Central Coast Journal • July 2022

Tom Keffury

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10 BACKROAD

JULY 2022

COWGIRLS COURT AND KIAH TAKE CALIFORNIA

by Camille DeVaul

18 TOM KEFFURY: ON THE COVER

THE BEST PART OF WAKING UP

by Camille DeVaul

22

CALIFORNIA COASTLINE: SAN SIMEON

by Chuck Graham Something Worth Reading 06

Publisher’s Letter

Community 08

Behind the Badge | Revisiting a growing, deadly

drug problem: fentanyl

Arts & Education

21

World of Wine | The Basics of Food and Wine Pairing

Calendar & Events 24

Crossword Puzzle

26

Calendar of Events

28

Service Listing & Crossword Answers

29

Photo of the Month | Submitted by Kellie Munro

12

SLO Arts | What does “supporting the arts” mean to you?

Last Word

14

Wine Country Theatre | Love, Loss and What I Wore

30

Avila Beach Chronicles | Intriguing Pelicans

15

July 4, 1776 | America’s Independence Day

30

Advertiser Directory

16

SLO County of Education | One Community, Together

Tase of Slo 20

Classic Cooking | All American Summer with a Salmon Twist

4 | JULY 2022

On the Cover Tom Keffury at the Paso Robles Event Center.

Photo by Melissa Mattson Central Coast Journal

Something Worth Reading

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A

s the school year came to an end, we were among those celebrating a graduating senior. Elle Madison took her final High School walk under the stadium lights on a warm June evening at War Memorial Stadium. Elle’s class had one full year of “regular” High School life, and then halfway through her sophomore year, covid hit the world; she and her class transitioned to a whole new way of education than we had ever seen before. Elle took to the changes, adjusted, “pivoted,” and made the decision to graduate early in December 2021 and walk with her class in June. We could not be more proud of her and all she has accomplished. Congratulations to Elle and all the graduating classes of 2022!

Now that the warmer temperatures are here, there is no better place to spend the summer than attending all the events. From concerts in the park, wine festivals, downtown activities (page 26), eating late dinners outside, long days at the beach, and this month, the California Mid State Fair.

The California Mid-State Fair has been a staple in our county for 77 years.

Our cover story this month is Tom Keffury, the front man for all sponsorships, concerts, and vendors. He tells us all about growing up in San Luis Obispo County, leaving to pursue a career in professional baseball, retuirning home and becoming the morning host to the KJug morning show, and join the team at the California Mid-State Fair, all of which he sees as an incredible blessing, see page 18.

This month we also get to travel the backroads with Central Coast’s own Kiah Twisselman Burchett who premieres a digital series highlighting people in agriculture across California. It is the start of a series we look to continue over the next few months showcasing the hardworking and selfless people who have a passion for keeping our food chain alive, see page 10.

Each July, we start the month planning and preparing for our 4th of July activities and BBQs. Getting together with family and friends to celebrate our independence is a summertime staple. But how much do we actually know (and remember learning) about July 4, 1776, see page 15. It is important to look back and understand what the founding fathers went through, what they sacrificed, and what our freedom actually means. No matter your political views, we are all here because of that day 246 years ago; now, what we do from here is up to us.

We wish you all a very safe and meaningful 4th of July and a wonderful summer.

We hope you enjoy this month’s issue of Central Coast Journal, the magazine of the Central Coast.

Hayley & Nic

publisher, editor-in-chief hayley mattson

Business & Product Development nic mattson

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layout & design

ad consultants dana mcgraw brooke brinar jamie self

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Thanks to them, we are able to bring you your local Hometown Magazine.

6 | JULY 2022

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Community

BEHIND THE BADGE

Revisiting a Growing, Deadly Drug Problem: Fentanyl

BY IAN PARKINSON

I

f this column gives you a sense of déjà vu, you’re right. In July of last year, my column dealt with the tragic death of a 7-monthold girl who died from exposure to fentanyl.

I had hoped the problem would get better. It hasn’t. In fact, it’s gotten worse. And that’s why I felt it was necessary to write another column, exactly one year later, about the issue.

of Highway 166. The car came to a complete stop on the shoulder of the highway just south of the Tefft Street off ramp in Nipomo. As a deputy questioned the occupants of the car, the car suddenly took off and exited the highway at Tefft Street. Deputies located and stopped the vehicle at East Tefft Street and Beechnut Street in Nipomo. The female driver, identified as 20-year-old Zoe Rutledge of Nipomo, was For those of you who don’t know, fentanyl is detained. Ackerman fled the vehicle. a dangerous and deadly drug. It is a synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 80 Deputies and members of the Sheriff ’s Speto 100 times more potent. I gave an example cial Operations Unit began searching for Ackof the deadly nature of fentanyl in last year’s erman. He was spotted in the front yard of a column, but it’s still worthy of repeating. A le- house before running into a nearby field near thal amount can be as little as 25 nanograms East Branch Street in Nipomo, where he was per milliliter. To give you an idea of how small caught and arrested. Detectives discovered a that is, a nanogram is one billionth of a gram. backpack in the field where Ackerman had been That’s billion with a “B.” arrested. That same backpack had been spotted in the vehicle that Ackerman had fled. Inside, Not long ago, we had a narcotics investiga- a kilo (approximately 2.2 pounds) of fentanyl tion that led to the seizure of a large quantity was found. It’s estimated worth: $25,000. Or, of fentanyl in our county. The investigation if sold by the gram at $125 a gram, that would began in April when members of the Sheriff ’s be worth $125,000. Ackerman was arrested for Gang Task Force were tracking a wanted felon, possession of a controlled substance for sale, 31-year-old Julian Ackerman of Coalinga, who transporting a controlled substance for sale, was suspected of driving into San Luis Obispo and resisting a peace officer. Rutledge was arCounty with a large amount of narcotics. Later rested for attempting to evade a peace officer that month, Sheriff ’s Deputies spotted the car in a reckless manner. with two occupants, Ackerman and a female driver. Deputies attempted to pull the vehicle According to the Drug Enforcement Adover on northbound Highway 101 just north ministration, a lethal dose of fentanyl is two

8 | JULY 2022

Here are some stats to give you an idea of what this drug is doing to our county: 2018 — 44 total drug-related deaths.

Fentanyl was present in 3 cases 2019 — 53 total drug-related deaths.

Fentanyl was present in 12 cases 2020 — 88 total drug-related deaths.

Fentanyl was present in 34 cases

123

2021 — total drug-related deaths.

Fentanyl was present in 74 cases milligrams. So, one kilo of pure fentanyl contains approximately 500,000 lethal doses.

It is almost incomprehensible how something so small could be so destructive. That’s why we’ve been making a big push to get this drug off the streets. Drug busts like the one described above help, but we know there’s more out there. So, we’ll keep fighting the good fight.

And maybe, hopefully, next year, I won’t need to write another column on this topic. 

Central Coast Journal

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Community

BACKROAD COWGIRLS

Court and Kiah Take California

BY CAMILLE DEVAUL

W

hat do you get when you take two cowgirls and put them in a hippie van?

Throw in a photographer, a video camera, and you, my friends, have “Backroad Cowgirls,” a digital series created and hosted by the Central Coast’s very own Kiah Twisselman Burchett.

“Backroad Cowgirls” premiered with its first season in June on YouTube. The digital series features Kiah and her Texan friend, Courtenay DeHoff — known to many as the creator of the Fancy Lady Cowgirl brand. The two friends, along with photographer Shelby Caitlin, traveled up and down California, sharing stories of the people behind one of the most vital industries in the world — agriculture.

