Morro Bay Life • November 2023

NOVEMBER 2023 • 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

“Gratitude is the sweetest melody of the heart, playing the tune of contentment in every moment.”

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

HONORING 105 YEARS | PAGE 6

FARMERS MARKET TURKEY POT PIE | PAGE 6

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

HELPS WAR REFUGEES | PAGE 4

VETERANS DAY

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

LIONS CLUB

2 • November 2023 • Morro Bay Life

Making Communities Better Through Print™

Hello November “Gratitude is the sweetest melody of the heart, playing the tune of contentment in every moment.”

PubliSherS

Hayley & Nicholas Mattson hayley@13starsmedia.com

CONTENT EDITOR Camille DeVaul

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Michael Chaldu

LAYOUT DESIGN Anthony Atkins

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Jen Rodman

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Cami Martin and Lukas Johnson office@13starsmedia.com

CONTRIBUTORS Beewench Farm Neil Farrell Ian Parkinson

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powered by 13 Stars Media 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.

A

s we gather at the cozy corner of the year, I could not help but be struck by the undeniable beauty of autumn that surrounds us. It is a time when nature paints a vivid masterpiece with its vibrant hues, reminding us of the ephemeral nature of life itself.

The leaves have taken on their magnificent autumnal attire, and as we head into the winter season, I encourage you all to take a moment to notice the changing colors and the leaves that fall, gracefully dancing to the ground.

Amidst this season of change, we must also remember the significance of Veterans Day. This is a time to honor and express our heartfelt gratitude to those brave individuals who have served our nation.

They have selflessly devoted their lives to protect our freedoms, and we owe them a debt of gratitude that can never truly be repaid. Let us take a moment on this day to reflect on their sacrifices and the immense courage it takes to defend our country.

But, of course, we can not help but look ahead with anticipation to Thanksgiving. It is a time of warmth, laughter, and the delicious aroma of home-cooked meals filling the air. As we gather around the table with family and friends, let us not only give thanks for the bountiful feast before us but also for the love and support that surround us.

Thanksgiving is a reminder of the importance of expressing gratitude for the blessings in our lives, both big and small.

In this season of change and gratitude, it is with mixed

emotions that we bid farewell to a fierce advocate for of our community, Erica Crawford, who has served the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce with dedication and passion. Erica has been an integral part of our community, and her tireless efforts have contributed significantly to our business community success. While we are sad to see her go, we wish her all the very best in this new chapter of her career.

As Thanksgiving draws near, let us revel in the splendor of autumn, pay respect to our veterans, and wholeheartedly express our gratitude for the abundant blessings. May this season overflow with joy, love, and cherished moments shared among our dearest family and friends.

With hearts brimming with gratitude, we extend our warmest wishes for a Thanksgiving that is truly joyful and thankful. Today, we have so much to be grateful for.

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

Hayley & Nic Mattson

On the Cover

Group of friends taking in the sunrise.

Photo by Hoang M Nguyen Submit your photos for the chance to be the cover of Morro Bay Life

Through Print

making communities better

Morro Bay Life • November 2023 • 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.

Find your shopping ideas by following us on Facebook, Instagram or morrochamber.org For more information contact Lynsey Hansen, Membership Director at lynsey@morrochamber.org

JOIN US NOVEMBER 8th & 15th with these EVENTS!

4 • November 2023 • Morro Bay Life

Making Communities Better Through Print™

NONPROFIT

Lions Club helps war refugees, two local women

By NEIL FARRELL for Morro Bay Life

T

he latest car giveaway by the Morro Bay Lions Club saw a first-time collaboration with other nonprofits, two working women get a hand, and help for a family of war refugees.

A small contingent of community volunteers, Lions, and others gathered Sept. 13 at Todd’s Garage on Quintana Road with three shiny — albeit used — cars parked in a row waiting for the keys to be turned over to their new owners.

