November 2012 Journal Plus

JOE JOHNSON | DAVID PROCHASK A | HOLLISTER SISTERS | MASTER GARDENERS

Journal NOVEMBER 2012

PLUS

MAGAZINE OF THE CENTRAL COAST

JASON JOHE

Linda Aiello-Madison Broker-Associate

Serving the entire SLO County since 1978

805-543-2172 www.farrellsmyth.com

www.zinvineyard.com

Annette Mullen

Ken Arritt

REALTOR®

Cindy Newton

Twila Arritt

Pamela Bliss

Broker-Associate

REALTOR®

Gentleman’s Ranch 3.76 acres with vineyard and fully insulated 4900+ square foot steel shop with living quarters. Dry farming Zinfandel grapes. Electric gate + alarm system with cameras.

Great opportunity for a car collector, or nicely located for potential tasting room. For more info call 904-6616. $1,275,000

Beautiful • Comfortable • Contemporary • Energy Efficient • Mountain Views! Award winning remodel. 3 bedroom, 2 bath home. Great Location! Close to Downtown SLO. Walking / hiking trails close by. $759,000

www.478LincolnStreet.com

Fantastic Opportunity in SLO!

Theresa Carroll

REALTOR®

Fantastic creek side location in coveted Anholm District. Walking distance to downtown San Luis Obispo. Immaculate, original turn-key condition! 2 large bedrooms, 1 bath plus detached 3rd room. Hard wood floors. Private backyard with trex decking and stairs to creek. Excellent future expansion possibilities! $599,000

Fantastic location and income with this delightful 1 bedroom 1 bath 1926 home, single car garage/ storage. Also a separate rental 2 bedroom, 1 bath unit in the back. Close to the government center and easy access to highway.

Mixed zoning with lots of potential. $489,500

www.157Clarence.com

55+ Senior Complex

Vicky Hall

REALTOR®

Stephanie Hamilton REALTOR®

REALTOR®

REALTOR®

Janet Shaner REALTOR®

Larry D. Smyth

REALTOR®

David Hamilton

Laura Rizzoli

Mary Rosenthal

REALTOR®

Patricia Garrison

REALTOR®

www.232CatalinaDrive.com

Broker-Associate

Broker-Associate

Kelly Hannula

Owner/Broker

Near the Village of AG, Gleaming remodeled home in rural setting. 3 car garage + bonus rooms, RV parking, completely fenced oversized lot. More info call 904-6616. $474,900

Located within walking distance to Arroyo Grande theatre, restaurant, grocery, pharmacy, coffee shop and many other stores. Awesome Clubhouse (with full kitchen). 2 bedroom, 2 bath End unit contains granite countertops, storage, patio and fireplace. $268,900

Conveniently located in the heart of SLO & the Village of Arroyo Grande 21 Santa Rosa Street, Suite 100, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 102 E. Branch Street, Suites C & D, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Chris Stanley REALTOR®

Christine Williams REALTOR®

The Best Prices on Quality Toys!

25-50% OFF EVERYTHING IN THE STORE!

50% Off Hasbro 25% Off Everything Else

THE MORE YOU BUY, THE MORE YOU SAVE! VALID AT BOTH LOCATIONS

Fre Wrape Gift ping !

682 Higuera St. • San Luis Obispo • 541-2896 Santa Maria Town Center Mall • Santa Maria • 922-9700 With coupon only. Valid at both the SLO and Santa Maria stores.

Offer valid November 1st through 20, 2012. Not valid with any other offer or promotion, discount taken at register.

CONTENTS

Journal PLUS 18 MAGAZINE OF THE CENTRAL COAST

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

654 Osos Street San Luis Obispo California 93401

MASTER GARDENERS

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

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JOE JOHNSON

ALEXIS NEGRANTI

ADVERTISING Jan Owens CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Susan Stewart, Natasha Dalton, Joseph Carotenuti, Dr. Julian Crocker, Sarah Hedger, Maggie Cox, Deborah Cash, Ruth Starr, Rebecca Juretic, Richard Bauman, Kathy Smith, Jeanne Harris, Marilyn Darnell, Bob Huttle, Andrew Carter, Gordon Fuglie, and Phyllis Benson 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 distributed monthly free by mail to all single family households of San Luis Obispo and is available free at over 600 locations throughout the county.

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 by Londie Garcia Padelsky

PEOPLE 10 12 14 16

JASON JOHE JOE JOHNSON DRAGON BOAT RACING HOLLISTER SISTERS

HOME & OUTDOOR 18 21 22 24 26 28

THE MASTER GARDENERS DOG NEXT DOOR ALEXIS NEGRANTI FOOD / AT THE MARKET SLO ART SCENE

COMMUNITY 30 32 34 36 41 46

HISTORY—PIGEON EXPRESS HISTORY: Father Serra–part 1 HOSPICE CORNER / CROSSWORD PUZZLE PALM STREET–SLO Councilwoman, Smith OUR SCHOOLS–Dr. Julian Crocker ALMANAC–The Month of November

BUSINESS

37 DOWNTOWN SLO What’s Happening 42 THE BULLETIN BOARD 45 LIBRARY DONATION

TRAVEL—NEBRASKA

N O V E M B E R

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A proud tradition of serving our community for over 26 years

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Large home located on cul-de-sac with views in all directions.

Spacious rooms with several areas suited for wine cellar, home office, storage, etc. Close to parks and adjacent to city open space with numerous hiking trails. Central vac, RV garage, boat storage and large private deck for barbecues. $960,000 #3062

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Edna Valley land,

Luxurious Beach Condo

approximately 8 acres that have been approved for 5 lots. Good AG well for entire property.

This is a rare development opportunity for the area and offers outstanding potential, suitable for vines, olive orchard, etc. 3 older homes on property are currently being leased month to month. $1,600,000 #2981

AVILA BEACH – Beautifully appointed 3 bedroom 2.5 bath luxury condo located in gated complex only 1/2 block from the sand, surf and shopping in Avila Beach. Quality finishes throughout. Two parking spaces in gated garage for unit. Active and popular vacation rental. Seller will consider fractional ownership. $985,000 #3058

ATASCADERO – Tastefully remodeled 3 bed,

CAYUCOS – New construction with coastal access at the end of the block. Two master suites with high ceilings, plush carpet, travertine tile and coastal views. Featuring natural Birch cabinetry, granite countertops, and picture windows that allow incredible natural light throughout this custom home. $824,000 #2944

1 bath single level home. New interior paint, carpet, updated bathroom, newer roof and some updated electrical and plumbing. Open kitchen features refinished cabinets, new flooring, new countertops and stainless steel appliances. Large fully fenced backyard and 2 car garage. $249,900 #3060

Ideal Location ARROYO GRANDE – Two spacious single family homes on one glorious, 30-acre parcel in the picturesque Huasna Valley in Arroyo Grande.

Both homes offer 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths.

Come experience the rolling hills and majestic oaks. Great income potential too! $760,000 #3006

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Exclusive San Luis Obispo neighborhood! Beautifully remodeled 3 bedroom home featuring additional office, large family room with clerestory windows and plenty of natural light. Family room opens to a deck and landscaped backyard with fig and avocado trees, raised garden and spacious lawn. $849,999 #3056

ATASCADERO – Gorgeous country style living!

Positioned on approximately 3/4 acre corner lot with mature oak trees plus hill and valley view. This lovely home built in 2002 features approximately 1940 sf, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a 2-car garage. $439,000 #3043

For more information on these and other Real Estate Group of SLO listings call us at

805.541.2888

962 Mill Street • San Luis Obispo, California 93401 • www.RealEstateGroup.com

Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

From the publisher

N

ovember is a time to give thanks. It’s also the month when we celebrate Veterans Day and honor those who served our country.

Several events and fundraisers are planned, and we announce two of those in our Spotlight section. Please take the time to read about these wonderful groups and choose one or more to support.

This is also the time of year when we like to personally thank all of our advertisers. They allow us to bring this magazine into your homes each month. Please support them when you can.

Finally, our historian and writer, Joe Carotenuti is receiving one of the highest national awards this month for his historical research and writing in Journal Plus. The California Council for the Preservation of History is presenting Joe with the Dave Byrd Certificate of Meritorious Performance and Promise for 2012.

Congratulations, Joe! Plenty of good reading again this month.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Enjoy the magazine,

Steve Owens

COMING UP AT THE

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Eddie Izzard 11/3 • 8 p.m.

Christopher Cohan Center Presented by Cal Poly Arts

Cal Poly Bandfest 2012: Year of the Dragon 11/17 • 8 p.m.

Christopher Cohan Center

Presented by CP Music Dept.

God's Ear 11/8 - 11/10 • 11/15 - 11/17 • 8 p.m.

Alex & Faye Spanos Theatre

Cal Poly Symphony Fall Concert: Music and Image 11/18 • 3 p.m.

Presented by CP Theatre & Dance Dept.

Christopher Cohan Center

Symphony Classics: Life's Joys 11/10 • 8 p.m.

MET Live in HD: The Tempest 11/25 • 2 p.m.

Christopher Cohan Center

Christopher Cohan Center

Presented by CP Music Dept.

Presented by SLO Symphony

Presented by Opera SLO & CPA

Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal 11/11 • 7 p.m.

Cal Poly Fall Jazz Concert 11/30 • 8 p.m.

Christopher Cohan Center

Alex & Faye Spanos Theatre

Presented by Cal Poly Arts

Presented by CP Music Dept.

Warren Miller Ski Film: Flow State 11/13 • 7 p.m.

Christopher Cohan Center Presented by PAC Outreach

S an

Lui s

O bi s po

WWW.PACSLO.ORG | 805-756-4TIX (4849)

Light Up A Life 2012 Presented By

And I will light a candle for you.

To shatter all the darkness and bless the times we knew.

Like a beacon in the night The flame will burn bright and guide us on our way.

Oh, today I light a candle for you.

—Paul Alexander

In the Spirit of this National Memorial Event, Hospice Partners is pleased to host five Light Up a Life ceremonies in San Luis Obispo County.

MORRO BAY The Inn at Morro Bay Morro Bay State Park Sunday • November 25 • 6:00 p.m.

PASO ROBLES First Baptist Church 1645 Park Street Thursday • November 29 • 6:00 p.m.

SAN LUIS OBISPO First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo Marsh & Morro Monday • November 26 • 6:00 p.m.

ARROYO GRANDE New Hope Church 900 Oak Park Boulevard Monday • December 3 • 6:00 p.m.

ATASCADERO The Carlton Hotel 6005 El Camino Real Wednesday • November 28 • 6:00 p.m.

A candle is waiting for you to light in memory of your loved one this holiday season.

Participate in our Faces of Love photomontage during the ceremony by sending in a picture of your loved one.

To receive information, please call (805) 782-8608 A special thank you to the following sponsors for their in-kind donation to support Hospice Partners’ Light Up a Life ceremonies: Journal Plus, San Luis Obispo; Greenheart Farms, Arroyo Grande; Inn at Morro Bay, Morro Bay; The Carlton Hotel, Atascadero; Embassy Suites, San Luis Obispo Hospice Partners is a not-for-profit agency of Wilshire Health & Community Services, Inc. For more information about Hospice Partners, contact us at (805) 782-8608 or log onto www.hospicepartnerscc.org.

Feel good about your healthcare.

Feel even better knowing your family doctor is part of the only locally owned physicians network on the Central Coast.

Now with more Medicare options than ever, make Physicians Choice Medical Group your choice during open enrollment.

Physicians Choice

•

Secure Horizons

Together with our partners we now offer the largest and most trusted healthcare network on the Central Coast. As a network of local physicians and the Dignity Health group of hospitals, we are committed to providing quality care with an ever-growing list of healthcare providers.

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PEOPLE

JASON JOHE ...MAKING A LIVING ON A HORSE, WITH A ROPE

By Susan Stewart

B

y all the usual standards, Jason Johe came very late to his chosen sport. At 14, most of his competitors had been riding and roping since they were 3 or 4 years old, giving them a ten-year jump on him. But Johe is something of a “natural,” whose family heritage, cooperative spirit, and fierce determination have brought him to an enviable place in the world of rodeo—a multiple award-winning standing that could someday send him to the National Rodeo Finals held annually in Las Vegas.

Johe (pronounced like joy) is now 18, a recent graduate of San Luis Obispo High School, and a well-respected “heeler” in the only team sport in rodeo, team-roping. He has achieved, in just four years, what can take others a decade to learn.

According to www.USTRC.com, the team-roping competition, now one of six standard rodeo events, begins with a steer in a chute and ropers on horseback on either side. A run begins with the steer being released from the chute, after which point the ropers may give chase.

The first roper (the header), comes up on the steer’s left side and, throwing his loop, ropes the steer around the horns or neck. Next, the header secures the steer by wrapping the rope remaining in his hand around the saddle-horn (called dallying). It will now be the job of his partner (the heeler) to follow the steer and skillfully throw his loop so that it encircles both of the steer’s hind feet. The heeler will finish the run by stopping his horse while simultaneously dallying his rope around his saddle-horn. The team that performs its job the quickest wins the event. Time is called by an arena judge who waits until both ropes are taut and each roper’s horse is facing the steer.

Born to parents Gene and Melanie Johe in 1994, Jason is a fifth generation San Luis Obispan! His maternal great-great grandfather, Antone Stanuseich, arrived in San Luis Obispo from Croatia in 1846 and his paternal great-great grandfather, George Johe, immigrated here from Germany in 1858. Settling in the Irish Hills, they farmed oat hay and beans, and raised dairy cattle.

Jason’s photo by Londie Garcia Padelsky

“When your family has lived in one location for 100 years,” said Jason, “you can get a road named after you.” Today, the family still lives on Johe Lane on the outskirts of San Luis Obispo near San Luis Mountain and Bishop Peak. To say that Jason’s skills are in his DNA is not a very big stretch.

At age 3, Jason began raising animals: chickens, ducks, rabbits, African geese, pygmy goats, a great white turkey, a turtle named Speedy, even a Holstein bull. Today, Jason has four dogs and would have more if he could! At 10, he learned to ride horses. His father bought him his own quarter horse and Jason named him Slingshot.

