September 2017 Journal Plus Magazine

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JournalPLUS SEPTEMBER 2017

MAGAZINE OF THE CENTRAL COAST

SLO SYMPHONY’S ANDREW SEWELL

L A D D O N

805-543-2172

805-904-6616

21 Santa Rosa St. #100, San Luis Obispo

110 E. Branch Street, Arroyo Grande

w w w.FA R R E LL S M Y T H .c om Country Gentleman’s Estate First time on Market

Rural Luxury Lifestyle

Located in Atascadero SW Area. High on the hill for privacy, 5 beds, 5 baths, 3,990+ sqft, 2 master suites, on 9.7 acres, large 4 car garage. Original home built in 1983 remodeled in 2016. 3 storage/work sheds. Property backs up to La Paz City says it’s OK to split. Only 15 minutes to Paso Robles Wineries and 17 minutes to SLO Shopping! If you need space, this is the right home for you!

This property is a must see, so don’t wait! $1,149,500 http://www.tourfactory.com/1811426

Custom quality built single level 5 bedroom well positioned on 4.74 level acres. Cook for 2 or 20 from the gourmet kitchen with Silestone countertops & breakfast bar. Indoors & Outdoors designed for entertaining. Fire pit area, expansive patio area. Butler Pantry, Oversized finished 4 vehicle garage. Please call for price & more information. http://www.tourfactory.com/1754477

Coveted French Park San Luis Obispo

Desirable Knollwood at Callender Grove

This exceptional 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths boasts many upgrades throughout, Vaulted Ceilings, hardwood flooring, plantation shutters and custom closets, the list goes on and on!! Many walking / biking trails that wander throughout leading to French Park or anywhere in this large community. You will find a great Patio outside the family room and another Large side yard to relax next to the lovely fountain in the evenings. This home has it all! $924,900 http://www.tourfactory.com/1843223

Centex single level, 3BD/4BA open floor plan home with RV parking.

Private setting on one acre Home features modern split floor plan with Master Suite on one side of the living space and the 2 additional bedrooms on the other. Kitchen has a granite center island & bar space, butler’s pantry, breakfast nook. Adjacent to equestrian, hiking and biking trails and close to several distinguished golf courses. $875,000

Move in Ready Atascadero Home

Great Arroyo Grande Location

This beautiful two-story, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is move in ready! Home features new carpet and paint with beautiful granite counter tops and all appliances included with a brand new stove and microwave. Enjoy the beautiful views of the oak trees and common area roundabout from both levels. Oversized two car finished garage, washer/dryer included, and attic storage above.

Nice patio area and a small easy to maintain grassy area great for BBQ’s and entertaining. 1-Year home warranty included. $405,000

Nice cul-de-sac location near schools. Light & airy 3BD/3BA floorplan flows nicely throughout. Downstairs Powder Room and Utility Room. Kitchen has nice pantry, ample cupboards & garden window. Living Room with fireplace. Upstairs master suite with walk-in wardrobe, dual sinks and dual shower heads. $585,000

Sorrow

Classics in the Cohan I Saturday Evenings at 8 PM Performing Arts Center

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

The Journey Begins Bion Tsang Cello

An Americana Salute Jubilant Sykes Baritone

Old and New World Classical Collide

1

Lilburn I Aotearoa Overture Dvorák I Cello Concerto in B Minor, Op 104 Brahms I Symphony No. 2

2

Gershwin I An American in Paris Copland I Simple Gifts - Old American Songs Mozart I “Non Piu Andrai” Barton I Motherless Child Copland I Fanfare for the Common Man Bernstein I West Side Story Symphonic Dances

3

Nicolai I Merry Wives of Windsor Overture Ginastera I Harp Concerto Haydn I Symphony No. 104 “London”

4

Gershwin I Strike Up the Band Goulet I “Beatles Fantasy” Gershwin I “Fantasy on Porgy and Bess” Ives I Symphony No.2

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Beethoven I Egmont Overture, Op. 84 Mozart I Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major Berlioz I Symphonie fantastique

Yolanda Kondonassis Harp

The Beatles and American Originals Lindsay Deutsch Violin

The Bold and Beautiful

Orion Weiss Piano .....................................................................................................

Single Tickets on Sale September 1

For tickets go to pacslo.org

Andrew Sewell ...............................................................................................................

2017 I 2018 SEASON

805.543.3533 I slosymphony.org

CONTENTS

Journal PLUS MAGAZINE OF THE CENTRAL COAST

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

654 Osos Street San Luis Obispo California 93401

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GUADALUPE

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 Jan Owens, Kyle Owens, Jim Parsons, Gary Story ADVERTISING Steve Owens CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Susan Stewart, Joseph Carotenuti, Dr. James Brescia, Sarah Hedger, Maggie Cox, Dominic Tartaglia, Deborah Cash, Heather Young, Dr. Don Morris, Ruth Starr, Heather Hellman, Aaron Gomez, Judy Guarnera, and Ray Cauwet.

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

Opinions expressed in the byline articles are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the JOURNAL PLUS MAGAZINE. COVER PHOTO PROVIDED BY SLO SYMPHONY

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JAN SPRAGUE

ANNE LADDON

PEOPLE 8 10 12 16

COLLEEN WALL JAN SPRAGUE ANNE LADDON ANDREW SEWELL

HOME & OUTDOOR 18 20 22 24

HONOR FLIGHT CENTRAL COAST CLASSIQUE JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK FOOD / AT THE MARKET

COMMUNITY

26 27 28 30 32 34 41 42

KNITTED KNOCKERS NEW SHANDON LIBRARY GREATEST ATHLETES – Mark Conover HISTORY ON THE “HOOF” Guadalupe HISTORY: Samuel L. Beebee OUR SCHOOLS – Dr. James Brescia PALM STREET PERSPECTIVE Aaron Gomez COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

BUSINESS

36 EYE ON BUSINESS 37 DOWNTOWN SLO What’s Happening

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September Hero Profile 2017 Children’s Bill of Rights #9: As the children and youth of San Luis Obispo County, may we each make and keep healthy relationships with friends.

SEPTEMBER HERO

Julie Martin

PASSION

Helping new parents build strong friendships and support systems ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE JULIE

Connector

NOMINATED BY

San Luis Coastal Adult School Parent Participation Program

Julie Martin is a champion for children, connecting families and children with each other in friendship, while teaching valuable parenting skills.

Since 1997, Julie has been a toddler teacher for the Parent Participation Program with the San Luis Coastal School District Adult School. Parents and children attend class together, sharing challenges and successes, and bonding during the process. As an instructor, Julie leads discussions and activities, which include indoor and outdoor play filled with sensory experiences, language, art, music and movement.

Julie focuses on bringing the adults together, as she knows they can be a very important resource for each other.

Julie-- is a kindred spirit. Inspired by her own experience, Julie sets the stage for the parents in her classes to develop lifelong friendships for themselves and their children. She encourages her students to meet up for playdates outside of class, and takes a personal interest in the families she works with.

Julie positively touches so many others’ lives, yet she would tell you SHE’S the lucky one. Connecting families with each other and with wonderful opportunities to enjoy together in the community-- is Julie’s personal and professional passion.

Colleagues describe Julie as a true friendship builder, who fosters bonds with—and for—people. Julie started in the Parent Participation Program herself as a mom of three. With one of her daughters, Julie formed a group of friends in their

then gathered at Julie’s house each year on the first day of school. Four of the babies, now young women, stayed friends throughout school and STILL see each other regularly!

Thank you, Julie.

You are a true Hands-On Hero.

Look for more on all of our Hands-On Heroes on COE-TV channel 19!

Hands-On Heroes is a special recognition of dedicated individuals who believe in and support the Children’s Bill of Rights, an achievable vision that our children grow up with healthy minds, bodies and spirits that enable them to maximize their potential. This program is coordinated by First 5 San Luis Obispo County in collaboration with local organizations that make a difference in the lives of children in our community. To find out more about First 5 and the Children’s Bill of Rights, please visit first5slo.org.

Design: Verdin

infant class, and they all continued the entire program together through their children’s entries into Kindergarten. The group

From the publisher

T

his month we begin our 24th year publishing the SLO Magazine/SLO Journal and Plus Magazine also celebrates more than 30 years. You may remember that we purchased Plus Magazine in 2003 and merged them along with the names in 2007. Time flies when you are having fun and we’ve enjoyed this long run. A “BIG” Thank You to our readers and to our advertisers that make it possible to continue on each month.

Inside this issue we feature six people who make a difference on the Central Coast. Five of them have served this community for many years and one is new to the Central Coast–Andrew Sewell. Sewell is the SLO Symphony’s new Music Director and there are exciting events planned this season. Heather Hellman profiles Sewell and also gives us an update on what’s happening with the Symphony this year.

If you like local history, you will love this issue. Our historian, Joe Carotenuti has been busy again this month writing about the new Shandon Library, visiting Guadalupe and one of our early leaders, Samuel L. Beebee.

Plenty of good reading again this month.

Enjoy the magazine.

Steve Owens

THE SANDLOT GROUP WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS

INC

STAL WORK CONSTRUCTION + DESIGN LIC 948012 | PO BOX 391 | SAN LUIS OBISPO CA 93406 | 805.542.0033

The Lilly Family DIAMOND CLUB

GOLD CLUB The Phillips Family

DAVID & CARLA WALKER

Jim & SANDY COPELAND

FIELD CLUB

JAY & JENNY BECK

NICK & LISA MASSMAN JAMES TODD

JIM AND BARBARA AGEE

HARVEY’S HONEY HUTS

.

L.J. Morganti Co.

FAN CLUB

PROCEEDS DONATED TO THE SANDLOT GROUP OF SAN LUIS OBISPO. THE SANDLOT GROUP IS A LOCAL NON-PROFIT THAT SUPPORTS LOCAL YOUTH SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SANDLOT GROUP SAN LUIS OBISPO

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PEOPLE

colleen wall

making the performing arts accessible to all of us

By Susan Stewart

F

rom the time she was just a toddler, lurking beneath the family piano while her older sister played it, Colleen Wall loved music. By the time she was 18, she was already making her living in music— playing the piano as an accompanist for school choirs and giving private piano lessons. She would go on to devote 20 years of her life as a teacher, bringing not just music but the other performing arts to life for thousands of students and their grateful communities.

Last year, she retired from teaching to open Coastline Arts, a brand new venture that continues her lifelong dedication to ensuring that anyone who wants to can participate in the performing arts.

Born in Reedley, California (a small town near Fresno), Wall was one of four children born to parents who were teenagers when they married. Her father was the American-born son of Russian immigrants; he worked in a saw mill for 40 years, working his way up to the top job. Her mother was a homemaker who raised her children

With two sisters born 11 and 8 years before her, and a brother who was born 8 years after her, Colleen spent time as both the baby of the family and then when her sisters left home, as the oldest. Life in Reedley was loving and care-free but certainly not lacking in hard work. Wall remembers summers packing peaches, and school years filled with music. Her sister was her first piano teacher, followed by 8 years of formal lessons. In middle school, she met her first important mentor, choral instructor Bob Plett.

“Mr. Plett opened up the world of choral music to me,” said Wall. “He was the turning point in my life.”

It was Plett who taught her about vocal technique and then gave her a reason to grow musically by offering her a chance to accompany the choir from time to time. He also asked Colleen to help him prepare a group of singers for a special performance.

“He knew what I could do before I did,” she said. “He nurtured my growth by challenging me with opportunities to discover my abilities.”

Wall would later work as the director of a small student singing group at Fresno Pacific College, where she was also carrying a full load of classes and working full time at a bookstore. The singers travelled as an arm of the school’s public relations and recruitment effort. It was at Fresno Pacific that Wall experienced her first real failure. Carrying a full load of classes, working full time, and travelling with her singers was simply too much to keep up, and the academics began to suffer.

“It was the first time I realized I had limits and it changed who I am,” she said. “It taught me that we can all blow it … it’s how you deal with it that matters.”

Wall earned her degree in Music Education from the University of Wyoming at Laramie in 1997. She taught music, choir, and theater for 8 years in the middle schools of Henderson, Nevada, all the while keeping the dream of living near the ocean alive and first on her to-do list. At a choral festival in Los Angeles, she discovered an upcoming opening at Morro Bay High School, a spot being vacated by Gary Lamprecht (who would go on to form the acclaimed SLO Vocal Arts Ensemble). Wall applied for that position and won it.

“Following Gary [Lamprecht] was daunting,” she admits. But soon her choirs were traveling to London and New York, winning prizes and coming home with intangible gifts like experience, confidence, and an expanded view of the world.

Members of the Jazz Group, “Local Waves.”

“Bits of Broadway” show singers S E P T E M B E R

with a loving hand and a deeply held belief that each one should be given the freedom to truly be who they are.

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Groups at Coastline Arts rehearse mostly at the South Bay Community Center where many of their performances have also debuted.

Singing for Hope has been performing all over the county, including a well-received performance at The Villages of San Luis Obispo this last August. The show was called “Bits of Broadway,” a medley of songs from the past 100 years of hit Broadway shows.

Next month, on October 17th, Coastline Arts will sponsor “Autumn Gathering with Coastline Arts,” an event that brings the community together for an evening of food (homemade soups and breads) and song, plus a short performance from Wall’s Small Town Players.

Details and tickets can be found at www.coastlinearts2017.org.

A scene from “Bits of Broadway” show

With Coastline Arts, Wall continues her lifelong mission to make the performing arts—singing, dancing, acting, and playing music—accessible to everyone. Sure, the high-end groups have existed for a long time: SLO Repertory Theater (formerly SLO Little Theater) and the world-class Vocal Arts Ensemble, for example. But Wall believes that there needs to be a place for the rest of us, all ages, all skills levels. Today, at Coastline Arts, people can sign up to sing with the Coastline Chamber Ensemble, Singing for Hope, and Local Waves (a small jazz group); or to act with the newly formed theater group, Small Town Players. They can perform, build sets, make costumes, work in props, marketing, or public relations.