“We don’t want this to be a show just teaching people about how their food is made,” Kiah explained, “What we wanted it to be was talking about the people. Because at the end of the day, people connect with people.”

Kiah is a sixth-generation California cattle rancher from Carissa Plains. She has made national headlines after sharing her health journey to lose over 100 pounds in one year. She now doubles as a life coach, speaker, and podcast host.

tenay went to different farms and ranches in California. They ended up producing 13 episodes, with new episodes available every Tuesday running through the end of August.

It Started with Pasta

The idea for the project came up in February when Courtenay, who lives in Texas, picked up Kiah from the Dallas Airport, saving Kiah from enduring a seven-hour layover. While chatting over an Italian lunch, the two discussed their dream to create their own television sePrior to Kiah and Courtenay ries, but they decided they were hitting the road, Shelby offered tired of waiting for a producer to her photography skills to doc- notice them. ument the journey. Shelby is a destination photographer known The friends each grew up in for capturing the western lifestyle the agriculture industry — Kiah based out of Paso Robles. growing up on the Twisselman Ranch in Carissa Plains and For two weeks, Kiah and Cour- Courtenay, a fourth-generation 10 | JULY 2022

cattle rancher from Kansas.

While their careers took them out of the everyday agriculture business, they each wanted to marry their passions of agriculture and travel. And what better way to do that than to create their own television show? Less than three months later, Kiah and Courtenay were in their “hippie cowgirl van” and on the road.

Central Coast Journal

Kiah explained why they didn’t boys, tatted-up chefs, BIPOC and waste time getting started.

LGBTQ+ farmers, mental health professionals, and more — cele“If we don’t do it now, life is go- brating the diversity of the industry. ing to get busy, things are going to get in the way, the excitement is They’re an Everywhere (Wo) going to fizzle, and it might not Man ever happen — we decided we are going to do this come hell or high Season one features the agriculwater,” Kiah shared. ture community in California, but that is just the start of the BackAfter creating a website, Kiah road Cowgirl dream. Kiah and and Courtenay raised funds for Courtenay have plans to take the their new venture and gained road all over North America and some sponsors. eventually overseas. According to Kiah, they are already in the works On the Road with some big investors for season two of the series.

Kiah and Courtenay’s first stop was the Allgood family in Creston.

Ultimately, the two friends hope They then met with agriculture to take the series to a streaming members in Edna Valley, Oceano, platform like Hulu or Netflix.

Coalinga, Lodi, and Sonoma, just Their hope with these platforms to name a few. is to reach an audience outside of agriculture and to bridge the gap Each stop on their journey between the farming industry and was meant to highlight diverse the rest of the world. members of agriculture. Episodes feature traditional-looking cow“There is so much hate in the world today,” Kiah stated. “I think it is so easy to hate somebody or something you don’t know that you can’t put a face and a story to.”

“Agriculture doesn’t just have one look,” explained Kiah, “but it’s so much bigger than what we traditionally think of when we think of agriculture and farming and ranching.”

Look for new episodes of Backroad Cowgirls every Tuesday, available on YouTube. For more information, visit backroadcowgirls.com 

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arts & Education

SLO ARTS

What Does ‘Supporting the Arts’ Mean to You?

BY RICK CASTELLO, SLO COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL BOARD MEMBER

I

f you asked the average person, “Hello, fellow human! Do you support the arts?” you might get a funny look at first, but you’d probably eventually get an answer something along the lines of, “Uh, sure. I mean, who doesn’t like art?”

At the SLO County Arts Council, our mission is “to advance the visual, literary and performing arts through programs that promote public access to the arts, arts in educational settings, local arts planning and collaboration, and opportunities for artists and arts organizations.”

While that may sound like a big mission (and it is!), it’s the sort of effort you would expect from a countywide arts organization that partners with the California Arts Council, the cities and towns in our county, local arts-friendly businesses, and artists of all kinds.

or buy their media or merchandise. (This is especially true for free shows with no ticket or cover charge, where tips and merch sales Maybe not literally (or maybe so!), but may be the performer’s only income from the you’ve heard the term “starving artist,” right? event.)

Raw materials, studio space, and coffee are all expensive, and most artists are not fortunate Be an “audience member” of visual enough to be fully financially supported by arts by visiting museums, galleries, and their art. Artists often work one or more jobs exhibitions just to afford to create and share their art with the world. When you see an artist with a tip We are fortunate to have many places in jar or passing the hat for donations, or selling SLO County where you can walk right in and merch or postcards, give them a few bucks and start appreciating visual arts for free. We have help buy them a burrito or a coffee or a new a number of great museums, galleries, local canvas for their next amazing painting. coffee shops, restaurants, and businesses that display art by local artists. In many cases, the Those are some of my ideas — what are art you see is for sale. If the original art is not some of yours? What does supporting the arts for sale or outside of our personal budgets, mean to you? artists will often sell printed reproductions of their work– whether it’s the original size, You can share your ideas for “supporting the a smaller version, or even displayed on a post- arts” with me at rick.castello@slocountyarts.org.  card or mug. You can get a taste of some of these at our self-guided Art and About art walks on the first, second, and fourth weeks of each month.

But what does “supporting the arts” mean on a smaller, more personal “fellow human” scale? To me, it means giving my time, my talent, or my treasure (money) to causes that advance the arts.

Be an advocate for arts funding in your community When you give money with lots of zeroes at the end, they call it “philanthropy,” but for Go to local city or county council meetings those who don’t necessarily have big cardboard where you live, and ask your elected officials checks to hand out, there are a lot of equally to fund public art and arts education in your valid and important ways you can show your community. Give your time, talent, or treasure support for the arts: as a one-time or recurring contribution to the SLO County Arts Council. You can support a Be a paying audience member for live wide variety of local art programs and artists performances across the entire county by making a one-time or recurring donation to the SLO County Arts Whether it’s a local concert, theatre perfor- Council (slocountyarts.org/donate) or volunmance, burlesque show, comedy improv show, teering your time and talents to help us put on or dance recital, all you have to do is show up, the programs we host in our area, like Open pay for a ticket, and show your appreciation Studios Art Tour, our Art and About art walks, for the art that is being performed. When ap- our Poetry Out Loud youth poetry events, propriate, please also tip the performers and/ or many others (slocountyarts.org/volunteer).

12 | JULY 2022

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arts & Education

WINE COUNTRY THEATRE

‘Love, Loss, and What I Wore’

BY CHRISTIANNA MARKS

W

ine Country Theatre was back with their production of The show expands on what it’s like to be a woman by examining the “Love, Loss, and What I Wore.” The show, which was staged clothes worn during life-changing moments, from getting your first bra at the Plymouth Congregational Church Fellowship Hall to going to prom, getting married, and everything in between. in Paso Robles, had an almost completely sold-out run from June 10 thru June 19.

Paso Robles Magazine was invited to the almost sold-out show on Saturday, June 11, and was left in stitches by the comedy witnessed on “When we realized that we had no venue any longer at the Park the stage, performed by six of the Central Coasts’ extraordinarily talBallroom, I go to this church; it’s like my second home. I was literally ented and comedic actresses. Dori Duke, Christine Miller, Mary-Ann in here [the Plymouth Congregational Church Fellowship Hall] having Maloof, Lindsey Lee Taylor, Allison Bradshaw, and Kristen Saunders coffee one Sunday. The church service people gather in here and have brought over 28 characters to life on stage. Each character with their cookies and coffee,” said Director and Wine Country Theatre Creator own memories concerning the clothes they wore while surrounded Cynthia Anthony. “I was just staring at that stage, and I thought, I by drawings of outfits and clothes hanging throughout the venue and wonder if we could do “Love, Loss, and What I Wore” in here? This is behind them on stage, telling their own stories. an example of a venue calling out for the play because the play’s very simply staged, and it worked. I just had a vision about it.”

