February 2014 Journal Plus

VERA WALLEN | CATHY ENNS | SUSAN KOZUSCHEK | ROB DERRICK | NWAMAK A AGBO

JournalPLUS FEBRUARY 2014

MAGAZINE OF THE CENTRAL COAST

SHERIFF IAN PARKINSON

805-543-2172

805-904-6616

www.farrellsmyth.com

21 Santa Rosa Street #100 San Luis Obispo

110 E. Branch Street Arroyo Grande

www.1175MurrayAve.com

www.ZinVineyard.com

Larry D. Smyth

Jennifer Hamilton

Owner/Broker

Relocation Director

Wine Lovers Paradise! West Paso Robles...rural yet close to downtown. Home, Land, Vineyard, 4900+ square foot steel shop.

Linda Aiello-Madison All secured behind electric gate. Owner will consider carrying Broker-Associate financing. $1,950,000

Development Potential - Great bungalow located adjacent to Santa Rosa Park. Recently upgraded with the addition of a third bedroom and bath. Plumbing and electrical upgraded at the same time. The City has approved development plans for three additional 2 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath units. This property is ready for development in a super location between downtown and Cal Poly. $715,000

www.3211ViaEnsenada.com

Ken Arritt

Twila Arritt

Valerie Simpson REALTOR®

Move-in Ready! Don’t miss this great 2 bedroom 2 1/2 bathroom PUD located in the desirable Margarita Villas. Interior features new carpeting throughout, Cathedral Ceilings, Skylights and a Fireplace. Each bedroom has its own private bathroom. Nice fenced patio and a two car attached garage. $429,000

Spacious, open and airy single-family 4 bed/2 bath beautiful Central Coast modern home. Entertainers delight with finished backyard, storage shed, and 2 separate paved dog runs. Short distance to schools, parks, and exercise trails. Living room has a fireplace and opens to formal dining. Family room wired with surround sound speaker system. Other benefits are alarm system, office area, indoor laundry, and huge accessible attic. Master bath recently remodeled. This home has it all! $359,000

Arroyo Grande

REALTOR®

Pamela Bliss

Richard Potter

Broker-Associate

REALTOR®

3 bedroom, 2 bath home, built in 1983. This single story home has been upgraded with dual pane windows throughout, new forced air heater and roof. Large backyard with a covered patio. $349,000

Great Cedar Creek unit near Cal Poly. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, with carport parking. Complex features pool and quad area. $275,000

Deane Naylor

REALTOR®

REALTOR®

REALTOR®

Mary Rosenthal

REALTOR®

Jerry Collins

Janet Shaner

www.45Stenner.com

Carol Beard

Theresa Carroll

REALTOR®

www.santamariabeauty.com

Broker-Associate

Broker-Associate

Simone Viola

REALTOR®

Paddy Doron REALTOR®

Patricia Garrison REALTOR®

Vicky Hall REALTOR®

David Hamilton REALTOR®

Linda Irigaray REALTOR®

Annette Mullen REALTOR®

SAN LUIS OBISPO SYMPHONY M I C HA E L N OWAK, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Symphony Ball & Auction

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 · 5:30 E MBA SSY SUI T ES H OTEL · SAN LUIS OBIS PO

From Tokyo to Tahiti, Moscow to Manhattan, and Sydney to São Paulo, this year’s Symphony Ball commemorates the wonderful and exotic world of travel.

Bid on fine wine, fantastic getaway trips and grab seats at the table for our one-of-a kind Parties with a Purpose.

Come join us for our world-class celebration at the Embassy Suites!

.................................................................................

SPONSORED BY

CONTENTS

Journal PLUS MAGAZINE OF THE CENTRAL COAST

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

20 ART IN ACTION

654 Osos Street San Luis Obispo California 93401

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

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

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30

NWAMAKA AGBO

BRIAN LAWLER’S WORK

ADVERTISING Jan Owens CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Susan Stewart, Natasha Dalton, Joseph Carotenuti, Dr. Julian Crocker, Sarah Hedger, Maggie Cox, Will Jones, Karen Kile, Deborah Cash, Sally Lamas, Gail Pruitt, Roxanne Carr, Jan Marx, Heather Young, and Gordon Fuglie.

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

Opinions expressed in the byline articles are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the JOURNAL PLUS MAGAZINE. Cover photo by Tom Meinhold

PEOPLE 8 10 12 14 16 18

IAN PARKINSON VERA WALLEN CATHY ENNS SUSAN KOZUSCHEK ROB DERRICK NWAMAKA AGBO

HOME & OUTDOOR 20 22 24 26

ART IN ACTION—OVERALLS AUCTION CALL TO COLORS FOOD / AT THE MARKET

COMMUNITY

28 29 30 32 34 36 41

OUR SCHOOLS–Dr. Julian Crocker MORTGAGE FACTS MUSEUM OF ART EXHIBITION HISTORY: La Vista HOSPICE CORNER / CROSSWORD PUZZLE PALM STREET—SLO Mayor, Jan Marx COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

BUSINESS

37 DOWNTOWN SLO What’s Happening 46 EYE ON BUSINESS

SLO ART SCENE

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A proud tradition of serving our community for over 30 years

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Country Estate! Sprawl-

ing single-level, ranch-style home on 2.5 acres in a great San Luis Obispo location, close to the Edna Valley. The interior features 4800 square feet ~ 5 bedrooms, including two master suites, and 4 bathrooms, with abundant natural light throughout. This home was originally built in 1959 but extensively remodeled in 2007 and has been recently painted inside and out. Enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding hills ~ horses allowed! Gated entry and professionally landscaped front yard plus a strong 15 gpm well. This home is in the award-winning Los Ranchos School District. Incredible opportunity to live on acreage and be minutes from San Luis Obispo. $1,099,999 #3170

Mixed-Use Opportunity

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Looking for a Turn-Key Income Producer? Look no further than 1382 Taft St. Absolutely perfect Triplex located in the Cal Poly Bulls-eye. Huge rental demand being just a few short blocks to Campus & will always command top rents in SLO. Completely renovated over the past 6 months, this triplex features new roof, double pane windows, new drywall with hand texture, new insulation, completely replumbed, new exterior Hardiplank siding, new doors, kitchens, wall heaters, flooring, beautifully tiled bathrooms, stained concrete walkways, new window blinds, landscaped with drip irrigation, fencing & more.

Plenty of off-street parking. This property needs nothing & is fully leased. $624,900 #3177

SAN LUIS OBISPO – One of the best mixed-

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Executive home!

Spacious 3 bedroom 3 bath with separate living, family and dining rooms. Two fireplaces, large master bath with shower, jacuzzi tub and walk in closet. Open floor plan with high ceilings and lots of light. Oversized lot with large front patio. $539,000 #3174

use opportunities that has been available in San Luis Obispo in years. This approved and entitled project is shovel ready. This location is walking distance to Cal Poly and demand for off campus housing has never been stronger.

Estimated enrollment at Cal Poly will increase substantially going forward. This project consists of 7 Residential units (3 Bedroom units) and 3,900 Sq Ft of Neighborhood Commercial zoned retail. Rare opportunity to start construction this year and be ready for occupancy in the Fall. $1,700,000 #3168

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Check this out!! Fully renovated 3 bedroom, 2 bath with everything done for you. New roof, stucco, windows, front, slider and garage doors, flooring, cabinets, counter tops, water heater, landscaping.... etc!! Very open kitchen with bar top counters.

Stainless appliances. Master bath now has a very large shower with glass enclosure. Just a few remaining touches needed. $539,000 #3165

Beautiful and Spacious!

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Fantastic location in Villa Rosa complex. Two large master suites with laundry room upstairs. Great open floor plan for entertaining with fireplace in living room. Super clean and updated with laminate wood floors throughout. Private patio in front for BBQs. $419,000 #3180

SAN LUIS OBISPO – New kitchen with custom cabinets, 33 ft of granite counters, tile floors, 3612 square ft. with spectacular views of both San Luis Mountain and Bishop’s Peak. The 4 bedrooms, den, and baths are on the main level. Oversized three car garage, with hobby & wine rooms, with extra storage space. Numerous fruit trees, garden area, large patio with built in barbecue in a very secluded setting. $960,000 #3164

TEMPLETON – Wonderful 3 bedroom 2 bath home with open floorplan and low maintenance front yard! A split bedroom floorplan with master enjoying wonderful views of the mountains and double sinks in the bath. $384,000 #3175

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

From the publisher

T

his month’s cover story is on Sheriff Ian Parkinson. Sheriff Parkinson (pictured) has one of the most difficult positions on the Central Coast and most everyone will tell you he is doing a terrific job. Susan Stewart caught up with him recently and updates us on his professional and personal life. You’ll enjoy his profile.

The quarterly Veterans column, “Call to Colors” is included inside and a story on Brian Lawler’s photo exhibition at the SLO Museum of Art. We also feature five profiles on individuals who make a difference on the Central Coast.

Deborah Cash recently retired from the SLO Downtown Association and has agreed to begin writing a monthly profile for us. Her first one is on Susan Kozuschek. Susan recently purchased the Coverings Clothing store in San Luis and it re-opens this month.

Fantastic location in Villa Rosa complex. Two large master suites with baths. Laundry room upstairs with high ceilings. Great open floor plan for entertaining, breakfast bar, fireplace in living room and an updated kitchen with plenty of counter space. Super clean with laminate wood floors throughout.

Private patio in front for BBQ’s and the railroad path is just a short distance away which takes you right to the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo. Asking $419,000.

Finally, SLO Mayor Jan Marx updates us on the City’s water supply.

Plenty of good reading again this month.

Johnny Hough Owner / Broker

(805) 801-5063

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

Steve Owens

COMING UP AT THE

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Vitality 1/31 • 8 p.m. & 2/1 • 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. & 2/6 - 2/8 • 8 p.m.

Jake Shimabukuro 2/16 • 7:30 p.m.

Alex & Faye Spanos Theatre Presented by Cal Poly T & D

Christopher Cohan Center Presented by SBL Entertainment

A Weekend Escape 2/1 • 8 p.m.

Bahia Orchestra Project 2/21 • 8 p.m.

Christopher Cohan Center

Christopher Cohan Center

Cirque Éloize - Cirkopolis 2/5 & 2/6 • 7:30 p.m.

CP Choirs' Winter Concert 2/22 • 8 p.m.

Christopher Cohan Center

Christopher Cohan Center

Moscow Festival Ballet - Giselle 2/8 • 8 p.m.

MET Live in HD: Rusalka 2/23 • 2 p.m.

Christopher Cohan Center

Christopher Cohan Center Presented by CPA & Opera SLO

Presented by SLO Symphony

Presented by Cal Poly Arts

Presented by Cal Poly Arts

Joshua Bell 2/9 • 7 p.m.

Christopher Cohan Center Presented by Cal Poly Arts

Presented by Cal Poly Arts

Presented by Cal Poly Music Dept.

As You Like It 2/27 - 3/1 • 8 p.m. & 3/6 - 3/7 • 8 p.m & 3/8 • 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Alex & Faye Spanos Theatre Presented by Cal Poly T & D

SLO County Honor Band 2/12 • 7 p.m.

Elvin Bishop 2/27 • 7:30 p.m.

Christopher Cohan Center Presented by SLO County HS Bands

Christopher Cohan Center Presented by Cal Poly Arts

The Vagina Monologues 2/14 & 12/15 • 7:30 p.m. & 2/16 • 3 p.m.

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra 2/28 • 8 p.m.

Pavilion

Presented by CP Gender Equity Center

Christopher Cohan Center Presented by Cal Poly Arts

The Temptations 2/14 • 8 p.m.

Christopher Cohan Center

Presented by Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa

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

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PEOPLE

Sheriff

Ian Parkinson Leading the way

By Susan Stewart

A

ny ship captain will tell you: Changing the direction of a large vessel takes time and finesse. As Sheriff Ian Parkinson begins his third year in office, the department he was elected to run continues its long and steady course toward the sea-change he envisioned when he took the helm in 2011.

Bringing the experiences of 30 years in law enforcement to the top job at the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office, Parkinson said his career course was charted early on. He graduated from the police academy when he was just 19, and joined the Morro Bay Police Department in 1984 as a rookie officer. By 1988, Parkinson had transferred to the San Luis Obispo Police Department where he rose to the rank of Captain. During that time, he was assigned to every position available to a police officer, including traffic, training, narcotics, and major crimes. He also led the team that developed San Luis Obispo County’s first regional SWAT Team. And for 18 years, he ran security at our own Mid-State Fair, taking his own vacation time to do so.

Parkinson was twice awarded the department’s Distinguished Service Award, and in 2004, he was named the City of San Luis Obispo’s Employee of the Year. At the urging of his colleagues, he decided to run for Sheriff and began his campaign in 2009. “I like the way the department is structured,” he said. “Decisions can be made based on what’s best for the people without the city politics. … We were in need of repair; it felt like a good fit.” He won the election in 2010 and took office in January of 2011.

Born in Mountain View, California, Parkinson is one of six children, landing right in the middle of the bunch. His father is an Air Force Colonel and Vietnam Veteran who earned his PhD in aeronautical engineering from Stanford University. As a military brat, Parkinson grew up “everywhere,” on bases in Colorado, New Mexico, and Southern California.

“At home, our lives were very structured, very work-oriented,” he said. He describes his father as intellectually gifted; his mother as

more people-oriented. When asked to describe his strongest life influences, he said, “I think I collected a little from both of them.”

After high school, Parkinson moved to San Luis Obispo, following an older brother who had selected Cal Poly for college. Parkinson attended Cuesta College where he studied law enforcement before applying to Allan Hancock’s Police Academy. He met and married his wife Amy 27 years ago and they have two sons—Alec, who is 23, and Cole, who is 19.

“Affecting change is a little like raising kids,” said Parkinson. “To be successful, you have to be consistent in your message and you have to have buy-in; they have to believe in what we’re doing.”

For Sheriff Parkinson, that means changing the culture of his agency from one of just enforcement to a blend of enforcement plus education and prevention. While responding to calls is the most important thing they do, Parkinson says his department is also part of the educational process. “We want to do more than just the cleanup, more than putting out fires.” Using the oft-quoted definition of insanity, he said, “We can’t keep doing the same thing, expecting different results.” A large part of his vision is to treat the dysfunction that causes crime, increase awareness, and change the behaviors that get people and communities into trouble.

