July 09 Journal Plus by SLO Journal

JUNE MCIVOR | THE TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE RESULTS | RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

Journal PLUS JULY 2009

MAGAZINE OF THE CENTRAL COAST

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CONTENTS

42 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

PHONE

805.546.0609

E-MAIL

slojournal@fix.net

WEBSITE

www.slojournal.com

FUNRIDE 12

EDITOR & PUBLISHER Steve Owens

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Erin Mott GRAPHIC DESIGNER Bahman Safari

JUNE MCIVOR

COPY EDITOR Anne Stubbs HOME AND OUTDOOR SECTION EDITOR Jessica Ford PHOTOGRAPHER Tom Meinhold DISTRIBUTION Keith Malcomson ADVERTISING Jan Owens, Tom Owens CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Susan Stewart, Natasha Dalton, Hilary Grant, Sandy Baer, Joseph Carotenuti, Dr. Julian Crocker, Sarah Hedger, Frank Rowan, Maggie Cox, Deborah Cash, Gordon Fuglie, Allen Settle Loren Nicholson, Dan and Lee Anna O’Daniel, Shelley Matson, Julian Varela, Heather Hellman, Sherry Shahan, Dottie Thompson, Susan Hoffman and Phyllis Benson Mail subscriptions are available at $20 per year. Back issues are $2 each. Inquires concerning advertising or other information made by writing to Steve Owens, JOURNAL PLUS MAGAZINE, 654 Osos Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. You can call us at 5460609, our fax line is 546-8827, and our e-mail is slojournal@fix. net. Our website is www.slojournal.com JOURNAL PLUS MAGAZINE is distributed monthly free by mail to all single family households of San Luis Obispo and is available free at over 600 locations throughout the county. Editorial submissions are welcome but are published at the discretion of the publisher. Submissions will be returned if accompanied by a stamped self addressed envelope. No material published in the magazine can be reproduced without written permission. Opinions expressed in the byline articles are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the JOURNAL PLUS MAGAZINE. Home and Outdoor section is in association with Jack Dugan and Cover art compliments of California Mid-State Fair

PEOPLE 10 12 14 16 18

EDIE KAHN JUNE MCIVOR LISA HANSEN RALPH AND JOY HANSON MICHAEL COROB AND JEANNE SPARKS

HOME & OUTDOOR 19 HOME DESIGN DISTRICT 22 FOOD / AT THE MARKET 23 KITCHEN IDEAS 24 FISHERMANS WHARF Weekend getaway 25 NUTRITION – Redo your summer BBQ 26 PULSE – Courtney McFarland interview 27 TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE

COURTNEY MCFARLAND

COMMUNITY

30 31 32 34 36 37 38 40 41 42 49

PALM STREET – SLO Councilman, Settle PREFACE – SLO County Reads EARLY YEARS – Fairs – Part 2 RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL ART SCENE OUR SCHOOLS Dr. Julian Crocker HISTORY: THE FARMERS ALLIANCE HOSPICE CORNER CROSSWORD PUZZLE FUNRIDE ALMANAC The Month of July

BUSINESS

43 DOWNTOWN SLO What’s Happening 48 EYE ON BUSINESS 50 THE BULLETIN BOARD J U L Y

2009

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he response to putting all of our 2009 issues on our website has been overwhelming. In the past, apparently many of our readers would send their personal copy to friends and family that live away from the Central Coast. They tell me now it’s much simpler by passing on our website address – slojournal.com

We want to thank all the people who commented on the merging of Home and Outdoor Magazine into Journal Plus as well. Most of our new advertisers are pleased with the results from our readership. This gives us the opportunity to give you more pages for your reading pleasure. We also want to thank all the people who took the time to tell us how much they enjoyed the Reese Davies profile in our May issue. There was one error that we need to correct, and that is Reese’s granddaughter, Gabriella, lives with her mother, Melinda. This month’s issue has the results of the Transformation Challenge, five people profiles, part two of our Fair History Series, several of July’s upcoming events and so much more. Frank Rowan needed some time off, so the Vets Column is not in this issue, but will return next month. Enjoy the magazine,

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PEOPLE The aids support network

edie kahn asn celebrates 25 years of service By Susan Stewart

t all began with the Quilt. In the early years of the AIDS epidemic, Edie Kahn was in San Francisco working for Universal Studios selling movies to theaters. The disease was infecting the entire city; people she knew, people she worked with, were getting sick and dying fast. Co-workers were wasting away before her eyes, and many never told anyone they were sick.

“I felt like I needed to do something,” she said. So when she moved to Los Angeles with Universal, she began volunteering in a small office just a few blocks from her job making panels for the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. Today, Edie Kahn is the Executive Director of the San Luis Obispo County AIDS Support Network where she has been “doing something” to help people living with HIV/AIDS for more than 17 years. Kahn was born and raised in San Francisco, one of two daughters to parents also born and raised in the city by the bay. Emma was a stay-at-home mother and lifelong volunteer; her father Paul worked for a pharmaceutical company. Kahn attended UC Berkeley where she earned a degree in Social Work at the height of the student activist movement. These were the years of People’s Park, the United Farm Grape Workers Strike, Eldridge Cleaver (who was teaching there at the time), and the bombing of Cambodia. “We really didn’t have a Spring Quarter,” she recalls. “We were either demonstrating all the time or running a lot. Going to Berkeley was amazing anyway, but those pieces were my real education.” As a young graduate, Kahn’s first jobs were working with emotionally disturbed children and teens. After seven years, she returned to the UC Berkeley campus to work for the Extension Program. A friend told her about a job with Universal, and it was there that Kahn learned about the “business end” of the movie business. “Not the art part, but the dollars and cents part,” she explained. “The function of that as a servant to whatever you’re doing.”

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Edie Kahn shows off ASN’s new sign and logo

Not that it was all business and no entertainment. Kahn described her attendance at the 60th Annual Academy Awards (the year Cher won Best Actress for Moonstruck) as one truly memorable evening. With great tenacity, ingenuity, and no small measure of luck, she and her entourage found themselves at the Governors Ball where they gawked unabashedly at the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Meryl Streep, Sean Connery, Danny Glover, and Mel Gibson. But with the Rodney King beating in 1991, and a horrendous power struggle with the owner of her noisy and unsafe apartment building, the “city of angels” had lost its luster. It was time to go. Kahn began to look for a new place to call home. A leisurely drive over scenic Highway 46 from the 101 to pine-studded Cambria sealed her decision to move to SLO County. Kahn arrived in 1992, the year Bill Clinton was elected president. She found the AIDS Support Network immediately and began volunteering there. Within six months, Kahn became its first Volunteer Coordinator under then Executive Director Susan Hughes. When Hughes left her post to take over the helm at SLO County Tobacco Control, Kahn was approached to take her position. At first, she resisted, but in 1997, she finally said “yes.” Twelve years later, it’s Kahn who will celebrate the AIDS Support Network’s 25th Anniversary with her talented staff and dedicated volunteers. It’s Kahn who ensures that we won’t forget that AIDS is not over. It’s Kahn who now oversees the food pantry, the support groups, the annual Walk for Life. And it’s Kahn who convinced Cleve Jones (nationally known gay rights advocate depicted in the film Milk) to speak at the Mission Plaza on July 12th. Jones, who founded The Names Project Aids Memorial Quilt in 1987, and who worked alongside San Francisco’s Harvey Milk, will speak at 2 p.m. as part of Pride in the Plaza. With a section of the Quilt (that now contains more than 50,000 panels dedicated to more than 90,000 individuals) as his backdrop, Jones is expected to talk about his efforts to found the project, the advent and history of AIDS agencies, his friendship with Harvey Milk, and the issue of marriage equality for all.

PEOPLE “I am so excited about Cleve being here,” said Kahn. “He represents so much history … I am hoping people will embrace this chance to see and hear him.” From July 1st through the 12th, the Art Center will exhibit a portion of the Quilt with many local and familiar names. For two weeks prior, panel-making workshops were conducted at the Center, and on Friday, July 11th, the night before Jones’ appearance, an Interfaith Memorial Service will be held at the Mission where recently made panels will be formally presented to the Quilt.

It’s Kahn who convinced Cleve Jones (nationally known gay rights advocate depicted in the film Milk) to speak at the Mission Plaza on July 12th. Jones, who founded The Names Project Aids Memorial Quilt in 1987, and who worked alongside San Francisco’s Harvey Milk, will speak at 2 p.m. as part of Pride in the Plaza. As the ASN celebrates a quarter of a century of service, it is important to Kahn that certain things be acknowledged. Volunteers started the organization and remain the backbone of the ASN today.

“They do amazing work under difficult circumstances,” she said. “We simply couldn’t have come this far without them.” Kahn also gives generous nods to those who came before her: Susan Hughes, Marilyn Armstrong, and Phil Batchelor – plus all the staff members, paid and unpaid, and her hard-working board of directors. She also thanks Cal Poly for its multi-faceted support. Cal Poly’s Trinity Hall has been the “adopting parent” of the ASN for years. Many from the Cal Poly family sit on the ASN Board of Directors. And Cal Poly students come out en masse every year for the Walk for Life fundraiser. This year, the ASN launches a brand new logo and website to make it easier for people to find the services they need. It’s a double-edged sword of sorts. For while staff can be proud of its growth and longevity, they’d all be happier if a cure were found and there was no more need for them. For now, however, and for the past 25 years, the ASN has been there to raise awareness, to educate and inform, and to help those infected with HIV/AIDS to live longer healthier lives. That last part wasn’t possible when Edie Kahn first came to work at the ASN and got the news that another close friend had just died of AIDS. When the AIDS Memorial Quilt comes to town this month, Kahn will see the panel that was made for her friend for the first time. Seeing these uniquely beautiful panels joined together with a sea of so many other loving tributes is always a deeply moving moment. For Kahn it will be made the more so because … it all began with the Quilt.

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J U L Y

2009

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PEOPLE

June Mcivor making a difference By Heather Hellman

en years ago, on July 10, one of the greatest women’s sporting events took place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. More than 90,000 excited fans came to watch the United States and China square off in the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup final. Soccer that summer had reached a fever pitch, and the hottest names in sports were Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastain and Kristine Lilly. Then President Bill Clinton and his family escalated a frenzied patriotism by attending the match. It was the BIG TICKET in sports. Behind-the-scenes, a relieved June McIvor, Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel of the Organizing Committee, now partner at the law firm Sinsheimer Juhnke Lebens & McIvor in San Luis Obispo, was witnessing what she and her colleagues had planned for more than two years prior to that day. Despite the 100+ degree weather, America and the world were watching as the fairy-tale story unfolded. The dramatic over-time penalty kick finish by Brandi Chastain made headlines all over the world. It was the most dramatic and perfect conclusion to the match and to June McIvor’s and her colleagues’ efforts. In hindsight, June was destined for that job. She was the perfect fit, an exemplary professional with extensive legal credentials and a pas-

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sion for the game. Her leadership and determination helped pull off one of the biggest challenges in sporting event history – get average Joe America to buy a ticket to a women’s soccer match. Yet, such challenges were not completely new to McIvor. At 10 years of age, June started playing soccer. She loved the game. She played intramurals in junior high and couldn’t wait to play in high school. Her gym teacher then dropped a bomb – there was no girls’ soccer team at the high school. June soon learned about Title IX, the law of equity in sports teams at educational institutions. When June reached high school, instead of suing under Title IX for a girl’s team, she started a club team and began the drive for a varsity team through petitioning, lobbying and writing letters to the press. By her senior year, the school had a varsity team, and June was elected captain. The Title IX campaign became another stepping stone in the path to becoming an attorney. Initially interested in a career in politics, June earned a degree in political science from Vassar College. She also spent a summer in college as a congressional intern on Capitol Hill in D.C., and then, after graduation, worked on a congressional campaign in Connecticut where the candidate was a bright, ambitious woman who was a state legislator and a lawyer. Although her candidate lost, June saw that a legal education would provide a valuable background for a myriad of career choices. She decided on the University of Virginia Law School (UVa). While at UVa, June continued to explore politics, mostly in the international realm, serving on the board of the Virginia Journal of International Law and as president of the J.B. Moore International Law Society. However, she also found she enjoyed her corporate and employment law courses. And then, the big firms came recruiting. A stint as a summer associate in the Los Angeles office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, in the days when life as a summer associate was incredibly sweet, provided the means to fulfill her life-long dream to move

PEOPLE

June coaching the Blue Jays

to California. She accepted an offer to join Gibson, Dunn full time after graduation. While studying for the bar exam, the only place in LA that June could watch the men’s 1990 World Cup soccer matches was in a local sports bar that had satellite. Over a beer and a game, a friend mentioned that World Cup was coming to the US in 1994 and that they would need lawyers. A light bulb went off, and June set out to marry her passion for soccer with her legal career. The result is proof of what can come from actively pursuing one’s dreams.

