ARROYO GRANDE LIVING A New Lifestyle Magazine
Front Cover Photo: Del Monte Cafe San Luis Obispo
Sphere Shot Charlotte Scott
FROM
THE PUBLISHER
Hello, Central Coast neighbors! Welcome to the first issue of ARROYO GRANDE LIVING! My name is Melissa Walker-Scott. I have been a professional photographer for over 20 years. I recently relocated my entire family from Santa Monica, CA to Arroyo Grande. My parents have lived in AG for over 30 years, which is how I fell in love with the charming village. I am the proud mother of two fabulous girls, Sammi and Charlotte. My husband is a writer and CEO of entertainment marketing agency, Jetset Studios. We have a dog, Paisley, 2 cats, Felix and Starla, and a tortoise named Frank! Oh, and I ADORE horses. I hope to make many new friends in my new home, and I am thrilled to realize my dream of launching a new magazine! My goal: highlight and celebrate the people, places, businesses and stories that make Arroyo Grande a unique and vibrant community. -Melissa Walker-Scott
If you miss getting an issue from around town, you can order your copy here: www.blurb.com NOTE: search term Arroyo Grande Living for the current issue!
Contributors
Kolfinna Kolbeinsdottir Teen Writer/Photographer
Charlotte Scott
Jr. Writer/Photographer
Russell Scott Writer/Editor
OUR MISSION is to highlight the people, places, businesses and
Griffin Davies Writer/Artist
stories that make Arroyo Grande a unique and vibrant community. We also want to highlight AG’s middle and high schools by featuring student submitted photography, artwork and student-written articles, as well as teacher profiles and interviews. We feel that getting kids involved in celebrating their community is an important part of building self-confidence and creativity. Our objective is to be a window into the unique, creative and kind spirit of our community. TELL US YOUR STORY! Become a contributor, Jr. Writer or a teen contributor. We’re planning to feature the history of Arroyo Grande from people in the community that tell us their stories. We’re also looking for couples that have been married for 50+ years that would like to be interviewed (and maybe share a vintage wedding or family photo or two).
Alisa Davies
Writer
Are you a business owner? Tell us about it for our Business Beat feature! Got a great pet? Let us know! We’ll photograph them for our Precious Pet of the Month. We will always help out a charity with announcements. We'll also be featuring upcoming community events, so keep us posted. Drop us a line!
Michelle C. Torres-Grant Writer/Photographer
www.mctgphotography.com
TO CONTRIBUTE please contact us at editor@arroyograndeliving.com
Community Events Summer Concert Series Heritage Park, Arroyo Grande Every other Sunday Sizzlin' Summer Concert Series Ramona Park, Grover Beach Every Sunday Arroyo Grande Harvest Festival September 22-23 RELAY FOR LIFE
Join A Relay Team To Help Fight Cancer!
The 80th Arroyo Grande Harvest Festival kicks off Friday,
9/22 and runs through Saturday, 9/23 in the historic village of Arroyo Grande. This year, the Harvest Festival theme is ‘Struttin Our Stuff’, a tribute to the many colorful roosters that strut the creekside of the village. Opening night ceremony begins Friday at 5:00PM with Judith and the Live Krewe. The Rotary Club holds their annual fish fry in Olohan Alley, with music, dining and arts and crafts booths. Saturday kicks off at 10:00AM with the Harvest Festival Parade. Entertainment and events include Banjer Dan, Critical Mass, the McKinley Boys, Balooney the Clown, local groups from the Coastal Dance and Performing Arts Studio, and the Arroyo Grande High School Robotics Team. There will also be a fast and furious Diaper Derby. And of course, the Agricultural Pavilion will feature produce displays, farm animals, and a good old-fashioned grape stomp. New this year: Wheelbarrow Races and a Water Balloon toss. The Arroyo Grande Valley Harvest Festival is volunteer-run by almost every service club and organization in the area. The arts and crafts and food booths are all local vendors. For more info, news and updates, visit the Harvest Festival website: AGHarvestFestival.com Visit the official Harvest Festival FB page at https://www.facebook.com/villageofag
