2018 July Inaugural COLONY Magazine

printery

foundation Painting a Vision of the Future For a Historic Icon

Colony District Forcast: Renaissance Fourth of July Bluegrass Freedom Festival Colony Days Announces Theme

Inaugural Issue COLONYMAGAZINE.COM

Colony_July18_cover.indd 1

Flash History: What’s in a Name?

6/23/18 2:38 AM

c ontents JULY 2018, Issue 1

FEATURES

16

20

ATASCADERO PRINTERY FOUNDATION

REVIVING THE FORMER HEARTBEAT OF THE COLONY, ONE BRICK AT A TIME

By Nicholas Mattson

LA PLAZA & DOWNTOWN

INFUSION OF ENERGY BRINGS NEW LIFE TO

By Melissa Chavez THE COLONY DISTRICT

DEPARTMENTS

11

08

28

SOMETHING WORTH READING 06 Publisher’s Letter TWO IN TOW 08 Colony Buzz: Congratulations AHS Grads 10 Taste of Americana: Pink Lady Apple Pie 11 Two In Tow: Elfin Forest 12 Summer Activities Around Atascadero 13 Flash History: What’s in a Name?

14 Rotary Winemakers Cookoff BUSINESS 22 Arlyne’s Flowers:

A Family Business with a Personal Touch 23 Paso Robles Physical Therapy:

Tony Wallace Moves Closer to Home

4 | colonymagazine.com

TENT CITY 24 Nonprofit: Woods Humane Society Opens

Clinic in Atascadero 25 Education: Community Building Summit

by County Superintendent Jim Brescia 25 Stand Up, Stand Out

by Weston Hooten

COLONY TASTE 26 Tea Trolley Serves Up a Spot of British Hospitality

EVENTS 28 Second Annual Bluegrass Freedom Festival 29 Colony Days Announces Theme 30 North SLO County Activity & Event Guide LAST WORD 34 L’Envoi: Atascadero, an Epic Tale in the Making

ON THE COVER

Digital Oil Painting of Atascadero Printery

By Nicholas Mattson

COLONY Magazine, July 2018

ATASCADERO GREYHOUND FOUNDATION

Making A Difference Athletics

Mentoring & Education

HARES ‘N’ HOUNDS 5K

LIGHTHOUSE COUNSELING

haresnhounds.org

lighthouseatascadero.org

ALL COMERS TRACK & FIELD MEETS

atascaderoallcomers.org

LIGHTHOUSE MENTORING

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

atascaderogreyhoundhalloffame.org

lampatascadero.org

CAPS FUNDRAISER

atascaderocaps.org

ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

lampofknowledgescholarships.org

Don’t miss All Comers Track & Field Meets!

Meet us at Atascadero High School Memorial Stadium on Wednesday evenings for all-ages — Under 6 to Over 60 — fun on the track and field.

EVENTS INCLUDE: Long Jump, High Jump, Hurdles, Shot Put, Pole Vault, Turbo Javelin 100M & 200M Sprints, 1-Mile & 1500M Runs, 800M, 400M, 200M, 100M, 3000M Upcoming Wednesdays:

• July 11

• July 18

• July 25

• August 1

Events start at 5:30 p.m. | National Anthem at 6 p.m. | Visit atascaderoallcomers.org for more info.

ATASCADEROGREYHOUNDFOUNDATION.ORG

Something Worth Reading

VOLUME 1 | NUMBER 1 805-391-4566 COLONYMAGAZINE.COM publisher@colonymagazine.com

AD CONSULTANT & WRITER Millie Drum AD CONSULTANT Pam Osborn

MAIL: P.O. Box 163 Atascadero, CA 93423

AD CONSULTANT Jamie Self

EDITOR & PUBLISHER Nicholas Mattson publisher@colonymagazine.com

AD CONSULTANT Karli Twisselman

GRAPHIC DESIGN Denise McLean, Mode Communications

AD CONSULTANT Carmen Burton Kessler

LEAD DESIGN Travis Ruppe

COLONY Magazine ©2018 is owned and published by Nicholas & Hayley Mattson

GRAPHIC DESIGN Kris Fininen

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

GRAPHIC DESIGN Kevin Kaub ART PRODUCTION Sue Dill ONLINE EDITOR & WRITER Meagan Friberg COPY EDITOR & WRITER Melissa Chavez WRITER Heather Young

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

EDITORIAL DEADLINE

COLUMNIST Tom Taylor

7th of each month preceding publication

COLUMNIST Tonya Strickland

AD ORDER DEADLINE

WINE EDITOR Mira Honeycutt

10 th of each month preceding publication

17,000 Printed | 14,900 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.

2,100 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.

6 | colonymagazine.com

Whatever your mind can conceive and believe the mind can achieve regardless of how many times you may have failed in the past

O

— Napoleon Hill

ur inaugural issue! Wow! How do we even begin to express our deepest gratitude for the support and love we have received to have faith and trust to start a sister publication to PASO Magazine in our Home Town of Atascadero. A dream that we have been working to see come to fruition for as long as I can remember …

A dream of a publication mailed directly to residents and businesses that would focus on the beautiful people and businesses in our communities doing the amazing things they do. A publication that would allow the untold stories of the silent heroes, the incredible strength of a group of people pulled together by a common goal or passion to make our community better, the stories of businesses and business owners that show up every day to fulfill a dream of their own and provide a service that is needed, the teachers, students and administrative staff that are at that very core growing the next generation that will be better than we are today, this publication is for all of you.

Our desire to tell your story is shared by our incredible team that believes in the wonderful communities we all call home. It is with their faith, dedication and passion that the magazines come together.

It is with the trust and confidence from all our advertisers that the magazine is able to be printed and the stories told. And it is because of the incredible vision, love and energy and our shared desire to provide our communities with a motivating, one of a kind, public that pulls it all together.

Our goal with each publication is to bring you in-depth highlights that showcase our inspirational community in format that you will want to keep on your bookshelf for years to come. A piece of history in the making. A legacy that we can pass on to our children that teaches them the importance of being involved in the community and showing up for one another and that it is not all about us… it is much bigger. Our family is incredibly humbled to be able to call the North County our home and together with our team we will do everything we can to help tell your story, share and promote your business and provide a valuable tool when you have loved ones come to town to help them experience the heart of community in which we live.

We truly thank you all with our whole hearts… let’s do this!

Please enjoy this inaugural issue of COLONY Magazine.

Hayley Mattson 805-239-1533 hayley@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, July 2018

Thank you Atascadero — Reclaim • REHABILITATE • REPURPOSE —

Our Founders Jean Adams Give Fitness JoeAnn and Larry Bruzzo Charles Bourbeau Dr. Kevin Colton George Arndt Trust Debbie Arnold Charles Dunlap Kathy Dunlap Jan & Gilberto Gaona Brian Ellis & Liz Harned Catherine Hillman John Hollenbeck Idler’s Home Robert Grigger Jones

Livia Kellerman Kent Kenney Kiwanis Club Atascadero Nelson & Colleen Kobata Stephen LaSalle Nicholas & Hayley Mattson In Memory of Dr. Mike McNamara Christine Moser Nancy Moure Erick Pierce & Vy Nguyen Out of the Mire Ministries Jean & Jeff Pedigo David Ponemon & Terry Childers

Richard & Lois Ramont Greg Ravatt Rotary Club of Atascadero SLO Garbagemen’s Association The Dewing Family Sharon Turner Margaret Vandergon Tom Wand Steve Williams Anne Wilson Tony Wilson Jan Wolff & Bob Martz Mike, Peggy, Max & Zoe Zappas

Thank you sponsors!

Come see us at 4th of July Bluegrass Festival for a glass of wine or beer — Wednesday, July 4 • 4-8:30 p.m. • Atascadero Lake Park —

805-466-1961 • atascaderoprinteryfoundation.org • 6351 Olmeda Avenue, Atascadero • A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

ROUND TOWN “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.” — Andy Bernard, The Office

Congratulations!

C l ass

of

2018

Second Annual Benefit Concert atascadero lake par k Fr ee Bluegr ass concert 4-8:30pm Mor e food v endors

Snap Jackson & The K nock On Wood Play ers

Little Black Tr ain

The Blue "Js"

Fun and games Lakeside Paddleboats Bluegr ass jam session

Bring Your Lawn Chair! Blankets Discouraged.

ata s ca de ro 4t hofj u ly.com BBQ sales benefit Colony Days 8 | colonymagazine.com

COLONY Magazine, July 2018

H

ats off to the 2018 Class of Atascadero High School. It was my hope that I could follow a this class from Baro Gym where I first met Franko Jira as an eighth-grader with his junior high basketball team. He did not hesitate to let me know he was headed to Stanford University (my future alma mater) for medical school after high school.

On a warm and bright June day, he delivered the commencement speech as valedictorian of the Class of 2018, and eloquently wove in a quote from Andy Bernard before the diplomas were certified, tassles turned, and caps tossed into perpetuity.

Knowing you are in the “good ole days” is half the battle. If you know where you are going, then go there ... you’ll find yourself there. If you don’t know where you are going, then pick a place ... you will find yourself there. The only time you are ever really lost is when you forget that you are already there, just getting started.

Bon voyäge Class of 2018.

Make us proud, Nic from the News.

FOR ATASCADERO CITY COUNCIL

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

John Donovan Insurance & Financial Services, Inc. License# 0M03174 8420-A El Camino Real Atascadero, CA 93422 805-466-7744 bigjohninsurance.com

You can count on

BIG JOHN

Abraham Lincoln presentations available for schools and community groups. For more information, call 805-466-7744

July 2018, COLONY Magazine

colonymagazine.com | 9

ROUND TOWN

Taste of A mericana

With Barbie Butz

Strawberry Pink Lady Apple Pie 1 pie crust recipe for 9-inch deep-dish pie pan Filling Ingredients: • 6 cups peeled, cored, and sliced Pink Lady apples • ½ cup granulated sugar • Grated zest of 1 lemon • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice • 1 quart ripe strawberries, rinsed, hulled, and sliced • 3 to 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour Cream Crumb Topping Ingredients: • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour • 1/3 cup granulated sugar • 1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon • ¼ teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon baking powder • ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons cold heavy cream

*Alternative apples or pre-made pie crusts are optional.

I

was first introduced to Pink Ladys in the 80s when my husband, John (Butz Construction) had a contract in Cuyama, CA building an office and employee barracks for Logoluso Farms.

