Life Morro
October 2015
Bay
Everything Morro Bay
Prohibitions party and vintage trailer rally
Inside ... “Wind Over Stone” 2 Smoobage 3 Survive-Oars 5 Farm adventure 6 HAM radio club 8 Save the wild 9 Stand-Up Paddleboarding 11
Central Coast State Parks Association host two events in Oct.
The Other Woman
By ALLYSON OKEN Of Morro Bay Life
One-act play features Purl and O’Brien By ALLYSON OKEN Of Morro Bay Life
True O’Brien and Mara Purl of Days of Our Lives fame, share common roots in Morro Bay, inspiring them to perform in oneact play, “The Other Woman” in San Luis Obispo — kicking off at 6:40 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9. Produced by Morro Bay’s own Judy Salamacha the performance of “The Other Woman”, was created by Victoria Zackheim, anthology editor and playwright, and will benefit the SLO Women’s Shelter. The evening will begin with a wine and cheese social at 6:45 p.m. at The Monday Club, 1815 Higuera Street and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m. Donations are $25 and tickets can be purchased at WSPSLO.org or by contacting Beth at braub@ WSPSLO.org or by calling 7816401ext. 202. Salamacha said “The Other Woman” is a one-act play adapted from five essays appearing in the bestselling anthology “The Other Woman: Twenty-one Wives, Lovers, and Others Talk Please turn to Page 4
Photos Contributed Contributed by the Morro Bay Harbor Festival
The Sand Guys have been participating in the Harbor Festival for the past 10 years. They are known all over the U.S. for their sand sculptures.
34rd Annual Morro Bay Harbor Fest Event hosted on Embarcadero Oct. 3
By ALLYSON OKEN Of Morro Bay Life
The Embarcadero in Morro Bay will be the new home for festivities this year as this quaint fishing village kicks off the 34th Annual Harbor Festival at noon on Oct. 3. According to event coordinator Don Doubledee, this year the event will be making some big changes including making this a free event to attend. “We had noted last year that there has been more participation by out of town vendors than ever before,” Doubledee said. “After working with the Morro Bay Tourism Bureau and the City of Morro Bay we have changed the way we procure vendors. This year we will feature only Morro Bay businesses and will include most of the Embarcadero. We will have vendors
lining the street and we will have beer, wine and margarita sales in the parking lot where the Avocado Margarita Festival is hosted. It is going to be a great change for us and it will be a family-friendly event as always.” The event will kick off this year at noon and is only one day of fun instead of the usual twoday event. Vendors will line the Embarcadero from Harbor Street to Marina Street with the main stage and libation in the lot on the corner of Pacific Street and Embarcadero. The first band, Deep Blue, will take the stage from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Then at 2 p.m. the OysterEating Contest sponsored by Giovanni’s Fish Market will begin so make sure to come hungry if you plan to enter. Please turn to Page 7
5th annual Soupabration
A benefit for Pacific Wildlife Care Nov. 1 By ALLYSON OKEN Of Morro Bay Life
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******EcrWsseddm****** Postal Customer MORRO BAY, CA 93442
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Monthly publication dedicated to covering everything in Morro Bay, CA.
Photos courtesy of Gaelen Casey Photography
Soup service is fun and fast at Soupabration and every chef will tell a bit about the pairing as they serve.
A carnival-themed celebration with soup, wine and chocolate will commence at noon Sunday, Nov. 1 all in support of Pacific Wildlife Care. The Soupabration is in its fifth year as the staple fundraiser for PWC. This year’s event will be hosted at the Morro Bay Community Center, located at 1001 Kennedy Way in Morro Bay. Event coordinator Charmaine Coimbra said that this year the committee made some additions to Soupabration. The idea was to provide a new experience each year to patrons of the event. “We really wanted to change things this
year and make the experience unique,” Coimbra said. “This year we have chosen a carnival theme so our entertainment will be centered around that. New this year will be our cookies using chocolate contest where Come Get Your Cookies, Linn’s Restaurant and Bakery and Sweet Alexis Bakery will put their baking skills to the test. They will be using fair trade chocolate from Mama Ganache so these will be some great cookies. We also added the chocolate component to the tasting as well as a special VIP opening for those who want to beat the crowd and taste first.” VIP tickets will be $85 each for an
Morro Bay State Parks Association is hosting two events in the month of October beginning with Spooner’s Cove Speakeasy, Saturday, Oct. 17 and rounding out the month with the third annual Stranded in Morro Bay Vintage Trailer Rally on Oct. 30 and 31. Mary Golden, the Executive Director of CCSPA, and her team of volunteers have been working tirelessly to produce the two events. Spooner’s Cove Speakeasy will be a fun-filled day of live music, appetizers and spirits at Sea Pines Golf Resort, located at 1945 Solano Street in Los Osos. All are welcome to dress for the period and get in the spirit of the roaring ‘20s. In a press release, Golden said, “Come on down and join us for a hotsy-totsy night full of flappers and their ‘jelly beans’. Things start cookin’ Saturday morning with the Golf Scramble and Shenanigans and wraps up on the down low with a speakeasy afternoon. Jive with the “Swing to Joy” band, chew some fine fixins’ and dip your bill or wet your whistle.” The event will begin at 8 a.m. with a golf scramble and shenanigans and golf and concert tickets will cost $50 per person. Golf ends at 10 a.m. and then at 12:30 p.m. the music will begin, featuring Swing to Joy Band. For those that would like to attend for the live music only the cost will be $25 to attend. The funds collected at this event will go to supporting further refurbishment of the historic Spooner Ranch House, State Parks programming and other State Parks needs. To purchase tickets, visit ccspa.info or call 748-8278. Remember that to gain entry to the
2 - Morro Bay Life - October 2015
“Wind Over Stone” : By ALLYSON OKEN Of Morro Bay Life
Her awe over the affect wind can have on stone, the way it shapes a landscape over time, was the inspiration behind singer/songwriter Dulcie Taylor’s new album, “Wind Over Stone.” Slated for release Sept. 25, the album is 14 tracks of observations, illustrating the way time shapes the future just as wind does to stone. “You look at something like the Grand Canyon and you think about how many years it took for the wind and water to carve it,” Taylor said. “You don’t often think about what wind does to stone but that might be a unifying theme in the album, looking at time and what it does to our lives and the planet.” Wind Over Stone was recorded at Colorado Studios in Atascadero and the material will debut in a series of live performances — Sept. 26 at Boo Boo Records in San Luis Obispo, Sept. 27 at the Shell Café in Pismo Beach and Oct. 2 at Cheren Ranch in Atascadero. The new album boasts some strong musical talent. Taylor and friends collaborated to bring Wind Over Stone to fruition. The musical talent includes Taylor on lead vocals, acoustic guitar, dulcimer and percussion; George Nauful on guitar, keyboards, backing vocals and lead vocal on “Amy” and “I Wanna Ride”; Tony Recupido on acoustic guitar, backup vocals and lead vocal on “Reasons Why”
and “Joyful News”; Tim Pierce and Nina Gerber on guitar; Tyson Leonard on the mandolin and violin; Aaron Porter on the keyboards and accordion; Bob Gross and Randy Tico on bass; and Tom Lackner, Tracy Morgan and Scott Breadman on drums and percussion. Together Taylor and friends have produced an album that is not just full of pretty sounds, but is stimulating and thought provoking. The lyric is inspired, taking real life experiences out of history, actions of people today and sharing a point of view that most can relate too. Taylor said that the album’s first track, “Not Here, Not Today,” is inspired by some of her American heroes. She said the first verse is about Valley Forge, the second verse is about Rosa Parks and the third verse is about Flight 93. “I have just often thought about America and how people stand up and take action,” Taylor said. “Like recently those three Americans were on that train and that guy tried to take it over and the Americans just took him down and tied him up with a tie. People who stand up for freedom with a gun in their hands for our country and people who say I am not getting out of my seat, like Rosa Parks, they are both heroes. The major impetus for that song lies in reading about those people on Flight 93. They had their cell phones, they knew the pentagon had been hit and the Twin Towers had gone down and figured they were heading for the White House and
Vintage Rally
Dulcie Taylor releases new CD recorded in Atascadero
Photo by Trevor Lawrence
Singer songwriter Dulcie Taylor and Friends are releasing a new album, “Wind Over Stone” on Sept. 25.
they took it down where they wanted it to go down. I thought that was amazingly brave of those men to stand up and say the plane is going down here.” She went on to say that the one thing about the present political climate that should be represented, but isn’t is the idea that we can have different beliefs and still believe in this country. Taylor said that she feels that this idea is the point of the song and it really captures the intent behind the album, to unify like-minded people and give strength to those who fight for freedom every day and know they are not
alone. Each song that follows on “Wind Over Stone” continues in a similar vein. In the song “Cherokee,” Taylor discourses on the physical changes this country has gone through over the years and in the song “Prayers,” she revisits her upbringing, looking at the way spirituality and belief affected her development. For more information, visit dulcietaylor. com or mesabluemoon.com or visit Taylor on Facebook at facebook.com/ dulcietaylor.
