september 2011 journal plus magazine

ADAM HILL | RUSS DE ANGELO | SLO SYMPHONY SEASON | SHERIFF’S ADVISORY

AVILA BEACH SEA LIFE CENTER

JournalPLUSSEPTEMBER 2011

Priscilla Kiessig

MAGAZINE OF THE CENTRAL COAST

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Al MoriartyFinancial AdvisorLic. No. 0144566

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CONTENTS

JournalMAGAZINE OF THE CENTRAL COAST PLUSThe People, Community, and Business of Our Beautiful Central Coast

ADDRESS 654OsosStreet SanLuisObispo California93401

PHONE 805.546.0609

E-MAIL [email protected]

WEBSITE www.slojournal.com

EDITOR & PUBLISHERSteveOwens

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERErinMott

GRAPHIC DESIGNERDoraMountain

COPY EDITORSusanStewart

PHOTOGRAPHERTomMeinhold

DISTRIBUTIONKeithMalcomson

ADVERTISINGJanOwens,KristenHathaway

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSSusanStewart,NatashaDalton,HilaryGrant,JosephCarotenuti,Dr.JulianCrocker,SarahHedger,MaggieCox,DeborahCash,GerardParsons,PattyThayer,KathySmith,MichelleCarter,BobHuttle,GordonFuglieandPhyllisBenson

Mailsubscriptionsareavailableat$20peryear.Backissuesare$2each.InquiresconcerningadvertisingorotherinformationmadebywritingtoSteveOwens,JOURNAL PLUS MAGAZINE,654OsosStreet,SanLuisObispo,CA93401.Youcancallusat546-0609,ourfaxlineis546-8827,andoure-mailisslojournal@fix.net.Viewtheentiremagazineonourwebsiteatwww.slojournal.com

JOURNAL PLUS MAGAZINEisdistributedmonthlyfreebymailtoallsinglefamilyhouseholdsofSanLuisObispoandisavailablefreeatover600locationsthroughoutthecounty.

Editorialsubmissionsarewelcomebutarepublishedatthediscretionofthepublisher.Submissionswillbereturnedifaccompaniedbyastampedselfaddressedenvelope.Nomaterialpublishedinthemagazinecanbereproducedwithoutwrittenpermission.

OpinionsexpressedinthebylinearticlesarethoseofthewritersandnotnecessarilythoseoftheJOURNAL PLUS MAGAZINE.

CoverphotobyTOMMEINHOLD

Photo:AvilaBeachSeaLifeExecutiveDirector,PriscillaKiessigwithyoungvisitorsAlyseMeinhold(right),CheyneandMcKenzieMinto

28

SLO SYMPHONY

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 1 JournalPLUS

12

ADAM HILL

14

RUSS DE ANGELO

PEOPLE10 PRISCILLAKIESSIG

12 ADAMHILL

14 RUSSDEANGELO

HOME & OUTDOOR16 HAWTHORNEREADINGPROGRAM

18 LOMPOCWINEGHETTO

20 HISTORYOFSANLUISOBISPOBAY

22 HOMEDESIGNDISTRICT

24 FOOD/ATTHEMARKET

COMMUNITY26 SLOARTSCENE

28 SLOSYMPHONY2011-12SEASON

30 SHERIFF’SADVISORYCOUNCIL

32 HISTORY:Samuel Adams Pollard

34 HOSPICECORNER/CROSSWORDPUZZLE

36 PALMSTREET– SLO Councilwoman, Smith

41 OURSCHOOLS Dr. Julian Crocker

46 ALMANAC–The Month of September

BUSINESS37 DOWNTOWNSLO What’s Happening

42 THEBULLETINBOARD

45 EYEONBUSINESS

Serving the entire SLO County since 1978

805-543-2172www.farrellsmyth.com

Twila ArrittBroker-Associate

Pamela BlissBroker-Associate

Theresa CarrollREALTOR®

Patricia GarrisonREALTOR®

Vicky HallREALTOR®

Stephanie HamiltonREALTOR®

Annette MullenREALTOR®

Laura RizzoliREALTOR®

Mary RosenthalREALTOR®

Janet ShanerREALTOR®

Lovely single-level Country Club Estates. 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home located on the 16th Tee, with beautiful mountain and golf course views. Charming, gated community. $889,000

www.5847Tamarisk.com

www.11622Madreselva.com

Villas of DOVE CREEK! Sought-after Luxury 3 Br, 1,685 sq. ft. Townhome in the area’s most beautiful, desir-able planned development Open green belts, natural streams, parks, walking trails, playgrounds, and LOW HOA fees. A showcase home located in Atascadero & just minutes from downtown SLO. $289,000

www.1025JaneDrive.com

Laguna Lake Mobile Estates in SLO. Prime location in park overlooking the creek. Huge deck for great times and relaxation. Three bed rooms, two baths. Open living room/dining area. All age park. $124,500

21 Santa Rosa Street, Suite 100, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405Conveniently located in the heart of San Luis Obispo.

Our office is open 7 days a week.

Great all single level four bedroom, three bath home in San Luis Obispo. Additional attached sun room and carport parking. $447,500

www.1223Sydney.com

SLO, 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,900 sq. ft. of living space, including the approx 380 sq ft enclosed patio room! Fresh paint inside and out, new car-pet, vinyl, fixtures and more. Newer windows, nice fenced yard. Move-in condition! $439,000

www.1398Royal.com

www.2700CienagaStreet.com

Have it all! Enjoy this lovely Oceano 3/2 mfg. home built in 2006 and located in Rancho Del Arroyo, which has no age restrictions. Outside custom workshop for more storage. Park has pool and children’s area. $159,000

Jennifer HamiltonRelocation Director

Larry D. SmythBroker

Cindy NewtonREALTOR®

Enjoy the magazine,

Steve Owens

The History Center of SLO County has released the second of three downtown

SLO multimedia walking tours. Following on the heels of the popu-lar Historic Downtown San Luis Obispo Tour, this new walking tour

called “The Darker Side of San Luis Obispo,” promises to uncover the sordid past of the recently celebrated

“Happiest City in America.” Learn how violence and vigilantes, brothels and bootleggers, discrimination and drugs all played a role in the city’s history. Walkers can use one of any hand-held devices including iPods, iPads and iPhones to download the podcasts which offer a complete audio-visual-walking tour with narrative and historic photos. Both tours can be downloaded for free with iTunes. Also, iPods with tours can be rented at the History Center (696 Monterey, SLO) for $10. For more information or for the link to download the Darker Side of San Luis Obispo call (805)543-0638 or visit www.his-torycenterslo.org. Coming in October will be “San Luis Obispo’s Historic Railroad District” tour. Please take the time to take the tours. It’s a great way to learn more about our community and it’s a perfect way to introduce us to your out-of-town guests. (submitted by Leon Koenen)

This month, the Sheriff’s Advisory Council sponsors the Sheriff’s Day at the Ranch, held at the Madonna Inn fields on September 17th. Many people don’t know much about this group so we thought we’d profile them. You’ll enjoy reading about what they do for our community.

We also profile the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Adam Hill. Hill updates us on Board happenings and gives us some personal information as well.

Plenty of good reading again this month.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Jason VorkDRE #1012828

(805) [email protected]

962 Mill Street, SLOSee more listings at

www.realestategroup.com

3966 HOLLYHOCK WAY, SAN LUIS OBISPO Located just a few blocks from the Marigold Shopping Center and the popular French Park. This lovely 4 bedroom, 3 bath home features ap-proximately 2,315 square feet, a remodeled kitchen with beautiful flooring, granite slab counter tops and newer appliances, plus upgraded bathroom. $629,000

2010 ROYAL WAY, SAN LUIS OBISPOLocated within the Royal Heights Estates neighborhood near the end of the cul-de-sac and close to shopping, hiking trails and municipal golf course this approximately 2,100 square foot home features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a 2-car garage. $680,000

W W W . P A C S L O . O R G

Now view our printed calendar of events entirely online. Visit our website today and find your way to the best seats in the house.

We’ve gone green .

UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday, Sept. 9, 4 pmLa Guitarra: Roland Dyens Master ClassCal Poly Arts

Sat., Sept. 10, 6:30 pmLa Guitarra: Roland DyensCal Poly Arts

Sunday, Sept. 11, 4:15 pmLa Guitarra: Raphaella SmitsCal Poly Arts

Saturday, Sept. 10, 9 amLa Guitarra: Ana Vidovic Master ClassCal Poly Arts

Sunday, Sept. 11, 11:30 am La Guitarra: Pavel SteidlCal Poly Arts

Sunday, Sept. 25, 3:00 pmChanticleer:Love StoryCal Poly Arts

Friday, Sept. 9, 7 pmLa Guitarra: Pepe Romero/SF Guitar QuartetCal Poly Arts

Sunday, Sept. 11, 9 amLa Guitarra: Pepe Romero Master ClassCal Poly Arts

Sunday, Sept. 11, 6:30 pmLa Guitarra: Ana VidovicCal Poly Arts

Friday, Sept. 9, 1:30 pmLa Guitarra: Adam del Monte Master ClassCal Poly Arts

Saturday, Sept. 10, 4 pmLa Guitarra: Chris Jacome Flamenco Quartet/CalmencoCal Poly Arts

Sunday, Sept. 11, 3:15 pmLa Guitarra: Dr. Craig Russell Lecture (Free)Cal Poly Arts

805.SLO.ARTS

Phone | 805.756.2787Fax | 805.756.6088

WWW.PACSLO.ORG

Sat., Sept. 10, 1:45 pmLa Guitarra: Thomas ViloteauCal Poly Arts

Sat., Sept. 10, 11:30 amLa Guitarra: Adam del MonteCal Poly Arts

Sunday, Sept. 11, 1:30 pmLa Guitarra: Johannes MollerCal Poly Arts

Friday, Sept. 30, 8:00 pmJeffery Broussard & The Creole CowboysCal Poly Arts

For more information on these and other Real Estate Group of SLO listings call us at

805.541.2888962 Mill Street San Luis Obispo, California 93401 www.RealEstateGroup.com

A proud tradition of serving our community for over 26 years

LOS OSOS – One block from Elfin Forest and walking trails. This home has been extremely well maintained and has many upgrades. Three bedroom, 2 baths, 2 car garage, approx. 1300 square feet. Custom 3 basin sink with garden window, top of the line appliances throughout kitchen. Berber Carpets and tile floors. $339,000 #2892

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Historic Stanton House with original curved corner windows, woodwork, wood floors & two fireplaces. Recently restored with im-peccable taste including new kitchen and baths in keeping with the period style. New 2 car detached garage with solar installed on roof. Approved for Mills Act which provides for low property taxes. Owner is willing to carry first at reasonable interest rate for qualified buyer. $1,695,000 #2773

SAN LUIS OBISPO – You‘ve been looking for it and now you’ve found it! This is it! New paint, carpet, tile, fixtures and appliances – clean and ready for its new owner! The detached Casita has a full bath and everything for guests. Formal dining, formal living, gas fireplace and wired for surround sound. Tiled master bath and guest bath where most of these homes have carpet. This home has it all! Hurry, it won’t last long! $559,000 #2890

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Charming single story home located in the original Old County Club. Nicely situated next to open space with lovely country and hill views. This 3 bedroom, 2-3/4 bath home has plantation shutters, newly remodeled bathrooms and more. Old Country Club is located in the distinguished Los Ranchos School District. $549,000 #2889

ATASCADERO – This quaint home has lots of character. Be charmed by the hand-hewed open beam ceiling with knotty pine planks and kitchen cabinets, and cedar-lined closets in bedrooms. Huge lot with fruit trees and room to expand. Wake up to a filtered view of the lake just a block away. Close to the Zoo, walking path around lake, shopping and freeway access. Relax and enjoy the warm summer nights and cool evening breeze. $239,000 #2894

ATASCADERO – Located on a cul-de-sac in the very sought-after Las Lomas neighborhood in south Atascadero. House was built in 2007 and is still like new. Three bedrooms plus a den that could easily be a fourth bedroom. Great floor plan with an extra bonus room downstairs. Plenty of upgrades throughout. Just a few minutes to downtown SLO. $420,000 #2897

ARROYO GRANDE – Numerous upgrades are appreciated throughout this lovely approx. 2874 sf, 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath lakeside home positioned on one of the largest lakeside lots with large fenced side yards. Enjoy watching the waterfowl from the elegant great room that provides access to the covered rear porch, or from the upper level master retreat with private balcony that overlooks the beautiful adjacent lake surrounded with water lilies, lush lawns and architecturally attractive homes. $574,000 #2898

Cypress Ridge Estates

SAN LUIS OBISPO – A classic Victorian Farm-house home perched on a hilltop with stunning views. The nearly 3,000 sf 3 bdrm main home is ac-companied by a large detached barn w/guest quar-ters and extensive landscaping. The main residence features an extensive wrap-around veranda to en-joy the amazing views. High ceilings, several French doors, & large window expanses allow natural light to brighten the interior. Gourmet kitchen is a chef’s dream with granite counter tops, center island, breakfast bar & ample workspace. French doors in master suite open to the veranda & private gar-den. Upper level office/bedroom features fantastic vistas & access to view deck. Large detached barn includes a bedroom, full bath, guest kitchen, bonus/office/game room, 2 car garage, & hobby area w/ 10ft door & high ceilings. $1,695,000 #2887

Breathtaking 16 Acre Country Estate

When she Was a little girl, the Pacific Ocean was her playground, her family park, and later, her teenage hangout. With a grandfather who pioneered the

sport fishing industry, and parents who started Avila’s Sycamore Mineral Springs resort, it is fitting that Priscilla Kiessig would one day helm the Avila Beach Sea Life Center.

