HEADS OF MEAT AND HEARTS OF GOLD Story by Mark A. Diaz
table of contents Click on title to jump to page!
14
Heads of Meat and Hearts of Gold........................................3 CEO Insights............................................................................... 7 New Terminal Breathes Life into SLO Airport.......................... 8 Working for Kind Fair Trade This Month................................. 12
26
Let’s Stick Together................................................................... 14
8
NVCF $565K to Aid Northern CA Fires................................... 17 Tall(e)ying Up the Totals from Pumpkins and Grapes............ 18 Arroyo Grande Street Project.................................................. 21 Ink and Lemonade.................................................................... 22 Local Business Owner Rallies to Help Puerto Rico................ 26
18
Contributors Theresa-Marie Wilson Mark A. Diaz Justin Stoner
12 PUBLISHERS Bret Colhouer Lani Colhouer
Michelle Johnson SALES Carrie Vickerman Dana McGraw Jessica Micklus Zorina Ricci
615 Clarion Ct. #2, San Luis Obispo 2805-543-6397 SLO|County Business Matters
ART & DESIGN Christi Downs Christy Serpa Michelle Johnson
22 SALES & PROJECT COORDINATOR Tina Mitchell
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Theresa-Marie Wilson t@simplyclearmarketin.com
MOVERS AND SHAKERS Heads of Meat and Hearts of Gold
I
Story by Mark A. Diaz
t is common to see businesses raising funds for good causes or hosting food/donations drives to assist those in need; however, few companies will pack the supplies and personally drive them over 1,700 miles to those in dire need. Meathead Movers (MM), a student-athlete moving company, recently helped collect and deliver, free of charge, 50,000 lbs. of goods to Hurricane Harvey victims. The spontaneous philanthropic effort, devised by co-founder and CEO Aaron Steed, is only one in a long list of ways the company has assisted the Central Coast Community around their busy school and people all over the world. and sports “I feel like we’re the community’s schedules moving company,” said Aaron, was a perfect “A lot of people want to help and fit. However, I have 400 movers and over 100 it was neither trucks, and we’re really in a good the much-needed money nor position to do a lot of good.” the occasional free meal (motive Contrary to popular belief, Cal enough for any teenage boys) Poly was not the launching point that inspired the Steeds to crefor the business—that honor goes ate the company, but rather the to San Luis Obispo High School. profound joy of helping people Aaron Steed was only a junior in that spurred them on to greater high school and his brother Evan things. a freshman when they started toting boxes. Both boys were ath- “It may sound surprising, but it’s letes, wrestler and football play- hard to wake up excited about er respectively, and the ability to moving furniture,” Aaron said. earn some cash while working “That’s not really what it’s about.
It’s about the people and what kind of unique impacts you can make with your business in different ways.” Since its inception in 1997, Meathead Movers has assisted those in need a number of ways, whether it is bringing aid to those who suffered in the San Diego wildfires or collecting goods for Hurricane Katrina victims. Arguably, the greatest work the company has done is helping those who have experienced domestic violence (DV) and moving them for october 2017
3
4
SLO County Business Matters
of helping. Aaron contacted a local women’s shelter, he was 20 at the time, and worked out a solution that benefitted both parties. MM would help women at the shelter move and if people called in need of help, the company would direct them to t h e
free to escape a potentially lethal situation. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence states that one in three women and one in four men have been physically abused by an intimate partner. “Very early on I would get calls from women who were literally pleading with me to help them move,” said Aaron. People would offer their couch or their TV if the company would help them relocate before their abusive partner returned. MM would perform the move free of charge, something Aaron believes any company would do “because it’s the decent thing to do.” It was an altercation that occurred when the abusive partner came home during one of these moves resulting in Aaron calling 9-1-1 after a toaster was thrown at him, that made the brothers realize that there might be a safer way
shelt e r. As the company grew, it continued its work for DV survivors. Currently, there are nine shelters that MM works with. “I am certain to this day that there is no more valuable way for a moving company to utilize their products and services to make a bigger impact than to be potentially saving someone’s life by moving them out of a domestic violence situation,” said Aaron. After a 2015 LA Times article highlighting the company’s DV assistance, MM received a tremendous response that stretched across the globe. Seizing the opportunity, the brother’s started the non-profit organization #MoveToEndDV which offers
businesses the opportunity to donate products or services to help offset the costs to their local shelter or to pledge how they will use their business to assist survivors of DV. Currently, 209 businesses have promised to help in seven different countries. In October, the Steeds will meet with the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, Karyn Polito, to discuss how to incorporate the program on a localized basis throughout the state. Apart from its philanthropic work, the company has made its mark in the business world as well. Empact 100, an organization that highlights the top 100 young entrepreneurs (35 and under) in the nation, choose to honor the movers in 2011. Unfortunately, Aaron was too busy to receive the award at the White House but made time to go in 2013 when they were selected again. For six years in a row, the company has made Inc. magazine’s honor roll as being one of the top 5,000 fastest growing companies in the nation. Aaron and Evan were named Central California’s SBA Young Entrepreneurs of the Year by the SBA. The company also has numerous “best of” or “# 1 moving company” awards from central and south coast counties and most recently in the Fresno Bee’s People’s Choice Awards. The company did not get to where they stand now without some hardships though. “We almost lost the business three times for crazy reasons,” said Aaron. When they first started, the Steeds classified the company as october 2017