“Our mission is to make the arts accessible to everyone, including veteran musicians and performers, those ready to rekindle skills from another time in life, and those discovering the arts for the first time,” says Wall on the Coastline Arts website. “Participants can experience inspiration, enjoyment, and growth at every level … it’s never too late!”

Singers from Singing for Hope agree that Wall has achieved her goal of enriching the community and offering people a way to connect in a positive way. “I really enjoy being in this choir,” said one. “It gives me a sense of friendship and community while celebrating my love for music and singing.”

Wall has high hopes for the future of Coastline Arts. Still in its fledgling stages, she is working toward obtaining her nonprofit status and searching out sponsors, grants, and donors. “We have the branches now,” she says, likening the organization to a tree. A year from now, she expects those branches to leaf-out and get fuller with every new participant.

“I truly believe that everyone is gifted with a way to give to the world,” said Wall. Perhaps. But not everyone knows with such conviction where to put their talents. Colleen Wall offers everyone the chance to find out.

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PEOPLE

jan sprague

making a difference in the world

By Deborah Cash

“May all beings find happiness and the cause of happiness, may they be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.” —Buddha You can take the teacher out of the classroom but for Jan Sprague, at least, you can’t take the classroom out of the teacher. The Santa Margarita resident recently retired as an educator in the Guadalupe School District after 21 years and now, instead of her daily commute 45 minutes each way, she travels thousands of miles several times a year to Nepal where she is involved in projects like school-building, teaching and, through providing sewing machines, training women to become self-supporting.

“I didn’t want to give up my passion,” she says of her new life, emphasizing her belief that through education one can truly make a difference in the world, and underscoring her mantra of “peace through education.” “I get to pour my heart and soul into doing what I love,” she said.

Sprague didn’t just stumble upon the far away, rugged and “culturally opposite” country ringed by the majestic Himalayan Mountains.

Her son, Daniel Sprague-Chaffin—at age 19—decided to volunteer at an orphanage in Kathmandu. “We were shocked when he picked Nepal,” she said, but added that it actually made sense as, “We have always travelled as a family and Danny grew up hearing stories of his father’s Peace Corps adventures in Africa and his mom’s backpacking trips in Mexico. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” she laughed.

Though Sprague was still teaching at the time, she says she visited the orphanage where Danny was working and had built a school. “I would have tears running down my face as I took photos of him and the kids.

Seeing Danny there with all his ‘brothers and sisters’ filled my heart ‘til it ached. It opened so many doors for me to see how teaching really extends beyond the classroom walls.”

Danny and Jan at a village school.

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Sprague and her husband Don Chaffin believed in what their son was accomplishing and pitched in to fundraise and help with building school #2. Danny had also started HANDS (Humanitarian Acts in Nepal Developing Schools), which to date has built four schools and two libraries in very remote areas of Nepal. Danny now lives in Santa Margarita, where he was born and raised, with his wife Bree; their first child is due any day now!

Sprague has picked up the reins from her son and serves as Director for HANDS; they’ve just completed a one-room “Learning Center” for classes such as sewing and English.

Jan and HANDS Board Member distribute solar lights to villagers

Don, Danny and Jan

Sprague shares that her Board of Directors, consisting of local (SLO) professional people, is the backbone to HANDS, “I am so fortunate to have a hard-working group of area women and men who believe in education for everyone.”

Her involvement goes beyond HANDS into helping women in the area. She says during her visits she observed the hard and difficult lives many women have. “Often the women are the ones doing all the heavy work and also caring for children. If their husbands die or leave them, their future is bleak.”

Moreover, many Napalese women marry early and have no education; trafficking of young girls to India is also a problem. “I was inspired by the book Half the Sky’about how sewing machines made big differences in the lives of women in developing countries where women are fighting to rise under very difficult circumstances and are learning a new skill. I decided to try it in Nepal.” From there, Sprague worked to find sewing machines (treadle or foot-operated since electricity is scarce) and women who could use a hand-up. Money was raised for a sewing

school and they had more women than they could accommodate. “Many of the women didn’t have much of a house—a shack or hut was more like it—so some just set their machines up in the pathway or in a field,” she said. “I have photos of women sewing and repairing clothes in a field with a cow grazing nearby and some on a busy sidewalk where they do tailoring.”

To help the women distribute some of their products, Sprague started a small business, “The Compassionate Yak,” where she shops, buys products—blankets, clothing, purses, potholders, as examples—brings the goods home and sells them at craft fairs or other events. The money goes back to the villages to provide more sewing machines and materials, allowing women to improve their lives, their health and sense of worth.

To Sprague, this “Third Chapter” of her life is a dream come true. She’s always loved to travel, teach, use her hands and make a difference. “When I was young I wanted to travel the world,” she says. “I always thought, ‘You have only one life on this planet, why not see all of it?’” During her backpacking adventures around Mexico, she says she often stopped to talk and visit with the locals.

A journalism graduate from Cal Poly, she picked up a camera and applied her talent “telling stories about people through the lens” and began photographing gray whales in the lagoons of Baja and writing travel stories for magazines. “Nepal has been a HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY cornucopia of photographic experiences for me,” she said.

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put.” She is grateful that the local community has gotten behind fundraising efforts for HANDS and other projects including an upcoming special event on September 23 in Santa Margarita.

“I think it’s amazing that here in this little town, we are ground zero for an international nonprofit that helps a very poor country,” she says. “Margarita is a place where people have chickens in their yards and walk their dogs every day—it’s not that different from a Nepali village. People talk to each other and care for each other,” she says. “We’ve had visitors from Nepal come to Margarita and feel so safe and comfortable in our ‘village.’ The one difference they point out is, ‘Why people don’t have crops in their yards?’ There’s not a patch of land that’s not farmed if it can be (in Nepal).” She added, “The Nepalese, most of whom are extremely poor, are some of the happiest people I know.

They are outdoors most of the time, doing chores, children playing out in front of a hut.” In Sprague’s home, mementos of her and her husband’s travels are visibly present.

“These memories of my life’s travels,” she says gesturing around the room, “remind me to stay on the path.”

Sprague, a life-long yoga student with a personal interest in Buddhism also loves swimming in the pool and ocean, kayaking and hiking, and trail-rides with her dressage horse, Levi. She says she’s got a couple of books she wants to write “in her head” and is still getting used to retirement. When asked, “Can it get any better?” she laughs, “Well, maybe when that grandchild comes.” Namaste!

Let our family take care of your family.

But, on the flip side, Sprague and her family love being home in Santa Margarita, too. In 1980, she and Don moved from down south and built a house in the north county hamlet; “the best place on earth,” says Sprague.

“We wanted to have a beautiful place to raise a family. We love it here and we’re staying

JUST LIKE HOME

(www.HandsinNepal.org. for more info on the program and events)

Celebrating our 27th year!

Let our family take care of your family.

JUST LIKE HOME

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805.922.6657 www.CountryOaksCareCenter.com 830 East Chapel Street, Santa Maria

Country Oaks C A R E CE N T ER

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PEOPLE

anne laddon

Printmaker, graphic designer, painter in pastels & oils

A

nne Laddon arrived in Washington DC in the mid-1970s with a degree in Art History, graduate studies at UCLA and UC Berkeley, experience working in graphic design for a San Francisco ad agency and several freelance design clients. She became one of the founding artists of The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia where she had a printmaking studio. From 1972 to 1984 she created dozens of hand-pulled serigraphs building a successful art business.

At that time her bright, bold, hard-edge graphic style limited edition prints were in great demand. She exhibited at Art Expo New York, San Francisco and across Europe in Frankfurt, Germany and Copenhagen, Denmark.

Anne‘s love of the outdoors and adventure combined in the mid-1980s when she went on a whitewater rafting trip down the Colorado River.

It was there she met Jim Irving of Paso Robles. (Irving’s family were longtime Adelaida ranchers raising Black Angus cattle.) A year later she packed up her art business in a 48’ tractor trailer filled with artwork, equipment, and supplies and moved to Paso Robles in 1984!

She brought the equipment and inventory of her silkscreen printmaking studio/gallery of ten years to a town population 12,000 known for cattle and walnuts! But, after a dozen years on the east coast Laddon was thrilled to be returning to California, and particularly to the Central Coast.

The challenge was: where were the art opportunities in Paso Robles in the 1980s?

For the next few years she continued to sell through New York Art Expo and established clients. She opened a studio/gallery in Cambria showing serigraphs and lithographs, creating paintings and handmade paper. Ever optimistic Laddon juggled raising two young children, running a gallery, and building a house in Cambria. Eventually, she “simplified” and closed the gallery.

By the early 1990s Laddon was ready to return to creating art. How-

Santa Ynez Sunrise S E P T E M B E R

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ever, no longer the labor-intensive silkscreen printmaking process.

She began studying oils and pastels through workshops in Arizona and New Mexico and by the mid nineties was hooked on “plein air painting” which she continues today.

One of the most noticeable aspects of Anne’s paintings is that they are bold, brightly colored, and energized. She works in pastel and oil creating studies on locations near her home and abroad. Her objective is to gather information that may be useful when she creates studio paintings. “When I work outdoors with pastels or oils,

Coreopsis and Baby Blues at Sunset

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Casa Grande Tower

Dave’s Tractors in Waiting

ing, which had formerly been an Auto Parts store damaged in the 2003 earthquake, to agree to a long-term lease. Her vision was for a community art center, sharing the creative process while showing local artwork. Perhaps her persistence in calling him every few days for 7 months convinced him that an Art Center in Paso might succeed!

With equal persistence and conviction she then rounded up a small group of friends and said...let’s start a nonprofit! From there, and 7 initial building designs before being scaled back to what you see today, Studios on the Park was off to the races.

A tremendous and completely un-anticipated benefit of being a nonprofit came from a recommendation to apply to Archie McLaren and his Central Coast Wine Classic for a grant. This gave Studios the seed money to start the very successful Kids Art Smart program which now gives art lessons to over 4000 students annually.

Since opening to the public in 2009, Studios on the Park (a 501c3 nonprofit) has hosted hundreds of free art classes, art exhibitions, and with the City of Paso Robles, eight art festivals. After a lifetime in the arts, Laddon considers this work to be the most exciting and most gratifying. Now ten years after founding Studios on the Park, she shows no sign of slowing down and is back at the easel creating and sharing.

I paint as quickly and efficiently as I can because of the changing conditions. The pastels give me the freedom to make gestured marks that are spontaneous, exciting, immediate, and filled with color. When I look out at a scene, an animal, or a group of people, I see shapes first, the magic of colors and light second, and the details last.” ”I think of painting as the act of putting together a wonderful big puzzle by organizing shapes and colors.”

Over the next fifteen years, Anne continued to study painting, showing in exhibitions and participating in plein air festivals throughout the southwest. Her work sold through galleries in Arizona and New Mexico and California.

But … getting back to the initial challenge: “Art in Paso?” “An Art Center in Downtown Paso?”

Just in time for the recession and financial meltdown of 2007-08, Anne was able to persuade Steve Encell, the owner of the build-

Struttin Out S E P T E M B E R

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andrew sewell SLO Symphony’s New music director

By Heather Hellman

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he New Zealand Symphony Orchestra was playing Beethoven’s Symphony No.9, “Ode to Joy,” when a sleepy 8-year-old Andrew Sewell woke up from sitting in his mother’s lap and began jumping around, fully consumed by the music. His parents, from the small farming town of 15,000 called Levin (pronounced La-Vin), had a four-ticket subscription and would take two of their seven children to each concert. Andrew, the second youngest, had developed a passion for music earlier, copying Sewell conducting in 1986

his siblings who were learning to play the piano. After that concert, Andrew read about classical composers and wanted to play all of the instruments. He knew he would make music his life’s pursuit.

Maestro Sewell’s journey to San Luis Obispo is “the journey of a million miles” and a perfect fit. Levin, New Zealand is eerily similar to San Luis Obispo (except in size). His father was a local agricultural inspector, helping farmers with budgeting and crop management. His mother was a physician with a general practice in the town.

“The hills around Levin look like the hills of San Luis Obispo,” says Sewell. “It developed in a ring of fire just like the lava fields of San Luis and has that same rich, black soil. San Luis Obispo reminds me of home.”

By age 14, Andrew knew he wanted to be a conductor. By that time he was playing the piano, violin and cornet. He attended the equivalent of an All-State High School Orchestra week where the best players from around NZ came together for a week. He approached the conductor and told him he wanted to conduct. He got shot down, but the conductor did not forget young Sewell.

“I was over confident and a bit audacious,” says Sewell. “I guess it worked; he let me conduct later that week. I was 16.”

The experience solidified Andrew’s conducting desire. It was around this time that he first met Mary Anne Owen playing in the New Zealand Youth Orchestra. It was a brief encounter and

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Symphonies. He has also led many large orchestras including the Toronto, Detroit, Milwaukee, Columbus, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, Christchurch Symphony, National Symphony of Mexico, Kyushu Symphony (Japan), City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong and Hong Kong City Opera. He continues his role as the Music Director of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra in Madison.

Andrew is extremely excited to get to work and meet the San Luis Obispo community.

The Sewell family: (L-R) Alistair, Andrew, Mary, Flora, Lydia and friend, Vanessa Greenwald.

Shane Doyle photo

neither thought much of it. At 19, their paths crossed again.

This time they both took notice and three years later, they were married. They have travelled many of the million miles together, enjoying three talented children and celebrating their 33rd Anniversary this past July.

“Mary is a brilliant violinist. Much better than me,” laughs Sewell.

“She went into a four-year performance program right out of high school, played with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and got outside gigs all the time. Mary still plays. Although now, her focus is screenplay writing. She maintains a small teaching studio.”

Andrew studied violin at the University of Auckland and played in the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. While an undergrad, he sought out conducting gigs and formed his own chamber orchestra.

He continued to gain experience through an internship with the Mercury Opera. His conducting teacher led the Opera and gave Andrew his first professional experience conducting La Traviata.