“To me, loving the ocean was loving my backyard, so my passion started early,” she said.

In fact, her grandfather was a grassroots founder of the sport fishing industry in San Diego, where Kiessig Corner was named in his honor.

“My father [the late Russ Kiessig] grew up working those boats and developed a deep respect for the ocean and marine life,” said Priscilla, adding that on at least one occasion, he welcomed world-famous ac-tor Clark Gable on board.

Growing up in SLO, and later in Orange County, Kiessig’s own first memories of the ocean were of Avila Beach and the Old Custom House. In the third grade, she had a teacher who was committed to the plight of whales during the 1970s’ Save the Whale movement. She took her young students whale-watching and carefully explained what the movement was all about. It made a big impression on Priscilla. A few years later, she managed to convince her 6th grade teacher to decorate the hallway with a whale mural.

Despite her early and obvious love for all things ocean, Kiessig was bored in school much of the time. Noticing this, her father brought Priscilla into the family business when she was just 12 years old, so she could learn things that weren’t being taught in the classroom. By the time she entered college, Kiessig had developed dual passions: one for teaching and one for business.

PEOPLE10


AVILASEALIFECENTER’SExECUTIVEDIRECTOR

priscilla Kiessig...STARFISHANDPLANKTONANDSHARKS,OHMY!By Susan Stewart

Dissecting a squid at the Sea Life CenterThe wonder of one starfish

PEOPLE 11


“Choosing between business and education wound up being torture,” said Kiessig, “but as I got older I realized, ‘Why do I have to choose just one?’”

Kiessig earned her undergraduate degree from UC Santa Cruz in Literature, then obtained her California teaching credential. She did graduate studies in Human Development, Education, and curriculum development. She had begun her business education early on, first in her parents’ hospitality businesses and later at the Fairmont Hotel, Intel Corporation, and GST Telecom. Kiessig began writing grants for the Port San Luis Marine Institute (now renamed the Sea Life Center) in the year 2000. Between 2005 and 2009, she tutored elementary students in public schools, and teenaged boys at the James Ranch juvenile detention center. By 2009, she had joined the Sea Life Center’s full time staff.

Inspired by her parents’ relentless dedication to teaching children (and adults) about the ocean, Kiessig brings true passion to her position as the Center’s executive director. Here’s how she explains the importance of ocean stewardship:

“The ocean is most of the planet! Our amazing ocean covers about 71 percent of the Earth’s surface, contains 97 percent of the Earth’s water, and is said to support the life of nearly 50 percent of the Earth’s species. Yet we continue to do a terrible job of sustaining its health. Raising a generation who is dedicated to protecting the oceans is critical.”

The building that houses the Center was built using funds from a grant that came about as the result of the Union Oil Spill Cleanup. De-spite its deceptively plain exterior, and a previ-ous name that caused confusion, the Avila Beach Sea Life Center is an impressive place.

“Most people thought the previous name, Avila Beach Marine Institute, was either as-sociated with the U.S. Marines or a research organization,” Kiessig explained. So they changed the name to the more appealing Avila Beach Sea Life Center.

Located on San Juan Street adjacent to the Avila Beach Park, the Center offers a Floating Laboratory and slew of ocean-going activities. On the Patriot sport fishing vessel for exam-ple, students can help pull the trawl net, sort, and identify the catch. Other programs offer the chance to perform ocean water chemistry, observe marine mammals and birds in their natural environments, and discuss the role of plankton in the larger eco-system. Other exhibits include a mosaic display of Avila’s Chumash history, live touch tanks (have you

touched a shark today?), fossil exploration, and marine mammal displays.

Summer camps (called Sea U), special excur-sions, and birthday parties (including a hunt for pirate’s booty) are all available at the Sea Life Center. And if Kiessig has her way, that’s just the beginning.

“My dream is to expand the Center ‘Avila style’ to include more exhibits, an outdoor space focused on the wonders of the water, and more classroom space – all so we can inspire as many people as possible to care for the ocean. And make the Center as sustainable as possible.”

Toward that end, Kiessig’s mother Carol serves as the Center’s Development Commit-tee Chair. And there is an endowment fund held by the SLO County Community Foun-dation. People are invited to donate to the fund by contacting the Foundation at www.sloccf.org or the Sea Life Center directly at 805.595.7280.

Said Priscilla Kiessig, “My hope is to one day have Avila Beach become famous for being the little town that turned their oil spill into Dedication Ocean Love.”

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PEOPLE12

With beliefs that Were shaPed by his college years, the civil rights movements of the early ‘70s, and his Russian grandfather—County Board of

Supervisors Chairman Adam Hill is equal parts “pro-business progressive” and champion of those less fortunate. Half way through his turn as board chairman, Hill sat down with Journal Plus to catch us up on the past and give us a look at the future.

Born in New Jersey, about half an hour from New York City, Hill and his older sister were raised by working class parents—a father who was a factory foreman and a mother who worked in collections for large companies. He did undergraduate work at the University of Maryland, then earned his MA in English from Fresno State.

“I was a smart kid,” Hill admits, “but before college, I was more of a smart-ass kid who got into trouble. In college, I fell in love with learn-ing, with ideas, with debate, poetry, and music.”

He was teaching at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge when a colleague told him about a position at San Luis Obispo’s Cal Poly. He taught Literature and Writing there for 13 years, served on the Food Bank board of directors for five (two as president), and wrote book and music reviews for the LA Times, San Francisco Chronicle and SPIN magazine—before running for public office in January, 2009. How does this background serve him in his current capacity?

“Well, writing is all about good communication,” he explained. “And I’ve always been a big reader. I read widely, which helps because,” he grinned, “there’s a lot to read here.”

The Board of Sup’s—a common abbreviation for these five county district representatives—is the largest local government entity, tasked with a broad range of responsibilities mandated by state and federal governments. From agriculture to animals, from jails to hospitals, from birth records to death certificates, the Board of Sup’s serves both its constituents and its cities.

“We try to establish great working relationships with our cities, and to set examples in policies, programs, and reforms,” Hill said.

Among the many achievements he has been part of so far, Hill said he is most proud of these four: Securing and entitling the land for a new homeless service center (he’ll serve as chair of the capital campaign); the work he and his colleagues and local unions have done toward far-reaching compensation and pension reform; working with co-chair Frank Mecham on the county’s first economic development project to grow head-of-household jobs; and helping to put into place good land use policies and protections for the county’s many mobile home residents.

For the immediate future, Hill points to the approval of two large-scale solar projects set to be built in the Carrizo Plain. “They’ll create hundreds of local jobs,” he said, “and will eventually generate 800 megawatts of clean, renewable energy.” The board has also approved moving ahead with such infrastructure projects as the Willow Road interchange in Nipomo, and the Los Osos sewer project. Hill has been instrumental in helping the local tourist industry to leverage the recent national attention our county has received by providing added funding and collaborative leadership. And, “I am proud to have led our Board to pressure PG&E and regulatory agencies to require advanced seismic studies and an independent review before any reli-censing occurs at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.”

adam hill...SLOCOUNTYBOARDOFSUPERVISORSCHAIRMANWEIGHSINONCIVILRIGHTSANDCIVICDUTYBy Susan Stewart

Officers Kelly Fontes, Brian Gerimia and Brent Rechfertig pose with the Board of Supervisors (Adam Hill center) on Tuesday, August 9th after receiving their life saving medals for an incident in Cayucos.

PEOPLE 13

Very much a “we’re-in-this-together” kind of man, Hill was heavily influenced by the civil rights movements (specifically of blacks, gays, and women) during the ‘60s and ‘70s. “They impressed upon me the great importance of our country to live up to its foundational ideals of equality,” he said. That influence began with his grandfather who was a victim of religious oppression in his native Russia and who moved here with dreams of a better life. Samuel Gershon—an Orthodox Jew who came to America through Ellis Island—found work at the Jones Pie Company in Newark, New Jersey.

“He was the most generous and decent human being I have known,” said Hill. “He taught me about kindness and the duty to help others.”

Reading, music, foreign films and an unabashed love of dogs round out Adam Hill’s life outside the board room. Not surprisingly, he reads nov-els, history, and philosophy. His musical tastes run the gamut, with jazz and soul—especially the work of Miles Davis, Bobby Womack, and Curtis Mayfield—taking a front seat. Hill enjoys the Palm Theater for great foreign films, and he is seldom seen without Alice and Nora, his two Australian shepherds.

“They are great stress relievers,” said Hill. “My staff just loves them; they have a very calming effect.” In fact, when he was still teaching, Hill would take Alice and Nora to the classroom during final exams and his students seemed to benefit from their presence.

Students figure prominently in Hill’s plan to grow jobs in the county. “When I was at Cal Poly, I heard so many bright, talented students say they’d love to stay here … but couldn’t because they aren’t enough jobs,” he explained. “My hope is we’ll be able to help grow jobs in the tech sector, the specialized manufacturing sector, and in the health

sector, because we need young professionals here to keep our community vibrant.”

For the more distant future, Hill said, “Our county is actually in much better financial shape than most in our state. … I want to see us do a better job in addressing homeless-ness. I am passionate about helping those already doing it to have more resources.”

Despite our many and varied opinions, there is one thing upon which Hill believes we can all agree: “We love living here … I am always

inspired by our citizens,” he said. “by their pride in this community. They serve, they volunteer, they work together, they give gen-erously. Civic pride here is so strong.”

Hill’s turn as board chair ends in January, and he expects to run again in 2012 for a second 4-year term as third district supervi-sor, where he represents 48% of SLO City. After re-districting, it will be 55%. In the meantime, he remains just as committed to carefully-planned economic growth as he is to helping those in need.


Jack O’Connell and Adam Hill in 2008

When you say ‘classical guitar’ to a hundred different people, they’ll have a hundred

different ideas,” says Russ De Angelo, the Director of LA GUITARRA CALIFORNIA FESTIVAL, and tireless promoter of classical guitar music.

He makes a habit out of bringing his guitar to meetings with business groups, so that people, who may not know much about classical guitar music, can see the effort and devotion it takes to play.

“There’s nothing like live music, but there’re instruments where recording can do them justice; rock-n-roll still rocks in recording. However, classical guitar really needs to be experienced live to be appreciated,” he says.

A classical guitar is not the same instru-ment as an acoustic guitar, as some people believe. It’s considerably lighter and has nylon strings, which makes a big difference. Besides, classical guitarists don’t use pics to play, they use their fingernails. And even though their performances often look ef-fortless, in reality any level of proficiency in classical guitar takes years to achieve.

“Ask any student, and they’d tell you that if they had known the challenges classical guitar poses, they all would’ve quit. They would’ve not even gotten started,” Russ says. “Very few professional musicians would argue with the fact that classical guitar is one of the most difficult instruments to master,” he continues. It’s not hard to find your C on a keyboard. But on a guitar there’re seventeen different positions where that C major can be, depending where your fingers are at the moment you want to play it. Even math-ematically speaking the arrangement is quite difficult: you only have eight fingers to play six strings on fifteen frets.

In spite of all this complexity, millions of people are drawn to the classical guitar, and we on the Central Coast can be proud to be a part of the preservation and proliferation of its beautiful music. Every other year, the Central Coast based LA GUITARRA FESTI-VAL brings to our shores enthusiastic music lovers, and 2011 promises to be an especially triumphant year.

The roots of the Festival began in 1980, when Cuesta Community College started a one-day annual event, called Portraits in Music. The event was open to all instruments: from piano to string quartets and orchestras. Then, in the late 1990s, Cuesta signed up to be one of the tour venues for the GFA’s (Gui-tar Foundation of America) winners. In 1999, encouraged by the local audience’s warm response to the guitar music, Cuesta held its first three-day classical guitar festival.

It was an instant success (although not yet financially). Dozens of people attended the Festival’s concerts and workshops, and from

that time on, each next Festival was a little better and more successful than the previous.

While most festivals of this sort are work-shop-based and built around lectures, panel discussions and master classes, LA GUITARRA from the very beginning was conceived as a concert-based event. Master classes (where a student plays a piece for the maestro) is a good way for the audience to learn what it takes to play at concert level, and The Festival’s current Director, Russ De Angelo, believes that they could be of inter-est to both musicians and non-musicians alike. The local public eagerly anticipates the appearances of the world-class musicians it came to know and love. And the guitarists reciprocate these feelings. “We have a repu-tation for spoiling our artists,” Russ says.

When the Festival was first conceived, Russ lived in Los Angeles, working for a wildly successful beauty supply company. He found what he calls “his Music Haven” in his fifties, shortly after the company he worked for, was acquired by Estee Lauder. This allowed Russ to retire, and to pursue his lifelong dream of learning to play the guitar. After finishing his studies in music at USC, he moved to the Central Coast. He immersed himself into the local scene right before the 2003 Festival, when the prominent local guitarist, Reed Gilchrest, was its Director.

Russ jumped right in. He began taking les-sons from Reed and helped him with the Festival arrangements. “I would listen to Reed on the phone, negotiating with the Festival artists or their management, and he showed me some of his Festival e-mails. He shared some confidential stories about some artists and about past Festivals.” Russ remembers. “It was as if he was grooming me to be his assistant.”

