2016 January PASO Magazine

LET FREEDOM RING - THE BRAVE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS 

January 2016 

pasoroblesmagazine.com

2 Paso Robles Magazine, January 2016

January 2016, Paso Robles Magazine 3

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Paso Robles Magazine, January 2016


CONTENTS JANUARY 2016 volume 15 number 9 

A MONTHLY LOOK AT LIFE IN OUR REMARKABLE COMMUNITIES 

Feature Stories 

6 

10 Retiring City Manager 

Jim App honored 

by City Council 

Courtesy Paso Robles Daily News 

and Editor Skye Ravy 

12 Freedom Ring - The Brave 

Pursuit of Happiness 

By Chris Weygandt Alba 

14 Looking Ahead to 2016 

By Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin 

16 Supervisor Frank Mecham 

Discusses Water...and more 

for the New Year 

By Bruce Curtis 

18 The Real Estate Market 

Continues to Drive Forward 

By Cody Wilcoxson - 2015 President of 

the Paso Robles Association of REALTORS ® 

20 New Laws in 2016 


39 Hoofbeat by Dorothy Rogers 

Hoofbeat Calendar and Trail Tales 

Departments 

22 Education 

• Isaac Lindsey has Returned Home 

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration 

at Flamson Auditorium 

• One Cool Earth Starts Composting at Schools 

24 Paso People 

• Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 

Invites Community 

• Cheri Lucas and Second Chance 

at Love Humane Society 

• Paso Robles Mayor’s Monthly Museum Tour 

• ‘The Kings of Cool’ A Tribute to 

Frank Sinatra & Dean Martin 

• At The Paso Robles City Library 

• YMCA Fashion Show & Entertainment 

Extravaganza! 

32 Round Town 

• County Perspective - By Bruce Curtis 

• San Miguel Reflections - the Salinans 

By Lynne Schmitz 

• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 

(CRPS) Chronic Pain Support Group 

• Jump into 2016 in Templeton 

ON THE COVER 

38 City of Paso Robles Library 

and Recreation 

Cool stuff to do for the month ahead! 

42 Business 

• The Voice of the Visitor Center 

By Karyl Lammers 

• The Big Launch: Central Coast LIVE Radio 

• What’s Happening on Main Street? 

By Millie Drum 

• Community Angel and Giveapalooza 

– Heart to Heart’s Week of Giving 

• Business Spotlight 

By Meagan Friberg 

47 Time & Place 

Where to find just about anything 

and everything to do in January 

50 Last Word 

The Band of Brothers: Honoring Each Other 

Through Generations of Service to Our Country 


Welcoming 2016 - Our Future is Bright! 

EDITORIAL DEADLINE: 

7 th of each month preceding publication 

ADVERTISING DEADLINE: 

10 th of each month preceding publication 

HOW TO REACH US 

Phone: (805) 239-1533 Founding Co-Publisher: 

Karen Chute 1949-2004 

E-mail: 

bob@pasoroblesmagazine.com Publisher/Editor: Bob Chute 

Mailing address: P.O. Box 3996, 

Editorial Consultant: 

Paso Robles, CA 93447 Chris Weygandt Alba 

In town drop off: Dutch Maytag, Advertising: Millie Drum, 

1501 Riverside, Paso Robles Pam Osborn, Jamie Self, and 

Web: pasoroblesmagazine.com Bob Chute 

WE VALUE YOUR INPUT! 

Paso Robles Magazine (PRM) © 2016, is owned and published by Bob Chute. No part of this periodical 

may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written consent from Paso Robles Magazine. 

PRM is published monthly and distributed FREE to every residence and business, including rural addresses, 

in Paso Robles, Templeton, Shandon, Bradley and San Miguel (zip codes 93426, 93446, 93451, 93461 

and 93465). Postage paid at Paso Robles, CA 93446. PRM is also available for our visitors through local 

restaurants, Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce, North County Transportation Center, and other high traffic 

tourist-oriented locations. 

Annual subscriptions to PRM, mailed to areas beyond the described distribution areas, are available for 

$18 per year (for orders outside U.S., add $10 postage). Mailing address: P.O. Box 3996, Paso Robles, 

CA 93447. Phone: (805) 239-1533, e-mail: bob@pasoroblesmagazine.com. Find us on the web at 

www.pasoroblesmagazine.com 

For advertising inquiries and rates, story ideas and submissions, contact Bob Chute at 

any of the above numbers. In town drop point for photos, letters, press releases, etc. at Dutch Maytag Home 

Appliance Center, 1501 Riverside. 

Graphics Advertising and Editorial – Denise McLean, Mode Communications. Editorial composition by 

Travis Ruppe and Art Production by Sue Dill. 



Just a 

Thought 

Happy New Year Paso Robles! 

By Bob Chute 

I hope your Christmas season was 

one of fun, friends and family times 

and, of course, lots of hugs given and 

received. 

As we look forward into this new 

year, a leap year, let’s focus on the good 

of people and try our best to not let 

the crazies of this world drag us down. 

Yes, 2015 was a horrendous year of 

shootings and mass panic. At times it 

has seemed hopeless, and the endless 

election year rhetoric we will be subjected 

to in the months ahead is sure 

to drive us to the brink. 

But each generation since the beginning 

of time has had to deal with 

their own collection of ‘stuff ’. Let us 

be encouragers of all in 2016 and positive 

role models for our youth. 

Help me Lord, to be a better man, 

a better husband, father, grandfather 

and friend. An old saying always encourages 

me, “I’m not the man I could 

be, I’m not the man I should be…but 

thank God I’m not the man I used to be.” 

Do I hear an Amen! 

Friends of the Food Bank 

Although things have been challenging, 

to say the least, many of us 

are still blessed with much. During 

December Rhoda and I once again 

pledged $1000 in the names of our 

family (we still provided gifts for our 

grandkids, of course!) in renewing our 

pledge as Friends of the Food Bank. 

We pledged $250 in the name of Ben 

(son) and Alissa Chute, $250 in the 

name of Beau and Annie (daughter) 

VanZante, $250 in the name of Brad 

and Kelly (daughter) Lear and another 

$250 in our name. 

We must all act as advocates for 

Loaves & Fishes and the Food Bank 

in the community, not just during 

the holidays but throughout the year, 

won’t you consider becoming involved 

in this effort? Because of the 

Food Bank’s partnerships with produce 

growers and brokers, markets 

and wholesalers, and its relationship 

with Feeding America, the nationwide 

network of food banks, the best 

contribution anyone can make is cash. 

One dollar equals 10 pounds of food, 

“With our resources for free or lowcost 

food, we can really make a dollar 

stretch,” said Food Bank CEO Carl 

Hansen. “Even if a dollar is all you can 

donate, the Food Bank Coalition can 

transform that one dollar into seven 

meals.” 

To help, contact the Food Bank’s 

Director of Community Relations, 

Wendy Lewis at (805) 238-4664 or 

wlewis@slofoodbank.org for details. 

PLAN AHEAD - LAST MINUTE ARRIVAL 

Kindergarten Round-Up for 2016-2017 

Kindergarten – Students who have their 5th birthday on or before September 

1, 2016 are eligible to enroll for Paso Robles Joint Unified School 

District’s (PRJUSD) full-day kindergarten program for the upcoming 2016- 

2017 school year. 

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) – TK will be open to any student who 

will have their 5th birthday on or between September 2, 2016 and December 

2, 2016. PRJUSD is also offering the option of early admission to TK. 

Enrollment as an early-admission student is based on space availability for 

students who will have their 5th birthday on or between December 3, 2016 

and March 1, 2017. Early admission would allow a student to begin the school 

year in August 2016 as a TK student. 

TK classes are half-day programs located at Pat Butler, Winifred Pifer, 

Bauer-Speck, and Virginia Peterson, and are taught in Spanish at their 

dual-immersion magnet school Georgia Brown. 

Registration packets will be available for pick up at the parent informational 

meetings to be held at Paso Robles High School on Wednesday, February 3, 

2016 (English) and Thursday, February 4, 2016 (Spanish) at 6 p.m. Packets will 

also be available at the District Office located at 800 Niblick Road as well as at 

all elementary schools beginning February 5th. For more information, call your 

local neighborhood elementary school or the District Office 769-1000. 

8 


Join Us for a Community 

Open House 

NextEra Energy Transmission West (NEET West) and PG&E are 

proposing an infrastructure project to help ensure that electricity continues 

to be safely and reliably delivered in the Paso Robles area. The project will 

include building a new substation and a new transmission line to meet the 

growing energy demands of nearly 47,000 residences and businesses in 

the region. 

