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Oct/NOV 2011
Meet Kevin Harris
directing, new orleans and the little theatre
slo life magazine | 1
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slo life magazine | 5
| publisher’s message
I continue to be amazed at how much talent we have
here locally.
Recently, I had an opportunity to meet a couple of
enormously talented local hip hop artists who perform
under the stage name D&A. I was so impressed with
Dylan Harris and Ashley (“Ash”) Hendershott and their
positive energy and passion for their music that I asked
them if they might be interested in working with me to
develop something for the magazine.
As we continued the conversation, Ash whipped out his
cell phone to play some music he had just written and
performed with a local guitarist in his recording studio. I
was completely blown away. It was incredible. He asked,
“Would something like this work for the background
music?” To that I said, “Yes, absolutely!”
We talked further and the guys quizzed me on what
exactly I was trying to capture in the song. They took
notes in a makeshift brainstorming session. We bounced
ideas off one another, and then, what happened next
was truly remarkable…
(left to right) Ashley Hendershott, Tom Franciskovich, and Dylan Harris
Ash again hit “play” and as the tunes began pouring out of his phone, the guys started singing (technically they were “rapping”) the new song… “We’re
livin’ the SLO Life, the weather is so nice, the people are so kind, they say ‘hello’ and smile at you…”
I love being around people who are truly “in the zone” or “in a flow,” whether it be a couple of musicians writing a song, a ball player on a hot
streak, or someone so fully absorbed in a project that they are not aware of anything else… it can be just about anyone doing anything they are truly
passionate about, really. It’s powerful and inspiring.
My new friends hit it out of the park. I liked what they came up with so much that we adapted it into a television commercial - if you haven’t seen it
yet, you can watch it on our website (go to slolifemagazine.com and click on “See Our Commercials” at the top of the page). They captured so much of
the essence of the “SLO Life” and did it in such a fun, positive, and creative way that I know you will love it and relate to it as much as I do.
Like all good things, everything starts with a simple idea. But, it seems to me, that simple ideas turn into something great with the help of others who
share the vision and the passion. I’d like to think the same is true with this magazine, which is the result of so many people putting in so much effort to
create something really special. To everyone who plays a role in that process, including our advertisers who allow us to mail each issue directly to your
home, I’d like to say “thank you”… I cannot imagine anywhere I’d rather be than right here “in the flow” with you.
Live the SLO Life!
Tom Franciskovich
tom@slolifemagazine.com
SLO LIFE
magazine
4251 S. Higuera Street • Suite 800 • San luiS obiSpo, Ca 93401
SloliFeMagaZine.CoM • (805) 553-8820 • (805) 456-1677
CONTRIBUTIONS:
Submit your story ideas, events, recipes
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Contributions chosen for publication may be edited
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ADVERTISING:
If you would like to advertise, please contact Tom
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6 | slo life magazine
SLO LIFE
magazine
16
Meet Your Neighbor:
Kevin Harris
32
Caring , Qualified
Legal Representation
20
8 | Q&A
10 | Notes
Outdoors:
Choose Your
Adventure
The Way We Live:
The Siverson Home
Estate Planning & Trust Administration
Will, Trust & Conservatorship Litigation
IRS, Assessor & FTB v. Taxpayer Disputes
Personal Fiduciary Services
Elder Law Planning & Litigation
12 | Updates
14 | Places
24 | Real Estate
26 | Real Estate Panel
28 | SLO LIFE Deals
30 | No Place Like Home
34 | To Your Health
36 | Music
40 | Travel
42 | Business
44 | Local Food by Local People
46 | Community Calendar
Jed D. Hazeltine
LL.M. Taxation
Attorney At Law
“As an estate planner and
litigator, I review many
estate plans that are
broken and destined to
fail. It’s never too late to
create, revise or update
your estate plan.”
Currently serving San Luis Obispo County and Northern Santa Barbara County.
778 Osos Street, Suite C
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805.439.2323
www.coastfiduciarylaw.com
slo life magazine | 7
| Q & A
Gil Stork
His name is synonymous with Cuesta College, where he has been a teacher, administrator, and coach over the last 44 years. An
infectiously optimistic leader, he currently serves as its president at a time when the college, like so many other public institutions,
faces significant challenges. As a member of the 1960 Cal Poly football team, he was aboard that fateful charter flight out of a small,
fog-shrouded airport in Toledo, Ohio. The plane crash and its aftermath sent him on a difficult path to recovery where he ultimately
decided that the purpose of his life was to serve others. And, as the thousands of local students and athletes whose lives he has
touched would attest, one person certainly can make a difference…
If you would, Gil, take us back
to that cold October night.
The fog was very heavy and
we sat on the plane for quite a
while because there was some
concern about whether we were
going to take off or not. Finally
our coach came on the plane
and announced to the team,
“Yep, we’re ready to go… the
pilot is going to give it the old
college try!” And many of the
guys shouted out, “Yeah, let’s get
out of here!” We were ready to
go home, but there were some
guys on the team that were really
concerned, really afraid. One of
the guys was a student pilot and
he was more aware of the poor
weather conditions.
What do you remember about
the crash?
I remember the sensation of the
plane starting to drop and sort of
scooting down in my seat. That
was it. I must have blacked out
after that. I woke up and realized
that I was lying on the runway.
My back hurt, my legs hurt. I
could see the flickering lights of
fire through the fog. I rubbed
my tongue across my teeth and
found that some of them were
broken, and it’s funny what you
think of, but the first conscious
thought I had was, “My mom’s
going to kill me!” She had always
been concerned about my playing
football, thinking I was going to
get my teeth knocked out. Then I
remember someone running up
to me and yelling out, “There’s
another one over here!”
How did you deal with the
aftermath?
It was really confusing. It didn’t
make sense and I had a lot of
anger. I couldn’t figure out why
some people died and some
people lived. It tested my faith.
There were instances where guys
switched places on the plane,
somebody would want to play
cards and the other guy didn’t
and they’d trade spots. In some
cases someone’s life had been
spared while the other’s was lost,
which led to a lot of emotional
conflict and wondering, “Why am
I here, but he’s not?” And a lot of
guilt for us that survived, thinking
“Gosh, if I had not switched spots
with him, he would have lived
instead of me.” Really heavy
things to grapple with.
You had some major injuries
that you still deal with today, but
what was it that finally allowed
you to heal emotionally?
Six years after the crash my first
child was born. Going through
that whole experience and
witnessing the miracle of life, the
birth of a child - it really made me
realize that life is truly a gift. And
that there are a lot of things that
we don’t have any control over in
life. The best thing we can do is to
respond to it, take advantage of
this opportunity and try to make a
difference. It shifted me from
thinking about why it happened
to what was the significance of it.
And it created a question, which
was, “Ok, what’s the purpose of
my life now?”
How did you answer that
question?
It created a sense of focus on
now, the importance of what
happens today. The importance of
relationships because I learned you
can’t guarantee that tomorrow
will come the way that you want
it to come. It shaped my public
service career and why I’ve chosen
to be involved in community and
service activities, where it’s about
people serving people, because
that’s really important to me.
And the miracle of a new life
clearly had a great effect on you
and your wife, as you went on to
have five children…
We actually had three young
children already when we
became foster parents to two
little girls who were sisters; one
of them was four months old and
the other was 15 months old at
the time. We took them in when
we learned that their previous
foster parents were leaving
the area. The girls had already
bounced around a few times and
we were told that they would be
split up and sent to two different
foster homes if they were moved
again, which we felt would have
been criminal. So, we had a lot
of discussions as a family and we
decided to adopt.
And how did the adoption go?
We went to court to finalize the
adoption and the judge brought
our other three kids in to be a
part of the proceedings. It was
really cool - truly an amazing
thing for all of us to go through
together, and we learned so much
about ourselves.
Before we leave, how about
sharing one little pearl of
wisdom you’ve gained during
your 44 years at Cuesta?
