May 2017 Journal Plus by SLO Journal

MONICA GRANT | MARY MESERVE-MILLER | DEBORAH FOUGHTY | PACIFIC WILDLIFE

JournalPLUS MAY 2017

MAGAZINE OF THE CENTRAL COAST

MATTHEW AND LEONA EVANS

805-543-2172

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110 E. Branch Street, Arroyo Grande

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Centex single level, 3BD/4BA open floor plan home with RV parking. Private setting on one acre Home features modern split floor plan with Master Suite on one side of the living space and the 2 additional bedrooms on the other. Kitchen has a granite center island & bar space, butlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pantry, breakfast nook. Adjacent to equestrian, hiking and biking trails and close to several distinguished golf courses. $965,000

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Cute Cozy Cottage style home with 4 bedrooms 2 bathrooms built in 2005. Single level with vaulted ceilings thru out, open kitchen, dining area and living room. Master bedroom has mirrored closet doors. Enjoy the patio and low maintenance fenced backyard on drip system. Private setting yard captures the hill views. Neighborhood has elementary school, park, and near freeway. $409,500

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

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Extra Clean - Two Bedroom, Two Bath unit, with loft storage, fireplace, private deck, close to the park and YMCA. The complex offers a nice clubhouse and pool. $349,900

Abundance of natural light. Spacious-open 2BD/2BA floorplan. Great room with fireplace, office/den easily doubles as separate dining room. Nice kitchen with dining area overlooking golf course. Spacious master suite, double sinks, dual shower heads. Double doors enter to guest bedroom. Utility Room connects to garage. This is a Probate Sale. $530,000

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CONTENTS

Journal PLUS MAGAZINE OF THE CENTRAL COAST

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

654 Osos Street San Luis Obispo California 93401

PACIFIC WILDLIFE CARE

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

EDITOR & PUBLISHER Steve Owens ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Erin Mott GRAPHIC DESIGNER Dora Mountain COPY EDITOR Susan Stewart PHOTOGRAPHER Tom Meinhold DISTRIBUTION Jan Owens, Kyle Owens, Jim Parsons, Gary Story ADVERTISING Steve Owens CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Susan Stewart, Joseph Carotenuti, Dr. James Brescia, Sarah Hedger, Maggie Cox, Dominic Tartaglia, Deborah Cash, Heather Young, Don Morris, Ruth Starr, Chuck, Will Jones, Robert Pavlik, Jody Kocsis, Heidi Harmon, Gail Pruitt and Carole Koch. Mail subscriptions are available at $20 per year. Back issues are $2 each. Inquires concerning advertising or other information made by writing to Steve Owens, JOURNAL PLUS MAGAZINE, 654 Osos Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. You can call us at 546-0609, our fax line is 546-8827, and our e-mail is slojournal@fix.net. View the entire magazine on our website at www.slojournal.com JOURNAL PLUS MAGAZINE is a free monthly distributed to over 600 locations throughout the Central Coast and is also available online at slojournal.com Editorial submissions are welcome but are published at the discretion of the publisher. Submissions will be returned if accompanied by a stamped self addressed envelope. No material published in the magazine can be reproduced without written permission. Opinions expressed in the byline articles are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the JOURNAL PLUS MAGAZINE. COVER PHOTO BY TERRI KEEFER

MONICA GRANT

PEOPLE 7 8 10 12 14

GREATEST ATHLETES – Jorgensen & Dunn LEONA AND MATTHEW EVANS YMCA’S MONICA GRANT MARY MESERVE-MILLER DEBORAH FOUGHTY

HOME & OUTDOOR 16 PACIFIC WILDLIFE CARE 18 HISTORY: 20 HIGUERA STREET 24 FOOD / AT THE MARKET

MARY MESERVE-MILLER

COMMUNITY 21 22 26 27 28 30 32 34 42

PALM STREET PERSPECTIVE –Heidi Harmon VETERANS CALL TO THE COLORS PASO ART SCENE SLO ART SCENE MOTHER’S DAY HISTORY ON THE “HOOF” Cayucos HISTORY: California 1856, part 1 OUR SCHOOLS – Dr. James Brescia COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

BUSINESS

36 EYE ON BUSINESS 37 DOWNTOWN SLO What’s Happening

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May Hero Profile

2017

Children’s Bill of Rights #5: As the children and youth of San Luis Obispo County, may we each enjoy daily physical activity and time outdoors. MAY’S HERO

Darrell Goo PASSION

Helping mentor young people in sports and life ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE DARRELL

Dedicated

NOMINATED BY

SLO County YMCA

Darrell Goo is a champion for children, encouraging and empowering young athletes to become their best personal selves.

Darrell is a continuous source of support to other local Roller Hockey coaches, parents and young athletes as they learn the sport. But beyond just teaching the basic skills of the game, colleagues say Darrell helps participants better understand sportsmanship, discipline, and how to navigate challenges they may face on or off the rink. He cares deeply about youth development, and does all he can to make sure young people are given the best opportunity to succeed. Darrell is always working on ways to improve and expand the program. He runs hockey demonstrations at local elementary schools and invites all of the kids to skate

in the annual SLO Holiday Parade. Those involved say it’s these little moments that make the athletes and their families feel more deeply connected to the community. When an athlete has an “off” day, gets frustrated, or is struggling with something personal, Darrell takes the time to help that player work through the problem and overcome the mental block. Kids look to Coach Darrell for guidance because they know they can count on him. He is a positive role model, wise mentor, enthusiastic encourager, trusted friend and so much more.

Thank you, Darrell. You are a true Hands-On Hero. Look for more on all of our Hands-On Heroes on COE-TV channel 19!

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

Design: Verdin

As Coach of the SLO County YMCA Youth Roller Hockey Program, Darrell sets up tryouts, organizes teams, and leads several himself. He has seen countless kids begin the program as early as 6 years old– and has remained a steady part of their hockey journey through high school and beyond.

From the publisher

A smile is the universal welcome. – MAX EASTMAN –

his month’s cover story features Leona and Matthew Evans. We profiled Leona several years ago and now her son, Matthew, who has been doing great things as well. They recently wrote a book together and we tell you all about it inside.

This month we also feature three other people who make a difference on the Central Coast. We start with Monica Grant. She gives us an update on what’s happening at the YMCA. We move on to tell you Mary Meserve-Miller’s latest venture, and it’s a good one. Finally, Susan Stewart writes about Point San Luis Lighthouse Executive Director, Deborah Foughty.

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME EVENING HOURS AVAILABLE

We also have four good history pieces inside. We write about the history of Mother’s Day, 20 Higuera Street, Cayucos and California in 1856. We finish up with our quarterly Veterans column, Call to the Colors. A perfect time to honor our past and present Vets with Memorial Day celebrated at the end of this month.

Ryan M. Ross, DDS Enjoy the magazine.

Michael Roberts, DDS 11545 LOS OSOS VALLEY ROAD, SUITE A SAN LUIS OBISPO (805)541-5800

•

RYANROSSDDS.COM

Steve Owens

COMMUNITY

greatest athletes on the central coast ed Jorgensen and theo dunn By Dr. Don Morris Editor’s note: “Who are the Greatest Athletes in the history of the Central Coast?” So far the following athletes have been featured: Ed Brown, Stephanie Brown Trafton, Chuck Liddell, Loren Roberts, Steve Patterson, Gene Rambo, Robin Ventura, Jordan Hasay, Chuck Estrada, Mike Larrabee, Ron Capps, Jamie Martin, Rusty Kuntz, Randall Cunningham, Jim Lonborg, Kami Craig, John Rudometkin, Ivan Huff, Chelsea Johnson, Michael Louis Bratz, Frank Minini, Scott McClain, Mel Queen, Napoleon Kaufmann, Katie Hicks, Mark Brunell, Gene Romero, Kenny Heitz, Thornton Starr Lee, Pat Rusco, Rusty Blair, the Lee Family, Dan Conners, John Iribarren, Jeff Powers, The Mott Family, Casey Todd Candaele, Bill Brown and Dr. Paul Spangler. Please send nominations to Dr. Morris at dmmorris@calpoly.edu. Both Cal Poly Coach Ed Jorgensen and Cal Poly basketball player Theo Dunn have been nominated from the 1950s as the Greatest Basketball Coach and basketball player in the history of the Central Coast and both of them have been inducted into the Cal Poly Athletic Hall of Fame.

ed jorgensen Ed Jorgensen’s Mustang coaching career spanned four decades. He guided the men’s basketball program from 1947-1966 and coached the men’s tennis team from 19561976. (Cal Poly Coach Jorgensen was also one of the author’s Coaches and he is most deserving of this honor of being nominated as one of the Greatest Coaches in the history of the Central Coast) Ed’s basketball squads packed Crandall Gymnasium during the CCAA days against such teams as Fresno State, Long Beach State, Santa Barbara and Pepperdine, and the Mustangs won a CCAA title during his tenure. Ed guided the tennis team to many top 10 finishes and an NCAA Division II runner-up season. His tennis teams also won 5 straight CCAA championships. In 1987, he was inducted into

Jorgensen’s squad, highlighted by a 22-rebound effort against UC Santa Barbara.

the Cal State Chico Athletic Hall of Fame, for a stellar three-sport collegiate career. Ed coached Hall of Fame members Theo Dunn and Mike LaRoche and Don Morris. Ed passed away in 1999. He is survived by his three children.

His collegiate career was interrupted by service in the United States Army, where he served with distinction and his hoop skills wowed the crowds in Europe. He returned to the Mustangs in 1960-61, one year after his induction into the Gonzales, California Basketball Hall of Fame. Theo graduated from Cal Poly in the 1960s with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Graphic Communications. Theo has served on the Cal Poly Hall of Fame Selection Committee, as well as the annual giving committee. (Athletic Director’s Circle).

theo dunn Theoplis “Theo” Dunn was a highly touted basketball star from Star City, Arkansas, who made his impact at San Francisco City College. Theo lived up to his billing and more when he came to Cal Poly in 1955 and became one of the greatest Mustang hoop stars of all time. He was a major factor in the post, using his 6’6” frame en route to smashing four school records and earning All-CCAA honors twice. His 442 points in 1956-57 set a mark, as did his average of 19.2, his single season total of 156 field goals, and his 13 free throws in a game. In 1957-58, his 292 rebounds led Ed

Theo retired from Pacific Gas and Electric in 1993 after 26 years of outstanding service. A few years ago he participated in basketball at the Senior Olympics. He has enjoyed hiking throughout the San Luis Obispo area and taking part in various club activities with Kiwanis and the Masons. Here is what Coach Ed Jorgensen had to say about Theo Dunn who was his center on the Cal Poly Basketball team. “Theo was an outstanding basketball player and a real pleasure to Coach. He broke four scoring records and was named all-CCAA twice. Since his days on the court he has remained a true supporter of Cal Poly Athletics. He’s involved and always willing to lend a hand. That’s just the kind of nice guy he is. He surely more than qualifies for the Cal Poly Athletic Hall of Fame.” M A Y

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leona & matthew evans ...from broadway to gandhi By Ruth Starr

former Broadway actress and performer, Leona Evans has been an ordained minister of Unity of San Luis Obispo for the past 23 years. An advocate for peaceful living, Leona is an action team leader for the National Peace Alliance promoting nonviolent action. They hold monthly meetings in San Luis Obispo where they discuss the philosophy of nonviolent action and provide opportunities to support human rights and the future of the planet.

Leona’s goal is to have as many people as possible engage in the process of becoming an evolving peacemaker. She wants people to treat themselves better, treat others better, be more loving and powerful with diversity and strength. “It’s a way of being a part of the world family— connecting with ourselves, with others and understanding Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence. That is the essence of becoming an evolving peace maker,” claims Leona. She passionately shares this message through public speaking, tv, radio and social media. In her capacity as minister at Unity, Leona developed a Montessori School there seventeen years ago. Her son Matthew, now 20, was one of the first students to attend the school. The school continues to thrive with a dedicated staff that the congregation at Unity loves. Leona holds a Masters of Arts Degree in Religious Studies. She is the former Chair of the Metaphysics Department at Unity School for Religious Studies. Her background includes authoring books, as well as teaching classes on the power of the mind. Matthew has established his own career as an actor, filmmaker, musician, and peace activist. He learned throughout his upbringing, from his Mom, that peace begins with him. While attending the Montessori School several years ago, Matthew remembers there was much talk about respecting the planet, respecting other cultures and honoring diversity. It was the same philosophy that he had heard at home. Mahatma Gandhi was always one of Leona’s favorite leaders. She read his book, and philosophy, knowing that this was her path. His grandson, Arun Gandhi, now 83, has carried on with the same philosophies. Leona and Matthew met Arun when he spoke at Unity and

Matthew and Leona Evans M A Y

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invited him to speak at the Spanos Theater in June 2012. Arun spends his life as a writer, speaker and peace activist. Arun was very pleased to allow Matthew to film him for a short film. Matthew had already produced two short films and was excited to film Arun. One of Matthew’s films was called A War Story, A Love Story. It was about his adopted grandparents, Lou & Jeanne Silva. It was about the experience Lou had when he served during the Korean War. In 2011 Matthew produced a documentary short film called Poetic Justice Project, that won the 2014 Gold Jury Prize Youth Visions at the Social Justice Film Festival in Seattle. Its mission was the advancement of social justice by engaging formerly incarcerated people in original theater examining crime, punishment, and redemption. After interviewing Arun for hours, Matthew edited his film A Quest For Peace: Non Violence Among Religions. Matthews biggest honor, after awards at many film festivals, was receiving a special award that would

Matthew speaking at the United Nations Annual Forum on Culture and Peace.

Arun’s message seemed more compelling than ever before to Leona. She felt guided to learn more about the Gandhi teachings so she could combine them with her past experiences in spirituality. It would also help people to understand that nonviolence is so much more productive. She knew it was important to take action, as many people believe in these concepts but they do not take the next step.

Matthew receiving the Teen Art of Making Peace Award from Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdbury at the United Nations Forum on a Culture of Peace in 2014.

be presented to him at the United Nations third High Level Forum on a Culture of Peace. Seeing the response that the film was getting and realizing that people were hungry to hear more, Leona was anxious to impart how to connect with people who had different points of view—how to get along with one another.

Dr. Martin Luther King adopted these concepts for the Civil Rights Movement. There were people who thought that he believed in passive resistance. However, Gandhi did not advocate passive resistance. There was nothing passive or resistant about his teachings. The idea was to achieve conflict resolution through nonviolent action, respect, and ethical behavior. For Leona the plan was to take these ideas from a western point of view and share them, including methods of taking personal responsibility. That was the beginning of the book, The Evolving Peacemaker that took two years to write, along with Matthew’s help. Arun Gandhi wrote the forward for the book. The concepts were embedded in her soul for those two years. Arun lives in Rochester, New York. His wife passed away a few years ago. He lives with

PEOPLE

his family heading The Institute For Nonviolence 231. In writing this book Leona and Matthew feel it is important for people to understand the Gandhi teaching; to emphasize that nonviolence is not just a response. It’s a way of life. We need to examine the words we use in our own minds when violence begins. We have a choice about how we use our anger for good energy—we can channel that energy or we can waste it. The book was released in December 2016 to excellent reviews. It is available through Amazon, Balboa Press, and Barnes & Noble. Matthew is currently a student at Cuesta College in the Jazz Studies Program. He plays the Bass. His goal is to finish his AA degree, then transfer to Cal State at Fullerton where there is an excellent music program. In 2016 Matthew received the Matt Taylor Scholarship Award from the SLO Jazz Federation, where he currently serves as a board member. He sees his life as a blend of acting, music and peace work. To learn more you can go to facebook.com/ The Evolving Peacemaker. Leona and Matthew, along with their thirteen year old Shih-tzu dog Sparky, live in Santa Maria.