It was the first time the Lions Foundation had given away three cars at once, and marked the now 41st to 43rd vehicles given to folks in need of reliable transportation since the program was started in 2014 by Lion Bill Todd and Sharon O’Leary of the Community Resource Connections.

The program was later enjoined by the Lions Foundation and they’ve given away a car every three months for nearly a decade, with the Resource Center being the place where someone can apply. If they pass some basic criteria, they can get a free vehicle.

Everyone who’s ever been the recipient, has expressed deep gratitude and put the vehicles to good use.

The three cars were a 2002 Toyota Camry, a 2006 Honda Civic, and a 1991 Buick Park Avenue luxury sedan.

“It’s a boat,” Bill Todd said.

The recipients were Carol Perez of San Luis Obispo, who was given the Camry; Ukrainian refugees Alex and Victoria Motornyi and their young daughter, Anna, who got the Civic; and Morro Bay resident Lisa Abbattista, who received the Buick.

The Morro Bay Lions Foundation recently gave away three used cars to some folks in need of reliable transportation. From left are car recipient Carol Perez; Mechanic and Lions Club member Bill and son Mike Todd; SLO4homes President Vance Rodgers; car recipients Victoria, Alex, and Anna Motornyi; and car recipient Lisa Abbattista. Photo by Neil Farrell

All of the cars were looked over mechanically

by Bill Todd and his son Mike Todd, and were smog checked before being given away.

There is a catch of course — recipients promise to register and insure the cars, and keep up the maintenance. However, it’s a relatively small price to pay for wheels without a car payment attached.

Bill Todd said to get the money to buy the three cars, they first auctioned off an immaculate 1991 motorhome that was donated to the program by someone in town. He said they got $9,000 for the RV. They also had donated a 2009 Toyota Sierra

minivan and they sold that for $5,300, he said.

They used the proceeds to buy these latest gift cars, and also put some money into the Lions’ “feed the hungry” program, which puts on free community dinners every Monday at the Vets Hall, along with other community groups.

The Lions teamed with nonprofits, SLO4Homes, CAP-SLO and Hopes Village, to select these recipients. Perez was nominated

by Vicki Jorgensen of Hope’s Village, and said, “I am so grateful to everyone for this.”

Abbattista works at the Prado Road Homeless Center in SLO for CAP-SLO, which nominated

her for the program. When she moved to Morro Bay, she explained, she didn’t have a car, or really need one. Then she got the job at the shelter and the need for transportation was immediate. “You need a car with my job,” she said. “You have no idea what this car will do for me. I’m going to be able to do so much more.”

The Park Avenue, though over 30 years old and nearing 200,000 miles, was impressive. A top luxury car in its day, it has comfy looking leather seats and Bill and Mike made sure it runs great.

The Motornyis were nominated by SLO4home, a nonprofit that is currently helping seven refugee families from Afghanistan, Syria, and Ukraine.

The group’s president, Vance Rodgers, nominated the Motornyi family, who expressed their gratitude.

“Our family,” Alex said, “really appreciates everything and are incredibly grateful for everything.”

To find out more about SLO4Home, visit SLO4Home.org.

The Lions car giveaway program is always in search of donated vehicles, which they will either give away to deserving people, or sell for money for the program. That money is used to buy vehicles or parts needed to repair donated cars to be given away. The donations are tax deductible and the Foundation gives receipts for the Blue Book value.

So if you find yourself with an extra car or can no longer drive, consider donating to this program (see facebook.com/MorroBayLions).

If readers need a car or know someone in need of reliable transportation, apply for the program through the Community Resource Connections, at 695 Harbor St. (call [805] 225-1991). See the website at communityresourceconnections.net.

MORRO BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Chamber CEO leaves for wind energy job

T

By NEIL FARRELL for Morro Bay Life

he Morro Bay business community has lost a leader and is embarking on a search for a permanent replacement.