During her tenure with MLS, June met Duane Hall who worked for EDS, a technology consulting firm for MLS. She found out he was from Canada and invited him out to a hockey game. “It was a low-risk ask.” They married in 2001, and their daughter Kaylie was born in 2003. June and Duane knew they didn’t wanted to raise Kaylie in L.A. They had visited San Luis Obispo and decided it would be a great community in which to raise a family. June had worked with local attorney John Fricks at Gibson, Dunn, and he told her Sinsheimer, Schiebelhut & Baggett was hiring. In 2003, June joined the firm as a partner leading the business transactions practice. The firm changed its name to Sinsheimer Juhnke Lebens & McIvor in 2006. June has become a community leader in the five years she has lived here. She is on the Board of Directors for the SLO

Symphony and for the French Hospital Medical Center Foundation, as well as on the Advancement Partners Team of the Community Action Partnership. She is a graduate of Leadership San Luis Obispo Class XIV, a past-Chair of the Chamber of Commerce Ambassador committee, and has served on the Professional Technical Advisory Team for Mission Community Services Corporation. And in a personal full-circle, June is the coach of her daughter’s AYSO soccer team. When asked recently if she missed working in soccer, June replied, “No, I don’t. I love working with my current clients. They are building businesses. That’s what I did in soccer, and I love being a part of that. I get to be a member of their team, and that’s very gratifying. And, I enjoy working with my colleagues. They are terrific people, and their experience in law is outstanding.”

By 1992, June was doing pro bono contract work for the 1994 Organizing Committee. Pro bono turned into full-time, with June taking a leave of absence from her firm. She intended to return after the Cup, but was offered the position of General Counsel for the start-up Major League Soccer (MLS). When MLS moved its headquarters to New York, June moved, too, but couldn’t resist the opportunity to move back to LA and make history with the 1999 Women’s World Cup. Joe America? He and she bought tickets, lots of tickets, selling out major stadiums across the country.

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PEOPLE

lisa Hansen

a passion for making candles By Natasha Dalton

ales of lucky entrepreneurs who trace their success to a humble beginning in the family garage or the spare bedroom seem to be vanishing rapidly. In today’s world of mega corporations, it has become much harder to grow a business from the bottom up and see it do well on the national market. That’s why the story of Lisa Hansen of Paso Robles, who managed to do just that will make you smile. On one hand, it reads like a fairy tale: one fine morning an editor of Sunset Magazine, walked into the Fortini store in San Luis Obispo and bought some of Lisa’s body lotions. The editor liked the lotion so much, she listed it as the Pick of the Month in Sunset’s Christmas issue. The result was sensational: the sales went through the roof. The best part of the story, however, is that this recognition wasn’t a mere fluke. We all heard people say to those really passionate about their hobby: “You should be doing it professionally!” Many might secretly agree with this advice, but few follow through. Lisa did. The beginning of her company was pretty prosaic. Since she’s always been making candles for her friends and family, trying to

offer them at the local Farmers’ Market was an obvious next step. “I was honored that they invited me,” Lisa says about the Farmers’ Market. “I consider myself to be a guest there, but I really enjoy showing our product to the locals.” And the locals reciprocate with enthusiasm. “It’s always fun to watch people walk by Lisa’s table at the Farmers’ Market,” says Sandra Dimond, Managing Director of North County Farmers’ Market Association. “It’s as if the delicious scents won’t let people pass by without stopping and taking a closer look at her wonderful aromatic candles.” When in 2007 Suzanne Hughes moved to the Central Coast from Connecticut, she looked for shower favors for her son’s wedding, and Lisa’s candles “were exactly what I wanted,” she says. “The votives were a hit from coast to coast. The fragrances are so light and

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the candles are of such high quality. The packaging and shipping are beautiful, perfect for any event.” Since then Suzanne became one of many Lisa’s regulars. She’s moved on from votives to tapers, to the “lovely ceramic pots with candles,” and then to wine staves. “The wine staves were our gift of choice for the whole year. When I had made purchase number twelve as a gift, it was time for us to get one, too,” Suzanne comments. Besides (and because of!) the faithful following that the Local Farmers’ Markets provided, Lisa had an opportunity to do some valuable marketing research. Just a few months after joining Farmers’ Market, she was able to break into very competitive professional markets in Southern California, and, later on, in Northern California, as well. By now, many upscale boutiques, spas, gift shops in prestigious hotels and wineries’ tasting rooms all along the Pacific North West carry Veris’s label. In addition, Lisa does private labels for a couple of companies in New York and North Carolina. Nobody wants business to go slow, but growing fast can bring its own problems. Lisa still remembers with amusement and pride, last year’s contract from the event planners in Hollywood who ordered candles for the Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival. The planners placed an order for 2025 units in special size containers, and they wanted the entire order in-hand in 9 days. This meant that Lisa had to contact her suppliers all over the country to quickly get the glassware, wicks, essential oils, and, of course, beeswax (which was a scarce commodity then). “This was not an easy task,” Lisa says, “as we had to use multiple suppliers for each compo-

PEOPLE the proceeds towards this program. “I want it to do well,” she says. Lisa’s husband Larry helps with the commercial side of the business, and she likes it that way. She especially enjoys the creative part of her job. “I’d do it all the time,” she smiles. And she has a good reason for it. Try her unique “Homage to Paso Robles” OLIVA candle with lemon, oak moss and almond tones in it, and you’ll know how exquisite is Lisa’s artistic interpretation of Paso’s experi-

nent of the product and pray the shipments would arrive on time.” Unfortunately, the wax did not arrive until just two days prior to the requested delivery date. Still, with the help of her husband, mother-in-law and large quantities of strong black coffee, Lisa managed to successfully prepare the wax, clean and wick glass, pour, and finally package and box 2025 candles in just 24 hours! “People get really interested with the production part, and once every two weeks we have groups coming here for the experience of seeing how it’s done,” Lisa explains. “Many are interested in us precisely because we’re local. They like the idea of supporting a local business, and I have a lot of regulars from the whole North County. It’s nice that they have a place now that they can visit. We’re also hosting little events here: this space is naturally suitable for bridal showers and candle-light parties.” These days, when lots of companies are turning to China for their supplies, because they’re dirt cheap there – you can get beeswax (one of the main ingredients in candle making) for as little as $3 a pound. Lisa makes it a point to stay strictly domestic. “In China they don’t regulate their pesticide use the way we do, and they add paraffin to their beeswax,” she explains. So she gets her wax from the apiaries in the Midwest and California. And she goes for local supplies wherever she can. Last year when American apiaries suffered from the Colony Collapse Disorder, Lisa felt she needed to do something about it. She found out that UC Davis is one of the best facilities nationwide that is doing research to help fight this problem, and she developed a BEE GRATEFUL line, which donates 5% of

ence through a clever blend of scents. “They say that a good salesman can sell anything, Lisa says, “but I don’t think it’s true.” It’s quality that keeps customers coming back for more. Even though Veris uses a fragrance booster in one of its lines, its focus on herbal fragrances and the highest quality natural ingredients makes its products very userfriendly. The Latin word Veris means “springtime,” and it captures the philosophy of Lisa’s company: Spring, Rebirth and Rejuvenation.

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PEOPLE sTill giving back

ralph and joy hanson “

By Dottie Thompson

like to keep busy,” says Joy, as I start the interview with her and her husband of 34 years, Ralph, in the living room of their gracious two-story home on a tree-lined street here in San Luis Obispo. It readily became apparent she has spent a lifetime doing just that. As soon as she graduated college, Joy left her hometown of Evanston, Illinois, and took a job with the Red Cross in the Philippines and on Okinawa at a recreational service club, a place servicemen could go in these still war-torn regions to read, play cards and listen to music. She remembers these lonely young men listening over and over to “It’s Been a Long, Long Time” on the record player. She married one of these young men. When he mustered out of the service at Camp San Luis after the Korean War, he liked what he saw and sent for Joy and their three young sons, ages one, two and three. Together they raised five children, and after that marriage ended in divorce, Joy and Ralph (also divorced) met at a square dance and married in 1975. Their married life has been filled with work, family, travel and community involvement.

Let’s

Lighten

Ralph, in his quiet way, likes to stay just as busy as Joy. He grew up “all over the west.” In the third grade, his farm family settled near Oroville, where he graduated high school. He entered the construction trade, eventually making his way to this area as one of the early construction workers on the Diablo nuclear power plant. He stayed and became a licensed general contractor for more than 30 years, building and remodeling many residential and commercial buildings around San Luis Obispo.

It Up!

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PEOPLE He was a member of the Kiwanis Club for many years, but after Joy became involved in the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre in the late 70s, he did, too, and that consumed so much time that he dropped out of Kiwanis. The first set he designed and built was for “Blithe Spirit.” (The second time it was produced, the first being the opening of SLOLT in 1947.) He did such a great job – rigging pictures to fly off walls and other special effects – that he was heavily in demand after that. For about five years he designed and built the set for all shows produced by the theatre. When the City offered the old library building at 888 Morro to SLOLT in 1993, Ralph and Joy were among the driving forces that helped make it possible. He designed and oversaw the conversion of the building into the “Little Theatre,” and they personally loaned money to help cover costs. When asked what drew them to their hard work and dedication to the theatre, they agreed it was the people. “Theatre people are fun,” said Joy, with Ralph quickly agreeing. They enjoyed the esprit de corps in mounting a show and, of course, the many parties, some at their home. In recognition of their service, each year the theatre presents the

Ralph and Joy Hanson award to a current volunteer who is always there for the theatre, just as they were.

money for scholarships for SLO High School. Ralph has always remained ready to help out with whatever project Joy is involved in.

Joy then related her early exposure to theatre through her father, who was an actor in small-town productions, as well as an avid theater-goer. “Some of it rubbed off,” she said. So when a friend at work approached her to help out backstage on a play she was directing, Joy agreed, and from there went on to being involved in nearly every production for many years in one way or another. She did play a small role on stage one time just for the experience, but that was not something she enjoyed. She lent her talents instead to backstage work, searching for props, stage dressing, hospitality, box office, and serving on the Board of Directors.

Together, they took sculpting classes at Cuesta, deriving a lot of pleasure working in bronze, but then “Ralph turned to stone,” utilizing his skills with hammer and chisel in fashioning art.

After retirement from CalTrans, where she worked for about 30 years as the assistant manager of their academy that trains workers in the care and operation of equipment, Joy branched out into other community service. For the last ten years, she has been involved with Arts Obispo, at one time serving on their Board of Directors. She is also a member of the Monday Club, and helped organize their first home tour, which raises

The couple travel extensively, preferring small-group excursions over large cruise ships. Some of their adventures include Thailand, China, Peru (twice, where they went down the Amazon in a small fishing boat, sleeping and eating on board), through the Panama Canal, river cruises on the Danube and Rhine, Costa Rica, Greek Islands, Turkey, Spain, Italy, and Africa. In addition, they go to their cabin in Oroville about every six weeks, where Ralph loves to fish. They were getting ready to take a trip to Belize and Guatemala shortly after our interview. They still find time for their family – between them six children, nine grandkids and one great-grandchild soon to arrive. Ralph plays golf a couple of days a week; Joy is taking a floral-arranging class. Clearly, there are no flies on this couple.