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yMCA Ceo

Monica Grant (left) with YMCA COO, April Lewallen.

monica grant

everything we’re doing is to ensure a thriving and sustainable Ymca for this county By Will Jones

inutes into my conversation with Monica Grant, beginning her fifth year as CEO of the San Luis Obispo County YMCA, I understood why she is respected and admired as a leader in our community. Her straight talk, good sense of humor, confidence, and a hint of feistiness waiting in reserve for the right time and place, had my full attention.

In a 2014 article by Heather Young for Journal Plus, Monica, originally from Long Island, New York, said that she hoped to turn a good Y into a great Y. Given the changes that have occurred since then, and the plans Monica, her staff and the Board of Directors have for the future, it appears that Monica will reach her goal, although she would be the first to admit that reaching “great” is an ongoing journey, not a destination. One goal has been to increase diversity – age, ethnicity, faith, gender, family structure – in staffing, membership, and program participation throughout the county. “I feel very encouraged and proud that our Y is as diverse as it is. I think we may be one of the most diverse organizations in this county as far as who we are serving and engaging. I see evidence of that everywhere I go. Our work being is to engage diverse families in active volunteer roles, into our board, as donors. It’s important that we take a leadership role by making it clear that we are a place for all families. It’s part of the Y as a cause, nationally and worldwide.” Since her college days at Western Carolina University, and her early experience with the Y in the 1980’s, Monica has been attracted to “the values of the Y, the ethic of labor and hard work, and the wonderful people it attracts. Even when I periodically left, I felt like I was still part of the Y family. I’ve returned, and stayed, because I’ve seen the Y evolve as an organization. It’s not perfect, but it’s continually redefining its mission.”

Two of Monica’s biggest challenges to improve the health of the Y have been to increase membership and fundraising. “We’ve had a resurgence in many ways. In 2016 we granted out $150,000, more than doubling our grants in 2013. We raise about $400,000 a year through our fundraising campaign and private grants. Our largest growth has been in our major gifts program, our President’s Club. We have well over one hundred members in that program now. I think we’re able to engage donors in conversations about both mission and vision, passion about our cause or passion about where we’re going. We deliver what we say we’re going to deliver. We don’t monkey around with donors’ money.” Fitness memberships have increased by 20% since 2013.

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543-6871

The YMCA staff wristbands as part of the “I gave to the YMCA” fundraising program.

FD 374

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The YMCA staff

the pursuit of health. That’s what the Y is, that’s why we have such a diverse population at our fitness site. We’re going to engage you, talk to you, and get you involved in our community.” Monica’s energy and excitement for both the Y’s mission and vision was palpable throughout our meeting, the kind of “lean forward in your seat energy” that energizes everyone. “This is an exciting, important chapter for the Y,” Monica said. “It’s great to talk about the future because we have such a strong base. Everything we’re doing is to ensure a thriving and sustainable YMCA for this county. The community needs it.” For more information about the SLO YMCA, go to www.sloymca.org, or call 543-8235. The main facility is at 1020 Southwood Drive in San Luis Obispo. The north county office can be reached at 239-3047.

Monica feels like her first four years were about stabilizing and positioning the organization, which she feels has been accomplished. It is now time, with the help of her staff, including recently hired COO, April Lewallen, to take the Y to the next level. “We have a great strategic plan that San Luis Obispo City Manager, Katie Lichtig, who is on our board, helped us with. In the fall we completed a countywide study around the fitness side of our services for families. The San Luis Obispo facility is the only one in the county. Most of our revenue comes from outside youth programs rather than fitness memberships, which is unusual for Ys. So facilities and the healthy living component for families need more attention. Our study showed that there’s an untapped market for people who want a Y facility in their community.” With assistance from experts in the community, a plan is being drafted for capital development to introduce, or increase access to, fitness facilities throughout the county. Conversations are happening in Paso Robles, Grover Beach, and an expansion of the San Luis Obispo facility is also being discussed. “There’s a need and a market for the Y, so how do we now plan and tap into it. That is one key initiative. It’s going to happen,” Monica emphasized. A second initiative focuses on impacting chronic disease, like diabetes prevention and arthritis management. A Y program, Healthy Eating and Physical Activity, already works with young children and their families about creating healthier lifestyles. “We’re talking to our partners, at Sierra Vista and French, about enhancing the curriculum we can present.” The program is currently delivered to over 650 students at all of the sites where the Y has after school programs. A new class at the Y, thanks to a donor, is for individuals with autism and their families. “We’re piloting a class on Saturday afternoons to help fill a gap in our county. It will be a family experience including fitness for all. We’re partnering with a network of professionals throughout the county.” A third initiative is focused on strategic collaboration with other organizations, like, for example, the Santa Maria Valley YMCA. “We had no relationship when I arrived, but we’ve turned that around. We do joint trainings, an annual joint board retreat, and the next step might be to share joint programming. We’re working with local health providers, and we’re looking at further collaborations with organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and other nonprofits.” With after school programs, athletic programs and three pre-schools, the Y has a heavy emphasis on child development and early childhood education related to fitness and overall health. “The earlier children are exposed to healthy lifestyles, the more likely that experience will carry over into adulthood and family life. The reason why the Y works so well is because we target health seekers, people who want to learn about how to live a healthy life. They need and want support in M A Y

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mary meserve-Miller

starting a new community theater By Heather Young

ary Meserve-Miller has been a part of the community theater scene in San Luis Obispo since the late ‘90s.

“[Community theater] provides such a valuable gift to the community,” Meserve-Miller said on the importance of a community’s having its own theater that is not a professional theater. “I heard once that you can judge the vitality and health of a community by the level and quality of the arts in that community. It also provides valuable training for amateurs who want to learn acting, set design, costuming — well, everything in theater. I feel it is vitally important to include everyone of all ages and levels of experience.” Since the time that Meserve-Miller worked for SLO Little Theatre, its mission has changed from a community theater to a professional theater. According to its mission statement, its mission is “to present professional theatrical productions for the entertainment and enrichment of the public, and to provide the best possible theatre education opportunities for children and adults.” Because she believes in the importance of a community theater for people who work in professions outside of theater, she started Central Coast Theater Works, which is based in Nipomo through Nipomo Recreation Association.

The first season will include four different shows: • Sweet Baby James, a musical tribute to James Taylor, on May 19, 20 and 21 • War of the Worlds on Tuesday, Oct. 31 (the audience is invited to come dressed as an alien) • The Odd Couple, the female version, Nov. 17, 18 and 19 • It’s a Wonderful Life, a live radio play, on Sunday, Dec. 10

This year is the community theater’s first season and all of the shows this year will take place at the Monarch Club at Monarch Dunes with the Monarch Media Club

Meserve-Miller didn’t just jump into writing, directing and producing. She started out acting and eventually got back into theater via community theater and hasn’t left.

“These fine folks, along with the excellent Nipomo Recreation Association Board of Directors, have been amazingly supportive are the real reason we are thriving,” Meserve-Miller said. “I can’t acknowledge them enough. We would not exist without them.”

“I actually started directing plays at 6 years old in our backyard, which was in Yosemite Valley,” Meserve-Miller said. “My dad was the chief engineer for Yosemite National Park.” She ended up following in her father’s steps and got a degree in architectural engineering, minoring in math. “I was an engineer for 10 years and hated it,” she said. “It was too dry and monotonous for me. Plus, I am such a social creature, I drove the other engineers crazy. I finally returned to theater when I was a stay at home mom to my sons, [Michael and Max].” When her boys were about 2 and 3 years old, she took up acting as a hobby because the rehearsals were generally at night, so she could leave the boys at home with her husband after he got home from work. “I became utterly obsessed with acting and actually memorized the entire script for the first play I acted in, ‘Steel Magnolias,’” MeserveMiller said. “I knew every single line. I felt I had finally found my real professional passion.”

Mary and her sons Michael and Max. M A Y

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“The fundraising job led me to create the LEGENDS Series, which I wrote, produced and directed,” Meserve-Miller said. “I was surprised to find that I was actually much happier behind the scenes.” Not only is she happy being behind the scenes, but she also loves producing a production that makes the audience happy. “When you produce a product that folks like, it becomes a love fest between the cast and audience and if you are blessed enough to get a truly enthusiastic standing ovation, for those few minutes there is nothing but love and joy amongst everybody,” she said. The LEGENDS Series began in 1999 as a way to fund the regular season shows put on by SLO Little Theatre. “The LEGENDS shows just took off,” Meserve-Miller said. “It was crazy how popular they became. People love their musical legends.” Meserve-Miller has written several musicals about musical legends, both dead and alive. All of the musicals are biographies the she researches by listening to every album the artist has ever made — over and over and over. She said it’s so she can get a feel of each artist’s soul. “Usually, I do this in our kitchen, as I am cooking and washing dishes,” she said. “My family is very tolerant of hearing whichever legend I am researching, but they usually have to listen to the legends music for about six months. They finally beg me to stop playing the CDs.” She also reads interviews, books, album liner notes and watches as many interviews of the legend as she can find on YouTube. “It becomes a passion HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAYand I fall in love with each of my legends,”

Meserve-Miller said. “They are extraordinary people who have gifted us so much over the years. I try to focus on their early years, so I can provide a little education to the audience, along with the music.”

Let our family take care of your family.

JUST LIKE HOME Mary’s husband, Michael playing James Taylor .

Though she was passionate at acting, she knew that she’d never make a living acting on the Central Coast, so when she got a job as fundraiser for the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre, she was able to marry her love of the theater with a paying job.

She is especially excited about this year’s legend, James Taylor, who will be played by her husband, Michael Miller, whom she says looks just like Taylor. Central Coast Theater Works does not yet have a website, though it is in the works. It can be found on Facebook or by phone at 805-574-0882 or email at mfmserve1@gmail.com.

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DEB FOUGHTY

FROM FIRST WOMAN COMMODORE TO HEAD LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER By Susan Stewart

t was not a straight line from being named the First Woman Commodore in her native North Dakota to her current job as Head Keeper at Point San Luis Lighthouse, but Deb Foughty could not be happier. As she readied the Point San Luis Light Station for another memorable Mother’s Day event, she reflected on the unlikely path that brought her to this job, in this place, at this time.

Born in Devils Lake, North Dakota, Deborah K. Foughty (along with her three siblings) was raised on a farm where her family grew grains and raised cattle, sheep, chickens, and pigs. “My mother always had a very large garden so we did a lot of canning and freezing of vegetables,” she said. “We were really self-sustainable!” Though this pastoral scene would seem an improbable place to fall in love with sailing, that’s just what happened. Foughty spent most summers at Devils Lake (for which the city was named), a large body of water where ski boats, Hobie Cats, and yachts abound. Foughty learned to commandeer them all, including larger fixed keel boats, even taking a turn at bareboating (a chartered sailboat that one lives upon, navigates, and operates for a vacation). Her broad-based expertise won her the distinction of becoming the first woman commodore (yacht club president) in the state of North Dakota. Foughty earned a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Music from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. She taught for the Devils Lake Public Schools for many years, while also fundraising, presenting, and writing for a variety of school-related entities. In the 1990s, Foughty left teaching for a new career in resort management and food service. Here, she honed new skills in hiring, training, menu design, and developing ad campaigns. All of which are a perfect match for her duties as Executive Director for the Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers. In 2006, Foughty finally arrived on the Central Coast, having followed her parents and her daughter, who were already here. She quickly

put her experience to work at such landmark places as Avila Beach’s Custom House and Sycamore Mineral Springs. “I first learned about the Lighthouse from a fundraiser in 2009,” she recalls. “I purchased tickets for my folks to attend and … one day a post card came in the mail asking if there was anything I could do volunteer.” Deb immediately trained to become a docent. Soon, she also answered the need for a caterer who could put lunches together for tour groups, and was hired part-time as the Programs Manager. Shortly thereafter, the Harold J. Miossi Grant made the Docent Training and Student Outreach Programs possible and Foughty went full-time. Then Executive Director, Kristi Balzer, was instrumental in hiring Foughty and they worked side by side in the early days after the Lighthouse was opened to the public in 2010. “It was our teamwork that was of importance in what the Keepers organization became and accomplished,” said Foughty. “It was like a dance. One of us would lead and the other would follow, switching off as personal talents led the way. And it was fun!”

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For readers who are not aware of this hidden historic gem, please visit www.pointsanluislighthouse.org for a brief history and short glimpse of this magical setting. Or see the cover story for this publication’s August 2015 issue. Only an in-person visit, however, can do it justice. Built in 1890 and inhabited by many generations of lighthouse keepers and their families, the Point San Luis Light Station is situated on one of the prettiest points on California’s coast. In 1974, the Coast Guard decommissioned the station and the last of the Keepers left the site. In 1995, the second wave of Lighthouse Keepers was formed as a non-profit tasked with the restoration of the house, its furnishings, the

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Lighthouse photo by Lance Kinney

out-buildings, and the grounds so that today’s visitors can experience the beauty, the history, the undeniable magic of the place. From the red-roofed Victorian home to Fourth Order Fresnel Lens, from the emerald green cypress trees to the rope-and-board swing that sways over the azure, white-capped sea—there is no such thing as a “bad” day at the Lighthouse. This month, Mother’s Day High Tea—an authentic Victorian tea replete with delicate scones, tiny open- faced sandwiches, a selection of English cheeses, teas, and sweets will be served on Saturday, May 13th. Four tours,

featuring costumed docents, will be available. The live music of classical guitarist Jack Cimo will fill the afternoon air, while antique clothing and other artifacts from cherished local collections will be on display. High Tea is just one of four signature fund-raising events Foughty oversees every year. There’s also February’s Love at the Lighthouse (an impossibly romantic event in an impossibly romantic place), October’s Haunted Lighthouse Halloween (no ghost has ever been happier to haunt than here), and December’s Make Merry (for the best in old-fashioned holiday cheer). This is where Deb Foughty shines. From her impeccably trained docents to her perfectly

chosen food, drink, and entertainment— these events show off what she calls “our Lady of the Central Coast” in fine fashion. “It’s my job to keep her safe,” she says. “But also open to the public so that we can share her history. … When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them ‘I’m the Keeper of the Point San Luis Light Station!’” Indeed she is. And The Point San Luis Light Station has never been in better hands. To schedule a tour for the High Tea or any other time, visit www.pointsanluislighthouse.org or call 805-540-5771.