NEET West and PG&E will be hosting open houses in your community to 

discuss the details of the project, including potential routes and substation 

locations, answer questions and gather your input. The information and 

materials that will be provided at the open houses will be the same as 

the information distributed at the open houses held on December 7-8 in 

Paso Robles. 

Two opportunities to attend: 

January 11, 2016 

4:30–6:30 p.m. 

Park Ballroom 

1232 Park St. Suite 200 

Paso Robles, CA 93446 

January 12, 2016 

4–7 p.m. 

Paso Robles Event Center, 

Frontier Pavilion 

2198 Riverside Ave. 


For questions about the new substation, contact NEET West at 

estrellaproject@nexteraenergy.com or 1-805-788-4435. 

For questions about transmission line upgrades, contact PG&E at 

pasoroblesareapc@pge.com or 1-888-743-8570. 

pge.com/pasoroblesareapc 

nexteraenergy.com 

“PG&E” refers to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation. ©2015 Pacific Gas and Electric Company. All rights reserved. 


Retiring City Manager Jim App 

honored by City Council 

Courtesy Paso Robles Daily News and Editor Skye Ravy 

Jim App, who has served as Paso Robles City 

Manager for the last 19 years, announced in February 

his plan to retire at the end of this year. Prior 

to the December 15 Paso Robles City Council 

meeting –the last one that App would be attending 

as city manager– a celebration was held to 

honor him and his service to the city. 

App started his career with the city in 1990. 

Since then, significant changes and improvements 

have been made in the city, including the 

additions of a new city hall and library building, 

a new train station, a new airport terminal, Kermit 

King Elementary, the Paso Robles Children’s 

Museum, as well as improvements in city infrastructure 

such as the 13th street bridge expansion, 

a road repair program, and the addition of a 

network of river trails. 

App said that he feels the city’s greatest accomplishments 

that he helped to facilitate during his 

tenure were the Nacimiento water project and 

Cuesta. His favorite project to work on, however, 

he said was “the new city hall building.” 

“Jim App’s greatest hits would be a two-disk 

collection,” said Mayor Steve Martin. “It’s going 

to be very strange to come into the office and not 

see him anymore.” Martin said that he has known 

and worked with App since 1987. “He’s a fixture 

of the city, and he will be sorely missed.” 

Director of Library and Recreation 

Services Julie Dahlen 

said that she has worked with 

App for 20 years, and during 

that time, she, “learned so 

much from him.” Dahlen said that she was overwhelmed 

with feelings of gratitude for App, “He 

took us through some rough times. His leadership 

was exactly what we needed…I wish him all the 

best…he deserves all the best.” 

Paso Robles Administrative Services Director 

Jim Throop said that he was always impressed 

at how quickly App was able to grasp things 

and make sound judgements based on his understanding. 

“App was great to work with,” said 

Throop, who has worked with the city for the last 

eight years. 

Paso Robles City Councilman Steve Gregory 

said that he really wanted to thank App. “Thank 

you for keeping us in the black,” he said. “Very few 

people can last in this job. I will miss his wisdom 

and expertise.” Councilman Fred Strong echoed 

the sentiments expressed. “Theres not enough 

words to say thank you,” he said. 

“There were times he didn’t agree but he always 

came around,” said District One County Supervisor 

and former mayor Frank Mecham jokingly. 

Mecham shared memories of App during some 

Jim App and the Paso Robles City Council members, from left: John 

Hamon, Mayor Steve Martin, Fred Strong, Jim Reed, and Steve Gregory. 

of the most difficult times within the last 20 years, 

including 9/11 and the 2003 earthquake, and 

said that App always remained calm and focused. 

“Job well done sir, job well done…” 

The Paso Robles City Council has selected 

Tom Frutchey, the current city manager of 

Pacific Grove, to be the new city manager. 

Frutchey will begin his work as city manager on 

Jan. 17. Assistant City Manager Meg Williamson 

will act as interim city manager after App 

leaves office on Dec. 30. 

App’s salary is currently $194,000 per year plus 

benefits. He will leave with a retirement plan 

through CalPERS. Since App served for the 

city for 25.5 years, his calculated annual maximum 

retirement benefit would be 63.75-percent 

of his pay 

App is also eligible for the city’s Retiree Medical 

Insurance benefit, which will provide reimbursement 

up to $500 per month for health insurance. 

Frutchey’s yearly salary will be $201,000 plus 

benefits such as a $175 monthly car allowance and 

a one-time moving expense of $10,000. 

10 



PD-US Statue of Liberty Library of Congress 

By Chris 

Weygandt Alba 

Photo montage © Chris Weygandt Alba 

Rise and shine, or rise and whine. 

There’s our free choice for 2016. The old year 

didn’t ring so cheerfully. The news was as usual: 

bloody, ruin, refugees, and rotten rain. 

Giant sea slugs and little red crabs invaded California 

beaches like two-pronged pincers, north and 

south. Is the planet going to pot, or what? 

Old King Solomon said we have a choice— 

“What does a man get for all the toil and 

anxious striving with which he labors under the 

sun? All his days his work is pain and grief; 

even at night his mind does not rest. This too 

is meaningless... I know that there is nothing 

better for men than to be happy and do good 

while they live.” 

Scientists who study happiness argue about it. 

What’s “happy” anyway? Why do people feel it? 

How can you pursue it? 

I found happy in a moldy book on Dec. 7th 

— a really unhappy day on earth. When a poor 

British comic published “The Idle Thoughts of 

an Idle Fellow” in 1886, things weren’t all that 

hot in Jerome K. Jerome’s world, either. 

It spurred Jerome to pen in cheek: 

“It always is wretched weather, according to us. 

The weather is like the Government, always in the 

wrong. If it is fine, we say the country is being ruined 

for want of rain; if it does rain, we pray for fine 

weather... We shall never be content until each man 

makes his own weather and keeps it to himself. 

“From all accounts, the world has been getting 

worse and worse ever since it was created. All I 

can say is that it must have been a remarkably 

delightful place when it was first opened to the 

public, for it is very pleasant, even now, if you 

only keep as much as possible in the sunshine, 

and take the rain good-temperedly. 

“Let us not waste heart and life — A new life 

begins for us with every second. Let us go forward 

joyously to meet it.” 

Humanity has survived years of terrible death 

tolls. Ten years ago rang multiple stupefying disasters: 

history’s deadliest tsunami in Indonesia; 

Katrina, terror floods American soil in New 

Orleans; Pakistan falls in great quake. 

We the people, however, poured our souls 

in immense charity, to help suffering strangers. 

Four centuries before international television, 

before even America, our united state was 

declared by English poet John Donne (forgive 

liberties taken with his poetry): 

12 

“No man is an island entire of itself; 

every man is a piece of the continent, 

a part of the main ... any man’s death 

diminishes me, because I am involved 

in mankind. And therefore never send 

to know for whom the bell tolls; 

it tolls for thee.” 

– John Donne 

Who needs giants when the bell tolls for 

little Rosa Parks, honored by the nation when 

she died, 50 years after she was vilified for not 

giving her seat to a white man. 

“I believe,” she once said, “we are here on 

the planet Earth to live, grow up, and do what 

we can to make this world a better place for all 

people to enjoy freedom.” 

Most folks who make the world better say for 

the record they aren’t saints. They’re just involved 

with mankind. 

If selfishness is natural to mankind, then my 

own blindness is my first hurdle. If I want to 

“be the change,” my continent better be my 

neighborhood — the “small”people I overlook 

daily in thought, word, and deed. 

“We who lived in concentration camps 

can remember those who walked through 

the huts comforting others, giving away 

their last piece of bread. They may have 

few in number, but they offer sufficient 

proof that everything can be taken from 

a person but the last human freedom — 

to choose one’s attitude in any given set of 

circumstances — to choose one’s own way.” 

–Viktor Frankl, Holocaust survivor 

Wise Whys: Good old Voltaire: The “laughing” 

revolutionary of freedom decided in old age “We 

must cultivate our own garden — the best thing 

we can do on earth... The little good that I have 

done is my best work. And I end by laughing.” 

Voltaire’s ideas of liberty incited both the 1776 

Americans and the 1789 French Revolution. French 

blood runs in my veins too, as do free-speaking 

peasants. So I read Voltaire’s brave free speech after 

the Paris terrorist attacks, as did many French. 

His manifestoes on tolerance, liberty of choice 

& thought, and equal rights to freedom made 

him laugh at tyrants — no matter who they be, 

even our own blind mind. 

Intolerance is now un-Constitutional and 

un-American, but humanity is repeatedly guilty of 

it. Freedom doesn’t ring when we deliberate what’s 

good or evil. It rings when we answer the big bell. 

