Colony Magazine #3 • September 2018

COLONYMAGAZINE.COM

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COLONY Magazine, September 2018

c ontents FEATURES

September 2018, Issue 3

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COLONY DAYS

WAYNE COOPER: IN SERVICE

IT’S NOT JUST A PARADE! COLONY DAYS BRINGS FUN ACTIVITES TO SUNKEN GARDENS, FRIENDS, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM A HISTORIC RE-CREATION TO WEINER DOG RACES AND MORE HONOR ONE OF ATASCADERO’S LEADERS

DEPARTMENTS

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24

11

SOMETHING WORTH READING

06 Publisher’s Letter

ROUND TOWN 08 Colony Buzz 10 Santa Margarita: Small Town, Big Heart 11 Third Annual Cornhole Tournament 12 On the Road with Pope X3 TENT CITY 13 Wine Country Theatre: Moonlight & Magnolias 24 Colony Days Brings Tent City Re-Creation COLONY PEOPLE 25 Tent City After Dark Moves to Friday 26 Veterans Memorial Needs Volunteers 14 Karen McNamara:Community Advocate 27 Battling the Back to School Blues 16 Nate Conrad: Student Becomes the Teacher

by County Superintendent Jim Brescia 17 Doug Filipponi:Savoring the Good Life COLONY TASTE BUSINESS 28 Taste of Americana: The Colony Cookbook 22 John’s Video Palace: Family-Friendly

Entertainment for 30 Years 29 Ancient Peaks: Historic Roots, Rich History

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EVENTS

30 North SLO County Activity & Event Guide 31 Whale Rock Music & Art Fest Promises a Hit

LAST WORD 34 Boys & Girls Club: Champions of Youth

ON THE COVER

Ancient Peaks Winery in Santa Margarita

By Cameron Ingalls

COLONY Magazine, September 2018

September 2018, COLONY Magazine

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Something Worth Reading

BATASCADERO U S I N E S S | D I N I N G |— S HSANTA O P P I N G |MARGARITA A R T S | E V E N T S |— P ECRESTON OPLE | NEWS

VOLUME 1 | NUMBER 3 805-391-4566

publisher@colonymagazine.com MAIL: P.O. Box 163 Atascadero, CA 93423

AD CONSULTANT & WRITER Millie Drum AD CONSULTANT Pam Osborn

PUBLISHER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nicholas Mattson publisher@colonymagazine.com

AD CONSULTANT Jamie Self AD CONSULTANT Karli Twisselman

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Hayley Mattson

AD CONSULTANT Carmen Burton Kessler

EDITOR Luke Phillips LEAD AD DESIGN Denise McLean, Mode Communications

COLONY Magazine ©2018

LEAD LAYOUT DESIGN Travis Ruppe

*No part of this periodical may be reproduced in any form by any means without written consent from COLONY Magazine.

GRAPHIC DESIGN Aaron Seedorf ART PRODUCTION Sue Dill WINE EDITOR Mira Honeycutt WRITER Melissa Chavez WRITER Heather Young COLUMNIST Sarah Pope COLUMNIST Simone Smith COLUMNIST Barbie Butz

is owned and published by Nicholas & Hayley Mattson

Find and Share Your Hometown Magazine Online at COLONYmagazine.com Like and Follow us: Facebook: @theCOLONYmag Instagram: @COLONYmagazine Twitter: @theCOLONYmag

EDITORIAL DEADLINE

7th of each month preceding publication

AD ORDER DEADLINE 10 th of each month preceding publication

19,000 Printed | 15,775 Mailed COLONY Magazine is published monthly and distributed FREE to every residence and business in Atascadero 93422, Santa Margarita 93453, and Creston 93432 zip codes. Postage paid at Paso Robles, CA 93446.

3,200 Dropped at High Traffic Locations COLONY Magazine is also available for our visitors at wineries, Chamber of Commerce, North County Transportation Center, local motels, hotels, vacation homes, B&Bs, the airport, doctor’s offices, restaurants, and other high-traffic hotspots.

Subscriptions Share COLONY Magazine! Annual subscriptions to COLONY Magazine, mailed to areas beyond the described distribution areas, are available for $26.99 per year (no international mailing). Subscribe online at COLONYmagazine.com.

For advertising inquiries and rates, story ideas and submission of photos, letters, press releases, etc., email publisher@COLONYmagazine.com.

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Let us keep our faces to the sunshine and we will not see the shadows.

— E.G. Lewis

H

appy birthday to us! Yep, we are officially 12 months into our ownership of PASO Magazine and we are thrilled about where we are going. With the launch of COLONY Magazine for Atascadero and Santa Margarita, we are proving that print is alive and well, and we love being a part of making a community like ours stronger.

For many years — after picking it up as a quote misattributed to Benjamin Franklin — I have kept the motto “Do something worth writing, or write something worth reading.”

As a member of our local media, it is a pleasure to live in a community that continues to produce things worth writing about, so we can fulfill our part in writing something worth reading.

Thank you all for being a part of this early journey. Now three months into a new life as COLONY Magazine, we could not be more proud of the team and the community that has come together to make it all work!

We took over PASO for the October 2017 issue, went glossy in December, made a splash in January with a polar bear dip cover and our inaugural Taste of PASO restaurant issue (watch out for our second annual! It will be even bigger). We added a couple of columnists to give our young parents some ideas about activities and outings with the kids, with Tonya Strickland of Two In Tow and Sarah Pope with Pope X 3.

As a member of the community, we’ve partnered with the Chamber of Commerce, Paso Robles Event Center and California Mid-State Fair, and continued to support our Downtown Paso Robles Main Street Association. We also continued our focus on our local nonprofit organizations, including Boys & Girls Club, Committee for Atascadero Public Schools, Colony Days, Printery Foundation, and other events throughout the year. We have a great community to partner with and we look forward to doing that for all our community organizations.

My wife and I serve on multiple boards as directors and volunteers and we know how much work goes into providing services to those in need, or producing community-centered events that make our community great. Some might want to Make America Great Again, and that sound wonderful, but around here, we have a long history of working together for a great community, and we just want to do what we can to Keep North SLO County Great … and make it even better.

We are moving into our second year with a full head of steam and a few more great things we are excited to release as a service to our community. We are destined to become a community favorite, and appreciate everyone’s encouragement as we introduced COLONY Magazine with the hope to improve the community and present our community to visitors, and the support that our local businesses and advertisers deserve for supporting such a great community asset.

Please enjoy this issue of COLONY Magazine.

Nicholas Mattson 805-391-4566 nic@colonymagazine.com If thou wouldest win Immortality of Name, either do things worth the writing, or write things worth the reading.

— Thomas Fuller, 1727

COLONY Magazine, September 2018

The Hope Chest Emporium

Old Ranch and Antique to Just-Made Local Goods We Carry a Unique Blend

September 2018, COLONY Magazine

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Enjoy An Evening in Santa Margarita

Plop a Spot for Cow Pie Bingo The Atascadero Printery Foundation is selling tickets to a unique FUNdraiser that waits for nature to call. The second annual Cow Pie Bingo will be set to music

by Shelly and the Classics on Sunday, Sept. 16.

The event will include food, drinks, fun and games, and plain old good times on the grounds of the Atascadero Printery building while the crowd waits for Betsy to get down to business.

How it works, is there is a bingo grid with squares sold to participants and the cow meanders around the grid, looking to pick a lucky winner with a plop on their spot.

Folks have at least a one in 500 chance of winning, although some have already purchase plots of fertile property in three-bythree squares, increasing their chances that ol’ Betsy will deposit her brown gold in space under their dominion.

It all goes to a good cause in helping the Atascadero Printery Foundation to raise funds for its mission to reclaim, rehabilitate, and repurpose the “Press Building” into a multipurpose, community-use facility.

Funds from the event will count toward the foundation’s effort to win the 2019 Dancing With Our Stars as an added bonus.

To purchase tickets for the event, go to atascaderoprintery.org/cow-pie-bingo-squares

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Celebrate Santa Margarita and indulge in all it has to offer during An Evening in Santa Margarita on Friday, Sept. 14 from 5 to 9 p.m.

Enjoy music, food, drinks, and crafts while strolling through town, and to sweeten the flavor of the evening, proceeds go to support Friends of the Santa Margarita Library.

Cruise down El Camino and stop at your favorite shops and restaurants or if you’ve never been, visit them for the first time — either way, take some time to explore.

The evening will feature vintage cars, wine tasting, and ice cream sundaes at The Barn Antiques & Unique, as well as a cornhole contest outside Margarita Bikes.

Get a lecture at Educated Gardner, find children’s activities outside Something Blue, or take the kids over to see the Santa Margarita Fire Department fire truck.

Local restaurants will donate a portion of their sales to Friends of the Santa Margarita Library.

Participating businesses include, Studio58, The Barn Antiques & Unique, HOME •santa margarita•, Casa Loma Rustic Furnishings, The Educated Gardener, Something Blue-Fine Sewing and Wedding Alterations, Margarita Bikes, Ragtime Clothing, Ancient Peaks Winery, Soaring Hawk Vineyards, Sculpterra Winery, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, Vintage Cowboy Winery, The Porch Cafe, The Range, Rosalina’s, Pacific Beverage, Southern Station, and Paradise Shaved Ice. And our sponsors ~ Diamond M Investments, Foundation Solutions, Oak Country Lumber, Pintor’s Tire & Wheel, Santa Margarita Feed and Joel Switzer Diesel Repair.

Movies in the Gardens Playing Two More Weeks Two more dates are left for Movies in the Gardens, with “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and “ Wo n d e r ” rounding out this year’s outdoor movie schedule at Sunken Gardens on Saturday, Sept. 1 and S a t u r d a y, Sept. 8.

If you don’t know what Star Wars is by now, you probably really don’t care, so we’ll save the unnecessary description — but go see it in the park anyways. It will be worth it. The latest Star Wars installment was critically acclaimed by the movie review site Rotten Tomatoes, with a 91 percent on the Tomatometer. Audiences gave it 46 percent, but probably none of them saw it outside under the Atascadero stars with hundreds of friends and neighbors.

“Wonder,” on the other hand, is worth talking about as the name gives you pretty much nothing. Wonder was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and is kind of like the story of every home-school kid’s first day of public school — except … August Pullman has some unusual facial differences. But he makes up for it with charm and a rapier wit.

Owen Wilson and Julia Roberts play the supportive and caring parents as August enters fifth grade to battle the typical middle school torture with the gloves off. If you can see where this is going, you might think he turns lemons into sweet lemonade and takes you on a journey to the heart of a child forced to find the humor in tough situations, and inspires compassion unmatched but for the Dalai Lama. You might be right, but you should get your lowrise lawn chair and see for yourself on Sept. 8.

Movies begin at 8 p.m. and snacks, desserts and drinks are available on site.

COLONY Magazine, September 2018

Cruise Night Rides Again

Vehicles of all shapes and sizes cruised the streets of downtown Atascadero for nearly three hours during the 2018 Hot El Camino Cruise Nite Aug.17, kicking off a weekend of motorhead fun in the city, concluding Saturday with the Mid-State Cruizers car show at Atascadero Lake Park and the city’s new Dancing in the Streets event downtown.

