Arts in the Park Page 5
Life Morro
JULY 2014
Getting out of town Page 11
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EVERYTHING MORRO BAY
Inside ... Wood Duck nest box It’s all about Strategy Tour and More Art Show Shorebirds Community Calendar
Ruling the water
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CGA and DB&W offer summer youth programs
Get to know your merchant
By Allyson Oken Of Morro Bay Life
MBMA hosts Merchant Fair Aug. 3 By Allyson Oken Of Morro Bay Life
MORRO BAY — Live music, booty shaking, kids activities, great gifts and tasty treats are all part of the Morro Bay Merchants Associations Summer Street Fair. This free event kicks off at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 3. Cyndee Edwards, Morro Bay Merchant Association president, is one of the go-getters planning this event. She explained that the Merchant Fair has been a Morro Bay tradition for the past four decades. Edwards said, “This has been hosted in Morro Bay 40 years this year; people expect to experience great art, including recycled and repurposed works. There will also be local food, entertainment and music at this family friendly event. This is also an opportunity to meet your local nonprofits and meet local business owners, both established and new community partners that are passionate. For local business owners, this is
Dungeness crab is just one of many possibilities for purchase if the Morro Bay whole fish sales project passes. Photo contributed.
Potential for whole fish sales Morro Bay Harbor Board waits for approval By Allyson Oken For Morro Bay Life
MORRO BAY — The day’s catch may soon be sold dockside in Morro Bay if the City Council approves. This all began at the May 1 Harbor Advisory Board meeting, when it was proposed that the board designate a dock for whole fish sales. HAB president Jeff Eckles said that this project is in the planning stages, but he is confident the City Council will support the endeavor. Eckles said, “We are right at the beginning phase and have not yet appeared before the board. At our May meeting, Harbor Master Eric Endersby informed the board that local fishermen had expressed interest in having a fish dock where they might sell fish right off the boat. We voted unanimously to recommend to City Council the establishment of a temporary dock, for at least one year, to be used for direct
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sales of whole fish to the public by commercial fishing boats. Now Endersby will be seeking possible locations to recommend to the City Council as viable dock space. I am confident based on past interactions with the City Council that they will support our project.” Endersby said at the May 1 meeting that with the advent of the “Fish Line” seafood app and other internet-based, real-time advertising, there is renewed interest in a central location for fish sales in Morro Bay. The board discussed possible locations of public docks that might be used, mentioning Tidelands dock, or a dock inside the Measure D area such as the oyster barge location. According to Eckles, building a dock specifically for this project could happen. He said that selling fish dockside would be a challenge logistically, but that it would be a great benefit once the kinks were ironed out.
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45 years running rock to pier MORRO BAY — Running from rock to pier on rugged sandy terrain has become a 45-year tradition in Morro Bay. The Brian Waterbury Memorial Rock to Pier Run is a 6-mile beach run from Morro Rock to the Cayucos Pier beginning at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, July 12. The event also includes The Rock’n Around the Pier Half Marathon. This is a 13.1-mile run held primarily on the beach Please turn to Page 3
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Dockside in Morro Bay are the Coast Guard life boats at the ready. This is just another part of summer explorations for youth that join the boating safety class. Photos contributed by Coast Guard of Morro Bay.
Monthly publication dedicated to covering everything in Morro Bay, CA.
Remembering founder Brian Waterbury
The 45th annual Rock to Pier Run is set to run in Morro Bay July 12 with a thousand or more participants. Photo submitted by Morro Bay Recreation and Parks.
MORRO BAY — A summer of learning on the water with the Morro Bay Coast Guard Auxiliary and Department of Boating and Waterways is what teens can sign for and do during July and August. Brian Jalbert, of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, is offering teens, ages 14 to 18, basic boating safety as well as a chance to talk to and learn from members of the Coast Guard. This is an opportunity for young people to learn about the Coast Guard, make connections and ascertain if they would like to pursue this as a career. Jalbert said, “We, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, teach a basic boating safety class, called ‘About Boating Safety’ and we will offer discounts to teens, ages 1418. The class is usually $45, but we will discount to $25 for teens. We will offer the class on the second Saturday of the month in July and August. Participants do not need to have experience to join and learn. For me, it’s a pleasure working with kids, especially to help them develop awareness of good boating
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Ruling the Water
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practices early on. Hopefully, they can then educate their parents!”
