Morro Bay Life • February 2022

FEBRUARY 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

h s e r f e R

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

CREATE A MEANINGFUL FAMILY LEGACY PAGE 6

SLO COUNTY OF EDU. WHAT IS AN APPRENTICESHIP? PAGE 7

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 19 PASO ROBLES, CA

STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PAGE 4

FAMILY AND LIFESTYLE

******ECRWSSEDDM****** POSTAL CUSTOMER MORRO BAY, CA 93442

CITY OF MORRO BAY

w e n e R &

2 • February 2022 • Morro Bay Life

Making Communities Better Through Print™

Happy Love Month!

F

ebruary brings with it the hope of longer and warmer days as we take time to reflect on the cold of winter and gain a refreshed outlook on what lies ahead.

The contrast and comparison between what most people are like in real life versus what we might see on social media is a stark reminder that we need more in-person activity.

People are helpful, good-hearted, and personable.

We are thrilled to start to see events that we have long cherished start to return. The 2022 planning team for the California Mid-State Fair is back at it, along with most of our beloved local events are in the works as well.

After all, we have been through; we are excited to start celebrating life again. Celebrate the good, the progress, and the successes we have been through over the last two years and how far we have come.

We are excited to announce our Second Annual Best of Morro Bay Readers Poll is now open! Our Readers Poll is your chance to acknowledge all those who earned it in 2021 and vote for your favorite business or restaurant! We are thrilled to see the outcome!

We have a lot to be thankful for, and we are going to continue to focus on that which makes our communities better. We value the differences in all of us and hope as we all start to emerge from this cloud we have been living in, we can remember that.

We hope you enjoy this month’s issue of Morro Bay Life.

Publishers

Hayley & Nicholas Mattson hayley@13starsmedia.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR Melissa Guerra

LAYOUT DESIGN Neil Schumaker

Community Writer Camille DeVaul

AD DESIGN

Jen Rodman

Ad Consultant Dana McGraw Brooke Brinar

Administrator

Cami Martin office@13starsmedia.com

CONTRIBUTORS Barbie Butz James Brescia, Ed.D Sarah Santana Valentina Petrova Connie Pillsbury

“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.”

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

-Abraham Lincoln

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 product of 13 stars media .

A reverse mortgage loan could help you visit the kids. A lot.

Reverse mortgage loans may not be for everyone, but they are better than ever—with reduced origination costs and restructured principle limits designed to preserve more of your equity for the future. If you’ve considered reverse mortgages in the past, you owe it to yourself to speak to an experienced professional to see if this innovative, updated financial product is now a good fit for your circumstances.

Through Print

making communities better

Support Your Local Community.

Get more eyes on your ad and promote your business when you advertise with Morro Bay Life.

Starting as low as

$49/mo.

Each issue is direct mailed to every Morro Bay residence and business address!

* Make no monthly mortgage payments * Take proceeds as a line of credit, monthly income or a lump sum.

Or all three. * Use the proceeds as you see fit. * You keep title to your home

Call today to learn the latest about this exciting program for accessing your home’s equity.

Bob Gayle

Reverse Mortgage Specialist

805/772-3658

Real Estate Broker, CA Dept. of Real Estate, License# 466813 • NMLS License# 582948

NMLS License# 1688022

Borrowers must maintain property as primary residence and remain current on property taxes, homeowners insurance and any fees such as homeowner association dues as applicable.

SCAN THE QR TO GET STARTED!

Secure your ad spot today! Ad Consultants are waiting!

P.O. Box 6068, Atascadero, CA 93422 • 805-466-2585 • office@13starsmedia.com

M O R R O B A Y L I F E N E W S . C O M

Contact Us 805.466.2585

Morro Bay Life • February 2022 • 3

Making Communities Better Through Print™

congratulations Putting a “Hearty” Spotlight on Businesses The Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce is putting a spotlight on local businesses with a Valentine’s Day twist this month. 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. This month we are recognizing:

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

DATE MOVED TO MARCH 4TH The community is invited to join us at Morro Bay’s big night out, the annual Chamber gala! This year’s Mardis Gras theme is ‘Morro Gras down on the Bay-ou.’ Join us to witness the community awards ceremony for Morro Bay’s Citizen and Business of the Year, Living Treasure and Nonprofit of the Year, dynamic entertainment, craft cocktails and local fare. For more information or to book your seats, go to morrochamber.org.

