Avila Beach Life • July 2021

LOCAL NEWS ... BEACH VIEWS • JULY 2021

AVILABEACHLIFENEWS .COM

HAPPY Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness

SAY HELLO TO ROBIN WEED-BROWN PAGE 4

POINT SAN LUIS LIGHT STATION

GETS ELECTRICITY AND, LATER, A ROAD PAGE 5

TASTE OF AMERICANA — SWEET SUMMER BBQ-ING PAGE 7

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT —

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ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

2 | Avila Beach Life — July 2021

S

ummer Solstice has past and the warm summer months are upon us. This year most of our 4th of Jul. Celebrations are back in full swing after the state of California officially reopened after 15 long months of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

One of the beloved events that is back this year is the annual 4th of Jul. Doggie Parade Contest, which we have asked to be a part of this year as a judge! We are so excited and look forward to seeing you all at the beach!

The Central Coast Aquarium is open again! We are looking forward to having them back in the publication giving us updates on all that is happening! For more information, visit centralcoastaquarium.com.

One of the main events that keeps San Luis Obispo County thriving is the California Mid-State Fair. After the devastating hit last year having to cancel the annual event, the committee and the Board of Directors have worked tirelessly to bring the community and beyond a fair, for all to enjoy!

And who are we kidding? Just getting out and seeing people’s smiling faces, laughing, and making new memories will be enough for most of us.

It has been quite the journey this last year and a half. We cannot understate the losses we faced as a community. We are all excited at some level to return to activity we consider normal, yet realistic that we live in uncertain times.

With that, we also have our most trusted and stable resources nearby. The past year tested the network of friends, family, and community members we have relied on for our hierarchy of needs. Even the most secure among us should have seen some areas in need of improvement.

Let’s take a dedicated and honest effort to shore up those areas that will make our lives more stable and secure and more prepared for crises in the future. Last year was as much a lesson in physiological needs as a test of relationships and ~Abraham Lincoln connectivity. We celebrate Independence Day on Sunday, but we are interdependent on our network connections and relationships that make our world go around.

As always, when celebrating and enjoying your life, be safe, sane, and cherish every moment.

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In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count, but the life in your years.

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CONTRIBUTORS

July 2021 — Avila Beach Life | 3 FOUNDATION NEWS & VIEWS

Summer is Here and So Are the Tourists ODDS AND ENDS

Rick Cohen AVILA BEACH FOUNDATION

G

reetings, fellow Avilones. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! No, I’m not having a Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz moment, but something akin to that. Let me explain. Like many of you, I’ve spent my share of time on the Bob Jones Trail – mostly on the stretch from the San Luis Obispo Bay Estates to the golf course and beach. Over the span of these 25+ years as an Avila resident, I’ve witnessed on the Trail a growing number of walkers, runners, cyclists, skaters, strollers, skateboards, scooters, golf carts, wheelchairs, and more.

BUT it wasn’t until last month that I observed two firsts – at least for me. I was crossing the bridge leading to the 18th fairway at the golf course and heard an audible “clip clop” behind me, turned around and saw two horses also crossing the bridge.

Beautiful beasts they were, and I was truly surprised and pleasantly delighted to see them. If that wasn’t enough for one day, a little later on, while heading back home along the Trail, I passed a jogger who had a birdcage strapped to her backside – like would be a backpack. Inside the cage was a parakeet – yes, a parakeet out for a jog with its adult parent! I might have commented but didn’t want to ruffle any feathers.

I offer a delayed “shout-out” to the SLO County Public Works Department for quick action after I sent an email asking that the weeds at the corner of San Miguel Street and Avila Beach Drive be removed. I noticed that visibility of oncoming, outward traffic was hindered due to the height of the weeds. In less than one week, the weeds were “wacked” sufficiently to improve the sightlines. My thanks to Director John Waddell for his timely mitigation of the problem.

I know this may sound redundant, but the summer crowds have arrived. Things around Avila will begin to look more normal again, hearkening back to pre-pandemic days. Community events are returning to venues such as the Avila Beach Golf Resort, Central Coast Aquarium, Point San Luis Lighthouse, and others. We will miss another year of the Avila Farmers’ Market but hope for a robust revival in 2022. I imagine it will take some time to iron out just where and when the wearing of masks and social distancing will still exist. In spite of California’s relaxing standards, it appears that individual counties and businesses are still able to implement protective measures if they so choose. We need to support their decisions.

