2018 December Paso Robles Magazine
The Story of Us — a Monthly Look at the Extraordinary Community of Paso Robles, California.
The Story of Us — a Monthly Look at the Extraordinary Community of Paso Robles, California.
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• Cuesta College’s Dr. Stearns<br />
• North SLO County Holiday Events<br />
• Remembering Richard Benitez<br />
PASOMAGAZINE.COM
SINCE 1979
YO U R H EARING H EAL T H<br />
Is time running out on<br />
your deductible?<br />
Most medical deductibles reset at the beginning of the year.<br />
Now may be the best time to have your hearing tested!<br />
The end of the year marks many occasions...<br />
The end of the holiday season, the beginning of a new year and the sense of renewal<br />
that it brings, and for most people the best time to use your health insurance benefits.<br />
Deductibles typically renew on January 1st. Whether your health insurance is through a<br />
group or individual, the end of the year can be the best time to schedule appointments<br />
and save money on healthcare.<br />
Have you had your hearing tested in <strong>2018</strong>?<br />
For most Americans over age 50, hearing testing is recommended as a part of their annual<br />
healthcare routine. However, most will wait until difficulty with hearing becomes<br />
apparent before scheduling an appointment.<br />
Hearing impairment is very common. In fact, today, 1 out of every 6 baby boomers (ages<br />
53-71) currently has a hearing loss. Luckily, early detection, prevention, and treatment is<br />
better than ever with modern technology!<br />
Peter Lucier has served San Luis Obispo County for nearly 20 years. While things have<br />
changed quite a bit over the years — especially hearing aid technology — our approach<br />
has remained the same, which is that of a small, family-owned business that treats its<br />
patients like it would its own family members.<br />
Symptoms of<br />
Hearing Loss<br />
• Requiring frequent repetition.<br />
•<br />
conversations involving more<br />
than 2 people.<br />
• Thinking that other people<br />
mumbling.<br />
• Frustration and exhaustion<br />
from conversation while<br />
straining to understand<br />
speech.<br />
•<br />
environments like crowded<br />
rooms, shopping malls, etc.<br />
• Long term exposure to loud<br />
noises or environments<br />
• Reading lips or relying on<br />
reading lips for comprehension<br />
• Turning up the volume on the<br />
television or telephone<br />
Call us today to schedule your hearing appointment<br />
and make the most of your healthcare benefit!<br />
Learn more about hearing health at<br />
www.slocountyhearingaids.com<br />
HEARING AID SPECIALISTS OF THE<br />
CENTRAL COASTS INC.<br />
7070 Morro Road Suite D<br />
Atascadero, CA 93422<br />
805-460-7385<br />
www.slocountyhearingaids.com
FEATURES<br />
contents<br />
DECEMBER <strong>2018</strong>, Issue 212<br />
28 photo by Rick Evans 32<br />
SLO STRINGER HONORED<br />
WITH PORTION OF US 101<br />
DEPARTMENTS<br />
MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR:<br />
PASO LIGHTS THE NIGHT WITH A BRIGHT DECEMBER<br />
22 40<br />
44<br />
PUBLISHER’S LETTER<br />
8 Something Worth Reading<br />
ROUND TOWN<br />
10 Through the Grapevine<br />
13 Main Street: Reintroducing Karyl Lammers<br />
14 <strong>Paso</strong> Petcare: Animal Arthritis<br />
16 Hoofbeat, Calendar & Trail Tales<br />
18 Vets Tails: Miracle, Guide Dog for the Blind<br />
20 Deck the Halls with Studios on the Park<br />
PASO PEOPLE<br />
22 Remembering Richard Benitez<br />
24 Dr. Stearns: Leading Cuesta’s Promise<br />
26 Honoring Dr. James Longo<br />
LOCAL BUSINESS<br />
34 General Store: Local Holiday Shopping<br />
OAK LEAF<br />
36 Community: Neighbors in Need<br />
38 Spiritual: Awakening Ways<br />
40 Education: Dr. James Brescia, EdD<br />
41 Health: Natural Alternative Talks CBD<br />
and Healing Tea<br />
TASTE OF PASO<br />
42 Spice of Life presents Ginger<br />
EVENTS<br />
44 North SLO County Holiday Events<br />
46 North SLO County Activity & Event Guide<br />
LAST WORD<br />
50 Memory Boxes: Remembering the Fallen<br />
photo by Heather Young<br />
50<br />
ON THE COVER<br />
Homespun Holiday Cheer<br />
Photo by Hayley Mattson<br />
photo by Heather Young<br />
6 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
Something Worth Reading<br />
“The Story of Us”<br />
(805) 239-1533<br />
PASOmagazine.com<br />
publisher@pasomagazine.com<br />
MAIL: P.O. Box 3996<br />
<strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>, CA 93447<br />
OFFICE: 1244 Pine St. Suite 204<br />
<strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>, CA 93446<br />
PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF<br />
Nicholas Mattson<br />
PUBLISHER, OPERATIONS<br />
Hayley Mattson<br />
LEAD AD DESIGN<br />
Denise McLean<br />
LEAD LAYOUT DESIGN<br />
Travis Ruppe<br />
EDITOR, LAYOUT, DESIGN<br />
Luke Phillips<br />
ART PRODUCTION<br />
Sue Dill<br />
WRITER<br />
Meagan Friberg<br />
WINE EDITOR<br />
Mira Honeycutt<br />
WRITER<br />
Melissa Chavez<br />
WRITER<br />
Heather Young<br />
COLUMNIST<br />
Sarah Pope<br />
COLUMNIST<br />
Bec Braitling<br />
COLUMNIST<br />
Lynne Schmitz<br />
VOLUME 18 | NUMBER 8<br />
AD CONSULTANT & WRITER<br />
Millie Drum<br />
AD CONSULTANT<br />
Pam Osborn<br />
AD CONSULTANT<br />
Jamie Self<br />
AD CONSULTANT<br />
Karli Twisselman<br />
AD CONSULTANT<br />
Carmen Kessler<br />
PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> ©<strong>2018</strong><br />
is owned and published by<br />
Nicholas & Hayley Mattson<br />
*No part of this periodical may be reproduced in any form<br />
by any means without written consent from PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>.<br />
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31,000 Printed | 26,700 Mailed Locally!<br />
PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> is published monthly and distributed FREE to every residence and<br />
business in <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> 93446, Templeton 93465, Shandon 93461, Bradley 93426, and<br />
San Miguel 93451 zip codes. Postage paid at <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>, CA 93446.<br />
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“A Dream You Dream<br />
Alone Is Only A Dream.<br />
A Dream You Dream<br />
Together Is Reality.”<br />
— John Lennon/Yoko<br />
Ono”<br />
Season’s Greetings, one<br />
and all! We have so<br />
much to be thankful<br />
for, and so much we are<br />
blessed with. Our neighbors<br />
to the north and south have<br />
suffered so much these past<br />
few years. When I read that<br />
the Camp fire was headed<br />
toward Paradise, I called<br />
my sister. Formerly, she was a teacher at Paradise Middle School, and<br />
now teaches high school math in Chico. By the time I called her, she<br />
was already evacuated to Oroville with her husband and five kids. They<br />
spent 10 days in Oroville as her former stomping grounds burned to the<br />
ground. Luckily, her neighbor plowed a firebreak which probably saved<br />
her home and many others as the fire enveloped the area. It came within<br />
1,000 feet of her home, but last week the mandatory evacuation was<br />
lifted and they were welcomed back home. But it will not feel the same<br />
for some considerable time.<br />
On Thanksgiving, we received long-awaited rain, and Chico was provided<br />
its fair share. That will go a long way toward bringing serenity and<br />
life back to the area. At the same time, rain can be its own hazard after<br />
devastating fire, providing the ingredients for mudslides.<br />
Passing through Thanksgiving week as these fires were put down, we<br />
can be especially thankful for the highly-trained emergency responders<br />
and firefighters who do all they can to prevent the spread of destruction<br />
from these not-so-natural disasters. THANK YOU!!!<br />
Despite the apocalyptic scenes painted as the end of times, it is of due<br />
note that while fire is a natural element, the causes of the two devastating<br />
fires are attributed to power lines owned by power companies, north and<br />
south, and the Tubbs and Thomas fires were also suspected to be caused<br />
by power lines, private and corporately owned, respectively.<br />
The fires, the mudslides, and the death and destruction associated with<br />
them are not natural disasters, but our own making. We should not be<br />
surprised, that as we increase the population the planet and enjoy the<br />
benefits of that growth, disasters like these will become more tragic.<br />
We cherish our families, our friends, and our loved ones who make life<br />
worth living and sharing. Without them, we would all have less of the best<br />
things in life. This season, treasure them all the more, and please be careful,<br />
and watchful, in regards to all of our safety and security as we celebrate<br />
the merry and bright together during the most wonderful time of the year.<br />
Please enjoy this issue of PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>.<br />
Nicholas Mattson<br />
805-239-1533<br />
nic@pasomagazine.com<br />
Editorial Policy<br />
Commentary reflects the views of the writers and does not necessarily reflect those of PASO<br />
<strong>Magazine</strong>. PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> is delivered free to 26,700 addresses in North San Luis Obispo<br />
County. Our costs are paid entirely by advertising revenue. Our Local Business section<br />
spotlights select advertisers, but all other stories are determined solely by our editors.<br />
Submit editorial ideas, press releases, letters and photos to editorial@pasomagazine.com.<br />
For advertising inquiries and rates email publisher@PASOmagazine.com, or<br />
contact one of our Adversting Representatives listed above.<br />
If thou wouldest win Immortality<br />
of Name, either do things worth<br />
the writing, or write things<br />
worth the reading.<br />
— Thomas Fuller, 1727<br />
8 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
‘Tis the Season to Celebrate!<br />
The hustle and bustle of the holidays is here, and your friends<br />
at <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> Recreation Services are ready to help make this<br />
the best season of all. We’ve got a few ideas to help you get<br />
into the holiday spirit, fill a few stockings with the perfect<br />
presents and begin planning for the year ahead.<br />
Santa Claus is coming to Town!<br />
Mark your calendars and join Recreation Services and the<br />
<strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> Police Department for this free annual holiday<br />
tradition. We’ll welcome Santa in his sleigh to Centennial<br />
Park on Thursday, <strong>December</strong> 13 from 6-7:30 pm. Santa’s<br />
elves and the <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> Fire Fighters will accompany Santa<br />
during this free event that includes holiday give-aways, treats<br />
and of course a photo op with the big man himself. Santa and<br />
his sleigh will also visit Oak Park on Monday, <strong>December</strong> 17<br />
from 6-7:30 pm.<br />
Mail Your Letter to Santa at Centennial Park<br />
We’re so excited that this year Santa’s<br />
elves have delivered a special<br />
mailbox in the Centennial Park<br />
lobby for your child’s letter to the<br />
North Pole. Bring your child to<br />
drop-off their letter to Santa<br />
between noon and 5 pm<br />
Monday through Friday, <strong>December</strong> 3 through 21 and receive a<br />
complimentary holiday treat from Santa’s elves.<br />
Holiday Hospitality Days at Centennial Park<br />
Join us for seasonal holiday treats, coffee and conversation in<br />
the Centennial Park lobby on five special days this season.<br />
While you’re here, be sure to pick-up one of our new<br />
winter/spring Recreation Guides to learn more about classes<br />
for the winter/spring season or pick up a Recreation gift certificate<br />
for that special someone on your list. Hospitality days are<br />
Tuesday, November 27, Monday, <strong>December</strong> 3, Wednesday,<br />
<strong>December</strong> 12, Thursday, <strong>December</strong> 20 and Friday, <strong>December</strong><br />
21 in the Centennial Park lobby from 9 am-6 pm.<br />
Frozen Fun Coronation Party<br />
Celebrate the joy of the holiday season with Queen Elsa and<br />
Princess Anna during this holiday coronation event. There will<br />
be Olaf and Sven balloon critters, a craft table to decorate ice<br />
queen crowns or reindeer antlers and of course cookies, cocoa,<br />
cider and chocolate. For ages 3-10. Thursday, <strong>December</strong> 20<br />
from 5-7 pm. $25 + $5 supply fee ($5 sibling discount).<br />
Raytoons Winter Break Classes<br />
School is out, and your kids will definitely be looking for<br />
something to do once the holidays are over. It’s Recreation<br />
Services and Raytoons to the rescue. Keep your students busy<br />
this holiday while you’re back at work or regrouping after the<br />
holidays.<br />
Drawing Animal ‘Toons<br />
Students will learn to draw all<br />
types of different creatures<br />
from the animal kingdom in a<br />
humorous "Sunday funnies"<br />
style. Young artists will try<br />
warm-up and imagination<br />
exercises that cartoonist use in<br />
making their drawings and<br />
learn to better express their<br />
Frozen Fun Coronation Party<br />
creativity through drawing.<br />
Ages 7+, Wednesday, <strong>December</strong> 26 from 9:30<br />
am-3:30 pm. $70 + $10 supply fee ($5 sibling<br />
discount).<br />
Video Game Creation<br />
Learn how to make video games like Super<br />
Mario or Space Invaders using introductory<br />
graphical programming software. Ages 10+,<br />
Thursday, <strong>December</strong> 27 from 10am-3:30 pm.<br />
$80 + $10 supply fee ($5 sibling discount).<br />
Intro to App Creation<br />
Discover the simplicity of making apps! Learn<br />
the software that allows users to experience the full potential of<br />
programming without learning a complex language. Ages 10+,<br />
Friday, <strong>December</strong> 28 from 10 am-3:30 pm. $80 + $10 supply fee<br />
($5 sibling discount).<br />
Advance registration is strongly recommended for all<br />
of these classes to ensure your spot and avoid class<br />
cancellation. Look for the winter/spring 2019 Recreation<br />
Guide arriving in early <strong>December</strong> in your City<br />
water bill. The guide is also available throughout the<br />
city at many local businesses, City Hall, the <strong>Paso</strong><br />
<strong>Robles</strong> City Library, Centennial Park or online at<br />
prcity.com/recreation. To register visit<br />
prcity.com/recreation, the Centennial Park Registration<br />
desk (600 Nickerson Drive) Monday-Friday<br />
from noon to 5 pm or call Recreation Services at<br />
(805) 237-3988.
