Hello friends and neighbors. I hope we find you all in good health and high spirits as we usher in the early days of fall. It was another summer of busy days at the beach, large crowds at the weekly Avila Fish and Farmers Market, and enthusiastic concert-goers. For the most part, Avila is returned for safekeeping to us locals until next summer – and I’m glad to report the town is in good hands. And speaking of “in good hands”, it recently came to my attention that one of my neighbors happened upon a fallen fellow Avila Beach resident who was walking his dogs on the Bob Jones Trail along the golf course last month. Retired firefighter Mark Pinto, who relocated to Avila a few years back, was able to use skills gained in his prior profession to begin administering CPR to the fallen man until paramedics from Station 62 arrived and took over. As the paramedics were loading their patient into the ambulance, Mark heard the comforting words, “we have a pulse”. Thank you, Mark, for being the right man at the right place and right time. You helped save a life!!!
In my ongoing effort to help keep Avila Beach area residents informed and engaged in local matters, I am glad to provide some updates on a couple issues brought forth of late. Once concern I expressed two months ago was the dangerous (in my opinion) northbound left turn into the Avila Barn. Several readers emailed me with like concerns and a reminder that there was a time when a warning sign was posted along the road, but said sign vanished a year or so ago. This issue was addressed at the September AVAC meeting when SLO County Public Works representative Ryan Chapman reported that his office will look into the posting of new slow traffic warning signage and the paring back of some roadside vegetation to improve driver visibility upon approaching the subtle, abrupt bend in the road.
Another issue brought forth via email by an Avila resident was an alleged lack of trash bins along both sides of Front Street, First Street and San Miguel Street, with this perhaps being one reason for so much trash littered on those streets. Out of curiosity I walked the area and discovered a great deal of accuracy to the assertion. With the exception of the Promenade portion of Front Street, one is hard pressed to find a trash receptacle anywhere. My walking tour took place on a Wednesday after school was back in session, and I must admit to seeing a pretty fair amount of cigarette butts, straw wrappers and other small bits settled against the base of the beachside walkway. The areas in front of businesses on Front Street, San Miguel and First Streets didn’t look too bad, which I view as being because the merchants are likely keeping their storefronts as visually pleasing as possible. Also responding to this concern at the AVAC meeting was Ryan Chapman, who indicated that he will investigate the cost of placing and servicing more trash bins, along with the possibility of forming partnerships to cover determined costs. Additionally addressing the concern is Susan Devine from Supervisor Adam Hill’s office. It is rewarding to know that Avila resident concerns are being heard and acted upon by those in the County able to make things happen.
Later this month your Avila Beach Foundation Board of Trustees will be hearing from a variety of local organizations vying for grant monies available for 2012 operating costs and special projects. The total amount of money available is yet to be determined, but is tied to the value of the Foundation’s portfolio, which seems to gyrate greatly on a near-daily basis. Our current endowment is roughly $1.75 million, so a small percentage of that will be earmarked for grants. Our Trustees responsibly take into account the Foundation’s mission to serve in perpetuity, so a conservative approach is taken toward investment decisions, grant making and ongoing operational expenses. Some relief to annual expenses arrived earlier this year when the Foundation made its final $25,000 payment on the loan taken out to help re-build the Avila Community Center. Like installments were made on a quarterly basis over the past several years, so now we are debt-free. We hope you are enjoying the Community Center and are supporting their programs and events. The aforementioned grant applicant hearings take place on October 19th at the Avila Community Center. This hearing is open to the public, and affords a good opportunity to learn more about the organizations that serve the area and help make Avila a special place. Feel free to contact the Foundation for details.
That’s it for now. As always, I welcome reader feedback and helpful input. Be sure to visit our website - www.avilabeachfoundation.org – for information about ongoing Foundation activities.
In my ongoing effort to help keep Avila Beach area residents informed and engaged in local matters, I am glad to provide some updates on a couple issues brought forth of late. Once concern I expressed two months ago was the dangerous (in my opinion) northbound left turn into the Avila Barn. Several readers emailed me with like concerns and a reminder that there was a time when a warning sign was posted along the road, but said sign vanished a year or so ago. This issue was addressed at the September AVAC meeting when SLO County Public Works representative Ryan Chapman reported that his office will look into the posting of new slow traffic warning signage and the paring back of some roadside vegetation to improve driver visibility upon approaching the subtle, abrupt bend in the road.
Another issue brought forth via email by an Avila resident was an alleged lack of trash bins along both sides of Front Street, First Street and San Miguel Street, with this perhaps being one reason for so much trash littered on those streets. Out of curiosity I walked the area and discovered a great deal of accuracy to the assertion. With the exception of the Promenade portion of Front Street, one is hard pressed to find a trash receptacle anywhere. My walking tour took place on a Wednesday after school was back in session, and I must admit to seeing a pretty fair amount of cigarette butts, straw wrappers and other small bits settled against the base of the beachside walkway. The areas in front of businesses on Front Street, San Miguel and First Streets didn’t look too bad, which I view as being because the merchants are likely keeping their storefronts as visually pleasing as possible. Also responding to this concern at the AVAC meeting was Ryan Chapman, who indicated that he will investigate the cost of placing and servicing more trash bins, along with the possibility of forming partnerships to cover determined costs. Additionally addressing the concern is Susan Devine from Supervisor Adam Hill’s office. It is rewarding to know that Avila resident concerns are being heard and acted upon by those in the County able to make things happen.
Later this month your Avila Beach Foundation Board of Trustees will be hearing from a variety of local organizations vying for grant monies available for 2012 operating costs and special projects. The total amount of money available is yet to be determined, but is tied to the value of the Foundation’s portfolio, which seems to gyrate greatly on a near-daily basis. Our current endowment is roughly $1.75 million, so a small percentage of that will be earmarked for grants. Our Trustees responsibly take into account the Foundation’s mission to serve in perpetuity, so a conservative approach is taken toward investment decisions, grant making and ongoing operational expenses. Some relief to annual expenses arrived earlier this year when the Foundation made its final $25,000 payment on the loan taken out to help re-build the Avila Community Center. Like installments were made on a quarterly basis over the past several years, so now we are debt-free. We hope you are enjoying the Community Center and are supporting their programs and events. The aforementioned grant applicant hearings take place on October 19th at the Avila Community Center. This hearing is open to the public, and affords a good opportunity to learn more about the organizations that serve the area and help make Avila a special place. Feel free to contact the Foundation for details.
That’s it for now. As always, I welcome reader feedback and helpful input. Be sure to visit our website - www.avilabeachfoundation.org – for information about ongoing Foundation activities.
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