Photos by Luke Phillips

Seafood

Specials Monday

Meats

Tuesday

Proudly serving

Now serving

Salmon Picatta Chilean Sea Bass Mahi Mahi

1/2 Off Wine

Tri-Tip

Wednesday

Sunday

$1 Oysters

Prime Rib

Waygu Beef Ribs Waygu New York Strip

Private Parties: Three dining rooms for large and small groups. Birthdays, wedding and rehearsal dinners, or holiday parties

6005 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422 Web: www.the-carlton.com | Email: info@the-carlton.com Call: (805) 461-5100 | Take Out: Call to Order Hours: Sun-Thu: 4p-9p / Fri-Sat: 4p-11p

September 2018, COLONY Magazine

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ROUND TOWN

Santa Margarita Photos by Luke Phillips

W

elcome to Santa Margarita! As a business owner celebrating 25 years in and a resident for 30, I’ve come to know and love our tiny town and I’d like to take a moment to welcome you and explain what makes this small town a very special place.

Every area is unique in its own way. Geographical location, natural environment, history and community all come into play to shape and mold each into what it currently is and what it will be in the future.

NOT to be confused with the very young planned city of Rancho Santa Margarita (pop.

47,853) incorporated in Orange County in 2000, you can find the town of Santa Margarita (pop. 1,259) located within the County of San Luis Obispo, at the southern end of “the North County” and a mere 10-minute hop away over the Cuesta Grade from the city of San

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SMALL TOWN, BIG HEART

Luis Obispo just off Highway 101. The current “downtown” is centered on a portion of road which has multiple names, mainly three (but if you ask certain locals there are a few more).

When traveling to Santa Margarita, the main street happens to be a portion of the historic El Camino Real (The King’s Highway) running north/south; the western end of State Route 58, which stretches east to Barstow; in addition to being named “G” street (as established by the original town map of 1889).

Having one stretch of road with three names is always fun trying to explain to visitors and there are many stories of confusion with Rancho Santa Margarita (a roughly 5-hour, 279mile drive away) including “that time when a bus full of a high school football players arrived looking for the football field to play the local team” or “that time when a semi-truckload of new cars was looking for the dealership”… oops!

The original inhabitants were likely drawn to the idyllic Santa Margarita Valley by the bounty provided through its year-round running streams, abundant wildlife and acorn-producing oaks and was used by the northern Chumash and southern Salinans as a gathering place. Years later, in 1769, the area saw the arrival of the Spanish exploratory expedition of Gaspar de Portola accompanied by Father Junipero Serra who established nine of the eventual 21 Spanish missions, including Mis-

By Simone Smith

sion San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, founded in 1772 and soon after it’s associated asistencia (assistance or sub-mission rancho). It is believed that this mission rancho was named in honor of Father Serra’s mother Margaret and favorite patron saint Margarita de Cortona of his birthplace in Spain.

Due to its geographical location and hospitable environment, Santa Margarita has long been and continues to be a special place that welcomes and brings people together, from early Native Americans to the missionaries and beyond to present day gatherings.

ShapeBe on the lookout! Next month, I plan on filling the historical gap between the Mission days and present day Santa Margarita.

Upcoming gatherings in Santa Margarita for September Sept. 3 - Final Summertime Margarita Monday Community Potluck in the Park - 6-9 p.m.

Sept. 14 - An Evening in Santa Margarita – 5-9 p.m. - Enjoy music, food, drinks and crafts while strolling through town. Hosted at local business locations, this event benefits and supports the Friends of the Santa Margarita Library.

For more information about the history of Santa Margarita, visit santamargaritahistorical society.org.

You can also follow Santa Margarita on Facebook by searching for @SantaMargaritaCA.

COLONY Magazine, September 2018

ROUND TOWN ATASCADERO KIWANIS & KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

Showdown

Third annual event returns to Sunken Gardens Sept. 22

T

he third annual Atascadero Kiwanis and Knights of Columbus Showdown Cornhole tournament will take place on Saturday, Sept. 22 in Sunken Gardens. Last year’s tournament was the largest of its kind on the Central Coast with 64 teams participating.

Organizer Mike LoPicolo said that more than 100 teams are expected to attend this year.

“The Atascadero High School Greybots robotics team has been chosen to receive the proceeds from this year’s tournament,” LoPicolo said. “The Kiwanis and Knights

By Heather Young

chose the Greybots because a major focus of both clubs is to help the youth and youth programs in our community.”

No more than 128 teams will be accepted into the tournament. Each team is made up for two people. The cost for each team to enter is an $80 donation. There will an eight-round round robin play for A and B bracket double elimination placements.

The teams that place first through fourth will play in the A bracket for up to $2,000 in cash prizes and teams that finish in fifth through eighth will place in the B bracket

September 2018, COLONY Magazine

for up to $1,000 in cash prizes.

Check-in for the event begins at 8:30 a.m. and tossing begins at 10 a.m. and goes until 5 p.m.

“If you like to play cornhole, the tournament is a nine-game minimum, with over $3,000 in prize money with a sold-out event,” LoPicolo said. “There will be a Long Shot contest with $100 in prize money and an Air Mail Shoot Out for $100. Two Giant Jengas will be set up for anyone wishing to test their Jenga skills in a big way. A water balloon toss will also be part of the fun.”

For those not playing in the tournament, there will be additional cornhole board set up for some cornhole fun.

“You might even be able to get a chance to challenge the Greybots’ cornhole-playing robot,” LoPicolo said. “If you enjoy a good raffle with lots of great items, our North County Adaptive Sports and Recreation Program will also be there with items that we know that you’ll want.”

Sponsors are also still being sought for this year’s tournament and there are two level of sponsorship: $100 or $200. For $100 you can get an 18-inch by 24-inch business sign posted at the court and for $200 you’ll also get a team and lunch.

Last year’s tournament sold out, so if you’d like to get in this year’s event, have some fun, and help out some great programs, you can register at Atascadero Chamber of Commerce or online at Eventbrite.com, search “Showdown Cornhole.”

If you have questions about the event, email LoPicolo at mklopic@ msn.com.

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ROUND TOWN

Taking the backroads

I

t’s near impossible to run out of things to do here on the Central Coast. It’s Saturday morning and the boys were bouncing off the walls! With triple digits outside, we decided to take a drive to the coast… the long way. My husband was born and raised here and he loves to entertain our boys and share his stories of his adventurous childhood days. He has experienced every back road, creek and creepy cave along the way.

Driving west from Templeton, our long road trip began at Vineyard Drive. Soon after crossing over Highway 46, we enjoyed the endless winding country road surrounded with the most beautiful old barns, some of the best North County wineries nestled in between some of the oldest and majestic oak trees. On this beautiful drive the country road

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WITH POPEX3

By Sarah Pope

is hugged with a wall constructed of limestone rocks pulled from the surrounding area. As we continue our journey, we pass Adelaida Road, how the historic Adelaide Cemetery got her name.

Legend states never to leave your keys in your car or the residents of the cemetery will steal them, leaving you stranded. The ghost of the late, Charlotte Sitton (aka The Pink Lady), has been know to wander the cemetery every Friday night leaving flowers at her child’s grave. Lots more fascinating stories for around the campfire.

Aware that there is a creek running to the right of the road, we are all on the lookout for a spot to get our toes wet. As we drive over a loud wooden bridge we find the most perfect spot right underneath it. The water was cold and so refreshing! The boys found

fish, small running creeks and a cluster of bright blue dragonflies.

It felt as though we were in another land, but in reality we were so close to home.

As we neared the ocean we could see the temperature gauge rapidly dropping (97 … 80 …

73). We rolled down the window and could only hear the wind and the trees as we enjoyed the cool breeze hitting our faces.

Then there it was, the ocean and a view that a picture could do no justice. Sweet Cambria, with its quaint local shops, antique stores and home of the fun and COOL Shamel Park.

As memories are being made, we are discovering new places, ;earning something new everyday about the history in our very own backyard and visiting places “daddy” used to visit as a child. There is no better tour guide than he.

COLONY Magazine, September 2018

ROUND TOWN

Moonlight & Magnolias Three men, five days, one iconic screenplay

Screwball comedy opening at Wine Country Theatre Sept. 21

M

oonlight and Magnolias, Ron Hutchinson’s Off-Broadway comic celebration of one of the greatest movies of all time, opens Friday, Sept. 21 and runs through Sept. 30 at the Park Ballroom, 1232 Park Street in downtown Paso Robles.

Wine Country Theatre continues its fourth season with the zany comedy directed by Lisa Woske. This wildly funny and engaging tale illuminates the behind-the-scenes business of movie-making during the Golden Age

of Hollywood.

The premise is based on a true story: Unhappy with the incomplete shooting script for Gone with the Wind, legendary producer David O. Selznick has shut down production on his new epic.

He sends a car for famed script doctor Ben Hecht, pulls director Victor Fleming off the set of The Wizard of Oz, and proceeds to lock them all in his office in order to finish the script. Subsisting on

September 2018, COLONY Magazine

a diet of bananas and peanuts, the three men spend five days rewriting a screenplay that will become the blueprint for one of the most successful films of all time.

“If only Hecht had read the book!” elaborates director Lisa Woske. “With no time to read 1037 pages, Selznick and Fleming attempt to act out the story for him – which may or may not be helpful…but it sure is comical.

Hecht also provides a bit of social commentary as he types, so there are layers beneath the laughs.”

Wine Country Theatre’s Executive Director Cynthia Anthony adds, “Moonlight and Magnolias is a great production to present this season. Our audiences will love the fast-paced humor and enjoy the behind-the-scenes antics that surround such a wellknown movie classic.”

Featuring four outstanding local actors – Chad Stevens, Ed Cardoza, Tony Costa and Jo Jackson – the comedy embodies the mission of Wine Country Theatre, which is to offer a professional-caliber theatre experience for Central Coast audiences.

The show runs Sept. 21–30; Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. at the Park Ballroom in downtown Paso Robles. Wine, snacks and desserts are available for purchase; generous table seating allows refreshments to be enjoyed during the show. Tickets are $25 general public; $20 for groups of 8+; $15 student.

For ticket information go the website: winecountrytheatre.com or contact Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838-3006.

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COLONY PEOPLE

KAREN MCNAMARA Realtor, business owner, community advocate

K

aren McNamara has not lived in Atascadero all her life but she loves Atascadero as though she had. She moved here with her late husband, Mike McNamara, who died in June 2015.

Since moving to Atascadero, she started the Printery Foundation with Nic Mattson, who had started discussing the fate of the historic building with Mike, but Mike died before anything could be done.

“He didn’t like to complain,” Karen said. “If he didn’t like something, he did something about it. He was just a really good man… Mike and Nic both grew up here, it’s a building they both care about.”

The foundation was officially formed in October 2015. Since that time, it has gained control of the building and raised enough money to buy it from the county when it went to auction.

The Atascadero Printery Building has been red-tagged and boarded up since the San Simeon Earthquake hit the county in 2003.

It had remained relatively untouched since, leaving most of the windows broken and the building quickly deteriorating, according to McNamara, president of the Printery Foundation.

The foundation’s mission is to reclaim, rehabilitate and repurpose the Printery building. It's estimated that the foundation will need $8.5 million to make the building fit for the public. The foundation has currently raised $140,000 of

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By Heather Young

“Community rabble-rouser should be my title. I don’t believe in just griping about stuff but getting involved." that amount. McNamara speculates that the majority of the funds will come from grants and possibly very large donors. Of the total, $2.5 million will be used to retrofit the building. That amount, she said, is the committee’s first goal now that the foundation has ownership of the building.