ROUND TOWN<br />
| THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE<br />
Holiday Shopping at<br />
North County Dance and Performing<br />
Arts Foundation will present<br />
its annual production of The<br />
Nutcracker Ballet Thursday, Dec. 6<br />
through Sunday, Dec. 9 at the Templeton<br />
Performing Arts Center on the<br />
campus of Templeton High School.<br />
“It’s definitely a family tradition,”<br />
Director Cheryle Armstrong said.<br />
“It’s a heart-warming story.”<br />
The ballet tells the story of a young<br />
girl named Clara who gets a nutcracker<br />
from her Uncle Drosselmeyer<br />
on Christmas Eve and is transported<br />
to another world in her dreams.<br />
This year’s cast includes Kaela<br />
Tran as Clara, Jenevieve Crossett as<br />
the Sugar Plum Fairy, Billy Cusimano<br />
as Drosselmeyer and Samuel<br />
Fulk, a guest artist from Sacramento,<br />
as the Cavalier.<br />
The cast for the <strong>2018</strong> season of the<br />
Nutcracker has a record number of<br />
dancers, which come from throughout<br />
the entire North County. The cast<br />
has nearly 75 people of all ages, quite<br />
By Heather Young<br />
a few more than past years, North<br />
County Dance and Performing<br />
Arts Foundation Vice President<br />
Cali Domenghini said.<br />
For performance dates, ticket<br />
prices, and other info, see our holiday<br />
event listings on page 44, or see<br />
“The Nutcracker” ad on page 45.<br />
For information, email info@<br />
ncdpaf.org or call 805-316-1833.<br />
Buy great gifts and support art programming for local youth<br />
Looking for unique presents<br />
for those special people in your<br />
life this holiday season? Look no<br />
further than Up Front Gift Store<br />
inside Studios on the Park. The<br />
holidays kick off at Studios on<br />
Saturday, Dec. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m.<br />
Enjoy wine pouring by Justin<br />
Winery, music by Adam Levine,<br />
gaze upon the elaborate holiday<br />
décor, and do some shopping.<br />
“This is going to be a great<br />
evening and a wonderful way<br />
to kick off the holiday season,”<br />
Manager Elaina Stangle said,<br />
“and you are sure to find gifts for<br />
everyone on your list.”<br />
Stangle and her staff of docents<br />
will help you find the perfect<br />
gifts, from jewelry, scarves,<br />
By Meagan Friberg<br />
handbags, candles, and soaps to<br />
ceramics, glassware, baskets, and<br />
leather goods. And don’t forget to<br />
pick up something for yourself!<br />
“We have a lot of new, affordable,<br />
beautiful, unique items that<br />
are ideal for hostess gifts and<br />
stocking stuffers,” Stangle said.<br />
The artists at Studios, a<br />
non-profit organization, focus on<br />
supporting Kids Art Smart – art<br />
programming for local school-age<br />
children.<br />
Forty percent of sales from Up<br />
Front benefits Kids Art Smart.<br />
Stop by Up Front Gift Shop inside<br />
Studios on the Park, located at 1130<br />
Pine St. in downtown <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>.<br />
Open daily; gift wrapping and shipping<br />
options available.<br />
Sun-Thu: 4-9p / Fri-Sat: 4-11p<br />
Inside the Historic Carlton Hotel<br />
Join us for our<br />
Holiday Parties!<br />
Christmas Eve & Christimas Day<br />
Special Christmas Offerings<br />
New Year’s Eve<br />
Reserve a Setting for Two<br />
• Live Music & Festivities during Holidays<br />
See: nauticalcowboy.com for special menus<br />
805-461-5100 nauticalcowboy.com<br />
6005 El Camino Real, Atascadero<br />
Now Taking Reservations<br />
Take Out: Call to Order<br />
Email: nauticalcowboy@the-carlton.com<br />
10 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
CENTRAL COAST MEDICAL AESTHETICS<br />
Dr. Alex Lechtman<br />
Central Coast Medical Aesthetics<br />
of <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> is owned and<br />
managed by a board certified<br />
plastic surgeon, and 2 aesthetic<br />
nurses. Together they have over 40<br />
Years of aesthetic experience.<br />
In an industry where many<br />
med spas offer only one brand of<br />
neurotoxin and filler so that they<br />
may achieve a top tier to reduce<br />
their costs, Central Coast Medical<br />
Aesthetics provide client-specific<br />
treatment options.<br />
The spa uses 3 different types of<br />
neurotoxins, several different fillers<br />
such as Radiesse, Belotero, Voluma,<br />
Juvederm XC, Volbella and Vollure<br />
along with Restylane/Sculptra in<br />
the face. The staff is trained on<br />
injecting Sculptra in various areas<br />
of the body such as the buttocks -<br />
also known as the Brazilian Butt Lift.<br />
They are the first to offer this in the<br />
valley and Central Coast!<br />
Cutting-Edge Treatment<br />
In addition to their widespread<br />
variety of options in fillers and<br />
neurotoxins, CCMA also maintains<br />
the latest cutting-edge lasers.<br />
Instead of utilizing a standard<br />
laser for it’s few modalities,<br />
the spa considers the type of<br />
treatment and the biology/desires<br />
of the client then selects the most<br />
appropriate of a wide collection of<br />
lasers. For instance, the Candela<br />
Gentlemax- Pro may be selected<br />
for hyperpigmentation aka sun<br />
damage, tightening and IPL’s. The<br />
Syneron Co2re will most likely be<br />
used for resurfacing the skin to treat<br />
fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks,<br />
and deeper pigmentation<br />
issues. The Candela<br />
Gentlemax-Pro is also<br />
utilized to treat vascular<br />
issues and Laser Hair<br />
Removal. Microneedling<br />
is the go-to treatment<br />
for shrinking pore size.<br />
The Co2re Intima is<br />
used for women’s health<br />
issues such as vaginal<br />
rejuvenation/urinary<br />
incontinence.<br />
Vampire Procedures<br />
Interested in learning more about<br />
the infamous vampire procedures?<br />
No problem! Central Coast Medical<br />
Aesthetics is certified in vampire<br />
procedures such as the O-shot, the<br />
Vampire face lift and the vampire facial.<br />
In fact, one of the spa’s latest laser<br />
purchases is the Syneron Profound.<br />
This is the only FDA device that<br />
makes your body produce it’s own<br />
elastin and hyaluronic acid. If you want<br />
the next best thing to a facelift without<br />
surgery the Profound is exactly what<br />
you are looking for. It amazingly lifts<br />
and tightens the face and neck as well<br />
as treats the body for tightening and<br />
significant cellulite reduction!<br />
Coolsculpting<br />
Coolsculpting is another service<br />
offered by the spa. In fact, they were<br />
one of the first centers to bring the<br />
procedure to the <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> area.<br />
Since healthy, youthful and<br />
radiant looking skin is a desire<br />
of most women, the facility<br />
also provides many other spa<br />
services such as massage, eyelash<br />
extensions, waxing, microblading<br />
and body wraps. CCMA has 3<br />
amazing estetician’s and sells a<br />
wide range of Obagi, skin cueticals<br />
and Image products which satisfy<br />
each clients needs. The spa also<br />
offers, infrared services such as the<br />
Fit Wrap — which helps with pain,<br />
healing and the loss of inches — and<br />
acne treatments using the Celluma.<br />
Rachelle Osterbauer and Brianne Simoes<br />
With so many options in terms<br />
of product and services, it is easy<br />
to see why Central Coast Medical<br />
Aesthetics is so highly regarded<br />
within the industry. The spas<br />
owners are inspired and motivated<br />
by the knowledge that their work<br />
increases the confidence levels of<br />
the beautiful people that trust them<br />
in their cosmetic journey.<br />
2120 Golden Hill Rd Ste. 201<br />
<strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>, CA 93446<br />
805-238-6330<br />
centralcoastmedicalaesthetics.com<br />
Advertisement
ROUND TOWN<br />
WHAT ’S HAPPENING<br />
ON MAIN STREET ?<br />
“It’s Where Everybody Comes Together”<br />
Our Downtown Ambassador:<br />
Karyl Lammers<br />
Karyl Lammers was named our Main Street<br />
Ambassador in September of 2017. It’s time to<br />
re-introduce and thank her for greeting hundreds<br />
of visitors and locals to our<br />
downtown. Much to Executive<br />
Director Norma Moye’s delight,<br />
Karyl represents the principles of<br />
the Main Street program that has<br />
given <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> the designation<br />
of a Great American City. “As the<br />
Main Street Ambassador, it is my<br />
honor and pleasure to help make<br />
this happen,” said Karyl.<br />
When greeting visitors, she says,<br />
“I introduce myself, welcome them<br />
to <strong>Paso</strong>, offer my business card and<br />
the Main Street Directory and ask<br />
how I can assist with their visit. They love that<br />
there is an Ambassador to greet them personally!<br />
Many tell me they enjoy not dealing with<br />
an electronic device, but a friendly, smiling face.”<br />
By Millie Drum<br />
With over a year of stories to tell, I’ll share a<br />
few of the highlights from Karyl’s walking tours<br />
of downtown. “Downtown is filled with vacationers.<br />
You know, the ones with nothing to do<br />
and all day to do it in! Every day is a new adventure<br />
on the streets of one of the<br />
favorite downtowns in America!<br />
The credit goes to the downtown<br />
business owners who<br />
rock it! The shops are owned<br />
and staffed by your friends and<br />
neighbors, so it feels like home.”<br />
“Downtown <strong>Paso</strong> is where<br />
you meet the most wonderful<br />
people; visitors from all over<br />
the world. Family reunions<br />
bring relatives from around<br />
the USA (many of whom were<br />
raised here) to enjoy downtown.<br />
<strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> is HOME and always will<br />
be. Home is a place where you grow up<br />
wanting to leave; then grow old wanting to<br />
come back. It’s not just a place. It is a feeling.<br />
Holiday Black-Out Bingo<br />
You’ve got a week to PLAY TO WIN!<br />
The entry form and list of participating<br />
businesses is at the front of this<br />
issue or it appears in the Lighting of<br />
the Town Songbook available at the<br />
Main Street office and at some downtown<br />
businesses. Just visit the businesses<br />
on the entry form and get it<br />
stamped! Once the form is complete,<br />
it’s your Black-Out entry to the contest<br />
that will gives cash prizes for a downtown<br />
“holiday” shopping spree.<br />
Return the form to the Main Street office<br />
at Norma’s Way (between Park and<br />
Pine Streets) by Friday, <strong>December</strong> 7. The<br />
winner will be announced at Santa’s Holiday<br />
House in the City Park on Sunday,<br />
<strong>December</strong> 9 at 3:00 p.m.<br />
It’s coming home where your feet may leave,<br />
but not your heart.” They enjoy sharing stories<br />
with me and we part with a handshake. This<br />
is truly the best job in town.”<br />
Season’s Greetings from Main Street!<br />
<strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>, PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> pasomagazine.com | 13
ROUND TOWN<br />
Caring for Pets<br />
and Their People!<br />
By Dr. Ann Stacker, DVM<br />
A RTHRITIS:<br />
Is Your Pet in Pain?<br />
our dog or cat can’t tell you<br />
when they’re hurting, which<br />
is why it is very important to be<br />
“in tune” with even seemingly<br />
minor changes in their behavior —<br />
often the only sign that something<br />
is wrong.<br />
Arthritis in pets, like humans is<br />
very common. It is estimated that<br />
in the U.S. osteoarthritis (OA)<br />
affects about half of all pets over<br />
age seven. In pet OA, the cartilage<br />
in joints that is supposed to provide<br />
cushioning has given way and<br />
the joint fluid is no longer able to<br />
provide lubrication. Over time the<br />
connective tissue surrounding the<br />
joint becomes inflamed and eventually<br />
bone rubs against bone. The<br />
joint no longer moves smoothly<br />
and can be a source of chronic pain,<br />
negatively impacting quality of life.<br />
The signs of arthritis are often<br />
similar to signs of normal aging,<br />
leading owners to conclude their<br />
pet is simply “getting old” and “slowing<br />
down” as opposed to actually<br />
experiencing pain. It is also important<br />
to note that both cats and<br />
dogs tend to hide the signs of pain<br />
very effectively, so how can you tell?<br />
Beyond the most obvious symptom<br />
of arthritis — a limping pet — there<br />
are other signs, including a hunched<br />
back posture, difficulty getting<br />
up and down, and sleeping more.<br />
Dogs often show less interest in play<br />
or walks and a hesitancy to jump.<br />
Cats will sometimes be reluctant to<br />
go in and out of a litter box or climb<br />
and may develop poor grooming<br />
habits. Other noticeable indicators<br />
in our pets are muscle atrophy, irritability<br />
and changes in sociability.<br />
Recognizing these signs of arthritis<br />
is the first step to helping your dog<br />
or cat stay comfortable as they age.<br />
Though not curable, there are treatment<br />
options and<br />
ways to prevent further<br />
joint damage<br />
— the best thing is<br />
to keep your pet at a<br />
lean weight through regular exercise<br />
and a healthy diet. Some therapeutic<br />
diets and nutritional supplements<br />
formulated specifically for arthritis<br />
to reduce inflammation, target pain<br />
pathways and support joint health<br />
are an important option for addressing<br />
pet mobility issues. Additionally,<br />
changes in the home such as providing<br />
well-padded beds or mats away<br />
from cold or drafty areas, adding<br />
ramps, rubber stair treads or nonskid<br />
rugs on slippery floors can all<br />
help as well to ease pressure and<br />
wear and tear on deteriorated joints.<br />
At the point where these efforts<br />
aren’t enough, it is time to discuss<br />
pain medications with your veterinarian.<br />
The most effective treatment<br />
Arthritis in pets, like humans is very common.<br />
option is pet-specific nonsteroidal<br />
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)<br />
that can quickly revive the spirits of<br />
pets by resolving their pain. While<br />
these drugs are similar to human<br />
NSAIDs and pain relievers such<br />
as ibuprofen and aspirin, never give<br />
human pain medications to your<br />
cat or dog without speaking to your<br />
veterinarian because these products<br />
can be toxic and fatal for pets.<br />
With knowledge, love, support<br />
and proper care our pets can age<br />
gracefully and comfortably.<br />
Dr. Ann and her sister, Debbie<br />
Stacker, co-own <strong>Paso</strong> Petcare<br />
Veterinary Hospital, serving our<br />
local community since 2000.<br />
GET YOUR<br />
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14 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
ROUND TOWN<br />
By Bec Braitling<br />
I am thankful to report the horse<br />
show season is finally winding<br />
down. Being on the road competing<br />
can be exhausting and exhilarating<br />
at the same time. We finished the<br />
season at Galway Downs International,<br />
bringing home some blue<br />
ribbons and a few personal-best performances.<br />
This was followed by a<br />
quick trip to the UK to source some<br />
more exciting three-day event horses<br />
to import to the United States.<br />
I thoroughly enjoy scouring the<br />
