ROUND TOWN County Perspective Unwelcome Visitor: I woke work, home and especially in the evening when you want to rest; in other up feeling like my face and neck had been removed and clumsily reattached. Crud season. Feeling blah, I I’ll still be here.’ words, when you wake up tomorrow, still had to make a last-minute coastto-coast drive, during which it seemed and citizens aren’t quite sure into what Water: Paso Robles area wineries everyone I talked to either was suffering with or had experienced this bug’s groundwater basin district fits: bur- category the proposed Paso Robles unique symptoms. densome guest or necessary medicine. It seems the annual march of lowlevel viral infections that arrive before euphoric over the prospect of impos- One thing is clear, nobody is gleefully the holidays just seem to grow worse ing a legislative tool to ration scarce and last longer. groundwater. The chief county health officer To recap: the aquifer is over-drafted – from years of agriculture and wasn’t available but I did get a call back from a staff nurse. She said no out of residential development – according the ordinary infections were being to county officials, aggravated by relentless drought, now beyond six years reported, although I did get the usual 5-step influenza avoidance checklist. duration. Apparently any low-level infectious Thirsty Californians, in general, disease that doesn’t fit the definition of haven’t been exactly blessed by news either influenza or rhinovirus, doesn’t that January and February <strong>2013</strong> were trip public health’s radar. the driest on record, although Sierra Same story at the California Department of Public Health in Sacra- better than 2012, but nowhere near snow pack levels are somewhat mixed; mento. The employee who answered hydration heaven. Paso Robles area knew nothing about any viral outbreak. He couldn’t find anyone on levels, forcing rural water users to drill aquifers have declined below historic staff, but then it was 4 p.m., everyone deeper wells, which usually produce had gone home, he was pretty sure. poorer quality water. They leave that early, I asked? Yeah, Local interests represented by THE he answered; many staff take three Paso Robles Agricultural Alliance for and four day weekends. Something to Groundwater Solutions, (PRAAGS), file away for future reference if you’re a group representing primarily wine a citizen and voter concerned about growers, publicly argue passionately fraud and waste. for compromise and cooperation, Actually, they probably don’t want while PRO Water Equity, representing a group of residents and smaller to admit that half their respective staff are out with the virus, a virile, wine growers, see within PRAAGS uninvited guest moves into families the stirrings of a cartel. Either way, bearing suitcases laden with unseen the decisions about how to divvy up drama to share. This latest infection a precious, yet declining resource, are brings headaches, sore throat, sleeplessness accompanied by an explo- is whether growers with larger tax bills not arrived at easily. One current snag sive form of cluster sneezing. It also should have more clout than smaller makes people crabby, though I can’t property owners. detect any additional crabbiness in How much water growers and my own sweet demeanor, obviously. rural residents can use, is something And having just driven across the that becomes a lot more certain, when country, I can verify its everywhere. a groundwater management district Around the seventh day, this bug exists, although there are fewer than whispers, ‘I’m not leaving, what’s 13 in the state. more, I’m going to mess with you at Rebecca Nelson, one of the experts The FIRST program of its kind on the Central Coast Dr. Martha & Paula Vetter 12 Weeks to Wellness Give Yourself the Gift of Health Orientation Meeting Dec. 11, 5:30pm, RSVP Program begins on Jan. 6, 2014 Treating the Whole Person with Chiropractic, Allergy Elimination Nutrition and Weight Loss Natural Health Solutions Dr. Martha, Chiropractor and Paula Vetter, R.N., FNP-C RSVP 805-434-0288 • 1051 Las Tablas Rd., Templeton By Bruce Curtis hired by San Luis Obispo County to study such a district, says they have effectively limited overdraft and groundwater depletion in other areas; Nelson is a researcher with Stanford University’s Water in the West program. If such a groundwater district is enacted, via state legislation, district officials would look at studies and surveys and then decide whether and how much to limit water extraction. Will rain bring both sides together in a Kumbaya-accompanied embrace? With rainfall running 3-4 inches when we should already have seen had double-digit precip numbers, it ain’t gonna happen anytime soon. Good Vintage? Paso Robles red grape growers are so far pleased with a harvest that happened in a flash for some. Dry spring weather and good growing conditions produced smaller, more intensely flavored fruit for some Zinfandel and Cabernet growers. Tonnage prices should reflect the combination of less fruit of higher quality. Since wines take aging and knowhow, the final product is yet to be judged, although Paso Robles’ J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines has given preliminary samples an “A” rating. Homelessness Up: An assessment of the county’s efforts to reduce homelessness isn’t brimming with roses, irking supervisors. A county watchdog, the Homelessness Services Oversight Council report says San Luis Obispo County’s homeless population continues to climb, closing in on 2,000; up 3% from 2008, when county officials passed a homeless reduction plan. Supervisor Adam Hill criticized the report for leaving out important details, such as how effective homelessness programs have been since they were implemented almost five years ago. He didn’t see the study as being particularly helpful, since it didn’t give them hard data about the individuals living along San Luis Creek, or in roadside shrubbery. He didn’t mention homeless populations near Paso Robles, where many live in riparian areas along the Salinas River, at least during warmer weather. Rehab: Two years ago, Governor Jerry Brown imposed a prison reform program emphasizing rehabilitation, on counties around the state, but only five counties have so far been successful implementing rehab programs. San Luis Obispo County is one of them, according to a study released. The Stanford Criminal Justice study said only 20% of California’s 58 counties have successfully implemented the changes that came funded with $4.4 billion in state money. The rate of recidivism, i.e., former criminals reoffending continues to remain high, throughout the nation. Hey, I know a pernicious little virus that will keep them off the streets. DIRECTOR from page 46 The Groves on 41. Both women will work part time for the Chamber at She is a graduate of Leadership the office on Main Street. San Luis Obispo Class XV and also The Templeton Chamber of Commerce is an alliance of over 200 North leads the Vocal Arts Ensemble as part time Executive Director. County businesses and citizens that Jennifer Tallent was also added as has advocated for the economic vitality the Chamber’s adminstrative assistant. She has a background in hotel 1902. For more information on the of the community of Templeton since management in Southern California Templeton Chamber of Commerce, and recently relocated to the North including membership information, County to work at her family-owned visit the website at www.templetonchamber.com or call 434-1789. olive oil farm and event center, Secret Strands WIG and Holiday GIFT Boutique Vintage Hats, Scarves, Jewelry Gift Certificates, Gift Baskets Wide Selection of Wigs • Extensions • Hair Pieces Gifts for Cancer Survivors Botanicals for Hope 790 S. Main St. • Templeton 805-440-5501 Tues-Fri 10-5 • Sat 10-2 48 Paso Robles <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2013</strong>
2nd Annual EVERY WEDNESDAY through SUNDAY NOVEMBER 29 through DECEMBER 22, FROM 5-9 PM FABULOUS LIGHT DISPLAYS & LOTS OF LOCAL VENDOR BOOTHS DON’T FORGET TO STOP BY SANTA’S HOUSE, 6-8 PM Nightly shuttle at Center Street in East Village and Cambria Nursery On the Grounds at Cambria Pines Lodge Admission: $4 per person. Free for kids 12 & under! With each paid admission, receive $4 in "Santa bucks" to spend at participating vendors. Season passes available online for $10 with paid admission. <strong>December</strong> <strong>2013</strong>, Paso Robles <strong>Magazine</strong> 49
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