Paso Robles Press Magazine • #261 • January 2023

THE WORLD’S SMALLEST HEARING AID

with BrainHearingTM technology.

Introducing Oticon Own™ , a hearing aid developed for ultimate discreetness and superior sound quality. As the world’s smallest hearing aid with BrainHearing technology, Oticon Own allows you to process sounds with less effort, so you can hear more naturally. Our team of qualified hearing care professionals has the knowledge and technology to help you live your life with total confidence.

Do you want to hear your best, look your best and feel your best? Peter Lucier, the Hearing Aid Specialists can help you today.

Say goodbye to the Big Box store and say hello to a hearing solution customized for your lifestyle. You and your family will be pleasantly surprised.

Simple, Elegant, Handsfree

Your custom Hearing Improvement Plan starts at $2900. Same day appointments are available.

Call our friendly care coordinator Abby, she is ready to help you to begin hearing your best. You deserve it!

SCAN ME

Photo by Rick Evans

Happy New Year!

As we head into a new year, it’s a good time to reflect on all that we have accomplished and to look forward to the possibilities of the year ahead. It is a time to set new goals, make new plans, and start fresh.

This year, moreover, in the last three years, we have all been through a lot. We have faced challenges and hardships and had to adapt to a new way of living. But through it all, we have persevered and shown our resilience.

As we embark on this new journey, it is important to remember that we are not alone. We are part of a larger community, a global family, and we have the support of countless others who are also striving for a better, brighter future.

So as we enter into the new year, let us be inspired by one another. Let us draw strength from the achievements of those who have come before us, and let us support and encourage one another as we pursue our own dreams and goals.

As the great philosopher, Aristotle once said, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Let us remember this as we enter the new year, and let us work together to achieve great things.

This month at the request of the Paso Robles Templeton Chamber of Commerce we have officially moved the announcement of the Roblan of the Year to our January issue and we are thrilled. What a great way to start a new year then to celebrate one of the great individuals who give so much of themselves to make our community such a wonderful place to live, this year the honor goes to Brett Butterfield. In addition we recognize the Paso Robles Beautification awardee A-1 Glass, Templeton’s Citizen of the Year Courtney Morrow and Templeton’s Business of the Year North County Restaurant Group, Congratulations to all the awardees.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year for us all! Let us embrace the possibilities and opportunities that it holds, and let us support one another as we strive for a better future for all.

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

Hayley, Nic, and family

if thou wouldest win immortality of name, either do things worth the writing, or write things worth the reading.

— Thomas Fuller, 1727

This month’s edition of Paso Robles Magazine is brought to you by all the local advertisers that fill our pages. Thanks to them, we are able to bring you your local Hometown Magazine.

publisher, editor-in-chief Hayley Mattson business & product development Nic Mattson

content editor Camille DeVaul copy editor Michael Chaldu

ad design Jen Rodman

layout design

Evan Rodda Neil Schumaker Benson Moore

community writer Christianna Marks

ad consultants Dana McGraw Jamie Self

contributors

Barbie Butz

BeeWench Farm

Blake Ashley Frino-Gerl

Gina Fitzpatrick

James Brescia, Ed.D

Karyl Lammers Paso Robles Area Historical

Redwing Horse Sanctuary Society & Museum

Steve Martin

Mira Honeycutt The General Store The Natural Alternative

HEALTH, FITNESS & WELLNESS FEBRUARY

2023

PUBLICATION DELIVERY DATE January 29, 2023

ADVERTISING DEADLINE February 2, 2023

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

OUR NEXT ISSUE: OFFICE

EDITORIAL POLICY

PROUD TO BE LOCAL!

Like and Follow us:

Calwise Spirits and Firestone Walker Brewing Company unveiled “Old Tom Big Sur Gin,” — a brewery-inspired riff on the distillery’s signature Big Sur Gin.

“This was an opportunity to elevate the Big Sur Gin experience with ingredients and

input from an iconic California brewery,” said Calwise Master Distiller Aaron Bergh. “Old Tom Big Sur Gin reflects a meeting of the minds, with grapes, grains and botanicals coming together to create a gin like no other.”

Located just a mile from the Calwise Spirits distillery in Paso Robles, Firestone Walker proved to be a fitting partner when Bergh came knocking.

“Aaron is our neighbor and we’ve always admired his creations, so it was a natural collaboration,” said Firestone Walker’s Chief Operating Officer Nick Firestone. “We’ve been working with spirits barrels for nearly 20 years to create our barrel-aged strong ales, and we see this as an extension of that tradition.”

In addition to the main Old Tom Big Sur Gin, Calwise also released a separate “Rested in Oak” edition, which was matured for three months in American oak barrels inherited from Firestone Walker’s Double Barrel fermentation program. The moniker “Old Tom” is a nod to the original 18th century British gins known by that name, and to the English heritage of

brewery co-founder David Walker.

Both editions of the gin are now available at the Calwise Distillery in Paso Robles and online at CalwiseSpirits.com.

Flavors of California

To help create “Old Tom” Big Sur Gin, Firestone Walker generated a mash of traditional brewing grains with a complement of wine grape juice, all fermented with native yeast and bacteria. This base was then distilled by Calwise, imparting a unique imprint into the flavor profile of the original Big Sur Gin.

Then, in the established Big Sur Gin fashion, Bergh infused the gin with organic wild herbs that are largely native to California’s iconic Big Sur coastline, including white sage, yerba santa, bay, fennel and elderberry as well as the essential juniper.

“We also enhanced the traditional recipe by including botanicals such as coriander and orange peel, which were suggested by Brewmaster Matt Brynildson,” Bergh said.

‘Old Tom Big Sur Gin’: A Calwise Spirits, Firestone Walker Collaboration

“We added rose petal as an ode to David Walker’s British roots.”

Bergh worked with Brewmaster Matt Brynildson, Sensory Research Analyst Craig Thomas and the Firestone Walker brewing team to create the mash, acquire the right barrels and guide both versions of Old Tom Big Sur Gin to fruition.

The resulting gins provide both common and contrasting qualities. The main version of “Old Tom” Big Sur gin is fragrant and elegant, while the version matured in DBA barrels has a richer, almost whiskey-like color and taste.

Paso Robles and Cal Poly Move Forward on Spaceport Initiative

Cal Poly will produce workforce development training programs to help create a hiring pipeline for students interested in any aspect of aerospace from welding to marketing to engineering.

On December 6, the Paso Robles City Council unanimously approved an agreement

with Cal Poly to accelerate the city’s pursuit of a spaceport license for the Paso Robles Airport.

The agreement will activate Cal Poly’s Aerospace Engineering Department, along with undergraduate and graduate students from several other departments to develop the spaceport license application for submittal to the Federal Aviation Administration by summer 2023. Cal Poly’s proposal includes working with the city on developing a proposed tech corridor and engaging with other local educational institutions, such as Cuesta College, on workforce development training programs to help create a hiring pipeline for students interested in any aspect of aerospace from welding to marketing to engineering.

Cal Poly’s interest in partnering with Paso Robles to get a spaceport designation from the FAA comes directly from their CubeSat program — they helped pioneer small satellite technology and are currently producing cubesats at the SLO campus, but they and their clients have to go to the Mojave desert or beyond to launch them. In April 2022, Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong signed a Letter of Intent with

Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin marking the beginning of the partnership between the city and the university around the spaceport effort, this week’s action by City Council memorialized the partnership’s funding.

The three items in Cal Poly’s scope of work are:

Completion and Submission of the FAA Spaceport License Application

Developing public-private sector partnerships for technology and innovation in the space, ag-tech and supporting industries.

Identifying the workforce development needs for relevant industries and outlining a strategy for meeting those needs.

The city can expect Cal Poly to submit a completed FAA Spaceport License Application by August 31, 2023, and to have a roadmap in place for developing tech and aerospace apprenticeships for students with industry partners by November 30, 2023.

The Digital Transformation Hub at Cal Poly, also called the DxHub, will spearhead the next several phases of the project.

A Joyful 2023

Wishing your days are full of fun, adventures, and all the other things that make life worth living.

Did you know January is named after Janus, the Greek God of endings and beginnings? He is shown with two heads, one looking at the past and the other at the future. The Romans felt that he gave them the opportunity to be forgiven for their wrongdoings in the past, so they would make promises and give gifts believing that Janus would bless them for the future. This tradition of “resolutions” dates back to 153 B.C. Look back with gratitude for all your blessings and move forward to the future with optimism and hope. Paint your future with positively — be inspired and have faith!

Downtown Main Street is off the event calendar this month. We’re busy planning our 2023 Community Events. It’s impossible to go forward without first Thanking our Volunteers for making the Paso Robles Downtown Main Street the Soul of this town. Most events happen throughout the year, but the holidays bring a finale of multiple events and many volunteers.

A special Thank You to those who helped out with Elegant Evening, Light-up Downtown, Christmas Light Parade, Vine Street Victorian Showcase and The Victorian Teddy Bear Tea: Lu Esposito, Dale Gustin, Ralph Rupe, John Perry, Janice Nelson, Pam Alch, Diane Cassidy, Genie McLean, Freda Berman and her City Crew, Brett Butterfield, Jerry Corbaley, Mike Jaramillo, Jan Hopp, Debbie Lagomarsino, Candice

Sanders, Salei Fause, Tiana Abby Lili, Rosanna Silva, Trish Boswell, Chad Stevens, Bobby Horn, Kelly Horn, Mountaintop Charles, Janice Nelson, Linda Colwell, Teri Boulware, Sharon Sobraske, Norma and Grace and Carolyn Dildine.

I hope I got everyone! A very Special Thank You to you, Susanne, for keeping us organized and everything in order all year long ... you’re the Best!

Our first event for 2023 will be the Valentine Movie Night in February! I’ll have details in the February issue, call Main Street at (805) 238-4103 for early details. Want to be a part of this fun, happy organization? Call the office and join our Volunteer Team.

The January full moon, called “The full Wolf Moon” arrives on Friday, January 6, at about 6 p.m. This micro-moon finds the moon at its farthest point from the earth. Listen for the howls of the wolves, they are defining territory, locating pack members, reinforcing social bonds or coordinating hunts.

Many people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits. Make 2023 your best year yet, a year where life is peaceful and what you want, you get. Surround yourself with love and warmth as this new year begins. Brace yourself, exciting times are ahead! Keep reading this magazine for all the latest happenings in and around Paso.

Thank you, Hayley and Nic, and your entire staff for keeping this magazine alive and in our hands every month. It is the go-to read for everyone, I hear it everyday!

Karyl Lammers

Karli

Susanne

Carolyn

Norma

Karyl

Sharon

REASONS TO BECOME A DOCENT AT

HELP PRESERVE

HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM

By Camille DeVaul

If you don't know where you came from, you can't know where you're going — and one of the best places to learn where we have been is the El Paso de Robles Area Historical Society and Museum.

The mission of the historical society is to collect, protect, and preserve photographs, documents, and publications related to the Paso Robles area, and to promote and share fuller knowledge of local history through exhibits, research, and educational efforts within the community. But they cannot make all of this happen without the help of some incredible volunteers and docents.

Denise Vandenberg, a docent on the Board of Directors for the museum, sat down to tell us a little bit about what it is like to be a docent with the museum. She became a docent five years ago after retiring and wanting a place to volunteer to her time with.

"I like to talk, I like to meet new people ... it's been a fun thing for me to do," Denise explains.

The museum and historical society are located in the Carnegie Library, which sits within the heart of Downtown Paso Robles. Visitors from all over the world come to Paso Robles, and oftentimes, they find themselves in the Carnegie Library turned museum. People come into the museum looking for a visitor center and end up enthralled with the history they find there.

Others come to the museum looking for family history or to learn about their property. The historical society has an extensive research center filled with photos and documents going back to the earliest years of the area.

With different exhibits on display throughout the year, docents are constantly learning more about the city they call

home. They pass that information on when they provide museum tours to visitors.

Denise says working in the museum is "not boring because there is always something new going on."

Being in the epicenter of town, docents get to know local businesses and participate in all of the city events held at the park. Studies have shown that volunteering has a positive impact on your mental health and happiness. It provides an opportunity for socialization and to making new friendships.

"I don't think small towns could do a lot of the things they do or have the services they do if they don't have volunteers," Denise says as she thinks about all of the volunteer-run programs and events in Paso Robles.

