Paso Robles Magazine #232 • August 2020

AUGUST 2020

Historic Centennial Commemorates A Milestone of Democracy

The Right to Vote Prsrt Std US Postage PAID Permit 19 13 Stars Paso Robles CA ECRWSS

Local Postal Customer

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: PRJUSD Celebrates the Class of 2020 Two n' Tow: Tonya Strickland says 'See you soon!'

Pick-Up Policy Place your containers out for collection no later than 6:00am on the day of your scheduled pick-up.

Place your containers at the curb with the wheels facing your house and the lid opening into the street.

Maintain 3 feet of space between containers and cars.

prwaste.com | 805.238.2381

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Paso Robles Magazine | August 2020

The Safe Option While Wearing A Mask!

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7/31/2020

contents

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August 2020 | Issue No. 232

WOMEN’S RIGHT TO VOTE

A CENTURY HAS PASSED SINCE THE RATIFICATION OF THE 19TH AMENDMENT

12

CLASS OF 2020 PERSEVERES

PASO ROBLES JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT CELEBRATES THEIR SENIORS IN A DRIVE-IN STYLE CEREMONY

18

TWO ‘N TOW

AS TONYA STRICKLAND SAYS ‘SEE YOU SOON,’ SHE LEAVES US WITH SOME NORTH COUNTY GEMS

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SIP & SAVOR: Exploring the Enclaves DISCOVER THE LONG & WINDING PEACH CANYON ROAD ON THE COVER

Trixie Friganza (behind sign), inspired the song ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame,’ was a Women’s Suffrage advocate. Cover inspired by the centennial celebration of the passing of the 19th amendment.

Photo from Public Domain

30,000 PRINTED | 26,700 DIRECT MAILED LOCALLY!

3,300 DROPPED AT HIGH TRAFFIC LOCATIONS IN SLO COUNTY

Paso Robles 93446 • Templeton 93465 • Shandon 93461 • Bradley 93426 • San Miguel 93451 Hotels • Wineries • B&Bs • Waiting Rooms • Restaurants • High-traffic Visitor Hotspots for advertising inquiries and rates email publisher @ pasomagazine.com, or contact one of our advertising representatives.

Sharon West

Paso Robles Recreation Services is pleased to offer in-person and virtual classes this month to help community members stay active and engaged. At press time, all in-person classes occur outdoors at Centennial Park with social distancing and smaller class sizes.

Many other classes have been redesigned as virtual activities.

In-Person Classes In addition to ongoing monthly Zumba Gold, 50+ Yoga, Shorin Ryu Karate and line dancing classes, Recreation Services will offer new in-person outdoor classes this month. These classes have limited enrollment space due to current county and state restrictions. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

Nightscape Photography: Learn to shoot and process nighttime landscapes, star trails, the Milky Way galaxy and more during this new evening photography class with local photographer Sharon West (see photo at top of page). Class includes an introductory meeting on Wednesday, August 12, two Saturday evening on-location shooting sessions (August 15 and 22) and two photo processing classes (Wednesday, August 19 and 26). $45 registration + $15 supply fee.

SHORIN-RYU

KARATE

We at Paso Robles Shorin-Ryu Karate are all Okinawan certificated black belt instructors and are here to introduce you to the life skills that enhance your mind, body and soul.

Monday, Tuesday & Thursday at Centennial Park 5-6pm or 6-7pm Register: 805.237.3988 or prcity.com/recreation More info: 805.239.3232 or karateshorinkan.com

Virtual Classes Sea Glass & Wire Wrap Jewelry: During this great beginners class, participants will transform sea glass into beautiful wire wrapped jewelry. Complete a necklace and two pierced earrings using local sea glass. Kit pick-up on Monday, August 24 at Centennial Park from 6-7 p.m. Creative Me Time will provide supplies and a project instructions video. $15 registration fee + $35 kit fee Meditation Made Easy: During this Zoom class Art Kuhns of Breaking Day Hypnotherapy will offer an overview of various meditation techniques and practice. Meditation has been linked to numerous mental health benefits including: stress and anxiety reduction, improved sleep, and decreased blood pressure. Tuesday, August 25 from 6-8 p.m. $25 registration (discounts available).

Toddler & Preschooler Virtual Yoga: Yoga comes to life during these fun and creative parent/caregiver participation classes designed to stimulate a young child’s growing curiosity. Playful yoga poses, animated breathing exercises and imaginative relaxation techniques teach little ones about their growing bodies. Ages 1-5, Wednesdays, August 12 - September 9 from 9:30-10 a.m. $52 registration.

Jedi & Butterfly Creative Virtual Dance: Jedi knights and butterflies join together virtually to enjoy the love of movement through dance, yoga, and music.

Learn basic dance directionality, spins, balance, and simple dance counts through music rhythm in a fun, creative way. Ages 3-6, Wednesdays, August 12 September 9 from 4-4:30 p.m. $52 registration + optional $20 refundable prop fee.

Kidz Love Soccer: Choose from several age appropriate virtual soccer classes designed to improve your child’s skills. No equipment is needed for these virtual classes that keep your soccer player active and engaged until group play resumes again. Ages 2-10, Saturday, August 8-29 (times vary with class selected). $40 registration.

We look forward to seeing you soon at Centennial Park!

For more information or to register for these and other classes, please visit prcity.com/recreationonline. Contact Paso Robles Recreation Services at (805) 237-3988 or via email at recservices@prcity.com.

DEPARTMENTS

Something Worth Reading

Round Town

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10

14 15

Publisher’s Letter

It’s Happening On Main Street: Change The Way You Look At Things & The Things You Look At Change Natural Alternative: Feeling Stressed?

General Store Local Goods Report: When Being the Little Guy is a Really Good Thing

publisher, editor-in-chief

Hayley Mattson

16

Brian Williams

layout design

ad design

24 25 26

Oak Leaf

office administrator office@pasomagazine.com

Cami Martin |

OUR NEXT ISSUE: FALL & HARVEST SEPTEMBER 2020

PUBLICATION DELIVERY DATE Thursday, August 27, 2020

32

San Luis Obispo Food Bank: Increasing Output While Donations Diminish San Luis Obispo County Office of Education: The Long Days of Summer Directory of Local Houses of Worship

Last Word

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34 34

Connor Allen

ad consultants dana@pasomagazine.com jamie@pasomagazine.com

Donati Family Vineyard: More Than Just Wine Odyssey World Café: Adapting to Stay Open

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community writer

Dana Mcgraw | Jamie Self |

Local Business

McPhee’s Grill: Waiting to Safely Reopen Teresa Rhyne: Legal Eagle & A Beagle

28

Denise Mclean Jen Rodman

Paso People

Gone Too Soon: Four Young People Who ‘Touched Many Lives’

Nicholas Mattson

managing editor

Michael Michaud

publisher, editor-at-large

ADVERTISING DEADLINE* Monday, August 10, 2020

* ad reservation deadline is the 10th of each month preceding the publication. for more information about advertising, upcoming issues and editorial themes, contact our advertising representatives above, or see our media kit at pasomagazine.com/advertise

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Editorial Policy

Commentary reflects views of our writers and not necessarily those of Paso Robles Magazine. Paso Robles Magazine is delivered free to 26,700 addresses in North San Luis Obispo County. Our costs are paid entirely by advertising revenue.

Our Local Business section spotlights select advertisers. All other stories are determined solely by our editors.

Proud to be Local!

Paso Robles Magazine ©2020 is a local business owned and published by local people — Nicholas & Hayley Mattson No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form by any means without written consent from Paso Robles Magazine.

Like and Follow us: DID YOU KNOW? The El Paso de Robles Hotel opened for business in 1891, the luxury resort, luring the rich and famous to come and soak in its mineral springs. The hotel was built of solid masonry, set off by sandstone arches to ensure it was completely “fireproof”. In 1940, the hotel burned down. Photo courtesy of Kennedy Library Online Archive, San Luis Obispo County Regional Photograph Collection

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Paso Robles Magazine | August 2020

August 2020 | Paso Robles Magazine

pasoroblesmagazine.com | 7

Something Worth Reading | Publisher’s Letter When our future grandchildren look back to this month, they will read that our Highschool Seniors graduated in a “drive-in” ceremony due to another round of COVID-19 restrictions, and how the school administration, staff, and community stepped up to give them something special at the last minute.

They will read about how we lost four young souls in a tragic car accident and what was happening on Main Street. They will learn about how the Central Coast Writers Conference moved to a virtual platform and how several local businesses persevered through this pandemic. They will see all our advertisers and what they were selling and how those companies have grown over time.

Our grandchildren will know so much more by then, so when they are looking back, I want to be sure that the stories we publish give them a small window into our community’s strength during this challenging time.

We learn from what others have experienced, reading through their trials and tribulations, feeling their loss, sense of despair, triumph, and successes can be what impacts us today to be the change we are seeking for our tomorrows.

Each month as we plan and build out our upcoming magazines, we are reminded of what incredible and resilient communities we live in and why we are proud to share and print the people who make it so special.

As we choose the stories that fill our pages, we do our best to select the ones that positively impact our community. Most stories we plan out months beforehand; however, there is always one or two (especially this year) that happens during production that we feel deserve to be added.

In this month’s issue, we are celebrating a historical time in our history for women. Two thousand and twenty marks the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote. We shared this on our cover and included a feature piece that highlights some of the courageous women of that time and era.

History is an interesting thing. Historical movements in our past that created change have parts of the story that today one may not agree with. However, the individuals impacting that change were not working within today’s society.

