Morro Bay Life • March 2022

MARCH 2022 • MORROBAYLIFENEWS.COM

S e r v i n g t h e C o m m u n i t i e s o f M o r r o B ay a n d C ay u c o s

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EMERGENCY DECLARATION

LARGE WEDDING SEASON

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JUNE ELECTION WITH ADOPTED MAP

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2 • March 2022 • Morro Bay Life

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Hap p y Spring!

Publishers

Hayley & Nicholas Mattson hayley@13starsmedia.com

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morro bay life is published monthly. all rights reserved, material may not be reprinted without written consent from the publisher. morro bay life made every effort to maintain the accuracy of information presented in this publication, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. morro bay life is a publication of 13 stars media.

March welcomes Spring and all the beauty that comes with it. Sunshine-filled days, warmth, and once again, the time change; be sure to turn your clocks for ward on Sunday, March 13.

Spring Equinox is celebrated this year on March 20. On that day, we will officially be halfway between winter and summer, with balance between the day and night. Spring reminds us to stay grateful for the rebirth of life that begins to awaken out of hibernation and how blessed we are to live on the Central Coast.

L ook below to see our announcement of the polls opening for our second annual Morro Bay Life Readers Poll. It's online-only, but there is a printable version at our site to print out and mail in. Have fun with it, and shower some love on your favorite businesses in Morro Bay and Cayucos. It's been a tough couple years and new and old businesses alike are ready to meet a great spring and summer — and you have the power to elevate their profile as a winner of our reader's poll — The Best of Morro Bay 2022.

We can tell you from experience that the businesses appreciate your vote and for considering them your

favorite. Some of last year's winners put in a little extra effort in campaigning (hint, hint), so don't be shy to share our page to your social media account and help your favorite business make the top of the list.

O ur small businesses are a part of what makes our community and economy thrive. They are our family, friends, and neighbors, and they have learned to be resilient and thrive even in one of the most challenging times ever in our histor y. We have all felt the impact of the last two years struggling, and we are proud of all those who kept it all going despite the opposition.

We hope you enjoy this month's issue of Mor ro Bay Life.

Stay Blessed, Hayley & N ic

Through Print

making communities better

2nd Annual Reader’s Poll

2022 BEST OF MORRO BAY LIFE

Morro Bay Life is holding the second-annual reader’s poll to celebrate the best of our business commuinity as chosen by YOU, our READERS! From the best sunset view to the best fresh fish, Morro Bay (and Cayucos) is filled with worthy candidates, and it is up to you to make them famous.

Vote today for the Best of Morro Bay Life!

Voting is now open and will close on March 31, 2022.

Scan the QR Code and go directly to the voting form.

Vote for your favorites now! Visit

Morro Bay Life • March 2022 • 3

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congratulations Putting a Spotlight on Businesses

The Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce is putting a spotlight on local businesses! Spotlight Businesses are nominated and selected by fellow business owners in Morro Bay as a standout business with exceptional ownership.

If you know of a business or non-profit that deserves a spotlight, please send your nomination to our Ambassador’s Committee for review by emailing Lynsey Hansen at lynsey@morrochamber.org.

Business spotlights recognize Chamber member businesses that provide a consistent, positive customer experience, are actively engaged in the community and demonstrate resilience during challenging times.

Please help us CONGRATULATE these businesses on their spotlight award by visiting their establishments, purchasing their products or services, and leaving good reviews online.

NEW YEAR, NEW PROGRAMS! We are delighted to announce two new in-person programs for 2022. Save these dates!

Find your shopping ideas by following us on Facebook, Instagram or our website morrochamber.org.

For more information contact Lynsey Hansen, Membership Director at lynsey@morrochamber.org

4 • March 2022 • Morro Bay Life

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GOVERNMENT

News from the City of Morro Bay 2022

Goals and Short Term Actions

thirty-five (35) corresponding short-term action Items to meet emerging needs and opportunities. The City goals each have goal statements that outline what the City aims to achieve. The short-term action items are the areas of focus related to the goals that the City will work on in 2022 and into early 2023 (all listed below).

Combining the City’s work on core services with future-oriented goals will help ensure our community remains a great place to live, work and play for current and future generations.

SHORT-TERM ACTIONS • Seek state lobbyist contract to assist in obtaining state funding for City projects • Assess viability for business improvement districts for Downtown and Embarcadero • Review development opportunities for the Market Plaza property • Complete fee study (development impact fees) • Continue review of Vistra proposed battery project • Assess cyber security needs • Prepare and review policy options on liabilities (pension and health care)

PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE GOAL STATEMENT: STAFF REPORT Address (1) cleanliness (while maintainHOUSING GOAL STATEMENT: ing sensitivity to wildlife) and safety issues (1) Educate the Council on new and CITY PURPOSE in heavy tourism areas, (2) conduct a capital existing State legislation related to housn order to preserve the high quality of needs assessment, and (3) traffic circulation ing, (2) identify the opportunities for life in Morro Bay, the City’s purpose in Embarcadero. additional housing options and/ or explore is to provide essential public service partnerships to support these efforts, and SHORT-TERM ACTIONS and infrastructure to maintain a safe, clean (3) continue the Community Development and healthy place for residents and visi- • Conduct a traffic speed survey Department’s efforts to expedite the develtors to live, work and play. To achieve that • Initiate a capital assessment effort opment review process. purpose, the City invests the vast majority (Harbor, facilities, stormwater, etc.)

