SLO County News BlogGolf, Wine, Real Estate, Business & Travel NewsPaso Robles WineMonday, January 31, 2005En route to Justin Vineyards & Winery, Vineyard Drive twists beneath oak trees laced with Spanish moss. The road passes ranchland and rows of vines heavy with grapes as it heads deeper into the Santa Lucia Mountains and the backcountry of the Paso Robles wine region.Justin Vineyards & Winery is a cluster of contemporary, farm-style buildings set among vineyards on the edge of an oak woodland. Its five-table restaurant, Deborah's Room, is softly lit and warmed by a stone fireplace. Dinner is a journey through the Paso Robles landscape, only culinary--with an emphasis on local ingredients and Justin wines. Above one table, a letter from the White House lauds Justin's 1997 Isosceles Bordeaux blend--served at a state dinner in 2000--for its "seductive, almost gushing fruit and gorgeous structure." As we leave, the waiter issues a warning seldom heard at sophisticated restaurants: A couple miles from the winery, look out for the bobcat in the road. That's where he likes to sit. And so we go slowly down the dark, winding road. The bobcat isn't sitting there; instead, an enormous great horned owl suddenly swoops over the truck's hood. The night captures the contrasts of the Paso Robles region, where wine-country elegance blends with old California ruggedness to create a destination equal parts gourmet and rustic. Wine as a way of life Until recently, Paso Robles was largely undeveloped as a wine region; cattle were raised here, not Cabernet But the area's viticultural tradition is among California's oldest. Wine grapes were grown at nearby Mission San Miguel Archangel starting in the 1790s. Commercial operations began in 1882, when Andrew York, founder of York Mountain Winery, planted vineyards on a mountain near today's State 46. And after spending time in the area to treat his rheumatism, the great pianist and Polish freedom fighter Ignacy Jan Paderewski bought a ranch here and planted acres of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah grapes. York and Paderewski were onto something. The sprawling Paso Robles appellation encompasses numerous climatic zones. Annual rainfall varies from 10 to 40 inches, and summer temperatures can range 60 degrees in a single day, Plus, with several earthquake faults in the area, there is considerable variation in soil types. Add it all up, says Ken Volk, founder and director of winemaking at Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards, you have something special. When Volk arrived in 1981, there were just 11 bonded wineries here in San Luis Obispo County. Now there are more than 80 in the Paso Robles appellation alone. "This is the sleeping giant of California line wines," he says. "There's not much land left to plant in Napa. But there's still accessibility here, and people can "afford it. Like it or out, the Central Coast is the future of fine wine in California." When Volk began making wine, he crushed grapes with a baseball bat and a trash can. These days, Wild Horse is the area's third-largest winery; it was recently acquired by Peak Wines International, a subsidiary of Jim Beam Brands Worldwide. While 80 percent of Wild Horse's sales come from 4 of its 30 wines, Volk has also planted more than a dozen rare heirloom gape varieties. "I enjoy working with different grapes," Volk says. "I would hate to see the heirloom varietals just disappear. And it's like cross-training. Those grapes help us make a better Chardornnay too." Where elegant meets rustic With 22,000 acres now in production, the Paso Robles wine industry has literally transformed the local landscape. In formerly open pastures, rows of vines stand out against golden hills backed by the dark ridgeline of the Santa Lucias. The transformation has affected local culture as well Paso Robles is now home to fine restaurants like chic Bistro Laurent and a growing number of food-oriented businesses. And these days, not only can you dine well here, you can also sleep in style. A decade ago it would have been hard to envision Villa Toscana Bed & Breakfast in these parts. Tim Tuscan-style inn at Martin & Weyrich Winery has cloistered walkways, a campanile, and huge rooms with hardwood Floors and rough-hewn-beam ceilings. But for "all its push trappings, the inn is part of a working California winery, with rooms looking out over vineyards. On an overcast morning, the inn is quiet, but the winery is bustling. The crush has begun. Winemaker Alan Kinne walks us through the facility, describing the science behind the transformation of raw grape juice into wine. "There's a big debate over whether winemaking is an art or a craft," says Kinne, a onetime literature and philosophy major. "But the human touch makes all the difference. We're still using some of the same techniques that people used 2,000 years ago." That night at the restaurant Buona Tavola, some local vinners are having their first tastes of a dessert wine produced at their winery. Talk about gushing and seductive: Their more studied comments are repeatedly interrupted by gasps and exclamations and congratulatory clinks of glasses--leaving little doubt that whether art or craft or science, winemaking in Paso Robles has become both a passion and a way of life. Vines in the wild: sample Paso Robles, the Central Coast's up-and-coming wine region Matthew Jaffe, Sunset San Simeon's Hearst CastleSunday, January 30, 2005Hearst San Simeon State Historical MonumentIt took time to build this castle on a hill along the central California coast-28 years-and even then it wasn't finished. And it takes time to appreciate the place today Five different tours are offered (including one nighttime trek) that venture into various of the mansion's 58 bedrooms, 18 sitting rooms, anci 60 bathrooms. The fantastic dream of newspaper heir William Randolph Hearst came into existence with the help of architect Julia Morgan. The site, which Hearst called La Cuesta Encantada, hosted countless lavish parties with stars and politicos. Today the wild parties are history, but a visit is still like nothing else in the world. Hearst Castle is William Randolph Hearst's former home: a 165-room Moorish castle with 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways, furnished with Spanish and Italian antiques and art. William Randolph Hearst told architect Julian Morgan in 1927 that he wanted to built "a little something" on the California coast. Eighteen years later, La Cuesta Encantada, "The Enchanted Hill" (more commonly known as Hearst Castle) crowned the hilltop above tiny San Simeon. Hearst had a longtime relationship with actress Marion Davies and many of the era's most famous stars visited the Hearst Castle. In its heyday, Hearst Castle had its own zoo, tennis courts and two magnificent swimming pools to entertain them. After Hearst died, family fortunes declined, and they gave Hearst Castle and its lands to the state. Today the state Park Service preserves Hearst Castle as a State Historical Monument, and we can all enjoy a glimpse into the Hearst's opulent lifestyle. Hearst Castle offers five tours. Tour One is most popular with first-time visitors, and it sells out early. To avoid disappointment and potential delays, buy tickets for Hearst Castle in advance. Before or after your tour, visit the National Geographic Theater to see their 40- minute show that tells the story of Hearst Castle in a larger-than-normal format. The theater's iWERKS screen is eight times the size of a conventional movie screen and it is equipped with 7-channel, digital surround sound. No reservations are required.
