Norma’s Alley: Archway Installed

Archway Installed Over Norma’s Way

By Camille DeVaul

After over two years in the making, an archway, created and designed by local artist Dale Evers, was installed over

Norma’s Alley on Pine and 12th Street on Tuesday, February 22.

Norma’s Alley is home to Norma Moye’s place of work, the Paso Robles Main Street Association. Norma, as Dale describes her, is “the stuff of folklore.” She has made her mark in the Paso

Robles community as the creator behind many annual events, including the Vine Street Christmas Victorian Showcase, and founder of the Paso

Robles Area Historical Society.

“I was totally surprised. I was blown away,” said Norma when talking about how much she loves her archway.

“The business community does owe her a debt of gratitude,” Dale said, “She has done so much downtown to become the kind of success it is.

She plays a silent role, but she does it.”

Originally, the archway was to be completed within six months. But due to COVID and other unforeseen issues, the archway was completed in just over two years. Dale says he also did not originally plan to add mosaic details to the project, but he says during its creation, the piece begged for mosaic. Being a mixed media artist, Dale gave the archway ornate details with iodized 18 | pasoroblesmagazine.com

and dichroic glass mosaic pieces.

Sitting atop the archway is a rooster, which Dale says he gets so many questions on. Simply put, Dale said roosters are pretty cool.

“People say why is it a rooster,” he said. “Why not? Tell me why not. I am more interested in why not a rooster than I am why a rooster.”

In addition to roosters being pretty cool to look at, they are also Norma’s Chinese Zodiac sign. People born in the year of the rooster tend to be sociable, accomplished, outspoken, and well dressed—all traits that Norma carries very well.

An acorn sits below the rooster as a nod to El Paso de Robles or “The Pass of the Oaks.” The spoon and fork on the arch represent the evolution of food being added to Norma’s Alley. The alley has become home to Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ and new wine bars in recent years.

Dale, a long-time artist and business owner in Paso Robles, proposed the archway project to Paso Robles Director of Community Development Warren Frace. The project was unanimously approved by City Council on December 3, 2020, and was privately funded by Hotel Cheval owners Robert and Sherry Gilson and local developer Nick Tompkins.

“I am very grateful to them,” says Dale, who was able to complete the project for a discounted rate using the donated funds.

Dale is looking to work with the city and local donors to bring more depth and art to downtown Paso Robles. He is especially excited to start on the plans proposed for Railroad Street.

In 2018 the City unveiled its plans for the Paso Railroad District. The district is mapped out for Railroad Street between 10th and 12th Street, behind the Park Cinemas Theater. Proposed projects in the area include an archway, historical murals, and unearthed railroad artifacts.

Visions for the Railroad Street archway are already brewing in Dale’s mind, “I just have to find out if the city can be as crazy as I am.”

Find more information on the Railroad District at prcity.com/755/Railroad-Street-Design-Plan.  Paso Robles Magazine | April 2022

Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce (PRCC) is playing catch up this year in announcing Patricia Bland as their 2020 Roblan of the Year. The chamber delayed their announcement because of COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean Pat is any less deserving of being recognized for her commitment to the Paso Robles community.

Patricia, known to the community as Pat, is one of those people who retired from her career yet, never stopped working. She has more energy than most, and her life mantra might be, “All things are possible — after hot yoga class.”

Her resume of community involvement includes some of Paso’s dearest organizations. She has been an active member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Central Coast, local Boy Scout Troop 60, Paso Robles Recreation

Foundation, Paso Robles Youth Arts, Swim Paso, and more. For over thirty years, Pat worked in finance for local banks, which she credits as her threshold for introducing her to working with the community.

Pat came to Paso Robles in the 1980s with her husband, Michael (Mike), who worked as a vineyard manager and winemaker for Ranchita

Oaks Winery. Mike, a fourth-generation Californian, grew up in Greenfield near Salinas. The two met while attending UC Davis in the ‘70s, both majoring in Ag Economics and Business Management. They married on

May 25, 1980, and made their move to Paso Robles in 1981.