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PEOPLE

friends share unique exhibit

michael corob and jeanne sparks

rtist/Teacher Michael Corob and Photojournalist Jeanne Sparks tell stories of animals in nature through paintings, photos and words. Long-time central coast residents and friends, Michael and Jeanne share a love for animals, nature and the Central Coast. They combined their talents in a unique exhibit at the Shepard Hall in the Santa Maria Library last month. Michael met Jeanne in a Toastmaster meeting in 1997 and soon after played alongside her in an improvisational comedy group led by Toastmaster John Kinde. “Improv comedy was great fun,” says Corob. “We enjoyed ourselves while we made people laugh. We were instant celebrities.” Michael and Jeanne are also both members of the Town Center Gallery, and when the call for artists was announced for the Santa Maria Library, Jeanne was the first one that Michael thought of to share an exhibit with. “I have always enjoyed her playful photographs of her dogs,” Michael said, “so her images are perfect complements for my curious cat paintings.” Michael attended elementary and high school in San Luis Obispo. Long-time art teacher Roger Robinson encouraged him to apply himself to art and to pursue it as a career. He studied applied art and design at Cal Poly before earning his degree and teaching credentials at Cal State University Northridge. He returned to Grover Beach in 1985 to teach art and special education, and he has lived in Santa Maria with his wife and two daughters since 1989. Michael is also the past president and current program chairman for the Los Padres Artist Guild. “I am inspired by the life force that I see and feel in nature, and I use my art to express my appreciation for the wonderful gifts of nature that surround me,” explains Michael. “When I complete a painting, I get an idea for an imaginative short story, and I share this ‘storypainting’ combination with young people. The completion of the process sends me back into nature for more inspiration. I believe that we each have unique gifts to share, and when you and I express what is in our heart, we add love to the world.” Michael has self published three collections of art and short stories. The latest is entitled, “Story Painting Connecting Hearts.” J U L Y

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Each of Michael’s paintings in this exhibit featured his large Siamese cat, Stripe, surrounded by nature. Most of Michael’s drawings were created in his succulent gardens, Stripe’s favorite place to relax. Stripe lives in the present, and enjoys simple pleasures. Stripe has been a comforting reminder for Michael to take life slowly and relax. He has written poetic short stories to accompany each painting. The first story – painting created in this series, Stripe on Vacation, illustrates his intentions: “I can spend the day lounging on the deck, soaking in the delicious sunlight, allowing my fat belly to sag pleasantly on the warm cement sidewalk.” Jeanne graduated from Righetti High School, in Santa Maria. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from U.S.C. in 1982, and she worked full-time as a writer and photographer for The Santa Maria Times from 1987 to 1990. For the next 12 years, she worked as the Executive Assistant to the Fifth District Supervisor of Santa Barbara County. During that time, she dabbled in writing and photography, running weekly features in The Santa Maria Times. In 2003, she returned to writing and photography full-time while adding graphic arts to her repertoire. Jeanne features her dog Sparkie the Silky in her Where’s Sparkie? series that recalls the popular series that had run in The Santa Maria Times on Sundays. Sparkie is featured in shots that challenge the viewer to guess the Silky Terrier’s location in areas such as Santa Maria, Lompoc, Guadalupe, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. Her first “Where’s Sparkie?” featured Sparkie in the city’s courtyard. This new exhibit included an image of Sparkie somewhere else in the complex, the location of which was not disclosed ahead of time. Visitors were challenged to read the clues to Sparkie’s whereabouts and enter a contest to win a prize.

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“I encourage viewers to get out and visit places on the Central Coast that they might otherwise overlook because they are so familiar with the area,” Jeanne said. “I’d like area residents to recognize how much beauty surrounds us and what a special place we live in. I’d like to show people more places they can visit with their dogs. So many of us love our pets just like children, but we don’t know where we can go to have fun with them.” Jeanne is also introducing Sparkie in her new role in Sparkie Unleashed, a new photojournalistic series exploring dog-friendly locations in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. She enjoys traveling with Sparkie and her grown pups Lancelot and Princess to places where they can play and socialize while she enjoys nature. Jeanne will also create a Sparkie Unleashed video series which will be online at sparkieunleashed.com. Michael and Jeanne hope viewers will be inspired by the images of Stripe and Sparkie to slow down and experience more of the natural beauty around them and to identify with the animals in the images. Michael Corob will be signing copies of his latest book, Story Paintings Connecting Hearts at Coalesce Bookstore, Morro Bay, on Saturday, July 4th from 1 to 3 p.m.

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TOTO Dual Flush Toilet By Jessica Ford

long with the summer months comes greater water shortages on the Central Coast. One of the worst offenders for the wasting of water in your home is an inefficient toilet. Many older toilets use anywhere from 3.5 to 7 gallons of water per flush, which can lead to a staggering use of over 12,000 gallons per year, considering that the average American flushes their home toilet five times a day. The U.S. National Energy Policy Act of 1992 has since mandated that all new toilets use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush. TOTO’s Aquia Dual Flush toilet gives you the option to choose the appropriate amount of water usage, a 1.6-gallon flush or a 0.9-gallon flush, based on your needs. The Aquia model’s push-button style flush helps conserve water, making it a high-efficiency toilet. This two-piece toilet also has a skirted bowl design to create a distinctive style.

TOTO focuses on creating high efficiency toilets that go beyond the current industry standards in order to “ensure outstanding one-flush performance and true water savings.” High efficiency toilets are able to flush using at least 20 percent less water than is required by law and should fulfill their job in a single flush. These toilets are also designed to flush quietly, require minimal cleaning with harsh chemicals, and are available in multiple colors and styles to keep up with current design trends. The TOTO Aquia Dual Flush toilet is WaterSense certified through a partnership program sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency. The program helps to “protect the future of our nation’s water supply by promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient products, programs, and practices.” The WaterSense certification indicates to consumers that the product meets water efficiency standards and performance criteria.

Where to find it: Pacific Coast Kitchen and Bath 3974 Short St. San Luis Obispo (805) 541-2786

HOME/OUTDOOR

at the market farm fresh organic summer SALAD WITH creamy honey mustard vinaigrette

By Sarah Hedger

FOR THE DRESSING: 2 tsp sugar or 1 Tablespoon honey 1 tsp sea salt 3 Tablespoons honey mustard 1-2 Tablespoons good quality, organic mayonnaise 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar ¼ cup organic olive oil ½ tsp fresh ground pepper

appy July! ‘Tis a peak of seasonal bounty! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize the plethora of fresh produce offered here on the Central Coast mid-summer. The list of seasonal produce is abundant including fresh peaches, apricots, tomatoes, green beans, corn, basil, fennel, zucchini and other squashes…the list goes on and on. It seems obvious that the freshest produce comes from the local farmer. However, it seemed for a while that the food model of how consumers received their food was getting further and further removed from the source. People actually began to forget where their food was coming from! Fortunately, there is a significant movement toward sourcing ingredients as local as possible by minimizing the distance between the farmer and consumer as well as travel costs. It is a win-win scenario for all involved as the ultimate result is the highest quality, fresh, local, seasonal ingredients for less cost. And, we like that. The July recipe has an abundance of goodness as well as a savory option and a sweet option. The recipe is called TBSE…The Best Salad Ever. It is simple, beautiful, and brightly flavorful with the season’s best (organic) produce. The salad starts with the salad being whipped (literally) together in the salad bowl with the greens and extras tossed in. It is a one-bowl wonder! The dressing is a creamy honey mustard vinaigrette and while some may be deterred by the creaminess, it is about a tablespoon of mayonnaise, and I am quite confident the goodness of the salad will overwhelm anything perceived as unhealthy in a little mayo. I use apple cider vinegar which seems to be a stealth super food in itself. It is a natural antibiotic and is also well known for greatly helping acid reflux, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, skin problems, digestive problems…the list goes on and on. The next amazing ingredient (another super food) I encourage you to incorporate into this salad are dandelion greens. Liver detoxification, normalized blood sugar, and inflammation reduction are a few of its many health benefits. Tomatoes J U L Y

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FOR THE SALAD: 4 cups fresh, organic greens (some combination of butter lettuce, red leaf, dandelion greens, spinach, watercress) 2 fresh, organic tomatoes (get wild here…try out an heirloom tomato!), in ½ inch pieces ¼ thinly sliced onion (very thinly sliced here…try sweet Vidalia or a local purple variety) ¼ cup fresh nuts (they do exist! Start with pistachios and go from there) FOR A SWEET VERSION: ½ cup organic raisins, golden or Thompson seedless are great 1 organic Granny Smith apple, chopped into ¼ inch pieces 1 fennel bulb or celery, thinly sliced are part of the salad base as well, and it is hard to pick a bad tomato this time of year. They should smell fantastically fresh, like the tomato plant they came from. Heirloom varieties are being offered from a lot of different local farmers. It is quite amazing how different tomatoes can look and taste, while all still being delicious. The salad this month has two variations to try. One is a sweet variation, including apples, raisins, and a little fennel. The other variation is a savory version incorporating avocado, cucumber, red bell pepper, and zucchini. The great thing about this salad is that the vinaigrette goes great with either variation, so you have options. Don’t be afraid to try something curious in this salad either. An additional peach or freshly picked onion has been known to make its way into this salad. Don’t be shy! Happy July!

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FOR A SAVORY VERSION: ½ avocado, chopped into ¼ inch pieces 1-2 fresh, organic zucchini, thinly sliced ½ organic red bell pepper, thinly sliced ½ organic cucumber, thinly sliced In a large bowl, place the sugar, salt, honey mustard, and mayonnaise and whisk until evenly blended. Whisk in apple cider vinegar. Slowly whisk in olive oil until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Place salad ingredients on top of dressing as well as sweet or savory version of ingredients. Toss salad with salad tongs, or the best tongs we have, which are our hands as they don’t bruise the fantastic, fresh, delicate ingredients. Enjoy!! Serves 4ish, depending on how hungry you are. Less than 300 calories per serving, 10 grams of (good) fat, 5 grams of protein, and 7 grams of fiber

HOME/OUTDOOR

Kitchen Ideas

marriage of style & function– happily-ever-after By Lisha Perrini, Don & Lee Anna O’Daniel

aturally, when beginning an endeavor as serious as a kitchen remodel, we want to be sure that what we select will be functional, and just as important, look first-class, for a good many years to come. With reduced spending and increased storage needs, doing a top-notch remodel can seem daunting. It has been noted by Home & Garden Television (HGTV) and in surveys done by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, that the upcoming trends in kitchens will focus on 1) marrying style with function, 2) creating more organized storage in a significantly smaller total space, and 3) obtaining the best quality for the money spent. So what kind of marriage is this? It’s something old and something new — in this case, the old is a firm tradition of quality and reliability. It can also mean finishes in traditional woods that are multi-step, or glazed, to make them look like antiques that have weathered the decades. The new? As in the start of any marriage, you want to invest in good furniture pieces. HGTV sees an overall market trend toward “furniture-grade” cabinets. Having cabinets made by companies like Wood-Mode, whose founder came out of a furniture-making background, we see

a high-quality furniture esthetic applied to the production of custom cabinets. They also keep up with the new interior fittings that are demanded by clients today. Storage needs to be as ergonomic and easy to use as possible in order for smaller spaces to achieve maximum utility, hence the proliferation of innovative fittings that are now being built into cabinets. For example, there are pullout recycling bins, swing-outs for pantries, cutlery partitions, safe knife storage, etc., to make convenient use of every inch — the new mantra is “no space wasted.”

