10 13 journal plus web

ED HALPIN | DAN SIEVERT | KENNETH ANDREEN | AARON STEED | OUR LIGHTHOUSE

JournalPLUS OCTOBER 2013

MAGAZINE OF THE CENTRAL COAST

Larry D. Smyth Owner/Broker

805-543-2172 San Luis Obispo

www.farrellsmyth.com

www.1352Palm.com

805-904-6616 Arroyo Grande

www.207Marlene.com

Jennifer Hamilton

Linda Aiello-Madison

Relocation Director

Broker-Associate

Ken Arritt

Broker-Associate

Four units in Downtown San Luis Obispo—Rebuilt about 15 years ago, very nice Classic Downtown styling. Each unit with its own washer and dryer. Front unit includes a two bedroom unit and two big Studio units. The back unit is a free standing two bedroom bungalow. Priced at $1,050,000 www.1175MurrayAve.com

Mid-Century-Ranch-Style, Single-level, One-owner home with original mint condition doors & cabinets, original beautiful hardwood floors under carpet, lovely family room w/ period real wood paneling, stunning brick fireplace, lots of built in storage, inviting patio and nicely landscaped yards, oversized 2-car garage w/ built-in storage, newer replacement windows & sliders, newer roof (2007). Light, bright, inviting floor plan, and very well maintained. All on almost 1/4 acre AND located in the sought-after Ferrini Heights. $729,000

Deane Naylor REALTOR®

Broker-Associate

Broker-Associate

Mary Rosenthal

Development Potential. Existing Three Bedroom Two Bath Bungalow with approval for three additional two bedroom units. Located near Santa Rosa Park and a short distance from Cal Poly. Loads of potential. $715,000 www.1920PechoRoad.com

Theresa Carroll

An investor’s dream! Lovely home close to town and shopping. Mature landscaping on large corner lot with sprinkler system. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms.

Nice flow, tile flooring from kitchen to rec room and on to the 200sqft sunroom, two wood burning fireplaces and hardwood floors in bedrooms. $639,000 Ocean View Lot in Morro Bay!

REALTOR®

Patricia Garrison REALTOR®

Janet Shaner REALTOR®

REALTOR®

REALTOR®

REALTOR®

REALTOR®

Chris Stanley

Jerry Collins

Paddy Doron

REALTOR®

www.2684JohnsonAve.com

Twila Arritt

Pamela Bliss

Annette Mullen

Beautiful location in Los Osos, Cuesta by the Sea. Lots of open space surrounds this home. This home has some nice characteristics. Views from most of the windows throughout the house, including peak Ocean. Located right across from the Sea Pines Golf Resort. 3 Bedrooms, 1 3/4 Baths and is apx 1608 Square Feet. Nice big open kitchen with room for a table. Pantry. Lots of Cabinets. Plenty of storage. Laundry Room inside and a fenced backyard. $410,000

Vicky Hall REALTOR®

Have it all in beautiful Morro Bay! Build your dream home and capture the wonderful sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and coastline. This buildable upslope lot backs natures ranchland for privacy. Super desirable neighborhood with custom homes and located on level street. Start your plans to build your dream home and live the coastal cool life! $254,900

Conveniently located in the heart of SLO & the Village of Arroyo Grande 21 Santa Rosa Street, Suite 100, SLO, CA 93405 110 E. Branch Street, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Christine Williams REALTOR®

Marion Trombetta REALTOR®

Simone Viola REALTOR®

f f O 40% tore

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682 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo • 541-2896

CONTENTS

Journal PLUS MAGAZINE OF THE CENTRAL COAST

The People, Community, and Business of Our Beautiful Central Coast ADDRESS

654 Osos Street San Luis Obispo California 93401

18 THE “NEW” POINT SAN LUIS LIGHTHOUSE

PHONE 805.546.0609 E-MAIL slojournal@fix.net WEBSITE www.slojournal.com

EDITOR & PUBLISHER Steve Owens ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Erin Mott GRAPHIC DESIGNER Dora Mountain COPY EDITOR Susan Stewart PHOTOGRAPHER Tom Meinhold DISTRIBUTION Keith Malcomson, Kyle Owens

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ED HALPIN

AARON STEED

ADVERTISING Jan Owens CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Susan Stewart, Natasha Dalton, Joseph Carotenuti, Dr. Julian Crocker, Sarah Hedger, Maggie Cox, Deborah Cash, Will Jones, Ruth Starr, Dottie Thompson, Dave Congalton, Chuck Graham, Curtis Reinhardt, Gordon Fuglie, and Carlyn Christenson.

Mail subscriptions are available at $20 per year. Back issues are $2 each. Inquires concerning advertising or other information made by writing to Steve Owens, JOURNAL PLUS MAGAZINE, 654 Osos Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. You can call us at 546-0609, our fax line is 546-8827, and our e-mail is slojournal@fix.net. View the entire magazine on our website at www.slojournal.com JOURNAL PLUS MAGAZINE is a free monthly distributed to over 600 locations throughout the Central Coast and is also available online at slojournal.com Editorial submissions are welcome but are published at the discretion of the publisher. Submissions will be returned if accompanied by a stamped self addressed envelope. No material published in the magazine can be reproduced without written permission.

Opinions expressed in the byline articles are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the JOURNAL PLUS MAGAZINE. Cover photo provided by Curtis Reinhardt On the Cover: (L-R) Brad LaRose, SLO Mayor Jan Marx, SLO Councilman Dan Carpenter and Curtis Reinhardt

PEOPLE 8 10 12 14 16

CARLOS AND SHERRY VIVAS ED HALPIN DAN SIEVERT JUSTICE KENNETH ANDREEN AARON STEED

HOME & OUTDOOR 18 20 22 24 26

PORT SAN LUIS LIGHTHOUSE MORTGAGE FACTS THE PINNACLES FOOD / AT THE MARKET

COMMUNITY 28 30 32 34 36 41 42

THE CARMEN PROJECT RAILROAD FESTIVAL & MUSEUM OPENING HISTORY: Railroad comes to SLO HOSPICE CORNER / CROSSWORD PUZZLE PALM STREET– Councilwoman Christianson OUR SCHOOLS–Dr. Julian Crocker COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

BUSINESS

37 DOWNTOWN SLO What’s Happening 46 EYE ON BUSINESS

SLO ART SCENE Cuesta art teachers honored

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From the publisher Purchase Units

Refinance Units

Total Units

We Believe in SLO. Thanks for Believing in Us.

Ron Penir

Ben Lerner

Bill Mott

Rick Kirk

Regional Manager 805-709-3426 rpenir@commercemtg.com

Partner & Loan Officer 805-441-9486 blerner@commercemtg.com

Partner & Loan Officer 805-234-5081 bmott@commercemtg.com

Loan Officer 805-459-4101 rkirk@commeremtg.com

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Loan Officer 805-550-6933 dwilson@commercemtg.com

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Loan Officer 805-471-0243 lspitler@commercemtg.com

Loan Officer 805-458-5178 kcunningham@commercemtg.com

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CA DRE# 1411227 NMLS# 308160

CA DRE# 01089803 NMLS# 343856

San Luis Obispo County’s #1 Provider of Home Financing in 2012

I

’d like to personally congratulate Cooper Benson and Brooks Lee for helping their youth baseball team, the Santa Ynez Titans, win the National Youth Baseball Championship in Memphis, Tennessee this summer.

The National Youth Baseball Organization is made up of some of the very best players in the nation and compete at an exceptional level. The game was televised nationally and I had the opportunity to watch it. Both Cooper and Brooks (pictured above) were instrumental in the championship victory. Cooper hit two home runs and was named the MVP.

This month’s cover story is on the upcoming Railroad Festival and the grand opening of the SLO Railroad Museum. Curtis Reinhardt gives us an update on all the happenings at the event and Joe Carotenuti gives us a look back on the effects of the railroad when it connected both ends of the state.

Susan Stewart caught up with Ed Halpin. Halpin is the Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer at Diablo Canyon. You will enjoy his story.

We have four other profiles on people that make a difference starting with Justice Kenneth Andreen, then the “Corvette Man” Carlos Vivas, Dan Sievert and his therapy dogs and Meathead Movers CEO, Aaron Steed.

Choose more financial options.

Choose more personal service.

733 Marsh Street, Suite 200, San Luis Obispo, CA (805) 548-8180

We finish with an update from Dave Congalton on the Port San Luis Lighthouse. The Lighthouse Keepers have done a magnificent job reviving this treasure.

Enyoy the magazine.

www.commercemtg.com Commerce Mortgage proudly supports Homes for Our Troops, a foundation building specially adapted homes for our severely injured veterans at no cost to the veteran. Visit www.commercemtg.com/homesforourtroops for more information.

HUD Approved FHA Full Eagle Lender. NMLS ID #1839. Lending available in Colorado, Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act #4150083, California Dept. of Real Estate Broker #01218426, and Nevada Mortgage Lending Division #3580. *non retail mortgage banker category as reported by CoreLogic®, a worldwide provider of real estate, mortgage, consumer and special ized business data and analytics

Steve Owens

COMING UP AT THE

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Become 10/4 & 10/5 • 7 p.m.

BravoSLO 2013 10/19 • 10 a.m.

Alex & Faye Spanos Theatre Presented by CORE Dance Co.

Performing Arts Center

From Russia With Love 10/5 • 8 p.m.

Ying Quartet 10/19 • 8 p.m.

Christopher Cohan Center

Alex & Faye Spanos Theatre

Presented by PAC Outreach

Presented by SLO Symphony

Presented by Cal Poly Arts

Reveal the Path & Gold Rush Mother Lode 2012 10/6 • 7 p.m.

MET Live in HD: Eugene Onegin 10/20 • 2 p.m.

Alex & Faye Spanos Theatre

Christopher Cohan Center Presented by Opera SLO & CPA

Masters of Bluegrass 10/6 • 7 p.m.

Joe Craven 10/25 • 7 p.m.

Christopher Cohan Center

Alex & Faye Spanos Theatre

Presented by SLO Op Climbing

Presented by Cal Poly Arts

Reel Rock Tour 10/7 • 7 p.m.

Presented by Cal Poly Arts

Alex & Faye Spanos Theatre

CP Parent & Family Weekend Ensemble Showcase 10/25 • 8 p.m.

Presented by SLO Op Climbing

Christopher Cohan Center Presented by CP Music Dept.

Malama Ko Aloha 10/11 • 8 p.m.

Alton Brown 10/26 • 8 p.m.

Alex & Faye Spanos Theare Presented by Cal Poly Arts

Christopher Cohan Center Presented by Cal Poly Arts

Carmen 10/12 • 7 p.m. & 10/13 • 2 p.m.

MET Live in HD: The Nose 10/27 • 2 p.m.

Christopher Cohan Center Presented by Opera SLO

Christopher Cohan Center

Presented by Opera SLO & CPA

The Dunwells 10/12 • 8 p.m.

A Tribute to Roy Orbison 10/30 • 8 p.m.

Alex & Faye Spanos Theatre Presented by Cal Poly Arts

Christopher Cohan Center Presented by Unity of SLO

Dark Star Orchestra 10/14 • 7:30 p.m.

Alex & Faye Spanos Theatre Presented by Cal Poly Arts

WWW.PACSLO.ORG | 805-756-4TIX

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MEET

PEOPLE

carlos and sherry vivas

america’s first couple of corvettes

By Will Jones I was cruisin’ in my Stingray late one night when an XKE pulled up on the right and rolled down the window of his shiny new jag and challenged me then and there to a drag

—Jan and Dean, “Dead Man’s Curve”

When Carlos and Sherry Vivas first met at a Parents without Partners meeting in 1979, neither one of them could foresee a future that included a 4300 square foot garage filled with vintage and late model Corvettes next to a home in Nipomo, California. Carlos was a decade into a twenty-seven year career driving eighteen-wheel trucks for Sealy Posturepedic, and Sherry was teaching mathematics at South High School in Torrance after many years as a junior high school teacher.

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, but an American citizen due to his mother’s Puerto Rican birth, Carlos moved to Los Angeles in 1958 and eventually graduated from Lawndale High School in 1968. “Even though I didn’t take auto shop in high school, in my yearbook it says ‘to the guy who loved cars more than anything.’ My first car was a ’58 no frills Chevy Delray.”

When Carlos and Sherry married and joined their families, they decided they wanted to own a Corvette, but it didn’t happen until 1986.

They bought a ’64 coupe for $8000 from a doctor whose wife worked with Sherry. “I saw it before Carlos did because she drove it to work every day.” They still own it, and after almost fifty years it has only 153,000 miles on it.

Back problems from years of driving and lifting led to Carlos leaving Sealy in the ’90s. He started working on Corvettes in his two-car

garage in Torrance. “People started coming over and asking ‘Can you do mine.’ When I got hurt they tried to put me in a different job, but I asked if they could help me start my own business and disability helped me to get set up.” C&S Corvette officially opened in 1993 and “Before I knew it I was getting cars from Japan.” He had 4000 square feet and worked on as many as eight cars at a time.

Over thirteen years C&S earned hundreds of restoration awards, including the Duntov Mark of Excellence Award from the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) and the Bloomington Gold Award.

Carlos is a Level 400 Master Judge for the NCRS. Carlos and Sherry recently won first place at the Madonna Inn Concord with a ’64 convertible, and they currently own twelve Corvettes, a ’64 El Camino, a ’47 Ford street rod, three vintage Corvette travel trailers and a 1960 Plymouth Suburban station wagon Carlos bought to pull the trailers.

“They only made 1300 of them. I wanted a four-door wagon so I could take my dog with me. Chevys and Fords were so expensive, but I found the Plymouth with only 57,000 miles on it. I love that wagon.”

Carlos does most of the chassis work on the restorations and subs out engine, body and painting work. “Carlos is sort of like the general contractor,” Sherry said. “He reassembles everything.”

With modest pride, Carlos said, “I’ve had customers test me about where all the various nuts and bolts go when they see their car all torn apart. I say pick any bolt and I’ll tell you where it goes. I know from their headmarks where each one goes. I can throw them all in a bucket for cleaning and it’s not a problem.” Over the years customers have spent up to $100,000 to restore a Corvette, far more than the car’s value.

Carlos has weathered several health challenges, including a heart attack and two bouts with cancer. When they were ready to retire, they bought the Nipomo house in 2002 and moved in 2006 after completion of the garage, which Carlos designed. In addition to all of the cars, it is filled with automobile and Americana memorabilia, from road signs, pedal cars and an old Mobil gas pump, to a vintage jukebox filled with ’70s rock and country classics.

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The Vivases are active in numerous car clubs, including the local Bent Axle club, and they participate in many local charitable activities, like a recent Relay-for-Life Cancer Research fundraiser at Arroyo Grande High School. The biggest laugh I got from Carlos and Sherry came near the end of my interview when I asked an obvious question: “What’s going to happen with all of this?”