SHORT-TERM ACTIONS of its resources in services such as public • Review options and develop optimal • Complete Zoning Code update safety, public utilities, recreation services, staffing for City maintenance efforts • • city planning, infrastructure maintenance, Continue work to implement paid Development of stock Accessory Dwelland improvement, and the internal financial, parking program and continue work on ing Units (ADU) to provide to public a long-term plan human recourses, and technology to support for free • Pursue grant opportunities for the • Provide update to Council on new state these public services.

Coleman Beach area improvements housing legislation (such as SB 9) and CITY GOALS, GOAL STATEMENTS, AND general education on housing SHORT-TERM ACTION ITEMS FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY AND ECONOMIC • Implement Housing elements, includVITALITY GOAL STATEMENT: The City is able to successfully provide ing reviewing housing by right, objecthese core services thanks to community (1) Create a plan to address the City’s tive design guidelines, ADU ordinance support and volunteerism that resource and unfunded liabilities while striving to update with incentives, update Density supplement the City’s talented professional achieve competitive compensation, (2) Bonus, and inclusionary housing requirestaff. As a result of this success, the City determine potential paths to secure fundments is also able to dedicate some resources to ing for capital needs (Harbor and other • Bring land use amendment forward for address emerging challenges and future-fac- needs), and (3) support expedient catalyst the Seashell estates property to increase ing opportunities. In late 2021, the City site development. density to 7 – 15 units per acre for a Council adopted five (5) City goals and future multifamily housing project • Complete Cityworks online plan, check application • Initiate work with the Planning d i r e c t o r y Commission ad hoc committee for the review of the planning process

I

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CLIMATE ACTION GOAL STATEMENT: (1) Participate with other cities in SLO County to support climate action planning efforts, (2) educate Council on the technical terms around climate action to support policy advocacy and the identification of critical next steps for Morro Bay, and (3) consider opportunities to reduce reliance on carbon-producing energy sources.

SHORT-TERM ACTIONS • Pursue funding to complete Climate Action Plan update

• Continue review of Vistra proposed battery project • Pursue electric vehicle charging station funding • Initiate implementation of SB 1383 (organic waste for residents and businesses) • Promote Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) New Construction Electrification Program and include in planning materials and on website • Designate 1 week a year to conduct a renewable energy outreach campaign targeting a specific group • Create a city webpage with links to energy-efficient websites • Elevate “Climate Crisis” to “Climate Emergency” by way of resolution and seek funding to move forward in this area • Implement 3CE Reach Code Incentive Program electrification of new residential construction with the adoption of the 2022 Building Code in Jan 2023 COMMUNITY HEALTH GOAL STATEMENT: (1) Create a plan to address the immediate need for increasing COVID vaccination rates with an emphasis towards target populations with inequitable access or education.

(2) Educate Council and staff about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and engage in a community conversation.

SHORT-TERM ACTIONS • Provide education to City Council and staff about DEI issues • Support SLO County Public Health communication efforts to vaccinate members of the Morro Bay community, particularly underrepresented communities • Inform the County process to update the 10-year plan on homelessness • Explore opportunities to support County efforts to address homeless issues on the North Coast • Support Filipino-American group (FANHS) rededication event of their historical monument at Coleman Beach • Review opportunity for Boys and Girls Club to offer enrichment activities for teens in the Estero Bay region • Provide community information and resources regarding access to mental health resources to address behavioral health or mental health crises: substance abuse issues, depressive illnesses, and exacerbation of previously controlled mental health issues

Morro Bay Life • March 2022 • 5

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BUSINESS

5 Reasons Wealth Transfers Fail discord among family members. So why is this happening so frequently, and how can you help prevent the same thing from occurring within your own family?

Here are five of the most common reasons money doesn’t survive wealth transfers over multiple generations.

Lack of meaningful communication It’s critical for multiple generations of a family to engage in clear, open dialogue, which sets the foundation for successfully passing down both financial assets and important values. Getting to know how each of your family members prefers to communicate can also decrease the possibility of family discord. Encouraging clear communication can mitigate many of the reasons amily coach and author Roy Williams wealth transfers fail, and dialogue should surveyed more than 3,000 families center on aspects that go beyond just finanand found that over 90 percent of cial wealth. family wealth transfers fail by the end of Little or no shared vision the third generation. But, in this context, what does “fail” really mean?

Once your family is engaged in meaningA failed wealth transfer can mean several ful communication, the next step is to define things—disappearance of the family’s your shared vision. Moving in contradicfinancial wealth, the dissipation of essen- tory directions will eventually seed conflict, tial memories and values, and even intense so build common ground by identifying

Knowing these common legacy pitfalls can help your family avoid them

F

what you’re all working toward. What do you want your family’s legacy to look like?

What family qualities do you want your great-grandchildren to still value? Giving each person a chance to clearly communicate his or her interests will increase understanding by all, and it’ll help the purpose and positive impact of your family’s financial wealth.

Disregard for intangible assets When family communication focuses too much on financial wealth, the opportunity to foster a sense of gratitude can be lost.

Be sure you’re also communicating about things that go beyond money – like your core values, the experiences that have had the greatest impact on your life, and the philanthropic causes you care about most.

Structured communications around these non-financial topics can help refocus everyone on what matters most: your family unit.

Erosion of trust and transparency You may have heard the adage “transparency breeds trust.” Well, it also goes the other way: if family members believe transparency is lacking, trust can also erode.

Transparency does not necessarily mean disclosing your net worth to every family member, but it does mean including them in discussions around the intended purpose of wealth you’ll pass down. Encourage family members to ask questions throughout your family dialogues, and be as open as you can with your answers.

Attitude of entitlement, not gratitude If there’s one emotion that helps support wealth transfer success, it’s gratitude. When family members are focused on what money can do for them, overspending and misuse soon follow. But by communicating about both financial and intangible wealth and participating together in charitable events, you can slowly strengthen an attitude of gratitude.