The Quiet Coast of Avila BeachSaturday, January 29, 2005Once a busy port, Avila Beach--14 miles south of San Luis Obispo--is today a quiet coastal sanctuary with much of the charm of neighboring Pismo Beach and Morro Bay, but without the sprawl of hotels and curio shops or the emphasis on tourism. If you're visiting the county or traveling along the California coast, you might consider a detour for a few hours, or a few days. Laid-back little Avila and adjacent Port San Luis can give you a taste of California coastal towns as they were in the '40s and '50s.An additional reason to visit is the weather: Avila Valley's microclimate usually means sunny skies even when nearby beaches are fogged in. In most any weather, two local mineral hot springs are attractive prospects (but be aware that some people find the sulfur smell a bit overwhelming). Avila Hot Springs, 1/4 mile west of U.S. Highway 101 on Avila Beach Drive, is a family recreational campground, open year-round, with a large pool and private hot tubs. Sycamore Mineral Springs, also on Avila Beach Drive, has dozens of simple hotel rooms, each with private outdoor spa. Redwood tubs, tucked under oaks and sycamores are available too. In Avila Beach, shops along Front Street's six blocks offer saltwater taffy, beachwear, fishing gear, and fish and chips. The Old Custom House, at 324 Front, is the preferred local hangout. Two miles west of Avila Beach, at the end of Avila Beach Drive, is Port San Luis. First built in 1873, Harford Pier (as it was then called) had a narrow-gauge railway running two trains a day. The canopy at pier's end sheltered a railroad warehouse. Today, it shelters the Olde Port Inn, known for its seafood (the proprietor's family also owns the wholesale fish market downstairs) and coastal views. A picturesque afternoon outing in this area would be a drive along See Canyon Road (2 miles northeast of Avila Beach, off San Luis Bay Drive), where several small orchards sell cider, honey, just-picked vegetables, and apples (in fall). The quiet San Luis Obispo coast David Lansing, Sunset Central Coast MagazineFriday, January 28, 2005Eyes on the good lifeLeslie E. Stevens, The Tribune Central Coast Magazine has capitalized on the county's lifestyle, towns and wine to win a place on coffee tables in San Luis Obispo County It's no accident that Central Coast Magazine publishes from a beachfront office with a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean. The location epitomizes what the magazine celebrates -- the laid-back but increasingly sophisticated Central Coast lifestyle -- a unique blend of rural countryside, quaint small towns, fine homes, premium wines, food and entertainment. The person primarily responsible for selling this vision to advertisers is John Summer, a former television anchor, financial advisor and restaurant contractor turned publisher. Summer, along with wife, Liz, and business and marriage partners Michael and Anne Vidor, own and operate the magazine enterprise, which celebrated the anniversary of its first issue in September. With a circulation of 20,000, the colorful, glossy magazine targets an affluent, upscale audience between Santa Barbara and Monterey/Carmel. About 15 percent of its distribution also reaches Central Valley residents, many of whom vacation or own second homes on the Central Coast. Recently, Summer spoke with The Tribune about changes taking place on the Central Coast and why the area is ripe for a lifestyle magazine. Does Central Coast Magazine target a particular type of consumer? This is a region that has fundamentally changed within the last couple of years in terms of the kind of person who is migrating to the area and the upscale consumer demands that the new resident is bringing with them. The growth that is taking place is necessarily more upscale because it is based on the ability of new residents to purchase a home here. Those new residents are coming here because they have fallen in love with the culture, beauty and climate and everything this area is about. They have the disposable income to buy a nice home and either redecorate or add on to it. They will enjoy all the wonderful cultural and entertainment elements the Central Coast has to offer. They are coming from areas where they have higher demands for quality in goods and services and are willing to pay for it. How does Central Coast Magazine capitalize on that? A magazine like Central Coast packages the businesses that provide those higher quality goods and services in a way that the upscale consumer is familiar with. They understand these magazines and look at them as a reference source for higher quality goods and services. The advertisers in the magazine are as much a part of the entertainment value as the editorial content. People love to look at beautiful things. We package it in a way that presents them with beauty and image marketing. What is "image marketing?" It is a specific type of advertising that creates an image for products that attracts the type of consumer willing to pay for that product or service because of its quality. They just want to know where to find it. As this region changes and the sophistication of the consumer increases, it will become critical for businesses to reach that consumer base. They cannot compete with the big-box stores on price. They will need to redirect their focus to higher quality products those stores are not going to carry and offer a higher level of service than big-box stores are likely to provide. Otherwise, they (shoppers) might go to Orange County or the Bay Area to find it. How did you market the magazine to reach these customers? Initially, we created a customized mailing list based on critical demographic criteria that would be applicable for upscale regional lifestyle magazines -- basically income levels, home values and lifestyle interests. The magazine was then initially mailed out to 15,000 households. About 2,000 additional copies were dropped off at professional offices -- day spas, plastic surgeons and laser eye doctors to be placed in waiting rooms -- places where primarily women of means access these services. The magazine is primarily aimed toward these women who make most of these kinds of buying decisions. The balance of the magazines go into rooms of the more upscale resorts and hotel properties on the Central Coast. They are also available on the newsstand. The magazine is not given away. It has a cover price ($3.95). The magazine is very expensive to produce. It is essential that it be sold for verification purposes so we know, and particularly our national advertisers know, that every issue is wanted. Is it especially challenging working with two husband-wife teams? I see it as an advantage. Liz and I have worked together off and on all of our lives. We met working as co-anchors in Duluth. If you can survive a working relationship and still create a personal relationship out of that, you know it will be strong. The same with Mike and Anne. They had a company marketing book authors to publishing houses and to Hollywood for movie rights before they partnered with us. How did you finance start-up costs? We personally funded it and also acquired a significant SBA loan from First Bank early in the project. There are four equal partners -- no outside investors at this point. Part of our business model is to expand growth and projects that Central Coast Media Group may be involved with in the future. This magazine is not all of it. What kind of projects? This is only the beginning. Hopefully, we'll be able to do spin offs or critical branding relationships with other media outlets in both production and publishing. All kinds of possibilities exist to expand what it is we are doing. Magazine revenues were up 11 percent in 2004. How much do you think that has to do with the success of your new magazine? Partly it's good fortune. The timing couldn't have been better. Also, the regional lifestyle magazine format is among the most successful magazines in the country. This region is absolutely ready to support this type of magazine. We are the California Dream -- the old California people fell in love with 30 or 40 years ago -- and we still exist. We are showcasing it for how wonderful it already is. SLO Birding in Morro BayThursday, January 27, 2005Birds flock to Morro Bay, and watchers followBy Kenneth R. Weiss, The Associated Press For as long as I can remember, I've thought of Morro Bay as a place to escape from Los Angeles. At the age of 10, I visited former neighbors who had moved here after selling their house in suburban Los Angeles to pursue a slower, simpler life. I cherish the boyhood memory of careening around the streets in this seaside town on a bicycle, awe-struck by how empty they were of cars. So when my girlfriend, Nancy, suggested we drive up to Morro Bay to get away from it all, I pounced on the idea even if it meant a couple of days of pursuing her passion: bird-watching. Morro Bay is a major winter refuge for non-L.A. escapees. It teems with migrants this time of year. Noisy flocks of black brant geese fly down from summer breeding grounds in the Arctic. Enormous white pelicans with yellow bills come from the prairies of Canada. American avocets, formal in their black and white winter plumage, and handsome pintail ducks arrive en masse from inland lakes now locked in ice. I quickly learned that Morro Bay is one of the hottest birding spots in the Western United States, with more than 250 species of birds seen between November and February. When we came a few weeks ago, the place was packed with birds. The streets remained as quiet as I remembered them. Our getaway began in earnest as we headed north on Highway 1 toward Morro Bay. The city of San Luis Obispo quickly gave way to green hills, and a string of ancient volcanoes called the Nine Sisters marked the route like giant stepping stones. The last of the sisters is Morro Rock. At 576 feet, it lords over the town and the bay from its place in the surf zone. (Morro Rock is challenged at the edge of the harbor by three smokestacks from a poorly placed power plant, which may have inadvertently protected this place from becoming another coastal boomtown.) We hustled to the waterfront embarcadero to rent a two-person kayak as a squall was gathering. I had a new pair of 10-power binoculars that Nancy had given me as part of her plot to get me hooked on birding. Now, she was telling me, one of the best ways to spot the birds in Morro Bay's expansive estuary was to get on the water and sneak up on them. First, we had to fight our way upwind and against the tide to get deep into the 2,300 acres of protected bird sanctuary. Once there, we were able to glide close to a seething mass of western sandpipers on an exposed sandbar. They were in a feeding frenzy, stitching the mud like erratic sewing machines with their needle-like beaks. Easily spooked into flight, these small shorebirds would rise aloft like clouds of tossed confetti before settling softly back to Earth. Even I, the most reluctant of birders, was fascinated by this aerial ballet. It was almost as interesting as the herd of 75 harbor seals, lounging on another sandbar like giant slugs with wide eyes and whiskers. Chilled from the outing, we retreated to our room at the Inn of Morro Bay just as the skies unleashed the first torrent of rain that persisted through our stay. The inn is on the bay at the entrance to Morro Bay State Park. We had a standard room, which was a clean but unremarkable accommodation in the middle of the complex of clapboard buildings with red-brick driveways. We asked for an upgrade the second night to a room that overlooked the water and had a gas fireplace and hot tub. We were glad we did. The weather wasn't cooperating. More kayaking was out. Every time we ventured out of the vehicle to get closer to the shorebirds and waterfowl, sheets of wind-driven rain quickly chilled us right through our rain gear. "I have water running down my leg," Nancy said, pointing out the weak link between her waterproof pants and her calf-high rubber boots. We spent a fair amount of time bird-watching from the hotel, much of it peering through my new binoculars from the private hot tub on our balcony. This was my style of birding. We also did some drive-by bird-watching around the estuary and spent just about every meal at a waterfront window. One morning at the inn's Orchid restaurant, we ate eggs Benedict and a Mediterranean