“My kids and my grandkids aren’t really interested in anything I’m doing with my cars. I always tell people I’m leaving my entire collection to my dog. We love our Labrador, Wrigley. We got so lucky with this dog. He goes everywhere with us. He even rides in the Corvette!” A vintage sign

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in the driveway next to Carlos’s shop points to one of their dog’s favorite hangouts: Wrigley Field. Carlos laughed and said, “Now people are asking if we’ll leave them Wrigley since he’ll have all the cars! I get attached even to the customer’s cars. I know someday I’ll have to start letting go.”

The first car I drove was a 1959 Rambler American coupe, not exactly a classic. While I never developed a great interest in cars, spending a couple of hours with Carlos and Sherry, the first couple of Corvettes, gave me a greater appreciation for those who are passionate about owning and maintaining vintage cars. I feel very fortunate to have met Carlos and Sherry, a classic American couple.

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PEOPLE

from cape vincent to “Cape” San Luis

ed halpin

diablo canyon’s new chief

By Susan Stewart “I couldn’t believe it,” said Ed Halpin, recalling the day he heard he’d been accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy at

Annapolis. The year was 1979 and Halpin had just graduated from a small-town high school in upstate New York. His four years at Annapolis and subsequent six years as a Naval officer helped shape what has become an impressive 30-year career in the nuclear power industry. In early 2012, Halpin was named Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer for PG&E’s Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in Avila Beach.

In addition to the top position at Diablo Canyon, Halpin has also been tasked with the decommissioning of Humboldt Bay Power Plant, as well as serving as PG&E’s lead contact with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Born in New York City, Ed Halpin was the youngest of six children raised by his father, Gene—a window washer and self-taught carpenter—and stepmother, Emily. (Ed’s mother died of cancer just six weeks after his birth.) Halpin spent his first 13 years on Long Island, then moved to Cape Vincent (population 700) for his middle and high school years.

“We lived in a house where the only running water was the toilet,” Halpin recalls. “It was humbling, but I really flourished there … I learned a lot about myself.”

His father encouraged Ed to work hard and he found that selfdiscipline came instinctively. He studied hard and worked out harder.

By his senior year he was ranked #1 in his class, and soon the various academies came courting. Accepted by several, Halpin chose the Naval Academy at Annapolis, partly because of the man who visited O C T O B E R

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Halpin boxing at Pre East Championships for the U.S. Naval Academy

his high school, and partly, he grins, for the sharp looking “summer whites.”

In 1983, Halpin graduated with honors earning his B.S. in Ocean Engineering, distinguishing himself as an excellent student and an outstanding athlete, especially in boxing. His team placed first in the 1983 East Coast Collegiate Boxing Championship, and Halpin himself won his division.

He advanced to the National Collegiate Boxing Association championship where he lost a split decision bout. Ed was later voted in as a National Collegiate Boxing Association All American.

“If you had fought harder, you’d have won,” said his coach, Emerson Smith. “You have to

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stretch yourself,” he said. “Vision is essential.” It was a lesson Halpin never forgot.

doing all I can to improve the quality of life for all who live here.”

Ed served six years as an officer in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear submarine service. He would later earn two Masters Degrees, one in Strategic Communication and Leadership from Seton Hall University where he was class valedictorian, and one in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University. Along the way, he met and married “the love of my life” Melanie, whom he credits with being “the master of our house,” and “sculpting me in the right direction.” The Halpins have three children: Ian, 28; Katherine, 23; and Luke, 20.

At home, Halpin shares his life with wife Melanie, son Luke (Ian and Katherine live in Texas), two long-haired Dachshunds, and Heidi the cat. He runs and lifts weights to stay in shape, reads to stay sharp, and since moving to San Luis Obispo, he unwinds with some of California’s finest wines.

After the Navy, Halpin was hired as a startup engineer for the STP Nuclear Operating Company in Bay City, Texas. In his 24 years with STP, Ed earned positions of increasing responsibility and leadership, culminating in the top job as President and Chief Executive Officer. He also racked up an impressive collection of nuclear energy certifications and courses, while serving on an equally impressive number of boards and foundations.

“Ed is a talented leader … who will continue Diablo Canyon’s strong record of providing safe and reliable energy to our customers in Northern and Central California,” said John Conway, his predecessor, and the man who oversees all aspects of PG&E’s energy procurement and power generation functions as Senior Vice President of Energy Supply.

“We keep pinching ourselves,” said Halpin, describing his family’s reaction to the Central Coast after 24 years in Texas. “It’s such a beautiful area, and the people have been so friendly and helpful. They really do make it the *Happiest Place on Earth.” (*a title given to San Luis Obispo, and mentioned on the Oprah Winfrey Show.)

“We feel privileged and honored to be here,” Halpin continued.

Every year, Ed Halpin takes his own family back to the river that runs through the small town of Cape Vincent. They rent a house and go fishing and hunting, rekindling the strong bonds that were made there. Ed’s nephew still lives in that small town in upstate New York, the place that taught him humility, self-discipline, and how to work hard for what matters.

“I look forward to meeting more of the community we serve,” said Halpin. “One positive aspect I’ve found is the strong support of the community for us, and of us for them. My role influences that. … and I look forward to Ed and his wife Melanie, Farmers Market, SLO

US Navy Ensign Ed Halpin and wife Melanie, 1984 O C T O B E R

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PEOPLE

Daniel sievert

On the road to deliver joy, love and hope..

By Ruth Starr

A

t the age of twenty, Dan Sievert became an ambulance driver. He worked for his brother’s ambulance company and was only two weeks away from getting his paramedic status. He was on an alternate standby one weekend when no cases came in. It was an early Saturday evening hanging out at his small studio in San Diego where the view wasn’t very exciting. The sun was setting so he went outside and decided to climb a power pole to get a good view. The climb went fine, then it was time to come down. On his way down a kid began throwing rocks at him from the ground that threw him off guard altering his grip in an improper way.

Next thing he knew he was being blown through with 12,000 volts of electricity. It happened three times as the volts go on a relay. He was kept suspended 50 feet in the air, his body in flames. It caused a three alarm

fire where a dramatic rescue took place. One guy from San Diego Gas & Electric Co. courageously climbed the pole and helped to lift him down. He was a charred body and had to be taken to a hospital that had burn facilities. Dan was in the hospital a long time and remembers the many people who came by to give him hope. He had a total of seventeen surgeries, five of which were major. They were skin graft operations. He knew what it felt like to hurt badly and to have support from people he knew and people he didn’t know.

This all happened forty years ago.

Dan never had a pet dog growing up, but all these years later, after his unfortunate accident, he found himself attracted to Golden Retriever dogs.

The Golden Retriever dog is a medium- to large-sized breed. They were historically developed as gun-dogs to retrieve shot birds during hunting. They were named retrievers because of their ability to retrieve game undamaged.

Golden Retrievers have a love of water. These dogs are well suited to suburban or country living. They also need a lot of outdoor exercise.

Their intelligence makes them versatile, allowing them to fill a variety of roles, including guide dog for the blind, hearing dog for the deaf, hunting dog, illegal drug detector, and search and rescue participant. Because of their loyal and gentle temperament, Golden Retrievers are also popular family pets.

Dan now lives in San Luis Obispo where he obtained his first Golden Retriever, Jake, who is seven. It was a chance encounter with a breeder.

Jake was the last dog of a litter and was ten months old at the time. Dan wanted that dog, but his landlord didn’t allow dogs. Fortunately, she did, consequently, change her mind. Three years later, he had another chance encounter adopting Emerson who was eleven months old at the time. Emerson came from a ranch where the owners had to reduce the number of dogs they had. Both dogs came with the names Jake and Emerson. Also, both dogs came from homes with children that helped their demeanor.

805 Aerovista #103, San Luis Obispo

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Dan began training them immediately after he got them. Jake was very easy and Emerson was very difficult. Now Emerson is trying to be his best and most loyal dog. He trained the dogs with everything on the outside but knows they came with everything on the inside. The inside

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of those dogs are filled with love and they know when they are needed for comfort.

The dogs love one another and are pretty inseparable. Before our conversation began, three young children saw the dogs and rushed over to begin petting and hugging them. Jake and Emerson remained calm and enjoyed the attention.

During the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013, two pressure cooker bombs exploded at 2:49 p.m. killing 3 people and injuring 264 others. The bombs exploded about 13 seconds and 210 yards apart, near the finish line on Boylston Street. When the Boston bombing news came out, something prompted Dan to go there. It wasn’t a deliberate decision—more of an inner spiritual awareness. He didn’t have the money or the right car to go there. His Saturn had 277,000 miles on it so he didn’t trust that he and the dogs would get to Boston.

Within fifteen minutes of his decision, a sponsor stepped forward and gave him a hundred dollars. In the afternoon, a pet store gave the dogs a complementary grooming. In the evening of the same day, church members took an offering for the trip. After the first day of making the decision, Dan had enough money to begin the trip. He rented a small car, and on April 21 at 3 a.m., he left for Boston not knowing how or when he would arrive.

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The northern route where Dan was driving had snow in Colorado plus floods in Illinois. He stayed an extra day in Grand Junction, CO. Then, he said, similar to the story of the Red Sea, the roads all opened and were clear. Eight days after leaving San Luis, he arrived in Boston 3,300 miles one-way. Although the car was small, he and the dogs fit in. Jake and Emerson enjoy traveling.

When he arrived in Boston he got lost but found his way to the Memorial center established after the bombing. He received two parking tickets. The first night Dan and the dogs spent in the car. Then he was able to find a hotel that allowed dogs. He went to the City Clerk to address the situation of the tickets. After a supervisor got him an immediate hearing they dismissed the tickets. As Dan was exiting the building, he was called back in.

The supervisor introduced him to her boss who had run the Boston Marathon and finished eight minutes prior to the bombing and viewed all the carnage. As he spoke with her both dogs went up to her sitting on each side and looked up into her face. She was very touched and teary eyed.

Most of the therapy, by the dogs, was done in the street by the restaurant that was located by the bombing site. There were many people who were close enough to that site to be affected. People were walking around looking very sad and as soon as the dogs came around their whole attitude changed to one of joy and comfort from their presence.

His plan was to leave Boston to return to California, but since he was in the east, he wanted to visit Danbury, Conn where he grew up. Dan was side-tracked to Newtown, Conn where a tragedy had just occurred. On December 14, 2012, a 20-year-old man fatally shot twenty children and six adult staff members in a mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary School in the village of Sandy Hook in Newtown, Conn.

Dan was able to take Jake and Emerson to visit the middle school. The kids were overjoyed to see the dogs.

He came back to San Luis Obispo only to find out about the tornadoes in Texas and Oklahoma. A series of spring tornadoes in Texas and Oklahoma left many communities devastated. One of the tornadoes struck a community in the Granbury area of Texas, where up to 120 homes were damaged or destroyed. He set out with Jake and Emerson once again to offer comfort to people who were suffering from profound losses in both Oklahoma and Texas. It was very tiring but rewarding to see people’s lives so touched. In Granbury, he ended up arriving at the local hospital. He was invited to go to the ER section where Jake and Emerson did therapy with the entire ER staff.

Dan is in the process of beginning a group called Golden Missions of California (SLO) that will further the use of therapy dogs for a variety of situations.

NEW TO TOWN?

Get your free welcome packet!

It includes maps, civic info, coupons from cafes, groceries, wineries, auto hardware, garden, medical, dental, etc.

Liz Hiatt

Call your greeter or go to centralcoastwelcome.com

Owner

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SLO and Avila: Liz Hiatt 773-6418

773-6418

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A FREE SERVICE TO NEWCOMERS

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PEOPLE

Justice kenneth andreen (Retired? I don’t think so.)

By Dottie Thompson

I

t’s been 61 years since Ken Andreen passed the California Bar, and he’s still putting in a good day’s work, helping out behind the scenes in Superior Court here in San Luis Obispo. My acquaintanceship with him spans 38 of those years. I had completed a court reporting course in Santa Barbara in May of 1975 and was so desperate for a job that I went to Fresno to be interviewed by him. He was so desperate for a court reporter that he hired me.

A few years ago, I said to him, “You only interviewed me for about five minutes before you hired me.”

He quickly replied, “Yeah, and if I’d had ten, I probably wouldn’t have.”

Before reporting for duty the first day, I worried about how I would relate to a boss who wore a robe, sat high on a bench in a somber court of law and issued orders that affected peoples’ lives. As I walked down the back hallway of the courthouse, I saw him approaching in his stocking feet. When we got closer, I noticed there was a hole in one of his socks.

From that moment on, I’ve felt comfortable around him.

Governor Edmund “Pat” Brown in 1959 appointed Andreen to the Fresno Municipal Court at the tender age of 34, one of the youngest judges in the state at that time. While he would have preferred staying in private practice for a few more years, he felt he had better seize the opportunity when it presented himself. Why private practice? That’s where the money is made, not on the bench.

He was elevated to Fresno Superior Court four years later, and in 1980, Governor Jerry Brown appointed him to the Fifth District Court of Appeal in Fresno, where he served until 1985. After “retirement,” he practiced civil law in Fresno.

Ken and Patty Andreen

I received a call from Justice Andreen in 1992 while I was working at the Superior Court in San Luis Obispo. (I had fulfilled my dream of returning to the coast in 1985.) He said that he and his wife Patty and their little girl, Ally, wanted to spend a few days over here, and wondered if I could recommend a place to stay. I thought they might enjoy a B&B in Los Osos, because it is so off the beaten path. They fell in love with the area and bought a house that weekend.

Soon afterwards, two local judges showed me a letter they had received from Justice Andreen offering to volunteer his services, and wanted to know what I thought of him. I gave him a glowing recommendation, and he ended up serving seven years as a “temporary” judge. I tell him I helped him get the job, which assuages my feeling a debt of gratitude for his putting up with me as a novice court reporter.

After service on the Court of Appeal, he really enjoyed being a courtroom judge and working with attorneys again. I remember in the Fresno days he’d sometimes call a new lawyer back to chambers to give him advice on how he might have improved upon his performance. During that time, he liked the role of teacher to new judges at the Judicial College at the University of California, Berkeley.

That carried over in the unique manner he conducted jury trials, too.

Before the trial started, he helped the jury understand the elements of the crime so that they knew what they would be asked to decide on the verdict. At the end of the trial, he’d often go to the blackboard and outline the elements in more simple language than the formalized instructions.

It seemed to me that our juries came back with swifter verdicts, and I had to read testimony back to them less often than in other courtrooms.

When the local bench no longer had a vacancy, Justice Andreen started taking assignments around the state until last year, when his family

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PEOPLE bring about innovations in the administration of justice. He also played a role in desegregation efforts among Fresno employers.

He has always been physically active, running, skiing, fishing, backpacking in the Sierras, flying airplanes. He has had to give up these activities one by one, but took up bicycle riding to compensate. Last year, though, he suffered a bad fall and had to stop that as well.

Now his leisure hours are spent reading, going to concerts and movies, Rotary Club, and family.

Andreen as a young Judge

convinced him it was time to hang up his robe. But did he just sit around? No, he volunteered to help the San Luis Obispo Court with writs, which are important administrative law review matters. A recent case he handled involved over 4,100 pages of records.

