SLO LIFE Magazine AugSep 2020

SLOmagazine 

CENTRAL COAS 

FOOD & WINE 

TAKING IN 

THE VIEW 

SEASONAL 

FAVORITES 

BEHIND THE 

SCENES 

LOCAL TIMELINE 

NOW HEAR THIS 

ON THE RISE 

SPANISH BEACH BUNGALOW 

AUG/SEP 2020 

SLOLIFEMAGAZINE.COM MEET 

SUPERFOODS INVESTIGATIO 

MEET THE MAKERS 

LIFE 

READY, SET 

SUMMER 

HEALTH 

TRENDS 

NEWS 

BRIEFS 

FAMILY 

SAN LUIS OBISPO 

ART AND MUSIC 

REWING 

ERICA BALTODANO 

CIVIL RESPONSIBILITY 

& HAVING IT ALL 

AUG/SEP 2020 | SLO LIFE MAGAZINE | 1

MORE THAN JUST 

INK ON PAPER 

Design | Print | Mail | Appare| 

Web | Promo 

2226 Beebee St, San Luis Obispo, CA | 805.543.6844 | prpco.com 

2 | SLO LIFE MAGAZINE | AUG/SEP 2020

M O D E R N • C L A S S I C • J E W E L R Y 

1 1 2 8 G A R D E N S T R E E T S A N L U I S O B I S P O 

W W W . B A X T E R M O E R M A N . C O M 


We’re here 

for you 

now 

and 

always. 

We know how important essential travel is to our community. SLO Transit 

has taken extra precautions in implementing enhanced cleaning methods 

and maintaining a rigorous cleaning schedule to keep buses clean and 

sanitized. We’re here for you now with essential travel and we’re here for 

you as our community is supporting one another on the road to recovery. 

For more information on individual routes and schedules, please visit our website at 

slotransit.org, download the SLO Transit app, or call Transit Dispatch at (805) 541-2877. 


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Our physicians and staff are dedicated to providing high standards of 

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Call today to schedule an appointment 805-595-1808 or visit fcpp-slowomenshealth.com 


CONTENTS 

Volume 

22 

24 

26 

11 

Number 4 

Aug/Sep 2020 

30 

Briefs 

View 

Q&A 

MEET YOUR 

NEIGHBOR 

12 

PUBLISHER’S 

MESSAGE 

14 

16 

18 

20 

Info 

Sneak Peek 

In Box 

Timeline 

8 | SLO LIFE MAGAZINE | AUG/SEP 2020 

28 

NOW HEAR THIS

Love your legs again! 

Before & After actual patients 

Bringing Quality Heart and Vascular Care 

to the Central Coast since 2008 

Nationally recognized single physician practice 

Offering consultative cardiology, 

vein care, and wound care 

Linked with Concierge Choice, one of the 

nation’s leaders in patient care 

Dr. Ken Stevens 

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| CONTENTS 

60 

64 

Real Estate 

Health 

70 

TASTE 

76 Wine Notes 

40 

ARTIST 

42 

44 

46 

Family 

On the Rise 

Dwelling 

80 

BREW 


exceptional landscape 

design + build contractors 

805.574.0777 

www.sagelandscapes.net 

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| PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE 

Recently, my daughter, Geneva, turned seventeen. She also got her first real job bussing tables. 

I was around Geneva’s age when someone other than a family member or neighbor employed me. The Union 

76 gas station, which used to stand proud at the corner of Highway 198 and South County Center Drive in 

Visalia, California, needed a gas jockey. They took one look at me and decided to roll the dice. For $4.25 per 

hour, I was charged with pampering every vehicle that showed up at their full-service pumps. After a few 

days on the job, I was like Pavlov’s salivating dogs. The distinctive ding-ding of the car rolling in would send 

me running with a squeegee in one hand, a tire gauge in the other. 

Once, after fussing with extra care over a car, I walked around the raised hood with a dipstick in-hand and 

mentioned something to the driver about the oil being a little low. “And if you look closely,” I said while 

leaning forward and twisting it in the sunlight, “it’s a bit darker and clumpier than it should be.” After 

I topped off the small block V8 with 5W-30, the driver reached out through her window with two crisp 

one-dollar bills. 

Receiving my first tip changed everything. I realized my earnings that hour just increased by a whopping 50 percent. What if I got more tips? It became a 

competition with myself. Every time I heard that ding-ding, I emerged from the garage with a smile so wide it illuminated the “Tom” patch emblazoned 

on my grease-stained shirt. After a series of “yes, ma’ams”—it was the ma’ams who did the majority of the tipping—I pumped the gas, checked the tire 

pressure, washed the windows, and polished the dust off the fenders. It was the oil check that brought in the big bucks. I practiced just how to hold my 

face; my eyebrows raised with concern. “You see here, ma’am, it’s a bit darker and clumpier than it should be. For your safety and the longevity of your 

beautiful car, I recommend adding a half-quart of our Union 76 Piston Protector.” Without fail, a pair of George Washingtons would appear. 

When Geneva came home after her first shift, I quizzed her about the experience. “Dad,” she said as she reached into her pocket, “check this out—I got 

a tip!” I heard the ding-ding of the full-service pumps ring in my ears. That five-dollar bill represented a world of possibility to a seventeen-year-old kid, 

the same way it did to me back in the day. The road to freedom and self-determination, as it turns out, is paved with gratuities. She rolled her eyes as I 

suggested how she hold her face for maximum profits. 

Every day, I watch my daughter walk out to her little Volkswagen Beetle—I can see from here that the left-rear tire needs a little air—before her shift. 

In each of those days, I have noticed her posture continually improve, one day after the next. Straight and tall and purposeful—the magic of a real job, 

its powers compounded by the power of the tip. 

But it’s not about the money. If we were living in some prehistoric period, landing the first real job is the evolutionary equivalent of felling a woolly 

mammoth for the first time. It’s a big deal. A rite of passage. It was only yesterday that she was falling asleep next to me as I read Good Night Moon or 

my personal favorite, It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny. Now, here she is, off in the world by herself, just like P.J. Funnybunny. 

My son, Donovan, now fifteen-and-a-half, has taken note. He has been begging my wife and me to work. We remind him that he already picks up 

some odd jobs here and there with family and friends. “No,” he says, “I want a real job.” With his driver’s license hanging in the balance, just six months 

away if he plays his cards right, we tell him that he can start pounding the pavement then. He is busy perfecting his resume now. I am listed as a work 

reference next to “Publication Technician, SLO LIFE Magazine, 2010 to current.” The many hours of his childhood he has spent stuffing subscription 

cards into magazines should count for something, right? 

In my primal brain, I’m saying, “It’s too dangerous for him to go off and hunt alone.” The truth is more complicated: I can only handle one kid taking 

flight at a time—it’s not easy being a bunny. 

Thank you to everyone who has had a hand in producing this issue of SLO LIFE Magazine and, most of all, to our advertisers and subscribers— 

we couldn’t do it without you. 

Live the SLO Life! 

Real Job 

Tom Franciskovich 

tom@slolifemagazine.com 


TILE SHOWROOM & NATURAL STONE SLAB YARD 

CUSTOM COUNTEROP FABRICATION & INSTALLATION 

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SLO LIFE 

magazine 

4251 S. HIGUERA STREET, SUITE 800, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA 

SLOLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 

info@slolifemagazine.com 

(805) 543-8600 • (805) 456-1677 fax 

PUBLISHER 

Tom Franciskovich 

Elder Placements realizes the 

IMPORTANCE of listening to the 

client, in order to find the appropriate: 

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Let their experienced Certified Senior 

Advisors take you on a tour to find the 

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CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

Libbie Agran 

Charlotte Alexander 

Jeff Al-Mashat 

Lauren Harvey 

Paden Hughes 

Zara Khan 

Jaime Lewis 

Brant Myers 

Joe Payne 

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS 

George Cox 

Alexandre Debieve 

Georgia DeLotz 

Elliot Johnson 

Samuel Kriesel 

Tawnya Malia 

Mark Nakamura 

Vanessa Plakias 

Joaquin Romero 

CONTRIBUTIONS 

Have some comments or feedback about something you’ve read here? 

Or, do you have something on your mind that you think everyone should 

know about? Submit your story ideas, events, recipes, and announcements 

by visiting us online at slolifemagazine.com and clicking “Share Your Story” or 

emailing us at info@slolifemagazine.com. Be sure to include your full name 

and city for verification purposes. 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) 543-8600 or by email at tom@slolifemagazine.com or visit us 

online at slolifemagazine.com/advertise and we will send you a complete 

media kit along with testimonials from happy advertisers. 

Nicole Pazdan, CSA, 

SUBSCRIPTIONS 

Ready to live the SLO Life all year long? It’s quick and easy! Just log on to 

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forget to set your friends and family up with a subscription, too. It’s the 

gift that keeps on giving! 

NOTE 

The opinions expressed within these pages do not necessarily reflect those of 

SLO LIFE Magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole 

or in part without the express written permission of the publisher. 

Contact us today for FREE placement assistance. 

(805) 546-8777 

elderplacementprofessionals.com 


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 EDITOR 

info@slolifemagazine.com 

4251 S. Higuera Street, Suite 800 

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 

Letters chosen for publication may be edited for clarity and space limitations.

Moving Forward, Together. 

“Instant action set American Riviera Bank apart! They were right on top of 

all of the SBA requirements; I wouldn’t be getting through this without them.” 

— Kellie Avila, Owner at Avila Traffic Safety 

What does True Community Banking mean? It means working together 

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| SNEAK PEEK 

ON THE COVER 

behind the scenes 

WITH ERICA BALTODANO 

BY VANESSA PLAKIAS 

We met at the gazebo in Mitchell Park. The spot is so 

special to Erica, for many reasons. It’s where she delivered 

the keynote address at the First Annual Women’s March. 

And, she said, “Parks are democratic public spaces, serving 

as places where anyone, regardless of income or position, can 

meet, discuss, demonstrate, and publicize their causes.” 

Her family met 

us right after 

we started. She 

talked about how 

she loves being 

a mom. It’s an 

important part of 

who she is. 

The necklace she’s wearing is the moon phase from the 

day she was born, which she learned about on a trip she 

had taken her kids to the Griffith Observatory. 

She loves to read; at the time we met she was reading 

Supreme Inequality. There are some really heavy days for 

our community right now—books can be a good way to 

decompress and gather more ideas moving forward. 



Emergencies 

can’t wait. 

We’re ready for you with Tele-ER Visits, 

Online Check-In or Walk-In options. 

In an emergency, there’s no reason to delay your care. We go above 

a variety of choices to make it convenient and comfortable for you: 

Walk-ins welcome at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center 

and Twin Cities Community Hospital 

Check-in online at TenetHealthCentralCoast.com to reserve a 

time that is convenient for you to come into the ER 

Call 805-546-7990 to make a virtual ER appointment with a 

local physician without leaving home 

For more information, visit 

TenetHealthCentralCoast.com 

For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. 


| IN BOX 

Take us with you! 

JUST MARRIED 

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK 

MATT, KIM, and 

CJ WORMLEY 

STAYCATION 

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and NICK BUTIER 

SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK 

ILA HAMILTON 

HUME LAKE 

DAVE, SYLVIA, JACE, TYCE, 

STEVE, and STACY GOMES 

JANA and CHERYL 


Please send your photos and comments to info@slolifemagazine.com 

Visit us online at slolifemagazine.com 

Letters may be edited for content and clarity. 

To be considered for publication your letter should include your name, address, phone number, or email address (for authentication purposes).