omelet next to a pair of birders from San Francisco with their pair of binoculars. We ate lunch twice, as it turned out at the Bayside Cafe, munching on a huge pile of nachos and crab-cake sandwiches. As we waited briefly for a table at this popular cafe one afternoon, another couple from Los Angeles came in the door, dripping wet and poring over a bird book to try to identify their latest find. "The birds drop out of the storm like a gift from the heavens," said the woman in a beret. Maybe it was the series of storms, but we felt as if we had Morro Bay nearly to ourselves. We never had trouble finding a parking spot, and we never had to wait in line. The crowds seemed to be only of the avian type. We meandered around Embarcadero Road and found ourselves shelling out $2 apiece to enter a funky, family-owned aquarium behind a gift shop. The part that was the aquarium had a collection of sad-looking rockfish and other critters from the kelp forest in old, algae-tinged tanks. A brighter point was the exhibit of sea lions that barked, slapped flippers and performed tricks in exchange for treats. A sign was posted to answer the nagging question: Why are the seals and sea lions being held in these tanks rather than swimming freely in the bay? "Feed the Performing Seals, They're all Rehabilitated Animals." We amused ourselves by tossing bits of chopped anchovies to the boisterous encouragement of these animals. We even went back for more food an extra $1 for three small bags of diced fish. During one brief break in the rain, we scampered up the half-mile trail to the top of Black Hill in Morro Bay State Park. It was a great place to look down on the town, the rock and the estuary all bearing the same name. It also was a fine vantage point for storm-watching. As thunderheads and lightning dominated the skies to the south, a rainbow arched above Morro Rock. Soggy but elated, we decided to continue our bird-watch-turned-storm-watch weekend from our hot tub. Later, as we headed out of town, Morro Bay's quiet streets still looked as perfect for bicycling as they did to the eyes of a 10-year-old. The Inn at Morro Bay had bikes available for guests, but the rain made cycling out of the question and left something for next time. 3 Articles on SLO in Sunset MagazineWednesday, January 26, 2005There are three articles in Sunset magazine coming up. In February, a 2005 Environmental Awards Essay on Hearst Ranch Conservation Project, in May an article on the SLO Wine Region, and in September an article on Cambria Coastal grand tour.The Tribune posted an article about Sunset Magazine recognizing the deal to preserve the 'iconic' Hearst Ranch, though controversial, among the top of such deals in 2004. Sunset magazine likes what's become of Hearst The Tribune, Leslie Griffy Sunset Magazine is recognizing last year's biggest conservation project on the Central Coast -- Hearst Ranch -- in its 2005 environmental awards. "Obviously, Hearst is one of the more controversial places" to win the award, said Sunset Travel Editor Peter Fish. After details of the plan were first released -- the deal allows five miles of beach to remain in private hands, 27 private homes and a 100-room hotel -- some environmentalists objected by saying the agreement didn't go far enough. "What outweighed that for us was that it is such an iconic place on the California coastline," Fish said. "It is so gorgeous." The list was compiled after extensive research into land deals over the past two years, Fish said. The recognition goes to 10 newly preserved areas. After compiling a list, Fish said, editors at the magazine consider the "noteworthiness" of the conservation project, including the amount of land and the amount of time and effort that went into the negotiation process. The conservation project was part of a deal between the Hearst Corp. and the state, negotiated in part by the American Land Conservancy. The deal took more than five years to finalize. The deal protects 82,000 acres north of San Simeon and adds 13 miles of beachfront to the state's public shores. "I just think William Randolph Hearst knew his real estate and was able to get one of the most beautiful places in the world," Fish said. The recognition is welcome, said Jeff Stump, vice president of the American Land Conservancy. "I think it is going to raise the level of understanding about the conservation project," he said. Other newly preserved lands that made the February issue's top 10 include wetlands near the Las Vegas strip, Devil's Canyon in Wyoming, Sutter Buttes near Sacramento, Point St. George in Del Norte County and the Coachella Valley Preserve. Rounding out the list is Dillonwood Grove, near Kings Canyon, and Cottonwood Creek Park in San Diego County. Carlton Grand Opening this FridayTuesday, January 25, 2005The Carlton Hotel's 52 guest rooms and suites will be available to patrons beginning Friday.Introductory rates of $180 a night will be used along with down pillows, 400-thread-count linens and terry spa robes, and slippers to lure overnight visitors. The historic downtown Atascadero lodging is being marketed as an urban-style boutique hotel to residents up and down the state interested in visiting area vineyards, local beaches and Hearst Castle. The introductory fee does not apply to suites and is good until June. Regular rates range from $195 to $335 for guest rooms and $335 to $535 for the hotel's two suites. There is a four- person limit to each room. The Carlton's bakery, lounge, wine bar and two restaurants are currently open. Since local developer David Weyrich announced in January 2000 he was buying and renovating the hotel, the $15 million Carlton renovation has played a pivotal role in city plans for downtown revitalization. Atascadero city and business leaders hope the facility will draw tourists and investors, making the area more of a destination location. First built in 1929, the historical Carlton Hotel reflects the true beauty and charm of Yesteryear while offering the finest amenities available today. When you come to the Carlton Hotel in downtown Atascadero, CA, you will enter the intimate lobby into an atmosphere of sophisticated comfort and gracious surroundings. At the historical Carlton Hotel in California, exceptional personal service and fine innovative cuisine redefine the art of warm family hospitality. Relax and enjoy all the Carlton Hotel has to offer. For more information or to make a reservation, call 461-5100 or visit the hotel Web site at www.the-carlton.com. SLO's Tennis WarehouseMonday, January 24, 2005When the year's first major U.S. professional tennis tournament kicks off in Indian Wells in March, one of its key sponsors will be there from San Luis Obispo.It's the second year online retailer Tennis Warehouse has helped sponsor the Pacific Life Open event, said owner Drew Munster. "From a practical perspective, it's the beginning of the tennis year for us," Munster said. "It is one of the biggest tennis tournaments on U.S. soil ... and an opportunity for us to come face to face with our customers which we don't get to do that often." Last year, more than 267,000 fans showed up for the televised two-week event. About 250 of the world's top-ranked men and women players are scheduled to compete in this year's event, which runs March 7-20. For tickets or more information, call the box office at 800-999-1585 or visit www.pacificlifeopen.com. Tennis Warehouse plans to build a 3,200-square-foot retail location on the site of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. It will be the only opportunity for customers to shop for the retailer's tennis apparel, shoes, rackets and accessories other than on its Web site. Two other San Luis Obispo County businesses have teamed up with Tennis Warehouse over the past several years to provide their products online. Our friend Stew at Power Play Inline on Higuera St. can be found at Inline Warehouse and the old Wilderness Outfitters from the Village of Arroyo Grande is now located in San Luis Obispo and can now be found at Tackle Warehouse. SLO Glasses DonatedSunday, January 23, 2005Optometrist is bound for Tanzania with glassesAnnMarie Cornejo, The Tribune Thomas Rippner, an optometrist with Limberg Eye Surgery in Cambria and San Luis Obispo, recently departed for Tanzania, Africa, to bring more than 10,000 pairs of glasses to villagers. Rippner and a team of 20 volunteer doctors will spend three weeks providing eye exams and distributing the glasses. The trip was coordinated by Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity, an international network of volunteers. While most trips average a week in length, the great need in Tanzania determined the length of this trip, said Rippner. Locally, people can help by donating their old eyeglasses to any Limberg Eye Surgery location in San Luis Obispo County. The donated glasses will be shipped to a warehouse, sorted by prescription, cleaned and packaged to be taken on a future trip. "This is a small way that people can help and have a big impact," said Rippner. "Donate glasses that you don't use anymore -- for some people it is life changing." For more details on how to donate glasses, call 927-5465 or visit www.vosh.org. Help Design SLO CountySaturday, January 22, 2005Designing the county of the futureCitizens have a chance to help plan for future growth at a series Stephanie Finucane, The Tribune In 2050, planners predict, San Luis Obispo County could be home to 400,000 people -- a gain of around 150,000 residents -- and they'll need jobs, schools, homes, hospitals and a host of shops and services. Residents will have a chance to plan for that growth by attending one of three "Community 2050" workshops. The first will be Saturday morning at Nipomo High School. Using computers, participants will have a chance to plot where they think growth should -- and should not -- occur. "If L.A. could have done this 50 years ago, it could be a whole different place," said Steve Devencenzi, deputy director of San Luis Obispo Council of Governments. The organization -- a regional planning agency that represents all seven cities plus the unincorporated areas -- is one of several sponsors of the workshops. Organizers expect planning professionals and civic leaders to attend. But they're hoping to also see parents and grandparents, teachers and students, employees and small business owners -- anyone with a stake in the county's future. Working in teams, participants will be given a set of growth projections and will then plan for that growth by designating where different types of developments should occur. The process is similar to "Sim City," a popular computer game that allows players to be urban designers. The teams will plan for roughly 65,000 additional housing units -- the number needed to accommodate the population growth that council of government planners are projecting. Participants won't plan on a street-by-street, or even neighborhood-by-neighborhood level. Rather, they'll look at regions and will even have the chance to create new cities. As they design the county of the future, a traffic model will show the impacts on major streets and highways. "One of the biggest goals of the program is to help people really recognize what the future holds if we keep proceeding with business as usual," said Devencenzi. That business-as-usual-future, he said, would likely include clogged highways, even higher housing prices and a continued exodus of young families unable to afford the cost of living. All three workshops will be filmed by AGP Video and shown on public access cable television. A summary video and written report will be prepared at the end of the sessions. Those will be distributed to local agencies. The workshops will cost around $15,000, Devencenzi estimated -- money that's coming from a state transportation planning grant and from the county Air Pollution Control District. The district, Action for Healthy Communities and the Local Agency Formation Commission are also among the workshops' sponsors. The commission decides the boundaries of local governments in the county. Cameron ClappFriday, January 21, 2005 We were thrilled to learn yesterday that Cameron Clapp is featured this week on the cover of New Times! We encourage you to read this article by Abrahm Hyatt about this remarkable teenager and his inspiring story of courage facing the loss of three limbs after being struck by a train in Grover Beach just days after 9/11, at the age of 15.