That year, for the first time in the Festival’s history, the college didn’t lose any money on hosting it – a major milestone in its own right.

Tragically, right after the 2003 Festival, Reed Gilchrest passed away, and it was Russ who was chosen to take over. He dedicated the 2005 Festival to Reed Gilchrest’s memory, and put all of his vast business experience and ability to work with different groups of people towards its growth. His efforts paid off: not only was the Festival a success; it even turned a profit for Cuesta College.

The surge in attendance was so sharp it forced LA GUITARRA to look for another home – because by now it had outgrown Cuesta’s modest facilities.


russ de angelo:DIRECTOROFLAGUITARRACALIFORNIAFESTIVALBy Natasha Dalton

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That’s why the following two Festivals (2007 and 2009) were held at Allan Hancock Col-lege. Each event, once again, set attendance records, even though the last one was held in the depth of the recession. “I want to give accolades to both of these colleges,” Russ insists. “Without their foresight and courage, LA GUITARRA would’ve never become what it is today.”

The 2011 Festival, opening on September 9, will be held at Cal Poly, and Russ cannot hide his excitement. “It’s the best venue! We’ve come full circle, and we’re back in SLO County,” he says. “I cannot say enough good things about Cal Poly Arts,” he adds. “Not only are they generously sponsoring this Festival, but now Steven Lerian and all of his staff are working with me.”

Besides the eleven concerts offered in the course of three days, the Festival is showcas-ing 35 outstanding luthiers (guitar makers), who will be displaying their hand-made instruments. The jewel of the show is the Forderer Rare Guitar Collection, which will also be presented to the public free of charge.

This priceless mobile exposition charts the history of the instrument and features some of the oldest guitars in the world. Jim For-derer, who humbly calls himself just “these guitars’ current caretaker,” puts news strings on these unique instruments for the Festival – so that visitors can check out their sound.

With these many offerings, the Festival has a broad appeal. “That’s why we’ve become so popular so quickly,” Russ says. “We’re constantly trying to expand the apprecia-tion and understanding of classical guitar in all of its forms. That’s the reason we always have a flamenco performer (this year we’ll have two of them). We also have early European music, i.e. Victorian pieces for 7-, 8- and 10-string instruments (again, we have a couple of performers). Of course, we always want to show the romantic side, too – the Spanish guitar.”

Not everyone knows that classical guitar is a male-dominated field, and the guitar concerts’ audience is also typically male. But LA GUITARRA prides itself in bringing in some of the best female performers in the world. “We have a history of attracting the finest guitarists and composers, and our lis-teners run a wide gamut from the true guitar aficionados to people who’d never seen a classical guitar before,” Russ says. “And that’s wonderful. It means that classical guitar is becoming more main-stream.”

“Timing is everything in this world;” Russ insists, “and right now, the time is right for classical guitar.” With its rapidly growing national and international popularity, it’s clear that LA GUITARRA CALIFORNIA has become a real success. It’s also clear that it has the right person running it. Eight years under Russ’ supervision helped double the Festival in size and turned it into a highly respected international event.

“To me, the real story is in how this small festival in one little community has become

one of the most renowned international classical guitar events,” Russ marvels. “It’s known all around the world. There’re other guitar festivals, especially outside the coun-try, but we’re the biggest festival of its kind.”

The 2011 Festival will take place at the Performing Arts Center from 9/9/2011 – 9/11/2011. For details, go to www.laguitar-racalifornia.com or www.pacslo.org.


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the san luis obisPo friends of the library recently completed the second year of their reading program at Hawthorne Elementary School. This year’s

program expanded from five classrooms to nine and now includes kindergarten and third-grade. Our library volunteers tutored 215 students, and this summer will be tutoring 50 students in two summer school classes.

The reading program originated as a result of money received from the estate of Lucile Hale. It was designed to help early elementary students enhance their reading skills and develop success and joy in reading.

The program is integrated into the existing reading curriculum, and volunteer tutors work under the guidance of the classroom teachers. Typically, this involves a teacher asking a volunteer to pull out indi-vidual students and read with them for about ten minutes each. The

volunteer listens to the student read a book he or she has been study-ing, while checking for comprehension and offering encouragement.

Another aspect of the program is giving new books to all the students in the nine classes and the two summer classes. This year, the Friends of the Library provided books at a total cost of $2,500. For many stu-dents, these are the first books they have ever owned. Teachers select books for each student based on their reading level and interests. We are hopeful this will help to reduce the loss of reading skills that typi-cally occurs over school vacations.

The principal, Kirt Collins, and the teachers have expressed their appreciation for the volunteers’ service and all the books which have been given to the students. The students seemed eager for opportunity to read, one-to-one, with the volunteers, and the volunteers report they enjoy working with the children.

One volunteer shared the story of a boy she had been tutoring who had been reading what he called “baby” books, but now is reading chapter books. “He feels so good about himself,” she said.

It looks a lot like Christmas when the books arrive for the students in late May. Cloth book bags are also provided by the Friends of the Library for kindergarten and first-grade students who are new to the program. Jack Daily, who led the program’s development in 2009-2010, provided critical support in getting the books and book bags this year.

Volunteers are needed to help continue this worthwhile program into the 2011-2012 school year. We were fortunate to have a well-qualified and dependable group of more than 25 volunteers this past year. Al-though we have a number of dedicated tutors, we are always looking for people interested in reading. We encourage everyone to consider joining this fun and worthwhile service to our community. Although many tutors are former teachers, it is certainly neither a requirement, nor essential to being a great volunteer.

We are also looking for a new coordinator for the program. It’s not a big job; primarily the coordinator helps match the teachers’ schedules with volunteers at the beginning of the school year. This person does not need to be a volunteer tutor (although, that would be missing out on the fun with students).

If you are interested in being a tutor this fall or serving as the coor-dinator, please contact the Friends of the Library at their website, http://www.slofol.org/.

SLOFRIENDSOFTHELIBRARY

hawthorne reading program By Sally Hillis

HOME/OUTDOOR16

Ruth Jorgensen, volunteer and Ravi Salisbury

Gives a BIG thank you to the community for making our 9th Annual Hospice “Pardners” Hoedown at the Dairy Barn on the Hearst Ranch such a success!

HOEDOWN SPONSORS • IN-KINDHEARST CORPSTEVE HEARSTROTARY CLUB OF NIPOMOSPENCER’S FRESH MARKETF. MCLINTOCKSBABE FARMSFOOD-4-LESS, SLOTRADER JOE’S, ARROYO GRANDECRYSTAL SPRINGS WATER CO.FIRESTONE WALKER BREWING COMPANYROTTA WINERYWILD HORSE WINERYCATTANEO BROTHERSCOSTUME CAPERSDOC BURNSTEIN’S ICE CREAM LABBRASSICA NURSERYMONTE MILLS & THE LUCKY HORSESHOE BANDBILL GAINES AUDIOHARVEY’S HONEY HUTSTAYLOR RENTAL CENTERSERVE PROFIRST TRANSIT OF SAN SIMEONHEARST CASTLEMISSION COUNTRY DISPOSALMILLER EVENT SECURITYSPECTRUM COLOR IMAGESNEW TIMESJOURNAL PLUS MAGAZINETOLOSA PRESSTHE VINTAGE PHOTOBOOTH

ROAD SIGN SPONSORSALPHA FIRE CORPORATIONSBREZDEN PEST CONTROLCOAST NATIONAL BANKHALL, HIEATT & CONNELYHEARING SOLUTIONSINTEGRITY SYSTEMSKATHERYN MCFARLAND, DDSSCHIMANDLE & ASSOCIATESULTRA STEREO LABS, INC.WHEELER-SMITH MORTUARY

SILENT AUCTION SPONSORSBEADS OF SHARONBLUE MOON PHOTOGRAPHYCAL POLY ARTSCENTRAL COAST SILVER COMPANYCHAMISAL VINEYARDSCHUCK & SUSAN ATLEECITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FIRE DEPARTMENTDOLPHIN BAY RESORT

DOTTIE WILSONHANDS GALLERYHAV’N A BLASTHEARST RANCH WINERYHOPE CHEST THRIFT STOREKIM & GEORGIA HUBBSLAETITIA WINERYLE CRÈME JEWELRY BOUTIQUELINDA BOOKERMADELYN’S APPARELMADONNA INNNITA STOLESENPETER HEWITTPHIL HENRY III & JANINE ARIEYRYAN ROSS, DDSSINOR-LAVALLEETONY & DORENE WOODTOY SOLDIER FACTORYWHIZ KIDSZENAIDA CELLARS WINERY

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BRONZE PARDNERSDR. ALICE A. ADDISONRON & MAUREEN BARBIERIKATHLEEN L. BELMONTCARLA BORCHARDSTEPHEN BROWNERIC A. CHESTERMANJIM & BARBARA DAVISLLOYD G. DOBNEYMR. & MRS. DONALD E. ERICKSONKATHLEEN FISHERNELLA GIROLOBILLIE JEAN GOODRICHMICHAEL & BARBARA HANCHETTJOHN E. HENNESSYIDLER’S INC.STEPHEN & PEGGY JONESDOUG LESTERWESLEY MATTOCKSMURRAY MCDONALDPATRICIA A. MCNAMARAED & EVELYN PAGEMELBOURNE PAULSUZANNE RUSSELLNATALIA THOMPSONULTRA STEREO LABS INC.MARIGRACE WAAGEMARY WEBSTERKATHIE WETTER

SPECIAL THANKSSTEVE HEARSTCLIFF GARRISONCOURTNEY BROCKMAN WARNERSILVER STREAKS VOLUNTEERS

VOLUNTEER HOEDOWN COMMMITTEEMARGI BRADENLYNN GARRISONCINDY OSGOODSUE SCHIMANDLEMARY STEELMARK WILSON

HOEDOWN VOLUNTEERSCLAIRE AAGAARDLIAM BENNETT CHERI BIRCHARDANNE BOOSLINDA BOOKERSILVIA DODDDONNA EPPERSONLETTIE FULLERANDEE GARCIALISA GILBERT

DAN GREERREBECCA HABUCKBECKY HONORSHERI HIGGINSJUDY JENNINGSJENNY KIMLAURA KRUEGERDIANE KUKOLKELLY MANDERINODONNA MCCRAYJENNIFER MCGEESANDRA MCGREGORDARYLN MELODYJACKIE MOOREEMILY MYHREMARY PETERSENHELEN PICENOINGRID PIRESCHRYSTINA POPEMEGAN PRENDEVILLEBETTY PRIESTREBECCA SCHELLINJANICE SCHOENIGJUDY SEIBERTDONNA SIKOLAJOEY SMITHMEGAN SNYDERSALLY SPEERSANN STEELJOHN STEELMADISON STEELPETER STEPHENSCHALYS STEPHENSMARY THIELSCHERROBERT THIELSCHERDIANNE THOMPSONSTEVE WILLEYSALLY YOUNG

A special thank you to the following sponsors, donors and volunteers:


i didn’t understand Why PeoPle go Wine tasting until a recent visit to a local tasting room. If you’re looking for a great wine tasting experience without all the wine

snobbery, look no further, Lompoc’s Wine Ghetto is just the ticket. The Wine Ghetto is a viticultural anomaly and there is nothing like it on the central coast. Thirteen tasting rooms are situated within a two-block stretch of industrial warehouses. It’s not much to look at, but that’s what makes it so great.

The moniker “Ghetto” does not refer to a decaying residential area. Although no one I talked to had an answer for how it got its name, my guess is it’s an attempt to describe the low frills atmosphere, a nod in the direction opposite the elaborate northern California vineyards and the regal wine castles of Europe. On the other hand, the Wine Ghetto represents decades of award-winning winemaking and is not to be taken lightly. A visit here promises to be a tour through a unique venue, a place ripe for wine discovery in an unencumbered learning environment.

The Wine Ghetto comes upon you sort of quickly, almost immediately. A turn onto 7th Street from Ocean Avenue finds the first row of blue barracks tucked in tightly behind the Lompoc Valley Medical Center, then a sign that reads: Sobhani Industrial Park. The Ghetto is not a pret-ty place; it’s not supposed to be. The purpose is to focus on the wine. The area is neat and tidy and the exterior walls of the steel structures are without blemish; even more, the only distinctions between the build-ings are the vintner’s signs over the doors: Jalama, Fiddlehead, Ampelos and more. The look is industrial but the mood says amusement park.

The inside of the Jalama Wines tasting room appears strikingly different from the outside. The smell of fermenting wine in wooden barrels takes away any doubts you may have about this being a real winery. The décor: a huge sunflower painting, a glowing lamp and an animal skin rug all meld together to produce an old world warmth in an unapologetically small space (I’d guess about 900 square feet). Good use was made of every inch of the space and it was just as styl-ish as any, but what about the wine?

Jalama Wines is owned by Mark Cargasacchi, the only home grown vintner in the Wine Ghetto thus far. Cargasacchi grew up on a nearby ranch that raised lima beans and cattle. After earning a degree in environmental chemistry, Cargasacchi worked for Fess Parker for several years as an enologist. In the meantime Cargasacchi’s family began planting Pinot Noir grapes a few miles west of the famous Santa Rita Hills. While working for Parker, Cargasacchi was allowed to use their facilities to develop his own wine. Mark returned home to Lompoc over a decade ago with a new outlook on local industry. In 2004 Jalama released its first vintage. According to Clinton Froehlich, who handles the business side of the winery, traffic to the Wine Ghetto has increased continually since they moved in one year ago. “It’s a different experience here than anywhere else,” says Froehlich, as he readied himself for an incoming crowd. I agree.