If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. 

If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody 

else. 

There’s a truth for 2016. Every disaster is balanced 

by ordinary people who commit good acts. 

All my problems die of neglect. 

What miracles would I see if I pursue happiness 

on my own turf, in my own life? 

Like Rosa Parks, Booker T. Washington was 

another who arose from oppression to be honored 

by Presidents, an American civil rights leader, an 

author and president of Tuskegee University. 

“The world cares very little what you or I know,” 

he told a Boston congregation in 1903, “but it does 

care a great deal about what you or I do.” 

He died on Nov. 14, 1915, but last Nov. 14, 

Washington’s “Thought for Today” ran on the page 

opposite the headline “Terror Strikes Paris” — 

My noble French forefather Garoutte had 

the good sense to leave before he lost his head 

in France. He went to a good fight for America, 

took a bullet in his head, married the Quaker 

who saved him, and died a peasant. So I’m a 

daughter of the American Revolution too. 

Science says we find happiness in meaningful 

things — deep social ties, altruism, seeing patterns 

in the “big picture,” and free self-expression in 

acts like art and thought. 

When terror struck the newspaper, I wrote 

free poetry over the frontpage. Outliving my 

family, I celebrated my birthday at Templeton 

cemetery, grateful for my brave patriarch peasants 

and migrant Grandma Garoutte, teaching 

me to slaughter my chickens and save good 

things from the trash. 

I buried my dog and ran downtown, to thank 

the good Sherwin family at Pan Jewelers for 

many years serving our town. Pat saved a man’s 

life, and Nick saved our downtown for many 

years. We all smiled. 

Let there be peace on earth, 

and let it begin with me. 

Thus ends another happy day. 



Looking Ahead 

to 2016 

By 

Paso Robles Mayor 

Steve Martin 

I am looking forward with great anticipation 

to the year 2016 in our city. Indicators are that 

it will be a breakthrough year for our efforts to 

preserve and enhance water resources, initiate 

new economic development plans and continue 

the restoration of city services which suffered as 

the result of the recent recession. 

It has long been our policy to secure adequate 

water from multiple sources to serve our 

planned build-out population. Best estimates 

now put that plateau around the year 2045 

when an estimated 42,800 people will live in 

Paso Robles, up from the current 30,000. The 

necessary water, including that which will be required 

by new hotels and businesses, will come 

from the Salinas River, the Paso Robles Aquifer, 

Lake Nacimiento and recycled water. Our city 

recently acquired its full allocation from Lake 

Nacimiento. This water will be processed at our 

new water treatment plant and blended with 

other water sources, providing overall softer water 

for the entire city. This will relieve some of 

the pressure from the river and aquifer sources. 

We are currently in design to upgrade our 

new wastewater treatment plant. That upgrade 

will provide nearly 5-million gallons of recycled 

water per day – a brand new source of water for 

Paso Robles. These multiple sources and treatment 

services mean Paso Robles is well-positioned 

to handle its water requirements through 

the middle of this century. Right now it costs 

water customers a little more than a half-cent 

per gallon for drinkable water to be collected, 

treated and delivered to homes. 

We are blessed to have a strong economy. A 

major portion of that economy is tourism. Hotel 

occupancy taxes are the third largest source of 

city revenues behind sales tax and property tax. 

In 2016 we will continue with plans to diversify 

our economic base, growing local businesses and 

attracting new ones to provide new jobs in a wider 

range of classifications. In this way we will become 

the home for more diverse forms of employment 

which will create a more stable and resilient economy. 

We will look to our airport and other areas to 

become incubators for new industry. 

Now, as the recession is ending, economists tell 

us that the time is ripe once again for residential 

construction to resume. Indeed, new homes are 

necessary to help pay for infrastructure improvements 

and provide housing for new residents/ 

employees. Without this development it will be 

virtually impossible to provide an atmosphere for 

job growth. Still, we are challenged by the need 

for roads, sewers, water and other improvements 

associated with residential growth. 

We will meet that challenge by drawing upon 

the strength of Paso Robles: it’s people. In 2016 

the new Housing Constraints Advisory Committee 

will study at length issues that impede 

the growth of residential construction and propose 

new, creative ways to assure that all necessary 

improvements to protect quality of life 

will accompany that growth. We have already 

established new processes and procedures to 

speed building permit approvals including the 

formation of a liaison committee between city 

staff and local builders. 

While providing the framework for new 

growth and services is important, we can’t let 

the things that have become the pillars of our 

community fall into disrepair. We have rebuilt 

our emergency services and continue to rebuild 

our roads. We must also support services such as 

our city library, arts and culture and recreational 

services. We must replace, upgrade and expand 

water storage facilities and work to control and 

manage storm water run-off. We will continue 

to address solid waste collection and new ways 

to meet state mandates regarding recycling and 

waste reduction. We have already begun discussions 

with our school district to create a new, 

more effective partnership for sharing and utilizing 

sports and other facilities. 

We will enter the year 2016 with a strong, 

well-qualified city staff including three new primary 

players. Warren Frace and Dick McKinley 

came aboard as Community Development 

Director and Public Works Director this year. 

In mid-January we will welcome our new City 

Manager, Tom Frutchey. They will join all of the 

fine people who work hard to keep our city running 

smoothly and I, along with the entire City 

Council, look forward to serving with them. 

We also look forward to working with the 

many citizen organizations and committees in 

our city including Paso Robles Main Street, Paso 

Robles Chamber of Commerce, Citizens Sales 

Tax Oversight Committee, Citizens Housing 

Constraints Advisory Committee, the REC 

Foundation, Friends of the Library, the Paso 

Robles Historical Society and many others. These, 

alongside our standing city advisory committees 

and outstanding non-profit service organizations, 

are what help knit us together as a community. 

As always, the New Year will bring challenges 

and accomplishments, joys and sorrows and 

more than a few surprises on the way to 2017. 

As we peek around the corner into the next year 

of our illustrious history I wish to thank all the 

citizens of Paso Robles for allowing me to serve 

as their Mayor. It is a pleasure, an honor and a 

privilege which I do not take lightly. 

Happy New Year and may you, your friends, 

your families and all your endeavors in 2016 be 

successful. 

14 




The job of San Luis Obispo 

county supervisor has to be exhausting, 

when you think about 

the viewpoint diversity that separates 

different communities 

and interests as surely as Cuesta 

Grade separates north and south, 

geographically. 

Supervisor Frank Mecham 

stepped down early from his position 

as board chair in 2015, later 

announcing he wouldn’t run for 

reelection, without explanation. 

With one year to run before election 

season hits San Luis Obispo 

County, what does Mecham see 

ahead; more importantly, what is 

the most pressing item for his efforts 

in 2016? 

“Obviously that is still water, 

without a doubt.“ Mecham instantly 

affirms the big question 

is whether a difficult compromise 

will be approved, whether the water 

management district as currently 

forged will succeed. Delay. 

“I don’t know where this will 

end up, we’ll know in the March 

vote, and if that doesn’t happen... 

we’ll have to decide where to go 

from there.” Mecham admits it’s a 

big hurdle to climb. 

Controversy over the proposed 

district has sent fallout well beyond 

the county boardroom; rural residents 

and businesses formed sometimes 

opposing positions regarding 

the proposed district. Mecham 

often found himself right in the 

middle, as acting referee. 

Supervisor 

Frank Mecham 

Discusses Water... 

and more for the New Year 

Job fatigue wears heavily in 

elected positions, as before-andafter 

presidential photos reveal, 

and not much diminishes the 

stress at the local level. Mecham 

found himself dealing with an 

unusually full plate, starting with 

a groundwater reserve crisis that 

led to stiff restrictions on development 

and leading to groundwater 

management district formed in 

cooperation with the California 

legislature. It hasn’t been an easy 

experience. 

“I had friends on both sides of 

the water issue - district or not - ” 

Mecham admits. “It was after that 

11- hour board meeting, where I 

could see that anger on both sides: 

some of the rural residents weren’t 

happy, farmers weren’t happy but 

the one thing I kept hearing is 

that we’re all in this together.” If 

that’s the case, Mecham thought, 

let’s find out. 

“I brought three people to the 

table to find out what we can do; 

if we’re not able, then government 

will have to take a stronger role.” 

The first meeting had groups sitting 

on opposite sides of the table 

with Mecham wondering if one 

would jump over and attack the other. 

After six months of regular meetings, 

both were sitting on the same 

side, talking it out. The end result 

was a hybrid water district Mecham 

believed would satisfy most folks. 