PPE UNITE The Morro Chamber is participating with PPE Unite in an effort to supply complimentary N95 masks to employers.

Simply point your phone camera on the QR Code on this page and register for pick up on Mondays while supplies last.

Jody Cox

Carole Truesdale

These individuals and businesses were nominated by the public then reviewed by a committee of prior year award recipients. What an incredible group. Thank you to the Morro Bay community members who submitted nominations! Be sure to congratulate these stellar recipients when you see them, their employees and their members around town.

Coalesce Bookstore

Morro Bay Lion’s Club

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 • February 2022 • Morro Bay Life

Making Communities Better Through Print™

GOVERNMENT

News from the City of Morro Bay control measures, as well as additional erosion control measures after further review. As part of the first NOV, the contractor performed a site walk with an RWQCB representative to review the site conditions, and as part of the second NOV, the design-build contractor prepared a Technical Report documenting the additional control measures.

Water Reclamation Facility Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan STAFF REPORT

T

he City of Morro Bay’s design-build contractor for the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) is subject to regulatory oversight and enforcement by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) for stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) compliance, violations, or fines. However, the design-build contractor is responsible for meeting regulatory requirements and addressing any enforcement actions through reporting, solutions, citations, etc., for water quality and SWPPP on the WRF construction site.

In November and December 2021, the City received a total of two Notices of Violation (NOV) from the RWQCB for insufficient erosion and sediment controls and additional soil cover at the WRF site. In response, the City’s design-build contractor installed a variety of industry-standard erosion and sediment

of severe drought conditions in 2020-2021. The design-build contractor again hydro seeded applicable areas in November 2021, in advance of the December 2021 rains. There is an expectation that this second round of hydroseeding will be more effective due to the recent rains and due to regrowth seen as of the date of this notice.

The City understands the importance of maintaining a positive collaborative relationship with Is the RWQCB satisfied with the measures implethe RWQCB and will continue working dilimented by the design-build contractor? gently with the contractor to install and mainYes, by mid-January 2022, the City received tain the necessary erosion and sediment control an email response from the RWQCB indicat- measures. ing that the issues identified in the NOV had Following Review, City Determines Natural Healing been addressed.

Ctr Properly Received its Cannabis Retail Permit Is the City responsible for any potential fines from The City of Morro Bay conducted an interthe RWQCB related to these violations? nal review into whether any violation of either No, the City has no contractual or financial Morro Bay Municipal Code Chapter 5.50 responsibility for the SWPPP compliance, viola- (Commercial Cannabis Operations Regulatory tions, or fines. Any NOVs and potential fines are Program) or State commercial cannabis regulathe responsibility of the design-build contractor. tions occurred in granting commercial cannabis operating permit to Natural Healing CenterWhat measures were put in place to address the Morro Bay (“NHC-MB”). This review was done NOV? after charges were brought by the Federal Bureau Since the first NOV in November 2021, the of Investigation against NHC-MB’s former design-build contractor installed several miles of owner Mr. Helios Dayspring for bribing a San the straw waddle and silt fence and hundreds of Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisor and for tons of import gravel, aggregate base, and other false income tax returns. The City has concluded temporary road surface materials. The design- its review and determined that Natural Healing build contractor had previously hydro seeded Center-Morro Bay properly received its permit to many of the areas addressed in the NOVs. operate a commercial cannabis retailer operation.

However, the hydroseeding never grew because The City of Morro Bay’s commercial cannabis

operations regulatory program creates a stringent three-step procedure to review and evaluate all applicants and/or applications for a commercial cannabis operation permit. A determination is not made by a single individual and/or body. Each step of the three-step procedure is reviewed by a different person and/or committee. It should be noted that the City Council is not involved in any of the review and has no authority over permit issuance. The City’s internal review concluded that no impropriety occurred during the threestep process.

This conclusion is also supported by the Court’s order in the case of Connected Morro Bay Blvd., LLC. v. City of Morro Bay, et al., San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Case No. 19-CV-0479. The Honorable Ginger E. Garrett issued an order which set forth that the evidence failed to establish bias on the part of the City in favor of NHC-MB. It further found that the City and/or its officers did not violate any provision of the Morro Bay Municipal Code or any other law when awarding the permits.

