Morro Bay Life • July 2022

JULY 2022 • MORROBAYLIFENEWS.COM

S e r v i n g t h e C o m m u n i t i e s o f M o r r o B ay a n d C ay u c o s

Happy

4th of July

Cayucos Parade & Fireworks See Calendar on Page 11

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

OPINION

PAGE 6

PAGE 7

PAGE 8

REJECTS ZONING CHANGE

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HIGH USE OF TOXIC MATERIALS

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2 • July 2022 • Morro Bay Life

Making Communities Better Through Print™

SUMMER of

Independence

Publishers

Hayley & Nicholas Mattson hayley@13starsmedia.com

N

ow that the warmer temperatures are here, there is no better place to spend the summer than attending all the events. From concerts, wine festivals, summer activities (see page 6), eating late dinners outdoors, long days at the beach filled with visitors from near and far, and at the end of the month, the California Mid-State Fair. A summer of sweet independence.

We start the month of July planning and preparing for our 4th of July activities and BBQs. Getting together with family and friends to celebrate our independence is a summertime staple.

But how much do we actually know (and remember learning) about July 4, 1776. It is important to look back and understand what the founding fathers went through, what they sacrificed, and what our freedom actually means. No matter your political views, we are all here because of that day 246 years ago; now, what we do from here is up to us.

We wish a warm congratulations to the Morro Bay High School graduat-

COPY EDITOR Michael Chaldu

LAYOUT DESIGN Neil Schumaker

Community Writer Camille DeVaul Christianna Marks

AD DESIGN

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Administrator

Cami Martin office@13starsmedia.com

CONTRIBUTORS Barbie Butz

John Salisbury Neil Farrell

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We hope you enjoy this month's issue of Morro Bay Life.

Hayley & Nic

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morro bay life is published monthly. all rights reserved, material may not be reprinted without written consent from the publisher. morro bay life made every effort to maintain the accuracy of information presented in this publication, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. morro bay life is a publication of 13 stars media.

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ing class of 2022! (see page 7) A class that went through a “normal” freshman year that turned into anything but the following three years. This year’s class was the first class to participate in a full graduation ceremony after two years due to covid-19 restrictions, and the joy and excitement you could see in their faces was heartwarming. We wish them all the very best in their life adventures.

Little by little, we are seeing life’s usual routines return, and on a warm June day now turning into July on the beach, you would never know that our world is so divided. We live in such a special part of the world, and our community is so unique, and it is important that we all do our part to keep it that way.

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Morro Bay Life • July 2022 • 3

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congratulations Putting a Spotlight on Businesses The Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce is putting a spotlight on local businesses! Spotlight Businesses are nominated and selected by fellow business owners in Morro Bay as a standout business with exceptional ownership.

Business spotlights recognize Chamber member businesses that provide a consistent, positive customer experience, are actively engaged in the community and demonstrate resilience during challenging times.

If you know of a business or non-profit that deserves a spotlight, please send your nomination to our Ambassador’s Committee for review by emailing Lynsey Hansen at lynsey@morrochamber.org.

Please help us CONGRATULATE these businesses on their spotlight award by visiting their establishments, purchasing their products or services, and leaving good reviews online.

VOLUNTEER POWER: SUPPORTING OUR MEMBERS 365 DAYS A YEAR Did you know that the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce engages with 33 local business owners three times per month via its Board and committees? Chamber staff is consistently astounded when we tally up the hours spent by our dedicated and talented volunteer leaders.

Nearly 100 cumulative hours of expertise, experience and commitment are donated each month!

Our 14-member Governmental Affairs Committee may spend one month evaluating development impact fees, the next water supply and infrastructure needs, and the next economic impacts of offshore wind or the proposed marine sanctuary on our commercial fishing fleet. Our 7-member (and growing!) Ambassador Committee not only spends one hour together per month making sure that all the new businesses that are opening in town know that there’s a whole Chamber rooting for their success, but they also spend their donated time at a mixer or a breakfast making sure that new faces feel welcome and connected. The 12-member Board of Directors consider probusiness policy positions on behalf of our members and set strategic direction for the Chamber as a business run by professional staff - who are themselves residents of Morro Bay. .

While the Chamber does produce two major fundraising events each year, the Annual Gala in winter and the Avocado and Margarita Food and Drink Festival in late summer, it’s the work we do day-in-and-day-out on behalf of our members that intends to create an economy of opportunity for Morro Bay 365 days a year.

CITY + COMMUNITY + CHAMBER + BUSINESSES

NOW MORE THAN EVER.

TOGETHER.

The Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce is Here for You and Your Business. Now More Than Ever.

The Chamber has been a champion for the business community from day one and will continue to be a primary resource for information and support during and after this crisis. The Chamber gives businesses a seat at the table not only with local government but also with State policy makers. The Chamber advocates on behalf of businesses and leverages their wide network of leaders and stakeholders for positive outcomes.

Along with many others that have been impacted by COVID-19, the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce has lost major sources of revenue.

Now, more than ever, our business community needs your commitment. Show your support by being a member of the Chamber.

If you are interested in learning more about getting involved with the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce as a committee or Board member in the future, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Email Erica at erica@morrochamber.org.

JOIN, RENEW OR UPGRADE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY! INFO@MORROCHAMBER.ORG

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or our website morrochamber.org. For more information contact Lynsey Hansen, Membership Director at lynsey@morrochamber.org

4 • July 2022 • Morro Bay Life

Making Communities Better Through Print™

HARBOR

Yaquina — Taming a Dangerous Bar

Army Corps of Engineers’ dredge ship recently made annual appearance in Morro Bay

By NEIL FARRELL for Morro Bay Life

MORRO BAY — The Army Corps of Engineers’ dredge ship Yaquina recently made her annual appearance in Morro Bay to re-dig the Harbor Entrance Channel and tame the wild waves of a dangerous bar.

