2015 august paso magazine

Some Helpful Do’s and Don’ts for Back-to-School August 2015

pasoroblesmagazine.com

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Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

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Planet Fitness facilities are independently owned and operated. See Club for details. Š PFIP, LLC 2015 4

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

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CONTENTS

AUGUST 2015 volume 15 number 4

A MONTHLY LOOK AT LIFE IN OUR REMARKABLE COMMUNITIES

Feature S tories

12 EXTREME Wildfire Conditions

46 Business

in SLO County

Mother and Daughter Olive Growers at The Groves on 41 • What’s Happening on Main Street?

• Business Spotlight - A Column by Meagan Friberg • BEAVERSTOCK Celebrating Music and Community • Gina Fitzpatrick Named PR Chamber CEO • Inspired Home, Garden and Gourmet Expo set for August 29 and 30 •

42 Hoofbeat by Dorothy Rogers

Hoofbeat Calendar and Trail Tales

Departments 14 Education

• Some Helpful Do’s and Don’ts for Back to School

51 Time & Place

• Prepare for Back to School Night

• After School Programs for 2015-16

• Local Students Benefit from Exposure to Visual

and Performing Arts

Where to find just about anything and everything to do in August

54 Last Word – Mooney Owners

• Bearcat Student-Athletes Receive

at Warbirds

Lions Club Awards

• PRHS SkillsUSA Attends National Leadership

Conference

• Deadline for 2015 Paderewski Youth Piano

Competition is October 2

ON THE

• Paso Schools Receives Water Conservation Grant

COVER

• Kayla Peach: Working to Save Lives – One Youth

at a Time

EDITORIAL DEADLINE:

24 Paso People

7th of each month preceding publication

• City Approves $1.45 Million Park

ADVERTISING DEADLINE:

Renovations Project • Lifestyles: Restoring Hope One Life at a Time • At The Paso Robles Library • Free Haircuts for 100 Year Olds • This ’N’ That - A Collection of ‘Stuff’ • Relay for Life Results • Rotary Winemakers’ Cookoff Announces 2015 Judges

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Founding Co-Publisher: Karen Chute 1949-2004 Publisher/Editor: Bob Chute Editorial Consultant: Chris Weygandt Alba Advertising: Millie Drum, Pam Osborn, Jamie Self, and Bob Chute

Paso Robles Magazine (PRM) © 2015, is owned and published by Bob Chute. No part of this periodical may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written consent from Paso Robles Magazine.

PRM is published monthly and distributed FREE to every residence and business, including rural addresses, in Paso Robles, Templeton, Shandon, Bradley and San Miguel (zip codes 93426, 93446, 93451, 93461 and 93465). Postage paid at Paso Robles, CA 93446. PRM is also available for our visitors through local restaurants, Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce, North County Transportation Center, and other high traffic tourist-oriented locations.

Annual subscriptions to PRM, mailed to areas beyond the described distribution areas, are available for $18 per year (for orders outside U.S., add $10 postage). Mailing address: P.O. Box 3996, Paso Robles, CA 93447. Phone: (805) 239-1533, e-mail: bob@pasoroblesmagazine.com. Find us on the web at www.pasoroblesmagazine.com For advertising inquiries and rates, story ideas and submissions, contact Bob Chute at any of the above numbers. In town drop point for photos, letters, press releases, etc. at Dutch Maytag Home Appliance Center, 1501 Riverside.

Graphics Advertising and Editorial – Denise McLean, Mode Communications. Editorial composition by Travis Ruppe and Art Production by Sue Dill.

• His Healing Hands Heading to Uganda

• Templeton Continues Concerts and Movies

in the Park

• California State Fair Honors Gary Eberle with

Wine Lifetime Achievement Award

• 9th Annual Dog Splash Days of Templeton • Chautauqua Held In 1926 in San Miguel

40 City of Paso Robles Library 6

HOW TO REACH US

WE VALUE YOUR INPUT!

• County Perspective - A Column by Bruce Curtis

and Recreation

Cool stuff to do for the month ahead!

of each month preceding publication

Phone: (805) 239-1533 E-mail: bob@pasoroblesmagazine.com Mailing address: P.O. Box 3996, Paso Robles, CA 93447 In town drop off: Dutch Maytag, 1501 Riverside, Paso Robles Web: pasoroblesmagazine.com

34 Round Town

The Park Hill Fire, a few miles east of Santa Margarita. Photo by Milo Winn.

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

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Appreciating the recent RAIN, while Just a Thought respecting the continuing FIRE danger.

By Bob Chute

RAIN! I’m writing this the day after we had that fantastic thunder and lightning show along with 3.5” of rain over the July 17-19 weekend. That was incredible, I haven’t experienced anything like that in a very long time. Rho and I were up during the night watching the light show. Later, I had the patio slider open watching and listening to the seemingly non-stop booming thunder and crackling lightning…then I clearly heard the rain moving its way up the hill… awesome, sounded like a herd of cattle with the wind and rain blowing through the oak trees.

Then it exploded all over our yard… wow!

So nice to finally have some rain, now we need more. I don’t mean to be unappreciative but we all know we’re still a long way from overcoming this drought and the extreme fire conditions. Please continue your new found water saving habits and let’s hope and pray that we will be blessed with similar storms in the months ahead.

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FIRE! On that thought, we have an excellent story, EXTREME WILDFIRE CONDITIONS IN SLO COUNTY by Chris Weygandt Alba. See page 12 to learn what we all need to do to make sure we do our part. The first sentence of Chris’s story sets it up nicely, “THE HILLS ARE ALIVE, as the famous “Sound of Music” says - but here, they are explosive.

Back to School It’s back to school for area youth this month and we have stories by Judy Bedell, starting on page 14, to assist students and their parents in preparations to return to the classroom and helpful tips for after school care as well.

And yet another FANTASTIC fair!

Once again, I tip my cap to CEO Vivian Robertson and her crew at the California Mid State Fair. Awesome job, gang. We were there almost every day and loved it. Great displays, upgraded grounds and the place never looked better!

Loved the new Brews and Blues night with Stephen Stills and Robert Cray, shared two tables

with friends!

It was disappointing, however, after a long time tradition, “Due to logistical issues, the California Mid-State Fair is unable to produce the annual Cattle Drive that typically travels through the streets of Paso Robles, arriving at the Fair on Opening Day.” No explanation was given beyond that…hmmm, maybe the City doesn’t want the cattle tearing up the brand new Union Road renovations? I have no idea, hopefully it will be back for the 2016 version of “The Biggest Little Fair…Anywhere!”

And more…

There’s several more amazing stories on a variety of topics on the following pages I think you’ll enjoy, including an overview of two must-attend events on Saturday, August 15…the 12th Annual Olive Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the downtown Paso Robles Park and that evening the Paso Robles Rotary hosts the 17th Annual Winemakers’ Cookoff, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Paso Robles Event Center. Be there!

Please check out these stories and more in this issue and thanks for

continuing your support of our local advertisers who make our FREE mailing possible! Don’t forget you can see the entire Paso Robles Magazine on line after the 3rd of each month at pasoroblesmagazine .com. Check out past issues, only back as far as April of 2013 so far, at... pasoroblesmagazine.com /pdf / 2013 .04_PasoRoblesMagazine.pdf The 2013.04 connotes April. If you want May, replace the 04 with 05, etc. We plan to completely update our website in the months ahead to include ALL past issues. Stay tuned.

Another thought…

Earlier this year, in May, we carried a story about a local band of PRHS grads, The Small Kicks, focusing on their love for our hometown and creating music and all things Paso.

They recently released a single, a very catchy tune Pasomade...

I urge you to check it out at thesmallkicks.com Personal Daughter Annie celebrates her birthday on Friday, Aug. 16. Have a wunnerful day, Annie!

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

West Templeton Home on 1.25 acres. Beautifully remodeled.

Spacious bedrooms. Views.

Crown molding. Gated entry.

Rural setting, close to town. $618,000

bankston.kim@gmail.com

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

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• They were too close to the door to close it.

Riddles for the Kids Q: What word begins and ends with an ‘e’ but only has one letter?

A: Envelope Q: What is so delicate that saying its name breaks it?

A: Silence.

Q: What occurs once in a minute, twice in a moment and never in one thousand years?

A: The letter M

Comebacks • When you were in school, history …for “Callow Youth” was called ‘current events’.

• You remind me of when I was OK, word crafters… young and clueless. you think English is easy?!?

• You still think you’ll have • The bandage was wound that body forever. around the wound.

• You still think you can change him.

• The farm was used to produce • You should have grown out produce. of that by now.

• The dump was so full that it …for “Aging Social Lives” had to refuse more refuse.

• It must get heavy carrying • We must polish the Polish furniture. around that generation gap.

• The soldier decided to desert • If this is your midlife crisis, I guess his dessert in the desert. you’re planning to live to 120.

• Since there is no time like • Your little black book only has the present, he thought it was contact names ending in MD. time to present the present.

I’ve sure gotten old!

I’ve had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement, new knees, fought prostate cancer and diabetes.

I’m half blind, can’t hear anything quieter than a jet engine, take 40 different medications that make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts. Have bouts with dementia.

Paso Robles Classic Car Weekend

Golden State Classics Car Club is organizing the weekend cruise night and car show on Labor Day weekend, September 4 and 5. It is co-hosted by the City of Paso Robles. Over 300 cars are expected, net proceeds will go to local charities.

Pre-1979 classic cars will be cruising down Spring Street, a Paso Robles tra-

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Have poor circulation; hardly feel my hands and feet anymore. Can’t remember if I’m 85 or 92. Have lost all my friends.

But, thank God, I still have my driver’s license.

founded in 1986 by nine individuals interested in preserving and enjoying all types of antique, classic, and custom automobiles.

They are a family oriented car club organized for the purpose of sharing their interest in events to enjoy the people and their cars, the restoration, and/or modification of all while raising money for local charties. older cars and trucks.The Car Club organizes They also support other car club events.

dition, Friday night, 6 to 8 p.m. and The Classic Car Show happens Saturday in the downtown City Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring classic cars 1979 and older. All cars must be finished, licensed and insured to take part in the show. Participants are invited to tour the city’s entertainment spots on Sunday.

Golden State Classics Car Club was

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

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By Chris Weygandt Alba

Park Hill fire photos by Milo Winn; all rights reserved

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE, as the famous “Sound of Music” says – but here, they are explosive.

We have here the makin’s of a perfect fire-storm: Hot late summer, the fourth year of record-breaking drought, combined with tens of thousands of acres of dehydrated brush and timber. This is the flammable prime time for disastrous wildfires.

This is not a wilderness problem. The threat to the North County focuses on what Cal Fire calls “the Wildland / Urban Interface” – where wild land meets development and houses. That’s where the Central Coast unit of Cal Fire – California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection – warns that “Extreme Wildfire Conditions” demand extreme caution.

June 20-21 The first day of summer 2015, June 21, dawned on San Luis Obispo County’s largest blaze in 20 years. The Park Hill Fire about 10 miles east of Santa Margarita was almost a replay of a monster inferno of 30 years earlier.

Ignited at 2:41 p.m. on June 20th – by a similar bit of hot carbon buildup from a vehicle exhaust system – the blaze exploded in the same “Wildland / Urban Interface” as the 1985 Las Pilitas Fire, which incinerated 75,000 acres in a 10-day rage that made even San Luis Obispo citizens flee.

We were blessed this year with kinder, gentler weather. Battled by some 700 firefighters, 45 engines, 10 aircraft, and fully contained in five days, Park Hill claimed 1,800 acres, 8 residences, 10 outbuildings, and a cost estimate by Cal Fire of $3.5 million.

By the time the last crew was finishing the mopup on June 28th, Cal Fire had dispatched the strike teams and equipment to 12 other wildfires churning up and down the state. California is in flames again this summer.

Parched Earth Four years of drought and stressed, aging chaparral woodlands spell danger for mega-dry San Luis Obispo County, as August and September strike the peak of the 2015 wildfire season.

Three years ago, the Central Coast lit up the wildfire radar of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It made Cal Fire’s top-three list of regions at highest risk in the 2012 fire season, alongside the state’s mountains and the

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San Bernardino County inland area.

Cal Fire adopted a year-round preparedness plan, increasing staffing, fire engines, bulldozers, fire crews, and aircraft, also making strategic arrangements with the county fire departments who contract with Cal Fire for fire protection. That soon proved justified, as the state’s first-quarter wildfire count tripled over the previous year.

Two years ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated SLO and Monterey counties as “primary natural disaster areas” because of severe drought. State officials suspected then that 2013 would go down as one of the driest years ever.

But it got worse. California has since designated several counties like ours as the worst level of “emergency drought” areas. Across the entire state of California, the replenishing winter rains still have not come.

This year really might go down in the record books. The longest drought in our lifetime has driven this town, this county, and this state into a state of extreme alert.

A few miles east of Santa Margarita on June 20, the Park Hill Fire charred 1,800 acres in the vicinity of Park Hill and Las Pilitas roads to ashes in a matter of hours – the county’s largest blaze in 20 years.

While we all exercise extreme care with our water and equipment use as this extreme fire season peaks, we can be thankful for the city, county, and Cal Fire crews who plan and fight the wild beast of Fire.

For more info call Cal Fire Prevention, 5434244, or visit www.fire.ca.gov – For info on fire-proofing your home, see Cal Fire’s “Household Checklist” at fire.ca.gov – For evacuation planning, see ReadyForWildfire.org

In these “Extreme Wildfire Conditions,” Cal Fire urges people to exercise extreme vigilance in the countryside to avoid sparking a wildfire.

Spark ARRESTERS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL mowers, chain saws, welders, tractors, harvesters, motorcycles, and ATVs and ALL other gas-powered equipment in wildland areas.

MAINTAIN EXHAUST SYSTEMS and spark arresters; keep them free of carbon buildup. Keep the engine free of oil and dust, and the mower free of debris. Use the recommended grade of fuel and don’t top it off. NEVER let your brake pads wear too thin.

NEVER PULL OVER on dry grass or drive into dry brush. Hot exhaust pipes and mufflers start fires.

NEVER use lawn mowers in dry vegetation. Use a string weed trimmer to cut vegetation.

NEVER use electric or gas-powered equipment in dry vegetation after 10 a.m. or on windy days. Do all yard maintenance that requires a gas or electrical motor before 10 a.m. but never when it’s windy.

Note RED FLAG WARNINGS / WATCHES issued by the National Weather Service. A Red Flag Warning is the highest alert issued for weather events within 24 hours that may result in extreme fire behavior. A Fire Weather Watch is issued when weather conditions could exist in the next 12-72 hours.

NEVER mow or trim dry grass on a Red Flag Warning Day. ALWAYS keep a 46” round point shovel, fire extinguisher, and cell phone nearby.

DANGER: TOWING CHAINS – Make sure they don’t drag on the road, throwing sparks while you drive.

CAUTION Target Shooting: Shoot only in approved areas, using only lead ammunition, and never at metal targets

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

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EDUCATION & YOUTH

Almost Time for School to Start Again Some Helpful Do’s and Don’ts

By Judy Bedell DO start adjusting weekday bedtime schedules to earlier times and limiting late night television and video/computer game playing. Going to bed early and getting up on a school schedule starting two weeks before the actual start of school is the most effective way to get students back in routine and eliminates stress those first few weeks back.

DON’T go on a before school shopping spree for school supplies unless you actually know what the teachers will require. Many of the big box stores have lists of needed supplies by grade level but these are created to sell school supplies and are often NOT the supplies your child will actually be asked to bring in. Of course the backpack and lunch pail are always standard equipment and fun to purchase and take on the first day. With prices rising and budgets shrinking, wait to see what your child’s school will provide before purchasing school supplies. Many schools are now posting supply recommendations on their websites.