With the museum's partnership with the Wine History Project, docents get an inside look into the many facets of wine history in Paso Robles. As part of the Wine History Gallery in the museum, docents get private tours and opportunities at various wineries in the area.

Many of the docents at the museum started out knowing very little about Paso Robles's history. And that's OK — you don't need to be a Paso Robles historian to be a docent. Denise explains that is the fun part: You are constantly learning together one day at a time.

"If we don't know where we came from, we don't know where we are going, so history is important to everybody," says Denise. "When you learn about history, about individuals here, you are also going to learn about history in the town."

The El Paso de Robles Area Historical Society and Museum are honored to be located in the historic Carnegie Library at the center of City Park. To learn more, visit pasorobleshistorymuseum.org.

THE EL PASO DE ROBLES AREA

With the start of a new year and the cold weather settling in, our bodies seem to be a little more sluggish, we’re more prone to colds and flu, and reaching your weight loss goals is becoming more difficult. What can you do to jump-start your body into health and wellness (and weight loss) for the New Year?

There’s no better way to jumpstart your way to a healthier new you than with a whole-body cleanse. From Thanksgiving through the New Year festivities, we tend to indulge in sugary foods and drinks, leaving us feeling bloated, cranky, and maybe a few pounds heavier.

Why Cleanse?

Your liver, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and skin all work to eliminate toxins that you take in from the environment as well as toxins made internally. Toxins can come from many sources: foods that have been exposed to pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers; hormones injected into livestock and poultry; chemicals and synthetic fragrances used in common household cleaners and personal care products; air pollution caused by burning of fossil fuels in cars and power plants; and

treated wastewater that flows into rivers, lakes and streams that contain unwanted pollutants. How many foods consisting of white flour, sugar and bleached oils do you consume weekly?

Think about it — Doesn’t it make sense that your liver can become tired, and your intestinal tract can become toxic over time? This can lead to constipation, fatigue, skin problems, headaches, sleep problems, digestive difficulties, and the list goes on.

Successful Weight Loss

If you feel a need for a structured detox and weight loss program, ask about our 10, 21, and 28-Day Standard Process Detox & Weight Loss Programs, with a proven track record of weight loss, improved mental clarity, deeper sleep, clearer skin, and better energy! These programs receive rave reviews and are truly the best way to jump-start a healthy lifestyle.

Ask a friendly team member for more information about our Standard Process Detox & Weight Loss Programs.

Wishing a happy, healthy new year to all our special customers.

— The Natural Alternative Team

2023 Vision

By Steve Martin

I’ve been reading a lot about quantum mechanics (QM) lately. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have the capacity to wrap my head around this subject, but it comes to mind as I tap the computer keyboard, trying to come up with predictions for the upcoming year.

We all think we want to know what the future holds. Will the stock market go up or down? Will I find love? Lose love? Who will win the World Series? Truth be told, it’s probably best that we don’t know exactly what’s in store for us. The uncertainty, however, will produce hope or despair. Hope is a precious commodity in any age but particularly these days.

So, what does that have to do with quantum mechanics? Well, as you probably know, QM doesn’t deal with solid reality. It deals with the probability that something is real, or in a certain place, or traveling at a certain speed. In fact, this probability (or improbability) means something may happen/exist, not happen/exist, or both happen and exist.

What determines what is what? It’s the person who observes what is happening. (There’s a lot more to be said about this outrageous statement. Check out “Science Without All the Gobbledygook” with Sabine Hosenfelder on YouTube. Bring aspirin. Your head is going to hurt.)

Many years ago, I heard San Francisco Chronicle columnist Art Hoppe speak at Cuesta College. I’m sure he didn’t realize it at the time, but he was talking about quantum mechanics.

with Paso Robles City Mayor

For instance, he opined that the stock market is a telepathic creature. If everyone got together and believed it would go up, it went up. If they believed in would go down, it went down. He suggested we all get together and believe that it would go up and stay up. Then he confessed this probably wouldn’t work because no one believed it would.

As we peer across the event horizon dividing 2022 from 2023, it would serve us well to remember that our observations will have real impact in the future. It’s the old “glass half-full/ glass half-empty” adage (which now sounds like a QM question to me).

What do quantum mechanics, Art Hoppe, and a glass half-full/empty have to do with 2023 in our fair city? Lots. Either we can look to the future with hope and determination, prepared to see the best in our city and our neighbors; willing to do the work to increase the probability that public safety, street repairs, economic development and all of those difficult-to-specify things will improve (sometimes in ways we just can’t predict) or we can wake up each morning and let our first thought of the day be “what’s going wrong now?”

Just as Art Hoppe suggested unified confidence in the stock market might improve everyone’s finances, I would like to suggest that a city unified behind and dedicated to its primary goals will improve all of our lives: public safety, street repairs, economic development. Improved public safety means well-staffed, well-trained, well-equipped police

and fire departments. It means homeless relief programs that really work and really help people out of homelessness. It means expanded mental health programs and facilities. Improved street repairs means prudent and efficient use of public funds to prioritize and fix our roads and make sure they never get into such a state of disrepair again. Economic development means finding ways to support and enhance our local shops, expand our tourism market share, and identify new industries that will provide highpaying jobs for our citizens.

How we accomplish these goals depends as much on our observations as it does on our efforts. If we look at what needs to be done, the probability we will see solutions increases. If we throw up our hands in frustration, we diminish that probability. Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying we all must agree on everything for the probability of a bright future to become a reality. I’m saying we all need hope. The fact that we really can’t know the future will produce hope or despair. I submit hope is the preferred observation.

Some people might call this idea naïve and those who believe it to be “Pollyannas.” In the world of quantum mechanics, however, reality is all about probability. So, as we face the upcoming year, which probabilities are you willing to support?

As your mayor, I am very hopeful for a positive, prosperous, and happy New Year. Join me, won’t you? We can make it a reality.

And always remember to stay informed, stay involved and stay strong Paso Robles.

January is a time for renewal, and our tradition at General Store Paso Robles has been the same since we opened in 2013: look at what worked, what didn’t, how we could do better. We do this not just for the store, a business that turns ten this year. We also look at our own lives, what we are challenged and inspired by, what we hope for, and what fills us. This isn’t some kind of strategic brilliance on our part. Many people, and companies, do the same thing. We acknowledge where we fell short, how we’ve gotten into our own way, or when we were driven by ego. And we name our dreams, whether for the company (“I hope someday to cover health insurance for full-time employees”) or for ourselves (“I want to spend time with my parents because they’re getting older, and I love them so much”). We put it out there with each other.

What feels special after a decade is the privilege of doing this work alongside my partners, Jillian and Erin. Each January, we sit in someone’s living room, and I make everyone do their least favorite, but maybe most important, task: writing down a vision for the year for the

store, and then for ourselves. (Jillian especially groans at this, you can ask her.) But by the end, when we read them aloud to each other, our personal vision teaches us so much about how to support and love each other, both in our work, and as friends. And Jillian and Erin are friends — true, ride-or-die friends — in every sense.

I want to take this moment, at the beginning of our tenth year, to express my love and gratitude for the two best partners any person could ask for. There are so many reasons why people, especially women, are dissuaded from starting businesses with their friends. I am so glad we trusted each other, but also listened to good advice and did the legal work and planning to protect our friendship as we launched our dream business. I love our little corner of our downtown, and building that space with you has been a life changing journey. We would not be here without this community supporting our small business, and not a day goes by that we don’t say a very big thank you in our hearts. -The

Team at General Store Paso Robles

ROBLAN of the year

Brett Butterfield

Entrepreneur and Community Advocate

by camille devaul

The Paso Robles and Templeton Chamber of Commerce are proud to announce Brett Butterfield as the 2022 Roblan of the Year.

Brett was awarded Roblan of the Month in January 2022. He is co-owner of The Ravine Waterpark in Paso Robles, where he employs about 265 people each year, and is a local entrepreneur and community advocate.

The Roblan of the Year is chosen from the previous Roblans of the Month. The award is an initiative put together by the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce to recognize individuals who make significant contributions to Paso Robles through community action, donations, and other ongoing community outreaches.

Like most Roblans, Brett did not expect to earn such a title.

With roots deep in agriculture, his family raised hay, grain, and cattle on their ranch off North River Road. When Brett was in second grade, his parents Buck and Ella Mae, moved the family to Paso Robles from Pasadena, where they grew potatoes and grapes and raised horses.

Ella Mae’s father, Floyd Shofner, was a part of the creation and construction of the Shasta dam back in the late 1930s. Paso Robles was the halfway point to Pasadena for Shofner, which is Brett’s theory for how his parents found little Paso Robles.

“They went all in on Paso Robles, and it was a wonderful upbringing,” he says of his parent’s move north and growing up in the “pass of the oaks.”

Brett attended local schools like Winifred-Pifer and Bauer-Speck, eventually graduating from Paso Robles High School in 1976 and with the Cal Poly SLO class of 1983. He fondly looks back on the great times he had growing up in the outdoors. Those memories have become an inspiration for a lot of the work he does today.

But on his college graduation day, Brett did not see himself spending the rest of his life in Paso Robles. In fact, on the day of graduation, he and two friends loaded up a cattle trailer and moved down to Newport Beach. From there, he spent years traveling and living in various parts of the country, including Fort Lauderdale in Florida. Along those travels, Brett learned about the restaurant business.

Eventually, Brett came back to Paso Robles to spend some time with his parents, but he never intended to stay for very long.

“Paso just pulled me right in,” says Brett who quickly went to work with his brother Floyd in custom farming and tractor work.

While Brett originally didn’t see himself going back into agriculture work, his longtime friend Mark Perry says otherwise, “In his heart, he is a farmer.”

Mark, who was named Roblan of the Year in 2019, nominated

Brett for the award in 2022. The two met in fourth grade and grew up together, which accounts for some stories that Mark is ready to tell at the Chamber Gala.

“He’s fearless, he’s funny, he’s got a great sense of humor, and he likes to laugh,” Mark says of his friend, “He loves Paso Robles and giving back to the community.”

After settling back into Paso Robles, Brett met his business partner while working for AJ Spurs — Jay Walsh, the ‘J’ in AJ Spurs. Brett went on to open Skinny Dippers Yogurt Shop and Caribbean Cafe in Downtown Paso Robles and later the Creeky Tiki in Downtown San Luis Obispo. But his business ventures didn’t stop there: Brett opened the first RV Park in the city, the Paso Robles RV Park.

He soon settled down and married his wife Laurie, and had their three children, Lauren, Nathan, and Ella. Brett then started to follow in his mom Ella Mae’s footsteps. He joined the Paso Robles Main Street Association and Chamber of Commerce and has been dedicated to the California Mid-State Fair Heritage Foundation.

Almost 30 years ago, Brett, along with some friends, built the Holiday House that sits in the Paso Robles City Park, and a few years ago, he built a new one to replace the original, which saw some damage throughout its years being an icon in the park. This time around, the house was modeled after Norma Moye’s victorian Vine Street house, and appropriately renamed “Norma’s House.”

Ella Mae was named Roblan of the Year and was a steady figure involved with the Chamber and various organizations and nonprofits in Paso Robles. Brett grew up surrounded by past Roblans, who he looked up to and who had a great influence on his life.

As a past member of the Paso Robles Rotary Club, he volunteered and helped with the Rotary Pioneer Day Old-Timers and the annual Rotary Golf Tournament. He has hosted many events at The Ravine, such as Chamber membership mixers, weddings, life celebrations, class reunions, and fundraisers for nonprofits.

It is probably safe to say that one of Brett’s favorite business adventures to date so far has been the Ravine Waterpark. Now 17 years in, the entire idea stemmed from the old Rest Haven watering hole off Adelaida Road where he used to hang out.

In natural Brett Butterfield fashion, he and his partners built the waterpark themselves from the ground up. When it was time to open in 2007, after years of permitting and construction, he and his team expected to accommodate about 400 people each day at the waterpark. To their surprise, the park sees nearly 3,000 people each day of the summer.

“He's fearless, he's funny, he's got a great sense of humor, and he likes to laugh. He loves Paso Robles and giving back to the community"

photo by rick evans

Brett wanted a place where the youth could be outside and just have fun like he did when he was growing up. However, he never expected to make an impact on the community through the Ravine the way he has.

“You can make somebody’s day every day very easily,” says Brett, which kind of sums up the way he tries to live out his life.