“These women are amazing women, personally, but then also as performers and actors. Our director is awesome, and the theater company, “Love, Loss, and What I Wore” is written by esteemed sister duo in general, is incredibly active and supportive of getting different maand screenwriters in their own right, Norah and Delia Effron. Norah terial that’s not really been done a whole lot [out there],” shared actress is known for penning the rom-coms like “When Harry Met Sally” and Lindsey Taylor of the company and Wine Country Theatre.

“Sleepless in Seattle,” while Delia and Norah tag-teamed the likes of “You’ve Got Mail” and “Hanging Up,” which is based on a book also The play, while written by Norah and Delia Effron, is actually based written by Delia. on the book of the same name by Ilene Beckerman and was one of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows to date. “[I] absolutely loved it,” said actress Christine Miller of the script. “[It’s] well written, it’s fun to play, and when you start getting the “It’s really fun. I feel like this show is just so relatable. The script has feedback from the audience, it just creates this back and forth that is really got something for everybody, and so much of it really hits home why you’re on stage.” with so many people,” said actress Dori Duke. “A friend of mine saw it and said that it made her realize how much women go through and the judgment, and just how hard we are on ourselves, and all the things that happen. You kind of forget that there’s all of those things that happen.

The good and the bad.”

While the play’s subject matter was geared toward females, the humor and heart of the script connected with anyone with a ticket to the show.

“We actually had one gentleman who told our actors afterwards that watching the show gave him more insight into the female mystique than him hwaving a wife and three sisters,” actress Kristin Saunders stated.

“I did have this 80-year-old man last night tell me, ‘In all of my 80 years, I have never learned anything as much about women as I did tonight.’ So, he just made my night,” added Taylor.

The play is a total blast and full of laughs, it also examines what it’s like to be human, and that’s something we all can relate to.

“Hopefully, people went home, and they were full of their own memories of clothes through the years, of things about clothes and sisters and friends and marriages and wedding dresses and prom dresses,” concluded Anthony.

For upcoming show information visit winecountrytheatre.com.  14 | JULY 2022

Central Coast Journal

JULY 4, 1776

America’s Day of Independence

BY HAYLEY MATTSON

T

he Fourth of July traditions of Independence Day celebrations go back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. However, the celebrations today look nothing like they did back then.

Amid the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence on July 2, 1776. Two days later, delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historical document like none other drafted by Thomas Jefferson that would shape the nation we are today.

The Revolutionary War began in 1775, arising from growing tensions between residents of Great Britain’s 13 North American colonies and the colonial government, which represented the British crown. Tensions between British troops and colonial militiamen in Lexington and Concord in April 1775 ignited the armed conflict. By the following summer, the rebels were waging a full-scale war for their independence. France entered the American Revolution on the side of the Americans in 1778, turning what had essentially been a civil war into an international conflict.

After French assistance helped the Continental Army force the British to surrender at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781, the Americans effectively won their independence, although fighting did not formally end until 1783.

The strained relationship between Americans and the British authorities began more than a decade before the outbreak of the American Revolution.

The French and Indian War, or Seven Years’ War (1756-1763), brought new territories under the crown’s power, but the expensive conflict led to new and unpopular taxes. Attempts by the British government to raise revenue by taxing the colonies — notably the Stamp Act of 1765, the Townshend Acts of 1767, and the Tea Act of 1773 — were met with heated protest among the colonists, who resented their lack of representation in Parliament and demanded the same rights as other British subjects.

In response, a group of colonial delegates (including George Washington of Virginia, John and Samuel Adams of Massachusetts, Patrick Henry of Virginia, and John Jay of New York) met in Philadelphia in September 1774 to voice their grievances against the British crown.

This First Continental Congress did not go so far as to demand independence from Britain; however, it denounced taxation without representation, as well as the maintenance of the British army in the colonies without their consent. In addition, it issued a declaration of every citizen’s rights, including life, liberty, property, assembly, and trial by jury. The Continental Congress voted to meet again in May 1775 to consider further action, but by that time, violence had already broken out.

On the night of April 18, 1775, hundreds of British troops marched from Boston to nearby Concord, Massachusetts, in order to seize an arms cache. Paul Revere and other riders sounded the alarm, and colonial militiamen began mobilizing to intercept the Redcoats. On April 19, local militiamen clashed with British soldiers in the battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts, marking the “shot heard round the world” that signified the start of the Revolutionary War. When the initial battles in the Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, few colonists desired complete independence from Great Britain, and those who did were considered radical.

By the middle of the following year, however, many additional colonists had come to favor independence, thanks to growing hostility against BritCentralCoastJournal.com

ain and the spread of revolutionary sentiments such as those expressed in the bestselling pamphlet “Common Sense,” published by Thomas Paine in early 1776.

“Common Sense” was a pamphlet stating the argument in favor of American independence. Pamphlets were an important medium for spreading ideas and information in the 16th through 19th centuries.

“Common Sense” played a remarkable role in transforming a colonial squabble into the American Revolution.

On July 4, 1776, the 13 colonies claimed their independence from England, an event that eventually led to the formation of the United States of America. In a June 7 session in the Pennsylvania State House (later known as Independence Hall), Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented a resolution with the famous words: “Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”

The 13 colonies included New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. It was those colonies that came together to form the United States of America.

Though the movement for American independence effectively triumphed at the Battle of Yorktown, contemporary observers did not see that as the decisive victory yet. British forces remained stationed around Charleston, and the powerful main army still resided in New York. Though neither side would take decisive action over the better part of the next two years, the British removal of their troops from Charleston and Savannah in late 1782 finally pointed to the end of the conflict. British and American negotiators in Paris signed preliminary peace terms in Paris late that November, and on September 3, 1783, Great Britain formally recognized the independence of the United States in the Treaty of Paris.

At the same time, Britain signed separate peace treaties with France and Spain (which had entered the conflict in 1779), bringing the American Revolution to a close after eight long years.

After the Revolutionary War, Americans continued to commemorate Independence Day every year, in celebrations that allowed the new nation’s emerging political leaders to address citizens and create a feeling of unity. By the last decade of the 18th century, the two major political parties — the Federalist Party and Democratic-Republicans — that had arisen began holding separate Fourth of July celebrations in many large cities.

As we look back on our history, we as Americans continue to fight for our independent freedoms. As history shows, we evolve, grow, and become better. At times, however, we can regress and move backward.

This year as we celebrate our independence and that of our nation, we take a moment to reflect on what each of us can do to ensure our freedom continues for the next generation and what we are doing today to preserve it.

We wish you a very safe and meaningful Independence Day. Resources for this article include History.com, britannica.com, USHistory.org, battlefields.org  JULY 2022 | 15

arts & Education

SLO COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION

One Community Together

BY JAMES BRESCIA, ED.D. COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

M

ay and June were very stressful months for schools nationwide and within our county because of school violence. Social media and even what was once considered traditional media focus on quantity (clicks, likes, shares, etc.) over quality, sensationalism over detail, and rumors consistently outshine fact. I entered the profession in 1986, and as time advances, I have grown to appreciate and value authentic and genuine relationships.