Running on Desire In 2001, Cameron Clapp lost both legs and one arm - today he competes in triathlons and wins gold medals Abraham Hyatt, New Times SLO Pages has had the privilege of sponsoring Cameron by creating and hosting his popular website at www.cameronclapp.com. SLO Photos at FlickrThursday, January 20, 2005 SLO Pages has recently added a new photo page highlighting the last 10 photos of San Luis Obispo County posted at flickr. The SLO County Group at flickr is approaching 50 people in size who post new quality photos daily.
Flickr describes San Luis Obsipo County as being on the Central Coast of California, smack dab between LA and SF. There's a mission and a castle. The first motel and the Madonna Inn. The spot where James Dean died. Miles and miles of coast. Farms and vineyards. Bike paths and windy back roads. And one of the best Farmer's Markets in the state. At flickr, you can search for photos by "tags" to find photos taken of things - beaches, sunsets, trails, etc., or in places - Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, San Simeon, etc., by people on vacation on the Central Coast as well as its residents. You'll be amazed at how many photos you'll find of the Hearst Castle, Elephant Seals, Morro Rock, Pismo Pier and other attractions! Flickr is a revolution in photo storage, sharing and organization, making photo management an easy, natural and collaborative process. Get comments, notes, and tags on your photos, post to any blog, share and chat live and more! Join the fun and share your San Luis Obispo County photos at flickr. Article about Flickr's founders by Fast Company: Reinventing a category whose flashbulb burnt out Coast is Clear to SLOWednesday, January 19, 2005U.S. Highway 101 and other key routes are now open again, enabling visitors to experience the many wonderful attractions, lodging, dining, shopping, and activities available in San Luis Obispo County.If you're into wildlife viewing, then this is the season to visit San Luis Obispo County. Gray whales can be spotted along the San Luis Obispo County coast during their annual round-trip migration from Alaska to Baja, California. Whales can be viewed from several vantage points on land or aboard a whale watching cruise departing from Morro Bay. San Luis Obispo County consistently ranks among the top ten sites in the nation for the Audubon Society's Annual Christmas Bird Count, with more than 400 different species of birds sighted. This is also the peak season to see elephant seals at the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery, near San Simeon. The Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove is the winter gathering spot for Monarch Butterflies, attracting thousands of these beautiful winged creatures. Nothing warms a winter day like a glass of fine wine, especially if it is an award-winning vintage from the San Luis Obispo or Paso Robles wine region. "Wine cork sniffers" will enjoy upcoming special events dedicated to wine, such as the Art & Wine Festival in Cambria, January 28-29 and the Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival, March 18-20. For the adventure-minded, visitors can try their hand at sea kayaking in Morro Bay, riding an ATV at Oceano Dunes, or hiking at Montana de Oro State Park. Don't forget Hearst Castle, "The Enchanted Hill," which expands its tour offerings beginning March 4 with the return of its popular evening tour program. To help plan your natural escape to San Luis Obispo County, please call 1-800-634-1414 or visit www.SanLuisObispoCounty.com and order a FREE copy of the Official 2005 San Luis Obispo County Destination Guide. While on the Website be sure to check out the many "Go SLO Deals" available at San Luis Obispo County accommodations, attractions and businesses. San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Conference Bureau Avila Village Inn OpensTuesday, January 18, 2005 The Avila Village Inn in the Avila Village commercial and retail center off San Luis Bay Drive welcomed its first guests last week. The inn opened its doors for a month-long soft opening to be followed by a grand-opening celebration on Valentine's Day.