I grew up on Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, and Granny Smith apples and I don’t remember much variety in the markets at that time. So, when John brought home “Pink Lady” apples, and I ate that first one, I knew they’d be at the top of my apple list!

Don’t be misled — the apple is not pink inside, but the skin has

a pinkish blush, showing areas of light green on its elongated, asymmetrical shape. Words like crunchy, tart, juicy sweet, crisp all come to mind when I try to describe this special fruit, making it a great apple for eating as well as for baking.

When I found this recipe in a 2002 cookbook titled “Apple Pie — Perfect”, authored by Ken Haedrich, I loved the idea of pairing Pink Ladys with fresh strawberries. I hope you’ll enjoy this wonderful summer pie — a dessert for all occasions from a pot-luck dinner, a family reunion, to a simple picnic.

Directions: 1. Prepare pie crust and fit into 9-inch deep dish pie pan. Place in freezer until ready to fill, at least 30 minutes.

2. To make the filling, combine apples, granulated sugar, and lemon zest in large mixing bowl; toss well. Pour lemon juice over apples; toss again. Mix in strawberries. Shake flour over fruit—using 4 tablespoons if berries are very juicy; set aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

3. Turn filling into frozen pie shell. Smooth filling with your hands to even it out. Place pie on center rack in oven. Bake for 30 minutes.

4. While pie bakes, prepare cream crumb topping. Combine flour, sugars, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder in food processor; pulse several times to mix. While pulsing machine, add cream in slow, steady stream through feed tube. Stop machine as soon as topping starts to form clumps; for the most part, it should be loose and granular-looking. Refrigerate.

5. After 30 minutes, remove pie from oven and place on large, dark baking sheet covered with aluminum foil. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees. Carefully dump the crumbs in center of pie, spreading them evenly over surface. Pat crumbs gently to compact them. Place pie on baking sheet and place back in oven; bake until juices bubble thickly around edge of pie, another 40 to 45 minutes. If topping starts to darken, cover loosely with tented aluminum foil for last 15 minutes.

6. Transfer pie to cooling rack and cool for at least 1 hour before slicing.

Lorem ipsum

A+ RATING BRE#01460686

Visit us at 7450 Morro Road, Atascadero

Proudly Helping people buy and sell their North County homes since 1980

Greg Malik Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Voted Favorite North County Real Estate Agent in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018!

10 | colonymagazine.com

(805) 466-2540

COLONY Magazine, July 2018

ROUND TOWN

O

ne of our hands-down, favorite kid-ventures voutside of the North County is the magical Elfin Forest in Los Osos. This 90-acre slice of public land at South Bay Boulevard and Santa Ysabel Avenue encompasses a series of scenic walking trails with views of an estuary and woodlands.

Its most-known attribute, though, is its magnificent pygmy oak forest of twisty, tiny oak trees that make for some truly awesome Instagram-worthy selfies and photography of your kids.

To start your trip, we suggest parking off the 16th Street entrance that leads to a stroller-friendly boardwalk looping the park to two lookout points toward Morro Bay. The park’s other street entrances lead to sand trails. We lucked out that we were all wearing sneakers for our first trip there. Because with the boardwalk’s wooden slats, small kiddos tend to trip more often than not — making sneakers your best bet for footwear. Shorts would be a solid fashion choice climate-wise, but an ample

July 2018, COLONY Magazine

Clara poses amid magical pygmy oaks. Photo by Tonya Strickland

amount of scruffy vegetation (spoiler alert: some of it is poison oak) means pants are your new BFF on this walk.

Overall, though, everything at the Elfin Forest is nicely laid out for visitors, with obvious trail lines and signage so you won’t get into too much questionable foliage.

Along the walk, the kids really loved stopping to take a closer look at the plant life and colors in nature.

After meandering on and around the boardwalk for a bit, the loop will lead you to one of the waterfront lookouts. If I had two seconds to actually look at all the cool and unique birds and whatever else lives out there I’d be sure to tell you all about them. But…kids. They run away. And get into everything.

So, I can say with certainty that for the solid 20 seconds I spent admiring the lookout, it was super pretty. But that’s about it. Shortly after the lookout, the loop will guide you to some benches for a nice picnic lunch pit stop.

And, per usual, the kids will take two bites of said lunch and then run away to go find the

next thing. But if you play your cards right, you can actually have 10 glorious minutes to eat next to some sandy dune spots on the south side of the park, while the kids get their dig on.

And, at the end of the trip, the kids’ adorable dirt-smudged little faces will be evidence of your successful outdoor adventure. Even if a crazy mid-day bath is required at the end. #worthit Tonya Strickland lives in Paso Robles with her husband, their two small children and one crazy but lovable dog. A longtime journalist and government reporter, Tonya stepped back from her writing career in 2016 to stay at home with the littles, now ages 2 and 4. In 2017, she launched the family adventure blog Two in Tow & On the Go. It features pictures, tips and stories about things to do with kids on the Central Coast, all with a hearty (but hopefully humorous) dose of real life.

You can share in the adventure at @ two.n.tow on Instagram + Facebook or the blog at twontow.com.

colonymagazine.com | 11

ROUND TOWN

OutdoorSummer Activities Summer is here — and it’s hot.

What can you do to keep the kids entertained, and maybe even a bit cool?

This summer, the Atascadero High School pool will not be open for recreational swim as it has in past years. Instead, the City has partnered with Kennedy Club Fitness in Atascadero to offer swim lessons to the public at member prices. Kennedy Club also has family swim for $6 per nonmember on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Punch cards are available, which reduces the per use fee.

Get out and get some exercise and enjoy nature by hitting one of our local trails.

• Stadium Park has two trails that vary in length and difficulty.

The Blue Oak Trail is easy and the

Pine Mountain Trail is difficult.

Most of the trails are not wide enough for a stroller, but there is a road that leads from the parking area on Capistrano Avenue to Marj Mackey Meadow, which is perfect for a picnic and for kids to run around the open space.

• The Jim Green Trail is a 1.7mile moderate hike along the Salinas River. The hidden gem is covered in a canopy of trees and is great for all ages, dogs, horses and bikes. To access, drive to the end of Cortez Avenue, which is accessible from Curbaril Avenue near the river. There is parking lot at the end of Cortez Avenue for the trail.

• Three Bridges Oak Preserve Trail is 3.5 miles roundtrip to the top. Biking and horses are allowed on the trail, but not all the way to the top. Dogs are allowed on leases. There is an elevation change of 900 feet. It is moderate to strenuous and is fantastic for seeing wildlife, the

By Heather Young

blue oak grove, rock formations, birds, wildflowers, and more. The trail is accessible either from the trail that goes from Atascadero Lake Park along CA 41 West or from the parking lot on (west) Carmelita Avenue.

• Cerro Alto State Park, about 10 miles out of Atascadero on Highway 41 West, is a difficult 4-mile trail that leads to the top of the peak. It’s well worth the hike, but take plenty of water, snacks and begin your trek several hours before sunset. This trail is also good for mountain biking, dogs, and horseback riding.

• Santa Margarita Lake has several trails that vary in length and difficulty. The Grey Pine Trail is 3.3 miles one way to Vaca Flat, is of moderate difficulty, and multi-use. Lakeside Trail is an unmarked dirt road along the lake shore from Marina to White Oak. It is an easy one-fifth mile trail. Blin Trail is 9.2 miles one-

way (or 18.4 miles roundtrip) and is moderate to strenuous. Be sure you are prepared before embarking on this trail. Sapwi Trail is a spur off Blinn about 3.4 miles in to access Khus Camp (another mile) and Sapwi Camp (another two miles). It is of moderate difficulty.

Sandstone Trail is 2.7 miles one way and is moderate to strenuous.

Rocky Trail is 1.8 miles one-way and is moderate to strenuous.

At the Lake Park, there is a large play area. Enjoy boating from Lakeside Paddleboats & Event Center. The new playground was installed and re-opened this month. The sand was replaced by a rubberized surface. The Lake Park is also a great place for children to ride bikes or scooters. The other large playground in Atascadero is at Paloma Creek Park, 11665 Viejo Camino, and has play areas for younger and older children, as well as a small climbing wall.

Heather Young can be reached at heather@colonymagazine.com

12 | colonymagazine.com

COLONY Magazine, July 2018

Flash History, Central Coast

“Atascadero”

By Tom Taylor

It seems to me that on the occasion of the inaugural issue of Nic and Hayley Mattson’s Colony Magazine that the meaning of the name ‘Atascadero’ should be explained and put it in its place historically.

The founder of the town of Atascadero was Edward Garner Lewis. Born and raised in cramped older cities of the eastern states, he had a vision to find a place ‘whose dwellers should have all the loveliness and healthfulness of the country with the conveniences and advantages of the city’.

What happened next is best told in the following excerpts taken from Marguerite A. Travis’s 1960 book, “The Birth of Atascadero.”

“Mr. Lewis’ favorite idea, to which he referred most frequently as the weeks went on, was his dream city, and before long there came an issue in which he announced his intention of starting out on a search for a site for the new community that would fill his vision.

After traveling south, north, and west, he finally announced that in California he thought he would find the most satisfactory location, describing one or two attractive places which he had inspected. Then, finally, came the day when he proclaimed the glad news that he had found a land of milk and honey, a great tract called the Atascadero Rancho, with 23,000 acres of rolling hills, green valleys, rippling streams (in winter) whence came the name of Atascadero: “Many Waters,” mountain canyons, and shady forests-and everywhere the spreading branches of the great live oaks which dotted hills and meadows.”

Clearly stated, Travis was of the opinion that E.G. Lewis thought of Atascadero as ‘Many Waters’ and a lovely place.

The Spanish word, Atascadero, is translated to bog, from the verb “atascar” which means to become stuck or hindered. Some say pig pen, mudhole, or ‘not a very nice place.’ In the Chumash language however, Atascadero translates into a ‘place of much water’.

All that aside, to most of us, Atascadero simply means

“Home Town” John’s Video Palace

Celebrating 30 years in Atascadero!

Join us on Saturday, July 21st.

8120 El Camino Real, Atascadero 805-466-5525

LOTS OF FREE PRIZES!

Stop by for your chance to win!

Coupon Valid Now

Rent 1, Get 1 Free! (with this coupon)

July 2018, COLONY Magazine

colonymagazine.com | 13

ROUND TOWN

Get ready for some serious good times!

20th Annual Winemakers’ Cookoff

Get ready for one of the biggest wine and food events on the Central Coast of California! The 20th annual Winemakers’ Cookoff is set to take place on Saturday, August 11th from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Paso Robles Event Center.