This years boating safety curriculum includes: Introduction to Boating — Types of boats. Boating Law — Boat registration; boating regulation; Federal boat law; state boating laws; personal watercraft requirements. Boat Safety Equipment — Life jackets; fire extinguishers; sound-producing devices; flares; dock lines and rope. Safe Boating — Bow riding; alcohol and drug abuse; entering, loading and trimming a boat; fueling portable and permanent tanks; steering with a tiller and a wheel; docking, undocking and mooring; knots; filing a float plan; checking equipment, fuel, weather and tides; using charts; choosing and using an anchor; safe PWC handling; and general water safety. Navigation — The U.S. Aids to Navigation system; types of buoys and beacons; navigation rules sometimes referred to as right-of-way rules; avoiding collisions; sound signals; and PWC “tunnel vision.” Boating Problems — Hypothermia; boating accidents and rescues; man overboard recovery; capsizing; running aground; river hazards; strainers; emergency radio calls; engine problems; equipment failures; carbon monoxide (CO); other boating and PWC problems. Trailering, Storing and Protecting Your Boat — Best practices. Hunting and Fishing, Water-skiing and River Boating — Carrying hunting gear and weapons in a boat; water-skiing safety guidelines and hand signals; and other boating tips. Jalbert said that the Coast Guard Auxiliary is always looking for new members as well and that this boating
safety course may get interested youths headed in the right direction to sign on. Anyone interested in joining this summer learning experience or the Coast Guard Auxiliary, may contact Jaibert by calling 423-1361 or emailing bnjalbert@gmail. com. Other boating activities are also available this summer through the Department of Boating and Waterways organization in Morro Bay. Wayne Hamari, who operates a youth sailing program on behalf of the department, will be offering activities in the county. He said they teach kids and teens to handle small maneuverable crafts. “We teach basic small boat handling and boater safety,” said Hamari. “My favorite part about offering youth these opportunities is seeing confidence Youths get to learn from the Coast Guard of Morro Bay. Photo contributed by Coast Guard of shown when a kid sails solo for the first Morro Bay time.” Participants need to be ages 9 to 17 and must pass a water comfort test before they may join. The cost is $160 per session — 4 days of 4 hours a day. Scholarships are available. Those that sign on for the summer can assist in the classroom of the youth sailing program held at Santa Margarita Lake by the SLOCO Aquatic Center and should call Hamari at 441-2589 for additional information. These are just two opportunities for kids to get involved in water activities and learn about boating. To learn more about these programs, contact Jalbert at 423-1361 or Hamari at 441-2589. Morro Bay Coast Guards rarely come on land, but when they do they are stationed here. Photo contributed by Coast Guard of Morro Bay.
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Morro Bay Coast Guard is always prepared to render aid with on the water support station. By joining the auxiliary people are being able to go out on these boats and save lives. Photo contributed by Coast Guard of Morro Bay
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Wood duck nest box project
By Ruth Ann Angus
For Morro Bay Life
Wood ducks are one of the most soughtafter waterfowl sightings by birdwatchers. Their spectacular plumage puts them in a class by themselves. The scientific name for wood ducks is Aix sponsa, and it literally means, “water bird in bridal dress.” Wood ducks fell on hard times as America grew in population. They became one of the most hunted of all ducks. Combined with loss of their natural wetland habitat, this nearly caused them to become extinct. Protection came with the enactment of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. However, a big factor in the recovery of wood ducks has been the use of nest boxes. Two Morro Bay residents who belong to the California Waterfowl Association take part in a wood duck nest box project. Gary Owens is both District Manager and Project Manager and Fred Harpster helps out with banding birds. For years these two, and others who joined the project to
Running
help, have erected wood duck boxes in the trees along the Nacimiento River on Camp Roberts. They have placed approximately 30 nest boxes in appropriate locations and six to eight times a year they would make the trip to the location to maintain them. Unfortunately, recent changes within Camp Roberts have put a stop to their work. Nest boxes were also placed on some area ranches. “It’s critical to clean out the boxes after a nesting season,” Owens said. “We would also go up during incubation time to band the hens, so we are concerned about not having access at this time.” Nesting activity begins in March. “The birds naturally nest in a cavity in a tree near water,” Owens said. “The hen has to pick a nest hole sized so that it will protect the brood from the elements and Please turn to Page 6
Fred Harpster and Gary Owens at a wood duck nest box. Photo by Ruth Ann Angus.
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from Morro Rock to Cayucos Pier and back to Morro Rock also beginning at 6:30 a.m. According to Heather SalyerFrith, Recreation Supervisor for the City of Morro Bay Recreation and Parks Department, they adopted this race in 1986 and dedicated it to its founder. “In 1970, Brian Waterbury and Terry Record, former collegiate competitive runners, decided to start a race in Morro Bay because there was not a race in the Estero Bay Community,” Salyer-Frith said. “In 1974, Brian helped form the San Luis Distance Club and with the club, Brian was able to continue the run until 1986. In 1986, the Morro Bay Recreation Department was looking for additional recreational activities to provide to the community and adopted the Rock to Pier Run. When Brian passed away from melanoma in 2003, the race was renamed in his honor. This year, 2014, marks the 45th Annual Rock to Pier Run.” Some of the community partners that participate to make this race a big
success are Shoreline Calvary Chapel, which prepares and serves breakfast to all participants, and Kitzman Culligan Water, which donates all of the water for this event. Salyer-Frith also said that they rely heavily on community volunteers and can always use more help. All types of people participate in this event, from competitive runners such as the San Luis Distance Club, which are actively involved. Salyer-Frith said, “People come from all over the world, even as far away as New Zealand to participate each year. We often have high school cross country teams compete as well. Families often make this run part of their yearly reunion or celebration. All of the proceeds from this run go toward the department’s youth sports programming. We typically have about 1,200 to 1,400 participants and with the additional half-marathon, another 200 to 300 participants. “I personally have to not run this race, I tend to be working registration
or at the finish line,” said Salyer-Frith. “Karen Sweeny, Recreational Sports Supervisor, has walked the course many times in preparation. However, many city employees and officials have run the race, past mayors, councilmembers, city managers, department heads — this list goes on.” According to Salyer-Frith, the course itself is unique. Participants run along the coastline and experience the beauty of the bay. Sweeny, who has been planning and coordinating this run for 10 years, believes the enjoyment of the participants is a highlight of this event. Also hearing the stories of how many times they have run this race and why they come back each year is a special part of the event. This is a great community event in Morro Bay, for many a tradition and a day of remembering the man behind the run, Waterbury. Runners may sign up through July 3 by visiting https:// endurancecui.active.com/event-reg/selectrace?e=5714004. To learn more about this
event, visit www.morro-bay.ca.us.