globe for up-and-coming horses<br />
but also love that some of the best<br />
are bred in our own backyard. Let’s<br />
meet one of our local breeders!<br />
Brian Jalbert is the owner of<br />
Oak Meadow Farm, a Holsteiner<br />
sport horse breeding farm in<br />
southwest Atascadero. Brian didn’t<br />
get involved in horses until he was<br />
in his late 30s, when a job brought<br />
him to the Central Coast from<br />
southern California. The once avid<br />
sailor was forced to sell his boat,<br />
leaving a huge hole in his recreation<br />
time. The constant exposure<br />
to horses on the Central Coast led<br />
to riding lessons and things moved<br />
quickly from there.<br />
Horses met his recreation needs<br />
and pretty soon he decided to buy<br />
a property in Atascadero, which<br />
eventually led to breeding — first<br />
as a hobby and tax shelter but then<br />
as a more serious enterprise. Brian<br />
was introduced to the Holsteiner<br />
breed early on by Anke Magnussen,<br />
who owned a business in<br />
Atascadero importing Holsteiners<br />
from Germany and, needless to say,<br />
it was love at first sight. He was initially<br />
impressed by the athleticism,<br />
versatility and willing spirit of this<br />
wonderful breed, which is aptly<br />
described in the Holsteiner motto:<br />
Character, Class and Charisma.<br />
He bought his first Holsteiner<br />
mare in 1985 and soon owned another.<br />
Being a relative newcomer<br />
to the equestrian community, Jalbert<br />
relied heavily on the advice<br />
of others and got lucky. Early on,<br />
he was influenced by the legendary<br />
Holsteiner breeder Lieselott<br />
Wiendieck, who gave some advice<br />
which has been at the core of his<br />
program through the years. She<br />
said, "You only need one or two<br />
mares. Select them very carefully<br />
and breed them to the best stallions<br />
you can find."<br />
This advice has served him well<br />
as that little farm has produced two<br />
North American champion mares to<br />
the Holsteiner registry and his Oak<br />
Meadow Holsteiner foals typically<br />
earn foal premium awards. The inspiration<br />
to continue breeding is the<br />
joy of working with the new foals<br />
each year — being a small farm he<br />
typically has just one or two foals as<br />
the goal has always been to produce<br />
the best possible sport horse he can.<br />
Brian bases stallion selection<br />
on two factors. First, he tries to<br />
select a compatible type. Each<br />
mare is vastly different and each<br />
needs a stallion that will complement<br />
her good qualities while<br />
not adding any undesirable traits.<br />
For example, the heavier-bodied,<br />
old style Holsteiner mare needs a<br />
lighter, more refined stallion, while<br />
the other mare, which is a more<br />
modern type, can do well when<br />
crossed with a stallion with more<br />
substance and bone. He also suggests<br />
sticking with a winning combination.<br />
If the results of a cross<br />
are successful, he will repeat again,<br />
oftentimes more than once.<br />
Although he admits he’s not a<br />
"line breeder" — one must also<br />
consider pedigree — he favours<br />
sticking with older more established<br />
lines rather than going<br />
for the current "stallion du jour"<br />
which may be a passing fancy.<br />
Jalbert has used artificial insemination<br />
using fresh, chilled semen<br />
exclusively until this year, which was<br />
his first venture into breeding with<br />
frozen semen. This method makes a<br />
wider range of stallions available to<br />
American breeders and his aim is to<br />
do more with this in the future.<br />
Brian’s advice to new breeders:<br />
breed the best to the best! Some of<br />
Brian’s progeny has already made<br />
waves on the international stage in<br />
the sport of three day eventing with<br />
local trainer Andrea Baxter piloting<br />
Oak Meadow bred “Enfinity”<br />
to some impressive finishes and has<br />
her sights set on the Young Horse<br />
World Championships, Modial Du<br />
Lion, Le Lion- D’Angers France<br />
16 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
ROUND TOWN<br />
in 2019. Other graduates have<br />
been sold across the United States,<br />
paving the way in all English disciplines<br />
for the small but mighty<br />
Holsteiner breeder that calls the<br />
Central Coast home.<br />
Heading into the festive season,<br />
I’m thrilled to report that Jacob<br />
Greene is recovering well from<br />
a head injury he sustained in an<br />
MX accident in early October.<br />
He was transferred to a facility in<br />
Arroyo Grande to continue his<br />
rehabilitation and is looking forward<br />
to returning home by <strong>December</strong>.<br />
His parents Kelly and<br />
Marcus report his progress has<br />
been astonishing and we hope<br />
that trend continues through the<br />
holidays. The strength of the<br />
Greene family is second to none<br />
and I’m grateful they’re a part<br />
of our amazing Central Coast<br />
equestrian community.<br />
<strong>December</strong> 1: Whitehorse Tack<br />
Customer Appreciation Gathering.<br />
Come and enjoy this fun endof-year<br />
sale with food, discounts,<br />
giveaways and drawings. The first<br />
50 people through the door between<br />
2 and 6 p.m. will receive gift<br />
bags. Join the festivities at 2805<br />
Black Oak Drive, <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>.<br />
<strong>December</strong> 1-2: Winter Wonderland<br />
Schooling Show. <strong>Paso</strong><br />
<strong>Robles</strong> Horse Park, 3801 Hughes<br />
Parkway, <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>. Come and<br />
hone your skills in a laid back and<br />
super fun environment at the final<br />
schooling show of the year. Entries<br />
can be found online at pasorobleshorsepark.com.<br />
<strong>December</strong> 6-15: Cowboy Christmas,<br />
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily, free<br />
admission, Las Vegas Convention<br />
Center, South Halls, 3150 Paradise<br />
Road Las Vegas.<br />
<strong>December</strong> 15-16: Kristin Hardin<br />
Clinic at Marcly Farms Equestrian<br />
Center, Nipomo. Come and<br />
learn from one of California’s most<br />
successful jumper riders. Auditors<br />
welcome at no charge. Food<br />
available. Contact Kelly Greene<br />
at 805-310-2555 or email marcly<br />
farms@yahoo.com for more information.<br />
Check weather reports and footing PRIOR to loading up. Please stay off designated<br />
trails after rain in order to preserve them. Most trails require at least<br />
two full sunny days to dry enough for suitable trail riding without erosion.<br />
View: Ocean & coastal dunes Fees: Free, so far<br />
Access: Pecho Valley Rd., park in lot across from Camp Keep<br />
Rated: Easy, but deep sand can be tiring for horses, go easy<br />
Time Factor: 10-12 miles, 3-4 hours at walk<br />
Trail: Single track, fire rd. thru dunes, may also ride on beach<br />
Feet: Barefoot fine for most horses, but suggest shoes, some rocks<br />
Dogs: Not on trails, leash in parking area, in vehicle if cool<br />
Camp: Horse water, take own water & food, reserved horse corrals, $7.50<br />
non-refundable on credit card for camp plus $75/vehicle, primitive, see:<br />
www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=592<br />
Overnight: Horse Camp advanced reservations required<br />
Main Ranger Station: Spooner’s Cove, 528-0512 info.<br />
First Aid: Ranger’s station, bring layered clothing, hat, sunscreen<br />
Cell Reception: Spotty Caution: Snakes, hikers and mountain bikers<br />
Maps: Ranger station, www.CCCMB.org or www.SLOPOST.org<br />
Participation: see above for trail clearing dates & events<br />
Trail Directions: From parking, ride down the left side of road, heading back<br />
out of park. Follow trail to left (by where surfers park at Hazard Canyon). Cross<br />
creek. Climb out of creek. Take the first trail right, parallels road. Follow trail<br />
until you see well traveled trails to left, which head to the back bay. Once near<br />
the back bay, find trails leading to the beach or stay along back bay. Makes a<br />
loop bringing you back to Hazard Canyon and Camp Keep parking. For more<br />
options cross the road at Cable or Bloody Nose Trail.<br />
Brought to you by Whitehorse Tack<br />
2805 Black Oak Drive, <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> • whitehorsetack.com<br />
<strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>, PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> pasomagazine.com | 17
ROUND TOWN<br />
Veterinary Tails<br />
By Dr. Ryan Ehlinger<br />
ith the holidays approaching, many of us<br />
are thinking about giving to others. For<br />
a blind person, the gift of sight would be one of<br />
the greatest gifts of all. While we cannot provide<br />
this, our canine companions can provide help and<br />
companionship to blind or low-vision people in a<br />
way that enriches both the life of the person and<br />
the dog. Today, I would like to share a story with<br />
you about one such dog from the North County.<br />
Wisdom is an almost 7-year-old female yellow<br />
lab that was raised in Templeton as a puppy<br />
for nonprofit organization Guide Dogs for the<br />
Blind. Her foster-care provider, Ellen Frost, remembers<br />
her as a sweet and loving puppy with<br />
a very mellow disposition. Ellen said it was hard<br />
to train Wisdom initially because she always<br />
wanted to lie down during training. However,<br />
Wisdom was able to overcome that habit and<br />
was eventually recalled to Guide Dog’s campus<br />
in the Bay Area for formal training.<br />
Wisdom underwent eight challenging phases<br />
of training with Guide Dogs at their facility and<br />
passed with flying colors. Ellen attended Wisdom’s<br />
graduation ceremony in person to celebrate<br />
as only about 40 percent of the guide dogs in the<br />
program make it all the way to graduation. She<br />
said there was not a dry eye in the house when the<br />
graduating dogs were presented to the community<br />
of volunteers and their new service companions.<br />
Wisdom was placed with a senior college student<br />
from San Jose State University named Emily.<br />
Emily and Wisdom hit it off immediately and<br />
formed a really strong bond. When Emily walked<br />
for graduation at SJSU, Wisdom wore a matching<br />
cap as they walked the isle to retrieve the diploma.<br />
After graduation, they stayed in the Bay Area together<br />
as Emily pursued her career.<br />
A few years later, Wisdom was brought in to<br />
Emily’s veterinarian for evaluation of her eyes<br />
and was found to have glaucoma, a painful ocular<br />
condition defined by increased pressure within<br />
the eye. Glaucoma can cause blindness if not<br />
addressed very early and in most cases eventually<br />
effects both eyes. Wisdom was referred to a veterinary<br />
ophthalmologist for specialty care to try<br />
to preserve her vision.<br />
Unfortunately, Wisdom’s glaucoma was not<br />
able to be controlled with medications. One of<br />
Wisdom’s eyes needed to be removed surgically,<br />
which effectively ended her Guide Dog’s role<br />
and she would no longer be able to serve Emily.<br />
Additionally, there was a significant chance<br />
that glaucoma would affect her other eye within<br />
half a year. Now, I know what you are thinking.<br />
Dr E, this is not a good story! This is a horrible<br />
story! This is not making me feel the holiday<br />
spirit! But, wait. It does get better!<br />
On learning of Wisdom’s illness, the community<br />
around Emily pulled together to support<br />
her and Wisdom. The veterinary ophthalmologist<br />
offered to adopt Wisdom so that she could<br />
provide the best care for Wisdom’s remaining eye<br />
and give her a wonderful forever home. Wisdom<br />
still lives with her in Santa Rosa to this day. Her<br />
other eye is monitored monthly and doing well<br />
Our canine companions can provide help and companionship to blind or<br />
low-vision people in a way that enriches both the life of the person and the dog.<br />
so far. Guide Dogs arranged for Emily to receive<br />
a new graduate named Manilow. Emily, Ellen,<br />
Wisdom, and the ophthalmologist attended Manilow’s<br />
graduation from Guide Dogs to support<br />
Emily. Manilow and Emily are in the Bay Area<br />
together today and are doing well. They still stay<br />
in touch with Wisdom and the community that<br />
rallied around the dog to serve a great cause.<br />
To learn more about Guide Dogs for the Blind, to<br />
volunteer, or to donate, please visit guidedogs.com.<br />
Dr. Ehlinger is the owner of the Main Street Small Animal<br />
Hospital in Templeton. A full service small animal<br />
hospital serving the north county since 1988. Visit<br />
templetonvet.com for more info.<br />
18 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
<strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>, PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> pasomagazine.com | 19
ROUND TOWN<br />
Deck the Halls with Art from Studios on the Park<br />
Jesus Cruz and David Stenslein Turn to Local Artists to Make Their House a Home<br />
By Meagan Friberg<br />
Walking through the<br />
<strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> home of<br />
Jesus Cruz and David<br />
Stenslein, one immediately notices<br />
artwork that gives off a distinctive<br />
feel of the Central Coast. Imagine<br />
photos, paintings, and more in<br />
their collection representing docks<br />
in Morro Bay, cattle in Green Valley,<br />
architectural gems of San Miguel,<br />
and Santa Margarita sunsets.<br />
All of these local scenes and more<br />
were made possible by several artists<br />
at Studios on the Park.<br />
Deb Hofstetter, a photographer<br />
featured at Studios on the Park,<br />
and several of her fellow artists<br />
have works featured in the newly-renovated<br />
home of Jesus and<br />
David. Deb was commissioned<br />
to have her art printed on metal<br />
with the main piece, 60 inches<br />
wide by 20 inches tall, featuring<br />
local grapes and vines. Additional<br />
artwork by Ann Laddon, Dennis<br />
Curry, Dean Crawford, Betty<br />
Wick, and Helen Davie adorn<br />
spaces throughout the home.<br />
“I wanted to fill our home with<br />
as much local art as possible,” Jesus<br />
said. “To me, these art pieces<br />
reflect the epitome of the Central<br />
Coast. We met many of these<br />
amazing artists at one of the Winery<br />
Partner nights at Studios. We<br />
immediately fell in love with a lot<br />
of pieces, and then we kept going<br />
back and discovering new artwork<br />
and artists.”<br />
As artists, what does it mean to<br />
have someone buy their art and<br />
feature it in their home? The responses<br />
were varied: “It’s thrilling<br />
and fulfilling.” “It’s what we are all<br />
about, to share our art and have<br />
other people appreciate our art.”<br />
“It really is a completion of the<br />
whole idea of being an artist.”<br />
Although Jesus and David currently<br />
call Los Angeles home, they<br />
purchased the <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> property<br />
in <strong>December</strong> 2017 and plan<br />
to live in the 2,800-square-foot<br />
five bedroom home fulltime upon<br />
retirement. Until then, they visit<br />
at least once monthly and depend<br />
on the folks with <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> Vacation<br />
Rentals to keep the house<br />
occupied with short-term rental<br />
occupants.<br />