He has seen many changes in the law since graduating from Hastings (where he was awarded the Order of the Coif for academic excellence). Among them are no-fault divorce, civil discovery, Miranda rights and search and seizure statutes. Paternity cases used to be difficult to decide. Blood tests would be ordered, but the results were basically useless, giving a certain percentage of probability that the respondent was the father. One of his colleagues on the bench didn’t bother with them.

He believed that paternity could be decided by looking at the parties’ feet. Now with DNA testing, there is little room for doubt.

Never a passive participant, Andreen sat on several statewide committees and helped

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His wife Patty also leads an active life. She is a past President of the San Luis Coastal Unified School District and practices school law part time for the law firm of Lozano and Smith.

The two older Andreen children, Kristi and Craig, reside in Fresno, and Ally Andreen is in her second year at Chapman University School of Law, attending on a full scholarship.

On September 19, Justice Andreen was honored by the San Luis Obispo Bar Association at their luncheon at the Madonna Inn.

HOW WILL I BE NOTIFIED IN AN EMERGENCY?

Knowing the ways you may be notified in an emergency is a key step to being prepared

backup should these systems be unavailable.

Although land-line telephones are automati-

when a disaster strikes. In San Luis Obispo County, local officials will utilize different public alert and notification systems based on the type and severity of the emergency.

cally included in the system, Voice over IP and cellular telephones need to be registered with the Reverse 911 system. These systems can be used for any local emergency.

Some of the options available include the Early Warning System sirens, the Emergency Alert System, and Reverse 911.

Should an emergency occur at Diablo Can-

Following notification of an emergency, it is important to stay tuned to local radio and television stations to receive current information about any actions you may need to take.

To register for Reverse 911 or for more

yon, the siren system and the Emergency Alert System would be the primary method of public alert and notification. These systems provide rapid and consistent information throughout the Emergency Planning Zone. The Reverse

information on how you can be kept informed of local emergencies, please visit: www.slocounty.ca.gov/oes or call (805) 781-5011.

911 system could be used as a supplement or OUR PUBLIC ALERT AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS MAY BE USED FOR ANY LOCAL EMERGENCY

TSUNAMI/FLOOD

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Andreen dancing with his daughter, Ally, on Halloween O C T O B E R

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PEOPLE competitive pay. We also encourage creativity and offer extensive leadership training,” Aaron Steed said. The results speak for themselves: the key players, like the General Manager, the Orange County Manager and the Quality Assurance Manager in Camarillo have been with Meathead Movers for many years.

Aaron steed: “give it all you’ve got”

By Natasha Dalton

“We realize that for the majority of our employees, working for us is a temporary episode in their lives. Most of them are destined to do bigger and greater things in the future. Regardless, our core belief is that there’s nothing more important to us than to do right by our employees, and our customers,” Aaron Steed said. “We want them to see us as the safest, friendliest and the most ethical choice.”

“It’s been thoroughly inspiring over the past sixteen years to see Aaron Steed bring his vision to reality.”

—A. Cantrell (teacher, coach) Aaron Steed got a lot of media attention after his trip to the White House. In 2011 Steed was among the 100 young businessmen in the nation who were honored at the first ever The Empact100 Recognition celebration—an event dubbed as “the Academy Awards of Entrepreneurship.”

For 30-year-old Aaron Steed that whole event was “surprising, humbling, inspiring, and incredibly rewarding. The ceremony was streamed live on the White House website, and I especially enjoyed overhearing my employees bragging about it and our company,” Mr. Steed said upon return. “It helped us with reaching out to new customers and with our recruitment efforts.”

But even before Mr. Steed’s trip to Washington D.C. and the media blitz that followed, his company, Meathead Movers, was already making headlines—and not just locally.

Meathead Movers has been named the #1 Moving Company by SLO County’s New Times, Santa Maria Valley’s Sun, Ventura County Star; and even the LA Daily News.

After being featured in some major media outlets, like Forbes, Fox Business News, and MSNBC, the company drew national attention.

High school and college students are often asked by friends and family to help with various odd jobs that require ‘muscle power.’ But Aaron and his brother Evan found a way to move beyond “$20 and a pizza” in exchange for their sweat equity, and build a company that would become a real asset to the community.

Following through on these principles has been paying off, and the business has been growing. The enterprise that started with 2 brothers relying on their customers’ transportation is now the largest independent moving company in the state. Today, Meathead Movers has more than 30 vehicles, over 200 employees, and 3 offices that handle more than 5,000 moves annually. Now they’re eyeing other affluent university towns with the idea of further expansion.

Aaron Steed and his brother, Evan

The success of their business model is tied to the uniqueness of the company’s workforce, which consists, for the most part, of student athletes. The company’s commitment to work around athletes’ busy schedules is a good enough recruitment tool for students looking for a job. Add to that an on-site fitness facility, computer lab, transportation assistance, and opportunities for professional growth, and the appeal of the Meathead Movers among jobseekers becomes easy to understand.

As for the company’s patrons, they appreciate the fact that—whenever possible—the movers are encouraged to jog on the job, (but not with your precious antiques in hands!). In a business where the customer pays by the hour, it’s an unusual, but definitely an attractive feature.

“To those who have full-time jobs with us, we offer a solid 401(K), paid vacation and very

“He brought that same tenacity to his business. He’s a philanthropist, especially in the area of youth sports.

He makes us all better by his contagious example.”

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Besides good management skills, these numbers reveal the story of personal growth.

Hard times can either break or make a person, and in the case of Aaron Steed, challenges only strengthened his commitment to his company and his principles.

Steed was only 20 when Meathead Movers was hit with a huge jump in worker compensation payments that threatened the company’s future.

“We didn’t have rich parents or any other safety net,” Steed said, recalling the stressful year of 2000. Yet, the company was able to ‘maneuver through this difficult time,’ and persevered.

Another bump on the road happened in 2007: as the banking industry began to quiver, Meathead Movers’ line of credit was cut.

This couldn’t have happened at a worse time: the funds were withheld when the company had just expanded its office, and was preparing for its busiest season.

“I’m very frugal personally, and we try to be prudent with our cash flow management.

We’ve always lived below our means, investing back into our business—and we were able to survive,” Steed said.

They did more than just survive. Meathead Movers emerged from the crisis stronger than ever, and the last two years have been their best on record. With the company’s current 44% growth rate, it hit $5.7M in rev-

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enue in 2012, and is projected to post $8.5M in revenue in 2013.

With all this success, some well-wishers began to talk about franchising. But Steed isn’t in a hurry to ‘milk’ his business.

“We want to see where we can take this company. We try to be creative,” Mr. Steed said. “Right from the start we always focused on compelling reasons for being in business, and on having a unique business model—rather than just simply existing.”

And here are just some of the latest developments: the company that started as a local agent can now move you state-wide. It has offices in Camarillo and Los Angeles, and is working towards opening an office in Orange County.

By popular demand, Meathead Movers incorporated a sister company Princess Packers—a brainchild of Aaron’s wife Erin. “At first, we were just lifting heavy furniture, but as the quality of our services improved, people began to ask for packers,” Steed said. Princesses sprang to life as a response to these requests.

$300K price reduction! Country Estate Living–250 Foxen Bluff Dr. Arroyo Grande. Fabulous 5-acre gated estate offers two residences in a desirable neighborhood of executive-style homes. The main residence has 4 bedrooms, 4 baths and a 3 car attached garage, built in 2005. With approximately 4400 square feet, the great single level floor plan features a formal living & dining room plus an impressive open kitchen & family room, with hand-scraped hardwood floors. The kitchen has top of the line Viking appliances, a 6-burner range, wine refrigerator & granite counters. The 4th bedroom is actually an attached guest suite with a living room, bedroom and bath, and a separate entrance. The views of the surrounding hills are beautiful. The 2nd residence is a charming detached 1 bedroom, 1 bath, approx 1200 sq ft casita, with a 2-car attached garage and separate gated driveway. It is currently rented with a 6 month lease at $1800/month. Asking $1,950,000.

Another addition is a chain of storage units—a useful and timely service with great potential.

“I remember first meeting Aaron when he was a fiercely competitive athlete at San Luis High,” said Aaron Cantrell, Steed’s former wrestling coach. “He brought that same tenacity to his business. He’s a philanthropist, especially in the area of youth sports. He makes us all better by his contagious example.”

Meathead Movers donate a dollar to their Cinderella Fund for every box packed by Princesses—and their charity contributions are counted in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Just recently the company donated $35,000 to the SLO Police Department, asking it “to use the money at its discretion for the needs of at-risk youth.”

22105 J St, Santa Margarita–Open floor plan, spacious and plenty of natural light. Newer engineered hardwood flooring in main living area & master bedroom. Kitchen has granite tile countertops & Stainless Steel appliances. Porcelain tile floors in both bathrooms.

Inviting front yard w/ perennials, rose bushes, lilac shrubs & a pistachio tree. Beautiful views of Santa Margarita ranch from large back yard. Just seven minutes from downtown San Luis Obispo. Asking $409,000.

“We work hard, have fun, and serve our community by providing premium moving services, as well as assisting victims of domestic violence with a fresh start in life,” reads Steed’s statement on LinkedIn. For those who are thinking about starting a business, Steed’s word of advice is: “Do it. If you have this entrepreneurial drive in you, it’s going to haunt you until you find something that gets you going,” he said.

“So, go for it. The sooner you start, the better off you’ll be: it’s easier to stay focused on your business when you don’t have the demands of a serious relationship, or children to raise, or mortgages to pay. You just need to believe in what you’re doing, and give it all you’ve got.”

Newer modular home in Chumash Village which is a 55+ community where you own the land! Fix your costs of living in this clean, sunny 1993 double wide 2 bedroom 2 bath coach with a private deck off the master bedroom and an extra enclosed porch in rear ideal for storage or hobby room. Roomy floor plan with vaulted ceilings, updated kitchen with a breakfast bar and an indoor laundry room are just some of the nice features. The master bed has an attached private bath with soaker tub and large vanity. Asking $229,000.

Johnny Hough Owner / Broker

(805) 801-5063

johnny@realestategroup.com 962 Mill Street, SLO See more listings at www.realestategroup.com

Aaron with Chuy from the Chelsea Lately Show O C T O B E R

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The “new’ Point San Luis Lighthouse

By David Congalton, Photos by Lance Kinney

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the fifteen-minute ride out to the historic Point San Luis Lighthouse.

The couple exchanged vows on the side porch of the Headkeeper’s quarters, then hosted an intimate reception in the property’s newly refurbished duplex as a trio of whales cavorted nearby in the ocean, entertaining the guests. Martha Stewart could not have topped this.

So on the most perfect of Sunday mornings last July, the couple, who met on an ocean cruise, and their invited guests arrived in Avila Beach and stepped aboard “Lucy,” a spiffy red-and-green trolley, for

The Baez-Ward wedding, the third such event held at the Lighthouse in 2013, reflects the “new” Point San Luis Lighthouse, a vision shaped by staff, board members, and volunteers during the last 18 years and the estimated 70,000 hours of labor it took to restore the facility.

an Baez of Arroyo Grande and Malcolm Ward of Dorset, England knew they wanted to be married and spend the rest of their lives together—that was the easy part. The challenge was to find that special wedding spot on the Central Coast, off the beaten path, where friends and family could gather. Baez and Ward decided to celebrate their future by taking a step back into the past.

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New duplex with kitchen for special events

The Lighthouse lens

year round every Wednesday at noon and Saturdays at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children 3 to 12.

Admission is free for children under 3. Special group tours are also available. Reservations can be made by calling 1-855-533-7843.

PG&E, which owns the surrounding property, offers docent-led hikes along the scenic Pecho Coast Trail starting near the front gate to Diablo Canyon Power Plant on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The hike, just under four miles roundtrip, is free, though a $5 fee is requested from those hikers wishing to tour the Lighthouse. Reservations are available online at www.pge.com/recreation.

The more adventurous visitor can reach the Lighthouse through a special kayaking excursion offered through Paddlesports of Avila Beach. Details can be found at www. avilabeachpaddlesports.com.

Kristi Balzer serves as executive director of the Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers, the local nonprofit responsible for the restoration and maintenance of the 30-acre site, tucked away from public view less than two miles from the entrance to the Diablo Canyon Power Plant.

“This has been an amazing year for us,” says Balzer. “We finished the restoration, started up weddings, added tours, developed a new web site and Facebook page. There’s new signage. New restrooms. A new phone reservation system. More items in the gift shop.

Our duplex has a functional kitchen, so it’s perfect for weddings or other special events.

There’s definitely a lot happening.”

PG&E meteorologist John Lindsey is the newly-elected board president of the Lighthouse Keepers, taking over from attorney Stew Jenkins. Lindsey gives kudos to Balzer, fellow board members, and scores of volunteers for their hard work in restoring a facility that was officially abandoned by the Coast Guard in 1974, a spot Lindsey calls “a true hidden gem of the Central Coast.”

Perhaps the best way to spend time at the Point San Luis Lighthouse is to become a docent and assist in the increasingly popular tours and special events. “We’re always looking for volunteers,” Balzer says. “The more docents we have, the more tours we can consider. We really do have a fascinating story to tell visitors.”

There is always work to be done. Lindsey is particularly interested in the plan hatched by the Lighthouse Keepers and the Port San Luis Harbor Commission to bring students out to the Lighthouse as part of the fourthgrade California history curriculum.

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“I’m thrilled by the idea,” Lindsey says. “Field trips make history come alive. For all students, especially those in underserved communities, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about our rich and diverse history.”

Meanwhile, staff and volunteers are busy getting ready for the 3rd Annual Haunted Lighthouse, coming up on Saturday, October 26. Visitors will have the chance to enjoy what Balzer calls “our all-out creepy, crawly Light Station,” complete with ghosts, ghouls, and even zombies wandering the property.

Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children (not recommended for tots under 6).

An evening event, featuring a Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, performed by the Pioneer Valley High School Players, is also scheduled. Tickets are $80 per person, and includes a special four-course Halloween dinner prior to the show.

Reservations for either Halloween event can be made by calling 1-855-533-7843.

For more information about the Point San Luis Lighthouse, visit www.sanluislighthouse.org.

P. S. Jan Baez-Ward and Malcolm Ward recently returned from their honeymoon Alaskan cruise (this is a couple drawn to water). Asked about their wedding, the new bride didn’t hesitate. “The day was so magical. Malcolm and I could not have found a better spot for our wedding. We’re delighted we chose the Lighthouse. What wonderful memories we’ll have.”

“We finished the restoration, started up weddings, added tours, developed a new website and facebook page.”

Come see our new elegant horseshoe style bar/lounge and banquet room.

However, some would say that the Point San Luis Lighthouse is too hidden, too inaccessible, for the tourists who flock daily to Avila Beach. Balzer understands the concern.

Upper Crust has been serving fresh Mediterranean cuisine in San Luis Obispo for over 22 years.

“I think sometimes visitors are disappointed to find out that they can’t just show up on their own schedule and take a tour,” Balzer said. “But we’ve worked very hard to make the Lighthouse accessible for both individuals and groups.”