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Former Executive Director Kristi Balzer (L) and Deb Foughty

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pacific wildlife care By Deborah Cash “Don’t treat animals as animals. Treat them as living beings. That’s what they are.” Anthony Douglas Williams, Inside the Divine Pattern One of the more unfortunate chapters in Central Coast environmental history, the 1986 Apex Houston Oil Spill, eventually led to one of its greatest success stories. In late January of that year, a huge tanker barge being towed from a Bay Area refinery to Long Beach lost a hatch cover sloshing 25,800 gallons of crude oil that washed up along coastal areas from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. It’s estimated that as a result more than 10,000 birds died from oil contamination; of roughly 2,500 birds that were rescued and treated, 1,107 survived and were released. In San Luis Obispo County, volunteers—some affiliated with wildlife/oiled bird organizations, some just wanting to help—showed up to assist in the rescue efforts of birds affected by the life-endangering slick on local shores. Many birds were cared for in private homes with personal resources. From this grassroots cooperative, Pacific Wildlife Care was born and today treats a wide range of distressed (injured, orphaned, sick) birds, mammals and reptiles. Kimberly Perez, Board of Directors president said, “That incident spurred people to say, ‘We have to do something, we have to help,’

adding, “That’s what sparked the idea that a solution was needed—a central location and organization to treat not only birds but all wildlife.” Today, Pacific Wildlife Care is a successful non-profit organization with a well-equipped rehabilitation center, a full time wildlife veterinarian, a small paid staff and more than 250 volunteers—including some of those who responded to that oil spill emergency over three decades ago. The physical facility opened in 2007. Kathleen Dillon, Facilities Coordinator and board member said the hotline receives many calls from the public as people often are not sure what to do when they want to help an injured, orphaned or sick animal they’ve encountered. Ideally, the rehabilitation of the animals brought to the facility focuses on returning a healthy animal to its natural environment with minimal human interference. Another observation Dillon offers is that “People often say, ‘Oh, they’re so cute,’ of little birds or animals they’ve brought in, but we don’t name them, we don’t talk to them and we do not want to habituate them.” It’s important to remember that wildlife is just that—wild. From seabirds covered in oil to birds and mammals hit by cars, to hawks caught in barbed wire fencing and songbirds caught by cats, as examples, all manner of wildlife can be found humanely housed in the facility located in Morro Bay behind the former PG&E stacks. Surrounding the rustic main building that serves as a front office/intake area, indoor housing for baby birds, a laundry, a surgery center and conference room are rows of outdoor aviaries, conditioning pools/caging and mammal shelters. On this visit, less than half the caging was occupied but both Perez and Dillon predicted, “Oh, just wait. Once we get into summer, this place will be filled to capacity.” The baby bird room, though, was abuzz even with low occupancy. Each bird—in fact EVERY animal that is treated at the facility—is subject to strict regulations regarding care and reporting.

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will use feathers from her “feather bank,” carefully attach them to shafts, make exact diagonal cuts to a portion of the removed feathers on the bird, epoxy them on and pretty soon, it’s like the bird has brand new feathers. Dr. Riggs mused, “It’s kind of like hair extensions, not really that complicated.” But still, the ancient procedure called “imping,” is rather impressive.

Volunteers hand feed baby birds several times a day.

A trained pair of volunteers was at the ready with the feeding tubes, charts and equipment needed to tend the loudly chirping baby rock pigeons on schedule—hardly a one-person job. Other volunteers were cleaning, folding towels, working the front desk, weighing animals… all while speaking softly and moving quickly. On everyone’s radar was the status of a duck and her clutch of eggs; the news that the mama would likely make it but the eggs did not was met with solemn acceptance. That’s another reality of the center. In spite of all the finest efforts, some lives simply cannot be saved. Perez said that Pacific Wildlife Care, heavily dependent on volunteers, offers monthly orientations and new volunteer mentoring at which about 20 people show up and “four or five eventually end up volunteering.” The concept of working with rescued animals and the reality of that commitment can be at odds, she explained. But, those who do end up working there are all in—for the successes and the losses. Perez credits wildlife veterinarian Shannon Riggs, DVM with being the organization’s ‘game changer,’ saying, “Dr. Riggs is Director of Animal Care at our center in Morro Bay. She examines, diagnoses, and outlines treatment for almost 3,000 wild animals yearly.” Dillon added Riggs’ expertise ranges from birds to exotic animals and she has an extensive background in wildlife rehabilitation. “Shannon can figure things out that you’d never think of, like skin grafting and loss of flight and tail feathers.” A broken wing may heal but it will take awhile for the feathers to grow back and allow the bird optimum maneuverability. Rather than wait, Dr. Riggs

Underlying the humane, compassionate care given to the center’s animals is the belief that wildlife enriches our world and contributes to a balanced and biodiverse environment that benefits us all; often the harm that comes to wildlife is the result of human interaction and proactive measures (like understanding how things like rodenticides, glue traps, lead shot and speeding cars have a huge negative impact and doing simple things like not leaving cat food out, not using inhumane traps or lead shot, and slowing down when driving) can increase awareness and help us reduce the amount of danger and injury to the creatures that inhabit the world around us. Both women agree that “nuisance” animals can often be deterred. Calling a trapper isn’t really the best option because most trapped animals will be euthanized, sometimes leaving orphans behind. “If you leave them alone and don’t leave food out, they’ll usually go off on their own,” they advised. Perez is a strong advocate of educational outreach: “It starts with the kids, they are very receptive to helping animals and wanting to learn about them.” Dillon added, “They love the minutiae of animal life—where they live, what they do.” An event last year in partnership with the SLO Children’s Museum included an “art gallery” of animalthemed drawings submitted by kids. One

of this year’s events, Wild in the Plaza, will celebrate the organization’s 30th anniversary on May 13th in Mission Plaza. “We really want to get our name out there,” Perez said. “We want people to know what we do and what they can do to live more compatibly with wildlife!” Pacific Wildlife Care is open 365 days a year from 8 – 5. To bring an animal to the center or learn more about the organization and volunteer/donor opportunities, visit www. pacificwildlifecare.org or call the hotline at (805) 543-WILD (9453).

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Patients can obtain their medical records upon request. Location to be announced | 543-9377 | www.plasticsurgeryslo.net M A Y

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history

“in the california Spanish style:”

california division of highways district V Office Building, san luis obispo By Robert C. Pavlik

an Luis Obispo has long been regarded as a “vast pastoral domain,” a largely rural and agricultural county blessed with abundant sunshine and rainfall; a region of great natural beauty and harmony among its residents. Such was not always the case, however. It was here that Father Junipero Serra established Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa in 1772, the fifth in the chain of Spanish missions on this long and lonely coast. A mission structure of tule, logs and adobe was erected, and covered in a thatch roof. Local folklore tells of an Indian who set fire to the roof and destroyed the building, leading to the first use of earthen roof tiles that eventually became ubiquitous throughout the colony. That is a myth; fired-clay roof tiles were first used at Mission San Antonio, in southern Monterey County, as early as 1781. Historian Daniel Krieger writes that “the tiles were made using wooden molds, according to a technique as old as Mediterranean culture. Clay tiles were not used at first [at the missions] because their production requires both skill and patience. Once deemed necessary [due to the ever present threat of fire, either accidental or intentional], they were employed at all of the principal mission sites during and after the early 1780s. The present day Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, dating to 1812, still features those bright red tiles. 20 Higuera Street in 1934.

With California’s admission into the Union in 1850, San Luis Obispo County was designated one of the state’s original 27 counties. The population was just under 350 people, and the county encompassed more than three thousand square miles. The region remained a poor and remote outpost for its first two decades. A severe drought gripped the state in 1862-64, resulting in the devastation of much of the region’s cattle industry. Several seasons of reinvigorating rainfall followed the dry spell, prompting immigration to the county, which resulted in the emergence of the important dairy industry on the Central Coast. The region’s benign climate and rich soils were highly prized by agriculturists, especially the Swiss-Italian settlers of the mid-to-late nineteenth century. Their profits were limited, however, by their great isolation and long distance to markets. Because of the rudimentary nature of the state’s and county’s roads, the local economy was largely dependent on coastal transport to export the region’s agricultural and mineral products, and to import much needed manufactured goods. This situation was somewhat improved with the construction of a local narrow gauge railroad, the Pacific Coast Railway, in 1876. The “PC,” as it was known, extended from Harford’s Wharf at San Luis Bay north to the city of San Luis Obispo and, by 1887, to Los Olivos in northern Santa Barbara County. This local rail line further increased the marketability of the region’s agricultural goods, and fueled the additional development of farmland for the production of wheat, barley, beans, and peas, as well as the area’s prized dairy products. Another benefit of the improved transportation system was the increased ease with which tourists and travelers could make the trek to the central coast. The hot springs of Paso Robles and Avila Beach had long been an attraction, as was Pismo Beach and the “Gibraltar of the Pacific,” Morro Rock. The establishment of California Polytechnic School in San Luis Obispo in 1902, the twin fairs in San Diego and

20 Higuera Street, Cal Trans Office today. M A Y

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HOME/OUTDOOR San Francisco heralding the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, and the proliferation of automobiles all contributed to the rise of San Luis Obispo as both an overnight layover and a business and vacation destination. In December 1925 the first “motel” opened in San Luis Obispo, Arthur Heineman’s Milestone Mo-tel on Monterey Street. Numerous other motels, motor courts, and tourist courts would soon follow. The development of the Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 2, now known as U.S. 101) through San Luis Obispo County had its origins in the formation of the California Highway Commission in 1911. The following year the commission recognized the need for a coastal highway to run between the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco, roughly contiguous with the historic (and highly romanticized) El Camino Real. San Luis Obispo was chosen as the site of the District V headquarters, and it was out of that office that the plans were developed for a modern highway to traverse the Central Coast. San Luis Obispo was chosen for its central proximity to the four (now five) counties that it serves: Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties. The two-lane concrete roadway, built in the nineteen-teens, is still in use as it functions today as South Higuera Street.

vision of Architecture of the Department of Public Works for the Division of Highways. It was one of four similarly styled buildings in the state and, because it is in a Mission city, the most appropriate given the local history and context. The design was completed by March 1931 and the contract was awarded in May of that year to W.J. Smith, a San Luis Obispo general contractor, who had submitted the low bid of $21,939. Another $8,000 would be required for the plumbing, electrical, heating, and “other fixtures and work” on the building. The office building is of brick masonry construction on a reinforced concrete foundation, with a red tile roof. The general work specifications called for the “Brick on exterior

The District V office building was designed in the Spanish-Colonial Revival style by F. W. Dingwell, an architect with the state Di-

face of walls shall be laid irregular and in wavy courses varying thickness of joints, as directed by the State,” to emulate the hand crafted nature of native adobe construction. White lead paint was applied to the external surfaces. The interior plaster walls and ceilings were given an uneven trowel finish, to emphasize the rustic design. The eastern or principal facade of the building, which faces Higuera Street, features a ceramic tile wainscot and bench, a quarry tile front terrace, and a heavy wooden door. Inside the lobby was a large celadon colored terra cotta vase, specified as “Gladding-McBean #50 or equal.” (The vase is now inside the front lobby of the adjacent Caltrans office building at 50 Higuera Street.)

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The property that lies south of the intersection of Higuera and French Streets (now Higuera and Madonna) has been used for various purposes over the past ninety years. Around the turn of the twentieth century it marked the southernmost boundary of the City of San Luis Obispo. According to the July 1909 Sanborn Fire Insurance Company map, the triangular shaped piece of land formed by the intersection of these two roads was used as a “base ball park,” possibly for the employees of the Pacific Coast Railway Company, whose warehouse and roundhouse were located directly across the street. By April 1926, when Higuera Street served as U.S. Highway 101, the lot had been converted to the “Beechwood Aut-O-Tel,” a motor court catering to the traveling public. The California Division of Highways purchased the 5.7-acre parcel of land at the intersection of Higuera and French streets in 1928 for the establishment of a permanent office and maintenance yard in San Luis Obispo.

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According to the Architectural Inventory and Evaluation form, prepared by Caltrans Architectural Historian John Snyder in 1988, “The roof tiles were to be Gladding, McBean large Cordova or equal, 8-3/4” x 18”; tile colors were to [be] medium and dark russets, browns and reds, with no light straw-colored tiles allowed. The ceramic tiles cladding the exterior wainscot and bench were to be per Gladding, McBean drawing #131-A or equal, as to color and pattern.” The floor tile is Gladding, McBean Company’s “Padre” or equal, approximately 8” x 14-1/2” x 2”. The local newspaper announced the opening of the bids on April 22, 1931, noting that “with its white finish and red tile roof, the building will be an attractive addition to Higuera Street; present plans include the landscaping of the grounds which face on the state highway. An attractive loggia and terrace with tile trim will form the entrance to the building and inside will be arranged the huge drafting room, 69 by 37 feet in size, five offices, accountants office, stenographer’s room and also special equipment for the telephone switchboard and clerk near the entrance hall …. The entire building will be 118 feet in length and from 40 to 70 feet in width.” An open house was held on Saturday, January 9, 1932. “A cordial invitation has been extended to come and inspect this building which is most modern in every respect … The new highway building will house the entire office activities of Division Five of the state highway department [sic] … the office is one of the most important links in the building and maintenance of the coast highway, carrying tourist and domestic traffic between Los Angeles and San Francisco and midway points.”

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At the southern end of the property an electric sign announcing the city limits stretched across the two-lane highway. For travelers entering or leaving San Luis Obispo, the Division of Highways building was the first and last public building they would see, and because of its Mission-era styling, it became a landmark in its own right. The building was landscaped shortly after its construction. A January, 1938 article states that “In San Luis Obispo, District V headquarters is styled in the early California type of architecture. The whole countryside is alive with legends and steeped in the lore of that early phase of California’s development and the selection of this type of design was most fitting. The building has been nestled in a mass of trees and shrubs, in which the palms, toyons, and California sycamores are used to enhance the effect of the building design. Thus California’s Christmas berry; the ragged, wind-swept crown of the palm; and the beautiful, sprawling tree which so picturesquely adds to the appeal of southern and central California’s arroyos and creek bottoms, are blended into the background, placed to soften the glare of sun on white walls and to highlight the charm of low tiled roofs.” According to W.W. Robinson, “Major accomplishments that have been handled out of the headquarters office … include the location and development of the spectacular Coast Highway between San Simeon and Carmel; development of Highway 101 through the Santa Ynez Mountains between Gaviota Gorge and the Santa Ynez River and through the rugged Cuesta Pass in the Santa Lucia Mountains; and during World War II, the location, design and construction of Federally-financed access roads to the four major Army posts and numerous air fields of the area … The highway program has been stimulated, too, by the present accessibility of the Hearst Castle.” An increase in staff led to the addition of offices on the south side of the building in 1941. The growth and expansion of the Division of Highways in the post-World War II era necessitated the construction of a new office building next door, at 50 Higuera Street, in 1953-54. In San Luis Obispo, U.S. 101 was laid out on a new, expanded alignment in 1953-56, cutting a swath through the middle of the city and bypassing the downtown, a not uncommon occurrence during the era of the 1950s and 1960s. This also had an effect on postwar travel, as tourists began to eschew the older mom-and-pop establishments in the city centers for new chain motels such as Holiday Inn, or upscale “theme” resorts, like the Madonna Inn, built adjacent to the new freeway in 1958. The original Division of Highways office building has been determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, and is on the City of San Luis Obispo’s Master List of Historic Resources. Of the four office buildings constructed in the “CaliforniaSpanish style,” this is the only one still in existence. The San Simeon earthquake of December 22, 2003 damaged the unreinforced masonry building. The structure continues to be used for storage but no longer serves as offices for Caltrans employees.