I confess that up until recently I didn’t like wine. I liked the idea of wine; the shape of wine bottles and wine glasses, vivid photos of vineyards and fruit and cheese. I loved the color and the mystery that surrounded it, but honestly, I didn’t get it. I once trekked up north to Sonoma and Napa, to see what they knew. I tasted wine after wine and walked miles of vineyards but still nothing. Apparently the cost of the experience is not the best guide.

My second stop was the Taste of Ste. Rita Hills, owned by Antonio Moretti. Moretti’s charming Italian accent put everyone at ease and so our journey to discovery began. We started with a 2010 Moretti Bianchetto served with an Italian hard cheese-Grana Padano. Moretti described this wine as “food friendly,” a familiar term but what it

lompoc’s wine ghettoTHIRTEENTASTINGROOMSWITHINTWOBLOCKSBy Michelle Carter

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The Taste of Ste. Rita Hills

Clinton Froehlich of Jalama Wines


meant I still wasn’t sure. In my layman’s eye I saw a white wine, bright and light in color, almost luminous. The fragrance was cheer-ful, and the taste welcoming. Next was the 2008 El Rey Pinot Noir. I found this wine less abrupt than other red wines.

Moretti and wife Jeni just wanted to get out of Los Angeles three years ago. The winemak-ing couple landed in Lompoc and the Taste of Ste. Rita Hills tasting room opened in the Wine Ghetto in July of 2010. “He noticed that many of the wineries didn’t have tasting rooms,” said Jeni. The Taste of Ste. Rita Hills represents eight wineries of the Santa Rita Hills, including the Moretti label which offers a Bianchetto, Pinot Noir and Syrah.

According to Moretti, “What makes this area so good for growing is the huge change in temperature, day and night.” He informed us that there are three soil types, rich in clay, sand or limestone needed for growing vines and that the temperature drop in the evenings is “Heaven for the grapes.” Lompoc’s large de-posit of diatomaceous earth also makes it ideal for growing grapes. Froehlich from Jalama Wines added that the advice you’ll get in the Wine Ghetto is superior to most because the people in the tasting rooms often also work in the vineyards and know a lot about the processes used in making their wine. Some think the elements of wine observation are too sophisticated, and wine tasting, a rich man’s hobby, is off limits to them. I found out that is not the case and whatever your wine needs, you’ll find a knowledgeable and willing wine professional in the Ghetto.

Can you taste fifteen wines in five hours and not get a little tipsy? Probably not. I start to sweat and tingle after the third glass. In the Wine Ghetto there are no obligations, you can partake of a couple wine offerings and come back another day for more and you’re not out any additional cash. If you want to indulge, bring a designated driver or maybe rent a limo and make it a party. I visited only two tasting rooms but I definitely have plans to return. My first purchase will be that gleaming 2010 Moretti Bianchetto. I’ll have to save up for the Seagrape and the truffle

cheese but that’s okay. I know that one day I will replay that experience – the day I discov-ered wine, no matter how long it takes.

So, the Wine Ghetto is no Pritchard Hill and there are no hills to gaze upon, but for new wine tasters and connoisseurs alike it makes for a must-do day out that won’t disappoint. For more information visit www.lompocghetto.com

HOME/OUTDOOR 19

8th Annual Hit & GiggleGolf Tournament

Saturday, September 10, 2011 Avila Beach Golf Resort

Four Person Scramble Format 10:30 a.m. Registration

11:30 a.m. Shotgun Start $150/player

Includes Cocktail Reception & Awards Ceremony

For more information about this exciting event, visit www.unitedwayslo.org

or e-mail us at [email protected]

or call (805) 541-1234.

Buy a Sip & Giggle Raffle Ticket and win 100 bottles of wine

or lots of other fantastic prizes!


HOME/OUTDOOR20

Juan cabrillo, the famous Portuguese navigator, sailed into San Luis Obispo Bay in the summer of 1542. Cabrillo named the bay “Todos Santos,” or All Saints Bay.

cave landing It all started at Cave Landing. Cave Landing has been nicknamed

“Pirate’s Cove.” There is no documentation that those “rogues” visited the site. Cave Landing is located at the small cove just easterly of the previous Unocal Tank Farm.

Preceding 1850, the only method of transporting people, merchandise, and freight to the central cost area was by horseback, stages, and wagons.

In 1855, Clements and Rommie leased a few acres from the Avila family and established Cave Landing. They constructed a small wharf, warehouse, and derrick, which permitted them to hoist people and freight from the wharf to the cave and/or warehouse above.

The water was shallow and the coastal schooners were required to “moor out.” Passengers and freight were ferried ashore to the wharf in small boats or barges. Merchandise was generally imported from San Fran-cisco. Freight of hides, tallow, and grains were the principal exports.

In 1864, Captain David P. Mallagh purchased the operation. Mallagh improved the wharf and road leading towards San Luis Obispo and the South County.

Cave Landing, being in shallow water and requiring double handling of freight and passengers, was not economically feasible.

people’s wharf In 1869, John Harford and others established the People’s Wharf, located approximately 300 feet easterly from the site of the existing Avila Beach Pier. People’s Wharf was 1,800 feet in length and in a depth of water that allowed schooners to tie abreast of the wharf. Freight could now be unloaded with cargo booms from ship to wharf. Freight was loaded and moved ashore on horse-drawn railway carts to a warehouse on the shore side.

Harford became disenchanted with this “open roadstead” location. Seas, at times, were rough and ships had to “lay to” and await better weather.

harford wharf and horse railroad Since the People’s Wharf was exposed to both northerly and south-erly weather, Harford withdrew from that enterprise.

In 1873, Harford purchased one and one-quarter miles of waterfront property from the Avila family. This area, from the mouth of San Luis

history of san luis obispo bayBy Gerard Parsons

The old Wharf in Avila


HOME/OUTDOOR 21

Creek to the site of the existing Port Pier, was graded for a railroad right-of-way. Also a tun-nel was drilled through a point of land (near the site of the existing mobile home park).

A 540-foot wharf was constructed with railroad tracks installed to be used by a horse-drawn railroad. Harford’s railroad was unique. The railroad flat cars were loaded with cargo from the coastal schooners. The horse-drawn cars were then driven up an incline to the tunnel. At that point, the horses were unhitched and the railroad cars rolled down the easterly incline to the town of Avila and Harford’s warehouse.

A southerly storm in 1878 demolished the People’s Wharf at Avila. This disaster gave the Pacific Coast railroad and Harford Pier a monopoly and business boomed. All of the entities pursued the thought of establishing a narrow gauge railroad, which started on the pier at Port Harford. Merchandise, lumber, coal and varied products were imported, as well as exported products such as grain, sheep, cattle, hogs and dairy products. Pas-senger fares on the ships had been reduced to a ridiculously low price of $5 for a first class passage to San Francisco or San Diego, including meals. All of this stimulated travel. Even the lowest paid ranch hand could now afford a trip to the big city by the Golden Gate. There were reports of passengers being packed like sardines in the cabins on some of the ships, with as many as 90 passengers landing at Harford’s Pier at one time.

Harford boasted that he had affected a reduction of 50 cents per ton on all outboard freight, and mentioned that at his initia-tive he had stimulated the formation of a company to build a steam railroad from San Luis Obispo to the Bay. The combination of Harford’s Pier at the Port in conjunction with the Pacific Coast Railroad was an ambitious and feasible plan. The Pacific Coast Railroad was eventually terminated at the small town of Los Olivos. No one realized what this combination of the narrow gauge railroad and Harford’s Pier would accomplish nor how it would benefit the backwoods central coast area. Port Harford at one era had 100 ships call at the port in one month, and there were over 70 ships plying the Pacific Coast.

The Pacific Coast Railroad eventually con-sisted of seven steam engines and over 500 cars of various sizes and lengths. At one prosperous year 450,000 sacks of grain were exported. They also had many spurs where they developed gravel and sand pits and delivered oil from the Santa Maria oil fields to ships. The Pacific Railroad and Pacific Coast

Lumber Company had a booming business in San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande, Santa Maria, and Los Olivos. These were the “boom years” for Port Harford and the Pacific Railroad until the 1940 era when San Luis Obispo Attorney Herbert G. Grundel was appointed manager of the Pacific Coast Railroad. He oversaw the final years of the Pacific Coast Railroad. Port Harford’s name now changed to Port San Luis. The Union Oil Pier was constructed in 1914 and soon after became the largest oil shipping port in the United States.

Incidentally, one interesting fact is that the stone for the Port San Luis breakwater was imported from Bishop’s Peak, near San

Luis Obispo. In 1894, the Southern Pacific Railroad completed their railroad from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo. This method of moving freight would foment the final years of the Pacific Railroad.

The above is a very short summary of the early days at Port San Luis. If you would like to obtain further information on this subject, the following books can be checked out at the local City/County Library: “Ships and Narrow Gauge Rails” by Gerald M. Best, “The Pacific Coast Railway” by West Cott and Johnson, and

“Port San Luis Trials and Tribulations, 1955 to 1995” by Gerard L. Parsons.

Your home may be your castle, but it can also be your money pit if you’re not careful. Between home repairs and the rising cost of fuel, food, and electricity, many

Americans are feeling the pinch.

But you can do something about it.

“Americans have a lot more power than they think when it comes to reducing their energy costs,” says Dave Llorens, CEO of One Block Off the Grid, a start-up that negotiates group deals on big-ticket green home improvements like solar panels.

“State level incentives can go a long way toward reducing the cost of money-saving items like solar panels and electric cars. Call your local government office to find out if incentives are available to you,” adds Llorens. “You may be surprised how much you can save.”

Here are some ways you can reduce your home energy costs:

• Small Things Add Up. There are lots of little things you can do that, when taken together, can reduce your energy costs significantly. For example, setting your air conditioner to 78 degrees (or the warmest setting you can tolerate) saves money because many homeowners forget to adjust it down when the weather cools.

Also, the lowly microwave is one of your household’s most energy efficient appliances, so use it instead of an oven to reduce your

How To Save Money On Home Energy CostsBy Statepoint Media

S L O

Liz HiattOwner

[email protected]

A FREE SERVICE TO NEWCOMERS

NEW TO TOWN?Get your free welcome packet!It includes maps, civic info, coupons from cafes, groceries, wineries, auto hardware, garden, medical, dental, etc.

Call your hostess or go to centralcoastwelcome.com

• SLO: Mary Bettencourt: 545-0731

• Los Osos/Morro Bay/Cayucos/Cambria: Aloma Davis: 235-1131

• Nipomo/5 Cities/Avila: Liz Hiatt: 773-6418

• North County: Sandy Hexberg: 238-1529

bill and keep your home cooler in summer months. The washer and dryer are two of a household’s biggest energy hogs, so do-ing your washing at night when electricity rates are lower and line drying during the day can save a bundle.

• Install Solar Panels. In summer months, solar panels can take the burn out of electric bills that spike with air condition-ing use. It used to take a long time for solar panels to show a positive return on investment, but new green companies are finding ways to reduce that payback period. One Block Off the Grid, for example, organizes group deals on solar panels based on how many residents in the area are interested, then connects them with reliable local installers for free. This lets consumers buy solar panels at an average of 15 percent below market rate.

• Consider an Electric Car. If you spend a lot of money on gas every month, you should run the numbers and see how much money going electric would save in the long run. It usually costs $25 to $40 a month to charge electric cars. Plus, you

can use solar panels in conjunction with electric cars to reduce your monthly fuel costs to zero!

Get started on reclaiming your castle with some energy- and money-saving ideas!

S L O

Without question, sePtember brings the beginning of Fall to the Central Coast. And with Fall comes the wonderful apple season many of us (apple

addicts) genuinely look forward to every year. I recently realized the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree as my mom seems to be a bit of an apple addict as well. It’s not so much of an addiction that we succumb to eating out-of-season apples, but we do our best to get as much mileage as we can out of apple season in its entirety. Aside from apples, September offers pears, beans (look for some heirloom varieties), melons, late season tomatoes, as well as delicious concord grapes which are indeed a special treat.

While I do my best to offer seasonal recipes in this section, some-times I need to balance out the highly nutritious options with some more “all season” delights. Sometimes I just need something that

sticks to the ribs a little more while being moderately healthy. An example of this is this month’s recipe, Date Scones with Brown Butter and Hazelnuts. While they may sound evil, they actually use substantially less butter than the average scone because the butter is browned, making it taste like there is twice the amount of butter than there actually is. This is a good thing! These scones are an expanded version of the classic date scone we found just about everywhere on a recent visit to New Zealand. I don’t know what it is about that country, but freshly made date scones can be found in just about every café, and in every corner of the country. While plain date scones are delicious, I wanted to play off some other stellar ingredients, such as locally grown hazelnuts and, one of my personal favorites, New Zealand’s own flaky sea salt, which we are fortunate enough to find here (kosher salt is a fine substitute). While it doesn’t promote food mileage in any way, a small amount

HOME/OUTDOOR24


at the marKetDATESCONESWITHBROWNBUTTERANDHAZELNUTSBy Sarah Hedger

DATE SCONES WITH BROWN BUTTER AND HAZELNUTSfor the scones: 1/2 c. hazelnuts (find local nuts and feel free to substitute in walnuts or almonds as well)

1 1/2 c. wholegrain spelt flour (or substitute a gluten free flour or other whole grain flour)

1/2 c. tapioca starch

1/4 c. ground flax or oat bran

1/4 c. brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp. flaky sea salt such as kosher salt

1/4 tsp. fresh ground nutmeg

1 T. baking powder

1/3 c. browned butter (place in saucepan over med high heat and boil until aromatic and golden brown bits appear, then remove from heat and scrape into bowl)

1/2 c. plain yogurt (plain kefir or buttermilk are good options as well)

8 Medjool dates, pitted and cut into quarters

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil or baking paper. While oven is preheating, place hazelnuts on same baking sheet and place in preheating oven for 15-20 minutes, or until brown skin is peeling off and they are lightly brown with a nice roasted smell. Remove hazelnuts from oven and when cool enough to handle, finely chop (in a food processor works as well as by hand).

