Greetings, fellow Avilones. As life remains in limbo for many of us – at least it is as I write this column before the April 15th deadline - the uncertainty of what the future holds is still on most minds. A local dose of harsh reality struck in early April. While driving to the office on 4/8, the first alarming thing I noticed was the closure of the road leading to Pirate’s Cove, then I encountered signs on the usual avenues into town that read “Local Traffic Only”. It made me wonder, did that mean Avila Beach residents only were welcome? Were Avila Valley or other SLO County residents on the “stay out” list? Then I learned that even the pay for play parking lot was closed during the day – Wow! I shortly thereafter came to realize that these closures were efforts to further encourage social distancing, even though strolling along the beach seemed to be one of the few outdoor recreations still lawful. Turns out that there are still too many people gathering in groups and not maintaining the advisable safe distancing, in spite of the many warnings we absorb in the news every day.
Ironically, last month a portion of my column was a reminder that Avila’s busy season was rapidly approaching, and that we’d better gear up for the usual onslaught of humanity. I’m sure that many Avilones dread the yearly disruption to a life here that was, in eras past, more tranquil. Avila was never a private beach, but it was manageable. Well, this past month we’ve had one of those “be careful what you wish for” experiences. Businesses are closed, people are hunkered down in “shelter in place” mode, and Avila looks very much like a ghost town – at least it did when I walked through the Promenade that very day in early April. The vibrancy is gone, the doors are shut, and spirits are low. Missing over the Easter holiday were the happy faces of families out for a day at the beach. No snow cones, hot dogs, ice cream, music or other ocean-related aromas, sounds and sights that tickle our senses. It’s the flip side of what the community has become in recent years. This situation could easily extend into and through the summer months. When will the doors open again? What will Avila Beach become moving forward? I guess only time will tell.
Bear with me. Not a lot happening in Avila, so there isn’t much I can report about local topics as is my usual practice. So, I am commandeering my space to share some random thoughts that have been occupying my head of late. I won’t be offended if you stop reading at this point, since you might not care what I have to say. Never-the-less, here we go. I can’t help but wonder if our country (ergo the world) will undergo dramatic and fundamental changes when we emerge from the present crisis. Look what happened after the 9/11 attacks. Airline and other forms of travel transformed overnight, and have only gotten worse. Body and baggage searches while we are herded like cattle going to slaughter really sucks. Other drastic security measures popped up all over the place, and have methodically spread into so many aspects of our lives.
Historic moments going back to the Great Depression have served as launching pads for societal change – some good and some not so good. How will 2020 be defined, and what adjustments will be made? Will our federal administrative and health agencies become better prepared for the next crisis? Will our attention to populations at risk (the unemployed, homeless individuals, the frail elderly and those disabled) who are now a focus become the new normal, or just a passing thing? Will families have a greater and permanent appreciation of teachers and childcare workers who ordinarily spend so much time stewarding their kids? How about those in the hospitality industries, healthcare workers, first responders, those who clean or maintain our homes, delivery persons, retail workers, etc. who must risk exposure while continuing to do their essential jobs? All are now being applauded, but will they again be forgotten once the crisis passes? Does $15 per hour minimum pay – or better yet a “living wage” - and health insurance for those who toil at demanding jobs for stingy compensation in order to serve us seem so overly generous after all? Will the number of people who work at home multiply in greater numbers than before? Will online education ultimately replace classrooms? Will movie theaters ever again be filled with people sitting inches away from one another, eager to see the next blockbuster film while munching on popcorn? Will takeout and meal deliveries rule the day, thus keeping us further tethered to our homes? How many generations will spawn until in-person human contact is but a memory? This is the sort of stuff that keeps me up at night. Okay. I’m done. I’ve gotten that off my chest……LOL. Thanks for indulging me.
Last but not least, I want to remind folks that there are a number of non-profit agencies in SLO County providing a vital aid for those having difficulty meeting their basic needs. These agencies are being barraged with calls for help, and all are experiencing insufficient funding. If you are in the position to donate money or time, I recommend calling the United Way of SLO County at 805-541-1234, or dial “211” to learn about numerous opportunities to chip in locally.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach one day soon, I hope! I may even hug you if we can get closer than 6 ft. apart.
