OUT AND ABOUT

Visit Our

Shop Our Collection Of

..................................................... Beef Jerky & Sausages Turkey Jerky & Dried Fruits Gourmet Nuts & Candies Holiday Gi Packs

..................................................... Your Holiday & Corporate Gifts Specialists

Locally made in San Luis Obispo since 1947

SHOP OUR TWO LOCATIONS IN SLO

............................................................................................

950 CHORRO - Across from the Mission 769 CAUDILL STREET - San Luis Obispo 805-543-7188

cattaneobros.com

Errands for Elders

Gift Certificates Available • grocery shopping • senior well checks • transport to appointments • house & pet sitting and more

We’re committed to helping you!

Jane Broshears, owner 805.748.5137 janebroshears1@gmail.com www.errandsforelders.org

NO DOWN PAYMENT HOMES FREE PRE-APPROVALS

Call Rich at Mid Coast Realty 805-710-2704

LIC #0352378. NMLS# 323749

Business Portraits :: Product :: Headshots Commercial :: Editorial

Shell Beach Sunset Jam

BY JEANETTE TROMPETER, KSBY NEWS

Anyone who knows me well, knows of my love affair with the benches above the cliffs at Shell Beach. At various times in my life there have been different benches that call my name. They are magic places where I sit down to watch the sunset, or just sit and stare at the ocean.

About six months ago I was craving a little solitude, but instead happened upon the music of Brian Jeffrey Goldfaden. It ended up leading to a whole new circle of friends.

On this given day, during that beautiful transition from afternoon to evening, I opted to take a pass on heading to my regular sunset spot and took a seat on a new bench where I could soak up the serenity of this magic time alone. A bench or two down the way, just within earshot, there was a guy playing his music for no one in particular, it seemed, but for the beauty that lay before him.

We never spoke a word but my heart smiled as a young girl joined him and began to sing along. It was a magic little moment even before I noticed the words to their song. “I sat here and listened to Brian and just thought I’d join in and sing,” says 11-year-old Holland Rolapp after joining him in the chorus to his song “Moment.”

Turns out Rolapp and I weren’t the only ones drawn to this place at this time. Bob Seeley used to walk his dogs past this bench, but finally decided to bring his guitar and join in one night. “The whales come by, the dolphins come and listen, the otters cheer us on and clap sometimes,” shares Seeley.

Over time a hodgepodge of personalities have joined in the ritual. A public works director, a retired lumberman, a psychotherapist... “Oh my God. This is where we play. This is our auditorium,” says Seeley as he takes in the view. There are no set times for the gang to perform. The sunset serenades usually start with Goldfaden bringing his six-strings to the bench. “I come down when I feel like it, yes; which is often,” says Goldfaden. And in the process of making music by the sea, friendships are made, as well. Rick Warner found out just how much so when his wife was diagnosed with cancer. The group that gathers at this bench, gathered support as well to help Warner and his wife, Shannon, get through her diagnosis. “Our friends from the bench got together and we didn’t cook a meal for six months. They got together, and between Sue and Bryan’s wife, Nikki, every night someone showed up at our house with a dinner,” Warner remembers with a grateful heart. Whether heartache or health issues drew them to this bench, Goldfaden’s music seems to inspire some healing. “I think everyone has been through heartbreak, or transition in their lives—and I’m no exception to that. So, that’s kind of the reason I started writing. I think that’s why a lot of my songs are about finding hope in the face of heartache and believing that the best is yet to come.” And that starts with being in the moment. Whether skies are crystal clear and the horizon ahead is easy to see, or when clouds and fog slip in for a spell and blur the beauty some, there is magnificence in the moment nonetheless. You just have to take the time to take it in. “It’s unreal,” says Carroll Robinson, who has only lived on the Central Coast for a short time, but says he knows everybody by hanging around the bench. “It is magic. It is Magic. I love it. Welcome home!” Welcome home indeed.

SLO LIFE

Over 30 Years in SLO County as your #1 Repair Shop

Autobody and Collision Repair

Vehicle Appraisal for Insurance | Free Estimates

731 Buckley Road | San Luis Obispo sanluiscustoms.com | 805. 543.7878

Headquartered in SLO, Advantage Answering Plus offers live and local telephone reception service for businesses large and small. Having important business calls answered professionally around the clock will: Improve customer satisfaction Increase operational efficiency Capture additional business opportunities Reduce business costs

Let’s talk about how we can make a positive difference in your business, today.

To learn more, go to advantage-plus.com or call us at 805.545.8282