Greetings Fellow Avilones - Can you believe that school is back in session already? I realize that this does not directly affect those of us beyond child-rearing years, but the collateral benefit can be seen all around - at least on weekdays. The beaches are less crowded, the tennis club I enjoy is much quieter, and greater tranquility in the neighborhood abounds when the little ones are congregated in classrooms. Spoken like a true childless parent, eh? I have much news to share this month, so let's get into it.
First off, let me welcome the "Foundation's" newest board member - Ellen Pitrowski
who was elected as a Trustee at our July 31st board meeting. A native of Philadelphia, Ellen relocated to the Central Coast with her husband Tony in 1996, and was an attorney at the Santa Maria law firm Kirk & Simas, practicing in the areas of family law and estate planning. During that time, she participated on local boards including the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Maria Valley, the Economic Development Association and the Northern Santa Barbara Bar Association. When her daughters joined the scene, Ellen shifted gears to full time parenting, becoming very involved at their school and the family's property in See Canyon. A true lover of the beach, you can find Ellen in Avila cheering her girls on during Junior Guards, out running with her standard poodle, or taking in the sunset from Farmers Market or the pier. You can find Ellen's photo on the "Foundation's" website.
The Avila Beach Storytelling Night planning is moving full steam ahead. AND, you are now able to make your reservations to attend this FREE October 20th event by clicking here. It is first come first served, and seats are limited! I suspect the lure of a no-cost, first of its kind event here in Avila Beach will be a popular ticket, so act fast. Special appreciation to County Supervisor Adam Hill and our friends at Pacific Gas and Electric Company for their generous sponsorship of this event, which enables the "Foundation" to offer it to you at no charge. More details can be found on the event registration link.
Our Campaign to fund Phase II of Avila Beach Public Art is also progressing nicely thanks to the generosity of nearly three dozen donors spurred by the opportunity to acquire limited edition "Proud Avilone" license plate frames. Thus far we have collected pledges or checks for more than $18,000 towards our $25,000 goal, which we hope to reach by the end of this year. Those of you readers who celebrated and have enjoyed the artfully adorned Avila Beach Lifeguard Towers will surely want to see what comes next. So please help us reach our goal by sending your check of any amount to Avila Beach Foundation - PO Box 297, Avila Beach, 93424.
The Bob Jones Trail Keepers - if you haven't heard, is an all-volunteer group interested in keeping the Bob Jones Pathway clean, beautiful, and safe. The group helps SLO County Park Rangers maintain the popular and heavily used trail. Group activities include public awareness regarding the ecosystem, litter patrol, assisting county ranger lead projects, shrub trimming, and removal of invasive plants. The group meets the second Sunday of every month, 8:30 a.m. at the Bob Jones parking lot on Ontario Road. If you are interested in participating, just show up ready to help. According to Betty Hartig, you will repeatedly hear "thank you" from numerous trail users.
New Surveillance Cameras - are being installed at the Avila Beach Promenade, as reported by Sheriff's Department Commander Jim Vogue at the August meeting of AVAC. This step is being taken to help with public safety issues as the area is attracting an ever-increasing number of visitors. While I am saddened by further loss of our small town lifestyle, I guess it makes sense to use today's technology to combat today's issues.
Odds & Ends: If you are interested in participating, ECOSLO will be hosting its annual Coastal Clean-Up day on September 16th from 9:00a.m.-Noon including three Avila sites. For details visit www.ecoslo.org and click on the Coastal Clean-Up Day link. Time and again we receive inquiries about the status of the Avila Pier. For the record, it is Port San Luis Harbor District that manages the Pier, and they are in the process of establishing a non-profit organization to raise the money needed to rebuild the failing structure. Information on the project can be found on a new banner on the Pier that includes a timeline and directs people to the project website: http://portsanluis.com/2236/Avila-Pier.
That's it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
First off, let me welcome the "Foundation's" newest board member - Ellen Pitrowski
who was elected as a Trustee at our July 31st board meeting. A native of Philadelphia, Ellen relocated to the Central Coast with her husband Tony in 1996, and was an attorney at the Santa Maria law firm Kirk & Simas, practicing in the areas of family law and estate planning. During that time, she participated on local boards including the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Maria Valley, the Economic Development Association and the Northern Santa Barbara Bar Association. When her daughters joined the scene, Ellen shifted gears to full time parenting, becoming very involved at their school and the family's property in See Canyon. A true lover of the beach, you can find Ellen in Avila cheering her girls on during Junior Guards, out running with her standard poodle, or taking in the sunset from Farmers Market or the pier. You can find Ellen's photo on the "Foundation's" website.
The Avila Beach Storytelling Night planning is moving full steam ahead. AND, you are now able to make your reservations to attend this FREE October 20th event by clicking here. It is first come first served, and seats are limited! I suspect the lure of a no-cost, first of its kind event here in Avila Beach will be a popular ticket, so act fast. Special appreciation to County Supervisor Adam Hill and our friends at Pacific Gas and Electric Company for their generous sponsorship of this event, which enables the "Foundation" to offer it to you at no charge. More details can be found on the event registration link.
Our Campaign to fund Phase II of Avila Beach Public Art is also progressing nicely thanks to the generosity of nearly three dozen donors spurred by the opportunity to acquire limited edition "Proud Avilone" license plate frames. Thus far we have collected pledges or checks for more than $18,000 towards our $25,000 goal, which we hope to reach by the end of this year. Those of you readers who celebrated and have enjoyed the artfully adorned Avila Beach Lifeguard Towers will surely want to see what comes next. So please help us reach our goal by sending your check of any amount to Avila Beach Foundation - PO Box 297, Avila Beach, 93424.
The Bob Jones Trail Keepers - if you haven't heard, is an all-volunteer group interested in keeping the Bob Jones Pathway clean, beautiful, and safe. The group helps SLO County Park Rangers maintain the popular and heavily used trail. Group activities include public awareness regarding the ecosystem, litter patrol, assisting county ranger lead projects, shrub trimming, and removal of invasive plants. The group meets the second Sunday of every month, 8:30 a.m. at the Bob Jones parking lot on Ontario Road. If you are interested in participating, just show up ready to help. According to Betty Hartig, you will repeatedly hear "thank you" from numerous trail users.
New Surveillance Cameras - are being installed at the Avila Beach Promenade, as reported by Sheriff's Department Commander Jim Vogue at the August meeting of AVAC. This step is being taken to help with public safety issues as the area is attracting an ever-increasing number of visitors. While I am saddened by further loss of our small town lifestyle, I guess it makes sense to use today's technology to combat today's issues.
Odds & Ends: If you are interested in participating, ECOSLO will be hosting its annual Coastal Clean-Up day on September 16th from 9:00a.m.-Noon including three Avila sites. For details visit www.ecoslo.org and click on the Coastal Clean-Up Day link. Time and again we receive inquiries about the status of the Avila Pier. For the record, it is Port San Luis Harbor District that manages the Pier, and they are in the process of establishing a non-profit organization to raise the money needed to rebuild the failing structure. Information on the project can be found on a new banner on the Pier that includes a timeline and directs people to the project website: http://portsanluis.com/2236/Avila-Pier.
That's it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!
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