SLO LIFE Magazine Apr/May 2023

MODERN • CLASSIC • JEWELRY

CENTRAL COAST PRIDE

TEN OVER STUDIO is honored to support CENTRAL COAST PRIDE and PRIDE MONTH, dedicated to the celebration of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community on the Central Coast and around the world. Support our local community by attending an upcoming PRIDE event.

JUNE 2ND

Drag & Burlesque Show

JUNE 3RD

Pride in the Park

JUNE 4TH

Pride Parade & Pride in the Plaza at Mission Plaza

ARCHITECTURE LANDSCAPE INTERIORS MEDIA

For more information, please visit SLOpride.com

Get Back

in Motion

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If you have chronic back pain, it might be more than a strained muscle. At Tenet Health Central Coast, we expanded our partnership with nationally ranked UCSF Health to provide a comprehensive resource for back and spine conditions. Our experienced team gives you access to advanced care from non-invasive therapy to complex treatment options.

Make the Spine Center your first step to help you get back to the life you want to lead.

Make

Brixton’s

Oceanside’s Brixton has made a big, home-grown splash with its beautiful range of affordable, inspired, vintage headwear and authentic coastal California apparel. Many of their hat designs can be customized, shaped, and personalized by their in-house staff, while you wait. Visit their newest store on Higuera Street next to Anthropologie, and manager Lissa Giulioni and her team will help you find and create the perfect hat for you. brixton.com

Bob

I have an office at home, which I now share with a guy named Bob. Every morning, he insists on scaring the living daylights out of me. If that weren’t bad enough, he’s always glaring from across the room. I mean, every time I look up from my computer—like, right now—I see Bob unblinking and scowling, shooting daggers my direction.

I first met my new officemate at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Actually, it must have been one of his cousins, or maybe an uncle, not sure. My boys and I would sometimes stop in to kill an hour on the weekend between their basketball games and water polo matches. We’d always first check out the discount bin because we once found a brand-new leather football marked down to just ten bucks there, which is the equivalent to striking sporting goods gold. After that, we would wander over to the weightlifting area where we would “say ‘hi’ to Bob.”

My boys would giggle when I’d walk up to Bob and growl, “What’re you lookin’ at, huh?” I’d get right in his face, my nostrils flaring, teeth gritted, neither one of us backing down. The tension simmering to a boil. Then, Bam! I’d let loose with a left jab. Bob would stagger, perplexed and stunned. Before he could regain his balance, I’d catch him with a right hook. Smack!

By now, my boys, “the brothers,” as we call them, would be consumed with something between cheering and laughing. “Get ‘im, Dad!” They’d goad me on, “Knock ‘im out!” I’d throw everything I had at Bob, a furious combination of flying fists, until I exhausted myself. Totally spent, hands on my knees, wheezing for air, I would look up to see the block-headed guy just standing there completely unfazed. Mocking me.

It was at that point when Donovan would step forward and say, “Hey, Dad, I got this.” A few minutes later, he would double over next to me, which was the cue for his little brother to jump in and finish the job. “Watch,” Harrison would say before picking up where we left off. Around that time, an apron clad store clerk would usually appear and politely, but firmly, remind us that “Um, uh, excuse me, but B.O.B. is for display purposes only.”

B.O.B. is an acronym. It stands for “Body Opponent Bag.” You see, Bob is a dummy. A punching bag. Or a “bum,” as the brothers call him.

For years, Donovan and Harrison have been asking me to take Bob home with us. I just couldn’t justify the expenditure, I mean, the dude runs $300; but more importantly, there was really no place for him at the house. Their bedrooms aren’t large enough and I couldn’t see Sheryl, my wife, going along with putting him in the living room, as the brothers suggested. Recently, our boys conspired to pool their resources and “adopt” Bob. That’s why he now shares my office.

I’m an early riser, the first one to wake up at my house. My routine is always the same. I will wander into the kitchen, make myself a cup of tea, then, half-awake, I’ll tread the stairs up to my office. Still bleary-eyed, I’ll push the door open, and—Boom!—my heart jackhammers. Blistering hot Himalayan green tea splashes out as I gasp and recoil, cowering in the darkness, while I brace for the hulking silhouette to land his first blow.

Except Bob has no arms. And no legs. And he’s made of some sort of weird, soft plastic. It doesn’t matter because I forget all that—every single day. It doesn’t matter how many times I remind myself that Bob’s not real, the sheer terror I am subjected to before the sun rises each morning sure feels real to me.

I’ll just go ahead and say it right now: “I hate Bob.”

But I tolerate him, because with two teenage boys in the house, there is no better antidote for their “piss and vinegar,” as my family has called it for several generations now, than a therapy session with Bob. Prior to taking on a new officemate, the brothers would often let out some of their excess energy on their mom. They think it’s really funny to pick her up and carry her around the house, setting her atop the counter or a dresser, as if she were a real-life Elf on the Shelf. Now, when she spots one of them coming around to mess with her, she just points upstairs and commands, “Go see Bob!”

The ceiling above us crashes and bangs, as Bob is throttled by one of the brothers. Ten or fifteen minutes later, a shirtless teenager staggers heavy-footed back down the stairs, chest heaving, hair tousled and matted with sweat, rubbing his reddened knuckles, a satisfied grin emerges.

“Wow,” Sheryl shakes her head in disbelief, marveling at our now tranquil son as he wanders away without comment toward the shower, “I love Bob.”

Thank you to everyone who has had a hand in producing this issue of SLO LIFE Magazine and, most of all, to our advertisers and subscribers—we couldn’t do it without you.

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Mariah Vandenberg

Lily Wolfe

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ON THE COVER WITH ADRIANA LEMUS

behind the scenes

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY DESJARDINS

What you see is what you get. Adriana is a super sweet, kind, creative lady who makes you feel very welcome. She has a cute little backyard studio. The venue had so much character and was a really fun location to shoot. While I was there, I had a chance to check out Adriana’s work—it’s amazing. She has been making pottery for over sixteen years, some pieces are wheel-thrown and others are made by coil building and slab construction. And, she also offers ceramic classes. Adriana is so warm and patient, she would be such a great person to learn from, especially for first-timers.

According to Adriana, creativity runs in the family, both of her parents are very artistic. Actually, the day of our session was her mother’s birthday. It was cool to be with them on this special occasion and to capture the family together. SLO LIFE

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HOBART, TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA

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KRISTEN and HAZEL MCKIERNAN, SHERI and SCARLETT ROBESKY

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TREKKING THE GLOBE

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PHOTO: SDG Staff touring the Cuesta Rosa Assisted Living Facility Site

SLO LIFE TRAVELS

CANCÚN, MEXICO

SURPRISE, ARIZONA

THE SQUIRES, VANDORNS, and COTÉS

VOLCÁN OSORNO, FRUTILLAR, CHILE

SLO Mens USTA 65+ Tennis Team at the USTA National Tennis Championships: DAVID RENNICK, DAVID JOHNS, STEVE LAKOWSKE, HOWARD NICHOLSON, SCOTT CLEERE, DAN LAMBERT, DON BLESSEN, BRUCE FREEBERG, JEFF ROWAN, and MIKE STANTON

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JANIE and STU GOLDENBERG

1. CHARLOTTE ALEXANDER is an awardwinning writer and editor with more than twenty years experience in nonprofit organizations, higher education, and media.

2. Portrait photographer JAEDEN BARLETT loves the beach, golfing, and going on adventures with friends. You can find her most recent work on instagram @jaedenb.photography.

3. EMILY DESJARDINS is an editorial photographer based out of her home town in San Luis Obispo County. Contact her at behance.net/emily_desjardins emilydesjardinsphotography@gmail.com.

4. PADEN HUGHES is co-owner of Gymnazo and enjoys exploring the Central Coast.

5. In addition to being an interior designer, ZARA KHAN is also a shoe aficionado and horror movie enthusiast.

6. DAVID LALUSH is an architectural photographer here in San Luis Obispo.

7. JAIME LEWIS writes about food, drink, and the good life from her home in San Luis Obispo. Find her on Instagram and Twitter @jaimeclewis.

8. TODD MEANEY is a landscape, product, and lifestyle photographer living the SLO life. You can follow him @toddmeaney.photography.