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| TIMELINE 

Around the County 

6/1 

Downtown SLO announces its 2020 Beautification Awards honoring 

businesses making physical and/or aesthetic improvements. Top 

honors include the Mayor’s Award, given this year to the Gateway 

to Downtown—1085 Higuera Redevelopment project at the corner 

of Santa Rosa and Higuera streets. From a record number of eligible 

projects, made possible because of the uptick in new downtown 

businesses in 2019, the organization’s Cultural Arts Committee also 

singled out Hotel San Luis Obispo with the Chairperson’s Award, 

and the City of SLO Promotional Coordinating Committee with 

the CEO’s Surprise and Delight Award for its cultural icon flags and 

parking kiosks. 

6/10 

A unique sailplane with ninety-three-foot wings designed by Cal Poly 

aerospace engineering professor Paulo Iscold breaks three national 

soaring records in Nevada. The glider, named Nixus (“pushing forward” 

in Latin), soars without the benefit of engine power. It has attracted 

considerable attention from aviation media because of its innovative 

wings that are controlled through a fly-by-wire computer system. 

What’s next? Iscold and his two pilots, with the support of his Cal Poly 

students helping out on research, are eyeing the longest distance covered 

by a sailplane. The record is 1,864 miles. 

6/18 

The City of San Luis Obispo kicks off its “Open SLO” program, 

opening downtown streets and plazas for outdoor dining on specific 

dates and at specific times in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Designed to expand the use of city streets and other public spaces 

to support physical distancing, it allows the temporary use of the 

city right-of-way, including sidewalks, parking spaces, and streets 

for expansion of outdoor dining, retail displays, and casual strolling. 

Temporarily suspending enforcement of private parking requirements, 

the city also allows businesses to expand their footprints, including table 

service, within private parking lots. Updates and guidelines for public 

health and safety are posted at OpenSLO.org. 

6/30 

The last day of the 2019 rain year makes it official: the most 

recent rainfall season (which runs July 1 to June 30) produced 

much less rain for San Luis Obispo than the previous year. 

According to PG&E Meteorologist John Lindsey, the 2018 

rainfall season that ended June 30, 2019, produced 29.48 inches 

of rain in the City of San Luis Obispo, or 132 percent of normal. 

In comparison, the 2019 season produced only 15.88 inches for 

the city, coming in at just 71 percent of average. What will the 

2020 rain year bring? Lindsey says many of the forecast models 

are venturing into La Niña territory, which typically produces 

lower-than-average winter rainfall. 

7/8 

The California Coastal Commission and officials with the California 

Department of State Parks at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular 

Recreation Area announce an agreement to keep the area closed to 

vehicles and to camping through the end of September, in order to 

protect western snowy plovers and California least terns. State Parks has 

agreed to cease activities that could disrupt nesting as well. Nearly half 

of the active snowy plover nests in the Oceano Dunes this spring were 

outside of fenced protected areas. 

7/9 

For the first time ever, a Titan Arum, also known as a corpse flower 

because it smells like rotting flesh, blooms at Cal Poly, attracting 

hundreds of visitors over the two days the bloom lasts, as well as 

thousands of viewers via livestream. The plant, which grows from a 

large underground stem, sends up one leaf a year. After ten years or so, 

instead of making a leaf, the plant sends up a huge maroon funnel with 

tiny flowers on a large spike. Cal Poly students have been growing the 

Amorphophallus titanium, nicknamed “Musty,” for several years, and this 

is the plant’s first flower. 

7/13 

The nomination period for the November 3 General Election in San 

Luis Obispo County opens for anyone interested in running for office. 

Seats are open in all of the county’s school, community service, and 

special districts, as well as all cities. A complete listing of the contests 

on the ballot, as well as qualifications and important dates, can be found 

at SLOVote.com. 

7/16 

San Luis Obispo Coastal Unified School District announces it will 

begin the 2020-21 school year on August 24 in distance learning mode 

through the winter break, with daily attendance online required for all 

students Monday through Friday. The district plans to coordinate with 

the cities of Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo, as well as the YMCA and 

other nonprofit organizations, to provide options for families and staff 

who require childcare. Lucia Mar Unified School District had already 

announced plans to require distance learning at the start of the school 

year for all South County students. 

7/25 

A virtual workshop on the Community Plan for Avila, an integral part of 

SLO County’s General Plan that will guide land use decisions in the region 

for the next twenty years, provides residents an opportunity to comment 

on the future of coastal resources and tourism in Avila. The workshop is 

part of “Envision Avila,” a community engagement process. The plan, when 

completed in 2021, will provide the basis for local government decision 

making and ground rules to guide development. SLO LIFE 


LEARN BY DOING 

WAS BORN HERE 

CAL POLY AND LEARN BY DOING 

HAVE BEEN RESIDENTS OF 

THE CENTRAL COAST 

SINCE 1901. 

Cal Poly engineering students work on a CubeSat in PolySat, the 

student-run campus research lab. Pioneered at Cal Poly, this small satellite 

technology has been used with a NASA project to Mars and The Planetary 

Society’s LightSail 2, where Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo served as the 

mission control site for the orbiter’s solar sail deployment. LightSail 2 is an 

international endeavor with collaborators from over 20 countries and with 

supporters from over 100 countries donating to the $7 million project. 

AD DESIGN BY CAL POLY STUDENT LAUREN WENSTAD 

(FOURTH-YEAR GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION MAJOR) 

PHOTOGRAPH BY BRITTANY APP 

See more Learn by Doing stories at 

GIVING.CALPOLY.EDU 


| BRIEFS 

REACH 

2030 

An action plan designed within ten years 

to meet the economic needs of the Central 

Coast with the proposed creation of 

15,000 new jobs in aerospace, agritech, 

technology, and renewable energy. With 

more than 200 partners, the economic 

impact organization REACH (formerly 

the Hourglass Project) aims to create a 

better landscape for future residents with 

improved housing and job markets. 

23 

The number of polling locations in SLO 

County for the 2020 Primary Election come 

November, down sixty-nine percent from 

the usual seventy-four locations, according 

to County Clerk-Recorder Tommy Gong. 

Only 400 poll workers will staff polling 

centers that typically host up to 1,000. The 

number of days polls will be open, however, 

are increasing to four, beginning on Saturday 

through Election Day Tuesday. More than 

177,000 registered voters in the county will 

receive mail-in ballots at least twenty-nine 

days before November 3. 

Stuff the Bus 

It’s back-to-school time again, and due 

to the pandemic and social distancing 

guidelines, United Way of San Luis 

Obispo’s twelfth annual school supply 

drive has gone virtual. More than 

ever, local students and teachers are 

in need of supplies to begin the year 

successfully. You can help by visiting 

UnitedWaySLO.org/stuffthebus. 


MC3 

The Multi-Craft Core Curriculum 

apprenticeship readiness program restarted 

in July by the Tri-Counties Building & 

Construction Trades Council. The eight-week 

pre-apprenticeship, taught with a 

combination of live online instruction and 

hands-on training, helps SLO County 

residents enter new career paths as 

carpenters, electricians, plumbers, sheet 

metal workers, and more, acting as an onramp 

to head-of-household pay and benefits. 

“Be bold. 

Be you.” 

The new tagline for the Gala Pride & 

Diversity Center in San Luis Obispo, which 

in turn is the new name of GALA, the Gay 

and Lesbian Alliance of the Central Coast. 

Since its founding in 1997, GALA has 

shifted to become more inclusive, providing 

resources to all within the LGBTQ+ 

community, and the rebranding better serves 

its mission to provide a safe place promoting 

wellbeing and resources. 

$1.7 million 

The cost of two electric transit buses to 

replace two of the city’s oldest dieselpowered 

buses that are at the end of 

their useful life. The SLO City Council 

unanimously approved the purchase, as 

the transition to electric-powered buses 

aligns with the city’s Climate Action 

Goals and California’s Innovative Clean 

Transit regulations mandating all public 

transit systems be zero emission by 2040. 

A majority of the cost will be paid by 

grant funding. Electric buses have a lower 

operational cost and do not produce 

greenhouse gases that have a negative 

impact on the environment. 

“Live theatre’s 

powerful 

storytelling 

connects people 

in ways that 

open the mind, 

nourish the soul, 

and illuminate our 

shared humanity.” 

SLO REP’s belief statement as articulated 

by Managing Artistic Director Kevin 

Harris in a recent edition of “The 

Intermission Show,” a local twice-a-week 

YouTube sensation connecting the SLO 

REP audience even though the pandemic 

has kept the physical curtain from going 

up. Addressing the Black Lives Matter 

movement and anti-racism in live theatre, 

Harris and his board of directors recognize 

they have a tremendous amount of work to 

do to live up to this vision, but are inviting 

the public to explore it with them. 

34% 

The number of local businesses that 

have adopted alternative ways to sell 

and deliver products since the pandemic 

began, according to a regional impact 

survey conducted by a Central Coast 

Chamber of Commerce coalition in June 

and July. Nearly 32 percent of businesses 

responding have changed the products and 

services they offer as well. It’s no surprise, 

revenue/cashflow remains the number one 

challenge documented in the survey by a 

large margin. SLO LIFE

EXPLORE OUR 

3D VIRTUAL TOURS 


PhotographyByJayCWinter.hd.pics/369-Montrose-Drive 

This beautiful, single-level home is located on a picturesque block overlooking the City, Bishop Peak and Cerro San Luis in the coveted Ferrini Heights 

neighborhood of San Luis Obispo. The property features an open kitchen/living room which shares a dual sided fireplace with the large family room. The fabulous 

master suite is oversized with a walk-in closet, updated bathroom and there is a bonus room which is currently being used as a home office. With entertaining in 

mind, the kitchen has ample storage and counter space with a breakfast bar. 

DENISE SILVA TOPHAM, REALTOR®, LIC. #01333775 805.801.7389 

SAN LUIS OBISPO CAMBRIA MORRO BAY 

RECENT PRICE IMPROVEMENT! Featuring two 

homes, this R2 property is approximately 7,169 

square feet and has curb appeal that is charming 

and inviting. The 1,351 square foot 3 bedroom, 1 

bathroom main house features a remodeled 

kitchen, open floor plan living room with lots of 

potential and ample windows allowing for 

maximum light. 

Website: www.1828Johnson.com 

TERRY GILLESPIE 

REALTOR®, LIC. #01815083 

805.459.2022 

3 bedroom, 2 bath gem which sits on a huge 7k sf 

lot on the "Top Of The World." This 1347 sf home, 

has 5 decks which look out to the ocean, and into 

the mountains. A conservation easement across 

the street protects the open space from ever 

being built on. The living room has a splendid gas 

fireplace, as well as the dining room, allowing for 

an impressive view and interaction as you cook. 

Website: www.1541Stuart.com 

AMY KASTNING 


805.440.6212 

Built in 1980, this 2 bedroom 2 bath, 1206 sf 

cottage is nestled in an amazing, friendly 

neighborhood, with a fantastic park around the 

corner. The front room holds a large fireplace, and 

the kitchen has pristine floating wood laminate 

floors. With a roomy garage, and large oversized 

closet in the master bedroom, this home is a 

perfect way to enjoy the splendor of coastal living. 

Website: www.420JavaSt.com 

AMY KASTNING 


805.440.6212 

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Haven Properties 

441 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 

805 Main Street, Morro Bay, CA 93442 

1401 Park Street, Suite C, Paso Robles, CA 93446 

BHGREHAVEN.COM 

805.592.2050 


| VIEW 

Stacking 

Up BY MARK NAKAMURA 

I have always been a landscape photographer 

at heart. Finding that unique view sometimes 

means hiking to a destination or backpacking 

to a secluded spot. My favorite times of day are 

sunrises and sunsets, which means waking up 

early—sometimes as early as three o’clock—or 

staying late, even after the sun sets for the blue 

hour, that special moment of twilight. 

No matter where I travel, my favorite places are 

right here on the Central Coast. 