The event, sponsored by the Paso Robles Rotary Club and presented by Stifel Financial Corp., brings visitors from all over the country to this community to showcase the quality of life we all share here in Paso Robles. While guests enjoy food and wine from 30 different local wineries and specialty breweries, local high school students benefit in the form of college scholarships awarded by Rotary from the pro-

Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice Awards, those who attend will sample award-winning wines, beer and incredible food pairings.

They’ll also enjoy live music by Julie Beaver and the Bad Dogs and experience some of the best Paso has to offer in a single 3-hour event at the fairgrounds. Each year, an estimated 2,000 people attend this exciting affair.

Nestled between Monterey and Santa Barbara, and just inland from Hearst Castle, Paso Robles Courtesy Photo is home to the third largest wine region in bles High School. This year, Paso California and is one of the fastest Robles Rotary expects to award growing wine regions in the state. $70,000 in scholarships for high Close to the mountains and the beach, the area provides something school seniors.

With wineries vying for the special for everyone who visits. ceeds of this event.

To date, the Paso Robles Rotary Club District 5240 has raised nearly $750,000 toward this effort. Rotary is now the largest scholarship donor at the Paso Ro-

Tickets are $85/pp ($45 designated driver) and include a commemorative wine glass. Must be 21 years old to attend. For more information on the Winemakers’ Cook Off, or to volunteer as a winery or brewery to participate, please visit our website at winemakerscookoff.com or check out our Facebook page at facebook. com/winemakerscookoff. For visitor information, visit travelpaso. com.

The Hope Chest Emporium FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

MONEY TO LOAN

WE BUY, SELL, & LOAN ON: • JEWELRY

El Pomar Manor

A Residential Care Facility for the Elderly Family atmosphere with a warm, compassionate environment of assistance and support.

Licensed LVN owner on premises with 20 years of geriatric care and knowledge.

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

(805) 239-0993 3475 El Pomar Dr., Templeton Facility #405801816

14 | colonymagazine.com

• ANTIQUES • DIAMONDS • MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS • FINE WATCHES • GOLD • SILVER

8 0 5 .4 6 1 . 3 3 0 2 5550 EL CAMINO REAL ATASCADERO, CA 93422

COLONY Magazine, July 2018

July 2018, COLONY Magazine

colonymagazine.com | 15

C IVIC P RIDE

E.G. Lewis

Photo by Nicholas Mattson

IS A LIVE AND W ELL

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

SIGNS OF LIFE AT

E

ngraved atop the Historic City Hall Administration Building is a quotation of focused optimism by town founder E.G. Lewis that face the Atascadero Printery building. His declaration to see the sun, and not the shadows was tested in 2003, just days before Christmas, the San Simeon Earthquake shook the Central Coast to its foundation.

The City Hall building was severely damaged, but reconstruction in 2013 brought the grand dame back to a form and beauty that surpassed even Lewis’ inception. Positioned directly in the shadow of Lewis’ quotation, however, was the Atascadero Printery Building – lone, broken and in need of equal consideration.

Completed and ready for use in 1916, the first civic center in Atascadero at Olmeda Avenue and West Mall, the Salinan brick building was listed sixth of just 37 on the National Register of Historic Places in San Luis Obispo

16 | colonymagazine.com

Atascadero Printery

County in 2004, and registered among the California Historical Resources, Office of Historic Preservation. Despite escaping a wrecking ball, vandals have since contributed to the building’s gradual demise.

Images Worth a Thousand Words

In April 2015, a collection of images captured by photographer Rick Evans and posted on Facebook soon drew the interest of several people, including Nic Mattson, Mike McNamara, his wife Karen and others. What if the building could be reclaimed, rehabilitated, and repurposed for community use? Their meeting would become the catalyst that birthed the nonprofit Atascadero Printery Foundation.

On May 14, 2017, a San Luis Obispo County tax auction was held. The Foundation volleyed bids against another interested party. In the final seconds of the online auction, their $300,100 bid secured their emotion-filled win,

By Melissa Chavez

a cost not far from the $250,000 price tag it cost E.G. Lewis to construct and supply the building for what was once the largest rotogravure press facility west of the Mississippi River.

A more formidable challenge is the estimated $8 million needed to restore the building.

Completed and ready for use in 1916, the Printery was the first civic center in Atascadero.

The Atascadero Performing Arts Center Committee recently partnered with the Foundation to double their own efforts toward establishing a theater space in Atascadero and enable both organizations to collaborate their efforts toward restoring the 18,000-squarefoot building.

COLONY Magazine, July 2018

One Good Deed Deserves Another

On May 25, 2018, a Deed Celebration capped the initial stages of securing the structure and kicked off the next leg of community fundraising. A flagpole donation dedication from the Butz family was a visual representation toward staking their claim for preserving Atascadero history with an eye to the future.

Speaking to a group of 70 from the Printery steps with APF board member Nicholas Mattson standing by, APF President Karen McNamara cited the personal investments of board members, past and present. It was a bittersweet, lip-biting moment. Just two months after initiating the Printery campaign, Karen’s husband Mike died of a stroke on the morning of their 36th wedding anniversary.

“There’s no possible way that we would be standing here today without each of your efforts,” said McNamara. “We’ve been a well-synchronized team that’s proven that we’re capable and willing to complete the rehabilitation of our Printery and turn it into a good resource for our community, and I sincerely thank every one of you for all your amazing help.”

McNamara also praised the County of San Luis Obispo for guidance through the tax auction process and support by San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Debbie Arnold and her staff for donations to secure broken windows.

“Without this group, the Printery Foundation, this building, I’m sure, would have just finally fallen into such disrepair that it would have been too difficult to get that back.”

To this end, City of Atascadero officials scheduled regular meetings with the Foundation to lend input toward seeking grants toward the project goals. One hundred “Founders” are also being recruited to kick off donations of $1,000 or more (there are 55 so far). Aside from financial donations, APF has five Foundation board positions to fill and there’s room for practical help, such as an excavator, fundraising sponsors and more.

During the deed reception, and subsequent Founder’s Reception, Community Church of Atascadero donated $325 in rummage sale proceeds, Nancy Moure and the San Luis Obispo Garbagemen’s Association also each donated $5,000.

In her husband’s absence, Karen is continuing the charge to make the Printery a vibrant and permanent part of Atascadero.

“Mike cared about Atascadero. Nothing he ever did was about himself; it was always about others,” said McNamara. “He wanted this back and it’s my way to honor him. The Printery is for the community, by the community – and that’s how we’re going to get this done.”

TO LEARN MORE OR TO DONATE, VISIT

ATASCADERO PRINTERY.ORG OR CALL 805 - 466 - 1961

“It all depends on raising the funds. The faster we can raise the funds, the faster we can get going on this building.”

“This really has been a rollercoaster of a ride.

It really has been a complicated effort. I can’t even tell you how excited I am,” said Supervisor Arnold, who lauded E.G. Lewis’ vision to establish Atascadero Mutual Water Company and his blueprint for the community, the restoration of the City Hall rotunda and the Foundation’s efforts preserve his vision over a century later.

“Without this group, the Printery Foundation, this building, I’m sure, would have just finally fallen into such disrepair that it would have been too difficult to get that back,” said Arnold. “Atascadero is changing and it’s growing, yet we’re hanging on to our history.” She added, “I predict that this building itself is going to bring the community together, like we do so often when we focus in on a really special project. I think we’re going to enjoy the next few years while everyone works. Some people have financial benefits to give, and some their labor, but I know we’ll all come together.”

Next Steps

“We’re shooting for five years,” said McNamara. “It all depends on raising the funds.

The faster we can raise the funds, the faster we can get going on this building.”

July 2018, COLONY Magazine

colonymagazine.com | 17

OLD DOGS, NEW TRICKS A 25-Year Old Greyhound Foundation Continues to Pioneer ‘Doing What’s Best for Kids’

By Nicholas Mattson

ince 1994, a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens of Atascadero have been changing our world.

The Atascadero Greyhound Foundation began as the Greyhound Athletic Foundation, with a mission to build an all-weather track for Atascadero High School. Now, the organization shifts focus to bring resources to the community in the battle against addiction.

With a massive effort, it succeeded in its first mission, and for two decades, Atascadero boasted the finest track and field facilities in SLO County. High Schools around the area are catching up, but the Greyhound Foundation continues to pioneer the delivery of needed resources to our local high school students.

In 2012, the Foundation formed LIGHTHOUSE Atascadero, to provide funding for addiction counseling at Del Rio Continuation High School — now Paloma Creek Continuation High School. Through the LIGHTHOUSE program, high school students gain access to a licensed SLO County therapist which they can choose to see on their own volition. The program has provided the service for five years.

“It’s made such a difference in my life knowing that because of LIGHTHOUSE other families will be spared from going through what our family has had to go through losing Jake to addiction,” LIGHTHOUSE chairperson Lori Bagby said. “It is such a great feeling to see our community come together to fight this nationwide epidemic and I know that Lighthouse is changing lives.”

For many years, the Foundation motto has been “Doing What’s Best for Kids,” which it still pioneers.

But with the growing focus on LIGHTHOUSE, serving resources to battle addiction and substance abuse, Foundation executive director Donn Clickard has gravitated toward “Making a Difference,” which is drawn from a short story about throwing sea stars into the ocean, by Loren Eiseley in 1969.

18 | colonymagazine.com

Like the marathons that run around the track at AHS, the leadership of the Greyhound Foundation is in for the long haul. Current board president Wayne Cooper has presided over the board for the most of the life of the Foundation, but is looking at his term finally coming to an end. This year, the Foundation has adopted a succession plan with board members Rolfe Nelson and Jim Stecher stepping into President Elect, and President Elect Elect positions, respectively.

“The reason we did that is to create a plan for the future,” Wayne said.

“Our ideas were that we were going to find someone younger to take over, but also to create a succession plan.”

The growth of the Atascadero Greyhound Foundation, like all growth, came with its own pains.

Some contend that the original focus on athletics has been lost and priorities changed. But the change embraces opportunity, and the community is much different than it was nearly 25 years ago when the Foun-

Donn Clickard, Derek Kirk, Joe Gerardi, Chris Balogh, and Ron Johansen.

dation began.

“It has changed dramatically from where it started,” Wayne said about the growth. “From building the track to the Hall of Fame and fundraisers, now the focus is really about the LIGHTHOUSE. We were focusing on a small group, and now we are focusing on the entire population.”