Academic progress and academic
success are influenced by so
many factors, and it’s usually
not intellect, it’s usually
life condition. It was really
important to me, all through
my administrative career, to
continue to teach – I always
taught one class each year in
the math department because
I wanted to stay in touch with
students and really understand
what sort of things they were
going through, what they
were thinking, what issues
they had because it made my
administrative work more
meaningful. SLO LIFE
8 | slo life magazine
slo life magazine | 9
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10 | slo life magazine
URBAN FARMERS UNITE
Dear SLO LIFE,
Just wanted to say thanks for the opportunity
to reach out to our community through
SLO LIFE Magazine. I have had such a great
response from folks on the idea of urban
farming - from almost complete strangers to
people I’ve known for years. I’ve had several
folks approach me about their own stories
and farming adventures, as well as folks asking
about how they can get their own going.
It’s been extremely rewarding and a great
experience. Thanks for putting together such
a great article that is something so dear to our
family’s heart.
Jennifer Moonjian
San Luis Obispo
And thank you, Jennifer, to you and your family
for graciously inviting our readers into your
beautiful backyard.
SLO LIFE
HAPPY CAMPERS
Dear SLO LIFE,
It was very helpful when you sat down with
me to collaborate on our new ad design.
There were some things there that I hadn’t
considered and your insight and suggestions
made a big difference. Also, I thought you
would be interested to know that we have
had great results so far. On the day that
the magazine was mailed out our website
registered more than three times the normal
traffic! Thanks again for all your help. Keep up
the good work!
Mark Shaffer
CEO, FunRide
Dear SLO LIFE,
We ran an ad for the first time in the last issue
of your magazine and so far we have picked up
6 new clients and the phone has been ringing
with inquiries from prospective members! We
track our marketing very closely by surveying
new members, and we’ve run ads elsewhere
but have never experienced this level of
response. I believe that your direct-mail form
of distribution along with the high level of
quality have a lot to do with it, overall I’m
ecstatic with the results.
Travis Bobbitt
Owner, The Yoga Centre
ARBITRATE THIS
After reading our Voter Guide, which dissected
the pros and cons of Measures A & B, we
received a call from Allan Mayer, who, as a
former arbitrator, wanted to make what he felt
was an important point. Mr. Mayer correctly
stated that arbitrators do not necessarily have
to side with one party or another, but can
often help resolve disputes by finding a middle
ground or compromise. Mr. Mayer explained
that the San Luis Obispo City Charter had been
written in such a way that the arbitrator was
forced to name one side or the other as the
winner with no ability to help the two parties
meet in the middle. Although Measures A and
B are now the law of the land, it would have
been interesting to see what the long-term
effect would have been had the arbitrator
been given the authority to work out a
compromise. Thank you, Mr. Mayer, and to
those of you who added valuable feedback
after reading the Voter Guide.
SLO LIFE
JOB WELL DONE
Dear SLO LIFE,
It’s easy to get lost in our fast-paced world
and to forget the pure pleasure of reading
a topnotch magazine. I would like to thank
SLO LIFE Magazine and contributing writer,
Demitria Castanon, for putting the brakes on
my “busyness” and parking me in a chair with
a good read. Castanon is my neighbor—young,
enthusiastic, and on her first assignment with
SLO LIFE Magazine. Questions to determine,
meetings to schedule, photos to take, drafts to
write, and edits to be finalized - two intense
weeks to produce three pages that captured
“A Day in the Life of SLO Veg.” Knowing
Demitria prompted me to sit down, but the
content and quality of the magazine led me to
read it cover-to-cover. Motivated, I searched
the house for previous publications. In each
issue I found wonderful introductions to this
community where I have resided for ten years.
Thank you SLO LIFE Magazine for the quality
that makes me eagerly await the next issue.
Thank you Demitria for a great article on SLO
Veg and the opportunity to try their business,
and thank you SLO LIFE Magazine for getting it
just right, as always.
Anna Unkovich
Arroyo Grande
We, too, are quite impressed with your
neighbor, Anna. For those of you who don’t
know Demetria, she’s a student at Mission
Prep High School who called and emailed us
probably 30 times repeating how much she
loved SLO LIFE Magazine and that she “would
do anything… sweep floors, make coffee, or
whatever to be a part of it over the summer.”
Although our floors are pretty clean, we finally
told her to come on by one day, and after
getting to know her a bit, we said, “Forget the
sweeping, kid – let’s see what you can do with
an article.” Judging by the level of feedback
we received so far, the feature she developed
almost entirely on her own, “A Day in the Life
of SLO Veg,” has been one of our most popular
pieces to-date. We were so pleased with
her professionalism and enthusiasm that we
invited her back to write another feature (see
“To Your Health” on page 34), although she is
headlong into the new school year. And, just
a note to college admissions officers who may
be reading this… if you have the good fortune
to find Demitria’s application on your desk, do
yourself a favor and put it on the top of the pile!
SLO LIFE
SHOP LOCAL
Dear SLO LIFE,
I get your magazine and love the insight into
what makes our local SLO life so wonderful! I
am a small business owner and was wondering
if you would be interested in writing about
my unique small eco-friendly business called
“Fairyscape.” It’s the very first Eco-friendly
florist & gift shop that uses all locally grown
and handmade raw materials as well as
recycled and reused materials. I create
succulent wreaths, fairy gardens, succulent
arrangements & organically grown native
bouquets. My shop also carries a variety of
locally handmade artisan creations. I am one
of many small businesses that is working hard
to keep our local economy together and knows
how important it is to keep the money flowing
locally.
Pamela Newman
Los Osos
Thanks for reaching out to us, Pamela.
One of the really difficult things for us is
determining what stories to pursue and
finding how they all fit together in a given
issue. We receive so many story leads,
more than we have the ability to print. But,
as small business people ourselves, we
respect and admire all that you do to make
our community a great place to live. Your
products sound quite enticing, and we look
forward to stopping by your shop soon to
check it out. In the meantime, keep plugging
away knowing that we salute your efforts.
SLO LIFE
ATTABOY
Tom, I’ve met you a few times at random
places, and I just want to reiterate how much
I appreciate your publication. It’s by far
the best in town, phenomenal quality, and
refreshing take on whoever is interviewed.
Well done! Great articles, all of them! And
beautiful layout! Keep it up. Thanks to you
and your staff.
Becca Sciocchetti
San Luis Obispo
Thank you, Becca! Your little note was like a
puff of wind in our sails this afternoon. It’s
readers like you who make all the hard work
and impossible deadlines worthwhile.
SLO LIFE
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slo life magazine | 11
| Updates
Get Back to the Business
of Running Your Business
A few weeks after the last issue arrived in
local mailboxes, eRMINa KaRIM (Meet Your
Neighbor, Aug/Sep 2011) was surprised by the
number of readers who commented on her story.
She confided, “Honestly, I cannot believe how
many people have come up to me after this came
out… I’m truly blown away, I had no idea.” Karim
continues to thrive at The Chamber and has
transitioned smoothly into her new role there.
Business Liability
Workers’ Compensation
Commercial Auto Insurance
Employee Benefits
Life Insurance
paUl BolgeR (Places, Aug/Sep 2011) inspired
imagination with his incredible “Starry Night”
photograph. We recieved an abundance of inquires
from readers wondering if the photo had been
altered. The answer is “No.” In order to capture the
ambient light just over the hillside, he set his camera
shutter to a 45-second exposure.
Call today and let us
begin assisting you with
all of your commercial
insurance needs.
(805) 783-7130
Visit us online at
www.rlassoc.com
We received many comments about
the busy day at SLO Veg featuring
daN MeltoN and RaCHael HIll
(A Day in the Life, Aug/Sep 2011).
It’s amazing what happens daily
behind the scenes of our local small
businesses. Our favorite comment:
“Who would guess there was so
much going on with a box of veggies!”
JoHN lINdsey (Q&A, Aug/Sep 2011) continues to
make “just talking about the weather” a fascinating
conversation. We asked him what we can expect the
local weather to be like over the coming months.
According to Lindsey, we’re heading into a La Niña
pattern and will see below normal rain fall this year.