In middle school, Jason joined 4H and began raising and showing award-winning animals at the Mid-State Fair, including a replacement heifer, a steer, a pig and a lamb. During lulls in the 4H action, he’d wander over to watch the rodeo and was mesmerized by the speed and agility he saw in the team-roping events. By the end of his 8th grade year, Jason was 14 years old and had begun team-roping at ranches all over the county. His natural talent and quickly-honed skills caught the attention of his friend Dalton Pearce’s mother, Connie, who invited him to his first District 7 meeting (a California High School Rodeo group). Jason was hooked.

“It’s challenging,” Jason explains. “The steers are 500 pounds with foot-long horns and there’s no guarantee you’ll get one.”

Jason (R) and James Grantham with their winning buckles at the 2011 PTR Fall Classic N O V E M B E R

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Soon, he began working with a trainer, local roper Ronnie Garcia.

During high school, Jason continued to compete, joined the West Coast Junior Rodeo Association, and participated in other rodeo events as well: steer-stopping, calf-tying, and ribbon-roping. He also ropes at calf brandings at local roundups. At 16, Jason joined the United States Team Roping Championships (USTRC) and the American Cowboy Team Roping Association (ACTRA) where he competes with as few as 50 or as many as 300 other roping teams, most of them adults. These events are called jackpots and the competition is fierce. Just two years later, Jason has earned enough money to be

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from 1 to 10, with 10 being best. Only 9’s and 10’s usually qualify for the finals and out of hundreds of competitors, only the top 15 are selected to compete at the NFR. I’m a 6 right now.”

With role models like local heeler John Chavez to emulate, Jason has a better-than-average chance of making it to the NFR. “He makes it look so cool,” said Jason of Chavez. “If you want to heel, you want to look like him. He has great style.”

Jason and Caden at State Finals in Bishop, 2012.

self-sustaining. However, Jason is competing frequently now, and the cost of fuel and supplies is high, so he’s seeking sponsors to help him pursue the dream.

“He has earned the respect of many people,” says his mother, Melanie, “for his love of roping, his talent, the respect he shows others, and his humble attitude when he wins.” Which has been often! Jason turned 18 in July of this year and has joined the California Cowboys Pro Rodeo Association (CCPRA). He plans to join the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) so he can compete in bigger rodeos and eventually go on the road. This past May, the California High School Rodeo Association District 7 presented him with the Van Snow Memorial Award for his “talent inside the arena and out, his integrity, work ethic, and sportsmanship.”

In June of 2012 he competed in the state finals for the California High School Rodeo held in Bishop, California, and qualified for the Silver State International Rodeo in Nevada. He and his partner, Cody Snow, broke the arena record there at a time of 5.75 seconds. Last month, on October 7, 2012, Jason won a buckle in the #10 roping at the USTRC Madonna Inn Championships, got the fastest time in two ropings, and won a total of $2,254.

In the four years since he began team-roping, Jason says his best experience to date was when he won three ropings in one day at Templeton, California. Jason plans to enroll at Cuesta, but not until this coming January. He’ll continue to enter jackpots and compete as much as possible with dreams of someday making National Finals.

But the people he credits most with his current (and future) success are his parents, Gene and Melanie. “You learn little bits from everyone you meet,” he said. “But I listen to my parents most of all. They taught me to be respectful, to help out whether you want to or not, to be responsible, to make your own choices.”

Speaking of which, Jason is looking for a standout header to take to the NFR with him. “I won’t join the PRCA without one. … I want the best chance at winning.”

At just 18 years old, Jason Johe is proud to say … “I make my living in this world, not at a desk with a computer, but on a horse with a rope in my hand.”

Jason Johe is looking for sponsors to help with the considerable expense of continuing to compete so he can qualify for the NFR and achieve his dream: to make it into the NFR and compete with the best of the best. If you’re interested in sponsoring Jason you can reach him at johes@charter.net.

Christmas Around the World Gary Lamprecht, Director

“It’s the biggest rodeo event in the nation,” he explains. “You rodeo all year long and hope to place well. There’s a number system for ropers

Saturday, December 1, 2012 8 p.m. | Mission San Luis Obispo Sunday, December 2, 2012 3 p.m. | Mission San Luis Obispo Sunday Only: $10 seats for children.

Any seat in the house!

TickeTs VocalArts.org | 805-541-6797 Jason (foreground) and Caden Clay team-roping in Santa Ynez, 2012.

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PEOPLE

joe johnson a life of service

By Ruth Starr

E

ven as a kid growing up in Los Angeles, Joe Johnson began a life of giving by helping run a neighborhood park. A natural leader, Joe was an educator for thirtyfive years. He initially taught in Los Angeles for four years and then grade school in San Luis Obispo for thirty-one years. After retirement, Joe followed the lead of his wife Madeleine and once again found himself teaching. However, this time Joe’s classroom is geared to families and loved ones coping with the affects of mental illness. The local SLO Chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), sponsors a class called “Family to Family.” Madeleine has taught for the past five years and Joe is going on his fourth year teaching. Together they also lead a local NAMI support group for families that have a loved one with mental illness. Joe understands that people have similar problems and that through support they can understand and assist one another. “Support and education is vitally important as the stigma regarding mental illness is still prevalent and can impede recovery,” explains Joe.

The Family-to-Family classes educate on identifying mental impairment, types of medications, communications and dealing with stigma. The 12-week, no-fee class includes people from all walks of life. Anyone can take the class, as long as they have a relative, friend or loved one who has a mental illness. During the course, they detail a wide variety of mental diseases, dispense hope, educate about rehabilitation and discuss how to talk with doctors. Solutions vary for each individual, making support an essential tool to navigate through the evolving process toward recovery.

Joe’s interest was sparked by the listening skills of his fourth grade teacher. As a teacher himself Joe modeled those listening skills and took a deep interest in his students. He loved working with young children. “They are open and want to try anything, so it was a good learning experience,” explains Joe. That early training helped prepare him for his current teaching skills.

His education began with studies at East Los Angeles College. From there he went to Cal State in L.A. and completed his Masters at the University of Southern California. In order to teach for NAMI, Joe took a NAMI course to be certified.

Because mental illness impacts the lives of at least one in four adults and one in ten children—or sixty million Americans—NAMI works every day to help families and loved ones cope more effectively with N O V E M B E R

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Joe to be the graffiti clean-up person. He’s been doing this for close to six years, and now there are several other graffiti removers working as volunteers as well. Joe finds out where the graffiti is by spotters, such as the Police Department and other interested citizens who email or call him. Citizens can go to the SLO City Police website where there is a place to click on the “graffiti report.” People can report it to the city and also the state on the site.

Chemicals or paint are used to clean up the graffiti. He thinks graffiti is done by people who are also ill in different ways. It makes him mad at what they do—however, not at them personally.

Community spirit is a wonderful trait of Joe’s personality. He has volunteered at Laguna Lake Golf Course picking up balls on the

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driving range, shelving books at the Library, and visiting the sick at French Hospital.

Golfing is one of his hobbies. He is a regular player at the Laguna course, where over the years he has gotten three holes-in-one! Reading mysteries, fiction and science are woven into Joe’s life. When he taught children he played a little bit of guitar for them. Joe has recently returned to playing and takes lessons to accompany himself with singing.

Madeleine and Joe have three children—a son in Irvine, a daughter in Portland, and a son in SLO. They have been married for 45 years and continue to appreciate life here on the Central Coast.

the tragic consequences of mental illness, and to help people living with mental illness receive better treatment, care, and rehabilitation. NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected.

The SLO NAMI group meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at St. Stephens Church from 5:30 to 6:45. There are also local support groups in Arroyo Grande and Atascadero where people talk about their feelings with others who attend the group.

People don’t like to talk about it unless they trust someone. Joe says that if you have a disease you go to a doctor and it gets taken care of. It’s just not the same with mental illness, a brain disease, and many people find the stigma challenging.

Another giving quality of Joe is his involvement with graffiti. When he lived in Los Angeles, there was a lot of graffiti on many buildings. His Dad was out of work and the family lived in apartment projects. Joe wanted it to look beautiful, but as a young kid, there wasn’t anything he could do about it. As an adult in San Luis Obispo, however, Joe decided he could do something about the local graffiti. He went to the city council and asked what could be done. The Council volunteered N O V E M B E R

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For health and happiness

dragon boat racing The central coast surviveoars

By Susan Stewart

I

n 1996, a daring and courageous physician from Canada flew in the face of the prevailing wisdom and suggested that strenuous, upper-body exercise might just help to increase the chance of surviving for women with breast cancer.

According to an article posted online by CBC News in 2007, Dr. Donald McKenzie (a former competitive kayaker, medical advisor to the Canadian Olympic Kayaking Team, and cancer researcher) began testing his theory. Ranging in age from 31 to 62, twenty-four breast cancer survivors volunteered to take up the highly demanding sport of dragon boat racing. McKenzie’s research showed that the vigorous sport did indeed extend lives. Since then, the “trend” has spread to the four corners of the globe, including the city of Morro Bay.

Sounds like fun! But how does it help? Well, since many cancer survivors have had their lymph nodes removed and / or radiation as part of their treatment, this can lead to an accumulation of fluid (called lymphedema) and other problems such as restricted joint movement, pain and fatigue. Upper-body exercise can help alleviate fluid build-up; in fact, it’s now been proven that regular exercise of any sort can prolong life for those who come down with breast cancer (Harvard Medical School study). And it can be an important preventive measure as well. Dragon boating just happens to be an ideal form of exercise for breast and other cancer survivors because it is a superb whole body workout with excellent cardio-vascular benefits as well.

Here’s how the local dragon boat team got started:

Fast forward 16 years and meet the Central Coast SurviveOars, a fearsome team of more than 20 women from all walks of life, ages 38 to 92—all of them cancer survivors. Originally, the women were all breast cancer survivors, but now the team is made up of women who have survived all types of cancer as well as supporters—friends and family.

In 2008, founding member Leslyn Keith, a lymphedema specialist, heard about the national dragon boat movement from one of her patients. Keith brought in Shoosh Crotzer of Enhancement, Inc.; Rose Marie Battaglia of Sub Sea Kayaks; and Denise Youngman of Sunnyside Physical Therapy. Together, these four founding members began recruiting breast cancer survivors to form the first team. In January of 2009, they joined Team Survivor SLO and opened membership to all women cancer survivors.

Operating out of Morro Bay, and practicing on the waters at Estero Bay, the team is an official member of the nationwide organization, Team Survivor. Formed in 2008 in order to “promote confidence in our bodies and our abilities,” the SurviveOars is now a highly competitive and closely knit team with a slew of wins in its history, including the Gold Medal in the Cancer Survivor Divisions at Long Beach and San Diego this past year.

“When you are first diagnosed,” said Spelbring, “you get into the role of patient; in full survival mode. This [the team] took me out of that and into the role of athlete. When you’re on the water, you are with women who just ‘get’ it.”

So what exactly is dragon boat racing? And why is it an effective therapy for cancer survivors? Lenore Spelbring, the group’s outgoing president for 2012, and Rose Marie Battaglia, a co-founder and team captain, provided the answers. Dragon boats are big canoes, 42 feet long, with “fully dressed” heads and tails. Inside, ten benches support 20 women, with a seat for the drummer, a steering area, and a giant oar for the steersperson. Races typically pit three to seven boats against each other in a 500-meter sprint.

Watching the practices (not to mention the races!) and looking at the members of SurviveOars, one would never guess these women are anything but dedicated, finely-honed athletes—having the times of their lives. Their bodies are strong and healthy; their faces full of wide smiles and the gleam of competitive pride in their eyes.

“You just line up and paddle like crazy,” said Spelbring. “Core strength is everything,” she added. “Plus mostly, it’s a willingness to practice, to be part of a team, to be a good listener.”

In 2008, the year of their founding, the SurviveOars were given their first official dragon boat, dubbed OHMACC in honor of the local oncology group that made it possible. Before that, they used an old war canoe they called the Booby Prize. (There is no shortage of humor in this group.) They purchased their second boat, Joanna’s Joy, in 2011.

Now no one can be turned away; there’s room for everyone.

“These are very tight races,” said Battaglia. “You can win by less than a second.”

“Every member recognizes how precious each day is,” said Battaglia.

“This takes you away from sick … to survivor. You really feel you understand what surviving means.”

The racing season ends in November, and won’t begin again until March. But the SurviveOars keep the boats in the water and continue to paddle all year round, with the exception of six weeks in December and January. You can catch the SurviveOars in all their glory, as they glide gracefully across the Morro Bay Harbor during the annual Lighted Boat Parade to be held this year on December 1, 2012.

A group photo of the Central Coast SurviveOars N O V E M B E R

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In the meantime, they’ll continue to practice regularly, usually three times each week.

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Jeanne L’Amoreaux with the head of the dragon.

The SurviveOars with their medals in San Diego.

Jeanne L’Amoreaux has been a member since the beginning. At 87, she rarely misses a practice or a race. Recently, after a particularly strenuous day on the water, Jeanne was heard exclaiming, “Boy, I wish I was 83 again!”

Last year, the SurviveOars lost longtime member Joanna Frawley, when she died at her home in Los Osos. The website www.surviveoars.org has a page dedicated to her memory. Photos show what a joyful person she was; what a strong team member she was. You can read about her extraordinary life on and off the water at the site. You’ll also find information about practice schedules, upcoming events, team goals, and membership requirements.

The future of the SurviveOars will see the team travelling to Rio Tinto in British Colombia in 2013, and to Tampa, Florida for the International Breast Cancer Festival in 2014. As the team enters its 5th year, the words of Patricia Nolan sum up what the sport of dragon boating is all about: “There is something about being on the water that is therapeutic. It might be flat and glassy, quiet and shimmery, foggy and misty, or gray and choppy. This ever-changing energy of water mirrors each of our journeys through cancer … each one is different. Dragon boating has taught me that cancer does not define me. It is merely the gray and choppy part of my journey.”