Anyone who wants to get involved in any way can contact Karen at 805-459-5113 or mcrealtor@ rocketmail.com.

Even before she undertook saving the Printery, Karen joined the Optimist Club about six years ago, which led her to join the Colony Days Committee on which she is serving her second of two terms as chair.

“Community rabble-rouser should be my title,” McNamara said, adding that when her family attended the parade their first year back in Atascadero she felt that she should get involved in the event. “I don’t believe in just griping about stuff but getting involved.”

Karen McNamara mans her store, Hope Chest Emporium.

Photo by Heather Young

She started out working with vendors and figuring out logistics and then served as secretary before moving up to chairperson.

“I’ll stay on the committee, but probably won’t have a lot of responsibilities because I have a lot going on with the Printery,” she said.

With progress heating up with the Printery, McNamara said she’s often in meetings related to the building.

In addition to her community involvement, she is also a real estate agent and owns Hope Chest Emporium, which is located next to Bru Coffeehouse at 5800 El

Camino Real. The home goods store has a unique blend of locally-made, restored or repurposed furniture, decor, candles, garden items and more. The store features goods from a variety of sellers.

“I call it my lemonade stand,” McNamara said. “Life handed me lemons and I made a lemonade stand. I miss Mike terribly but I’m not going to dwell on it.

I’m going to be a help in the community. That’s the way I’m going to honor him.”

McNamara has four children: Jaime, 37; April, 36; Ryan, 23, and Kody, 20. All of her children except Jaime are local residents.

COLONY Magazine, September 2018

September 2018, COLONY Magazine

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COLONY PEOPLE

Welcome back, Conrad

Photos by Pat Pemberton

AHS grad Nate Conrad Enters 13th Year Leading His Old Band

By Pat Pemberton

N

ate Conrad was preparing to fly to Europe where he would perform for the third time since entering college when the call came to go back home.

“Four or five people from Atascadero called me and said, ‘When are you going to get your teaching credential?’” said Conrad, who was studying at California State University, East Bay at the time. “Because the job just opened up.”

The Job: director of the high school band.

Seven years earlier, Conrad had performed with that band as a student. Suddenly, he had an opportunity to return to Atascadero as an educator.

Remember that 70s sitcom “Welcome Back, Kotter?”

Like that, but without a laugh track.

Now, 12 years after his return, Conrad is still leading that band, which will experience a significant change this year when it skips marching competitions to focus on musicianship and local events.

“This is pretty awesome,” he said, sitting in a temporary instrument storage space while the band room undergoes renovation. “And I’m really happy doing what I’m doing where I’m doing it.”

Conrad moved to Atascadero at the age of four with a family of musicians.

“We were always singing and making music in the house growing up,” he said.

His father, an Episcopal priest, enjoyed classical music and hymns, so that dominated — but didn’t necessarily dictate Conrad’s earliest music selections.

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“I got the first Weezer album and the first Green Day album,” he said.

But during his sophomore year, his parents bought him some music for Christmas — Count Basie and J.J. Johnson — and he was hooked on jazz.

“It probably took me twice as long to do my homework as any other student,” he said.

“Because I had those CDs on all the time, and I would space out and listen to music.”

Conrad began playing trombone one day simply because the other available instruments — a trumpet and a clarinet — were in worse condition.

“In a typical musician way, I love that it’s impossibly hard to play,” he said of the trombone. “My youngest brother is a professional saxophone player, and every time I see him play, I’m like, man — that’s such a smarter way to go.”

After high school, Conrad started his studies at Cuesta College, had a brief stop at Cal Poly, then headed to Hayward, where he found more opportunities to perform and compose. He would have continued to perform in the Bay Area had he not returned to that familiar place.

“It was familiar in a really good sense,” he said. “The weird part was talking to the teachers.”

A few of the teachers he’d distanced himself from as a student suddenly appeared much differently once he got to know them as colleagues.

“It turns out they were phenomenal people,” he said with a laugh.

While competing has long been an element of the marching band, this year, Conrad and the administration decided to back off from competition.

For one thing, Conrad said, the school always had to travel long distances to compete against much bigger schools. And competing on the road, he added, just isn’t as rewarding as performing at community events or home football games.

“When the stands are full, it’s close to 2,000 people,” he said. “So over the course of five home games, we’re playing for close to 10,000 people.”

By skipping competitions, he said, he can focus on making students better musicians, which will ultimately help those who want to pursue music further.

And serious musicians will want to play serious music, which is why this year’s catalog includes several Steely Dan numbers.

“A lot of them don’t know Steely Dan,” Conrad said. “But by the end of the year, they’re going to be checking out Steely Dan and other bands from that era and similar styles, so that’s a win.”

COLONY Magazine, September 2018

COLONY PEOPLE

Doug Filipponi

I

By Melissa Chavez

t’s Monday in the tasting room at Ancient Peaks Winery in downtown Santa Margarita. What was pin-drop quiet minutes after unlocking the front door is bustling moments later.

In an adjacent room, co-owner Doug Filipponi remains attentive while juggling a smartphone and mental calendars. He’s tying loose ends and stealing time for a meeting before leaving town the next day. It’s a busy life for this grape grower, well driller and cattle rancher.

Doug’s many ventures all serve to underscore his affinity for the North SLO County terrain, in which he is well-rooted.

For Doug, forging good relationships with people is a foundational trait. Among those people is Ned Thompson, with whom he formed Filipponi & Thompson Drilling, Inc. in 1974.

The company provides water well drilling services throughout the Central Coast, from Monterey to Ventura.

Nearly 20 years ago, Doug recalled that the idea of a winery first evolved when he and his friends bought vineyards from winemaking great Robert Mondavi. He joked, “You know, I told my wife to whack me with a frying pan if I ever got into making wine, and yet, here I am!” Indeed, he remains intact, as is his formidable influence in the SLO County community through involvement with the California Mid-State Fair’s Heritage Foundation, Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, and Atascadero Greyhound Foundation's Lighthouse Committee, to name a few.

Together with business partners Rob Rossi and Karl Wittstrom, four generations of winemaking infuse every vintage of Ancient Peaks award-winning wine.

“All of the grapes are grown right here,” Doug said. He heavily credits Jaime Muniz (Vineyard Manager), Mike Sinor (Director of Winemaking) and Stewart Cameron (Winemaker) for Ancient Peaks Winery’s continued success.

September 2018, COLONY Magazine

Savors the Good Life in Santa Margarita

“I’ve been involved somehow or other with this ranch since I was a kid and now to be a part of it and share it is pretty special"

Doug Filipponi

Photo by Melissa Chavez

“Food and wine should be shared together, which is why we serve food in the tasting room,” Doug said. Charcuterie, cheeseboards, soups, sandwiches and hamburgers made with locally-grown produce pair deliciously with Ancient Peaks wine for a true sense of terroir (“a sense of place”) in every bite.

The wine label draws inspiration from the neighboring Santa Lucia Range, which encompasses Doug’s Santa Margarita Ranch property, a 14,000-acre, picturesque landscape nestled between Atascadero and San Luis Obispo.

The historic parcel, part of Father Junipe-

ro Serra’s Mission Trail in the 1700s, contains remnants of the 1878 stone walls of the Santa Margarita de Cortona Asistencia, (a former partner structure to Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa). Those remnants are now protected by a barn, a generations-old ranch house and mission vineyard land — all dating to the days of the Franciscans.

“I’ve been involved somehow or other with this ranch since I was a kid and now to be a part of it and share it is pretty special," said Doug of the beloved Santa Margarita Ranch he owns with Rossi and Wittstrom. “I want people to see how beautiful and special this place is. I want them to taste the wine, take it home, and let it bring back to them what they saw.”

Today, the preserved ranch sustains a natural beef program, a sustainably-grown Margarita Vineyard and a steam-powered Pacific Coast Railroad with 5/8-scale passenger coaches that date back to the 1950s for the public to enjoy.

The ranch hosts gatherings large and small, from hometown weddings to Savor the Central Coast events by Sunset Magazine. Santa Margarita Adventures offers six zipline tours that glide more than 7,500 feet across the property and provide an eagle’s view and draws locals and visitors alike.

Born in Paso Robles and raised in Atascadero, Doug credits good mentors who helped develop his approach to business.

“It’s not about money,” said Doug. “Do what you love doing. If you don’t, you won’t be happy.”

Doug momentarily ignores a text message on his phone and the people waiting outside to share a final thought about the work ethic that fuels him and his crew: “I’m personally proud of these folks. We have 40-year team members in our drilling business alone. It’s all about commitment and we’re committed to people who work for us. Anyone who has shown us that they’re willing to work hard?

They’re just like family to us.”

colonymagazine.com | 17

COLONY DAYS

Brings the Mudhole Follies back to life

By Heather Young

Annual celebration moves to the first Saturday in October

A

A BIT OF HISTORY

tascadero was founded in 1913 by E.G. Lewis, who purchased the land that makes up Atascadero for $1 million from the United States Army. The Army used Atascadero, especially the area around the lake, for maneuvers. Lewis, who had also started University City in Missouri, was looking for another venture and found Atascadero to be the perfect place to start a planned community. He intentionally started the city inland from the ocean, but had Highway 41 built so residents could easily travel to the beach in Morro Bay. Lewis was a publisher and businessman who developed the city with streets, sidewalks, gutters, water and power before the house were built. The first buildings constructed in Atascadero were the Printery building, where he produced his magazine Women’s Illustrated and the Atascadero News, and City Administration Building.

The history city hall is a prominent feature of Colony Days, being right behind Sunken Gardens were the majority of the festivities take place.

18 | colonymagazine.com

E

very October the residents of Atascadero past and present come together to celebrate the city’s roots with the annual Colony Days event. This year’s event — the 45th annual — will take place two weeks earlier than it has in the past, happening on the first Saturday in October rather than the third. This year’s theme is “Mudhole Follies.”

“We want to have fun,” Colony Days Committee Vice President Nic Mattson said. “Follies is about being silly, being foolish and we want to do that on as large-scale as possible, but also being responsible. The purpose of Colony Days

is to bring the community together and celebrate each other and Atascadero. This year we want to do this with the spirit of silliness and fun.”

Entry into the parade is free and the deadline for entry applications is Monday, Sept. 17. The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6. Parade numbers and participant ribbons will be available for pickup on Friday, Oct. 5 during Tent City After Dark in Sunken Gardens or Saturday, Oct. 6 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the start of the parade route.

The Colony Days event on Saturday, Oct. 6 has something for everyone in the family starting with the Lions Club pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. at the corner of El Camino Real and West Mall, the parade, vendors and activities in Sunken Gardens, Dogtoberfest, food and beverages and a historic re-enactment of Atascadero in the year 1916. The Atascadero Historical Society will also have its museum open during the day and docents will be giving tours of City Hall.

Schedule of events:

• 7 to 9 a.m.: Lions Club Pancake breakfast.

• 10 a.m.: Parade begins at A-Town Diner on El Camino Real and ends at West Mall and Palma Avenue • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Tent City re-enactment in Sunken Gardens, events will include pie eating contest and other games during the day—see schedule in Tent City the dayof. There will also be a variety of vendors, entertainment and food in and around the Sunken Gardens.