“I want the San Luis Obispo Symphony experience to be fun and enhance the lives of everyone who comes to a concert,” says Sewell. “It starts with the orchestra. I want to inspire them to work harder and go beyond what they think they can accomplish as a team, to find out what’s achievable and go beyond it. As an organization, it’s communicating the culture and accessibility of classical music and what it brings to individuals and the community. To tell the story of the great compositions, engage audiences so they feel the emotions of the music and leave with a ‘wow.’ It’s also important to give local youth the opportunity to pursue their passion for music. It changed my life and I know it has changed the lives of many who have gone through the Youth Symphony programs.”

Maestro Sewell’s million-mile journey to San Luis Obispo ends and, yet, The (new) Journey Begins on Opening Night of Classics in the Cohan at the Performing Arts Center on October 7, 2017. Tickets are available at PACSLO.org. For more information on Symphony concerts and music education, please visit SLOSymphony.org.

“My teacher, Juan Matteucci, announced he needed to go in for medical tests and wanted me to conduct the performance that day. He secured the support of the singers and orchestra and away I went. Juan sat in the first row just in case. It was a dream come true.”

A Young Achiever’s Award and Grant brought Andrew to the United States for conducting workshops at Juilliard. After that energizing experience, he entered the University of Michigan and was mentored by internationally acclaimed conductor and teacher Gustav Meier.

“Meier and I had the same birth date,” recalls Andrew. “He was a giant; a respected teacher at Yale, the University of Michigan and Tanglewood. I was very fortunate to have known him and been taught by him.”

After Andrew received his Master of Music degree with Honors in Conducting from the University of Michigan, he stayed and worked with three different community orchestras, a youth orchestra in Detroit and did some guest conducting. Just as his visa was about to expire, he secured an assistant conductor position in Memphis to stay in the United States.

Since that auspicious conducting debut at 16, Andrew has had long tenures with the Wichita Symphony, Mansfield and Toledo, OH

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PEOPLE

ethel landers the love of animals

By Ruth Starr

E

thel Landers was adopted by a wonderful couple who adored animals. She was an only child but had fur brothers and sisters of every kind. That love and respect for animals of all kinds has been lifelong for Ethel, who feels that animals give more than they receive and are truly our angels. When her Dad died when she was ten, Ethel and her mom continued raising numerous pets as a team.

When Ethel was 21, she married Gary Landers who also loved animals. They had two sons: Scott, now 42, a pharmacist in San Luis Obispo, and Adam, 40, who lives in San Francisco and works for Pitney Bowes. Loving animals continues to run in the family, all the way to the two granddaughters, Ainsley 12, and Joelle 9.

When Gary and Ethel parted ways she began spending more time working with children. She recently volunteered her talents by creating seven murals for the Dana Elementary School in Nipomo where she is known as “Grandma Tink” by the kids.

NOW INSTALLING BATTERY BACK-UP

Her volunteering includes walking animals at the Santa Maria Humane Society and helping out with developing funds for their new building. Being a grant writer, Ethel has used that skill in volunteering. She was a grant writer for the city of Santa Maria for several years. Her largest grant project was for the Dana Adobe when they needed to restore the building and buy the property in Nipomo. The former pony express stop is now a California State Historic Landmark and is on the Federal Registry of Historic Places. For more information you can look up www.Dana adobe. org. The Adobe has been restored allowing people to visit. It is also a site of numerous events.

In 2003 at the age of 53, Ethel graduated from Cal Poly with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Art and Design. The degree also included classes on illustration. For years she always had thoughts about how to save the many homeless animals. Her dream was to write a book for children and use her art education. With her illustration backgound she developed the first version of the children’s book on caring

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Ethel’s art studio

PEOPLE level. The book and program are designed to educate children and their caregivers about proper care of domestic pets, including the importance of spay/neuter.

The grand goal is to reduce and eliminate animal neglect and abuse as well as animal over population and the sad eventual result of animal euthanasia.

for animals, with the hope that the Santa Maria Animal Shelter could use it in their animal education process.

By 2016 she decided to write the book and develop a professional creation on her own.

She took her original verbiage and began making full illustrations. Each page of the book stresses what a dog needs. Ethel plans to begin getting these books into classrooms where, in some neighborhoods, there are many incidents of animal abuse and neglect. The book will be printed in English and Spanish aimed at the 3rd grade

The main characters in the book are Grandma Tink and her grandson Noah.

The two characters and the dogs are colorfully illustrated in the book. The message reinforces basic needs that children and their caregivers may be unaware of. The book is written in conjunction with a program she is creating called Grandma’s Friends.

Grandma’s Friends will go into classrooms answering questions the kids may have and then gift a copy of the book to each child.

Interested people can get in touch with Ethel via ethellanders.com.

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big program can help thousands of animals, one child at a time.

Ethel lives in Nipomo on an acre of land with her partner Claire Sheehy who also contributed a considerable amount of time and effort to the building of the new Animal Shelter in Santa Maria. On the acre property they built a large studio where Ethel teaches art.

They have three dogs and a cat living with them. Her Bichon dog named Jane was rescued from the streets of L.A. When rescued the dog was matted, dirty, and frightened.

She was rescued from an organization called Bichon Fur Kids. Maybe from neglect or just living on the streets, Jane, a very sweet dog, has only one eye.

Ethel has developed a philosophy in life: she feels that she has been blessed with many gifts and believes in giving back to society what she so richly received.

Her overall goal is reducing animal abuse, neglect and euthanasia rates of animals in local shelters, then reaching out to more distant shelters. Animals can become such “throw-away” items in far too many homes.

She is hoping that this little book and this

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HOME/OUTDOOR

honor flight

Duarte and his granddaughter, Sonny

WW II Sailor, ruben Duarte recalls flight to washington D.C.

By Ruth Starr

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eenagers joined their country’s call to duty in 1943. When Ruben Duarte graduated from High School in Fresno, at sixteen, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was sent directly to Boot Camp in San Diego.

Since he was always a very active young man he managed in Boot Camp with few problems.

It lasted twelve weeks. He was then sent to Farragut, Idaho to enroll in Signal School where Ruben learned to communicate to ships by hand signals and flags. The bridge of a ship is the room or platform from which the ship can be commanded. That is where communication was handled with larger flags. Basically, Ruben learned the alphabet through the signals. After Signal School he was sent aboard a ship in San Diego, the USS Preston. Ruben kept a log of everything that happened on the ship. It was one of five ships named after Lieutenant Samuel W. Preston (1840-1865).

The Captain of the ship asked Ruben to learn “enunciation.” Ruben found this to be very difficult. He was sent on the bridge of the ship for training where he tried desperately to understand it, but the speaker talked too fast for him. As a result, they took him off the bridge and put him on the deck force where the sailors maintained the ship, the lifeboats, and everything aboard the ship. After San Diego, the ship went to the Pacific where they shot down three Japanese planes. Aboard the ship were 66,000 rounds of ammunition.

Returning to the U.S. after the war, Ruben was rated a Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class. His active duty was from 1943-1946. After WWll many plans were put into force by the British and the U.S. They helped the former enemies with the Marshall Plan to get back on their feet and showed them a peaceful way. The Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Program, channeled over $13 billion to finance the economic recovery of Europe between 1948 and 1951.

The plan was named for Secretary of State George C. Marshall, who announced it in a commencement speech at Harvard University on June 5, 1947.

After leaving the Navy, Ruben returned to Fresno and went to work for Western Electric, an arm of AT&T. They taught him how to fix equipment, the use of wires, installation and maintenance. He worked in a variety of cities, including Stockton and Mohave.

With a smile, Ruben says he met and married a lovely girl, Luena, in 1948. They have been married for 69 wonderful years. They had three children, Mark, David, and Dawn. Sadly they lost their son David in 1969. There are several grandchildren, one is in the Air Force and their granddaughter, Sonny lives in San Luis Obispo and works at the state hospital in Atascadero.

While taking part in a strike with AT&T in Elmhurst Illinois, Ruben ended up staying there for three more years where he found work in communications. They missed the west and moved back to Stockton where he went into the sales field representing liquor and wine. Ruben remained in the beverage business for more than 30 years. During that time period he took a job in Hawaii where he and Luena stayed for twelve years. In 1985 they came back to California, settling in Fresno. He worked for Secure Horizons for a while, then retired.

Seven years ago, Luena had a serious stroke. Their daughter came to Fresno and helped them to move to San Luis Obispo where the family could help during her recovery.

The Veterans Center offered therapy along with Ruben’s participation.

The people at the Vet Center asked if anyone of the Vets at the Center

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HOME/OUTDOOR work is an organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for their sacrifices. They transport our heroes to Washington D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans–World Was ll survivors along with those other veterans who may be suffering from a terminal illness. These flights are awarded to Vets free of charge to go by plane along with a guardian. Ruben was chosen to go on the flight.

had been to the Capitol of the U.S. The center works with Vets programs to make them aware of the Honor Flights to D.C. Honor Flight Net-

He was on the second flight out of the San Luis Obispo airport in September of 2014.

They were flown to Phoenix and then another larger plane flew them to Washington, D.C. He said, “it was awesome” as he had no idea what to expect. His granddaughter, Sonny, went with him as his guide. Most of the guys are up in years and have to be transported by wheelchairs. Even though Ruben is in good physical condition they took him by wheelchair through the terminals. Everything had been paid for by non-profit groups, donations and sponsored by volunteers.

Some of the monuments they saw included: the Vietnam Memorial Wall, Korea War Vet-

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erans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and the Air Force Memorial. They were treated to see the changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery. The guard is changed every hour on the hour in an elaborate ritual. An impeccably uniformed relief commander appears on the plaza to announce the Changing of the Guard.

Looking back Ruben feels he and Luena have led a full life. In September he was 92. He feels he has been blessed by participating in the Veterans Golden Age Games, which is a copy of the Olympic Games. He participated in discus, shot put, and two events in swimming. He participated in 2010 at age 85 in Des Moines, 2011 in Hawaii and finally in 2013 in Buffalo. He’s very proud of having played in the games! The Veterans Hall in SLO on Grand Ave has a museum that is open to the public. For more information you can go vetmuseum.org.

Truly a man of honor, Ruben is grateful for all his life experiences—beginning at that tender age of 16 in the Navy!

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HOME/OUTDOOR

central coasT classique

blind and visually-impaired ride tandem bikes

By Judythe Guarnera

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own.

And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go. . .”

—Dr. Seuss: Oh, the Places You’ll Go.

When I read the quote above on her website, The GO See Foundation, I had no idea Allyson Buerger’s feet wanted to rest on the pedals of a tandem bicycle.

Allyson relates that she has been dealing with vision loss for as long as she can remember. Her father, Gary Owens provided the encouragement she needed to make sure her vision ability was never a disability.

“On a good day, I have 20/80 vision within a limited field . . . with objects in very close range. Everything else I see as though I’m looking

through a frost-covered windshield.” She is grateful for her Guide Dog, Olga, who helps her stay active and engaged with the world she lives in.

Although she is visually-impaired, Allyson has been a volunteer participant with the EyeCycle Program at Cal Poly for many years.

She says, “The experience has been an amazing opportunity to be outdoors and physically active.” She formed her non-profit Go See Foundation to promote physical health for visually-impaired and blind people through group outdoor activities.

This year Allyson hopes to participate in the Central Coast Classique, a 30, 64, and 100-mile bike ride, which aims to showcase the picturesque coastline and valleys of the area. The ride benefits Creative Mediation (CM) and the San Luis Obispo Law Enforcement Assistance Foundation (SLO LEAF), two local non-profits which jointly promote safe, supported, peaceful communities.

People who are blind develop their other senses to make up for their visual loss. Allyson won’t clearly see all the beautiful scenery on the ride. Yet on September 30th, the day of the Central Coast Classique, the air will be redolent with fall smells. She’ll feel the energy coursing through her body as she presses the pedals, and she will share camaraderie with her captain and the other riders. To top it off, she’ll be assisting CM and SLO Leaf, two organizations whose missions are to support her community.

As a long-time volunteer mediator for CM and a non-bike rider, I was amazed when I discovered that visually impaired and non-sighted individuals rode tandem bicycles in the 2016 Classique.

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HOME/OUTDOOR My curiosity about how that was possible, led me to contact Dave White, a sighted tandem bike enthusiast who founded the San Diego Blind Stokers in 2007. He’d been surprised to discover the participants in a fundraiser called Cycling for Sight, were all sighted.

This inspired Dave to establish an online network of riders, a safetytraining program, and to raise funds to purchase tandem bikes, which can carry a price tag of $5000. Not only does Blind Stokers make the sport possible for persons unable to pilot their own bikes, but enables both the “Captain” (sighted) and the “Stoker” (visually impaired) to “share in the teamwork and friendship that blossoms.”

The Blind Stokers chose Central Coast Classique as their ride for 2016. One of its members is 83-year-old Dorothy Deans of Solano Beach, who lost her sight nine years ago. She pedals 20 to 60 miles a week on a tandem bike with one of three sighted captains from the club. She says when she lost her sight, she kept expecting to wake up crying, but instead she’s “been having great fun.”

In difficult times, I believe our country and our community need heroes. When I read about blind or visually-impaired stokers, Dorothy and Allyson, and their sighted captains, I was sure I’d found my heroes.

This year, following their custom, the San Diego Blind Stokers will participate in a new ride, but hope to come back to the Classique another year, as they enjoyed the hospitality offered by the organizers of the event.

Central Coast Classique has contacted Cal Poly’s Stride Program to invite members of their EyeCycle Program to field teams for this year’s event. Stride, a part of The Activity4All Program, was created and overseen by kinesiology professor Kevin Taylor. It aims to provide community members fun and inclusive adapted physical activities.

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ing the Juvenile Dependency System; children learning the art of peacemaking; and college students resolving differences with their neighbors in a search for mutual respect.

Law-enforcement professionals protect our community—sometimes at the cost of their own lives or well-being. When an officer falls, on or off duty, SLO LEAF rallies around the injured and fallen heroes to ease the burden on the families battling with recovery or medical expenses. They provide immediate and temporary financial assistance to law enforcement agency personnel and their families, who are currently employed or honorably retired from a San Luis Obispo County law enforcement agency in a time of death, serious injury, critical illness or other catastrophic circumstances.

