Paso Robles Press Magazine • #278 • June 2024

INSIDE

Celebrating Dads

Locals share cherished photos with their Dads for Father’s Day

Pets of North County

In honor of Pets Month we highlight local furry animal friends

Sip & Savor

Juan Mercado’s RIISE: His second act leads to Paso Robles

THE Female LENS

JUNE 2024

Dear Friends,

In May of this year, I will officially be a Hearing Aid Specialist for 25 years! I don’t know how these years have gone by so quickly. But I do know how blessed I am to have so many wonderful patients like you. I appreciate your loyalty and support. I have seen many changes in hearing health care, and most have been for the better.

I don’t believe anyone misses the big, uncomfortable, squealing hearing aids we had available back in 1999. They were adjusted with tiny screwdrivers and were not too attractive. Today we have rechargeable aids,

Bluetooth streaming and smart phone apps. Most aids are nearly invisible when worn and are comfortable to wear 12 hours a day. We have a few patients that are still with us from 25 years ago.

To celebrate 25 years, we have a few special offers for you. We called our battery supplier, and they agreed to offer you a special price of $25 for a case for 80 batteries. They are normally $40 so you will save $15. We also have new products that turn your TV or computer into Bluetooth streaming devices, and they are all 25% off!

If you or a loved one are considering new hearing aids, we are also offering $250 off each hearing aid. Some patients like to have an extra pair, or they want to upgrade to something with more features. This year all the hearing aid companies are shaking off the Covid dust and have released new products in the hope of providing more clarity and comfort. Call us today and we promise to get you in within 48 hours, not 6 weeks like the big box stores.

Spring is a good time to call us to have your hearing tested. Let us get your hearing aids cleaned and polished so that you are ready for upcoming trips, graduations, and family gatherings. We service all brands like Phonak, Miracle Ear, Oticon and Starkey. Call our friendly Patient Care Coordinator Abby at (805) 460-7385. She will get you scheduled right away. We hope to see you soon!

Best Regards,

Peter Lucier

P.S. Thank you for your loyalty and support of our family. We appreciate your business and feel grateful to have served you for the past 25 years! Call us at (805) 460-7385.

Photography Through the Female Lens

By Christianna Marks

We highlight three women photographers who capture diverse stories through their lenses. From family portraits to celebrity shots, they all emphasize empowerment and unique perspectives.

Locals Celebrate Dads

Curated By The Editorial team

Locals shared with us their favorite photos of their dads to celebrate North County dads in for Father's Day.

Dogs of North County

By Camille DeVaul

Meet some of our North County's pups shared to us by their owners in honor of pets month.

CORRECTION: In our May issue, we published an article on the Paso Robles Chamber Gala and stated that "Chamber President/CEO Gina Fitzpatrick announced a merger with the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, consolidating operations into a new downtown building." We would like to clarify that the Chamber and the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance did not "merge." They are only moving into the same building later this year but will remain two separate organizations. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

Publisher's

Happy June! Summertime is here, and we are gearing up for graduations, summer trips, and camps for the kiddos. This is our season bursting with outdoor fun and community spirit, from the joy of summer concerts in the park to the Lavender U-Pick at Hambley Farms and the Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival. June marks the beginning of a season filled with memorable events with friends and family leading up to the 4th of July and the California Mid-State Fair!

As I mentioned last month, our sweet Mirac is graduating from 6th grade, and we've had the pleasure of him attending Children's House Montessori. It's been such a wonderful experience for both him and Max. They are growing so fast; it seems like only yesterday I was following them around as they were learning to walk. My heart is so full of how special they both are. I'm not the perfect parent or the ideal room mom, but I am perfect for them, and I have learned to give myself a lot of grace and forgiveness. They are the best part of both Nic and me.

Speaking of parenting, this month we celebrate our dads, and in honor of Father’s Day, we invited the community to share photos of their dads for us to showcase. Sharing these memories is incredibly special, and we thank everyone for participating. I truly believe the role of a father is the most important. Nic is truly one of the most remarkable men I know and such a wonderful father to our boys. He sets the tone for our home and family, demonstrating to our boys what strength and love truly means. I am grateful for all that he does for our family, our team and our community. This Father’s Day, we send love and appreciation to all the dads out there!

In addition, this issue celebrates local artists. This year, we spotlight three talented local photographers whose art captures the world through their lenses, revealing new forms of beauty. From weaving stories of seniors heading out of school and into the wider world, to capturing celebrities and celebrating women, these photographers share their subjects' stories with the world, each telling their own unique tale.

We take great joy in sharing the unique stories of our community with you. Publishing our local magazine and newspaper isn't just a job—it's a passion for us all. It's about sharing the stories that shape our lives and celebrating the spirit, resilience, and creativity of our community. Each issue is a testament to the achievements of our neighbors, a support for local businesses, and a way to keep everyone informed and connected. Through our publications, we weave together the fabric of our community, fostering a sense of belonging and pride. Together, we celebrate our shared values and diverse perspectives, making our town a vibrant and inspiring place to call home.

We appreciate all your support from our team and our family. We wish you a fantastic and safe start to your summer, filled with laughter, family BBQs, fun outings, and lots of dancing!

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

Hayley & Nic

This month’s edition of Paso Robles Magazine is brought to you by all the local advertisers that fill our pages. Thanks to them, we are able to bring you your local Hometown Magazine. if thou wouldest win immortality of name, either do things worth the writing, or write things worth the reading . — Thomas Fuller, 1727

John Nygaard

Neil Schumaker

Anthony Atkins

BeeWench Farm

Elisa Huot

Ian Parkinson

James Brescia, Ed.D

Karyl Lammers

Lynne Schmitz

Paso Robles Area

Historical Society Shift'N Gears

Mira Honeycutt The

Blake

4TH OF JULY & CALIFORNIA MID-STATE FAIR

July 2024

PUBLICATION DELIVERY DATE

July 5, 2024

ADVERTISING DEADLINE

June 10, 2024

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

THURSDAY JULY 4 TH 2-10 PM BARNEY SCHWARTZ PARK | 2970 UNION ROAD, PASO ROBLES FIREWORKS AT 9:15 PM

The start of Summer The start of Summer The start of Summer

KARYL LAMMERS

We welcome June with its lush landscapes and abundant life as it deepens our connection to nature and the earth while offering us many observances to enjoy.

Our Main Street Association Calendar is quiet this month in preparation for late summer and a full calendar through the end of 2024. We’d like to say thank you to all of our volunteers who tirelessly give their time, efforts, and talents to keep Main Street moving forward while maintaining our small-town heritage. We invite you to stop by the office for information on everything Paso Robles. We have updated magazines and newspapers along with brochures on things to do and see.

We know that music is one of the world’s most beautiful art forms, so we take pride in promoting “The Concerts in the Park” which begin on June 13, from 6 to 8 p.m., and continue every Thursday through August 29 offering live music, free for everyone. There is food and beverages available to purchase (or bring your own). We need music — it can lift our spirits, calm our minds, and provide us with a sense of comfort and solace in times of need.

Plato mentions: “Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gravity to life and everything.”

June 14 is Flag Day, commemorating the adoption of our

United States Flag in 1777 by the Second Continental Congress.

