1. law, govt and politics
2. law enforcement
3. police

Volume 27
•
Issue 39
•
December 25 -31, 2014
YOUR COMMUNITY IN YOUR HANDS
LOS OSOS
MORRO BAY
CAYUCOS
CAMBRIA
This festive house, located at 350 Orcas St.,
was awarded second place for Best Lights &
Animation in Morro Bay Beautiful’s Annual
Christmas Lights Contest. More photos on
Page 29. Photo by Neil Farrell
Clock Ticking on Amnesty
Shake-up at City Hall
By Neil Farrell
By Neil Farrell
T
he clock has started ticking for
Morro Bay businesses to get right
with their City fees and not face a
100-percent penalty, with less than 80
days left before time’s up.
The 90-day amnesty period started
Saturday, Dec. 13, City Manager David
Buckingham told The Bay News. That
period is protection from Municipal
Audit Services’ or MAS’ City-ordered
audit of business license, fees, and
potential penalties.
“Two ordinance changes to the City’s
municipal code regarding business
licenses came into effect Dec. 13,”
reads a memo from Buckingham that is
Your a Sly
One Mr.
Grinch
page 4
posted on the City’s website, see: www.
morro-bay.ca.us. “One establishes an
amnesty period from penalties and
the other creates a low-cost business
license for low-revenue businesses.”
MAS’ audit, which started in fall
and was met immediately with
outright scorn by business owners,
will commence once again after
the amnesty period is up. The City
anticipated getting about $1.5 million
total from the audits, with MAS taking
40-percent as a fee.
See Amnesty, page 30
New
Billboard
Unveiled
page 6
Holiday Guide
T
here’s been a shake-up at Morro
Bay City Hall, as the new city
manager has begun the process
of replacing the city clerk.
City Clerk Jamie Boucher is now
classified as a “senior analyst” and
assistant city clerk, Dana Swanson is
now the acting city clerk, the Bay News
has learned.
City Manager David Buckingham said
he made the move to be prepared for
the future. “Before I arrived here,” he
told The Bay News, “Jamie announced
that she was going to retire and her last
day would be near the end of 2015.” He
decided to put in “some appropriate
Holiday
Guide
8 0 5 sound
workplace development. For example,
we need to be thinking now about who’s
going to be the next finance director.”
Asked to explain, Buckingham said
he anticipates [administrative services
director] Susan Slayton to retire
sometime within the next five years.
“We don’t want to have people retire
and not be ready,” he said. “Good
organizations develop their employees
and good organizations plan for the
future.
“We’re looking for a smooth transition
in the city clerk’s office. Instead of
See City Hall, page 30
805
Sound
Harps In
Harmony
page 23
page 34
find your beat
Your Guide to Local
Shopping, Dining and
Holiday Events
page 15
2
•
December 25 - 31, 2014 • Bay News
Table of
Contents
Bret Colhouer
publisher
[email protected]
Homelessness Isnʼt Seasonal ........... 3
Coastal Culture .............................12
Youʼre a Sly One, Mr. Grinch ......... 4
Dinner and a Movie ......................14
Radiation Pills Now Available ......... 4
Holiday Guide .........................15-22
Caroling Cops ............................... 5
805-Sound...............................23-25
Gingerbread House Winners .......... 5
Lifestyle ...................................26-28
New Billboard In Morro Bay .......... 6
Christmas Lights Winners .............. 29
Police Blotter ................................. 7
Letters To The Editor ......................31
Sports ........................................... 8
Morro Bay Chamber News........... 32
King Harris .................................... 9
In The Black .............................33-35
Entertainment .......................13
Harps in Harmony.................34
Neil Farrell
managing editor
The Bay News
[email protected]
Theresa-Marie Wilson
managing editor
The Coast News
[email protected]
Camas Frank
section editor
SLO City News
[email protected]
Paul Winninghoff
sports reporter
[email protected]
Gareth Kelly
business / lifestyle reporter
[email protected]
Michelle Johnson
art director
Christy Serpa
editorial design
Community Calendar................ 10-11
Kathrene Tiffin
copy editor
Kaila Lugo
administrative assistant
ADVERTISING
Dave Diaz
internet, text & loyalty marketing
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS &
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Teri Bayus
Michael Gunther
King Harris
Vivian Krug
Evanne Mingori
Betsey Nash
SLO Nightwriters
Ray Ambler
Ruth Anne Angus
Amy Joseph
Carrie Jaymes
Erin O’Donnell
This is a publication of Tolosa Press, Inc., Copyright 2007–2013 all rights reserved. One free copy
per person. Additional copies can be obtained at
our offices 615 Clarion Court, #2, San Luis Obispo,
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notify us if information is incorrect.
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Call 543-NEWS
Bay News • December 25 - 31, 2014
•
3
NEWS
Homelessness Isn’t Seasonal
By Camas Frank
O
n Dec. 18, the San Luis
Obispo County Department
of Social Services held its
annual memorial for the homeless
who died this year with no one
else to take charge of their mortal
remains.
The same individuals that work
with the homeless and vulnerable
in SLO towards improving their
quality of life, also refused to let
the 12 who died this year go unmourned or forgotten.
Laurel Weir, with the County’s
Homeless
Services
Oversight
Council, said they handed out
flameless candles to the 35 or so
attendees, a higher number present
than last year but also a larger
number of deaths.
“We want it to be a positive
experience,” said Weir, noting that
they take the time to focus the
community’s attention on what can
be done for those in need and the
programs that need support. “It was
a clear cold day, which reminded
us why we were there. We make it
a hopeful, forward looking event
to help keep this from happening
again next year.”
Of the many efforts being made
to help those in need get through
winter on the Central Coast is the
opening of the Prado Day Center
as a nighttime warming station
on nights when the temperature
plummets to freezing or when heavy
rain is forecast.
That doesn’t help as much as
getting people into permanent
housing though, which is why
the Transitions Mental Health
Association has been spearheading
a drive to get the 50 most vulnerable
people they could find into
subsidized housing.
Nicole Holst with County Social
Services explained the process
for finding the most vulnerable,
which included coming up with
a survey and vulnerability index
through which 304 people were
recommended to take part through
their contact with various social
service organizations and though
the SLO Police Department’s
community liaison officers with
whom Holst rode along to meet
some of those in need.
Transition’s
Mark
Lamour,
manager for the “50 Now” program
explained that grants and money
approved by the County Board of
Supervisors has enabled them to
craft a $1.9 million program for
a 3-year housing and assistance
scheme that includes nurses,
therapists and case management
workers to assist the 50 people
given housing vouchers into
permanent and sustainable homes.
That’s in addition to their other
ongoing housing programs that
currently have 41 beds throughout
the County.
“Funds
have
loosened
up
recently,” he said. “We’ve been
working for years to get more
transitional housing opened up
but recently a lot more has come
through.”
So, with government coffers a
little less restricted in one area,
locals are being asked to help out
in another. The public outreach
component of the 50 Now Project —
the “Welcome Home Kit” — drive to
get the formerly homeless off on the
right foot under their new roofs.
Pre-made kits and individual
items are being collected until
Jan. 9. Suggested essentials
include personal hygiene products,
household basics, laundry and
kitchenware
—
toothbrushes,
toothpaste, soap, lotion, toilet paper,
deodorant, paper towels, trash
bags, detergent, fabric softener,
laundry basket, dryer sheets, roll of
quarters, dish soap, sponges, pots,
pans, aluminum foil, cling wrap and
utensils. In short, non-perishable,
non-food items only.
Donations can be dropped off
at all SLO County Department of
Social Services offices, TransitionsMental Health Association, Arroyo
Grande City Hall and United Way of
SLO County. For more information
about these efforts see: www.
slohomeless.com. ✤
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02
Holiday Sale
Merry Christmas
to all of our clients
and friends!
Thank you for
your continuous
support throughout
the year!
Let me help you buy or
sell your home today!
Call
Leslie!
528-2020
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Morro Bay Realty/San Luis Obispo Co.
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License #01218232
875 EMBARCADERO
O
MORRO BAY, CA
805-776-5004
4
•
December 25 - 31, 2014 • Bay News
COMMUNITY
‘You’re a Sly One, Mr. Grinch…’
Photos by Neil Farrell
W
hat does one do when
neighbors are gone for
Christmas and you’re feeling
a little mischievous? As Nancy Ryan
explained, Nikki and Alan McCay,
who live in the 3900 block of Elm St.,
in Morro Bay decided their absent
neighbors’ homes needed a little
Christmas décor, so Alan made and
Nikki painted two unique Grinches
doing what Grinches tend to do — steal
Christmas. “With the permission of
Andy, the owner, they created a most
incredible ‘Grinch’ out of plywood
and stood him on the front yard with
a spotlight and have him stealing the
lights off the top of the house,” said
Nancy.
And they decided City Councilman
Noah
Smukler’s
house
needed
something too. “Nikki and Alan decided
they needed some spirit too,” said
Nancy, “so they made another beautiful
Grinch who is stealing the Christmas
tree and putting it into the green waste
bucket. Pretty appropriate for a couple
who do landscaping as a business.”
And we’d say apropos for a councilman
whose focus is always in the ecofriendly realm. “Our neighborhood has
truly been enhanced by these wonderful
creatures,” Nancy said. ✤
Radiation Pills Now Available in Los Osos
T
he San Luis Obispo County
Public Health Department has
partnered with the Medicine
Shoppe Pharmacy in Los Osos to
distribute potassium iodide in the case
that everyone’s nightmare happens and
Diablo Canyon goes haywire.
Taking potassium iodide (KI)
may be “a protective measure in the
unlikely event of a nuclear power plant
emergency that involves a release of
radiation,” reads a news release from
the County. “KI protects the thyroid
gland against exposure to radioactive
iodine. If taken in an appropriate and
timely dosage, KI can block exposure of
the thyroid gland to radioactive iodine.”
But KI isn’t any king of magic bullet
that will protect you. KI does not protect
other parts of the body from exposure
to other contaminants released during
a nuclear power plant meltdown.
The County is making available a
2-day supply of potassium iodide —
in tablet form — for anyone who lives
or works within a “Protective Action
Zone” surrounding Diablo Canyon. KI
tablets that were previously distributed
will be expiring.
“Treat the disposal of your old KI like
you would any other over the counter
medication,” the County said. Police
and Sheriff’s substations have bins to
accept old meds.
Participation is voluntary. “If you
live or work within a Protective Action
Zone, you may choose to receive
a 2-day supply for each person in
your household or for each of your
employees,” the County said. “KI is
available at:
• The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy,
1199 LOVR, Los Osos;
• Public Health Department, 286
South 16th St., Grover Beach; and,
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KI should only be ingested after
specific instruction by a local or state
public health official. In the event
of an emergency at Diablo Canyon
Power Plant, KI will not be available
to the public at the distribution
locations, or at “Evacuee Monitoring,
Decontamination
and
Reception
Centers,” so it is recommended to get
some in advance.
For a KI voucher and more
information, see: www.slocounty.
ca.gov/health. ✤
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Bay News • December 25 - 31, 2014
COMMUNITY
Caroling Cops Spreading Joy
Photos by Neil Farrell
M
orro Bay Police continued
their long-standing tradition
of Caroling Cops last week
parading decorated vehicles through
the streets of Morro Bay over three
nights. The parade started in the 1990s
with a single police car decorated with
Christmas lights and now includes a
be-decked trolley and five cars, with
Santa and Mrs. Claus riding the trolley
handing out toys and spreading joy;
even bringing a smile to volunteer
extraordinaire, John Lewan. ✤
Gingerbread House Winners
M
orro Bay Future Farmer’s of
America held a gingerbreadhouse building contest after
its Dec. 10 business meeting. During
the contest, teams of three competed
to build a house out of graham
crackers and frosting. The teams
could bring whatever they wanted to
decorate and add on to their house,
and got 30 minutes to complete their
masterpieces. We’re told the judges
had a difficult time deciding a first
place winner but settled on Falon
Molnar, Brooke Lynn, and Anne Bailey
for their Christmas trailer theme. Sarah
Sandoval, Lacey Haas, and Makena
Leavens [shown here] tgook second for
a barnyard Christmas theme. ✤
•
5
6
•
December 25 - 31, 2014 • Bay News
NEWS
New Billboard Unveiled
T
ravelers on Hwy 1 heading
to Morro Bay have a new
billboard photo welcoming
them to the city, after the Tourism
Bureau recently redesigned the
billboard.
The billboard lies between San
Bernardo Creek and San Luisito
Creek roads. This new design is at
least the third for the sign.
“It was overdue for a change,”
said Brent Haugen, director of
the Tourism Bureau, “and we are
thrilled with this new look on the
highway.”
Haugen said they got a lot of input
from locals on what image should
be on the billboard including shots
of the beach, bay, estuary, the stacks
and of course Morro Rock.
Haugen
discovered
Brent
Haywood,
a
commercial
photographer from San Diego
and specifically four different
photographs that dimensionally
would fit the billboard. Of the four
presented to the Tourism Bureau
Board of Directors, Haywood’s
aerial photo of Morro Rock and the
bay was chosen. The large photo
takes in just about everything
— Morro Rock, the beaches, the
Sandspit, the waterfront, the town,
and the estuary. The new sign also
has reflective lettering that will
make it more visible at night.
Another thing that has changed
— special events will no longer be
allowed to put signs up on top of the
billboard.
“Due to safety and liability
concerns of both the
bureau and the owner of
the land,” Haugen said,
“additional banners and
pop-up signs will not be
allowed on the billboard.
As a solution, local events
will have the opportunity
to be highlighted in a
new cooperative program
developed
with
the
bureau.”
They plan to put in
a large strip across the
bottom of the billboard
where — for a fee —
multiple events can be
advertised.
“We hope travelers
will enjoy seeing the
beautiful aerial shot on
the billboard,” Haugen
said, “and most of all that
it will encourage people
to stop, shop, eat, play and stay
in Morro Bay.” In the photo are
Haugen and Jazmyn Strickland and
the new sign. Submitted photo. ✤
Tolosa Press • December 25 - 31, 2014
•
7
POLICE BLOTTER
Avila Beach
• Dec. 14: Santa Díos, someone
reported indecent exposure on San
Juan Street at 3:37 a.m. Deputies got
there at 3:42 p.m. to scope out the
sitch-u-ashun. But alas don’t despair,
a suicidal subject was reported at
8:50 a.m. on Avila Beach Drive and
according to logs, deputies arrived
at 9:07 p.m. and “No Disposition
Needed” by then.
• Dec. 13: A burglary was reported at
3:26 a.m. in the 7000 block of Ontario
Rd. Deputy dog arrived at 3:39 p.m.
to start sniffing around.
Cayucos
• Dec. 14: At 12:15 p.m. someone
reported a swizzle stick traipsing
up the 900 block of Ocean Ave.
According to logs, when deputies
arrived at 12:31 a.m. the guy said
faggedaboutit. But when someone
called at 2:33 a.m. to report a party in
the first block of Bakersfield, deputies
arrived 10 minutes later to bust it up,
an apparent case against there being
safety in numbers.
