SLO County News BlogGolf, Wine, Real Estate, Business & Travel NewsSLO Kid's Are CoveredMonday, August 29, 2005On Sept. 1, every child in San Luis Obispo County will be eligible for health insurance - regardless their family's income or immigration status - thanks to a nonprofit called Children's Health Initiative of San Luis Obispo and a program called Healthy Kids.Three years in the making, the dozens of organizations and people behind Healthy Kids say they'll be able to give 400 kids this year full medical, vision, and dental coverage - a number that will hopefully grow to 1,000 kids by 2008. At the same time, 2,000 other children will be signed up for state and federal insurance programs. Despite federal and state programs set up to help insure children, as of 2002, an estimated 3,000 kids in San Luis Obispo County still lack any kind of health coverage. San Luis Obispo is not the first California county with a program like this. That honor goes to Santa Clara County, home of Silicon Valley. Kena Burke, the executive director of San Luis' program, said Santa Clara officials started Healthy Kids as a result of the dot-com bubble crash five years ago. Suddenly, thousands of children had no insurance as their parents' jobs evaporated when company after company imploded. Read entire article by Abraham Hyatt at New Times for more information and to learn how you can donate to Healthy Kids: Sick no more Healthy Kids: www.slohealthykids.org The Woodlands in NipomoSunday, August 28, 2005 The Woodlands in Nipomo - Trilogy's newest resort-lifestyle community - is now under construction and scheduled to open its doors to 1st phase home sales this Fall. The Woodslands includes 1,100 properties by Shea Homes, 2 top-notch 18-hole golf courses along with a 9-hole executive course, a shopping center, business park and 500-room full-service resort including a day spa - it's simply massive in size, with quality to match. The Woodlands is located just southwest of Blakelake Golf Course off Willow Rd. The golf course, Monarch Dunes, promises to present fun and challenge. Course designer Damian Pascuzzo is known for weaving strategy into hole design using natural land forms to accomplish this design goal . There will be a lot of variety on the course, including changes in elevation, and subtle movements in the terrain.  Visit these links for more information about The Woodlands and Monarch Dunes. Golf is Bustin' Out in SLO County The Woodlands on Nipomo Mesa www.woodlandscentralcoast.com Shipping SLO WineSaturday, August 27, 2005The recent approval of a bill that puts California's law on interstate wine shipments in step with a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling is winning praise from some local wineries.Senate Bill 118, introduced by Sen. Wes Chesbro, D-Arcata, and co-authored by Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria, would allow out-of-state wineries to ship and sell to California consumers by obtaining a $10 permit. If signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the bill would bring California's law into compliance with the Supreme Court decision, which says that states cannot ban or severely restrict out-of-state wine sales if they also permit in-state wineries to sell directly to residents. It also removes a restriction in the current state law, which limits shipments to two cases of wine each month. The measure, passed by the Legislature on Aug. 18, is expected to be approved by the governor next week. No More Shopping in Santa Maria!Friday, August 26, 2005From bringing in extra tax revenue to bigger pay checks, economic leaders and new employees are counting down the days until Costco opens its doors in San Luis Obispo.I'm counting the days until Costco opens so I can do all my shopping in San Luis Obispo County instead of driving down to Santa Maria. Construction crews are putting the finishing touches on the warehouse giant, while officials sift through more than 1,200 job applications. More than 175 people have been hired, but the company is still looking to bring more employees on board for both full-time and part-time positions. Costco offers pay ranges from $10-20 an hour, benefits, and a 401K plan; Cal Poly student Ellie Line says she's looking forward to working at the warehouse giant. "I had read some articles online about Costco, and how they treated their employees, and it seemed like they were a company with integrity and something I would want to be associated with," says Costco. Economic leaders say the store promises a big boost for San Luis Obispo. "We hope to see in the $300,000-$500,000 a year range in new sales taxes from Costco," says San Luis Obispo Economic Development Manager Shelly Stanwyck. Costco opens on September 17. SLO's Benvenuti is now Calago RestaurantThursday, August 25, 2005San Luis Obispo's Benvenuti Restaurant on Marsh Street