Greetings, fellow Avilones. One of the odd things about writing a monthly column is how much time elapses and how many things happen between publications. It seems like just yesterday that I was espousing about summer in Avila and all that goes with it. Then suddenly it’s about the holiday season and upcoming new year. Don’t get me wrong – I’m happy that my writing assignment is for only once each month, and I suspect you readers are, too.
Okay, now that I’ve wasted a precious paragraph of my limited space, it’s on to business. First off, let me report that the “Foundation” Board of Trustees has made its selections for 2017 grant recipients. At our November meeting, twelve grants were awarded, totaling just under $55,000. Beneficiaries for the coming year include the Central Coast Aquarium, Avila Beach Civic Association, Cancer Well-Fit, Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers, Avila Beach Jr. Lifeguards Program, Achievement House, People’s Self Help Housing, Port San Luis Harbor District, and the San Luis Obispo Film Festival. Plus, we will continue to support the Free Avila Trolley and P.O. Box delivery of the Avila/Pismo Community News. For details about grant recipients, feel free to visit our website – www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
You may recall that last month I provided an update on the long-awaited public art project – that being the historic and future rendition, painted panels being affixed to the Avila Beach Lifeguard towers. We now have a date on the books that you will want to add to your calendar. On January 14th at 3:00 p.m., there will be an unveiling celebration at the beach. In preparation for the installation, the towers have been moved closer to the beach railing, so just look for the towers and crowd when you arrive. Artist Colleen Gnos is working diligently and coming down the home stretch. I believe you will be delighted with the final product.
Next on the agenda, I offer you a recap of a meeting that took place on October 27th at the Community Center. Most of you are aware that SLO County is in the early stages of updating the area’s general plan, and that of Avila Beach (which has been a hot topic for quite some time). At the “Envision Avila” meeting, which was hosted by Concerned Citizens of Avila and attended 80+ members of the community, SLO County Planning staff presented an update of progress being made, timelines and tasks remaining. Among the more interesting elements of the presentation was a live survey conducted that night – using “clicker” technology (don’t know if that’s really a term) with instant results feedback. The audience was posed four questions along with multiple choices – such as (1) “If you had to choose your favorite thing about Avila it would be. (2) “Select two adjectives that describe Avila”. And (3) “What two community features are most important to you”. Plus, there was a Visioning Exercise whereby three statements were presented, and attendees were asked to choose which statement most matches their views. And now that I’ve tantalized you, I’m sure you wish to learn the outcome of the live survey. So, visit www.envisionavila.org to see the results and all related to the Avila Plan. You’ll have to do some navigating to find the live survey results, so don’t give up. Click on the “Meetings” tab near the top of the homepage, then look left, scroll down a bit to find “Documents from Meeting”, then click on “Final Presentation and Information” tabs. Well-deserved kudos go to Concerned Citizens of Avila for their efforts to keep us in the loop. To stay engaged, visit their website – www.concernedcitizens4avila.org.
Next, it is with great appreciation that I announce a recent grant of $5,000 awarded to the “Foundation” from Chevron in recognition of our work in the community. Chevron has supported our efforts in several ways over the years by sponsoring some of our events, workshops and community initiatives. This $5,000 grant is earmarked for the “Foundation’s” Emerging Needs and Opportunities Fund – an account we established years ago that enables us to respond to various requests for financial support that emerge in between our annual grant making season. Thank you, Chevron for being a valued community partner!
By the way, have you remembered to change the batteries in your smoke alarms, and to install carbon monoxide detectors? At the November meeting of the Avila Valley Advisory Council, Cal Fire Battalion Chief Paul Lee reminded us that the seasonal changes in daylight savings each year are the perfect times to complete these tasks. Be safe! And last, but never least, comes my annual reminder to all Avilones that we are so very fortunate to have the services of our local post office. So, be sure to always purchase your postage and ship your packages – especially during the holiday season - at our local outlet. Without sufficient revenue, there is no guarantee that the Avila Post Office will always be here. And it shouldn’t be left unsaid just how lucky we are to have such a friendly and competent staff at the post office (Mary, Julie and Cindy). Thanks for all you do!
