By Mary Foppiano, Avila Beach Civic Association

Hi All – I feel so very spoiled right now. I am sitting on my patio enjoying the beautiful warm summer-like weather as I write my column today. I know that people are right when they say we need rain but, besides that fact that the rain makes my hair curly and my dogs won’t go outside, I am really, really happy with the sunshine. After all, that is one of the reasons I moved across the country from New Hampshire. 

Everyone kept saying that they couldn’t wait for 2020 to end…well, it did, and we are not better off yet than we were last year. It is so hard for people who want the COVID vaccine to be told that they are eligible to get it only to find out that there isn’t enough vaccine to go around, and they must wait. I dutifully filled out the registration forms for my in-laws, who are 88 and 91, and then tried to get them an appointment. As you must have read, it will be weeks or more before any appointments can be made. The good news is that my family and friends are healthy and will continue to abide by the guidelines of masks and social distancing. We are so very fortunate that we live and work on the Central Coast instead of the Southern California epicenter. 

My son Chris and his family live in Traverse City MI, where things have been better. The kids are back in school, and life has returned to the new normal. However, he is still frustrated that his indoor waterpark of the Great Wolf Lodge is lumped together with strip clubs and are not allowed to open. It sort of reminds me of the Central Coast being lumped together with Southern California. 

Well, as I said, I feel very lucky to live here in Avila Beach…and look forward to the day when the Avila Beach Community Center can again open for everyone to enjoy. I am hopeful that we can open for our annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast and Doggie Parade…and that you all stay safe!