Harbor Director Eric Endersby said the ship was in town this year to conduct 22 1/2 days of work on a budget of $2.8 million. The Yaquina is charged with maintaining the safe depth of the harbor entrance as part of a regular maintenance program.

The ACOE designed and built the harbor entrance in the late 1930s and early 40’s, blasting a million tons off the Rock and building jetties here and up and down the West Coast. ACOE built a causeway out to Morro Rock that is now Coleman Drive, as well as the modern Embarcadero, which used to be a tidal mudflat. Morro Rock used to be an island before the ACOE got ahold of it.

But the harbor entrance proved dangerous in big swells, so ACOE years ago designed a fix — after model-

The Army Corps of Engineers’ dredge ship, Yaquina out of Portland, sits docked in Morro Bay, taking on fuel during her annual entrance channel work. Photo by Neil Farrell

ing the seafloor and predicting the size of potential storm surf breaking across the entrance.

Those waves at times reach over 20-feet high, and Morro Bay is recognized as one of the most dangerous harbor entrances on the U.S. West Coast. They determined that a 40-foot depth would stop most breakers across the harbor mouth, and every year they come back to re-dig to that depth.

Endersby said this year’s job doesn’t appear to have been affected by recordhigh fuel costs. “This year,” he said, “they had 22.5 days of digging, which is about what we get every year. We

did not get shorted because of fuel costs. The 22.5 days is based on both adequate funding, of course, but also what they can squeeze into the boat’s schedule because they are all over the place.”

The Yaquina dug mainly at the entrance, but Endersby said they also came into the entrance channel to about Target Rock to clean out a few spots near the groin jetty at the end of the Sandspit, which can get heavy shoaling and threaten to pinch into the boat channel.

The Yaquina, home ported in Portland, Ore., is part of the ACOE’s Port-

land District. Launched in August 1980, Yaquina was designed by the ACOE and built in the late 1970s at the Norfolk Shipbuilding and Drydock Corp., in Norfolk, Va., according to the ship’s Wikipedia Page.

The initial price tag was $13.9 million and Yaquina was the first new dredge built by the U.S. in 13 years after Congress in 1967 placed a moratorium on new dredge ships in a failed attempt to provide private dredging companies some business.

Yaquina is 200 feet long, with a 59-foot beam. She drafts 9 feet when empty, but 18 feet when full and has a

gross tonnage of 2,001. She’s powered by two MTU 8V 4000 M60 Diesel engines, providing 1,140 horsepower each, with a top speed of 10.5 knots (12 mph).

The ship’s complement is 20, and she has two crews that alternate duty (a total of 40 crewmembers). Yaquina has a full-service restaurant inside the galley to feed the crew and is completely self-sufficient.

She holds so much fuel that a double tanker truck comes in to fill her up at the fuel dock, where Yaquina towers over the waterfront.

Her hopper can hold up to 1,042cubic yards of dredging spoils, which are emptied in a designated area off the Sandspit about a mile or so south of the harbor entrance.

She dredges the bottom via two extendable arms and has enough suction power to suck up a bowling ball that is bigger than the diameter of the pipes.

Her main duties are to maintain entrance bars, rivers, and harbors in Washington, Oregon, and California, and Morro Bay is about as far south as she normally goes.

Every year, Morro Bay officials travel to the California Marine Affairs and Navigation Conference or C-MANC, where ACOE officials are lobbied for money to keep the entrance channel dredged and safe for boaters.

AUCTION SALE

D.A.’s Auction of Ill-Gotten Gains Net $115,000 for Victim Items were seized in a major embezzlement case out of Atascadero

By NEIL FARRELL for Morro Bay Life SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — The proverbial auctioneer’s gavel has dropped and the receipts are in, in the San Luis Obispo District Attorney Office’s first attempt at using online auctions to help a crime victim get restitution.

The D.A.’s Office announced on June 17 that the auction of items seized in a major embezzlement case out of Atascadero netted $115,400 for the victim.

“The District Attorney ’s Office,” reads a news release, “secured the services of SLOCAL Estate Auctions, Inc., based in Morro Bay to auction jewelry, watches, sports memorabilia, designer shoes, handbags, artwork, and other items seized as evidence during the criminal investigation.” It was the first time that the D.A.’s Office has done an auction to help raise restitution for a victim.

That case involved the arrest of Joy Noel Wilde, 44, of Atascadero for embezzling some $870,000 over a three-year span from her employer, Greg Wiemann

This autographed jersey of San Francisco 49ers Hall of Famer Jerry Rice was among the items sold in an online auction of items purchased with embezzled funds. Contributed photos

Construction. Wilde was the company’s bookkeeper.

Wilde was convicted of numerous felonies and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

“At the sentencing hearing,” the D.A.’s Office said, “San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Jesse Marino highlighted the ‘outrageously large amount of money’ taken by Ms. Wilde and concluded that the decade-long prison sentence was warranted ‘due to its sheer volume.’”

Wilde was also ordered to pay $877,123 in restitution. After her sentencing, Wilde reportedly signed over her ill-gotten gains to the district attorney to be sold to help pay down her restitution bill.

The victims were first allowed to peruse the numerous luxury items she

This diamond necklace was among the items sold in the SLO County D.A.’s Office’s online auction of items purchased with embezzled funds. Contributed photos

bought with their money, and keep whatever they wanted. Court documents show they kept a few items, but sent most of it off to auction.

The items were appraised for current value, which could be compared on many of the more expensive things because Wilde kept sales receipts and certificates of authenticity for the collectibles, which the Sheriff ’s Department found in a search of her home. Several of the most expensive pieces of jewelry had appreciated considerably.

The D.A.’s release said Wilde, “had purchased many items using her ill-gotten gains including jewelry, watches, sports memorabilia, designer shoes, handbags and artwork. None of the items

themselves were stolen, but the items were purchased with stolen funds.”

No charges are being sought against the stores that made the sales.