5
panies in the nation and is, therefore, able to self-insure. In turn, the company has created an environment that encourages their athlete-movers to ask for temporary duty changes when they feel their backs need a rest. Masseuses and chiropractors are also utilized in maintaining a healthy body. The Great Recession dealt another heavy blow to the company. During that time, they had to reduce their moving prices by 40%. To make matters worse, their bank at the time pulled the company’s line of credit right before the ‘slow season’ which crippled
a student labor service. The customers would rent the trucks and even pick up the student movers at times. The trouble began when some of the larger moving companies saw MM as a threat and complained to the state of California. Declaring that the MM needed a Public Utility Commission Permit, a permit required by moving businesses, the companies were able to have MM’s phones turned off. It was then that the brothers decided to purhad to sell a car, and Evan even chase trucks and become a true moved into the office to help moving company. make ends meet. “I considered it an act of war,” “We were so poor during that said Aaron. time,” said Aaron, “that we canThe worker’s compensation over- celed the fresh water service to haul in the early 2000s also nearly our company. If we were motivatburied the business. The cost to ed by money, we would have givthe company increased five times en up right then and there.” in a short period of time. Their inThrough that experience, the surance rates went from $50,000 brothers created a comprehena year to $300,000 a year. As a resive system to ensure that emsult, MM had to lay off 80% of its ployees are safe and healthy. MM administrative staff, the brothers is one of the safest moving com-
6
SLO County Business Matters
their ability to make payroll. Aaron said that he had to personally call up his vendors and ask them to renegotiate services to help the business stay afloat. He believes that difficult time ended up building a stronger rapport and sense of partnership with the business they work with. “This community is so unique and so special,” Aaron said, “the more you give, the more you get in return.” Aaron believes that one of the reasons the company is still around to do good work is because of the overwhelming generosity of the San Luis Obispo County community.
VIDEOS october 2017
7
New Terminal Breathes Life into SLO Airport
Story and Photos by Mark A. Diaz
T
he public got a first look at the new airport terminal for San Luis Obispo last week.
charges. It should be noted that the facility was constructed with local businesses help—50% of the For many arriving and departing materials used in its construction the Central Coast, the airport were purchased in the county, is the last thing to leave an and therefore, boosted the local impression. Kevin Bumen C.M., economy. This was accomplished C.A.E., director of airports, said without a new tax to pay for it. that the new gateway into our “This is not a general fund based community was designed to leave project that the county has a positive lasting impression for undertaken,” said Bumen. travelers. Design first began in 2012 with
the day in Oct. 2017—on time and on budget.
The facility’s gate area is 11,000 square feet and can comfortably hold 350 waiting passengers. The building’s wing holds six gates (the previous terminal had only one), 70 of the 100 charging outlets of the airport and a postsecurity concession stand. Travel goodies will be sold by SLO Café and Market Place including local The $39.5 million project was construction of the new facility beers and wines. paid for through Federal Aviation starting in Oct. 2015. It was Another unique aspect of the grants as well as passenger facility completed almost two years to waiting/loading area are two glass
8
SLO County Business Matters
jet bridges that people will walk up to get on the plane, normally these types of bridges are loaded from the second story, however, the SLO airport gates are on the ground floor. There are also four land loading gates where travelers will board by walking on the tarmac. If passengers do not want to wait in the swanky new wing, they can sit outside in a post-security courtyard. The smoke-free 5,700 square-foot open-air waiting area even comes with what is called an Animal Relief Area, which is 120 square-foot section complete with a drinking fountain and “fire hydrant.” The pet provided potty also meets ADA requirements for swaths service animals. o f w i n d o ws The building was also designed to showcase the beauty that the offer a wonderful Central Coast has to offer. Huge view of the surrounding hills as
well as the airport and tower. The views combined with the open air waiting area illuminates the building with natural light and hopefully dispels some of the stresses and anxieties that some travelers face. It would not be a modern construction if it did not incorporate a “green” aspect. The building has received thumbs up from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit organization that was established in 1993. USBC developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) which has become an international standard for designing environmentally responsible buildings, neighborhoods, and homes. The structure meets october 2017
9
LEED’s specifications with the Airport Authority paying particular attention to energy efficiency by using low water use solar-powered faucets and flush valves, motion sensor light controls and daylight harvesting, which is a fancy way of saying that the sun is used to light an area instead of a power plant. The baggage claim area is nearly triple the size of the old terminal at 6,000 square feet and features the largest piece of machinery of the terminal, the baggage claim carousel. The machine can move up to 800 items an hours or the amount of luggage three regional jets can carry. The area also incorporates four rental car agencies. The rental car lot is “just outside” the front door.
