SLO LIFE Fall 2010

SLO LIFE
magazine
The
Rudd's
Innovative
Style
&Chad Henry
Comes Home
Fall 2010
Meet Harmony True
fence mending, after school romance & little dancers
slo life magazine | 1

2 | slo life magazine

slo life magazine | 3

Publisher’s Message
It was a Wednesday morning at 10:23 when I first lost track of the time. I
know that because a moment before entering Cloud Canyon I had checked
my watch to calculate our pace.
I had gone backpacking before, including some overnighters to destinations
at the end of well-worn trails, but it wasn’t until that Wednesday morning
that I first “got it.” My youngest sister had been asking me for years to
go on a backcountry backpacking trip with her. She’s an experienced high
country trekker and has developed an extensive knowledge of the Sierras.
So, I finally relented when Emily called and said, “Tommy, you just have to
come with us this time. You have to. I’ve got a great group coming along
and the route we have chosen is amazing.” Plus, she’s about to embark on
the greatest journey of her life; she’s getting married, so how could I say
no?
We spent the first day of our trip hiking through the hot, dusty, and welltrafficked
“frontcountry” (loosely defined as anything within a full day’s
walk from where you can park your car). I was adjusting to the fifty pounds
I was carrying on my back, but I was also thinking about the distance we’d
covered; whether or not I remembered to set my “auto-attendant” on my
email (I didn’t); the number of days left in our trip; what my wife and kids
were up to; how much time until our next stop; and what I was going to
have for dinner. But, mostly, I questioned my sister’s choice of recreation.
Publisher Tom Franciskovich points to the other side of
“Big Wet Meadow” as he talks with friend and Fresno Bee
columnist, Marek Warszawski, upon entering Cloud Canyon.
(You can find Marek’s article on our website where he
recounts the journey, which, unfortunately, ended for him
halfway through as he succumbed to altitude sickness)
It wasn’t until the morning of that second day, the day we unofficially entered the Kings Canyon National Park “backcountry,” that we encountered the
most picturesque, awe-inspiring landscape I had ever seen. Setting foot on what is aptly called “Big Wet Meadow” of Cloud Canyon fully captured my
attention. I was completely in the moment and no longer cared about our pace.
Although the landscape we encountered throughout our trip was beyond my imagination, I will admit that, at least initially, I had been pretty focused on
the idea of getting “somewhere” and wondering when we were going to get “there.” Over the course of six days and 73 miles, I began to understand
the experience Emily had been talking about all of these years.
The concept of embracing the journey is not a new one, and anyone who has lived much life will readily offer the wisdom that “it’s about the journey,
not the destination.” But, it’s a lesson that is easily forgotten, and I was grateful for the reminder. For me, the trip was the perfect metaphor as I
returned my focus to this magazine. Just like that second day in Cloud Canyon, the journey here has really just begun with the publication of this
second issue.
I would like to thank you for the overwhelming support you have given to the launch of SLO LIFE Magazine. Your emails and website submissions
make my pack feel much lighter along the way. And, to our advertisers, thanks for making this journey possible in the first place.
Live the SLO Life!
tom@slolifemagazine.com
4251 S. Higuera Street • Suite 800 • San luiS obiSpo, Ca 93401
SloliFeMagaZine.CoM • (805) 553-8820 • (805) 456-1677
CONTRIBUTIONS:
Submit your story ideas, events, recipes
and announcements by visiting us on-line at
slolifemagazine.com
Contributions chosen for publication may be edited
for clarity and space limitations.
ADVERTISING:
If you would like to advertise, please contact Tom
Franciskovich by phone at (805) 553-8820 or by email
at tom@slolifemagazine.com.
4 | slo life magazine
publiSHer
Creative DireCtor
Contributing
DeSignerS
Contributing
WRITERS
pHotograpHer
illuStrator
Tom Franciskovich
Sheryl Disher
Trent Thibodeaux
Casey Miller
Caitlin Jacobs
Laura Sanchez
Jeanette Trompeter
Danielle Dutro
Megan Kuzman
CIRCULATION, COVERAGE AND ADVERTISING
RATES:
Complete details regarding circulation, coverage and
advertising rates, space, sizes and similar information
are available to prospective advertisers. Please call or
email for a media kit. Closing date is 30 days before
date of issue.
LETTERS TO THE PUBLISHER/EDITOR:
4251 S. Higuera Street, Suite 800
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Letters chosen for publication may be edited for
clarity and space limitations.

contents
The Way It Was:
the history behind the name
12
Meet Your Neighbor:
life on point with Harmony
8
The Way We Live:
16
at home with The Rudd Family
778 Osos Street, Suite C
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805.439.2323
www.coastfiduciarylaw.com
I grew up in San Luis Obispo before leaving
to attend college and pursue my career as an
attorney. After a decade of practicing litigation
and estate planning, I was ready to return to
the place I love, start a practice I believe in and
make a difference in the local legal community
by offering a competent and caring approach to
the practice of law.
25
6
8
18
20
22
23
26
30
Local Food by Local People:
SLO families share their favorite recipes
Talk of the Town :
what do you like to do for fun?
How I Found My Here :
from SLO to Croatia and back again
Let’s Talk Business :
advice for the entrepreneur
To Your Health :
vitamin D
Milestones & Memories :
spreading good news far and wide
No Place Like Home :
family, farm and fun at The Barn
Real Estate :
local experts share their insight
Community Calendar :
the best SLO has to offer
Go to www.livetheslolifecom For Submissions and more | 5
Central Coast Estate Planning and Fiduciary
Services is the culmination of my personal
and professional dreams. What makes my firm
different is that I haven’t forgotten the human
element in the practice of law. I focus on each
family or individual and their unique needs and
keep my firm small and specialized so that you
are always my top priority.
Whether you need an estate plan written or
updated, require representation in probate,
trust or tax litigation or are interested in hiring
a trustworthy and knowledgeable personal
fiduciary, I can offer the guidance, experienced
legal representation and personal touch that is
so often lacking from the practice of law today.
It’s a tough world out there and trust, probate
and tax law can be a minefield, but I am here to
help you and your loved ones.
Jed D. Hazeltine
LL.M. Taxation
Attorney At Law
slo life magazine | 5

The weather’s great!
Hit the open road
and enjoy the fresh
air...
“
”
“
Talk of the Town
What do you like to do for fun?
I love to go to Thursday Night
Farmers’ Market.
Downtown Brown
I like to ride
my bike and
dress up like
a ninja.
” Yukie
Anything outdoors -
water ski, surf,
mountain bike, snow
ski.
Mike The Fireman
“
”
“
Play with
my kids!
”
Scott Sweeny
“
I volunteer at the
animal shelter, do
pottery and take a
Body Gym class.
”
Robin
Stop into
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today!
• Over 100 miles to the gallon!
• European craftsmanship
• 2010 models on sale
• We also service and repair
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169 Granada Drive, Suite 3
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805.544.PEDS (7337)
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6 | slo life magazine

Silence is Not Golden
We give medical assistance
to the hospitals in SLO and
Santa Barbara Counties for
those failing the newborn
screening tests. And we
help pediatricians and
other doctors with their
older patients’ hearing
problems.
Perhaps we can help
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We’ll baby you
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Helping You Hear The Things You Love
slo life magazine | 7