It ’s not always easy to navigate the complexities of family wealth. But with open communication and the guidance of a trusted financial advisor, you can begin these important conversations and help set your family up for wealth transfer success.

This content was created by More than Money 360. Raymond James is not aff iliated with More than Money 360.

6 • March 2022 • Morro Bay Life

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GOVERNMENT

Local Health Emergency Declaration Terminated Declarations prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic lifted in San Luis Obispo County

By MIKE CHALDU AND HAYLEY MATTSON SAN LUIS OBISPO — On Friday, Feb. 25, local health emergency declarations prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic were lifted in San Luis Obispo County.

County Administrative Officer Wade Horton and County Health Director Dr. Penny Borenstein both signed documents on Friday morning terminating the State of Emergency approved by County Supervisors in March of 2020. A state of emergency that was put in place almost two years ago to the day.

The declaration, ratified by the Board in March, 2020, granted Borenstein and Horton authority to manage the COVID19 Crisis, assign County employees to Emergency Service Worker roles and streamline decisions aimed at protecting the community.

“We will issue a mandatory shelter-athome order, effective at 5 p.m., Mar. 19,” Horton said back in 2020. “The actions we are taking will allow us to get back to normal as soon as possible,” Horton said.

“COVID-19 is spreading in our county, and individuals who contracted the disease could have little or no symptoms, which means they may not be aware they are carrying the virus. We need to limit gatherings to prevent virus transmission and protect the most vulnerable and prevent our healthcare system from being overwhelmed.”

Now two years later, the emergency deceleration has come to an end.

“I very much appreciate the County team, health care professionals, and volunteers who stepped up over a very challenging and divisive couple of years. I also understand the difficult impact the pandemic has had on our community,” said County Administrative

Officer Wade Horton. “Moving forward, I hope we can remember how to extend more grace toward one another as fellow community members as we face future challenges.”

“While these declarations are no longer needed, the Public Health team and local health care providers continue to respond to this pandemic and provide resources, like vaccines and testing, to help residents protect their health and the health of the community.” Said Dr. Borenstein. “We remain ready to respond to future surges.”

The signed declarations were to be presented to the County Board of Supervisors next Tuesday, Mar. 1.

At the Board of Supervisors meeting last month, on Feb. 15, the meeting was conducted virtually on Zoom, and Board Chair Bruce Gibson (District 2) announced that it would be the last to be virtual for the time being. The next meeting, scheduled for Mar. 1, was set to be held in person in council chambers.

During public comment for items not on the agenda, the state mask mandate, especially for schools, was a popular subject.

Eight people voiced their objections to the mask requirements.

The first to voice those objections was Aaron Salmon, who identified himself as a paramedic and father of three. Salmon said he worked the Super Bowl in Inglewood on Sunday and noted the absence of masks on many people in the crowd during the game.

“I was at ground zero when COVID first started …, and I worked the Super Bowl, where I saw 70,000 people and almost no masks,” he said. “So if they aren’t wearing them there, why are my kids required to wear masks to school?”

Salmon then called for the removal of county public health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein and an end to the mask mandates.

After his comments, Gibson pointed out that the mask mandate would be lifted by the state and stated that the board had no jurisdiction over it.

However, Salmon’s views were echoed by several other commenters after, some of whom repeated the example of maskless spectators at the Super Bowl and also called for the removal of Borenstein.

After public comment, District 5 Supervisor Debbie Arnold pointed out that although the state mask mandate, in

general, was to be lifted, the state changed its policy to keep the mandate in effect for schools until Feb. 28. She brought a motion to agendize a discussion over two resolutions the board adopted in March 2020, one adopting the COVID-19 emergency order and the other ratifying the health officer’s declaration of local health emergency. The motion passed 5-0.

The board heard Item 30, where Assistant County Counsel Jon Ansolabehere gave direction on proposed language to a County Charter on the appointment for county elected positions. In question was the manner of appointment of vacancies in which the term has more than 180 days remaining but less than 365 days.

Peschong brought a motion for vacancies of more than 180 days but less than 365 to be decided by the voters, with those of less than 180 days to be left vacant until the next election.

Gibson expressed “adamant opposition” to the motion, favoring the governor appointing someone to the vacancy and saying that the process is “good government and efficient use of taxpayer dollars.” He also called the motion a “political decision” with a Republican majority on the board.

Despite those objections, the motion passed by a 3-2 vote.

The board finished off the morning session by approving Item 31, a resolution to approve affordable housing projects, and Item 33, submitting the Infrastructure and Facilities Five Year Capital Improvement Plan. Both resolutions passed by a 5-0 vote.

Also, approval for a Temporary Outdoor Entertainment License by Spartan Race Inc. was moved to Mar. 1 because neighbors did not receive notices of the proposed event at least 10 days before the hearing.

The board reconvened in the afternoon after closed session, from which there was no reportable action.

The session began with Item 35, an update of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant decommissioning project, and a presentation of the study “An Assessment of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant for Zero Carbon Electricity, Desalination, and Hydrogen Production,” a joint study by Stanford University and MIT. Jacobo Buongiorno, professor of nuke science and engineering at MIT, presented the study, which described the benefits

that could come from delaying the closing of Diablo Canyon. Among those, was the findings that continued operation of the plant could reduce the state’s power sector emission by 10 percent annually, reduce reliance on gas, and save $2.6 billion in power costs. Buongiorno allowed that while this was not intended to be a definitive study and not the final word, the report concludes that extending the operation of Diablo Canyon warrants further study.

Before public comment, Gibson brought in PG&E representative Tom Jones, who said state policies have not realigned to allow Diablo Canyon to stay open and they will continue with the decommissioning.