The auction take will be added to the value of the items the victim kept, and

then subtracted from the restitution order. She is still responsible for the remainder. Among the more interesting items that were sold: A platinum, couture bracelet, with 11.5 carats of cushion cut and emerald cut diamonds (original price $104,000) sold for $63,000; An 18-carat white gold, 2.37-carat weight diamond and 48-carat Tanzanite “Crown of Light” necklace (purchase price $85,067), sold for $27,000; A HUBLOT 90-facet cushion cut 0.5-carat “Crown of Light Diamond Big Bang Aero” watch, and case ($43,450) sold for $8,000; An autographed jersey signed by San Francisco 49ers Hall of Famer Jerry Rice sold for $457; An electric guitar signed by country music star Keith Urban during his Graffiti U World Tour in 2018 with a

guitar bag sold for $1,020; A signed and framed, limited edition tour poster for the KISS “End of the Road World Tour” at The Forum, autographed by the band, sold for $630; and, A pair of Christian Louboutin, snakeskin and suede high heels, made in Italy, sold for $300.

District Attorney Dan Dow was apparently pleased with the sale.

“Embezzlement crimes are significant at several levels,” he said. “In addition to the financial devastation that large scale thefts can wreak on a business, is the very personal impact realized when a longterm employee in a position of confidence violates that trust. The $115,540 in auction proceeds is a significant step to offset the substantial financial loss inflicted by Ms. Wilde.”

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6 • July 2022 • Morro Bay Life

Making Communities Better Through Print™

CITY PLANNING

Planning Commission Rejects Zoning Change Proposed amendment would have turned small subdivision to high-density, multifamily status

By NEIL FARRELL for Morro Bay Life MORRO BAY — The Morro Bay Planning Commission rejected a proposal to change the zoning on a small subdivision that would potentially make it into a huge multi-family development sitting adjacent to Highway 1.

Called the Seashell Cove Residential Project General Plan Amendment/Local Coastal Plan Land Use Plan Amendment and Rezone, the proposal would change the zoning on an existing 4.7-acre, 10-lot subdivision from single-family to high-density multi-family zoning, and increase the allowable density from four dwelling units per acre (17 total) to 27 units per acre or a total of about 126 units.

John Hinchey of Steiner Development Inc., out of Merced, is the applicant and the architect is Christine Lim with Golden Valley Engineering & Survey, also out of Merced.

Normally, such requests would come along with an actual proposed development, but the planning staff said, “No development has been proposed at this time.”

City staff is still in the process of updating all of the various planning documents, which have to get Coastal Commission approval too.

Among those documents is the City Zoning Ordinance, which they are reworking for eventual submission to the Coastal Commission.

They apparently saw this project coming.

“In anticipation of the proposed land use map amendment request,” the report said, “and to be consis-

This is an aerial view of the Seashell Estates Subdivision, which is the subject of an attempt to change the zoning from singlefamily residential to high-density multi-family. The change would increase the allowable density from four units per acre (4 acres total) to 27 per acre. Contributed photos

tent with the proposed land use, the draft zoning map has been updated to reflect the corresponding designation changing from RL [Low Density Residential] to RH [High Density Residential] zoning. The current zoning code designation for this site is R-A/PD [Suburban Residential] with a Planned Development overlay.”

That zoning was set in 2009 with the Seashell Estates Subdivision, as it was originally known. The idea was for the former Seashell Communities (now Casa de Flores), a retirement and elder care facility located next door to the subdivision

on Teresa Drive, to build homes for its staff (Casa de Flores is owned

by Dignity Health; and the subdivision is now owned by Seashell Estates LLC of Orange).

The property was divided into 10 lots ranging in size from 0.32 acres to 0.61 acres. Grading was completed and a steeply sloped driveway and utilities were put in, connecting the building pads and making the land ready to build. But then work on the project stopped.

The lots were eventually put up for sale, as the housing development never developed and the city said only one building permit was

ever pulled to build a home. That home never got built either, and that permit has now lapsed.

The Planning Department got some critical comments from residents prior to the meeting, most opposing the high density at such a visible property.

It should be noted that the city is building its new Water Reclamation Facility treatment plant just on the other side of a small hill from the subdivision. And while the new plant isn’t supposed to stink, the odor of its pending proximity could explain why no homes were ever built there.

It’s got a great view of the back of Black Mountain and overlooks the highway. It also has a peek-aboo view of Morro Rock, about 6 miles in the distance.

However, the staff was supportive of making the zoning change.

“Staff supports this request,” reads the report, “because it furthers development of housing options in the City and because it is consistent with City Council’s Housing Goal and more specifically with one of the Short-term Action items ‘Bring land use amendment forward for the Seashell estates property to increase density to 7 – 15 units per acre for a future multifamily housing project.’”

The Planning Commissioners didn’t agree.

“The PC,” Community Development Director Scot Graham told Morro Bay Life, “recommended to council the land-use change be accompanied by a project and not move forward as a standalone amendment.”

That would be the normal way that such developments are handled; however, with the zoning ordinance already being updated, making a change first is not so uncommon.

The Coastal Commission allows only a few plan amendments a year, and planners have often tried to piggyback potential projects into one large change to process.

So with the Planning Commission rejecting the zoning change, it will likely be taken to the City Council because the commission’s actions were merely a recommendation. The matter will of course have to gain Coastal Commission approval no matter what and it has usually frowned on “piece-meal” projects like this.

Morro Bay Life attempted to contact Hinchey for comment and to ask what his next move was going to be, but he did not respond before deadline.

COUNTY

Supervisors Approve Amendment to Emergency Groundwater Ordinance Proposed land use ordinance amendment for new Templeton housing development dies in deadlock

By CAMILLE DEVAUL for Morro Bay Life SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to a groundwater export ordinance that requires a permit to move water between groundwater basins within San Luis Obispo County.

The ordinance amending Chapter 8.95 of the San Luis Obispo County Code adds an exemption movement of groundwater through the emergency intertie between the Atascadero Mutual Water Company (AMWC) and County Service Area (CSA) No. 23 water systems in the event of a CSA 23 water supply emergency.

