Greetings, fellow Avilones. Well, here we are, on the threshold of another Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Eve. Let the chaos begin! If you have driven by, or to, Costco, Target, Walmart, etc., it feels like holiday gift shopping has already switched into high gear. Traffic is heavy, parking lots are filled and checkout lines are long. I keep reading about the dire economy, but that sure doesn’t seem to be the case here in SLO County. I’m already feeling the pressure that comes with selecting the right presents for family and friends. Maybe I’ll just take a very long December nap and wake up in January when things have calmed down (haha).
You may recall some of my past columns where I shared with you the good deeds of organizations supported by the Avila Beach Community Foundation through our grant-making initiatives. One of those organizations is Operation Surf, with its mission of empowering wounded veterans and active-duty military personnel through the healing power of the ocean, surfing and community here in Avila Beach. Operation Surf has touched many lives, and often hears back from clients who have benefited from their services. I recently received from Operation Surf Executive Director Amanda Curaza the copy of a letter of gratitude from a veteran participant of theirs, which I would like to share with you.
Anonymous wrote, “I got out of the Navy 14 years ago with a dark stain of trauma. Since then, I have been hiding and maneuvering to be invisible, due to the painful effects of PTSD and its compulsion to avoid being seen or noticed. The resulting isolation and shame ultimately seduces the mind to think suicide seems to be the only solution. So, finally, to be seen in a true way amongst the “OpSurfers” and now accepted as I am is freeing. This witnessing allowed me to release the burden of the dark thoughts of isolation. Operation Surf created an environment where I felt that I mattered, and I came to know it. The gift of 14 years of trauma being washed away by this experience is truly priceless!”
For me, the most fulfilling part of my job is knowing that the financial support we provide the community does indeed make a huge difference. Operation Surf is just one example. If you want to view for yourself the range of grants we’ve awarded in the past, check out the “Foundation’s” website: www.avilabeachfoundation.org. Click on the tab “Grant Info”, then” past grantees”.
One of the historically cherished landmarks in Avila Beach is the famed Avila Pier, which has been closed for several years following damage to the pilings and structure during repeated storms of recent years. Repair work is underway, and the Port San Luis Harbor District and its fundraising arm, “Friends of Avila Pier” continue to seek funds to complete the job. I am pleased to report that our “Foundation” Trustees recently voted to approve a $5,000 contribution towards this effort. If you are interested in donating to the cause, visit www.AvilaPier.org and click on the “donate” tab.
Speaking of the Avila Pier, I am also pleased to report that we are working with the Harbor District to replace the current drinking foundation at the restrooms near the foot of the pier with a more environmentally sensitive alternative. Thanks to the generosity of one of our “Foundation’s” donor-advised funds, the Richard and Kathleen Zacky Family Fund, a new hydration system that includes a water bottle refilling station will soon be installed. Hopefully this will result in fewer disposable water bottles making their way into the trash heap.
Many folks in our community like to stay abreast of what’s happening with the Diablo Canyon Power Plant operational extension plans. We recently received the following update from Eric Daniels, PG&E Public Policy and External Affairs for San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties:
“In September of last year, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 846 (Dodd) into law, which directed PG&E to pursue the extended operations of the clean energy facility that generates 2,200 megawatts of baseline electricity, providing approximately 17% of California’s zero-carbon electricity supply and 8.6% of the state’s total electricity supply. Lawmakers took this step to ensure statewide electrical reliability and to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. The NRC will now determine whether our application is sufficient. If the NRC staff finds the LRA acceptable, we would be approved to continue operating past our current operating licenses while the NRC reviews the application. The federal review of our license renewal application is a multi-year review process with opportunities for public involvement.”
Well, the time has come for a final farewell. My 15-year tenure as the Avila Beach Community Foundation Executive Director ends on December 31st, and this is my last column.
So, I leave you with my usual closing, “that’s it for now, fellow Avilones, see you at the beach.” I know you will welcome my able successor, Rick Rowe, as he leads the “Foundation” towards the future.
You may recall some of my past columns where I shared with you the good deeds of organizations supported by the Avila Beach Community Foundation through our grant-making initiatives. One of those organizations is Operation Surf, with its mission of empowering wounded veterans and active-duty military personnel through the healing power of the ocean, surfing and community here in Avila Beach. Operation Surf has touched many lives, and often hears back from clients who have benefited from their services. I recently received from Operation Surf Executive Director Amanda Curaza the copy of a letter of gratitude from a veteran participant of theirs, which I would like to share with you.
Anonymous wrote, “I got out of the Navy 14 years ago with a dark stain of trauma. Since then, I have been hiding and maneuvering to be invisible, due to the painful effects of PTSD and its compulsion to avoid being seen or noticed. The resulting isolation and shame ultimately seduces the mind to think suicide seems to be the only solution. So, finally, to be seen in a true way amongst the “OpSurfers” and now accepted as I am is freeing. This witnessing allowed me to release the burden of the dark thoughts of isolation. Operation Surf created an environment where I felt that I mattered, and I came to know it. The gift of 14 years of trauma being washed away by this experience is truly priceless!”
For me, the most fulfilling part of my job is knowing that the financial support we provide the community does indeed make a huge difference. Operation Surf is just one example. If you want to view for yourself the range of grants we’ve awarded in the past, check out the “Foundation’s” website: www.avilabeachfoundation.org. Click on the tab “Grant Info”, then” past grantees”.
One of the historically cherished landmarks in Avila Beach is the famed Avila Pier, which has been closed for several years following damage to the pilings and structure during repeated storms of recent years. Repair work is underway, and the Port San Luis Harbor District and its fundraising arm, “Friends of Avila Pier” continue to seek funds to complete the job. I am pleased to report that our “Foundation” Trustees recently voted to approve a $5,000 contribution towards this effort. If you are interested in donating to the cause, visit www.AvilaPier.org and click on the “donate” tab.
Speaking of the Avila Pier, I am also pleased to report that we are working with the Harbor District to replace the current drinking foundation at the restrooms near the foot of the pier with a more environmentally sensitive alternative. Thanks to the generosity of one of our “Foundation’s” donor-advised funds, the Richard and Kathleen Zacky Family Fund, a new hydration system that includes a water bottle refilling station will soon be installed. Hopefully this will result in fewer disposable water bottles making their way into the trash heap.
Many folks in our community like to stay abreast of what’s happening with the Diablo Canyon Power Plant operational extension plans. We recently received the following update from Eric Daniels, PG&E Public Policy and External Affairs for San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties:
“In September of last year, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 846 (Dodd) into law, which directed PG&E to pursue the extended operations of the clean energy facility that generates 2,200 megawatts of baseline electricity, providing approximately 17% of California’s zero-carbon electricity supply and 8.6% of the state’s total electricity supply. Lawmakers took this step to ensure statewide electrical reliability and to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. The NRC will now determine whether our application is sufficient. If the NRC staff finds the LRA acceptable, we would be approved to continue operating past our current operating licenses while the NRC reviews the application. The federal review of our license renewal application is a multi-year review process with opportunities for public involvement.”
Well, the time has come for a final farewell. My 15-year tenure as the Avila Beach Community Foundation Executive Director ends on December 31st, and this is my last column.
So, I leave you with my usual closing, “that’s it for now, fellow Avilones, see you at the beach.” I know you will welcome my able successor, Rick Rowe, as he leads the “Foundation” towards the future.
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