American Millenium from Wood-Mode.com

Consumers should also check the length of the warranty, and the reputation of the dealer, before signing on the dotted line. Downsizing has become an economic reality for homeowners, not just corporations. But getting good quality is still an unshakable priority for most. Like marriage, you want the conviction that it will last forever. When you combine timelessness with innovation, a long-term warranty, and a wide range of wood species, finishes, and door shapes, you have achieved the best quality of cabinet, and happily-ever-after kitchen of your dreams. Don and Lee Anna O’Daniel have owned and operated San Luis Kitchen Company for the last 25 years. Both are architecture graduates from Cal Poly.

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weekend getaway

footloose on fisherman’s wharf By Sherry Shahan, Photos by Phillip Cole

an Francisco may not seem the most affordable weekend getaway. But with a seven-day CityPass and well chosen and comfortable walking shoes, a family can enjoy dozens of free and low-cost activities. We chose the Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf for its price-friendly packages, complimentary in-room refrigerators (just ask), and close proximity to enough kid-friendly activities to exhaust the most obsessive list-maker. From there it’s downhill to the historic section of San Francisco that stretches along the waterfront. Musee Mecanique (free entry) houses more than two-hundred vintage mechanical and music machines collected by George Whitney, whose 1930s’ amusement empire once stretched from Golden Gate Park to the top of Sutro’s Hill. For $.25 you can test the kiss-o-meter, get a palming read with a mystic pen, or watch dancers in the Thimble Theater. Just outside on floating docks hundreds of California sea lions frolic and bark noisily. On clear weekends the Marine Mammal Center gives free talks about the range and habitat of these social creatures. Afterward, wrap your hands around a cup of hot cocoa aboard a Blue and Gold Fleet vessel (CityPass). Their one-hour narrated cruise offers “aah” inspiring views of the city’s hilly skyline, passing beneath the Golden Gate Bridge – inarguably the world’s most photographed bridge – later pausing a stone’s throw from Alcatraz. Kids of all ages are fascinated inside the clear, underground tunnels at Aquarium of the Bay (CityPass), located at the head of Pier 39. Being three – stories down is sort of like scuba diving, but without getting wet. Sharks, sturgeons, skates and thousands of other marine animals glide by inside the 300-foot system. Upstairs in the touching pool, it’s fun to stroke the smooth skin of a young tiger shark. At the end of the pier Neptune’s Palace offers breathtaking views from their dining room: Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz and the Bay Bridge. Although Chronicle Books dubbed it one of the top ten seafood restaurants in San Francisco, the lunch menu flaunts a tasty burger (Harris Ranch ground chuck) generous enough to share. Or visit the seafood vendors along the Wharf who ladle steamy clam chowder into bowls of sourdough bread. Walk off lunch by strolling down the waterfront toward the historic Ferry Building Marketplace. Along the way musicians, magicians, jugglers and mimes perform for J U L Y

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crowds large and small. The Ferry Building dates back to 1875 when the wooden Ferry House was the focal point for transportation; at its peak as many as 50,000 people a day commuted by ferry. When Farmers’ Market is up and running (Tuesdays, 10am–2pm and Saturdays, 8am2pm), area chefs mingle with locals and tourists, chatting and perusing outdoor stalls laden with fruits, vegetables, breads, flowers, etc. It’s a great place to pick up edible souvenirs: locally produced vinegars and olive oil. Across the street, an arts and crafts fair offers affordable handmade clothing, jewelry, pottery and more. Jump on the Cable Car (CityPass) and head to the Exploratorium (CityPass) where it’s okay to unleash kids. A combo educational fun house and mad scientist’s lab, they’ll zip through this warehouse of mind-boggling activities, including touching a tornado and shaping a glowing electrical current. If no one’s complaining about sore feet, consider walking back to the Wharf along the Marina, which connects to the San Francisco Bay Trail. If not, simply breakout the CityPass. When dinnertime rolls around, head to family-owned Alioto’s restaurant, which began as a fish stand in 1925. In 1938, Rose Alioto opened it as the first restaurant on the Wharf. Views of the Golden Gate Bridge and activity in the harbor keep kids occupied; plates of spaghetti keep them happy. The menu is renowned for its local seafood delivered fresh daily. Its Cioppino remains a San Francisco legend. Remember to save room for a hot-fudge sundae at Ghirardelli Square. If you’re too full, well, just force yourself...

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: San Francisco CityPass: $59 Adults; $44 Youth 5 - 17. Go to: citypass.com Before you go, peruse: www.fishermanswharf. com and www.pier39.com

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• Another low fat but flavorful way to get vegetables is to grill asparagus that has been marinated in balsamic vinegar. • If you must have chips, go for healthier varieties: Baked BBQ Lays or whole grain tortilla chips. • Contribute to the barbeque. To find ideas for healthy alternatives, go to: www.eatingwell. com and browse the healthy recipes collection.

Nutrition

redo your summer bbq By Shelley Matson

ummer is here and it is time to fire up the grill. Backyard feasts, also known as barbecues, are fun but filling! At the usual barbecue, we come face-to-face with a cornucopia of traditional favorites like hot dogs, cheeseburgers, chips, potato salad, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, the list goes on! Here is a typical BBQ plate: • 1 small bag potato chips • 1 medium scoop onion dip • 1 cheeseburger (85 percent lean) with 1 Tbsp. mayo on white bun • 1 large scoop macaroni salad • 8 ounces lemonade (or soda) • 1 slice ice cream cake

• Stay hydrated! Water is the best option when the temperature is high. Add slices of lemon, lime, or orange for natural flavoring. • Skip the heavy desserts and opt for fruit: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, pineapples, and watermelon are just a few in season. Make fruit kabobs or fruit parfait with low-fat frozen yogurt.

When you’re finished eating, get out and play! It will keep you from mindless eating and increase your metabolic rate. Shelley A. Matson holds a Bachelor’s degreev in Nutrition with an emphasis in Nutrition Communication. Shelley is a Nutrition Counselor at Equilibrium Fitness for Women and the AIDS Support Network. Shelley can be contacted at Shelley@eqclubs.com.

Hospice “Pardners” Hoedown Saturday - August 1, 2009 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm

with

$75

Monte Mills & the Lucky Horseshoe Band

per person

Grand Total: 1,680 calories and 87g Fat, yikes! So, how do we cut back the calories and fat? Here are some bite-sized ideas to help you with your next barbecue: • For the traditional burger choose lean beef (96% lean), ground turkey or a garden burger. • Always find 100 percent whole grain buns; they have fiber and B vitamins. • To reduce saturated fat and sodium, switch out ribs, fatty steaks, and fried chicken for skinless chicken breast, turkey tenders, and fish (wild salmon, halibut, shrimp). • Summer barbecues seem to be filled with mayonnaise. It’s everywhere — in the coleslaw, potato and macaroni salad. For a healthy barbecue, make a pact with yourself to avoid all foods with mayo. • Ditch the iceberg lettuce salad with ranch dressing. Instead, try grilled fresh vegetable skewers with zucchini, yellow squash, onion, mushrooms, and bell pepper.

at the Barbeque

Hearst Ranch Live Western Band

Attendance limited to 350 guests Hosted by Hospice Partners of the Central Coast Ticket purchase required prior to event

Dancing

Bar

Door Prizes

Proceeds benefit patients of Hospice Partners of the Central Coast & their families Call for Event Tickets

805-782-8608

2009 Sponsors Hearst Corporation Steve Hearst Journal Plus Magazine Rotary Club of Nipomo Spencer's Fresh Markets F. McLintocks Babe Farms Donovision

New Times Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream Firestone Walker Brewing Co. Hearst Castle Browder Painting Co. La Bella Olives Kimpton Group McPrice/Myers Winery

Food-4-Less Harvey's Honey Huts Mission Country Disposal Spectrum Color Images Farm Supply Trader Joe’s - Templeton Tolosa Winery Barrel 27 Winery

Monte Mills & The Lucky Horseshoe Band The Keenan Carter Group Crystal Springs Water Skyline Flower Growers Bill Gaines Audio First Transit of San Simeon Taylor Rental

Hospice Partners of the Central Coast is a non-profit 501(C)3 state licensed, Medicare and Medi-Cal certified Hospice Agency and is affiliated with Wilshire Health & Community Services, Inc.

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HOME/OUTDOOR PULSE

determination, sweat & success an interview with courtney mcfarland By Julian J. Varela

eginning in March of this year, Courtney McFarland embarked upon a healthy lifestyle makeover through a program called the Transformation Challenge. The following is a testimony from Courtney — the Challenge winner — a motivated and enthusiastic woman who took charge of her health and fitness to achieve wonderful results.

What kind of lifestyle changes have you made over the last 12 weeks?

What motivated you to apply to the Challenge and what was the most difficult part?

I realize with both diet and exercise if I don’t plan ahead, I won’t succeed. I plan when I will make it to the gym. I don’t buy foods that will be a weakness for me. I have in my pantry and fridge foods that I can grab quickly. I try to be creative too. I need to have flavor in my food, so most everything gets either salsa or hot sauce. I don’t buy “diet” foods I know I will never eat, but have on hand healthy options that work for me.

I have always loved a good competition, and I had been struggling with my weight. I was motivated by the possibility of success and knew I had to at least apply. The program overall was difficult emotionally and physically. Emotionally, I really had to get over the “mom guilt” of giving myself the time. I had to realize mentally that I could do it and that I was worth doing it for. Physically, it was hard to get up every day to work out when I just wanted to sleep in.

I get up and work out in the mornings before my family gets up. I joke with my daughter that the sun sleeps longer than Mommy does. It is amazing the energy that comes from working out. I used to get up and have a strong cup of coffee, now I get up and sweat. It is habit and I crave it.

What do you think has been the most rewarding part of this experience? It is so rewarding to have found a part of me again. The part I thought was a “has been” has become a “right now.” I love that I have recently completed two 10K’s and that I lift weights. My skinny jeans are now baggy and I am fitting into clothes I haven’t worn in years. It is also rewarding to know that all of this was, and is, manageable.

Have your views on food and exercising changed since you started this program? Absolutely. With exercise I have learned that intensity is the key. If I have an hour to work out, why not work out at an intensity that is going to pay off? I have learned how important it is to pay attention to my heart rate and calories burned when exercising. My mind will quit before my body does, so a lot of what I do physically depends on how much I am pushing myself mentally.

What goals did you set for yourself before the challenge? At our first weigh in I was 216.5. My goal was to hit 180-something. By the end of the 12 weeks, I hit 189. I would like to be 150 by my 30th birthday in September. I am going to keep weighing myself weekly to make sure I am on track.

What words of advice do you have for anyone embarking upon a weight-loss program? First of all, remember that you’re worth it. Set small goals to get to your big one. If you have 50 pounds to lose, start with 5 pounds. The success will motivate you to keep going. Think of a plan that is healthy and will work. Don’t diet, you’ll gain weight. Eat balanced meals and add in exercise. I used to complain a lot about my life not being “balanced,” but when my food and exercise got under control, my life became balanced, because I was taking care of me. Every day is not perfect, but I now have the tools to maintain a more balanced life. Julian J. Varela holds a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion and is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. Julian co-owns Equilibrium Fitness and Equilibrium Fitness for Women. Julian can be contacted at Julian@eqclubs.com. J U L Y

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Follow the Transformation Challengeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weekly blog at http://www.eqclubs.com/ _ blog.shtml

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The Transformation Challenge is a 12-week healthy lifestyle contest based$IBMMFOHF upon scientifically provenIFBMUIZ MJGF 5IF 5SBOTGPSNBUJPO JT B XFFL principles. Equilibrium Fitness for Women is sponsoring TUZMF DPOUFTU CBTFE VQPO TDJFOUJĂś DBMMZ QSPWFO QSJODJQMFT a select few women to participate and engage in &RVJMJCSJVN 'JUOFTT GPS 8PNFO JT TQPOTPSJOH B TFMFDU GFX effective exercise and lifestyle techniques that will transform both body andBOE mind. Each participant hasFYFSDJTF XPNFO UP QBSUJDJQBUF FOHBHF JO FĂ˛ FDUJWF the opportunity to work with some of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top BOE MJGFTUZMF UFDIOJRVFT UIBU XJMM USBOTGPSN CPUI CPEZ BOE trainers, exercise physiologists and health & medical NJOE &BDI QBSUJDJQBOU IBT UIF PQQPSUVOJUZ UP XPSL XJUI professionals within a comprehensive program TPNF PG UIF BSFB T UPQ USBJOFST FYFSDJTF QIZTJPMPHJTUT BOE designed to transform lives. IFBMUI NFEJDBM B DPNQSFIFOTJWF â&#x20AC;&#x201D;QSPGFTTJPOBMT OUR SPONSORSXJUIJO â&#x20AC;&#x201D; QSPHSBN EFTJHOFE UP USBOTGPSN MJWFT â&#x20AC;&#x201D; OUR SPONSORS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Your resource for Chiropractic on the Central Coast

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AND THE WINNER IS... COURTNEY MCFARLAND! Congratulations to Courtney McFarland for demonstrating the attitude, hard work and consistency resulting in her amazing progress over the course of the last 12 weeks! Courtney lost 27.5 pounds, dropping her weight from 216.5 to 189! Additionally, Courtney lost 18.25 inches throughout her chest, waist, hips and thigh and is still going strong! Go Courtney!