“Whether I had a part in that at all,” 

he ponders. “I was a facilitator...we 

still have a long road to travel...” 

For the new year, the issue of 

water continues to be uppermost, 

with several options on the table, 

some involving Monterey county. 

Mecham isn’t going to sit on his 

laurels. 

“I intend to pursue any other 

[water] alternative, the means to 

secure water resources, find ways to 

retrofit, put the gate back in Santa 

Margarita lake to build capacity.” 

For two years Mecham has worked 

with PG&E officials to purchase 

desalinated water from Diablo 

Canyon nuclear power plant. 

“In addition, we’re working with 

Monterey county on a tunnel project 

where we can secure carry-over 

rights or additional rights.” 

The proposed tunnel would link 

Lake Nacimiento to Lake San Antonio; 

the former tends to fill faster 

sending excess water to the ocean, 

while San Antonio fills slowly. Tying 

the two would increase water 

for users both here and in Monterey. 

Water may be scarce but Mecham 

firmly believes options exist. 

“There are a variety of things, but 

it will take time, money and political 

will.” 

Other than that, Mecham expects 

several projects will take the 

board’s time, and many planning 

issues will likely get appealed to the 

board of supervisors: 

• A controversial mental healthcare 

facility proposed for land 

across from Twin Cities Hospital. 

With the project already under fire, 

Mecham expects an appeal to the 

full board some time in 2016. 

• Letitia Ag project in the south 

county, also likely to be appealed. 

• The proposed Phillips 66 oil train 

rail spur in Nipomo; similar projects 

have received ire from environmentalists 

who point to major 

oil rail accidents and fires in Canada 

and the upper Midwest. The 

project is now under an environmental 

impact review, but even if 

it passes, Mecham expects that to 

be appealed as well. 

Mecham wants to emphasize 

local communities during his final 

year, there are some big decisions 

to be made, including Templeton, 

Santa Margarita and San Miguel, 

where new gateway signs are under 

construction. 

“I plan to focus on those, looking 

at Templeton main street corridor, 

repaving to make it more 

convenient for folks, pursuing 

design recommendations for escalating 

101/Main street traffic 

concerns.” 

Please see MECHAM page 18 

P (805) 423-3252 

F (805) 237-0403 

patwood805@yahoo.com 

Concrete • Framing 

Foundations • Remodels 

Decorative Concrete 

License #998553 

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16 


Thanks for a wonderful 2014 

Hope to see you in 2015 


The Real Estate Market 

By 

Cody Wilcoxson 

Patterson Realty 

2015 President of 

the Paso Robles 

Association of 

REALTORS ® 

WELCOME 2016 & HAPPY NEW YEAR 

TO ALL!!! 

It’s already been a year? What happened to 

2015?! I’m sure most of us are feeling that way, 

although 2015 was a wonderful year and the 

local real estate market continues to exemplify 

that. In 2015, we saw yet another year of historically 

low interest rates, increases in property 

values, and more overall sales. 

Many took advantage of the market as buyers 

and made that first time purchase. Others were 

both buyers and sellers who put their property 

on the market to finally move-up to a larger or 

downsize to a smaller home. We saw many of 

these types of sales, contingent on the sellers 

finding a replacement property last year. Sellers 

had confidence in the fact that although property 

values have improved over the last 5 or so 

years, things are slowing a little in that department, 

so it was now time to get their home on 

the market and sold! 

So, where is the local real estate market today 

and what will it look like in 2016? The question 

is will we continue to see these trends locally 

in the real estate market? The answer I would 

say for the most part is...yes. Some of this can 

be attributed to solid job growth and attractive 

continues to Drive Forward 

interest rates that will push the demand. The fact 

is even though we had more sales in 2015, quite 

honestly there was a lack of inventory to fulfill 

the demand. I believe that trend will also continue 

into 2016. On average, interest rates will 

increase to around 4.5% in 2016 for a 30-year 

fixed rate mortgage as the Feds have already announced 

their plans to increase rates. These are 

still at historically low levels, which will likely 

entice most buyers to get off the fence and into 

the market. Again, it is a great time for even sellers 

to take advantage of the improving market 

and strong property values, while enjoying low 

interest rates when they do decide to make the 

move to purchase a replacement home. 

As interest rates increase, we will see an adjustment 

in value at some point, although I 

think that is farther out on the horizon than 

2016 as statewide median home values are predicted 

to increase by 3.2% this year, following 

a predicted 6.5% in 2015. That tells me as it 

did last year that the market is still improving 

gradually. We also can contribute this improving 

market to the small amount of distressed 

sales we saw in 2015. Distressed sales such 

as short sales, deed in lieu of foreclosure, and 

REO (bank owned properties) were down in 

2015 following the trend from 2014 and previous 

years. This helped the market level out 

while in most instances, investors bought these, 

renovated the properties, and put them back on 

the market as “flips.” This helped increase the 

value of the property and thus was reflected 

in the sales price while indirectly improving 

neighboring property values. 

As with any year, there are always things we 

can’t always control, such as some of the volatility 

around the world. These factors can challenge the 

momentum of many different markets and industries 

including the real estate market. I believe 

we are very lucky to live on the central coast and 

call it home. I’ve noticed more and more lately 

that others around the state and beyond are noticing 

that and relocating here from all over to 

enjoy what we naturally do every day. In that aspect, 

Paso Robles and surrounding areas are very 

affordable compared to some other areas such as 

the Bay Area, Southern California, San Diego, 

etc. For $500K you can buy an absolutely beautiful, 

move-in ready home here while in these 

other areas, that may not even get you a condo. 

This has made more and more buyers look at the 

central coast to call home. I also see many new 

construction projects around the county that is in 

response to the lack of inventory here locally. 

So 2016 here we come! Historically low interest 

rates will still exist, property values will increase 

slightly, the job market will improve, and 

there will be a strong demand from a large pool 

of buyers. That puts a smile on my face and I 

hope it does the same for all of you. Happy New 

Year and I’ll see you out there! 

MECHAM from page 16 

Mecham also wants to see the budget protected, 

2015 being the first year in the past 

seven with a surplus. 

After 20 years in public life, Mecham steps 

down, yet he feels like the same guy who first 

entered public life, serving on boards, as Paso 

Robles council member and mayor, and now 

as a retiring supervisor. 

He refuses to endorse a successor, although 

he’s been encouraged to do so. He does have 

advice for the candidates: 

“If you have any political experience, that is 

going to go a long way to help you,” Mecham 

advises, “It’s a big jump from city council, 

oversaved Dec - this is jan16 

there is a lot to know and you should know a 

little about a lot of things.” There is a bit of a 

learning curve, and Mecham feels fortunate to 

have had stepping stones. 

How will the new board interact? The 

election will tell, so Mecham is mum. 

“It will be interesting to see how they 

interact. I still have another whole year.” 

18 




The new year finds Californians in a different 

place, after a terror attack in San Bernardino and 

continuing statewide drought. How will they effect 

us? Let’s sample a handful of the over 2,000 new 

state laws set to take effect on January 1st 2016. 

AB 1: Expecting the state to get tougher on 

water-wasters, we look for tougher rules on water 

use, but oddly, AB 1 is your friend. This law prevents 

a local jurisdiction or homeowner association 

from fining you if you let your landscaping 

go brown, at least while the drought is still on. 

AB 622: Business experts said 2016 will be 

an El Niño of new workplace legislation. Starting 

the deluge is a new law that affects how employers 

review the legal status of new hires. In recent 

years, employers have used an electronic system, 

known as E-Verify to make sure new hires were 

U.S. citizens or foreign nationals who hold a 

green card or other form of work authorization. 

The system is run by three federal agencies; Social 

Security, US Citizenship and Immigration 

Services, and DHS, homeland security. 

Rather than seeing the system as an aid to 

employers, California lawmakers are concerned 

the system might be misused, checking current 

employees or prospective employees’ legal status, 

for instance. 

SB 358: The state steps in with tougher equal 

pay requirements, making it easier for employees 

to sue their boss on the basis they were denied 

equal pay for equal work. The short version is that 

employers will have a tougher time defending 

themselves, and the law also gives plaintiffs access 

to pay records at the company. The new statute 

has been labeled the toughest equal pay law in 

the country. 

Similar legislative changes make it 

tougher to refuse employment on the basis 

of disability and religion, while amended 

laws also make it tougher to retaliate against 

family members employed by the same company, 

for engaging in “legally protected behavior.” 

New employment rules also allow the labor 

commissioner to zap liens on company property 

to cover unpaid employee wage judgments, 

as well as giving him the power to enforce local 

minimum wage laws. 

