Greetings, fellow Avilones. Summer is racing past, and judging by the number of vehicles parked in the public lot, on the beach area streets and Avila Beach Drive along the golf course, I think it’s safe to say that this is one of our busiest seasons ever. Though I haven’t heard much more than the usual concerns, one incident occurred earlier this summer that alarmed all of us – that being the gang related fight at a Friday night Farmer’s Market. I won’t rehash the details, but do want to share with you the words of caution presented by Highway Patrol Sergeant John Johnson, as reported at the July meeting of the Avila Valley Advisory Council. The four gang members were from Fresno, a town where Sgt. Johnson once worked. According to him, “Bull Dogs gang members (not associated with Fresno State University) come to the Central Coast from Central Valley because word is out that Avila is a good place to go to the beach. These gang members are identifiable by the paw print tattoos visible on their bodies.” Sgt. Johnson says to not be concerned about sightings of individuals, but anyone witnessing even small groups of these Bull Dogs together should notify local law enforcement.
On a more positive note, I am delighted to report that donations towards launching the second phase of public art in Avila Beach are coming in regularly. We have now collected pledges and contributions totaling just under $16,000. With the goal of $25,000 in sight, more and more Avilones are dipping into their pocketbooks to help us reach the finish line. Some, I believe, were lured in by the “reward” given all project donors – that being the limited edition Proud Avilone license plate frames we have been advertising. If you haven’t yet seen this promotional opportunity, look for the flyer ad in this month’s print edition of the Avila Community News. Any contribution amount is welcome. When asked how much one should give, I simply state “let your conscientious be your guide.”
I’ll grant you that. Not really, it’s just my usual play on words to remind all interested parties that grant making season is now open at the “Foundation.” Between now and September 11th, we are accepting funding applications from organizations seeking support for 2018 projects or services. For information be sure to visit our website – www.avilabeachfoundation.org. Now is a good time to offer some background for folks unaware of the “Foundation” grant making history, and/or for those new to our community. The “Foundation” began awarding grants back in the year 2000, shortly after our agency was formally organized and given official non-profit status. The grant dollars we issue each year come from the monies invested in a portfolio established on the strength of an endowment received as part of the UNOCAL beach clean-up and remediation settlement. The original endowment was valued at $3.2 million, of which nearly $1 million was immediately awarded for some major infrastructure projects, like re-building the Community Center and purchasing heavy duty beach cleaning equipment to be used by the Harbor District. That investment, and shortly thereafter the stock market dot.com bubble burst, saw the “Foundation” portfolio value drop by roughly 50%. But given its mission, the “Foundation” continued to award community grants. Over the next 16 years the portfolio experienced a nice recovery, then once again a precipitous decline during the 2007-09 financial market crash, followed by another stock market bounce-back over the past six or seven years. Long story short, today our portfolio is worth roughly $2.2 million, and since inception we’ve awarded over 160 grants and helped distribute more than $3 million in our local community. Not bad considering that one-time-only, initial $1 million withdrawal and two devastating stock market crashes. Our goal is – as the Gladys Knight song goes - to ” keep on keepin’ on.”
Got a story to tell? Last month I informed you readers of our upcoming community special – the Avila Beach Storytellers event – scheduled for October 20th. While it’s still too early to reserve your free seats (courtesy of County Supervisor Adam Hill and PG&E), it is NOT too soon to let us know if you have a story to tell about life in Avila dating back in history to the good old days at the beach. We are now accepting interest from those who have tales they would like to share about family life going back to earlier generations, in front of a warm and enthusiastic audience at the Avila Beach Community Center. We will probably have time for about one dozen stories of up to 5-minutes each. There will also be a showing of the History of Avila film that premiered this past March as part of the San Luis Obispo Film Festival, the opportunity to visit the special mini-museum of old time Avila photos and artifacts on loan from some local Avilones and, of course, some delightful refresh-ments. Any aspiring storytellers should email me at [email protected].
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
On a more positive note, I am delighted to report that donations towards launching the second phase of public art in Avila Beach are coming in regularly. We have now collected pledges and contributions totaling just under $16,000. With the goal of $25,000 in sight, more and more Avilones are dipping into their pocketbooks to help us reach the finish line. Some, I believe, were lured in by the “reward” given all project donors – that being the limited edition Proud Avilone license plate frames we have been advertising. If you haven’t yet seen this promotional opportunity, look for the flyer ad in this month’s print edition of the Avila Community News. Any contribution amount is welcome. When asked how much one should give, I simply state “let your conscientious be your guide.”
I’ll grant you that. Not really, it’s just my usual play on words to remind all interested parties that grant making season is now open at the “Foundation.” Between now and September 11th, we are accepting funding applications from organizations seeking support for 2018 projects or services. For information be sure to visit our website – www.avilabeachfoundation.org. Now is a good time to offer some background for folks unaware of the “Foundation” grant making history, and/or for those new to our community. The “Foundation” began awarding grants back in the year 2000, shortly after our agency was formally organized and given official non-profit status. The grant dollars we issue each year come from the monies invested in a portfolio established on the strength of an endowment received as part of the UNOCAL beach clean-up and remediation settlement. The original endowment was valued at $3.2 million, of which nearly $1 million was immediately awarded for some major infrastructure projects, like re-building the Community Center and purchasing heavy duty beach cleaning equipment to be used by the Harbor District. That investment, and shortly thereafter the stock market dot.com bubble burst, saw the “Foundation” portfolio value drop by roughly 50%. But given its mission, the “Foundation” continued to award community grants. Over the next 16 years the portfolio experienced a nice recovery, then once again a precipitous decline during the 2007-09 financial market crash, followed by another stock market bounce-back over the past six or seven years. Long story short, today our portfolio is worth roughly $2.2 million, and since inception we’ve awarded over 160 grants and helped distribute more than $3 million in our local community. Not bad considering that one-time-only, initial $1 million withdrawal and two devastating stock market crashes. Our goal is – as the Gladys Knight song goes - to ” keep on keepin’ on.”
Got a story to tell? Last month I informed you readers of our upcoming community special – the Avila Beach Storytellers event – scheduled for October 20th. While it’s still too early to reserve your free seats (courtesy of County Supervisor Adam Hill and PG&E), it is NOT too soon to let us know if you have a story to tell about life in Avila dating back in history to the good old days at the beach. We are now accepting interest from those who have tales they would like to share about family life going back to earlier generations, in front of a warm and enthusiastic audience at the Avila Beach Community Center. We will probably have time for about one dozen stories of up to 5-minutes each. There will also be a showing of the History of Avila film that premiered this past March as part of the San Luis Obispo Film Festival, the opportunity to visit the special mini-museum of old time Avila photos and artifacts on loan from some local Avilones and, of course, some delightful refresh-ments. Any aspiring storytellers should email me at [email protected].
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
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