Brett is someone who roots for the underdog. He lives for creating good times and memories for families. And although he doesn’t see himself in the same caliber as a Roblan, he has definitely raised the bar.

Lastly, Mark has a note for anyone planning to have a meal with Brett, “When you go to dinner with him, always check the salt shaker.”

Alongside Brett, the Chambers are recognizing recipients of the Beautification Award, Business of the Year, and Citizen of the Year.

Paso Robles and Templeton Chamber of Commerce President/ CEO Gina Fitzpatrick tells us, “We are recognizing people in business and the community for realizing their dreams and selflessly contributing to making our communities whole and economically strong. I admire the dedication of all four awardees and appreciate the acts of kindness and sense of community they embody.”

Roblan of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Beautification Business, and Business of the Year recipients will all be honored at the Paso Robles and Templeton Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala at Rava Wines on February 11. At the Gala, the new 2023 Board of Directors will be welcomed in, and goodbyes and thank yous will be said to the 2022 outgoing board members.

beautification of the year A-1 GlAss

For All Your Glass Needs

by camille devaul

Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce granted the 2022 Beautification of the Year Award to A-1 Glass for their transformation of the old mechanics building just off the Paso Robles Street exit.

Paso Robles Street — which I have now dubbed "Auto Alley" — is home to various mechanics shops and the A-1 Glass showroom and shop is no different. Bryan Carroll vividly remembers the oil spilled throughout the building. The transformation of A-1 Glass has been a labor of love and dedication between the owners, Bryan and his wife Sophia Stephens, and their team.

Serving the Central Coast, A-1 Glass is your full-service glass shop specializing in residential, commercial, and automotive glass supply and installation including windows, doors, showers, mirrors and window tinting.

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

"It was pretty magical really," Bryan says of his reaction to being given the award.

Since the completion of their renovation, people have made a point to stop into the A-1 Glass Showroom to thank the owners and compliment them on the beautification of the building.

"What is so surprising and so special is throughout the whole community, people get off this off-ramp, and it's changed their lives and their point of view," Bryan says as he is amazed at how many people have noticed his new shop on the corner.

Bryan got his start in the glass business at a young age when his father, Don Carroll, purchased the business in 1992 in Coalinga. Being his father's shadow, Bryan learned the ins and outs of the glass industry.

He explains, "Since I was a little kid, I was my dad's shadow, so I followed him around and fell in love with the trade."

In 2005, Bryan and Sophia took over the company from his dad and began to operate under his own name.

In 2009, Bryan was called to Paso Robles by his friend and owner of Nicora Winery, Nick Elliott. In Coalinga, Bryan was accustomed to agricultural-related jobs, but in Paso Robles, there were new glass opportunities, and he was up for the challenge.

A year later, Bryan met his other half Sophia in downtown Paso Robles. While working at a winery, Sophia had a glass job that no one seemed to take her up on. Except for Bryan, who once again was up for the challenge. And as their relationship grew, so did

A-1 Glass.

"I think a big part of what A-1 Glass has become here today here in Paso Robles is essentially a story of love too, between Bryan and I," Sophia says.

A-1 Glass really began its start in Paso Robles after Sophia created a logo for Bryan to use — so she also made some business cards and Bryan quickly started to hand them out throughout the community of Paso Robles.Working out of his garage, Bryan started out with car windows and was soon servicing residential and commercial homes. The business was growing, and his neighbors Colette and Mike White noticed. The Whites knew of the building off the Paso Robles Street off-ramp and together with Bryan and Sophia they all went to take a look.

Bryan offered the owner of the building, Howard Smith, the first year's rent in one check — Howard accepted and gave them a deal.

"Mike and Collette, they believed in us, and they gave us a loan to invest in the first year's rent," Bryan says, thankful for his neighbors turned friends.

So in 2013, Bryan and Sophia moved the business into the building and are now celebrating 10 years there.

"We kept growing and growing one good job at a time," Bryan says. "With an amazing team and a lot of good help we built this incredible business for the people and the employees."

Just a few years after moving into the building, Bryan and Sophia wrote a letter to Howard telling him they were interested in purchasing the building if it was ever available. After his passing, Howard's son found Bryan and Sophia's letter in his desk. Howard's son called Bryan and Sophia and offered the building to them and in 2020 they were the official owners of their showroom and shop.

Thinking back to that call Sophia says, "We were so blessed to be in a position to say yes to that ... it was this beautiful story and here we are today."

With their new-found ownership of the building, Bryan and Sophia began to dream up what their business could look like.

"Bryan is a true visionary, and he has been since day one with this business. He has never lost sight of dreaming so big," Sophia says.

The newly renovated building features an updated modern look with glass features. Sophia's mother being a colorist, helped the duo pick their black, red, and white paint to liven up the "Auto Alley" while still fitting in.

When asking Bryan about their inspiration for the renovation, he says, "I wanted the team and our customers to be able to walk

“With an amazing team and a lot of good help we built this incredible business for the people and the employees.”

BEFORE

into a beautiful place."

Bryan and his team did most of the work on the building themselves, with Paul Viborg assisting with the parking lot repavement. It has been rewarding for Bryan and Sophia to be noticed by the community for something they never thought people would pay much attention to.

"It's reassurance that we are on the right path. It was all worth it," says Sophia.

A-1 Glass now employs and supports 25 families who are just as happy to be noticed by the community for their beautification of the building.

Looking back on how far they have come, Bryan explains, "My whole life, I have been dreaming of something along these lines, and every person has kind of said there is no way because I am a big dreamer."

But Sophia knew they could accomplish big things together, "He never lost sight of his vision and always kept his eye on the ball."

citizen of the year

Courtney Morrow

Central Coast Native

by christianna marks

Central Coast native Courtney Morrow of Courtney Morrow State Farm Agency was announced as the 2022 Citizen of the Year by the Paso Robles and Templeton Chamber of Commerce on December 1, 2022. Citizen of the Year is a tradition started by the Templeton Chamber that became part of 2022’s award festivities when they melded with Paso Robles Chamber earlier in the year.

“I had no idea it was coming. This has been a very challenging year and also a very rewarding year, but I took on a lot of stress this year. I tend to do that — I’m very appreciative because I love Templeton so much. For me to hear that people appreciate the things that myself and my team and my family do in the community, it just was really ... I cried,” Courtney said of receiving the news.

Growing up in Los Osos, Courtney and her brother were active kids involved in sports and riding horses. In high school, she played volleyball and water polo at Morro Bay High School, which continued her love of sports. After graduation, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, and it was while taking college classes at Cuesta at the age of 19 that she decided to join the Army as a public affairs broadcaster. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree once she left the military but completed most of her courses while she was still in the armed forces.

“When I joined the military, that’s when I learned how to sit down and actually do my college courses because I didn’t have much choice there,” Courtney laughed.

During her military career, Courtney was sent to the Yokota Air Base in Japan, where she had her own radio show in the evenings and then co-hosted the morning radio show.

“I really had a good time doing that, and then I did television news the second year that I was in Japan, and then had the opportunity to work at the Army’s flagship newscast, which at the time was Soldier’s Radio and Television [in the Military District of Washington, D.C.],” stated Courtney.

Courtney also co-anchored the Army Newswatch for years and had a blast meeting all the top brass in the Army since she was part of the Office of Chief of Public Affairs.

While in the Army, Courtney met her husband Ryan at a karaoke bar called Rocket Grill in Virginia.

“[I met him] the old-fashioned way, at a bar,” she joked.

She added that as soon as she saw him and his friends walk in, she cracked a joke that he would be her new boyfriend, but when she tried to say hi, he walked away. Ryan was in the Marine Corps as a Marine Corps Body Bearer, whose job was to carry caskets to the funerals of fallen Marine soldiers.

“He had a very prestigious, very honorable job. He and I met at that bar and started dating,” Courtney added.

After both of their enlistments were up, the couple moved to Ryan’s home state of Florida. That’s when Courtney started working for State Farm with the encouragement of her mother-in-law, who worked as an office manager there. When Courtney decided to open her very own agency, she figured that becoming a State Farm agent in California seemed like the best move for the couple, and they made their move across the country in 2009. Courtney started her State Farm agency career in San Luis Obispo in January 2014.

“When I was looking for a State Farm agency, the first opening that was available to me was in San Luis, and another agent was in Templeton. I was living in North County, he was living in South County, so after a year, we switched locations, which came with some unique challenges, but we both got through it and survived somehow. I love, I love Templeton so much,” Courtney said of how she ended up with an office in Templeton. “I love the community; I love the people; I love the charm of Main Street. Templeton is just where my heart is.”

Courtney, Ryan, and their now 8-year-old son Brock moved to Templeton three years ago from Paso, and she just opened a second brand new office in San Luis Obispo on December 1, 2022.

“I’m so excited to be here too because it just really helps us broaden our reach and be able to touch both sides of North and South County. I’ve got an amazing team that I work with, and all my team members give so much to me and to our customers and do such a good job. I’m just very, very lucky,” Courtney said.

Courtney has also sponsored multiple youth sports teams and groups in the area. Making sure that children on the Central Coast can participate in the sports she played in her own youth, as well as many others.

“I really care about our community. I’m thankful to be a part of it. I love how many people are willing to give their time and their money; it’s just a really nice thing to be a part of, and how many people are appreciative of it as well. For me, it’s just knowing that all these kids have the opportunity to play sports and not have to do it to the financial detriment of their families. Especially kids that families can’t afford it. I always want to make sure that we raise enough funds that these kids can do something constructive with their time and help keep them out of trouble.”

As a past president of the Templeton Chamber, Courtney is proud to hold the title of Citizen of the Year and looks forward to continuing to contribute to the community.

“I love the community;

I love the people; I love the charm of Main Street. Templeton is just where my heart is.”

business of the year north County restAurAnt Group

by camille devaul

The North County Restaurant Group has been honored as the 2022 Business of the Year by the Paso Robles and Templeton Chamber of Commerce for its contribution to the economy and community through their Templeton businesses, Jack's Grill and the Kitchenette.

The annual award is a tradition from the Templeton Chamber of Commerce, which merged with the Paso Robles Chamber in 2022.

What started as a senior project and dream between friends has now turned into a full-fledged business with restaurants spreading from Paso Robles to Atascadero.

Growing up in Atascadero, Eric Peterson, the owner of the North County Restaurant Group, got his start in the restaurant business at an early age, washing dishes and bussing tables at his grandmother Bonnie Peterson's restaurants — Country Touch Cafe, Touch of Paso Cafe, and Touch of Mexico.

But it wasn't until getting a job bussing tables at AJ Spurs in Templeton that Eric found his passion for the industry.

"My grandma had a big influence [on me] working for her, and then actually running AJ Spurs is where I really learned," Eric says of his start in the industry.

The AJ Spurs Steakhouse on Main Street in Templeton holds a formidable spot in many people's lives who grew up in North County. It was located for years in the old Mercantile building and closed its door permanently in 2017. Thanks to his experience in his grandmother's restaurants, Eric found himself in a management position at AJ's within six months of working there.

While Eric's grandmother's restaurants were breakfast and lunchfocused, he learned he enjoyed the bar and dinner scene.

The fond steakhouse was where at 18 years old, Eric met his friend and future business partner Trevor LaSalle. While working at AJ Spurs, Eric attended Cuesta College and then Cal Poly. All the while, he and Trevor plotted to open their first restaurant.

"They say to do what you know, so when we were ready to graduate college, it was, we may as well do this since we know how to run these restaurants," Eric says of his and Trevor's new plans.

Eric describes the process of opening the first restaurant as the carriage before the horse scenario. While Trevor had already graduated a year before, Eric was in his senior year and in need of his senior project. And opening a restaurant at 23 years old fit the bill.

Guest House Grill finally came into the scene in 2018. At the time, Eric says there wasn't much in Atascadero restaurant wise and the opportunity seemed to be just right for him and Trevor. Eric's aunt was ready to move on from her Mexican restaurant she had open in the Guest House space, leaving Eric and Trevor just needing to take over the space and purchase her leftover equipment.

To their somewhat surprise, Guest House Grill was a success and the

two were ready for more. Another opportunity came knocking for Trevor and Eric to purchase a seasonal resort in Southern Oregon. For 10 years, Eric spent his summer months at the Oregon resort while expanding their businesses in North County.

Next for the partners came Street Side Ale House and Eatery in Atascadero, opening in 2018. Success at the ale house would then lead to a second one opening in downtown Paso Robles in 2018.