Continued from page 1
Life Morro
Bay
Publisher John Bartlett Editor Brian Williams editor@atascaderonews.com Editorial Allyson Oken, Ruth Ann Angus Advertising Sales
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Design Jim Prostovich Morro Bay Life is published monthly. All rights reserved, material may not be reprinted without written consent from the publisher. Morro Bay Life made every effort to maintain the accuracy of information presented in this publication, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. Morro Bay Life is a division of the News Media Corporation.
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Photos Contributed Contributed by CCSPA
Spooner’s Cove Speakeasy will take place Saturday, Oct. 17 at Sea Pines Golf Resort in Los Osos. Get into flapper garb like Barbara Stanwyck in this vintage photo.
Photos Contributed Contributed by CCSPA
The Stranded in Morro Bay Vintage Trailer Rally kicks off Oct. 30 and 31 for two days of fun at Morro Strand State Beach. Don’t miss the open house on Saturday, Oct. 31 when anyone can see these amazing trailers.
and Pear Valley Estate Wine. owner are $180 with hookups or $150 for This is a great opportunity to see what dry camping and the cost includes access speakeasy you will need a ticket to get the vintage trailers are all about as well as meet to all the events. To purchase tickets or to secret code. the people who maintain them. Tickets to learn more, visit ccspa.info. The Stranded in Morro Bay Vintage join the full two days of events as a trailer Trailer Rally is an event that is hosted each year to help raise funds for Central Coast State Parks. It offers two days of camping at Morro Strand State Beach with happy hours, food, potlucks, breakfast and fun with other vintage trailer enthusiasts. In a past interview with Morro Bay Life, Golden said, “The Morro Bay Strand was originally on the permanent closure list so to raise awareness and funds we hosted the first Stranded in Morro Bay Vintage Trailer Rally. It was a big success the first and second year so we are hosting it again to help maintain our parks.” The trailers will also be on display for the public to enjoy at a night of wine and *see store for details food tasting with live music and a vintage (only $25 checkout fee) trailer open house. The event will be held at the Morro Strand State Beach, Saturday, Los Osos Morro Bay Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to noon and donations 1014 Los Osos Vally Rd 510 Quintana Rd. will be accepted. This year’s sponsors that (Near Carlock’s) (805)772-1265 (805)528-4785 From Cambria call will be out at the open house are Tinker Tin (805)927-1003 Trailer Co., Firestone Walker Brewing Co. coast-electronic.com
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Morro Bay Life - October 2015 - 3
With Love
Smoobage store on the Embarcadero
Photos by Ruth Ann Angus
By RUTH ANN ANGUS For Morro Bay Life
Love is what it’s all about at Smoobage on the Embarcadero. Owner Heather Koide says the name of her shop is an esoteric word for something you really love and a visit to this eclectic gift store may have you loving all the fun things there. “Smoobage is something that just kind of happened,” Koide said, “It all started with me making feather earrings that I sold online.” Koide had seen feather earrings while on a trip to Mexico and thought to herself, “I can make those.” She went home and did just that and started selling them online and then at craft shows where she met many other artists and crafts persons. With a spark in her mind she collected business cards at these shows not sure yet how they would come in handy. Koide spent years working at By the Bay Gallery and Under the Sea Gallery where she learned the ins and outs of a retail business. Eventually she told her husband she wanted to open a shop of her own and they started looking for a location. Her first store was at Harbor and Main in downtown Morro Bay and then she set to looking up all those artisans whose business cards she had kept. While business was good at that location Koide kept looking and when she saw that the owners of the new building on the waterfront were looking for tenants, she contacted them. “The owners offered us $5,000 to finish the store,” she commented, “an offer too good to turn down.” This helped Koide furnish the store, get it painted, and bring in merchandise. Smoobage has been open for a year now and people love it. Koide has stocked the shop with hand crafted items, many made by local artisans. For instance, there are 3-D Dream Cards and wall art by Philip Carey of Morro Bay. Carey receives visions of what becomes his art work while he is dreaming. He produces colorful line art that he crafts into three dimensional pieces. He also produces unique
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postcards and envelopes of local scenes. Another Morro Bay artist, Allyson Pfister takes her Dad’s line drawings of cats and elaborates on them using bold colors. Lizzie Grace of Morro Bay designs one-of-a-kind clothing and there are beautiful leather work handbags and belts from Delos Leather of Morro Bay. Koide also carries a line of soaps from Lyndy LaRoche of Poppy Soap Company of Los Osos, Sandee Winn’s Wild Child Botanical scents, t-shirts from Live Local Apparel of San Luis Obispo, and Pyrographics (wood burnings) from Luke Trevelyn whose family is one of Morro Bay’s oyster farmers. There are mobiles, beaded Indian bracelets, Cubelots
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that remind one of Legos, jewelry by Cindy Sasserman, and Cairn Stones from the Philippines. The stones are smooth and rounded and balanced on top of each other and are used around the globe by many cultures. They add a sense of balance and calm to the hectic pace of daily life. Koide has made it easy for parents to browse her store in comfort with the inclusion of her Kid’s Corner where children can sit and play with a variety of toys she supplies just for them. Smoobage is a bright and fun gift shop and offers merchandise you might not find anywhere else. Koide also does custom gift wrapping and she does it with love.
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4 - Morro Bay Life - October 2015
Soupabration
Other Woman
Continued from page 1
opportunity to privately taste kicking off at 11 a.m. to noon with a souvenir wine glass included. Another perk for the VIP ticket holder is the ability to vote twice in the People’s Favorite Soup category. General Admission tickets will cost $60 each and offer soup and wine pairing and beer sampling, at all events from noon to closing at 4 p.m. as well as a souvenir wine glass. There will also be a special ticket price for the Designated Driver at $45 each. This year’s featured soup contestants will be Black Cat Bistro, Blue Sky Bistro, Divine Street Catering, Edna Valley Market-Deli, Fig Good Food, Full Moon Bistro, Jeffry’s Catering, Manta Rey Restaurant, Nibble Nook, Robin’s Restaurant, Shine Café and Chef Mike Zimmerle. This year’s featured wineries include Adelaida Cellars, Dubost Vineyards, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, LaZarre Wine Company, MCV Wines, Michael Rose Cellars, Oso Libre Winery, Pelletiere Family Estate Vineyards, Sculpterra Winery and WCP Cellars. Each winery offers a very different experience and will work with each chef to create a pairing that will inspire anyone’s taste buds. Coimbra said that this year they have some wonderful celebrity judges featuring chef Matt Beckett, chef Chad Minton, Mayor Jamie Irons and radio personality on KVEC 920 AM and chef Brenda Hock. Each judge will be ranking cookies in the baking contest. “The tasters will judge the soup and wine pairing and an overall winner will be chosen by popular vote,” Coimbra said. “It is a really fun aspect to the events and people really enjoy tasting and judging.” In addition to these taste sensations there will be a live and silent auction, a chance to meet and sign with the Wildlife Ambassadors, meet the Guerrilla Gardening Club, which helped found the event as a zero waste experience, see the animals rescued by PWC and enjoy vendors with artistic wares for sale. Coimbra said, “ We have also added a special table to Soupabration this year with The Gilded Flea. Lightly-used bling with a
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Continued from page 1 Mara Purl (Left) of Days of Our Lives fame, shares common roots with True O’Brien (Right)in Morro Bay, inspiring her to perform in a one-act play, “The Other Woman” kicking off at 6:40 p.m., Monday, Nov. 9.
Photos courtesy of Gaelen Casey Photography
Chocolate from Mama Ganache will be featured at the event, not just for tasting but in a cookie baking competition as well.
sparkle that catches the eye will be for sale for very reasonable prices.” The best part about attending this event is a ticket purchase supports the efforts of nonprofit Pacific Wildlife Care. Since 1986 PWC has provide the support needed to maintain a healthy ecosystem on the Central Coast, taking in more than 2,000 wild animals, reptiles, and birds each year. It is the only facility in the county with a full-time wildlife veterinarian, Dr. Shannon Riggs, and they serve the entire County of San Luis Obispo. PWC volunteers spend thousands of hours working to provide services to wildlife in need. During the drought the PWC has helped to relocate nearly all the waterfowl that lived in Atascadero Lake, have saved numerous animals having issues birthing young during drought times and so much more. Come show support for PWC and enjoy soup, wine, chocolate and entertainment for a great cause. For more information about this event or to purchase tickets, visit soupabration.org and to learn more about the PWC, visit pacificwildlifecare.org.