• 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Weiner Dog & Small Dog Race Registration • 1 to 2:30 p.m.: Dogtoberfest Wiener Dog and Small Dog Races • 2:30 p.m.: Pet Costume Contest (any size dog can particIpate) • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Free tours of City Hall led by Atascadero Historical Society docents

Colony Days event is organized by community volunteers who work year-round to put the event together. While new committee members are always needed, there are a variety of one-off volunteer opportunities available, from keeping the grounds of the event clean, to setting up and taking down chairs and more. Check out ColonyDays.org for more information on how to help.

T-shirts for the 45th annual Colony Days celebration are now available for pre-order on the website and will also be available the day of the event.

Go to colonydays.org for registration and more information.

Some ideas for parade entries include: • Dressing up in silly costumes • Playing unusual instruments, such as pots and pans, kazoos, recorder or keytars • Lots of balloons • Silly dancing and entertainment • Dressing up as a prominent community leader, past or present • Juggling and carnivalrelated fun

COLONY Magazine, September 2018

FOR ATASCADERO CITY COUNCIL

September 2018, COLONY Magazine

colonymagazine.com | 19

Greyhound For Life

Service For a Lifetime

Photo by Rick Evans

Wayne Cooper Leaves Behind Big Shoes to Fill

H

e was a mountain of a man with a deep and gentle soul. Hundreds of friends and family gathered together on Aug. 7 to celebrate the life of Wayne Everett Cooper (1944-2018) at Colony Park Community Center in Atascadero.

The gymnasium was filled with orange and grey shirts on folks walking around sharing memories, laughter, tears, and hugs. Outside, many of those closest to Wayne cooked the meal to be served. Wayne spent many years cooking as a part of the Bones BBQ crew, and was given the day off in honor and respect.

Wayne was born a Greyhound, and his final breath was taken on the all-weather track he helped build at Atascadero High School’s Memorial Stadium. On Wednesday, Aug. 1, after pulling a regular volunteer shift at the final All Comers Track and Field meet of the season, Wayne helped his friend Donn Clickard carry supplies in their little red wagon back to the truck.

When they reached the edge of the track, he and Donn went to pick the wagon up over the curb, as they had done so many times before, but something moved to make certain Wayne never stepped foot off that track again.

“He was there, and then he wasn’t,” Donn said about witnessing his best friend pass away just a couple feet away.

20 | colonymagazine.com

By Nic Mattson

The noise of hundreds of attendees was gone from the meet, and now the belly laugh of one of Atascadero’s most notable characters was to be just an echo in the minds and hearts of those fortunate enough to have heard it.

Luckily, Wayne spent a lot of time helping others, so he shared his laughter quite often.

Undoubtedly incomplete, the list of Wayne’s service positions include AHS sophomore class president, student body vice president, student body president, school district board trustee, SLO County Planning Commissioner, an active member of the Atascadero Elks Club, supporter of FFA and 4-H programs, Atascadero Chamber of Commerce board, president of Atascadero Greyhound Foundation and co-founder of LIGHTHOUSE Atascadero.

Wayne was also the patriarch of a large local family of Coopers that includes three sons, a daughter, and 16 grandchildren.

During Wayne’s service in August, three of his grandsons spoke to the friends and family gathered. Everett spoke about his grandfather going to any length to help, with a story about Wayne and his wife Diana driving 12 hours to help Everett move out of his dorm at Arizona State University — a 20-minute endeavor — and then driving 12 hours home. Alex spoke to his grandfather’s unconditional support, win or lose. Creston related the tale of the boy throwing starfish into the ocean … because making a difference to even one life is significant.

Donn took the podium and spoke to the friendship and support Wayne gave him.

“Wayne was one of the finest people [we] had the opportunity to have known and loved,” Donn said. “His commitment to his family cannot be overstated. Wayne’s work has been to the benefit of the youth of Atascadero.”

Donn followed with quotes by others, including Wayne’s granddaughter Charlotte, who said “Papa swings me just the right height on the spiderweb swing.”

At 73 years old, Wayne gave more than his share and the community response to his passing proved it was a life well-lived.

He was called a Wayne Cooper “One-of-a-kind treaContributed Photo sure of a human being” and “a rock and very essence of integrity” who left behind “hard shoes to fill” and was an “example for all.”

Donn summed up his oration with the encouragement to all present to “try to swing each other just the right height on the spiderweb swing.”

“For me, Wayne was the model of dependability, a steady influence in my life,” Donn said. “He epitomized the meaning of friendship, loyalty, intelligence and common sense.”

Donn served the community alongside Wayne for more than 25 years and out of all Donn’s confidants, Wayne was most influential.

“Wayne was my go-to guy,” Donn said. “He was always so clear in his answers. He responded specifically to my question succinctly, and it was not necessarily what I wanted to hear. It is trite to say, but he was always thinking about what was best for the kids. I don’t really remember a time when I didn’t do exactly what he said.”

Like his laugh, the quiet and thoughtful depths of Wayne Cooper will always echo in the hearts and minds of those familiar with him.

The family of Wayne Cooper has asked those who wish to give in Wayne’s honor, to give to the Atascadero Greyhound Foundation at atascaderogreyhoundfoundation.org, or P.O. Box 3120, Atascadero, CA 93423.

COLONY Magazine, September 2018

Saturday, Oct. 13 at Chalk Mtn. Golf Course

LIGHTHOUSE

Golf Tournament Raises Money, Awareness

L

IGHTHOUSE Atascadero began in 2012 in hopes of making a difference to high school students in need regarding substance abuse and addiction.

The mission was to provide awareness, prevention, and intervention to students at the continuation high school and financial assistance for a licensed therapist for student access.

In order to fulfill that financing, the Atascadero Greyhound Foundation produced the LIGHTHOUSE Atascadero Golf Tournament to raise money. Each year, the event provides monetary assistance for the provision of professional therapy to high school students at Paloma Creek Continuation High School and the fifth annual tournament is scheduled for Saturday, Oct.

Special to Colony Magazine

13 at Chalk Mountain Golf Course.

Registration for the tournament is open to the public, and is a shotgun-start fourplayer scramble.

Entry to the tournament is $40 per player and includes the green fee, cart and lunch. Entry is limited to the first 30 teams.

Funds are raised through hole sponsorships, which are available from $100-500 per hole. The funds help support the prevention and intervention part of the LIGHTHOUSE mission, but the entire golf tournament is a means of providing for the awareness part of the mission.

Like the story of the kid walking down the beach throwing sea stars back into the ocean, and the naysayer explaining that there

are so many sea stars that the kid will never make a difference to all of them. The kid picks up a sea star, throws it back into the ocean and says “I made a difference for that one.”

The Greyhound Foundation is working to provide real help for high school students struggling with addiction and mental health issues during important years of life. The golf tournament is an opportunity to learn more about the program.

Since 2012, LIGHTHOUSE has come a long way and is the main focus for the Greyhound Foundation. In just the past year, multiple programs have been established to fill needs for high school students, including peer mentoring, resources and an after-school program.

5th Annual

LIGHTHOUSE Atascadero Benefit

At Chalk Mountain Golf Course • 805-466-8848 10000 Bordo Avenue, Atascadero

LIGHTHOUSE After School provides classes for kids who want to fill their afternoons with productive and educational experiences.

“Everything is about good decision-making and problem solving,” AGF executive director Donn Clickard said. “The program will teach ceramics, how to build a computer or bicycle and gardening — filling leisure time with productive activity.”

With respect to the LIGHTHOUSE mission, measuring the impact these classes will have on the lives of students is difficult, even for an experienced educator like Donn Clickard.

“How do you measure the funeral you didn’t go to?” Donn said. “How do you measure a kid who does not do drugs, or the impact Reality Tour has on them?”

The bottom line is whether or not the programs are making a difference in the lives they reach.

For more information on the Atascadero Greyhound Foundation or LIGHTHOUSE, go to atascaderogreyhoundfoundation. org, or lighthouseatascadero.org.

Saturday, Oct. 13

Golf Tournament

• 4-player Scramble • Shotgun Start • $40 entry includes green fee, cart and lunch • Sponsor a hole to support LIGHTHOUSE Atascadero in the battle Hole Sponsorships against addiction

$100

For More Information, Visit AtascaderoGreyhoundFoundation.org, or call Donn Clickard, 805-712-6356 September 2018, COLONY Magazine

colonymagazine.com | 21

LOCAL BUSINESS

JOHN’S VIDEO PALACE Local business marks 30 years of family-friendly fun

F

By Luke Phillips

or the past 30 years, John’s Video Palace has been renting out “pure entertainment” to the people of Atascadero, offering them a couple of hours of escape from the real world.

“People come in here to take a break from reality, to watch something that couldn’t really happen, and then they have to go back out there,” said owner John Taft.

Taft’s enthusiasm for movies and for his customers are evident as soon as one walks through the front door.

“What movie can I help you find?” Taft asks with a smile. “Name any old move, I’ve got it.”

According to Taft, it’s that enthusiasm and commitment to making the video store experience fun and friendly that kept the business going throughout the years, especially during the heyday of Blockbuster Video (don’t say “the B word” around John!) when the giant corporation was driving mom and pop video stores out of business left and right. When John’s Video Palace first opened in 1988, it had 10 other

competitors in town, but the numbers slowly dwindled and many of the small operations that couldn’t compete with the big guys turned to renting pornographic videos, Taft said.

“We’re not carrying that and we’re not supporting that,” Taft said. “People would come in here and say ‘You’re not carrying them? Then we’re supporting you.’”

Most of the store’s customers these days consist of families with young children who can’t afford the cost of movie theater tickets, those who don’t have a good enough internet to stream movies and those who can’t find the movie they’re looking for online. And perhaps, from time to time, a younger couple on a date night looking for a bit of nostalgia.

“Online you only get your choice of a handful of movies,” he said. “We’re almost like a library now, like an old-fashioned thing. We’ve got all the old movies that nobody has anymore.

Certain movies may only rent once a year, twice a year so that’s why Neflix and those guys don’t want them. They don’t want to carry them be-

John’s Video Palace owner John Taft.

Photo by Luke Phillips

cause they don’t make any money. They don’t care — we carry them.”

The store carries more than 6,000 older titles and they rent for $3 for two nights, a price that hasn’t changed in more than 20 years. Taft finally budged and raised the price of new releases from $3.50 to $3.95 recently, but refused to raise the price for library titles because he “likes to keep it old school.”

John’s Video Palace, located at 8120 El Camino Real, is open seven days per week, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, call 805-466-5525.

“tell ‘em Sol sent you"

22 | colonymagazine.com

COLONY Magazine, September 2018

LET OUR HELPFUL STAFF FIND THE PERFECT CART OR OFF ROAD VEHICLE TO FIT YOUR LIFESTYLE!

September 2018, COLONY Magazine

colonymagazine.com | 23

TENT CITY

TENT CITY Recreates Atascadero’s Early Days T

By Heather Young

ent City is a the re-enactment of 1916 Atascadero when residents lived in tents while waiting for their homes to be built.

The tent owned by Atascadero’s founder E.G. Lewis had electricity and all the comforts of home.

Actors will “perform” during the Colony Days celebration on Saturday, Oct. 6 and at a few other events related to Colony Days.

Tent City grew from nine small tents and two large ones, which showed residential camp life, a school and a land office.

It also is a little community that includes the Land Office, Ice Cream Parlor, a working Blacksmith, architect John J. Roth, Atascadero’s first business Atascadero Mutual Water Company, agriculture/apples, Mercantile, Atascadero News outlet, diner, Red Cross, a barbershop and the Federated Church Atascadero.

