Journey from Adelaide’s Hills to Community Pillar
Jennifer Loftus embraces new academic year
Boutz Cellars releases Paso’s first Greek varietal wines
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Ted R. Paso Robles, CA
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Celebrating 25 Years of Paso Robles Rotary Winemaker’s Cookoff
By Maylia Baird
This year's event will once again raise scholarship funds for local students, featuring top winemakers, friendly Cook-off and live music for a fun experience.
By Camille DeVaul
From horseback rides to real estate triumps, how a dairy farm childhood and family legacy shaped a lifetime of community service and Real Estate excellence and deep local roots.
By Jennifer Loftus
Jennifer Loftus celebrates 6,262 students, highlighting new initiatives, middle school restructuring, dual immersion program, Aquatic Center construction, and more.
Publisher’s Letter
10 Something Worth Reading
12 Through The Grapevine
Round Town
14 Paso Robles Main Street Association
15 The Natural Alternative
16 San Miguel Happenings
17 Paso Robles General Store
18 Paso Robles Area Historical Society
19 Shift'N Gears
20 Kid Friendly Paso: A family day in Creston
Features
28 SLO County Office of Education
30 Back to School with Susan Sonne
Business
32 Spotlight: Kaitilin Riley DDS
34 Spotlight: Autobahn
35 Spotlight: Restored by Ink
36 Spotlight: CC Gondola
38 Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce Oak Leaf
39 Behind the Badge
40 Open Farm Day
Taste
42 Sip & Savor: Boutz Cellars
44 Farm Stand: Season of the zucchini
Events
45 August Calendar
46 Paso Robles 4th of July
48 Templeton July 4th Parade
50 50 Years: Ed and Laurie Serge
50 Directory of our Advertisers
This month, we are starting our message with a slightly different tone from our typical monthly letters, which usually sets the tone for the magazine inspired by the events from the last month, our community, and our family. However, prompted by recent national events, we currently find ourselves at a historic crossroads.
At the end of July, our nation witnessed two profound events: an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek reelection. These incidents are not only significant but are also reflective of the deep divisions within our country. They remind us of the fragility of our national discourse and the urgent need for thoughtful reflection and unity.
As we navigate the coming months, my message is to remember the human side of our debates and disagreements. Our community is a rich tapestry of diverse beliefs and backgrounds, each thread adding strength and texture. In these complex times, let us prioritize kindness over conflict and understanding over division. By choosing actions that enrich and elevate our community, we commit to fostering an environment of cohesion. Together, we canstrive to bridge our divides and strengthen the bonds that unite us as a nation.
In this issue, as we transition from the leisurely summer to the busy school year, we highlight insights from Jennifer Loftus, the new Superintendent of Paso Robles Joint Unified School District. Jennifer is dedicated to enhancing the learning experiences of all 6,262 students. Her work began at the end of the 2023-24 academic year with key decisions that sparked significant changes across various educational environments. Additionally, Susan Sonne offers essential tips to help families smoothly move from vacation mode to classroom readiness, easing the annual back-to-school adjustment.
August heats up with one of Paso Robles’ most eagerly awaited events—the Annual Paso Robles Rotary Winemaker’s Cookoff. This event is not only a delightful occasion for local winemakers but also serves a noble cause, raising funds for school scholarships for Paso Robles students. It highlights the rising costs of education while providing valuable opportunities for local high school seniors. Renowned area winemakers contribute their time, wine, food, staff, and culinary expertise each year, making this creative and enjoyable event a meaningful way to give back to the community.
In light of recent national events and the heated political climate, let us not forget the essence of what makes living in Paso Robles so special. It’s our shared commitment to community, our resilience in the face of challenges, and our unwavering support for one another that truly define us. Let us move forward together with a renewed spirit of unity and cooperation.
We hope you enjoy this month’s issue of Paso Robles Magazine.
Hayley & Nic
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Wine Country Theatre's 'Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella' in Paso Robles
Wine Country Theatre, a professional caliber community theatre, is rehearsing for its premier of “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” opening August 16 at the Park Ballroom in downtown Paso Robles. With its fresh new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, this hilarious and romantic “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” combines the story’s classic elements—glass
slippers, pumpkin, and a beautiful ball—along with some surprising twists. More than just a pretty face with the right shoe size, this Cinderella is a contemporary figure living in a fairy-tale setting. She is a spirited young woman with savvy and soul who doesn’t let her rags, or her gowns, trip her up in her quest for kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.
Be transported back to your childhood as you rediscover some of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible,” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” in this hilarious and romantic Broadway experience for anyone who’s ever had a wish, a dream or a really great pair of shoes. This timeless musical treasure will inspire and delight the whole family.
“Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” has music by
Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, a new book by Douglas Carter Beane and original book by Oscar Hammerstein II. Director Jacob Shearer states that he is “thrilled to collaborate with our talented community of artists to bring to life the story of woman empowered by kindness. Through her journey, we aim to transform apathy into sympathy and inspire our audience. I look forward to the magic we will create together on the Park Ballroom stage. It’s a huge undertaking, a collaborative journey involving community members of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.”
Leading the cast of 40, Grace Anthony plays Cinderella, and Jon Estes is Prince Topher, who is being manipulated by a politically ambitious, greedy Prime Minister, played by Kate Hofstetter. Cynthia Anthony plays Madame, the overwrought, selfish, and vain stepmother. The stepsisters are played by Ainsley De
Costor and Brianna Pacheco. Tom Villa is the idealistic peasant seeking to revolutionize the kingdom, JeanMichele. Veronica Surber is the magical Fairy Godmother, Marie. Another 25 actors make up the ensemble of townspeople, dancers, knights, Lords, and Ladies of the Court. In addition to the cast, there are another 20 individuals offstage working tirelessly as members of the crews, running tech, serving as ushers, designing and building sets and costumes — without whom there would be no onstage magic.
The Park Ballroom, The Backyard Wine and Beer Garden, and San Luis Obispo County Office of Education are the title sponsors for the show. Many other businesses and individuals have contributed to the production, making this a true community effort. Tickets are expected to sell fast. For tickets and more information, please visit WineCountryTheatre.org.
As summer winds down, event calendars start to wind up. August is the time to “reap what you sow,” to celebrate a good harvest and a great summer!
Harvest Month is a reminder that purchasing seasonal foods at the farmers markets improves their flavors and nutritional values for you and supports small farms and businesses while stimulating our local economy. Paso is fortunate to have two weekly markets every week. On the corner of 11th and Spring streets, in front of the library. The Tuesday Market is from 9:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. The Saturday Market, which includes handmade crafts, is from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
On August 19 our Full Sturgeon Moon appears as the first Supermoon in 2024. This moon is named for the large fresh water fish found in the Great Lakes this time of year. It can be the size of a bass or a Volkswagen. As a Supermoon, it is closest to the earth on this date and appears larger and brighter than other full moons. This lunar energy has a powerful influence on our deep feelings of love, romance, and relationships. Dean Martin sang about it: “When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore.”
There’s a “Persied Meteor Shower” on the 11th through the 13th of this month, one of the busiest showers of the
year. This brings up the subject of stargazing. This event, done with the naked eye, is a great way to stay connected and balanced in life. To spend time looking at the sky on any given night, from a place of semi-darkness and relaxation brings a message from the cosmos that our problems are minuscule in the grand scheme of things. You gradually let go of the day and embrace the quiet, peaceful stillness of the night. Stress is lowered, your restless thoughts are quiet, you fall asleep faster, and stay longer. A perfect prescription, and the price is right!
“For my part, I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” – Vincent Van Gogh. Join Paso Robles Main Street on Saturday the 24th from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. for one of our most popular events in the City Park. It’s time to browse and shop for gifts and treasures at the “Trading Day — A Vintage Market.” We’ll also be featuring “The Kids’ Flea Market,” where kids buy and sell with each other. It’s a great learning experience for the younger people and fun to watch.
Joining in the fun will be “Comictopia,” where you can come and unlock your inner child. This Comic Expo is an unforgettable celebration of everything from comics, superheroes, and science fiction. There will be vendors, food, and activities for everyone.
It’s free for you and fun for all ages.
With all the gifts of August, we’re ready to enter the fourth quarter of 2024. So often, people start to feel tired and drained. It’s easy to lose motivation and let our dreams slip away. It is a busy, joyful time of year.
Back to school is just around the corner, and whether you’re a student getting ready to go back to school, or just looking to improve the quality of your memory and sleep, The Natural Alternative Nutrition Center has the right product for you! This August, we are excited to offer 20 percent off all LifeSeasons products. This includes a selection of brain health products like Anxie-T, Rest-ZZZ, Focus-R and Neuro-Q. Keep reading to find out how these items can help improve your brain health!