It could be said that the focus has not changed, but instead has expanded. It was a former student at Atascadero High School that was the catalyst for a massive shift in the focus of the Foundation. In 2011, Foundation president emeritus Doug Filipponi lost his son Jeff in a high speed chase after a troubling bout with addiction and drug

“ We were focusing on a small group, and now we are focusing on the entire population.” abuse. That final blow led Doug to call on his colleagues on the board to do something to help those in great need. Out of that call was born the concepts that today drive LIGHTHOUSE Atascadero reach out to students who might struggle with addiction and other causes of adolescent drug abuse.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and LIGHTHOUSE applies itself to attending to those

Photo by Nic Mattson

links in need, providing solutions to catastrophic issues. The help it provides is often unmeasurable, but the hope drives the mission.

“It is the funeral we don’t attend,” AGF executive director Donn Clickard said about the measurement of the program’s success.

LIGHTHOUSE has provided financial support for high school counseling for six years, and last year expanded services to create the LIGHTHOUSE Atascadero Mentoring Program, or LAMP, which pairs high-school mentors with sixth-graders.

“Mentoring is what we really wanted to do from the beginning [of LIGHTHOUSE],” Donn said.

“Problems solving, peer mentorship, critical thinking, we believe it will help kids become drug free. It helps them become leaders and not followers.”

The program was led by teacher Julie Davis (not to be confused with the Monterey Road Elementary principal Julie Davis), and after the first year, the Foundation was ready for more.

“I won’t say it exceeded expectations,” Donn said, “because we expected it to be good. What we didn’t expect is the relationships that formed between the students. These are potentially life-long relationships forming.”

Donn said the completion of the first year and planning of the future is a dream come true for the Foundation, but why stop there.

The Foundation provides services specifically to high school students, but they LIGHTHOUSE beacon has been a light of hope for those in the community in search of answers to addiction issues. A fateful phone call for help led Donn to believe they could do more, and provide a resource for people of all ages — so was born LIGHTHOUSE Atascadero Support, Education, and Resources, or LASER, to “answer questions about addiction and help people who just

COLONY Magazine, July 2018

LORI BAGBY, REALTOR

Rolfe Nelson, Lori Bagbi, Wayne Cooper, Ryan Cooper, Joanne Peters, Donn Clickard, Courtesy photo Nic Mattson, EJ Rossi.

don’t know what to do.”

The Atascadero Greyhound Foundation is not a board filled with doctors or therapists, but lifelong educators, school district administrators, and local business owners who want to make a difference — symptoms of addiction were the problem, and LIGHTHOUSE provided the opportunity.

“Hall of Fame is really interesting and really cool, or Hares N Hounds and All Comers,” Donn said, “but when you look at the LIGHTHOUSE run, or golf tournament, and the people coming together around these programs, it is really exciting.”

With LIGHTHOUSE, LAMP,

and LASER lighting the way, the Foundation is pioneering and fostering the relationship between the community and the education system, to help kids be their best selves. The game is on, and for some it is already in overtime, but the programs and playbook the Foundation is working from might just lead to a game-winning touchdown.

For more information, go to atascaderogreyhound foundation.org.

For information on LIGHTHOUSE, go to lighthouseatascadero.org

Community Service: LIGHTHOUSE Atascadero • Chairperson Atascadero Greyhound Foundation • Board of Directors “I’m passionate about helping the youth in our community through these organizations.”

Platinum Properties Award Winner 2014 Rookie of the Year 2014, 2015, 2016 Gold Award 2017 Platinum Award

Growing up in Atascadero I know the wonderful benefits of living in the Central Coast.

My 22 years in the escrow industry in San Luis Obispo County provided me with the skills to make your real estate transaction the best experience possible.

My goal as your real estate professional is to get you the best price and terms possible for your home. I personally handle all my files so my clients can always be assured they are in great hands. I believe in communication and education, allowing everyone to feel confident in the selling process.

LORI BAGBY, REALTOR Lori@PlatinumTeamProperties.com DIRECT: 805.610.9332 1117 Vine Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446 E-FAX: 1.866.558.7584 License #: 01950556

Nic & Hayley and the

COLONY

Magazine

team!

July 2018, COLONY Magazine

colonymagazine.com | 19

Atascadero Economic

Development is on the Rise

By Melissa Chavez

Several significant commercial development projects are underway in Atascadero that are expected to revitalize the downtown core that will blend new construction with needed regeneration of the community’s second-oldest structures.

La Plaza

La Plaza

Situated on the west side of El Camino Real, across from City Hall and Entrada Avenue, a fall groundbreaking will kick off a major construction project on an oblong parcel just shy of two acres. The three-story mixed-use development consists of retail shops plus 38 rental apartments and four larger residential units for sale. Completion is expected sometime in 2019.

The Palladian-style architectural design will incorporate aesthetic elements of both E.G. Lewis’ original La Plaza building, originally sited behind the fire station, and the restored City Hall building overlooking Sunken Gardens.

“We’re passionate about the project and we’re all in,” said developer Mike Zappas, whose daughter and son, Zoe and Max, are intricately involved in all phases of the development.

“A lot of research went into the planning of La Plaza, and a 30-member design charrette provided for us a thorough presentation of the historical perspective, showed us any constraints, and gave us more ideas for the project,” said Zappas. “We anticipate a lot of interest from restaurants and

20 | colonymagazine.com

businesses and a mix of local and national retailers. Atascadero has more miles of roads than any town in San Luis Obispo County, and we’re trying to make it more pedestrian-friendly.” Zappas noted that over 100 spaces in the plans met and exceeded the City’s parking requirements.

A lot of research went into the planning of La Plaza.

The 15 to 20 million dollar price tag includes hiring workforce, vendors and suppliers from throughout San Luis Obispo County and the Central Coast to complete the project.

“We have a great hometown spirit in Atascadero. It’s good to see people love where they live and try to make it better,” added Zappas. “We’ve been inspired and we hope to inspire others as we go down the road.”

operated as mixed retail and then City Hall offices, will be repurposed for several uses. By way of a $15,000 pledge and partnership with Pacific Premier Bank, the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce will oversee a visitor’s center and a coworking space within 32,000 square feet.

The building will connect to the recently constructed Centennial Bridge and will facilitate business workshops and financial literacy classes in tandem with the bank.

named artisanal breweries are also anticipated. One will be a tasting room and the other a pub.

“We’re thrilled with the Chamber and coworking space,” said Pearce. “There’s an energy building in Atascadero that’s full of enthusiasm and ideas. I have great faith in Atascadero.”

“We take seriously the charge to serve as a catalyst for business growth and a champion for a stronger community,” said Derek Kirk, Atascadero Chamber PresIt’s a great place to ident and CEO, “and we believe start their businesses this move and the development of a coworking space are a strong or work remotely. testament to our continued efforts “We’re really excited to be part in Atascadero.” of it,” said developer Clint Pearce of Madonna Enterprises. “It didn’t BridgeWalk Hotel take long for me to consider it a Santa Barbara developer Jeff great, long-term asset. There’s go- Nelson of The Oak Creek Coming to be a lot of availability for pany plans new construction of folks. It’s a great place to start an 89-room, four-story(?) buildtheir businesses or work remotely, ing, 13,000-square-foot hotel and and for artists, graphic designers, a 10,000-square-foot restaurant and people who are into tech- space in Colony Square, north nology and more. What’s great of Galaxy Colony Square 10 about those types of situations is Theaters. The development is cross-pollination with different estimated to take up to two years skillsets. The Chamber has a lot of to complete. people signed up for it and it’ll be a great asset for the City.”

We’re carefully putting In addition, two yet-to-be pieces of the puzzle

together, one step at a time.

BridgeWork Coworking Space

The “Creekside Building” in Colony Square, located at 6907 El Camino Real, which formerly

The “Creekside Building”

“A boutique hotel seemed the best fit. We think it can be a real fun urban environment. I want people to experience the new bridge, City Hall, and the nature walking trail nearby.,” said Nelson. “The exterior architecture is a Spanish Colonial Revival style and the interior is a more modern, relaxed vibe. A lot of interior design is bringing together dif-

COLONY Magazine, July 2018

BridgeWalk Hotel

ferent elements – from American farmhouse to industrial design. It’s laborious detail work and it takes time with various consultants working on it. But we have a great deal of enthusiasm and we’re carefully putting pieces of the puzzle together, one step at a time.”

Former U.S. Post Office

Built in 1923 by J.A. HierJohnson as the second-oldest commercial building in Atascadero (the first was E.G. Lewis’ La Plaza), this two-story, 2,875square-foot structure at 5900 El Camino Real served as a U.S. Post Office, beginning in 1924.

I want to make something better and I want to keep the character of it.

On El Camino Real, between Scotty’s BBQ and Atascadero Jewelry & Loan’s satellite unit, the structure features groundlevel commercial space topped by living space accented by three arch top windows. What was once an exposed façade with white trim has been since layered with thick plaster.

Developer George Kartsioukas, who purchased the property that sat dormant for about 15 years, plans to retrofit and restore the structure.

“It’s a great building that’s been taken care of and it’s a challenge, but I want to make something better and I want to keep the character of it,” said Kartsioukas. “The City has been easy to work with. At the end of the day, I think it’s going to be a nice project.”

Melissa Chavez can be reached at Melissa@colonymagazine.com

July 2018, COLONY Magazine

colonymagazine.com | 21

LOCAL BUSINESS

Arlyne’s Flowers

and Since 1950

Gifts

By Heather Young

Flowers and the daughter of the Caspers.

The flower shop was was managed jointly by Arlyne Casper and Charleen Bliss until Jaynee and Jeff Orcutt purchased the business in 1973 and Jaynee has managed the shop for the past 45 years. The Orcutts’ two daughters, Kristin and Karly, were also part of the business through their high school years.

“It was a family business,” Jaynee “There is always a personal touch said. “We all participated.”

Over the years, the shop has added to the design of each undergone renovations and has arrangement.” expanded from flowers and plants to an array of gift items, which inin the other half.

At that time, Arlyne’s Flowers clude plush animals, candy, cards, also offered Western Union ser- vases, candles, decorative lanterns, tin ware and more. The business vices.

“We were the first FTD florist also offers fruit baskets. in Atascadero,” said Jaynee Or- “We also custom design silk faux cutt, the current owner of Arlyne’s arrangements, either in your con-

Arlyne’s Flowers and Gifts, now located at 6485 Palma Ave., has been a staple flower shop in Atascadero since Al and Arlyne Casper and Charleen and John Bliss opened the business on the side of the Carlton Hotel on Traffic Way in 1950. The property, a duplex, where the flower shop is now was purchased in 1954. The Bliss family lived in half of the duplex and operated the flower shop

22 | colonymagazine.com

tainer or ours,” Jaynee said.