In a large bowl, mix ground hazelnuts, spelt flour, tapioca starch, ground flax or oat bran, brown sugar, salt, nutmeg, and baking powder until thoroughly incorporated. Add browned butter and mix well with fork. Add the yogurt (or kefir) and dates. Mix well with a wood spoon or by hand, until dough comes neatly together. Place dough on same baking sheet and gently pat into 6 inch (15cm) round, a little over an inch (3cm) thick. With a large knife, cut scones into 6 wedges and gently separate, separating by an inch between scones, on baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch. Resist eating for a few minutes while they cool. Enjoy!

*Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you have any food-related questions and find this recipe (as well as other versions) at www.seasonalalchemist.com

of salt can go a long way. Though not entirely essential to the scones, it contributes to the overall flavor as it brings out the nut-tiness of the brown butter, the toasted hazelnut flavors, and, at the end of the day, the sinfully good taste. The quality of the hazelnuts (and nuts in general) is not something to be overlooked as they can go rancid rather quickly. In other words, use the most local nuts you can find. It took me a while to appreciate hazelnuts as every time a recipe called for them, I would end up extremely frustrated at the fact their skin didn’t peel off easily like the recipes said they would. I thought it was my technique until at last, I had an epipha-ny. Stale, or older hazelnuts do not like to let go of their skins – at all! Here I was following the recipe verbatim, then throwing that to the wind and trying my own techniques to get the skin off, to no avail. Finally, years later I found some fresher hazelnuts and they effortlessly slipped right out of their skins! These days, I make it even easier by placing the hazelnuts on the baking sheet I plan to use for the recipe while the oven is preheating, taking only about 20 minutes, which is about the time it takes for me to throw together the remaining scone ingredients. Simple and efficient which, for the most part, is a good thing! Thus, I offer you some wonderful date scones that happen to be on the healthier side.

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of all the World’s nations, the fate of the Netherlands has been determined by its proximity to the

sea. As dwellers upon a low-lying coastal landmass, the Dutch experienced terrain and water on nearly equal planes – with lots and lots of sky all around. The artists of that golden age of the Netherlands, the 17th century, like Vermeer and Ruisdael, looked not just to the land, but raised their eyes to paint the liquid luminescence of the vast Dutch skyscape in pearly grays, pinks and blues. A turning point in art history, landscape artists henceforth took their skies more seriously.

North county artist Evani Lupinek was born in the Netherlands into a family of artists; and like her artistic forebears, her work fixates on the firmament. For Lupinek, attending to the atmospheric drama above the Central Coast (where she has lived for 12 years) is sufficient inspiration for her hushed canvases wherein sea and land and sky find equilibrium on horizontal planes. Unlike the lowland Dutch painters, however, she is inspired by the vistas from her rural home high in the hinterlands above Highway 46, west of the 101 Freeway. While feeding their chickens, Lupinek and her husband can gaze on Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero, and on a clear night, the lights of Bakersfield.

While sky, land and water are her constant subjects, she points out that representing everything she can literally see is not her objective. Rather, Lupinek strives for a mood, a sense of a “meteorological moment” that evokes wonder, the sublime, or just her grasping at a transient view found within the ever-changing panorama. Such an experi-ence is evoked in “Hover,” an oil on canvas endowed with layers of glazing. At the base

slo county art sceneEVANILUPINEK:THESKY’STHELIMITBy Gordon Fuglie

COMMUNITY26

Even though the prospect of moving may be in the distant future, you owe it to yourself to learn how you can enjoy carefree living in your own home for many years to come.

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Before you make any decisions that could affect your future happiness and standard of living, take the time to read these two FREE reports:“What every senior needs to know about living in a retirement facility.”“Four critical questions to ask a service provider...before you let anyone work in or near your home.”

We invite you to call Pristine right now so that we can send you these two FREE reports by mail.

Call for rateS

Serving All of San Luis Obispo County Evani Lupinek

of the composition is an umber out-of-focus landform that meets a gray mass of coastal mist above. The confrontation of sky and land is mediated by long streaks of white clouds that part to reveal narrow strips of blue sky beyond – a sliver of infinity.

Lupinek calls her sky, land and water paint-ings Mindscapes. She describes her work as “a recreation of memories and impressions of places either imagined or visited, evoking the interaction of changing light and atmosphere on the hills, valleys, water and sky.” By simpli-fying the elements in her paintings, she strives to evoke a range of emotions in the viewer. An artist of a generous temperament, Lupinek wants to share the joy she feels in the beauty of the natural world. Many of her paintings impart a sense of peace and timelessness.

Such a work is “Blue,” a vertical composition that depicts the sea, the coastal mountains and the onset of an azure twilight in a tower-ing sky. Heaven seems not far away in this painting, which also uncannily brings to mind the large moody works of the American abstractionist, Marc Rothko (1903-70). This is no accident as Lupinek says her objective is to “find the precise point between representation and abstraction where space is simultaneously described and imagined.” In other words, the real world serves as a point of departure into the more poetic realm of art.

In addition to her career as an artist, Lupinek has become an advocate for modern and con-temporary art in San Luis Obispo County. To this end she co-founded an artists’ collective in 2009, the Loft Gallery, a second floor exhibit space in downtown Paso Robles. Like most col-lectives, it is a challenge to keep artists working

together for the long haul, and combined with the recession woes, the Loft Gallery was forced to close its doors in 2010. Undaunted, Lupinek re-emerged to head up Loft Contemporary Art Projects, an entity that seeks opportunities for exhibiting contemporary art in various venues. For at least the past ten years, the “projects” phenomenon – groups of enterpris-ing contemporary artists and curators – has emerged as an alternative to bricks and mortar galleries with expensive leases. This more fluid approach allows artists to bypass the self-ap-pointed gatekeepers and inflexible hidebound institutions of the official art world. Lupinek and her artists mounted a show in July at the

Castoro Cellars Tasting Room gallery, Paso Robles. The next opportunity to see her work and that of fellow artist Carol Paquet will be at the Steynberg Gallery, 1530 Monterey Street, SLO, October 1-30. Join Evani and Carol at the opening reception on Friday, October 7.

As Lupinek brings more collaborators into her mission and finds continued joy in painting the land, water and skies of our region, I’m sure those first “sky-scapers,” the Dutch Mas-ters, are looking down from the fleecy clouds in artists’ heaven, nodding their approval.

For more information: www.evanilupinek.com; www.steynberggallery.com.


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Blue Dawn


hoW do you folloW an incredible 50th Anniversary Season? Filled with sold-out performances, world premiere music, world-class artists, and an

unprecedented 50 events for 50 years, the Symphony’s 50th season is not an easy act to follow! But if you’re Maestro Michael Nowak, you follow an impressive 50th with a simply breathtaking 51st. In the words of composer Dmitri Shostakovich: “Music says it all. In the long run, any words about music are less important than the music.” So, in as few words as possible: Music Director Michael Nowak and the San Luis Obispo Symphony are proud to announce their 2011-2012 Season. Beginning with Pops by the Sea on September 4, 2011 and continuing through the annual Bach ‘n Birdies Golf Tournament on June 2, 2012, the San Luis Obispo Symphony will bring you music from the heart and for the soul, music made just for you, music for life.

Opening Night on October 8th begins with a glimpse of Shake-spearean lovers, a ballet that rocked Moscow and a lush, romantic

slo symphony’s 2011-2012 season“MUSICFORLIFE”By Patty Thayer

COMMUNITY28

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COMMUNITY 29

piano concerto that evokes “a full moon and empty arms.” Pianist Robert Edward Thies joins us for music of Berlioz, Stravinsky and Rachmaninoff. The season continues on November 12th with the music of Beethoven, Bruch and the masterful Jean Sibelius. Onward to February 4th and some “Suite Serenades” featuring French horn virtuoso Richard Todd and tenor Christopher Cock in Benjamin Britten’s Serenade plus the world premiere of Dr. Craig Russell’s reconstruction of Mozart’s never completed 5th Horn Concerto. March 10th will come in like a lion when violinist Joanna Kurkowicz performs the U.S. premiere of Polish composer Grazyna Bacewicz’s Concerto No. 3. Schubert’s Unfinished and Bartok’s Hungarian Sketches complete the program. Finally, on May 5th, we’ll celebrate “Cinco de Mayo” with the “Two B’s.” Pianist Nor-man Krieger will join the Symphony for Beethoven’s sunny Piano

Concerto No. 2 and our amazing orchestra will take on Brahms’ Symphony No. 2.

Those are the highlights of a stellar 51st Season that also features two chamber music concerts, a fun-filled Family Concert, the annual Symphony Ball and much more. We hope you’ll join us for a season of imagination, inspiration, education and transformation. Join us as our journey continues with music made for you. Join us for Music for Life.

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Barry Goyette photo of Richard Todd, Horn


COMMUNITY30

once uPon a time, most small and mid-toWn police departments in America really were a lot like the one in fictional Mayberry on The Andy Griffith Show.

A few patrol cars, a smattering of law enforcement personnel and a dispatcher usually did the job with a minimum of fuss and equip-ment. But today, with so many of these agencies expected to take on new responsibilities, as well as being asked to utilize increasing tech-nological advances in criminal investigations, much more is needed than the bare basics.

Here in SLO County, that’s where the not-for-profit San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Advisory Council comes in.

Founded in 1988 to provide extra funding and support to law enforce-ment agencies throughout the entire county, SAC, as the group is also known, began with a little more than 20 members and now has 130 active participants. (The organization hopes to attract at least 30 new applicants in the next year.)

Thanks to these members and various money making events, SAC was able to purchase a good deal of needed equipment just last year, including more than three dozen vests for the fire department in Cambria; partially paying for two K-9 dogs for the Arroyo Grande Police Department, and purchasing mobile radios and ancillary equipment for the SLO-located Horse Emergency Evacuation Team, whose members move farm animals and other livestock in emergen-cies such as wildfires.

Additionally, the Council helps with the funding of officer training, public forums and student scholarships.

In this category was co-sponsoring a sexual assault training pro-gram to SLO city officers, and funding and organizing two sheriff candidate forums, which gave area residents a chance to meet and ask questions to candidates running for sheriff in 2010. SAC has also donated monies to the local dial 2-1-1 program, which gives

free referrals for assistance with food, housing, health care and unemployment, and in 2009, the group awarded a $1,000 scholar-ship to the son of a deputy sheriff planning to major in criminal justice at a com-munity college in California.

“This group is very close to all of our members’ hearts,” says Jim Brabeck, SAC’s current chairman of the board and the CEO of Farm Supply Company. (Other occupations on the 15-member board include a former SLO County Supervisor, certified public accountant, and retired Cal Poly professor.)

“We receive the donations we do because people realize that public safety is the foundation upon which our quality of life here on the Central Coast is built.”

While a short-term goal is to bring in new members, Brabeck says that SAC’s longer, money-making push right now is funding a new coroner facility. This new building, he adds, will allow autopsies to be performed locally.

Involved in SAC “since day one,” Brabeck says that the Council was formed to fulfill a campaign pledge of then newly-elected SLO County Sheriff Ed Williams. Wil-liams, he says, hoped to create an advisory board of citizens who could do two things: address community law enforcement concerns and, as a non-profit, bring in dollars to meet many of the expanding, and unmet, needs of police agencies.

Another early ambi-tion, adds Brabeck, was to start a regional law enforcement training fa-cility, and in fact, thanks to Council lobbying, the SLO County Board of Supervisors did allocate land for this purpose.

sheriff’s advisory council: PROVIDINGSUPPORTANDFUNDINGTOLAWENFORCEMENTBy Hilary Grant

Founding SAC Chairman, Bryan Duvall with Chairman Elect, Sylvia Dodd at Pat Hedges retirement party.

SAC Chairman, Jim Brabeck with supporter Katcho Achadjian

Sheriff’s Day at the Ranch is

September 17th

COMMUNITY 31


“Allan Hancock College beat us to it, but we were still able to fund the first video camera for a patrol car, which is now standard in all sheriff cars,” says Brabeck. Other early equipment that SAC bought was night vision goggles and protective vests for the County.

Indeed, Brabeck says that SAC is now able to give $15,000 to $25,000 for various police-related activities every year.

The public will have a chance to see some of the results of the group’s efforts this month at its annual Sheriff ’s Family Day at the Ranch.

Slated for Saturday, September 17, from 10 o’clock in the morning to four in the afternoon, the free event will be, as it was last year, at the Madonna Inn Field, adja-cent to Highway 101 and Madonna Road. Last year, about 5,000 persons attended, and Brabeck is expecting at least the same number of visitors this time. There will be no charge for hot dogs and sodas to kids 12 years old and under.