In just two short years, the list of goals already achieved is long and varied. And Parkinson is proud to say they were accomplished at no cost to the taxpayer. A small sampling includes the opening of a brand

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our county the most prepared in the nation. “Our goal is to make this county prepared for any type of disaster that could occur,” said Parkinson. “An earthquake, tsunami, flood, or fire could happen here on the Central Coast, and it’s important to be prepared.” A donation of $75,000 from PG&E to the Sheriff’s Advisory Foundation will bolster public awareness and participation, and improve the effectiveness of VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster).

The Parkinson Family: Ian and Amy, with their two sons Alec and Cole at a recent 49er game.

Perhaps most challenging for Parkinson has been the restoration of community trust in his department. When he took office, “… we had an agency that was lacking in discipline,” he said. “The community wanted to see more consistency, fairness, and discipline in the services we provide.” So Parkinson brought in retired LAPD Commander Jim Voge to head his new Professional Standards Unit. This former head of LA’s Internal Affairs unit worked with Parkinson on policies, procedures, and training to ensure increased accountability in areas such as accidents, pursuits, and use of force. Voge was brought in part time and is now on board full time. “He was a great find,” said Parkinson.

Admitting his job can be all-consuming, Parkinson spends time attending public events and being a visible, approachable face for the Sheriff’s Office. “It’s an important part of the job,” he says. “People want to see you.”

However, he does find time for sports, especially kick-boxing. A good way to stay in shape, he’s trained under some of the best professionals in the world. “And I’m trying to golf,” he smiles. “I’m not very good but I enjoy it.” He is also a dedicated supporter of his wife’s marathon running efforts. Now in her 40s, Amy will soon be running in her 8th marathon. “We used to run together,” says Parkinson.

“Now she outruns me.”

This March, Parkinson will also perform in Phyllis Madonna’s Annual Show to raise funds for the county’s women’s shelter, an important fundraiser for a vitally important cause.

new coroner’s office and morgue; the construction and opening of the Women’s Honor Farm; a new programming unit in the jail that partners the Sheriff’s Office, Probation, and County Drug and Alcohol Services to provide treatment and reduce recidivism; rural crime training for deputies; and an upgraded property and evidence room.

Parkinson also points with pride to the replacement of the outdated DARE program with the GREAT program. “Gang Resistance Education And Training is an evidence-based and effective gang and violence prevention program built around school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curricula,” says the Office of Criminal Justice Planning website. “The Program is intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership for children in the years immediately before the prime ages for introduction into gangs and delinquent behavior.”

Parkinson said the late Rob Bryn (respected longtime Public Information Officer for the department) coined the agency’s slogan “Leading the Way” which now appears on everything from public reports to internal memos. He feels it’s a fitting motto for the many services he oversees, and for the new directions he aims for.

Now 400 employees strong, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office can sometimes feel like that unwieldy ship on a stormy sea. But its captain is holding steady, and the course has never been clearer.

Sheriff Parkinson with Public Information Officer, Tony Cipolla

“The ideals of the GREAT program are more applicable to what’s really going on in schools and in neighborhoods around the country,” said Parkinson, who has also increased the size of his Gang Task Force. “We are at a stage now where people are realizing the value of this. The results are not measurable, so it’s been challenging. But the anecdotal stories show success.”

A recently established partnership with PG&E has resulted in the creation of a new Task Force on Public Safety geared toward making F E B R U A R Y

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PEOPLE

vera wallen

volunteer extraordinaire

By Heather Young

V

era Wallen is a retired teacher and superintendent, and now spends her time volunteering in the community, especially through San Luis Obispo League of Women Voters. She said she got involved in the league because of her mother, and grandmother. She said there is a photo from 1919 of a little girl walking with an older woman who was walking around and getting people to support women’s voting rights. That little girl, Wallen said, was her mother.

“My grandmother wasn’t radical around us girls, but we all knew the story,” Wallen said with a grin. “We didn’t talk about it around my dad because he was military.”

Because Wallen’s father was in the military her family moved around—a lot. She described herself as a military brat.

“I went to 17 schools between kindergarten and high school graduation,” Wallen said, adding that her family lived in Washington, D.C., the Philippines, Germany, Santa Barbara and places that she can’t remember.

She then went to University of California Berkeley to get her bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in history in 1963. She received her teaching credentials from Berkeley in 1964. Then she earned her master’s in Education Supervision in 1972 from San Francisco State University and finally got her Ph.D. in educational leadership from Berkeley in 1979.

“I taught in the classroom for eight years,” Wallen said.

ThaT is WhY We Remain faiThfUL TO OURs

“My grandmother wasn’t radical around us girls, but we all knew the story,” Wallen said with a grin. “We didn’t talk about it around my dad because he was military.”

She started teaching first and second grades, then went into special education. She taught in West Oakland during the riots, as well as in Boston and Vallejo. After teaching, she was assistant director of special education, and then became superintendent of schools in 1979 in Tulare County. While she was superintendent at various schools, she remained in Tulare County. She ended her career as superintendent of schools for the Coast Cambria Cayucos School District from 1988 to 1997.

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It was being a superintendent that led her to meet her husband, Jack Wallen, who died in 2004. Jack, Wallen said, had a lifetime love of Cayucos after he and a friend decided to go to the beach from Bakersfield. It was 1946 and Jack was 17. He wasn’t supposed to leave town, but when a friend suggested they go to the beach, they jumped into Jack’s Model T Ford and drove west.

“They drove straight over and ended at Cayucos,” Wallen said.

Jack and Vera were both superintendents at schools in Tulare County, so when local superintendents organized a carpool to attend a conference in Monterey, Wallen ended up in Jack’s car. Jack took his car

PEOPLE through Cayucos on the way to Monterey. They began seeing each other on weekends—when they would most likely travel to Cayucos.

One day he said, “‘Vera, there’s a job in Cayucos. If you get it, I’ll retire,’” Wallen described.

She applied and got the job. It was 1988. Jack retired and they settled in Cayucos.

“He loved that town,” Wallen said.

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the Cayucos Senior Center and the local astronomy association.

She said she wanted to be a space cadet after watching the TV show “Space Cadet” when living in Chicago. But doctors told her she could not go into space because all of her bones would break as the shuttle left our atmosphere, so instead she looks at the stars. With her background in English, she edits the association’s newsletter articles.

“I’m a space nut,” Wallen said. “I’ve been a space nut since I was a kid.”

She has remained in Cayucos after retiring and after Jack’s death, but her volunteering activities with the league and for the San Luis Obispo County Library Foundation, as well as her seasonal job in the county elections office, keeps Wallen traveling around the county.

She joined the league as a paying member in 1995. She first got involved with the league’s workforce housing student group, which she said was a good introduction for her as a new member. Soon she volunteered to work a polling location in Cayucos and has since become a precinct inspector and been involved in different aspects of elections. At the same time, she also got involved in the league’s Voter Service program and has been involved in that ever since. Currently she is second vice president for voter service.

The voter service program does a number of private elections for bodies such as homeowners’ associations, advisory councils and other small elected groups. The league does it on a volunteer basis, but charges a nominal fee to cover any costs incurred. In addition to running small elections, the league also runs candidate forums and registers people to vote.

“We want people to register to vote,” Wallen said, noting that the league has no party affiliation. “I think—and the league believes— people need to learn about the candidates … actually ask questions and get answers. I do believe it helps our democracy work … It’s not easy to make those decisions.”

Wallen received the Voter Service Award for her work at the California League of Women Voters Convention in San Jose in 2013.

“In addition to her work in Voter Service, Vera is active in League studies such as Juvenile Justice and the League’s 2009 Housing Study,” former league President Marguerite Bader said. “For a whole month and armed with the county’s estimate of workers’ median income, Vera combed the local media searching for housing that would be affordable for workers in San Luis Obispo County. As a result, Vera advocated for mobile homes and mobile home parks in San Luis Obispo because that was the only housing she found that was affordable.”

Wallen has worked processing vote-by-mail ballots in the office since 2005.

“When Election Day dawns she is one of the first out on the road, checking that her polls are open and things are running smoothly. She serves as our eyes and ears on this busy day and has handled with aplomb angry voters, frazzled poll workers and other situations that can threaten the smooth workings of democracy,” SLO County Clerk-Recorder Julie Rodewald said. “Vera is finally able to lay head to pillow after her last precinct reports for the night, around 10:30 p.m. You might think at this point she is ready for a well deserved rest, but she is back early the next morning, assisting the election staff as we sort through Election Day materials and perform the many complicated tasks involved in the confirmation and certification of the final election results.”

If Wallen weren’t busy enough with the league, working for the elections office and serving as president of the library foundation, she rounds out her time by being a member of the Cambria Rotary Club, F E B R U A R Y

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PEOPLE

cathy enns: Dabbling doesn’t work

By Natasha Dalton

“…just 2 cats (and their kittens, and their kittens’ kittens) can create up to 400,000 new cats in only 7 years,” —Susan Stewart, Journal-Plus Tens of thousands of cats roam our county. That should be a cause for concern for us all, especially for the residents of the North County, which has the largest feral and stray cat population in the area.

Terrence Jones, a software engineer who lives in Paso Robles, attests to the widespread suffering of the local stray cats. “Cats scavenge the restaurant dumpsters, looking for leftover scraps of food,” he says, describing the situation downtown. “Kittens run through the alleyways and hide under and inside cars.” Jones recalls a recent incident when a startled two-pound kitten jumped down a 10-foot hole between two buildings: “The poor cat had to be pulled out with a lasso on the end of a long pole,” Jones says.

Raising awareness about the plight of these vagrant cats is important, but Jones did something even more meaningful: when he found a stray cat camping out near his home, he helped to trap and neuter him. “With nowhere to send him, I’m now feeding the cat,” Jones says.

“We named him Whiskey, and even built him a small heated shelter.”

even feels the need to hiss when I get too close. Spaying and neutering is the only way to shrink the population of these poor cats. I hope people take action.”

But what a wild animal can accept from a human has its own limits.

“Unfortunately—even though I take care of him—Whiskey will always be a stray,” Jones says. “I can’t get near enough to touch him. He

Whiskey’s case brought Jones to Cathy Enns, the founder of the North County Paws Cause—a non-profit striving to reduce the number of unwanted cats.

Dr. Bell at work

Enns moved to the Central Coast in 2000, and quickly discovered that our county is not such a happy place for strays and ferals. “We’re not a no-kill county,” Enns says. “And we have an overpopulation problem.”

As a result, several hundred cute, smart and healthy cats are put to death annually—simply because there’s no place for them—and 70% of these unwanted cats come from the North County. “We’re about 1/3 of the population, but we contribute 3/4 of the cats that die in the shelter,” Enns says. “I wanted to change that.”

So Enns, who describes herself as a Type A personality, weaned herself off her successful career in the high-tech industry where she worked for 20 years in marketing, and became a free-lancer. That freed up some of her time for volunteering.

In 2010 she founded her North County Paws Cause. The organization sprang to life with the help of several other non-profits: South County’s Feral Network provided some resources and financial help, and Woods Humane Society in San Luis Obispo assisted with spaying and neutering. “Our business models are different, but Woods Executive Director Cory Karpin found a way to work with us,” Enns says.

“In 2014, we’ll be able to take care of 40-50 cats a month at Woods, and to do that at a lower cost.”

But the lead vet for Enns’ group is Doctor Tim Bell of the North County Animal Hospital. It’s not just the discount that makes them

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seek his services. He is very flexible, and has a soft spot for ferals. In just 3 years of the group’s existence, they helped 1,500 cats, and many of them were treated by Doctor Bell.

Every year, Doctor Bell dedicates a whole day of his time to the Paws Cause’s cats. On just one such day last year his clinic altered 80 cats!

“He never questions: ‘Why do you do this?’ He understands,” Enns says. Paso Petcare in Paso Robles, El Camino Veterinary Hospital in Atascadero and Main Street Small Animal Hospital in Templeton also help the group.

Enns admits that prior to starting her non-profit, she didn’t quite know all the work it would entail. “I’m still learning,” she says. But she’s always known that she didn’t want to dabble. “I was taught in high-tech that you don’t take up a cause in hopes that things would go well. You go for it or you stay home,” Enns says. She went for it.

“Our mission—to have every cat in our county cared for—won’t be fulfilled in our lifetime,” Enns concedes. But the group is spaying and neutering like crazy. They help low-income people to care for their cats.

And when they discover a colony of cats living on a ranch or a river bed, they find someone to feed those furry animals and to give them a chance for a decent life. “When we can, we relocate them,” Enns adds.

Additionally, volunteers provide resources to ranchers who like having barn cats as mousers but don’t necessarily want to pay to get them fixed—or simply cannot afford it. Also, the organization addresses hoarding situations and loans trapping equipment to people who move cats from places where they aren’t wanted to places where they’re wanted.

But spaying and neutering remains the priority, and that’s where 90% of the group’s budget (of some $30,000) goes. What Enns learned in the last 3 years is that fundraising and negotiating with veterinarians turned out to be less of an issue than finding reliable volunteers. Right now, the organization has 6 active members, and another 6 who come and go. “The biggest problem is that all of us have jobs, and we just don’t have enough hours to do all that needs to be done,” Enns laments.

She hopes someday to be able to pay volunteers a little bit for their work. And she dreams of opening a small resource center, where people can meet kittens ready for adoption, or rent the necessary equipment.

Enns is a strong believer in foster care. “I have an extended group of friends who’re not volunteers, but who’d take kittens from me and raise them,” Enns says. “People enjoy rescuing the kittens, they enjoy playing with them. When it’s done in a home—with children, and dogs, and everything else that’s going on in a fam-

Helping strays at Atascadero Creek.

ily—cats become better prepared for adoption than those coming from some shelters.”

Having a resource center can also provide a much needed visibility for the group. So far, the organization has been functioning in virtual reality: through its website and a page on Facebook.

“I remember the time when it was popular in marketing circles to talk about creating communities,” Enns says. And community is exactly what she has in mind—and what she has been building.

When recently a wonderful cat was facing the uncertainty of being sent to the county, his photos on the group’s Facebook page received 400 likes, and 1,000 visitors read Enns’ post. In a matter of days, the cat found a home.

“I see those cats as our responsibility: They’re not just creatures that survive or don’t survive; they’re community cats,” Enns says.

“If everyone did just one thing: donated a few dollars, or fostered a kitty, or brought us a trap—the situation for our cats would be so much better.”

