Paso Robles Press Magazine • #276 • April 2024

“Peter is an incredible person who is willing to listen and work with you to find an appropriate solution. His office is welcoming and he has all the latest equipment to treat hearing loss. Don’t wait or cheap out when it comes to your health, this is the type of practice that is worth every penny.” ~ S. Daly

Have you had your hearing tested recently? Not sure

of patients the past 21 years. We can help you too.

Founder

“Community is the foundation upon which we build our lives, a tapestry of connections that enriches our journey and sustains us through every triumph and trial.”

April is one of my favorite times of the year, with longer days and cool nights that allow us to enjoy mornings outdoors with coffee and fill our evenings and weekends with community events and planning for summer. This year marks a milestone as our sweet Mirac prepares to graduate from 6th grade, reminding us of how quickly time flies. With Max following closely behind, we feel deeply grateful to be able to raise them in our wonderful community.

This month, we dive into the excitement of wedding planning, with local experts sharing insights on the revival of social gatherings post-pandemic, along with seasonal insight to make your planning easier. Additionally, we had the pleasure of meeting with the team at Robert Hall Winery, who shared with us their favorite wine pairings and a bit of their history in Paso Robles.

We also highlight the upcoming Wine 4 Paws event on April 20, now in its 16th year of supporting Woods Humane Society. With over 80 Central Coast wineries participating and pledging 10 percent of their proceeds to aid animals in need, this event promises an unforgettable experience once again. Looking ahead, as the Olive and Lavender Festival returns in May, we offer a glimpse of what’s in store for this years event.

In other news, we are thrilled to announce our recent move downstairs to 5850 El Camino Real. Though we are currently under construction with a new project, we are open to visitors for newspaper and magazine business. As part of our new home on the ground floor, we are excited to announce the upcoming opening of Atascadero Marketplace. The Marketplace will be an outlet featuring unique goods from local artisans, Central Coast branded goods— Atascadero, Paso Robles, SLO—and more. The Marketplace will be positioned as the "North County Visitor Center," where locals and visitors alike can pick up the latest copy of our publications, a cup of our own brand of Joebella-roasted coffee, and some locally branded merchandise on their way to visiting all the great people and places SLO County has to offer. If you are a local artisan who has items you think will fit in an upscale local marketplace, go to our website — atascadero.market — to submit information. We will announce the grand opening date of Atascadero Marketplace next month, so stay tuned!

We hope you take the opportunity to attend one of the wonderful events our community has organized. We look forward to seeing you out and about, embracing the spirit of togetherness, and making memories this Spring!

We hope you enjoy this month’s issue of Paso Robles Magazine.

Hayley & Nic

Maylia

April 10, 2024

For more advertising information, contact our advertising representatives above, or see our media kit at: pasoroblesmagazine.com/advertise

Samuel Johnson reminds us that “April is a moment of joy for those who have survived the winter.” After months of rain and stretches of gloomy weather, we’ve been stuck inside for days at a time. The lack of sunshine dampens our mood and often leaves us with emotional and physical challenges. Now it’s time to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather and April holidays like National Walking Day, National Gardening Day, Go Fly a Kite Day, National Picnic Day, and National Exercise Day, to name a few.

Downtown Main Street Association will host the first event of 2024, which is free for you in City Park. It’s the 16th year of the Vintage Sidecar Rendezvous on April 27 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on the east side of the park. Enjoy vintage sidecars and motorcycles from all around California and farther. Visit with true enthusiasts who have traveled throughout the USA and beyond.

There’s an array of beautiful sports cars, including MGs and Jaguars. Plus, there is a display of electric vehicles for you to check out.

Along 12th Street, you can enjoy Recycled Treasures with new and used crafts and collectible items for sale, along with a few select food sellers, including the Saturday Farmers Market in front of the library on 11th Street.

This year, we have a new event on the west side of the park; it’s everything comicrelated. It’s a fun event for adults and children. Fans can purchase comic books, collectible merchandise, and bond with other fans. This is a popular event nationwide.

Earth Day is on April 22. This is a day set aside to honor our beautiful Mother Earth.

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

— Albert Einstein

The old Farmer’s Almanac set this day 54 years ago to remind us we are the stewards of nature, plants and our lands. The responsibility lies with each of us. There are celebrations around the county; check your calendars. Don’t forget to look up and enjoy the Full Pink Moon of April on the 23rd. It represents all the beautiful blooms of the season.

The last Friday in April (the 26th) is Arbor Day. Everyone is encouraged to plant a tree. Tradition is to plant in honor

or memory of a loved one.

“It is not so much for it’s beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men’s hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.”

— Robert Lewis Stevenson

“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.”

— Franklin D. Roosevelt

April and all its celebrations arrive at our time of personal growth, rejuvenation, and renewal. Enjoy this time by coming downtown. The pace is slow, visit shops, restaurants and all our town has to offer. Take time to stroll the park and enjoy the beautiful trees, green grass, and blooming flowers. Breathe-in our clean air and be grateful you live in this turn-of-the-century small town that also offers all the amenities desired by the sophisticated 21st century traveler.

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” Eckhart Tolle — “A New Earth: Awakening to your life’s purpose”

THE NATURAL ALTERNATIVE NUTRITION CENTER

You’re invited to Customer Appreciation Day 2024!

We personally want to thank you for supporting The Natural Alternative since we opened our doors 29 years ago. We are planning a special day just for you on Saturday, April 27, where you will enjoy 25 percent off storewide. We will also have multiple raffle baskets to give away to participating customers, vendors sampling out their goods, as well as free samples galore. Mark your calendar and don’t miss this celebration.

When the store opened in 1995, little did we know it would explode into “the store that’s so much more” — all thanks to you. We have continued to expand our product lines, maintaining the exceptional quality supplements you’ve learned to trust. All of our hair and skincare lines are clean and free of chemicals. We are extremely proud to offer a variety of meal replacement shakes, greens, high quality CBD products, children’s supplements, and even products for pets. We also carry a selection of beautiful SoulKu bracelets and necklaces.

There will be free mini consultations with our in-house nutritionist Margaret Pauls to help you focus on your health. We will have local esthetician Lauri O’Neill promoting our amazing line of

Derma-E products. The amazing Jena Baird from Dharma YofaLoft will be in the house to answer all your questions about starting a Yoga practice. Our wonderful reps from Gaia Herbs and Standard Process will also be celebrating with us. Last but not least, you will get to enjoy our Ancient Nutrition drink table that will keep you energized as well as hydrated while you shop.

Our talented staff will be on hand all day to answer your questions and assist you with your special shopping needs. Mark your calendar — this is a big one: Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., we have our storewise sale. Enter to win one of our many raffle baskets and receive tons of samples with each purchase. It’s our way of saying thank you to our wonderful community for supporting The Natural Alternative since 1995!

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for product discounts, updates, and exclusive giveaways.

We look forward to helping you, The Team @ The Natural Alternative

Shop online with us today at NaturalAlternativeNutrition.com or visit us on Instagram and Facebook

Sagebrush Days San Miguel

Ihope everyone had a very happy Easter.

I also hope we are all acclimated to Daylight Savings Time by now. April brings showers, flowers, green hills (again this year), and capricious weather. In San Miguel, it also brings Sagebrush Days, which CIRCLE celebrates our history and pioneer spirit.

This year’s Sagebrush Days Parade, sponsored by the San Miguel Fireman’s Association, will kick off on Saturday, April 20, at 12 p.m. on Mission Street. It proceeds south to Father Reginald Park by the Mission and returns through town. It’s the only parade in the area where the crowd can see and applaud both sides of the horses, floats, vintage cars, and other entries. The San Miguel Lions Club will be doing their popular barbeque downtown. This year marks the 33rd parade, which was

founded in 1991 when Alan Belden gathered a large group of enthusiastic townspeople together to plan the event.

Entry forms are available on the website and at the Fire Station, 1150 Mission St., during business hours. If you’d like to help, let them know at the Fire Station.

Following the parade, members of the Model A Club will gather to display their beautifully restored antique “machines” (an old-fashioned term for early model automobiles) at the Historic Rios-Caledonia Adobe, just south of Mission San Miguel. The cars will be parked along a strip of the original Highway 101, which was built through San Miguel around 1915. You are invited to take a close look at the cars and learn about their history.

The Adobe was built in 1835 by the Salinan Indians and the Library was built in the 1920s when the property was purchased and improved by the last private owner, Charles Dorries. However, in 1952, when he was unable to continue on the site, it was abandoned and left to destruction by vandalism and the

elements. People who wanted to save the historical site appealed to the county.

In 1964, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors purchased the property, a total of 6 acres, and the buildings. They created a county park with restrooms, a large parking lot, and sunny spots to have picnics. The buildings were carefully restored. In 1968, the Friends of the Adobes was formed to promote the restoration and maintenance of the Adobe for the new museum in the original structure and the building that now houses a research library.

The museum is open from noon to 3 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. If you haven’t visited in a while, there has been ongoing work and interesting improvements, including a short video of San Miguel and Adobe history and installation of an El Camino Bell.

The library is open on Fridays from noon to 3 p.m. When the buildings are closed during these hours, it is generally because there are not many docents, even for such short hours.

If you enjoy history and talking to people, leave a message at (805) 467-3357 to volunteer.

LYNNE SCHMITZ

A Favorite Maker Grounded in Giving

JIf you’ve visited us anytime in the past several years, you’ve probably seen the joyful designs of one of our favorite makers, Kei & Molly. There’s the custom tote bag they designed for us, complete with rolling vineyards and oak trees. Kei & Molly only take on a few custom designs a year, so we were truly happy they agreed to work with us on that. They also did a playful tea towel complete with a musician playing the sax for people in front of the gazebo in the downtown park. (When we were working with them on inspiration for the art, they read about the hot springs, and the first draft had two people bobbing in a hot tub, without swimsuits from the waist up. We had to pass, being a G-rated store and all, but it was delightful, and those two people seemed to be having a really, really good time in Paso!)