N MacB EW In sto ook Pro ck no w!

N MacB EW In sto ook Pro ck no w!

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PEOPLE

history

three hollister sisters three historical homes

By Marilyn Darnell

T

he three Hollister sisters from the Central Coast were the daughters of California pioneers Ellen Mossman and Joseph Hubbard Hollister. The sisters distinguished themselves with homes in the Golden State; two on the Central Coast, the Jack House in San Luis Obispo and the Stow House in Goleta. The third home, the Banning residence, is in southern California.

When the siblings’ father died in 1870 in Santa Barbara his will divided $500,000 among the three sisters, making them wealthy in their own right. In addition, they married men of distinction whose backgrounds intertwined in ranching, agriculture, railroad, politics and community building.

First born Mary Elizabeth married widower Phineas Banning when she was 23 promptly making her the mother of his three young sons William, Joseph and Hancock. Mary gave birth to three daughters with two surviving, Mary and Lucy. Phineas became known as “a man of note and power for good” and together their 1864 Greek Revival style home welcomed family and friends as it does today. The home was built in the City of Wilmington, named by General Banning after the city of his roots in Banning Residence Museum: Coach Delaware. Development of the Port of Los Angeles as we know it today by General Banning put the couple’s residence on the National Register of Historic Places.

Although a fire in 1946 destroyed many of their records, family heirlooms grace

Portrait of Nellie Jack

the Banning residence which is managed by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Volunteer docents provide tours of the home, stables and school house on the 20-acre park holding classes for school children regularly. Going back in time is enhanced with the blacksmith shop, the single room school house complete with desks and rules, and a large stable that also serves as a garage full of buggies, coaches, horse stalls as well as ranch and farming equipment. The museum documents the contributions of the family through displays, story boards and a short film.

Middle daughter, Lucy Ellen, known as Nellie, married Robert Edgar Jack in 1870; an accountant for Nellie’s uncle, WW Hollister. The five Jack children Ella, Gertrude, Ethel, Robert Edgar Jr. and Howard had the world open up to them as few children on the Central Coast did.

Jack House and Gardens

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PEOPLE

Mary Hollister Banning, Nellie Hollister Jack and Ida Hollister Stow are acknowledged as the three Hollister sisters who have added to the fabric of the Central Coast, the state of California and to the United States of America. As siblings the three Hollister’s are distinguished sisters with their homes being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Each is open to the public, who can walk its halls and glean the gems of bygone days and its family’s role in history.

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The General Phineas Banning Residence 401 E “M” Street Wilmington, California 90748 (310) 548-7777 Historic Jack House and Gardens 536 Marsh St. San Luis Obispo, California 93401 (805) 781-7303 Rancho La Patera and Stow House 304 N. Los Carneros Road Goleta, CA 93117

“I stand on my record and am committed to serving the citizens of San Luis Obispo with the utmost integrity and fiscal responsibility to ensure a quality of life that we can all be proud of.”

The Hollister safe at the Hollister Adobe—Cuesta College

Dan Carpenter San Luis Obispo City Councilman Vice Mayor

They had a library of books thanks to their mother who was said to have a book in her hands if they were not busy with something else. Besides being multi-lingual, Nellie Jack was an amateur horticulturalist who traveled the county introducing varieties of trees from all over the world.

A committed leader. A voice for the citizens’ priorities.

The Jack children’s father, Robert Edgar, was a leader in numerous ventures and professions having connections with the likes of C.P. Huntington, Will Rogers and California Senator S. C. Smith.

While maintaining the Jack Ranch in Chalome, Robert and Nellie built their city home, the Jack House, by 1880 in San Luis Obispo, which the family occupied from the time of Queen Victoria to the Nixon White House.

Today docents not only voluntarily give tours regularly, but put on one-of-a-kind exhibits and special events.

As a rancher, land developer, banker, community leader and advocate for the railroad Mr. Jack’s contributions earned the Jack House a listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The youngest of the trio of Hollister sisters, Ida G., married Sherman Patterson Stow in 1873. The couple’s family grew with the additions of Sherman, Anne, Katherine, Samuel, Edgar and Margaret. Sherman gave California its first lemon grove planted for commercial use and his contribution earned the Stow House a place on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Stow House was built in Carpenter Gothic style making it a popular venue for tours, events and educational opportunities.

The Stow House is not far from the Hollister Ranch from which the three Hollister sisters gained their fortune.

Paid for by Committee to Elect Dan Carpenter for SLO City Council 2012 ID #1346426

Dan Carpenter’s 2012 Endorsements

(partial list)

The Tribune Recommends Carpenter

“Dan Carpenter is knowledgeable, highly principled, well organized and he looks out for the taxpayers. The Tribune strongly urges his re-election.”

The Tribune, September 30, 2012 Sam Blakeslee State Senator

Andrew Carter SLO City Council

Ken Schwartz Former SLO Mayor & City Council

“Katcho” Achadjian State Assemblyman

Kathy Smith SLO City Council

Allen Settle Former SLO Mayor & City Council

Ian Parkinson SLO County Sheriff

Ellen Sheffer San Luis Coastal Unified School District Trustee

John Ewan Former SLO City Council

Adam Hill SLO County Supervisor Jim Patterson SLO County Supervisor Paul Teixeira SLO County Supervisor

Chris Unger San Luis Coastal Unified District Board President

John Spatafore Former Board President and Trustee San Luis Coastal Unified School District

Dave Romero Former SLO Mayor & City Council

John Shoals Grover Beach Mayor

For a full list of endorsements or to endorse Dan please go to www.DanCarpenterSLO.org N O V E M B E R

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huttle up

master gardeners “Stewards of a slo gem”

By Bob Huttle “Most of us have become Ecozombies, desensitized, environmental deadheads. On average, society conditions us to spend over 95% of our time and 99.9% of our thinking disconnected from nature. Nature’s extreme absence in our lives leaves us abandoned and wanting. Nature’s loss in our psyche produces a hurt, hungering void within us that bullies us into our dilemmas.” —Michael Cohen When was the last time you were delightfully surprised? Borderline amazed? For a long time in my life, mostly when I was much younger, I think I experienced surprise and amazement far more frequently than I do now. Santa’s appearance each Christmas Eve (how did he DO that?). The flight of birds traveling thousands of miles to the same spot each year like clockwork (no need for hand-held GPS devices).

The birth of my children (Wow. WOW!!!). My wife’s hula dancing (she is so very graceful and full of the Aloha spirit). These days, pre-Medi-

Frank in the ground covering area.

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Entrance of the Gardens in San Luis

care (a year and a half away), I ponder the infrequency of surprise in my life. Understand, I am not complaining, and life is very good (SLO being the happiest city and all that), but amazement is often parceled out for me in small doses rather than gigantic portions.

But every now and then I turn a different corner, travel a new path, or meet a new person, and bingo—surprise! Last week, on an especially warm early autumn day, I met four enthusiastic, joyful, committed, and expert folks, all members of a wonderful—if little known by many SLOans—organization named UC Master Gardeners (MGs). I’m betting that program coordinator, Maria Murrietta, and volunteer MGs Thorv Hessellund, Frank De Vito, and Ray Festa all subscribe to the belief that “gardens are not made by sitting in the shade.” (Rudyard Kipling). You can find them and others working many days in the amazing, surprising demonstration garden on Sierra Way down the hill from the SLO Health Department. Not so long ago, this 3/4 acre plot of land was mostly weeds and considered a prime spot for a new office building. A local visionary named Mary Bianchi (a University of California Cooperative Extension Horticulture Farm Advisor) felt the land might be put to better use. Did we honestly need another building? No. Might we benefit instead from a piece of land that could be transformed into a place for horticultural and agricultural education, a place of serenity, growth, and possibility, a spot where committed stewards of the earth could gather and grow? Absolutely yes. An idea was hatched to link forces with the University of California Cooperative Extension—UCCE—to plan, develop, and implement a demonstration garden in the middle of our

HOME/OUTDOOR Raised garden beds making them ADA accessible

city which could teach and inspire community citizens of all ages about the wonders of nature and the role that people could play in attuning themselves to the natural gifts that surround us.

As with most projects of note, seeing this plan to fruition did not take place overnight. Without thousands of hours of volunteer help and generous private donations and assistance from UCCE, SLO County, California Conservation Corps, and a PG&E grant, the demonstration garden might not exist. Named “The Garden of the Seven Sisters” after our seven volcanic peaks, the garden excites, soothes, and welcomes those who visit and especially those who see to its care and survival: the Master Gardeners of the Central Coast.

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Succulent water tolerant area.

slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace.”

I have no doubt that we here in San Luis Obispo are graced by stewards of our own gem, the Garden of the Seven Sisters. As for me, my faith is restored; one visit is enough to surprise and offer me solace.

For more information contact http://cesanluisobispo.ucanr.edu/ or email to mgsanliuisobispo@ucdavis.edu Bob Huttle can be reached at rhuttle@charter.net. He welcomes your comments. Currently, he and his wife’s community garden plot is in dire need of a Master Gardener.

Who are these people? How does one become a UCCE Master Gardener? Many who tend the garden are retired from different walks of life and view care-taking of this precious place as their new calling. But it takes sixteen weeks of training with agricultural experts to earn a Master Gardener certificate, as well as a commitment to additional volunteer hours annually. The program is quite comprehensive and complies with UC scientific and research-based standards. The MGs coordinate and teach popular monthly “Advice to Grow By” gardening workshops.

Recent sessions have included “Fire Safe Landscaping,” “Turf Replacement,” “Summer Pruning,” and Preparing for Winter Veggies.”

SLO’s “Garden of the Seven Sisters” focuses on education for everyone.

Teachers can take a workshop with a Master Gardener who encourages the teacher and students to set up, plant, and maintain a garden at their local school. Field trips can be arranged for students to visit the garden and participate in activities. The garden is an outdoor laboratory and classroom.

Proven Leadership

The demonstration garden is in its infancy; ground was only broken in 2009 after several years of planning, red tape roadblocks, and a continuing search for financial support and volunteers. A cistern was needed, waterlines were dug, fencing was provided, paths were cut, areas were blocked out, shrubs, trees, and flowers were planted, a rainwater collection system was constructed, and ... well, you get the picture. It’s a constantly-evolving wonder and community gem maintained by thirty MG volunteers. Monetary and in-kind donations are always welcomed. The program currently receives no on-going funding from the city or any other organization.

Positive Vision for SLO’s Future

The Master Gardener program is popular in many states. In SLO County there are approximately 120 certificated Master Gardeners.

The website email list has over 1000 names.

The environmentalist, Mary Sarton, once said: “Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the

—City Council & Planning Commission, 8 years —History Teacher, 12 years —Planning Consultant & Business Owner, 22 years —SLO County Land Conservancy, Founding Director —Moderate Choice for SLO City Council —Fiscal Integrity —New, Welcoming Business Climate —Expanded Neighborhood Ser vices —Improved Downtown Amenities

We’re Counting on Your Vote

John Ashbaugh www.johnashbaugh.com

Paid for by Committee to Re-Elect Councilman Ashbaugh N O V E M B E R

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SERVICES PROVIDED • Comprehensive Hospice Care * in the Home * at a Board and Care * at a Skilled Nursing Facility * in the Hospital • Pharmacy Services • Medical Supplies • Durable Medical Equipment • Respite Care • General In-Patient Care • Emotional and Spiritual Support to Patient, Family and Community 24 Hours / 7 days a Week On Call Availability

WE ARE A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

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dog next door Makena follows her nose

By Jeanne Harris

M

akena, a lovely 8-year-old German shepherd, lies quietly at her owner’s feet at an outdoor café. She looks serene and demure, front paws crossed daintily. No one would guess that in the past she struggled with extreme fear and aggression toward other dogs. K9 Nose Work training has made all the difference, and has helped Makena discover a new, happier life.

Jackie Richey, Makena’s owner, does not know the origin of her dog’s fearful behaviors. She adopted her at age 2, and within months, Makena began to display aggressive, unacceptable tendencies: never toward people, only toward other dogs. Jackie began obedience training and situational conditioning with her feisty girl, whose fears of other dogs resulted in nasty, teeth-baring aggression. Over time, Makena’s behavior showed some improvement, but her fear of other dogs persisted. At any given moment, on a walk or while riding in the car, she would lunge viciously at another dog or bark uncontrollably.

In 2010, after several years of training and slow progress, Jackie enrolled Makena in a K9 Nose Work class, offered by Gentle Touch Pet Training in Arroyo Grande. This class provided the catalyst, and turning point, in Makena’s rehabilitation.

According to The Bark magazine, K9 Nose Work is a lower impact training activity that develops dogs’ extraordinary sense of smell and their love of performing a task. By utilizing basic search dog skills, “the sport builds confidence, burns mental and physical energy, and reinforces the bond between dog and owner.” K9 Nose Work employs the same basic training techniques used with detection dogs, but the goal is different. The “work” is simply to provide an outlet for fun, rewards, and competition.

Nose work is a solitary sport, so Makena is not required to interact directly with other dogs. Each participant takes a turn finding a particular scent. One scent used in the training is birch essential oil, applied to a Q-tip which then gets hidden anywhere, perhaps in a box, underneath an object, inside or outside.

The owner gives the dog a signal to search and the dog, on leash, begins the hunt. When the scent is detected and the dog alerts the owner, the dog is immediately rewarded with praise, yummy treats, or a quick playtime with a favorite toy. Makena has progressed from K9 Nose Work classes to K9 Nose Work competitions around the state. She has earned her first title in Nose Work 1, and is preparing for her Nose Work 2 title.

In the process of learning to use and trust her nose, Makena has developed a deeper trust in Jackie, who in turn has bonded more deeply with her dog. Makena’s confidence has grown through her participation in nose work and she has begun to make peace with

photo of Makena by Karen Connell

her fears: the result of using her instinctive sensing abilities and being rewarded and praised for performing a job she loves. She has also acquired a new best friend. She met Buster, a spunky, sweet dachshund, in her nose work classes. Their relationship developed slowly, but now the two can hardly wait to greet each other at weekly class sessions.