“Everything and everyone in<br />
this area is just so pleasant,” Jesus<br />
said. “We also like <strong>Paso</strong>’s proximity<br />
to the coast – I need to be close to<br />
the water – and I like the western<br />
side of the area. And the art and<br />
culture, of course! We can’t wait to<br />
live here fulltime.”<br />
20 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
<strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>, PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> pasomagazine.com | 21
PASO PEOPLE<br />
<strong>Paso</strong> Roblans Remember<br />
Educator Richard Benitez<br />
“I’ve had doubters and detractors. But you’ve got to be<br />
a risk-taker. It’s not words; it’s actions that change<br />
things and overcome obstacles.” – Richard Benitez<br />
By Melissa Chavez<br />
A diagnosis of late-stage thyroid cancer stole Richard Benitez from this Earth<br />
on October 6, <strong>2018</strong>. He left behind his wife Sharon, five children and eight<br />
grandchildren. But Rich also left a legacy that has inspired countless friends,<br />
students, and colleagues. His fingerprints can be found throughout the <strong>Paso</strong><br />
<strong>Robles</strong> community by way of his tireless work in education and for many<br />
service and nonprofit organizations.<br />
COMMUNITY<br />
INVOLVEMENT<br />
Benitez’s contributions include<br />
decades with the <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong><br />
School District, where he worked<br />
in migrant, adult, and bilingual<br />
education and many years as a lobbyist<br />
for teachers and students in<br />
Sacramento and Washington, D.C.<br />
Especially evident was Benitez’s<br />
ability to galvanize both young and<br />
old toward constructive change<br />
within their communities while<br />
honoring their past.<br />
Benitez was the founder of the<br />
<strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> Youth Task Force and<br />
Cinco de Mayo events and he was<br />
active in youth athletic programs.<br />
Benitez co-founded the Hispanic<br />
Business Association, was named<br />
Volunteer of the Year by the Economic<br />
Opportunity Commission,<br />
worked as a polling precinct supervisor<br />
and served as the community’s<br />
Santa Claus at Christmastime.<br />
A familiar mover and shaker in the<br />
community, Benitez was rewarded<br />
for his work in numerous nonprofit<br />
organizations.<br />
City of <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> Mayor Steve<br />
Martin shared fond memories of<br />
Benitez, with whom he worked over<br />
the years in their respective jobs, service<br />
clubs and political campaigns.<br />
“I first met Rich when I was a<br />
reporter for the local radio station<br />
and, after that, the local newspaper,”<br />
Martin said. “My first memory<br />
of him is one of broad smiles and<br />
firm handshakes. He gave me the<br />
feeling I was a friend the first time<br />
we met. During all the years to follow,<br />
regardless of how much time<br />
passed between our encounters, his<br />
was always the smiling face of recognition<br />
across a crowded room.”<br />
“I have great respect and admiration<br />
for Rich,” said Shonna<br />
Howenstine, Civic Engagement<br />
Coordinator for the City of <strong>Paso</strong><br />
<strong>Robles</strong>. “We bumped into each<br />
other at various meetings and<br />
events over the years. He set such a<br />
great example for being an engaged<br />
<strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> resident — informed<br />
and committed, combined with a<br />
bit of fire and a lot of humor. We<br />
were lucky to have him and he will<br />
definitely be missed.”<br />
“I had the pleasure of serving<br />
on a scholarship committee for<br />
the Hispanic Business Association<br />
with Richard and witnessed firsthand<br />
his dedication and devotion<br />
to creating a path towards a brighter<br />
future for underserved youth in<br />
our community,” said <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong><br />
City Librarian Angelica Fortin.<br />
IMPACT ON<br />
EDUCATION<br />
Benitez was a doer. He raised<br />
scholarship money for high school<br />
students through annual tamale<br />
sales, was president of the Kiwanis<br />
Club and led funding efforts for<br />
Bauer-Speck Elementary School<br />
programs to offset budget cutbacks.<br />
Among those who worked with<br />
Richard for decades is Ed Railsback,<br />
whose career as a 36-year educator,<br />
25-year football coach, and 10-year<br />
<strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> High School principal,<br />
brought many opportunities to collaborate,<br />
including when he served<br />
with Benitez on the board of directors<br />
of the SLO Food Bank Coalition.<br />
Railsback described Benitez’s<br />
caring nature and expectation of<br />
excellence from his students.<br />
“I had the pleasure to work with<br />
Richard in a number of capacities,”<br />
Hispanic Business Association members, from left, are Francisco, Julie Boyce,<br />
Maria Garcia, Ashley Harkey, Manuel Medina and Richard Benitez.<br />
Railsback said. “His positions within<br />
the <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> Joint Unified<br />
School District brought me in direct<br />
connection with him in my capacity<br />
as a teacher, coach, assistant principal<br />
and principal. I was also pleased<br />
to work under his tutelage when I<br />
retired by conducting district-level<br />
discipline hearings.<br />
“Richard was a dedicated educator<br />
who cared deeply for the welfare of<br />
all students. As a Hispanic, his interests<br />
leaned toward the needs and<br />
successes of that group of students,<br />
but to say that was his narrow interest<br />
would be totally inaccurate,”<br />
Railsback continued. “Rich had a<br />
wonderful sense of humor and was<br />
easy to work with, but not tolerant<br />
of incompetence. That is not a criticism<br />
on my part but a statement of<br />
his dedication. He did not care for<br />
poor teaching, indifference toward<br />
student needs or community concerns.<br />
When those occurred, he was<br />
outspoken in his opposition. Fortunately,<br />
we did not disagree much, but<br />
when we did, he had the capacity to<br />
listen, understand and move on.”<br />
“Something that I find very remarkable<br />
of Mr. Benitez is that he<br />
grew up in a very tough generation<br />
for Hispanics because of discrimination,”<br />
said Juan C. Ramirez, a<br />
mortgage loan officer with Connect<br />
Home Loans. “He worked so hard<br />
to maintain his Hispanic heritage<br />
and for new generations to appreciate,<br />
understand, and respect it as<br />
well. I have so many memories of<br />
Mr. Benitez. What I respected more<br />
was his love for his family and that<br />
he devoted his life to the education<br />
of his students and encouraged<br />
them to further their education.”<br />
Fortin added, “I very much respected<br />
Richard as a mentor to so<br />
many and as a friend. Although he<br />
was a retired teacher, he was never a<br />
retired educator. His legacy will live<br />
on through all those he inspired.”<br />
INTEGRITY,<br />
INSPIRATION<br />
AND HEART<br />
“Simply put, when I think of Rich,<br />
I think of the word compassion,”<br />
Railsback said. “From what I know<br />
and what I saw in my relationship<br />
with Richard, his compassion for<br />
young people and his colleagues<br />
was what made him stand out. We<br />
can never go wrong with people like<br />
Richard Benitez.”<br />
“There can be no doubt that our<br />
community is a better place because<br />
of the life lived by Rich Benitez,”<br />
Mayor Martin said. “Rich was one<br />
of those rare people with deep empathy,<br />
strong beliefs about right and<br />
wrong and unceasing energy for the<br />
work of improving the lives of others.<br />
He didn’t just talk the talk, he<br />
walked the walk.”<br />
Of his efforts to improve the<br />
community, in 2005, Richard Benitez<br />
told <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>,<br />
“I’ve had doubters and detractors.<br />
But you’ve got to be a risk-taker. It’s<br />
not words, it’s actions that change<br />
things and overcome obstacles.”<br />
Mayor Martin said, “We can all<br />
take a note from his smile, his love<br />
and his actions and make all those<br />
qualities part of ourselves. That is<br />
the best way to honor Rich and<br />
carry the impact of his life forward<br />
into the future.<br />
22 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
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<strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>, PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> pasomagazine.com | 23
PASO PEOPLE<br />
Dr. Jill Stearns: Leading Cuesta’s Promise<br />
New Leader Brings New<br />
Vision, New Programs,<br />
and New Cougar Spirit<br />
By Nicholas Mattson<br />
Facing the retirement of former president<br />
Gil Stork, Cuesta College conducted a<br />
nationwide search to find the right person<br />
to fill the shoes of the 50-year Cuesta veteran who<br />
fulfilled a personal goal with the establishment of<br />
a second year of the Promise Scholarship — the<br />
last item his bucket list — before retiring in June.<br />
On July 11, Dr. Jill Stearns was sworn in as<br />
Cuesta College’s seventh Superintendent/<br />
President, bringing a complementary history<br />
of experience and success to the Central Coast’s<br />
premiere community college.<br />
Dr. Stearns had served as president of<br />
Modesto Junior College since 2012, where she<br />
left a legacy of improving accreditation compliance<br />
and decreasing disparity.<br />
“When I arrived at MJC, the college had been<br />
placed on sanction and probation in terms of its<br />
accreditation,” Stearns<br />
said, “there were<br />
some very serious issues<br />
to be addressed.”<br />
Sterns spent the<br />
first couple years focused<br />
on aligning the<br />
practices with the<br />
standards, and for the<br />
last four years my focus<br />
was moving the needle on the area of student<br />
success in terms of student outcomes.<br />
“We were a very diverse campus,” Stearns said,<br />
“with around 50 percent hispanics and many<br />
other backgrounds and cultures on the campus.<br />
There was considerable disparity between the<br />
highest performing groups and others. So we focused<br />
on raising the completion rates overall to<br />
close that gap.”<br />
Stearns’ success at MJC garnered attention<br />
and the college was selected to apply for the<br />
Aspen Price, was one of 15 schools accredited<br />
to award baccalaureate degrees, and was selected<br />
as one of 20 demonstration colleges for Guided<br />
Pathways: “a student-centered approach that<br />
can dramatically increase the number of students<br />
earning community college credentials, while<br />
closing equity gaps.”<br />
“It is a framework for reimagining and redefining<br />
student experience on campus,” Stearns<br />
said, “and moving away from what had become<br />
a ‘cafeteria-style’ approach to providing students<br />
incredible opportunity to explore, but without<br />
providing clear direction on the quickest<br />
path to completion.”<br />
Leveraging her previous experience, Stearns<br />
and the faculty and staff at Cuesta College is<br />
getting ready for improving student experience.<br />
“We have already started that process,” Stearns<br />
said, “and I’ve had and opportunity to review<br />
a 60-page report based on 15 focus groups held<br />
at Cuesta last spring. We are capturing the voice<br />
and experience of the student and using that to<br />
frame our work for redesign.”<br />
PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> welcomes Dr. Stearns warmly,<br />
and we will continue to deliver information about<br />
the progress at Cuesta College and deliver information<br />
throughout 2019 to help new and returning<br />
students get the most of our local college. Stay tuned<br />
for monthly installments.<br />
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24 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
<strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>, PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> pasomagazine.com | 25
PASO PEOPLE<br />
Honoring Dr. James Longo<br />
Distinguished Oncologist Retires,<br />
Continues Vision for Local Treatment<br />
By Millie Drum and Hayley Mattson<br />
n August, after 28 years as the primary<br />
Radiation Oncologist in Templeton, Dr.<br />
James Longo started saying his goodbyes<br />
to his patients and his team as he prepared<br />
for his approaching retirement. 37 years ago,<br />
Dr. Longo graduated from medical school and<br />
after 5 additional years of specialty training<br />
and board certification, he was able to start<br />
practicing as a Radiation Oncologist. He<br />
received the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical<br />
Society Award in 1980 and was the chief<br />
resident in Radiation Oncology at UCLA,<br />
and in 1986 he received the American Cancer<br />
Society Clinical Fellowship Award in Oncology<br />
at UCLA and became Board-certified.<br />
“As a student, I was overwhelmed with compassion<br />
for cancer patients; convincing me to<br />
specialize in Oncology. For the last 28 years,<br />
I served as Director of the Templeton Radiation<br />
Oncology Medical Center. I’m honored<br />
and privileged to have served the North San<br />
“As a student, I was overwhelmed<br />
with compassion<br />
for cancer patients...”<br />
Luis Obispo County; witnessing the progress<br />
in both the level and quality of care. I am<br />
proud of the medical teams assembled here.”<br />
As he should be, Dr. Jim Longo, as most know<br />
him, was at the forefront of setting the tone of<br />
providing the upmost quality of care to all<br />
cancer patients. He served as the Chief of<br />
Staff Physicians, Vice President of the Governing<br />
Board, Chair of Physicians Leadership<br />
Council, and Chair of the Medical<br />
Staff at Twin Cities Community<br />
Hospital where he also served as the moderator<br />
of their monthly Oncology Conferences<br />
for the Medical Staff. Dr. Longo believed in<br />
the team approach when working with his<br />
patients, sometimes he was the quarterback<br />
and other times the referring physician or<br />
medical oncologist, staying plugged and involved<br />
within the local medical community.<br />
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is one of the<br />
most difficult, Dr. Longo took great pride<br />
in knowing each patients entire history and<br />
He treated every patient<br />
as if they were family.<br />
researching what the absolute best treatment<br />
would be. In addition he understood that a<br />
cancer diagnosis affects the entire family or<br />
care unit around the patient, which is why<br />
over the years he has stayed deeply involved<br />
and supported the Cancer Support Community,<br />
which his wife Deborah Longo<br />
was one of the founding partners, Shannon<br />
D’Acquisto, Executive Director of the Cancer<br />
Support Community, regards Dr. Jim Longo as a<br />
“longstanding staple in local cancer care and<br />
a current Board Member”. Shannon shared<br />
with us, “His retirement is bittersweet for the<br />
Cancer Support Community. He is passionate<br />
about the lives he’s touched and knows that<br />
the social and emotional impact of cancer<br />
is hard to support in the medical visit. This<br />