Aside from their brightly colored tea towels and other textile creations, there’s a bigger reason we love offering their goods at General Store Paso Robles. Their business is centered around helping people.

Founded by Kei Tsuzuki and Molly Luethi in 2010, the studio was determined to show how a for-profit business could be sustainable and fueled by human-centered values.

Their staff consists of trained

artisans, immigrants, and refugees from around the world, working together in craft and production, screen-printing each design by hand to service orders from stores nationwide. Through Kei & Molly Textiles, they find a secure job paying good wages, with support in health and education, and opportunities for leadership and personal development. Working together, regardless of nationality, religion, or spoken language, they are reminded daily how we are connected in our humanity. They also print using only water-based, eco-friendly inks, use only 100 percent natural fibers, and even generate solar power for their electrical needs.

As a women-owned business, we learn so much from other women leading, growing, and thriving together. After almost 11 years, we are humbled and motivated by the reminder that success can be measured in many ways. Finding avenues to serve while accomplishing our business goals is always worth striving for. Thank you, Kei & Molly, for leading the way.

And a special shout out to the City for bringing lights to the park year-round! Charming and much appreciated!

—The Team at General Store Paso Robles

KEI & MOLLY TEXTILES: USEFUL, LOVELY, AND BIG HEARTED

By Camille DeVaul and the Paso Robles Area Historical Society & Museum

Often, we refer to the City Park as the beating heart of Paso Robles. It is, and has a long history of being the center of our town’s most cherished memories. As Spring begins to bloom, and we re-emerge to the outdoors; many of our events will take us to the park.

Unearthed from the archives of the Daily Press, a news article dated November 8, presumably from 1965, sheds light on the story of Paso Robles City Park. The headline reads, “City park is best around; few Carnegie Libraries left.” The park is home to our very own Carnegie library which now houses the Paso Robles Area Historical Society and Museum. Surrounded by sprawling greenery and an array of recreational amenities, the library stands as a timeless relic of our history.

The origins of Paso Robles’ beloved City Park can be traced back to January 1, 1886, a period characterized by the town’s growth and vitality. Against the backdrop of the Salinas River and the sprawling expanse of cottonwood and willow trees, Paso Robles emerged as a vibrant hub of activity, attracting settlers and travelers alike to its idyllic surroundings.

At the heart of the community lay the Paso Robles City Park, a verdant oasis that epitomized the town’s commitment to civic pride and communal well-being. Founded by pioneering visionaries such as Drury James, Daniel, and James Blackburn, the park served as a testament to Paso Robles’ spirit of innovation and progress.

In 1887, fueled by a collective vision for communal growth, the town founders generously donated two city blocks to establish the City Park, laying the foundation for a legacy that would endure for generations to come. With a steadfast dedication to public enjoyment and recreation, the founders stipulated that the

THE PASO ROBLES CITY PARK

park grounds be reserved exclusively for the pleasure of the community — a principle that continues to resonate to this day.

The ensuing years witnessed a flurry of activity within the park as the townspeople rallied together to transform the once-barren landscape into a thriving botanical haven. Band concerts, fundraising events, and theatrical performances became synonymous with park life, fostering a sense of camaraderie and civic pride among residents.

From the construction of a bandstand to the introduction of charming attractions such as pet deer and a fish pond, the park blossomed into a cherished sanctuary for both locals and

visitors alike. As the years passed, the park evolved with the times, welcoming new additions such as a playground adorned with swings, teeter-totters, and the iconic merry-goround — a beloved fixture that would eventually find its way to the historical archives.

Today, the Paso Robles City Park stands as a testament to the city’s legacy, serving as a vibrant epicenter for community and celebration. From the annual Pioneer Day Parade to the bustling California Mid-State Fair Pancake Breakfast to our favorite annual holiday events, the park continues to captivate our hearts, offering a timeless refuge for shared experiences and cherished memories.

THE GEARHEAD CORNER!

Hi! Welcome to The Gearhead Corner!

We are Jimmy and Leigh-Ann of Shift’N Gears Auto Repair, an ASE Master Certified full-service auto repair shop. We are here to offer some monthly tips, tricks and tales from the automotive industry. Whether you are fellow gearheads, garage aficionados, or maybe you think about blinker fluid (Hint, Hint, you don’t have any blinker fluid), we are here for you.

Balancing act: Staying centered!

ALIGNMENTS:

Alignments are the needed choreography to make dances look beautiful and effortless; making sure each dancer (or wheel) is in the right place and angle. It's all about making sure the wheels are facing the same direction, standing up straight, and not leaning in or out. When they're perfectly aligned, your car moves smoothly, handles well, and tires wear evenly, just like a dance performance that's in sync and looks awesome!.

MORE THAN ONE KIND:

The type of suspension that your vehicle has determines what kind of alignment your car will receive.

Front-End = Front axle only. This is the most basic type of alignment and is not always recommended for modern vehicles.

Thrust = A thrust alignment combines a front-end alignment with a thrust alignment to ensure all four

wheels are squared with one another. This type of alignment is usually recommended for vehicles with a solid rear axle.

Four-Wheel = For all vehicles with adjustable/independent rear suspensions.

TYPICAL ALIGNMENT TERMS:

Toe = Even and parallel tire traction — Toe alignment is like aligning the wheels of a shopping cart to roll smoothly in the same direction.

Camber = Stability control — Think of adjusting the tilt of a book on a shelf. Just as adjusting the tilt affects how the book sits on the shelf and how it wears over time.

Caster = Directional control of steering — If Caster is off it gives a “squirrely” quality.

Thrust = Ensuring front and rear axles are parallel — If thrust is off your vehicle can look like a sidewinding snake, or in our area a wine-happy tourist.

THE BENEFITS ADD UP

Feel Safer = No drifting and Peace of mind

Extended Tire Life = Saves $, no premature tire wear here

Visit the Pump Less Often = Tires won’t drag, causing excess fuel consumption to keep moving

Avoid Expensive Repairs = Premature wear on steering and suspension mechanical parts. The damage will get worse the longer you wait.

FORMER EDUCATOR, TODDLER PARENT, AND PASO ROBLES RESIDENT

As an ’80s baby growing up in the Central Valley, I have fond memories of traveling to the Central Coast and accompanying my parents on their wine-tasting adventures. My sister and I would sample several varieties of mustards with little pretzel sticks as the grown-ups imbibed different varietals of wine. Some people will simply say that you should never bring kids to a winery. In Paso Robles, we live life like we are on vacation, taking advantage of the abundant surroundings and including our children whenever possible.

Several wineries tout themselves as familyfriendly while some quietly mention it, and others are an absolute “no.” It would be hard to imagine little ones running around a particularly high-dollar establishment on an impressive hilltop, but it is not so unreasonable to see families enjoying live music on the lawns at Castoro and Venteux. Like pet-friendly establishments, many winery owners will tell you their willingness to welcome pets and kids is often dependent on the individual dogs or families and how their behavior impacts the experience for other guests. Either way, calling ahead to be sure the winery you are planning to visit is kid-friendly is always a good idea.

While there is a list of family-friendly wineries available from the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (pasowine.com), wineries can change ownership at any time, and it is the responsibility of the wineries themselves to keep that status up to date. Calling ahead also allows for the staff to see if there are any conflicting reservations, such as large parties or special occasions. Peachy Canyon is a popular spot for families because of the large grassy area that is perfect for picnics, apple juice for kiddos, and the oversized Adirondack chair great for photo ops. Still, they do ask that you include your little ones when making a reservation.

Taking the family outing outside is the best way to go. Noise levels can increase with the acoustics of vaulted ceilings and hard floors. Tasting rooms, designed for adults, are full of breakables like wine bottles, glasses, and merchandise that should not be handled by children. If you prefer the tasting room experience, take turns with another adult. Remember that it can be difficult for tasting room attendants to do their jobs properly if the environment becomes chaotic. Buying a bottle to take outside is another option. Many local wineries, like Rava and Calcareous, boast breathtaking grounds that provide ample space for kids to run and explore.

At Fabelist Wine Co., kids can inspect an abandoned train car and enjoy gelato. Rails Nap offers activity bags for kids in addition to

their large outdoor deck. Whalebone Vineyard provides sidewalk chalk and outdoor games. Barton Family Wines also has outdoor games that are set away from the tasting area. Keep in mind that tractors, farm equipment, and winemaking equipment are not playgrounds. Some locations may advertise vineyard tours, but allowing your children to run unattended through the vines can damage irrigation lines or result in confrontations with wildlife like rattlesnakes. Be mindful of the proximity of your children to other groups, clean up after your party, and tip generously.

Wineries with restaurants are popular with families. Eating lunch keeps the kids occupied, allowing for a more relaxed tasting experience. On the weekends, Kitchen 46 at Lone Madrone serves up a mountainous plate of french fries with ketchup that is sure to please kiddos of all ages. Considering that weekends will be the busiest, another alternative is to taste during the week, closer to opening. You can still include lunch with your plans by packing a picnic. Bring toys, games, or activities. Not all wineries will provide such items. Scheduling a private tasting appointment or tour allows for individualized attention and removes the concern of disrupting others. The aim is for everyone to have fun, little ones and other patrons alike. Wine tasting is a break from the hustle and bustle, a chance to get lost in something outside ourselves. Cheers! Follow Elisa on IG @pasomommy.

ELISA HUOT

L AV E NDER

WITH GINA HAMBLY

By Camille DeVaul

Every morning, Gina Hambly wakes up to the sweet scent of lavender. For the past five years, she and her family have owned and operated Hambly Farms, where they grow lavender and produce lavender products.

Between Gina and her husband Milton, the two have ties to the North County going back five generations.

For Gina, she jokes that "You can follow my family by the alcohol."