After nearly eight years, Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce CEO Erica Crawford has left the organization, which has over 300 members, and an interim executive has stepped in.

On Oct. 3, the Chamber of Commerce Board announced that Crawford was leaving and taking a job with one of the offshore floating wind farm companies that won leases last December for a nearly 400-square-mile patch of open ocean about 20-30 miles off the Coast of San Simeon, and some 57 miles from Morro Bay. “Crawford has accepted a community liaison role with Ocean Winds North America, working on the Golden State Wind Project in the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area,” the news release said.

Crawford said this was a tough decision.

“While it is difficult to leave the Chamber team, it is my care for this community and my desire to work in the renewable energy industry that drove me towards this opportunity,”

she said. “I am thrilled that my new role allows me to continue working in Morro Bay and the region, engage in thoughtful dialogue with existing colleagues, and build new relationships with community members.”

Crawford moved from Brooklyn, New York, to the Central Coast in 2012 and was working in the Paso Robles wine industry when she landed the Chamber CEO job in January 2016.

She’s overseen a transformation of the Chamber, which is the oldest business member organization in town, as when she came in, the Chamber spent much of its time and efforts producing special events like the Music Festival, Kite Festival, and Avocado-Margarita Festival.

She’s weathered the forced change that came with the COVID-19 pandemic and the business closures and ceasing of special events for fear of spreading the virus. The pandemic response also led to the city’s closing of the Visitor’s Center, which the Chamber staffed and was paid a significant amount by the city to oversee.

With the loss of the Visitor’s Center contract, which is now in the hands of the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID), an assessment district for lodging businesses. TBID has also completely taken over tourism promotions of the city.

Instead, the Chamber has focused on business development and retention, and economic development, supported financially by the city.

It has also dipped its big toe into local politics with the formation of its Government Affairs Committee, which chimes in on city issues that affect businesses.

“While we are sad that Erica is departing, she has built a great team and is leaving the Chamber with a strong strategic plan in place,” Ray Riordan, the current Chamber Board chairman, said. “We are sincerely thankful for the years that she has served our community and extremely excited that she has decided to remain here in Morro Bay.” Crawford said she’s enjoyed her time with the Chamber.

“I have loved every minute of my seven and a half years as the CEO of this Chamber,” she said.

“Together, with talented and committed board members and skilled and dedicated staff members, we have become a professional and stable organization and an effective voice for business in Morro Bay.” The board announced the Chamber has secured HRM Consulting to provide interim management services while it creates a search committee to find the Chamber’s next executive director.

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Former Morro Bay Chamber CEO Erica Crawford, shown here in a photo from 2016, has left the Chamber and taken a job with one of the Offshore Floating Wind Energy companies. Photo credit Morro Bay Chamber

HRM owner Jocelyn Brennan, a former Chamber executive, stepped into the job as interim CEO. Brennan is reportedly experienced in business development, stakeholder engagement, and permit processes, according to the Chamber.

“HRM’s experience uniquely qualifies them for this important transition period, ensuring uninterrupted services to the Chamber’s 310 members and to our partners in economic development at the City of Morro Bay,” Riordan said.

It’s not the first time the Chamber has brought in HRM. “The firm conducted interviews and surveys with Morro Bay business owners in 2021 for a ‘Business Improvement District Feasibility Study’ completed that year,” the release said.

The rest of the Chamber staff remains intact.

The Chamber Office remains in a cityowned building at 695 Harbor St., which it shares with the community radio station and the Resource Center.

Morro Bay Life • November 2023 • 5

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CITY

City to study traffic safety

By NEIL FARRELL for Morro Bay Life

T

he City of Morro Bay is embarking on an effort to write a safety plan for the local roads and make the city more attractive to people handing out grant funding.

“The City of Morro Bay is developing a Local Roadway Safety Plan [LRSP] that will identify areas for roadway and safety improvements on local roads,” reads a public notice from the city.