Public comment came out mostly in favor of continuing the decommission of the plant, with Jill Zelmick saying the “board must do the hard work of decommissioning instead of pie-in-the-sky projects.”

However, COLAB’s Brown, in particular, noted PG&E’s main reason for continuing to decommission is due to “government regulation and fairness issues” in the state and challenged the board to take action.

“You are going to feel so much better … that you took this opportunity to turn around an accumulative and ignorant policy where government did everything to interfere with licensing,” he said. “Step up and assign staff to get this going.”

After discussion, Arnold brought a motion to draft a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom that “he do everything he can to work with PG&E to ensure they have access to all the permits necessary to keep Diablo Canyon operational.” Gibson opposed that motion, saying that PG&E had no intention of stopping the decommission.

The motion passed by a 3-1 vote with Gibson dissenting and Ortiz-Legg recusing herself because of her employment history with PG&E. The board wrapped up the session by approving Item 36, amending the landuse designation of a 15-acre parcel in San Luis Obispo to Residential Rural, and Item 37, accepting the California Coastal Commission’s modification of the Local Coast Permit to rezone a parcel in Cayucos to Residential Multi-family. Both passed by 5-0 votes.

The Board of Supervisors will next meet on Mar. 1 at 9 a.m. in person.

GOVERNMENT

Judge Rules June Election Can Go On With Adopted Map Citizens group sought injunction to block 'Patten map' for use in supervisorial vote

By MIKE CHALDU SAN LUIS OBISPO — A San Luis Obispo Superior Court judge has ruled that the county supervisorial election in June can

go on under the recently approved district map, denying a petition for a preliminary injunction to invalidate the map, known as the "Richard Patten map."

After a nearly two-hour hearing at the county court building, Judge Rita Federman handed down the ruling Wednesday, Feb. 9.

The district map, approved by the San Luis Obispo County Supervisors on Dec. 14, 2021, was submitted by Arroyo Grande resident Richard Patten and had substantial changes in the district boundaries from the previous map.

A nonprofit group called SLO County Citizens for Good Government, as well as citizens Patricia Gomez, Don Maruska, and Allene Villa, brought the petition for injunction in January.

In the hearing, attorney Ellison Folk, whose firm is representing SLOCCGG, made the case for the preliminary injunction to stop the implementation of the map.

She called the adoption of the map a violation of the 2019 Fair Maps Act, a portion of which states the board "is prohibited from adopting supervisorial district

boundaries for the purpose of favoring or discriminating against a political party."

Folk pointed out the map was submitted by Patten, a registered Republican, and was endorsed by the local Republican Party. She then added the map was approved by a 3-2 vote with the conservative majority — Supervisors John Peschong, Lynn Compton, and Debbie Arnold — supporting it.

In her decision, Federman found that although the petitioners "demonstrated a probability of success" on their claim, the

potential harm to the county if the map is blocked outweighs that claim. Federman cited the time-sensitive nature of the county clerk-recorder's duties and "considerations of comity and judicial restraint" in denying the injunction.

The petitioners will still be able to pursue their lawsuit against the district map, with a casemanagement conference scheduled for Mar. 14. It is at that time, the court will set the case for trial to determine if the map will stand for future elections.

Morro Bay Life • March 2022 • 7

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8 • March 2022 • Morro Bay Life

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COVID UPDATE

SLO County Indoor Mask Order Lifted on February 16 State order continues to require universal masking in healthcare, school, and other high-risk settings STAFF REPORT SAN LUIS OBISPO — County of San Luis Obispo Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein announced on Wednesday, Feb. 9, that the local Health Officer Order requiring masking in all indoor public places will be lifted next Wednesday, Feb. 16, in alignment with state masking policy.

This announcement follows Governor Gavin Newsom’s earlier that week, stating the state’s indoor mask requirement would expire on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

Newsom explained that the reason

for lifting the indoor mask mandate is that COVID-19 cases have dropped by 65 percent, and the state’s omicron peak and hospitalization numbers are stabilizing.

San Luis Obispo County’s mandate was put in place by Borenstein on Sept. 1, 2021, in response to a surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations fueled by the Delta variant and remained in place through the winter.

“Masking is a simple and powerful tool that helped protect our local health care capacity during intense surges of COVID-19,” said Dr. Borenstein. “Now that SLO County has weathered the worst of this Omicron surge, we can lift this requirement and look to our community to wear a mask when it’s most important to do so: in crowded indoor spaces if you are at higher risk or close to others who

are, if you feel unwell, or if you are in any of the settings still covered by state requirements. Throughout the pandemic, we have sought to balance public health measures with pre-pandemic normalcy—this change reflects another such moment.”

The State order continues to require masking in indoor public places for those who are not vaccinated and for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, in healthcare facilities, schools, child care, homeless shelters, emergency shelters, corrections, longterm care facilities, and public transit.

State Public Health Leaders Modify Omicron Surge Policies COVID-19 cases and the rate of community transmission have steadily decreased statewide since early January, and hospitalizations are either plateauing or declining in most regions of the state.

Since California’s peak during the Omicron surge, the state has experienced a 65 percent decrease in case rates, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Additional visitation requirements that took effect on January 7 for longterm care facilities and hospitals expired. Definitions for indoor and outdoor mega-events will return to pre-surge guidance (from 500 to 1,000 attendees for indoor events and 5,000 to 10,000 attendees for outdoor events) on Feb. 15. The indoor masking requirement expired on Feb. 15, reverting to the previous guidance, which requires masking for unvaccinated individuals in all indoor public settings and required masking for all individuals regardless of vaccination status in higherrisk settings like public transit and

ELECTION

Geoff Auslen Launches Campaign for Supervisor

Small business owner has launched his campaign for SLO County Second Supervisorial District STAFF REPORT

Atascadero small business owner and community leader Geoff Auslen has launched his campaign for San Luis Obispo County's new Second Supervisorial District.