The couple’s final move to Paso was Pat’s first chance to build roots in a town, “It’s nice to put down roots and have more of a community.”

With her father being a Strategic Air Command for the US Air Force, her family moved around many times through her childhood. Born in

Lake Charles, Louisiana, Pat also lived in Little Rock, Arkansas, Alabama,

Pennsylvania, Germany, and more until they finally settled in Mountain

View, California, where she finished high school.

“I had a really good experience,” recalls Pat, “I was outgoing by nature.

I don’t know if that’s because you had to be for survival — I enjoyed meeting new people and doing new things.”

Being the oldest, Pat was able to travel more with her parents, seeing much of the world by the time she was 18. Those early childhood experiences instilled a love to explore the world even later in life with her husband, Mike.

After the birth of their twin boys, David and Ivan, in 1985 (their daughter Elizabeth was born in 1982), Mike decided to stay home to raise their children while Pat was able to pursue her career in finance.

The birth of the twins is a story all on its own. See, Pat, Mike, and all her doctors did not know she was having twins. Her first son was born about 20 minutes to midnight. Her doctor figured that was that and left the hospital. It wasn’t until a nurse realized after midnight that there was indeed another child in Pat ready to be born. A nurse ran out into the parking lot to catch the doctor before he drove away.

Four months into her pregnancy Pat says, “I knew something was amiss.” Referring to several clues that throughout her pregnancy that she was having twins. Unfortunately, they are all just simply missed. 20 | pasoroblesmagazine.com Paso Robles Magazine | April 2022

Despite the little hiccup, Mike was not afraid to take on the new challenge. He dove headfirst into helping raise his children, volunteering at schools where he was inspired to go back to school and earn his teaching credentials. Mike then spent over a decade as a dual-language Spanish immersion teacher at Georgia Brown Elementary School.

Mike passed away unexpectedly in July 2011, undoubtedly leaving his mark on many throughout the community. Pat has now set up the Michael W. Bland Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit his former Paso Robles students.

It is also through Mike that Pat and the 2021 Roblan of the Year, Brian Thorndyke, are connected. Mike was Brian’s daughters’ fourth-grade teacher at Georgia Brown. So, yes, it is a small world in Paso Robles.

Meanwhile, Pat began her finance career at the First Bank of San Luis Obispo in 2006. From there, she worked for Bank of America and eventually ended up being recruited for Rabobank (now Mechanics Bank) in Paso Robles. Working for a local bank allowed her volunteer career to blossom.

From the mid-’80s to ‘90s, Pat volunteered to teach financial literacy at Paso Robles High School through the Life Skills/Home Economics classes and again volunteered through United Way for the past five years.

Pat finds herself attracted to organizations that offer more opportunities to youth, “I think the organizations that I like the most, and those are the ones I’ve spent the most time at, are the ones that have kids involved.”

Her involvement with the Boys and Girls Club began in 2011. During her time there, she served as corporate secretary, treasurer, and unpaid interim CEO. She helped create procedures and policies for the organization and offered to help regardless of how much time she had on her hands.

She currently sits as President on the Board of Directors for the Paso Robles Youth Arts Foundation, secretary for REC Foundation, and treasurer for Swim Paso. That doesn’t include occasionally lending a hand to the Pioneer Day Committee and other organizations. But then there is her other role, Grandma, to her six grandchildren.

Between her career, family, and volunteerism, Pat is always on the move. Her husband Mike would always joke with her saying, “What are you doing, trying to become Roblan of the Year?”

April 2022 | Paso Robles Magazine pasoroblesmagazine.com | 21

Being named Roblan of the Year was never something Brian Thorndyke expected. But whether he expected it or not, the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce (PRCC) has named Brian the 2021 Roblan of the year — and it was very well deserved.

When he learned the news of becoming Roblan, Brian said, “I was extremely surprised by that and of course honored, but I wouldn’t in a million years have guessed that to happen.”