As one gets older, it becomes more crucial to maintain good focus and memory.
L-Theanine is an important amino acid and may support one's mental focus and reduce stress. This amino acid works by stimulating activity in the brain known as alpha waves. Alpha brain waves happen when one is wide awake and relaxed and this calm yet alert state is associated with better focus. Check out our products Focus-R and NeuroQ by LifeSeasons for memory and focus support. Studying and having to complete tasks under high stress can affect memory and other cognitive functions. Ashwagandha is a top choice in the natural medicine world when it comes to combating stress. In a 2019 study, researchers found that taking ashwagandha reduced people’s cortisol
levels significantly when compared to a placebo. Check out our product Anxie-T by LifeSeasons for stress support.
Getting enough sleep is essential for optimal brain function and well-being.
Magnesium is a vital mineral that helps nerves and muscles work properly. Because of these qualities, research suggests that it helps promote healthy sleep schedules and quality sleep. Magnesium binds to the neurotransmitter GABA's receptors, therefore increasing their activity and relaxing the body. Try GABA and Magnesium together in our Rest-ZZZ supplements by LifeSeasons.
Using the power of natural medicine, such as L-Theanine, Ashwagandha, GABA, and Magnesium, can benefit brain function in a variety of ways, regardless of age. Check out our selection this August to receive 20 percent off of brain health supplements by LifeSeasons! We’re located at 1213 Pine St. in Paso Robles and online at NaturalAlternativeNutrition.com.
Our team is wishing you a healthy school year, The Natural Alternative
Shop online with us today at NaturalAlternativeNutrition.com or visit us on Instagram and Facebook
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
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL COUNSELING WITH A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.
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
The annual San Miguel Lions Club Old Timers Picnic will be held on Sunday, August 25, from noon to 3 p.m. (or as long as they have chicken to serve.) The food and fun will be found at San Miguel Park on K Street, between 12th and 13th streets.
This long-standing and popular event was first held in 1952 and generations of San Miguel Lions have served their delicious chicken barbecue dinners to generations of families in the North County every year since. The tradition continues to serve a free meal to those over 80 years old — after all, this picnic honors old-timers!
This year, a generous plate of chicken, beans, green salad, and bread is $20 per person. Beverages and desserts will be sold separately. People are welcome to request dinners to go. The 2024 Pioneer Day Parade Royalty will be guests. Tables and chairs are set up under the big cover near the barbecue pit and on the grounds under the trees.
There’s a nice play area for children near the pool. It’s family day in a big way.
San Miguel Lions meet at the Community Building behind the library on the east side of the park on the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. For more information, call Mary at (805) 458-4320.
San Miguel Park was built in 1953 when Highway 101 was relocated to the west side of town and widened to four lanes. At the time, the property was the site of the original San Miguel School. The new highway was going to encroach on the school property so in 1950 ground was broken at the present site of the school, which was then renamed for and dedicated to longtime teacher Lillian Larsen. The original school had been anchored by a brick schoolhouse, which was built circa 1886-87 but demolished in the late 1940s. The bell from that structure is set in place in the park to commemorate the historical site. The cafeteria building was moved to the east side of the park behind the library to become the Community Building.
The town was happy to have the new park, and it got a lot of use right from the beginning. The only amenity lacking was a pool and that was added in 1955. For years,
the San Miguel Lions Club paid for local children to have their first swimming lessons in the pool. Unfortunately, current pool days and hours are restricted in some county parks due to difficulty in hiring lifeguards. In 2016, the county began an upgrade of the park. A survey of neighbors on K Street found parents would like to have the part of the street that bisected the park closed to enlarge the playing field for soccer. A small parking lot was added along with more parking along the alley for the Community Building. A multi-generational get-together of old and new friends and family is a great way to enjoy summertime!
It’s Part 2 of our “Local Good People Report,” and we’re sharing a bit about our chosen family behind the counter: here’s to Anna and Jessica!
We were bleary-eyed with building furniture and laying floors when Anna volunteered to unpack boxes with us 11 years ago. How lucky are we all these years later? She’s the kind of friend who brings homemade mac and cheese to work on Christmas Eve, and plays superb air guitar when “Just What I Needed” by The Cars rocks the speakers.
Anna loves the most our handmade pottery tumblers, created for us by Heidi Peterson Ceramics in Santa Margarita.
“The colors are so yummy,” she explains, “and they’d be perfect for iced tea or a good margarita.”
And though it’s been over 20 years, fueled by that tumbler full of margarita, her secret talent for the harmonica just might make an appearance.
Her perfect day starts with sleeping late, relaxing with her kiddos and pups, and grazing on good food. (Cheese is her love language, after all.)
Jessica didn’t let little things like wildfire smoke or COVID ruin her first month of work. We are
so thankful for her special brand of sunshine. She’s a terrifically talented graphic designer, and her gorgeous illustration of the front of the shop is on tote bags and tea towels here in the store. Her drawing of an African basket adorns our newest bag, “My Other Bag is a Basket.” Though we are all basket fans, if she got to pick one thing in the store, it would be the salt boxes by ceramicist Rachael Potts. (Are you all seeing the theme here? We may have a problem with loving pottery. We’re not sorry.) “I’ve been eyeing them ever since we started carrying them,” she shared, and we’re not surprised that her artist’s eye appreciates the hand-crafted feel of Rachael’s work.
You can always tell Jessica is here if Tame Impala is on the playlist, but she would very much prefer we skip each and every version of “Wagon Wheel.” Jessica will be listening to everything but that when she spends her perfect day going out for breakfast, reading her favorite book uninterrupted, and taking an evening walk when the wind kicks up.
See why we love them? And pottery.
Love,
— General Store Paso Robles
By Paso Robles Area Historical Society and Museum
studios in several areas of Central California in addition to San Luis Obispo, including Monterey, Santa Barbara, and Alameda.
n 2011, the El Paso de Robles Area Historical Society received over 1,400 19th-century glass plate photographic negatives. The collection, the work of photographer Richard J. Arnold, was presented to the Historical Society by Jacqueline D. Marie in memory of Randal Gene Young. In April of 2012 Brother Lawrence Scrivani. S.M., then archivist for the Cooper Molera Adobe in Monterey, California, came to Paso Robles to instruct Historical Society volunteers in the proper methods for cleaning, preserving, storing, and cataloging the glass plate negative collection. A group of dedicated volunteers then set to work in the basement office of the Carnegie Library to clean and catalog the negatives, which had been stored in less-than-ideal conditions for many years. The preservation project took over two years to complete.
In December 2012, Anthony Lepore, Master of Fine Arts, Yale University, came to Paso Robles and spent several days going through the negatives, carefully making the selections that would become the basis for the Historical Society’s first exhibit "SHARED HISTORIES: R.J.
Arnold’s Portraits of the Central Coast."
The fragile glass plate negatives were scanned in high resolution allowing the production of large prints. At the time of their creation these negatives would only have been printed at their actual size (5” x 8”). Current technology allows an even deeper look into these astonishing portraits. The collection of photographs also points to the diversity of native and immigrant cultures prevalent in San Luis Obispo County during the second half of the 19th Century.
Through the years the identities of the individuals pictured in the exhibit have been lost leaving us to speculate about their personal stories and what life was like in this area over 135 years ago.
Many of the original glass plate negatives were damaged or in poor condition when received. The decision was made to print the photographs for the exhibit with these imperfections as they represent the current state of the plates and allows the viewer to experience them in their proper historical context.
Richard J. Arnold was born in England on June 28, 1856, and died in Monterey, California on May 19, 1929. Arnold had photographic
Arnold’s most significant contribution to early California photography was his choice to photograph all sorts of people, not limiting his subjects to paying clients. While most commercial photographers at the time photographed the wealthy and elite on commission, Arnold did not limit the diversity of his subjects based on their financial means. He created one of the largest and earliest portraits of the early Latino community in California. While he took commissions and ran a successful studio he was endlessly drawn to all types of people and his body of work presents a prescient vision of California’s cultural diversity. What also makes his photographs so important and timeless is the empathy with which he connects to his sitters. There is an openness in their gaze and an ease in their gesture.