Mon–Thurs 11am-9pm • Fri–Sat 11am-9:30pm Sunday 11:30am-9pm

Docent-led tours, including the trolley ride along the narrow, winding road, are available

11560 Los Osos Valley Road, SLO (805) 542-0400

Happy Hour: 3–6pm Monday – Friday

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mortgage facts & fiction unraveling the myths of the mortgage maze

By Roxanne Carr

T

he VA home loan is a little jewel in the mortgage world. Often misunderstood and frequently not used to its best advantage, it may be hard to believe it has been out there since Congressional action in 1944. “Government loans” are complicated, as are most mortgages, by the depth of regulations surrounding them and the additional restrictions or costs imposed by investors. However, they should never be overlooked, especially for firsttime homebuyers or applicants with some credit or income issues or minimal down payment funds. This financing can be a phenomenal choice for qualified veterans ... probably the only zero down payment mortgage left. There is no monthly mortgage insurance, only a onetime “funding fee,” usually rolled into the new mortgage, which I consider a small price to pay for no down payment.

Briefly, a veteran is eligible for VA home loan benefits if he or she served on active duty in the Armed Services after 09/15/1940 through 09/07/1980 and was discharged other than dishonorably for either 90 days, any part occurring during wartime, or 181 continuous days peacetime. A greater length of service is required for veterans whose service began after 09/07/1980 or who entered service as an officer after 10/16/1981—24 continuous months of active duty, or the full period for which they were called to active duty, but not less than 90 days with any part during wartime or 181 continuous days peacetime. There are other entitled

persons, including National Guard members for six years and some eligible spouses.

VA does not make the home loans. It guarantees a portion of them to encourage lenders to make them at these favorable terms. Congress sets the VA eligibility and this, in effect, can take the place of a down payment. Mortgage lenders are authorized, based on experience and history, to underwrite and approve all transactions, with a few minor exceptions.

There are no minimum credit scores and no maximum loan amounts, except those imposed by lenders and the secondary market. The VA does not set a maximum loan amount, but does impose a limit on the amount it will guarantee, and this number varies by county locations and their median home prices. A person can get a loan above the maximum with a combination of their guaranty plus a down payment to equal 25%. In fact, using VA eligibility plus cash can often be a sensible tool for structuring financing. This method also applies when a veteran only has a partial remaining eligibility and wishes to purchase with a VA loan again. Many veterans do not know they may use their entitlement more than once. Full entitlement is not always needed, though that previously used can be restored when the home with the original VA loan was sold or the loan was assumed by another buyer.

Other advantages?

• VA guidelines are very liberal in what is allowed for seller contributions for closing costs and quite restrictive on what can be charged to the veteran.

•The veteran does not have to be a first-time homebuyer.

•It is one of the rare fixed-rate loans that can be assumed by a qualified buyer, with full release of liability for the original mortgagor.

•VA loans also have a “streamline refinance” feature, allowing borrowers to refinance into a lower rate, often with no appraisal (greatly helping borrowers who may be “under water” in value versus debt).

•Qualifying guidelines are generous—a “back end” ratio of 41% is suggested, but lenders are given authority to review the net residual income of the person or family, and this can take the ratios even into the 50s.

Amazingly, even though most VA loans are closed with a zero down payment and the credit standards are very flexible, the delinquency performance of these loans is better than almost all other categories. It is often said this is caused by the VA-initiated techniques urging loan servicers to act as advocates for the VA borrowers, doing whatever might be possible to help our veterans stay in their homes. Do talk with a qualified mortgage professional experienced in government lending for additional information.

Copyright © 2013 Roxanne Carr Roxanne Carr is division president of The Mortgage House, Inc. She has over 35 years’ experience in the mortgage banking industry. This article is a forum to explore real estate principles. It is not intended to provide tax, legal, insurance or investment advice and should not be relied upon for any of these purposes. NMLS #270842. CA DRE License #01199120. Licensed by the DBO under the CA Res. Mortgage Lending Act – License #4130097, NMLS #37660

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north america’s newest park

the pinnacles

By Chuck Graham

A

large shadow fell over my wife Lori and me while scrambling through the high peaks of Pinnacles National Park. We expected to see white puffy clouds passing overhead. Instead it was a pair of endangered California condors soaring in the early morning thermal updrafts.

We’d lit out before sunup to catch the sunrise warming the tallest columns of rock formations. Gradual switchbacks on the High Peaks Trail ascended above a treeline of sycamores, digger pines, canyon live oaks and manzanita and the many riparian corridors below. After meandering through several lush, sweeping mead-

ows, we hiked to a clearing for our first jaw-dropping views of the stunning pinnacles.

After about 1,200 feet in elevation gain we were hiking between the steepest and narrowest pinnacles when we saw several condors soaring above and below us. Several others were perched on gritty crags sunning their black velvety feathers, their broad wings open while soaking in a new day.

Pinnacles National Park, North America’s newest park (as of December 30, 2012) and California’s ninth, isn’t the largest at only 26,606 acres, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for with otherworldly geological for-

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mations, high densities of unique wildlife, numerous rock climbing routes and over 30 miles of cool day hikes on well-maintained trails. The hike to North Chalone Peak is the highest summit in the park at 3,304 feet.

Deemed a National Monument by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1908, Pinnacles is situated in the chaparral-cloaked Gabilan Mountains in the Salinas Valley of Monterey County in Central California, straddling the San Andreas Fault.

Massive monoliths, craggy skyward spires, sheer-walled canyons and talus passages define millions of years of erosion, faulting and tectonic plate activity. Created by the eruption of the Neenach Volcano 23 million years ago, rock hounds will enjoy these astounding geological wonders including its dark, dank talus grottos housing 14 of California’s 23 species of bats. Best bet for spotting bats are the Bear Gulch and Balconies Caves. Large scale earth movement created the talus caves. Those deep, narrow gorges and shear fractures were transformed into caves by large chunks of rock falling from above and wedging into the cracks leaving open grottos below. During wet winters the caves may flood and a flashlight is required.

Seismic activity is frequent in the park and United States Geological Survey maintains two seismometers within the boundaries. Evidence of past and ongoing seismic activity can be seen in offset streams where they cross faults. Valley bottoms and terraces show signs of uplift.

Since 2003 Pinnacles has been a strategic launching pad for captive-bred California condors. There are now 32 of these free-

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flying raptors in the park. The best place to catch a glimpse of North America’s largest flying land bird is in the High Peaks region either early in the morning or late in the afternoon, soaring in the thermal updrafts year-round. Pinnacles National Park also hosts an astounding 400 species of bees, and one of the highest densities of prairie falcons in North America. Peregrine falcons have recently returned to breed in the park. In all, 160 species of birds have been recorded at Pinnacles. Mule deer, bobcats, mountain lions and coyotes are also found within park boundaries.

The Hike: Light out on the High Peaks Loop Trail (9.3 miles roundtrip) located in the eastern fringe of the park crisscrossing streams and rolling hills, spelunking talus caves, exploring riparian canyons and scrambling through the curious column-shaped rock formations that gives Pinnacles its name. Get an early start, bring plenty of water, and a pair of binoculars to not only scope out condors, but also turkey vultures, prairie falcons and other wildlife found throughout the park.

Directions: There is no through road linking the east and west entrance of Pinnacles. From San Luis Obispo, take Highway 101 north to King City. From there take the G13 to Highway 25 to access the east entrance. To access the west entrance, continue north on Highway 101 past King City to the town of Soledad, then head east on Highway 146 for 14 miles to the entrance. For more information, go to www.nps.gov/pinn. Camping is only allowed via the east entrance.

For camping reservations, go to www.recreation.gov. There’s a $5.00 entry fee that is good for 7 days in the park.

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at the market NUT BUTTER...

FRESH FROM YOUR OWN KITCHEN

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By Sarah Hedger

ew things beat the beauty of Fall on the Central Coast. With the abundance of produce available, as well as the changing colors of the flora on the hills, and in the valleys, it is a stunning time of year. There is no question Fall is a personal favorite as I am an apple fan like no other. And, lucky for me, the number of amazingly delicious heirloom varieties making resurgence is on the rise! That said, pumpkins and winter squash begin to be available, as well as persimmons, pomegranates, figs, pears, grapes, kiwi, and quince, just to name a few.

One thing often overlooked as far as seasonal availability are nuts.

Fall is nut season! We are fortunate to have an abundance of nuts to choose from as most are prolific in our climate. Anyone who has traveled to other parts of the world will quickly realize how expensive nuts can be, so we are quite fortunate to have them as an affordable healthy resource. Recently, I have been more conscious of the endless goodness nuts offer our health and have been finding ways to incorporate them in new ways. While nuts are often clumped together in

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one category, which unfortunately was also the ‘fat’ category that had a bad reputation for a while regardless of the importance of good fats (and recent research supporting their benefits), each nut has their own unique qualities and flavors they bring to the table (literally!).

Thus, October brings the availability of local nuts including walnuts, almonds, pecans, pistachios, hazelnuts, and chestnuts. That is an abundance of nuts! When I was young I remember not being a fan of most nuts as they all seemed to have a bitter quality to them. Once I tried a somewhat fresh nut, sans bitterness, I realized how amazing they really are. While we know nuts do go rancid rather quickly, I remember I used to get frustrated with the skinning process of hazelnuts because the skin never came off as easily as described in recipes. Then I realized the store was selling old nuts and as soon as I began purchasing fresher nuts from a different source, the skins easily peeled off, virtually on their own, when toasted. Most nuts themselves are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (Omega 3’s), while being low in saturated fats. They also are high in beneficial fiber, Vitamins B and E, as well as potassium, magnesium, and additional antioxidants, making them a nutritional powerhouse in their own right!

While there seems to be some great new offerings in the world of nut butters on the store shelves, nothing beats making it fresh in your own kitchen, especially with fresh, local nuts. I recently took some inspiration from a store bought peanut butter, which added healthy coconut oil instead of the overused (and terribly unhealthy) transfats. My favorite combination of late has been a nut butter consisting of hazelnuts, almonds, brazil nuts, and sunflower seeds. It’s a simple process and highly rewarding as the taste is out of this world! It also pairs amazingly well with all the apples in season…

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THE NEW NUT BUTTER 1 ½ cups of your favorite organic/spray free/local nuts (any combination of hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, and sunflower seeds, etc.)

1/3 cup organic ground flax or (whole) chia seeds ½ cup good quality coconut oil ½ tsp sea salt 1 T good local honey Place nuts on baking sheet in a preheated 400 degree oven for 20 minutes, or until they begin to smell a bit toasted, slightly golden, and skins beginning to peel away. Simultaneously, slowly melt coconut oil, salt, and honey until just melted in a small pan on the stove. Remove from heat. Place nuts in your highest horsepower food processor and blend for a few minutes as they take this long for their natural oils to release for a ‘smoother’ nut butter. Slowly add oil/honey mixture with processor on, stopping intermittently to scrape sides and reincorporate. Taste, and feel free to add more salt or honey for your taste. Enjoy on toast, apples, carrots, or on even on its own.

Find this recipe and more seasonal inspiration at http://www. seasonalalchemist.com

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HOME/OUTDOOR

slo county art scene

Cuesta’s founding fathers

By Gordon Fuglie room.” Art scenes really get a leg up when they have community institutions equipped for the sustained teaching of serious artmaking to interested students. I’m speaking of the California community college system, and for me this is personal.

As an unformed aspiring teen-age artist, my first encounter with the demands and rewards of art took place at Orange Coast College (Costa Mesa) more years ago than I want to acknowledge. Decades later, at a meeting at SLO’s Cuesta College including art department chair Margaret Korishelli, it turned out that every one of the art veterans gathered around the table were launched into their careers through the fine arts curricula at California’s community colleges.

Chet Amyx

W

hat makes for an art scene? To start, a critical mass of forward-looking artists making and showing their work, and mutually encouraging each other. Next comes an exhibition space, a dedicated gallery. In emerging art scenes, artists often start galleries, sometimes as co-ops. As the art scene matures, serious entrepreneurial art lovers step in to establish galleries, taking the burden off the shoulders of artists, who should be spending time in their studios. Galleries need visitors, among them those who will set aside discretionary income or make sacrifices to purchase art: collectors. Galleries (and their gallerists) educate visitors and collectors, encouraging art patronage and further interest. The press has a critical role to play, too. Art writers with knowledge of art history and contemporary art help the public engage with serious work. Ideally, the art scene would bring forth an art critic or two, an honest voice answering back to the art in the gallery(ies)—keeping artists honest and sparking thoughtful dialogue.

By now you’ve probably noticed I’ve left out the proverbial “elephant in the corner of the O C T O B E R

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This Fall Cuesta College, as part of the school’s 50th anniversary, art instructor/ gallery director/artist David Prochaska organized three exhibitions of the original “three musketeers” who built and advanced the art department in the 1960s and early 1970s. The inaugural exhibition featured Chet Amyx, the first art faculty hired in 1965, a decade when California was ambitiously expanding the community college system. His show ran through midSeptember. Amyx, who came to Cuesta from teaching high school and college art in Bakersfield, eventually served as art division chair, retiring in 1993. He lives in Morro Bay where he continues to make art.

Amyx’s career embodies the pioneering and questing spirit, the open horizons of the 1960s art world when everything seemed possible in a brand new art department. This continued throughout his career. When I visited his exhibition at the Cuesta gallery I remarked to him that his retrospective looked like the work of four different artists.

On display were Goya-esque graphic works depicting the poultry markets in Florence, Italy (where the artist held a fellowship in the 1970s); sculpted, multi-planed, minimal blanched canvases employing “optical bands” of color reflections; “shrines” embedded with a single found object, glowing iconically

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Barry Frantz

between two white fields; and a series of watercolors chronicling his art sojourns via bicycle along rural Turri Road. Whatever the approach, a sense of joy permeates Amyx’s work (see www.amyxart.com).

Fresh from graduate school at San Jose State, Barry Frantz joined Amyx in 1967 to head up the 3-D/sculpture curriculum and establish a foundry, an amazing investment for a community college art department.

Fascinated by the arts of Asia, Frantz, while not trained as an art historian, stepped into the breach nonetheless, organizing and teaching a non-Western art history class.

Bob Pelfrey

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Barry Frantz art

The second of Cuesta’s three exhibits, Frantz’s art will be on display through October 4.

Born in Empire, a small agricultural town in the San Joaquin Valley, Frantz early on was curious about the wider world of art, literature, and Asian philosophy. He studied ceramics at Modesto Junior College and shortly thereafter traveled to Europe, briefly apprenticing to a German ceramist. Frantz firmed up his vocation by completing his studies and then teaching at San Jose State, then one of the most dynamic art schools in Northern California.

While establishing the Cuesta art department, he discovered that he really loved teaching and enjoyed exploring multiple media with his students. Like Amyx, Frantz served as division chair, retiring in 2001 after 34 years of service.

Frantz’s work shows his wide-ranging intellectual curiosity and interests. His ceramics are figurative and historically themed, reflecting trends at San Jose State in the 1960s. Other works show the influence of the geometrics and pure forms of minimal art. In all instances, there is a palpable love of materials and dedication to craft.