1363 Marsh Street, Suite A
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
12 | slo life magazine
SLO LIFE
Gift Wrapping • Shipping • Gift Registry
www.ShopEcoBambino.com
Located Downtown SLO
863 Monterey Street • 805.540.7222
Store Hours
Tues.-Sat. 10am-6pm • Sun. 12-5pm
Closed Mondays
slo life magazine | 13
| Places
The stacks
Morro Bay
At the California Photo Festival last year, Bob Canepa, along with the rest of the participating photographers, had
been focusing intently on the sunset over the water when he turned around to find that “nature and the modern
world had collided” behind him. After a lone surfer wandered into the landscape, Canepa figured he had the perfect
shot. But, he needed him to stop for a moment. Says Canepa, “I was a teacher for 31 years in Atascadero, and I
learned how to whistle… it’s the only way you can get the kids’ attention on the playground.” So, he whistled as loud
as he could, raised both arms and pointed to his camera. The surfer politely stopped and offered a smile. Canepa, like
many local residents, admits to not being particularly fond of the Morro Bay smokestacks. “The Stacks” offer a lesson
he has learned in photography, which may also be true in life: “… those subjects that we find obnoxious or distasteful,
sometimes just require some different light, and a different perspective.”
14 | slo life magazine
SLO LIFE
Do you have an amazing photo to share? Email it to places@slolifemagazine.com
slo life magazine | 15
| Meet your neighbor
Meet Kevin harris
In this installment of our “Meet Your Neighbor” series, SLO LIFE Magazine sits down with Kevin Harris. He
is Ivy League educated with extensive theatrical experience, remains “life-long friends” with his ex-wife,
Khara, and has two young kids, Ella and Dominick, in local schools. He has a penchant for sweater vests
and Converse “Chuck Taylors.” He commutes by skateboard to The SLO Little Theatre where he is the
Managing Artistic Director. Here is his story…
okay, Kevin, we’d like to hear your story. take it from the top and spare
no details…
I grew up here. I lived in Arroyo Grande from when I was two until about
high school. I went to A.G. High School. Studied drama under Billy Houck
and also really got into Speech there, and knew I wanted to be an actor.
how did that go?
My mom drove me around to all the auditions. It was really difficult for
her because I was her youngest by about 9 years. Both of my brothers
stayed local, one went to Poly. The idea of sending her youngest off
somewhere outside of the area - I didn’t even apply to any schools in
California - you know, because I really wanted to leave this terrible,
terrible place [laughter].
Where did you go?
I got a full scholarship to NYU. My dad flew me out there one week
before classes began. And I had never really been anywhere besides
Missouri up until that point. I remember just being in my dorm room, I
was 17 at the time. My dad was there and he woke up at like 4:30am to
go off to JFK and fly out. I remember him walking out of the door and
thinking, “Holy [cow], I can do anything.” But, honestly, I was totally
terrified and alone.
What came next?
So, after I finished, I immediately moved back here, as people do when
they graduate from undergrad, especially actors. I started doing work at
the Centerpoint Theatre. They started in 1991 over at the old Greyhound
Bus station in the space where Mario’s Cafeteria used to be.
how were things going at Centerpoint?
It had been there for 10 years. I started right after we had spent the last
several months on this major fund raising campaign where we raised
nearly $70,000 to completely renovate the theatre, which we did. It
was beautiful but we were still leasing from Greyhound and it was a
very tumultuous relationship from the beginning. Right before our 10-
year anniversary season opened, we received a letter from Greyhound
Corporate saying we had to move out in 30 days.
Did Centerpoint go out of business?
No, we looked for somewhere to relocate. We needed a place to set
up shop. And we had always had our eye on New Orleans. We had a
couple of friends who were living there. They didn’t seem to have a lot of
theatres considering its size. We got in touch with the city and they were
very supportive of us moving out there because in New Orleans there
is no shortage of empty city-owned buildings. So they were willing to
subsidize us by allowing us to go rent-free in one of their buildings.
What a great opportunity…
So it seemed. We moved out there and about a month-and-a-half after
we got there, this was back in 2003, not sure if you remember this,
but there was a huge shakeup in the Mayor’s Office, where just about
everybody it seemed, was found to be involved in some major corruption
over the past 20 years and it had all just come to the surface. Of course,
our contact at the city office was one of the people that was fired and the
new person who took his place said, “Are you kidding me? No - we aren’t
going to subsidize a theatre.”
And, how far into the development of the new theatre company had
you been at that point?
We had moved about three quarters of the Centerpoint stuff out there,
just ready to go. All the seats, all the lighting equipment ready to go. And
now we had no place to put it. But I said to myself, “Alright we are going
to make the best of it,” and I got a job at the Contemporary Arts Center
as their theatre manager there. It was a new arts complex and I started
producing theatre through them which was a great experience.
16 | slo life magazine
What was life like in the big easy?
We were living in the Garden District, my wife, Khara, was pregnant with
our daughter, Ella. We lived right off Saint Charles Avenue, about twoand-a-half
miles from the French Quarter. It’s a great neighborhood. It’s
continued on page 18
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slo life magazine | 17
| Meet your neighbor
...sometimes life takes you back
where you want to go whether
”
“you think you can do it or not...
where you find so many of those beautiful mansions. But, like anything
in New Orleans, which is why it’s one of the most culturally diverse and
interesting cities on Earth, there are no good areas of town. It goes street
by street. You can have mansions on one street and then the very next
street you can have shacks, and then mansions again. It’s just completely
interspersed like that. We lived in an old plantation-style house that had
been converted into a duplex. We had families living around us and a big
front yard and a big backyard. It was great.
Sounds perfect, why did you leave?
Well, it all started one night after this huge gala at the Contemporary
Arts Center. I had been dressed up in a tux and I got home around 1am.
Khara came home shortly before I did. I remember getting into bed with
her and almost falling asleep but then hearing commotion from the next
room that sounded like people yelling. And we figured that it was just
our roommate watching a movie way too loud and we thought, “What
is that? That’s pretty rude.” Khara got up and she opened the door
and there was this guy standing there with a gun. He walked into our
bedroom and said, “Give me all your money. Give me everything you got.”
Wow – that’s intense.
I remember Khara called me Kevin at one point and then the guy started
calling me Kevin. And I will always remember that. He was like, “Kevin get
your stuff. I’m gonna really hurt Kevin, better make sure he gets his stuff.”
how long did this go on?
You know the whole thing probably lasted like 45 seconds, but it just
seemed like forever. And I was buck-naked because I was wearing the tux
before and I was so tired that I just stripped it off and got into bed, so I
remember feeling doubly vulnerable. And it was pitch black and I was
looking for stuff and I couldn’t find it. I remember feeling around on the
floor and finding this plastic level - we were putting in a shelf earlier in
the day – and then I picked it up and looked over at this guy’s silhouette,
this big guy, and thinking for just a split second that I could maybe knock
him out with it. And then I thought to myself, “Man, you are stupid. It’s
a plastic level from the Dollar Store.” So I put it down and ended up not
being able to find my wallet. I finally said to him, “I’m so sorry but I can’t
find my stuff… if I can turn on the lights I could find it. I’m not trying to
b.s. you, I just can’t find it.” And then he said, “Alright get in the corner,”
and he had Khara and I get in the corner and put our hands behind our
backs and we thought for sure he was just going to kill us.
Maybe the plastic level counterattack wasn’t such a bad idea after all...
What happened next?
There was silence, and we heard him go down the stairs. And then we got
up and looked out the window and he was just walking down the street,
not even running, just kind of walking. So the next hour or so everyone
was in shock, but we didn’t know it. Everyone was just all business. No
one was really talking about what just happened. Everyone was just very
efficient. We need to do this, cancel these credit cards, call the cops, do
this, do that. Khara got on the computer trying to log onto the credit
card company website to file a report, and I remember looking at the
computer screen - it was just completely fuzzy - that is when I realized I
was totally in shock. I felt alright and I felt like everything was fine, but
I couldn’t see the screen because my adrenaline was just so crazy that I
was unable to focus on the computer.
how do you feel about the experience now?