The original prints that Arnold produced during his lifetime would have been cropped into the traditional Victorian oval, or printed as Cabinet Cards, both of which were highly favored at the time and tended to focus on faces and torsos. In this exhibition the full plates have been printed, revealing the surprises and details of Arnold’s photographic process and giving the viewer a glimpse into his studio.
the Paso Robles History Museum, August 16, the El Paso de Robles Society will feature a program on Richard J. Arnold and his portrait collection. Anthony Lepore, who was instrumental in promoting the restoration and exhibition of Arnold’s prints, will be presenting the program. In addition to creating his own fine art photography, Lepore teaches photography at several colleges in Southern California. He frequently includes the work of R.J. Arnold in his lecture series, and was featured in a video with Britt Salveson, department head and curator of photography for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, in which Arnolds’ work was shown and discussed. The video can be viewed on the Historical Society’s website pasorobleshistorymuseum.org
With the historical program, there will be wine tasting by Vinyl Vineyards and charcuterie by Jen Fox. Seating is very limited, and reservations are required. For reservations email the Historical Society at pasohistory1@gmail.com
Today, we’re diving into a topic that might seem mundane but is crucial for every vehicle owner: MOTOR OIL! You’ve probably seen those colorful bottles lining the shelves at your local auto parts store, but what’s the real difference between conventional and synthetic oils?
DISCLAIMER — You should always use the manufacturer-recommended oil type and weight. Your vehicle was specifically designed for what is recommended.
Conventional Oil: Crude oil goes through a refining process. Due to its natural origin, conventional oil can vary in quality and performance depending on the source of the crude oil and the refining process. The oil is boiled so the elements are separated and can be extracted. Solvents are added to improve stability and performance, among other things. Then it’s blended with various additives to enhance its performance. These additives can include:
• Detergents: Preventing the buildup of deposits.
• Dispersants: Keeping tiny particles suspended in the oil to prevent sludge formation.
• Antioxidants: Preventing oxidation and breakdown.
• Viscosity Modifiers: Ensuring the oil remains effective across a wide range of temperatures.
• Anti-wear Agents: Providing an extra layer of protection for engine components. Conventional oil tends to break
down faster, which leads to more frequent oil changes. It breaks down faster because of the erratic molecular structure and added refining agents depleting faster. Those added agents and chemical mixture are crucial for engine protection and function.
Synthetic Oil: Synthetic oil is crafted through a meticulous process of chemical synthesis, purification, and blending with advanced additives listed above and then some, that provide better lubrication, superior stability, oxidation resistance, longer additive retention, improved wear protection, enhanced fuel efficiency, environmental benefits, and engine cleanliness. These benefits are required for most of your modern cars to operate smoothly. Can you switch oil types?
In older engines and vehicles, a conventional oil system has most likely built up a seal of sludge deposits that were helping to seal small gaps. Switching could potentially lead to minor oil leaks because older gaskets and seals might not be compatible in their current state with the superior cleaning properties of synthetic oils. If you are wanting to switch from conventional to synthetic, consult your local experts as your specific vehicle might not be fully compatible, and there is a specific process that needs to be adhered to. Most of the time, switching from conventional to synthetic will be beneficial, but going from synthetic to conventional is not recommended for any reason.
Are you searching for a fresh family outing? Head out to Creston for a taste of the Old West. A short 20-minute drive from Paso Robles, this heartwarming town has it all on one old-fashioned main road. Founded in 1888 by farmers and ranchers, Creston has a rich history and is a popular destination for tourists and retirees, including the late Debbie Reynolds. Creston welcomes everyone from cowboys to wine snobs. Horses, children, and dogs can come along too. Spanning just a few blocks, a day trip here really packs a punch. Whether a North County local or a far-traveling visitor, you will be overcome by the towering ancient oaks and sizeable hospitality. Start your day at the Longbranch Saloon for a delicious country-style cocktail and famous fried pickles. Relax while the kids play on the teetertotter and half-pipe. This rodeo-style watering hole is ideal for families with kids and large groups. The menu includes everything from a mouthwatering burrata plate to unforgettable burgers, all in an atmosphere that feels like a
backyard family barbecue. Did I mention they make a mean cocktail?
Your next stop is Allgood Custom Leather. Matt and Meagan Allgood have curated an oh-so-tasteful selection of Western wear and gifts. This unique shopping experience is set in the old mercantile previously owned by Meagan’s great-grandmother Mary and includes clothing, hats, books, and accessories for the whole family. Allgood specializes in exceptional products including one-of-a-kind home goods, custommade leather goods, and hand-picked sterling silver and natural turquoise jewelry made by American artisans with custom Creston merchandise designed by Meagan herself.
Mosey on to the Creston House Market for handmade milkshakes the size of your face.
“Bringing Convenience to Creston” is their motto, but they provide much more than your average cantine. Espresso, milkshakes, pizzas, sandwiches, and groceries are available daily as well as essentials and gifts. This is an authentic small-town general store with a lot of personality. Bring along some cash to receive a discount at the register.
Just a mile up the road you will find Defiance Vineyard, where they can cater to any group through reservations. Pouring up awardwinning Bordeaux-style wines and Petite
Sirah, this women-led brand is operated by the Faulkner sisters, Erin, Brianna, and Vincenta. Take in the stunning 360-degree views and revel in the laid-back vibes that are the essence of Creston. Open Fridays and Saturdays from 11 to 5 p.m. (by appointment only), this is a family and pet-friendly tasting room with indoor and outdoor spaces, board games, and toy trucks. They cater to unique group needs so bring your dog, bring your kids, and have the place to yourself.
For your last stop, head to the Loading Chute restaurant, where the little ones can run free around wine barrels and perform self-crafted productions on the wooden stage. Savor one of the many local wines or bring your own, the corkage fee is only $10. There is loads of history to be enjoyed, originally built in the 1800s, it is the ideal spot for a family meal. The daily homemade fresh herbed bread with whipped butter is a must and the kids’ menu items include an ice-cream sandwich tucked under a mound of whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles.
With traditional events year-round, Creston is the perfect family-friendly getaway in any season. Check out their September Rodeo, Downtown Trick or Treating, Christmas Parade, and Downtown Easter Egg Hunt.
Georges Bizet’s
The Most Famous Opera of All Time Produced at Grand Scale!
SATURDAY & SUNDAY OCTOBER 19 & 20, 2024
BOTH SHOWS AT 2 PM at Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo
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 Joshua Wentz, choreographed by Drew Silvaggio, with the fantastic OperaSLO Grand Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Brian Asher Alhadeff!
back then,” says Vicki, reflecting on her family’s story. “I’m very blessed to know my history.”
Vicki attended a one-room schoolhouse where she and friend Jim Irving were the only two first-graders in the school of 12 students.
“The school that I went to was down below the mines. It was called the Sunderland School, and it’s no longer there. But it was on property that my family owned,” she explains.
Growing up, Vicki’s father had a dairy farm for a few years.
So naturally, like any other farm kid, there were chores to be done, “And so that was our job before we
Saturday night — cruise Spring Street down to Foster Freeze and everyone meet at the parking lot where Mechanics Bank now sits and just hang out.
Her husband was raised on his parent’s dairy in a town outside of Hanford and came over to the Central Coast to attend Cal Poly when he and Vicki met.
“I was 19, and he was 21 when we got married. But, you know, it worked out,” says Vicki. “I hate to say this, but it love at first sight.”
The two had a lot of fun together, raising two children, snow skiing, and going to the lake. Unfortunately, Russ died about 20 years ago due to a long-term illness. But the two have wonderful grandchildren and children thriving because of them.
After having her two children and buying their first home, Vicki started her real estate career — it was fitting, considering her grandmother was the first woman commercial broker in California. Now, Vicki is celebrating over 50 years in real estate.
Throughout it all, Vicki has dedicated so much of her time back to the community. She was one of the Paso Robles Rotary Club’s first women to join the club and served as the first woman Rotarian President from 2006-2007. She has also been the Roblan of the Year, Realtor of the Year, active at Saint Rose Catholic Church and School, past Pioneer Day Chairman, past president of the Paso Robles Board of Realtors, and Cuesta College Honored Alumni.
Reflecting on how much Paso Robles has grown since her childhood ranch days, Vicki says it ‘s “Mostly good because I feel like most people that have moved here are are good people that like Paso Robles, and they want the lifestyle that we have. I think we’re blessed. I tell people ... this is the last best place in California. And it really is.”
And overall, Vicki says, “I feel very blessed. I still have my health, and I’ve got a great family and great friends and lots of good clients who have become friends.”
By Maylia Baird
The Annual Paso Robles Rotary Winemaker’s Cookoff is an event that is not only enjoyable for local winemakers but also raises money for school scholarships for students in Paso Robles. It raises awareness of how expensive education can be and provides opportunities for our local high school seniors. This event is creative and fun but also gives back to the community. Some of the greatest winemakers in the area have generously donated their time, wine, food, staff, and culinary experience each year to make this event happen.