The last of the “three musketeers,” Southern Californian Bob Pelfrey, joined the fine arts faculty in 1972, after a short teaching stint in St. Louis. He brought his expertise in printmaking, then undergoing an enormous revival in the US. At Cuesta, Pelfrey set up a lab to do etching, silkscreen and lithography. In addition, he put his study of and love for art history into service, organizing of art appreciation and art history courses at Cuesta. He also taught beginning drawing classes, always the core of artistic practice.

Like his two colleagues, Pelfrey served as division chair, and eventually, was elected president of the faculty senate. After 31 years of

Bob Pelfrey art

service, Pelfrey retired in 2003, but continued to teach part time at the college until 2010.

During his long and fruitful tenure, Pelfrey’s students were privileged to know him as something of a theoretician. In the 1980s there was considerable debate about the parameters of artistic subject matter.

Pelfrey was prescient in his recognition that images and ideas from the mass media increasingly were crossing over into the fine arts, indeed, contributing to what we now know as postmodern art. His research led him to publish Art and Mass Media (Harper & Row) in 1986, a textbook that was in print for 10 years.

The philosophical and spiritual are key to Pelfrey’s art, especially the integration of “dream work” theories of psychologist Carl Jung. Among his recent gestural drawings in acrylic and charcoal, Overflowing Essence is a visual hymn to the “inner and outer abundance of life.” The piece is punctuated by numerous “emoticons” scattered across the picture plane. These are mass media facial symbols used in emails to suggest the emotional state of the sender. The emoticons are counterpointed by an array of oranges brightly haloed in yellow nimbuses—an orbed contrast between cyberspace and tactile fruit. At center is a large drawing of a human eye, a symbol of the psyche; we look in, and the psyche looks back at us. Pelfrey’s exhibit will take place Oct. 16 - 29, with a public reception on Oct. 16 from 4 to 7 pm.

The three exhibitions reveal the richness of the life and art of Cuesta’s three founding faculty. Less known is the enormous course loads in the early years of the fine art department. One spring semester, for example, Amyx taught seven courses, including drawing, 3-D design, painting, art appreciation and sculpture. It is this kind of hard work and a missional dedication to educating our community about the joys of art that should leave us brimming with gratitude.

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COMMUNITY

THE CARMEN PROJECT:

A City-Wide CelebrAtion of the ClAssiCAl Arts

by Kathryn bumpass

T An

operA in

four Acts by

GeorGes bizet

the cArmen project is A city-Wide Arts collAborAtion feAturinG: centrAl coAst children’s choir civic bAllet sAn luis obispo cuestA colleGe concert choir operA sAn luis obispo sAn luis obispo symphony stAGe director: ross hAlper conducted by: briAn Asher AlhAdeff operA sAn luis obispo Artistic

&

GenerAl director

sAturdAy october 12 – 7pm sundAy october 13 – 2pm

2 0 1 3

performinG Arts center sAn luis obispo (805) 756-4849 WWW.pAcslo.orG

To see The collaboraTive dream manifesT, plan To aTTend bizeT’s Carmen saTurday, ocTober 12 aT 7:00pm or sunday, ocTober 13 aT 2:00pm aT The performing arTs cenTer san luis obispo. TickeTs are $10 - $75 and are available for purchase 24/7 aT www.operaslo.org, or by phone Tuesday-saTurday, noon-6:00pm aT 756-4849.

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he Carmen Project is a major collaborative undertaking by classical performing arts groups in San Luis Obispo. Bizet’s opera Carmen, probably the most famous opera ever composed, requires more than just singing. A large and colorful orchestra, ballet dancers, a children’s chorus and large adult chorus are also essential parts of the production.

Dr. Brian Asher Alhadeff, artistic and general director of Opera San Luis Obispo, has assembled an impressive list of local groups for The Carmen Project that includes the San Luis Obispo Symphony, Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo, the Cuesta College Chorus and the Central Coast Children’s Choir.

Lead soloists hail from all over the United States including recent favorite tenor Ben Gulley, in the role of Don José.

Last April, Gulley successfully debuted in the role of Prince Tamino in OperaSLO and Cal Poly’s Co-Opera production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

The title role of Carmen will be played by mezzo-soprano Karen Mushegain, who made her debut in SLO last year when maestro Alhadeff recommended her to open Festival Mozaic’s 2012 season in a performance of Villa Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras No.5; Mushegain received an immediate standing ovation. Soprano Ciera Lambourn will sing the role of Micäela, and bass-baritone Isaac MusikAyala will sing the role of Escamillo.

The Carmen Project is more than a collaboration between arts organizations; it’s also a picture of SLO-life and civic arts support as well, says Alhadeff. “Los Osos artist David Kreitzer is behind the beautiful poster of Carmen. The original image is his glorious large watercolor entitled Carmen. Wedell Cellars winery has designated an entire barrel special release pinot noir from their Santa Rita Hills vineyard entitled the Carmen wine, also bearing the Kreitzer image.”

Carmen is a musical tale of romance, seduction, jealousy and violence, peopled by soldiers, cigarette girls, a bullfighter and his retinue, gypsies and bandits, as well as a sexy heroine and a corporal who is helplessly captivated by her. Carmen, as she tells us in her opening aria, the famous Habanera, is like a bird free to fly. She may love a man, but if he loves her, her love may vanish.

She successfully seduces the soldier Don José and causes him to desert the army, spend time in jail, and take up with her gypsy and bandit cohorts. Destroyed by his mad passion for Carmen, he flies into a jealous rage when she falls in love with the bullfighter Escamillo. You’ll have to buy a ticket to see how it all ends.

COMMUNITY The Carmen Project is so far the largest of three collaborations maestro Alhadeff has created for OperaSLO and the Central Coast. Over the last two years Alhadeff has set OperaSLO on a new path with a focus on large-scale partnerships between local arts groups yielding grand productions.

An ardent advocate of collaboration in the classical arts, Alhadeff says “opera is the Olympics of classical arts! It’s the only place where every performing arts group comes together at the same and on the same stage. Chorus, orchestra, ballet, soloist, acting, set design, and costume design are among the largest contributors, and, this is precisely why opera is so perfect for San Luis Obispo.

Here, our special community boasts several orchestras, choruses, dance companies, and a huge number of visual and textile artists! Our community clearly loves the arts and our ability to collaborate celebrates that support.

When we all hold hands and work together, creative forces mingle revealing new marketing strategies for successful performances outcomes – in essence, the planets align and produce extraordinary results.”

This visionary collaborative process began in early 2012 when Alhadeff joined forces with Jacalyn Kreitzer, the director of the Cal Poly Student Opera Theater Workshop to create “Co-Opera”, an annual spring production that pairs the professional resources of OperaSLO with Cal Poly’s vocal and instrumental students.

Kreitzer says “Co-Opera” gives students the chance to work side-by-side with OperaSLO’s internationally acclaimed soloists, chorus, and professional orchestra. They also learn stage management, set and costume design. And, Kreitzer notes, they experience “the rigors and challenges of preparing performances for a paying audience.”

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performance on a Sunday, and, both have never performed with a live orchestra!

Why not have the OperaSLO Orchestra accompany the ballets?” And thus was born a collaboration that immediately generated $50,000 for Central Coast orchestra musicians. And there was room for even more collaboration.

The Nutcracker calls for a chorus too, and Alhadeff successfully secured the participation of the Morro Bay High School Chorus with choir director Colleen Wall.

Drew Silvaggio, artistic director of Civic Ballet San Luis Obispo, had always dreamed of having an orchestra.

Alhadeff called the project the “work of two dreamers inspired by a community of dreamers on the Central Coast.” Along with Rodney Gustufson, artistic director of State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara, Alhadeff noted “we all took risks to depart from the status quo. We challenged our communities to believe in the potential this collaboration promised, in turn, our communities warmly and lovingly supported us with sold out houses.”

Alhadeff speaks to an audience in shell beach

When dreams come to life so tangibly, they create an especially important impression on children and parents.

“Collaborations of this magnitude send a critical message of validation to young people and parents: this is real, this is your community, if you practice hard and unleash your dreams, you can play with us too!” Alhadeff observed.

Alhadeff’s final passionate comment was “none of this would be possible without the tireless support and positive cheering of Sharon Dobson, and OperaSLO’s dream-team board of directors. It’s a great place to work. We dream together and make beautiful music…” Sharon Dobson was OperaSLO’s past executive director before taking on a full-time position at the PAC. She now serves as OperaSLO’s Board Treasurer.

“Co-opera offers the perfect bridge between education and the real world of arts while at the same time honoring Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing educational philosophy”, notes Alhadeff. “Co-Opera is a vital component of OperaSLO’s Opera in Education Program (OEP). OperaSLO has many education-focused donors and Co-Opera has successfully stimulated new interest and funding. It’s a very popular event for education minded donors to contribute towards.”

Alhadeff’s second collaboration was launched this past December in the world of ballet. “Back in December of 2011, shortly after I got the job with OperaSLO, I noticed a startling similarity between Civic Ballet San Luis Obispo and State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara: both companies perform The Nutcracker the same way on different December weekends, two performances on a Saturday, and one

Alhadeff meets with Carmen stage director ross halper and choreographer drew silvaggio

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COMMUNITY

2013 central coast railroad festival schedule of events October 10th-13th

By Curtis Reinhardt EXCURSIONS Oct. 10th: Three exciting Excursion packages offered on the vintage Silver Splendor Vista Dome Car! Various trips include David Holt & Robert Van Camp, rail history, wine tasting and gourmet meals. Various starting points.

Oct. 12th, 11am: Join Ballooney the Clown on a Family Excursion on the Pacific Surfliner between Grover Beach Amtrak Station and San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum.

Oct. 13th, 12:15pm: Wine Rail Excursion to D’Anbino and Pomar Junction wineries with light lunch, rail history, and a ride on the Coast Starlight between Paso and SLO. Starts at Paso Robles Amtrak Station.

Advance tickets are available now for all five excursions: www.ccrrf.com

MUSIC and FILM

Oct. 12th, 10:30am: L.A. folk singer Frankie Fuchs sings the songs of Woody Guthrie for train lovers of all ages. San Luis Obispo Library Oct. 12th, 11am – 1pm: The Central Coast Brass perform during the Opening Ceremony of the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum.

Oct. 12th, 2:30pm: Frankie Fuchs at Atascadero Branch Library.

Oct. 10th, 6 to 9pm: BanjerDan and Railroad Troubador Don Lampson. At SLO Farmers’ Market.

Oct. 12th, 1 to 4pm: BanjerDan entertains on the back platform of the SLO Railroad Museum.

Oct. 11th, 7:30pm: “Rhythm of the Railroads” This show will feature railroad songs and stories performed by David Holt as well as the screening of favorite railroad segments from the “Great Scenic Railway Journeys” popular PBS series. Series creator Robert Van Camp will also show a “Best Of” compilation of some of the most scenic railroad footage he has captured from all around the world as David plays some of his songs of the Album, “When The Train Comes Along.”

Robert and David will also talk about the series and answer audience questions. At SLO’s historic Fremont Theatre. $$ - advance tickets now available: www.ccrrf.com

Oct. 12th, 6:30pm: VIP meet and greet reception with David Holt and Robert Van Camp followed by a program from Robert entitled “Celebrating North America’s Tourist Railways and Museums” which is a film tribute to the men and women that help preserve and present our railroad heritage and keep it alive today for all to enjoy. SLO Masonic. $$ - advance tickets now available: www.ccrrf.com Oct. 12th, 8pm: “Train Songs, Hobo Secrets and Tales of the Rails”— Concert featuring a variety of Appalachian and railroad music and stories from David Holt. SLO Masonic Hall. $$—advance tickets now available: www.ccrrf.com Oct. 13th, 1 & 2:30pm: Railroad Troubador Don Lampson and Friends perform two mini concerts in the picnic area behind the Oceano Depot.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS & HISTORY PRESENTATIONS Ongoing: “Shiny Rails—135 Years of Railroads on the Central Coast”—railroad themed art show at the Art Central Gallery in SLO. Oct. 10th, 6 to 9pm: CCRRF Big Booth at SLO Farmers’ Market. Hear BanjerDan and Don Lampson perform railroad songs, see running model trains and historic rail equipment and grab info from participating organizations. Near the corner of Higuera and Nipomo.

Oct. 11th, 10am: Walking history tour of the Historic San Luis Obispo Railroad District. Stroll past 15 sites viewing the old commercial district, depot area, and century-old boardinghouses. Hear the stories about the fascinating heyday and controversies of the SP during the O C T O B E R

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caboose—also view model trains and history display. Located in Santa Maria next to the new Transit Center on Miller St. Oct. 12th, 1 to 2pm: Robert Van Camp will greet fans and autograph copies of the most recent Great Scenic Railway Journeys special, “Trains Around North America” and its historic “Guide to North America’s Tourist Railways and Museums” directory.

During the Grand Opening Festivities at the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum.

Oct. 12th, 2pm: Presentation on SLO’s founding fathers and their efforts to bring the South Pacific Railroad into town. Presented by author Marilyn Darnell & historian Joe Carotenuti. SLO Railroad Museum.

Oct. 12th, 5 to 7pm: “Shiny Rails” art show reception with the artists – Art Central Gallery in SLO. steam age. Meet at corner of Osos and Leff Streets at Gus’s Grocery.

Leader: historian Joe Morris.

Oct. 11th, 1 to 5pm: Pacific Coast Railway programs in Avila Beach featuring a meet and greet with author Loren Nicholson at the Avila Community Center (view historic photos from 1pm to 3pm) and a history walk down Harford Pier with historian Brian Craig Kreowski at 3pm. These events will help kick off the Port San Luis Harbor District’s 60th Anniversary Celebration.

Oct. 12th, 10am to 4pm: Grand Opening Celebration—San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum (11:30 Dedication Ceremony) New displays, tours, history walks, model trains, presentations, hands on displays, kiddie play area, speeder rides, huge Union Pacific Engine, informational booths, food, beverages, ice cream, music and more!

Oct. 12th, 10:30am: Presentation on historical railroad time pieces by the National Assoc. of Watch and Clock Collectors, Chapter 52. SLO Railroad Museum.

Oct. 12th & 13th, 11:30am to 4pm: The Santa Maria Valley Railroad History Museum—see historical locomotive, boxcar, speeder and

Oct. 12th & 13th: Open House at the Oceano Depot in Oceano. See large, running model layouts by the San Luis Obispo Model Railroad Association. Also on display will be the Depot’s permanent collection of railroad artifacts and local history displays.

Oct. 13th, 1 to 4pm: Historic Jack House Tours (SLO) Special R.E. Jack—railroad focused tour at 1pm with author Marilyn Darnell.

Oct. 13th, 1 to 4pm: Railroad Industry Presentations by the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, Union Pacific Railroad Company and the Federal Railroad Administration—San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum

FAMILY & CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS at the SLO LIBRARY Ongoing: Children’s Coloring Contest sponsored by the SLO Library and the Central Coast Family magazine. See the October issue of CCF for the Engine Number Ten coloring page and instructions. Submit entries to SLO Library by Oct. 10th. Winners will be announced at noon on Oct. 12th at the SLO library.