Caltrans awarded a grant for this work, “which will develop potential safety improvement projects for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists and in turn, make the city eligible for future state roadway safety funding!”

The plan has five parts the city plans to carry out: • Identify high-risk crash areas with community input; • Analyze crash data, maintenance logs, and safety audits to develop a locally focused safety plan; • Proactively improve safety along local roads by proposing a list of

prioritized safety projects; • Provide an implementation timeline for the prioritized list of improvement projects; and, • Host events for communities to provide input and ask questions with the project team present.

The first of these public events or workshops was held Sept. 6 and the next one is coming up in November.

The city’s public workshop is set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way. Just what is an LRSP? “An LRSP is a data-driven technical analysis that strives to understand the existing trends, factors, and causes of collisions within a community,” the city said. “Based on this analysis, the LRSP creates a framework to recommend and prioritize safety improvements on a citywide level for future planning and development efforts towards a safer community for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.”

The LRSP would appear different from the road maintenance list the

city uses to put together big street paving projects, usually every other year. Much of the money for that regular maintenance program comes from the city’s Measure Q, half-cent sales tax, which is promised to be spent on police and fire department needs, street maintenance and repair, and storm drain maintenance.

The city has also launched a project website at morrobayca.gov/1058/ Local-Roadway-Safety-Plan-LRSP, that includes an interactive map that allows you to pinpoint troublesome stretches of roads that need attention.

“Where are issues and concerns you have about vehicle crashes in your area?” the website asks, followed by a link to the map and a click on the “Add a Comment” button allows you to file a comment.

“Leave a comment describing the challenges/solutions you’d like to see at the selected location,” the website said. “Be sure to choose your comment type from the pedestrian, bicyclist, motorists, and other categories provided in the toolbar.”

Comments can be made for the record using either the email or the

interactive map.

At the workshop the project team will be on hand to meet with citizens and discuss what they see as needing fixing. Suggest areas for safety improvement projects and discuss safe transportation in Morro Bay. Recently, the City Council sought to finally fix one of the intersections with the highest accident rate in the city — the Highway 41-Main Street, four-way stop.

The City Council was asked if the solution should be traffic lights, a roundabout, or leave it be?

The split decision was in favor of a roundabout, a decision that is controversial to say the least, and potentially dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists, according to some opponents.

Other areas in town that might not make most people’s lists, but could be addressed, include the intersections of Main Street and Pacific, as well as Main and Dunes.

Both have seen their fair share of accidents, and many more close calls, over the years and Dunes Street is a somewhat blind corner to traffic coming up from Beach Street on

Main, especially when cars are parked near the corners.

At Main and Pacific, neighbors a few years ago petitioned the City Council to make it a four-way stop, like Main and Morro Bay Boulevard, as well as Main and Harbor.

The council initially approved the added stop signs but came back and rescinded the orders after the staff analyzed the accident history there and decided it could not be justified nor the stop signs enforced under California’s Vehicle Codes.

Instead, the staff painted in bulbouts at the corners and big white crosswalks at all four corners.

The result is a psych-out for many drivers, who end up stopping on Main Street where there are no stop signs, and backing up traffic on Main as they courteously yield for the side street traffic to go first.

It would be presumed that through this LRSP process, the city will already know what intersections need addressing and it won’t come down to a fruitless petition drive by concerned citizens to get something done about it.

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SHERIFF

Your window into community safety

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office website has redesigned its website, with new and improved feature for county residents. Photo credit SLO County Sheriff’s

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out all the clutter you see on some websites.

We’ve even added a new video showcasing the many aspects of the Sheriff ’s Office. So, I invite you to check out slosheriff.org and see all the changes for yourself. Just so you know, the website may be new, but our commitment to protecting you remains the same. That will never change.

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English and Spanish.

And of course, we still have our most popular features like our crime map, who’s in custody, report a crime online, links to our social media channels, as well as the latest news coming from the Sheriff ’s Office.