The $5 million inn is owned by Ventura-based builder R.W. Hertel & Sons and will be managed by the Pacifica Hotel Company. Michele Berry is the general manager. She previously managed the Morgan's Mansions Hotel in San Luis Obispo. The craftsman-style inn has 30 rooms with suites featuring mission-style furniture, spa tubs, fireplaces, wet bars with granite countertops and secluded balconies. Other amenities include DVD players, wide-screen televisions and a complimentary breakfast. The inn also features a fitness facility for guests and a conference room for executive meetings and retreats. Rooms run about $175 a night. Local residents will receive a 15 percent discount on room rates. The bar/lounge is open to guests, but the Avila Beach Deli -- a high-end delicatessen and market -- will open in February and offer limited room service. An outdoor pool and spa will also be added in the near future. The inn is located at 6655 Bay Laurel Drive in Avila Beach. For details, call 627-1810 or visit www.avilavillageinn.com. Avila Village Inn opens; locals can get discounts The Tribune, AnnMarie Cornejo Cambria Art & Wine FestivalMonday, January 17, 2005January 28-29A celebration of Cambria's unique community and uplifting spirit. You will enjoy a weekend of wine tasting featuring many of the most outstanding Central Coast Wineries and Artists. It is a festival that encompasses the entire village and includes a silent art auction, wine tasting and demonstrating artists throughout the village, and specials at all our shops and restaurants. This fun-filled weekend is a time to relax, enjoy great art, wine, and food, and enjoy everything that makes Cambria one of the most beautiful vacation destinations anywhere. The Cambria Art & Wine Festival is a fundraiser for the Cambria Chamber of Commerce, Community Center of Cambria and Allied Arts Association. The two day event brings together the best of the worlds of art and wine at the Veteran's Hall. Ticket Prices vary. More information and tickets are available online at: www.seecambria.com/artwine SLO Gumbo FestSunday, January 16, 2005 January 22
What better way to spend a Saturday in January then to smell the mouthwatering aromas of some wonderful southern United States dishes such as jambalaya, remoulade, etouffee, rice and beans and then have the pleasure of consuming them. Great food, entertainment and crafts will be featured during Gumbo Fest in the San Luis Obispo Mission Plaza. The event for all ages is from 10am-5pm. More information is available by calling (805) 783-1275. Could SLO be the next Rhone Valley?Saturday, January 15, 2005Could the Central Coast be the next Rhone Valley?By Mark Johnson - Nashville City Paper, October 06, 2004 When I talk about the Central Coast, keep in mind that this is a huge area of California covering eight counties from Contra Costa in the north to Santa Barbara in the south. Not all of them are the right place to grow the grape that originates from the Rhone Valley in France, but many of them are - especially Livermore Valley, Arroyo Grande, Edna Valley, Paso Robles and the Santa Cruz Mountains. In the late '80s a loose affiliation called the Rhone Rangers was formed to help promote the growing of these grapes. Now in the southern Rhone Valley of France there are up to 13 grapes allowed in the making of their wine, although most of them only use the most popular four: Syrah, Grenach, Mouvedere, and Cinsault, and the best example of this is Chateauneuf du Pape, which is where many of the winemakers of Central Coast try to emulate. In the Northern Rhone there are two regions that influence the winemakers in California and use almost 100 percent Syrah, the elegant and long-lived wines of Hermitage and the powerful wines of Cote Rotie. Every time I visit with a Central Coast winemaker these three areas invariably come off as having tremendous sway over how they produce their wines. While it is difficult to discuss the climate over such a large region - because there are literally hundreds of microclimates - there are a few common denominators. This entire region is greatly affected by a maritime climate meaning mild winters and cool summers with little rain until December. This gives the grapes a long time to hang on the vine. Also, an interesting note is that the San Andres fault runs east of the Central Coast making this region the only one not on the North American plate. And while this means that some day they will all fall into the ocean, until they do the soils are marine sediment that does make the wines a bit softer and more relaxed. Rock Rabbit Syrah '02 Here a winemaker took advantage of using the Central Coast name by blending together juice from vineyards all over the region. The wine shows a moderate ruby color with a whitish rim. The nose is a gentle example of red pomegranate and plum with bits of allspice and nutmeg. It is just as smoothly textured on the palate with mostly fruit and little tannins. The finish is short but balanced making this a good wine for under $15. Qup? "Bien Nacido" Syrah '02 I reviewed the other Central Cost wine last spring when the winemaker, Bob Lindquest, was in Nashville for the Friends Auction. This wine is much darker with an almost blood red core and little rim variation. The nose is dense black currant, black pepper, blackberry jam and spice. It is concentrated on the palate and if you must open a bottle of this wine today let it breathe for a while or decant it first to loosen it up. When you do you will find amazing complexity with gripping tannins and a bit of heat from the alcohol. The finish is long and intense going back and forth from fruit to spice. Morro Bay Winter Bird FestivalFriday, January 14, 2005January 14-17A variety of events are offered during the 9th annual Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival. More than 200 bird species either winter or live permanently in the Morro Bay Estuary area. Our featured evening speakers will be Moose Peterson, nationally acclaimed wildlife photographer, who in BIRD TALES, gives a multimedia presentation that provides intriguing stories behind his incredible bird photos. and Mark Herzog in "THE ALASKA - MORRO BAY CONNECTION" will share his fascinating experiences banding Brant goslings on their breeding grounds in Alaska. It is a fascinating story and a rare glimpse at one of the wildest and richest wildlife habitats in the world. SLO Farmer's MarketThursday, January 13, 2005 The Central Coast has many farmers' markets. Local farmers sell flowers, fruits, and vegetables. These markets can be accompanied by other entertainment such as music, dancing, and the visual arts. These are festive occasions that fill the needs of both the local purchasers and sellers in our local communities.
The open-air market of San Luis Obispo differs in that it is on Thursday evenings and draws tourists from up and down the State. The Farmers Market is famous for its produce, live music, and foods such as bar-be-que ribs. San Luis Obispo has convenient train stops for those coming from the north or south. The train ride can be an adventure in itself. From the station it is only a few short blocks to the downtown and to the market. Coming from the north the train passes through the Salinas Valley, San Miguel, Paso Robles, Atascadero, Santa Margarita, and then down to the coastal level through a tunnel. The track then goes through the farmland of California Polytechnic State University (better known as Cal Poly) before arriving at the San Luis Obispo train station. Coming from the south can be an even greater treat. Spectacular views can be had of the Pacific Ocean from the train cars as the train travels from Santa Barbara and passes through the Vandenburg Air Force Base. Vandenburg has the native vegetation on its reserve that lends to the remoteness of the area and how it must have looked before the Californos and Californians came to this coast. Tourists from the Southern California and San Diego can also board a special train to make the visit to San Luis Obispo. Higuera Street's ambiance is enhanced with its trees silhouetted against the two and three story buildings. The movement of people up and down the main street adds to an Old World flavor. As the sky slowly darkens, you will find yourself engulfed in another place and time. It may remind you about how California may have once been, and how it is here again in some small way. Farmer's Market - Coast Country The San Luis Obispo County Farmers' Market Association is a nonprofit organization that has been in existence since 1978. The organization operates the World Famous San Luis Obispo Farmers' Market in downtown SLO (in partnership with the San Luis Obispo Downtown Association), along with four other markets in San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande, and Morro Bay. SLO County Farmers' Market Association SLO County Real Estate BlogWednesday, January 12, 2005SLO Pages now features a new SLO County Real Estate Blog authored by Keith Byrd at slocountyhomes.com.Keith is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the Pismo Coast Association of REALTORS®. He is also a member of the regional Central Coast MLS Committee where he was recently contributed his knowledge and experience to help choose the next MLS System provider for the area. This will be the system that the 2500+ Realtors in the area will use to access MLS listings. If you are looking to buy or sell a home on the Central Coast, give Keith a call at (805) 459-4723 or check out his website at slocountyhomes.com. Keith is also featured as the San Luis Obispo County real estate broker at mls2020.com. SLO County's Next 100,000Tuesday, January 11, 2005Here's is some information examining growth and change in San Luis Obispo County from a three-day series written by The Tribune in April, 2003.Young families move because they can't afford a place to live. Companies struggle to recruit workers and are forced to relocate, taking jobs with them. Young retirees and active seniors with rich portfolios move in, further pricing out middle-class families. What will happen 15 to 20 years from now if these trends continue, if no steps are taken to create