Arlyne’s Flowers decorates for all holidays. It focuses on the full circle of life from birth to death and all the events in between.

Arlyne’s has kept with the times and has a full-service website, where a variety of baskets or customer flower arrangements can be ordered.

“You can always depend on our courteous staff to help you with flowers for the funeral of a departed loved one or friend or any spe-

cial occasion,” Jaynee said. “There is always a personal touch added to the design of each arrangement.

It’s a business where you never have two days alike. Each day is like a flower blooming.”

Heather Young can be contacted at heather@colonymagazine.com Arlyne’s Flowers and Gifts 6485 Palma Ave., Atascadero 805-466-1136 ArlynesFlowersAndGifts.com

COLONY Magazine, July 2018

LOCAL BUSINESS

PASO ROBLES PHYSICAL THERAPY MOVES TO NEW LOCATION CLOSER TO HOME

See Tony Wallace and the crew in Atascadero, Paso, and Heritage Ranch

we needed,” Tony said. “Our location has changed, but our fter 17 years of providing dedication to providing quality expert care to patients on treatment programs to our rePark Street in downtown Paso turning and new patients remains Robles, Tony Wallace, PT and the same.” his staff at Paso Ro In addition to the conbles Physical Theravenience of the Atascadepy have moved their ro and Heritage Ranch main headquarters offices, the Paso Robles to Atascadero and Sports Club location added a new satellite gives staff the ability to office at Paso Robles access and utilize all of Sports Club. With the the sports club equipment move, PRPT now offor patients when deemed Tony Wallace fers three convenient necessary. The pool areas locations to serve folks living and allow for another new and exworking in Northern San Luis citing and opportunity – aquatic Obispo County – Paso Robles, therapy.

Atascadero, and Heritage Ranch. “There are advantages to being “We had been wanting to able to offer aquatic therapy and downsize our Paso Robles loca- we are working toward building tion, and when I saw this office that area of our practice with the in Atascadero it was just what addition of new staff,” Tony said.

By Meagan Friberg

July 2018, COLONY Magazine

EXPERIENCED | KNOWLEDGEABLE PROFESSIONAL

Tony, owner and director of PRPT, is a graduate Long Beach State. He started his career at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach before moving with his wife, Lisa, to Atascadero in 1982 and working at Twin Cities Community Hospital. In 1986, he directed a private physical therapy clinic before starting PRPT in 2000. Tony and Lisa are the proud parents of four adult boys and eight grandchildren … and counting!

Of utmost importance to Tony and his staff is staying on the leading edge of out-patient rehabilitation through continuing education courses, reading medical journals, and maintaining ongoing dialogues with fellow

staff members. With a combined total of 100+ years of experience in physical and occupational therapy, the PRPT staff specializes in orthopedic, neurological, postsurgical/functional rehabilitation, and pediatric therapy.

Visit Tony and the entire staff of Paso Robles Physical Therapy at: 5255 El Camino Real, Suite C in Atascadero; Paso Robles Sports Club, 2975 Union Road in Paso Robles, or in the Heritage Ranch/ Lake Nacimiento area at Lake Life Wellness Center, 2150 Heritage Loop Rd, Suite D. For more information, see pasoroblespt.com or call 805-237-0272.

Be sure to follow PRPT on Facebook and Instagram.

colonymagazine.com | 23

TENT CITY | Nonprofits

Woods Humane Society Breaks Ground

By Heather Young

North County to open new spay and neuter clinic

W

oods Humane Society broke ground on a North County spay and neuter clinic in May. The prefabricated house was delivered in mid-June and is planned to be operational by mid-July.

According to the nonprofit, the clinic will enable Woods Humane Society to meet the pressing needs of dogs and cats in North County.

In 2017, the clinic in San Luis Obispo performed 4,264 spay and neuter surgeries.

“Really, what this is going to do is rise to meet the need [in the North County],” Woods Humane Society Director of Marketing & Community Programs Steve Kragenbrink said.

“Two-thirds of the animals going into animal services are from North County.”

Kragenbrink contributes the distance of driving to the clinic in San Luis Obispo and the cost of getting animals spayed or neutered at a vet’s office as barriers to North County residents getting those surgeries done for animals in the area. With fewer animals, particularly cats, being spayed or neutered, the number of cats being born without a home is higher. Those animals often end up at SLO County Animal Services.

“It’s going to make a large dent in the feline over-population in the North County,” Kragenbrink said. “[It’s] creating the opportunity for people to get their animals spayed or neutered.”

The idea behind opening the clinic in Atascadero, next to the existing adoption center, is to create accessibility to those in the North County with it being closer and low cost. With that, he said, it should help reduce the number of animals in shelters around the entire county.

When it’s complete, the new clinic will include a fully functional spay and neuter surgery suite that can accommodate up to 20 surgeries per day, possibly more. Additionally, the new clinic will alleviate surgery space at Woods’ San Luis

24 | colonymagazine.com

Obispo surgery center.

“We are thrilled to be on our way to opening SLO County’s first public high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter clinic,” Woods Humane Society Executive Director Jill Tucker said. “Ensuring that spay/neuter services are both accessible and affordable, is a critical component to creating a humane community. This new clinic will positively impact thousands of animals and the residents who care for them for years to come.”

The Woods Humane Society North County Spay and Neuter Clinic will be dedicated in memory of Daphne Fahsing.

For more information about Woods Humane Society or to find out when appointments can be scheduled for surgeries in Atascadero, go to Woodshumanesociety.org or follow the organization on social media.

Heather Young can be reached at heather@colonymagazine.com

Founded in 1955, Woods Humane Society has served the homeless animals of San Luis Obispo County for 63 years.

Woods Humane Society is an animal sheltering and welfare organization based in San Luis Obispo that annually places more than 2,500 dogs and cats into loving homes.

The Mission of Woods Humane Society is: To serve, protect, and shelter homeless companion animals; To place animals in humane environments; To promote responsible pet ownership, provide humane education, and reduce pet overpopulation; To celebrate the human/ animal bond.

COLONY Magazine, July 2018

Education | TENT CITY

BUILDING COMMUNITY SUMMIT

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”

– Coretta Scott King –

By Jim Brescia, SLO County Superintendent

North County is a wonderful place to work, live, play, and raise a family.

Our schools and society have many linguistic, cultural, religious, ethnic, and racial issues.

Small rural communities like ours are experiencing changing demographics just like large cities, and our leaders must confront these needs, perspectives, and challenges. How do we collectively address everyone and build up our community? Violence across the United States was the topic of my March Superintendent’s Council which included Atascadero school leadership, law enforcement,

mental health professionals and social services. Multi-agency discussions from my March meeting served as a springboard for the May summit.

The goal of our summit was to facilitate multi-agency communication and collaboration, present positive strategies for engagement, and to build community. Summit participants included students, parents, non-profit agencies, religious leaders, city & county officials, school leaders, elected officials, and law enforcement. Over 120 participants joined the afternoon summit held at the Vina Robles Signature Room.

Twelve table workgroups of 8-10 were formed consisting of multi-agency representation. Participants left with both short-term and long-term actions to proactively

address community and school tragedies. Sheriff Ian Parkinson stated in his comments that “We can address our issues proactively, one relationship at a time.”

I opened the “Building Community Summit” reflecting on my initial student teaching experiences in San Diego just after the 1984 San Ysidro Massacre. Our Sheriff explained current practices in place to ensure student and community safety. He highlighted the high levels of collaboration between law enforcement and our schools, the digital mapping of every campus, and plans for testing of a mobile school safety App. Our county is one of the first in the state to digitally map every campus and to collectively prepare for disasters. Student speakers from North County, San Luis Obispo, and Nipomo stressed

find your voice.

No one should be made to feel bad about themselves.

Although, it is true that we can’t like everyone, we can be kind-even if we don’t feel like it.

I want to challenge my fellow students to Stand-Up-for themselves and others. Take a firm stand against bullying so we can make this campus a safe place to learn and a safe place to hang out at lunch and break. After all, we are all just confused and crazy teenagers trying to get through this thing called “middle school.” It’s a trying time, we are learning to grow-up and manage ourselves as students, friends, leaders, and athletes, where we are constantly hammered with the lure of social media, peer pressure, and the urge to fit in. But, in this crazy stage known as “the teen-age years” no one knows better what your going through then the person you sit next to in home room, the person you pass in the hall, and the person in line behind you at the cafeteria. The student body needs to Stand-Up and support each other.

Lend a hand, lend an ear, and use words of encouragement. You never know when a kind word might make a difference in a fellow student’s day.

I encourage you to think about a time that a fellow student put you down, used words that hurt. Think about the way you felt on the inside.

Now tell yourself you do not ever want another student to feel the way you did. Instead, lets Stand-Up to bullies. Let us send the message that AMS is a campus where bullies are not welcome, and that we are no longer unwilling or unable to Stand-Up. You have all heard the saying “Rome wasn’t built in a day” and neither will a bully free campus.

However, if students unite towards a common goal of safe school campuses it can be achieved. I encourage my fellow students to Stand-Out. Be you, don’t follow-be a leader.

We will spend three years in middle school and four years in high school. Stand-Out, carve your niche, make a difference, leave your mark, make sure on the day you graduate someone remembers you were there,

STAND UP STAND OUT!

By Weston Hooten, Kid Reporter

Reprinted from his final article as the AMS Kid Sports Reporter.

I had many ideas about what my final article would be about-all sports related of course. However, in light of my recent experience at AMS I decided I wouldn’t write an article for you all to read, rather I would write an article that speaks to my fellow AMS students. I am making a decision to Stand-Up and Stand Out-I want to talk about bullying and things we can do as students to ensure that it doesn’t happen to our friends, the person that sits next to us in home room, the person we pass everyday in the hall, and to make sure we are reporting things we see, things we read on social media, and even when things happen to ourselves. I was recently in a situation where I didn’t StandUp for the most important person of all-Me. I want to make sure my fellow students know it is o.k. to

July 2018, COLONY Magazine

the importance of working together.

Tony Milano, a local graduate, and owner of RadHuman, was joined by representatives from Atascadero detailing Bank of America’s “Rachel’s Challenge” resources.