10
Surprisingly, it is neither the spaciousness nor the modern design of the new terminal that Bumen is most proud of. It is the part of the high-tail section of a Gulf Stream 1974 that is
SLO County Business Matters
mounted on the wall. The pieces were created by MotoArt, a Los Angles based company, the company also designed the 747 Cowling that will serve as the information desk.
“I’m super proud of that,” said Bumen, “… it gives people a chance to get up close to an airplane which has really be lost in aviation.” Perhaps it is the commonplace of flight or that people have steadily been removed from the proximity to planes because of security, but people have lost the wonder that it is possible to travel near the speed of sound and set foot in any part of our county in a few hours. In its small way, Bumen feels that the artwork, allows people to get an up-close look at part of an airplane and possibly renew some of that lost wonderment.
october 2017
11
Working for Kind Fair Trade This Month Story and photos by Camas Frank
B
ombolulu Jewelry, Bombshell Jewelry, War Scrap Jewelry, any of these brand names ring a bell? How about a nice Kantha Throw Blanket?
- along with sustainably sourced chocolates and other goods with a more human backstory than the public is used to.
“We’re doing the kick off event with Art After Dark If the answer was “Yes,” [Oct.6],” explained the then chances are the non-profit retail store’s reader has visited the manager, LynAnne Wiest, HumanKind Fair Trade after noting that the shop over on Monterey month is traditionally set Street in SLO recently. aside by the larger global eventually ending up on the entities dedicated to fair trade Those brands are the product shelves of places like SLO’s of artisans from diverse regions nonprofit run shop. During the principles. “We’re going to have of the world banded together month of October HumanKind more signs up about the people in collectives and nonprofits is showcasing those products - that create the goods, and their to sell through the Fair Trade made in Kenya, Cambodia, Laos, stories.” Federation, with their goods and Bangladesh respectively Mainly though, the details will
12
SLO County Business Matters
be online, primarily through their Facebook account and other social media, Facebook. com/HumanKindFairTrade and HumanKindSLO.org.
War Scrap Jewelry, the money that HumanKind pays to their wholesale suppliers goes to a charity that splits funds To pull a high school essay move, between the artisan Webster’s defines Fair Trade, as themselves and and a “movement whose goal is to ongoing efforts to dehelp producers in developing mine the countryside agriculture and countries to get a fair price for for development. their products so as to reduce poverty, provide for the ethical Unlike traditional retail, treatment of workers and farmers, Wiest said, “we have the and promote environmentally ability to set our prices sustainable practices.” starting with what the In real world terms that means artists believe is a fair providing alternative means of price for their work.” employment for survivors of sex trafficking, or simply giving another means of income to women who felt they had no other choice as in the case of the Bangladeshi blankets made from recycled saris.
That gets stepped up through perhaps one or two middleman organizations and the retail markup that the store itself needs to keep going.
In Laos and Cambodia the metal that U.S. bombers rained from the sky from 1964-1973 is being sold back, along with the brass from mortar shell casings, in the form of jewelry. Int the case of Laotian
“The question I get asked the most,” she said, “is ‘Where does the profit go if it doesn’t go to a store owner?’ And we basically keep that in store for expansion.”