Oh, it just feels like a Bruce Willis movie now. But, honestly, it just ruined
it. It ruined the whole town for us. We were out of there about two
months later, as soon as we could get out. Actually, it took about a week
for us to be able to bring up that option because we really wanted to
make roots down there and make it happen. And we really loved the city,
but all of the most magical, romantic parts of New Orleans, like all the
dark streets and the fog, and burnt out street lamps and everything, all
the stuff that two weeks ago we loved, that made it seem like Disneyland,
were now just ominous and terrifying. The whole experience, even
though outwardly I felt fine, it had really shaken me up.
how did you regroup?
We decided to do what you do when you don’t know what you are going
to do, which is that we decided to move back home. All our family is here
and I decided that would be the perfect time to go to grad school since I
really didn’t want to start another theatre company from the ground up.
Even at Centerpoint, which was a great experience in learning how to run
a theatre company, I was always worrying about the bottom line.
So, did you stay in San Luis?
I just really wanted to spend three years of not having to worry about the
financial realities and instead just worry about the arts, so I enrolled at
the University of Iowa.
What were your impressions of iowa?
There are a lot of similarities between Iowa City and San Luis actually -
it’s got the same feel, similar architecture, and it’s a college town. It has a
similar vibe and I felt very much at home there. Plus it’s dirt cheap to live
there and it’s one of the best directing schools ever. My focus has really
been on working with new playwrights and original work. The University
of Iowa has a writers’ workshop which is the top playwrights’ school in
the country, so I knew if I got in there as a director I would be working
with the next generation of the greatest playwrights. And I still have
relationships with almost all of them. I was there for three years. I got
my masters degree. And, my son, Dominick, was born there. And he still
describes himself as “Dom the Iowa boy.” He is very proud of the fact that
he was born in Iowa, even though he doesn’t have many memories of it…
he’s definitely corn-fed, which is the best way to describe him.
how long were you there?
We stayed in Iowa for just about five months after I graduated because I
was directing for the Riverside Shakespeare. Then I had another directing
gig right after for an original musical in Illinois. So Khara went back to the
Central Coast and I stayed out there. And that was when we split, when
we officially separated.
How did you cope during that transition?
I was just going from theatre to theatre to theatre, you know, and being
18 | slo life magazine
there for six weeks at a time, and then a couple of weeks off. Then the
cycle would repeat. And it was really good at the time because I was
going through a divorce and it was a very good profession to be able
to avoid any kind of introspection at all because you are in a new place
every six weeks with a new group of people. And, as a director you are
sort of at the top of the ladder, so it really feeds into that God complex,
too, while your real life is falling apart. It was great while it lasted but
then everyone has to come back to reality after a while. And, I felt that
the lifestyle was no longer healthy.
how do you look back on your experience there now?
Well, we had kind of planned on setting up shop in Iowa, but as you
know plans change. Iowa just seemed great because I was working as a
freelance director and I was traveling all around the country working on
plays so it was a great central location. It was three hours from O’Hare in
Chicago, so I was able to easily fly anywhere in the country very quickly.
And, it’s just a great place to live. Iowa rocks, it’s just really cold. Other
than that, no complaints.
What brought you back home?
Khara had gotten a job out here and we knew we wanted to relocate for
no other reason than we didn’t know what else to do. And I wanted to be
near my kids and Khara and I still have a great relationship. We knew that
we always loved it here and we always wanted to come back here but we
never thought that we would have the means to do it. But, sometimes
life takes you back where you want to go whether you think you can do it
or not, you know? And now, three years later our family is doing great.
So how did you end up at The Little Theatre?
We came back and I continued to travel. And then I thought, I need to
get a job around here, I need to find a theatre job. But the PCPA (Pacific
Conservatory of the Performing Arts) was undergoing cuts at that time
and they weren’t hiring anyone. Poly wasn’t hiring anyone. Cuesta wasn’t
hiring anyone. But, around this same time I happened to go to breakfast
with one of my old Speech teachers from A.G. High School because I
wanted to get her advice. She had always been a really dear friend to
me and I wanted to talk to her about my divorce. I knew she had been
divorced before and I told her, “This is what is going on with me. Is it
normal?” We were talking and out of the blue she says, “Listen, I’m
on the board of The San Luis Little Theatre. We just lost our executive
director and we’re looking for a new one. Do you think that is something
you would be qualified for?” And it just completely fell into my lap
because that was what I was totally qualified for. That is the only job
on Earth that I would totally qualify for, and it was just right there. So I
interviewed for it and got it and the rest is history.
this December marks the third year of your tenure. how is it going?
This has been our best year ever. We are going on fifteen shows in a
row where we have exceeded our net goals. It has been nuts. And the
Reader’s Theatre has just been off the charts, too. We just had one of our
most successful Childrens’ Theatres this summer. So we are looking good.
We hear that The Little Theatre has big ambitions.
We plan on making this one of the premiere community theatres in the
nation. You know, really get our name up there in the top five qualitywise.
And my vision, and the board of directors shares this, is to make
The Little Theatre a cornerstone in the artistic community. We are
lucky enough to be subsidized by the city and have this amazing history
behind us, and now it is our responsibility to bring as much art into this
place as possible. I want the name San Luis Obispo Little Theatre to be
synonymous with good art that truly represents the community.
It’s been great getting to know you, Kevin, but it’s time for us to exit
stage left.
I’ve enjoyed it, too – and don’t forget to come back and see a show soon.
SLO LIFE
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slo life magazine | 19
| THE WAY WE LIVE
The Siverson Home
20 | slo life magazine
Nels Siverson never expected to become a dairyman. In fact, he began his
career as a pilot for the now-defunct Eastern Airlines. But, Nels and his wife,
Marilyn, wanted their three kids to “see where food came from,” so they
signed them up for 4-H. The Siverson’s fate was sealed one day when the
kids brought a baby calf home with them from the program. That cow led
to another, then another, and another. This kept up over the years until the
family found themselves in the dairy business, running a full-fledged, full-time
operation on 450 acres near Ocala, Florida.
When it was time to go away to college, Cal Poly’s Dairy Science program
was the natural choice for Tryg Siverson and his parents decided to invest in
a home near the college, which is where they figured they would retire. After
the home served its purpose through the college years, Nels and Marilyn
hired local designer, Bill Isaman, to develop a plan for remodeling the home.
Recalls Isaman, “Nels said ‘follow me’ and we climbed up an old ladder to
one corner of the roof where he said, ‘this is where I want the kitchen to be.’”
After collaborating with general contractor, Greg Moore, it became obvious
that tearing down the existing structure and starting fresh was a better option
than remodeling. “Fortunately,” adds Isaman, “we were able to design it
in such a way that we recycled some of the materials that came out of the
teardown.”
Still, the kitchen remained the focal point and served as the hub which the
rest of the house was built around. Situated on the second story, the spacious,
airy kitchen takes in sweeping views through the abundant window openings.
The rounded pitch of the roofline – inspired by the Siverson’s travels in Asia
– is supported by custom made trusses, which were manufactured locally in
San Luis Obispo. And the “spine wall,” comprised of natural stone acts as the
primary support structure and runs the span of the home creating an easy
flow and a striking architectural focal point. The second story deck on the back
of the home is cantilevered so it would not impede the hillside views form the
first level with supporting columns.
The Siversons remained “hands-on” during the entire process and put
their personal stamp on the completion of the project. Much of the finish
work, including the deck railings and the kitchen table were a result of
Nels’ handywork in the woodshop. And Marilyn took on the design of
the landscape, again drawing inspiration from Asian-style gardens while
incorporating many native plants. Today, the couple who have “always loved
cooking together” find themselves spending most of their time in the kitchen,
just as Nels had envisioned.
slo life magazine | 21
| THE WAY WE LIVE
SupporTEd dETAIL
The “spine wall,” a
signature design feature
for Isaman, functions
as the main structural
support, as well as a
unifying element in
the home. The custom
made trusses also serve
the dual purpose of
providing support and
complementing the
overall design.
rooM WITH A VIEW
Clean lines and modern
styling combine with
warm colors and
an indulgent area
rug for an inviting
space. Top it off with
spectacular views
of the surrounding
hillside through the
oversized windows,
and a relaxing oasis
results.
