SLO LIFE Magazine Winter 2011

slo life magazine | 11 | slo life magazine

SLOLIFEm agazine

Meet Kevin RucksWINTER 2010 skateboarding, lessons learned & zombies

+ SLO Moped gets a makeover

home Donald & Eldra Avery@




When I was a kid, about the same age my daughter is now, I remember listening in on discussions between Grandpa and his brother Louie. They would debate about the best way to build this or fix that. They would talk for hours about finding a better ball bearing for the harvester. Honestly, I didn’t care what they talked about, and I certainly didn’t understand much of it. I just wanted to be around it. I wanted to soak it in. These were big, important men talking about big and important things. It was cool, and I wanted to be like them.

As I reflect on that photo today, it brings about a flood of emotion. I think about my wife and my kids, who never had the chance to meet Grandpa; I think about my many cousins back in the Valley and elsewhere who today apply the lessons learned out at the shop when we were younger; and, I think about how I can see a little bit of Grandpa in the local small business owners I am so privileged to work with here each and every day.

As publisher of this magazine, I wear many hats. But, one of my most favorite things is to visit with our advertisers. Sometimes I feel like a seven-year-old kid again as I learn about their plans for their businesses and what they are doing to innovate. Those conversations leave me with a strong faith that our small business community will continue to lead the way, probably not with some big, complicated high-tech invention, but in small, incremental steps, on a daily basis, with the same grit, dedication and ingenuity that Grandpa displayed in his shop as he built his business, one ball bearing at a time.

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LETTERS TO THE PUBLISHER/EDITOR: 4251 S. Higuera Street, Suite 800San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

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

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Creative DireCtor

ContributingDeSignerS

Contributing WRITERS

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illuStrator

Tom Franciskovich

Sheryl Disher

Trent ThibodeauxCasey Miller

Jeanette TrompeterNancy FoxDanielle DutroBrenda Stickel

Danielle Dutro

Megan Kuzman

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| publisher’s message

My seven-year-old daughter loves looking at old family photos. As we were flipping through a dust-covered album the other day, I came across a shot I had not seen in years, and it stopped me in my tracks. It was a picture of my grandpa working on one of his tractors in his shop, bundled up in a jacket and hat in the middle of the scorching hot summer just outside of Visalia in the San Joaquin Valley. At the time the photo was taken, he was in the final throes of his battle with terminal cancer.

Nothing could keep Grandpa out of his shop. From the time he dropped out of the sixth grade until the moment he drew his final breath, he was a cotton farmer. Like most people of his generation, he believed in the importance of a handshake. He believed in his neighbors. He believed in hard work. And he understood that the key to running a good business was to continually innovate. That’s a word he would have never used himself, but, looking back on it, that’s exactly what he did. He almost never bought new machinery; instead he opted to keep his old, fully-paid-for equipment going. When something could not be revived for another season, he often improvised and fabricated whatever he needed himself. A combination of notes, numbers, and diagrams scratched out on a yellow legal notepad by his massive, grease-stained right hand soon enough became a reality out in the shop.

Glenn L. Pratt(1920 - 1994)


Jed D. HazeltineLL.M. TaxationAttorney At Law

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What did you want to be when you grow up?You know, from the time I was about ten, I wanted to be a civil engineer. Actually, I wanted to be a logging engineer at first, but I couldn’t get into the program at the university back in 1946, so I went to my own state university, the University of New Mexico, and enrolled in their civil engineering program which was a better choice for me. So, I chose something as a child and got to spend my entire working life doing something I wanted and liked.

How did you get the nickname “Dave the Pave”?It was given to me by a critic who had the perception that I approved every development proposal that came through. I used the name in a different context because “Dave the Pave” was the one who made sure that our streets were paved and that our sidewalks were well-maintained. The nickname became a positive thing for me.

What do we have to do to keep San Luis Obispo at the top of all those “Best Places” lists?I think what we have been doing for the past 15 years or so has been positive, and has brought us to that point. We need to continue to do what we’ve been doing. The critical problem for us has been the high cost of housing. Hopefully we’ll be able to provide more of it to bring the prices down. To do that we also need to make more jobs available.

What do you think people misunderstand about you? The main criticism people have made of me over the years was that I was strongly pro-growth, but really I have been strongly pro-city. That is, I have always done what I thought was best for the welfare of

the city. There has to be a certain amount of growth or you stagnate.

What single piece of advice would you pass on to the new mayor?I would advise the new mayor to really work to see that we have a harmonious, operating, team-functioning city council because the way the council relates with itself during the meeting is the perception the public has of how well we operate and is the perception of the city.

What will you miss most and least about being mayor?Having spent fifty years in the city – friends. I won’t miss long meetings, particularly those with extensive testimony.

Do you have any regrets?No - I have no regrets. I think that a lot of the life choices that I’ve made, especially in coming here to San Luis Obispo so many years ago have worked out really well. I have no regrets at all in my

life. I’m very happy with the way it has all turned out. I am one of the most fortunate men and have had a truly blessed life.

What does the future hold for you?I’m still going to keep a finger in the city’s operations, not as a voting member but as an ambassador, so I’ll still be a part of my beloved city. Hopefully, my wife and I will have a long travel vacation, which we never did in my time as mayor because I didn’t want to be away that long. We have lots of grandchildren and now great grandchildren coming on, so we’ll have lots of family activities as well.

What’s the one thing you would whisper in the ear of someone just starting their career? Marry a patient woman… that really affects your life a lot.

Where would you take Mrs. Romero for a special night out? My wife and I for many, many

years have celebrated our anniversary at the Madonna Inn. I always ordered the same thing, a “junior top,” which is a small, local top sirloin steak with a baked potato and salad and all the rest of the stuff that goes with it. It was a special thing that Alex had there and it wasn’t on the menu, but people knew about it.

When you look back on your long career what do you think about?I think about how far the city has come. When I first came here, in 1956, the city was sort of like any old town USA. The infrastructure really needed improvement. We didn’t have any trees in downtown. We had signs overhanging the streets. Lot of things were run down in the community. We needed road improvements. The traffic situation was poor – it still is in a lot of ways. I really think about how things were, and I think it needed someone who could dedicate a lifetime for a single purpose.

How do you want to be remembered?I’d like to be remembered as being mayor at a time when the city reached a pinnacle of respect, and we were recognized for the efforts that we have had – and it isn’t all my efforts. It started many, many years before me with thoughtful city councils who did a lot of master planning and started things. I would hope to be remembered as Mayor of San Luis Obispo during the very best of times.

Please finish this sentence for us: “The real truth about Dave Romero is…”… he has an undying love for San Luis Obispo.

| Q & A

Since he came to town in 1956, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who has had made such a large impact on San Luis Obispo. And, on nearly every major city issue since then, you can find his fingerprints. He retires in January and leaves some very big shoes to fill. The Mayor takes our questions…

Mayor Dave Romero

SLO LIFE


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| Places

Going slOTURRI ROAD

Named for the Turri Family’s ranch nearby, this little-known shortcut that connects San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay was captured beautifully by Anthony Halderman six years ago. Halderman, who likes to shoot the local landscape immediately following a hard rain with the sun at his back, took this photograph while standing on the roof of his car just after a February storm had swept through from the Pacific.


SLO LIFE


“In 1989 I was a single mother of five-year-old twins working in Chicago as an architect. I was at a point where I needed to take a break and clear my head, and it was the middle of winter, so I arranged a week-long trip to Cancun with a friend, who had to back out at the last minute. I was disappointed, but also determined to continue, so I decided to go by myself…”

It was while boarding a bus to visit some Mayan ruins that the solo traveler, Heidi Rank, happened upon two other Americans who were being hassled by an exasperated, Spanish-only-speaking bus driver. Seeing that the pair had very limited Spanish speaking ability, Heidi jumped in to translate. The problem was quickly resolved – turned out it had something to do with the fare – and a full bus, along with the

three American tourists was soon chugging, bouncing, and lurching down the road toward Tulum, Mexico.

An easy conversation flowed between the three Americans as they settled into their seats for the long drive, and it was discovered that the two men were from San Luis Obispo. John Pratt, a local attorney, was taking a long-planned trip with good friend, Dana Holt, a local photographer whose family had been in San Luis Obispo for many generations. Remembers Heidi, “They were going to rent a truck and drive into Belize in search of some pretty remote Mayan ruins. During our bus ride, they invited me to come along. I pondered it for a minute, decided it was an opportunity of a lifetime, and accepted.”