• Dec. 14: A citizen in the 300 block
of Hacienda reported a gosh-darn
dastardly crime, petty theft.
County Jail
• Dec. 15: The Crime Lab boys were
back testing 15 of the shining examples
for possible nefarious acts. And one
apparent scofflaw turned himself in
like a good little porch pooch.
Los Osos
• Dec. 15: Deputies were called at 8:18
a.m. to the 300 block of LOVR where
some graffidiot left his mark on the
world for all to see and guffaw over.
• Dec. 15: Someone in the 2100 block
of Mountainview reported a family
dustup at 12:16 p.m., for when the
Brits might take tea, some Yanks
prefers dere crumpets.
• Dec. 15: Deputies started a crime
report for some misadventure that
took place at 2:30 a.m. in the 600
block of Quintana, no doubt another
EIP — existing in public.
• Dec. 15: Someone called at 9 a.m.
from Los Olivos and Fairchild to report
dastardly shenanigans and deputies
tossed the knackered nincompoop to
the nick.
• Dec. 13: A grand theft was reported in
the 1800 block of Sage Ave., and some
no doubt sage deputy will investigate.
Pismo Beach
• Dec. 17: A caller on the 200 block said
that her daughter had gone to Ecuador
to meet a man and was supposed
to be home in early December. The
daughter called her mother and said
that the man had taken her passport
and wouldn’t let her leave. She was
advised to call the consulate.
• Dec. 17: A caller on the 200 block of
Five Cities Drive reported someone
washing their car without a control
mechanism on their hose.
• Dec. 16: Some doofus was throwing
an axe at a defenseless palm tree on
the 200 block of Grand. The guy
seemed to have taken off on a bike
before police arrived.
• Dec. 16: Some guys on the 200 block
of Pomeroy who had been kicked out
of the Pismo Hotel previously was
possibly planning a return visit. One
arrest was made.
• Dec. 15: Extra patrols were requested
at Ira Lease Park for a couple who
lock themselves in the bathroom
overnight.
• Dec. 15: Some pesky guy had been
asking employees at Beach West
personal questions for the past couple
of weeks. They were told to call when
Columbo was in the business again.
• Dec. 14: Someone passed out in
the handicap stall of the women’s
restroom at the Chevron station. They
were advised of the no camping rule
and, no doubt, advised to sleep in a
hotel bathroom.
• Dec. 14: Two pickled guys were lying
down in the valet parking area at The
Cliffs. They were waiting for a sober
driver.
• Dec. 13: A caller reported a man on
the 800 block of Oak Park carrying
a suitcase and a blanket had been
loitering all morning. He was advised
to move along and apparently went
to Ross Dress for Less. An employee
reported a transient man hanging out
by the fitting rooms and the children’s
toy area. He had a baseball bat
partially hanging out of his suitcase,
obviously waiting for a pick-up game.
He had been in the store several times
and had been asked to leave. He was
advised against trespassing.
• Dec. 12: Someone entered the station
to talk to an officer about a neighbor’s
wind chimes.
San Luis Obispo
• Dec. 18: Police responded at 1 a.m.
to Higuera and Garden for a reported
assault by a woman. The suspect was
white, with red hair, wearing a blue,
flannel shirt and Blue Jeans. The
22-year-old battleaxe was arrested for
suspicion of battery and being bent in
public, which explains a lot.
• Dec. 17: Police were called at 8 a.m.
to the 100 block of Casa at Dr. Collie’s
Office where some James Dean spraypainted, “Teen angst made me do it.”
• Dec. 17: The folks at Napa on Marsh
told police they had video of some
thief cutting through a chain line
fence and stealing stuff, as candid
camera cop strikes again.
• Dec. 17: Folks at Piemontes
Italian Deli on Monterey, said some
mamaluke was locked in the crapper
for 10 minutes and while he answers
their shouts to “Give someone else a
chance!” he won’t come out. Naturally,
the throne hog was gone when police
arrived to flush him out.
• Dec. 17: A citizen in the 2800 block
of Johnson reported at least 10
unauthorized online charges to his
or her credit card. Logs indicated a
juvenile e-rascal was arrested.
• Dec. 17: Police fielded several
violations of the City’s standing in
one place too long law. The first was
at 1 p.m. in the 1700 block of Tonini
where three 20-something men were
sitting on a gray VW Jetta. At 1:33
they went to the 1800 block of Devaul
for three men hanging out behind the
caller’s house for 45 minutes, which
is about 46 minutes too long in this
town.
• Dec. 17: Police got a 9-1-1 hang-up
call at 1:21 p.m. from People’s Self
Help Housing office in the 3500 block
of Empleo. On call back, it went to
voicemail that said they’d “stepped
away from the office.”
• Dec. 17: Police got an emergency,
SOS from a vehicle panic device
by some apparent cockroach on
Cucaracha, as they’d vanished like the
lights were turned on.
• Dec. 17: A man called police at
4:11 p.m. from the 1500 block of
Huckleberry after his daughters came
home at 2:45 and found the front door
wide open. No word on whether some
huckleberry ripped them off.
• Dec. 17: Someone called at 4:40
p.m. from King and Sandercock to
report several teen-aged boys walking
along and smoking the evil weed. At
6 p.m. someone in the 1200 block
of Southwood said there were three
women smoke ganja outside his or
her house, and they do it all the time,
proving once again that weed is habit
forming.
• Dec. 17: Someone called at 5:05 p.m.
to ask police to check the welfare of
some guy wrapped up in blankets at
the Courthouse bus stop who hasn’t
moved for quite a while.
• Dec. 17: At 6:20 p.m. a citizen
at Marsh and Santa Rosa said a
plastered man had fallen out of his
wheelchair near the bus stop. At 8,
someone reported a man sitting in a
wheelchair at Marsh and Santa Rosa,
as apparently the poor fellow hadn’t
rolled far.
• Dec. 17: Someone called at 8:35 p.m.
to report a traffic hazard — a transient
man sleeping across the Bob Jones
Trailhead. The 53-year-old speed
bump had a warrant and went to sleep
in the Parkinson Plaza, just a slight
improvement in the accommodations.
• Dec. 17: Employees at County Mental
Health called at 10:12 p.m. to ask for
a police walk-through after someone
left the back door propped open, as
apparently someone might be crazy
enough to break into the booby-hatch.
• Dec. 17: Police responded at 4:55
a.m. to am/pm in the 12400 block
of LOVR after some scoundrel made
a Bee-double-e double-r u-n — Beer
Run!
•Dec. 16: Someone reported vandalism
at 7:32 a.m. by the elevator in the
Marsh Street parking garage. Logs
indicated he had eyes on the suspect
but “is trying not to be seen,” as Secret
Squirrel is on the case. Police deemed
the call unfounded.
• Dec. 16: Police responded to the
Old Mission Church where some
blasphemous vandal painted the
statue of Fr. Serra.
• Dec. 16: Police responded at 11:04
a.m. to the 3500 block of Empleo
where some guy was trying to steal
a trailer. Then at 11:06, someone
called from Alamo Self Storage on
Tank Farm Road and said he hired a
friend to move his belongings and the
friend had apparently absconded with
them, as someone needs to pick better
friends.
• Dec. 16: Someone called at 11:41
a.m. from Celeste Watters Office in
the 1300 block of Morro reporting
that a patient threatened to kill the
receptionist when told she has to pay,
as Obamacare’s hidden twists turn the
screw again. Then at 2:05 p.m. SLOPD
was asked to meet Morro Bay police at
Sierra Vista for help with a combative
woman prisoner.
• Dec. 16: A woman called police at
2:17 p.m. from Target and said she’d
just taken a photo of someone parked
in a “No parking” zone, because the
apparent vigilante is tired of people
who get away with things like this, in
this week’s example of why we need
SWAT.
• Dec. 16: Someone at Barnes & Noble
on Marsh called at 3 p.m. to complain
about some clown riding a bicycle
around the plaza swearing at people.
The 2-wheeled menace was cited
and released for apparent boorish
behavior.
• Dec. 16: Someone called at 4 p.m.
from the 800 block of Islay to report a
transient man sitting on the sidewalk
rocking and chanting. At the same
time, someone in the area of Monterey
and Osos reported another model
citizen flashing his buttocks and penis
at people. The guy wasn’t arrested, as
it was apparently not a big thing.
• Dec. 16: Police responded at 4:25
p.m. to Victoria’s Secret where they
caught a woman shoplifter who
tried to steal more than $400 in
merchandise, no doubt equal to about
four panties and a three bras.
• Dec. 16: Someone at Higuera and
Garden called at 5:41 p.m. to report a
man walking down the street wielding
an ax and another with a golf club.
Police couldn’t find ol’ Paul Bunyan
and Bob Hope.
• Dec. 16: Someone at LOVR and
Royal called at 7:30 p.m. to report a
man dressed all in black walking in the
street screaming, no doubt begging to
get run over too. Then at 11:15, they
were sent to the 100 block of South
where some Rocky fellow was yelling,
“Adrian!!!” ✤
8
•
December 25 - 31, 2014 • Bay News
SPORTS
Ice Rink Open in SLO
Photos by Erin O’Donnell
A
real ice skating rink returned
to San Luis Obispo’s Alex
Madonna Expo Center Friday
and will stay through Jan. 4. The
rink is open every day in-between
including the Holidays, with nine,
hour-long skating sessions a
day. The opening day saw a lot of
young, first-time skaters, a lot of
helpful volunteers and one clumsy
reporter. Individual sessions are
$9 for those 12-under and $13 for
13-up. Ticket includes skate rental.
A “Golden Ticket” on sale for $100
is good for 17 skates. To see what
you’re getting into before heading
over, watch the fun online at: new.
livestream.com/winterwonderslo/
winterwonderslo. ✤
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Tolosa Press • December 25 - 31, 2014
OPINION
•
9
Unity Telethon A Cherished Memory
Good to be King
By King Harris
O
f all the events I’ve experienced
over the years in my career as a
news journalist, none will ever
quite compare to that of helping to
create and participating in a seasonal
event televised by KEYT-TV in Santa
Barbara that became known as the
“Christmas Unity Telethon.”
Its stage was both inside the studio
and outside on the patio of the facility,
high up on a mesa referred to as “TV
Hill” overlooking the city. With music
provided by the talent from local school
choirs to popular musicians and singers
far and wide, persuaded by those who
already lived in the area, it blossomed
into an incredible 12-hour community
celebration of seasonal spirit and
Yuletide cheer, underscored by the
cause to contribute to a multitude of
less fortunate who otherwise might
not experience any kind of Christmas
whatsoever.
It was a bold undertaking. I don’t
to this day know specifically whose
idea it was, but it had its seeds in one
charitable woman named Barbara
Tellefsen, who for many a year had
been collecting toys, clothing, and food
for those in need at her tiny Christmas
Unity store downtown.
What if, she suggested to my more
than receptive station manager Sandy
Benton in the fall of 1987, we could
get all the various non-profit agencies
like Food Bank, Salvation Army, Toys
for Tots, and others to come together
under one umbrella called “Christmas
Unity” and work as one organization to
ensure that gifts would be distributed
more equally and efficiently?
And what if KEYT could provide
some valuable airtime like a telethon to
raise funds for the cause? Good ideas
on both counts, ones that would come
into fruition when Montecito resident
and super songster, Kenny Loggins,
entered the picture. He suggested,
in his quiet, unassuming manner,
that he could gather a whole bunch
of musicians like himself who would
perform for the event, free of charge,
thereby ensuring a strong and wide
audience. Who could turn down such a
generous offer?
So while Loggins set out to contact
his playmates, including former
partner Jim Messina, and while then
KEYT Production Manager Don Katich
corralled his crew for the monumental
task of producing the program, Benton,
Tellefsen, and I went out to encourage
and convince all the independent and
territorial non-profits to join the Unity
collective.
There were of course a few egos
that had to be converted. One,
rather stubborn in particular and
understandably rightfully so, was that
of an old gruff and feisty retired Marine
Corps officer, who had been in charge
of the local Toys for Tots
program since the Stone
Age, and who wasn’t about
to give up his cherished role
as the agency’s annual Santa
Claus.
He dug his heels in like
the Japanese he fought on
Iwo Jima. As news director,
it became my mission to
present this unusual and
novel idea of cooperation and unity to
him, and, as expected, it wasn’t received
too well, not initially, anyway. All the
other agencies fell in line without much
hesitation.
Our goal soon having been achieved
for the most part, it was then decided
that all food, toys, and clothing
gathered by all the non-profits would be
delivered and housed at Tellefsen’s tiny
Unity headquarters under the Victoria
Theater, where the less fortunate
folk throughout the community
who qualified would enter her miniwarehouse to select the items they
needed for their families and would
leave with their dignity intact.
It was this very special part of the
process that caught the attention of
We’re Your
LARGE DIAMOND Specialists...
other actors, celebrities,
and stars who lived in the
area, and who would over
the years very much desire
to be a part of the annual
fundraiser.
It was decided that an
early weekend in December
would be prime time for
a live, televised event
broadcast on Channel 3,
starting in the afternoon and wailing its
way into the late evening.
KEYT’s news anchors and reporters,
side-by-side with local luminaries,
would provide the pitch for money
and present the various musical
performances sprinkled throughout the
merry marathon.
The studio was transformed into
what may as well have been someone’s
giant living room, decked to the halls
with a glowing fireplace right next
to a huge decorated Douglas Fir,
with hundreds of colorful poinsettias
interspersed among the hundreds of
brightly wrapped presents in all shapes
and sizes all around the room.
Any space left over was dedicated
to a phone bank, manned by tireless
volunteers who collected pledges from
the thousands of callers who decided
to donate. The patio deck outside was
also spruced up as a backdrop for all
the singers who came to perform their
holiday harmony.
Cameras were provided for the
Hollywood hosts entrenched in the
Unity Shoppe, and for our roving
reporters traveling the streets in the live
van capturing the spirit and generosity
of people all over town.
It was a highly-spirited scene, and
quite a magical time. Kenny Loggins,
who had said he would just make an
appearance, got so into the evening,
he confiscated my microphone and
wouldn’t give it back for the rest of
the night. I had to grab a stand-by to
interview Santa Claus, who I recognized
and saluted as soon as I saw him. That
old Toys for Tots Marine had finally
joined the party.
The first KEYT Christmas Unity
Telethon in December of 1987 was
so successful that many more would
follow over the years, I’m proud to say.
I am blessed as well for being a part of
its inception. It truly was a holy night —
but silent, it was not. ✤
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10
• December 25 - 31, 2014 • Tolosa Press
Enjoy this
Season of
Smiles!
GIVE US A CALL AND
WE CAN MAKE YOUR
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Holiday
theater
festive
performance
of
Charles
Dickens,’ “A Christmas Carol,”
from 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday,
Dec. 24 at St Peter’s-by-the-Sea
Church, 545 Shasta Ave., Morro
Bay. Free. A merry troupe of local
actors will present the classic tale
of Ebenezer Scrooge, his wondrous
transformation, and the ghosts that
make it happen, just in time for
Christmas.