22 | slo life magazine
THE Hub
The kitchen served as the
inspiration for the entire
project and remains the
focal point. The Siversons,
who love to cook together,
spend most of their time
in this elegant space.
SLO LIFE
Where life
meets style.
3021 South Higuera
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Tuesday-Saturday 10-5
805 542-0500
www.fortinihome.com
slo life magazine | 23
| real estate
Housing Affordability
Determing if the price is right
It is not uncommon to hear that the Central Coast, and San Luis Obispo in particular, is “an expensive place to live.” But, is it? And how is that
determined? We decided to ask around and here is what we found…
Most measures of housing affordability are based on a percentage of the income of the home owner. Depending on who you ask, the optimal
percentage of household income that should be allocated for housing costs ranges somewhere between 28% and 40%. But, that requires some
clarification… for example: Do housing costs include utilities? Are we basing the percentage on gross or net income? What about property taxes?
And, does it matter if the mortgage payments are fixed or variable?
Although there is not a consensus here, it does appear that 30% of gross income, which includes all regular monthly housing related costs (mortgage,
taxes, and utilities) is a good benchmark for affordability. [For tips on how to buy your home, turn to “Ask the Experts” on page 26].
30-year Fixed Rate Mortgage at current market rates
(assuming a 20% down payment and good credit)
total $1,614 / month
Property Taxes = $410,000 x 1.1% = $4,510 / 12 months
total $376 / month
Home Owners Insurance (estimated)
total $150 / month
Utilities = $200 water + $100 electricity + $50 gas + $25 garbage
total $375 / month
Add them all up and you get a grand total of $2,515 / month
Then divide by 30% to figure out the gross income needed, $2,515/30%
total $8,383 /month Gross Income
Multiply by x 12 months to find out the annual number, $8,383 x 12
total $100,600 annual Gross Income
That means, to own an average three bedroom family home in San Luis
Obispo, which currently sells for about $410,000 - assuming a market
rate 30-year fixed mortgage, a 20% down payment, standard taxes and
utility costs - the owners would need an annual gross household income
of about $100,000. So, how do we arrive at that number?
(See chart at left).
And, there you have it. To truly afford an average, three bedroom home
right now in San Luis Obispo, you should have a gross annual household
income of at least $100,000. Now, that can mean that a single income
earner is providing that amount, or it may be the case that it is a dual
income family, with a husband and wife, for example, each earning
$50,000 per year. Whatever the case, the number has to add up to at
least $100,000 to be considered “affordable.”
Of course, the affordability index changes when you adjust the variables.
For example, say you only need a two bedroom home. Or, the yard will
be planted with Central Coast native grasses and plants which require
less water, and, therefore, lower the monthly utility costs making it more
affordable. Perhaps, you have a big family and need five bedrooms. The
mortgage costs will increase with the higher cost of the home, as will the
property taxes and other variables, as well. You get the idea.
SLO LIFE
the numbers at a glance
Comparing the last four months to the same period last year (05/01/10 - 08/31/10 vs. 05/01/11 - 08/31/11)
Home Price
$100,000 - $500,000
2010 2011 +/- •
Home Price
$500,001 - $1,000,000
2010 2011 +/-
Home Price
$1,000,001+
•
2010 2011 +/-
1. Total Homes Sold
38 51 34.21%
64 57 - 10.94%
5 8 60.00%
2. Average Asking Price
•
3. Average Selling Price
$444,280 $430,946 - 3.01%
$427,183 $412,211 - 2.61%
4. Sales Price as a % of Asking Price 96.15% 95.65% - 0.50%
$681,405 $663,294 - 2.73% $2,096,240 $1,486,113 - 29.11%
$654,019 $637,422 - 8.41%
•
95.98% 96.10% 0.12%
$1,836,800 $1,231,586 - 32.95%
87.62% 82.87% - 4.75%
5. Average # of Days on the Market
69 69 0.00%
87 85 - 2.29%
144 342 137.50%
24 | slo life magazine
•
SOURCE: San Luis Obispo Association of RealtoRs
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slo life magazine | 25
| real estate
Ask The Experts
What are some tips for first time home buyers?
Jed hazeltine
LL.M. Taxation
Attorney at Law
Central Coast Estate Planning
There are things you can do with your qualified
investment plan when buying your first home. The
government allows a first-time home buyer to borrow
up to $10,000 from an IRA for a down payment on
a home without incurring a 10% penalty for early
withdrawal. If you have an employer sponsored plan,
such as a 401K, you can take an additional loan of up
to $50,000, and with the stock market swooning, the
rate of return on your loan could be better than that of
your investment portfolio. Of course, any premature
withdrawal, will be taxable income, unless you borrow
from a tax exempt plan such as a Roth IRA or Roth
401K. Also, if you’re ready to purchase a home, then
you should consider establishing an estate plan to
ensure the orderly administration and disposition of
your assets. For instance, it’s important to consider
how you would like to hold the title of the home at
the time of purchase. There are some real benefits
to holding the title in a trust, for example, and it’s
easier and more cost-effective than you may realize,
especially considering the time and money that could
be potentially lost down the road if adequate planning
is not done. There are other ways to hold title, such as
joint tenancy, in the case where two people are buying
the home together. Holding the title in this way may
prevent the home from going into probate in the event
that one of the parties passes away during the period
of ownership. And, if you have a trust already, don’t
forget to transfer ownership to your existing trust. If
you have questions about the foregoing, or any other
estate and tax planning issues, consult a qualified tax
and estate planning professional before proceeding.
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26 | slo life magazine
It’s actually a great time to buy a house, but
there are some things that are going to make
it challenging for most people. Coming up with
the down payment will be the first obstacle
because the banks are going to want at least
20% down. In many ways we are going back a
couple of generations where we have to spend
5 or 10 years really committing to a savings
plan to come up with those funds. I do not
recommend borrowing the down payment
from family and friends unless you have a high
income and can comfortably afford to pay it
down each month along with your mortgage.
The other thing that you will need to work on
is your credit because banks are looking for
borrowers with really strong credit. That means
paying off those credit cards, cutting back
on meals out, entertainment, and shopping.
Another thing to consider is setting up an
automatic savings plan with your bank so the
money comes out of your account on its own.
You can also look into alternatives to savings
accounts, some fixed income investments are
currently yielding anywhere from 3% to 5%.
dave nilsen
President & Chief Financial Advisor
Obispo Wealth Management
SLO LIFE
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slo life magazine | 27
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28 | slo life magazine
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slo life magazine | 29
TRUSTED IN-HOME CARE
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(just north of Bob Jones’ parking lot)
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805-595-9463
salisburyvineyards.com, inthevines.com
we are lucky on the Central Coast to have
access to some of the freshest seafood options
around. One shellfish people love, can no
longer be harvested locally. there is, however,
still a lot of it growing on the north coast. It’s
just not growing in the ocean. or, not exactly.
In the waters off the picturesque Cayucos
coastline, abalone were once abundant. Divers
brought back large hauls of the tasty regional
delicacy. That’s no longer the case today. “In
1997 they closed down all the commercial
diving for wild abalone,” explains Brad Buckley
of the Cayucos Abalone Farm. “The only place
you can still dive for wild abalone is Northern
California from the Bay area to the oregon
border.”
But along a tiny stretch of the coast of
Cayucos, Red Abalone are still plentiful. They
are not growing in the waters off the coast,
but in ocean water just above the shoreline.
In fact, approximately one million abalone
are harvested from these waters each year.