On the first night of their journey, John called his wife, Gayle

Peron, who is now a County Commissioner, to tell her that they had picked up an American girl who spoke Spanish. John recalls the conversation, “Hi honey… you’ll never guess what happened today.... We met this really nice girl from Chicago who speaks Spanish… We invited her to come to Belize with us… We all have to squeeze into this tiny room… You can’t imagine the sleeping arrangements’… and then I hear a ‘click’ and the line goes dead. There was a storm going, and the power went out. So, this is the only thing my poor wife hears from me while I’m out in the jungle for the week with my buddy, Dana, and our new friend, Heidi!”

The trio’s first attempt at finding the ancient Mayan City of Altun Ha was a disaster, and, after a full day of driving, they found themselves lost and nearly out

of gas in the middle of the jungle when they happened upon a small, unassuming sign off of the road that read “Cerveza Fria” [cold beer]. Overjoyed at the thought of getting directions, the road-weary travelers stumbled into the establishment. Recalls Heidi, “As the woman behind the bar was pouring beer for the guys, I locked eyes with her and had the most powerful ‘déjà vu’ I can remember. She was beautiful, stunning, and spoke perfect English.”

When she introduced herself as Alexandra, Heidi reflexively blurted, “Class of 1975, Guilford High School.” The two women were amazed by the odds of growing up together in Rockford, Illinois, a town of around 100,000, only to be reunited nearly fifteen years later in the middle of a remote rain forest. According to Heidi, “Rockford, Illinois wasn’t famous for much, but it was known as ‘Trampoline Town U.S.A.’ Alexandra and I had taken ‘tramp lessons’ together, as we called it. She was really good and went on to become the World Trampoline Champion.”

After years on tour with various trampoline and tumbling groups, Alexandra was now working as the manager of the resort that her father had acquired as an investment property. She invited the trio to stay the week there as her guest, which they readily accepted. The remainder of their trip “flew by” as Alexandra directed them to some of “the best ruins in Belize.”

Now, forever bonded by the whimsical twists and turns in their quest for ancient Myan ruins, the trio kept in touch, and, looking for a better place to raise her kids, Heidi picked up and moved to San Luis Obispo later that same year with her two young children, where she has been ever since.

| How I found my way Here

It took getting lost in the jungle to help Heidi Rank find her way home.road to mayan ruins Leads to SLo

How did you find your way here? Go to slolifemagazine.com and tell us your story.

Lost: (left to right) unidentified Belizean guide, John Pratt, and Heidi Rank consult their maps. Photo taken by Dana Holt.

SLO LIFE


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While we enjoy the bounty of fresh local fish, we often forget what it takes to bring the catch of the day to our plates. A compelling new exhibit at the History Center of San Luis Obispo called “The Catch: Stories of Local Fishermen” gives the visitor a glimpse into the life of our fishermen during the 1970s. Photojournalist Thom Halls, then Cal Poly art student, captured our local fishing industry during his senior project in the mid-1970s. Who could have known that over thirty years later, these photos would provide the perfect platform for guest curator, Cal Poly graduate student, and local fisherman, Barbara Stickel, to share this fascinating story.

Through her connections to the fishing community and tireless hours of interviews armed with these photos, Stickel has been able to identify many of the people in Halls’ photos and gather their narratives. The result is an exhibit that honors local fishermen in a personal way. Stickel sheds light on who these people are, what is sacrificed for another day at sea and how many of them have lost their lives in pursuit of their passion.

| The Way iT Was

Images captured in the 1970’s finally have their stories revealed. Treasure Found

above eNGiNe rooM When Travis Evans’ family sent him to CalPoly in the 1930s, he was expected to return home afterwards. That never happened, and the man the fleet calls “The Preacher,” still fishes out of Port San Luis daily, weather permitting.

left WorkiNG The NeTs George Graafft and Bruce Brebes (1942-1983) are shown working a lampara, fishing for bait on the fishing vessel Mello Boy. Today, the Mello Boy is still providing live bait for recreational fishermen at Port San Luis.


SLO LIFE

Below is an exerpt of Barbara Stickel’s writing featured in the exhibit:

Most commercial fishermen will tell you: “It’s not just what I do, it’s who I am.” For many, there is no retirement, not because of a lack of planning, but by choice. Fishing is not simply a job; it is an entire sense of being. It’s almost as if their bodies demand the constant exposure to salt and continual hard work.

And, despite the effort, there is no predicting the catch, there is no controlling the sea; ensuring that everything is in good working order is all fishermen and their families can do. For commercial fishermen, maintaining equipment and protecting the hull from the elements can be a matter of life and death, and their survival depends on remaining vigilant until the boat has safely returned to port.

Despite the near constant attention to regular maintenance while aboard, the real action for commercial fishermen comes in spurts. Many uneventful hours may pass motoring from fishing spot to fishing spot; much time is spent waiting while the gear is in the water. During the catch, the work is hard, fast, furious. The haul must be handled quickly and carefully with any unwanted species rapidly returned to the sea. Day and night blend together. On foggy days, the horizon melds into the sea. Salt air and moisture permeate everything.

At sea, the world on the shore ceases to exist. Routines are interrupted, plans are put aside, and expectations constantly change. It’s not uncommon for a commercial fisherman to be uncertain about what month it is, let alone the day of the week or date. Yet they are drawn to the mystery, the appeal of knowing that something new and unexpected might happen or might come over the rail of the boat at any given moment.

above Morro Bay Fuel Docks Shortly after this photograph was taken, a consortium of fishermen purchased and rehabilitated the docks shown. For the next twenty years, the docks provided fuel and berthing for the commercial fleet.

rooM To roaM Albacore fishermen, much like the fish,

prefer to roam the open oceans.

“

”

slo life magazine | 1514 | slo life magazine slo life magazine | 1514 | slo life magazine

| inspiration

The power of love may be what it takes to find a cure.The Kalmans v. neuroblastoma

Calli Kalman and Frank Kalman founders of Kids Cancer Research Foundation


There is a sadness that permeates Frank Kalman. It is not obvious when you first meet him, but if you know his story, you will understand why he struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Nine years ago when his daughter, Calli, was 12 years old, she was diagnosed with a very rare cancer called neuroblastoma. This type of cancer afflicts approximately 700 American children each year.

“The euphemism that parents whose children were diagnosed with this disease use is to say that ‘Jenny earned her angel wings today’ when they share the news that their child passed,” Frank explains as his eyes well up with tears and his voice cracks with emotion. He collects himself with a long, deep breath and continues. “There was this one Friday about six months ago when we learned that three kids had earned their wings, and that’s when I said ‘I’ve got to do something.’”

By this time, Frank had “pressed every button and pulled every lever” to get the best care possible for Calli and had become uniquely qualified to help other families going through the same thing. “I have developed this huge amount of knowledge about the disease and the treatments and the whole process, and I want to put it to good use. There are just so many people we can help.” With that resolve, the Kids’ Cancer Research Foundation was recently formed.

The list of people involved with the foundation is impressive and reads like a “Who’s Who List” of cancer researchers, but, mostly, it serves as a testament to Kalman’s dogged persistence and hard-earned credibility. Kalman recalls his chance meeting with one key board member, Christopher Kennedy Lawford. “We were walking through a shop in Santa Monica, wasting time between chemo appointments for Calli, who was so sick and completely bald, when I recognize Chris. So, I go up to him and made a comment about a movie he was in. He was so gracious, and he and his wife spent a half an hour or so talking with Calli.” [more information about the organization can be found on the web at www.endkidscancer.org]

A friendship blossomed, and Lawford continued to follow up with Calli to inquire about her treatments and played a vital role in clearing up a “major problem” while she was at the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. According to Kalman, “I was just at my lowest point and the treatment wasn’t going well at all, and we were caught up in some red tape. Anyway, right about then Chris calls to ask how we were doing and I told him ‘not well’ and he said, ‘Look, I will call my mom [JFK’s sister, Patricia], she used to work there. And, if that doesn’t help, I’ll call Uncle Teddy [the late Senator Ted Kennedy]. Don’t worry - we’ll get it figured out.’ It was like this guy just walked in out of the blue and said, ‘I have an atomic bomb, where do you want me to deliver it?’”

