Avila Beach Life • June 2021

LOCAL NEWS ... BEACH VIEWS • JUNE 2021

AVILABEACHLIFENEWS.COM

’ s r e h t a F HAPPY

DAY

Honoring

Det. Benedetti Page 6

SAY HELLO TO GLEN ODEN PAGE 4

POINT SAN LUIS

LIVE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE PAGE 5

AVILA VALLEY GRAPEVINE

PAVING THE WAY FOR SUSTAINABILITY PAGE 7

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

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ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

2 | Avila Beach Life — June 2021

Through Print

making communities better Publishers

LAYOUT DESIGN EDITOR

We are honored that our publications are able to highlight those in our community that make it the best place to live, raise a family, work or own a business. As you travel around the world and experience different cultures, climates, governments, and opportunities, our Central Coast community is unmatched.

Mike Michaud

Ad Design Jen Rodman

As we highlight the reopening of businesses, welcoming back traditional annual events that we lost out on due to the pandemic, and sharing the stories of local people doing extraordinary things.

Ad Consultant Dana McGraw Jessica Segal

June showcases our dads, fathers, and husbands with Father’s Day, and this year we get to welcome back old traditions that were on hiatus due to pandemic.

Administrator

Cami Martin office@13starsmedia.com

Betty Hartig Dr. Cindy Maynard

In June, we also celebrate Juneteenth; the California legislature recognizes Juneteenth as the third Saturday of June, “Juneteenth National Freedom Day: A Day of Observance.” The holiday is culturally significant to all Americans as the announcement of the end of state-sanctioned slavery following the end of the deadliest war in American history.

Happy Father's Day to the man that loves us beyond measure and inspires me everyday.

John Salisbury Kathy Mastako Mary Foppiano Rick Cohen

Contact Us 805.466.2585

Visit our website! avilabeachlifenews.com avila beach life is published monthly. all rights reserved , material may not be reprinted without written consent from the publisher . avila

He was a 12-year veteran of law enforcement who lived in our community and, along with his wife, was raising his two precious daughters here on the Central Coast. He was a husband, father, son, brother, and friend to many.

We honor Detective Benedetti and his family, and we will continue to show our support and appreciation for our good law enforcement officers who put their lives in harms way for our community peace.

Hayley & Nicholas Mattson editor@13starsmedia.com

CONTRIBUTORS

I

t is in times like these that we truly understand how exceptional and unique our community is. Over the last few weeks, our community has been deeply impacted by the loss of San Luis Obispo Detective Luca Benedetti, who lost his life in the line of duty (see A6).

The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.

~ Coretta Scott King

beach life made every effort to maintain the accuracy of information presented in this publication , but assumes no responsibility for errors , changes or omissions . avila beach life is a product of 13 stars media .

We love the resilience of SLO County; we love the people who continue to show up even when it is hard and support each other even when they do not have a lot themselves. We lock arms, give our support, create barbeque fundraisers, line the streets with flags and signs, and feed those in need, whether emotionally or physically.

We do that because we genuinely care, and you can see that in the beautiful faces that show up in the most difficult times of need, and for that, we are all truly better humans for it.

We hope you enjoy this month’s issue of Avila Beach Life.

Much love,

N ic and Hayley

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June 2021 — Avila Beach Life | 3 FOUNDATION NEWS

June is Upon Us with a Booming Summer Ahead

Rick Cohen

G

AVILA BEACH FOUNDATION

reetings, fellow Avilones. June is upon us, and life as we knew it before the pandemic is beginning to return.

We have all been celebrating the achievement of SLO County reaching the orange level of reduced restrictions on our movement and activities thanks to far fewer COVID cases. Vaccination rates are continuing at a respectable pace as folks are seeing the benefits attached. As for Avila Beach, activity at our shorelines has been rocking for several months and will likely explode over the summer. Be prepared for lots of traffic and competition for parking spots.

There may be some slight relief ahead once the free Avila Trolley begins operating. See more on this further down.

Every so often, I sit at my computer and wonder just what the heck to write about in

my next column. This marks one of those moments. Thinking out loud, let me begin with a little history about the “Foundation’s” e-newsletter and Avila Beach print publications. My tenure as executive director of the Avila Beach Community Foundation began in January 2009.