On a related note, it appears that the “Foundation” Board of Trustees will be meeting in person this Jul.. Our last in-person gathering occurred in January 2020, but it seems like forever ago. We have since then been conducting business in front of our screens. I don’t feel guilty in admitting my “Zoom” fatigue runs high. While it may be convenient for meetings of all sorts, I believe the impact is a reduction in the

depth of dialogue and exchange of ideas – to say nothing of the technical difficulties that some of us have experienced during “Zoom-time.” Virtual meetings have their place, but for a “relic” like me who thrives in face-to-face encounters, the sooner I can surround myself with actual people in 3-D form, the better. The energy generated by being with others is difficult to replicate while squirreled away in one’s room.

You may recall that last year, around this time, the “Foundation” announced its intention to stray from our usual grant-making processes to aid those agencies we support due to the economic challenges they were facing. Applicants had historically competed annually for the funding of programs, projects, or operating capital for the finite dollars available. Last year our Trustees felt the best way we could help our community partners was to simply allocate to agencies the same grant amounts they received the previous year, and that said funds could be used for any efforts to keep their doors open or to restore operations when the time came. Here we are a year later, and much is still uncertain, though beginning to improve. Revenue challenges remain for most non-profit organizations, and more time will be required to achieve solvency. With that in mind, the “Foundation” Board of Trustees has decided to once again roll over grants to our agency partners for the same amounts as awarded in 2019 and 2020. It is our sincere hope that next year we can resume the usual grant-making processes.

As always, I welcome your feedback, input, and ideas to help enhance life in Avila Beach. That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!

Inflation or Deflation—Does it Matter?

The big discussions now on Wall Street are whether the recent large increases in consumer prices (CPI)^ are “transitory” or whether we are going to get serious long term inflation. If you’ve been to the grocery store lately, it sure seems like “serious” inflation. Anyway, in theory, “value” stocks should like inflation while growth stocks shouldn’t. Is this true, or, is the bigger question, do our views on inflation matter? We think not. We think “price” is all that matters. We believe there may be a better way to achieve your goals. Please call for a short conversation to find out how. ^https://global-premium.econoday.com/byshoweventfull.asp?fid=522370&cust=global-premium&year=2021&lid=0&prev=/byweek.asp#top

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4 | Avila Beach Life — July 2021 A VIEW FROM THE BEACH

Avila Beach Community Center Reopens!

Mary Foppiano

Avila Beach Civic Association

H

i All – I am so excited to announce that the Avila Beach Community Center will reopen on Jul. 1.

In addition, I must admit that I am probably even more excited to announce that we will be holding our annual 4th of Jul. Doggie Parade at 11 a.m. on the Avila Beach Promenade! The participants in the Doggie Parade will be wearing costumes to demonstrate their or, should I really say, their pet parents’ enthusiasm for the 4th of Jul.. Each registered dog

will receive a doggie treat bag from Petco Arroyo Grande and a participant ribbon. The categories for our costume contest are: Best Costume, Best Dog/Owner Look Alike, Best Holiday Look, Funniest Costume, and Best in Show. This year’s judges are Lead Judge Steve Kobliska; Hayley Mattson, Publisher of Avila Beach Life; and Robin WeedBrown, President of the ABCA Board of Directors.

All dogs must be registered and checked in to walk in the parade. You can pre-register online at avilabeachcc. com or at our check-in table between 10 and 11 a.m. in front of the Old Custom House, San Miguel Street, at the beach.

The parade will walk from that spot to the end of the Promenade. For more details regarding the parade or activities/ rental of the Avila Beach Community Center, contact me at avilabeachcc@ gmail.com or (805)627-1997.

Hope you will join us for a fun start to the 4th of Jul. celebrations!

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Say Hello to

Robin Weed-Brown

F

By MARY FOPPIANO for Avila Beach Life

or the past two years, Robin Weed-Brown has been the President of the Avila Beach Civic Association. Of course, this honor seems a bit underwhelming considering the Community Center has been closed for most of the time due to the pandemic, but it has been great for me to be able to turn to Robin when questions arose.