organization was formed to support the<br />
whole patient and family. We are proud of<br />
his work and look forward to seeing his<br />
passion for the patients and philanthropy as<br />
it follows him into retirement.”<br />
This sentiment of Dr. Longo was shared by<br />
family, friends and colleagues as they gathered<br />
at the <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> Golf Club on September<br />
8th to honor and congratulate Dr. James Longo<br />
on his retirement. “It was just great, we had a<br />
James Longo, Thom Shulz and David Bolivar.<br />
Dr. James Longo<br />
blast. It was so nice to hear the warm wishes<br />
from so many people.” Dr. Longo shared,<br />
and they did from his close friend Dr. David<br />
Bolivar to another friend and colleague Mark<br />
Lisa, CEO of TCCH, as well as Founding<br />
Board Member of the Cancer Support Community,<br />
Thom Schulz and so many others. It<br />
really was a special night honoring a true hero<br />
in his own right, for all the years he dedicated<br />
countless hours, sleepless nights, on call<br />
every weekend, endless research, all while he<br />
experienced the loss of patients, friends and<br />
colleagues and still always remained equally<br />
passionate about the strides in care that cancer<br />
“My next big goal is to recruit<br />
medical oncologists and<br />
establish a North County<br />
chemotherapy program...”<br />
patients were able to receive locally. He treated<br />
every patient as if they were family.<br />
So what is next for Dr. Jim Longo retired<br />
Radiation Oncologist … “My next big goal is<br />
to recruit medical oncologists and establish a<br />
North County chemotherapy program. Currently,<br />
patients must travel to San Luis Obispo<br />
for treatment. There are huge strides and<br />
changes in immunotherapy that targets the<br />
disease more effectively. More efficient imaging<br />
equipment has led to better localization and<br />
targeting. Better treatment equipment has led<br />
to higher accuracy with less toxicity we are on<br />
the verge of great benefits for cancer patients.”<br />
Knowing Dr. Longo we would not expect anything<br />
different.<br />
Thank you, Dr. Longo. Upon your retirement,<br />
your talents, skills and interests will be a great<br />
asset through your vision and a new phase for<br />
cancer care in our community.<br />
26 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
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<strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>, PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> pasomagazine.com | 27
Remembering SLO Stringer<br />
By Melissa Chavez<br />
Highway memorial sign honors photojournalist Matthew Frank<br />
When Matthew Frank<br />
died in a car accident<br />
on his way to a twoalarm<br />
fire during the wee hours of<br />
March 21, 2017, it seemed as if all<br />
of San Luis Obispo County reeled<br />
at the news. As more information<br />
became known about the anonymous<br />
local photojournalist known<br />
as SLOStringer, the loss became<br />
even more inconceivable. He had<br />
just turned 30. How could someone<br />
so young, vibrant, and integral to<br />
the daily lives of so many people be<br />
gone so soon?<br />
SLOStringer was esteemed by<br />
citizens and first responders alike for<br />
accurate, time-sensitive reporting of<br />
traffic accidents, fires and other incidents.<br />
Hundreds attended his funeral.<br />
To this day, people who have<br />
never met Matthew still mention on<br />
social media the loss of his presence.<br />
On November 2, a ceremony was<br />
held to dedicate a stretch of Highway<br />
101 between Avila Beach Drive<br />
and Spyglass Drive as Matthew<br />
“SLOStringer” Frank Memorial<br />
Highway. The proposal, introduced<br />
by 35th District Assemblyman Jordan<br />
Cunningham, was made official<br />
last August. Flanked by fire trucks<br />
and rescue units, a large crowd witnessed<br />
the ribbon-cutting at Madonna<br />
Meadow, approximately ten<br />
miles from where Matthew died.<br />
A VIBRANT<br />
YOUNG MAN<br />
Mila Vujovich-LaBarre, one of<br />
Matthew’s teachers at San Luis<br />
Obispo High School, remembers<br />
him well. Matthew also babysat for<br />
her daughters, Danica and Jorja.<br />
“He was enthusiastic, smart,<br />
compassionate and had a sense of<br />
humor,” Mila said. “Matt dutifully<br />
transported my precious daughters<br />
to and from school and helped<br />
with other daily chores of running<br />
a household. Matt was a champion<br />
in that he was always upbeat around<br />
the children and had high standards<br />
for their behavior. My children<br />
would always share Matt’s ‘Lesson<br />
of the Day’ at our dinner table about<br />
road safety or life in general. I can<br />
see the future SLOStringer’s smiling<br />
face and hear his charming voice<br />
like it was yesterday. His early passing<br />
was so very tragic. He served our<br />
community well with such a humble<br />
demeanor. My prayers and good<br />
thoughts are with his family and<br />
close friends. May he rest in peace.”<br />
A CONTINUAL<br />
OUTPOURING<br />
The day after Matthew died,<br />
Coast 104.5 FM radio produced a<br />
tribute to him in the form of a compilation<br />
of music and statements by<br />
the community who shared stories<br />
of the direct impact that he had<br />
on their lives.<br />
One man described his encounter<br />
with Matthew after learning<br />
that his father committed suicide.<br />
When he saw inquiries about police<br />
and coroner activity posted on<br />
the SLOStringer Facebook page, he<br />
contacted Matthew with a request<br />
to keep details of his father’s death<br />
private as he returned to the Central<br />
Coast. Matthew honored his request,<br />
replied with condolences, and<br />
gave him his phone number. When<br />
they met over coffee three days later,<br />
Matthew presented him flowers for<br />
the man’s mother.<br />
“The respect that he had and the<br />
integrity that he had was something<br />
that had out-matured his age,” the<br />
man said.. “I’ll always remember<br />
meeting him… he wasn’t doing<br />
anything for pride, for ego boost<br />
or for money; he was just doing it<br />
because it was the right thing to do.<br />
He was doing it out of the kindness<br />
of his heart.”<br />
From August 13 to September<br />
6, 2016, Matthew provided roundthe-clock<br />
coverage of the 46,344-<br />
acre Chimney Fire stretching from<br />
Lake Nacimiento to Ft. Hunter<br />
Liggett in San Luis Obispo and<br />
Monterey counties. One woman’s<br />
family in Bryson was evacuated for<br />
ten days. When she realized that<br />
Matthew was reporting near her<br />
home, she asked if he could check<br />
on the chickens and cats on her<br />
property. When Matthew complied<br />
and contacted her the following<br />
day, she was amazed. Not only<br />
did Matthew send photos, he even<br />
fed her animals.<br />
Along with the public, firefighters’<br />
family members expressed thanks<br />
on Matthew’s Facebook page for<br />
his posts, photos and video reports,<br />
which often surpassed those of the<br />
area’s most sophisticated media<br />
outlets, and for providing real-time<br />
information about the record-breaking<br />
inferno that destroyed 70 homes<br />
and structures.<br />
One woman, who preferred not<br />
to be named, saw Matthew almost<br />
daily when she worked nights as<br />
a Chimney Fire command post<br />
volunteer with the San Luis Obispo<br />
County Sheriff ’s Search and<br />
Rescue Unit.<br />
“He had more information than<br />
we had, but we gave him burritos,”<br />
the volunteer said. “Our job was to<br />
keep the generator going and the<br />
radios up. National media outlets<br />
were at the fairgrounds with Cal<br />
Fire. Where was Matthew? At the<br />
fire. It became erratic at one point,<br />
but he was the direct line to all of us.<br />
Matthew was there to help, not hinder,<br />
and he did so in more ways than<br />
people ever could. From the frontline,<br />
his information was invaluable.<br />
Matthew respected, honored,<br />
and helped us do our job as a third<br />
responder. He was truly respected<br />
and earned the trust of everybody,<br />
including kids. At the memorial last<br />
month, this little gal named Mercy<br />
carried a flag in her hand. Before he<br />
died, she’d told her mom that she<br />
was going to marry SLOStringer.<br />
“While Matthew’s mother spoke<br />
at the podium, CHP helicopter H70<br />
had to respond to a call,” said the<br />
volunteer. “As it flew up, the crowd<br />
was awestruck as it hovered there for<br />
a moment before it took off. I like to<br />
think that was to honor Matthew.<br />
He’s such a loss. There’s never going<br />
to be another SLOStringer. I’ve<br />
never met somebody who had so<br />
much compassion for our community.<br />
He truly was an amazing angel<br />
and we were gifted by him.”<br />
28 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
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apparel, collectibles, Hollywood memorabilia and art!<br />
We love providing visitors with unique and fun items<br />
that they won’t find elsewhere. Come take a peek at our<br />
inventory, and a step back in time, and enjoy the obnoxious<br />
and alluring collection that is none other than<br />
Funky Wonderland Vintage.<br />
Hours: Tues-Sat 10am-6pm | Sun 11am-5am | Closed Mondays<br />
Sixteen Twenty — <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong><br />
831 13th Street, <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>, 93446<br />
(805) 369-2829<br />
(805) 610-1828 for a private shopping appt.<br />
Offering a trip through history with our finer home goods, gifts,<br />
decor, and year-round holidays. Come see our reproduction<br />
painted primitive furniture, vintage Christmas and much more!<br />
We even have a room dedicated to men! They deserve to have fun too!<br />
Hours: M-T-Th-F-Sat-Sun 10:30am - 5:30pm | Closed Wednesdays<br />
SHOPPING CONTEST — WIN $200!<br />
Thank you for shopping local, and enjoying our Unique Boutique<br />
shops with Great Gift Ideas Holiday Gift Guide. If you haven’t<br />
stopped in to say hi to new and longtime local business, please do<br />
and tell them PASO & COLONY <strong>Magazine</strong> sent you!<br />
Our locally-owned shops are ready to make your holidays the best<br />
ever with hometown love and warmth.<br />
CONTEST: Collect a business card from each shop, take<br />
a picture of all 9 cards together by Dec. 15 and email to<br />
publisher@pasomagazine.com, or post to our Facebook Page<br />
for a chance to win a $200 Gift Card to the shop of your choice!<br />
30 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
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<strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>, PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> pasomagazine.com | 31
<strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> is filled with Christmas events that<br />
tell a story. The story started in November with Elegant<br />
Evening in downtown. The evening included<br />
wine tasting, food and visiting downtown businesses<br />
that have decorated for the season and are<br />
in the Christmas spirit.<br />
“We start out with the merchants showing that<br />
they have everything ready to show for Christmas,”<br />
<strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> Main Street Executive Director Norma<br />
Moye said. “It’s getting people into the spirit of<br />
Christmas.”<br />
The day after Thanksgiving, the Christmas festivities<br />
continued with the 32 nd annual Downtown<br />
Holiday Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November<br />
23 at 5:30 p.m. Mrs. Claus arrives to turn on the<br />
lights in the park to invite Santa Claus to <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>.<br />
The park is filled with people waiting in the<br />
near-dark for the lights to be flipped on.<br />
“When Mrs. Claus comes to town,” Moye said,<br />
“she comes to town to see if [<strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>] is ready<br />
for Santa. [There is] hot chocolate for her and everybody’s<br />
singing. I understand the Grinch may<br />
sneak in and try to steal our Christmas.”<br />
A week later, Santa arrived to <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> in<br />
time for the 57 th annual Christmas Light Parade<br />
on Saturday, <strong>December</strong> 1 at 7 p.m. This year’s<br />
theme is “Cowboy Christmas.”<br />
By Heather Young<br />
“So Mrs. Claus says, ‘Wow, this town is ready for<br />
Santa to come.’ So Santa comes into town on his<br />
sleigh,” Moye said.<br />
The first time people will see Santa in <strong>Paso</strong><br />
<strong>Robles</strong> is when he rides on his sleigh during<br />
the parade.<br />
“And the Grinch kinda got scared — he heard<br />
Santa was coming,” Moye said.<br />
The parade includes a variety of lighted entries<br />
from local businesses and organizations. A variety<br />
of awards will be given for the Best in Show.<br />
A week later, the 32 nd annual Vine Street Victorian<br />
Showcase will take place on Saturday, <strong>December</strong><br />
8 from to 6 to 9 p.m. on Vine Street between<br />
8 th and 21 st streets. This is a free event where<br />
the Vine Street residents and business owners open<br />
up their doors and other groups from around the<br />
county join them. Participants give things such as<br />
hot chocolate, cookies, and other treats. There will<br />
also be groups sharing the Christmas spirit with music<br />
and other entertainment. Scrooge can be found<br />
on the balcony of a house on Vine Street yelling at<br />
the festive event-goers for being so cheery.<br />
“[Vine Street is] when the Vine Street neighbors,<br />
historical society, Main Street and the city come<br />
together,” Moye said. “There will be music, hot cocoa<br />
and more. There is snow for children to play in.<br />
There’s a lot of things happening.”<br />
Attendees will also get the chance to see the<br />
Snow Queen, Santa and Mrs. Claus, carolers, community<br />
open houses and more. Moye reminds the<br />
community that the event is free and because it<br />
gets very packed, dogs should stay at home.<br />
The final Christmas event for the season is the<br />
28 th annual Victorian Teddy Bear Tea, which will<br />
take place Saturday, <strong>December</strong> 15 from 2 to 4<br />
p.m. in the <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> Park Ballroom at 1232<br />
Park St., Ste. 200. The cost is $8 for children and<br />
$20 for adults.<br />
“That’s when the children come with their<br />
teddy bears and have tea, cookies, coloring<br />
books and entertainment,” Moye said. “It’s a<br />
wonderful afternoon.”<br />
The Snow Queen and King, Santa and Mrs.<br />
Claus, Santa’s elves and Victorian friends will be<br />
at the annual event. Seating is limited, so tickets<br />
should be purchased in advance.<br />
For more information about the holiday events<br />
in downtown <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>, go to <strong>Paso</strong><strong>Robles</strong><br />
Downtown.org.<br />
OTHER EVENTS HAPPENING<br />
IN AND AROUND PASO ROBLES<br />
SANTA HOLIDAY HOUSE IN PASO ROBLES<br />
Santa’s Holiday House schedule in downtown<br />
<strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> at City Park is Sunday, Dec.<br />
9 and 16 from noon to 3 p.m.; Tuesday,<br />
Dec. 18 through Monday, Dec. 24 from noon to<br />