AB 40: This is a quirky little law that governs 

contracts with companies and agencies operating 

toll bridges. Simply, nobody can charge a 

toll to pedestrians or bicyclists, so break out that 

Cannondale or those Reeboks, but leave your 

wallet at home; you won’t need it. 

AB 8: The Amber Alert system was set up to 

find and recover children and those with disabilities 

or mental handicaps who have been kidnapped. 

Now Los Angeles Assemblyman Mike 

Gatto’s new law adds a new category, hit-and-run 

victims. 

Amber alerts have been responsible for returning 

a large number of victims; Colorado recognized 

that fact, looking at an abysmal arrest rate 

for victims of hit-and-run. Eyewitnesses have 

been really good at noticing and getting facts to 

law enforcement, but delays in getting the make, 

model and license of a fleeing vehicle meant that 

the perps often get away. In Los Angeles, for 

instance, there are almost 20,000 hit-and-run 

accidents a year, but fewer than 20% are caught 

and prosecuted. AB 8 could change that. 

The new rule lets the Amber Alert system kick 

in when a hit-and-run accident leaves fatalities or 

serious injuries. 

California Highway Patrol has the authority 

to activate the system in a requested geographic 

area and information regarding the suspect or 

his or her vehicle would be disseminated after 

such accidents. 

AB 69: Police Body cameras. It is quite legal 

for citizens to record police, but California law 

used to prohibit police from recording individuals 

without their permission; AB 69 law allows 

body cameras to be used by officers, but only under 

certain conditions, and those conditions are 

at the moment a bit of an unknown. 

The law authorizes “best practices” rules to 

govern police body cams, regarding who gets 

recorded, what kind of testimony an officer can 

offer or not offer, before being able to see the actual 

video footage he recorded. What exactly that 

will mean, is still uncertain. Since cameras don’t 

blink, this law faced tough sledding with law 

enforcement unions concerned about their civil 

rights. Those become a great deal more pressing 

during 2015 when it seemed that nearly every 

week there were incidents where cries of police 

discrimination and brutality were shouted. 

With a growing number of citizens recording 

police encounters, both cops and civilians bring a 

lot more scrutiny to law enforcement. The new law 

seeks to bring some sense of order to the process, 

but look for a good deal of fine-tuning ahead. 

AB 28: Night cyclists needed a red reflector 

when riding at night or face an infraction citation. 

Legislators—and cyclist associations, presumably—argued 

a rear reflector shouldn’t be 

criminalized. The result is a new rule that decriminalizes 

reflectors, instead imposing a program 

upon the dastardly individuals who do not show a 

red light or reflector on the rear of their bicycles. 

SB 707: Banning guns is a subject that has 

occupied the media with dogged frequency and 

volume, especially after a major shooting. While 

California has some of the toughest gun laws in 

the nation, the 2nd Amendment still protects 

individual gun ownership. Some jurisdictions are 

working on banning where and when guns may be 

carried, and since many attacks happen at schools, 

they argue, the solution is a gun-free school zone. 

SB 707 prohibits a person from having a firearm 

in his possession around a school zone. The law 

basically extends the existing on-campus gun-ban 

to cover school zones, making them a felony, or in 

some cases, a misdemeanor. 

Details: an area within 1,000 feet of a K-12 

school, public or private college or university, or 

buildings owned and operated for student housing, 

teaching, research and administration. To 

compensate for what may be seen as an unconstitutional 

overreach, the law does spell out that 

campuses have to be clearly marked. 

20 



EDUCATION &YOUTH 

“If I cannot do great things, I can do small 

things in a great way.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. 

TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE 

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Annual Event 


The entire community is invited to attend a 

free commemorative event honoring Martin Luther 

King, Jr. on Saturday, January 16 from 1-3 

p.m. at the Flamson Middle School Auditorium, 

located at the corner of 24th and Spring streets. 

With a 2016 theme of Together, We Can Make a 

Difference, committee members and volunteers 

are once again stressing the importance of community 

members coming together as one. 

“Together we can keep the dream of Martin 

Luther King, Jr. alive,” said Sharon Williams, 

co-chair of the annual gathering with Lovella 

Walker. “From the youngest to the most senior 

in our community, 

we invite everyone 

to join us for 

a good time as we 

honor the powerful 

vision and 

message of a great 

man.” 

Sponsored by 

the City of Paso 

Robles, Library 

local elementary school children will be showcased 

and will focus on promoting unity in our 

community by incorporating the Together, We 

Can Make a Difference theme. 

“In addition, we will have children from the 

Youth Arts Foundation; the Flamson Drama 

Club performing a skit on bullying; local representatives 

from the Marine Color Guard presenting 

the colors; the God Squad Dance Crew; 

Central Coast Pipes and Drum leading us in 

Amazing Grace; a young women’s sign language 

group, and a few more surprises,” said Williams. 

“We are also incorporating our school district a 

bit more this year.” 

Among the MLK celebration performers, Central Coast Choir, left, and the God Squad Dance Crew, center. 

Participants at last year’s event right, prayed for solidarity 

and Recreation Services, the event has grown 

through the years and celebrates the powerful 

work, vision and message of Martin Luther King, 

Jr. Providing encouragement and motivation, 

keynote speaker Bob Bourgault, Almond Acres 

Academy Executive Director, will focus on “keeping 

the dream alive.” As in years past, there will be 

a freewill offering, with the funds benefiting two 

local non-profits, Paso Cares and R.I.S.E. 

Speakers, Art, 

Entertainment & More 

Guest speakers, inspirational singers and 

dancers, winners of the high school essay contest, 

and more will help bring the 2016 celebration to 

life; light refreshments will be served. Art from 

Students from Paso Robles High School, the 

Paso Robles Youth Commission, members of 

Senior Volunteer Services – all have volunteered 

their time year after year, according to Williams. 

People of all ages and walks of life show up to 

help with the celebration – it’s this type of collaboration 

that shows unity in our community. 

As with any community gathering, there’s always 

something that needs to be done; call Williams 

at 237-3988 to volunteer. 

“We try to bring the community together to 

show that we can all make a difference,” said Williams. 

“Each year, our celebration of Dr. Martin 

Luther King, Jr. has grown and it has become better 

because of our community – that inspires all of 

us to keep going and to keep moving forward.” 

Keeping the dream alive 

Williams elaborated on why it’s essential to 

keep the message of Martin Luther King. Jr. 

alive, saying, “Anytime there is a community 

event that brings people together, it is important 

to become involved and get to know your 

neighbors. This event helps to bring about 

awareness – you can see it reflected in the people 

that attend. I think that sometimes we just move 

along in our daily lives and we forget to appreciate 

one another. It’s important for us to not lose sight 

of what we can do when we gather together. When 

we keep in mind that Together, We Can Make a 

Difference, it helps to 

keep our community 

strong.” 

She said that another 

important message 

of Martin Luther 

King, Jr. is one 

of hope and keeping 

dreams alive. 

“Sometimes in life, 

people lose hope,” 

Williams said. “If they can reflect on his life and 

remember all that he sacrificed, perhaps they 

will regain hope and think, ‘If he did it, maybe 

I can do it, too.’ It’s important for everyone to 

keep their dream alive, keep striving, keep 

trying, and never lose sight of all of the things 

that one is capable of doing. We all have struggles, 

but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. 

We hope that by attending our annual celebration, 

everyone will find hope.” 

“The time is always right 

to do the right thing.” 

– Martin Luther King, Jr. 

22 


EDUCATION & YOUTH 

Isaac Lindsey has returned home 

By Heather Young 

Three months after sustaining 

a major injury to 

his head, Templeton High 

School football player 

Isaac Lindsey has returned 

home. On Friday, Sept. 18, 

2015, Lindsey sustained 

a head injury during the 

fourth quarter of the 

Templeton High vs. San 

Luis Obispo High School 

football game. 

At that time, he was 

placed in a medically induced 

coma at Sierra Vista 

Regional Medical Center 

in SLO. He was later moved 

to Santa Clara Valley Medical 

Center in San Jose. His 

mother, Jenny, reported that 

he went through emergency 

surgery the day after his injury 

to remove a piece of bone 

from his skull to allow his 

brain the space to swell without 

damaging brain tissue. 

He underwent a second surgery 

on Nov. 23, 2015, to put 

the bone back in place. Two 

days prior to the surgery, 

friends and family of Isaac 

gathered at Home Sweet 

Home Cottage and Ranch 

One Cool Earth starts composting at schools 

One Cool Earth is excited to start 

composting programs at two Paso 

Robles elementary schools, Virginia 

Peterson and Kermit King. Not only 

are the students learning to separate 

their trash, recyclables, and compost at 

lunch, but they’re also learning valuable 

team building skills and sustainability. 