Today’s schools face multiple linguistic, cultural, religious, ethnic, and racial issues requiring a caring community to foster positive relationships. Large urban areas such as Los Angeles County and smaller rural communities like San Luis Obispo County experience challenges, social pressures, and school violence. It is not easy to collectively accept responsibility for all of our citizens and their actions. Communities have risen to challenges throughout history, and today is no different.

Our school, community, law enforcement, and mental health leaders meet regularly to discuss the needs, perspectives, and challenges of the individuals we serve.

How do we collectively address the needs of everyone and build up our entire community? School and community violence across the United States continues to be a topic of my monthly Superintendent’s Council and general school administration meetings. On the Tuesday following Memorial Day, approximately 100 community leaders representing the schools, law enforcement, government, and mental health gathered to review communications and safety practices for all schools in San Luis Obispo County. California Civil

16 | JULY 2022

“If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships – the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace.”

— Franklin D. Roosevelt

Code 1714.1 makes parents and guardians vicariously liable for up to $25,000 for their child’s willful misconduct. In addition to arresting responsible parties and legally forcing families to pay for the damages to public facilities, we must do our best to prevent violence and property damage before it happens. Before starting the 2022-2023 school year, my office will facilitate another Building Community Summit to address communications and safety in our schools proactively.

The Building Community Summit aims to facilitate multi-agency communication and collaboration, present positive strategies for community engagement, and build up the county. The San Luis Obispo County Office of Education, local students, parents, nonprofit agencies, religious leaders, city & county government officials, school leaders, elected officials, and law enforcement represent the membership of a Department of Justice grant designed to reduce school violence and build commu-

nity. Sheriff Ian Parkinson and I believe that “we can address our issues proactively, one relationship at a time.” Because of the Sheriff ’s efforts along with the Office of Emergency Services, San Luis Obispo County is one of the first in the state to map every school campus and better connect the community digitally. All district, charter, private, and parochial school properties are reviewed and updated during the summer.

Research indicates that community capacity to prevent violence is achieved primarily through the social relations embodied in dense networks of “strong” ties within geographically bounded spaces known as neighborhoods or communities has been challenged on two grounds (Bellair, 1997; Morenoff, Sampson, & Raudenbush, 2001). Because professional experience and research indicate that violence prevention programs structured to build community capacity are the most successful, our agencies commit to providing proactive practices that mitigate personal or agency disconnect.

Everyone has the right to learn in a safe environment. Families need to feel confident in sending children to school without fear.

Research indicates that prevention efforts by students, families, school staff, law enforcement, and the entire community can reduce school violence. Consistent communications, holding responsible parties accountable, and proactive safety practices are some of the strategies we are implementing.

During the weeks following the tragedies in Texas, I observed our local law enforcement, school personnel, local government officials, and mental health representatives collaborate for the greater good. I believe that together we can positively impact our future by facilitating multi-agency communications, working collectively, and acknowledging that we are all part of a shared community. I pledge to continue fostering these collective efforts and promoting safety throughout the community. It is an honor to serve as your County Superintendent of Schools.  Central Coast Journal

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JULY 2022 | 17

TOM KEFFURY

The Best Part of Waking Up

BY CAMILLE DEVAUL

F

or the past 20 years, Tom Keffury has been the voice San Luis Obispo County wakes up to listen to in the morning.

Yet, when Tom was 23, he had just moved back into his parents’ home in Atascadero. He lay in his childhood bedroom staring at the ceiling, wondering where his life was going next. Despite spending the previous four years at two different colleges, Tom had no degree, no job, and did not make it as a Major League Baseball player as originally intended.

While Tom’s dream of becoming a professional baseball player did not come true, he did become a morning radio host on country music station KKJG (more familiarly known as 98.1 KJug) and in San Luis Obispo County, that’s kind of the same thing.

“To get from there to where I’m at now...I feel lucky,” says Tom, “I feel blessed, I feel grateful.”

that camp,” Tom shared. “I wanted to get out of In addition to hosting the morning radio the small town Atascadero life and get to a big show, Tom is the front man for sponsorships of city...so I chose the biggest city in the world.” the California Mid-State Fair (CMSF). So in a way, finding a career in radio and at the fair is And for the first year, Tom loved being a city a full-circle moment for him. kid. But by his sophomore year, he missed the small-town life. For his third and fourth years Growing up in Atascadero, one of his first jobs of college, he transferred to Oklahoma State was cleaning stalls at the fair. He remembers University in Stillwater, which he described as avidly listening to KPRL with his dad, along Atascadero with a college in the middle. For with the era’s best radio broadcasters, including the next two years, Tom played baseball for the Paul Harvey and Howard Cosell. university and met his future wife, Myki.

“I’ve always had a spot in my heart for some While Tom had finished his required classold-time radio folks,” Tom remembers. es to graduate, he did not meet the other requirements to graduate and walk away with a As a kid on road trips with his family, Tom diploma. The reason... Tom laughs and says it would mimic the radio voices by imagining his was because he more so majored in college fun. own show while interviewing his sister in the car. It didn’t occur to either of them that they Tom decided to move back home to were foreshadowing Tom’s future.

Atascadero and figure out his next move. His plan was always to make it to the major leagues, After graduating from Atascadero High but after coming to grips with it not becoming a School, Tom moved to New York City to at- reality, Tom got his first job in broadcasting with tend Columbia University, where he had a KPRL in Paso Robles. Using the advice from football scholarship. his uncle, a broadcaster for K-Fog in the Bay Area, Tom stayed at KPRL for one year. He then “Like many people, when they are 17, they moved to the SLO-based country music station think they know everything. I was certainly in 92.5 KDDB as its afternoon disc jockey, later 18 | JULY 2022

transferring to being their morning show host.

With his and Myki’s first baby on the way, Tom decided to shift into sales for American General Media, and the family moved to Arroyo Grande before Tom left the broadcasting industry entirely in 2002 for a quick stint in sales at a local ad agency Barnet Cox. But he did not stay away from broadcasting for very long.

In 2005, American General Media General Manager Kathy Signorelli called Tom asking him to come back as the morning show host for KJug. At the same time, Tom was offered a job at the CMSF, running the fair’s sponsorships.

Tom is someone who thrives on being busy— he thrives on the hustle. So since 2005, Tom has been radio broadcaster by morning and CMSF front man by afternoon.

The CMSF has always had a special place in Tom’s heart. He, like many others in the county, grew up with the fair. It was the highlght of childhood summers. It is the Super Bowl of SLO County.

Central Coast Journal

Tom said, “It’s the format that the artists can tell stories that are relatable to everyday people.”

Continuing the country scene, Tom has been a large part of the Mid-State Fair family.

Known to many as the “biggest little fair anywhere.” For 10 days, the fair brings in some of the genre’s biggest acts, including artists like George Strait, Garth Brooks, Kiss, Journey, and countless others.

Tom works year-round to ensure funding for the fair by working with corporations for sponsorships and acts as a liaison between the music artists and the fair, developing marketing plans for the artists once they are booked.

Our “little fair” is known nationwide to music agents. And that started Tom says, by all the people who came before him.

“That’s really a testament to the people who came before me but who made the investment and had the vision to see what could happen down the road,” Tom shared.

The first big league act booked at the fair was Buck Owens in 1969. From then on, Paso Robles became a stop for nearly everyone’s tour while in California.

However, it all almost came to an end when in 2020, the CMSF was completely canceled due to the pandemic.

But KJug, he says, has become special to him as well.

“The fair is very, very special and has always been very special...I’m very grateful to work there and be a part of it,” said Tom, “KJug has become very special to me as well. KJug is different than every other radio station.”