Welcome to the Cayucos Abalone Farm. “We
are the largest producer of red abalone in the
U.S,” says Buckley.
the farm has been around since 1968. Back
then most of the shell fish was being exported,
primarily to Asia. “Think about it,” says
Buckley, “that was the time of convenience
foods, and Swanson Dinners and instant this
and instant that.”
while many people on the west Coast
appreciated the delicacy of abalone, it never
really caught on nationwide. But like the chefs
who tour the farm today, more and more
people are getting turned on to the taste and
tuned into the history of this creature. “Yeah,
and people are really interested in regional
food items from other parts of the country. So
now most of our abalone is staying here in the
United States,” observes Buckley.
the abalone live and grow
in a series of pools at the
farm. they mature in open
air pools not far from waters
where they once used to
thrive. Kelp from the Pacific
is harvested for the pools.
“Then they get the benefit of
the natural algae and seaweeds that grow in
the tank with them. Fresh seawater is pumped
in 24/7,” Buckley shares.
Abalone is not a quick cash crop. They are
spawned like fish. Fertilization happens in the
water. For the first week they are in swimming
larval stage. then they go to a metamorphosis
stage and they settle. That’s when they go
to the hatchery building at the farm, and in
about three months, go from a microscopic
speck to something not much bigger than the
head of pen. It takes about a year before you
can see how they’re coming along and can
start separating them according to size. They
are a little bigger than the size of a quarter
after about two-and-a-half years.
They won’t get harvested until they are big
enough to make a small steak to eat. they will
only grow to about five-and-a-half inches at
the farm, and it takes them about six years
to get there. at that point, their growth spurt
slows, and keeping them to grow into their
“Golden Years” doesn’t make economic sense.
most of the abalone is sold wholesale, in
the shells, but you can buy the small steaks
cleaned and ready for cooking. “Abalone
prepared simply is the best. If you add too
many other ingredients, you’re going to hide
the true flavor of abalone,” says Buckley as he
cooks up a batch. “My favorite is the classic,
egg wash and breading, pan fried in a cast iron
skillet with a lemon caper butter sauce to go
along on the side.”
It should be fork tender when prepared
properly. And when it is, it’s a tasty reminder,
that There’s No Place Like Home. SLO LIFE
Jeanette Trompeter, KSBY News anchor and reporter,
hosts the “No Place Like Home” series every
Thursday evening at 6pm.
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slo life magazine | 31
| OutdOOrs
Choose Your Adventure
Written by Paden Followwill | Photos by Amy Joseph
Of all my travels, so far to five continents, this wine-country-by-the-sea satisfies all of my desires for outdoor adventure and variety. I embrace
most weekends as a “staycation” which few can boast. I surf, kayak, rock climb, bike, cliff jump and thrive on exploration. I do this not because I’m a
talented athlete, but because I am a sensation seeker to the core. I’m a local on a mission to create work-life balance and make my days off count. The
Central Coast has afforded me and countless others many great adventures. You do not have to be an expert surfer or be in top physical condition to
experience the area’s outdoor activities. Here are two of my favorites...
Los Osos Mountains of Gold
You know you live in a highly coveted corner of the world when state
parks are less than a 20 minute drive from your home. One of my
favorite escapes from my daily haunts lies in what indigenous peoples
coined “Mountains of Gold.” Named for its crown of poppies and fields
of mustard, Montana de Oro is home to a number of hikes and mountain
biking trails that scallop the wind swept cliffs of Los Osos.
Originally part of the Spooner Ranch at the turn of the century,
Montana de Oro is a diamond in the rough, seemingly tucked away from
civilization. Rumor has it that this quality made it an ideal landing spot
during the Spanish era for contraband trades and even moonshiners
during the Prohibition.
The beauty of Montana de Oro is that each trail has unique highlights.
You can veer off any trail and find new secret alcoves, bluffs, or caves
deep in jagged rock. These Mountains of Gold are filled with rock arches,
tunnels, pebbled beaches, offshore reefs, teeming tide pools, explosive
surf, and occasionally seals and otters.
Of all the trails in Montana de Oro the quintessential 4 mile trek known
as Bluff Trail is the perfect gateway to experience this state park. This
trail slithers down the coastline, along the contours of the sandstone
bluffs providing the hiker with vast panoramic views of the Pacific and
clear views of Morro Rock.
Once you spot the dunes from the trail, you can make your way into this
labyrinth of sand and escape entirely. The best kept secret of the dunes
are the naturally occurring hard-packed diving boards of sandstone, five
to seven feet above the cascading slopes of sand. It is every child’s dream
to launch from this place and practice flips, and host competitions to see
who can jump the farthest or highest into the inviting sand slip and slide
below. Los Osos provides a density of dunes comparable to a Redwood
forest and are not to be overlooked or underexplored.
To get there take Los Osos Valley Road west from US 101. Follow this road 12 miles as it leaves town through
farmlands and the seaside town of Los Osos. Eventually Los Osos Valley Road turns south and becomes Pecho
Valley Road with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. As you weave around bends, keep your eyes peeled for
signs announcing trail heads and locations of interest.
32 | slo life magazine
Pismo Beach Sunset Surfing
Surfing in autumn sunsets is magic. The winds dies down, the water is smooth, the swells
grow peaceful and the sky lights up like the heavens are bursting forth colors they saved all
day to share with you. Orange, pink and purple. Warm, passionate and mesmerizing. It pulls
your soul up with it. In moments like these, time does stand still. You feel like you blend into
the scene.
From 101 North you exit
Wadsworth, turn west on
Wadsworth then south on
Highway 1 and head west
on any street toward the
ocean. From 101 South
simply exit Highway 1,
follow Highway 1 and turn
west on any street towards
the ocean. It’s that easy.
Park by the pier, watch
for the break you want to
surf and join the low key
group of surfers already
maximizing their day.
Growing up I always stereotyped surfers as living each day for the moment, barely making
it and counter-cultural in their pursuits. Surfers were spaced out spiritual people to me, as
far-fetched as their lingo. But out on the surging, glassy waters of Pismo Beach at sunset, once
you’ve paddled past the break and have the time to take in the backdrop - you realize that
surfing is spiritual. You’re so small, so insignificant in the natural majesty of powerful sets.
The rhythmic beat of the ocean pulls you away from your stresses, and makes you realize how
truly small your worries are. You are engulfed in splendor all around. And it is enough.
On the Central Coast we are blessed with a variety of breaks and currents that provide
different experiences. If you have always wanted to surf, but do not know where to begin, I
recommend Pismo Beach. The waves are milder than other spots in the area. The sand bar is
as gentle in slope as the beach which stretches for miles, affording you the choice to join the
pier crowd or find a solo peak. It is a great place to learn and easy to find.
SLO LIFE
slo life magazine | 33
| To Your HealTH
Diet or exercise?
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34 | slo life magazine
”
It’s an age-old debate, and most routine doctor
visits end with those familiar parting words:
“Get more exercise, and eat better.” Geez…
thanks, Doc! But, really, if you do hope to shed
a few pounds, where should we focus our
efforts, diet or exercise?
The immediate answer appears to be “both,”
although the explanation may be more
complicated (and interesting!) than it appears
on the surface. While we understand the
many benefits of a regular exercise program,
as well as the importance of a healthy
diet, researchers continue to gain a better
understanding of how the two work together.
Local nutritionist, Stephanie Nunes of Rock
Solid Nutrition, suggests that while “reducing
caloric intake is the fastest way to get weight
loss started, improving lean muscle mass is a
great way to increase metabolism and help
keep the weight off in the long term.” And,
we did find ample research supporting Nunes’
claims. Very simply, weight loss takes place
when we consume fewer calories than we
burn. Our diet dictates the calories we take in;
and exercise, of course, would be the calories
we take out, or “burn.” Compare what you
take in to what you take out and you quickly
realize if you are gaining or losing weight. Easy
as pie… uh… or, carrots or celery, or something
like that.