Her great-grandparents met at what is now Halter Ranch — her great-grandmother worked as the upstairs maid, and her great-grandfather built the stone wall that still stands there today. After getting married they moved to build the Mastagni ranch, where Firestone Walker is now located. In a field on the property, you can still find a concrete silo standing as a reminder of the Mastagnis.

From there, Gina's grandfather Armand Mastagni — the youngest of 17 kids — established his ranch with his wife Mary where the Summerwood Air Bed and Breakfast is located now. They owned the property until the Hope family purchased it in 1993.

"We grew up around agriculture, we just didn't participate in it," Gina explains how she and Milton found their way back into agriculture. "Our kids loved raising animals in 4-H and FFA, and we liked the lifestyle, so we bought the farm we are on now in 2017."

Milton recalls his family coming over to California in a covered wagon in 1886, ending up in the Carissa Plains, where the grass was chest-high. About 50 years later they moved

closer to town to run walnut and almond orchards.

Even though Milton graduated from Atascadero High School and Gina from Paso Robles High School, the two didn't meet until attending Fresno State University in 1991.

Being from rival high schools, Gina laughs, "We call ourselves a blended family." They married a few years later at St. Rose Church and will be celebrating 30 years of marriage this year and have three children together: Mary, Wyatt, and Avery.

Once Gina and Milton purchased their property, they knew they wanted to farm it. Just what to farm they weren't sure yet, so Melanie at Nature's Touch in Templeton came out to the property and suggested they grow lavender.

With the plant being drought tolerant and having so many purposes — not to mention being beautiful — it was a match made in heaven. Since 2019, they have been growing lavender on their farm and producing lavender products.

It was a learn-by-doing process; Gina says, "We are fortunate to have friends who are farmers, like Lila Avery-Fuson from Central Coast Lavender, and tow croppers in the Salinas Valley that we are able to lean on, and then we joined Farmstead ED, and then we gained a whole other family of farmers."

For two years, Gina has been running the farm and business full time, with Milton helping between teaching at King City Middle School, where he has been for 23 years, and also at the local colleges in Monterey County.

Her new lifestyle of waking up to lavender fields is a dream says Gina: "It does feel good to be able to go out every day and say good

morning to the animals and feed them and walk to the fields ... make a plan [for the farm]."

Also being able to create new products with lavender has opened a new passion of creativity for Gina. She and Milton give guided farm experiences to the public where they can educate people on the different aspects of farm life and how the products are made start to finish. Seasonally, they even offer U-pick experiences in the lavender fields.

"Being able to offer that [experience] to someone as well as teach them about farming and teach them about that farming lifestyle [is so worth it]," says Gina.

The two have developed a passion for being able to connect people to agriculture and bridge the gap that has developed between farmers and consumers.

She says, "There is something freeing about putting your hands in the dirt and hands on plants and you see that on people when they come to the farm. They leave happy."

When not on the farm, Gina is a member of the Paso Robles Pioneer Day Belle and Attendant Committee. Gina and Milton both come from a long line of Pioneer Day belles, attendants, queens, and marshals, so the event has become close to their hearts.

Gina is also a co-chair for the Olive and Lavender Festival hosted by the Paso Robles Main Street Association and works closely with Farmstead ED. This year, she is the chair for Farmstead ED's Open Farm Days Friday Night Kick-Off Marketplace.

So be sure to say hello to Gina when you see her at some of these events or at the farm — all you have to do is follow the sweet smell of lavender.

Photo by Brittany App

Celebrate Mother’s Day Weekend with the entire family in a production you’ll remember for the rest of your lives! This marks the region’s first full-scale Disney musical: perfect for all ages featuring expansive sets and costumes, dance, chorus, a nationally acclaimed leading cast led by Hilary Maiberger as Belle (national and international tours) and Grant Garry (Beast), all accompanied by the OperaSLO Grand Orchestra!

LAVENDER FESTIVAL Olive THE

THIRD ANNUAL JOINT PASO ROBLES OLIVE & LAVENDER FESTIVAL COMING THIS MAY

IBy Camille DeVaul

n May, the Paso Robles City Park will welcome visitors with the calming scent of lavender and savory taste of olive oil as the third annual joint Olive & Lavender Festival returns on May 11. This year the olive side of the festival celebrates 20 years of bringing local growers and producers to the heart of the community.

We spoke with two of the best in olive and lavender on how you can celebrate the annual Olive and Lavender Festival this year.

HAMBLY FARMS

What do you enjoy most about this festival?

Gina Hambly: There are several things we enjoy. First, attending the Downtown Main Street Committee meetings, visiting with everyone, and contributing to the community. We live in such an amazing area that allows us to grow and craft so many wonderful goods — there is a great representation of that at this festival. Both Milton and I enjoy working at our booth; it gives us an opportunity to meet new people, share what we do, and see many customers and friends we haven’t seen in a while. Lastly, we get to share a part of what we do on the farm by bringing our 60-liter copper still to the event, and Milton gets to demonstrate the essential oil distillation process, showing how our estate-grown lavender essential oil is crafted.

GROVES ON 41

Karen Tallent: The consistently enjoyable “foodies” the festival attracts are of all ages, and often, two to three generations enjoy the festival together.

What can people expect at the Olive and Lavender Festival, and do you have any tips for those attending?

GH: The park is filled with local olive and lavender growers, artisans, and crafters. There is something for everyone, from olive oil tasting to handcrafted lavender products, local nurseries with plants and trees, and handcrafted treats and goodies. New this year, in the center of the park at the gazebo, we are bringing in local distillers, craft beer, and wineries so you can enjoy locally crafted beverages while enjoying music, the park, and all that our wonder downtown has to offer.

TIPS FOR THE DAY

GH: follow OliveandLavenderFest on Instagram, where a vendor map will be posted. There is a program available with loads of information and happenings for the day located at the information booth near the park entrance at 12th Street and Park Street. Plan to spend a couple of hours or the whole day exploring the event and learning about local handcrafters and artisans, where you will find the best Paso has to offer.

KT: Allow enough time to dawdle at choice booths. You are often talking to the farmer(s) who have developed, and enjoy sharing, their passion for what they do. Their stories and background are as varied as their product displays.

How do you see the Olive and Lavender Festival contributing to the promotion and appreciation of locally produced lavender/olive related products?

GH: We have the opportunity to promote our Lavender U-Pick Season, Lavender Farm Experiences, and workshops that are coming this summer. Hambly Farms collaborates with many other local artisan crafters and growers and are excited to bring their products with usLavender Honey Gelato by Leo Leo Gelato and Lavender Simple Syrup by YES Cocktail, Co to name a couple.

Each year we meet many people that are visiting, new to the area, or just want to buy locally grown & crafted products. This is a perfect opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of SLOCAL locally handcrafted and grown products in one space and enjoy a wonderful day in our Downtown City Park.

KT: The festival provides an eye-opening takeaway as to how a good, fresh, authentic olive oil is for you and how your palate can determine how fresh the product really is. When you are tasting olive oil and it catches the back of your throat and makes you want to cough, well those are the polyphenols at work. The more to want to cough, the higher that olive oil is in those great antioxidants!

The Olive & Lavender Festival is one of the few occasions you can taste smaller producers wares, compare the delightful flavors and meet the producers.

The Paso Robles Main Street Association event will be held Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Paso Robles Downtown City Park. For more information, visit pasoroblesdowntown.org.

Mother Karen (right) and daughter Jennifer Tallent Joseph are the team behind Groves on 41. Photo courtesy of Groves on 41

The Big Day

WEDDING SEASON TRENDS & TIPS

By Camille DeVaul

Do you hear the bells? You should, because the wedding season is practically here. We spoke with three local wedding industries and asked them what wedding trends they are seeing for this season and what advice they might have for those of you currently planning a wedding.

Photo by SLOtography

ALMOND SPRINGS

Long gone are the days of having to modify wedding plans due to the pandemic. Are you back to seeing a larger wedding guest list, or has the intimate wedding trend continued?

We are continuing to see an intimate wedding trend. Most weddings are 100 people and below. I think right now, people are being more financially cautious, and the bigger the wedding, the more wedding expenses grow. Weddings are very expensive now and to reduce cost people are being more cautious with their guest count.

Ditching traditions is becoming the new trend. What are some new traditions your brides and grooms are bringing to the venue?

A few new trends we are seeing are:

• Out with the traditional wedding cake — Lots of desserts and s'mores bars! An added bonus is some late-night snacks.

• The Table Dash Pictures Game — They have a certain amount of minutes to go around to every table and take a picture. This ensures the bride and groom get a picture with every guest and it is fun!

• Outfit changes — Brides change into another bridal outfit for the evening.

• Last dance — Adding a last dance at the end of the night for the bride and groom to solo dance to.

• Colorful palettes for wedding colors rather than neutral hues.

• Audio guestbooks — Instead of the traditional hand-written guestbook, couples are opting for an audio version where guests can record messages with advice and congrats.

Any tips for those planning weddings this year? How far in advance should they be booking and what are some details they should keep in mind when looking for a venue?

The post-COVID rush and demand have settled. However, we still recommend booking a year in advance. When looking for a venue keep in mind: How much decorating will be needed ($$$). If it is outdoor venue, what time of year would be best to book the space due to weather, what is included in the venue costs, what would the event layout look like, ambiance, noise restrictions, contract and outside vendor flexibility.

JUST BAKED

Traditionally, we think of cake for dessert when we hear wedding bells, but are there any new trends and desserts people are requesting at their weddings?

Well — cake is still holding on strong but couples are asking for heart shaped vintage piped cakes this year. I quoted five of those cakes in one day, it’s totally wild but that is what everyone is asking for. Additionally, people are moving away from the huge, tiered cakes and really going for elevated dessert bars with something to please everyone! Think: lemon curd cups with fresh, edible florals.

How is your bakery preparing to meet the anticipated demands and trends for wedding cakes and desserts in the upcoming 2024 wedding season?

We are actually finding that people are booking a little slower this year, and then they are kinda sad when we say, “Sorry, we are booked!”