Most importantly, Enns warns that sending a cat to a shelter doesn’t automatically mean an improvement in the cat’s life. “Our county’s shelter has limited space, and when they’re full they are forced to euthanize,” she says. A tame cat might be adopted; a stray cat has almost no chance of making it out of there.

“A cat is a domestic creature. Those who live free-roaming do that not of their own choice: they’re unwanted, or their ancestors were. This is not good for them, and it’s not good for the community to let this happen. It causes distress, it causes disease and annoyances,” Enns says. “Getting this situation under control will benefit everyone.”

“If you see a creature—a dog, a piglet, or a lamb—running down the street, you’d say: ‘That’s not right,’” Enns adds. “I wish that people would have the same feelings about cats. Just because they’re hunters and some of them are able to get some food for themselves doesn’t mean that’s the way they should be living. They’re domestic creatures, and they deserve to be wanted and to have a home.”

The one that got away.

For additional information, go to www.northcountypawscause. org or https://www.facebook.com/pages/North-County-PawsCause/240884349292103 F E B R U A R Y

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PEOPLE

introducing

Susan kozuschek

local entrepreneur to open coverings

By Deborah Cash

A

favorite Downtown business is just weeks away from reopening its doors to continue a local fashion legacy.

Meet Susan Kozuschek, new owner of longtime Downtown business Coverings located at 760 Higuera Street in the Warden Building. Extending a warm welcome at her office upstairs from the store for the interview, Susan guided us through stacks of boxes, computer screens loaded with fashion images and areas of the office suites where interviews were under way to a quiet conference room where she expressed her excitement about the imminent reopening of Coverings.

A long-time customer of Coverings, Susan said she has always felt a special connection to the store because of the established brand and the family that it created in our town. “It’s such a unique statement about fashion and San Luis Obispo. And to me, more importantly, it is a part of this community and the downtown experience,” she said. Susan also said the timing was perfect for her to open her own business, having owned and operated several very successful businesses with her husband

FOR SALE

BY OWNER Long Established Deli in SLO County FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 704-7442 F E B R U A R Y

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Susan Kozuschek (second from left) and friends of Coverings, Tanja Erickson, Mirjam Holt, and Danie Horn

and business partner Micki Kozuschek including Lezyne, a firm that engineers and produces premium quality cycling accessories and Truvativ, a leading manufacturer of cycling components.

“We were married at a young age and we had five children, most of whom are now almost off to school,” she said. “Our current SLO business, Lezyne, is doing very well—but I saw this as an opportunity to have something of my own, something fun.”

Out of the gate it’s obvious Susan, a SLO resident for 19 years, understands business.

Her extensive background designing and producing a line of sportswear and then providing bookkeeping/accounting, HR and administrative support for her and her husband’s ventures have provided a wealth of understanding of how all the pieces fit together. Susan is practical about things like analyzing business trends and defining her vision for target clientele and merchandise, but she’s also philosophical and willing to break out of traditional retail constraints.

“I am excited for the opportunity. I want to sell what people will wear, but I also want to introduce new trends that will get people excited to shop at Coverings. San Luis Obispo is different from LA and other areas, and I want to acknowledge that, but also bring in another level of fashion to our customers.”

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Expect a few changes in the physical environment of the store as it undergoes a remodel prior to reopening. “More open space and lighter surroundings for starters,” Susan said. Her collaboration with a new, local photographer will bring a fresh graphic image to the window displays and marketing design including a debut billboard targeting visitors coming down the grade, as well as a launch of a new website and exciting campaigns to engage its customers. As for some familiarity, the name and logo design will remain as they have for over 15 years; a team of long time employees will stay on board helping to bring a level of continuity and connectivity to Coverings’ successful history. They will also be key to Susan’s strategy that all of her employees are well-trained, passionate about fashion and understand how the business operates.

“Our team is so excited to open Coverings.

We are lucky to be building on the strong history it has in SLO and really want to be connected in the community and closer than ever with our customers,” Susan said.

Look for Coverings Grand Opening on Saturday, February 1 and special in-house brand promotions throughout the spring.

Now enjoy the Journal Plus on both desktops.

Easier access for our readers & more exposure for our advertisers.

Now online at

www.slojournal.com

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For Advertising Information Call 546-0609

www.slojournal.com 路 654 Osos Street 路 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

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PEOPLE

rob derrick:

ymca teacher, group home provider

By Heather Young

R

ob Derrick has lived in Creston nearly his whole life and continues to live on the 30-acre ranch he grew up on. It’s not just any ranch, however, but the site of Derrick Family Homes 1 and 2, which house a total of 10 developmentally disabled people—eight adults and Derrick’s daughters, Danielle, 22, and Dayna, 14—as well as Derrick and his wife, Roberta “Robbi Ann,” his parents, Jim and Donna Derrick, and his aunt and uncle.

Derrick said he was born into the business of Derrick Family Home because his grandmother, Peggy Stanke, started the home 50 or 60 years ago, before Derrick was even born. He said he’s not sure why his grandmother started the home, but when she died he knew he wanted to keep it going because the women who lived there were like his older sisters, even though their minds were that of children.

Of the eight—besides his own children who reside there currently— the shortest time one has lived there is 23 years and the longest is 47 years. Derrick’s family—including his grandma who started the home in Southern California—moved to Creston in 1972. Derrick attended school in Atascadero, graduating from Atascadero High School in 1986. That same year, he joined the Navy and served in that branch for 10 years before joining the Marine Corp., where he served for six years. He left the service completely in 2002. During that time he lived around the world, including Sasabo, Japan, for six years. While in the Navy, Derrick served in Desert Storm but never touched shore because he was in a boat; he was a boatswain mate.

He joined the service because his father had been in the Army. While his father served during Vietnam, his side of the bus was sent to Germany while the other half was sent to Vietnam, Derrick said.

“I just wanted to get out and see the world, so I did,” he said about why he joined the military.

It was in the service that Derrick, who teaches CPR and first aid around the county, got the opportunity to teach those lifesaving skills. However, he said that his wanting to help others learn those skills came when his eldest daughter had to have open heart surgery at the age of 6.

“It changed me,” Derrick said. “I wanted to help people.”

He started teaching CPR and first aid while in the Marine Corp. He said he’d teach 65 to 80 men over the course of a weekend. To date, he said he has taught more than 40,000 students lifesaving skills.

Derrick said he has a goal that at least one person in every household will be certified in CPR and first aid.

“I do CPR training to help people in our community save each other because EMS can’t always be there,” Derrick said. “Everyone around you that is certified makes you safer.”

Derrick spends about four days a week training individuals, groups and classes at the San Luis Obispo YMCA. He also teaches lifesaving skills to American Red Cross volunteers. After Hurricane Katrina hit, he trained a lot of local people before they headed to the New Orleans F E B R U A R Y

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area. Derrick said he not only teaches the skills, but does it in a way that is interesting and funny so that his students pay attention and remember what they learned.

“I tell people, if you want to help someone you’ve got to do it,” Derrick said.

“The sooner you help them, the better the chance they have at survival.”

Not only does he teach the skills, he puts them to action when he’s out in the world. He has saved seven out of eight people he’s given CPR to out on the street. A few years ago he traveled around the country with a friend competing in archery tournaments. He said he came across many car crashes in that traveling and helps out when needed. If EMS personnel are on-site, he keeps driving, but if a police is there without EMS, he asks if help is needed. But if no emergency personnel are on scene, he stops. He said he teaches all of his students this.

While teaching CPR and first aid is a career Derrick is passionate about, his family—including the developmentally disabled adults who reside there—is the top of his list. He said the family spends 30 to 40 days traveling each year. The decision of where to go, Derrick said, is a democratic process where everyone gets the opportunity to throw out a location and then they all vote. The trip includes 16 to 18 people caravanning in four RVs. The group includes Derrick, his wife, their daughters, the eight residents, Derrick’s parents and aunt and uncle, and a couple of friends.

Archery is Derrick’s stress reliever; he got into it when he was in the service. He got back into it when a friend of his wanted to start com-

PEOPLE A doll that Derrick uses in teaching lifesaving techniques.

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“I do CPR training to help people in our community save each other because EMS can’t always be there,” Derrick said.

“Everyone around you that is certified makes you safer.” and the kids—what he calls Derrick Family Home residents—do archery together.

peting in tournaments around the country.

He stopped travelling for tournaments when he began teaching CPR more. Now, Derrick has a bow range in his backyard

Except for his time in the service, Derrick has lived in Creston on that 30-acre ranch.

He has known his wife since elementary school; she lived down the street, he said.

They were friends growing up, which led to more than friendship and in 1988 they married. Derrick’s wedding band has a wolf’s head on it. He said it is usually a conversation starting point. He said he chose the wolf for his wedding band because “wolves mate once for life—no matter what.”

805 Aerovista #103, San Luis Obispo

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

nwamaka agbo social justice activist

By Will Jones Give light and people will find the way—Ella Baker During twenty-two years as a teacher and administrator at San Luis Obispo High School, I had the pleasure of getting to know dozens of exceptional students. Each of them had unique personalities and talents, but all of them shared certain qualities: intellectual curiosity, strong character, the willingness to work hard, and a desire to make a difference in their community.

One of those students, Nwamaka Agbo, a 2002 graduate of SLOHS, was in town to visit her family for the Thanksgiving holiday. We spent two lively hours talking about the fascinating trajectory of her life since she left San Luis Obispo for UC Davis a couple of months after graduation.

Nwamaka’s parents immigrated from Nigeria in 1979 when her father, Samuel, received a scholarship to the University of Michigan. He currently teaches electrical engineering at Cal Poly. Sophia, Nwamaka’s mother, has a master’s degree in biological science. She has been a teacher and worked in health care. One of six Agbo children, all of Nwamaka’s siblings have pursued higher education, with colleges and universities like Stanford, Wisconsin and Cal Tech on their resumes.

Nwamaka studied sociology and African American studies at UC Davis and will soon begin a master’s in public administration and finance at San Francisco State.

As a person of color in San Luis Obispo, Nwamaka became aware of issues regarding race and inequality. “I had a great childhood growing up here, but there were experiences I had that made me aware of being different, including being called the ‘n’ word. My parents came here for a better life and to provide opportunities for their children.

My responsibility is to make sure I’m working toward other people having the same opportunities.”

Nwamaka ran track at Davis and started to get involved in student issues. “Proposition 209, on affirmative action in California, was a big concern at the time. Being Nigerian American and the daughter of immigrants, it was important for me to get involved. African studies classes at Davis were the first time she delved into the African American experience in the United States. “Civil Rights activist Ella Baker was one of the first individuals I came across. A lot of our movements focus on charismatic leaders, but she focused on inspiring and developing people for their own leadership. Rather than saying ‘Follow me, I’ll show you the way,’ she empowered people to recognize their leadership abilities and make the changes they wanted to see.”

During the ’60s when the NAACP tried to assimilate students attempting to bring about change, Baker encouraged them to start their own organization, which became the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Nwamaka’s first social action was a silent student protest organized by students of color at Davis in support of Proposition 209. “It wasn’t about who was the loudest or the most articulate. It was about solidarity and our strength in numbers and what it would be like F E B R U A R Y

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without diverse voices at the university.”

In her last quarter at Davis in 2006, Nwamaka participated in the UCDC program where students went to Washington, D.C. as interns. “It was a great time to be there. They were debating reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act and also looking at immigration reform. It was an awesome experience.”

Nwamaka interviewed to be a legislative analyst for then Senator Barack Obama, but the budget wasn’t there to hire her. “It would have been a path straight into politics, but I’m glad I have the community organizer background now.”

PEOPLE Stimulated by the liveliness and diversity of D.C., Nwamaka moved from Davis to Berkeley. She worked as a barista and volunteered at the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in Oakland. “Like Ella Baker, the Center was trying to put young people in the forefront of shaping and articulating the vision they had for themselves in their communities.”

Diverse concerns like climate change and its community impact, police brutality and mass incarceration of juveniles were prominent on the Center’s agenda.

Nwamaka was hired in 2007 as an associate to the green collar jobs campaign, an employment and fair wages movement connected to climate change. She quickly became the state wide organizer for policy work and then the policy director, working in Sacramento to pass legislation supported by the Center. Her work and the Center’s support at the federal level helped to secure 125 million dollars for creation of green job programs.

In 2009 Nwamaka became the campaign director of a new program, Soul of the City, to develop local leaders. In addition to recruiting college students in the Bay Area, Nwamaka focused on “meeting people where they’re at,” which could be on a street corner or at a community college. “Our campaign was designed to be flexible and responsive, not just to work on our issues, but also to support those we recruited.”

She became the deputy director of the Center early in 2013. “During the economic recession I observed how low income communities like Oakland found resilient ways to survive, like having food trucks instead of storefronts to lower costs and the emergence of cooperatives, new economic models.” She was attracted to the idea of moving these

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models from the fringes to the core of society, models that valued “community ownership, equity and equality, shared prosperity rather than individual wealth.” She realized she needed to learn more about finance in order to encourage an economy of shared prosperity and hope.

“I enrolled in a graduate program in public administration and financial management, and in October I left Ella Baker to join a friend in a 501c3 start-up, Transform Finance. We combine her years of experience in finance with my experience in social justice work.” I became familiar with an elusive new term, “impact investing.” According to Nwamaka, it is “investors who want to receive a financial return on their investment while also making a social impact. Along with donations to create a foundation, it is one of the ways we hope to fund our work.”

Nwamaka continues to consult with the Ella Baker Center. “This is a window in my life when I can take a risk for something I believe in.”

At the end of our conversation, I asked Nwamaka about her hope for the future.

She told me a story. “I was running in my neighborhood in Oakland yesterday. I came across a young boy who was in tears.

I stopped and asked if he was okay, and he said ‘No, I’m not okay. My brother was killed in August. It’s my first Thanksgiving without him. My goddaughter died in May, all my uncles are incarcerated. I have nothing left.’ My hope is for our country to get to a place where our economy can truly align with our values and morals.”

When Nwamaka asked me about my hope, I should have said, “She’s sitting right across the table from me,” instead of the political answer I gave. Later I emailed her

Lynn Cooper Broker Associate SRES

I have been a real estate professional for over 45 years and a resident of the San Luis Obispo area for nearly that long. I served as the Mayor of San Luis Obispo from 1979-1981 and was awarded the Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award in 1993. I have witnessed the highs and lows of real estate and successfully represented my clients through it all.

cell 805.235.0493 Lynn@HavenSLO.com

to let her know. Something tells me this is not the last time we’ll be reading about the remarkable work of Nwamaka Agbo. To learn more about Transform Finance, go to www.transformfinance.org.