Nunes further encourages small changes to the
diet that include portion control and healthier
food choices for lasting weight loss while also
pairing it with a healthy, active lifestyle, which
may include simple activities around the house
such as yard work or vacuuming. And, since
stopping mid-day for a healthy lunch is often
impossible, Nunes emphasizes the importance
of meal planning, which means prepping the
night before. And, she stresses the importance
of carrying water – and don’t just tote around
one of those hip looking Klean Kanteen bottles
that we all have rolling around in our cars - you
need to actually drink your water throughout
the day.
But, getting back to exercise… What is it about
lean muscle that helps maintain weight? Isn’t
aerobic exercise like jogging or swimming
better for burning calories? We have found
research that estimates that for every pound
of muscle between 40 to 50 additional calories
per day are consumed. The calorie burning
aspect of muscle appears to be greatly
expanded during and after the muscle building
process. In other words, lifting weights (or
doing some sort of resistance exercise) burns
calories during and after workouts.
It turns out the doctor telling us to eat better
and exercise more is spot-on. Although, it
may be helpful if he were to say “Pump more
iron, and prep healthy meals” next time!
We asked Nunes for a cheat sheet to keep us
on track:
* TIPS
• Never skip breakfast
• Frontload your day (eat more of your
calories earlier in the day vs. at night)
• Find a purpose for improving health:
kids, family history, travel, etc.
• Layout exercise clothes the night
before you head to the gym
• Set-up a session with a certified
personal trainer
• Visit www.mypyramid.gov to get a
basic, healthy eating plan started
• Keep food and exercise logs
• Manage your stress
• Drink plenty of water daily
SLO LIFE
slo life magazine | 35
| Music
Flowbispo
Launching local talent
Dylan Harris and Ashley Hendershott
founders of Flowbispo and talent behind D&A
36 | slo life magazine
D&A
go to slolifemagazine.com to listen to the
full length version of “Livin’ the SLO Life”
When he was a student at the Cal Poly School of Architecture,
Ashley Hendershott could not get the music out of his head.
Before long, it was all he could think about. Day and night,
he became a slave to the beat. Around the same time, Dylan
Harris, who could be found roaming local coffee shops with
a notebook in-hand, was dealing with a different, yet equally
gripping obsession - for him it was writing poetry.
After a chance meeting last year, the two have been
inseparable. Hendershott, who performs under the stage
name Ashis Clay, and Harris, together make up the local hip
hop group called D&A. Known for their high-energy tempo
and upbeat, positive lyrics, their music reflects the clean
living culture and style of the Central Coast. But, while the
duo loves to perform locally, they do not hesitate to admit to
having global ambitions.
Since they began collaborating, Hendershott and Harris have
formalized a plan to open a multimedia production facility
where their mission is “to promote and showcase local talent
to the world.” The name of their new enterprise is Flowbispo,
as in creativity flowing from San Luis Obispo. They anticipate
casting a wide net at first and expect to take on many varied
projects, such as music videos and viral videos optimized for
the internet and social media marketing.
Although their background is primarily in hip hop, the pair
is looking to record, produce, and collaborate with a wide
variety of local artists. Observes Harris, “I’ve got brothers
who do Heavy Metal, and I want to do Country Music in the
worst way.” Hendershott grew up in both the Bay Area and
Southern California rap scenes. He performed with Beat n’
Biscuit Productions where he opened for well-known rappers,
including Too Short. He emphasizes that, although their music
for the most part is lighthearted and upbeat, it’s important
for the art to be pure and true-to-heart, accurately reflecting
the reality and perspective of the artist. Says Hendershott, “I
love to do positive songs, but I did not come from a positive
place. Sometimes my music takes me somewhere else.”
While relatively new to the hip hop genre, Harris, who
actually used to poke fun at “the whole hip hop, rap thing”
observes that his work with poetry has enabled him to come
up with interesting and innovative lyrics to match the music
produced by Hendershott. And, Harris, who would remind
many of a modern-day beatnik, cites his large personal library
as inspiration for much of his wordsmithing. His rhythmic
speaking style reflects his writing and is ripe with flowing
prose. “SLO is a hopeful metaphor for Earth. There is still
suffering and homelessness. And you flip on the news to
see horrible things all over the planet. But, what our local
musicians often fail to recognize when they are competing
with each other is that they are feeding that mentality of
separation and conflict and adversity. It always starts on a
local level, making those changes that affect the world for the
better. We’re taking that perspective of global change starting
at home and using it as a foundation for Flowbispo to unite
our diverse, local talent.” SLO LIFE
slo life magazine | 37
| Travel
Guateca
Paradigm shifting on a remote Guatemalan hillside
SaN PaBlO the downtown
below eNTHUSIaSM a Cal Poly
student shares his optimism
Mike Emrich, founder and president of Solarponics in Atascadero, figures that he
has “reached a point in his life where it’s time to give back.” And, while Emrich
and his wife, Anna-Louise, a teacher in the Atascadero School District, have found
themselves daydreaming about retiring someday and joining the Peace Corps,
the couple has found so many other ways to give back today. For example, earlier
this year, Emrich had been mentoring a group of Cal Poly students who were
preparing to spend the summer in Guatemala to help with the development of
San Pablo, which is a small, remote mountain village of approximately 800 people.
So, when the faculty leader of the program, Professor Pete Schwartz of the Physics
Department, joked with Emrich that “if you want to continue working with us,
you’ll have to come to Guatemala.” Emrich leaned back in his chair, thought about
it for a few seconds, and said, “Okay, sure.”
The Cal Poly students who are involved in the program are a diverse group, coming
from different backgrounds and disciplines. But, the one thing that unites them
is that they want to not only help with the development of an impoverished
community, they also want to understand what works best. According to Schwartz,
who has concentrated most of his research on solar power, “We know that
38 | slo life magazine
continued on page 41
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slo life magazine | 39
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Travel |
Auto | Home | Business
Agriculture at 10,000 feet in elevation
presents its challanges. In addition to the
crops pictured here, rose farming comprises
a major part of the local economy.
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technology really doesn’t fix anything, we first have to establish relationships.”
And, establish relationships they did. The Cal Poly students became immersed in
the community as they looked for opportunities to make the village sustainable
and energy efficient. And, the summer school itself, which they call “Guateca” is a
veritable mixing bowl of relationship building, learning, and brainstorming as the
Cal Poly students sit alongside the Guatemalan students in a one-room classroom
setting. The idea that Schwartz stresses is that “we are developing new paradigms
where everyone learns something and it’s not just us going down there to ‘help
them,’ although that is ultimately the goal, but we also have a lot to learn ourselves.
And, most importantly, we see our futures as being intimately linked with theirs.”
One of those learn-from-each-other concepts was put to test by the Cal Poly
students, who, by getting to know the villagers, came up with a simple idea for
conserving and re-using energy. And, both Emrich and Schwartz agree that the best
place to start becoming sustainable is by addressing the simple things first. In San
Pablo, most of the cooking is done with traditional wood-fired stoves. Seeing this
and also recognizing that heating water is a constant challenge, the students began
collaborating with some of the locals to develop a rudimentary “chimney heated
water system.” Essentially, a set of galvanized water pipes was woven through the
chimney to be heated with the same wood-fire energy that was used to cook dinner.
The result is that the hot water is created without using any additional energy.
Recalls Emrich, “Seeing the students in that moment of discovery is a treat, all that
enthusiasm and excitement that comes with the ‘gee whiz’ or ‘aha moment’ makes
the whole thing worthwhile.” SLO LIFE
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slo life magazine | 41
| Business
Bootstrapping Your Business
We’ve all heard the term “pull yourself up by
your bootstraps,” but what does it mean in the
context of starting a small business? Simply
put: to “bootstrap a business” means to start
and grow the enterprise with only the profits
created by the company. In other words, you
do not borrow money from the bank, or family
and friends, or find an investor - instead the
money to grow the business comes from the
business itself.
Bootstrapping is more common these days
as the credit markets have tightened up, and
banks have become reluctant to lend money to
small companies. There are some who would
argue that bootstrapping is actually a better
way to get started anyway, as having a large
sum of cash in a start-up can often lead to a
false sense of security. The reality of not having
a safety net and the neccesity of generating
your income immediately really helps you focus
on what is important since you have very little
margin for error.