www.facebook.com/villageofag
www.agharvestfestival.com
Photos BY Vivian Krug
Central Coast Native Plant Life:
California Buckwheat
Article and photography by Michelle C. Torres-Grant
CALIFORNIA BUCKWHEAT (Eriogonum fasciculatum)
California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) is a native plant common to California,
including San Luis Obispo County. Found in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and oak woodlands, this small, sometimes spreading shrub grows on dry, well draining soil in full sun, and can vary from low and compact (especially along the coast), small to large mounds, to more open and upright. The summerblooming flowers are long lasting and can be cream colored or pink, which will eventually dry to an attractive rust brown. Depending on the particular variety of the buckwheat the narrow leaves may be gray, dull green, or brighter green. The plant thrives in the harshest, hottest conditions, and is extremely drought tolerant. In a home native garden, once established it needs no irrigation beyond what nature provides, although it does tolerate some limited irrigation if adjacent plants require it. Eriogonum fasciculatum is an important part of its ecosystem. Its nectar, flowers, seeds, and leaves are utilized by butterflies, insects, and birds. The plant itself and the shade it creates acts as shelter to these same animals and more. Eventually the dry flowers drop to the ground contributing to the natural mulch of the soil. While walking and hiking San Luis Obispo County trails and open spaces, keep a lookout for this common, attractive plant. If you look carefully, you will likely find other living creatures enjoying it as well.
Fortunately for those of us who call the Central Coast home, we have many resources to help us appreciate and learn more about native plants. We are literally surrounded by nature, open spaces, walking and hiking trails, and our gorgeous coastline. The following is a list of local groups that organize educational presentations, field trips, and other activities that will help increase your enjoyment, appreciation, and knowledge of our native plants.
California Native Plant Society, San Luis Obispo Chapter (CNPS, CNPS-SLO) http://cnpsslo.org/about/ “The mission of the California Native Plant Society is to increase understanding and appreciation of California’s native plants and to conserve them and their natural habitats through education, science, advocacy, horticulture, and land stewardship.” San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden (SLOBG) http://slobg.org/ The SLOBG is a garden that focuses on plants from the 5 Mediterranean regions of the world; SLO County is one of them! Their mission is ““To honor and preserve our connection with nature. Ours is a story of connecting people and plants. We focus on the role plants play in our lives and how they advance human endeavors and cultures by providing food, shelter, clothing, and medicine.” Sierra Club, Santa Lucia Chapter http://www.sierraclub.org/santa-lucia “Explore, Enjoy, and Protect the Planet” Central Coast State Parks Association (CCSPA) http://centralcoastparks.org/ “Central Coast State Parks Association, in partnership with California State Parks, promotes public awareness and stewardship of our natural resources and cultural heritage, now and for future generations. As a cooperative association we support interpretation, education, and volunteer efforts in local state parks.” The Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo (ECOSLO) http://ecoslo.org/ “Our mission is to promote resilient ecosystems and healthy lifestyles in San Luis Obispo County.” SLO Stewards - A collaboration between the City of San Luis Obispo and ECOSLO that organizes docent led hikes on the trails surrounding the City of San Luis Obispo. http://ecoslo.org/slo-stewards-program/ “Through education, the SLO Stewards program encourages the community and visitors to be guardians of the natural environment and to help support the activities of the City of San Luis Obispo’s Natural Resources Protection Program.”