We have two cake decorators on staff, and our executive chef helps out as needed, but since opening our new shop in Downtown Paso Robles, we are spread a bit thin this year. We feel so fortunate to be chosen to help celebrate with our couples on their special day though and we are just trying to stay ahead on social media, finding what is really going to stick around and what is going to fade away. I think that the Vintage Cake or Lambeth design is here to stay this year.

Any tips for those planning weddings this year? How far in advance should they be booking their dessert and what are some details they should keep in mind when looking for a bakery?

Book early, please! We hate to turn anyone away. When you book your venue, you should also be booking your food and that includes dessert. Also, don’t skimp on dessert, thinking, “Hardly anyone eats dessert, right?” That might’ve rung true for just cake, but these full dessert bars that we are providing are a snacker's heavens at the end of the night. Additionally, make sure that you find a bakery that suits your needs. We try to be super clear and upfront about the fact that we are a full-service bakery up front and not just weddings only. We can actually accommodate your rehearsal dinner as well as brunch before everyone heads out, and we can handle the entire wedding weekend.

Photo by Kelley Williams Photography

Photo Courtesy of Just Baked

FLORAL PARLOR

What floral trends do you anticipate being popular for weddings in the 2024 season, and how are you incorporating these trends into your floral designs?

I’m working with brides wanting larger statement pieces to make more of an impact, with an array of vibrant colors and trending away from classic whites and softer colors. There was a lot of repurposing of floral elements from the ceremony to the reception. I look forward to working with herbs and fruits to add a touch of Earth on tablescapes. The days of boring centerpieces from Grandma’s floral shop are gone.

How do you work with couples to create customized floral designs that reflect their unique style and vision for their wedding day?

It’s a process. Couples come to me with a variety of inspiration photos that they have gathered. Many are all over the board, so to speak. As I create, I consider first and foremost the venue they have selected to set the backdrop. Then, I learn about the couple and their specific tastes in general. I also need to understand how they want their guests to feel. Just as our taste in clothing, cars, and homes are unique, so is the dream for each wedding. I can work with just about any vision and budget as long as the client understands the importance of florals adding to the ambiance and joy of their special day.

How far in advance should couples book their floral services for a wedding, considering potential demand and availability? Any tips for couples planning their wedding florals?

I find florals to be about in the middle of the planning process. Six months out is pretty typical. But I’ve had large weddings pop up with two weeks notice due to certain circumstances. Then it’s all hands on deck to pull it off. We are creatives, so we can pull off just about anything, with the exception of balancing our checkbooks.

Photo Courtesy of Floral Parlor

Photo by Nikkels Photography

Raising a glass at Winery

By Camille DeVaul

Where there is wine, there are weddings, so it's not surprising that Paso Robles has become a wedding destination. We are lucky enough to have access to wineries with beautiful hilltop views and immaculate architecture to go with it. These locations are perfect for wine tasting with friends and family before or after the wedding day, your rehearsal, reception, or even bridal shower.

Robert Hall Winery is just one of those scenic locations ideal for wedding-related excursions or staycation visits. There are several ways to experience Robert Hall Winery, including its underground wine cavern. As part of the Grape to Glass Excursion, guests get the opportunity to explore the winery's cellars, including their underground one where there is a chance to taste straight from the barrel. The behind-thescenes tour truly offers an insightful look into the winery's grape-to-glass process — hence the name. To end the experience, guests are greeted back into the tasting room with an offering of small bites to harmonize with the different selections of wine.

On a sunny day, you can take that dream for a bike ride through the estate on their E-Bike Vineyard Tour. This tour takes you personally through their regenerative viticulture case study and compares it with their sustainably farmed vineyards. For this adventure, you earn a walk through their cavern and barrel room (underground cellar), an electric-assisted bike ride through the vineyards, and, of course, a wine tasting accompanied by a cheeseboard.

Throughout these tours, you also get to know the backstory of the winery and how its founder and Minnesota man, Robert Hall, built his dream in Paso Robles. After a trip to France, Robert came back to the States enamored with the world of wine.

"He came back with this passion to start a wine project somewhere in the U.S.," says Managing Director Caine Thompson, who developed his own passion for the industry growing up in

New Zealand and getting to know their wine country.

Once back in the states, Robert searched the West Coast for the perfect location. A natural entertainer, he hoped to find a place that was close to town and allowed to produce the world-class wine he fell in love with.

In the mid '90s, Robert found Paso Robles and was immediately impressed with the regions current exportation of wine grapes.

"He wanted to find a place that was close to town because he was a big entertainer and believed that wine, family and friends should all come together," Caine shared.

Robert then worked alongside acclaimed winemaker Don Brady, who has been the creative force behind Robert Hall's award-winning wines since day one. The two tirelessly worked hands-on at the winery to build it into the elevated fixture it is today.

Soon, they began to create wines of the highest quality is their promise, with each one of them made by hand with a simple goal — enjoying The Good Life. Well-Earned.™

Sustainability has been a core value since the winery's inception, with Robert Hall Winery obtaining official certification for its winery and estate vineyards from the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. A pioneer in the industry, the winery has initiated a living case study on regenerative viticulture, paving the way for regenerative organic farming that is an open case study for others to learn from this way of farming.

Next time you enjoy a glass of wine, think about the grapeto-glass effect. Each sip holds a piece of that bottle's history, and that is why Caine fell into this industry head first, "I fell in love this whole notion of being able to grow something and turn it into wine to be this time capsule of history of all the people involved with pruning the grapes, and harvesting the fruit and making the wine."

For more information on Robert Hall Winery, visit roberthallwinery.com

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF CELEBRATING A WEDDING IN PASO ROBLES, THE TEAM AT ROBERT HALL WINERY DEVELOPED A WINE MENU FOR EACH OCCASION:

BRIDAL SHOWER

Robert Hall Cavern Select Rose

REHEARSAL DINNER

Robert Hall Cavern Select GSM

COCKTAIL HOUR

Robert Hall Cavern Select Vermentino

TOAST

Robert Hall Cavern Select Sparkling Grenache Blanc

RECEPTION

Robert Hall Cavern Select Cabernet Sauvignon

By Camille DeVaul

Wine 4 Paws

rescue organizations in the area by offering a low-cost spay and neuter clinic and taking in animals from other shelters. They are dedicated to providing the highest level of care to animals in need until they can be united with a loving home.

Sarah, who grew up surrounded by loving pets, gives the reason for why she wanted to help Woods, “I think that probably my mom was my inspiration to do this because my mom was a huge animal lover.”

Throughout the Wine 4 Paws weekend, wineries and businesses may plan their own animal related activities for the fundraiser. Many of the wineries will be extra pet friendly for the event but its best to check in with the winery you are visiting before bringing your furry friend.

There are at least two additional Wine 4 Paws weekend events to participate in.

Join more of the fun at the official Wine 4 Paws Kick-Off Party hosted by Hayseed and Housdon at Cal Coast Beer Company. There will be beer, wine, food and entertainment with the Mark Adams Band to kick off the weekend. Last year, over $9,000 was raised at the event alone.

Tickets are available at Hayseed and Housdon at 1122 Railroad Street or online at my805tix.com

Bark After Dark presented by the Downtown Wine District features 18 participating wineries in Downtown Paso Robles. These businesses will be open until at least 8 p.m. to raise funds for Wine 4 Paws. If you aren't able to make it for the nighttime festitivies, you can still participate that Saturday and Sunday where 10 percent of sales will still go towards the fundraiser.

As to why the fundraiser has become so successful, Sarah explains, “They are just one part of your life, but you are their whole life. And there are a lot of people out there that feel the same way, and that’s why Wine 4 Paws has been successful.”

For more information on Wine 4 Paws and to find participating wineries, visit wine4paws.com

Wineries participating in Bark After

Dark include:

Alpha Omega

Bushong Vintage Co.

Cali Paso

Cloak & Dagger

Cypher Winery

Diablo Paso

Dracaena Wines

Hayseed & Housdon

Hoyt Family

LXV Wine

915 Lincoln

Pianetta Winery

Sea Shell Cellars

Serial Wines

Stilson Cellars Symbiosis The Blending

Photos by Derek Luff

HIKES BIKES & TRAILS

By Maylia Baird

Now that April has arrived, the weather is becoming warmer, which makes leaving the house sound more appealing, and makes outdoor activities even more enjoyable. Regardless of whether you prefer long hikes, short ones, simple walks, or specifically good bike trails, there are lots of options here in North County! Whether you are looking for some local hikes to try or just want to get outside more this spring, here are some suggestions..

TEMPLETON

Santa Rita Road Trail

This is a 15.0-mile point-to-point trail in Templeton and is considerably easy. Aside from walking, this trail is great for running, mountain biking, and off-road driving. It is a mostly paved country road and surrounded by trees. It could take up to five hours to hike the entire road, although most people

PASO ROBLES

Montebello Oaks Trail

bike or only go a short distance. This trail can be found at Vineyard Road and Semmilon Lane. Just head east on Vineyard Road and south down South Bethel Road. South Bethel Road then turns into Santa Rita Road and the trail ends at Old Creek Road.

This trail is located in Paso and is 2.1 miles out-and-back. It is considered an easy trek and takes about 50 minutes to complete. This trail is popular for hiking, mountain biking, walking your dog, and running. It’s situated in a neighborhood and you’re likely to see lots of birds, oak trees, and wildflowers in the spring!

To find the entrance to this trail, follow Montebello Oaks Drive, past the Kleck Road intersection, and onto Vista Oaks Way. The entrance will be found just before Victoria Court.

Centennial Trail

This trail is located at Centennial Park in Paso. Its terrain is considered easy and approachable and is 1.9 miles there and back. It takes around 30 minutes to finish. People enjoy hiking, biking, running, and walking their dogs on this trail. It is paved and you are likely to see lots of

Star Garden Trail

oak trees and a creek on your walk.