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T R A N S F O R M AT I O N CHALLENGE TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE– GRAND FINALE RESULTS MATTER The 12 weeks of the Transformation Challenge have come to an end; however, it’s really just the beginning. Many emotions were expressed and felt throughout the program including fear, excitement, motivation, frustration, hope and confidence. I would argue that many of the above emotions also presented themselves in the same order. When the opportunity arose for the candidates to finally start the Transformation Challenge, many were overwhelmed by the length of the program and were afraid of failing. Once they started however, a feeling of excitement and motivation replaced the fear. As many of us would expect, the honeymoon was quickly over, and the realty of making exercise and balanced nutrition a lifestyle set in after a few weeks. I’m a believer in the thought that motivation is an action, not a feeling. Motivation comes and goes much as ocean tides ebb and flow. Often times we feel an overwhelming sense of motivation, and other times we can’t seem to grasp it. It’s during these times that dedication and commitment get us through. It’s also a time when we start to feel frustrated

and perhaps question our strength. If we can endure, and move beyond the need for the feeling of motivation, we ultimately push through and find hope and inevitably, rediscover our internal sense of motivation. These cycles are quite normal but ultimately lead to improving our overall sense of confidence once the cycle is complete. All of the participants have proved beyond a doubt that they have the dedication and commitment level to permanently make the healthy habits they acquired a part of their lifestyle. So how did the Transformation Challenge participants fare? I’m excited to say that over the course of the program, the combined body-weight lost was 348 pounds; the weight of three petite women. The total combined inches lost (chest, waist, hip, and thigh) totaled 274 inches or almost 23 feet! The best part of the results is that it was done in a healthy and balanced manner. As much as many of the participants wanted to lose as much as the Biggest Loser, they also understood that most of those participants gained much if not all of the weight back. The reality is that programs such as The Biggest Loser are not close to reality at all. The fact that they are so far removed from reality is what makes it interesting. Seriously, if the contestants lost the recommended one to two pounds per week, would we really want to watch? I doubt it. Congratulations to all the participants of the Transformation Challenge! Julian Varela, M.S., CSCS Co-Owner Equilibrium Fitness for Women Equilibrium Fitness Inc.

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Transformation Challenge 2009 – Participants and Trainers

Average Circumference Comparison

Average Weight Loss

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Palm Street Perspective state likely to take more local revenues By SLO City Councilman, Allen Settle

eneral Motors Company in bankruptcy may be better off than the State of California. As of this writing, the state must cut over $16 billion of a $24 billion deficit in the next two weeks, so they can borrow the rest from Wall Street. California will pay a very high interest rate as the state has the worst credit rating of any state in the country. This is the worst economic condition in seventy years. The Legislature and Governor got a major rejection message on May 19 ballot Propositions 1A to 1E not to increase taxes. Few if any in the Legislature have any clear idea how to balance the budget. Therefore local governments will likely lose over $2 billion that will be taken away by the state and the city will lose $1.2 million. It is fortunate the city has a twenty percent budget reserve. It is the policy to preserve this reserve to compensate from possible taking of local revenues by the State. Other money will be taken that will not be returned amounting to several hundred thousand dollars. To balance the city budget, staff recommends increasing fees by over a million dollars and approving the purchase of a million-dollar fire truck. Fees are essentially a tax increase, and it is a poor time to approve major vehicle purchases.

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The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce sponsored a visit to Sacramento. The chamber delegation met our local legislators along with staff members from the finance, governors and controllers offices. The four areas that will receive the major cuts in addition to local governments are parks, education, corrections and health care. All will impact local budgets. The Chamber delegation was told the State might close over 90% of state parks with the exception of San Simeon, the Sacramento Railroad Museum and Asolomar. As State Parks Director Ruth Coleman said, “Parks are first in the heart but last in the budget.” Closing parks will have a major negative economic impact on local economies from loss of tourism and related business. If local governments take over the parks, the state is unlikely to want them back. The State must cut education, as it is 50% of the budget. It may cut the K-12 school year by a week and increase all class sizes and suspend Proposition 98 benefits. Higher education may have an increase in class size and increase in student fees. One finance department director indicated that one or two CSU and UC universities might close. The Department of Corrections may release thousands of prisoners and exempt them from parole. We are the only state that requires parole after a convict has served a prison sentence. We also pay over $47,000 a year compared to other states at $28,000 to house an inmate for a year. Prison medical costs are in the billions and making the overall health care budget massive. Health Care is the third area to receive significant cuts. There are far to many items to cover in this Journal article. A structural deficit persists and the state continues to borrow from local government and have continual budget crisis. Three suggestions for change were mentioned. They were a constitutional convention; pass the budget with a majority vote, and a part-time legislature. No constitutional convention can take place without legislative approval, and that is unlikely. The others ideas would need to be initiatives to succeed. Like the budget problems, change is hard to achieve as special interests control the legislature to such an extent that we have a plutocracy rather than a democracy. The legislature is going to need to issue revenue anticipation warrants as part of the budget balancing effort along with the billions in cuts. Local governments must watch their own spending as the state is likely to keep taking local revenues along with unfunded federal and state mandates and excessive number of new rules and expensive regulations from the vast number of regulatory commissions. While the governor wants to cut many commissions, the big question is can the legislature pass any long-term meaningful reforms and revenue controls. Finally, what economic benefit the state and local governments may receive from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be taken away by increased state and local fees and budget cuts. In the next several weeks, it is worthwhile to take note what the city budget as well as the state budget are proposing to do to your own financial future.

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Preface and slo county reads Flight by sherman alexie By Susan Hoffman

LIGHT by Sherman Alexie, award-winning Native American author, screenwriter, and musician, is the 2009 book choice for PREFACE & SLO County Reads, the Cal Poly Shared Reading Program. And you are invited to participate in this popular and rewarding annual community-wide event based on the idea that sharing a common intellectual experience from reading the same book builds a sense of community and caring. All Cal Poly first-year and transfer students are asked to read the PREFACE selection during the summer, while community and campus members volunteer to facilitate the on-campus discussions with new students on Wednesday, September 16 from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. during the Week of Welcome orientation. Information sessions are held in July for volunteers, who will receive a free copy of the book and tips on how to lead a book discussion. No special expertise is needed, and there is a wide range of ages and interests among the volunteers. One thing is immediately evident: everyone you meet there loves to read and talk about books! FLIGHT is a time-travel story of a fifteenyear-old boy searching for his identity. On his journey, described as a modern-day vision quest, he learns about Native American history. Whether the story is set in the battle at Little Bighorn in 1876, or during the 1960s civil rights movement, or the 1970s, or in present day Chicago, Sherman Alexie takes us all on an ultimate search for understanding and peace.

The authorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own life story is equally dramatic. Born hydrocephalic in 1966, he had brain surgery at age six months, followed by a period of seizures, and was not expected to live. Not only did he defy the odds then, he learned to read by age three. A Spokane/ Coeur dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Alene Indian, he was raised on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Wellpinit, Washington. He left home as a teenager in order to seek a better education at the public high school twenty miles south in Reardon where he excelled in academics and became a star basketball player. A pre-med student in college, he enrolled in a poetry workshop which resulted in his decision to become a writer. He currently lives in Seattle with his wife and two sons. His most recent writing award is the American Bookseller Association 2009 Indies Choice Book Award for Most Engaging Author. The PEN/Hemingway Award for Best First Book of Fiction was given to him in 1993 for his collection of short stories, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. One of those stories inspired the

1998 movie, Smoke Signals, a Sundance Film Festival favorite. He won a 2007 National Book Award for The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, chosen recently in collaboration between PREFACE and the Asset Development Network, which services SLO county youth, to launch a new youth reading program to be held in local libraries. For more information about the author: www.shermanalexie.com. For more information about PREFACE, and to register online to become a volunteer discussion facilitator, go to www.preface. calpoly.edu. The volunteer information sessions will be held: Monday July 13 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at San Luis Obispo City Library Tuesday July 21 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Cal Poly Library, Room 510B Wednesday July 22 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Cal Poly Library, Room 510B Sunday, July 26 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Cal Poly Library, Room 510B Patricia Ponce can be reached for further questions at PREFACE@calpoly.edu or 756-1380.

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History: part 2 of 3 county fairs, state fairs, world fairs & our fairs

meet me at the fair By Loren Nicholson

s intimately attached as the people of our county may feel toward our present-day Mid-State Fair held each year in Paso Robles, it is basically under the financial governance of California, and it is subject to the rules and regulations of the Department of Finance. During the last quarter of the 19th century, our local Agricultural Society constructed The Pavilion for agriculture and related exhibition. It also served as our performing arts center. But in the new century, it was converted to an apartment house. It was not until the 1940s that residents of the 16th Agricultural District began a conversation that would lead to a full-fledged fairgrounds. The end of World War II inspired Paso Robles’ citizens to take action. E. R. Griswold, realtor; Herb Sutton, president of the Chamber of Commerce and E. E. Kleck, county supervisor, began pushing a plan. They persuaded John Schnieder in Sacramento, an official representing the state’s role in developing county and regional fairs, to visit their recommended site at the interchange of developing Highway 101 and Highway 46. In 1946, the group took action. In July, the city agreed to donate $5,000 for site acquisition, and the county donated $10,000. The state recommended acquiring at least 40 acres. Lack of money for permanent exhibition buildings led the board to rent everything including an 80’ x 220’ tent for display. Other tents and temporary fences covered livestock, poultry, home arts, grain and vegetable displays. Local businesses came through in a big way to make the first full-fledged fair a success. The man hired to sell exhibition space the first year, Larry Lewin, served as manager for the next 20 years. The theme he adopted, “the biggest little fair anywhere” made an enduring hit and continues today. The first board included Herb Sutton, president; Ed Biaggini; vice president and Board members James Douglas, Dovie Freeman, Pauline Dodd, Rubie Albertie, John Ruscovich, and Otto Kuehl. J U L Y

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George Stephen served as secretary-manager. The year brought an attendance of 25,000 visitors. In 1952, live shows, including Portola’s Trek and a Rodeo helped build a tradition of exceptional entertainment. Larry Lewin’s marketing skills led to his appointment as fair manager in 1948. His enthusiasm showed the way to development of an outdoor show he titled “California Cavalcade.” It required almost a footballsize stadium, a narrator with a commanding voice and a colorful sense of history to tell the story of California settlement. It began with the mission period, and carried a cheering audience through the Bear flag revolt, U.S. occupation, the gold rush, the rise of agriculture, statehood and local government. The size of the staging area accommodated moving carretas, horses and buggies, wagons, and scenes of daily life. An important lesson was learned from their homemade ‘Cavalcade.” Along with exhibition of agriculture, industrial progress, home products, art, and all of the other facets making the Mid-State Fair, major entertainment and music helped draw an immense crowd. Those few readers old enough to remember the Golden Gate Exposition, San Francisco’s World Fair on Treasure Island in 1939, may recognize that the Paso Robles show of “California Cavalcade” was quite a use of local talent, local animals and local equipment. No doubt, borrowing the idea from this world exposition enhanced promotion of our Mid State Fair. For San Francisco, the 1939 Fair celebrated completion of both the Golden Gate and the San Francisco Bay Bridge. At the time, too, the world was digging out of a depression. It was a good time to invite visitors to come to the Bay City and spend their money.