DO make your child a list of important contacts and phone numbers in case of emergencies. This list can be kept on a cell phone for older students and in the backpack

for the younger ones. Consider getting your child an ID bracelet with your cell phone number and contact information. This is a great idea for younger students who have yet to memorize their phone numbers. Don’t forget to update the list and contact the school when your phone number changes. Many schools are using auto-dialer phone call systems to remind you about upcoming events and activities and to receive the message, they need a working phone number.

DON’T plan a big vacation or trip the weekend before school begins. Spend some time just relaxing and being together as a family. If your child will be attending a new school, take a stroll around the campus after you get off work or on the weekend and check out where the classrooms are, the location of restrooms and the cafeteria and office.

DO make sure you and your elementary age children have a password that will be shared in the event you have an emergency and have to send a friend or co-worker to pick them up. Children should be taught not to go with strangers unless they know the password. This way no one can convince your child you have been in an accident and need to get in the car with him or her to be tak-

en to see you. Don’t frighten your children, but have a plan in place to assure their safety.

DON’T forget to have the camera and/or phone charged for those first day photos.

DO set up a basket or box to use for papers you need to read and possibly sign and return to school. There is a lot of paperwork the first few weeks and with multiple children it can get misplaced and lost if there is not a designated spot for you to check.

DON’T forget to check the bus schedule. For Paso Robles Schools it can be found at www.pasoschools. com under Support Services. Make sure both you and your child have a designated place to meet after school or if they will be walking or riding a bike home, practice the route before school actually begins.

DO make sure your child has picked up a pencil and used it at least once before school actually begins. Writing shopping lists, letters to friends and relatives, or a journal of final summer activities are all great ways to get back in the writing routine.

DON’T forget to listen to your child’s concerns or worries about returning to school. What might seem like a silly problem to an adult can cause a child much stress and anxi-

By Judy Bedell Back to School Night is an important date to mark on your calendar. Even if you have children at three different schools, or you are sending your last child off to kindergarten, you should make an effort to go. Many changes are in the works with new California State Standards and Back to School Night is also a wonderful opportunity for community members to see just how rigorous the curriculum now is.

At Back To School Night the teacher has the opportunity to present an overview of the year’s curriculum, share his/her classroom management and behavior plans, and let you know about any special events

and dates that are forthcoming.

Take along your dayplanner or calendar and mark these dates down while you have the time.

For parents, this evening also gives you a chance to see where your child is seated and to meet other parents of children in the class. Given today’s privacy laws, teachers are not allowed to give out a class list of phone numbers. So, introduce yourself to other parents and exchange phone numbers or e-mail in case your child needs an emergency ride to school or, more often, clarification on that homework assignment your child suddenly forgot the directions for.

With some schools having class sizes of 32 - 35 students, Back

to School Night is not the place for a private conference about your child and any concerns you have. Do let the teacher know when the best time to reach you is and that you value communication between school and home.

Many teachers are now utilizing e-mail to keep in contact with busy working parents. Take along an index or business card that you can leave with the teacher/s that has your name, child’s name, and contact information on it. If your child has any health conditions or learning disabilities, include this information on the card too.

You can also list ways you are

Prepare for Back to School Night

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ety. Encourage your child to talk to you about what is bothering him/her and then make a plan to address the concerns.

DO discuss and put in writing a plan for when and where homework will be done. Some families find doing it right after school works best while others like to wait until dinner is over. Splitting the tasks in half and doing some work immediately after school and then the rest after dinner works well too. Pencil in activities such as Awanas, Girl Scouts, or football and teach your child time management skills by planning ahead each week to get homework done around the various activities. Post the schedule on the refrigerator so everyone can see the plan for the week.

DON’T forget to label backpacks, lunch pails, sweatshirts and other easily misplaced items. Every few months, schools send thousands of dollars worth of clothing to thrift shops when it is left on the playground and no name is found to return the jacket or sweatshirt to the rightful owner.

DO give lots of hugs and make time to hear all of the news during the first few days back at school. It is a time for new beginnings, new friendships and new knowledge.

able to volunteer or help the teacher.

For instance, if you work during school hours, maybe you can donate supplies for a special art project or milk and cookies for a reading rewards day.

Also ask what projects or supplies the teacher may need. In years past the school provided ample Kleenex, pencils and paper. That is not the case today. See if other parents are interested in teaming up to supply a special art lesson or field trip for the classroom.

Please see SCHOOL NIGHT page 16

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

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E DUCATION & YOUTH

After School Programs for 2015-16

By Judy Bedell North County Boys and Girls Club 600 26th Street (right behind Flamson Middle School) Grades K – 8 Still the best deal in town, the Paso Robles location at 600 26th Street (right behind Flamson Middle School) offers drop-in activities and programs for students 6-14. For a minimal annual fee of only $20, parents can sign their children up for club membership.

There are many opportunities for enrichment and leadership activities. For information or to register go to www.bgcpaso.org or call 239-3659.

the activities they have planned.

They are conveniently held at Centennial Park in Paso Robles and include crafts, trips, homework help and all the fun a child can stand. Call 237-0845 for information and sign-ups.

PRYDE – Paso Robles School District After School Program If you are looking for an educational, fun and safe after school childcare program check out the Paso Robles Youth Development Enrichment Program through Paso Robles Schools. Featuring homework help, games, activities and enrichment, all on a local school campus, the PRYDE programs are an ideal choice for many parents. The school district provides an enriching and nurturing program for students in grades K – 5 at most school sites.

Call 769-1050 for information or to register.

transporting your child and a fingerprint clearance. Family-style day care providers can be a wonderful solution for working families, just make sure you know who is watching your children and what training do they have. First aid and CPR certification is highly recommended.

Having trouble finding a childcare provider? Contact the Child Care Resource Connection for San Luis Obispo County at 5412272 or the San Luis Obispo County Childcare Planning Council at 782-4723.

SCHOOL NIGHT from page 14

teacher and let him/her know if you have an area of interest or expertise you could share with the class.

Find out if there are any part-time jobs open at the school, such as yard duty supervision, which is a paid position that can be quite rewarding.

Good communication and positive support from home and the community will help all children be successful and make for a great 2015-16 school year.

Lastly, start a folder with the information you receive at Back to School Night. Keep it in a special place to refer and add to it as the year progresses. There might be papers to sign and return so get those back to the school as soon as possible.

If you are attending Back to School Night as a community member, introduce yourself to the

YMCA Centennial Park in Paso Robles and Oak Park Recreation Center Grades K – 8 The YMCA after school programs are a great deal for working families looking for art, cooking, Library Study Center sports and science, fun and mak- 3600 Oak Street, Paso Robles ing new friends are just some of This satellite location of the

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Paso Robles City Library offers students a place for quiet studying and homework completion Mondays through Thursdays on the north end of town. Computers, comfortable reading spots and friendly staff make it a great place to get your studying done. For info and hours call 237-4743.

Private After School Care Reminders Many parents opt for private after school care. When choosing someone to watch your children make sure you ask them for a DMV print out if they will be

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

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E DUCATION & YOUTH

VAPA Specialist Eileen Higgins aims to connect students with local art community

Local students benefit from exposure to visual and performing arts

By Meagan Friberg In the words of Henry David Thoreau, “This world is but a canvas to our imagination.” And now, thanks to the vision of Eileen Higgins, children in our community are about to expand their imaginations like never before.

That’s because Higgins, the new Visual and Performing Arts Specialist for Paso Robles Public Schools, is intent on ensuring every student is exposed to art in its various forms.

At an appreciation luncheon held in June at the Culinary Arts Academy, Higgins shared a wealth of information with members of the Paso Robles art community about the many exciting new initiatives in the area of Visual Arts and Performing Arts (VAPA) that will be taking place district-wide.

“I look forward to working with all of you to help support the visual and performing arts for the youth of Paso Robles,” said Higgins as she addressed the group of enthusiastic supporters.

“It’s important to have community collaboration and outreach when it comes to ensuring our kids have the experiences they deserve.”

As those in attendance enjoyed a fabulous meal prepared by Gregg Wangard, the district’s new Director of Food Ser-

“We are absolutely going to be more involved in community events and we look forward to being partners with others who support the arts.”

Higgins, a graduate of PRHS (Class of 1997), attended UCSB where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Art with an emphasis on directing for stage. Over the years, she has studied vocal music and a variety of dance. She has also instructed in social dance and is a strong advocate and supporter in the art community.

She also has a credential in elementary education as well as a master’s degree in Special Education, according to her district bio. Higgins has taught special education and, after earning her administrative credential, worked most recently as the district’s Special Education Coordinator.

Superintendent Chris Williams hailed Higgins’ strengths and commitment to the betterment of all students as he addressed those in attendance.

“Eileen does an amazing job. With our VAPA program, she will be getting the greatest people in the community to work with our kids; we are here for the passion and the purpose of the kids.

“Every elementary school will have an art studio installed this year,” Wil-

vices, Higgins gave a general overview of the VAPA program and how it will enhance student learning. The district, she shared, has a simple vision statement that applies to all programs and departments: Every student will be prepared for success in college, career, and community.

Expanding on that vision, Higgins shared the VAPA vision: All students will have consistent opportunities to engage in high quality visual and performing arts.

“In years past, visual and performing arts classes have been looked upon as an extra-curricular option,” said Higgins, “but that is not where they belong. There are so many traits that VAPA exposes in our students and it helps them connect to college and career options.”

With the start of the 2015-16 school year, students at the elementary level will have a minimum of: 35 minutes of music weekly; 35 minutes of dance weekly; 35 minutes of visual art weekly and cross-age mentoring in theatre.

With her “continued commitment and passion for student success,” Higgins is focused on tapping into the best of the Paso Robles and SLO County arts community to ensure the growth and development of the program.

“This is an extremely supportive community for the arts,” said Higgins.

VAPA Specialist Eileen Higgins and Superintendent Chris Williams

liams continued, “and there will be a dance studio at Bauer Speck, our Arts Magnet elementary school, along with a choir and music studio.”

Williams shared an experience he had with a recent PRHS graduate that discovered the arts as a young teen. His story, said Williams, is just one of many that show how a thriving VAPA program can benefit students.

“This young man was having trouble fitting in,” said Williams. “Because he was tall, someone asked if he could play basketball, to which he responded, ‘I can’t play basketball; I can barely tie my shoe!’ He was then asked, ‘What about singing?’ Well, this young man found someone that cared and helped him find his niche. He told me, ‘This changed my identity and helped form who I am today.’ Now he’s about to attend college and wants to pursue a music career; Please see VAPA page 21

Bearcat student-athletes receive Lions Club Awards The Lions Club Awards ceremony was held during May, at the Paso Robles Elks Club. Since 1946, the Lions Club of Paso Robles has honored Paso Robles High School student-athletes who display leadership and sportsmanship on their respective athletic teams.

The recipients are selected by their fellow student-athletes and are presented an engraved medallion by the Lions.

The student-athletes selected for the

spring sports season are: Varsity Baseball - Jonathon Baldwin; JV Baseball - Jeffrey Snowbarger; Freshman Baseball - Jacob Espinoza; Varsity Diving - Nichole Landon; Varsity Boys Golf - Zachary Smith; JV Boys Golf - Joshua Warren; Varsity Softball - Nichole Raithel; JV Softball - Hannah Holmes; Varsity Boys Swimming - Grant Scheiffele; Varsity Girls Swimming - Cecilia Ramirez; JV Boys Swimming - Brennen Jokel ;

JV Girls Swimming - Emmaline Voorheis; Varsity Boys Tennis - Sebastian Ouellette; JV Boys Tennis Matthew Trout; Varsity Boys Track & Field - Ty Jones; JV Boys Track & Field - Ryland Patti; Varsity Girls Track & Field - Gwen Lundy; JV Girls Track & Field - Cara Jones; Varsity Boys Volleyball - Riley Rookus; and JV Boys Volleyball - Matthew Rosas.

PROPERTY • GENERAL LIABILITY • WORKERS COMP EMPLOYEE BENEFITS • FARM PACKAGE WINERIES & VINEYARDS

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Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

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E DUCATION & YOUTH Get your A.C.T. together - Attitude, Character, Tenacity PRHS SkillsUSA attends National Leadership Conference

The Executive Director, Tim Lawrence spoke at the Opening Ceremony on Tuesday evening. He gave an outstanding speech concerning where SkillsUSA has been and where it is Students and Advisors from Pas- Gold Medalists at the State going. He stated many in the world of Robles High School (PRHS) attended Conference from PRHS. Each work understand the value of technical the National Leadership & Skills Con- of the students were tested by a training for the High School age stuference June 22 - 27 in Louisville, KY. written test and a practical test. dent, they recognize the gap that has Nine student competitors accompanied Each had to submit a Resumé been created over the past generation by seven Advisors attended to compete and take the SkillsUSA Produe to “everyone must go to college.” in eight contests. All of the students fessional Development Pro Also the world of educators have recwere attending for the first time at gram (PDP) test. ognized the gap without “Career Techthe National Conference. Paso Robles The contests began Monday nical Education” in our comprehensive High School has had competitors at the evening with the PDP test.

High Schools. One of those efforts is Conference for the past fourteen years. Some of the contests began “Science, Technology, Engineering and The students included: Natalie Mar- Tuesday with written tests and Math” or STEM, which brings the tin - Culinary Arts; Cassidy Moses - some also began the practical classroom to the shop. Students learn Early Childhood Educ.; William Car- tests, typically 6 to 8 hours in Left to right, front row; Randy Nelson, Dennis Peters, Mason more effectively with hands-on, probSteiner, Natalie Martin, Cassidy Moses, Celia Moses. ney & Matthew Munro - Audio/Radio; length. Wednesday and Thurslem based learning. The day of “VocaJoseph Tognetti - Telecommunications day are filled with various parts Second row; Matt Munro, Taylor Lamascus, William Carney, tional Education” with hammers and a Phillip Riccomini, Matt Dodds, Greg Boswell, Cabling; Matt Dodds - Electrical Con- of the practical tests. large wrench are long gone. Students struction Wiring; Taylor Lamascus - Friday evening is the Aca McDonald, Joseph Tognetti, Randy Canaday, Bartt Frey. are working with computer based proPower Equipment Technology; Mason Awards Ceremony held in grams and equipment in almost every Steiner - Plumbing; and Aca McDon- Freedom Hall of the Kentucky Event missing the Bronze Medal in Early field of technology. Career Technical ald - Marine Service Technology. Each Center with over 15,000 people filling Childhood Education. Taylor Lamas- Education in many different venues is of these students had been preparing for the hall…6500 of those were students cus was 6th in Power Equipment, Aca the future of a technology based world. these contests in their Career Technical competing in over 100 competitions.

McDonald was 7th in Marine Service, SkillsUSA provides the opportunity for Education classes. The SkillsUSA sea- California had 33 medalists. One of William Carney and Matt Munro the students to compete in their trainson of competition began last February those was Mason Steiner, a 10th grader were 9th in Audio/Radio, Matt Dodds ing environment just as they will in with Region 2 competition. 124 PRHS last year at PRHS, placing 3rd for the was 12th in Electrical Construction their future work environment. students won their Regional contest Bronze Medal in Plumbing, he trained and Natalie Martin was 14th in Culi- A thank you to the Advisors who atand the opportunity to advance to the for the Plumbing Contest with Dennis nary Arts. tended with the students; Randy NelCalif. State Conference in April and Peters, a retired Plumbing Contractor, Former PRHS graduate, Grace son - Principal PRHS, Randy Cana88 of those students chose to advance who has been Advising PRHS Stu- Stokes earned a Gold Medal in Pre- day, Bartt Frey, Greg Boswell, Phillip to the State Conference. The nine stu- dents in Plumbing for the past 10 years. pared Speech while representing Cuesta Riccomini, Dennis Peters, and Celia dents attending the Nationals were the Cassidy Moses was 4th place, just College.

