Greetings, fellow “Avilones. ”As I sit here at my keyboard, looking forward to the month of March and the coming of spring, it dawns on me that this also marks the twelfth anniversary of when I first began writing columns for what was then the Avila Beach Community News –and now known as Avila Beach Life. This print publication remains pretty much the same as its launch in 2009, albeit under four different owners, each one working hard to retain a role for print media in what has become an internet-oriented news industry. It was never among my personal/professional goals to write for a newspaper, though I did complete three journalism classes in college to avoid taking one speech class (sheesh!). But here I am – about 120 columns later – still at it. The time has flown by, and the upcoming seasonal change, coupled with the aforementioned anniversary, has given me pause for a moment of reflection and introspection.
As those of you regular readers know, I devote my allotted space to bring you information about the Avila Beach Community Foundation, the work we do and the organizations, projects and programs we support. And, just as often, I share about things happening around Avila that I believe would be of interest to most “Avilones”. There comes a responsibility when selected to run a community-based organization, or when given “the power of the pen” – both of which I try to honor at all times. On the job I stay away from politics – primarily because 501 (C)(3) non-profit organizations by law cannot engage in such activities, nor show any related biases. Among those who know me, it’s no secret where I stand on political issues, but those stances don’t/won’t appear in this publication. But I don’t mind dipping into social matters.
This being a rare quiet period for the Foundation, I choose to allocate some of my space to espouse on what I consider to be – or should be - a matter of great societal concern. Like many of you having reached the so-called “golden years” while living in Avila Beach – with its considerable elderly population - seeing many of our elderly friends and neighbors become sick, frail and reach the end of life is painful. In my neighborhood alone we have lost at least a half dozen folks over the past several months, and more over the past year or two. It is becoming quite common, though inevitable. Why do I write about this now, you may ask? I don’t want to sound like a “Debbie-Downer,” but as I inch closer to “knockin’ on heaven’s door”, my curiosity about the subject of death and dying is becoming further fueled, as it was originally during my prior three-year term serving on the SLO County Commission on Aging. I foresee a tsunami approaching, what with tens of millions of baby-boomers racing – or shuffling - toward the finish line. What I don’t see are concrete solution driven conversations at any level.
We read/hear about the looming dearth of medical personnel, elder care facilities and staff to handle the coming wave– yet little about the financial cost and emotional tolls many will endure. Society, in general, seems to consider taboo the subject of personal choice when it comes to defining quality of life, death and dying. So, it is largely ignored, or at best, the proverbial can being kicked down the road. I won’t bore you with my own strong feelings about these taboos, but I will tell you that I have become a regular attendee of a monthly discussion workshop about death and dying that is hosted by Hospice of San Luis Obispo County. I find the dialogue to be interesting and informative, while also gaining various perspectives from folks who have been touched by experiences. Check it out if you are the least bit curious about the topic.
Moving on, I do want to bring you up to date about the previously reported stolen art panel removed from one of the lifeguard towers near the Avila pier. Unfortunately, the spate of publicity on social media, local newspapers and television has not resulted in locating the panel or the culprit(s). We still await word from the legal owner of the artwork – ARTS Obispo – in the hopes that their insurance might cover the loss and cost to replace. If not, we may launch a local campaign to raise the estimated $2,500 for a replacement panel to be produced. Do any of you have a few bucks to spare? Stay tuned.
Next, have you heard about Qigong? Well, according to Wikipedia, it is a centuries-old system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for the purposes of health, spirituality, and martial-arts training. With roots in Chinese medicine, philosophy, and martial arts, Qigong is traditionally viewed by the Chinese and throughout Asia as a practice to cultivate and balance qi (pronounced approximately as "chi"), translated as "life energy". If your interest or curiosity is now piqued, let it be known that every Thursday from noon-1:00 pm you can attend FREE sessions of Qigong, being taught by Cyndi Sylva, at the Avila Beach Golf Resort Beach Club. All are welcome, you do not need to register in advance, just show up! For additional information email Cyndi at [email protected]. Cyndi is also hosting a special workshop to benefit the Cancer Well-Fit Program on March 21 from 9:00 am-1:00 pm. Space is limited to 30 people, and the cost to attend is $40. For more information and to sign up for the event, go to http://www.cancerwell-fit.com/donate-.html. Click on the “Qigong” tab that appears on the upper right side of the screen.