The growth of the retail shop two years ago into the space vacated by the Ascendo Coffee Shop next door - which moved into a larger space two doors down was funded by the shop’s rainy day fund. “As a store we’re sustainable right now,” said Wiest. “There’s been a lot of change and growth since we started [in July 2009], more volunteers and staff than when they started the Board certainly.” Aside from the Art After Dark event in October, the next big happening with HumanKind will be taking part in the Nov. 4, Day of the Dead Celebration in the Mission Plaza. There they’ll feature Mexican and Peruvian products. october 2017
13
C
reativity is a sticky success and other fun amenities once a at one SLO business. month in the mail. Customers can Pipsticks, a local business sign up for packets assembled that went from clicks to bricks is with either kids or adults in mind. still going strong. SLO County After two years, the subscription Business Matters recently met base had grown to the point that with Maureen “Mo” Vazquez Vazquez felt opening a physical to discuss changes and the location was the next logical step. development the young company Since opening the store, Vazquez has been through since it was first says that physical location has reported on. drawn subscribers from Los In a nutshell, Vazquez started Angeles and San Francisco as an online sticker subscription making the pilgrimage to the business. People pay a monthly shop. fee, either $9.95 or $14.95, to “We had a subscriber drive up receive sheets of high-quality from Los Angles a few weeks ago stickers, a pre-stamped postcard, and spend $500 on stickers,” said
14
SLO County Business Matters
Vazquez. “Sticker love is real! I think that is a huge part of our growth especially in terms of our local presence.”
the first thing I said was ‘are you guys hiring because this is amazing!’”
Initially, any revenue pulled from the storefront had to be reinvested into the subscriptions, the primary money maker for the company, but as word of mouth has spread and customers discover what can be described as a crafter’s dream the company is now investing more energy and money into the storefront.
Already
Cary’s responsibilities as coordinator include finding merchandise and attempting to tap into what Pipstickers want. She is also working to grow local partnerships and collaborations as well as managing events at the open studio for after-hours craft classes, birthday parties, baby showers or walk-ins. For $15, plus $5 for any guest, an enthusiast can enjoy the studio for 2 hours and utilize stickers and crafting items included in the purchase.
bilingual, speaking English and Romanian e f f o r t l e s s l y, Cary has set a goal of learning 70 languages. She is currently learning Arabic, Located at 1239 Monterey St, San Hebrew and Italian. She is in her “Adults are responding to Luis Obispo, the biggest change senior year as a business major space as much as kids are,” said to the store is evident just driving with an emphasis in marketing at Vazquez, “which is interesting. down the street. Vazquez took it Cal Poly. I think it’s great. It aligns with upon herself to brighten up the our brand historically and what road by adding a little color to the exterior of the location. The At first, Cary was intrigued by our representation is in terms of brightly stripped building reflects the sticker subscription idea. She interest with adult and kids with the cheery theme of the business followed the business on social our subscription.” as well as the colorful disposition media sites, but it was not until The company is also in the of its founder. she stepped foot in the store that process of developing a line The company recently hired Carla she that she fell in love with the of sticker books, planners and Cary, a crafting enthusiast, as place. She said that this is the sticker collecting books that are store coordinator. Originally from only job that she has had where scheduled to come out next year. Timișoara, a town in Romania, she is genuinely excited to go to Sticker collecting books are used to store and display a collector’s Cary’s family moved to Paso work. Robles when she was 5-years-old. “I came in here,” said Cary, “and favorite adhesive-backed images. october 2017
15
Readily available in the 70s, these products have disappeared from store shelves. With the help of Cary, Vazquez wants to grow the store’s inventory and see what type of products locals are eager to see. Much like she did with the original subscription idea, Vazquez is still identifying other markets that are not being taken advantage of by the business community. “I think there is a gap in the market for a lower priced gift store,” said Vazquez. Jenna Wallravin was one of the first to come onboard with the business. Wallravin left MindBody to come work for Pipsticks as a social media coordinator. Her position has since evolved into being the company’s operations
16
manager and human resource person. For her, Wallravin said that working at Pipsticks is never boring, and that is how she likes it. Within a year the company has moved from a small cottage to opening its own storefront and gone from 8 to 18 employees. “I like that it’s constantly changing,” said Wallravin, “and there is never a lack of something to do. I don’t like to do the same thing over and over again, so the
SLO County Business Matters
being able to be creative and constantly change and grow and learn new things is really amazing.” Pipsticks continues to grow and thrive in its new location with subscriptions still going strong and now the brick and mortar aspect gaining momentum as well. Despite the frivolity the store promotes and the natural lightheartedness of the products it sells, it is still a business, and it is easy to see that Vazquez’s unstoppable drive and savvy business sense are key factors behind the store’s success.