The Thursday Night Farmers’
Market in Downtown San Luis
Obispo will not be held on
Christmas Day, or New Year’s
Day, giving the numerous vendors
the holidays off, the Downtown
Association announced. Farmers’
Market, SLO’s signature year-round
event, will resume on Thursday,
Jan. 8 featuring barbecues, a
variety of food vendors, farm fresh
produce, live entertainment, and
specialty products and services.
See the market’s website at:
www.downtownslo.com for more
information.
needed, at the reception desk.
Training will be provided. Habitat
for Humanity Restores, both SLO
and Paso Robles locations, are
in need of Volunteer Cashiers,
Monday through Saturday from
9-5. Good people skills are highly
desirable, but no other specific skills
are required. GleanSLO collects
and harvests produce that would
otherwise go to waste and they are
looking for new volunteers. Work
is seasonal. Volunteers need to be
able to carry 20 lb. boxes; must
be fit enough to wear harvest bags
while walking, use pole pickers
and climb ladders if they choose.
Agricultural experience is valued,
but not required. Call RSVP at 5448740 for information.
Los Osos Valley Road
CALL US AT 805-541-5800
TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.
Shop Local for the Holidays!
The Shell Beach Library
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An anonymous donor has given
the Morro Bay Skateboard
Museum a cool prize to raffle
off and tickets are being sold now.
Museum owner, Jack Smith said
Boxtales Theatre Company
will entertain and amuse with
trickster plays from around the
world, including: Anansi, B’rer
Rabbit, and many more. Come be a
part of the fun. Free for the whole
family thanks to the Harold J.
Miossi Charitable Trust. The show
will be presented in the Community
Room at the San Luis Obispo
Library on Jan. 3 from 10:30
a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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Share the magic of music,
singing and lots of stories at the
Ashley Brown Puppet Show.
Free for the whole family thanks
to the Harold J. Miossi Charitable
Trust. It will be presented in the
Community Room at the San Luis
Obispo Library on Dec. 27 from
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Each year during the holidays
the Nybak Wing of the San Luis
Museum of Art transforms into
a high-end art gallery boutique
sporting a cache of treasures
created by local artisans. This year
the Craft Art Market celebrates its
27th year with a dazzling array of
artful gifts, holiday ornaments, fine
jewelry, textiles, home décor, and
intricate ceramics. The museum is
closed Tuesdays and holidays but
otherwise open from 11 a.m. to
5 p.m.
SLO Skiers, a local non-profit
sport and social club, is having its
next monthly meeting at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the Elks’
Club Lodge, 222 Elks Ln., SLO.
Membership is $40 per year and
open to all adults. Sports activities
and social events are held all year
long. See the website at: www.
sloskiers.org or call 528-3194 for
more information.
Put your life experience to work
with RSVP. Join with many other
seniors, age 55 and over, who
are taking time to help improve
the lives of others. RSVP can
match your talents and interests
with community needs. Friends
of Arroyo Grande Library needs
senior volunteers for setting up
and cashiering for book sales.
SLO Senior Center needs on-call
substitute volunteers to fill in, as
the donor, who wants to be called
“Elf,” bought the rig — a Maherajah
26” by 9” deck, with Paris 180mm
trucks, Kryptonics 75mm wheels,
and SW Bearings — and donated it
back. Tickets to win the rig are $1
each or 10 for $5 and are available
at the Museum, located in Marina
Square corner of Pacific and the
Embarcadero in Morro Bay or
online at: www.mbskate.com. The
winning ticket will be pulled Jan. 1.
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Tolosa Press • December 25 - 31, 2014
ceremony and ribbon-cutting to
celebrate their newly expanded
space. Featured guests include
Pismo Mayor Pro Tem Ed Waage,
City Manager Jim Lewis, County
Supervisor Adam Hill, and SLO
County Library Director Chris
Barnickel. Light refreshments will
be served. The event takes place
Jan. 7 at 2 p.m.
Fresh off getting a $177 million
construction
bond
approved,
the San Luis Coastal Unified
School
District
is
now
accepting applications for
an “Independent Oversight
Committee,” that would help
manage the various project budgets
that will be coming up over the next
several years.
The committee will have seven
members that will meet, review and
report on expenditures of monies
to ensure it is used only for voterapproved purposes.
Interested
persons
may
obtain an application from the
Superintendent’s Office, located at
1500 Lizzie St., Building B, San Luis
Obispo, or download the application
from the District’s website, see: www.
slcusd.org under “Community/Bond
Information.” Applications are due
by Feb. 17 at the district office.
The Friends of the Cayucos
Library will hold a winter
book sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 17 on the library
patio. Choose from hundreds
of used books, CD’s and DVD’s
at bargain prices. All proceeds
support the library and the Friends’
various community programs. Also,
the Friends will hold a “Booked for
Lunch” event at noon, Friday, Jan.
9 in the library community room.
Bring a brown bag lunch and share
your recommendations of a favorite
or recently read books. Free. The
Cayucos Library is at 310 B St.
The Artful Holiday Gift Show
at the Gallery at the Network in
SLO brings together the works of
more than 50 Central Coast artists
with handcrafted and original
artworks, and fine art crafts. Show
runs through Jan. 31. The Gallery
is open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
and Sundays from 11-5. Free gift
wrapping, gift certificates and time
payment arrangements available.
Gallery at the Network is at 778
Higuera St., Ste. B. Call 788-0886 or
see: www.thegalleryatthenetwork.
com for more. Shown here is a
holiday necklace by Ann Bonstell. ✤
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•
11
12
• December 25 - 31, 2014 • Tolosa Press
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artifacts, ordinance and memorabilia
from the past half-century, then the
Estrella Warbirds Museum in Paso
Robles is the place for you.
Started in 1992 right next to the
Paso Robles Municipal Airport, the
Estrella Warbirds Museum was started
with the simple goal of the restoration
and preservation of military aircraft,
military vehicles and memorabilia and
those who flew and worked on military
aircraft. With many jets on display,
various other planes, helicopters and a
hugely popular flight simulator capable
of simulating flying in 30 aircraft, the
museum, one of only a handful in the
country that is both a drive-in and flyin museum, has slowly but steadily
grown to a site now covering more than
12 acres.
“In 2009, we added the Woodland
Automotive
Display
Building,
which is home to a fantastic array
of automobiles. We have a beautiful
Mercedes with wing doors, Indy cars
and classic cars from various decades in
American history,” said Sue
Dollemore, the museum’s
fund development manager.
“As we’ve continued to
grow with the use of grants
and donations, we’ve been
able to expand. We’ve
expanded our main hanger,
Hanger One, and with a 50
percent increase in visitor
traffic, we are currently
in the process of building
a new facility to house a
collection of pristine trucks
from General Patten’s Red
Ball Express from World
War II,” Dollemore said.
With monthly dinners,
social
gatherings
and
a committed group of
volunteers, staff, donors and the like,
the Estrella Warbirds Museum will be
expanding its hours from summer of
2015 to be open seven days a week.
Always looking to increase its
community outreach and fundraising
opportunities, it will also be hosting an
Air Show on Aug. 29, something that
had to be cancelled this year due to the
museum’s ongoing construction. They
are also looking for a certified curator
to head up operations at the museum.
The Estrella Warbirds Museum is
located at 4251 Dry Creek Rd. in Paso
Robles. It is currently open Thursday
through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for
children and all active military get in
for free. To find out more, see: www.
ewarbirds.org. ✤
Got a story to share? Fly over to
your email and tell Gareth all about it
at [email protected].
Tolosa Press • December 25 - 31, 2014
Doors open at 7:30,
and the show stars at
8:00. There will be
beer, wine, champagne,
and
soft
drinks
available.
W. Terrence Spiller, will give
a benefit recital
Cal Poly Music Department
Chairman, W. Terrence Spiller,
will give a benefit recital at 8
p.m. Friday, Jan. 9 in the Spanos
Theatre on campus. Tickets are $9 for
students and senior citizens and $12
for the public including all Performing
Arts Center fees, and parking. Tickets
are sold at the PAC Box Office from
noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays.
Order by phone at 756-4849. Get a
10-percent discount when you buy
season tickets to four of the music
department’s events and a 15-percent
discount on tickets to five or more
events. Proceeds benefit the Cal Poly
Music Department Scholarship Fund.
Spiller’s program includes Haydn’s
“Variations in F minor,” Debussy’s
“Suite
Bergamasque,”
Albéniz’s,
“Triana” from “Iberia, Book II,” and
Chopin’s “Preludes, Op. 28.”
The Pewter Plough Playhouse
is holding a special New Year’s
Eve party with a performance of the
musical play, “Duke’s Place,” featuring
Duke Ellington’s music and starring
some of SLO County’s best vocalists.
Tickets are $130, all Inclusive and
available form the Playhouse Box
Office, call 927-3877 or online at: www.
pewterploughplayhouse.org. The night
includes a buffet dinner, the show and
an after-show party in the PPP lounge.
After last year’s sold out costume
ball, Zongo All-Stars is at it again
with the 2014 Time Traveler’s
Ball. Dress from any time period past or future - and join us for a great
night of music and dance in Los Osos at
the Community Center.
The journey begins with the big,
soulful award winning vocal sounds
of The Monroe.
Following them
will be Solstice, an amazing power
funk trio with almost 70 years of
collective experience together: Dylan
Johnson, Jacob Odell, and Jennings
Jacobsen. Taking you up to midnight
will be the hot, fun, Afro-Caribean
sounds of current New Times Readers
Poll Brest Local Band, Zongo AllStars. Then at midnight, all three
bands and special guests will take the
stage for a big Superjam to get 2015 off
on the right note.
Get your tickets early at zongoallstars.
com as it is likely to sell out.
A group of master
musicians will team
up for a fun show
at the Red Barn
Music Series in Los
Osos, set for 6 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 3. Cost is
$15 at the door. There’s
a potluck supper at 5,
Western Music singer, Dave Stamey
so bring a dish to share
and place settings.
Calling themselves “The Guttersnipes,”
the all star line up is Kenny Blackwell inspiring feats create an event with all
(mandolin), Doran Michael (guitar), of the excitement and pageantry of a
Louie Ortega (guitar) and Ken Hustad Chinese Carnival. Tickets range from
(bass). Given the extensive and diverse $36 to $46 and can be purchased at
backgrounds of each of “the ‘Snipes” www.clarkcenter.org.
you’ll get “a gumbo” of styles including
pop, jazz, blues, and country, plus some
Also at the Clark Center is the
Tejano, Brazilian and Celtic. The Red
Lonesome
River Band on Jan. 17 at
Barn is located at 2180 Palisades Ave,
Los Osos. This show is made possible 8 p.m. The Lonesome River Band
through the support and assistance is one of the most popular, influential
of the entire Red Barn Community and respected acts in bluegrass music.
(“Children of the Barn”) and support Lonesome River Band’s long career is
from KCBX Public Radio and Live Oak filled with a multitude of Awards and
Recognitions from the International
Music Festival.
Bluegrass Music Association including
Album of the Year, Bluegrass Band of
Western Music singer, Dave Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Song of
Stamey, will perform at 7 p.m. the Year and Banjo Player of the Year.
Friday, Jan. 9 at Coalesce Bookstore, The Band just celebrated their 30th
845 Main St., Morro Bay. Tickets are Anniversary with three 2012 album
$15 a person and available at the store releases that have strengthened their
or buy calling 772-2880. A former reputation and displayed the distinctive
real cowboy, Stamey is an entertainer LRB sound fans love. Tickets range
now, dropping the boots and spurs for from $35 to $42 and can be purchased
a guitar and playing music festivals, at www.clarkcenter.org. ✤
agricultural banquets and backyard
barbecues. He has been
voted Entertainer of the
Year, Male Performer of
the Year and Songwriter
of the Year by the Western
Music Association, and
Male Vocalist of the
Year by the Academy of
Western Artists. He’s
been described as the
“Charley
Russell
of
Western Music.”
It’s the return of a
Central Coast favorite
at the Clark Center
in Arroyo Grande on
Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. Since
their debut in 1986,
The Peking Acrobats
have continued to push
the envelope of human
possibility. They perform
daring maneuvers atop
a precarious pagoda of
chairs. They are experts at
treacherous wire-walking,
trick-cycling,
precision
tumbling, somersaulting
and gymnastics. They
defy gravity with amazing
displays of contortion,
flexibility and control.
They are masters of agility
and grace and their awe-
Louie Ortega to play the Red Barn Music
Series in Los Osos
•
13
14
• December 25 - 31, 2014 • Tolosa Press
Dinner and a Movie
Top-10 Restaurants of 2014
By Teri Bayus
E
ach year a few new and new-tome restaurants stand out in my
mind as the best. I have picked
my top restaurants that will be open
for New Year’s Eve, as I believe if you
go out only one night per year, this is
the night to indulge in the best food
you can find.
Some are “bring your banker” type
of meals, some our small but mighty
culinary destinations.
1.
Ember Arroyo Grande. Very few
restaurants over my past 20 years
of being a food writer have captured
my heart like Ember. I can tell you I
dine there weekly, and sometimes
sitting at the bar with a wild mushroom
pizza with three kinds of chef foraged
mushrooms, wild nettles, smoked
leeks and a farm egg with a glass of
Daou Cabernet is enough to sooth
my foodie soul. Other nights, I bring
a group of friends and dig into every
dish on the menu. I can tell you that
I have never have had such culinary
excellence in both service and food
so consistently. Brian Collins and
his team have created gastronomic
nirvana and you need to get there
soon. Do not be swayed by tales of
long waits, dine outside the norms,
and you will be fine.
Ember is offering an amazing New
Year’s Eve experience. They are
taking reservations for two seating’s
beginning at 5 and 8 p.m. with a
four-course menu with options (and
a few surprises from Chef Brian) and
a Champagne toast. Call to reserve a
table at (805) 474-7700.
2.
Foremost Wine Company, San
Luis Obispo. This new kid on
the block has captured the foodie
culture and Chef Julie Simon has
more talent in her thumb than most
of the chefs around. Pair her with
Sommelier Robin Puricelli and you
have a magical menu. The 8-course
menu for New Year’s Eve includes,
oysters in Brachetto D’ Acqui Gelée,
Pomegranate. Burrata with American
sturgeon caviar, licorice herb and See
Canyon egg yolk raviolo, black truffle,
hazelnut brown butter. Next they
will have Chinatown Dungeness crab
salad and then a Rinconada Dairy
goat confit. Dessert is a chocolaté
truffle trio with hazelnut, Rose petal
and Meyer lemon. You cannot go
wrong with this chef or restaurant at
anytime. Call (805) 439-3410
3.
Gardens of Avila, Avila Beach.
My one true sure thing in life is
this restaurant. I visit for birthdays,
anniversaries and special events.