BUSINESS BEAT
The Village Antique Mart 126 East Branch Street 805-489-6528 www.villageantiquemart.net
By Ginger Taylor
One day in 2011, I stopped in at the Village Antique Mart to look for a ring. There I met Celia (the owner
of the store) and Everett (the wisest of all men). After choosing the ring, we started up a conversation about the store and I asked Celia if she would ever sell. She said yes, and my daughter Ambre and I bought the business and opened as new owners in September, 2011. Our journey began. We were inspired to absorb all the knowledge, nuance, and skill required to create something we would be proud of, and that would serve the community as well. Everett stayed on for a couple of years until he retired at the age of 92! With his help, along with long-standing vendors Pat and Sharon, Ambre and I learned daily from their experience and shared knowledge. Arroyo Grande Village is a small community with a rich heritage that harkens back to its roots with historic original buildings, committed residents, and wonderful tourists. Our fabulous customers (new and old) have helped us grow and sustain the longest-running antique store in the village of Arroyo Grande for 28 years. We have 30 vendors displaying an amazing variety of vintage merchandise and collectibles. Our newest vendor Dianne, who helps in the shop, loves people and is a favorite of customers. Our consignors continue to bring us incredible pieces to maintain our diverse offerings. And of course, we are continually updating the shop with antique and vintage collectibles. In many ways, the Village Antique Mart is like a time machine that transports our customers to a wonderful reminder of their past. We cater to the individual passions that customers seek out when collecting. We help them find what they are looking for, and if we don't have what tickles their fancy, we will do our best to find it for them. We love personal requests and searching for what our customers want. We often refer them to other antique stores, who are all part of the extended family of shops in the Village. Above all, we really enjoy connecting people with the things they are truly passionate about.
Our faithful longtime customers visit often because there are always new items to discover daily, while new visitors are thrilled to discover that special vintage treasure that speaks directly to their hearts. Whether you are a collector or simply looking for a special vintage keepsake, you never know just what you might find here. The Village Antique Mart offers unique gifts, vintage jewelry, clothing, and linens, furniture, home dĂŠcor and accessories, comics and pop culture collectibles, beads, geodes, stones, and fossils, Disney pins and memorabilia and sea glass, hand-painted signs and upcycled dĂŠcor, vintage cut glass, crystal, sterling and silverplate flatware, vintage Swedish items, primitive yard objects, vintage woodworking tools, record albums, vintage books, paper ephemera and much, much more...
ARROYO GRANDE VINTAGE CAR SHOW 2017
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELISSA WALKER-SCOTT
Partial List of Winners for 2017 Best Paint: Steve Buttler, 1972 Chevy Camaro Best Interior: Larry Chavez, 1955 Chevy BelAir Best Chrome: Wayne Waldrip, 1967 Chevy Camaro Best Engine: Melvin & Marcia Cardoza, 1933 Willy's Coupe Best of Show: Glenn & Carol Nakashima, 1955 Chevy Panel
A big THANK YOU to Linda Madison and the AVCC (www.arroyovalleycarclub.org) What an amazing show! Car heaven! Got a vintage car and want us to feature it? Contact us! editor@arroyograndeliving.com
NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT LEVI FOLKROD
I had the pleasure of interviewing Levi
at his home and getting a brief education about the world of BMX racing. What a pleasure it was to hear his enthusiasm and passion about this sport. His mother Kristi happily supplied these photos she took at the competition. James, his father, gave me a breakdown of the event and outcome.
By Melissa Walker-Scott
"'Each country competing in the 2017 UCI BMX World Championships can field up to 16 riders in each age class (except for the host country which can field up to 32). Levi was one of thirty two Team USA riders in the 14 year old Challenger (Amateur boys who turn 14 before the end of the year) class. On race day, Thursday July 27th, there were 133 riders from 25 different countries. They are divided into random groups of 8. Each group of riders races 3 times and each rider is awarded points for his finishes. The riders with the 4 best scores move on to the Sixteenths Round. From here on out it’s one race per round, with the top four riders moving on to the Eighths, Quarters, Semis, then Main Event. The Main event is the top 8 riders competing for the World Championship. He made it farther than 25 of his 31 Team USA teammates and by making it this far, he is considered top 40 in the world for his age group. He had a great attitude all day and represented himself, his family, his sponsors, and his country very well. We are super proud of him. Levi finished in a 5-way tie for 30th out of 133." -James Folkrod
My name is Levi James Folkrod. I’m 13, and I’ve been racing BMX since I was 4. I’m about to compete in
the 2017 UCI BMX Worlds, or the Olympics without all the other sports. I was elected to be on Team USA, so in five days my family and I will make the journey to Rock Hill, South Carolina with my bike in a golf club bag and my clothes in a gear bag packed with my helmet, neck brace, goggles, gloves, clip shoes, mouth guard, jerseys, race pants, and a few tools necessary to put my bike back together. The Worlds consist of an evening of opening ceremonies, two days of amateur practice, two days of eating overpriced hot dogs and watching forty different countries go at it, one day of me actually racing, then one day of pro practice and qualifying, followed by the professional championships. I started racing 9 years ago at the local track, Santa Maria BMX. From there I went on to race at a state, then national, level. What I love about BMX is the fun of soaring twenty feet in the air, throwing a massive whip and then not dying when I land. I also love the aspect of a forty second scramble to beat as many guys as possible to either make it or break it. The first straightaway is the battle of "who can shove their way to the front and not get passed in the first corner without sliding out completely." After that, the guy in first shows off to the guys behind him. The guys behind wish they had the guts to pass the guy in first. That, or they try to gain enough positions by the finish line to be able to say that they actually did something.
NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT (cont.) BMX stands for Bicycle Moto Cross. It’s basically racing bicycles on a smoothed out and packed moto cross track, with straightaways, corners, and different kinds of obstacles like rollers, table top jumps and double jumps. There’s also a gate with a starting hill where eight riders balance on their bikes. Once a cadence and a random amount of seconds go by, the gate drops, and the race starts. All these components are at every single BMX track in existence. There are 35 tracks in California alone! I’ve raced on most of those, as well as tracks in Nevada, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Oregon, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Kentucky.
L-R Top: Magnus Canby age 11 Santa Maria, CA Jacob Clark age 7 Lompoc, CA Grace Padilla age 14 Buellton, CA L-R Bottom: Cailey Pita age 11 Santa Maria, CA Levi Folkrod age 14 Arroyo Grande, CA Tyler Clark age 9 Lompoc, CA
Arroyo Grande Living thanks our sponsors, advertisers, and YOU, our readers.
www.thevintage-underground.com
A special THANK YOU to the Tanabe Family and the Vukovic Family for helping to make this dream a reality.
Want to advertise with us? Drop us a line! editor@arroyograndeliving.com
THE AGL INTERVIEW
AGL: Summer is over, and the school year is upon us. And here we are back in the principal’s office! Happily, this time we’re not in trouble! (laughter) Dan, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Tell us a little about yourself. DN: Well, I’ve lived here my whole life. I’m the youngest of four boys, and my brothers and I all went to school here. Actually, my father was a metals teacher at AG High starting in 1967, so my family goes way, way back here.
DAN NEFF
Principal, Arroyo Grande High School
Dan Neff and Arroyo Grande go way back. A lifelong
resident, Mr. Neff has experienced AG High as both a student and an educator, giving him a unique perspective as he takes the reins as the school’s principal. We had the opportunity to chat with Mr. Neff about how things have changed from his time as a student, and the challenges and rewards of education in the 21st Century.
-Interview by Russell Scott
I graduated in AG High in 1995. I studied Science and Entomology at Cal Poly, and returned to AG High to teach Biology and Astronomy. Later, I became the Assistant Principal at Judkins Middle School, and then the principal at Branch Elementary. I opened the Central Coast New Tech High School, staying on for four years, and then started a new position with the district: Executive Director of 21st Century Skills, working as an educator to bring tech/IT into the curriculum with an eye toward implementing tech strategy for the next three years. Finally, this July, I was appointed Principal of AG High. AGL: You’ve been at AG High as both student and educator. How have things changed?