Moses.

Mark your calendars now for these important dates

Deadline for 2015 Paderewski Youth Piano Competition is October 2

By Melissa Chavez The application deadline is fast approaching for the 2015 Paderewski Youth Piano Competition. Submissions to participate in the contest must be made no later than Friday, October 2, 2015.

The Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles strongly encourages talented student pianists, ages 10 to 18, who reside in San Luis Obispo, Monterey and Fresno

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and Santa Barbara counties to make their entries. The competition is restricted to non-professional pianists who are receiving current instruction with established piano teachers.

Leading the Competition Jury are concert pianist and composer Marek Żebrowski, Director of the Polish Music Center at UCLA and Artistic Director of the Paderewski Festival in Paso

Robles), and India D’Avignon (Music Department at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo. Auditions are scheduled for Saturday, October 24.

Students will compete in two age categories: Juniors (ages 10-14) and Seniors (ages 15-18). Prizes from $150 to $750 will go to the winning students.

All awards will be made at the jury’s discretion and all verdicts will remain uncontested.

The Winners’ Recital will showcase the awarded finalists on Saturday, November 7 at 4 p.m., in the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom. The performance is open to the public with no cost for admission. The recital is part of a four-day, 2015 Paderewski Festival celebration, held from November 5-8 in several Paso Robles venues.

In cooperation and sponsorship between the Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles and the Province of Tarnów in Poland, selected winners may also submit their applications to take part in an exciting trip to Poland in summer 2017 as part of the Paderewski Festival Youth Exchange Program. The unforgettable experience includes piano workshops, master classes and concert performances at Kąśna Dolna, Paderewski’s estate in southern Poland and at Jagiellonian University in Kraków. All student expenses for the trip are completely paid.

To learn more about the Youth Piano Competition, Student Exchange Program and The Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles, visit www.paderewskifest.com or call 237-7795.

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

E DUCATION & YOUTH

Paso Schools receives Water Conservation Grant The State Water Resources Control Board has awarded grant funding totaling $999,305 to Paso Robles Public Schools to be used towards water conservation projects at four schools within the district.

In response to the Governor’s declaration of a Drought State of Emergency on January 17, 2014, the State Water Resources Control Board repurposed unallocated grant funds for the DROPS grant. DROPS is focused on school projects that reduce stormwater pollution and provide multiple benefits including water conservation, water supply augmentation (increase stormwater retention and groundwater recharge), energy savings, increased awareness of water resource sustainability, and reduced dry weather runoff.

With support from the nonprofit One Cool Earth, the City of Paso Robles, and the County of San Luis Obispo, the school district applied for the grant in January 2015, and was one of 29 school districts in the state to receive an award through the Drought Response Outreach Program for Schools (DROPS). In addition, Lucia Mar Unified School District, the County Office of Education, and Atascadero Unified School District also received grants through the program, totaling $3.5 million in awards county-wide.

The DROPS grant requires a matching amount of $207,750, which will come primarily from One Cool Earth’s existing watershed education program budget over the next two years.

Stormwater retention, pollution prevention, flooding reduction and water conservation are the primary goals of PRJUSD’s projects. DROPS grant funding goes towards project planning, design, permitting, and construction, as well as education through student involvement, teacher trainings, and permanent educational signage directed toward the general public.

The project’s initial design aims to: 1) Capture and infiltrate up to 1.7 million gallons (5.2 acre-feet) of stormwater runoff annually, 2) Remove 6,800 square feet of turf to save approximately 160,000 gallons (0.5 acre-feet) of irrigation water per year, and 3) Capture or prevents the erosion of over 1 ton of sediment and particulate pollution per year.

Specifically, funds will benefit the following schools and associated projects: • Georgia Brown Elementary School - will receive approximately $369,000 for the design and installation of drought-tolerant landscaping and stormwater retention basins.

• Bauer-Speck Elementary School -

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

will receive approximately $49,000 for the installation of a rain garden.

• Flamson Middle School - will receive approximately $452,000 for the design and construction of a new parking lot, which will include low impact development (i.e., permeable pavers and a bioretention basin) as well as extension of existing native garden.

• Lewis Middle School - will receive approximately $127,000 for the design and installation of bioretention basins, permeable pavement, stormwater infiltration strip and tree planter box.

Paso Schools will begin the planning and design of these projects in the coming months, with completion expected before the March of 2019 grant deadline. Portions of the design

process will include community and school site input through public design forums. The City of Paso Robles and its partners are excited to begin the projects that will benefit, not only the schools themselves, but the greater community, and they are confident that improvements at our schools will provide a foundation for better education and awareness of our delicate and vital water resources.

Every DROPS project includes an educational component designed to increase student awareness of the project’s environmental benefits and water resource sustainability. For more information regarding the DROPS Grant, visit: www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/ programs/grants_loans/drops/

VAPA from page 18

cates and extended their “appreciation and gratitude for keeping visual and performing arts alive for the youth of Paso Robles” to the following community supporters: Paso Robles Youth Arts Foundation, Paso Robles Art Association, SLO Symphony, Paso Robles Main St. Association, Paso Robles Magazine, Paso Robles Library Services, Paso Robles Education Alliance, REC Foundation, City of Paso Robles, and Artistry in Motion.

all of this evolved from his positive experiences at Flamson and the high school.”

With the new VAPA program in place and Higgins at the helm, Williams said Paso Robles will be the only district in the county to have this type of full-fledged arts program. “Our kids will truly benefit from all of this.”

Following the presentation, Higgins and Williams handed out certifi-

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E DUCATION & YOUTH

August 22 – It’s the Hot August Neon Nights Fun Color Run and Glow in the Dark Block Party

addiction and substance abuse information and data that includes the names, ages and faces of many of our own local youth that have been lost to the devastating disease called addiction.

No parent ever thinks it will be “their child.” The mission of the KPMF is to make this a reality.

Scholarships are given to graduating seniors who are committed to making a difference in the lives of others by leading a life free of substance abuse.

Hot August Neon Nights Fun Color Run and Glow in the Dark

Kayla Peach: Working to save lives – One youth at a time –

By Millie Drum Our community continues to be saddened by the tragic loss of youth due to addiction and substance abuse related to overdoses and accidents. The Kayla Peach Foundation was formed to raise awareness and education with our community, parents and youth. There is a silent, very real epidemic of substance abuse related deaths among our youth. With funding, the KPMF

raises awareness and provides educational programs to the Paso Robles School District; partnering with the SLO County Sheriff ’s Department, National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, North County Connection, the School Collaboration Committee and other local nonprofit organizations.

The KPMF brings the severity of the problem to the community with banners and screenings of

DAR awards Youth Citizenship Medals The Daughters of the American Revolution El Paso de Robles Chapter is proud to announce the students who were awarded the distinguished Youth Citizenship Medal throughout North County Schools. Students who fulfill the qualities of honor, service, courage, leadership and patriotism were recognized in these grades with a beautiful medal and certificate.

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Cappy Culver - 6th Luke Bower, 7th Casey Strupp.

Daniel Lewis Middle School - 6th Jalen Cullors, 7th Gabriella Clayton, 8th Aurora Lomanto. Lillian Larsen – 6th Dominic Barron, 7th Adriana Ruiz, 8th Felicity Hamamota.

North County Christian School 6th Franne Kleynhans, 7th Anneline Breytenbach, 8th Kyle Parsley. Pleas-

Dr. Curt Dubois, Superintendent of San Miguel School District, told students he had been awarded this honor when he was in 8th grade, and still has his medal!

Almond Acres - 6th Hobie Smith, 7th Anthony Parent, 8th Lauren Alvarez-Escobedo. Atascadero Jr. High - 6th Melissa Webb, 7th Laura Hernandez-Arvizu, 8th Justin Hart.

Block Party is the annual event benefitting the Kayla Peach Memorial Foundation. On Saturday August 22, from 12 noon to 10 p.m., Kennedy Club Fitness will host the 5 and 10K run, food, music and activities and health fair for the whole family. The 10K begins at 5:30 p.m., with the 5K following at 6 pm. To register individually or as a fundraising team in the 5 or 10K run, go to active.com. To become a sponsor or represent your business at the health fair, call Sean or Donna Kelley at 712-2385. Mailing address is KPMF, PO Box 908, Paso Robles, 93447. Email kpmf@ kaylapeachmemorialfoundation .com, or online at Kaylapeach memorialfoundation.org ant Valley School - 6th Katherine Reid, 7th Kaya McCasland, 8th Grace Taft. Shandon School - 6th Angela Ramirez, 7th Kelsey Kennedy, 8th Trinity Lindsey.

Templeton Hills Adventist School - 8th Carma Coleman. Templeton Middle School - 8th Nathan Lebans. For information contact Donna Cohen, Regent, at dmcpatriotdaughter@gmail.com.

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

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PAS0 PEOPLE

City council approves $1.45 M park renovation project

By Heather Young The city of Paso Robles is another step closer to improving Paso Robles Downtown City Park after the council approved the conceptual design during June. “[It will] significantly improve the area,” Paso Robles Public Works Director Dick McKinley said. “It’s going to be a bigger area – nice, cooler equipment.”

The process began in December 2013. Then the city was awarded a State of California Housing-Related Parks Program $804,000 grant that must be used to improve or rehabilitate the park by June 30, 2016. The project will also be funded by the remaining redevelopment money – $650,000 – from the 2009 bond sale, for a total of $1.45 million. McKinley said the project will mostly be a repair and improvement project.

Paso Robles Library and Recreation Services Director Julie Dahlen said that there’s nearly $90,000 put into an endowment fund to pay for future maintenance issues.

“We’re just delighted with this endowment fund, because we sometimes have issues [with funds to take care of maintenance issues],” Dahlen said.

The idea to upgrade the park’s playground came about two years ago, Dahlen said, when the REC Foundation identified the need to upgrade the play area. After the grant was won, the project expanded from just renovating the playground to the whole park.

SSA Landscape Architects incorporated all potential projects into the conceptional design, which include: a new playground,

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Americans with Disabilities Act compliant pathways, new trees, repairs to the gazebo, barbecue and horseshoe pit areas and upgrades to the irrigation and electrical systems.

One big change to the park will be the removal of the fountain near 12th Street at Park Street.

McKinley said that it has been in the downtown’s master plan for some time to take out the nonworking element.

“The master plan for that [area] calls for the current, old fountain to be removed and to be replaced at some time in the future somewhere else in the park,” McKinley said, adding that the new fountain is not included in the current project.

New playground area will include equipment pictured below and to be complete

by June of 2016

Horseshoe Pit and BBQ Area

Along with the removal of the fountain, trees will be added to the 12th Street entry way to the park where the fountain currently stands. He said that over the last 100 years, trees have died or been removed causing the view from 12th Street to Carnegie Library to be unbalanced. He said the entry way, which includes two columns that will be bricked to resemble Carnegie Library, will bring people’s eyes and their bodies into the park.

City staff said that time is of the essence in order to meet the requirements of the grant funding.

Currently a construction budget for the project is being finalized by the architect. All elements of the project will go out to bid.

The bid results will be presented to the council for confirmation and, depending on the cost, the prioritization of projects.

Potential improvements and rehabilitation projects presented to council on November 18, 2014, include: • Playground renovation • Make interior paths ADA-compliant • Repair exterior sidewalk • Upgrade electrical system • Upgrade irrigation system • Reforestation • Renovate gazebo • Redo fountain area • Redo barbecue and horseshoe areas The plan was unanimously approved by the Paso Robles City Council with no changes made to staff ’s proposal. McKinley said that once the design work is complete, the project will go out to bid later this year. He said he hopes that it will be taken back to the council for awarding the bid in November or December with work starting in December or January 2016.

“Because of the grant, all of the work has to be done by the end of June [2016],” McKinley said.

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

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PASO PEOPLE

Restoring Hope

Too Young, Healing for Damaged Emotions and Relapse Prevention.

Many sessions are free; specialty classes for a minimal fee.

As a recovering addict herself, Ms. London has dedicated her life to helping others with drug and alcohol addiction. Through her own search for support, she began her ministry which has helped people turn their lives around. As a nonprofit organization, donations are welcome along with volunteers and visitors to the Center. For information, call 238-2290. Visit lifestylesrecoverycenter.org.

One Life at a Time

By Millie Drum, Lifestyle Recovery Center hosted an Open House on June 29 to celebrate the expansion to a larger location at 715 24th street, Suite B in Paso Robles. Executive Director Karolyn London, board members and community supporters gathered to tour the facility with opening comments and thanks to those who made it possible.

Mayor Steve Martin and board members cut the ribbon to officially open the new center. “The expansion is indicative of why Paso Robles is such a wonderful place to live,” said Mayor Martin. Life-

styles Recovery Center opened its doors on April 21, 1988 in a house next door to a local church with the mission to provide a safe place for those recovering from addictive behavior and to provide mental health support. The philosophy is based on the premise that addictive behaviors are symptoms of underlying problems. Through support of mostly private donors, the center hosts recovery groups, individual counseling and classes for youth and adults with a large referral base and resource library. Other classes include HIV Prevention, Narcotics Anonymous, Youth Hour, Never

AT THE PASO ROBLES LIBRARY Rainbow Rowell’s Eleanor and Park to be Library Book Group Topic The public is invited to join the Paso Robles Book Group on Friday, August 21, 7 p.m. in the Library Conference Room for a discussion on Rainbow Rowell’s Eleanor and Park.

Half-Korean sophomore Park Sheridan is getting through high school by lying low, listening to the Smiths (it’s 1986), reading Alan Moore’s Watchman comics, never raising his hand in class, and avoiding the kids with whom he grew up. When the situation turns dangerous, Rowell keeps things surprising, and the solution – imperfect but be-

The mayor and board members cutting the ribbon opening the larger location of the Lifestyle Recovery Center, from left, Chris Iversen, Executive Director Karolyn London, Mayor Steve Martin, Mark Rehfield, Paul Press, and Eddie London.

Photo by Heather Young

The 11th Annual BBQ Fundraiser for the Lifestyle Recovery Center will be held on August 8 in the Paso Robles City Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Noontime Kiwanis is providing chicken BBQ for $10 and hot dogs for $5. Bring your chairs for a summer picnic and live music by “Scratch.” All proceeds benefit the Center.

cated at 1000 Spring Street and is open Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on library programs and events, call 237-3870 or visit www.prcity.com/library.

Three hot concerts remain in the City Park The City of Paso Robles, the REC Foundation, and J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines invite you to enjoy the final three concert in the series, beginning the k60’s sound of Unfinished Business, on Thursday, August 6.

If you like old-school R&B, then be sure to come Thursday, August 13 for an evening with Big Daddy’s Blues Band.

Wrap up your summer of live music in the park with the final concert of the season on Thursday, August 20 with The

lievable – maintains the novel’s delicate balance of light and dark.

Digital Photography on Display in the Paso Robles City Library Award-winning photographer Dean Crawford, Jr., will be the guest artist at the Library in August. Crawford retired from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2007 and was a graphic design instructor at Cuesta College. He rides motorcycles in our countryside in search of that great landscape image and teaches Digital Photography for the City of Paso Robles. Come and enjoy his computer-enhanced photographs.

The Paso Robles City Library is lo-

JD Project Band, their driving blend of rock, blues, soul, and more!