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HOME/OUTDOOR

art in action

A creative collaboration Auction with Rosies wearable art

By Sally Lamas

W

hat do Ravens, Kelp and Motorcycles have in common? Would you believe … a pair of overalls!

This summer, 15 artists were given the most unusual “blank canvas” many of them had ever worked on—a pair of white overalls. The resulting designs were vibrant, powerful, and as varied as the women who will eventually wear them.

THE BIG PICTURE: This is the story of different entities working together to paint a bright and rosy picture for art, business and the future of children’s full education. Basically, local company Rosies Workwear collaborated with 15 volunteer artists and SLO’s Steynberg Gallery to host a unique art exhibit and online auction of hand-designed overalls. All proceeds will benefit the non-profit, Art in Action, which in turn promotes art education in our schools.

THE FINE DETAILS: Local business owner, Sharon Moore, launched Rosies Workwear for Women ten years ago, in response to the increase of women “do-it-yourselfers.” The name Rosies was chosen to

“Sisterhood of Traveling Overalls” with final product.

Keiko Ishikawa, Dominique Luong, Sally Lamas, Deanna Graziano

reflect the “can do” attitude of WWII’s working women, represented by the iconic image of Rosie the Riveter. Rosies Workwear is designed and run by women for women. Their unique overalls and coveralls are soft, comfortable and stylish, yet durable enough for the toughest jobs. “Rosies is for women who are strong, passionate, and who really know how to take matters into their own hands to get the job done,” Moore said. Rosies customers are a lively bunch of gardeners, homesteaders, home improvement fans, painters, auto mechanics, construction and metal fabricators, housecleaners and animal lovers.

When several customers asked for overalls in colors Rosies didn’t carry, Moore began stocking white ones that could be dyed a desired color. “I started thinking how fun it would be to invite artists to paint or decorate the overalls, then auction them off to benefit a non-profit,” Moore said. Rosies Workwear has always had a heart to give back to the community. When Moore learned of Art in Action, she liked the non-profit’s mission and wanted to contribute.

Art in Action (AIA) has offered visual arts education programs to hundreds of K-8 schools in the U.S. since 1982. Over 230 schools in California have benefitted during a time when funding for art in the curriculum has been cut. Art in Action assists schools to implement a comprehensive, standards-based visual arts program while training teachers and volunteers. Students learn about the great art of the masters, how to look at art and how to create their own unique masterpieces. “I wish I’d grown up being taught (to explore art) and do it for fun, without worrying about the results,” said Rosies General Manager, Kate Ashley. “I just started taking art classes and really enjoy learning from other artists.” AIA finds that the visual language of art helps students of all learning styles build essential life skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking.

Students also benefit from the positive effects of better self-expression, development of creativity, appreciation for art and music, cultural awareness, and enriched personal satisfaction in their achievements.

Last year, Rosies Workwear successfully launched its first fundraising exhibit and auction. They located 12 volunteer artists, potters, and fabric designers to embellish overalls which were then exhibited at the Spirits of Africa gallery. Rosies then hosted an online auction site to sell the wearable art and donated 100% of the proceeds to Art in Action.

Deanna Graziano with “Chakra Wisdoms.”

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This year, SLO artist Sally Lamas learned of Rosies Workwear after winning a pair of overalls at a local Habitat for Humanity worksite.

After talking with Moore and Ashley, she grew intrigued by the opportunity to paint on a “wearable canvas.” While building her own freelance art and writing business, Lamas constantly beats back the stereotype of “the lonely artist” by collaborating with others. Instead

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Opening night at the Steynberg Gallery in SLO Keiko Ishikawa in process using fabric paints on “Crow Harvest.”

provides a meaningful way to raise funds to keep art programs in our schools and offers a unique gift (in time for Valentine’s Day) for the strong, creative women in one’s life. All of the proceeds will go to Art in Action. Volunteer artists benefit too. After donating up to 40 hours of personal time to create these whimsical overalls, artists gain national exposure through the online auction. The public can connect to artist bios and websites by referring to the “Description” section for each pair.

The online auction site can be viewed now at: 32auctions.com/rosiesaia For more information about Art in Action, see www.artinaction.org. For more information about Rosies Workwear, go to rosiesworkwear.com.

733 Marsh Street, Suite 200 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 www.opesadvisors.com of taking on the overall project alone, she gathered a group of 4 artist buddies to meet weekly for several months to design their overalls while enjoying good food and valuable networking. They joked that their little group should be called the “Sisterhood of the Painted Overalls” (after the book of similar title, “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”). The “Sisterhood” brainstormed together for inspiring images, then got to work. They spread overalls out over kitchen tables, lined the legs with tinfoil, and practiced different techniques of painting and drawing on a flexible canvas. Deanna Graziano, a member of the group, reflected on the experience. “What I appreciated most was enjoying stories and food together, sharing supplies, and supporting each other when we were stuck in our own creative process,” she said.

With 15 artists involved in designing this year’s overalls, one could expect some lively creativity. Artists used fabric, lace, beads, silver studs, acrylic paint or sharpie pens. Images include: a Spanish-speaking llama, graffiti art, black and white abstracts, colorful chakra symbols, a Pacific kelp forest, flying swallows, ravens harvesting seeds from sunflowers, and of course, the iconic Rosie the Riveter in red bandana.

To give locals the opportunity to see these artful overalls, Peter Steynberg of Steynberg Gallery (1531 Monterey Street in SLO), generously offered to exhibit them throughout the month of January. Rosies will refresh the show with new overalls throughout the month, so it will take several visits to see them all. With a warm beverage or a tasty snack from the gallery coffee bar, a person will spend a pleasant lunch hour perusing the collection.

The public can bid at the online auction from February 1-14 to secure their favorite overalls in a variety of sizes and designs. The auction

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HOME/OUTDOOR VETERANS COLUMN

CALL TO COLORS

By Gail Pruitt

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ou’ve probably passed the beautiful brick building at the corner of Grand Avenue and Palm Street often enough. And you may know the building is the Veterans Memorial Hall. What you may not know is how it all started. From our research, we’ve been able to find some interesting history about plans for the building going back to 1918. And like most things, it didn’t come together overnight.

In 1918 the North-End Improvement Club acquired property on Grand Avenue for $10,000 and conveyed it to the city of San Luis Obispo. The conveyance had so many conditions that development stalled and over the years the property fell into a state of neglect.

Time rolled by. Then, in 1944, American Legion Post 66 presented to the County Board of Supervisors basic plans for a veterans hall to be built on the property at 801 Grand Avenue. The Board unanimously passed a resolution to fund the building and ordered preliminary drawings from a local architect. Then, in 1946, the County filed a claim of eminent domain and seized the property from the city for use by the county for the Veterans Memorial Hall facility.

Plans for the facility stalled again. For three more years. Finally in 1949 the American Legion Post 66, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1766, Disabled American Veterans Post 45, Military Order of Purple Heart Chapter 100, American Veterans of WWII, and United Spanish War Veterans Camp No. 42 banded together to try and force some action. The groups began a letter-writing campaign directed at the County Board of Supervisors urging them to get on with the building.

Their united front broke the logjam. The Board of Supervisors committed to move forward with construction.

The final construction plans called for a 21,800 square foot structure with a first floor and a basement. Beautiful hand-carved beams and specially crafted lighting fixtures with the insignias of all branches of the services would grace the main auditorium. Lighting globes for the lower area, now the Museum, would also be specially designed.

According to County General Services, after 60 plus years, there still remains one replacement globe in storage. The main auditorium area would seat nearly 600 people, and the adjoining wings would seat

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A well-known local firm, Maino Construction Company, still in business today, was awarded the contract to construct the building for $210,957.

Actual construction commenced in January 1950. Bad weather, a strike, and a small fire delayed progress but by July the brickwork and the wood trusses had been completed. One of the local sub-contractors, Faulstich Brothers of San Luis Obispo, whose yard was at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Orcutt Road, made all of the bricks used in the construction of the building at that location. Even the earth used to make the bricks came from that yard. When the building was completed, including adding the parking lot, furnishings, and kitchen equipment, the total cost was very close to the original estimate.

During the construction process, Howie O’Daniels, Commandant of American Legion Post 55, headed many meetings with the veterans’ organizations that supported it to establish rules for the use of the building. It was agreed that the first priority was always to be given to veterans’ organizations free of cost. It was agreed further that other civic organizations and private groups could rent the building for a nominal fee. When opened, the charge set for renting the entire building was $50 per day; rent for the large upstairs auditorium area was $35; and rent for an individual room, including the clubroom with the fireplace, was set at $10. Groups using the dining room and kitchen were charged 15 cents per plate with a $10 minimum. Since then, rental rates have changed. Anyone interested in using the facilities of this beautiful building should contact Anna Diaz at the County Parks Department. The County General Services Department continues to do an outstanding job of maintaining and caring for the building.

The beautiful building was formally dedicated and open to the public on Memorial Day 1951. A special bronze plaque was placed near the

Veterans Services and the Veterans Museum entrances at the back of the Veterans Memorial Building.

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another 500 people. There would also be a kitchen, a dining room, and various club rooms in the finished building.

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Enrolled Vets Through the VA From www.va.gov/healthBenefits/vadip comes the following: “...VA’s Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) offers enrolled Veterans and beneficiaries of VA’s Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA) the opportunity to purchase dental insurance at a reduced cost.

VA is offering this service through Delta Dental and MetLife. ...Participation is voluntary...

VADIP opens November 15 for the purchasing of plans, with coverage beginning January 1, 2014. Covered services include diagnostic, preventative, surgical, emergency and endodontic/ restorative treatment. Delta Dental and MetLife are offering multiple plans. Each participant pays the fixed monthly premiums for coverage and any copayments required, depending on the type of plan selected…” Visit www.va.gov/ healthBenefits/vadip for further information.

Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum 801 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 805-543-1763 ccvmmus@gmail.com www.vetmuseum.org Museum Hours: Wed-Sat 10am-3pm

entrance to the building. It reads “Dedicated to the memory of the men and women of the County of San Luis Obispo who have given their lives in the service of our country.”

Today the building has three permanent residents: the Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum, the San Luis Obispo County Veterans Services office, and a County courtroom.

And while the building belongs to all of us, it particularly honors the now-ten percent of the County’s residents who are veterans.

Over the years several changes have been made to the outside of the building. For example, a U.S. M60 tank and a Japanese cannon captured on the island of Leyte in the Philippines during WWII are on display in front of the building. In 2009 the Museum’s director, Harry Hoover and Al Kelley, a member of the Museum’s Board of Directors, met with Pierre Rademaker, a prominent local architect/designer. Rademaker offered his firm’s services free of charge to design the beautiful Monument Wall that now faces the corner of Grand Avenue and Palm Street.

This wonderful addition was made possible by the generosity of Greg Hind of the Hind Foundation, who donated the funds for the wall’s construction. Now all who pass that corner can clearly see the name and address of the Veterans Memorial Building.

Thanks to the estate of Robert E. Lee, Past Commander of American Legion Post 66, the San Luis Obispo County TelegramTribune from 1951, and private letters and other documents for this insight into the history of the building.

Become a Museum Member: $30 a year, tax deductible Become a Sponsor: $200 a year, tax deductible

Come by and explore the building. Visit the museum. See the fascinating exhibits. The Museum is open from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Wednesdays through Saturdays, or visit the Museum at our website vetsmuseum.org.

Do a video interview here about your military experiences for the Veterans History Project: Free. Call us for more information.

Veterans’ Community announcements See the flyer below for news from the SLO County Veterans Services Office:

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HOME/OUTDOOR

at the market

The Lovely florentine

By Sarah Hedger

F

ebruary brings a new wave of winter produce to our markets this time of year. The cooler weather turns the oranges orange, and leaves us with not only oranges, but a variety of amazing citrus to brighten our fruit bowls (and winter spirits). There are also heaps of healthy cruciferous vegetables to choose from, be it broccoli or cauliflower, as well as other healthy greens such as spinach and kale, to keep the salad options there for us all year round. Interesting enough how Mother Nature has planned the seasonal offerings with a variety of produce to choose from that has extremely high Vitamin C counts during the Winter months, which is most convenient!

I really enjoy seeing what others pick up at the markets as everyone has their own preferences. Sometimes it is easy to miss all the options that are presented at each Farmer’s Market. I was recently visiting my dad, and in a quick rummage through his pantry looking for some tea, he had a big jar of chia seeds. This was a bit surprising as my dad is a little more meat and potatoes than the granola/chia seed type!

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He had found them locally at the market and was now taking a tablespoon every day for their beneficial properties, including their high Omega 3 content, fiber, and general all-round goodness. The irony is that I have been eating chia seeds every day for the past few years as they seem to keep me topped up in the ‘I feel amazing’ department.

lovely florentines (that happen to be gluten free and vegan) Makes 24 Florentines FOR THE FLORENTINES: 1.8 ounces (3 ½ Tablespoons) extra virgin coconut oil 3 ½ ounces (just over a ⅓ of a cup) sugar 3 Tablespoons water 1 large cup of unsweetened dried coconut chips 1 large cup of sliced almonds 2 ½ Tablespoons coconut cream Pinch of sea salt 1 egg white, whisked until soft peaks 6 ounces (1 ½ cups good dark chocolate, preferably 70%+), melted That said, I had never seen any at a Farmer’s Market before learning of my dad’s own discovery.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheet with baking paper and set aside.

Chia seeds aside, I thought it due time to do an all-season treat, thus this month’s recipe, The Lovely Florentine is an amazing delight I have been making often recently. Inspired by a Dan Lepard recipe I was fortunate to taste at the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival last year, I have since altered it to eliminate butter and dairy, as I have a number of friends who seem to be on a healthy coconut substances kick as of late. Thus, they have turned into more of an almond-coconut Florentine, than the original all-almond Florentine, which seems to take them to the next level of deliciousness. Coconut has gotten a fair amount of attention lately for its beneficial qualities. While it is known to have a high fat content, coconut is technically not a nut but a drupe (or fruit), more similar to coffee and apricot fruit than actual nuts. Coconut water is sterile until opened and was used intravenously as a hydration liquid in World War II. The coconut oil itself is full of medium-chain-triglycerides, which are metabolized more easily as readily available energy than going to our own fat storage departments.