DN: When I went here in the 90s, the school had 3000-3500 students, which is much larger than it is today. At that time, AG was on a track schedule, with three different sets of students starting at different times of the day. The campus was more like a junior college, with portable classrooms. It’s hard to build continuity and culture with students coming and going at different times and on different schedules. Currently, the school has about 2100 students. AGL: How has technology changed education? DN: Well, I didn’t have a cell phone when I was in high school. (laughter) Kids still learn – but HOW they learn has changed. Access to information has changed with the Internet and cell phones. Before there were only two disseminators in education: the teacher and the textbook. Now we have tools to access at a moment’s notice. We’ve gone from storing accumulated knowledge in our brains to “how are we going to use this knowledge?” That’s the paradigm shift. Students can get information online, but how will they use it? I facilitate helping them get good information, and then help them use that information to problem solve. There are a lot of problems in this world that need solving; some that we don’t know yet. We are focused on giving students a 21st Century skillset, and preparing them for jobs that don’t yet exist. AGL: How has Arroyo Grande changed over the years? DN: When my parents moved here there was one stoplight. The town really grew up in the 90s, with a whole influx of new people bringing new things to the community. I always wanted to live here. My wife Jennifer and I both went to AG High and were high school sweethearts, and we still love it. I never wanted to leave.
The Neff family in Costa Rica
AGL: Tell us more about you. What do you do for fun? DN: Well, I was a jock in school. I played football, basketball. What I do for fun now? I surf, ride my dirt bike with my kids, snowboard in the winter. I try to stay active. AGL: How about favorite movies? DN: Good Will Hunting is one of my favorites. I also like James Bond movies. And Predator is a guilty pleasure. AGL: What is your mission as an educator? DN: The “Why” for educators is to empower kids to reach their potential. Everybody has unique talents. It’s our role as educators to help kids discover their niche and unlock their potential. There’s no better high than seeing the light bulb turn on in a student’s brain. My favorite quote is by Aristotle: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” I’ve had this quote on my desk since I was a teacher. Now, it’s in the Principal’s office.
RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT -
MICHAEL FOLKROD Lopez Canyon Memories
Michael Folkrod knows a thing or two about his town. For several generations, his family has lived, worked and played in Arroyo Grande. His grandfather had a cattle ranch here, and Michael has many fond memories of a lost time in Upper Lopez Canyon, before PG&E, and before Lopez had a lake. -Interview by Russell Scott
Iʼm Michael Folkrod. I’m 75 years old, and I was born and raised in Torrance, CA. In 1949, my
Granddad, George Folkrod and my Grandma Jessie bought a cattle ranch in upper Lopez Canyon. I spent a lot of time in Lopez Canyon as a child at my grandfather’s house. It was a great open-beamed home with a bunkhouse set on 200 acres. After an oak tree destroyed the house, he rebuilt it. We called the rebuilt house ”The Rock House.” All the rocks from our chimney were salvaged from the creek by my Granddad and built by hand. They had no electricity back then, so they used oil lamps. I remember lighting them to see at night. Grandpa wired the house himself because he knew PG&E was coming through there with power. You had to cross the creek eleven times to get to the Rock House. We could always hear the sound of water from this house. My Granddad built a suspension bridge out of cable salvaged from PG&E after they came through and left spools of cable behind. That bridge was similar the one that’s in Arroyo Grande today. We had 200 feet of creek access, and he cleaned it up and made it look like a beach. People thought it was a public park! My Granddad had a late 40's Willys Jeep on the property. In the early 50s, I learned to drive on that jeep. I remember he bought that jeep brand new in Compton, and drove me back to Arroyo Grande. Back then it took about 8 hours to drive from LA to here. Most of the drive was on a two-lane road. My dad, Warn Folkrod – his name was spelled W-A-R-N, would bring a couple buddies up to the bunk house during deer season and Grandad would take them in the jeep up into the hills.
Michael, age 9 months with his mother, Esther In his first long pants, 1943
Michael, age 3, in a professional portrait Austin Studios, Los Angeles.