All summer concerts are on Thursdays and begin at 5:30 pm in the Downtown City Park. J. Lohr wine, Firestone on-tap beer, water, and soda will be available.

All net proceeds from beverage sales go to the REC Foundation; please show your support of their efforts to enhance parks and recreation in Paso Robles by purchasing a beverage or two. And remember, dogs are not allowed in the Downtown City Park.

For concert information, please call the City’s Recreation Division at 2373988 or log on to the City of Paso Robles website at www.prcity.com/recreation.

Concerts in the Park is presented in cooperation with Paso Robles Magazine and the Downtown Paso Robles Main Street Association.

Free haircuts for 100 year olds

By Millie Drum Nick Ruberto at Nick’s Barber and Hair Design has a long-standing tradition of giving free haircuts to his customers that celebrate their 100th birthday. Ralph Blodget turned 100 on May 20. After cutting Ralph’s hair

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lived in Paso since 1980.

He has 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Ralph’s son Bob smiles and says, “Dad likes to have Nick cut his hair. He’s got a better memory than I do!”

for 25 years, Nick says, “From now on, Ralph doesn’t pay for his haircuts!”

Ralph still lives independently in his home with his son Bob and others checking in periodically. Ralph reads the LA Times everyday and keeps up on local news too. Born in LA, Ralph’s

Back row, Gricelda, Bob Blodget, Nick. Front - Nick’s daugther Nicole PeBenito and Ralph

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

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PASO PEOPLE

‘N’

THIS

THAT

A collection of stuff

Make A Difference In Your Community, Volunteer!

Volunteers needed for the official Paso Robles Chamber Visitor Center.

Know someone with a warm smile and a love for Paso Robles?

Whether it is you or someone you know, volunteers are needed to greet visitors, community members and business professionals at the official Visitor Center located inside the office of the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce.

Volunteer duties include answering a high volume of phone inquiries, giving directions and assisting with various projects needed for the Chamber team. This is a fun opportunity and a great way to connect with the community.

The Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce operates Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm and Saturday and Sunday 10:00am to 2:00pm. Volunteer shifts are generally four hours with both morning and afternoon positions available and limited shifts on the weekend and special events.

If you like working with people

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and have a good understanding of Paso Robles and the surrounding area, pick up a volunteer application at the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center located at 1225 Park Street, Paso Robles, CA or call 238-0506.

For more information, call the Chamber office at 238-0506.

Summer’s Sizzling @ Live Oak Church!

Kids bored? Need some end-ofthe-summer fun? They’ve got you covered!

Vacation Bible School at Live Oak Church will be happening Monday through Friday, Aug. 3-7, 9 a.m. to 12 noon for kids pre-school through 5th grade with rockin’ music, games, crafts, Bible Stories, snacks & FUN! Live Oak Church is located at 1521 Oak St. (corner of 15th & Oak). For more information call 238-0575.

Adult Wellness Adult Wellness & Prevention Screening serves the County of San Luis Obispo providing free health screening for adults. Services include monitoring of blood pressure, pulse and weight and finger prick blood test screening for anemia, blood sugar and cholesterol. Nutritional /lifestyle Counseling. No appointment needed for basic services.

The schedule for August is as follows:

Tuesday, Aug. 4, 9 a.m. to 12 noon - Atascadero, Colony Park Community Center. *Full Lipid Panel available at this site for $20.00 fee. Call 544-2484 ext. 1 for an appointment.

Wednesday, Aug. 26 - Paso Robles Senior Center 270 Scott St. 9 a.m.-12 noon.

Celebrate America with Showtime at the USO! The Paso Robles Republican Women Federated hosts its inaugural Celebrate America party “Showtime at the USO” on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Estrella Warbirds Museum.

In the tradition of USO entertainment, The Royal Garden Swing Orchestra will play dance tunes.

Special guest is Justin Bond, veteran and founder of Our Heroes Dreams. Guests will have a chance to fly on the historic C-47 Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber during the event to benefit the Gooney Bird Group.

A portion of the proceeds benefits PRRWF programs, scholarships and Honor Flight Central Coast.

Festivities include food stations, wine tasting, silent auction and raffle for a Weatherby Vanguard Sporter.

Tickets are $45 per person ( 21 and over), $35 for veterans and military through brownpapertickets. com or at the Paso Robles Chamber

of Commerce.

The Paso Robles group is affiliated with the other 48 states with National Federation of Republican Women in America who inform the public through political education, activities and the encouragement of active citizenship. For more information, visit prrwf.org and email PasoRobles RWF@cfrw.org.

6th Annual Burgers & Beer Tasting Festival and Competition SLO County California Women for Agriculture announces the festival to be held on Sept. 6 from 5 to 9 p.m. The event promotes locally grown meat and Central Coast brews in the historic setting of the Loading Chute in Creston. For burgers and brews, Templeton Hills Beef, Alegre, Castelanelli Bros., Firestone Walker Brewing and Central Coast Brewing will provide tastings, all while listening to Monte Mills and the Lucky Horseshoe Band.

Tickets are limited, contact Shannon Plaskett, shannonplaskett@ gmail.com or Michaela Wise, slolady63@gmail.com. Pre-sale with souvenir glass - $45. Sober driver and kids 7 - 20 are $35. At the door, $45 and $30. The event raises funds for annual agricultural scholarships.

Please see T N’ T page 30

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

237-1220

FREE RENTAL EVALUATION

• Fast Placement • Rental Hotline • Lowest Vacancy Rates • Eviction Service • Tenant Screening • Property Inspections

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

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PASO PEOPLE

Paso Robles Relay for Life

By Millie Drum Our Relay for Life community came together on June 27 – 28 at the PR Event Center Frontier Town to celebrate the heroes who have survived cancer and to remember the loved ones who so courageously fought the battle. With the leadership of Natalie Riloquio from the American Cancer Society, 23 teams comprised of 317 participants raised over $64,000.

Top team honors go to Star Trekkers with $12,435 (team captain David Lee raised $4,230), Paso Robles Elks Lodge $6,484 and Idler’s Home $5,834. Major sponsors include Idler’s Home, Paso Robles Magazine, The Wellness Kitchen and Resource Center, Paso

Robles Elks Lodge, Pan Jewelers, KPRL, New Times, Hampton Inn, Sky River RV, Rabobank, and Zurn Engineered Water Solutions.

Opening Ceremonies featured local veterans presenting ”hero medals” to cancer survivors followed by the Survivor and Caregiver Laps.

By late afternoon, a beautiful rainbow and sunset set the mood for the poignant Luminaria Ceremony.

Getting involved with Relay offers the opportunity to honor those we’ve lost and help those going through every stage of cancer from diagnosis to treatment; to recovery to survivorship!

For information on Relay for Life 2016, contact Natalie at 473-1748 or natalie.riloquio@cancer.org.

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KSBY is the Master of Ceremonies.

Gourmet dining, local wines, silent and live auction and raffle. Proceeds support the recruitment, training and supervision of volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children in SLO County. slocasa .org.

American Heart Association - Heart & Stroke Walk Register for the Sept. 12 event

A Benefit for CASA CASA’s 13th Annual Rendezvous at the Country Club is Sept.

19, from 5 to 10 p.m. at the San Luis Obispo Country Club in San Luis Obispo. Call 541-6542 or visit slocasa.org for reservations and information. Tickets $100 each; $800 table of 8. Dave Hovde of

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Rainbow over Frontier Town and Luminaria lining the track

Survivor Kay Waltz and Mary Uebersax celebrating Survivorship!

Above, local veterans honor the heroes who are cancer survivors, and right, The Survivors Lap. Photos by Richard Baker Photography

at the Avila Beach Promenade and Bob Jones Trail. The 5 K walk/run raises funds to support AHA’s research and education. Activities include a Kid Zone, educational booths, healthy food and health screenings. Visit SLOHeartWalk .com.

Heart and Soul Women’s Conference The Heart and Soul Women’s

Conference will be held on Friday, Sept 18, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. and Saturday, Sept. 19, 9 a.m. to 2:30 pm. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 940 Creston Road, Paso Robles.

The featured speaker will be Pam Farrell author of Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti. For informtion, call Debbie at 610-5194 www.heart andsoulwomensconference.com.

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

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PASO PEOPLE

Rotary Winemakers’ Cookoff announces 2015 Judges The Paso Robles Rotary is once again bringing Paso Robles’ top winemakers together to compete to see who is the best chef.

The 17th Annual Winemakers’ Cookoff is Saturday, August 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Paso Robles Event Center, 2198 Riverside Avenue, Paso Robles.

The Rotary Club has announced the lineup of judges for the 2015 Cookoff including five respected food and wine industry professionals: Robert Whitley, a San Diego-based syndicated wine writer and wine-industry judge, Mike Cervin, a Santa Barbara-based food and wine journalist and author; Kathy Marcks-Hardesty, a local wine industry journalist; Sara Schneider, wine editor for Sunset magazine, and Brigit Binns, a local cookbook author and cooking teacher.

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“This is an extremely experienced and cohesive group of judges,” says Sharon Ross, the chairwoman of the Rotary Winemakers’ Cookoff.

The judges’ duties are to sample the wine and food pairings prepared on site and served to event attendees by the participating wineries to determine winners of the Judges’ Choice awards. In a parallel food and wine pairing competition, participating winemakers solicit votes from attendees for the People’s Choice awards.

“The Paso Robles Winemakers’ Cookoff has become one of Paso Robles’ mostpopular wine, food and music events,” says event co-chairperson Bob Fonarow. “Participating wineries pair their grilled culinary creations with their finest wines and compete for both Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice awards the day of the event. We are expecting tickets to sell out fast.”

All proceeds from the event benefit local high school scholarships. Thanks to the event, The Paso Robles Rotary contributed $36,500 to Paso Robles High School scholarships this year. Since the event’s inception, over $400,000 in scholarships has been awarded to local high

school students. IQMS is returning as the title sponsor of the event.

“The IQMS sponsorship of the Rotary event underscores our company’s commitment toward the education and support of our local youth,” said Randy Flamm, President and C.E.O. of IQMS. “As we continue to prosper here, our involvement in helping to further the goal of an event like the Cookoff is one way of giving back.”

Back by popular demand: Julie Beaver & the Bad Dogs will be performing throughout the evening.

The Rotary Club is limiting attendance to just 1,200 tickets, must be 21 to attend, no children, pets or ice chests allowed.

Blankets & beach chairs are welcomed. Free parking is available on-site. Regular ticket: $85 per person + associated fees, and designated driver: $45 per person. Tickets on sale now at Eventbright, also available in downtown Paso Robles at the offices of Access Publishing, 806 9th St, #2D, Paso Robles (805) 226-9890. Unless this is a sold out event, tickets are available for purchase at the event, between 5-6 p.m.

Questions? E-mail: info@winemakerscook off.com

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

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COUNTY PERSPECTIVE

BY BRUCE CURTIS

Budget Backed: As we mentioned, the county is in a bit better place, money wise, with a 5% reserve back in place, post-recession. The board passed a new $562 million budget that holds the first surplus since recession cutbacks sliced $80 million from county spending.

Health and human services picked up nearly 30 new employees, not surprising because healthcare and social services make up nearly $197 million or 35% of the county’s total budget.

Overture, Pink Slip: Once a community grows to a certain threshold, I think people just want to do something that matters and often that means the arts.

We had a wonderful ArtsFest last May; innovative sculptor Dale Evers opened his Paso Robles studio, while Dan Schultz’s soul satisfying “Wine Country” showed with pallet-knife wielding Carol Swinney, whose “Golden Hills of California” just begged us to enter her world with a wine and cheese picnic basket.

And of course come November, strains of Paderewski will waft over the same rolling vineyards depicted by local artists, proving that fine music and fine art coexist.

Sadly, controversy also coexists.

By now, most county classical aficionados know about the heated drama playing out within the county’s orchestra, SLO Symphony.

As a former Cuesta Master Choralist, I had the pleasure of performing with the San Luis Obispo Symphony at various venues, and I have to tell you, nothing is quite as sublime as singing Handel in a tux at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, under the directorship of Michael Novak.

Everyone who knows about SLO Symphony is by now aware Novak was

fired from his post, reportedly after a fundraising disagreement with Symphony director Edmund Feingold.

Shortly after the heated disagreement, Novak was quietly called before the executive committee. The product was a press release that in essence said Novak had resigned. Novak, for his part, told the media he’d been informed his contract wouldn’t be renewed, and no, he would get no explanation why.

The profound soul stirring of civilization’s musical pinnacle is easily drowned out by the jangling discord of base human political pettiness. Tacky doesn’t even begin to cover it. San Luis Obispo County deserves better.

Kalvans Galvanized: Another hat is in the ring for 1st District Supervisor, that of San Miguel Community Services Director Anthony “Bear” Kalvans.

Calfire did a fast job knocking down a drought-aggravated conflagration near Pozo.

The board says it’s a personnel matter; fine, I respect that, but secrecy isn’t helping restore broken trust. Musicians have threatened to walk out and big donors have publicly withdrawn their support, citing ineptitude in how the matter was allegedly handled.

Over decades, SLO Symphony has grown into the backbone for music arts in this county and Novak is primarily why. A network of community outreach and education programs, such as a popular youth symphony program and in-classroom resources bear Novak’s indelible signature, a legacy stretching back more than 30 years.

Community leaders and media commentators, to a person, blasted, not just the firing, but how it was handled.

Novak is rumored to be considering legal action against SLO Symphony.

And then inexplicably, the board issued a press release saying Novak would be invited to conduct three guest concerts during the summer season. The press release was the first Novak had heard about it.

It is probably not hyperbole to say he made SLO Symphony what it is – or at least was – until recently.

No word on whether Kalvans plans to exploit his nickname if elected to the board, but he has opined that rural county residents don’t get acknowledged by county staffers to the extent they should.

As a groundwater basin advisory committee member, the San Miguel native naturally gravitates to the subject of water, remaining critical of earlier board decisions that he thinks benefited consultants rather than residents.

Perhaps more cub than bear, 22-year-old Kalvans would definitely bring a more youthful perspective to the board than other candidates.

First Big Fire: Calfire did a fast job knocking down a drought-aggravated conflagration near Pozo.

At 1,800 acres, the Park Hill blaze was the biggest fire to hit the county in two decades, destroying 18 homes and numerous other structures before more than 640 firefighters got control.

Sheriff ’s deputies went door to door, warning residents while helicopters, dozers and Paso Robles based air attack planes dropped red retardant on the fast-moving fire.

As bad as the blaze was, most of us are aware it could have been much worse, as historic drought conditions continue to encrispen hillsides. We should be thankful…and vigilant.

Baddies: Crime figures for Paso Robles are down in some areas; up in others, but according to officials, they’re lower than the national average, overall.

Paso Robles police chief Robert Burton told a county newspaper that rape is declining; he’s glad, but can’t offer an explanation.

Some property crimes are down; burglaries dropped from 211 to 157, from 2013, although assault is up from 87 to 112, which makes me wonder why we are getting so angry at one another.

Vehicle theft is up almost 15%, although Paso Robles is still below national car theft rates, according to crime statistics. Overall, crime in unincorporated county areas is lower than national averages.

Civility or Censorship? San Luis Obispo County’s League of Women Voters is encouraging a culture of civility at county board meetings, and the board acquiesced to their request for a resolution.

Because the League of Woman Voters isn’t known for nonpartisanship, they’re hardly in a position to criticize. In my experience, political ideologues often use “incivility” as a bludgeon to stifle dissent. After all, one man’s passionate opinion is his opponents’ ‘incivility’.