The Roblan of the Year is chosen from the previous Roblans of the

Month. An initiative put together by the PRCC to recognize individuals who make significant contributions to Paso Robles through community action, donations, and other ongoing community outreaches. Brian was named Roblan of the Month back in 2004.

Being involved with the community is something Brian learned by watching his parents, Mike and Bonnie. They each led by example, his father being a dedicated member of the Lions Club and Jaycees. Bonnie has been involved with the sorority Beta Sigma Phi for 58 years giving back to our community and Trinity Lutheran Church as a Braille worker.

Later in his life, Mike was a city councilman and lifetime supporter of the Paso Robles Bearcats. Sadly, Mike passed away unexpectedly in 2009.

The Thorndyke family started their Central Coast residency in San

Simeon, where Brian’s great-great-grandfather, Captain Thorndyke, was the first lighthouse keeper for the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse. The family also owned a general store later known as Sebastians and today is in renovation to become a tasting room for Hearst Ranch Winery. Brian’s grandparents

Mervin (Bud) and Marjorie (Marnie), then made a move to Paso Robles, where they started the infamous Wayside Liquor in 1963.

At the time, Brian explained the East side of Paso Robles was underdeveloped and empty, “Everybody thought they were crazy.”

But, as we all know, Wayside Liquor was quite the success. The store expanded and stayed in the family until 2013. In addition to owning and operating Wayside Liquor, the Thorndyke family owned the Gold Coast Ice

Company, where he worked bagging ice after school — he still shivers just thinking about it! And then his parents had the Talk Shop on 12th Street (for those too young to know, that was what we had before Verizon stores).

Brian was born at the former Paso Robles War Memorial Hospital off 15th Street before closing in 1977. Like his father before him, Brian was a Bearcat along with his wife, Stephanie. The two are high school sweethearts, married in 1996 and celebrating 36 years together.

As kids growing up in Paso, he says the big thing for them was cruising on Spring street on Friday or Saturday nights, going from Polar Freeze to Foster Freeze. It’s that small-town atmosphere that keeps Brian here.

He explains growing up in Paso, “It seemed like simpler times back then compared to now. It was great. I enjoyed growing up here. Hearing stories from my mom and dad, they graduated from Paso High School as well.”

The Thorndyke Bearcat legacy lives on with Brian’s children, Kelsy and

Camryn PRHS graduates, and Conner, who graduates this year.

Most teenagers want to leave their small town’s behind when they have 24 | pasoroblesmagazine.com Paso Robles Magazine | April 2022

the chance. “Growing up in a small town, as I get older, I appreciate it more. Maybe I didn’t appreciate it as much back then,” Brian shared.

After graduation, Brian left for college in San Mateo. But less than a year later, he decided Paso wasn’t so bad. He came back home and began deciding how he was going to make a living in his hometown. That was when his mom suggested he try real estate.

By the time he was 20 years old, Brian had his real estate license and started his 32 yearlong career and his business partnership with friend Scott Erkhe in 1992. Five years ago, the two built their satellite office on Vine Street and joined RE/MAX Success. In 2006, Brian was even named Realtor of the Year.

Brian became involved with the community early on. Like his father, he joined the Paso

Robles Jaycees, a local community service club, as soon as he was old enough. Then he became involved with the PRCC, even working on the

Pioneer Day Committee and Business Expo.

Later, Brian developed a habit of forming non-profits serving local children, “I love every one of them [non-profits], and they are all so different. I do like the idea of trying to fill a void if there is one.”

The first was the Up With Kids program, now under the wings of RE/MAX Parkside

Real Estate. This program gives local children a back-to-school shopping spree at Target and a ride in the RE/MAX hot air balloon before the store opens. The program is now celebrating 21 years and still going strong.

Brian was also instrumental in building the

Paso Robles Education Alliance (PREA) in 2008. PREA is another non-profit, community-based organization that supports the educational environment of Paso Robles Public

Schools by funding teaching grants for supplies and other needs and even student scholarships.

