Hello friends and neighbors. Once again I find myself with much to write about, so I’ll get right to it. First up, it gives me great pleasure to announce the official launching of AVILA ALERTS, the new blog established by the Avila Beach Foundation to inform locals of upcoming projects or activities taking place in Avila that could disrupt one’s daily schedule, such as street work, parking lot closures, high traffic functions, etc. If you wish to receive weekly alerts via email, simply visit the blog at www.avilaalerts.com and register with us. If you prefer to NOT receive regular emails, but wish to know what’s coming down the pike, you can just visit the blog and read the postings.
For those of you who frequent the Friday Avila Fish and Farmers’ Market, have you noticed the Free Avila Trolley running around town and the valley? For many years the Trolley operated on weekends and holidays only, but now you can enjoy the ease of getting to and from the “Market” on Fridays as well throughout the season. Just in case you were not aware, your Avila Beach Foundation subsidizes operational costs of the Trolley, enabling you to RIDE FOR FREE! Yes, credit where credit is due. We have been told that approximately 80 riders used the Trolley each Friday in May, with the census growing weekly. That means less traffic and reduced strain on parking in downtown Avila Beach. By the way, as an extra incentive to leave your car at home, riders of the Avila Trolley are being given a one dollar coupon that can be used at any of the Market vendors. Win, win all around!!! For a copy of the new Trolley schedule, visit www.slorta.org.
Last month I provided a brief overview on research being spearheaded by AVAC to determine the feasibility of having 24 hour paramedic services at the Avila Beach Fire Station. Be sure to look for a report on that topic elsewhere in this publication. And speaking of AVAC, I wonder just how well members of our community are versed in the “alphabet soup” of organizations prevalent in the Avila area. AVAC is the Avila Valley Advisory Council. ABCA is the Avila Beach Civic Association. ABCSD is the Avila Beach Community Services District. ABCF is the Avila Beach Community Foundation. ABA is the Avila Business Association. ABCC is the Avila Beach Community Center. PSLHD is the Port San Luis Harbor District. Now I’ve said my ABCs, tell me what………. More than just a series of acronyms, these organizations play vital roles in the community. All rely on the participation of volunteers and/or donors to keep them going. If you have some time on your hands and want to make a difference in your community, “google” any of the aforementioned groups and learn more about what they do.
Special thanks to those who have taken advantage of the Foundation’s Matching Community Gifts Initiative. The Foundation, along with project partners Pacific Gas & Electric, Chevron and Old Custom House, have established a $20,000 fund from which we match gifts of $50-$200 as designated to Avila Beach non-profits or community projects by individual donors. Thus far $2,500 has been received thanks to the generosity of the following donors: Gregory Golden, Anne Brown, Pam Stowe, Dave & Vicki Book, the Nelson Family, Boyd & Sara Horne, Jim Sargen, Lorraine Cagliero, Mr. & Mrs. Harold Sjovold, Charles Blair, Lisa Newton, Jackie & Paul Prather, Specialty Construction, Morris & Garritano, Barbara Hunter, Gail Blue, Raul Cavazos, John & Virginia Martinet, Priscilla Kiessig, Carly Baker, Pat Farris, Patriot Sportfishing. I encourage you readers of the Avila Community News to not miss this opportunity to have your investment in one or more local organizations matched dollar for dollar. See our Campaign Thermometer elsewhere in this publication. For more information, visit www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
Have you ever lived somewhere close to a popular attraction and found yourself infrequently visiting it? I am guilty, guilty, guilty of just that! Occupying an office just two blocks to the beach, I rarely take a few moments to walk down the street and look at the waves. One warm day in May I did just that. On the way I stuck my head into the new shop on San Miguel Street – Heart’s Desire Soaps & Exotics. I met owner Joanne Vega Krever and had a nice chat. Then, I saw a sign next door to Alapay Cellars that turned out to be a new shop – Avila Couture Clothing Co. - opened by Alapay owners Rebecca and Scott Remmenga. I peeked in and saw some nice things my wife might enjoy wearing. Continuing my stroll I saw so much going on Avila commerce-wise that has eluded me. My pledge is to more regularly step away from my desk, the computer and phone and enjoy the surroundings. Hope to see you around town this summer.