Robin moved from Minnesota to California in 1960. She grew up in Newport Beach, where her father was the newspaper publisher of the Orange Coast Daily Pilot. Her mother was a PE teacher and was very active as a volunteer in their community. They had many spirited discussions about current events around the dining room table as a family.

Robin graduated from UC Irvine with a BA and got her Master’s in Library Science from San Jose State University. She worked in many different library systems up and down the State and was a Library Director and City Department Head for the City of Glendora when she retired in 2013.

Her family has long ties to SLO County. Her sister and her husband moved to SLO in the mid-70s to raise their family.

Upon her father’s retirement in 1984, he and her mother moved to Indian Hill in the San Luis Bay Estates. After they passed, Robin moved into their home and has been very happy here.

Robin and Chris were married for 21 years until he passed in 2009. He was a musician, recording engineer, and computer nerd.

When she moved here, her first thought was how to get involved in her new community. She started volunteering at events at the Avila Beach Community Center, which was a great way to connect with others (hint, hint…we always need volunteers). She also volunteers at the Point San Luis Lighthouse, which is another great way to meet all types of people from near and far when they visit our area. She supports the Central Coast Aquarium and is a member of the Avila Bay Athletic Club. She is active in her church, SLO Unitarian Universalists, where she is a regional care coordinator, takes care of the church library, and is a greeter at services, among other activities.

Having grown up at the beach, she is totally at home here in Avila Beach. She loves all the fabulous friends and connections she has made over the last 8 years and feels it is a joy to be so close to her sister and brother-in-law, Margo and Tim Smith.

She also is enjoying traveling now that she is retired. She selected the names for her two Woods Humane Society rescue kittens as a reflection of two of her many trips. Inka, a black striped domestic shorthair, is named for a trip to Machu Picchu, and Te’a, a brown striped cat, is named after a trip to Makatea,

an Island in French Polynesian.

I asked Robin what she loved about Avila Beach, and she said the small beach community sense, the people, the beauty of nature, and being so close to the Bob Jones Trail, which she walks several times a week.

FURRY SPOTLIGHT

Austin & Sherman

A

are our Pets of the Month

By MARY FOPPIANO

fter all these years promoting our Doggie Parades, I am changing gears and want to introduce you to Austin and Sherman, the sweet little furballs of Jayme and John Peterson.

Jayme’s and John’s hearts were still tender and mending from the loss of their previous cat, Bevo, when Austin, their stripey boy, came across their feed on the SLO Animal Shelter Facebook page. Their hearts yearned for the presence, warmth, and love of a kitty in their lives again and, when they met Austin for the first time, he completely stole their hearts with his big soft golden eyes, little pink mouth, and his shaved back and rear, which was a result of having ringworm. They knew they had found their little boy and were so excited to start their family again.

When they brought Austin home, it was clear he didn’t have a strong desire for the outdoors. Since he would become their first

indoor cat, Jayme decided he needed adventure, so she harnesstrained him to be able to take him on walks. About four months later, they wanted to get Austin a brother, so they returned to the shelter and found their little 16 lb. mischievous boy Sherman.

They quickly became best buds and were chasing each other around the house, grooming each other, and going on walks together…Austin was about 8 months when he was harnesstrained, and Sherman was about 3 months.

A year ago, the little family of four moved to Indian Hill, and, as it turns out, animals aren’t allowed to go outside unless they are being walked on a leash. Luckily, Austin and Sherman are experienced, leash walkers. They love exploring their new hood, meeting their new neighbors, spending time in their catios, and chasing the occasional lizard, bird, or squirrel when they are out, soaking up all of the good vibes of Avila Beach life.

NEXT MONTH’S ‘PET OF THE MONTH’ Please send me your pictures and a short paragraph about your pet to avilabeachcc@gmail.com.

Thanks, and introduce us to your furry friend next month!