We believe our history is significant, and that is what our publications are once they are printed, a piece of history. The beauty of print is that our printed pages do not get lost in a social media feed. They do not get forgotten as people continue to scroll; our pages get a set place in history that when you look up a particular month of our publication, you get to see a glimpse of what was happening at that precise moment in time.

Reading through the stories of the courageous people of our past, even if today, we would look at some as ignorant, teaches us all a valuable lesson. And that lesson is not worth giving up because that is how we got to where we are today. We can imagine what a moment in their time looked like, and we can be proud of how far we have come.

Of course, we still have work to do; we will always have work to do. That is the beauty of it all. The minute we do not see that change is needed in one form or another to address current issues, that is when we stop moving forward, and that is when we stop growing.

So, this month, we get to share how several women back in the late 1800’s early 1900’s fought to have their voices heard, and that movement led to many others. The courageous leaders of that time inspired other brave leaders, both women, and men, to find their way into history by being the change they sought. We are proud to tell their stories, and we are proud to know we are evolving.

Today I am proud to live a time that is not absurd for me to be a woman publisher, co-founder of a local media company, productive member of society, wife, and mother. My husband and I are a team, and together we divide and conquer, we are proud of what the women and men did together 100 years ago, they laid a foundation that we could all build upon, initiate change and allow us to grow.

We hope you enjoy this month’s issue of the Paso Robles Magazine.

Please stay safe, share love, and be a good human.

In this Together,

Hayley & Nicholas Mattson

if thou wouldest win immortality of name, either do things worth the writing, or write things worth the reading.

— Thomas Fuller, 1727

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Paso Robles Magazine | August 2020

August 2020 | Paso Robles Magazine

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| It’s Happening on Main Street

Karyl Lammers

I

CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOK AT THINGS and the things you look at

CHANGE

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was so hoping that by this time, we would have moved out of the realm of COVID-19, but it appears it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. As Yogi Berra once said, “it ain’t over till it’s over.” We’re all in this together. We need to stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey. There is a positive side to everything.

Downtown Paso Robles is starting to feel somewhat normal. Most businesses are open (with some restrictions) and the streets are filling with people happy to be back in town. The Paso Robles Library is open again, with limitations, and the theater has an open concession while showing older movies with limited seating. August should be back to new features.

The City has filled the Downtown City Park with picnic tables and they are in use every day. More and more

people are meeting in the park and keeping our restaurants busy. There are over a dozen restaurants right around the park. They can only allow 50% occupancy, so this works for everyone.

Through Labor Day, Thursday through Sunday starting at 5:30 p.m., you can make a reservation, pick-up and take your food, beer, wine or cocktails to the farmhouse tables in the dining section of the park. The concierge will seat you under the bistro lights for a special evening. It is said, “nothing — not a conversation, not a handshake or even a hug — establishes a friendship so forcefully as eating together.” Enjoy our park!

We all have our favorite downtown places to visit, but did you know you can walk around town any day and treat your tastebuds to an array of pleasures at no cost? By trying these tasting rooms, you will discover new favorites and find unique gifts for those hard to please. Here are a few ideas: Do you enjoy olive oil? Stop by Pasolivo, 1229 Park St., and We Olive, 1311 Park St., for a variety of oil, vinegar and specialty foods. Are you look-

ing for quality cheese? Vivant Fine Cheese, 821 Pine St., has gourmet, artisanal and special cheeses.

They also do wine pairings. A unique tasting and gift shop is Spice of Life, 1306 C2 Pine St., where you can enjoy tea, spices and a world of knowledge with books and tools to expand your taste experience.

In all their splendor, cookies can be tasted at Brown Butter Cookie Company, 801 12th St. People come from all over the world and can’t leave without these cookies. Want quality ice cream, Cold Stone Creamery, 832 11th St., is the real thing, excellent stuff.

Last but not least, have you tried our downtown yogurt shop? It’s a fun stop for kids of all ages. LOL Yogurt, 721 12th St., has a vast array of flavors to try and things for kids to do.

Paso Downtown does have something for everyone. It’s no wonder we have so many tourists who come back over and over. It’s your town, get to know and enjoy it! Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change! 

Paso Robles Magazine | August 2020

August 2020 | Paso Robles Magazine

pasoroblesmagazine.com | 11

| PRJUSD Class of 2020

PERSEVERE,

remain positive and keep believing

T

After some last-minute changes, Paso Robles High School seniors were finally able to receive their diplomas and celebrate with family and friends during a drive-in-style ceremony at the California Mid-State Fairgrounds. Photos by Brian Williams

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By Brian Williams With their diploma in hand and after a quick

he first of three Paso Robles High School drive-in-style graduations went off without a hitch Wednesday, July 8, at the Mid-State Fairgrounds. It was as if they had been planning to do it this way for months.

Truth is this version came together late Tuesday night after plans for nearly 20 mini-graduation ceremonies at War Memorial Stadium were nixed by state health officials roughly 24 hours before the first graduates were to receive diplomas.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, large gatherings are not allowed in California. Many schools have held drive-in or drive-thru graduation ceremonies.

“The road to today was rocky, ever-changing and full of challenging and disappointing decisions,” PRHS Principal Anthony Overton said. “However, despite all of the challenges, one thing stood out to me over and over and over.

In a world where people could be anything given heart-breaking news, difficult decisions, ever-changing expectations, I was met with genuine and authentic kindness.”

Two more drive-in-style PRHS graduation ceremonies were scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Independence and Liberty graduations took place on Wednesday.

Overton was the emcee of the commencement ceremony. Each graduate with their family and friends packed into one car, truck, or van drove into the fairgrounds parking lot near Highway 101 and parked, pointing toward a decorated podium and large video screen.

People making speeches were played on the screen. Graduates exited their cars and lined up six feet apart, leading up to the podium where they received their diplomas from a family or friend.

stop for a professional photo, they returned to their vehicle.

The entire ceremony lasted less than 90 minutes.

Superintendent Curt Dubost, in his videotaped remarks, said the world remains “bright.”

“Know this Class of 2020, your future remains bright and the experience of these last few months have taught us all to persevere, remain positive and to keep believing in the fundamental goodness of each other, our community, country and the world,” Dubost said.

All of the student speakers — ASB President Gabriella Clayton, Senior Class President Morgan Harrington, Salutatorians Jeremy Hunt and Robert Snipes, and Valedictorian Danielle Halebsky — spotlighted their ability to persevere.

“By graduating today, it shows that we did not give up. We all had to adapt and overcome,” Harrington said.

Clayton said, although this may “feel like the end,” it is just another chapter in life, and “the best part of our books have yet to be written.”

She also quoted world-renowned poet Mike Tyson and recalled their place in history. “‘Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face,’” Clayton said. “Quite frankly, I believe we can all agree that 2020 punched us in the face.

“We entered this world during the tragedy of 9/11 and are now graduating high school through a global pandemic. There will never be a class like the Class of 2020,” she added.

Before presenting the PRHS Class of 2020, Overton knows the past four years and especially the first half of 2020, have prepared them well for life.

“I don’t think any of us saw our current reality coming,” Overton said. “Nonetheless, I know you are prepared.” 

Paso Robles Magazine | August 2020

Through the Grapevine |

By Meagan Friberg

T

he Central Coast Writers Conference will look a bit different in 2020 — it’s moving online. With social distancing practices in place throughout California due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers considered whether or not to postpone or move forward with plans to hold the popular event.

“Once we looked at the logistics, and realized we had been successfully conducting business online for the past several months, it became clear

that we needed to move forward and just change up the way we offered the conference this year,” said CCWC Executive Director Teri Bayus. “On behalf of our amazing, talented, and dedicated staff, I am thrilled to announce that our 36th Annual Central Coast Writers Conference is becoming a reality!”

All of the expert advice, knowledge, and teachings that have made CCWC popular with writers for nearly four decades will be available again for three days in 2020 — Sept. 24, 25, 26 — in a virtual format via Zoom. Five 4-hour Master Classes will be offered on Thursday: Prewriting Your Novel, Composing Your Life Story, New Structures for New Audiences, Poetry, and Nonfiction Success. Choose from a selection of 100 classes on Friday and Saturday with categories in novel, beginning writing, poetry, screenwriting, and business.

“Plus, attendees will have access to each of our keynote speakers,” said Bayus. “Author Christopher Moore will kick off Thursday evening, and

will also offer a live Q&A segment.

Jordan Rosenfeld will open Friday with a keynote based on her book, How to Write a Page Turner. And, bringing everything to a close on Saturday will be the always-hilarious and inspiring Monica Piper.”

Moore is the author of 15 novels, including International bestsellers Lamb, A Dirty Job, You Suck, and Secondhand Souls. Rosenfeld is an author of several books, an editor, and writing teacher whose articles, essays, and short fiction have appeared in national publications.

Piper is an Emmy-winning comedy writer, stand-up comedian, and motivational speaker.

Sponsored by Cuesta College, CCWC was named the “Best Conference in the Southwest” in 2019 by The Writer magazine. Writers of all ages and experience levels have raved about the annual event for years, with many attendees citing the knowledge and encouragement gained at CCWC as the catalyst for completing their novel, screenplay, or memoir.

Chevron and Cuesta College are

sponsoring scholarships for the Teen Program and Finding Your Voice Program; additional scholarships are also available. Attendees will have the opportunity to submit stories for possible publication in CCWC’s 2021 book, Connections.

“As I’ve said before, the show—in our case, the conference—must go on,” said Bayus. “We truly do have something to offer every writer, no matter their experience or skill level.

From the very early beginner to the most experienced, our staff will help you take writers to the next level.

Each year is different so, even if you’ve attended before, you will learn something new at CCWC 2020.