Whether you sign-up to ride in the 30, 64, or 100-mile bike ride, or if you volunteer at one of the stations, or just pop-in to lift your spirits with the sense of camaraderie and purpose, it will be well worth your time.

Central Coast Classique 30, 64, 100-Mile Bicycle Ride Saturday, September 30, 2017 Starts & Ends at the Rotary Bandstand in Heritage Square Park in AG Help us continue to support individuals and families in times of conflict or crisis by creating a team or fundraising as a team!

Contact info: http://www.centralcoastclassique.com/

Allyson Buerger is ready to ride tandem for the 30-mile ride. She needs a sighted captain and would like to find one from EyeCycle.

Riding as Captains and Stokers requires more than just the ability to ride for 30 miles. I watched a video which demonstrated two different ways to mount and dismount when the Stoker is visually impaired.

It was part of a training to ensure that both riders are safe. Teams practice these skills and others in the training and then work up to increasingly longer rides.

Central Coast Classique, as part of its registration process, provides safety rules and a biker safety checklist. The Blind Tandem Cycling Connection and other sources, also provide Tandem Etiquette for Pilots, which includes communication, off the bike guiding, and courtesy tips.

Captains are reminded to refer to their partners as “persons who are blind,” or “persons who are visually impaired.” They are also advised to respect the stoker’s ability to do things for him or herself, and to allow them to share cycling related responsibilities.

Creative Mediation, a Program of Wilshire Community Services, for more than 20 years, has provided the Central Coast with a way to minimize the damage caused by conflict and to preserve what matters most in life.

As a long-time volunteer mediator, I can attest to the importance of their efforts to bring peace to the community. As a non-profit community mediation center, Creative Mediation’s programs provide a range of confidential, customized conflict resolution services to more than 2500 county residents every year. You’ll find staff and volunteer mediators assisting: people in Small Claims Court; families navigatS E P T E M B E R

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weekend getaway

joshua tree national park Welcomes you with open arms

By Ray Cauwet

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t’s been called,”otherworldly, bizarre and awe-inspiring.” It’s all of those things and much more. It’s the Joshua Tree National Park.

Located about 140 miles east of Los Angeles, the park provides opportunities to study the amazing Joshua trees, as well as to explore and relax. Each year, more than two million people visit the park to see the trees. They definitely are unique and do captivate one’s imagination.

The trees are a part of the Yucca family and thousands of them can be found in the northwestern section of the park. The trees can grow to 40 feet tall and can live 150 years. It’s interesting how the trees got their name. According to legend, Mormon pioneers saw the unusual trees and thought their limbs resembled the up stretched arms of the Prophet Joshua leading them to the Promised Land.

The park is 792,500 acres in size and is divided roughly in half between the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. The Mojave Desert takes up the western part of the park with elevations above 3,000 feet. The Colorado Desert includes the eastern section below 3,000 feet to sea level.

The Mojave part is most frequently visited and its habitat includes extensive forests of Joshua trees, pinion pines, junipers, oaks, yuccas and cacti. This region has some of the most interesting geologic displays found in California deserts. Dominant features are hills of barren rocks and huge piles of boulders. The boulders appear as if some gigantic child carefully piled them up. The ravages of nature have caused some of the boulders to resemble faces, animals and other shapes. One well-known shape is Skull Rock. This huge rock

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looks exactly like a skull and has an otherworldly appearance. I’m not sure whether or not it’s haunted.

The Colorado Desert is a basin formed by rugged mountains on all sides. At the base of the mountains are a series of small hills covered by sand deposited over time by desert wind. Many people think the desert is dead. It does give this impression during much of the year,

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but in some areas the cholla cactus dominates. It is beautiful with its soft, silvery bristles. It even has an inviting name, “teddy bear” cholla.

But, watch out. If one tries to hug the bear or accidentally brushes up against it, the spines will drive deep into the skin and are difficult to remove. It even has another name, “jumping cholla,” but it can’t jump.

The area also has a well-known waterhole, the Lost Palm Oasis, located near the southern boundary. It has the largest stand of fan palm trees in the park. It has provided a welcome respite from the heat for many people, including Indians, explorers, cattlemen, miners, settlers and tourists.

The park offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities. These include nature trails, biking, hiking, rock climbing, backpacking, Ranger tours, wildflower viewing, stargazing, mountain biking, photography, horseback riding and camping.

Over the years, the park has gained notoriety in several ways. In 1987, the Irish rock band, U2, released an album titled, “The Joshua Tree.”

The album was quite popular and turned the band into worldwide superstars. It also introduced millions of fans to the park. To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the album, the band has named its 2017 worldwide tour, “Celebrating 30 Years of The Joshua Tree.”

It is said Dr. Benjamin Seuss was enthralled with the park and included Joshua trees and rocks in his books. One book, “Oh, The Places You Go,” prominently features both the trees and rocks.

While not as impressive, the park is quite popular with UFO followers. It supposedly has been a location for UFO sightings and alien encounters. Some claim the park was visited by alien beings many years ago to conduct DNA experiments.

Skull Rock

but life persists against seemingly impossible odds. The plants and animals have developed some unbelievable adaptations to solve the problems presented by extremes. Upon close observation, the desert’s vitality can be seen in a tiny flower bud or a lizard’s frantic dash.

Each reveals the park as a place of beauty and life.

Across the basin, the most widespread plant is the creosote bush,

The park is open year-round. Cost is $25 per vehicle for seven days or $12 for motorcycles, bicycles and on foot. Additional information is available at www.nps.gov/jotr.

The Joshua Trees National Park may not be the most popular one among America’s 59 national parks and protected areas, but it should be on everyone’s list as a future place to visit. Each year, millions of people come specifically to see the trees. They aren’t disappointed. There is no doubt the plants are charismatic and a highlight of a visit. They find, however, the trees aren’t the only highlight. There is much more to see and do as they experience the park’s diverse and inspiring scenery. I invite you to visit this unsung park. You won’t be disappointed.

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HOME/OUTDOOR

at the market

the perfect burger

By Sarah Hedger

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eptember is a great time of year at our local markets. As the warmth of Summer wanes, the last of the tomatoes, chillies, peppers, and squash are just available. Avocados continue, with apples hitting their feet, and amazing grapes reaching their prime eating season. Other early season autumn produce at the end of the month include pears, cherimoyas, and kiwi. Such an abundance that enables us to eat fresh for the entirety of the year!

I’ve had a bit of a renewed interest lately in focusing on making simple things good. I mean, studying simple things I thought I knew how to make from the beginning of time such as scrambled eggs, but really looking into how to make them the best possible way. Part of

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this experiment came to in researching how to cook the perfect burger. Sounds simple as most of us are raised with BBQ’s as a part of our everyday life, especially in the Summer months. What I really love about burgers is how, if you make them right, they can actually be remarkably healthy (think: great salad with some healthy fats and protein). I recently had a burger from a fast food type restaurant, that had the addition of grated beet and chia.

What a concept! As off-beat as it sounded, I was intrigued enough to try it. Needless to say, it kind of rocked my world of what can be great on a burger. I am a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to the patty, but I do believe, if you hit the condiments out of the park, you could use just about anything as a patty. If you do use beef for a patty, there are a couple

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things you can do to make sure it tastes and cooks perfectly. The first is to bring the meat to room temperature, which helps the seasonings mix in better, while also helping the patty cook more evenly. Ironically, as much of a traditionalist I am with the patty, that theory seems to fly out the window when it comes to the rest of the burger. I find that eating the buns of a burger makes me feel quite weighed down and heavy after. Thus, if I use lettuce leaves instead, it feels more like a salad during digestion and less like a gut bomb. This is a very good thing! The other add-ons really depend on your taste, but avocados are great for not only creaminess and healthy fats but also fiber. We are so lucky to have the avocado supply that we have on the Central Coast!

The grated beet/chia combo adds iron and

a burger to write home about Makes 4 Burgers to write home about For Burgers: ½ Pound free range ground beef with adequate marbling or 4 large Portabella mushrooms with stems removed, lightly brushed with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper 2 T worchestire sauce 1 T good garlic salt Fresh ground pepper 4 slices good quality jack cheese 1 good tomato, finely sliced ½ red onion, finely sliced 1 beet, peeled 2 T chia seeds 4 large leaves of good lettuce (butter would be great) 4 thinly sliced pickles 1 avocado, pitted and thinly sliced, sprinkled with an herb salt Condiments of your choice: Homemade aioli or mayonnaise Ketchup or bbq sauce Dijon mustard

magnesium as well as healthy Omega 3’s. Red onions are my preference, but if you don’t like them raw, feel free to quickly pickle them in vinegar or grill on the BBQ at the same time as the patties.

I’ve concluded burgers to be one of the best things to enjoy at the end of the Summer because you can cook them inside or out, as well as the veggies being at their prime to enjoy fresh. The add-ons to burgers are really personal but having a homemade aioli or mayonnaise is always best. Roll your sleeves up and dive in to getting your burgers on. Enjoy!

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*Buns optional but if you want them, make sure to warm them up in the oven or toast on the BBQ

Place beef in bowl and massage in the worchestire sauce and garlic salt. Set aside for a few minutes while you prepare the add-ons. If using a BBQ, turn on medium high heat to preheat. In a small bowl, grate beet, add in chia seeds and set aside. Prepare remaining ingredients. Give the beef mixture another good stir and form into patties, about 1 cm thick. If using a pan to cook the burgers, preheat over high heat and add patties once pan is hot. Cook for 2 minutes on one side, then flip for another minute and place cheese on top. Remove from heat when firm to the touch.

Place large leaves of lettuce in bowls, following with condiments, and add-ons. Top patties with reserved beet/chia mixture and another piece of lettuce. Roll your sleeves up, put a napkin on and enjoy!

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COMMUNITY

knitted knockers helping breast cancer survivors

By Heather Young

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very month a small group of Central Coast women get together at Yarns at the Adobe in San Luis Obispo to knit breast prostheses for women who have undergone mastectomies.

“[The prosthetics] are free to breast cancer survivors,” local knitter Judy Lang said.

The group, Knitted Knockers, was started after its founder, Barbara, got a knitting pattern from her doctor for a knitted “knocker.” Her friend knitted her a pair of knockers in 2011. After the soft knockers hit her skin for the first time, she knew other women would want them too, especially since she was told she couldn’t put anything on her scar for six weeks.

So, now they are.

Knitted Knockers is a national organization that gives pairs of the knockers to women for free. The knockers are knitted, crocheted or weaved by women around the nation and sent to women as they are requested via the national organization, Lang said.

The San Luis Obispo chapter of Knitted Knockers began after Lang attended a national knitting convention in Santa Clara at the end of February in 2016. She visited the national organization’s booth at the convention.

Lang said she and some other local knitters thought it was a good organization and a way to put their knitting skills to use for others, so they decided to do it.

“The good thing is that these are made out of cotton or cotton blend,” Lang said, which makes them light and soft and wearable right after surgery, sooner than women can have a prosthetic or undergo cosmetic surgery. “They are stuffed in such a way that the recipient can shape them in any way she wants.”

As all women come in different shapes and sizes, the knockers are

Knitted Knockers: Odile Christman, Anne Gough, Betsy Mcdonald and Judy Land.

available in different cup sizes and can be further sized (by removing the stuffing) and shaped to match the remaining breast.

“And they’re cool,” knitter Betsy Macdonald said.

“Cotton breathes,” knitter Odile Christman added.

Some women are also swimmers and request knockers made of acrylic so they can be worn in the water under their swimsuits. All knockers also come with flat stones to weight them down and keep them in place.

As any knit item a person wears, the knockers need to be washed.

Because they are made of cotton or acrylic, they are durable and can withstand washing — with or without the stuffing left in. After they are washed, Lang said they need to be hung to dry. Though many women are only in need of one prosthetic knocker, nearly all women get a pair, which means they can wash one while still wearing one.

“The only thing [you’ll have to replace as it wears] is the filling,” Christman said.

For those who knit, crochet or weave, the SLO chapter meets once a month on Monday or Tuesday to make knockers, which can take up to a week to make depending on how much time one has available. Many of the chapter’s members also go to Yarns at the Adobe every Friday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to work on the knockers or other projects.

Not everyone who makes knockers for the organization goes to the monthly get togethers. Lang said that when they are making them on Friday or other places, people ask what they are making and then ask how they can make their own to donate to the organization. Anyone who would like to contribute to Knitted Knockers, may get the pattern at www.knittedknockers.org/make-a-knocker/.

To find out when the SLO group meets, contact them at sloknittedknockers@gmail.com Want a pair of the knitted knockers? Request them here: sloknittedknockers@gmail.com, www.knittedknockers.org/request-a-knocker Pick them up locally: American Cancer Society, 1540 W. Branch St., Arroyo Grande, Arroyo Grande Community Hospital Cancer Care Navigator, 921 N. Oak Park Blvd., Ste. 100B, Pismo Beach, Dr. Palchak’s office, 921 Oak Park Blvd, Ste. 100A, Pismo Beach, Hearst Cancer Resource Center, 1941 Johnson Ave., Ste. 291A, San Luis Obispo, Noor Clinic, 1428 Philips Lane, Ste. B-4, San Luis Obispo and Cancer Support Community, 1051 Las Tablas Road, Templeton.

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shandon’s new library

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By Joe Carotenuti

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fter 50 years, the Shandon Library has a new home. From a cramped 400-square-feet annex to the grocery store to over 1000, the expanded service is in the historic Community Center for the town. Built in 1923, the building has had multiple uses but remains a solid structure. How many 100-year-old wooden structures do you know that remain viable without major renovation?

July 21, 2017 will remain a landmark date as the new location for the Shandon Library was dedicated by Supervisor John Peschong, library personnel and community members.

Established on May 2, 1921 in Josephine Marqetts’ living room/post office, the new location was built just two years later (pictured left). Margetts’ husband, Percy, was the post master and Josephine was sure to provide a homemade donut to her patrons. Nearing its 100th anniversary, the center of literacy has had six managers, with three of them: Margetts, Betty Lou Crocker, and the current guardian of the collection since 1990, Maureen Vestal, accounting for a combined service record of 80 years. In the early years, the ladies’ title was “custodian” referring to both their oversight and cleaning duties. While today’s title is “manager” Maureen will attest to her occasional custodial duties.