For the second year in a row, the Tent City re-enactment will take place in the Sunken Gardens along El Camino Real. Tent City was moved from it’s original location along Atascadero Creek off of East Mall because of the construction of the pedestrian bridge connecting downtown Atascadero with Colony Square. “[This year’s] event in the Sunken Gardens was an experiment that yielded a lot of great pluses,” Tent City organizer Dianne Greenaway said. “[Tent City] became the visual core of the Sunken Gardens celebration, making us easy to find. The ‘city square’ lent itself to a lovely feeling of community for our little Tent City, lending it to just hanging out. We had the vibrant energy of our local dance school added in as ‘newsies’ as well as performing from the ‘Newsies’ musical.”

Actors of all ages are sought to portray different citizens of

24 | colonymagazine.com

Blacksmith demonstration.

A “newsie” in action.

Photo by George Westlund

Tent City barber Milo at work.

Photo by George Westlund

Atascadero from the city’s beginning in 1913. Rehearsals for Atascadero’s Colony Days re-enactment will take place Tuesday, Aug. 21 with an informational meeting and potluck in the Community Church of Atascadero’s Fellowship Hall at 5:30 p.m. This is for all actors and parents and guardians.

The rehearsals will take place every Tuesday following the informational meeting through Oct. 2 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Community Church of Atascadero United Church of Christ at 5850 Rosario Ave. During the class, actors will learn Atascadero history, period dances and songs and acting techniques while perfecting their characters.

Photo by Rick Evans

Tent City cast performs on stage.

Photo by Heather Young

Greenaway, who started Tent City in 2003, said she is seeking families who would like to be a part of Tent City together.

“We will engage in the culture of the period, singing songs and learning some dances,” Greenaway said. “We also welcome entire families to join in. Becoming ‘history’ together is a great experience.”

While anyone can attend the classes on Tuesday, those who do must be committed to taking on the responsibility of developing a character role, which will be more merged with exhibitors this year. However, if someone is interested in being a part of Tent City, but can’t join the first week, arrangements may be made with Greenaway.

“We always welcome newsies who will go out in pairs to sell newspapers during Colony Days,” Greenaway said. “I’m looking for someone high school age or older to work at the Caladero exhibit, which was created by the Atascadero Land Preservation Society/Atascadero Native Tree Association, to work under their supervision with an apple press and apple slice experience.”

While actors are a big part of Tent City, people helping out behind the scenes are also needed.

To find out how you can be a part of Tent City, go to ColonyDays.org or contact Greenaway at 805-712-3947 or diannegreenaway@gmail.com.

COLONY Magazine, September 2018

TENT CITY

TENT CITY

AFTER DARK TAKES OVER FRIDAY NIGHT

By Heather Young

T

he annual fundraiser for Colony Days, Tent City After Dark, will be bigger and better than ever. The concert will happen in Tent City, which will be set up in Sunken Gardens, on Friday, Oct. 5 starting at 4:30 p.m.

The event has historically been held the Saturday evening of the Colony Days celebration for event goers to get another view of the historic Tent City once the sun went down. The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. with food trucks and beer and wine and continue well into the night. The main music event will begin at 6 p.m., although there will be amateur musicians and other events happening beforehand.

“Tent City After Dark is an amazing combination of good music and an incredible setting,” Colony Days chairwoman Karen McNamara said. “Once the sun sets, the tents and hanging lanterns glow as they did in the original Tent City. It is truly something that can only be experienced at our event. There will be lots of food and drink vendors, plenty of room to dance to a high-quality concert and a moderate late summer evening. We believe the move to Friday night will bring a stellar kick-off of the celebration of our community.”

This year, Tent City After Dark will kick off the Colony Days celebration, giving a preview of the tents along with live folk and country music. Advanced tickets are $35 each and include one beverage. Tickets purchased at the event are $40 each. VIP sponsorship tables of eight are $500 and include one drink per person, a platter of tacos for the table and personal table service for the entire evening.

Featuring:

“I can’t wait to see this event grow into one of our community’s premiere evenings of entertainment,” Tent City After Dark committee member Candice Hubbard said. “Tent City After Dark will bring our community together to celebrate the history of Atascadero in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.”

For those attending the home football game that Friday night, admission after 8 p.m. will be $10

per person with a hand stamp from the football game.

As of press time, Carolina Story and Hilary & Kate were booked to play, with two more bands still to come.

Firestone Walker Beer will be available, as well as other local brewers and wineries.

To purchase tickets or more information, visit ColonyDays.org.

Proudly Serving

September September2018, 2018,COLONY COLONYMagazine Magazine

| 25 colonymagazine.com colonymagazine.com| 25

TENT CITY

Veterans Memorial Foundation Needs Your Help

T

he Atascadero Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial, located at the intersection of Highway 41 and Portola Road in Atascadero, needs your help.

The memorial honors veterans throughout the county and was recognized some years ago as the official San Luis Obispo County Veterans Memorial. It was designed, built and paid for by community volunteers to honor the memory of those who gave their lives in service to the nation and describes the

26 | colonymagazine.com

By Al Fonzi

conflicts in which they served.

The Atascadero Veterans Memorial Foundation (AVMF) is responsible for maintaining the memorial and coordinates ceremonies on Memorial Day and Veterans Day to honor veterans and their families.

At the outset of the endeavor to build the memorial, multiple volunteer groups comprising more than

50 volunteers came together to contribute. Since its dedication in November 2008, the organization’s numbers have dwindled to less than 15 members. Now they are asking for people to join the organization in order that they might continue to host annual ceremonies on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day which may not be possible without additional volunteers. Volunteers

don’t have to be a veteran or even know a veteran, they just need to be willing to participate.

The group meets at 6 p.m. on the last Monday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2814 located at the corner of Highway 41 West and Santa Rosa Street in Atascadero. You may contact the AVMF President Al Fonzi at 805423-5482 for further information.

COLONY Magazine, September 2018

TENT CITY

Coping with new school year stress

A

new school year, new job, new living arrangement, and even a new relationship can cause stress. For many, the fall means back to school, a return to routine, or time to begin a new term. Some view the fall as a chance to make a fresh start and an opportunity to make new friends. However, individuals with challenges such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities and depression may find transitions difficult.

These transitions can be particularly challenging for individuals with mental health concerns because they can struggle with friendships, may have difficulty relating to teachers, or may experience feelings of discontent.

If you have a loved one, friend, colleague, or acquaintance that is dealing with a mental health issue, there are ways you can assist with transitions. Local school officials and North County centers such as the LINK can identify available services and support youth and families to connect with needed services.

For many preschool, elemen-

By Jim Brescia, SLO County Superintendent

“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” — Leo Tolstoy tary, middle, and high school students transitions to a different school can signify social and educational development.

Regular events such as puberty, changing schools, making friends and accepting more autonomy are considered a rite of passage.

Often the physical environment in which the transition occurs is larger in size and expectations.

When compared to the smaller, single-teacher environment of an elementary school, students at the middle or high school meet multiple teachers and differing expectations. Transitioning to the workplace or college can also cause stress, further challenging those with disabilities.

Young adults with mental health issues can face difficulties, from getting educational accommodations to accessing affordable, high-quality mental health care. The transition to college or

sues are most likely to interfere with success during transitions, even young adult transitions.

There is no “right” routine for back to school time. Stress reducing methods include: • Time Buffer-If something takes longer than planned, extra time reduces anxiety.

• Individual Path-Personal preference in completing tasks can reduce stress.

• Group Support-Agreement and support reduces anxiety.

• Task Lists-Breaking tasks into parts may reduce the stress and simplify the process.

Jim Brescia

the workplace may also require some planning. If an individual is overwhelmed by the process of getting ready for post-secondary education, there are organizations such as Transition Year that can help. People may assume that the major obstacle in adjusting to campus life or the workplace will be academic. However, research shows that emotional is-

Fall transitions can be difficult for individuals with stress-related issues, but anticipating and working to counteract problems in advance can assist with transitional anxiety.

San Luis Obispo County residents have access to 2-1-1 SLO County, a free program, that is a one-stop way to obtain timely access to health and human services and referrals. Together we make our community stronger.

5935 Entrada Ave., Atascadero, Ca 93422

Children’s Consignment

(805)296-3600 September 2018, COLONY Magazine

colonymagazine.com | 27

COLONY TASTE

Americana TASTE OF

THE COLONY COOKBOOK

By Barbie Butz

D

uring summer months throughout the country, families and friends are involved in country fairs. Whether they’re at the community, county or state level, one thing they have in common is food.

However, food items on the midway are entirely different than food items being judged for a blue ribbon!

I judged in that area a few times years ago, at our own MidState Fair in Paso Robles (usually I judged in the arts and crafts section). But, I sure remember my first time as a food judge. I was assigned to the baking category and I started off with a bang. I took normal bites of cookies, brownies, cakes and pies and very soon I was on a “sugar high.” We were being interviewed by a reporter from KSBY, who happened to be a friend of mine, and when she got to me I could hardly talk about all those sugar-filled entries. In fact, it was several days before I could face anything that had sugar in it.

Other foods that are judged, of course, are the results of a bountiful summer harvest. Pickles are forever popular, and jams, jellies, and preserves are favorites to “put-up” for competition at the fair.

Since it is too late now for local competition, consider “putting up” a few jars for winter holiday gift-giving.

Bread-and-butter pickles are some of those old-fashioned pickles that never go out of style. I remember that my Grandma O’Haver’s pantry was never without several jars and she served them with almost everything.

My resource this month is a wonderful little cookbook titled “The Country Fair Cookbook” compiled by Alison Boteler in 1995. It has become one of my “go-to” cookbooks for summer, even though here in California most of the recipes are good all year ‘round!

28 | pasomagazine.com

I have to admit that when they say “don’t judge a book by its cover, I did. It has a red border (I love red) and features a strawberry/blueberry dessert with a true “Americana” background. It just looked like summer, country fairs, and all that is good about America.

I’ve picked out a few recipes to

• 1 ½ teaspoons turmeric • ½ teaspoon ground cloves • 4 teaspoons whole mustard seed • 1 teaspoon celery seed • 4 ½ cups distilled white vinegar Directions: Combine cucumbers, onions, and peppers in large bowl. Sprinkle salt over vegetables and toss to coat.

Empty trays of ice over vegetables.

Let stand 3 hours. Drain vegetables completely. Combine sugar, spices, and vinegar in large kettle and bring to boil. Reduce heat to very low and add vegetables. Heat through but do not allow liquid to boil. Meanwhile, sterilize five 1-pint jars (and loose lids) in another kettle filled with boiling water. Turn jars and lids upside down on clean dish tow-

Cabbage and Corn Slaw Photo by Alex Bayley

Cabbage and Corn Slaw Ingredients: • 6 cups shredded cabbage • 2 cups cooked corn, removed from cob • ½ cup diced red bell pepper • ½ cup diced green bell pepper • ½ cup sugar • ½ cup distilled white vinegar • 2/3 cup vegetable oil • 1 teaspoon celery salt • ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper • ½ teaspoon dry mustard Directions: Cook several fresh ears of corn and cool. Slice corn kernels off of the cob and measure 2 cups. Add corn to shredded cabbage and red and green bell peppers. Toss in large bowl. Blend sugar vinegar, oil, celery salt, pepper and dry mustard in a separate bowl. Pour over cabbage mixture and toss.

Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight to blend flavors.

Try this last recipe for Lemon and Egg Dressing on 2 pounds of cooked fresh green beans with 1 small red onion sliced paper-thin, to make a delicious summer salad.

Bread-and-Butter-Pickles Photo by Andrea Nguyen

share. There’s really no theme except that they are good for using summer produce. Enjoy!

Iced Bread-and-Butter Pickles

Ingredients: • 4 quarts thinly sliced cucumbers • 8 onions, sliced • 2 green bell peppers, split in half, seeded and sliced • ½ cup kosher salt • 2 trays of ice cubes • 4 cups sugar

el to drain. Ladle pickles into hot jars; liquid should come within 1/4 –inch of top. Seal lids and process jars in kettle of boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove jars with tongs and cool. Once opened, pickles must be stored in the refrigerator.

With pulled pork sandwiches so popular these days, here’s a delicious slaw to serve with them that will win on two scores. Number one, it uses some of that fresh corn you grew this summer, and number two, it absolutely needs to be made hours, or a day in advance of serving. The flavor improves as it marinates!

Lemon and Egg Dressing

Ingredients: • 5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice • 1tablespoon sugar •½ teaspoon salt • ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper • ¼ cup vegetable oil • 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme • 1 hard-cooked egg, finely chopped.

Directions: Combine all dressing ingredients in small bowl and whisk to blend.

Pour over green beans and red onion in large bowl and toss well.

Cover and chill at least 3 hours to blend flavors.

Enjoy the rest of summer!

PASO Magazine, September 2018

COLONY TASTE

ANCIENT PEAKS WINERY Ranch families bring singular vision to life in Santa Margarita

A

ncient Peaks Winery is the story of three families with one vision — to be proud stewards of a land steeped in Mission-era history and Wild West mythology.

Doug Filipponi, Rob Rossi and Karl Wittstrom, a trio of local winegrowers and ranchers, and their families are the proprietors of the 14,000-acre Santa Margarita Ranch, one of California’s oldest continuously-operated ranches located in the hamlet of Santa Margarita. Here the partners founded the Ancient Peaks Winery in 2005 with wines produced from the coveted Margarita Vineyard. The only vineyard in the Santa Margarita Ranch AVA (American Viticultural Area) is cradled along the foot of the Santa Lucia Mountains, just 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean.

Recently remodeled, the Ancient Peaks tasting room on El Camino Real is furnished in an eye-catching contemporary farmhouse style. However, the Santa Margarita Ranch’s illustrious pedigree harks back to the Chumash and Salinas Indians more than 10,000 years ago.

Visiting the ranch is like stepping back in time. Several years ago I first experienced the sprawling ranch in a Jeep tour with Wittstrom, gathering large white oyster fossil shells scattered in the hundreds on the ranch — a testament to the area’s origin as an uplifted seabed, our host explained.

From luscious rich reds to crisp, fresh whites, the Santa Margarita AVA produces distinctive wines.

The region’s pronounced marine influence allows the grapes to enjoy a long growing season. Add to that five types of soils — ranging from volcanic and granite to rocky alluvial, shale and ancient seabed, formed as result of tectonic friction in the surrounding Santa Lucia mountain peaks — and you get a richly complex portfolio of some 18 different types of wines produced at Ancient Peaks

each year.

“Only six wines are available through distribution channels and the rest at the tasting room or through wine club,” said Mike Sinor, when I recently met with the director of winemaking at the tasting room. We were joined

by Amanda Wittstrom Higgins, fourth-generation vintner and vice president of operations. We started with some deliciously crisp white wines, savoring an aromatic 2016 Blanco, a blend of chardonnay and muscat blanco.

“Good for a concert in the park or on the porch,” Higgins said.

200 chardonnays for her research and the winemaking team came up with the versatile chardonnay.

During the tasting line up, Sinor recalls an interesting period

Amanda Wittstrom and Mike Sinor Photo by Mira Honeycutt

The 2017 chardonnay, fragrant with tropical fruit, was a standout for its affordable price point at $19.

“It’s a competitive category,” Higgins offered. “I was looking for a food-friendly profile for chardonnay under $16 per bottle, with not too much oak or acid.”

Higgins gathered more than

September 2018, COLONY Magazine

of the vineyard’s history. The late Robert Mondavi, known as the Godfather of Napa Valley, took a lease on 1,000 acres of Santa Margarita Ranch in 1999 from the trio of partners. “When Mondavi saw the location and weather, it was his vision that planted this vineyard,” Sinor said about the Margarita Vineyard. “He signed

up for a 30-year lease.”

Mondavi’s initial planting in 1999, concluded in 2001, was of cabernet sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties to blend with Napa Valley fruit to produce high-end wines. A few years later, though, the faltering Robert Mondavi Winery was sold to Constellation Brands. In 2005 the three families bought the lease back from Constellation.

It was a blessing in disguise.

Now the three families got in the business of producing wine and as Ancient Peaks it became an estate winery, Sinor noted.

Ancient Peaks is known for its flagship Oyster Ridge, a lush cuvèe of cabernet sauvignon-driven Bordeaux style blend, and other distinctive reds. The 2016 merlot is loaded with dried cherries and layered with black fruits, the 2015 zinfandel rings with heady aromas of blackberries with traces of brisk minerality and the grainy tannins add depth and a long finish to the 2016 cabernet sauvignon. The 2014 petite sirah is a mouthful of rich cherry cola while the inky, muscle-flexing 2016 syrah-driven Renegade is seamlessly blended with zinfandel, malbec, petit verdot and petite sirah.

Higgins is in charge of sales and marketing as well as human resources and special events. She has pioneered several projects at the winery — among them a three-month internship program at Ancient Peaks Winery and Dream Big Darling, a nonprofit agency offering full scholarships to women in the wine industry.

This year Higgins launched Wine Speak Paso Robles in Atascadero, a four-day immersive experience filled with seminars, workshops and tastings.

The 2019 event is scheduled from Jan. 7-10 and promises to foster camaraderie and collaboration between wine aficionados and industry professionals.

colonymagazine.com | 29

EVENTS

Special Events

Sept. 1-3 — Morro Bay Art in the Park, Fine Art & Quality Crafts located at City Park, on the corner of Morro Bay Blvd. and Harbor Drive. Open to the public Satrday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monay 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. More information available by visiting morrobayartinthepark.com.

September 8 & 9 — 12th Annual Dog Splash Days at the Templeton

Community Pool for dogs to come for a swim as a fundraiser for Vineyard Dog Park. Special sessions available for small, senior, or disabled dogs. Space is limited. Prepaid reservations and details at www.parks4pups.org/splash-days or 805.239.4437.

September 9 — Don your best pajama outfit for Pajama Party Movie, a fundraising event. A $10 ticket gets popcorn, soda and a vintage movie on the big screen at Park Cinemas. Viewing of 1969’s original “Support Your Local Sheriff” begins at 7 p.m. For tickets or more information, call 805-238-4103.

September 14 — An Evening in Santa Margarita takes place from 5 to 9

p.m. This family-friendly event takes place at various businesses through town and benefits the Friends of the Santa Margarita Library. Enjoy food, music, drinks and crafts while strolling through historic Santa Margarita.

September 15 — 20th Annual Taste of Downtown in Downtown Paso. Starting at 11 a.m., sample food from Paso Robles restaurants and wineries and “take a taste of downtown.” Day passes are $25 and available from pasoroblesdowntown.org

September 16 — The Paso Robles Art Association presents the 16th Annual

Arte De Tiza, beginning at 8 a.m. Chalk art supplies will be provided and all ages are welcome to participate and have fun with this creative and colorful event.

Sidewalk space is limited, so come early.

Fundraisers

September 22 & 23 — The 3rd Annual Showdown Cornhole Tournament

will take place in Sunken Gardens in Atascadero, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The tournament benefits the Atascadero High School Greybots robotics team. See visitatascadero.com for more information.

September 29 & 30 - Three Speckled Hens Antiques and Old Stuff Show

is back for its bi-annual show. This two-day show brings many local vintage and antique dealers to the Paso Robles Event Center. Visit threespeckledhens.com for early bird or general admission tickets.

October 5

— Tent City After Dark will take place in Sunken Gardens the evening prior to historic Colony Days parade. This event will run from 5 to 10 p.m. with food, wine and beer, live music and so more! For more information, visit colonydays.org.

October 6 — The 45th Annual Colony Days celebration invites you to join in on the Mudhole Follies, a fun and engaging show. The parade begins at 10 a.m., followed by food and fun in Sunken Gardens in Atascadero including musical performances, weiner dog races, the Tent City historical re-enactment and more. Visit colonydays.org for more information.

October 13 — Paso Robles Pioneer Day highlights the heritage and traditions of Paso Robles in and around the downtown area during the annual Pioneer Day event. Bring the whole family to downtown to enjoy a parade, the free bean feed and daylong, fun-filled activities. Parade begins at 10 a.m.

Submit listings to events@nosloco.com, and visit nosloco.com for more information on events.

September 8 — 18th Annual Champions of Youth Charity Dinner and Auction honoring Todd Evenson will take place at the Paso Robles Event Center beginning with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. The evening brings a lively social hour with fun games of chance, a delicious five-course dinner with wine pairings, live and silent auctions and dancing. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit BGCSLOC18.givesmart.com September 16 — 2nd Annual Cow Pie Bingo will take place at the Printery Building, 6351 Olmeda Ave. in Atascadero from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Live music provided by Shelly and the Classics. Food, drinks and dessert will be available for purchase. Visit atascaderoprintery.org for more information or to purchase raffle tickets.

Concerts & Entertainment — Visit NoSLOCo.com

for

Movies in the Garden — Atascadero Sunken Gardens, Sept. 1 and 9, 8 to 11 p.m. To see the movie schedule, go to visitatascadero.com

September 21 — Women in Business Scholarship Fundraiser, 6 to 9 p.m., Two-Steppin’ Under the Stars is an evening at Harris Stage Lines where you will enjoy exciting live music, dancing, dinner and libations from local wineries and breweries.

October 6 — Paso’s Pink Moto Ride is a full day event. We enjoy a PINK pancake breakfast at BarrelHouse, a 75-mile ride through the backroads and return for barbecue lunch, live music, Pink Beer and fun at BarrelHouse!

This event benefits the Cancer Support Community California Central Coast division. Visit cscslo.org to register.

More Info Whale Rock Music Festival — Castoro Cellars, Sept. 15 and 16, see whalerockmusicfestival.com for schedule and ticket information.

Culture & The Arts Winery Partners Wine Bar — Wine Tasting at Studios on the Park every Friday and Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m., benefits the free arts education program for local kids. studiosonthepark.org

Art After Dark Paso — first Saturday, wine tasting, 5 to 9 p.m., Downtown Paso, hosted by Studios on the Park.

Farmers Markets Atascadero - Wednesdays 3-6 p.m., Sunken Gardens, 5942 West Mall; Special Event: Summer Sizzle event through Aug. 8.

Paso Robles - Tuesdays 3-6 p.m., Paso Robles City Park at 11th Street and Spring Street

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Templeton Saturdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Templeton Community Park at 6th and Crocker Street

COLONY Magazine, August 2018

Annual music festival benefits THS music

W

hale Rock Music Festival keeps getting better. The two-day party at Whale Rock Vineyard, right next door to Castoro Cellars in Templeton has become an annual must-attend live music event for September.