Currently, the ordinance requires a permit to transfer water between basins.

In 2016 the county installed a 2.5-mile pipeline intertie to move water from the AMWC to CSA No. 23 in Santa Margarita.

CSA 23 has been in a water alert status since April 2021.

District 4 Supervisor Debbie Arnold holds Atascadero and Santa Margarita within her district. She directed a question to county staff to elaborate on Santa Margarita’s reliability on groundwater.

“The town of Santa Margarita and the CSA 23 customers depend on the only one dependable well in Santa Margarita for their water in these drought years,” said Arnold. “It isn’t just this year that this intertie is an important piece of their water dependability, correct?”

Staff corroborated her statement, saying Santa Margarita is dependable solely on groundwater and the emergency intertie allows them to draw water from other basins.

Most of CSA 23 lies within the same basin as AMWC; however, two small areas lie outside of the basin, which would trigger the permit requirement, preventing a timely response to a

water emergency.

Additionally, Arnold clarified with staff that this amendment would only be used under specific emergency conditions. The board unanimously approved the amendment.

Supervisors also reviewed a request submitted by Mittry Farms Trust to authorize the processing of a land use ordinance amendment to application LRP2021-00006 to amend Planning Area Standards to include single-family dwellings as an allowable principal use on the project site (APN: 040-201-033).

The proposed site consists of 23 parcels with single-family homes on 10.2 acres. The project will be located on Highway 101 and the North Main Street interchange area in Templeton.

Specifically, Highway 101 sits to the west of and the SLO County Sheriff ’s Templeton Station to the north of the proposed project.

The proposed amendment would allow the development of single-family dwellings on the project site through Minor Use Permit or Conditional Use Permit approval.

District 4 Supervisor Lynn Compton recused

herself due to receiving a campaign contribution.

District 1 Supervisor John Peschong, whose district includes Templeton, expressed his support of approving the project, saying, “That end of Main Street has changed a lot since the residential properties built by Gary Grosman and his team, which is a great project. I think that this is the direction that end of Main Street in Templeton is going is in residential, so I am supportive of this.”

However, District 2 Supervisor Bruce Gibson opposed the approval, saying the nature of what they are being asked to authorize is not consistent with their housing policy and will not support affordable housing.

Ultimately, approval of the amendment died with a 2-2 vote, Arnold and Peschong voting yes.

Peschong then made a new motion to authorize the processing of a land use ordinance amendment application adding alternative development ideas to be presented.

The new motion passed with a 4-0 vote.

Morro Bay Life • July 2022 • 7

Making Communities Better Through Print™

CLASS OF 2022

Advice to MBHS Class of 2022 — ‘Be Kind’ Photos by Neil Farrell

By NEIL FARRELL for Morro Bay Life

M

orro Bay High School’s Class of 2022 was an accomplished group in academics, athletics, and in one member’s case—raw courage.

Thursday, June 9, some 228 seniors made the procession towards adulthood, two-by-two, some holding hands, with one enthusiastic fellow dancin’ down the track.

It was a somewhat subdued event for the kids, though parents, relatives, and friends enthusiastically called out the names of their graduates, and a few air horns blared a greeting as well.

Morro Bay High’s graduation ceremony this year was somewhat unusual and perhaps a bit unfamiliar after two years of no ceremonies due to the Coronavirus Pandemic response.

Normally, the audience hears speeches from a Salutatorian and a Valedictorian, but this year, saw the two honored boys sacrificing the spotlight in favor of a classmate, Emma Gragson, who spoke for them all, was chosen third in the honors voting, said Valedictorian was Liam Ditscheiner, and Salutatorian, Riley Logan. Morro Bay Life caught up to the boys in the gym before the ceremony.

A relative newcomer to The Estero Bay Area, Ditscheiner said he grew up in North Carolina. He splits his time between Los Osos and Morro Bay, he said, alternately staying with his mom and dad. The straight-A student said he likes to play video games and cards.

He said he is going to attend U.C. Santa Cruz and most likely study engineering, though he seemed a little unsure, as any high school graduate might be, about his future.

Ditscheiner said he wanted to thank his math teacher, Dave Furbee, for his excellent work. Mr. Furbee was named the San Luis Coastal School District’s ‘Teacher of the Year’ for 2022, an honor perhaps long overdue for the veteran teacher and coach.

“I’d also like to thank Mr. [Ryan] Mammarella,” he said, “for making English class enjoyable.”

He said he plans to work this summer; might take some summer classes; and “play disc golf.”

Salutatorian, Logan, who also wasn’t too disappointed at missing out on the speech making, said he’s lived in Los Osos his whole life. His main interests have been programming and math, and he too plans to go to UCSC in the fall and study applied mathematics. “It leads to engineering,” he said of his college path. “But it’s more theory than actual research.”

The boys gave up their spotlight moments in favor of Gragson, who they said really wanted to speak.

Her wish fulfilled, she told the audience and her fellow grads that she was honored and felt elation for their futures.

She acknowledged the “vast amount of hard work” they’ve all put in to get through the past three years.

She praised her fellows for getting through a most difficult few years of school. “You persevered through a worldwide pandemic,” she said. “And here you stand, loud and proud.”

She praised the class’s “friendly culture and attitude,” calling them “confident and sociable graduates.”

She encouraged, “each of us to be

extraordinary and make an impact on the world,” but “The best chance we have is to be kind.”

She urged the graduates to “Continue to do what MBHS does for us. Strive to be kind and to have empathy.”

She then turned her back to the crowd, held up an iPhone, and said, “Now it’s time for one last selfie.”

First year Principal Scott Schalde addressed the class and said, “This class is fantastic.”

He noted that in the early 2000s, he was a teacher at MBHS and now has returned as the new Principal this year.

He praised the voters and the school board for the amazing improvements and new facilities, but “It’s the students that the make our school special.”