The love of KJug to Tom, for the most part, can be attributed to his morning radio show partner Becky Kingman.

“I love her to death. She and I have a very unique and special relationship. We get each other completely,” explained Tom. “She is like the little sister I never wanted.”

From day one, Tom and Becky clicked — on and off the air.

Tom says of Becky, “She is my best friend... we’re really close. I can’t imagine at this point doing the radio show with anyone else but her.”

Anyone who has listened to 98.1 KJug within the last 20 years has seen the various phases the station has gone through, which included other morning show partners who shared the airwaves CentralCoastJournal.com

with Tom. While none of them were dislikable, the station and the show took a whole new life when Becky joined Tom on air.

People wake up in the morning looking forward to turning on 98.1 for two reasons: good music and to listen to Tom and Becky.

Tom credits their show’s popularity to his and Becky’s honesty.

“There is only one goal, and that is to have fun.

We believe if we are having fun, then the listener is having fun,” says Tom adding, “It’s what radio should be and needs to be these days.”

While he acknowledges, not everyone appreciates their banter and willingness to be themselves, to most people, it is refreshing.

“If you don’t stand for anything, then you stand for nothing,” he says.

KJug has always been a country music station.

Combining the relatability of country music and the honesty of Tom and Becky kind of goes hand in hand — like peanut butter and jelly.

“Country music is the format of America,”

“That was a tough year for the fair and the entire community,” Tom remembers. “The fair was on the brink of never coming back if we had to cancel another year.”

But with true resilience, the community stood by its fair and supported it through the hardship.

Reflecting again on 2020, Tom and Becky were allowed to continue working on the morning show while the majority of the world shut down. Their show was able to bring some normalcy to people when the world was shattering.

“Honestly, it’s probably the best I have ever done in my life is just coming to work the past two years,” Tom explained. “That bond [with the community] has been strengthened so much because we were able to keep working.”

But now, we are in July, two years after that storm of uncertainty, and the community is ready to get back to the little fair again in Paso Robles.

And this year, they are “Full Steam Ahead!”

“We live for that moment of seeing people connect and further develop their relationships,” Tom said, “It’s great, and we can’t wait for this year.”  JULY 2022 | 19

taste of slo

CLASSIC COOKING

All American Summer with a Salmon Twist

J

BY BARBIE BUTZ

uly has always been a month to make memories. Families take long-awaited vacations because school is out and summer has arrived. But best of all, we celebrate the 4th of July and our independence as a country. On July 4, 1776, delegates from the 13 colonies (under British rule) adopted a Declaration of Independence that has stood as one of the most significant and powerful documents of all time.

and family-friendly concerts. And let us not forget the barbecues. I think the menus for the 4th of July speak very clearly of the “all-American” food we love. In some cases, the food identifies us. For instance, would you visit Kansas City and not eat barbecue? Would you visit the East Coast and not partake of a crab and lobster feed? And those Texas steaks are a must in that state.

potato salad, coleslaw, tri-tip and barbecue beans, pork ribs, ham and baked beans, and on and on. Of course, we always had desserts that never ended! I hope you don’t think we had all that food at the same picnic! No, but eventually, we ate that kind of food all summer.

On that note, I have selected a couple of salmon recipes to share with you. One can be grilled outside, and the other you poach on My memories of the 4th always include the stove. Be sure to visit some of our local Now we celebrate with parades, fireworks, huge family reunion picnics with fried chicken, fish markets to get the freshest fish available.

Sesame-Crusted Salmon with Asian Noodles

Ingredients

Directions

11⁄2 pounds salmon fillet 1 tablespoon sesame oil 2 tablespoons sesame seeds 11⁄2 pound spaghettini 1⁄2 cup green onion, chopped 1⁄2 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped 1⁄2 cucumber, cut into thin strips

Prepare grill. Place salmon, skin side down, on a foil-lined baking sheet. Remove all bones. Make small folds in edges of foil, forming a border around salmon until foil is just bigger than salmon. Brush salmon with 1 tablespoon sesame oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds, coating evenly. Place salmon on foil over a hot grill, close grill cover, and cook 18 to 20 minutes, or until salmon is barely opaque throughout.

For Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, lime juice, soy sauce, and hot chili oil. Add peanut oil and sesame oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly, until well-blended.

Dressing

3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed 4 teaspoons soy sauce 1 teaspoon hot chili oil 1⁄4 cup peanut oil 2 tablespoons Asian sesame oil

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well. Pour dressing over pasta. Add green onion, 1⁄2 cup cilantro, and cucumber. Toss to mix thoroughly. Pasta can be served hot or at room temperature. Divide pasta among individual plates. Cut salmon on the diagonal into 4 equal portions. Lift portions from foil with a spatula, leaving skin behind. Place salmon on bed of pasta and sprinkle with remaining cilantro. Serves 4

Poached Salmon In White Wine

Ingredients 3 cups dry white wine 3 cups water 1 teaspoon salt 1 onion 4 stalks celery, cut in large pieces 1 medium carrot, sliced 1⁄4 teaspoon thyme 2 bay leaves 1 teaspoon tarragon 6 peppercorns, crushed 1 (6-pound) salmon Watercress, parsley or dill sprigs, and lemon slices for garnish 3 tablespoons fresh dill weed, chopped Mayonnaise or Sour Cream Sauce

Directions

Place all ingredients except the salmon, sauce, and garnishes in a large pot and boil 10 minutes or more. Gently place salmon in the pot. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Remove pan from heat and allow salmon to cool in the liquid. Chill.

To serve, remove salmon from liquid and place on a platter. Garnish with watercress leaves, small sprigs of parsley or dill, and lemon slices. Add fresh chopped dill weed to mayonnaise or Sour Cream sauce. Serve on the side. Serves 8

Enjoy summer and have a happy 4th of July, cheers!

20 | JULY 2022

Central Coast Journal

WORLD OF WINE

BY MIRA HONEYCUTT

Basics of Food and Wine Pairing

O

h, the challenges of pairing food with fine wine! We’ve all been there. Planning that memorable experience of pairing your culinary skills with the wine stocked in your cellar.

Food, when consumed with wine, has an effect on the way a wine tastes and vice versa. Generally, though, food has more impact on the way wine will taste than the other way around. There is an art and science to this approach. Let’s start with basic flavors of food — sweetness, saltiness, acidity, chili heat, and umami.

Sweetness in food — increases the perception of bitterness and acidity in the wine; and decreases the perception of body, sweetness, and fruitiness in the wine. So, for dishes containing sugar, a general rule is to select a wine with a higher level of sweetness.

rusy viognier. The wine added a touch of acidity, thus complementing the sauce’s umami taste.

“Think outside the box,” advised Learned. For example, how to enjoy big red wines in summertime. His answer: a cabernet sauvignon paired with beef in lettuce wraps. Or, for a vegetarian option, a beetroot Napoleon layered with a combination of mascarpone and blue cheese that I tasted, which paired brilliantly with a Robert Hall cabernet sauvignon.

Umami in food is a savory taste associated with flavors like the salty taste of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) or cooked/dried mushrooms. Foods with high levels of umami without salt are challenging to pair, such as asparagus, eggs, and mushrooms. However, certain foods that are high in umami and salt, can counteract the effect of umami on the wine, foods such as cured meats, and hard cheeses.

Pair with white wines, Rosés, or low-tannin red wines.