NVCF $565,000 to Aid Those Affected by Northern Calif. Fires NVCF $565,000 to Aid Those Affected by Northern Calif. Fires On Oct. 13, the Napa Valley Community Foundation (NVCF) distributed $565,000 in grants that will fund trusted community-based non-profit agencies to support families and individuals impacted by the Napa Fire Complex who are in immediate need of assistance. The grants are earmarked for critical disaster-related needs, such as temporary shelter, food, medical care, mental health services, emergency childcare, transportation, resource/referral and case management services, legal services, and other human services for affected communities in Napa County. The grants were made from the Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund, which is managed by NVCF and was established with a $10 million lead gift from Napa Valley vintners following the 2014 South Napa Earthquake. After all phases of quake-related relief programs concluded last year, the fund had a balance of approximately $2.5 million, which is the starting point for current relief efforts for the Napa Fire Complex. “Thanks to the generosity of
denominations, which are being accepted by Cope Family Center at 707 Randolph St., Napa CA 94559 and UpValley Family Centers at 1440 Spring Street in St. Helena. NVCF convened key nonprofit and public sector donors near and far, we’ve been able to move quickly to leaders for a second time since get services to those who need the outbreak of the Napa Fire them,” said NVCF President Complex on Sunday night, to Terence Mulligan. identify emerging needs related More than 3,400 donors had to the ongoing disaster in Napa contributed $1.2 million to the County. relief fund in response to the fires. “Interim housing, health services, Additional cash gifts are needed, mental health services and but the foundation is not able to accept in-kind contributions. assistance for people unable to Moreover, most non-profits work on account of the fires” helping those affected by the are likely to be addressed by fires do not have the capacity at the Disaster Relief Fund moving this time to accept the significant forward, said Mulligan. So are volume of in-kind donations that services to help local residents are generously being offered. navigate the application “After the devastating fires in process for private insurance Lake County in 2015, it took 15 reimbursements or grants from tractor trailers to haul away all the FEMA, he added, noting that a in-kind donations that poured in but couldn’t be used by people,” second round of distributions from the Disaster Relief Fund said Mulligan. would be forthcoming in the Exceptions are gift cards purchased to assist evacuees, weeks ahead, probably after particularly pre-paid Visa, Napa County establishes a MasterCard or American Express Local Assistance Center (LAC). gift cards in $25, $50 and $100 Photo: AP october 2017
17
Tall(e)ying Up the Totals from Pumpkins and Grapes
By Mark A. Diaz
C
harlie Brown’s friend Linus would gladly wait in a giant patch in Arroyo Grande for the Great Pumpkin to appear. It’s that time of year again where people strive to pick the perfect pumpkin, and there is one place where you can do just that while helping others at the same time. For more than 15 years, Talley Farms has donated the use of their land to grow pumpkins for the Branch School Pumpkin Patch to aid in the school’s fundraising effort. Seeds are donated by Santa Maria Seeds. The amount of land donated each year varies
18
due to crop rotation. Andrea Chavez, the manager of the Talley Farms Fresh Harvest Community Supported Agriculture program, says that this year the Talley family donated 2-3 acres of land.
the month of October and is located at 3031 Lopez Drive at Talley Vineyards. Most pumpkins can be purchased for $5 or under. Also, supported by local business, Branch pumpkins can be purchased from local retailers Each year students plant seeds like Miner’s Ace Hardware, Farm and in October they take field Supply, and JJ’s Market with all trips to see the fruits of their proceeds going directly to the labor. The entire school comes school. to the farm to learn about how Lori Brown, a chairperson of the pumpkins are grown and each fundraiser, said that annually the child gets a chance to pick the event generally produces $6,000 perfect pumpkin. – $10,000 for the school, however, The Branch School Pumpkin in 2015 the little patch raised Patch is open from 10 a.m. to 5 more than $14,000 according to p.m. Saturday and Sunday during the school’s newsletter.
SLO County Business Matters
Talley Vineyards is hosting a Pick and Sip from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13 at the Adobe at Talley Vineyards. For $12, patrons can have a glass of wine and pick a potential jack-o’-lantern. This year’s vineyard will feature its Estate Pinot Noir and Estate Chardonnay.
the farm working community and give grants to them.”
The Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County (CFSLOC) is an organization that supports non-profits in San Luis Obispo and assists people in donating “strategically.” One of the ways that CFSLOC accomplishes this “Get a glass of Talley Wine and is by establishing and managing pick a pumpkin of your choice,” endowments. Rather than simply said Chavez, “and all then all the benefits go to Branch giving a lump sum to a nonElementary.”