This chef can do magic and with his
garden across the bridge to forage
from, he creates miracles every
night. Inspired by the bounty that
surrounds, The Gardens of Avila
features
seasonal,
spontaneous
cuisine. Every dish is artfully prepared
by Chef Gregg Wangard using the
freshest ingredients from local and
organic farms, ranches, fisheries and
vineyards. This dedicated focus on
bringing these elements together is
the very essence of what makes the
ever-changing menu at the Gardens of
Avila so admired. Enjoy a handpicked
meal for New Years and delight in Chef
Gregg Wangard creative and amazing
dishes. Call them at (805) 595-7302.
4.
Sea Venture- Pismo Beach.
This is where ocean views meet
coastal cuisine. Gracing the third
floor of the Sea Venture Beach Hotel
is a restaurant that will delight your
senses. The panoramic views from
large picture windows and outdoor
decks include breathtaking sunsets
and the pristine Pacific Ocean.
And if the views weren’t enough,
in walks Chef Casey Walcott and his
contemporary coastal cuisine inspired
by the surrounding local wine country.
Delight in his seasonal menus that are
carefully prepared based on local farm
produce, premium meats, and the
highest quality fresh fish and seafood.
Every palate is sure to be delighted.
New Year’s Eve dinner is a 6-course
meal inspired by the sea and the
vineyards. Reservations at (805) 7734994.
5.
The Cliff’s Resort (Marisol),
Pismo Beach. A true coastal view
that will always take your breath away
is to be found at The Cliff’s Resort.
What better way to ring in the New
Year with the waves crashing on the
beach, as you dine and dance the
night away? Join the amazing staff for
a sultry, romantic dinner in Marisol
with an exquisite 4-course Prix Fixe
dinner including a welcome glass of
champagne. Or you can choose the
main event in the ballroom. Included
in the party are a full bar, cocktail
service, photo booth, and an abundant
candy bar. You can
choose, dinner and the
party or either one.
Call (805) 556-3318 for
reservations.
6.
Apple Farm, San
Luis Obispo. The
Apple Farm is where
old meets new with
traditional recipes honored and
new farm-to-table cuisine prepared
by masterful chef Steven Smeets.
Join them for a special New Year’s
with a 4-course farm to table meal.
Treats include salmon tartare, local
Dungeness crab, baby carrot garden
with smoke garlic foam, Tur-duck-en
Terrine, puff pastry, and a filet of lamb.
Pastry chef extraordinaire, Willette
Vey, will be bringing the night in with
black and white cake. Call (805) 5442040 Ext. 637.
7.
Cracked Crab, Pismo Beach. I
have spent the at least four New
Year’s Eves at this amazing restaurant
because on this auspicious night of the
year, I want the best. And hands down
they have the best seafood ever plucked
from the ocean. Alaskan king crab. The
Cracked Crab always serves the finest
seafood available, in a most casual
style. The house specialty consists
of a big bucket of shellfish, casually
dumped on your paper-covered table
with sausage, potatoes, corn, and all
the tools needed to crack crab. Spoil
yourself and go here. They do not take
reservations, but it is worth the wait.
Call (805) 773-2722.
8.
Atari-Ya, Santa Maria. I will only
eat at one sushi restaurant and
this is it. They are open on New Year’s
Eve until 9 p.m. but it is worth it to go
and sit at the bar and have sushi chef,
Enrique, spoil you with the best sushi
anywhere. They also offer a Japanese
New Year “Osechi” Special Box that
includes shrimp, chicken, beef, grilled
fish, Ikura, Kimpira, and Kamaboko,
so you can take it to go and enjoy
traditional Japanese New Year’s food.
They are taking orders, and it will be
ready for pick up after noon of Dec. 31.
Call (805) 922-0025.
Artisan, Paso Robles. Chef Chris
Kobayashi uses time-honored
techniques to bring vibrancy to each
dish served. Chef Chris is whimsical,
talented, and amazing. Artisan is
built upon Chef Kobayashi’s attention
to detail, focus on locally-sourced
ingredients and fervor for refined
cuisine. He will blow your mind on
New Year’s. If you can’t make it then,
see him in January. Reservations at
(805) 237-8084.
9.
10
. Mistura, Paso Robles. A new
kid on the block, but owned by
a renowned and seasoned chef, Nicola
Allegretta of Mama’s Meatballs. He
was looking to fulfill a hole by offering
South American fare. Peruvian cuisine
combines pre-Inca and Inca staples
and food with the Spanish, Basque,
African, Asian, French, Italian and
British cuisine. It is a unique fusion
of the culture, traditions and flavors
of four continents. It will blow your
mind. Call them at (805) 238-3333.
Happy New Year Foodies! ✤
Teri Bayus can be reached at:
[email protected] or follow
my writing and ramblings at: www.
teribayus.com. Teri is also the host
of Taste Buds, a moving picture
rendition of her reviews shown on
Charter Channel 10 or at: www.
centralcoastnow.tv. Dinner and a
Movie is weekly feature of Tolosa
Press.
Holiday Guide
Your Guide to Local
Shopping, Dining and
Holiday Events
16
Christas In The Village
• December 25 - 31, 2014 •
Tolosa Press Special Publication
Unique Shopping & Dining · Antiques · Historic Landmarks · Free Parking
Holiday Guide
Edgy Cuts
for Sharp People.
DECEMBER SPECIAL:
SANTA IN THE
VILLAGE
Nov. 28th til’ Christmas
Wed. & Fri. 3:00-5:30
Sat. & Sun. 12:00-4:00
Free Shine Overlay
with Every Color
THE
VILLAGE
SALON
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Serving Fresh
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for 30 Years!
T
his Holiday season explore the Historic Village of Arroyo
Grande, the Central Coast’s unique turn-of-the-century
downtown village. You’ll find an array of antique and specialty
shops plus fine dining nestled within the scenic atmosphere of historic
buildings and natural beauty. ✤
PATIO DINING
Mon-Sat, 11am-7pm
Sun, 11am-5pm
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on the
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474-8797
(next to the AG Post Office)
$2.99 Lunch
or Dinner
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Buy 1 Lunch or Dinner at regular
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of equal or lesser value for $2.99
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of equal or lesser value for $2.99
With the purchase of 2 drinks. Not valid with any
other offers or discounts. Expires 12/31/14.
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127 E. Branch St
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Arroyo Grande
CLOTHING TO FIT
WOMEN JUST LIKE YOU
JWLA
3J Workshop
JOHNNY WAS
“In the Village”
121 E. Branch Street
Arroyo Grande
805-574-1727
1122 Morro Street
San Luis Obispo
805-784-0664
840 11th Street
Suite 103, Paso Robles
805-239-8282
www.shopapropos.com
Find us on
Facebook
full bar | 12 beers on tap
family-friendly menu
200 E. Branch Street, Arroyo Grande
www.roostercreektavern.com
805.489.2509
open daily from 11:30 – 10:00
Tolosa Press Special Publication • December 25 - 31, 2014 •
The Best Christas Ever
I
n 1973, when I was 15 years old,
my father disappeared. This
wasn’t completely unusual. It
had happened before, but never for
weeks. My dad was an alcoholic. He
got paid every Friday. Often instead
of depositing his check or bringing it
home, he’d cash it and head to the bars.
He’d drink part of it away and then go
to the local card room to gamble the
rest of it into nonexistence.
In December that year, when
my dad was still MIA, my mom decided
to go looking for him with her friend.
“Betty and I are going to disguise
ourselves, with wigs and sunglasses.
We’re going to drive around in her car
until we find your father.” It probably
would have been best if I didn’t know
they found my dad with some other
woman, but I suppose my mom didn’t
want me to worry about whether he
was dead or alive.
The mystery of my missing
father was solved, but not our lack of
money, and we were running out of
food. We hadn’t had milk in the house
for over a week. It didn’t really bother
me. I just poured extra sugar on my
cereal. It didn’t taste so bad with the
water.
My mom was pretty ingenious. She
was working at a school, and one day
she brought home all the left over
pumpkins that were used as decorations
for Halloween and Thanksgiving.
“What are you going to do with
those?” I asked.
“You’ll see,” my mom grinned. She
made pumpkin bread, pumpkin soup
and pumpkin pancakes. After a week
she said, “I hope you aren’t getting tired
of pumpkin.”
I smiled and hugged her. “It all tastes
good to me.”
A week before Christmas our
cupboards had grown pretty bare. I
wasn’t really worried about getting
presents— it seemed obvious that
wasn’t going to happen. Not having a
special dinner would be disappointing.
But, low and behold, arriving home
from church one evening we found
something on our front porch. “Look,
boxes of food, and there’s a frozen
turkey!” I said excitedly.
“And all the fixings,” my mom added,
her face beaming.
Christmas Eve, my mother and I put
the X’s on the chestnuts, and roasted
them in the oven. When they were
cooled and cracked, we nibbled them
Zoey’s Home
consignments
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805 596 0288
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Where
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Wh
eree You
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at You
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i ht F
ig
Find!
in
ind!
n d!
while listening to Nat King Cole croon,
“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.”
Christmas morning I woke up to
the sweet aroma of onions and garlic
being sautéed for turkey dressing.
When I wandered into the living room,
there were three small gifts under a
decorated tree. My mom was not only
ingenious, but creative as well. I was
curious what treasures she had come
up with to wrap.
I opened a hand knitted winter cap
and a book she had put together of
all my favorite recipes. The last gift
she handed me was a small package. I
opened it— a beautiful cross necklace
lay in a silk lined box. My eyes grew
wide with excitement. “How did you
pay for it?”
“Someone from church handed me
some money and asked me to buy a gift
for you.”
“Who was it?”
My mom smiled, “They want to
remain anonymous.”
My older brother and his family came
to Christmas dinner. We feasted on all
the wonderful delicacies my mother
made with the meal a mysterious
someone had given us.
17
We never
found
out
who left that
food. Maybe,
a thoughtful
neighbor.
Possibly,
someone
from church
who
had
heard about
our
plight.
Or, it could
have
been
my
older
brother who
had brought milk and bread a couple
weeks before. Whoever it was, made it
the best Christmas ever because it was
filled with love.
Our tummies were full too.
Lili is a member of SLO NightWriters,
the premier writing organization on
the Central Coast of California. She
has lived on the central since she was
eight, and has been writing since she
was thirteen. Lili has written four
children’s books and is currently
working on an adult novel.
&'("'*&*'
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18
• December 25 - 31, 2014 •
Tolosa Press Special Publication
5 Affordable Enteraining Ideas
Guaranteed To Impress At Holiday Paries
T
he holidays are coming up
quickly, and that means there’s
plenty of reason to celebrate.
Whether you’re throwing a party for
the first time or you’re continuing a
long-running annual tradition, hosting
a festive celebration with friends and
family is a lot of work and always worth
it. This year, take your party to the
next level to truly impress your guests
- without breaking the bank.
Consider these five entertaining
secrets that expert party planners use
to throw unforgettable holiday parties
for less:
60%OFF
Themes
Set the
stage and get
everyone in a
festive mood
with a great
theme. A bit of
brainstorming
is
all
you
need to figure
out the best
theme for your
celebration.
From
an
o u t d o o r
a u t u m n
harvest
to
a New Year’s masquerade, the sky’s
the limit. For a fun twist on holiday
celebrations, consider having a favorite
movie be the theme for the party.
Include the theme on the invitations
you send so guests know the details!
Food
Whether you’re serving appetizers or
planning a full-out feast, food is a party
essential. Enhance your food service
by renting everything you need for an
impressive presentation. Silver food
chafers, flatware, serving trays and
more are available from your local ARA
Our large selection of
fashion scarves!
Bundle up buttercup!
rental store. The expert staff can make
recommendations based on your menu
and help you select the perfect items
for food and drink. You might even
consider renting a few fun extras, such
as a chocolate or champagne fountain
to really impress guests and make your
party stand out.
Entertainment
No great holiday party is complete
without entertainment. Let music set
the mood by creating a custom playlist.
Then amplify those tunes by renting a
professional sound system and dance
floor to watch guests move and grove.
For movie-themed parties, consider
renting a projector so guests can view
the flick in style! Finally, casino or
carnival games are sure way to get
everyone involved in the festivities and
provide fun for all ages.
Decor
You may already have some decor
to use at your holiday-themed party,
but to really impress this year,
consider fresh ideas for stunning and
unexpected decorations. If you prefer
the DIY route, visit sites like Pinterest
for ideas on how to create beautiful
decor. If you’re short on time or simply
aren’t crafty, you can rent table linens,
runners and centerpieces. Visit www.
RentalHQ.com to learn more about
affordable holiday decor rental options.
When deciding on decor, don’t forget
about the importance of lighting. Not
only do the right lights create the ideal
ambience, they also provide an element
of safety and brighten up dark spaces
so guests have more room to mingle.
Extras
The extra touches - big and small - are
what truly spice up a party and give it
that professionally planned feel. Small
additions like coat racks eliminate
the pile of coats and purses, keeping
rooms neat and tidy. Extra chairs
ensure guests are comfortable whether
they are visiting, eating or drinking.
For a truly festive celebration, rent a
bar and set up a drink station with all
the barware needed to really impress
guests. If you’re having a big party,
don’t pack into your house - rent a tent
and heaters if necessary and let the
good times roll!
Come up with a few fresh ideas and
rent some unique items that guests
won’t expect, and you’ll set a new
standard for hosting parties among
your friends and family.
Eat - Play - Shop
FREE Holiday Plant Pick!
w/$70 purchase
WANT AN EXTRA 10% OFF?
Text SLOGOOD to 56955
and Join our VIP Club!
741 Higuera St, SLO | 805-787-0683
BAYSIDE CAFE is a wonderful find if you are looking for fresh food
and something off the beaten track where the “Locals” love to eat while
looking over the Back Bay. A restaurant with a casual dinning experience,
great home cooked food from the farm and the sea. Homemade desserts
are a must try. Open 7 days a week for lunch featuring fish and chips,
soups, salads, sandwiches and some Mexican items. Try our dinners served
Thursday through Sunday featuring fresh seafood items as well as tri tip, hamburgers, pastas and
more…Dog friendly heated patio too! Located in the Morro Bay Marina directly across the road
from Morro Bay State Park Campground at #10 State Park Road in Morro Bay! 805-772-1465
GRANDMA’S FROZEN YOGURT AND WAFFLE SHOP
Morro Bay’s newest downtown business, GRANDMA’S FROZEN
YOGURT & WAFFLE SHOP is open and offering Old Fashion
specialty waffles, Real frozen yogurt, and refreshing sorbet. Nonelectronic activities are available throughout the week, including
board and card games. Located on the corner of Morro Bay Blvd. & Main Street, they also provide
a public restroom for downtown guests. Come and enjoy the newly created courtyard as you watch
downtown come alive during the Saturday Farmers Market. Live music is available periodically. Be sure
to Facebook us for daily yogurt flavors and activity updates! Hours: 10am-7pm Sun-Thurs and Fri- Sat
till 10pm. Come see us after the show! 307 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay, CA Call (805) 704-YUMM
(9866)
NATIVE HERBS & HONEY CO opened a new shop in Los Osos. A
locally owned beekeeping company specializing in raw-local honey, 100%
pure beeswax candles, handcrafted soaps, herbal & natural skin care, gifts &
Custom orders. 1001 Santa Ynez St. Los Osos (805) 534-9855. Tue.-Sun..