Openly About Sex, Deception, Love, and Betrayal”. This adaptation is not for the faint of heart as each story represents aspects of the human condition that are hard to see, hear and feel. Authors who contributed to Zackheim’s anthology that will be represented in the one-act play are Caroline Leavitt, Aviva Layton, Mary Jo Eustace, Connie May Fowler and Maxinne Rhea Leighton. Each story chosen from the anthology for the one-act play will feature a different actress. Local players include Jennifer Bloomfield, Wendy Marie Martin and Sharee Hallman. Salamacha said that actresses Mara Purl and True O’Brian have graciously signed on to preform. “Both actresses have connections to the Central Coast and when we were looking for players I reached out to Mara Purl and True O’Brian who have both been characters on Days Of Our Lives,” Salamacha said. Salamacha went on to say that Purl is also an award winning, bestselling author, who has found much of the inspiration for her “Milfred-Haven” series, in her experiences visiting the Central Coast. Many of her stories talk about people in the towns of Cambria, Cayucos and Morro Bay. In the series, she mentions Morro Bay locations like Dorn’s, whale watching and Coalesce Books that were eventually developed in Cambria as a radio serial 25 years ago. She has been an active participant of the Central Coast Writers Conference and
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supporter of the Pewter Plough Playhouse. “Actress True O’Brien is also appearing in our one-act and is currently performing the role of Paige on NBC’s Days of our Lives,” Salamacha said. “I reached out to True after meeting her father John O’Brian who is a graphic artist who lives in Morro Bay. I asked her if she might like to preform with Mara Purl for this good cause and True said yes. She often visits Morro Bay and we are very lucky to have her.” Co-producers Cynthia Comsky and Zackheim have been working with dozens of artistic directors across the country to present this show to the world. Locations to present this one-act reading include; New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Colorado Springs, Louisville, Chicago, Berkeley and many others. According to Salamacha, the co-producers are not paid for these events; venues are asked to use proceeds to pay their actors, cover the usage costs, and donate to local women’s shelters. The supporters for the one-act play include; The Monday Club, SLO Night Writers and SLO Women’s Shelter who have banded together to share this one-act play with all of San Luis Obispo. For more information, contact San Luis Obispo’s producer and director Judy Salamacha at judysalamacha@gmail.com or Linda Wilson, Vice President of Programs, The Monday Club at lindawilsonslo@gmail. com.
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Morro Bay Life - October 2015 - 5
Survive-Oars
Morro Bay cancer support group seeks rowers By ALLYSON OKEN Of Morro Bay Life
In 2007, under the steam of local cancer survivors, supporters and lymphedema specialist Leslyn Keith, Morro Bay joined the Central Coast Dragon Boat Association to form their own Dragon Boat Team, Central Coast Survive-Oars (a nonprofit). For the past eight years CCSO has worked to promote confidence in body and ability while paddling the waters of Morro Bay. Gail Riley Central Coast Survive-Oars member said that the group has been very lucky to have the support of the community and to be able to purchase another Dragon Boat to expand the team. “At this time we are very interested to maintain our Survive-Oar team as well as recruit for a competitive coed team,” Riley explained. “Dragon boating is a rapidly growing team sport that offers phenomenal exercise and requires true team cooperation. It is a very rewarding group to be a part of.” The group has benefitted from its partnership with Sub-Sea Tours in Morro Bay, who provided them a canoe and dock space as well as the support of many community members over the years. Riley explained that recruitment began for female breast cancer survivors, who would like to receive support, experience camaraderie and community with other cancer survivors while getting exercise and enjoy the experience of being on the water in Morro Bay. Now they are reaching out to both men and women. Many don’t realize that men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer. According to BreastCancer.org about 2,350 new cases of invasive breast cancer could be diagnosed in men in 2015. A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000. For women in 2015, an estimated 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer could be diagnosed in the U.S., along with 60,290 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer. These numbers have gone down from previous years thanks to the efforts of groups like the Survive-Oars and so many other nonprofits out to raise awareness and funds to find a cure. The intent behind CCSO was to include all people who have been affected by cancer including both survivors and supporters to provide group exercise and support programs to enhance the health and well being of any person affected by cancer. The team works together to maintain and gain health by working to maintain the Dragon Boat, provide a safe and effective exercise program for cancer survivors, compete in Dragon Boat festivals and races, attend training clinics, increase awareness of cancer survival and recovery and introduce other survivors to the sport of Dragon Boat racing. To join the group there is a recommended donation of $100 annually for female cancer survivors and $150 annually for supporters. Drop-ins are also accepted for
Photos By Monica of MLR photo Studio, contributed by Central Coast Survive-Oars
ABOVE: The Central Coast Survive-Oars cancer support and Dragon Boat Team, based in Morro Bay, are getting ready to open membership to men as well as women. BELOW: The Central Coast Survive-Oars cancer support group and Dragon Boat Team have been working to expand their membership over the past eight years, now boasting 70 members. Now they plan to expand the group to include a co-ed Dragon Boat Team.
a donation of $5. The requirements to join include having a Medical release, filling out a Membership form and a release of liability on file with Team Survivor, SLO. The CCSO meet the second Tuesday of odd months for a General Meeting at 5:30 p.m. located at Hearst Cancer Resource Center. The practice schedule for those who would like to see the Dragon Boaters out in action and learn more are; Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. for Race and Paddle, spending about 90 minutes on the water, Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. for Race and Paddle, Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for Training and Paddle and Mondays at 10 a.m. members can enjoy a Zen Paddle. The Central Coast Survive-Oars dip their paddles into deep waters and with
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6 - Morro Bay Life - October 2015
Go on a farm adventure By RUTH ANN ANGUS For Morro Bay Life
It is pumpkin season and time to visit your favorite farm and pick out that special pumpkin to carve or make into yummy pies. But what if you could combine that with a little adventure? That’s just what folks from Morro Bay and Los Osos can easily do all during the month of October at Brookshire Farms on Los Osos Valley Road. Shawn Callaway and his wife Gretchen Brookshire grow veggies on land leased from La Familia Family Farm and once a year they transform the place into an educational and entertaining farm adventure. The name of their operation is Brookshire Farms and they belong to a national organization that aids farmers in setting up and operating corn mazes. “We offer a seven acre corn maze every year with approximately 3.7 miles of trail,” Callaway commented, “It is about a mile of walking if you get it right and takes about 30 to 40 minutes.” Callaway has tried to make it easy for folks going through the maze this year with the addition of bar code scanners on the trail. A person can use their Smartphone along with the appropriate “app” and access hints as to the correct directions in the maze. “The app is free,” Callaway said, “and you can download it here before entering the maze. Each year Gretchen figures out a layout and theme and gives those dimensions to the maze company who send out personnel to mark off the grid in the corn. Then Callaway hoes away about 10 percent of the tall field corn to set up the trail. This year people can also attempt the corn maze at night on the weekend. All they need to do is bring their flashlights. “While the maze is fun,” Callaway said, “what we specialize in is agricultural education and we host many school groups, scout troops, and 4-H kids every weekday during the month.” An educational talk is given on the different types of corn grown on the farm and the kids learn about the corn process, how it is pollinated, how it grows and is crushed and made into cattle feed. “We have certain tools to show them how a cow eats the corn, it turns into milk, and then you milk the cow,” he said. “We want them to understand that milk doesn’t just come from the supermarket.” Along with field corn, Brookshire Farms grows Indian corn and Popcorn varieties and the kids get to take some home with them. Callaway recommends using an old fashioned corn popper for the popcorn or
popping it in a pot with oil, although the corn will also pop in the microwave. Aside from the groups coming to the farm, the public gets to enjoy a great place for family entertainment. The layout of the farm includes a barn and an area where there is an old fashioned teeter totter made from wagon parts. They hold duck races with rubber duckies sent down two water spouts, and there is a caterpillar slide built into corn bales for kids to slide down. They also have inflatables with jumping pillows, obstacles courses, and slides. “We have two corn cannons where we take ears of field corn and shoot them up into the air,” Callaway said, “but nothing is wasted. The cows get to eat that corn.” There are five pedal cars set up in a race track for fun rides, Hay rides take people around 15 acres of the farm with the driver giving information about all the produce grown on the farm. Callaway does dry farming at this site although the corn is lightly irrigated. The soils along this stretch of the Los Osos valley are heavy clay and hold moisture well. This year students from Cal Poly will harvest the field corn grown in the maze to feed their dairy herd. Everything grown on the farm is recyclable and whatever isn’t eaten by the animals is composted. While he is not a certified grower, Callaway uses no pesticides or additives. He grows onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, bell peppers, squash, beans, and potatoes. “People come to get dried corn leaves that they use for tamales,” he said, and dried corn stalks to crush into corn meal.” People can come to the farm just to pick out pumpkins if they want. Callaway is growing several varieties but is also purchasing some from farms in Santa Ynez because he feels his soil needs a few years rest. “We think it’s important to educate kids and parents about agriculture,” Callaway said, “and we like them to have a little fun doing it. And you don’t have to worry about getting lost in the corn maze. We’ll get you out!” For prices and hours go to www. brookshirefarms.com .
