Hello fellow Avilones. I, perhaps like many of you, am in amazement at how quickly time passes. It seems like just yesterday that I was writing about all the summer activities that occupy much of the Avila Beach experience. And now here we are preparing for Christmas and Hanukkah, with 2015 looming on the horizon. For me, the end of this year marks my sixth with the Avila Beach Community Foundation - meaning six years since I retired as executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters, and six years since previous Foundation E.D. Boyd Horne began training me to become his successor. Thoughts of Social Security and Medicare seemed light years away back then, but now I must begin planning for both. Ugh!
Getting to the business at hand - last month I made mention of an extremely busy fall season for ABCF, what with the inaugural Avila Apple Festival and our annual grant making season happening back to back. I mentioned in October and November that grant requests from local organizations came in at record volume, collectively seeking around $130,000. Going into the Foundation's Trustee decision-making session, it was clear that opinions varied greatly on just what we should support for the coming year. Each Trustee is given the opportunity to rank applicants and suggest funding amounts, with that data placed onto a summary spreadsheet we use to begin the conversation. With a goal to allocate roughly 3% of the Foundation's investment portfolio, the task to measure and prioritize was tantamount. Despite the widely varied opinions, our Trustees came through in grand fashion using negotiating tools such as reasoning, compromising and being respectful of one another to rather easily agree upon grant awards. Note to our country's political party leaders - please employ similar tools to get things done.
Foundation grant recipients for 2015 are: Avila Beach Civic Association for ongoing Community Center management services; Achievement House to continue summer season beach area cleanup services; Central Coast Aquarium's Scientists for a Day youth scholarship program; Avila Beach Jr. Lifeguard's summer camp; Cancer Well-Fit free fitness and recovery program for cancer survivors; Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School in Avila Beach to help purchase student iPads and charging cart; San Luis Obispo Film Festival's Avila Beach screenings venue; Port San Luis Mutt Mitts project; People's Self Help Housing for supportive services at their Avila Beach Lachen Tara subsidized housing complex; Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers Living History Program; creation of a new Avila Beach Historical Tour App; continued mailing of the monthly Avila Community News; and subsidizing the seasonal free Avila Beach Trolley. Additionally, through the Richard and Kathleen Zacky Family Foundation donor advised account at ABCF, a new Public Drinking Water Fountain at Old Port Beach that includes handicap and pet accessible faucets will be installed. We have also set aside funds for the creation and placement of a permanent artwork project along Front Street. Altogether, the Foundation will be investing over $76,000 in Avila Beach enhancement programs and projects in 2015. Since inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $2.1 million in grants throughout our local community.
Under the "what's new" category, one only need look towards Port San Luis Harbor District recent activities. Picking up steam are their efforts to develop the Harbor Terrace camping and recreation facility, that has reached the point of determining which of two proposals from private development and operations firms will be accepted. I had the opportunity to sit in on a couple of presentation meetings, and can tell you that this project is HUGE in terms of expense and magnitude. With much to consider, PSL commissioners are asking lots of questions and making considerable demands. You may wish to visit the Port's website - www.portsanluis.com - to learn more about project progress. And while the Harbor Terrace project is likely years away from completion, another more timely and pressing concern was introduced by Port Harbor Manager Steve McGrath that seeks support from the Avila Beach Community Foundation. We have been informed that nearly $1 million is required to repair damage incurred at the Avila Pier during the February, 2014 storm. Clear evidence can be seen via several sections of the pier now narrowed by temporary railings, necessary because of damaged railings and pilings holding up the pier. Some, but not all, of the aforementioned $1 million is available through state grants. Actual figures are still being calculated, but it appears that local monies will be required to fulfill the need. A sub-committee of the "Foundation" has been formed to help address the issue. It is important for the Port to address the repair work as soon as possible to help avoid what happened with the Cayucos Pier and resulting closure. Stay tuned for more information. That's it for now fellow Avilones. Have a safe and fun holiday season - and I'll see you at the beach.
Getting to the business at hand - last month I made mention of an extremely busy fall season for ABCF, what with the inaugural Avila Apple Festival and our annual grant making season happening back to back. I mentioned in October and November that grant requests from local organizations came in at record volume, collectively seeking around $130,000. Going into the Foundation's Trustee decision-making session, it was clear that opinions varied greatly on just what we should support for the coming year. Each Trustee is given the opportunity to rank applicants and suggest funding amounts, with that data placed onto a summary spreadsheet we use to begin the conversation. With a goal to allocate roughly 3% of the Foundation's investment portfolio, the task to measure and prioritize was tantamount. Despite the widely varied opinions, our Trustees came through in grand fashion using negotiating tools such as reasoning, compromising and being respectful of one another to rather easily agree upon grant awards. Note to our country's political party leaders - please employ similar tools to get things done.
Foundation grant recipients for 2015 are: Avila Beach Civic Association for ongoing Community Center management services; Achievement House to continue summer season beach area cleanup services; Central Coast Aquarium's Scientists for a Day youth scholarship program; Avila Beach Jr. Lifeguard's summer camp; Cancer Well-Fit free fitness and recovery program for cancer survivors; Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School in Avila Beach to help purchase student iPads and charging cart; San Luis Obispo Film Festival's Avila Beach screenings venue; Port San Luis Mutt Mitts project; People's Self Help Housing for supportive services at their Avila Beach Lachen Tara subsidized housing complex; Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers Living History Program; creation of a new Avila Beach Historical Tour App; continued mailing of the monthly Avila Community News; and subsidizing the seasonal free Avila Beach Trolley. Additionally, through the Richard and Kathleen Zacky Family Foundation donor advised account at ABCF, a new Public Drinking Water Fountain at Old Port Beach that includes handicap and pet accessible faucets will be installed. We have also set aside funds for the creation and placement of a permanent artwork project along Front Street. Altogether, the Foundation will be investing over $76,000 in Avila Beach enhancement programs and projects in 2015. Since inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $2.1 million in grants throughout our local community.
Under the "what's new" category, one only need look towards Port San Luis Harbor District recent activities. Picking up steam are their efforts to develop the Harbor Terrace camping and recreation facility, that has reached the point of determining which of two proposals from private development and operations firms will be accepted. I had the opportunity to sit in on a couple of presentation meetings, and can tell you that this project is HUGE in terms of expense and magnitude. With much to consider, PSL commissioners are asking lots of questions and making considerable demands. You may wish to visit the Port's website - www.portsanluis.com - to learn more about project progress. And while the Harbor Terrace project is likely years away from completion, another more timely and pressing concern was introduced by Port Harbor Manager Steve McGrath that seeks support from the Avila Beach Community Foundation. We have been informed that nearly $1 million is required to repair damage incurred at the Avila Pier during the February, 2014 storm. Clear evidence can be seen via several sections of the pier now narrowed by temporary railings, necessary because of damaged railings and pilings holding up the pier. Some, but not all, of the aforementioned $1 million is available through state grants. Actual figures are still being calculated, but it appears that local monies will be required to fulfill the need. A sub-committee of the "Foundation" has been formed to help address the issue. It is important for the Port to address the repair work as soon as possible to help avoid what happened with the Cayucos Pier and resulting closure. Stay tuned for more information. That's it for now fellow Avilones. Have a safe and fun holiday season - and I'll see you at the beach.
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