Realistically, the workings of democracy are supposed to be untidy.

There is a reason lawmaking is often compared to sausage making: political discourse is emotional, impassioned and often, uncivil.

Instead of paternally lecturing citizens on civility, elected officials should develop thicker skins and better listening skills. They should never forget they work for us, and we don’t always like what they do.

His Healing Hands heading to Uganda

2014. The goal of Taproot is to provide secondary education and job training skills to teenage girls in the Arua area.

Dr. Rich Savage or Cal-Poly and his The organization recruits all of the following people: doctors, students invented and designed a solar His Healing Hands, volunteers from across the nurses, dentists, optomotrists, EMT- light called the Luna Light, which will a Paso Robles based country to staff short term Medical, technicians, pharmacists and be used to launch the micro finance projnon-profit organization is medical teams which go therapists. partnering with two other ect in Arua which will provide jobs to to third world countries ZOZU Project was founded in 2014 local residents of Arua as well as generatnorth county non-profits to provide free medical by Dr. Mick and Dr. Elaine Lebens and ing profits which will be used for further and with students and procare. Uganda is one of the their children to provide primary school community development in Arua. fessors at Cal-Poly to help people in the Northern Uganda town countries served. Short-term medical education in Arua, Uganda. Recogniz- There is a strong connection beof Arua, to receive health care, clean missions in 2015 include: Ethiopia - ing that the lack of education is key el- tween charities in North San Luis water, primary school education, job February 18 - March 1; Dominican ement contributing to ongoing poverty, Obispo County and the town of Arua, training and a micro finance project Republic - July 10 - 18; Uganda - Au- they founded ZOZU to build and oper- Uganda. which will provide permanent jobs and gust 14-23; Peru - Sept. 11- 20;. and ate a primary school in Arua. They also For more information contact Carl Indonesia - October 2 - 11. income for people there. operate a child sponsorship program for Dawson, office 805-434-3653 or mo His Healing Hands was found- Medical professionals are needed. the children enrolled in that school. bile 858-335-0663, email cdawson@ ed in 2002 by local doctor and Paso Each clinic has a variety of medical Taproot Charities was founded by hishealinghands.com or carldawRobles vintner Dr. Warren Frankel. professionals that includes some or Templeton resident Sara Messer in son55@gmail.com

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Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

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Templeton. For more information, contact Gail Kudlac at info@templetonchamber .com or 434-1789.

By Heather Young Templeton Pool Templeton Pool is open Tuesday through Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. through Aug. 14 and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. through Sept. 7. The pool is closed every Monday except Sept. 7 for maintenance. As a thank you to the community, Templeton Lions Club is sponsoring free recreational swim for children.

Lessons will be offered throughout the summer in the morning, register forms are available at Templeton Pool at Templeton Community Park. For more information, call 781-5930 or 434-0686 or go to www.slocounty parks.org.

September Women in Business Templeton Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business meets the second Tuesday of the month at rotating locations. The September meeting will be held on Sept.8 at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast, rather than its usual luncheon. The special breakfast meeting will be held at Templeton Community Center and hosted by Bless Your Heart Specialty Baking. Owner Rosemary Hawthorn will speak about her entrepreneurial journey, making jam and gluten-free baking.

The cost is $20 for chamber members and $25 for non-members. To RSVP, email info@templetonchamber.com by the Friday before the luncheon.

Templeton continues concerts and movies in the park

Concerts in the Park Templeton’s summer Concerts in the Park series runs every Wednesday through Aug. 19. The concerts are held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., except for the last two, which will go from 6 to 8 p.m., in Templeton Community Park. Local food vendors will be set up during the concerts, though attendees may bring their own picnics and beverages, including alcohol, along with low-back chairs, blankets and small tables. No dogs or smoking is allowed during the concert.

Although alcohol is allowed in the park, Templeton Community Services District Recreation Assistant Lynda Vering said no glass should be used for the safety of everyone in attendance. For more information, call 434-4909.

Concert 2015 lineup Aug. 5: The JD Project Aug. 12: The Brass Factory Aug. 19: Monte Mills and The Lucky Horseshoe Band

August Women in Business Templeton Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business meets the second Tuesday of the month 11:30 a.m. at rotating locations.

The August meeting will be Aug. 11 at the Templeton Community Center, with lunch catered by Chef

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Charlie. The topic will be “Women Entrepreneurs of the Central Coast- A Panel Discussion,” and include Amy Kardel of Clever Ducks Computer Network Services; Inga Tritt of Original Sprout; and Martha Van Inwegen of Life Elements, Inc., Action Wipes and TheraBee Culinary Honey. The panel will be moderated by Kat Breig, broker/associate at York Real Estate, Inc. The cost is $20 for chamber members and $25 for non-members. To RSVP, call 434-1789 by the Thursday at 5 p.m. before the luncheon.

SLOFolks concert : Wake the Dead SLOFolks’ third summer concert for 2015 at Castoro Cellars, 1315 N. Bethel Road in Templeton, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m. Wake the Dead will be the performer. Tickets are $22 each. A catered dinner will be available at an additional cost.

Movies in the Park Templeton Community Services District will host its annual Movies in the Park series on Saturdays in August and September in Evers Sports Park. The movies will begin at sunset.

Sponsors are still being sought. for more information, contact Lynda at 434-4909 or lvering@templetoncsd. org. Admission to the movies is free and open to the public.

Aug. 22: “Back to the Future” Aug. 29: “Dolphin Tale 2” Sept. 19: “Paddington” Sept. 26: “Big Hero 6” August After Five Mixer The Templeton Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly After Five Mixer on Thursday, Aug. 27 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Honey Oak House, 2602 Templeton Road in

Castoro Cellars’ Lazy Locals concert: 1X Spaceman Castoro Cellars, 1315 N Bethel Road in Templeton, will host its monthly Lazy Locals concert on Sunday, Aug. 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. with 1X Spaceman. Admission is free and a portion of the day’s wine sales will be donated to a local nonprofit. Attendees are encouraged to bring low-back chairs and blankets. No outside alcohol is allowed. A vendor will be selling lunch. For more information, call 1-888-DAM-FINE or go to www. castorocellars.com.

Beaverstock Castoro Cellars, 1315 N. Bethel Road in Templeton, will host its annual Beaverstock on Saturday, Sept.

19 and Sunday, Sept. 20 from 1 to 9 p.m. in the winery’s Whale Rock Vineyard. See page 49 for details.

September After Five Mixer The Templeton Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly After Five Mixer on Thursday, Sept.

24 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Templeton Tennis Ranch at 345 Championship Lane in Templeton. For more information, contact Gail Kudlac at info@ templetonchamber.com or 434-1789.

Castoro Cellars’ Lazy Locals concert: Resination Castoro Cellars, 1315 N Bethel Road in Templeton, will host its monthly Lazy Locals concert on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. with Resination. Admission is free and a portion of the day’s wine sales will be donated to a local nonprofit.

Attendees are encouraged to bring low-back chairs and blankets. No outside alcohol is allowed. A vendor will be selling lunch. For more information, call 1-888-DAM-FINE or go to www.castorocellars.com.

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

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Paso Robles pioneer founded the iconic brand California State Fair Honors Gary Eberle with Wine Lifetime Achievement Award

Gary Eberle, founder of Eberle Winery, was honored with the 2015 Wine Lifetime Achievement Award by the California State Fair, recognizing an individual or family who are pioneers in the wine industry based on their lifetime contributions to the California wine industry. Each year the California State Fair Winery Advisory Task Force puts forth recommendations and selects an honoree through an open meeting process. Gary Eberle joins the ranks of industry legends Robert Mondavi, Jerry Lohr, Mike Grgich, and Dr. Richard Peterson in receiving this prestigious honor.

“I’m honored to receive this recognition. I pursued wine enology because it fascinated me – the vineyard aspect of growing grapes and the technical art of making age-worthy wines. It’s taken me on a journey that I’m still enjoying today,” said Eberle.

Eberle, who has worked for 42 years building the acclaim of the Paso Robles region through his brand, is affectionately known as the “Godfather” of the Paso Robles wine industry. He is the chief promoter for the winery and works

with customers, distributors and restaurateurs to tout the virtues of the Paso Robles American Viticulture Area (AVA), which he help cofound in 1983.

Gary began his academic studies at Penn State College where he played football and earned a Bachelor’s of Science in biology.

He then attended Louisiana State University before heading west to California. Gary received a degree in enology from U.C. Davis in 1971. “I chose Paso Robles based on Dr. Olmo’s recommendation that Paso Robles was the place to grow world-class Cabernet Sauvignon,” said Eberle, “And I think we’ve achieved that.”

Once in Paso Robles, Eberle launched his career as partner and winemaker with Estrella River Winery & Vineyards. In the late 70s, he decided to pursue his own project and acquired nearly 64 acres just down the road from Estrella River Winery. Shortly thereafter, Gary released his first Eberle wine, the 1979 Cabernet Sauvignon and opened the winery and tasting room in 1983.

9th Annual Dog Splash Days of Templeton Dogs and their owners can celebrate the end of the summer on Sept. 12 and 13 at the Templeton Community Pool.

This annual event attracts locals and tourists looking for a unique experience with their family dogs. The pool officially closes for the season at the end of August, but opens for one more weekend of fun and frolic! The local nonprofit Parks4Pups organizes the 2 day event with all proceeds benefiting Vineyard Dog Park in Templeton. In 2014, 250 dogs enjoyed the last swim of the summer!

Admission is $20 per dog, per swim session.

Advanced reservations are recommended but not required. Dogs with pre-paid reservations are admitted before walk-ins as space is available.

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Make reservations at parks4pups. org by credit card or PayPal account or send check payable to Dog Splash Days to PO Box 795, Paso Robles, 93447. With check, include name, phone number and desired date and time for swim session.

Dogs must be 5 months or older. Adult male dogs must be neutered. Paper proof of current rabies vaccination is required at registration. Any dog displaying aggressive behavior will be asked to leave with a full refund. Only dogs are allowed to swim with volunteer trainers and therapists nearby acting as “lifeguards” to help the dogs in and out of the pool! Dog life vests are available for the rookies along with rubber ducks, bananas and Frisbees to play fetch!

Eberle’s contributions to the California wine trade are significant. Eberle Winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon was the first wine to place the Paso Robles AVA designation on its label.

Gary Eberle was also the first to plant Syrah on the Central Coast and make a 100 percent Syrah varietal wine in the United States. These milestones have proven to be important, as both Syrah and Paso Robles have become significant forces in California’s wine industry.

With an annual case production of 25,000, Eberle wines are distributed in 34 states and six countries. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with wine tasting and cave tours, 238-9607, www.eberlewinery.com Swim sessions are scheduled on the hour and limited to 20 dogs at a time for safety and quality play time. The schedule is Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Sunday 10 a.m. session is reserved for small dogs (under 30 pounds) and senior and weaker dogs.

Small and senior dogs are also welcome at all other swim sessions.

Professional photographers are on hand for photos, so dress your dog in a special collar or bandana! After the event, the photos are available for purchase at parks4pups.org for a nominal donation. Along with this website, email info@parks4pups.org, call 239-4437 and visit vineyarddogpark.org for more information. The Templeton Community Pool is located on the corner of Old Country Road and 6th Street, next to the park.

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

ROUND TOWN

Chautauqua held in 1926 in San Miguel

“Chautauqua!” was a welcome cry in the 1920s, from New York State where it began to here in San Luis Obispo County. When posters and newspapers announced its imminent arrival, the populace prepared for excitement, enjoyment and education.

The Chautauqua movement began in 1873 when Methodist Minister John Heyl Vincent and businessman Lewis Miller rented a Methodist camp meeting site at Chautauqua Lake in New York State to hold a summer school for Sunday School teachers. It proved to be a popular format and was soon established as the Chautauqua Institution. As interest and demand came from further afield, a correspondence course, the “Chautauqua Literary & Scientific Circle” was established. An ever-widening group of people was introduced to new ideas and issues of public concern.

After a few years, the scope of the program, originally based on educational lectures for teachers, was broad-

ened to include adult education for all aimed at intellectual and moral self-improvement and civic involvement. Religion and politics were added. Organizers took care not to take a political position and always made certain to include speakers from every party and position. The religious element was non-denominational including such diverse faiths as Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic, and fundamentalist.

The program became even more popular and better known after 1900 when the Chautauqua Circuit was instituted and companies began to crisscross the country. Although readings and plays were part of the program it was 1913 when a theater company introduced a classic production of Shakespeare which was received with great enthusiasm. After that, theater - from Shakespeare to Broadway - became part of Chautauqua. There was something for just about everyone. Cities and towns and even more rural areas welcomed the cultural and entertainment offerings.

A 1925 itinerary includes San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles. A 1926 newspaper makes mention of

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

a three-day Chautauqua held in San Miguel which enjoyed great and enthusiastic attendance each day. A large tent would be pitched in a suitable clearing in or near the populated area and the company would perform from three to seven days featuring a different theme each day. They might make use of a local hall and in some cities a ‘Chautauqua Hall’ sprang up.

A few talent agencies, realizing the potential of the movement, proceeded to find and hire speakers and performers to cover the wide spectrum of talent. Some of the lecturers were very famous. One of the most prolific and widely known speakers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, William Jennings Bryan, was a big proponent of the Chautauqua movement and its most popular speaker until he passed away in 1925.

Russell Conwell became known for a speech he dubbed “Acres of Diamonds” in which he exhorted young men to become rich and powerful because that was their right. He delivered the speech 5,000 times on the circuit.

Another famous Chautauqua speaker was Maud Ballington Booth, called “Little mother of the Prisons”, who roused people to pity and reform as she advocated against horrendous conditions of early-day confinement.

Authors, lecturers, teachers, preachers, mayors, state representatives, governors, presidential candidates and comedians all had their say. Music was an integral part of Chautauqua.

Band music, rousing and bombastic, was very popular. Spirituals, minstrel songs and operatic arias were greatly appreciated and enjoyed.

Opinions on Chautauqua varied widely from praise to ridicule over the years. President Theodore Roosevelt praised it as “…the most American thing in America…” and Woodrow Wilson lauded it during World War 1 as patriotic. Sinclair Lewis and others dismissed it as mediocre and uninspiring.

The movement began to phase out in the mid-1930s possibly due to effects of the great depression. Additionally, the advent of the automobile increased mobility and radios became common in households bringing information and entertainment. Movie houses showed newsreels along with the shows. But for the American public, Chautauqua was unique, lofty and mundane as it elevated, entertained and vastly widened the horizons of people in its heyday.

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City of Paso Robles Centennial Park 600 Nickerson Drive Phone: 237-3988 www.prcity.com/recreation go to www.facebook.com/ prcityrecreation

YOUTH RECREATION CLASSES Karate Mondays, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Wednesdays, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Focus is placed on learning the beginning traditional katas of Okinawan karate along with emphasis on self-defense, biomechanics, stress release, and finding one’s self. $80/month. Questions? Call Kyoshi David, 239-3232.

Recreation Services Science Camp Electric Avenue Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

August 3 - 7 Join us as we explore the fundamentals of electricity–and its counterpart: magnetism.

You’ll be able to convert electricity into heat, motion, light and magnetic force. $127 plus $35 materials fee payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Questions? Call Tim, 559-779-4821.

and operations, lenses and equipment, tripods, understanding the digital camera menu, understanding light and exposure, learning composition, the creative uses of F-stops and shutter speeds, as well as many professional techniques. $42/session.

Questions?

Call Brent, 559-909-5208.

Hunter Education Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Session: August 4, 5, 6, 12, 13 Topics include safe firearms handling, outdoor ethics, sportsmanship, and more.