9. PAULA MCCAMBRIDGE is an awardwinning writer and longtime editor who has told stories of California’s Central Coast for fourteen years.

10. BRANT MYERS is a the founder at slobiiig.com, a hospitality consulting firm, and Toddler Timber, where he makes wooden children’s toys.

11. MARK NAKAMURA is a wedding, event, family, architectural, commercial, and landscape photographer. Find him on Instagram: @nakamuraphoto for landscape photography and @marknakamuraphoto for everything else.

12. JOE PAYNE is a journalist, as well as a lifelong musician and music teacher, who writes about the arts on the Central Coast.

13. BRIAN SCHWARTZ is the Director of the Central Coast Writers’ Conference and a publishing consultant. You can contact him at brian@selfpublish.org.

14. MARIAH VANDENBERG has a background in neuroscience and is an active photographer, artist, musician, and outdoor enthusiast.

15. LILY WOLFE integrates her subjects into stylized environments to create dynamic portraits and graphic compositions. Follow @lilywolfephotography on Instagram to see what she’s working on.

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LOCAL

february 19

The Central Coast Men’s 65 & Over tennis team competes for a national championship in the USTA National Invitational in Surprise, Arizona, and finishes in sixth place out of fifteen sections. The Central Coast team had defeated San Diego North County, Orange County, and Ventura at sectionals in November to advance—the first time in SLO County tennis history that a team made the national finals. The players include Don Blessen, Jeff Rowan, David Rennick, David Johns, Bruce Freeberg, Howard Nicholson, Mike Stanton, Stephen Lakowske (captain), Dan Lambert, and Scott Cleere (co-captain).

february 24

february 10

The California Natural Resources Agency holds a public meeting in the SLO County Board of Supervisors chambers to discuss the future of the 11,000-acre property on which the Diablo Canyon Power Plant sits. A $160 million land conservation and economic development plan for the site— supporting environmental enhancement, access, and local economic development “in a manner that is consistent with existing decommissioning efforts”—was due to the California State Legislature in March. Some community groups propose conserving the land forever to keep it from being developed. One proposal includes the suggestion that 9,000 acres of the PG&E-owned land be returned to the yak titu titu yak tiłhini (ytt) Northern Chumash tribe, which first occupied the site.

february 17

USA Today readers place San Luis Obispo’s Mission Plaza on the Top Ten list of best public squares to visit in the United States, ranking it fifth in the nation after community spaces in Detroit, Michigan; Corning, New York; Burlington, Vermont; and Decatur, Georgia. “Mission Plaza has been a community gathering spot since 1971,” according to the paper. “With grassy lawns, a roomy plaza with seating, and a fountain, it’s a great place to chill and enjoy one of the many special events hosted here throughout the year.” Other public squares making the list are in Santa Fe, New Mexico; Cincinnati, Ohio; Key West, Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Savannah, Georgia.

SLO Police Department officers arrest Daniel Angel Saligan Patricio on two felony charges of vehicular manslaughter after a three-month investigation. He is suspected of hitting and killing San Luis Obispo residents Matthew Chachere and Jennifer Besser on November 22 while the couple was walking their dog near the intersection of Sacramento Drive and Basil Lane. Police say Saligan Patricio lost control of his vehicle and fatally struck the couple and their dog. His vehicle hit a curb, street sign, and bridge that spans a creek, with speed likely contributing to the crash, according to police.

february 26

A 36-year-old half-dressed man allegedly threatens a Cambria Community Services District employee, steals a pickup truck from the district’s utility yard, and after a high-speed chase up Highway 1 crashes through two Hearst Castle entrance gates and eventually barricades himself in one of the San Simeon estate’s guest houses. A State Parks officer, with the help of his K-9 partner, a German shepherd, captures the man, who is arrested on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon, receiving stolen property, and vandalism of $10,000 or more, plus some misdemeanor charges according to the SLO County Sheriff’s Office.

february 27

SLO County Administrator Wade Horton announces that in the coming months the county will wind down the Kansas Avenue Safe Parking Site, a pilot program that opened in 2021 to temporarily house homeless families living in vehicles. County officials acknowledge that the program failed in its objective to help residents transition into other temporary or permanent housing because the county is not a homeless services provider. CAPSLO, 5Cities Homeless Coalition, El Camino Homeless Organization, and Transitions-Mental Health Services will provide support as the county attempts to transition the program’s current residents into long-term housing. No new families are being accepted at the site, which is on Highway 1 just north of San Luis Obispo.

REVIEW

march 6

march 1

Acknowledging the severe winter storms that struck California beginning in late February that brought damaging winds, historic precipitation, and flooding, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaims a state of emergency for thirteen California counties, including San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. The declaration supports disaster response efforts and relief for winter storm damage, and activates the state’s National Guard to support emergency operations within the Office of Emergency Services, Caltrans, and the California Highway Patrol. The late winter storms brought several inches of rain to SLO County and snow down below 1,500 feet on multiple days.

march 2

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says Pacific Gas & Electric Company can continue to operate the Diablo Canyon Power Plant past its current licenses while a new license renewal application is under review. PG&E had planned to decommission the plant when the licenses for its two units expire in 2024 and 2025, but last year state lawmakers sought to extend operations for another five years amid concerns over possible blackouts. Last October, PG&E requested that the NRC resume consideration of a renewal application originally submitted in 2009, which the company later withdrew after it decided to close the plant. The California Energy Commission has ruled that keeping the plant running through 2030 is needed to ensure electric reliability. The new application is slated to be submitted by the end of this year.

march 2

The California Department of Water Resources announces it is recommending approval of San Luis Obispo County’s sustainability plan for the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin. The plan, in the works since 2018, is the county’s roadmap to bring the basin into a sustainable condition by 2040. Required by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, the plan has undergone intense scrutiny and substantial revision in order to meet the needs of the county and the state. Without approval, the State Water Resources Control Board would control the management of the basin. Approval means that SLO County can manage the basin in a fair and equitable manner for all the basin’s groundwater users.

Cal Poly’s College of Science and Mathematics announces a new Astronomy Faculty Research Fellowship that expands faculty/student collaborations on space science. Supported by a generous donation from the Marrujo Foundation, the fellowship in its first year will allow assistant professor of physics Elizabeth Jeffery to lead a research team of students exploring data related to locations and brightness of stars to better understand how long they’ve existed. Additional members of the astronomy faculty, focusing on different research, will participate in the fellowship in future years.

march 10

Monterey County Superior Court Judge Jennifer O’Keefe sentences Paul Flores to twenty-five years to life in prison for first-degree murder in the death of Cal Poly student Kristin Smart. She also orders him to pay $10,000 in restitution and register as a sex offender for life. The sentencing comes more than twenty-six years after Smart disappeared, and follows the judge’s denial of motions made by defense attorney Robert Sanger to acquit the defendant, dismiss the charges, and hold a new trial. With time served and with good behavior, Flores could be eligible for parole in fifteen years.

march 16

The Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum and SLO County Veterans Services Office brings a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to the Madonna Meadows in San Luis Obispo for a four-day, twenty-fourhour, free educational event about the impact of the Vietnam War. Accompanied by a Mobile Education Center, “The Wall That Heals” honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces in the war, and bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. Since 1996, the exhibit has been on display in more than 700 communities throughout the U.S.

553,425

The number of passengers—an all-time high—traveling through the SLO County Regional Airport (SBP) in 2022. It sets the record for the most annual passengers in the airport’s history, and is more than a third higher than 2021’s traveler count of 406,230.

614

The number of victories that baseball head coach Larry Lee has accrued at the Division-I level in his twenty-year career with Cal Poly. That number, along with leading the Mustangs to the NCAA Division-I Regionals on three different occasions, inspired Team USA to name him its forty-third Collegiate National Team manager this spring.

19’ 3½”

Cal Poly student Melody Nwagwu beat the previous school record for women’s indoor long jump—set by Janet Yarbrough in 1982— and posted a lifetime best (indoor or outdoor) at the UW Invitational earlier this year. She was one of thirty Mustangs who took part in the final day of the meet in Seattle.