"San Luis Obispo County is at a crossroads," said Auslen.

"I'm running for Supervisor to ensure that our county goes down the right path. As a local small business owner, I am committed to making San Luis Obispo County the best place in California to live, work and raise a family."

Geoff Auslen is a long-time

local business owner, community leader, husband and foster parent.

In addition to running his small businesses, Auslen has served on the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, as an officer of the Atascadero Elks Club, and as an active member of the Atascadero Kiwanis Club.

However, Auslen's most rewarding endeavor has been getting Atascadero's first inclusive children's playground built. After six years, Auslen and his team of volunteers financed and built the Joy Playground, an inclusive playground where all children –

regardless of their disability—can safely play outdoors. As a result, the United Cerebral Palsy of San Luis Obispo awarded Auslen with Citizen of the Year in 2021.

Auslen and his wife, Kate, live in Atascadero with their two rescued German Shepherds, Nellie and Nala.

San Luis Obispo County's new Second Supervisorial District includes the communities of San Miguel, San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, Lake Nacimiento, West Templeton, West Paso Robles, Harmony, and the City of Atascadero.

NON PROFIT

Woods Humane Society Asks Local Pet-Lovers to Help Spay

Woods nonprofit ‘Project MEOW’ provide subsidized medical services for unowned community cats STAFF REPORT

SAN LUIS OBISPO — In honor of National Spay & Neuter Awareness Month and World Spay Day (Feb. 22), Woods Humane Society is raising funds for and awareness about one segment of the local pet population that needs the community’s help most: unowned cats.

According to Dr. Leslie Sklena, Woods Director of Veterinary Medicine, unowned “community cats” are perhaps the most voiceless and helpless of all of the homeless animals in our community. “They go unseen,” she says, explaining that some of these cats are feral, while others are friendly neighborhood visitors, roaming freely outdoors. “People don’t always get to pet them or cuddle them,” she says, but they need help nonetheless.

Thanks to the organization’s donor-supported Project MEOW fund, her team at Woods sterilized and treated 1,467 community cats last year alone—a number that represents only a fraction of those in need of veterinary services.

Many of the cats came to one of Woods’ two low-cost clinic locations, in Atascadero and in San Luis Obispo, on a monthly Tip It Tuesday, a day devoted to providing community cats with a spay/neuter surgery along with an identifying

ear-tip and a rabies vaccine—all for the steeply reduced fee of $25.

Local Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) organizations, and Good Samaritans bring in the community cats for what is presumably their first and only veterinary appointment of their lives. For this reason, Woods’ medical staff takes the time to thoughtfully assess and treat each individual feline.

Dr. Sklena’s team, for instance, has helped community cats in need of tail amputations or wound sutures before being re-released and have identified more social cats and kittens that were candidates for Woods’ adoption program.

Woods says that the population of community cats can grow quickly without TNR efforts and subsidized Sequoia quickly won the hearts of the Woods team recently with her sweet demeanor. Contributed photos spay and neuter programs: Cats can start reproducing at just five months of age and WoodsHumane.org/spay-neuter/communican have up to three litters per year. In advance ty-cats/. of kitten season, which begins in the spring, and Woods Humane Society also provides in honor of World Spay Day, Woods is asking low-cost medical services for publicly owned the community for help keeping their Project pets and for the homeless dogs and cats availMEOW fund high enough to meet the local able for adoption at Woods or at SLO County need to help cats like Sequoia and thousands of Animal Services. All told, its clinics altered other nameless felines in our county.

6,195 animals last year. For information about Donations to support Project MEOW scheduling a spay or neuter surgery for owned can be made at WoodsHumane.org/meow. pets, please visit SpaySLOCounty.org.

For more information about scheduling a For more event information, visit WoodsHusubsidized surgery for a community cat, visit mane.org or call (805) 543-9316.

congregate living.

The state announced that they will continue to work with education, public health, and community leaders to update masking requirements at schools to adapt to changing conditions and ensure the safety of kids, teachers, and staff.

“Omicron has loosened its hold on California, vaccines for children under 5 are around the corner, and access to COVID-19 treatments is improving,” said Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer. “With things moving in the right direction, we are making responsible modifications to COVID-19 prevention measures while also continuing to develop a longer-term action plan for the state.”

For updates on COVID-19 in SLO County, visit slopublichealth. org/COVID19.

DONATION

BofA Employees Take a Shot at Helping Local Food Bank

Donation of $100 given by bank for each employee who got their COVID-19 booster Staff Report SAN LUIS OBISPO — As food banks across the country continue to experience critical shortages of supplies and volunteers brought on by the pandemic, Bank of America is finding creative ways of supporting local food banks like the SLO Food Bank.

The bank donated $25,000 to the SLO Food Bank on Feb. 16 to help with the ongoing demand for its services. The effort had a double purpose: As part of a program encouraging employees to get their COVID-19 booster shots, Bank of America donated $100 to the food bank for each San Luis Obispo County worker who received a booster shot by the end of January.

The resulting $25,000 — presented by San Luis Obispo Bank of America President Greg Bland to Garret Olsen, CEO of the SLO Food Bank — equates to 175,000 additional meals for community members in need. Since the pandemic began, BofA has awarded $90,000 in grants to local nonprofits addressing food insecurity.