Acidity in food — increases the perception of body, sweetness, and fruitiness in the wine; and decreases the perception of acidity in the wine. Some acidity in food generally is good for pairing as it can bring balance and fruitiness To get an expert’s take, I reached out to a to high acid wine. couple of Paso Robles-based chefs such as Rachel Ponce, who creates memorable pairSalt in food — increases the perception of ings with local wineries, and Michael Learned, body in the wine; and decreases the perception executive chef at Robert Hall Winery. of bitterness and acidity in the wine. Salt can be a wine-friendly component of food and can Both chefs, surprisingly, had a similar take to help wine taste richer and smoother, softening approach the meal’s protein as a blank canvas. some of the harder elements.

“I’m really pairing with seasonings and sauces,” said Ponce. Learned concurred, “You don’t taste Chili heat in food — increases the per- the protein itself but the flavors around it.” ception of bitterness, acidity and alcohol burn; and decreases the perception of the body, “The main characteristic of the wine should richness, and fruitiness of the wine. The toler- be there,” Ponce explained. “Food should not ance of chili heat, which is a tactile sensation alter but lift the wine’s character, elevate the rather than one of taste varies from person to experience.” person. Alcohol kicks up the chili’s burning sensation, which can be enjoyable for some Recently I tasted some of Ponce’s appetizers people. Pair with white wines or low-tan- at Nenow Family Wine in Paso Robles. Such nin red and wines both with low alcohol as the Asian chicken meatballs accompanied by content. teriyaki-aioli sauce paired with a bright and citCentralCoastJournal.com

How about comparing and contrasting flavors of food with wine?

Such as contrasting sweet and salty flavors, a match made in heaven — think sweet wine with blue cheese. Or spices with dessert wine, suggested Ponce. “Sweetness of wine works well with spice.”

How about fatty foods with high acidity wines, which gives a pleasant experience as the wine’s acidity cuts through the food’s richness leaving the palate with a cleansing sensation.

In comparing flavors, Learned refers to his sticky rice dish enhanced with elderberry reduction paired with a petite sirah. “The fruit notes in the wine go well with the berry flavors of the sauce.”

When it comes to pairing intense flavors both in food and wine, be mindful that they don’t overpower each other. Such as pairing intensely flavored curry dishes. For a tropical Thai curry, an ideal pairing would be a riesling or gewürztraminer; for a North Indian curry rich with cinnamon and cloves, a Southern Rhône red blend would make a good match.

While the above guidelines provide the basics, at the end of the day, it’s what your palate desires and your own culinary inspiration to create that memorable food and wine experience.  JULY 2022 | 21

outdoors

T

hey battled at the frothy shoreline, bouncing off each other like two mighty sumo wrestlers. They hacked at each other’s necks, thick in pink, raw callouses. The sound of it was an impactful thud to drive the other into submission, but neither was giving ground. The more dominant northern elephant seal bull was larger, taller, heavier, approximately all 5,000 pounds of him. However, his challenger was putting him to the test. The younger, smaller bull was not backing down, holding its own on a cool, crisp February morning.

CALIFORNIA COASTLINE: SAN SIMEON

Clash of the Titans

BY CHUCK GRAHAM

Persistence As their steamy breaths wafted skyward, the battle ventured into deeper water, the larger bull driving the girthy upstart into the surf. The young bull didn’t give up, though. He circled 50 yards northward and surfed back into the windswept beach near the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse along the San Simeon coastline. With the larger bull preoccupied with taming its extensive harem, the younger challenger attempted to take advantage of females on the northern fringe of the beach. He immediately thrust himself upon a female in estrus. Seemingly, the dominant bull had eyes in the back of his broad head. He scooched swiftly to the other end of his beach and harem. And once again, he sent the young bull retreating back into the surf.

While observing the drama unfold with girlfriend Holly Lohuis, a marine biologist, we agreed that it was only a matter of time before this young bull claimed its own territory and accompanying harem. Before watching it battle with the powerful beachmaster, we noticed a gaping, crescent moonshaped wound on its right flank.

Several days later, I sent a photo to wildlife biologist Tony Orr from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association (NOAA), who studies these marine mammals on nearby San Miguel Island, and asked him where he thought the wound came from.

22 | JULY 2022

Central Coast Journal

Robust Rebound Northern elephant seals were once thought to be extinct due to commercial sealing, the thirst for oil extracted from their blubber resulting in their demise. In the late 1800s, a small population was discovered surviving on a remote Mexican beach. Protections were set in place, and the population began to steadily increase in the early 1900s.

“That looks like a great white own groups, huddling together in shark bite to me,” said Orr, who the wind and flipping sand onto has spent over 20 years researching their backs. pinnipeds at Point Bennett on San Miguel. “Pretty impressive.”

Various gulls and turkey vultures scavenged over unfortunate pups If it could shake off a gaping who hadn’t survived, but nothwound like that, then I surmised ing goes to waste at the rookery. this young bull would one day Where pups gathered against soon possess the chops required weathered bluffs and flotsams of to rule its own stretch of sand. tattered, gnarled giant bladder kelp and Elkhorn kelp, shorebirds such Cycle of Life as black turnstones and killdeer tiptoed amongst the weaners, forThe chess match continued into aging for food as the morning high the afternoon, the younger bull tide surged within the rookery. continuously wreaking havoc on the beachmaster’s harem. Amongst Once the weaners are finished the battles, dozens of weaners - nursing, their mothers leave the elephant seal pups - squawked rookery, and the pups fend for for their mothers to nurse. Some themselves. Full of milk, they have of the pups had already been enough fat to sustain themselves weaned and were forming their while remaining at the rookery.

CentralCoastJournal.com

Due to such a low number of individuals being responsible to replenish the gene pool, concerns They are not strong enough to about inbreeding and diversity still make the long, arduous migration weigh on the minds of biologists. northward to the Bering Strait in Alaska, so they spend their first “Yes, I would assume it’s an issue year of life along the rugged coast- as their genetic variability would line in San Simeon. They’ll spend be low,” continued Orr. “If somethat time storing up reserves, feed- thing (e.g., disease) attacked them, ing in the local waters with the I would assume that their popuhopes of making that challenging lation would decrease significantly journey the following year. due to the bottleneck effect.”

Between the battling bulls, other displays of dominance took place, the male’s pronounced proboscis sounding off with bellowing knocks as the behemoths reared upward, standing over 6 feet tall.

Their floppy snouts are long and hollow, the bigger bulls possessing the more impressive proboscis, which swung back and forth as the bulls lunged forward across their precious territories.

Despite that potential concern, today, their robust populations continue to grow, evident on beaches surrounding Piedras Blancas, San Miguel Island, Point Reyes National Seashore, Ano Nuevo State Park, and Guadalupe Island off Mexico. Populations of northern elephant seals all derived from those few individuals that survived in Mexico so many years ago.  JULY 2022 | 23

crossword

JULY CROSSWORD

24 | JULY 2022

Central Coast Journal

Happy 4th of

July!