Photos by Ruth Ann Angus
Above: Shawn Callaway, owner of Brookshire Farms checking on growth of corn. Below:Produce available at farm stand at Brookshire Farms.
Grandma’s Frozen Yogurt & Waffle Shop Rocks, Classes, Readings & Energy Healing
Faerie Lights & Magic Potions
OCTOBER 24 (Saturday) / 1:00-3:00pm / $35 per person classroom / Limited to 10 people / With Tobey White Heart Crockett PhD
Part of our Faerie series: a special Hallowe’en themed Playdate in Fairyland for All Ages!
Come play and have Faerie Fun with us – nurture your Inner Sprite! All supplies provided for creating Faerie Lights and Magic Potions. Very Special Wishes can also be made to boost the effectiveness of your Magickal Activities! All supplies are provided, but any Extra Beautiful Feathers, Seaglass, Stones, Shells or other Wonders that call to you in your travels around the Edges of Fairyland are most welcomeChildren under 6 should have an adult helper; adults may come on their own if they promise to Believe. Cost: $35 per person for this materials intensive event. Limit 10 - Reservations recommended: Call the Ruby Dragon at 805 772 1100 Questions: Call Tobey White Heart, your guide to the Faerie Realm at (805) 225 1083 or email: tobeycrockett@gmail.com
875 Main Street, Suite C, Morro Bay, Ca 93442
(805)772-1100
www.rubydragon.info Open 11-5 Tues-Sat • Closed Sun & Mon
at “The Gathering Place”
Meet up a t Grandma’s at 1:45 for a map
DUO LESLIE & TERRY REAGAN Halloween Activities SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17TH SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31st - 2:00 3:00 to 5:00 pm 5:00 p.m. BLUEGRASS - LIVE MUSIC 2:00 p.m. - Trick or Treat: over 90 Watch Morro Bay’s Farmer’s downtown Morro Bay Merchants Market Come to Life! 4:00 p.m. - Costume Parade and SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24th - 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Second Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Costume Contest “Pumpkins for Books” Fundraiser. All sales go to the Morro Bay Library. Prizes for the most creative pumpkins! Puppet Theatre & Reading Hour WITH Alexis & Gigi SATURDAYS THROUGH THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 10:00 a.m. - Noon
Our newest “yogologist,” Alexis, is looking for ward to pumpkin decorating and other trick or treat events...join us for the fun activities our local 4H groups have planned as well!
307 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay • (805) 704-YUMM (9866)
Morro Bay Life - October 2015 - 7
Local health insurance agent to give talks By RUTH ANN ANGUS
were “managed PPO” plans. Sometimes with those plans insured persons could not access certain types of care and Hedges would have Nathan Hedges is the owner/broker of to intervene. With Golden State there is a Morro Bay Health Insurance Solutions and large complement of physicians associated specializes in helping people through what he with the plan and the insured’s gatekeeper is calls “the Medicare maze.” your local primary physician. Hedges was literally born into the health The benefit to having an independent health insurance world since his father owned insurance agent like Hedges is that a person Hedges Health Insurance in Atascadero. has an advocate on hand to take care of any However he didn’t join issues that may arise the company firm after with their coverage. college. Instead he Talks about the Golden Medicare products and hired on with Combined State Medicare Health laws change yearly Insurance Agency owned Plan will be held at the as do drug plans, and by the AON Corporation, Morro Bay Vet’s Hall at costs can change. one of the world’s largest This year’s value may insurance companies. 10 A.M. on the following not be next year’s “The job gave me an dates: value. Hedges offers October 19 excellent foundation,” he the same plans from said. different companies October 26 and can shop around After working in and compare prices. different areas in the state, November 2 The nice thing is this Hedges came home to set November 9 service is free. up his own business. He The Affordable Care married a Morro Bay gal November 16 Act provides coverage and moved to the coast and November 30 for everyone and began Morro Bay Heath Insurance Solutions. Hedges is educated December 7 Every year open as to how this new enrollment for health law affects you. “We insurance is offered for can help with policy everyone. This year that time period begins on choices, get insurance cost quotes, and help Nov. 15 and continues through Feb. 15, 2016. you with your rights and protections,” Hedges To help seniors prepare for making decisions commented. Hedges is holding a series of informational Hedges thinks of his client relationships talks at the Morro Bay Vet’s Hall. He will as family and is always available to help. To primarily discuss the Golden State Medicare assure that everyone is taken care of, he has Health Plan and people will be able to sign up hired a new agent, Allison King, a local girl for this Medicare Advantage plan at that time. who graduated from Morro Bay High school. Non-seniors interested in obtaining health “Allison is a licensed agent and is ready to insurance will be able to make appointments meet and assist residents of this coastal area with Hedges at this time also. with their insurance needs,” Hedges said. Morro Bay Health Insurance Solutions also The Golden State plan came to the forefront last year and so far Hedges says working with offers life insurance and dental insurance. this HMO is a breeze. He has experienced You can access more information about their relatively few problems with it as compared services at www.morrobaymedicare.com or to previous Medicare Advantage plans that call 235-0913. For Morro Bay Life
Harbor Festival
Continued from page 1
Photos Contributed Contributed by the Morro Bay Harbor Festival
Thousands of people come out every year to enjoy the Morro Bay Harbor Festival, slated for Oct. 4-5.
From 3 to 4:30 p.m. Shameless will take the stage to get everyone dancing and at 4:30 p.m. the Hawaiian Shirt Contest will begin. From 5:30 to 7 p.m. Hot Tina will be the musical entertainment followed by the main act ABBA FAB, an ABBA tribute band, from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. The grand finale for the event will feature fireworks rocketing off at 8:45 p.m. Some extra additions to this year’s festivities include a sand sculpture show down between the Morro Bay High School cheerleaders and the MBH Football Team, Fishing industry exhibits, Central Coast Women For Fisheries fish taco stand, Skate Board demonstrations with a half pipe, experiences at the boat yard, tours of the Coast Guard boats, Fire and Police demonstrations and about 100 vendors out to share their creations. Doubledee said that if not for the community support the event would not have gone through this important evolution. The Harbor Festival Committee really wanted to be able to make the event free to attend and thanks to the sponsors for the fact that this dream has come to fruition. “We have been very fortunate this year to have such wonderful community partners and really wanted to offer fireworks this year since we missed out on the 4th of July,” Doubledee said. “We have received grant money from our Tourism Bureau and funding from the City as well as support from our wonderful sponsors, without them we would not have been able to make this a free event.” Come out and celebrate life in Morro Bay and be a part of the history and tradition at the Harbor Festival. To learn more about this event, view a full schedule or become a vendor, visit www.mbhf.com.
Photos submitted by Morro Bay Health Insurance Solutions
Nathan Hedges, Owner/Broker of Morro Bay Health Insurance Solutions.
Photos submitted by Morro Bay Health Insurance Solutions
Alison King, Agent at Morro Bay Health Insurance Solutions.
FINANCIAL FOCUS
What Do Low Oil Prices Mean for Investors?