A New Stage

A proper title for San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre’s $15.2 million capital campaign to build a new state-of-the-art performing arts venue in downtown SLO. The 12,000-square-foot facility will house a 215-seat mainstage theatre and a 100-seat black box theatre. It’s expected to draw 50,000 patrons downtown each year.

100%

The 38,967-acre-foot Whale Rock Reservoir reached capacity for the first time in some eighteen years, flowing over its spillway in March. This winter’s heavy storms that dumped record rainfall in the area fed the reservoir, which is located on Old Creek Road and serves Cayucos, San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly, and CMC.

Want to know how clean and safe your favorite meal-stop is? The County’s Environmental Health Services website displays recent inspection results online for local restaurants, bars, coffee shops, retail food markets, farm stands, school cafeterias, and more. There’s even an interactive map that lets you view full inspection reports.

The value of eighty-three infrastructure projects currently under construction in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties, a historic milestone for CalTrans Central Coast District 5. It includes $116 million to widen Highway 46 East from a twolane divided highway into a four-lane expressway between Shandon and Cholame in SLO County.

California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot heard the strong desire for tribal ownership of the property on which Diablo Canyon Power Plant sits at a public meeting held February 10 in San Luis Obispo to discuss the future of the 11,000-acre site.

The number of rallies and events advocating for women’s rights held during the past six years by Women’s March SLO, which in February announced its dissolution. Several other organizations honoring its mission to create a womenfriendly world through education, advocacy, and action have vowed to carry on its work. More than 10,000 people attended the first march in January 2017.

SLO LIFE

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PFEIFFER BEACH

BY MARK NAKAMURA

In the winter of 1869, Michael and Barbara Pfeiffer were traveling south through California when, due to their son’s illness, they were forced to stop at Sycamore Canyon for several days. Because they enjoyed the area so much, instead of moving on, they built their first home and raised their eight children at the coastal location.

Michael and Barbara’s son John and his wife, Zulema Florence Swetnam (known as Florence), built their cabin on the banks of the Big Sur River in 1884. Over time, the family became known for their hospitality and Florence’s home-cooked meals. By 1910, they had hosted enough travelers, some more cordial than others, for meals and overnight stays, that they decided to formally establish the Pfeiffer Ranch Resort. John later donated the initial 700 acres of land to the State of California, which became Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

Pfeiffer Beach, also named after the family, is a popular tourist site and is one

of the only beach accesses along the Big Sur coastline. It is known for its photographic Keyhole Rock, in which the sunlight shines through the opening at certain times of the year. The picturesque location is off Highway 1, just north of the Shell Station (which, by the way, has a great bakery) in Big Sur, and south of the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campgrounds, on Sycamore Canyon Road.

Be aware there are no signs on Highway 1 to mark Pfeiffer Beach’s location. It isn’t until you turn on Sycamore Canyon Road that you see a sign indicating the beach is two miles down the one-lane road. In the summer and busy times of the year, the parking lot may be filled, and traffic is often turned away by the ranger.

On this particular winter morning, I woke up at 5:00 a.m. and drove from the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground to Sycamore Canyon Road

and turned down the dark, lonely lane toward the beach parking lot. I returned to the same spot where at sunset the day before I had been taking photographs of the sunlight shining through keyhole rock along with about fifty other people.

The morning was now peaceful and quiet. I assembled my tripod to take in the whole rock, the sky, and the foreground water. With long exposures, I set everything on manual—focus, ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. Experimenting with different shutter speeds, from ten to thirty seconds, gave the water a silky, milky smooth finish.

When heading up to Big Sur be sure to spend some time visiting the ocean. Terry Tempest Williams, an award-winning author, said, “The looming cliffs at Big Sur, sustain me, remind me we are nothing without salt water, wind, and waves.” SLO LIFE

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Self-Actualized Sound

BY JOE PAYNE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIA ILLIA

Local singer-songwriter Madeline Allen is her truest self when she’s singing.

Or, at least, it’s been her favorite mode of communication since she was a young girl, whether singing a song about putting her socks on or belting out an improvised original from her car seat at three years old, she explains, “In the back of our minivan, I told my parents to turn off the radio because I wanted to sing a song. So, I don’t know, I guess I’ve always been just, making up songs and wanting to sing them to people.” The sound of Allen’s music has matured since then. Now that she’s the one in the driver’s seat of the car, coming up with lyrics and hooks over looping beats happens on her way to work in San Luis Obispo.

Allen has released several singles and collaborations with more to come, demonstrating a talent for soulful R&B and hip-hop sounds with a playful lyricism. She credits her sound to formative influences growing up in the Santa Maria Valley, namely former Righetti High School choir director Denise Paulus, but also a group of friends who love hip-hop and freestyling verse. “The energy that it gave me and the motivation it gave me going from a teenager into my young twenties, l just feel like it’s music medicine,” she shares. “I need that kind of energy that rap music gives. It’s very triumphant, and I feel like there’s a lot of benefit in that.”

A great example of this style and mindset is found in “Scorpio SZN” (pronounced “scorpio season”), the single and produced music video Allen released on her eponymous YouTube channel last year. Most of her earlier work was self-produced, but her latest tracks were recorded at Room 33 Recording Studio in Santa Maria and produced by Lil Bonez and provide a polished sound.

The video opens with a riff on the classic trope of an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other and the struggle to do what’s right versus what feels good. Ultimately, she finds a way for both to dance together in a celebration of success, hustle, and passion for play. “If you want it then we can run it/I don’t do shit unless I’m blunted/I walk in lookin’ like money/If you want it then we can run it,” she sings over a trap beat.

But Allen isn’t an artist who endlessly engages in hyping herself. She sings about love and pain like the rest of them, but she also sees the need for young people and musicians to be positive about their own goals and achievements. “It was cool to capture that successful energy for me,” she recalls. “And since most of my songs aren’t like that, I think it’s a good balance to have one song in there that does give people that kind of confidence that is a fun going out, turn-up song that isn’t something serious or something about a boy, something that’s just, like, bad bitch energy. Something for the girls.” SLO LIFE

More information is available on Instagram @_madelineallen_ and her music can be heard on Spotify and YouTube under Madeline Allen.

pro file

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY DESJARDINS

You know that saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” For San Luis Obispo resident ADRIANA LEMUS, when 2020 rolled around and she lost her job, not only did she make lemonade, but she kept going and might as well have made lemon meringue pie, lemon sorbet, lemon cheesecake, and on and on. Except for her, instead, she made art— paintings and pottery. Then, one day, those two things merged. Here is her story . . .

Okay, Adriana, let’s talk about where you’re from. I was born and raised here in San Luis Obispo. I have a brother and he is just a year younger than me, and we were always really close growing up. We shared the same room until seventh grade probably. My dad is an artist, and he was always busy making things, making art. He was always very encouraging, he and my mom both, they encouraged me to do

the same, gave me all the materials or anything I needed to make whatever I wanted. Paintbrushes, or whatever it was, there was always something there, everything required to create, whether it was for a school assignment or just for fun.

So, you grew up going to school here in San Luis? Yes, I went to Pacheco [Elementary]. The dual language Spanish-English aspect was such a unique, really great experience. And there was a lot of exposure to art there. Really, for as long as I can remember, I was just always taking art classes in school, always making art. I was lucky to have that opportunity. It was so available that it was never something that I ever really thought about, it was just normal, it felt natural—it was something I always knew I wanted to do. And I received so much support along the way, both Laguna [Middle School] and SLO High were great. I really fell in love with ceramics in high school. I had an incredible teacher, Ms. Dubbink. I think it was my sophomore year when I said, “Okay, this is what I want to do.”

What else stands out from high school? There were so many great experiences. I was so fortunate to be able to take all these incredible art classes, not just ceramics, but also photography and painting. But I would say, the one thing that stands out most for me was when I was a senior. I entered an art show, a countywide show for high school seniors. I had sculpted a little elephant out of clay. It’s one of the Hindu gods named Ganesha. It’s like half-human, half-elephant, and it was sitting on a lotus flower. I ended up getting best of show for that piece. I’ll never forget, Ms. Dubbink was there. She looked over at me when I won and said, “Okay, now you can go on knowing that you are an artist.” That was the first time in my life that I truly thought of myself that way. I started referring to myself as an artist.