Then everything started to make a full circle for Eric when he opened Jack's Grill in 2019 in Templeton, right across the street from where it all started, AJ Spurs. Then in 2020, he purchased and reopened his grandmother's restaurants Touch of Paso Cafe and Country Touch Cafe in 2020.

And in 2022, Eric added to his fleet by purchasing the Kitchenette on Main Street in Templeton and opening Cielo in Atascadero. And later in 2023, he plans to open a second Jack's Grill in the old Senior Sanchos location on Creston Road in Paso Robles.

Talking about the Kitchenette addition, Eric says, "We still have the general manager and the head chef, they are a married couple, and they are Kitchenette. They still run it, and it is pretty much exactly the same."

While Eric loves and enjoys his restaurants and all of their locations, he can't help but feel something special about the Templeton Main Street fleet.

"Templeton is such a small, close-knit community ... it is something special [to be a part of]," he explains.

All of Eric's establishments are unique in concept to one another and have all come to him in various ways. Some are offered, and others are entirely from the ground up.

Looking back, Eric wonders why anyone would have invested in the two young 23-year-olds to open a restaurant, one of the riskiest businesses out there.

"It was Colin Weyrick, actually, who lent us half the money," says Eric. "And now we are partners, so it's been a fun ride."

Colin is co-owner with Eric on both of his Templeton eateries.

He continues to say of Colin, "He has been a big supporter ... he helped me open my first restaurant as a mentor."

Eric is now a proud part-owner of seven restaurants across North County. In one of the most uncertain industries out there, he and his team have survived Covid, one of the toughest eras for hospitality. So how does he do it?

"It's the team I have," he explains. "That's the secret, I think, is surrounding ourselves with good people, and I think that is why we've been able to be successful."

While there are no plans in the works right now, Eric knows that progress is in the future. But for now, he is happy being close to home with his family and being a part of the deeply rooted community.

"That's the secret, I think, is surrounding ourselves with good people, and I think that is why we've been able to be successful."

4th Annual Chicken Run Returns In Person To Remember Frace Sisters

Published January 6: Close to 300 runners and walkers showed up for the 4th annual Running Chicken 10k and 5k to celebrate the lives of "Bitti" and Brynn Frace on Sunday, January 2. The Chicken Run returned to Lake Santa Margarita after a virtual run last year.

Thousands of People Attend Atascadero's 6th Annual Tamale Festival

Published January 20: On Saturday, January 15, locals and tourists headed to Atascadero's Sunken Gardens to celebrate their love of tamales. Around 10,000 people attended the 6th Annual Tamale Festival, which has become an Atascadero staple. Not even on-and-off-rain could affect the turnout.

Odyssey World Cafe Welcomes New Owners

Published January 20: Now, after a quarter-century, the cafe's owners are embarking on a new Odyssey in their lives, turning the restaurant over to long-time Odyssey chef Carmelo and his wife, Anna Rodriguez.

YEAR IN REVIEW 2022

Published January 20: Almost four months after losing Ty Lewis as Chief of Police to his new position as City Manager, Paso Robles Police Department (PRPD) has a new Chief in town — Damian Nord.

Community Supports Expansion of Homeless Services

Published January 27: On December 7, 2020, the El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO) opened its first shelter in Paso Robles after operating in Atascadero for over twenty years.

Located in the former Motel 6 at 1134 Black Oak Drive, they successfully made it through their first full year on December 7, 2021, even through all the challenges of COVID.

to be brought to people's attention, chances are Bill Pluma was involved. At the age of 81, Bill passed away at his home on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, in Paso Robles.

Annual Father-Daughter Dances Return with Love

Published February 10: Every year, father figures and the young ladies in their lives look forward to dressing up and attending the annual Father and Daughter Dances hosted by the City of Atascadero and the Main Street Dance Company in Templeton.

Downtown Paso Robles Parklets Removed

Published February 10: The City approved the parklet program as a way for restaurants to remain open and comply with tight COVID pandemic restrictions on indoor dining. During its peak, more than 20 parklets were installed in place of roughly 60 parking spots.

SweetArt Luncheon Returns to Studios on the Park

28. Starting March 12, masks will no longer be required in school and child care facilities. However, they are still strongly recommended.

WWII Veteran Harold Lowe Passes at 102

Published February 4: On Sunday, January 30, Santa Margarita native and WWII veteran Harold Lowe passed away at 102 years old. He has been laid to rest at Reis Mortuary, and a graveside service was held at Los Osos Valley Memorial Park in February.

Paso Robles Remembers Bill Pluma

Published February 4: If there was a cause in Paso Robles that needed volunteers or awareness

Published February 17: The annual Sweet Art Luncheon hosted by Studios on the Park returned to Paso Robles this year after taking a hiatus due to the pandemic. This time to celebrate adventurers, founding board members, and champions of the arts, Liz and Newlin Hastings.

State Lifts Mask Mandate in Schools March 12

Published March 3: California, Oregon, and Washington announced the end of mask mandates for students in a joint statement on Monday, February

Archway Installed over Norma's Way

Published March 3: After over two years in the making, an archway, created and designed by local artist Dale Evers, was installed over Norma's Alley on Pine and 12th Street on Tuesday, February 22.

The 'Daffodil Man' Left Amazing Memories In His Wake

Published March 10: Lee Swam (aka the Daffodil Man) was beloved not only in the city of Atascadero but all over the North County. From planting thousands of daffodils throughout Atascadero to creating traditions that we still experience today, Swam left amazing memories in his wake.

Atascadero Celebrates 100 Years of Fire and Emergency Services

Published March 10: This year celebrates Atascadero's 100th year of Fire and Emergency Services in our beautiful city. The Fire Department started out small in 1922 but has only grown in equipment, facilities, and staff since then. And this year, we're celebrating.

Paso Robles Police Department Introduces New Police Chief

Atascadero Boxer Brings Central

Valley 132-Pound Title Home

Published March 24: On Saturday, March 5, as a lastsecond replacement, Atascadero amateur boxer JJ Subia jumped in the car with his dad and headed to Madera to participate in the final round of the Madera Throwdown.

Fine Arts Academy to Celebrate 20 Years in Atascadero

Published April 7: It's been 22 years since Atascadero's Fine Arts Academy (FAA) came into being. And though COVID-19 stopped its 20-year celebration and reunion in 2020, staff, past students, and the school's founders are remedying that this year.

headed out to Atascadero Bible Church to participate in the 11th Annual Empty Bowls luncheon, which benefits the El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO) and all they do for the North County.

SLO County Fallen First Responders to Be Remembered

Published May 12: Two San Luis Obispo County law enforcement officers will be honored at the annual San Luis Obispo County’s Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony.

Templeton High Girls Swim and Dive Team Win CIF Title

Published May 12: Records were broken when the Templeton High School’s (THS) girls swim team took home the CIF Central Section Division 2 championship over the last weekend.

Published May 19: The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department held its inaugural Sheriff's Rodeo on Saturday, May 14, and the community was ready for it. More than 4,000 people were in attendance.

enthusiasts came out in full force to Santa Margarita this Memorial weekend for the Best of the West Antique Equipment Show. Proceeds from the event support the Paso Robles Annual Pioneer Day celebrations.

Memorial Day Ceremony Returns to Paso Robles District Cemetery

Published June 2: More than 300 people showed up for the return of the Paso Robles District Cemetery's Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30. The event honors and remembers the men and women who lost their lives in service to our country.

Atascadero Chamber Gala Honors 2021 Honorees in Person

Published May 26: Community members and Atascadero business owners gathered together on the evening of Saturday, May 21, for the 99th Annual Atascadero Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala where Kevin Campion was named Citizen of the Year.

Fifth Annual Lake Fest a Huge Success

Atascadero High School's Class of 2022 Celebrates Return of In-Person Graduation Ceremony

Published June 9: On Thursday, June 2, family and friends of the students in Atascadero High School's (AHS) graduating Class of 2022 filled the bleachers at Memorial Stadium.

Running for a Good Cause: Lighthouse Fun Run Returns

School Bus Driver Averts Disaster During Bus Fire

Published April 28: On Saturday, April 2, Tonya Pennington, a school bus driver for the Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD), averted a potential disaster when her bus started having mechanical failures due to an electrical fire.

Empty Bowls Raises Over $83,000 for Unhoused in North County

Published May 5: On Thursday, April 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., community members

Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce Gala Returns to Honor 2020 and 2021 Roblans of the Year

Published May 12: After a year away, the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Gala at Rava Wines in person on May 7 honoring both Roblans of the year Pat Bland as the 2020 Roblan and Brian Thorndyke as the 2021.

SLO County Sheriff's Host First Rodeo

Published May 26: Friends and families headed out to Atascadero Lake Park on Saturday, May 21, for the fifth annual Lake Fest. Friends of Atascadero Lake and THE LINK Family Resource Center teamed up to bring the community not one but two events, also incorporating Children's Day at the Park with Lake Fest. The events were co-sponsored by the City of Atascadero.

Best of the West Antique Equipment Show Returns

Published June 2: American history and equipment

Published June 9: Lighthouse Atascadero held its eighth annual Lighthouse Run on the morning of Saturday, June 4. After a two-year break, the 5K was held at the Santa Margarita Ranch Educational Center from 8 to 11 a.m.

Bearcats Ready to 'Stand for a Better Future' Graduation Returns in Person

Published June 16: On a more than toasty day, Paso Robles High School (PRHS) hosted its 126th graduation for the Class of 2022 on Friday, June 10, at War Memorial Stadium.

Resilence Shines Through Templeton's Class of 2022

Published June 16: The Class of 2022 from Templeton High School officially graduated and closed their high school chapter on Thursday, June 9.

Nelson, CEO of Cinema Square, LLC, and the theater’s owner, announced on Thursday, June 23.

Spectacular Fourth of July on the Central Coast Returns After Pandemic

Published July 7: Independence Day was filled with red, white, and blue from the northern part of the county all the way to the coast this Monday.

The All Comers Track Meet Returns to Atascadero

Published July 28: Two young women dominated this year’s JB Dewar Tractor Restoration competition at the California Mid-State Fair.

Living Full Throttle: Remembering Aviator Sherman Smoot

Local Archer Bella Otter Takes Two Golds at Pan American Championships

Published June 16: Bella Otter made her hometown of Atascadero proud when she brought home two gold medals after competing in the Pan American Championships in Nova Scotia, Canada, at the beginning of the month. The Championships took place from May 31 thru June 5.

Tom Maas Clubhouse Celebrates Grand Opening

Published June 23: After just over a year after breaking ground on the building, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast (CGCMCC) celebrated the grand opening of the Tom Maas Clubhouse in Paso Robles.

Galaxy Theatre Replaced as Operator of Downtown Cinemas

Published June 30: The movie theater in the Colony Square shopping center will have a new operator effective immediately. Sanborn Theatres, the local family cinema business, will replace Galaxy Theatre as operator after 10 years, Jeff

Published July 21: Since the summer of 2000, the All Comers Track Meet has been a family favorite in Atascadero. This year the event started on Wednesday, July 13, with the following meet on Wednesday, July 20, and concluding with its final meet on Wednesday, July 27. The All Comers track meet is held at Atascadero Memorial Stadium at Atascadero High School.

California Mid-State Fair Returns in Full Force; Miss California Mid-State Fair Pageant has a New Court

Published July 21: A new court has been crowned at the California Mid-State Fair. Like in 2021, the Miss California Mid-State Fair [CMSF] Pageant was held on Wednesday, July 20, the opening night of the fair.

Equality Mural Project Brings Art Downtown

Published July 28: Historically, downtown Atascadero, specifically the Traffic Way area, used to be a well-known Arts District. The Equality Mural Project is working hard to bring art back into our thriving community.

Two Young Women Win JB Dewar Tractor Restoration Competition

Cookoff Sells Out for 23rd Anniversary

Winemaker’s

Published August 18: Last weekend, the Paso Robles Rotary Club held their community favorite Winemaker’s Cookoff, which benefits their scholarship program for Paso Robles High School graduates.

Veterans Take Honor Flight Around Central Coast

Published September 1: Seventeen U.S. veterans took flight on Saturday, August 27, in the “Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber,” a restored World War II C-47 aircraft, for an Honor Flight around the Central Coast.