The City further determined Mr. Helios Dayspring has divested himself of all ownership interest in commercial cannabis retailer operation permit holder Natural Healing CenterMorro Bay. Mr. Dayspring is not an employee of and has no ownership interest in permit holder NHC-MB. The City has concluded this review with no further action at the present time to be taken concerning this matter.

EVENT

1772-2022: Getting to Know Mission San Luis Obispo

By CONNIE PILLSBURY for Morro Bay Life

H

ow many times have you traveled down Highway 101 and noticed the ‘State Historical Landmark Mission San Luis Obispo’ sign near Broad Street, remarking to your family, “We really need to go visit the Mission someday.”

Well, this is the year, as 2022 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Mission by Franciscan Priests from Spain, Father Junipero Serra, and Father Jose Cavaller.

Unique to the Mission story, San Luis Obispo was not part of Spain’s original plan for populating Alta California through the establishment of missions, presidios, and pueblos. The first four missions, San Diego, Carmel, San Antonio, and San Gabriel, had run out of food, and the whole experiment risked abandonment. However, grizzly bears were found in what is now Los Osos, ‘the valley of the bears,’ and

Mission San Luis Obispo was founded by Franciscan Priests. Contributed photos

this meat basically saved the mission movement.

With the discovery of the meat-providing bears, Father Serra added another mission to the chain, Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. The first humble site was located on the confluence of Stenner and San Luis Obispo

Creeks, only to be flooded out and moved upstream. The second site also flooded, prompting the selection of the ‘highest’ spot along the creek for the third and final location. From there, the interesting saga of the construction of California’s oldest large building begins.

You will be able to learn the rest of the story from Mission Docents at the first 250th celebrative event on Sunday, February 20, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., free and open to the public.

The outdoor courtyard celebration will give you the opportunity to tour the Mission, with docent-led tours every half hour. Music, authentic food, spinning and weaving demonstrations by local weavers, Native American basket display, branding exhibit, and more will provide a unique chance to become familiar with the Mission in one visit.

For children, activity tables featuring Native American games, bead making, and pictograph painting will be scattered throughout the garden.

The whole family can visit the Bell Tower to get a birds-eye view over Mission Plaza and San Luis Creek.

Of significance to those of us in North County, all of the mission ranching operations were located at Santa Margarita de Cortona Asistencia, which was a sub-mission to San Luis Obispo. Thousands of head of longhorn cattle ranged throughout North County, foraging up and down the Salinas riverbed. The cattle provided not only meat but also valuable hides, called “California Dollars.”

Taken by ox-cart to what is now Avila Beach, the hides were soaked in the

saltwater and traded with Yankee, Asian and Russian ships for needed goods for the Mission.

Also important to North County is the 1776 De Anza Expedition consisting of 200 colonists on the way to create a settlement in the areas of San Jose and San Francisco for Spain. The group stopped at Mission San Luis Obispo for several days of rest before heading up the grade to follow the Salinas River north, with their livestock and cattle, families, and goods.

Many residents don’t realize that the land we live on in North County was part of Spain for 300 years, from 1541 to 1822. After the revolution of 1822, Mexico became the second occupant of this area called Alta California.

The Mexican Ranchero era lasted 26 years, ending in 1848 with the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo.

California was admitted into the United States as the 31st state in 1850, thus becoming the third country to govern the land we live on and call home. Understanding the rich history of Spain and Mexico’s presence here in Alta California adds depth to the present experience of living here.

Take advantage of the 250th Courtyard Celebration at San Luis Obispo on February 20 to immerse yourself in that history through authentic food, music, and hands-on learning!

Business & Services

d

i

r

e

c

t

o

r

y

Reach Every Home in Morro Bay Monthly s ta r t i n g at o n ly

$ 60/ m o with the Morro Bay Life

For more information: Call 805-466-2585 or email office@13starsmedia.com

Atty. David R. Duringer, JD, LL.M (Tax) Service ∙ Sales ∙ Installation Proudly serving all of the San Luis Obispo County

805-225-5105

www.Protect.LIFE ESTATE PLANNING for Asset Protection & Family Protection

Morro Bay Life • February 2022 • 5

Making Communities Better Through Print™

Property Managment Services Available

Chris Bath Owner/Broker

245 Morro Bay Blvd.

Morro Bay, CA 93442 CA BRE #01231010

20 + Years Real Estate

MBHS 1981 Grad Del Mar Elementary Your Broker with local knowledge and lifelong experiences living on the Central Coast!

www.CoastOnHome.com

bathrealestate@gmail.com

496 Whidbey Street Morro Bay $1,125,000

Beauty and the Beach!