“When we honor our flag, we honor what we stand for as a nation ... Freedom, Equality, Justice and Hope.” — Ronald Reagan

Father’s Day is celebrated on June 16, to honor the contributions that fathers and father figures make for their children’s lives. George Straight sings it: “Daddies don’t just love their children every now and then, it’s a love without end.”

Juneteenth is always on the 19th of the month. It’s a federal holiday acknowledging the end of slavery in 1865.

Summer Solstice arrives on June 20, bringing us the longest day and shortest night of the year. This balance between light and dark is a reminder of the need for harmony in our lives. The next day, June 21, presents the Strawberry Super-moon. It appears unusually full and bright because it’s closest to the earth in it’s orbit. It’s name reminds us it’s strawberry harvest time, not the color of the moon.

Ending June and beginning July marks the mid-point of the year. It’s the perfect time for reflection: Review by assessing the progress made toward your goals set at the beginning of the year, and realizing your actions and intentions for the remaining months.

“Without dreams and goals, there is no living, only merely existing, and that is not why we are here.” — Mark Twain. Enjoy Downtown and the month of June, stay positive and have fun!

“It is good to realize that, If Love and Peace can prevail on earth, and if we can teach our children to honor natures gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever.” —Jimmy Carter

~ Tina Kurrel Atascadero

THE NATURAL ALTERNATIVE NUTRITION CENTER

We have your summer sun care

Summer is finally here! With more time being spent outside in the sun, we are excited to announce our June promotion. You can receive a discount of 20 percent off all sun care at the Natural Alternative! This includes brands such as All Good from Morro Bay, Badger, Derma E, as well as our aloe vera by Lily of the Desert. You can count on us to carry trustworthy and clean brands that don’t contain any chemicals such as oxybenzone and avobenzone. These chemicals are frequently found in sunscreen products and can act as endocrine disruptors. This is because they have been shown to interfere with the normal function of your endocrine glands. This interference can lead to hormone imbalances, specifically, major hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid hormones.

In 2021, the FDA presented updates to sunscreen regulations. They found that only two ingredients, zinc oxide and titanium oxide, could be classified as both safe and effective. Evidence suggests that few, if any, zinc or titanium particles penetrate the skin or reach living tissues. Whereas, the ingredients oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and avobenzone have shown to be systemically absorbed into the body just after one use. The FDA also found that these chemicals can be detected on the skin and in the blood weeks after they had last been used. Due to the potential harmful effects

these ingredients can have on your body, you should constantly be on the lookout for them when purchasing sunscreen. Your skin is your biggest organ and easily absorbs everything you put on it on a daily basis. This is why it’s crucial to use only highquality brands.

The sunscreen brands we carry in store are mineral based and contain sun protectant ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium oxide. It is mistakenly thought that since these ingredients are safe and clean they may not have a strong effect, however, they still succeed in creating a physical barrier that protects your skin from the UV radiation of the sun. These sunscreens protect your skin in a gentle yet effective way, with ingredients that are not only better for your body but for the environment as well. We carry sunscreen lotions, sprays, and sticks that you can choose from. Also, if you’re already suffering from a sunburn, make sure to pick up some of our aloe vera. Head down to our store located on 1213 Pine St. in Paso Robles and check out our selection today!

We’re wishing you a fun and enjoyable summer,

The Team @ The Natural Alternative Shop online with us today at NaturalAlternativeNutrition.com or visit us on Instagram and Facebook

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DIAGNOSIS, PRESCRIPTION OR TREATMENT AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL COUNSELING WITH A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DIAGNOSIS, PRESCRIPTION OR TREATMENT AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL COUNSELING WITH A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL COUNSELING WITH A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.

History of Templeton’s ‘T-Hill’ T

The ‘T’ of many colors

TBy Camille DeVaul and the

he iconic “T” on “T-Hill” in Templeton stands as more than just a concrete emblem overlooking the landscape; it’s a symbol of community spirit, resilience, and the enduring bond between past and present generations. Its history is woven with tales of camaraderie, school pride, and even the occasional prank.

The “T” dates back to the early 1950s when local Templeton leader Al Willhoit spearheaded efforts to build a swimming pool. As construction progressed, volunteers, including members of the fire department and Lions Club, rallied together to add a wading pool for children. With leftover materials from the project, the idea emerged to create a lasting monument overlooking Templeton High School — a bold “T” etched into the southern-facing hillside.

The Class of 1955 took charge of this project, led by spirited young individuals like Mike Willhoit, Albert Alderson, and Tom Pryor, among others. Their dedication and labor culminated in the completion of the “T” in the spring of 1955.

by volunteers. From its humble beginnings to its current caretakers, Pat and Leslie Jones, the “T” has stood as a silent witness to the ebb and flow of time in Templeton.

Leslie is just one of the many “T-Keepers” who have taken on the responsibility (usually unknowingly) to care for the “T” and

aftermath of 9/11 with patriotic hues, to when the “T” became an “I” after Isaac Lindsey was severly injured during a home football game, the “T” has served as a canvas for the community.

Over the decades, the “T” has weathered countless coats of paint, each stroke applied

protect it from rival pranks. She recounts the many adventures and challenges faced in maintaining the loved landmark. From commemorating solemn occasions like the

When Leslie and Pat moved their young family into the “T” hill home they experienced the first prank within the first month of moving in — June 1997.  While the perpetrators are still unknown, they had painted the “T” with a black seal coating. With the Templeton High School graduation ceremony happening the next day, a visible black “T” wouldn’t do, especially with the graduations still being held on the original football field with a clear view of the “T” hill. They rushed to Hewitt’s Hardware on Main Street for white paint and restored the “T” back to white for the graduating class of 1997.

Leslie used to pull her own prank on the town every April Fool’s Day by changing the “T” into a “J” for their last name Jones.

Leslie says, “It has been a joy for us over the years to have this Templeton landmark on our property. “

The “T” has endured and seen much in its lifetime. With several coats of paint seemingly keeping it together, its safe to say the “T” is in good hands.

Templeton Historical Society

Breadin’ Bros Dredge Mix

For Summer Dinners & Fried Pickles in the Backyard

When I was 14 years old, I was pining over the white cargo pants I’d seen in the latest Esprit ad campaign. I was not thinking of how to parlay my passions (which at the time included shoulder pads) into a business.

So, meeting Aiden Ponti, a local entrepreneur and high school freshman, I tried to imagine being 14 and having the curiosity, stamina, and wherewithal he’s maintained while launching Breadin’ Bros Dredge Mix. (Suffice it to say, I could not.) It’s a really good product, made of deceptively simple flavors. (If you aren’t sure what a dredge mix is, it’s helpful to know that dredging is a cooking technique used to coat wet or moist foods with a dry ingredient prior to cooking.) Aside from the fact that there’s no MSG and all natural ingredients, it’s versatile: you can use Aidan’s Breadin’ Bros Dredge Mix in everything from fried chicken to fried pickles or even gravy.

Aidan brought some by for us to consider, and I whipped up some chicken tenders. We all agreed they were fantastic — not too salty, just flavorful and delicious.

And let us tell you, Aidan has

his ducks in a row: informative website, social media, product manufactured in a commercial kitchen, and a cheerful package that we love having on the shelf. Most of all, he has an infectious energy. When I asked him who he’d like to make a big ol’ platter of chicken for, he answered enthusiastically, “I would be curious to see what Gordon Ramsay thinks of my chicken.” Well, alright! And when I wondered if he had a mentor or role model, he shared that it was his grandma he looked up to. “She helped me out a lot getting Breadin’ Bros off the ground, so she definitely has a special place in my heart.” Impressive, and sweet.