Course Records for the Brian Waterbury Memorial Rock to Pier Run
Men’s Division 30 minutes and 20 seconds posted by Billy Nelson in 2009 Previous record 30:44 posted by Ed Cadena in the late 70’s Women’s Division 34:53 posted by Linda Somer Smith in 2003
Course Records for the Rock’n Around the Pier Half Marathon
Men’s Division 1:11:51 posted by Cameron Miller in 2012
Women’s Division 1:34:09 posted by Rebecca Cutler in 2012
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Merchant
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their chance to encourage promotion of their business to the community and region. Participating this year will be local businesses and nonprofits such as the Morro Bay Library, Estero Bay Community Radio Station KEBF 97.3 FM, regional and local fair vendors, including artists, bands and independent business owners. There will even be a belly-dancing troupe. Edwards says her favorite part about hosting the event is encouraging local shopping and support of the local business community. “Both brick and mortar, independents, artists, entrepreneurial vendors, both locally and regionally,” said Edwards. “I also feel lucky for our recent collaboration with the Tourism Board and the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce on a ‘Shop Local’ campaign to encourage local and regional patronage. We also need help this year in
the form of volunteers to help set up the event. As we are a nonprofit, 100 percent of the proceeds goes to support our local businesses in various advertising and marketing channels and to support other local nonprofits like SLO Womenade and Caroling for Cops.” With all of the great community partners that the MBMA has accumulated over their 40 years hosting this event, it’s usually seamless and packed to the curbs with various things to buy. The idea is to promote local shops and inspire people to buy and shop local. The MBMA is dedicated to its mission to support the local business community and as Edwards said they are a nonprofit so they need support to continue to promote the Morro Bay merchant community. To Thousands of people come out each year to enjoy the Morro Bay Merchants Association learn more about the MBMA, visit www. Summer Street Fair. With about 100 participating businesses every year, this event has a lot morro-bay.net or email mbma to offer. Photo contributed by MBMA.
Business & Service Directory
Morro Bay Life - July 2014 - 5
Fish Sales
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“Part of the challenge will be setting dates and times for sales as well as the consistency of the catch,” said Eckles. “So far about a dozen or so fishermen expressed interest in selling fish dockside. As soon as we get on the City Council agenda and if we are approved, we will begin to pursue this project. It will be great once it gets going.” Other possible locations discussed at the meeting by Endersby were the streetend public docks at the Galley Restaurant, Rose’s and Associated Pacific. These are more centrally located, which would be good for foot traffic — another potential Some of the Morro Bay fishing royalty. Photo issue — and these docks are not heavily used by boaters. contributed.
The only other hitch in the plan mentioned at the May meeting was that Health Department regulations would not allow fish processing or cleaning at the dock. If all goes as planned, the Morro Bay City Council will be presented with this information in July and hopefully approve the Harbor Advisory Board’s proposal. To view City Council agendas, visit www. morro-bay.ca.us. There are more than 60 different varieties of fish in Morro Bay and if the city approves the caught fish can be sold whole directly off of the boats. Photo contributed.
Independence Day Arts in the Park MBAA hosts event July 4-6
By Allyson Oken Of Morro Bay Life
MORRO BAY — Celebrate the Fourth of July in Morro Bay in a creative way by attending the Arts in the Park Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning Friday, July 4 and ending Sunday July 6. The event will be held at the corner of Morro Bay Boulevard and Harbor Street. There will be handmade arts and crafts for sale, live music and treats to eat at this free and dog friendly event.
Barb Fageol, one of the many wonderful event planners and members of the MBAA, explained what people could look forward to at this year’s Arts in the Park. This is just one of many ways to occupy the weekend of the Fourth and provides a peek of Morro Bay culture, a dash of color and a wealth of vibrant variation. Fageol said that this will be the group’s 59th year hosting this event. “I have helped put this event on before and this year is our 59th year,” she said with enthusiasm. “People expect to see paintings, jewelry, photography, wood
A sneak peek of what Morro Bay Arts in the Park has to offer for its July Fourth weekend event. Photo contributed by MBAA, Barb Fageol.