The new location is not without its own civic saga. In the 1920s, communities were responsible for much of their operations, including recreation. On February 28, 1923, it was reported the handsome new community club building at Shandon “was opened Saturday night (February 24) with a grand ball, turkey supper and play…” Additionally, “fully 800 people” enjoyed the festivities that included a dance “that lasted until dawn.” There doesn’t seem to be any curfew laws and you can be assured there was no caterer. Indeed, it was reported “automobile parties” had been arriving from all directions to see this community’s addition by the Shandon Improvement Club. With no hotels or motels, most families had guests for several days.

Seventy years later, Shandon pioneer Henry Twisselman recalls the construction in his delightful memoir Don’t Get Me Started.

At 17, he, his buddies and their teacher used any lunch or recess time to help workman with hammers and nails. The building was “constructed with quality materials by local citizens … Those living in the community donated money and/or time and (the building) didn’t cost the taxpayer a cent!” When else could this be said for a county structure!

“Quality materials” they were indeed, as the structure has had many an activity over the years but remained steadfast as a community center. If only the walls could talk, they would remember when the Marquetts most likely attended the dedication little realizing the same building would someday house the precious books. Who remembers that just one month before the library opened, its longest serving manager of 41 years, Betty Lou Cockrum was born?

In the library’s pioneer years, books were neither as plentiful nor as varied as today. In 1921, the entire book stock numbered 227, undoubtedly counting some of the “custodian’s” personal volumes.

Even 30 years later, the number was slightly over 2700 with monthly circulation about 300. Today’s book stock and avid readers, including children, provide for the literary oasis.

Besides adult fiction and non-fiction, mystery and Large Print books, the Children’s section has Beginning Reader books and picture books, In-Between-Reader books, teen books and non-fiction books. There is a Spanish section with adult and children’s fiction and non-fiction and DVDs, CDs and Books on CD and magazines for all. Two Internet computers and WiFi are also available.

Shandon’s Community Building has a new calling and title as it is now the physical guardian of the increased collection and, undoubtedly, increased patronage by the community. The tradition of service, however, does not include a homemade donut with checking out materials!

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greatest athletes on the central coast mark conover

By Dr. Don Morris Editor’s note: “Who are the Greatest Athletes in the history of the Central Coast?” So far the following athletes have been featured: Ed Brown, Stephanie Brown Trafton, Chuck Liddell, Loren Roberts, Steve Patterson, Gene Rambo, Robin Ventura, Jordan Hasay, Chuck Estrada, Mike Larrabee, Ron Capps, Jamie Martin, Rusty Kuntz, Randall Cunningham, Jim Lonborg, Kami Craig, John Rudometkin, Ivan Huff, Chelsea Johnson, Michael Louis Bratz, Frank Minini, Scott McClain, Mel Queen, Napoleon Kaufmann, Katie Hicks, Mark Brunell, Gene Romero, Kenny Heitz, Thornton Starr Lee, Pat Rusco, Rusty Blair, the Lee Family, Dan Conners, John Iribarren, Jeff Powers, The Mott Family, Casey Todd Candaele, Bill Brown, Theo Dunn, Ed Jorgensen, Hamp Pool, Kevin Lucas, Mohinder Gill and Dr. Paul Spangler.

Please send nominations to Dr. Morris at dmmorris@calpoly.edu.

mark conover Mark Conover was born May 28, 1960, and was an American long distance runner and then became the Track Coach at Cal Poly.

He is most famous for his unexpected strategic victory at the 1988 United States Olympic Trials marathon where he qualified and became a member of the United States 1988 Summer Olympics team in Seoul, South Korea. (The winning 2:12:26 at the Olympic trials was his personal best).

In one of the biggest upsets in U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon history, under gusty conditions and on a hilly course, Mark Conover, 27, from San Luis Obispo, surprised the field and the running pundits with the win. Conover and Ed Eyestone took control of the race after 17 miles and worked together over the final miles. With a mile remaining, Conover, who came into the Trials race with the 67th fastest qualifying time pulled away from Eyestone for the stunning victory.

This Olympic Trials Marathon was the first one to award prize money ($150,000) and Conover’s $50,000 was the largest first place payout in the marathon to-date.

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED magazine said, “Conover, Eyestone and Pfitzinger. They are the three men the U.S. will send to Seoul in five months. Their wind-slowed times will make them underdogs to splendid Japanese and African marathoners, but they pledged to use their prize money to assist in their preparations. Here’s to hearing of S E P T E M B E R

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them again. After all, as Conover said, “Maybe my lack of experience will come through once more.””

Conover showed his potential when he ran for his High School in Orinda, California when he finished 5th at the CIF California State meet in the 2 mile race. He then went on to Humboldt State University where he became the 1981 NCAA Div. II Cross Country Champion. (In 1993, he was inducted into the Humboldt State University Hall of Fame). Conover was a nine-time All-American distance runner at Humboldt State, and earned the rare distinction of becoming an AllAmerican in all three NCAA divisions. In the spring of 1981, he won the Division II national title in the 10,000 meters, before also winning the national championship in cross country that fall.

A graduate of Miramonte High School in Orinda, Calif., Conover earned his bachelor’s degree in natural resource planning and interpretation at Humboldt State in 1983 and his master’s degree from Cal Poly in city and regional planning in 1989.

Mark competed professionally from 1984-96 and was a four-time Olympic Trials qualifier. His wife, the former Kelly Cordell, was an All-American distance runner at Arizona State.

Mark held a planning job in San Luis Obispo County that allowed him to train in the area. He began as an assistant coach at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and after coaching the men’s cross country team to an unprecedented seventh straight Big West Conference championship, Mark Conover was named Cal Poly’s Director of Track & Field and Cross Country on Dec. 30, 2009.

Conover is currently in his 21st season overall at Cal Poly, and has led the Mustangs to 16 total appearances at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. He has coached the men’s cross country squad to five Top 25 national rankings, including a 13th-place finish in 2003, 10th in 2004, 13th in 2006 and 11th in 2007.

COMMUNITY He has also coached 59 NCAA West Region men’s and women’s track qualifiers and 44 all-regional honorees in cross country.

He has guided Mustang competitors to 49 top-10 all-time performances in Cal Poly track history, including the school recordholders for the men’s 5,000 and 10,000 meters, along with the women’s steeplechase.

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year was the fifth consecutive year in which one of Conover’s student-athletes received the accolade (and the seventh occasion since 2000).

Prior to coaching at Cal Poly, Conover was an assistant planner with San Luis Obispo County from 1989-92 and editor of The Runner’s Schedule magazine from 1992-95. He served internships in the planning departments for the city of San Luis Obispo in 1985 and Morro Bay in 1987.

Additionally, Conover has coached 28 national coaches association all-academic student-athletes on an individual basis.

His student-athletes have claimed 19 Big West Scholar-Athlete of the Year Awards, among 2,500 student-athletes throughout the conference to be so honored. This

Mark lives with his wife, Kelly, in San Luis Obispo. They had triplets in May of 2007 (two girls, Audrey and Marley, and a boy, Cordell).

Help when you make the most important financial decisions of your life.

Conover has been named the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association West Region Coach of the Year in three seasons (2000, 2003 and 2011).

During his tenure at Cal Poly, Conover has directly coached a total of nine All-Americans.

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HISTORY ON THE HOOF DAY TRIPS INTO THE PAST

Guadalupe

By Joe Carotenuti

El Padricito Folklorico

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very history buff has some favorite persons and events. We also dream of being present at some historic episode, while returning to the comfort of the present: Washington’s Inaugural Address, Lincoln at Gettysburg, Theodore Roosevelt at San Juan Hill (“Charge!!”), Amelia Earhart’s last fight; the Wright Brother’s first flight. What or where would you like to be as an eyewitness to history?

Certainly, September 1769 along California’s central coast would prove a month of physical demands and extraordinary discoveries. Led by Gaspar de Portola and his chaplain and expedition chronicler, Franciscan Friar Juan Crespi, this was the first recorded journey along much of the state’s Pacific rim. They have already traveled six weeks from San Diego to the central coast hugging for the most part the shoreline. In History on the Hoof, we found them as far north as Cambria.

However, on September 1, Crespi wrote that seeing some very big and high sand dunes (mui grandes y altos meganos). Impressive, no doubt, but not a good place for a Spanish mission. A bit further north at Oso Flaco, he determined a site for a “very good-sized mission” and named it Los Santos Martires San Daniel y Sus Companeros (the Holy Martyrs Saint Daniel and Companions). The mission for the area (La Purisima) would follow nearly 20 years later. The meganos are

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today part of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Sand Dunes National Wildlife Refuge (not to be confused with the recreation area further north). It is the largest in the western United States. More information is found in a detailed history and spectacular images of the dunes in the December 2010 issue of Journal Plus.

In between the Portola Expedition and today, it was granted as the 44,000-acre Rancho Guadalupe named after the Virgin Mary.

Let’s start.

Today, the less than one and a half square mile Guadalupe still maintains its agricultural roots. Part of our day trip into the past includes vistas of vast fields producing crops –food for people. The vision is not always pleasant as men, women, and, yes, children have worked under the sun to harvest the necessary crops. Today’s mechanization hasn’t completely eliminated the human hands. Too often overlooked in the study of the past, agriculture is a dominant theme in all history. As long as humans eat, there are those who provide the fare.

With a heritage of farm labor, Guadalupe has a history of people from all over the world working the fields and spending their lives’ allotment in the town. Hispanic, Chinese, Japanese, and Yaqui Indians have all sought shelter, work, and community in the small town. The Guadalupe Buddhist Temple (http://guadalupebuddhistchurch.org) serves as a reminder of the past as well as active participation in community life.

However, the most famous “resident” was the Biblical Moses. In 1923, noted filmmaker/ director Cecile B. DeMille used the dunes (even older than the movie’s title) as the setting for the film, The Ten Commandments.

Requiring more detail than possible here, the City of the Pharaoh (700 plus feet wide and 120 plus feet high) rose from and eventually

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Mural Project –Future of Guadalupe

Mural Project–The Founders of Guadalupe

Mural Project–Guadalupe

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Filming The Ten Commandments.

Guadalupe Dunes

was buried beneath the sand. For 60 years, the “city” deteriorated beneath the sun and sand requiring extraordinary efforts to save some of the remnants for us today.

Besides the DeMille artifacts, the Dunes Center(www.dunescenter. org) is a compact tribute to the film, its workers and the wider community whose members were hired as extras in the film. Additionally, the mission of the center is to promote “the conservation and restoration” of the dunes ecosystem and provides docent led walking tours.

Nearby, you’ll learn more about this often-overlooked community at the non-profit Rancho de Guadalupe Historical Society (www.guadalupemuseum.org) begun by residents in 1989 to preserve the cultural and economic history of the area. The local effort is another example of history’s heroes who are dedicated to saving and presenting our heritage. They will appreciate your visit as well as any donation to cover unavoidable costs.

While City Hall is in a repurposed elementary school, it is also home to some remarkable murals by famed artist, Judy Baca. Commissioned over 25 years ago, the murals creatively capture some of the local history, especially the people who remain anonymous in time. The four-panel art reveal a rich local history: “The Founders of Guadalupe,” “The Ethnic Contributions,” “The Farmworkers of Guadalupe” and “The Future of Guadalupe.”

A unique bridge to the present is El Padrecito Ministry providing local youth and adults with opportunities to learn and serve with folklorico classes and performance opportunities, and hip-hop concerts throughout the United States. A Franciscan friar, Padre Masseo Gonzalez, leads the volunteer organization with partial income from an on-line store. Visit www.elpadrecito.org to learn more about this community outreach as well as performance schedule.

Contact: jacarotenuti@gmail.com Visit: www.joefromslo.com

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Even though the prospect of moving may be in the distant COMMUNITY

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history

future, you owe it to yourself to learn how you can enjoy carefree living in your own home for many years to come.

samuel L. Beebee You Don’t Have to Move Part 1

Feel Safe and Secure

It’s a fact of life that as we get older, Pristine is fully some day-to-day tasks become too licensed and insured.

By Joe Carotenuti much to handle on our own. That All of our workers ou are 14 years old, you might have a vague doesn’t you who have to9 move awayand are carefully screened memory ofmean your father died years before, life’s prospects don’t seem especially bright from the comfort of your home. for you, yourand pass a criminal widowed mother and two siblings. The choices are simple: make Home Services a local the bestPristine of what seems a bleak future orismove on in hopes of a background check more promising tomorrow. company that helps San Luis Obispo and drug test, giving you peace of mind residents avoidtothe high cost SamuelCounty Lemuel (Hebrew for “devoted God”) Beebee chose (or when someone from Pristine is working was told) he needed to seek a different future.

That future of moving to a retirement facility. would in your home.

Y

lead, eventually, to a notable life on the central coast. While the initial foray into unknown tomorrows was fairly secure, it would be a“She helps me with bathing and other circuitous, 16-year route from Oswego, New York to San Luis Obispo. personal care. She is so wonderful to me.

With hindsight, of course, all thecan piecesbe of aprovided life’s journey fit nicely All of our services She should be cloned! …and the price is into the puzzle. However, from the starting line, the outcome of the daily, weekly, or on an as-needed basis. very reasonable. She even did my winrace was anything but certain.

Enjoy Affordable Living

You pay for only the services you need

dows!” R. Watson, San Luis Obispo

A prudent choice for Samuel would be to cling as close as possible to and we provide those services at a price the adults in his life who might make a difference. However, at his age, “They you afford. prudence wascan a female’s name.

took the time to ask me exactly what I wanted. They arrived on time, did YARDConvenient MAINTENANCE · HANDYMAN SERVICES · PERSONAL CARE exactly what I asked, and the price was One-call Service reasonable. I would recommend Pristine Our personal care services include to a friend.” C. Hall, San Luis Obispo shopping,Services daily errands, meal preparaHome Specialist Here’s the story. tion, transportation and non-medical Before you make any decisions that From handyman services to plumbing and preparing meals.