And, since this year’s conference is offered exclusively online, even the most introverted among us—and that describes a lot of writers—will feel right at home!”  Find more information and registration forms at CentralCoastWritersConference. com. Contact Cuesta Community Programs at 805-546-3100 ext. 2284 or Teri Bayus at centralcoastwritersconference@gmail.com.

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August 2020 | Paso Robles Magazine

pasoroblesmagazine.com | 13

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Paso Robles Magazine | August 2020

When Being the Little Guy

T

is a Really Good Thing

here were a few times during quarantine that we realized being smaller was an advantage.

Many of our products are made by small makers, people we’ve established long-term, personal relationships.

We were able to commiserate about the challenges imposed by the new normal (which will never feel normal, let’s face it), and also get quick (or at least realistic) turnaround on orders whenever possible. Our customers have told us how long they’ve waited for orders to arrive from big online chains, and how happy they were to place an order on our website and do curbside pick up often on the same day.

We also work directly with many of our vendors, not through giant distribution channels.

This made it possible for us to talk to the person at our biggest puzzle supplier who knew not only how many Frida puzzles were in stock, but how many there might be two weeks from now, and — nudge, nudge — we were gently coached to take as many as we could since they wouldn’t be available again until late summer.

Customers told us many times that not only did we have more puzzles in stock than Amazon,

we were also sometimes up to 25% cheaper.

As we do every July, we turned up the AC and the Mariah Carey as we painted a shared picture of how we want our holidays to look.

What kinds of goodies can we have made for us this year?

What will this year’s JOY theme look like? How can we accommodate people who might not be comfortable shopping in the store or those who will be shipping gifts instead of delivering in person?

We’ve begun placing orders for the holidays with local makers, so they know they’ll have the business, and so we know we won’t be lost in the shuffle when we need it most.

We’re brainstorming ways to provide personal gifting by phone, and inspired gift packs on our website, to make shopping locally, from home, more comprehensive, reliable, and fun. Our plan this year centers on what we wish for our lives, too: small, good things made and shared with people we love.

Thanks to each of you who has come in (wearing that mask) and told us you’re glad we’re still here.

With all our hearts, we can tell you, SO ARE WE. Happy summer, neighbors.

The Team at General Store Paso Robles

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

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August 2020 | Paso Robles Magazine

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pasoroblesmagazine.com | 15

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four brilliant lights have gone out

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By Brian Williams

he four young people who died in a car crash outside of Templeton on June 29 were friends “who touched many lives.”

At approximately 9:23 p.m.

June 29, Kegin Dakota York, 22, of Creston, according to the California High Patrol, was driving his 2007 Infiniti G35 sedan too fast on the backroads east of Templeton and lost control. The car left Neal Spring Road and slammed into an old oak tree, killing Kegin and his three friends in the car — Shelby Lynn Biaggini, 23, Taylan Elaine Perez, 22, and Karen MontesCabrera, 21.

Kegin and Shelby worked together for a short time at 15 degrees C Wine Shop and Bar in Templeton.

“Kegin and Shelby were extremely friendly, outgoing, happy people who touched many lives,” said 15 degrees C owner Ali Carscaden. “They were a joy to have at work and quickly became friends with everyone.

16 | pasoroblesmagazine.com

“The weight of their passing is something that affected the entire staff, as well as customers,” she added.

Kegin worked at 15 degrees C for the past year, while Shelby started there in 2020 after moving back to North County from Bend, Ore. Carscaden said Kegin loved children and animals.

“Whenever my son was here, he would play with him and encourage him to do tricks on his bike and scooter,” Carscaden said. “Kegin’s middle name is Dakota and my dog’s name is Dakota. He would always play with her and ask if he could take her to the park for a walk.”

Shelby and Karen worked together at Joebella Coffee Roasters of Atascadero. They were scheduled to work Tuesday, June 30, said owner Joseph Gerardis.

Karen, of Paso Robles, started working at Joebella when she was 18. She quickly became a popular barista.

“She was the barista that was the shining star,” Gerardis said. “Every-

body liked her. She was really steady. Her big thing was being positive and she wanted people to have a positive experience. She tried to brighten people’s lives each day.”

Earlier this year, Karen talked with Gerardis about wanting to work on a farm in a foreign country.

“She showed me her plans,” Gerardis said. “She was going to work on a farm in Spain and was planning to leave in April, but COVID hit and she had to put that on hold.”

With her plan stalled by COVID-19, Karen was going to work the upcoming wine harvest for Niner Wine Estates, said Gerardis.

Shelby was a relative newcomer to Joebella and was blossoming as a barista.

“She grew into the role of a barista. She was a little shy at first,” Gerardis said. “She was for lack of a better word, a real spitfire, a go-getter. She had initiative. She was willing to take things on.

“We definitely had great plans for her,” he added.

Taylan, of Paso Robles, had big plans for the future, said sister Cameron Ayala-Perez.

“She had a love for wine and adventure, which she combined the two earlier this year and traveled to New Zealand to work abroad at a winery,” Ayala-Perez said. “She made friends wherever she went and always surrounded herself with those that made her laugh.”

Her sister said Taylan was a “free soul,” who had a knack for making people laugh.

“She was kind-hearted, courageous, spontaneous, and cared for others like no other,” Ayala-Perez said. “Her presence would change your mood and put the biggest smile on your face. She would make us laugh with her goofy personality. Taylan taught everyone to be yourself and to not take notice of what others thought of you.”

Family and friends have come together to offer support, both financially and emotionally, since the accident occurred. “Go Fund Me” accounts for each of them has raised almost a hundred thousand dollars for their families, all donated by our community members.

As one community member shared, “This is why our community never ceases to amaze me, so much love in a time of crisis.

This is such a tragedy for the four families who lost a child, two of whom worked at one of our favorite Main St. businesses. Amazing to see everyone come together to help them through this unimaginable time.” 

Paso Robles Magazine | August 2020

August 2020 | Paso Robles Magazine

pasoroblesmagazine.com | 17

of COVID-19, so all the playgrounds and indoor places we love like Hop’s Bouncehouse, Atascadero Library Storytime, and the Paso Robles Children’s Museum are sadly off-limits.

Luckily there’s no shortage of outside things to do:

By Tonya Strickland

wa seattle,

les, ca paso rob

I

f you haven’t heard … we’re selling our house in Paso and moving to the Seattle area this summer!

Say whaaaaat? It’s crazy, I know. And I’m equal parts sad and excited for it. But, moving during a pandemic? Not fun. It makes things like saying goodbye and visiting our favorite kid-places “one last time” super complicated.

So I’m sayin’ to the heck with all that and already making plans for a mom-cation here when this is all over.

Honestly, though, if it was completely up to me, I’d never leave the Central Coast. It’s a place that’s charmed my heart in so many ways. In its scenic beauty. In its community.

And in the many friendships that long-distance just won’t shake. For me, SLO County represents college days, career dreams coming true, meeting Bowen, our first house, the place our babies were born, those early motherhood years, and the forever friends entwined in it all.

But this move comes with a backstory about keeping a promise. And my parents always told me it’s important to keep your promises.

Years ago, my husband Bowen and I made a pact that we’d live where I wanted first (Paso) to build my journalism career, and then we’d move to the Pacific Northwest to follow his dreams. And since I’m a stubborn Scorpio and he’s a supportive Taurus, I’m 10 years overdue on my end of the bargain. So it’s time for me to take his hand to lead us into our new chapter. But ... I told Bowen the second he dies; I’m moving back to Paso. :) Until then (ha), I’ve started a little SLO County Bucketlist of places to go before leaving. They’re all outdoor places because

18 | pasoroblesmagazine.com

Black Hill Trail, Morro Bay The reason behind this one is really cute.

When Bowen asked me to marry him, I was 26, and the proposal was a complete surprise. ⁣He lived in Morro Bay and casually asked me to go on a hike with him one day. The Black Hill Trail was in his neighborhood — a short but steep State Park vista (and a proud member of The Nine Sisters volcanic mountain range) that makes me feel like I’m on top of the world. I’ve always wanted to take Clara and Wyatt up there and tell them daddy asked mommy to marry him right here! And a few weeks ago, we did it! I had the kids do a photo re-enactment of a proposal OH EM GEE the cuteness.

Marina Peninsula Trail, Morro Bay The kids and I walked this coastal boardwalk trail in November 2018 to get some pictures for our review of a toy wagon. The wagon was my first big collaboration with a major toy brand, and I was so excited to take it somewhere scenic and cool to show off our area. The wagon held up beautifully on the trail. Then, a few months later, was the prize in one of my local Facebook giveaways to one happy family across the street from Clara’s school.

Charles Paddock Zoo I don’t care if the big-city zoos in our future sport all the coolest and most impressive animals in the biggest habitats, Atascadero’s Charles Paddock Zoo is always going to be my favorite. It’s the place my children learned to walk, a small respite of fenced-in sanity for tired mamas and their not-tired kiddos to run around in, and it’s just so dang special.

I’ve spent an extensive amount of time writing about and going to this community zoo, and there will never be a cooler zoo out there.

Welp, now I’m crying. I’m going to really miss living here. All the mamas, friends, and sources who followed me from the Trib and Nic and Hayley Mattson so graciously gave me a voice in print again. Everyone. Thank you for all the support and for all the fun.

Part of the magic of being a blogger is I’m not going away. I’ll keep my blog, Facebook, and Instagram pages going to share our adventures. In life, in travel, wherever we are.

See you soon!