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palm street perspective SO, WHAT ARE THE COUNCIL’S PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS AND HOW DO THEY RELATE TO MY VISION FOR SLO By SLO City Mayor, Heidi Harmon

irst, I want say how much of AN honor it has been to lead the new Council. The skills and connections of our council are outstanding and I am truly confident that we, as an elected leadership team, have a tremendous amount of creativity and are motivated by the passions in our community to address the challenges in San Luis Obispo. I was particularly impressed with the huge community engagement related to our 2017-2019 Financial Plan and Major City Goal planning process. We heard from our community, their hopes and dreams about new recreational facilities such as Pickle Ball courts, and let me say that there might not be more passionate people than those who are eager to have more pickle ball courts in town! We also heard from people concerned about housing, open space, economic development, traffic, bike and safety improvements, water, and fiscal health and responsibility. The range of passions expressed at the meeting were amazing and I am gratified to live in a town that is so engaged and passionate about the future.

5. Effective Solutions to Homelessness–working to prioritize housing for the homeless and finding places for people to live in supportive and transformational environments. 6. Open Space–Expanding and protecting our open space. 7. Expanded Bike Infrastructure–Speed up the implementation of bicycle transportation projects that include Class 1 bike paths and bike boulevards. The exciting news is that the issues I talked about during my campaign emerged as Council priorities for the 2017-2019 Financial Plan. I don’t think that this is a coincidence but rather speaks to the collective priorities of our community reflected in our elected council. So, what are the Council’s priorities for the next two years and how do they relate to my vision for SLO.

During this community goal setting process, WE HAD RECORD PARTICIPATION. WE USED SOCIAL MEDIA, TRADITIONAL PRINT ADS, PRINT AND ONLINE SURVEYS AND IT WORKED. DIVERSE OPINIONS AND IDEAS CAME THROUGHOUT. A total of 1,245 online survey responses were received. It is worth noting that this reflects a 66% increase in participation compared to the same survey conducted two years ago. Over 500 participated at the community forum which I understand was also a record. While truly positive, the range and complexity of suggested goals is challenging given that the City does not have unlimited resources and just like every organization and business, needs to establish priorities. The good news is that our Council is fairly aligned and the draft goals submitted by various Council members overlapped considerably. As many of you know who followed my campaign, my platform and pledge was about inclusivity, transparency and working hard for our community to make it sustainable, both environmentally and financially. The issues that remain important to me are: 1. Inclusive Affordable Housing–Developing creative strategies for families, young professionals and retirees 2. An Innovative Economy–streamlining the permitting process for small and locally owned businesses that work hard to make SLO a great place to work and live. 3. Proactive Community Engagement–bringing diverse voices to city decisions through gathers public meetings and events. 4. Leadership on Drought and Climate–Achieving a Net Zero City and planning for sustainability in time for the scheduled closure of Diablo. M A Y

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HOME/OUTDOOR honoring our veterans

Call to the colors

Telling the stories of military veterans so that all generations May more fully understand the costs of peace and realities of war By Gail Pruitt Supervisor John Peschong Visits the Museum

A Word About the Museum Business Sponsorship Program Businesses interested in materially supporting the Museum and its mission of honoring Veterans are invited to become part of our Business Sponsorship Program. A sponsoring business makes a yearly donation of at least $100 to the Museum. In exchange the business is highlighted inside the Museum, in its publications, on its website, and on its Facebook page. Call us for more information: 805-543-1763.

L–R: Sandra McGregor, Secretary; Supervisor Peschong; Jack Jones, President of the Board; Harry Hoover, Director/Curator; Don Mueller, Docent Coordinator

World War I Centennial Series America Declares War: April 1917 By Office of the Historian, U.S Department of State

Museum staff were pleased to welcome new Supervisor John Peschong recently to the Museum. On hand to greet Supervisor Peschong and show him around the Museum were Sandra McGreg- or, Secretary & Librarian; Jack Jones; President of the Board; Harry Hoover, Director/Curator; and Don Mueller, Docent Coordinator. Peschong spent a couple of hours touring the Museum and sitting down with Museum staff to discuss some of the challenges facing the Museum such as limited funds for operating expenses, protecting the Museum’s collection, and fundraising. Everyone here at the Museum appreciates Supervisor Peschong taking time out of his busy schedule to come in and spend time and his willingness to support this Museum. Newest Museum Business Sponsors: Richardson Properties, Villa Automotive The Museum family of volunteers and members wish to say a big “Thank You” to Richardson Properties and Villa Automotive for recently becoming Museum Business Sponsors. Villa Automotive’s motto is “our family taking care of your family... This family’s auto and body repair business has both the experience and the equipment to diagnose and repair almost any problem you can think of, and many you probably can’t. No wonder it’s been chosen by our readers 10 years in a row now. “ Richardson Properties/Christie’s International Real Estate is a “full service real estate firm of professionals dedicated to providing innovative solutions and superior customer service. Richardson Properties has consistently been a market leader in land brokerage, commercial developments, new home communities and premier property sales throughout the Central Coast of California for over twenty-five years.” M A Y

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On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson went before a joint session of Congress to request a declaration of war against Germany. Wilson cited Germany’s violation of its pledge to suspend unrestricted submarine warfare in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean, as well as its attempts to entice Mexico into an alliance against the United States, as his reasons for declaring war. On April 4, 1917, the U.S. Senate voted in support of the measure to declare war on Germany. The House concurred two days later. The United States later declared war on German ally Austria- Hungary on December 7, 1917. The immediate cause of the United States’ entry into World War I in April 1917 was the German announcement of unrestricted submarine warfare and the subsequent sinking of ships with U.S. citizens on board. But President Woodrow Wilson’s war aims went beyond the defense of U.S. maritime interests. In his War Message to Congress, President Wilson declared that the U.S. objective was “to vindicate the principles of peace and justice in the life of the world.” Sixty-fifth Congress of the United States of America; At the First Session Began and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the second day of April one thousand nine hundred and seventeen JOINT RESOLUTION Declaring that a state of war exists between the Imperial German Government and the Government and the people of the United States and making provision to prosecute the same Whereas the Imperial German Government has committed repeated acts of war against the Government and the people of the United States of America: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representative of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the state of war between the United States and the Imperial German Government which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared; and that the President be, and he is hereby, authorized and

directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Imperial German Government; and to bring the conflict to a successful termination all of the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate. Approved by Woodrow Wilson

Book Review Vanished Hero: The Life, War, and Mysterious Disappearance of America’s World War II Strafing King,

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Army Air Corps (AAC) had pilot training programs. He enlisted and was made a flight instructor pilot at Randolph Field in Texas. When World War II began, the AAC expanded rapidly, and Elwyn became a major in 1943. After many requests to be transferred to Europe to enter the fight, his request was finally granted. By that time, he had accumulated more than 2000 hours in fighter/training aircraft. In had been in the fall of 1944 that young Lieutenant Colonel Elwyn Righetti arrived at F-159 , an airbase in Wormingford, northeast of London, the home of the 55th Fighter Group. He flew a P-51 Mustang named “Katydid,” after his wife Cathryn, Because of his skill, Elwyn quickly went from wingman to flight leader; then in 1945 he was promoted to leader of the 55th . He is given credit for shooting down three of Germany’s jet aircraft, the ME-262, several Focke-Wulf 190s, and a Messer- schmitt 109. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross for destroying twenty -seven German aircraft and many trains in strafing attacks. On April 17, 1945, Righetti was on a strafing mission of an airfield near Dresden, Germany, when he was hit by flak. Elwyn radioed that his plane had been hit and to tell his family he was okay. Ironically, that was his thirtieth birthday. The rest of the book, dedicated to the search for Elwyn, is gripping. Neither Righetti nor his plane was ever found. The book contains unbelievable photographs to illustrate Righetti’s life, service to his country, and his mysterious and tragic loss. It is definitely a worthwhile read.

by Jay A. Stout Reviewed by Harry Hoover, Museum Director/Curator Although I am a military history buff, an avid reader, and knew some things about the Righetti family, I was dumbfounded by the depth and quality of information about local hero, Elwyn Righetti, contained in this fascinating, well-written book. When Tony Meldahl, linguist and researcher, learned he was dying of cancer, he contacted the book’s author, Jay Stout so that his research into the life of World War II ace, Elwyn Righetti would not be lost. Stout knew nothing about the Righetti family but agreed to take on the project after re- viewing the boxes and crates of research material Meldahl had collected. Stout was honored to meet Elwyn’s five siblings and other family members. Elwyn was born in San Luis Obispo on April 17, 1915. He was an unusually gifted student, graduating from San Luis Obispo High School at age 16 and from Cal Poly in 1935. He was an out- doorsman who loved to hunt, and he also was determined to learn to fly. He took on many small jobs to earn enough money for flight lessons and received his pilot’s license in 1939. Shortly after that Elwyn learned that the

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Your $30 annual Membership includes a subscription to the newsletter CALL TO DUTY Name________________________________________ Street Address________________________________________________ City__________________________________________ State_____Zip_________Phone___________________________________ Email____________________________________________________________ Preferred delivery method:____ Print____ Email For your annual membership and newsletter subscription send your 501(c)(3) tax-deductible check for $30 made out to: CCVMM along with your name and address to: CCVMM Treasurer, 801 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo, CA. 93401. You will also receive a Museum membership card and lapel pin, plus 10% off any Gift Shop purchases. You will receive 4 copies of the quarterly newsletter. Thank you for supporting the Museum! M A Y

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at the market

creamy tomato soup with aioli By Sarah Hedger

ay marks the beginning of Summer on the Central Coast, which is an exciting time of year at the markets. So much goodness ... where to start! May also brings first season stone fruits such as apricots, plums, and even early cherries. Artichokes are also going on, as well as late season asparagus, and avocados. All of that, as well as strawberries and early season Summer berries, making fruit salads a go-to for breakfast, lunch, and ... anytime! And, last but not least, tomatoes! They are here!!

What I seem to be most excited about this time, each year, are first season tomatoes as they are truly the taste I associate with

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Summer. You can tell good tomatoes (that are in season) because, while it may sound a bit obvious and intuitive, they smell like a tomato plant, especially at the stem. If you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t recall the glorious smell of tomato plants, go plant one! It is a smell like no other that evokes the great warmth of Summer months. This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recipe, Creamy Roast Tomato Soup with Aioli, is a bit of an ode to fresh season tomatoes, as well as an updated version of one of my all time favorites, Creamy Tomato Soup. While soup may not seem like a Summer dish, it makes for an easy lunch or meal that is light and super tasty. So, this is the updated version! This recipe is

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creamy roast tomato soup with fresh aioli Makes 4 servings For the Aioli: 1 free range, organic egg 2 garlic cloves, peeled 3 T fresh lemon juice Big pinch of sea salt 1 T dijon 1 + cup good quality olive oil Place all ingredients except olive oil in blender or jar for immersion blender. With engine running, drizzle in olive oil until mixture thickens up to mayonnaise consistency. Taste, and adjust seasoning (salt or lemon) if needed. For the Soup: 1 lb organic tomatoes, cut in half, sprinkled with salt, and roasted at 350 degrees for 1 hour (can be made ahead and keep all the juices from the roasted tomatoes for the soup) also a bit of a three-fer, as there are really three components. There is the aioli, the roast tomatoes, and the (optional) chicken broth element. Each is amazing in its own right, however combining them makes for one of the best soups ever. And, each can also be made ahead of time, so the soup can be put together in minutes (nothing needs to cook from this point). The aioli is something I consistently make every week, having it on hand in the refrigerator makes just about everything taste better. The tomatoes are easy and the initial step of roasting the tomatoes also enhances the flavor, so I have made it for both early season and late season tomatoes, when they sometimes donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have as much flavor as peak season. The finished product being the actual soup is brilliant as it is super nourishing, while being delicious and comes together with little effort. Often when I make it, while the tomatoes are roasting, I make the aioli, and then both elements are done at the same time and you are nearly done only 30 minutes after you started (or 40 minutes after you picked your own tomatoes). The soup is a great one to have in your repertoire because it can also be made with other vegetables ... think leeks and potatoes, or mushrooms, and even a combination of greens. The chicken broth element is one that can be built on as it is a glorious thing to make your own broth and have it on hand, warming the soul whenever needed! Broth is a really easy thing to make, and so gratifying with how much flavor it adds to recipes. It stores well in the fridge and can even be frozen in ice cube trays in the freezer for convenient ease of use. When you make your own broth, you also have control over how much sodium it has, as well as nutrients as you can cook it for a long time, releasing the collagen and getting all the nutrients from the ingredients. Thus, enjoy this soup, in Summer, and possibly any time in the year to come!

2 cups (preferably) homemade chicken broth (or veg broth) 3 T fresh aioli *Fresh basil Puree tomatoes, broth, and aioli (and basil if using) and pour into soup pan. Warm until hot, tasting for seasoning and serve. For the (optional) Make your own broth: 1 pound free range chicken wings, necks, or bones 1 onion or leek 3-4 garlic, pounded 1 T cider vinegar Big pinch of sea salt Place all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on low for about 12 hours (starting it at night is great as you wake in the morning and it is nearly done). Strain and keep in the fridge for 1 week or freezer for a month.

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Paso robles art scene

Paso robles art association Building bridges through art By Carlota Santa Cruz, PRAA President 2016-17

id you know that over 200 local artists host a gallery show and art demonstrations every month in downtown Paso Robles? Every month the Paso Robles Art Association –PRAA–hosts a themed gallery show with original artwork from member artists. PRAA provides art classes and offers free art demonstrations to the public as well as hosting art receptions on the first Saturday of each month. The list of art activities goes on. How does PRAA do it? They accomplish it with lots of volunteers and generous community donations.

Here are a few little known facts about PRAA. In 1949, local artists, came together to enrich the North County community with art thru the Paso Robles Art Guild. This guild developed into the Paso Robles Art Association, a non-profit, 501c (3) operated by volunteers. This organization has grown and morphed over its 68 years and keeps on going. Members continue to volunteer services for the annual downtown, side-walk art event “Arte de Tiza,” and provide art scholarships thru the Cuesta College Foundation. These volunteer members make possible a plethora of services to our community “Building Bridges through Art”. When school budgets were cut and art activities were missing, Sue Taylor, former PRAA president, organized art docents in local schools. Today, SLO County is bringing the arts back into the schools. That’s a big step toward developing the much needed twenty-first century skills. Deprise Brescia and Carlota Santa Cruz, PRAA artists and board members, served as teaching artists with Almond Acres Academy in art based project learning to meet curriculum standards. The kids “Health of The Ocean” project was shown in the Downtown Public Library and in the PRAA Showroom Gallery. Page Graeber, artist and previous PRAA president organized the Paso Robles downtown chalk art event, “Arte de Tiza”. Page managed the event with support from the Optimist Club for 15 years. Today, the torch passed to Carolynn Loeppke, PRAA member, and Rosa Lee Sonney, former PRAA board member/artist, who are also local real estate brokers.