Only recently did I discover TV Tower Road, 

located on the west side of Highway 101 at the top 

of the Grade. As you travel from San Luis Obispo 

north on Highway 101, turn left (west) at the apex 

of the Grade. Drive on a paved road for a half-mile 

before it turns into a dirt road, full of ruts and 

potholes. Not to worry, you can navigate the rough 

terrain without a four-wheel drive vehicle. 

From this road, you pass several lookout points 

where you can view back into San Luis Obispo 

and into the valley which Highway 1 traverses. 

On a clear day, you will be able to see Morro Rock 

and the three smokestacks. From the highway it’s 

only 1.3 miles to a parking area where you can 

catch a view the valley below and the City of San 

Luis Obispo. 

This photograph was 

taken at one of the 

pullouts along TV Tower 

Road, before you reach 

the TV Towers, with one 

of my favorite lenses, a 

Sony 100-400mm zoom 

lens. This allows me to 

compress the scene and 

make the mountains 

look stacked one upon 

the other. I shot this 

photograph at f16, 

which makes the sun 

look like a star—called a 

sunburst—about an hour 

before sunset. Enjoy the 

view. SLO LIFE 

MARK NAKAMURA, retired 

school teacher, continues 

to pursue his passion in 

landscape photography as 

well as capturing the joys of 

weddings, families, events, 

and sports around the 

Central Coast. 



| Q&A 

BLUEGRASS 

STATE OF MIND 

We sat down for a wide-ranging conversation with BRENT BURCHETT, 

Executive Director of the SLO County Farm Bureau, who, in addition to 

providing a long list of recommended sipping bourbons, provided an 

interesting perspective on the local ag scene. Here are some highlights… 

Okay, Brent, let’s talk about where you got your start. 

Well, if you can’t tell from my accent, I’m not a California 

native. I moved here from Kentucky last year. Now, I 

wouldn’t have come here without a good reason. I miss 

Kentucky a lot, but my fiancé is from San Luis Obispo 

County, the Carizzo Plains. Her family’s ranched there 

for six or seven generations; they’ve been here a long 

time. I was a farm kid too. We raised corn, soybeans, 

and tobacco. There’s not any tobacco here, so my crop 

knowledge has been pretty useless. Basically, there’s 

nothing you can’t grow here. Let’s see, what else? I have 

one older brother. He’s still in Kentucky. I played football 

growing up. I did speech team. I was on the debate team. 

Did storytelling; that was kind of my favorite thing to do. 

We tell a lot of old-timey stories. It’s a Southern thing to 

do, get out and tell tall tales and storytelling. 

Let’s talk about stories. Yeah, so there were these 

competitions. You basically get a script and memorize 

it. I remember one that was an old Southern tale. It 

was actually adapted from a play called “Wiley and 

the Hairy Man” about these kids who caught catfish 

using dynamite back in the World War II era. Those 

explosions accidentally alerted the local militia, and all 

these local rednecks came out and chased them down 

the road. That was fun. But mostly we worked. I’d never 

been to a beach until late in high school. I went with 

some friends. It was really weird because when I came 

here, I was like, “Oh, the beach is going to be awesome.” 

I ran into the ocean and I didn’t realize that it was quite 

a bit colder than it is in the Gulf of Mexico. But, like 

I said, we mostly worked as kids. That’s what you’re 

expected to do as a farm kid to help your family. We all 

had little side businesses. I sold sweet corn; that was one 

of the fun things we did in the summertime. 

What do you miss about Kentucky? 

Oh, for one, there’s this stuff that falls from the sky. 

They call it rain. I miss hearing rainfall. The weather’s 

awesome in SLO, but there’s something about having 

four full seasons. I also miss Southern hospitality. I 

miss fried chicken. Put that on the list. Ya’ll don’t have 

any good fried chicken here in SLO County. I miss 

horse racing, and basketball. Basketball’s not a big 

thing here, but in Kentucky, whether you’re ten years 

old or a hundred, you know exactly who’s playing for 

the Kentucky Wildcats. And you know who’s being 

recruited for next year. It’s kind of like a religion, almost. 

I miss the Big Blue Nation, the UK basketball. They 

had to cancel the season this year, which was just crazy. 

I couldn’t believe that. They canceled the Derby too, 

so I don’t know what the hell the people 

doing this year. No basketball, no 

bourbon tours, no Kentucky basketball, 

no horse race. That’s just nuts 

think about. 

What did you know about the 

Central Coast before moving here? 

I had been to SLO County maybe 

two or three times before we made 

the move. There was an opening here 

at the Farm Bureau. It’s a member 

advocacy organization, so our members 

are farmers and ranchers. We’re not 

government entity. We are a private 

nonprofit that advocates for farmers’ and 

ranchers’ freedom to farm. That means, basically, 

I’m going to County Board of Supervisors 

meetings, to Planning Commission meetings, 

to the Regional Water board, some other 

state entities, and interacting with our 

congressional delegation to make sure that our 

elected officials know what’s going on here 

in agriculture; that they appreciate that we’re 

a big part of the economy. I’ve found that a 

lot of people don’t realize that last year SLO 

County agriculture exceeded $1 billion in crop 

and livestock sales for the first time. It’s a huge 

industry. To put it in context, the entire state of 

Kentucky comes in at about $5 billion. So 

just this one county is nearly a fifth of all of 

Kentucky. That’s pretty awesome. 

are 

and 

to 

What does the future hold for farming 

in our county? We have a Young Farmers & Ranchers 

program that the Farm Bureau operates. It’s a mixture 

of young professionals, but mostly it’s Cal Poly and 

Cuesta kids. They’re just so fired up for agriculture. 

It’s neat to see what the next generation is going to 

do because there’s not many new farmers coming up 

in the pipeline. It makes you wonder what American 

agriculture will look like twenty years from now. It’s 

kind of scary. I think some of them get frustrated. It’s 

a little different here. In Kentucky, being a farmer is 

like being a teacher or a doctor or a nurse—somebody 

that’s really valued by the community. In California, 

I think farmers are sometimes viewed with suspicion. 

People wonder if they’re polluting or doing something 

that’s not right. People in Kentucky think California is 

another country, so when I told everybody I was dating 

a California girl, they said, “What in the world?” 

a 



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| NOW HEAR THIS 

ESSENTIAL 

The soft rumble of the surf is audible along the Cambria neighborhood street, 

punctuated by the high-flying melody line sung by an unmistakable violin string. 

Brynn Albanese, who many locals will recognize from her group Cafe Musique and her 

participation in the SLO Symphony, holds her bow high like a magic wand between 

strokes. Sunlight sparkles off her electric violin, amped by a simple PA system, as she serenades the street 

with tango, Scottish folk music, and of course, gypsy-jazz. Her audience lines the street, sitting in lawn 

chairs at socially distanced intervals. The neighborhood is out to take in the show from their front yards, 

including a few sipping drinks and enjoying the music from their balconies. 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, local musicians of all stripes have taken a huge hit as venues 

have closed indefinitely. Albanese was no different and decided to live stream videos via Facebook for 

performances. But then she came upon a novel idea—outdoor neighborhood shows, dubbed “quarantine 

concerts.” “It was basically out of fear,” she laughed. “My entrepreneurial instincts kicked in and I was like, 

‘You know what? I can make people happy and make a little income by doing these concerts.’” 

A San Luis Obispo local who calls Cambria her home as well, Albanese has performed outside of long-term 

care facilities as well as in the front yards of locals. She plays by request and requires someone to host her and her 

equipment, but only asks for donations. Whoever hosts is asked to spread the word around the neighborhood. 

Megg Mcnamee booked her for a Monday mid-June concert on her driveway. She hadn’t heard of Albanese 

until a few weeks prior, but posted fliers and emailed her neighbors to let them know of the show. “My 

neighbors up the road had a concert about six weeks ago, and I was driving out and heard it, and thought, 

‘Oh my God!’ So, I stopped and listened,” Mcnamee shares. “Very popular, very well-received. Good thing 

to do, and what a great way to start the week.” 

For the uninitiated, Albanese is a profoundly talented violinist with a commanding presence. Well-educated 

and with a cosmopolitan vibe, she takes her audience on a veritable world tour 

with her bow and some backing tracks funneled through the PA. One moment 

you’re in a Venitian gondola, and the next, it’s an Appalachian hoedown. 

When the crisis began, the fear and overwhelming nature of the prospects for 

live music was daunting, Albanese said. After some creative brainstorming, she 

invested in the necessary equipment. “Something like this is actually very easy. 

It was socially distanced, there’s hand sanitizer, there’s everything that you need 

to have the concert; you just have to find the right place for it,” she explains. 

“I think that coming up with innovative ways to have musicians come to your 

neighborhood or come to your house or something like that is the way to go.” 

Albanese believes that musicians and those hoping to support them should 

think creatively and try to organize their own concerts. She has several more 

“quarantine concerts” planned, but she is also continuing her Cambria Concerts 

Unplugged series, where she will live stream from the historic Old Santa 

Rosa Chapel. Anyone interested can reach out to Albanese via her website, 

brynnalbanese.com. SLO LIFE 

JOE PAYNE is a journalist, 

as well as a lifelong musician 

and music teacher, who 

loves writing about the 

arts on the Central Coast, 

especially music, as well as 

science, history, nature, and 

social issues. 


SOUND 

BY JOE PAYNE 


| MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR 


GREATER 

GOOD 

PHOTOGRAPHY BY VANESSA PLAKIAS 

On the eve of her ten-year anniversary as a San Luis Obispo resident, 

attorney ERICA BALTODANO has spent her entire adult life advocating 

for the expansion of civil rights and social justice. In addition to leading 

her employment law practice, she is the board president of the SLO Legal 

Assistance Foundation, she sits on the San Luis Coastal Education Foundation, 

teaches Constitutional Law at the San Luis Obispo College of Law, and serves 

as the Civil Service Commissioner for District 3. On top of that long list, she is a 

mother of two boys and the wife of a superior court judge. Here is her story… 



et’s start from the beginning, Erica. 

Where are you from? I was born in 

Burbank, California, and I was raised in 

the San Fernando Valley. I had a really 

wonderful, unique upbringing. I’m the 

oldest of three girls. My dad was born 

in Nogales, Arizona, which is right 

on the border of Arizona and Mexico. 

His parents, my grandparents, were Lfrom Mexico, and when the border was initially erected in that area, the 

residents of Nogales—at the time it was Nogales, Mexico—were asked, 

“Do you want to be American citizens, or do you want to remain Mexican 

citizens?” They elected to be American. And, so the border was literally 

constructed right through the middle of town, and to this day, you have 

a Nogales, Mexico and a Nogales, Arizona. My dad grew up in Nogales, 

Arizona. He was one of ten children. He went to Tucson for high school 

and to Los Angeles for college. 

How did your parents meet? My mom was living in Los Angeles. She 

was actually born in London, England. Her side of the family is Jewish. 

When she was very young, her parents felt like London was so devastated 

by the war and it was not a great place to raise their two children, so 

they left. First, they went to Toronto, and then to Brooklyn before they 

finally settled in the Los Angeles area. But she ended up meeting my 

dad and they fell in love. So, I grew up in a very blended household, 

which included both big and small family experiences. We had Mexican, 

American, Catholic, and Jewish influences. It was a wonderful way to 

grow up. 

What were you like as a kid? I was really into the Girl Scouts. By the 

time I was in high school, I was on the San Fernando Valley Girl Scout 

Council. It was operated by a board of directors, and they always reserved 

two seats for girl members. I was advised to join that board, and it was 

my first introduction to the nonprofit sector from a behind the scenes 

perspective. It was a wonderful experience for me, and I continued to do 

that even in college. I went to UCLA and studied sociology with a minor 

in public policy. I was always very interested in the intersection of race, 

class, gender, and other social stratification systems. But also, policy and 

the law. Through my time at UCLA, I was continuing to explore those 

interests, and ultimately decided that I wanted to go to law school. 