XOXO, Tonya 

Eflin Forest, Los Osos A walk through the oh-so-magical twisty pigmy Elfin Forest was one of our very first blog posts ever! I went there in June 2016 with my mom-friend (local artist Liz Hudson!), knowing I was starting a travel blog soon. Baby Wyatt was strapped to me in the baby carrier with just socks — no shoes — and Clara was 2 years old with dirt-smudged cheeks and mismatched sweater buttons because it was a miracle we even got out of the house. Looking back on those pictures definitely cue the waterworks about wishing life had a pause button.

Downtown Paso There’s nothing better than walking into Downtown City Park with the Carnegie Library in the background, its red-brick walls catching the sunlight. History, beauty, memories of Concerts in the Park, car shows with my dad, parades, Christmas tree lightings, and countless stories I’ve written about for the newspaper always on my mind. The park really is the heart of this community, and it’s always been that way for me.

Paso Robles Magazine contributor Tonya Strickland has taken readers on adventures with her children.

Before heading off to Seattle, she shares some memorable images and some of her favorite places in the county.

Paso Robles Magazine | August 2020

August 2020 | Paso Robles Magazine

pasoroblesmagazine.com | 19

The Right to

100 years after the ratification of the 19th Amendment, the history of the struggle reminds us that change and progress are possible

19th Amendment to the United States Constitution "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."

20 | pasoroblesmagazine.com

W

e live in a country where the right to vote permits us to voice our opinion on local and federal elections, granting us the ability to sway the tides of our government.

Throughout history, the desire to have a say in how one is governed has led to wars, revolutions, and movements. August 2020 marks the centennial anniversary of the ratification of the United States Constitution’s 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.

After the founding of the United States in 1776, the thirteen states were left to decide separately upon their voting rights. This resulted in state-by-state requirements based on gender, religion, race, tax bracket, and property ownership. Initially, New Jersey’s 1776 constitution permitted “all inhabitants” (including women) the right to vote; but an 1807 law ensured the end of women’s attendance at the polls.

During this time, several reform groups started multiplying across the United States, temperance leagues, religious movements, moral-reform societies, anti-slavery organizations, and in many of these, women played a prominent role.

At this time, many American women began rebelling against what was called the “Cult of True Womanhood,” that is, the idea that the only “true” woman was a virtuous, obedient wife and mother concerned exclusively with home and family. In turn, this contributed to a new way of thinking about what it meant to be a woman and a citizen of the United States.

As the years went by and women sought to pass reform legislation, the drive to change society intensified. In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Martha Wright, Mary Ann M’Clintock, and Jane Hunt issued a call for a women’s rights conference at Seneca Falls, New York, where Stanton lived. Prior to the event, Stanton drafted the “Declaration of Sentiments

By Megan Olshefski & Hayley Mattson

and Grievances,” which she modeled after the Declaration of Independence. The declaration began with “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights…” she continued to lay out the present injustices against women in the United States. The declaration then called for women to be viewed as full citizens, and granted the same civil, economic, and political rights as men.

The convention sparked a national movement that lasted seven decades. During the 1850s, the women’s rights movement gathered steam but then lost momentum when the Civil War began.

Almost immediately after the war ended, the 14th Amendment and the 15th Amendment to the Constitution raised familiar questions of suffrage and citizenship.

The ratification of the 14th Amendment in 1868 extended the Constitution’s protection to all citizens and defined “citizens” as “male.” In 1869, the “National Woman Suffrage Association” (NWSA) was formed by Stanton and Susan B. Anthony to focus efforts on a federal constitutional amendment that would grant women the right to vote.

A year later, in 1870, the 15th Amendment guaranteed African American men the right to vote. With the 15th Amendment declaring that “the right of citizens ... to vote shall not be denied or abridged ... on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude,” the amendment still excluded women. Even after Stanton and Anthony, along with other activists, fought to have all women included, regardless of race, women were still denied that right.

As a result, some women’s suffrage organizations refused to support the 15th Amendment.

This led to the argument that it was not right to jeopardize African American men’s right to vote by tying to the evidently less popular

Paso Robles Magazine | August 2020

campaign for female suffrage.

During that time, a pro-15th Amendment group formed called the “American Woman Suffrage Association” (AWSA) founded by abolitionists Lucy Stone and Henry Blackwell. The group supported the 15th Amendment and feared it would not pass if it included voting rights for women.

This hostility between the two organizations eventually faded, and in 1890 the two groups merged to form the “National American Woman Suffrage Association.”

Stanton was the organization’s first president.

Both Stanton and Anthony played a fundamental role in the women’s suffrage movement. They both were pioneers who led future women activists, and both died before seeing their hard work come to fruition. The 19th Amendment was later known as the “Susan B. Anthony Amendment” to honor her work on behalf of women’s rights.

Over time, the suffragists’ approach had evolved. Instead of arguing that women deserved the same rights and responsibilities as men because women and men were “created equal,” the new generation of activists argued that women deserved the vote because they were different from men. This direction deemed their domesticity as a political virtue, using that to create a purer, more moral “maternal commonwealth.”

Locally around that time, Atascadero’s community had its own significant impact among these women’s groups, with its founding rooted in the women’s suffrage movement. Atascadero founder Edward Garner Lewis (E.G. Lewis) placed his support behind the movement when he first published the Woman’s National Weekly magazine.

The magazine was the largest circulated publication in the world at 1.6 million copies per issue. Within the magazine, Lewis advertised his newly established group: the American Woman’s League; for which women gained membership by selling $52 worth of magazine subscriptions to Lewis’ Woman’s Magazine and Woman’s Farm Journal (the publishers promised to return half of the money to the American Woman’s League). By 1910, the group roster saw the names of more than 100,000

members, over 700 chapters across the country, and brought in $1.25 million from subscriptions for them to use toward women’s issues.

By 1912, the group converted into the America Woman’s Republic, which continued to grant women educational opportunities to learn about the operations and affairs of government, politics, and businesses.

Marguerite A. Travis in her publication “The Birth of Atascadero,” they promptly organized “… the Woman’s Club, first as a unit of the Woman’s National Republic…” Ideas passed between women within the club’s study groups. Members hailed internationally from all walks of life, as Marguerite A. Travis elaborates: “The women came from so many

all of the rights that come with citizenship.

On November 2 of that year, after almost a century of protest, more than 8 million women across the United States voted for the first time. Today more than 68 million women vote in elections.

Change and progress are possible when we stand up against injustices

The group’s own politics mirrored that of the United States by crafting their own Senate, House of Representatives, and Supreme Court.

Though the America Woman’s Republic was headquartered in Universal City, Missouri, the location was not to last as E.G. Lewis, and his wife (and officer of the America Woman’s Republic), Mabel Lewis, bought Rancho Atascadero with the backing of their investors. On July 4, 1913, the title for Atascadero’s land was ceremoniously transferred to E.G. and Mabel Lewis on behalf of the America Woman’s Republic. Symbolically and physically, the group relocated to a new capital in 1916, Atascadero, California.

As the ink of Atascadero’s title dried, the women living in the temporary tent city and those belonging to the America Woman’s Republic crafted a social life.

According to early resident

different parts of the world and had such different habits and ways of doing things that one would hear at all meetings of club members or committees the familiar phrases: ‘Back east, we did it this way,’ ‘Down south it was always like that,’ and ‘In England, it was always done in this manner.’ Many unique and worthwhile ideas and plans were evolved out of the various suggestions.”

Even within the small community of Atascadero, women organized and exchanged ideas to further the cause and progress of women’s suffrage.

Finally, on August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified after passing both Congress’s houses and winning approval from the thirty-six states necessary for a two-thirds majority.

The long-awaited victory granted women the right to vote; and, in doing so, proclaimed to the entire country that like men, they deserved

through organization, determination, and bravery. One hundred years after the ratification of the 19th Amendment, we honor our history and the sacrifices countless women and men made to acquire our rights. By voting, we not only honor them, but we determine the world we leave our future generations. ■

August 2020 | Paso Robles Magazine

Publisher ’s Note

In honor of the centennial over the next few months leading to the 2020 elections, we will be writing a series on our history’s voting rights and sharing the brave and courageous individuals that fought for equality and for their voices to be heard.

References for this article were history. com, womensvote100.org, 2020centennial.org, biography.org, and “The Birth of Atascadero” by Marguerite A. Travis.

pasoroblesmagazine.com | 21

| Exploring the Enclaves

T

he long and winding Peachy Canyon Road, connecting downtown Paso Robles to Vineyard Drive, rolls through oak-studded vineyard-lined hills that encompass some of the area’s most esteemed wineries as well as two significant historic vineyards.

The ten-mile stretch begins at Pacific Avenue at 6th Street, turns into Peachy Canyon Road, then twists and turns till it meets Vineyard.

Straddling the appellations of Willow Creek and Adelaida District, this region is ideal for Rhône style grapes. However, its legacy sites, the Paderewski and HMR Vineyards, originally went in a different direction.

In the early 1900s, zinfandel and petite sirah flourished when legendary pianist, Polish diplomat, and vintner Ignacy Jan Paderewski planted his namesake vineyard. The 67-acre vineyard within the 570-acre ranch is now part of Epoch Estate Wines founded

by Bill and Liz Armstrong, who have replanted those two varieties to blend into the Rhône varieties that now grow there.

Then in 1964, Beverly Hills cardiologist Dr. Stanley Hoffman planted chardonnay, pinot noir, and cabernet sauvignon at his Hoffman Mountain Ranch (HMR) Vineyard a part of Adelaida Winery. Many of those original plantings remain.