affordable housing or higher paying jobs? The staff at The Tribune decided to find out. Like it or not, here they come: A projected flood of new residents would need 50,000 additional homes and increasingly carve growth into SLO County's rural and open areas. Who will we be in 15 years? A Tribune-commissioned study shows dramatic differences by age. Home prices forcing change This impetus, more than any other, could determine who will live here … and who won't. With the silver comes the gold Influx of new residents will be the oldest and wealthiest in county history. Who's Moving to San Luis Obispo County? (graphic: 35K) Californians are drawn to San Luis Obispo County property for its coastal serenity and central location. How we reached these findings Local Voices: How do you think the county will change in the next 15 years? Space between us is ever-shrinking New homes could spread across rural areas as cities clamp down on growth. Six Ways We Can Grow (graphic: 225K). Still dreaming of stand-alone homes 22,000 new houses will be needed just to meet demand of incoming retirees, study projects. The Home of the Future (graphic: 54K). Building a Future that Looks Like the Past (graphic: 43K). Local Housing Policies: County, cities tackle housing crisis Government gets creative; high prices may break up Pamela Bessette's family. In The Works: 10 of county's defining new subdivisions. Local Voices: How do you think the county will change in the next 15 years? Housing plans: How you can get involved How 100,000 Will Change Your Life Whether through stalled traffic, more low-paying jobs or fancier stores, an influx of age and wealth could greatly alter the county's character. Overview of the Impacts: Growing areas will gain influence But San Luis Obispo will retain its powerful place in the center. Education: Difficult Lessons School officials blame shrinking enrollment on high housing costs. Employment: Service jobs make for grim wage outlook Optimists count on entrepreneurs while researchers see gloom. Health Care: Doctor shortage occurs in the face of acute demand Support Services: From pews to parks, no room to spare Religious organizations, cemeteries squeezed; pools and skate parks needed. Shopping: Upscale retailers will follow the wealth Newcomers' spending could spur wave of specialty stores. Transportation: Growth means more traffic, and local roads aren't ready Local Voices: How do you think the county will change in the next 15 years? Water: New sources will be needed to quench growing thirst The special project team Our County's Next 100,000 Local Blog Highlights SLO CountyMonday, January 10, 2005Just ran across a new local blog by Julian Phillips from Santa Margarita. In his first posts, he shares some highlights and history of Santa Margarita, Paso Robles and Pozo. Some excerpts follow. Julian's blog also provides an invitation to the community to share in the experience of his first feature film.Santa Margarita [My Hometown] When Fransiscan priest Father Junipero Serra first came to this valley in 1772, he named it in honor of his mother, and founded the Mission Aistencia de Santa Margarita, where Chumash Indian converts worked raising cattle, wheat and vegetables. Part of the old mission structure still stands on the 17,000 acre Santa Margarita ranch, and is a state historical landmark. The ranch was eventually granted to Joaquin Estrada, who held lavish fiestas, weddings, parties and even funerals that lasted for days or weeks and featured bull fights and bears. The town was laid out in 1889, as the Southern Pacific Railroad was first pushed through, finally reaching San Luis Obispo over the mountainous Cuesta Ridge in 1894. Modern Santa Margarita is quiet for most of the year, but explodes with celebration in September for the local Days of the Dons street party and parade. Paso Robles [The Jewel of the Central Coast] Paso Robles is proud to be one of the fastest-growing premium wine regions in the state. The number of wineries and wine grape acres in the Paso Robles area more than doubled between 1993 and 2002. There are now more than 60 wineries in the area and 20,000 acres of vineyards. By 1983 Paso Robles had its own viticultural appellation, which today is the fourth largest such region in the state, contributing to the county's top agricultural product of $58 million in annual wine and wine grape sales. Although famous for the Zinfandel variety, 45 other types of wine grapes are grown here, with optimal growing conditions and diverse soils attracting new growers every year. The first wine grapes were planted here as early as 1797 by Missionaries at the San Miguel mission, and then later by people like Andrew York, who established the area's oldest winery at York Mountain around 1882, which today has its own appellation. In 1914, Polish premier and concert pianist Ignace J. Paderewski took a room at the grand hotel, seeking a cure in the hot springs for the neuritis that was crippling his hands. He stayed for eight years, during which time he established a 2,000-acre vineyard of his own in the 1920's. Paderewski's influence is remembered today in Paso Robles with a festival, one of several throughout the year. The biggest of these is the Paso Robles Wine Festival, held in the middle of May in the Downtown Park, which is one of the largest outdoor wine events in California and attracts 15,000 visitors annually. This event features a golf tournament, numerous winemaker dinners and special events, entertainment, barrel sampling and tours at the wineries, and 300 wines you can sample in the park with food and music. Other festivals to celebrate Paso's wines are the Zinfandel Festival in March, with an auction in the ballroom at the Paso Robles Inn and a special collaborative wine blend prepared by local wine-makers; and the Harvest Wine Tour in October when grapes are being harvested, featuring events, barbecues, tours, seminars and celebrity chefs. Wine is also frequently the theme of activities at the Mid-State Fair, located in a large park-like setting with arenas, stages, show buildings and livestock areas on Riverside Avenue. Known as ‘the biggest little fair anywhere', the Mid-State Fair usually focuses on livestock, agriculture and domestic arts, and during the year is the scene of flea markets, antique and auto shows, equestrian events and wine happenings. During the Fair itself in late July, you can also see well-known music acts like Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder, or comedians like Bill Cosby and Carrot Top. Each year there is a professional rodeo as well as a beauty pageant, equestrian events, livestock markets, industrial arts exhibits, 4-H and FFA shows and special days for seniors, kids and the community. To open the Fair there is a cattle drive down city streets every year, and 1,500 ranchers and farmers come out for Cattleman's Day for cow dog trials, ranch horse classes, 40 pens to show cattle and the naming of the Cattleman of the Year. The Fair also has a carnival, and dances, zoo animals, free stage shows, a Monster Truck show and of course all the great Fair Food you can eat. Pozo Out in Pozo 18 miles East of Santa Margarita on Pozo Road, visitors and locals alike find the small town of Pozo and the surrounding wildnerness to be an experience in California's Old West hospitality and excitement. The drive out beyond Highway 58, and Santa Margarita Lake Road takes you through some of the county's most pristine ranchland. The town was settled by homesteaders in the 1850's after the breakup of a Spanish land grant. The wife of Pozo's first post-master gave the town its name, and by 1900 there were about 200 people there as the road was opened through the La Panza range to the East, and a short-lived gold rush brought more activity. The Pozo gold rush started in 1877 with the lucky find of a gold nugget on a ranch, and at one point San Luis Obispo's venerable entrepreneur Ah Louis had a large operation in the mountains with as many as 400 Chinese laborers looking for gold. Two general stores, a hotel and cafe, blacksmith shops, a school house and other original structures in Pozo are all gone now, with only the original saloon and the bottom of the hotel still standing and in use. There is also a small library, and a U.S. Forestry station, as well as small art shops and some residences. The original hotel's bottom floor is now a private residence on Pozo Road next to the saloon. The saloon itself was built around the 1870's, and is a false-front redwood building that sits in the shade of a giant cottonwood tree. The saloon was closed in the 1920's due to Prohibition, but was re-opened in the 1960's by a retired sheriff who purchased the five acre site and operated a general store. The mahogany bar inside the saloon came to California by sailing ship around the Cape Horn of South America in 1860, and oversees the sleepy dining room, where a pot-bellied stove keeps the cowboys warm in the winter, and photos, campaign posters, branding irons, mining equipment, snake skins and other souvenirs line the walls. The saloon still serves meals on weekends, and hosts numerous special events throughout the year, including concerts with notable rock and roll or country-Western performers. The first week of April is the time for the Pozo Highland Scottish Games, when the entire five acres is transformed into the scene of numerous traditional Scottish contests of strength, such as the caber-toss, and the men all wear kilts. You can find Watcher's ModBlog on our SLOggers page. Birds flock to Morro BaySunday, January 09, 2005Birds flock to Morro Bay, and watchers followThe coastal village is a winter refuge for 250 species of winged migrants, which can be viewed by land or sea. By Kenneth R. Weiss, L.A. Times Staff Environmental Writer  For as long as I can remember, I've thought of Morro Bay as a place to escape from Los Angeles. At the age of 10, I visited former neighbors who had moved here after selling their house in suburban Los Angeles to pursue a slower, simpler life. I cherish the boyhood memory of careening around the streets in this seaside town on a bicycle, awestruck by how empty they were of cars.