As we celebrate 11 years at General Store Paso, we’re reminded that working with makers like Aidan has not only filled our shelves, but it’s introduced us to people we adore. Thanks to so many of you that have a special place in our heart. (Yes, even more special than 14-year-old-me’s love of perms and Depeche Mode.)

Happy summer, Neighbors!

—The Team at General Store Paso Robles

THE TRAVELING WEDDING GOWN

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

In May of 2015, the Paso Robles Area Historical Society (PRAHS) received an intriging donation — a box filled with history, nostalgia, and a touch of mystery. Within this box lay a carefully wrapped, very old, yet remarkably preserved dress. Alongside it, a wedding photo captured the occasion of Fred and Katie Meier's union, immortalized by J.B. Ward, a Paso Robles photographer. Instantly recognizable, it was Katie's wedding gown.

This serendipitous donation wasn't without intrigue. Discovered at an estate sale in Southern California, the donor, recognizing the significance of the wedding photo's origin, reached out to the PRAHS. Thus began a journey of unraveling the tale behind Katie's wedding gown.

Initial inquiries sparked curiosity about Katie's identity, the couple's marriage details, and their connection to Paso Robles. Despite limited leads, the volunteers at PRAHS persisted.

Researching volunteers at the museum discovered two Paso Robles newspapers with published articles detailing the wedding — one even detailing the wedding dress Katie wore as a traveling gown. PRAHS docents JoAnn Ernst and June Bertoni recognized their own family members in many of the photos.

The wedding occurred on Thanksgiving Eve, November 28, 1898, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Geneseo-Creston. Reverend Claus solemnized their vows, which were witnessed by loved ones gathered in celebration.

Katie, born Catherina Margaretha Paulus, came from a pioneering family that settled in the Geneseo area during the mid-1880s. Volunteers did further research on the extended family, going back to Wisconsin and Germany, and labeled and arranged the photos.

She was the daughter of David Paulus and Marie Anna “Mary” Boehner of Creston. The Paulus family emigrated from Wisconsin to the Creston/Geneseo area in the mid-1800s.

Fred was born Frederick Meier in Germany. The 1900 census shows him as owning a farm in the Salinas Township. Katie’s parents were living next to them, as was Katie’s brother and family.

The completed binder is now in the family history section in the PRAHS archives. The gown and a few of the photos are with the Creston display in the museum.

The couple had a son, Walter, and the family flourished in the embrace of the Creston community. However, life eventually brought them to Orange County, where they started a new chapter.

Yet, amidst life's changes and relocations, Katie's wedding gown remained a cherished relic, a tangible link to their past. Its return to Paso Robles, after 125 years, is a testament to the enduring power of history and the profound connections it fosters.

As this artifact finds its rightful place within local history, one can't help but imagine Katie's joyous surprise. Her beloved gown, once a witness to her vows, now stands as a beacon of heritage, ensuring that her story, like so many others, will be remembered for generations to come.

THE GEARHEAD CORNER!

It’s us! Jimmy & Leigh-Ann from Shift'N Gears Auto Repair. 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.

Keep Your Cool: Hot Summer Care Tips for Your Car!

DON’T OVERHEAT YOUR VEHICLE:

Ensure your cooling system is working at maximum capacity with fresh and clean coolant running through your radiator, water pump, thermostat, and hoses. Check for leaks and check for cooling related codes. You can also get a pressure test at your local shop for your cooling system; as many small leaks will never make it all the way down to your driveway. The temperature of your vehicle when running will evaporate the coolant and sometimes leave crusty white residue. Those are trails of coolant leaks.

AIR CONDITIONING:

Test it before the temperatures rise to ensure it’s working efficiently. If you notice any issues like weak airflow or strange smells, have it checked by a professional. Vehicles typically need their AC Recharged every 5 years to keep it as cold as you want it!

Hi!

Welcome to The Gearhead Corner!

TIRE CARE:

Check tire pressure regularly during the summer, as hot weather can cause fluctuations. Your tire pressure recommended specifications can be found on your driver's side inner door panel.

FLUID LEVELS:

Be aware of the various fluids in your vehicle, such as transmission fluid, engine oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, gear oil for your differentials, and windshield washer fluid. Check these levels regularly and top them up as needed in a pinch. Otherwise, each fluid type as a regular service interval where they need to be properly flushed or drain and filled. Recommended service interval will vary depending on vehicle size, how you drive it and if you tow or not.

BATTERY HEALTH:

Ensure the terminals are clean and securely connected. If your battery is several years old, consider having it tested to ensure it can handle summer demands.

SUPPLIES:

Keep extra towels on hand for spills and covering your seats or steering wheel when sitting and parked. Keep fresh water in glass containers for emergency top-offs and hydration if you get stuck. Always have a first aid kit on hand and basic tools for those surprise occasions (Hopefully your never have to use them).

FORMER EDUCATOR, TODDLER PARENT, AND PASO ROBLES RESIDENT

ummer is a time for keeping cool and having fun. Whether it’s a day at the water park or a backyard swim party, we all enjoy relaxing poolside during these hot months, but letting ourselves get too comfortable may turn good times into tragedy. Drowning is a leading cause of death for children in California. Even a few inches of water can be dangerous for a young child. Drowning occurs quickly and quietly. Especially when swimming with multiple kids, attention from adults becomes split and distractions happen easily.

John Prickett, fire captain and paramedic for the City of Paso Robles oversees the Community Risk Reduction Division. He emphasized that children swimming unsupervised is very dangerous and that a supervising adult who can swim should always be present. “Having a buddy system is a must when around a pool, especially with children, and be sure to have deterrents around pools and spas such as fencing to prevent drownings,” said Prickett. “It only takes a couple of seconds to lose track of someone that has gone underwater — that’s when trouble can arise.”

Prickett stresses having a life ring and pool hook around the pool are great tools to aid someone in distress. Also, learning CPR is crucial to helping someone who has drowned.

Even when lifeguards are present, adults need to remain vigilant. “Parents know their children best,” said Victoria Teeter, aquatics coordinator for the City of Paso Robles. “Lifeguards are there to prevent drownings but it should be a partnership with parents/caregivers.” Oftentimes, parents settle into an unsafe level of comfort when little ones are wearing life jackets or floaties.

“The big push in aquatics is having a personal flotation device (PFD) with a vest that is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard,” said Teeter. “Some flotation devices can flip a child face-first and inflatable arm floaties can pop.”

Aquatics staff are available during the public swim sessions to check your child’s flotation device if you are unsure. Teeter recommends checking for the approved U.S. Coast Guard stamp on your child’s PFD which

provides important information about the intended use for the life jacket, the size, and the approval number.

Teaching your child to swim is an important life skill that should be introduced early. According to Teeter, combining group swim lessons with individual lessons, and modeling safe behavior is the most effective approach. The city’s Recreation Services team has added private swim lessons to the normal lineup of classes this summer in addition to a primary skills level for kids ages 7-12 years. Teeter also suggests practicing what your child learns in their lessons at home by having them blow bubbles underwater in the bath, lay their head back with ears in the water, and do kicks from the hip. Children learn by watching the adults in their lives. Practice water safety yourself and set a good example for your kids. Talk to your kids about the dangers of water and how to stay safe.