Participants focused on examples of disconnect that have preceded conflict, concern, or crisis. Each workgroup presented at least one proactive suggestion that might mitigate disconnect. My office is now planning with the Children’s Services Network, the Sheriff, the Chief of Probation, and the Family Care Network to host a fall summit. I believe that together we can invest in our future by facilitating multi-agency communications, working collectively, and acknowledging that we are all part of a community. It is an honor to serve as your County Superintendent of Schools.

Kid Reporter Weston Hooten

leave a legacy you can look back on with pride. Most of all, leave the school campus a better place than before you got there. So, my fellow Saints and future Greyhounds find the courage to Stand-up, look out for others, stand for something, and know we are all trying to grow-up the best we can, and finally StandOut, find your interests and make the world a better place.

I hope I have made AMS a better place for having been here. This is your Kid Sports Reporter signing off one last time at AMS.

colonymagazine.com | 25

COLONY TASTE

THE TEA TROLLY BRITISH-STYLE HOSPITALITY RIGHT HERE AT HOME

Story and Photos By Heather Young

T

he Tea Trolley has been offering British-style hospitality for the last 18 years. Wendy Richardson decided to open a business in the little house she and her husband owned on Entrada Avenue in downtown Atascadero.

“My mama always wanted to have a tea room in England, but she was a single mom and couldn’t,” Richardson said.

The couple, who moved to Templeton in 1989 from Southern California, bought the little cottage as an investment in the community. After fixing it up, they tried to rent it out

to other businesses. When no one rented it, Richardson opened the English tea room and it has been operational since.

“My customers just have a certain feeling about coming in,” Richardson said.

The tea room is open three days a week, on Thursdays and Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and on Saturdays for lunch from 11:30 in the small cottage.

“My menu is very simple; it never changes,” Richardson said, adding that the only changes are the soups and desserts. “I love the oneon-one time with my customers. All of my customers are my love.”

“My mama always wanted to have a tea room in England, but she was a single mom and couldn’t.”

Heather Young can be contacted at heather@colonymagazine.com

a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

“Everything is made to order,” Richardson said. “[My customers] love the food and atmosphere.”

The Tea Trolley is the only English tea room in the county and serves a selection of housemade soups, sandwiches and sweets in addition to traditional English teas. The tea shop also sells tea and English-related gifts.

Richardson encourages customers to make reservations because there are only six tables

26 | colonymagazine.com

COLONY Magazine, July 2018

July 2018, COLONY Magazine

colonymagazine.com | 27

EVENTS

Atascadero 4th of July Bluegrass Freedom Festival returns old-fashioned fun to Atascadero Lake Park

Barbecue, Bluegrass and Free(music)dom, oh my!

By Melissa Chavez

O

n Independence Day, live music, barbecue for purchase, a vendor fair and activities for the kids are in store – from the community, to the community – at the Atascadero 4th of July Bluegrass Freedom Festival.

Tree-shaded lawns throughout Atascadero Lake Park at 9100 Morro Road will provide plenty of room for folks with low-back chairs to gather in view of the stage for the big event from 4 to 8:30 p.m.

Admission is free.

Free music Emceed by SLO County bluegrass musician BanjerDan, a full array of entertainers are set to take the stage.

New to this year’s program are The Blue Js who will impress audiences at 4 p.m. Musically seasoned beyond their years, this assembly of five young gents from the Bay Area and Central Valley of Northern California includes Josh Gooding, Jesse Personeni, Jacob Gooding, John Gooding and Jack Kinney. In a versatile repertoire, the Blue Js pay homage to the greats of bluegrass, including Bill Monroe, Don Reno, Red Allen and Frank Wakefield,

sisting of Kenny Blackwell, John Weed and Stuart Mason elicit a bygone era of barn dance fun with fiddle-playing, guitar, mandolin, standup bass and resonator pickin’.

Not only does Little Black Train perform Americana, Appalachian, and gospel-tinged blues, their Scotch and Irish reels with harmonies and humor (“Take Your Leg Off Mine”) are guaranteed to create a memorable time.

Also appearing are the Toro Creek Ramblers. This informal group of local musicians gather in a twice-monthly jam session at Last Stage West / Toro Creek Event Center. The group is led by doctor and guitarist Bern Singsen and banjo player Dan Mazer (BanjerDan).

Snap Jackson & the Knock On Wood Players will round out the evening at 7 p.m. Snap and his charismatic crew were a big hit at the first Bluegrass Freedom Festival in 2017, when they kept the crowd engaged well after the sun went down.

Jackson plays banjo in both Scruggs and clawhammer styles while employing a variety of instruments.

His formidable backing includes accomplished working musicians

The Blue “Js” Courtesy photo

traditional country songs of George Jones and that distinctive Bakersfield sound popularized by Buck Owens.

Local trio from San Luis Obispo, Little Black Train hits the stage at 5:30 p.m. A three-man band con-

28 | colonymagazine.com

Shane Kalbach, Eric Antrim and Brian Clark.

“The amount of love and support that that the people of Atascadero and the surrounding area have given us over the years has been incredible!” said Jackson. “We are contin-

Snap Jackson & the Knock On Wood Players.

Photo by Rick Evans

ually amazed and humbled by the size of the crowds that come out to share in the musical experience with us. A live show is always a group effort and we can always count on the good folks of Atascadero to meet us more than half way. We are super juiced to be back at the Freedom Fest for the second year in a row!

What a great lineup!”

Food and drink The 2017 debut celebration enjoyed a highly successful turnout with 350 barbecue dinners sold onsite. In addition to day-of-the-event sales priced for adults, kids, and seniors 65+, organizers are helping to meet their audience demand online with early-bird barbecue presales through July 2 at www.atascaderofourthofjuly.com. Along with barbecue offerings, beer, wine, cider, and Paradise Shaved Ice will be available for purchase, beginning at 4 p.m.

Family fun Bounce houses, paddleboats, and games will be on hand to keep the kids busy again this year.

Tessa Betz, a lifelong resident of Atascadero, expressed that she is proud to raise her children in her community and looks forward to more food vendors.

“The Atascadero 4th of July celebration was a wonderful showcase of all that our quaint city has to offer – the hometown feel – not too crowded, not a hassle to get to, and with just the right amount of

music and fun,” said Betz. “After a long day of celebrating and battling (4th of July) crowds, we enjoyed just relaxing while the kids bounced for free! I’m very impressed and will be there again this year.”

Melissa Chavez can be contacted at melissa@colonymagazine.com Community support makes it possible

A philanthropic focus on July 4th will direct a portion of proceeds to help benefit Atascadero’s Colony Days annual parade celebration, a 501(c)(3) organization (info@ colonydays.org). Vendor space opportunities are also still available from $80 to $200.

Event sponsors include Atascadero Printery Foundation, City of Atascadero, Colony Media, Associated Traffic Safety, La Plaza, .

To make tax-deductible donations or learn more details about the Atascadero 4th of July Bluegrass Freedom Festival, view their Instagram page, call 805.466.4086, email info@ atascadeofourthofjuly.com, or visit atascaderofourthofjuly. com.

COLONY Magazine, July 2018

Colony Days is New!

... and OLD! The Parade now takes place on the FIRST Saturday in October, and the theme is “Mudhole Follies”

By Heather Young

Atascadero’s 45th annual community celebration of the city’s founding will be held this year on Saturday, Oct. 6, which is a change from past years when it was held on the third Saturday of the month.

“We moved Colony Days forward to the first weekend in October in an attempt to avoid poor weather conditions,” Colony Days Committee Chairwoman Karen McNamara said. “The past two years have brought rain during Colony Days, which makes it unpleasant for everyone who attends and brings great challenges to all the vendors and participants.”

This year’s theme is Mudhole Follies, a play from Atascadero’s nickname and entertainment from the period of the early 1900s. A folly is silly or foolish. Around the turn of the 20th century, there were the Folies Bergere in Paris, which was well known for cabaret. Cabaret is what made the flies popular, but it began with comic opera, popular songs and gymnastics.

With those in mind, the committee came up with a logo depicting a strong man, a woman on a tight rope and a man on a penny-farthing.

Some parade entry ideas include “We want to have fun. Follies is about silly, being foolish and we want to do that on as large scale as possible, but also being responsible,” Colony Days Committee Vice President Nic Mattson said. “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.”

Some ideas for parade entries include: • Dressing up in silly costumes • Playing unusual instruments, such as a pots and pans band, a kazoo band, recorder band, keytar band • Lots of balloons • Silly dancing and entertainment • Vaudeville-esque floats • Dress up as a prominent community leader, both past and present • Juggling, circus-related fun

SATURDAY IN THE PARK

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES 2018 June 16th

Back Bay Betty

(Blues Night) Presented by Solarponics

June 30th

The Jammies

Presented by Daylight Home Lighting & Patio

July 7th

Soundhouse July 14th

The Martin Paris Band Presented by Atascadero Printery & Atascadero Performing Arts Committee

July 21st

Truth About Seafood SATURDAYS July 28th 6:30-8:30 Unfinished Business

This past year marked the first year that the Tent City re-enactment was held in Sunken Gardens. It was brought out of its usual location along Atascadero Creek because of construction underway during the event for the pedestrian bridge. Tent City was successful in Sunken Gardens and will be held there again in 2018. “[This year’s] event in the Sunken Gardens was an experiment that yielded a lot of great pluses,” Tent City director 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.”

The committee has begun working on the 2018 event and all those in the community are invited to help plan and execute the community event.

Those who would like to be involved in the committee and in other ways, sign up for our volunteer email list, which can be found on the event’s website, ColonyDays.org.

Parade and vendor applications are currently being accepted and are available on the organization’s webite.

Colony Days is produced and operated by an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization, and business and community sponsors are needed to make this event possible each year.

To find out more about being a sponsor, go to colonydays. org, or email info@colonydays.org.

July 2018, COLONY Magazine

August 4th

Stellar

August 11th

The JD Project

Sponsored by Pacific Premier Bank

SATURDAYS 6:30-8:30 ATASCADERO LAKE PARK BANDSTAND

Concerts are FREE and open to the public!

VisitAtascadero.com

PRESENTING SPONSORS: GRIGGER & ALICE JONES

and graphics

colonymagazine.com | 29

EVENTS

Special Events July 4 — Paso Pops 4th of July Celebration and Concert hosted

at Paso Robles Event Center. The gates open at 4 p.m. with familyfriendly activities until the concert begins at 8 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit paderewskifest.com.