Most recently, he helped develop Success

Charities with RE/MAX Success. Proceeds raised at their event, Cheers to Charity, are donated to a different community cause each year. Agents raise money throughout the year with funds supporting local people and needs throughout the year. Last year’s Cheers to

Charity funds went to youth sports, where

Success Charities donated over $42,000 to 27 local sports teams.

“Giving to others. There’s a great feeling that comes with it,” says Brian, “When I think that

I’m good for a while and I want a break, it doesn’t seem to last. There’s a piece of me that’s missing.”

All of the non-profits Brian has had a hand in become great success stories. But he insists it was a group effort with people who had the same desires and passions. He adds, “The success of these committees and organizations were all part of surrounding myself with all these great people.” April 2022 | Paso Robles Magazine pasoroblesmagazine.com | 25

Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce granted the 2021 Beautification of the Year Award to California Coast Beer Co. for the transformation and preservation of Tozzi’s Auto Shop on Railroad Street.

Co-owners Rich Clayton and Frank Panian purchased the old auto shop from Mike Tozzi in hopes of creating a brewery in a building that held roots to Paso Robles.

“He [Mike Tozzi] loved that our goal was not to knock it down or build a hotel or change it but to preserve the actual look that had been there for its history, the life of that building,” Clayton shared.

The Beautification Award is presented to a business that has enhanced the community by beautifying an area through new construction or redevelopment of a project that preserves Paso Robles’ heritage through the renovation of a historic building.

“When I was reviewing the guidelines for the Chamber board, one building checked all the boxes. Cal Coast Beer Co.,” said Isiah Gomer, Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce Chair 2021. “They renovated a historic building and created a great local experience for all to enjoy downtown. Over the years, they have continued to upgrade and expand to create a wonderful atmosphere where friends and family have a comfortable space to enjoy our Paso evenings.”

It took Clayton and Panian nearly two years to refurbish the building with the help of many friends. Many of the building’s materials were refurbished and recycled, mainly from the site itself. The back patio and deck are made of materials from the Pismo Pier. Old signs are hung on the walls inside the brewery, bringing back memories for long-time Roblan residents.

Tozzi, who passed away in 2021, coached at the high school along with running his auto shop. He built a weight room for athletes to use before one was available at Paso Robles High School. Now, customers come in for a beer and recognize where they used to lift weights. Clayton jokes that he is going to hang a weight room sign there one of these days.

“We are forever thankful to him [Tozzi] for giving us an opportunity to be in a place like down-

town Paso and their family,” Clayton said. “The story is as much about them giving a couple of guys an opportunity to live their dream after somebody else lived theirs.”

Tozzi made a great living owning and operating Tozzi’s Autoshop. After retiring from auto work, he used the shop for tinkering and as a space for his band, Mike Tozzi and the Indian Valley Band, to practice. Tozzi had received several offers from people to purchase his property and build a hotel, but all were turned down. It took several meetings with Panian and Clayton before he finally decided to go through with selling the property.

That’s because Tozzi did not want the history of Tozzi’s to be erased from Railroad Street. But after putting faith in Panian and Clayton and seeing what they turned the building into, Clayton recounts, “He said if you told me this was possible, I wouldn’t have believed you.”

“That was our goal, to preserve,” Clayton added. “There’s too many things being taken down, and you cant replace that real history.”

The Cal Coast Beer Co. mantra is “People. Pints. Possibilities.” It is based on the people who helped make the brewery possible. It is the friendship between Panian and Clayton alongside Craig Koontz.

Koontz is where pints come in. He and Clayton were childhood friends growing up in Redding. He taught Panian and Clayton everything they needed to know about making beer.

“Possibilities” was taking the chance and building a company together. But the brewery has become more than just a company. It’s become the spot for the hometowners and where people reminisce on good times while creating new ones.

And that is what Panian and Clayton wanted.

“That’s what we were going for is the people of Paso being able to come back and have pride whether they want to drink a beer there or not, they can come and listen to music and see the building and show everybody and talk about what it was and what it is tomorrow,” Clayton said.