So when my girlfriend, Nancy, suggested we drive up to Morro Bay to get away from it all, I pounced on the idea — even if it meant a couple of days of pursuing her passion: bird-watching. Morro Bay is a major winter refuge for non-L.A. escapees. It teems with migrants this time of year. Noisy flocks of black brant geese fly down from summer breeding grounds in the Arctic. Enormous white pelicans with yellow bills come from the prairies of Canada. American avocets, formal in their black and white winter plumage, and handsome pintail ducks arrive en masse from inland lakes now locked in ice. I quickly learned that Morro Bay is one of the hottest birding spots in the Western United States, with more than 250 species of birds seen between November and February. Birders flock here for the annual Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival, Friday to Jan. 17 this year, which enables birders to strut their species-spotting skills, among other activities. It's a my-list-is-bigger-than-your-list sort of competition. Fortunately, we came a few weeks earlier. The place was packed with birds but not the birders. The streets remained as quiet as I remembered them. Our getaway began in earnest as we exited U.S. 101 about 200 miles from L.A. and headed north on Highway 1 toward Morro Bay. The city of San Luis Obispo quickly gave way to green hills, and a string of ancient volcanoes called the Nine Sisters marked the route like giant stepping stones. The last of the sisters is Morro Rock. At 576 feet, it lords over the town and the bay from its place in the surf zone. (Morro Rock is challenged at the edge of the harbor by three smokestacks from a poorly placed power plant, which may have inadvertently protected this place from becoming another coastal boomtown.) We hustled to the waterfront embarcadero to rent a two-person kayak as a squall was gathering. I had a new pair of 10-power binoculars that Nancy had given me as part of her plot to get me hooked on birding. Now, she was telling me, one of the best ways to spot the birds in Morro Bay's expansive estuary was to get on the water and sneak up on them. First, we had to fight our way upwind and against the tide to get deep into the 2,300 acres of protected bird sanctuary. Once there, we were able to glide close to a seething mass of western sandpipers on an exposed sandbar. They were in a feeding frenzy, stitching the mud like erratic sewing machines with their needle-like beaks. Easily spooked into flight, these small shorebirds would rise aloft like clouds of tossed confetti before settling softly back to Earth. Even I, the most reluctant of birders, was fascinated by this aerial ballet. It was almost as interesting as the herd of 75 harbor seals, lounging on another sandbar like giant slugs with wide eyes and whiskers. Chilled from the outing, we retreated to our room at the Inn of Morro Bay just as the skies unleashed the first torrent of rain that persisted through our stay. The inn is on the bay at the entrance to Morro Bay State Park. We had reserved a standard room, which, after a AAA discount, cost about $89 a night, plus tax. It was a clean but unremarkable accommodation in the middle of the complex of clapboard buildings with red-brick driveways. We asked for an upgrade the second night to a room that overlooked the water and had a gas fireplace and hot tub. We were glad we did. The weather wasn't cooperating. More kayaking was out. Every time we ventured out of the vehicle to get closer to the shorebirds and waterfowl, sheets of wind-driven rain quickly chilled us right through our rain gear. "I have water running down my leg," Nancy said, pointing out the weak link between her waterproof pants and her calf-high rubber boots. We spent a fair amount of time bird-watching from the hotel, much of it peering through my new binoculars from the private hot tub on our balcony. This was my style of birding. We also did some drive-by bird-watching around the estuary and spent just about every meal at a waterfront window. One morning at the inn's Orchid restaurant, we ate eggs Benedict and a Mediterranean omelet next to a pair of birders from San Francisco with their pair of binoculars. We ate lunch — twice, as it turned out — at the Bayside Cafe, munching on a huge pile of nachos and crab-cake sandwiches. As we waited briefly for a table at this popular cafe one afternoon, another couple from Los Angeles came in the door, dripping wet and poring over a bird book to try to identify their latest find. "The birds drop out of the storm like a gift from the heavens," said the woman in a beret. Our favorite meal was at Hoppe's Garden Bistro, a renowned restaurant a few minutes north on Highway 1 in the town of Cayucos. We were careful to make dinner reservations well in advance. The place didn't disappoint. The meal began with pheasant breast ravioli with wild mushrooms, which could have been a meal in itself, followed by a salad topped with warm goat cheese. I had a Pacific-style bouillabaisse packed with wild salmon and shellfish, and Nancy had the crispy duck with wasabi mashed potatoes. Maybe it was the series of storms, but we felt as if we had Morro Bay nearly to ourselves. We never had trouble finding a parking spot, and we never had to wait in line. The crowds seemed to be only of the avian type. We meandered around Embarcadero Road and found ourselves shelling out $2 apiece to enter a funky, family-owned aquarium behind a gift shop. The part that was the aquarium had a collection of sad-looking rockfish and other critters from the kelp forest in old, algae-tinged tanks. A brighter point was the exhibit of sea lions that barked, slapped flippers and performed tricks in exchange for treats. A sign was posted to answer the nagging question: Why are the seals and sea lions being held in these tanks rather than swimming freely in the bay? "Feed the Performing Seals, They're all Rehabilitated Animals." We amused ourselves by tossing bits of chopped anchovies to the boisterous encouragement of these animals. We even went back for more food — an extra $1 for three small bags of diced fish. During one brief break in the rain, we scampered up the half-mile trail to the top of Black Hill in Morro Bay State Park. It was a great place to look down on the town, the rock and the estuary all bearing the same name. It also was a fine vantage point for storm-watching. As thunderheads and lightning dominated the skies to the south, a rainbow arched above Morro Rock. Soggy but elated, we decided to continue our bird-watch-turned-storm-watch weekend from our hot tub. Later, as we headed out of town, Morro Bay's quiet streets still looked as perfect for bicycling as they did to the eyes of a 10-year-old. The Inn at Morro Bay had bikes available for guests, but the rain made cycling out of the question — and left something for next time. SLO Website for Tsunami ReliefSaturday, January 08, 2005San Luis Obispo County residents who want information on local businesses donating to tsunami disaster relief can visit a new Web site -- www.biz4relief.com.More than a dozen local businesses have teamed up to support the site, which includes information on who's contributing and how much. The businesses are offering a portion of their proceeds on products or services, all of which will be donated to www.directrelief.com, an international nonprofit organization. The goal is to raise $100,000. The following businesses have already pledged to donate: GFL Systems, Ash Management, Kennedy Club Fitness, Mother's Tavern, GH Sports, Meathead Movers, Northwestern Mutual, Rafa Ties, Grover Beach Barbershop, Left Coast T-shirt Co., SLO Passport, Mortgage House, Mid-State Bank and Trust, Chimney Doctor and John T. Fazio and Associates. For details, call Meathead Movers at 544-6328. Biz Buzz, The Tribune Bright Ideas in SLOFriday, January 07, 2005Creating a light style-- The Tribune, AnnMarie Cornejo Darren Marsan's imagination provides the creative synergy for his Baywood Park business. The Bright Ideas Design Group's offerings range from lighting design for homes and businesses to play structures for children. His wife, Michelle Hayden-Marsan, even paints animal portraits. The couple's specialty, however, is in innovative ideas that make yards, houses and businesses sparkle. By adding fiber optic lighting to an indoor stairwell or designing luminous lighting for a tropical back yard -- old places are made new. What you see: The Baywood Park office, shared with landscape architect Jeffrey Gordon Smith, is a testament to Marsan's creative ability. Sanded Plexiglas separates the office area from a customer lounge decked out with vibrantly colored chairs. The logos for the two businesses -- a light bulb represents Bright Ideas -- fill an entire wall and light up like an X-ray. But it is the finished product that speaks volumes. Lighting is used to reflect the homeowner's character or to highlight artwork. A San Luis Obispo homeowner had a fiber-optic ring of colored lights put in his back yard. An Italian villa in Cambria used lighting to accentuate the house's architectural elements. The plywood play structures created by the couple mimic every child's fantasy. Tree houses, for example, can be designed with rope ladders or to resemble cozy cottages. Each has a bold color scheme and is non-toxic. Climbing walls in indoor and outdoor designs are also available. What he sees: Marsan's lighting design skills come from an eclectic work history. The San Francisco State University graduate has traveled the world designing sets, creating special effects and coordinating lighting plans for entertainers like George Michael, INXS, Paula Abdul and Stevie Wonder. After almost six years of traveling with musicians, Marsan met his wife, Michelle. With his roadie days behind him, Marsan joined Walt Disney's Imagineering in 1991 as a production designer. During his 10-year stint with the Glendale company, he made sets for Disney theme parks and supervised work crews in Florida, France and Japan. His past two years with Imagineering were spent in Japan overseeing the installation of several new concepts at the Disney resort in Tokyo. He and his family, including daughters Madeline and Cecily, moved to Los Osos shortly after in 2001 and launched the Bright Ideas Design Group. What he likes: Marsan enjoys the challenge and distinctiveness of each project. "My job is fun," he said. "I get to work with color and bring shape to clients' desires." What he would change: Marsan plans to move into a larger office space to exhibit demonstrations of various lighting techniques. "There is always room for improvement," Marsan said. SLO SolarThursday, January 06, 2005REC Solar, a solar electricity design and installation company based in Los Osos, is contributing to several local nonprofit groups through its new Sustainable Community Program. For every solar