By attending the cookoff, you have the opportunity to enjoy delicious wine and amazing food prepared by some of the best winemakers in Paso Robles. There will also be live music for your entertainment while you enjoy your food and drinks. Over the years certain wineries are known to even theme their booths and come in costume for the fun of it. There will be over 20 wineries such as Allegretto, Ancient Peaks, Opolo, Tobin James, Tooth & Nail, Vina Robles, and many more.
Rotarians John and Sally Davis add a creative touch to the cookoff by painting wine barrels that serve as tables for guests to place their wine glasses and food plates on.
What also adds to the excitement is the competitive aspect. There are two food prize categories in the cookoff. The first being the People’s Choice, where visitors and event attendees get to vote for their favorite meal. Then the Judges’ Choice, where a panel of professional judges from the culinary and wine industries vote. They divide the wineries into two categories: amateurs and professionals. Professionals are wineries who already have a chef on staff and the amateurs are those that have different restaurants and caterers who cook on their behalf.
“What we came up with the first year was there are no rules, and what ends up happening is a lot of bribery,” Vicki Silva, one of the event
founders, explained.
It’s all supposed to be laid back, so bribery is not only allowed, it’s encouraged every year. Some wineries may even try and convince you to vote for them whether it be by giving you a taste of a vintage wine, a chocolate to pair with your wine, or different giveaway items with the company’s name on it.
“It’s really fun at the end of the evening to give out the awards,” Vicki says.
The awards are of no great value but business owners get excited by the possibility of winning, and those who do are thrilled that they won something. This year is special because it’s the cookoff’s 25th anniversary, yet traditions will stay the same. The purpose of the event is to, of course, raise money for scholarships but to also have fun.
“It’s not like this serious wine-tasting event where you swirl the wine or sniff it. There’s none of that that goes on. It’s laid back and fun,” Vicki says.
They awarded roughly $94,000 in scholarships last year. There were some $10,000 scholarships and many $5,000 ones. It means
a lot to the students who do get the scholarships, especially considering how expensive college is these days.
Vicki says, “That’s the whole thing is that you come, have fun, and also feel like you’re doing something good for somebody.”
The original idea was Gary Eberle’s and over 20 years ago he started the event with Vicki as co-founder. In their first year, they raised over $7,000 with the hope that the event would be just as fun for the wineries as it is for the participants. Their long-term goal is to raise more money each year in order to give out an increasing number of scholarships, which is why they keep doing it to grow the funds.
Vicki explains, “Whatever happens, the fund is there, and it’s going to keep growing, and that feels good that we’ve got it to the point where it has a life of its own. If the event stops the fund keeps going.”
This year, the event will happen on Aug. 10 from 6 until 9 p.m. at the Paso Robles Event Center, which is hosted by the Paso Robles Rotary Club. Tickets are limited and sell out fast, so make sure to get yours soon! Visit winemakerscookoff.com for tickets and more details.
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Includes a side salad and glass of house wine
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESAY
JENNIFER LOFTUS
SUPERINTENDENT, PASO ROBLES JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
s the new Superintendent, I am thrilled to join a community where there is a passion for ensuring each of our 6,262 students have the best possible learning experience. As I begin my tenure here, I carry forward the work started at the culmination of the 2023-24 academic tea, when the district made pivotal decisions that have heralded a metamorphosis across numerous learning landscapes.
Steering away from the conventional middle school paradigm, we elected to retain our sixth-graders within the elementary school setting. This strategic shift provided the district with the space needed to merge the two middle schools into a singular junior high. Newly named Lewis Flamson Junior High School, for all seventh- and eighthgraders, fostering a cohesive junior high community. This reconfiguration paves the way for a customized junior high school experience rife with novel traditions and memories. We are poised in the upcoming school year to reimagine elective offerings and to explore avenues for expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) program offerings into our junior high curriculum. The landscape ahead is full of opportunities!
Another pivotal move was the relocation of the district’s dual immersion program, coupled with the closure of its oldest campus, which yields fiscal savings and also affords an opportunity to broaden the dual language immersion initiative up to the eighth grade. Expanding this exemplary program will benefit many students for generations to come.
These were hard transitions in our community and I could not be more proud of all the effort everyone has put toward ensuring that the work happened and that we are ready to greet and serve our learners in the upcoming school year.
Astute observers may have noticed the construction activity on the outer edges of the Paso Robles High School campus as the district recently embarked on the groundbreaking endeavor of erecting the PRJUSD Aquatic Center earlier this spring. We are poised to open its doors to both athletes and the wider community in November 2025, fulfilling one of our long-standing dreams to allow our swim, dive, and water polo teams to conduct practice and competitions on our own PRHS campus.
Finally, ensuring conducive learning environments for all, the district is channeling some of the remaining 2016 Measure M Bond funds towards site enhancements. These enhancements included upgraded HVAC systems to fresh carpets, paintwork, and even new furniture at some sites.
As we begin the 2024-25 school year, we are turning our attention to academic excellence! Our elementary Dual
Language Immersion (DLI) program at Georgia Brown is exemplary and all of our elementary schools have witnessed growth across all academic domains in the last school year. Paso Robles High School proudly boasts a robust dual enrollment partnership with Cuesta College, a substantial cohort of graduates obtained the Seal of Biliteracy on their diplomas, and we celebrated a noteworthy tally of 10 medalists at the State SkillsUSA Competition in the preceding academic year.
Regardless of our current success level we have strong aspirations for even more growth! We believe that early literacy and foundational math competencies constitute the groundwork for all future academic endeavors. As such, we will invest heavily in teacher development, specifically around ensuring our instructional program is designed to support the needs of learners so that each student has the strong foundation needed.
I want to encourage our teachers to explore innovative instructional approaches that integrate AI technologies, ensuring our students are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world. I realize that there are many differing opinions on AI and where it fits in education. What I know to be true is that students who are not supported in using the tools of the future will be left out of the future. We cannot support systems that hold our students back from reaching their fullest potentials. Therefore, I will call upon our educators to think critically and creatively about how they can leverage AI to expand student learning beyond the confines of traditional classroom settings.
2024-25 is also the year that PRJUSD will engage in Strategic Planning. I look forward to meeting with parents, students, staff, and community members to dream big about what we want for our district. As part of this process we will develop our mission and strategies and define our parameters, or collective commitments. This Strategic Plan will be our roadmap to the future of the Paso school community.
I am looking forward to an amazing year! Please join me in celebrating all the good things that happen each and every day in our wonderful school community!
The entire Central Coast of California is rich with the arts and often serves as a refuge or haven for artists from both the Bay Area and Southern California. Tourists and locals enjoy this beautiful slice of California located three hours between these northern and southern metropolitan communities. Our county stretches over 70 miles down the 101 along the Pacific Coast and inland through desert and mountains to Kern County, covering 3,616 square miles, with just over 284,000 in population. Agriculture, tourism, building and design construction, knowledge and innovation, advanced manufacturing, health services, and energy are some of our major economic drivers. What does each of these economic drivers have in common? “Arts-Based Leadership.” According to the Oxford Academic Community Development Journal, the arts are often considered to be at the periphery of the community development process and only a minor player in regenerating areas. Despite increasing globalization, communities are beginning to recognize their own identity, culture,
traditional art forms, and the value of working together at the local level. Across San Luis Obispo County are examples of local art often created by the youth in partnership with local community groups, nonprofits, schools, and professional artists. Academics and business leaders understand that arts-based instruction is an interdisciplinary approach to learning. Multiple community and arts organizations with a focus on the arts are strengthening pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship arts partnerships for local students. Wine County Theatre, a local nonprofit theater company is dedicated to building a community of artists and audiences. Wine Country Theatre’s mission of building community through practice, participation, and pre-apprenticeship is one of the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education’s Arts Partnerships.
Local arts organizations continue to partner with the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education to support arts outreach. Our partnerships provide opportunities for students to experience and participate in the arts with local artists. Wine County Theatre’s August production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” will open at the Park Ballroom in downtown Paso Robles. The musical features a cast and crew of
nearly 50 consisting of 25 students working alongside community and professional artists. Visit WineCountryTheatre.org for additional information.