How I Found My Way Here
Chad Henry’s Croatian Odyssey
“I remember getting leveled just as I released the ball,” says 34-year-old, Chad
Henry, former Cal Poly quarterback. “My brother, Troy, was running a post-corner
route, and I threw it out there for him because I trusted him to go get it, just like
he’d always done when we were kids. I was on the ground trying to see what
was going on but could hear the Poly side of the stadium erupt, so I knew we
connected.”
It took Chad three years to reach his goal of becoming Cal Poly’s first African-American starting
quarterback, but he said he will never forget that first touchdown pass to cap the first drive of his first
start, fittingly to his younger brother in an away game against Sacramento State just a few miles from
where they grew up.
Like so many other student-athletes, Chad, who was also a standout pitcher in high school, felt
conflicted about what to do as his football career came to an end. Although he had initially enrolled at
Cal Poly as an architectural engineering student, he graduated with a business degree that emphasized
hands-on learning. “There was an opportunity to do a six month internship in Croatia, so I thought…
why not?”
The initial placement with an old “Soviet-style” company left Chad feeling unchallenged, disillusioned,
and ready to quit. Then one day he happened upon some people in the park playing baseball and word
soon got around about his blazing fastball. It wasn’t long before Chad found himself negotiating through
an interpreter with Mr. Mladinic, who was the owner of a specialty foods company and the sponsor of
the fledgling Croatian baseball club. “He offered me a job doing exports for his company and a salary to
be a pitcher for the club,” Chad explains. “For most of these Croatian guys, they didn’t grow up playing
baseball. I was able to get 16 or 17 strikeouts per game with nothing but an 85 mile-per-hour fastball.”
Things starting clicking for Chad when he successfully placed the first Croatian specialty food item at
Whole Foods, something called “Adriatic Fig Spread,” which can still be found there today. The next
four years of life in Croatia continued to “go well,” but things came crashing down suddenly when it
was learned that Mr. Mladinic was “cooking the books,” and that the company would not be around
much longer. So, the former quarterback, who was now fluent in the Croatian language set out to start
his own business exporting organic specialty items.
“I had to jump through all kinds of hoops with various international agencies to be able to advertise
on my product labels: ‘prirodno, domaci, nešpricano’ which means ‘natural, domestic, unsprayed’…
in other words 100% organic, Croatian-grown. So, I go visit these farmers, my suppliers, and see
that they are spraying their crops with chemicals. And, I say, ‘Hey what are you guys doing!?...
You’re not supposed to be spraying!’ and they’d say, ‘Oh, it’s just a little bit.’ Chad throws up his
arms in animated exasperation as he retells the story. “I would say, ‘No. No. No. No spraying. Not
even just a little bit. We are selling this to our customers as organic - it cannot be sprayed at all.’”
This constant uphill battle continued for nearly six years until he learned that a large Hungarianbased
contractor, who won the bid to build a 17,000 seat handball arena, was looking for
someone to head up media relations just prior to the 2009 World Handball Championship to
be hosted in Croatia. Upon completion of the new stadium, which also meant the end of his
contract, Chad’s six month Croatian visit had turned into ten years. He found himself at a
crossroads, and decided to take what he thought would be a short vacation. “I came back to
San Luis, and I remembered just how much I love it here. I brought a duffle bag with enough
stuff to get me through a couple of days; that was April 26th and I’m still here!”
Today, Chad is employed by SLO-based TechXpress and can be found coaching football
at Mission Prep. Although he has been back for a while, he does admit to feeling a bit
of culture shock. “Sometimes people are talking to me about something and I just have
no idea what they are saying. I’ve been gone so long that I’ll just completely miss the
reference, but I keep it to myself and think, ‘Man, it’s good to be home.’” SLO LIFE
How did you find your way here? Go to slolifemagazine.com and tell us your story.
8 | slo life magazine
8 | slo life MagaZine

Commonsense Leadership
with a
new approaCh
VOTE PAUL BROWN MAYOR!
While San Luis Obispo is a paradise, we have complex issues such as affordable housing,
job scarcity, traffic circulation, homelessness, growth, and budget deficits to overcome.
Creating viable solutions will take a Mayor with a diverse background who is trusted in our
community and has the determination to get things done.
We need a leader to collaboratively promote our economic stability while still protecting
our unique resources.
This is why current Mayor Dave Romero and other community leaders have encouraged
and endorsed Paul Brown to be our next Mayor.
www.votepaulbrown.com
Paid for by Paul Brown for Mayor 2010, 1214 Mariners Cove, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
slo life magazine | 9

Just who was Saint Louis, and
what did he do to get
such a special place
named after him?
Born some 736 years ago
in Brignoles, France,
prior to his sainthood,
the young Louis was
a military cadet of the
Royal French “House
of Anjou,” which until
it became defunct
in 1435, ruled much
of Southern Europe.
At some point during
Louis’ childhood, his
father was named
the “King of Naples,”
because of his
personal relationship
with a secretary to the
King of France.
The Way It Was
Saint Louis, the Bishop
During one of the many feudal wars at the
time, Louis’ father was taken prisoner in
Italy, but he was able to obtain his freedom
by offering his three sons as hostages
[Gee… thanks, dad!]. So, Louis and his two
brothers were hauled off to enemy territory
in Barcelona, Spain and placed under the
supervision of Franciscan friars who cared for
the boys and educated them over a period
of seven years.
At twenty-one years old, when his older
brother died in 1295, Louis became the heir
to his father’s throne. It was the same year
that he was freed by the friars. So, you would
imagine the young prince would spend his life
in-waiting, enjoying the spoils of royalty and
wealth, right? Well, not quite…
When presented with the choice, Louis
elected to travel to Rome and announce
that he would take the Franciscan vows of
poverty, chastity, and obedience. He then
forfeited his royal inheritance and claims to
the throne to his youngest brother.
Despite Louis’ desire to live a simple life in a
monastery, his father’s political connections
kept pulling him back into governance and
the secular world. And, at the age of 22, the
young Louis was appointed to the enormously
important leadership position as “Bishop of
Toulouse.” Although he continued to
impress the Church with his dedication and
willingness to walk away from vast
wealth, it was the fact that his uncle,
Alphonse, the brother of his father,
had recently been installed as
the “Count of Toulouse,” but
died suddenly without a son.
As a result, the position of
“Bishop of Toulouse” was
appointed to his nephew,
Louis. It was now his job
to govern the affairs of the
region.
Historical accounts of the
time indicate that young
Louis was an extremely
popular and magnanimous
leader, always putting the
needs of others before his
own. Although “mildmannered”
he developed a
reputation for actively serving
the poor, feeding the hungry, and ignoring his
own well-being. In fact, he worked so hard
that just six months into his role as Bishop, he
became so exhausted by his efforts that he
was no longer able to function. So he quit.
Just a few months later, Louis died at the age
of 23. Today, it is speculated that the cause
of death was actually typhoid fever that was
probably brought on by his exhaustion and
overexposure to his many ailing subjects. The
young bishop had literally worked himself to
death.
After his passing Louis was never widely
celebrated by the Catholic Church, but the
Franciscans continued to embrace him and
lobbied for his sainthood. They eventually
won over Pope John XXII and Louis became
Saint Louis. The Franciscans further honored
him by creating a holiday in their calendar
and moved his relics (essentially, his personal
items) to Valencia, Spain where he was also
made a patron saint. The unique bond that
Saint Louis formed at a young age with the
Franciscans was never forgotten. So, when
Father Junipero Serra passed through this
beautiful part of “Alta California” (the name
the Spanish had given to lands North of
Mexico) in 1772, he was inspired to name
it “San Luis Obispo” which is Spanish for
“Saint Louis, the Bishop.” SLO LIFE
Know a bit of history? Go to slolifemagazine.com and share your story.
10 | slo life magazine
10 | slo life MagaZine