3 p.m. Call 805-238-4103 or go to <strong>Paso</strong><strong>Robles</strong><br />
Downtown.org for more information.<br />
Roundup for Christmas events<br />
sponsored by <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> Main Street<br />
CHRISTMAS LIGHT PARADE<br />
Saturday, <strong>December</strong> 1 at 7 p.m.<br />
VINE STREET VICTORIAN SHOWCASE<br />
Saturday, <strong>December</strong> 8 from 6 to 9 p.m.<br />
VICTORIAN TEDDY BEAR TEA<br />
Saturday, <strong>December</strong> 15 from 2 to 4 p.m.<br />
32 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
<strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>, PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> pasomagazine.com | 33
LOCAL GOODS REPORT<br />
from General Store <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong><br />
Want shopping for the holidays to<br />
be less drudgery and more joyful?<br />
FIVE REASONS<br />
to shut off your computer and<br />
Come Shop Downtown!<br />
1. ANNA Actually, two Annas (Anna our dear first employee and<br />
mama hen, and Anna 2 whose nickname is NOT Dodger, since the<br />
World Series). And there’s Mairin, and Ainsley, and Rachel, Ashlynn and<br />
Veda, and April holding down the numbers. And then Pam, whom we<br />
lovingly call Mrs. Claus (She’s been playing Christmas music in secret<br />
since July). These are our peeps, the ones who will personally wait on<br />
you at General Store. We are not a call center (though we do answer<br />
the phone). We might sell a book for a dollar or two more than Amazon.<br />
But we are your neighbors and your daughter’s best friend and<br />
your local business owners, and we love what we do.<br />
2. PARKING Did you know that the City of <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> and local<br />
businesses have dedicated more than 150 parking spots away from the<br />
most prime locations to encourage employees to leave the best spots<br />
for you, our customers? The Employee Parking Permit Program was<br />
intentionally launched at the beginning of the holiday season to make<br />
it easier for you to find a spot within a block or two of the park. Go City!<br />
3. THE WAY THE MEXICAN CHOCOLATE SOAP SMELLS<br />
One of the best things about shopping in person is the chance to<br />
interact with the goods you’re considering. Flip through the pages of<br />
that cookbook about sourdough bread. Hold that linen towel in your<br />
hand. Close your eyes and take in the gorgeous, sweet aroma of our<br />
locally-made Mexican Chocolate, Black Currant or Cranberry Orange<br />
soaps. Feel better?<br />
4. PASO-ONLY GOODIES Brand new <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> ornaments. <strong>Paso</strong><br />
<strong>Robles</strong> hats, seasonings and flour sack towels. With chickens on them.<br />
5. MEET THE MAKERS <strong>December</strong> 1 you can taste YES cocktail<br />
mixers with Lauren, or <strong>December</strong> 8 you can try on as many BE BLESS-<br />
ED FLANNELS as you can pile on those sweet shoulders of yours because<br />
she’ll be here for a trunk show! Whoo hoo!<br />
Plus, giveaways all month long(follow us on Instagram or Facebook<br />
to be in the know). Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. We promise we’ll<br />
be worth putting on pants and shoes and shopping out in the real<br />
world. Did we mention Kenny Loggins ”Celebrate Me Home?” You<br />
will sing along. Rules are rules.<br />
Wishing you joy! The General Store Team<br />
34 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
<strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>, PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> pasomagazine.com | 35
OAK LEAF<br />
tart a new holiday tradition of<br />
helping those in need. Get the<br />
entire family involved — young children<br />
love to help! Below is a sampling of ideas:<br />
Can Your Fines<br />
Serve your local community and reduce<br />
overdue library fines at the same time<br />
with the annual Can Your Fines event<br />
happening at the <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> City Library,<br />
1000 Spring St. Through <strong>December</strong><br />
31, $1 in overdue fines will be forgiven for<br />
every non-expired canned or non-perishable<br />
food item donated up to a maximum of $16 per<br />
library card account. For more information, see<br />
prcity.com or call 805-237-3870.<br />
Donate to RISE<br />
Help RISE during the holiday season by purchasing<br />
and donating gift cards from various<br />
merchants including grocery, shoe, and department<br />
stores and gas stations.<br />
Donate items to the Safe House; see riseslo<br />
.org for a list of suggestions. Financial donations<br />
go toward providing crisis intervention<br />
and treatment services. Mail checks to: P.O. Box<br />
630, <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>, CA 93447. For more information,<br />
call 805-226-5400 or stop by the RISE<br />
office at 1030 Vine St. in <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>.<br />
Lights of Hope<br />
<strong>Paso</strong>’s Lights of Hope benefits the Cancer<br />
Support Community of California Central<br />
Coast by raising funds and awareness for local<br />
cancer patients, survivors, and their families “so<br />
that no one faces cancer alone.”<br />
More than 35,000 lights will adorn trees in<br />
the <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> Downtown City Park throughout<br />
the holiday season. To sponsor a bulb,<br />
<strong>2018</strong><br />
By Meagan Friberg<br />
branch, or tree, click on the Lights of Hope link<br />
at cscslo.org or stop by the CSC office at 1051<br />
Las Tablas Road in Templeton. Call 805-238-<br />
4411 for more information.<br />
Day of Giving<br />
The 24th Annual Day of Giving on Dec. 15<br />
at the <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> Event Center will provide<br />
toys, coats, and more to local families with children.<br />
Much has been donated but more is needed.<br />
Help the Salvation Army purchase food<br />
gift cards by sending a check with memo “Day<br />
of Giving” to P.O. Box 2654, <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>, CA<br />
93447. Place new toys in Toy Bank collection<br />
boxes or send monetary donations to: Toy Bank<br />
of Greater <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>, P.O. Box 2801, <strong>Paso</strong><br />
<strong>Robles</strong>, CA 93447.<br />
Take gently-used coats, sweatshirts, and<br />
sweaters to Plaza Cleaners or <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong><br />
Cleaners. Take new and clean coats to KPRL,<br />
Idler’s, Farm Supply, Strawberry Blonde Salon,<br />
El <strong>Paso</strong> Mini Storage, The Blenders, or North<br />
County Copy & Parcel. Or, send a check payable<br />
to the Toy Bank, with memo “Coats for<br />
Kids” to the address listed above.<br />
Help the Salvation Army<br />
Help by ringing bells and collecting<br />
funds during the Salvation Army’s<br />
holiday kettle campaign through<br />
<strong>December</strong> 24. Volunteer for two-hour<br />
shifts — call 805-835-6099 to schedule a<br />
time slot. Place donations in the paper kettles at<br />
Food-4-Less or send a check to P.O. Box 2654,<br />
<strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>, CA 93447.<br />
Angels are needed! The Salvation Army’s Angel<br />
Tree creates toy-giving opportunities for families<br />
“Blessed is the season which engages<br />
the whole world in a conspiracy of love. ”<br />
Hamilton Wright Mabie<br />
NOT participating in the Day of Giving. Call<br />
805-238-9591 or stop by the Salvation Army Center<br />
at 711 <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> St. Tuesday or Wednesday,<br />
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for more information.<br />
MORE WAYS TO HELP<br />
Loaves and Fishes: Send monetary donations<br />
to Loaves and Fishes, P.O. Box 1720, <strong>Paso</strong><br />
<strong>Robles</strong> CA 93447 or via the PayPal link at<br />
loavesandfishespaso.org. Call 805-238-4742<br />
for more information.<br />
ECHO: Donate to the El Camino Homeless<br />
Organization at echoshelter.net or send checks<br />
payable to ECHO, P.O. Box 2077, Atascadero,<br />
CA 93423. Call 805-462-3663 to learn more.<br />
Hope for the Holidays: Add non-perishable<br />
food items to collection boxes through <strong>December</strong><br />
15. Volunteer to hand out item lists to grocery<br />
store customers, or host a money box at your<br />
place of business and donate the funds. Click on<br />
the Hope for the Holidays tab at slofoodbank<br />
.org or call 805-238-4664 for more information.<br />
CHRISTMAS GIFT SUGGESTIONS<br />
To your enemy, forgiveness.<br />
To an opponent, tolerance.<br />
To a friend, your heart.<br />
To a customer, service.<br />
To all, charity.<br />
To every child, a good example.<br />
To yourself, respect.<br />
Oren Arnold<br />
From all of us at PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>,<br />
MERRY CHRISTMAS<br />
and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!<br />
36 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
(805) 550-9891<br />
snslaundromat@gmail.com<br />
<strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>, PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> pasomagazine.com | 37
OAK LEAF<br />
Awakening Ways Spiritual Community<br />
is Committed to Being of Service in the County<br />
e may work and live in Atascadero,”<br />
said Rev. Dr. Terry zumMallen, “but we<br />
believe in the oneness we have with the whole<br />
community. That’s why we have always reached<br />
out to be a positive influence in the county.”<br />
Rev. Dr. Terry and her husband, Rev. Dr. Frank<br />
zumMallen, are the much-beloved spiritual<br />
leaders of Awakening Ways Spiritual Community,<br />
which has been meeting in Atascadero for<br />
ten years. It is a New Thought community in the<br />
tradition of Religious Science that attracts<br />
people throughout the entire county to its<br />
Sunday gathering at Atascadero’s Pavilion on<br />
the Lake.<br />
Rev. Dr. Terry<br />
zumMallen<br />
Rev. Dr. Frank<br />
zumMallen<br />
By Patricia Alexander<br />
“We appreciate this area so much,” said<br />
Dr. Frank. “It is important to us to reach out<br />
beyond ourselves. That’s why we are active<br />
supporters of RISE here in <strong>Paso</strong>, which offers<br />
crisis intervention and treatment services<br />
to survivors of sexual and intimate partner<br />
violence. We also donate to Woods Humane<br />
Society and Friends of Atascadero Lake and<br />
have a special volunteer crew that works<br />
on the Highway Cleanup between Del Rio<br />
Road and San Ramon Road. AWSC has<br />
been longtime participants in serving meals<br />
and raising money for the El Camino<br />
Homeless Organization (ECHO) and are<br />
weekly contributors of food to Loaves &<br />
Fishes, as well as clothes to NCI Thrift Shops.<br />
We’re committed!”<br />
Awakening Ways embraces the<br />
belief that there are many roads<br />
that lead to the divine...<br />
Awakening Ways embraces the belief that there<br />
are many roads that lead to the divine, that<br />
there is a Oneness that connects us all, and that<br />
all life is interdependent. They offer a meditation<br />
time prior to their 10 a.m. gathering<br />
each Sunday, a special children’s group, and<br />
many classes and social opportunities to<br />
inspire personal growth and connection. They<br />
are also offering an unusual world peace meditation<br />
from 4 to 5 a.m. on the morning on<br />
<strong>December</strong> 31 at AW’s Atascadero offices at<br />
7350 El Camino Real, Suite 101. This is a very<br />
special meditation that happens at the same<br />
time every year all over the world.<br />
“Over the ten years of our existence, we’ve<br />
noticed that about half of the people who attend<br />
our gatherings are from <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>,” said<br />
Rev. Terry. “We’re pleased that our teachings<br />
and welcoming community have attracted so<br />
many <strong>Paso</strong> residents. We look forward to welcoming<br />
more <strong>Paso</strong> people in the upcoming year<br />
and continuing our service to the county where<br />
we all live.”<br />
To learn more about Awakening Ways<br />
Spiritual Community, visit their website<br />
at AwakeningWays.org or call<br />
805-460-0762.<br />
38 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
Hair / Skin / Nails<br />
<strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>, PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> pasomagazine.com | 39
Not Your Parents’ CAREER and<br />
TECHNICAL EDUCATION<br />
By James J. Brescia Ed.D<br />
SLO County Office of<br />
Education Superintendent<br />
Career Technical Education<br />
(CTE) in each of our<br />
school districts provides<br />
North County students of all ages<br />
with the training, academic skills,<br />
and technical knowledge necessary<br />
to succeed in future careers. Our<br />
schools not only promote “Future<br />
Careers, Locally Grown” they support<br />
lifelong learning. Across the<br />
United States, nearly 12.5 million<br />
high school and college students<br />
are enrolled in CTE courses. CTE<br />
prepares these learners for the<br />
world of work by providing academic<br />
content, introducing workplace<br />
competencies, and exposing<br />
students to providing a hands-on<br />
context. The current<br />
high school graduation<br />
rate for CTE<br />
concentrators is about<br />
90 percent, which is<br />
nearly 15 percentage points higher<br />
than the national average.<br />
The San Luis Obispo County<br />
Office of Education established<br />
SLO Partners in 2014 to address<br />
college and career readiness among<br />
the county’s student<br />
population. SLO<br />
Partners’ mission is<br />
to engage business<br />
partners and educators<br />
in aligning<br />
workforce needs<br />
with career and college<br />
pathways and<br />
provide work experience<br />
opportunities<br />
to ensure that stu-<br />
“A dream doesn’t become a reality<br />
through magic; it takes sweat,<br />
determination, and hard work.”<br />
~Colin Powell<br />
dents have the skills and knowledge<br />
necessary for success in the<br />
workplace and businesses have the<br />
skilled workers required for a sound<br />
growing economy. SLO Partners is<br />
committed to collaborating with<br />
local businesses and education for<br />
pathways to opportunity<br />
and skilled<br />
local talent.<br />
Templeton High<br />
School is one such<br />
example of a blossoming<br />
CTE program<br />
in our county<br />
that has built up<br />
their program pathways.<br />
Energy and<br />
Power Technology,<br />
taught by Jason Diodati, is one<br />
of the school’s most robust CTE<br />
programs. This pathway includes<br />
engineering, manufacturing and<br />
energy. Many CTE courses are<br />
dual-enrolled with Cuesta College,<br />
allowing high school students to<br />
earn college credit through their<br />
high school courses. The program<br />
fosters local participation<br />
with large businesses such as<br />
PG&E and smaller businesses<br />
such as Dale Evers Arts Studio.<br />
Programs originated through local<br />
efforts of the school districts, the<br />
San Luis Obispo County Office of<br />
Education and legislators.<br />
“The price of success is hard work, dedication<br />
to the job at hand, and the determination<br />
that whether we win or lose, we have<br />
applied the best of ourselves to the task at<br />
hand.”<br />
~Vince Lombardi<br />
