Greetings, fellow Avilones. I hope you have been enjoying a fun summer playing, traveling, hosting friends and family, or just hanging out at the beach. Even though it’s been decades since I was in school, the summer months still seem like a special break from classrooms and studying.
Living and working in Avila Beach only adds to the pleasure, which I’m sure is the case for all of you as well.
My first order of business this month is to tell you that the “Foundation” is now accepting grant request applications. Information and a downloadable grant application can be found on our website – www.avilabeachfoundation.org. The deadline to submit requests is September 26th. Next on the agenda is a sad, but fond farewell to two “Foundation” board members – Steve Johnson, who is taking time off from community service to enjoy retirement along with his wife, Liz - and Mike Faber, who is going back east to resume his prior career in government work. Both contributed greatly to our successes, and will be missed. Board Trustee Richard Zacky will be taking over as our Treasurer – replacing Mike, who filled that role the past two years.
I imagine most of you are aware of the recent rash of car burglaries – both inside San Luis Bay Estates and in the residential beach area. According to the Sheriff’s Department, most if not all thefts were the result of unlocked, parked vehicles with personal items of value easily visible. I guess it was just a matter of time until this type of crime reached our unique haven, thus we now must become more vigilant and safety minded. So many friends and neighbors have told me that they now lock the doors at their home – something they never before practiced and never felt was necessary. Hopefully the thefts were just committed by a ring of “bad guys” who have since moved on, but our lives have changed and we must adjust accordingly.
Moving along, I forward this report from Heather Nelson of Concerned Citizens of Avila. “On July 19th the County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved changing the traffic count standard for Avila as part of the larger community plan update process. This is great news for the many concerned citizens who want to normalize traffic evaluation for Avila. The current method, which underestimates traffic impacts from new development, will still be used since it is part of the General Plan for now, but new development proposals will need an additional study based on Public Works' assessment of when traffic impacts will realistically occur. Nearly 60 supporters in blue shirts attended the meeting, and many more sent words of encouragement. County Planning and Public Works are to be commended for meeting with citizen groups and for their reasonable and intelligent proposal. Our district supervisor, Adam Hill, fully supported the effort and continues to push to protect the safety and accessibility of Avila. Concerned Citizens for Avila, the group responsible for bringing attention to the issue, organized the turnout and behind-the-scenes work. To receive their communications, visit the website at www.concernedcitizens4avila.org.”
Speaking of Supervisor Hill – I extend a quick “shout-out” of thanks to him from Shirley Goetz of the Avila Beach Bird Sanctuary for approving a recent grant of $300 to help promote future “Sanctuary” activities. Shirley’s efforts to shine a light on our local feathered friends, and to further educate the public about their species and habitats, is a terrific addition to our community. The “Foundation” is pleased to serve as fiscal sponsor for this fledgling organization, and can accept donations to support its mission. Keep up the good work, Shirley!
With an eye toward future activities hosted by the “Foundation”, I wonder how many of you would participate in, or attend, a special story telling gathering of people wishing to share/hear old time memories, quips and anecdotes from Avila’s earlier days. There are still some people in our neighborhoods who talk about their families and youthful years living in Avila, and with each passing year this history begins to slip away from us untold to the next generation of Avilones. I envision a sort of “Karaoke Tales of Avila Past.” Is this something you would enjoy? Or do you have some stories to tell? If an event of this type tickles your fancy, please email back to let me know – [email protected]. A strong response may just result in having the event.
That’s it for now fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
Living and working in Avila Beach only adds to the pleasure, which I’m sure is the case for all of you as well.
My first order of business this month is to tell you that the “Foundation” is now accepting grant request applications. Information and a downloadable grant application can be found on our website – www.avilabeachfoundation.org. The deadline to submit requests is September 26th. Next on the agenda is a sad, but fond farewell to two “Foundation” board members – Steve Johnson, who is taking time off from community service to enjoy retirement along with his wife, Liz - and Mike Faber, who is going back east to resume his prior career in government work. Both contributed greatly to our successes, and will be missed. Board Trustee Richard Zacky will be taking over as our Treasurer – replacing Mike, who filled that role the past two years.
I imagine most of you are aware of the recent rash of car burglaries – both inside San Luis Bay Estates and in the residential beach area. According to the Sheriff’s Department, most if not all thefts were the result of unlocked, parked vehicles with personal items of value easily visible. I guess it was just a matter of time until this type of crime reached our unique haven, thus we now must become more vigilant and safety minded. So many friends and neighbors have told me that they now lock the doors at their home – something they never before practiced and never felt was necessary. Hopefully the thefts were just committed by a ring of “bad guys” who have since moved on, but our lives have changed and we must adjust accordingly.
Moving along, I forward this report from Heather Nelson of Concerned Citizens of Avila. “On July 19th the County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved changing the traffic count standard for Avila as part of the larger community plan update process. This is great news for the many concerned citizens who want to normalize traffic evaluation for Avila. The current method, which underestimates traffic impacts from new development, will still be used since it is part of the General Plan for now, but new development proposals will need an additional study based on Public Works' assessment of when traffic impacts will realistically occur. Nearly 60 supporters in blue shirts attended the meeting, and many more sent words of encouragement. County Planning and Public Works are to be commended for meeting with citizen groups and for their reasonable and intelligent proposal. Our district supervisor, Adam Hill, fully supported the effort and continues to push to protect the safety and accessibility of Avila. Concerned Citizens for Avila, the group responsible for bringing attention to the issue, organized the turnout and behind-the-scenes work. To receive their communications, visit the website at www.concernedcitizens4avila.org.”
Speaking of Supervisor Hill – I extend a quick “shout-out” of thanks to him from Shirley Goetz of the Avila Beach Bird Sanctuary for approving a recent grant of $300 to help promote future “Sanctuary” activities. Shirley’s efforts to shine a light on our local feathered friends, and to further educate the public about their species and habitats, is a terrific addition to our community. The “Foundation” is pleased to serve as fiscal sponsor for this fledgling organization, and can accept donations to support its mission. Keep up the good work, Shirley!
With an eye toward future activities hosted by the “Foundation”, I wonder how many of you would participate in, or attend, a special story telling gathering of people wishing to share/hear old time memories, quips and anecdotes from Avila’s earlier days. There are still some people in our neighborhoods who talk about their families and youthful years living in Avila, and with each passing year this history begins to slip away from us untold to the next generation of Avilones. I envision a sort of “Karaoke Tales of Avila Past.” Is this something you would enjoy? Or do you have some stories to tell? If an event of this type tickles your fancy, please email back to let me know – [email protected]. A strong response may just result in having the event.
That’s it for now fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
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