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slo life magazine | 11

Meet Harmony True
her life one step at a time
In the second installment of our “Meet Your Neighbor” series, SLO LIFE
Magazine sat down to talk with Harmony True. She is a long-time Central Coast
resident, a dance instructor at the San Luis Obispo Academy of Dance, a parttime
nanny, and she makes her home in Los Osos with her husband, Sean, a
history teacher at Morro Bay High School. Here is her story…
Let’s start from the beginning. Where are you from originally?
My family started off in Oxnard; my dad was a fisherman there. I’m the oldest of
five children. Just before my brother Jacob, who is the second youngest, was
born, my parents decided that they didn’t like the direction our neighborhood was
taking. So, they went up to North County and found this little house literally out in
the middle of nowhere. I was maybe 9 years old at the time.
What was that like?
As little kids we thought it was great. It was on 60 acres and just a huge
playground to us. There was barley growing everywhere and all these animals.
When we first moved, we really didn’t have any furniture, so we just camped out,
which was fine because it was summer, and it was warm outside.
That’s a pretty big move… how’d your parents pull it off?
I don’t know; that’s actually a really good question. It was a surprise to us when
we heard the news. You know how when you’re little, you usually know when your
parents are talking about things… it wasn’t like that with this. We just moved.
In a lot of ways it was a pretty big sacrifice for my parents, but I think they were
at a point where they were going to do whatever it took to make it work. My dad
continued to fish out of Oxnard and would commute three hours, and my mom did
some interior design work on the side.
Do any memories stand out about growing up out in the country?
Oh, boy… there was so much. Actually, I do remember when I had just received
my driver’s license. I was 16, and since I was the oldest, I would have to pick up
all my brothers and sisters from school. Well, I thought I was the cool big sister
12 | slo life magazine
and decided that I would let Kaitlynne, who was probably 10 at the time, sit on
my lap while we drove down the road of our property up to our house. So, we’re
driving on the road, and everything’s going fine, and we’re about to put on the
brakes when she steps on the gas, and we crash through this beautiful white
picket fence that my parents had just built.
Uh, oh… What happened next?
My mom was home, and she came running out, and there was all this commotion.
I was able to stop the car, and nobody was hurt. Anyway, my mom just said, “Your
dad is going to flip out when he sees this…” and I could see her surveying the
damage, and then she said, “I don’t want to deal with this right now. Come on
everyone, let’s get it fixed before he gets home.” So we took out the hammers and
nails and paint, and we filled in all of the holes with putty. It was a huge job, and
thank goodness my dad was out of town until later the next day. I don’t know how
he didn’t notice it, but to this day, he still doesn’t know about it [Hey, Harmony’s
dad… surprise!].
Let’s switch gears now – no pun intended – and talk about dance. When did you
realize you wanted to be a dancer?
When I was 7 years old, still living in Oxnard, I went to see the Nutcraker, and I
just loved it. After that, I started dancing at home all the time. I would dress up my
little brother, Ian, like one of the marching soldiers, poor guy. So, my mom gave me
a tape of the Nutcracker, thinking it’s just a phase I was going through. Once I had
the music, I did a performance that my family would have to watch pretty much
every night. After a while, my mom decided to put me in lessons. There was a
local community rec. center, and they had some really good classes… ballet, tap,
and jazz. When we moved, I enrolled at Class Act in Paso Robles, and that’s when
I really got involved and when I first got en pointe [pronounced “on point” and it
means to dance on your tippy-toes].
What was your best dance experience?
I was able to go to New York for dance right after I finished high school. It was
such a great experience. When I was there, I lived right in Manhattan and learned
continued on page 14

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slo life magazine | 13

continued from page 12
how to take the subway. I shared a tiny
apartment that, well, it really wasn’t much
bigger than this room [this interview was
conducted in a 10’ x 12’ conference room]
and I had a roommate who I split the $2,000
rent with. It left me totally broke, but it was
worth it! I mean, I got to live in this cool
building with all these New Yorkers who
knew what they were doing, and I got to sort
of play along. But, really, the best part of the
whole thing was being able to train with the
instructors and the dancers from The Joffrey
Ballet. They were amazing.
So, you’re living in New York City…
Then I moved to Los Osos.
Well, if you can make it there, you can make
it anywhere, right?
I know, I know [laughter]. It took me a while
to readjust to small town life. I took a job
teaching preschool and started classes in
ECE (Early Children’s Education), all the while
continuing to dance. It was a couple of years
later that Lori Silvaggio asked me to start
teaching classes at The Academy. She really
wanted to start a children’s dance program;
she knew that I was teaching preschool, and
she thought I would be the right person to
make it happen. So, Lori and I met regularly
for a couple of months, and we put together a
program. I wanted it to be set up like a series
of stepping stones, so when the kids left one
class, they would be ready for the next one. I
wanted the kids to really blossom.
You really seem to come
to life when talking about
teaching.
I get really excited about
a new lesson plan for the
month. For example, we may
be learning a new tap step,
and I get really excited about
what I’m going to teach them
because I know they are
ready. Take the Thursday
class - they’ve been with me
for a couple of years, and they
catch things, even though
they’re just 6, 7, 8 years old.
They’re like little sponges
soaking everything up. I get
so excited because they are
going to come in ready to
dance; then afterward they
share the story of their day
and what they learned…
these new dance steps that I
get to teach them. Then they
learn a routine and actually
perform, which is so, I’m sorry,
it just gets me so emotional.
Sorry. [We had to pause at
this point in the interview as
Harmony was suddenly and
unexpectedly overcome with
emotion… the authenticity
of her passion for teaching
became abundantly clear].
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Thanks Rizzoli’s !
ALTA REICHARD, SAN LUIS OBISPO RESIDENT
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2584 Victoria Ave. San Luis Obispo 805.541.1082
1149 W. Tama Lane Santa Maria 805.922.7742
14 | slo life magazine

It seems that teaching runs in the family… tell us
about your husband, Sean. How did you two meet?
Okay, San Miguel High School needed a volunteer
dance instructor and cheerleader coach. They
had just started an outreach program to try to get
their girls more active in after school activities,
and I applied. The school didn’t have a big budget,
but we managed somehow to get some uniforms
together and have a really nice experience for the
girls. Sean was a teacher there and led a lot of the
after school activities, as well. He would put on the
dances and organize the games, and he would help
with plays and those sorts of things. I would have
to go into his classroom quite a bit to coordinate
with him on all of the after school activities.
Was it love at first sight?
Actually, the first time I met him, I didn’t like him.
He was very rude to me. We were talking about
colleges and, at the time, I was thinking about
transferring to UC Davis and he said, “Why would
you want to go there, that’s a horrible school,” and
he kind of got on my case about it.
I remember walking out of the room thinking, I
really do not like him at all. He is not a nice
person. I don’t care how much the students love
him; he is not a nice person. I just said to myself,
“Whatever!”
Okay, take us from “I do not like him at all” to
“I do” if you would…
Well, some time passed and we started doing
more and more after school activities together.
For example, I chaperoned a dance that he had
organized. So we kind of got to know each other,
and it turned out that he wasn’t such a bad guy
after all. We became close as friends, and I really
started to like him. The test was when I invited
him to come see me perform in the Nutcracker. He
said “Ok” and I said, “Really?” and he said,“Sure.”
Anyway, after the show, I asked him what he
thought and he said, “You know I had never been to
a ballet before, but you know, I really liked it,” and
he told me that I was a really good dancer. And, I
thought to myself, ‘Wow. This is kind of nice.’
“
...somehow I get
reminded that what
I am doing is all
that I need to do.
I don’t need
anything else.
”
Now we’re getting somewhere.
So, afterward we went out together for dinner. At
the end of the night we’re sitting in the car, and I
could tell that he was really shy. But we had such
a great time, and I’m thinking to myself, ‘I know he
wants my phone number,’ and was wondering why
he wasn’t asking for it. So I finally turned to him
and said, “Do you want my phone number?”
And he said, “Yeah, that would be nice.” So I gave
it to him, and from then on we were pretty much
inseparable. We’ve been together for nine years
now. October will be our five year anniversary.
What does the future hold for you?
I want to teach. I’m going to continue to teach.
I’m still going to school and probably always will. I
love taking classes at Cuesta. I am going to stay in
the area; I mean, I don’t think I could ever leave. I
won’t. And, if Sean and I decided to start a family,
this is definitely where we would want to raise
our kids. I don’t think there is a better place, to be
honest. Being married, teaching, and dancing has
been so wonderful and has opened up so many
doors that I don’t feel like I need to go a different
route. I get to do what I love, and I get paid for
it, which is a bonus. I feel very fortunate. I have
always sort of questioned myself, and there have
been times in my life where I think to myself, what
am I going to do? Which direction should I go? But,
it always seems to naturally work itself out. And,
somehow I get reminded that what I am doing is all
that I need to do. I don’t need anything else.
Harmony, thank you very much for visiting with
us today. We are inspired by your passion for
teaching.
Oh, that’s very sweet. Thank you so much. SLO LIFE
Know someone we should meet?
Go to slolifemagazine.com to introduce us.
Nobody makes a bed quite like a Tempur-Pedic!
And nobody knows more about Tempur-Pedics than
the knowledgeable staff at RELAX THE BACK.
Drop in and see some of the many different types of
Tempur-Pedic beds available and have all your questions
answered professionally.
Relax The Back
You have to feel it —
to appreciate it.
Promenade Shopping Center
(between Chase Bank and Radio Shack)
445A Madonna Road
San Luis Obispo • 805.788.0220
slo life magazine | 15