July 14 — Ice Cream Zoofari at the Atascadero Charles Paddock Zoo is a great time with the whole family. From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., come enjoy lots of ice cream along with the animals! For questions call 805-461-5080 or visit charlespaddockzoo.org.

July 4

— 2nd Annual Bluegrass Freedom Festival at the Atascadero Lake Park from 4 to 8 p.m. Admission and music are free, with the option to purchase BBQ by the Atascadero Moose Lodge, beer, wine, cider and more. atascaderofourthofjuly.com for BBQ tickets or info.

July 18-29

July 4

Chill. Relax on the Petite Terrace with cool wine, rockin’ music and delicious food crafted by Executive Chef Randal Torres. The event menu and tickets are available from vinarobles.com

— Templeton 4th of July Celebration begins with the Templeton Fire Department’s Pancake Breakfast at 7 a.m., parade at 10 a.m. on Main Street, and family fun, food trucks, live music and more until 3p.m. Breakfast Tickets are available to purchase from the Templeton FD. Visit templetonchamber.com.

July 4

— 4th of July Parade and Day in the Park in Santa Margarita kicks off with the parade at 10 a.m. followed by fun for the whole family in the park at 11 a.m. The events are sponsored by the Community Church and community leaders.

July 7 — 10th Annual Lavender Festival in Paso Robles in the

Downtown City Park. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free to the public. Meet with the lavender producers from across the region; enjoy food, refreshments, displays, and activities. Visit nosloco.com for info.

July 7 & 8 — Morro Bay Art in the Park runs both days from 10

a.m. to 5 p.m. Located at the Morro Bay City Park, this 62nd event offers handmade arts and crafts by over 100 local vendors. Sign up at morrobayartinthepark.com for more information.

— California Mid State Fair is back at Paso Robles Event Center. Carnival rides, exhibits, concerts, rodeo, food, games, agriculture, entertainment, art shows and auctions. Special event information and more is available from by visiting midstatefair.com.

July 21 — Vina Robles invites you to join their Summer Grill &

July 21 & 22 — Central Coast Renaissance Festival at Laguna Lake

Park in SLO is an old-world experience in the modern age. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., two days are filled with food, entertainment, jousting and family-centered activities. More info & tickets at ccrenfaire.com

July 28 — Annual FREE Pancake Breakfast sponsored by Main

Street and the Mid-State Fair is held 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Paso Robles City Park. Enjoy pancakes, entertainment and rides with either Cowboy Ken and his train or Harris Stage Lines. Visit downtown merchants.

Aug. 2 — The Beauty of Wine Math – Increase Your Understanding

of Winemaking Numbers and Calculations — Seminar reviews and discusses the most important numbers and calculations in winemaking - impacting decisions from harvest to bottling. Whether you grow grapes, make wine, or love learning about wine, you will find this seminar enriching.​​8am-12pm; La Bellasera, Paso Robles; $175 ($150 before June 29); meristemlearning.com/the-beauty-of-wine-math

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

Fundraisers July 28 — S.O.U. L. Kitchen Fundraiser for the Wellness Kitchen at Peachy Canyon Winery, thewkrc.org

Concerts & Entertainment — Visit NoSLOCo.com

for

Concerts in the Park

Paso Robles Downtown, every Thursday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Concerts in the Park

Templeton Park, every Wednesday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday in the Park

Atascadero Lake Park, every Saturday, 8:30 p.m.

Festival Mozaic Summer Festival — July 17-29 Music Without Borders. festivalmozaic.com, 805-781-3009

More Info Live Music Wednesdays on the Veranda — 5:30 to 8 p.m., Paso Robles Golf Club. See ad in this issue for local musicians. Reservations 805-2384722, PasoRoblesGolfClub.com.

Saturday Live — Every Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m., slowdown from your week, sit back and enjoy live music - all while savoring award-winning Vina Robles wines.

Whale Rock Music Festival — Sept. 15 & 16

Castoro Winery, whalerockmusicfestival.com.

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

30 | colonymagazine.com

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

COLONY Magazine, July 2018

North Slo County

activity

& Event

guide

| EVENTS

Business Atascadero Chamber of Commerce Atascaderochamber.org • 805-466-2044 6904 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422 July 11 — 4 Chamber Mixer See Paso and Templeton Chamber of Commerce events for more details below.

July 13 — Women in Business Luncheon, more details online Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce pasorobleschamber.com • 805-238-0506 1225 Park St, Paso Robles, CA 93446 Office Hours with Supervisor John Peschong Third Thursday, 9 to 11 a.m., Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce Conference Room.

Taking Care

of

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.

July 11 — Membership Mixer — 4 Chambers of Commerce, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Rava Wines, 6785 Creston Road, Paso Robles. Produced jointly by the Chambers of Commerce in Atascadero, Templeton, Paso Robles and San Miguel.

Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce Restaurant of the Month Appreciation, first Tuesday, pasorobleschamber.com for info.

Templeton Chamber of Commerce templetonchamber.com • 805- 434-1789 321 S. Main Street #C, Templeton, CA 93465 Templeton Women in Business — July 10 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Changala Winery, 805-4341789, info and RSVP, info@templetonchamber. com Chamber Board of Directors Meeting — July 11 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., every 2nd Wednesday of the month. Pacific Premier Bank Conference Room on Las Tablas Blvd.

Business Networking International — Wednesdays, 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.toastmas-

tersclubs.org.

BNI — Partners in $uccess —Thursday, 7 to 8:30 a.m. Paso Robles Assn. of Realtors, 1101 Riverside Ave. Visitors welcome, bniccc.com.

Speak Easy Toastmasters — Friday, 12:10 to 1:15 p.m. Founders Pavilion, Twin Cities Community Hospital. 9797.toastmastersclubs.org.

or $20 for 4 meetings paid in advance. Call for location 805-479-7778. BookOfComforts.com.

Line Dancing, Tuesdays, 6 to 7 p.m., Centennial Park Banquet Room. $50 for 10 Punch Pass or $5 per class drop in. Beginning and intermediate taught by Tina Scarsella,

prcity.com/recreation-online, 805-835-2076.

Community Quilting — third Saturday, assists children and senior organizations, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bethel Lutheran Church, Old Country Road, Templeton. Cynthia Bradshaw, clbrad1313@hotmail.com.

Business

North County Toast ‘N Talk Toastmasters — Mondays, 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Keller Williams Real Estate, Paso, 805-464-9229.

BNI— Early But Worth It Chapter — Business Networking International — Tuesdays, 7 to 8:30 a.m., Culinary Arts Academy, Paso, Visitors welcome, bniccc.com

Workshops & Classes Free Improvisation Workshop — July 25 for ages 12 to18, 1 to 2 p.m., PR Youth Arts Foundation.

Writing Support Group with award-winning author/editor Patricia Alexander. Every other Monday, July 9 & 23, 6:30 to 9 p.m. $25 per

A reverse mortgage loan could help you live more comfortably.

Call today to learn more about this HECM loan program* for accessing your home’s equity.

Bob Gayle 805/772-3658

Reverse Mortgage Specialist

Real Estate Broker, California Bureau of Real Estate, License 00466813 • NMLS License. 582948 *THIS PRODUCT OR SERVICE HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED OR ENDORSED BY ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY AND THIS OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE BY AN AGENCY OF THE GOVERNMENT.

July 2018, COLONY Magazine

Division of Aegean Financial, CA BRE #01478751, NMLS #157935

Owner must be 62, maintain property as primary residence and must also remain current on property taxes, any fees and homeowners insurance.

Other conditions may apply.

17-013

colonymagazine.com | 31

EVENTS | North Slo County

activity

& Event

guide

Service Organizations American Legion Post 50 — fourth Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. 270 Scott Street, Paso Robles. Info: Commander John Irwin, 805-286-6187.

Hamburger Lunch — American Legion Post 50, - $5, Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 240 Scott St., Paso.

Pancake Breakfast — third Saturday 8 to 11 a.m., $6, American Legion Post 50, 240 Scott St., Paso Robles Exchange Club — second Tuesday, 12:15 — 1:30 p.m. McPhee’s, Templeton. 805-610-

8096, exchangeclubofnorthslocounty.org.

Daughters of the American Revolution — first Sunday. For time and place, email dmcpatriotdaughter@gmail.com.

Lions Club Meetings Atascadero — second & fourth Wednesdays, 7 p.m., Atascadero Agriculture Hall, 5035 Palma Ave. Paso Robles — second & fourth Tuesdays. 7 p.m., PR Elks Lodge, 1420 Park St. San Miguel — first & third Thursdays, 7:00 p.m.,

Community Hall, 256 13th St. Santa Margarita — second & fourth Mondays, 7:30 p.m., Community Hall, 9610 Murphy St. Shandon Valley — Please call 630-571-5466 for more information.

Templeton — first & third Thursdays, 7:00 pm, Templeton Community Building, 601 Main Street PR Grange Pancake Breakfast — second Sunday, 7:30 to 11 a.m., 627 Creston Road, Paso

ond Wednesday, Noon to 3 p.m. Public is welcome, no charge. PR Community Church, 2706 Spring St., 805-712-7820, guests welcome, multifloragardenclub.org.

Monthly Dinner at Estrella Warbirds Museum — first Wednesday, 6 p.m., guest speakers. 805296-1935 for dinner reservations. ewarbirds.org.

North County Newcomers — July 24 deadline for August 1 luncheon at Estrella Warbirds Museum, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gatherings held first Wednesday for residents living here less than 3 years. RSVP at northcountynewcomers.org.

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 — July 13, featuring classical pianist Marion Walker. 11 a.m., Templeton Community Center. $12.00. Reservations by July 10 to JoAnn Pickering, 805-239-1096.

Central Coast Violet Society — second Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Brookdale Activity Room, 1919 Creston Road, Paso. Znailady1@ aol.com.

Classic Car Cruise Night — second Saturday (weather permitting), 5 to 7 p.m., King Oil Tools, 2235 Spring St., Paso. Tony Ororato, 805712-0551.

Cancer Support Community cscslo.org • 805-238-4411 1051 Las Tablas Road, Templeton • Support, education and hope. Cancer Support Helpline, 888-793-9355, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS: 7/10 • 6 p.m. Education: Immunotherapy. 7 p.m.