“As the pandemic continues to impact San Luis Obispo, food banks and hunger relief organizations are still experiencing significant demand, higher costs and labor shortages to meet the needs of the community,” Bland said. “The bank remains committed to help strengthen communities we live in and serve is unwavering, which is why we are investing in the health, safety and well-being of our teammates while also providing funds to help local organizations support our neighbors and fight food insecurity.”

Morro Bay Life • March 2022 • 9

Making Communities Better Through Print™

TASTE

Traditional Irish servings for St. Patty's Day

Barbie Butz

From the Kitchen

S

ome years ago, I acquired a beautiful cookbook titled Myrtle Allen’s Cooking at Ballymaloe House. It has been one of my “go-to” books when I want a traditional Irish recipe.

Ballymaloe is a legendary countryside inn in County Cork, Ireland. Myrtle Allen and her husband bought the guest house in 1947, and in 1964, she opened the Ballymaloe House restaurant where she began to serve seasonal food using locally grown ingredients, just as so many of our restaurants do today.

If you’re wanting to change your St. Patrick’s Day dinner menu from corned beef and cabbage to something different, try one of the following recipes I’m sharing from Chef Myrtle Allen’s cookbook. You will be glad you did.

Beef with Stout Ingredients: ½ stick (¼ cup) unsalted butter 1 pound boneless beef chuck, brisket, or rump,

cut into 1-by2-inch pieces 1 large onion, sliced thin A bouquet garni, made by tying together 1 large sprig each of thyme, sage, and parsley, and 1 bay leaf ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1 cup beef stock or canned beef broth ¼ cup stout or dark ale 4 medium potatoes (¾ to 1 pound total), peeled 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves Directions: Heat half the butter over moderate heat in a kettle or large ovenproof skillet and brown the beef in batches (watch that the butter does not burn), transferring the meat to a plate with a slotted spoon as it is done. Cook the onion in the hot fat for 3 minutes, or until it is just softened. Return the meat to the kettle, and add the bouquet garni, salt (omit if using canned broth), pepper, stock or canned broth, and stout, and bring the mixture, covered, just to a boil.

Cook the stew, covered, in a preheated 350-degree oven for about 1 hour. Add the potatoes and bake the stew for 45 minutes, or until the meat and potatoes are tender. Taste and add salt and pepper if desired. Discard the bouquet garni. Enrich the sauce by swirling in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Serve the stew sprinkled with the parsley. Makes 4 servings Serve the stew with a side dish of red cabbage

and apples using this next recipe.

Red Cabbage and Apples Ingredients: 1 1-pound head of red cabbage, cored and shredded 2 tablespoons cider vinegar 6 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 pound McIntosh apples Directions: Combine the cabbage, vinegar, sugar, salt, and ½ cup water in a non-reactive saucepan or skillet and bring the liquid to a boil. Peel, core, and quarter the apples lay them over the cabbage, and simmer the mixture gently, covered, for about 30 minutes, or until the apples and cabbage are tender. (The apples will break down into a pulp.)

Check after about 20 minutes and, if there is a lot of liquid, partially uncover the pan to allow most of the liquid to evaporate. Stir the mixture together just before serving. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

This dressing is used for Ballymaloe House potato salad and should be added when the potatoes are still hot.

Ballymaloe Potato Salad Ingredients: 2½ pounds potatoes (unpeeled), quartered ½ cup Billy’s French Dressing 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

2 tablespoons snipped fresh chives or chopped scallions ½ cup mayonnaise (I use Best Foods) Billy’s French Dressing Ingredients: ¼ cup mild wine vinegar 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard 1 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 large garlic clove, minced 1 scallion, chopped coarse 1 sprig of parsley 1 sprig of watercress ¾ cup vegetable or olive oil or a combination Directions for dressing: In a food processor or blender, purée all ingredients. The dressing will keep covered and chilled for 24 hours. Return to room temperature before using.

Directions for potato salad: Cook potatoes in boiling salted water for 15 to 20 minutes, or until tender but not falling apart. Drain well. As soon as the potatoes can be comfortably handled, peel and cut into ½-inch dice. Toss warm potatoes with dressing, parsley, and chives. Let salad cool slightly and toss with mayonnaise—season with salt and pepper. Let salad stand at least 1 hour before serving to allow dressing to be absorbed. Yield: 6 servings Cheers!

COUNTY

The Benefits of Practicing Kindness JAMES BRESCIA, Ed.D

County Superintendent of Schools

E

ducational agencies across the county participated in the "The Great Kindness Challenge" earlier this year. The week was filled with proactive and positive Social Emotional Learning (SEL) activities focused on improving school climate and increasing student engagement. One of the questions asked during the week was, "What can we adults learn from our youth's actions during the challenge?" This month's article summarizes my review of some research literature on the benefits of practicing kindness and how it will help move us forward as one community.

Throughout the pandemic, I stressed that a focus on flexibility, patience, and kindness is a tangible example of how adults practice behaviors that promote SEL. Research teaches us that kindness benefits the person practicing the kindness and the recipient. Harvard Business School researchers examined happiness in 136 countries and documented that altruistic people reported higher satisfaction levels. The data indicated a positive feedback loop between kindness and joy.

Researchers found that "people, in general, feel happier when asked to remember a time when they benefited someone else — even happier than when they remembered benefiting themselves."

Another study conducted at the University of British Columbia observed a group of people with high levels of anxiety who performed multiple acts of kindness each week. After two months, the participants demonstrated improved mood, increased relationship satisfaction, and decreased social avoidance. Psychology Today researcher Christine Carter, Ph.D., noted that "people who volunteer tend to experience (report) fewer aches and pains." Perhaps this is because they are busy or because altruistic behavior mitigates daily challenges.