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working, ceramics, painted umbrellas, quilts, weaving, knitting, some local foods and there should be at least two vendors selling and playing their DVD’s or instruments they make. We expect to have 80-plus vendors this year. It should be just as successful as the Memorial Day event we just hosted.” At the Memorial Day event, there were hundreds of people out for the weekend to enjoy the creations of Morro Bay’s arts community. At the event, there were ceramics, crafts, paintings, knickknacks
and a variety of abstract works. These were all up for sale and the Arts in the Park events are a place to find a new work of art to adorn the walls or shelves back at home. This is a family event and all are welcome, even the family dog. If the Memorial Day event was any indication, there will be a landscape of tents with all manner of creations. There is no charge to browse. To learn more about this event and how to participate, call 772-2504 or visit www. artcentermorrobay.com.
Just a few of the vibrant creations the Morro Bay Arts in the Park event has to offer. Photo contributed by MBAA, Barb Fageol.
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Project
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predators. But nest boxes offer a better solution since they are made especially for these small ducks. “We construct the nest boxes ourselves,” Owen said. “They are 12 inches by 10 inches by 24 inches and have an oval hole 3 inches high and 4 inches wide — just the right size for wood ducks to fit.” The boxes are placed in trees about 10 to 12 feet off the ground. Predators are always a problem, but the boxes are built to discourage this. “They are just too deep for a raccoon to be able to grab out an egg or duckling,” Owens said. A hen lays about 10 to 15 eggs in a nest although up to 30 eggs have been found. This last is due to nest dumping by females who don’t have an established nest. “Females usually lay one egg a day for 10 days or more,” explained Owens, “then she incubates them for about 28 days.” One day after hatching, the young leave the boxes. One by one, hatchlings perch on Fred Harpster opening wood duck nest box the edge of the nest cavity, grip with the with Gary Owens. Photos by Ruth Ann Angus. sharp claws on their webbed feet, balance with their tails and then leap the 20 or 30 feet to the ground where the hen is waiting. Once all the young have made the great leap, the hen leads them down to the water. This sometimes can be up to a quarter of a mile away. “Male wood ducks do stay near the nest site, but don’t go in the boxes,” Owens said. “They meet with the hen and forage with her.” No one can dispute that the male, or drake, is beautiful. He is decked out in feathers of many colors; green, white, blue, yellow, brown, buff and black, and is further enhanced with bright red eyes rimmed in yellow and an orange bill streaked with white and tipped in black. While the female, or hen, is less colorful, she too has her own distinctive and striking color patterns with tear-shaped white around the eyes and shades of blue amongst her brown and buff plumage. Both birds have a distinctive crest, although the male’s is more pronounced. Saw whet owl chicks. Photos by Ruth Ann “Many other birds use these boxes,” Angus. Owens said, “kestrels, screech owls, saw whet owls and flickers are all just the right size for these boxes.” Owens and Harpster hope that the restrictions to access at Camp Roberts will be lifted soon. When this happens, they would welcome some younger helpers. “We’re getting a little old to be climbing up these ladders to the boxes,” Owens said. Thanks to projects like these, the population of wood ducks is stable and they are now one of the most abundant waterfowl.
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Fred Harpster holding wood duck hen to be banded. Photos by Ruth Ann Angus.
Eggs in wood duck nestbox. Photos by Ruth Ann Angus.
Gary Owens checking wood duck nest box. Photos by Ruth Ann Angus.
Saw whet owl and nestlings and eggs in wood duck nest box. Photos by Ruth Ann Angus.
Morro Bay Life - July 2014 - 7
It’s all about strategy By Ruth Ann Angus For Morro Bay Life
Jennifer Redman is an unusual female. She likes math. This is probably why she is good at what she does. Redman is a financial advisor for Edward Jones Company on Kennedy Way in Morro Bay. After graduating from California State University at Sacramento with a degree in International Business and Marketing, she found herself employed by the Pillsbury Company, a division of General Mills. Yes, that’s the one with the Pillsbury Dough Boy. “Friends loved me,” she commented, “I always had lots of left over pastries!” The job took her throughout her territory and one of her travels brought her
to the Central Coast. “It was so beautiful I knew this was where I wanted to settle,” she said. Redman chose the investment world 13 years ago and became a financial advisor. She drew upon her experiences with the Pillsbury Company where she recognized that she had a desire to help people. “I love numbers,” she said, “and I like solving problems for people.” This is Redman’s goal, to make people feel good about life and help them have joy and happiness. The financial world gave her a way to do that with numbers. Redman’s clients range in age from their 40s to beyond their 60s. Some are just planning for retirement and others are already retired. “I help people with
their small business finance decisions, or maybe they need advice on life insurance or developing a college fund for their children,” she commented. Whatever the desire is, Redman approaches their problems in a different way. “I have people come in with their investment portfolios and they tell me this is their plan,” she said. “I tell them, no, this is your tool, not your strategy for retirement.” Redman says that no matter what your plan is, whether it is a 401K, or a pension, or some other type of investment plan, those are tools to use to get you where you want to go with the rest of your life. It’s the strategy that counts and that is what she helps her clients develop. She asks them questions like these: — Where are you now? — What is your income versus your debt? — Where do you want to go? — What’s important to you? — How can we get you there and then keep you on track. Sometimes what people need to do is make a realistic monthly budget. “I don’t want to cut out your life,” she commented, “but I want to make sure that you can live your life and not end up homeless.” Often this is difficult advice for people to hear. “Reality can be hard,” she said, “but I need to bring reality back into the picture.” Redman gives a free half hour consultation to anyone, no matter the state of their finances. “My clients are here to see me because they have a problem,” she said, “and I have to find every idea to solve the problem and let them know what they can do and can’t do. I help them not to worry anymore.” As for young people, she says they need to approach putting money away for
Jennifer Redman is a financial advisor for Edward Jones Company on Kennedy Way in Morro Bay. Photos by Ruth Ann Angus.