So, what came next? I went to Cuesta [College] where I was mostly focused on painting. I learned so much. There were some great instructors and classes. Then, I transferred to U.C. Berkeley to study the practice of art, that’s what the major was called. I was so nervous and, honestly, I wasn’t sure I was supposed to be there, that I fit in, but once I got to know the teachers and the students I started to settle in and felt like I belonged. I realized at some point that it was exactly where I needed to be. So many of those relationships, some really good connections, came out of it—mentors and other artist friends—that I still have to this day. During my first year there I kept up my focus on painting, but then I dove back into ceramics that second year and really haven’t looked back since.

What did you do after Cal? After graduation, I went on a three-month backpacking trip in Europe with another one of my friends who was in the [art] program. We went all over Europe, and it was such a great experience to go with someone who had a similar background. Our goal was to go to as many museums and exhibitions and art-related things as we could possibly visit. So, we went to all the major cities and just did so much. It was amazing. It was really special to see the famous artworks that we had studied, or were exposed to in art history, or even referenced in painting classes. To be able to see them in real life right in front of us was definitely a really, really special experience. >>

Did you have a favorite city? I’d say Paris. I loved Paris. I just loved the city. Loved the language. But, I would say, one of my favorite paintings is by an Italian painter named Botticelli, and his work is in a museum in Florence. He has two huge paintings—I mean huge, like twelve by eighteen feet, or something like that—and to be there was something I will never forget. And, also in Barcelona, at the Picasso Museum that was a definite highlight. Honestly, I didn’t know that Picasso did ceramics. And, so, in this museum, he has all of his ceramics displayed. It was really cool to see that because Picasso has always been an influence of mine. To see that he did ceramics also was awesome. Just the whole thing, the whole trip, really changed my perspective and I came back so full, so inspired, and so ready to throw myself completely into my art.

How did you do that? When I returned, a friend of mine had an extra wheel, a throwing wheel, at their house, and let me borrow it. I moved back home and set up the wheel in my parents’ kitchen. So, I was

throwing in the kitchen and painting in my room. After my trip to Europe, I was just so inspired to make art, that I was willing do anything to make it happen. So, to support it, I got a job as a receptionist at a spa. I would do that during the day then come home after work and paint and throw and just keep making. I kept making art. It was a very productive time. I got involved in Art After Dark here in San Luis and did everything I could to get my art out there, to show my work. That was really my main goal, to get it out there.

And what was the first piece you did? Probably the nude selfie. It was around this time that some of my friends would share photos of themselves when they thought they looked beautiful, when they were happy with how their bodies looked. This was through Snapchat, which, if you’re not familiar with the app, the images you send actually disappear shortly after you send them. But, I would sometimes screenshot these photos because being an artist and having just been in Europe where a lot >>

PHOTO CREDIT: LUKE TYREE PHOTOGRAPHY

of the artwork is all nude, all nude figures, it’s everywhere. And, so, I was really inspired by these photos of my friends and thought they would be beautiful paintings. My first one was just a painting of one of my friends. Then, I had the thought to put it on pottery. So, they merged. I started painting these selfies on pottery. It got going with a few of my friends, then other women saw them and reached out asking to be part of the project. They would send me a photo and I would paint it on pottery for them. I found that I really love doing it because I feel like women are able to see what other real women actually look like. I don’t alter the figure at all. I paint it exactly like the photo. I want to represent these women how they actually are. The project just took off and now I sell these pieces on my website.

Were you able to do it full-time? No, unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to support myself, so I got a job managing events at a wine bar. I was lucky to find myself organizing painting workshops and different kinds of art-

related workshops. And, so, as I was organizing those events, I actually started teaching some of the painting workshops, as well. Then I moved into teaching ceramic workshops with a friend of mine. We would do them at the wine bar. And eventually we started doing them at different venues. I fell in love with teaching workshops. I always knew that I had a desire to teach, and I had done teaching jobs here and there, but once I started teaching ceramics, I knew that that’s what I wanted to do. And then 2020 happened and the wine bar shut down and I lost my job.

How did you cope? Well, in a weird way, it actually ended up working out really well for me. I received unemployment, which allowed me to just make art, which is what I’ve always wanted to do because, at first, it was just a side thing. It was what I did when I got home from work or on the weekends, but once everybody was indoors on lockdown, it was perfect for someone like me. I’m definitely more introverted and I love making art. So, it was perfect. It was honestly perfect timing and >>

Ride

really pushed me into doing something that was a little bit scary for sure. Like so many people, I had to get creative in how to make ends meet. Fortunately, our community is very supportive of the arts. And so, I was selling things locally and was also selling my work online. Everybody just really wanted to support everybody else during that time, as much as possible. Then, I started offering pottery workshops in people’s homes, and I did some classes outdoors. It felt so nice to be able to do that.

But, what happened when the unemployment checks stopped? Yeah, that was a big challenge. After a year or so, once unemployment stopped, it was like, “Okay, this is real now. I’m not getting any extra help or anything. I’m fully on my own.” So, now I’m kind of going into the second year of doing that, and what I’ve noticed is that I have to do a little bit of everything to make it work, which is great because I’m doing something different every day. I’m also offering private lessons in my studio. And, I’m making artwork to sell, which I

do locally and on my website where people tend to buy a lot of mugs and cups and vases and earrings. That’s also where I do the nude selfie pieces, as well, which is still a big part of the mix.

What does the future hold? Well, I’ve learned that I love teaching, so I definitely want to continue doing that going forward. I can also see myself doing some art residencies. That’s where you go to a certain location, whether it be like a ranch or some other place that will house you along with a group of other artists, and you just go and do nothing but focus on making your own artwork for anywhere from three weeks to ten weeks at a time. I’ve always loved school, so maybe grad school to learn more about pottery and the art of ceramics. But, I think if I could do anything, it would be to open up a gallery and art studio. That’s always going to be on my mind. I would love to have a small gallery space with a pottery studio, or a studio in the back. I would teach there as well, and I would put on shows to share the work of other artists, too. So, yeah, that would be the dream. SLO LIFE

Storytelling at SLOMA

Atmospheric rivers could not stop SLOMA members from coming out to celebrate Marela Zacarías: Storytelling Immediately following Marela’s talk at the Palm Theater hundreds of guests gathered to see the undulating sculptures firsthand.

The artist spoke about her time in SLO and how welcomed she felt by the community while Director, Leann Standish congratulated the Museum staff for their accomplishments and thanked the Board for their invaluable support.

Special thanks to wine host Couch Family Wines.

Marela Zacarías: Storytelling runs through July 9th The Museum is open Thursday – Monday 11a.m. to 6p.m. Admission is free Photos courtesy of Heraldo Creative Studio.

374 words with Chris cuyLer

Born and raised in Upstate New York, I started drawing when I was four years old, just doodling and being interested in drawing all the time. I would say I always considered myself to be an artist, especially since I have bounced back and forth between art and acting in my earlier years.

During high school, I was involved in acting and dance. I attended the State University of New York at Binghamton, where I pursued a liberal arts program focusing on drawing, graphic design, and the theatre.

I am a self-taught painter—I have never taken a class—yet I have a graphics and drawing background. I feel having not been trained as a painter, but growing up in a household with a fine artist, my mother, has afforded me the ability to experiment and find my own path to what I want to express at any given moment. I paint in many different styles, but lean heavily toward abstract expressionism.

My current focus is on faces. I’ve been leaning toward a pop art style I created years ago and am still expanding as I paint more and entertain a more graphic approach. I’ve also been playing around with a more calmed-down palette.

In the early ‘90s, I was living in Seattle for a bit and a friend asked me to join him at an open studio and gave me some paints and an art board to play around with. I found it to be very freeing. So, I went back a couple of times and decided to invest in my own paints and play around in my tiny apartment. And, it was when I did my first painting on a real stretched canvas, that I realized this is what I have to do. A defining moment for sure.

Movement, color, music, good wine, other abstract works, my mother’s spirit, and how I am feeling at that moment influence and inspire me to start a new piece. When it comes to painting, I keep myself open to whatever my gut is telling me and let the piece happen organically. I continue to choose to be self-taught mostly because it’s my journey and I don’t seek any interference in that matter. I do me.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIAH VANDENBERG

No Grit, No Glory

BY BRIAN SCHWARTZ

Dr. Paul G. Stoltz has built an impressive career as a international bestselling author, speaker, coach, and corporate trainer. He is the CEO of PEAK Learning, a global firm based in San Luis Obispo that teaches individuals and organizations how to engineer resilience and thrive through adversity.