One of my first challenges was coming up with ways to build awareness and get more attention to the existence and work of the “Foundation.” The organization had been here since 1998, had funded a great many projects, but done so with limited community knowledge.

Fortunately, there existed a monthly print publication produced in Pismo Beach, intended for Avila Beach residents and visitors, called the Avila News.

I approached the publishers and negotiated a deal whereby the “Foundation” would be one of the featured article contributors, and at the same time pay to have the newspaper direct-mailed to all Avila area households and businesses.

As I’m sure you know, print media has been struggling for many years, as the digital world tightens its grip as an information provider.

Facing mounting costs, the original Avila News publisher decided to get out of the business and sold to another local news source. We maintained our previous arrangement for a while until that publisher threw in the towel.

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Then followed by a third publisher, and not so long after the fourth and current publisher—13 Stars Media—which renamed and began publishing in September 2019 the present Avila Beach Life monthly newspaper. So here we are today in spite of a sometimes rocky and uncertain existence. This is my 145th column written since that first one in February 2009. I don’t know if that makes me an accomplished writer or just a hack with a byline…LOL. For those who prefer to read the digital version of my column each month or catch up on past columns, you can subscribe to the “Foundation’s” e-newsletter by visiting our website – avilabeachfoundation.org.

At the conclusion of my first paragraph, I made mention of the free Avila Trolley. Well, I just got off the phone with the agency that operates the Trolley (SLORTA) and was told that service will be launched on Jul. 10 and run on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., through Sept. 26. It will travel from the Pismo Outlets to Fat Cats at the Harford Pier.

Before the pandemic struck, this service typically began each year in April, timed with the start of the Avila Farmers’ Market season, and ran through October. The 2021 schedule may vary as the season progresses, and the full route schedule can be found on the SLORTA website at slorta. org/schedules-fares/avila-trolley/

Piggybacking on the history theme of this month’s column, I want to add that the “Foundation” has been in agreement with SLORTA for many years, whereby we provide a matching grant that enables the Trolley to offer free rides for all. This grant, which now stands at $3,700 annually, represents a partial subsidy of the overall operational costs. Though not mandatory, riders are encouraged to throw in a buck or so to help keep the Trolley on the road, which helps reduce vehicular traffic and offset scarce parking spots.

Many of you are following the situation at Cave Landing, which had become a growing encampment for the homeless. Following an outcry by locals frustrated by dilapidated conditions and lack of adequate oversight, the County finally stepped in to mitigate the problem and invited other area human service agencies to participate in serving and relocating the encampment residents.

We learned at the May meeting of AVAC that shut down, clearing, and cleaning of the site took place on May 12 and 13. This is just the first phase of the rehab project that will include a welcome upgrade that should allow visitors to once again enjoy this unique piece of property.

Stay tuned for progress reports. That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!

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

Life After COVID and All That Entails

Mary Foppiano

Avila Beach Civic Association

H

i All – Do you remember when you first moved into your new home and had empty cabinets that you weren’t sure HOW you would ever fill them up…lol.

Obviously, those cabinets were eventually filled up to overflow. That is how I felt when COVID hit us. I began walking to Avila each day with my friend Jeri and found myself with lots of spare time each day. How quickly times changed.

Within a matter of a few months, I was busier than I had been working at the Center for the past ten years. All those closets that I was going to clean out and recipes I was going to try and yardwork I was going to accomplish…well, to say that most of those plans fell by the wayside would not be an exaggeration. Now the world is starting to return to our new normal, and I am not sure

how I can go back to life before COVID…and my boys, Buddy and Bugz, will not be happy…or will they? Surely, Bugz will find another pillow or doggie blanket to chew up in my absence.

I am confident that the Community Center will be allowed to reopen soon, so I am looking for ways to raise some funds to help us. The Center will be available for rental and activities such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Cuesta Emeritus classes, and San Luis Coastal School District Adult Education exercise programs will be returning.

If you haven’t become a member or renewed your membership for 2021, please do so now… we really need your support. I am not sure when we will be able to host one of our fundraisers, but I will keep you informed. Another way to support the Center is to purchase a Healing Garden Commemorative Engraved paver.