retirement savings as one of their monthly bills just like their cell phone bill or their credit card bill instead of looking at it as a forced savings. Then when they are 40 or 50 they need to make sure they are putting enough into that plan because inflation eats up money. By retirement, they need to see how to make that money stretch and work for them to achieve the life they desire to live. Currently Redman’s extracurricular activities include being president of the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce. She is also vocational chairperson for Rotary Club of Morro Bay and in the past has served on the board of Friends of the Library and on the board and chair for Morro Bay Women’s Connection. She is married and has three children and enjoys most spending quality time with them. While her job is a serious one, Redman has her silly side, too. Once she put her hair in pigtails, affixed on some fairy wings, got her kids and their friends dressed up in costumes and along with another friend took them all trekking through the pine trees on the climb up to Black Hill, all the way singing and laughing. “People were staring at us as we drove to where we started our hike,” she said, “I mean it wasn’t Halloween or anything.” Redman was just a little taken back when she ran smack into one of her clients at the top of the hill, but she took it all in stride. It was just part of her strategy about life — take it seriously, but have fun.
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An underwater tour and more By Ruth Ann Angus For Morro Bay Life
Where can you go to take a ride in a submarine? In Morro Bay, of course. While the Beatles made it popular with the hit song “Yellow Submarine,” it is one of the most popular tourist attractions here in Morro Bay, too. Dubbed the Sub Sea Tours, the SSV Seaview is a 21-passenger, U.S. Coast Guard-approved, semi-submersible vessel owned and operated from the Marina Square dock by Kevin Winfield and Rose Marie Battaglia and their daughter Shawna and son Mario. The bright little boat takes folks to special spots where the hidden undersea life of Morro Bay is revealed. The first part of a tour starts with everyone topside. From this vantage point, it’s easy to spot cavorting sea lions near the docks, sea otters wrapped in kelp munching on shellfish, and a variety of birds, including pelicans, grebes, gulls, cormorants, herons and egrets. Once arriving at the kelp beds near the north end of the harbor, the captain has half the people descend into the depths of
the submarine. Here expansive viewing windows reveal the underwater scene. To attract fish, the captain throws special food into the water. Suddenly the windows are alive with a blizzard of jack and topsmelt. These sleek, silvery fish swim in a frenzy gobbling up the handout. After the first group spends time down below, the captain signals for them to come up topside and the rest of the group goes below. “I’m pretty sure we’re the only yellow submarine operating on the California coast,” Winfield says, and he knows he has a very special niche market here in Morro Bay. Recently both his daughter and son obtained their inland captain licenses so often one of them is at the helm. An inland captain license allows them to pilot vessels only within the bay. But the yellow sub isn’t all that Winfield offers. In whale watching seasons, he takes out the 22-passenger, 33-foot, U.S. Coast Guard-approved Dos Osos catamaran for trips on the open ocean to hunt for humpback or grey whales. During the summer months, from about June through October, a population of
humpback whales swims to the waters off Morro Bay to feed. Lately some truly awesome sightings have been happening with spy hopping and breaching occurring. The whales especially enjoy showing their large tails as they dive deeply into the ocean searching for sardines and krill. This is a 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hour tour several miles offshore. The Dos Osos is an open boat making it easier to spot and hopefully photograph these leviathans of the sea. Winfield has even seen blue whales measuring up to 100 feet at times in these waters. Minke whales, fin whales, harbor seals, sea lions, Pacific whitesided dolphins, and sea otters along with a variety of seabirds are also seen regularly. In winter months, from December through April, there are trips to see the migrating grey whales traveling from their feeding grounds in the Bering Sea to waters in the lagoons of Mexico where females will give birth and mating will take place. Around March, the whales start their return journey to the north and often these tours will spot females and calves making their first long journey with their mothers. The catamaran is not solely used for
whale watching tours. Special wildlife tours of Morro Bay are often held and on this tour of the back bay you are likely to see harbor seals, sea lions, sea otters and a great variety of the more than 200 species of birds that frequent Morro Bay. A tour at sunset is especially beautiful. By special appointment you can arrange to have a romantic cruise, birthday cruise or party cruise. If you want to explore the estuary by yourself, Winfield has kayaks and canoes for rent. Single and double kayaks are available and canoes can accommodate two to five people. Paddles, lifejackets and backrests are provided. He also offers rental of stand up paddleboards and the giant 10-person party canoe. Another service Winfield offers are ash scatterings and memorials. Winfield is a United States Coast Guard-certified captain and is also a registered cremated remains disposer. Call 772-WIND(9463) for schedules, rates and reservations or visit www. subseatours.com.