“The most important factor is quality,” said Luke Udsen, Director of California Sales and Marketing at Castoro Cellars.

“We only book artists that are high-quality performers that we know will put on a great show.”

Tickets for Whale Rock Music Festival are already surging ahead of last year, which sold out. Seventeen bands and artists will perform on Sept. 15 and 16.

They include Aloe Blacc, Lake Street Dive, Orgone, Fruition, Con Brio, Rayland Baxter, Joey Dosik, Mipso, Jade Jackson, Coffis Brothers and the Mountain Men, Nicole Stromsoe, Band the Hive, Samba Loca, Mannequins

by Day, Mama Tumba, Arthur Watership and Miss Leo and Her Bluegrass Boys.

“All of the bands have become friends of ours over the years,

By Melissa Chavez

which is awesome,” Luke said.

“Nicole Stromsoe, who is opening the main stage on Saturday, went to Templeton High and graduated the same year I did.”

Artists on the Main Stage will start at 1 p.m. on both days, and Stomping Grounds Stage bands will begin playing promptly at noon. The final performances for both days will begin at 8 p.m.

“We are featuring a full-blown ‘Kit’s corner’ kids area called that has a musical petting zoo, face painting and a tree fort,” Luke said. “There will also be kids’ yoga and lots of other activities.

Kids love Whale Rock!”

There will be food and drink vendors aplenty for this year’s concerts including beverages from Toro Creek Brewing, Firestone

Walker, Barrelhouse Brewing, Tin City Cider, Bristol’s Cider, Whalebird Kombucha, Dark Nectar Coffee and more.

Whale Rock Music Festival strongly supports music education programs at Templeton High School, which helps fortify the gap between budgetary constraints and talented students. Last year, the event raised $24,268 for the Templeton Instrumental Music Boosters Association (TIMBA).

“We also raised $2,000 for ‘Do It for the Love,’ a nonprofit started by Michael Franti,” Luke said.

“The donations for TIMBA go directly to the Templeton High School music program.”

Visitors are encouraged to dress in layers and comfortable walking shoes for variable temperatures, bring low-back chairs or blankets, a day pack for hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and water bottles (water is provided), ID’s for those 21 and over, and phone chargers for Whale Rock’s charging station. (Please, no pets or outside food and beverages.)

For tickets and information, visit whalerockmusicfestival.com.

E85 Diesel

Propane ® Car Wash

Hwy 41 & 101 Exit 219 August 2018, COLONY Magazine

Atascadero, CA 93422

colonymagazine.com | 31

EVENTS At

the

Library

Atascadero Library 6555 Capistrano, Atascadero • 805- 461-6161 Tuesday & Wednesday — 10:30 a.m., Preschool Story time for 1-5 year olds Thursday — Pyjama Drama 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., open to school age children, registration is required Friday — 10:30 a.m., Toddler Story time for 1-3 year olds Special Events September 4 — Gems in the Stacks Book Discussion 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., open to adults September 12 — What is Bitcoin? 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., open to adults September 15 — How to Publish Your Book 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., open to adults and teens September 20 — Mixed Minds Book Group 2:303:30 p.m., open to adults

Chambers

of

September 29 — Audiobooks & the voices telling the stories 2 to 3 p.m., open to teens October 1 — Gems in the Stacks Book Discussion 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., open to adults Paso Robles Library 1000 Spring St., Paso Robles • 805- 237-3870 Monday & Friday — 10:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m., Preschool Story time for 1-3 year olds Wednesday — 2:30 p.m., Grandparents & Books for kids of all ages Thursday — 10:30 a.m., Mother Goose on the Loose for ages 0-18 months Special Events September 7 — Club Ghibi 4 p.m., open to 13-17 year olds September 10 — LEGO Build 4 p.m., open to all ages September 29 — Maker Monday 4 p.m., open to

Commerce

Atascadero Chamber of Commerce Atascaderochamber.org • 805-466-2044 6907 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422 September 15 — California Coastal Cleanup Day, 9 a.m to 12 p.m., visit coastal.ca.gov for more information or registration September 27 — September Mixer, 5:30 to 7 p.m., hosted by Rabobank at 6950 El Camino Real Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce pasorobleschamber.com • 805-238-0506 1225 Park St, Paso Robles, CA 93446 Office Hours with District Supervisor John Peschong — third Thursday, 9 to 11 a.m., Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce Conference Room. Contact Vicki Janssen for appointment, vjanssen@co.clo.ca.us, 805-781-4491 Office Hours with Field Representative for Senator Bill Monning — third Thursday, 2 to 4 p.m., Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce Conference Room. Contact Hunter Snider for appointment, 805-549-3784

Taking Care

of

of

Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce Restaurant of the Month Appreciation — first Tuesday, time/location TBA, pasorobleschamber.com September 4 —Restaurant Appreciation, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., September 12 — Chamber Membership Mixer, 5:30-7 p.m., Hosted by A Heavenly Home, 1920 Prospect Ave. September 26— Wake Up Paso, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Paso Robles Inn Ballroom Templeton Chamber of Commerce templetonchamber.com • 805- 434-1789 321 S. Main Street #C, Templeton, CA 93465 Chamber Board of Directors Meeting — 4 to 5:30 p.m., every 2nd Wednesday of the month. Pacific Premier Bank Conference Room on Las Tablas Blvd.

September 5 —Templeton Women’s Club Meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Speaker Assemblyman, Jordan Cunningham, bring a sack lunch September 22 —Denim and Diamonds, 5 to 10:30 p.m., Guests must be 21 or over September 29 — Templeton Oktoberfest, 2 to 6 p.m. in Templeton Park

Business

North County Toast ‘N Talk Toastmasters — Mondays, 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Keller Williams Real Estate, Paso, 805-464-9229 Early But Worth It Chapter — Business Networking International — Tuesdays, 7 to 8:30 a.m., Culinary Arts Academy, Paso, Visitors welcome, bniccc.com

Taking Care

7-12 year olds Creston Library 6290 Adams, Creston • 805- 237-3010 No events in September San Miguel Library 254 13th St, San Miguel • 805- 467-3224 No events in September Santa Margarita Library 9630 Murphy Ave, Santa Margarita • 805- 438-5622 September 1 — Young People’s Reading Round Table & Movie, 4 to 5:30 p.m., open to 12 to 16 year olds September 4 — E-help at the Library, 1 to 3 p.m., open to all ages Shandon Library 195 N 2nd St, Shandon • 805- 237-3009 No events in September

Business Networking International — Wednesday, 7 to 8:30 a.m., Cricket’s, 9700 El Camino Real, #104, Atascadero. Visitors welcome, bniccc.com Above the Grade Advanced Toastmasters — first Thursday, 7 to 9 p.m. Kennedy Club Fitness, Paso, 805-238-0524, 930206.toastmastersclubs.org Partners in $uccess — Business Networking Inter-

national —Thursday, 7 to 8:30 a.m., Paso Robles Assn. of Realtors, 1101 Riverside Ave. Visitors welcome, bniccc.com Speak Easy Toastmasters Club — Friday, 12:10 to 1:15 p.m. Founders Pavilion, Twin Cities Community Hospital. 9797.toastmastersclubs.org.

805-237-9096

Business

Almond Country Quilters Guild Meeting — September 10: General Membership Meeting & Trunk Show 6:30 to 9 p.m at Trinity Lutheran Church, 940 Creston Road, Paso. Community Quilts, September 15: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bethel Lutheran Church, 295 Old County Rd, Templeton. Contact kajquilter@ gmail.com or lisajguerrero@msn.com, acqguild.com Coffee with a CHP — second Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., Nature’s Touch Nursery & Harvest, 225 Main St., Templeton.

Exchange Club — second Tuesday, 12:15-1:30 p.m. McPhee’s, Templeton.

805-610-8096, exchangeclubofnorths-

32 | colonymagazine.com

locounty.org Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 465 — second Wednesday, 7 p.m. at Paso Airport Terminal. Getting youth involved with aviation, EAA465.org North County Multiflora Garden Club — second Wednesday, Noon to 3 p.m.

Public is welcome, no charge. PR Community Church, 2706 Spring St., contact Carolyn Fergoda 805-237-2534, guests welcome, multifloragardenclub.org Monthly Dinner at Estrella Warbirds Museum — first Wednesday, 6 p.m., guest speakers. 805- 296-1935 for dinner reservations, ewarbirds.org

North County Newcomers — September 5, General Membership Meeting at The Grove on 41, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Gatherings held first Wednesday for residents living here less than 3 years.

RSVP and more information available at northcountynewcomers.org Daughters of the American Revolution — third Thursday in September. For time and place, email dmcpatriotdaughter@ gmail.com Active Senior Club of Templeton — first Friday, 10:30 a.m., Templeton Community Center, 601 S. Main St, Templeton North County Women’s Connection

Luncheon — second Friday, 11 a.m., Templeton Community Center. $12.00.

Reservations by September 9 to JoAnn Pickering, 805-239-1096.

Central Coast African Violet Society — Meetings are located at Brookdale Senior Living, Activity Room, 1919 Creston Rd, Paso Robles from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Meetings are held on the 2nd Saturday of the month, October the 3rd Saturday of the month due to Pioneer Days.

Classic Car Cruise Night — second Saturday (weather permitting), 5 to 7 p.m., King Oil Tools, 2235 Spring St., Paso.

Tony Ororato, 805-712-0551.

COLONY Magazine, August 2018

EVENTS Service Organizations American Legion Post 50 • 240 Scott St., Paso Robles • 805-239-7370 Commander John Irwin, 805-286-6187.

Hamburger Lunch — every Thursday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., $5 Pancake Breakfast — 3rd Saturday, 8-11 a.m., $6 Post Meeting — 4th Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.

American Legion Post 220 • 805 Main Street, Templeton Post Meeting — 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 6 p.m.

Elks Lodges Atascadero Lodge 2733 • 1516 El Camino Real • 805-466-3557 Lodge Meeting — second and fourth Thursdays Paso Robles Lodge 2364 • 1420 Park Street • 805-239-1411 Lodge Meeting — first and third Wednesdays El Paso de Robles Grange #555 627 Creston Rd., • 805-239-4100 Zumba — Tuesday and Thursday, 8:45 a.m.

Do Paso Square Dancers — second Thursday, 7-9 p.m.

Pancake Breakfast — 2nd Sunday, 7:30-11 a.m.

Kiwanis International Atascadero • 7848 Pismo Ave. • 805-610-7229 Key Club — every Wednesday, 11:55 a.m.

Kiwanis Club — every Thursday, 7 a.m.

Paso Robles • 1900 Golden Hill Rd. (Culinary Arts Academy) Kiwanis Club — every Tuesday, 12 p.m.

Board Members — 1st Tuesday, 1 p.m.

Night Meeting — third Wednesday, 6 p.m., Su Casa Restaurant (2927 Spring St.) Lions Club Meetings Atascadero Club 2385 • 5035 Palma Ave. Meeting – second & fourth Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Paso Robles Club 2407 • 1420 Park St. Meeting – second & fourth Tuesday, 7 p.m.

San Miguel Club 2413 • 256 13th St. Meeting – first & third Thursdays, 7 p.m.