Tell us about that. I had a very dear roommate; we were randomly 

assigned to each other and became great friends. We both had decided to 

go to law school. During our junior year, she died very tragically of a brain 

aneurism. That set me back. It was a lot to process. I ended up taking a 

year off after graduation to work for a prestigious law firm that handles 

appeals. I worked closely with an attorney who was blind. I was essentially 

her assistant. Whenever she needed to conduct legal research, we would 

walk down to the law library, she’d explain to me what she was looking 

for, and I would find the books and read out loud to her. She would 

record it and then draft her brief and prepare for oral arguments. It was 

a tremendous education for me. Since it was appellate law, I was learning 

the progression of the lawsuit. 

And where did you go to law school? It was UC Berkeley. And it was 

an interesting time to be there. It was certainly post-Prop 209, so the 

demographics of the school were not incredibly diverse. There were only 

a handful of students of color. And there was a sense that those of us 

of color had to sort of work together to support each other; and to help 

recruitment, and help with retention of other students in order to ensure 

diversity in the law school, because it was so evident 

to us, and it was certainly to me, that the benefit of 

diversity expands the learning for everyone, right? 

I was reluctant to get involved with the student 

organizations because I was so focused on getting 

my education. But there was another student there, 

who is now my husband, who encouraged me to 

become more engaged. So, I ended up becoming a 

founding member of the Center for Social Justice, 

which was a new organization that we started. 

We put together an incredible judicial panel, 

which included Justice Sotomayor, before she was 

appointed to the Supreme Court. 

So, what came next? I began an internship at one of 

the country’s oldest public interest law firms called 

The Center for Law in the Public Interest. I had the 

opportunity to work on what went on to become a 

couple of historic cases in California. One of them on 

behalf of foster children who were not receiving the 

health and mental health services they were entitled 

to receive under state law. And the other, which really 

changed the methodology of serving children in the 

foster care system. During my time there, I learned 

the impact of litigation as a mechanism for changing 

society for the greater good. In those cases, it meant 

changing the foster care system, and changing 

the way that education resources are distributed 

throughout the state of California for the benefit of 

all school children. 

What else did you work on there? We also started 

developing innovative ways of looking at parks 

and open space and other public resources like 

that through the lens of civil rights and through 

the lens of public health. It’s called the urban park 

movement. And so, this was a new way of achieving 

environmental justice. We sort of flipped it around. 

Instead of looking at environmental justice in 

terms of the communities of color and low-income 

communities having more than their fair share of 

environmental degradation, we were looking at 

ensuring, or trying to figure out ways to ensure, 

that they would have a fair share of environmental 

benefits. It was a different way of looking at it. 

And you took on another very important job: 

becoming a mom. Yes, that’s right. It was around this 

time that we had our first son. We had our second 

son a few years later. I was fortunate to be working in 

an environment where I was able to keep my foot in 

the door and continue working on a project by project 

basis so that I could be home almost full-time. It was 

really important for me when my kids were young to 

do that. To this day, when I speak with young women 

or college students and they ask me, “Is it really 

possible? Can you have it all? Can you be a lawyer 

and be a mom?” I say, “Yes. It absolutely is possible to 

have it all, but not necessarily all at the same time.” 

And so, you do have to think about your priorities >> 


and what do you want to prioritize at this time. And just because you’re 

prioritizing something family at this time, doesn’t necessarily mean that 

you can’t pick up your career and prioritize that at another time. 

Okay, so how did you end up here? We had our eye on the Central 

Coast for a while. We had spent wonderful weekends meeting up with 

family and friends here. My husband’s family was all in the Bay Area, 

and my family was in the Los Angeles area. So, it was always sort of a 

nice middle ground meeting point for us. And, by then, we really were 

looking for a smaller town. Our oldest was about to start kindergarten, 

and it just seemed like the right time. We spent about a year doing our 

due diligence and relocated here in January of 2011. We opened our law 

practice, focusing on employment law on behalf of employees. The firm 

grew quickly. It was something that worked well in terms of the needs of 

our family. It was still very important for us to have one of us as involved 

and available for them throughout the day if possible. My working hours 

always revolved around their schedule, and of course, the older they got 

and the more hours they spent in school, the more hours I was able to 

work. It was a nice balance. 

What do you like most about the work you do now? Education has 

always been such a key component of the work that I’ve done. When 

I was practicing in Los Angeles, one of my favorite things to do was 

to speak with students; and I continued to do that once we got here, 

especially sharing stories from the urban park movement in Los Angeles. 

It’s something that most children can really relate to. And so, that was 

something that I really enjoyed and prioritized. But, I was eager to get 

back into my work with nonprofit organizations. My ability to serve as a 

board member, or otherwise be helpful with local nonprofits here, was just 

limited by the number of hours in the day and the fact that I had young 

children. But as the kids got older, I did join the board of the San Luis 

Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation and served on school-related boards 

locally. It was nice to get back to my roots in legal services in the context 

of being a board member. 

When you look back on your career, what stands out? One of the 

highlights of my professional and personal life was when I got a phone call 

from one of the early organizers and founders of the Women’s March in 

San Luis Obispo asking if I would consider delivering the keynote address 

at the first march to take place in January 2017. At first, my reaction was, 

“Why do you want me to do this?” But the more I thought about it, I 

really felt like it made sense for me to do it. I had spent my career working 

in the area of social justice, and I had been writing a series of essays called 

“Mommy Esquire,” merging the law with lessons in parenting that had 

been published in the local SLO Bar Association bulletin. And, so, I had 

been exploring so many of the issues either personally or professionally 

that really came to surface during this time. 

Seems like the perfect fit. The organizer told me she expected around 300 

people to show up, but, and as you know, there was a crowd of 10,000 >> 


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that first year. I felt a tremendous sense of responsibility to express the 

emotions and the fears and the frustration of all those women and their 

allies standing in the audience. But I also felt the tremendous sense of 

honor to be able to do it, to speak from the perspective of being a woman 

of color who’s come from a Mexican American and immigrant Jewish 

background, whose husband was an immigrant and was a refugee to this 

country. Raising two boys, being a business owner, working for a decade 

on civil rights and environmental justice issues, and then having a worker’s 

rights focused social justice law firm. It all came together in that moment, 

and it’s just a moment I’ll never forget. 

And you’re balancing this with a spouse who also has a busy work life. 

That’s right, and things changed significantly when my husband was 

appointed by the governor in late 2017 as a superior court judge. At 

that time, I recognized that it was time to slow down the law practice 

and kind of made the firm smaller. I took over the firm as president, and 

really allowed myself the flexibility to continue to work with individuals 

in our community that have issues with their employer, whether it be 

discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, to make sure that they 

are getting the legal services that they need. I also became a member of 

the board of directors of San Luis Coastal Education Foundation, as well 

as taking on a role as faculty at San Luis Obispo College of Law teaching 

constitutional law. So, I was adjusting to all these new roles as my husband 

was adjusting to his. Just as we were starting to see the light at the end 

of the tunnel with so much change, his election came up. He had been 

appointed to fill a position of a judge who had been nearing the end of his 

six-year term, so he had to be elected in order to keep his job. So, I spent 

several months of that following year, 2018, running his judicial campaign, 

which he won successfully and continues to serve. 

Let’s switch gears and talk about the current Black Lives Matter 

movement. What’s your take? Why do you think it finally got some 

real traction? Social media and smartphones have changed the dynamics, 

much the way that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 passed shortly after the 

violence against protesters on the Selma March. Once those images made 

their way to TV screens, public opinion started to change. Smartphones 

have had a similar impact in terms of the experience of policing in the 

United States from the perspective of systemic racism and anti-Blackness 

that is just insidious in our culture and in our society. It has shone a light 

on that. But I also think the pandemic has played a role. It has had a 

disproportionate impact on people of color and low-income people. We 

see the disparities in healthcare access; the disparities in work-related 

issues and all of those sorts of things. And, so, I think that on one hand, 

people have had the opportunity to maybe do a little bit more reflection 

as they shelter at home. Maybe it’s given us a chance to recognize 

how essential the workers of our society are, and how so much of it is 

disproportionately shouldered by immigrants or people of color, lowincome 

folks in our community, and how the disparities between those 

who have the privilege of being able to work from home, and those who 

didn’t have that privilege. 

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So, maybe people are seeing things differently? I think there was a little 

bit of an opportunity to recognize those disparities in ways that maybe 

were not recognizable before. I also think the pandemic, although it’s had 

a different impact on certain groups, it has impacted all of us to the degree 

that all of our freedoms have been a little bit stifled. We can’t move around 

and get around as freely as we want to in order to ensure the public health 

of our communities. And so, we’ve all been forced to alter our lives and 

be somewhat limited on our access right now. Those things came together 

when we saw the video of Mr. Floyd’s murder by the police officer. I think 

that there was a sense of understanding and compassion that maybe had 

not been evident widely, and it’s causing folks who haven’t been living or 

learning these issues for a lifetime to start thinking differently, and to start 

recognizing the small and large ways that we have a long way to go to 

ensure equal treatment and equality within this country. 

Please expand on that, if you would. If you think of discrimination on 

a spectrum, you have anti-Black racism on one end and white privilege 

on the other with every other sort of variation in the middle: people of 

color, indigenous people, different sexual preferences, you name it, all of 

us are on that continuum somewhere. It is both important and necessary, 

and a component of the bigger picture for us to recognize the Black 

Lives Matter movement as a Black movement. It’s important because 

we absolutely need to acknowledge anti-Black racism. But it’s also part 

of a bigger movement in the sense that if you are classified somehow as 

“other,” you are also going to fall on that spectrum. So, the movement can 

incorporate all of that “otherness” because there’s a sense that there’s a 

shared history there, and, although the individual experiences are different, 

it’s very much the commonality of “otherness.” It may be an accumulation 

of microaggressions, or a lack of total acceptance, or of being denied the 

benefits or opportunity. 

How does it feel to have this conversation? I’m actually a really 

introverted, quiet, shy person, and so in spite of all of these roles that I’ve 

taken on that have a very public space in the community, it’s not natural 

for me. It’s something I have to work on, work towards, and I still work 

on being comfortable with. It took me a while to overcome and to find 

my voice. You can’t be an advocate for justice without sometimes having 

to be vocal. I mean, to be honest, having this conversation with you also 

feels very uncomfortable. But I’m glad we’re talking. Democracy is not a 

spectator sport. It’s something that takes time, and effort, and engagement. 

That’s got to be an important focus going into the coming election, and 

I’m hoping the movement we’re seeing with people who may not have 

been politically engaged ever before this moment, are starting to recognize 

that it’s important to be engaged; it’s important sometimes to take to 

the streets and let your voice be heard. It’s also important to know your 

history, to educate yourself, and to vote. SLO LIFE 


䰀漀挀愀氀䔀琀栀椀挀愀氀䨀攀眀攀氀爀礀匀椀渀挀攀㤀㜀㐀 

匀瀀攀挀椀愀氀椀稀椀渀最䤀渀 

䌀甀猀琀漀洀䌀爀攀愀琀椀漀渀 ☀ 䄀渀琀椀焀甀攀刀攀猀琀漀爀愀琀椀漀渀 

㐀 ☀ 㠀䜀愀爀搀攀渀匀琀 ⸀ 䐀漀眀渀琀漀眀渀匀䰀伀 

㠀㔀 ⸀ 㔀㐀アパート⸀ 㠀㠀㘀 ⴀ 眀眀眀 ⸀ 䜀愀爀搀攀渀匀琀爀攀攀琀䜀漀氀搀猀洀椀琀栀猀 ⸀ 挀漀洀 


| ARTIST 

PROFILE 

Glynis 

Chaffin-Tinglof 

BY JEFF AL-MASHAT 

T 

here is a maze-like quality in Glynis Chaffin-Tinglof ’s 

paintings, one that draws the viewer in and makes them 

want to follow the lines to see where they are going. The 

work captures the eye and doesn’t easily let go. Once you 

have entered these paintings, there is a chaotic feeling, but 

also somewhat addictive. The chaos is balanced with enough 

structure to entice you to remain and attempt to figure out 

what kind of story is being told. The story is about her life 

experiences and appreciation for the organized messiness of 

the world around us. She says, “I am drawn to the process of 

creating order out of chaos.” 