The Way We Live
the Rudd family shares their innovative style
An Interview with Jeff & Meka Rudd
Jeff, Meka, Ben & Belle relax in their backyard that is kept
amazingly green with a homemade run-off water irrigation system
When our daughter, Belle, was four or five years old, she was playing with a
dollhouse, and I noticed that she was putting a bunch of little squares neatly across
the roof. I asked her what they were, and she said, ‘solar panels’,” laughs Meka Rudd.
It turns out that a focus on conservation comes naturally to the Rudd children, as their
father, Jeff, is both an avid surfer and committed environmentalist, who also manages
the San Luis Obispo and Ventura offices for REC Solar.
Meka, who split time growing up between Northern California and Cape Cod,
Massachusetts, remembers her family culture being one of conservation and respect
for nature. “It’s something we really try to instill in our kids. I mean, it can be as simple
as hanging out our clothes on the clothesline, or figuring out creative ways to reuse
things. We actually have a lot of fun with it.”
A walk around the garden with Jeff is accompanied by a steady flow of facts and
figures pertaining to conservation, and the discussion shifts easily between last
season’s fruit production to the practical application of theories about tree shade and
water savings. Between bites of a freshly picked fig Jeff reflects, “We really wanted to
make our home centered around the backyard. Rather than having to take the kids to
the park or a trail to explore nature, we can do it right here.”
The Rudd’s commitment to conservation has yielded some impressive results. Because
of their rooftop solar system, they pay virtually no electric bill and expect that they may
soon be able to sell some of their excess power back to the utility company. Jeff also
engineered and built a simple water run-off collection system, which fills a 1,100 gallon
tank purchased from Farm Supply several years ago. Jeff explains, “It’s not the ideal
system since we have a composite roof; you really should have a metal roof to use the
water for all purposes, but we are able save a lot by using our homemade collection
system to water our lawn.” According to Jeff, the whole system cost less than $1,000, it
uses no pumps, and the tank fills to capacity after “two good rains.”
Never quite satisfied, Jeff recently designed and built a solar-thermal system that
allows him to take a warm shower after his surf sessions. “There was a bunch of this
leftover PVC pipe from an old marketing display at work and I had been thinking about
how to build one of these, so now we have one less traditionally heated hot shower,
which yields a lot of savings. And, after I’m done, I use all the of the runoff water that is
captured in the removable base of the shower to water the garden,” he explains.
16 | slo life magazine

Clearly, these are the impressive results of innovative
projects that Jeff insists can be easily done at any home.
Charmingly, we are reminded about his humble beginnings
when Meka answers the question about where his
resourceful garden skills were developed. “Honestly,” she
recalls, “I bought him this lime tree for his first Father’s
Day when we were still living in Shell Beach. The yard we
had was so small, but we did manage to find a little spot to
plant it. I thought it would be fun for him to be able to walk
outside and grab a lime for his beer in the evening.” SLO LIFE
Jeff gives Ben a boost to look
into the water collection tank.
Have a unique home? Know someone who does?
Go to slolifemagazine.com to tell us about it.
slo life magazine | 17

Let’s Talk Business
buying a small business
A reader submitted a question to us that piqued our curiosity. He asked, “How do you go about buying a small
business?” SLO LIFE Magazine was able to follow up by posing the question to a variety of small business
owners, who have gone through the process and they indicated that now is a great time to “buy a job.” By that
they mean, buy a small business. The reasons seem logical: the job market continues to be tight and financing
is scarce, so small business owners have become increasingly creative with their succession plans. If you
find yourself currently unemployed or “underemployed,” now might be the time to consider buying a small
business. Although this is not intended to be an exhaustive list, below is a brief overview of what you might
expect with a business purchase:
First, before you do anything else, identify the type of business you would like to own. Think about your
strengths. Are you good at selling? Does managing people come easily to you? Be very honest with yourself.
You wouldn’t want to buy a restaurant, for example, if you are not passionate about food and service.
Next, find a business that is for sale. Most of these resources can now be found online [if you go to this article
on our website you will find links to all of the major business-for-sale websites]. Nearly all of the listings will
identify the industry of the business (e.g., restaurant or roofer), the county in which it is located, its last full year
of revenues, cash flow, and asking price.
Contact the listings which you would like to learn more about. This is now typically done with a request form
through the website or by email. You can then expect to receive a reply from the business owner, or the
business broker handling the sale. This person is similar to a real estate agent and customarily receives a 10%
commission upon closing from the seller.
After the owner spends some time prequalifying you as a buyer, they will open up their books to you. Expect to
sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) requiring you to keep everything you learn confidential. The seller will
not want his or her competitors or customers knowing about the sale until it goes through.
Once a good preliminary understanding of the business has been achieved via phone and email, a visit will be
scheduled to the business itself, typically afterhours, on a weekend, or an off day. Usually, during this same
visit, an extensive interview will take place between buyer and seller. There may be multiple visits to ensure
that a good understanding has been achieved and the chemistry is favorable between buyer and seller. If
it looks like a deal can be made, the buyer will have an opportunity to review the last three-to-five years of
financial statements and tax returns. This is typically done with the help of an accountant or adviser who can
read these documents.
Now, it’s time to make an offer. And, this is where things get really interesting. Unlike real estate, there are
no set rules and creativity typically rules the day. For example, unless you are using an SBA loan, you do not
necessarily need a 20% down payment and an 80% bank loan to finance the purchase. In fact, many small
business deals end up with a significant seller “carry-back” (payments made to the seller over time). The key is
finding something that works for both parties.
If the offer is accepted, an escrow account is opened with a title company that can handle small business
transactions. This usually marks the due diligence period where the buyer has the opportunity to fully
investigate all of the claims made by the seller (for example, checking sales receipts against bank deposits).
Once all of the conditions of the sales agreement are met and the title company verifies clear ownership, the
business changes hands. Congratulations - you now own your own business! SLO LIFE
Determining Price
Discretionary cash flow, or EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) times a
multiple most often determines the asking price. The quality of the business, including its level of profitability,
typically determine the size of the multiple. A highly profitable business with an impeccable reputation will
gain a higher multiple than will a marginally profitable business with a poor reputation. Although valuing a
small business is far beyond the scope of this article, here is one example:
Sales = $300,000 EBITDA = $85,000 Multiple = 3 Price = $255,000 ($85,000 x 3)
As you can see, the multiple is critical in this calculation and this number varies by industry, as well. Much
like real estate, multiples in business transactions are often determined by comparable sales. But, unlike real
estate, there are not nearly as many sales to study, so this is truly an inexact science. Most often the asking
price is used as a point to begin negotiations. Where the price ultimately falls is determined by what makes
sense for both the seller and the buyer.
Note - Other factors that may be valued differently or separately from this method are hard assets (such as
equipment) and real estate.
Have a business question? Go to slolifemagazine.com to get an answer.
18 | slo life magazine
18 | slo life MagaZine