Oct. 12th & 13th. 10am to 5pm: SLO Library Community Room open with art displays and a large visiting model layout from the California Central Coast On30 Modular Group. Various programs will be presented each day. This area is sponsored by Rabobank.

Oct. 12th: Frankie Fuchs at SLO Library (10:30am) & Atascadero Branch Library (see Music above) Rose Ann Woolpert reads her children’s’ book Engine Number Ten—a tale of steam engines, construction and California history. Oct. 11th, 3:30pm, Doc Burnstein’s in AG. Oct 12th, 11:30am, SLO Library & Oct. 12th, 3pm, SLO Railroad Museum.

MODEL LAYOUTS Oct. 12th & 13th, times vary: Outstanding, Professional Model Layouts at the SLO Library, SLO Railroad Museum, Oceano Depot, Central Valley Model Works, Central Coast Trains and Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab. Ten other home and club layouts will be open during the weekend at various times.

Additional Information on Ticketing, Added Events, Details and Exact Locations at: www.ccrrf.com Most events are free!

R. Van Camp and D. Holt O C T O B E R

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COMMUNITY

history

a railroad comes to town

By Joe Carotenuti

T

here is little with which to compare.

Possibly a long-awaited marriage as the bride envisions the walk down the aisle to her groom or the anticipated birth of a child. True, individual life changing events…but how about the reshaping of a society or a small town on the central coast?

Railroad buffs are enthralled with the smallest detail of a train, the rail systems, stories of heroism and tragedy along the lines of ribbon encircling America. “Riding the rails” today is going not only forward to a destination but back to celebrate and remember the past.

However, in the 1880s, the Southern Pacific Railroad was not seen with nostalgia but anxiously anticipated as the link to the future … a technological miracle essential for prosperity.

Here’s the story.

Even if a resident had never been to San Francisco to see the end of the transcontinental system completed in 1869, a web of rail lines spread rapidly from the Bay City in all directions but, somehow, proved elusive

REIS FAMILY M O RT U A R I E S

& C R E M AT O RY

Over 55 Years of Service to SLO County by the founder and family.

to this area. As if sitting at the end of a rainbow, local folks awaited the pot of gold. Hoping for a steam giant to lumber into town required some strenuous efforts to not only lay the track, but provide for its direction.

Certainly, everyone benefitted from the Pacific Coast Railroad’s narrow-gauge line from the Harford Pier in Avila into the county seat and eventually stretching its iron arms into the Santa Maria Valley.

With the train heading both north and south in the Golden State, any journey to San Francisco or to Los Angeles was now a few days. Safer than the arduous trip by sail, stage or on horseback. By 1890, the rails to the north were a mere twenty miles away over the Cuesta Pass. The rainbow needed to stretch south.

As related in Loren Nicholson’s essential research in Rails Across the Ranchos, prosperity and profits waited those using the rails to transport goods and people. The determination—and perseverance—to capture the benefits of capitalism resulted in the formation of the West Coast Land Company. Rather than wait for the tycoons of the track to discover the central coast, the syndicate purchased vast amounts of land, sold larger chunks as ranches and farms and even invented a town—Templeton. Worthy of more extensive coverage, the names of Chauncey Hatch Phillips and R. E. Jack are forever linked to the daunting task of convincing the reluctant rail barons to invest in the central coast. More than an individual effort, the quest was not only for their benefit but generations to come.

The terminus of the railroad in 1886 seemingly waited … and waited … for a signal to head south. In the meanwhile, San Luis Obispo formed a Board of Trade (predecessor of the Chamber of Commerce) to encourage “new” pioneers to the area. The more people in residence, the more need (and profit) for the railroad. A promising extension to another new

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The trestle over Stenner Creek

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While not without controversy, the Southern Pacific finally connected the central coast to the rest of America—indeed, the world. It was truly a time of wonder and marvel.

President McKinley’s crew coming through in 1901

As if to celebrate the final link connecting the rails around America—and those responsible for the monumental achievement—President William McKinley decided to tour the nation via the rails briefly visiting here the following May. He did not survive an assassin’s bullet just four months later.

town of Santa Margarita in 1889 found the end of the line temptingly closer to the county seat.

Yet, the rails only brought promise and those between the rancho to the north and the end of the southern line in Ellwood would wait … and wait … for the arrival of the future.

As if to celebrate as well as lure a train stop, J. P. Andrews erected a 112-room grand hotel named after himself to provide the finest of accommodations for passengers awaiting the next leg of their journey. Possibly the most elaborate structure ever built in San Luis Obispo—then or now—the magnificent hotel was consumed by flames just eight months later. Undaunted by the tragedy, another grand hotel was planned to accommodate the anticipated flow of visitors. The elaborate 300room Ramona Hotel opened in the spring of 1888 but also burned to the ground 1905.

From Santa Margarita, poised just north of the challenging grade, a monumental link

required tunnels—seven of them—through the Cuesta. A herculean effort, with the tunnels nearly completed, a final obstacle into the valley required a massive steel bridge over Stenner Creek.

Rumors mixed with facts were constant conversations during these years. Ever vigilant Benjamin Brooks, publisher and editor of the Tribune for 40 years, was relentless in reporting, cajoling, and never bashful in using his pen to move the mighty rails.

Few enterprises changed the face and pace of America as the rails. Nonetheless, problems accompany progress. Richard J. Orsi’s welldocumented history, The Sunset Limited, expertly explores—and explodes—some railroad myths and legends. Appropriately, he recalls, as the Southern Pacific fully matured with tracks across the central coast, so did it end its existence on September 11, 1996 becoming the Union Pacific. As the last freight train arrived in San Luis Obispo, the engineer radioed his final message and epitaph: “This is the last sunset for the SP. Good night SP and thanks for the memories.”

Thanks, indeed.

Contact: jacarotenuti@gmail.com

We are here for you.

It wasn’t until May 5, 1894 that a train would arrive amid explosive excitement in San Luis Obispo. Finally, progress had arrived to the secluded valley … almost. While the rails reached from the north, they still didn’t connect to the south. The 55 mile “gap” roughly from Ellwood (north of Santa Barbara) to Serf (near Lompoc) took almost five years to complete by March 1901.

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www.elderplacementprofessionals.com O C T O B E R

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A Retirement Facility for care. But simply Even though the prospect of movingcertified mayhospice be inoptions the distant having options is only half the solution. The future, you owe it to yourself to learn howhave youto can enjoy in a way resources be coordinated that serves the community. carefree living in your own home for many years to come.To facilitate

hospice corner

this, Wilshire BestCare Home Health, Wilshire Hospice (Hospice Partners) of the Central Coast, and Hospice SLO all work

By Kris Kington Barker, Executive Director, Hospice SLO collaboratively to not only provide care and It’s a fact of life that as we get older, Pristine is fully support, but also advocate for individuals progressive or life threatening illnesses at We remain one of a handful of communities an Luis Obispo County some day-to-day tasks become too licensed and with insured. each stage of their journey. that continues to have the availability of residents are unique from most other much toofhandle That Allof of bothown. a volunteer hospice, Hospice Sanour Luis workers areas in the U.S. because the range on of our The term “continuum of care” describes the Obispo County (Hospice palliative and hospice care services available. doesn’t mean you have to move away SLO) and aremedically carefully screened delivery of health care over a period of time. from the comfort of your home. and pass a criminal In patients with a disease, it is a reference to • Pristine Home Services is• a local background check all phases of illness—from diagnosis to the of life. Our healthcare is complex company that helps San Luis Obispo and drug test,endgiving you peace system of mind • • and difficult to navigate, even during times County residents avoid the high cost when someone from Pristine is working of good health.

When individuals and their of moving to a retirement facility. in your home.families are faced with a progressive or life threatening illness the path can become pot“She helps me with bathing andDuring otherthe course holed, jarring and tortuous. of a life threatening illness, there be acute personal care. She is so wonderful tomay me.

All of our services can be provided phases when more extensive care and services She should be cloned! …and the price is are needed followed by periods of calm when daily, weekly, or on an as-needed basis. very reasonable. even didis necessary. my winfar less She outside support

working together to serve the community You Don’t Have to Move Feel Safe and Secure

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Personal Care Yard Maintenance

Housekeeping Handyman

Serving All of San Luis Obispo County

Enjoy Affordable Living Home Services Specialist

From housekeeping You to handyman services and plumbing to preparingyou meals.need There is no task too large or pay for only the services dows!” R. Watson, San Luis Obispo too small for Pristineand Homewe Services.

All of our services can be provided daily, weekly, or on an as-needed So how do these three agencies work togethprovide those services at a price basis. You pay for only the services you need and we provide those services at a price you can“They afford. took the er to time providetothe most options to those living ask me exactly

you can afford.

with illness our community?

Since what I wanted.

Theywithin arrived on time, did

Hospice SLO, as a volunteer hospice Pristine Home Services made it possible exactlyforwhat1977 I asked, and the price was organization, has been working alongside us to stay comfortable and independent reasonable. medical I would recommend Pristine providers to help address the worry, in our home.

When Mary was diagnosed Our personal care services include decision making pressure, need for famto a friend. ” C. Hall, San Luis Obispo with cancer, is no longer a threat, the shopping, daily errands, mealwhich preparaily support and respite that accompanies people at Pristine became a very important medical that threaten to shorten tion, transportation part andofnon-medical Before you makeconditions any decisions that our team. They were trustworthy, a patient’s life. By providing non medical care. Our housekeeping services keep yoursuch future happiness reliable and always stood by ourcould side. Weaffectservices as volunteers in the home and

truly enjoy our relationship with their staff. your kitchen and the rest of your home bereavement support, SLO works and standard of living, takeHospice the time and -- Don and Mary Smith in cooperation with the patient’s primary spotless. We even do windows

Convenient One-call Service

to read these FREE reports: caretwo provider, caregiver, health agencies and laundry.

Our yard maintenance crews care facilities to offer resources with a focus Before you make any decisions that could affect your future happiness and standard of living, take every senior needs to know “What on emotional and spiritual support for the know how to take care of your favorite the time to read these two FREE reports: about living in afamily retirement patient, and friends.facility.”

Hospice SLO can rose bushes and keep the grass neatly serve as a safety net for patients who may not “What every senior needs to know about living in a retirement facility.” mowed. Our handyman services are “Four critical questions to ask a hospice yet qualify for medically certified “Four critical questions to ask a service provider...before you let anyone work in or near your home.” services or. .who may notyou require provided by specialists in plumbing, service provider . before letthem. As a volunteer hospice, it does not charge patients We invite you to call Pristine rightwork, now so that we can sendrepairs you these two FREE reports by mail. electrical painting, and anyone work in or near your home.” or bill Medicare or other insurances for sersafety rail installation. vices that can be provided for longer periods Call for rateS We invite you to call Pristine right of time, and are available regardless of a clinow so thatent’s wetreatment can send these choiceyou or prognosis. two FREE reports by mail.

When a patient wishes to continue to seek We Bring Assisted Living Home You Whatever you need...give us atocall 805-543-4663 www.pristinehomeservices.net

curative medical treatment options but needs (805) 543-HOME (4663) medical support for pain relief and symptom management, Wilshire BestCare Home Call Today Health and Hospice SLO work collaboratively

710 FIERO LANE, UNIT 16 SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93401 H O U S E K E E P I N G · YA R D M A I N T E N A N C E · H A N D Y M A N S E R V I C E S · P E R S O N A L C A R E O C T O B E R

2013

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to provide the nursing palliative care services in the home as well as volunteer support such as respite care and emotional support for the family. Counseling for the patient and family members to assist in adjusting to illness or

COMMUNITY

physical changes and limitations can also be provided through this partnership.

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OCTOBER CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 43

When a patient requires more home medical support than is available through home health services and is appropriate for medically certified hospice care, their volunteer(s) through Hospice SLO will continue to provide services as Wilshire Hospice staff and volunteers join the care team. The Hospice SLO volunteers who are familiar with the patient and family serve to provide valuable communication between the family and care team and provide ongoing support to the patient and their family.

In a situation where a patient “graduates” from hospice services and no longer needs the medically certified hospice level of care, Hospice SLO volunteers can continue to provide in-home volunteer support to the patient and family, again providing support and assistance during the transition and aiding in communication. The patient will continue to qualify for the services provided by Hospice SLO throughout the process. By working together, the three agencies are able to evaluate the client and family needs and establish a fluid plan to provide support as needs arise and shift. In all circumstances, the focus of care becomes one of adding quality of life to a patient’s day.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: GEOGRAPHY 101 ACROSS 1. He had no cause?

6. Also 9. Captain ____ 13. Napoleon’s stay on St. Helena, e.g.

14. Aggravate 15. It killed the radio star?

16. Serving of parsley 17. Actress ___ Thompson 18. More ill 19. Trying experience 21. *”Geographia” author 23. *Mouth to a river, e.g.

24. Call someone 25. PC “brain” 28. Stupor 30. *Gobi or Kalahari, e.g.

35. Os in XOXO 37. Livens up 39. Pang 40. *Capri, e.g.

41. Anklebone 43. Shamu 44. Nigerian money 46. Dharma teacher 47. Chinese restaurant staple, pl.

48. Founder of Scholasticism 50. Winningest Super Bowl coach 52. Marble ___ 53. First in baseball, e.g.

55. Distress signal 57. *Tallest mountain 61. *Deepest lake 64. Japanese-American 65. American Gas Association 67. Like unspoken agreement 69. Garment enlarger 70. Octopus’ defense 71. Olden day anesthetic 72. It shows ownership 73. Poe’s “The Murders in the ___ Morgue” 74. High-pitched

DOWN 1. Hi-___ 2. Montreal baseballer 3. Ethiopean currency 4. Omit or suppress 5. *On a map 6. Cash cache 7. Bonanza find 8. Similar to giraffe but smaller 9. Tarantino’s “____ Bill” 10. Not in action 11. Believe 12. Nemo’s forgetful friend 15. Shrinking ______ 20. To modify a book into a screenplay, e.g.

22. Slight amount 24. Get off an airplane 25. *Most populous country 26. South Korean port 27. a.k.a. Tangelos 29. Eagerness 31. “____ me the money!”

32. It may get you to first base

33. *_____ Mountains 34. Flirt 36. Bone-dry 38. Form of wrestling 42. Chip dip 45. Even though 49. No ___ 51. Hang around 54. Up or down step 56. Type of edible ray 57. “National Velvet” author ____ Bagnold 58. *Tropical rainforests contain ninety percent of the world’s ____ species 59. “___ quam videri” or “To be, rather than to seem (to be)” 60. Instrument type 61. To be very hot 62. Yearn or pine 63. Told an untruth 66. Bearded antelope 68. Give it a go

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palm street perspective

Six most popular questions answered

By SLO City Councilwoman, Carlyn Christianson “So, how’s it going?” That’s the question I hear at least once a day since being elected. I can honestly answer “Great!” To follow up, I thought I’d answer the “Top 5” other questions that people ask a new Council member, and share a bit of information, too.

“What do you like best?”

