Hello fellow Avilones. We are now firmly into the summer season, which started out with a whale of a bang. Yes, I mean the week+ long greatest show on earth right here in Avila Beach. I cannot imagine any of you missed the opportunity to watch these marvelous mammals as they frolicked in our coastal waters dining on a seemingly endless supply of seafood. My first distant view of the whales was from the practice putting green on the Avila golf course, as they could be seen near the shore by the Avila Pier. My best view was when walking out to the end of the pier while tandems of the whales swam back and forth dazzling the crowd of delighted observers. Joining the party were diving pelicans, playful seals and those pesky seagulls. It was a feast for the eyes!
By now you probably read about or heard that the SLO County Board of Supervisors approved the long anticipated, albeit somewhat publicly challenged, Port San Luis Harbor Terrace Project. It's interesting hearing the discussions that surface among local friends while I'm out playing golf or tennis. Is the project good or bad for Avila? Will four hundred or so additional people using our beach resources each day be good for the Avila economy or will it add more stress to the environment, safety, parking, traffic and water supply? The parts of the project I personally like are the spots dedicated to affordable car/tent camping, and the elimination of the current RV camping spots along the ocean side of Avila Drive leading to the Port. Evidently it's still not quite a "done deal", as yet another challenge could be made at the state level, if I understand correctly. Referring back to the "whale show" and the throngs of people it attracted to Avila, the ongoing fight to preserve/conserve the way of life as we've known it will not be an easy one.
The coming of July also means that the "Foundation" begins to ramp up for our grant making season. RFPs (request for proposals) will be announced by the end of the month, and grant applications will be accepted until late September. Amongst local non-profit organizations and community groups our grant process is well understood, but less well known seems to be the awareness of Avila residents that funds can be requested for any number of local project ideas. For example; an organized group of residents who want to establish a community garden or downtown beautification project. Or, perhaps, a group of Avila paddle boarders interested in launching a new competitive ocean event. What I'm saying is there may be funds available from the Foundation for any number of programs or projects that meet our mission to enhance life in Avila Beach. Visit our website in late July to learn more about the grant making program;www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
By now you probably read about or heard that the SLO County Board of Supervisors approved the long anticipated, albeit somewhat publicly challenged, Port San Luis Harbor Terrace Project. It's interesting hearing the discussions that surface among local friends while I'm out playing golf or tennis. Is the project good or bad for Avila? Will four hundred or so additional people using our beach resources each day be good for the Avila economy or will it add more stress to the environment, safety, parking, traffic and water supply? The parts of the project I personally like are the spots dedicated to affordable car/tent camping, and the elimination of the current RV camping spots along the ocean side of Avila Drive leading to the Port. Evidently it's still not quite a "done deal", as yet another challenge could be made at the state level, if I understand correctly. Referring back to the "whale show" and the throngs of people it attracted to Avila, the ongoing fight to preserve/conserve the way of life as we've known it will not be an easy one.
The coming of July also means that the "Foundation" begins to ramp up for our grant making season. RFPs (request for proposals) will be announced by the end of the month, and grant applications will be accepted until late September. Amongst local non-profit organizations and community groups our grant process is well understood, but less well known seems to be the awareness of Avila residents that funds can be requested for any number of local project ideas. For example; an organized group of residents who want to establish a community garden or downtown beautification project. Or, perhaps, a group of Avila paddle boarders interested in launching a new competitive ocean event. What I'm saying is there may be funds available from the Foundation for any number of programs or projects that meet our mission to enhance life in Avila Beach. Visit our website in late July to learn more about the grant making program;www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
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