Greetings, fellow Avilones. While contemplating the content for this December’s newsletter, I decided to first look back at last December’s content. In it, my first paragraph kicked off with this, ”Another December has arrived, and the year is coming to a challenging end. What a strange journey it has been”. Well, at the time I never imagined that this “strange journey” would still exist a full year later, but here we are, somewhat running in place. The country as a whole has haltingly re-opened with businesses and schools functioning better than they were twelve months ago. But we are still dealing with the pandemic and politics of vaccinations, masking, etc. I hope that my December 2022 column will not require another visit to this situation.
I’m sure you are aware of the current real estate market, which has been booming for months. Home prices have exploded, especially here in Avila Beach, where many properties have sold within days (sometime hours), and often for considerably more than the listing prices. One home in the Pelican Point development inside San Luis Bay Estates went on the market for $950,000 and sold shortly thereafter for $1.2 million! Crazy, huh? In spite of escalating prices, there have been many new folks moving into the Avila Beach neighborhoods. Seeing all those moving vans brought me back to when my wife and I first arrived here in 1995. We were so excited back then, though over the course of time I have forgotten just how special that moment was. Sleeping bags on the floor that first night while waiting for the furniture to arrive. The distant sound of the lighthouse fog horn serenading us. Seeing all these newly arriving, elated Avilones has served as a refresher for me. I cannot imagine living anywhere else!
Two columns ago I put out an appeal seeking stories from readers about how they came to arrive in Avila Beach. I heard back from John and Robin Kirby, who wrote, “We ended up in Avila Beach in 2010 after having lived in Long Beach, CA for 36 years, and came here because we were looking to leave the Southern Calif. crush. We have friends who have been living in SLO since 1975 who we would see occasionally. Those visits, along with more frequent wine country exploration and retirement in 2004, sparked an interest in exploring the Central Coast with the idea of possibly “dropping anchor” here permanently. As far as Avila Beach is concerned, we are truly “the blind squirrels who found the nut”! Our friends tipped us to the town, its microclimate and outdoor activities, and we were then on a mission to find a home here. Mission accomplished………and still pinching ourselves!” Thank you, John and Robin, for sharing your story.
I have mentioned many times the value of participating in meetings of the Avila Valley Advisory Council, which takes place on a monthly basis – usually the second Monday at 7:00p.m. There is much to be learned about our community at those gatherings, along with opportunities to share concerns and ask questions. One alarming thing I learned at the November AVAC meeting came in the form of warnings about rising cases of crime occurring in Avila Beach and Avila Valley. Several residents reported incidents of mailbox and package delivery theft, vehicle break-ins and vandalism. Local postal employee Mary Chiu suggested that those in the Avila Valley neighborhoods with free-standing mail boxes should consider installing receptacles with locking mechanisms, or make an effort to pick up their mail early in the day. The Sheriff’s Department reminds us to keep our vehicles locked and to not leave valuables inside. Avila Beach has for so long seemed like a sanctuary from some of life’s evils, and still is in comparison to most places. But we must take precautions and be on the lookout for those wishing to do us harm.
Last but not least are two things I remind you of each December. Cal Fire Battalion Chief Paul Lee says it’s time to replace the batteries in our smoke alarms and check our carbon monoxide detectors. The seasonal changes in daylight savings each year are the perfect periods to complete these tasks. Also, I urge you to always purchase your postage and ship your packages at our local Avila Beach Post Office to keep it financially viable. We are so fortunate to be able to avoid the long lines at busier post offices in SLO County, and the friendly and helpful services of Mary, Julie and Cindy are greatly appreciated.
That being said, let me wish you Avilones a joyous Christmas and Hanukkah holiday season. See you at the beach!
I’m sure you are aware of the current real estate market, which has been booming for months. Home prices have exploded, especially here in Avila Beach, where many properties have sold within days (sometime hours), and often for considerably more than the listing prices. One home in the Pelican Point development inside San Luis Bay Estates went on the market for $950,000 and sold shortly thereafter for $1.2 million! Crazy, huh? In spite of escalating prices, there have been many new folks moving into the Avila Beach neighborhoods. Seeing all those moving vans brought me back to when my wife and I first arrived here in 1995. We were so excited back then, though over the course of time I have forgotten just how special that moment was. Sleeping bags on the floor that first night while waiting for the furniture to arrive. The distant sound of the lighthouse fog horn serenading us. Seeing all these newly arriving, elated Avilones has served as a refresher for me. I cannot imagine living anywhere else!
Two columns ago I put out an appeal seeking stories from readers about how they came to arrive in Avila Beach. I heard back from John and Robin Kirby, who wrote, “We ended up in Avila Beach in 2010 after having lived in Long Beach, CA for 36 years, and came here because we were looking to leave the Southern Calif. crush. We have friends who have been living in SLO since 1975 who we would see occasionally. Those visits, along with more frequent wine country exploration and retirement in 2004, sparked an interest in exploring the Central Coast with the idea of possibly “dropping anchor” here permanently. As far as Avila Beach is concerned, we are truly “the blind squirrels who found the nut”! Our friends tipped us to the town, its microclimate and outdoor activities, and we were then on a mission to find a home here. Mission accomplished………and still pinching ourselves!” Thank you, John and Robin, for sharing your story.
I have mentioned many times the value of participating in meetings of the Avila Valley Advisory Council, which takes place on a monthly basis – usually the second Monday at 7:00p.m. There is much to be learned about our community at those gatherings, along with opportunities to share concerns and ask questions. One alarming thing I learned at the November AVAC meeting came in the form of warnings about rising cases of crime occurring in Avila Beach and Avila Valley. Several residents reported incidents of mailbox and package delivery theft, vehicle break-ins and vandalism. Local postal employee Mary Chiu suggested that those in the Avila Valley neighborhoods with free-standing mail boxes should consider installing receptacles with locking mechanisms, or make an effort to pick up their mail early in the day. The Sheriff’s Department reminds us to keep our vehicles locked and to not leave valuables inside. Avila Beach has for so long seemed like a sanctuary from some of life’s evils, and still is in comparison to most places. But we must take precautions and be on the lookout for those wishing to do us harm.
Last but not least are two things I remind you of each December. Cal Fire Battalion Chief Paul Lee says it’s time to replace the batteries in our smoke alarms and check our carbon monoxide detectors. The seasonal changes in daylight savings each year are the perfect periods to complete these tasks. Also, I urge you to always purchase your postage and ship your packages at our local Avila Beach Post Office to keep it financially viable. We are so fortunate to be able to avoid the long lines at busier post offices in SLO County, and the friendly and helpful services of Mary, Julie and Cindy are greatly appreciated.
That being said, let me wish you Avilones a joyous Christmas and Hanukkah holiday season. See you at the beach!
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