profit, the organization manages endowment funds that garner a larger amount over time. For example, CFSLOC estimates that a gift of $25,000 to an endowment can grow to $44,142 in 20 years and still produce $26,870 in grants during that same time period, according to their website. “This year we will be granting a total of about $30,000 to
This is not the only area where the Talley Family strives to give back to the community. Created in 2004 by Brian and Johnine Talley, owners of Talley Vineyards, the Fund for Vineyard and Farm Workers (FVFW) raises money to for the health and well-being of local field workers. “Essentially,” said Brian, “it’s an endowment that is held by the Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County and every year we choose non-profit organizations that are benefitting october 2017
19
different charities that support Suzanne Russell. the farmworker community,” said Russell said that 99% of their Brian Talley. patients qualify for medical aid, Past recipients of the FVFW which means that they are 200% include the Tolosa Children’s or below the national poverty Dental Center (formerly known as level and that the clinic sees the Clinica De Tolosa), that is the only dental service in the county that strictly treats children; The Noor Foundation, a health-based organization that delivers free medical care for the uninsured; and Raising a Reader, a national non-profit the provides assistance to local agencies with an early literacy and parent engagement program. “Our mission here is to make a lot of farmworker’s children. sure that the underserved and Currently, a little over half of their underinsured children in San clients stem from Paso Robles. Luis Obispo County have access The clinic does have a satellite to quality dental care,” said office in SLO that is open once a Executive Director of Tolosa week, however, Russell says that Children’s Dental Center, it is a hope of the clinic to locate funds that will enable the non-
20
SLO County Business Matters
profit to have a full-time office in San Luis Obispo to serve children in the South County. Brian is also donating profits from his cookbook Our California Table: Celebrating the Seasons with the Talley Family to FVFW. “I just felt a need in the community to support the farmworker community in San Luis Obispo,” said Brian. The book, which came out earlier this year, lists recipes that include Brian Talley’s Guacamole (pair with Chardonnay) and Raspberry Pie to name a few. The cooking instructions were gleaned from family and friends with many including a wine pairing suggestion. To donate to the Fund for Vineyard and Farm Workers directly, click here.
Arroyo Grande Street Project
I
n September the Arroyo Grande City Council approved a contract with American Asphalt South, Inc. for the 2017 Street Resurfacing project. A slurry seal application and striping to certain streets within the city are set to begin during the month of November. These improvements are part of a systematic program for maintaining, repairing and improving the streets within the city. Areas that will receive the slurry seal are the Crown Hill neighborhood in the vicinity of Paulding Middle School, North Mason Street and Nevada Street. East Branch Street (Traffic Way to Mason Street), will receive a micro-surface treatment. The project will also include a fog seal and restriping of East Branch Street from Garden Street around the curve towards Huasna Road; and the installation of two-way left turn arrows on East Grand Avenue at Alpine Street, and refreshing of the existing striping at the East Grand Avenue/ Courtland Street intersection. During construction, there will be intermittent lane closures for safety purposes, but it is not anticipated that any roadway will be closed completely to vehicular traffic. The Contractor will place informational barricades on the streets advising of specific
work. Contact the Public Works Department at (805) 473-5460 if you have any special needs or concerns that should be taken into consideration during construction. If you have specific questions about the project, call dates and locations of parking restrictions. Please note that although the barricade may state certain hours, the actual construction work may occur at any time within that range. Normal work hours will be b e t w e e n 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday t h r o u g h F r i d a y . However, to help alleviate t r a f f i c concerns in the Village and school areas, construction hours in these areas will be adjusted.
Capital
Improvement
Project
Manager Jill McPeek, at (805) 473-5444. The City will also have an inspector on site to address any of your concerns. By News Staff
The street resurfacing and striping may cause temporary inconvenience because of the nature of the october 2017
21
K
aren McNamara, owner of the Hope Chest Emporium, calls the store her lemonade stand, because “when life gives you lemons…” McNamara lost her husband Mike suddenly from a stroke. He was only 57-years-old. She sold their real estate business and opened the Emporium to help give her something to focus on. The unexpected loss was devastating, but he left her an unintentional gift in his passing.
22
children encouraged her to continue on with the project. “Do it for dad,” they told her. McNamara formed the Atascadero Printery Foundation (APF), an organization dedicated to restoring the historic landmark, bringing her number of lemonade stands to two. Mike had been exploring ways to save the Atascadero Printery building. Going through his files McNamara found a folder of his notes on the building. Her
SLO County Business Matters
She rented a booth at the annual Atascadero Colony Days and displayed her homemade banner that read, “Save the Atascadero Printery” and people flocked to the idea.