Despite the big names that Kalman has lined up, he cites the support that his daughter has received from the people of San Luis Obispo as being the most important to them. “Our friends and neighbors held a fundraising event a while back at the Fremont Theater where they screened Calli’s favorite movie, “Remember the Titans.” I remember there was this unassuming looking college kid who walked up and wrote a check and walked right back out. We saw that type of thing over and over again. I mean, over a thousand people turned out to support my daughter. I’ll never forget that.”

Today, as Kalman launches his new foundation, Calli’s cancer has returned. She continues her chemotherapy treatments while also attending Cal Poly as a 21-year-old junior. One gets the sense, however, that we have not heard the last from this inspirational father-daughter team. Says Kalman, “We’re looking at this foundation like Edison and his light bulb. It would be bold of me to say that we’re going to find a cure for this cancer, but the more research we can fund, the closer we get to getting it done.”

Do you have an inspirational story to share? Go to slolifemagazine.com and tell us about it.

SLO LIFE


| Meet your neighbor

In this installment of our “Meet Your Neighbor” series, SLO LIFE Magazine sat down to talk with Kevin Rucks. He is formally a professional skateboarder, who lives in San Luis Obispo with his wife, Jennifer, and their two kids, Drake and Mila. In addition to co-owning and operating Salisbury Vineyards with Jennifer and her parents, John and Maridel Salisbury, Kevin is a freelance artist who owns a small skateboard hardware company, Cannibolts, and is actively learning the art of BMX with his son. Here is his story…

Meet Kevin rucks

Let’s start from the beginning, Kevin. give us some background.My dad was an electrical engineer from Arkansas who worked in the aerospace industry. We bounced around a little bit growing up. We lived next to Cape Canaveral when I was little, so I got to see spaceship launches. Just before I started elementary school, he was transferred to Orange County, where I grew up. My mom was a stay-at-home mom, and I have two older sisters. I started skateboarding when I was about 9 or 10 years old. I found out I was pretty good at it and decided to enter some competitions. I was 14 when I got my first sponsor, Santa Cruz Skateboards.

What did your parents have to say about that?At the time, they really didn’t understand what it was all about. I remember once in high school they sat me down to ask if I was doing drugs. I was the lead singer in a punk band and had this huge Mohawk and was really into animal rights and being a vegetarian; I even started a magazine called “Why?” which was all about why we shouldn’t be eating animals. They said, “There are all these random people coming to the house all the time, and you always have cash.” I took them through my bedroom and showed them all my drawers and my closet, which were full of tons of free stuff from my sponsors, companies like Santa Cruz, VANS, Airwalk Shoes, Converse, and Independent. I would sell everything that I didn’t use. That’s where the cash was coming from. They were pretty blown away.

Who were your role models as a kid?My heroes growing up were Spider-Man, The Six Million Dollar Man, and Evel Knievel. My biggest influence was Evel Knievel because he always said things like “guys will cheat in car racing and use nitrous oxide, and their car will run really fast for a couple of laps then blow up. If you take drugs in life you’ll run really fast for a while, then you’ll fall apart too.” In other words, you can’t cheat the system - there’s no easy way to do it. He had integrity. He’d say that he wanted to live his life “jumping through the air with sunshine on his face.” I remember the first time I saw him say that; it just grabbed me, and I said that’s what I want. I didn’t care about being rich or having a mansion or a yacht, I wanted to be like Evel Knievel, jumping through the air with sunshine on my face because he’s living free and being his own guy and being dangerous. That was cool. That’s not something you could buy or go to college for. You had to earn it. You either did or you didn’t.

Why Spider-Man and the Six Million Dollar Man?I liked The Six Million Dollar Man because he was always trying to do the right thing and be honest, and he didn’t like guns. Spiderman was the same way but he used sarcasm to put down the bad guys by making these great little wisecracks. When someone would pick on me at school, I would try to do the same thing. I figured out that if I could embarrass somebody for trying to bully me or my friends, then they usually left us alone, and sometimes they’d start buying my artwork.

huh?By the third or fourth grade, kids were buying my artwork… they’d say, “Can you draw me a zombie? I’ll give you a quarter, or you can have my chocolate milk at lunch,” or they’d trade me for something. I never went to school for art, but I ended up doing a lot of skateboard graphics and concert posters for people. Half the time I’d get ripped off and never get paid, but I didn’t care because I loved doing the work.

How did you get into art in the first place?My grandmother was an artist back in Arkansas. She painted fine china. So when I would go back there to visit, she would teach me all of these really cool techniques using oil paints. I’ll never forget when she taught me how to paint a dragon. She put this blue paint down then used a Q-tip to roll out the scales of the dragon. I was blown away. Then she showed me how to make the teeth by using a toothpick to carve it out. I can still recall the smells of oil paint and those old arts and crafts shops she would take me to.

it sounds like you had fun at grandma’s house.On those same visits, I would go to this little comic book shop - the same one my dad went to as a kid. My dad would tell me, “Kevin, you can go in there, but you have to buy something. You can’t just go in to look at everything and leave.” He was very adamant about supporting the store. So, I would walk two miles from my grandmother’s house down to the little town center of El Dorado, Arkansas. I’d spend all day in this comic book shop just soaking it all in. The little old lady there was so nice. She’d let me sit in the middle of the floor with a huge stack of comic books, just flipping through them all day long.

continued on page 22


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| Meet your neighbor

Why didn’t you choose a career in art?Actually, my friend had an embroidery company down the street from where I grew up. He started asking me to draw things for his customers. For example, he’d get some job with the fire department and he’d say “Kevin, I need for you to draw a Dalmatian with a crooked fireman’s helmet that looks like an old-time Chicago-style gangster.” Then the next day it would be something else. He would call me and say, “I’m meeting with my client in ten minutes - I need you to come over and talk to this guy.” That led to a job with a t-shirt company, where I did a lot of silk-screening.

Why didn’t you stick with it?Well, one day this lady came up to me and told me that she was putting on these skateboard shows and paid $100 per event. She had this traveling ramp and would go to motorcycle events and promotions at K-Mart parking lots, and sporting event halftime shows, all sorts of stuff. So, I said, “Ok, when’s the first event?” thinking it would be some deal a few months down the road and she said, “I’ve got shows Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday...”

What did you do?So, I went in the next day and quit the art job. I remember there was this old hippy guy that worked there and never said anything to me, but he just laid into me when I quit. It was an important lesson that I didn’t fully grasp until later, but I learned about the impact that we each make, whether we like the job or not. We all hold value, but I didn’t realize it at the time. I was 18, and I just thought I was sketching out these stupid t-shirts. But, after I was gone for a while, I started thinking about it and started wondering, “Wow, who’s going to do that work now that I’m not there?” I really should’ve given them at least a two-week notice or figured out how to do some work from the road or something.

Don’t be too hard on yourself, Kevin. i’m sure they got it worked out… So, when did Jennifer enter the picture?I was filming a commercial for Mello Yello soda in Hollywood. This guy H.B. Barnum [a songwriter and record producer], who I had not heard of at the time, had emptied his pool so that we could skate in it for the commercial. It was a great place on Mulholland Drive with a view of downtown Los Angeles. Jennifer had just recently graduated from Cal Poly and was working as an assistant for her brother who is a professional photographer, and she was renting a room in the house next door. Anyway, my friend had parked his truck in front of her driveway, and Jen came over to ask him to move it so she could pull her car out.

this sounds like a true hollywood love story!H.B. grabbed her by the hand and walked her over to make the introduction. Let me say, a girlfriend was the last thing in the world I wanted. I was working hard and really focusing on my career. But, as Jen likes to say when she tells this story, she walked next door to “find a skateboard on its side, an empty pool, and her husband’s eyes.” We just clicked right away. Later that day, after we finished filming the commercial, Jen’s landlord was feeling pretty flush because he had received some money for the use of his driveway, so he bought beer for everyone, and the two of us sat on the back of my truck and just talked about things all night like we had known each other forever.