The layout and design of the website is sleek, professional, and very clean looking with-

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believe one of my primary jobs as sheriff is to let you know what’s going on in our county.

To give you as much information as possible about what we do and why we do it. We have a number of different ways to get that information to you. One way is that I speak to a great many civic groups and organizations around the county.

Keeping that dialogue open and transparent. But if I want to reach a much larger audience, then I rely on two things: our social media platforms and our website. It’s the latter I want to talk about today.

And the reason for that is we just redesigned our website. And I must say, I’m impressed, and I hope you will be too.

Our old website was almost a dozen years old.

It was fine but had outlived its usefulness. It was severely outdated and needed to be upgraded with new features and more accessibility. So we began the process by asking a lot of questions about the types of information you would like to know about the Sheriff ’s Office. The No. 1 thing we wanted to showcase was our commitment to our community.

Because after all, we are your friends and neighbors, and we want a safe and secure place to live, too.

So, we added a number of new features and updated some of our most popular items. Our new features include a whole section on FAQs, otherwise known as Frequently Asked Questions. We know you have a lot of questions about the Sheriff ’s Office. And in this section, we’ve tried to answer all the questions you might have. For instance, we have questions dedicated to topics like our jail, coroner’s office, records and warrants, and our civil division.

Another new feature is a whole page of the website dedicated to employment opportunities at the Sheriff ’s Office. It’s titled Join Our Team and it highlights all the different aspects of working here, whether it’s for our patrol division, custody division, dispatch, or professional support staff. This section will also tell you all about the incredible benefits and incentives available to you. It also goes into great detail about the process of getting started with the hiring process from physical agility tests, to written exams to the interview process. Everything you would need to know is in that section.

We have also updated several features on the site. For one, we’ve made the search function so much easier to use to find items of interest on our website. We’ve also made the website ADA compliant for those with disabilities.

And we’ve also made the website available in

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6 • November 2023 • Morro Bay Life

Making Communities Better Through Print™

FARMERS MARKET

Farmer’s Market Turkey Pot Pie

By BEEWENCH FARM for Morro Bay Life

N

ovember is here! It’s time for some cool, crisp weather and more cozy meals with the family. If you are like me and avoided turning on your oven during the summer, it’s time to let it warm up the house and make some amazing meals and treats. I love making squash with ground pork and mixing in as many fall veggies that I can as a simple dinner. Baking some apple crisp with beautiful apples is a tasty treat that also makes your entire home smell like fall. My mom makes the best apple crisp and, thankfully loves to gift it to friends and family this time of year.

Right now, summer fruits and veggies are going to be hard to find. Luckily, because we have growers from up and down the coast, you can still find almost everything you could want at any local farmer’s market. Personally, I love buying the most in-season produce because it is going to be the tastiest and most nutrient dense when it’s grown in its best conditions. If you are looking for more in-season produce here is what to look for: Fruits: • Apples • Cranberries • Figs • Grapefruit • Grapes • Kiwi • Kumquats • Mandarins

• Pears • Pomegranates Vegetables: • Brussels sprouts • Celery • Cucumbers • Parsnips • Peas • Pumpkins • Winter squash • Sweet Potatoes Because November has a big food celebration coming up, I decided to share a family-favorite recipe for those delicious leftovers. I love leftovers and really love finding new ways to use them, especially after big celebrations. My husband could live on leftover turkey sandwiches forever, but we usually have enough turkey to make something else, too. Pot pie is one of those comfort foods that fill you up and nourish your soul. I usually use a lot of leftovers and make a shepherd’s pie, but my kids prefer the biscuit top to the mashed potatoes, so this has been a winner. I also make this with leftover chicken for a more traditional pot pie when we don’t have a bunch of leftover turkey. It is just as delicious!

If you are gluten-free, you can make some gluten-free biscuit dough or find gluten-free pie crust to use at most stores.