As you’ve no doubt noticed, your sasters in faraway lands, and so on. trips to the gas station have been a lot If you can keep from being overly more pleasant these past several months. influenced by specific events, you may There’s not much doubt that low oil pric- be able to gain at least two key benefits: es have been welcome to you as a driver. First, by not making trades constantly But when oil is cheap, is that good for in reaction to the headlines of the day, you as an investor? you can avoid piling up heavy fees and There’s no clear-cut answer. But commissions —costs that can reduce the consider the following effects of low oil return rate on your investments. Secprices: ond, you’ll find that if you aren’t always • Positive impact on economy — thinking about what’s going on in the When you spend less at the gas pump, world today, you can focus your investrelative to recent years, what will you ment efforts more intensely on where do with your savings? Like most peo- you want to be tomorrow. The most ple, you’ll probably spend most of it on successful investors set long-term goals goods and services. If you multiply the and don’t focus on factors they cannot amount of your increased spending by control, such as oil prices, interest-rate the millions of other Americans who are changes or other economic events. Inalso saving money on gas, you can see stead, these investors make adjustments, that you and your fellow consumers are as necessary, to accommodate changes likely adding billions of dollars to the in their goals as well as other changes, economy. Typically, a strong economy such as revisions in tax laws — but they is also good for the financial markets — basically stick to their same approach and for the people who invest in them. for the long term. • Different results for different secSo be aware of low oil prices, but tors — Different sectors within the fi- don’t get so “pumped” about them that nancial markets may respond in different you sludge up your consistent investways to low oil prices, even if the overall ment strategy — because that strategy effect is generally positive. For exam- has the energy to keep you moving tople, businesses such as consumer goods ward your important objectives. companies and auto manufacturers may respond favorably to cheaper oil and gas. But the picture might be quite a bit different for energy companies. This article was written by Edward You could spend a lot of time and Jones for use by your local Edward effort trying to adjust your investment Jones Financial Advisor. portfolio in response to low oil prices. Edward Jones, its employees and fiIn fact, you may well want to consult nancial advisors are not estate planners with your financial professional to de- and cannot provide tax or legal advice. termine which moves might make sense for your individual situation. Yet there’s actually a bigger lesson to be learned here: Don’t overreact to temporary developments. The recent decline in oil prices has certainly had an economic Jennifer Redman, impact, but no one can predict how long Financial Advisor these prices will stay low or what other Edward Jones factors may arise that would affect the 1085 Kennedy Way financial markets. That’s why you can’t Morro Bay, CA 93442 reconfigure your portfolio based on particular events, whatever they may be — Phone (805) 772-7938 oil price drops, interest-rate fluctuations, jennifer.redman@edwardjones.com. political squabbles at home, natural di-
8 - Morro Bay Life - October 2015
HAM radio club in Morro Bay
By RUTH ANN ANGUS
For Morro Bay Life
Did you know there is a HAM radio club in Morro Bay? I didn’t until I ran into a group of guys having ice cream at the Hungry Fisherman Restaurant one night. I said hello and asked what they were up to out that late together and Tom Tengdin handed me his business card that indicated he is the president of the San Luis Obispo County Emergency Communications Council. Then they all said, “We’re HAM radio operators.” The Estero Radio Club meets weekly in the senior lounge of the Morro Bay Community Center. The Center is also one of the emergency operation centers for the city. Another site is located at the Morro Bay Fire Station. Emergency radio equipment is stored at the lounge in a special closet and the club members volunteer as emergency operators helping police and fire personnel with emergency mobilizations. The good thing about HAM radio is that it most often can work even when other forms of communications fail. Power generators are located at emergency operation centers in the event the power goes down. This enables HAM operators to still be able to operate their equipment. All of the members of the Estero Radio Club have battery operated hand-held devices that they can also use to communicate from any location. These devices run from a low of $45 to around $200. Secretary of the club, Neal Swanberg, commented that during 2001 Morro Bay experienced an ammonia spill in an abandoned fish processing plant on
Beach Street across from Carla’s Country Kitchen. “An earth mover hit a piece of pipe and opened up a leak from a 1000 gallon ammonia tank,” Swanberg explained. “We were called in to coordinate communications for an evacuation of the area.” At that time Swanberg’s wife, who is also a HAM operator, mobilized evacuation procedures by broadcasting from the parking lot at Albertson’s market. She was in contact with the central emergency operation center located on Kansas Avenue in San Luis Obispo. All around the county there are HAM operators who belong to a variety of clubs that participate in public service with what is essentially their hobby. These clubs form into what is called a “Net” throughout the county There are also centers with HAM equipment at public schools, South Bay Photos by Ruth Ann Angus Fire, and other civic locations. During the Estero Radio Club members at Hungry Fisherman Restaurant for ice cream after their tsunami that hit the Morro Bay harbor, these meeting. operators helped with communications to mobilize an emergency response team and this was just a local mobilization, not where someone can go and spend the day operators who are participating. At this reading through 400 questions from which time any announcements are broadcast and county wide. Members in these HAM Radio clubs the 35 are chosen. At 4 p.m. they give the all emergency communication centers are get into building new hardware, antenna test. They call this day a “HAM Cram.” checked in. Morro Bay also has the oldest HAM modeling, digital communications and When you pass your test, you receive your operator living and still participating. It is much more. “Lots of people use it to just call letters. There are several levels of licensing. 106 year old Harry Wolf who built his first talk to other areas in the world,” Tom Tengdin commented. “That’s called Radio Technicians can operate on the smallest radio in 1922 and received his call letters number of frequencies. General offers in 1936. Wolf was Professor of Electronics Sport.” Members of Estero Radio Club assured broader frequencies and Extra Class the engineering at Cal Poly for 31 years. Residents of Morro Bay can rest easy me that it is not hard to learn how to be a most frequencies. At the weekly Estero Radio Club knowing that there are HAM operators HAM operator but there is a test one has to take to obtain an FCC license and be meetings members exchange information, here, trained and ready to help with awarded certain frequencies. The test has talk about equipment, and participate with emergency communications. As these 35 multiple choice questions and usually the county check-in where one designated members say, “When all else fails there’s club members teach new people although operator from a Net goes on the air and HAM Radio.” there is a school located in Santa Maria each Net checks in with the number of
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Golden State Medicare Health Plan is a HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Golden State Medicare Health Plan depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings call (877) 541-4111. TTY users (877) 551-4111. This is an advertisement. This information is available for free in other languages. Please call our customer service number at (877) 541-4111. TTY users (877) 551-4111, Monday through Friday and daily during the enrollment/disenrollment period. Esta información está disponible gratis en otros idiomas. Por favor llame a nuestro número de servicio al cliente al (877) 541-4111. Los usuarios de TTY (877) 551-4111, de lunes a viernes y todos los días durante el / período de cancelación de inscripción. H2241_4010_2_2016 Accepted
Morro Bay Life - October 2015 - 9
Save the wild By RUTH ANN ANGUS For Morro Bay Life
Rob Seitz is a fisherman, not an easy thing to be these days, but he thinks things are looking up for the fishing industry. Seitz was more or less born into fishing. His life began in Soldotna, Alaska, where his family had settled back in the early 1900s. His father’s side of the family moved there to work in the gold mines and even had their own mine at one time. During World War II his grandfather on his Mom’s side of the family flew bombers, crash landed, and ended up a POW in Rumania. During some of his flight times he had refueled at stations in Alaska, so when finally returning to the states after the war, he announced to the family that they were moving to Alaska. By the time Seitz came along one of the grandfathers had bought a keel boat and begun a fishing career. Seitz helped out on that boat fishing for halibut and salmon. “I went to college,” he said, “but still worked the salmon season. I finally decided college was a waste of time. I was a lot better at fishing and enjoyed it more.” Jumping forward a few years we find Seitz with his own boat, fishing out of Morro Bay. The fishing industry in Morro Bay has declined tremendously from what it was historically even though efforts on the part of fishing families to keep it viable have been outstanding. Some new developments in the last few years appear to be salvaging the small fishing business and Seitz is one of the innovators contributing to this effort. “I was captain on fishing boats out of Astoria, Oregon,” he explained, “had gotten out of Alaska’s salmon fishing fleet at the time of the Exxon/ Valdez oil spill that virtually wiped out the fish. This was also the time that farmed salmon was becoming popular. Chefs liked them because they had access to fish all year round whereas catch of wild salmon was done only in one season.” In Astoria where there are two large fish processing plants, Seitz worked on boats owned by others. Thanks to the way regulations worked then, fishing was becoming a large operator’s industry and the smaller independently owned boats were being squeezed out of business. However, Seitz was already looking for his own boat. “I realized I would have no real stability unless I had ownership,” he said. Rob Seitz in his Save The Wild processing facility at 1217 Embarcadero. Seitz is a trawl fisherman and explains that in 2,000 the fishing industry was declared a federal disaster. “We were wasting fish and destroying habitat. Regulators established the number of fish for every groundfish species that any boat could catch in a time controlled season. So if a fisherman caught over that number for any species he was required to shovel them over. Regulations got stricter and stricter and we could catch less and less and some fishermen wanted to catch every single pound they were allowed to catch. We were required by law to waste fish.” Enter in the quota system and the buy-back of small fishing boats and this industry is experiencing a new life. At the time of the buy-back the Nature Conservancy stepped in and bought up a considerable number of fishing boats in Morro Bay and elsewhere thus also obtaining the accompanying regulatory quota attached to each vessel. Seitz had heard of a boat for sale from the Nature Conservancy in Morro Bay, but he needed a loan and to qualify for that, he needed access to affordable quota. “That’s when I heard about the Morro Bay Community Quota Fund,” he said. “The goal of the Quota Fund is to make it affordable by leasing it to fishermen and it is cheaper than buying quota.” Seitz bought the Fishing Vessel South Bay and moved his family to Morro Bay. Soon after he and his wife Tiffani decided to go one step farther and established Save The Wild, Inc., where they leased space on the waterfront and put in a small fish processing operation. “We established this to sell our own fish,” Seitz said, “and be able to lease less fishing quota but make up to two and one-half times more on the catch than we would get paid from a big processor.” Seitz direct sells fish through the Save The Wild web site to an established but growing email list of individuals looking to buy fresh caught fish. The processing facility is able to process the catch, fillet it, and even vacuum wrap it, and sell it locally. “Right now we sell at two farmer’s markets, Paso Robles and Baywood Park and also to Sunshine Health Food store in Morro Bay and Nature’s Touch Nursery and Harvest in Templeton. We also sell to several local restaurants.” Seitz is President of the Morro Bay Community Quota Fund and Vice President of the Central California Seafood Marketing Association. He is also a poet! See www.savethewild.com
Photos by Ruth Ann Angus
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10 - Morro Bay Life - October 2015
ONGOING EVENTS
Listening to Music Series Join educator Ron Tarica for 20th - 21st Century Composers & American Composers from 1750 to today. Kicking off classes at 1001 Kennedy Way from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays. The first slot is slated for Aug. 25-Sept. 29 and the second section will be hosted from Oct. 13 to Nov. 17. The cost is $55 for 6 weeks, $55 with a $5 discount to residence of Morro Bay and 50 percent off for additional family members. To register, visit morro-bay.ca.us.