Visibility underwater is another key factor in water safety. Swimsuits with bright, contrasting neon colors are more easily seen when a child is swimming. A study conducted by Alive Solutions found that bright orange, yellow, and lime green are most visible in a pool or open water, while blue and white are the most difficult to see.

Lastly, remember to take breaks. Even the best swimmers can become fatigued. Dehydration can increase the risk of drowning. Use those breaks to drink water. Children often remove their life vests while taking a water or bathroom break and forget to put them back on. Create a checklist with your kids that they can use anytime they enter the water to reinforce water safety.

Clark’s Water Safety Checklist

Do I have my life vest? Check! Do I have my sunscreen? Check! Do I have an adult? High five! Follow Elisa on IG @pasomommy.

ELISA HUOT

Father’s Day

Locals Celebrate Their Dad's with Shared Photos

Top left to right: Ryan and Kennie Bugg; Lowell and Lily; Richard and Jim Reddick in 1976; Craig and Kynlie; Christianna and Chris; Wallace (Dad) and Jonathan Brown; Dino and Soraya Comes; Bill & Kelli Kneeland.

Georges Bizet’s

Carmen

The Most Famous Opera of All Time Produced at Grand Scale!

SATURDAY & SUNDAY OCTOBER 19 & 20, 2024

BOTH SHOWS AT 2PM

A countywide arts collaboration, this epic production will unify artists and other non-profits throughout San Luis Obispo County including Civic Ballet San Luis Obispo, Applause Children’s Theater, several collaborating choruses, and others. Featuring an internationally acclaimed cast of opera stars, expansive ballet, spectacular two-story sets, vivid costumes: the production is directed by Zach Johnson, choreographed by Drew Silvaggio, with the fantastic OperaSLO Grand Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Brian Asher Alhadeff!

Top: Camille and Brett Anderson in 1996; Bottom: David LaHatte Mulvey, Jr., with children, David Joseph Mulvey and Susannah.

Pets of

North County

Bubbles & Bix

This playful duo is always a 2 for 1, never apart. Bubbles (Frenchie) is 5 years old and Bix (Pug mix) is almost 2. They walk their owner through the streets of Atascadero daily and have never met a person they don’t like. They share toys and treats and love taking car rides. Keep an eye out for them!

Trooper

Dezi

This is Dezi, she is a female Cane Corso who will be 4 in July! She might look scary and tough but is the sweetest girl and loves meeting everyone.

Trooper is a 5-year-old rescued Brittany spaniel and Basset hound mix. He is such a camera ham and brings smiles to so many faces. Trooper enjoys long walks around Atascadero Lake and a good belly rub.

Ranger

Floyd

Through LensFEMALE the

by Christianna Marks

They say a snapshot tells a thousand words, and this month, we have three local ladies proving those words are true. From weaving stories of seniors headed out of school and into the big world, to celebrity shots, and photos that celebrate woman’s bodies, these photographers speak their subject’s truths and share them with the world, while telling their own tales in ways unique to them.

Sarah

Kathleen Leader

Sarah fell in love with being behind the camera 27 years ago but turned her favorite art form into a career 16 years ago and hasn’t looked back since. She explores her subjects through boudoir sessions, elopements, and playful, unposed family portraits. She also loves to get her camera lens on delicious snacks and delightful beverages.

How did you get into photography, and what made you want to make it your career?

Sarah Kathleen: “I fell headfirst into photography as a child of 8 when my parents got me a hot pink 35mm film camera for my birthday. I’ve spent my life teaching myself the art form of photography and storytelling. At 16 years old, I entered the world of wedding photography as an assistant to a local wedding photographer. I fell in love with documenting people and their stories. By 19 years old, I had started my own photography business and booked my first wedding, which rapidly became 22 bookings in my first year.”

Can you tell me how storytelling and photography go hand in hand in your mind?

“As a neurodivergent human, I see things differently than anyone else. Sometimes, I feel like I’m looking through a pair of goggles or glasses that no one else has on. I see colors, emotions, and movement more vividly, deeply, and dramatically than the typical eye. And people’s stories are wrapped up in all of it. Stories of love, grief, joy, heartache, mental health battles, and self-evolution. I am a deep feeler and am not afraid to sit with people through their brightest and darkest hours and document whatever comes up for

them. On a wedding day, that could be happy tears or a graze of loving fingers during a stolen moment exchanging private vows. During a boudoir shoot, that could be a woman who’s fought and won her battle with breast cancer but lost her breasts in the process. With a family, I don’t chase the perfect Christmas card photo but instead invite the parents to let their kids be kids and document their unique family dynamic and relationship.”

In addition to all the other photos you take, you also take boudoir photos. Can you tell me a little more about that?

“I have been on a mission to photograph and empower as many women through my art form as possible. Women have been making themselves small, invisible, and quiet for centuries. And what I call a “Bare Session” (because boudoir doesn’t quite fit anymore) is an invitation to let go of old narratives and step into your power, to take up space, be loud, and not apologize for it. I’m in the business of showing women they are beautifully and wonderfully made and don’t need to “lose 5 pounds” or “tone up” before doing the photo shoot. You only get to be this version of yourself once, and she is worth documenting. Over and over again.”

You can find Sarah online at sarahkathleen.com.

Instagram @sarahkathleenphoto

Janese moved to Templeton in 2010 and, a year later, started her business. Though her main form of photography is portrait, with a heavy emphasis on high school portraiture, she also dabbles in marketing and lifestyle photos.

When was the moment when you knew you wanted to make photography your career?

Janese Hockman: “It was right after I had my first child in 2003. I was trying to take a decent picture of him for his birth announcements and just couldn’t get it the way I liked. I went online for some inspiration and saw the difference between my amateur point-and-shoot and a professional camera. I couldn’t afford a professional photographer as a new young mother, and it was then that I wanted to figure out how to do it myself. In my ignorance, I thought if I just had a fancy camera, then I could take professional pictures. I quickly realized it took more than a big fancy camera to take good photographs. I self-taught and trial-an-errored so hard until I felt confident enough to open my photography business in late 2011. It all came full circle in 2022 when I got to photograph my son as a senior in high school and again this year for my daughter, who graduates in June.”

Inclusion and making all different kinds of people feel seen is a large part of your brand that you state proudly and boldly. Can you share why that is so important to you?

“Because aren’t we all tired of living in a box? We’ve twisted and crammed and stuffed ourselves so neatly into this ‘perfect’ little box. A box that only benefits a specific genre, when in reality, we’ve

Janese Hockman

@photosbyjanese

completely broken and taken people apart, shoving them in where they were never designed to fit. We’ve damaged and hurt people, families, and communities, boxing them up to the point of unrecognization. If there is one thing I’ve learned from photographing people, it’s that they all need space to break free, show their true colors, and experience acceptance in all forms in order for them to believe that they, too, are beautiful and worthy just as they are.”

What is one of your favorite “I got to do that” moments from your career?

“Honestly, it’s anytime I get an inquiry in my inbox. I am deeply honored that people want me to photograph them. I am humbled that they took the time to reach out to me when there are literally thousands of other photographers to choose from.”