Indeed the school, built-in 1959, has been undergoing a transformation with the Measure D bond monies, which includes a new all-weather track and field area, new STEAM Labs, a new administration building, a new auto shop, theater, a completely remodeled front entrance of the school, and a wonderfully redone interior quad, among other ongoing projects.

Superintendent Dr. Eric Prater also spoke to the students before conveying their official graduation status. He told them to “Look ahead and focus on things that matter.” He quoted Socrates, asking, “Where are you from? Who are you? Where are you going?”

A highlight of the ceremony was a fantastic rendition of the ‘Star Spangled Banner,’ sung by Anastasia Dilworth, whose strong, clear, almost operatic voice echoed throughout the football stadium where the ceremony was held.

And in both the processional and the handing out of the diplomas, one student stood out with his enthusiasm was Malcom McGregor, who danced and pranced on stage, finally settling down long enough to take a wonderful photo with Mr. Schalde, one for the picture books.

As for the class’ accomplishments, Principal Schalde said that the class of 228 students, which is a little larger than usual for MBHS, had many accomplishments worth noting.

The class as a whole earned over $171,000 in college scholarships, he said.

More than 70 students posted grade point averages of 4.0 (straight A’s) or better. Some 147 of the students plan to attend a community college, with “many of these students having been accepted to universities, but making the best decision, financially and personally, for themselves,” he said.

Sixty-seven are enrolling in 4-year universities, and it’s quite an impressive list of schools. Schools they will attend, he said, include “San Diego State, San Francisco State, Long Beach State, Sonoma State, Cal Berkeley, UCLA, Northeastern, Gonzaga, University of Michigan, University of Alabama, Montana State University, Arizona State University, California Lutheran University, Oregon State University, Pacific University, UC Santa Cruz, UC Santa Barbara, Saint Mary’s College, Azusa Pacific University and, of course, Cal Poly SLO.” Eleven of the student-athletes have signed on to play sports in college, Mr. Schalde said, “including five at the Division 1 level.”

And “One of our students has made the courageous decision to serve our country in the United States Army.”

Congratulations to the Class of 2022.

Anastasia Dilworth performed a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem at graduation.

Braedon Barragon, right, smiles with Principal Scott Schalde as he receives his diploma.

Honored speaker, Emma Gragson, delivers her graduation speech, encouraging her fellow graduates to ‘Be Kind.’ Contributed photos

Atziri Franco and Sierra Giaciolli march during the Graduation Processional.

Danaelle Suarez Gonzalez (left) and Pamela Serna held hands for support during the procession.

MBHS 2022 graduate Dot Nickel flashed a broad smile at graduation.

The happiest man at graduation, Malcom McGregor (right), accepts his diploma from Principal Scott Schalde.

District Superintendent, Dr. Eric Prater, left, and Principal Scott Schalde welcome the students to graduation.

Sophie Graves was among the 228 graduates of the Class of 2022.

Malcom McGregor did a little dance during the processional at graduation.

Reese Tartaglia waves to well wishers at the 2022 graduation.

Yuan Carlo Ballesteros, right, accepts his diploma from Principal Scott Schalde.

8 • July 2022 • Morro Bay Life

Making Communities Better Through Print™

COMMENTARY

Just the Facts Cont.

PART 2: High use of toxic, non-recyclable chemicals and minerals

month, solar panels also have toxic elements in the processing of the panels. Changing silicate into silicon needs processing with hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrogen fluoride, trichloroethane, and acetone. Plus, they also need gallium, arsenide, copper-indium-gallium-diselenide, and cadmium-telluride, which are most highly toxic.

Silicon dust is a toxic hazard for the workers JOHN SALISBURY GUEST COLUMNIST in the plants, and, again, there are products in the panels that can not be recycled yet, so off to long with the high use of toxic non-re- the dump they go along with the batteries. Solar cyclable chemicals and minerals in panels are now being made to have a useful life ZEV half-ton batteries presented last of about 25 years, and then they start losing efficiency. With the recent boom in the last couple of decades, we have a bunch coming offline and need to be replaced.

China supplies 80 percent of the world’s solar panels relying on coal-powered electricity to produce them. Our tariff war with them is severely curtailing deliveries. So installing solar panels to reduce emissions, how long using them on your roof before being truly emission-free after all the embedded costs of the coal, silicon, and other scarce rare earth metals to be dug, hauled to processing sites, processed, shipped overseas, stored, and hauled around the states to be installed using on the most part non-renewable energy? Then have to start all over again in 25 years and shell out another 15 grand for a home or, worst yet, massive solar farms. We installed solar panels in the mid-’70s on our Call for your carpet ,upholstery, home on an island in the Sacramento River tile & linoleum cleaning today!

Delta for $8,000 with 50-years-ago money. They were big thick heavy panels that never really worked well, especially when needed during our cold heavy tule fog season that would last for weeks. We have solar on our roof here in San Luis Obispo going on five years recouping the installation cost from the power price saving and in another four years might break even. However, PG&E wants to charge us a new hefty user fee plus cut back on what they pay us for our extra produced energy going to the grid.

According to Nate Berg in Green Biz, solar panels are hard to recycle because they are made of many different materials, many hazardous, that are put together with adhesives and sealants that make it hard to break them apart (de-manufacture). Besides, 75 percent of the stuff that gets separated is glass and not worth much, which is a disincentive to mess around with recycling. Companies are trying to figure out ways to come up with an economical way ERIC HOLT to recycle some of the material, mainly reuse Servicing SLO County of the glass into new panels. But with big solar farms, more rooftop installations, and mandates, for over 20 Years! there is going to be a whole lot more in the next few decades to handle, which means increased (805) 772-5263 dump disposal. e.holt4444@gmail.com Windmills are also problematic and we have

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a big project offshore from Morro Bay being proposed amid concerns about the potential negative impacts on fishes, marine mammals, invertebrates, birds, and bats from collision, habitat displacement, and exposure to electromagnetic fields, visual pollution, and underwater noise confusing migrating whales and fish species passing along our coast.