Coconut is also claimed to significantly contribute to brain function, which in itself, keeps me motivated to have some on hand for healthy afternoon snacks. While the Florentines are by no means top on the list in the diet department, they are delicious as well as being super easy to prepare. They also keep well and are moderately healthy (in a pick-me-up-snack kind of way). Last but not least, the bottom side of the Florentines are brushed with a high quality dark chocolate, leaving them looking quite elegant and amazing all-rounders (with some good antioxidants from the dark chocolate). Enjoy!

Place coconut oil, sugar, and water in medium-sized heavy saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure sugar doesn’t stick to sides, until sugar is melted and liquid is slightly thickened. Add coconut, almonds, coconut cream, and the pinch of salt, stirring well with a wooden spoon. Let cool for a few minutes (so hot mixture doesn’t cook egg white when added). Once cool to the touch, fold in egg white.

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Place one tablespoon of mixture on baking sheet and spread into circles, that are roughly two inches in diameter. Alternatively, and if you want to be really tidy about the whole operation, you can use a 2-inch cookie cut-out (or the metal lid of a mason jar), and place the mixture inside the mold, gently pat in, then remove for a perfect circle. When finished, bake for 10 minutes, or until golden. Remove and let cool for 30 minutes.

Once cool, flip Florentines over and brush with melted dark chocolate on flat (bottom) side. Refrigerate for 15 minutes, or until chocolate is set, and enjoy!

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

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HOME/OUTDOOR

slo county art scene the signifying art of Marian Galczenski

By Gordon Fuglie

U

nlike most teenage art students who typically focus on conventional representational imagery, 16-year-old Marian Galczenski found inspiration when she encountered an abstract canvas by Barnett Newman (1905 – 1970).

It was one of the New York painter’s notorious “zip” paintings, a sixfoot high, three-foot wide ruddy image with a single narrow vertical scarlet stripe running from top to bottom. From this simple, intense composition, the young Galczenski extracted a multitude of meanings and possibilities, and a belief that the most elemental gestures, objects, forms and symbols could become a “universal, visceral visual language.”

In the wake of this encounter, the budding artist began an intense study of multiple trends in post war art. This was the 1970s, a period when the historic “rules of Modernism” loosed their hold on artists and new horizons opened. For Galczenski, studying at Carnegie Mellon University, this led to a pursuit of an art comprised of abstract visual systems, a quest that coincided with the spread of semiotic theory—the study of symbols—in academia.

Semiotics meant that a symbol/image was more than just itself, i.e.

Newman’s red “zip” is no mere stripe of paint, but a psychologically

charged confrontation of the viewer. The theory gave the viewer a role in interpreting a work of art because he shares with the artist knowledge of cultural symbols. Semiotics appealed to Galczenski as she began her exploration of a language of signs in her painting. (If you read Umberto Eco’s medieval murder mystery, The Name of the Rose, you encountered semiotics in a setting of monastic culture.)

Another major breakthrough for the artist occurred when she “came across an extraordinary text, The I Ching, or Book of Changes, a 5,000 year-old book of Chinese wisdom and divination based on a binary system of solid and broken lines that form 64 hexagrams. Each six-line hexagram represents a body of knowledge and counsel on how the superior man, or best human being, behaves, makes choices, and moves honorably through the world. My discovery of this ancient system loaded with meaningful content opened up a new way of seeing for my work,” she recalled.

It was also a time of mobility for Galczenski. She left Pennsylvania in 1983 for a residency/teaching position in San Francisco and a “journeyman” period in California that next led her to San Diego, and thereafter, a permanent appointment as instructor in art at Cuesta College in 1990. Galczenski retired in 2013, becoming Professor Emeritus.

The 1980s were a time of numerous exhibition opportunities for Galczenski, with showings in major California cities, as well as Chicago and New York. Her semiotic work from this period incorporated signs or symbols on 45 separate canvases from four visual categories: semaphore flags, international signs (such as airport signage and symbols specific to agriculture and meteorology), Egyptian hieroglyphs, and her own personal abstract iconography.

Once settled on the Central Coast (the artist lives in Atascadero), she began exploring the juxtaposition of nature and technology in the same image. “The microscopic cell contrasted with the microchip

“Fission Document” Oil and acrylic on wood.

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“Systema” Oil on wood panel.

as a basic functional unit—as well as a tree and an electrical tower, a succulent and a flange from a nuclear reactor—all are parts of our human experience and daily visual world,” the artist observed. Galczenski adds that she is not directly addressing the environment or the impact of technology, but pointing to these contrasting forces to make us think about them, “illuminating how intertwined nature and technology have become.”

A recent work, Fission Document, a lozenge-shaped triptych conceived as “a textual image.” The larger central section is composed of six identical ovoid zones. At upper left are framed the twin towers of a nuclear reactor. This is complemented at right with a monochromatic rendering of a cooling tower hovering behind a schematic technical drawing. Except for the naturalistic circulatory system, the other forms are ornamental, patterned and illusional. The artist says the smaller upper and lower panels function as symbol friezes, suggesting hieroglyphic sentences with cause-and-effect diagrams.

Galczenski regards the central image as a kind of “paragraph.”

Systema, on the other hand, is a diptych that combines an illustration of the workings of the inner ear, the roots of a plant, atomic diagrams and traces of Google searches, among other intriguing components.

The top image contains a porthole view of a forest and distant mountain range; it seems to be the “macro” to the “micro” of the vascular root cluster in the bottom panel.

With teaching now behind her, Galczenski is excited to focus her attention on her next body of work, revamp her website, and organize the materials of her 35-year career. With her husband she is planning a new studio to be built adjacent to their home. Readers also may be aware that in 2007 the artist received a public art commission for the lobby of the San Luis Obispo County Government Center in downtown SLO where 24 works were installed in pairs. Galczenski says “that commission was a positive experience, and I am extremely interested in continuing to do public art and mural projects.” (For further information: www.mariangalczenski.com) F E B R U A R Y

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COMMUNITY

Our Schools three big education issues for 2014

By Dr. Julian Crocker, County Superintendent of Schools

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ublic education in California is going through some very significant changes. In fact, the case could be made that these changes are the most substantial in over 40 years. These three issues facing our local schools will require patience, skill and understanding. If we address these changes in a deliberate and thoughtful manner, I believe that our students will benefit from these changes.

NEW FUNDING METHOD FOR SCHOOLS It is hard to overstate the change that has occurred in the manner in which California’s public schools are funded. A bit of history may be useful. Prior to 1972, public schools in California were primarily funded from local property taxes and there was a clear local connection between the money for schools and the decisions, made by the local Governing Board (School Board), about how to spend this money. This continues to be the general case with other units of

local government such as City Councils and the Board of Supervisors. Although this system had some simplicity, it also resulted in significant inequities for students based on where they happened to live. Students in areas of high property values benefited from more funding and students who lived in low property tax areas had less money for their schools.

As a result of both judicial and legislative action, a new system of “equalization” went into effect in the early ’70s and has been with us until this year. This 40-year period also saw the growth of “categorical funding” for discreet programs that also included rules for how to use the funding. Although the intention of this system was to insure equity of resources for students, it grew complex and seemingly distant from local decision making. That old system has been changed leading, I believe, to a healthy restoration of local decisionmaking. The new method recognizes the requirement to provide additional resources for students with more demanding educational needs including those living in poverty, those who are learning English and Foster Youth. The system now provides for an amount of money per student for all students in the state, with additional amounts for high need students. Local Governing Boards now have the flexibility to make expenditure decisions without the cumbersome requirements of the former categorical system.

However, there is another part of this change in funding called accountability. It is legitimate to ask how parents and taxpayers know that the decisions by local Boards are indeed making a difference for all students.

NEW ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENT FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS The response to the question of accountability is answered in what is called the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) that is being decided by the State Board of Education for implementation this year.

Each of the Governing Boards for our ten local school districts will be required to adopt this Plan for their district and have it available for public review by July 1, 2014.

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Some of the elements of the Plan include measures of academic achievement for students, attendance rates, graduation rates, dropout rates and other measures of student development and achievement. Also, District goals must be aligned with state priorities including proper credentialing of teachers, sufficiency of standardsaligned instructional materials, school facilities being well maintained, implementation of academic content standards and parent involvement. Prior to adopting a local Plan the district must present the proposed Plan to Parent Advisory Committees and members of the public for review and comment. Finally, the adoption of the district’s Plan must be done at a public meeting and at least one public hearing must be held to gather comments and recommendations prior to the adoption of the Plan.

COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS In addition to the above changes in funding and accountability, our schools will be implementing the new Common Core State Standards (Common Core) for students. California is part of a voluntary effort of 45 states to adopt a common set of academic standards and assessments for students in the areas of math and English/language arts and later in other subject areas. Schools in our county have been involved with preparation and training to implement these national standards for a couple of years and will continue preparation during the spring for implementation in the fall of this year.

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MORTGAGE FACTS and FICTION

unraveling the myths of the mortgage maze

By Roxanne Carr

I

n this edition, I will concentrate on the subject of cosigning or coborrowing, the practice of helping someone purchase or refinance a mortgage by adding oneself as an obligor. I get hundreds of letters addressed to my Ask Roxanne column, and fully 40% are about the advisability of coborrowing or the troubles encountered by doing same. I will choose excerpts from just a few to highlight some of the complications.

Q: “About eight years ago, my parents divorced. I was 18 and my mother had to buy out my father on the mortgage; she asked me to put it in my name along with hers.

Since then she has remortgaged numerous times, and not long ago filed Bankruptcy.

My boyfriend and I are trying to get a house, but since my name is on this one it would be considered against us. How, with her filing Bankruptcy and the inability to remortgage can I take my name off of the house? She pays the majority of the mortgage, but now she is one month behind which makes it worse. I don’t want this to get ugly, and I don’t want her to lose her house. We need to show both (my boyfriend and I) incomes in order to purchase a home.”

Q: “Three years ago I was in a relationship that I thought would be long term. My now ex asked me to cosign on his mortgage to get out of a high rate. I helped pay for the refinance, but was told I would not be fiscally responsible for payments until we got married. We broke up two years ago. Since then he has been dragging his feet to refinance.

He ultimately defaulted on 9 months of payments without my knowledge and has now filed for Bankruptcy so he can keep the house. My credit is ruined. Is there any way to get myself unassociated with the property and him now? He is refusing to sell.”

Q: “My husband and I cosigned on a mortgage for our son and daughter-in-law, then they fell behind and wanted to refinance and we cosigned on that loan. Now our son has been laid off and has been falling behind again; we have made the payment several

times over the last two years. We have ignored the last few late payment notices thinking the kids needed to step forward and be responsible and pay it. But just yesterday we got Foreclosure notices, with only 27 days to take action. The kids are in debt beyond realistic measures and are considering Bankruptcy, and we are concerned about the effect on our credit if they do. My husband suggested we buy the house in our names and rent to them. I think this would just enable them not to pay the rent because they know we would have to. It was suggested that they sell the house but I’m not sure they could get the price of the mortgage out of it.”

Q: “We are trying to get a house, first time homebuyers; my husband can’t contribute to the process because he is new in the country, no job yet although he is making reasonable money from his business back home. Based on my income alone (lots of school loans), I was only approved for $150,000 loan, but houses in that range are poor here. Now my brother is willing to be a co-borrower, hoping that helps us to be able to buy a family house, but he gives us a condition that in at most a year, he wants to be taken off the loan, title, deed. 1) Is this worth agreeing upon because honestly we can afford to pay the mortgage, 2) is it possible to get him off the loan within a year, and 3) will this affect his credit history negatively if we are successful in getting him off.”

A: All good questions—and serious predicaments. First and foremost with the question of coborrowing, that is whether to consider helping friends or family members with a purchase or refinance mortgage transaction, remember that coborrowing puts you on the same level of responsibility as the primary borrower. If the borrower does not pay the debt as agreed, the coborrower must or suffer the consequences.

Generally, the only way to release a person from being obligated on a mortgage is by a refinance. One of the few exceptions to this method would be if the mortgage was obtained from a lender that puts that loan in its portfolio and does not sell it in the secondary market. However, even then, the answer is not assured as the lender may not agree to approve a release. Plus, rules change in the lending business very frequently, and time passing can make a big difference.

Vital points to consider: • Is it really necessary for the person to have a coborrower? Sometimes seeking out another lender, maybe with more diversified programs, will enable that person to borrow without help.

• Can you absorb the additional debt if the borrower falls behind?

• Even with family members or romantic partnerships, consider having a legal agreement drawn up that covers all possible contingencies.

• Look at this as a new debt; take away the emotions and evaluate the sense and sensibility of it.

As I mentioned, these are just a few of the letters I get. Many of the situations are much worse and often involve serious family issues.

If the subject interests you, you can read many of them in my Ask Roxanne records on our website at www.themortgagehouse.com.

Copyright © 2014 Roxanne Carr

One thing people often overlook is the fact that this debt will appear on their own credit history. Most lenders, whether it is for another mortgage, a car loan or other consumer debt, will count that debt against you in their qualifying process.

Roxanne Carr is division president of The Mortgage House, Inc. She has over 35 years’ experience in the mortgage banking industry.

Your e-mailed questions are welcomed through her website at: www.themortgagehouse.com or call her at 1-800-644-4030. This article is a forum to explore real estate principles. It is not intended to provide tax, legal, insurance or investment advice and should not be relied upon for any of these purposes.

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slo museum of art exhibition

slo pano

panoramic photographs by brian lawler

By Karen Kile line photo spans over 180 degrees from the Cal Poly athletic fields to the Madonna Inn. Other images in the exhibition include historic black and white panoramic photos taken by San Luis Obispo photographer Frank Aston in the early 20th century, accompanied by images Lawler has taken in color taken from exactly—or very close to—the same locations. “These are photos that show how the community has changed, grown and flourished.” In one image, taken in October, 1914 from the lawn of the San Luis Obispo County courthouse, 194 members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows are assembled for a photograph of the “80th Grand Encampment of the IOOF.” Lawler’s replica photo includes 26 of the current day members of the Odd Fellows organization. The one remaining building in the original photo is the Anderson Building on the corner of Osos and Monterey Streets. The other buildings in the original photo—including the County courthouse itself—have all been replaced by new structures in the 99 years since the photo was taken.