You can also help us by enrolling in the Ralphs Community Rewards Program. All you have to do is go online to ralphs.com and select the Avila Beach Civic Association (AS854). A

percentage of your purchases will be donated

by Ralphs to the ABCA to help support the Community Center and our programs and activities. The Kroger Co. Family of Stores is committed to bringing hope and help to the local neighborhoods they call home. I hope that you will sign up and help us raise funds.

Finally, if you are interested in getting more involved in your community and the Center, please contact me at (805)801-4114 or avilabeachcc@gmail.com.

Your help will be greatly appreciated!

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Say Hello to

Glenn Oden G

By MARY FOPPIANO for Avila Beach Life

lenn Oden is one of those rare native Californians who grew up in SoCal when it was mostly citrus groves. He got his BS at that other Cal Poly in Pomona but always wanted to transfer to San Luis Obispo.

After serving in the US Army in the mid-’60s, he returned to SoCal to finish his degree, where he met and married his wife, Linda. They both had careers in high school education.

Linda worked in special ed, helping slow learners graduate from high school, and Glenn taught photography.

They served in several ministries in their local church with the disabled and in a faith-based summer camp program for foster kids called Royal Family Kids Camp.

After thirty years of teaching darkroom technique and portraiture to teenagers, Glenn and Linda started thinking about a place to retire. Their first thought was to get out of the LA basin and all the craziness and have a place where

they could walk and ride bikes in beautiful surroundings and clean air. They also wanted an area that would allow them to continue serving abused and neglected kids in the foster care system.

The Central Coast was a great fit for both of them. In 2004, they bought a house and moved to Avila Beach. Their local church in San Luis Obispo has helped them continue to work with foster kids by starting a kids’ camp in Arroyo Grande.

Before COVID, they had provided six years of summer camps for local foster kids.

Glenn and Linda like everything about the Avila Beach community…they love the friendly atmosphere, walking on the Bob Jones Trail, and the beauty and peace of their San Luis Bay neighborhood. Glenn said that he is probably best known as the person on the other end of Gus, their longhaired doxie’s leash…which I must admit is how I met Glenn!

FURRY SPOTLIGHT

Clara Belle

is our Pet of the Month

By MARY FOPPIANO

N

o doubt, Clara Belle is Avila Beach Royalty! Every day she sits on her throne overlooking the beach and barks if any of her royal subjects walk by…and she is always ready to defend her royal territory.

Clara Belle’s life wasn’t always so soft and easy. Lisa Newton heard that Clara Belle was living most of the time in a tiny dog carrier in a dark garage overfull of wall-to-wall stuff.

Even though Lisa had never seen the little dog, she knew she wasn’t going to go home without Clara Belle the very day she met her. Clara Belle was six years old at that time and is now a happy 14-year-old princess who is still young and adorable. She loves her belly rubbed and will come running for a treat.

Clara Belle is a great companion, a good little traveler, and very much loved. Just ask her!

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!

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

Live at the Lighthouse Kathy Mastako

Board of Directors, Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers

O

ne of the many blessings of Central Coast living has been the vibrant live music scene. While I’m personally partial to classical music, that preference didn’t stop me from showing up wherever any kind of live music was playing. I especially remember (it seems so, so long ago) live music at our local wineries. How wonderful it was to kick back with a glass of wine while watching and listening to the performances of great local groups.

Like so much these past sixteen months, the pandemic forced live music into a state of hibernation--how I’ve missed it. And so, it’s been especially joyful to see our local musicians beginning to return to the stage.

To celebrate both the reawakening of our live music scene and our 130th anniversary, Point San Luis is holding a very special concert from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jun. 26. A hundred dollars will secure your seat at one of only ten outdoor tables at the Point San Luis Lighthouse on a bluff overlooking San Luis Bay. The ticket price includes round-trip transportation from Avila Beach, breathtaking views, Sinor-LaVallee wine bottled exclusively for the lighthouse, a commemorative wine glass, charcuterie appetizers, and a gourmet boxed lunch. You can also tour the Lighthouse, Keeper’s Dwelling, and Fog Signal Building, where our Fresnel lens is on display.

Best of all, The Jill Knight Trio will take the stage. It promises to be an unforgettable afternoon.