Around 1965, the government came in and bought the ranch and surrounding homes to create Lake Lopez. They anticipated it would take five years to fill the lake up, but they had a monsoon and filled it in a year. After my family sold the ranch to the government, they moved to 213 Short St in Arroyo Grande. One of things I remember the most was the second house Grandpa built, he built from scratch. I spent the whole summer there framing the walls. I remember we slept on army cots. I couldn’t sleep the first few nights because I could hear noises in the bushes. I helped him build a garage. I remember my mother used to put me on a Greyhound bus in Gardena, and it would drop us off at the Log Cabin Market in Arroyo Grande, and Grandpa would be waiting to take me up to the ranch. That’s still a stop for Greyhound. My granddad was a working machine – he never stopped! And he was a good teacher – he taught me to drive, he taught me how to build things – he was a guy that liked Early Times whiskey and Cuban cigars. He also smoked a pipe while he worked – so much that his lower teeth were ground down in front. When he was doing cabinetry or swinging a hammer, he was smoking a pipe. These were men back then! (laughter) These are all good memories. They were all good times in Arroyo Grande.
Grandpa George Folkrod and his pal Ralph Keane, circa 1950.
Clockwise from upper LH corner: Michael at the Rock House. Great Grandma Ida Belle, Grandma Jessie, and friends. House being rebuilt. Great Grandma Ida Belle and her friend, Mrs. Carlson. Michael on Tony the Pony with his sister, Susan. Grandpa George with one of his 5 ponies. Grandpa's trailer and Jeep.
From upper LH corner: Grandma Jessie on her horse. Grandpa on the roof of his house. Michael's dad, Warn Folkrod with some friends. Michael with his lovely Sharion. Michael's son James and his family.
A teenager's Summer in BEAUTIFUL Iceland By Kolfinna Kolbeinsdottir
Hello, my name is Kolfinna. I am 14 years old. I was born and raised in Iceland, but
moved to California four years ago. I go to Iceland every summer to visit family, enjoy nature and have my favorite ice cream. Iceland has become a major tourist attraction for its breathtaking beauty and untouched nature. You’ve probably heard about the magical Blue Lagoon or the colorful mountains of Landmannalaugar, or perhaps Jokulsarlon where large icebergs float in clear blue water. All these places are on every tourist's Top 10 list that come to Iceland, but my Top 10 list is very different. When I moved to California, it made me appreciate the little things that used to be part of my everyday life in Iceland such as the delicious and creamy ice cream I got at the parlor just around the corner from my old home in Reykjavik.
Kolfinna's Top 10 list of things to do in Iceland: 1. Get Bragðarefur at Ísbúðin Háaleitisbraut. It’s the most delicious ice cream in the galaxy. It’s made with real cream. I have it mixed with fresh strawberries and licorice. 2. Enjoy the sunset at Kópavogskirkja. Be prepared to bathe in orange light and see your shadow dance on the church's walls. 3. Stare into the clear bright blue water of the waterfall Barnafoss. The water comes from a glacier which gives it an almost turquoise color. 4. Grab some blankets, go outside and pull an all-nighter. Sit in the grass just outside your place and watch the sun set, and then rise. During the summer the sun barely stays down. 5. Go to Bæjarins bestu and get a hot dog with all the condiments. You won’t regret it. 6. Go to any store and Try our orange soda, Appelsin. 7. Spend hours at Laugardalslaug outdoor swimming pool. The waterslide is fun and there are five hot tubs at the pool, one cold pot and one that is filled with heated ocean water. 8. Yes, I know I said the Blue Lagoon wouldn’t be on this list. Yet, here it is. Remember to go online and book your tickets. I recommend going at night during the summer. It’s magical, like being inside a dream. 9. Go to a black sand beach. Every single one is flawless. 10. Go camping! It’s something most Icelandic people love to do over the summer. There aren’t many bugs, and it’s just fun in general!