Atascadero Resident Charles 'Cap' Capper Turns 100 Years Young

Published September 1: Born on September 2, 1922, World War II veteran Charles "Cap" Capper will celebrate his 100th birthday this Friday.

Published September 8: On Friday, September 2, the aviation community lost one of its own when Sherman Smoot died in a plane accident in Kern County. Smoot was piloting his Yakovlev Yak-11, named “Czech Mate,” in preparation for the upcoming Reno Air Races, held yearly in September.

Children's House Montessori School Celebrates 42 Years in Atascadero

Published September 1: Children's House Montessori School has been a staple in education in Atascadero for the last 42 years. Even though the school officially missed its 40-year anniversary in 2020 due to COVID, the school has thrived through the last two years and stayed open to the community.

Atascadero Colony Days Announce Royalty and Grand Marshal

Published September 15: Three of Atascadero's residents have been awarded the roles of Grand Marshal, King, and Queen of Colony Days by the Atascadero Colony Days Committee. Ann Little will act as Grand Marshal, while Dan and Ramona Phillips will be crowned the King and Queen.

Dancing with our Stars Raises Over $210,000 for Six Local Nonprofits

Published September 22: Dancing with our Stars (DWOS) was back and bigger than ever this year. The local dance charity fundraiser took place at the Atascadero Lake Pavillion over the course of four nights.

Local Named First Creston Man of the Year at Creston Classic Rodeo

Published September 22: A special member of the Creston Classic Rodeo family was recognized this past weekend, Sept. 15-18, at the 26th Annual Creston Classic Rodeo (CCR). Cole McKenney was honored as the first Creston Man of the Year.

Jim Wiemann: Remembering the ‘Voice of Paso’

Published September 22: The Bearcat community unexpectedly lost Jim Wiemann on Thursday, August 4, at the age of 56, leaving a hole in the Paso Robles sports community, where he was the go-to sports announcer and broadcaster.

Atascadero

Paul Flores Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder of Kristin Smart

Published October 20: After 26 years of investigation, Paul Flores has been found guilty of the first-degree murder of Kristin Smart. The verdict came on Tuesday, October 18, right before noon when Paul’s jury reached a decision after just over 20 hours of deliberation.

Estrella Warbirds Museum Celebrates 30th Anniversary

many people showed up that more chairs needed to be added to the tables.

Park Cinemas Celebrates 25 Years

Published November 24: Park Cinemas celebrates 25 years in business this December, and they are ready to celebrate the milestone with the community.

Hidden Springs Christmas Tree Farm Celebrates 60 Years

Orange and Great: Greyhounds are CIF Grid Champions

Published December 1: Last Friday night, November 25, in front of a packed house at Memorial Stadium, the Atascadero Greyhounds football team was crowned CIF Central Section Division 5 champions, defeating Pioneer Valley 27-13.

Supervisors Approve New Paso Basin Planting Ordinance

Celebrates

Colony Days with 48th Colony Days Parade

Published October 6: On Saturday, October 1, Atascadero residents and spectators from all over the county lined El Camino Real to watch and cheer on the 48th Colony Days Parade. The parade started at 10 a.m., with Colony Days festivities carrying on until 3 p.m. in and around Sunken Gardens.

Published October 20: The Estrella Warbirds Museum celebrated 30 years of preserving and hosting aviation history on Saturday, October 15. The celebration honored the museum’s beginnings, remembered late aviator Sherman Smoot, and kicked off funding for the museum's proposed western expansion.

Paderewski Festival Returns to Paso Robles

Published November 10: Fans of the classical composer Ignacy Jan Paderewski (known for stopping in Paso Robles while on tour) headed out last weekend to experience the three-day Paderewski Festival dedicated to the famous musician

Ten New Faces Inducted into the Greyhound Foundation Athletic Hall of Fame

Published November 24: On Friday, November 25, the Hidden Springs Christmas Tree Farm in Atascadero will open for its 60th season with seven varieties of trees to choose from, hot cider, and plenty of opportunities to make memories.

Coats for Kids Celebrates 35 Warm Years

Published November 24: Coats for Kids has been helping keep families warm for 35 years, and after two years of modified giving, they will be joining the Toy Bank of Greater Paso Robles for the “Day of Giving” on Saturday, December 10.

Published December 8: San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors approved the adoption of a new Paso Basin Planting Ordinance. The new ordinance was greatly opposed by the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau, SLO County Cattleman’s Association, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, and SLO County Planning Commission, among others.

Rain, Cold Can't Dampen Spirits at Light Up the Downtown

Published December 8: A cold, wet, and pitch-dark night didn’t dampen festivities too much on Friday, December 2, as the City of Atascadero and Chamber of Commerce once again lit up the Sunken Gardens and the iconic City Hall for Christmas.

Rain or Shine, the 61st Annual Christmas Parade Lights the Streets

92nd Paso Robles Pioneer Day Parade Makes its Way Through Downtown

Published October 13: The day Paso Roblans have been waiting for finally came, the 92nd Annual Paso Robles Pioneer Day and Parade.

Published November 17: Saturday, November 12, Atascadero High School alumni, sports alums, members of the Atascadero Greyhound Foundation, and former Greyhound Foundation Athletic Hall of Fame inductees gathered at the Pavilion on the Lake to celebrate the 2022 inductees into the Hall of Fame. Approximately 140 people attended the ceremony, and so

Brett Butterfield Named Roblan of the Year

Published November 24: The Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center and Templeton Chamber of Commerce are proud to announce Brett Butterfield as the 2022 Roblan of the Year.

Published December 8: Rain could not keep the Christmas spirit away last Saturday as the community lined the streets to watch the 61st Annual Christmas Lights Parade in Paso Robles.

By Blake Ashley Frino-Gerl

Feeling good in the coming new year is what we all want, right? To achieve that feeling, one may look for services to assist their outer appearance. Bahama Bay Tanning Company in Paso Robles is one of those businesses — ready to help clients feel good, starting with their outer selves. Owner Linda Martinez has over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry, and that gives her expertise in her business to make “people look and feel better about themselves.”

Growing up in Morro Bay and then Los Osos, before moving to North County 20 years ago for more opportunities and affordability, Linda, who previously owned a salon, relishes in her beauty industry journey. However, as a past client of Bahama Bay Tanning Company, which has been in operation for 20 years, she found out that after the business was sold the first time she would have been interested in purchasing it. Then, six years later, when Linda “was perusing Craigslist,” she saw that a tanning salon was for sale.

“That meant one of the two in town, and I knew it wasn’t the other,” she says. “So I called and met with the owner … the rest is history.” She happens to still be friends with both previous owners.

As the third owner for the past 11 years, Linda has upped the level of services for clients. She offers “five levels of tanning beds — from beginners to advanced, custom airbrush, spray tan automated machine, infrared wellness pod, swimwear, clothing and other retail items.” She has two female employees who are also “Smart Tan trained — there is actual training for tanning!” Her business encompasses a plethora of knowledge on the services to provide the best for their clients.

Linda notes that while beauty may be the goal for many of her clients, there is care for their well-being. She says, “It’s not always about the tan.”

Her clients may come in for medical reasons, such as psoriasis, eczema, lack of Vitamin D, depression, or SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). She finds that pre-tanning before a vacation is a good idea if prone to burning, but that it is always good to consult a doctor and get educated on tanning.

When asked if she finds it empowering to be a female owning her own

business, she says, “Yes!” With many women-owned businesses on the rise, she finds that “we support each other, and the networking to keep us all motivated is huge.”

Being part of the increasing female-led businesses is reassuring to not only her employees, but also her female clients who put trust in Linda and the services she provides.

The best thing about owning her own business? “I only have to argue with myself!” While Linda doesn’t have to abide by anyone else’s rules, she reaffirms that owning a business isn’t always easy. Yet, she loves what she does and knows it well. Her clients “leave with a smile no matter how bad their day is,” she adds. For Linda, having happy clients make it all worth the hard work.

By Blake Ashley Frino-Gerl

Providing compassionate care is essential to the Fario family behind Harvest Senior Living in Paso Robles.

Alvaro and Diorene Fario started Harvest Senior Living six years ago with one motto in mind, “Plant kindness, harvest love.”

After leaving Brazil in his early 20s, Alvaro started several of his own businesses from the ground up in Southern California. Later he started a family with his wife Diorene, who is also from Brazil. While working in an upscale hotel in Beverly Hills for 10 years, his daughter was in Paso Robles running her own residential care for the elderly home and felt that it would be a good fit for her parents — they agreed.

“We are very well known for the one-onone [care] that we provide,” Alvaro says when referring to what sets them apart from other residential homes.

Alvaro and Diorene strive to only have six residents in the home.

Alvaro explains they, “personalize as much as possible and we get to really know the residents and their families.”

The Farios have two Harvest Senior Living home locations, both nestled in a peaceful neighborhood with beautiful landscaping, with comfortable surroundings.

Comfort and trust in care is essential. In knowing that residents may initially have a difficult time adjusting to their new home, Alvaro understands their struggle and is able show empathy all the while investing the time to ease into their new surroundings.

He knows each client may feel sadness or anger over “losing everything — their independency, the privilege to drive,” and management of “their money, and now they are in a house with lots of strangers.”

He remembers one gentleman coming to live in the home, who wasn’t exactly a fan of Alvaro at first.

But with Alvaro’s background in ministry, he understood, “you cannot resist love, and that was what I did — I loved him back.”

Then one day, when Alvaro was called to help the man get up from the floor, he got close to him, and suddenly the man said, “‘Since we are so close … we should kiss,’ and that broke the ice,” Alvaro remembers.

Their relationship grew after that moment. The man would later thank and praise Alvaro and eventually tell him that he loves him.

Alvaro says that instance made him cry and gave him the “power to keep on doing what I knew best — care and love them.”

At the center, Diorene, who has a law

degree from Brazil, provides the business and administrative sense as she earned her associate’s degree in business in the U.S. Alvaro enjoys that she utilizes her knowledge and does the business side of the work, as he does what he loves — caring for people.

He says, “The operation, the everyday life with the residents is like getting food for my body and soul; to know their life story and to listen to them.”

While he gives to the residents, Alvaro finds a sense of fulfillment and great satisfaction.

The friendly, fully-trained staff knows the techniques and therapies to help resident seniors thrive in their new living environment. Social activities are part of daily life to provide a sense of camaraderie and friendship between fellow residents, but to also provide wellness through learning and engagement. Amidst the 24-hour care, residents are welcomed and encouraged to be a part of social and interactive activities and live the fruitful life they deserve, without the obligation to keep up with chores or everyday nuisance of household tasks.

Alvaro really wants the residents to know that they really care. The is something to be said about the importance of trust in any new situation — if you feel cared for, trust can grow, and comfort is then inevitable.

The Chamber’s Annual Gala is one of my favorite nights of the year. Bringing together so many friends from our community to share a meal and a drink or two has a profound way of bolstering the continued efforts we all share in preserving a strong and vibrant community.

This year we will be hosting our Gala on Saturday, February 11, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., at Rava Wines, 5785 Creston Road in Paso Robles. As those of you who are regular attendees of this event know, we moved to Rava Wines in 2020 where we celebrated the Chamber’s 100th anniversary and then in 2022 when we once again joined and celebrated together. We are overwhelmingly grateful for the generosity of Chad and Lauren Rava who, through their Chairman Circle sponsorship, offer an amazing amount of support, ensuring a good time is had

by all. Also to be thanked for their sizeable contribution through Chairman Circle, is our 2022 Chairman of the Board, Steven Herring of All About Events, who provides for all of our rental needs that evening.

I love being able to thank our past year’s board and install our new and returning board members. Our chamber members have the opportunity to see and meet those who are steering the direction of our organization for the upcoming year. Bid paddles have been ordered and we are putting together some amazing silent and live auction items so come ready to peruse the goodies and put that paddle to good use.

It goes without being said that the highlight of the evening has always been the awarding of our Roblan of the Year and Beautification Award. Now that we have successfully merged

with the Templeton Chamber of Commerce, we are excited to announce that we are also including two awards that are traditionally celebrated by our Templeton members: Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year. Watching the pride of family and friends who have come to show their support and love to our recipients always warms my heart.

This year’s theme, Paint the Night, will have a few new surprises in store, so get your tickets now as this event always sells out. You can register on the Chamber’s website pasorobleschamber.com/events. Tickets are $150 per person, $1,500 for a sponsored table of 8, or $1,800 for a sponsored table of 10.