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Mid-State Fair CEO and Fair Manager, Vivian Robertson

San Luis Obispo was authorized by the state to establish its own local fair in 1941, but the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the country’s entry into World War II delayed that action until September, 1946. Herbert Sutton and Dick Kleek came forward as initiators. With a San Luis Obispo team, Sutton and Kleek made a presentation in Sacramento that convinced the state to move forward with their concept. Governor Cuthbert Olson’s choice of directors included longtime north county citizens

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Herbert; Ed Biaggini, Cayucos; Dovie Freeman, Estrella area; Otto Kuehl and James Douglas, Paso Robles. The first county fair September 13-16, 1946, brought 336 exhibitors with 857 entries. The fair paid $3523 in premiums. Four years later 1,689 exhibitors received prizes amounting to $24,785.

spectators. Lewin introduced Jennie Linn as his first big-time entertainer. After much negotiating in 1968, Potter brought Buck Owens from Bakersfield. For a time, board members said, “it was a thrill a minute.” The budget grew to $4 million, bigger than many California city budgets.

millions of dollars. He stepped down from his position in 1993. When Potter suffered a heart attack, Robert Alkire, an experienced fair manager, served in the interim position. Over the next few years the Fair had several managers until Vivian Robertson settled in as the current Fair Manager and CEO.

The first fair was held in a parking lot. Only 206 animals were on display. Before the decade ended, Mid State Fair owned some 41 acres, five buildings, eight barns and a grand stand.

For the next 20 years, Potter devoted constant study to entertainers who were likely to be hot at fair time many months later Potter watched fair entertainment change from all country music to a preponderous amount of “rock and roll.” He dealt in contracts amounting to

Next month, we discuss a few of the great world exhibitions. Then, plans for this years exhibitions and shows at the Mid-State Fair this summer in Paso Robles. For more information on this year’s fair go to midstatefair.com.

“The first year,” Lewin said, “we had covered wagons roll into the arena around a campfire. Locals, many descendants of pioneers, sang, danced and played instruments. A band of Indians attacked the wagon train. Gunfire added to the excitement.” All of this was followed by a cavalry unit. “The following year included a mining town setting with dancing girls. We had an accident the third year. The state did not have insurance to cover amateur programming, so we gave up the idea of using hometown talent.” Lewin retired in 1964 after two decades of tireless fair building. In his tenure, he found that well-known entertainers attracted a crowd. During the next twenty years, Maynard Potter, second manager, also pushed the concept of drawing big-time, top-of-thechart country and western entertainers as a way to draw record crowds. Mid-State Fair became “one of the state’s leading entertainment venues,” Potter reveals, surpassing “CalExpo,” the state fair at Sacramento. From 2450 seats in the grandstand, Potter oversaw growth in seating to accommodate 15,000

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25 years of medieval merriment

Central coast renaissance festival By Hilary Grant annual event is once again at El Chorro Regional Park, just across Highway 1 from Cuesta College, and the place where the imaginary village of Donneybrooke has come alive since 1985. Now one of the oldest continuing celebrations of its kind in California, the SLO County get-together is an offshoot of the original Renaissance Faire. That small learning festival, in 1963, began as a medieval marketplace for children in the Los Angeles backyard of theatre teacher Phyllis Patterson, who created and conceived the idea. Those who put the Central Coast celebration together try to remain true and authentic to Patterson’s vision.

aybe because it’s smack in the middle of summer vacation, or it might be all about the usually balmy weather. Whatever the reasons, July in America has long been a month for all kinds of celebrations.

For Central Coast residents looking forward to reliving a very different period – specifically, the Golden Age of medieval England, circa 1585 – there’s July 18 and 19, when the one-weekend only Renaissance Festival will entertain thousands. Twenty-five years old this year, the

“It’s what sets us apart from other SLO summer activities like the Mid-State Fair or Strawberry Festival,” explains Rick Smith, one of the Festival’s founders and current media coordinator. “We like to say we’re literally playing a chapter out of history, which had legendary characters like William Shakespeare, Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Drake – and a host of other Dukes, rogues and scoundrels.” Many components, says Smith, are needed to make the Festival the living history lesson it is. After months of planning, the fantasy begins with building the medieval Donneybrooke. To that end, nearly two dozen persons, mostly

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seasoned volunteers, make it all happen over a grueling two-day period. (Basic props are kept in a storage unit near the SLO Airport, which Smith says, “is crammed into every conceivable, useable space. Basically, it’s a Faire in a box.”) Next are the townspeople: not counting guests, the village is populated with more than 800 costumed participants and stage performers. Most are paid employees who work at similar festivals around the country, who can also speak knowledgeably about political events of the day. The Central Coast affair boasts real jousting tournaments by a professional troupe called The Knights of Mayhem as well, along with other entertainment including stage and roving comedy shows, jugglers, storytellers, archery and fencing demonstrations, and pony rides. “I’m always surrounded by some of the most inspiring actors, groups and performers,” says Thena MacArthur, now in her 16th year of playing Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth I. MacArthur’s duties include regal strolls through the medieval marketplace, always in the accompaniment of several handsome consorts.

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“They make my job easy,” she continues. “The hard work they do allows me to concentrate on our patrons – giving them a taste of life at that time, and letting them indulge in the fantasy that they’ve escaped the modern world a bit. “It’s also a place where people can feel they are somewhere wonderful – which they are.” Keeping in step with the Elizabethan vision, Rick Smith also does his best to make sure that Faire food is as “seemingly authentic as possible.” Menu choices include the consistently popular gigantic fire roasted turkey legs, as well as meat pies, beef ribs and roasted chicken. Drinks are plentiful, too, with an emphasis on wines and ales from around the world. “We don’t allow vendors to sell potato chips or hot dogs,” explains Smith. “But the fact is, if we served real Renaissance era food – which would be difficult and very expensive anyway – most people wouldn’t like it.

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“Try to imagine munching deer, swan, peacock, wild boar, rabbit, goose or pigeon, all heavily spiced. Plus, sanitation during the Renaissance was nonexistent, and we know that our guests appreciate the luxury of hand washing stations and clean portable toilets. “There is only so much authenticity that is acceptable.” Costumes are not required for guests, but are encouraged. To that end, patrons can purchase Renaissance clothing right at the Faire – period hats, flower wreaths, breeches, shirts, bodices and even handmade boots and shoes. Those who prefer to create their own look, or make their own attire, says Smith, can get inspired by reading Elizabethan Costuming (For the Years 1550-1580), a paperback available through Amazon and most booksellers. What advice does Rick Smith have for first-time Festival goers? “Be open to the fantasy,” he says. “Say ‘Good Morrow’ instead of ‘Hello’ as you pass townspeople, attend several stage shows, go to the jousting competitions, and take time to watch people in the living history encampments. Buy a goblet, hat or hair wreath, because that alone will make you feel like part of the town. Most of all, suspend belief for a while – so your imagination can run wild.” Log on to cc.renfaire.com for more information on the Renaissance Festival. Tickets can also be purchased online. Prices are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors (60 and over) and the same price for children six to 16 years old. Kids under six are free. To receive a $2 discount per ticket, enter the code “SLOJournal” in the Discount Code Box.

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2009

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art scene

art center update By Gordon Fuglie, SLO Art Center, Curator of Exhibitions and Collections

aking up a pencil and rolling it between your fingers, with the steely lead catching the light, and pulling a line across a large paper tablet is one of the strongest memories of an art student. Drawing, as any good art instructor will tell you, is the cornerstone of artistic practice. It is the one medium that allows the most intimate view of an artist’s intent. Even the “mistakes,” those errant marks or odd proportions, reveal the trail of the seeker in getting the composition right. Then there is the subject, the form the artist must reckon with to limn his image. He knows that a technically accurate drawing of, say, a starfish may have its merits but it needs to have a certain amount of soul, too, something of the artist’s emotional response to the form. Nowhere is this element more needful than when the subject is the human figure. For not only is the nude human body among the most difficult of subjects to get right, from its complex volumes and mobility, to the trunk of the torso down to the delicate extensions of the fingers – the being before us also has an inner and outer life, sexuality, and dignity. That’s quite a package. No wonder art students have experienced anxiety when first drawing the figure. Realizing that beginning artists are in need of lots of familiarity and practice with the figure, Cuesta College has long supported life drawing classes in its studio art curriculum. Many a county artist – young and old – appreciates the foundation that Cuesta drawing instructors have given them. Few faculty, however,

have had as much influence as the redoubtable Marian Stephens who taught legions of students at the college for many years. Among those artists grateful for Professor Stephens’ teaching is Guy Kinnear. He was born in Atascadero and studied art at Cuesta in the early 1990s. Eventually, Kinnear went on to the San Francisco Art Institute to earn an MFA in painting by the end of the decade. He currently is Associate Professor at Azusa Pacific University in Southern California. During the month of July, visitors to the San Luis Obispo Art Center can view six figurative oil paintings by Kinnear in the five-artist exhibition, Corpora in Extremis. Corpora in Extremis is Latin for “Bodies at the Limits,” and includes monumental drawings, paintings and bronze sculpture that evidence new directions in dealing with the figure. I am its curator, and the exhibition grows out of my personal observation of the resurgence of figurative art during the past twenty years in California. Around 1990 I became aware of a number of artists who were using the human figure in new ways. This trend has continued, growing in strength, despite initial resistance to it in the official contemporary art world that had written off figurative drawing and painting as hopelessly passé. Corpora in Extremis answers back to

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The Sorrow of a Man by Joanne Ruggles

Icon by Guy Kinnear

its critics with bold and intriguing depictions of the human figure that are once familiar and unusual, as well as very contemporary in feeling and popular with audiences. In addition to Kinnear, the exhibition features the Central Coast artist, Joanne Ruggles, an acrylic painter and Emeritus Professor of Art, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Los Angeles is represented by the Russianborn Peter Liashkov, a mixed media artist and past professor at the Art Center College of Design (Pasadena). The Bay Area provides two artists: Donna Anderson Kam, from San Francisco who works in oil pastel, and Trevor Southey, a sculptor from Oakland (who is also a printmaker and painter). Visitors will note that the work in Corpora in Extremis departs from traditional figurative studies and familiar narrative imagery of the body to open up new ways of treating the figure in historical, psychological, existential, spiritual and gendered settings. Corpora in Extremis is on view at the San Luis Obispo Art Center through August 2. A reception for the artists and exhibition takes place on July 3, 6 - 8 p.m.