Of course, not all types of businesses are suited
for bootstrapping. For example, a retail store
would require that you purchase inventory
in advance. A restaurant generally requires
an expensive investment in appliances and
equipment. But, there are many types of
businesses that can be started with very little
or no cash. Service businesses are often good
ones, particularly those that rely on hand labor
and very little equipment with no licenses or
certifications needed.
A little brainstorming can lead to some
interesting business ideas: tutoring, painting,
mobile dent/glass repair, gardening, window
washing, piano lessons, dog grooming,
bookkeeping, auto detailing, and the list goes
on and on. The key requirements seem to be:
1. Little or no cash required to get
started
2. Little or no cash required to
operate (for example, you aren’t
constantly resupplying inventory)
3. Minimal fixed costs (items like rent
and insurance are fixed costs)
4. Demand for your services (starting
a snow removal business on the
Central Coast clearly will not fly!)
5. An ability and willingness to “wear
all the hats” at first (forget about
hiring help – it’s all on you)
If at all possible, keep your day job while
bootstrapping your start-up business, at least
until you develop enough customers to have it
replace the income from your job. If that is not
an option, it’s not the end of the road. The nice
thing about this approach is that it is entirely
possible – if you choose the right niche – to
start from Day 1 with a profitable, cash-positive
business. The key with this type of business, as
well as any type of business, for that matter, is
to really understand how the cash flows in and
out of the operation. Look at when the cash
comes in and when it goes out, and if you find
that the business will create positive cash flow,
then you are probably on to a winner. With
that said, it’s still up to the entrepreneur to
make it happen.
SLO LIFE
42 | slo life magazine
slo life magazine | 43
Mineral SpringS
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| LocaL food by LocaL peopLe
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By Tiffani Ayers
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with Chef Pandee Pearson
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New Wine List, Pairings, & Events
with Sommelier Patricia Borgardt
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1215 Avila Beach Drive
San Luis Obispo
My grandmother, Fong Gong, came to the
United States from Hong Kong as a young
married woman in her twenties. My mother,
the oldest of five, was born shortly after
my grandparents’ arrival in San Francisco.
Connecting with my grandma was difficult
because she speaks Cantonese with broken
English, and I cannot speak Cantonese. So,
Grandma connected with my brother and me
through food.
Throughout the years, Grandma would ply us
with treats each time we visited. There was
the special treat drawer and the pantry was
always brimming with various snacks. Now
in her nineties, Grandma does not cook and
bake as she once did. We may no longer get
homemade almond cookies, wonton, or bao,
but she will still make sure we don’t leave her
home empty-handed. Food continues to be
the avenue through which we bond. I am lucky
to have this history, and now with her almond
cookie recipe, it is my turn to share.
44 | slo life magazine
Gardens of Avila Sign photo by Mike Larson Photography
I am lucky to have this history, and
now with her almond cookie recipe,
it is my turn to share.
Central Coast
Farmers’ Harvest
• Fresh Picked & Locally Grown
Pesticide Free Produce
• Direct Delivery to Your Home
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Eat Healthy, Eat Local
aLmond cookies
Family Recipe by Fong Gong
Makes 4 dozen
Cooking time: 10 - 12 minutes
5 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup canola oil
2 sticks butter
2 tablespoons almond extract
2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
appoximately 48 almonds
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine oil, butter and sugar until well mixed.
3. Beat in eggs and almond extract.
4. Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl.
5. Slowly add flour mixture into the wet ingredients.
6. Roll about a teaspoon of dough into a ball and flatten onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
7. Brush the tops of cookies with beaten egg yolks and press an almond into center of cookie.
8. Bake 10 - 12 minutes.
Have a recipe to share? Go to slolifemagazine.com to tell us about it.
SLO LIFE
Serving
• San Luis Obispo • Avila •
• Los Osos • Five Cities •
• Nipomo •
www.sloveg.com
805.709.2780
slo life magazine | 45
| community calendar
Presenting the best
in professional
entertainment at the
Performing Arts Center!
WWW.CALPOLYARTS.ORG
city to the Sea
october 9th
San luis obispo - Pismo Beach
citytothesea.org
Get out your running shoes and start preparing for the 16th annual City to the Sea point-topoint
half marathon, which starts in San Luis Obispo and ends in Pismo Beach. If 13.1 miles is
not your preferred distance, try the 5k race (3.1 miles), which takes place in Pismo Beach. And
don’t forget to get your kids ready for the Kids’ Fun run (1/4 mile), which takes place at Dinosaur
Caves Park in Pismo Beach!
central coast Bioneers conference
october 14th - 16th
San luis obispo Vets Hall
ecologistics.org
Bioneers is inspiring a shift to live on Earth in ways that honor the web of life, each other, and
future generations. Bioneers has two keystone goals to help make this shift successfully: Connect
people with solutions by popularizing breakthrough ideas and practices, and grow social capital by
catalyzing, connecting and strengthening strategic networks, including bioregional and community
based alliances.
the yeomen of the Guard
october 22th - 23rd
clark center, arroyo Grande
operaslo.org
The Yeomen of the Guard is Gilbert and Sullivan’s exciting Shakespearean operetta brimming
with intrigue, love triangles, disguises, a struggling jester, and topsy-turvy schemes centered
around the escape of a falsely accused prisoner in the foreboding Tower of London during the
late 16th Century. In what is considered to be one of Gilbert & Sullivan’s finest, this thrilling
tale is a tapestry of poignant moments, satire, bawdy humor, and delicate romance.
46 | slo life magazine
SAN LUIS OBISPO SYMPHONY
MICHAEL NOWAK, MUSIC DIRECTOR
rockin’ Harvest
november 4th - 6th
Slo Wine country
slowine.com
slosymphony.com
Kickoff Friday night with a variety of winemaker socials and dinners. Spend Saturday at
The Grand Tasting and Auction where over 60 wineries and restaurants from the San
Luis Obispo region are featured in the scenic seaside setting of the Avila Beach Golf
Resort. Hit the SLO Wine trail on Sunday and let the party carry on at participating
wineries, where they will host with wine, food and entertainment.
Dog Training • Premium Daycare • Boarding • Grooming
FIRST DAY OF DAYCARE FREE!
173 Buckley Road • San Luis Obispo
(805) 596-0112
thousandhillspetresort.com
modern masterpieces
november 12th @ 8:00pm
cohan center
pacslo.org
Enjoy a remarkable evening presented by the San Luis Obispo Symphony featuring
Roger Wilkie playing Violin. Music to include Beetohven’s Overture to Fidelio,
Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, and Sibelius’ Symphony No.5 in E-flat
Major. Celebrate a night of amazing talent and unforgettable music.
Shalimar
iNDiaN rESTaUraNT
Lunch Buffet
Mon - Sat 11:30am - 3:00pm $8.99
Monday Dinner Buffet
5:00pm - 10:00pm $9.99
Sunday Brunch
$9.99
2115 Broad Street, SlO
805.781.0766 | shalimarslo.com
WE ARE THE MUSTANGS
language of the Soul
november 9th – 20th
San luis obispo
languageofthesoul.org
The 28th Annual San Luis Obispo Poetry Festival begins with four nights at the San Luis Obispo
Museum of Art with Glenna Luschei and Clayton Eshleman. The other nights are at various
venues with Closing Night at Linnaea’s Café. Most evenings feature three poets, a selected
reader, and two features.
SLO LIFE
Season, Group, and Single Game Tickets
on sale at the box office by calling
1–866–GO STANGS or online at GoPoly.com
Like us on
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slo life magazine | 47
The Payne Team
www.HomesofSLO.com
www.3755SantaRosaCreek.com
Our approach to real estate is about
much more than property... it’s about people.
Jed Damschroder
805-550-7960
The Payne Team
Denise Silva Topham
805-801-7389
Gavin Payne
805-550-3918
962 Mill Street, San Luis Obispo, California 93401
48 | slo life magazine
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