For questions, more information, or assistance in registering, call the Chamber office at (805) 238-0506 or email events@pasorobleschamber.

President/CEO Paso Robles Chamber

Gina Fitzpatrick

James Brescia, Ed.D

Happy New Year! Do you have what it takes to serve in the public sector? If so, the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education may be able to help. Grants, scholarships, and partnerships with local university preparation programs are available. January’s article reflects on the past, a call to service, and assistance in becoming a public sector employee. The private and public employment sectors have benefits and drawbacks. I encourage anyone considering the public sector to weigh the advantages, priorities, and preferences to make an informed choice, as I did more than 35 years ago.

As I completed my undergraduate education at the University of California, San Diego, my career path suddenly came to a screeching and confusing halt. While applying for graduate school to become a clinical psychologist, I realized this was not my path. As part of the graduate school application process, I had been volunteering at a group home for children in San Diego for a year. However, I did not see myself serving the community as a psychologist. During the next few weeks, I spoke with family and friends about my uncertainty. My father, an engineer, encouraged me to follow the emerging boom in high-tech, grandma wanted me to become a priest, and the rest of my family or friends said to pursue something I enjoyed. Finally, I phoned a former mathematics teacher from my high school with whom I had maintained contact throughout college.

Brother Jerome Gorg, a Marianist who dedicated his life to service, had encouraged me to work in the math lab at my high school to tutor other students for credit and then as a volunteer. He often quoted Ben Franklin, “Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me, and I learn.” Brother Jerry involved me in mathematics and teaching. He had a Socratic way of responding to a question with another question designed to make one think. During our phone conversation, he reminded me of my service and asked why I continued volunteering after completing my required elective time. I responded that I enjoyed assisting others and grew in my passion for learning as a tutor. Brother Jerry said, “I think you have an answer to your question.”

In dedicating my career to public service, I have worked as a custodian, teaching assistant, classroom teacher, college instructor, and administrator. The first ten years of my teaching career were in service to English language learners and students living in poverty. The past twenty-five has

been as an administrator dedicated to promoting high-quality programs. Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Public service is a place to promote social justice for a democratic society. It is the responsibility of all concerned about our country to encourage highly qualified and dedicated public sector employees. The San Luis Obispo County Office of Education has written and received several grants offering scholarships, program subsidies, and tuition reimbursements that can address the recruitment of public sector employees.

California continues to experience employee shortages across the state because of the economy, retiring baby boomers, and a reduction in avenues for training. Business leaders in private industry, the public sector, and local small businesses are experiencing a shortage of employees. Surveys conducted by organizations such as Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and the Society the Human Resource Management (SHRM), report that some sectors have nearly 48 percent of current employees considering leaving for better work opportunities. Will the tight labor market continue in 2023, and how can business leaders address employment challenges? Research indicates that employees are empowered to go where they feel valued, directly impact positive workplace outcomes, and have opportunities to improve skills.

The San Luis Obispo County Office of Education works with all districts, charters, and childcare centers to scholarship pre-apprentices, apprentices, interns, substitutes, and current employees interested in obtaining additional training. Individuals interested in public sector employment found in our local school districts, such as administration, classroom service, fiscal services, human resources, IT, maintenance and operations, support services, and transportation, should consider the support we can provide. Please contact your local school district or the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education for additional information. Our tax-payer-funded system controls whom we train and employ in our organizations. We should prioritize the value of highly qualified and locally trained employees. We must now encourage intelligent young people to consider public-sector employment. Our secondary and post-secondary education leadership should promote expanding capacity and recruiting highly qualified public sector employees. It is an honor to serve as your County Superintendent of Schools.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary

Year in Review 2022

As 2022 draws to a close, Redwings Horse Sanctuary looks back on some of the Sanctuary’s highlights. Redwings welcomed a total of 20 new rescues throughout the year, with many equines seized from dire situations. Redwings works to restore these horses to their best possible health and condition, either finding them new forever homes through adoption, or, giving permanent sanctuary at Redwings for those unable to be adopted.

In May, Redwings headed to Thacher Winery with the Ambassador horses to take part in Thacher’s Kentucky Derby Party. This was the first time we participated in this event, and Primo and Little Bit had so much fun entertaining the crowd. Redwings was a nonprofit beneficiary of the event.

In August, the Sanctuary became the retirement home for military horse Buck, an equine Air Force veteran who served at Vandenberg Space Force Base for 12 years. Buck patrolled hundreds of inaccessible acres at the Air Force Base. He is now living the retired lifestyle, and has also begun a new career at Redwings as an Ambassador horse. He seems to feel right at home interacting with the local community.

Redwings was fortunate to receive several retired California racing thoroughbreds through the CARMA and TAA programs. A number of these retired racehorses are now in the

retraining program at the Sanctuary. They make wonderful additions to the equines available in Redwings’ signature Adoption Program.

Redwings hosted monthly level one volunteer training sessions throughout 2022, and our current volunteer participation is at an all-time high. Volunteers engage in hands-on grooming, as well as delivering lots of TLC (and carrot treats) to a host of extremely appreciative equines. Thank you to the many dedicated volunteers who constantly show up for the horses.

Fall brought participation in the Great Agventure for SLO County fourth graders at the Paso Robles Event Center, and a new partnership with Humanity Wine Project. Humanity Wines is a public benefit company based in Paso Robles that gives 50 percent of the profits from wine sales to charitable organizations in areas such as animal welfare. Go to Redwings’s website to learn more about how to order wine and also support the horses.

Redwings celebrated in September with their Second Annual Block Party Fundraising Event, and in November, the three Ambassador horses took part in a special holiday photo shoot at beautiful Chesebrough Farm in Templeton.

Redwings can’t wait for all the exciting opportunities coming their way during 2023.

Especially as a non-reader, I can’t thank Patricia and the Group enough. They have given me the confidence to work on my project and walked me through every step of the way.

Redwing’s Ambassador horses Primo, Buck and Little Bit at Chesebrough Farm.

Photo Credit: Deb Hofstetter

Oak Leaf • Redwings Horse Sanctuary

~Kelli Gonzales, Paso Robles

Cabinet Refinishing, Wood Staining, and Specialty Projects

Chicken Noodle Soup For a Healthy New Year

By BeeWench Farm

Happy New Year. It’s time to create some goals and focus on the future. Personally, I come up with a few goals that I like to write down every year. I print them out and put them somewhere I can read them every morning. Focusing on those goals in the morning helps me work all day with them in mind.

One goal that I write down every year is to eat healthier. It’s reoccurring because I am always trying to get better at it. I know this is a common goal among many of us, but it can be difficult to stick to. After having this goal staring me in the face every morning for the past four years, I have improved my health immensely through better food choices. I have also experimented, learned a ton, and failed a bunch in the past four years, but I never gave up.

Did you know that most grocery produce loses a lot of nutrient density because it sits so long in boxes before getting to the shelf? Our local farmers usually harvest the produce they are selling to you that morning. This means that when you buy your fruits and veggies at a local market, you are already improving your health through

greater nutrition. Eating more fruits and veggies also increases the amount of fiber in your diet, which helps you feel fuller and cleanses your gut.

This month’s recipe may seem a little boring, but soup is one of the healthiest and most nutrient-dense foods that you can eat. It also has been proven to help people lose weight, help with several health issues, and can help heal their gut. It’s also great to help you overcome any illness and prevent them. It’s also souper versatile, and you can add in any veggies and flavors to make it taste great to you.

I also highly recommend making your own chicken stock or broth. It’s super easy and will save you a ton of money. If you are interested in trying that, we have great recipes for stock and bone broth on our BeeWench Farm website. We also sell premade bone broth at our stand.

This soup goes very well with a side salad. My favorite side salad is red romaine lettuce, shredded carrots, red onion, cucumber, pumpkin seeds, and avocado with a vinegar and olive oil dressing. I also love having fresh sourdough bread with soup and we have some amazing local bakers at the markets every week.

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons olive oil

1 small onion (diced)

2 stalks celery (diced)

1 ½ teaspoons salt

CLASSIC CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

4 large carrots (peeled and sliced into ½” rounds)

8 cups of chicken stock or bone broth

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon poultry seasoning (we love Bren’s Poultry Seasoning)

2 teaspoons garlic powder

Directions:

2 cups noodles (we like Etto Pasta noodles, but egg noodles work well too)

3 cups cooked and shredded chicken (you can also use raw chicken, read note in directions)

1. Add the olive oil, diced onions and celery to a large pot and cook over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the salt, pepper, poultry seasoning and garlic powder and cook an additional 2 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.

2. Pour the chicken stock into the stockpot and add the sliced carrots. Bring the chicken broth to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Stir and continue to simmer for 5 more minutes to soften the carrots.

3. Add the noodles and shredded chicken to the pot. Bring the broth back up to a simmer and cook until the noodles are done and the chicken is heated through, about 5 minutes.

Note:

1. For raw, boneless, skinless chicken breast: Use 2 large chicken breast that have been cut in half to help it cook faster. Add the raw chicken to the stockpot in step 3 and allow the chicken to simmer in the broth for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the chicken and use two forks to shred the meat before adding it back into the pot along with the dry noodles. Cook for an additional 5-6 minutes or until the noodles are done.

2. I like to make the noodles separate and add them in when I make up a bowl to eat. This way, you can freeze any leftover soup without the noodles. Cooked noodles never seem to thaw well. If you want to stay away from gluten, swap the noodles for rice.

3. For extra flavor, pick up some cheese from Vintage Cheese to grate over the top.

Paso Celebrates International Cabernet Franc Day

Cabernet Sauvignon might rule the wine pantheon as king, but in recent years, its father Cabernet Franc has gained a tribe of fans drawn to the wine’s mesmerizing blackberry, violet and herbaceous notes.

To shine a light on this Bordeaux variety, several Paso’s winemakers got together to celebrate Cabernet Franc Day on December 4 at Cass Winery’s Event Center. The day-long interactive experience began with a seminar spotlighting six international producers followed by a Paso-focused grand tasting. Some 16 local wineries showcased their Cab Franc (as it’s popularly called), both as a varietal wine and in blends.

This worldwide dedication to Cab Franc got its Paso start in 2015 when winemakers Lori and Mike Budd, founders of Dracaena Wines, launched an online event with participation from various international Cab Franc producers.

But it was the efforts of Neeta and Kunal Mittal, owners of LXV Wine, to take it a step further and launch it as an in-person experience by corralling interest from local Cab Franc producers.

“We’ve had great support from Austin Hope and the J. Lohr teams and the Paso Robles CAB Collective,” said Neeta Mittal. “There’s an intrigue about Cab Franc since there’s so little produced here and people are getting into it.”

The December 4 homage marks the death anniversary of France’s 17th-century Cardinal Richelieu who loved this blue-black grape. The legend goes that such was his fascination that he transported vine cuttings from Bordeaux to the Loire Valley where it sealed its connection to the region’s hallmark Chinon, Saumur-Champigny and Bourgueil wines.

Medium body, low in tannins, often perfumey and herb-driven, Cab Franc shines as a varietal wine in the Loire or at times blended with a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. In Bordeaux, it’s an important blending component in the iconic blends of Left Bank and makes up a significant part of the signature Right Bank style, usually blended with Merlot.

Regarded among the 20 most widely planted grape varieties in the world, Cab Franc did not originate in Bordeaux. It is native to Spain’s Basque country from its most primitive clone known as “acheria.” From Spain, it spread to the Pyrenees and over to Gironde in Bordeaux, where it had an ‘a-ha’ moment with Sauvignon Blanc, which resulted in their offspring Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cab Franc also crossed with Magdalene Noir de Charente producing Merlot and gave birth to Carmenere when co-mingled with Gros Cabernet. You can say Cab Franc was one helluva busy grape in the vitis vinifera pantheon!

The Cab Franc celebration kicked off with Wes Hagen, Wine Educator at LXV Wine, delivering the powerpoint presentation in his signature enthusiastic style.

“Much like Cardinal Richelieu who kept things moving in France, Cab Franc keeps things moving in a Bordeaux blend,” he explained. With 160,000 acres planted worldwide, Cab Franc is one of the

foundational wine grapes of Europe. (In Paso, 1,200 acres of Cab Franc are under vine compared to 17,000 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon.)

The six-six-wine flight began with a lighter style from Saumur, France with the 2018 Vignerons de Saumur Rouge, “Les Epinats,” a floral yet restrained wine showing a grippy minerality delivered by the region’s chalky soil.