According to the most recent Arts and Economic Prosperity Survey, San Luis Obispo County’s arts and arts-related activities enhance our local economy by over $30 million in funding and expenditures. Art is one of the most popular Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways selected by San Luis Obispo County students. The most recent Central Coast Economic Forecast refers to the positive impact the arts have on our local economy. Our county thrives in cultural and artistic vibrancy because of the dedicated individuals who make the Central Coast their home. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience reports that scientists, humanists, and art lovers value art because of its social importance, communicative power, the capacity to increase self-knowledge, the ability to challenge preconceptions, and the beauty in art. We invite any interested arts organizations to partner with our local schools in building up our community. It is an honor to serve as your county superintendent, and I hope that this article will spark discussion about the power of becoming involved in arts outreach as a volunteer, patron, or participant.
By Camille DeVaul
We are in the last stint of summer, and that means the new school year is right around the corner. Paso Robles Magazine sat with retired Templeton Unified School District teacher Susan Sonne and asked her about her favorite part of going back to school, the technology in the evolving education system, and how to support teachers this school year.
PRM: What do you miss most about the start of a new school year?
Susan Sonne: What I miss most about the start of school is seeing my new students and seeing the growth of past students. Each student is a unique individual, and I loved getting to know all of them. A bond with the students starts on the very first day.
PRM: Can you tell me a bit about your teaching background and the grade levels you taught? How many years were you teaching before retirement?
SS: My love of teaching started at a young age when I helped my mother set up her kindergarten classroom each year. While in high school, I was a teacher's assistant for a first-grade teacher. My career began and ended teaching third grade. Other instructional assignments were reading intervention teacher and four years teaching math intervention in grades K to 5. Working with both those students who found math challenging and those who excelled in the subject. The remainder of my 32 years were spent teaching third grade.
PRM: How have you seen education evolve over the years?
SS: Education is always changing. Technology, standards, increased assessments to measure learning, and teaching methods and practices have all evolved.
The technology change is a significant change along with the implementation of new teaching practices. State Standards were very vague when I started out. Now, there are hundreds of standards in every subject. Teachers have very defined gradelevel expectations that must be taught. There was much more freedom to be creative during my early years. Now, all teachers at grade levels are teaching the same content and concepts, which makes it easier for students to move to new schools. This ensures all students receive the same information.
PRM: How can parents support the teachers throughout the school year?
SS: Parents can offer support to teachers in many ways. Talk with the teacher to see if they would like help putting together art project materials, labeling files, making charts, or even sharpening pencils. Be understanding they are doing their best for all students. An example being homework: some parents want more, others want less, most are happy with what is coming home. If this is an issue you are having, set up a meeting with the teacher and see what accommodations can be made for your child.
PRM: How can schools create a positive and supportive environment for students and staff at the beginning of the school year?
SS: It's a team effort, everyone involved with the opening of the school should be involved. Communication is the most important step in keeping the team functioning at its most effective level. Parents Can help with this by reporting issues that cause them concern.
Be respectful to all the employees, parents, and students alike. We are all on this team to make things safe and productive for the 2024-25 school year.
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ABy Blake Ashley Frino-Gerl
lways interested in life sciences, and previously a software engineer in the Silicon Valley, Kaitilin Riley, DDS, decided years ago to go back to school and that is where she found her way into dentistry. “It seemed like the perfect blend of thinking, hands-on, one-on-one connection, and ability to operate fairly autonomously,” she says.
After going to dental school in San Francisco, then working as an associate for other dentists in the Bay Area, Dr. Riley purchased her first dental practice in St. Helena in 2010. The planets were aligned in 2017 — after she sold her practice, she moved to the Central Coast and bought the practice established by Dr. Edward Casper in
712-5393
Paso Robles just as he was retiring.
With five team members, Riley provides services such as general/family dentistry, cleaning and exams, teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry, dental crowns, dental fillings, and veneers. She coordinates collaborative care with other specialists, providing “dental implants with one of a few chosen, local surgeons.” This gives patients “the very best results drawing from the best of the specialties and dental labs,” she explains.
“I most like seeing patients get excited about understanding conditions in the mouth, and seeing them experience ‘a-ha moments’ through our conversation about questions they've had,” she adds. “Seeing the dentist is terrifying for many people; I love it
when I and my team can help them overcome their fears.”
Regularly contributing to the local Police Department and dog park, Riley also sponsors Cappy Culver Elementary School, and participates in Chamber of Commerce events and various fundraisers at the Madonna Inn.
“The greatest joy is when we can convert anxiety into enjoyment coming in for dental care with us,” Riley exclaims. “Patient education is my top satisfaction, although I love transforming smiles and self confidence.”
KAITILIN RILEY DDS
336 12th Street, Paso Robles (805) 238-3880 kkrdds.com
While working at Kimball Motors in San Luis Obispo, Michael McCarthy was noticing that several people living in North County wanted him to do work for them, especially so that it wouldn’t require them to have to travel to SLO. He redefined his career and established The Autobahn in Templeton in September 2010.
McCarthy’s training began at Allan Hancock College, earning him a degree in automotive technology. He completed a 128-hour course on computer systems and customer service with Chevron in 1992. After moving to England in 2001 with his wife, Joanne, he worked for Mercedes-Benz, who put him through training courses in Milton Keynes. All of his training has prepared him to successfully operate The Autobahn, along with the help from Peter
By Blake Ashley Frino-Gerl
Linau, a certified BMW technician. The business is a high-tech service, repair, and diagnostic facility that specializes in European-made vehicles. They work on cars manufactured by Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Land Rover, Jaguar, Volvo, and Volkswagen. “We do our best to offer prompt and professional service for community,” McCarthy says. They use factory level diagnostic equipment and information systems, and use only parts that make the vehicles exceed their manufacturer specifications. According to their website, they also have a direct technical link to Germany, meaning they are capable of downloading any software updates and new coding that vehicles may need.
Being in North County and offering his
specialized service to the many communities connects him to people coming in with their European cars. “My favorite part of the business is getting to know people in our community,” McCarthy explains.
The AutoBahn is a proud member of The Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce, The Atascadero Chamber of Commerce, The Templeton Chamber of Commerce. In addition, they are members of iATN (International Automotive Technicians Network), Bosh Service Centers, and ASE Automotive Service Excellent.
By Hayley Mattson
Monica Hollenbeck’s life took a transformative turn when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. Facing a daunting battle that included chemotherapy, radiation, and six reconstructive surgeries, Monica chose bilateral mastectomies to eliminate the cancer. Despite the extensive medical procedures, she found herself feeling incomplete and constantly reminded of her diagnosis by the absence of her nipples and the presence of scars. It was this personal journey that inspired Monica to establish “Restored by Ink,” a business dedicated to paramedical tattooing aimed at helping others reclaim their confidence and sense of normalcy.
“I felt like I was constantly reminded of my cancer every time I looked in the mirror,” Monica recalls. “I wanted to feel
whole again, and the idea of 3D nipple tattoos became a beacon of hope for me.”
Monica organized “The First Central Coast 3D Nipple Tattoo Day” for friends with similar experiences. Their emotional reactions inspired her to become a paramedical tattoo artist. Encouraged by Reeda McClellan in 2021, Monica pursued training and realized her true purpose, finding immense fulfillment in helping others through tattooing.
Restored by Ink offers a comprehensive range of paramedical tattoo services, including scar camouflage for various types of scars, scar lightening, stretch mark camouflage, and 3D nipple/areola tattoos. Monica is a certified, licensed, and insured paramedical tattoo artist, qualified in numerous areas of specialty, such as
scar camouflaging, which includes facelift scars, self-harm scars, breast augmentation and reduction surgery scars, and burn scars. Her advanced training in Brazilian camouflage allows her to match the skin tones of her clients, effectively concealing stretch marks, light scars, and age spots, while also lightening dark scars commonly seen after procedures like tummy tucks and breast lifts.
“I’ve seen firsthand how these tattoos can transform someone’s self-esteem,” Monica says. “It’s incredibly rewarding to know that I’m helping people heal on such a deep level.”
RESTORED BY INK (805) 801-9993 restoredbyink.com
Stephen “Stefano” Anastasia’s “road to Central Coast Gondola began with a dream 16 years ago,” he says. For a college job, he began working at Gondola Getaway in Long Beach in 2000, then worked at Sunset Gondola in Huntington Harbor and Gondola Adventures in Newport Bay for the next 23 years.
During Stefano’s early stages as a gondolier, he fell in love with a 1961 Venetian Wedding Gondola at Gondola Adventures and told the owner he would one day buy it from him. In February 2023, he did. Once he brought the gondola to the Central Coast and renovated it, he took it out in Morro Bay. An unintentional local media buzz surrounding the classic gondola and Stefano ignited before even opening his
business. Central Coast Gondola officially opened on August 10, 2023.
