Greetings, fellow “Avilones.” Here we are, another year has passed and 2019 is now in our rearview mirror. With a healthy dose of “2020 vision” at our disposal, perhaps we can look forward to a new year that surprises all of us – one that moves towards promoting national and international harmony. A year where the greater good focuses on the welfare of the many, not just the few. A year where leaders come together not solely for the benefit of the powerful, but also for those whose voices are not so easily heard. Does that sound too idealistic? Probably so, but settling for the status quo is, in my mind, giving in to the growing divide between the rich and the poor, the healthy and the infirm, the possible and the impossible. My steadfast idealism is the result of a four decades long career in the non-profit sector – most of those years working for agencies that served the less fortunate and vulnerable members of our society. I don’t take for granted the life I now enjoy in Avila Beach. It affords me comfort and security beyond that which I hoped for while growing up. But I never forget about those I was privileged to help serve in my various capacities along the way.
Okay – that’s enough editorializing for now. Let’s get to some current, local business. First, I want to announce the Avila Beach Community Foundation Board of Trustees for 2020. Returning officers are: Board President Mike Ginn, Vice President Cyndy Lakowske, and Treasurer Richard Zacky. Ellen Pitrowski is stepping into the role of Secretary, following the retirement of Gary Maier. Returning Trustees are: Bev Aho, Lucinda Borchard, Joe Caradonna, Patrick Corrigan, Saul Goldberg, Percy Jones, Barbara Nicholson, Paul Prather, and Brooke Salvini. This is a delightful and insightful group of volunteers that help bring professionalism and credibility to our organization. To learn more about each, please visit our website – www.avilabeachfoundation.org. A special word of thanks to Gary Maier for his five productive years on the board. Great job, Gary, and good luck in future endeavors!
As usual, there are matters pertaining to the future of Avila Beach that could be, or should be, of interest to all of us. Much of what I personally learn about pending issues comes from attending the monthly meetings of the Avila Valley Advisory Council. I like to remind my fellow “Avilones” on a regular basis that AVAC meetings are THE place to go to stay in touch with what’s happening in our community. If you can’t make the meetings that occur on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the PG&E Visitor Center, you can visit the AVAC website to read meeting minutes for an overview of related activities – https://avac-avila.org. Along that line, you are invited to attend an upcoming informational meeting regarding the Avila Beach Drive at US 101 Interchange Project, taking place from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on January 13, 2020 at the PG&E Visitor Center on Ontario Road. I imagine all of you are aware of what is one of the most dangerous intersections in our county, and after many years of discussions and planning things are finally moving forward on solutions to the problem. County staff will be presenting an update at the 1/13 gathering, so I urge you to drop by at 6:00 p.m., then also stay for the 7:00 p.m. AVAC meeting. It will be worth your time.
As we enter a new decade, it behooves me to remember that Avila Beach continues to attract new residents – most of whom don’t know the historic connection between our town and the Avila Beach Community Foundation. So, let’s take a brief walk down what is memory lane for you veterans, and a history lesson for the rookies. Back in the early to mid-1990s, oil was discovered to have seeped into our town’s commercial and residential zones, and onto our beach front. Through litigation, UNOCAL was found to be responsible for the contamination, and required to “clean up the mess.” Removing the oil caused most of the commercial district to be razed and rebuilt, along with a hefty portion of the residential section. Businesses and individuals were temporarily displaced – and some never returned. In addition to the penalties incurred and costs of repairs, UNOCAL was required to write a check for $3.2 million to create an endowment to be used for future support of Avila Beach. For a brief period that sum was held temporarily by the Avila Beach Community Services District as a new organization was formed in 1998 (the Avila Beach Community Foundation) to accept, house, invest and allocate monies from the fund. Here we are, 22 years later. The town doesn’t look or feel the same – some will say for better and some will say for worse. But the “Foundation” has been here through thick and thin, has helped acquire and invest more than $3 million in local organizations and enhancement projects, and hosted numerous community engagement activities. We plan to be here as long as there is an Avila Beach. Learn more about us by visiting www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
That’s it for now, fellow “Avilones.” See you at the beach.
Okay – that’s enough editorializing for now. Let’s get to some current, local business. First, I want to announce the Avila Beach Community Foundation Board of Trustees for 2020. Returning officers are: Board President Mike Ginn, Vice President Cyndy Lakowske, and Treasurer Richard Zacky. Ellen Pitrowski is stepping into the role of Secretary, following the retirement of Gary Maier. Returning Trustees are: Bev Aho, Lucinda Borchard, Joe Caradonna, Patrick Corrigan, Saul Goldberg, Percy Jones, Barbara Nicholson, Paul Prather, and Brooke Salvini. This is a delightful and insightful group of volunteers that help bring professionalism and credibility to our organization. To learn more about each, please visit our website – www.avilabeachfoundation.org. A special word of thanks to Gary Maier for his five productive years on the board. Great job, Gary, and good luck in future endeavors!
As usual, there are matters pertaining to the future of Avila Beach that could be, or should be, of interest to all of us. Much of what I personally learn about pending issues comes from attending the monthly meetings of the Avila Valley Advisory Council. I like to remind my fellow “Avilones” on a regular basis that AVAC meetings are THE place to go to stay in touch with what’s happening in our community. If you can’t make the meetings that occur on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the PG&E Visitor Center, you can visit the AVAC website to read meeting minutes for an overview of related activities – https://avac-avila.org. Along that line, you are invited to attend an upcoming informational meeting regarding the Avila Beach Drive at US 101 Interchange Project, taking place from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on January 13, 2020 at the PG&E Visitor Center on Ontario Road. I imagine all of you are aware of what is one of the most dangerous intersections in our county, and after many years of discussions and planning things are finally moving forward on solutions to the problem. County staff will be presenting an update at the 1/13 gathering, so I urge you to drop by at 6:00 p.m., then also stay for the 7:00 p.m. AVAC meeting. It will be worth your time.
As we enter a new decade, it behooves me to remember that Avila Beach continues to attract new residents – most of whom don’t know the historic connection between our town and the Avila Beach Community Foundation. So, let’s take a brief walk down what is memory lane for you veterans, and a history lesson for the rookies. Back in the early to mid-1990s, oil was discovered to have seeped into our town’s commercial and residential zones, and onto our beach front. Through litigation, UNOCAL was found to be responsible for the contamination, and required to “clean up the mess.” Removing the oil caused most of the commercial district to be razed and rebuilt, along with a hefty portion of the residential section. Businesses and individuals were temporarily displaced – and some never returned. In addition to the penalties incurred and costs of repairs, UNOCAL was required to write a check for $3.2 million to create an endowment to be used for future support of Avila Beach. For a brief period that sum was held temporarily by the Avila Beach Community Services District as a new organization was formed in 1998 (the Avila Beach Community Foundation) to accept, house, invest and allocate monies from the fund. Here we are, 22 years later. The town doesn’t look or feel the same – some will say for better and some will say for worse. But the “Foundation” has been here through thick and thin, has helped acquire and invest more than $3 million in local organizations and enhancement projects, and hosted numerous community engagement activities. We plan to be here as long as there is an Avila Beach. Learn more about us by visiting www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
That’s it for now, fellow “Avilones.” See you at the beach.
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