Happy New Year, fellow Avilones!!! I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday season, and are ready to face 2014 head on. Not one to make resolutions based on each new calendar year, I do, nevertheless, set personal and professional goals to help keep me on track. Likewise does the Avila Beach Foundation establish goals, and is poised to make 2014 a banner year as we strive to increase our impact and influence for the benefit of the entire community. While we are excited and look forward to coming events, we sadly bid a fond farewell to longtime friend Boyd Horne, who has retired from our Board of Trustees after five years in that role, preceded by eight years as the Foundation’s executive director, the position presently occupied by me. Boyd’s calming presence, thoughtful perspectives and subtle sense of humor will be greatly missed. Best wishes and THANK YOU, Boyd!
In last month’s column I mentioned that the Foundation has targeted the fall of 2014 to hold a new community event – the Avila Apples Festival – with work beginning this month in the form of a brainstorming session among various Avila stakeholders and other interested individuals. Being spearheaded by the Foundation’s Program Specialist, Penny Burciaga, this event has exciting possibilities as it highlights what has become one of Avila’s most notable natural resources. Apple orchards in the Valley abound, and folks throughout the entire county partake of its bounty. If you wish to participate on our planning committee, contact Penny or me at 595-4095.
Be sure to mark your calendar and reserve your spot for the upcoming Avila Beach Town Hall Forum III, scheduled for February 20th at the Community Center. This informational event is held every two years, and designed to bring Avila citizens up to date on the various community projects and commercial developments that impact the Avila Beach lifestyle. Once again, County Supervisor Adam Hill is sponsoring the Forum, so the event is free and open to Avila Beach/Valley residents only, and includes a complimentary dinner catered by Julie Andrews-Scott of Central Coast Green Cuisine. In addition to the presentation by Supervisor Hill, we will also receive updates on various land developments and operations from PG&E, Chevron, Port San Luis, SLO County Recreation and Parks, and Cal Fire. If the turnout for Forums I and II is any indication, seats for Forum III will be filled quickly. We have room for only 75 guests, so visit our website and reserve your spots soon at www.avilabeachfoundation.org. Look for the event flyer located in this edition of the Avila Community News.
For those of you who like to keep abreast of such matters, at the December meeting of the Avila Valley Advisory Council (AVAC) I learned that there is a new vacation ordinance in place that affects Avila Beach rental property owners and their neighbors. To get the details, I suggest you either call the Planning Department at 781-5600, or email [email protected]. While on the topic of AVAC, it appears it might be time again for me to explain the “alphabet soup of ABCs” directory of Avila Beach organizations. I do so because I’ve run into several locals who are still confused by the acronyms by which we groups identify ourselves, so here goes. AVAC = Avila Beach Advisory Council. This group meets the second Monday evening of each month, and is composed of individuals who represent the various neighborhoods and regions of the greater Avila area. The Council hears reports from a variety of County departments and public safety agencies, and tackles a wide range of topics. ABCA = Avila Beach Civic Association. This is the entity responsible for running the ABCC = Avila Beach Community Center, which by now most of you know is the central gathering place for social events and other activities. ABCSD = Avila Beach Community Services District. Those of you who live in the beach area know that this body oversees water, sewer and trash services. With office space located in the Community Center, some people assume a relationship between ABCSD and ABCA extends beyond tenant and landlord – it does not. ABCF = Avila Beach Community Foundation. Of course, EVERYONE knows who we are (he says wishfully), while in fact even some people who know me personally think the Foundation runs the Community Center. So, I just roll my eyes and explain that I do indeed have office space at the Center, but have nothing to do with its operations. Yes, the Foundation allocated a large chunk of money to help rebuild the Community Center, and makes annual grants to cover some of the management costs, but that’s all.
For those who remember and wonder what happened to ABA = Avila Business Association - after a long run that helped revitalize the business community following the rebuilding of Avila, that group is now on the brink of formally disbanding and making way for what will be known as the ABBN = Avila Business to Business Network - which will likely officially fall under the umbrella of the aforementioned Avila Beach Civic Association (ABCA). And lest I not forget, one of the newer players on the scene is ABTA = Avila Beach Tourism Alliance. You don’t hear much about them because they have a singular purpose to market lodging occupancy, or, as they say, “put heads in beds” at Avila hotels and resorts. Their efforts bring tourist dollars to our community, which helps us thrive and stay economically strong. So there you have it, but don’t worry, you won’t be tested so you can put down your pencils. However, you may be quizzed in the future. That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2014. See you at the beach!!