When Makena isn’t attending classes or competitions, she loves to walk on the beach with her “brother,” another German shepherd named Alfie, a sweet-tempered, happy-go-lucky boy. But Jackie must still be vigilant and keep a watchful eye on Makena when encountering unfamiliar dogs in public. Makena hasn’t yet progressed to the point of total comfort and acceptance of dogs she doesn’t know.

Through K9 Nose Work and Jackie’s patient, diligent attention to her beloved dog’s well-being, Makena has become a calmer, more relaxed girl who enjoys life. She even offers an adorable trick for people who request it. If a person says, “Makena, are you shy” she sits up, lowers her head, places her right paw over her eyes, then looks up with one eye peeking just above her paw. “Yes, I’m shy, and very cute,” she seems to say in reply. Her sweet antics melt Jackie’s heart, and endear her to everyone she performs for.

Named after a beautiful, serene beach on the island of Maui in Hawaii, Makena is learning to live up to her name. Her life is easier and more enjoyable than ever. Following her nose and trusting where it takes her has led Makena to a new life filled with joy, ease, and fulfillment.

The Banquet Room: A Private Dining Hall.

A perfect place to host your event, big or small Cozy fireplace • Full bar State-of-the-art Technology Beautiful Italian-style mosaic fountain/atrium We’ll help you design a menu that suits your guests unique taste. Banquet menu options include plated dinners or family style.

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

Happy Hour: 3–6pm Monday – Friday

11560 Los Osos Valley Road, SLO (805) 542-0400 N O V E M B E R

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aLEXIS NEGRANTI

HELLO, DOLLY...AND MOLLY, AND HOLLY!

By Natasha Dalton “We need ice cream. It’s my feeling.”

At first, they were three: Holly, Molly and Dolly. They arrived in January of 2011, pregnant but apparently still alright after a long trip across the country. Just a few weeks later, the newlyweds Alexis and Wade Negranti found themselves in a new role: they were taking care of the newborn lambs and milking the ewes.

“This happened so fast,” Alexis says. “Even now, sometimes we look at each other, and say, ‘Oh, my Gosh, we own a dairy!’”

It’s true that at first Alexis’s idea of starting a dairy farm took her husband Wade by surprise. Alexis still chuckles remembering Wade’s initial reaction to her suggestion to “get some sheep and milk them”: “Ok, you’re crazy,” he said. “Have you ever milked a sheep?”

But to Alexis, having to learn how to milk a ewe seemed like “a minor detail”. Even though at that time she had a comfortable desk job at the university, she felt that she wanted to have more than just a nice job; she wanted to be passionate about it.

Looking back to that fateful day in December of 2010, Alexis agrees that Wade’s plan to take a month to think about it was reasonable—it’s just that she couldn’t wait. She grew up doing FFA and 4H and always loved the land and the animals—it was probably inevitable that she’d do something to be closer to them. And so, the day after making her big announcement, she was already looking up sheep breeders.

Researching homemade cheeses, Alexis stumbled upon the idea of making artisan sheep’s milk ice cream—and knew right away that it was exactly what she wanted to do. Delicate sheep’s milk ice creams are very popular in many parts of the world, yet are not available in the U.S. Even Amazon.com—which would deliver anything from horsetail hair to gilded trees—cannot help you if you’re looking for this kind of a frozen treat. But Alexis can. Things have been moving very quickly for the Negranti Dairy, and its product is catching on.

Its story is a great example of success that can be achieved through commitment and a little bit of good luck.

“I’ve never made ice cream before, nor did I have any business experience,” Alexis admits, but she dived into her new endeavor determined to make it work.

This month the Negranti Dairy is celebrating its first anniversary. It began its commercial operation in April, and in seven short months it has won the hearts of many local foodies. Not only that—it found its way into several important state and national markets, and today shoppers from New York to San Francisco swear by Alexis’s brand.

“Our ice creams have a very rich taste, yet they are quite light,” she says. “Other ice creams could contain up to 20-25% fat. Sheep’s milk has only 7% fat, and we don’t add any more fat to our product.” This results in a “clean” taste—which means that the ice cream doesn’t leave a fatty aftertaste in your mouth. “But you still get that familiar rich ice cream texture,” Alexis assures.

Her ice creams don’t have any “secret ingredients.” The ingredients are simple, fresh and as local as they get. “I use natural sugar; our strawberries come from Santa Maria, and I get basil and blackberries from Pozo Organic Farm,” Alexis explains.

Right now she has five ice cream flavors on the market, but is planning to add more. It’s truly “a trial-and-error” process, with Strawberry-and-Basil ice cream emerging as the current number one seller.

“People who haven’t tried it may say: ‘Oh, I don’t know about basil in my ice cream’—but it’s an awesome combination,’” Alexis insists.

“Those who don’t like goat milk, for example, are sometimes apprehensive,” she says. “But people get pleasantly surprised to find out that sheep’s milk is sweet, almost nutty.”

Food bloggers and chefs inspired Alexis to introduce a savory line, and the first flavor in that category is going to be Butternut Squash—a vegetable that is just coming in season. “I’ll work on it in my spare time,” Alexis chuckles.

Being basically a one-man (or rather, a one-woman) operation, she has to be quick on her feet to meet the demands of running a rapidly growing business. But it’s exactly what she finds thrilling about her new job.

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says. Running a business is a demanding job, but Alexis remembers Cal Poly’s motto: “Learn by Doing” and keeps pressing forward.

One of the big milestones for her was getting the diary certified by the state. “Complying with all the rules is not always a walk in the park, but it’s only as challenging as you make it,” Alexis says. For example: the floor at the dairy has to be sloped at a certain percentage for water to drain. “These are the things that you just have to do. It’s how it is.

I cannot fight the inspectors about the rules.

Ultimately, they are looking out for your best interest, and it only helps if you have the right attitude. I knew that the inspectors weren’t there to get me; they were there to make sure I had a safe product,” Alexis adds.

Wade and Alexis Negranti

“If you want to go on vacation, don’t start a dairy,” she laughs. “But I love it. I love working with animals—it’s very challenging and rewarding at the same time. I’m connected to the land; I’m connected to the sheep, which give me this great milk, and allow to make this great product.”

Besides, after the sheep get sheared, Alexis donates all the wool to an Ojai non-profit, called Wool for Worthy Causes. The group works with several other nonprofits, including the one for blind people who make blankets.

“These non-profits give jobs to blind people, who then donate their blankets to the troops,” Alexis explains. It all works outs perfectly.

And on the days when things are a little less than perfect at the dairy, Alexis tries to stay focused on the bigger picture. “You can either completely stress-out, or you can look at your problem and say: ‘How are we going to get through it?’” she

Until now Alexis relied on Wade’s help when things at the farm got hairy. Wade has a fulltime job in his family business, but Alexis likes to say that he supports her dairy habit.

“I could not do it without him,” she insists.

But with the growing demand and the lambing season (which will double the number of her sheep) right around the corner, Alexis will need to expand her business model. “I know it’s going to get hard, and we’ll need some help,” she says. The next step is to work out a program where her animals are lambing out at different times, allowing her to have enough fresh milk throughout the year.

adding them to the already long list of our fabulous “must haves.” There’s no doubt that the Negranti Dairy is here to stay, and Alexis is just getting started.

To sample Negranti ice cream, try New Frontiers, McFee’s Grill restaurant in Templeton, FIG in Atascadero, Full of Life Flatbread in Los Alamos, or the Thursday Farmers’ Market in San Luis Obispo.

To learn more about the farm, sign up for the Ice Cream Club or read Alexis’s blog, go to www.NegrantiDairy.com To learn about Wool for Worthy Causes, visit www.WoolforWorthyCauses.org

Fortunately, Alexis’s sixty ewes seem to enjoy living in Templeton. “The area is open: they can be in the barn or on the pasture,” Alexis explains. They’re fun to watch. “Sheep totally have personalities,” Alexis says. “You see it especially when you’re milking them.”

Without a doubt, Molly, Dolly and Holly are still among Alexis’s favorites. “They are my babies,” she smiles. “I always say that no matter what, even when they’re done milking, they will always have the most beautiful pasture reserved for them—because they are my first three. They will always be special.”

Six pints of ice cream

“People at the farmers’ market say to me: ‘Oh, this ice cream is soo good! It tastes homemade.’ That’s the best compliment to me. I’ve been lucky in that no one had turned me down,” Alexis says. The Central Coast seems to have embraced the new ice creams from Templeton, N O V E M B E R

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HOME/OUTDOOR at the market

Recipes for roast pumpkin—Pumpkin bread and thai inspired roast pumpkin soup

By Sarah Hedger

A

s Winter approaches and the air cools down, warmer dishes start to sound more and more appealing. Perhaps it is the warmth we seek, or the heartiness our bodies require, but there is something that feels very good when the soup pot is brought out and the aroma of stewing dishes permeate the house. The Central Coast is lucky in that our farmers are able to continue growing a good variety of crops during Winter months.

While there is a shift in what is available, there is lots to choose from.

Butternut squash, different varieties of (edible) pumpkins, onions, early garlic, pomegranates, persimmons, winter squash, quince, and a number of apple varieties continue … Plentiful options!

One of my favorite things this time of year are pumpkins. With more and more varieties of edible, heirloom pumpkins available, their flavor contributes a wonderful, dynamic element that can’t be achieved from canned pumpkin. I used to think they were a lot of work to integrate into recipes, but lately I have discovered

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how easy they are to roast. I simply cut them in half horizontally, scrape the seeds out, and place the two halves on a (lined) baking sheet, roasting in the oven for an hour at 350°F. The skin gets soft and dark, making it easy to scrape the pulp away from the skin, turning it into a flavor-packed pumpkin puree, good to integrate into any of your favorite pumpkin recipes. Pumpkins themselves are brilliant in the health department. Their bright orange color comes from the high amount of carotenoids, a powerful antioxidant. Pumpkin is also high in Vitamin A which can boost the immune system as well as promote healthy eyes. It also contains Vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and good dietary fiber.

Not bad for something that grows so readily, while being easy to prepare, and delicious to eat!

This month’s recipe is a two-fer as a roast pumpkin makes a lot of good pumpkin puree. While the puree can easily be frozen, it is best to use as much as possible in delicious Fall pumpkin recipes.

Thai Inspired Roast Pumpkin Soup is a current favorite, yet so delicious that not until the third time around did it finally last long enough to be photographed! It is a simple soup, easy to prepare, healthy, with just the right amount of spice. All ingredients are easily found at a local farmers’ market and the local Asian market.

It hits the spot in the “warming” category. The second recipe is for Some Great Pumpkin Bread. I try to refrain from calling it the best, even though it is my favorite … Both recipes are gluten free and dairy free, yet packed full of pumpkin deliciousness, warming spices, and a big dose of nourishment. Enjoy!

thai inspired roast pumpkin soup

½ good eating pumpkin, seeds removed and roasted at 350° for 1 hour 2 T coconut oil 1 onion, peeled, cut into ½ cm pieces 2 carrots, cut into ½ cm pieces 1 tsp sea salt 1 tsp Thai red curry paste 1 T Thai fish sauce (Nam Pla) 1 T coconut sugar or palm sugar (brown sugar will work in a pinch as well) 4 c. water ¼ c. fresh ginger, peeled and grated 1 cup coconut cream or coconut milk While pumpkin roasts, place oil in good size, heavy duty soup pot over medium high heat. Add onion and sauté for a minute. Add carrots and cook for another couple of minutes, until soft and beginning to turn brown on edges. Add salt and curry paste and cook for a minute, stirring. Add cooked pumpkin (should be 4-5 cups worth), scooping the pumpkin away from its peel, only adding the pulp to the soup pot. Add fish sauce, coconut sugar, water, and fresh ginger. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat, cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, just until the carrots are cooked through. Remove from heat and puree until smooth, preferably with an immersion blender. Return pot to medium high heat and add coconut cream (or milk), giving a good stir. Taste for seasonings, adding more salt, fish sauce, or sugar if needed. Remove from heat and enjoy.

some great pumpkin bread

1 cup brown sugar 2 T honey 1/4 cup light olive oil (or sunflower oil) 2 large eggs, beaten 1 tablespoon vanilla 1 T molasses 1 cup pumpkin puree (roast your own pumpkin, then mash or puree in food processor) 1/4 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice 1/2 cup buckwheat flour 1/2 cup sorghum flour 1/2 cup tapioca starch 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp sea salt 2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp each, nutmeg and cardamom Preheat oven 350° F. Lightly oil (or line with baking paper) 9×9 inch ceramic baking dish. Place roast pumpkin in a large bowl, with brown sugar, honey, oil, eggs, vanilla, molasses, and cider vinegar. Mash together or use an immersion blender if you have one. Add remaining dry ingredients to bowl and mix well. Pour into prepared baking dish and bake for 40-45 minutes. Remove from oven and enjoy! *Feel free to email me at sarah@seasonalalchemist.com if you have any food-related questions and find this recipe (as well as other versions) at www.seasonalalchemist.com

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slo county art scene

David prochaska: The mystic naturalist of cuesta college

By Gordon Fuglie

Insistence

G

entle reader, may I indulge you with one of my periodic art history lessons? Without this foregrounding, it will be difficult to do justice to David Prochaska, since 1994 a beloved drawing and painting instructor at Cuesta College and one of SLO County’s more visionary and eccentric painters. I’ll assume permission is granted.

The inspiration for Prochaska’s paintings look back 600 years to Catholic Flanders (present day Belgium) when painter Jan van Eyck unveiled his multi-panel tableaux that combined a rational approach to the world with a spirituality that went beyond the limits of everyday knowledge.

Anyone who has visited the Saint Bavo Cathedral in Ghent and gazed upon Jan van Eyck’s Adoration of the Mystic Lamb altarpiece knows they have experienced a masterwork—a unique visioning of the Book of Revelation. (Wikipedia, “Ghent Altarpiece” is a good introduction.)