has been bought by gourmet chef David Wohrle and his wife, Anissa.The business was bought Aug. 1 from the Rosatos, who owned Benvenuti's for more than 15 years. The new restaurant in the century-old home will be called "Calago," an amalgam of two places the couple loves, California and Chicago, the Wohrles said. David Wohrle, whose chef experience includes the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco and Hyatt resorts for 11 years, describes most of his dishes as "northern Italian with periods of fusion." Prices will range from around $10 to $15 for lunch and $15 to $28 for dinner. The couple plan to expand the kitchen, the bar in one of the small front dining rooms and the use of their outdoor patio, which can accommodate up to 40 people. The Wohrles have also hired Aaron Warren, a former employee at Giuseppe's Cucina Italia in Pismo Beach. Warren, a sommelier, is highly trained in wine selection and pairing. Warren is the only certified sommelier in San Luis Obispo County, according to the Court of Master Sommeliers, a Napa-based educational organization that administers the sommelier exams. "With the food and the service, we want people to know they can come here and be taken care of," Wohrle said. Article found at: Biz Buzz The Tribune, Melanie Cleveland To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. SLO Median Home Prices remain above Half-MillionWednesday, August 24, 2005The median price of a home in San Luis Obispo County remained well above the half-million-dollar mark in July, but sales declined from the previous month.Home buyers paid a median price of $559,900 in July, or $10,970 less than they did in June, according to figures released Tuesday by the California Association of Realtors. Still, July's figure was nearly 24 percent more than buyers paid in July 2004 when the median price was $452,270. Statewide, the median price of a previously owned single-family home in the state jumped an annual 17.1 percent, hitting $540,900. Richard Watkins, chairman of the Central Coast Multiple Listing Service, said some areas such as San Luis Obispo and Los Osos have seen a slight build up in inventory. Coastal towns like Pismo Beach, Morro Bay and Cayucos don't have quite as much on the market, he said. "There's still a lot of activity out there," Watkins said. "There are a few more coming on the market than leaving the market, but there's nothing to indicate there will be a major slowdown in the near future." The Wine Maker Reality Show in SLOMonday, August 22, 2005PBS is planning a competitive reality series based upon wine. The six-episode series, The Wine Makers, "will follow five people from diverse backgrounds as they learn the wine business" and "compete for a chance to launch their own wine label," the San Luis Obispo Tribune reports.The series will go into production late this year and air next spring. It's produced by Doc City Productions, which will cast participants "from an application process that includes write-in essays and open casting calls at supermarkets and specialty stores such as Sur La Table, Fresh Fields, Best Cellars and Total Wines. There will also be online casting calls with Wine.com and print ads in Bon Appetit, Gourmet and Conde Nast Traveler magazines," the paper reports. Read entire article at: Reality TV show about wine will be shot in San Luis Obispo The Tribune, Melanie Cleveland To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. SLO's Seven/Nine SistersSunday, August 21, 2005Most are accessible to the public, but a few need advance permission and two are strictly off-limitsThere are at least 16 major and minor peaks and knobs in the Morros chain, according to the Santa Lucia chapter of the Sierra Club. Some residents refer to the Seven Sisters, while others talk about the Nine Sisters. Here are the nine main peaks recognized by the Sierra Club, along with elevation and information on public access: Islay Hill 775 feet "Islay" means "wild cherry" in Spanish. Open to hikers and dogs on leashes, a 1-mile trail runs from the end of Sweetbay Lane to the top. To reach the trailhead, take Tank Farm Road to Spanish Oaks Drive. There's also a 2- to 2.5-mile loop system, which the city hopes to mark with posts. Visitors can also park at nearby Islay Hill Park and follow the creek to Sweetbay. Cerro San Luis 1,292 feet Also called San Luis Mountain and Madonna Mountain. The "M" stands for Mission College Preparatory school. It's mostly owned by the Madonna family, who traditionally allows access to the top by hikers and mountain bikers. The hike to the top takes about an hour and a half. The Lemon Grove Loop runs on city-owned land on the east side (1 to 1.5 hours), open to hikers and dogs on leashes. Take the Marsh Street onramp to Highway 101 and turn right before entering the highway to reach the trailhead. Bishop Peak 1,559 feet The tallest of