Greetings, fellow Avilones. The Avila Beach News is dead. Long live Avila Beach Life! Yes indeed. After a five month absence our local print publication, like a Phoenix, has risen from the boneyard and is now beginning its third iteration. Riding to the rescue is the company that publishes the Paso Robles Press and Atascadero News (weekly publications) and Morro Bay Life (a monthly publication). In an era when online news continues to take a huge bite out of print outlets, there still seems to be a place for local papers promoting homegrown activities and sharing homespun information in a familiar format.
While I am hopeful that the “new kid in town” can financially succeed where the past publishers failed, I am not so naïve as to believe this is a given. It’s a tough business that relies heavily on advertising and on businesses that see the value of connecting with their community. A little history – the original Avila News was only available for pick up at various locations throughout Avila, and seemingly catered mostly to visitors who came across distribution stacks or racks. Roughly ten years ago the “Foundation” recognized Avila News as an opportunity to promote our agency and the other Avila-based non-profit and public organizations. So, our board voted to cover the costs related to mailing the paper to all Avila households each month to better engage with and connect the community. And by most accounts this strategy worked well, as it provided monthly and timely information eagerly consumed by the publication’s loyal readers. So, as Avila Beach Life enters the scene, the “Foundation” will resume paying to have it mailed to all you Avilones. Happy reading!
The floodgates are open once again! By now it should come as no surprise that Avila’s tourism season is officially upon us. Memorial Day Weekend is generally considered as the date when things start to get crazy around here. We locals will be in defensive mode, trying hard to go about our daily lives with as little disruption as possible. Visitors will be swarming our popular beaches, golf course event attendees will clog our byways, and those looking to save a few bucks will scour residential streets looking for that coveted free spot to park their vehicles. And judging by the number of new homes that have been erected since last year, competition for those street parking spots will be particularly daunting as many of the newest structures were built as vacation homes and some don’t have adequate off-street parking. Hold your breath!
Public Art Phase II Update: I am pleased to report that Colleen Gnos and husband Che Miller have begun work on the murals to be installed at the Central Coast Aquarium. Artwork panels and other materials have been procured, and Colleen has begun the painting process, which is taking place at her studio in San Luis Obispo. Similar to the art installation process that took place on the Avila Beach lifeguard towers, this allows Colleen to complete the work in a contained environment without concern for weather disruptions. Our goal is to have the murals completed and installed by the end of August. We once again thank the 50+ project donors who donated the funds to make this possible – with special appreciation for pacesetter contributions by SLO County Supervisor Adam Hill, Chevron, PG&E, the Sara Horne Art Fund, Marty & Mary Berry, David & Vicki Book, Jim Sargen, Archie McLaren, and the Avila Beach Community Foundation Board of Trustees.
We give a hoot about what you have to say! It has been six years since the Avila Beach Community Foundation conducted its last online survey to gauge the interests and activities of residents who enjoy all Avila Beach has to offer. So, here we go again, reaching out to YOU so you can help US better chart the future of the “Foundation” and the role we play in the community. It is with the realization that people value their time and might be less inclined to complete surveys that the “Foundation” is pleased to provide a TASTY inducement to encourage greater participation. Everyone who completes our short online survey (should take less than 4 minutes) by Friday, June 21st will have a chance to win a $100 gift card to your choice of Avila Beach Restaurants. Visit our website to find the survey at www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
While I am hopeful that the “new kid in town” can financially succeed where the past publishers failed, I am not so naïve as to believe this is a given. It’s a tough business that relies heavily on advertising and on businesses that see the value of connecting with their community. A little history – the original Avila News was only available for pick up at various locations throughout Avila, and seemingly catered mostly to visitors who came across distribution stacks or racks. Roughly ten years ago the “Foundation” recognized Avila News as an opportunity to promote our agency and the other Avila-based non-profit and public organizations. So, our board voted to cover the costs related to mailing the paper to all Avila households each month to better engage with and connect the community. And by most accounts this strategy worked well, as it provided monthly and timely information eagerly consumed by the publication’s loyal readers. So, as Avila Beach Life enters the scene, the “Foundation” will resume paying to have it mailed to all you Avilones. Happy reading!
The floodgates are open once again! By now it should come as no surprise that Avila’s tourism season is officially upon us. Memorial Day Weekend is generally considered as the date when things start to get crazy around here. We locals will be in defensive mode, trying hard to go about our daily lives with as little disruption as possible. Visitors will be swarming our popular beaches, golf course event attendees will clog our byways, and those looking to save a few bucks will scour residential streets looking for that coveted free spot to park their vehicles. And judging by the number of new homes that have been erected since last year, competition for those street parking spots will be particularly daunting as many of the newest structures were built as vacation homes and some don’t have adequate off-street parking. Hold your breath!
Public Art Phase II Update: I am pleased to report that Colleen Gnos and husband Che Miller have begun work on the murals to be installed at the Central Coast Aquarium. Artwork panels and other materials have been procured, and Colleen has begun the painting process, which is taking place at her studio in San Luis Obispo. Similar to the art installation process that took place on the Avila Beach lifeguard towers, this allows Colleen to complete the work in a contained environment without concern for weather disruptions. Our goal is to have the murals completed and installed by the end of August. We once again thank the 50+ project donors who donated the funds to make this possible – with special appreciation for pacesetter contributions by SLO County Supervisor Adam Hill, Chevron, PG&E, the Sara Horne Art Fund, Marty & Mary Berry, David & Vicki Book, Jim Sargen, Archie McLaren, and the Avila Beach Community Foundation Board of Trustees.
We give a hoot about what you have to say! It has been six years since the Avila Beach Community Foundation conducted its last online survey to gauge the interests and activities of residents who enjoy all Avila Beach has to offer. So, here we go again, reaching out to YOU so you can help US better chart the future of the “Foundation” and the role we play in the community. It is with the realization that people value their time and might be less inclined to complete surveys that the “Foundation” is pleased to provide a TASTY inducement to encourage greater participation. Everyone who completes our short online survey (should take less than 4 minutes) by Friday, June 21st will have a chance to win a $100 gift card to your choice of Avila Beach Restaurants. Visit our website to find the survey at www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
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