Like the Flemish painters, Prochaska merges the contrary points of view of the imaginary and real to create a coherent whole. The resulting work delivers a “new reality” for the beholder.

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Appropriating the format of Renaissance altarpiece panels, Insistence: Incarnation of Tycho Brahe, pays homage to one of Prochaska’s mentors, the Los Angeles painter Lari Pittman. Pittman burst onto the Southern California art scene in the 1980s, inventing a cacophonous ornamental style that he arrayed upon huge canvases. In Prochaska’s tribute, he envisions the artist in the cactus garden of his hillside home overlooking downtown L.A., the Pacific Ocean and a cosmic coastal twilight. Prochaska caricatures Pittman’s stylish homosexuality by outfitting him in an embroidered jacket and pleated collar. (The subtitle references the noble Danish Renaissance astronomer whose portraits show him attired in modish ruffs.)

Living in a culture of everyday symbolism, the late medieval Flemish Catholic painters deliberately placed a plethora of natural and manmade objects in their compositions: a white vase with lilies was no mere decorative element; it stood for the purity of the Virgin Mary. Renaissance Catholics responded to these visual cues to more deeply connect with the sacred story. Similarly, but linked instead to Pittman’s life and career, Prochaska incorporates tropical birds and flowering plants to reference the artist’s love of exotic beauty. The “full moon” is actually a white china plate decorated with jewelry, an incident from Pittman’s childhood that

visiting a hay and feed store, he noticed a bucket brimming with pink fleshy objects.

They turned out to be pigs’ ears. Holding them in his hand, Prochaska saw their potential as “sows’-ear-silk-purse” bearers of beauty, and acquired them from the bemused proprietor.

As part of his discipline, the artist paints a single elegant stemmed flower on each ear. To date he has produced 200 “re-purposed” ears, occasionally displaying them on gallery walls in seven stacked rows of 20 each—artistically exploiting their approach/avoidance charisma.

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Twenty years ago, the art critic Suzi Gablik called for the “re-enchantment” of contemporary art, works that were humane, visionary and astonishing. Who knew that just such re-enchantment could come from a Central Coast teaching artist self-apprenticed to late medieval Flanders and alert to porcine possibilities?

For further information on David Prochaska, see http://davidprochaska.com or contact him at dprochas@cuesta.edu.

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determined his ornamental approach to art making. Insistence: Incarnation of Tycho Brahe, therefore, is the secular equivalent of the mystic naturalism of Old Master Flemish painting.

When doing major paintings, Prochaska works in pairs. Insistence: The Flight of Epicurus accompanies the Pittman/Brahe image, flip-flopped. The hovering figure is another L.A. artist, Tom Wudl, whose fondness for hooded clothing has been transformed by a white ermine cuddling around his head.

In the Renaissance, ermines stood for purity and moderation, the latter a virtue preached by the Greek philosopher, Epicurus.

Prochaska credits his artistic sensibility to growing up in Europe where Catholic imagery was imprinted on him at an early age. He became curious about the lives of the saints and the iconography of their martyrdom and virtues. As an adult and artist, Prochaska evolved the notion of saints into a broad recognition of individuals whose accomplishments inspire our own potential. In addition to Pittman and Wudl, Prochaska cites the work of American painters Mark Greenwold (b. 1940) and Gregory Gillespie (1936 – 2000), both known for their intense “magical realist” compositions.

Whenever he is free of his Cuesta duties, Prochaska cherishes his time in his Morro Bay studio. When working on major works like the Insistence pair, he “warms up” with small studies. Prochaska requires these exercises to be “self-limiting,” so the study doesn’t cause him to procrastinate on the primary work. To prevent this, many artists deliberately use small sketchbooks.

Prochaska, however, devised a unique and unusual approach to the study. One day while

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a food snob from slo dines in nebraska

By Susan Stewart

F

or someone who used to write a SLO-based cuisine column featuring the fancy foods of five-star restaurants, the inimitable delights of Indian saffron, and the cultivation of exotic mushrooms, my recent trip to Nebraska revealed a surprising and long-buried love for the far simpler fare found at the all-American roadside diner. Come with me to the sweet small towns of Beatrice, Wayne, Waverly, and Wahoo, Nebraska, where old men in coveralls and tattooed teens alike slide into comfy booths to fill up on the best in comfort food from the heartland of America. Here, the newest bull-riding champion is lauded, the ongoing drought is lamented, and global warming is debated over salty, egg-topped corned beef hash, sizzling chickenfried steak slathered with peppery cream gravy, and steaming “short stacks” with sides of crisp bacon.

My visit to Nebraska was anchored in Lincoln, where Big Red (the color inexorably linked to all the Cornhuskers athletic teams), UNL’s (University of Nebraska at Lincoln) Memorial Stadium, Lincoln’s Capitol Building, whose 400-foot domed tower, crowned with a 19-foot-tall bronze figure of “The Sower” can be seen from anywhere in town, and the new Pinnacle Bank Arena (due to open this fall), define the city’s landscape as well as its priorities. Lincoln is the state’s capital city and is surrounded by endless cornfields, some thriving, some yellow and starving from the worst drought Nebraska has seen in years. It’s also ringed with the small towns that make up Midwestern America, with their modest, wide-porched houses, shared lawns, and main streets that look like a Norman Rockwell painting.

Back in the day (the ’70s to be more precise), my friend Marc and I used to frequent such beloved local places as SLO’s own Budget Café and the now-gone Scrubby & Lloyds. So we know good diner food when we see it. From Lincoln, Marc and I started out each day on the road, heading to breakfast in a different town and a new (to us) roadside diner. Why is it, we wondered, that Subways (the chain sandwich shop) and tattoo parlors are so ubiquitous in small-town Nebraska? It was a pattern. Every town we visited (a dozen in all) had one of each,

Susan Stewart in Whaoo, NE.

usually right next door to each other. Like you could get your footlong meatball sando, Sun Chips, and a Coke to tide you over, while the illustrated man stitched a mermaid on your bicep? Go figure.

In addition to the Subway and tattoo parlor, there was also at least one great diner in every town. A few of them had undergone recent renovation, lending a more prosperous feel to their towns and causing their owners to quite likely object to my “diner” moniker. Nevertheless, in Crete, we found the 9th Street Grill, where the morning specialty was biscuits and gravy, with no need to ask for extra gravy.

In Beatrice (accent on the second syllable please!), we discovered the

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The Black Crow in Beatrice, NE.

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Organizations

SLO City Democratic Club The Sierra Club–SLO County Santa Lucia Chapter Planned Parenthood of Santa Barbara, SLO & Ventura Counties SLO Grassroots Democracy

Current and Former Elected Officials

The Boyhood home of Johnny Carson, Norfolk, NE.

Black Crow, where thick homemade bread made the classic roadside Reuben remarkable. The Honey Creek Café and Bakery was in Waverly, where the waitress didn’t blink an eyelash when I requested a cinnamon roll in place of the toast. What arrived alongside my truck driver-sized platter of meat and eggs was the biggest, fluffiest, drippiest cinnamon roll I’d ever seen—a pillowy confection that puts the puny things we line up for here to shame.

The Wigwam Café was located in Wahoo, where I could not resist ordering my all-time diner favorite: chicken-fried steak. It came to the table golden and fork-tender, with homemade mashed potatoes and field-fresh green beans. On the way back to the car, we passed the Wahoo Balloon and Barber Shop and stopped for a photo. The store was closed, leaving your question unanswered: What? You can order your party balloons while getting a number two buzz cut? And on my last morning in Nebraska, we stopped at Virginia’s Travelers Café on the Cornhusker Highway just outside Lincoln so I could fuel up for the long flight home. The thick French toast with a side of country sausage patty did not disappoint.

Though the décor varied from the iconic ‘50s diner look to upscale wanna-be fine dining, the one constant (other than truly terrific food across the board) was the friendliest service in the nation. Perhaps it’s because of their farming origins, when cooperation and good will between neighbors was essential to their survival, but Nebraskans are raised in a culture of friendliness you can see and hear everywhere.

From the well-informed young women who guided us through the Homesteaders Museum and Natural History Center, to the docent at the Quilters Museum in downtown Lincoln, to the ticket-takers at the two country fairs we attended—they were all genuinely warm and well, friendly.

I wonder if that’s the reason I liked Johnny Carson so much. Yes, Carson set the standard in sophisticated menswear for decades. Yes, he was known for his glib, well-informed patter on the Tonight Show. And yes, a nod from the great Carson could make or break a comedian’s career. But when all is said and done, it was his genuine warmth, his ability to listen, his observable kindness that won me over and kept me watching for so many years, made me cry during his last show.

Marc teased me mercilessly for it, but I’m glad we took the time to see Johnny’s Boyhood Home (so says the sign on the little front lawn) in Norfolk. We found it easily enough. It was right down the street from the Subway Sandwich Shop and the tattoo parlor, and on our way home from the Granary, yet another great Nebraskan diner.

John Ashbaugh–SLO City Council Member David Blakely–former SLO County Supervisor Bruce Gibson–SLO County Supervisor Adam Hill–SLO County Supervisor Dick Kresja–former SLO County Supervisor Bill Monning–CA State Assemblyman

Christine Mulholland–former SLO City Council Member Ian Parkinson–SLO County Sheriff Jim Patterson–SLO County Supervisor Allen Settle–former SLO Mayor and City Council Member

Individuals John Alongi • Patty Andreen • Lucienne and Jerry Aroesti • Odile Ayral • Phil & Tina Bailey • David Baldwin • Frank & Andrea Basich-Pease • Virginia Bass • Donald Berry • Dan Bertozzi • Doris Bolef • Kristin Bridgeford • Nancy Bruno • Roxanne Carr • Milton Carrigan • John Carsel • Geraldine Champion • Andrew Christie • Dixie Cliff • Dorothy Conner • Virginia & Ernie Crook • Bill & Phyllis Davies • Dusty Davis • Otto and Sue Davison • William Denneen • Susan Devine • Terre Dunivant • Gary Dwyer • Leland & Valerie Endres • John Evans • Claire Fisher • Tony Garcia • Dave Garth • Elaine Genasci • David Gibbs • Harvey and Evelyn Greenwald • David & Gina Hafemeister • John Hampsey • David Hannings • Ellen Harper • Mary Kay Harrington • Pat Harris • Ellen Harper • Cynthia Hawley • Michael Heyl • Michael & TeaEster Higgins • Douglas Hilton • Robert Inchausti and Linda Garcia-Inchausti • Zaf Iqbal • Stella & Starr Jenkins • Goro Kato • Richard Kranzdorf • Leslie Krinsk • Sandra Lakeman • Al and Lynn Landwehr • Erik Layman • Taigen Dan Leighton • Marilyn Leverich • Sherry Lewis • Roger and Cle Longdon • Martin Luschei • Mary Ruth & George Mach • Steven Marx • Eric Meyer • Jack McCurdy • Sarah McEre • Allyson Nakasone • Holly Naylor • Paul Ogren • Larry and Marty Nelson • Mary Pagel • Christine Perello • Dominic Perello • Richard Racouillat • Ann Ream • Carol and Ted Rich • Saro Rizzo • Sandra Rowley • William & Kim Ryan • Joe St.Clair • Carla Saunders • Richard Schmidt • Julie & John Schutz • Daniel Silver • Amy Sinclair • Holly Sletteland • Donald and Mary Smith • Roberta Soules • Barbara Spann • Jerry Spruill • Mary Stallard • Joe St. Clair • Ruth Starr • Dale and Sharon Sutliff • Elizabeth Thyne • Chuck Tribbey • Bill & Mary Lee Waggoner • Dirk & Bonnie Walters • Mary Lou Wilhelm • Christine Willis • Cal Wilvert • Rosemary Wilvert • Lola Wingate • Ellyn Winslow • Paul & Marion Wolff

TRIBUNE EDITORIAL “She’s smart, diplomatic, she does her homework, and she’s shown herself to be a good ambassador for the city, in dealing with the private sector as well as with other governmental agencies. The Tribune strongly endorses Jan Marx for Mayor.”

Elect Jan Marx Mayor 2012 N O V E M B E R

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History

catalina’s pigeon express

By Richard Bauman

T

he first scheduled air mail service in the United States flew between Santa Catalina Island, and Los Angeles, Calif., and did so nine years before the Wright brothers flew their first flimsy airplane.

Catalina Island is about 25 miles off of the Southern California coast. But even in 1894, it was a popular resort, especially for wealthy Californians. Despite its popularity, there was one glaring drawback to Catalina as a luxurious hideaway—there was no way to quickly contact the mainland.

Radio hadn’t yet been invented, and telegraph and telephone lines between Catalina and the mainland didn’t exist. When help was needed from the mainland, whether for the mundane or an emergency, it took several hours by boat to reach the mainland and an equal number of hours to return—and bad weather made such trips even longer.

Then came the Zahn brothers: Otto, Oswald and Lorenzo. They said they could provide “air mail” service between Catalina and the mainland. It was Otto’s idea to use carrier pigeons to carry the messages between the island and Los Angeles. Residents of Catalina, as well as vacationers were captivated by the Zahns’ idea, and were eager to support it.

Thus was born Catalina’s “Pigeon Express.”

Otto spent months training dozens of homing pigeons to fly from Catalina to a loft in his home in the Bunker Hill district of Los Angeles. The birds were remarkably fast.

They could make it from the island to mainland roost in about 45 minutes.

The Los Angeles Times contracted with the Zahns to fly a daily “budget” of news from Avalon to Los Angeles during the summer “social season.”

Zahn scheduled two flights per day, each flight consisting of three or four pigeons.

Those wanting to send messages to L.A. paid $1 per message.

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Zahn provided special onionskin forms, which were three-and three-fourths inches, by two-and-one-half-inches. All messages had to be sent on these forms. Each form counted as a single message, no matter how few or how many words were crammed onto the flimsy paper.

The slips of paper were folded into half-inch wide strips. They were wrapped around a carrier pigeon’s leg, and tied in place. Each bird could carry dozens of messages.