40 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
THE NATURAL ALTERNATIVE<br />
NUTRITION CENTER<br />
HEALTHY AND NATURAL<br />
GIFT IDEAS!<br />
I absolutely LOVE the Christmas season! With the fun and excitement<br />
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On the list of those you care for… put yourself at the top! Ashwagandha<br />
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CBD chocolates make great hostess gifts or stocking stuffers. If you<br />
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gift bags that include a pain and healing salve, body butter, lip balm and<br />
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Need a gift for a friend who is stressed out or someone who needs<br />
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oils including lavender for calming, rosemary to enhance your memory,<br />
citrus to boost your mood and lemon balm to encourage more restful<br />
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we offer organic essential oil kits for gift giving.<br />
More stocking stuffer ideas include locally-made and handcrafted Aza<br />
Gar argan soaps with scents of lavender, lemongrass zinger, refreshing mint<br />
as well as a wonderful selection of nourishing lip balms. Be sure to stock<br />
up on our tasty, healing teas from Vanaspati of Cambria; offering organic<br />
herbal blends called Immune, Calm, Digest, Breathe, Inflame, Energy and<br />
Sleep! It’s always tea time!<br />
And remember, we have gift certificates so you can give the gift of health<br />
to the special people in your life!<br />
Feeling gratitude during this time of year,<br />
Bobbi Conner, CNC, CAN, MH<br />
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT<br />
CONSTITUTE DIAGNOSIS, PRESCRIPTION, OR TREATMENT AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED AS<br />
A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL COUNSELING WITH A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.<br />
<strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>, PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> pasomagazine.com | 41
TASTE OF PASO<br />
NO BOUNDARIES<br />
with Ginger<br />
Ginger is a spice that<br />
knows no boundaries. It<br />
can jump start your meal<br />
with an enthusiastic appetizer, add<br />
zest to your main course, and finish<br />
with a dessert that lingers on<br />
the palate. Transforming each dish<br />
into something completely different<br />
on the tongue, ginger has a<br />
magical way of adapting itself and<br />
delivering a unique quality all its<br />
own.<br />
Hot, spicy, energizing, healing...<br />
The story of ginger spans the<br />
globe, reaching countless cuisines<br />
and identifying classic dishes.<br />
Not only does ginger burst with<br />
flavor, it also is a powerhouse of<br />
By Lori Foster of Spice of Life<br />
healing benefits.<br />
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is<br />
native to tropical forests in southeastern<br />
Asia and is now grown<br />
widely around the world, from<br />
Hawaii to Africa, Australia and<br />
many other countries. Ginger<br />
grows underground as a horizontal<br />
stem, or rhizome, with beautiful<br />
green upright shoots reaching to<br />
the sun. Close relatives are turmeric<br />
and galangal which also grow as<br />
rhizomes.<br />
Warm, woody, peppery heat<br />
with tender sweetness jumps out<br />
at you as ginger mingles with other<br />
ingredients. Classic Asian dishes,<br />
Indian curries, Middle Eastern<br />
and European cuisines all crave<br />
the boldness of ginger. Complimentary<br />
flavors that marry well<br />
with ginger are garlic, lemongrass,<br />
chili, turmeric, citrus, cinnamon,<br />
cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and<br />
saffron to name a few.<br />
What would the holidays be<br />
without ginger? Gingerbread<br />
cookies, ginger snaps, and of<br />
course, pumpkin spice blends<br />
with ginger being a key ingredients.<br />
Try adding molasses to ginger<br />
cookies which gives a softer<br />
texture and almost caramel flavor.<br />
Sauteed, tender carrots with fresh<br />
shredded ginger and garlic or<br />
roast winter squash with a dusting<br />
of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg<br />
to bring about the warming<br />
flavors of winter.<br />
Not only does ginger taste delicious,<br />
the medicinal benefits are<br />
pretty impressive as well.<br />
Ginger is among the healthiest<br />
spices in the world with countless<br />
studies and reports throughout<br />
history showing effective results.<br />
Ginger’s ability to calm upset<br />
stomachs and motion sickness has<br />
been a comfort for many. It can<br />
also help relieve digestive problems,<br />
soothe morning sickness<br />
and nausea. During the cold and<br />
flu seasons, ginger is the perfect<br />
spice to keep on hand to combat<br />
sickness. Strong anti-inflammatory<br />
properties help with arthritis and<br />
other conditions while offering a<br />
wide array of important vitamins<br />
and minerals. Natural remedies<br />
like ginger are a great alternative<br />
to reaching for over-the-counter<br />
medications for relief. Steeping<br />
ginger with peppermint and chamomile<br />
in a cup of hot water makes<br />
a great tea to help relax, calm and<br />
soothe the body.<br />
Visit Lori at Spice of Life at 1306,<br />
Pine St., <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>, CA 93446<br />
for more information on seasonal<br />
spices and healthy recipes.<br />
BOARD CERTIFIED<br />
ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON<br />
FELLOWSHIP TRAINED<br />
IN SPORTS MEDICINE<br />
NOW ACCEPTING<br />
NEW PATIENTS<br />
Joint Replacement, Arthroscopy,<br />
Sports Medicine, Fractures, Joint<br />
Pain and General Orthopedics<br />
<br />
<br />
42 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
<strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>, PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> pasomagazine.com | 43
EVENTS<br />
Find out where to see Santa<br />
By Heather Young<br />
NOTE: Events are chronologically<br />
listed. Readers are encouraged<br />
to call phone numbers<br />
listed to confirm scheduled<br />
events. There are many activities<br />
to choose from this holiday season<br />
from holiday boutiques to<br />
caroling to performances. Take<br />
a look to find the perfect fit, or<br />
fits, for you and your family.<br />
Atascadero<br />
Light Up the Downtown<br />
Holiday Celebration<br />
Atascadero’s Light Up the<br />
Downtown Holiday Celebration<br />
will take place Friday, November<br />
30. The Atascadero Art<br />
& Wine Tour will take place from<br />
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the<br />
tour will be for sale the night of<br />
the event at City Hall or at Grape<br />
Encounters Wine Empourium for<br />
$20 per person. At 6 p.m., everyone<br />
will gather in front of City Hall<br />
for the lighting of Sunken Gardens<br />
and historic City Hall. Santa will<br />
arrive at 6:10 p.m. The Atascadero<br />
Fine Arts Academy Honor Choir<br />
will perform on the steps of City<br />
Hall. Free docent-led tours of City<br />
Hall will take place from 6:30 to 8<br />
p.m. along with free horse-drawn<br />
hayrides and Model-A firetruck<br />
rides and a visit with Santa and<br />
Mrs. Claus. For more information,<br />
go to VisitAtascadero.com. Go to<br />
AtascaderoChamber.org to purchase<br />
Art & Wine Tour tickets or<br />
call 805-466-2044.<br />
Cambria Christmas<br />
Market<br />
The Seventh annual Cambria<br />
Christmas Market will take<br />
place through Sunday, <strong>December</strong><br />
23 on the grounds of Cambria<br />
Pines Lodge, 2905 Burton<br />
Drive in Cambria, at 5 p.m. every<br />
night except Nov. 26 and 27 and<br />
<strong>December</strong>. 3, 4 and 10 when<br />
the market is closed. The annual<br />
market offers a winter wonderland<br />
of colorful lights in addition<br />
to food, wine, live music, shopping,<br />
vendors and Santa’s House.<br />
Nightly shuttles are available at<br />
the Bramblest in East Village<br />
and Coast Union High School.<br />
The last shuttle to the market Musical Holiday Walk<br />
leaves at 8:15 p.m. The cost is $10, Around Atascadero Lake<br />
$15, $20 or $25 depending on the The 20th annual Musical Holiday<br />
Walk Around the Lake at<br />
night and children 10 and younger<br />
are always free. For more information,<br />
go to CambriaChristmas- from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Sat-<br />
Atascadero Lake will take place<br />
Market.com or call 805-927- urday, <strong>December</strong> 1. Hot cider,<br />
6109. Tickets must be purchased popcorn and other refreshments<br />
in advance online.<br />
will be available as attendees walk<br />
around the lake. There will be free<br />
entry into the zoo from 5:30 to<br />
8:30 p.m. If there is steady rain<br />
prior to or during the event, some<br />
of the street activities may be<br />
canceled. Bring a flashlight and a<br />
warm coat. For more information,<br />
go to AtascaderoLake.net or call<br />
805-550-3147.<br />
Morro Bay Lighted<br />
Boat Parade<br />
The 33rd annual Morro Bay<br />
Lighted Boat Parade will take<br />
place on Saturday, <strong>December</strong> 1 at<br />
6 p.m. at the waterfront. The procession<br />
of decorated Christmas<br />
Los Osos<br />
skiffs, yachts, fishing boats, cutters,<br />
sailboats and kayaks will begin at<br />
6:30 p.m. Go to MorroBay.org for<br />
more information.<br />
Cayucos Christmas<br />
Tree Lighting<br />
Cayucos Christmas Tree Lighting<br />
will take place on Sunday, <strong>December</strong><br />
2 at 5 p.m. at the corner<br />
of Ocean Avenue and D Street. In<br />
addition to the tree lighting, there<br />
will also be caroling. For more information,<br />
call 805-995-1200 or<br />
go to CayucosChamber.com.<br />
11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Sunday,<br />
<strong>December</strong> 9 at 12:30 and 5:30<br />
p.m. at Templeton Performing<br />
Arts Center. Tickets are $29<br />
for adults and $24 for children<br />
12 and younger and seniors<br />
62 and older. An open dress<br />
rehearsal and student night will<br />
take place Thursday, <strong>December</strong><br />
6 at 7 p.m. The cost is $10<br />
and a canned food donation for<br />
students and $25 for adults. For<br />
more information, email info<br />
@ncdpaf.org. To purchase tickets,<br />
go to ncdpaf.org.<br />
Christmas Parade<br />
The 31st annual Los Osos<br />
Christmas Parade will take place<br />
Saturday, <strong>December</strong> 8 from<br />
10 a.m. to noon. The parade will<br />
follow Los Osos Valley Road<br />
from Fairchild Way to the park<br />
at Palisades Avenue. There will<br />
be a pre-parade pancake breakfast<br />
sponsored by the Bay Osos<br />
Kiwanis at Bay Auto & Tire.<br />
For more information, go to lobp<br />
chamber.org.<br />
Christmas in Cayucos<br />
The 10th annual Christmas in<br />
Cayucos will take place Saturday,<br />
<strong>December</strong> 8 at participating<br />
merchants along Ocean Avenue.<br />
It is a merchant open house<br />
with free horse-drawn carriage<br />
rides, children’s activities, tree<br />
lighting, strolling carolers and a<br />
visit from Santa. For more information,<br />
call 805-995-1200 or go<br />
to CayucosChamber.com.<br />
Winter Wonderland<br />
in Atascadero<br />
Atascadero Winter Wonderland<br />
will take place on Friday,<br />
<strong>December</strong> 7 from 5 to 9 p.m in<br />
downtown Atascadero from Traffic<br />
Way to West Mall and from El<br />
Camino Real to Lewis Avenue.<br />
The event will have snow slides,<br />
snow piles, food, crafts, entertainment,<br />
Santa Claus, bounce houses Holiday Magic<br />
and food and craft vendors. The<br />
event is sponsored by the City of<br />
Atascadero. Go to Atascadero.org<br />
or call 805-470-3360 for more information.<br />
‘Nutcracker’ ballet<br />
in Templeton<br />
"The Nutcracker" ballet will take<br />
place on Friday, <strong>December</strong> 7 at<br />
7 p.m., Saturday, <strong>December</strong> 8 at<br />
at Charles Paddock Zoo<br />
Zoo Holiday Magic at Charles<br />
Paddock Zoo in Atascadero will<br />
take place between 10 a.m. and<br />
1 p.m. on Saturday, <strong>December</strong><br />
15. The annual event offers a<br />
chance to deliver special gifts to<br />
animal friends. For more information,<br />
go to Atascadero.org or call<br />
the zoo at 805-461-5080.<br />
44 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
Christmas Parade and<br />
Craft Faire in San Miguel<br />
San Miguel Christmas Parade<br />
and Craft Faire will take<br />
place Saturday, <strong>December</strong> 15 at<br />
6 p.m. The parade will conclude<br />
a full day of fun. The children’s<br />
carnival and street fair begins at<br />
2 p.m. There will also be a chili<br />
cook-off, silent auction, drawings<br />
and other activities. Stop by the<br />
fire station after the parade to see<br />
Santa and enjoy hot dogs and refreshments.<br />
For more information,<br />
call Mike Sanders at 805-712-9120<br />
or go to discoversanmiguel.com.<br />
Living Nativity<br />
in Templeton<br />
A Living Nativity will take place<br />
on the lawn at Templeton Presbyterian<br />
Church, 610 South Main St.<br />
in Templeton, Friday, Dec. 14 and<br />
Saturday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. and<br />
Sunday, Dec. 16 at 5:30 and 7 p.m.<br />
The entire event is about 30 minutes<br />
but arrive early as seating is limited<br />
and dress warmly. Call the church at<br />
805-434-1921 with any questions.<br />
<strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>, PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> pasomagazine.com | 45
Health & Wellness<br />
THE WELLNESS KITCHEN<br />
AND RESOURCE CENTER<br />
1255 Las Tablas Rd., Templeton. Visit thewkrc.<br />
org, 805-434-1800 for information on Healing<br />
and Wellness Foods meal programs, volunteer<br />
opportunities, and classes.<br />
The Wellness Kitchen suffered a loss when<br />
an electrical fire damaged the building<br />
they leased in Templeton. They are moving<br />
to a temporary location.<br />
Please check their website for info, and<br />
support them through this transition with<br />
a tax-deductible donation!<br />
theWKRC.org<br />
CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY<br />
1051 Las Tablas Road, Templeton provides<br />
support, education and hope. 805-238-4411.<br />
Cancer Support Helpline, 888-793-9355, 6<br />
a.m.-6 p.m. PST.<br />
Visit cscslo.org for description of support<br />
groups, social events, education and kid’s<br />
programs.<br />
The office will be closed from Monday, <strong>December</strong><br />
24, <strong>2018</strong> through Tuesday, January 1, 2019.<br />
SPECIAL PROGRAMS:<br />
<strong>December</strong> 5: Life Beyond Cancer, 11:30 a.m.;<br />
Art Time with Katie, 1:30 p.m.;<br />
<strong>December</strong> 12: Young Survivors Peer Gathering,<br />
6 p.m. in Templeton; Kids Art Time, 6 p.m.;<br />
<strong>December</strong> 13: Advanced Cancer Support<br />
Group, 11 a.m.;<br />
<strong>December</strong> 14: Education: Winter Well-Being,<br />
12 p.m.;<br />
<strong>December</strong> 20: Breast Cancer Support Group,<br />
12 p.m.<br />
WEEKLY SCHEDULE:<br />
MONDAY: Therapeutic Yoga at Dharma Yoga,<br />
11:30 a.m.;<br />
TUESDAY: Educational Radio Show, 1:00 p.m.;<br />
WEDNESDAY: Living with Cancer Support<br />
Group —Newly Diagnosed/Active Treatment,<br />
10 a.m.;<br />
FRIDAY: 12/7 & 12/14-Grupo Fuerza y Esperanza,<br />
6 p.m.<br />