Within the last decade, several new and prestigious wineries have sprung up along the trail. One local vintner mused Peachy Canyon is fast becoming the “Rodeo Drive of Paso.” If so, it sure has come a long way from its original designation as the area where locals caught a notorious horse thief named Peachy. So peaches had nothing to do with the canyon’s name.

Walnuts, in fact, were once the favored crop. The Peachy newcomers include Villa Creek Cellars, Law Estate, Torrin Wine, and Sixmilebridge.

Winemaker Scott Hawley, whose textured signature can be found on half a dozen Paso’s westside wineries including Law Estate, was long drawn

22 | pasoroblesmagazine.com

to this corridor when he rode his bike there. The opportunity to establish his own brand came in 2002 while working at Summerwood Winery when he was offered prized James Berry vineyard grapes by Justin Smith (Saxum Wine).

“That was the catalyst,” remarked Hawley. An acquisition of a ten-acre vineyard on Anderson Road soon followed, and Torrin Wine was launched with its first release in 2006.

From a modest start of 283 cases, the annual production has grown to a 3,000-case portfolio that includes Torrin’s Rhône-focused wines and Lagom brand’s pinot noir and chardonnay.

When a 70-acre hillside ranch on Peachy Canyon came on the market, Hawley and his wife Viquel grabbed it in 2016. Vineyard planting hasn’t started, but Hawley’s plans include 15 acres planted to Rhône grapes.

Hawley’s wines reflect a hands-off approach. “We do as little to the wines as possible,” he said when I met the couple at their contemporary-styled tasting room on the ranch. “Where we are here is really prime for grenache,” Hawley said, pointing to the calcareous shale soil type.

A tactile presence runs through Torrin’s richly textured cellar-worthy Torrin wines, red Rhône blends such as Le Devoir, The Maven, and Banshee.

The companion Lagom portfolio of Burgundian-focused wines deliver a minerally Spanish Springs chardonnay; and Intoto, a restrained pinot noir, evocative of a classic Burgundy, its fruit sourced from Santa Barbara County.

The only Demeter certified bio-dynamic farmed winery along this corridor, Villa Creek Cellars is noted for its vibrant grenache and syrah-dominated wines that are deliciously dark and brooding, redolent with Peachy Canyon’s mountain garrigue. Winemakers/founders Chris and JoAnn Cherry produce two labels, the Villa Creek brand produced from estate and sourced fruit and MAHA wines made

from limestone-rich estate hillside vineyards.

Taking over from Hawley, Law Estate Wines’ winemaker Philipp Pfunder arrived with a Napa pedigree (he was a cellar hand at the uber-cult winery Screaming Eagle) and began crafting wines that are audacious yet elegant.

A majority of 80 acres on the 400-acre property are planted to grenache and syrah, accompanied by cabernet sauvignon, carignan, mourvèdre, and graciano, petit verdot and tempranillo — varieties that go into Law Estate’s signature blends, expressive of steep hillside vineyards elevated to 1900 feet.

In the midst of these Rhône-centric wineries, Sixmilebridge winery is focused on Bordeaux style wines produced by proprietors Jim and Barbara Moroney. After scouring several California locations, the couple chose Paso for its terroir and the local community. “People here are working together and being collaborative rather than being competitive,” Barbara commented.

Honoring their Irish heritage, the Moroneys named the winery after a small village in County Clare. The label’s creation was inspired by a heartfelt local Irish tale they eagerly share with visitors.

Paso’s veteran winemaker Anthony Yount is at the helm, and his wife Hilary manages the vineyards. On the 93-acre hillside ranch, 23 acres (organically farmed) are planted to Bordeaux varieties. The wines are barrel-aged in mostly new French oak for 22 months and bottle-aged for 14 months.

Yount-crafted wines appeal to the Moroney palate, which leans on the classic Old World style. A sauvignon blanc, fragrant with quince and lemon notes, and the seductive Estate Cuvèe in the classic Bordeaux style. Paying homage to Paso, zinfandel joins cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc in the luscious Paladin.

A veil of tranquility covers the lakeside Rangeland Winery, which shares

its tasting room with Allegretto Wine.

These are two under-the-radar wines that beg to be discovered. Rangeland’s 2019 pale Flora Rosé rings with watermelon tartness; the 2015 Watershed, in a merlot-driven Bordeaux style blend rocks with plum notes; and the deep-hued 2016 petite sirah is bold yet elegant.

At Allegretto, you can savor the refreshing 2017 Trio, a white Rhône blend, and an aromatic 2016 viognier.

Among the reds, there is the 2015 allspice-laced tannat and the blackberry-loaded 2015 Willow Creek Vineyard cabernet sauvignon.

Fans of big juicy zinfandel will be drawn to Minassian Young Vineyards’ Zin-Only house. “I’m not apologetic,” commented David Young, co-owner and winemaker of four dry-farmed zinfandels and a tannat blended with carignan and, of course, zinfandel.

There is a good selection of both Rhône and Bordeaux style blends at the scenic hilltop Calcareous winery and the rustic barn of Stacked Stone Cellars. Meanwhile, at Michael Gill Cellars, you’ll find more than award-winning wines like vermentino, syrah, and tannat. The tasting room is festooned with taxidermy displays of big game hunted by vintner Michael Gill. Old Peachy wouldn’t have lasted as long as he did if Gill had been around in those days. ■ Following COVID-19 pandemic guidelines, all visits to wine tasting rooms are by appointment only.

Paso Robles Magazine | August 2020

5955 Entrada Ave. Atascadero Open Monday - Saturday

Welcoming NEW Patients!

August 2020 | Paso Robles Magazine

805-466-6939

pasoroblesmagazine.com | 23

Donati Family Vineyard

By Camille DeVaul

I

f you have found yourself at home more often these days, Donati Family Vineyard has you covered not only with wine to keep you sane but also with hand sanitizer.

About a year ago, the Donati family was issued a DSP (Distilled Spirits Plant) Permit. They planned to begin creating a craft spirit label to be sold alongside their award-winning wines. But, like many others, their plans shifted a bit after the COVID19 pandemic hit.

“Initially, we contracted with a craft distiller in Sonoma County to convert bulk wine into high-proof ethanol to serve as the base of our new spirits project. Once the COVID-19 pandemic began, however, that project was temporarily placed on hold,” recalls owner Mark Donati. “We soon recognized the growing need in our community as images of empty

grocery store shelves hit the airwaves.

With tasting rooms shutting down, we looked for a way to not only help in the community but also a way to make up for lost revenues and keep our staff employed.”

With an “all-hands-on-deck” approach, the Donati team mobilized and produced more than 2,000 gallons of hand sanitizer.

Made with only four simple ingredients, Donati created a safe FDA-approved sanitizer utilizing the World Health Organization’s guidelines for ethanol-based hand sanitizer.

Their sanitizer comes in a personal-sized 4-ounce spray bottle ($8) and a 16-ounce refill bottle ($25). The product itself is a water consistency with a faint ethanol (think vodka) scent that is undetected when applied.

Unlike some other sanitizers, Donati’s does not leave a sticky residue and, surprisingly, does not leave your hands achingly dry!

Donati Family Vineyard decided to place its plans for creating a craft spirit label on hold in order to protect its community and still provide a quality product.

Donati was able to fill the community’s need for sanitizer, and they were also able to keep their employees working. While the tasting room was closed, employees helped bottle and make the hand sanitizer, and catch up on lingering projects.

“We’re a small team, and a lot of us have been here a while too. It does feel like a family, it’s not just in the name,” says Mitch Bakich, director of sales and marketing.

Providing secure employment for members of their team and giving back to the community are top priorities for Donati Family Vineyard.

Since producing the sanitizer, they have provided their new product to local nonprofits like ECHO homeless shelter and SLO Food Bank.

Their sanitizer was available to essential businesses operating during the pandemic.

Donati’s tasting room officially reopened on Friday, May 29. The wine tasting room is open by appointment from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Monday at 2720 Oak View Rd. in Templeton. However, if last-minute tasters stopping by can be safely accommodated, by all means, come on in!

Wine tasters will be able to enjoy the newly updated tasting room.

With a spacious atmosphere, there is plenty of seating spread throughout the building. Their new look speaks

NOW OFFERING TELEMEDICINE CONSULTS

sophistication while still being approachable to anyone who wants to visit. It is an environment where guests can come to relax and cool off during the hot temperatures while enjoying a glass of vino with friends.

But does Donati still plan to add spirits to its award-winning arsenal?

Get excited because, yes, they do.

Donati still plans to use its DSP Permit for its original purpose. The vineyard is planning to expand into a craft spirit label. Hopefully, later this year, we could see new vodka on the Donati Family Vineyard’s shelves.

There is even talk of creating a rye whiskey.

I’m rooting for the whiskey.

Customers can purchase sanitizer in person at the Donati Family Vineyard tasting room in Templeton or online at donatifamilyvineyard.com. Online orders can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. or use curbside pick up at the tasting room.

Be sure to check out their Quarantine Kits, which include a variety of their wines and sanitizer to get you through these interesting times!

Donati Family Vineyard is here for you. Throughout this year’s whirlwind of events, they have quickly adapted to meet the needs of not only their own business but for their community.

Donati Family Vineyard is open.

And they are ready for you — with a glass of vino in hand. ■

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24 | pasoroblesmagazine.com

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Paso Robles Magazine | August 2020

| All About Agility

A COVID-19 Odyssey Longtime Downtown Paso Robles Restaurant Adapts to Remain Open During Pandemic

By Brian Williams

L

isten to Odyssey World Cafe co-owner John Hawley talk about the past four months and one gets the feeling there is nothing his crew can’t handle.

They’ve seen everything during the COVID-19 pandemic from complete shutdown, to take-out only, to limited-seating dine-in and outdoor eating.