In last month’s column I mentioned that the Foundation has targeted the fall of 2014 to hold a new community event – the Avila Apples Festival – with work beginning this month in the form of a brainstorming session among various Avila stakeholders and other interested individuals. Being spearheaded by the Foundation’s Program Specialist, Penny Burciaga, this event has exciting possibilities as it highlights what has become one of Avila’s most notable natural resources. Apple orchards in the Valley abound, and folks throughout the entire county partake of its bounty. If you wish to participate on our planning committee, contact Penny or me at 595-4095.
Be sure to mark your calendar and reserve your spot for the upcoming Avila Beach Town Hall Forum III, scheduled for February 20th at the Community Center. This informational event is held every two years, and designed to bring Avila citizens up to date on the various community projects and commercial developments that impact the Avila Beach lifestyle. Once again, County Supervisor Adam Hill is sponsoring the Forum, so the event is free and open to Avila Beach/Valley residents only, and includes a complimentary dinner catered by Julie Andrews-Scott of Central Coast Green Cuisine. In addition to the presentation by Supervisor Hill, we will also receive updates on various land developments and operations from PG&E, Chevron, Port San Luis, SLO County Recreation and Parks, and Cal Fire. If the turnout for Forums I and II is any indication, seats for Forum III will be filled quickly. We have room for only 75 guests, so visit our website and reserve your spots soon at www.avilabeachfoundation.org. Look for the event flyer located in this edition of the Avila Community News.
For those of you who like to keep abreast of such matters, at the December meeting of the Avila Valley Advisory Council (AVAC) I learned that there is a new vacation ordinance in place that affects Avila Beach rental property owners and their neighbors. To get the details, I suggest you either call the Planning Department at 781-5600, or email [email protected]. While on the topic of AVAC, it appears it might be time again for me to explain the “alphabet soup of ABCs” directory of Avila Beach organizations. I do so because I’ve run into several locals who are still confused by the acronyms by which we groups identify ourselves, so here goes. AVAC = Avila Beach Advisory Council. This group meets the second Monday evening of each month, and is composed of individuals who represent the various neighborhoods and regions of the greater Avila area. The Council hears reports from a variety of County departments and public safety agencies, and tackles a wide range of topics. ABCA = Avila Beach Civic Association. This is the entity responsible for running the ABCC = Avila Beach Community Center, which by now most of you know is the central gathering place for social events and other activities. ABCSD = Avila Beach Community Services District. Those of you who live in the beach area know that this body oversees water, sewer and trash services. With office space located in the Community Center, some people assume a relationship between ABCSD and ABCA extends beyond tenant and landlord – it does not. ABCF = Avila Beach Community Foundation. Of course, EVERYONE knows who we are (he says wishfully), while in fact even some people who know me personally think the Foundation runs the Community Center. So, I just roll my eyes and explain that I do indeed have office space at the Center, but have nothing to do with its operations. Yes, the Foundation allocated a large chunk of money to help rebuild the Community Center, and makes annual grants to cover some of the management costs, but that’s all.
For those who remember and wonder what happened to ABA = Avila Business Association - after a long run that helped revitalize the business community following the rebuilding of Avila, that group is now on the brink of formally disbanding and making way for what will be known as the ABBN = Avila Business to Business Network - which will likely officially fall under the umbrella of the aforementioned Avila Beach Civic Association (ABCA). And lest I not forget, one of the newer players on the scene is ABTA = Avila Beach Tourism Alliance. You don’t hear much about them because they have a singular purpose to market lodging occupancy, or, as they say, “put heads in beds” at Avila hotels and resorts. Their efforts bring tourist dollars to our community, which helps us thrive and stay economically strong. So there you have it, but don’t worry, you won’t be tested so you can put down your pencils. However, you may be quizzed in the future. That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2014. See you at the beach!!
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