You can also just stick with the mashed potato topping and make a shepherd’s pie. My husband makes excellent biscuits and gravy, so he makes the biscuit dough for the topping. Feel free to add any veggies that you have left over or from the market. I also like adding carrots and

peas because my kids like those best.

Farmer’s Market Turkey Pot Pie Ingredients: DJ’s Butter Biscuits: • ½ cup salted butter (1 stick) • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour • 1 ½ Tbs sugar (sub with maple syrup or honey) • 1 Tbs baking powder • 1 ½ tsp salt • 1 ¾ cup buttermilk • For the Filling: • 4 slices bacon • 1.5 cups diced leeks (or onions) • 1.5 cups cut green beans • 2 cups diced celery • 2 cups diced butternut squash • 1.5 tbsp flour (use arrowroot or tapioca starch for gluten-free) • 3 cups shredded leftover Thanksgiving turkey • 2 cups turkey or chicken broth • 1/2 cup heavy cream (use coconut cream if dairy-free) • 2 tsp marjoram • 1 tbsp fresh thyme • 1 tbsp fresh sage Instructions: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Heat a large ovenproof skillet to medium-high heat.

Make the biscuit dough: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt. Mix in softened butter with a fork until well combined. Add your buttermilk and let sit.

Cook the bacon in the skillet until desired crispiness (3-5 minutes per side).

Set aside and crumble. Keep the skillet hot, and be sure to reserve at least 1 tbsp bacon fat in the pan. Reduce heat to medium.

Now add in the leeks, green beans, squash, and celery. Cook for about 7 minutes, stirring frequently. Coat the vegetables with flour and toss. Now pour in the broth, continuing to stir to make sure there are no lumps from the flour.

Increase the temperature so that a rolling boil occurs. Reduce back to a simmer.

Stir in the turkey, heavy cream, marjoram, and fresh herbs. Let the filling cook for another 3-5 minutes.

Remove the skillet from heat. Prepare

the biscuits by lightly sprinkling an ice cream scoop or 1/4 cup measuring cup with flour. Then scoop in the dough so that it forms a nice circular shape, place one biscuit at a time around the perimeter of the skillet. Flatten each biscuit a little with the back of a spoon.

You should be able to create at least 10 biscuits.

Transfer the dish to the oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes, keeping an eye on the biscuits so they don’t overcook. The top should be lightly golden, and the filling should be bubbly.

Serve hot and add salt and pepper to taste.

VETERANS DAY

Reflecting on courage and commitment Honoring 105 years since the Armistice, Veterans Day celebrates heroes past and present

By HAYLEY MATTSON

O

n the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month—one hundred and five years ago—World War I ended with an armistice signing between the Allies and Germany. It was 20 years later, on May 13, 1938, that November 11 was anointed as Armistice Day and proclaimed as “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace.”

Armistice Day, now known as Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in several other countries, stands as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by the servicemen and women throughout history. Its origins, dating back to the end of World War I on November 11, 1918, signify not only the cessation of hostilities but also the hope for a lasting peace.

The armistice signed on that significant day did not symbolize victory but rather represented a collective, weary acknowledgment that conflict should cease. The repercussions of this decision were felt worldwide, leading to a determination that diplomacy should prevail over conflict, a principle that was, tragically, to be tested repeatedly in the following century through various global conflicts, including World War II. When Congress enacted the day as Armistice Day in 1938, it was a tribute to the veterans of World War I. Still, there was a shift following the substantial conflicts of World War II and the Korean War. Recognizing the continuous sacrifices being made in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day, expanding the significance of the day to honor American veterans of all wars, not just those who had served in World War I.

Guest speaker Navy Commander David Brooks stands during the Armed Forces Medley at the Faces of Freedom Veteran Memorial in Atascadero. Photo by Rick Evans.