The Aston panoramic photos were taken using a rotating camera called a Kodak Cirkut camera, which exposed a continuous roll of photo film almost five feet long as the camera turned on a special tripod. Lawler’s modern replicas were made with his Canon digital camera and the GigaPan robotic camera mount. These modern images are made with hundreds—sometimes thousands—of individual photos stitched together into a complete panorama in software. The resulting images are many gigabytes in size, hundreds of times more detailed than the resolution of a single digital camera image.

B

rian Lawler, Cal Poly professor and local photographer, will be exhibiting many of his panoramic photographs at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art beginning Friday, February 14, 2014. The photos include a number of modern replicas of historic photos, and contemporary photos taken with his GigaPan ultra-high-resolution panoramic camera rig.

The exhibition, called SLO PANO, features a single highresolution panoramic photo along the 58-foot-long wall of the Gray Wing of the museum. The image was printed in sections on a wide-format Epson ink-jet printer, and will be applied to the gallery wall by wallpaper expert John Kleek. “The detail of the large photo is extraordinary,” says Lawler, “You can see everything in downtown San Luis Obispo with incredible resolution.” This head-

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Lawler scanned Aston’s original camera negatives, which are part of the Bennett-Loomis Archives in Arroyo Grande. The scanned images capture every grain of the original film, allowing him to make large, detailed prints that exhibit all of the information in the original photos. “It was also necessary to make tonal adjustments and to retouch and restore the historic photos. These negatives were damaged in the 1973 flood that hit San Luis Obispo; they were submerged in silty water for weeks after the flood.” As a result, most of the negatives were severely damaged. A tremendous amount of work went into restoring the images to presentable condition.

Another highlight of the exhibition will be two immersive tent-like domes which have 360-degree spherical images printed on the inside.

Visitors to the exhibition will step underneath the domes and stand

COMMUNITY

inside to see the photos in a lifelike setting, all the way to the sky.

These dome structures are printed on fabric, and suspended in a tent pole framework that holds the fabric in place. “The dome feature makes really amazing images,” says Lawler of his invention, “it’s like you’re standing in the forest, or standing on the top of Bishop Peak.

It’s like no other photograph you have ever seen.”

The exhibition, which runs from February 14 through March 30, features numerous local, national and international images taken by the photographer. The catalog that accompanies the exhibition features one of Aston’s historic panoramic images, and Lawler’s modern replica of that photo from Terrace Hill in San Luis Obispo. Unfolded, the catalog sheet is five feet long, which shows some of the amazing detail of both images. Unfolded versions are also available as posters.

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Lawler plans two lectures about his photography, the first on Saturday, February 15, and the second, on Saturday, March 8. Both lectures will be at 2:00 at the Museum of Art. The public is welcome, and there is no charge.

A reception and opportunity to meet the artist will take place on Friday, March 7, from 6–9 pm, in conjunction with Art After Dark.

The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, dedicated to the education, presentation and preservation of the visual arts on the Central Coast, is located at 1010 Broad Street, on the west end of Mission Plaza. Hours are 11am – 5pm daily. Closed Tuesdays. Free admission, donations appreciated. For more info visit SLOMA.org.

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history

la vista

PLUS

By Joe Carotenuti

F

ortunate indeed is the community that has had the foresight to save some of its history in its structures and memorabilia. Even more fortunate is the community whose residents have persevered to preserve some memories in written form. Thus, the fifteen issues of La Vista present an impressive and irreplaceable array of stories, reminiscences, images, antidotes and rumors of the past. Within the efficiently organized issues—with an emphasis on content and not visual appeal—many | | highlights of the county’s past | are| made| available for generations to | come. A gift to the future by those who cherished the past, La Vista OF THE CENTRAL first published in June 1968 MAGAZINE stands as aCOASTmilestone in historic pride.

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MAGAZINE OF THE CENTRAL COAST CE TT FAW A EL MICH YACO DANA NELSON AMRDSUZANNE LEEDALE MASTER GARDENERS FATHER JUNIPERO SERRA H U IC E G RUS ORIN S M 09 H 20 O FLO V E T MARC AUGUST 2009 GLIN QU A RN BA NS AT ATIO ON R G E N E TA EE G OC 09 0 THR E 2 H R IL TT AP TA AR S ILY L C OA AM NTRA SF E C K E TH OO BR E OF

Journal l PLUS PLUS a n r u l LareUSbased on research readily available While many of theJo articles P from investigation … yet certainly aothers today, the results save n r encourage further leisure and interest FE Jou inquiry at anILindividual’s DLI through the past provided level. La Vista is an engaging journey R CU

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by contributors no longer able to speak A NEW TRAIL INdirectly OUR FUTUREto the present. For both their historic efforts and civic spirit, each is owed a debt of gratitude by those taking advantage ofINSIDE their enthusiasm for history. & Downtown OHome U Tand D O Owill R be considered Each issue is a treasure trove of information individually for the most part beginning with this issue and continuing intermittently over time. The last issue was in 1981.

AVILA TO MONTANA DE ORO

CENTRAL COAST

Around

The Magazine of Downtown San Luis Obispo

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Name __________________________ Address ________________________ City ____________________________ State ________ Zip ______________ Return to: Journal Plus 654 Osos St. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 805-546-0609

Here’s the story.

Forty-five years ago, sponsored by the San Luis Obispo County Historical Society and under the leadership of editor, Loren Nicholson, the cover of the first issue appropriately depicted a 1904 sketch of the City’s Loren Nicholson knows his trains only library. The Romanesque building became the home of the Historical Society in 1956. The generosity of a Scottish immigrant, Andrew Carnegie, provided the $10,000 needed to build the center for literacy. One of over two thousand library grants given throughout the world, the structure became the headquarters (to this day) of an intrepid group of folks determined to save and promote some of the past.

Surpassing its original use as a home for literacy and enlightenment, it became the center for the county to cherish and memorialize bygone years for the benefit of the present and those yet to come.

Nicholson introduced the publication by recounting the “eons” to form the backdrop for the mere four centuries of recorded memories.

A former journalist, then Professor of Journalism at Cal Poly, Loren recalls he was able to “lay out” the book at home, edit and assemble the articles for the 500 issue publication. Distributed throughout the county’s book stores, La Vista was a bargain for $1. Today it costs considerably more on the secondary market. A second printing was required as the publication proved so popular.

Appropriately, Louisiana Clayton Dart, modestly identified as the curator for the Historical Society Museum, in an article “Golden Days … Yester Ways” uses images of the past leading a tour about the County. Replicated over the years, it is a sure way to experience some history “up close and personal.” Endorsed then by the City Council, by following a red strip through town—long since faded, a self-guided tour (best completed with Dart’s comments in La Vista) made stops at 19 different locations. While today many community homes and buildings are listed in the City’s Historical Registry, information about either the structure or its occupant(s) is not as readily available as Dart’s commentary.

Dart proudly reported over 200,000 visitors to the Museum and its displays of memorabilia as well as innumerable boxes (basically unsorted at the time) of documents. For those unfamiliar with the county’s history, Louisiana dedicated many years to promoting the acquisitions (invariably by donations) and history of the County.

There is still much to be uncovered in the warehouses of collections.

Then—and now—resources limit the extent of services.

Later, she and Loren collaborated in another written tour, “Paths of History” that takes the reader on a walking tour of the City to visit the sites—if not the structures—of important spots.

The “Streets and Lanes” of the City provide the venerable Tribune

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COMMUNITY writer, Elliot Curry, with material for an historical journey through the community numbering about 28,000 residents. In 1973, Curry would fill an entire edition of La Vista with his important, eclectic and brief notes on local lore. A key contributor to local history, Curry died in 1985.

Articles were not confined to the City of San Luis Obispo but reached across the County.

Everyone’s favorite, the Dana Adobe in Nipomo, is reported as a treasure worth preserving with only hope as a guide.

In La Vista’s premier issue, the County Museum’s first curator, Gladys Norton, recaptured some of the past of the house, ranch, and owners trusting it would be preserved before time took its toll on the adobe walls. Today, in a splendid tribute to determination and endless efforts of mostly volunteers, she would be pleased with the impressive progress as the Adobe continues to plead with the present to maintain the past for future generations.

From the roots of the emerging county to a casual visitor or two, the controversial appearance in Paso Robles and La Panza of the notorious outlaws Jessie and Frank James is still an issue for debate. Penned by Angus Maclean, the James brothers are reported as living quietly with their uncle, Drury James, one of Paso’s pioneers.

Paul Squibb contributed “Early Activities Along the San Luis Obispo Coast” and “Millin’

Around with Don McMillan” added several delightful insights in the central portion of the county.

Loren Nicholson went on to write an engaging history Rails Across the Rancho among other valuable contributions to local history. His last book Carrillo’s Defiant Daughters—while considered fiction—is heavily laced with Californios history.

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wealth, Nicholson and the many contributors to the magazine have provided an equally enduring legacy in the tributes to the past found in the pages of La Vista.

It certainly is worthy of reading … and reprinting.

Contact: jacarotenuti@gmail.com

While some leave monuments and others

She’ll love it here Classy, fun and always there for me – mom and The Manse on Marsh have a lot in common.

Visit us and you’ll fall in love with the elegant boutique retirement community in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo. Schedule a visit to The Manse on Marsh today to see why so many families know “it’s the one.”

Visit today.

TheManse.net (805) 541-4222

Louisiana Clayton Dart

475 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo F E B R U A R Y

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Even though the prospect of moving may be in the distant t’s difficult capture the future, you owe it to yourself to learn how you canto enjoy essence of any man—to summarize, in carefree living in your own home for many a fewyears words, to thecome. life and fundamental

hospice corner

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nature of any one person, especially if that man is John Boruk. John … or “Johnny,” as he liked to be called, was an ordinary guy.

An everyman who worked hard throughout Pristine is fully his life and was spending his retirement living quietly with his dog, Booger, in licensed and years insured. a manufactured home on the edge of town.

All of our workers He passed away on Christmas Day with are carefully Booger screened right by his side. But, not without leaving and pass a criminala legacy that will serve others on the Central Coast for some time to come. background check You see, this seemingly ordinary man did an thing.

He donated $400,000 to and drug test,extraordinary giving you peace of mind Wilshire Hospice.

A tribute to john “johnny” boruk You Don’t Have to Move Feel Safe and Secure

By Mark Wilson It’s a fact of life that as we get older, some day-to-day tasks become too much to handle on our own. That doesn’t mean you have to move away from the comfort of your home.

• Personal Pristine Home Services is• aHousekeeping local Care company that helps San Luis Obispo • Yard Maintenance • Handyman County residents avoid the high cost when someone from Pristine is working Servingof moving All oftoSan Luis Obispo County John Boruk was born in Texas; played a retirement facility. in your home.

football in college; served his country in

“She helps me with other WWII andbathing was proudand to call himself a Enjoy Affordable Living momma’s boy.

John Boruk was a giver. personal care. She is so wonderful toalsome.

Anyone who spent time with him was sure All of our services can be provided She should be cloned! …and the price is to get at least a small dose of his personal daily, weekly, or on an as-needed basis. very reasonable.

Sheabout evengivers did my win- He philosophy and takers.

From housekeeping You to handyman services and plumbing to preparingyou meals.need There is no task too large or pay for only the services didn’t much for Obispo the latter of the two Sancare Luis dows!” R. Watson, too small for Pristineand Homewe Services.

All of ourthose services can be providedatdaily, weekly, or on an as-needed and spent a lot of time devoting himself to provide services a price basis. You pay for only the services you need and we provide those services at a price you can“They afford. took the finding ways be a me giver.exactly time totoask you can afford. what I wanted.

They arrived on time, did The seed of Johnny’s giving spirit appears Pristine Home Services made it possible for exactly whatto Ihave asked, and theofprice was been the result a car accident.

Convenient One-call us to stayService comfortable and independent reasonable. The I would accidentrecommend wasn’t his fault,Pristine but was, in in our home.

When Mary was diagnosed Our personal care services include fact, faultSan of the other driver. When he a friend.

C. the Hall, Luis Obispo with cancer, which is no longer ato threat, the ”noticed that the other driver was a young shopping, daily errands, meal preparapeople at Pristine became a very important children and was clearly tion, transportation part andofnon-medical Before you mother makewith anytwodecisions that our team. They were trustworthy, not a woman of means, he decided right care. Our housekeeping services keep and there to pay for the damages your future happiness reliable and always stood by ourcould side. Weaffectthen himself.

In hindsight, it was divine

truly enjoy our relationship with their staff. your kitchen and the rest of your home and standard of living, takeperhaps the time intervention or maybe even his momma’s

-Don and Mary Smith spotless. We even do windows and voice speaking to him; but, either way, it to read these two FREE reports: wasn’t so much the accident itself but the laundry.

Our yard maintenance crews Before you make any decisions that could affect your future happiness and standard of living, take every “What needs to know cardsenior he received from that young mom know how to take care of your favorite the time to read these two FREE reports: that changed his outlook and his life. about living in a retirement facility. ” The rose bushes and keep the grass neatly card read, “I want to thank you for your “What every senior needs to know about living in a retirement facility.” kindness. I am deeply sorry for creating a mowed. Our handyman services are “Four critical questions to ask a “Four critical questions to ask a service provider...before you let anyone work in or near your home.” problem and incredibly relieved that you provided by specialists in plumbing, service provider . . . before were so generous.

I hopeyou that let your kindness comes back to you tenfold.”

We invite you to call Pristine rightwork, now so that we can sendrepairs you these two FREE reports by mail. electrical painting, and anyone work in or near your home.” safety rail installation.

“It was but it was an indication that Call for rateS We invite you to minor, call Pristine right I should turn my life around and be more now so thatpolite we tocan send you“Now, these people,” he said. whenever I’m feeling kind of bad, or in the dumps or two FREE reports by mail.

Home Services Specialist

We Bring Assisted Living Home You Whatever you need...give us atocall

(805) 543-HOME (4663) Call Today

805-543-4663 www.pristinehomeservices.net 710 FIERO LANE, UNIT 16 SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93401 H O U S E K E E P I N G · YA R D M A I N T E N A N C E · H A N D Y M A N S E R V I C E S · P E R S O N A L C A R E F E B R U A R Y

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something, I’ll pick up that letter and read it and it’ll revive my senses—I want to be a giver not a taker, and from then on, it changed my life.”

John’s death wasn’t unexpected. He saw it coming from a distance. When I first met him, he had known for quite some time and he was, in fact, a patient with Wilshire Hospice. We met at his home where we drank

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beer and talked about life, politics, sports and the good that his $400,000 was going to do for so many people that would never have the opportunity to thank him. When asked about how he felt about it all, especially the dying part, he didn’t hesitate for a second.