Community Calendar
Farmers Market The Morro Bay weekly Saturday farmers market is open to the public beginning at 3 to 6 p.m. There will be all kinds of wonderful artisan wares and produce for purchase. The event is located in downtown Morro Bay at Main and Harbor Street. For more information, or to become a vendor call 772-4467.
Troupe Benat Serat Belly Dance Classes Learn to move with rhythm, grace, and expression. Beginners: Tuesdays Intermediates & Performance Group: Thursdays 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. $20 a month for each class or $7 a drop-in for each class Morro Bay Residents Receive a $5 discount on the Monthly Fee! Located at Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way.
Farmers Market 2 The Morro Bay weekly Thursday farmers market is open to the public beginning at 3 to 5 p.m. There will be all kinds of wonderful artisan wares and produce for purchase. The event is located at Spencer’s Market, located at 2650 Main Street in Morro Bay. For more information, or to become a vendor call 772-8103.
Cuesta Aikido Aikido redirects an attack into a take-down or throw to neutralize it without injury to the attacker. It provides a principled approach to protect oneself that provides physically healthy activity and skill the benefit normal daily living. Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. $37a month, Morro Bay residents receive a $5 discount or $7 a class drop-ins. Located at Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way.
Live Music Thursdays at STAX Come listen to cool music at STAX with a glass of wine and tasty treats from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, to book a band and see what is happening for the month of events visit, staxwine.com or e-mail staxwine@yahoo.com. Spooner Ranch House Tour Days The Central Coast State Parks Association and their Executive Director, Mary Golden have raised over $200,000 to fund restoration of the historic Spooner Ranch House. Now open, Thursday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with plans for expansion. To learn more and to set up a private event, make a donation and meet with a docent contact Mary Golden at, mgolden@ccspa.info or visit, ccspa.info. Art Classes with Manseau Enjoy Diana Manseau at her Monday Acrylics class and Thursday, Mixed-Media Drawing class, through Morro Bay Recreation and Parks Department. Acrylics put brush to paper from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Monday and all can mix-up their media from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Thursday. All for the cost of $45 per month with $5 discounts offered to Morro Bay residents and for drop-ins the cost is $12 per class. To sign up for classes in advance and to see a full list of options for adult education and youth programing, visit morrobay.ca.us or stop by MBRPD, located at 1001 Kennedy Way. For inquiries call Heather SalyerFrith 772-6278. The Morro Bay Senior Citizens, Inc. The Morro Bay Senior Citizens, Inc. is looking for a few new volunteers! If you like assisting people, the Morro Bay Senior Center may be the perfect location to volunteer! Volunteers at the Morro Bay Senior Center meet and greet people daily, provide information regarding various senior services within our community, checkout medical equipment, and more! It is a fun and friendly atmosphere, a great place to spend a few hours once a week. Interested volunteers should contact the Senior Center at 772-4421. Free Dance at Chessboard Morro Bay Bellydance troupe Benat Serat invites you to join them for a free family- friendly dance performance at the Giant Chessboard on the Embarcadero. This 45-minute show will begin at 2 pm. It will feature original dances set to current music as well as traditional Middle Eastern rhythms. Beginning Belly dance classes are Tuesdays at 7 pm through the Morro Bay Community Center, and Sundays at Wilwand Tea Co. & Healing Arts upstairs studio in Atascadero. To learn more visit benatserat.wordpress.com Morro Bay Embarcadero Art Walk On the second Friday of every month from 5 to 8 p.m. Art Galleries and Shops located in the Marina Square Complex on the waterfront side of the Embarcadero. Spend an enjoyable evening along the waterfront free! Converse with many talented local artists about their fine art, jewelry, crafts and more! Have a work of art, signed by the artist! Listen to local guitarist, Mike Swanberg. Enjoy refreshments provided by participating galleries and shops. Marina Square Complex, 601 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, CA 93442 contact Marina Square Complex 772-1068. Zumba Come laugh and move to the Cha-Cha and Salsa, Cumbia and Soca, Merengue and Reggaeton, and SO MANY MOVE world rhythms. Mondays & Wednesday 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.$5 a class drop-in. Located at Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way. Bellfit® Bellyfit® combines moves and music from Bhangra, Bollywood, and African and Belly Dance with Pilates and Yoga to give participants an Fusion Fitness experiences that leaves them feeling energized and focused, all within 1-hour. Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.$5 a class drop-in. Located at Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way. Country Western Line Dancing with Jan Blakely Join Jan this summer as he leads the fun, no partner needed class through several popular line dances. July 8 through August 26, Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Located at Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way.
Private Tennis Lessons with Tennis Pro Stephanie Wagner Coach Wagner’s lessons are for all ages and all skill levels. Lessons take place mostly at Monte Young Tennis Courts, however, when scheduling your lessons with Coach Wagner, a specific time and location will be determined. Contact the Recreation Department at 772-6278 to schedule your lessons today! E-Devise workshops Offered Thursday mornings 8:30-10:00 a.m. in the Morro Bay Library, 625 Harbor St.
FRIDAY, OCT. 2
Coalesce Bookstore Live Music
Kicking off at 7 p.m. for the cost of $20 enjoy a concert featuring The Honey Dewdrops This is an amazingly intimate setting to see live music and an event no one should miss. For more information, call 772-1816 or 4415478.
SATURDAY, OCT. 3
34rd Annual Morro Bay Harbor Fest
The Embarcadero in Morro Bay will be the new home for festivities this year as this quaint fishing village kicks off the 34rd Annual Harbor Festival at noon, Oct. 3. For more information, visit www.mbhf.com.
SUNDAY, OCT. 4
Otter Rock Live Music
Dulcie Taylor is playing at Morro Bays’ Otter Rock Cafe from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. debuting her new album Wind Over Stone. Otter Rock Cafe offers tasty cuisine, libation and an open dance floor to get your groove on with one of many live bands that make this a hip spot and pit stop on their tours. For more information, visit otterrockcafe. com.
SATURDAY, OCT. 10
ECO Rotary Event with MBNEP
You are also invited to join Eco Rotary on October 10 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Bay shore Bluffs Park for Brunch at Bay shore workday in celebration of the MBNEP’s 20 Year Anniversary, “Give a Day to the Bay”. Come see what our Adopt-a-Park is all about. For more information, visit mbnep.org or ecorotarymb.org.
ESSENTIAL HARMONICS
Learn about vibrations of oils and how they affect us from 1 to 4 p.m. for the cost of $33 with Martien Bakens. The plant material distilled, the trees that surround us… how do energy of plants affect humans and their surroundings beyond the esthetics? The offerings at Ruby Dragon will assist us to attune to a joyous state of being. For more information, visit rubydragon.info.