There is no task Theaffect Beebeesyour were afuture merchanthappiness family and one, an uncle, also a Samuel, care. Our housekeeping services keep could too large or too small for Pristine Home Services. All of our services can was one of the 24 founders of the New York Stock Exchange. An apyour kitchen and the rest of your home standardwith of living, take thefirm time his bullion and gold promised to develop into be provided daily, weekly, or on an as-needed basis. You pay for only the and prenticeship spotless. eventhose do services windows and a life’sthese career. two With aFREE basic literacy and at least a promise of a better services you need andWe we provide at a price you can afford. to read reports: tomorrow, the young boy left home but was not destined to stay in laundry. Our yard maintenance crews Philadelphia long. For whatever “What everyforsenior needs to reason, knowyoung William would “Pristine goes above and beyond my know how to take care of your favorite leave the Quaker City behind in November 1846. It would not be the about living in a retirement facility.”

I can live in the comfort first time he chose “great expectations” over any security in the presrose bushesexpectations and keepsothe grass neatly of my home.” ent. There was no guarantee of a better position locally with a better mowed. Our–Jay handyman services are “Four questions to ask a firm. critical Samuel was leaving the country.

Baker provided by specialists in plumbing, service provider . . . before you let electrical painting, repairs and anyone work in or near your home.”

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Oswego Harbor

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months long passage around Cape Horn. As an unwanted diversion, a terrible storm near Bermuda resulted in six days of “ceaseless agony” and required a new vessel and the shorter route across the isthmus of Panama– and the attendant risk of malaria!

All this for the promise of Valparaiso. The South American port was an important link for the Pacific Squadron now engaged in the conflict in California. Beebee found the city “full of life and business” but not enough to satisfying the life quest for the New Yorker.

Not confined to the small seaport, he traveled about the country including south to the nation’s capital, Santiago. The inquisitive, adventurous barely 16-year-old (he was born in 1829) young man undoubtedly learned or polished his Spanish speaking skills to survive as a tourist. This will prove an invaluable ability in his future careers.

John L. Worden with Tiffany sword.

In an opportunity that was characterized as one that “would change the trend of his life,” his next stop was to be Valparaiso, Chile.

With his uncle providing for his fare, William was now accompanying the new Consul, William G. Morehouse. In a life filled with fortuitous meetings, other passengers included Henry D. Cook (who he will meet again) and two young men from California.

With little to do, the young Samuel undoubtedly heard of the lure of the future state at that time engaged in a war with Mexico. A few years later, other men from the same state (with the added discovery of gold) would involve another sea venture.

The thought of leaving his homeland behind for a new life in a foreign country may have been the attraction for the young adventurer.

It certainly wasn’t the often-dangerous

Clearly, having severed ties with the familiarity of New England by traveling (for all intents and purposes) to the other side of the world, the call to California seemed an inevitability. By spring, he was aboard the Southhampton with the future captain of the famous ironclad the Monitor, John L. Worden, and George D. Brewerton, a member of the Stevenson’s New York Regiment heading to the war with Mexico in the future Golden State. An eclectic military man, he was also an artist whose works now sell for a handsome price. Historically, he was also an aide to Kit Carson, still has some of his written exploits in print, and led an assorted life as a writer, preacher, lawyer and poet. Aboard the Southhamption, one can only imagine the tales the versatile young man (he was two years older than Beebee) shared during the long voyage.

Worden had a much more prosaic life. His most famous command of the USS Monitor, the Union’s only ironclad warship, engaged the Confederate Virginia (originally the Union ship, the Merrimac), a converted steam frigate in the famous Battle of Hampton Roads in 1862. The fight resulted not in victory but in a draw.

Nonetheless, his exploits and fame simply increased over the years and he retired in 1886 as a Rear Admiral.

Again, the dedicated military man

George Brewerton

undoubtedly had tales of adventures for the young New Yorker.

Whatever the trials and tribulations of the voyage, Beebee remembered the exact date the ship docked in Monterey…August 25, 1847. Given the near-autobiographical essay provided to the California Society of Pioneers, the wanderer kept some sort of journal of his seagoing adventures. Fifty years later, some was reported in the local press. His introduction to land California was not impressive. Monterey presented a “scene of considerable sickness.” Going ashore to hunt, he, too, was stricken by what was determined to be “Monterey Fever.” Returning to the ship, he was not allowed ashore again.

It was obviously time to move on. He remembered a few shipboard friends were in San Francisco. . then known as Yerba Buena.

He related that they had “turned his attention” to California during the long voyage to Valparaiso. With one, Joseph S. Ruckle, he went to San Jose, worked as a clerk, but while the body remained in one place, his spirit wandered. Of course, the news of Marshall’s gold discovery along the banks of the American River proved irresistible. The prospect of sudden wealth combined with yet another adventure found Beebee among the Gold Rush “forty-eighters.”

Contact: jacarotenuti@gmail.com Visit: www.joefromslo.com

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our schools a new school year

By James J. Brescia, Ed.D. County Superintendent of Schools

“Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” —Edmund Burke Starting a new school year can be a time of great excitement, anxiety, and uncertainty. There are some simple techniques to follow that can calm the fears of both students and their families.

For many, back to school time means a return to routine and the time to begin a new year. Students can treat a return to school as a chance to make a fresh start and an opportunity to make new friends.

However, individuals with mental health challenges, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disorders, and depression, may find transitions difficult. These transitions can be particularly challenging for individuals with mental health concerns because they often struggle with friendships, may have difficulty relating to teachers, and can be plagued by feelings of discontent. If you have a loved one, friend or acquaintance that is dealing with issues there are some ways to assist with transitions (Barber B. K. & Olson J. A. 2004).

Tour the facility and meet the instructors. One of the biggest backto-school fears for the student is about the relationship established with the teacher and staff. Take advantage of any Open House, Orientation, or Back-To-School events. During our school-age years the transitions to a different school, college or university can signify a defining parameter in our social and educational development.

Normal transitive events such as puberty, school transitions, making friends and accepting more autonomy are considered part of the typical progression to adulthood. There are substantive research studies detailing that there is interpersonal stress experienced by all individuals during times of transition. Often the environment in which the school transition occurs is larger, in which students experience many different teachers at the secondary and post-secondary levels, as compared to the smaller, single-teacher environment of the elementary school. In contrast to the psychosocial needs of the developing adolescents making these transitions, larger schools can be less personal, more controlling, and require different levels of cognitive skills than students previously were required to demonstrate in smaller environments. (Eccles et al., 1993; Simmons, Burgerson, Carlton-Ford, & Blyth, 1987). These disconnects can occur at all levels of schooling and in the workplace.

Individuals with challenges can face difficulties such as getting educational accommodations or accessing affordable, high-quality mental health care. The transition between institutions requires some planning, but if an individual is overwhelmed by the process of getting ready, there are programs, organizations, and staff that can help. People can assume that the major obstacle in adjusting to campus life will be academic. Academics are not always the major schooling obstacle; transitions can cause significant stress.

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mitigate the stress transition may cause. Research shows that emotional issues are likely to interfere with success at school (Purcell, R. et al., 2010).

No matter the age or type of issues, researchers promote routine as a tool for ensuring mental health. There’s no “right” routine for back to school time. Instead, find something that works for the individual.

The hallmarks of a good routine include: • Build in a time cushion. Time can ensure that, even if something takes longer than planned, anxiety lessens.

• Leave micromanagement behind. Continue to oversee some activities, but do not always dictate how the tasks are completed.

• Input from the entire family. A routine works best when it is something everyone agrees to, not something that is imposed.

• Help with time management by encouraging task lists. Try breaking tasks into parts to reduce the stress and simplify the process.

A predictor of what challenges that might be faced this year is to examine the previous year. Someone who struggled in math last year or who could not concentrate in class will likely face the same issues this year. Rather than hoping a new school year will wipe the record clean, work to combat problems before they start. Some steps to take include: • Directly address what is required to achieve more success this year.

• Inform teachers about any learning disabilities, even college teachers.

• Consider an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Such a plan outlines specific methods designed to assist individuals with learning issues.

Mental health should be considered the same as physical health.

Individuals with mental health challenges need regular mental health check-ups. Schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist or therapist for early in the school year. It could be time to switch medications, try a new drug, or even wean off medications altogether. The only way to be certain is to talk to a mental health professional. Be sure to take a list of questions and to encourage the sharing of thoughts. Individuals who participate in their medical care are more likely to comply with the treatment plan. The goal is to have everyone advocate for their own needs (Young, J.L., 2014).

Mental health can be directly affected by the quality of physical health. Summer time often means snacks on the go and slacking off on healthy lifestyle choices. Try to get back on track with the following suggestions: • Ensure that there is enough sleep. Some individuals require from eight to 12 hours of sleep per night depending on age and individual factors.

• Focus on a healthy diet. Health care professionals recommend moderation and caution that too much control over a diet can backfire.

Aim for balance over time, and steer clear of unhealthy practices such as eating in front of the television. Foods such as nuts, avocados, and dark chocolate are particularly helpful for ensuring good mental health.

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SEPTEMBER CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 43

• Maintain an active lifestyle. Exercise can help combat a host of mental health challenges. It will also help use up energy and assist with personal concentration. Make exercise fun by participating in sports, doing a nightly activity such as walking, roller skating, or spending weekends hiking or biking.

Fall transitions can be difficult for individuals with mental health issues, but anticipating and working to counteract problems can assist with transitional anxiety.

“Mental health is often missing from public health debates even though it’s critical to well-being.” —Diane Abbott REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

© StatePoint Media

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: STATE CAPITALS ACROSS 1. Hindu sage or a tea brand 6. Plant production 9. Big first for a baby 13. *#2 Down native 14. Mutt 15. Doggy 16. Newbery Medal, e.g.

17. Back then 18. Alternative spelling of although 19. *The Great Lake State capital 21. *Capital named after 4th president 23. Color quality 24. Type of soda pop 25. British news broadcaster 28. MaÓtre d’s list 30. Occupied oneself 35. Pearl Harbor island 37. Popular movie candy 39. Little one 40. Bodily disorders

41. *No witches in this state’s capital 43. Capital on the Dnieper 44. Dipping tobacco brand 46. Love-____ relationship 47. Main Web page 48. Attractive to look at 50. Your majesty 52. Sea to a Spaniard 53. Duds 55. Filling station filler 57. *Capital named for Sir Walter 61. *State with the smallest capital by population 65. 007, e.g.

66. Keats’ poem 68. Metric unit of capacity 69. Set in motion 70. Break a commandment 71. Ann B. Davis on “The Brady Bunch” 72. Sound warning 73. “Ideas worth spreading” online talk 74. Bothersome

DOWN 1. Unit of money in Iran 2. *Des Moines state 3. Ugly Duckling, eventually 4. Like Siberian winters 5. In on periodic table 6. Slang for heroin 7. Leo mo.

8. Movie trailer, e.g.

9. More than one solo 10. Tater pieces 11. Audio bounce-back 12. Sound unit 15. Exotic furniture wood 20. Must-haves 22. Priestly garb 24. Oldsmobile model 25. *The Gem State capital 26. Uncooperative, like a mule 27. Actress Sevigny 29. Biblical captain 31. Punjabi believer 32. “Kick the bucket,” e.g.

33. a.k.a. dropsy 34. *Founded by William Penn 36. Sky defender 38. Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, acr.

42. Get together, like AOL and Time Warner 45. Lute player 49. Yule treat 51. Same as earflap 54. White-sheeted apparition 56. Upside down frown 57. Poison ivy symptom 58. Type of sax 59. Pinocchio, e.g.

60. Garner wages 61. Offer ware 62. Elevator inventor 63. Adam’s apple spot 64. 3-point shot 67. *Motto heard in Concord: “Live Free or ____”

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COMMUNITY

eye on business lessons from the trenches

By Maggie Cox, Barnett Cox & Associates

I

had one of those in-your-face marketing lessons recently, and it occurred in one of the most unlikely places: a hair salon. The topic is the power of word of mouth, and by that I mean literally, the power of a comment simply overheard. There was not a bit of social media or new technology involved.

I was in a crowded salon, and at the shampoo bowl next to mine, a hairdresser and her client were involved in a conversation about car trouble. The client had a Subaru she loved, but it had recently needed a mechanic’s help.

Point one: she loved her Subaru. I took notice.

amazing. She used words like “honest,” “helpful,” and “genuinely caring”. She noted the shop was “family owned and operated” and she liked that. She described the location in Arroyo Grande near Grand and Halcyon. She didn’t mention the name, but she had the whole package of goods. And while she was not talking to me, open conversation in a hair salon is fair game. I was listening.

What followed then were her glowing compliments of the mechanic she had found for the repair. She said she’d been apprehensive going to a new place, but had gotten recommendations for a place in Arroyo Grande.

She had a phenomenally positive experience, despite what sounded like a serious mechanical problem.

After leaving the salon, the discussion stayed with me. I found myself noting how powerful this random conversation was. I thought about how damaging it could have been for the company if she’d had a bad experience. The sleuth in me was curious after the fact–could I figure out who the mechanic was? It didn’t take much effort to come up with the name–Mastertech Auto Repair in Arroyo Grande. I don’t know these folks, but I want to extend kudos to them for doing things right. They’ve got happy customers, and that is golden.

She caught my attention, talking about an unassuming place where the people were

And even more than hearing about a great mechanic, I was reminded of how strong a

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ThomaElectric.com (805) 543-3850

personal opinion is in directing our consumer decisions. Think about it–how often you ask someone personally for the name of a trusted doctor, an astute attorney or an animal loving pet groomer. We all experience it first hand and see it every day on social media channels—questions being raised (“who knows a good landscaper?”); comments being offered “food arrived cold” and in general the world of opinion being played out on a very large stage.

There’s certainly nothing new about the power of word of mouth, but has anything shifted with the arrival of so many ways to share opinions? According to a 2016 Nielsen / Harris Poll of 2,000 Americans on the role of word-of-mouth referrals in helping companies connect with customers, if anything, the role of personal opinion has only grown stronger with the advent of new communication channels.