12-6pm www.nativeherbsandhoney.com
New! $5 Gift Box Create your
own Gift Box or let us inspire you with
our themed boxes! Box includes red
crinkle, box and $5 Gift Certificate
towards future purchase.
(You purchase items for box.)
SMOOBAGE, which means “something that you really love” is a
delightful store that will peak your senses as you search for the perfect
item or gift. You will find Artistic pieces from a variety of local artists as
well as a quaint store that houses a paradise of colorful palettes & textures.
From leather goods to jewelry, greeting cards & a children’s section there are treasures abundant. 591
Embarcadero, Morro Bay. (805) 459-5751. Text SMOOBAGE to 56955 to Join & receive 10% OFF
your next purchase!
Tolosa Press Special Publication • December 25 - 31, 2014 •
Holiday Guide
Madelyn’s
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20
• December 25 - 31, 2014 •
Tolosa Press Special Publication
idays
l
o
H
y
p
p
a
H
nts
nsignme
ey’s Co
from Zo
Photo Album
ents.com
onsignm
c
s
y
e
o
.z
www
Merry
Christmas
from
Old Orcutt | 168
Arroy
o Gra
nde |
114 W
. Bran
ch St
W. Clark Ave. |
805.474.4068
. | 80
|
Downtown SLO
5.474
.4068
. | 805.474.4068
860 Higuera St
oliday
h
s
u
o
y
jo
a
r
fo
u
o
y
Best wishes to
us New Year.
ro
e
sp
ro
p
d
n
a
n
so
a
se
ria
so Robles | Santa Ma
San Luis Obispo | Pa
mas
t
s
i
r
h
C
Merry
ew Year
N
y
p
p
a
&H
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as
www.to
losapre
.com
papropos
www.sho
ss.com
Happy Holidays!
Merry
Christmas
from
www.georgerossc
pa.com
George G Ross C
PA PFS CFP
Your Fi
nancial Safe Harbor™
Cheers to a
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& New Yea
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8 0 5 sound
Tolosa Press • December 25 - 31, 2014
•
23
At the Root of Things: Dorian Michael
The Goddess of Groove
By Mad Royal
find your beat
S
ometimes you see something
or meet someone who defines
a concept for you. A defining
moment for Newton was when the
apple fell on his head (according to
folk legend). That moment defined the
concept of gravity for him. For many
people, the person “Mother” defines
the concept of unconditional love. For
me, hearing Dorian Michael for the
first time defined my understanding
of what was meant by the term “root
blues music”.
In a community that is rich with
traditional blues, Dorian stands in his
own class. To hear him is to find that
important bridge to the music that
started true American music, and from
which all truly great modern music
springs. His quiet and unassuming
manner hides a sharp mind and a
quick wit. He doesn’t suffer fools
gladly. He has a deep respect for fellow
musicians who work hard at their
craft, and who don’t take shortcuts.
His voice is warm and raspy at the
same time. He has wonderful skill
on the acoustic slide guitar (he plays
a big metal resonator guitar from the
National Guitar Company, which is
now based in SLO), His finger-picking
style is truly beautiful and hard to
beat. If you’ve heard the commercial
for Steve Key’s Songwriters at Play on
the Krush Radio, you’ve heard Dorian
singing “That’s the Stuff You Gotta
Watch”.
I always assumed that Dorian grew
up dirt poor on a family farm in the
Midwest somewhere, but it turns out
he lived his entire childhood in Culver
City. When he was 7 years old, his dad
gave him a $15 acoustic guitar and
lessons at the local music store “from
some guy who probably didn’t even
play the guitar, probably the trumpet.”
His dad’s hopes of his learning a
“quiet, portable instrument to play
folk music” back-fired when Dorian
progressed to electric guitars and
amplifiers. The lessons, which taught
classical music and some technique,
were unsatisfactory, although Dorian
didn’t really find that out until he
entered the music program at Cal State
Northridge. From age 15, he became the
lead guitar player by default in several
garage bands, including the “What
Four”, which played at school dances
and the like. He attended college with
kids who went to high schools with
music programs, something which did
not exist in Culver City schools, despite
being a middle class community. “I
had to play catch-up FAST,” he says.
Most of what Dorian knows about
guitar is self-taught, from listening to
his parent’s music, which consisted of
folk, country and blues. The Kingston
Trio was popular then, and some of
his influences were Sonny Kerry and
Brownie McGee, Joan Baez, Josh
White, Pete Seger, Bob Dylan, Dave
Brubeck, and Bach. Dorian says he has
always been most moved by the blues.
When Dorian was 15, he started
going to the Ashgrove Club in West
Hollywood. In those days, Jackson
Browne and Taj Mahal were opening
acts. Muddy Waters performed there.
Dorian says he’s sure that fellow
audience members were Ry Cooder
and Dave Allen, who were known to
frequent the club during the same
period.
Dorian moved to the Central Coast
twenty years ago, and has been
married to Michelle for the same
amount of time. Aside from some
temp day jobs when he moved here,
he has always worked as a professional
musician, including teaching private
guitar lessons in the style he wishes
he’d been exposed to as a youngster.
He spends about four months a year
touring the United States and Canada
as a solo act. Currently he is a member
of three electric bands: The Mystery
Trees, The Cinders Blues Band, and
the Irene Cathaway Band. He also
performs acoustically as a solo artist,
as well as a duo with Kenny Blackwell.
He often accompanies Nicole Stromsoe
and Julie Beaver., and is doing some
studio work with Rick Sutton for
Dave Stamey’s next CD, along with
Ken Hustad, Bill Severance, and Julie
Beaver.
When asked what he hopes audience
members take away from one of his
shows, Dorian says, “I hope they are
emotionally moved somewhere along
the way, whether it is something
pretty, or something gritty and real,
or anything in between.” He likes to
provide a variety of different musical
styles, and he strives to always learn
to become deeper and more rooted
musically. He is preserving something
that shouldn’t be lost, something that is
intrinsic to all good music. He’s good at
it. Go see him. Bring the kids and show
them what roots music really is. ✤
Strawberry Wheat
Dirty Reapin’ Blonde
Fear the Reaper–AMBER
Oblivion–IPA
Apocalyptic–DIPA
Double Damn
–CHOCOLATE LAVENDER STOUT
Sabotage
Wood-Fired Pizza Daily
Live Music Every Friday Night
™
3
M-Th 4–10pm | F 3pm–Midnight
Sa 1–10pm | Su 9:30am–9:30pm
NFL Package
1750
7 El Camino Real
750
Suite
u A, Grover Beach
uite
805.270.3089
0
05.270.3089
www.manrockbrewing.com
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ma
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us @ F
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+ Every Sunday and Monday
night from 10pm to close
+ Drink specials
all night long
24
•
December 25 - 31, 2014 • Tolosa Press
8 0 5 sound
find your beat
South County
Clubs & Nightlife
THE CLIFFS RESORT: 2757 Shell
Beach Road, 773-5000 or cliffsresort.com.
LAETITIA WINERY: 453 Laetitia
Vineyard Drive, Arroyo Grande, 805-4811772. www.laetitiawine.com. Live Music
Saturdays and Sundays 1-4pm.
F. MCLINTOCKS SALOON: Two
locations: 750 Mattie Road in Pismo Beach
and 133 Bridge St. in Arroyo Grande. 7731892 or mclintocks.com. Live music at the
Pismo Beach location every Fri. and Sat.
from 6-9pm. Tennessee Jimmy Harrell
and Doc Stoltey play on alternating
weekends.
LIDO RESTAURANT AT DOLPHIN
BAY: 2727 Shell Beach Road, Shell
Beach, 773-4300 or thedolphinbay.com.
Join Three-Martini Lunch every Thurs.
and Fri. from 6-9pm. Live Music Every
Tues. from 5:30-6:30 and Thursdays and
Fridays 6-9
HARRY’S NIGHT CLUB AND BEACH
BAR: Cypress and Pomeroy, downtown
Pismo Beach, 773-1010. Every Thu. Front
Row Karaoke. 12/5 The Jammies 9pm
12/6 Shameless 3pm The Jammies 9pm
12/7 Manny English 9pm 12/8 Manny
English 7:30pm 12/9 JB Rocks 7:30 12/10
JB Rocks 7:30pm 12/12 CK Solution 9pm
12/13 Legends 3pm CK Solution 9pm 12/14
Double Shots 9pm 12/15 Double Shot
12/16 The Steve Tracy Project 12/17 The
Steve Tracy Project 7:30pm 12/19 Stinger
9pm 12/20 Mid Life Crisis 3pm Stinger
9pm 12/21 Manny English 9pm 12/22
Manny English 7:30pm 12/23 Rock Solid
7:30pm 12/24 Rock Solid 2:30pm 12/26
The Little George Band 9-11pm 12/27
The LG Band 3pm The Little George 9pm
12/28 Shameless 9pm 12/29 Shameless
7:30 12/30 Double Shot 12/31 The Jammie
9pm
Creative
MANROCK
BREWING
CO.
TASTING ROOM: 1750 El Camino Real
ste A, Grover Beach, CA 93433. Tasting
room M-Th 4pm-10pm, Fri 3pm-12am,
Sat noon-12am, Sun noon-7pm
MONGO’S SALOON: 359 W. Grand
Ave., Grover Beach, 489-3639. Karaoke
Tuesday and Wednesday 9pm. Live Music
and dancing every Friday and Saturday at
9pm.
MR. RICK’S: 404 Front St., Avila Beach,
805-595-7425 www.mrricks.com Happy
Hour Monday-Thursday 4-7pm 12/5 Indian
Valley Band 8pm 12/6 Matt Szlachetka
8pm 12/7 Soul Sauce 1pm 12/12 Bobby
Santacruz 8pm 12/13 Bootyshakers 8pm
12/14 Matt Cross 1pm 12/19 Shameless
8pm 12/20 Soul Sauce 8pm 12/21 Living
Large 1pm 12/26 Soundhouse 8pm 12/27
Legends 8pm 12/28 Soul Sauce 1pm
Elegant
Affordable
Pricing & Packaging to suit every budget & wedding size.
805.235.6365
[email protected]
www.carriejaymes.com
Thu 12/25 .... Closed
Merry Christmas!!!
Fri 12/26 .... Ras Danny
Sat 12/27 .... Dixie Giants
Sun 12/28 .... TNB Social Club
Mon 12/29 .... Toan’s Open Jam
Tue 12/30 .... Pint Nite
Wed 12/31 New Year’s Eve
Extravaganza
Thu 1/1 .... Happy New Year!
SEAVENTURE: 100 Ocean View, Pismo
Beach, 773-4994. www.seaventure.com
Live music every Wednesday from 6-9pm
in the Fireplace room. Acoustic Sundays
from 3-6pm on the Deck.
TALLEY
VINEYARDS:
3031
Lopez Dr., Arroyo Grande, 489-0446,
talleyvineyards.com
VENTANA GRILL: 2575 Price St.
Pismo Beach, 773-0000, or ventanagrill.
com. Matt Cross plays on Mon and Wed.
evenings.
VINO VERSATO: 781 Price St., Pismo
Beach, 773-6563 or vinoversato.com.
Every Tuesday: Side Effects
CREATIVE JUICES LOUNGE 874
Guadalupe Street, Guadalupe, CA 93434,
805-219-0518 www.creativejuicelounge.
com 12/6 Louie Ortega
San Luis Obispo
BON TEMPS CREOLE CAFE: 1000
Olive St., 544-2100. Zydeco music, live
blues, and jazz on Monday, Wednesday
and Thursday evenings.
CREEKY TIKI: 782 Higuera St., 9032591.
www.creekytiki.com EVERY
FRIDAY Live Music Directly Following
Concerts in the Plaza 12/04 Michael
Keeney 12/5 Kenny Taylor 12/6 Tim
Jackson 12/11 Tim Jackson 12/11 Matt
Cross
FROG & PEACH PUB: 728 Higuera St.
(805)595-3764. 12/04 Dave Miller Band
12/5 Dub Seeds 12/7 The Lower 48 12/9
DJ DP
THE GRADUATE: 990 Industrial Way,
541-0969 or slograd.com. Every Thu. Is
Country Night 8pm 18+, Every Fri “Noche
Caliente” or “Hot Latin Nights” 18+, Every
Sat “Big Chill” hits from the 70’s 80’s 90’s
21+ & Every Sunday is Minor Madness
8pm-11:45pm
LINNAEA’S CAFE: 1110 Garden St.,
541-5888 www.linnaes.com
LUNA RED: 1023 Chorro St., 540-5243
www.lunaredslo.com 12/4 Bear Market
Riot 10pm 12/5 End of Prohibition Party
12/6 Rob Larkin and Debra Windsong
12/7 Sunday Set List 3-5pm 12/11 Girls &
Boys 12/12 Josh Cody 12/13 Kenny Taylor
12/14 Chris Beland 12/18 Chris Beland
PAPPY
MCGREGOR’S:
pappymcgregors.com
or
543-KILT
(5458), 1865 Monterey St. Live music is
Wed./Thurs./Fri. from 6-9pm. Old Time
Fiddle & Banjo Show every Wed. from
6-9pm.
Tolosa Press • December 25 - 31, 2014
8 0 5 sound
•
25
WIN
ES
o
n Ta
p
find your beat
WHERE THE PARTY NEVER ENDS!
SLO BREWING CO.: 1119 Garden St.,
543-1843 or slobrewingco.com. 11/28
Breather Carolina 12/04 Young Dubliners
12/05 The Dead Volts 12/06 Grouch and
Eligh (of Living Legends) 12/09 Tasty Treat
12/11 FMLYBND 12/12 Charlie Hunter
& Scott Amendola 12/10 Ras Danny Duo
12/11 Cosmopolites 12/12 Charlie Hunter
& Scott 12/13 Andre Nickatina 12/14 Hirie
12/27 Heart to Heart.
North Coast
10TH STREET GRILL: 2011 10th St.,
Los Osos, 528-2011 or 10thstreetgrill.com.
CAMBRIA PINES LODGE: 2905
Burton Drive, Cambria, 927-4200 or
cambriapineslodge.com. Entertainment
every night in the Fireside Lounge.
FUEL DOCK SALOON: 900 Main St.,
Morro Bay, 772-8478
MOZZI’S SALOON: 2262 Main St. in
Cambria, 927-4767.
Friday Night: Karaoke, Saturday Night:
Live Music
OLD CAYUCOS TAVERN: 130 N.
Ocean Ave., Cayucos, 995-3209. Fri.-Sat.:
Live music.