Otter Rock Live Music
Booty Shakers is playing at Morro Bays’ Otter Rock Cafe from 8:30 to 12:30 a.m. Otter Rock Cafe offers tasty cuisine, libation and an open dance floor to get your groove on with one of many live bands that make this a hip spot and pit stop on their tours. For more information, visit otterrockcafe.com.
TUESDAY, OCT. 13 MEET THE MAYA
Enjoy an informational meeting about Mayan sacred journey to Guatemala and Honduras from 6 to 8 p.m. for free with Martien & Teressena Bakens. Martien and Teressena, together with Mayan teacher Miguel Angel Vergara, will be facilitating a sacred journey to Lake Atitlan, Guatemala and Copan, Honduras in April 2016. Lake Atitlan, surrounded by three volcanoes lies in the Mayan highlands of Guatemala. Copan is the sacred site connecting us to the cosmovision. There will be an information presentation about this journey with Q & As afterward. For more information, visit beaconsoflighttravel.com.
THURSDAY, OCT. 15
Morro Bay Women’s Connection Luncheon
The next women’s connection luncheon topic will be Scars: Life Hurts God Heals Speaker and author, Karen Blankenship shares how you can work through the scars in your life and begin to allow God to heal you from the inside out from noon to 1:30 p.m. The location of the luncheon is Rock Harbor, 1475 Quintana Rd. in Morro Bay. To attend the cost is $5 and this includes lunch and programs. First time guests are free and for more information, call Rita at 534 1739 or
Oct.
Bring your questions about your electronic devise. Nook, Kindle, iPad, laptop. Please call for an appointment, 772-6394. Morro Bay Art Center Oil Painting Class Every Monday the Morro Bay Art Center is hosting Jason Mayr’s oil painting class for anyone to enjoy from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This class will be available every Monday for the year 2015. To learn more anyone can visit, artcentermorrobay.com. Morro Bay Art Center Creativity Day Everyday is creativity day at the Morro Bay Art Center. Now on Wednesday’s it’s official from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. all can let the creative juices flow. To learn more anyone can visit, artcentermorrobay.com. Otter Rock Karaoke With Bobby Santacruz Come out and let that star in you shine at Bobby Santacruz Karaoke night from 8 p.m. to midnight every Wednesday in Oct. on the 7,14,21 and 28. Otter Rock Cafe offers tasty cuisine, libation and an open dance floor to get your groove on with one of many live bands that make this a hip spot and pit stop on their tours. For more information, visit otterrockcafe.com. TAROT TUESDAYS Calling all Empresses, Magicians, Lovers, and Seekers on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 2:00-4:00 p.m. for the cost of $20. A fun afternoon of interactive tarot play! Relax with a cup of tea. Bring
your favorite deck. Enhance your intuitive reading skills, learn new spreads, practice reading with each other. For more information, visit rubydragon.info. METAPHYSICAL DISCUSSION GROUP For those who think, feel, and dream outside of “the box” on Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. for a donation Oct. 2,9,16,23 and 30.This is an opportunity to meet with other progressive and inquisitive minds. For more information, visit rubydragon.info. ANGEL HEALING CIRCLE On the second and fourth Wednesday, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. for the cost of $20 each enjoy class with Mary Hiestand, ATP Oct. 14 and 28. The Angel Healing Circle at Ruby Dragon is a peaceful time designed to help you relax, meditate, and connect to your Angels. For more information, visit rubydragon.info.
e-mail morrobaywc@gmail.com.
Otter Rock Live Music
Matt Bednarsky is playing at Morro Bays’ Otter Rock Cafe from 7 to10 p.m. Otter Rock Cafe offers tasty cuisine, libation and an open dance floor to get your groove on with one of many live bands that make this a hip spot and pit stop on their tours. For more information, visit otterrockcafe.com.
FRIDAY, OCT. 16
SATUDAY, OCT. 27 FULL MOON CIRCLE
At 6:30 p.m. for free at Morro Rock, on the beach with Teressena Bakens celebrate the Full Moon. Open to men, women and children. Feel free to bring a rattle or drum if you like. Bring a lawn chair if you do not wish to stand for the entire ceremony. Please respect and honor the ceremony by being on time do not interrupt the ceremony once we have started. For more information, call before attending, 772-1816 or 441-5478.
SOUND HEALING VORTEX
Enjoy a synergy of sound and energy healing from 6:30 – 8 p.m. for the cost of $20 with Lori Lewis, Intuitive Sound and Energy Healer. Come prepared to relax, receive and enjoy. For more information, visit rubydragon.info.
Otter Rock Live Music
Jill Knight Band is playing at Morro Bays’ Otter Rock Cafe from 8:30 to12: 30 a.m. Otter Rock Cafe offers tasty cuisine, libation and an open dance floor to get your groove on with one of many live bands that make this a hip spot and pit stop on their tours. For more information, visit otterrockcafe.com.
SATURDAY, OCT. 17 GODDESS GATHERING
Expressing the sacred feminine through a connection with Mother Earth is an experience to be had from 1 to 5 p.m. for the cost of $55 with Teressena Bakens. Explore, experience, and expand into the sacred feminine! This glorious Goddess Gathering is an opportunity to remember our innate connection with Mother Earth and the unlimited energy of the sacred feminine. Participants will discover new ways to express their inner Goddess. A fun day to play, dance, sing, create, and celebrate through ceremony, movement, creativity, and co-creation. For more information, visit rubydragon.info.
SATURDAY, OCT. 24 Otter Rock Live Music
Deep Blue is playing at Morro Bays’ Otter Rock Cafe from 8 to12 a.m. Otter Rock Cafe offers tasty cuisine, libation and an open dance floor to get your groove on with one of many live bands that make this a hip spot and pit stop on their tours. For more information, visit otterrockcafe. com.
FAERIE LIGHTS & MAGIC POTIONS
Come play and have Faerie Fun with nurture and the Inner Sprite from 1 to 3 p.m. for the cost of $35. All supplies provided for creating Faerie Lights and Magic Potions. Very Special Wishes can also be made to boost the effectiveness of your Magical Activities! All supplies are provided, but any Extra Beautiful Feathers, Seaglass, Stones, Shells or other Wonders that call to you in your travels around the Edges of Fairyland are most welcome ~ we recommend a Roaming in the Woods or on the Beach as likely places to run into future magical materials and even a few Fae. This event is limited to 10 and reservations arerecommended: Call the Ruby Dragon at 772 -1100. Questions: Call Tobey White Heart, your guide to the Faerie Realm at 225 -1083 or email: tobeycrockett@ gmail.com.
SUNDAY, Nov. 1
5th annual Soupabration
A carnival themed celebration with soup, wine and chocolate will commence at noon Sunday, Nov. 1 all in support of Pacific Wildlife Care. The Soupabration is in its fifth year as the staple fundraiser for PWC. This year hosted at the Morro Bay Community Center located at 1001 Kennedy Way in Morro Bay. VIP tickets will be $85 each for an opportunity to privately taste kicking off at 11 a.m. to noon with a souvenir wine glass included. Another perk for the VIP ticket holder is the ability to vote twice in the People’s Favorite Soup category. General Admission tickets will cost $60 each and offer soup and wine pairing, beer sampling, at all events from noon to closing at 4 p.m. as well as a souvenir wine glass. There will also be a special ticket price for the Designated Driver at $45 each. For more information about this event and to purchase tickets visit soupabration.org and to learn more about the PWC visit pacificwildlifecare.org.
How To Publish A Fictitious Business Name Statement And Other Legal Notices
The Atascadero News provides the professional, reliable, timely service you need and expect when placing legal notices. Only $60 for a Fictitious Business Name Statement published once a week for four weeks. That price includes proof of publication filed with the County Recorder. The Atascadero News can publish legal notices for the County of San Luis Obispo. The Atascadero News publishes once a week, every Friday. Our prices are reasonable. How To Reach Us Telephone: (805) 466-2585 Fax: (805) 466-2714 E-mail: info@atascaderonews.com or office@atascaderonews.com
To be included in the Community Calendar please contact Allyson Oken at aoken@atascaderonews.com
Morro Bay Life - October 2015 - 11
Morro Bay Stand Up Paddleboarding is new in town
Photos by Ruth Ann Angus
Mary Robinson owner of Morro Bay Stand Up Paddleboarding.