Only 4 blocks, approximately 1/3 of a mile to the Beach!! Located within walking distance to miles of Beachcombing, Surfing, Off Leash Dog Beach, Fishing and Whale watching!

Rare large 3600 sqft. corner lot lushly landscaped creating a natural privacy enclave with fruit bearing Avocado Trees!

This 2106 sqft home provides ample area for Two Separate Living rooms, 3 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, 2020 installed Bamboo flooring throughout home, Milgard Windows, Gas Fireplace, Laundry room with Washer and Dryer included!

It gets better!!- Upstairs AC, Fresh interior paint with new doors and hardware, ample Closet space, Garage has bonus Fridge and Cabinets! A fabulous kitchen includes- Beefy Granite CounterTops, Bosch Appliances, Omega Cabinets, Large Self Closing Drawers, Corner Mitered window sink offering sunset views as you rinse the last dish. Wrap around decks enables you to check out the surf and sunset with partial Rock Views.

Head to the beach then head back home to rinse off in the HOt/Cold Outside shower before jumping into your own heated Hot Tub! All included with this gorgeous property! The Southern exposure enhances garden beds, planting and flowers- or relax in the backyard soaking in the sun! Come see why this is truly a ‘Turn Key” property!

157 Mockingbird Lane Paso Robles

Sold Buyer

366 Shasta Ave Morro Bay

Seller

2970 Beachcomber Morro Bay

MARY JO ROGERS

805.550.0374 DRE#01015134

Seller

6 • February 2022 • Morro Bay Life

Making Communities Better Through Print™

BUSINESS

Family and Lifestyle

4 Ways to Create a Meaningful Family Legacy

F

amily lends us a strong sense of identity. So it makes sense that traditional legacy planning focuses on this area of our life and the financial resources we want to leave to our loved ones. However, the best legacy plans also focus on the here and now—how you have structured your life to make it clear to your family what your values are. The life lessons you have communicated to them. The traditions that will live on for genera-

money on time-saving services predicts tion after generation.

Here are four ideas to help you live greater happiness because it forces people your legacy—starting right now. to manage their time better. Also, being 1. Find work-life balance mindful about how you spend your time The struggle is real. Even wildly can set an example for others. successful people – Garth Brooks, for 2. Plan for the unexpected example – have expressed regret about About 48% of U.S. adults don’t have choosing work over spending time with life insurance, according to a 2021 study their families. Brooks took a 14-year conducted in part by the trade group break from his music career to raise his LIMRA. This and other conventional children, telling People, “I knew their estate planning concerns are part of living sweet faces and their dispositions. But I your legacy; knowing your preparation didn’t know who they were.” In the book sets a precedent for your loved ones.

“The Top Five Regrets of the Dying,” An estate plan is also your opportunity this regret occupies the number two spot. to make a deliberate choice about the If this resonates with you, consider future, rather than settling for whatever ways to free up some quality time for may come. For example, you can use it your loved ones. Long commute? Maybe as a learning tool for money manageit’s time to move or try a bit of telecom- ment, structuring a trust that specifies muting. Weekends spent on chores? Try exactly how an inheritance should be hiring a house cleaner or have groceries used, whether for retirement, education, delivered. Research shows that spending or some other purpose. When you create

such a plan, it allows your voice—and This is another area that can trigyour values—to be heard. ger regret if neglected. You can do this with words: “I love you” or “I’m 3. Communicate your vision with an ethical will proud of you.” Or you can do it with Think of this as a family love letter, your resources, setting aside money passing on your personal lessons and for education in a 529 plan or making your vision for the family’s future – family memories in a vacation home. either shared now or as part of your Most parents say saving for college memorial. “Putting together an ethi- is particularly important, but a 2018 cal will early on helps you live life with survey from Student Loan Hero reveals more intention,” says Barry Baines, that 44 percent wish they had saved author of “Ethical Wills: Putting more.