“All law enforcement agencies within our county will have a presence,” says Brabeck.

To that end, there will be demonstrations by K-9 units and Jaws of Life programs, as well as representatives from federal agencies including the FBI and Drug Enforcement Agency. Brabeck says members of the sher-iff’s posse and California Highway Patrol will also be on hand to interface with the public.

SAC plans to get word out about the event via local television, radio and print ads (including an ad on page 47). A new web site (it debuted earlier this summer) will, says Brabeck, also increase public aware-ness of not just Sheriff ’s Day, but other Council activities.

“The most gratifying part of belonging to SAC is getting to know outstanding indi-viduals who understand the importance of what we’re all doing,” says Brabeck. “Thanks

to our collective efforts, we really feel that we’re benefit-ing the men and women of the sheriff’s office, as well as all of those who volunteer their time in auxiliary units to serve our community.

“It is truly an honor to be chairman of this board.”

Log on to www.sacslo.org to find out more about the Sheriff’s Advisory Council, includ-ing its mission, meeting schedules and the upcoming Sheriff’s Family Day at the Ranch.

Last election debate for Sheriff sponsored by the SAC

although considerably quieter than the rabble and lawlessness of both San Francisco to the north and Los Angeles to the south, mid-nineteenth century San

Luis Obispo provided few opportunities to earn a living. As a “cow county,” most income was from the land and cattle. Samuel Adams Pollard had little interest in either but found “everyone had plenty of money…” to support his (and its) first store. Yet, he was not above other jobs…including a memorable stint as District Attorney. He had no qualifications whatsoever – except he was bilingual. His experience provides an insight into the “justice system” of the frontier settlement.

His story continues.

His first (and probably last) case involved an accusation of cattle rustling. When the defendants’ lawyer “stalked calmly into the court-room,” it was a moment to notice. Pollard described him as “a veritable Texan giant, in a red shirt, with no coat, his pants tucked in his boots, and a brace of huge revolvers in his belt.” The weapons he “slowly drew forth” and

placed on the table before the judge. The six accused also had weapons. Pollard considered the case had a “highly dramatic first act” but with a “decided tendency towards tragedy at the close.” He reported he was “perfectly satisfied” with the not guilty verdict. The “defense” attorney also expressed his satisfaction as failure was not an option. Indeed, he was prepared “to clean out Court, jury, and all” to exonerate his clients!

Fortunately, Pollard was able to continue his other pursuits and quickly found himself elected to the first Board of Supervisors (1852) with other local notables: John Wilson, Joaquin Estrada, Francisco Branch and William G. Dana. They agreed he should be the chair-man. His new duties allowed him to continue his mercantile efforts as well as being the settlement’s first postmaster.

What must have been a personal joy, Pollard met John C. Fremont soon after on the Pathfinder’s last visit to San Luis Obispo. With no hotels, he offered his guest a countertop as a bunk for the night. His hero from the Mexican-American War was also without funds so Pollard acted as banker and cashed a bank draft.

While business and civic responsibilities increased, the 30-year-old bachelor searched for a family and found one as the result of tragedy. Judge Tefft – who had bankrolled Pollard’s initial supply purchase – drowned off the coast of Avila. His 22-year-old widow, Josefa, was the eldest daughter of William G. Dana. Two years a widow, she and Pollard were married on December 20, 1854. Pollard moved into the family’s Nipomo adobe and ran a store in the front room.

Possibly as part of her dowry, Josefa received at least part of her fam-ily’s Casa Grande building on today’s Court Street. The newlyweds offered to sell the “Dana House” to the County in 1855 for $3000. It remained a County building for many years.

It is not clear how long the Pollards stayed at the family home in Ni-pomo but probably not beyond the death of the patriarch of the Dana clan in late 1858. Returning to San Luis Obispo, Pollard’s next major business partnership was to build a $15,000 flour mill in 1865.

HISTORYPART3

samuel adams pollard By Joseph A. Carotenuti


COMMUNITY32

William Beebee

Two years later, after buying over 1000 acres of the Rancho Santa Rosa (Cambria), he proceeded to open the first store in the seaside community.

Nearly a quarter century after their mar-riage and five children, in 1878, Maria Josefa died. In the 1880 Census, Pollard provided a somber description of himself as a “widower’ and flour merchant with four children and living on Marsh Street. Five years later, he remarried Maria A. Branch, a widow of the extensive Arroyo Grande family.

In the meanwhile, whatever other enterprises he pursued, he was elected as the City’s Tax Collector from 1881 to 1883 and then City Clerk/Assessor from 1886 to 1894. Today, there are page after page of minutes in his exquisite penmanship.

Possibly time had finally laid a burdensome hand on his shoulder as in 1897 Pollard moved away from the home he’d known for most of his life to live with his sister in San Francisco. Indeed, the parade of his life dwindled as his friends, acquaintances and family were passing into time. Even the Tribune commented that only he and Myron Angel were left as veterans of the Mexican American War to ride in the annual Fourth of July Parade.

Another tragic blow – the death of his namesake in 1900 – began the last act of an adventurous life. Pollard sought solace in the past, continuing with several articles sent to the Tribune. In doing so, his immortality moved beyond his descendants into history.

Samuel Adams Pollard not only lived in the pioneer panorama of a “rusty” crossroads from its birth into maturity, but he honored his memories by sharing them with others. Sensing an end, Pollard found time to reflect, to take inventory, to remember and cherish – and undoubtedly regret – some of the past. He was also sure to hold up a mirror to reflect reminiscences and when he died in 1904, an encyclopedia of memories also was laid to rest.

Separated by death and distance in time, Pollard has not fared well by those who came

after him. His youthful partner in opening the first store here, William Beebee, is re-membered with at least a street name. Pollard – who matched his friend’s various accom-plishments – has slipped into the mist of time.

“I found the Californians the cleverest people I ever met,” Pollard once wrote. “Proud, dignified, with a natural grace and politeness, very hospitable, and not slaves to the almighty dollar.” Those same Californians still have the same grace to remember him today.

COMMUNITY 33


by the time a Physician tells a Person that there is no further medical treatment that will change the course of their illness (and thus the course of events…death)

they are usually sick, tired, and sick and tired of treatments, loss of energy, function and independence. They may feel like there is nothing left for them. But, there is something that can be done. They can seek hospice care.

Considered to be the model for quality, compassionate care at the end of life, hospice care involves a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes. At the center of hospice care is the belief that each of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that our families will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so. The focus is on caring, not on curing and, in most cases, care is pro-

vided in the patient’s home. Hospice care can also be provided in board and care facilities, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals.

Hospice Partners of the Central Coast is one of the non-profit, State licensed, Medicare/Medi-Cal certified hospice care providers in San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara Counties that residents of our community can turn to for help. Hospice Partners will support patients and their families during the final stage of life. The Hospice Partners’ team uses the combined knowledge and skills of an inter-disciplinary staff team of professionals, including physicians, nurses, home health aides, medical social workers, dietitians, therapists, spiritual and bereavement counselors, hospice musicians and volun-teers to ease the journey.

So, how does hospice care work? Well, the patient (or family member) or the patient’s doctor contacts Hospice Partners and ask for a refer-ral. Our nurse will gather the information from the doctor, and then call the patient. The nurse obtains information over the phone, in person, or if the patient is in a hospital or facility, will meet with them there. When the determination has been made that hospice is ap-propriate, the care will be focused on comfort – physical, emotional and spiritual comfort, for the patient, as well as the family. Typically, a family member serves as the primary caregiver and, when appropri-ate, helps make decisions for the terminally ill patient. The hospice team develops a care plan that meets each patient’s individual needs for pain management and symptom control. The care plan also outlines the medical and support services required such as nursing care, personal care (dressing, bathing, etc.), social services, dietetic assistance, hospice musicians, grief and bereavement counseling, and spiritual care. It also identifies the medical equipment, procedures, medication and treatments necessary to provide high-quality comfort care. The goal is to have the patient continue to do the things that are important in their life – such as visiting with friends, going to bingo, church, lunch. The emphasis is on the quality of life, instead of its duration. The care of the hospice patient continues to be managed by the patient’s own physician. Members of the hospice team make


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hospice cornerHOWDOESHOSPICECAREWORK?By Helen Swanagon, RN

Sunday, September 18, 2011Mission Plaza· San LuisObispo

Cartoonist Jerry Scott7:30 p.m., SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

Co-creator of Zits and Baby Bluesat the San Luis Obispo Public Library Free Admission

Pancake BookFeast9 -11 a.m., SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

Enjoy a delicious pancake breakfastin Mission Plaza: $3 for Adults, Under 12 Free

Book & Author Festival10 a.m. - 4 p.m., SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

Includes scores of authors, public readings, Dr. Magic, workshops, and much more! Free Admission

The Art of the Book10 a.m. - 4 p.m. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

San Luis Obispo Museum of Art Book display and sale Free Admission

SPONSORS:

www.slolibraryfoundation.org


COMMUNITY 35

regular visits to assess the patient and to pro-vide the care and other services. The whole team of hospice professionals is available to help in ways that will support the patient at the end of their life. Some patients want and need all of the hospice services, others want only some of the services. It is tailored to the individual patient and family needs. Hospice staff is on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Support is extended to the patient’s loved ones, as well. And, after the death of the hospice patient, the bereavement staff will provide grief and bereavement counseling to family members and friends.

Who pays for Hospice care? While Medicare, Medi-Cal, and most private insurance com-panies have a Hospice benefit, it only partially covers the costs of hospice care. To make up the difference for the unreimbursed care, Hospice Partners is dependent on the gener-osity of the community for donations and sup-port at fundraising events. Patients who have no coverage or method of paying for hospice care and services are not turned away.

This monthly Hospice Corner is sponsored by Hospice Partners of the Central Coast. Helen Swanagon, RN, is the Intake/Liaison Nurse Manager. For more information, call (805) 782-8608.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: POPULAR SAYINGS

ACROSS 1. Hoarders action 6. *Curiosity’s victim 9. Relative speed of change 13. *”Remorse” trip 14. *”___ in wait” 15. Taste, e.g. 16. Type of duck 17. Freddy Krueger street 18. Arab country 19. *Back to this board 21. Prince alternative, Mark Twain 23. Downhill equipment 24. Boxer Oscar De La ____ 25. Masseuse’s office 28. Jane Austen classic 30. To-do list entry 35. SAT, e.g. 37. Be sick 39. With great enthusiasm 40. *”____ does it”

41. Indolence, abbr.43. Hawkeye State44. Tastes like lemon46. Ancient Greece’s columned walkway47. Actress Barrymore48. Roundabout way50. Oldsmobile founder52. *This is well if it ends well53. Point55. ___ Angeles57. *One’s not recommended for storing all eggs60. *This can’t change it’s spots64. Poet Alighieri65. *”____ day now”67. Ann Curry’s show68. Eight performers69. James Bond creator Fleming70. Same as hoist71. *On your shoulder72. Bear’s hibernation place73. Come in

DOWN1. Wine and cheese descriptor2. Wilderness preservationist John ____ (1838-1914)3. Verdi’s opera4. Large amounts5. * Do it while the iron is hot6. Horsefly7. Be ill8. Time in Italian9. *”____ the benefits”10. *”Up the ____”11. One of Romanov’s dynasty12. Poetic “ever”15. *Back to this first one20. Nimbus, pl.22. ___ aye Captain!24. Not a convertible25. Lieu26. V-sign27. Balance sheet entry29. *Whose best friend?31. SWAT attack, e.g.32. Greek bazaar33. Handrail post

34. Southern accent, e.g.36. Novice38. *One who parts easily with money42. Big Dipper shape45. *A drop in this49. Street in Paris51. Comfort54. Characterized by dignity and propriety56. *A silver one denotes wealth57. Composer Johann Sebastian58. Unfavorable prefix59. One stair60. Country singer-songwriter Loretta61. Miners’ passage62. Tear down63. One who dyes64. John Henry “___” Holliday66. National Academy of Engi-neering

S E P T E M B E R C R O S S W O R D S O L U T I O N S O N P A G E 4 3


COMMUNITY36

our roller coaster economy – recovering/recession ridden – demands that

transparency, accountability and trust go hand in hand. Each is critical to the commitment of elected officials and city government staffers . . . to maintain the integrity expected from voters who place their trust in a handful of residents to impact their quality of life and pocketbooks.

Never has transparency been more signifi-cant than in the last 13 months since the Bell, CA scandal was unearthed by the Los Angeles Times. Both elected and appointed officials abused the public trust allocating millions of dollars in tax funds to outlandish salaries and benefits. The landscape has been altered forever of how voters/citizens view any local government decisions.

San Luis Obispo leadership – vis a vis Ken Hampian, recently-retired City Manager – has been in the spotlight recently as he served as a temporary interim CM in Bell. As Ken served pro-bono (without pay), there was expressed confidence in his professional skills, knowledge and experience garnered for 20 years in our own SLO-Town.

So . . . how does all this affect San Luis Obispo, its elected City Council and the relationship we must engender to be fiscally

responsible for the expenditure of nearly $100 million annual tax dollars/fees? Even that amount comes with a shortfall of $4.4 million and a required $2.6 million in employee wage/benefit concessions yet to be negotiated.