From all of us at 13 Stars Media

Calendar

JULY *Event dates and times are subject to change. Please call ahead or check online to confirm details.

of

July Events

Pismo Beach July 4th Celebration

4th of July in Cambria

PISMO BEACH PIER

All Day, Fireworks at Dusk The City of Pismo Beach is excited to welcome Pismo Beach residents and visitors back to the July 4th Celebration! For more info, visit experiencepismobeach.com

Avila Beach Pancake Breakfast

Avila Beach Doggie Parade

11 am Bring the family to Cambria’s oldfashioned July 4th celebration. Events start at 11am. Free parking. Fireworks at dusk

AVILA BEACH COMMUNITY CENTER

AVILA BEACH PROMENADE

4th Annual Colony Days Bluegrass Freedom Festival

July 4th in Paso Robles

July 4th in Templeton

BARNEY SCHWARTZ PARK

DOWNTOWN TEMPLETON

SHAMEL PARK, CAMBRIA

8:30 – 11am 11am Start the 4th of July off with delicious Check out all the pups dressed for the pancakes; all proceeds will go towards 4th walking in the parade the operations and maintenance of the Avila Beach Community Center

of

July Events

July 2022 Cayucos Fireworks CAYUCOS

Sand Sculpture contest. Arrive 4 am-5 am followed by Town Parade, 10 am-6 pm Front Street Faire shopping and food vendors, Lions Club BBQ, and 9pm Fireworks at the pier! No tickets necessary.

ATASCADERO LAKE PARK

2 - 10pm Free admission and parking • 2 - 8pm Children’s activity booths • KJUG Admission is free, and there will be broadcast • Music throughout the day food, beer, and wine available for • Fireworks show at approximately purchase, bring your low-back lawn 9:30 pm• Concession stand and food chairs and blankets to enjoy the show! trucks • Limited free RV Parking

7am – 3pm Start the day with the Pancake Breakfast at 7am, and then grab a seat for the hometown parade at 10am

SLO Blues Baseball

Story Time at Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab

Kids Surf Camps

Concerts in the Plaza

SURFER PARKING LOT 163 ADDIE STREET, PISMO BEACH

MISSION PLAZA, SAN LUIS

Month of July

SINSHEIMER PARK, SAN LUIS

Check out the schedule and purchase tickets to the next SLO Blues Baseball game at bluesbaseball.com

Every Tuesday 3:30 - 4pm Sweet treats and fun activities

Month of July

Point San Luis Summer Concert Series

Summer Concert Series

PT. SAN LUIS LIGHTHOUSE, AVILA BEACH

6:30 - 8:30pm Band Line Up Includes: • July 2: The Rockin’ B’s Band • July 9: The Jump Jax • July 23: Ghost Monster • July 30: The Cinders Blues Band

Band Line Up Includes: • July 09: Upside Ska • July 23: Tipsy Gypsies For more info and to purchase tickets, visit pointsanluislighthouse.org 26 | JULY 2022

Week-long day camps run Monday through Friday each week starting June 6; visit ampsurf.org/summercamps

5:30 – 7:30pm • July 1: RESINATION • July 8: The Mother Corn Shuckers • July 15: Damon Castillo Band • July 22: Dante Marsh & the VibeSetters • July 29: The Molly Ringwald Project

Templeton Concert in the Park Series

Paso Robles Concerts in the Park

TEMPLETON PARK

DOWNTOWN CITY PARK

6 – 8pm Band Line Up Includes: • July 6: Club Dv8 • July 13: Los Gatos Locos • July 20: Way Out West

6 – 8pm Band Line Up Includes: • July 7: Josh Rosenblum Band • July 14: JD Project • July 21: Garden Party

114 W. BRANCH ST. ARROYO GRANDE AND June 6 - August 26, 8:30am – 1:30pm 860 HIGUERA ST. SLO Band Line Up:

ATASCADERO LAKE PARK

Central Coast Journal

Stay up on all the events and happenings in San Luis Obispo County!

of Events Month of July

SUBMIT UPCOMING EVENTS TO: office@13starsmedia.com

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Atascadero Community Band

Public Swim

Public Swim

46 West Block Party

CENTENNIAL AND MUNICIPAL POOL

SLO SWIM CENTER

DARK STAR CELLARS

ATASCADERO LAKE BANDSTAND

1 – 4pm $5/day, $45/10 Punch Pass, $390/100 Punch Pass Sessions. Kids under 1 swim for free! For more info, visit prcity.com

1:45 – 4pm Family Recreational Swim will be held in the therapy pool. For more info and pricing, visit slocity.org

6 - 9pm 21 Wineries in the 46 West Group will participate in this event hosted by Dark Star Cellars. For more info and tickets, visit 46west.wine.

July 5(patriotic music), 12, 19, 29 7 – 8pm Bring lawn chairs and a picnic and enjoy the Atascadero Community Band Free at the Lake Park

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Traveling Lantern Presents Camp Ocean

23rd Annual Atascadero All Comers Track & Field

Rock to Pier Run

Ice Cream Zoofari

MORRO ROCK, MORRO BAY

CHARLES PADDOCK ZOO

PASO ROBLES LIBRARY

ATASCADERO HIGH SCHOOL MEMORIAL STADIUM

8am Join the 52nd running of the Brian Waterbury Memorial Rock to Pier Fun Run. For more info and tickets morro-bay. ca.us

5:30 – 8pm Head to the Zoo for a relaxing and delicious ice cream-filled event!

Tickets are $15 for 12 yrs. and up; $11 for 3 to 11 yrs.; FREE to ages 2 and under.

10am All (little) hands on deck! Join Mr. Sharky in a fish-fact-filled voyage to thebottom of the sea. Free admission tickets will be available 30 minutes prior to the program.

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The Central Coast Renaissance Festival LAGUNA LAKE PARK, SLO

10am – 6pm Enjoy four stages of entertainment with authentic music, dance, plays, and comedy skits. Adult tickets are $25. Seniors (age 65+) and Child (age 6-15) are $20. Under age 6 are free

MONDAYS Baywood / Los Osos 668 SANTA MARIA AVE, SAN LUIS OBISPO

2pm – 4:30pm

3:30 – 9pm Join in for fun, sweat, and cheers for a track and field event for everyone!

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California Mid State Fair PASO ROBLES EVENT CENTER

See Schedule on Page 25 The California Mid State is back in full force; see daily schedule on page 25 or visit midstatefair.com

WED + SAT

fri

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San Luis Obispo

SATURDAYS: OLOHAN ALLEY IN THE ARROYO GRANDE VILLAGE

6pm – 9pm

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Magician Jim Wilson Comes to the Library

Steel Magnolias

PASO ROBLES LIBRARY

Thurs - Sat 7pm Sat & Sun 2pm San Luis Obispo Repertory Theater Presents Steel Magnolias, a live theatre production. Cost $20 - $38.

For more info visit slorep.org

888 MORRO ST. SLO

10am Join the high energy and fun of a Children’s comedy magic show. Free admission tickets will be available 30 minutes prior to program.

Thursdays Thursdays

Arroyo Grande

fri

Morro Bay

Fridays Avila Beach

Fridays Cambria

FIVE BLOCKS OF HIGUERA 2659 MAIN ST, MORRO BAY, AVILA BEACH PROMENADE 1000 MAIN ST., VETERANS WEDNESDAYS: SMART & ST BETWEEN OSOS ST AND 93442 HALL PARKING LOT FINAL PARKING LOT AT 4pm – 8pm 1464 EAST GRAND AVENUE NIPOMO ST IN DOWNTOWN 2pm – 4:30pm 2:30 – 5pm SAN LUIS OBISPO WED: 8:30am – 11am

Sat: 12pm – 2pm CentralCoastJournal.com

JULY 2022 | 27

SERVICE LISTING

Government and Business

San Luis Obispo *Visit slocounty.ca.gov for virtual & up to date meeting info. Chamber of Commerce All meetings below meet at the Phone: 805-781-2670 County Government Center, Board of San Luis Obispo Regional 895 Monterey St. Supervisors Chambers, 1055 Monterey Transit Authority San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 St, Room D170, San Luis Obispo.