I truly love learning so much more than I ever knew about San Luis Obispo, even after living here almost 25 years. I relish listening to residents and learning about their issues and concerns in detail. Also, I love learning about what the City’s generally top-notch

Pastrami Reuben or Check out our Daily Lunch & Philly Steak Sandwich

Dinner Specials including: Served with fries and slaw • Chimichangas $8.50 Check out ourTacos Daily • Mahi Mahi Lunch and Dinner • Chicken Enchiladas Specials CasualAtmosphere Atmosphere –- Serious Serious Food Casual Food OPEN 11:30 M-F

Lunch & Dinner 7 days a week Breakfast served Sat. & Sun. 9:00 Full Bar · Nightly Specials Owners — Scott & Dana Milstead

750 Price Street, Pismo Beach 773-1922

O C T O B E R

2013

staff does to make our city function so well; as a long-time manager, I’m very impressed with the City’s employees’ energy, creativity, and dedication (and some days it isn’t easy.)

For a small town we have a lot going on!

“What’s the biggest surprise?”

Almost every city department uses volunteers—for example, the City Clerk’s office has someone at the front counter regularly, Human Resources (HR) uses interns from Cuesta College to help with office work, the Utilities Lab uses volunteers, the Police Department uses them, and the list goes on. Parks and Rec uses a significant number of volunteers for special events like the SLO Triathlon.

The City’s Advisory Bodies alone have 105 volunteer members. I never realized how many volunteers make our city a success, and I know we couldn’t do it without them. (To volunteer, go to the City’s website and look for announcements; or if you have a particular passion, call that Department’s main line; and as a catch-all, the HR Department and City Clerk will be able to direct you to volunteer opportunities if you call or email them.)

“What’s the hardest thing?”

Communication! It’s just tough to accurately and efficiently communicate these days—everyone gets their information in different ways, from the newspaper or radio to blogs to overhearing “someone say something!”

Sometimes the information is accurate and complete, and often it’s not. So here are two great ways to communicate with the city: One, to report a problem or concern go to the city’s website, slocity.org. The City is revamp-

Journal PLUS

ing its site to make it much more user-friendly but meanwhile, you can still use the website to get something fixed or make a complaint (or suggest a website improvement!) Across the top of the website’s homepage is a yellow band, and the words “Report a Problem” are in the middle of it. Click on this link and it will take you to a choice of what kind of concern you have, and you’ll get a place to describe the problem in detail. If you’d like a personal response, there is a place for your contact information. This reporting link will automatically and instantly distribute your email throughout the city’s organization, so it goes to all the right people at once. More efficient and much faster than emailing a council member or calling a department head, although you are still welcome to do that!

Two, I’m often asked about reporting an immediate problem with conduct in the downtown or other neighborhood, and for that, the best thing to do is call the non-emergency police line 781-7317. (Remember, you’ll want to describe the actual inappropriate or illegal behavior, not just a general concern.) Dispatch will route your call to the appropriate officer for an immediate response.

“How do you like the meetings?”

I like the variety of topics! It’s stimulating to evaluate so many different items, and often, to hear so many viewpoints on any given item. And, relative to County Planning Commission meetings (where I formerly volunteered), the City Council meetings are short!

“Are you getting along with your fellow Council members?”

I’ve known all the members on the Council for many years, and they have all been cordial and welcoming. Sometimes politics can get a little rough, but I like to think that we can respectfully “agree to disagree” when we have differences, and so far that’s been the case.

Like I said at the outset, it’s been great, and I thank the community and staff and Council for a warm welcome!

Downtown

Around

The Magazine of Downtown San Luis Obispo

Inside:

October 2013

W hat ’s U p Downtown B usiness Spo tlights

W h a t ’ s

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A r o u n d

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nyone in the downtown management business will tell you: one of the most critical components of their program’s success is VOLUNTEERS! ndeed, people who suit up, show up and give unselfishly of their time are why many of our events and activities have enjoyed spectacular success and staying power.

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ho are our volunteers? In common, they’re typically bighearted, caring people who love Downtown SLO. Beyond that, their demographic is

Holiday Parade Judges view nearly 100 entries and choose winners

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as diverse as are their reasons for donating their time and energy.

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or some, the excitement of working the Concerts in the Plaza social scene is invigorating and the highlight of their week; they return week after week and year after year to draw beer, uncork bottles of wine, serve the crowds or check IDs. Then there’re those willing to stand in the cold and dark in early December, manning lonely barricades so that Deborah Cash, CMSM, thousands of guests can safety view the Annual Executive Director

Members of the Downtown Foresters also love the green, trees that is!

Mission Community Bank volunteers bring their expertise to the front lines at Concerts

On the Cover: Hallowe’en ROCKS in Downtown SLO! The annual Downtown Trick or Treat and Hallowe’en Costume Contest at the Thursday Night market offer the perfect venue for kids and families wanting to enjoy the occasion in a safe and fun atmosphere and— for those entering the contest—win prizes! Come get goody bags and maps and visit any of the dozens of Downtown businesses handing out yummy treats. Event is FREE! And, yes, this year Hallowe’en’s on a Thursday: come early so kids can “double dip” in their neighborhood after! Hallowe'en events are sponsored by THE REAL ESTATE COMPANY & Yogurt Creations. Photo by Deborah Cash

FIRE PREVENTION NIGHT Thursday, October 10 @ Thursday Night Promotions Farmers’ Market 6-9 PM Downtown SLO

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SLO Downtown Association Presents...

Hallowe’en Festivities @ T hu r sd a y Ni ght Pr o m o t i o ns Fa r m e r s’ M a r ket

T h u r s d ay , O c t o b e r 3 1

D o w n t o w n T r i c k - o r - T r e at Sponsored by: Sean

M. Lee, Broker, GRI. THE REAL ESTATE COMPANY

Come help us celebrate National Fire Prevention Week “Prevent Kitchen Fires”

KIDS! SAFE and FUN Trick - or - Treating in participating Downtown Businesses 5 - 8 PM. Maps and treat bags at the corner of Chorro and Higuera streets.

Hallowe’en costume contest Sp ons ore d b y :

Yogu rt Creat ion s

Goblins and Princesses wanted! Get creative and compete for some ‘wickedly’ cool prizes. Age groups: 0 - 2, 3 - 4, 5 - 8, 9 - 12, and Pairs (can include older children, parents and pets!)The KJUG JUG and emcee will be on location. Sign - ups begin at 5 PM at the corner of Chorro and Higuera streets, contest runs from 6:15 - 8 PM.

Meet firefighting heroes from all over San Luis Obispo County and see the newest equipment used in fire safety!

(805) 541 - 0286 or www.DowntownSLO.com for more info

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Holiday Parade while those closer to the action sign up to check in/ judge/announce entries, walk the route as escorts or clean up afterward.

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till others step up to sit at the table and serve on the Board of Directors or on one of our six committees to make decisions, develop ideas and even hunker down in late night Council meetings to stump for a cause or speak to important issues and projects affecting Downtown. Heard of the Downtown Foresters? They’re that hardy group that “plants, prunes and protects” the Downtown urban forest on weekends and fills truckloads with trimmings and prunings, working with the City arborist to keep our beautiful canopy in

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good order.

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rom Downtown businesspeople to private citizens, from interns to fraternities/sororities and clubs, from civic groups to staff family members and community service workers as well, these incredible people log thousands of volunteer hours annually: in 2012, that amounted to 7,159 hours at a value of $180,764 based on a national dollar estimate for donated time.

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e are grateful for the lifeblood these folks provide to our organization and the community and we offer our most heartfelt thanks…from around Downtown!

Photos by Deborah Cash

Interns hand out a thousand flowers at Mothers Day Flower Giveaway

Volunteers participate in one of the Strategic Plan Focus groups to help determine the future of Downtown

Concerts volunteers visit Firestone Brewery for a tour, informational session and to select the coming season’s offerings

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B u s i n e s s

S p o t l i g h t s

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he Downtown office serves as a world-wide freight brokerage and transportation provider for goods like Richard Goddard Founder/Owner groceries, produce and supplies as Alex Goddard, Partner/Owner, well as CAYLYM Technologies’ primary Director of Logistics product, “The Guardian”— a gravity Dylan Robesky, Operations Manager driven Low Velocity Air Drop System (LVADS) used to fight wildfires. The Jessica Godsey, Logistics Coordinator privately funded company’s founder, 992 Monterey Street, Suite C Richard Goddard and his team have (805) 457-8928 worked over a decade to develop CAYLYMLogistics.com “The Guardian.” Its patented system Pictured Left to Right: Alex Goddard, Jessica is a crate-sized container made from AYLYM Technologies, an Godsey & Dylan Robesky environmentally friendly materials that international business specializing can hold up to 1,000 liters of water or in aerial firefighting methods, is fire retardant. It can be deployed from any common cargo expanding its company to Downtown San Luis Obispo. plane without modification and once in free-fall, it produces CAYLYM Technologies has several unconventional online offices and a manufacturing facility in Fresno and has recently a rain cloud targeting the heart of the blaze. Furthermore, added a Logistics Division in Downtown SLO. Alex Goddard, because of its timed release construction, it allows for airplanes and crew to fly significantly higher than previous director, partner and owner of Logistics said, “We wanted to systems helping keep crews and equipment safely above the be Downtown because of its vibrant, yet small town charm.” trees and flames. Visit www.CAYLYM.com to see a video of Division’s Operations Manager Dylan Robesky, a longtime this firefighting apparatus in action and to learn more about local, added, “We wanted to bring in more jobs to San Luis the company. For more information on its Logistics Division, Obispo and with Cal Poly here, we’d like to attract students and graduates to join our team as we continue to grow.” That’s visit www.CAYLYMLogistics.com. exactly what they did with their recent hire of Cal Poly alumni, By: Mukta Naran Jessica Godsey who is a Logistics Coordinator in the office.

CAYLYM Technologies, Logistics Division

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guidelines for exercise and/or physical therapy, facilitating socialization as well as personal hygiene assistance, incontinence care, meal planning and preparation and memory care.

Healing Hands Caregiving, Inc. Dr. Ahmad Nooristani and Ranelle Franklin, Owners 641 Higuera Street Suite 102 (805) 235-2335 www.HealingHandsCaregiving.com

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ealing Hands philosophy is that quality does not diminish with age and that dignity need not be comprised by needs of assistance. Most importantly, both co-founders’ genuine concern for the well being of patients— whether individually, as a community or for humanity—contributes to the success of Healing Hands Caregiving.

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ocally owned by Dr. Ahmad Nooristani and Ranelle Franklin, Healing Hands Caregiving provides excellent and quality care for patients Pictured Left to Right: Dr. Ahmad Nooristani on the Central Coast. Dr. Ahmad and Ranelle Franklin Nooristani is a residing physician at both Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center and French Hospital Medical Center and business partner Ranelle Franklin has worked with ealing Hands Caregiving has expanded its company patients in private homes and facilities for the past 10 years.

Downtown to have specialized home healthcare products and are the only place in San Luis Obispo to carry ealing Hands Caregiving provides both medical and products like compression stockings, medical monitoring non-medical services to patients. Ranelle Franklin says devices, specialty hygienic care products and wound the name Healing Hands was inspired by a photograph of treatment supplies; they will soon be carrying mastectomy her holding hands with a patient. “The picture captures the undergarments. Franklin says, “We set a new standard of care essence of what the human touch can do,” she said. Caring for our community. It is the goal to provide the best service to for patients and inspiring hope within them is what motivates our seniors as possible.” their qualified staff that includes physicians, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, certified nursing assistants and ealing Hands Caregiving office hours are 9 am - 5 pm experienced caregivers. They have a professional on-call staff Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and by appointment that is available 24 hours a day. other days and are not limited to any business hours. A no cost assessment can be made by calling their business line, pecialized services include medication management with messages are always replied to promptly. For more information nurse oversight, end-of-life care, Alzheimer’s and dementia www.HealingHandsCaregiving.com or care, long or short-term care, connection care and postcall (805) 235-2335. rehabilitation care. Personalized services include supportive companionship, incidental transportation, implementing

By Katie Schultz

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Our Schools

Student performance on state tests

By Dr. Julian Crocker, County Superintendent of Schools

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ach year, our families and schools are eager to see how our students performed on the state tests of academic achievement. There are two public reports that comprise the core of California’s academic accountability system for student achievement in our public schools. These two public reports are the STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting) Report and the Academic Performance Index (API) Report and they both can be seen as one measure of school effectiveness.

The STAR Report is primarily composed of student test results on the California Standards Tests (CST’s) in grades two through eleven that assess student achievement on state content standards in English-language arts, mathematics, science and history-social studies. These academic standards have been in effect since 1998. The purpose of the STAR Report is to inform students and parents how an individual student, or group of students, is progressing toward mastery of the state’s academic standards. There are five performance levels for reporting the results of the STAR test: advanced, proficient, basic, below basic and far below basic. The target is for all students to perform at the proficient or above level. California’s content standards are considered to be among the most rigorous in the nation and the proficient level is equivalent to a B+ letter grade in a traditional grading system.

Bill Mott

Partner & Loan Officer

805.234.5081

bmott@commercemtg.com www.commercemtg.com CA DRE #01359516 NMLS #341086

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The majority of students in the county continue to achieve at or above the proficient level and to outperform the state average on the STAR tests. In math, 62% of our students scored at the proficient or above levels compared to 51% statewide. In English-language arts, 61% of our students met the proficient or above mark as compared to 56% for the state. About 65% of the students who took Algebra I in the eighth grade scored at the proficient or above level in a course that is considered one of the “gateway” courses for college entrance. However, just like the state, we continue to have a gap in achievement between students living in poverty and English language learners when compared with their peers in school. This achievement gap can be as high as a 50% difference in student achievement.

Unlike the STAR Report for individual students, the Academic Performance Index (API) Report aggregates individual student scores on the state standards tests and converts these to a score for a school or school district. The scale for the API is 200-1000, with the target being a score of 800 for a school. An API score is given for a school and for groups of students at the school such as students living in poverty or English language learners.

In reviewing the data from the API Report, I look for two results. The first is: What percentage of our schools achieved the target 800 score as compared to the state average? Out of the 77 schools in our county with an API score, 44, or 57%, of them had a score of 800 or higher.

Four schools actually achieved a score of 900 or higher. Our percentage is six points higher than the state. Also, our countywide average score is 825 which is 36 points higher than the statewide average of 789. Seven of our ten school districts had a score of 800 or higher and the other three had scores in the high 700’s.

The second result from the API data that I look for is: Did we make progress from last year? The answer is yes. Our average API score of 825 is a gain of 3 points from last year’s testing.

Although there clearly is an achievement gap in our county’s schools, a few schools are making noteworthy progress in addressing this gap as revealed in the API scores for last school year. Lillian Larsen School in San Miguel gained 12 points on the API with 50% of the students being English language learners. Cambria Grammar School had a score of 813 with 52% English language learners. In the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District, both Bauer-Speck Elementary School and Flamson Middle School showed significant gains also with large numbers of English language learners and students in poverty. Hawthorne Elementary School in the San Luis Coastal Unified School District scored an impressive 824 with significant percentages of English language learners and children in poverty. Arroyo Grande High School topped the 800 mark this year.