Her current series, entitled 5 Lines, starts with five 

distinctly placed marks on the canvas. “From there,” she 

says, “everything I do is a direct reaction to what I see on 

the surface.” The paintings read as a series of well-conceived 

decisions that result from what occurred on the canvas 

earlier in the process. 

It is clear that a great deal of movement goes into making 

these paintings. Calligraphic shapes, marks of overlapping 

colors, and complex areas of negative space emerge during 

her painting process that results in motion coming across to 

be enjoyed in the final piece. 

There is a resonance with the middle of Jackson Pollock’s 

career after he moved away from his Thomas Hart 

Benton western-styled pieces, but before he arrived at 

the drip paintings for which he is best known. Some 

of Pollock’s most interesting art came during the time 

he was on his own exploratory journey, guided by the 

teachings of thinkers like 

Carl Jung. His incorporation 

of calligraphy, numerals, and 

mystical shapes created the 

framework for his repetitive 

gestures and the motion that 

resulted on the canvas. 

These qualities of motion 

and cacophony tamed by 

composition are consistent 

themes that run through 

Chaffin-Tinglof ’s prolific 

body of work. Her paintings 

can be seen locally at 

downtown San Luis Obispo’s 

EDNA Gallery. SLO LIFE 

JEFF AL-MASHAT is a 

writer and visual artist with 

an MFA in painting from 

Georgia State University. He 

lives in Grover Beach. 


Dr. Arnie Horwitz 

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| FAMILY 

Escape to 

the Drive-In 

BY PADEN HUGHES 

If I could turn back time / If I could find a way… 

I would take you to Sunset Drive-In. For a date night, 

for a family outing, or for a gathering of friends. If we 

didn’t drive a pick-up truck with its bed full of pillows 

and sleeping bags, we’d settle for lawn chairs, blankets, 

and hot drinks instead. But without a doubt, we’d have 

to wait in line for the buttered popcorn. 

For parents of toddlers, it almost doesn’t matter what’s 

playing on the big screen, the experience is curated in a 

way that the movie, at times, feels like the backdrop to 

the evening. In fact, you might just want to sit back and 

embrace the crazy side of parenthood and enjoy the 

real “show” sitting right next to you with the endless 

questions, laughter, and spills. Not to be out done, of 

course, by the squirming around that happens in your 

lap before the little one passes out and drools down 

your arm. When it comes to young families visiting the 

drive-in, the movie itself almost doesn’t matter. It’s just 

a part of the experience. 

I’ve lived in San Luis Obispo since 2004 when I first 

came on the scene as a freshman at Cal Poly. In the 

last sixteen years (man, that went fast), I’ve made some 

amazing memories at Sunset Drive-In. 

I remember a night I was on a date watching a movie 

from the back of a pick-up truck with my then college 

boyfriend. Kevin Costner was starring as the Coast 

Guard’s top rescue swimmer in The Guardian, when 

out of nowhere it started to rain—not a drizzle, but a 

torrential downpour. And you know what? It just made 

the experience so much more amazing. We got under 

a tarp and watched the rest of the show fighting the 

water, feeling aligned with the actors in the movie. 

On my college graduation weekend, I took my parents 

to the drive-in, and they were blown away by the 

vintage ads, the concession stand offering classic 

snacks, and the overall experience. It was so fun to see 

things through their eyes and watch them relive their 

childhood memories. Simply put, they were gleeful. 

Then, there was the time we showed up to take in a 

sci-fi movie starring Tom Cruise, was it Oblivion or 

Edge of Tomorrow? Turns out, he’s made a lot of movies 

cast alongside aliens. For some reason, the car didn’t 

have a radio. We tried and failed to listen through our 

cell phones and ended up instead attempting to read 

lips, while stealthily inching our chairs closer and closer 

to the car parked beside us, catching every third or so 

word. I’ve never appreciated nonverbal communication 

the same way, thanks to the drive-in. 

Without a doubt, one of the most nostalgic and unique 

experiences San Luis Obispo has to offer for after 

dark is the Sunset Drive-In. For $10 per adult, you get 

entry to both movies on the line up. With Hollywood 

holding off on new releases for the foreseeable future, 

one perk is that the drive-in is showing a lot of 

classics—for me, that honestly takes it to the next level. 

Local Tip: 

To see the latest showings, 

check out the Sunset Drive-In 

Facebook page or Fandango. 

Bring cash and extra blankets, 

double check the start time 

(it can change based on the 

time of sunset), support the 

concession stand—it’s how 

they generate the bulk of the 

necessary income to support 

their operating costs—and 

come regularly so we can 

keep this local gem up and 

running. 


PADEN HUGHES is 

co-owner of Gymnazo 

and enjoys exploring 

the Central Coast. 



| ON THE RISE 

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT 

Quinn Brussel 

This San Luis Obispo High School senior has received 

recognition for his performance in Harvard Model Congress, 

has been awarded a Golden Tiger, and holds 

varsity letters in Cross Country. 

What extracurricular activities are you involved in? I run cross country and track. I am the 

President of the Young Democrats Club and an officer for Harvard Model Congress. I have 

also spent some time lobbying the school board for climate action. 

What do you like to do for fun? I spend a lot of time playing guitar. I have a new band 

that plays the Grateful Dead and other jam music and jazz. I also love skiing, backpacking, 

hiking, and running. 

What is important to you outside of high school? The fixing of the American government, 

politics, and the climate are very important to me. 

What is going on with you now? I’m currently enjoying the endless expanse of time that 

is quarantine. I’ve started building up for cross country, and I’ve been getting in a lot of 

guitar practice. 

What is your favorite memory of all time? My favorite memory is more a collection of 

memories from my cross country team’s running camp over the years. Each summer we go to 

Sequoia National Park for a week and do some running. I basically just get to spend a week 

doing all of my favorite things with my friends. 

If you won $1 million, what would you do with it? I’d give it to someone where they 

actually need the money. I think that the main issue in this country is wealth inequality, 

and that there isn’t enough effort by the well-off citizens to help those living in poverty. 

If you could go back in history and meet anyone, who would it be? I don’t know if I’d want 

to meet him, but I’d love to go back to 1989 to see Jerry Garcia with the Grateful Dead in 

their best touring year (in my opinion). 

What do you dislike the most? Injustice towards those who have less resources to help 

themselves. This takes the form of systematic racism, wealth injustice, and many others. 

What is something that not many know about you? A small percentage of the people I 

know are aware than I am a violinist. 

What do you look forward to? I am looking forward to what changes I will encounter in the 

coming years. Looking back, I was a different person five years ago than I am now. I am excited 

to know what another five can do. 

What career do you see yourself in someday? Right now I think I’m going to go into 

academia and becoming a professor. I like the idea of doing research and teaching for 

a living. 

What schools are you considering for college? I am applying to the UCs, Cal Poly, 

Stanford, and a handful of schools in the east. 

What else should we know? The running shorts are for comfort, not fashion. 


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| DWELLING 

CONTINUITY 


OF COMFORT 

BY ZARA KHAN 

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELLIOT JOHNSON 



panish and Modern are two 

concepts that are not typically 

considered “sister styles.” 

But, when Shell Beach 

residents, Scott Newton and 

his wife Jill, were entrusted 

with building a home for his 

parents, they knew it would 

require some blending of old 

Sand new. >>

LIFE IN THE SLO LANE 

STARTS HERE 

Ladera 

 

Ladera at Righetti Now Selling! 

Pricing starts from the low $1 millions. 

The first release of spectacular homes at Ladera at Righetti offers three different home 

layouts, each designed to take full advantage of the site’s gorgeous hillside topography. 

Homes range from approximately 2,600 square feet to nearly 3,000 square feet, features three 

and four bedrooms, and two and one-half to fourand one-half baths. 

To visit, take Tank Farm Road in San Luis Obispo to Righetti Ranch Road and follow the signs. Or please 

feel free to contact us and we’d be happy to schedule a personal appointment to discuss 

San Luis Obispo’s most attractive new home neighborhood. 

Information Center open Thursday through Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Call for a personal appointment (highly recommended). 

(805) 774-3038 

www.righettiladera.com 

All prices, plans, terms and offers are effective date of publication are subject to availability and may change without notice. Housing is 

open to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin. Depictions of homes are artist 

conceptions. Hardscape and landscape may vary and are not included in the purchase price. Square footage shown is only an estimate 

and actual square footage may differ. Please consult our sales team for additional information. Sales by CADO Real Estate Group 

DRE # 01525182 Construction by Ambient Management Service LP Lic. #1014645 


Newton’s primary goal was to ensure his 

parents would be comfortable in their new 

home and, most importantly, it would feel like 

home. He started to zero in on the details of 

their current Spanish house they appreciated 

most, so he could translate those elements 

into a modern twist to achieve a sense of 

familiarity. He planned to incorporate some 

of the same characteristics they had grown 

to love, such as a wood ceiling and wood 

baseboards, but he used Cedar with a clear 

coat rather than the traditional, dark Spanish 

hue. He also replicated specific details such as 

solid core doors throughout the home, so the 

new space felt and functioned in a familiar 

way. From his experience on previous projects, 

Newton had a preference for using natural 

materials. He believes they keep a space from >> 



looking dated or trendy since those materials 

always look as they should—natural. 

With a background in construction, the 

Newtons decided to approach the project as an 

owner-builder. With the vision in place, they 

needed to assemble a team to help execute it. 

Newton worked closely with architect Loch 

Soderquist of KOA Architects, a firm based 

in Hawaii, which has completed projects on 

the Central Coast, as well. Soderquist proved 

invaluable when it came to the placement 

and orientation of the house on the lot to 

maximize views. 

The Newtons then enlisted kitchen and bath 

designer, Jan Kepler of Kepler Design Group 

in San Luis Obispo, to design and oversee all >> 




the cabinetry in the home. Newton embraced 

the idea of contemporary walnut cabinetry 

in a dark stain that would contrast with the 

lighter stone floor and cedar plank ceilings. 

Kepler designed with Plato Woodwork custom 

cabinetry, which she carries in her showroom. 

The flat panel, grain, and color were used 

throughout the kitchen, great room, linen, and 

bathrooms to enhance the flow and continuity 

of design from room to room. In the kitchen, 

Kepler incorporated floating shelves to open 

up the space and allow the glass tiles to 

shine. The dark stained walnut is the perfect 

foundation for the white quartz countertops 

and waterfall counter on the island. Kepler 

loved designing the focal point thirteen-feet 

wide and nine-feet tall walnut entertainment 

and display cabinetry and shelving that had to >>


fit seamlessly into a niche in the great room. 

The base cabinets for the unit are done in 

a wave motif called “surf ” in walnut to add 

texture and dimension to such a large space. 

Universal design was another driving force for 

all decisions. Newton wanted his parents to be 

able to enjoy the home and not have to worry. 

All the showers are curbless or “barrier-free,” and 

the flooring is slip-resistant. Charles Quinn 

at Quinn Home and PJ Fitzgerald at Pacific 

Coast Kitchen & Bath helped Newton select 

fixtures and tile for each room to fit their 

desired aesthetic as well as serve the function 

they required. Throughout the home, they 

placed Walker Zanger’s Pearl River Limestone 

tile flooring with radiant heating below. Quinn 

challenged Newton to consider tile options >> 


ARCHITECTURE 

LANDSCAPE 

INTERIORS 

MEDIA 

WE BEFORE ME 

Architect Aisling Burke enjoying a job well done with our clients 

from Transitions-Mental Health Association and the Housing Authority 

of San Luis Obispo. 