“It’s kind of a blur now to tell you the truth,” Hawley said. “We just kept reacting as fast as we could to whatever change there was.”

The first part of 2020 was shaping up to be one of the best years for the restaurant Hawley and Dawn Gregory opened 23 years ago on Pine Street in Downtown Paso Robles.

“Business was very good. It was going to be a stellar year,” Hawley said.

Then on March 18, everything was shut down by Gov. Gavin Newsom to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

“It hit us broadside,” Hawley said.

“We went into panic mode. We had to close. How do we survive is what the panic was about.”

Odyssey employs roughly 25 people, and Hawley said everyone is considered family.

“They have families that depend on

us. It’s very hard for us when we have to lay people off,” Hawley said. “We reacted very quickly like small businesses are able to do. We were able to adapt, but we had to let some people go, which was not what we wanted to do.”

Hawley’s staff received unemployment benefits, while the restaurant was closed for a couple of weeks. During this window, they moved forward with some remodeling projects and began putting their to-go and curbside plan into motion.

As many businesses did, Odyssey applied for and received Small Business Association and Paycheck Protection Program loans.

The business had also taken out a loan before COVID-19 for remodeling.

“Fortunately, they quickly offered the SBA and PPP loans and I got on that instantly. With one of them, I ended up being the 273rd in the country. I was on it,” Hawley said. “So we had some money, but you have to pay it all back, so it’s not profit.”

Although not profit, the loans did allow Odyssey to bring staff back and ramp up its take-out and curbside programs. Odyssey, which prides itself on offering high-quality dishes featuring flavors from around the world, provided take-out before, but nothing on par with what they did during the shutdown height.

“We found out that the to-go business is like opening another restaurant.

It’s totally different,” Hawley said.

August 2020 | Paso Robles Magazine

“There was a tremendous amount of work to do.”

Odyssey added another phone line and online ordering to its website and connected with four different delivery services that needed menus changed to meet their needs.

“We got into it heavily,” Hawley said. “After a little while, we got it down. We developed new systems.

We got pretty good at it.”

This carried Odyssey to when it could add outside dining and then bring people inside but with limited seating due to social distancing.

After a short adjustment period due to having dine-in open again, Hawley said they started to feel like they’d turned a corner — their loyal customers and the tourists were back.

“Everything was working and we were like ‘ahh we made it.’ And then Sunday hit, well we saw it coming. We were like here we go again,” Hawley said.

Odyssey and other impacted restaurants have once again closed indoor dining and are looking for ways to add more seating outside.

Hawley was pleased to see the Paso Robles City Council move forward with temporary street closures around the Downtown City Park. This will allow impacted businesses to add more tables outside.

“It will save our butts,” Hawley said. “I’m confident our restaurants will survive, maybe not flourish but survive, which is fine at this point.”

Hawley said they could have kept

the doors closed and waited to reopen, but it was never really considered.

“One of the things we felt was important, and we heard it from other businesses was that we needed to maintain a presence as a support for customers and the town,” Hawley said. “We didn’t want a bunch of closed businesses. It doesn’t do anybody any good. So we said we’ll figure it out.” ■

pasoroblesmagazine.com | 25

Waiting M To Reopen When Staff Feels Safe to Return, Business Will Resume

Chef-Owner Ian McPhee, above, is not in a hurry to reopen his iconic eatery until staff and guests feel safe. Contributed photos

26 | pasoroblesmagazine.com

| Attorney & Dog Lover

By Brian Williams

cPhee's Grill Chef-Owner Ian McPhee is asked daily when the iconic Templeton restaurant is going to reopen.

It's a no-brainer for him — when his employees feel safe.

"There is so much going on and so much just trying to figure out what's right and what's wrong that you just got to take care of your people," Ian said from the tidy upstairs office at the rear of the restaurant at 416 S. Main St. "First you have to take care of your employees and make sure that they are safe and OK with being here. And your next worry is going to be your customer. And then, after that, you just let your business run."

The restaurant has been closed since March 18, when Gov. Gavin Newsom forced them to close and issued the stay-at-home order a day later.

In June, restaurants in San Luis Obispo County reopened to dine-in but needed to follow the state and county social distancing guidelines, meaning most eateries were at less than half capacity.

Ian and his son, Max, have been meeting with staff and gauging when to reopen. They will move forward when the team feels safe.

"I need to know that they are all the way on board," Ian said. "If they aren't, then we just stay closed until the end of July and see what happens.

"I have no problem with staying closed. I know we are OK," Ian said. "As long as they are OK, then we are good. I get it."

Ian opened McPhee's Grill in 1994. The popular fine-dining restaurant features fresh seafood, woodgrilled steaks, local produce and gourmet pizza and pasta in an old converted saloon with contemporary country decor. It is open for lunch and dinner.

Ian said that when everything shut down, he immediately laid off his employees so they could quickly start getting unemployment.

"I think that is why we are one of the last dinner houses to come back because I just looked at my employees and felt like they were safe," Ian said.

"Some of them were making more than they would normally make. And then my family was safe. It

just then became a point of let's see what goes on."

Reopening isn't as easy as flipping a switch.

People may think it is, but it's costly and time-consuming.

"It's funny to me how people think you just open the door," Max said, adding that it costs thousands of dollars to restock and they will need four to five days of kitchen preparation. And training staff on the county, state and CDC guidelines will take time.

The dining room has undergone some cosmetic changes, mainly the addition of plexiglass on booths that allow for increased seating.

Without the plexiglass, Ian said they wouldn't even be thinking about opening until more restrictions are lifted. Pre-COVID-19, McPhee's had 35 tables and seating for 148. Under the guidelines, they can seat 92 at 20 tables.

"The day that Newsom said you could use dividers, all of a sudden we went from 11 tables to almost 20," Ian said. "So now we are like at 20 and we have room out on the side of the building for more if we want, but I haven't really decided on that. But now the numbers start to make some sense."

Making all of this easier for Ian was receiving an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Ian said the EIDL process was frustrating, while PPP was a breeze due to his long-time relationship with Pacific Premier Bank.

He applied for EIDL in late March but did not receive anything until early June.

"It was really weird. It went on and on and on," Ian said. "Until mid-May, I did not know where I was in this thing. I had filled out the application thing. They had hit my credit report once, but no word from them, nothing."

Ian said he woke up one morning in early June and the EIDL money was in his account.

"That happened overnight. It was so bizarre," he said.

With PPP and EIDL, the restaurant's highest costs are covered for the next 5 to 6 months, Ian said.

"We are fine, so there is really no reason to take a risk at this point," Ian said. "If my employees aren't comfortable, then it's not worth doing." ď Ž

Paso Robles Magazine | August 2020

Legal Eagle & A Beagle

By Camille DeVaul

L

awyer by day and award-winning author by night, but more importantly, Teresa Rhyne is a dog lover and reluctant optimist.

Like many others, Rhyne and her significant other Chris were brought to Paso Robles for the wine. After visiting friends at their winery in the South of France, Rhyne and Chris, who was in the wine business, fell in love with the Rhône variety. They searched for something similar and found Paso Robles. They fell in love again.

Southern California native, Teresa Rhyne graduated law school at the age of 23 from the University of California at Santa Barbara and Loyola Law School. Since then, she has earned over 30 years of experience in estate planning, trust administration, business and tax law.

As principal of The Teresa Rhyne Law Group, Rhyne’s firm “focuses on developing comprehensive and sound estate and charitable tax plans for business owners, individuals and families — however, defined.” Rhyne split her time between offices in Riverside and Paso Robles. Since the world has forced her to work from home as much as possible, Rhyne finds she prefers overlooking Paso’s golden hills while she works.

But being a lawyer is only a fraction of who Rhyne is. As she puts it, “my day job, I’m a lawyer.”

Rhyne published her first memoir, or as Teresa likes to say dog-moir, and No. 1 New York Times Bestseller, “The Dog Lived (and So Will I)” in 2012. Her award-winning sequel, “The Dogs Were Rescued (And So Was I),” was published in 2014.

Growing up all over Southern California, Rhyne was always accompanied by a furry friend. This instilled a love for animals, especially dogs, in Rhyne.

Mainly, Rhyne felt a connection with beagles. Was it from when she was a little girl visiting her uncle and his beagle pups in Georgia?

Possibly, but the reason why she loves beagles doesn’t matter much.

What matters is the love and bond she shares with her furry companions.

Rhyne’s memoirs are the tellings of her tragedies with her and her dogs that always have happy endings. After her sequel, Rhyne hoped those tragedies were over, and there would be no more dog-moirs.

But not long after a little beagle named Poppy came into her life, Rhyne had another book to write.

Rescued from the dog meat trade in China, Rhyne was foster“Poppy in the Wild” will be available for purchase online through book retailers, Amazon, and locally at the General Store in Downtown Paso Robles.

August 2020 | Paso Robles Magazine

ing Poppy and was trying out some potential adoptive parents in Riverside.

During a storm, Poppy broke out, ending up lost in the nearby 1,500-acre wilderness park. Lost for just over five days, little Poppy encountered bustling city intersections, rainstorms, a homeless encampment, strangers, a sheriff, and countless predators.

A true “Homeward Bound” story, only Poppy was alone with no sassy cat or wise golden retriever to help her.

While Poppy persevered to find her way back, Rhyne was there doing everything she could to find her little beagle.

Rhyne was put in touch with pet recovery specialists.

“They helped us figure out everything you’re supposed to do to find a lost dog, and it was amazing,” she said. “Everything they said worked and came true and was exactly the right guidance and completely against my instincts.”