As one of the “gang of five” of elected officials on SLO City Council, the challenge weighs heavy. We need to fine-tune the assessment of our “big picture” direction. The day-to-day interaction with a myriad of details involved in decision-making is often out of the pur-view of policy that allows Council oversight.

Once a two-year budget is set, General Fund control passes to professional staffers who are proscribed to seek the elected Council direc-tion on a limited basis. It is scary.

I was on the Council 1994-98 when John Dunn was the Chief Administrative Officer and Ken Hampian the Assistant CAO. In four years, I don’t recall any turnover of leadership in any department. We had adequate dollars and focused on the “best use” of tax funds.

The days of limited technology encouraged an open-door policy for Council Members to independently communicate with leadership/staff at all levels on a face-to-face basis. It seemed that each Council Member had equal access to setting the agenda and acquiring information on administrative decisions.

It feels different today. Massive e-mails float back and forth, with direction that multiple leaders be copied to assure the flow of infor-mation. While a CAO was a facilitator and implementer, a City Manager seems more like a gate-keeper and staff is available for Council consultation on tight schedules. Agenda-setting is a hazy process.

At present, we have a relatively new City Manager, two vital positions empty (Com-munity Development recently and Finance with a part-time interim for almost a year – “thanks, Mary”) and a Police Chief retiring in December.

Council must be vigilant in providing whatever oversight is possible . . . whether it be a concern about potential Brown Act near misses or questioning where bargaining concepts are based and who was involved – and why – in their inception. As a former newsperson, I try to employ the who, what, when, where, why and how? If I feel instinc-tive discomfort, I will err on the side of the average citizen expressing transparency and accountability concerns.

In the final analysis, we five residents were elected by a vote of the people and are responsible for the fiscal health of San Luis Obispo. The buck stops on the dais!

If a ballot remains in your stack of mail, please VOTE YES ON MEASURES A& B . . . then mail immediately!

palm street perspectiveLEADINGSANLUISOBISPOINTHEFUTUREBy SLO City Councilwoman, Kathy Smith

Downtown The Magazine of Downtown San Luis Obispo September 2011

Around

I n s i d e :W h a t ’ s U pN e w B u s i n e s s N e w s

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Parking services…at work for you

Every day, thousands of people drive their cars into Downtown SLO expecting to find a place

to park—and 99.9% of the time they do. This high rate of success can be attributed to one main source: parking services. Without this important City of SLO department and its dedicated, professional staff, finding a place to put your car could be hazardous to your health, what with all the hair pulling, yelling and driving off in a huff that we imagine frustrated drivers experience. Instead, efficient management practices currently in place provide for a variety of choices, prices, convenience and in some cases, forgiveness…much more ticker-friendly.

“Without parking, Downtown can’t thrive,” said Parking Services manager Robert Horch

referencing a common complaint voiced by communities that do not have metered or other timed parking programs. That’s because employees like to pull up as close to their workplaces as possible, taking valuable spaces and leaving their customers (read: bread and butter) to hike in from the hinterlands. Pricing them out

is the only way to guarantee priority for those who make their jobs possible in the first place.

But don’t think employees’ parking concerns don’t matter; the parking program offers

options for those who want to pay less—or not at all—to park such as the 10-hour metered zone monthly pass for $40 or the Downtown Access Pass (ride the City bus for free).

“We’re not the enemy,” said Horch, who says he views his parking staff as

partners with Downtown businesses and guests to assure everyone’s needs are met. “I enjoy the challenge,” he said about helping people understand how parking works and how they can avoid getting a ticket. Interestingly enough, Horch said the majority of parking service officers’ (please don’t call them meter maids) contact with the public isn’t usually about parking. “We’re asked a lot about where to eat, or places to go or for directions. We’re a great resource for helping people.” Horch, a law school graduate, also has a sense of fairness about the whole ticket thing.

On the Cover: "Really? I had no idea!" Downtown Parking Services Officer Paul O'Steen takes delight in sharing parking information with Downtown business owner Tobin Risner (Keeping The Books). For information about parking services, options and programs, visit www.slocity.org/publicworks/parking.asp Photo by Deborah Cash

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“We are a service provider,” Horch said. “We cite cars, not people.” Horch goes on to say that

officers don’t know the ‘story behind the meter’ when citing a vehicle. “An expired meter is an expired meter. But if someone appeals a ticket, we’ll look closely at their argument, where they’re from and often forgive the cite – though we provide education about not getting cited again.”

Parking Services Officer Paul O’Steen agrees. “We want to be listeners;

we don’t have ‘badge heaviness,’” he said. O’Steen, who came on board in 1995 says if he can ‘make it right’ with people—meaning listening and forgiving when necessary—“Downtown will be better off.” But O’Steen also sees the situation from the front lines. “People will get in our face, they have all kinds of excuses.” He said that he’s heard from a police officer that people get more upset about parking tickets than speeding tickets.

“It’s more of an insult,” he theorizes. As for excuses, his favorite is a guy who ran up as O’Steen was issuing a citation. “Wait, sir, wait!” yelled the fellow. “Don’t ticket my car!” “What’s your excuse?” asked

O’Steen. Without missing a beat, the gent replied, “It’s a blustery day and I’ve encountered wind resistance

getting back to my car on time!”

O’Steen says he likes many aspects of his job because his

work contributes to the health of Downtown and the community. “We don’t look at our jobs as enforcement but as management,” he said. “We create a fair playing field and are not out to ‘catch’ but create turnover and in turn provide opportunities for people to enjoy Downtown.”

Both Horch and O’Steen, as well as the entire parking services

department, are gearing up for some changes to the parking scene slated for the next few months. For starters, parking on Sunday in metered spaces and the structures (1 PM – 6 PM) will require payment beginning sometime in September. Later in the

year, the City will install new meters that will be credit card friendly—helpful particularly in light of a fee

W h a t ’ s U p A r o u n d D o w n t o w n ?

Parking Services Manager Robert Horch is an advocate for meeting everyone's parking needs in Downtown SLO. Photo by Deborah Cash Continued next page

increase in the ‘supercore’ zone (to provide more access for the short term customer) where a swipe beats hauling a pocketful of change.

These increases are designed to accomplish two goals: continued parking management (employees on Sundays

currently occupy a lion’s share of Downtown core parking) and a step toward providing parking for the ‘west end’

of Downtown for future residential and cultural needs via the proposed Palm Nipomo Parking Structure.

“There are a lot of politics in parking,” said Horch. “People don’t realize it’s about demand and turnover. It’s not an

easy thing to get done.” But, he added, “We’ll keep looking at the big picture.” Which is why Horch said the first thing he did when he became parking manager was to change the sign on the door from “Parking Administration” to “Parking Services” where they’re truly at work for you…around Downtown.

Annika Laurel Designs Annika Johnson, Owner 570 Higuera Street, Suite 220 805-459-7016 www.AnnikaLaurel.com www.facebook.com/annikalaureldesignsAnnika Johnson, owner of Annika Laurel Designs, believes in expressing yourself in any way you can. She is helping “SLOcals” express themselves by wearing her vintage inspired hair accessories. Johnson started making her own hair accessories three years ago without any idea it would eventually turn into a business. After making accessories for the bridesmaids at her sister’s wedding, as well as the bride, she considered selling her pieces. In December of last year, she started Annika Laurel Designs.

Today, Johnson has a small office in The Creamery that she uses to make her accessories and meet with clients. You can find her at Thursday Night Promotions Farmers’ Market every week, as well as various awareness events in SLO; such as Walk a Mile in Her Shoes and Cal Poly’s

Love Out Loud campaign.

It is important to Johnson to give back to the community. Every month, Annika Laurel Design makes a “spotlight clip” and 100 percent of the profits go to a special cause. For May’s spotlight clip, Johnson wanted to honor a woman who donated her kidney to a complete stranger and started a chain of kidney donations. The generous woman has a streak of bright pink in

her hair, which is why the clip included bright pink accents.

Annika Laurel Design offers everything from hair clips to hair ties to headbands. She also gives her customers the option of making customizable pieces. “If you have an idea, I am more than willing to make it happen. One time a woman asked to make her a bird cage and I did it!” Her pieces are priced according to the vintage materials she uses. She sells colorful headbands starting at $4, with more unique pieces ranging from $8-$28. Call for an appointment.

By: Alison Moore

Goodgame David and Raelyn Larson, co-owners 883 Marsh Street 805-543-5555 www.facebook.com/goodgamesloEquipped with 50 computers and a wide selection of video games, Goodgame is becoming a hot spot for high school and college students. Open from noon to midnight, seven days a week , Goodgame offers a competitive social environment for multi-player gaming. But that doesn’t mean you have to be a gamer to utilize their services. Customers can also browse the web and print documents in this convenient Downtown location next to the Post Office on Marsh Street. This is the second Goodgame enterprise for co-owners, David and Raelyn (mother and son). The first location opened a year and a half ago in Santa Maria. David Larson, Nipomo local, taught himself how to build a computer when he was 10 years old and has been building them

ever since. All of the computers at the San Luis Obispo location, as well as another 50 computers in Santa Maria, were all hand-built by David.

At Goodgame, customers purchase game time by the hour and are able to save their unused time for

future gaming. If a customer buys two hours of playing time, for example, they have the option of using one hour and the computer will save the unused time for a future visit. The first hour of game time purchased is $4, with additional time being based on a sliding scale. Gamers can also purchase an all day pass for $20.

“Customers can expect to have fun, meet new friends and people of similar interests and find competition.” Goodgame also offers customers the opportunity to play the newest video games before spending $40 - $60 on a new game they’ve never played before.By: Alison Moore

N e w B u s i n e s s N e w s

W h a t ’ s U p A r o u n d D o w n t o w n ?Parking services…at work for you continued from previous page


over a year ago, i Wrote about the imPacts of cyber bullying in schools. I am revisiting that article this month because the use of electronic communications by

students to intimidate other students continues to be a serious school safety issue.

Bullying among students is not a new issue for schools. The formal definition of bullying is when one person threatens, humiliates or otherwise intimidates another for enjoyment, or to subjugate the vic-tim to the will of the bully. Until recently, bullying happened directly between the bully and the victim. Sometimes, bullying occurred by proxy when the bully used an intermediary, such as a friend, or by putting threats into writing. Schools have long had policies and practices in place both to prevent bullying at school and to discipline students who engage in bullying. Bullying is an offense for which students can be suspended or expelled in California’s schools.

However, with the ease of Internet access, bullying has a new venue. Schools are experiencing bullying that uses digital communica-tion as a means of delivering the threats from the bully to the victim. When bullying occurs using interactive digital technology it becomes “cyber bullying,” or virtual bullying, although it is very real for the victim. Cyber bullying causes a new set of problems for schools particularly when it occurs away from school. The chal-lenge for schools and families is to balance the great learning pos-sibilities of Internet access with some very real dangers such as the use of digital technology to bully.

types of cyber bullying The most obvious type of cyber bullying is for the bully to deliver threats directly to the victim using the Internet. These threats can be delivered anonymously, which can embolden a bully who perhaps would not deliver these threats in person. An added feature of cyber bullying is that the victim never knows who else is participating thus increasing the anxiety of the victim. Just like bullying on the playground, cyber bullying causes the victim to become distracted, fearful and anxious, all of which interfere with learning.

Social networking sites are the preferred platforms for cyber bullying. Students may legitimately join an online social community, only to find that the personal information shared is now used to intimidate or coerce a member who has suddenly become a victim. The effect of this use of social networking is to denigrate or threaten another, causing feelings of betrayal and anger for the victim, which again impacts school performance.

Another type of cyber bullying is online fighting. This can range from a very heated exchange between two students, to the actual filming of real fights, and then sending this video to others electroni-cally. The problem for schools is that the repercussions of the fight,

that is now available for viewing by many, often carries over into school and can influence student behavior at school.

what schools can do All school districts in our county have an Acceptable Use Policy that governs the use of computers, cell phones and other devices on campus. This policy applies to both staff and students. An effective policy makes it very clear that cyber bullying is not permitted at school and that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against students who violate the policy. Also, schools have strong filters in place that limit and screen material coming to computers owned by the school district. Schools also have rules regarding the use of cell phones and personal computers while at school. These rules vary by district from allowing use only during non-class time to a ban on any use while at school.

A greater problem for schools is when cyber bullying occurs off-campus but the effects impact students when they come to school. Responding to this off-campus behavior can easily run into First Amendment issues involving free speech and privacy concerns. Schools have been challenged on their right to take disciplinary action against students whose inappropriate use of digital technol-ogy happens off campus. Schools must show a clear connection between the cyber bullying that occurs off campus and its impact on the school’s responsibility to maintain a safe and orderly learning environment. If this connection is made, the courts have consistently upheld the right of schools to take disciplinary action against stu-dents whose cyber bullying behavior took place off campus.

COMMUNITY 41

our schools: CYBERBULLYING ANDSCHOOLSBy Dr. Julian Crocker, County Superintendent of Schools

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SLO FOOD BANK GETS BIG DONATION Engen Enterprises, Inc, a Franchise of Taco Bell recently donated $5000 to SLO Food Bank. Customers were asked if they want to make a dollar donation to the Food Bank when purchasing a meal.