Bishop Street Studios is a great example of the 

whole being greater than the sum of its parts. 

An amazing group of people came together on 

this unique project to resurrect an architectural 

landmark and provide much needed housing for 

an underserved population in our community. 

The team embraced our ‘we before me’ value, 

fostering strong relationships while building a 

legacy project for the community. 

TENOVERSTUDIO.COM 


they might not have before but would give 

the interior the same remarkable detail as the 

architecture and bones of the home. 

Home automation continues to be a trend to 

watch in the design world. Newton decided 

to incorporate a few elements that would add 

value and simplify his parents’ everyday life. All 

the light fixtures in the 

home are automated, 

as are the window 

coverings for ease of 

control. The outdoor 

infrared heaters are 

placed on timers so 

that no one will have 

to think twice about 

remembering to turn 

them off, and they can 

focus on enjoying the 

company of their friends 

and family. For many 

years to come. SLO LIFE 

In addition to being an 

interior designer, ZARA KHAN 

is also a shoe aficionado and 

horror movie enthusiast. 


STALWORK 

INC 

CONSTRUCTION + DESIGN 

WWW.STALWORK.COM 

LIC 948012 | PO BOX 391 

SAN LUIS OBISPO CA 93406 

805.542.0033 

MAIL@STALWORK.COM 

COMMERCIAL | RESIDENTIAL INTERIORS + ARCHITECTURE + LANDSCAPE 

Custom lighting 

fixtures proudly 

made by hand 

right here on the 

Central Coast. 

HANS 

DUUS 

BLACKSMITH INC 

2976 INDUSTRIAL PARKWAY . SANTA MARIA . 805-570-0019 

HANSDUUS@GMAIL.COM . HANSDUUSBLACKSMITH.COM 


| SLO CITY 

REAL ESTATE 

BY THE NUMBERS 

laguna 

lake 

tank 

farm 

cal poly 

area 

country 

club 

down 

town 

foothill 

blvd 

johnson 

ave 

Total Homes Sold 

Average Asking Price 

Average Selling Price 

Sales Price as a % of Asking Price 

Average # of Days on the Market 































2019 

38 

$782,534 

$773,418 

98.84% 

24 

2019 

16 

$793,790 

$787,688 

99.99% 

20 

2019 

16 

$1,054,806 

$1,018,805 

96.59% 

32 

2019 

17 

$1,547,429 

$1,492,647 

96.46% 

104 

2019 

42 

$794,205 

$777,787 

97.93% 

42 

2019 

26 

$927,750 

$876,631 

94.49% 

34 

2019 

36 

$818,986 

$800,250 

97.71% 

27 

2020 

30 

$782,523 

$778,436 

99.48% 

45 


20 

$790,045 

$783,971 

99.99% 

47 


13 

$1,276,902 

$1,013,000 

79.33% 

13 


9 

$1,132,222 

$1,090,800 

96.34% 

33 


31 

$952,581 

$925,378 

97.14% 

31 


20 

$844,670 

$839,975 

99.44% 

45 


29 

$1,029,910 

$1,006,065 

97.68% 

49 

+/- 

-21.05% 

0.00% 

0.65% 

0.64% 

87.50% 

+/- 

25.00% 

-0.47% 

-0.47% 

99.10% 

135.00% 

+/- 

-18.75% 

21.06% 

-0.57% 

-17.26% 

-59.38% 

+/- 

-47.06% 

-26.83% 

-26.92% 

-0.12% 

-68.27% 

+/- 

-26.19% 

19.94% 

18.98% 

-0.79% 

-26.19% 

+/- 

-23.08% 

-8.95% 

-4.18% 

4.95% 

32.35% 

+/- 

-19.44% 

25.75% 

25.72% 

-0.03% 

81.48% 

*Comparing 01/01/19 - 07/22/19 to 01/01/20 - 07/22/20 

SOURCE: San Luis Obispo Association of REALTORS ® 



Fear of Missing Out on Your Dream Home 

FOMO-OYDH [foh-moo-eed-hh] | noun, slang 

I. A feeling of anxiety or insecurity over the possibility of missing out on your dream home 

“If I don’t take advantage of the housing market and get pre-approved for a home today, 

I’ll get a bad case of FOMOOYDH.” 

No one wants their dream home to fall through their fingers. This summer, shop for your new home the smart way by 

getting pre-approved with Guaranteed Rate. 

By getting pre-approved you’ll gain the benefits of: 

• Sellers knowing you’re ready to buy 

• Knowing your budget from day one 

• Having a head start in the mortgage process 

Let’s keep the conversation going. Contact us today. 

Donna Lewis 

Branch Manager& 

VP of Mortgage Lending 

O: (805) 335-8743 

C: (805) 235-0463 

donna.lewis@rate.com 

Dylan Morrow 


O: (805) 335-8738 

C: (805) 550-9742 

dylan.morrow@rate.com 

Joe Hutson 


O: (831) 205-1582 

C: (831) 212-4138 

joe.hutson@rate.com 

Ken Neate 


O: (805) 706-8074 

C: (925) 963-1015 

ken.neate@rate.com 

Luana Gerardis 


O: (805) 329-4087 

C: (707) 227-9582 

luana.gerardis@rate.com 

Maggie Koepsell 


O: (805) 335-8742 

C: (805) 674-6653 

maggie.koepsell@rate.com 

Rate.com/Offices/CASanLuisObispo1065 | 1065 Higuera Street, Suite 100, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 

Applicant subject to credit and underwriting approval. Not all applicants will be approved for financing. Receipt of application does not represent an approval for financing or interest rate guarantee. Restrictions may apply, contact 

Guaranteed Rate for current rates and for more information. 

Guaranteed Rate is not affiliated with SLO Food Bank. Donations received are collected directly by SLO Food Bank and not GUARANTEED RATE. 

Donna Lewis NMLS ID #245945; CA - CA-DOC245945 | Dylan Morrow NMLS ID #1461481; CA - CA-DBO1461481 | Maggie Koepsell NMLS ID #704130; CA - CA-DBO704130 | Luana Gerardis NMLS ID 

#1324563; CA - CA-DBO1324563 | Joe Hutson NMLS ID #447536; CA - CA-DOC447536 | Ken Neate NMLS ID #373607; CA - CA-DBO373607 | GR NMLS ID #2611 (Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System www.nmlsconsumeraccess. 

org) • CA - Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight, Division of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act Lic #4130699 


| SLO COUNTY 

We’d like to 

thank eligible 

First Responders* 

by offering a $1,000 

lender credit to 

finance your home. 

REAL ESTATE 

REGION 

Arroyo Grande 

BY THE NUMBERS 

NUMBER OF 

HOMES SOLD 

2019 

184 


155 

AVERAGE DAYS 

ON MARKET 

2019 

50 


58 

MEDIAN SELLING 

PRICE 

2019 

$818,863 


$819,221 

Contact me today to learn more. 

Atascadero 

202 

172 

40 

42 

$580,406 

$590,490 

Ben Lerner 

(805) 441-9486 

Avila Beach 

Cambria/San Simeon 

Cayucos 

15 

79 

24 

15 

79 

27 

37 

66 

114 

103 

66 

138 

$1,158,111 

$810,324 

$882,167 

$1,459,006 

$871,964 

$1,223,900 

Creston 

5 

3 

91 

191 

$991,000 

$1,047,000 

Grover Beach 

66 

67 

56 

46 

$542,289 

$581,844 

Los Osos 

89 

62 

37 

33 

$629,770 

$691,952 

Morro Bay 

77 

64 

79 

81 

$737,837 

$690,021 

Nipomo 

165 

108 

62 

49 

$657,861 

$700,593 

Oceano 

32 

32 

63 

81 

$531,484 

$556,532 

** 

Pismo Beach 

73 

62 

83 

68 

$1,160,376 

$1,007,430 

Paso (Inside City Limits) 

226 

174 

48 

41 

$542,185 

$535,139 

Paso (North 46 - East 101) 

30 

27 

71 

51 

$495,297 

$667,596 

Senior Loan Advisor 

NMLS 395723 

blerner@flagstarretail.com 

1212 Marsh St., Suite 1 

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 

** Top 200 Mortgage Originator | Mortgage Executive Magazine 

Paso (North 46 - West 101) 

Paso (South 46 - East 101) 

San Luis Obispo 

75 

35 

219 

55 

27 

184 

70 

69 

40 

95 

81 

44 

$644,898 

$558,196 

$899,313 

$616,636 

$661,130 

$923,989 

© 2020 Flagstar Bank 

flagstarretail.com Est. 1987 

Equal Housing Lender 

Member FDIC 

Santa Margarita 

16 

11 

110 

108 

$548,156 

$531,855 

*First Responder occupations include police offi cers, EMTs, fi refi ghters 

and rescuers—occupations that may require a responder to perform fi rst 

aid, secure a crime scene or detain suspects. $1,000.00 closing cost 

offer. The borrower is responsible for all other closing costs and prepaid 

expenses. This offer is for qualifying loans only, cannot be used to reduce 

any other fees, and cannot be combined with any other mortgage 

fee reduction offer. Mortgage application date must be on or before 

12/31/2020. Offer terms and conditions are subject to change without 

notice. Offer is non-transferable. Programs subject to change without notice. 

All borrowers are subject to credit approval, underwriting approval, 

and lender 62 terms | SLO and LIFE conditions. MAGAZINE Some restrictions | AUG/SEP may apply. 2020 

Templeton 

Countywide 

68 

1,612 

61 

1,323 

*Comparing 01/01/19 - 07/22/19 to 01/01/20 - 07/22/20 

76 80 $775,512 $841,020 

56 57 $706,271 $725,432 

SOURCE: San Luis Obispo Association of REALTORS ® 

SLO LIFE

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we are the perfect 

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services at your specific direction. San Luis Obispo County LDA, Reg. No. 250. 

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LIC. # 1036406 


| HEALTH 

super 

foods 

Debunking the saga of superfoods as a symbol of health. 

BY LAUREN HARVEY 

P 

lastered across supplements, juice 

blends, and health websites, superfood 

appears to be the new standard of 

healthy living. Its growing prominence, 

and the near-superhuman capabilities 

it claims to ensure, make a superfood 

diet seem essential for anyone desiring 

to live a more healthful life. Even 

personally, I noticed an uncontrollable 

draw to products boasting of superfood 

capabilities, often choosing these 

products over ones that lacked the 

flashy labeling. 

Superfood emerged as a ubiquitous term I have 

seen applied to blueberries, salmon, and leafy 

greens alike. As a result, unfamiliar foods like 

moringa and reishi mushroom seem somehow 

inherently familiar. In these instances, I found 

myself, in some instinctual way, trusting 

of the positive benefits of foods that were 

otherwise a total mystery. With this paradox 

in mind, I began an inquiry into the history 

of superfoods, searching for a definition that 

would illuminate the elusive exclusivity of the 

term and perhaps, provide some insight into 

the actual benefits behind its super claims. >> 

LAUREN HARVEY is a 

creative writer fueled by a 

love of cooking, adventure, 

and naps in the sun. 



#1 

SUPER 

ORIGINS 

The first recorded use of the term superfood was in association with, 

of all foods, bananas. According to an article published by the Harvard 

T.H. Chan School of Public Health, this first instance dated back to 

“the early 20th century around World War I … [when] The United Fruit 

Company initiated an enthusiastic advertising campaign to promote its 

major import of bananas.” The initial marketing strategy focused on the 

“practicality of bananas in a daily diet, being cheap [and] nutritious.” 

However, the popularity of the term superfood grew only “after being 

endorsed in medical journals.” Therefore, while research later backed 

claims of nutritional value, marketing, not medicine, is credited with 

creating the term “super.” 