Each day the lunch area is a hub of 

excited activity as the selected student 

leaders instruct their peers which items 

go in the blue bin (recycling), the grey 

bin (trash), or the yellow bin (compost). 

The leaders then take the yellow bins 

out to the garden, chop the compost 

with shovels before transferring it to 

a plastic “macro bin.” These compost 

bins are repurposed from the bins vineyards 

use to harvest grapes, graciously 

donated from Wild Horse Winery in 

Templeton. They have offered to supply 

6 of the bins at each school where they 

implement composting programs. 

Students have embraced the proto 

raise money for the Lindsey family. 

Before Lindsey returned home, 

a poster painting party was held at 

Templeton High School for friends 

to make welcome home signs for 

Lindsey for his return home. He was 

home in time to celebrate Christmas 

with his family: parents Michael and 

Jenny Lindsey, and siblings. 

In the last two months, Team 

Isaac, a group of friends, has raised 

more than $104,000 on GoFund- 

Me, and more with other fundraisers 

that have been held since. 

“Thank you again to the hundreds 

of people who have started fundraisers 

and participated in bringing the comgram 

by taking meaningful leadership 

roles in improving their campus 

and the environment. In addition, the 

composting has created a greater communication 

with the Food Services . 

Observations are made about what 

foods aren’t being eaten and these are 

reported back to Food Services so they 

can develop better ways to prepare and 

serve food. The program hopes to expand 

throughout the North County 

during the coming years. Contact One 

munity together and for the outpouring 

of love,” Lindsey’s parents said in a 

statement released in September. 

Lindsey’s head injury is not all that 

uncommon in high school football. 

According to Headcase Company, 

47-percent of all sports concussions occur 

during high school football. 

Other ways to show support: 

Team Isaac buttons are available at 

Templeton Market or call 369-3226 to 

purchase directly. 

Donations accepted for Team Isaac 

at any Heritage Oaks Bank. 

Make a donation at the Go Fund 

Me Isaac Lindsay #32 site, www.gofundme.com/4h4j3ej5. 

Team Isaac hats are available at 

Templeton Recreation Center, 599 S. 

Main St. in Templeton. 

Cool Earth if your school is interested. 

They can’t forget to give a shout out to 

other supporters: C and C Tree Services 

at providing wood chips, they’ve helped 

get ground covering at Lewis Middle 

School as well as Liberty High School; 

Sue Girard, the infamous “Seed Lady;” 

Kritz Trucking; Whit’s Turn Tree Care; 

and Carol with the North County 

Multiflora Club. Want to get involved? 

More garden donations, funding, and 

volunteers are needed. Don’t hesitate 

to contact audrey@onecoolearth.org to 

receive more information. 


PAS0 PEOPLE 

Theme for 2016: ‘Called to proclaim mighty acts of the Lord’ 

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 

invites community By Melissa Chavez 

The call to walk in His footsteps 

When Jesus Christ uttered his Sermon on 

the Mount, he instructed those who may be 

followers of him to commit both action and 

verbal profession in their devotion to Christ. It is 

in this spirit that the World Council of Churches, 

an international fellowship seeking unity, 

brings to its worldwide annual prayer vigils the 

theme for 2016: “Called to proclaim the mighty 

acts of God (1 Peter2:9).” 

Local prayer gatherings in North San Luis 

Obispo County will be held during the week 

of January 18-25 in San Miguel, Paso Robles, 

Templeton and Atascadero. At each 7 p.m. 

service, a specific area of prayer 

is traditionally focused upon 

with accompanying scripture 

readings. The gatherings join 

together a variety of denominations 

all over the world. 

In the spirit of unity and 

fellowship, leaders share pulpits 

and parishes, and congregations 

welcome community 

members to take part in practicing 

truer fellowship among 

followers of Christ. 

Attention to the 2016 theme 

to “proclaim mighty acts of 

the Lord” in detail, a variety 

of aspects will be prayerfully 

encountered, including: “The 

Call to Be God’s People,” 

“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its 

taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer 

good for anything but to be thrown out and 

trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. 

A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor 

do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel 

basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light 

to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine 

before others, that they may see your good deeds 

and glorify your heavenly Father.” 

Jesus Christ at The Sermon on the Mount 

“Hearing of God’s Mighty Acts,” “Healing 

Wounds,” “Searching for Truth and Unity” and 

“An Active Commitment to Human Dignity.” 

Among the order of every service are a musical 

welcome to gather, prayers for the Holy Spirit, 

a song of praise, a moment of silence, prayers 

for reconciliation, proclamation of the Word of 

God, a gesture of commitment to be as “salt and 

light” to the world, prayers for peace, sharing of 

peace and a concluding blessing. 

Ecumenical origins 

Established in 1908 by Father Paul Wattson, 

SA, who co-founded the Graymoor Franciscan 

Friars in Garrison, New York, he purposed the 

meetings to help fulfill Jesus’ 

prayer that “they may be one 

so that the world may believe 

( John 17:21).” 

Wattson, who was initially 

ordained as an Episcopal 

priest, sensed a calling to 

form a spiritual fellowship of 

believers within his church 

that emulated ways of the 

Franciscan Friars. In 1898, 

with another Episcopalian, 

Lurana White, he founded 

the Catholic-based Society of 

the Atonement in Graymoor, 

New York. The two made the 

decision to enter the Roman 

Catholic Church. In 1909, 

the ecumenical Society would 

become the first religious community since the 

16th century Reformation to be received into the 

Catholic Church. The Week of Prayer, actually 

an octave, carries special significance. Where it is 

written that God created the earth in seven days, 

the eight days signals completeness, or the reign 

of God in which creation lives. 

Local kinship 

Most of the meetings will be co-hosted by other 

neighboring churches. Mission San Miguel, is 

one of eight participating churches who share a 

common passion to see through Jesus’ instruction 

of following godly precepts. Sister Loretta, 

now retired, and one of the persons influential 

for initiating and establishing the “Week of 

Prayer” to San Luis Obispo, has stated, “As we 

pray for and strive towards the full visible unity 

of the church, we will be changed, transformed 

and conformed to the likeness of Christ.” 

‘WEEK OF PRAYER’ 

MEETING LOCATIONS 

Monday, Jan. 18: First Presbyterian Church, 

610 Main Street, Templeton 

Co-hosts: Bethel Lutheran Church, Life 

Community Church, Family Praise and Worship, 

Templeton Hills Seventh Day Adventist 

Church 

Tuesday, Jan. 19: Trinity Lutheran Church, 

940 Creston Road, Paso Robles 

Co-host: Family Worship Center 

Wednesday, Jan. 20: Saint Rose of Lima, 820 

Creston Road, Paso Robles 

Thursday, Jan. 21: North County Christian 

Fellowship, 421 9th Street, Paso Robles Cohost: 

St. James Episcopal Church 

Friday, Jan. 22: Mission San Miguel, 775 Mission 

Street, San Miguel 

Saturday, Jan. 23: Hope Lutheran Church, 

8005 San Gabriel Road, Atascadero Co-host: 

United Methodist Church 

Sunday, Jan. 24: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 

5318 Palma Avenue, Atascadero Co-host: 

Community Church 

Monday, Jan. 25: St. Williams Church, 6410 

Santa Lucia Road, Atascadero 

24 



PASO PEOPLE 

Talent 

and 

Passion 

By Chuck Desmond 

Cheri Lucas and 

Second Chance at Love Humane Society 

pital, got hooked 

on her mission and 

became the primary 

fixer-upper as well 

as making kingsized 

donations for 

vet services. After 

Katrina, 30 dogs 

with all sorts of 

sickness-conditions 

were rescued and 

brought to Second 

Chance for repair 

and adoption. That 

was the second largest 

Katrina-rescue in 

the entire state! 

Cheri Lucas with Brogan 

PASSION was 

going okay but TALENT was waiting 

to unfold. Down south, a guy in 

the worst section of South-Central 

was slowly becoming known as a 

man who could “get to dogs’ souls.” 

His name was Cesar Millan. He 

and Cheri were soon to meet. Cheri 

had too many dogs and too many of 

them were “troubled dogs that needed 

fixing.” In 1997, seeing an article 

about him in the LA Times, Cheri 

called Cesar. Explaining her situation 

(in Spanish) she drove to Inglewood 

to meet him. He had a huge 

array of off-leash dogs just waggin’ in 

his compound. None of them were 

a-fightin’ or a-growlin’. Cheri wanted 

the secret; two weeks later, Cesar 

and his family drove to Templeton. 