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1. Sub Sea submarine at dock with Morro Rock in background. 2. Top smelt being viewed through underwater window o0f Sub Sea Submarine. 3. Kids and people viewing the fish in the Sub Sea Submarine. 4. Humpback whale’s tail and sea lions and people on Dos Osos Catamaran on whale watching tour. 5. Humpback diving (Tail) with Morro Rock in background. 6. Dos Osos Whale Watching Catamaran on tour. Photos by Ruth Ann Angus.
Morro Bay Life - July 2014 - 9
Vessels Morro Bay juried art show Hosted by MBAA July 3 to Aug. 11 By Allyson Oken Of Morro Bay Life
MORRO BAY — Falling in line with Morro Bay’s artistic roots, the Morro Bay Art Association will be hosting a juried art
Carolyn Braun’s pastel ‘Boat Reflections’ won honorable mention at the juried Palette Talent Art Exhibit at Art Center Morro Bay. Photo contributed by the Morro Bay Art Association.
show entitled “Vessels.” It opens July 3 and culminates Aug. 11. A reception takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. July 11. According to Barb Fageol, a member of the MBAA, the juried show will feature members’ interpretations of “vessel.” Fageol said, “We will be taking submissions July 1. This type of art shown will be all kinds, 2-D and 3-D works. It is a juried show and I would imagine it will be a blind jury. We will, of course, offer prizes to the winners. It is always lots of fun to see the work people create.” This is just one of many opportunities that the Morro Bay Art Association creates for people of all ages. They offer summer classes, provide scholarships to students and host a variety of children’s art shows throughout the year. From 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 12 and 19, instructor Leonore Messenger will be teaching children’s art classes for ages 4 and 5 — accompanied by an adult — and to age 9. If older children would like to participate, there may also be room for a few to learn while assisting the instructor. These classes will take place at the Activity Room in the Art Center Morro Bay, located at 835 Main Street in Morro Bay. There is a small cost for materials and a fee of $12 for each student, which includes all classes. As
Park Merrill’s oil ‘The Green Cows’ won first place at the juried Palette Talent Art Exhibit at Art Center Morro Bay. Photo contributed by the Morro Bay Art Association.
always, scholarships are available. Another class being offered that could prepare artists to enter the next juried art shows is a pastels class taught by Carolyn Braun. Classes will be held the second and fourth Thursdays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. The cost per class is $20 for MBAA members, $25 for non-members running from July 10 and 24 to Aug. 14 and 28. Students are encouraged to bring what supplies they have and any workin-progress. These classes are studentcentered, based on the fundamentals of art. According to MBAA these fundamentals
are composition, color theory, and design elements. For more information, email Braun at cbraunpastels@gmail.com. To learn more about the MBAA and all the artistic opportunities it offers, stop by the Art Center in Morro Bay, located at 835 Main Street. Anyone may also visit the web page at www.artcentermorrobay.com.
Shorebirds vacation here too By Ruth Ann Angus For Morro Bay Life
Out-of-town visitors are already spending vacation time in Morro Bay. Many of them will enjoy observing the varied bird life of the area. Shorebirds, in particular, are a favorite for tourists and locals to watch. As summer progresses, flocks of shorebirds will increase as they arrive after breeding in the arctic to spend time feeding on Central Coast beaches and in the estuary at Morro Bay. Birds on Morro Bay vary by year, seasons, intraseasons and even tides. Season and intraseason shifts differ among years. In heavy rain periods, shorebirds decline — we don’t know exactly where they go, but it’s possible they move eastward to the San Joaquin Valley. They could be doing this to exploit the good habitat inland. But willits, godwits and sanderlings do not do this. They remain on the beaches and when rain arrives they take refuge in the estuary. Birds move around in the estuary. The
reasons for this are weather, competition for food and fear of predation. There are no real leaders to these flocks you see zipping back and forth. Over a season as the flocks decrease, types of birds will group together regardless of whether a feeding area is good. The need for them to be together is greater than their foraging needs. Shorebirds feed and increase their body mass up until about Dec. 21. Throughout the rest of the winter, they lose body mass. In April, it goes up again in preparation for migration. The question is, are they losing weight in winter because they want to? “Fat birds are easy to catch,” says John Kelly, director of Research and Resource Management for Audubon Canyon Ranch in Marin County. “Somehow they balance body mass by starvation possibility versus predation.” Finding food is always the primary activity so weather can play a part in the success or failure of this activity. Rainfall does not affect the birds. Their feathers are not wet because they shake them
American Avocets in Morro Bay estuary. Photo by Ruth Ann Angus.