This trail goes from Lana Street to Mohawk Court. Parking is available at Centennial Park at 600 Nickerson Drive. There is a sidewalk connection from Mohawk Ct. to Salinas River Parkway.

Oak Knoll and Quails Roost Trail

This is a 0.7-mile there and back hike located in Paso. It’s considered an easy trail and takes about 20 minutes to finish. It has a lovely view of the Nacimiento Lake and you’re likely to encounter lots of birds, trees, and shrubs.

To find this trail you will need to follow Nacimiento Lake Drive and turn left on Heritage Road. Then turn left on Resort Drive. You will find the entrance to the trail next to the Lake Nacimiento Resort.

This is a very unique trail located at the gorgeous hotel and property Allegretto in Paso Robles. This trail takes you through 12 locations around the perimeter of the property. Each station is a creative representation of the 12 individual zodiac signs. The intention with this walk is to provide spaces where the individual can have moments of silence and reflection, as it is a very peaceful and quiet trail. Depending upon how long you choose to stay in each location, it

is estimated to take about 15-30 minutes to complete this walk. There are beautiful views of grape vineyards in the distance and benches are provided throughout the trail. For more information you can ask for a Star Garden Trail Guide at the front desk. However, whether you are interested in astrology or not, this property is wonderful and provides an easy and unique way to get out in nature and explore the views of Paso.

By Blake Ashley Frino-Gerl

Mark Nealey has been in the pool and spa industry for more than 23 years. With career interests in law enforcement and real estate, he “just kept getting pulled back to the pool and spa industry.” He found that it was his passion and decided, “This is where I belong.”

Open for business since October 2023, Paso Pool and Supply sells all pool and spa supplies, including floats and toys, as well as offering maintenance and repairs. Nealey and his partner Chris Tawil serve San Luis Obispo and all of North County, including Cambria.

Nealey’s joy in the business is “fixing problems and the interaction with the community.” They do in-store water tests for free, as well as rebuilding equipment. If a customer wants to do the maintenance themselves, they make it possible to come in and learn how to do that.

Outside of the pool and spa industry, Nealey utilizes his company to sponsor events and get involved with the community as much as they can.

He also plans to expand and open more locations in the future. “Our goal is to empower the community with knowledge

on their pools and spas, as well as gain and keep their trust,” Nealey explains.

He believes in having a fun environment to work in, and with for the store to be known as the best at what they do. “We actually have a passion for this industry, it’s not just about making money for us,” he adds. “Here, the customer actually matters.”

By Blake Ashley Frino-Gerl

Templeton Glass is celebrating its 35th year of business. Partner and General Manager Kelly Flannagan conveys that her parents started Flannagan Screen Repair business, which then parlayed into Templeton Glass. Joining the family business 14 years ago, Flannagan says she loves having the ability to serve the community, including all of SLO County.

Specializing in windows, Flannagan says, “We are also a Milgard Certified Dealer, allowing us to walk our customers through their projects with the best windows and doors available.” They also offer custom shower glass, glass replacement, mirror installation, and wine room glass. They

partner with many local contractors to sell and install an array of premium glass.

Flannagan enjoys getting to know her clients and building lasting partnerships. “I’m also grateful to carry on my parents’ legacy by working with such a talented crew who we consider family,” she says. They have built a trusted business that focuses on teamwork. “Our crew of glass installation experts are truly passionate about the projects we take on, and it’s built a beautiful connection between us and the people we serve,” Flannagan says.

Flannagan is an ambassador for the Paso Robles & Templeton Chamber of Commerce and connects with local businesses. As a Hospice SLO volunteer, Flannagan looks

for ways to involve the business in service.

“In recent years, we’ve teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to donate overstock, and we’re currently working on a plan with the organization to assist with their home preservation project,” she says.

Having a local business gives them a platform to give back. She states that “whether we donate time and labor, materials or direct funds to local nonprofits, having the ability to do that is one of the most rewarding parts of the business.”

How much do you know about U.S. educational history? Take this quiz

IJAMES BRESCIA, ED.D COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SLOCOEDU

had a request to share some of the Education Trivia recently presented at a San Luis Obispo County Rotary meeting. Schools have changed a great deal over the years. Erasable slates, better known as chalkboards, were updated to whiteboards and replaced with Smart Boards. Laptops and iPads replaced notebooks and textbooks like ballpoint pens replaced fountain pens that replaced ink wells. Test your trivia knowledge and take some time to reflect on education as it was and is today.

1. In 375 BC, who wrote the Republic, a Socratic dialogue that discussed the role of education in a just society?

2. What method of teaching reading dating back to 1570 emphasizes the association of letters or groups of individual sounds?

3. Who is considered the father of modern education and wrote the 1762 influential work “Emile”?

4. In 1837, which country implemented the concept of kindergarten?

5. In 1875, who advocated for creating U.S. state-funded public schools?

6. In 1917, which state was the last to offer free public schooling in the U.S.?

7. In 1929, what event prompted what we know today as the school buses?

8. Why did students in the U.S. practice ducking beneath their desks in 1942?

9. What did the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Topeka unanimous Supreme Court ruling end?

10. Why was the Arkansas National Guard mobilized to Little Rock Central High School in 1957?

11. What education legislation was passed in 1958 because of Sputnik?

12. Which president signed the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the 1966 Child Nutrition Act that established the School Breakfast Program?

13. What is the Education Act passed by the U.S. Congress in 1972 that prohibits discrimination in federally funded schools based on sex?

14. What is section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act that protects the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities called?

15. In 1979, which president appointed Shirley Hufstedler as the first Secretary of Education and cabinet-level position?

16. In 1983, which president’s administration published “A Nation at Risk” with recommendations for how schools should teach students?

17. In 1995, nine district teachers in Eugene, Oregon, introduced what non-traditional program for instructional delivery?

18. In 2001, NCLB was introduced; what does it represent in education jargon?

19. Which San Luis Obispo County school district still had student dormitories

operating in the 1980s?

20. In 1985, the State Legislature passed a minimum starting teacher salary of approximately how much?

Education is one of the most empowering forces in the world. Education can create knowledge, build confidence, break down barriers, increase opportunities, and promote social justice. Thank you for your continued support of education in our community. It is an honor to serve as your County Superintendent of Schools.

ANSWERS

1. Plato

2. Phonics John Hart

3. Jean-Jacques Rousseau

4. Germany

5. Horace Mann

6. Tennesee

7. Great Depression

8. World War II Mock Air Raid

9. Desegregation

10. Safety and prevention of violence as the school began admitting Black students

11. National Defense Education Act

12. Lyndon B. Johnson

13. Title IX

14. Free Appropriate Public Education

15. Jimmy Carter

16. Ronald Reagan

17. Outdoor Preschool

18. No Child Left Behind

19. Atascadero

20. $19,000

By Ian Parkinson San Luis Obispo County Sheriff

As Sheriff, I belong to a great many groups and organizations. Some are charitable in nature. Others are professional. These professional groups are beneficial in that they allow me to stay up to date with the latest laws, regulations, and best practices of law enforcement. One of those I belong to and am currently the treasurer for is the California State Sheriff’s Association or CSSA.

The organization is made up of all 58 sheriffs in California. It is the preeminent law enforcement organization in the state. It should be. It has been around since 1894. The mission of the California State Sheriff’s Association is to “support the role of sheriff as the chief law enforcement officer in each California County and to speak as a collective voice on matters of public safety." The association has five main goals:

Updating knowledge of modern law enforcement science and technology and providing this educational training to sheriffs’ personnel.

Developing and maintaining programs,

The CSSA and how it helps sheriffs and their personnel

policies, and procedures that will enhance public confidence in the sheriff’s criminal detection, prevention, and apprehension capabilities.

Reinforcing relationships at the state level with the governor, attorney general, state legislature and other state officials as to the needs, requirements, resources, and duties to enable the sheriffs to provide effective and efficient law enforcement in their counties.

Jointly addressing the unique problems of all California sheriffs and resolving the challenges collectively through the association and periodic meetings of all sheriffs.

Maintaining the role of sheriff as the chief law enforcement officer in the county.

To help advance these goals, the CSSA has seminars, trainings, and conferences throughout the year. Recently, my office hosted a media relations seminar for sheriffs and their public information officers (PIOs). This is held once a year and is designed to provide those attending with ways we can get information out to the media and to the public about major investigative cases more efficiently, quickly, and comprehensively — what we did right. And what we did wrong.

By examining these cases it is our hope to learn from these incidents and do a better job getting information out to the public the next time a similar situation happens. The cases we look at typically involve a dynamic situation unfolding in

a matter of minutes. For example, the 2017 mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas which killed 60 people and became the deadliest mass shooting in American history. Or the Oroville Dam crisis, which resulted in the Sheriff’s Office in that county having to evacuate more than 180,000 people out of harm’s way. These cases are presented by law enforcement personnel who were actually there when these incidents took place.

Other cases may involve an investigation that spans years. For instance, this year, I had my detective commander, Chad Nicholson, and my PIO, Tony Cipolla, present on the Kristin Smart case. As you know, this investigation took 26 years but eventually led to the conviction of Paul Flores for her murder. Chad presented the overall investigation of the case and the challenges of getting the evidence to ultimately convict Flores. And Tony presented on the worldwide media attention this case generated and how our agency was able to deal with all the requests for information and the pressures of trying to release information about the case without jeopardizing the investigation. I believe it was a very eye-opening experience for those sheriffs and their PIOs. So, we continue to learn. I continue to learn. It can be a process, but ultimately, the goal is to make our communities better and safer.

CIOPPINO & VINO FUNDRAISER RAISES OVER $28,000

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF JOYFUL LEARN-THROUGH-PLAY FOR PASO ROBLES CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

By Camille DeVaul

For a great cause, over 100 guests had cioppino for the 20th Annual Cioppino & Vino fundraiser benefiting the Paso Robles Children’s Museum. The fundraiser is the museum’s largest and only fundraiser of the year, with proceeds supporting the museum’s programs and daily operations.