82% of respondents said their buying behavior was either completely or somewhat influenced by word of mouth feedback from family and friends (trusted sources). That number goes up to 92% of 18-34 year olds– this group is 10% more likely to be influenced by a referral than is the general population.

And while it’s personal opinion that matters, how it gets shared also counts, with 67% of respondents saying they were more likely to purchase a specific item after a friend or family member shared a positive comment about it on social media or in email.

There are entire companies that specialize in helping build word of mouth and positive referrals, but the real bottom line is that there still is no substitute for a positive consumer experience. We all want to create positive buzz (and move quickly to address negatives), and that requires vigilance and paying attention to every aspect of our brands. Invest in giving customers a winning experience to help generate positive word of mouth and a loyal brand following.

And I’ll keep you plugged in to the hair salon hotline.

Downtown

Around

The Magazine of Downtown SLO

September 2017

Inside: Downtown Perspec t ive Downtown B usiness Spo tlight Far mers' Marke t Vendor P ro f iles

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T

n my line of work, it is not uncommon to his month you will get a chance to listen find yourself either staring into the depths of to our complete conversation about Tails a computer monitor—or if you’re lucky—out Pet Boutique and Shelley’s commitment to this talking to the business owners and guests of community. She reveals that she came to the Downtown. Many times the conversations Central Coast after years of corporate work in are candid: on the sidewalk or in a business, social services, and after spending some time spirited and always inspiring in one way or raising her daughter, felt the timing was right another. When I first met Shelley Stuckey, to jump back into the working world. How Puprietor of Tails Pet Boutique Downtown and Dominic Tartaglia, did she come to choose the 70 billion dollar Executive Director Doggie Salon and Spa on Tank Farm Road, boutique pet industry? Take a listen to hear I got the sense that there would be more how she left the corporate world in exchange great conversations to be had in the course of walking for owning not just one but two family owned and around Downtown SLO. Sure enough, I am lucky to run operated businesses and how she views the importance into her often. Through of local economy. frequent encounters I or those of you have learned that she is wondering if Shelley doing some amazing work “Come Downtown to shop local, to support transferred over her in Downtown and is just your local brick and mortar businesses… aptitude for social work: getting warmed up. I knew Think about how much further the money she absolutely did, and we had to sit down for an continues to help our interview. from your purchase goes in the community.”

Downtown community members that need help

F

On the Cover: The Mother Corn Shuckers give it their all at last year's Concerts in the Plaza. The Americana Beergrass group returns for this year's final concert of the season on September 8. This season's full band line-up can be found on www.DowntownSLO.com. Photo by Mukta Naran

presents

September 1

2017

CONCERTS in the PLAZA September 8

Truth About Seafood Good Time Rock

The Mother Corn Shuckers Americana, Beergrass

Sponsor: AMMCG, LLP

Sponsor: Bull’s Tavern

Downtown SLO would like to THANK ALL OF OUR 2017 BAND SPONSORS!

Jules D. • Bluebird Salon and Spa • Splash Café Seafood & Grill • Mother’s Tavern • Bull’s Tavern Creeky Tiki Bar & Island Grill • Frog & Peach Pub • Bill Gaines Audio • Moondoggies Beach Club The Gold Concept • Pacific Western Bank • SLO Credit Union • Richardson Properties • AMMCG, LLP

AND OUR SPONSORS:

PROUDLY POURING

.com

FREE LIVE MUSIC FROM 5PM-8PM IN MISSION PLAZA , DOWNTOWN SLO NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL • NO PETS • FOOD AND DRINK AVAILABLE • WWW.DOWNTOWNSLO.COM

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the most. Shelley explains her persistence in helping the pets of the local transient population: her story of helping a dog named Cooper get lifesaving attention for an inhaled foxtail will undoubtedly pull at your heartstrings. Her communityfirst attitude toward business is a model shared by some of our most well known and beloved Downtown businesses. Her involvement has led to many of our locals recognizing her as the always smiling “Puprietor” in the heart of Downtown San Luis Obispo.

W

hen asked about her one message that she would share with the world, she responded, “Come Downtown to shop local, to support your local brick and mortar businesses… Think about how much further the money

Shelley Stuckey from Tails Pet Boutique as she takes a moment with Miami from Yellow Pup Bakery in her shop

from your purchase goes in the community.” A lot of the money that her business earns is turned back, philanthropically, into the community to support local schools and charities. To Shelley, the benefits of being a part of the community and happiness of coming Downtown far outweigh the costs of walking an extra block for paid parking or other challenges of doing business in an urban environment. I could not have said it better myself and that is exactly why I encourage you to take a listen to my sit down with Shelley Stuckey, Puprietor of Tails Pet Boutique and hear it straight from her at www.DowntownSLO.com.

For more information on Downtown SLO events, programs and activities, or to sign up for our weekly Deliver-E newsletter, visit www.DowntownSLO.com

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805-543-1090 Mon–Sat 9:30am–5:30pm

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805 Aerovista #103, San Luis Obispo

D o w n t o w n

B u s i n e s s

S p o t l i g h t

Marty Imes Consulting

and live more fulfilling lives, which in turn acts as a catalyst for more vibrant communities."

Marty Imes, Owner Imes knows what he's talking about, since the 872 Higuera Street family company he worked for after college, (805) 316-4625 Advantage Answering, was recognized by www.MartyImes.com Fortune Magazine as one of the Top 25 Best Small Companies to Work for in 2014. ot just better leaders, but better people."

Appropriately, Imes is housed in the SLO Hot That's how Marty Imes describes House, the Cal Poly business incubator where the end-goal for his eponymous consulting entrepreneurs are "taking bold action to make and business coaching company, which he their dreams happen." Imes is currently writing launched last fall. Marty Imes Consulting helps a how-to book for new managers and business small to medium sized companies establish leaders that teaches fundamental peoplepositive, people-centric work environments centric tools not taught in business school, and embrace organic, authentic work culture. coming out in about 18 months. His one free Imes believes that this can be leveraged into piece of advice to our readers? "Develop a better business, happier employees, and Marty Imes. Photo courtesy of very clear vision of where you want to go as a Marty Imes Consulting thriving neighborhoods. For Imes, a positive business, and use that vision to align the efforts working culture compliments —and leads of the members of your teams and recruit great people." to — better business: it's a win-win. Imes explains: "It's about Check MartyImes.com and his Facebook page, @CultureStoke, connecting people, helping businesses grow and thrive [so for speaking engagements and book release information. that] team members have the opportunity to earn better wages

By Zoya Dixon

"N

F a r m e r s '

M a r k e t

Dr. Cain's Comics and Games

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Apple Farm, the airport, and Cal Poly Campus Market. They also sell their shirts wholesale to stores throughout California, featuring different cities all across the state.

r. Cain's Comics and Games has been at 778 Marsh Street, Suite 110 since Reed Cain opened it up in November of 2010. His eclectic collection of available eid Cain explains that they love products includes comic books, board participating in the Downtown SLO games, graffiti supplies, and shirts. The Farmers' Market because they get to meet small team of buddies who design and cool people, and it gives them a chance create these shirts includes Phil Hurst, to sell their shirts to visitors of The Market who works The Market space nearly every who come from all over California. Their week, and his friends "Little David" and best-seller is the California men's bear Randy Lane. This team has been working Phil Hurst. Photo by Phoebe Conrad shirt, but any visitor is sure to find a shirt on designing and making shirts for about they like out of the choices available at The Market. six years, and you can find their work in stores all over San Luis Obispo, like Boo Boo Records, the Visitors' Center,

By Phoebe Conrad

R

Hayashi Farms

I

accompanying his father every Thursday night with a truck and a single crate of lettuce and broccoli. Today, Hayashi Farms cultivates nearly 50 acres of their farm each season, growing a wide variety of crops, including fruits and vegetables.

Like many farms on the Central Coast, Hayashi Farms is known for their tasty strawberries, thanks to the favorable yearround climate. Hayashi Farms dedicates around 20 acres to just strawberries alone.

t was difficult to get a word with Alan Hayashi earlier this summer at the Downtown SLO Farmers' Market. If he wasn't helping new customers pick out the tastiest looking basket of strawberries, he was cracking jokes to his "market regulars," bringing smiles to just about every one. Alan happily engaged with every visitor, even inviting a little boy behind the table to pick out his favorite ayashi Farms continues to attend (and biggest) berry. It was easy to see why Alan Hayashi giving a lift to one of his the Market each Thursday. When Hayashi Farms is a local favorite, drawing strawberry fans. Photo by Rebecca Bauer asked why, Alan said, "Because of the large crowds each week to its two full customers." He enjoys the weekly opportunity to share his booths. produce with the public, in addition to the chance to tell the ince the 1920s, Hayashi Farms has been one of the bestHayashi story. If you're looking to share this experience, visit known farms on the Central Coast, bringing growth and the Hayashi Farms booth any Thursday night. a rich history to the region. In fact, the Hayashi family was one of the earliest farmers to attend the Downtown Farmers' By Rebecca Bauer Market. Alan remembers when he was a little boy and

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palm street perspective the words “No” and “nimby”

By SLO City Councilman, Aaron Gomez

T

he word “NO” has a lot of power for only being two letters long.

In many areas of life it is very effective.

That being said “no” is not visionary, it is not a well thought out plan, and it is certainly not a solution. I say all of this because I hear that all too often in our political world today.

We are quick to criticize and point out the flaws in policy, but not nearly as quick to offer solutions. We attack the people who are tasked with developing solutions to the problems in our Cities, States, Nation, and World. On a grand scale we even attack people who appear to just think differently than we do. Often thrown in to these attacks are the words “No, they are wrong.” Justifying our heavy handed criticisms. There is even a very popular term for those who say no, NiMBY’s (Not in My Backyard.)

Before getting in to politics I felt locally we were somewhat insulated from this negative

outlook. After all we keep hearing we are “the happiest place...ever”. In all seriousness SLO is great! I have come to find out that does not remove an abundance of “no’s” from the political conversations. I am not even sure we realize how prevalent it is. You would be amazed at how many times I have heard, “I’m not a NiMBY, but…(no to something)”. It is completely understandable why people would think this way. Change is inevitable in every aspect of life, but that doesn’t make it any easier. No becomes that safe spot. “I just got used to how things were, no more change.”

Why you ask yourself?

Well, I was listening to an NPR podcast the other day and the topic was change. A group of scientists wanted to study how we perceive change within our lives. Through the study they found that we are able to recognize the immense amount of change that we go through when looking back on our lives. But when asked

to predict how much we are going to change in the future such recognition was not equivalent.

Basically we are not very good at predicting change, but we are good at recognizing it after the fact. It is this reality that helps us to understand the prevalence of “no” in life.

I am sure by now you are asking yourself “What is your point?” Or you have said “no” to this article and stopped reading it. My point is we have all been a NiMBY about something in our lives. After all, although humanity is all about adaptation, as individuals statistics show us that the early adopters of new ideas are very much in the minority.

For the rest of us, joining the YiMBY (Yes in My Backyard) movement may be an achievable step. It is not about saying yes to everything. It is about putting some thought in to what you can say “Yes” to.

Change is a constant. We have two choices, resist or adapt.

Choose

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BY AN AGENCY OF THE GOVERNMENT. 17-023 * If the borrower does not meet loan obligations such as taxes and insurance, then the loan will need to be repaid.

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new casa volunteers

two grants to ymca

Juvenile Court Judge Linda Hurst recently swore in 8 new CASA volunteer advocates and mentors who will be assigned to an abused, neglected or abandoned child or sibling group or to a young adult leaving foster care in SLO County. CASA provided the new volunteers with 30 hours of initial training; each volunteer completed a thorough screening and background check. Volunteers were recruited from all areas of San Luis Obispo County and serve throughout the county. For more information, visit www.slocasa.org. Photo, left to right, front row: Debra Skinner, Marilyn Sumpter. Middle row: Hussein Elkashef, Marina Francis, Paige Vierra, Judge Linda Hurst. Back row: Katie Nelleson, Kirk Barron, Rachel Ross.

The SLO County YMCA recently received two generous grants totaling $11,500 from The Community Foundation SLO County. These grants include $9,000 to benefit the Y’s HEPA program by supporting HEPA curriculum which promotes healthy eating and physical activity across the Y’s 10 after school sites, and $2,500 to support camps and operations of the South County Skate Park in Grover Beach and provide necessary safety equipment to participants. For more information about the Y and its programs, go to www.sloymca.org or call the Y: 805-543-8235. Pictured from left to right: Merial Buikema and Jennifer Kreps from the YMCA, Heidi McPherson, CEO of The Community Foundation; Monica Grant, YMCA CEO and Hawthorne Trailblazer YMCA Summer Camp participants.

11th annual avocado and margarita festival

turkey trot team donates to food bank

The 11th Annual Avocado and Margarita Street Festival is Saturday, September 9th from 10am-7pm on the waterfront in Morro Bay. Festival organizers report that “this year’s festival leaps out on the heels of a record breaking attendance in 2016” and debuts “new crowd pleasing features, space, and innovative programming.” The winning combination of avocados, margaritas and live music remains unchanged. In the words of one guest of the 2016 festival, “[my] hubby kept going back for oysters, I had my yummy fill of guacamole and fish tacos. And we danced and danced.” Tickets for the festival are available on Eventbrite. Cost is $5 in advance, $7 at the door. “Groms” 10 and under are free, and cyclists who present a bike valet ticket at the door are $5 all day long. See you on the waterfront!