the Morros, Bishop offers two trails for hikers and rock climbers. The climb to the top is the most challenging of all the Morros hikes (3 hours), while the Felsman loop explores the steep north slope (2 hours) but doesn't reach the top. The trailhead for both is the 800 block of Patricia Drive. There is also access from the top of Highland Drive. For a longer trek, some start at the turnoff on Foothill Boulevard, crossing the Madonna family's property to reach the trail to the summit. Although the Madonnas tolerate this, it's trespassing. Chumash Peak 1,257 feet This peak was named in honor of the local Chumash Indians. It is partially located on Camp San Luis Obispo property and accessible to the public with advance permission. It's about 1.5 miles to the top -- brushy and not maintained. Cerro Romualdo 1,306 feet Named after the only Chumash Indian to receive a Mexican Land Grant, the north side of the peak is owned by the California National Guard. An unmarked path to the top takes less than an hour and is dotted with poison oak. To enter for hiking or rock climbing, call Camp San Luis Obispo at 594-6510 at least 24 hours in advance. Check in at the guard booth with insurance and photo identification. Hollister Peak 1,404 feet Along Highway 1 between San Luis and Morro Bay, it was named after the family that owned all or part of it until the mid-20th century. It is privately owned by several families and not open to the public. Cerro Cabrillo 911 feet This peak was named for the Portuguese explorer, Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo, who was in the area in 1542. It is in Morro Bay State Park between Morro Bay and Los Osos and offers a moderately strenuous 1.5-mile climb to the top (1-2 hours) on unmaintained trails, which are also open for mountain biking. Enter from South Bay Boulevard, off Highway 1. The path starts about a half mile north of Turri Road. Black Hill 665 feet A short trail extends to the summit from the parking lot above the Morro Bay State Golf Course at the end of Upper State Park Road. That climb takes about 30 minutes and is easy for children. A longer forested trail offers 1-2 hours of hiking, starting from a turnoff on Park View Drive, about 0.4 miles from the park entrance on South Bay Boulevard. The Morro Bay Natural History Museum can offer more details. Morro Rock 576 feet A road runs to the base of the rock, with beach access on both sides. Climbing the rock is illegal. However, I learned from a local Chumash descendant that his ancestry is permitted access to rock once per year. Solomon's Porch in Santa MargaritaSaturday, August 20, 2005The main strip in downtown Santa Margarita - where you might expect to see the sheriff walk out of a saloon with his six-shooter or tumbleweeds silently rolling away into a blurry mirage - is a cafe with a friendly dog (Solomon), owner (Dana Cummings), and cool air conditioning.Cummings refers to his dog, Solomon, as "the Wal-Mart greeter" because people will come by just to say hi to him. "A lot of people think the name of the store is the dog, but it's a hint towards my belief," said Cummings. Cummings opened Solomon's Porch in July 2004 and named it after a biblical story where people could meet to talk freely at King Solomon's temple. Cummings has traveled all over the world as a software engineer and spent many mornings at cafes, which sparked his interest to open his own. "I gathered ideas from the cafes I've been to. Traveling gave me a vision of how I could arrange my store," said Cummings. "I thought if I ever wanted out [of engineering], I could just open a shop." Cummings did get out, but not because he gathered enough ideas to open a cafe. His career change was the result of a car accident that led to the amputation of his left leg from the knee down and permanent injuries to his right ankle and Achilles tendon. Cummings was on his way to work at UCSB with his three kids and was hit in his car while driving through Gaviota. "It's changed my whole life. If I focus for too long I get a firing pain sensation up my leg, so with the cafe business I can move around and sit when I need a break. I never would have taken this step had I not lost my leg," said Cummings. Since then Solomon's life has changed as well: he has been trained as a licensed service and therapy dog. Cummings takes Solomon to nursing homes where he interacts with the elderly and puts smiles on their faces. "Unfortunately, peoples' families just dump them off; this is just a way to give back. If people want a dog to come visit them, I would be happy to bring him in because it makes peoples' day," said Cummings. Solomon's Cafe will put a smile on your face, too. The cafe offers a full coffee bar, wine, beer, and many food options. You can join in on barbecue tri-tip and a free movie every Saturday night, or check out live music Friday evenings, and