Assistance to find Poppy also came from several volunteers, a Native American who communes with owls, the police, psychics, a bag of roasted chicken, and more.

“About the third day of the search, I said to Chris, ‘OK if this has a happy ending, I think I have a third book now,’” Rhyne recalled, “and lo and behold three and half days later she was found.”

And write a book she did. Rhyne’s third book, “Poppy in the Wild: A Lost Dog, Fifteen Hundred Acres of Wilderness, and the Dogged Determination that Brought Her Home,” is set to be released Oct. 6 of this year.

One of Rhyne’s main reasons for writing her third book is to spread awareness on how to effectively find a lost pet. Included in Poppy in the Wild is a resources section for finding lost pets.

As Rhyne said, what you think you should do and what you need to do are opposites, which she learned the hard way with Poppy.

Luckily, Poppy made it out of the woods, and Rhyne knew she would become a forever part of her family. ■

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| SLO Food Bank

By Connor Allen

SLO FOOD

BANK

I

Increasing Output While Input Decreases Amid Pandemic

n the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, San Luis Obispo County's need for food has multiplied, and the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo has answered the call with some help from the County, local farmers and the GleanSLO program.

"We have been doing a great job keeping a healthy reserve, and that is due in large part to the partnership with SLO County," said Andrea Keisler, Director of Programs at SLO Food Bank.

"The County partnered with us very early on at the end of March and started a home-delivery program for self-isolating seniors to deliver food and medication. The Food Bank was essentially in charge of providing all the groceries for that program, and it lasted from mid-March to mid-June. During that time, we provided food for about 10,500 deliveries."

The County's support came in the form of purchasing power to ensure SLO Food Bank reserves stayed at a reasonable level while also providing the nonprofit with a group of DSWs (Disaster Service Workers). The latter joined their workforce in delivering to those in need during the pandemic. At one point, the DSWs made up 20 percent of the organization's workforce.

"We have basically doubled the amount of food that is going out the door per month [since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic]," Keisler noted.

However, now that the County's funding has ended, for now, the SLO Food Bank is looking to replenish its reserves with both cash and local farmers.

One of the more notable food rescue operations in North County takes place once a week at the Templeton Farmers Market.

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Each Saturday, a group of volunteers collect produce that goes straight to Loaves and Fishes, North County's local food pantry.

North County does not currently have many donations from large farms, but local homeowners have answered the call and are providing large amounts of citrus to the SLO Food Bank. The contributions from the large farms have come from South County.

"We haven't had as many large-scale donors from North County as we have had large donations in the San Luis Obispo area and South County," Wilson said. "Tom Ikeda has been donating regularly and has continued during the pandemic to give us greens. Cal Poly has donated a lot of citrus to the Food Bank over the last month, and Sage Finch of F&B Blue Sky Enterprises donated close to 1,000 pounds of blueberries. We have had some incredible support from our local growers who have had a surplus during this time."

SLO Food Bank is again looking for help as the need for food has not decreased even though their funding and partnership with the County ended. The pandemic has not only affected the community and who might need food but has also interrupted the organization's most significant source of procurement, food drives.

SLO Food Bank's popular "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive that usually takes place in May brought in nearly 70,000 pounds of food in 2019, this year it has been postponed due to COID-19.

"Stamp Out Hunger is a massive drive that we count on every year," Keisler said. "It usually takes place in May and brings in over 50,000 pounds of food in one day. Those types of things can't happen right now, so those streams of procurement have dried up, so we are looking at purchasing a lot more food as we move towards the future." â–

Paso Robles Magazine | August 2020

August 2020 | Paso Robles Magazine

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The Long A Days of Summer Jim J.

Brescia, Ed.D

| Education

s a child growing up in Santa Clara, I could hardly wait for summer vacation. Playing stickball in the street until dark, sleeping in later than during the school days, working my paper route, and earning money doing yard work for neighbors or the local orchards.

In Santa Clara County, during my youth, schools typically started the new academic year after Labor Day and the harvest of what was once some of the most productive farmlands in the state.

The school system has served as a societal foundation for over a century. Generations of Americans have attended our schools with a somewhat shared experience of Americana. Historical accounts of the school calendar indicate that our society’s agrarian needs greatly influenced the school year. Groups often ask me about why our school system continues to operate on what appears to be an outdated model based on agricultural labor needs. As Americans, we value local control and tradition.

Since the 1983 “A Nation at Risk” report, multiple administrations have urged educators to add more time to the school year as a mitigation to the achievement gap.

COVID-19 has also focused much dialogue

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on the inequities in our system associated mainly with economics. Families with fewer resources struggle to move to distanced education at higher levels than their peers with more resources. Resources include access to an online connection, technology devices, and a family member that can assist because they too can work remotely.

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. ~Albert Camus

Our current situation may provide us some time to reflect on our past and adapt to a post-COVID-19 school setting. Schooling has looked different throughout the history of our country. Researchers note that as early as 1684, a grammar school founded in Massachusetts required 12 months of education. In 1841, Boston schools operated for 244 days, while Philadephia implemented a 251-day calendar (Association of California School Administrators, 1988).

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, large cities had long school years, and agricultural communities had six-month school years.

Education was delivered based on the needs of the local community.

Today we are faced with the same challenge and opportunity as our ancestors. Our school system was required to reconfigure in a matter of weeks because of COVID19. Students, faculty, and staff moved from traditional in-person services to largely online-based instruction across the state, nation, and world. A system that is often slow, methodical, and filled with committees adapted quicker to this challenge than at any other I have observed in my 35 years of professional service.

Just as American businesses are redesigning how they deliver services, educational leaders, legislators, and policymakers should redesign how we provide education.

Our education system is social justice in action. A well educated populous builds our democracy, grows our economy, and makes us better people. America faces a challenge today of providing a safe environment, rebuilding our economy, and competing in the global marketplace. I believe that the long days of summer will prove that we are adaptive, resourceful, and hopeful. It is an honor to serve as your county superintendent of schools. ■

Paso Robles Magazine | August 2020

August 2020 | Paso Robles Magazine

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DIRECTORY of LOCAL HOUSES of WORSHIP The following listing of area houses of worship is provided by the partnership between Adelaide Inn and PASO Magazine. We hope to include all houses of worship in the Paso Robles, Templeton, San Miguel, Shandon, and Bradley areas. Your congregation is welcomed to send us updates and information to make our list complete and accurate. If you have information, please send an email to publisher@pasomagazine. com or call 805-239-1533. Please include your name, address, phone, service times, and name of spiritual leader of your congregation. Thank you, and stay blessed.

ATASCADERO Awakening Ways Spiritual Community 9315 Pismo Ave. 10 a.m. at the Pavilion Rev’s Frank & Terry Zum Mallen Congregation Ohr Tzafon 2605 Traffic Way Service: Fridays, 7:30 p.m.

Rabbi Janice Mehring (805) 466-0329

CRESTON Creston Community Church 5170 O’Donovan Road Service: 9:00 a.m.

Pastor JD Megason

LOCKWOOD True Life Christian Fellowship Lockwood/Jolon Road, across from the school in Lockwood Service: 9:30 a.m.

Pastor Erick Reinstedt (805) 472-9325

NACIMIENTO Heritage Village Church At The Don Everingham Center Heritage Ranch Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Brad Brown (805) 712-7265 Hill Top Christian Fellowship 2085 Gateway Drive Heritage Ranch Service: 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Jack Little (760) 304-2435

1744 Oak St. Service Times: 10:30 a.m.

Youth Ministries: Monday 7:00 Home Groups during the week Preschool: Christian Life Early Learning Center Pastor Guy Drummond (805) 238-3366 Christian Science Services 17th & Chestnut Streets Service: 10 a.m. Sunday & 2nd and 4th Wednesdays 7 p.m.

(805) 239-1361 Church of Christ 3545 Spring St. (Corner 36th & Spring) Service: Sunday, 11 a.m.

Evangelist Bob Champion (805) 286-5875 Sam Hogan (310) 602-9516 Delbert Arthurs (805) 238-4412 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1020 Creston Rd. Service: 9 a.m.

(805) 238-4216 Missionaries: (805) 366.2363 Covenant Presbyterian Church 1450 Golden Hill Rd. Service: 9:30 a.m.

Pastor Dan Katches (805) 238-6927 Belong Central Coast 905 Vine St. meets @ NCCF Service: Sunday 3 p.m.

Senior Leaders: Pep & Angie Robey (661) 205-7853 Family Worship Center 616 Creston Rd. Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Patrick Sheean (805) 239-4809

Oak Shores Christian Fellowship 2727 Turkey Cove Rd., at the Oak Shores Community Clubhouse Service: 8:30 a.m.

Pastor Jack Little (760) 304-2435

First Baptist Church 1645 Park St. Pastor Michael R. Garman Services: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.

Discipleship 10 a.m.

(805) 238-4419

PASO ROBLES

First Mennonite Church 2343 Park St. Service: 11 a.m.

Pastor Romero (805) 238-2445

Apostolic Assembly of the Faith of Christ Jesus 2343 Park St Bilingual Services: Services: Thursday 7 p.m.

Sunday 2 p.m.

Pastor Miguel Alvarado (805) 610-2930 Bridge Christian Church Centennial Park Banquet Room 600 Nickerson Dr. Service: 9:30 a.m.

Pastor Tim Mensing (805) 975-7178 Calvary Chapel Paso Robles 1615 Commerce Way Service: 9:30 a.m.

Pastor Aaron Newman (805) 239-4295 Christian Life Center Assembly of God

First United Methodist 915 Creston Rd. Service: 11 a.m.