Must attend all 5 evenings to earn certification. $20 plus $2 material fee.

Questions?

Call Dennis, 226-9834.

ADULT RECREATION CLASSES Digital Photography Intermediate Thursday, August 20 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Covers camera use

LAST CHANCE! Outdoor Swim Lessons August 3 - 14 Session Fee: $58/person

Last Day of Public Swim Saturday, August 15 Monday - Friday 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Saturday 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Fee: $3/day

Youth Drop-in Basketball Monday - Friday 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Effective August 17, will be: M, T, TH, F 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Thank You to all of our Concert Sponsors!

1st District Supervisor Frank Mecham

Pacifica Commercial Realty

Adelaide Inn

Park Cinemas

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hallmark Realty

Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce

Cold Stone Creamery

Paso Robles Magazine

Cone & Associates, Inc. Financial Planners Connect Home Loans First American Title Company Il Cortile Ristorante La Cosecha Bar & Restaurant Lubrizol Main Street Association Downtown Paso Robles MedPost Urgent Care Odyssey World Cafe

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Paso Robles Downtown Wineries Paso Robles Pioneer Day Committee Placer Title Company Rabobank Remax Parkside Real Estate Rick Engineering Company Rotary Club of Paso Robles (noon) Ted Hamm Insurance Thomas Hill Organics Union Bank Villa Creek

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

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HOOFBEAT

By Dorothy Rogers Fairs, fiestas, gatherings and exciting celebrations of our history, passions and activities take the spotlight during the summer months along the Central Coast.

Get out and ride as much as possible or encourage others. The Central Coast is gorgeous even when tan.

Offering us sunshine and vistas, it also provides time to learn new skills or relax our minds and appreciate our region.

Last Chance With just a few days remaining of the festivities at the MidState Fair, it’s time to grab your hat, call your friends and head to the fairgrounds to cheer on your favorite competitors or horses.

Locals will vie for honors and prize money at the Country Rodeo August 1 and 2.

Follow that with a stop in Santa Barbara for the colorful and historic La Fiesta. Parades

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Volunteers: the American Way Karl and Lisa Gage of Full Sail Farm of Paso blend their love of sailing and horses. See the July issue of PR Magazine for a nice feature on this “giving” couple who were named Fair Volunteers of the Year but that is a way of life for them.

Years ago my bridle mare “Kit,” was injured. I had very few injuries over the years although my horses were working ranch horses so I wanted to do my part to help.

I called friend Sharon Mansker (also a long time fair volunteer) who suggested Lori for outstanding remedial tutoring on bandaging legs. Lori didn’t hesitate. “Kit” would tolerate little fuss, but she put up with us testing the tension on the layered wraps applied with pressure. Although we had not been close and she had to drive quite a few miles to the ranch, Lori will forever be dear to my heart for her kindness to my mare with no thought of reward. She later returned to check on “Kit” on her

and competitions at Earl Warren Showgrounds bespeak a definite old California flair. There will be dancing in the streets down the parade route by horses and humans as well. The events are close to the ocean.

Our Heroes The bombers and helicopters are in the air fighting the Deer Fire south of Lake Nacimiento with all resources they have as I’m writing this. They will be in this position again may times this season. Don’t forget HEET (Horse Emergency Evacuation Team) who worked hard during the Las Politas fire last month and volunteer members of the Coast Mounted Assistance unit.

They pay for all of their uniforms and gear and must attend training sessions as well.

“Our heroes have never been cowboys…” but rather those who put others first in their thoughts and actions. Our hats are off to those (and, yes their families) who guard us daily both here and abroad. “Thank you” doesn’t ever seem to be enough. May Our Lord bless and keep you all.

“Zee de Man” a Prix St. George gelding owned by Laura and Todd Miller is put to work on his dance moves by Katey Augsburger at Golden Oaks Farm.

August 22-23 is the next CDS Golden Hills Farms hosted event.

own. Months later, my vet, one of the best “leg men” in the country, asked me where I had learned to wrap like that? Thanks to Lori, he had to look twice to determine which leg had been injured.

Summer Jubilee August 1 and 2 the flags will be flying at Varian Arabians to celebrate 60 years. Folks are drawn to the ranch for many reasons: to consider buying a horse, invest in breeding stock, to seek Please see HOOFBEAT page 43

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

HOOFBEAT HOOFBEAT from page 42

advice and training counsel, to walk the historic Varian Arabian farm themselves while imagining the hoofbeats of the great horses that have forged a new era in the breed, to hear the stories in Sheila’s own words and to renew friendships.

The legendary Varian stallions and mares have made a lasting impact on the Arabian breed both here and internationally.

“Beautiful, kind and intelligent athletes” are the characteristics of the Varian bloodlines that not only dominate in the show ring, but also work long days on cattle ranches, cover many a mile on the trail, provide companionship and some retire to provide a variety of therapy for humans both young and old. No matter what breed has caught your heart, the VA horses can’t help but capture your eyes.

Visitors often bring along foal photos to share hopes for the future with other owners. Hugs are seen all around. There is a sense of history and “casual class” at the

ranch. The dedicated and long term staff know how to present the horses, the breedings and they have established a working relationship with the visitors over the years. After all, on the Central Coast, the Varian Summer Jubilee is a homecoming of sorts where everyone is welcome.

Call or email www.varianarabians.com for your reservations.

Accumulate points toward your achievement award in the new American Competitive Trail Horse Association. Arabian Horse Association, Amer1x5 color ican Endurance Ride Conference, Appaloosa Horse Club, AQHA, American Paint Horse Association, Southern Obstacle Challenge Association to start have joined. If you want your organization to be included, contact support@actha.us or call (877-992-2842). There is even a new In-Hand Division for the Arena Obstacle Challenge whether mini, youngster, green horse, donk, mule, sr. citizen, etc.

There are now over 500 events on the calendar so check out: www.actha.us

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

Hunter Update We understand that the revised specifications for the first round of hunters finds that there will be no added points for coming in under the allotted time for the run. Exceeding the time will result in penalty points. A shortened, more

handy type course will be covered by riders who will be able to gain bonus points for coming in under the allotted time.

Hopefully, a smoother and consistent round will be seen when the pressure is removed allowing the horses to be set up properly for each jump.

HOOFBEAT CALENDAR Aug. 1 Mid-State Fair Country Rodeo, 8 a.m.

Aug. 2 Mid-State Fair Country Rodeo, 9 a.m.

Aug. 1-2 Varian Arabians Summer Jubilee, reservations required, catered, demos, tour history displays in the barns & living history seen in the horses, pricing on site, www.varianarabians.com Aug. 1 HEET Team Training for Horse Emergency Evacuation First Aid, TBD Aug. 6 Old Spanish Days Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo each day, starts with Juniors 8 a.m., Earl Warren Showgrounds, Santa Barbara, all week tickets for evenings 688-5093, www.

sbfiestarodeo.com Aug. 7 81st Annual El Desfile Historico (Historic Parade) noon start, one of largest equestrian parades in the US starts west end Cabrillo Blvd., along beach up to Sola St., at 7 p.m. free Spanish/ CA dances & songs of 19th C take picnic to the Santa Barbara Courthouse sunken Gardens 1100 Anacapa St. Aug. 10-14 Summer Kid’s Day Camps, Harris Stagelines, N. River Rd., Paso, Mon.-Thurs. 8-1 p.m. Fri. 8-7 p.m., Tom or Debby Harris, 237-1860, www.HarrisStageLines.com Please see HOOFBEAT page 44

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HOOFBEAT HOOFBEAT from page 43

Aug. 11 & 12 Cutting by the Coast, futurity pre-work, Madonna Foothill Ranch, SLO, positive people & terrific teachers can be contacted, Kathy Grimes 6801294 Aug. 12-16 Family Style Cowboy Academy, Parkfield, reservations required, ranch raised beef, wonderful family atmosphere with smiles all around, www.v6ranch. com Aug. 13-16 Cutting by the Coast, Madonna Foothill Ranch, SLO, watch dancing with cows, aged horse events, Kathy Grimes 6801294 Aug. 15 & 16 Ventura County Fair & PRCA Rodeo Aug. 15 Ray Berta Clinic, Carmel Valley Trail & Saddle Club, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. w. gourmet lunch included, educational, interactive & fun day with your horse, non-threatening but effective teacher, www.rayberta.com Aug.15-23 Snaffle Bit Futurity, Derby & World’s Richest Stock Horse Show, PR Events Center, spectators free till finals, precision

Aug. 22-23 CDS Dressage Fall Fling, Golden Hills Farm, 8455 Creston Rd., no dogs, please, free for spectators (must remain quiet during a test), AQHA approved, from USDG test 1 thru fourth level test one, pas de deux & quadrill, FEI test $60 ea. grounds fee $25, stabling $120/weekend, drug fee $5, office fee $30, etc., seeking half day volunteers from any discipline to help with the event – will train, call John Rees john@ johnrees.com, 221-7427 Aug. 23 SLOCQHA Open Show, Pat Mar Ranch north end

& exciting speed working a cow/ steer on the fence, codified from CA ranch work, the largest stock horse purse goes to the winner Aug. 19 SLOCQHA meeting, PR Golf Club, 1600 Country Club Drive, 6 p.m. to eat no host, 6:30 p.m., newcomers are welcome to participate & make contacts/friends Aug. 22 Ray Berta Cattle Clinic, Carmel Valley Trail & Saddle Club, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. w. gourmet lunch included, educational, interactive & fun day with your horse, reserve your spot, www.rayberta.com

of Main St., Templeton, free to spectators, stop in and check out the fun, huge variety of classes for all, also Oct. 25 Aug. 23 Deadline for queen entries for the 20th Creston Classic Rodeo Sept. 11-13, contest Aug. 29, expanded age ranges, Jr. 11-17 & queen 18-25, contact Megan Jones majones87@yahoo.com or 610-9323 Aug. 28 Double R Cutting, Paso Robles Events Center, Rex Rossoll producer, spectators are admitted free, for info call Kathy Grimes 680-1294

Trail Tales : High Mountain Road, Pozo

View: Vistas of the Pozo Valley & Lopez Canyon Access: From N. Co., park in paved parking lot of Forest Service Ranger Sta. at Pozo, or on roadway adjacent. DON’T park in front of the ranger sta. It is privately owned.

Fees: None, Pass: None • Rated: Easy Time factor: 3 - 4 hours. In/out & back ride, riders can turn back at any time Trail: Forest service roadway (unpaved) Feet: Shoes definitely recommended in summer, may not be necessary in winter depending on the horse

Camp: None • Overnight: None • First aid: Call 911 Dogs: Allowed Cell reception: Spotty Caution: Periodic vehicles, wildlife, rattlesnakes, take water & sun protection esp. in summer, be extremely cautious with potential fire situations Maps: N/A • Participation: N/A Brought to you by Whitehorse Tack 2805 Black Oak Dr., Paso Robles whitehorsetack.com

Expires 8/31/15

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Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

45

BUSINESS

The Tallent team owns and operates The Groves on 41

Mother and daughter olive growers

By Paula McCambridge The mother-and-daughter farming team of Karen and Jennifer Tallent has become a stand-out in the Central Coast olive industry with The Groves on 41, situated between Atascadero and Creston in Templeton.

Running an olive farm and continuing to build it through heartache demands a strength of spirit that both women clearly possess.

They have each made sweeping life changes, survived loss in the recent death of Karen’s husband, Jerry McKibben; and fear no dirt, drought or grasshoppers.

“People are always asking who our farm hands are,” Jennifer said.

Then on cue, both women put their hands into the air. “I tell them, we are our farm hands.”

The farming leg of their lifelong adventure began when Karen and McKibben closed escrow on their property in 2010 and planted 4,000 olive trees in the fall of 2011.

“Yeah, we got serious right away,” Karen said, smiling.

McKibben came from the automobile-repair industry, having owned a large, independent shop in Los Angeles while Karen was a parking-industry consultant for a large L.A. firm.

McKibben, however, suffered

from a chronic heart condition exacerbated by the high-stress L.A. lifestyle, so the couple started looking into ways to lead quieter lives.

“I have a sister in Creston, and my brother-in-law owns the Mobil station on Spring Street, so we knew we wanted to move to this area,” Karen said. “But we also needed something different to do with our lives; it was my sister who asked us, ‘Have you thought of olives?’

I said, ‘No. Of course not.’ I thought she was crazy.”

After conducting some research, Karen began to see some sanity in her sister’s question.

“What we found was an industry in its infancy,” she said. “We talked to people here who were already growing olives and saw that they were delightfully passionate about what they did. At Olea Farm, their enthusiasm was contagious.”

Karen caught the enthusiasm and went to work building her knowledge base. She took agriculture classes at UC Davis.

McKibben’s health remained

What’s happening on Main Street ?

By Chris Weygandt Alba

Olives have been orchard workhorses on the Central Coast of California for centuries. First introduced in the Spanish Mission era, olives are a natural choice for our Mediterranean climate.

In recent decades, olive orchards have multiplied on the Central Coast, where olive-oil producers specialize in high-quality artisan olive oil that adds pizzazz to life and cuisine, with robust flavors from fruity, buttery, grassy, peppery, and even jalapeño.

One of the tastiest days you’ll have all summer is the 12th Annual OLIVE FESTIVAL on Saturday, August 15, in the downtown Paso Robles park. The Downtown Main

46

Street Association hosts regional olive producers who specialize in artisan olive oils, tapenades and appetizers, body lotions and health products.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., olive specialists will offer free olive-oil tasting, free olive-oil ice cream, tasting seminars, cooking demonstrations, and a head-to-head chef cookoff in an outdoor kitchen stadium.

Admission is free.

Olive producers will be joined by artists and crafters in a variety of mediums, and children will enjoy oodles of action in a section all their own. Local wineries and breweries will feature tastings and a commemorative wine glass for a $15 fee.

Delicious olive-inspired food will be available for purchase in the Olive Festival Culinary Row. An olive-themed cooking contest is open to everyone, offering

fragile, so Karen ran the business, and he offered his wife support, she said.

“Jerry was my front man; he played a very supportive role,” she said.

She remembered the moment when she identified as being a farmer for the first time, even feeling protective over that identity.

“Jerry and I were coming up the driveway – I said something about our farm, and Jerry said, ‘I am not a farmer,’” Karen said, remembering that moment. “I pounded on the dashboard and said, ‘Yes, you are a farmer. Yes, I am a farmer!’”

McKibben passed away less than a year ago, in October, and though they have suffered a tremendous loss, Karen and Jennifer have carried on.

Jennifer came from 20 years’ experience in hospitality and events, so her fit into the family business was an easy one.

“Mom wanted this to be a family business, so here I am; my cousin even did the logo,” Jennifer said.

“I had been dying to get out of the the chance to win recognition and awards in two categories: olive-inspired appetizer and olive-inspired main dish. Whip up your special concoction and deliver it to the bandstand no later than 9:30 a.m.

You’ll find entry forms, recipes, and lots of info on the festival website, pasoolivefestival.com, and at the Main Street office, 835 12th Street (around back in the alley). For more information, call the office at 238-4103.

Like wine tasting, olive-oil tasting has enough simple basics that the novice can enjoy the experience.

You’ll be given a tiny plastic cup containing a small amount of oil. Gently warm it in your hand and smell it.

Then sip a bit into your mouth and move it around to see how it feels.

Suck in a little air to experience another level of fruity, sweet, buttery, grassy, or peppery flavor. Finally, swallow and savor the sensation in your throat. If you cough, that’s a good thing – the hallmark of a very fresh peppery olive oil.

Jennifer and Karen Tallent

city and into the country, to play in the dirt.”