A self-proclaimed “excavator of the human condition,” Stoltz spent the last forty years of his life revisiting a question he first asked his college professor at UCSB: “How do we know who wins?”

The answer may surprise you and is contained in a single word: Adversity. He considers adversity “the ink” of human history. It is the core of everything that has come before and continues to propel us into the future.

Stoltz discovered that like I.Q., each of us has an A.Q. (Adversity Quotient) number. Now widely referenced, Stoltz was the first to coin the term “A.Q.,” ushering a new acronym into our lexicon.

Whether the challenges we face propel us forward or pull us down is up to each of us. It is through rising up to meet the challenge that we build resilience. When you see your A.Q. number rise, you will have the confidence to take on even more significant challenges. Obstacles are no longer viewed as markers to avoid, but rather seen as opportunities to literally rewire and raise our A.Q.

Stoltz’s book “Adversity Quotient: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities” resonated with Oprah, who herself made the connection that her adversity became the fuel for her success. As a three-time guest on her talk show, A.Q. hit the mainstream.

We cannot improve what we cannot measure and Stoltz’s mission is to show each of us that we have an A.Q. number,

and once we know it, we can work to improve it. Having a “growth mindset” is key to reaching our potential and A.Q. gives us an objective metric to avoid falling into the comparison trap.

Improving your A.Q. is accomplished through his honed A.Q. Tools program, which builds resilience and grit. In fact, “Grit” is the title of a subsequent bestseller for Stoltz. Rather than recoil and retract, those with grit persevere and overcome—building strength to face greater challenges ahead.

Stoltz’s global research reveals that we are experiencing greater amounts of adversity than ever before. While Covid itself has dished out an extra helping of adversity for each of us, what we learn from it will determine our A.Q. and destiny moving forward.

Answering Stoltz’s original question: “Who fails and who prevails?” ultimately comes back to how well we handle adversity. It’s a decision we must each make: to recoil or resist; to assert or endure; to react or respond. At the core of accomplishment lies a bedrock of adversity.

Learn more at peaklearning.com. SLO LIFE

Blast from the Past

BY PADEN HUGHES

Were

Well, as older millennials, my husband and I remember those good old days.

And while I wasn’t a big arcade gamer, it turns out my equally awesome half was. Particularly a game called 1943. Who knew? But after a decade of marriage, it’s always refreshing to find out new things you didn’t know before. I may have never realized that fun fact if it had not been for a new business opening in San Luis Obispo. My husband, Michael, could not contain his excitement when he heard there was a new family friendly business

TIP!

BA Start is located at 647 Higuera Street in downtown SLO.

Hours are 3 p.m. to midnight, Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. After 8 p.m. the crowd is adults only 21 and over.

you a kid who road bikes through the neighborhood with friends until the streetlights turned on—the signal that it was time to head inside for dinner? You know, the last generation who was not be accessible around the clock.

coming to the downtown, that wasn’t another restaurant or hair salon.

So, when date night rolled around, we decided to spend it at BA Start Competitive Arcade and Taproom. If you haven’t checked it out, it’s a barcade (noun) A bar drinking establishment equipped with classic video arcade games. In addition to the throwback arcade games, this hot spot is ready to entertain the masses with pool tables, air hockey, ping pong, and an entire back party room that serves as a shrine to the owner’s 1980s trailer living room.

For those who wish they could turn back time, for those who look back at the ‘80s

and had the time of your life, and for those who get up and dance to Hall & Oates, REO Speedwagon, and Blondie, add this spot to your SLO bucket list.

We loved how committed to the vision Rob and Sarah Peterson have been. I mean even their paninis are named ‘80s action heroes like Jackie Chan and Chuck Norris. The bar food offerings are enough for a meal and range from salads to Frito boats. From the games to the food, from the memorabilia to the playlist, this is where you go to pay homage to the ‘80s.

Stay tuned for an impressive line-up of events including competitive tournaments, as well as Tuesday trivia nights.

small class sizes where families matter

Copa

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAEDEN BARLETT

Copacetic, also known as Copa, was found at a gas station in Bakersfield. He’s a Blue Lacy—a working dog breed that hails from Texas. According to his caretaker, Dimitri Masumbuko, “He can be a little ball of energy, but when it’s time to wind down, he knows how to relax. If his eyes give you lover boy looks, you’re not wrong, he’s definitely a dog of the people.”

Have a pet to profile? Email us at info@slolifemagazine.com

Hillside Haven

BY ZARA KHAN

BY DAVID LALUSH

PHOTOGRAPHY

SSome things are just meant to be. Pam and Ray Fada did not discover the Central Coast the typical way. They did not have an association with Cal Poly nor an affinity for wine (yet), they just stumbled upon it. While their daughter was working on a service project in Seattle, they decided to turn their visit into a road trip. They flew into Los Angeles and started their drive up the coast. Along the way, they stopped in Pismo Beach and the Fadas immediately knew they discovered a gem. It wasn’t long before their visits became more frequent from St. Louis, Missouri and in 2018 they committed and purchased a parcel of land.

The lot they purchased had been vacant for forty years and was a tricky site to build on due to the steep sloped hillside. It was important to the Fadas that the interior did not have too many stairs to different levels. Their requests were simple, they wanted the interior to capture the views and be easy to live in. The Fadas recognized the advantage in having their architect and builder as the same person—John Mack would not only be able to help them dream up their home, but he would ensure that their vision would become a reality. >>

Throughout the project, Mack remained flexible and worked with them to find solutions to any roadblocks that came up. Even if that meant moving the front door location or changing standard windows into floor-to-ceiling glass, he was as invested in the project as they were and always had creative solutions. Brian Healey, with Pella Windows, helped the Fadas source and place all their windows, which may have been the most important detail. On one side of their lot, they have a picturesque view of the ocean and on the other side of the lot, they are only a stone’s throw away from the Pismo Preserve. The panoramic flow from the dining room with the mountain view to the living room with the ocean view is seamless. Even though they didn’t have the local connections quite yet, they were able to assemble a dream team. They worked closely with Chuck Quinn at Quinn Home to pull together their material selections. Quinn helped them with their cabinetry throughout their home and pushed them out of their comfort zone when it came to tile selections, and his vision was spot-on. Each space has unique tiles, and they were creative with the layouts and trim pieces to add even more visual interest. >>

As we all know, beautiful tiles can only take a space so far, the installation is key and Dustin Bridges and Aaron Newman executed the vision perfectly.

When it came to the guest suites, the Fadas wanted to have fun. They love to entertain and wanted their friends to have a place to come visit. Choosing a theme, they decided to make one of the guest suites capture what they love about the Central Coast and the other capture what they love about St. Louis. The Central Coast bedroom is inspired by local treasures, complete with an ocean view. And in the St. Louis suite they framed architectural sketches of Missouri buildings that had special meaning to their family. They also decided to use tile in the guest bathroom that evokes a similar feeling to old brick. The Fadas worked closely with Jess Onorato at Habitat Home and Garden to select furniture, rugs, and accessories that bridged the two styles together cohesively. They also showcase a mini gallery that features several of the beloved art pieces from Ken McGavin of Just Looking Gallery in San Luis Obispo throughout their living space.

It doesn’t stop at the main house, they worked with Joel Stern on all of the landscape design, which >>

not only features beautiful landscaping, but makes their home tasting room feel like an extension of the main house. The Fadas are avid half and full marathon runners and over the years integrated microbreweries into their race weekends. They wanted a space to celebrate their love for beer and to just hang out with their guests. In their home bar (which features a sign out front that says: “Free Beer Today”) you will find on tap beers that they cleverly named to highlight their favorite and their daughter’s favorite beers. A true beer connoisseur would be able to detect that they really are just highlighting the beers made by Dylan Roddick from their dear friends at Oak and Otter Brewery in San Luis Obispo.