How does Jennifer feel about your skating these days?She loves it, and I think she wishes I would do more of it, but I‘m pretty busy these days. I can still compete in the Masters Events, which are 40 and over. I’ll be 43 this year. They have this thing called the Old School Skate Jam where they invite all the old pros to get back together. I went to Tony Hawk’s facility in January to skate the Boom Boom Huck Jam Ramp. It was nice to skate with Tony again, and I was able to thank him for supporting the SLO skate park [The Tony Hawk Foundation recently provided a $25,000 grant to help with the development of the skate park in San Luis Obispo]. He said that they are really careful about who they donate to, but that “they were really impressed with SLO.”

how do you keep in shape for skateboarding?I have a ramp in front of my house now where I mainly do BMX tricks with my son and some of the other neighborhood kids. It’s a lot easier to fly through the air on a bicycle instead of a skateboard, especially now that I’m older. Right now, I’m trying to learn how to do bar spins; that’s where you spin the handle bars completely around while the bike is airborne.

Don’t you ever worry about falling?That’s one of the things I’ve always appreciated about skateboarding - the humility of it all. You’re always falling down. I mean, there is a lot of failure involved in the sport. I would say that 90% of skateboarding is making mistakes. You are constantly falling. And when you fall, it hurts. You are hitting concrete. The other day I was riding my skateboard with some neighborhood kids, and I tried a new trick and fell. They were really concerned and came running over to me and said, “Oh my gosh, Mr. Rucks, are you okay?” And, I said “Yeah, I’m fine. Why?” And, they said, “We’ve never seen an old man fall like that before.” So I got up and brushed myself off and said, “I fall all the time. That’s how you improve.”

Seeing all of these kids running around the neighborhood must bring back memories.It really does. I remember my dad coming home from work – I do the same thing now. He would love it when he would come home and see all these kids in the front yard, but then he would get a little annoyed with all the soda cans all over the front lawn and the candy wrappers all over the place. And you’ve got all these random kids in the house. There’s never a dull moment when you have a ramp in your front yard.

What does the future hold?These are tough times for everybody, but I’m hoping that with this

“Kevin Rucks - A strict vegetarian with a burning passion for the toughest, most enjoyable sport in the world, Kevin plans to skate, draw and make the earth a better place to live.” thrasher Magazine, november, 1990


economy and with the way that things are going right now, there’s a lot of potential. I think there’s a big light at the end of the tunnel, a new idea or a new way of doing things that will just be better for everyone. The world is a much smaller place now. I mean, I look at the things my kids know. They’re so much smarter than I ever was. We used to have to go to the library or ask our parents. Now they just “Google it.” When I would

ask my dad some crazy question growing up, a lot of times I would stump him, but now when my kids ask me something, I say, “Well, let’s go look.”

Kevin, you have such an interesting story - thanks so much for sharing it.Not a problem. It was great talking with you. SLO LIFE

Know someone we should meet? Go to slolifemagazine.com to introduce us.

SweeterHOMEHOME


This really is one of those “right in our own backyard” wonders. Every winter, a small eucalyptus grove off Highway One in Pismo Beach becomes a magnificent haven for some of the most beautiful butterflies anywhere. “A lot of time, they’ll look up into the trees and you really can’t see. It looks like leaves” says Docent Terri Jackson. “And then they’ll look through the telescopes and say ‘Oh my goodness! I’ve never seen anything like it.’”

If you’ve heard of it, but have never stopped to check it out, you should. Jordan Elkins works for state parks and says the Pismo Grove plays host to the largest congregation of Monarch Butterflies in the United States.

From the end of October, until late February or mid-March, you’ll find tens of thousands of them hanging out here for protection from the winter elements elsewhere. “So they come down, they hang out in the trees, they go into a semi-hibernation.” says Elkins. “They’ll sleep during the night, and hang out during the day to get warm.”Their numbers vary year-to-year, but there are always enough to leave you in awe. Elkins says 1991 was a particularly big year, as there were

230,000 Monarchs hanging in the grove through winter. Over the last five years, there has been an average of approximately 25,000 each winter.

While Monarchs typically only live a few weeks, the variety that camps out here tends to live six-to-nine months due to their unique fat-storing system. But, if you do the math that means that the Monarchs here this season, even the ones leaving as late as March, will never return.

So, consider making a stop in the coming weeks to say hello. Your kids will feel like they have walked into a fairy tale. If you time it right, you will likely find this place to be pretty magical. Even docents like Jackson, who see the grove daily, year after year, will tell you that they are still in awe of the beauty of this little corner of the Central Coast. “Sometimes when the sun hits a cluster, all the butterflies will start flying at once, and it’s like an explosion of gold. I’m still impressed by it.”

Jeanette Trompeter, KSBY News anchor and reporter, hosts the “No Place Like Home” series every Thursday evening at 6pm.

By Jeanette Trompeter, KSBY News

It’s no secret that the Central Coast is a hot spot for tourists, especially during the summer months. But, there is a group that chooses winter to make its trek here. What is a bit shocking is how many of them there are. The migration of the Monarch Butterfly is another reason there’s no place like home.

| No Place like home

Pismo monarch Grove

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Some researchers in Sweden caused quite a stir earlier this year when their paper was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. In essence, they said that, even if you exercise 30 to 60 minutes per day but spend much of the rest of the day sitting, you may be at increased risk of metabolic syndrome (diseases like diabetes) and death.

While their conclusions are drawn from a small but consistent pool of data, there appears to be significant support for their findings here in the States. James Levine, MD, an obesity specialist at the Mayo Clinic said to Science Magazine back in 2005, “What fascinates me is that humans evolved over 1.5 million years entirely on the ability to walk and move. And literally 150 years ago, 90% of human endeavor was still agricultural. In a tiny speck of time we’ve become chair-sentenced.”

Dr. Levine has since become somewhat of a guru for the “treadmill desk” and made the first live demonstration on Good Morning America in 2007 [we link to the video on our website, which is worth the five minutes it takes to watch it].

And we didn’t have to travel far from San Luis Obispo to find someone that agreed with him. “Short of sitting on a spike, you can’t do much worse than a standard office chair,” says Galen Cranz, a professor at the University of California at Berkeley. She goes on to give a useful visual comparing the spine to an “S” shape when standing and a “C” shape when sitting, and explains how the “S” is much stronger than the “C” and so on. She asserts that “the spine was not meant to stay for

long periods in a seated position.”On the surface, these arguments seem to make a lot of sense, but you have to dig deeper to really understand how it all works. For that we picked up on the research of Marc Hamilton, a microbiologist at the University of Missouri, who concurs with the Swedes when he says “sitting too much is not the same as exercising too little. They do completely different things to the body.” Hamilton, like many of the researchers we found who study the effects of sitting, does not own an office chair. He claims that “when you sit, the muscles are relaxed and enzyme activity, which breaks down fats, drops by 90% to 95%, leaving fat to camp out in the bloodstream. Within a couple hours of sitting, healthy cholesterol plummets by 20%.”

Although the ideal situation would be to just not sit as much, for many of us - particularly during the work day at the office - that may not be not be a realistic possibility. A decent alternative appears to be what researchers call “perching” which means half-standing, half-sitting on a barstool at a height keeps the weight on the legs and leaves the S-shaped curve intact. In a traditional office environment where you are sitting at a computer, this means that you would have to elevate your desk.

While we find this subject matter quite compelling, frankly we are getting a little “freaked out” by the length of time we are sitting at our desks researching it. There is a lot of great information that we link to on our website, but, for now, we’re going for a walk!

To Your HealTH

Have a health question? Go to slolifemagazine.com and share your curiosity with us.

Sit down - we’ve got some bad news for you. Actually, you should probably stand up.

recommended reading:It doesn’t matter if you go running every morning, or you’re a regular at the gym. If you spend most of the rest of the day sitting — in your car, your office chair, on your sofa at home — you are putting yourself at increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, a variety of cancers and an early death. In other words, irrespective of whether you exercise vigorously, sitting for long periods is bad for you.

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SLO Moped Gets a

MakeoverEven in the best of times, running a small business can be a huge under-taking. Success often follows failure, and many seasoned entrepreneurs – at least the honest ones - will admit that sometimes it takes a lucky break. In short, starting and operating a small business is not for the faint of heart. There are no guarantees. No safety net. Guts, determination, and good old fashioned hard work win the day, except when they don’t.

SLO Moped, based here in San Luis Obispo, is a great example of one such local small business. The tiny company is just one of the thousands here on the Central Coast that drive our local economy and bring vitality to our community. SLO Moped’s story, similar to so many of the other local companies like them, is tenuous and uncertain.

Launched 18 months ago by husband-and-wife team, Jim and Megan Mackintosh, the road so far has been a bumpy one. The couple - neither of whom had any small business experience – with a burning desire to create a better life for themselves and their young daughters, jumped in with both feet. Following their shared passion for all things moped, they boldly cashed in their retirement savings for a shot at the American Dream. The problem is that the money is running out.

Captivated by their story, we here at SLO LIFE Magazine believe, perhaps, we can help provide that sorely needed lucky break that the Mackintosh-es need to make theirs a tale of triumph. Like a modern day barn raising, we recruited key members of the local small business community to pitch in and help SLO Moped turn the metaphorical corner. To be precise, we made three phone calls.

NUTS AND BOLTS

Rain was threatening when the team from Collaboration rolled into SLO Moped’s parking lot on a Thursday afternoon. Michael Gunther, the company president, greeted the Mackintoshes warmly and, after a few minutes of small talk, began peppering the couple with questions about the business. A tour of the shop was followed by a long, honest

conversation about SLO Moped, its challenges and its opportunities. “There are a couple of things I see here,” began Gunther. “And, please keep in mind, we usually spend weeks with a client before we get to this point, but there are some things you are going to have to do immediately.”

The short list began with “develop a true break-even budget,” which according to Gunther meant that the Mackintoshes had to find out how much revenue they needed to generate in a given month to pay all of their bills, including paying themselves a salary. Gunther explained that achieving sales beyond this number would be the point at which the business would become profitable. “You have to understand that finances are the foundation of business,” counseled Gunther, “and by identifying a goal, you can start to take steps to achieve it.”“Second and equally important,” instructed Gunther, “we have to get you set up with some sort of formal accounting system.” He went on to explain that it did not have to be complicated and recommended a basic version offered by Quickbooks. In its first year-and-half of business, SLO Moped had been simply keeping receipts from all expenses in a box, which they tallied up at the end of the month and discounted it from their sales figure to find out if they had turned a profit or lost money. Gunther reasoned that their accounting system will actually help them make better decisions because they will have facts to work with, and will no longer have to make “gut decisions” when it came to operating the business. “Just like knowing your break-even point, having a solid accounting system will help you understand what you need to do next, it will no longer be a mystery and you will start to get the answers you need so that you don’t have to wing it,” he said.

MARKETING 101

The Mackintoshes had a lot on their minds when they sat down in the conference room at San Luis Obispo-based Verdin Marketing Ink. Its founder, Mary Verdin, leads the company, which specializes in marketing


and public relations for local businesses. The meeting got underway with the Mackintoshes providing an overview of SLO Moped, including its perceived strengths and weaknesses, and drilled down to specifics with their marketing.

“I have a couple of observations,” offered Verdin. “I can see that there is no marketing plan in place currently, and things seem to be done by the ‘seat of the pants’ to this point.” She explained the importance of establishing a program that targets their likely customer. “You have to get clear on who your customer is, so that you can communicate your message with this person.” Verdin went on to suggest methods for gaining this understanding. “Also, your brand messaging is a bit disjointed. This needs to be applied consistently at all times, but, again, the brand should be dictated by your target market.”

Verdin cautioned the Mackintoshes that there was a lot of work to be done at this point and that they temptation of many small business owners is to jump to the tactics of marketing and skip the grunt work, like doing market research. She offered a metaphor: “Think of it as if you are going to paint your house, it’s all the prep work that makes for a great result, right?” The Mackintoshes nodded in agreement, suddenly realizing the magnitude of the work ahead of them.

WEB STRATEGY

“The website looks really outdated, it doesn’t look professional, and it makes you look like you’re not a legitimate company,” reacted Forrest Hatfield, founder and director of web systems, at ITech Solutions, an internet development company in San Luis Obispo. “Your website doesn’t necessarily have a direct correlation of how legitimate your company is, but in the eyes of the user it does. You want to make sure they have a professional experience. For example, when you advertise somewhere, they [the prospective customers] are probably going to check out your web page to get more information before they come into your shop. You want to make sure your site is representing you well and that you are using it to gain credibility.”

The Mackintoshes readily agreed with Hatfield’s assessment, but appeared to consider the implications for the first time. Despite their sudden anxiousness to change the website, Hatfield cautioned the couple to have a well-conceived web strategy before moving forward. He went on to ask probing questions, such as: “Will you be selling parts through the website to people out of the area? If so, you will probably want to create a separate brand name because a lot of those customers may not

| SMALL BUSinESS MAkEOvEr

Think of it as if you are going to paint your house, it’s all

the prep work that makes for a

great result, right?

“

”above WEB STrATEGY (left to right)

friend, Forrest Hatfield and Megan

Mackintosh review the new website.

right nUTS AnD BOLTS (left to right)

Megan and Jim Mackintosh, and

Michael Gunther talk business.

opposite page Marketing 101 (left to

right) Megan Mackintosh, Mary Verdin,

intern, and Jim Mackintosh review

brand development.


understand that ‘SLO’ stands for San Luis Obispo and not ‘slow.’ Selling parts for slow mopeds probably won’t be a good idea.”

Hatfield and his team then show the Mackintoshes how they could begin to analyze data coming from their website, including a breakdown of visitors, where they are physically located (by city), how they get to

the site (i.e., search engines or by typing in their web address directly), how much time they spend on the site, and a variety of other metrics. Additionally, they made suggestions for a website overhaul and stress the importance of continually updating the information presented so that it always appears fresh and new, as most the information on the SLO Moped website was a year or more old.


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CONCLUSION

So, what begins as a story about saving SLO Moped ends as an object lesson demonstrating the strength of our local small business community - the kindness and generosity demonstrated by Collaboration, Verdin Marketing Ink, and ITech Solutions is truly moving. The companies gave freely of their time and resources [see “Meet the Panel” on page 32 for details] with no expectation of anything in return [except a potentially interesting article, which we hope proves true!]. The truth is, the only ones who can save SLO Moped are Jim and Megan Mackintosh. Now it’s up to them.

| SMALL BUSinESS MAkEOvEr

SLO LIFE

THE BACK-STORY

Knowing that the Mackintoshes weren’t thrilled with their SLO Moped logo, we contacted them to see if they would like to be the subject of a “logo makeover” where we would invite local graphic designers to participate in the project. They loved the idea and jumped on it.

Somewhere during the process Megan was summoned to Hawaii where her mother was in the hospital with a very serious illness. Megan diligently spent every day of that week next to her mother’s side.

Megan’s mother did pull through and the Mackintoshes brought her home to live with them and their daughters. Although they saw a spectacular turnaround with her health, the business continued its slide downward and Megan’s weeklong leave and the additional, unexpected expense of relocating her mother was nearly too much for the little company to withstand.

It was clear at that point that SLO Moped’s challenges were much larger than a substandard logo. And, it is within that context that we called to Megan to ask her if she would like to participate in a “small business makeover” instead. Before she answered, we warned her that the experience was not without risk, and may be painful, and that she would have to expose all of their problems for the whole world to see. We candidly explained that she may be unhappy with how she was portrayed by us. To that she answered, “Bring it on.”

inTrinSic vALUE Megan and Jim Mackintosh



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| The Way We Live

The avery home


“We have a car, but don’t drive it much,” began our conversation with Donald and Eldra Avery, owners of a thoughtfully remodeled 1939-vintage home on Fixlini Street. When the couple decided to move from Los Osos to San Luis Obispo in 1998, their first priority was proximity to work. “My commute from our kitchen counter to my classroom chalkboard is exactly one half of a mile, which I walk back and forth each day,” explains Eldra, an English teacher at SLO High School. Donald, an architect, works from an office constructed within the home.

The couple “camped out” in the home for seven years before doing any significant remodeling, but the list of problems grew longer and more difficult to ignore over time. “We started with one room and our contractor, Mark Alvirick (sp?), would ask, ‘Should we go ahead and remove the plaster from this other room, too?’ and the project just kept growing over time, so much so that we had to move into a motor home at one point. We traveled around to different RV parks in Morro Bay for a while,” says Donald.

The remodel became so consuming, in fact, that only three things remain from the original structure: the hardwood floors, which were refinished [check]; the coved ceiling in the living room; and an interior window upstairs. Despite the massive overhaul, the couple wanted to maintain the character of the home they had grown to love. According to Donald, “We wanted it to be the house that it was, but put back together in the way it should be, to make it what it should have been.” With a couple of small exceptions - most notably the much-used breakfast nook - the footprint of the building, the floor plan, and the window and door openings remain the same.

Attention to detail throughout the remodel is obvious, but really stands out in the ornate stonework completed by local artisan, John Shimmer. Nowhere is this more apparent than with the back patio where the couple is fond of hosting parties that invariably gather around the brick oven there. The two other areas where considerable expense was encountered were in converting the space above the garage into a separate, legal apartment, which, according to the couple, cost a “small fortune” in city permits and fees. Additionally, the initial cost to install solar panels and a thermal solar water heating system was significant, but “well worth it now” as the couple pays an average of just $45 per month for electricity and $23 per month for gas, which includes utilities for the rental property.

Our afternoon visit with the Averys concluded with a stop in Eldra’s hobby room upstairs, a small space where the ceiling matches the pitch of the roof. Two built-in twin beds are situated across the room from one another - complete with matching clocks and reading lamps - for visiting granddaughters [[check]]. Asked if the remodel was worth the years of effort and the thousands of dollars of expense, Eldra, who was busy clearing the latest sewing project off the table to make room for us, left little doubt where she stood on the subject: “I think it’s important to invest in something that nurtures your creativity, your soul, your spirit.”

above BeFORe & aFTeR clearly the change is dramatic, but the character of the original structure has been preserved. The garage, which includes an upstairs apartment, is detached and sits at the back of the property.

bottom left NaTURe’S BOUNTy many of the vegetables and herbs in the garden end up in dishes cooked with their outdoor brick oven. The couple is currently building a chicken coop with their next door neighbor.

bottom right PaRTy TiMe nearly all gatherings wind up right here on the patio. Many small overhead patio lights add to the ambiance, as does the fragrance of the wide assortment of vines and potted plants lining the ornate stonework.


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MaRy POPPiNS ROOM a whimsical, fairy-tale-like space fosters Eldra’s creativity and houses her visiting granddaughters who love the built-in beds in grandma’s hobby room.

MaSTeR BeDROOM sensible use of the existing space yielded much-needed room for closets. The multi-tone color scheme continues throughout the entire house and complements the exterior paint choices. The pop of color, seen in their daughter’s painting above the bed, serves as a focal point for the understated room.

| The Way We Live

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TiMeLeSS filled with books, photos, and paintings, the coved ceiling in the living room is the original. With the exception of the flat screen TV, it would be difficult to tell that it was not 1939.

DiNNeR TiMe Donald spent weeks trying to convince his wife they should install a second sink and additional stovetop in the island, she initially felt it was excessive but finally relented, now it’s her favorite spot in the kitchen.


the numbers at a glanceComparing the last four months to the same period last year (07/01/09 - 10/31/09 vs. 07/01/10 - 10/31/10)

SOURCE: San Luis Obispo Association of Realtors

| real estate

It’s good to know how to get what you want...leverage

1. Total Homes Sold

2. Average Asking Price

3. Average Selling Price

4. Sales Price as a % of Asking Price

5. Average # of Days on the Market

Home Price$100,000 - $500,000

2009 2010 +/-

30 31 3.33%

$447,565 $430,861 - 3.73%

$431,982 $416,984 - 3.47%

96.52% 96.78% 0.26%

73 69 - 5.48%

Home Price$500,001 - $1,000,000

2009 2010 +/-

51 45 11.76%

$684,163 $687,993 - 0.56%

$658,063 $659,909 - 0.82%

96.19% 95.92% - 0.27%

83 111 33.73%

Home Price$1,000,001 - $2,500,000

2009 2010 +/-

2 4 100%

$2,322,500 $1,876,750 - 19.19%

$2,087,500 $1,643,750 - 21.26%

89.88% 87.58% - 2.30%

393 247 - 37.15%

Despite the recent correction in the housing market, it’s no secret that real estate remains the greatest source of wealth creation nationwide. SLO LIFE

Magazine set out to ask local real estate professionals: “Why is that?”

And, while the answers were varied, every single person we talked to touched on the power of leverage.

Leverage as it pertains to real estate means “borrowing money” and derives from the word “lever,” which, of course, can be used to create a tremen-

dous amount of force. Here is how it works:

Let’s say you buy a $400,000 home with a 20% down payment ($80,000) and the bank loans you the remaining 80% ($320,000). The word “leverage”

is appropriate because, like the strength you gain by using a lever, you have gained more purchasing power by borrowing money. You essentially buy a

$400,000 asset with only $80,000. Of course, now you have to repay the bank, but here is where the power of leverage kicks in.

Let’s assume that real estate continues on the same trajectory it has been on for the past 100 years and it gains in value of 2% (this is the average of all

the bubbles and recessions during that time frame). So, just by living in your home and not including any improvements you may make, your investment

creates $8,000 ($400,000 x 2%) of wealth in the first year alone. When measured against the original down payment, that is a 10% return ($8,000 /

$80,000 = 10%) which is pretty hard to find these days.

Now, imagine that you live in this home for 20 years, through the magic of interest compounding at an annual rate of 2% that same $8,000 will turn into

$194,379. After 30 years, the gain would be $324,545 plus, by then, you would have probably paid off the original principle balance.

All of this is made possible by leverage, which is the borrowing of money to make the purchase possible. Of course, we all got carried away with the use

of excessive leverage during the bubble, but now may be a great time to revisit the concept. You can continue to track what the market here in San Luis

Obispo is doing by watching the numbers below, but your best bet is to find a house that you will be happy to live in, make a significant down payment

(20%), be happy, live the “SLO Life,” and let power of leverage and compounding interest do their thing. SLO LIFE


Stunning Views from Mediterranean Estate. Built in 2007, this 4 bedroom, 4 bath plus office, craft room and separate media room totals 4300+ sq. ft. Fabulous modern kitchen featuring granite counters, butlers pantry and entertaining bar. Open floor plan featuring Travertine floors, Cherry hardwood and multiple fireplaces. Offered at $1,699,000 by Gavin Payne.

SOLD

962 Mill StreetSan Luis Obispo, California 93401

www.HomesofSLO.com

Gavin Payne 805-550-3918

Cheryl Priolo 805-459-0200

Adam Quaglino 805-748-3995

Our approach to real estate is aboutmuch more than property… it’s about people.

SLO Garden Home. Let the fabulous garden spaces on this property sweep you away. Three bedrooms, two full baths, swimming pool, wood and tile flooring and a spectacular atrium that brings in an abundance of natural light. A very unique home not usually found in SLO. View this listing at www.1700jalisco.com. Offered at $699,000 by Gavin Payne.

Iconic 1930’s Mission Style Home. Featuring 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, this home is the epitome of historic San Luis Obispo. Featuring hardwood floors throughout, remodeled bathroom and a fireplace in the living room. Located on a large parcel, close to downtown, shopping, schools and all the core of what San Luis Obispo has to offer. Visit www.1253Peach.com. Reduced to $659,000 by Gavin Payne.

The Payne Team

Avila Beach. Spacious 2700 sq. ft. luxury penthouse with three comfortable suites complete with private bathrooms. Private entrance directly off Front Street, meticulously furnished, amazing white water ocean and beach views. Large patio is complete with built-in BBQ and refrigerator, patio furniture and ceiling mounted gas heaters. Includes private off-street parking and 2 car garage. Offered at $2,969,000 by Gavin Payne.

PENDING

64 Acre Estate. Just a few minutes from Downtown SLO! Beautifully remodeled in 2009, this home offers a wonderful warmth inside with modern appliances and wood flooring throughout. Expansive outdoor decking wraps around the home to take in the vistas over the 4.5 acre vineyard and spring fed creek. New barn built in 2008 has 2 bathrooms, compressed air, dust collection system, floor drains, horse facilities and much more; ideal for winery or shop use. Extensive well system for irrigation. www.7480TassajaraCreek.com. Offered at $969,000 by Gavin Payne.

Fantastic Home on Cul-de-Sac. This remodeled 3,200 sq. ft. residence has 4 bedrooms, each with their own bath, making this a wonderful family home. The private walkway to the front door has a calming water feature and gardens. Cherry hardwood floors and a grand fireplace in the living room, a separate formal dining room and wonderful family room. Offered at $719,000 by Gavin Payne. www.1736LeeAnnCt.com


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I moved to SLO twelve years ago with my husband and two sons. As a native to Los Angeles, I started a gift-basket company when I graduated from college called Mrs. Beasley’s. It really took off with the Hollywood crowd who loved the tasty mini-muffins. I will admit that it was quite fun to get calls from celebrities who would confess they were hooked on these indulgent little treats. The company grew and grew, and we ended up shipping our gift baskets all over the country.

After I sold Mrs. Beasley’s, I became very interested in healthy cooking and baking for my family. My husband’s family has a terrible history of heart disease. His father was one of four brothers who all died before the age of forty! I really liked him and wanted him to stick around, so it motivated me to get into the kitchen. I spent four years developing a wonderful collection of reduced calorie and fat food and desserts that even my young sons enjoyed. Out of this, a restaurant called Nancy’s Healthy

Barbecue Turkey MeatloafServes 4; Prep Time 10 mins; Bake Time 1 hour

In 2007 meatloaf was voted the 7th favorite meal in America. I’ve made a few flavorful and healthy twists. Using barbecue sauce instead of ketchup is a small change that makes a big difference. By free forming your meat instead of using a loaf pan, you won’t trap the fat into the meal. And substituting lean ground turkey for ground beef will save you over 250 calories and 38 grams of fat per serving.

Ingredients1 package ground turkey (1-1 ¼ pounds)½ cup plain bread crumbs1 cup chopped onions ½ cup + ½ cup barbecue sauce2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 egg whites½ teaspoon saltFresh ground pepper to taste

Instructions1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.2. Line a baking pan or cookie sheet with foil.3. In a large bowl, combine the turkey, bread crumbs, onions, ½ cup barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, egg whites, salt and pepper and mix well.4. Place meatloaf mixture in the center of the baking pan and shape into a 12 x 4 inch loaf.5. Spread the remaining ½ cup barbecue sauce evenly over the top of the loaf.6. Bake 1 hour. Let stand 5 mins before slicing.

Skinny Mash PotatoesServes 4; Prep Time 10 mins; Cook Time 25 mins

With gobs of butter and cream, it’s no wonder mashed potatoes are such a popular comfort food. By using reduced-fat milk to replace the cream and a reduced-fat spread with half the calories and fat of butter, you save over 60 calories and 7 grams of fat per serving.

Ingredients1 ½ Lbs. red potatoes, scrubbed and cut into even sized large chunks2 tablespoons reduced-fat butter or spread ¾ to 1 cup reduced-fat (2%) milk¼ cup fresh chives, chopped fineSalt and pepper to taste

Instructions1. In a large saucepan and cover potatoes with cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer until fork tender (approx 15-20 mins).2. Drain potatoes.3. Add the reduced-fat butter, milk, chives, salt and pepper to the hot potatoes.4. Turn the flame to medium and mash potatoes until blended and all the ingredients are heated.

Broccolini with Balsamic VinaigretteServes 6; Prep Time 8 mins; Cook Time 10 mins

A hybrid vegetable between broccoli and Chinese kale, broccolini is a vitamin and fiber packed vegetable you’re sure to love.

| LocaL food By LocaL PeoPLe

Warm your winter with a hearty, healthy meal. By NANCy FOx

Healthy comfort food

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Ingredients4 bunches (1½ pounds) broccolini2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil1½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar1 teaspoon Dijon mustard2 garlic cloves, minced½ teaspoon sugar½ fresh lemon½ teaspoon saltFresh ground pepper

Instructions1. In a large pot bring 6 cups of water to a boil.2. Cut the bottom third of the broccolini stems, discard.3. In a small bowl, whisk together, the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, garlic, and sugar. Set aside.4. Bring water to a boil, drop in broccolini. Return to a boil, cover and cook over medium heat for about 2 minutes until tender. Drain well and place in a serving dish. 5. Drizzle dressing over the broccolini. Toss to coat. Squeeze lemon juice over the broccolini and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

cherry Pie Topped cheesecakeServes 12; Prep Time 15 mins; Bake Time 35 mins

Beautiful chunks of ruby-colored cherries top this divine vanilla cheesecake. One slice has only 270 calories and 9 grams of fat.

crust1 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs2 tablespoons reduced-fat butter, melted

filling2 (8oz) packages reduced-fat cream cheese2 egg whites1 large egg1 cup sugar½ cup reduced-fat sour cream2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract1 teaspoon lemon juice

Topping1(21oz) can cherry pie filling Instructions1. To make the crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-inch spring form pan with cooking spray.2. Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan.3. To make filling: Beat the cream cheese until fluffy and smooth. Slowly mix in the egg whites, egg, and sugar until smooth. Stir in the sour cream, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Pour the mixture over the crust and spread evenly.4. Bake for 35- 40 minutes or until the center is set. Cool completely. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours before serving.5. To add topping: After the cheesecake has been refrigerated, remove from spring form pan and place on a serving plate. Top with with cherry pie filling. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Have a recipe to share? Go to slolifemagazine.com to tell us about it.

SLO LIFE

Kitchen was born. The menu featured healthy versions of old-fashioned comfort foods that tasted every bit as good as the original dishes. It was such a thrill to learn that Oprah was a fan of our cookies, and she invited us to join her “Favorite Gifts” show where they were featured.

The decision to sell the restaurant and move to SLO was the best one of our lives. My husband likes to say that when we left L.A, we “got out of dodge.” But, the truth is we couldn’t imagine a better place to raise our boys. Now, after 25 years in the kitchen, I have developed some excellent recipes which you and your family can find on my website at www.skinnykitchen.com. One of my family’s favorites, which I would like to share with you, is my Barbecue Turkey Meatloaf. It’s a hearty, but healthy dish just in time for this time of year. Enjoy!

Warm your winter with a hearty, healthy meal. By NANCy FOx

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While many Central Coast residents are taking in a football game on Monday night, over a hundred locals meet to rehearse masterworks by some of the world’s most renowned composers. The Cuesta Master Chorale (or CMC) began in 1983, but for the past twenty-five years its members have been under the direction of Dr. Tom Davies. The group has performed works such as Johannes Brahms’ A German Requiem and Bach’s B-minor Mass.

The CMC embodies a true sense of community. It is a place where all walks of life and all ages come together to share their passion for music. The diverse choir has a membership that ranges in age from high school students to its most senior members who have been with the choir since its inception. The impressive group boasts well-respected community members; some whom serve as directors for other choirs. Whether mothers singing with their daughters or husbands harmonizing with their wives, CMC is truly a family.

Member Vicki Ewart, a soprano and advisory board chair, has been a member since 1984. With over twenty-five years of singing experience in the choir she has had the opportunity to sing some of the most impressive works that Cuesta Master Chorale has performed. Passing on the family tradition, some of her fondest memories include the performances where she stood shoulder to shoulder along side her daughter, Erin.

This tight-knit company of singers is distinctive not only in its makeup but also in its depth. “Master Chorale is unique in that we are one of the few community groups that regularly performs masterworks,” says Ewart. Because performing masterworks requires both an artistic choir and a talented orchestra, coordinating, organizing and recruiting the two memberships can be difficult if not impossible for most groups. But the partnership with the Master Choral Orchestra has made it all achievable since CMC’s beginning.

Anyone who has sat in the audience at a CMC concert can report that it is often a profound experience. It can also be unforgettable to those who perform the pieces. Ewart recalls fondly the first time the Chorale sang Handel’s Messiah in its entirety. “The soloists were fantastic, the choir was fantastic, the whole night was just magical… Those are magic memories in my mind.”