slo life magazine | 19

To Your Health
vitamin D
GET IN AND GET OUT
WITH A GREAT WORKOUT AT REV!
Many of us equate Vitamin D with strong bones, which is true and a good place to
start this conversation, but it doesn’t come close to telling the whole story.
Vitamin D is actually a “steroid vitamin,” which
encourages the metabolism of calcium and
phosphorus. Although there are five known forms
of Vitamin D, only two are relevant for nutrition:
Vitamins D2 and D3.
During our research for this article, we encountered
study after study indicating that Vitamin D has been
shown to reduce the risk of developing certain
cancers, osteoporosis, various autoimmune and
cardiovascular diseases, Parkinson’s disease,
fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, high blood
pressure, chronic muscle pain and even depression.
You may be asking, “Hey, how come milk is not on
this list?” We wondered the same thing and had
always assumed that Vitamin D was present in dairy
products, which is often true but they are added,
or “fortified,” after the fact with Vitamin D2. Many
processed flours and breads are also fortified in this
same way.
We think that D3 is the most interesting of the
Vitamin D family because you can actually get it
just by going outside! That’s right, sunlight triggers
a photosynthetic process in our skin, which creates
Vitamin D3.
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With three kids, it’s hard to fi nd
time to fi t in a workout. REVSLO
makes it fun to work up a sweat in a
limited time.The trainers at REV
create an environment that allows
me to push myself in encouraging,
fun, and challenging classes.
-Melissa Jackson, Mom of 3
VISIT revslo.com FOR
MORE INFORMATION!
755 Alphonso Street
[off Broad Street]
San Luis Obispo, Ca 93401
PH 805.305.3955
revslo.com
Just how much Vitamin D do you need anyway?
The government recommends 200 to 600 IU
(International Units) per day, which is the minimum
amount you need to prevent rickets, a rare disease
caused by Vitamin D deficiency. Most researchers
and health practitioners in this area now
recommend much more, on the order of somewhere
between 1,000 IU and 2,000 IU daily.
Foods naturally high in Vitamin D:
Fatty fish [remember them from our talk about
Omega 3’s last time?] such as Salmon (360 IU),
Mackerel (345 IU), Sardines (250 IU), and Tuna
(325 IU).
Eggs (20 IU)
Beef liver (15 IU)
Fish liver oils, such as cod liver oil (1360 IU)
Mushrooms (100 – 500 IU with some wild
varieties providing as much as 46,000 IU!)
20 | slo life magazine 20 | slo life MagaZine
recommended reading:
So, what’s the problem? There’s loads of sunshine
and great weather on the Cental Coast, and most of
us spend a good deal of time outside. Well, as we
have become wise to the dangers of overexposure
to the sun, we have inadvertently but dramatically
decreased our Vitamin D3 consumption. Some
studies have found that as much as 97% of our
Vitamin D3 intake from the sun has been blocked by
our use of sunscreens [sometimes it feels like you
just can’t win, doesn’t it?]. Also, aging skin produces
less Vitamin D3. In fact, the average 70-year-old
produces 75% less than a 20-year-old does. Skin
color makes a difference too, as people with dark
skin produce less Vitamin D than those with light
skin.
If you’re looking for a personal analysis of your
Vitamin D levels, you can go and get yourself
tested, but we encourage you to draw your own
conclusions because, again, many of the experts
today claim that the “normal” levels are found to be
overly focused on minimum levels which is great for
preventing rickets, but may miss the bigger picture
when it comes to achieving optimal health.
“
…one study found that vitamin D
supplementation could reduce the
risk of getting type 1 diabetes by
80 percent. In the Nurses’ Health
Study (a study of more than 130,000
nurses over 3 decades), vitamin D
supplementation reduced the risk
of multiple sclerosis by 40 percent.
”
Have a health question? Go to slolifemagazine.com and share your curiosity with us.
SLO LIFE

Oh, Baby.
Our Birth Center just
gets better and better.
After 50 years and more than 40,000 deliveries,
Sierra Vista knows babies. And moms and dads.
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• Private Rooms
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And should you need it: the only Neonatal Intensive
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Tours offered every week.
Call today for information.
(800) 483-6387
1010 Murray Avenue,
San Luis Obispo
SierraVistaRegional.com
twitter.com/SierraVistaRMC
slo life magazine | 21

Milestones & Memories
SPECIAL THANKS
Thank you Karen Sweeny and Morro Bay Recreation
& Parks Department for your dedication and support in
hosting another wonderful Rock to Pier Run!
Mark your milestones and
keep your memories with
SLO LIFE Magazine!
It’s FREE!
We’re here to celebrate with you! And, we’ll pick
up the tab, so you can use your money to buy a
really fancy gift instead.
It’s a keepsake!
It’s easy!
Go to slolifemagazine.com and click “Post
Your Announcement” (it’s the big green
button). Just fill out the form, give a brief
description of your celebration, and upload
your photo. A little time, a lot of smiles!
What better way to capture your moment
than in print? Put it on your refrigerator,
stick it in your scrapbook, or bury it in your
time capsule. It’s yours... to keep.
It’s fun!
Okay, it’s not like riding-a-rollercoaster-fun, but
it’s fun, really fun. Really. Fun.
It’s for everyone!
Whether marking a birthday, celebrating an anniversary, announcing
an engagement, popping The Question, or giving a special thank you.
Milestones & Memories is the place to share your good news.
Have an announcement to make? Go to slolifemagazine.com and click on “Post Your Announcement” to submit yours today.
22 | slo life magazine

No Place Like Home
Avila Valley Barn
By Jeanette Trompeter, KSBY News
This is the best time of the year to enjoy locally
grown fresh fruits and vegetables. And, we
are so fortunate on the Central Coast to have
access to a full bounty of them. Fortunately, you
don’t have to wait for a farmer’s market to find a
collection of the finest.
SALISBURY
VINEYARDS
Schoolhouse
in Avila Valley
harvest
in Avila Valley
Anyone who has traveled Avila Beach Drive has
probably noticed a lot of folks stopping at the Avila
Valley Barn. There’s good reason for that. The freshly
harvested fare sold here makes it one of the best fruit
and vegetable stands on the Central Coast. But, you’ll
find so much more here than great produce.
It’s part petting zoo, part ice cream parlor, candy shop,
and general store - it’s a place where you can find all
things sweet that come from this valley. “We use our
own olallieberries, our own apricots and peaches,
everything goes into our jams,” explains owner
Debbie Smith. “Our apples and our apple butters, our
ice cream is used with a lot of our fresh ingredients,
and now we’re starting deli sandwiches.”
And while you are welcome to just make a quick stop
to pick up a few things on the way home, the idea
behind the Barn is to bring you as close to the roots
of the fruits as possible. That’s why so many people
choose to pick their own. “In the spring we have berry
picking, come summer we have peach picking. We’re
now picking apples. We have pumpkin picking,” says
Smith. “They can feed the goats and they can take the
hayrides, and what you pick is what you pay for.”
The Barn has 90 acres to harvest from, so even if you
choose to buy what’s already been picked for you,
rest assured you are still getting the fruits of Central
Coast labors. “Because we’re local, I think we need
to buy local!” Smith exclaims with excitement.
It’s a place to be proud of, where kids can be kids and
create memories that will last even longer than their
fascination with the latest video game. And Smith
has gotten to know a lot of kids over the years. “They
came 15 years, 20 years ago for hayrides, and now
they’re bringing their own kids back. We really see
a resurgence of families and people wanting to be in
touch with the farm,” she observes.
It’s Americana. Quite frankly, it’s a place you can just
sit and relax for a while and it will make your heart
smile.
The Barn opens in March and closes at Christmas.
But in the months in-between, you can find plenty of
proof here there’s no place like home. SLO LIFE
Jeanette Trompeter, KSBY News anchor and reporter,
hosts the “No Place Like Home” series every Thursday
evening at 6pm.
Wine Tasting, Fine Art Gallery,
Vineyard Trolley Tours, Special Events,
and now....
Organic Pumpkins
Farming in California since 1850
6985 Ontario Road
(just north of Bob Jones’ parking lot)
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
805-595-9463
salisburyvineyards.com, inthevines.com
SPECIALIZING IN:
Gymnastics
ages 8 mo - 18 yrs
Cheerleading
Acrobatic Gymnastics
Tumble & Trampoline
ages 4 - 18 yrs
Dance
ages 3 and up
www.iflipforCCG.com
549-8408
16,000 sq ft of Fun & Fitness!
Located between DMV & Trader Joe’s
Professionally Managed
4 to 24 Hour In-Home Care
• Personal Care
• Transportation
• Meal Preparation
• Compatibility Guaranteed
• Affordable Rates
• State & Federal Compliant
Because There’s No Place Like Home...
805.781.8156 • 888.439.8800
www.ResCareHomeCare.com
slo life MagaZinE. | 23
slo life magazine | 23