The Fadas were able to capture so much of their personality in their new home while still creating a space the feels modern, inviting, and open. They were able to achieve this by deciding early on what was important to them, assembling a team they trusted, and then letting them do what they do best, giving the Fadas the freedom to enjoy life on the Central Coast.

Start Living the SLO Lifestyle Now!

Nestled between award-winning vineyards on the quiet side of Highway 101, the brand new homes at Avila Ranch celebrate everything that makes this part of the California Coast so special. Homes in the neighborhood are connected to nine planned parks by a network of paths and trails, so you can leave the car in the garage and enjoy SLO’s natural beauty right outside your front door!

Come visit us today so you can tour the models, pick your homesite and floorplan, and take the first step toward the sun-drenched lifestyle you’ve always wanted.

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SOURCE: San Luis Obispo Coastal Association of REALTORS ®

Yup,

Here’s how t

STEP 1: Contact me to get started

STEP2: Send us the requested paperwork within a certain timeframe (you’ll get a $250 credit

STEP

Reach out today, and let’s look at the possibilities available. We’re here to help.

Donna Lewis

Branch Manager & SVP of Mortgage Lending

O: (805) 335-8743

C: (805) 235-0463

donna.lewis@rate.com

Ermina Karim

VP of Mortgage Lending

O: (805) 329-4095

C: (805) 602-0248

ermina.karim@rate.com

Eileen Mackenzie

VP of Mortgage Lending

O: (805) 212-5204

C: (831) 566-9908

eileen.mackenzie@rate.com

Maggie Koepsell

VP of Mortgage Lending

O: (805) 335-8742

C: (805) 674-6653

maggie.koepsell@rate.com

Matthew Janetski

VP of Mortgage Lending

O: (805) 329-4092

C: (619) 300-2651

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Joe Hutson

VP of Mortgage Lending

O: (831) 205-1582

C: (831) 212-4138

joe.hutson@rate.com

Mike Luna

VP of Mortgage Lending

O: (805) 456-5799

C: (805) 610-0105

mike.luna@rate.com

Luana Geradis

VP of Mortgage Lending

O: (805) 329-4087

C: (707) 227-9582

luana.gerardis@rate.com

Lisa Renelle

VP of Mortgage Lending

O: (805) 456-5344

C: (805) 674-2931

lisa.renelle@rate.com

Rate.com/SanLuisObispo • 1065 Higuera St., Suite 100, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Rate within 8 hours of locking a rate on a mortgage loan the opportunity to receive a loan approval within 1 business day of timely submission of documentation and does not suggest that the borrower will receive funding on the same day as their application submission. For purposes of this offer, documents provided after 1 pm local time or on a weekend or company holiday will be deemed submitted the next business day. Guaranteed Rate cannot guarantee that a loan will be approved or that a closing will occur within a specific timeframe. Guaranteed Rate reserves the right to revoke this approval at any time if there is a change in your financial condition or credit history which would impair your ability to repay this obligation. Read and understand your Loan Commitment before waiving any mortgage contingencies. Borrower documentation and Intent to Proceed must be signed within 8 business hours of receipt. Not eligible for all loan types or residence types. Minimum down payment requirements apply. Self-employed borrowers and Co-borrowers are not eligible. Not all borrowers will be approved. Borrower's interest rate will depend upon the specific characteristics of borrower's loan transaction, credit profile and other criteria. Eligible borrowers who successfully provide all required documentation within 8 business hours will receive a $250 Closing Cost Credit applied at closing, no cash value, and may not be combined with any other Lender promotions, discounts, or concessions. Not available in all states. Restrictions apply. Visit rate.com/same-day-mortgage for terms and conditions.

** Guaranteed Rate cannot guarantee that an applicant will be approved or that a closing can occur within a specific time frame. All dates are estimates and will vary based on all involved parties level of participation at any stage of the loan process. Contact Guaranteed Rate for more information.

BY THE NUMBERS

VitA min D

Are you getting enough?

BY PAULA MCCAMBRIDGE

You’re climbing Valencia Peak in Montaña de Oro State Park in Los Osos, the ocean view expanding with each step upward. The sun warms your bones and glistens your skin as its life-affirming ultraviolet rays soak into your body activating the production of Vitamin D.

Vitamin D is essential for bone health, muscle contraction, and nerve conduction, which is the strength of signals transmitted by nerves. Studies suggest that Vitamin D promotes insulin sensitivity, positively affecting blood sugar control. And if that’s not enough, it also aids immune function, cardiovascular health, hormone balancing, and mood, according to Lisa Dawes, a registered dietician nutritionist and nutrition therapist in Arroyo Grande.

With 287 sunny days each year—that’s nearly three more months than the national average—life on California’s Central Coast is full of

sunshine found on hiking trails, beaches, or simply relaxing on a patio sipping tea.

So, then, why did an Orange County study, with nearly as many sunny days as San Luis Obispo County, conclude that 19.2 percent of residents suffered from low Vitamin D?

And why did University of California Irvine researcher Dr. Samar Singh report that half of her Southern California patients are low in Vitamin D?

Sherry Elliston, registered dietitian and a nutrition lecturer at Cal Poly shared some possible reasons when she said:

“Since Vitamin D is absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract, an individual with resection of the G.I.—as in patients who have undergone gastric bypass—will have issues with absorption,” she

>>

said. “Kidney and liver diseases can cause issues with absorption as well as Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease. The underlying issue with these disease states is fat malabsorption. If fat absorption is compromised, the fat-soluble vitamins will be malabsorbed as well.”

Other possible reasons for limited absorption, according to Elliston:

• Wearing sunscreen

• Wearing full-coverage clothing when in the sun

• Individuals with darker skin tend to have lower blood levels of Vitamin D due to the pigment (melanin) that acts as a shade

• Lactose intolerance

• A vegan diet

The good news is, there are ways to increase Vitamin D that do not rely solely on sunlight.

“I always take a food-first approach—you cannot out-supplement a poor diet,” Dawes said. “You can’t go wrong with a diet rich in whole and unprocessed foods like colorful vegetables and fruits, lean and clean proteins, beans, legumes, unprocessed grains, nuts, seeds, and heart-healthy fats and oils like olive oil and avocado oil. These foods can help increase Vitamin D and magnesium intake and circulating blood levels.”

Elliston made further points about strong sources of the vitamin, sun being the primary source, food second, and supplements as a third choice.

“Vitamin D is obtained through the sun, this is the primary natural source,” Elliston said. “Limited foods have naturally occurring Vitamin D. It can be found in fatty fish, cheese, mushrooms, and egg yolks. Due to issues of deficiency in children (which can lead to a disease called rickets), many dairy products and cereals are fortified with Vitamin D. When an individual is struggling with obtaining enough Vitamin D via sunlight and dietary intake, supplementation is required.”

No one questions whether whole food is a source of overall health. “Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food,” a quote often attributed to the Greek physician Hippocrates. But if food alone doesn’t work then supplements may be the answer.

“If supplementation is warranted despite healthy nutrition shifts, I highly recommend evaluating 25-hydroxy Vitamin D with a blood test prior to supplementation,” Dawes said. “This test should be retested after the individual has been supplementing with D2 or D3 for two to three months to evaluate the efficacy of the supplementation. I typically recommend a Vitamin D supplement that includes Vitamin K2 and a magnesium supplement if the diet is lacking.”

She said that, for supplements, the recommended intake of Vitamin D in adults is fifteen micrograms per day. Since Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, it is best absorbed in the bloodstream when it is paired with foods high in fat. This is a good tip for individuals who continually find themselves low in Vitamin D.

If Vitamin D deficiency is a concern in a sunshine-filled state like California, you can bet that other locations are facing the challenge, too. The Cleveland Clinic reports that about one billion people worldwide have a Vitamin D deficiency, while fifty percent of the population has Vitamin D insufficiency.

Approximately thirty-five percent of adults in the United States have Vitamin D deficiency.

Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency include fatigue, impaired immune function, muscle pain, and bone pain.

For anyone exhibiting signs of Vitamin D deficiency, it is recommended that you contact a health professional for testing and to discuss a treatment plan. SLO LIFE

Once in a Blue Moon

BY JAIME LEWIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY LILY WOLFE

Years ago, my husband and I spent a week on the coast of southern France in a town called Sanary-sur-Mer—an impossibly bright, sunny place to whose charms we found no end. We swam in the Mediterranean, worked on our tan lines, and treated ice cream like daily medicine. In the evenings, we dined on entrecôte steaks and crisp green salads served with bottles of Bandol rosé from a perch in the local bistro, overlooking the beach.