There was always the possibility a bird would fail to complete its flight, though that rarely happened. Nevertheless, message senders were encouraged to send duplicates of important messages via two different pigeons.

On July 13, 1894, he launched the first Pigeon Express flight. Hundreds of people in Avalon gathered to watch the pigeons take off, circle and disappear into the heavily overcast sky.

Oswald and Lorenzo waited at the their home on Bunker Hill. They became more than a little concerned when the pigeons didn’t arrive home within an hour of their scheduled release time. After much pacing and nail-biting, the brothers were relieved to see the first pigeon arrive. It had taken the bird more than 90 minutes, over twice the expected flying time. The other three pigeons arrived minutes later.

What had delayed them? Otto said the heavy overcast had slowed them down.

Messages to the mainland were seldom earthshaking. Social chitchat, arrivals and departures, exuberant announcements of fish caught and “wish-you-were-here” notes were common missives sent by vacationers.

The pigeons were lifesavers, literally, on several occasions. They were used to summon doctors to the island to treat desperately ill persons. One time a pigeon was used to call the cops. A message was sent to the mainland that a wanted man was spotted

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working in Avalon. He was operating the target-shooting concession. The police arrived a few hours later and arrested him without incident.

Only once did the pigeons refuse to make their daily channel crossing. They took off in the normal manner, and headed out to sea.

Then they returned moments later, circled Avalon and settled into some trees.

It wasn’t until a ship arrived the next morning that everyone heard about the freak lightning storm, and tornado force winds that had raged over Los Angeles the day before. Apparently the pigeons had sensed the bad weather—and danger—and refused to fly into it.

How were the flown-in messages delivered to recipients? If the message was for a local resident, Oswald and Lorenzo hand delivered them. Messages for those outside of Los Angeles were forwarded by telegraph.

The pigeon express operated just four years.

In 1898 America’s first scheduled airmail service went bust. It had been a financial struggle from the beginning. Income from both the L.A. Times contract, and from private messages had barely covered the Zahns’ operating expenses.

However, it wasn’t lack of income that killed off the Pigeon Express. Technology did it in. Guglielmo Marconi’s remarkable invention, the radio, was lightning fast at sending information from Catalina to the mainland, and vice-versa. Nevertheless, for four years in the late 19th century, the Pigeon Express was the way for those on Catalina to quickly make contact with the outside world.

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history – Part 1

serra in san luis obispo Obedience

By Joseph A. Carotenuti

F

ueled by an unwavering allegiance to their monarch and to their deity, the founders of the eventual State of California endured a grueling, disheartening beginning in 1769. Ravished by scurvy, sailors from San Blas, New Spain barely survived the sea journey—some not at all. Hungry, bone weary land pioneers (including the padre-presidente) fared a bit better … but not by much. The Monterey Expedition to the unknown north faced failure.

Against this backdrop of pain and misery, only obedience, reinforced by a determined dose of courage, propelled the pioneers to establish presidios and missions—not for riches or power but in humble deference to directives from the twin majesties of king and God. Founded on September 1, 1772, Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was more a hope than a reality, a dream of what might be in a future of unknown perils. For the next 12 years, a common thread weaving through the rough fabric of events of what has been called the mission chain was a diminutive Franciscan named Junipero Serra. From the founding of the fifth mission, he returned five times between 1774 and 1783. The visits typify the valiant struggle of those at the dawn of the Mission era.

Here’s the story.

Celebrating 300 years since his birth, Miguel Serra was born on the island of Mallorca, Spain on November 24. Early in life, the son of peasants was enthralled by recollections of visiting missionary Franciscans who roamed throughout the world bringing the message of salvation. For considerable numbers, the calling was the prelude to an early death—often under brutal circumstances. Yet, the boy grew in intellect and spirituality—if not in stature—until beckoned to a religious and academic life at home and then to the mission lands of New Spain in 1740. Various assignments eventually led to the shores of Loreto, Baja California in 1767 and a few years later on to the unexplored north of the primera alta.

Beginning on the shores of San Diego, Serra would spend the next 15 years of his remarkably long life (for the time) establishing and administrating the seemingly impossible years of the Mission Era of the Golden State.

Hurriedly following the military commander, Pedro Fages, to the port in San Diego from Monterey in the summer of 1772, Serra first traveled through the central coast. Desperately needed supplies had finally arrived and the hope was to convince the captains to sail north for delivery.

Fages, unlike Serra, was familiar with the area as he had accompanied Gaspar de Portola on the two initial land expeditions up and down N O V E M B E R

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the coast in 1769 and 1770. Furthermore, he returned to la llano de los osos (Bear Plain) in a desperate attempt to provide food in the now-famous bear hunt earlier in the summer. Serra’s first trip to Monterey was by sea. Once there, he founded Missions San Carlos Borromeo and San Antonio de Padua.

Locally, after performing the establishment rituals on September 1, 1772, Serra left the next day. He later wrote the latest spiritual center was “new born.” Padre Joseph Cavaller with a small band of men was left and would spend the next 17 years in labor for the mission natives. He died in 1789 and lies in eternal rest at the foot of the church’s sanctuary.

Serra would not return for 18 months as once he reached San Diego, he decided to undergo a near-fatal trip to Mexico City. The stakes were essential as the future of the Alta pioneers required a better compact with the new Viceroy, Antonio Maria de Bucareli y Ursua, given the realities of the original directives. The pressing issues of the time proved almost fatal for the padre-presidente as any travel was most hazardous.

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San Juan Capistrano—close to his birthday on November 1, 1776. Just a month before, the legendary Anza settlers participated in the founding of the mission named after St. Francis near the bay of the same name.

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Even though the prospect ofitsmoving m valler as the compound had suffered own fire in late by maraudfuture, youNovember. owe it Attacked to yourself to learn h ing natives, flaming arrows torched the tulecarefree living in your own home for man covered structures except the church and granary. Later investigation by the military determined that the attackers were seeking revenge on some other natives. The worst fire the future adobe structure would occur asin we get older, Pristine is fully some 140 years later in 1920.

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By the end of 1776, after an eventful—and extraordinarily stressful and successful It’stoathefact life that year—Serra returned fifthof mission.

When he arrived at the San Luis outpost Serra would return three more times … but to handle on our own. That All of our worker close to Christmasmuch for an undetermined now with the duties of a bishop. length of time, he also consoled Padre you Ca- have to move away doesn’t mean are carefully scre

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Fortunately, Bucareli proved a steadfast leader and a better accord with the monarch’s representative allowed for a return home. Carmel would be Serra’s final destination with some stops along the way. During a five-day visit between April 30 and May 4, 1774, he baptized six children before traveling north. It was during this visit that Serra delivered the painting of St. Louis most likely hanging in the church today. Originally, Cavaller rejected the painting as he had no funds to reimburse his superior. Its subsequent journey requires another story.

For his next stopover, Serra was returning after confronting a gruesome episode to the south.

On November 5, 1775, a native attack on the small settlement in San Diego was one of the most violent confrontations in Spanish California history.

Worthy of its own article, when over, several men were dead including Padre Luis Jayme who, when attempting to placate the violence, was beaten to death and stripped of his garments.

Serra, ever alert to the divine, considered the blood of the 35-year-old Mallorcan as a martyrdom sealing the success of evangelization in the new world. Serra—ever ready to note the hand of Providence—proclaimed the incident as an assurance of the success of the Franciscan efforts. He was right.

It was months before he could leave Carmel after begging the Viceroy for mercy for the insurgents. It was during this time he performed the founding rituals for Mission

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Hospice corner Living with grief and loss during the holidays

By Claire Aagaard

T

he holidays are intended to be a time of great joy, family togetherness, gift-giving and thankfulness. Instead, if someone has died, the holidays can evoke extreme sadness, loneliness and emptiness. While there is no right or wrong way to approach it, the following are some suggestions and guidelines that may be helpful to those experiencing a loss during this time of year.

They are adapted from the book How do I Get Through the Holidays by James Miller.

That’s no longer the case. People are afraid of saying the wrong thing so may avoid you.

You can contact your local hospice to find out what additional support is available.

1. Accept the pain: Don’t pretend everything is normal. Remember this first year is one of adjustment.

8. Remember to Remember: You may feel comfort in linking objects that make you feel closer to your loved one. Wear a personal item that was theirs. Some people create a table of remembrance where pictures can be placed and a special candle lit throughout the holidays. For those whose grief is fresh, this may be too painful. Do what feels right.

2. Feel whatever it is you feel: Feelings are a sign you are human, that you have loved deeply.

3. Express your Emotions: Talk to family and friends. Paint a painting; journal, exercise, listen to or play music. Move your feelings from within yourself to outside yourself.

4. Plan Ahead: Don’t let the holidays just happen. Come up with a plan to get through them.

5. Take Charge Where you Can: Ask for what you need. Your grief can make you feel powerless. Take charge of who you spend time with, how much you exercise and of the food you eat.

6. Go to Others for Support: There was time when mourning practices were defined.

7. Be Gentle with Yourself: Give yourself plenty of time to rest. You’ll have “good” and “bad” days—they simply go with the territory. Simplify holiday shopping or forgo it all together. Set easily attainable goals for yourself and make realistic lists to complete.

9. Search out and Count your Blessings: This can be difficult to do during dark times but if we attempt to view life through the lens of gratitude we can usually find one thing to be thankful for. Cry if tears are near and don’t be afraid to laugh.

10. Do Something for Others: It often helps to reach out through your own grieving. You could take care of a friend’s pets. Find something that gives meaning to your days and to other’s lives. It may help you to put your loss in

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North County: Sandy Hexberg 235-1529

centralcoastwelcome@gmail.com

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to a broader perspective and you’ll often find it helps you as much as the one you are helping.

11. Give Voice to Your Soul: Grief affects us physically, emotionally and spiritually. Consider taking some time to sit and be quiet, take a walk, meditate or pray. Healing often results when we look deeper and connect with our own well of wisdom and strength.

12. Harbor Hope: No one likes to grieve, but it is the very act of grieving that brings us back to life. Hope is a powerful tool. You can hope you will integrate this loss into your life. You can hope you will one day remember your loved one without so much pain and live your life in loving remembrance of them.

Keeping in mind that every person and loss is different, the above suggestions are merely guidelines we believe most bereaved people will find helpful. Your holidays can still be a very significant time for you. They will certainly be different and perhaps painful, but they can still be meaningful. It’s even possible they can hold peace, serenity and most of all … hope.

Bereavement counselors will be presenting free workshops designed to support and guide individuals through the holiday season after the loss of a loved one. There will be five opportunities to attend at various Hospice Partners locations: • Wed, Nov. 14th @ 6-8 pm; 285 South St, Ste P, San Luis Obispo • Thurs, Nov. 15th @ 2-4 pm; 285 South St, Ste P, San Luis Obispo • Thurs, Nov. 29th @ 5-7 pm; 106 Gateway Center Dr., Ste B, Paso Robles • Tues, Dec. 4th @ 5-7 pm; 2353 S. Broadway St. Ste. B, Santa Maria To register for any of these workshops, please call (805) 269-0141.

This monthly Hospice Corner is sponsored by Hospice Partners. Claire Aagaard is the Bereavement Coordinator at Hospice Partners.

For more information call (805) 269-0141.

COMMUNITY

We are here for you.

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NOVEMBER CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 43

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STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ACROSS 1. Things on a list 6. Grease container 9. Bear with the biggest chair 13. Halves of diameters 14. *He followed “Give’em Hell Harry” 15. Underneath 16. Bornean ape 17. NFL QB ___ Newton 18. Knightly cover 19. *Party choice 21. *It narrows the field 23. Usually comprised of 6 - 12 games in tennis 24. Often the object of desire in old spy movies 25. It often draws a crowd at parties 28. South American Indian people 30. *He defeated both Taft and Roosevelt 35. Ailments 37. American Girl, e.g.

39. Each and all 40. Blowout 41. Former “American Idol” judge, given name 43. Word of mouth 44. Chose instead 46. ____ Turner 47. *A Presidential power 48. Evening worship 50. America’s singing favorite 52. *Former title of Barack Obama 53. Symbol of country life 55. It usually comes with a key 57. Island nation of South Pacific 61. *One with a vote 65. *One is usually alongside either candidate 66. Home of 2016 Olympics 68. High society 69. “Wake Up Little _____” 70. “Much ____ About Nothing” 71. Relating to birth 72. Opportunity to show one’s knowledge 73. Down and back in a pool

74. Sol-fa-sol-fa-sol-fa, e.g.

DOWN 1. Used for smoothing 2. Tropical tuberous root 3. Edible and often encased in red covering 4. Tiny cars 5. Seal on a document 6. *What Paul Ryan hopes for 7. Theodor Geisel, ___ Dr. Seuss 8. Allegro and lento, in music 9. Chemically-induced curls 10. ____-Ata, Kazakhstan 11. “Give me your tired, your ____,...”

12. Not functioning properly 15. Alderman in Scotland 20. Short composition for solo instrument 22. Sashimi quality 24. Hannibal Lecter, e.g.

25. Russia’s famous ballet troupe 26. Run off, as in lovers 27. Supplies with an excess of 29. *Race measurement

31. City in West Ukraine 32. People of the land of silk, to Ancient Greeks 33. *Candidates do much of this 34. Stocking fiber 36. Pas in ballet, e.g.

38. Give temporarily 42. Actress Watts 45. *Political showdown 49. The ___ Pack 51. Potentially existing but not presently evident 54. Beyond suburban 56. Pertaining to hair 57. Immense 58. Malaria symptom 59. Loch ____ 60. Army group, e.g.

61. Chicken house 62. Edible tubes 63. Et alibi 64. Jodie Foster’s 1994 drama 67. Civil rights advocate ___ Wells

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COMMUNITY

palm street perspective

• Organizing and maintaining a home office for the mounds of documents, development/financial plans & binders of reference materials.

• Daily technological communications 24/7, primarily with City Staff . . . computer/phone, expectation of turn-around time is instant.

the cost of public service

• Reading, more importantly, understanding the staff reports for items on the Council Meeting Agendas (two or three times a month).