Jennifer began lending a hand to The Groves three years ago and made her permanent move to the Central Coast two years ago. In addition to olives, the Tallents have an on-site cottage rented to vacationers or wedding parties and a large, yellow barn that can be rented for private events.

It is their goal to be certified organic in the not-too-distant future, but young trees need all the protection they can get, so limited pesticides are used with an emphasis on sustainable farming and care for the environment, Karen said. Her first year of farming brought one challenge after the other, and she thanks her olive-growing friends for their support and experience during that very difficult time.

Please see GROVES ON 41 page 48

Where’s Norma?

Hide and Seek with the “Doyenne of Downtown” — Find the giant-size painting of Norma Moye by artist Steve Kalar (pictured above) at one of our downtown businesses, and enter your name for a chance to win a monthly prize. She will move each month, giving you a new chance to enter. Take a selfie with the “Doyenne” and post it on the Paso Robles Downtown Main Street Association Facebook page wall (but don’t tell where you found her).

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

47

BUSINESS

Businessht

Central Coast and throughout the San Joaquin Valley, HCC currently has: an event calendar, classified ads, real estate classifieds, a business directory, and regularly-updated feature articles.

“HCC provides a service to a target audience which is beneficial to businesses that are trying to reach

By Meagan the audience,” says Ariane, “and Friberg helpful to customers and clients trying to seek out help and information without massive Internet searches.”

Ariane Rezvani Armed with a lifetime of expeHorse Connection Center Whether you’re looking to buy, rience in the equine industry insell, or announce anything horse- cluding 25 years as a professional related – from property to infor- (she runs Silver Cup Training, out mation to events – the Horse Con- of Golden Hills Farm) and her nection Center has it all. Owned knowledge of technology (she was and operated by Ariane Rezvani, an administrator for a large data processing company), Ariane this information website is combines her two passions where businesses, customers, as she works towards making and clients go to find the the Horse Connection Censupport and services they’re ter “one of the best service searching for. sites around.”

Calling her website a “one stop portal for CHE (Com- Ariane Rezvani “I’ve surrounded myself with top professionals to pulsive Horse Enthusiasts),” Ariane says her goal is to provide make sure we represent our client all the information one needs to base in the best possible way,” says connect with a knowledgeable pro- Ariane, “and any business or service fessional. Serving equine-related coming on board will know there businesses and services along the is a team behind them.” Her team

desire to be home with her three children had her looking at the Mary Kay opportunity.

“And here I am, 23 years later, still loving what I do.” Nowadays, her flexible schedule allows Sherry and her husband, Fred, to travel and spend time with their now-grown children, Nick, Jason, and Amber, and their three grandchildren.

“Anyone can go out and make a living, but Mary Kay has allowed us to have a life – and there’s a big Sherry Kostner difference,” says Sherry, who is on Mary Kay Cosmetics It only takes a few minutes of the Board of Directors for Wellness Kitchen, volunteers at Loaves chatting with Sherry Kostand Fishes, and makes regular ner, a vibrant Future Execcontributions to RISE. utive Senior Sales Director From skin and body care with Mary Kay Cosmetics, to color and fragrance, Mary to know that she loves what Kay is a teaching company she does for a living.

– Sherry and her fellow con “It’s all about enriching Sherry Kostner sultants teach skin care and women’s lives,” says Sherry. On target to earn her fifth pink color application. If you’ve never Cadillac, (yes, it’s true that top per- tried Mary Kay or it’s been a few forming directors earn cars) she has years since you’ve purchased prodbeen with Mary Kay for 23 years. “I ucts (Sherry’s favorites include the am absolutely passionate about what TimeWise Repair ® line), be sure to call for a complimentary makeover.

I do with this amazing company.”

She holds a degree in computer As a company, Mary Kay has a 100 science and her involvement with percent customer satisfaction guarantee Mary Kay began when she was and all products are backed by the Good working as a head systems analyst. Housekeeping Seal of approval. Call Sherry loved her job, but a strong Sherry for more info at 423-2211.

medium-to-robust Tuscan varietals, and we’re focusing on the milder part of the spectrum because we love introducing olive oil to people just discovering it.”

The Groves on 41 has a number of award-winning oils, some flavored from the oils of fruit and herbs. Some favorites include royal raspberry, praline and garlic.

“It’s 99 percent olive oil and one percent the essential oil,” Karen said. “It’s just enough to impart a wonderful flavor.”

She credits her success in part to the relationships formed in the Central Coast Olive Growers, which has more than 75 members.

Karen is writing a book about Central Coast olive growers that will

The Groves will be at this year’s 12th Annual Olive Festival in Paso Robles on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. A special event the day before includes an oliveeducation session and food pairing at Robert Hall Winery on Mill Road in Paso Robles.

Though it’s a hectic life with both sadness and joy, Karen and Jennifer Karen Tallent checking her olive trees. say they have found their niche. feature 16 artisan growers in the “I wouldn’t change a single day of region. The book will be available our lives; I love what we’re doing,” on her business website and local Karen said.

The Groves on 41 is locatboutiques and wineries.

“With artisan-crafted olive oils, ed at 4455 Highway 41 East in we develop individual flavors in Templeton. For more information smaller batches,” Karen said. “Ev- or to schedule a tasting, tour or erything we craft is the best; it’s private event, go to thegroveson41 always about quality over quantity.” .com.

includes Jeff Napier (IT support), Deb Hilberg (photography), and Baum Consulting (social media/ marketing).

Horse Connection Center is updated monthly by the 10th. Throughout August, all real estate classified posts will run for 30 days at no charge; check horseconnectioncenter.com for details and additional specials or call Ariane at 286-4271.

Spotlig

GROVES ON 41 from page 46 “That was a harrowing first year, a real feet-to-the-fire introduction to farming,” Karen said. “Grasshoppers were eating the new plantings down to the nub. Thank goodness for other growers. Because of them, I was able to quickly identify the problem and address it.”

The Groves now produces between 1,500 and 2,000 gallons of olive oil from its own trees then fills out their olive needs by purchasing from other local growers.

“We buy from growers who grow in the same fashion we do, who have the same flavor profile,” Karen said. “We’re looking for a milder, buttery olive oil. There are

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Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

BUSINESS

BEAVERSTOCK: Celebrating Music & Community

Castro Cellars presents BEAVERSTOCK, “Two Days of Wine-Loving Peace and Music in the Vineyard,” a benefit for the Templeton Education Foundation.

One & two day tickets available, doors open at 12 noon both days and enjoy live music from 1 to 9 p.m.

On Saturday, September 19: Dawes, 8 p.m.; The California Honeydrops, 6 p.m.; SambaDa, 4:15 p.m.; The Bills, 2:30 p.m.; and The Tipsy Gypsies, 1 p.m.

On Sunday, September 20: WAR, 8 p.m.; La Santa Cecilia, 6 p.m.; Birds of Chicago, 4:15 p.m.; the Brothers Comatose, 2:30 p.m.; and the Mother Corn Shuckers, 1 p.m.

• Bring a low back lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the concerts! No seating provided.

• Food and wine will be available for purchase. No outside food or beverages allowed.

Purses and backpacks will be subject to search.

• Admission ticket (one day or two day) includes complimentary parking and a full day of live music!

• Wine Club Members will receive (2) one day tickets while supplies last to the event as a “Thank You” for your continued patronage of Castoro Cellars! Reserve your day ASAP, space is limited for complimentary wine club spots! First come, first served.

In 1983 Niels and Bimmer Udsen founded Castoro Cellars winery and to this day own and operate the business along with their sons Luke

and Max. In 2013, Beaverstock was born to celebrate 30 years in business and to give back to the community that has made the dream of Castoro a long-term reality. Longtime proponents of music and the arts, the Udsen family decided hosting a two-day music festival in the vineyard The Templeton Education Foundation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation whose purposes is exclusively educational and charitable and to secure and distribute contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations for the benefit of the students in the Templeton Unified School District. The foundation has been a part of Templeton since 1990.

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

was the perfect way to celebrate and give back to the community. Proceeds from the 2013 festival benefited MUST! Charities, a local non-profit that works with under privileged children in the community.

Now two more years have gone by and Beaverstock is back with a continued focus on Music, Arts, and Community. This year’s festival is benefiting TEF, the Templeton Education Foundation, which works directly with the Templeton School District that both Luke and Max attended.

Niels’ longtime nickname “Beaver,” evolved further when Concert sponsors Niels and he was working Bimmer Udsen founded Castoro in Italy and his Cellars in 1983 and continue to to this day with the help friends soon took operate of sons, Luke and Max to calling him “Il Castoro,” which is beaver in Italian. The name and the motto stuck. Castoro Cellars’ “dam fine wines” sport a picture of a beaver on each label.

Castoro is now a winemaking team effort. The team includes Niels, his mentor Tom Myers and Sherrie Holzer. Together they discuss and decide how they want to handle each variety.

Castoro Cellars is located at 1315 N. Bethel Rd. in Templeton, for more details: www.castorocellars.com/Beaverstock

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BUSINESS

Gina Fitzpatrick named PR Chamber CEO

The Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce recently announced they have appointed Gina Fitzpatrick to serve as the next Chief Executive Officer of the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce. There were 26 applicants for the position and the Hiring Committee brought a unanimous recommendation to the Board at its meeting on Thursday, June 25 where the Board unanimously voted to offer Fitzpatrick the helm of the nearly 95-year-old Chamber.

Fitzpatrick has a passion and understanding for the needs of the City of Paso Robles and its business community, “We are thrilled to have Gina step into this position. Her energy, skills and pure passion for Paso Robles are exactly what we needed in a CEO. She is ready to hit the

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“I am honored to have been I will leverage my heritage as a chosen to lead the Paso Robles 5th generation member of this Chamber of Commerce into an community and my executive exciting future of growth and business experience to re-enforce strength. As our members con- the Chamber’s role as a leader in tinue to face a rapidly changing the community and the advocate ground running and we business world, their Chamber for business.” said Fitzpatrick. are certain she will be at will be there with the needed re- For more information, contact each member’s doorstep sources, support, and leadership. the Chamber office at 238-0506. in the near future,” says Dallas Mosier, Chairman of the Board.

Gina is very familiar with Paso Robles having served as the Vice Pres Come and meet face-to-face with local home and garden exident, Branch Manager perts all while enjoying gourmet food and wine at the Inspired at Heritage Oaks Bank in Paso Home, Garden, and Gourmet Expo of Paso Robles, held at the Robles for the last 9 years. She has served as the Co-Chair of the Paso Robles Event Center, 2198 Riverside Road on Saturday, Paso Robles Chamber of ComAug. 29, 10 am. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. merce, Economic Development There will be over 100 home and garden professionals Advisory Council for the past 2 including general contractors, flooring, landscapers, kitchen and years. Other community involvebath cabinets, closet organizers, landscape designers, painters, ment includes but is not limited to: Stronger Futures Foundation, countertops, tile, granite, appliances, solar energy, fireplaces, Paso Robles Main Street Assolocal restaurants, wineries and much more including cooking ciation Economic Restructuring demonstration! FREE to all attendees Committee, Paso Robles Cham Wine & Gourmet Food Garden featuring local wineries and ber of Commerce Women in Business, Rotary International, restaurants. Wine tasting for $5 benefits local San Luis Obispo County Farm non profit The Wellness Kitchen.

Bureau, and California Cattle For details check out inspiredexpos.com men’s Association.

Inspired Home, Garden and Gourmet Expo set for August 29 and 30

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

TIME & PLACE

A monthly look at local events, meetings, entertainment and special occasions. To submit a listing, email bob@pasoroblesmagazine.com, bring info to drop box at Dutch Maytag, 1501 Riverside Ave., or mail to PO Box 3996, Paso Robles, 93447 by the 7th of each month. Questions? Call 239-1533 AUGUST 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 • Grief Share –13 week seminar and support group for people grieving a loss.

10 am to noon, Trinity Lutheran Church, Fireside Conference Room, 940 Creston Rd., Paso Robles. Info: Deaconess Juliet Thompson, 2383702, ext. 205.

3 • Almond Country Quilters Guild Meeting, followed by presentations from Community Quilts/Kids Kovers and the Library, the resource for learning the newest quilting techniques. Visitors are welcome! Tickets available for Annual Opportunity Quilt (queen lavender/green).

Contact Linda Hampton, lindahampton47@ yahoo.com. General info: lisajguerrero@msn. com and almondcountryquilters.org.

3-7 • Vacation Bible School at Templeton Hills Adventist Church, 5:30 to 8 pm each evening.

The program, “Destination Paradise: Where Kids Investigate God’s Word” is for children ages 3 to 12. VBS is FREE! Come to enjoy exploring the Bible, games, music, crafts, snacks, fun and friends. Parents are welcome for an optional FREE class titled, “How to disciple our kids to know Jesus better.” 930 Templeton Hills Road, for information and registration, call 661-3308450.

3, 10, 17, 24, 31 • Writing Support Group led by award-winning author Patricia Alexander.

Encouragement, Kindness and Truth for Publication or Personal Growth. Every Monday 6:30 pm at 1063 Sleepy Hollow Road, Paso Robes.

Limited space, weekly reservation required. $20 per meeting or $15 each with 4 meetings paid in advance. 479-7778 or Patricia@PatriciaAlexander.com, patriciaalexander.com.

4 • Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce Women In Business meets the first Tuesday of each month. Info: 238-0505 or WIB @PasoRobles Chamber.com.

5 • North County Newcomers Club, General Meeting first Wednesday of the month. 11 am to 1:30 pm, see website for details on attendance and monthly calendar of events and activities. northcountynewcomers.org.

5 • Monthly dinner at Estrella Warbirds Museum. Open to the public on the first Wednesday of every month at 6 pm. Reservations required.

Museum featuring American aircraft, vehicles and artifacts open 10 am to 4 pm. Thursday through Sundays and Monday holidays. Group tours by appointment. Admission $10, $5 ages 6 – 12, free under 5. 4251 Dry Creek Road, Paso Robles. Call to schedule a group tour. ewarbirds. org. 227-0440, 238-3897.

5 & 19 • Fibromyalgia Support Group the first and third Wednesday of the month, 6:30 to 8 pm at The Wellness Kitchen, 1255 Las Tablas Road, Templeton. Facilitated by Kiley Embry, no charge, donations to The Wellness Kitchen welcome. Support for those with mental and physical challenges from Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis and chronic fatigue and pain.

7 • Poetry in the Garden – North County Poetry Circle forming. First Friday of the month in Ellie’s garden at 10 am. Call Ellie Casey 2270110 for info.

8 • Showtime at the USO – Celebrate America! Hosted by PR Republican Women Federated. 5 to 9 pm, Estrella Warbird Museum, 4251 Dry Creek Road, Paso Robles, General admission $45, Veterans and Military $35, 21 & over only. USO Tribute show, special guest, live music/dancing, Chance for fly over Paso in WWII C47 plane. Tickets available at PR Chamber of Commerce and brownpapertickets.com. Proceeds benefit scholarships and programs of PRRWF, Honor Flight Central Coast and Gooney Bird Group. Info: prrwf.com.

8 • 11th Annual BBQ Fundraiser for Lifestyles Recovery Center, 11 am to 3 pm, downtown City Park. Noontime Kiwanis provides chicken for $10, hot dogs $5. Live music by Scratch. All proceeds benefit Lifestyles Recovery Center.

8 • Classic Car Cruise Night – Meet at 5 to 7 pm, King Oil Tools, 2235 Spring St., Paso Robles. Always the 2nd Saturday of the month.

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

Info: Tony Ororato, 712-0551.