OTTER
ROCK
CAFE:
885
Embarcadero, Morro Bay, 805-772-1420.
www.otterrockcafe.com Every Wed.:
Karaoke, 8pm. Every Thu.: Thursday
Night Spotlight, 8pm. *Closed every
Tuesday 12/1 Monday Night Football
Drink & Food Specials 12/4 Spotlight w/
Frankie 12/6 Renown 12/7 14th Annual
Ultimate X-mas party pot-luck pro-jam
12/8 Monday Night Football Drink &
Food Specials 12/12 Mike Keeny 12/13
Croondogs 12/14 Cloud Ship 12/15
Monday Night Football Drink & Food
Specials 12/19 Wild Anderson Party 12/20
Bobby Santa Cruz Band 12/21 Meet the
Foppers 12/22 Monday Night Football
specials 12/27 Kenny Taylor Band
12/28 Stringtown Ambassadors 12/29
Monday Night Football 12/31 Lu Lu & the
Cowtippers New Years Eve Bash!
SKIPPERS RESTAURANT: 113 N
Ocean, Cayucos, 995-1122.
SWEET SPRINGS SALOON: 990 Los
Osos Valley Road, Los Osos, 528-3764,
sweetspringssaloon.com. Friday and
Saturday: Live music from 9pm to 2am.
TOGNAZZINI’S DOCKSIDE: 1245
Embarcadero, Morro Bay, 772-8100.
WINDOWS ON THE WATER: 699
Embarcadero, Suite 7, Morro Bay, 7720677. Live music every Monday and
Friday evening.
North County
ASUNCION RIDGE: 725 12th St., Paso
Robles, 237-1425 Live music Saturdays
from 5-8pm
AVION & CLAW: 6155 El Camino Real,
Atascadero, 461-9463 or avionandclaw.
com. Live music Thurs.-Sat. from 7-10pm.
BROKEN EARTH WINERY: 5625
Highway 46E, Paso Robles, 239-2562.
BRU COFFEEHOUSE: 576 El Camino
Real, Atascadero, 464-5007. www.
brucoffeehouse.com Live music every
Friday from 7-9pm.
11/14 Max Martinelli 11/21 The Simple
Parade November artwork from Louisa
Cardinali
CAMOZZI’S: 5855 El Camino Real,
Atascadero, 466-1880.
D’ANBINO
VINEYARDS
AND
CELLARS: 710 Pine St., Paso Robles,
227-6800 or danbino.com. Every Saturday
2-4:30 pm wine and music events.
LA BELLASERA HOTEL AND
SUITES: 206 Alexa Ct., Paso Robles,
238-2834, www.labellasera.com. Guitar/
Vocal duo, Adam Levine and Judy Philbin
play every Thurs. from 7-9pm, in the
dining room/bar.
LAST STAGE WEST: Halfway Station
on Highway 41 (15050 Morro Road at
Toro Creek), 461-1393 or laststagewest.
net. Most shows start at 6pm. 12/4 Tanner
Scott 12/5 Them Tracelin’ Birds 12/6 El
Segundo 12/9 The Banjer Dan Show 12/10
Bluegrass Jam Night 12/11 Tanner Scott
12/13 The Stringtown Ambassadors 12/16
The BanjerDan Show 12/18 Tanner Scott
12/19 Panga 12/20 Dirty Cello 12/23 The
BanjerDan Show 12/25 Tanner Scott 12/27
Alzheimer’s Association Benefit Dinner
& Concert featuring: “The Inglishmen”
w/ special guest: BanjerDan 12/30 The
Banjer Dan Show 12/31 NEW YEARS EVE
w/ EL SEGUNDO
PAPPY
MCGREGOR’S:
pappymcgregors.com or 238-7070, 1122
Pine St. in Paso Robles.
PASO ROBLES INN CATTLEMAN’S
LOUNGE: 1103 Spring St., 238-2660.
Live entertainment Friday and Saturday
at 9:30pm.
THU Closed in observance
12/25 of Christmas Day!
LIVE MUSIC THIS WEEK
THU, 12/25
FRI, 12/26
SAT, 12/27
THU, 1/1
Closed Merry Christmas!
Michael Keeney
Michael Keeney
Happy New Year!
Happy Hour Every Day 2-6
MUNCHIES
FISH TACO............................. 3.50
PERSONAL PIZZA ............... 3.50
(PEPPERONI OR CHEESE)
ONION RINGS ..................... 3.50
SHOESTRING FRIES ......... 3.50
SWEET POTATO FRIES .... 3.50
DRINK SPECIALS
DOS EQUIS DRAFT............ 2.50
STRONGBOW DRAFT........ 2.50
DRAFT BEERS ...................... 4.00
WELL DRNKS........................ 4.50
CALL DINKS........................... 5.50
PREMIUM COCKTAILS ..... 6.50
CORONA BUCKET
(5 BEERS) ......................$15.00
ALL DAY EVERYDAY
BRING YOUR TIKI KOOZIE
AND GET $1 OFF ANY CAN
ALL DAY EVERY DAY
782 Higuera St, SLO
805.544.2200
11:00am-12:00am
FRI 9PM- THE LITTLE
12/26 1:30 GEORGE BAND
LGB
SAT 3:00PM
-7:30
9:00PM THE LITTLE
12/27 -1:30 GEORGE BAND
SUN 9PM12/28 1:00 SHAMELESS
MON 7:30PM
12/29 -11:30 SHAMELESS
TUE 7:30PM
12/30 -11:30 DOUBLE SHOT
NEW YEARS EVE
9:00PM
WED -1:30AM
BASH!
12/31
THE JAMMIES
THU
1/1
9PM1:00
FRONT ROW
KARAOKE
(805) 773-1010
690 Cypress St., Pismo Beach
www.harryspismobeach.com
Open 10am-2am Daily
8 Big-Screen TVs with NFL Ticket.
30 Craft Beers On
Tap and Full Bar.
PINE STREET SALOON: 1234 Pine
St., Paso Robles. www.pinestreetsaloon.
com 805-238-1114. Every Monday Open
Mic. 9pm. Every Tuesday/ Friday/ Sunday
Marilyn’s Karaoke 9pm. Every Thursday
North County Line Up Live Music 9pm.
THE PONY CLUB AT HOTEL CHEVAL: 1021 Pine St., Paso Robles. www.
hotelcheval.com 805-226-9995. 10/31
Dorian Michael & Nicole Stromsoe
7-10pm 11/28 Louie Ortega 7-10pm 11/29
Luke Bryon 7-10pm
THE RANCH: 1285 Mission St. in San
Miguel,
www.liveattheranch.com
or
467-5047. 11/29 Chris and Nick’s “Rave
Circus” 18+
SCULPTERRA WINERY: 5015 Linne
Road, Paso Robles, 226-8881. Steve Key
presents “Songwriters at Play” Sundays
from 1-4pm. 12/7 Alice Wallace 12/14
Albert Jr. Band 12/21 Maurice Tani 12/28
Stringtown Ambassadors
VINA ROBLES AMPHITHEATRE:
3800 Mill Rd., Paso Robles, 286-3680.
Check out Vina Robles Amphitheatre
online for tickets, times, and pricing www.
vinarobles.com.
1527 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach | (805) 295-6328
Open Mon-Sat 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, Sun 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
26
• December 25 - 31, 2014 • Tolosa Press
REAL ESTATE
8 Acre Mini Ranch with
Brand New Home!
$869,900
Live in luxury and grow your
own orchard or vineyard!
AG well approx. 100 gpm.
Another One Sold
By Nancy!
Sold–All homes on Camino
Mariposa are sold! 3 new homes
in AG on 5-8 acres $739,900$869,900 still available!
Sold–372 Equestrian, AGBeautiful home on over an acre!
$910,000
3 Costly Mistakes Homeowners Make
By Nancy Puder
Not Using Bathroom
and Laundry Vent Fans
Because of the high humidity in bathrooms and laundry areas, vent fans
should never be disconnected or unused. The fan should always be turned
on during use of the room even if it is
noisy. Failure to use vent fans can result
in water vapor getting into the drywall,
electrical outlets and even the framing
members. Over time, mold, mildew and
fungi may grow in these areas. Water
vapor that condenses on walls and windows can eventually find its way into
the walls of the home and weaken the
structure through dry rot. Rooms where
humidifiers are used should also be well
ventilated. Tip: If you are not using your
fan because of noisiness, I suggest that
you have the fan replaced with one that
is advertised as low noise or quiet. Fans
are relatively inexpensive and in the long
run could save you thousands of dollars
in moisture related repairs.
GE
Crosley
MorroBay
Appliance
LG
Nancy Puder is a real estate broker
with Nancy Puder & Associates, the premier boutique real estate company in
Arroyo Grande. You are invited to contact Nancy with questions concerning
your property anytime as she always
enjoys hearing from you! Text or phone
(805)710-2415 or email [email protected]. To enjoy other real estate
articles written by Nancy, go to www.
NancyPuderAssociates.com or Facebook.com/Nancy Puder Realtor.
SAGE Ecological
Landscapes & Nursery
Serving the Central Coast for over 40 Years
8
05 -772-2755
805-772-2755
Freezers‡Refrigerators‡Washers
Dryers‡Ranges‡Microwaves‡Dishwashers
Cooktops‡Wall Ovens
Amana
Sales – New & Reconditioned
Service & Repairs
On All Major Brands
GE Showcase Dealer
Frigidaire
Kenmore
Tinting Dual Pane Windows
Homes with dual pane windows (also
known as double-glazed windows or insulating windows) have two panes of glass
that are separated by a spacer up to 5/8
inch in thickness. The air space between
the dual panes is “dead air.” This area is
so tightly sealed that air can neither enter
nor leave the space. By placing a tinting
film on the inside of the window, the sun’s
rays are reflected back into the dead air
space. The temperature in this space can
become so hot that it may cause the elastic seal to rupture, causing the insulating
value of the window to be lost. Windows
with broken or ruptured seals are easy to
identify: they have moisture between the
panes of glass. Homeowners should never tint a dual pane window on the inside
unless it is specifically approved by the
window manufacturer. ✤
Whirlpool
MORRO BAY APPLIANCE
KitchenAid
[email protected]
www.nancypuderassocieates.com
Hotpoint
p
Overloading Upper Cabinets
When stacking heavy dishes and glassware in an upper cabinet, a homeowner
can load the cabinet beyond its capacity. This can result in sagging shelves,
or worse yet, detachment of the cabinet
from the wall. Heavy china and cookware should always be placed in the lower
cabinets. Do not overload cabinet drawers with heavy items and take care to not
pull drawers out too far. This can result in
the plastic guide being snapped off at the
back of the cabinet drawer. Tip: Lower
cabinets rest on the floor and are a better
choice for storing heavy items.
Maytag
Call or Text Nancy Today!
805.710.2415
Lifestyle
WARDROBE,
SHOWER AND
PET DOORS
We Do Vent Cleaning!
Nancy Puder
Nanc
Realtor / Broker
935 Main Street, Morro Bay
Admiral
Jenn-Air
Magic Chef
Perk up your winter
by remodeling your
kitchen...
MOBILE SERVICE
schedule your
remodel today!
Contact Diana, your
Design Specialist at
805-835-8142
8405 Morro Road, Atascadero
805-466-8453
mrtomstile.com
Tolosa Press • December 25 - 31, 2014 •
Lifestyle
27
CITY OF MORRO BAY
ADVISORY BOARD VACANCIES
Miss Etiquette
By Anita Shower
Applications are currently being accepted to fill vacancies on
the following Commissions and Advisory Boards:
Dear Miss Etiquette: Do you know about farewell luncheons
for an employee who is leaving a company? Is it mandatory? And
what about a verbal resignation as opposed to a written one? The
last person who left the place where I work didn’t want a good-bye
lunch. All she wanted was ‘out!’
I
n checking with etiquette books,
what is mentioned is that the person who is leaving may take his or
her boss to lunch on the final workday.
It gives the person an opportunity to
tell the boss how much working for
him meant and that you have every intention of keeping in touch no matter
where your career takes you. The word
‘mandatory‘ does not factor into farewell luncheons or dinners at the work
place. A verbal resignation must be followed by a written resignation.
Some companies have a written policy about such an event and go as far
as to specify what is to be written on
a farewell cake that is brought into the
office on the employee’s last day; how
much may be spent on a gift from the
employees and the company; and other
matters dealing with lunch or dinner,
such as who attends, who pays, and
whether or not the retiring person’s
family may attend.
Etiquette deems that if the retiring
person does not want any type of celebration then the company should show
that person respect by not embarrassing the departing employee with a celebration or cards or a gift.
Remember; if you are leaving your
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place of employment be the first person that tells the boss your news. Keep
it simple an direct. Do not back your
boss into a corner and threaten to leave
unless such and such is accomplished
to your satisfaction. Do not let the boss
find out about your departure from the
maintenance worker in the back building.
Being tactful is a great part of resignation etiquette. Tact is knowing how
and when to do things. Tack is having sense. Resigning should be tactful.
Once you leave the office, realize you
may make a few personal, short visits;
that is all. In other words, have sense
about leaving and embrace the phrase
“former employee.” Instead of making
frequent trips to your former place of
employment, concentrate on your new
place of employment and your new coworkers. Let everyone remember you
as the charming person you were when
you were an employee of the company
you left behind.
On your last day refrain from humming that Johnny Paycheck song,
“Take this job and.......” as you enter
the elevator on your way down and out.
You may live to regret it. Then what,
foolish person? ✤
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)BSCPS4USFFUPSPOMJOFBUwww.morro-bay.ca.us under the
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Closing date for submitting applications is Friday, January 16,
2015 at 5:00 p.m. The interviews will be scheduled during the
week of January 26th. Applicants should be present at the
interviews in order to be considered by the City Council.
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Receive an average of
$850 with federal
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28
• December 25 - 31, 2014 • Tolosa Press
Professional
Service Directory
AT THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY YMCA
we are committed to meeting the
needs of parents by offering fun,
enriching camps. Vacation camps
provide a safe environment where
youth participate in a variety of
exciting field trips & activities, and
overall help develop stronger, more
confident young people. Sign-up for spring camp at
www.sloymca.org or call 543-8235 for more information.
KRIS DILWORTH,FNP, CDE is
a Family Nurse Practitioner, Certified Diabetes Educator, and Certified Insulin Pump & Sensor Trainer.
She loves what she does, and makes
it a point to spend adequate time
with patients to teach and help problem-solve for the many challenges of diabetes. Her
goal is to keep you healthy! Call the office of Roger
Steele, MD, for appointments in San Luis Obispo or
Grover Beach. (805) 541-1671
THE ABLE CHOICE, INC.
offers support and services to
families and children with special needs by experts in the field.
Special Education Consultant
Dr. Jackie Kirk Martinez and her
team provide research-based dispute resolution, instruction, and intervention for children by advising
families, agencies and school districts; supporting children’s needs in home, community and school; providing assessments, program development, intervention
and supervision; and offering professional development. Serving children from birth through 22 years
of age. Call for a free consul-tation at (805) 295-8806
• www.theablechoice.com
PEPPERTREE COUNSELNG
has been providing affordable
services on sliding scale to SLO
County for 25 years, starting at
$30 an hour. We offer individual,
couples, and family counseling.
We have a staff of professional counsellors who work
with clients to accomplish their goals in a timely and
focused manner. Our approach is eclectic incorporating behavioral and cognitive techniques. For an appointment or more information on our services call
Larry Ratner, Ph D, at 805 235 2910 or email [email protected]. We are located at 330 James Way,
#180, Pismo Beach, Ca.