By RUTH ANN ANGUS For Morro Bay Life
Mary Robinson, owner of Morro Bay Stand Up Paddleboarding, is in love with this sport and brings her enthusiasm for it to her new business located in Marina Square on the waterfront. Robinson and her husband run both the retail shop and take care of the mobile rental business. The sport is a lot older than most people think and relates back to early surfers from Hawaii. An old photo in the store shows Duke Kahanamoku, the King of Surfing, actually using a paddle as he surfed a wave in Waikiki. In modern times celebrated surfer Laird Hamilton has helped make the sport as popular as it is today. Once he was doing it in Hawaii the media picked up on it and videos of him popped up all over. Robinson started paddling the same way a lot of people do. She got hold of a board and a paddle and went out and got going in the surf. “It wasn’t the best way to start,” she explained, “I had a lot of injuries.” Naturally she would fall off the board and invariably landed smack on it or on its edge. A few surgeries later and eventually she had it down. “By that time I knew technique and how to be safe,” she said. Thanks to her early experience, instruction in the art of stand up paddling became paramount in Robinson’s business model. Friends began asking her to teach them and because she wanted to do it the right way, she decided to take lessons in order to be certified in the sport. She is now certified with four different stand up paddling organizations. There is more to this activity than just standing on a board and paddling along. One needs to know how to start out in the water, the best way to balance, how to turn the board, and especially how to do self rescue should you fall off are all important. It is not the same as paddling a canoe or a kayak. Robinson insists that renters and people taking lessons use a leash. In this way should you fall off the board it will not get away from you. She also requires everyone to wear a PFD, personal flotation device, commonly known as a lifejacket. While wearing a wetsuit isn’t totally necessary it’s good to remember that the
water in Morro Bay is fairly cold all the time. PFDs and wetsuits are required for children under 12 years old. “One thing people don’t take into account is the impact of wind and current,” she said. “Here in the bay we experience a northwest wind almost every day and there is always a current due to the changes of the tides.” Robinson will not rent or do tours or lessons if the wind is blowing at 10 miles per hour. It is just too hard to buck that much wind standing on the back of a board. Current may run lightly most of the time but when the moon is full, or at a new moon, tides run really hard and one can easily be swept out to sea on an out-flowing tide. Even though Robinson and her husband had originally only wanted to offer mobile rental and lesson services, finding the space available in Marina Square has proved to be an asset. An assortment of boards, paddles, leashes, fins, accessories, and board care products are stocked. “We can accommodate everyone from the elite athlete to the beginner,” she said, “and we have quite a range of price points on boards. We even specialize in items for your dog, such as doggy life jackets, leashes, and water toys.” Rental fees are also reasonable and there is a 20 percent discount for anyone who first takes a paddling lesson. Lessons are one and a half hours long and cover how to get on and off the board, paddling technique, self rescue methods, and rules of the waterway. Robinson also offers other specialized lessons and they are listed on the web site at www.supmorrobay.com . One thing Robinson is truly proud of doing are Natural History Tours. She loves to take people out on the bay to meet marine animals, birds, fish and other sea creatures. “It’s the best way to really see what is under the water,” she said. On this tour Robinson makes sure people enjoy the nature of Morro Bay while also getting a great workout. She sums it up this way: “I want to connect people with this marine environment through the sport of stand up paddling.” Morro Bay Stand Up Paddleboarding is at 601 Embarcadero in the Marina Square Center. Call 550-1678 to book a lesson, rental or tour.
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Rob Seitz, fisherman and poet By RUTH ANN ANGUS
Poetry writing fishermen are a little like their cowboy counterparts who gather in Elko, Nevada each year for Cowboy Local fisherman Rob Seitz is multi- Poetry. talented. He not only has a successful Fisher Poets takes place in seven different fishing career but is venues all around Astoria an accomplished poet. and people attending Seitz has a book of his can make the rounds poems out entitled, to each location. “That “Rob Seitz 2.5 gpf” that first year they held it has a collection of his I refused to go,” Seitz poetry written over the said, “I thought it was years of his development a sure sign that I was in as a commercial a dying industry and so fisherman. The 2.5 gpf I was writing poetry. I (2.5 gallons per flush) thought poetry indicated refers to the standard that maybe I should not piece of equipment on be a fisherman. But after his grandfather’s boat attending the second in which one did their year I realized it is a daily business since flush celebration of all the good toilets did not exist. stuff about the industry.” In the book, which He has attended 17 of Photos by Ruth Ann Angus the events and last year this writer received as a gift from the Morro This is Rob Seitz’ poetry book, he wrote the welcome Bay National Estuary “Rob Seitz 2.5 gpf.” to the gathering. In his Program, Seitz not only welcome Seitz said that has his poems but a running narrative of Fisher Poets gave him the creative release explanation about how each poem came to to help get him through all the tough be. times when fishing was going through its “When I was a kid my Dad came up decline. with a creative way for us kids to occupy Seitz opens the book with the statement, our time in the cold and dark winters of “Well, it ain’t Moby Dick . . . but the nice Alaska,” Seitz explains. “He made us thing about my book is you can read it in memorize poetry. I didn’t like it at the time one sitting and don’t have to write a paper but it probably forced me into creative on it.” writing.” The book is fun, informative, creative Seitz was invited to attend the and sometimes sad, but definitely paints a competitive Fisher Poets Gathering in picture of the life of this fisherman and all Astoria, Oregon in February, 1998 and he the little insights to life on the high seas won that competition with his offering. getting the daily catch.
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12 - Morro Bay Life - October 2015
Morro Bay woman aids adoptable cats and kittens
Photos by Ruth Ann Angus
Animal ornaments made by Ruth Bianchi to support fostering costs for ASAP.
Photos by Ruth Ann Angus
Bella, Ruth Bianchi’s youngest cat at her home.
By RUTH ANN ANGUS For Morro Bay Life
Ruth Bianchi does something special for cats and kittens. She raises money. Bianchi is an animal advocate. She volunteered at the SLO County Animal Shelter for five years beginning in 2005. Cats and kittens hold a special place in her heart and she shares her spacious modern home in Morro Bay with two tabbies named Rocky and Bella. In 2014 Bianchi found out she had cancer and had to undergo a 12-hour surgery followed by chemotherapy. This didn’t stop her from continuing to do a special art project that is part of her fundraising activities. “Each year for the past six years I’ve been raising money for ASAP,” Bianchi said. ASAP stands for Animal Shelter Adoption Partners, an organization that works to save animals by increasing adoptions. Started by Arroyo Grande resident Terry Parry, the primary goal of the organization is to reduce the unnecessary euthanasia of adoptable animals by providing financial support and equipment to people who are willing to foster animals from the Shelter. Fostering is especially successful in keeping kittens and puppies from being euthanized due to overcrowding at the Shelter or from contracting diseases that they would most likely succumb to if left
there. Fortunately there are more cats and kittens out to foster than are housed in the Shelter. Fostering kittens is especially good because being in a loving home even temporarily helps the animals become socialized and easier to adopt. Currently there are approximately 140 felines out in foster care. ASAP supplies foster volunteers all the medicines, food, and other accessories such as warming blankets, scales, and cages enabling cats and kittens to survive and thrive. This allows volunteers who would like to foster, but would be unable to foot the costs of foster care, to take part. ASAP spends about $3000 per year on this endeavor. They have found that more cats are adopted out of foster than out of the Shelter. So what does Ruth Bianchi do? She creates handmade animal Christmas tree ornaments offered as a gift for a $20 donation to ASAP. Each ornament is a depiction of a specific animal. “The first year I only made cats,” she said, “then the next year I added dogs, then pigs, owls, frogs, penguins, fish, otters and cows.” That first year Bianchi made $1,000 that she donated to ASAP. The ornaments are made out of felt and are hand sewn. She uses fishing lures for eyes and some small leather pieces for noses and ears. In 2013 Bianchi raised $3,600 and in 2014 she raised $2,700.
Photos by Ruth Ann Angus
Ruth Bianchi and some of her animal ornaments that she makes to raise funds for ASAP.
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“The ornaments are always animals,” she said, “and making them was wonderful therapy during the time I felt so awful from the chemo.” The fact that Bianchi makes and sells these ornaments may not seem particularly unusual, but the method she uses to sell them is. Bianchi walks door to door in Morro Bay neighborhoods and to businesses and knocks on doors to offer the ornaments. She carries them in a Victoria Secret bag which often attracts attention and leads to a successful donation sale. “Maybe I don’t look the type to be carrying a Victoria Secret bag,” she said, “but people stop me and ask me what I have in it. Then
I show them and explain.” Along with foster support ASAP provides adoption fee rebates for pets not quickly adopted and for senior pets. They also hold Adopt-A-Pets at a variety of locations throughout the county and they produce a daily TV program called “Rescue Me!” on Charter Cable Public Access TV Channel 2. You can donate to ASAP on their web site www.sloasap.org and donations are tax deductible. To obtain one of Ruth Bianchi’s wonderful animal Christmas ornaments, contact ASAP at 489-0689.