“Oh yes, sure,” he said smiling. “I’m on my way out … but in a great way. I couldn’t have planned it better.”

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FEBRUARY CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 43

In life and in death, John Boruk shows us how liberating it is to give. His example serves as a reminder that words are not enough. The power is in the doing. It is in the giving, not the taking. He also helped us to understand the invisible bond we all share, regardless of our situation or circumstance in life … that there is something found in caring for others that makes us achieve who we are. John Boruk left this world a better place simply for having been in it. Thanks and Godspeed Johnny. We’ll miss you.

John Boruk’s generous gift will help Wilshire Hospice continue its mission to provide care and services to local patients and their families on the basis of need rather than their ability to pay.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: SUPER BOWL ACROSS 1. What John Wilkes Booth did 6. *Montana used it to throw 11 Super Bowl TDs 9. Manufactured 13. With ample space 14. Waikiki garland 15. Policeman’s shocker 16. Spritelike 17. Egg cells 18. Shamu and such 19. *The coldest Super Bowl venue to-date 21. *2014 Super Bowl stadium name holder 23. Australian runner 24. Fries, e.g.

25. Actor’s domain 28. Trans-Siberian Railroad city 30. *Last year’s power ______ 35. Younger sister to Katniss

37. Larger-than-life 39. Tolerate 40. Milano moolah 41. India bigwig 43. Network of nerves 44. Like a lemon 46. Cough syrup balsam 47. Inevitable occurrence 48. Tip of lion’s tail 50. Shipping hazard 52. Bell and Barker 53. Swerves 55. Orinoco or Grande 57. *Type of Super Bowl venue 61. Kool & the Gang’s 1983 hit 64. Boston hockey player 65. 34th pres.

67. Haley to Manny on “Modern Family” 69. Moved like Argo 70. *It’s raised for field goals 71. Mauritanian village, Boeir _____ 72. The Benevolent and Protective Order of ____ 73. Fossil fuel

74. Sound like Wilbur DOWN 1. “___ we there yet?”

2. *Manning in 2006 3. Soybean curd 4. Novelist _____ Zola 5. Go-getter 6. Medicinal succulent 7. R in rpm 8. *Frequent Super Bowl host, but not this year 9. Lime-rich soil 10. American Society for Clinical Investigation 11. Like Beethoven 12. Gaelic 15. Come up with a sum 20. Divine presence 22. Tokyo, once 24. Bicycles on skis 25. Water balloon sound 26. “All My Children” vixen 27. Firestone ware, pl.

29. Quarrel 31. *It’s artificial at this year’s Super Bowl 32. Elite military unit 33. _____-percha tree 34. The Three Musketeers’ swords 36. *Halftime entertainer 38. His was a merry old soul 42. Donkey in Latin America 45. “Above and ______” 49. ___ Tzu of “Tao Te Ching” fame 51. *They play at host venue 54. Between wash and dry 56. Tear jerker 57. Double reed woodwind 58. Europe/Asia mountain divide 59. Ottoman man 60. “Tomorrow Never ____” 61. *They also play at host venue 62. Infamous Roman 63. Maple, to a botanist 66. New Zealander parrot 68. *Super Bowl begins at 6:25 pm in this zone

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palm street perspective

no Water issues in san Luis obispo

By SLO City Mayor, Jan Marx

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eadlines warn that our County is in an Extreme Drought!

North County is facing an alarming water crisis! The Governor may well declare a drought emergency for the whole state. Does this mean the City of San Luis Obispo is facing a water crisis too?

Fortunately, NOT. Our City’s water supply is in excellent shape.

In fact, the City could keep serving residents and businesses with water if we had no rain at all for approximately eight years, with conservation measures only imposed during the last three years. Why is our City in such a fortunate water-secure position, when the rest of the state is suffering?

Chalk it up to good decision making and good planning on the part of your City Council, staff and engaged residents over the past twenty-five plus years. Successive City Councils have set multi-source water security as a high priority and made the hard decisions necessary to pay for it.

Council has secured five sources of water, Salinas Reservoir (Santa Margarita Lake), Whale Rock Reservoir (in Cayucos), recycled water, ground water and most recently, Nacimiento Reservoir. Having a diverse water portfolio—in different water sheds— avoids dependence on any one source that may or may not be available during a water supply emergency.

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Our diverse water portfolio’s mainstays, the Salinas and Whale Rock Reservoirs, have served the City well for over 50 years.

The County runs the Salinas Dam and water delivery facilities for our benefit by contract. The City runs the Whale Rock Reservoir for the benefit of the members of the Whale Rock Commission. This joint powers agency, chaired by your Mayor, is made up of Cal Poly, California Men’s Colony and the City. Our popular recycled water program was established in 2001 and provides water for irrigation to City Parks, the Golf Course and private landscaping in areas as they are annexed. The extra purified recycled water generated by the waste water treatment plant goes into San Luis Creek, as required by Fish and Game to sustain our endangered Steelhead Trout population. The City has four groundwater wells, used mostly for construction activity and Golf Course irrigation. A dependable and certain amount of water from the Nacimiento Reservoir is ours by contractual right, and has been part of the water supply mix since early 2011.

Your City staff has worked hard over the years to plan how to best acquire, finance, maintain, maximize and conserve your water supply, as well as maintain reliable, high water quality. During the last drought (1986-1992), staff recommended, and Council set, mandatory conservation

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measures and established low flow construction standards. We offered financial incentives for low flow showers, toilets and washing machines. Staff devised the City’s Secondary Water Supply, in order to meet peak water demand periods or short-term loss of City water supply sources.

The proactive role of City residents in achieving water security cannot be overestimated. Conservation is crucial, and residents have been incredibly creative, effective and conscientious in conserving water. In 1992, voters approved a referendum rejecting City participation in the State Water Project on the grounds (which have proven to be accurate) that it was too expensive, unreliable and did damage to agricultural lands and the Bay Delta. In 1996, voters approved an initiative to protect the city against drought by establishing a required “reliability reserve” in our City Charter. This reliability reserve (20% of average water demand) provides current residents with a buffer for unforeseen impacts to the City’s available water supply. By Council policy, this reserve protects current residents and may not be used to justify future development.

Water is an incredibly valuable, scarce resource, even more so during a drought.

The law of supply and demand tells us that scarcity drives up the price of any commodity, even water, when demand outpaces supply. Unfortunately, providing adequate protection against drought must be an expensive endeavor. This fact may not make it any easier to take the “sticker shock” upon opening up the utility bill. But, residents may take pride in the fact that Council, staff and City voters have made a wise investment, an investment in long term water security for now and for generations of City residents to come.

Downtown

Around

The Magazine of Downtown San Luis Obispo

Inside:

February 2014

W hat ’s U p Downtown B usiness Spo tlights

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another. There are a myriad of reasons ranging or as many years back as I can remember from coastal weather, to endless open space or the San Luis Obispo community has put an the charming character of a true Downtown. emphasis on things being “local.” It becomes Those residents who remain in town and open apparent when you consider all of the common businesses or get involved in the community all sayings around town like “Shop Local” or want to share our traditions and bring people “Dine Local,” the prevalence of “SLO” bumper into this nostalgic yet hip part of the California stickers and even the more recent “Share SLO” coastline. campaign. This sense of local pride definitely called to me last year when I learned of the Dominic Tartaglia, eople from all over the world and all Executive Director opening for the Executive Director position at different walks of life come into our the Downtown Association. Naturally, being the community each day simply to experience the lifestyle SLO native that I am, I jumped at the opportunity to that we get to enjoy on a daily basis. Some of these head one of our community’s great organizations and to people have heard we have great weather or are the keep things, you guessed it, “local.”

“Happiest Town in America,” while others have read about our World Famous Farmers’ Market. Whatever hen people ask me what it is that draws tourists the reason may be that attracts people to SLO, you can from all over the world to our town or why our be certain our Downtown Association will continue to residents are so happy with Downtown, I explain there work hard to make their experience in our small town is a magical feeling you get when you are here. It’s a a truly magical one. Our organization is dedicated to nostalgia that stems from being a small town mixed building first class events and fostering an economically with a proper influence of fresh ideas on old traditions. vibrant Downtown that our members and community What I’ve found is people choose to live in SLO because can be proud to share with friends, family and visitors. they truly fall in love with some aspect of the town or

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On the Cover: The Thursday Night Promotions produce section features a rich and colorful offering of fresh fruits and vegetables each week as well as specialty items like flowers and grass fed beef. Photo by Mukta Naran

Sweethearts Night

at Farmers’ Market February 13, 2014 6 - 8:30 pm Garden Street Free Photos by Snap Cubby www.snapcubby.com Jan Walters Harpist Flowers provided by Eufloria Let cupid’s arrow fly you and your valentine Downtown to Sweethearts Night!

For more Information 541 0286 or www.DowntownSLO.com

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Higuera Street and danced ne of our most the evening away, fresh successful events is produce in hand. our Thursday Night Farmers’ Market. It’s been running s I look back on my time strong for over 30 years now! in San Luis Obispo, I The Downtown Association can remember being a kid has found many traditions when you could still feed that go well with the veggies, the ducks in the creek and barbecue and locally sourced there were no Concerts in goods at Farmers' Market, the Plaza. Today, we can’t such as our upcoming feed the ducks, but we can Sweethearts Night special count on good music on a event. Each year the event warm summer evening and draws dozens of couples to finding goods at one of the take part in the festivities that Be on the lookout for our 2014 Concerts in the Plaza line-up to be best Farmers’ Markets this announced later this month while we continue getting ready for make this particular event another season of local music in Downtown San Luis Obispo. side of the Mississippi every unique only to a Thursday Photo by Mukta Naran Thursday Night. It’s all part Night Farmers' Market in of the “magic” of Downtown Downtown San Luis Obispo.

SLO thanks to some forward thinking individuals who Be sure to mark February 13th to come down and see understood what it meant to maintain the small town just what kind of a new spin Sweethearts Night puts on feeling. For me, as I look forward to being your new this long-standing tradition of Farmers' Market. While San Luis Obispo Downtown Association Executive you are at the Market, you can hop into the photo Director, I am excited and honored to be a part of the booth with your sweetheart to capture the memory team of staff and volunteers that help make the “magic” and nostalgically look back at how you strolled down happen in Downtown SLO.

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The Mercantile featuring Cattaneo Bros.

Katelyn Kaney, President (pictured) 950 Chorro Street (805) 543-7188 www.CattaneoBros.com www.facebook.com/TheMercantileByCattaneoBros

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hat should you do when you outgrow your space?

Expand of course! That is the case with The Mercantile. A retail expansion for Cattaneo Bros., The Mercantile is focused on making the Cattaneo Bros. experience more accessible to the community as well as providing a personalized gift basket and seasonal craft experience.

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hile The Mercantile is an expansion of Cattaneo Bros., expect to find a wide range of other gifts atelyn Kaney, current president of Cattaneo Bros., and treats not offered at their factory store. Along with has been involved in the business since she was a the whole line of Cattaneo Bros. products (jerky, nuts, child. Born and raised in San Luis Obispo, Kaney has dried fruits & candies, and European sausages), The spent time working with different companies in the area Mercantile will feature many spices, olive oils and other and after graduating from Cal Poly returned full-time local specialty foods as well as plenty of materials to to working for the family business. She knew it was help people construct their own gift packages. “We want definitely time to start thinking about expanding. “Our people to be able to come in here and create great gifts retail space at the factory location was just too small, with local products while being able to add a personal especially during the holidays when lines were out the touch” says Kaney. Check out The Mercantile featuring door,” says Kaney. While the expansion was a necessity, Cattaneo Bros. on Facebook and visit them at 950 Chorro The Mercantile was something Kaney had always wanted Street to build a special gift for any occasion! to open to go along with Cattaneo Bros.

By Travis Domingues

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Garfield Preparatory Academy

Dr. Garfield Scott, Founder & Director (pictured) 975 Osos Street (805) 439-2598 www.EducatedAbroad.com Search on Facebook: Garfield Preparatory

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ant to learn a new language or help your child prepare for the next step in their educational journey? Enter Garfield Preparatory Academy. Founded and managed by Dr. Garfield Scott, Garfield Prep is a language and culture academy that offers courses in Mandarin Chinese and English as a Second Language as well as 6-week and 16-week SAT Prep classes. Garfield Prep also manages a successful exchange program that works to bring Chinese students to America at both the High School and University levels.

comprehension, and attention management.

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tudents can expect to receive transparent, educational ethics and a planned overview of their goals when they work with Garfield Prep to reach their educational destination. While their exchange program certainly is not easy, it does get results, carrying a 93% success r. Scott’s background in both Chinese and American rate while keeping both the student and their family culture and academia speaks for itself. He spent ten connected to Garfield Prep throughout the entire 6-9 years in Beijing, China acclimating himself to the culture month exchange process and their academic career.

Dr. Scott has the same goal with students in San Luis and the language while receiving his Ph.D in 2009. Dr. Scott has also spent time teaching at the university level Obispo, and says “Although coming out of Beijing, in the States at the University of Chicago and at Tsinghua China and relocating to San Luis Obispo, business and educational ethics and culture are that of American University in Beijing. tradition. We hope that this can make us an asset in San he teaching method at Garfield Prep is a method Luis Obispo.” they call “ScoTech.” The three main factors of this top by Garfield Prep at 975 Osos Street and see what method are: round seating to implement interaction and they can do to help you reach your educational goals. promote student participation, traditional blackboard and multimedia use to support and enforce lesson

By Travis Domingues

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assistance league receives funds

Assistance League of SLO County (ALSLOC) received a $4,500 check from the SLO Wine Country’s Rockin’ Harvest Celebration fundraiser. The check presentation took place at Wolff Vineyards in the Edna Valley. The donation will be used to help fund ALSLOC’s programs benefitting county youth: Operation School Bell® with its sub-programs Sue’s Stars and Operation Bookshelf, and the Homeless Collaboration program. In 2012-2013, Assistance League members clothed over 1,400 children in need in the county. The chapter is an all-volunteer, national non-profit organization dedicated to putting caring and commitment into action through philanthropic efforts within the local community.