Question of the day! What happens in America every ten years? Answer = the U.S. Census. We all know the importance of these headcounts and the surveying that takes place throughout the country. But, did you know that part time jobs are available for people willing to canvass their neighborhoods? The pay is pretty good, $21 per hour in SLO County, and you can work as little as 5 hours per week. Other census related jobs are also available, which you can read about online. If you enjoy interacting with neighbors, want to make a few bucks, and get a little exercise, visit: www.2020CENSUS.GOV/JOBS.
That’s it for now, “fellow Avilones”. See you at the beach!
As those of you regular readers know, I devote my allotted space to bring you information about the Avila Beach Community Foundation, the work we do and the organizations, projects and programs we support. And, just as often, I share about things happening around Avila that I believe would be of interest to most “Avilones”. There comes a responsibility when selected to run a community-based organization, or when given “the power of the pen” – both of which I try to honor at all times. On the job I stay away from politics – primarily because 501 (C)(3) non-profit organizations by law cannot engage in such activities, nor show any related biases. Among those who know me, it’s no secret where I stand on political issues, but those stances don’t/won’t appear in this publication. But I don’t mind dipping into social matters.
This being a rare quiet period for the Foundation, I choose to allocate some of my space to espouse on what I consider to be – or should be - a matter of great societal concern. Like many of you having reached the so-called “golden years” while living in Avila Beach – with its considerable elderly population - seeing many of our elderly friends and neighbors become sick, frail and reach the end of life is painful. In my neighborhood alone we have lost at least a half dozen folks over the past several months, and more over the past year or two. It is becoming quite common, though inevitable. Why do I write about this now, you may ask? I don’t want to sound like a “Debbie-Downer,” but as I inch closer to “knockin’ on heaven’s door”, my curiosity about the subject of death and dying is becoming further fueled, as it was originally during my prior three-year term serving on the SLO County Commission on Aging. I foresee a tsunami approaching, what with tens of millions of baby-boomers racing – or shuffling - toward the finish line. What I don’t see are concrete solution driven conversations at any level.
We read/hear about the looming dearth of medical personnel, elder care facilities and staff to handle the coming wave– yet little about the financial cost and emotional tolls many will endure. Society, in general, seems to consider taboo the subject of personal choice when it comes to defining quality of life, death and dying. So, it is largely ignored, or at best, the proverbial can being kicked down the road. I won’t bore you with my own strong feelings about these taboos, but I will tell you that I have become a regular attendee of a monthly discussion workshop about death and dying that is hosted by Hospice of San Luis Obispo County. I find the dialogue to be interesting and informative, while also gaining various perspectives from folks who have been touched by experiences. Check it out if you are the least bit curious about the topic.
Moving on, I do want to bring you up to date about the previously reported stolen art panel removed from one of the lifeguard towers near the Avila pier. Unfortunately, the spate of publicity on social media, local newspapers and television has not resulted in locating the panel or the culprit(s). We still await word from the legal owner of the artwork – ARTS Obispo – in the hopes that their insurance might cover the loss and cost to replace. If not, we may launch a local campaign to raise the estimated $2,500 for a replacement panel to be produced. Do any of you have a few bucks to spare? Stay tuned.
Next, have you heard about Qigong? Well, according to Wikipedia, it is a centuries-old system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for the purposes of health, spirituality, and martial-arts training. With roots in Chinese medicine, philosophy, and martial arts, Qigong is traditionally viewed by the Chinese and throughout Asia as a practice to cultivate and balance qi (pronounced approximately as "chi"), translated as "life energy". If your interest or curiosity is now piqued, let it be known that every Thursday from noon-1:00 pm you can attend FREE sessions of Qigong, being taught by Cyndi Sylva, at the Avila Beach Golf Resort Beach Club. All are welcome, you do not need to register in advance, just show up! For additional information email Cyndi at [email protected]. Cyndi is also hosting a special workshop to benefit the Cancer Well-Fit Program on March 21 from 9:00 am-1:00 pm. Space is limited to 30 people, and the cost to attend is $40. For more information and to sign up for the event, go to http://www.cancerwell-fit.com/donate-.html. Click on the “Qigong” tab that appears on the upper right side of the screen.
Question of the day! What happens in America every ten years? Answer = the U.S. Census. We all know the importance of these headcounts and the surveying that takes place throughout the country. But, did you know that part time jobs are available for people willing to canvass their neighborhoods? The pay is pretty good, $21 per hour in SLO County, and you can work as little as 5 hours per week. Other census related jobs are also available, which you can read about online. If you enjoy interacting with neighbors, want to make a few bucks, and get a little exercise, visit: www.2020CENSUS.GOV/JOBS.
That’s it for now, “fellow Avilones”. See you at the beach!
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