Hello fellow Avilones. By the time you read this column we will be a mere few days away from the Amgen California Bike Tour. I lead with this event because it is the biggest thing to hit Avila Beach in a great many years. Rather than attempt to bring you up to speed on all logistical matters, it is best that I simply guide you to websites that I have been told will contain and update Amgen-related information. If you plan on watching the race, being at the finish line, coming to or going from Avila Beach, be advised that you WILL have various obstacles to overcome. So please log onto www.visitavilabeach.com and/or www.amgentourofcalifornia.com for some important details. Before I leave this topic, I do want to acknowledge the helpful spirit of the many Avila residents who attended recent Amgen informational meetings and offered suggestions to event coordinators who, as highly organized as they are, were overlooking a few steps that could have caused some avoidable inconveniences. I’m glad we have friends and neighbors willing to speak up and get involved for the overall, greater good.
While on the topic of fellow Avilones getting involved, I offer a big pat on the back to San Luis Bay Estates resident Saul Goldberg as his Trail Identification Project System (TIPS) nears completion. Several months ago Saul responded to the Avila Beach Foundation’s valley-wide invitation to bring forth project ideas to enhance our community. Well, Saul had a vision to enrich the Bob Jones Trail experience by placing signage markers along the path that identify various plants and wildlife. Little did Saul know that TIPS would take on a life of its own, as do most good ideas. As the dust settles, and the signage springs forth, Saul can be proud of his accomplishment that included volunteer recruitment, in-kind donations, hands-on carpentry, photography, website development, permitting, etc. Bottom line is that folks who enjoy a casual stroll along the Bob Jones Trail will now be able to learn about some of the things they see along the way. A really neat feature of the sign markers is the inclusion of a computer label that, if scanned by a smartphone, will take the user to a website with further descriptions. Well done, Saul!!! Special appreciation to the Joan Sargen Avila Beach Communities Enrichment Fund for covering most of the project hard costs, to Home Depot for donating some of the essential materials, to SLO County Parks for cooperation with the approval processes, to Grand Awards in Pismo Beach for providing discounted services – and to the other 15 or so individuals who have helped Saul bring this project to completion.
This past month just prior to the Avila Valley Advisory Council meeting, I and a couple dozen other locals had the privilege of being introduced to the two newest members of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant executive staff. We welcome Chief Nuclear Officer Ed Halpin and Site Vice-President Barry Allen to the area. Both come from other parts of the country and bring vast industry experience to their new jobs. While I’m not certain where Mr. Halpin has roosted, I do know that Mr. Allen and his wife have settled in the Bassi Ranch development. Best of luck to our new neighbors!!!
Under the heading of “old business”, I revisit a couple topics of past interest and discussion. For those of you Avilones who previously expressed interest in community-gardening, I recently saw a flyer announcing opportunities to harvest your own plot right here in the valley. SLO Creek Farms, located across San Luis Bay Drive just north of the freeway, has some 10’ by 10’ organic gardening plots available for rent during the plant and harvest season (April 1 – December 1). For information you can call (702) 245-3135 or visit their website at www.SLOCreekFarms.com. My second piece of “old business” has to do with resident golf cart parking and access to downtown Avila Beach. Most of you are fully aware of the Bob Jones Trail extension along the Avila Beach golf course. It has become increasingly popular and often congested with walkers, strollers, cyclists, skaters and yes, even the occasional golf cart. Complaints have been lodged since all motorized vehicles, including golf carts, are banned from the BJ Trail. Prior to the Trail extension, residents of San Luis Bay Estates often legally drove their golf carts along the upper side of the golf course, across the bridge linking the 18th tee boxes, and parked in a lot alongside the water treatment plant. From there they could easily walk across San Miguel St. and into the beach town. Presently, that parking area is fenced off leaving no comparable way for owners of non- street legal carts easy access. A little research revealed there are at least 125 golf cart owners in San Luis Bay Estates – many who regularly come to town and prefer to leave gas-guzzling vehicles behind. I think we need to find a way to make this happen since high-season parking is at a premium and most anything to reduce the carbon footprint is desirable. The subject has once again picked up steam following a letter emailed to SLBE residents from SLO County Parks reminding golf cart owners to stay off the Bob Jones Trail Extension. What say you who are affected? If you want to help problem solve please contact me at [email protected].