Healthy Lifestyle — Navigate with Niki-Thursdays<br />
by appointment, call 805-238-4411;<br />
Cancer Well-Fit® at <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> Sports Club,<br />
Mondays and Thursdays 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.,<br />
pre-registration is required with Kathy Thomas<br />
at kathythomas10@hotmail.com or 805-610-<br />
6486.; Beautification Boutique offers products<br />
for hair loss and resources for mastectomy<br />
patients (knittedknockers.org).<br />
SUPPORT & ENCOURAGEMENT<br />
Take Off Pounds Sensibly — every Monday,<br />
6:30 p.m. at Community Church of Atascadero,<br />
5850 Rosario,, basement room. 805-466-1697<br />
or visit tops.org<br />
North County Overeaters Anonymous — every<br />
Monday, 5:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church,<br />
Fireside Room, 940 Creston Rd., <strong>Paso</strong>, OA.org.<br />
MOPS — Mothers of Pre-schoolers — first & third<br />
Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 940<br />
Creston Road, <strong>Paso</strong>, Ashley Hazell, 805-459-6049,<br />
nocomops@gmail.com.<br />
Chronic Pain Support Group — CRPS third Tuesdays,<br />
5 to 6 p.m. at Rabobank, 1025 Las Tablas Rd, Templeton.<br />
Contact Suzanne Miller 805-704-5970 or email<br />
suzanne.miller@ymail.com.<br />
North County Parkinson’s Support Group — third<br />
Tuesday, 1 p.m. at Templeton Presbyterian Church,<br />
610 So. Main St. Info: Rosemary Dexter 805-466-7226.<br />
Overeaters Anonymous Atascadero — every Thursday,<br />
6:30 p.m. at California Manor, Past the Lobby and<br />
follow the signs, 10165 El Camino Real, Atascadero.<br />
Contact Irene 818-415-0353.<br />
North County Prostate Cancer Support Group — third<br />
Thursday, 7 p.m. at Twin Cities Community<br />
Hospital Pavilion Room. Bill Houston 805-995-2254<br />
or American Cancer Society 805-473-1748.<br />
Lupus/Auto Immune Disorder Support Group — fourth<br />
Saturday, 10:30 a.m. at Nature’s Touch, 225 So. Main<br />
St., Templeton.<br />
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS<br />
Sponsored by Hospice SLO, 805-544-2266, hospiceslo.org<br />
Bereaved Parents Group — Tuesdays, 5:30 to 7 p.m.<br />
Suicide Bereavement Support - fourth Wednesdays,<br />
3 to 4:30 p.m.<br />
Meetings at RISE – Visit in person at 1030 Vine St.,<br />
<strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> or call 805-226-5400<br />
General Grief Support — Wednesdays, 5 to 6:30 p.m.<br />
at 517 13th Street, <strong>Paso</strong>. No cost, no pre-registration.<br />
GriefShare — Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the<br />
Fireside Room at Trinity Lutheran Church 940 Creston<br />
Road, <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>.<br />
46 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
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<strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>, PASO <strong>Magazine</strong> pasomagazine.com | 47
Chambers of Commerce<br />
<strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> Chamber of Commerce<br />
pasorobleschamber.com • 805-238-<br />
0506<br />
1225 Park St, <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>, CA 93446<br />
Office Hours with District Supervisor<br />
John Peschong — third Thursday, 9<br />
to 11 a.m., <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> Chamber of<br />
Commerce Conference Room. Contact<br />
Vicki Janssen for appointment,<br />
vjanssen@co.clo.ca.us, 805-781-4491<br />
Office Hours with Field Representative<br />
for Senator Bill Monning — third<br />
Thursday, 2 to 4 p.m., <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong><br />
Chamber of Commerce Conference<br />
Room. Contact Hunter Snider for appointment,<br />
805-549-3784<br />
<strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong> Chamber of Commerce<br />
Restaurant of the Month Appreciation<br />
— first Tuesday, time/location<br />
TBA, pasorobleschamber.com<br />
<strong>December</strong> 12 — Membership Mixer,<br />
5:30 to 7 p.m., Hosted by Community<br />
West Bank, 541 Spring St., <strong>Paso</strong><br />
<strong>Robles</strong>.<br />
Atascadero Chamber of Commerce<br />
atascaderochamber.org • 805-466-<br />
2044<br />
6907 El Camino Real, Suite A,<br />
Atascadero, CA 93422<br />
<strong>December</strong> 6 — Women in Business:<br />
Holiday Fashion Show, 11:30 a.m. to<br />
1 p.m. at SpringHill Suites by Marriott,<br />
900 El Camino Real, Atascadero.<br />
Register at atascaderochamber.org<br />
<strong>December</strong> 20 — Business Mixer: Pacific<br />
Premier Bank, 5:30 to 7 p.m.,<br />
7480 El Camino Real, Atascadero.<br />
Templeton Chamber of Commerce<br />
templetonchamber.com • 805- 434-<br />
1789<br />
321 S. Main Street #C, Templeton,<br />
CA 93465<br />
Chamber Board of Directors Meeting<br />
— 4 to 5:30 p.m., every 2nd Wednesday<br />
of the month. Pacific Premier<br />
Bank Conference Room on Las Tablas<br />
Blvd.<br />
<strong>December</strong> 8 — “A Night in Narnia”<br />
Christmas Tree Auction and Dinner,<br />
5:30 to 10 p.m., BarrelHouse<br />
Brewing Company, 3055 Limestone<br />
Way, <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>. Templeton<br />
non-profits invite you to this black<br />
tie gala to advance their mission<br />
through donations raising awareness<br />
for their causes. Registration<br />
required for this event through<br />
templetonchamber.com.<br />
48 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>
LAST WORD<br />
By Millie Drum<br />
e have a master wood craftsman and<br />
a kind, thoughtful man in our midst:<br />
David Bouillez. He is a Key Grip/Gaffer in the<br />
film business and enjoys creative woodworking<br />
during his downtime. What makes David’s<br />
talent even more special is his poignant, tangible<br />
way of expressing his appreciation and sympathy<br />
to the families of men and women who<br />
have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country<br />
and fellow citizens — The Memory Box.<br />
The gift of a Memory Box honors<br />
a life given in service to others;<br />
allowing parents, relatives and<br />
friends to treasure the memory<br />
of those they’ve lost.<br />
The inspiration for the Memory Box Project<br />
followed a somber evening TV news report on<br />
the casualties in the war in Afghanistan. David<br />
wanted to do something for the grieving families.<br />
Initially, he was inspired to use his woodworking<br />
and design talent to create keepsake<br />
boxes for the families of fallen soldiers. The<br />
project has since expanded to include firefighters,<br />
peace officers and first responders who have<br />
given their lives in service to others. A Memory<br />
Box is a special gift meant to be passed down<br />
through the generations. To date, 275 Memory<br />
Boxes have been shipped nationwide.<br />
David’s childhood friend, Natalie Probert<br />
Kurtz says, “David is one of the finest. I’m proud<br />
of his talent. I’ve sponsored a few Memory Boxes<br />
and I hope others can find the means to donate<br />
to this fine cause. It brings some closure to families<br />
as they go through the healing process.”<br />
“When I get a call or a thank you note from<br />
a family, it’s such a great feeling to know I’m<br />
doing something for someone and that they<br />
really appreciate it,” says David.<br />
The demand is exceeding the donations,<br />
especially as the holiday season approaches.<br />
To sponsor a Memory Box, donations in any<br />
amount are appreciated to cover the cost of<br />
materials, shipping and the growing demand.<br />
The cherry wood used is salvaged and reclaimed<br />
whenever possible. Every box is handcrafted<br />
with tongue and groove solid joinery<br />
and machine engraved with the fallen hero’s<br />
name and personal information. The brilliant<br />
pewter handles are made by Notting Hill<br />
Decorative Hardware in Wisconsin; replicating<br />
the Iris flower; symbolizing the meeting of<br />
heaven and Earth.<br />
Fallen Soldier Memorabilia Boxes, Inc. is a<br />
501 (c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation —<br />
EIN: 46-2166640, that relies on donations from<br />
individuals, businesses and foundations. As the<br />
holiday season is particularly poignant for families,<br />
join David in showing your respect and gratitude<br />
by donating or fully sponsoring one or more<br />
Memory Boxes. Tax-deductible donations can be<br />
mailed to Fallen Soldier Memorabilia Boxes, Inc.,<br />
179 Niblick Rd., #439, <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>, CA 93446 or<br />
online at memoryboxproject.org. Click ‘DONATE’.<br />
To host a fundraising event or help in any way,<br />
contact David at 805-221-5087 (Shop) or 415-<br />
806-9064 (Cell) or Pat at 805-239-1372. Email,<br />
contact@memoryboxproject.org.<br />
Honoring a Fallen Soldier<br />
THE MEMORY BOX POEM<br />
“How does one choose what it will hold?<br />
For future stories to be told?<br />
A letter, a ribbon, a picture or two?<br />
How do I choose the memory of you?<br />
You were so brave — right to the end.<br />
You weren’t just a soldier.<br />
You were my best friend.<br />
There’s so much to tell of the life you had.<br />
Your courage and strength<br />
— so much could be said.<br />
To honor your memory is easy to do.<br />
I place inside here sweet memories of you.<br />
Your legacy lives on for others to see.<br />
A medal, a letter? Inside it will be.<br />
How does one choose what this box will hold<br />
— for future stories to be told?”<br />
Written by the proud mother of Fallen Soldier<br />
SGT Amanda Older-Downing<br />
May 30, 1986 – January 11, 2011<br />
DIRECTORY TO OUR ADVERTISERS<br />
A Beautiful Face............................. 47<br />
Adelaide Inn Worship Directory... 49<br />
Adrienne Hagan............................ 39<br />
Advanced Concrete<br />
& Construction............................. 37<br />
AM Sun Solar................................. 33<br />
Amdal Transport............................ 21<br />
Anna & Mom................................. 29<br />
Awakening Ways........................... 21<br />
Bella Jule Designs......................... 29<br />
Bijou............................................... 29<br />
Blake’s True Value.......................... 43<br />
Bridge Sportsmen Center............. 39<br />
Brookdale Senior Living................ 31<br />
Brooklin Oaks Pharmacy............... 36<br />
Cal Sun Electric & Solar................. 27<br />
California Holistic Institute............ 27<br />
California Mid-State Fair................ 51<br />
Central Coast Medical Aesthetics.. 11<br />
Chalekson, Dr. Charles.................. 37<br />
Cider Creek Bakery........................ 32<br />
City of <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>-REC................ 09<br />
Community West Bank................. 15<br />
Cone & Associates.......................... 19<br />
Connect Home Loans.................... 33<br />
Country Florist............................... 42<br />
Covenant Presbyterian.................. 48<br />
Cuesta College.............................. 24<br />
Dignity Health Med Plus............... 16<br />
Edwards Barber Shop.................... 34<br />
Esthetics by Jensen....................... 19<br />
Estrella Warbirds........................... 20<br />
Farron Elizabeth............................. 29<br />
First Baptist Church....................... 46<br />
Foss Electric.................................... 23<br />
Friends of Library........................... 45<br />
Funky Wonderland........................ 29<br />
Gallagher Video Services.............. 39<br />
Gallegos Garage Door Service...... 48<br />
General Store <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>............ 34<br />
Golden Hills Farm......................... 17<br />
H.M. Holloway............................... 23<br />
Hamon OHD.................................. 37<br />
HDH Construction......................... 48<br />
Hearing Aid Specialists<br />
of the Central Coast..................... 03<br />
Hearing Solutions......................... 47<br />
Heart to Heart RE........................... 21<br />
Heather Desmond Real Estate...... 07<br />
HFG Coastal Insurance Service..... 47<br />
Hope Chest Emporium................. 29<br />
Kaitilin Riley DDS.......................... 39<br />
Klockenteger, Lisa......................... 25<br />
Koker’s Tree & Demo Service......... 19<br />
Kuehl Nicolay................................. 45<br />
Lansford Dental............................. 05<br />
Las Tablas Animal Hosp................. 41<br />
Lera Butterfield Platinum<br />
Properties..................................... 25<br />
Lube N Go...................................... 47<br />
Main Street Small Animal<br />
Hospital........................................ 18<br />
Mary Ann Austin............................ 48<br />
Michael’s Optical........................... 34<br />
Natural Alternative........................ 41<br />
New with Tags................................ 42<br />
North County Dance and<br />
Performing Arts Foundation........ 43<br />
Nose to Tail..................................... 47<br />
Odyssey World Cafe...................... 39<br />
Optimetric Care Associates........... 47<br />
Pacific Trust Mortgage................... 36<br />
Paradigm Advisors........................ 10<br />
<strong>Paso</strong> PetCare.................................. 35<br />
Patterson Realty - <strong>Paso</strong> <strong>Robles</strong>...... 02<br />
Perfect Air....................................... 25<br />
Photo Stop..................................... 23<br />
PR Chamber of Commerce........... 19<br />
PR District Cemetery..................... 23<br />
PR Golf Club.................................. 31<br />
PR Handyman............................... 42<br />
PR Insurance.................................. 37<br />
PR Main Street Assoc..................... 12<br />
PR Safe & Lock............................... 25<br />
PR Waste........................................ 52<br />
Red Scooter Deli............................ 25<br />
Reverse Mortgage<br />
Professionals ............................... 43<br />
Robert Fry, M.D.............................. 42<br />
San Luis Obispo County<br />
Office of Education...................... 40<br />
Senor Sanchos............................... 14<br />
Sixteen Twenty............................... 29<br />
Solarponics.................................... 38<br />
Spice of Life................................... 43<br />
Stanislaus, Dr. Maureeni............... 38<br />
Stein’s BBQ.................................... 35<br />
Susie’s Dog Grooming.................. 33<br />
Ted Hamm Ins............................... 35<br />
Templeton Door & Trim................. 32<br />
Teresa Rhyne Law Group............... 48<br />
The Art Works................................. 33<br />
The Auto Bahn............................... 19<br />
The Blenders.................................. 33<br />
The Carlton Hotel........................... 10<br />
The Laundromat............................ 37<br />
The Loft........................................... 39<br />
Tooth & Nail Winery....................... 31<br />
Trinity Lutheran Church................. 23<br />
Twin Cities Hospital....................... 04<br />
Voice of <strong>Paso</strong>.................................. 39<br />
Western Janitor Supply................ 39<br />
Whit’s Turn Tree Service................. 27<br />
Whitehorse.................................... 17<br />
50 | pasomagazine.com PASO <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>December</strong> <strong>2018</strong>