“We used this year’s event to honor the 20-year anniversary of the museum and Tom Martin’s legacy to build a place where we can engage children in a joyful learn-through-play environment,” shared Museum Board President Joanna Maxted.

The Children’s Museum, located at the Paso Robles Volunteer Firehouse, is a nonprofit that serves children and families in the community. The museum offers playful environments where the youth can learn while having fun. They provide various youth programs, a place to host birthday parties, and often partner with other youth based programs in the community.

This year’s event moved from the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom to the Paso Robles Event Center, which allowed for the museum’s cherished Old Mack Firetruck to be brought to the fundraiser and used as a backdrop for photos. On Sunday, chefs and judges came together to first make the cioppino — an Italian strew of fish, shellfish, tomatoes, and seasonings.

This year’s competing chefs were:

• Andrei Kibrik of I Love to Cater

• Trish Jacobs of Paso Catering Co.

• Rachel Ponce of Pair with Chef Rachel

• Jeffry Wiesinger of Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ

win; I won the People’s Choice Award last year, and have participated in the event six times, I think.”

Wiesinger’s cioppino was made from his housemade crab and fish stock, combined with Italian herbed tomato sauce with sautéed onions, celery, fennel, and garlic. He included gungeness crab, shrimp, scallops, calamari, lobster, clams, mussels and a fresh white fish, often cod, halibut, or snapper.

He adds, “I am very passionate about Global and American Regional Cuisine, and Cioppino is a classic example of a truly California dish that was inspired by Italian-American immigrants, which is my family heritage.”

Maxted adds that new elements were added to the fundraiser, including several new chefs and judges and various live auction packages like a VIP family fun fair package, VIP Concerts in the Park package, and an ‘Instant’ Cellar and Wine Fridge with 36 bottles from top producers.

• Gregg Wangard of Kelle Co To Go

• Nick Nolan of Trumpet Vine Catering

The honorable judges were Chris Batlle (Might Cap Mushrooms), Debbie Thomas (food, wine, and travel writer and retired restaurateur), Jennifer Olson (Creative Director of Edible San Luis Obispo Magazine), Pepper Daniels (local radio personality and program director), and Rachel Haggstrom (Chef of Restaurant at Justin).

The winner of this year’s People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice was Chef Jeffry Wiesinger of Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ.

“Cioppino & Vino is great food and wine event that benefits a wonderful local charity organization, one that is near and dear to my heart,” said Wiesinger. “It was an honor to have won both the first place Judges Choice Award and the first place People’s Choice Award, while competing against some of the best chefs in Paso. It was just the second time in the 12-year history of the event that I have earned the double

Over $28,00 was raised at this year’s fundraiser. Maxted says proceeds will, “go towards a variety of programs at the Museum, including supporting school field trips, autism nights, maintenance on existing exhibits, and the creation of new exhibits and programs.”

She added, “We have several new exhibits that are currently being planned and also the expansion of our free field trips program.”

Volunteer’s at the museum are excited to be in the process of creating a new tricycle path exhibit to enhance the outdoor play experience and promote physical activity and coordination for children. They are also currently working on a fundraising plan to build an entirely new, interactive, permanent museum exhibit highlighting the Central Coast’s agricultural industry to educate and excite children about local produce’s journey from farm to table.

In this exhibit, children will pull grape clusters off vines, pluck pomegranates off trees, and shake almonds off branches before putting them all back again, according to Maxted.

“Our ultimate objective is to foster a love for learning, spark creativity, support parents and caregivers, and provide a safe and engaging space for children to explore, discover, and develop crucial skills that will serve them throughout their lives,” says Maxted about the museum’s purpose in the community.

She adds, “We aim to remain accessible to all members of the community, regardless of financial background. To continue to provide these amazing services to children in our community, build new exhibits, and keep up with museum maintenance, we rely on the generous support from our community and are incredibly grateful to all our donors and patrons.”

For more information, visit pasokids.org

(From left) Event Coordinator Teresa Dellagana, Chef Jeffry Wiesinger, and Operations Manager Yoana Sandoval were all smiles at the Cioppino & Vino fundraiser. Photo provided by Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ

The expatriate vines from France’s famed Rhône River Valley were on robust display at the annual Rhône Rangers Experience at the Paso Robles Event Center on February 18. A drizzly afternoon and impending storm didn’t dampen the spirits of die-hard admirers of New World Rhônes who made this pilgrimage to Paso.

This year, devotees were delighted to experience a range of some 82 wineries from California, Oregon, and Texas offering a whopping 300-plus wines. There were the usual suspects, beguiling Syrahs leading the lineup, joined by earthy Mourvèdres and seductive Grenaches, along with the popular GSM ménage-a-trois blends. Add to these other eclectic reds such as Carignan, Cinsault, Counoise, and Petite Sirah.

The aromatic whites ranged from the popular and charismatic Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Grenache Blanc to Clairette Blanche, Bourboulenc, and Picpoul Blanc. All in all, some 600 attendees savored an exciting smorgasbord of wines.

The celebration kicked off with a Rhône Essentials seminar. Conducted by Ray Isle, Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine Magazine, the seminar featured nine wineries presenting wines from sparkling and rosé to “obscure” white and red.

Paso Robles was represented by Steinbeck Vineyards & Winery, Caliza, Copia Vineyards, and Nenow Family Wines. Joining them were

Rhônists gather for an elevated experience

winemakers from Santa Barbara, Texas, and Oregon.

Steinbeck’s winemaker Bryan Widstrand featured the 2021 Cuveé Rhóne Sparkling. The 10-case production of Grenache and Syrah blanc de noir blend, begun as an “experiment” in 2019, quickly sold out.

With a nod to his Indian heritage, Copia’s winemaker Varinder Sahi compared his 2021 The Cure, a GSM blend to the smoky spicy garam masala. “I want to create as big a spice box as I can.”

Carl Bowker showed his Caliza 2020 Estate Syrah from Paso’s Willow Creek District. Caliza wines are produced from estate and purchased fruit and can include as many as six different clones of Syrah on their property. “With all six it’s the most pristine example of Paso Robles Syrah. This variety I hang my hat on,” he said.

Among the “Obscure Red” category, Drew Nenow of his namesake winery presented the 2022 Last of 5, a Cinsault from the Adelaida District. From Berkeley, Jeff Morgan, owner of Covenant Wines, brought along the 2022 Red C Rosé of Grenache, its fruit sourced from Lodi.

Jonathan Leahy of Becker Vineyard presented his 2022 Reserve Viognier from the Texas High Plains AVA. From Santa Barbara County, Sonja Magdevski offered the ultra-elegant 2021 Clementine Carter Grenache.

The second winery in the world to receive the Regenerative Organic Certification (Paso’s Tablas Creek Vineyard was the first), Troon Vineyard & Farms’ owner/ winemaker Craig Camp poured the 2022 Amphora Mourvèdre from Southern Oregon’s Applegate Valley AVA.

Bryan Babcock, known for his Pinot Noir from Sta. Rita Hills AVA featured his crisp and tart 2022 Gracious Picpoul in the “Obscure White” category. “I’m not trying to be a Rhône Ranger, but I guess now I am,” he said. He coined the term “Grenache creep” to describe a grape that’s fast catching up with Syrah, especially in the Sta. Rita Hills.

Samra Morris concurred when I met her later in the Grand Tasting hall. “You’re going to see a lot more Grenache and Syrah from our region,” said the winemaker at Alma Rosa Winery. Morris offered a spicy, peppery 2021 Syrah from El Jabali Ranch. “It’s typical of Sta. Rita Hills,” she added.

At the Grand Tasting, Paso Robles wineries dominated followed by Santa Barbara County. Other California AVAs were represented by wineries from Sonoma County, Napa Valley and El Dorado County.

With an impressive selection of blends and varietal wines Paso featured some 40 wineries, among them were Alta Colina, Cass, Brecon, Bodega de Edgar, Eberle, Kukkula, Seven Oxen, Thibido, Vigo Cellars, Ultima Tulie, and more.

From Santa Barbara County were such iconic names as Foxen, Zaca Mesa, Jaffurs, Lindquist Family Wines, Tercero, Ken Brown, and Samsara.

I came across a handful of wines from Texas, fast gaining a reputation in the wine landscape.“Last year we were the only Texas winery here. We had such a great time we wanted to come back,” shared Tony Offill, winemaker at William Chris Vineyards, in Hye, Texas. Their 2022 vintages of Picpoul Blanc and Mourvèdre expressed bright fruit and bracing acidity

Another scintillating Picpoul Blanc, a 2022, came from French Connection Wines also in Hye, Texas. “It’s one of those varieties to hold on to acidity — it delivers every single time,” said co-owner Victoria Calais.

From Oregon, Troon Vineyards poured the delightful 2022 Druid’s White, a Vermentino and Marsannedriven blend with a lagniappe (little extra) of other white varieties; and a spicy lively 2021 Syrah. From Oregon’s Rogue Valley, Long Walk Vineyard offered 2021 vintages of Grenache, Carignan, and Mourvèdre.

The afternoon ended with closing of the silent auction of wines and lifestyle packages and raised close to $16,000. Net proceeds benefit the national Rhône Rangers organization, which focuses on the education, production and promotion of Rhône variety wine grapes grown in the U.S.

(From left) Carl Bowker, Craig Camp, Drew Nenow, Varinder Sahi, Bryan Widtsrand, Jeff Morgan, Ray Isle, Bryan Babcock, Sonja Magdevski, and Tony Quealy gather at the Rhone Essentials seminar at the Paso Robles Event Center. Photo by Anita Sahi

IBy BeeWench Farms

Egg season and chaffles

t’s that time of year when all the chickens kick it into overdrive on egg production. It’s exciting after having very few over the winter, and it quickly becomes overwhelming as you try every recipe that promises to use a ton of eggs so your family doesn’t get tired of eating them.