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Our Schools:

who hesitate to give a home address, students who have a history of irregular school attendance, students who seem to hoard food to take home for later, students who refrain from talking about his/her bedroom, or students who seem excessively tired as if from a lack of sleep.

the EDUCATION of homeless students By Dr. Julian Crocker, County Superintendent of Schools

ne of the effects of the current economic and housing crisis is an increase in the number of children and youth who are classified as homeless. This condition has a significant impact on the education of these students but has largely gone unnoticed by the general public. If students are unsure about where they will be living from day to day, they will not be attentive to school attendance nor to being prepared for academic work in class. While out national attention is focused on the financial impacts of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s troubled economy, we must not forget the impact the crisis is also having on our children and youth. The term â&#x20AC;&#x153;homelessnessâ&#x20AC;? often connotes people on the street, in parks, or in shelters with belongings in a push-cart. But this is not the reality of being homeless for many. For children and youth, this definition needs to be expanded to include a variety of living situations that do not fit our stereotype. There can be a variety of living conditions that are unstable or uncertain with little or no adult supervision for children. A more appropriate definition for homelessness should encompass any student who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. Using this more expanded description of homelessness, living situations such as multiple families living in the same house, living in motels or hotels, living in cars or abandoned buildings, living in campgrounds, or â&#x20AC;&#x153;couch-surfingâ&#x20AC;? from night to night all qualify as homeless conditions for students. These conditions are unfortunately the case for an increasing number of children and youth, from kindergarten through high school, in our county. Based on data from our local school districts reported in January, there were 988 students in the county who were homeless using the above definition. Obviously this number changes during the school year, but a point in time comparison shows that this number is an increase of 293, or 42%, from the 2007-2008 school year and an increase of 351 students, or 55%, from two years ago. This number also represents about 2.5% of our total student enrollment in the county for the 2008-09 school year. Our increasing trend in homeless students also reflects the national trend. The data also show that the greatest number (735) of homeless students were living in â&#x20AC;&#x153;doubled-upâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;tripled upâ&#x20AC;? living situations where multiple families share the same house or apartment. There were 103 students living in shelters and 63 living in motels or hotels as their primary nighttime residence. The report also shows, unfortunately, that the largest number of homeless students is in the primary grades, kindergarten through third grade. There were 115 kindergarten students and another 108 first graders who were homeless. Many children and their parents do not want to reveal that they are homeless because of the embarrassment or fear of some type of legal action being taken against them. Therefore, school staff often uses observational indicators to determine if there needs to be follow up to determine homelessness. Some of these indicators include students

The good news is that our county receives some funding from the federal government through the McKinney-Vento Act to assist in mitigating the effects of homelessness on school attendance and performance. One of our primary strategies is to attempt to keep the homeless student in the same school, even through their family may be changing nighttime location very frequently. For homeless students, the school is usually the most stable institution in their lives. The County Office of Education serves as the countywide coordinator of services for homeless students and each district has a staff member assigned to coordinate services. Some of the actions that schools take to address the school-related problems for homeless students include insuring that homeless families are aware of their rights under the McKinney-Vento Act for services and school stability for their children; educating school staff regarding the identification of homeless students for services; and developing close relationships with other agencies serving homeless families.

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COMMUNITY

history

the farmer’s alliance pitchforks and protest By Joseph A. Carotenuti

n times past, when the railroad came to town, prosperity was attached to the engine. Being connected to towns and cities nearby – let alone across the nation – not only eased transportation, but also propelled the imagination into lands of limitless economic opportunity. Less ethereal, farmers now had access to untapped markets for their products. For many, a steam locomotive became a fairy godfather bestowing the blessings of riches on those using the rails. Locally, it was a new era for many and a new nightmare for even more. Here’s the story. Railroads contributed a critical element to the expansion and economic development of the United States. From local eastern railways, the admission of California on the far Pacific Rim to the Union in 1850 needed the tracks to tie the nation together. Huge grants of land on either side of the rails were meant to reward companies to venture through the vast unsettled regions of the country. If the railroad was the key to prosperity, it could…and did…control the flow of commerce. Frank Norris’ classic novel Octopus (subtitled The Epic of Wheat) published in 1901 dramatically depicts the “war between the wheat growers and the Railroad Trust.” The first novel of an unfinished trilogy was an instant success. Unfortunately, the young Norris died in 1902 shortly after speaking in San Luis Obispo. As the rails moved into the central coast – one of the last links in the transcontinental chain – greed and monopolies continued to ride in

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the first-class compartments. Collis P. Huntington, Charles Crocker, Mark Hopkins, and Leland Stanford – the legendary Big Four barons of the railroad world – controlled transportation costs as well as milling, storage, and markets. Their influence spread across the political landscape with Stanford eventually becoming Governor in 1861 and U. S. Senator from 1885 until his death in 1893. The rails moved south to San Miguel, then Templeton and Santa Margarita in the 1880s, finally stopping in the county seat in 1894 for seven years. If there were now more markets, there were also increased costs. Not content to bow and break under the monopoly, farmers found time to plow and plant as well as protest. While the Grange was a traditional source of agricultural association, more effort resulted in a nationwide Farmers’ Alliance and Industrial Union to challenge the seemingly uncontrollable economic grip of the railroads. Not only farmers but also miners, lumber interests stagecoach operators…anyone who smarted under the excessive charges, created mercantile co-ops, farmer-owned mills and mutual self-help alliances to improve their world. Recognizing the need for a political voice, the People’s Party promoted politicians supportive of a more democratic economy. Meeting in rural schoolhouses, some 30 Alliance “chapters” covered the county. Speakers, prayers, weddings, dances, picnics and debates allowed men and women to strengthen their cause and their community. Countywide conventions allowed the often-isolated alliances to stay in touch. The Reasoner in San Luis Obispo (first published in 1892) assured the farmer’s message was well noticed as did the Paso Robles Independent and Arroyo Grande Herald. Transportation, milling, and building supplies – any service or product a farmer might need – became the

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COMMUNITY heart of alliances. The idea was to combine resources to buy from and sell needed products to the mercantile members. An early leader was Edna Valley’s George Steele, a very successful dairy operator, former judge and State Senator as well as a representative to the 1879 State Constitutional Convention. Disenchanted with both the Republicans and Democrats, he wrote: “The leaders in both of the old parties are sold, body and breeches, to the money power.” At first, he promoted strengthening the Grange as a vehicle for reform, but by the end of the 1880s, joined his friend Webster in promoting the Alliance. When the West Coast Land Company began selling land at the end of the rail line in the Templeton area, a large chunk of the Huer Huero Rancho was sold to Creston pioneer John V. Webster. Serving as a County Supervisor, he was a popular lecturer and received 18% of the vote in the 1894 gubernatorial race.

While the evolution of an independent system of farming and farm business did not last for a long period, the rule of the railroad was weakened in the State. As often happens with third parties in the United States, key ideas found their way into the platforms of the major parties. Reminiscences of the People’s Party filtered through time into the New Deal of the Franklin Roosevelt presidency and the harsh economic time of the Great Depression. Many elements remain today. Unrecognized by the insurrection of the Farmer’s Alliance, the rural schoolhouses became sites of individual declarations of independence! LEARN MORE ABOUT IT at the County Museum’s informative exhibit. Don’t forget an informative booklet.

The People’s Party struggled as the political arm of the alliances. The more successful the Alliance, the more adamant the railroad opposition. Hotly contested local elections resulted in some victories, but nationally the People’s Party did not prevail. Defying the monetary system, Labor Exchange stores bartered between members. The first store opened in Arroyo Grande late in the nineteenth century and was followed by one in San Luis Obispo and another in Paso Robles. These stores also produced increased antagonism from local merchants who would reduce their prices attempting to force Alliance markets to close. The system avoiding both banks and middlemen enjoyed initial successes, but declining prices and drought toward the end of the century reduced their effectiveness.

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COMMUNITY

hospice care camp wishing star – restoring a feeling of “normal”

For thousands of industrial workers,

By Dianne Thompson, M.A.

ost ideas begin with a dream inside the head of a person; this one came from the heart of a child.

it wasn’t their boss who was working them to death....

As part of its mission to provide compassionate end-of-life care to the residents of our community, Hospice Partners offers counseling support to the family during the hospice patient’s illness, as well as after the patient has died. Through the efforts of many, Hospice Partners is able to provide a safe and loving environment that supports the healing process of children who have suffered the death of a parent, sibling, or other significant relationship. Individual grief counseling is offered to child survivors in our special place – “The Starlight Children’s Room” at Hospice Partners. It was at the end of a counseling session with one of our children, and the beginning session of another that the idea of a camp for kids was born. Here’s the story. Two little girls, one who had lost a brother, the other who had lost a sister, met at the Children’s Room door while one was leaving and

It was exposure to asbestos. Exposure that years later is causing Mesothelioma. And the worst part is, this tragedy could have been avoided. But the asbestos industry ignored the problem and denied their responsibility. Now it’s time for patients and their families to fight back and receive compensation for the wrong done to them. The people at HendlerLaw understand the pain, frustration and anger that patients and their families are suffering. If you or a family member have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, call The Hendler Law Firm today. It’s time to see justice done.

1-800-4-HENDLER (1-800-443-6353) or visit our resource web site

www.Mesothelioma-Advice.Org Help. Advice. Justice. “You’re not alone.” ™ Scott M. Hendler, HendlerLaw, P.C., 816 Congress Avenue, Suite 1670 Austin, Texas 78701. No attorney’s fees unless you recover. Court costs and litigation expenses are paid from your share of the recovery. If there is no recovery, you will not be responsible for any court costs or litigation expenses. Cases handled with co counsel in the State of filing. Copyright ©1995 by The Hendler Law Firm, P.C. All rights reserved.

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COMMUNITY the other was arriving. For a moment they looked at each other but did not speak. The protective counselor and the child and her parent hustled off to their different destinations. As the door closed to the Children’s Room, the girl who had just arrived began asking the inevitable questions: “Who was that little girl....Did someone die in her family too...Is she sad ... Could I ever meet her…Are there other kids like me whose families are sad and mad?” My guarded answer was maybe we could talk about bringing some of the kids together. Another question…“Could she come here with me or play at my house…Or we could meet at the park…maybe?” My answer to the bright eyed, enthusiastic, cherished, grieving child, “We’ll think about it and get back to you.”

how to survive the enormous devastation of the death of a mom or dad, just a quite wonderful healing day brought to all of us by one little girl who wanted to meet another little girl to embrace in the companionship, the comfort and the joy of someone who truly understands. It has become a day to help break the isolation and restore a feeling of “normal.” This monthly Hospice Corner is sponsored by Hospice Partners of the Central Coast. Dianne Thompson, MA is a Bereavement Counselor at Hospice Partners. For more information, call (805) 782-8608.

JULY CROSSWORD · SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 51

So, later that day, bereavement staff tossed around the idea of a children’s group get-together, or even a day camp for kids. Of course, the topic of a need to find a source for money to fund a camp came up. Problem solved at a golf game a few days later, when mention of a camp for grieving kids became a yearly grant from a generous foundation, and we were on our way. Then we needed a name for this camp. It had to be something with some magical thinking attached to it, something to hang a wish, a memory, or a dream on. Tina McEvoy, R.N. put on her creative thinking hat and suggested “Camp Wishing Star,” and we all jumped up and yelled “that’s it!” That was several years ago, when we invited ten children to Camp Wishing Star at our office on a Saturday in June. It went great. Now, over time, it has graduated into taking over an entire section of a local park where we pitch day tents, play games, shoot Nerf rockets into the sky, hold water balloon contests, dance with hula hoops, have a big barbeque, hug each other lots, and end the day with tired happy children in Camp Wishing Star t-shirts dotted with drops of chocolate ice cream and glue mixed with a little dirt. It is a day the kids, with the help of grown-up counselors and Camp volunteers, celebrate their sameness and their differences while releasing the weary energy that stressed out families experience in the wake of the death of their loved ones. No great words are spoken, no profound thoughts on

Statepoint Media Crossword Theme: Summer Fun ACROSS 1. Heart of Inca empire 5. *Drink it iced in the heat 8. Increase 11. U.S. ____ golf major 12. *What summer’s days do for kids with no plans 13. Frequently 15. Organ of photosynthesis 16. Comfort 17. “Dressed to the _____” 18. *Often sold roadside 20. Hurry up 21. Large passenger ship 22. National Institutes of Health 23. *Growing place 26. Percussion instrument played with small mallets 30. “___ Whitney,” invented the cotton gin

31. Move sideways or in unsteady way 34. Standard 35. “Don’t _____ words!” 37. Generous with its money 38. “Let’s _____ to disagree” 39. ___ Verde National Park 40. “Little Women” novelist 42. Pick up, as in suspect 43. Nemo’s home plant 45. *Cool cruise destination 47. Cherry middle 48. Eskimo boat 50. *It’s in need of protection 52. *The hotter it is, the faster it goes 56. Reeked 57. Half-way around the world from US 58. Known for its notebooks 59. Messages between computers to make sure they’re working 60. American composer of popular music (1885-1945) 61. Bring together