I recalled that week recently while visiting our own local seaside jewel, Avila Beach—another impossibly bright and sunny place with a beachside bistro. With its crisp blue-and-white interior, chic patio, and spellbinding view of the sand and sea, Blue Moon Over Avila Restaurant just might fool you into believing you’re in Nice, Antibes, or Cannes for a moment.

“We have the best location in California,” says Chef José Dahan, food and beverage manager at Blue Moon Over Avila—an energetic Frenchman with a kind face and an obvious appreciation for the good life. He gestures to the waves tumbling on the shoreline, and the promenade where people of all ages stroll past boutiques, souvenir shops, and street performers. “How can you beat that?”

Dahan’s cuisine is familiar to many longtime diners in San Luis Obispo. A native of Toulouse, France, he wound up here in 1996 after owning restaurants across Southern California. In SLO, Dahan’s acclaimed eatery Et Voila! served classical French fare for over a decade until its closure in 2014. Dahan says he shuttered the business because he wanted to travel the world rather than stand chained to an oven. So he retired. Mostly. >>

In 2017—near the beginning of that retirement— Dahan’s friend Nancy Bell (of Lindamood-Bell fame) reached out to say she was opening a French bistro on the Avila Beach promenade. Before she could ask him to forgo his retirement and take over as chef, Dahan beat her to it.

“I’ve been cooking for fifty-six years,” he told her. “The last thing I need is another restaurant.”

Despite his proclamation, Dahan loved the idea of a French restaurant on the beach. So he helped Bell bring the kitchen up to code, develop the menu, and train the staff, as he has (and still does) for many restaurants across the Central Coast. Over the years, though, Blue Moon became especially close to his heart.

“I really love this place,” he says. “Nancy’s been a really good friend—she’s like family.” As such, Dahan stays on as food and beverage director, stopping in to consult and help whenever he’s between trips to Taiwan, New Zealand, or Patagonia. He keeps the focus on relaxed French classics like coq au vin, steak au poivre, and salade niçoise—all prepared with vibrant ingredients and a slight California accent. He also oversees the wine list, which is ninety-five percent from small French wineries. “I work for a French importer,” he says. “We have Sancerre, Crozes-Hermitage, Vouvray—wines you can’t find in shops around here.” >>

Mary Baker Eddy, Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science

As Dahan tells me about his upcoming trip to North Africa, I sample Blue Moon’s sprawling charcuterie plate with camembert, paté, dried figs, and baguette. It summons the scene of a picnic in a heady lavender garden. When the French onion soup Lyonnaise arrives, my spoon breaks the burnished gruyere seal and the aroma of caramelized onions and sherry rises, reminiscent of a rustic French kitchen in winter. But it’s the salmon salad with golden beets, seaweed, and citrusginger vinaigrette that elicits memories of our lazy days spent on the sand in Sanary-sur-Mer.

With each bite, I’m reminded of the common misconception that French food is overly-grand, overlysauced, expensive, and inaccessible. The dishes I eat in this light-filled, seaside bistro are exactly the opposite; they comprise simple elements, brought together in ways that have stood the test of time—and they remain as evocative as ever.

As I bid Dahan farewell at Blue Moon’s front door, I can’t help but marvel at the many diners seated on the patio. The late afternoon sun directly faces them from its place above the Pacific horizon, blazing in the reflection of their sunglasses. At every table, they chat, sip, laugh, and watch the waves. If not for their American English, I’d almost swear they were French, enjoying a late afternoon lunch and watching the sun draw its daily arc over the ocean. SLO LIFE

PSA: Brunch is Still Brilliant

Brunch. The brilliant concept which allows us freedom of choice in a judgment free zone; an easy solution to the conundrum when you want to meet up with your friends, but Logan doesn’t eat eggs, Parker is gluten-free, and Riley has afternoon plans with their kids. It’s where your coffee-only-cousins, your day-drinking darlings, and your mocktail mates are all at home at the same table. It also allows us to squeak a bit more ‘social time’ into our weekend while still taking care of the ever-growing to-do list. It’s no wonder this meal has become such a phenomenon and has stood the test of time.

Luna Red Restaurant & Lounge

San Luis Obispo

Pre-pandemic, Luna Red was known as the place for weekend brunch in downtown SLO. Some of our locals still think that and have been sharing the good word (thank you, for that!!) because the calls continue weekly with the same question: “I heard you serve Saturday Brunch—may I please make a reservation?”

We are thrilled that we can finally, and emphatically say, YES. Brunch is back at Luna Red.

Every Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 3pm beginning March 18th, you can now officially add the colorful, sun-soaked Luna Red patio back to your brunch rotation. The menu features brunch favorites with a classic Luna twist, like Eggs Benedict with your choice of our housemade chorizo, duck confit, or almond pesto; all served on our housemade gluten-free arepas. Another highlight that is quickly becoming a staff favorite are the Chicken ‘n Waffles which features generously seasoned fried chicken over a housemade buttermilk belgian waffle, drizzled with chili-cilantro maple syrup and paprika butter. Many of your favorite lunch and dinner items, including street tacos, ceviches, creative bowls, bacon-wrapped dates, and paella will also be available during brunch hours.

For a full look at the menu or to make a reservation, visit www.LunaRedSLO.com 1023 Chorro Street right next to Mission Plaza in downtown San Luis Obispo

Novo Restaurant & Lounge

San Luis Obispo

Sunday Brunch on the Novo patio has been a tradition for nearly two decades. Beautiful creekside ambiance, friendly and attentive service, a wide selection of menu options, refreshing cocktails, and locally roasted Coastal Peaks coffee keep our sprawling patio buzzing every Sunday from 10am-2pm.

For a full look at the menu or to make a reservation, visit www.NovoRestaurant.com

726 Higuera Street,downtown San Luis Obispo

Robin’s Restaurant

Cambria

Brunch in the gorgeous gardens of Robin’s Restaurant is a worthwhile reason to add a Sunday Drive cruising northbound on Highway 1 to your agenda this spring. Gather in our sunny atrium or blooming gardens for a healthy mix of classic brunch fare and globally influenced dishes. For over 30 years, our eclectic menu has been considered unique and a perennial favorite for locals and visitors alike.

For a full look at the menu or to make a reservation, visit www.robinsrestaurant.com

4095 Burton Drive, Cambria

Now Pouring a craft beer lovers paradise

BY BRANT MYERS

MEANEY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD

I was in search of fresh hoppy beers from all over California all in the comfort of my own county. Where can one go for this? Well, luckily, we’re spoiled for choices here on the Central Coast, but after visiting this locale for a quick pint in the past, we decided to delve deep into the story behind Ancient Owl Beer Garden and Bottle Shoppe in Atascadero.

Todd Meaney, our intrepid photographer, and I brave the Grade yet again and shoot over to the intersection of Traffic Way and El Camino Real to a small city made of shipping containers. It’s a frigid night that would see freezing temperatures, but we pop a squat under some heat lamps with the three owners and a pint of Stone Cold Steve Oswald, an amber lager brewed in collaboration with neighbor Colony Mash. How does a beer garden collaborate with a brewery? Well, let me introduce you to the three owners.

The husband-and-wife team of Marcin and Alanna Andruszkiewicz combined with Larry Duterte comprises the top level of Ancient Owl. I’ve known Duterte for some time, and am awkwardly reminded that I also know Marcin, but those are the breaks of a craft beer lifestyle, a memory made hazy from too many Hazy IPAs. These two brewed together at Barrelhouse Brewing Company in Templeton where I would regularly make stops with tour buses full of people for upwards of five years. Duterte also bounced around Libertine Brewing in SLO for a while making wild ales and sour beers at both locations asynchronously. Alanna was active in the non-profit world lending a big hand to the Boys and Girls Club both here and in Chicago. Marcin and Alanna were poised to open Ancient Owl Brewing in Chicago when property after property kept getting swiped out from >>

underneath them for development. After enough setbacks, they packed up their kids and moved out West. Marcin got a job brewing at Barrelhouse where he met Duterte. Both do what most people who have a job do at some point, they start scheming on a way to both go into debt and work more— they wanted their own business.