BATH PLANET of
Northern Los Angeles
has set a new standard of both quality and affordability
within the bathroom remodeling industry. With a wide
selection of acrylic bath system solutions, along with
cutting edge accessible options, you can have a beautiful yet accommodating bathroom in as little as one
day. Learn more about our remodeling solutions. 1107
El Camino Real, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 (805) 5741101 www.bathplanet.com/northernla
EDDIE NAVARRO PAINTING
INC. can cover all
your painting needs,
from interior and exterior residential and commercial painting. Including: cabinets, deck refinishing,
stucco repair, acoustic ceiling removal, drywall repair
and/or texturing, fascia removal and/or repair, power washing services, and much more. We use the finest quality oil and water based material that are Eco
friendly. Eddie Navarro Painting Inc. takes pride in
attention to detail and great customer service.Our
mission statement is “Whatever you do, work at it
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Lifestyle
Operation Medicine Cabinet
I
ncreasing trends in medication
use, prescribing, and prescription drug abuse are issues we
want to consider together as a community. In 2010, The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
(C.D.C.) reported 48% of Americans took at least one prescription
drug in the month the study was
done. From 2000 to 2010, the percentage of Americans using two or
more drugs increased from 25% to
31%, and the use of five or more
drugs increased from 6% to 11%.
Patients discontinue medications
as often as doctors prescribe them.
Many times, patients never tell
their doctor they’ve discontinued a
medication and they rarely throw
away the unused portion. Some
patients bring medication samples
and half-empty pill bottles to their
physician’s office for disposal. However, this may not the safest mode
of disposal. These half-taken packs
of birth control, half bottles of antibiotics, and the occasional bottle
of narcotic go into the office trash.
Then, these unwanted medications
make their way to dumpsters and
landfills.
Disposing of unused medications
safely keeps these medications out
of our water supply and environment. Safe disposal also prevents
accidental ingestion by children
and pets, and keeps drugs of abuse
from getting into the wrong hands.
The best venue for safe disposal
is your local Police Station. “Operation Medicine Cabinet” is a free
disposal service for residents of San
Luis Obispo County, for unwanted
over-the-counter pills, supplements, medication samples, ointments, eye drops, creams, gels,
and veterinary medications. Dropboxes are installed at all local police
stations and three Sheriff patrol stations.
Safely dispose of your unwanted
medications today!
Please note: All “sharps,” needles,
syringes, and thermometers can be
safely disposed of at any local pharmacy. For information on disposal
of “Hazardous waste”, like batteries and antifreeze, see www.iwma.
com. ✤
Send your Health Questions addressed to Dr. Prewitt at Tolosa
Press.
No question is too big or too
small.
Lauren
Prewitt,
D.O.,
F.A.C.O.O.G. is a traditional Osteopath and Board Certified Ob/Gyn.
She is an active medical staff member at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center and Marian Regional
Medical Center, holds adjunct faculty status at Western University
and Touro University, and participates in the Central Coast Osteopathic Regional Society. She resides in Morro Bay.
CENTRAL COAST
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to the success of the learning
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Respect, Professionalism,
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Integrity, Resolution, Inquiry,
and Student-Centeredness
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AND YOUR COMMUNITY
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Bay News • December 25 - 31, 2014
•
29
COMMUNITY
Christmas Lights Contest Winners
165 Hatteras
190 Damar
190 Damar
1276 Berwick
474 Zanzibar
355 Harbor Street
T
he awards for Morro
Bay Beautiful’s Annual
Christmas Lights Contest
have been announced and folks are
encouraged to get out and see the
dazzling displays for themselves.
Winners were: Best traditional
Display — 1270 Berwick Dr., first
place and 524 Monterey Ave.,
second; Best Use of Lights — “The
Third Day” a boat anchored off
Tidelands Park (blue lights, can’t
miss it) first, and 120 Java St.,
second; Children’s Delight — 474
Zanzibar first, and 165 Hatteras,
second; Best Lights & Animation
— 190 Damar first, and 350 Orcas
second; Best Commercial Display —
Otter Rock Café, 885 Embarcadero;
and a Special Award was handed out
to the folks at Harbor and Monterey
for their tree lights. All the winners
were given gift certificates to Carla’s
Country Kitchen. Judges this year
were Deborah and Jack Franklin,
Roy and Cathy Cinowalt, Pam
Baines, Anita and Sam Ayoob, Clint
Weirick, Juliana Epperly and Ann
Reisner. ✤
165 Java
Harbor Boat
524 Monterey
30
•
December 25 - 31, 2014 • Bay News
NEWS
Amnesty, from page 1
But what looked like a paper
chase done mostly in Sacramento,
comparing State tax records with City
business license fees, turned into a
pretty intense look into the operations
of local businesses, including how
many full time equivalent employees
they have to names of vendors that
deliver to them.
CPAs that do payroll for businesses
have been hit especially hard with the
legwork to answer MAS’ questions.
The City took the stance that MAS
was hired to help the City enforce
its municipal codes, with respect
to collection of business license
taxes, going back four years. MAS’
assumption going in was that for
every business that was properly
licensed, there was one that wasn’t.
The City estimated at that level, it
could double the $305,000 in license
fees it budgets for.
But the audits set off a fury of
discontent, when people like hair
stylists who rent salon space, artists
hanging in local galleries and even
some local musicians, got caught up
Jumpstart your
business for the
New Year!
in the audits as well.
The unrest erupted in October,
with business people charging that
MAS was too aggressive, intrusive
and intimidating in going about the
audits.
To his credit, Buckingham, who’d
just started working for the City
in September, recommended the
changes to the muni codes that
allowed the amnesty period and the
creation of the low-revenue business
licenses, with the council setting the
cutoff at $12,000 a year.
Businesses that fall under that
amount would be eligible for a $10
license fee, rather than the City’s
normal minimum of about $135
a year, with a potential savings of
$1,200.
So who should be worried about this
license fee? “At a minimum,” reads a
memo from the website, “residents
who may have some nexus to a
business in Morro Bay should review
the ‘Morro Bay Business License
Change Memo — Amnesty and Low
Revenue Businesses’ that is located
on the Business License Update page.
This memo is available in hard copy
in City Hall, 595 Harbor St., and
at the Public Services Department
counter, 955 Shasta Ave.”
After the amnesty period MAS
would start up again on what was
originally a 3-year contract. ✤
Loyal for Over 20 Years
City Hall, from page 1
waiting [for Boucher’s retirement] we
thought it was wiser to go through a
disciplined transition.”
Contacted by The Bay News,
Boucher was reluctant to speak about
the matter, saying that, “There was a
management decision to transfer me
to a different position and appoint
Dana Swanson as the City Clerk. I
had no knowledge it was happening
and when I found out... well, needless
to say, it has been a very emotional
situation for me.”
She remains a full time, benefited
city employee and will be so until she
retires, she explained. But clearly,
having the job change thrust upon
her has been difficult. “I [and they]
plan on me being able to contribute
positively to the City that I have
grown up in — that I’ve spent my
entire adult life with — and that I am
proud to still work at.”
She is still doing city clerk’s work,
as she takes the next several months
to train and transition Swanson
into the job, which includes being
the keeper of the City’s records,
organizing and releasing council
agendas and conducting elections,
among numerous others.
“Her [Boucher’s] first priority
within the next six months,”
Buckingham said, “is to teach and
train the new probationary city clerk
— Dana Swanson — who has many
of the skills needed to be a great city
clerk. Jamie will train Dana during a
6-month probationary period.”
“It does seem like a good move,”
Boucher said, “for a new city manager
knowing that I’m only here for a short
period of time. Dana is awesome
and he knows it, so why not pull the
trigger early?”
Meantime, Swanson will continue
to oversee the City’s risk management
portfolio, Buckingham said, and give
administrative support to the city
attorney. “At an appropriate time,”
Buckingham said, “we will hire
someone to help her do all that. For
right now, we have a city clerk’s office
of two.”
Boucher, who has been working
closely with Swanson for several
years, after Swanson was given the
additional duties while working
part time for former city attorney
Rob Schultz. She was elevated to
the assistant city clerk position
under former city manager, Andrea
Lueker, who also promoted Boucher
to replace retired city clerk Bridgett
Bauer-Kessling.
Boucher said she started with
the city as a part-time coach and
referee in the Recreation and Parks
Department in 1982. Former director
Steve Wolter was a Cal Poly professor
of hers, she said. She started full time
with the City in 1986 as a business
license clerk. She’s had stints in the
Rec & Parks Department, and at
City Hall in various jobs including
Human Resources and eventually as
city clerk. She was recently given a
commemorative 30-year employment
pin by the Mayor at a public ceremony
along with numerous other long-time
City employees.
Being a leftover hire of Lueker’s
has led some to speculate that this is
continuing fallout over that matter.
Boucher said she didn’t know if it was
and didn’t want to speculate in the
interest of trying to let the city heal.
“I have said and will always say,”
she explained, “I am one of the
luckiest people in the world to have
been able to stumble into a job while
in college that has provided me the
opportunities that I have received in
Morro Bay. I will be forever grateful
to the City of Morro Bay and to all
those who I have been blessed to have
worked with, who have supported me
[workers and residents alike]. I love
the City and want nothing but the
best for it.” ✤
Call Carrie Vickerman for
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Bay News • December 25 - 31, 2014
•
31
LETTERS
Scrooge Stole Christmas
Experts’ Opinions Worthless
I have no idea why someone would steal
a holiday lawn decoration. Perhaps it was
a joke in bad taste or a Scrooge’s hatred
of Christmas. Whatever the motivation,
it isn’t the first time a precious item of
holiday cheer has been taken from our
front yard.
Because we want to express the joy
of the season, we go all out each year
decorating both the inside and outside
of our home. Our display is elaborate,
expensive, and labor extensive. Our hard
work is paid off by the joy it brings to
children, neighbors, pedestrians, and
passing motorists. Our little wonderland
is also expected by repeat visitors who
wonder what we will add each year to the
decor.
The item stolen this year was a lighted
deer reclining before our new nativity
scene. My wife and I felt it represented
the message of peace inherent in
Christmas. We can only hope that the
person or persons now in possession of
this symbol of the season have found a
use for it enhancing their own home and
bringing peace and joy into their lives. We
wish them and each of you the merriest of
Christmases.
A point in all the “expert’s” negative
responses to SLO Police Chief Steve
Gesell’s op-ed piece: not one is law
enforcement.
How does someone without a
background in a specialized field believe
they have the education and experience
to criticize the Chief? They are entitled
to their opinion, but without experience
that opinion is worthless.
Yes, sometimes keeping the peace
means coming down hard on the bad
person. The greater good of the “law
abiding” public means the suspects
are sometimes injured or killed. That
extreme action is taken because the
suspect refuses to follow the orders of the
Law Enforcement Officers.
A suspect’s actions dictate the officer’s
response. Law enforcement is not there
to lose the argument. Fight the arrest in
court, not on the street.
In each of the “excessive force” issues
the suspect refused to follow the orders of
the LEO on scene.
The “expert” critics base their opinions
on a point AFTER the suspect’s action
set in motion the actions that lead to
their own death or injury. Lack of media
integrity is responsible for their reporting.
Michael Brown was a 6’3” 240-pound,
18-year old. An honest journalist would
report ALL the facts.
John Gajdos, Morro Bay
Tom Bauer, Morro Bay
Editor’s note: I’ve said it a million times
— “People will steal anything.” Things
like this are usually the work of some
kid and we hope the hooligan rethinks
his dastardly deed and returns the deer.
Believe me, you’ll feel better for it.
He’s Out From TV/Internet
A local television/Internet provider
this year heavily advertised its “free”
speed increase “upgrade” on Internet
speeds. This month, I received a notice
that my bill will be going up $ 5 a month.
If this is not false advertising, I do not
know what is.
Recently, I cancelled my television
service and installed a high definition
antennae. We now receive several high
definition local channels with no monthly
TV bill.
I wish the local television/Internet
provider good luck in keeping your
customers! I’m out.
Eric Zatt, Los Osos
Happy with 50 mph
Dear Editor:
I read with great delight that the County
is making the stretch of South Bay Blvd.
to Los Osos Valley Road 50 mph! That
will be great, seeing as I never get to go
faster than 35 through there.
Shelby Rinck, Los Osos
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32
•
December 25 - 31, 2014 • Bay News
Now Open!
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Expanding convenient, affordable access to care with
NEW quality in-town laboratory services.
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Marigold Shopping Center
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Sat 8:00AM to 12:00PM
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1352 Los Osos Valley Road, Ste. A
New hours: Mon–Fri 7:00AM–12:00PM
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Grandma’s Gathering Place
Supporting the Community
Morro Bay Chamber’s Business of the Month
By Ruth Ann Angus
P
eople enjoy going to a place
where the ambiance is
welcoming, the food is good,
and the company consists of folks
enjoying themselves.
That’s the premise that Beverly
Ford-Durrer counted on when she
opened Grandma’s Frozen Yogurt
& Waffle Shop. “We call this the
Gathering Place,” “Grandma,” as
Beverly is called, said. “It’s a place
where all ages come together.”
The Morro Bay Chamber of
Commerce has chosen Grandma’s
shop as the December 2014 Business
of the Month. It’s an appropriate
award for a new business that
jumped right in to help with many
community events.
Grandma and her husband Lenny
Durrer, also known as “Gramps”
and local musician, Lenny Blue,
dressed up as Santa and Mrs.
Claus last year even before their
business opened and helped with
a fundraiser for SLO Womenade,
collecting donations of teen and
pre-teen clothes and new toys for all
ages for Womenade’s projects and
the Morro Bay High School Pirates’
Closet.
They are doing this again this
year every Saturday until Christmas
during Farmer’s Market.
Since opening in May of this
year they have hosted a number of
community events and fundraisers.
They’ve helped support Morro
Bay 4th of July, this year’s new
Halloween trick-or-treat downtown,
and the American Cancer Society’s
“Lights of Hope” in August to name
a few. Right now they have the
“Wraps for Winter,” project going
with hand-knitted and crocheted
lap and shawl wraps being made for
the homebound and needy.
Beverly spent 27 years as a
licensed
psychologist
working
in academic administration in
Northern California and was
thinking of a retirement project.
“My family used to come to Morro
Bay for vacations,” she explained.
“So I got to thinking, ‘Why not go
there?’” She convinced Lenny to
move here with the idea of opening
a yogurt shop in town.
As luck would have it the City
of Morro Bay decided to lease
the corner site at 307 Morro Bay
BLVD., and then sublease it with
the stipulation that there would be
an ADA-compliant public restroom
on site.
Beverly and Lenny put together
a proposal and offered it to the city
along with other bidders and they
won the spot.
“One of the things we wanted to
do was have a place where all ages
could come and enjoy themselves,”
Beverly said. “We wanted them to
be able to play non-electric games,
like checkers, chess, and dominoes.”
To facilitate this they have stocked
a bookcase with a variety of board
games that kids and older folks can
take to a table outside and play.