In this contemporary era, 105 years after that fateful day in 1918, Veterans Day embodies a dual purpose: it is a time of remembrance for those who lost their lives and a time of gratitude for those who served. Across the nation, ceremonies, parades, and memorials will be held in honor of these brave men and women. They serve as a reminder not just of past wars but of current and ongoing conflicts and the continuous efforts of all our service members.

Education plays a crucial role on this day, too.

Schools and communities often organize presentations and discussions about the historical significance of World War I and subsequent conflicts, ensuring younger generations understand the costs of war and the value of peace. Furthermore, many citizens don a poppy, a symbol inspired by the World War I poem “In Flanders Fields,” as a personal tribute to fallen soldiers.

The aspiration for peace that marked the original Armistice Day remains as crucial now as it was 105 years ago. Today, as we commemorate Veterans Day, we reflect on the toll of war, honor those who fought and continue to fight for freedom and peace, and contemplate the essentialness of diplomacy and dialogue over conflict. Each event attended, each story shared, each moment of silence observed, reinforces collective memory and respect—ensuring that the past’s lessons steer the future’s choices.

This November, we remember all those who served in “the war to end all wars” and every war since. Armistice Day was set aside as a day to remember the cost of war, the treasures of freedom, and the purpose of peace.

If you are able, please take the time to attend one of the Veteran’s Day events in remembrance of the cost of war and the peaceful

purpose of Armistice Day. Veterans Day Events November 11 Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial 11am Veterans Memorial, corner of Morro and Portola Roads, Atascadero Gather at the Veterans Day Ceremony at the Faces of Freedom Memorial hosted by the Atascadero Veterans Memorial Foundation.

Annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner 5pm Atascadero Elks Lodge, 1516 El Camino Real The Atascadero Elks Lodge #2733 is hosting its Annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner on November 11 to honor and express gratitude to veterans and their caregivers. Veterans and caregivers are welcome for free, while non-veterans can attend for $12. RSVP by November 7 at (805) 466-3557.

Morro Bay Life • November 2023 • 7

morrobaylifenews.com

Submit upcoming events to: office@13starsmedia.com

NOVEMBER Calendar of Events NOVEMBER 4

NOVEMBER 10

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE PAVILION ON THE LAKE, ATASCADERO

GARAGISTE FESTIVAL PAVILLION ON THE LAKE, ATASCADERO

10am-3pm

Kick off the holiday season at Pavilion on the Lake in Atascadero with a one-day craft show featuring 50+ handmade vendors. Vendor registration starts on October 3. Returning crafters have priority registration.

6:30-9pm

Enjoy the Rare & Reserve Tasting featuring over 50 unique wines, exclusive to this event. Don’t miss this chance to savor rare, world-class wines and meet the passionate winemakers.

Check our official website for event details and tickets.

NOVEMBER 4

32ND ANNUAL CAYUCOS CAR SHOW OCEAN AVE, CAYUCOS 9am-4pm

Get your engines ready for the annual Cayucos Car Show. Enjoy a live band under the sun, a beer garden, and bbq while checking out beautiful classic cars through downtown Cayucos, just a block up from the beach.

NOVEMBER 4-5

SPARTAN EVENT WEEKEND SANTA MARGARITA RANCH All Day

Experience SLO CAL’s Santa Margarita Ranch with a fast Ultra race amid vineyards, forests, and wildlife. Trifecta Weekend offers Greece championship qualification.

NOVEMBER 11

VETERANS DAY CEREMONY VETERANS MEMORIAL, CORNER OF MORRO AND PORTOLA ROADS ATASCADERO

6am-12pm

This destination triathlon event takes place on Morro Bay’s waterfront beginning with a harbor swim or, if you prefer, a kayak or SUP paddle. For more information or to register, visit morrobaytri.com.

NOVEMBER 11-12

WSA #4 SURF CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR MORRO ROCK, MORRO BAY

What does a tiger do with a pumpkin? How about a Fossa? Will the meerkats go inside one or just eat it? Join us for this fun event to find out! All activities are included with general admission.