The reason eggs are seasonal is because a chicken’s laying is dependent on daylight hours. As the days get shorter in the fall and winter, the chickens pause egg production to save their nutrient stores to get through cold winter weather. As the day gets longer in the spring, they ramp up their egg production because this signals the best time to sit on a nest of eggs that will hatch when the weather is nicer and the chicks have a better chance of surviving.

Spring is also the time you will notice those beautiful golden yolks in the pasture-raised chicken eggs. The deeper yellow color in the yolk comes from the chicken’s diet, and it becomes much darker from diets rich in Omega-3s. Green grass is everywhere and is now the major contributor to Omega-3s in egg yolks. Even if the chickens are confined to coops, feeding them some cuttings, green scraps, alfalfa, or even dandelions will help them get those extra dark yolks.

If you are looking for in-season produce to pair with those delicious eggs, here is what to look for:

Fruits:

Blood Orange

Kumquats

Kiwi

Cherries

Rhubarb

Strawberries

Blueberries

Vegetables:

Arugula

Artichokes

Asparagus

Brussel Sprouts

Cauliflower

Cabbage

Carrots

Peas

Leeks

Lettuce

I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t love a good waffle, including my kids, so our new favorite egg meal has become chaffles. If you haven’t heard of them, they are a simple cheese and egg waffle.

My personal favorite is the taco chaffel. I add some taco seasoning to the cheddar cheese and egg batter and then top it with salsa, greens, avocado, and cilantro. I also like to use chaffels instead of bread for sandwiches and burgers. My kids love sweeter chaffels, so I use cream cheese or ricotta with the eggs and then add in some maple syrup and cinnamon. We top the sweet chaffels with mini chocolate chips, more maple syrup, or whipped cream. I enjoy the sweet chaffels with some

fresh berries. You can really try just about any combo, and they can be made for any meal of the day. They also freeze well to make ahead of time and warm up when you want them. They are delicious and nutrient packed.

Chaffles (Cheese and Egg Waffles)

Ingredients

• 3 eggs

• 1 ½ cups shredded cheese of choice (cream cheese or ricotta for sweet or cheddar for savory)

• Optional Ingredients (will make them taste more like waffles and less eggy):

• 2tbs almond flour

• ½ tsp psyllium husk

• ½ tsp baking powder

Instructions

1. Preheat a waffle iron to medium-high heat, and make sure to use a non-stick spray.

2. In a medium bowl or blender, whisk together eggs, shredded cheese, optional ingredients, and seasonings.

3. Pour mixture into a waffle iron and cook for about 5 minutes or until the egg is fully cooked. Repeat until you’ve used all of the “batter.” Should make 2 chaffels

4. Serve plain, with your favorite toppings, depending on your sweet or savory preferences.

APRIL Calendar of Events

APRIL 11

ECHO EMPTY BOWLS

ATASCADERO

9315 PISMO AVE. ATASCADERO

11am-1pm

Enjoy delectable soups, artisan breads and take home a handmade ceramic bowl as your souvenir. Enjoy music while you visit with community members and supporters of ECHO. Celebrity servers will reprise their role to serve you. Take home an artisan ceramic bowl.

APRIL 19-22

EARTH DAY FESTIVAL

CAMBRIA NURSERY AND FLORIST, 2801 ETON ROAD, CAMBRIA

9am-5pm

Join in the festivities at the Earth Day Festival for weekend-long family-friendly celebration featuring workshops, local artisan vendors, garden demonstrations, and more to inspire and educate the community about sustainable living and gardening practices.

APRIL 20

ATASCADERO CITY WIDE YARD SALE

8am-2pm

7th Annual Event, with 120+ yard sales and bargain hunters from throughout California. Digital map and printable list of locations will be posted on atascaderoyardsale.com the week of the event. Printed map will be available in the April 18th issue of Atascadero News.

PASO

11TH

ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER & GALA RAVA WINES + EVENTS

5pm

The Atascadero Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to the Annual Awards Dinner and Gala at Rava Wines on April 20. This event is the Chamber's largest and most prestigious event of the year! Celebrate the accomplishments of the local business community and those who make a difference.

APRIL 20-21

WINE 4 PAWS TO BENEFIT WOODS HUMANE SOCIETY

With each purchase from over 80 wine, cider, and olive oil producers throughout SLO County, 10 percent of sales will go to Woods Humane Society. It is a win-win helping local homeless animals all the while supporting local businesses. For a map of participating vendors and more information, go to wine4paws.com.

APRIL 21

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

CREEKSIDE RESERVE, 2264 CENTER ST, CAMBRIA 11am-3:30pm

The Cambria Land Trust is hosting a family-friendly afternoon centered on this year’s international theme, “Planet vs Plastic.” Local food from Soto’s True Earth Market, Robin’s Restaurant, and Plantae & Fungi,

ATASCADERO

6505

EVENT DETAILS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE verify prior to attending.

complemented by wine and beer, will be available for purchase. Explore the kids’ zone for fun with science and nature, or enjoy live music, storytelling, and miniclasses at the learning center.

APRIL 25

ECHO EMPTY BOWLS PASO ROBLES

1130 PINE ST. PASO ROBLES

5pm-7pm

New this year is our Paso Robles Evening Reception hosted by Studios on the Park. Enjoy an evening of soup tastings, curated wine selections, studio art and live music. Take home an artisan ceramic bowl.

APRIL 26-28

MORRO BAY KITE FESTIVAL

101 COLEMAN DRIVE, MORRO BAY

Be enthralled by a high-flying weekend of family fun at the beloved annual event for kite flyers of all ages. For information, visit morrobaykitefestival.com.

APRIL 27-28

16TH ANNUAL CAMBRIA WILDFLOWER SHOW

CAMBRIA VETERAN’S MEMORIAL HALL, 1000 MAIN STREET Noon-4/5pm

Immerse yourself in the vibrant display of hundreds of fresh wildflower bouquets, sponsored by

Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. Saturday, April 27, from 12 to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., explore the diversity of the Central Coast’s flora. The flowers are labeled by both botanical and common names, highlighting rare, endangered, invasive, and poisonous species.

APRIL 27

VINTAGE CARS AND TREASURES EXPO

PASO ROBLES CITY PARK, 11TH AND SPRING STREETS

9am-3pm

Go back in time at the vintage sidecar rendezvous, recycled treasures, vintage motorcycles, electric vehicles and PR comic book Expo.

BOOTS & BLING UNDER THE WINGS

ESTRELLA WARBIRD MUSEUM

4251 DRY CREEK RD., PASO ROBLES

5pm-9pm

Dinner and auction hosted by the Trinity Lutheran School Boosters benefiting Trinity Lutheran Schools.

BEARCAT BOOSTERS

CORNHOLE DINNER

BARRELHOUSE BREWING CO.

3055 LIMESTONE WAY, PASO ROBLES

2pm-10pm

Food, dinner, and entertainment to raise funds for the Paso Robles High School Athletics.

PASO

The following listing of area houses of worship is provided by the partnership between Adelaide Inn and PASO Magazine. We hope to include all houses of worship in the Paso Robles, Templeton, San Miguel, Shandon, and Bradley areas. Your congregation is welcomed to send us updates and information to make our list complete and accurate. If you have information, please send an email to office@13starsmedia.com or call (805) 237-6060. Please include your name, address, phone, service times, and name of spiritual leader of your congregation. Thank you, and stay blessed.

ATASCADERO

“ABC” Atascadero Bible Church 6225 Atascadero Mall

Atascadero (805) 466-2051

Sunday 8am, 9am, 10:45

Thursday 7pm, Celebrate Recovery

Pastor Jeff Urke

Awakening Ways Center for Spiritual Living

9315 Pismo Ave.

10:00 a.m. at the Pavilion

Rev. Elizabeth Rowley Hogue awakeningways.org (805) 391-4465

Congregation Ohr Tzafon

“The Northern Light”

2605 Traffic Way Atascadero, CA 93422

Friday Night Service 7:30 PM (805) 466-0329

Cornerstone Community Church

9685 Morro Road

8:45 & 10:45 AM

Pastor John Marc Wiemann (805) 461-3899 cornerstoneca.org

Hope Lutheran Church 8005 San Gabriel Road, Atascadero 9am Sunday (in-person and livestream on YouTube)

Pastor: Aaron Smith (805) 461-0340 ourhopelutheran.net

CRESTON

Creston Community Church 5170 O’Donovan Road

Service: 9:00 a.m.

Pastor JD Megason

LOCKWOOD

True Life Christian Fellowship Lockwood/Jolon Road, across from the school in Lockwood Service: 9:30 a.m.

Pastor Erick Reinstedt (805) 472-9325

NACIMIENTO

Heritage Village Church

At The Don Everingham Center Heritage Ranch Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Brad Brown (805) 712-7265

Hilltop Christian Fellowship 2085 Gateway Drive

Heritage Ranch Service: 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Perry Morris & Jerry Gruber (805) 239-1716

Oak Shores Christian Fellowship 2727 Turkey Cove Rd., at the Oak Shores Community Clubhouse Service: 8:30 a.m.

Pastor Jerry Gruber (760) 304-2435

PASO ROBLES

Apostolic Assembly of the Faith of Christ Jesus 2343 Park St

Bilingual Services:

Services: Thursday 7 p.m. Sunday 2 p.m.

Pastor Miguel Alvarado (805) 610-2930

Bridge Christian Church Centennial Park Banquet Room 600 Nickerson Dr. Service: 9:30 a.m.

Pastor Tim Mensing (805) 975-7178

Calvary Chapel Paso Robles

1615 Commerce Way

Service: Sunday at 9 a.m., Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Pastor Aaron Newman (805) 239-4295

Chabad of Paso Robles

Rabbi Meir Gordon. 805-635-8684

info@chabadpaso.com

Monthly - Friday evening at 7:00pm, Saturday morning at 10:00am

Please contact us for address and current schedule

Christian Life Center 1744 Oak St.

Service Time: 9:30 a.m.

