Hello friends and neighbors. Fall is upon us and soon we will be heading into the holiday season. Doesn't it seem that just moments ago we were enjoying a spectacular Avila Beach summer? I don't know about you, but I'm not ready yet for shorter days and colder temperatures. Oh well, at least we don't live in Alaska, the Midwest or back East where weather is an everyday challenge.
Have you seen the six new trash containers that line the beach boardwalk railings on each side of the Promenade? I am proud that the Foundation played a huge role in making that happen, and I hope Avila residents and visitors alike will find it easier to dispose of their litter, or pick up behind those who don't share our commitment to maintaining a clean community. Please take a look at the nice photo collage in this publication showing the arrival of the containers, and the generous donors and partners involved in the project. Our thanks go to Custom House/Mr. Rick's, Hula Hut/Beachcomber Bill's, Avila Fish and Farmers' Market, Anne Brown Family, County Supervisor Adam Hill and Legislative Aide Susan Devine, Howard Carroll, and SLO County Parks. We appreciate your community spirit!!!
I think this is a good time to let you readers know about a couple projects in the works by the Port San Luis Harbor District. Previously I mentioned their efforts to address parking and traffic management problems, and that an RFP had been issued seeking a contractor to complete a first phase study. Port Manager Steve McGrath has provided the following update on this project. "It's no news to any that parking is a big issue in Avila. As you know, the summer crowds, the success of Fish and Farmers' Market and even visiting whales have huge impacts on the community. On the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, the firm retained by the District to develop a parking management plan, TPG Consulting Inc., began the process of data collection. Starting at 6 a.m. at the harbor, and then in Avila at 9 a.m., people were out counting and tracking the parked cars. This process will occur three more times and will tell us where and when the cars show up, and how long they stay. This data will then inform the preliminary recommendations from TPG. Subsequent to review of the September data collection, management will meet with TPG to establish future dates for surveys in October, discuss a schedule for community outreach and review potential options and recommendations to address the complexities of parking at the harbor, and in the community." Steve also reported at a recent meeting of AVAC that the Harbor Terrace development project continues. The trailer park has been closed and the eight residents, one of who is full-time, will be relocated within a year. Thank you for the updates, Steve. These are matters of great interest to those of us who live in Avila.
For those of you - primarily San Luis Bay Estates residents - who have been patiently waiting an opportunity to once again park their golf carts at the golf course and more easily access Avila Beach town, here is the latest. The general manager who was hired in August was assigned the task by golf course owner Rob Rossi. GM and I were going to meet in early September to discuss options but, lo and behold, GM didn't work out and is no longer employed at the golf course. So, I spoke with Mr. Rossi, who told me a new operations manager will be arriving in October, shortly after which the matter will be revisited. I will keep you posted as things progress.
While I don't want to make any promises, I will tell you that steps are being taken to place a commercial-grade telescope on the Avila Pier. A donor has stepped forward (Richard and Kathy Zacky) to provide funding, and it appears that Port San Luis staff are in favor of installing and maintaining the telescope. We are still working out the details, and will likely have more information by the time you read this column. Wouldn't it be cool to peer far out into the ocean and surrounding landscape to see things not possible with the naked eye? What do you think about this project?
Last but not least, I know that the Avila Beach Foundation Board of Trustees is excited about the upcoming, October 15th hearing of applicants seeking grants for next year. This is our annual opportunity to learn about the successes of previous year grantees, their goals and needs for the coming year, and from applicants that have identified new projects to help make our community even more enticing. Grant awards will be determined in November. As always, I invite you to visit our website - www.avilabeachfoundation.org - to learn more about what we do, and how you can participate in our mission. That's it for now, friends and neighbors. I'll see you at the beach.
Have you seen the six new trash containers that line the beach boardwalk railings on each side of the Promenade? I am proud that the Foundation played a huge role in making that happen, and I hope Avila residents and visitors alike will find it easier to dispose of their litter, or pick up behind those who don't share our commitment to maintaining a clean community. Please take a look at the nice photo collage in this publication showing the arrival of the containers, and the generous donors and partners involved in the project. Our thanks go to Custom House/Mr. Rick's, Hula Hut/Beachcomber Bill's, Avila Fish and Farmers' Market, Anne Brown Family, County Supervisor Adam Hill and Legislative Aide Susan Devine, Howard Carroll, and SLO County Parks. We appreciate your community spirit!!!
I think this is a good time to let you readers know about a couple projects in the works by the Port San Luis Harbor District. Previously I mentioned their efforts to address parking and traffic management problems, and that an RFP had been issued seeking a contractor to complete a first phase study. Port Manager Steve McGrath has provided the following update on this project. "It's no news to any that parking is a big issue in Avila. As you know, the summer crowds, the success of Fish and Farmers' Market and even visiting whales have huge impacts on the community. On the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, the firm retained by the District to develop a parking management plan, TPG Consulting Inc., began the process of data collection. Starting at 6 a.m. at the harbor, and then in Avila at 9 a.m., people were out counting and tracking the parked cars. This process will occur three more times and will tell us where and when the cars show up, and how long they stay. This data will then inform the preliminary recommendations from TPG. Subsequent to review of the September data collection, management will meet with TPG to establish future dates for surveys in October, discuss a schedule for community outreach and review potential options and recommendations to address the complexities of parking at the harbor, and in the community." Steve also reported at a recent meeting of AVAC that the Harbor Terrace development project continues. The trailer park has been closed and the eight residents, one of who is full-time, will be relocated within a year. Thank you for the updates, Steve. These are matters of great interest to those of us who live in Avila.
For those of you - primarily San Luis Bay Estates residents - who have been patiently waiting an opportunity to once again park their golf carts at the golf course and more easily access Avila Beach town, here is the latest. The general manager who was hired in August was assigned the task by golf course owner Rob Rossi. GM and I were going to meet in early September to discuss options but, lo and behold, GM didn't work out and is no longer employed at the golf course. So, I spoke with Mr. Rossi, who told me a new operations manager will be arriving in October, shortly after which the matter will be revisited. I will keep you posted as things progress.
While I don't want to make any promises, I will tell you that steps are being taken to place a commercial-grade telescope on the Avila Pier. A donor has stepped forward (Richard and Kathy Zacky) to provide funding, and it appears that Port San Luis staff are in favor of installing and maintaining the telescope. We are still working out the details, and will likely have more information by the time you read this column. Wouldn't it be cool to peer far out into the ocean and surrounding landscape to see things not possible with the naked eye? What do you think about this project?
Last but not least, I know that the Avila Beach Foundation Board of Trustees is excited about the upcoming, October 15th hearing of applicants seeking grants for next year. This is our annual opportunity to learn about the successes of previous year grantees, their goals and needs for the coming year, and from applicants that have identified new projects to help make our community even more enticing. Grant awards will be determined in November. As always, I invite you to visit our website - www.avilabeachfoundation.org - to learn more about what we do, and how you can participate in our mission. That's it for now, friends and neighbors. I'll see you at the beach.
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