Santa Margarita Club 2418 • 9610 Murphy St. Meeting – second & fourth Monday, 7:30 p.m.

Shandon Valley Club • 630-571-5466 Templeton Club • 601 Main St. • 805-434-1071 Meeting – first & third Thursdays, 7 pm Loyal Order of Moose Atascadero #2067 • 8507 El Camino Real • 805-466-5121 Meeting — first and third Thursday, 6 p.m.

Bingo — first Sunday, 12-2 p.m.

Queen of Hearts — every Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Pool League — every Wednesday

Paso Robles #243 • 2548 Spring St. • 805-2390503. Visit mooseintl.org for more information.

Optimist Club Atascadero • dinner meetings second and fourth Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Outlaws Bar & Grill, 9850 E. Front Rd. or call 805-712-5090 Paso Robles • dinner meetings second and fourth Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Paso Robles Elks Lodge, 1420 Park St. Rotary International Atascadero • 9315 Pismo Ave. Meeting — every Wednesday, 12 p.m. at Atascadero Lake Pavillion Paso Robles Sunrise • 1900 Golden Hill Rd. Meeting — every Wednesday, 7 a.m. at Culinary Arts Academy Templeton • 416 Main St. Meeting — first and third Tuesday, 7 a.m. at McPhee’s Grill Veterans of Foreign Wars Atascadero #2814 • 9555 Morro Rd., • 805466-3305 Meeting — first Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

Paso Robles #10965 • 240 Scott St., • 805-2397370 Meeting — first Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Health & Wellness WELLNESS KITCHEN AND RESOURCE CENTER 1255 Las Tablas Rd., Templeton. Visit thewkrc. org, 805-434-1800 for information on Healing and Wellness Foods meal programs, volunteer opportunities, and classes (to RSVP, register and pay online.) Hours: Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday until 6 p.m.

August 16 — Healthy Cooking Class: Thirst Quenchers — Instructor Evan Vossler. 5:30-7:30 p.m., FREE for those facing illness, otherwise $20. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

August 17 — Healthy Cooking Class: Thirst Quenchers — 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Idler’s Home, 122 Cross St., San Luis Obispo. RSVP required to 805-434-1800 or nancy@TheWKRC.org.

August 22 — Intro to Wellness: A Taste of Change with Registered Dietitian Hayley Garelli. Learn 10 simple ways to begin your clean eating journey, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Please RSVP. Class is FREE. CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY 1051 Las Tablas Road, Templeton provides support, education and hope. 805-238-4411. Cancer Support Helpline, 888-793-9355, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. PST. Visit cscslo.org for support groups, social events, education and kid’s programs.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS: Please NO drop-ins to support groups! If you would like to attend please call Jamie 238-4411 for an orientation time slot first.

9/5 • Life Beyond Cancer, 11:30 a.m.; 9/12 • Young Survivors Peer Gathering, 6 p.m. in Templeton; 9/19 • Potluck Social, 11:30 a.m.;

August 2018, COLONY Magazine

9/20 • Advanced Cancer Support Grp, 11 a.m.; 9/25 • Art Time with Katie, 1:30 p.m.; 9/26 • Mindfulness Hour, 11:30 a.m., Must RSVP 9/27 • Breast Cancer Support Group, 12 p.m,; Young Survivors Peer Support Gathering SLO, 6 p.m., Wilshire Community Services, 277 South St, Ste. J, SLO; 10/3 • Art Time with Katie, 1:30 p.m.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: MONDAY: Therapeutic Yoga at Dharma Yoga, 11:30 a.m.

TUESDAY: Educational Radio Show, 1 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Living with Cancer Support Group — Newly Diagnosed/Active Treatment, 10 a.m.

FRIDAY: 8/10 & 8/24-Grupo Fuerza y Esperanza, 6 p.m.

Healthy Lifestyle — Navigate with Niki-Thursdays by appointment, call 805-238-4411; Cancer Well-Fit® at Paso Robles Sports Club, Mondays and Thursdays 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., pre-registration required with Kathy Thomas at kathytho mas10@hotmail.com or 805-610-6486.; Beautification Boutique offers products for hair loss and resources for mastectomy patients knitted knockers.org.

SUPPORT & ENCOURAGEMENT North County Overeaters Anonymous — 5:30 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, Fireside Room, 940 Creston Rd., Paso, OA.org.

MOPS — Mothers of Pre-schoolers — first & third Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, 940 Creston Road, Paso, Ashley Hazell, 805-4596049, nocomops@gmail.com.

Chronic Pain Support Group — CRPS (Chronic

Regional Pain Syndrome), third Tuesdays, 5 to 6 p.m. Rabobank, 1025 Las Tablas Rd, Templeton.

Suzanne Miller 805-704-5970, suzanne.miller@ ymail.com.

North County Parkinson’s Support Group — third Tuesdays, 1 p.m., Templeton Presbyterian Church, 610 So. Main St. Info: Rosemary Dexter 805-466-7226.

Overeaters Anonymous — 7 p.m. Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 4500 El Camino Real, Atascadero. Irene 818-415-0353.

North County Prostate Cancer Support Group — third Thursday, 7 p.m., Twin Cities Community Hospital Pavilion Room. Bill Houston 805-9952254 or American Cancer Society 805-473-1748.

Lupus/Auto Immune Disorder Support Group — fourth Saturday, 10:30 a.m. Nature’s Touch, 225 So. Main St., Templeton.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS Meetings at RISE: 1030 Vine St., Paso Robles Sponsored by Hospice SLO, 805-544-2266, hospiceslo.org Bereaved Parents Group - Tues, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Suicide Bereavement Support — fourth Wednesdays, 3 to 4:30 p.m.

General Grief Support – Wednesdays, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Meeting at 517 13th Street, Paso. No cost, no pre-registration.

GriefShare All Saturdays in August, A 13-week seminar/support group for people grieving loss.

10 a.m. to noon. $15 enrollment. Trinity Lutheran Church, Fireside Room, 940 Creston Rd., Paso.

Call Deaconess Juliet Thompson, 805-238-3702, ext. 205 to RSVP.

colonymagazine.com | 33

LAST WORD

Boys & Girls Club of North SLO County

Celebrates CHAMPIONS OF YOUTH

By Heather Young

or the 18th year, Boys & Girls Club of North SLO County will honor a dedicated community member and their contributions to the organization. “The Board of Directors reviews contributions of our Board members and community partners — current and past — who have made a significant impact,” Board member Pat Bland said. This year, former Board Chair Todd Evenson was selected as the honoree for the Champions of Youth event scheduled on September 8th.

“Todd has served on our Board since 2012 and has been Board Chair for the past fouryears, recently passing the gavel over to Todd Evenson Nadine Sullivan,” Bland said. Bland added that some of the accomplishments achieved during Evenson’s time as Board Chair include expanding the number of children served as well as establishing community partnerships and adding a Clubsite in Atascadero.

“I have been passionate about serving kids for quite some time,” Evenson said. “I started with coaching both soccer and softball while my own kids were still playing. The satisfaction from giving back and especially in helping kids improve not only their sports skills but also in navigating through life was very rewarding. As coaches, we were able to instill good character development that we knew could last a lifetime. Transitioning to the Boys & Girls Club was a natural fit in that our clubs are all about lifetime results and very intuitive 76 Gas Station American West Tire Pros Arlyne’s Flowers Atascadero Greyhound Foundation Atascadero Pet Hospital Awakening Ways Baby’s Babble Bob Sprain’s Draperies

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programs. The organiz ation focuses on academic success, character development and healthy lifestyles.” Evenson added that the Board also knows that it is important for children to be in a safe environment after school.

“Ultimately, I can’t think of a better way to give back than to the future of our country, our kids,” he said.

“I was humbled to be honored, but also felt there could be 30-plus honorees for this event. In order to achieve the success that we have as an organization, it takes many wonderful volunteers throughout our community to put all of the pieces together.”

“Ultimately, I can’t think of a better way to give back than to the future of our country, our kids,”

34 | colonymagazine.com

ment came in the form of coaching until transitioning to the Boys & Girls Club,” Evenson said.

“The Champions of Youth Dinner event was started as our primary annual fundraiser to support the operating expenses for the organization 18 years ago,” Bland said. The organization has been in operation in North SLO County for over 28 years. “The award has been given to previous and current Board members, including local community superstars such as Sandy Viborg, Jeb Brown, Robert Covarubius, Dale Gomer and JED Nicholson,” Bland said.

On Saturday, September 8, the Club will host its annual Champions of Youth Dinner & Auction at the Paso Robles Event Center, 2198 Riverside Avenue, at 5:30 p.m. Approximately 200 guests come together each year for a lively social hour, passed appetizers and a four-course dinner catered by Chef Jeffrey Scott with local wine pairings, live and silent auctions and dancing.

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JOINS THE CLUB

Boys and Girls Club Hires Jeff as Development Coordinator

Jeff Railsback

Outside of his volunteerism with Boys & Girls Club, Evenson is a residential mortgage lender and co-owner of Connect Home Loans in Paso Robles. “I got into the mortgage industry shortly after arriving from Orange County in the late ‘90s,” Evenson said. “I knew I wanted to pursue real estate and the loan side of the business intrigued me.”

Tickets to the Champions of Evenson lives in Paso Robles Youth dinner are available by callwith his wife of 26 years, Tressa. ing Karen, Club Office Manager, They have three adult daughters: at 805-440-8783 or by visiting Nicole, Natalie and Katie. In his bgcslocounty.org. free time, he also enjoys yard projects, camping and traveling. “The Heather Young can be reached bulk of my community involveat Heather@pasomagazine.com

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JEFF RAILSBACK

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The Boys and Girls Club of the North SLO County welcomed Jeff Railsback to the position of Development Coordinator as the program focuses on growth and development. With an already-strong presence in Paso Robles, he will help expand the program to serve more kids, and grow the Atascadero program into maturity.

As the Development Coordinator, Jeff will be the face of the North County Boys & Girls Club with on-the-job duties including donor relations and stewardship, building new partnerships and donor bases and fundraising.

“We want to make sure that we are communicating to the community what we are doing,” Jeff said, “and properly acknowledging the people that are supporting us.”

With Jeff’s role, the club will continue to work along its established longterm goals of finding a new facility in Paso Robles to meet the demand for its services, and grow awareness and participation in the Atascadero program into a facility of its own.

“I’m going to be spending a lot of my time in Atascadero,” Jeff said. “Most of the donors we have, we’ve had for the past 10 years, before we even had a club in Atascadero. There is a huge need to find a facility and let people know about our services.”

The North SLO County program serves over 500 kids through the year, and Jeff said they are working to dramatically increase that.

“We are not just after-school care,” Jeff said. “We are more than a ‘drop off’ solution. We work on character, development, and growing better human beings.”

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31 San Joaquin Valley College 11 Solarponics 26 Spice of Life 12 Susan Funk for Atascadero City Council 19 Templeton Door & Trim 12

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COLONY Magazine, September 2018

Celebrate Atascadero

Colony Days Parade & Festival

Tent City After Dark Concert, featuring:

Friday, Oct.5 4:30 - 10 pm Tent City After Dark Concert Live Music •Beer & Wine 5 lb Burger Eating Contest Food vendors & more!

Saturday, Oct.6 10 am - 4 pm

7 am Pancake Breakfast

10 am Parade • Food Tent City Re-enactment Dogtoberfest • Vendors Amusements & more!