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When The Studios on the Park opened, the Paso Robles Art Association leased studio # 7 space. That’s where you will find PRAA’s Showroom Gallery and the base of their art activity. This mutually beneficial relationship continues to thrive with Sasha Irving and Anne Ladden leading the north county art community. Former presidents and artists, Janice Pluma, Geri Cutter and Mary Ann Austin and artist Kim Snyder, created the ‘The Small Treasures” special holiday event featuring 8”x 8” original works of art. The event offers the one-of-a-kind originals and serves to fund PRAA’s gallery operations. Watch for it and make sure to come to PRAA’s annual Holiday Treasures fundraiser. Be a part of California’s Central Coast living, art history. Back in the Art Association Showroom Gallery, guilds come together to develop their art, contribute to community enrichment and explore ways to fund the organization. Members explore individual interests, learn from other artists, enjoy a mix of people and diverse art activities. Members delve into painting, pastel, photography, encaustic, glass and metal, mixed-media, creative journaling and monthly interactive demonstrations. The broad array of activities requires a strong network of volunteers and financial support. The challenge of funding non-profit operations is ever present. PRAA members are the heart, energy, and driving force of the organization as they continue “Building Bridges through Art.” Whether members contribute through participation and volunteerism or through financial means, members are the key to energizing PRAA’s spirit! Did you know that even dabbling in art activities is shown to reduce stress and improve creative problem solving ability? So dabble in the arts with PRAA and discover more about yourself thru the arts. The Paso Robles Art Association is an open membership organization and you’re invited to join. Volunteerism and camaraderie are the secret to PRAA’s success since 1949. Find a guild you enjoy, develop your interest and volunteer to grow along with the association. Get involved. Become a Member! www.pasoroblesartassociation.org

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Slo art scene

taking art to the next level: the high school portfolio competition By Sophia Levin

rt museums fill a vital cultural and educational role in communities. On the central coast, the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art has been the area’s visual arts hub since its founding– providing exhibitions, community events, and educational programs. On May 18, the Museum of Art celebrates its fiftieth year of hosting the annual High School Portfolio Competition, a piece of the Museum’s legacy. Late curator Arne Nybak started the competition. He envisioned a juried exhibition that would empower students by showing their work on museum walls.

“The Museum wanted high school students to focus on their future education and careers by teaching them to put together a portfolio,” says Karen Kile, Executive Director of the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art. And according to Kile, the museum’s competition continues to give students the confidence to pursue a career in visual arts. Tony Girolo

“The fun side effect is that when we see portfolios come in, sometimes those students have taken SLOMA’s art classes here as children,” says Kile, “The staff has seen that person grow through their experience here at the Museum of Art.”

One of those students is local artist Guy Kinnear. “The competition was one of my earliest experiences of seeing my art in public.” says Kinnear, “Seeing my art on a wall next to a high caliber artist gave me confidence.” Leaving the area to pursue graduate studies at San Francisco Art Institute, Kinnear has since returned to the Central Coast. He has had his artwork exhibited in the Museum and even has a piece in the Museum’s permanent collection. “For me as an artist, the Museum continues to be a networking hub both professionally and creatively.” says Kinnear, “The Museum is a visual arts beacon, both for young artists considering the professional arts and for community members looking to enrich their lives.” Kinnear is not the only professional artist to have roots in the High School Art Portfolio Competition. Local artist Tony Girolo was the competition’s winner in 1999, during his senior year of high school. “It was super emboldening, and was a validation that I’m pretty good at this,” says Girolo, who was raised in San Luis Obispo. “SLOMA was helpful early on,” says Girolo, “It was a place I would go when I was younger, the place I could go see art.” Girolo went on to earn a Masters in Fine Arts at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and has since returned to San Luis Obispo. He has taught art at both Cal Poly and Cuesta College, and continues to maintain a strong relationship with the Museum. This year’s competition is open to all junior and senior high school students living in San Luis Obispo County. Ruta Saliklis, Director of Exhibitions at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, is this year’s juror. Her decision will be based on originality, craftsmanship, and overall quality of the portfolio. $1,000 in prizes will be awarded. An opening reception will take place on May 18 from 4-6pm in the Nybak Wing. Awards will be presented at 5pm. For more information, visit www.sloma.org.

2016 winners: (L-R) Austin Pask, Best Photography; Beau Claverie, Best Ceramics; Alberto Ramirez, Best Drawing. M A Y

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a history of mother’s day By Carole Christman Koch

here is a Jewish saying that “God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.” Mothers have been eulogized in history by Napoleon, John Wesley, Oliver Cromwell, Ben Franklin, U.S. Presidents Lincoln, Wilson and McKinley, Julia Ward Howe, Anna Jarvis and others. There have been expressions of praise and gratitude in prose and poetry by Lord Alfred Tennyson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Harriet Beecher Stowe and others. According to ancient Greek and Roman mythology, holding a festival in honor of motherhood was an ancient custom. The pagan Greek festival held in spring was in honor of Rhea, mother of the gods. This custom was introduced to Rome by Greece around 250 B.C. The Roman festival was called Hilaria, or “Mother of the gods,” and was celebrated on the 15th day of March. On this day, the people made offerings in the Temple of Cybele. The gifts became the property of the temple priests. The early Christians adapted this pagan festival and it became common on the fourth Sunday of Lent for the faithful to visit their Mother Church, the church where they had been baptized as children. They brought with them offerings of gifts, flowers or jewels. The custom of visiting the Mother Church was based on the reference in the Epistle read on the fourth Sunday of Lent: “Jerusalem is free, and she is our mother” (Galatians 4:26). In this sense, the holy city is a New Jerusalem—the Church who is our mother giving supernatural birth to us in baptism. The name “Mother,” meaning “home or refuge,” has always been given to things most cherished, such as Mother Jerusalem, Mother Church, and in mythology, “Mother of the gods.” During the 18th and 19th centuries, the outgrowth of this religious celebration was known as “Mothering Sunday.” The custom arose when youths who lived away from home were granted a holiday by their masters. It was a day not only to visit their Mother Church with gifts, but to also pay a visit to their own mothers and to give them special gifts. Accordingly, the day was to “go a-mothering,” hence, “Mothering Sunday.” By World War II, because of American soldiers stationed in Great Britain, the old tradition of Mothering Sunday became confused with Mother’s Day. Today in England, the day is somewhat commercialized as it is in America, and is celebrated not during Lent but in the month of May. It was Miss Ann Jarvis, a Philadelphia schoolteacher, who through her local and later nationwide efforts established Mother’s Day as we know it. Anna Jarvis, while growing up in Grafton, West Virginia, had often heard her mother say that there should be an annual day set aside to honor mothers. After her mother’s death in 1905, Anna remembered her mother’s idea. Miss Jarvis, who then lived in Philadelphia, had been unable to visit her mother or even visit her gravesite because of a lack of resources. Because of her predicament, Miss Jarvis was convinced that many people simply neglected their mothers during their lifetimes. M A Y

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Prompted by her initial feelings of grief and the idea that mothers were neglected, Anna Jarvis arranged the first observance of Mother’s Day at her mother’s church, Andrew’s Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, on May 10th, 1908. A similar service was held at a local church in Philadelphia. Although today almost any flower, gift or trinket is appropriate, carnations became the customary flower on Mother’s Day. It was again through Anna Jarvis that this custom originated. She donated white carnations, her mother’s favorite flower, to the first church service. Later, white carnations distinguished deceased mothers, while red carnations were for living mothers. Because of the success of this first Mother’s Day celebration, Miss Jarvis now had an unquenchable thirst for a nationwide observance. In 1908, she lobbied the City Council of Philadelphia for a Mother’s Day observance. The city council approved her resolution. In 1909, Pennsylvania became the first state to officially establish Mother’s Day as a holiday. In 1910, West Virginia issued a proclamation for Mother’s Day, followed by Oklahoma and Washington. By 1911, the observance of Mother’s Day had spread through the United States into Canada and some Latin American countries. In December of 1912, the Mother’s Day International Association came into existence to promote greater observances of the day. By May of 1913, the House of Representatives passed a resolution for making the second Sunday of May a national holiday. Finally in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first presidential proclamation naming the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day throughout the United States. The president also issued a proclamation directing that the American flag be flown on all government buildings. He urged the American people to display the flag on their homes as “a public expression of our love and reverence for mothers in our country.” In 1934, the U.S. Postal service issued a 3-cent stamp, carrying the portrait of Whistler’s mother as a tribute to mothers. Also, one can find in Ashland, Pennsylvania, a life-size bronze replica of this stamp in honor of Miss Anna Jarvis and all mothers. Miss Jarvis herself never married, nor was she a mother. Her original zeal for the religious observance of Mother’s Day waned drastically as the day was exploited commercially by vendors of gifts, cards and flowers. Miss Jarvis died in West Chester, Pennsylvania in 1948, disillusioned by what had become of the Mother’s Day holiday that she had spearheaded.

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$799,000

391 Tolosa Way, San Luis Obispo

First time on the market! Single level, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on a large corner lot. Coveted location on a quiet street. Enjoy the views from your private backyard, surrounded by mature landscaping. Bright & sunny kitchen opens up to spacious family room. This home has been lovingly cared for by the original owner. Walking distance to parks and schools, close to Cal Poly. Check with the City for the potential to add on. View the virtual tour at: http://www.tourfactory.com/1752263

Erin Mott Broker/Owner BRE# 01448769 ph: 805.234.1946 erin@mpsrealty.com M A Y

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HISTORY ON THE HOOF DAY TRIPS INTO THE PAST

Cayucos By Joe Carotenuti

s the Portola Expedition trekked its way along the central coast in 1769, each day was both a demanding ordeal and a marvel. Imagine seeing – and recording – for the first-time vast expanses of the geography as well as the flora and fauna. Any community between the Mexican Border and San Francisco must start its modern history with these pioneers. On September 9 and 10, having passed the impressive rock formation (morro), the intrepid explorers trudged along the coast past Villa and Ellysly Creeks. Admiring the rich soil and noting the many streams, Friar Juan Crespi, the expedition’s chaplain and chronicler, named the area after St. Seraphina and commented: “It was a good little spot for a fine little mission.” On the expedition, the military often provided their own names. A cayuco refers to a kayak or plank canoe. The vast landscape remained undisturbed until 1797 with the founding of San Miguel Mission. It was 70 years later that a determined effort was made to create an economically profitable enclave in the area with remnants of the enterprise still worth visiting today. Let’s start.

James Cass as Knight’s Templar (Freemason)

Daytrips into the past involve some traveling in your horseless carriage. A most beautiful drive from either north or south in our county is along Highway 1. Indeed, the distraction of

the views need to be carefully monitored for safe passage along the two-lane highway. It takes little imagination to see the Spanish galleons loaded with treasures from the orient embracing the currents south to ports – and riches – in Mexico. However, in 1867, James Cass was not looking for treasure but a future to stake his family’s claim to stability and prosperity in the rich soil of the coastal strip. Having braved the dangers of the sea since age ten, the forty-two-year-old former Argonaut had found some success in the gold fields of the north. Married in 1854, he was a widower with four children by the time he remarried nine years later. Now, the family’s covered wagon was a land-based galleon hoping for a better future on the coast. Having purchased 320 acres of the original Rancho Moro Y Cayucos land grant of 8,845 acres, it was not long before he seized an opportunity to construct a pier and Cass’ Landing remains a local landmark. Originally 380 feet, Cass extended the community lifeline to over 900 feet for more efficient loading and unloading of cargo and passengers. The advent of the railroad spelled the decline of the pier’s commercial usefulness but recent restoration continues to celebrate its historical and aesthetic importance. His warehouse now houses community activities. Be sure to stroll above the ocean and note the specter of cargo and passengers coming ashore. Commerce was paramount and the more residents, the greater prosperity. A different community concept came with another legendary pioneer, Chauncey Hatch Phillips. Local history buffs remember Phillips as a key reason the Southern Pacific Railroad entered the county in 1894. In 1872, however, for Phillips, land was not so much for farming as for subdivisions. Smaller tracts of land meant more production, more people, more commerce … in other words: “Progress.” At 100 feet wide and a mile long, the major road was created for another small town just as he would create for Templeton. The county’s former preeminence of dairy production and Swiss owners found a solid home around Cayucos.

Cass’ Landing

Before lengthening the pier, Cass began construction of the 14-room family home. It was a major accomplishment as building materials were transported from San Francisco. Interior furnishings were mostly from the Bay City having been imported from Europe. The buff with brown trim exterior was surrounded by lawns and gardens. M A Y

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Early Cass House

The Tribune newspaper in 1880 depicted “an elegant residence in the midst of attractive grounds.” It was a showplace for the town’s first family. Meticulously restored after years of neglect, today the residence is both a tribute to the family’s success as well as the prestige of wealth. Cass and his loved ones enjoyed the home for many years (he died in 1917) as well as community recognition. Be sure to pay a visit. Goods and passengers arriving in the small village needed transportation elsewhere and in 1883, he became a partner in providing a stage line via Paso Robles to San Miguel. Obtaining the mail contract, the lumbering transport added a new avenue of communication to the central coast. Life must mean more than the accumulation of wealth and James Cass contributed to a wider community than the seaside village. By 1881, he was a Master Mason of the King David’s Lodge, a charter member of the local American Legion of Honor and a few years later, the Order of Chosen Friends. He had learned that good fortune needed to be shared with his neighbors. The community’s major street is appropriately named Ocean Avenue as it was the nearby gift of nature that spawned the gift to the history of the central coast. While there are legacies from the past to visit along the central coast, simply strolling about encourages the imagination to reunite with residents of the past. Indeed, they must be proud that the daily efforts to make a living, raise a family and endure the vagaries of life allow us to enjoy a splendid day trip into the past.