Pantone 186
Black
File: SWY_TM_Horz_2W.eps
Description: Safeway TM Horizontal Signature 2 Color on White
Date: March 23, 2005
Sunset and the San Luis Obispo county Visitors & conference bureau present
S e p t e m b e r 3 0 t H thru O c t O b e r 3 r d , 2 0 1 0
Experience four days of
culinary adventures
Meet Celebrity Chef
tyler florence
Taste…wine from 200+ central california wineries
Indulge…30+ chefs preparing meals grown by local farmers
Explore…the farms and vineyards of san luis obispo county
Experience…Central Coast oyster and abalone aquaculture
Discover…the 2-acre sunset Kitchen Garden
Tour…our 20,000 square foot central coast Pavilion
Learn…from sunset’s food, wine, garden and travel editors
…and much, much more!
Don’t miss the finale concert and fireworks
Sunday night featuring chris isaaK!
For tickets and details please visit:
savorcentralcoast.cOm
PRESENTING SPONSORS
CENTRal COaST SPONSORS
24 | slo life magazine

Local Food by Local People
pumkin and red lentil soup
Shared by Laura Sanchez
I have been enamored with pumpkins since I was a young child, and some of my most
beloved memories are of walking through the pumpkin patch with my family. When I had
children of my own, I discovered a new sense of joy watching my little ones, Davey, Lucy
and Joaquin, during harvest time, toddling through the pumpkins.
The year we moved to our new home, my oldest son, Davey, brought home a pumpkin
plant from kindergarten. It was an incredibly windy spring, and the two tender sprouts
peeked precariously over the edge of a small milk carton. As Davey ran proudly home to
show me his plant, not one, but two sprouts snapped in the wind. My heart sank, but my
young one insisted that we must plant his beloved pumpkin in the ground. My husband,
Dave, and I looked at each other knowingly, assuming that his plant would not survive
after breaking. Amidst the wreckage of a landscaping remodel, we staked out a plot for
Davey’s pumpkin patch. Alongside his kindergarten plant, we planted heirloom pumpkin
seeds in mounds. As these seeds sprouted, they were the only shreds of green in our
sea of dirt. Amazingly, Davey’s pumpkin plant not only survived, but thrived, fruiting
months later with beautiful, dark-orange pumpkins.
After seeding and roasting, I pureed and stored our pumpkins in mason jars in the freezer.
I called my friend and fellow pumpkin gardener, Laura McCarley, to share ideas on recipes
using pumpkin puree. Laura, who makes everything taste delicious, shared a recipe with
me that inspired this soup.
PumPkin and Red LentiL SouP
1/2 cup butter or extra virgin olive oil
3 large onions, chopped
1 1/2 cups red or pink lentils, dried
10 cups chicken stock
3 1/2 cups roasted pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon marjoram, dried
1 teaspoon thyme, dried
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• This recipe also works with butternut squash •
oPtionaL additionS
1 cup heavy cream (added at the end)
a drizzle of toasted pumpkin seed oil
Roasted pumpkin seeds
a dollop of creme fraiche or sour cream
Fresh thyme sprigs or leaves
1. To roast pumpkin cut lengthwise and remove
seeds, reserving them for later use. Rub squash
with olive oil, both inside and out, and place facedown
on a baking sheet. Roast in oven at 350
degrees for about an hour, until soft when pierced
with a knife. Scoop flesh from cooled squash and
puree in blender or food processor, adding small
amounts of water if needed. Use, can or freeze.
2. To prepare soup, saute onions in butter or olive
oil until soft. Add the remaining ingredients and
simmer for about 40-45 minutes, or until lentils are
soft. Because pink and red lentils cook quicker than
other varieties, take care to watch the soup near
the end. Blend soup to desired consistency. I enjoy
the texture best when half of the soup is blended,
leaving the other half chunky. Then mix both soups
back together and keep warm on the stove. After
soup is gently warmed through, top with any
desired garnish and serve hot, with crusty bread,
for a beautiful and comforting harvest feast.
Central Coast
Farmers’ Harvest
• Fresh Picked & Locally Grown
Pesticide Free Produce
• Direct Delivery to Your Home
or Business
• Weekly or Every Other Week
Delivery Option
• No Contract Required
Eat Healthy, Eat Local
Have a recipe to share? Go to slolifemagazine.com to tell us about it.
slo life MagaZinE. | 25
Serving
• San Luis Obispo • Avila •
• Los Osos • Five Cities •
• Nipomo •
www.sloveg.com
805.709.2780
slo life magazine | 25

REAL ESTATE
five reasons why SLO is unique
We here at SLO LIFE Magazine have always heard that the real estate market in San Luis Obispo is unique, and we were
curious to know exactly how it is different. So we decided to ask local realtors. In our many conversations, we were able
to come up with a bit of a consensus, and we wanted to share this admittedly unscientific study with you…
Destination
The great weather and amazing landscape make this a desirable place to live.
National magazines continue to put us at the top of various “Best Places to
Live” lists, so the word is out [check out a new book called Thrive… Finding
Happiness the Blue Zones Way, published by National Geographic]. And,
simple economics dictate that when something is wanted, or “in demand,” and
the supply is constant, prices go up.
Retirement
Believe it or not, SLO still offers better property prices than many areas of
the Bay Area or Southern California. It is still possible to sell a home in one of
these urban areas and come to SLO where money goes further (although the
difference in values continues to narrow). This makes for a smart financial move,
especially for those who have been toiling away for the last 30-years paying off
a mortgage in high-cost urban area.
College Town
Certainly, Cal Poly ads so much to life here in San Luis Obispo, but its 20,000
students also naturally affect the local housing market. First, there is a high
percentage of Single Family Dwellings here rented to college students. Second,
there has always been a trend of parents of students buying “starter” homes to
rent to their kids and their friends.
Limited
Growth
No matter what side of this issue you are on, it is true that there are not a lot
of new housing starts in SLO. On the plus side, this has meant maintaining
open lands and preserving natural beauty. On the minus side, it means less
affordable housing and less availability. There are no easy answers to this one,
and there are persuasive arguments on both sides.
Population
Flat-line
The number of people living in SLO has remained remarkably stable and
has even shrunk a bit in recent years. A college town like ours always has
a fair amount of turnover each year, and since we are without a long list of
big employers, people have to be creative in making a living. Moving here
and staying here can be a challenge; therefore, the population has remained
relatively constant. SLO LIFE
the numbers at a glance
Comparing the last four months to the same period last year (04/01/09 - 07/31/09 vs. 04/01/10 - 07/31/10)
Home Price
$100,000 - $500,000
2009 2010 +/-
Home Price
$500,001 - $1,000,000
2009 2010 +/-
Home Price
$1,000,001 - $2,500,000
2009 2010 +/-
1. Total Homes Sold
27 37 37.04%
52 67 28.85%
3 6 100%
2. Average Asking Price
$430,204 $443,266 3.04%
$679,304 $681,498 0.33%
$1,680,667 $1,960,033 16.62%
3. Average Selling Price
$410,689 $426,431 3.83%
$651,045 $645,713 -0.82%
$1,558,333 $1,737,333 11.49%
4. Sales Price as a % of Asking Price
95.46% 96.2% 0.74%
95.84% 94.75% -1.09%
92.72% 88.64% -4.08%
5. Average # of Days on the Market
95 71 -25.26%
81 84 3.7%
212 120 -43.4%
SOURCE: San Luis Obispo Association of Realtors
26 | slo life magazine