constantly. But in doing this they expend a lot of energy so they have to eat more. It is harder to find food in bad weather even if it is only windy. “Just like humans though, with birds, stress actually causes weight gain,” Kelly said. Each type of shorebird has its own method of foraging. Least sandpipers, for instance, tend to stay higher on shore. They don’t run in and out of the water like sanderlings. At night, they form communal roosts up into the pickleweed in the salt marsh. They feed all the time, even at night. Semipalmated plovers go onto the mud flats and shake their feet on it to liquefy the mud. They can then find a morsel of food in the muddy soup. Many shorebirds employ the run, stop and peck method. Black-bellied plovers will do this, but also run, stop and just stare at the ground. Shorebird bills are very sensitive. As they push their bill into the mud, they can feel pressure changes. On least sandpipers, the very tip of the bill is like rubber and
can move up and down somewhat like an elephant’s trunk. Red-necked and red phalaropes like to feed in more open water, particularly where salt and fresh water mix. They spin in the water to create an upwelling that brings more plankton to the surface. With scissor-like motions, they use the surface tension to transport a drop of water with prey in it to the tip of the bill. As they open their beaks, the water flows down to the mouth, where they squeeze the water out and consume the prey. There are threats to migratory shorebirds in the estuary. In 1989, the European green crab was found. They eat just about everything the bay has to offer and could deplete the food supply for shorebirds. Another threat is Spartina, a non-native cordgrass that is growing in the intertidal zone. It covers the mud flats cutting off access for shorebird feeding. Unfortunately, there are no real protected Please turn to Page 11
Group of shorebirds take flight in estuary. Photo by Ruth Ann Angus.
10 - Morro Bay Life - July 2014
Community Calendar FRIDAY, JULY 4 Morro Bay Otter Rock Events The Otter Rock Cafe is hosting Catalina Eddie & The Blue Keys from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. All ages are welcome up until 11 p.m. Dinner until 10 or 10:30 p.m. No cover charge. For more information, visit www.otterrockcafe.com.
Fireworks On The Water Cruise
up until 11 p.m. Dinner until 10 or 10:30 p.m. No cover charge. For more information, visit www. otterrockcafe.com.
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The Monroe, Green To White, Ray Tarantino, Lenny Blue, Christine Rodgers, Matthias, Kenny Lee Lewis and more to be added will rock the house. To give and to learn more about the concert, visit www. esterobayradio.org.
SATURDAY, JULY 12
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45th Annual Rock to Pier Run
Join Onboard Nautical Events for traditional 4th of July fare and enjoy a spectacular fireworks display from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The fireworks show goes off around 9 so this cruise is a little later than usual. It also sells out fast, so make reservations ASAP, by visiting http://onboardnauticalevents.com or calling 771-9916.
This 6-mile run is held entirely on the beach from Morro Rock to the Cayucos Pier and is open to participants of all ages and abilities. Proceeds from this event will be used for Morro Bay Recreation and Parks’ youth sports programs. The $50-70 registration fee includes a performance t-shirt, finisher’s medal, aid stations at miles 2.5, 4, 6, 8, 10.5 and 13.1, and breakfast back at the rock. For more information, visit www. morro-bay.ca.us.
Morro Bay 4th
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Celebrate your ndependence all day long with Morro Bay’s unique 4th of July event. Activities happen all day, including a skateboard race, live music, a bike parade, children’s activities, patriotic activities and fireworks. Local food and beverage vendors will be set up. Events begin at 10 a.m. and end at 9:30 p.m. to learn more, visit www. morrobay4th.org.
July 4th Weekend Art in the Park July 4-6, Morro Bay celebrates independence with local art. This free event is open to the public. The event takes place at Morro Bay City Park and runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. all three days. To learn more, visit www.artcentermorrobay.com.
•••••••••••• FRIDAY, JULY 11 Morro Bay Otter Rock Events The Otter Rock Cafe is hosting the Croondogs from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. All ages are welcome
THURSDAY, JULY 17 Morro Bay Founders Day On July 17, 1964, Morro Bay became an incorporated City. Join the community of Morro Bay as it celebrates the official 50th anniversary with an old-fashioned picnic. Take the family and your picnic basket out to Morro Bay Park from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Music will be played by KEBF 97.3 FM The Rock, there will be food for purchase, free shuttle rides, birthday cake and more. To learn more, visit www. morrobay50th.com.
•••••••••••• FRIDAY, JULY 18 The Rock Concert Estero Bay Community Radio Station KEBP 97.3 FM is hosting a 50 day fundraiser to keep the station on the air for another year. PG&E will be matching them dollar for dollar and as a way of giving back, The Rock will be hosting a concert. From 4 to 9 p.m. at Central Coast Music, Vincent Bernardy,
SATURDAY, JULY 19 Morro Bay Fuel Dock Saloon Events The Fuel Dock will be hosting the band Rough House from 3 to 6 p.m.There is no cover charge for this 21-and-older only event. Located on the corner of Main Street and Harbor Street in Morro Bay.
Morro Bay Otter Rock Events
ONGOING EVENTS Better Balance and Fall Prevention Join ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Arthritis Foundation Certified Senior Fitness Specialist Shannon Sawicki in this ongoing class Monday and Wednesday mornings from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. to improve your balance, learn how to fall-proof your home, increase your confidence, boost your immune system and more, all while having fun for a cost of $30/month or $5/class drop-in (Morro Bay residents receive $5 discount on the monthly fee). For more information, contact the Recreation and Parks Department at 772-6278.
Farmers Market
The Morro Bay weekly Saturday farmers market is open to the public beginning at 3 to 6 p.m. There will be artisan wares and produce for purchase. The event is located in downtown Morro Bay at Main and Harbor streets. For more information or to become a vendor, call 772-4467.
The Otter Rock Cafe is hosting Spike & Alex from 8 p.m. to midnight. All ages are welcome until 11 p.m. Dinner until 10 or 10:30 p.m. No cover charge. For more information, visit www.otterrockcafe.com.