July 2021 — Avila Beach Life | 5 POINT SAN LUIS LIGHT STATION

Point San Luis Gets Electricity and, Later, a Road Kathy Mastako

Board of Directors, Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers

A

fter forty-five years of doing without, electricity finally came to the light station in 1935. On April 3 of that year, the San Luis Obispo Daily Telegram announced that the Midland Counties Public Services Corporation was stringing a new electric line from Harford pier—referred to at the time as the Pacific Coast Railway pier—across the hills to Point San Luis. The paper reported that it was the “most unique job” the company had ever attempted and that, for the first time in its history, crews were “installing a power system by water,” hauling poles and other equipment across San Luis Bay by boat and raft.

Beginning at the site of the old Marre hotel, 17 poles will be installed across a more than a half-mile stretch of country in order that [the] lighthouse may be linked with a modern power system…Diesel engines, which now provide power for the lighthouse, will be discarded, as will the old kerosene light…The new electric light…will send out more powerful beams, and penetration of fog signals will be increased…

[The] course of the electric line is following closely the foot trail which extends over the hill between the P.C. pier [and the light station] in order to facilitate patrol work and maintenance of the system…

Because there is no road leading to [the lighthouse]…crews board their launch at the county pier in Avila each morning…and are carried across the bay to the construction site.

One team of horses was taken over the foot trail, but the greater part of the equipment is towed by raft. The men are working towards each other from the P.C. pier and from the lighthouse…

“Sonny” Moorefield, Jr., and lived in one side of the Victorian duplex (demolished in 1960).

In 1929, keeper Moorefield married Elizabeth Studle, who moved to the light station from San Luis Obispo, bringing her daughter Lucy.

Assistant keeper Elmer Gross arrived in 1933 from Point Sur and lived in the other side of the duplex with his wife Lucille and son Burton.

The Old Hotel In September 1934, the old Marre hotel in Port San Luis burned to the ground. It was empty at the time, having gone out of business many years earlier. In its heyday, it was a popuIn 1935, the kerosene lamp which had illuminat- lar seaside resort hotel catering to steamship ed the Fresnel lens was replaced by a 500-watt electric lamp. The electric lamp had more illumi- passengers laying over at the port. Originally the Ocean Hotel, its name was changed to the nating power, so could be seen by ships further out at sea. The lens apparatus revolved, giving Hotel Marre when it was purchased in 1882 by the illusion of a blinking, or flashing, light, even cattle rancher Luigi Marre who bought the land lighting up the hills behind the lighthouse. Photo surrounding the light station that same year. courtesy of George Homenko

Early 20th century photo of the Pacific Coast Railway pier with the Hotel Marre at the land end of the pier. The hotel burned to the ground in 1934. In its heyday it was a popular seaside resort catering to steamship passengers laying over at Port San Luis. Photo courtesy MOHAI collection, Seattle, WA

How delightful this transition to the modern world must have been for the eight light station residents: head keeper Fred Saunders and the Bob Moorefield and Elmer Gross families.

The Road As the Tribune article pointed out, at the time, there was no road to the light station; cars owned by keepers were kept in Avila. The only practical access to the station was by water, although there was the rough “foot trail” the article mentioned. Hikers to the lighthouse could use the trail, and the lighthouse children took it to get to and from the Port school, dodging cattle and, in hot weather, rattlesnakes.

Lighthouse Road—the road leading up to the light station from just inside the entrance to the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant— wasn’t carved out until the early 1960s, finally constructed by the Coast Guard after years of negotiations with the landowners over whose property the road was laid. As part of the deal, the Coast Guard had to agree to restrict the use of the road to Coast Guard employees, the “bona fide” guests of its employees, and persons directly connected with the activities of the Coast Guard at the light station. The road is now controlled by PG&E and is not open to the public.

The Residents Fred Saunders, the light station’s only bachelor keeper, had transferred from Punta Gorda in 1929 and lived alone in the head keeper’s The Light dwelling. Assistant keeper Bob Moorefield had Of course, moving from kerosene to electransferred from the Alcatraz light in 1926, tricity provided benefits to mariners as well as bringing his three-year-old son John Robert those in residence. The kerosene lamp which had

In 1935 electricity came to Point San Luis and an electric light replaced the kerosene lamp inside the Fresnel lens. There were always two light bulbs in case one burned out. Photo courtesy of the Point San Luis Light Station archives

Undated photo of Fred Saunders in front of the Keeper’s residence at Point San Luis. Photo courtesy of Point San Luis Light Station archives

illuminated the lighthouse tower’s fourth-order Fresnel lens was replaced by a 500-watt lamp with clear incandescent bulbs. There were always two bulbs in case one burned out. The electric lamp had more illuminating power so that it could be seen by ships further out at sea.