Live life with intention, not regrets.

Your Values on Paper.” This document can also add context to your legal will, Your advisor can help you create a living potentially preventing conflict among legacy that prioritizes caring for and heirs, which lawyers and advisors say guiding the people you love and honors is a growing problem. Disputes over what matters most to you. Now and in inheritance are happening “way more the decades to come. in the last few years than in the decades Raymond James and its advisors do before,” Bernard Krooks, an estate not offer tax or legal advice. You should lawyer in New York, told Kiplinger. discuss any tax or legal matters with the 4. Express your feelings and values appropriate professional.

HEALTH

February the Month of Love my mother. She taught my brother and me that it didn’t matter if it was macaroni and cheese or filet magnon; we needed to take time to relax and savor our meal.

It may be a generational thing, but I often find that I am halfway through my food when younger people at the table are finished and ready for dessert.

From the Kitchen of It’s like the meal I’ve prepared is “fast” food so they can get on to other things, like their cell phones.

Perhaps, considering health and fitness, we ne thing I’ve learned in my many years is the should slow down, take a deep breath and enjoy importance of eating slowly and enjoying the food set before us. A glass of wine can certainly the “taste” of my food. That exercise came from help the process.

O

Barbie Butz

I love the month of February. There are many things to celebrate, like Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, Mardi Gras, George Washington’s Birthday, and my birthday! Those are all excuses to entertain.

The other day I did a trial run on tarts for Valentine’s Day. I used Trader Joe’s pre-made pie dough, lemon curd, and some of my cranberry-fruit sauce. I rolled out the pie dough to thin it down and cut heart shapes with a 3-inch wide heart cookie cutter. You will need two hearts of dough for one tart, so just pat them, if needed, to match. Place about one tablespoon lemon curd or your favorite jam in the middle of the heart. Using your finger and a little water, dampen the edge of that heart so it will stick to the other heart when you place it on top.

After placing the top heart over the jam, use the prongs of a fork to press the two pieces together around the edge. Pierce the middle of the heart to allow for steam to be released.

Whisk one egg in a small bowl, adding a tablespoon of water. Using a pastry brush, brush the top of the heart with egg mixture and sprinkle with red or white sparkling sugar.

Bake in a preheated 400-degree oven for 8 or 9 minutes or until golden. Watch carefully so that the heart does not burn. Remove with a metal spatula and allow to cool.

Note: With the leftover dough, I cut circles with a small jar lid and made as many as I had dough for. I also filled those with lemon curd, following the same directions as I used for the hearts.

This next recipe for truffles uses Cabernet wine.

These little bites would make a wonderful Valentine for someone special.

Chocolate Cabernet Truffles Ingredients: 1 cup Cabernet wine

14-ounce semi-sweet chocolate, chopped fine 1 cup heavy or whipping cream ¾ teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 Tablespoons butter (room temperature) ½ cup cocoa Directions: In a small pan over high heat, reduce wine to approximately 3 to 4 tablespoons, then transfer to a medium bowl and add chocolate. Heat in a medium pan the cream, vanilla, and cinnamon to a simmer over medium heat. Pour cream mixture over chocolate and wine reduction. Let sit for a minute. Stir until smooth. Stir in butter until creamy. Chill mixture until very firm. Using a small spoon, form small balls. Roll gently in cocoa; shake off excess cocoa. Store in the refrigerator, lightly covered. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Makes 32 candies.

Fudge Nut Cookies Ingredients: 1 dark fudge cake mix ½ (6 ounces) package peanut butter chips 1 (8 ounces) carton sour cream ¼ cup chopped walnuts Directions: Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix until well blended.

Place a teaspoon of cookie mix on a cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool and place in an airtight container if they last long enough! Makes approximately 36 cookies.

Happy February. Don’t forget your Valentine’s on the 14th.

Cheers!

OPEN FOR BUSINESS! Curbside service available.

Morro Bay 510 Quintana Road 805-772-1265 Paso Robles 1171 Creston Rd. # 109 805-369-2811 San Luis Obispo 1336 Madonna Road 805-544-5400

Home Theater & Observation Systems Components furnished & installed by Coast Electronics

coastelectronic.com Need to know who’s knocking?

Traveling? FREE quote for observation systems for peace of mind.