From Bordeaux’s St. Emilion region, the 2018 Chateau Bel Air was a classic blend, equal parts of Cab Franc and Merlot, showing traces of Brettanomyces, a yeast (not always desirable) that did add an Old-World charm to the deep-hued blend with dusty tannins supported with the lush softness of Merlot.

The 2017 Havas & Timás from Hungary’s cool region of Eger was a delicious cassis-kissed, 100 percent Cab Franc redolent of strawberries, showing the variety’s bright sunny side. From Chile’s Maipo Valley, the 2017 Garage Wine Company expressed aromatic blue fruit intensity balanced with refreshing acidity.

From Crozet in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, the 2020 Stinson Family was full-bodied with an oak-driven baking spice character. Napa Valley’s 2016 Crocker and Star was a Cab Franc-driven blend supported with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec.

The tasting was followed by a panel discussion with Steve Peck, Director of Winemaking at J. Lohr; Michael Mooney, co-owner/winemaker of Chateau Margene; and Stasi Seay, Director of Vineyard at Hope Family Wines, all reflecting on Cab Franc’s versatility from Paso’s diverse appellations.

“Cab Franc is well suited to different expressions from different sites,” Seay commented.

At the grand tasting attended by 125 people, Paso Cab Franc showed its different personalities from Rotta’s hi-octane (16.00 percent abv) to Union Sacre’s lighter Beaujolais-style. Robert Hall, Daou, LVX, J. Lohr, Paris Valley Road, Hope Family, Chateau Margene, Adelaida, Ancient Peaks and Brecon were among the participating wineries. While some produced 100 percent Cab Franc, others were Cab Franc-dominant blends.

Discussion panel members Steve Peck, Michael Mooney, and Stasi Seay with organizers Neeta and Kunal Mittal (center). Photo: Mira Honeycutt

Barbie Butz

THE SEASON OF SOUP

Crab Bisque

January — the beginning of a new year and on an average, known to be the coldest month of the year. When I think about all the rich meals, all the holiday parties, and all the decadent desserts, I’m ready for a simple, warm bowl of soup.

Just picture yourself sitting by a cozy fire, sipping a delicious soup, served with a slice of fresh bread, and a glass of your favorite wine.

I love to make soups, so I watch for new recipes or scan through my cookbook collection in search of a new idea. I did just that for this January issue.

Old Fashioned Split Pea Soup

Ingredients

4 quarts chicken broth

2 pounds dried split peas

1 cup chopped ham

Directions

½ cup chopped onion1/2 cup chopped celery

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons black pepper

Place all ingredients in a slow cooker. Stir well to combine. Cover; cook on low 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 to 6 hours; or until peas are soft. Mix with hand mixer or hand blender on low speed until smooth. Serves 8

Ingredients

1 can Anderson potato soup

1 can cream of asparagus soup

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can king crab or fresh crab

1/3 package frozen chopped spinach 2 green onions, chopped ½ cup grated Cheddar cheese

Dash cayenne ½ cup white wine

Directions Mix all ingredients together and heat.

Mushroom Soup

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 large Vidalia onions, coarsely chopped

1 package (10 ounces cremini mushrooms

1 package (10 ounces) button mushrooms

Directions

Kosher salt and black pepper

2 tablespoons butter 6 to 10 cloves garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped

2 tablespoons sherry 4 cups beef broth

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and mushrooms and season well with salt and pepper. Cook vegetables, stirring often, until cooked down and fragrant, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add butter and garlic and cook gently another 1 to 2 minutes. Add sherry to pan and stir to scrape up any bits stuck to bottom. Transfer sherry and vegetables into a slow cooker and add broth. Cover and cook on low 5 to 6 hours or on high 3 to 4 hours. Serves 4-6 Serves 4-6

Ingredients

4 medium leeks (white portion only), chopped ½ cup minced chives

½ cup butter

4 cups chicken broth

2 cups mashed potatoes (prepared

Directions

with milk and butter)

2 tablespoons minced fresh savory or 2 teaspoons dried savory 3 cups half-and-half cream

Salt and pepper to taste

In a large saucepan, saute leeks and chives in butter until tender. Add the broth, potatoes and savory; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes. Cool slightly. Process in batches in a blender or food processor until smooth; return to pan. Stir in cream, salt and pepper; heat through. Serves 8-10

Savory Leek Soup Creamy Onion Soup

Ingredients

8 medium onions, thinly sliced 1/3 cup butter

2 tablespoons allpurpose flour 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper

Directions

8 cups chicken broth 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream ½ cup milk

12 slices french bread (1-inch thick), toasted 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

In a large kettle or Dutch oven, saute onions in butter until tender. Sprinkle with flour, salt and pepper; cook and stir for 1 minute. Gradually add broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered, for 30 minutes. Combine sour cream and milk. Stir into soup; heat through (do not boil). Place a slice of toasted bread in each soup bowl; ladle soup over bread. Sprinkle with cheese. Serves 12

Fix a cup of soup and enjoy the month of January. Cheers!

AVILA POLAR BEAR PLUNGE

EAST SIDE OF AVILA BEACH PIER

11:30-2pm

The 11th annual Polar Bear Plunge is a celebration of fitness, nature, camaraderie and a New Year! Leave your wet suit at home and come with friends and family to the Avila Beach Pier. Bring costumes, floaties, etc, but no dogs, please. Commemorative shirts are available for purchase, and proceeds benefit the 40 Prado homeless shelter. For more info, go to avilabeachpolarbearplunge.com.

FIRST DAY BEACH WALK MORRO STRAND BEACH 8-10am

Starting at 8am, take a walk along the beach at low tide to celebrate the New Year and to see what ocean curiosities show up. Meet at the Morro Rock parking lot restrooms, dress for the weather. Strollers and wheelchairs encouraged, but should have big tires for sand. Easy, and fun for families.

CAYUCOS POLAR BEAR DIP

CAYUCOS BEACH 12pm

Each year, thousands of brave individuals and teams start the new year with a dip into the Pacific Ocean in Cayucos. Cayucos Chamber of Commerce puts on the family-friendly event, in partnership with multiple county agencies. Commemorative t-shirts (designed by local Cayucos elementary school students) and participant certificates will be available. Proceeds of shirt sales cover event costs and local Cayucos Chamber flagship events.

ATASCADERO’S 7TH ANNUAL TAMALE FESTIVAL

6500 PALMA AVE., DOWNTOWN ATASCADERO & THE SUNKEN GARDENS 11am-7pm

Enjoy a variety of tamales, including gourmet, traditional or sweet, from vendors all over California. While indulging in tamales, there will be entertainment from Emcee Francisco Ramirez along with Medina Light Show Designs and over 50 vendors displaying merchandise and crafts, as wells as adult beverages. There will also be a tamale eating contest and Chihuahua & Pet Costume Contest.

WORLD SURF LEAGUE CONTEST

FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

PISMO BEACH

Time Tentative

Men and Women’s professional surfing contest where young California athletes are able to compete at the most important and recognizable events in their sport without having to leave the state or travel great distances. This includes the ability to earn valuable WSL Qualifying Series points, compete against international athletes, and gain valuable competition experience.

PAVILION ON THE LAKE, ATASCADERO 6:30-9:30pm

(ages 12 and under) Bring your special girl to the Father-Daughter Dance at the Pavilion on the Lake for a semiformal evening of music, dancing, refreshments, & more! A professional photographer will be on-site with affordable picture packages.

FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE PAVILION ON THE LAKE, ATASCADERO 7-10pm

(ages 12 and over) Bring your special girl to the Father-Daughter Dance at the Pavilion on the Lake for a semi-formal evening of music, dancing, refreshments, & more! A professional photographer will be on-site with affordable picture packages.

Paso Robles

11TH & SPRING, PASO ROBLES, CA 93446

9am - 11am

Welcome the 2023 Board of Directors and thank the 2022 outgoing Board members. They will also honor the Roblan of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Beautification Award recipient, and Business of the Year, as they share the Chamber's accomplishments from 2022 and look forward to the year ahead.

Atascadero

6505 EL CAMINO REAL, ATASCADERO, CA 93422

3pm - 6pm

Templeton

CROCKER ST & 6TH ST, TEMPLETON, CA 93465

9am - 12:30pm

Paso Robles: County Farm & Craft Market

11TH & SPRING, PASO ROBLES 9am - 1pm

AT THE LIBRARY BUSINESS & NETWORKING

Paso Robles Library

1000 Spring St. • (805) 237-3870 • Mon-Fri 9-7 and Sat 9-4

Children’s Library Activities

•

Tuesdays

• For all ages, Try It! Tuesday craft kits are available starting Tuesdays (while supplies last) to take home and create.

• Cuentos y Crafts with Cristal at 4-5pm -A special bilingual Story Time and Craft program at the Library Study Center.

• Wednesdays

Join Miss Melissa at 10am in the Story Hour Room for ages 3-6. Enjoy stories, movement, music, and a craft activity.

•

Fridays

Miss Cappy is back with Toddler Story Time on Fridays! Join her for a story or two and a simple craft activity at 10:00 am.

Creston Library

6290 Adams St. • (805) 237-3010

Santa Margarita Library 9630 Murphy Ave • (805) 438-5622

San Miguel Library

254 13th St. • (805) 467-3224

Shandon Library 195 N 2nd St. • (805) 237-3009

GOVERNMENT

Paso Robles

• City Council

1st and 3rd Tuesday, 6:30 p at Council Chambers • 1000 Spring Street

• Senior Citizens Advisory Committee

2nd Monday, 1:30 p at the Paso Robles Senior Center • 321 S. Main Street #C, Templeton, CA 93465

• Parks & Rec. Advisory Committee

2nd Monday, 4:00 p at Centennial Park Live Oak Room • 600 Nickerson Road

• Planning Commission

2nd and 4th Tuesday, 6:30 p at the City of Paso Robles Library Conference Room • 1000 Spring Street

• Paso Robles Democratic Club

3rd Wednesday, 6:30 p

at Centennial Park White Oak Room • 600 Nickerson

• Library Board of Trustees

2nd Thursday, 9:00 a at City of Paso Robles Library • 1000 Spring Street

• Airport Commission

4th Thursday, every other month, 6:30 p at 4900 Wing Way, Paso Robles For general info, call City Hall M-F 8:00 a - 5:00 p at (805) 227-7276. Visit prcity.com for virtual & up to date meeting info.

Santa Margarita

• Area Advisory Council

1st Wednesday, 7:00 p at Santa Margarita Community Hall • 22501 I St. Visit: smaaconline.org for more information.

Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce pasorobleschamber.com • (805) 238-0506 1225 Park St., Paso Robles, CA 93446

Templeton Chamber of Commerce templetonchamber.com • Open Thursdays and Fridays 11-3pm (805) 434-1789 • 321 S. Main Street #C, Templeton, CA 93465

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Cancer Support Community

Providing support, education and hope 1051 Las Tablas Road, Templeton • (805) 238-4411 • Visit: cscslo.org for more info Cancer Support Helpline • (888) 793-9355, 6 a.m.- 6 p.m. PST.

Special Programs

Email programs@cscslo.org for Zoom links

• Every Wednesday

• Tai Chi Chih | Virtual via Zoom• 10:00 - 11:00a

• Mindfulness Hour | Virtual via Zoom • 11:30a - 12:30a

• 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month

• Grief Support Group | Virtual via Zoom 1:30p - 2:30p

• 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month

• Adv. Cancer Support Group | Virtual 10:00 - 11:00a

North County Parkinson’s Support Group

Providing support, education and hope

2nd Monday of each Month from 6-8pm

Atascadero Bible Church Library, 6225 Atascadero Ave, Atascadero Vic Breault vjbreault@gmail.com Or 951-663-9841

• 2nd Wednesday of each month

• Caregiver Support Group | Virtual 10:00 - 11:00a

• 2nd Thursday of each month

• Cancer Patient Support Group | Virtual 11:00a - 12:00p

• 2nd Tuesday of each month

• Young Survivor Support Group | Hybrid 6:00 - 7:30pYoung Survivor Support Group | Virtual 1:30 - 2:30 p

SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

Optimist Club

Paso Robles Club #14668 • (805) 238-2410

• Meeting — 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 6:30 p

American Legion Post 50

240 Scott St., Paso Robles • (805) 239-7370

• Hamburger Lunch | Every Thursday, 11 a - 1 p, $6

• Post Meeting | 4th Tuesday, 6:30 p

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Paso Robles #10965 240 Scott St. • (805) 239-7370

Elks Lodge

Paso Robles Lodge 2364 • 1420 Park Street • (805) 239-1411

Kiwanis International

Paso Robles •1900 Golden Hill Road • Culinary Arts Academy

• Meeting — Tuesday, 12:00 p

Rotary International

Paso Robles Sunrise Courtyard by Marriott, 12 S Vine St.