The deal was closed; he would teach 

her what he knew! 

The Dog Whisperer had 

been a fledgling off-themainstream-grid 

show 

for a year when fortune 

struck again. Oprah 

heard about, and then called, Cesar. 

With Oprah’s enormous TV influence 

the series 

ran for eight more 

years. Cheri became 

involved in 

the show’s input, 

appeared in some 

episodes, but 

mostly, learned 

the characteristics 

of owners and 

their relationships 

to their dogs. 

This became the 

fundamental basis 

for Ms. Lucas’ 

self-description 

as a “behaviorist-match 

maker.” 

Pair the right person to the right 

dog and that “forever-companion-relationship” 

is bound to work. 

Since 1993, Cheri has placed 5,500 

dogs with new owners! TALENT 

indeed! 

When Dog Whisperer ended, Cesar 

and Cheri did a show in Spain 

called “Leader of the Pack” with dogs 

brought in from other countries. 

Europe’s shelters were overflowing 

with dogs but Cheri kept learning 

– and started teaching. Cheri has 

become instrumental in the design 

of course materials for a globally-franchised 

program called Training 

Cesar’s Way. This March, Cheri 

will begin training the trainers so the 

methodology can be used anywhere. 

Let’s stop and catch our breaths 

for a moment. Ms. Whirlwind is 

certainly a busy woman so who’s 

minding the store? This is a business 

and it’s run as such. At any given 

time, there are about 50 adoptable 

dogs at Second Chance. Some are 

“Sanctuary Dogs” generally meaning 

they are old and will live their final 

Our story really begins in 1993 but 

in order to get it set up, we have to start 

a bit earlier. 

CHERI WULFF-LUCAS was 

born in the Bay Area into family 

generations that led very busy lives. 

Before high school, Cheri and family 

were living primarily in Guatemala. 

She says, “That’s where I grew up. 

I formed an awareness of a different 

world and lifestyle and I also became 

bi-lingual.” 

Cheri returned to The States and 

earned a BA in Criminal Justice at 

Cal State-Sacramento. “Using basically 

none of my formal education, 

I took a southeast regional position 

selling college textbooks based out 

of Atlanta. Meanwhile, my sister 

was attending Cal Poly and every 

time I visited, I became more enamored 

with the Central Coast 

and most specifically, Templeton. 

In 1993, I left my job, packed up 

and moved here.” 

And that, dear readers is where our 

story begins! 

Cheri always possessed a PAS- 

SION for animals and out of the 

clear-blue and with some divine 

providence, she decided to start a humane 

society. Taking a fresh twist, 

Ms. Lucas committed to concentrate 

on dogs that needed special help. 

Old, broken, abandoned, behavioral 

problems, strays; those were the ones 

she would rescue. Within the year, 

Second Chance at Love Humane 

Society was established 

and officially entered 

into business. 

Dogs arrived and so 

did the growing clientele 

list. Dr. Tim Bell, DVM, owner 

of North County Animal Hosdays 

at this no-kill facility. With a 

staff of three as kennel managers and 

Tim Bell’s staff as the veterinarians, 

feeding, exercising, training, seminars, 

consultations, doctoring, pairing 

dogs to humans, dog-transporters, 

enlisting volunteers, advertising 

and fund-raising are daily chores. 

Speaking of fund-raising, Second 

Chance is always in major need of financial 

support. If you’d care to help, 

mail donations to Second Chance at 

PO Box 396, Templeton, 93465 or 

go on line at the web address below. 

To unwind now and then, Cheri 

created SPAW DAYS. Six busy 

women at a time with their dogs 

spend a Friday evening through 

Sunday at local venues being pampered, 

relaxing, sharing their career 

stories and building a better bond 

with their dog. Pretty cool! 

To find out more, contact Cheri 

at www.CheriLucasDogBehavior, 

phone 434-3982 or email at Doggierehab@gmail.com. 

It’s remarkable how yet again, 

TALENT and PASSION have 

emerged and merged in your Paso 

Robles Magazine’s readership area! 

It’s so great living here! 

If you know someone who should 

be spotlighted for this column, contact 

Chuck at CDESConsult@yahoo.com. 

26 




Paso Robles Mayor’s 

Monthly Museum Tour 

At the Camp Roberts Historical 

Museum, during a meeting with the 

North County Historical Co-op 

(NCHC), Paso Robles Mayor Steve 

Martin announced a new program 

called the “Mayor’s Monthly Museum 

Tour,” where he will visit a different 

local museum each month. 

The program is geared to publicize 

our local history venues and to 

increase their attendance. All of the 

museums and societies in the area 

are linked together in the co-op so 

that they can share ideas with each 

other and coordinate events more 

effectively. The Mayor emphasized 

that he is very interested in urging 

the public to visit our many museums 

in order to learn about, and to 

have a better appreciation, for the 

history of our area. 

The Mayor stated that he will 

urge his fellow mayors in North 

County to take the tours along with 

him when he visits Atascadero, 

Cambria and other North County 

cities and towns. He will begin 

the museum tours on January 13 at 

10 a.m. with a visit to the Camp Roberts 

Historical Museum, which is the 

largest Army museum in California. 

The organizations that comprise 

the NCHC are the Paso Robles 

Pioneer Museum, the Paso Robles 

Historical Society in the Carnegie 

Library, the Camp Roberts Historical 

Museum, the Colony House 

Museum in Atascadero, the Santa 

Margarita Historical Society, the 

Templeton Historical Society and 

Museum, the Cayucos Historical 

Society, the Rios-Caledonia Adobe 

in San Miguel, the Mission San 

Miguel de Archangel, the Estrella 

Warbird Museum and the Cambria 

Historical Society and Museum. 

Admission to most of the museums 

is free. More information on 

each can be found on the NCHC 

website, www.nslohistory.org. 

Mayor’s Monthly Museum Tours - Flanking The Honorable Steve 

Martin, Mayor of Paso Robles, and Gary McMaster, Chairman 

and Curator of the Camp Roberts Historical Museum, in the Camp 

Roberts Museum’s 1943 Willys jeep with McMaster at the wheel, are 

(L to R) Tom Taylor (Camp Roberts Historical Museum), Sue 

Dollemore (Estrella Warbirds Museum), Mike Levine (Estrella 

Warbirds Museum), Betty Miller (Estrella Warbirds and Camp Roberts 

Museums), Nancy Tweedie (Paso Robles Historical Society), 

Milene Radford (Paso Robles Pioneer Museum & Templeton Historical 

Museum Society), Jan Cannon (Paso Robles Historical Society), 

Joyce Herman (Rios-Caledonia Adobe), Danyce Gustafson (Paso 

Robles Historical Society), Susan Velasquez (Mission San Miguel 

Museum), Lon Allan (Atascadero Historical Society), John Ehlers 

(Cambria Historical Society), Margi Bauer (Estrella Warbirds 

Museum), Darrell Radford (Templeton Historical Society), James 

Wilkins (Atascadero Historical Society), and Jim Blaes (Atascadero 

Historical Society). 

“The Kings of Cool” A tribute 

to Frank Sinatra & Dean Martin 

Just in time for Valentine’s 

Day, the “Kings of Cool” 

will be presenting Dinner 

Theatre concerts to benefit 

Wine Country Theatre for 

two nights, February 

13 and 14, at the Park 

Ballroom. The group 

consists of Chad Stevens, 

Bobby Horn, John Laird, 

and the Brett Mitchell Trio. 

They have been performing 

timeless music from the Frank 

Sinatra and Dean Martin catalog 

together since April of 2004, 

when they were initially known as 

“Franks and Deans.” The cast takes 

you back in time with a cabaret style 

performance reminiscent of the Las 

Vegas shows of these two superstars 

and the rest of the “Rat Pack” of the 

’60’s. The cast does a tribute to, 

not an imitation of, these fine 

performers. There is plenty of 

impromptu comedy on stage, and 

audience participation is not only 

welcomed, but expected. 

Some of the favorites of the 

Please see COOL page 29 

28 



COOL from page 28 

great American Songbook written 

by such legends as Sammy 

Cahn, Cole Porter, and Rodgers 

& Hart will include: Fly Me to 

the Moon; Everybody Loves 

Somebody; The Lady is a Tramp; Luck 

be a Lady; New York, New York; 

That’s Amore; and many others. 

“We were originally going to 

do the show on the 100th anniversary 

of Frank Sinatra’s birth, 

December 12, but that was the 

evening of Vine Street in Paso 

Robles,” said Chad 

Stevens. “These are 

familiar songs everyone 

knows. We had 

three generations at 

one table for a show 

and they were all 

singing along. An 

evening of great 

music and great fun! Things are 

always changing with us - but 

consistently silly and spontaneous! 