“We specialize in private Venetian Gondola boat cruises rowed by our gondoliers,” Stefano says. Holding up to 6 guests, the atmosphere of the cruise is tailored to each customer. Gondola cruises can be romantically themed, focus on Morro Bay’s wildlife and history, or to simply enjoy the sunset. Central Coast Gondola also assists in proposals, weddings, and scattering of memorial ashes.
“One special offering is a two-hour dinner cruise including salad, choice of four mains with sides, and Tiramisu for dessert — all catered by a local restaurant and served on the boat,” Stefano explains. A member of the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce, the
business partners with local businesses to provide food, flowers, and desserts to guests on the gondola.
His favorite aspect of Central Coast Gondola is spending time with his guests. “Sometimes we have rousing and wideranging conversation, and other times, we just enjoy the scenery together,” Stefano says. “We have guests who return many times, and the relationships that develop are truly special.”
833 Embarcadero, Morro Bay (805) 363-4363 centralcoastgondola.com
Check the online booking calendar for weekly and monthly availability.
WGINA FITZPATRICK PRESIDENT & CEO
e are excited to announce that the Paso Robles and Templeton Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center and the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance have recently taken a significant step towards fostering a more collaborative business environment by making the decision to share office space! This strategic co-location aims to enhance the synergy between the two organizations, ultimately benefiting the local business community and the wine industry that is a cornerstone of the Paso Robles economy. Despite sharing a location, both organizations will remain independent, each maintaining their own boards, funding, and operational structures.
Our new shared space is in the heart of Paso Robles at the corner of 13th and Spring streets, providing a central hub for both business
support and wine industry advocacy. The Chamber, which has been a vital resource for local businesses for over a century, offers a range of services including visitor services, networking opportunities, business development programs, and economic development initiatives. By sharing a space with the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, which represents over 500 wineries, vineyards, and related businesses in the region, we can now leverage closer ties with one of the area's most influential sectors. With dedicated parking spaces, we believe the Visitor Center will be more accessible to our guests and community members who wish to frequent the space.
The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance plays a crucial role in promoting the wine community through marketing initiatives, educational programs, and advocacy. Their efforts not only boost the visibility of Paso Robles wines on a national and international stage but also support local economic growth. By co-locating with us, the Alliance can work more effectively with other businesses and community leaders to address shared
challenges and seize opportunities for sustainability and growth.
This move is expected to bring about numerous benefits, including an inviting Visitor Center and streamlined communication between businesses and the wine industry. It will also create a more cohesive strategy for addressing issues such as tourism, local regulations, and economic development.
Our shared space will serve as a vibrant center for innovation and collaboration, hosting workshops, and meetings that draw on the strengths of both organizations. Local business owners and winemakers alike are optimistic about the potential for increased cooperation and the positive impact this will have on the community.
The co-location of the Paso Robles and Templeton Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center and the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance marks a new chapter in the region’s development. By working more closely together, we are poised to drive economic growth, foster community engagement, and enhance the overall business environment in Paso Robles.
By Ian Parkinson San Luis Obispo County Sheriff
When I first became sheriff, I made a vow to run an open administration. I wanted the public to know what we were doing as well as why we were doing it. That’s why we beefed up our public information unit, issued more press releases, and created the largest social media presence of any law enforcement agency in the county. I’m proud of what we have accomplished. And now you have another opportunity to get an up-close, firsthand account of what we do here at the Sheriff’s Office. It’s called the Sheriff’s Citizen Academy. It happens just once a year and it’s always a popular event.
The academy provides members of the community with an inside look at the Sheriff’s Office. It is a behind-the-scenes look at all the different facets of law enforcement. For instance, you may be surprised to learn we have approximately 450 people at the Sheriff’s Office who work across almost 40 divisions and units. About 170 of those men and women are patrol deputies. And 150 are correctional deputies who
work in the County Jail. Hard to believe but when the Sheriff’s Office was created in 1850, we had just one employee.
So, what can you expect at the academy? First things first, the academy is free and open to the public. That’s right, it’s free. It doesn’t cost you anything. It’s an 11-week course that’s held every Wednesday night from 6 to 9 p.m. and it starts at the end of this month.
OK, now on to the good stuff. Every Wednesday night we will have a presentation on topics like investigations, patrol procedures, drug and gang enforcement, and crime prevention. Some of the highlights include live demonstrations from our Special Enforcement Detail (which is our version of SWAT) and from the Bomb Task Force. You’ll also get the chance to see a demonstration by our K9’s and their handlers. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to do a ride-along with one of our deputies as well as a sit-along with one of our dispatchers. And you’ll get to experience our state-of-the-art force options simulator that puts you right in the middle of the action making those same split-second decisions that all deputies must make.
Besides showing you all whiz-bang elements of the job, the mission of the academy is to highlight the human factor. All those men and women behind the badge. Because these folks are ultimately what make up the Sheriff’s Office. To get to know them because they are your friends and neighbors who want the same thing you and I do … safe, secure neighborhoods and communities. That’s what the Sheriff’s Office is all about. The same goes for the Citizen Academy. To hopefully give you some insight into what we call our profession but also just happens to be our passion. That’s why we live here in the first place. To enjoy all the amazing benefits of living on the Central Coast with the peace of mind that comes with knowing we are here to protect you, your family, and your community. I hope you can join us.
We would love to have you at this year’s Sheriff’s Citizen Academy. An application can be found online at slosheriff.org. On our homepage, just look for community resources and click on community programs in the drop-down menu. For more information, contact our Crime Prevention Office at (805) 781-4578.
By Camille DeVaul
Over 20 farms opened their gates to the community in late June for the FARMstead ED Open Farm Days. The weekend-long event kicked off with the second annual Open Farm Days Kickoff Marketplace in Paso Robles City Park.
Founded in 2014, FARMstead ED is a nonprofit dedicated to bringing the community closer to our local farms. Open Farm Days is their largest fundraising event of the year. The weekend was a chance for farms to open their gates and welcome visitors to participate in tours, demonstrations, tastings, and educational classes.
FARMstead ED founder Lynette Sonne said of this year’s event, “We were excited to welcome more vendors and guests at this year’s Open Farm Days Kick-off, the Friday Night Marketplace. It was a very diversified representation of our locally grown and made.”
Throughout the weekend, June 21-23, the community visited several participating farms learning about bees, wandered through lavender fields, sipped local wines and mocktails, grazed on locally grown groceries, tasted olive oils, learned about hand-crafting aromatic and creative takeaways to remember the day by, toured fields their lunches were harvested from, cuddled with newborn lambs, and more.
Member of FARMstead ED and Hambly
Farms owner Gina Hambly enjoyed the second annual Friday Night Marketplace and welcomed guests to the U-Pick experience at her lavender farm.
“I loved the Friday night Marketplace,” she said. “We got to see so many visitors, share our story, introduce them to our products and visit with my fellow FARMstead ED members. We are in our second year of offering the Lavender U-Pick and had over 120 ticket holders visit the farm, and that exposure for our farm is phenomenal. Open Farm Day Ticket holders enthusiasm for learning about our farm and what we do makes it so worth it for us. Our hope is they will return year after year to get their lavender fill.”
Hambly has been a member of FARMstead ED for a few years and she has become an advocate for the organization.
“We are very active members because Agritourism is a large part of what we offer,” she explains. “Joining farms together to network, collaborate, and learn from each other is what FARMstead ED does. We have met many farmers through FARMstead ED, who are now great friends, many of whom we buy ingredients for our products. Additionally, bringing awareness and a larger spotlight to these very unique types of experiences helps all of our farms and local businesses succeed.”
Proceeds from the weekend will help the nonprofit with marketing and promotion of their local family farms. The Central Coast is home to many diverse farms and agriculturalists
offering a range of products.
“Shining a light on these folks that grow, produce and make is important their well being, as well as the consumers,” explains Sonne. “Local agriculture is important to us as a community; from our roots to our boots, it’s our history, our present, and our future. Supporting local farms is a good thing, allowing folks to know their farmer and where their food comes from.”
Farms that participated in the weekend included Adelaida Botanicals, AmByth Estate, Avila Valley Barn, Chaparral Gardens, Clearwater Color Nursery, Dalledet Adobe, Giving Tree Family Farm, Green Love Elixir Bar, The Groves on 41, Hambly Farms, Kiler Ridge, Leo Leo Gelato, Life Elements, Mighty Cap Mushrooms, Niner Winery Estate Chefs Garden, Olea Farm, Our Global Family Farm, Reves de Moutons, Black Market Cheese Co., Sierra Honey Farm, Talley Farms Box, Templeton Valley Farmers, and Tiber Canyon.
