Hello fellow Avilones. The day is October 18th – spectacular weather and a picture perfect Avila Beach in every way. My usual rush to get to the office started out as always, but a side detour to drop off something at the Port San Luis Harbor District office changed EVERYTHING. My mood, my perspective, and even what I decided to write about for the November issue of the Avila Community News. Driving past my common route, I continued along Avila Beach Drive past the golf course, over the bridge, beyond the Cal Poly Pier, and into another world for that moment. My eyes viewed a harbor with water as smooth as glass. At least a dozen people were paddle boarding, and even more were kayaking. The air was warm and still, only interrupted by the gentle rocking of the small watercraft attached to their moorings. A classic “chamber of commerce” day if ever there was one!!!
Once my initial errand was completed, I decided to take a walk down Harford Pier to see how things were going with the renovations described by Steve McGrath at the recent AVAC meeting. I had my clipboard and pad of paper in hand, ready to jot down a few notes for inclusion in this column. My inspiration took a sudden turn as I sauntered along the pier boardwalk. Harbor seals were barking in concert, lazing on their usual sunning docks and entertaining a surprisingly large number of folks enjoying the day. Out of nowhere, I began asking people if they were locals or visiting from out of the area – not something I would ordinarily do on a whim, if at all. But with the summer tourist season behind us, I was curious. All in all I stopped about three dozen people – some in couples, some in small groups. Only two couples were “locals”, if you consider Santa Maria to be local. I encountered a five-some from Argentina (don’t cry for me), a family of four from Utah, a couple from Montana, another from Kansas, and others from closer areas such as Lake Tahoe, Palm Springs, Fresno, Jackson (CA), Pine Grove (CA), Newport Beach and Newberry Park. Not wanting to bother the visitors beyond my geographic inquiry, the only true engagement I had was with the couple (John and Penny) from Newberry Park, because they asked me if I lived here. While comparing our Southern California roots, John and I discovered that we both attended Canoga Park Elementary School at the same time back in the late 1950s. Geez – small world or what!!!
My new “friends” from Newberry Park mentioned previous stays at the Apple Farm in SLO, but thought it might be fun to stay in Avila this time around. They asked for my advice on local lodging, which I gladly offered. Then, they wanted to know about kayak rentals, bike rentals, walking trails, places to eat and other things to do. Suddenly I am tour guide, ambassador and chamber of commerce all rolled into one!!! A responsibility it was, but lots of fun. A few days earlier, I was accused by Avila resident, Sherri Danoff, of possessing a “fertile mind”, which I took as a compliment. Although, “fertile mind” could have meant I’m full of s_ _ t. I’ll go with the “compliment” version. Anyway, my temporary role out on the pier made me think that local Avila businesses might benefit by banding together to hire some people as ambassadors to walk around during tourist season and weekends, dispensing information and passing out discount coupons. Who doesn’t like discount coupons!?!? Since we don’t have an actual Chamber of Commerce location that can steer people to businesses, the “rovers” could be quite beneficial. So, you Avila business owners, consider yourselves now challenged by my idea – “fertile” or otherwise.
Every so often I pull some of my previously published columns to review trends, topics, follow-up opportunities, etc. There was a time when the “Foundation” first launched our website and E-newsletter that the occasional reader would reach out to tell me stories from “the old days”. Tales of their own, or those passed down from parents or grandparents. They were fun to read, and a few I shared in past columns. The “old Avila” stories have slowed as quickly as the “new Avila” has evolved. I think it’s high time that we try to capture as many tales from the past as we can, before those ties and memories vanish. My “fertile” mind inspires me to invite EVERYONE with an Avila story to tell to write back. I will, in turn, collect , catalogue, and make available the lore submitted in some communal form or shape. Heck, it might even become a book, or could launch a “Tales of Avila” live storytelling event at the Community Center. Let’s see what comes in, we can then decide what to do with it. Send electronic versions of your “tales of Avila” to [email protected]. That’s about it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach.
Once my initial errand was completed, I decided to take a walk down Harford Pier to see how things were going with the renovations described by Steve McGrath at the recent AVAC meeting. I had my clipboard and pad of paper in hand, ready to jot down a few notes for inclusion in this column. My inspiration took a sudden turn as I sauntered along the pier boardwalk. Harbor seals were barking in concert, lazing on their usual sunning docks and entertaining a surprisingly large number of folks enjoying the day. Out of nowhere, I began asking people if they were locals or visiting from out of the area – not something I would ordinarily do on a whim, if at all. But with the summer tourist season behind us, I was curious. All in all I stopped about three dozen people – some in couples, some in small groups. Only two couples were “locals”, if you consider Santa Maria to be local. I encountered a five-some from Argentina (don’t cry for me), a family of four from Utah, a couple from Montana, another from Kansas, and others from closer areas such as Lake Tahoe, Palm Springs, Fresno, Jackson (CA), Pine Grove (CA), Newport Beach and Newberry Park. Not wanting to bother the visitors beyond my geographic inquiry, the only true engagement I had was with the couple (John and Penny) from Newberry Park, because they asked me if I lived here. While comparing our Southern California roots, John and I discovered that we both attended Canoga Park Elementary School at the same time back in the late 1950s. Geez – small world or what!!!
My new “friends” from Newberry Park mentioned previous stays at the Apple Farm in SLO, but thought it might be fun to stay in Avila this time around. They asked for my advice on local lodging, which I gladly offered. Then, they wanted to know about kayak rentals, bike rentals, walking trails, places to eat and other things to do. Suddenly I am tour guide, ambassador and chamber of commerce all rolled into one!!! A responsibility it was, but lots of fun. A few days earlier, I was accused by Avila resident, Sherri Danoff, of possessing a “fertile mind”, which I took as a compliment. Although, “fertile mind” could have meant I’m full of s_ _ t. I’ll go with the “compliment” version. Anyway, my temporary role out on the pier made me think that local Avila businesses might benefit by banding together to hire some people as ambassadors to walk around during tourist season and weekends, dispensing information and passing out discount coupons. Who doesn’t like discount coupons!?!? Since we don’t have an actual Chamber of Commerce location that can steer people to businesses, the “rovers” could be quite beneficial. So, you Avila business owners, consider yourselves now challenged by my idea – “fertile” or otherwise.
Every so often I pull some of my previously published columns to review trends, topics, follow-up opportunities, etc. There was a time when the “Foundation” first launched our website and E-newsletter that the occasional reader would reach out to tell me stories from “the old days”. Tales of their own, or those passed down from parents or grandparents. They were fun to read, and a few I shared in past columns. The “old Avila” stories have slowed as quickly as the “new Avila” has evolved. I think it’s high time that we try to capture as many tales from the past as we can, before those ties and memories vanish. My “fertile” mind inspires me to invite EVERYONE with an Avila story to tell to write back. I will, in turn, collect , catalogue, and make available the lore submitted in some communal form or shape. Heck, it might even become a book, or could launch a “Tales of Avila” live storytelling event at the Community Center. Let’s see what comes in, we can then decide what to do with it. Send electronic versions of your “tales of Avila” to [email protected]. That’s about it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach.
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