Vocalist and guitarist Jill Knight has an unmistakable soulful sound. Hailing from

Jill Knight, of the Jill Knight Trio, plays guitar while her unmistakable, soulful vocals make entrance the audience.

Senic sunset view from Point San Luis looking out at San Luis Bay. Contributed photos

Eric Williams, left, plays bass and guitar while Brynn Albanese, right, plays violin.

Savannah, Georgia, her music delivers a southern texture blending Americana, Blues, and R&B. She’s toured and shared the stage with other artists like India Arie, Shawn Colvin, The Doobie Brothers, Chris Isaak, David Lindley, Los Lobos, Peter Rowan, and Phoebe Snow.

Her accolades include an LA music award “best female vocalist” nomination, finalist at the Telluride Troubadour Competition, and finalist at the National Academy of Songwriters’ “songwriter of the year” competition.

Accompanying Jill on violin will be Brynn Albanese. Violin has been part of Brynn’s life since she was four years old. Her entire family is made up of professional musicians, including the legendary operatic soprano Licia Albanese.

until the group disbanded in 2020.

Eric Williams will round out the trio, playing bass and guitar. Eric is a multi-instrumentalist, having mastered the guitar, bass, banjo, ukulele, and bouzouki, and has been a recording artist and album producer on more than one hundred albums. Eric has performed and toured with Tori Amos, Taj Mahal, Tracy Ullman, and Russian Balalaika Orchestras and has recorded with Grammy Award-winning Rita Coolidge. Like Brynn, he’s a Café Musique alum.

Tickets are on sale at My805Tix. For more information, email sanluislighthouse@gmail.com or call (805)540-5771. This fundraiser will directly benefit the ongoing restoration, preservation, maintenance, and operation of the Point San Luis Lighthouse.

After graduating from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, Brynn was Concertmaster of the Tanglewood Orchestra under Simon Rattle and Seiji Ozawa, member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops, and an original member and principal second violin of the Metamorphosen chamber orchestra under the baton of Scott Yoo, now Music Director of the Central Coast’s Festival Mozaic. Brynn also performed in the Netherlands, where she played with the Residentie Orkest of The Hague under the baton of Jaap Van Zweeden, now Music Director of the New York Philharmonic. Avilones will remember Brynn from the world music ensemble Café Musique. She performed with the group throughout California and Europe from 2008

SUMMERTIME

June is Here! Let’s Go to Avila Beach Community Park

J

By BETTY HARTIG For Avila Beach Life

une is here. That means it is summertime!

Summer brings more outdoor activity time for residents, visitors, and their families.

In Avila, there are numerous things to do, like heading down the paved, scenic Bob Jones Trail.

The Bob Jones Pathway is a friendly car-free route to Avila. The beach is the destination for many families using the trail. Little tykes on bikes weave all about as they follow the family leader down the path. There are plenty of moms and dads with strollers too. They aim for the healthy outdoors, exercise, the splendid ocean view, and the opportunity to spend quality time in a little bit of paradise. A favorite family feature that excites little ones is Avila’s beachside park, located directly across from the terminus of the trail. Have you ever wondered about the history of the pirate-themed park? It is an interesting tale.

Let us start by going back in time when a young local lawyer, Saro Rizzo, accidentally tripped on debris left on the sands of Avila Beach. The freshly minted attorney was quite annoyed by the awkward mishap that occurred during his usual morning beach jog. Rizzo concluded that the town needed a beach-cleaning machine that would take care of all the unsightly litter and hazardous materials.

Saro’s persistent mission to locate funds for a beach-cleaning machine eventually drove him to

seek funds from the Unocal Corporation. That idea led to one of the biggest environmental settlements in the history of California.

Most San Luis Obispo County residents are familiar with the extensive oil clean-up process that occurred in Avila Beach. The oil leaks had been happening for decades but only came to the public’s attention in the early ’90s.

Many Avilones that were directly affected by the Unocal oil leak still live in Avila Beach.

But did you realize that Avila’s Community Park came about because of that environmental settlement? After a year and a half of legal challenges, Unocal agreed to pay up to 200 million dollars to remove the oil intrusion beneath the town of Avila Beach. Thanks to Saro, included in that agreement was a transfer of title for three parcels in Avila Beach to the County for a community park that would be constructed and ready for immediate use.