Our schools are making steady progress by these statewide measurements of student achievement and there is also very encouraging progress being made by some schools in narrowing the achievement gap.

Gary A. Sage License No. 0E02096 100 Cross Street, Suite 203 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 gsage@dibu.com O C T O B E R

2013

(805) 593-1400 (805) 593-1401 fax (805) 593-1413 direct (805) 235-1043 cell Journal PLUS

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27th at the Vets’ Hall in SLO, from 11am to 4pm. Some of the booths will feature displays and demonstrations; others will offer mini-sessions provided by the attending practitioner. You can get updated information about the Faire at www.HolisticHealthFaire. com, and on the Faire’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ HolisticHealthFaire. Or contact Susan Wood at 771-9706, susan@ holistichealthfaire.com

slo souls: meet the eternal residents of slo

6th annual dogtoberfest

Heilmann Dog park will be hosting the 6th Annual Dogtoberfest event on Saturday, October 5, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Atascadero Lake Park. Please save the date for this fun, familyfriendly, wild and wacky event featuring wiener dog races; wiener wannabe races (for any breed of dog weighing 25 pounds or less); an Elks chicken BBQ; raffles; vendors including pet micro-chipping; and dog costume contest. Cost for pre-registration for racers is $15 per dog; walk in registration day of event is $20; Elks BBQ lunch is $10 for adults; $5 per child. All other events are free. Proceeds from this event help us maintain and improve Heilmann Dog Park in Atascadero. For more details, go to http://www.heilmanndogpark. com/. To register for races, you can also visit any Lemos Feed & Pet Supply store. Questions? Contact Jan Wolff 461-5749.

Holistic Health Faire

A new event is coming to SLO in October. It’s the “Holistic Health Faire.” Participants (40 or more) will be representing over 60 different products and services. What makes this Health Faire unique is that it includes a wide variety of practices that benefit your mind-body-spirit and emotions. This goes beyond the range of “alternative” practices you normally see at trade shows… and the event is FREE! The event will take place on Sunday, October

“I see dead people” was the memorable line from the film, The Sixth Sense. On All Souls Day, you also can say the same thing … almost. The “dead” will be re-enactors at the Odd Fellows Cemetery, for the first SLO Souls, presented by The History Center of SLO County.

Some of SLO County’s local notables and residents of the cemetery, such as Grace Barneberg, Robert and Nellie Jack, Captain James Cass, Cen Dallidet and Fred Dorn will bring their history to life and recount tales of San Luis Obispo’s storied past.

A Masonic consecration ritual by members of King David’s Masonic Lodge will be held at 11:30am. This History Center fundraiser takes place on Saturday, November 2nd from 11am – 4pm in the oval center of the Odd Fellows cemetery (enter from the corner of Higuera Street and Elks Way). Admission is $12 for History Center Members and $15 for non-members. For more information, contact Jill Fletcher at (805) 543-0638 ext. 10 or jfletcher@historycenterslo.org

San Luis Obispo’s Best Kept Secret Power Carts Senior Discount (55) • 10 Play C ards • Tournaments Welcome • •

Tee Times on our website: lagunalakegolfcourse.org or call 805-781-7309

11175 Los Osos Valley Road, SLO YOUR CENTRAL COAST MORTGAGE CONSULTANT

Donna Lewis, Principal (805) 783-4000 donna@ccmortgageconsultants.com NMLS #245945

O C T O B E R

2013

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Homeowners Specialist

Insuring what you value most

SHAWN MINTON SHAWN MINTON Multiple Line LineBroker Broker•·Lic# Lic#OF43815 OF43815 Multiple

1042 Pacific Street, Suite E

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 office 805.546.8113 office 805.546.8113

www.minton-insurance.com www.minton-insurance.com AU TO • HOME LIFE ••COmmErCiAL HEALTH Au tO • HOmE • LifE ••HEALtH

assistance league helps students

As local school age children headed back to school, Assistance League SLO County geared up in its annual effort to clothe students in need throughout the county.

Through Operation School Bell, the chapter’s primary philanthropic program, children in grades K through 6 will receive brand new clothing, a dental hygiene kit, and a new grade-appropriate book. Last year, the group provided assistance to over 1450 children in all ten county school districts through Operation School Bell or its subprogram, Sue’s Stars, which clothes seventh and eighth grade students. School personnel, social service agencies, and shelters refer children to Assistance League. All clothing is brand new and is selected by the child with the assistance of a volunteer.

Assistance League is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. More information is available at: alslocounty.org

experience Greece on the Central Coast

You walk into a room filled with the sound of Greek bouzouki music, the tantalizing smell of lamb on the barbeque and watch beautifully costumed children and adults dance authentic Greek village dances. Where are you?

You think you’re in Arroyo Grande but you’ve traveled into an authentic Greek village taverna for the evening. And you’ve saved the cost of airfare and travel time! Welcome to “An Evening in Greece.” Our annual “An Evening in Greece” will be held at the South County Regional Center in Arroyo Grande on Saturday, October 12th. The authentic Greek Dinner Dance with Floor Show will be held from 5pm to 11pm. This event is a fundraiser for St. Andrew the Apostle Greek Orthodox Church which supports many charitable groups in San Luis Obispo County such as the SLO Food Bank and the Prado Day Center. Tickets are $65 each and $75 after October 5th. Tickets for students and children are available for $40 each. Call 805-546-8337 or visit us at www.standrewslo.org.

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famous photographers lecture

World famous photographer and Canon Explorer of Light Rick Sammon will give a free lecture at the Embassy Suites, 333 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo, Tuesday October 8th, 2013 from 5:30-7pm as part of the California Photo Festival and World famous travel and photojournalism photographer David H. Wells with give an Olympus sponsored presentation free and open to the public lecture at the Embassy Suites on Thursday October 10th, 2013 from 3:45-5:15pm. Come listen and be inspired by two of the world’s most talented and successful photographers in the industry. For more information please visit our website www. californiaphotofestival.com.

4th annual central coast bioneers conference

Vision to Action is the theme for the 4th annual Central Coast Bioneers Conference, hosted by Ecologistics, FrankInc., to be held October 25-27 at the Monday Club in SLO. Central Coast Bioneers is a member of the Bioneers Network, and the regional conference site for Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties. Each morning, keynote lectures from the National Bioneers Conference in San Rafael will be shown. The 16 afternoon workshops will feature six major topic areas: Eco-Science, Social & Environmental Activism, Food & Farming, Women’s Leadership, Eco-Nomics, and Restoring Ecosystems. Keynote speaker on Friday night will be Drew Dellinger, founder of Global Poets for Justice and author of Love Letter to the Milky Way. In his lecture, “The Mountaintop Vision: The Cosmology of Dr. Martin Luther King,” Dellinger will examine ecological dimensions of King’s vision that have been largely overlooked. Field trips this year will include a tour of the Life Lab Garden at Laureate School and The Ranch on Friday and Ocean Friendly Gardens on Saturday. The popular pre-conference field trip will be Thursday, October 24 to the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve. Go to www. centralcoastbioneers.org to register or for more information.

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biting the apple, poems by jeanie greensfelder

The qualities that define great poetry are subjective, and therefore elusive. But there is nothing elusive about what makes this little volume of poems so precious. In Biting the Apple, an autobiographical collection of some 50 poems, Jeanie Greensfelder explores her interior life as easily (or so it seems)—and as fearlessly—as one might explore the familiar interior of one’s own house. Tidily divided into three sections, her poems give us momentary glimpses of her childhood and adolescence in the first; show us the longings, losses, and triumphs of her adult life through middle age in the second; and in the third, take us to the threshold of her own old age. Intelligent, introspective, and surprisingly funny, Greensfelder’s work is both inspired and inspiring. The book can be purchased at Amazon.com, Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay and at Tower.com.

long-term relationships with positive outcomes. Every dollar goes directly to serving youth in SLO County.” In the photo, Patty Carpenter and Anna Boyd-Bucy of Big Brothers Big Sisters receive a check from Dusty Colyer and Stephen Dominguez of new Frontiers. For more information on volunteering or contributing to Big Brothers Big Sisters, call 781-3226, or log onto www.slobigs.org.

2013 PASSPORT TO THE ARTS – FREE ARTS DAY

Bring your whole family to the Mission Plaza in downtown SLO for a day of hands-on visual, literary and performing arts activities. On Saturday, October 5, between 10am and 1pm, youth attendees will receive their own day passport, tote bag, and can sign up to win free tickets to upcoming performances and classes throughout SLO County.

Children can engage in a variety of hands-on arts activities stationed throughout the plaza and enjoy ongoing live performances by youth-age performers happening every half hour in the amphitheater.

FREE SENIOR HEALTH SCREENING

Community Action Partnership, Adult Wellness & Prevention.

Screening for adults and seniors is available throughout San Luis Obispo County. Free services include: screening for high blood pressure, weight and pulse. Finger prick screening tests for: high cholesterol, anemia and blood sugar. Counseling and referrals as needed. Please call 544-2484 ext. 1 for dates, times and locations.

SLO BOTANICAL GARDEN FALL PLANT SALE

NEW FRONTIERS SUPPORTS BIG BROTHERS/SISTERS

New Frontiers shoppers raised $3,062 for Big Brothers Big Sisters youth mentoring programs recently through New Frontiers 5% Wednesday.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director, Anna Boyd-Bucy, said “New Frontiers support allows us to ensure child safety and sustain successful

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The rains are coming and there is no better time to start thinking about gardening here on the Central Coast than right now. Set your new plants into the ground, then stand back and let the fall rains and cool growing temperatures get your plants off to a good start. Mother Nature will do her part and the Garden can help with the new plants half of the equation at the SLO Botanical Garden’s semi-annual plant sale on October 5 from 10am to 1pm, with a Garden Members Only hour starting at 9am, and free admission into El Chorro Regional Park for everyone! For more information contact 805.541.1400x305 or visit slobg.org/fall-plant-sale.

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local BOOKS: THE HEARST’S: FATHER AND SON

Recently revised The Hearst’s: Father and Son

by William Randolph Hearst, Jr. is a well-done version of the Hearst family life through the eyes of William Randolf Hearst, Jr. The book is made up of short chapters beginning with his early years and extends well into his 80s. Hearst writes about his personal relationships, including: his father, mother, brothers, Marion Davies, celebrities, the Hearst empire employees and much more.

Hearst clarifies many misconceptions that have risen over the decades. The book is also filled with several pages of photos. Our very own writer, Taylor Coffman, writes the introduction. It can be purchased at Amazon.com in hard or soft cover, but the paperback version is noticeably superior to the hard cover.

janssen foundation helps assistance league

Assistance League of SLO County receives a $5,000 grant from the Robert H. Janssen Foundation from Lee Hollister.

With the new grant, the Foundation has contributed a total of $20,000 to Assistance League since 2007.

“The Foundation likes the fact that our support stays locally and directly assists children in need in every school district in the County,” stated Jan Bassi Gentilly, Secretary, Janssen Foundation. The ongoing support from the Foundation enables Assistance League to raise critically needed funds for its primary philanthropic program, Operation School Bell which includes Sue’s Stars.

Children in grades K-5 are clothed at a school site in Atascadero or San Luis Obispo. All funds raised stay in the county to support Assistance League’s programs. More information is available at: alslocounty.org

LIONS CLUBS SCREEN EYES FOR YOUTH IN SLO COUNTY

The Lions Clubs of SLO County are on the road again screening K – High School students with vision testing. The first screening began at Lillian Larson Elementary School in San Miguel and then traveled on to Almond Acres Charter School, Shandon Elementary School, and to all schools within the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District, Templeton Unified School District, Lucia Mar Unified School District, San Luis Coastal Unified School District and will conclude on November 19, 2013 at Atascadero High School within the Atascadero Unified School District. The 47+ screenings throughout the county this fall are made possible through the funding and volunteer work of the San Luis Obispo County Lions Clubs, School District nurses and staff, Optometrist Doug Major and other local optometrists. Since its beginnings in the 1960s, SLO Lions School Children’s Eye Disorders Identified program has screened over one million children. For more information about the Lions Club or the SLO Lions School Children’s Eye Disorders Identified program donated by the Lions Clubs of SLO County, visit www.slolionseyes.org

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COMMUNITY

eye on Business

women’s legacy fund shaping lives grant by grant

By Maggie Cox, Barnett Cox & Associates

T

he words “Women’s Legacy Fund” suggest a dignified, serious organization, but when the fund is the brainchild of a group of powerful, passionate local women, the end result is something much larger. Dignified and serious, yes, but add to that hard driving, committed, enthusiastic and successful and you start to get an idea of just what a difference this group, a part of the Community Foundation of SLO County, is all about.

The fund began a number of years ago when 100 women each pledged $1,000 to seed a permanent endowment to support the needs of women and girls. The fund founders gave more than money. They rallied support for the cause, rounded up other women (and men) to help add to it, and at this year’s September celebration announced a fund that has blown past it first goal of $500,000 and now tops $700,000.

The Women’s Legacy Fund awards grants to organizations and programs and invites recipients back each year to talk about how funds have changed lives. The stories told are compelling, wrenching and uplifting.

Struggling home-based entrepreneurs who are today successful business owners.

This year’s program had a focus on the importance of reading and a reminder that literacy is key to creating successful women, their families and communities.

The keynote presentation by “Raising a Reader” National Executive Director Dr. Gabrielle Miller was bolstered by the real life perspective of longtime local educator Shannon White-Bond, who coordinates the program for the county. Red bags filled with books in English and in Spanish are sent home with children to share with their parents, fostering a home culture of joy-in-reading.

Kristin Inman of PG&E photo by Megan Rivoire

Once-timid domestic abuse victims who’ve learned to manage money. After school care that includes tutoring. And so it goes.

The luncheon is more than a feel good event.

It brings together nearly 500 (mostly) women, it raises tens of thousands of dollars for the cause, and it reminds us all of how an educated, productive population is a cornerstone to a healthy community.

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An army of local women and many sponsors help put on the Women’s Legacy Fund Luncheon each year. The dais for the 2013 event was anchored with talent, good humor and grace by MC Sandi Sigurdson, The Community Foundation’s Janice Fong Wolf, Women’s Legacy Fund board chair Mary Verdin and fundraiser Betsey Nash.

A special shout out goes to the very special PG&E employee Kristin Inman (pictured above). Earlier this summer Kristin was announced as the winner of PG&E’s “President’s Diversity Champion” award, an honor that singled her out from 21,000 other PG&E employees and brought with it a cash award of $5,000. And what did the champ do? She turned around and donated her prize to the Women’s Legacy Fund. That’s the kind of pay-it-forward magic that’s going on in our community.

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Kids learn to love books and are rewarded with a yearend celebration, a library book bag and library card to help keep the bag filled.

And they are rewarded with something more: a love of learning and a key to future success, because, as Shannon forcefully noted, “books build better brains.” Aren’t better brains, stronger employees and happier people goals we can all support? Raising a Reader has touched more than 2500 families since its inception in 1983.

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Read more, share the passion and sign up to help at www.wlfslo.org

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