new art is displayed monthly from local artists. For more info, call Dana at 438-3376, or come by the cafe, located at 22322-B El Camino Real in Santa Margarita. Roll over and smell the coffee Strokes & Plugs, New Times Cal Poly Ranked Top Engineering School in WestFriday, August 19, 2005Cal Poly has been named among the best universities in the West by a national magazine for the 13th consecutive year.The university is ranked fifth overall in the West for the second year in a row in U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges guidebook. Cal Poly's engineering program was named top in the country, tied with two others. The rankings are among public and private campuses that grant primarily undergraduate and master's degrees with few, if any, doctoral programs. The guidebook ranks universities that grant doctoral degrees, such as the University of California's campuses, in a separate list. President Warren J. Baker said in a statement issued by Cal Poly's Public Affairs office that the honor reflects the quality of the university's faculty, staff and students. "It also demonstrates how the support of our alumni, donors and industry partners contributes to the excellence of our programs," Baker said. Cal Poly's College of Engineering tied with the U.S. Military and U.S. Naval academies as the top public undergraduate engineering program in the nation. In addition, the university's computer, electrical, mechanical, and industrial/manufacturing engineering were each ranked as the top program at a public university. The civil engineering program was ranked No. 2. Welcome to America's Best Colleges US News & World Report SLO Among Best Places to LiveTuesday, August 16, 2005San Luis Obispo was recently selected as the 3rd Best Place to Live, as presented in the book, "Cities Ranked and Rated," by Bert Sperling and Peter Sander, and published by John Wiley. The authors analyzed over 300 metro areas, which are home to 85% of the U.S. population, in 50 different categories and chose the best ten."These ten places are each special in their own way," said Bert Sperling. "The only downside may be that it's hard to keep a secret, so most of them have seen considerable increases in home prices over the last couple of years." Sperling advises that there are still bargains available, but you may need to start your search in neighborhoods that are being reclaimed from urban decay, or smaller cities or towns on the outskirts of the metro area. Here's their description of San Luis Obispo and its surrounding communities. This quiet group of towns on the central California coast could easily qualify as paradise. The climate is among the country's most pleasant, with 285 mostly sunny days per year and temperatures rarely above 90 degrees or below freezing. The presence of academic heavyweight Cal Poly helps anchor the local economy—the unemployment rate is well below the national average. It's fortunate that local jobs are plentiful, since it's too far to commute to Los Angeles or the Bay Area. Considering further its low crime and unemployment rates, the San Luis Obispo area seems to have it all. But home prices here have risen steadily in the last few years, so that the median is now $536,300. While this isn't unreasonable by California standards, it can be out of reach for many of us thinking of moving from other parts of the country. Learn more at Sperling's BestPlaces. SLO Solar Powered HomesMonday, August 15, 2005Some San Luis Obispo County homeowners have a jump on the governor's plan to install solar power systems in a million homes.Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled a program last August to establish a self-sufficient solar industry in 10 years by encouraging installation of solar panel systems in 1 million homes. The program -- at the top of the docket for California legislators starting Aug. 15 -- could reduce carbon emissions equivalent to 850,000 cars each year, according to the Department of Energy. Some San Luis Obispo County homeowners, who are already using solar panels for power, are prototypes of what may lie ahead. Roger Mohme, a grape grower in Creston, and his wife, Jane Bower, plugged into a solar power system last October. They have 20 solar modules, each producing 150 watts, to power their home and water pumps to irrigate 14 acres of grapes. Mohme is still hooked to Pacific Gas and Electric Co.'s power grid, but he uses it to work both ways in a system called net energy metering or the E-net. In the E-net system, homeowners not only collect solar power for their own needs, but also can sell the power they create back to a public electric power company. "It makes us feel more independent, and less dependent on PG&E," Mohme said. "We also feel good from a community perspective. When other people need power, we are able to grab stuff from the sun and get it to them." PG&E