Her Instagram @photosbyjanese

Allyson Magda Rivera

Allyson fell in love with photography at a young age and has been using her camera to capture amazing moments for 25 years, most of which have been spent in North County. Her photos have been spotted hanging all over the county, with her last series, featuring 40 women over 40, hanging in Spearhead Coffee last year. She’s currently working on the second round and shooting weddings, senior portraits, and everything in between.

What was the moment when you knew you wanted to make photography into a career?

Allyson Magda: “While in college, my friend was looking for a job at his school and gave me a number of someone looking for a photographer for their daughter’s wedding he saw on the career board (this is really aging to say this, the internet was pretty new at the time). This was in 1999. I called, interviewed, and got the gig. I had never even assisted at a wedding but jumped in and charged a whopping $10 an hour and $10 per roll of film. I had so much fun and thought, “I could do this for a living.” Little did I know it would evolve into what it has today. The places this career has taken me, I’d never have guessed, as that (UC Santa Cruz) Banana Slug college senior shooting her first wedding 25 years ago.”

I know you’ve shot covers for large publications like People Magazine. What has it been like to see your photos on such a large scale?

“My work has been featured on the covers of a ton of magazines over the decades, and it’s always exciting. That will never get old. The Zuckerberg wedding was completely surreal in so many ways. The three images they released were literally all over

the world and are still used today. I’m grateful for that whirlwind experience and exposure. I’d never imagined my business and profile would be featured in Forbes. With all this said, there’s at least one notable gal whose wedding I would absolutely love to shoot, and her name is Taylor.”

You’ve also taken photos of quite a few celebrities. How did you get into that side of the business?

“The celebrities are nearly always a surprise. Countless times, I’ve been waiting in line for water or salad at a wedding and chatting with a guest, having no clue who I’m talking to, until someone comes up and says, ‘Hey, you know who you’re talking to?’ I will admit a bit of ‘blond’ in the category of ‘stardom recognition,’ it’s probably a good thing.”

I know you have a studio team at your photography business; can you tell me about them?

“Jill Hewston started assisting me 15 years ago and has been so instrumental in allowing me to build this business to what it is today. Her enthusiasm, talent and can-do attitude helped take Allyson Magda Photography from surviving to thriving. Jill, Ali Dusi, and Jessica Clough (who have all been associates over the years) shoot weddings and portraits on their own under the umbrella of Allyson Magda Photography.”

You can find out more about Allyson and her team at allysonmagda.com.

By Blake Ashley Frino-Gerl

Tony Gaspar and Todd Evenson co-founded Connect Home Loans in 2007. The two wanted to take their past experiences in the mortgage business “and couple that with friendly and professional service that would exceed our clients expectations,” Evenson says. They have also expanded their banking relationships to better handle all of their clients’ residential mortgage needs.

“We can take care of all aspects of residential home lending including, but not limited to, conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA for both purchase and refinance,” Evenson explains. “We also originate

loans for homes on acreage, multi-family, manufactured homes, construction loans, home equity lines of credit, and reverse mortgages.”

The business values its surrounding community, supporting the Bearcat Boosters and other organizations throughout North County, including the Paso Robles Unified School District, Paso Robles Rec Foundation, and various churches. Gaspar has been on the airport commission for seven years, while in the past Evenson served on the board and as Board Chair for the Boys & Girls Club.

Amidst their support for the community,

By Blake Ashley Frino-Gerl

amily is what makes Paso Robles RadioShack. Retired CPA Phil Hasel and his son, James, decided to purchase the store when they learned that Coast Electronics’ Paso Robles location was for sale. James, being a software engineer with two Master's degrees and a love of technology, including as a DJ in the 1990s, heightened their interest.

“Following discussions and calculations, we came to an agreement to purchase the RadioShack operation in Paso Robles,” Phil says.

On September 1, 2023, they took ownership/ management of the Paso Robles store.

“Although now having separate ownership, we continue to work very closely with Coast Electronics, sharing inventory and technical

skills for the various repair and installation work that is requested,” Phil clarifies.

As one of the authorized RadioShack dealers, Phil and James work in the store, fill the walls with increasing inventory, and listen to customer requests to meet their needs.

“Some customers walk in to look around, not realizing RadioShack is still alive,” Phil finds. “They may reminisce about their interaction some 20-plus years ago before the bankruptcy of Tandy Industries, the parent company of RadioShack, that resulted in the closure of all the corporate-owned stores leaving only the individual franchise stores.”

Customers will find the particular battery they are looking for, along with a certain resistor, fuse, a laptop computer

charger, or guitar strings.

“We have a little specialty in batteries that include batteries for a watch, key fob, camera, specialty application, and batteries for the old landline phone and more,” Phil says.

Interacting with and learning from customers is something Phil enjoys. Oftentimes Phil finds that when there are multiple customers, they can weigh in on what they are trying to achieve and there is a team effort, which he finds “wonderful.” PASO ROBLES

A Legacy of Service & Community Support

Providing unrivaled member service has been the mission of Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU) for more than 90 years.

That commitment to service excellence is likely one reason why they have been voted Best Credit Union for an impressive 17 consecutive years in The Fresno Bee Best of Central California The People’s Choice awards.

EECU opened a branch in Paso Robles last June and is excited to be part of the community. Credit unions are known for giving back to the community and EECU is no exception. They have sponsored several local events, including the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District employee of the year and retirement events, the Chamber of Commerce annual gala and award ceremony, and the Rotary Winemakers’ Cookoff — which raises money for local scholarships.

Branch manager Carrie Danielson has lived in Paso Robles for more than 27 years and says the credit union’s community involvement is a big reason why she wanted to work for them. “I like that we not only serve our members, but we also serve our community,” said Danielson, who started her career in the financial industry in 2009 working as a teller at a local bank and has been with EECU for more than a year.

In addition to offering traditional banking services, EECU helps empower financial wellness by teaching the basics of managing your money to people of all ages and offering online resources on its website. Last year, more than 13,000 people attended their free financial literacy presentations.

“One of the really amazing things we do is provide free financial wellness education to students of all ages to help them learn how to save, spend, and borrow wisely," Danielson says. "We have employees who visit schools and they make learning about money fun and educational for the kids.

“We really are committed to making life better for our members and the community.”

CARRIE DANIELSON

BLACK SHEEP FINDS

Appreciating school employees

JAMES BRESCIA, ED.D

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”  — Voltaire

One of the most positive aspects of serving as county superintendent of schools is working with and acknowledging exemplary educational employees across San Luis Obispo County. Last month, schools across California celebrated the caring and devoted individuals who serve in our schools. For many children, some of the first sparks of joy they encounter at school are from dedicated, caring, and service-minded school employees. The kind words of encouragement from a custodian, driver, assistant, teacher, or administrator can make a tremendous difference.

During my time as a student at UC San Diego, I had the opportunity to work nights as a custodian. This experience not only taught me the value of hard work and service to the community, but also instilled in me a deep appreciation for those maintaining our public agencies. Later, as I embarked on my journey in teacher education in the 1980s, my curiosities and passions led me to another classified position as a computer lab assistant in a new, cutting-edge endeavor in schools: the computer lab.

As the county superintendent, I bring invaluable

experience from these roles to my daily work with educational agencies in San Luis Obispo County and throughout the state. It's crucial to remember that school support staff are not just a part of our schools, but the backbone of our educational system. Their contributions are instrumental in the success of our students, schools, and communities.

