Greetings, fellow Avilones. Happy New Year one and all! Yep, we made it – er limped – through 2022, and now face the challenges of 2023. The first task is post-holiday tidying up. Put the decorations back in the closet, place the used gift wrap in the trash, and figure which of the gifts you received need to be returned for store credit towards something you can actually use. At the beginning of last year Covid was still very much on our minds. Booster shots were readily available, people were still wearing masks at indoor locations, but things began to open up by mid-year (thankfully). While Covid is still a factor – particularly these winter months – greater concerns loom over the economy, and the prediction by some that a recession is coming seems to dominate the news these days. Interest rates are up, real estate sales are cooling, and inflation just won’t go away and leave us alone. At least gasoline prices are going down. Kinda makes me want to go for a drive just to enjoy the savings.
The Foundation Board of Trustees has been shuffled a bit heading into 2023. Retiring from our board is Mike Ginn, who has served for 12 years – three as President. Dang, we will miss him! Next on the “shuffle” list is 2022 President Cyndy Lakowske who, along with husband Steve, is relocating to Sedona in a few months and will leave the board at that time – another great loss for the Foundation and our community. Fortunately, 2022 Vice-President Barbara Nicholson has stepped into the 2023 Presidency – she will be terrific! Replacing Barbara as Vice-President is Saul Golberg, who has been with us since 2016. Ellen Pitrowski enters her fourth year as Secretary, and Patrick Corrigan enters his second year as Treasurer. Rounding out our line-up for 2023 are returning Trustees Bev Aho, Lucinda Borchard, Joe Caradonna, Percy Jones, Paul Prather, Debra Pritchard and Richard Zacky. My thanks to each of them for their dedication to the community.
Preview of Coming Attractions: Last month I mentioned that the “Foundation” had been in discussions with local historian Pete Kelley about the sharing of his incredible treasure trove of old-time photos and stories about Avila in the early days. Well, the date is set! Pete will offer these photos and his knowledge via a slide-show presentation and narrative on Thursday evening, March 30th at the Avila Beach Community Center. Mark your calendars and be on the look-out for an invitation to attend in another month or so. The event is free, but will be limited to the first 80 people who sign-up. Dinner is NOT included, but available will be some desserts, coffee and adult beverages.
Coming Through in the Clutch: We at the “Foundation” were delighted to receive a year-end grant from PG&E in the amount of $10,000. These funds will be used for our ongoing Avila Beach beautification projects, such as the seasonal beach-area sand and debris removal program, the maintenance and restoration of Avila’s public art installations, and towards the removal of graffiti on local public structures. Many thanks to PG&E for the company’s longstanding commitment to our community, and to PG&E Public Policy and External Affairs Eric Daniels for his advocacy on our behalf.
Some of you may have noticed the graffiti attack earlier this year on one of the Avila Beach Lifeguard Towers murals that have been enjoyed by so many since installed by local artist Colleen Gnos. I am pleased to report that Colleen and local Avilone Bev Aho recently applied some “elbow grease” to remove the graffiti, after which Colleen touched up the damaged area using her special skills. While we can hope no further attacks occur, it is likely that there will be more knuckleheads out there just waiting for the opportunity to ruin things for the rest of us. Thankfully the “Foundation” has a special fund set aside to pay for any further graffiti or damage to Avila’s public art installations.
That’s all for now Avilone's. See you at the beach!
The Foundation Board of Trustees has been shuffled a bit heading into 2023. Retiring from our board is Mike Ginn, who has served for 12 years – three as President. Dang, we will miss him! Next on the “shuffle” list is 2022 President Cyndy Lakowske who, along with husband Steve, is relocating to Sedona in a few months and will leave the board at that time – another great loss for the Foundation and our community. Fortunately, 2022 Vice-President Barbara Nicholson has stepped into the 2023 Presidency – she will be terrific! Replacing Barbara as Vice-President is Saul Golberg, who has been with us since 2016. Ellen Pitrowski enters her fourth year as Secretary, and Patrick Corrigan enters his second year as Treasurer. Rounding out our line-up for 2023 are returning Trustees Bev Aho, Lucinda Borchard, Joe Caradonna, Percy Jones, Paul Prather, Debra Pritchard and Richard Zacky. My thanks to each of them for their dedication to the community.
Preview of Coming Attractions: Last month I mentioned that the “Foundation” had been in discussions with local historian Pete Kelley about the sharing of his incredible treasure trove of old-time photos and stories about Avila in the early days. Well, the date is set! Pete will offer these photos and his knowledge via a slide-show presentation and narrative on Thursday evening, March 30th at the Avila Beach Community Center. Mark your calendars and be on the look-out for an invitation to attend in another month or so. The event is free, but will be limited to the first 80 people who sign-up. Dinner is NOT included, but available will be some desserts, coffee and adult beverages.
Coming Through in the Clutch: We at the “Foundation” were delighted to receive a year-end grant from PG&E in the amount of $10,000. These funds will be used for our ongoing Avila Beach beautification projects, such as the seasonal beach-area sand and debris removal program, the maintenance and restoration of Avila’s public art installations, and towards the removal of graffiti on local public structures. Many thanks to PG&E for the company’s longstanding commitment to our community, and to PG&E Public Policy and External Affairs Eric Daniels for his advocacy on our behalf.
Some of you may have noticed the graffiti attack earlier this year on one of the Avila Beach Lifeguard Towers murals that have been enjoyed by so many since installed by local artist Colleen Gnos. I am pleased to report that Colleen and local Avilone Bev Aho recently applied some “elbow grease” to remove the graffiti, after which Colleen touched up the damaged area using her special skills. While we can hope no further attacks occur, it is likely that there will be more knuckleheads out there just waiting for the opportunity to ruin things for the rest of us. Thankfully the “Foundation” has a special fund set aside to pay for any further graffiti or damage to Avila’s public art installations.
That’s all for now Avilone's. See you at the beach!
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