has 8,500 customers who have signed on to the E-network in Northern and Central California. San Luis Obispo County has 330 of those customers. The net metering program has been around since 1995, but it had only a few customers until the program expanded in 2001, allowing people to generate more power. Still, upfront costs, along with diminishing rebates and tax incentives, have deterred the majority of people from signing up. As PG&E spokeswoman Sharon Gavin said, "A lot of people can't afford it, even after the rebates. Renters won't do it. Condos won't do it." Mohme's solar panels required an outlay of $28,000; he got $8,000 back in state rebates. Adding in state tax credits and the energy that PG&E buys back from him through the E-net, he expects to have the system paid back in about eight years. In its current form, the Million Solar Roofs Initiative does not lower these current costs. It only extends the credits and the rebates that otherwise may have ended by year end, said Jordan Korinke, salesman for Pacific Energy Co. in San Luis Obispo. Pacific Energy, owned by San Luis Obispo City Councilman John Ewan, is the solar panel company that sold Mohme his solar system. For Mohme, a homeowner who plans on living in his home for a long time, the switch still made financial sense. To find out more about net energy metering, visit PG&E's Web site at www.pge.com. Read entire article at: Solar empowered Melanie Cleveland, The Tribune To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. Forum on SLO's Diablo Canyon FutureSunday, August 14, 2005As Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant marks 20 years of operation, the California Energy Commission will hold a two-day workshop Monday and Tuesday to take a comprehensive look at the future of nuclear power in the state.The workshop in Sacramento will be the first time in almost 30 years the state is taking such a complete assessment of nuclear issues. About an hour at the end of each day of the workshop will be devoted to public comment. Energy officials do not know whether any new policies or regulations will result from the workshop, said Mary Ann Costamagna, commission spokeswoman. Thirteen percent of the state's electrical power is provided by its two nuclear power plants -- Diablo Canyon in San Luis Obispo County and San Onofre in northern San Diego County. The plants have been reliable sources of low-emission electricity. However, they face several challenges in the coming years, including radioactive waste storage and expensive equipment replacements. Two San Luis Obispo County residents on opposite sides of the nuclear energy issue will participate in the workshop. Diablo Canyon plant manager David Oatley will represent Pacific Gas and Electric Co. The first day of the workshop will be devoted to the biggest challenge facing nuclear plants nationwide -- storage of the highly radioactive waste they produce. Both Diablo Canyon and San Onofre will build aboveground dry cask storage facilities in the coming years at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars each. They are necessary because storage pools at each plant are filling up and construction of a centralized storage facility at Yucca Mountain in the Nevada desert near Las Vegas has been repeatedly delayed. The earliest that facility could open is 2012. The second day will focus on the operating status of the two nuclear plants. Although the plants are licensed to operate for 20 more years, some crucial components are aging and in need of replacement. The most significant are their steam generators. Diablo Canyon's steam generator replacement is expected to cost ratepayers more than $700 million starting later this decade. Both plants also face concerns about earthquake safety, the threat of terrorist attacks and the effect of the plants' cooling systems on the ocean environment. Michael Thomas, with the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board in San Luis Obispo, and Peter Douglas, executive director of the California Coastal Commission, have been invited to the workshop to discuss the impacts of the nuclear plants on the state's coastal environment. State energy officials say it is unlikely any new nuclear plants will be built in the state in the near future. State law prohibits the construction of any new nuclear plants until the federal government provides a permanent place to store the spent fuel. The workshop also will explore the complex way nuclear plants are regulated. The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission has sole jurisdiction over radiation safety and plant security. However, the state Energy Commission regulates other aspects of nuclear power including its economic viability, reliability and cost to ratepayers. To participate ... The nuclear energy workshop is open to the public. Those who cannot attend can listen to the proceedings via an Internet broadcast. To listen in, go to www.energy.ca.gov/webcast/. The public can also call in and participate in the meeting. Call 1-888-323-9686 by 9 a.m. the day of the meeting and ask for call leader Peggy Falgoust. The password is "workshop." Read entire article at: Nuclear energy's future focus of talks The Tribune, David Sneed To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. 