By SLO City Councilwoman, Kathy Smith

• Participating in Council/Staff Agenda review on a rotating basis.

• Showing up and voting at all Council sessions—Closed, regular and special (in SLO, it’s rare that a Council member misses a meeting)

I

t was a wakeup call! When I told a friend I’d be pulling weeds on the only day that week I had free, he said, “you need to get a life!” Interestingly, he’d just finished offering mucho compliments about how hard the SLO City Council works and how much he appreciates our efforts.

It didn’t take me long to take action after mulling over the accuracy of his observation. Here’s an overview of September City Council service.

The Basics: I begin by acknowledging that there are likely only

seven actual specific duties directly tied to Council service:

• Getting elected: raising money, knocking on doors, researching city issues to effectively represent the positions you expect to support while in office, etc.

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• Checking in as a liaison with the advisory bodies as possible (each member is assigned 7-10 groups) That being said, on this Council, I know of no Council Member who fulfills such a skeleton commitment. Each performs beyond the basics in his/her specialized way depending on the strengths and individual skills.

Desired by Community: Vital . . . constituent, media communication (written & face-to-face) • Specialized sub-groups: Assorted developers; Neighborhood Services; Land Use and Circulation Element Task Force; StudentCommunity Liaison Committee, Advisory Body Quarterly luncheon; ride-alongs with Neighborhood Services, Police Department; Workshop on oversized vehicle parking regulations; Parks & Rec Park Tour and event honoring volunteers; three days at CA League of Cities Conference; preparation/participation for special meetings such as a panel for SLO Leadership, Downtown Assn. (DA) board session and monthly column for DA; ad hoc task force on Mill Street Trees; preparing this column, monthly update with City Manager.

• Specialized outreach opportunities: Chamber Good Morning SLO & Business visitations; events that focus on specific groups (Softec Jobs Symposium, Chamber Diversity, Housing Authority, Women’s Legacy Luncheon for County-Community Foundation, Taste of San Luis, etc.)

Supporting political interests: • Non-partisan & partisan: Forums for Candidates running for office—League of Women Voters, Rotary, Residents for Quality Neighborhoods, Senior Center, knocking on doors for fellow Council Members and partisan candidates.

I project that the time needed to be a competent/very competent Council Member has doubled since I last served in 1994-98 (now 40+ hours per week). I had a full-time job as Executive Director of the Literacy Council, and responsibilities at the Garden Street Inn without a missed meeting. In 2012 that would not be possible.

Clearly, the flow of communication has tripled and the weight of decisions is heightened in an economic recession. That means hardly a moment goes by without the aura of pondering some issue. While on the exercise bike at Kennedy or taking my dog, Mr. Darcy, to Laguna Lake Dog Park, the subject inevitably turns to a City issue. I do a lot of listening.

A 90-year-old former President of Reid Memorial Hospital (Richmond, IN)—who still went to work every day in his legal practice said, “every person owes rent to his/her community in the form of public service.” I concur.

Downtown

Around

The Magazine of Downtown San Luis Obispo

Inside:

November 2012

W hat ’s U p Downtown B usiness Spo tlights

W h a t ’ s

U p

A r o u n d

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ecently, I had the opportunity to prepare a presentation for the annual California Downtown Association conference, held this year in Sacramento.

Nearly 200 people from downtown organizations, city management, vendors and those with interest in downtown affairs attend the three-day event.

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o I set about compiling my speech, slideshow, facebook page and handouts feeling a sense of pride not only of our achievements and the reputation of our downtown among my peers but also a sense of exhilaration about everything my job as a downtown manager has afforded me.

ogether with friend and co-presenter, Laura ever did I imagine when I came on board in Cole-Rowe, who like me is a Certified Main 1995 that someday I’d eventually accumulate Street Manager, I looked forward to delivering the education and wealth of knowledge among the message that by following a highly renown Deborah Cash, CMSM, such diverse subjects as parking, seismic Executive Director recipe for success—that being the Main retrofitting, event management, development, ® Street Four-Point Program of Downtown real estate, rents and leases, trees, public art, first amendment rights, the Brown Act, human Revitalization—other communities could emulate the resources, public perception…and so much more. high level of viability our downtown has achieved.

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owntown SLO has been a Main Street program since 1986 and is considered a ‘veteran’ community, meaning that as long-timers in the field, we are both honored and committed to the cause of assisting communities in their efforts to achieve economic success, historic preservation and a good mix of everything to do with developing a strong central commercial district.

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s a winner of the coveted Great American Main Street Award in 2000, Downtown SLO pretty much exemplifies what the Main Street program’s all about.

ut, really, behind the scenes, that’s what it takes— understanding that Downtown is a microcosm of life; every day is a dance of commerce, people, public works, history, events and cooperation. The water runs, the lights come on, the trash is hauled away, doors open, cash registers ring, the City conducts its business, people pull in and out of parking spaces and the Mission bells ring.

e, then, take that setting and implement programs of Design, Promotions, Economic Restructuring and Organization. Whether it’s public art, street banners, the

On the Cover: The public's invited to join the 4th annual Veterans Celebration at Farmers' Market on Thursday, November 8 at 6 PM. Starting with a procession through the market and including a short program, music and exhibits showcasing local military organizations and clubs, the event honors our country's servicemen and women, including the more than 25,000 veterans in SLO County. Photo by Deborah Cash

presents

SLO Downtown Association’s

37th Annual Holiday Parade

Founders Community Bank presents

Santa’s House

OPENING DAY Friday, November at 10 AM Come visit Santa and enjoy snacks, entertainment and more!

For more details about Opening Day and Santa’s House hours Call 541 - 0286 or visit www.DowntownSLO.com

Friday, December 7 7:00 pm For more information For callmore 541 - information 0286 or visit call 541 - 0286 or visit www.DowntownSLO.com www.DowntownSLO.com

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Downtown Foresters or Beautification Awards, or overseeing construction projects and planning for new parking garages, or updating a Strategic Plan, holding the county’s largest holiday parade or the biggest Concerts series, we have followed a plan that ensures we move forward in a carefully designed manner while keeping an eye on our past.

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s I mused on all this, I also realized attendees will ask, “What about the challenges?” as we all have them.

I think for us, that even with the programs, kudos and experience in place, we continue to deal with perception issues about Downtown: that it’s unclean, unsafe, full of chain stores, no parking and late night streets streaming with students and partiers. I say perception because really, it’s not as bad as all that. We have plenty of parking—one just needs to know where it is and plan for their parking needs. Independent business is as strong, or stronger than ever. Our Safe Night Life Committee has been working over the past year and a half to keep Downtown restaurants and bars on track, weeding out troublemakers and reducing fallout associated with after-hours revelry. We’ve recently formed the Downtown Transient Issues Task Force to work on tackling the transient related problems, particularly with the “Will Nots,” those identified as resistant to services and social mores. Our tree lighting program has gotten wonderful feedback and people say they feel safer and want to stay longer in Downtown when it’s well lit.

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hich ties in to a topic we’ll be showing up on November 20 at City Council to support: the relocation of SLO Brew from Garden Street to Higuera Street. This

D o w n t o w n

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project, approved by the Planning Commission 7-0 in July, was appealed and discussed by Council in September and continued to the 20th of this month. At the crux of the appeal is the idea that the project will, with its increased occupancy, creek side queuing, top-name entertainment and rooftop patio dining, create a nuisance in the creek, noise in the neighborhoods and an increase in crime.

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ut, we believe, along with SLO PD, that an enhanced, cleaned-up and well-lit creek area will deter the current undesirable activities found nightly in the dark quiet areas that lend themselves to seclusion and illicit goings on.

Ordinances and controls in place including an annual review, plus the careful planning of the developer working with sound-system professionals, the desire to bring in major entertainment attractions and developing a quality class of clientele are bound to be an improvement upon the current, cramped location on Garden Street. Certainly the Planning Commission was convinced of these benefits when it voted to support the project. Hopefully Council will give a green light allowing both the move and then, subsequently, the Garden Street Terraces project to move forward, bringing muchneeded hotel and residences to the heart of Downtown.

I

anticipate that my CDA audience will want to hear as much about the challenges as the successes; most downtowns have their own warts, after all, and like us, want to work to improve, engage, evolve and have a wonderful community center for all to enjoy.

Just like I hope all of you do…around Downtown.

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D o w n t o w n

B u s i n e s s

S p o t l i g h t s

Beach that was opened about a year ago and now a third location at 787 Higuera Joanne Vega Krever, owner Street that opened mid September.

787 Higuera Street “Higuera is the heartbeat of Downtown 805-440-6000 San Luis Obispo and we’re Heart’s www.HeartsDesireSoaps.com Desire so when this location opened At Heart’s Desire Soaps, soap is not just up I knew it was the perfect fit,” Krever simply thought of as something you use said. As a unique feature, products in the shower. Owner Joanne Vega Krever sold inside the store are made by the created all formulas behind the soaps, employees in view of the customers to lotions and oils with the intention to show that only herbs, oils and other tackle and even repair a wide range of skin issues. A Cal natural ingredients go into their making. All the products Poly graduate who studied Human Development, Krever has are made naturally, ethically and cost effectively. “The goal had a long-time interest in the use of herbal medicine and is to have the customer leave happier than when they came aromatherapy. After curing her own struggle with rosacea 10 in,” Krever said. Since it is a small business, the products years ago by using self-made products, Krever was inspired are able to be specifically developed to the customer’s to see what other therapeutics she could make. She and her individual needs. Heart’s Desire is open seven days a week family opened the first Heart’s Desire Soaps business four from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm and until 8:00 pm on Thursday. years ago in Pismo Beach. They have another location in Avila By: Amanda Margozzi

Heart’s Desire Soaps

to formal wear for a special event. The store’s inventory is predominantly made Natalie Risner (left) and in the USA. “We are not just offering a Laura Bjorklund, co-owners product to the customers who come in, 1022 Morro Street we are offering a service,” Risner said. The 805-784-0664 owners hope to make every customer’s experience at Apropos enjoyable. They www.ShopApropos.com make an effort to get to know the people Celebrating 10 years at their women’s who come in and find it rewarding when clothing store Apropos on Morro Street, they return and become loyal customers. owners Laura Bjorklund and Natalie Before owning Apropos, Bjorklund owned Risner are also mother and daughter. a store called Up Your Alley on Higuera Street for over 25 “We are a small town family run business and we want years. Risner grew up in the retail industry and had the to make it feel like you are coming into someone’s home same interest in owning a unique clothing store Downtown when you come in,” Risner said. With little pet birds in like her mother did. Risner and Bjorklund are passionate cages and comfortable old-fashioned sofas inside the about fashion, business and family. “We couldn’t be more store, you would almost think you were in their home. grateful for our ongoing success over the past ten years,” The apparel, jewelry and home décor are by small designers and have a romantic bohemian style. The clothing is stylish yet Risner said. Apropos is open 10:00 pm - 6:00 pm Monday comfortable and aimed at women 25 to 95. Apropos has styles - Saturday and from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm on Sunday.

By: Amanda Margozzi that are ageless, offering everything from everyday clothing

Apropos

Spirits of Africa

Abbey Onikoyi, owner/artist 672 Higuera Street 805-598-3212 Search on Facebook: Spirits of Africa Looking to fill a lonely spot on your wall? Brighten up your home with one of Abbey Onikoyi's original artworks that are full of expression and luminescent in color. Hailing originally from Lagos, Nigeria, Onikoyi is the owner of Spirits of Africa that recently relocated to 672 Higuera Street from the Creamery. Onikoyi has lived in the US for over 25 years, where he attended the American Academy of Arts and Northwestern University Evanston with a degree in advertising and marketing. Using his creative gift in many places, Onikoyi started as an Art Director in Chicago and then to Creative Director in San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit and finally to Lagos Nigeria where he was head of the Creative Services at Ogilvy & Matter. Ultimately, Onikoyi decided the 9 - 5 life wasn't for him and he turned his interest toward opening a gallery.

Onikoyi talks openly about having futuristic dreams. Once he

moves to a new city, he says, his dreams ignite a story that illustrate if he is destined to be in that place or not. Lucky for the San Luis Obispo community, Onikoyi had a dream that placed him in the Downtown of the happiest city in the US. To this day, his paintings continue to wow the town.

Spirits of Africa isn't your typical art gallery where silence is necessary.

Onikoyi says he wants the colors of his paintings to come to life on the canvas.

His art has no restrictions and revolves over time. If you're in need of a specific art piece, Onikoyi offers his services offsite and will come to your home to create whatever you want. You can also catch Onikoyi during Art After Dark on the first Friday of every month or bring your kids to enjoy his drum circles every Saturday from 6 PM to 9 PM. Onikoyi also offers internships for those who are looking to get more experience with marketing and advertising.

Anyone interested can contact Onikoyi for details. Located next to Tom's Toys at 672 Higuera Street, Spirits of Africa is open Tuesday - Saturday 12 - 8 pm, Sunday 12 pm - 5 pm.

By: Lacee Nordstrom

COMMUNITY

Our Schools:

college night to help local students

A

By Dr. Julian Crocker, County Superintendent of Schools

county-wide “College Night” will be held on the evening of November 5th at Cuesta College.

This will be an excellent opportunity for local high school students and their families to meet with representatives from over 50 college and universities from California and other states.

Most of the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) Campuses, Cuesta and Allan Hancock Community Colleges and many independent/private colleges will be represented. The US Military and Navel Academies will be present. College night is sponsored by the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation with the very generous support of the Cuesta College Foundation.

College Night builds on similar events that have been held in the past, but will be greatly expanded and will include free transportation from the north and south county provided by the San Luis Obispo County Regional Transit Authority (SLORTA). The event will be held at Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo Campus, in the Student Services Center (Building 5400) from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Free parking is available in Lot 2 for high school students and their parents.