This marketing origin story foreshadows the fate of many superfoods 

today. The term has gained traction and trust among consumers, while 

the scientific studies backing the claims come almost as an afterthought. 

Instead of presenting the marketed foods with proven claims at the 

forefront, the term seems to be freely used in place of accredited research. 

In this respect, the definition of a superfood becomes paramount, 

inextricable from its assertion to be an essential aspect of healthy living. 

#2 

DEFINING 

AMBIGUITY 

Defining a superfood may be easier said than done. An article 

published by the European Food Information Council (EUFIC) 

states, “there is no official or legal definition of a superfood.” When 

asked to put forth a medical definition of superfoods, MD Melissa 

Stöppler writes, the term is, “non-medical … popularized in the 

media to refer to foods that have health-promoting properties … [or 

that] may have an unusually high content of antioxidants, vitamins, 

or other nutrients.” As Dr. Stöppler emphasizes, “it is important to 

note that there is no accepted medical definition of a superfood.” With 

no guidelines in place, then, the label can be freely applied to product 

packaging and used in marketing campaigns without the requirement 

to prove that the food is, indeed, super. 

Seeking a concise definition from a dictionary has its range of variances 

as well. The Oxford English dictionary defines a superfood as “a 

nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and 

well-being.” Whereas the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “a 

super nutrient-dense food, loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber and/ 

or phytonutrients.” The amalgamation of these definitions, as suggested 

by the EUFIC article, is that superfoods are “foods—especially fruits 

and vegetables—whose nutrient content confers a health benefit 

above that of other foods.” This definition is broad, wide-ranging, and 

undoubtedly inclusive to foods that don’t boast of super capabilities. 

The term itself does not influence the nutritional aptitude of any food, 

whether or not it carries the label. 

A WORTHY 

#3 CAUSE 

If superfood is an unregulated marketing term used to play up the 

nutritional value of certain foods, is it worth seeking them out? The 

short answer is a resounding yes, with an important qualification. Best 

summarized by a CNET Health and Wellness article, “[superfoods] 

are not magic substances, but foods that are especially healthy for you, 

and there are dozens of them.” A statement from the EUFIC supports 

this sentiment, the distinction between the label and the science 

behind the food, “indeed, the science in this area [of superfoods] has 

demonstrated that certain components of food and drinks may be 

particularly good for you.” The inference, therefore, is that while the 

term superfood may be a generic indicator of health benefits, and the 

foods promoted as such do often provide valuable nutrients, even if 

not as “magical” as marketers claim. >> 



outdoor spin 

#4 

CHOOSE 

YOUR SUPER 

When seeking out nutritionally beneficial foods, there may be certain components 

that provide a guideline for quality. The Mayo Clinic suggests a list of four criteria for 

healthy foods to meet, recommending the food meet at least three. The first two point 

to nutritional benefits, “good or excellent source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other 

nutrients” and “high in phytonutrients and antioxidant compounds such as Vitamin A 

and E and beta-carotene.” Both of these criteria harken back to the definitions explored 

earlier and confirm the presumption that superfoods provide high-quality nutritional 

value to consumers. 

The third criterion in the Mayo Clinic checklist presents a commonly problematic area 

for superfoods. It states the food should “help reduce the risk of heart disease and other 

health conditions.” To be most accurate, such claims require meticulous research over a 

period of time. Instead, superfood claims to reduce the risk of disease are often based on 

an isolated component of the superfood previously linked to potential risk reduction or a 

comparable health benefit. 

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For example, almonds, typically considered a superfood, contain monounsaturated fat, 

which, as the Mayo Clinic states, “[is] a healthier type of fat that may lower blood 

cholesterol levels.” Since these nutritional components are present in a range of foods, this 

should not be considered a true distinction between a superfood and another food with 

similar benefits; unless linked explicitly with the superfood in question. Ultimately, it’s up 

to consumers to decide whether to derive nutritional benefits from a certain superfood or 

another dietary source. 

The final criterion in the list is short and straightforward: “readily available.” In the 

age of online shopping, this criterion becomes easily attainable for most, if not all, 

superfoods. The Mayo Clinic’s criteria for healthy foods provide a blueprint for assessing 

the beneficial quality of superfoods. And perhaps, in a more general sense, it encourages 

consumers to make their own distinctions between foods possessing superior health 

benefits, whether or not that food bears the illustrious superfood label. 

#5 

BEYOND 

THE LABEL 

In the wake of superfood dominance in the current health market, it’s vital to consider 

other potentially undervalued foods. By doing so, we find that foods not labeled as ‘super’ 

also contain super nutrients. As noted by the EUFIC, “carrots, apples, and onions, for 

example, are packed with health-promoting nutrients such as beta-carotene, fiber, and 

the flavonoid quercetin.” Though notably less glamorous than superfoods such as açaí or 

moringa, fruits and vegetables often considered humble kitchen staples provide their own 

blend of nutritional compounds that help promote a healthy mind and body. 

These foods easily meet the Mayo Clinic’s fourth health food criterion, “readily available,” 

perhaps more so than lauded superfood heroes. Considering the other criteria put forth by 

the Mayo Clinic, all three pass the health food test. At the end of the day, as it turns out, 

a particular food does not have to be trending on social media in order to be a powerful 

contributor to our overall health, instead, we can simply add more natural, unprocessed 

foods to our diets. 

FINAL WORD 

Superfood is a non-medical, freely used label with origins in marketing. On 

the whole, superfoods are simply foods with superb nutritional value. Consider 

incorporating them into a whole food diet for potential health benefits. Consult 

with a doctor or nutritionist before making major diet changes for a personalized 

plan most effective for you. SLO LIFE

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| TASTE 

Waffles 

A RECIPE FOR RESOLVE 

BY JAIME LEWIS 

Awaffle is one of the very rare foods whose name can be used 

as a verb. “To waffle” is to fail to make up one’s mind. It is a 

sin not of commission but of omission. 

I recently suffered from a bout of waffling. The opportunity to raise my 

voice stood before me, one of those uncomfortable grown-up moments 

in which character and community hang in the balance. Incidentally, I ate 

waffles for this column as I considered my options. I like to think those 

tasty breakfasts gave me resolve. 

We’ve all had the chance to take a stand lately. Will we or won’t we be 

strong enough to admit our part in the problem? Will we or won’t we 

commit to listening? Will we or won’t we be open to change? 

For all my vacillating, I eventually chose to speak. When I did, the words 

tasted sweet as maple syrup and melted butter on my tongue. 

It’s precisely because waffles are so good that I am hereby redefining 


the verb “to waffle.” No longer will 

it represent a state of passivity or 

weakness. From now on, it will signify 

the determination to live differently. 

From now on, when someone “waffles,” 

it means they’re measuring their motives 

and drinking deeply the nectar of divine 

humility. Because the satisfaction of 

eating a really good waffle only begins to 

imitate the satisfaction of earning one’s 

own self-respect. 

I tasted three different waffles across 

San Luis Obispo County, each of them 

a delicious specimen of the dish. I hope 

you’ll taste them for yourself. And, more 

importantly, I hope you will waffle, early 

and often. >> 

JAIME LEWIS writes about 

food, drink, and the good 

life from her home in San 

Luis Obispo. Find her on 

Instagram/Twitter @jaimeclewis.

HIDDEN KITCHEN 

CAYUCOS 

This bright, beachy cafe recently opened in the space 

previously occupied by Skipper’s. While waffles aren’t the 

only dish on the menu, they’re certainly the highlight. 

Hidden Kitchen serves sweet and savory options, all 

of them sourced organic and gluten-free. The main 

ingredient? Blue corn. 

“I took a trip to Mexico and stayed in an AirBnB by the 

Blue Corn Mama Cafe,” says Amanecer Eizner, who coowns 

Hidden Kitchen with Amira Albonni. “I had a blue 

corn waffle there, and got it into my mind to recreate it in 

gluten-free form back home.” She tried fifteen different 

recipe variations, and the winner is the waffle on Hidden 

Kitchen’s menu today. 

I tried one sweet and one savory. The aptly named 

“Weirdos Waffle” is topped with fried banana, peanut 

butter, maple syrup, and bacon ends. The “San Luis 

Sunrise” has eggs, avocado, bacon ends, and HK sauce, 

a creamy, savory alternative to syrup. Each is a wild and 

wonderful flavor adventure, a pleasingly complex bomb of 

textures and tastes. Just be sure to come hungry, as these 

waffles are enormous and filling. >> 

Tawnya Malia Photography 


FARMHOUSE CORNER MARKET 


As Chef Will Torres closes the steaming waffle maker, I smell 

the tang of sourdough. 

“I tried a lot of different recipes,” he says. “I really wanted 

something specific, like the flavor and texture of a really good 

piece of toast.” This led him to try a blend of rice and wheat 

flours, as well as yeast, in a batter that ferments overnight. 

“The rice flour makes it more crunchy,” he says. “When we 

tried it, we knew this was the one.” 

It’s the Farmhouse waffle’s crackling exterior that really sets it 

apart from others. Loaded with peach preserves, red and white 

raspberries, pecan granola, a massive ball of salted butter, and 

bourbon-aged maple syrup, it’s more dessert than breakfast. 

Eaten amid the colorful, buoyant decor of this new restaurant, 

it appeals to all five senses. 

Pro tip: if you like the Farmhouse waffle, pick up a bag of 

Anson Mills rice flour in the Farmhouse Market, located 

adjacent to the restaurant. Take it home and try your hand at 

making this perfectly crispy waffle yourself. >> 


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LOUISA’S PLACE 


Anyone who’s lived in SLO but hasn’t visited Louisa’s 

Place hasn’t fully integrated, in my opinion. This pint-sized 

luncheonette has been serving diner dishes since 1976, and is 

locally beloved for its authenticity. 

“We make Belgian waffles,” says Aubrey Pyle, who purchased 

Louisa’s from the previous owners after having worked there 

for many years. She tells me that the thickness, size, and 

leavening are what make them Belgian-style. 

Pyle shares that her batter is made fresh daily, and guests can 

choose between a classic waffle or one with either bacon or 

pecans baked in. I opt for the pecan waffle (which tastes like 

butter pecan ice cream), served with warm syrup, whipped 

butter and a dusting of powdered sugar. Its lack of fussiness, 

down to the speckled stoneware plate it’s served on, make 

this the stuff of classic waffle legends. I eat half and pack the 

remaining into a to-go box for my kids. After all, they need 

an education in waffling too. SLO LIFE 


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| WINE NOTES 

Historic 

Pairings 

BY LIBBIE AGRAN 

he British Journal of Psychology recently reported on the 

connection between wine and music. According to the 

article, there is a link between what you hear and what 

you taste. Listening to music may stimulate the part of 

your brain where taste and aroma are processed. And 

independent research in the wine industry indicates 

that hearing music can influence your perception of 

characteristics such as acidity, fruitiness, and astringency 

of the wine you are drinking. TOn the Central Coast, there is another powerful connection between music and 

wine, as many local musicians have become legendary winemakers during the 

last two hundred years. 

The music we celebrate in the Central Coast may be as old as the Mission grape 

variety, Listan Prieto, planted by the Spanish Franciscans two centuries ago. 

Catholics still sing hymns and prayers in the Spanish Chapels at local Missions 

once surrounded by prolific vineyards in San Luis Obispo, the Edna Valley, and 

San Miguel. 

When Mexico revolted against the Spanish and won their independence in 

1822, they acquired ranchos and vineyards. Famous for their fiestas and musical 

celebrations, the Mexicans contributed the traditional folk 

guitar to our musical genre on the Central Coast. 

Various ethnic groups settled in SLO County after 

California became a state 

in 1850; they planted grape 

varieties here that originated 

in Croatia, France, Spain, 

and Germany. They also 

brought their pianos around 

Cape Horn and a variety of 

instruments to make music 

after a hard day’s work. 