BEAUTY BEAT
By Alisa Davies
We are blessed with temperate weather here in the central coast, but our seasons do still change. While the most important skin care tip I can give you now would be the same for every season, (sunblock, sunblock, sunblock), a few simple tweaks to your routine can help heal any summer damage and get your skin ready for winter. The latest trend in beauty is one that most of us have historically avoided at all costs: oil! Yup, you heard me right, facial quality skin care oils. They can make your skin dewier, smooth wrinkles, repair damage, and infuse your face with moisture. All facial oils can also be used on your body and hair as well, and while many of the best ones are inexpensive enough to use liberally, some are so precious you may wish to delicately dab them on, only as needed. Here are a few of my favorites. Let me know what you think - drop us a line! editor@arroyograndeliving.com
Burtʼs Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil -A super concentrated blend of rosehip, jojoba, and primrose oils, this gorgeous elixir make skin dewier and more hydrated. The ultra rich and hydrating formula is my secret weapon to help plump the strange and horrifying lines that have taken up residency on my neck and décolletage. It works like a serum, , is suitable for normal to dry skin, and is 99.99 percent natural. $20 for .05 oz. at burtsbees.com BioOil-Developed to help heal stretch marks, scars, and uneven skin tone, consumers quickly realized this product works wonders to repair aging skin and wrinkles as well! Formulated from plant extracts and vitamins in a PurCellin Oil™ base, this oil is priced well enough to use liberally. Hypoallergenic, and suitable for sensitive skin, this is a great way to explore the trend without a major investment. $18.99 for 4.2 oz. at bedbathandbeyond.com. Golden Dry Oil, Moroccan Prestige-One of the newer “miracle” oils out there is harvested from the Prickly Pear Cactus. This remarkable, all-natural substance is extremely high in the essential fatty acids Omega 6 and 9; vitamin e, a natural anti-oxidant; amino acids to stimulate collagen production; and vitamin k, which can brighten skin and promotes elasticity. This fun, if slightly frivolous dry oil spray blends it with argan and sweet almond oils, and a touch of gold shimmer, to create a fabulous new night out necessity. Simply spray on exposed arms and legs (no blending required) for a healthy, glowing look! $60.00 for 5oz at MoroccanPrestige.com Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega Defense Oil-The blend of botanical oils in this product reads like the ingredients in a hipster bridal bouquet: rose, camellia, orange, olive, clove bud, evening primrose, anti-irritant Lady’s Thistle Extract and jasmine oils are just of the few of the power players in the nighttime treatment. Bonus - the anti-irritant Lady’s Thistle calms anxiety-ridden skin while you sleep! $52 for 1 oz. at Origins.com
www.moroccanprestige.com
www.origins.com
www.burtsbees.com
www.bio-oilusa.com
STREAM THIS: TOP 10 BACK TO SCHOOL MOVIES
By Griffin Davies
For the young and their parents, Fall means a new school year is about to begin. Whether you dread the resumption of classes or can't wait for your offspring to be productively occupied once more, it's time to celebrate the season with quality distractions. Here then is my highly subjective list of the top ten back to school movies of all time. Grab some popcorn, and enjoy! 10. The Benchwarmers (2006) - Netflix Technically speaking, Benchwarmers isn’t a school movie, but this story of three old friends from high school who reunite as adults to finally win the children’s little league fits right in alongside the rest. While the hilarious trio of Rob Schneider, David Spade, and Jon Heder may not be for everyone, those who can turn their brain power on autopilot for an hour and a half will be laughing from start to finish. 9. Sky High (2005) - Netflix If the 1960’s are known for spaghetti westerns, the 2010’s will go down in film history for superhero movies. Long before Disney bought Marvel and turned the studio into a phenomenon, they tested the waters with their own superhero flick. Sky High is the story of a floating high school for teens with powers, kind of like an American Hogwarts for caped crusaders; and of how one young boy discovers his powers while still dealing with the struggles of being a teenager. As an eight-year-old kid seeing this at the El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Blvd, this was everything I ever wanted in a movie, and twelve years later the magic still remains. 8. Mean Girls (2004) - Netflix There are three types of people in this world: Those who haven’t seen Mean Girls, those who pretend they haven’t seen Mean Girls, and those who can quote every ridiculous line that comes out of Regina George’s mouth. Mean Girls is iconic. And the cast is perfect: Lindsay Lohan at her career high paired against a young Rachel McAdams, supported by SNL alumns Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Mean Girls is a must watch for the back to school season, as it teaches young girls that you don’t need to put others down to be on top. And guys: pulling out a Mean Girls quote is a great way to impress the ladies. Well, most of the time. 7. Everybody Wants Some! (2016) - Hulu Richard Linklater's cult comedy flew under the radar when it hit theaters last year, but the world he captured on film was something that hasn’t been seen in cinemas in a long time. Twenty-three years after he captivated audiences and launched major careers with Dazed and Confused, Linklater returns to small-town Texas to showcase the days leading up to a group of young men’s first day of college. While some scenes may run a little long, the magic is definitely still in the air, with great performances that capture that natural sense of curiosity in young adults that you just don't see anymore in today’s blockbusters.