To learn more about the Point San Luis light station and its history, hike to the lighthouse with a PG&E docent or sign up for a van tour. Or take a virtual tour. Go to pointsanluislighthouse.org/ for more information or call (805)540-5771.

BOB JONES TRAIL

Unintentional California Tree Invader

By BETTY HARTIG For Avila Beach Life

H

ave you noticed the rectangular-shaped cardboard sticky traps along the San Luis Obispo Creek that are adjacent to the Bob Jones Pathway?

They are Government Insect Traps that are being monitored by the Department of Agriculture. You can spot the traps with square grids as you travel on Blue Heron Drive, which is the shared road section of the trail. There are plenty of insects accumulating on them.

Perhaps you are wondering their purpose.

Surprisingly, it has nothing to do with the cloud of pesky gnats that have been swarming that very same area.

In partnership with Cal Fire and the University of California, the County Department of Agriculture Pest Detection Trapping program places and services sticky traps to determine if the Invasive Shot Hole Borer (ISHB) is present in San Luis Obispo County. There are about 200 sticky traps that have been placed throughout the County. The goal of the detection survey is to become aware of the Invasive Shot Hole Borer as soon as possible before they become established in our County. ISHB

is a tiny beetle smaller than a sesame seed.

ISHB cultivate a fungal disease of plants called Fusarium dieback, which can clog the vascular system of host trees, blocking the transport of water and nutrients. An infected tree declines in health and usually dies.

The traps were placed along the Bob Jones Trail in March 2021 and will remain through October 2021. They are inspected once per month. If a beetle is suspected, it must be sent to a lab to be properly identified. This is an important step since there are two beetles that are remarkably similar. Early and correct identification is key to controlling this destructive pest. Regular monitoring ensures that infestations are managed before a branch suffers dieback or tree death occurs.

It is believed that this destructive little insect was unintentionally introduced into California by wood products shipped from Southeast Asia. ISHB was first identified in Los Angeles County in 2012. It is now identified in 7 Southern California Counties. Once the beetle arrives in a new location, they colonize and spread to neighboring areas affecting more and more trees. Susceptible trees include sycamores, oaks, cottonwoods, commercial avocados, among many others. These small flying

beetles are a big problem.

Are you curious how they got their name?

The beetles tunnel into the trees, creating perfectly round small holes about the size of the tip of a ballpoint pen. The holes look like shot holes; hence their name properly identifies them. Inside the holes, they lay eggs and farm the fungus, which is their main food source.

The entry holes are usually accompanied by a wet, staining, gummy, sappy-like substance.

The sticky traps are useful for warning of a pest presence, activity, and a measure of insect density. They are an important monitoring tool.

The Department of Agriculture is earnestly trying to protect California trees. Let us do our part by not disturbing the traps. There are a few more things that you can do, such as use only locally sourced wood for home and recreation. Moving infested firewood and green waste are ways the beetle may be transported, which allows them to populate new areas.

Leave wood at home when visiting a park or taking a camping trip. Buy only what you need and always burn responsibly. It is important to keep trees in our region as healthy as possible.

California trees are critical to a vibrant and well-functioning environment like the ones we enjoy on our own Bob Jones Trail.

6 | Avila Beach Life — July 2021

As soon as you plow, you are releasing carbon.

~ Michael Pollan

The Multi-Coloured, $60B Business of Seaweed Dintymore stew. She still can’t stand, going on 57 years, to look at or smell either one!