Next month I look forward to introducing you to the Foundation’s newest Trustees. That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!!!
While on the topic of fellow Avilones getting involved, I offer a big pat on the back to San Luis Bay Estates resident Saul Goldberg as his Trail Identification Project System (TIPS) nears completion. Several months ago Saul responded to the Avila Beach Foundation’s valley-wide invitation to bring forth project ideas to enhance our community. Well, Saul had a vision to enrich the Bob Jones Trail experience by placing signage markers along the path that identify various plants and wildlife. Little did Saul know that TIPS would take on a life of its own, as do most good ideas. As the dust settles, and the signage springs forth, Saul can be proud of his accomplishment that included volunteer recruitment, in-kind donations, hands-on carpentry, photography, website development, permitting, etc. Bottom line is that folks who enjoy a casual stroll along the Bob Jones Trail will now be able to learn about some of the things they see along the way. A really neat feature of the sign markers is the inclusion of a computer label that, if scanned by a smartphone, will take the user to a website with further descriptions. Well done, Saul!!! Special appreciation to the Joan Sargen Avila Beach Communities Enrichment Fund for covering most of the project hard costs, to Home Depot for donating some of the essential materials, to SLO County Parks for cooperation with the approval processes, to Grand Awards in Pismo Beach for providing discounted services – and to the other 15 or so individuals who have helped Saul bring this project to completion.
This past month just prior to the Avila Valley Advisory Council meeting, I and a couple dozen other locals had the privilege of being introduced to the two newest members of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant executive staff. We welcome Chief Nuclear Officer Ed Halpin and Site Vice-President Barry Allen to the area. Both come from other parts of the country and bring vast industry experience to their new jobs. While I’m not certain where Mr. Halpin has roosted, I do know that Mr. Allen and his wife have settled in the Bassi Ranch development. Best of luck to our new neighbors!!!
Under the heading of “old business”, I revisit a couple topics of past interest and discussion. For those of you Avilones who previously expressed interest in community-gardening, I recently saw a flyer announcing opportunities to harvest your own plot right here in the valley. SLO Creek Farms, located across San Luis Bay Drive just north of the freeway, has some 10’ by 10’ organic gardening plots available for rent during the plant and harvest season (April 1 – December 1). For information you can call (702) 245-3135 or visit their website at www.SLOCreekFarms.com. My second piece of “old business” has to do with resident golf cart parking and access to downtown Avila Beach. Most of you are fully aware of the Bob Jones Trail extension along the Avila Beach golf course. It has become increasingly popular and often congested with walkers, strollers, cyclists, skaters and yes, even the occasional golf cart. Complaints have been lodged since all motorized vehicles, including golf carts, are banned from the BJ Trail. Prior to the Trail extension, residents of San Luis Bay Estates often legally drove their golf carts along the upper side of the golf course, across the bridge linking the 18th tee boxes, and parked in a lot alongside the water treatment plant. From there they could easily walk across San Miguel St. and into the beach town. Presently, that parking area is fenced off leaving no comparable way for owners of non- street legal carts easy access. A little research revealed there are at least 125 golf cart owners in San Luis Bay Estates – many who regularly come to town and prefer to leave gas-guzzling vehicles behind. I think we need to find a way to make this happen since high-season parking is at a premium and most anything to reduce the carbon footprint is desirable. The subject has once again picked up steam following a letter emailed to SLBE residents from SLO County Parks reminding golf cart owners to stay off the Bob Jones Trail Extension. What say you who are affected? If you want to help problem solve please contact me at [email protected].
Next month I look forward to introducing you to the Foundation’s newest Trustees. That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!!!
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