****************************************************************************************************
Want to Learn More About Avila Beach's History?
Some of you may recall that several years ago the "Foundation" funded a grant for the creation of the Avila Beach Historical Tour App. Learn more about Avila Beach's colorful history by using either Apple App Store or Android App on Google Play and downloading the FREE Avila Beach Historical Tour App.
Ironically, last month a portion of my column was a reminder that Avila’s busy season was rapidly approaching, and that we’d better gear up for the usual onslaught of humanity. I’m sure that many Avilones dread the yearly disruption to a life here that was, in eras past, more tranquil. Avila was never a private beach, but it was manageable. Well, this past month we’ve had one of those “be careful what you wish for” experiences. Businesses are closed, people are hunkered down in “shelter in place” mode, and Avila looks very much like a ghost town – at least it did when I walked through the Promenade that very day in early April. The vibrancy is gone, the doors are shut, and spirits are low. Missing over the Easter holiday were the happy faces of families out for a day at the beach. No snow cones, hot dogs, ice cream, music or other ocean-related aromas, sounds and sights that tickle our senses. It’s the flip side of what the community has become in recent years. This situation could easily extend into and through the summer months. When will the doors open again? What will Avila Beach become moving forward? I guess only time will tell.
Bear with me. Not a lot happening in Avila, so there isn’t much I can report about local topics as is my usual practice. So, I am commandeering my space to share some random thoughts that have been occupying my head of late. I won’t be offended if you stop reading at this point, since you might not care what I have to say. Never-the-less, here we go. I can’t help but wonder if our country (ergo the world) will undergo dramatic and fundamental changes when we emerge from the present crisis. Look what happened after the 9/11 attacks. Airline and other forms of travel transformed overnight, and have only gotten worse. Body and baggage searches while we are herded like cattle going to slaughter really sucks. Other drastic security measures popped up all over the place, and have methodically spread into so many aspects of our lives.
Historic moments going back to the Great Depression have served as launching pads for societal change – some good and some not so good. How will 2020 be defined, and what adjustments will be made? Will our federal administrative and health agencies become better prepared for the next crisis? Will our attention to populations at risk (the unemployed, homeless individuals, the frail elderly and those disabled) who are now a focus become the new normal, or just a passing thing? Will families have a greater and permanent appreciation of teachers and childcare workers who ordinarily spend so much time stewarding their kids? How about those in the hospitality industries, healthcare workers, first responders, those who clean or maintain our homes, delivery persons, retail workers, etc. who must risk exposure while continuing to do their essential jobs? All are now being applauded, but will they again be forgotten once the crisis passes? Does $15 per hour minimum pay – or better yet a “living wage” - and health insurance for those who toil at demanding jobs for stingy compensation in order to serve us seem so overly generous after all? Will the number of people who work at home multiply in greater numbers than before? Will online education ultimately replace classrooms? Will movie theaters ever again be filled with people sitting inches away from one another, eager to see the next blockbuster film while munching on popcorn? Will takeout and meal deliveries rule the day, thus keeping us further tethered to our homes? How many generations will spawn until in-person human contact is but a memory? This is the sort of stuff that keeps me up at night. Okay. I’m done. I’ve gotten that off my chest……LOL. Thanks for indulging me.
Last but not least, I want to remind folks that there are a number of non-profit agencies in SLO County providing a vital aid for those having difficulty meeting their basic needs. These agencies are being barraged with calls for help, and all are experiencing insufficient funding. If you are in the position to donate money or time, I recommend calling the United Way of SLO County at 805-541-1234, or dial “211” to learn about numerous opportunities to chip in locally.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach one day soon, I hope! I may even hug you if we can get closer than 6 ft. apart.
****************************************************************************************************
Want to Learn More About Avila Beach's History?
Some of you may recall that several years ago the "Foundation" funded a grant for the creation of the Avila Beach Historical Tour App. Learn more about Avila Beach's colorful history by using either Apple App Store or Android App on Google Play and downloading the FREE Avila Beach Historical Tour App.
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