items the building produced. The the battle of wills with a $300,100 building also printed the first price tag. Atascadero News in 1919. Ultimately, the AFP wants to make “It was the big vitality of this the Printery a vital asset for the community,” said McNamara, community. With several office “and if they didn’t have the spaces upstairs, the foundation would like to provide meeting spaces for businesses and nonprofits. The site also has massive “[There are] 14 on the board,” open areas that can be used said McNamara, “everyone has for affordable dance classes, different skill sets and talents and theater productions and other knowledge together we are just a large gatherings. McNarama said rock. We’re amazing.” she would like to see a senior breakfast held at the facility. The Atascadero Printery located at 6351 Olmeda was the first “We need places for the kids to building to be constructed in the do things,” said McNamara. “We City in 1915. It sits on an acre of need places for the seniors to do land and is approximately 18,000 things. We need an event place… square feet. McNamara maintains Mike wanted to see the doors that without it, there might not open and close all day long.” be an Atascadero. When E.G. Unfortunately, the APF has a long Lewis founded the community, way to go before the building he used the location to print his can become a North County magazine the Illustrated Review. The publication, which could be Printery they would not have community hub. The landmark has been subject to years of purchased for a nickel or $0.50 for been able to pull this off.” a year subscription, was shipped The landmark was purchased last abuse from both weather and worldwide. The press brought in May in a nail biting tax auction vandals. It also received damage revenue, workers and even the that came down to the last five from the 2003 San Simeon train to the area in order to ship minutes with the APF winning earthquake, however, due to its solid construction, the damage was not substantial. All in all the organization has received estimates of $6 million to make the building fully functional again. It is not as bad as the $9 million estimate that they City received, but still a significant goal for the young foundation.
“
We need places for the kids to do things, said McNamara. We need places for the seniors to do things. We need an event place.
”
Currently the organization is focused on its first goal, which is to restore the windows to keep out both weather and wildlife. The cost would be $12,000 with 60 windows to replace at $200 a pop. The APF also plans to hire a fulltime security guard for the october 2017
23
property. Local young deviants have been feuding with the rightful owners by breaking in and destroying property. The APF installed security cameras and barred doors to keep the hoodlums out. Once the windows are completed, the APF will submit its Historic and Restoration plans to California’s Office of Historic P re s e r v a t i o n and the City in the pursuit of finding funding on the state and local levels.
the county focuses on “regional projects” t h a t contribute to the e n t i r e
county r a ther Fifth District than an Supervisor Debbie individual city, Arnold said she worked things like the Cal Poly with the foundation in helping to facilitate meetings that led Performing Arts Center or the to the tax auction. She also said Bob Jones Trial. The county is that when it comes to finances, currently focusing on restoring
24
SLO County Business Matters
roads in North County; however, the APF received a $5,000 grant from the first and fifth districts’ Community Project Funds to aid with the windows. Added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 2004, the structure is over a century old and has its own claims of fame that it has acquired over the years. Baseball legend Jackie Robinson worked for the National Youth
lemonade. Administration (NYA) that had locations in Cal Poly and The APF will host its annual Atascadero. Robinson was meeting at 12:30 p.m. on Nov. hired as athletic director of the 12 at the Colony Hall located at north county campus where the 3600 El Camino Real, Atascadero. Printery building was used as a For more information call 466school. There is a picture of him 1961 or go to https://www. on the front steps of the building atascaderoprintery.org/ that the foundation is trying to understand that the community locate. needs something stoke the Murals painted by well-known to artist Ralph Holmes decorated vitality of the the foyer of the building. The town. The South foundation has removed them for County has their San protection and hopes to restore beaches, the paintings in the future. The Luis Obispo has Over 14 years of Local Experience artwork depicts the beauty of its charm, and Knowledgeable, Passionate, & Family Orientated Paso Robles the Central Coast and contains landmarks such as Morro Rock. has its booming Raw Land industry, There are two parts of the mural wine that have been removed by but Atascadero Single & Multi-family Homes treasure seekers, and the APF seems to have Commercial It is requesting help in finding the floundered. Property Management is McNamara’s missing pieces. “All the big books that the county hope to bring CHRIS STRAND community has, the county ledger books the Holland Strand Real Estate by that they have,” said McNamara, together Broker/Owner giving it a vibrant “those were all made here.” 805.440.1799 place to gather McNamara and the Atascadero together, cstrand76@sbcglobal.net hang 1335 Monterey St n San Luis Obispo Printery Foundation have a lot out and perhaps BRE# 01406064 of plans for the historic site and enjoy some HollandStrandRealEstate.com for the surrounding area. They october 2017
25
Local Business Owner Rallies SLO County to Help Puerto Rico
Photo: Time Magazine
By Mark A. Diaz
L
ocal business owner, Grisel Puig-Snider and the Women’s March of San Luis Obispo (WMSLO) are organizing a phone bank to bolster the humanitarian response for those still suffering from the devastation of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Puig-Snider and the local organization are asking people to volunteer to phone Congressmen/women to request additional emergency relief funding, indefinite suspension of the Jones Act, and a Congressional Delegation to visit the U.S. territory.
110, SLO. Volunteers will be given prepared scripts and notes to assist in talking to representatives of the U.S. government.