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. Have a wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah, or whatever it is you celebrate this time of the year. See you at the beach!
Okay, now that I’ve wasted a precious paragraph of my limited space, it’s on to business. First off, let me report that the “Foundation” Board of Trustees has made its selections for 2017 grant recipients. At our November meeting, twelve grants were awarded, totaling just under $55,000. Beneficiaries for the coming year include the Central Coast Aquarium, Avila Beach Civic Association, Cancer Well-Fit, Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers, Avila Beach Jr. Lifeguards Program, Achievement House, People’s Self Help Housing, Port San Luis Harbor District, and the San Luis Obispo Film Festival. Plus, we will continue to support the Free Avila Trolley and P.O. Box delivery of the Avila/Pismo Community News. For details about grant recipients, feel free to visit our website – www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
You may recall that last month I provided an update on the long-awaited public art project – that being the historic and future rendition, painted panels being affixed to the Avila Beach Lifeguard towers. We now have a date on the books that you will want to add to your calendar. On January 14th at 3:00 p.m., there will be an unveiling celebration at the beach. In preparation for the installation, the towers have been moved closer to the beach railing, so just look for the towers and crowd when you arrive. Artist Colleen Gnos is working diligently and coming down the home stretch. I believe you will be delighted with the final product.
Next on the agenda, I offer you a recap of a meeting that took place on October 27th at the Community Center. Most of you are aware that SLO County is in the early stages of updating the area’s general plan, and that of Avila Beach (which has been a hot topic for quite some time). At the “Envision Avila” meeting, which was hosted by Concerned Citizens of Avila and attended 80+ members of the community, SLO County Planning staff presented an update of progress being made, timelines and tasks remaining. Among the more interesting elements of the presentation was a live survey conducted that night – using “clicker” technology (don’t know if that’s really a term) with instant results feedback. The audience was posed four questions along with multiple choices – such as (1) “If you had to choose your favorite thing about Avila it would be. (2) “Select two adjectives that describe Avila”. And (3) “What two community features are most important to you”. Plus, there was a Visioning Exercise whereby three statements were presented, and attendees were asked to choose which statement most matches their views. And now that I’ve tantalized you, I’m sure you wish to learn the outcome of the live survey. So, visit www.envisionavila.org to see the results and all related to the Avila Plan. You’ll have to do some navigating to find the live survey results, so don’t give up. Click on the “Meetings” tab near the top of the homepage, then look left, scroll down a bit to find “Documents from Meeting”, then click on “Final Presentation and Information” tabs. Well-deserved kudos go to Concerned Citizens of Avila for their efforts to keep us in the loop. To stay engaged, visit their website – www.concernedcitizens4avila.org.
Next, it is with great appreciation that I announce a recent grant of $5,000 awarded to the “Foundation” from Chevron in recognition of our work in the community. Chevron has supported our efforts in several ways over the years by sponsoring some of our events, workshops and community initiatives. This $5,000 grant is earmarked for the “Foundation’s” Emerging Needs and Opportunities Fund – an account we established years ago that enables us to respond to various requests for financial support that emerge in between our annual grant making season. Thank you, Chevron for being a valued community partner!
By the way, have you remembered to change the batteries in your smoke alarms, and to install carbon monoxide detectors? At the November meeting of the Avila Valley Advisory Council, Cal Fire Battalion Chief Paul Lee reminded us that the seasonal changes in daylight savings each year are the perfect times to complete these tasks. Be safe! And last, but never least, comes my annual reminder to all Avilones that we are so very fortunate to have the services of our local post office. So, be sure to always purchase your postage and ship your packages – especially during the holiday season - at our local outlet. Without sufficient revenue, there is no guarantee that the Avila Post Office will always be here. And it shouldn’t be left unsaid just how lucky we are to have such a friendly and competent staff at the post office (Mary, Julie and Cindy). Thanks for all you do!
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. Have a wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah, or whatever it is you celebrate this time of the year. See you at the beach!
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