NOVEMBER 17-19

ATASCADERO FALL FESTIVAL SUNKEN GARDENS, DOWNTOWN ATASCADERO Friday, 4-10pm; Saturday and Sunday, noon-10pm

The 3rd Annual Atascadero Fall Festival will be

www.peaceofmind-massage-morrobay

Peace of Mind 26+ plus years of experience in Treating Structural & Pain Disorders

NOVEMBER 23

ECHO TURKEY TROT ATASCADERO LAKE PARK BANDSTAND 8:30am

Join us for a 5K fun run/walk on Thanksgiving morning at Atascadero Lake Park Bandstand at 8:30 a.m. Be sure to wear your best turkey costume as there will be prizes for adults, children and pets!

Central Coast a r e p O d n a y a w d a Bro Road Trip UNDERGROUND VOCAL CONCERT @ LIBRETTO

Every Body Kneads Peace of Mind

SUN | November 12, 2023 • 5pm-8pm • All Seats $45

VOCAL CONCERT IN PINK WITH TOURING ORCHESTRA @ MADONNA INN SUN | November 26, 2023 • 1pm-4pm • All Seats $45 42ND STREET TO THE MET NYE GALA WITH FULL ORCHESTRA @ PACSLO SUN | December 31, 2023 • 7pm-8:30pm • All Seats $50 PASO ROBLES HOUSE PARTY WITH GINGER & STAN SCHWARTZ SUN | January 21, 2024 • 1pm-4pm • All Seats $100

Peace of Mind is a Place for healing and resting the mind, body & spirit

Medical Massage Therapy (818) 625-7490

Locations

10am-12:30pm

The Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial will NOVEMBER 23 be hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony that COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING includes a fly-over by Estrella Warbirds, the National Anthem by Atascadero Fine Arts Academy students, laying of a memorial wreath by the VFW Auxiliary, and TAPS. BBQ lunch provided by the Atascadero Kiwanis.

The Western Surfing Association (WSA) is the oldest amateur surfing association in the USA and, by far, the largest on the West Coast.

MORRO BAY TRIATHLON 695 HARBOR ST MORRO BAY

PUMPKIN SMASH CHARLES PADDOCK ZOO, ATASCADERO

11am

All Day

NOVEMBER 5

a three-day, free admission event with carnival DINNER rides, games, over 30 bands on two stages, over MORRO BAY COMMUNITY CENTER, 1001 KENNEDY WAY, MORRO BAY 40 street faire vendors and food trucks, craft 1-3pm beer, wine, and seltzer.

Presented by Morro Bay Lions Club, all are welcome, and no reservations needed. Free home delivery is available from 12-1:30pm for NOVEMBER 18 those who are unable to come.

8260 Morro Road, Atascadero, CA 93422 742 Morro Bay Blvd, Morro Bay, CA 93442

THAT’S AMORE FUNDRAISER RECITAL @ THE MONDAY CLUB SUN | February 11, 2024 • 1pm-4pm • All Seats $100 DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST GRAND PRODUCTION MUSICAL @ PACSLO SAT & SUN | May 11 & 12, 2024 • 2pm Shows • $35-$85

(805) 782-7342

operaslo.org

• Celebrating 39th Season •

BUY TICKETS

8 • November 2023 • Morro Bay Life

Making Communities Better Through Print™

CONNECTION, PREPARATION, COMMITMENT Our market is changing and if you are considering selling, please keep in mind that is more important than ever and is complementary with every listing...

Staging

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Zillow.com/Profile/Lisa-Mia/ MORRO BAY • CAYUCOS • LOS OSOS • SAN LUIS OBISPO • CAMBRIA • ATASCADERO • PASO ROBLES • ARROYO GRANDE

LISA MIA

805.279.9381

Lisa@Lisamia.com

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL LIC. #01945215