Windmills are probably the worst of the technologies because of the embedded cost and environmental destruction. Each large windmill weighs around 1,700 tons (23 average homes).

They contain 1,300 tons of concrete, 295 tons of steel, 48 tons of iron, and 24 tons of fiberglass, plus hard-to-dig-and-process rare earth neodymium, praseodymium, and dysprosium.

The three blades each weigh 81,000 pounds, the width of a football field. The turbine has over 8,000 parts, and has a life span of 15 to 20 years, then needs to be replaced. These huge used fiberglass blades also cannot be efficiently recycled, and are expensive to transport by diesel trucks to the dump. Each windmill holds 700 gallons (2.5 tons) of oil and hydraulic fluid and, like a car, needs to be replaced every nine to 16 months. Say what — oil to produce wind electricity?

It is a sad fact, and not much is reported, that an estimated 1.2 million birds and bats are killed every year by wind turbines in the United States. Most big wind farms, and the same for big solar projects, are located far away from the power grid and require new power lines. These new lines will add to the estimated (2014 study) of the astounding 25.5 million birds killed by collisions with the power lines and another 5.6 million killed by electrocutions. Then there is the problem of landowners, cities, and other stakeholders not wanting large powerlines passing through or over their properties which is holding up many new projects. Build it, but how in the heck are you going to get the energy to where it is needed.

Wind power is a direct threat to raptors (hawks, eagles, falcons, owls, and vultures) — many already endangered — and also other large birds, such as geese, ducks, swans, and cranes. I have a friend who leased out his grazing land for a large windmill farm on Highway 12, between Fairfield and Rio Vista, and he has told me the carnage of birds killed daily on his ranch is horrible. Bats, a farmer’s friend because of the numerous insects they devour, are particularly drawn and killed by the windmills: The swishing sound makes them become disoriented, they chase insects that are also attracted to the windmills, and use them as places to roost and mate, among several other reasons. It is also believed bats are killed by barotrauma, which is a type of decompression from the rapid air depression reduction near the blades. Bats have large and

pliable lungs, which are overly expanded and exposed by the sudden drop in pressure causing them, I suppose, to explode. This does not happen to birds that have compact and rigid lungs that do not expand.

If you want windmills in San Luis Obispo County, how about the Los Oso Valley road corridor from Morro Bay to Tank Farm Road, perhaps Morro Bay to the Men’s Colony on Highway 1, and the whole coastline from Montana del Oro to the Diablo Canyon Power Plant and while at it, throw in all the needed power lines? Perfect places for them. I am not completely against big solar farms, ZEV batteries, and windmills but I just don’t think in the present form they going to be sustainable in the long run because of their embedded costs, damage to the environment, earth’s crust, wildlife, and materials either in short supply or controlled by offshore countries that are not our friends. Throw in cheap convict labor in China and child labor in some of the countries like the Congo where kids are pulled out of school, many barefooted, to work the toxic cobalt mines where 69 percent of it comes from for ZEV batteries for $1.60 per day, six days a week and 10 hours a day (not even a “Hamilton”) where too many become sick, die, and doomed to a horrible life.

Oh well, out of sight out of mind, like the large solar farms and ocean windmills.

It is just green energy transference away from our plentiful fossil fuels, which now surely could be beneficial in so many ways if allowed to increase production here. It is needed now with Russia shutting off pipelines to Europe and other countries, our present administration canceling offshore lease sales and needed almost-finished pipelines, unsuccessfully begging the Saudis and other OPEC countries for more fuel, and impossible to meet one-man federal and state mandates especially since just a few years ago we were energy independent and an exporter. Green energy is not ready for “prime time”, so let’s use more of what we can produce here while transitioning to “green” and put more energy into developing safer environmentally homegrown new sustainable power sources. Next month, new game-changing ideas for homegrown energy.

If I am mad, Willie, and everyone thinks I am, then I’ve the right to tilt at the odd windmill or two.”

— Ian Macintosh, “The Sandbaggers”

Morro Bay Life • July 2022 • 9

Making Communities Better Through Print™

TASTE OF AMERICANA

Flag-Raising Mixed-Berry Potpies for the 4th BARBIE BUTZ Commentary

I

love July, don’t you? I love Independence Day and all it stands for. I love the parades, the fireworks, and the meaning of the 4th of July.

We are fortunate, in this area, to have beautiful fruits available in our markets. Fresh berries give us the opportunity to make jams and jellies we can serve in winter. We can bake cobblers and pies to eat now or freeze to serve later on.

The following recipe would be perfect to serve on the 4th of July. Bake the potpies in red ramekins if you have them. Sometimes you can find them at the dollar stores. Decorate each pie with a small American flag.

Flag-Raising Mixed-Berry Potpies

Ingredients: 1 recipe Cream Cheese Pastry Fruit: 6 cups mixed berries such as blueberries, blackberries, and red raspberries, picked over for stems 1 to 11⁄4 cups granulated sugar, depending on sweetness of berries 3 tablespoons cornstarch 4 teaspoons quick-cooking (instant) tapioca 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated if possible) 1/8 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons heavy cream 2 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 6 slices Granulated sugar for sprinkling

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or biscuit cutter, cut circles that are just a bit larger than the diameter of ramekins. Place a pastry circle on top of each fruit-filled ramekin and gently press pastry into ramekin around edges. Roll out second dough disk and repeat process.

With pastry brush, apply light coating of water to pastry on ramekins. Sprinkle some sugar over top. Make 2 slits in center of each pastry to allow for steam to escape.

Bake potpies until pastry is golden and fruit Directions: is bubbly, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to wire rack Make the pastry as directed in recipe for to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Cream Cheese Pastry. Divide dough in half, Filling will thicken as it cools. and shape each half into a 5-inch disk about 3⁄4 inch thick. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate Cream Cheese Pastry until firm, about 4 hours.