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Life Morro
SUNDAY, AUG. 3 Merchants Street Faire Take the family down Morro Bay Boulevard and Main Street between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. for music, dancing, kiddie entertainment, food and gifts. This event is a good time for everyone, and offers the chance for you to buy that unique item for someone special. Admission is free. For more information, visit http:// morro-bay.net.
•••••••••••• Be a part of the the local Morro Bay Comunity Calendar E-Mail aoken@atascaderonews.com
Bay
Morro Bay Life - July 2014 - 11
Get out of town to Punta De Los Lobos Marinos By Ruth Ann Angus Of Morro Bay Life
No one would deny that living in Morro Bay seems like being on a perennial vacation and we all take advantage of acting like tourists at times. While you may think we have it all, beautiful scenery, wonderful weather, great wildlife and fun activities, sometimes you just want to see and experience something different. That’s when it’s time to get out of town. The stretch of Highway 1 between San Simeon and Monterey is renowned as one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Along it are a number of beaches, a national forest and state parks. One of the best is the Point Lobos State Reserve, a tree-clad headland where every element of nature has come together in seeming perfection. The landscape consists of bold headlands, rolling meadows and irregular coves, all of which came about over millions of years of interaction between land and sea. In 1898, Point Lobos was acquired by Alexander M. Allan. Thanks to funds from Save The Redwoods League and other benefactors, Point Lobos became part of the new state park system in 1933. In 1960, 750 submerged acres were added. In 1973, the adjacent Point Lobos Ecological Reserve, a marine protected area, came into being. It was expanded
China Cove and Bird Island. Photos by Ruth Ann Angus.
Shorebirds
again in 2007 and split into two areas, Point Lobos State Marine Reserve and Point Lobos State Marine Conservation Area. Point Lobos Reserve’s purpose is to preserve native ecological relationships, unique plant and animal life, geological features and scenic qualities in an undisturbed condition. The number of visitors allowed in the reserve at any one time is regulated. This ensures that human impact will not cause unacceptable damage to the area and it also enhances the quality Sea Lion Point. Photos by Ruth Ann Angus. of each person’s visit. Point Lobos has a number of hiking and bird life. walking trails and an automobile route. It was the noise of the sea lions that gave You can do the perimeter hike of 6 miles the area its name, Punta de Los Lobos beginning at the entrance station and Marinos or point of the sea wolves. This encompassing all of the individual trails. is what early Spanish explorers called the Rangers estimate it takes three and a half area. hours to complete this hike. Or you can do The seas around the Point Lobos what most folks do and drive the auto route, headlands are filled with forests of kelp stopping at each parking area and walking where sea otters like to hang out. They parts of the trails or just doing the area loop wrap themselves in this seaweed and float trails to see the magnificent scenery. on their backs with only their heads and One of the most popular spots is Sea large webbed paws protruding. Sea otters Lion Point. Here the trail leads out to edge eat and sleep in this position. of the land. Harbor seals haul out on the A short drive along the south shore past rocks below and barking California sea two white sandy beaches brings you to lions are seen on offshore rocks. Sea otters China Cove and Bird Island where a large bob up and down in the kelp and Brandt’s seabird colony nests. and Pelagic cormorants, brown pelicans Between December and May, migrating and gulls make up some of the abundant gray whales can be seen close by offshore.
Sand Hill Cove. Photos by Ruth Ann Angus.
Whaling was once carried on at Point Lobos from 1862 to 1879. At Whaler’s Cove, a cabin built by Chinese fishermen in the 1850’s still stands and is now a cultural history museum. Adjacent to it is the Whaling Station Museum, staffed by park docents. The underwater reserve just offshore is one of the richest marine habitats in California. Two temperature zones meet and overlap here so animals from both warm and cold waters are found. Diving is permitted in Please turn to Page 12
Sand Hill Trail. Photos by Ruth Ann Angus.
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places for shorebirds. Some areas get 500,000 to one million birds. On the coast, Morro Bay is a critical spot and this is why Audubon designates it as a Globally
Important Bird Area. Right now, shorebirds are busy breeding mostly in the Arctic where 24 hours of daylight assures an abundance of insects
for the young to consume. But in late July and definitely by August, the flocks begin to return to Morro Bay to spend another winter season in the unique and important
Marbled Godwits and Willets at Windy Cove near Natural History Museum in Morro Bay. Photo by Ruth Ann Angus.
Sandpipers and terns on oyster floats in Morro Bay. Photo by Ruth Ann Angus.
estuary.
Western Sandpipers flying over Morro Bay. Photo by Ruth Ann Angus.
12 - Morro Bay Life - July 2014
Get out of town
Continued from page 11
the Reserve by reservation, although no the world” by landscape artist Francis Mc collecting is allowed. Comas and why it is considered “the crown A new 3-D model of the underwater jewel of the state park system.” floor was installed at Whaler’s Cove on May 10 and this allows divers to study the configuration of the sea floor prior to dives. It also gives visitors who do not dive some idea what this underwater world is like. A visit to Point Lobos State Reserve will help you understand why it was called Pt. Lobos Whaler’s Cove. Photos by Ruth Ann “the greatest meeting of land and water in Angus.