The Cass House today

KIWANIS CLUB OF SAN LUIS OBISPO

DRIVE-THRU BBQ DINNER

The Kiwanis BBQ Crew

Friday, May 19, 2017 SLO Veterans Building on Grand Ave, SLO Tickets: $50 (purchased in advance) Each dinner feeds up to six people and includes: BBQ Choice grade beef Tri-Tip, Beans, Salsa, Salad & SLO Sourdough garlic bread All packaged in a beautiful re-usable tote bag

For ticket information contact your favorite Kiwanian or call the Journal office at 546-0609 Give the cook the night off, pick up a mouth-watering BBQ dinner and help support the Kiwanis programs that benefit the youth of SLO! 3 past scholarship winners

CONTACT: jacarotenuti@gmail.com M A Y

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history

california 1856 Part I

By Joe Carotenuti

alifornia in the 1850s was not a tourist mecca. The tidal wave of gold-seekers had receded somewhat by the end of the decade leaving both broken lives and a few fabulous tales of riches rivaled by the ancient myths of King Midas. San Francisco maintained its position as the largest city despite frequent conflagrations that burned much of the business centers as well as the rats invading from the docks. If confined to the boundaries of the Bay City, there was little charm to the Golden State. Yet, some left the rowdy city to seek a life in the great expanses of the state while avoiding the human rats that preyed on anyone foolish enough to travel with a few dollars. While many of the central coast pioneers began their residencies in the great port city, one man’s dream – a non-resident - is especially prominent. Mission Santa Clara

Here’s the story. Except that he left in early 1856, there is little to verify why Henry Miller decided to pack a few belongings on his mule and begin an eight-month journey. He simply stated he wanted to visit “the ancient Catholic missions.” He doesn’t mention he was going to create sketches along the way. Judge Benjamin I. Hayes (1815-1877), one of California’s most important jurists, remembers meeting Miller. He impressed the judge who included his encounter in his Pioneer Notes. The young man related it was his grandiose intention regarding the former spiritual centers “to paint them on a large scale, to present a complete panorama of California to be exhibited in the Eastern States and Europe.” Furthermore, the young artist contemplated “publishing an album to contain probably 200 engravings of scenery in California, with short explanatory notes.” Whether Miller ever completed some “large scale” paintings is not known. Thirty-eight 11”x18” sketches, however, survive to form the earliest panorama of the former Spanish missions. In California Missions (Bellerophon Books, 2000), 28 of the delicate drawings present an artist’s view of the largely uninhabited state. Additionally, the well-informed Miller provides a journal of impressions as he braved a variety of weather and confusing trails seeking his next mission.

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Miller simply states he left on February 2 with the intention of visiting the “cordon” of missions to San Diego and “fertile valleys” along the coast. Any travel was hazardous over poor quality trails and no directional signs. Miller would often write of spending a great deal of time trying to find the correct route to his next destination or seeking some pasture and water for his mule. First, he sketched Mission San Francisco de Asis (Dolores) accessible over the mud by a private “plank road” requiring a toll. It is best here to note that the Mexican War of Independence (1810-1821) was also the beginning of the decline of missions in California. First, virtually stripped of much of its most productive land, missions could no longer provide sustenance for its neophytes let alone most everyone else. Additionally, the mission buildings were also sold and the physical structures began a long period of decline. Miller saw much of it. Heading south, he reached Redwood City – “about 50 homes” – before arriving at the Santa Clara de Asis mission. What he saw was

Mission Dolores (San Francisco) 1833

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University. It is the state’s oldest center for advanced education. A short distance away was California’s first pueblo settlement, El Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe. Greeted by “the priest, a youth of about 18 years of age …,” he found the church was “poorly decorated and surrounded by ruins of a once massive edifice.” Obviously, his estimate of the cleric’s age was incorrect. Furthermore, his estimate of the interior conflicts with another traveler who just two years earlier described the interior having “a broad tile floor, fresco painted walls, and a lavish distribution of paintings. The vicinity of the Altar is richly ornamented.” Had a short two years witnessed a rapid decline?

Judge Benjamin Hayes

the remnants of the fifth church at the site. For five years, 24 Jesuits had been conducting classes and a boarding school for about 150 boys. Miller drew both the mission and the adjacent school commenting it was a thriving enterprise. Of course, he had no idea it would become today’s Santa Clara

Travel was slow for the brave artist as it was not until early May that he left for the “ruins” of Mission San Juan Bautista. CONTACT: jacarotenuti@gmail.com

805 Aerovista #103, San Luis Obispo

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our schools

UNDERSTANDING THE CHANGING EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT LANDSCAPE By James J. Brescia, Ed.D. County Superintendent of Schools “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” —Colin Powell This month’s article is a continuing discussion on the current teacher shortage and some additional points of interest. Last month I reported on how the educator shortage in California is worsening, with many school districts struggling to find enough high-quality teachers to fill vacancies. At our recent San Luis Obispo County Office of Education Job Fair over two hundred individuals presented applications to our local school districts. However, many school districts throughout the state continue to struggle in staffing positions. The greatest need worsens in the major urban areas seeking special education teachers. Additionally, there has been some misunderstanding about the nature of workforce reductions and layoff notices. After more than 18 months of news reports about persistent and worsening teacher shortages in the Golden State, EdSource recently reported workforce news of a different sort. Teachers in several California school districts received so-called “March 15 notices,” alerting them to the possibility of layoffs at the end of the school year. Many reading this article may ask, “How can school districts issue layoff notices at the same time as schools throughout the state struggle to find fully qualified teachers to staff our classrooms?” Have school districts solved the workforce shortage? It is necessary to consider a different perspective in response to this logical question about layoffs and shortages. We must dig deeper than the media’s passion for headlines and single sentence responses to understand the very local nature of educational workforce market fluctuations. Staffing for our classrooms is based primarily on need, available resources, and estimated long-term viability. As the student populations shift from county to county or district to district, the schools must respond and issue “March 15th” notices. Workforce reduction notifications can be very disruptive to school continuity, families and the personal lives of our teaching workforce. It is important to note that March 15th notices or “pink slips” do not automatically result in a layoff; these notices are simply precautionary actions required by state law. Current state law and collective bargaining

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agreements require notification that is explicitly detailed when the possibility of a workforce reduction is present. The notices also represent the budget volatility that exists within our state funding for schools. According to a report issued by the California Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), most teachers who receive notices do not end up losing a job. Affected teachers may experience a change of school, district or assignment. The LAO reports that out of every ten teachers who receive a “pink slip” only two or three are not rehired before the start of the next school year, and those willing to relocate will find employment. Based on a California Teachers Association survey of select districts approximately 1,750 teachers received workforce reduction notices this spring. If the LAO’s estimates are applied, the actual number of layoffs is between 350 to 525 statewide. The number of workforce reductions is approximately one tenth of one percent of the estimated 300,000 teachers in California. An analysis of news reports, school board materials and association data show that the layoffs do not appear to be widespread or statewide. What the data does indicate is that layoffs reflect particular financial challenges, enrollment shifts, and demographic changes. Declining enrollment is a key factor in districts such as Santa Ana, San Diego, Temecula, Montebello, Anaheim, Cupertino and many County Offices of Education. For example, the enrollment in community schools is shifting back to school districts in most counties, and county offices must reduce staffing as the need for classrooms revert to local school districts. When a district or county office has lower enrollment, they have fewer resources to pay for staffing, and workforce reductions are required to meet budget requirements. In these instances, there is not a decrease in the need for teachers just a shift in where the demand is located. Statewide, our hiring projections still outpace the supply of fully prepared teachers in California. In 2015-2016 the state issued 11,500 initial teaching credentials as the demand for openings hit 22,000. More than three-quarters of California school districts reported a shortage last fall, especially in mathematics, science, bilingual education and special education. Because of this trend, ongoing teacher attrition and rising housing costs in urban areas California issued more than

COMMUNITY

10,000 emergency credentials and permits in 2015-2016. The number of substandard credentials and licenses issued in 2015-2016 is double the number issued in 2012-2013.

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This shortage is genuine and can be solved with progressive policy and legislation. Last year the legislature allocated some funding aimed at curbing the teacher shortage. The California Center for Teaching Careers was reestablished, university teacher preparation programs were expanded, and the Paraprofessional Teacher Training Program was restarted. The San Luis Obispo County Office of Education is currently preparing 45 paraprofessionals and partnering with local universities to offer evening teacher preparation training opportunities. It is our hope that some of the talented individuals residing in our county will consider this noble profession. Teachers possess a great power to influence our democracy in a positive manner. Studies show how educators can profoundly impact our future. Education directs earning potential, democratic values, and social justice. Teaching is one of the most influential professions a person can pursue. Interested individuals should contact the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education for additional information. References Available Upon Request “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” —Alexander Graham Bell

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: OUTDOOR FUN ACROSS

1. Big Ben’s face 6. “C’____ la vie!” 9. Hefty competitor 13. Water-resistant wool cloth 14. William F. Cody, ____ Buffalo Bill 15. Domenikos Theotokopoulos, a.k.a. El _____ 16. Food-borne bacteria 17. Bro to sis or sis to bro 18. Bat dwelling? 19. *It lights up the sky 21. *S’more cooker 23. Turkish title of respect 24. Sensational promotion 25. *Take a first aid one on a camping trip 28. Lover of Aeneas 30. *____ and field 34. Singular of #26 Down 36. Lagerlˆf’s “The Wonderful Adventures

of ___” 38. Where there’s trouble? 40. Ripped 41. Labored breaths 43. 43,560 square feet 44. *Done to get in a race 46. Stash in the hold 47. Multicolored horse 48. Type of car 50. Greek Hs 52. *Picnic invader 53. Make like a cat 55. Nuke 57. *High ride 61. *Requires luring 65. Roundish 66. Variable, abbr. 68. “Roots” author 69. Shoe binders 70. Shoshonean 71. Discrimination against seniors 72. Soon, to a bard

73. The day before 74. “The Second Coming” poet DOWN 1. Staff leader 2. Places 3. Carbon monoxide lacks this 4. “The Late Show” guest 5. Stabbed 6. No problem 7. *Used on powder and water 8. Brindled kitty 9. Tennis great Steffi 10. First name in jeans 11. Maple, to a botanist 12. Doctor’s order 15. Genus in plural 20. What Pinocchio was doing? 22. Make a choice 24. Gun sleeve 25. *On a string 26. Paintings in an Orthodox church 27. Layered cake M A Y

29. “Days” in Havana 31. At a great distance 32. Served hot in winter 33. God’s revelation to Muhammad 35. Financial aid criterion 37. Dick and Jane’s pet 39. *Camping abode 42. Mbabane native 45. *Shoot this? 49. Teresa of Calcutta, e.g. 51. Move sideways 54. A variety show 56. Bacteriophage, informally 57. French novelist …mile 58. Popular Russian name 59. Little bit, in Mexico 60. Right to a property 61. “Born ____,” movie 62. Pelvic parts 63. Home on a limb 64. Fitness centers 67. *For any terrain

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COMMUNITY

eye on business Roger lyon memorial tour helps keep area beautiful By Maggie Cox, Barnett Cox & Associates

ne of the true joys of doing business on the Central Coast is the fact that we are surrounded by natural beauty. I love working early in the early morning and am always struck by the magic of the sun peeking up from the hills to the east of us as I head to my office. The sky is often all shades of pink, and the sense of a new day beginning is a warm and reassuring reminder. And while San Luis Obispo County is a gorgeous place year round, the crazy green of our hillsides and swaths of wildflowers make this season, this year, particularly breathtaking. How fortunate we are to be in the middle of it. And how fortunate we are to have so many dedicated people committed to helping preserve the beauty of the area. The late Roger Lyon was one of the true leaders of conservation and open space protection in our county. I got to know Roger in the early 2000s when we worked together on the Hearst Ranch Conservation project. 82,000 acres of the family-owned ranch that surrounds the castle was preserved forever. Roger was an amazing force in the effort, and the results speak for themselves. I shared the community’s stunned grief when Roger was killed in 2010 piloting a plane on a

humanitarian mission to Mexico. It was impossible to believe he Roger and Susan Lyon in Cayucos was really gone. I celebrated his memory when Greg and Jeff Smith, The tour will begin at the Cayucos Vet’s owners of Eagle Ranch in Atascadero, proHall, where 55 conservation enthusiasts vided the Land Conservancy of SLO County will be treated to histories and tall tales with its largest gift ever: 3,200 pristine acres as they travel north. At Piedras Blancas, of ranchland held in a permanent ag easethey will be greeted by representatives ment. Roger had been central to that discusfrom the Friends of the Elephant Seals and sion, and was honored posthumously for at California State Parks, who will discuss the dedication ceremony. the past, present and future conservation needs of the area before heading to the It makes perfect sense that Roger’s wife, Suhistoric Hearst Ranch warehouse at San san Lyon, herself an ardent conservationist, Simeon Cove for wine tasting and hors is continuing the work she, Roger, and other d’oeuvres. With more stories along the North Coast residents began some years ago way, the bus will return past Harmony and that created the Cayucos Land ConHeadlands to Point Estero and Estero servancy. Susan and a group of volunteers Bluffs, before concluding at the Cayucos are honoring Roger’s work and keeping the Pier for calamari and chowder sampling at fire of conservation alive with a luxury bus Schooner’s Wharf. on Saturday, May 6, from 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Roger “Chopper” Lyon Land The non-profit Cayucos Land Conservancy Conservation Legacy Tour will treat guests was established in 1999 to preserve the to food, wine and gorgeous views of the land greenbelt surrounding Cayucos. Roger, who Lyon helped preserve, while offering stories would have celebrated his 68th birthday over of major preservation efforts from the this year’s Earth Day weekend (April 22-23), people who worked with him. Proceeds will was an attorney, volunteer, humanitarian, benefit the Cayucos Land Acquisition Fund farmer and rancher. But he is perhaps best in Roger’s memory. Tickets are $250 apiece, known as a conservationist, who spared speand space is limited. cial places on the coast from development, and did it with drive, fierce commitment, and a ready sense of humor.

POWER TO GET THE JOB DONE

CA License # 274276

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ThomaElectric.com (805) 543-3850

“The goal of the tour is to inspire others to help make a difference in the areas that ‘Chop’ helped conserve,” Susan Lyon said. “After all, the work of conservation is never fully done.” Roger’s legacy to the people of California and the world was the preservation of literally miles of coastline and coastal hills. Because of his leadership and commitment, world famous views and natural resources remain for us lucky locals, as well as our area’s visitors, to enjoy forever. For information on the tour, contact Susan Lyon at (805) 995-1787 or susan@ctcranch. com or visit https://www.cottontailcreek. com/pages/chopper-lyon-legacy-tour . What a great way to mix business and pleasure.