Originally from the Atlantic island, Puig-Snider says that the vast majority of her family still lives in Puerto Rico and she is “We are specifically ‘phone receiving reports of the calamity banking’ because we can’t get the island is currently in the aid through,” said Dawn Addis, throes of. Not only is electricity a luxury, but essential requirements of survival such as food or fresh water are lacking throughout the territory that lays just west of the Dominican Republic.
“The main effort is to get the word co-founder of WMSLO, “We out of what is actually happening are trying to call Paul Ryan and out there…,” said Addis, “the Mitch McConnell, leaders of the response has been a travesty, The event will take place on RNC to say, ‘please draft some to be honest, and what is being Tuesday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to type of emergency relief or aid said by the major media and the 12:00 p.m. at 75 Higuera St. Suite package…” White House doesn’t align what
26
SLO County Business Matters
“When we moved into our new office, we just wanted to get in and get to work. But the AC was never really balanced and was costing a fortune to run. We asked Wighton’s to come take a closer look and engineer a solution. Turns out the ducts were all way too small and we could do a fresh air component to lower cost by cooling at night. We now have the new system and I love it.” — Amy Kardel, San Luis Obispo
Work on Your Business. Let Us Work on Your Comfort. AIR CONDITIONING . HEATING . REFRIGERATION . HEALTHY AIR SYSTEMS
(805) 543-4881 wightons.com
Serving Commercial & Residential
SAVE UP TO $1,500! • $500 off new Furnace System • $500 off new AC System • $500 off Ductwork
18 Months SAME AS CASH Financing
october 2017
27
is actually going on boots on the ground.” Although Puerto Rico is a territory and not a state, the island residents are nevertheless U.S. Citizens. The WMSLO desires to bring to the forefront the lack of aid being brought to Puerto Rico and to spread awareness of the suffering that is currently being experienced by Americans. Puig-Snider said that she was only able to finally talk to one of her cousins, Victor Vargs, last week. Vargas has three children under nine-years-old. Puig-
Snider also stated that she had learned of three deaths of friends and family in as many days. She said that Vargas spoke of waiting in line eight hours a day to
receive a bottle of water for the entire family. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that each person needs 1 liter of water or roughly one quarter gallon a
PUERTO RICO PHONE BANK NOTES & QUOTES: • Haven’t been raising money“The main effort is to get the word out of what is actually happening out there…the response has been a travesty to be honest and what is being said by the major media and the white house doesn’t aligned what is actually going on boots on the ground.” • Addis reported that there is still a huge percentage of the island that does not have mail and doesn’t have telephone access. The majority of things being sent from San Luis Obispo can not reach the island. • Grisel learned of three deaths to family and friends in as many days. • What Grisel is hearing from the island is that only 7% of the population has electricity. • There are towns that no one has been able to access on the island. • The banks are open a few hours a day, a majority of people don’t have electricity most of the day. • Sending packages, but can not get the people who need them. • There is only one cardiothorasic surgen on the island for 3.4 million American citizens. “I think there needs to be more education about what it means to be Puerto Rican and what it means to be a citizen of the United States without voting rights,” said Addis, “I don’t think that this is getting in the news much, because Puerto Ricans don’t have voting rights.” • October 17, 10am phone banking to support Puerto Rico. Read local Puerto Rican woman’s reaction to the lack of relief aide and slow response to the humanitarian crisis of our citizens. Then join us to take action at the phone bank. • Details are on our social media @womensmarch on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Also on our website at www. womensmarchslo.com. Grisel: • Grisel born are raised on the island. • She is only been able to speak to one of her cousins, Victor Vargas on the island last week. Vargas has three children that are 8 and under. • The communication there is nonexistent. • Occasionally cellphone service can be found and this is the one resource major ability to
28
SLO County Business Matters
day for cooking and drinking for short-term survival. Due to the ruination of much of the infrastructure by Hurricane Maria, Puig-Snider said that there are still parts of the island that have no contact to the outside world. On top of that, the postal service is inoperable with stretches of roads underwater or bridges that have simply been swept away. Despite the outpouring of gifts and support from the mainland, these items are not reaching those desperately in need.
costing the lives of American citizens,” said Puig-Snider.
It is important to note that the 10-day waiver of the Jones Act expired Sunday, Oct. 8. The Jones Act requires all shipping between ports must be done by U.S. owned, U.S. flagged, and U.S. built ships operated by U.S. citizens. Equally “The slow and inadequate important to note is that the response of the White House and proposed “debt forgiveness” FEMA has lacked the necessary by President Trump will most urgency in this crisis and that is likely not affect the average U.S.
Tax Payers. Rueters reported that Mass Mutal, the parent company of OppenheimerFunds Inc., “represent the biggest institutional holdings of Puerto Rican debt” and not by the American people.
october 2017
29