Meeting — every Thursday, 12:00 p

Paso Robles Republican Women Club

All meetings held at the Broken Earth Wine tasting room.

• Meetings held the 3rd Monday each month.

• Day meeting January, February, November, December at 11:30 am.

• Evening meetings March, April, May, June, September and October at 5-7 pm.

Dark July and August. For information prrwfmembership@gmail.com.

Almond Country Quilt Guild

Meetings held the 1st Monday each month

• Social hour from 6:15-7:00PM followed by a general meeting and a planned program

Houses of worshi P

(805)

ATASCADERO

“ABC” Atascadero Bible Church 6225 Atascadero Mall

Atascadero (805) 466-2051

Sunday 8am, 9am, 10:45 Thursday 7pm, Celebrate Recovery

Pastor Jeff Urke

Awakening Ways Spiritual Community 9315 Pismo Ave.

10:00 a.m. at the Pavilion

Rev. Elizabeth Rowley Hogue awakeningways.org (805) 460-0762

Congregation Ohr Tzafon “The Northern Light” 2605 Traffic Way Atascadero, CA 93422

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

Cornerstone Community Church 9685 Morro Road 8:45 & 10:45 AM

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

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

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

CRESTON

Creston Community Church 5170 O’Donovan Road Service: 9:00 a.m.

Pastor JD Megason

LOCKWOOD

True Life Christian Fellowship

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

Pastor Erick Reinstedt (805) 472-9325

NACIMIENTO

Heritage Village Church

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

Pastor Brad Brown (805) 712-7265

Hilltop Christian Fellowship 2085 Gateway Drive Heritage Ranch Service: 10:30 a.m.

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

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

Pastor Jerry Gruber (760) 304-2435

PASO ROBLES

Apostolic Assembly of the Faith of Christ Jesus 2343 Park St

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

Pastor Miguel Alvarado (805) 610-2930

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

Pastor Tim Mensing (805) 975-7178

Calvary Chapel Paso Robles

1615 Commerce Way Service: Sunday at 9 a.m., Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Pastor Aaron Newman (805) 239-4295

Christian Life Center 1744 Oak St. Service Time: 9:30 a.m.

Home Groups during the week Preschool: Christian Life Early Learning Ctr.

Pastor Guy Drummond (805) 238-3366

Christian Science Services 17th & Chestnut Streets

Service: 10 a.m. Sunday & 2nd and 4th Wednesdays 7 p.m. (805) 238-3833

Church of Christ 3545 Spring St. (Corner 36th & Spring) Service: Sunday, 11 a.m.

Evangelist Bob Champion (805) 286-5875

Sam Hogan (310) 602-9516

Delbert Arthurs (805) 238-4412

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1020 Creston Rd. Service: 10 a.m. (805)-406-8910

Missionaries: (805) 366-2363

Covenant Presbyterian Church  1450 Golden Hill Rd.

Service: Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Dan Katches (805)238-6927

covenantpaso.com

Family Worship Center 616 Creston Rd. Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Patrick Sheean (805) 239-4809

First Baptist Church 1645 Park St.

Pastor Michael R. Garman Services: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Discipleship 10 a.m. (805) 238-4419

First Mennonite Church 2343 Park St. Service: 11 a.m.

Pastor Romero (805) 238-2445

First United Methodist 915 Creston Rd. Service: 11 a.m.

Pastor Josh Zulueta (805) 238-2006

Grace Baptist Church 535 Creston Rd. Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Gary Barker (805) 238-3549

Highlands Church Corner S. River and Niblick | 215 Oak Hill Services: 9-10 am & 10:30-11:30 am

Pastor James Baird (805) 226-5800

Live Oak 1521 Oak St. Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor John Kaiser (805) 238-0575

New Day

1228 11th St (east off Paso Robles St) Services: Sunday 10 a.m., Wednesday 7 p.m.

Pastor Brad Alford (805) 239-9998

New Life Tabernacle 3850 So. Ramada Dr. Ste. D Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Efrain Cordero North County Christian Fellowship 421 9th St. Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Steve Calagna (805) 239-3325

Paso Robles Bible Church 2206 Golden Hill Rd. Service: Sunday 9:30 a.m.

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

Paso Robles Church of the Nazarene 530 12th St. Service: 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Charles Reece (805) 238-4300 www.pasonaz.com

Paso Robles Community Church 2706 Spring St. Service: 9:00 a.m.

Pastor Shawn Penn (805) 239-4771 www.pasochurch.com

Plymouth Congregational Church, UCC Thirteenth & Oak Street Service: 10 a.m.

Rev. Wendy Holland (805) 238-3321

Poder de Dios Centro Familiar 500 Linne Road, Suite D Services: Sun. 4:30p.m., Wed. 7p.m.

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

Redeemer Baptist Church Kermit King Elementary School 700 Schoolhouse Circle Service: 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Christopher Cole (805) 238-4614

ADELAIDE INN

1215 Ysabel Ave (Just off 24th near Hwy 101 and 46 East intersection) Paso Robles, 805-238-2770

Second Baptist Church

1937 Riverside Ave.

Service: 11 a.m.

Pastor: Gary Jordon (805) 238-2011

St. James Episcopal Church 1335 Oak St. Services: 8 a.m. (Rite I), 10 a.m. (Rite II)

Reverend Barbara Miller (805) 238-0819

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

Tues. 7 p.m. Spanish Saturday 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Spanish Vigil Mass Sunday 8 a.m. & 10 a.m.; Spanish Mass at 12:30PM

Father Rudolfo Contreras (805) 238-2218

The Revival Center 3850 Ramada Dr., Ste. A-3 Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Gabe Abdelaziz (805) 434-5170

The Light of the World Church 2055 Riverside Ave. Services: Everyday, 6 p.m. Sundays 10 a.m. & 5 p.m.

Pastor Bonifacio Robles (612) 990-4701

Trinity Lutheran Church 940 Creston Rd. Worship Service: 9:30 a.m. (805) 238-3702

Victory Baptist Church 3850 Ramada Dr. Ste D4 Sundays - 10 & 11 a.m. Wednesday - 6:30 p.m.

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

Victory Outreach Paso Robles 2919 Union Road, Paso Robles, CA Services: Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, 7:00 p.m.

Pastor Pete Torres (805) 536-0035

TEMPLETON

Bethel Lutheran Church

295 Old County Rd. Service: 9:30 a.m.

Pastor Amy Beveridge (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

Central Coast Center for Spiritual Living 689 Crocker St. Service: 10 a.m.

Rev. Elizabeth Rowley (805) 242-3180

Family Praise & Worship

Located at Vineyard Elementary School

2121 Vineyard Dr, Templeton

Service: 10 a.m.

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

Templeton Presbyterian Church 610 S. Main St. Service: 10 a.m.

Reverend Roger Patton (805) 434-1921

Higher Dimension Church 601 Main St.

1st Sunday: 1:30 p.m. 2nd - 5th Sundays 12:30 p.m.

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

Life Community Church 8:30 & 10:30 Sundays

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

hello@lccpaso.org

Pastor Brandon Hall

Solid Rock Christian Fellowship 925 Bennett Way Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor Jeff Saylor (805) 434-2616

Seventh-Day Adventist Church Templeton Hills

930 Templeton Hills Rd. Services: Saturday 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. Pastor Zac Page (805) 434-1710

Vineyard Church of Christ 601 So. Main St. Service: 10 a.m.

Evangelist: Steve Orduno (805) 610-4272

Vintage Community Church 692 Peterson Ranch Road Services: 9 & 11 a.m. Coaches: Aaron Porter, Dayn Mansfield (805) 296-1120

SAN MIGUEL

Iglesia Fuente De Agua Viva 301 13th St.

Services: 10 a.m. & 7 p.m. Pastor Mike Duran (805) 467-5500

Mission San Miguel Parish 775 Mission Street

Daily Mass: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am Saturday – 4:00 pm (English) Sunday – 7:00 am (English) 10:00 am (Bilingual) 12:00 pm (English) 5:00 pm (Spanish)

Father Lucas Pantoja (805) 467-2131

SHANDON

Shandon Assembly of God 420 Los Altos Ave.

Spanish Service: Sun. 5 p.m., Thurs. 7 p.m. Pastor Jim Mei (805)226-9737

PASO ROBLES MAGAZINE

P.O. Box 427 Paso Robles, CA 93447

Phone: 805-237-6060 or office@13starsmedia.com

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

237-6060. Please include your name, address, phone, service times, and name of spiritual leader of your congregation. Thank you, and stay blessed.

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

By Hayley Mattson

In 1963 on August 28, Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In the speech, Dr. King drew directly on the promises made in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to call for civil rights and an end to racism.

“When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

King’s most important work applied America’s founding ideals to the cause of civil rights. The last best hope for true racial progress, King realized, was solidarity: For people to see and treat one another as equals, they had to feel the tugs of a bond far stronger than either race or politics, and for King, that bond was America.

After all, there are two words in the phrase “civil rights,” and King grasped that both are crucial. Civil rights are about the fair and equal participation of all citizens in the American community. For those rights to have any power, the bonds of that community must be close-knit and resilient.

“I criticize America because I love her,” King said in a speech about the Vietnam War, “and because I want to see her to stand as the moral example of the world.”

All Americans alike can learn from King’s example, “In the United States of America, every citizen should have the opportunity to build a better and brighter future. United as one American family, we will not rest, and we will never be satisfied until the promise of this great nation is accessible to each American in each new generation.”

The premise and promise of King’s dream is that we don’t need to replace or transform our nation’s shared ideals to make our country a better place.

We simply need to live up to them.

On April 3, 1968, the eve of his assassination, King gave his “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” address at the Bishop Charles Mason Temple in Memphis, Tenn. In standing with the Memphis sanitation workers on strike, Dr. King struck a familiar chord in tying the striking workers’ economic rights to their natural human rights and their civil rights, as promised in the founding documents.

“But somewhere, I read of the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech. Somewhere I read of the freedom of

DIRECTORY TO OUR ADVERTISERS

This issue of Paso Robles Magazine brought to you by

Julie

press. Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for right. And so, just as I say, we aren’t going to let any dogs or water hoses turn us around; we aren’t going to let any injunction turn us around. We are going on. We need all of you.”

In that same speech, he went on to say, “Because if I had sneezed, I wouldn’t have been around here in 1960, when students all over the South started sitting in at lunch counters. And I knew that as they were sitting in, they were really standing up for the best in the American dream and taking the whole nation back to those great wells of democracy, which were dug deep by the founding fathers in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.”

King left a legacy of hope and inspiration that continues on today; his love and admiration of the founding fathers, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution were unwavering and gave him hope of what could be and what was to come.

Monday, January 16, will mark America’s 38th celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy. Honoring King with the sacred status of a federal holiday, of which there are only ten, none other named for a 20th-century figure, is a testament to the unifying power of his legacy.

North County Pilates 38

O’Conner Pest Control 49

Odyssey World Cafe 38

Optometric Care Associates 9

LMFT LPCC 41

Kaitilin Riley, DDS 13

Kenneth’s Heating & Air 49

Kula Vineyards & Winery 36

Lansford Dental 5

Las Tablas Animal Hospital 17

Nick’s Painting 40

Paso Land, Wayne Lewis 13

Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce 37

Paso Robles District Cemetery 23

Paso Robles Handyman 14

Paso Robles Main Street 15

Paso Robles Waste & Recycle 15

Perry’s Parcel &Gift 47

Red Scooter Deli 39 rlender Inc. 11

Run 4 Bitti and Brynn 52

SLG Senior Care 41 Solarponics 12

Teresa Rhyne Law Group 39

The Natural Alternative 17

The Oaks at Paso Robles/ Westmont Living 39

The Revival Center 41

Writing Support Group 40

Wyatt Wicks Finish Carpentry, Inc 23

America's 38th celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr