CCF AUG 15

Central Coast August 2015

Central Coast FamilyFree!

Inside

The Arts ................................... 2

Library Voice ......................... 4

Education .............................. 6

Fun & Games ........................ 8

Money ........................................ 10

Local History ....................... 12

Wordmonger ....................... 14

Calendar .................................. 17

Family Events ..................... 18

Local Resources ............... 20

Alt Education .................... 22

School Readiness / Library Changes / Financial Legacy / Morro Bay / Pirates of Penzance Jr Pg 2

Family

Central Coast FamilyTM PO Box 6424, Los Osos, CA 93412Phone: (805) 528-0440 Fax: (805) 439-0798

Our goal is to connect Central Coast families with the resources they need to thrive!

Central Coast Family is published monthly with a readership over 40,000. Find FREE copies throughout San Luis Obispo County and North Santa Barbara County.

Visit our website: www.centralcoastfamily.comSubmission deadline: 15th of each month prior to publication

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AssOCiATE EDiTORClaire Vogel

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EDiTORPatrice Vogel

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AssisTANT EDiTORJack Vogel

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ADVERTisiNG Inquiries:

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DisTRiBUTiON MANAGEREric Woodards

CONTRiBUTiNG WRiTERsKristen Barnhart, Jennifer Best, Guy Crabb, Kerrin Edmonds,

Renee Mosier, Molly Peoples, CS Perryess, Steven Smith

GRAPHiC DEsiGNOut of the Blue

CC F

Cover Photo: Cast of Pirates of Penzance, Jr. Jamie Foster Photographywww.jamie-foster-photography.com

SLO Little Theatres Academy of Creative Theatre (ACT) childrens theatre program is kicking off the Little Theatres 2015-2016 Season with a young performers version of Gilbert & Sullivans beloved operetta Pirates of Penzance. This

hilarious farce with sentimental pirates, dim-witted young lovers and an eccentric Major-General, runs July 24-August 2, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm at the SLO Little Theatre, 888

Morro Street, in San Luis Obispo.

Set on the rocky coast of Cornwall, England, The Pirates Of Penzance JR. begins with a group of pirates who are celebrating the birthday of one of their own, Frederic, who has reached his twenty-first year. Finally having served the full length of his required time with the pirates, he decides to strike off on his own and become an upstanding citizenbut all does not go as planned for Frederic or the pirates.

Thus begins this gloriously silly tale filled with Gilbert & Sullivans classic patter songs and ridiculous comedy. This young performers edition of the classic operetta serves as a great introduction to live theatre for young children and delightful entertainment for all ages.

This production is directed by Shelagh Garren, with musical direction by Lacey McNamara, and choreography by Molly McKiernan, and features a cast of talented Central Coast student actors, including Conner Allen, Riley Hutcheson, Isaac Capp,

Jed Authier, Sarah Frederickson, Penny DellaPelle, Micaela Morgan, Linnaea Marks, Elizabeth Tharp, Nadia Fournier, Amanda Takken, Brooke Andris, Zoe Piette, Isabella Grznar, Sophia Lea, Lydia Damron, Carly Crow, and Jayda Monreal.

Tickets are $13 for children and students, and $20 for adults. Families can purchase tickets online at slolittletheatre.org or by calling the theater Box Office at (805) 786-2440.

The Arts

Central Coast Family August 2015 www.centralcoastfamily.com Page 2


The Arts

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The San Luis Obispo Little Theatres Academy of Creative Theatre provides year-round theatrical training for youth ages 5-18 (kindergarten through 12th grade.) ACTs after-school programs, summer camps and theatrical production classes inspire young performers and technicians to develop skills that will benefit them throughout their lives, both on and off the stage. Students involved in ACT have the opportunity to learn from professional artists in programs that combine process and performance.

By offering hands-on, personal instruction, ACT seeks to give students the opportunity to explore creative self-expression and individuality, build self-confidence, and develop lifelong skills in the theatre arts. Whether students choose to pursue theatre as a future career, as volunteers, or as audience members, their experience at the San Luis Obispo

Little Theatre will help them to develop a greater appreciation of the theatre arts and a stronger connection to their community.

The San Luis Obispo Little Theatre recently announced their 69th Season of live theatre in San Luis Obispo. Since 1947, the Little Theatre has been bringing unforgettable characters and extraordinary stories to the Central Coast, presenting over 900 plays over the last 68 years.

Next seasons main stage subscription season will feature six award-winning plays, from A.R. Gurneys hilarious love letter to canine companions, SYLVIA, to the Pulitzer Prize-winning shows WIT and HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE. The Ubus Other Show Staged Reading series will feature seven plays from all over the world, and the popular After Hours late night comedy series will feature four side-splitting comedies.

carte, including a grand holiday production of A CHRISTMAS STORY. View the entire season schedule at slolittletheatre.org.

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Subscribers can choose from these three separate subscription series as well as purchase additional special shows a la


Kristen Barnhart has been telling stories, recommending books, and stamping little hands for over 36 years throughout SLO County. She is currently a Youth Services Librarian at the San Luis Obispo (TUE 10:30 am Storytime) and Atascadero (MON 10:30 am Storytime) Libraries. Contact Kristen at (805) 781-5775 or [email protected].

Nanu Nanu

Library Voice

Yes, it is August already! Schools are starting! I hope everyone is having a fabulous summer. It certainly has been filled with surprises. We will all be talking about that crazy storm on July 19th (which would have been my moms 95th birthday) for years to come. My mother always missed the real summer thunderstorms of her Midwest childhood, so I figure she sent this one as another way to celebrate her! My story-time families already help keep her memory alive by singing Mr Moon whenever they spot the moon out during the day:

Mr Moon Mr Moon youre out too soon

The suns still high in the sky. Go back to bed and cover up

your head And wait til the night is nigh.

Memories need sharing to stay real. I envy families who manage to stay close and celebrate their lives together, keeping stories alive through the generations. I have been blessed with an extensive web of chosen family members who I cherish as deeply as my family of origin. Live Oak Music Festival is an epic family reunion every Fathers Day weekend, and I adore walking through the layers of my life from Cambria days, through Unity Potluck family, library families, and into my ever-growing Awakening Ways family. My daughter gets to hear how shes grown into such a beautiful young woman a dozen times a day from old family friends, teachers, choir buddies, and school chums. Then she

meets some of my new friends for the first time. Stopping, laughing, and remembering gives our lives context and meaning.

We make work families too, if were lucky. I have had the great pleasure and honor to have shared my life with some remarkable women at the SLO Library. As the administration is revisioning the County Library some of you may be seeing new and different faces in your local branch.

Its a bittersweet time for my little work team, as I will no longer be sharing a desk and hours with my silent parenting partner of 20 years, Sallie. She has shared so many triumphs and heartaches as weve navigated life, adjusting our librarian sail while balancing our mama sail with hard laughter, deep listening, and more than a few tears. Weve measured time by what our kids were involved in: dance classes, baseball, choir, more dance classes, plays, robotics, graduations, colleges.

Sallie and I have wept through the deaths of dogs and cats, as well as parents and many favorite fictional characters too! But mostly, weve laughed over the little things that really are the big stuff in a relationship of many years, as we have obsessed over our childrens milestones, Harry Potter, Louise Pennys Three Pines, watching library kids grow, Mo Willems Pigeon and Elephant and Piggy, potty books, and our love for the perfect cup of coffee. It is a sweet comfort to know that whenever we smell

tuna, we share the memory of my daughter scrunched under the desk finishing her lunch between school drop-off and dance class. At a superficial glance, we may appear to be an unlikely pair, but we are kindred spirits of Anne of Green Gables epic proportions, and I am grateful beyond words for our years together.

The Arroyo Grande Library will be going through changes too, as Sallie moves back with Margaret to take the helm of their childrens library and SLO welcomes their longtime librarian Rebecca. She built a mighty strong program for South County kids and Im looking forward to learning from and working with her.

Rebecca is a tech queen, so my multitude of computer questions may finally be answered! Change is good, and as much as I first balk at it, I know we will all grow in new ways and that makes me excited. Im also ready to see how our Youth Services department continues to grow.

The Atascadero Library is still spinning after their beloved Ms. Joans retirement, and we are all wondering who will be their next Youth Services Librarian. I will continue on as the Monday childrens librarian and am continuing my Story-Time for kids five and under at 10:30 am. We just cant wait to see what new

energy is coming our way to fill up their big beautiful new library. Be sure to introduce yourself to some new faces already starting at the circulation desk.

Both Los Osos and Shell Beach libraries have new branch managers coming their way as people get promoted and relocated. In my nearly 37 years with the SLO County Library system, I have never seen such a year of change as this past one. More days, longer evening hours, technical advances including an upcoming app, and more new staff members are all coming together to coalesce into an innovative fresh library experience for everyone.

Your library continues to be a living vibrant force in all the communities on the Central Coast. Each one is uniquely suited to and a reflection of its patrons and families, and provides a vital piece of the puzzle that is our famous quality of life. We live where others vacation and dream of staying, and celebrating change is the privilege we share to keep it home for all the kinds of familys we belong to.

by Kristen Barnhart


Nanu Nanu

Central Coast International School

CCIS is affordable and family-friendly . Our campus is nurturing and bully-free We set high academic standards, promote whole-child development and

encourage a global perspective

We are the new academic leader on the Central Coast . Grow with us!To learn more, visit: or call to arrange a tour:www.ccisslo.com (805) 858-8054

CCIS is a non-profit private school established in 2014 and conveniently located in San Luis Obispo

We serve grades K-8 and cater to students who thrive in a small class environment with individualized instruction

Our International Baccalaureate-based curriculum includes literacy, math, science, music, art, physical education and technology. Every student uses a tablet computer and learns either Spanish or Mandarin Chinese

CCIS is proud to announce the launch of a MONTeSSORI KINdeRGARTeN

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Grow With Us!


Education

No single factor determines whether a child is ready to start school. Heres how to tell if your child is mature enough physically, socially, and cognitively.

What are the cutoff dates?

Cutoff dates are deadlines schools use to determine who can enter the next kindergarten class. Your child must reach the age of 5 by the cutoff date, which is September 1 in California school districts.

Many schools still use these dates to determine who is ready for school, but research shows that your childs chronological age isnt the best way to decide whether he has what it takes to be a successful kindergartner.

Kindergarten readiness is the real issue. In recent years, early childhood educators have begun to focus on a childs physical, social, and cognitive development rather than age.

What is kindergarten readiness?

Experts say no single or simple factor determines whether a child is ready for kindergarten. Instead, a childs development needs to be evaluated on several fronts.

His ability to think logically, speak

clearly, and interact well with other children and adults are all critically important to success in school. A childs physical development also needs to be considered.

In reality, very few children are equally competent in all these areas. Many children who are advanced mentally may lag behind emotionally, while children who are extremely adept physically may be slower in terms of language development.

How can i tell if my child is ready?

If hes in preschool, talk to the teacher. She probably has a good sense of his development and how he compares with other children who would be at his grade level.

If your child is not in preschool or you just want another opinion, check with your childs doctor. She will know about your childs physical development and can offer helpful feedback as to whether your child is ready.

You can also talk with family members and friends who know your child well. Pay particular attention to the comments of teachers, or those who have experience working with children

in schools, whether as a staff person or a volunteer.

Visiting a kindergarten class in the school in which you plan to enroll your child can also give you invaluable information. As you stand in the back of the room, pay attention to how the other children are behaving, how they play with each other, and what kinds of skills they have. Can you picture your child sitting in one of those chairs and joining in an activity?

Ultimately, though, you know your child best. Think about what hes like when he plays with others, and when hes alone in his room. Then ask yourself the following:

1) Can my child listen to instructions and then follow them? Children need these skills to function in class, to keep up with the teacher and with their peers.

2) Is he able to put on his coat and go to the bathroom by himself? Children need to be somewhat self-sufficient by school age.

3) Can he recite the alphabet and count? Most kindergarten teachers assume that children have at least a rudimentary familiarity with the ABCs and numbers though these subjects will be covered as part of the kindergarten curriculum.

4) Can he hold a pencil? Cut with scissors? He will need these fine

motor skills to begin working on writing the alphabet and to keep up with classroom projects.

5) Does he show an interest in books? Does he try to read a book by telling a story based on the pictures? This is a sign that his language development is on a par with other kindergartners and that hes ready to start learning how to read.

6) Is he curious and receptive to learning new things? If a childs curiosity is stronger than his fear of the unfamiliar, he will do well in school.

7) Does he get along well with other kids? Does he share and know how to take turns? Hell be interacting with other children all day, so your childs social skills are particularly important for success in school.

8) Can he work together with others as part of a group? The ability to put his needs second, to compromise and join in a consensus with other children, is also part of emotional competence.

If you answered yes to most of these questions and sometimes to the rest, your child is probably ready for kindergarten. If not, your child might well benefit from another year of preschool, or from a transitional or pre-K class offered by many schools.

Reprinted with permission. California Department of Education Resources.

Is Your Child Ready to Start

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were to happen, youll want your family to be able to act on your behalf with regard to financial and health care decisions. To grant your loved ones this power, you may want to create a power of attorney and a health care directive.

Communicate your wishes. You need to communicate to your loved ones the actions you have taken regarding your will, living trust and other estate-planning documents. By explaining your wishes in advance, you may be able to help your family members avoid disputes and unpleasant surprises and that lack of drama can also be a key part of your legacy.

What Will Be Your Legacy Month will come and go. But by definition, your legacy will last beyond your lifetime so make it a good one.

Money

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors are not estate planners and cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your estate planning attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

Molly Peoples is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in San Luis Obispo. She can be reached at (805) 784-9013. 2014 Edward Jones. All rights reserved. Member SIPC.

August is What Will Be Your Legacy Month. If you knew this, you have an unusual knowledge of obscure celebrations. But even if you werent aware of this month, you can see that the idea behind it (preparing to leave a legacy) is an important one.

What should you do to ensure that youll leave the type of legacy you desire?

To begin with, identify those people whom youd like to directly benefit from your legacy. What can you leave behind to your children, grandchildren, other family members or even close friends? Then, think about those charitable organizations you support can you leave something behind to them?

Once you have decided what your legacy should look like, you can take steps to implement your ideas. Here are a few suggestions:

Draw up your will. A will is probably the most essential legacy-related document. Essentially, you need a will to ensure that your assets and personal belongings will be distributed according to your wishes. If you die intestate (without a will), your belongings will be distributed to your heirs as defined by state laws, and these distributions may not be at all what you had in mind.

Consider a living trust. Depending on your situation, you may need to go further than a will when creating the estate plans that help define your legacy. For

example, you might want to create a living trust, which can allow your assets to go directly to your heirs, avoiding the public, time-consuming and potentially expensive process of probate. A living trust offers other benefits, too, so you may want to consult with a legal professional to learn more about this estate-planning tool.

Plan for your charitable gifts. To leave the legacy you have envisioned, you might want to do more than provide your loved ones with needed financial resources you may also want to provide lasting support to those charitable or educational organizations whose work you admire. Toward this end, you might want to consult with your tax and legal advisors about charitable gifting strategies that can provide tax benefits, both now and in the future.

Give your family the power to act on your behalf. Like everyone else, you want to be in charge of your own destiny. Unfortunately, however, you may someday become mentally or physically incapacitated for a while. If this

Californians Dont Waste

by Molly Peoples

What Will Be Your Legacy?


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I am going to take you on a journey to the wonderful city of Morro Bay. I am going to tell you a story that will solve a mystery and may send you on a trip to explore a cemetery. I hear people are dying to get in! Sorry, thats an old joke. Anyway I taught in Morro Bay for over 20 years and began to research its history so the kids in my classes could learn about the people who helped to found this unique seaside city.

I began my teaching career at Morro Elementary School in 1985. It was a very beautiful school site. At lunch, I would sometimes walk around town. I noticed some odd-size buildings and others that were very unusual and I wondered what businesses were there in the past. I guess this same curiosity motivated me to write my books about the history of downtown San Luis Obispo. I started reading a book called Morro Bays Yesterdays, which was full of great information and photographs, and I talked to many longtime residents.

Now, I could sit here and tell you a fishing boat full of stories about Morro Bay, such as: in 1911, the town had a restriction of only taking 200 clams a day; there was a Navy base in town in 1941

so our military could practice beach landings; property lots in 1927 sold for $250 or $300 - for an ocean view; or Morro Bay Blvd. was once called 5th Street.

But today my story goes back to the very beginning of the town. Im not talking about way, way back, which would have to include the story of the ghost that haunts Morro Rock (another cool story). Im going back to the person who gets credit as the founding father of Morro Bay. He was one very enterprising young man by the name of Franklin Riley.

History says Riley came down to this area of California to search for some government-owned land that was not part of a Mexican land grant. He found a nice chunk of land and built the first home in Morro Bay. The location of his home was just about in the middle of what we know today as downtown Morro Bay. His home was on the strip of land between Morro Bay Blvd. and Harbor Street. Franklin had a family: his wife Hannah, two little girls, and a boy, who were all foster children. He was a bright man who drew out a plan for the city. Franklin started his own farm and grew barley as his first crop. Now once again, I could go on and tell you about his idea to plant eucalyptus trees everywhere to block the ocean breeze that would blow in and bury his crops, or how he helped build a wharf, but I want to get down to the real mystery of my story.

After working in Morro Bay for years and learning about its great history, I couldnt help but wonder what happened to the founding father. Did he move away to another state or did he die in an accident? Then something else struck me; Morro Bay does not have a cemetery. Yes, thats right.

Some of you know about the secret cemetery a little way out of town, but thats a private family site. After realizing that Morro Bay has no public cemetery, I decided to go in search of Franklin Riley.

My first thought was go to the cemetery that was the closest to Morro Bay. That happens to be the Cayucos Cemetery off of Highway One. This is also where my father is buried, so one day when my daughter Kasey and I went to go visit my dads grave, we decided to explore the older grave stones in the lower part of the cemetery. We actually had a great time looking at all of the old grave stones. It was interesting to learn when and where people were born before coming here to the central coast of California. After a while, we split up and starting searching on our own. I began to think that Franklin Riley had just left the city in search of new adventures.

Then, Kasey started yelling that she found Franklin Rileys

gravestone. Next, she yelled that Franklin was not alone. I ran across the cemetery to where she was standing, and found an answer to the mystery of what happened to Franklin Riley. He was here, buried in the Cayucos cemetery with his beloved wife Hannah. They did not have the biggest or best marker (or even a clean marker), but here they were. Their grave marker is a few feet tall and about eight inches thick and it reads Riley on the top of the stone and on the front it simply reads Franklin 1824 1897 and Hannah G. 1824 1904. I wont tell you exactly where it is, so that you can plan a morning to explore the Cayucos cemetery and learn some cool information about some of the people who were founders of our county. Isnt solving mysteries fun? I hope everyone is having the best summer ever.

Guy Crabb teaches at Charles E. Teach Elementary School in San Luis Obispo. He graduated from Cal Poly SLO and has been teaching for over 30 years. Guy was a Teacher of the Year in 2006 and currently teaches at a National Blue Ribbon School. Reach him at [email protected].

Local History

by Guy Crabb

Morro Bay Mystery


Monterey Street is getting a makeover. Buildings are being renovated and the parking lots are being dug up.

Buy your copy of Monterey/Marsh Sts 100 Year Book. Remember the past, as the future is right around the corner.

Enjoy Your Memories! Get an autographed copy at:

www.slo100years.com Also available at Barnes and Noble, Crushed Grape, Antiques of Monterey, History Center, Apple Farm, and Boo Boo Records. GUY CRABB PUBLISHING


Education

CS Perryess writes for teens, narrates audio books, and ponders the wonder of words in a foggy little town on Californias central coast. Find more at http://csperryess.blogspot.com, or reach him at [email protected].

CS Perryess writes about words

EAVEsDROP

The word eavesdrop has a poetically beautiful etymology.

It comes from Middle English, born of the Old English word, yfesdrype.

Eaves are, of course, those bits of a houses roof that stick out from the house perimeter.

Historically, the eavesdrip was the line on the ground where the rain or morning dew dripped from the eaves. In time, this became a legal term, used to determine in part how close one house could be built to the next house. In time, the droplets falling from the eaves acquired the moniker eavesdrops. Soon after that, nosey people who stood close enough to their neighbors homes to hear what was going on inside were called eavesdroppers, since standing so close put them in the eavesdrip. Soon, the British legal system happily applied the term eavesdropper to nosey listeners.

Is that poetry, or what?

Writers out there, I would submit that we find more eavesdroppers in fiction than in real life true or unfounded hogwash?

EARWORMs

One of the 97 new words included in the Merriam Websters Collegiate Dictionarys Eleventh Edition is earworm, a cognitively infectious musical agent, more informally known as one of those annoying tunes that you cant get out of your mind.

Though earworms have haunted me my whole life, I promise to refrain from providing lists of likely tunes that will haunt you forever. The word earworm has interested me since it was first introduced to me some time in the late 1960s by an aunt who grew up in Germany during the 1940s and 50s.

Only a few years ago, most dictionary and etymology web-sites clearly credited James Kellaris, a Milwaukee professor, with the coinage of the word in 2001. Others credited Robert Frietag (a well-traveled primary teacher) for bringing the term to English in 1993. These Frietag and Kellaris claims curdled my cheese because (thanks to my Aunt Inge) my pals and I have been enjoying the word since I shared it at Columbus Junior High over four decades ago.

Today, a search for earworm etymology will produce over 40,000 hits. Thankfully, in the last few years, many etymologists have dug a bit deeper, and while praising Kellariss research on the phenomenon of the earworm, have de-bunked the myth that he coined the word. I find no arguments debunking the Frietag origin, but Im, pleased to say that at long last, most etymologists see earworm as a simple translation from the German word ohrwurm.

Confusing the issue is the fact that the German word ohrwurm also refers to dermaptera, the lowly earwig, a nasty little bug that has a tendency to make many of us squirm and whose name has inspired myths about earwigs climbing into peoples

ears (pure balderdash, according to entomologists). The whole issue was likely further confused by a practice popular in ancient times (I cant find where), of drying and grinding up dermaptera, then inserting the powder into infected ears as a medical treatment.

So I say bravo to hundreds of hard-working etymologists, to Merriam Websters Eleventh Edition, and of course, Aunt Inge, for the word earworm.

Feel free to send me a comment on all this hoopla, or share one of your most annoying, most invasive earworm tunes.

Kiss

Most words meaning kiss are imitative of the sound of a kiss, yet these words dont all sound the same. Could this reflect on the nature of kisses in various cultures, or simply the vagaries of language?

Buss entered English in the 1560s and seems to have come from Welsh or Gaelic, bus, meaning lip. Buss falls in the imitative kiss-word camp. Robert Herrick clarified busss shades of meaning in 1648:

Kissing and bussing differ both in this,

We busse our wantons, but our wives we kisse.

Kiss is another imitative word, with precursors in Dutch, Old High German, Old Frisian, & Norse. My personal favorite precursor is the Old Saxon word, kusijanan. Imitative? Hmm. One must wonder about those old Saxons.

Osculate made its way into English in the 1650s from Latin osculari, and means little mouth. Try to say kusijanan with a little mouth.

Snog showed up in the language in 1945 as British slang, initially meaning to flirt or cuddle, though

over time snog has come to mean kiss. Its origins are a complete mystery.

Smack is an imitative term from the late 1550s, originally meaning to make a sharp noise with the lips, then morphing within fifty years to mean a loud kiss.

Mwah, meaning a kiss or air-kiss, is another imitative term. Mwah came to the language in 1994.

Smooch (my personal favorite), arrived in English as a verb in 1932 and a noun in 1942, from the German schmutzen, to kiss, which most likely was born of imitation.

I also must admit a fondness for the term Give me a little sugar, which appeared in the script of A Raisin in the Sun in 1959. Though I find suggestions that this euphemism was in use before 1959, I have yet to verify any.

My thanks go out to sources: Etymoniline.com, Blue Harvest Forum, Word Origins.org, Wordspy.com, Wiktionary, Scriptorama, Dictionary.com, RandomHouse.com, The Word Detective, and The OED.


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SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY26FARMERS MARKET:11:30-2:30pm Nipomo: Monarch Club3:00-6:00pm Grover Bch Ramona Pk

27FARMERS MARKET:2-4:30pm Los Osos: 2nd & Santa Maria

28FARMERS MARKET:3:00-6:00 pm in Paso Robles City ParkLIBRARY STORYTIME: 10:10 SLODOC BURNSTEINS READING LAB 3:30-4:15pm AG

29FARMERS MARKETS:8:30-11am AG Spencers Market12:30-4:30pm Santa Maria Town Ctr3:00-6:00pm AT Sunken Gardens5:00-8:00pm Pismo, Main St & DolliverLIBRARY STORYTIME: 10:30 AT, 10:30 AG, 11:00 NI

30FARMERS MARKETS:3:00-6:00pm Old Porte Fisheries AG 2:30-5:00pm Spencers Morro Bay 6:00-9:00pm Downtown SLO LIBRARY STORYTIME: 10:00 MB, 10:10 SLO, 10:15 CAM,10:30 AT, 10:30 AG,10:30 LO, 11:00 CAY, 11:30 SMG

31BINGO VETS HALL MB - 1st FRI 5:00pmFARMERS MARKETS:9:00am-12:30pm Paso Robles Wal Mart 10:00am-12:30pm Cayucos Vets Hall 2:30-5:30pm Cambria Main St Vets Hall4:00-8:00pm Avila Beach PromenadeLIBRARY STORYTIME: 10:30 LO

1FARMERS MARKETS:8:00-10:30am SLO Promenade9:00am-12:30pm Templeton City Park9:00am-1:00pm Paso Downtown Park9:00am-1:00pm Shell Bch Dinosaur Caves 12:00-2:30pm AG Village Gazebo2:30-6:00pm Morro Bay 800 Main StLIBRARY STORYTIME: 11:00 AG SLO CO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY 1st SAT 12:30am IOOF Hall SLO

FRANCIS SCOTT kEYS BIRTHDAY (Born in 1779)

NATIONAL GIRLFRIENDS DAY

2FARMERS MARKET:11:30-2:30pm Nipomo: Monarch Club3:00-6:00pm Grover Bch Ramona Pk

SISTERS DAY

NATIONAL kIDS DAY


NATIONAL WATERMELON DAY

COLUMBUS 1ST vOYAGE (in 1492)


US COAST GUARD DAY

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP

DAY


NEIL ARMSTRONGS

BIRTHDAY (Born in 1930)

AMERICAN FAMILY DAY


WIGGLE YOUR TOES DAY

7FARMERS MARKETS:9:00am-12:30pm Paso Robles Wal Mart 10:00am-12:30pm Cayucos Vets Hall 2:30-5:30pm Cambria Main St Vets Hall4:00-8:00pm Avila Beach PromenadeLIBRARY STORYTIME: 10:30 LO

NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE DAY

8FARMERS MARKETS:8:00-10:30am SLO Promenade9:00am-12:30pm Templeton City Park9:00am-1:00pm Paso Downtown Park9:00am-1:00pm Shell Bch Dinosaur Caves12:00-2:30pm AG Village Gazebo2:30-6:00pm Morro Bay 800 Main StLIBRARY STORYTIME: 11:00 AG

DOLLAR DAY(US Dollar created in 1786)


BOOk LOvERS DAY

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLDS

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

NATIONAL RICE PUDDING DAY


HERBERT HOOvERS BIRTHDAY (Born in 1874)

NATIONALSMORES DAY

11FARERS MARKET:3:00-6:00 pm in Paso Robles City ParkLIBRARY STORYTIME: 10:10 SLODOC BURNSTEINS READING LAB 3:30-4:15pm AG

HULk HOGANS BIRTHDAY (Born in 1953)

PLAY IN THE SAND DAY


IBM PC ANNOUNCED

(in 1981)

MIDDLE CHILDRENS DAY


INTERNATIONALLEFT-HANDERS

DAY

ANNIE OAkLEYS BIRTHDAY (Born in 1860)

14FARMERS MARKETS:9:00am-12:30pm Paso Robles Wal Mart 10:00am-12:30pm Cayucos Vets Hall 2:30-5:30pm Cambria Main St Vets Hall4:00-8:00pm Avila Beach PromenadeLIBRARY STORYTIME: 10:30 LO

NATIONAL CREAMSICLE DAY

15FARMERS MARKETS:8:00-10:30am SLO Promenade9:00am-12:30pm Templeton City Park9:00am-1:00pm Paso Downtown Park9:00am-1:00pm Shell Bch Dinosaur Caves 12:00-2:30pm AG Village Gazebo2:30-6:00pm Morro Bay 800 Main StLIBRARY STORYTIME: 11:00 AG

jULIA CHILDS BIRTHDAY (Born in 1912)

NATIONAL RELAxATION DAY


ROLLER COASTER DAY(Patented in 1898)


ARCHEOLOGY DAY

DAvY CROCkETTS BIRTHDAY (Born in 1786)


INTERNATIONAL HOMELESS ANIMALS

DAY

BAD POETRY DAY


NATIONAL AvIATION DAY

BILL CLINTONS BIRTHDAY (Born in 1946)

ORvILLE WRIGHTS BIRTHDAY (Born in 1871)


NATIONAL RADIO DAY

21FARMERS MARKETS:9:00am-12:30pm Paso Robles Wal Mart 10:00am-12:30pm Cayucos Vets Hall2:30-5:30pm Cambria Main St Vets Hall4:00-8:00pm Avila Beach PromenadeLIBRARY STORYTIME: 10:30 LO

NATIONALSENIOR CITIzENS

DAY


NATIONALTOOTH FAIRY DAY


1ST PHOTO OF EARTH FROM THE MOON

(by Lunar Orbiter in 1966)


NATIONAL TOASTED

MARSHMALLOW DAY


NATIONAL WAFFLE DAY


NATIONAL TRAIL MIx DAY


kISS & MAkE UP DAY

NATIONAL BANANA SPLIT DAY


NATIONAL DOG DAYWOMENS

EqUALITY DAY(Won right to vote in 1920)


MOTHER TERESAS BIRTHDAY (Born in 1910)

28FARMERS MARKETS:9:00am-12:30pm Paso Robles Wal Mart10:00am-12:30pm Cayucos Vets Hall 2:30-5:30pm Cambria Main St Vets Hall4:00-8:00pm Avila Beach PromenadeLIBRARY STORYTIME: 10:30 LO

DREAM DAY(MLK Jrs I Have a Dream speech

in 1963)

NATIONAL CHERRY TURNOvER DAY


1ST SCOUT CAMP(Opened in 1934)

NEW MOON

FULL MOON

August is:Artist Appreciation MonthNational Eye Exam Month

National Breastfeeding MonthHome Business Month

Whats Your Legacy MonthNational Catfish Month

National Golf MonthNational Inventors Month

National Water Quality Month

Birthstone: Peridot

Flower: Gladiola

August 2015 Free Ongoing Events


Family EventsTHU JUN 18-SAT SEP 19 (days & times vary): LA RUES RETURN at The Great American Melodrama, 1863 Front St, Oceano. Hows A Bayou? Complete with jokes, puns and pratfalls, this riotous romp through the swamps of New Orleans is sure to delight all ages! The 40th Anniversary Vaudeville Revue Part Two! features favorite songs, dances, and sketches from the theatres past. Cost: $19-25, discounts for groups, seniors, students, military, and children. The in-house snack bar serves great food and drinks. Contact: americanmelodrama.com or 489-2499.

FRI JUL 3-SUN AUG 9 (times vary): CHAPTER TWO at Pewter Plough Playhouse, 824 Main St, Cambria. The Pewter Plough Playhouse presents Neil Simons Chapter Two, the story of a recent widower, writer George Schneider, who is encouraged by his younger brother Leo to start dating again. This sends George into even more depression after a series of bad matches. Then Leo comes up with Jennie Malone and shes a keeper. Still, its a bumpy trip on the road to Dreamland for these not-so-young lovers. Cost: $17-30. Contact: 927-3877 or pewterploughplayhouse.org.

FRI JUL 24-SUN AUG 2 (days & times vary): PIRATES OF PENZANCE JR at SLO Little Theatre, 888 Morro St, San Luis Obispo. Enjoy a hilarious farce with sentimental pirates, dim-witted young lovers and an eccentric Major-General. Cost: $13-20. Contact: 786-2440 or slolittletheatre.org.

THU JUL 30 7:30-10:30 am: PANCAKE BREAKFAST at at City Park, 11th and Spring Sts, Paso Robles. CA Mid-State Fair and the Downtown Paso Robles Main St Assn presents this annual family event. Cost: free. Contact: 238-4103 or pasoroblesdowntown.org.

FRI JUL 31-SAT AUG 15 (times vary): INTO THE WOODS at Clark Center, 487 Fair Oaks Ave, Arroyo Grande. With a cast of familiar fairytale characters, humor and heart, clever dialogue and inventive songs, this is a show that both adults and older children can enjoy together (best for ages 10

and up). Cost: $27-37. Contact: 489-9444 or chameleon805.com.

SAT AUG 1 at 9:30 am: 2015 BIG LATCH ON in San Luis Obispo. 10:30 am: the Latch minute. BLO is a family fun event gathering nursing women and others who are passionate about normalizing breastfeeding. Cost: free. Contact: facebook.com/Laboroflovebloslo.

SAT AUG 1 at 10:00 am: BIG LATCH ON North County at Atascadero Lake Park. 10:30 am: the Latch minute. BLO is a family fun event gathering women passionate about normalizing breastfeeding. Bring a blanket and/or lawn chair. Cost: free. Contact: facebook.com/Laboroflovebloslo.

SAT AUG 1 12:00 - 6:00 pm: ACS LUMINARIA FUNDRAISING PARTY at Grandmas Frozen Yogurt & Waffle Shop, 307 Morro Bay Blvd, Morro Bay. Create your own luminaria for American Cancer Societys Morro Bay Celebration on SAT AUG 15, when they will light up the beach! Gems, feathers, coloring pens, and Luminaria bags will be provided. Enjoy live music by Lenny Blue & Friends and complete a donation plaque in your loved ones honor to decorate the walls with your memory or message of hope. Grandmas be donating $1 for every breakfast or dessert waffle bought in August. Cost: $10 donation for luminaria. Contact: 704-9866.

SAT AUG 1-SAT AUG 22 (times vary): MOVIES IN THE GARDENS at Sunken Gardens Park, 6500 Palma Ave, Atascadero. Bring low-back chairs and blankets and enjoy the great north county summer night and a movie! Featuring Big Hero 6 on AUG 1, Paddington on AUG 8, Planes: Fire and Rescue on AUG 15, and Cinderella on AUG 22. Cost: free. Contact: atascadero.org.

SUN AUG 2 9:00 am-5:00 pm: MORRO BAY SUMMER STREET FAIR on Morro Bay Blvd to Main St. Music, dancing, kids shows, food and gifts. This is your chance to buy a unique item for yourself or someone special. Cost: free. Contact: (877) 478-9477 or morro-bay.net/mbma.

SUN AUG 2 9:00 am-5:00 pm:

MORRO BAY SUMMER STREET FAIR FUN at Grandmas Frozen Yogurt & Waffle Shop, 307 Morro Bay Blvd, Morro Bay. Enjoy live music and family activities all day long. Cost: free. Grandmas real Fruit Freezes and cold bottled water will be for sale to raise funds for the safety equipment for Morro Bay High School athletes. Contact: 704-9866.

SAT AUG 8: SUMMER READING PROGRAM ENDS. Finish up your summer reading and bring your reading logs to your local library to pick-up your rewards! Cost: free.

SAT AUG 8 11:00 am-1:00 pm: CHILDRENS CRAFT FAIRE at Los Osos Library, 2180 Palisades. All are welcome to support crafty kids at this 7th annual family event. Children aged 13 and younger can bring hand-crafted items priced $4 or less. Applications due JUL 25. Cost: free. Contact: 528-1862 or slolibrary.org.

SAT AUG 8 3:00-6:00 pm: DOUG MACRAE & ANGE MARIE at Grandmas Frozen Yogurt & Waffle Shop, 307 Morro Bay Blvd, Morro Bay. Enjoy live music with

the whole family. Doug Macrae plays bluegrass and old timey music on guitar with Ange Marie on mandolin. Cost: free. Contact: 704-9866.

SUN AUG 9 7:00 am-9:00 pm: YOSEMITE FOR A DAY at Pismo Outlets Center, Arroyo Grande. Leave Pismo Outlets at 7:00 am, with food stop, leave Yosemite at 4:00 pm, with food stop, arrive Pismo Outlets at 9:00 pm. No unaccompanied minors. No smoking, alcohol or drugs. Cost: $125 per person. Contact: 474-5933.

SAT AUG 15 10:00 am-5:00 pm: 12th ANNUAL OLIVE FESTIVAL at Paso Robles City Park, 11th and Spring Sts. Bring the entire family for a day dedicated to olives including sampling, vendors, demos, and an olive dish-cooking contest. Check out the mobile olive oil press, or take a stroll through Culinary Row with local artisanal, farm-fresh food, and be sure to try olive oil ice cream! Cost: free. Contact: pasoroblesdowntown.org.

SAT AUG 15 at 2:00 pm: FAMILY MOVIE at Los Osos Library, 2180 Palisades. Enjoy popcorn and a


Family Events

movie every 3rd SAT of the month. A team of guinea pigs save the day in this months movie rated PG. Cost: free. Contact: 528-1862 or slolibrary.org.

SAT AUG 15 2:00-6:00 pm: MACARONI & CHEESE FESTIVAL at Avila Beach Golf Resort, 6464 Ana Bay Rd. Unwind and relax while watching live music, taking in the breath-taking scenery at the ocean, and eating plenty of mac and cheese! Plus, there will be tastings of wine, beer, and spirits and opportunities to buy full pours. 21 & over. Cost: $55. Contact: themacandcheesefest.com.

SAT AUG 15 3:00-6:00 pm: ERU & ANNA at Grandmas Frozen Yogurt & Waffle Shop, 307 Morro Bay Blvd, Morro Bay. Bring the family to enjoy music and dance from Indonesia. This is an interactive performance and participants can play with the musicians. Watch Morro Bay Farmers Market come to life from the courtyard. Cost: free. Contact: 704-9866.

WED AUG 19 at 3:00 pm: MAKENTAKE at Los Osos Library, 2180 Palisades. For children age 5

and up. Call to find out more about this months craft sponsored by Friends of Los Osos Library. Cost: free. Contact: 528-1862 or slolibrary.org.

FRI AUG 21-SUN SEP 6 (days & times vary): SYLVIA at SLO Little Theatre, 888 Morro St, San Luis Obispo. Enjoy A.R. Gurneys modern romantic comedy about a dog, the couple who adopts her and the comedy that results. Cost: $15-30. Contact: 786-2440 or slolittletheatre.org.

FRI AUG 21-SUN SEP 20 (times vary): STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Pewter Plough Playhouse, 824 Main St, Cambria. Concerned with a group of gossipy southern ladies in a small-town beauty parlor, the play is alternately hilarious and touchingand, in the end, deeply revealing of the strength and purposefulness which underlies the antic banter of its characters. Cost: $17-30. Contact: 927-3877 or pewterploughplayhouse.org.

SAT AUG 22 10:00 am-9:00 pm & SUN AUG 23 11:00 am-5:00 pm: STONE SOUP MUSIC FESTIVAL & STREET FAIRE at 993 Ramona Ave, Grover Beach. This fun

family event features live music, a salsa contest, health fair, vendor booths, a dog parade, etc. Cost: free. Contact: 489-1488 or aggbchamber.com.

WED SEP 2 6:00-8:00 pm: ADOPTION INFORMATION SESSION at Family Connections Christian Adoptions, 1540 Marsh St, SLO. FCCA was established in 1983 and has placed over 4,700 waiting children into forever families. With 6 offices in CA, the agency provides domestic and international adoption services. Cost: free. Contact: 542-9084 or fcadoptions.org.

FRI SEP 4-SUN SEP 6 (times vary): GOLDEN STATE CLASSICS CAR SHOW in downtown Paso Robles and Paso Robles City Park, 11th and Spring Sts. There will be pre-1979 classic cars cruising Friday night and showing in the park on Saturday. Participants are invited to tour the citys entertainment spots on Sunday. There should be over 300 cars for this event. Net proceeds will go to local charities. Cost: free. Contact: 286-6408 or goldenstateclassics.org.

Every THU 6:30-9:30 pm: SLO CHESS CLUB meets at Carls Jr on Santa Rosa St, one block W of Foothill, across from Cal-Poly. All ages welcome. Cost: free. Contact: 441-7210 or slochess.com.

Every SAT 10:00 am-2:00 pm: SLO CHESS CLUB meets at the big board on the Morro Bay Embarcadero at the west end of Morro Bay Blvd (down the stairs). Cost: free. Contact: 441-7210 or slochess.com.

The Mankind Project mens support group meetings: all issues welcome. Find purpose, mastery, healthy autonomy, and your lifes mission and purpose. Gain skills to change your life or to become a better husband or dad. Call ahead to confirm. 1st & 3rd TUE

6:00-9:00 pm in San Luis Obispo. Contact: 459-7808. 1st & 3rd THU 6:30-9:30 pm in Cayucos. Contact: 471-9342. 2nd & 4th THU 6:30-9:00 pm in Atascadero. Contact: 235-2774. Cost: free. Info: www.mkp.org.

Every day all summer: Food Bank Coalition of SLO County provides LOVIN LUNCHBOX free meals at 6 sites in SLO, Los Osos, and Morro Bay for all kids 18 years or younger. No ID or personal info required. 11:45-12:45, M-F until AUG 7: CL Smith, Hawthorne, Del Mar, and Baywood Elementary Schools. 11:00-12:00, M-W: SLO Library serves morning snacks. 12:00-1:00, T-TH: Morro Bay Library serve lunch during summer reading programs. RTA and city busses are also free this summer! Contact: 238-4664 or www.slofoodbank.org.

3rd SAT every month 3:00-6:00 pm: Interactive Indonesian Music at Grandmas Frozen Yogurt, 307 Morro Bay Blvd, MB. Instruments available for all. Play along with ru and Anna! Endang ru Rukandi is a master of the regional music of West Java. Cost: free. Contact: 704-9866.

1st & 3rd THU every month 7:00-8:30 pm: Drop-in Dream Group at St. Benedicts Episcopal Church, 2220 Snowy Egret Ln, Los Osos. This is a drop-in support group to share dreams and the relationship between dreams and spiritual path, using Jungian interpretive assumptions and language and Robert Johnsons book Inner Work. Cost: free. Contact: [email protected].

Every SAT at 12:00 pm: GEO-CACHE FAMILY GROUP at Grandmas Frozen Yogurt & Waffle Shop, 307 Morro Bay Blvd, Morro Bay. All ages meet before exploring hidden treasures. free. frozen yogurt for all new members! Cost: free. Contact: 704-9866.

3rd WED of every month at 6:30 pm: Prepared & Natural Chidlbirth Classes at Twin Cities Community Hospital, 1220 Las Tablas, Templeton. This is a 6-series class addressing all matters of childbirth in the form of a lecture as well as hands-on demos and

Recurring Events &

Resources


Local Resourcespractice techniques. Cost: free. Contact: 434-4654.

2nd THU of every month at 6:30 pm: Breastfeeding Basics at Twin Cities Community Hospital, 1100 Las Tablas Rd, Templeton. In this introduction to breastfeeding class you and your family will learn about the practical aspects of feeding your newborn from an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Cost: free. Contact: 239-4443.

San Luis Obispo Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) and Community Advisory Committee (CAC) offer parent orientation to special education programs in SLO County. Contact: 782-7301 or www.sloselpa.org/pro_dev.htm.

Twin Cities Community Hospital Volunteers, a non-profit org providing support to patients, doctors, and nurses of the hospital, seek volunteers to work in the gift shop and Obstetrics Dept. AM and PM 4 hour shifts are available. Contact: 434-4524.

Last FRI every month at 6:00 pm: Family Fun at Unity Church, 1165 Stubblefield St, Orcutt. Contact: 937-3025.

Every THU-FRI 12:00-5:00 pm & SAT 11:00 am-5:00 pm: Exploration Station Interactive Science Center welcomes families at 867 Ramona Ave, Grover Beach. Cost: $2-3. Contact: 473-1421 or http://explorationstation.org.

2nd THU of every month 6:00-7:00 pm: Grief Support Group at Central Coast Hospice, 253 Granada Dr, Ste D, San Luis Obispo. This free group is for anyone suffering the loss of a loved one who is in need of support. Contact: 540-6020.

2nd SAT of every month FEB-

NOV at 9:00 am: Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Dept offers free docent-led nature walks in Los Flores Ranch, 6271 Dominion Rd, Santa Maria. Contact: 925-0951 x 263.

2nd MON every month 6:30-8:00 pm: Caregiver Support Group at Cayucos Community Church, Ocean Ave & S 3rd St. free support for caregivers and family dealing with long-term illness, memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimers. Contact: 458-7484.

Every MON 10:00 am-2:00 pm: Remain Independent Despite Vision Loss at Santa Maria Terrace, 1405 E Main St. New ways of doing daily tasks are taught by the Braille Institute, such as home management, traveling, and using talking library books. Contact: 462-1225.

2nd & 4th MON every month at 6:30 pm: MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meet at Pacific Christian Church, 3435 Santa Maria Way, Santa Maria. Childcare is provided. Contact: 934-3491 or www.pacificchristian.net.

Every TUE 3:00-6:00 pm & FRI 3:00-5:30 pm: Teen Wellness Program at Arroyo Grande EOC Health Services Clinic, 1152 E Grand Ave. Health services, including reproductive health, in a safe environment with staff trained to screen, assess, and to provide intervention. Appointments are preferred. Contact: 489-4026.

1st WED every month at 9:00 am: Community Action Partnership Senior Health Screening at First United Methodist Church, 275 N Halcyon Rd, Arroyo Grande. free and low-cost services are offered for people 50 and older: blood pressure, pulse, weight,

total cholesterol, screening for anemia, diabetes, and fecal blood, nutritional counseling, and medical referrals. Contact: 481-2692 or 788-0827.

1st WED every month at 12:00 pm: Disabled American Veterans luncheon at Veterans Memorial Bldg, 313 W. Tunnell St, Santa Maria. Contact: 345-0402.

Every WED 5:30-7:00 pm: Widowed Support Group at New Life Church, 990 James Way, Rm 14, Pismo Beach. Arrive 10 min early for 1st meeting. Offered by Hospice of SLO Co. Contact: 544-2266 or hospiceslo.org.

Every TUE at 7:00 pm: Al-Anon Family Support Group at Luis OASIS Senior Center, 420 Soares Ave, Orcutt. Contact: 937-9750.

3rd WED every month at 7:00 pm: How to Survive Divorce seminar at the San Luis Obispo Womens Community Center, 1124 Nipomo St, #D in SLO. Practical tips, pointers, and suggestions for handling family law issues. $10.00 donation requested for handout materials and book. Contact: 544-9313 to register.

4th TUE every month at 5:30 pm: Legal Clinic for Self-Represented Litigants at the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse Law Library, 1050 Monterey St in SLO, #125. SLO County Bar Assn Family Law Section & Womens Community Center provide one-on-one legal advice for persons filing divorces w/o an attorney, and a document preparer to assist in completing court-required forms. Min. $40.00 donation. Limit: 12 participants. Contact: 544-9313.

RISE (formerly Sexual Assault Recovery and Prevention Center of San Luis Obispo Co) offers: Weekly Drop-In Support Groups for Sexual Assault Survivors; 24 Hour Crisis Line; Advocacy and Accompaniment; Peer Counseling; Individual Counseling; Prevention and Education, and Womens Empowerment and Self Defense Workshops. Contact: 545-8888 or www.sarpcenter.org.

Every SAT 11:00 am-3:00 pm: ADOPT A PET at Petco, 2051 Theater Dr, in Paso Robles. Cats are available for adoption through NCHS. Dogs are available through Short n Sweet Dog Rescue.

Womens Shelterof San Luis Obispo County

crisis line: 781-6400business phone: 781-6401email: [email protected]

www. womensshelterslo.org


Contact: 466-5403.

Every MON 2:00-4:00 pm & WED 3:00-5:00 pm: Jacks Adaptive Toy Lending Library-Jacks Helping Hand at Central Coast Gymnastics, 21 Zaca Lane, #100, San Luis Obispo. Traditional and adaptive toys for children with all types of disabilities to check out. In-home appointments available. Cost: free! Contact: 547-1914 or www.jackshelpinghand.org.

Every TUE 2:00-5:00 pm & FRI 4:00-7:00 pm: Jacks Adaptive Toy Lending Library - Jacks Helping Hand at Pats Place in Nipomo Recreation Community Rm, 671 W Tefft St, Ste 2, Nipomo. Toys for children with all types of disabilities to check out. In-home appointments also available. Cost-free! Contact: 547-1914 or www.jackshelpinghand.org.

Every FRI at 7:00 pm: Senior Ballroom Dancing at Madonna Inn. If you are a senior (single or attached) and like ballroom dancing, this is the place! Look left of the bandstand for sign: Senior Dancers. Dance, chat and listen to good music. No fees; no dues; just fun! Contact: 489-5481 or [email protected].

Literacy Council for San Luis Obispo County has an ongoing and urgent need for volunteer tutors and offers free training in SLO. Contact: 541-4219 or www.sloliteracy.org.

1st THU every month at 6:15 pm: Commission on the Status of Women meets at Coast National Bank, 500 Marsh St, SLO. This official advisory group to SLO County Board of Supervisors

identifies issues of concern to women that are not the focus of other advocacy or advisory organizations. Contact: 788-3406.

Every WED 11:00 am-12:00 pm: Growing With Baby, an infant feeding office for breastfeeding moms and babies (0-10 mos), offers a free class on feeding, crying, and sleep at 1230 Marsh St, San Luis Obispo. Nurse practioner and lactation consultant Andrea Herron answers questions. Dads welcome! Call to reserve. Contact: 543-6988.

Morro Bay Museum of Natural History offers Adventures With Nature & Mind Walks. Find the schedule at: www.ccnha.org/naturewalks.html.

Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens offers many free services: Senior Connection - connecting callers with local resources; HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) one on one Medicare assistance, advise and referrals for long term care, and help with billing / appeals; Vial of Life magnetized containers with medical information; a Senior Resource Directory for SLO and SB counties, and much more. Contact: 925-9554 or www.centralcoastseniors.org.

Hospice of San Luis Obispo County provides free grief counseling, group support, counseling, crisis intervention, and wellness education to those with a life-limiting illness, their families, and the bereaved. This non-profit agency offers free counseling, community education and volunteer support to those

grieving a death or dealing with potential end-of-life issues. Offices in San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles. Contact: 544-2266.

Volunteer as a Good Neighbor! Make a difference in the life of an older or disabled adult. Once trained, volunteers choose services to contribute and schedule hours at their convenience. Training is monthly at Wilshire Community Services, 285 South St, Ste J, SLO. Contact: 547-7025 x 17.

Volunteer at San Luis Obispo Museum of Art! Stop by at 1010 Broad St (Mission Plaza) or email [email protected].

San Luis Obispo Senior Center offers health screening, legal services, meals, exercise, bridge, and bingo at 1445 Santa Rosa St. Contact: 781-7306.

Central Coast Astronomical Society sponsors a Dark Sky Star Party every month at Santa Margarita Lake KOA Campground at sunset. CCAS sponsors guest speakers and public programs. Find events, weather updates, and resources at: www.

centralcoastastronomy.org.

San Luis Coastal Adult Schools Parent Participation Program offers Core Parenting and Enrichment classes in SLO, Morro Bay, and Los Osos. Bring your child to a parent and child activity class, or find support and education just for parents. Cost: $76 for 10 wks. Contact: 549-1222 or parentparticipation.org.

Suicide Prevention Mental Health and

Emotional Support Free

Confidential 24 hours of every day

A program of Transitions Mental Health Association

Feeling hopeless, desperate, or alone? Concerned for someone you care about?

in San Luis Obispo County for those living with cancer and their families

Wellness and support services provide a bridge between standard medical care and a full range of healing therapies

Our integrative approach offers a foundation for care that includes programs designed to strengthen the body, educate the mind,

and alleviate the stress that often comes with a cancer diagnosis

1941 Johnson Ave Ste 201A, San Luis Obispo (805) 542-6234

Hearst Cancer Resource Center (HCRC)

A one-of-a-kind resource


Parent Participation. San Luis Coastal Adult School offers core classes to enhance parenting skills, meet other families, and allow children to play with peers. Also enrichment classes such as Spanish, Cooking, and Gardening, and a Cooperative Preschool at CL Smith. Contact: 549-1222 or parentparticipation.org.

CHARTER SCHOOLS

CAVA California Virtual Academies and K give kids the chance to learn at their own pace. Online schooling is aligned with California state standards. Teacher support as needed, meetings and work samples required quarterly. Contact: (866) 339-6790, caliva.org, or k12.com.

Family Partnership. A tuition-free K-12 independent study public school serving Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties. Home study charter schools in San Luis Obispo (165 Grand Ave), Solvang, Santa Maria, and Cambria. Meet with teachers weekly and turn in work samples. Contact: 348-3333 or fpcharter.org.

Olive Grove. Independent study home school with sites in San Luis Obispo (165 Grand Ave), Santa Maria, Lompoc, Los Olivos, and Santa Barbara. Meet with teacher weekly and turn in work samples. Enrichment classes also offered. Contact: 543-2701 or sbceoportal.org/losolivos.

Orcutt Academy independent study. Affiliated with Orcutt Academy Charter School at 500 Dyer St, this free program offers home study and blended classroom/home study for grades K-8. Contact: 938-8934 or orcuttacademycharter.net.

summit Academy charter school serves K-12 grades, and provides

personalized home-based learning that fosters investigation, skill development and creativity, and lifelong curiosity. Contact: (818) 450-9810 or summitacademyca.org.

NATURE BASED SCHOOLS

sLOWanders. Offering nature-based education in SLO County. Programs include wilderness living skills, naturalist studies, wildlife tracking, awareness skills, and rites-of-passage customized for after-school, home-school, and personal one-on-one mentoring. Weekend workshops for adults. Contact: 215-0595 or slowanders.com.

Outside Now. Summer, after-school, and private nature-based education in SLO County. Contact: 541-9900 or outsidenow.org.

Coyote Road Regional school. Natural Science and Outdoor Education. Contact: 466-4550 or coyoteroadschool.com.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

Central Coast international school. Inquiry-based, small class, International Baccalaureate (IB) candidate school serving grades 1-8 in SLO. One tablet computer per child. Spanish and Mandarin taught weekly. Strong math, sciences, music and arts. Caring community that nurtures learners. Contact: 858-8054 or ccisslo.com.

The Laureate school. Project-based, differentiated learning to develop critical thinking, in arts, technology, foreign language, and character development programs. In San Luis Obispo. Contact: 544-2141 or laureateschool.org.

Clarity steiner school in Nipomo. Waldorf education for first and second graders. Class meets four

days per week. Contact: 929-6878.

santa Lucia school on 5 acres in Templeton. Peace education for over 25 years. Integrated curriculum founded on life experiences, in-depth study, and active immersion in the arts for grades 1-8. Attendance Mon-Thu with homeschool Fridays. Carpooling encouraged. Contact: 434.2217 or santaluciaschool.org.

sLO Classical Academy. Private school. Part time or full time classical education in SLO. Part time options are Tuesday/ Thursday or Monday/ Wednesday with a Friday enrichment day. Contact: 548-8700 or sloclassicalacademy.com.

Wishing Well school in Los Osos offers pre-school, mixed age kindergarden, and 1st-3rd grades. The approach (educating the whole child: head, heart, and hands) is based on Rudolf Steiners Waldorf model. Contact: 235-4401.

Childrens House Montessori school in Atascadero strives to help each child reach his/her greatest potential, by embracing learning and appreciating and respecting the world. Contact: 466-5068 or childrenshouse.cc.

Montessori Childrens school in San Luis Obispo seeks to inspire a passion for excellence, to nurture curiosity, creativity and imagination, and to awaken the human spirit of every child. Ages 3-12. Contact: 544-6691 or montessoriofslo.com.

Central Coast Montessori school in Morro Bay offers a rich, individualized academic environment to promote independence and optimum scholastic achievement. Contact: 772-9317 or centralcoastmontessori.com.

Heritage Montessori Preschool in San Luis Obispo provides an enriching and loving environment in a beautiful country setting. Waldorf and Montessori based for ages 2.5-5 years. Contact: 235-5589.

Academics and More is a Homeschool Helper class for 7th-8th grade at Ludwick Community Center in SLO. Offered in partnership with City of SLO, this class includes a convenient cost-effective way for students to gain access to a tutor, community involvement, assistance with their school work, time management and organization skills, and more. Contact: EarthAdventuresForKids.com.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Cambria Montessori Learning Center. Tuition-free public school in Morro Bay for grades K-6th through the Family Partnership Charter School. Contact: 927-2337, 541-2412 or familypartnershipschool.com.

Central Coast families are fortunate to have a wide variety of quality choices for their childrens education. Following are some options for those seeking secular alternative education in our region. For more information on independent and religious schools, go to: cde.ca.gov/re/sd or private-schools.findthebest.com/directory/a/California.

santa Maria Joint Union Home school. Accredited high school program at Santa Maria Public Library. Interactive student-parent-teacher partnerships provide educational resources, a mentor teacher, and eligibilty for sports, clubs, and activities. Students may qualify to enroll in community college as well as secondary classes. Contact: 937-2051 x 2761 or x 2762.

Templeton independent study High school. WASC accredited. Weekly meeting with teacher. Opportunity for early graduation and concurrent Cuesta College enrollment. In Templeton and SLO at Los Ranchos Elementary School. Contact 434-5833 or tae.tusd.ca.schoolloop.com/tishs.

Trivium Charter schools in Lompoc, Santa Maria, and Arroyo Grande offer a hybrid program of classical project-based classes 2 days per week and homeschool 3 days per week. Contact: 489-7474 or triviumcharter.org.

West Mall Alternative school. Independent Study Home School in Atascadero. Contact: 462-4238 or edline.net/pages/West_Mall_Alternative.

Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Home school & independent study Program serves K-8th grade. Students and parents work one-on-one with teachers, receive lesson plans, textbooks, and teachers editions for all subjects. Classes, enrichment activities, and field trips are also offered. Contact: 769-1675.

HOMESCHOOL ORGANIZATIONS

California Homeschool Network is a statewide grassroots organization to protect the right of parents to educate their children. Their website provides information about current state and federal laws, and how to get started. Contact: (800) 327-5339 or californiahomeschool.net.

Homeschoolers of the Central Coast. An inclusive Yahoo! group meeting on a regular basis for interaction and field trips: groups.yahoo.com/group/Homeschoolers_of_the_Central_Coast.

santa Maria inclusive Learners. A Yahoo! group offering free homeschool enrichment and support: groups.yahoo.com/group/santa_maria_inclusive_learners.

Templeton Unified School District K-8 Home schooling program. Contact: 434-5840 or tae.tusd.ca. schoolloop.com.

Note: This feature is published as space allows and is a work in progress. Please submit updates, corrections, or additional resources to: [email protected].

Alternative Educationon theCentral Coast

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