Unfortunately, today's fast-paced society

often keeps us so busy trying to keep up that we forget to take a moment and be present for others. Recently I was so busy looking down at my phone and checking messages that I nearly walked into a young mother pushing a stroller and struggling to open the shop door. Each day opportunities to practice kindness abound when we take time to notice. Research links six positive health outcomes to the practice of kindness, including increased happiness, improved energy, reductions in anxiety, lower blood pressure, reduced reports of pain, and healthy longevity.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) postulated that, as a strength, kindness has three components: (a) the motivation to be kind to others; (b) the recognition of kindness in others; and (c) the enactment of kind behavior in one's daily life. Study results showed that: (a) Happy people scored higher on their motivation to perform and their recognition and enactment of kind behaviors. (b) Happy people have more happy memories in daily life in terms of quantity and quality. (c) Subjective happiness was increased simply by counting one's acts of kindness for one week. (d) Happy people became more kind and grateful through the counting kindnesses intervention. Additional NIH reports supported the importance of kindness in producing subjective happiness.

The same NIH study suggests that motivational and cognitive processes in daily life may create differences between happy and less happy people. The differences may be responsible for some of the consequences of happiness. The research results indicated that happy people might become even happier, kinder, and more grateful following intervention relative to less happy people. Watkins (2004) showed that people who score higher on trait measures of gratitude experience greater subjective well-being and more intense positive effects (happiness, vitality, and hope) as well as fewer adverse effects (depression, resentment, and envy).

Additional NIH research suggests that, like gratitude, kindness is an essential human strength that influences subjective well-being. Kindness contributes to good social relationships and may be adaptive. The NIH results further suggest that a reciprocal relationship may exist between kindness and happiness, as shown for gratitude and joy in studies conducted by (Emmons & McCullough, 2003). Educators across our county,

state, nation, and the world have expressed the challenges experienced over the past two years.

Working to restore our communities with kindness is central to the healing process.

Many thanks to those of you in the community

for examining the benefits of practicing kindness.

Your dedication to those we serve is greatly appreciated and makes a difference in today's world. It is an honor to serve as your County Superintendent of Schools.

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10 • March 2022 • Morro Bay Life

Making Communities Better Through Print™

EVENTS

2022 Largest Wedding Season Since '80s

Now that the world is opening up again, people are ready for a good party

By CAMILLE DEVAUL CENTRAL COAST — Some say that planning a wedding for 2022 will be harder than finding their soulmate. That is because 2022 is shaping up to be the largest wedding season since 1984.

According to the wedding report, 2022 will see an estimated 2.5 million weddings. To put that in perspective, there were 2.1 million weddings in 2019 and only 1.2 million in 2020 because of pandemic cancellations.

Jacob Paul, venue manager for Almond Springs, located north of Paso Robles, has also noticed the increase in weddings, "2022 is shaping up to be our biggest year by a long shot.

While last year did end up being fairly normal in terms of bookings, there were a huge number of couples who elected to postpone in hopes of having a little more clarity and confidence regarding the pandemic and how it may affect their big day."

Almond Springs opened their 2022 bookings in late 2020. What started as a slow trickle of weddings quickly became a mad dash of couples looking to find their dream venue for 2022.

"We are absolutely packed for 2022 weddings!" said Paul, "We were fortunate enough to fill this year's season by the end of October 2021 and are much further ahead in booking 2023 than we ever expected."

Booking a venue is typically first on a couple's list of to-dos when wedding planning. When picking a venue, couples have to not only find a place they love but also consider whether it will accommodate their guest list. And according to some in the wedding industry, those who were hoping for the 150 plus guest list in 2020 have postponed to 2022 to ensure COVID restrictions and protocols will allow their Big, Fat, (Greek) Wedding.

In terms of wedding size, Paul says he has seen, "Big, small, and everything in between. I have noticed a significant increase in weddings over 150 guests, especially compared to 2021. It seems that most couples and their guests are becoming much more confident and comfortable in their future wedding plans."

Trumpet Vine Catering, based in Paso Robles, has also noticed an increase in larger weddings.

Erica Nolan, co-owner of the catering company, said, "The people that want to have big weddings, they're having big weddings. They're still doing it and fitting them in where they can."

Almond Springs Wedding and Event Venue located outside of Paso Robles has seen an increase in weddings, making 2022 the biggest year in over three decades. Contributed photos

The typical wedding season is from May to October and on the weekends. So, you know it's a big wedding season when save the dates are sent out for Monday and Thursday weddings and in months like January and November. Wedding photographer, Melissa Guerra, has also noticed weddings already popping up on Monday and Thursdays.

Nolan's catering company already did a 180 person wedding in January and a 190 person wedding in February. She says, "The year is not over yet, and we're still booking this year, so as the dates start becoming scarce, I wouldn't be surprised if we started seeing those Thursday weddings popping up."

The busy wedding season isn't just to be blamed on COVID, but rather a combination of things. Nolan says she has noticed in previous seasons that even number years have more weddings. While the COVID pandemic did push many to postpone their weddings, many of the weddings she has booked this year aren't all postponements.

"People want to have a party," said Nolan, "A lot of our clients, they want to have what people expect at a wedding and on a weekend. They want to have a nice big beautiful party."

With the Central Coast being a popular tourist destination, it goes hand in hand with people a popular location for destination weddings. So

not only are we hosting locals for their nuptials day, but local vendors are catering to out of area folks whose hometown may not be as open as the Central Coast. But also, who has better weather and sceneries than us?

Guerra agrees that COVID has something to do with the increase in weddings, but for more reasons than just postponed weddings getting their day to shine. She says, "More people are putting importance on relationships and actually pulling the trigger faster."