School classified staff are often bright spots in a student’s day. I remember this as a student at Bracher Elementary School in Santa Clara, where students were allowed to assist with the lunch services and interact with the support staff that served lunch. This activity was something different that I enjoyed and looked forward to when it was my turn to work the lunch room. Support staff members can build caring, warm relationships with students different from those formed with teachers. You can read stories of these adults playing vital roles in the village surrounding and nurturing our students. That is part of why the California Center on Teaching Careers launched a campaign this year to recruit more school classified staff. The center, a statewide agency headquartered in Tulare County dedicated to tackling California’s shortage of educators, called it “Be Their Joy” — a reference to the smiles these individuals can bring daily to our kids’ faces.

While the smiles on our students' faces are heartwarming, it's important to recognize that our schools need more than just joy. They need to function smoothly so that our students can learn and taxpayer investments (schools) are maintained. Across the country, there are documented negative

consequences of not having enough classified school staff to support our schools. San Luis Obispo County has also experienced a shortage of classroom and non-classroom employees. The national bus driver shortage, for instance, caused some schools in Kentucky to shut down. This is a pressing issue that demands our attention and action. Schools cannot function without classified staff, and our students, families, staff, and the community cannot afford schools that are not running smoothly.

The workload given to public school educators continues to swell because of the increasing demands on our public agencies. Unsurprisingly, many are burning out and leaving the classroom. When a school doesn’t have enough classified staff, that work is often distributed among the school’s teachers — adding hefty (and important) work to an already-full plate. If we want to tackle the California educator shortage, one part of the solution is to ensure every school is staffed appropriately with classified employees.

After serving in various classified staff roles, I became a classroom educator, a program specialist, a school principal, a college instructor, and a district superintendent before being elected as San Luis Obispo county superintendent of schools. I feel fortunate to have served our schools in classified and certificated positions. We should celebrate the positive power that all of our educational employees have with the most important people in our schools: our students. It is an honor to serve as your county superintendent of schools.

PASO ROBLES AESTHETICS MELISSA GORDEN RN, A NURSING CORP. POWERED BY PORTRAIT

MELISSA IS A CERTIFIED AESTHETIC NURSE SPECIALIST WITH 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

FACIAL SOFTENING WITH WRINKLE RELAXERS (Botox & Dysport)

VOLUME RESTORATION/BALANCING WITH DERMAL FILLERS (face, hands, ear lobes, etc)

SKIN IMPROVEMENT (chemical peels, microneedling, pharmaceutical skin care)

SPECIALIZING IN COLLAGEN STIMULATORS (Sculptra Aesthetic & Radiesse)

REGENERATIVE THERAPIES SUCH AS PLATELET RICH FIBRIN (PRF) great for under eyes and more

The story of the Sheriff’s Office

By Ian Parkinson

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff

The story of the Sheriff’s Office has a natural beginning. It started when San Luis Obispo County began in 1850. Every year, a new chapter is written. For many of those years, the public did not have a comprehensive understanding of all the functions of the Sheriff’s Office. I tried to change that when I was elected sheriff. I have always tried to be as open and transparent as possible with the public. To me, that’s democracy in action and is essential to a functioning, responsive government. I want you to know what the Sheriff’s Office is doing and, maybe more importantly, why we are doing it.

As a result, we’ve improved the ways we get important information to you. Recently, we totally redesigned our website to offer more information and services. Our new features include a whole section on FAQs, otherwise known as Frequently Asked Questions, on

topics like our jail, coroner’s office, records and warrants, and our civil division. Another new feature is a whole page of the website dedicated to employment opportunities at the Sheriff’s Office. It’s titled Join Our Team, and it highlights all the different aspects of working here. We have also updated several features on the site. For one, we’ve made the search function so much easier to use to find items of interest on our website. We’ve also made the website ADA-compliant for those with disabilities. And we’ve also made the website available in English and Spanish.

One of the features you’ll find on our website is our annual report. We’ve been providing an annual report for the last 13 years. First in hard copy and then later we transitioned to putting the annual report on our website. Our newest edition was recently released. It provides a glimpse into what happened in our county and the Sheriff’s Office last year.

It is chock-full of information. But you won’t find a boring recitation of facts and figures. It’s one that’s easy to read with graphics and photos that help tell the story of the Sheriff’s Office. You’ll find narratives on the different units of the Sheriff’s Office, like our detective division, crime lab, bomb task force, K-9 unit, marine enforcement unit, gang task force, and many more. Additionally, we showcase our volunteer units like aero squadron, search and rescue, dive team, and volunteer patrol.

Here are some fast facts for you courtesy of our annual report. We serve more than 120,000 people spread out over 3,300 square

miles. Last year alone, we handled almost 130,000 calls for service. With our staff of 170 sheriff’s deputies, 156 correctional deputies, and 134 professional personnel, we ended up making 1,777 arrests, wrote more than 9,000 reports, seized more than 12 pounds of Fentanyl, conducted more than 300 coroner death investigations, and had just over 8,000 inmates booked into county jail.

But I don’t need to tell you that. All you have to do is go to our website at slosheriff. org and click on About Us and then choose annual report in the drop-down menu. Each of our units, divisions, and teams have a different mission. But together they tell the whole story of the Sheriff’s Office.

“TJuan Mercado’s Riise:

His second act leads to Paso Robles

he Napa Valley vintner Juan Mercado, founder of Napa’s coveted cult wine Realm Cellars, has launched a new wine venture RIISE — appropriately incorporating the Roman numeral II in the label, thus referring to his second act — this time in Paso Robles.

“This [Paso] has always been a place I’d admired, especially the camaraderie here,” said Mercado when I met him at his hilltop home on a blustery rainy afternoon. The camaraderie he’s referring to is a group of winemakers he initially met located mainly in Paso’s Willow Creek District. Among them were such original Willow Creek rock stars as Justin Smith, Eric Jensen, Scott Hawley, and Chris Cherry.

Long before that, Mercado’s introduction to Paso came through Pax Mahle, his winemaker friend noted for the PAX brand of Syrah wines from Sonoma.

“My first stop in Paso was at Justin’s house,” Mercado recalled of his initial visit in 2003. “He was just starting Saxum and his 2001 [vintage] hadn’t been released yet.” Mercado soon met other local winemakers and cemented a connection with Paso.

“It was a natural move for me to come down here,” he said.

That move would take over a dozen years, however. During that time, Mercado launched Napa’s cult wine Realm Cellars in 2003. The former nurse, who ran the pulmonary unit at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland for nine years, got bitten by the wine bug during visits to nearby Napa.

“The last five of those years, I was moonlighting,” he said. “Nurse by night and vintner by day.”

Looking back, he reflected, “Realm was just a concept — I was buying fruit, we had one vintage in barrels, and we were trying to figure it out.”

Mercado’s initial partner was Wendell Laidely, and the two were later joined by Scott Becker and Benoit Touqette.

“Realm turned out to be amazing," Mercado said. "I think it’s the hottest brand in the last 20 years. A lot of it is timing: it’s the right place, right time, right people, there’s a lot of factors involved.”

But Mercado was ready for a second and solo venture. “I knew I had another one in me,” he said. When he stepped away from his ongoing duties from Realm (he continues as a partner and investor) it was time to set his sights finally on Paso.

Mercado’s RIISE is a personal project with a small 1,200-case production. The 2019 vintage consists of three wines — Doyen, Peace and Jovian — produced at Denner Vineyards. Mercado has no partners. His gold-star team is led by winemaker Anthony Yount, with Lucas Pope and Kevin

Wilkerson as viticulturists.

Dressed in black with a matching baseball cap and socks (sans shoes), Mercado sports a friendly, relaxed persona. “Black house with a yellow door,” are his directions to the hilltop house at Arbor ranch in the Willow Creek District. He divides his time between Paso and Napa.

Mercado credits Paso winemaker Eric Jensen (founder of Booker Vineyard) as his mentor. “For sure, no doubt, Eric has been a good mentor," he said. "He definitely helped facilitate my move down here.”

In 2019, Mercado acquired the 42-acre Shadow Canyon Ranch, which had 16 acres under vine atop York Mountain. Soon, two more properties were acquired in the Willow Creek District: the 22-acre Arbor Ranch, planted to 16 acres of vineyards, and the 85-acre Heaton Ranch, with 48 acres under vine, all planted mostly to red Rhône varieties with some Bordeaux plantings.

Mercado favors blends, saying “I like the ability to be able to layer.” Plus being new to Paso, he’s getting to know the sites and the vineyards.

“Why am I going to try to make single varietal wine or single vineyard when I’ve never made wines from some of these sites before?," he said. "The fewer restrictions I put, the better the wine is going to be. I’ve got more flexibility.”

The flexibility of blending fruit from multiple vineyard sites offers an exciting challenge for Yount, who is making wines for Denner, Sixmilebridge, and his own label, Royal NoneSuch Farm.

“We found the right sourcing of fruit and developed the right vineyards to create the flavor profile we’re looking for,” Yount said.

And that profile is about texture, richness, mouthfeel and length, “all the things in my book that make an incredible wine and we do that naturally within what Paso has to offer,” he added.

We tasted the three 2019s, all blends, produced from Shadow Canyon and supported by fruit sourced from some of Paso’s prized vineyards.  The wines are bold and powered by bright fruit, yet elegant and layered, expressing an engaging complexity.

The Grenache-driven muscle-flexing Doyen is supported by Syrah and Mourvèdre. The deep-hued Syrah-dominant Peace is blended with Mourvèdre, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon. In the Jovian, Tempranillo is joined by Petite Sirah and old-vine Graciano from Paderewski vineyard. All labels are graced with eye-popping Dali’esque artwork created by Barcelona artist Sergio Albiac.

Mercado is impressed by Paso’s diversity — access to so many varieties and the ability to create blends, not to mention Paso’s signature limestone soil. “There’s no limitation in a region like this," he said. "For me, that’s part of the intrigue.”

Juan Mercado (right) is shown with Anthony Yount at Arbor Ranch in Paso’s Willow Creek District. Photo by Mira Honeycutt

By BeeWench Farms

Since June is the best time to get all the delicious berries and fruit, try these two recipes for your next gathering and barbecue. If you’re having a barbecue and want to impress guests with a delicious dessert without turning on the oven, try grilled peaches. Make sure to choose peaches that are not too soft when getting them at the market so they hold up to the grilling. They taste great with a lot of different toppings and make a great addition to your morning yogurt breakfast (if you have any leftovers). As an appetizer, they are delicious with some fresh chevre from Stepladder Creamery, honey, and lemon. If you have the grill going later, make them into a delicious dessert with some peanut butter, olive oil, and your favorite scoop of ice cream.

If you want to bring something delicious, nutritious, and simple to a get-together or family outing, take a fruit salad. Everyone, especially kids, loves this, and it’s so simple and refreshing. You can substitute and add any fruits you love and make it ahead of time. I would add the basil right before serving, but it will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days with help from the acid of the lime juice.

The beautiful weather and bountiful produce is a great reason to visit a farmer’s market.

If you are looking for in season produce to brighten up your meals, here are some things available at the markets right now:

Fruits:

Strawberries

Blueberries

Cherries

Figs

Peaches

Raspberries

Vegetables: Artichokes

Asparagus

Cucumbers

Eggplant

Green beans

Peas

Peppers

Rhubarb

Summer squash

Tomatoes

SUMMER PEACHES

BBQ’d Peaches

Ingredients

For the peaches:

• Ripe peaches, halved and pitted

• Olive oil, for brushing the peaches

Topping ideas:

Lemon Chevre Peaches

• Chevre (Stepladder Creamery)

• Lemon zest and/or a drizzle of lemon olive oil (The Groves on 41)

• Salt, to taste

• Chopped roasted pistachios (The Pistachio Factory)

• Drizzle of honey (Sierra Honey Farm)

• Basil or arugula

Instructions:

Mix lemon, chevre and salt together, then place on grilled peaches and top with pistachios, a drizzle of honey, and basil or arugula

Sundae Peaches

• Drizzle of Peanut Butter Olive Oil (The Groves on 41)

• Drizzle of Honey (Sierra Honey Farm)

• Pinch of Salt

• Sprinkle of Cinnamon

• A scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream (Negranti Creamery)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your grill to medium high heat or about 400 degrees F.

2. Brush peach halves with olive oil to prevent them from sticking to the grill.

3. Place peach halves flesh-side down on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes or until grill marks form. Only grill one side until the peaches are slightly juicy.

4. Remove peach halves from the grill and serve with your desired toppings.

Olive and Lavender Festival

Paso Robles Main Street Association's largest fundraiser of the year

The Olive and Lavender Festival in downtown Paso Robles on May 11, organized by the Paso Robles Main Street Association, drew crowds with its aromatic lavender and celebration of local olive oil. Co-chaired by Jennifer Tallent and Gina Hambly, the event received positive feedback, particularly from regular attendees.

Olive and lavender farmers and artisans showcased their products, including oils, skincare items, and culinary goods. Traditional blessings preceded the festival, honoring California's deep-rooted olive history. New additions this year included the Main Street Lounge and increased participation from downtown businesses, enhancing the visitor experience. Attendees enjoyed interacting with producers, sampling products, and learning about olive and lavender cultivation. Proceeds from the festival support community events organized by the Main Street Association, fostering a sense of belonging in Paso Robles. Overall, the festival celebrated local agriculture while strengthening community bonds.

Photos by Rick Evans

JUNE

Calendar of Events

THROUGH JUNE 30

Poetics Prints Exhibition STUDIOS ON THE PARK, 1130 PINE STREET, PASO ROBLES

In partnership with the Central Coast Printmakers, printmakers intertwine poems to inspire their artworks. For information, visit studiosonthepark. org/events/poetic-prints.

JUNE 1-3 & EVERY MON-FRI TIL FALL

LAVENDER U-PICK

HAMBLY FARMS, 1390 GRANA PLACE, SAN MIGUEL

10am-4pm

For $15 per person (children under 12 are free with adult) you can visit the farm and pick enough lavender to make one bouquet. After harvesting your lavender, find a cozy spot in one of our picnic areas to relax and unwind or visit the farm animals or farm store. For more information, visit hamblyfarms.com/ visit-the-farm/#u-pick.