For more information about Assistance League of SLO County, visit the Web site at www.alslocounty.org

Cancer Resource Center to $58,000. The meet raised money through local sponsorships, entry fees, a silent auction, and the concession stand. PUMA Swim Team Coach Jud Clark and the team recently presented the check to the HCRC Director Beverly Kirkhart and FHMC President and CEO Alan Iftiniuk.

botanical garden receives grants

It is with much appreciation that the SLO Botanical Garden received three generous grants recently. The first, of $2,200, was from the local organization Central Coast Funds for Children (CCFC). The CCFC grant will directly fund outdoor science and arts based children’s education programs by providing class materials and scholarships for at-risk and low income children, effectively doubling the amount of scholarship the Garden offers to the summer Adventure Camp and Garden Fresh Cooking Classes.

The second grant of $1960 was from the Morro Bay National Estuary Program (MBNEP) to aid in erosion control of the Fire Safe Demonstration Garden being installed in 2014. The one-acre Fire Safe Garden will serve as an educational tool, demonstrating how proper landscaping can maximize fire protection and safety. The third grant was a generous grant of $2,554 from the SLO County Community Foundation (SLOCCF). Funds will be used to promote and distribute 128 Of Our Best, a pictorial catalog. The mission of the Botanical Garden is to “connect people with nature.” The Garden offers educational opportunities that encourage physical activity and environmental understanding through engaging community members in natural settings. The Garden motivates people to get outside and into nature by offering multigenerational educational outdoor activities throughout the Garden.

local swim club donates to foundation

The French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) Foundation recently received a generous donation from the PUMA Aquatic Team for the Hearst Cancer Resource Center (HCRC). The swim club raised $9,000 for the HCRC during their sixth annual swim meet at Arroyo Grande High School. Hundreds of swimmers from the Central Coast, Central Valley, and Southern California participated in the event. This brings PUMA’s sixth year total donation to the Hearst

10 cuesta teachers honored for excellence

Alpha Gamma Sigma, Cuesta College’s academic honor society and service organization, honored 10 instructors for going above and beyond expectations and influencing students’ academic success at the third annual Teacher Appreciation Night. The instructors were nominated by AGS members and selected by AGS Executive Cabinet officers. At the event, the AGS members spoke about how the instructors provide great value to the college, and the instructors had a chance to thank their students. “We are honoring these faculty for their exceptional work and dedication toward building our community here at Cuesta College,” said AGS President Bradford Jungers. “There’s no greater honor for faculty than to be recognized by their students,” said Superintendent/President Gil Stork. “What these AGS students are really doing is reaffirming the influence and impact that teachers have on student success.” The award recipients, who have taught at the college up to 35 years, are: Praveen Babu, Lisha Duarte, Brian Kreowski, Elizabeth Lobo, Ann Maliszewski, Jodi Meyer, Christopher Nielsen, Aaron Rodrigues, Ron Ruppert and Joe Vasta. The 10 faculty members were also recognized for their excellence by the offices of Congresswoman Lois Capps and Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian.

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Atascadero rotary donates to drama club

Atascadero Rotary President Ken Johnston and Rotary member Ken Weathers recently presented Atascadero High School Drama teacher Catherine Kingsbury and members of the Atascadero High School Drama Club with a $2,000 check to help with their fundraising effort to attend and perform at the International Fringe Festival in Scotland. The Atascadero High School Drama club is one of only six schools in the United States and the only public school to be selected to perform at the Fringe Festival.

The Fringe Festival is the largest and most prestigious arts festival in the world.

Back Challenge. Thousands of supporters from around the Central Coast participated in the contest throughout November.

Community members voted a combined total of 9,400 times, and the organizations that received the most votes were awarded the largest donations. Project Surf Camp, based in Morro Bay, won the $5,000, The Food Bank Coalition of SLO County came in second, the third-place donation to the Boys and Girls Club.

Other winners included: Achievement House, ARTS Obispo, Big Brothers Big Sisters of SLO County, the Central Coast Aquarium, Lompoc Family YMCA, Orcutt Academy High School Boosters and the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation each received $250 donations. The eligible organizations were selected from dozens of worthy non-profits nominated by community members earlier this year. The eye care practice’s annual contest was designed to highlight the outstanding organizations that make positive change visible on the Central Coast. For more information, visit Pacific Eye’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/PacEyeMD

Free Senior health care screening

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

Pacific Eye donates $10,000 to local non profits

Pacific Eye has made $10,000 in total contributions to local non-profit organizations as a result of the Pacific Eye Gives

D ressing Windows in San Luis Obispo for over 39 Years

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

Alan “Himself”

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

2014

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

Reach thousands of potential customers by placing your ad in the Journal Plus.

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Joseph Deschryver named ceo at sierra vista

Joseph DeSchryver, 43, has been named Chief Executive Officer at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center. He replaces Candace Markwith, who retired after nearly nine years at Sierra Vista. For the past eight years DeSchryver has been Sierra Vista’s Chief Operating Officer where he had oversight of the hospital’s day to day operations and ancillary departments such as pathology, radiology, pharmacy and plant operations. During his more than eight year tenure in that role, Sierra Vista twice earned Tenet’s highest operational award, the Circle of Excellence and he also spearheaded a green initiative that earned two regional awards for its environmental stewardship. DeSchryver also oversaw more than $40 million in construction and the successful implementation of the firstever trauma center in SLO County history.

Cuesta original play going To Los Angeles

Cuesta College’s original play, pool ’63, has been chosen to receive a full production at the 2014 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Los Angeles. Created in collaboration with the theatre department students, director and faculty member bree valle and playwright Philip Valle, pool ’63 is one of only nine productions chosen to participate in this year’s regional festival.

THE BULLETIN BOARD

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The event will take place February 12-16, 2014, at the Los Angeles Theatre Centre. Described by Kennedy Center adjudicator Josh Machamar as “one of the best plays I’ve seen in a very long time,” pool ’63 draws its subject matter from Birmingham, Alabama, and the racial unrest of the civil rights movement that occurred in 1963.

moments for mission

The Ministry of Outreach at United Church of Christ–SLO is putting a group together to sew items that would be sent to Africa, Haiti, Philippines, or wherever they are needed. There are several organizations that send them overseas but they need people to sew them. Patterns are available on line. Just Google “Little Dresses” and many sites come up with stories and the history of this missionary project. What is needed? A willingness to come participate and volunteer. Some can bring fabric, thread, elastic, bias tape, cording, notions, sewing machines, tools, etc. Some can donate labor by designing, ironing, cutting sewing, sorting, packing, mailing, or just cheering others on, etc. *For more information or to confirm future dates Contact UCC SLO at 5441373 or Susan Chandler 528-4695.

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THE BULLETIN BOARD A limited number of tickets will also be available at the door. Desserts and other baked goods will also be available for sale. For more information, go to www.mlkfund.org.

CCFC donates $3000 to SLO little theatre

super bowl sunday feast to fund king scholarships

Tickets are now on sale for a Super Bowl Sunday eat-in or take-out chicken barbecue to raise money for local scholarships. The annual fundraiser for the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial High School Scholarship Fund will be from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, at the Elks Lodge, 222 Elks Lane, San Luis Obispo. Each $10 ticket buys a meal of barbecued chicken, baked beans, potato salad and garlic bread, with proceeds going to scholarships for local high school students heading to college. (Last year’s winners pictured above). Since 1968, the group has been presenting scholarships to graduating seniors from high schools in SLO. The festive barbecue and community gathering at the Elks Lodge is the group’s primary fundraiser. Participants can eat at the lodge or get meals to take home and eat while they watch the Super Bowl. “The take-out dinner is a great way to eat well during the Super Bowl without having to spend the day in the kitchen,” said Mary Matakovich, president of the board of the scholarship fund. “If you’re having friends over to watch the game, come by the Elks Lodge and get food for the whole group.” To purchase tickets in advance, or to find out about buying blocks of tickets for your organization, call Mary Matakovich at (805) 595-2526.

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The SLO Little Theatre (SLOLT) has received a generous $3,000 grant from the Central Coast Funds for Children (CCFC) in support of their Academy of Creative Theatre (ACT) production of Pinocchio, which ran last month (the cast is pictured above).

Specifically, the grant underwrites free and discounted tickets to performances of Pinocchio for underserved children and families in collaboration with the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County (CAPSLO.) The tickets were distributed through CAPSLO to families involved in Head Start and other programs for families and children. In addition, this generous grant has underwritten many of the costs associated with the production and the training of the students involved, including a unique marionette class taught by clown, puppeteer and theatre arts instructor, Gale McNeely.

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THE BULLETIN BOARD Scott Dodge—New baseball coach at mission

Mission Prep proudly announces that Scott Dodge has accepted the position of Varsity Baseball coach for the 2014 season. Dodge is a graduate of SLO High School and the University of Texas, with a Bachelor of Science degree. Dodge served as an Assistant Football Coach for the Royals this fall. He played at Cuesta College under Larry Lee and at the University of Texas. He played both football and baseball. Previously, Dodge coached at Corona Del Mar High School and Garden Grove High School in the Los Angeles area.

sierra vista elects new slate of officers

Jill Bolster-White executive director at Transitions Mental Health Association in SLO (pictured), has been elected Chair of the Governing Board at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center for 2014. Bolster-White has served on the Sierra Vista Board for four years, the past year as Secretary/ Treasurer. Bruce Monroy, MD., a San Luis Obispo-based OB/ GYN, was elected Vice Chair and Gil Stork, Ed.D., superintendent and president at Cuesta College, was elected as Secretary/Treasurer. Newly elected to a three year term starting in 2014 is Mary Harris, Simone Lagomarsino, Ty Safreno and Dr. Scott Bisheff. Continuing Governing Board Members include: Eric Schwefler, Kris Yetter, Dr. Otto Schueckler, Dr. Patrick Vaughan, Dr. Stephen Tidik, Tim Williams, Tom Jones, and Chip Visci. Additional members include Chief of Staff William Sogaard, M.D.; Vice-Chief of Staff Timothy Auran, M.D.; and Phillip Kissel, M.D., immediate past Chief of Staff.

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slo literacy council receives $10,000 grant

The SLO Literacy Council has received a $10,000 grant from The Community Foundation SLO County (CFSLOCO). This grant was donated in memory of Hilda and Bob Leslie, and Alfred and Marie Marty. This grant will be used toward a brand new project for childcare providers in SLO County. Literacy Council Staff will collaborate with CAPSLO Child Care Resource Connection Staff on this program. The goal of the program is to empower fifteen SLO County independent childcare providers by enhancing their ability to read, write, and speak English. This pilot program is based on one-­year’s work, beginning January 2014 and ending December 2014. The Literacy Council provides free service to individuals 16 years and older, though younger children are also positively impacted by living in a more literate community.

Hundreds of dedicated volunteers spend thousands of hours assisting adult learners how to read, write, and speak English in SLO County. Phone: 541-­4 219 www.sloliteracy.org

valentine concert with judy philbin & dawn lambeth

Vocalists Dawn Lambeth and Judy Philbin will combine talents to take listeners on a “Sentimental Journey: Valentine Special,” Saturday, February 15, 7:30 p.m. at the former Unity Church, 1490 Southwood Drive in SLO. Sponsored by the SLO Jazz Federation, the duo will be accompanied by a five-piece band, with a program including familiar tunes from the early American jazz era into the 70s. Tickets are $20/ general, $15/Jazz Fed Members and $10/students. Tickets available at the door and may be reserved ahead by calling 546-3733.

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COMMUNITY

eye on Business it’s a cold new world

By Maggie Cox, Barnett Cox & Associates

2

014 is still pretty darn new, but it’s already produced plenty of stories about the job market, with everything from shifting unemployment numbers to the best college majors for future career placement popping up. There’s great focus on finding and keeping a job. I have newfound respect for how tough it is for jobseekers out there. I’m not talking about a shortage of jobs, but the high tech gauntlet that today’s applicants have to maneuver to even get close to one.

By way of background: last month I wrote about Millenials, those young adults who were born between 1982 and the early 2000s—a group that includes my own two daughters. Caitlin and Lindsay have both secured “grown up” jobs, one in publishing in Washington, DC and one in marketing in Seattle. I’m crazy proud of them and I love hearing their perspectives on careers, especially since they’re SLO-raised kids now living in major urban areas.

But the stories that have gotten my attention recently aren’t about compensation or flex time or training. They’re the ones about the process of applying for a job. To Caitlin and Lindsay, this is just the way things are done.

But to someone like me, who mailed cover letters and resumes (20 at a time was a huge run), it sounds rough. It sounds disheartening.

And it sounds like a bottomless pool of applicants is sharing the same space.

“I applied for a job that asked me to describe my competencies and experience in one word, and use that word as the email subject line. The first round of cuts came from just that word alone.”

“One of the interesting things I ran into was the fact that due to the number of applicants that apply -- you as a person truly turn into a candidate if you fit a certain word search.

When I was reworking my resume I got the advice to write keywords in white either in the margins or below descriptions of previous jobs because the computer system will grab your resume and like you for a job (due to the words you use) and get you an interview, but the employer will only see what you actually wrote on your resume.”

“Email and online submissions make it incredibly hard to have any personality.

The subject line is usually specified in the application. Cover letters are often times

“And generally you never hear back (or receive only the automated responses).”

“Online applications: you often have to create an account, upload a resume, cover letter, any other documents, then manually enter the same information contained in the documents so that it can go into some database. The plus side of that is you can 2014

“Just getting noticed in the application mill is near impossible. I think the hardest hurdle is getting to the phone or in-person interview.”

“Potential employers collect so much personal information on you. Often times they don’t require just a resume and cover letter, but before even getting past an initial screening or interest on their end you have to submit your entire personal work history in little tiny boxes. Your education.

Your GPA. All your employers. Supervisor names, addresses, starting wages vs. final wages. Hours worked. Reason for leaving, References, etc. You also have to include all the details of salary expectations, hours, start date. This process can take (at the very least if you are quick and are in the rhythm of doing this work) at least an hour per application.”

While the Internet has had a profoundly positive effect on identifying potential jobs worldwide, it has also made an already difficult process even more faceless. I asked Caitlin and Lindsay to poll their friends and share information on their experiences.

I’m sharing the comments just the way they sent them.

F E B R U A R Y

optional, but I always include one (for better or worse). If asked to attach a resume to the e-mail, I always put something in the body of the message as to my reasons for applying or why I am a good candidate.”

usually save all that information for future applications and set up job alerts.”

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“It really is a true numbers game and the era of a head hunter of using a third party to find a position.”

Ouch.

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