D ressing Windows in San Luis Obispo for over 39 Years

Alan “Himself” S E P T E M B E R

alan’s draperies 544-9405 alansdrapery@gmail.com 2017

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

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The South County Turkey Trot team is making plans for the 6th Annual Trot this coming Thanksgiving morning! Earlier this year the Turkey Trot team presented a check to the SLO County Food Bank Coalition for $13,000 dollars which was raised from the 5th Annual Turkey Trot making it their largest donation benefiting the SLO Food Bank to date! The 5th Annual South County Turkey Trot drew over 3,000 runners to Pismo Beach. The Grover Beach 5Cities Rotary club acted as the groups ‘fiduciary’ for insurance and permits. If you would like to donate or volunteer for this year’s Turkey Trot visit SouthCountyTurkeyTrot.com to learn more. The Trot Team is currently accepting sponsors for this years trot. Pictured L-R: South County Turkey Trot Organizational Team: Janis Immel, Sean Schuur, Emma Valdivieso, Carl Hansen, Vivian KrugCotton, Donna Milne, Debbie Allen, Kevin Jones, not shown, Anthony Salas and Bob Stock.

pg&E donates to red cross - whittier fire

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) officials presented local representatives of the American Red Cross with a $5,000 check to offset costs of providing food, shelter and other necessities to evacuees in this month’s Whittier Fire in northern Santa Barbara County. The fire burned more than 18,000 acres and destroyed 16 homes and 30 other structures near Lake Cachuma. PG&E Los Padres Division Director Pat Mullen, who himself operated from PG&E’s incident command headquarters at Lake Cachuma Marina during the blaze providing service status updates to customers, noted PG&E used ground and helicopter operations to replace more than 30 damaged power poles in order to restore service to more than 100 customers.

“The American Red Cross worked 13 straight days, providing shelter, food and other necessities to evacuees, and we are proud to partner with them at the most challenging times to support

the needs of our customers and community,” Mullen said. A check presentation at PG&E SLO Service Center, included PG&E General Construction Electrical Distribution personnel and fleet mechanics who supported PG&E’s customer service restoration efforts during the Whittier Fire. Accepting the check for the American Red Cross was Kimberly Coley, executive director of the organization’s Pacific Coast Chapter, who said 73 people, mostly local volunteers, staffed two evacuation centers in Santa Barbara County, providing nearly 400 overnight shelter stays and more than 1,500 meals and snacks. Close to 100 health services contacts have been made, as nurses and other health professionals continue to replace lost medications and provide emotional counseling and support to community members as they begin the recovery process.

C rossword S O L U T I O N S

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VETERAN ROBBY MCLAUGHLIN OPENS FITNESS CENTER

Coast, San Luis Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation and Trinity Presbyterian Church each received funding to address capacity building and overall improvement of services for their clients.

5 CITIES HOMELESS COALITION DONATION

Robby McLaughlin was born and raised in San Luis Obispo. As a child he was overweight so he began to exercise and almost instantly became hooked. When at SLO High School he began to break records and win weight lifting tournaments. Although he loved all sports, strength and fitness is what he excelled at. A few years later, while in the military, his true passion was applying this love of fitness to others who struggled. He was assigned to training soldiers and a local high school football team where he was stationed in Alaska. Owning a gym was only a dream at this point. After the Army he started collecting gym equipment in his garage so he could continue to workout on those busy work-days when he couldn’t get to the local fitness center…

And the collection grew! People took an interest in working out at his “garage gym” and Robby began helping train others from his own home. The clientele continued to grow due to his passion and expertise and today he has moved into a full functioning gym in SLO called Headstrong. The name HEADSTRONG comes from Robby’s time in the military service. He would tell his guys before every mission… “Headstrong, Live Long! At the time, it meant to stay focused, stay in the fight, and we will get out. Just like a real hard workout.” For more information go to www.headstrongfit.com.

NEW SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM

The Community Foundation SLO County has awarded $10,000 in capacity building grants to five local nonprofit organizations.

The goal of the BUILD (building unity, infrastructure, leadership and development) Grant Program is to provide funding for small agencies with a budget of less than $300,000. The Community Foundation aims to strengthen nonprofit organizations with smaller operating budgets by supporting their efforts to build capacity and improve infrastructure. Alliance for Pharmaceutical Access, Inc., Casa Solana INC, Feline Network of the Central

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

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

11175 Los Osos Valley Road, SLO S E P T E M B E R

2017

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Bill and Gigi Senna from Senna’s Insurance Services in Arroyo Grande wanted to help local children in need, especially homeless children, and they soon found a partner in Nipomo Community Presbyterian Church. Together the Sennas and the church decided to provide much-needed financial support to 5Cities Homeless Coalition programs and services through a combined donation of $2,500. In this case, the combined contribution will help children and families find homes or stay in their homes. The mission of 5Cities Homeless Coalition is to strengthen the South County community by mobilizing resources, fostering hope, and advocating for the homeless and those facing homelessness.

FREE SENIOR HEALTH CARE SCREENING

Community Action Partnership, Adult Wellness & Prevention Screening offers health screening for adults 18 years and older throughout SLO 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.

HOPE’S VILLAGE DONATION

Thanks to Dignity Health French Hospital Medical Center and their $25,000 donation toward our new custom built mobile shower trailer, and many other donors, Hope’s Village of SLO will soon be rolling out our “Showers of Hope” program. In conjunction with several churches, nonprofits and government agencies, we’ll be providing free showers for our SLO homeless people without access to other programs. Stay tuned to our website for more info:

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martin receives tedone humanitarian award

www.hopesvillageofslo.com. Pictured L-R: Gene Keller, M.D.; Alan Iftiniuk, President & CEO; Becky Jorgeson, Founder of Hope’s Village; Julia Fogelson, RN.

Hats for hope gifts $20,000 to cancer patients

Noreen Martin has been honored with the 2017 Louis Tedone, MD, Humanitarian Award for her dedication, leadership and philanthropic efforts. The award was established in 2006 to recognize the remarkable contributions of those who dedicate themselves to improving the health and well-being of their communities. Martin founded Martin Resorts in 1998 with her late husband, Tom. She has successfully propelled the business to become one of the top private, female owned employers in the country. In 2015, she assisted in the creation of the first Countywide Tourism Marketing District and she now serves on the official State of California tourism board. Her passion for supporting tourism and the local economy has earned her recognition from San Luis Obispo County. In early 2017, Martin took on a new role as Board Chair for her company. In addition to her business success, Martin is devoted to numerous local causes, showing her support by dedicating time and philanthropic resources to local nonprofit organizations.

union pacific invests in bb/bs

SLO & Santa Barbara County cancer patients going through treatment recently received one of eight $2500 gifts from Hats for Hope given in 2017. “Hats for Hope” launched its new “Gifting Program” in October 2015 at the Hats for Hope Annual Benefit asking friends or relatives to nominate qualified candidates for the four $2500 gifts. Approximately fifty nominations have been received. For more information go to www.hatsforhope.com

Union Pacific Railroad Foundation awarded a grant of $10,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters in support of the agency’s youth mentoring programs. “We are proud to support organizations that work to ensure safe, vibrant and prosperous communities,” said Francisco Castillo, Union Pacific Director of Public Affairs.

“Union Pacific’s Building America mission extends beyond our railroad network and into enhancing quality of life in the communities we serve – which we achieve in part through our Foundation giving.” Anna Boyd-Bucy, Executive Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters said “The funds from Union Pacific will help ensure that enrolled children grow up to be better educated, wealthier, and have stronger relationships with their spouses, children, and friends. We are honored by their support and belief in our mission.”

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casa donation

Marisol at the Cliffs has donated $625 to CASA of SLO County.

The donation was generated from Marisol’s Karmic Pizza Thursday night fundraising. Marisol donates 50 cents of every drink ordered during Happy Hour on Thursdays and chose CASA as the beneficiary for money raised in the past three months.

CASA recruits, trains and supervises volunteer advocates for abused, neglected and abandoned children in SLO County.

CASA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. For information on volunteer opportunities or to make a donation, call 541-6542 or visit www.slocasa.org. Photo: Tom Dobyns, CASA board president (left) accepts donation from David Kline, maître d’ at Marisol at the Cliffs.

laguna lake ladies golf donates to bb/bs

Laguna Lake Ladies Golf Club donated $1,500 to Big Brothers Big Sisters from their recent golf tournament fundraiser. Their donation helps support the agency’s one-to-one mentoring programs for at risk youth. Anna Boyd-Bucy, Executive Director, said “We are so grateful to the Laguna Lake Ladies Golf Club for helping us fulfill our mission to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring mentoring relationships. These children will grow up to have better relationships with family and peers, greater wealth and higher aspirations thanks to their donation.”Photo shows Laguna Lake Ladies Golf Club members.

slo nightwriters golden quill contest

Help Our Local Veterans

VA clinic in San Luis is asking for volunteers to serve our Veterans as shuttle drivers. To help pay tribute and express your appreciation for their service, learn about volunteering at your local VA clinic. For more information contact your local VA volunteer representative Mr. Larry Foster at 805-354-6004 or send an email to Lawrence.Foster@va.gov .

fpac fundraiser

The Foundation for the Performing Arts Center announced their biennial fundraising event. The Heart of the Arts Gala & Sidecar After Party will take place on Saturday, September 16th.

This year’s Gala will be co-chaired by Kristin (Flynn) Hoover and Courtney Meznarich. Candee and Bert Forbes will serve as Honorary Chairs. “This event truly celebrates SLO’s vibrant performing arts community,” stated co-chairs Hoover and Meznarich. “It is such an honor to work with so many talented people and performers who are part of this creative community.

Everyone is going to have a wonderful evening!” Proceeds from the Heart of the Arts Gala & Sidecar After Party benefit local performing arts groups, enabling them to perform on stage in Harman Hall, and the Foundation’s arts education programs, which will bring 10,000 students to free performances at the PAC next year. Visit http://fpacslo.org/heart-arts-gala/ for more information regarding the event, or to buy your tickets.

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2017

Journal PLUS

SLO NightWriters, a membership organization based in San Luis Obispo County and open to writers in all genres, both published and unpublished, is again sponsoring a literary contest, the Golden Quill. The theme for the 2017 contest is “Liberation”; each entry must depict this theme, as interpreted by the writer. There are three categories: Poetry up 40 to lines; Short Fiction up to 1500 words; Creative Non-fiction (personal essay, memoir) up to 1500 words. There will be prizes awarded in each category, First $500, second $250 and third $100. Judging is blind and is based on five criteria: use of theme, plot and story, use of language, emotional impact and the narrative voice and content. All criteria are detailed on the contest Webpage at SLONightwritersGoldenQuill. blogspot.com. Entries are due by midnight, September 15th), fee $15 for each entry. For guidelines and submission: http:// slonwgoldenquillwritingcontest.com.

housing trust fund receives B of A grant

The SLO County Housing Trust Fund announced it has once again been awarded a community development grant from Bank of America to continue helping make quality affordable housing accessible for working families in the central coast. The bank has contributed well over $100,000 to date to support our efforts to address the local affordable housing crisis. The Housing Trust Fund has provided over $18.5 million in financing to assist well over 700 units of affordable housing in the county. Additional information is available online at www.slochtf.org.

THE BULLETIN BOARD

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Botanical garden september events

Event: Audubon Bird Walk at SLO Botanical Garden. Time and date: Saturday, September 9, 9-11am. Event Description: This engaging walk through the SLO Botanical Garden and the surrounding environs will get you acquainted with the wide variety of feathered friends found in SLO County. The terrain is gentle, over a variety of surfaces. People of any birding skill level are welcome.

Please bring binoculars if you have them, loaners will be available. Info at slobg.org/ bird. Location: SLO Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd. Cost: $5 for Garden members / $10 for public.

Event: Pumpkin Succulent Workshop at SLO Botanical Garden.

Time and date: Tuesday, September 26, 10am-12:30pm. Event Description: Create your own unique, natural holiday décor at this hands-on workshop. All materials are provided for this hands-on class where you will learn how to make your own succulent pumpkin. If you grow succulents and are able to bring cuttings to share, that would be great! (Please cut at least 2-3 days before the class to allow the cut to “harden or scab”). Info at slobg. org/pumpkin. Location: SLO Botanical Garden. Cost: $50 for Garden members / $60 for public. Events contact phone number: 805-541-1400 x 303.

$10,500 raised for clean water

For the seventh year in a row, Cannon’s Well Worth It campaign–a charitable effort to build clean water projects for villages around the world–spent the day grilling tri-tip dinners to fund new water wells for those in need. This year’s event raised $10,500 toward clean water projects and even provided dinners to 75 local families and veterans in need. Cannon’s Well Worth It campaign began in 2010 as a proactive response to learning about the global water crisis. As engineers, planners, and surveyors, we thrive on finding solutions to problems, and Cannon’s Well Worth It campaign is our platform to raise awareness and funds to provide clean,

drinkable water to some of the world’s poorest communities. To date, the campaign has raised more than $100,000 and has built more than 20 wells in villages throughout Africa and Asia.

Slo repertory theatre’s new season

The SLO Repertory Theatre is thrilled to launch the 20172018 Season with THE ALL NIGHT STRUT! Directed and choreographed by PCPA’s Michael Jenkinson, this delightful musical revue features some of the greatest hits from The Greatest Generation.

From the funky jive of Harlem, to the romance of the Stage Door Canteen, The All Night Strut! struts its stuff with jazz, blues, bebop and American songbook standards such as Minnie The Moocher, In The Mood, Fascinatin’ Rhythm, I’ll Be Seeing You, It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing and As Time Goes By. The All Night Strut! runs through September 17, Wednesdays-Sundays at 7 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm. Wednesday and Sunday night shows are NEW this year, offered in response to last year’s many sold out shows. Tickets for The All Night Strut! range in price from $20-$38 and are available at www.slorep.org or by calling (805) 786-2440.

S E P T E M B E R

2017

Journal PLUS

For the second year in a row, we helped more people purchase a home than any other lender in San Luis Obispo County.*

2015

2016

TOP LENDER

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Let us help you finance that dream home in 2017.

Call us today!

Kevin Cunningham Mortgage Advisor NMLS 633249

805.458.5178

805.441.9486

Sarah Sweeny Mortgage Advisor NMLS 1107446

805.250.2406

Ben Lerner

Mortgage Advisor NMLS 395723

Rick Kirk

Mortgage Advisor NMLS 375012

805.459.4101

* Source: Real Estate Market Reports (REM). December 2016.

2017 Lender Activity Report San Luis Obispo County.

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