62. Paul is to Simon as this is to Garfunkel 63. “No thank you. I already ___.” 64. Margarine DOWN 1. It’s often conducted by Gallup 2. D’Artagnan’s sword 3. Quantity of paper 4. Lay out, as in a map 5. *What kids do with baseball cards 6. One who relieves 7. ___ of Aquarius 8. Sicilian volcano 9. “____ trying!” 10. Half the width of em in printing 12. ____ Favre 13. Currently broadcasting 14. *It’s easy to get hooked doing this 19. Sister’s daughter 22. Indian bread 23. Fashion designer Kahng 24. Sigourney Weaver’s box-office hit J U L Y

25. Shampoo, _____, repeat 26. Office document 27. Between dawn and noon, pl. 28. *No school 29. Single-cell protozoan 32. Rattling 33. More of the same 36. *Roughing it 38. *Road-tripping guide 40. *Don’t let him ruin your picnic 41. Australian venomous snake 44. Pig sounds 46. With hands on hips and elbows out 48. Cinderella’s win 49. Silk-patterned fabric 50. Evoke emotion 51. 18th century German philosopher 53. Finish a surface, as in a wall 54. Muffin Man’s Drury ____ 55. Edible root of taro plants 56. Masseuse’s office 57. Also known as 2009

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COMMUNITY

funride green car sharing program comes to slo By Sandy Baer

years ago and after extensive research and private funding, FunRide joins the list of SLO’s “firsts.” A concept originated in Switzerland and popular in Europe and Canada, only 50 car-sharing services exist in the United States today. “FunRide was developed to combine the cost savings benefits of carsharing with our country’s need to encourage the use of alternative fuel vehicles,” Shaffer says. “We hope to serve local residents, visitors and local businesses and government, offering them an alternative to Americans traditional belief that to have a vehicle is to own a vehicle,” Shaffer adds. Wouldbe users can register for an initial $25 processing fee (for FunCard, membership information packet, et. al.) and the first year’s membership fee of $30.

Mark Shaffer with one of the five FunRide Cars

ast month, U. S. News and World Report magazine rated San Luis Obispo as one of the top ten places to live in the United States. With an emphasis on “affordable communities that have strong economies and plenty of fun things to do,” SLO ranked number eight with other communities including Albuquerque, NM, Austin, TX, and Loveland, CO. Temperate weather, natural beauty and cultural attractions all contribute to our highly desirable environs. San Luis Obispo is known for its “firsts” – Thursday night’s Farmers’ Market and strict no-smoking policies are both “firsts,” now prototypes for communities across the country. Beginning today, we have another first – FunRide, the first exclusively green car-sharing program in the United States. Mark Shaffer, dubbed the “transportation guru” by Barnett, Cox & Associates and the founding Executive Director of Ride-On had an idea some four

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FunRide members pay $6 per hour and 40 cents per mile driven. An alternative plan is $20 a month with a $5 per hour fee and 30 cents per mile driven. Business and government plans are also available. “You can make a reservation online 24/7 for a particular vehicle three months in advance or five minutes before you need the vehicle,” Shaffer says. Five home locations, or pods, are located downtown with a fleet of five 2009 vehicles, including a truck and a Volkswagen Jetta tdi, all operating on alternative fuels, including bio-diesel, electricity, natural gas and flex-fuels. There are two pods at First Bank of SLO, two pods at the County Government Center and one at the Shell station on Monterey Street. A pilot program will include a pod at the Holiday Inn Express. Your FunCard swipes over a sensor on the windshield and unlocks the car and off you go to work or errand-running, attend a meeting, meet a friend for lunch or take a drive along the coast. Vehicles are returned to the original pod. As Deborah Cash, Downtown Association Executive Director says, “Any type of transportation program that provides additional access to downtown is a good idea. Today we are seeing the results of efforts made ten years ago to encourage people to car pool, ride bikes and busses downtown. If we plant the seed now that there are alternative ways to get around, it gives people an option and we become a less car-reliant society.” “There are several benefits to FunRide car-sharing,” Shaffer says. “Selling your vehicle and using FunRide can save you as much as $450 in monthly transportation costs. Visitors can save money by renting a FunRide vehicle for only the hours they need versus the high daily and weekly rates of traditional rental cars.” Sounds like fun to me! For more information or to join FunRide check out their web site at www.myfunride.com or call 441-0851.

Downtown

Around

The Magazine of Downtown San Luis Obispo

Inside:

W h a t â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s U p New Business News

July 2009

W h a t ’ s

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D o w n t o w n

ven the threat of rain couldn’t keep the great Farmers’ Market!’” So while the ‘em away…the usual throngs packed article didn’t exactly get around to listing Mission Plaza on June 5 under cloudy Downtown as one of the reasons for the pick, skies to listen to great music (SIKO, under we’re certain that it’s part of the package of a tent of course) kick off the summer and the “town” they reference as being infused enjoy friends, family and good times at with “intellectual energy.” And music! the opening of this year’s Concerts in the Plaza. So it will go (without the sprinkles, nd while we’re also happy that there’s we hope) throughout the season as we always something going on Downtown, Deborah Cash, CMSM, Executive Director bring you a total of 13 weeks of first-class we do want to let you know if you’re entertainment, delicious refreshments, an planning on spending the day here July 5, unbeatable setting and fun, fun, fun. For free! Be the Central Coast Cycling Classic/Downtown SLO sure to spend your July 3 holiday at our doubleCriterium, hosted by Nimble Creative Events, will header featuring Grüvething and Tres Gatos! be holding its annual bicycle race on that date and Downtown streets will be closed to vehicular e were happy to learn that SLO was picked traffic from 2:30 AM until 8 PM. So you’ll want by US News and World Report as one to park in one of the structures or outside the of the top 10 places to live in America. closure and walk in. Pedestrians will be able to Of course, we already knew that, and while we cross streets at designated areas during the race. think it’s our little secret, it’s really not. I can’t Local businesses will appreciate your patronage tell you how many times I’ve heard some version and the racers will appreciate your cheers. of this story, “Whenever I travel and tell people I’m from SLO, they say, ‘Oh, that cute town with

On the Cover: Red, white and bubbles! Kids of all ages enjoy Downtown fun including two in-the-spirit young ladies at last year’s Independence Day celebration at Thursday Night Farmers’ Market. Photo by Deborah Cash

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ecause of the frequency of our activities Downtown, and those of other groups, we strive to provide readers (local and visitors) with event info and the latest goings-on both for your enjoyment and, in the case of street closures, construction, etc., for your convenience. Most of this is on our website www.downtownslo.com that we are currently in the process of redesigning. And, you can also visit us on our social networking Facebook pages: SLO Farmers’ Market, San Luis Obispo Downtown Association and Concerts in the Plaza. Be a friend, be a fan!

’d like to take this opportunity to introduce the newest member of the Downtown team, Reyes Miranda, Promotions Coordinator. Reyes, a Cal Poly Graduate with a degree in Journalism/public relations is a sports fiend whose background includes management and event coordination. Reyes was a former intern for the Downtown Association whose main project was the annual Holiday Parade (We think maybe he pulled a Santa shift or two as well!). For information on event participation,

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et another event that you might want to add to your list of fun things to do Downtown is Taste of San Luis®. Since 1993, Taste of San Luis® has showcased the best epicurean fare from our area as a fundraiser for Downtown projects. This year, on Wednesday, September 9, plan to enjoy yourselves outdoors, under the stars in a spectacularly decorated Mission Plaza, enjoying foods and beverages from more than 60 vendors and end the evening disco dancing the night away at Taste of San Luis® Wednesday Night Fever. All ticketed guests receive reserved seating, a souvenir wine glass, complimentary welcome bubbly and unlimited sampling. If you haven’t before attended this event, “It Only Takes A Minute” to reserve your space for this “September” event where Downtown will become “Funky Town” and early birds won’t have to “Hustle” to get tickets. Yes, come to Taste and you too, can Boogie, Oogie, Oogie and Turn the Beat…around, Downtown.

Reyes Miranda, Promotions Coordinator

REIS FAMILY

D o w n t o w n

N e w

B u s i n e s s

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Growing Grounds Downtown Christine Story, Program Coordinator 956 Chorro Street 544-4967 www.T-MHA.org

illed with colorful plants, locally crafted products and friendly employees, Growing Grounds Downtown is the place to go for your gardening needs. A member of the Downtown community for five years now, Growing Grounds Downtown continually offers a variety of opportunities and services to both its employees and customers.

rowing Grounds Downtown is unique to Downtown because it is a retail outlet program of TransitionsMental Health Association, a non-profit organization committed to reducing the stigma of mental illness, maximizing personal potential and providing innovative mental health services to individual families in need. “Growing Grounds Downtown provides a variety of services for people with special needs,” says Christine Story, program coordinator. Benefits include employment

for those who have mental health issues, education on job skills and preparedness, and opportunities for socialization.

rowing Grounds Downtown benefits the SLO community in two ways: through their education of mental illness to the public and by providing educational seminars on a variety of gardening topics. Topics for some of their seminars include native plants, drought tolerant plants, composting, and succulents. Growing Grounds Downtown also offers vegetable plants, which encourages people to be more self-sufficient through growing their own vegetables. Growing Grounds attends the Thursday Night Farmers’ Market where their products are also available.

or more information about Transitions-Mental Health Association and the services offered at Growing Grounds Downtown, check out their website at www. t-mha.org. Growing Grounds Downtown is open MondaySaturday 10:00am-5:00pm and Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm. By Kyle Schnurr

neighboring location allowed Walker to explore her passion to open up Granada. She says it enabled her to open up a store that “fills a niche that was missing in San Luis Obispo.”

Granada

Kimberly Walker, Owner (pictured left with Dayna Bennett, server) 1126 Morro Street 556-4211 o you want to experience the feel of a quaint European or New York style bistro right here in Downtown SLO? For those who enjoy wine and the social sophistication of a tucked-away chic café, Kimberly Walker’s “Granada” provides the perfect setting. Patrons feel right at home in the well-appointed but comfortable environment where the walls are hung with art and mirrors and the furniture invites you to stay awhile. ranada is located on Morro Street right next door to another business owned by Walker, “Borracha,” where she sells her renowned “Wine Wipes.” The opening of “Borracha” and the convenience of the

Stephen Patrick Design

Stephen Patrick, Owner 849 Monterey Street, Suite 209 544-3326 www.StephenPatrickDesign.com

mall and quaint, Granada is a bistro/lounge that offers finger foods such as paninis, cheese plates, tapas and delicious imported beer and wines. Granada also offers “Amy’s famous cupcakes,” in which a different cupcake is baked daily. Walker has always been a wine lover, and that passion is converted into the wine selection at Granada. There are many types of imported wines where each glass is offered at the same price; as Walker says, “It’s not the price that matters, but the taste.” Granada is one of those intimate little places where you can come in, get cozy and enjoy a little food and wine and you don’t have to go far to get there. By Tommy Gatta is to bring a Los Angeles/New York design edge to San Luis Obispo. He provides full interior remodeling including: flooring, lighting, window coverings, artwork, furniture, accessories and more. Stephen Patrick Design incorporates a beautifully designed showroom for customers to browse and a designer on sight to help with any client’s needs. Stephen Patrick Design is open seven days a week and is located at 849 Monterey Street next to The Bladerunner Salon and Day Spa.

rom floor to ceiling, Stephen Patrick Design can help you transform your home or commercial property into a high-end space. Owner Stephen Patrick has been an interior designer for 20 years and decided to open his store on Monterey Street because, he said, “Downtown San Luis Obispo is a unique By Chelsea Buttress place.” Patrick’s design style ranges from contemporary to Mediterranean with a bit of eclectic flair; he says his goal

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