Downtown

Around

The Magazine of Downtown San Luis Obispo

May 2017

Inside: Downtown Perspec t ive Downtown B usiness Spo tlights Mee t our Ne west Team Members

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Avoid the High Cost of Moving to w n t oAwRetirement n P e r s pFacility e c t i v e

elcome to May Downtowners! has the prospect of moving may o whatbe is ininthe new branding for Downtown EvenSpring though the distant sprung and folks around the city are getting out SLO? Starting with our logo, you will see a skyline future, you youmountains can enjoy their cleaning supplies and gardening tools to owe spruceit to yourself to learn withhow buildings, and clear blue skies like up their homes and businesses.carefree Our association you would experience while living in your own home for also many years to come. Downtown. You will would be remiss if we didn’t join in on the annual note that the logo is a square with rounded tradition of Spring cleaning as well. For some, it is corners that is just a bit slanted, or should I say that literally just a matter of deep cleaning in and around the frame of our logo is as unique as our Downtown. the house, but for others it means an all out update Not so different that it deserves a wild polygon of their living or work spaces. We are going with shape but not boring by any means. Lastly, you will It’sata1108 factGarden of lifeStreet, that as get older, Pristine is fully the latter andwe I am excited note that “downtown” is central to the logo and Dominic Tartaglia, to announce that our organization has adopted a some day-to-day tasks become too Executive licensed andaccentuates insured. “SLO”. Note the green lettering denoting Director new name and corresponding brand. You may have vibrancy, fertility, freshness, nature and prosperity. to handle onForeword our own. All of our workers noticedmuch at the last Downtown our That new long with our logo and name change you will be able to logo, which you will also see this month on our Concerts in the doesn’t mean you have to move away are carefully further screened experience the new brand on our exciting new Plaza posters around town. website that was redesigned with our users in mind. For from the comfort of your home. and pass a criminal fter several years of discussions to change the name of visitors, they have their own section. For business members, Home Services localour Board background check thePristine organization to better fit with is ourawork, they also have their own section. The same is true for of Directors opted for a familiar that inObispo many ways Farmers’ way, did you notice company that helps name San Luis and Downtown drug test,SLO giving youMarket. peaceByofthe mind has always been there. For us, Downtown SLO is more than that we made the change to our market’s name a couple years County residents the cost and when someone from is working just a location—simply a few avoid blocks to go high for shopping back? It is pretty funnyPristine that the names magically coincide, or entertainment. Downtown SLO is a lifestyle and a sense of maybe not. Our website address is still www.DowntownSLO. of moving to a retirement facility. in your home. place. Unlike location, place is a carefully curated environment com but that is about the extent of all that remains. The colors where visitors share experiences, live, play and dream: are helps updated, layout for our and business directory is much more “She methe with bathing other Disneyland, for example. A lot of thought and effort is put into intuitive and we are now sharing Downtown Deals, real estate care. access She istosoimportant wonderful to me. a catalog of our providing guests the best possible experience when they walk personal listings, better information, of right our down services can be provided into theAll park, to their branding. Shearticles should cloned! …and is where we plan to andbe business stories, andthe evenprice a store sellreasonable. tickets to events, and other daily, weekly, or on an as-needed basis. very SheDowntown even didSLO mymerchandise winfun promotions yet to be revealed. In other words we have a

You Don’t Have to Move

Feel Safe and Secure

Enjoy Affordable Living

You pay for only the services you need dows!” R. Watson, San Luis Obispo On theand Cover: Brown hanging outatwith mascot friend Chipper from California Highway Patrol at Brown's birthday weDowntown provide those services a price party last year. Join them for this year's celebration on May 4. Photo by took Jan DiSanto “They the time to ask me exactly you can afford. what I wanted. They arrived on time, did YARDConvenient MAINTENANCE · HANDYMAN SERVICES · PERSONAL CARE exactly what I asked, and the price was One-call Service reasonable. I would recommend Pristine Our personal care services include to a friend.” C. Hall, San Luis Obispo shopping,Services daily errands, meal preparaHome Specialist tion, transportation and non-medical Before you make any decisions that From handyman services to plumbing and preparing meals. There is no task care. Our housekeeping services keep could affect your future happiness too large or too small for Pristine Home Services. All of our services can your kitchen and the rest of your home be provided daily, weekly, or on an as-needed basis. You pay for only the and standard of living, take the time spotless. eventhose do services windows and services you need andWe we provide at a price you can afford. to read these two FREE reports: laundry. Our yard maintenance crews “What every senior needs to know and beyond my know how “Pristine to takegoes careabove of your favorite about living in a retirement facility.” I can live in the comfort rose bushesexpectations and keepsothe grass neatly of my home.” mowed. Our–Jay handyman services are “Four critical questions to ask a Baker provided by specialists in plumbing, service provider . . . before you let electrical work, painting, repairs and anyone work in or near your home.” Serving All of San Luis Obispo County safety rail installation. We invite you to call Pristine right CALL FOR RATES now so that we can send you these two FREE reports by mail. We Bring Assisted Living Home You Whatever you need...give us atocall

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(805) 543-HOME (4663) Call Today

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P e r s p e c t i v e

site that not only looks fresh, it works hard to make finding information about Downtown SLO even easier. If you don’t believe me, take our improved events calendar out for a test drive.

eyond the digital world our team is working hard to improve the physical realm of Downtown SLO as well. At our annual retreat, the Board of Directors prioritized four goals to pursue in the coming year and I’m here to tell you that they are ambitious, but no task is too large for this team. Building better relationships within the community, pursuing a mechanism to provide an enhanced Downtown environment, addressing solid waste issues and finishing out the objectives in our Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market Vision Plan are all on the To-Do List this year.

restaurants, diverse retail experiences and our vibrant nightlife scene, Downtown produces a lot of waste. Food waste, trash, recycling and liquid waste are never in short supply, and our team recognized this two years ago. We will continue to pursue ways to reduce our environmental impacts and be better stewards of the land while still ensuring a great Downtown Experience. That includes how we address our Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market and the waste we generate there. Additionally we have a few more items on our Vision Plan for The Market, including beer and wine sales and tasting, more music, cooking demonstrations and better access.

s for building better relationships, two concepts will be brought forward this year. Expect to see a new educational series hosted by Downtown SLO for our local businesses with topics including merchandising, employee safety and creating better experiences for customers. Our mechanism to improve the Downtown environment will be pointed at economic development activities, providing cleaner and safer streets and better place making in general (think public art, plantings and entertainment). Our third goal is solid waste management and that one is perhaps the least glamorous of topics to discuss at the dining room table but it is the most fitting thing to discuss over a meal. With a large offering of delicious

n short, this is on track to be a big year for Downtown SLO and the name change and logo are just a foreshadowing of what is yet to come. In many ways it is perfect timing for a freshening up this spring and it is my hope that you all will join us as we pursue these goals with all possible energy and enthusiasm. Simply show up to our events and have a good time or visit local shops and enjoy the Downtown SLO experience. Remember Downtowners, we choose to work hard every day to create the Happiest Place in America because we care about this place we call Downtown SLO.

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

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NOTIFIED

IN AN EMERGENCY? • A key step in preparing for emergencies is knowing the ways in which you may be notified. In San Luis Obispo County, officials will utilize different public alert and notification systems based on the type and severity of the emergency. Some of the options available include the Early Warning System sirens, the Emergency Alert System (EAS), and Reverse 911. • Should an emergency occur at Diablo Canyon Power Plant that requires the public to take action, the sirens and EAS would be the primary method of public alert and notification. These systems provide rapid and consistent information throughout the Emergency Planning Zone. • During an emergency, it is important to stay tuned to local radio and TV stations to receive current information and any actions you may need to take. • For more information on how you can be kept informed of local emergencies, please visit: www.slocounty.ca.gov/oes or call (805)781-5011.

OUR ALERT & NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS MAY BE USED FOR ANY LOCAL EMERGENCY OUR ALERT AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS MAY BE USED FOR ANY LOCAL EMERGENCY TSUNAMI

FLOOD

NUCLEAR

FIRE

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D o w n t o w n

B u s i n e s s

Baxter Moerman Jewelry

Matt Baxter & Matt Moerman, CoOwners 1128 Garden Street (805) 801-9117 or (805) 305-8118 baxtermoerman.com

don't think you can be anywhere else in San Luis and have the walk-by traffic and vibrant community that Downtown fosters" says Matt Moerman, co-owner of Baxter Moerman Jewelry, which just relocated to a bigger showroom and studio at 1128 Garden Street. His business partner Matt Baxter agrees: their new location is "literally right in the center of Downtown." The new showroom measures 1,150 square feet, over three times the size of the now-closed Morro Street location, and is gorgeously designed by the owners themselves. New hire Tony Escobedo helps with

Landwell Design + Build Co. Jon Svehla, Owner 793 Higuera Street, Suite 8 (805) 305-3339 landwellinc.com

hough relatively new on the landscape design scene, Landwell Design + Build Co. has already garnered the interest of HGTV and Houzz, having been nominated for an HGTV Ultimate Outdoor Award in Outdoor Architecture and named "Best of Houzz" this year on the eponymous website. The firm is a landscape design and construction company owned by Jon Svehla; Joslyn Amato serves as Project Manager. Both are Cal Poly graduates with degrees in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Horticulture, respectively. After working in larger firms in the industry for several years both locally and in Northern California, where he is from, Jon decided to

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achel Maiorino is an MBA student at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. She received her bachelor's degree from Cal Poly in Agricultural & Environmental Plant Science with concentrations in Sustainable Landscape Management & Design and Public Horticulture. She grew up in Dos Palos, a small farming community in the Central Valley. Post-graduation she served as an Event Planning and Public Relations intern for the San Luis Obispo Downtown Association. She values community and has worked hard to promote local businesses and community members. Rachel enjoys spending time arranging flowers, running new trails, walking Downtown and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and coffee shops (Scout is the go-to), and hosting dinner parties. She is excited to join the team as the Special Events Coordinator, and hopes to share her talents while getting more involved in the community and fostering growth within the Downtown area!

S p o t l i g h t s

production in the workshop located in the back of the showroom: a distinctive feature of the jewelers, since they design and produce everything in-house. They also specialize in unusual gemstones, like peach sapphires, and use 18k gold or platinum in their "organic, contemporary, simple but classic" designs. Indeed, the predominantly warm-hued tones (like brightly colored gems set in rose gold) are their hallmark style, one the duo has honed since beginning their careers in the industry in 2001. After training with another local jeweler in town, they put their skills to the test by opening their first showroom in 2009. Now Baxter and Moerman have their sights set on further developing their brand and identity. With more space and an additional employee on board to help with production, the partners can focus on design and showroom sales. Stop on in and take a peek; their â&#x20AC;&#x153;down-to-earthâ&#x20AC;? attitude is their trademark! found Landwell Design + Build Co. in late summer 2016 to create a more tailored, one-on-one experience for clients. "Good communication goes a long way", confirms Joslyn, and their team of four handles one project at a time to craft the best experience possible for clients, something that differentiates them from larger firms. To boot, they also offer three varieties of unique outdoor structures under 120 square feet that can be incorporated into the landscape (like stand-alone garden sheds and artist studios.) Though the firm currently focuses on residential projects, the anticipated procurement of a general contractors license will open up additional opportunities for the firm, as will a Sustainable SITES AP accreditation for Joslyn (think LEED for landscape projects.) Visit landwellinc.com to take a peek at their projects and to find out how they fared in the HGTV competition!

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lease welcome Ariana Burton, our new Downtown SLO Farmers' Market Manager! Ariana grew up in the small town of Lake Elsinore in Southern California but has happily been living in San Luis Obispo for the past four years. She attended Cal Poly straight out of high school earning a BS in Anthropology and Geography with a specialization in GIS and a minor in Sustainable Agriculture. She has worked as a student assistant for the Cal Poly Organic Farm for most of her time at Cal Poly which has given her a special appreciation for locally-grown foods and local businesses. Ariana has a love for dogs and beaches (most loved is the Morro Bay dog beach, of course) and everything outdoors. She feels honored to be one of the lucky ones with the opportunity to stay in San Luis Obispo after graduation and especially lucky to be part of a team here in the heart of Downtown SLO.

Every Thursday 6–9 PM on Higuera Street between Osos & Nipomo For details visit DowntownSLO.com

may 4th s p o n s o r

may 11th Mother’s Day Flowers s p o n s o r

Free flower giveaway and event for all moms at Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market. Located on Chorro Street.

Come celebrate with our mascot, Downtown Brown, and all his pals! Located on Chorro Street.

May 18TH Law Enforcement Night s p o n s o r

Visit with law enforcement officers from all over the Central Coast at our Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market.

may 25th Public Works Night “Building for today, planning for tomorrow” Come Downtown to Farmers’ Market to meet the men & women who help keep your city running!

THE BULLETIN BOARD

slo county annual firefighters stairclimb

Paso Library birthday bash

In honor of two very special occasions, the Paso Robles City Library invites the public to an open house on May 13, beginning at 10:00 am with a special Friends of the Library Book Sale. Then, from 11:30 am-1:30 pm, the Library will offer tours showcasing some new and exciting changes in the Library, guest speakers, demonstrations, and refreshments. This year, the Paso Robles Library Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary of supporting the Library’s commitment to excellence in library service. The Library is also marking the 22nd anniversary of its 1995 move from the Carnegie Library building in the City Park to its current location. The Library is located at 1000 Spring Street and is open Monday – Friday 10-8, and Saturday 10-5. For more information please call 237-3870 or visit www.prcity.com/library.

local books – Catherine ryan hyde’s new book

We had a great experience this year doing the Seattle Stairclimb fundraiser. Many of us were moved to tears during the opening ceremony when our local “Adopted Family” both Ed and Erika Cota shared about their leukemia journey when Mateo - their youngest of 3 boys was 3 years old. Now cured of cancer, “high energy” Mateo and his Family led the first battalion of climbers to the stairwell! The Cota Family were once again troopers for us for the 3rd year in a row - spending all day at the Observation f loor where we finished. Some of us on the Team had a connection to Ryan Teixiera who passed away approx. 1 week before our climb. In honor of Ryan, many of us had a picture of him on our helmets and on the large rubber band that held our pictures on our helmets, we also wrote “17 Strong”. His name and those of many others affected by leukemia or lymphoma were on a list that many of us also carried in our pockets while climbing the stairs. As we do with many of the pictures we put on our helmets, our goal is to give them to the respective families. Many of us write personal notes on the back of the pictures first. As a team we’ve raised (so far) just over $20,000 which puts us in the top 10 teams! A huge accomplishment for 18 of us from the central coast! Picture of our team after we all concluded our respective climb. Team members (in alpha order) are: Adam Pearson, Andy Carlin, Anthony DiBernardo, Breece Ehrenborg, Chase Clark, Battalion Chief Eric Shalhoob, Garrett Carney, Glen Vaughn, Ian Williamson, Jacob Romero, Jordon Williamson, Battalion Chief Josh Taylor, Katie Gargano, Kelby Jecker, Lisa Levin, Engineer Morgan Rutledge, Ryan Anderson, and Scott Killian. Photo courtesy to Celine DiBernardo.

From Catherine Ryan Hyde, local New York Times bestselling author of Pay It Forward, comes the new novel ALLIE AND BEA (Lake Union Publishing; On-sale May 23rd, 2017), a cross-generational story about two women’s unlikely friendship and their search for a place to call home. Allie is a privileged California teenager. Bea relies on Social Security checks to pay her mounting bills. But when they both suddenly lose everything, an on-the-run Allie hitches a ride with Bea, and the improbable pair embarks on a life-changing journey to the Pacific Coast. ALLIE AND BEA proves that it’s never too late to start over and that in losing everything, you might just gain the courage to live the life you truly want. Longtime SLO County resident Catherine Ryan Hyde is the award-winning author of more than 30 published books. Her bestselling 1999 novel, Pay It Forward, was adapted into a major Warner Bros. motion picture starring Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt.

mb art association presents flo bartell

Morro Bay Art Association is proud to present a 2-day Workshop combining the effects of encaustic with mixed media by award winning artist, Flo Bartell, on May 5th and 6th from 10am-4pm at the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morro Bay. Flo expresses her response to the world through the texture and intense colors possible with encaustic (hot wax, resin and pigments), with mixed media applications that often include fiber. Flo is a member of Surface Design Association and International Encaustic

D ressing Windows in San Luis Obispo for over 39 Years

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

Alan “Himself” M A Y

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

THE BULLETIN BOARD Artists. Currently, she serves as co-chairperson of the exhibition committee of International Encaustic Artists and Co-President of The Painters Group of SLO Museum of Art. Flo served as a past President of Morro Bay Art Association. Students will learn encaustic basics while experimenting with the numerous ways this versatile wax and pigment medium can be used. The possibilities are endless! Encaustic does not have to be difficult. Some experience is helpful but not required. Cost in $225 for members and $250 for non-members. For more information contact KC Caldwell 805-540-1470 or email fogcatchers@gmail.com

capslo.org or directly from the Community Action Partnership Health & Prevention office: phone (805) 544-2498. To minimize the impact on Shell Beach residents, attendees are asked to park at Shell Beach Elementary School and ride the free shuttle to the event.