electric system installed on the Central Coast, the company will make a donation in the customer's name. The following three groups will receive financial contributions: the Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition, San Luis Obispo Child Abuse Prevention Council and the Foundation for the San Luis Obispo County Libraries. The company expects each of the nonprofits to receive about $1,500 to $2,000 annually from the program.REC Solar was created in 1997 with a mission to protect the quality of life for future generations through the use of technology that positively impacts the environment. In addition to its corporate headquarters in Los Osos, the company also has satellite offices in Fresno and Ventura. REC Solar's management team is supported by a dedicated staff of system designers, system installers, sales associates, a marketing and public relations coordinator, and marketing assistants who strive to provide our customers with the best service in the industry. Rec Solar, (805) 528-9705. SLO Used BooksWednesday, January 05, 2005The Tribune provided a nice story today about Nan Fowler, who owns a popular used bookstore in Grover Beach. However the story failed to mention the name, address or phone number of her business. This story in included below for Nan's business - "A to Z Books" at 1526 Grand Ave. in Grover Beach, (805) 489-8653, Open M-S 10-5, Sun 1-5.Bookstore owner, Nan Fowler, had her first taste of work life selling notions at Woolworths; a first-day brush with a manager nearly cost her that job. For years, Nan Fowler found solace in the aisles of used bookshops. When she worked as a nurse, she often visited bookstores after her shift -- taking in the sights and smells of old, worn tomes. Now, as the owner of Nan's Pre-Owned Books in Grover Beach, she sells everything from texts on Zen Buddhism and metaphysics to Danielle Steele novels. "I researched it for over a year before I decided this is something I wanted to do for the rest of my life," Fowler said. Fowler opened her first bookstore in 1987 in Arroyo Grande. She closed that location three years ago when the property was sold to developers. Fowler, who quit her nursing job at San Luis Medical Clinic in 1990, reopened her bookstore in Grover Beach three years ago. Business is steady, and Fowler said she relies on local customers as well as tourists. She currently has five part-time employees, including her daughter, Kristin. "Readers are generally nice people, so we talk about everything from books to politics to grandchildren," Fowler said. But Fowler isn't a total bookworm. A longtime community volunteer, she is founding president of the Grover Beach Community Library, which opened last May. Fowler also serves on the board of the Arroyo Grande Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the San Luis Obispo County Commission on the Status of Women. What was your first job and how old were you? I was 15, and it was Christmas vacation. We were out of school. My girlfriend and I worked at Woolworths. The first day we worked I was in the notions department (pins, buttons, and other odds and ends). At the end of the day, we went to get another assignment, and the other girl was told to come back the next day. I was told I wasn't needed anymore. I was really upset. Rather than accept the decision, I went back the next day. I asked what I'd done, and it turns out that I'd asked who I thought was a clerk to do something, and it turns out it was the manager. So I went back and apologized. They hired me back. I think I learned a lot from that experience. What did you like/not like about the work? I've always liked retail. I like people. I liked the money. That was why I was working. I suppose I didn't like boredom. Standing behind a counter selling pins and needles wasn't very exciting. How much did you earn? Maybe 50 cents an hour, I don't remember. It was better than picking beans. This was in Eugene, Ore. All kids did field work. What lessons did you learn from your first job that you can apply to your current position? Perseverance, not accepting negativity and finding the answers. Just ask questions. I wanted to know why I wasn't asked to come back and it was a misunderstanding. Is there anyone you looked up to who influenced you? My parents owned small businesses, as did my brother. We are proud of the small-business ethics, proud of the small-business experience. It's the base for American life. (It's) sort of the American dream to be your own boss. Bookshop owner Nan Fowler -- Samantha Yale, The Tribune SLO BrewTuesday, January 04, 2005Benjamin Franklin once said, "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." Better yet, Frank Sinatra once said, "I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." Matt Brynildson wants us to feel good and be happy.Brynildson is the current brewmaster at Firestone Walker Brewing Company. He is fresh off a trip to Denver, Colo. where he won a gold medal at the Superbowl of brewing competitions, the Great American Beer Festival. Brynildson walked away with the Mid-Size Brewing Company Brewmaster of the Year award while Firestone cleaned house. The company took home gold medals for its Pale Nectar and IPA Nectar, in addition to winning the Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year award. Brynildson learned his craft at the Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL. He then worked for Goose Island Beer Company in Chicago before making his way to the Central Coast and starting off at SLO Brewing Company. In 2001 he won his first gold medals - for Brew Pub of the Year and Brew Pub Brewer of the Year. He's been at Firestone since July 2001 and oversees a staff of 20 people. While he considers all of his employees brewers in their own right, he said he's technically got four full-time brewers. And when your job is beer, all day, every day, the place can turn into a zoo. "I consider everyone who touches the beer a brewer, but I'm the guy in charge of keeping all these crazy monkeys in the cage," Brynildson said. Brynildson said Firestone is particularly proud of its award-winning nectar ales because they are a fairly recent addition to the family. In 2001 Firestone moved its facilities from the Firestone Vineyard in Los Olivos to the former SLO Brewing Co. facility in Paso Robles. In acquiring the brewery, the company had the opportunity to take on additional brands that SLO Brew had started working with. One of those was a partnership with Humboldt Brewing Company, and Firestone ended up acquiring that brand. Firestone changed the Humboldt brand to become Nectar Ales, as not to mislead the public as to where it was produced. And now that beer has earned them gold. Brynildson said it was a match made in beer lover's heaven. "It's pretty exciting because it's one of the pioneering brands in the micro-brew business here in California. It's got a real cult following in Northern California. Firestone had never ventured north of San Luis County, and Humboldt had never ventured south. The alliance of the two brands allowed that to happen." New Times Strokes & Plugs SLO Clutter to CashMonday, January 03, 2005The Tribune did an article yesterday about some residents in San Luis Obispo County using eBay to generate a second (or only) income by selling collectables, items bought at local yard sales, or their own "clutter".Arroyo Web Design often refers its clients to eBay to attempt to sell their products before launching their own custom e-commerce website, or to supplement their online sales from their website. For instance, The Drum Circuit, sells a selection of their new and used Drum Products using eBay. Before investing in a new custom website for Verena's Horseland, Arroyo Web Design recommended they first try selling their equestrian goods on eBay. Internet sales offer some an employment option - Raven J. Railey, The Tribune SLO FarmingSunday, January 02, 2005Measure Q was focus in farming circles-- Samantha Yale, The Tribune When The Tribune last checked in with Richard Quandt, president of the Grower-Shipper Vegetable Association, he was educating the public about the needs of ranchers and farmers in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. As president of the association, Quandt manages produce farmers and contractors, and advises them on labor and employment laws. Quandt also serves as a mediator between farmers and the public. "People say they like all this open space, but farmers feel that not a lot of urban people know what it takes to produce the food they eat," Quandt said. At the time, the vast employment of undocumented immigrant farm workers was an issue for growers as was supermarket consolidation, which has resulted in fewer buyers. In addition, urban growth near agricultural land was becoming a problem for farmers, he said. Residents complained about noise, dust and pesticide use. "Farmers are frustrated," he said. "They were here first and are just doing what they have always done." What he says now: Quandt, who continues to educate the community about the importance of agriculture, says local farmers are becoming more environmentally conscious. Farmers recently implemented management practices to avoid soil erosion and joined forces with the Regional Water Quality Control Board to ensure that farming practices aren't harmful to the local water supply. Supermarket consolidation and undocumented workers are still concerns for growers, but the biggest agricultural issue of 2004 was Measure Q, which would have banned genetically engineered crops in San Luis Obispo County, Quandt said. "We spent a lot of time trying to educate the public on Measure Q...we were very pleased with the turnout," he said. "About 60 percent of the voters rejected the ban." If Measure Q had passed, San Luis Obispo County farmers would be at an economic disadvantage compared to farmers in other areas because they would be limited in what they could grow, he said. From an environmental standpoint, farmers would be unable to use new seed varieties that are more pest-resistant, causing farmers to need to use more pesticides, said Quandt. Happy New Year SLOSaturday, January 01, 2005A salute to the season, from a Letter to the Editor of The Tribune from George Santos of Cambria.Regarding the push for political correctness with the greeting "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas": I accept all groups' traditions and I have a tradition of "Merry Christmas" greetings, which I don't want compromised for the sake of someone's perception of political correctness. Will the Hispanics compromise their tradition of "Feliz Navidad"? Or the Jewish tradition of "Happy Hanukkah" or any other group's holiday greeting? I think not; so why should I compromise my tradition. A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you. Read More
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