Despite the complexity of work that the group performs, its members are not without a good sense of humor. One unforgettably funny moment for Ewart was when, “We were at the Nazarine Church in Arroyo Grande - I don’t even remember what piece it was - but Tom [Davies] got so excited that he threw his baton into the audience. At our next rehearsal Tom was presented with a glove that had a baton velcroed to it.”

| The ArTs

The best of SLO combine their passion with their talent to create a showstopping experience. By DAnIELLE DuTrO

Cuesta Master Chorale

SLO LIFE

Tom Davies, conductor CMC(sans velcro glove)

masterwork mas•ter•work [mæ’st rw :rk] n. synonymous with masterpiece; an outstanding work of art or craft; the greatest work of an artist;

e e



December 1 - 8Event Hannukah Candel LightingTime 5:00pmLocation Mission PlazaContact 426-5465Description On the first night of Hannukah, the Jewish Community Center will be hosting a Hannukah Party along with a candle lighting.

December 2Event General Stanley McChrystalTime 7:30pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www.slofoodbank.orgDescription McChrystal, a four-star general, will speak on America’s global role and its security issues in a lecture titled “The State of International Affairs and the Security Challenges Facing America.”

December 3Event Holiday ParadeTime 7:00pmLocation Higuera Street, SLOContact www.downtownslo.comDescription Downtown Association Presents its 35th Annual Holiday Parade

December 3Event A Modern Gospel Christmas Time 8:00pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription The House of Prayer Church Choir celebrates their 13th anniversary with a unique presentation of holiday and gospel music.

December 3Event Fall Jazz ConcertTime 8:00pmLocation Spanos TheaterContact www. music.calpoly.eduEvent This concert will have an eclectic mix of jazz standards and modern compositions, and will performed by the University Jazz Bands No. 1 and No. 2 and the Cal Poly Jazz Combos.

December 4Event Opening of “The Catch”Time 2:00pm-4:00pmLocation History Center of SLOContact www.historycenterslo.orgDescription A new exhibit featuring a series of photographs of the San Luis Obispo County fishing community taken in the mid-1970s by Thom Halls.

December 4Event A Christmas CelebrationTime 8:00pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www. music.calpoly.eduDescription This festive annual concert by the Cal Poly Choirs will put you in the mood for holidays. Performers include PolyPhonics, The University Singers, Early Music Ensemble, and Cal Poly Brass Ensemble.

December 4 - 5Event A Christmas CarolTime various Location Spanos TheatreContact www.pacslo.orgDescription Gilbert Reed’s masterful telling of the Dickens classic in this lively ballet will delight the entire family. Set to Sir Thomas Beecham’s orchestrations of music by G. F. Handel, “A Christmas Carol” tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from heartless miser to generous soul.

December 5Event Art in the VineyardTime 11:00am-5:00pmLocation Tolosa WineryContact www.tolosawinery.comDescription Featuring 30 artists including paintings, sculptures, textiles, pottery, jewlery, glass art, home decor, hand made soaps, and much more! Appetizers, wine tastings, and live music will also be included in this free event.

December 5Event Joy to the WorldTime 3:00pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription San Luis Vocal Arts Ensemble presents Joy to the World, a holiday concert with an international flair. Come along on a spirited sleigh ride across the globe as we sing of peace, love and goodwill to the people of our earth.

December 7Event CASA’s Voices for ChildrenTime 11:30am-1:00pmLocation Maddona InnContact 781-2670Description Casa’s Voices for Children fundraising luncheon will feature lively entertainment, a children’s musical performanced, a silent auction and live auction.

December 8Event Acoustic Evening with Jon AndersonTime 7:30pmLocation Spanos TheatreContact www.pacslo.orgDescription Jon Anderson shines as an accomplished solo artist and composer. His solo acoustic Spanos Theatre show will include many classic songs from throughout the YES songbook, as well as his own eclectic work.

December 11Event Fa-La-LaTime 5:00pm – 8:00pmLocation Dallidet Adobe & GardensContact www.historycenterslo.comDescription Christmas caroling competition with musicians from around the county. Beer, wine and beverage sales benefit the History Center.

December 11Event Clara’s Tea PartyTime 12:30pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription An exclusive tea party with the Sugar Plum Fairy and her friends, photo opportunities, and a special treat!

December 11, 12Event The NutcrackerTime variousLocation Cohan CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription The Civic Ballet presents The Nutcracker. Audiences of all ages will marvel at the magic and wonder of this production that has delighted the Central Coast for more than 30 years.

December 12Event Holiday Concert Time 3:00pmLocation Clark CenterContact www. slosymphony.com Description San Luis Obispo Youth Symphony Presents their annual Holiday Concert.

December 16Event The Blind Boys of AlabamaTime 7:30pmLocation Cohan Center Contact www.pacslo.orgDescription Go Tell It on the Mountain is a special holiday engagement, celebrating the spirit of Christmas with all the energy and soul of old-time gospel, complete with sweet harmonies and exuberant charisma.

| Community Calendar

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December 18Event CMC Holiday SpecialTime 8:00pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescriptionThe Cuesta Master Chorale and Orchestra will perform its annual holiday concert with a selection of spiritual music from Baroque, Romantic, and 20th Century composers.

December 19Event Forbes Pipe Organ HolidayTime 6:00pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription The fourth annual Forbes Pipe Organ Holiday Concert & Sing-Along.

December 31

Event SLO Symphony New Years EveTime 6:00pm & 7:30pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription Soprano Maria Jette will join Michael Nowak and the orchestras for a winter “pops” concert filled with Broadway show tunes, movie music and delightfully familiar old standards.

January 7Event Liszt CommemorativeTime 8:00pmLocation Spanos TheaterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription Music Department chair and pianist W. Terrence Spiller will give a benefit recital of works by Johannes Brahms, Paul Hindemith, and Franz Liszt.

January 14Event Guitar MastersTime 8:00pmLocation Performing Arts CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription Featuring the amazing artistry of three of the world’s foremost guitarists: Andy McKee, Eric Johnson, and Peppino D’Agostino.

January 15Event Colin Mochrie & Brad SherwoodTime 7:30pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription The stars of TV’s “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” team up for an evening of extraordinary improvisational comedy.

January 21Event Forbes Pipe Organ RecitalTime 8:00pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription Dr. James Welch returns to SLO with an encompassing program.

January 22Event Ladysmith Black MambazoTime 8:00pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription South Africa’s premier male a cappella group.

January 22Event J.S. Bach in the MissionTime 8:00pmLocation Mission San Luis Obispo Contact music.calpoly.eduDescription The Early Music Ensemble will be assisted by David Arrivée and other Cal Poly faculty members.

January 23Event Jungle Jack HannaTime 4:00pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription Jack Hanna’s live show features many of his favorite animal friends, as well as fascinating and humorous stories and footage from his adventures around the world.

January 30Event Spring AwakeningTime 7:00pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription Winner of eight Tony Awards, this landmark musical with its brilliant score explores the coming-of-age journey from adolescence to adulthood with poignancy and passion.

February 5Event A Night at the MissionTime 8:00pmLocation Mission San Luis ObispoContact music.calpoly.eduDescription An evening of beautiful music performed by our chamber ensembles in the Old Mission Church.

February 5Event SLO Symphony Classics III Time 8:00pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription Violinist Shunske Sato performs.

February 8Event Vienna Boys Choir Time 7:30pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription The Choir’s angelic a cappella vocals are comprised of talented singers between the ages of 10 and 14.

February 10Event Swan LakeTime 7:30pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www.pacslo.com Description Russian National Ballet Theatre presents a full-scale production of Tchaikovsky’s perennial classic, Swan Lake.

February 19Event Lilly TomlinTime 8:00pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription One of America’s foremost comediennes.

February 24, 25, 26Event FalsettosTime 8:00pmLocation Performing Arts CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription Cal Poly presents “Falsettos,” a play by William Finn and James Lapine.

February 26Event Musical TravelogueTime 8:00pmLocation Cohan CenterContact music.calpoly.eduDescription A musical travelogue through Europe over the centuries.

February 26Event A World of MusicTime 8:00pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription Over 150 musicians present music from around our world with a special emphasis on the beauty and excitement of songs from the Middle East.

February 28Event Monty Python’s SpamalotTime 7:30pmLocation Cohan CenterContact www.pacslo.orgDescription Based on theclassic film, “Monty Python and The Holy Grail” , Tony Award-winning Monty Python’s Spamalot tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights as they embark on their quest for the elusive Holy Grail.

To promote your event in the Community Calendar go to slolifemagazine.com

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Documents

SLO LIFE Magazine Winter 2011