Ingredients: 2 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour Center rack in oven and preheat to 375 2 tablespoons granulated sugar degrees. Place six 1-cup ramekins or custard 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest cups (about 4 inches in diameter) on large 1⁄4 teaspoon salt rimmed baking sheet.

In large bowl, gently toss berries, sugar, 8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut in cornstarch, tapioca, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. 1/4-inch slices Divide fruit mixture evenly among ramekins.

6 ounces cold cream cheese, cut into small Spoon 1 teaspoon of cream over fruit in each cubes ramekin, and top with small pat of butter.

Directions: On lightly floured work surface, roll out 1 disk of dough. Using a 4 1⁄2 -inch round cookie In food processor, combine flour, sugar,

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lemon zest, and salt. Pulse 3 or 4 times. Scatter butter over flour mixture. Pulse until mixture is consistency of cornmeal. Scatter cream cheese over mixture and pulse until ingredients form a ball.

Divide dough in half and follow directions in recipe for potpies. Dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Enjoy these little potpies any time!

Cheers!

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10 • July 2022 • Morro Bay Life

Making Communities Better Through Print™

AMERICAN HISTORY

July 4, 1776, America’s Independence Day

By HAYLEY MATTSON for Morro Bay Life

E

ach year as we head into summer, we look forward to celebrating the Fourth of July, America’s Independence Day, with friends and family. Here in San Luis Obispo County, we have so many options to celebrate the day, from BBQs and camps on the beaches, annual parades, concerts in the parks, and, of course, fireworks.

Our day is filled with laughter, joy, and lots of sunshine, and at the end of the day, we take a moment to remember why we are all celebrating and why we love America, the home of the red, white, and blue.

The Fourth of July traditions of Independence Day celebrations go back to the 18th century and the American Revolution.

Amid the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence on July 2, 1776. Two days later, delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historical document like none other drafted by Thomas Jefferson that would shape the nation we are today.

The Revolutionary War began in 1775, arising from growing tensions between residents of Great Britain’s 13 North American colonies and the colonial government, which represented the British crown. Tension between British troops and colonial militiamen in Lexington and Concord in April 1775 ignited the armed conflict. By the following summer, the rebels were waging a full-scale war for their independence.

France entered the American Revolution on the side of the Americans in 1778, turning what had essentially been a civil war into an international conflict. After French assistance helped the Continental Army force the British to surrender at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781, the Ameri-

cans effectively won their independence, although fighting did not formally end until 1783.

The strained relationship between Americans and the British authorities began more than a decade before the outbreak of the American Revolution.

The French and Indian War, or Seven Years’ War (1756-1763), brought new territories under the crown’s power, but the expensive conflict led to new and unpopular taxes. Attempts by the British government to raise revenue by taxing the colonies — notably the Stamp Act of 1765, the Townshend Acts of 1767, and the Tea Act of 1773 — were met with heated protest among the colonists, who resented their lack of representation in Parliament and demanded the same rights as other British subjects.

In response, a group of colonial delegates (including George Washington of Virginia, John and Samuel Adams of Massachusetts, Patrick Henry of Virginia, and John Jay of New York) met in Philadelphia in September 1774 to voice their grievances against the British crown.

This First Continental Congress did not go so far as to demand independence from Britain; however, it denounced taxation without representation, as well as the maintenance of the British army in the colonies without their consent. In addition, it issued a declaration of every citizen’s rights, including life, liberty, property, assembly, and trial by jury. The Continental Congress voted to meet again in May 1775 to consider further action, but by that time, violence had already broken out.

On the night of April 18, 1775, hundreds of British troops marched from Boston to nearby Concord, Massachusetts, in order to seize an arms cache. Paul Revere and other riders sounded the alarm, and colonial militiamen began mobilizing to intercept the Redcoats. On April 19, local militiamen clashed with British soldiers in the

Battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts, marking the “shot heard round the world” that signified the start of the Revolutionary War. When the initial battles in the Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, few colonists desired complete independence from Great Britain, and those who did were considered radical.

By the middle of the following year, however, many additional colonists had come to favor independence, thanks to growing hostility against Britain and the spread of revolutionary sentiments such as those expressed in the bestselling pamphlet “Common Sense,” published by Thomas Paine in early 1776.

“Common Sense” was a pamphlet stating the argument in favor of American independence. Pamphlets were an important medium for spreading ideas and information in the 16th through 19th centuries. “Common Sense” played a remarkable role in transforming a colonial squabble into the American Revolution.

On July 4, 1776, the 13 colonies claimed their independence from England, an event that eventually led to the formation of the United States of America. In a June 7 session in the Pennsylvania State House (later known as Independence Hall), Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented a resolution with the famous words: “Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”

The 13 colonies included New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. It was those colonies that came together to form the United States of America.

Though the movement for American inde-

HISTORY

America The Beautiful:

“America the Beautiful ” Lyrics of the song written by Katharine Lee Bates

c. 1880-1890 Photo Courtesy Schlesinger Library

“America the Beautiful” first appeared in print in the weekly journal The Congregationalist on July 4, 1895.

“A

merica the Beautiful” first appeared in print in the weekly journal The Congregationalist on July 4, 1895.

In the summer of 1893, Katharine Lee Bates took the trip that would inspire her bestknown work. She traveled west to teach English for a few weeks at the Colorado Summer School in Colorado Springs. One day

she joined a group of teachers for a trip by wagon and mule up Pikes Peak, a summit in the Rocky Mountains. When they reached the top, joy at the beauty of the landscape replaced Bates’s exhaustion. Back at her hotel, she wrote the first draft of the poem that would become “America the Beautiful.”

Who was Katharine Lee Bates?

Katharine Lee Bates was born on August 12, 1859, in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Moving to Wellesley as a young child, she attended Wellesley high school and graduated in 1874. Katharine continued her education at Newton High school and then

entered Wellesley College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wellesley College in 1880. From 1880 to 1925, Bates taught at Wellesley College as a professor of English Literature. She also studied at Oxford and earned a master’s degree in arts from Wellesley.