RRM Design Group and Jacobs Engineering formulated the plans. The Avila Beach Community Park on San Juan Street came to fruition.

The well-used swings, slides, picnic tables, basketball court, barbeques, and colorful pirate ship all came about due to the Unocal Environmental settlement. During fair weather, which predominates the south-facing beach, the park is full of youngsters climbing the ship, running around burning endless amounts of energy on the playground equipment. What a delightful time they have. Joyous yells and screams can be heard from children playing. Balloons and colorfully decorated tables are often prepared

for birthday celebrations. The park location is optimal for youngsters; it is just a hop, skip, and a jump from the beach.

San Luis County Parks maintains the Avila Beach Park. County Park Rangers work diligently at keeping it in the best shape possible. Early in the morning, park rangers begin the daily clean-up. The inviting grass area is routinely groomed. During the summer months, the park is especially heavily used, and therefore more time and energy is expended. The park upkeep is constant, and unfortunately, it is occasionally visited by vandals.

Underneath the park is many clues of Avila’s rich heritage history.

A few years ago, while a ranger was mowing the park lawn, the mower’s blade struck something extremely hard. In fact, the object broke the blade. A rail spike from the narrow gauge railroad, which ran from about 1876 to 1940, had worked its way out of the soil. That spike was a relic from the railroad path that crossed over from the San Luis Creek to where the Avila Community Park is now.

With Avila Beach’s parking at a premium, it is nice to have the Bob Jones Trail as a travel option for families. It is a pathway that can lead to memorable beach times. The Community Park is sweet icing on the cake for children to enjoy.

At the start of his quest, little did Mr. Rizzo know that Avila would receive much more than a beach-cleaning machine. No matter your age, visit the park! It is yours to enjoy.

6 | Avila Beach Life — June 2021 IN MEMORIAM

San Luis Obispo County Mourns the Loss of Fallen Officer

By CAMILLE DeVAUL of Avila Beach Life

O

San Luis Obispo County gathered together to honor Det. Luca Benedetti with a car procession from Paso Robles through Atascadero to the Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo. Photos by Camille DeVaul

and happiness in my life. He told me he was proud of me. I feel for his family. Rest In Peace, Officer Benedetti."

Dow also shared that while Det. Benedetti served at APD; he helped a mother deliver her baby in the parking lot after her family drove to the APD since they could not make it to the hospital in time.

The newly appointed San Luis Obispo Police Chief Rick Scott then said a few words, "I didn't get a chance to meet him, I didn't get a chance to get to know him, but I am doing that now. I am learning who he was through the stories of the incredible men and women that served alongside him."

Detective Steve Orozco was injured during the shooting and was returned home to continue recovery with his family. He is expected to fully recover from his injuries.

A gofundme page has been started for Det. Orozco recovery and has raised over $46,315 as of May 24.

To donate to Detective Orozco Relief Fund, visit gofundme.com and search Detective Orozco Relief Fund.

The police cruiser that Det. Benedetti drove has been parked on the SLO Police Depart-

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ment lawn in front of the station on Santa Rosa Street. The cruiser and lawn have been adorned with balloons and flowers as residents pay tribute to the fallen officer.

The San Luis Obispo Police Department Police Officer Association and the San Luis Obispo Regional SWAT team set up a GoFundMe page for the sole purpose of providing financial assistance to Det. Benedetti’s family.

More than 3.7 thousand people have donated to the fund, and more than $609,590 has been raised.

Here is some of what they shared: "Luca left behind his beautiful wife and their two precious young daughters. As a community, we cannot fix this loss, but we can provide love, prayers, and financial support to those left behind tasked with picking up the pieces of this broken family.

Luca, age 37, was born in San Francisco to his Italian immigrant parents and raised in the Bay area. Luca moved to the Central Coast to attend Cal Poly, where he studied engineering, but his true career passion was found in law enforcement. Following his graduation from the Allan Hancock Police

Academy, Luca began his career with the Atascadero Police Department in 2008 and was an officer with the San Luis Obispo Police Department since 2012. Luca was a proud member of the San Luis Obispo Regional SWAT team, and his brothers and sisters in blue could not be prouder of his accomplishments as a sworn officer, SWAT Operator, and, more importantly, as the man, he was to his family and friends.