Phone: 805-781-4472 Visit: slochamber.org •Subdivision Review Board • first 179 Cross Street, Suite A Monday, 9 a.m.

Cambria San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Board of Supervisors • first and Visit: slorta.org Chamber of Commerce third Tuesday, 9 a.m.

Phone 805-927-3624 Parks & Recreation Commission San Luis Obispo County Open Monday through Friday 9 • fourth Tuesday, 6 p.m.

Office of Education to 5 Airport Land Use Commission • Phone: 805-543-7732 Please call first on weekends. third Wednesday, 1:30 p.m.

3350 Education Drive 767 Main Street Air Pollution and Control Board • San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 Cambria, California 93428 fourth Wednesday of every odd Visit: slocoe.org Visit: info@cambriachamber.org numbered month, with some Clerk-Recorder Cayucos exceptions. 9 a.m.

San Luis Obispo Office Chamber of Commerce Local Agency Formation Phone: 805-781-5080 Phone: 805-995-1200 Commission • third Thursday, 9 Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM 5:00 Mailing Address: a.m.

PM, excluding holidays PO Box 106 Planning Commission • second 1055 Monterey Street Suite Cayucos, CA 93430 and fourth Thursday, 9 a.m.

D120 Visit: cayucoschamber.com County Phone Directory: 805San Luis Obispo, CA 93408 781-5000

Avila Beach Community Services District

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Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce

County of San Luis Obispo

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce

695 Harbor St Morro Bay, CA 93442 Phone: 805-772-4467 Visit: morrochamber.org

Phone: 805-595-2664 100 San Luis Street Avila Beach, CA 93424 Mailing address is: PO Box 309, Avila Beach CA 93424 Visit: avilabeachcsd.org Point San Luis Harbor District

Phone: 805-595-5400 3950 Avila Beach Drive P.O. Box 249 Avila Beach, CA 93424 Los Osos / Baywood Park Chamber of Commerce

Phone: 805- 528-4884 781 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos, CA 93402 Mailing: P.O. Box 6282, Los Osos, CA 93412 Visit: lobpchamber.org

Phone: 805-773-4382 Visit: pismochamber.com 649 Dolliver St Pismo Beach, CA 93449

SUBMIT UPCOMING EVENTS TO: office@13starsmedia.com

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centralcoastjournal.com Central Coast Journal

PHOTO OF THE MONTH A 2022 Cal Poly Graduate documenting the end of one chapter and preparing for the next in the hills of San Luis Obispo

by Kellie Munro Photography

To submit your Photo of the Month, send a high resolution (300 dpi) jpeg photo by email to editor@centralcoastjournal.com, along with where in SLO County the photo was taken and the photographer’s name.

CentralCoastJournal.com CentralCoastJournal.com

JULY JUly2022 2022 || 29 29

Last Word

that nifty pouch can hold 2-3 gallons of water.

Adult pelicans eat about 4 pounds of fish daily. Anchovies are a favorite. The pelican’s broad wings are 6-7 feet in length. The seabird’s wingbeats are slow and deep as they fly in V-formations or lines just above the water’s surface. To keep the mesh forming feathers in tip-top shape, they frequently preen to maintain a good seal that efficiently beads off moisture. Strong legs and fully webbed feet allow pelicans to swim well.

Interestingly, pelicans have no voice. Instead, gestures are used for communication. Nestlings possess the ability to squawk and shrill when begging for food.

If you want to see an entertaining pelican aerial show, head for the beach. Pelicans can be plentiful, especially when the sea is filled with swarming small fish, known as bait balls. That is a prime mealtime, an opportunity to witness a genuine feeding frenzy! This is when the aerodynamics of the brown pelican are at their finest. These acrobatic dives into the ocean are amazing to watch.

An extremely keen eyesight allows the bird to home in on a fish and high dive with a spectacular plunge. Those arrow-like dives can occur from as high as 65 feet. The pelican hits the water with such force that fish six feet below the surface are stunned. You may wonder how they crash-dive without injuring themselves. This is because a pelican possesses special air sacs beneath the skin that inflate just before impact, providing essential protection for internal organs.

Pelicans also tuck and twist to the left to shield its trachea and esophagus from injury. As for the pelican’s diving success, it depends on experience. Adult California brown pelicans obtain a catch about two-thirds of their dives. However, young pelicans have a significantly lower success rate; therefore, fewer than half survive the first year out of the nest.

AVILA BEACH CHRONICLES

Intriguing Pelicans

BY BETTY HARTIG

C

alifornia brown pelicans are intriguing gray-brown saltwater birds. You may catch a glimpse of a few casually floating in the estuary along the Bob Jones Pathway. Sometimes they fly beneath the estuary bridge skimming the surface of the water. They are intelligent, masterful flyers but look somewhat awkward on land. While in flight, they resemble prehistoric pterodactyls, the winged reptiles from the past. The species is unique not only in appearance but in actions as well. Thank goodness they lack the teeth that filled the pterodactyl’s long beaks over 30 million years ago. Pelicans have distinct features, which make them easily identifiable.

Perhaps you have noticed that sometimes the pelican’s yellow head and white neck sport an additional color. During the breeding season, adult brown pelicans have bright red skin on their throats. California brown pelicans nest in colonies of up to several thousand pairs. Isolated islands free of predators are the ideal nesting locations. The remote West Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands within the Channel Islands National Park are the breeding colonies of the California brown pelican.

Brown pelicans build large nest structures on the ground, in trees, or on vegetation. They normally lay three eggs, and adults share incubation duties. The parents incubate the eggs with the skin of their feet, keeping them warm and well protected.

California brown pelicans are a good example of how successful wildlife conservation can be. North American pelicans nearly disappeared in the late 1960s and early 70s due to pesticides entering the food chain. As a result, in 1970, pelicans were federally listed as endangered.

Thankfully with the ban on DDT and the pesticide endrin, which led to thin-shelled eggs that easily broke under the weight of the parents, One of the most interesting features of a pelican is the gular pouch brown pelicans made a full comeback. that dangles from the bill. Pelicans use the large stretchy pouch to capture fish. After a fish is caught, its head tilts back to drain out the water. Then The varied bird population in Avila Beach is such an amazing treat! it immediately gulps down the fish. Often while pelicans are draining It is entertaining to observe the behaviors and view the beauty of the the water from the bill, seagulls will attempt to quickly snatch the fish numerous winged residents that call Avila home as you enjoy a walk right out of the pouch. All is fair game in wildlife survival. Incidentally, or ride along the Bob Jones Trail.  DIRECTORY TO OUR ADVERTISERS • YOUR CENTRAL COAST JOURNAL IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE FOLLOWING: Alan’s Draperies...................................... 17 Atascadero Greyhound Foundation........... 7 Bliss Fusion............................................. 13 Cancer Support Community.................... 32

Educated Gardener................................. 17 Ekmanian Tax & Accounting.................... 17 Farrell Smyth............................................ 2 First 5 San Luis Obispo County.................. 3

FREDERICK LAW FIRM, A LAW CORP........ 17 Reverse Mortgage Specialist................... 11 Senior Living Consultants....................... 11 Spirit of San Luis..................................... 13

Tenet Health Central Coast (Sierra Vista & Twin Cities)................................................ 5 The Tire Store.......................................... 17 Tom Meinhold Photography................... 17

Wheeler Smith Mortuary........................ 17

Support the Journal and get delivered directly to thousands of addresses in SLO County and dropped at hundreds of local locations • email sales@13starsmedia.com or call 805-546-0609 30 | JULY 2022

Central Coast Journal