JUNE 2

LIGHTHOUSE 5K FUN RUN

OYSTER RIDGE EVENT VENUE 5991 W POZO ROAD, SANTA MARGARITA 8am

The 10th Annual Lighthouse 5K Benefit Fun Run and Family Fun Day is kicking off! This year’s scenic

SUBMIT UPCOMING EVENTS TO: editor@13starsmedia.com

EVENT DETAILS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE verify prior to attending.

site? The gently rolling hills and tidy trails of Ancient Peaks Margarita Vineyards. Start at the stunning Oyster Ridge Event Center and wind your way around the vines of this beautiful venue. Ideal for runners trying to set a quick trail time, or for wandering walkers taking in the views.

BREWS AND BREKKY

FIRESTONE WALKER TAPROOM, PASO ROBLES

1400 Ramada Dr, Paso Robles 9am-3pm

As per tradition, they will be hosting a brunch in their taproom before you hit the road after the Firestone Walker Beer Fest. Anticipate Chef Specials and a warm welcome from their crew.

JUNE 16

FATHER'S DAY

JUNE 13, 20, 27

CONCERTS IN THE PARK CITY PARK, DOWNTOWN PASO ROBLES

6-8pm

Enjoy listening to live music under the evening sky. June 13: JD Project (rock, country), June 20: Dulcie Taylor (rockin’ Americana roots), and June 27: Monte Mills & the Lucky Horseshoe Band (country, rock n’ roll).

JUNE 15 AND 20

SATURDAYS IN THE PARK CONCERTS SERIES

ATASCADERO LAKE PARK

6:30-8:30pm

Sit and dance by the lake listening to live music by various artists. June 15–Rock Odyssey and June 29–Cinders Blues Band.

JUNE 22

ATASCADERO LAKESIDE WINE FESTIVAL

ATASCADERO LAKE

The Atascadero Lakeside Wine Fest is a premier event showcasing wineries from the Central Coast that includes nearly 250 wines from over 60 wineries. In addition, breweries, food purveyors, commercial vendors, and art exhibitors will be spaciously displayed under the majestic oaks at the relaxed and sun-kissed lakeside location.

JUNE 29

ANNUAL MORRO BAY MARINE SWAP MEET

1210 Embarcadero

8am-1pm

Hosted by Friends of the Morro Bay Harbor Department, Morro Bay Maritime Museum, and Morro Bay Youth Sailing Foundation, the free event will bring a treasure trove of marine and nautical items, including boats, watercraft, marine supplies, boatbuilding tools, equipment,

marine hardware, fishing gear, scuba and dive equipment, surfboards, surfing-related items, marine art, and collectibles to purchase.

JULY 4

JULY 4 IN PASO BARNEY SCHWARTZ PARK, 2970 UNION ROAD, PASO ROBLES 2–10 p.m.

The City of Paso Robles, along with Travel Paso, is offering a familyfriendly event throughout the day and culminating with a fireworks show at night.

FOURTH OF JULY PARADE DOWNTOWN TEMPLETON 7am-3pm

Details: Start the day with the Pancake Breakfast at 7am, and then grab a seat for the hometown parade at 10am

BLUEGRASS FREEDOM FESTIVAL

ATASCADERO LAKE PARK, ATASCADERO 2–8 p.m.

Presented by Colony Days and the Printery Foundation, the 4th of July Bluegrass Freedom Festival will offer music, boating, bounce houses, games and more. There will be food, bear and wine available for purchase. For information, visit atascaderofourthofjuly.com.

Wednesdays

ATASCADERO 6505 EL CAMINO REAL, ATASCADERO, CA 93422 3pm - 6pm

Saturdays

Tuesdays Saturdays

TEMPLETON CROCKER ST & 6TH ST, TEMPLETON, CA 93465 9am - 12:30pm

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.

Saturday Vigil Mass 5 p.m.

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

Spanish Mass at 1 p.m. & 6 p.m.

Father Rodolfo 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

CENTRAL COAST-MADE FILM 'HIDDEN CREEK'

SHINES LIGHT ON DEMENTIA STRUGGLES

By Camille DeVaul

The community had the chance to see and give feedback on a Central Coastmade film in May. On Thursday, May 23, Park Cinemas in Paso Robles was the host to the second screening of “Hidden Creek,” which tells the story of an elderly rancher and his battle with dementia.

The screenplay was written by Cambria psychologist and writer Steve Brody, who was inspired to write the screenplay for "Hidden Creek" after his mother’s own battle with dementia. Many of Steve’s patients struggle with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

“There are a lot of people out there that either are going through this, have gone through this, will be going through this, and the family dynamic is real common,” Steve explained to Paso Robles Press.

After seeing one of their smaller projects, Steve reached out to two local graduates of Coast Union High School in Cambria, Julian Mercado and Darien Jewel, to produce the film. The two have now graduated from film school and are working together in Los Angeles with their independent film production company Slabtown Studios — the name a calling card for what Cambria was once called.

Julian, the director and producer for “Hidden Creek,” said they were ready to get straight to work when Steve approached them to produce the film. This being their biggest project yet, he said they first worked to update the script, which was written about 10 years prior.

“Hidden Creek” tells the story of Jimmy, an elderly rancher who fears he might be losing his mind and suspects his son and daughter of furthering his dementia so they can sell

the ranch out from under him. However, the story did not originally surround the story of a rancher until a location for the film was chosen.

A friend of Steve’s, Gloria Fiscalini, offered her family’s generational ranch as a filming location, inspiring the ranching and sustainability tie-in to the film.

Darien, who is director and producer of the film and partner in Slabtown Studios, said from start to finish the making of the film was a journey to narrow down the theme of the film. After talking to Fiscalini and securing the film location, everything clicked. The film would then also reflect the struggles farmers and ranchers face in today’s work to keep ahold of their land.

The film had its first screening at Hearst Castle earlier this year, where it debuted in front of a sold-out theater of over 400 people. We should also mention Steve Hearst’s support as an executive producer and investor was instrumental in "Hidden Creek’s" production.

In the screening's audience was Alzheimer’s Association CA Central Coast Chapter Program and Education Manager Laura DeLoye.

After watching the film, Laura had an idea: "I just suggested that it would be a great pairing to have some outreach awareness in our community about supports for families, like what is being portrayed in the movie, that we have some things going on here."

Laura connected with Barry Fisher of Blaze ‘N Bear Insurance Services in Paso Robles, who also has a show in KPRL. Together, they found a way to bring the film to Paso Robles as a second screening. The screening gives the Alzheimer’s Association an outlet for education

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and spreading the word of different resources available in the area for those suffering from the disease. Soon, Laura explained, everything snowballed from there.

The film has become a collaboration between individuals with deep connections to Cambria and, furthermore, brought together organizations across the Central Coast, including the Alzheimer’s Association CA Central Coast Chapter, CAPSLO Adult Day Center, and the Cattlemen’s Association of SLO County Ag Education.

Given the films theme of ranching, Laura and her team wanted to find an organization that would help bring the ranching community into the fold.

"So the Cattleman’s Association came in very quickly into our conversation as well to support this type of what has become a fundraiser and an awareness piece," explained Laura.

The second screening at Park Cinemas was another sell out showing, raising over $10,000 for the nonprofits.

"What we really wanted to do with the film, was kind of get more exposure towards dementia and towards these kinds of struggles that the family was going through," explained Darien. "Because as we were in development and pre-production, a friend of mine’s family was going through the exact same struggle with a grandmother who was passing away and then kind of the suffering from dementia and the family politics around that. We wanted to shed a light on that kind of struggle with this project."

The movie trailer for "Hidden Creek" can be viewed at hidden creekmovie.com