BB/BS “Big Event” fundraiser

30th annual afternoon of epicurean delights

Celebrate the 30th year of Afternoon of Epicurean Delights, one of the Central Coasts premier events, on Sunday, June 4th from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Chapman Estate in Shell Beach. This spectacular occasion directly benefits the Health & Prevention Division of Community Action Partnership of SLO County (CAPSLO). Last year, Health & Prevention’s medical, education, youth development and advocacy programs provided services to over 11,000 under-served women, men, and youth. All funds raised by this event go directly to provide services, as event expenses are covered by sponsors and underwriters. Tickets for Afternoon of Epicurean Delights are $125, and available for purchase at aed.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is proud to announce Pacific Western Bank as the Presenting Sponsor for the BIG EVENT fundraiser for the 7th consecutive year. Their $6,000 gift brings their total to $36,000 in support of the agency’s mentoring programs. The BIG EVENT is June 17, 2017. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the Big Brothers Big Sisters website www. slobigs.org, or call (805) 781-3226. In the photo attached from left, Big Brothers Big Sisters Board Member Karen Colombo, Development Director Patty Carpenter and Executive Director Anna Boyd-Bucy receive a donation from Pacific Western Bank’s Central Coast Region President Lynda Nahra and Executive VicePresident Tom Strait.

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THE BULLETIN BOARD

19th annual parkfield bluegrass festival

slo children’s museum celebrates growth

The SLO Children’s Museum Board of Directors recently welcomed five new members to its ranks, just as the organization realized all-time highs in membership & attendance, and made plans for new exhibits. Dawn Hinchman, Lindsay Waylett, Annie Braff, Courtney Anderson and Byron McFarland have each been elected to three-year terms. Newly elected officers include Ellen Drews (president), John Summer (vice president), Craig Filipponi (treasurer), Alison Bell (secretary) and Lindsey Haring (past president). Returning directors include Lisa Rizzo (exhibits chair), and Linda Minton (event chair). More than 650 families are now members of the Children’s Museum. Members receive unlimited visits, discounts for birthday parties & guest admission, and half off admission at more than 200 children’s museums nationwide.

new Director for SLO Symphony

On May 11-14, in the picturesque hamlet of Parkfield, the Bluegrass Music Society of the Central Coast (BMSCC) proudly presents the 19th Annual Parkfield Bluegrass Festival. Parkfield, known as the “Earthquake Capital of the World,” springs to life every Mother’s Day Weekend with the best, most intimate bluegrass festival anywhere. Bluegrass music fans take over this small country village once a year for four days of concerts, workshops, children’s activities, camping and around-the-clock music jams! Attendees are welcome to come for the weekend with their RVs or tents. Headlining Parkfield 2017 will be two legendary California bands: Sawmill Road and the Cache Valley Drifters, rounding out with the IBMA Momentum Award winning Lonely Heartstring Band (pictured). The Festival will once again feature a multitude of activities for youngsters including the popular Kids’ Bluegrass Program, with Gerry Higbie at the helm assisted by the Honeysuckle Possums and Joy Williams. All kids up to age 16 are welcome – be they beginners or experienced pickers. For advance ticket purchases and other details, please refer to the Parkfield Bluegrass Festival’s new website at www. parkfieldbluegrass.org/. We’ll see you at Parkfield!

22nd annual slo concerts in the plaza

The SLO Downtown Association and Sunset Honda proudly announce the 2017 Concerts in the Plaza band lineup. 2017 marks the 22nd Anniversary of the most popular free concert series on the Central Coast. From more than 90 applicants, 14 musical groups were selected to play for the upcoming annual concert season that will kick off on Friday, June 9th. Concerts will be held every Friday through September 8th. All concerts are free to the public and run weekly from 5:00–8:00 PM. For more information please visit downtownslo.com

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

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

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The SLO Symphony recently welcomed Catherine Lansdowne as its new Executive Director. Lansdowne comes to SLO from the Abilene Philharmonic in Texas where she served as Executive Director for the past three years. While there, she oversaw a restructuring, new programming and fiscal growth of the organization. She takes the baton from Francie Levy, the SLO Symphony’s Interim General Manager since 2015. Lansdowne attended the prestigious Eastman School of Music and earned a Bachelor’s in music performance as an oboist. She performed professionally but soon discovered she enjoyed the administration side. She obtained a Master’s in arts administration from Indiana University and began her career at the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in marketing and public relations. She continued in a marketing capacity for the American Association of Malaysia, the National Philharmonic in Washington D.C., and in advancement for the Smithsonian Institution.

casa receives donation from slo guild hall

CASA of SLO County received a donation of $1,060.00 from The SLO Guild Hall, who recently hosted a charity pancake breakfast for the organization. The donation will be used for the ongoing

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six new casa volunteers sworn in

recruitment, screening, training, and supervision of CASA volunteers who advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. Pictured left to right: Brian Bennett, CASA Executive Director Teresa Tardiff, Russ Foster, Sue Sunderland, and Roo Hoadley.

RAMS honor member on his 100th birthday

RAM (Retired Active Men) officers honored founding RAM member, Fred Churchill on his 100th Birthday. Mr. Churchill, one of the 13 original members, joined the SLO RAMs group March 1, 1990, the founding date, and has been a contributing member since the RAM Organization’s founding. Membership in RAMs is open to any men who have retired and who wish to renew friendship with other retired men. More information can be obtained on the RAM website: retiredactivemen.org or by calling their treasurer @ 5445634. Pictured left to right— RAM Treasurer Bill Fieldhouse, Founding RAM member Fred Churchill, & President (Big Ram) Alan Henderson.

Six new volunteers and one new staff member recently became sworn officers of the court. The new volunteers will soon take their first cases as Court Appointed Special Advocates. Juvenile Court Judge Linda Hurst performed the swearing in ceremony. The new volunteers received 30 hours of CASA training (of which 15 hours were done online) and will be assigned a child or sibling group under the juvenile court’s jurisdiction due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. Pictured left to right: Front row: Lisa Hamon, Sue Gatlin, Greg Thomas. Back row: Judge Linda Hurst, Bob Koob, Lauri Sowa, Michelle May.

woods & animal services offer $5 Spay/neuter

Woods Humane Society and SLO County Animal Services have teamed up in a major effort to reduce the surplus of homeless cats in our county. We are happy to announce that Woods Humane Society will provide SPAY AND NEUTER SURGERIES FOR ONLY $5 to cats belonging to SLO County residents through June 30, 2017. The cost incurred for these surgeries will be subsidized by SLO County Animal Services. Surgeries are limited and the schedule will fill quickly. The public is strongly encouraged to call (805) 543-9316 as soon as possible to schedule their appointment.

free senior health care screening

Screening offers health screening for adults throughout San Luis Obispo County. Free services include: screening for high blood pressure, weight and pulse. Finger prick screening tests for: high cholesterol, anemia and blood sugar. Counseling and referrals as needed. Please call 544-2484 ext.1 for dates, times and locations.

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united way’s annual flavor of slo

lds church celebrates slo family discovery day

Flavor of SLO, a community event featuring tastings of local restaurants, wineries, and breweries, is returning on Saturday, May 6th from 1pm – 4pm in Downtown SLO. Dozens of Central Coast businesses will come together on the grassy lawns of the Jack House & Gardens to sample some of their finest food and drink offerings to attendees. In addition to the tastings, the event will feature live music by Rio Salinas featuring Louie Ortega. Tickets can be purchased at www.flavorofslo.com, and are $45 presale and $50 at the door. A limited number of student presale tickets are available for $35 each. Flavor of SLO is a fundraiser for the United Way of San Luis Obispo County and organized by the Rotaract Club of San Luis Obispo, a community based service organization for Central Coast 18-30 year old young professionals.

3 essays win the 2017 ingrid reti award

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are hosting a celebration of families across generations. SLO Family Discovery Day is a free event to be held on May 6th from 8:30am until 2:30 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 2600 Ramona Rd., Atascadero, CA. This special day is a unique opportunity for residents of the Central Coast to explore and discover their family history. Family Discovery Day will include many classes from genealogists and coordinators alike. Expert genealogists will be on hand to assist those who need help. Historical exhibits will be available. Inspirational speakers are scheduled to speak throughout the day. There will also be a special program especially crafted to children ages 6 to 11. A free luncheon will be provided to all in attendance. All are invited to this special community event, and those who would like a jump-start on their personal family genealogy are invited to pre-register at www. SLOFamilyDiscoveryDay.Eventbrite.com.

The Ingrid Reti Literary Award, a program of ARTS Obispo, was established in memory of writer and teacher Ingrid Reti in an effort to continue her work mentoring San Luis Obispo County writers. This year’s genre was essays and a panel of six judges chose a first, second, and third place. “Echoes of Armenia” by San Luis Obispo writer Ann Neuman was selected as first place. Judith Bernstein from Arroyo Grande garnered second place for, “We Shall Overcome: Growing Up in the Civil Rights Era.” Third place was awarded to Gloria Wilson of Paso Robles for, “We Danced with Rattlesnake.” The winning writers will be recognized at Creative Economy .4 Forum on August 25, 2017 at Cal Poly’s Performing Arts Center. To see the award-winning entries, visit artsobispo.org/ Ingrid-reti- literary-award.

Pacific wildlife celebrates 30 years rotary club donates to womenade

A Celebration of 30 years of work by Pacific Wildlife Care was proclaimed by the San Luis Obispo County Supervisors on March 7. Pacific Wildlife Care is the only wildlife rehabilitation organization in San Luis Obispo County, an area encompassing over 3125 square miles, a wide range of habitats and 100 miles of coastline, holding licenses with the US Fish & Wildlife Service and Department of Fish & Wildlife with a mission to support San Luis Obispo County wildlife through rehabilitation and educational outreach. M A Y

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Rotary Club of Grover Beach/Five Cities donated $425 to San Luis Obispo County Womenade. Pictured l-r: Steve Curry, Pismo Beach/Five Cities Rotary; Mariam Shah, Womenade and Grover Beach City Council; and Scott Nichols, president of the Grover Beach/Five Cities Rotary. Womenade is a non-profit that donates all funds received to meet the needs of county neighbors in need.

THE BULLETIN BOARD 10-year milestone for bb/bs lindsey harn

Lindsey Harn has reached her 10 year anniversary with Big Brothers Big Sisters. She started her involvement as a Cal Poly intern and continued on through the AmeriCorps program creating fundraisers on behalf of the youth mentoring organization. After becoming a Realtor, Lindsey joined the Big Brothers Big Sisters Realtor’s Circle donating $50 from each transaction as well as sponsoring their Big Event Wine tasting and Auction. Her donations recently totaled $30,000.

clark center presents yesterday and today

The Clark Center Association will present Yesterday & Today - The Interactive Beatles Experience on Friday, May 5, at 8 pm at the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande. Rock to the music of the Beatles in an all new interactive concert experience where the audience creates the playlist for the night–EVERY NIGHT! No wigs or accents here; the show incorporates a 1960s style set and modern day lighting scheme to create an extraordinary theatrical concert feel. All band members are required to memorize and be able to play all 200+ songs in the Beatles Anthology. There’s no denying that everyone has a Beatles song attached to an event in their life. Through laughter and personal stories, Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience connects the audience and performers in a way like none other. With dead-on musical precision and stunning set designs, you will be immersed in the sights, sounds and memories of the 1960s. Tickets for Yesterday & Today are $39-$45 and are on sale NOW. Call (805) 489-9444 for tickets or come to the Clark Center Box Office at 487 Fair Oaks Avenue, Arroyo Grande. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the Clark Center website at http://clarkcenter.org/event/yandt/

cuesta wins $2 million innovation award

Cuesta College was recently awarded $2 million by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office as a part of a state Award for Innovation in Higher Education. The award recognizes California districts and colleges that help reduce the time it takes students to complete degrees, reduce the total cost of attendance for students, or do both. Cuesta College was awarded funding for its plans to do both by creating a new program that will allow Paso Robles High School students the opportunity to earn an Associate Degree for Transfer from Cuesta College tuition-free one year after graduating high school. The goal is to deliver fee-free college education by expanding dual and concurrent courses at PRHS and via the already existing Cuesta Promise Scholarship. Students will essentially have the opportunity to become transfer-ready in a traditional high school setting and then during their first year at Cuesta College, resulting in degree attainment at no cost. The college plans to expand the program to other county high schools in the future. Over the past several years, the college has implemented dual enrollment courses at every SLO County public high school, serving more than 2,000 students annually. A total of 14 California

community colleges were selected to receive a portion of the $25M state award. Cuesta College is the only Central Coast community college among the awardees. For more information, visit the Cuesta College website, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office website, or Paso Robles Joint Unified School District.

cal poly alumna presents free concert

Cal Poly alumna Jessica Getman will give a presentation on George Gershwin’s Concerto in F at 3 p.m. Friday, May 5, in Room 218 of the Davidson Music Center (No. 45) on campus. Getman is the managing editor for the Gershwin Initiative at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, which is in the process of making a critical score of the concerto for publication. Timothy Freeze, the concerto’s primary editor, will join Getman to discuss the scope of the Initiative, “The George and Ira Gershwin Critical Edition,” their experience of working with the Gershwin families and with Schott Music Publishing, and the process of making a critical score for a such a complex composition. On May 6, the SLO Symphony will perform the Gershwin Initiative’s edition at 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. The performance will feature pianist Ji and will be conducted by Rei Hotoda. The presentation is sponsored by Cal Poly’s Music Department and the San Luis Obispo Symphony. For more information, call the Music Department at 805-756-2406

dogs & Elders make perfect partners

On March 16, 2017, the residents of Sydney Creek Memory Care Community presented Woods Humane Society with a check to support the homeless animals living there. The funds were generated from the sale of unique, hand-crafted items sold at the Sydney Creek Boutique, an inspiring gift store located in the lobby at 1234 Laurel Lane. Items include everything from furniture to paintings, blankets to greeting cards—each one designed and made by the many talented artists residing at Sydney Creek. Woods was chosen to be the recipient because residents have a special relationship with the dogs from Woods who come to visit them each week. Every week, a Woods volunteer selects a special dog from the shelter to visit the residents at Sydney Creek. Dogs and elders enjoy the mutual affection exchanged at these visits. Most of these dogs will eventually be adopted and their visits are beneficial to their adoptability. Sydney Creek is home to 67 men and women with Alzheimer’s disease or any of the other many forms of dementia. Set apart by its leading-edge therapeutic activities program, Sydney Creek is part of The Villages of San Luis Obispo—a collection of senior communities serving the County since 2000. For more information about Woods Humane Society, visit woodshumanesociety.org or Sydney Creek at sydneycreek.com. M A Y

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