10-14 • Summer Horse Day Camp at Harris Stage Lines, ages 9 to 18, beginner to advanced.

237-1860, harrisstagelines.com.

12 & 26 • MOPS – Mothers of Pre-schoolers meet 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month, 9:15 am., Trinity Lutheran Church Fireside Room, 940 Creston Road, Paso Robles. Info: Lisa 423-0140, Juliet 239-3734, jthompson @trinitylutheranpaso.org.lindahampton47 @yahoo.com. Social time 6:30, meeting 7 pm. Trinity Lutheran Church, 940 Creston Road, Paso Robles. 2015-2016 Kick Off starts Tuesday, September 1st and will meet every 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month, 9:3011:30 a.m. at the location above. Call Juliet at 238-3702 x205 or email jthompson @trinitylutheranpaso.org.

15 • 12th Annual Olive Festival, 10 am to 5 pm, City Park, Head-to-head cook-off, cooking contest, artists, crafters, wine tasting. Call Main Street for info, 238-4103.

15 • Winemaker’s Cook-off hosted by Rotary Club of Paso Robles. 6 to 9 pm, PR Event Center. Tickets are limited, $85, order online winemakerscookoff.com.

17 • Santa Lucia Rockhounds, 7 pm, Templeton Community Center, 601 S. Main St. A nonprofit club open to all ages that enjoy rocks, fossils and minerals. Guest speakers, junior Rockhound education, raffles, silent auction, refreshments. Members are encouraged to bring their latest finds and treasures of rocks, fossils and minerals. Visitors welcome. Info: slorockhounds.org. Meetings the 3rd Monday of each month except September and December.

20 • Daughters of the American Revolution.

Regular meeting the 3rd Thursday of each month from 10 am to 12 pm at the Templeton Presbyterian Church, 610 S. Main, Templeton.

Info: Donna Cohen, 227-7105, 395-0630, dmcpatriotdaughter@gmail.com.

22 • Hot August Neon Nights Fun Run & Glow in the Dark Block Party for the Kayla Peach Memorial Foundation, 12 noon to 9 pm, Kennedy Club Fitness, 500 South River Road, Paso Robles. 10K and 5K runs, health fair, games, live music and family fun. KPMF raises awareness

for the problem of substance abuse among our youth. Info: Sean and Donna Kelley 712-2385, kpmf@kaylapeachmemorialfoundation.com 27 • Prostate Cancer Support Group, Pavilion Room at Twin Cities Hospital, 1100 Las Tablas Rd., Templeton. Info: Bill Houston 995-2254 or the American Cancer Society 473-1748.

27 • Templeton Chamber of Commerce After Five Mixer, 5:30 to 7 pm, Honey Oak House, 2602 Templeton Road. Info: Gail Kudlac, info@ templetonchamber.com, 434-1789.

Grief Support Groups held at RISE, 1030 Vine St., Paso Robles Sponsored by HospiceSLO, 544-2266, hospice slo.org Bereaved Parents Group, Tuesdays, 5:30 to 7:00 pm.

General Grief Support, Wednesdays, 5:00 to 6:30 pm.

Suicide Bereavement Support (for those left behind) – 4th Wednesday each month, 3 to 4:30 pm.

Entertainment, Art Exhibits, Festivals Paso Robles Golf Club – Dining and Music on the Veranda every Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 8pm. 8/5 Billy & Charlie Foppiano, 8/6 Michelle Marie Trio, 8/12 The Crisptones, 8/13 Two for the Road, 8/19 Dulcie Taylor, 8/20 Jim & Jacquie Sweetwater, 8/27 The Blimp Pilots. Reservations recommended. pasoroblesgolfclub.com, 238-4722, 1600 Country Club Drive.

Paso Robles Inn Steakhouse & Cattlemen’s Lounge, 1103 Spring Street, 226-4925. Steakhouse: Join us for Prime Rib Wednesdays! Cattlemen’s Lounge: Happy Hour, 4-7 pm, includes cocktail and menu specials Monday Industry Night, 6 to 9 pm, 20% off for all professionals; Taco Tuesday 4 to 7 pm; Wednesday Locals Appreciation Night Happy Hour, 4 pm to CLOSE; Acoustic Thursdays, 6 to 8 pm. Saturday Night $5 Drink Specials, Friday and Saturday Live Entertainment.

Please see CALENDAR page 53

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bob@pasoroblesmagazine.com

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Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

TIME & PLACE CALENDAR from page 51 Shared Histories Part II through December 31, 2015 at the Carnegie Library. R.J. Arnold’s Portraits of the Central Coast. Vintage photos from the late 1800’s. Downtown City Park, Tues. & Thurs. through Saturday 10 am to 4 pm, Sun. 11 am to 4 pm. Presented by the El Paso de Robles Historical Society. Free admission.

1 • Art After Dark Paso – First Saturday of the month features self-guided walks through art galleries, wine tasting rooms and businesses featuring local artists. 6 to 9:00 p.m. Downtown Paso Robles. Coordinated by Studios on the Park across from the City Park.

7 • Midsummer Wine Stroll, 5 to 8 pm, $25.

Experience the 14 downtown wineries with gourmet food pairings. Limited tickets available at each tasting room. Visit downtownpasowine. com for information and list of wineries.

Thursdays • Concerts in the Park Gazebo, 5:30 to 7:30, food and beverage for sale.

20 • Third Thursday Shop, dine and drink in downtown Paso Robles. A portion of the proceeds benefit must! Charities. Visit facebook.

com/pages/Third-Thursday-PasoRobles.

22 • Soul Kitchen hosted by The Wellness Kitchen and Resource Center and Templeton Tennis Ranch. Light dinner, wine tasting, raffle, live music and dancing to Route 66. The 3 chefs competing in the 4th annual TOP CHEF Competition on Oct 1, will be introduced. $25 p/p benefits the Pay It Forward Meal and Education Program. Templeton Tennis Ranch, 345 Championship Lane. Call 434-1800, thewkrc.org.

PASO ROBLES EVENT CENTER

Info: midstatefair.com, 239-0655 18-23 • NSHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, Derby and World’s Richest Stock Horse Show, nationalstockhorse.com, info@nationalstockhorse.com.

28-29 • Crush & Roll West – the 7th annual gathering of cigar connoisseurs and wine enthusiasts, crushandrollwest.com 28-30 • Double R Cutting 29-30 • Inspired Home Expo

The Cancer Support Community

provides support, education and hope to those with cancer and their loved ones. Visit twcccc.org for information on programs that include support groups, classes and lectures at 614 13th Street, Paso Robles. Call 238-4411. Support by appointment includes Patient Navigation, Nutrition One on One, Silhouette Breast Forms and Lingerie, and Caring Callers training. Regular schedule: Mondays: Yoga 11:30 am to 12:45 pm, 1329 Spring St., Paso. 8/17 Look Good Feel Better, 10 am to 12 pm, 8/29, Reiki Circle 6 to 7:30 pm. Tuesdays: Tai Chi Chih, 9 to 10 am, Coffee Café , 10:05 am, Frankly Speaking Podcast, 1pm, Tai Chi Chih,1 to 2 pm at Cayucos Senior Center, Caregiver Support, 8/4, 8/18, 4 to 5 pm. Open Support Group 8/11, 8/25, 4 to 5 pm, Young Survivors Group 8/11, 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Wednesdays: Community Member Support, 10 am to 12 noon, Tai Chi Chih, 11 am to 12 noon at Hearst Cancer Resource Center, 1941 Johnson Ave, #201, SLO, Creative Expressions 12:30 to 2 pm, Support group for Leukemia, Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma, 8/12 from 1 to 3 pm at the Hearst Cancer Resource Center, Creative Expressions 12:30 to 2 pm, please RSVP. Thursdays: Tai Chi Chih, 9 to 10 am, Coffee Café, 10:05, Newcomer Orientation, 11am to 12 noon, 1st and 3rd Friday, Grupo Fuerza y Esperanza, 6 to 8 pm.

THE WELLNESS KITCHEN AND RESOURCE CENTER

1255 Las Tablas Rd., Templeton • 434-1800 • TheWKRC.org The weekly Wellness Foods program offers pre-ordered meals made with nutritious, fresh ingredients. Phone orders (434-1800), fax (434-1885) by Sunday for pick-up the following Wednesday.

5 & 19 • Fibromyalgia Support Group the first and third Wednesday of the month, 6:30 to 8 pm facilitated by Kiley Embry, no charge, donations to The Wellness Kitchen welcome. Support for those with mental and physical challenges from Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and chronic fatigue/pain.

Teaching Kids to Be Healthy Heroes – Learn how sugar affects health. Healthy snacks from The Kitchen and Bless Your Heart Baking. Recommended ages 6 +.

Register: call 237-3870.

6 • 2 pm at the PR City Library Study Center, 3600 Oak Street.

7 • 11 am at the PR City Library Conference Room 1000 Spring Street.

12 • WELLthy Life Series – Part 2 “Crowding Out “ of 5 Part series with S.E.L.F Health and Wellness Coach Ashley Beels, CHC, RDH, MA, 6:30 – 8 pm.

The 5-key ingredients to WELLthy living: Call 434-1800 for info. Future topics include Food Journaling, Nutritional Bio-Individuality and Superfoods.

20 • Healthy Cooking for People with Illness –“Thirst Quenchers” with Nancy Walker. 5:30 to 7:00. Recipes and simple lessons for those facing life-altering disease. FREE to those with cancer/serious disease through the Pay It Forward Education Program. For others, $20 or by donation. RSVP required, 434-1800, email nancy@thewkrc.org.

21 • Healthy Cooking for People with Illness – “Thirst Quenchers” with Nancy Walker. Same class description as above held at Idler’s in San Luis Obispo, 122 Cross St. from 11 am to 1 pm. RSVP required, 434-1800, email nancy@thewkrc.org.

26 • Intro to Wellness: A Taste of Change, 5:30 – 6:30. Join Nancy Walker through 10 simple things to begin your “clean eating journey.” Class is FREE, please RSVP 434-1800.

27 • 3-Way Cooking Series, 5:30 to 7 pm, demonstration using one ingredient 3 ways by tasting with class, $20 p/p or donation. RSVP required.

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LAST WORD

An iconic light aircraft is back, Paso Robles playing a role in the rebirth

Mooney owners at Warbirds

By Bruce M. Curtis Locals are used to seeing classic cars and motorcycles during summer shows, but not often do cultclub airplanes descend upon us.

Even among those who can spot a Cessna, few recognize a Mooney, despite a loyal fan base for these tough, speedy four-seaters.

Descend they did on Saturday, June 12th at Paso Robles airport, about a hundred, from woodwinged originals to a $750,000 Mooney Acclaim, the fastest single you can buy. It can hit 278 mph and take you non-stop from San Diego to Jacksonville Florida. That kind of loot will get you into a nice Westside wine country home.

For 60 years Mooneys have stood out on the airport ramp – don’t call it tarmac – for one little quirk: their tail fins seem to be on backward.

To understand, go back to 1947 when Al and Art Mooney set up shop in the West Texas hill country town of Kerrville, and penned a design for a tiny, single seat scooter named the M-18 Mite. To save money, the frugal Scotsmen took off the horizontal tail surface they’d already designed, tipped it vertical and made it the rudder. Only one jig was needed to make all three control surfaces. A classic was born, selling for a mere $2,950.

The Mite might have been forgotten, except it went like stink; 130 mph, getting 40 miles per gallon because its landing wheels folded into a speedy, knife-thin wing.

But it was small, so Mooney soon introduced a compact 4-seater with a girder-tough one-piece wing with none of structural failure points common to other planes. Passengers were cradled by a hidden chromemoly roll cage and the control wheel worked push rods instead of sloppy cables for a sports-car feel.

A slippery wing meant speed without gas; a fuel-sipping four-cylinder engine pushed the Mooney to 180 mph.

After the Mooney brothers sold the company, it was plagued by management problems. A series of bankruptcies and revolving door ownership kept Mooney from thriving, but whenever avgas prices peaked, the frugal little planes sold like July lemonade in – well, the West Texas hill country.

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The 1970’s gas crisis was a turning point. When OPEC turned off the oil spigots, Mooney hired aircraft drag-reduction guru Roy LoPresti to make a frugal ship even more efficient. Taking the now 25-year-old design, LoPresti swept the windshield, streamlined the cowling and

Above: Old Mooney 21 Right: New Mooney Acclaim

Above: Mooney company owner Jerry Chen Right: Old Mooney 21 steam gauge style panel Below right: Mooney M10.

cleaned up little draggy bits to net another 20 mph, keeping the fuel-miserly 4-cylinder engine. The improved model was named 201, for the top speed it now achieved while exceeding 20 mpg! Pilots sold their gas-guzzling Beech Bonanzas and snapped up the little Mooney, learning the time-honored Mooney ritual of engine leaning for maximum mileage.

Other improvements followed, a faster, turbocharged version, the 231, which – you guessed it – hits 231 mph. N231 Charlie Papa is my third 231, in a partnership that makes flying affordable. Almost. As a corporate pilot, I’m used to hundred gallon refills, but off the clock in my Mooney, I only buy ten at a time. I’m truly insufferable at the gas pump.

Mooney owners like to indulge in fuel-bragging when they get together and this year, Paso Roblan Phil Corman brought the Mooney International Summit to Estrella

Warbirds Museum; he publishes an online magazine called The Mooney Flyer.

“We decided we wanted a weekend summit, where people could fly in, enjoy the area, and have seminars so they learn,” said Corman.

The weekend fly-in netted owners of new and old Mooneys useful information.

“We’re doing seminars on The trademark Mooney backward tail. safety, flying and on maintaining your aircraft,” explained Lemoore, 80 miles east. Ross boastCorman. ed that Navy stand-off weapons are accurate enough to hit a target within 100 meters.

“I’m not bragging but from 200 miles I’d probably hit this podium,” although Ross was quick to point out, “not every other pilot could, though.”

The 2008 recession and high avgas prices combined to nearly bankrupt Mooney for good. The company was essentially in hibernation when Taiwanese investor Dr. Jerry Chen stepped in with Chinese capital and bought the airplane maker. With new money came updated manufacturing methods that put Mooney squarely in the 21st century. Still, there’s an old aviation saying that the way to make a small fortune in the light airplane business is to start with a large one. Chen, who attended the Paso Robles fly-in, understands the risks, but after encountering the marque’s enthusiastic fan base, he’s upbeat.

“I hear more positive feedback on what we plan on doing, what we have been doing and the planes Mooney owners have lots of we’re delivering,” says Chen, adding, aftermarket parts – like Volks- “We feel confident.” wagen owners – to bring older Under Chen’s leadership, models up to date. LASAR’s Paul Mooney announced the all-new Loewen is arguably the expert with carbon composite M 10, built like more than 50 years of Mooney ex- Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner. Chan’s perience. The Lakeport California business plan isn’t built on dreams, company produces dozens of after- though. market speed mods that can make “We surveyed the market and an older Mooney go faster on the identified what we think the market same gas flow. demands and it will be comparable “It’s the safety and efficiency; I and popular.” fly the Mooneys as lean as I can get The new M 10 is more than a nod them and try to achieve the best air- to Mooney’s efficiency legacy, powspeed out of them.” ered by a modern, jet-fuel burning One well-attended seminar aerodiesel engine. The fastest ediwasn’t Mooney-specific; Captain tion will be capable of NASCAR David Ross, who runs the Navy’s speeds at more than 30 mpg.

Pacific strike fighter command, And yes, even though designers gave advice on how to avoid the su- didn’t need to, the two new models personic blow darts launching from will have their tails on backward.

Paso Robles Magazine, August 2015

August 2015, Paso Robles Magazine

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