Home Groups during the week

Preschool:

Christian Life Early Learning Ctr.

Pastor Guy Drummond (805) 238-3366

Christian Science Services 17th & Chestnut Streets

Service: 10 a.m. Sunday & 2nd and 4th

Wednesdays 7 p.m. (805) 238-3833

Church of Christ

3545 Spring St. (Corner 36th & Spring)

Service: Sunday, 11 a.m.

Evangelist Bob Champion (805) 286-5875

Sam Hogan (310) 602-9516

Delbert Arthurs (805) 238-4412

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

1020 Creston Rd.

Service: 10 a.m. (805)-406-8910

Missionaries: (805) 366-2363

Covenant Presbyterian Church 1450 Golden Hill Rd.

Service: Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Dan Katches (805)238-6927

covenantpaso.com

Family Worship Center

616 Creston Rd.

Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Patrick Sheean (805) 239-4809

First Baptist Church 1645 Park St.

Pastor Michael R. Garman

Services: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.

Discipleship 10 a.m.

(805) 238-4419

First Mennonite Church

2343 Park St.

Service: 11 a.m.

Pastor Romero (805) 238-2445

First United Methodist

915 Creston Rd.

Service: 11 a.m.

Pastor Josh Zulueta (805) 238-2006

Grace Baptist Church

535 Creston Rd.

Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Gary Barker (805) 238-3549

Highlands Church Corner S. River and Niblick | 215 Oak Hill

Services: 9-10 am & 10:30-11:30 am

Pastor James Baird (805) 226-5800

Live Oak

1521 Oak St.

Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor John Kaiser (805) 238-0575

New Day 1228 11th St (east off Paso Robles St)

Services: Sunday 10 a.m., Wednesday 7 p.m.

Pastor Brad Alford (805) 239-9998

New Life Tabernacle

3850 So. Ramada Dr. Ste. D

Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Efrain Cordero

North County Christian Fellowship 421 9th St.

Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Steve Calagna (805) 239-3325

Paso Robles Bible Church

2206 Golden Hill Rd.

Service: Sunday 9:30 a.m.

Pastor Mark Wheeler/Pastor Dave Rusco (805) 226-9670

Paso Robles Church of the Nazarene 530 12th St.

Service: 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Stephen Anastasia (805) 238-4300

www.pasonaz.com

Paso Robles Community Church

2706 Spring St.

Service: 9:30 a.m.

Pastor: Daniel Baxter (805) 239-4771

www.pasochurch.com

Plymouth Congregational Church, UCC

Thirteenth & Oak Street

Service: 10 a.m.

Rev. Wendy Holland (805) 238-3321

Poder de Dios Centro Familiar

500 Linne Road, Suite D

Services: Sun. 4:30p.m., Wed. 7p.m.

Pastors: Frank and Isabel Diaz (805) 264-9322 / (805) 621-4199

Redeemer Baptist Church

Kermit King Elementary School

700 Schoolhouse Circle

Service: 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Christopher Cole (805) 238-4614

Second Baptist Church

1937 Riverside Ave.

Service: 11 a.m.

Pastor: Gary Jordon (805) 238-2011

St. James Episcopal Church

1335 Oak St.

Services: 8 a.m. (Rite I), 10 a.m. (Rite II)

Reverend Barbara Miller (805) 238-0819

St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church 820 Creston Rd. Daily Mass- 8:30 a.m.

Saturday 8 a.m.

Tues. 7 p.m. Spanish

Saturday 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Spanish Vigil Mass

Sunday 8 a.m. & 10 a.m.;

Spanish Mass at 12:30PM

Father Rudolfo Contreras (805) 238-2218

The Revival Center

3850 Ramada Dr., Ste. A-3

Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Gabe Abdelaziz (805) 434-5170

The Light of the World Church 2055 Riverside Ave.

Services: Everyday, 6 p.m.

Sundays 10 a.m. & 5 p.m.

Pastor Bonifacio Robles (612) 990-4701

Trinity Lutheran Church 940 Creston Rd.

Worship Service: 9:30 a.m. (805) 238-3702

Victory Baptist Church 3850 Ramada Dr. Ste D4

Sundays - 10 & 11 a.m.

Wednesday - 6:30 p.m.

Pastor Bruce Fore (805) 221-5251 vbcpaso.org

Victory Outreach Paso Robles 2919 Union Road, Paso Robles, CA

Services: Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, 7:00 p.m.

Pastor Pete Torres (805) 536-0035

TEMPLETON

Bethel Lutheran Church 295 Old County Rd.

Service: 9:30 a.m.

Interim Pastor Russ Gordon (805) 434-1329

Celebration Worship Center

Pentecostal Church of God 988 Vineyard Drive

Pastor Roy Spinks

Services: 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. (805) 610-9819

Family Praise & Worship

Located at Vineyard Elementary School 2121 Vineyard Dr, Templeton

Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Vern H Haynes Jr. (805) 975-8594

Templeton Presbyterian Church

610 S. Main St.

Service: 10 a.m.

Reverend Roger Patton (805) 434-1921

Higher Dimension Church

601 Main St.

1st Sunday: 1:30 p.m.

2nd - 5th Sundays 12:30 p.m.

Pastor Charlie Reed, Jr. (805) 440-0996

Life Community Church

8:30 & 10:30 Sundays

3770 Ruth Way, Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 434-5040

hello@lccpaso.org

Pastor Brandon Hall

Solid Rock Christian Fellowship

925 Bennett Way

Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Jeff Saylor (805) 434-2616

Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Templeton Hills

930 Templeton Hills Rd.

Services: Saturday 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Zac Page (805) 434-1710

Vineyard Church of Christ

601 So. Main St.

Service: 10 a.m.

Evangelist: Steve Orduno (805) 610-4272

Vintage Community Church

692 Peterson Ranch Road

Services: 9 & 11 a.m.

Coaches: Aaron Porter, Dayn Mansfield (805) 296-1120

SAN MIGUEL

Iglesia Fuente De Agua Viva 301 13th St.

Services: 10 a.m. & 7 p.m.

Pastor Mike Duran (805) 467-5500

Mission San Miguel

Parish

775 Mission Street

Daily Mass: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am

Father Lucas Pantoja (805) 467-2131 1

SHANDON

Shandon Assembly of God 420 Los Altos Ave.

Spanish Service: Sun. 5 p.m., Thurs. 7 p.m.

Pastor Jim Mei (805)226-9737

Local Veteran organizations seek younger members

By Camille DeVaul

With several military bases in San Luis Obispo County, two of which are in North County, there are thousands of veterans in our region. However, local veteran organizations are seeking more veteran involvement, especially from the younger generations.

Both based in the Veterans Memorial Building on Scott Street in Paso Robles, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10965 and American Legion Post 0050 provide support for local veterans. With the unfortunate loss of older generations from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, there has been a drastic decline in membership for the organizations.

“A lot of the younger vets aren’t aware [of VFW] because they aren’t involved yet, but that is something they are trying to change,” explains VFW Post 10965 Commander Leo Castillo.

VFW is a nonprofit organization

formed by veterans in 1899 to advocate for rights and benefits. Initially aiding veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection, it now comprises 1.4 million members. The VFW played a key role in establishing the Veterans Administration and advocating for various veterans’ rights, including compensation for Agent Orange exposure and improved medical services. They support the construction of memorials and offer programs for veterans and their families globally. Core values of the nonprofit include prioritizing members, honoring service, and fostering patriotism while respecting diverse opinions.

Charted and incorporated by Congress in 1919, the American Legion was established as a veteran organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. They are the largest wartime veterans service organization committed to mentoring youth and sponsoring programs in their communities,

advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.

Together, the veteran organizations work to bring more awareness to their building and services.

American Legion Commander Chris Rhorberg explains the importance of their organizations, “Part of it is being with people that have been through the same experience as you. Veterans tend to hang out with veterans, and if we come together, we can talk to each other.”

At the Paso Robles Veterans Memorial Building, representatives from the SLO County Veteran Services are available Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to assist veterans with their benefits.

“Too often we hear of people who have been going through decadeslong problems that they never went to the VA (Veteran Affairs) to find out if they were covered,” says Chris.

Besides offering camaraderie and assistance with benefits, the VFW and American Legion are lobbyists for veteran rights in Congress.

“Our organizations have a bigger seat at the table at Congress to be able to speak about the concerns and problems that vets go through,” says Leo, who told Paso Robles Magazine about four bills they are lobbying Congress to pass.

Currently, VFW is lobbying for the following:

H.R. 1139 / S. 740, GUARD VA Benefits Act, to reinstate penalties for charging veterans and survivors unauthorized fees relating to claims for VA benefits.

DIRECTORY TO OUR ADVERTISERS

H.R. 4157 /S. 928, Not Just a Number Act, to direct VA to incorporate benefit usage data into its annual suicide prevention report, and to examine moving the office of suicide prevention to the enterprise level at VA.

H.R. 3933/ S. 2888, TAP Promotion Act, to require accredited representatives from national, state, and local organizations to be included in TAP classes.

H.R. 1282 / S. 344, Major Richard Star Act, either as a standalone bill or via the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 to enable Chapter 61 retirees who sustained combat-related injuries to receive their vested DOD retirement pay and VA disability compensation without offset.

Together, the veteran organizations have worked to make the hall more familyoriented than the traditional vet’s hall your pops may have attended.

On Thursdays, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the American Legion cooks for the public, selling hamburgers and chips for $8 every week. The hall is also open to the public to rent for events. They are currently working to brainstorm how to bring in the younger veterans and create new community events for veterans and family.

“I want the community to know that these veterans served for a purpose and are still here,” says Castillo, who hopes to see patriotism and support for veterans increase.

The Paso Robles Veterans Memorial Building is located at 240 Scott Street, Paso Robles.

(From left) Lydia and Timothy Francis, American Legion Commander Chris Rhorberg, VFW Commander Leo Castillo, Tom Place, and Scott Witt.