Greetings, fellow Avilones. Here we are again, about to cross the threshold of yet another summer here in Avila Beach. Undoubtedly we will face the usual problems associated with living in the most popular area in SLO County, and I hope everyone will be prepared for the ensuing crowds and congestion.
I have much to share with you in this month’s column, so I’ll get right to it. First, I am delighted to announce that after a long, arduous and interesting process, the selection panel for the “Foundation’s” Avila Beach Public Art Initiative has chosen local artist Colleen Gnos and her project to paint and install paneled murals on the two lifeguard towers situated on both sides of the Avila Pier. Colleen, whose art studio was in Avila for six years, has longtime family ties to the area, since her grandparents moved to Avila Beach in 1937. Her grandfather was an abalone diver and tugboat operator for 40 years out of Port San Luis. She, in turn, became an avid surfer, diver and ocean enthusiast.
Adhering to the “Foundation’s” call to integrate Avila’s rich history into the public art proposals, Colleen’s project, as she states, weaves together her experiences and delves into the past to depict an historical tapestry from Avila’s past as a fishing village on Lifeguard Tower #1. Tower #2 will depict her vision of Avila as an eco-tourist destination – a place where one can become immersed in the natural beauty surrounded by whales and other marine mammals. As a bonus, Colleen will be involving the community by giving regular presentations on the progress of the murals, and even inviting the public to come help paint. Our goal is to have the artwork completed by the end of 2016, and will conclude with an unveiling and celebration.
Next, I share with you some of the take-away from an energized and engaging focus group community workshop hosted by the “Foundation” on April 30th. Thanks in part to a grant from County Supervisor Adam Hill, we were able to hire a professional group facilitator who helped us draw out the thoughts and creative ideas from the 50 or so Avila citizens who participated in the process, and who were rewarded with a continental breakfast and tasty lunch for their efforts. The workshop began with attendees being asked to introduce themselves and state the one thing they love most about living in Avila Beach. Though responses were many and varied, the elements identified as most valued were: sense of community; the quality, safety and beauty of the beach; the natural environment; and the family orientation. Certainly no surprises there, but it felt good to hear it so frequently articulated. Following this warm-up exercise, participants went to work in groups of 6-8 to begin brainstorming – their task being to come up with ideas on three different levels for forward-thinking and achievable projects to enhance life in Avila Beach.
Grand Slam ideas were those deemed to be BIG and, quite likely, expensive, and featured developing a local land conservancy group to pursue land aquisition, trails development, purchase of Chevron’s Avila Point property for a future public park or amphitheater, re-opening the Avila Pier and improving the Avila Promenade. Home Run ideas were a bit smaller in scope, but focused on improvements to the beach area parking and accessibility by increased modes of public transportation, biking and walking. Turning Avila into a golf-cart friendly town with designated parking was a very popular notion, as was creating more off-site parking with shuttle service to the beach. Base Hit ideas were those believed to be most easily accomplished, and included Bob Jones Trail improvements by placing more trash cans along the way, training a core of volunteer Avila Ambassadors to be visible at the beach and Jones Trail to help promote responsible recreational use of the facilities, to expand local recreational activities at the beach and Community Center, and a few people indicated interest in gathering to deal with downtown flooding issues. A great number of the focus group participants expressed interest in helping to bring some the above ideas to fruition. The “Foundation” invites others in Avila to the table if you also wish to participate. Email me at [email protected].
And lastly, I don my hat as a SLO County Commission on Aging member-at-large to let you know that SLO County has finally had its Medicare reimbursement rate paid to Primary Care Physicians increased, beginning in 2017. Perhaps that will slow down the exodus of “docs” in the program. And, I’m told, a new “slick” website makes it easier to find local Medicare providers. Visit www.Medicare.gov and click on the left-hand section showing “Find doctors, providers, hospitals, plans and suppliers.” Then on the next page that pops up type the city, not zipcode, to search for providers in your area.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
I have much to share with you in this month’s column, so I’ll get right to it. First, I am delighted to announce that after a long, arduous and interesting process, the selection panel for the “Foundation’s” Avila Beach Public Art Initiative has chosen local artist Colleen Gnos and her project to paint and install paneled murals on the two lifeguard towers situated on both sides of the Avila Pier. Colleen, whose art studio was in Avila for six years, has longtime family ties to the area, since her grandparents moved to Avila Beach in 1937. Her grandfather was an abalone diver and tugboat operator for 40 years out of Port San Luis. She, in turn, became an avid surfer, diver and ocean enthusiast.
Adhering to the “Foundation’s” call to integrate Avila’s rich history into the public art proposals, Colleen’s project, as she states, weaves together her experiences and delves into the past to depict an historical tapestry from Avila’s past as a fishing village on Lifeguard Tower #1. Tower #2 will depict her vision of Avila as an eco-tourist destination – a place where one can become immersed in the natural beauty surrounded by whales and other marine mammals. As a bonus, Colleen will be involving the community by giving regular presentations on the progress of the murals, and even inviting the public to come help paint. Our goal is to have the artwork completed by the end of 2016, and will conclude with an unveiling and celebration.
Next, I share with you some of the take-away from an energized and engaging focus group community workshop hosted by the “Foundation” on April 30th. Thanks in part to a grant from County Supervisor Adam Hill, we were able to hire a professional group facilitator who helped us draw out the thoughts and creative ideas from the 50 or so Avila citizens who participated in the process, and who were rewarded with a continental breakfast and tasty lunch for their efforts. The workshop began with attendees being asked to introduce themselves and state the one thing they love most about living in Avila Beach. Though responses were many and varied, the elements identified as most valued were: sense of community; the quality, safety and beauty of the beach; the natural environment; and the family orientation. Certainly no surprises there, but it felt good to hear it so frequently articulated. Following this warm-up exercise, participants went to work in groups of 6-8 to begin brainstorming – their task being to come up with ideas on three different levels for forward-thinking and achievable projects to enhance life in Avila Beach.
Grand Slam ideas were those deemed to be BIG and, quite likely, expensive, and featured developing a local land conservancy group to pursue land aquisition, trails development, purchase of Chevron’s Avila Point property for a future public park or amphitheater, re-opening the Avila Pier and improving the Avila Promenade. Home Run ideas were a bit smaller in scope, but focused on improvements to the beach area parking and accessibility by increased modes of public transportation, biking and walking. Turning Avila into a golf-cart friendly town with designated parking was a very popular notion, as was creating more off-site parking with shuttle service to the beach. Base Hit ideas were those believed to be most easily accomplished, and included Bob Jones Trail improvements by placing more trash cans along the way, training a core of volunteer Avila Ambassadors to be visible at the beach and Jones Trail to help promote responsible recreational use of the facilities, to expand local recreational activities at the beach and Community Center, and a few people indicated interest in gathering to deal with downtown flooding issues. A great number of the focus group participants expressed interest in helping to bring some the above ideas to fruition. The “Foundation” invites others in Avila to the table if you also wish to participate. Email me at [email protected].
And lastly, I don my hat as a SLO County Commission on Aging member-at-large to let you know that SLO County has finally had its Medicare reimbursement rate paid to Primary Care Physicians increased, beginning in 2017. Perhaps that will slow down the exodus of “docs” in the program. And, I’m told, a new “slick” website makes it easier to find local Medicare providers. Visit www.Medicare.gov and click on the left-hand section showing “Find doctors, providers, hospitals, plans and suppliers.” Then on the next page that pops up type the city, not zipcode, to search for providers in your area.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
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