Over 30 million tons of seaweed, besides what is naturally found in the ocean, is grown around the world for many products. Naturally, you see it around here every time you are at the beach but probably just take it for granted and never thought much about what an amazing living organism it is. It is found in many products to include as a wrap around your sushi roll, John Salisbury ice cream, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, buildcontributor ing materials, food, fertilizer, and many more products. Seventy percent of the world’s oxygen ast month, we discussed how adding supply comes from seaweed and algae. red seaweed (Asparagopsis taxiformis) Production has doubled over the last decade to cattle feed can reduce Greenhouse and a couple of years ago had an estimated value emissions from cows and sheep, which come of $60 billion. It is separated into three colors mostly from blenching and not out the other – red, green, and brown and there are 12,000 end, by 82 percent, which would lead to real, species. Most seaweed farming occurs in China, sustainable livestock production around the Japan, North and South Korea, Indonesia, and world. A little more looking into seaweed from other Asian countries. China is the biggest a farmer’s viewpoint, taken from a report by producer of seaweed, making up 60 percent of Monica Danielle with AccuWeather, I didn’t the total volume globally. The beauty of seaweed realize that it is quite an important sustainable production is it doesn’t need fresh water, insecaquaculture farming product. ticides, fertilizers, and it grows like a weed (as I was introduced to seaweed as a busi- in seaweed). However, it really isn’t a weed but ness back in the early 60s while at Cal Poly algae that can grow an amazing two feet a day. because my lifelong buddy and Best Man at Unlike planting more trees in the fight against my wedding, Doug Chan’. His uncle had a CO2, which is also very much needed in the contract to farm seaweed in front of Cambria. right places, it doesn’t take away dwindling land Because no commercial outfit could harvest suitable for food production. California agriabalone in the top 12 feet, he allowed us to cultural producing land is worth $100 billion dive. It was like an abalone smorgasbord with in agricultural activities from 75,000 ranches, 12 inch Reds for the picking. It developed into a and farm ground faces enough problems for nice side business supplying Cal Poly professors more space, especially with the governmental and neighbors in Avila with large fresh abalone overreach of Federal ownership at 48 percent of steaks plus eating a bunch. When Maridel and California’s 100 million acres of land along with I were married, I had to wait around for her to the state’s 15 percent of land ownership, plus 47 graduate six months later; we didn’t have much percent of the subsurface mineral estate that is money, so we lived basically on abalone and controlled by the CA Bureau of Land Manage-

L

ment tying up millions of acres from farming, ranching, lumbering, and mining because, in many cases, of a lot of drastic unfounded or impractical environmental concerns. Surely, out of 100 million acres, maybe 10 percent at a minimum could be opened for grazing, farming, and especially for mining rare minerals, largely supplied and controlled by China, needed for the expected increase in electric cars, computers, industry, and most things that move or compute. I can’t imagine the governmental hoops to go through trying to put in a commercial seaweed farm along our coast no matter the ecological and financial benefits, but it would be worth the try. It is well known the Coastal Commission is a bit picky about projects in their domain. Those of you around during the Big Avila Cleanup 20+ years ago may remember dealing with the Coastal Commission to let us design our own town.

The best ecological benefit of seaweed is the huge carbon sequestration function in absorbing carbon emissions. The ocean is like a big sinkhole that soaks up CO2 from the atmosphere and chemically processes, and releases hydrogen ions. This makes the ocean water more acidic in the ocean’s normal stable environment. A little change in the pH (more acidic) can cause a big unhealthy impact on all the animals, plants, and algae.

Seaweed can and does help reverse acidification because it is photosynthetic and sucks up the CO2 out of the air, which is a beneficial fight against global warming, or whatever it is called now. Besides releasing the oxygen (O2) back into the atmosphere, it stores the carbon

(C) in its body for long periods – hence the term carbon sequestration, which is becoming the big thing in agriculture with no-till farming, which used to be what we did in our old vineyard on San Luis Bay Drive.

Carbon farming, as part of sustainable practices, is starting to be interesting because of the move to pay farmers, of all stripes, from the carbon fund to help keep carbon in the ground or water and not in the air. I imagine a seaweed farmer could easily apply for a paycheck for locking up carbon and help with expenses. Wish I were younger.

Maybe number 7th generation California farmer grandson who is a fishing nut and out on the water weekly and after finishing up at Cuesta in Business next summer, serving in the Coast Guard for four years and seeing what is in the future for aquaculture, and maybe a G.I. Bill paid for Cal Poly Degree in Marine Biology or the like, will keep the farming string going and farm the “Weed.” For more information about local seaweeds, recipes, and perhaps go on a seaweed foraging tour (I’m taking my kids and grandkids soon), contact our local seaweed specialists, Marley Family Seaweed.