Bates was a noted scholar, poet, and writer. She was a prolific author publishing many volumes of poetry, books on her travels to Europe and the Middle East, and stories, verses, and plays for children. She also published several books on Shakespeare and pre-Shakespearean English Religious drama.

Bates shared a home for almost

pendence effectively triumphed at the Battle of Yorktown, contemporary observers did not see that as a decisive victory yet. British forces remained stationed around Charleston, and the powerful main army still resided in New York.

Though neither side would take decisive action over the better part of the next two years, the British removal of their troops from Charleston and Savannah in late 1782 finally pointed to the end of the conflict. British and American negotiators in Paris signed preliminary peace terms in Paris late that November, and on September 3, 1783, Great Britain formally recognized the independence of the United States in the Treaty of Paris. At the same time, Britain signed separate peace treaties with France and Spain (which had entered the conflict in 1779), bringing the American Revolution to a close after eight long years.

After the Revolutionary War, Americans continued to commemorate Independence Day every year in celebrations that allowed the new nation’s emerging political leaders to address citizens and create a feeling of unity. By the last decade of the 18th century, the two major political parties—the Federalist Party and Democratic-Republicans—that had arisen began holding separate Fourth of July celebrations in many large cities.

As we look back on our history, we as Americans continue to fight for our independent freedoms. As history shows, we evolve, grow, and become better. At times, however, we can regress and move backward.

As we celebrate our independence and that of our nation, we take a moment to reflect on what each of us can do to ensure our freedom continues for the next generation and what we are doing today to preserve it.

We wish you a very safe and meaningful Independence Day.

three decades with her friend, fellow academic and social reformer Katharine Coman.

Bates never married and had no children. In 1925, Bates retired and spent the remaining years in Wellesley. Bates died on March 28, 1929.

Katherine Lee Bates was inducted into the Songwriter Hall of Fame in 1970.

Bates remarked on the immediate and lasting success of the song, stating, “That the hymn has gained, in these twenty-odd years, such a hold as it has upon our people, is clearly due to the fact that Americans are at heart idealists, with a fundamental faith in human brotherhood.”

O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet Whose stern impassioned stress A thoroughfare of freedom beat Across the wilderness!

America! America!

God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife.

Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life!

America! America!

May God thy gold refine Till all success be nobleness And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!

Morro Bay Life • July 2022 • 11

Making Communities Better Through Print™

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SUBMIT UPCOMING EVENTS TO: office@13starsmedia.com

ALL EVENTS AND DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CALL AHEAD OR CHECK ONLINE FOR MORE DETAILS.

4th of July Events

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Mon

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July 2022 Cayucos Fireworks CAYUCOS

Sand Sculpture contest. Arrive 4 am-5 am followed by Town Parade, 10 am-6 pm Front Street Faire shopping and food vendors, Lions Club BBQ, and 9pm Fireworks at the pier! No tickets necessary.

4th Annual Colony Days Bluegrass Freedom Festival 2-8pm Admission is free, and there will be food, beer, and wine available for purchase, bring your low-back lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the show!

Cont.

All Day, Fireworks at Dusk The City of Pismo Beach is excited to welcome Pismo Beach residents and visitors back to the July 4th Celebration! For more info, visit experiencepismobeach.com

8:30-11am Start the 4th of July off with delicious pancakes; all proceeds will go towards the operations and maintenance of the Avila Beach Community Center.

Aquatics Program MORRO BAY HIGH SCHOOL

AVILA BEACH PROMENADE

Point San Luis Summer Concert Series

3:30-9pm Join in for fun, sweat, and cheers for a track and field event for everyone!

• July 13, 20 & 27th

16

sat

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11 am Check out all the pups dressed for the 4th walking in the parade

Summer Concert Series ATASCADERO LAKE PARK

Recreation swim offered ($5); participants under For more info and to purchase tickets, visit 18 years must be signed in by a legal parent pointsanluislighthouse.org or guardian, 14 years and younger must have Band Line Up Includes: continued supervision by a parent or guardian.

• July 9: Upside Ska The water temperature is approximately 78-80 degrees. Pool is 25-yards by 35-meters. For more • July 23: Tipsy Gypsies information visit morrobayca.gov/1019/Aquatics

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ATASCADERO HIGH SCHOOL MEMORIAL STADIUM

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AVILA BEACH COMMUNITY CENTER

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23rd Annual Atascadero All Comers Track & Field

FRI

PISMO BEACH PIER

Avila Beach Doggie Parade

PT. SAN LUIS LIGHTHOUSE, AVILA BEACH

ATASCADERO LAKE PARK

JULY

Avila Beach Pancake Breakfast

Month of July

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Mon

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Pismo Beach July 4th Celebration

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6:30-8:30pm Band Line Up Includes: • July 2: The Rockin’ B’s Band • July 9: The Jump Jax • July 23: Ghost Monster • July 30: The Cinders Blues Band

wed

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Rock to Pier Run

Ice Cream Zoofari

California Mid State Fair

MORRO ROCK, MORRO BAY

CHARLES PADDOCK ZOO

PASO ROBLES EVENT CENTER

8am Join the 52nd running of the Brian Waterbury Memorial Rock to Pier Fun Run. For more info and tickets morro-bay.ca.us

5:30-8pm Head to the Zoo for a relaxing and delicious ice cream-filled event! Tickets are $15 for 12 yrs. and up; $11 for 3 to 11 yrs.; FREE to ages 2 and under.

See Schedule The California Mid State is back in full force; see daily schedule on page XX or visit midstatefair.com

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Steel Magnolias

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12 • July 2022 • Morro Bay Life

Making Communities Better Through Print™

Happy Independence Day! Thank you for serving our country and protecting our freedoms.

Today and every day I am grateful for your sacrifices.

Quote by Miranda Brown Photo by Tim Mossholder

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