Running into an even tougher real estate market, a chance meeting with Alanna and a property owner gave them the opportunity to be a part of the development in the main corridor of Atascadero. The team envisioned a shipping container compound to allow semi-open floor plans while reducing costs. Marcin’s background as a construction project manager for a decade helped them do most of the work inhouse and their vision quickly became a reality. Having spent the past couple of years on the floor playing with Legos, I appreciated the quirky boxy-ness of the designs but also deep down I just yearned for something different than the reclaimed barn wood and industrial-chic vibes of most bars that popped up in the past decade.

The space also shares some shipping containers with neighbors, including Negranti Creamery, where a sticky kid was eating an ice cream cone while his dad developed a fine beer foam mustache. This is the synergy I can get behind. Ancient Owl seemed to be the spot for those in the know on this fairly busy Monday night. I run into an old regular from Spikes Pub, a stool warmer that plays regularly at Bristol’s Cider, Chris Chambers of Dunbar Brewing/ Spent Grain Brewing, and meet the owner/brewer at Colony Mash Brewing just two miles down the road. I liked that dude, we might have to talk to him in the near future. While

the temperature is dropping, I’m feeling warmer now on to my second pint and surrounded with friends new and old.

I have two favorite beer types: free or new. While they do charge, you’re paying for some very sought-after beers, many of which are not in wide distribution. The secret to their success is a truck and a trailer. Duterte and Marcin drive two times a month in different directions to get the bottles, cans, and kegs being offered on tap and to-go. I’m fascinated by this because visiting breweries was my living for quite a while, and I love a road trip. I mainly want to ask how they can leave a brewery after conducting business without sticking around for a couple of hours. My weakness. Turns out they’ve perfected both almost to the point where it became work. Utilizing Duterte’s industry connections, they take a trip to Southern and Northern California every month to personally visit the breweries to pick up inventory for Ancient Owl. Day trip up North, overnight down South. That’s not only dedication, but it means we as the consumer get to drive a few miles and have a fresh beer that might have otherwise taken a day to get.

Duterte cracks a Gose for us to savor while I talk big business with him. It turns out that you won’t have to survive “The 5” or even the treacherous Grade to experience Ancient Owl’s beer selection. They’re opening in SLO. Early Summer 2023 will see their second location, just two years after opening their first, on Duncan and Orcutt Roads. As part of a larger plan for an open-air destination, the facility will also house wineries, Kreuzberg Coffee, and Shindig Cider. Funny that it’s just a stone’s throw from Two Broads and SLO Cider. Keep an eye out for falling apples in the vicinity.

I’m always excited for a new locale to imbibe, but all the more so when they have an excellent selection. I had four wildly different beers from Ancient Owl that I’ve never been able to taste before and even left with a Rye whiskey barrel-aged barleywine that I’ll bring to my next friend’s dinner to share. Sharing is caring, and the team at Ancient Owl has really let their passions shine through in creating a fine establishment to enjoy fine pours. Join me in raising a half or full pint of your choice to the continued success of Ancient Owl. Cheers! SLO LIFE

Culture & Events

SPRING FLING

The City of San Luis Obispo Parks & Recreation Department presents a fun-for-the-whole-family event to celebrate the coming of spring. Activities for all ages, including an egg hunt for the kids, live music, interactive booths, and a vendor fair take place in Meadow Park on South Street in SLO.

April 8 // slocity.org

BALLET UNBOUND

Enter a world where classic form meets modern movement, where dance becomes emotion, and where the body speaks. Two works of contemporary styling, presented by Movement Arts Collective in Cuesta College’s Cultural and Performing Arts Center, feature the choreography of Maartje Hermans and Ryan Lawrence performed by seventeen of the area’s most talented dancers. This is a yearly celebration of everything that ballet is and everything it is not. April 22-23 // movementartscollective.org

DORRANCE DANCE

Cal Poly Arts presents the award-winning tap dance company founded in 2011 by artistic director and 2015 MacArthur Fellow Michelle Dorrance. Based in New York City, the company shares the incredibly dynamic range that tap dance has to offer through performance and education, engaging audiences on a musical and emotional level and sharing the complex history and powerful legacy of a truly American art form.

April 12 // calpolyarts.org

SLO FILM FEST

This hometown twenty-ninth annual film festival is a six-day event showcasing contemporary and classic films in a wide variety of venues, from the classic art deco Fremont to the popular independent Palm Theatre in SLO, to venues in the wine country of Paso Robles and the seaside town of Morro Bay. Moviemaker Magazine calls it one of the top fifty festivals worth the entry fee, and it includes showcases for youth and Central Coast films, as well as music videos.

April 25-30 // slofilmfest.org

DARWIN’S SMILE

Iconic actress Isabella Rossellini comes to the PAC SLO with a new one woman show reconciling two worlds that often are at odds: art and science. In her well-known comical tones, she demonstrates how acting can be used to understand the mysterious nature of animals and their emotions. With humor and simple devices, she plays dogs, cats, chickens, peacocks, and of course Charles Darwin himself. April 29 // calpolyarts.org

BOOK OF THE YEAR

Cuesta College’s fourteenth annual county-wide program brings New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir to the college’s Cultural and Performing Arts Center in SLO for a lecture, Q&A, and book signing. Her “brilliant, unforgettable, and heart-wrenching” contemporary novel, “All My Rage,” won the 2022 National Book Award in Young People’s Literature and the 2023 Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults. April 27 // cuesta.edu

SHABANG

Get “a full dose of the Central Coast” at this annual live music and arts festival featuring more than fifty performances across four different stages at Dairy Creek Golf Course. You can purchase single-day tickets, two-day passes, or VIP passes that include premium access to spacious lounge areas, private bars, restrooms, and express entry lanes. The line-up includes Men I Trust, Hippo Campus, Bob Moses, Vundabar, Hayden James, Dudeo Perez, and more. May 5-6 // shabangslo.com

SCOTT YOO & GUESTS

Join Festival Mozaic Music Director Scott Yoo and three incredible guest artists for a concert exploring great works of chamber music in intimate performance. Jessica Chang (viola), Sophie Shao (cello), Orion Weiss (piano), and Yoo (violinist) collaborate to bring you selections from Debussy’s Twelve Études for solo piano, Schumann’s Fantasiestücke for viola and piano, Poulenc’s Cello Sonata, and Brahms’ Piano Quartet in C minor. May 12-13 // festivalmozaic.org

A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2

As a door slams in 1879 Norway, a young wife and mother leaves behind her family, freeing herself from the shackles of traditional societal constraints. Now, fifteen years later, that same door opens to reveal a changed woman with an incredibly awkward favor to ask the people who she abandoned. SLO REP presents Lucas Hnath’s bitingly funny sequel to Ibsen’s masterpiece, revealing that a slammed door isn’t just an end, but also the chance for a new beginning. May 5-22 // slorep.org

THE BOOK OF MORMON

One of the most successful musicals of all time—winner of nine Tony Awards (including Best Musical) and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album— comes to the PAC SLO. The story of two missionaries as they preach to inhabitants of a remote Ugandan village, it’s been called “the best musical of this century” by The New York Times and “the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals” by The Washington Post May 17-19 // calpolyarts.org

ATASCADERO TAMALE FESTIVAL

The seventh annual fest features thirty tamale vendors, some hailing from local restaurants and some from across California. A variety of other food options and a host of merchandise for sale accompanies a line-up of robust entertainment including a Latin dance band, traditional mariachi music, Folklorico dancers, a soulful funk band, fireworks, and even dancing horses. And don’t miss the annual “best tamale,” tamale eating, and pet costume contests.

May 6 // atascaderotamalefest.com

PASO WINE FEST

More than one hundred wineries fill four large tents at the Paso Robles Event Center for the annual four-day festival celebrating all things wine. Enjoy music, an array of food options from wood-fired pizza to barbecue to savory and sweet crepes, and handmade goods and wine-related wares from local artisans at a maker’s market showcase. Then explore Paso Robles wine country for special wine tastings, winemaker dinners, live music, and more. May 18-21 // pasowine.com

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