These winemakers composed 

music, and organized bands 

to perform at local concerts, 

picnics, and civic events. 

William and Barbara Ernst, the 

first of seven generations still 

farming on Union Road in Paso 

Robles, planted over twenty-five >> 

LIBBIE AGRAN is the 

Director of the Wine 

History of San Luis Obispo, 

dedicated to collecting, 

preserving, and presenting 

the intriguing local wine 

history. 


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Listen live on Sundays at 10 am or join audio 

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Ignace Paderewski 

Norm Goss with instructor 

grape varieties in the 1880s making award-winning wines, including 

Champagne and Sparkling Tokay. Their son, Will Ernst, loved music 

so much he practiced his violin while he ran the plow team, standing 

on the harrow with the horse’s reins around his shoulders. At age 

twelve, he organized the Creston Band featuring a dozen brass 

instruments. They played events all over the county. Ernst was later 

appointed City Band Director in Paso Robles. He went on to become 

a composer in New York City where he opened The Saxophone 

Conservatory and trained hundreds of musicians and performed at 

Carnegie Hall. 

Famous Polish composer and pianist Ignace Paderewski came to 

Paso Robles in 1914 for the healing waters of the local hot springs. 

His doctor convinced him to purchase Rancho San Ignacio, where 

he planted 35,000 Zinfandel cuttings in the 1920s. His grapes were 

crushed and fermented at the famous York Brothers Winery in 

Templeton. Paderewski’s wines were the first to win a gold medal 

after Prohibition at the 1934 California State Fair. 

The York family vineyards and winery, established in 1882, hold a 

special place in local wine history as the oldest family-owned wine 

business, operating for 88 years. The third-generation owner, Wilfrid 

“Bill” York, was an accomplished winemaker and musician. After 

graduating from UC Berkeley, York moved to San Francisco, joined 

the Wells Fargo Orchestra as a violinist, and taught at the San 

Francisco Conservatory. When his father’s health failed in the 1940s, 

he returned to York Mountain but never abandoned his music. He 

continued playing the piano and the violin as he made his awardwinning 

Zinfandel. 

When York decided to retire and sell the winery on the Central 

Coast, he shared his plans with Max Goldman, renowned winemaker 

and classical pianist. Goldman and his wife had just retired in Malibu 

after almost forty years in the wine industry. York shared three 

generations of his family’s history, including the relationship with 

Paderewski and his 1934 Gold Medal Zinfandel. Goldman told Bill 

that he played classical piano from childhood, and his signature piece 

was Menuet a L’Antique by Ignacio J. Paderewski. It was fate—the 

winery changed hands. 

The entire Goldman family worked together to make York Mountain 

Winery a resounding success. They restored the historic buildings 

and replanted the vineyards with new varieties. Their tasting room 

won the first awards in the county. The Goldman family combined 

winemaking with musical philanthropy supporting KCBX, the 

Mozart Festival, and The Paderewski Festival. 

Stanley Hoffman, the first to plant Pinot Noir in the county and win 

an International Gold Medal for his wines, is remembered for two 

other historic events. He built the first modern winery (1972-1975) in 

the Post Prohibition Era, and hosted the first philanthropic fundraiser 

at a winery in support of the Mozart Festival (now Festival Mozaic), 

currently celebrating its 50th anniversary. 

Dave Caparone, a trombonist, and his son Marc, a trumpeter, are 

well-known jazz musicians, often playing at the annual Jubilee by the 

Sea Festival in Pismo Beach. Dave made wine history planting and 

producing their noble Italian varietals: Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, and 

Aglianico in the 1980s and was the first to produce all three varietals 

successfully in the United States. Both father and son continue to 

make music and wine at their winery in Paso Robles. 

Niels Udsen decided to pair his Castoro Cellars wines with 

music by hosting a monthly concert series at his Tasting Room 

in Templeton. He started the tradition in 1995 with the help 

of SLOFolks, a local folk music society. Twenty-five years later, 

all genres of music are still enjoyed. County residents enjoy the 

Lazy Local series, while other fans come from hundreds of miles 

around to attend the annual Whale Rock Music and Arts Festival. 

Bimmer Udsen plays the piano and son Luke sings while playing 

guitar and harmonica. 

Norman Goss was the first to plant vineyards in the Edna Valley. He 

was a famed cellist, who played with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. 

He also became a restaurateur, providing gourmet food and wines at 

The Stuffed Shirt in Orange County. 

Winemaker duo Jean Pierre Wolff, a harmonicist, and son Clint 

Wolff, a guitarist, have been making wine and music in the Edna 

Valley for over four decades. Besides performing at the Wolff 

Vineyards tasting room during event weekends, they have been 

known to jam with a band of winemakers called The Crush Tones, 

along with winemaker Steve Autry from Autry Cellars, whose bass 

treble adorns the labels of his wines. You can catch Autry jamming 

with his band, the Local Vocals. 

So, this all begs the question: What music are you pairing with your 

favorite wine tonight? SLO LIFE 


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| BREW 

A REAL 

HUMDINGER 

BY BRANT MYERS 

recently had the opportunity to sit down and talk with 

one of the founders and brewers at the newly opened 

Humdinger Brewing, Lee Samways. Unfortunately, 

he was distracted as he brewed beer while we spoke 

by phone. It was very inconvenient for me. All that 

background noise really disturbed the relaxing quietude 

I was enjoying whilst lying prone in my recliner. 

Luckily, I’ve known Samways for many years, and the 

conversation came easy. After some idle chit-chat, we got 

down to the nitty-gritty. IFirstly, when I say newly opened, their grand opening was postponed 

this March, which makes it tricky to nail down their start date, kind 

of like having an anniversary with someone you’re dating. However, 

they have been in operation at their location in the Village of Arroyo 

Grande since this spring and have been cranking out delicious beer 

from day one. I’ll get to those in a bit. Still, it’s important to know 

that Samways has been brewing for many years both as a homebrewer 

and in collaboration with local breweries, most notably SLO’s Central 

Coast Brewing, where you can occasionally find his Pro-Am offerings 

on tap. The other half of the equation, co-owner and brewer, Justin 

Amy was a fellow member of the South County Home Brewers 

Club, where they both connected and began to dream. As a matter of fact, 

it was Amy’s idle hands that started him brewing in the downtime afforded 

to him while working the administrative side of a family business from the 

convenience of home. Like many things in life, brewing is a hurry-up-andwait 

proposition with furious work followed by the long wait for ingredients 

to boil or yeast to propagate. 

While talking to Samways, I wanted to ask the question burning a hole inside 

me all year: “What’s with the name?” It turns out that it came naturally during 

a breakout session between him and Amy. While brainstorming ideas, they 

would create a list of possible names and start winnowing it down with yays 

or nays, until the list got smaller. One such response to a name was that it was 

“a real humdinger,” and inspiration hit. Digging deeper, Samways explained 

the etymology of the word itself to me, which also answered the second 

burning question I had about their logo—a battleship shooting beers out of 

its cannons. Hummer, as in a powerful engine. And dinger, as in a powerful 

hit. The boys hit it out of the park with bold beers and tasty offerings from 

day one. Said battleship was nearly a challenge to their graphic designer, Scott 

Greci of Guru Designs. He incorporated brewing equipment on the deck of 

the ship after reviewing rough drafts sketches on bar napkins. I’m starting to 

think the saying “get the creative juices flowing” is a direct nod to drinking 

and thinking. I know it works for me.>> 


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Speaking of which, let’s talk about their beers. I was fortunate enough to try four 

of their styles: two portfolio beers to showcase their daily offerings, one beer to 

highlight their creative side, and one more because I really like the style and just 

wanted to drink it. The foundational beers were their Fog Crusher NEIPA (hazy 

IPA) and the pilsener Ships Ahoy, Krispy Boy. The New England-style IPA was 

true to its roots and packed a fruity hop aroma balanced with a mild bitterness that 

we expect. It’s easy to see why this is one of their most popular beers. It combines 

the love Californians have for hop-forward beers with the drinkability of a softer 

mouthfeel and tropical aroma of its East coast counterparts. The pilsener was crisp 

with just a hint of malty backbone, which is what I want with my craft lager—a 

little extra oomph to differentiate it from the more mass-produced macro brews of 

the same style. The extraordinarily intricate and nuanced artwork of the can sealed 

the deal. And, in the interest of education, a “crispy boy” is industry slang for a 

highly quaffable brew. 

I next tried the Piston Honda, a rice lager, straight from the 32-ounce crowler 

can. I’ve had a few beers of this style before and appreciate the rice adjunct as a 

way to give a dry and crisp finish to a beer that can often become cloyingly sweet. 

Humdinger’s example was no exception, and I think it paired very well with the 

warm sand under my towel and the sun’s rays on my face. A fantastic summer beer, 

but it can be enjoyed just as readily on a ski slope as on a riding mower. There might 

be plans to do a canning run on this one as well. I will throw money at it, so I sure 

hope so. Speaking of summer, their seasonal offering of Blueberry Dinger-weisse 

was a home run. It’s a kettle-soured (not to be confused with a wild ale containing 

souring microbes) Berlinerweisse with a proprietary lactose blend, a milk sugar, that 

has been infused with over one hundred pounds of fresh blueberries. I remarked 

how fresh the blueberry flavors came through, as I’ve had my share of “flavored” 

beer and knew it wasn’t scent in a bottle, and even had my reservations about it 

coming from a more respectable purée. It turns out that Lee and Amy traveled 

a few miles over the hill in Arroyo Grande to a blueberry farm where they spent 

most of a day hand-picking all of the fruit themselves and then returned to their 

restaurant kitchen where the chefs processed the fruit and readied it for the brew. 

It was a harmony of sweet, lightly tart, and incredibly refreshing. If you don’t have 

a chance to get your hands on one, they have plans to do raspberries in the late 

summer and keep a rotation going on this farm-to-table brew year-round. 

Naturally, Humdinger offers other beer styles. When asked what will be releasing 

around the time of this hitting your mailboxes, Samways pointed to their exciting 

collaboration with their roots at the South County Home Brewers Club. A mutually 

brewed Kentucky Common will be hitting taps in August, which is an excellent time 

of year for this type of beer reminiscent of the beginning of fall. This steam-style beer 

can be closely described by comparing it to an original Anchor Steam with a light 

flavor or summer mixed with a malt profile more related to autumnal offerings. They 

are also offering another Hazy IPA Quality Time, an easy-drinking porter Browndo, 

and their strawberry blonde Shevulf. Plenty of options for everyone. 

I casually mentioned their kitchen somewhere back there, but according to some 

locals, it’s the best food in The Village. Samways waxes poetically, yet humbly, about 

their elevated pub fare. Sure they have the standard burgers and fries, but you might 

also catch a compressed watermelon salad, or handmade 

pasta, or even an authentic Bánh mì Vietnamese 

sandwich. He touts his Head Chef Spencer Johnston 

and Chef de Cuisine Nick DeShon as the masterminds 

behind the kitchen. He affords them full reign over 

the menu, allowing them the creativity to use seasonal 

ingredients and cater to their customers’ tastes, much 

as the brewhouse does the same for the drinkers. Food 

and beers are available for dine-in or curbside pickup if 

you are on the run. They also use Cafe Runner, another 

local company, to deliver food directly to you, explaining 

that their consistency and speed results in hot food fast. 

Whether you get to enjoy this new establishment in 

BRANT MYERS is a beer 

industry veteran and 

person or from the convenience of home, check out the 

founder of SLO BIIIG, a 

newest kid on the block and remember that drinking local hospitality consulting firm. 

is supporting local so shove off from life and yell “Ships, 

ahoy!” as you crack open that Krispy Boy. SLO LIFE

SLO LIFE Magazine AugSep 2020

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