HEALTH

Vitamins: How Much is Enough? less why we need them. It’s almost as bad as navigating the Net. But with a little nutrition savvy, it’s possible to discern myth from reality. Here are some of the major players: Vitamins:

Dr. Cindy Maynard

“V

contributor

itamania” is running rampant in the country. They claim to cure everything from cancer to heart disease, promote stronger bones, lowered stress, reduced fat, increased muscle, and live a longer life. Hard to swallow?

According to the National Institute of Health, Americans spend approximately $30 billion a year on vitamin and mineral supplements. The list of claims seems nothing short of miracle drugs. More and more people are stock piling their cupboards with bottles of these little, amber-colored pills - in doses up to 20 to 30 times the RDA’s (Recommended Dietary Allowances).

How seriously should we take these claims?

NAVIGATING THE MAZE

Many adults agree, “all the information I see about vitamins confuses me.” Most don’t know what the major vitamins are, much

▷ Some Good Sources: Include red meat, liver, eggs, enriched grains and cereals, green leafy vegetables.

Antioxidants:

• Vitamin D: • Vitamin A/ The Carotenoids: ▷ What It’s For: Called the “sunshine vita▷ What It’s Good For: Promotes healthy min” because it’s manufactured in the eyes and aids in the development of skin with the help of the sun. Plays a bones, glands, hair, nails, and skin. major role in calcium metabolism and Needed for growth and reproduction. bone density. ▷ Some Good Sources: Include liver, egg ▷ Some Good Sources: Include eggs and yolk, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, red dairy products fortified with vitamin peppers, squash, and butter.

D, fish liver oils, and fatty saltwater fish. • Vitamin C: • B complex vitamins: ▷ What It’s Good For: Plays a major role ▷ What It’s For: Helps release energy from in the healing process. It helps repair protein, fats, and carbohydrates during tissue and can be beneficial for smokers metabolism. Important for healing and those taking oral contraceptives and nerves and muscles. steroids. It helps absorb iron and may ▷ Some Good Sources: Include whole grain help decrease the severity of infections and enriched cereals and breads, meats, and colds. dairy, legumes, and nuts. ▷ Some Good Sources: Include greens, broccoli, citrus, tomatoes, green peppers, Minerals: cauliflower, kiwi, cantaloupe, and • Calcium: cabbage. ▷ What It’s Good For: Helps prevent or • Vitamin E: slow osteoporosis (frail bones). Helps ▷ What It’s Good For: Has been shown make blood clot and delay fatigue by to be effective in offering protection helping tired muscles recover. against heart disease and cancer. Helps ▷ Some Good Sources: Include milk and form new red blood cells. It plays a role dairy products and leafy greens. in boosting our immune system and • Iron: reducing damage from illnesses such ▷ What It’s Good For: Makes hemoglobin as AIDS and hepatitis. which carries oxygen to the cells. ▷ Some Good Sources: Include vegetable

oils, nuts, whole grains, and wheat germ oil.

SUPPLEMENTS: TAKE ‘EM OR LEAVE ‘EM?

Vitamins aren’t magic bullets. But it’s worth asking, “Am I getting enough?”

Frankly, it depends on what you eat, your age, sex, and your lifestyle. If you’re one of those who skip meals, grabs a donut for breakfast or fast food for lunch, drink soda instead of juice or milk, you may benefit from a one-a-day multivitamin/mineral supplement with 100% of the RDA. Mega-dosing is not necessary and can be harmful. Even if you take a supplement, still eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables for antioxidants, phytochemicals, and vitamins and minerals in their natural form. Food is still the best multivitamin of all.

For all their benefits, vitamins are not omnipotent. The real key to health simply isn’t found in any one pill. But a multivitamin combined with a balanced diet, a fitness program where you move your body, plus a positive attitude pack the best disease prevention wallop and still remain the best bet for longevity and health.

Cindy Maynard, Ph.D., RD, is a health psychologist, registered dietitian, and health and fitness writer. Dr. Maynard is passionate about the topic of health and wellness and motivating people towards better health. You can contact her at drcindymaynard@live.com.

July 2021 — Avila Beach Life | 7 TASTE OF AMERICANA

Enjoy Summer and the 4th of July!

