On a personal note, I share with you the sadness I feel after the recent passing of a long-time Avilone friend, whose name I won’t divulge in respect for his wife, now in her grieving period. My friend – who in some ways I considered a surrogate father to me after mine passed away in 2009 - lived a robust life for most of his 95+ years, though the last handful presented a host of medical challenges. Our initial bond was a mutual love for tennis, and more so for baseball, especially when I learned that he had once faced the legendary Negro Leagues pitcher, Satchel Paige, in a minor league exhibition game. How cool that must have been. Particularly difficult were the last two years when, due to vulnerability to Covid, he remained isolated in his home. During this period there were so many times I wanted to stop by for a visit, but felt it best to keep a safe distance, which I now regret because of lost opportunities to enjoy each other’s company. Early on in the pandemic, I was honored to be the one asked to pick up his medications at the drug store, but lost that role as pharmacies began to offer home delivery. Little did I know that the deliveries I made would constitute the last times I got to see my friend. Rest in peace, old pal. You will be missed.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
What would you do if you were given $5,000 to spend in Avila Beach? Do I have your attention? The Avila Beach Community Foundation is pleased to announce that it is presently accepting applications from local organizations or individuals to compete for a single $5,000 Community Impact Grant, made available in conjunction with a generous contribution by The Rossi Foundation. Proposals for this one-time grant should focus on a new, innovative project, program, event or service to benefit the greater Avila Beach communities, with special consideration given to applicants that would use the $5,000 sum to leverage a matching contribution. Interested parties are required to complete and submit an application and cover letter no later than April 15, 2022. To request an application, please send an email to [email protected]. Or call 805-595-4095 for more information.
In case you haven’t heard the news, the Port San Luis Harbor District Board of Commissioners has appointed Suzanne Watkins as their new Harbor Director. Suzanne’s background includes nineteen years of work experience with the County of Ventura, including the last sixteen years as Deputy Director of the Harbor Department, Channel Islands Harbor. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California at Riverside, a Master of Business Administration Degree from California Lutheran University, has worked on private/public harbor capital improvement projects and managed the lease sites within Channel Islands Harbor. Suzanne lives in San Luis Obispo and took the helm at Port San Luis Harbor District on February 1, 2022.
On a personal note, I share with you the sadness I feel after the recent passing of a long-time Avilone friend, whose name I won’t divulge in respect for his wife, now in her grieving period. My friend – who in some ways I considered a surrogate father to me after mine passed away in 2009 - lived a robust life for most of his 95+ years, though the last handful presented a host of medical challenges. Our initial bond was a mutual love for tennis, and more so for baseball, especially when I learned that he had once faced the legendary Negro Leagues pitcher, Satchel Paige, in a minor league exhibition game. How cool that must have been. Particularly difficult were the last two years when, due to vulnerability to Covid, he remained isolated in his home. During this period there were so many times I wanted to stop by for a visit, but felt it best to keep a safe distance, which I now regret because of lost opportunities to enjoy each other’s company. Early on in the pandemic, I was honored to be the one asked to pick up his medications at the drug store, but lost that role as pharmacies began to offer home delivery. Little did I know that the deliveries I made would constitute the last times I got to see my friend. Rest in peace, old pal. You will be missed.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
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