Follow us on

Expert Consultation Professional Installation Computer Tutors On-Site Service Wi-Fi, TV mounts & Univeral Remotes Smartphones

Morro Bay Life • February 2022 • 7

Making Communities Better Through Print™

GOVERNMENT

How to make friends for busy adults VALENTINA PETROVA

S

COLUMNIST

ociologists say that we need organic, unplanned interactions and shared vulnerability to make friends.

Translation: getting in trouble together because we didn’t think things through. But adult responsibilities get in the way of spontaneity while past experiences help us develop foresight to help us avoid trouble.

We also move around a lot. Very few people still live in the town where they were born or work the same job for decades, making us feel like outsiders wherever we are.

On top of that, we hurry up to find someone we like, shack up, make babies, and start worrying about bills, jobs, and house repairs. As we grow older, our worlds shrink in many ways. We stop playing with random strangers just because they pass by and have a ball in hand.

Instead, we build fences and lock the door.

Our time passes in traffic, at the office, in front of the computer, working, or at home doing chores and watching TV. That’s just life, they say. We get busy and preoccupied. But we also become more self-conscious, set in our

ways, and more judgmental. None of these are good starting points for friendships.

Think about the oldest and dearest friends you still have. How did you meet? What made you friends?

We went to school, joined teams, signed up for summer camps, fraternities and sororities, and various clubs to have a good time, learn something, and team up with others. We found challenges, adventures, and experiences we would never have on our own. We had little to lose and everything to gain by putting ourselves out there, deliberately looking for connections with others.

And that is what we found!

It required participation, but we rarely complained. We were probably more willing to skip a class than a

party. We made stories together.

Stories we still reminisce about any chance we get.

If you want friends, you have to make room for stories again and set out to find the cast members.

Start with your interests. Look for communities organized around your interests and plug yourself right in, as awkward as it may be at first.

Studies show that you will be more successful within the context of a community than seeking individuals out and trying to make it work. It will feel more natural and organic too. Find others like you on Meetup. com, Facebook, through work, or through your kids’ school. Join the gym, the local yoga studio, the senior center, or a volunteer organization.

The options are too many to list.

People often think of their love

interest as the most important one.

But in case you haven’t noticed, feelings come and go, which is why the divorce rate is about 50%. It’s also usually just one person at a time.

But friendships! You can pile those up on top of each other, mix and match, and enjoy forever!

Continue reading the complete list of specific things to do and not to do to make friends and keep them on my Life Intelligence blog at vpetrova.com. It’s free!

Valentina Petrova has helped people with life, health, relationships, f inancial, and professional goals and challenges since 2015. She has a Master’s in Psychology and is a certif ied life coach and a certif ied mediator. You can reach her at valentinapetrovaconsulting.com.

SLO COUNTY

What is AN apprenticeship?

JAMES BRESCIA, Ed.D County Superintendent of Schools

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”

Benjamin Franklin

W

hat is the next chapter in your story? How do we best prepare for life after high school graduation?

What if I want or need to change employment opportunities? Our most recent SLO Career and Technical Education (CTE) foundation meeting fielded these questions. Similar to the 2015 Oxford University and 2018 Cambridge University conferences I have written about, these questions apply beyond the borders of San Luis Obispo County. Those international conferences addressed audiences from the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa on the importance of thoughtful recruitment, training, and retention of employees. The U.K., London in particular, continues to face similar shortages to those in California. European, African, and Asian countries have consistently implemented aggressive CTE in secondary schools.

Our CTE foundation reviewed successful

programs and recommitted resources to additional programs. San Luis Obispo County is fortunate to have our local Assembly Member, Jordan Cunningham, and local State Senator John Laird also supporting these efforts in the legislature.

Education in the United States and across the globe continues to experience challenging times. The recent census reports that one out of three Americans (33 percent) attained a bachelor’s degree, and 12 percent hold an advanced degree such as a master’s, professional, or doctorate. Almost 9 out of 10 Americans (88 percent) possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Educational attainment continues to vary by age, sex, race, nativity, and disability status. As America continues to navigate through federal and state mandates that impact our classrooms, our leaders must continue to include CTE as a piece of the educational puzzle. If you ask a puzzle master, you are advised to identify a suitable strategy leading to an acceptable solution. Like the puzzle master’s advice, CTE is a vital piece of the educational quest for student success. As we face an ever-changing world, it is essential to explore avenues that present multiple paths for students. CTE curriculum and subsequent apprenticeship programs strive to pair academics and high-level workplace skills necessary for the 21st century. Students, administrators, teachers, business members, community leaders, and even politicians have endorsed CTE programs across the country for the following reasons: • CTE-related jobs are in high demand.