Sonne stresses that, “Continued community support of local agriculture is important to the survival of small family farms. When we buy local, we not only feed our families, we feed theirs — our farmers, by keeping them in business.”
FARMstead ED is home to the SLO County Farm Trail. On the FARMstead website, you can find an interactive map that showcases participating farms throughout SLO County. The Farm Trail connects other ranches and makers and consumers alike. Learn more about FARMstead ED and your local farming community here farmsteaded.com
by Brittany App
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he Boutzoukas family has firmly set its "Boutz on the ground" by pioneering the planting of Greek wine grape varieties in Paso Robles. And this summer marks the first release of Boutz Cellars Greek varietal wines by James Boutzoukas and his son Manoli.
At one of their Adelaida District vineyards, the father and son have planted five Greek varieties, which bumps up Paso region’s portfolio that already boasts 40-plus wine grape varieties.
Boutz Cellars’ debut of the 2023 vintages of three whites are Moschofilero, Assyrtiko and Vidiano, all three bottled as 100 percent varietal wines. The red wines, Agiorgitiko and Xinomavro, are set for a Fall 2024 release.
“We are on a journey. We started off with 300 cases and now up to 1,200 cases,” James noted of Boutz Cellars’ annual production.
“We are in the development stage and sold only through our website,” Manoli added.
On a warm summer afternoon, I enjoyed savoring their debut vintage of the white wines and getting to know James, Mia, and Manoli at their Adelaide District ranch.
“All three varieties took really well to Paso and were able to survive the heat of 2022,” James reflected on the white wines. Indeed, the crisp and vibrant whites will be crowd-pleasers with wine aficionados during Paso’s intense summer heat.
Greek wine grape varieties like Assyrtiko and Moschofilero, although rare in California, were imported in 1948 by the late Dr. Harold Olmo, the noted professor of viticulture at UC Davis.
Here in Paso, Manoli informed me, there is a small planting of Assyrtiko used mainly for blending purposes. There’s also some planting of Assyrtiko at the Paicines Ranch Vineyard in San Benito County AVA.
Of the other two varieties, Manoli said, “I know for sure no one has Moschofilero and Vidiano in Paso.”
We began our tasting with Assyrtiko, which expresses its signature flinty minerality, enhanced with notes of pear and green apples. Native to the idyllic island of Santorini, this is a popular and flagship wine of Greece.
The perfumy Moscholfilero variety, grown mainly on the Peloponnese peninsula of Greece, is reminiscent of Gewürtztraminer and the Muscat family of wines.
The Boutz 2023 Moschofilero is aromatic and perfumy on the nose; it seduces you with an enticing floral fragrance. Its brilliant acidity
enhanced only by the vibrancy of apricot and tangerine on the palate further elevates the deliciousness of this wine.
Vidiano conversely delivers a richness on the palate. “There’s no way to compare this with any other grape,” Manoli commented on this variety indigenous to Crete and now enjoying a renaissance in Greece. The wine showed a nuttiness with a breezy acidity, highlighted with notes of stone fruit almost mimicking a Chardonnay.
Fifty-two acres are planted between Kendros and Boutz Ranch in the Adelaida District. Acquired in 2017, the 16-acre Kendros Vineyard (which means center in Greek) scales 2,200 feet in elevation, and is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Grenache.
The Boutz Ranch acquired in 2019 has 36 acres under vine, of which four acres are dedicated to six Greek varieties — four whites and two reds — and the rest are planted to Bordeaux and Rhône varieties along with Zinfandel. “We sell 92 percent of our fruit,” said James.
The non-Greek Boutz portfolio includes Labyrinth Grenache, Angira Cabernet Sauvignon, Dasos Mourvedre, Tavros Petite Sirah, Labrys — a Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah blend — and Melisses Rosé. Winemaking is currently done at Caelesta Winery.
Born in New York, James grew up in Dunedin, Florida, and first visited Greece at age 9. Witnessing the tradition of winemaking as a family event at his grandparents’ home in Crete made an impression on him at that time. Years later James, his wife Mia, and their children Manoli, Maria, and Joanna, would continue that tradition in Florida. In 1994, the first vintage was produced in the garage to mark Manoli’s baptism. The family continued until 2017 with grapes shipped from California.
“The priest would come to bless the grapes, 30 to 40 family and friends would gather in the garage and Mia would cook with family helping,” recalled James. Every family member was relegated to a job including sorting grapes on folding tables.
“My laundry room was turned into his lab,” added Mia, of the assorted equipment that James would acquire with each vintage.
The 75-case wine production would be shared with the community for baptism, weddings, and birthdays.
Retiring after 32 years in the bridge repair industry, James has come full circle, realizing his dream as a vintner, from crushing 200 gallons of grapes in a garage to acquiring vineyards in Paso’s prestigious Adelaida District AVA. Not to mention the pioneering planting of Greek grape varieties in Paso. In his humble way, James noted, “Our whole journey has grown organically.”
By BeeWench Farms
If you or your neighbors have grown a garden, you may be overwhelmed with zucchini this time of year. The great thing about zucchini is that it has a neutral flavor which makes it perfect to use in almost anything. The key to using zucchini in baked goods is to use the fine side of the grater so no one ends up with big bites of it. You should also always try to drain as much liquid out as possible before adding it into your recipe. You can easily do this by putting the grated zucchini into a strainer and pressing it down with a paper towel. Once you have most of the liquid out, you can add it into muffins, bread, or even make it into a pizza crust.
Both recipes are great ways to use up some zucchini. I love the freshness of this zucchini pie and you can add or omit any veggies you’d like. I personally love the pink oyster and lion’s mane mushrooms from Uncle Mike’s Mushrooms for this pie. It’s great with some fresh herbs on top also. You can add a crust, but I like this as is and with a side of sourdough focaccia. Zucchini bread is something I look forward to every summer and this recipe can be made into muffins or a loaf.
You can find so many delicious and healthy fruits, veggies, and more at the local markets. If you are looking for more in-season produce here is what to look for:
Fruits:
Cherries
Strawberries
Blackberries
Raspberries
Apricots
Peaches
Nectarines Plums Figs
Vegetables:
Sweet Onions
Green Beans
Cucumbers
Summer Squash
Ingredients:
• 4 tablespoons butter (sub ghee or olive oil for dairy free)
• ½ of a yellow onion, diced
• 2 ears sweet corn
• 2 large zucchini, sliced very thinly (about 4 cups)
• 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
Corn Bell Peppers
Tomatoes
Eggplant Hot Peppers
• 1 tablespoon basil
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 12 ounces shredded cheese
(I used both Mozzarella and Swiss or sub with vegan cheese from The Vreamery for dairy free)
• 4 eggs, beaten
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Heat the butter in a large, deep skillet over medium high heat. Add the onions, zucchini, and mushrooms.
2. While the veggies saute, cut the corn kernels off the cob. Add them to the pan and continue to saute until the veggies are soft, 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Once the mixture has cooled for a few minutes, stir in the basil, oregano, salt, cheese, and the
beaten eggs.
4. Line a pie pan (9-inch or larger) with parchment paper or just grease a pan with nonstick spray. Transfer the mixture to the pan. Arrange the top so the zucchini slices lay flat and look pretty.
5. Top with a little extra cheese for looks, cover with greased foil, and bake for 20 minutes.
6. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes to brown the top. Let stand for 10-15 minutes before cutting into slices.
Wet Ingredients:
• ¾ cup mashed ripe banana (about 2 medium bananas)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (try the PB olive oil from the Groves on 41!)
• 1/4 cup honey (or sub pure maple syrup)
Dry Ingredients:
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (or sub 1:1 all purpose gluten free flour)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin tin with liners and spray the inside of the liners with nonstick cooking spray. This is critical to making sure the muffins don’t stick to the liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.
3. In a separate large bowl, mix the wet ingredients.
4. Gently stir in dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips, walnuts and shredded
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1 heaping cup shredded zucchini (from 1 medium zucchini, shredded and squeezed of excess moisture)
• ⅓ cup milk (sub your favorite nondairy milk)
Mix ins:
• ½ cup chocolate chips
• ⅓ cup chopped toasted walnuts (or sub pecans)
• ⅓ cup fine shredded unsweetened coconut
coconut if using.
5. Divide batter evenly between greased muffin liners. Sprinkle the tops with extra chocolate chips and coconut, if using. Bake for 22-27 minutes. Muffins are done when a toothpick comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.
6. Allow muffins to cool in muffin tin for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. Store muffins in airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days
To bake as bread: Make muffin batter as directed. Pour into a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until toothpick inserted into middle comes out clean.