Our approach to real estate is about
much more than property… it’s about people.
The Payne Team
SOLD
AVILA BEACH - Spacious 2700 sq. ft. luxury penthouse with three
comfortable suites complete with private bathrooms. Private entrance
directly off Front Street, meticulously furnished, amazing white water
ocean and beach views. Large patio is complete with built-in BBQ and
refrigerator, patio furniture and ceiling mounted gas heaters. Includes
private off-street parking and 2 car garage. Offered at $ 2,969,000 by
Gavin Payne 805.550.3918
Stunning Views from Mediterranean Estate. Built in 2007, this 4
bedroom, 4 bath plus office, craft room and separate media room totals
4300+ sq. ft. Fabulous modern kitchen featuring granite counters, butlers
pantry and entertaining bar. Open floor plan featuring Travertine floors,
Cherry hardwood and multiple fireplaces. Offered at $1,699,000 by Gavin
Payne 805.550.3918
PENDING
MORRO BAY - This beautiful home offers approximately 2400 sq. ft. of
comfortable living space, featuring quality materials throughout. Floor to
ceiling windows designed for endless observation of marine life. Patios
and a second story 300+ sq. ft. deck. A private deep water boat slip
and access to dry-land bathroom at dock level are also included in the
sale of this one-of-a-kind home. Offered at $1,475,000 by Gavin Payne
805.550.3918
Private Acreage in Atascadero. Three+ beautiful acres in South/
East Atascadero. This wonderful horse or hobby farm property
includes a three bedroom, three bath home with a separate office,
and a three car garage and RV parking. Plenty of room with fenced
pastures and a large dog run. Offered at $ 670,000 by Gavin Payne
805.550.3918
Incredible Investment Opportunity. Two homes on 1 large parcel,
lots of potential for development in the future. Preliminary city approval
to divide into 3 separate parcels with Common Interest Subdivision.
Engineering, Soils and plans available. Offered at $675,000 by Gavin Payne
805.550.3918
SHELL BEACH - Wonderful ocean view property in established
neighborhood. Stone driveway and walls greet you as you approach
the home. Inside the carved wood gate sits a private pool area, sauna
and BBQ area. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths with second floor family room
and office with endless views of the Pacific. Remodeled kitchen with
modern appliances and stone floor. Offered at $ 879,000 by Gavin Payne
805.550.3918
Gavin Payne
805-550-3918
Cheryl Priolo
805-459-0200
Adam Quaglino
805-748-3995
962 Mill Street
San Luis Obispo, California 93401
www.HomesofSLO.com
slo life magazine | 27

At the Alex Madonna
Expo Center
Saturday & Sunday
SEP 25 & 26
10AM-5PM
Spring Show
l Over 130 Local Home and Garden Exhibitors
l Admission is Free
l Educational & Informational Seminars
Focusing on Water Efficiency and Use
Sat Sep 11 & Sun Sep 12
10am to 5pm
Paso Robles Event Center
Over 130 Local Home and
Garden Exhibitors
Free Admission and Parking
Informative Seminars
Wine and Gourmet Food Sampling
Cooking Demonstrations
slohomeimprovement.com 805.772.4600
A production of Simply
Clear Marketing, Inc.
28 | slo life magazine

Real Estate
“What’s the most important thing to consider when buying a home?”
You will save a lot of money and trouble down the road if you
make sure that the house is in great shape before you buy it.
The only way you can do that is by hiring an experienced,
knowledgeable home inspector, who will thoroughly examine
the structure and provide you with a detailed written analysis
upon completion. This report will itemize any problem areas of
the house so you will know what you are getting into. And, don’t
fall into the trap of hiring the cheapest home inspector, as there
are no certification or licensing requirements to become a home
inspector. So, stick with someone who belongs to one of the
major national associations (CREIA and/or ASHI); this will ensure
that they have at least met all of the necessary on-going training
requirements. When it comes time to make what will likely be
your biggest investment, be sure to go into it with full knowledge
of any problems that may exist.
Butch Vlako
Cornerstone Home Inspection
The single most important thing to consider when purchasing a
home is LIFESTYLE. It can be so easy to become distracted by
all of the factors that go along with choosing a home that you
can lose sight of the bigger picture. If you focus instead on what
sort of lifestyle you are looking for – not only right now, but into
the future – then all of the other answers for everything from
financing to location will come naturally. And, this is not just a
suggestion for the first-time homebuyer, but at all stages of life
you will want to carefully consider what you are looking for in
your lifestyle. Are you close to retirement? Expecting a family?
Growing your family? These are just a few questions to get you
started, but you will find that when you answer the question of
lifestyle first, you will be quite successful in all of the other things
that go along with buying a home. Fortunately, San Luis Obispo
offers a large diversity of options sure to fit your lifestyle, both for
today and tomorrow.
Gavin Payne
The Real Estate Group of San Luis Obispo
There is a lot to consider when buying a house. From a lender’s
perspective, I can offer that there is more to the issue of cost than
just the price. There is the question of how much down payment
is required to get in. Plus, there is the cost of the financing and
what the payments will be over the long run. People are often
amazed when they see what that adds up to. Then there is the
seldom asked question about the operating and maintenance
costs of the home. What are the utility costs and are there ways
to make the home more energy and water efficient? Are there
high cost maintenance items or a homeowner’s association
that will affect long term affordability? My experience has been
that many people get hung up on the price issue in negotiations
for a home. While important, the bigger picture needs to be
remembered including the taxes, insurance costs, maintenance,
utilities, homeowner’s association fees, and whatever other
costs may be applicable to a particular property.
Kevin Hauber
The Mortgage House
SLO LIFE
Have a real estate question? Go to slolifemagazine.com to get an answer.
Amanda Barnes
Licensed insurance agent
Life • LTC • Di • AnnuiTies
Protect
the ones
YouLove
805.423.2187
www.AmandaBarnesInsurance.com
805.541.MINI
3600 S. Higuera, SLO
MeatheadMiniStorage.com
Sensenbach Design Co.
Handmade Pottery
See more at:
sensenbach.com
Call & see the studio
805 471 9528
slo life MagaZinE. | 29
slo life magazine | 29