CENTRAL COAST BOOK AND AUTHOR FESTIVAL The Central Coast Book & Author Festival is back for its 12th year. This fun and free celebration of the literary arts takes place Sunday, September 18th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Mission Plaza. A kickoff event, an evening with syndicated cartoonist, Jerry Scott, happens 7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 17th at the SLO Library. Jerry, the creator of the popular “Zits” and “Baby Blues” strips. Dozens of authors, publishers and organizations will exhibit their works at this year’s outdoor-indoor festival. For more information (available two weeks prior to the event) visit www.slolibraryfoundation.org, call (805) 546-1392.

THE SEA OTTER ExPERIENCE Come meet some of Morro Bay’s most playful characters at The Sea Otter Experience. The exhibit trailer will be set up close to the end of the boardwalk near the base of Morro Rock. View sea otters in the wild while learning about these incredible creatures from Museum of Natural History educators. 11:00 am to 3:00 p.m., September 3rd – 5th. The Sea Otter Experience is presented by California State Park Docents and the CC Natural History Association. For more information, please call 772-2694.

9/11 MEMORIAL CONCERT Join us on September 10th and 11th as we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with a memorial concert featuring Mozart’s profound Requiem and Barber’s stirring Adagio for Strings performed at Mission San Miguel and the Templeton Performing Arts Center. We will be joined by the Cuesta Master Chorale, North County Chorus and more! For more information go to symphonyofthevines.org.

THIRD ANNUAL BEAUTIFUL MINDS WALK The Third Annual BEAUTIFUL MINDS WALK will take place in Laguna Lake Park in SLO on Saturday, October 1st. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:45 a.m. Come on out and enjoy a beautiful 1.5 mile walk, children’s carnival, silent auction and lively entertainment! Your participation in NAMI’s annual fundraiser will help support mental health awareness, education and advocacy throughout our local community. Hope to see you there!

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ATASCADERO QUOTA CLUB 8TH ANNUAL ExTRAVAGANZA Quota International of Atascadero is planning for their eighth annual fundraiser, “Extravaganza,” to be held September 10, 2011 at the Taft Barn in Atascadero. The theme this year is “Rock Around the Clock,” with

’50s era décor, music, and entertainment. Appetizers, a barbecue dinner of pork loin and chicken, and dessert will be served, plus a live auction, entertainment, and dancing to your favorite ’50s tunes. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased from any Quota member, at the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce, or by calling Sylvia Biddle at 237-7326 .

SLO RUGBY 7 ON 7 TOURNAMENT SLO Rugby is synonymous with seven-a-side rugby. Our legendary Tri-Tip Sevens Tournament has been the highlight of California’s summer rugby calendar since 1985. This year’s event will be held on September 10th at the Damon Garcia Sports fields in SLO. We offer the perfect mix of competitive play (several previous champions have gone on to win the national title). It is also a popular stopover for many interstate and international touring teams; including various entries over the years from Scotland, Australia, Wales, and more. This all adds to the colorful festive atmosphere that makes the Tri-Tip Sevens a ‘must see’ event. For more information go to slorugby.org


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DUBRUL COMPETES IN 100-MILE RUN Dr. Scott A. Dubrul of SLO recently completed the 100-mile course on the Tahoe Rim Trail in 27 hours and 36 minutes, placing 23rd out of 118. In order to prepare for this accomplishment, his weekly race training included two shorter runs (around 10 miles in 2 hours), and one long run every weekend, ranging from 25 to 35 miles. He’s has now competed in 2 Ultra-marathons of 100 mile distance.

10TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 MEMORIAL SERVICE A memorial service to honor those who have served and those who have died for our country will be held on Monday, the 12th of September at 10:00 a.m. at Laguna Lake Golf Course, SLO. A short flag service and a tribute to long time American Legion member, Bob Bryn, will be honored. Cookies and punch will be served. The Public is invited.

10TH ANNUAL 9/11 AMERICAN THUNDER BBQ Join us to honor and support our US troops at Mitchell Park, SLO on Sunday, September 11th, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. BBQ free to military in uniform, others $10. The program will consist of military guest speakers, music and Honor Guard. Donations will be collected for our troups. For more information go to: www.9-11americanthunder.com

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM RECEIVES $25,000 GIFT The SLO Children’s Museum is the recent recipient of a $25,000 gift from the Edna Piantanida Trust, in memory of Paul Piantanida, who ran the auto repair business on the site where the museum stands today. The Paintanida family has a long history with the Children’s Museum. Edna’s husband, Paul, owned the machine shop at the corner of Nipomo and Monterey Streets. Paul’s Garage opened in 1948 and eventually served as the original Children’s Museum.

SARP CENTER KICKS-OFF 5TH ANNUAL FUNDRAISER The Sexual Assault Recovery & Prevention (SARP) Center of SLO County recently kicked off its 5th Annual Fundraising Campaign with an ambitious goal of $15,000 to support the agency’s counseling and crisis services programming. The SARP Center provides crisis intervention services and clinical counseling to men, women and teens who are survivors of sexual assault, as well as their family and friends. Services include a 24-hour crisis line, as well as individual and group therapy. In 2010, the agency provided crisis and counseling services to 312 survivors and 150 loved ones, including more than 480 hours of counseling. For further information on counseling and crisis services, as well as the SARP Center’s educational programs, please email [email protected]. To make a donation or for further inquiries, please visit www.sarpcenter.org or call 805-545-8888.


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the 2011 california mid-state fair is noW a summertime memory and one whose success has been reported in the media. I review all kinds of information about business

trends, sales tax results, wins and losses and overall local market performance, and it’s been a while since I’ve seen a story as stellar as that of the 2011 Fair. I think it’s worthy of a closer look, along with a huge round of congratulations to CMSF Executive Director Vivian Robertson and her team. This gang helped generate double digit increases across a number of measures. In a time of disappointing economic news and roller coaster stock market rides, the fair’s performance is one we can look to when we’re short on optimism.

Start with the junior livestock auction / heifer sale – this event is one that always wins attention. Hardworking kids bring their beloved pets to the fair and stay on site with them, readying for the livestock auc-tion. The young sellers are a marketing phenomenon to be reckoned with – it’s likely anyone in business in SLO County has not received a heart tugging letter from a fair participant, inviting bids on his or her pig or lamb or steer. There are always great photos and compelling stories tucked into these letters.

I’ve received everything from poems to clever ad mockups heralding the merits of particular animals. I have a friend, an LA businessman / part-time North County rancher, who this year bought 12 replace-ment heifers. He confesses that a letter from a 4-Her years ago won over his heart…and his pocketbook.

But all that warm fuzzy feeling aside, the livestock auction is still about business, and in 2011 it was big business. The unofficial $1.4 million take marked an 11.2% increase over 2010.

Moving on…concessions this year moved from $884,000 in 2010 to over a million in 2011 – a 20.3% increase. Keep in mind that many of the concessionaires are local – businesses like the Cliffs and non-profits like Atascadero Kiwanis, who stake out the fair and work like dogs, reap returns, and funnel that money right back into the local community.

The admission gate increase by 9.3% this year. But the real star was the Fair’s concert series, posting a boost of nearly 25% in atten-dance—skyrocketing from 67,182 attendees in 2010 to 83,772 in 2011. Whether it was the mix of performers, a community in need of having fun, or some other wild card factor, all we can say is “well done.”

Speaking of well done, there was a special event at the Friday night con-cert of Earl Klugh and Chicago that deserves acknowledgement. Chicago has adopted breast cancer as a cause the band devotes time and money to fighting. The band raises funds for the American Cancer Society by sponsoring a promotion that is simple, yet beyond fabulous. Called “Sing with Chicago,” it works like this—the Chicago website has a list of all upcoming concert venues. Supporters can choose a venue and make

a donation to the American Cancer Society. The largest donor for any particular venue wins the right to, yep, sing with Chicago at that venue.

In Paso Robles that translated to a local guy (anybody know his name? Rumor has him from Arroyo Grande) being introduced to the audience, walking on stage and singing “If You Leave Me Now,” the full song with full band participation. It was such fun to watch. The fellow belted out the song and was clearly having a ball. The number ended with a standing ovation. Talk about a perfect idea—no cost to Chicago, a beyond-thrilling adventure for the singer, great entertain-ment for the crowd and a boost to the American Cancer Society.

So what’s our take away from all this? I think it’s simple. Success is still out there to be found; hard work can still produce results, and we can still have fun through all the downturn and tough times. And the happy stories of California Mid State Fair 2011 may just help rev our own tired engines.

eye on businessMIDSTATEFAIRARECORD-BREAKINGWINNERBy Maggie Cox, Barnett Cox & Associates

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september 5 is labor day.

september hosts farm and safety weeK. Remember that tractors, cows, and rooting hogs always have the right of way.

september 9 is Admission Day. Songwriter Woodie Guthrie said, “California is a garden of Eden, a paradise to live in or see, But believe it or not, you won’t find it so hot If you ain’t got the do re mi.”

school is bacK in session. Our local school tolerates no electronic chatting during class. Teachers call it the 4T rules for no talking, tweeting, texting or twitting.

september 11 is Grandparents Day. The event honors the bond between grandparents and grandchildren.

september 11 is also the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attack on America.

victor mills hated changing diapers on his grandchildren. The Proctor and Gamble engineer spent several years developing dispos-able Pampers. They hit the market in 1961.

harvest moon is September 12. This legendary moon coincides with harvest time and farmers can work late into the night by the full moon light.

our farmer says at the price of manmade power, he would rather harvest by moonlight than floodlight.

singer otis redding, born Sept. 9, 1941, recorded “On the Dock of the Bay” three days before his death in a concert tour plane crash. The song was his first million-seller hit.

birthdays this month include guitarist Dweezil Zappa, comedienne Jane Curtin, author Roald Dahl, and chocolatier Milton Hershey.

september 13 is Chocolate Day held in observance of Milton Hershey’s birthday.

the famous hershey company made wartime ration bars for the military. The U.S. Army Field Ration D bar, with ingredients such as cocoa powder, oat flour and skim milk, provided 600 calories and lousy flavor. The bad taste kept soldiers from eating the bar except in desperation.

1971: Another Hershey wartime creation, the heat-resistant Tropical Chocolate Bar, went to the moon with Apollo 15 astronauts.

vietnam veteran Ray Smith said the Tropical Bars were great for crowd control. He joked, “Since they were harder than depleted uranium, we would throw them at unruly crowds who got too close to the tank.”

september 1951: The Battle of Heartbreak Ridge began in Korea. The month-long battle claimed 3,700 American and French casualties and over 25,000 North Korean and Chinese.

pow/mia day is the third Friday in September. The national obser-vance honors those who were imprisoned during conflicts and those who are still missing.

the pow/mia black and white flag is flown at many military and federal sites. Designed by veteran Newt Heisley, the flag motto is, “You Are Not Forgotten.”

when the peace corps began in 1961, a new house cost $12,500, gas was 27 cents a gallon, and the average U.S. annual income was $5,300.

the peace corps celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The Corps reports a typical volunteer is female, single, 28 years old and with an undergraduate degree.

autumn begins September 23.

september 24 is National Hunting and Fishing Day. Our old retriev-ers celebrate by hunting for sun-drenched beds and fishing for treats.

indian summer is here in time for fall festivals, wine tours, and harvest markets. Pick a weekend and enjoy the country life.

september almanacBy Phyllis Benson

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Happy Grandparent’s Day!

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Advisory Council Invites You To Attend

SHERIFF’S FAMILY DAYSaturday, Sept. 17, 2011 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

FREE Entry for the Entire Family

Law Enforcement & Public Safety Demonstrations & DisplaysOn the grounds of the Madonna Inn (Field area next to Highway 101)

DISPLAYS

DARE Vehicles CHP Helicopter

Command Van • SWAT TeamsCrime Prevention Unit

Antique EquipmentRed Cross • Explorers

Sheriff’s Search & RescueSheriff’s Aero Squadron

Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteer Patrol

Sheriff’s Dive TeamSalvation Army CanteenProbation Department

Animal ServicesHistorical Arms Society

California Law Enforcement Historical Society Police Museum

Footprinter AssociationSurviving Parents Coalition

DISPLAYS

San Luis AmbulanceU.S. Coast Guard

Central Coast Veteran’s Museum

SLO City FireCAL FIRE/SLO County Fire

Law Enforcement Badge Collection

SLO Sheriff’s Dept Custody Division

Drug Enforcement Admin.Helicopter & Lab Truck

DEMONSTRATIONS

Sheriff’s PosseSWAT Teams Canine Units

Bomb Task ForceJaws of Life

Food & Soft Drinks Available for Purchase

“For the Kids”Wrist Bands • Sheriff’s Sticker Badges • Activity Books

Sponsors: Madonna Inn • KSBY-TV • S. Lombardi Advertising • Farm Supply Company • The Coast News

Rabobank • Journal Plus Magazine • San Luis Motor Sports • Katch-Go PetroleumMartin’s Towing • Louie’s Crane Service • Santa Lucia Bank • San Luis Garbage

San Luis Ambulance Service • El Dorado Broadcasters • Oceano/Five Cities Lodge #2504

Sound System Courtesy of

Rich Rolson • Emcee: Marlon Varin

“Let us help you plot a solid course for 2011. Please call for a fresh portfolio review.”

Stephen P. MaguirePresident

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Santa Maria, California 93456

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Fax: 805-922-4055

www.MaguireInvest.com

Chad SilvaFinancial Consultant

Securities offered through JHS Capital Advisors, Member FINRA/SIPC. Maguire Investments and JHS Capital Advisors are not affiliated.

september 2011 journal plus magazine

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