AUGUST 1, 8, 15, AND 22L
CONCERTS IN THE PARK
6-8pm
Enjoy live music in the Downtown Paso Robles’ City Park.
AUGUST 3, 10, & 31
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
ATASCADERO LAKE PARK, 9305 PISMO AVE.
6:30-8:30pm
Bring a blanket or chair while listening to live music on a summer evening. Aug. 3 - Josh Rosenblum Band, August 10 - Stellar, and August 31 - The JD Project.
AUGUST 3
WILD ABOUT ART CHARLES PADDOCK ZOO 10am-3pm
Everyone will have an opportunity to watch as the Zoo’s animal residents create their own, unique and artistic pieces. Zoo visitors will also be able to create lots of fun arts and crafts too, with plenty of opportunities for children to color, paint, and much more.
AUGUST 6 AND 13
TUESDAYS IN THE PARK ATASCADERO LAKE PARK
7pm
Tuesdays in the Park free one hour concerts by the Atascadero Community Band. Kiwanis BBQ at 5pm on August 6 before the concert.
AUGUST 7, 14, AND 21
CONCERTS IN THE PARK TEMPLETON PARK 6-8pm
Free live music event with food and drinks to purchase. Dogs are not allowed.
AUGUST 10 AND 24
SUMMER MOVIES IN THE PARK
COLONY PARK, 5599 TRAFFIC WAY, ATASCADERO 8-10pm
Have an outdoor evening of family fun and activities before the movie. August 10 - Wonka - and August 24 - Kung Fu Panda 4.
AUGUST 16-17
CRUISIN’ WEEKEND
DOWNTOWN ATASCADERO
The weekend kicks of with the 31st
EVENT DETAILS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE verify prior to attending.
Annual Hot El Camino Cruise Nite on Aug. 16 at 6:30pm, and continues with the 33rd Annual mid State Cruisers Car Show from 10am3pm on August 17 at Atascadero Lake Park, followed by 8th Annual Dancing in the Streets Downtown from 5-10pm. For more information, visit visitatascadero.com/events/ index.php?id=581.
AUGUST 20
SECOND ANNUAL ENSEMBLES CONCERT
ATASCADERO LAKE PARK 7pm
Second annual Ensembles Concert — small groups from the Atascadero Community Band will musically entertain you for an hour! Free, as always.
AUGUST 24
6TH ANNUAL CENTRAL COAST CIDER FESTIVAL PAVILLION ON THE LAKE AND ATASCADERO LAKE PARK 4-8pm
Enjoy and evening of cider education and tasting with the Central Coast Cider Association. 21 years and older.
KIDS TRADING DAY FLEA MARKET & COMIC BOOK EXPO
CITY PARK, DOWNTOWN PASO ROBLES 9am-3pm
Buy, sell, and trade items at this fun event. For information, visit pasoroblesdowntown.org.
SAN MIGUEL OLD TIMERS BBQ
SAN MIGUEL COMMUNITY PARK 12-2pm
Hosted by the San Miguel Lions Club in partnership with the Paso Robles Pioneer Day, this event promises a delightful barbecue experience for all.
AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 2 ART IN THE PARK
CITY PARK, DOWNTOWN MORRO BAY 10am-5pm
Every year Morro Bay Art Association holds Art in the Park Labor Day weekend as their annual fundraisers, with proceeds from art sold helping fund children’s art classes, provide scholarships and other programs throughout the year.
11am
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
Fireworks and family fun at Barney Schwartz Park
Paso Robles hosted its fourth Annual 4th of July Celebration at Barney Schwartz Park, starting at 2 p.m. with music beginning at 5:30 p.m. Public Works Director Freda Berman noted an increase in attendance compared to 2023, with a significant number of cars filling parking lots, including a new 450-space lot, and more RVs than ever. The crowd size was estimated to be similar to the large events of 2008 and 2009, with around 15,000 to 20,000 attendees.
The celebration featured family-friendly activities, food trucks, and concluded with a fireworks show, the only one permitted in the city. Berman mentioned that while there are no plans to expand the event, they make small adjustments each year to enhance the festivities.
Many attendees began their day in Templeton for the parade before heading to Paso Robles. Berman emphasized that the event brings the community together in a fun, friendly environment, attracting people from all over North County and beyond. She described it as a giant neighborhood block party, with the city and event sponsors proud to invite everyone to join the celebration of the Nation’s birthday.
Independence Day, the Templeton way
The Fourth of July parade in Templeton showcased the vibrant small-town spirit as locals and visitors celebrated with patriotic floats, classic cars, dancing horses, and a mariachi band. The streets were filled with decked-out trailers and even a mobile axe-throwing trailer, while Templeton Park was adorned with red, white, and blue pop-up tents. Attendees dressed in festive attire, with many families enjoying the holiday break together, relaxing in lounge chairs, and watching the parade.
This year’s parade theme, “Independence Day, the Templeton way,” was well-received. Rachel Farmer from San Luis Obispo has attended for six years, praising the unique small-town atmosphere. Jenny Johnson from San Miguel, attending for the first time, was moved by the community spirit. Tom Bolton from Atascadero highlighted the town's patriotism and pride.
The parade, a tradition for over 40 years, was initially organized by the Kiwanis Club and later taken over by the Templeton Rotary Club. Beyond being a fun and patriotic event, it also serves a charitable purpose. Proceeds from donations fund scholarships for Templeton high school graduates and support leadership camps through Rotary International. Chairman Jason Tesarz emphasized the importance of these donations in aiding students' transitions into college and vocational training.
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.
“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
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
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
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. (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 Assembly of God
420 Los Altos Ave.
Spanish Service: Sun. 5 p.m., Thurs. 7 p.m. Pastor Jim Mei (805)226-9737
By Camille DeVaul
On July 10, 1954, Ed and Laurie Serge celebrated the first night of their honeymoon at the Stables Inn on Spring Street. Now, after making a home with their family here, the couple is celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. Ed, 95, and Laurie, 90, were set up on a blind date by coworkers and were married in Santa Barbara six months later.
"We have had a wonderful life with our beautiful children," Ed told Paso Robles Magazine
Ed, born in San Francisco, and Laurie, born in Canada, were both raised in the Santa Barbara area for most of their childhood. Toward the end of World War II and at the age of 16, Ed decided he wanted to enlist in the Navy. With his father's help, Ed was able to lie on his birth certificate and by 1945 he was a Navy man and on a ship.
"I'm glad I did [it]," says Ed, looking back on his time in the Navy. "Life has been full of experiences, and in with older men and some of them had been through some bad times. It was a very interesting part of my life."
Following the war, Ed began working for GTE (now known as Verizon). Little did he know that Laurie was also working for the company and coworkers thought they would be a great match.
Laurie puts it simply: "One day he came in the front office and I saw him and then somebody set up a date with him and me, and six months later we got married."
The two got along immediately, noticing similar ways they were brought up and the natural flow of it all. That first night they met took them for a walk along the breakwater in Santa Barbara. Ed adds, "She was an attractive, really cute gal. And what we used to call it, real tomato. You know?"
The two had an intimate wedding attended by friends, family, and coworkers who set the two up. That afternoon they headed out for their honeymoon, thinking they would be able to make it to San Francisco before their final destination at the Russian River. They decided to stop for the night in Paso Robles — not knowing that one day they would call the town home.
After their honeymoon, Ed and Laurie settled in Santa Barbara, where Ed worked as a telephone repairman and Laurie continued her job until her first pregnancy. Ed collected and repaired clocks as a hobby, while Laurie became a preschool teacher. They moved to Santa Ynez to raise their children, and Ed opened a clock shop in Solvang. After retiring in 1984, they
This
relocated to Morro Bay but found it unsuitable and moved to Atascadero, where they lived for 20 years. They eventually settled in Paso Robles, enjoying gardening and antiques. Ed sells his antique collection at the Relics Antique Mall.
When asked for some advice on how to have a prosperous marriage like their own, both were ready with something to say.
“We've had our ups and downs, but we never carry a grudge," Laurie said. "And when we would go to bed, we drop it and then the next day we start fresh. And so that's how we've got 70 years [behind us].”
Ed’s take is, “I married her and gave my oath to to her, and I was raised where a handshake was a commitment. So is a marriage.”
And their daughter Jeanne told us her perspective: “As their daughter, what I always saw is they always were a team. Always. They would go to auctions together and buy the antiques and he'd fix them and she'd work in the shop. And so they always have this common, you know, partnership … that’s been really nice to see.”
Ed and Laurie have created a family they are proud of and a bond between each other that has truly met the test of time. Happy 70-year anniversary, Ed and Laurie Serge.