• CTE preparation can meet individual and community workplace needs.

• CTE programs reduce drop-out rates in research and practice.

• CTE classes serve to increase student engagement in both CORE and CTE classes.

• CTE curriculum increases student achievement during and after school.

• CTE has the potential to maintain a cutting edge for U.S. business interests.

According to recent research, California is improving how it makes available timely and transparent information about career readiness and apprenticeships. However, we still have to prepare our community for post-secondary options and report our progress to the public.

A central element of California’s positive move toward transparency and accountability is the California School Dashboard. The Dashboard shows how districts and schools are performing on a range of measures of student success, including tests, scores, graduation rates, and suspension rates. Our Dashboard is part of the significant shifts to the state’s public education system, including new standards, new assessment, and a locally driven funding formula.

The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) use state and local indicator data from the Dashboard to monitor student progress.

When Dashboard indicators identify student subgroups as low performing or low growth, districts should engage in continuous improvement to develop strategies and then monitor their effectiveness.

Our regional consortium, SLO Partners, convenes business, industry, education, and community leaders committed to working together for collective impact in workforce and economic development by aligning education systems and employment programs with economic opportunities. The Workforce Development Board, County Board of Supervisors, the Community College Chancellor’s Office, and local funders have supported SLO Partners in Pre-Apprenticeship and CTE programs. The San Luis Obispo County Office of Education (SLOCOE), Cuesta College, every school district, and charter school in our county continue to join forces in leveraging CTE funding to best serve the students in our county. I encourage everyone to learn more about our highly successful partnerships with Cuesta College, businesses, participants, and the community. SLOCOE and SLO Partners continue to engage in discussions and reviews of research related to recruitment, training, and workforce retention.

SLO Partners’ mission is to engage business partners and educators in aligning workforce needs with career and college pathways. We facilitate work experience opportunities to ensure that students have the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the workplace.

We promote opportunities for businesses to maintain skilled workers required for a sound, growing economy. SLO Partners facilitates industry certifications, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and CTE dual enrollment. It is an honor to serve as your county superintendent of schools.

8 • February 2022 • Morro Bay Life

Making Communities Better Through Print™

Let us help you make your Next Chapter a REALITY, the market is hot and the time is now.

Our goal is to reduce the stress and make your home selling experience as comfortable as possible. Whether you are moving to be closer to family or desire to be living in another state, studies have shown that moving is one of the most stressful events in life and the thought of it can be overwhelming. If your desire is to make a change, let us help you and make it manageable.

Selling a home takes a lot of effort. Evaluating your property, determining what needs to be fixed, coordinating repairs, completing inspections, cleaning your home, sprucing it up, downsizing all your belongings, and then packing and moving, not to mention the sales process.

In addition to my sales experience, I have interior design expertise to stage your home and make it shine. Even in this current market, first impressions make a great impact on your bottom line and the terms of your sale.

My team can assist with the many elements of preparing your property and you, to reduce the pressure and take away the uncertainty. Often these tasks may be too daunting to comprehend and why we believe it takes a team effort. For our select clients, we can assist with the sorting, packing, coordination of storage, and moving.

We are just a phone call away!

Please take a moment to read our reviews on www.Zillow.com/Profile/Lisa-Mia/ to learn more.

EMERALD ELITE AWARD WINNER FOR 2021 This distinct recognition is the highest-ranking award for BHGRE and puts me in the top 2% category of agents in our national brand

480 Los Osos Valley Road  Los Osos  REPRESENTED BUYER $1,200,000

MORRO BAY • CAYUCOS • LOS OSOS • SAN LUIS OBISPO • CAMBRIA • ATASCADERO • PASO ROBLES • ARROYO GRANDE

LISA MIA

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL LIC. #01945215 805 MAIN STREET MORRO BAY, CA 93442

LISA@LISAMIA.COM 805.279.9381