18 SLO County Farmers' MarketsSaturday, August 13, 2005The San Luis Obispo County Farmers' Market Association is creating more buzz about its weekly markets.A new Web site, a radio show on KCBX/90.1 FM, and e-mail and print newsletters have been launched to increase public awareness and connect with customers. Market administrator Peter Jankay, who worked with marketing firm Barnett Cox & Associates, says there are many misconceptions about the weekly markets. "Many people do not know that we operate five different farmers markets in the county," Jankay said in a press release. "We wanted help getting the word out." There are 18 markets in the county, but some are operated by other nonprofit organizations. The new KCBX radio show, "Keeping it fresh on the Central Coast," is hosted by Big Sky owner and chef Charles Myers and Maryann Stansfield of Barnett & Cox. The pair visits weekly markets to interview farmers and discuss recipe ideas from the produce available. The show runs the first Wednesday of the month on KCBX. The revamped Web site, www.slocountyfarmers.org, now offers tips on healthy cooking with seasonal produce. It features cooking demonstrations and recipes created by local chefs. Jankay says the new Web site is informative to both locals and out-of-town visitors. "Each market has its own personality," he added. "We want to encourage residents to try the markets closest to them." Read Biz Buzz article at: Farmers markets' awareness sprouting The Tribune, Dawn Rapp To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. Paso Featured in Wine Adventure MagazineFriday, August 12, 2005 Paso Robles and some of its wineries, restaurants and inns were recently featured in the premiere issue of Wine Adventure magazine.The publication -- designed for women -- focuses on food, wine, travel and lifestyle. "It's nice to see a magazine about wine with its first issue not focusing on Napa or Sonoma, but focusing on the Central Coast," said Paso Robles Vintners and Growers Association executive director Stacie Jacob. She also said she was impressed with the idea of a publication geared toward women. "Statistics have shown that wine is being purchased most by women," she said. "Traditionally, the wine world targeted men." The article, written by the magazine's editor in chief, features some of the North County's most popular wine tasting sites, as well as some of the lesser known spots. The writer begins her wine country journey at Summerwood Winery and enjoys a stay at the Orchard Hill Farm owned by Debbie Thomsen. The article reviews several eateries, including Paris Restaurant, Bistro Laurent, McPhee's Grill and Deborah's Room at Justin Winery. It also gives descriptions of local wines from Turley Wine Cellars, Opolo Vineyards, Tablas Creek, Castoro Cellars, and Le Cuvier. The bimonthly magazine also includes book reviews, wine and music events, and features such as Tasters' Travelogue and Wine Adventure Destinations. It can be found online at www.wamagazine.com. Paso part of magazine's adventure The Tribune, Dawn Rapp First Annual SLO County FallFestThursday, August 11, 2005 The First Annual SLO County FallFest 2005 will run from Sept. 1 to Dec. 10. More than 50 local events will be held during the "100 Days ... 100 Ways to Celebrate Food, Wine, and the Arts" festival.Fall is the best time of year to visit. Undoubtedly, we have our best weather in the Fall - warm, sunny days and cool nights. It's no wonder we have more happening during this season than at any other time of year. October is San Luis Obispo County Arts month. Visit our local artisans in their studios or watch Plein Air artists from all over the country paint our incredible landscapes. A trip to Hearst Castle is a 'must - do' where you'll find one of the finest house museums in the country. And don’t forget our weekly Farmers Markets throughout the county. Find out what "from field to table" is really all about. Created by the San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau, the event will promote local wine, food festivals and art events. The SLOVCB designed the event with the San Luis Obispo Vintners and Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance to promote tourism when visitation typically declines in the fall. The SLOVCB is encouraging its member restaurants, hotels and wineries to create coupons for the three-month-long promotion. Read More
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