6. Quiz Show (1994) - Netflix Quiz Show, the wildcard on this list, teaches an important lesson: cheaters don’t prevail. Directed by Robert Redford, Quiz Show tells the true story of Charles Van Doren, who wins the heart of America when he becomes the returning champion of a TV game show that is rigged in his favor. The film captures the dilemma of fame vs honesty, becoming a perfect real world example of how taking shortcuts can come back to haunt you. Students take note. 5. Heathers (1988) - Netflix, Hulu For those of us who don’t really relate to the polished and poised teens in Mean Girls, we have the darkly satisfying comedy, Heathers. The 80s ruled the teenage coming of age story, but this flick is one of a kind, following a young Winona Ryder as she plots to kill off the popular kids in her grade. While this may not tell the best message for younger viewers, older audiences can’t help but relish in Heathers intelligent yet sociopathic shenanigans. 4. Ferris Buellerʼs Day Off (1986) - Hulu You can never go wrong with Bueller, an 80s classic that will live on for generations to come. The success in John Hughes’ comedy is its simplicity, telling a story that is instantly relatable to teens growing up in a fast-paced world. Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) hatches an overly sophisticated plot to skip school for the day. Ferris takes his friends on a madcap daytrip across Chicago; an adventure that will ultimately teach him (and us) more about life than anything found in a textbook. 3. The Breakfast Club (1985) - HBO GO John Hughes at his finest, The Breakfast Club is essential coming-of-age cinema with a perfectly curated soundtrack to go along with it. Featuring some of the greatest hits of the era, the music alone is guaranteed to put a nostalgic smile on your face. This simple tale of a group of strangers serving a Saturday detention together has a little something for everyone, bringing together iconic characters from diverse social backgrounds to demonstrate how teenage angst is universal. 2. Freaks And Geeks (1999) - Netflix Ok. Freaks and Geeks is not a movie, but a TV show that only earned a single season from its ratings. Yet Freaks’ 18 episodes are so well realized that the series deserves to be judged right alongside the films of Linklater and Hughes. The cast is perfect, featuring debut roles from James Franco, Seth Rogan, Linda Cardellini, Jason Segel, and Martin Starr. Searching for the baby faces of your favorite actors is reason enough ito binge watch, but the genuine drama and thoughtful storylines from Judd Apatow and Paul Feig are what really make this show special AND ahead of its time. Grease (1978) - Netflix Well, duh. It wouldn't be a list of high school movies without the king of them all, Grease. The story is campy, the acting over the top, the morals slightly hazy… but that’s all beside the point. Grease is pure entertainment, aiming to put a smile on your face from start to finish with a dazzling soundtrack of classic catchy songs that only gets better with each viewing.
PRECIOUS PET
OF THE MONTH
DARLING DAPHNE
From Homeless Stray to Cherished Pet This month's Precious Pet is Daphne the
Cat. Once upon a time, a lonely stray cat was found by a family on the Nipomo Mesa. They named her Daphne. When the family moved to Arroyo Grande they brought Daphne with them, but after five years, the family was split by a divorce. That's when Daphne decided to move across the street to her present home. Daphne is a kind, loving and sociable cat who likes all people, and many dogs as well, which is not always the case for most felines. When she's not cat-napping on a bed, she likes to wait for her many adoring friends - of both the two and four-legged variety - to pass by and stop for a visit. Daphne is the perfect pet! -Linda Smith
Ads/Sponsor/Partnership Opportunities Editor@ArroyoGrandeLiving.com
Photo Melissa Walker-Scott
Village Roosters down by Rooster Creek!