The purpose of a College Night to help students and their parents with the array of decisions involved in deciding which college or university to attend after high school graduation. These decisions have grown increasing complex over the years given the variety of choices and the escalating cost of college. In addition, recent budget cuts from the state have forced our local high schools to reduce counseling services that once were a mainstay in assisting students and their parents with these decisions. The recommended ratio for high schools is one counselor for every 250 students. All of our high schools have a much higher ratio now with some reaching 750 students per counselor. Therefore, an event like this College Night is even more important as a resource for students and families. We are again fortunate that our community has stepped up to assist our schools in these times of reduced funding.

The evening will be a chance to talk directly

with representatives from the colleges and universities without having to make an appointment. Areas such as admission requirements, application procedures and tips, campus housing, costs, availability of campus jobs, transportation, possible majors, and graduation rates are just some of the questions that can be asked. Students in 9th, 10th and 11th grades should also consider attending since decisions regarding college attendance should be considered much sooner than the senior year in high school.

In addition to the representatives from the colleges and universities, the evening will also feature some workshops which should also assist students with their college decisions. These workshops include a session on Financial Aid presented by the Cuesta College staff; information about local scholarships sponsored by the San Luis Obispo Community Foundation which distributes the largest amount of local scholarship funds in the county; a presentation on NCAA eligibility and athletic recruiting for students who have prospects of gaining an athletic scholarship or assistance for college; and a workshop on “How to Write a Personal Essay” which is usually an important element in most college admission requirements.

41

Students planning to attend should also give some thought to some preparation in order to gain the most from the evening. For example, narrow your possible college choices a bit before you attend. If you have not done some prior planning, you can easily become overwhelmed by the number of choices.

Students should give some thought to how to present themselves to the college representatives. What are your interests? Why are you considering this college? What makes your college different from the others? Another area of questioning could be related to the admission process. Specifically, what type of application is more favorably considered than others and are there certain student characteristics and qualities that a particular college is seeking to encourage attending their institution.

College Night is a unique opportunity for students and parents to gain valuable assistance on the matter of college attendance.

For additional information, contact Angela Hollander, Scholarship Program Associate at the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation. She can be reached at angela@ sloccf.org. There is also a FAQ on the Community Foundation’s website. www.sloccf.org.

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THE BULLETIN BOARD

42

252 Higuera Street San Luis Obispo (805) 541-TIRE

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Pac donors give $1 million for acoustics

Recently the Board of Directors for the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center presented Ron Regier, Managing Director of the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo, with a check for the final payment for the new acoustics improvements. Donors to the Foundation gave a total of $1 million to fund the acoustics improvements at the PAC. Ron Regier is pictured above on the right holding the check. Board President Ziyad Naccasha is on the left of the check.

Free health care screening

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 (new phone number) for dates, times and locations.

parks4pups benefit online auction

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

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Parks4Pups, a non-profit organization responsible for building three off leash dog parks in North SLO County, is hosting a benefit online auction November 7-14. The auction will showcase quality merchandise, services, and entertainment options all donated by local merchants.

Sample auction items include golf fees and cart for 4 at Avila Beach Golf Resort, a 1 hour hot air balloon tour over Paso Robles for 2 donated

by Let’s Go Ballooning, premium wine lots donated by Wine Country Alliance, spa and golf package from the River Oaks Spa, and original artwork by renowned artist John Partridge, and many more auction items. Winning bid donation proceeds will benefit Sherwood Dog Park of Paso Robles. Like all SLO County dog parks, Sherwood Dog Park was financed entirely from donations and maintained by volunteers.

Sherwood Dog Park is located at 290 Scott Street (adjacent to the Senior Center). For information on the auction items or to make a donation, visit www.sherwooddogpark.com or call 805.239.4437.

surfing for hope fundraiser

On November 9th and 10th there will be a surfing event called Surfing For Hope. It will begin Friday the 9th with a memorial paddle out at Avila Beach to honor friends and loved ones who have lost their battle with cancer. The paddle out will be followed by a dinner/auction event which will feature foods and wines of the Central Coast along with music in the breath-taking setting of the Avila Beach Golf Resort.

There will also be art work which can be purchased as well as food and fun surf music. All proceeds will go to the Hearst Cancer Resource Center (HCRC) in San Luis. The directors for the HCRC, Dr. Tom Spillane and Bev Kirkhart are very excited about this program and hope you will join them at this special event. For more information go to surfingforhope.com

slo art center exhibit

Bold, colorful woven wall hangings by Mary Zicafoose and extraordinary new wood creations by the Santa Ynez Valley Woodworking Guild will be on exhibit in the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art’s Gray Wing November 23 – December 30. The Museum is open daily from 11 – 5, located at 1010 Broad Street, SLO.

poker tournament fundraiser for vets

As part of our “Thank a Vet” month in our county there will be a Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament on Saturday November 17th at Mr. Ricks in Avila Beach and ALL proceeds from the event will go to the SLO County Vets Express, a transportation service for Veterans in our county who have medical issues but have no means of transportation to our local VA Clinics. In 2007 when the service began we were servicing 10-12 Veterans a month. Today we are doing over 150 rides a month. The Veterans Express is a non-profit organization that receives all funds thru private donations.

THE BULLETIN BOARD

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Pacific Oak Foreclosure Services INC

LYNN R. COOPER PRESIDENT

994 Mill Street • Suite 230 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 TEL (805) 544-9242 • CELL (805) 235-0493 FAX (805) 543-7838 EMAIL lynn@pacificoakforeclosure.com www.pacificoakforclosure.com

Frank

casa receives grant

CASA of SLO County has received a $6,125 grant from the Opportunity Fund at the SLO County Community Foundation (SLOCCF). This grant will be used toward supporting 12 foster youth who are transitioning out of the court system. Opportunity Funds will be used to assist these youth in their transition to adulthood and self-sufficiency. For more information call 543-2323 or log onto www.sloccf.org.

$143,000 raised for hospital programs and services

The French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) Foundation is proud to announce that more than $143,000 was raised during its annual fundraising “Celebration of Caring” Gala held recently. The funds raised support new facilities and advanced technology to benefit patients at FHMC. Of the total amount raised, $19,300 will go directly to the “Save a Heart” Fund, established to promote heart disease education, prevention, risk assessment and free testing for women. The FHMC Foundation presented the 2012 Louis Tedone, M.D. Humanitarian Award to Jim Sargen for his extensive volunteer and charitable efforts.

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Frank

N O V E M B E R

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THE BULLETIN BOARD

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M a i n ta i n i n g E xcEllEn c E RizzolisAutomotive.com

united way benefit

United Way of San Luis Obispo County will host a special screening of the history making musical film “A Matter of Trust: Billy Joel in the USSR” on Wednesday, November 14th. 25 years ago United Way CEO, Rick London, had already been a key member of Billy Joel‘s management team for a decade, when the decision was made to tour the USSR. London was the one responsible for making those concerts a reality, which ended up being one of the most difficult—and incredible—experiences of his life. A film crew followed Joel on his 6 show tour, and produced the special “A Matter of Trust: Billy Joel in the USSR.” The 75-minute documentary is for rock ‘n’ roll fans and history buffs alike, as it follows one of the first American rock music tours in Russia. The film contains clips of Joel’s performances, as well as his time touring with his family and interactions with fans. The community is invited to come hear London’s unique story and enjoy a special evening of entertainment. The program will begin at 5:30 pm with a wine and appetizer reception at King David’s Masonic Lodge. Entertainment will be provided by local musician Mark Burnes. The feature film will be shown at Downtown Centre Cinema at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $50 per person and only available online at www.unitedwayslo.org.

child development center needs donations

D ressing Windows in San Luis Obispo for over 39 Years

Alan “Himself” N O V E M B E R

alan’s draperies 544-9405 alansdrapery@gmail.com 2012

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The Child Development Resource Center (CDRC) is asking the community to donate materials for the Smart Studio, a green art studio, gallery, and gift shop, which is set to open in November.

The Smart Studio is SLO’s first ever art studio that uses repurposed materials and donates all funds raised to the CDRC to benefit its child development and therapy services. The Smart Studio will resell these items for a low price, and all funds raised will directly benefit the CDRC and its child development and therapy services. A complete donation list of items can be found at www. smartstudioslo.com.

32nd annual cambria holiday faire

The 32nd Annual Cambria Holiday Faire will be held on Saturday, November 10th, from 9 am – 4 pm at the Veterans’ Memorial Building in Cambria. The event features monograming, ornaments, kitchen, quilted items, wooden toys, jewelry, birdhouses, food and so much more. A 100% raffle basket benefitting Hospice Partners will also be available. For more information, contact Anita Dyer at 929-3391.

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Library news

Americans are reading more books than ever

By Rebecca Juretic

T

here’s more than meets the eye at your local library. For instance, many local residents may not be aware of the “virtual” library of e-books available for free loan through the county library’s online catalog, and through their website www.slolibrary.org.

“Americans are reading more books than ever,” said County Library Director Brian Reynolds. “In recent years, advances in electronic technologies have created options beyond the traditional, print and paper book. Today, many people also use audio and electronic books. County Library staff are committed to making these resources widely available.”

Utilizing this new technology can be tricky and confusing. To help, The Foundation for San Luis Obispo County Libraries has donated funds to purchase eight iPads for e-book training purposes. The iPads will be distributed or loaned to all branch libraries in the County system. County Library staff will use them to enhance their knowledge of e-book and audio book technology, and to help them instruct customers on how to utilize this technology on a variety of different devices including iPad, Sony Player, Nook, and Kindle Fire.

The Library Foundation made this grant award at the request of Joe Laurenzi, Manager of the Los Osos Library, using a generous bequest from the Barbara Baltimore Endowment Fund. Longtime county resident and library supporter Barbara Baltimore bequeathed nearly $300,000 in her estate to benefit the county’s public libraries last year.

The iPad donation is the largest project to be funded by the Baltimore Endowment thus far.

(L to R) Will McCabe Sales Manager of the MacSuperstore; Joe Laurenzi, Manager of the Los Osos Library; Brian Reynolds, County Library Director; and, Vera Wallen, President of the Foundation for San Luis Obispo County Public Libraries.

be “returned” early so that more may be checked out. Once the loan period is up, the license expires and the item is no longer accessible on the customer’s device.

Just as with hard copy books, customers can place holds on popular titles and receive an e-mail when the requested item is available for downloading. Items can’t be renewed, but may be checked out again if available.

For more information on free downloadable e-books or audio books, talk to a librarian at your local library branch, or visit www.slolibrary. org, click on the green “Download eBooks” link and peruse the host of support links in the left-hand column.

“I am sure Barbara would highly approve and would have been fascinated by e-books if we’d had them in her day,” said Foundation President Vera Wallen.

Currently, 8,321 e-books and 4,622 audio books are available for free loan through the library, with more titles being added regularly. These books are a joint offering of the Black Gold Cooperative Library system, of which the County Library is a member.

All that is needed to start enjoying free ebooks is to obtain a library card, if you don’t already have one. Stop by your local library branch and don’t forget to bring along an I.D. with a current address.

Once you have chosen and downloaded the e-book to the device of your choice, you select a loan period of 7, 14, or 21 days. Customers can have out 10 items at a time, and many can N O V E M B E R

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COMMUNITY Century: From its California garage days, Lockheed grew into a global industry with net sales of more than $46 billion a year.

November Almanac

november is Adopt a Senior Pet Month. Ask your animal shelter about reduced adoption fees for older dogs and cats.

By Phyllis Benson

senior pets are not easily wooed by noisy toys and cheap treats.

These experienced animals expect more from you. Bring on the regular meals, soft beds, and snooze time.

“In our brief national history we have shot four of our presidents, worried five of them to death, impeached one and hounded another out of office. And when all else fails, we hold an election and assassinate their character.” -- P. J. O’Rourke

writer Haruki Murakami said, “An old cat is a good friend to talk to.”

cat motto: “No matter what you’ve done wrong, always try to make it look as if the dog did it.”

national authors day is November 1. Author Tom Clancy said, “The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.” daylight savings time ends November 4. Comedian Stephen

Colbert said, “Oh, I know they say you get your hour back in the fall, but who’s earning the interest on that hour in the meantime?”

election day is November 6. Mail-in ballots have increased from

about 3 percent in 1962 to nearly 50 percent this year. Our precinct worker says she votes by mail. She wants a kitchen table and a coffee break for voting a long ballot.

Veterans day is November 11. rail: The Union Pacific railroad began in 1862 to help build the first transcontinental railway. On its 150th anniversary, the railroad operates more than 8,000 locomotives across 23 states.

1912: In Reedley, the Bell brothers processed olives from one small orchard. A century later, the California company is the largest table olive producer in the nation and the second largest in the world.

Lindsay Olives is their best-known product. pit stop: Olive another martini, thank you.

Aviation: In 1912, brothers Allan and Malcolm Loughead formed

an airplane company in San Francisco. The company started with seaplanes and moved on to larger aircraft. The brothers soon changed their Scottish name Loughead to Lockheed.

thanksgiving is November 22, a day for family, feasting,

and football.

pumpkins are nature’s orange cannonballs. At Punkin Chunkin events, old jack-o-lanterns and fresh pumpkins are projected through the sky with air cannons, trebuchets, and catapults. the science channel broadcasts the Punkin Chunkin

competition on Thanksgiving evening. It’s a good show well-suited to pumpkin pie dessert.

november is Pomegranate Month. During his 1792 trip along Spanish California, British explorer George Vancouver wrote journal notes about the abundant pomegranate trees at Mission San Buenaventura. over 200 years later, California leads the nation in pomegranate production. Farm advisor Joe Grant says, “They grow like weeds out here.” poms: Our barber gives grandkids turkey day chores. He covers everyone in old t-shirts, hands out pomegranates, and tasks kids with peeling and removing the red arils. The harvest goes on the cheesecake and ice cream. And juice-stained shirts go in the wash. we adopted an old retriever fond of turkey, biscuits, and pumpkin.

The vet says once in a while it’s okay for a meal, but don’t make a habit of it. Sounds like our doctor. Have a grateful November.

Let our family take care of your family.

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