Pastor Josh Zulueta (805) 238-2006 Grace Baptist Church 535 Creston Rd. Service: 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Gary Barker (805) 238-3549 Highlands Church Corner S. River and Niblick 215 Oak Hill Services: 8:30, 9:45 & 11 a.m.

Pastor James Baird (805) 226-5800 Life Worth Living Church of God

620 17th St. Service: 11 a.m.

Pastor Jim Wilde (805) 238-0978 Live Oak 1521 Oak St. Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor John Kaiser (805) 238-0575 Mid State Baptist Church 3770 Ruth Way Services Sunday: 1:30 & 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday: 6:30 p.m.

Pastor Bruce Fore (805) 238-2281 New Day 1228 11th St (east off Paso Robles St) Services: Sunday 10 a.m., Wednesday 7 p.m.

Pastor Brad Alford (805) 239-9998 New Life Tabernacle 3850 So. Ramada Dr. Ste. D Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Efrain Cordero North County Christian Fellowship 421 9th St. Services: 9:30 a.m.

Pastor Steve Calagna (805) 239-3325 Paso Robles Bible Church 2206 Golden Hill Rd. Service: Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Mark Wheeler Pastor Dave Rusco (805) 226-9670 Paso Robles Church of the Nazarene 530 12th St. Service: 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Charles Reece (805) 238-4300 www.pasonaz.com Paso Robles Community Church 2706 Spring St. Service: 9:00 a.m.

Pastor Shawn Penn (805) 239-4771 www.pasochurch.com Plymouth Congregational Church, UCC Thirteenth and Oak Streets Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Steven Mabry (805) 238-3321 Poder de Dios Centro Familiar 500 Linne Road, Suite D Services Sunday 4:30p.m. & Wed. 7p.m.

Pastors: Frank and Isabel Diaz (805) 264-9322 / (805) 621-4199 Redeemer Baptist Church Kermit King Elementary School 700 Schoolhouse Circle Service: 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Christopher Cole (805) 238-4614 Second Baptist Church 1937 Riverside Ave. Service: 11 a.m.

Adelaide Inn 1215 Ysabel Ave (Just off 24th near Hwy 101 and 46 East intersection) Paso Robles, 805-238-2770

Pastors: Gary Jordon (805) 238-2011 St. James Episcopal Church 1335 Oak St. Services: 8 a.m. (Rite I) 10 a.m. (Rite II) Reverend Barbara Miller (805) 238-0819 St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church 820 Creston Rd. Weekday Mass: M-S, 7 a.m.

Weekend Masses: Saturday - 5 p.m. (Vigil) Sunday - 8 a.m., 10 a.m. (Family Mass) 12:30 p.m. (Spanish) 5 p.m. (Teen) & 7 p.m. (Spanish) Father Rudolfo Contreras (805) 238-2218 The Revival Center 3850 Ramada Dr., Ste. A-3 Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Gabe Abdelaziz (805) 434-5170 The Light of the World Church 2055 Riverside Ave. Services: Everyday, 6 p.m.

Sundays 10 a.m. & 5 p.m.

Pastor Bonifacio Robles (612) 990-4701 Trinity Lutheran Church 940 Creston Rd. Contemporary Service: 9 a.m.

Traditional Service: 10:45 a.m.

Sr. Pastor Dan Rowe (805) 238-3702 Victory Outreach Paso Robles 3201 Spring Street, Paso Robles Ca Services: Sunday,10:30 a.m.

Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

Pastor Pete Torres (805) 536-0035

TEMPLETON Bethel Lutheran Church 295 Old County Rd. Service: 9:30 a.m.

Pastor Amy Beveridge (805) 434-1329 Celebration Worship Center Pentecostal Church of God 988 Vineyard Drive Pastor Roy Spinks Services: 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m.

(805) 434-2424 Central Coast Center for Spiritual Living 689 Crocker St. Service: 10 a.m.

Rev. Elizabeth Rowley (805) 242-3180 Cowboy Church Family Praise & Worship 206 5th st.

Service: 10 am Pastor Vern H. Haynes Jr. 805-975-8594

610 S. Main St. Service: 10 a.m.

Reverend Charlie Little (805) 434-1921 Higher Dimension Church 601 Main St. 1st Sunday: 1:30 p.m.

2nd - 5th Sundays 12:30 p.m.

Pastor Charlie Reed, Jr. (805) 440-0996 Life Community Church 3770 Ruth Way Service: 9:30 a.m.

Pastor Keith Newsome (805) 434-5040 Solid Rock Christian Fellowship Assembly of God 925 Bennett Way Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Jeff Saylor (805) 434-2616 Seventh-day Adventist Church Templeton Hills 930 Templeton Hills Rd. Services: Saturday 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Zac Page (805) 434-1710 Vineyard Church of Christ 601 So. Main St. Service: 10 a.m.

Evangelist: Steve Orduno (805) 610-4272 Vintage Community Church 692 Peterson Ranch Road Services: 9 & 11 a.m.

Coaches: Aaron Porter, Dayn Mansfield (805) 543-0943

SAN MIGUEL Iglesia Fuente De Agua Viva 301 13th St. Services: 10 a.m. & 7 p.m.

Pastor Mike Duran (805) 467-5500 Mission San Miguel Parish 775 Mission Street Weekday Mass: 8 a.m.

Weekend Mass: Saturday: 5 p.m. English (Vigil) & 6:30 p.m. Spanish (Vigil) Sunday: 7 a.m., Noon & 6 p.m.

(Spanish) Father Eleazar Diaz, OFM (805) 467-2131

SHANDON Shandon Assembly of God 420 Los Altos Ave. Pastor Keith Richards Pastor Jim Mei (805)226-9737 Spanish Service: Sunday 5 p.m. & Thurs 7 p.m.

Pastor Mauro Jimenez

Templeton Presbyterian Church

Paso Magazine P.O. Box 427 Paso Robles, CA 93447 Phone: 805-239-1533 or publisher@pasomagazine.com

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�

By Nicholas Mattson

he past few months have been enlightening as much as troubling. I’ve learned so much about the Civil War through enriching conversations with educated people and personal research, and I’m a more proud American today than ever before.

In my 41 years, I never joined a political party or adopted an ideology blindly. My resistance to blind allegiance, and my own skepticism, motivated me to question the American flag and the values it represented.

I hold no regard for any mandate on my allegiance, as my allegiance is natural to my person and the grace and faith that connects me to my Creator. No human or group of humans can demand my allegiance.

So it is with any president, any political party, or any social issue. It is that part of me that is most American — my Life, my Liberty, and my Pursuit of Happiness is so endowed.

It is for that reason, I questioned my allegiance to the flag some stood behind as a shield for their personal gains while the People of the United States bore the cost in American lives and American debt.

My internal conflict over the symbolism of our flag was only resolved when I washed away the stains that marred the perfection of the union of people we strive as a country to form.

The flag, in my innocent youth, represented greatness and opportunity. Then I saw many things that left

me confused, disoriented, hurt, angry, sad, and at times defeated. At times, our flag stood on the other side of actions I could not morally support.

But as I mature and involve myself in local government, economy, social actions, and community, I realize the truth about that flag. It is not a representation of the worst of ourselves, but the best.

We the People are fallible. We made an imperfect Union. We formed an imperfect government.

We took imperfection and codified it. We the People did so knowing we were fallible, imperfect and needed a guiding light to lead us in the power of inalienable rights.

In 1776, the nation formed by taking one step forward. As a nation, we have continued forward progress. We were not always the first nation to every marker, and every state did not reach each every marker at the same time.

Our Constitution provides the foundation, and the Declaration of Independence provides guidance. We fought against the tyranny of England and then the tyranny of the Confederacy.

Americans won the Civil War. My great-grandfather moved to the United States from Sweden in 1856 for a better life. Five years later, he

joined the Union to fight with the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment in 1861. He survived, and I’m his great-grandson.

There are three monuments to the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment at Gettysburg today.

Our Gettysburg monuments represent intolerance for the destruction of our union that was formed by our U.S. Constitution. My great-grandfather fought under the American flag and the Great Seal of the United States — of which an eagle holds 13 arrows, an olive branch with 13 leaves, 13 stars above its head, and a banner of E Pluribus Unum in its resolute beak — "One out of many."

The Civil War was another step forward — another one of many.

This month, we celebrate the right to vote being extended to women. Since the day my great-grandfather packed and carried his muzzleloader into battle, we have fought for the extension of humanity against the same political force that we battled at Bull Run, Antietam, and Gettysburg, and still battle today. We battle against insurrectionist leaders that applaud anarchy with statements like “people will do what they do” in support of

their “useful idiots.”

In 1860, South Carolina representatives John McQueen, Milledge Bonham, William Boyce, and John Ashmore authored a letter of secession for their state. Their purpose was to break from the principles of the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the ideals of the American flag. That went badly.

The People of the United States still defend our country from all enemies, foreign and domestic — all the People belong here. I’m proud my family has always stood with the United States of America, liberty and justice for all. The battle is eternal.

The forces of "people do what they do" still look for a foothold in our republic — and represent neither liberty or justice.

We are responsible. I can do my part, and I appreciate those who do theirs. I appreciate this opportunity to appeal to your best nature as we work as a nation to take another step forward.

Two things I find healing in my heart are these — "I believe in you” and “You belong here.”

That is what it means to be an American. While we must not tolerate destruction, we must tolerate people who are patently wrong, because minds can be changed.

I hope our collective kindness and generosity can be an instrument of change today and every day. Together, we can be the change we wish to see in the world. ■

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Paso Robles Magazine | August 2020

August 2020 | Paso Robles Magazine

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