For those of you who frequent the Friday Avila Fish and Farmers’ Market, have you noticed the Free Avila Trolley running around town and the valley? For many years the Trolley operated on weekends and holidays only, but now you can enjoy the ease of getting to and from the “Market” on Fridays as well throughout the season. Just in case you were not aware, your Avila Beach Foundation subsidizes operational costs of the Trolley, enabling you to RIDE FOR FREE! Yes, credit where credit is due. We have been told that approximately 80 riders used the Trolley each Friday in May, with the census growing weekly. That means less traffic and reduced strain on parking in downtown Avila Beach. By the way, as an extra incentive to leave your car at home, riders of the Avila Trolley are being given a one dollar coupon that can be used at any of the Market vendors. Win, win all around!!! For a copy of the new Trolley schedule, visit www.slorta.org.
Last month I provided a brief overview on research being spearheaded by AVAC to determine the feasibility of having 24 hour paramedic services at the Avila Beach Fire Station. Be sure to look for a report on that topic elsewhere in this publication. And speaking of AVAC, I wonder just how well members of our community are versed in the “alphabet soup” of organizations prevalent in the Avila area. AVAC is the Avila Valley Advisory Council. ABCA is the Avila Beach Civic Association. ABCSD is the Avila Beach Community Services District. ABCF is the Avila Beach Community Foundation. ABA is the Avila Business Association. ABCC is the Avila Beach Community Center. PSLHD is the Port San Luis Harbor District. Now I’ve said my ABCs, tell me what………. More than just a series of acronyms, these organizations play vital roles in the community. All rely on the participation of volunteers and/or donors to keep them going. If you have some time on your hands and want to make a difference in your community, “google” any of the aforementioned groups and learn more about what they do.
Special thanks to those who have taken advantage of the Foundation’s Matching Community Gifts Initiative. The Foundation, along with project partners Pacific Gas & Electric, Chevron and Old Custom House, have established a $20,000 fund from which we match gifts of $50-$200 as designated to Avila Beach non-profits or community projects by individual donors. Thus far $2,500 has been received thanks to the generosity of the following donors: Gregory Golden, Anne Brown, Pam Stowe, Dave & Vicki Book, the Nelson Family, Boyd & Sara Horne, Jim Sargen, Lorraine Cagliero, Mr. & Mrs. Harold Sjovold, Charles Blair, Lisa Newton, Jackie & Paul Prather, Specialty Construction, Morris & Garritano, Barbara Hunter, Gail Blue, Raul Cavazos, John & Virginia Martinet, Priscilla Kiessig, Carly Baker, Pat Farris, Patriot Sportfishing. I encourage you readers of the Avila Community News to not miss this opportunity to have your investment in one or more local organizations matched dollar for dollar. See our Campaign Thermometer elsewhere in this publication. For more information, visit www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
Have you ever lived somewhere close to a popular attraction and found yourself infrequently visiting it? I am guilty, guilty, guilty of just that! Occupying an office just two blocks to the beach, I rarely take a few moments to walk down the street and look at the waves. One warm day in May I did just that. On the way I stuck my head into the new shop on San Miguel Street – Heart’s Desire Soaps & Exotics. I met owner Joanne Vega Krever and had a nice chat. Then, I saw a sign next door to Alapay Cellars that turned out to be a new shop – Avila Couture Clothing Co. - opened by Alapay owners Rebecca and Scott Remmenga. I peeked in and saw some nice things my wife might enjoy wearing. Continuing my stroll I saw so much going on Avila commerce-wise that has eluded me. My pledge is to more regularly step away from my desk, the computer and phone and enjoy the surroundings. Hope to see you around town this summer.
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