Photographers are one of the most important pieces to a wedding—and they are booking fast!

On an average year, photographers book about 30 weddings in the season, but some are now up to 40 weddings and meeting their max. Another photographer Guerra knows books 30 weddings a year, and they have already booked 15, just two months into the year.

Being a photographer, Guerra spends the most time with the wedding couple out of any of the vendors. And she has some good advice for brides to be, "Number one thing don't stress— the other thing is meeting all your vendors and knowing who you are working with, especially your photographers."

Guerra expressed the importance of building trust between the client and photographer. It is one of the most intimate and personal parts of the wedding day, and if you don't jive with your

photographer, it will show up in the photos.

Now that weddings are officially happening, what are they looking like? Guerra says she has noticed couples making their own traditions and ditching the ones that don't fit their personal style. That means many are ignoring what's trending and focusing more on what they like and having fun with it—leaning into their individual selves.

Blogs everywhere are talking about people leaning into having themed parties—think rhinestone cowboy to '70s disco and whatever your imagination wants! They also say micro weddings are out, and big blow-out weddings are back, save the dates are going virtual, and vibrant colors and florals. People are moving away from multiple toasts at receptions, muted colors, and overly packed gifts for guests.

The infamous year of 2020 ripped everyone's confidence away in terms of planning for future events. And when it comes to something as costly and memorable as a wedding, you want to have the reassurance that the day you've been waiting for is going to happen. In recent years, society has learned there is more than one way to do something and that it's okay to do things differently.

But now that the world is opening up again, people are ready for a good party—and what better party than one that celebrates soulmates!

Morro Bay Life • March 2022 • 11

Making Communities Better Through Print™

COMMUNITY

Local's Journey with Disease and Art Artist Michelle Watson was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease and accepted into Cal Poly the same day

By CHRISTIANNA MARKS CENTRAL COAST — For all of January, local artist Michelle Watson set a challenge to paint a new piece every day. Her goal, have 30 paintings by Jan. 30, which she met.

"I normally would sit down and plan out a series and have very, very specific parameters. I'm going to use this color pallet, I'm going to use these patterns for these specific reasons and tell a story.

But for the January 2022 series, I decided to go a different route and give myself free rein." Watson said of her 30-day challenge. "For me, it's actually been really therapeutic and given me a lot of ideas.

It's sort of brainstorming while working."

Watson grew up in a family full of artists. So it was no surprise to anyone when she decided to pursue art full time by going back to school in 2016.

"I took a step back from my grueling life to be like, hey, I'm going to be a real grownup, and this is going to be my profession," Watson said. "The same day I got my acceptance letter [to Cal Poly's Art Program], I was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease [PKD]. It's been really interesting because my professional art life has literally paralleled my PKD journey every step of the way. There hasn't been a separateness to it."

Polycystic Kidney Disease is an inherited disorder where a cluster of noncancerous cysts develops in the kidneys. The cysts grow extremely large and eventually cause organ failure. Most people with the disease experience kidney failure before age 60.

"PKD is very stressful, you slowly get worse, and there isn't

Artist Michelle Watson was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease in 2016.

Photos by Michelle Watson

For all of January, local artist Michelle Watson painted a new piece every day.

Photos by Michelle Watson

anything that can be done but get tests to monitor what's happening, it runs in families, and even in the families that carry the gene, it affects each person differently. I was old enough to remember what it was like to watch my Dad and aunts die from it as a kid and know what's coming.

So it's psychologically a difficult disease because there isn't a regiment of drugs to follow or any way to improve your symptoms, and you are just deteriorating. That can be isolating."

Watson, who will need a kidney transplant, has seen a change in her

Watson's art will be hosted in Specs eyewear shop the whole month of February. Photos by Michelle Watson

art over the years. Where she used to paint landscapes and fairies, she now uses geometric obstruction and bold colors.

"My art became more and more abstract and more geometric because of [my health]. So just kind of breaking down all of the

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tiny, minute details of life and then putting them into little boxes is kind of how my geometric obstruction started."

Due to COVID, Watson wasn't able to see any of her doctors in person during 2020. She assumed she was fine because she didn't

have the physical stress of work and school.

"In 2021, however, when I did get my checkups and tests, I found my kidneys had actually progressed quickly from a certain stage of kidney failure to 1.5 ahead during that year, likely due to the psychological stresses, which in kidney disease harm you just as much as salt or protein," added Watson. "I didn't know not getting my routine tests would be that detrimental."

During her time in isolation, Watson has been delving deeper into the study of color theory and how color and how our eyes see it has an effect on the viewer. "It's intentionally designed to trigger things," Watson said of color theory.

"My art, as I've gotten more sick, it's actually been a blessing because if I hadn't made the change in my life to pursue art the way that I have, I would have a lot less options. It's some kismet thing.

I literally had to do this. Because at some point in my life, sitting here and playing with colors is the only thing I will be able to do."

You can follow Watson's art/life journey on her social media: @mlw. studio.

12 • March 2022 • Morro Bay Life

Making Communities Better Through Print™

CONNECTION, COMMUNICATION & COMMITMENT Let’s celebrate Spring and our outdoor spaces! Being a member of this amazing

community is a gift and sharing my resources is part of my commitment to our neighborhood.

On that note,

I would like to invite you to join us for a fun afternoon learning about the benefits of:

Straw Bale Gardening  Backyard Chickens  Butterfly Gardening  Worm Composting We will have a variety of local experts for discussions, questions and answer period Hosted by: Lisa Mia- Haven Properties

Gardening Clinic

805 MAIN STREET, MORRO BAY SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022 1:30 - 3:30pm

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