I

have special memories of growing up in Southern California in the 40s and 50s when life was much simpler.

The 4th of Jul. was a really big holiday for our family, and I remember picnics at Griffith Park in Glendale, the community park in Arcadia, and backyard gatherings at our home, or the home of my grandparents, with lots of relatives and friends in attendance.

The meals were pot luck, so naturally, there was a great variety of food. I especially remember Grandma O’Haver’s fried chicken, mother’s potato salad, and Aunt Maxine’s chocolate cake. There are just some

From the Kitchen of

Barbie Butz

things we never forget.

After the picnic, the family headed to locations providing fireworks. I will never forget the display at the Los Angeles Coliseum, which was so magnificent for that time. Of course, it was nothing like we see today, but it certainly left an impression on me as a child.

Somehow, food brings us together to share love and laughter. I searched for simple food choices for this 4th of Jul. and summer menu to leave plenty of time for the cook to enjoy the event. When you are gathered together, be sure to relive some memories of past times with family and friends.

Apricot Glaze

This is an easy-to-prepare dish. The sweetness of the apricot glaze complements the pork tenderloin.

Ingredients: ▷ ▷ ▷ ▷

1 cup apricot preserves 2/3 cup apricot juice ¼ cup honey 2 tablespoons white vinegar (also try white balsamic vinegar)

▷ 2 tablespoons yellow mustard

Directions:

Combine preserves, juice, honey, and vinegar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring to a low boil over medium heat; reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook, stirring often, until mixture is thick and bubbling for about 20 minutes. Remove from heat, whisk in mustard, and set aside.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Onions

Lately, I have seen more recipes for sweet potatoes, and this next recipe intrigues me. I have a passion for potato salads, and this one may be added to my collection. It is an unusual combination but will go well with any pork dish.

Ingredients: ▷ ▷ ▷ ▷

4 large sweet potatoes Vegetable oil Coarse salt 1 medium onion, thinly sliced lengthwise (with the grain)

Dressing Ingredients:

▷ 3 strips thick-cut bacon ▷ 1/3 cup vegetable oil ▷ 3 tablespoons whole-grain mustard ▷ 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar ▷ 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

Pork Tenderloins

There is nothing like pork tenderloin. It’s so easy to make and I feel like this is the easiest cut of pork to take on whatever flavors you fancy. In the slow cooker, the Instant Pot, on the grill, there is really no way to mess up a pork tenderloin Ingredients:

▷ Two 1½ pound pork tenderloins ▷ Coarse salt and white pepper for seasoning ▷ ¼ cup whole-grain mustard ▷ Vegetable oil for brushing grate

Directions:

Season tenderloins with coarse salt and white pepper; rub all over with mustard. Brush grate liberally with oil. Grill tenderloins indirectly over medium heat, turning once, brushing often with glaze until center is barely pink and reaches internal temperature of 150 degrees, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer tenderloins to a platter and let rest at room temperature for 5 minutes before slicing. Serves 8.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and adjust rack to center of oven. Scrub sweet potatoes and dry with paper towels. Prick each with a fork two or three times across top and place on a baking sheet; rub with oil and sprinkle with salt. Transfer to preheated oven. After 25 minutes of baking, scatter sliced onions over and around potatoes. Continue to cook until potatoes are done, but firm and onions are caramelized, 15 to 20 minutes more. Remove baking sheet from oven and allow potatoes to cool; peel away the skin and cut into small cubes.

Directions:

Brown bacon strips and drain on paper towels. Crumble and set aside. To the bacon grease left in the pan, add vegetable oil, mustard, cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Whisk together thoroughly.

Salad Components: ▷ ▷ ▷ ▷

Diced sweet potatoes Caramelized onions Crumbled bacon ¼ cup diced green bell pepper ▷ Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Assemble the salad by folding the diced sweet potatoes and roasted onions in a mixing bowl with crumbled bacon and bell pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Pour dressing over mixture and toss gently. Refrigerate covered until ready to serve.

Serves 8.

For dessert, finish with blueberry/strawberry shortcake topped with whipped cream. You can’t go wrong.

th

4 of July photos of years past

8 | Avila Beach Life — July 2021

Central Coast

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