Luca loved cooking, organic gardening and displayed his Italian heritage proudly around his neck. Luca lived for his family, and now that he has passed, we will do our best as a community, both far and wide, to help his family in any way we can.

All generously donated funds will go directly to Luca’s family as they navigate this very difficult time.”

To donate to Detective Benedetti Relief Fund, visit gofundme.com and search Luca Benedetti Family Relief Fund.

A public service was held at the Cal Poly Performing Arts center on Thursday, May 20. A first responder procession followed the service to the Paso Robles Cemetery, where Detective Luca Benedetti was laid to rest.

A V I L A B E A C H L I F E N E W S . C O M

ver the last few weeks, San Luis Obispo County and beyond came together to mourn the loss of Detective Luca Benedetti of the San Luis Obispo Police Department, who was a community member, husband, father, and friend.

On Thursday, May 20, after an honorable service and law enforcement procession from San Luis Obispo to his final resting place at the Paso Robles Cemetary, Det. Benedetti was laid to rest.

The Friday before, on May 14, a candlelight vigil was held in honor of the Det. Benedetti at the Mission Plaza San Luis Obispo.

The 12-year veteran of law enforcement was killed in the line of duty as a result of a shooting that occurred while officers were serving a search warrant at an apartment on Camellia Court.

Prior to the vigil, vehicles adorned with flags and decorations supporting law enforcement drove through the towns on their way to Higuera and Osos Street.

Supporters lined the streets with blue line flags, cheering on the honking vehicles. Afterward, supporters walked to Mission Plaza to pay their respects during the vigil.

Former Chaplain with Atascadero Police Department (APD), Rick Comstock, recited a Paul Harvey narration, "Policeman."

Comstock had a chance to go on a ride-along with Det. Benedetti when he was with APD. "Policeman. A Policeman is a composite of what all men are, mingling of a saint and sinner, dust and deity.

What is a policeman made of ? He, of all men, is once the most needed and the most unwanted. He’s a strangely nameless creature who is 'sir' to his face and 'fuzz' to his back.

The policeman must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy, and a gentleman. And, of course, he’d have to be genius. For he will have to feed a family on a policeman’s salary."

District Attorney Dan Dow spoke and shared a story from local resident Noah Briley.

"My arresting officer that saved my life by arresting me is the officer that passed away.

This is very sad to me. He treated me with so much respect and humanity. I was too unhealthy to get booked into jail, so we sat at the hospital for 18 plus hours together. We talked mostly about our kids and IPA’s. I ran into him at a Mexican restaurant about five months ago, and he obviously didn’t recognize me. I was able to thank him for saving my life. I told him I had 18 months clean

June 2021 — Avila Beach Life | 7

Paving the Way For Real, Sustainable Production of Livestock four doses/day of only 80 grams (3 ounces) of seaweed gained as much weight as the other cattle in the herd while burping out the 82 percent less methane gas into the air. Contrary to popular opinion, cows emit the majority of methane burping rather than farting.

Greenhouse gases are believed to be a major factor and cause of changing climate. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas. In the U.S., agriculture is being charged as the cause of 10 percent John Salisbury of the greenhouse gas, and that half comes from contributor cows and other ruminants. Ruminants have a ow about a way to protect our four-chamber stomach and two-toed feet. hamburgers and steaks from the They chew their food, regurgitate the partially wrath of Greenies that want to dissolved solids (cud), chew them again, and outlaw the meat business and cowboys to boot re-swallow as they forage on grass and hay. (pun)?

Other ruminants include sheep, deer, goats, In a study at U.C. Davis reported by Diane and giraffes.