Young Survivors Peer Gathering in Templeton 7/18 • 11:30 a.m. Pot Luck Social 7/12 • 11 a.m. Advanced Cancer Group 7/19 • 11 a.m. Advanced Cancer Group 7/25 • 11:30 a.m. Mindfulness Hour, RSVP required 7/26 • 6 p.m. Young Survivors Peer Gathering at Sierra Vista Hospital, 2nd floor, San Luis Obispo 8/1 • Life Beyond Cancer

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: MONDAY: 11:30 a.m. Therapeutic Yoga at Dharma Yoga TUESDAY: 1 p.m. Educational Radio Show WEDNESDAY: 10 a.m. Living with Cancer Support Group — Newly Diagnosed/Active Treatment.

THURSDAY: 10 a.m. Coffee Chat FRIDAY: 7/13, 7/27, 6 p.m., Grupo Fuerza y Esperanza. Special Programs — Navigate with Niki Thursdays by appointment. Cancer WellFit® at Paso Robles Sports Club, Mondays and Thursdays 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. pre-registration is required with Kathy Thomas, kathythomas10@hotmail.com or 805-610-6486. Beautification Boutique offers products for hair loss and resources for mastectomy patients (knittedknockers.org).

Clubs & Meetings Almond Country Quilters Guild Meeting, July 6 at 6:30 p.m., lecture by Patsy Carpenter.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 940 Creston Road, Paso. Contact kajquilter@ gmail.com. General info: lisajguerrero@msn.com, acqguild.com.

Coffee with a CHP — second Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., Nature’s Touch Nursery & Harvest, 225 Main St., Templeton.

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 — sec-

Health & Wellness The Wellness Kitchen and Resource Center thewkrc.org • 805-434-1800 Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wed. until 6 p.m.

1255 Las Tablas Rd., Templeton • Healing and Wellness Foods meal programs, volunteer opportunities, and classes (RSVP, register and pay online.)

July 19 — Healthy Cooking Classes — Cool Summer Foods! Instructor Evan Vossler. 5:30 to 7:30, FREE for those facing illness, otherwise $20. No one will be turned away.

July 20 — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Idler’s Home, 122 Cross St., San Luis Obispo. RSVP required to 805-434-1800 or nancy@TheWKRC.org.

July 25 — Intro to Wellness — A Taste of Change with Registered Dietitian Hayley Garelli. 10 simple ways to begin your clean eating journey 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP. Class is FREE.

CONSIGN WITH US 5935 Entrada Ave., Atascadero, Ca 93422

(805)296-3600

32 | colonymagazine.com

COLONY Magazine, July 2018

Check out these fun summer camps!

Creative Br g n i t t i Brain s a y i e n v i Bab t a e r C Art Discove mp ry ics Camp t Skills Ca s o b o R Camp 11-15 yr th & 15 yrs 8 8 15 yrs -20 -13th h t 9 y l July 16th 0thu J July 9th-13 th July 3 d August 3r p Jedi Engineerin m a C l l a b g Volley U s Pickleball i n g s L e r g os Camp 1-16 y h & 1 5 7 yrs & 7-12 yrs th-20t 8 1 y l u J 7-12 yrs July 9th-13 30thy t l h u & J July 23rd-2 July 30th-A d r 3 7th t s ugust u Aug 3rd Shakespeare f or l a m i n K i A R E C R E AT I O N d s Drama Camp GUIDE Drawing s Summer 2018 9-14 yrs ‘Toon July 23rd-27t 7+ yrs h & h t A 7 u 2 g u st 6th-10th July Video Game ess Wizards h C Design Camp Camp 10+ yrs Don’t Miss This 5-14 yrs Summer’s Satu rday in the Park Summ July 30thh t er Concer t Serie 0 1 h t 6 t s s u g Au August 2nd Residential Custome r

U.S. POSTAGE PAID ATASCADERO, CA PERMIT NO. 79

PRSRT STD

www.atascadero.org

ECRWSS

July 2018, COLONY Magazine

Atascadero, CA 9342 2

Recreation Info: 805-470-3360

colonymagazine.com | 33

LAST WORD

L’Envoi The Epic Tale of the Colony of Atascadero ... in the Making

By Nicholas Mattson

Atascadero! To that sounding name A far tradition leads its fame …

S

o begins “Atascadero — An Epic Written for Flag Raising Day” by Paso Robles resident Guy E. Heaton on July 4, 1913. It was written on the same day as Edward Gardner Lewis and his wife Mabel received the deed to Rancho Atascadero, and the author dedicated the epic to E.G. Lewis and those who, with him, devote their time and talent to the upbuilding of Atascadero.

Heaton finishes the dedication, “lastly: ‘To all that here shall after live’ at Atascadero.”

Heaton was not then finished with Lewis, and closed the introduction with two paragraphs in Lewis’ honor.

“The author offers due apologies for his ready indulgence in poetic license and hopes to not irretrievably offend against accepted astronomical theories, the phenomena of Nature or historic fact, and most especially to Mr. Lewis for ascribing to the Padre the vision of the future Atascadero instead of the real seer, Mr. Lewis himself, at once Seer, Counselor and Impresario.

“To him who would behold Atascadero in its nearest pristine beauty ere its swift-moving transformation merges Art in ever increasing proportion with fair Mother Nature’s bounteous features, the author says Haste! For the mighty want of the magician is moving, Lewis is here, and the scenery shifts.”

The poem is worth a read for historical perspective, and is written with some apparent influence by Walt Whitman (1819-1892), and closes with an ode to the “Common Good Her State—a world-wide Sisterhood” with a handdrawn wreath with a bow labeled “Women’s

Republic.”

The final stanza titled “L’Envoi” gives the summation for which the heart of Atascadero, buried deep in the Mudhole, still beats.

Atascadero! Though thy name Is stranger now to trump of Fame, Shall yet to farthest echo ring As art and genius here shall bring.

Proportioned true epitome Of all a perfect State should be.

And Fame’s eternal scroll shall bear “Atascadero” blazoned there.

I stumbled upon this poem while researching the 4th of July and the Atascadero Printery Building last year, and it resonated with me. I don’t think I’m alone to feel a presence in Atascadero. Is it the ghost of E.G. Lewis?

Is it some leftover inspiration of his utopian dream that was run over by “progress” now articulated by the US 101 that cuts through the heart of his darling downtown dream? Or is it something that was here before Lewis arrived; something Lewis himself felt and was moved by? Is it by chance that we are here now? Is it by chance that you are reading a magazine published in Atascadero, cover ‘blazoned’ with an image of the historic Press Building that has been reclaimed by some undaunted — uninhibited — spirit that pours out of the soul of this place with a purpose, yea a mission, that fills the mind with wonder and stirs the imagination? Is it by chance that you arrived, by choice or by fate, here now with this question still begging to be answered … what next?

Are we here, meant for something greater, or just here to judge the past and the failures as something that prevent us from realizing the greatness we can achieve together?

It is together that we will succeed or fail, and

it is together that we should dream. As Guy E. Heaton offered 105 years ago, I also offer due apologies for my ready indulgence in poetic license — and use of the Oxford comma — and hope to not irretrievably offend against accepted astronomical theories, the phenomena of Nature, or historic fact.

I do hope you will enjoy this publication for years to come, and in a world of digital noise, bullet trains, cryptocurrency, water banking, fake news, and fallen heroes, I hope that this magazine will be an anchor to our community for the betterment of us all — yea, for all that here shall after live. Just as Lewis did not live to see his dream’s to fruition, maybe we shall suffer the same; but then, maybe there is no conclusion. Maybe it is just for us to give the next generation a better place than was given to us, and better tools on how to improve it for the next inhabitants. This is what Lewis would want, could Lewis imagine his highest desire, and it is what Dr. Mike would want, and why this first issue of COLONY Magazine is dedicated to his UNINHIBITED spirit — may it continue to project “Atascadero” onto Fame’s eternal scroll for all that here shall after live.

‘To all that here shall after live’ — Guy E. Heaton —

This inaugural issue of COLONY Magazine is dedicated to my wife, Hayley, and everything she does. There is no way to describe in fullness the impact she has on everything we do as a family. This magazine would truly not be what it is without her support, care, hard work, dedication, and input. She is my everything, and has given me the world. Thank you.

COLONY Magazine is a free publication, mailed directly to 14,900 residences and businesses in Atascadero, Santa Margarita, and Creston, as well as the other communities within the 93422, 93453, and 93432 zip codes. It is all paid for by advertisers.

Please support your community by shopping local, meeting your local business owners, and enjoying this great community.

DIRECTORY TO OUR ADVERTISERS American West Tire Pros 35 Baby’s Babble 32 Morro Bay Art in Park 32 Solarponics 35 Arlyne’s Flowers Atascadero Greyhound Foundation Atascadero Jewelry & Loan Atascadero Optimist Club Atascadero Pet Hospital Atascadero Printery Foundation Awakening Ways

22 05 14 15 36 07 27

Blenders 22 Bluegrass Freedom Festival 08 Bob Sprain’s Draperies 21 Bravo Pizza 02 Byblos Mediterranean Grill 02 CASA 14 Cassidy, Diane 23 City of Atascadero CONCERTS 29

34 | colonymagazine.com

City of Atascadero Rec. Division Diversified Landscaping El Pomar Manor Frontier Floors Greg Malik RE Group Glenn’s Repair Healthy Inspirations Hearing Aid Specialists of the

33 26 27 27 10 19 21

Central Coast Heather Desmond Real Estate 11 Hope Chest Emporium 14 John Donovan Insurance & Financial Services, Inc. 09 LivHOME 35 Lori Bagby REALTOR® 19 Lube N Go 21 Michael’s Optical 21

Natural Alternative Atascadero Optimist Club Placer Title PR Physical Therapy Ray Buban, EA Tax & Financial Services Robert Gayle San Joaquin Valley College SESLOC Fed Credit Union

31 15 27 23 19 31 12 15

Stove & Spa Center Susan Funk for Atascadero City Council Templeton Door & Trim Triple 7 Motorsports Triple 7 Tractor Sales Whit’s Turn Tree Service Writing Support Group

24 09 26 09 11 13 31

COLONY Magazine, July 2018

• Full stock of tires and parts • • • • • •

for horse trailers and motorhomes Full line of tires Work on all Trucks and Vehicles Oil Change and Transmission Flush Service Vehicle computer work • Brake Work Align all types of vehicles, including trailers Now servicing Air Conditioning systems

They’re your one-stop automotive repair shop

P

WiFi Available

Large turn around area for trailers & trucks

8750 El Camino Atascadero, CA 93422 Phone: (805) 466-3121 Open Monday - Friday 7:30 - 5:30, Saturday 8 - 5

AmericanWestTire.com July 2018, COLONY Magazine

colonymagazine.com | 35