There is a stage on the grounds and
every Saturday during Farmer’s
Market there is usually a musician
playing.
Offering healthy and tasty food
was most important for the couple.
They obtain their yogurt from Honey
Hill Farms. The yogurt contains
five culture strains and has three
probiotics in it. Every day different
varieties of yogurt are offered and
listed on a sign inside the shop.
A large assortment of toppings are
available that include fruits, soft or
crispy chocolates, wet granola with
honey, and granola with peanut
butter, to name a few.
Waffles, both a flat type and one
that comes shaped like a boat, are
also on the menu. Their business
is available for private parties,
fundraisers, and special events, too.
Beverly and Lenny have more
plans to extend their services to
the community. They are members
of the Chamber and the Merchants
Association. It’s a sure bet that
Grandma’s will continue to be a
great gathering place for the people
of Morro Bay and their visitors. ✤
Tolosa Press • December 25 - 31, 2014
•
33
In the Black
The Ugliest Tree — A Beautiful Christmas Memory
By Michael Gunther
T
his holiday
season,
I
was looking
through my past
articles and I
came across a
story that still
impacts me
till this day.
I decided to
dust off the
cob webs and
post it again
to remind us all
to never give up
when unexpected times happen. Enjoy!
As I was hanging an ornament I
created in 1973 on our Christmas tree
this past weekend, I reminisced of
Christmases past and 1973 was the year
we almost didn’t have a Christmas tree.
At 10-years old, you can only imagine
how I might have been feeling about
this situation. No Christmas tree? How
would Santa know where to put all the
gifts? As this memory came rushing
back to me, I started to tear up.
All I could think about was how
my mom saved the day and more
importantly, through her attitude,
persistence, and faith, created a
Christmas I have never forgotten.
That year the holiday season started
out like many holidays of my past. My
parents piled 14 of the 17 kids into our
Dodge maxi-wagon van on the Sunday
after Thanksgiving to drive to the
Christmas tree farm. Our goal was to
locate and to cut down the perfect tree
in order to enhance our celebration
with our family gathering of 60-plus
people on Christmas Day.
We were headed out of town on that
sunny day when all of a sudden we
heard a big “THUD!” and discovered
we had not one, but two flat tires — on a
desolate highway far from town.
As a 10-year old, you can imagine my
disappointment. After a few hours of
locating a tow truck (no cell phones in
those days), getting both tires replaced,
and trying to keep the kids entertained,
my dad decided we were going to turn
around and go home.
In fact, he said there was “no way we
could afford a tree now after paying
for the tires and tow truck.” I must
admit I was thoroughly disheartened.
How would we have a true Christmas
without a tree? How could we ever truly
celebrate? Needless to say, the mood of
the ride home in our van was somber
and you could feel the angst from all the
kids.
When we arrived home, my mom
(the perennial optimist) said we would
figure it out. In the meantime, she
pulled out these wooden Christmas
ornaments she had found a few weeks
earlier on sale. She instructed us to sit
around our two long, picnic-type tables
in our dining room to paint and decorate
our ornaments. She put on Christmas
music and made hot chocolate.
I remember painting these ornaments
with my siblings, laughing and showing
off all our artistic creations. My mom
turned the situation into a productive
craft for us; one that got us working
together. The mood of our family
quickly shifted with this holiday
activity.
I had almost forgotten that we
weren’t going to have a Christmas
tree until I was at school the following
week. I kept hearing my classmates
discuss their trees and the great lights,
decorations, and gifts that were already
appearing underneath them. Needless
to say, I kept asking my parents every
night if we were going to get a tree. My
dad was adamant that our tree money
was already spent on those two new
tires for the van.
Then, after school that next Friday
something miraculous happened —
there was a Christmas tree in our living
room. This wasn’t just any tree, but
a tall one that had two major gaps in
the branches. It was by far one of the
ugliest trees that I had ever seen (even
to this day!).
But it was the most beautiful tree that
I can remember. I was so excited and
surprised by this tree standing in our
living room, as were my siblings. My
mom’s persistence made this happen.
Mom had gone to numerous tree lots
and asked if there were any trees that
the lot proprietor felt they would have
a hard time selling. At the third lot,
she found our tree. The proprietor had
already put aside a few trees to discard.
See Ugliest Tree, page 34
ANNUAL HOLIDAY INDOOR SOCCER
AND FUTSAL CAMPS
This Holiday Break, Catalyst Soccer is celebrating with a special
week of Indoor Soccer and Futsal Camp.This special week of
soccer fun and learning is for boys and girls who enjoy the game
and are excited to play the skillful game of Indoor Soccer with
the Coaches and Players of Cal Poly Mustang Soccer!
INSPIRE! EDUCATE! CELEBRATE!
Central Coast Now TV
Is your local community channel!
Our locally produced and hosted TV shows promote local
communities, businesses and events that are right here on the
Beautiful Central Coast.
Three Great Locations!
* Charter Channel 10 and Comcast Channel 27 *
Tune in and support your local businesses.
Valerie Mercado
Week 1 A .......Dec. 29th-Jan. 2nd........ (M-F) ........... Atascadero Bible Church ...........Atascadero
Week 1 B .......Dec. 29th-Jan. 2nd........ (M-F) ........... SLO Nazarene Church ...............SLO
Week 2 A .......Jan. 5th-9th .................. (M-F) ........... Paulding Middle School .............Arroyo Grande
Two great programs for Little Skillsbuilders........ (Ages 4-6) ......(9:30 to 11am)
your kids! BOYS & GIRLS! Super FUNdamentals .... (Ages 6-14) ....(9 to noon)
[email protected]
Go to our website for more information and to register online.
(805) 904-6904
Go to www.catalystsoccer.com or call 805-541-3031
34
•
December 25 - 31, 2014 • Tolosa Press
In the Black
Harps in Harmony
Story and photos by Gareth Kelly
F
or centuries, the Celtic Harp has
been producing magical music.
When one hears the strings of a
harp, we wistfully dream of medieval
times or a scene from Shakespeare,
perhaps even maids in lush green
pastures all playing in unison, the
harps casually resting on their
shoulders as their hands gracefully
glide across this most ancient and
intriguing of instruments.
Not your usual musical instrument
of choice, the harp has a dedicated
and passionate following all around
the world. It just so happens that
one of the finest, if not the finest,
manufacturers of harps resides right
here in San Luis Obispo. Nestled into
a seemingly small commercial metal
building at 220 Suburban Rd. lies
Triplett Harps owned by Steve and
Debbie Triplett.
“My husband (Steve) is a luthier,
someone who makes stringed
instruments. He started making
harps, guitars and other types of
instruments in Santa Barbara in
1978. Realizing there was resurgence
within the harp industry, we moved
to SLO in 1985, partly for the surf
and partly to start Triplett. We now
hand-make around 300 harps a year
and are recognized as one of the
finest harp manufacturers globally,”
Triplett said.
Using only the finest materials
from maple, walnut and Bubinga
wood, Triplett is a one-stop shop for
everything harp related. A labyrinth
of woodshops seems to go on and
on and on within their facility. The
smell of freshly-cut wood fills the
workshops where craftsman spend
around one month hand-making
each harp to order.
“We make everything in house. We
hand-pick each piece of wood, make
all our own strings, both nylon and
wire. We laser engrave the details in
the wood. We make all our own cases
and do all our own painting. We even
Ugliest Tree, from page 33
My mom asked if she could have the
tree and would be happy to pay for it.
The gentlemen asked my mom why she
would want this tree, so she explained
the situation. He ended up selling it to
her for a nominal fee — well below cost.
He wanted to give it to her, but she felt
she needed to at least cover his costs.
That evening, we strung popcorn
and cranberries to create garland for
our magnificent tree. We decorated
together with such joy and appreciation.
Even though it started out as the ugly
tree, it became a beacon of hope and
excitement in our household. It was a
tree, to this day, I have never forgotten.
work in conjunction with Idlers to
take all their old boxes and packaging
materials to make our own packages
and do all our own shipping. About
70 percent of all our harps are sold
outside of the United States, but we
pride ourselves on our harps being
U.S. made,” Triplett said.
Such is the reputation of Triplett
Harps they are solely the harp of
choice of renowned harp player
Lisa Lynne. They have appeared in
a Geico commercial and have been
a fixture on the T.V. show “The Big
Bang Theory.”
“We like to think we are making a
traditional instrument with modern
techniques while holding on to
ancient flair,” Triplett said.
Having been around for centuries
already, there seems no reason our
fascination with this beautifullysounding instrument will abate any
time soon. If you have ever dreamt of
playing a harp or would like to know
Bottom Line
We might have the best intentions or
goals that we are working towards, but
they may get side tracked by unexpected
events or situations. How do you
respond? Do you give up or do you keep
your employees motivated and find
other creative solutions to achieve the
goal? Are you persistent enough, even
after being told “No” numerous times,
to keep striving for your goal?
As a side note: Mom, I know you are
in Heaven laughing at this story, you
probably didn’t realize how much you
impacted me with that tree. Every time
I add that wooden ornament to my
Christmas tree, I think of the ugliest
Christmas tree I have ever seen, as well
as your persistence. ✤
more, you can visit Triplett online
at www.triplettharps.com. ✤
Gareth wishes everyone happy
holidays. He is always looking
for interesting stories, so while
basking in your holiday food
coma, send him your ideas to
[email protected].
This is another article in a series
on Michael’s entrepreneurial story
and how being raised in a large
family and his belief in creating a
growth company with a work-to-live
mentality has influenced his career. To
read the previous articles in this series,
see his blog at: www.Collaborationllc.com. Michael Gunther’s column is a
regular feature of Tolosa Press.
Tolosa Press • December 25 - 31, 2014
•
35
In the Black
Biz Briefs
Business News and Announcements
Compiled by Camas Frank
The San Luis Obispo Council
of Governments is among the
best in the nation according to
a new report released last week
by “Transportation for America,”
a new guidebook for the staff and
board members of Metropolitan
Planning Organizations. The guide
showcases best practices from
across the country to showcase
ways organizations can help their
communities prosper. SLOCOG
is highlighted in the guidebook
as a national leader and a model
for others to follow. Specifically,
the report praises SLOCOG’s
“Community
2050
Regional
Blueprint” for its land use scenario
planning. “We’re working to
improve the lives of people in
the San Luis Obispo region,” said
Ron DeCarli, executive director
of SLOCOG. “We already see
this happening, but it is great to
know that our successes are being
recognized nationally, and can
serve as a model for other states
and regions.” The Innovative
MPO is available online at www.
t4america.org/the-innovativempo.
Organizations looking to put on
special events in Morro Bay can
apply now for grants to assist
them in staging their shows. The
Morro Bay Tourism Bureau
has applications posted on its
website, see: www.MorroBay.
org/grants. Hard copies are
available at the Visitor’s Center,
255 Morro Bay Blvd., (daily,
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or the Morro
Bay Tourism Bureau Office, 850
Shasta Ave., (Mon.-Fri., 8:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). The Tourism
Bureau is the business arm of the
Tourism Business Improvement
District and has a primary goal of
increasing motel occupancy, and
so has traditionally supported
events with the potential of
bringing in visitors for overnight
stays. The deadline for completed
applications is 4:30 p.m. Friday,
Jan. 30.
SESLOC Federal Credit
Union has sponsored the
“Zoomtown ATM” at the
SLO Children’s Museum.
Zoomtown is the name of the
museum’s second-floor mini
village, where the ATM has been
a popular stop since the museum
reopened in 2008. “We were so
excited when the ATM exhibit
became available,” said Kelli Beck,
senior vice president of marketing
and service management at
SESLOC, “because the exhibit
gives us the opportunity to
promote youth education in a fun
atmosphere of learning, creativity
and innovation. It was a natural
fit.” The ATM, familiar for its
brightly-colored keys, engaging
display and interactive screen,
allows kids to slide a numbered
ATM card and enter a PIN to
begin a transaction. The screen
prompts children to calculate
simple banking transactions
that debit from their “pretend
account,” teaching them to basic
banking and math terminology.
SLO County has received
new credit ratings from
Standard & Poor’s Ratings
Services with an upgrade
from AA- to AA+ for revenue
bonds, implying AAA rating for
general obligation bonds, the
highest rating issued. “We’re
coming out of the economic
downturn in better shape than
we entered into it, and these
ratings reflect how effective our
fiscal policies have been over the
past seven years,” said County
Auditor-Controller-TreasurerTax Collector Jim Erb. The County
also maintained an A rating for the
Nacimiento water revenue bonds,
but the Lopez Dam revenue bond
rating was lowered from an A+
to an A due to a change in how
S&P reviews and analyzes the
bonds, Erb explained. S&P is
touted as the world’s “leading
provider of independent credit
risk research and benchmarks,
publishing more than a million
credit ratings on debt issued by
sovereign, municipal, corporate
and financial sector entities. This
year, it raised the County’s ratings
for certificates of participation,
lease revenue refunding bonds,
and pension obligation bonds
based on S&P’s local general
obligation criteria and its view of
the County’s improved economy
and strong operations through
the recession, according to the
ratings report.”
The
SLO
Chamber
celebrated the opening of
Moylan Terrace with a special
ribbon cutting ceremony. The
townhome housing project is
named for George Moylan of
the Housing Authority of San
Luis Obispo. Moylan Terrace
townhomes are a set of 80
“contemporary townhomes” with
six different floor plans. The
project is in walking distance from
bus routes, retail shops, hiking
trails, golf courses and more.
Sierra
Vista
Regional
Medical
Center
was
recognized by the Hospital
Quality Institute earlier this
month for its participation in
the Partnership for Patients
through the California Hospital
Engagement Network. Sierra
Vista earned recognition in four
categories — Fully Engaged
Hospital, Improvement Hero,
Improvement Champion, and
Contributions to HEN. The 3-year
project’s goals were to focus on
continuous quality improvement,
eliminate patient harm and build
a safety culture among each of the
participating hospitals. Overall,
the CalHEN initiative in California
positively affected 8,611 lives and
resulted in $69.8 million in cost
avoidance during the duration
of the program, according to the
Hospital Quality Institute. Sierra
Vista Regional Medical Center’s
participation resulted in reducing
or avoiding harm to 78 patients at
a cost savings of $490,000. Sierra
Vista said it would continue to
monitor the initiative’s goals.
The City of San Luis Obispo
released its “Five Year Fiscal
Forecast” with key revenue
sources, namely sales tax and
transient occupancy tax seeing
growth over past years. Jordan
Levine, economist and director
of economic research for Beacon
Economics said, “Over the next
five fiscal years we are optimistic
about the City’s direction and
are predicting continued positive
growth. From real estate to local
spending, each sector of the local
economy is on the right track.”
The City’s 2013-15 financial plan
represented the first time in five
years that the City Council passed
a budget that did not require cuts.
Send business news and
announcements for consideration
to: [email protected].
A
new look for the
Holidays
1069 E. Grand Avenue
Arroyo Grande
805.489.8533
Mon–Sat, 10am - 6pm
Sunday, Noon - 5pm
Visit us at
DONNASINTERIORS.COM