Nelson in the College of Agricultural & There are a lot of activists out there wantEnvironmental Sciences to the California Ag ing people to eat less meat and legislate cutting Network and PLOS ONE journal, feeding back on cattle and sheep production to address cattle seaweed products reduces Greenhouse climate change. The problem is there isn’t that gas emissions by a whopping 82 percent which much land on earth that is good enough for would be a big game-changer. growing crops, just a tiny fraction. There is This discovery would help pave the way for a whole lot more ground worldwide that is a real, sustainable production of livestock all suitable for grazing, which is sorely needed over the world. to feed 10 billion people that will soon be on The good thing that I see is that it doesn’t take this planet. So, livestock is very important, and much seaweed in the cattle’s diet to produce the because much of livestock’s methane comes change. Last summer, Ermias Kebreab, profes- from the animal itself, nutrition is the key. sor in U.C. Davis Animal Science Department Seaweed inhibits the enzyme in the digestion and Chair of the World Food Center, and system in the cow that adds to the methane gas. his Ph.D. graduate student Breanna Roque, The cattle that consumed the seaweed emitted conducted a study feeding small amounts of much less methane than the other cattle in the seaweed to the diet of 21 beef cattle over five lot, and there wasn’t any drop-off of efficacy months last summer. They tracked their weight (intended result) as the cattle grew older. The gain and methane emissions. Those cattle with taste tests found no flavor difference from the

H

meat of the cattle eating the seaweed (Asparagopsis taxiformis) nor any impact on the taste of milk from the dairy cattle. The next study is to find a way to provide ranchers to get the seaweed product to the cattle on the wide-open range.

I see one problem, and that is seaweed is under attack by millions of hungry purple sea urchins that have been wiping out underwater kelp forests in Northern California and heading north to Oregon. The delicate marine ecosystem is so bad that critical species are starving to death. An article in the Associated Press by Terence Che and Gillian Flaccus stated that 90 percent of the giant bull kelp forest in Northern California have been devoured by the urchins and maybe never return. The urchins are killing off vital fisheries for red abalone and red sea urchins. Of the red abalone, 96 percent have disappeared from California’s North Coast, whereas the purple sea urchins increased six-fold. You can’t control them by just smashing them because there are too many.

In 2013, a mysterious disease began wiping out tens of millions of starfish, especially the sunflower sea star, which is the only real predator of the extra tough purple urchin. About the same time, the urchins had two excellent breeding years, and with no predators, the little bas#*/rds ate everything in sight. Perhaps, the warmer than usual waters in the Pacific had something to with it. Maybe, John Linsey at

PG&E can shed some light in one of his articles in the Tribune about the problem.

These critters are eating themselves into starvation also, but unlike other kelp dependant species, they can go into dormancy, stop reproducing, live for years with no food. An Industry is being developed to pay underemployed red sea urchin and abalone divers to grab the shriveled but living purples and transfer them to urchin ranches to be fattened up and sell

Like the seaweed that clings to each other after each passing of a boat separates them, so too a family will come together with the passing of each crisis. ~ Indonesian Proverb the roe to seafood markets around the world.

This may be part of the answer, and maybe the kelp in those areas can rebound, but it is such a large-scale ecological problem it isn’t one you can just eat your way out of.

A last personal note: when looking out at the seaweed harvester in the Bay, I have always thought what a great job almost like mowing alfalfa as I did as a teenager. Being out on the water, driving back and forth harvesting the seaweed alone with the elements, life would be good.

HEALTH

Tap Into Social Support to Lower Stress

By DR. CINDY MAYNARD For Avila Beach Life

T

oday it’s more important than ever to cultivate and maintain human connections, especially as we slowly make our way out of the COVID era. Our mental and physical health depends on it. In fact, a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that nearly half of Americans say the pandemic has negatively impacted their mental health.

Another study found 75 percent of people say they feel more socially isolated, 67 percent feel higher stress, 57 percent feel great anxiety, and 53 percent feel more emotionally exhausted since the pandemic outbreak. COVID has taken its toll, and it’s time to reconnect.

Connection in any form, via phone, zoom, or in person, fulfills a basic human need. In fact, the best predictor of our health and happiness is the quality of our relationships. Here are just a few of the benefits:

PHYSICAL BENEFITS

PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS

Lower Stress

Enhances Self-Esteem

Increases Quality of Life

Decreases Emotional Stress

Promotes Longevity

Provides a Sense of Identity

Promotes Cognitive Health

Adds Meaning and Purpose to Life

A strong social support system is essential to help us through tough times, whether you’ve had a stressful week, a recent loss, or just trying to grapple with the Covid pandemic and trying to reconnect with your loved ones. Lack of social support makes us feel lonely and isolated. We are essentially social creatures. Our ancestors hunted and traveled in social groups for a reason. Those separated from the tribe didn’t survive.