Community
Your
Logo
Here
September 4
Event Brews & Bites
Time 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Location Mission Plaza
Contact slobrewsandbites.com
Description The San Luis Brewers
Guild showcase their craft beers
together with foods from local
restaurants. Proceeds go to
Woods Humane Society and
Earth Day Alliance.
September 4, 11
Event Cal Poly Football
Time 6:00pm
Location Alex G. Spanos Stadium
Contact www.gopoly.com
September 3, 10, 17, 24
Event Endless Summer
Time 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location Edna Valley Vineyard
Contact ednavalleyvineyard.com
Description Live music, wine and
appetizers.
September 11
Event Hit & Giggle Golf Tournament
Time 10:30am
Location Avila Beach Golf Resort
Contact womenforcommunity.org
Description Great Food, Fun and
Frolic at every hole. The day
will culminate with a cocktail
reception and great prizes.
September 15
Event Taste of San Luis
Time 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Location Mission Plaza
Contact www.downtownslo.com
Event Dance the night away
as you eat, drink, mingle with
friends and enjoy a beautiful
evening. Proceeds support
beautification and promotions
programs in Downtown SLO.
September 16
Event Women’s Legacy Fund Luncheon
Time 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Location Embassy Suites, SLO
Contact www.sloccf.org
Description Help build a
permanent endowment to
support programs and projects of
local organizations that address
the needs of women and girls.
September 19
Event Book and Author Festival
Time 8:30am-4:00pm
Location SLO Library & Mission Plaza
Contact slolibraryfoundation.org
Description Costumed breakfast
served at the Library followed by
author presentations in the plaza.
September 19 - 20
Event Pallet to Palate
Location Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa
Contact www.pallettopalate.com
Description Celebrate the
importance of fresh, local food.
Proceeds benefit The Food Bank
Coalition of SLO County.
September 24
Event Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks
Time 8:00pm
Location Spanos Theater
Contact www.pacslo.org
Description Dan Hicks, long
considered one of pop music’s
truly original figures and
America’s finest songwriters.
September 25
Event Bravo SLO!
Time 10:00am
Location Cohan Center
Contact www.pacslo.org
Preview the upcoming arts
season at BravoSLO! 2010,
a showcase for more than 20
organizations that perform at the
PAC throughout the year.
September 26
Event Bill Cosby
Time 3:00pm & 7:00pm
Location Christopher Cohan Center
Contact www.pacslo.org
Description America’s most
popular comedians of all time,
returns for two “face-hurtingly”
funny shows.
September 26
Event Hunger Walk
Time 2:00pm
Location St. Stephen’s Church
Contact www.slofoodbank.org
Description Food Bank Coalitiion
and Central Coast Clergy & Laity
for Justice team up in their 2010
Hunger Walk.
September 29
Event Benise
Time 7:30pm
Location Cohan Center
Contact www.pacslo.org
Description An evening of
passion, music, and dance.
September 27 - October 3
Event Plein Air Festival
Time All Day
Location Mission Plaza &
Museum or Art
Contact www.sloartcenter.org
Description Concert Under the Star,
Kids Paint Out, Movie Night, Plein Air
Poetry, Collectors Party, and more!
September 30 – October 3
Event Savor The Central Coast
Location Throughout the County
Contact savorcentralcoast.com
Description Celebrate the beauty
and bounty of this unspoiled and
largely unexplored part of the
Golden State in an incredible
four-day experience.
October 3
Event Off The Hook
Time 2:00pm
Location Unity, San Luis Obispo
Contact poeticjusticeproject.org
Description Explore redemption
in prison by following the braided
stories of four groups of inmates.
October 6
Event Steve Martin
Time 7:30pm - 11:00pm
Location Cohan Center
Contact www.pacslo.org
Description Steve Martin pushes
his creative envelope with his
Grammy-winning, chart-topping
bluegrass album.
October 7
Event Paula Poundstone
Time 8:00pm
Location Spanos Theater
Contact www.pacslo.org
Description An evening of laughout-loud
standup. A benefit for
the SLO Hep C Project.
October 8 - 31
Event Leading Ladies
Location SLO Little Theatre
Conact www.slolittletheatre.org
Description Some Like it Hot
meets Twelfth Night in this
hilarious farce!
October 8
Event Eperanza Spalding
Time 8:00pm
Location Spanos Theater
Contact www.pacslo.org
Description Classically trained
Esperanza Spalding combines
elements of jazz, folk, and
world music into the enduring
foundations of classical music.
October 8
Event Bishop’s Peak Carnival
Time 5:00:pm - 8:00pm
Location Bishops Peak Elementary
Contact www.bishops-peak.com
Description Support the school
and enjoy food, games and fun
for the whole family. Don’t forget
to stop by the multi-purpose
room for the amazing auction!
30 | slo life magazine
30 | slo life MagaZine

Calendar
October 9
Event Ellis Marsalis
Time 8:00pm
Location Spanos Theater
Contact www.pacslo.org
Description Ellis Marsalis,
modern-jazz innovator in New
Orleans and renowned teacher.
October 10
Event Diane Schuur & SLO Symphony
Time 3:00pm
Location Cohan Center
Contact www.pacslo.org
Description Diane Schuur, winner
of two Grammy Awards for
Best Jazz Vocalist and a repeat
performer at the White House.
October 12
Event Drumline Live
Time 7:30pm
Location Cohan Center
Contact www.pacslo.org
Description Drumline Live offers
a night filled with riveting
rhythms and bold beats.
October 15
Event Hal Holbrook
Time 8:00pm
Location Cohan Center
Contact www.pacslo.org
Description The one-man Emmy &
Tony Award-winning show is the
celebrated Mark Twain Tonight!
October 20
Event Taj Mahal
Time 7:30pm
Location Cohan Center
Contact www.pacslo.org
Description Grammy Awardwinning
blues and roots legend
Taj Mahal joins rising star Malian
artist Vieux Farka Touré.
October 21
Event Great Pumpkin Contest
Time 12:00pm - 7:00pm
Location Farm Supply, SLO
Contact www.slofarmbureau.org
Description Come join us for
the Central Coasts 5th Annual
Pumkin Contest!
October 22
Event Sea Fare
Time 5:30pm - 9:00pm
Location Avila Beach Golf Resort
Contact www.sealifecenter.org
Description Join us for seafood,
wine, amazing auction items
and a whole lot of fun while
supporting the Sea Life Center’s
marine education programs and
promoting ocean awareness.
October 22
Event Wild & Scenic Film Festival
Time 7:30pm
Location Spanos Theater
Contact www.pacslo.org
Description The largest
environmental film festival in the
U.S. returns to SLO, featuring
environmental and outdoor
adventure films in a spirit of
inspiration, education, and
entertainment.
October 23
Event Jay Johnson
Time 8:00pm
Location Spanos Theater
Contact www.pacslo.org
Description Jay Johnson offers
an evening of heart-warming
hilarity for the whole family with
his classic ventriloquist routines.
October 28
Event David Sedaris
Time 8:00pm
Location Cohan Center
Contact www.pacslo.org
Description Come experience
the great skill with which master
of satire David Sedaris slices
through cultural euphemisms
and political correctness.
October 23, 30
Event Cal Poly Football
Time 6:00pm
Location Alex G. Spanos Stadium
Contact www.gopoly.com
November 4
Event Imago Theatre
Time 7:30pm
Location Cohan Center
Contact www.pacslo.org
Description In the comical
ZooZoo, IMAGO will mesmerize
the audience with acrobatic and
sly movement while tantalizing
the senses, the intellect, and the
passions.
November 5
Event Winemaker Dinner
Location Et Voila
Contact claibornechurchill.com
Description Join Claiborne &
Churchill for a sumptuous
winemaker dinner prepared by
Chef de Cuisine José Dahan.
November 5
Event Harvest Dinner
Time 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Location Edna Valley Vineyards
Contact ednavalleyvineyard.com
Description A feast with the
Wine Maker.
November 5, 6, 7
Event SLO Vintners Harvest Celebration
Location SLO Wineries and Avila Beach
Contact www.slowine.com
Description Winemaker Dinners
& Mixers, Wine Seminar &
Grand Tasting with Auction, and
Open Houses at wineries.
November 7
Event Click Clack Moo
Time 3:00pm
Location Cohan Center
Contact www.pacslo.org
Description The hilariously “mooving”
new musical, teaches
the young ones all about
compromise and caring.
November 5 - 14
Event Poetry Festival
Time 7:00pm
Location San Luis Obispo
Contact languageofthesoul.org
Description Corners of the
Mouth in conjunction with Cal
Poly University WriterSpeak are
pleased to announce the 27th
Annual San Luis Obispo Poetry
Festival.
November 10
Event The 5 Browns
Time 7:30pm
Location Cohan Center
Contact www.pacslo.org
Description Julliard-trained
superstars will dazzle audiences
with performances of classical
selections.
November 13
Event Cal Poly Football
Time 6:00pm
Location Alex G. Spanos Stadium
Contact www.gopoly.com
November 19 – December 19
Event Nuncrackers
Location SLO Little Theatre
Contact www.slolittletheatre.org
Description This fun-for-thewhole-family
holiday musical is
the perfect way to insure your
holiday season is merry and
bright!
November 26
Event Mariachi Los Comperos
Time 8:00pm
Location Cohan Center
Contact www.pacslo.org
Description Celebrate their 50th
anniversary with Nati Cano
and his Los Camperos through
popular song and rich cultural
stories.
To promote your event in the Community Calendar go to slolifemagazine.com
slo life MagaZinE. | 31
Presenting the best
in professional
entertainment at the
Performing Arts Center!
WWW.CALPOLYARTS.ORG
WE ARE THE MUSTANGS
Season, Group, and Single Game Tickets
on sale at the box office by calling
1–866–GO STANGS or online at GoPoly.com
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slo life magazine | 31

32 | slo life magazine