But what does strong social support mean? And how can it be developed and nurtured?

Sidney Cobb, a psychiatrist, says that social support is a subjective feeling in which the individual feels cared for and valued. Social support systems can consist of friends, peers, mentors, colleagues, neighbors, lay leaders, or even mental health professionals.

They provide comfort and sustenance just knowing they are there when we need them and provide a critical part of our identity and self-esteem. Support networks don’t have to be formal. A quick phone call or text, a handwritten note, networking sites, volunteer work either

online or in person, joining support groups— all help develop lasting relationships with others.

The benefits that come from sharing, getting things off your chest, or just knowing someone else has experienced the same problem you have, impacts our health in numerous ways.

We may be in this social isolation and mask-up period for a while longer. Here are some resources students in my stress management class gave for increasing social support— and it’s never too late to cultivate relationships.

1. Develop hobbies or outside interests; make gifts for others such as crafts, cards, or pillows.

Share your pictures, favorite books, music, or movies with others so they have more entertainment.

2. Volunteer and help others in your community- when we reach out to others who may be even more isolated than us, it is emotionally healing.

3. Take or host a class online- teach others how to use the latest technology so they can be a part of the mainstream.

4. AARP.org has many resources for ways to connect socially and ways to gain support.

5. Talk to people who serve you and call them by name (barista, cashier, waiter, etc.)

6. Join a gym or fitness group in person or online 7. Re-connect with old friends, classmates, or co-workers. Check-in with older adults especially.

Taking time to connect with our social support groups is an investment in our health and longevity. Relationships take time and effort, but they can change our lives in the most positive way.

Cindy Maynard, Ph.D., RD, is a health psychologist, registered dietitian, and health and fitness writer.

You can contact her at drcindymaynard@live.com.

8 | Avila Beach Life — June 2021

Central Coast

Real Estate Email:

WWW.SanLuisBayRealty.COM

Call: 805.709.1126 SanLuisBayRealty@gmail.com

LUXURY Resort Living in Avila Beach Gated community  Moments walk to the beach

Golf Course

Kingfisher Canyon

Trail

12 New Homes Remain LOT 222:

3,681 square foot,

Ocean View,

Private Lot

$3,450,000

LOT 223:

2,496 square foot,

Ocean View,

270 Degree Views

$2,850,000

LOT 224:

2,792 square foot,

Ocean View,

LOT 225:

2,485 square foot,

Ocean View,

PENDING: LOT 227

2,350 square foot,

LOT 234:

Grand Entry,

Ocean View,

Courtyard

$2,089,000

LOTS 236:

2,965 square foot,

Ocean View,

Highest Lot In Kingfisher

$3,300,000

LOT 237:

3,730 square foot

Ocean View,

Private Lot

$3,200,000

LOT 238:

2500 square foot,

Ocean View,

4 Car Garage

$2,699,000

PENDING: LOT 241

3,400 square foot,

$2,599,000 270 Degree Views

$2,179,000

$3,150,000

LOT 226: LOT: 242:

$2,699,000

$3,000,000 RESERVED 8,102 square foot lot,

$1,800,000 RESERVED

Call for pricing on Lot 243 and 244

recently sold • 2905 Eagle Nest, Avila Beach, Sale Price $2,525,000 • 106 Le Point St, Arroyo Grande, Sale Price $758,000 • 270 Ocean Oaks Lane, Avila Beach, Sale Price $1,045,000 • 245 E Bennett Street, Nipomo, Sale Price $529,000

pending sale • 5770 Buttercup Lane, Avila Beach • 250 Ocean Oaks Lane, Avila Beach • 6659 Twinberry Circle, Avila Beach • 105 Sunrise Terrace, Avila Beach • 911 Isabella Way, San Luis Obispo

Highlight Property

call us today!

805.595.7900

2920 Club Moss Lane Avila Beach, CA 93424 3 BD, 2.5 BA - 2,596 SqFt $1,799,000