If you don’t walk out smiling we 

haven’t done our job.” 

Dinner will be at 6 p.m. with 

the show starting 

at 7:30 p.m. both 

nights, Saturday and 

Sunday, February 

13 and 14, at the 

Park Street Ballroom, 

1232 Park 

Street, #200 (above 

F. McLintock’s) in 

Paso Robles. Prices for dinner and 

show are $65 each, for groups of 8 

or more $55 each, a ticket for the 

show only is $25. For ticket information 

check out winecountry 

theatre.com or 1-800-838-3006. 



Creating with Legos 

Do you like to create with 

Legos? If so, join them at the 

Library on Wednesday, January 

20, from 2-4:30 p.m. to make 

Lego creations using their Lego 

supply and YOUR imagination. 

Every builder will be able to 

choose one creation to display at 

the Library. 

Pajama Story Time 

Library Story Room, Thursdays 

at 6:30 p.m. on January 28, February 

25, March 

31, April 28 and 

May 26 

Children of 

all ages. Put on 

your comfy jammies 

and slippers 

and join them in 

the Library Story Room for an 

evening of stories and fun with 

volunteer storyteller Tony Wallace. 

Children – bring an adult 

to snuggle with – this program is 

appropriate for the whole family. 

AT THE PASO ROBLES LIBRARY 

Toddler Story Time 

Children ages 1-3. Library 

Story Room, Friday mornings at 

10:30 a.m., repeated at 11:30 a.m. 

Stories, movement, music and 

a simple craft for their tiny story 

time friends. Help your child 

begin to learn listening skills in 

this 30-minute program geared 

to the interests and abilities of 

the littlest listeners. Parents must 

accompany their child to the 

Library Story Room. 

Pre-School Story Time 

Children ages 3-6. Library 

Story Room, Monday mornings 

at 10:30 a.m., 

repeated at 11:30 a.m. 

Stories, songs, music, 

movement and a craft 

make up this pre-school 

story time designed to 

engage the pre-school 

set. 

2016 Art Displays 

Kick Off with Local Artist 

Betty Scanlan 

Betty Scanlan grew up traveling 

the world with her Army family. 

Her mother, an oil painter, had a 

strong influence on her daughter’s 

desire to one day pick up a 

brush and express what she saw. 

As a child, Scanlan won awards 

for animal sculptures, charcoal 

drawings, and paintings of insects 

and birds. 

After raising her family and 

a long career as a nurse, Scanlan 

finally had time to take up 

her brushes and study watercolor. 

She has painted with many 

local masters, but the strongest 

influence on her art has been 

John Barnard. She loves his 

sense of freedom and whimsy. 

Her favorite old master is 

Cezanne. 

Scanlan has painted watercolor 

for 15 years and enjoys painting 

landscapes both on the Central 

Coast and in the Sierra Nevadas. 

Painting brings a sense of peace and 

joy. One never knows what will happen 

to the colors as the water has its 

way with it. While she loves the surprises 

that watercolor can produce, 

she sometimes enjoys the control of 

oil painting. Her style is bold with 

strong contrasts and is evolving to be 

more free and impressionistic. 

The Paso Robles City Library is 

located at 1000 Spring Street and 

is open Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 

8 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. 

to 5 p.m. For more information 

on library programs and 

events, call 237-3870 or visit 

www.prcity.com/library. 

30 



Paso Unveiled, February 27 – Save the Date! 

Get tickets now for YMCA fashion show 

& entertainment extravaganza! 


Mark your calendar for 

Paso Unveiled – a fashion 

show and entertainment extravaganza 

that’s sure to dazzle 

attendees of all ages. Taking 

place on February 27 at 

Centennial Park, this one-ofa-kind 

event is a fundraiser 

for our local YMCA. 

“We are excited about the 

event and we are hoping many members 

of our local community will come 

out, enjoy a fun evening, and support 

our local YMCA,” said Nicolette Harley-Barth. 

A member of the Board of 

Directors for SLOYMCA, she also 

serves on the North County Advisory 

Committee and the Fundraising 

Committee. “Proceeds from Paso Unveiled 

will go towards scholarships for 

local children so they may attend Y 

classes, camps and programs.” 

A non-profit organization, SLOY- 

MCA serves local children and their 

families. With many families unable 

to afford fees associated with classes, 

camps, and programs, fundraisers such 

as Paso Unveiled help ensure that no 

child is turned away for lack of 

funds. 

Local celebrities and community 

members will model 

fashions from local stores including 

Apropos, Boot Barn, 

Alliance Board Co., Burlap 

Clothing Co., Little Wash, Bella 

Novia Bridal, and more. Students 

from Designs School of 

Cosmetology will sport extreme 

makeup and costumes selections. 

Entertainment currently booked 

includes: Callie Twisselman, the God 

Squad Dance Crew, Main St. Dance, 

and the Allan Hancock’s Daydreamers 

with special guest Jesus Solorio. Bobby 

Horn is on board as the Master of 

Ceremonies, and more entertainers, 

stores, and local talent will be added; 

see the February edition of Paso Robles 

Magazine for details. 

“Paso Unveiled is about unveiling 

our local talent and the wide range of 

styles from local stores in our community,” 

said Vicky Jeffcoach, producer 

of the show. Well-known for her enthusiasm 

and a history of creating and 

delivering elaborate productions, she 

said her friends at the Y asked for her 

expertise and know-how when they 

decided to do the event. “They sort 

of brought me out of retirement. And 

they have plans to make this an annual 

fundraiser, so that’s a good thing for all 

of us – I love it, I really do!” 

Each segment throughout the evening 

will be based on a theme such as 

Star Wars, western or bridal, according 

to Vicky. 

“It’s going to be entertaining, fun, 

and just an all-around good evening 

out for everyone,” said Vicky. “It takes 

a lot of amazing people to make an 

event such as this happen, and we are 

still in need of volunteers and participation 

from more local stores.” Contact 

Vicky at 835-2052 for more info. 

Tickets are $35 per person and include 

access to the show, entertainment, 

appetizers, and desserts. Purchase tickets 

now at the Paso Robles Y office, 

located in the gym at Centennial Park, 

or go to www.eventbrite.com and type 

in 93446 and SLOYMCA for a link 

to Paso Unveiled. Local wine and beer 

will be available for purchase; doors 

open at 7 p.m. with the show starting 

at 8 p.m. For more information, check 

out the SLOYMCA Facebook page or 

see sloymca.org. 


ROUND TOWN 

COUNTY PERSPECTIVE 

BY BRUCE CURTIS 

Aerial Tones: As a corporate 

pilot, I’ve gotten plenty of amusement 

from air traffic control; lately 

it has been a certain controller 

whose silken, sultry tones could 

melt jet engines. I have named her, 

The Voice. 

I have no idea who she is, but The 

Voice makes you want to fly circles, 

never leaving her airspace sector. 

She has the power to turn grizzled 

jumbo jet captains into mewling 

teenagers, the younger corporate 

pilots are the worst; I’ve never heard 

them actually ask for her phone 

number, but you know it has to have 

happened. 

The Voice: ”fly heading three 

five zero and contact Los Angeles 

on 116.89…have a nice day…” 

Captain: Three five zero and 

one-one-six-point eighty nine… 

you just have a wonderful day yourself, 

good-byee…” You never heard 

anything so syrupy-sweet from 

grown professionals in your life, it’s 

embarrassing. 

The topic of golden-throated oration 

naturally brings up politicians, 

especially as we enter the political 

season. This month we have a new 

candidate, John Peschong, running 

for supervisor in the First District 

which runs from Kern County on 

the East, to Monterey County on 

the north. 

Earlier we gave you the headsup 

on Anthony Kalvans, but now 

the young San Miguel native has 

pulled out of the 1st District race, 

throwing his support behind John 

Peschong. 

Peschong brings more than 

local political savvy to the race; the 

senior strategist for both George 

W. Bush and John McCain, Peschong 

was also chief executive 

for California’s Republican party. 

His current gig is partner in Templeton-based 

Meridian, a political 

consulting firm. He also writes a 

conservative counterpoint column 

for a San Luis Obispo newspaper – 

which he’s agreed to drop as supervisoral 

candidate. 

John Hamon, owner of Hamon 

Overhead Doors, is another candidate 

and has also served on the 

Paso Robles city council. No doubt 

eyeing Peschong’s partisan creds, 

Hamon emphasizes common sense 

solutions and consensus-building. 

While those might seem like 

traditional code words for being a 

swing voter, Hamon says he’s more 

center-right and worries that could 

divide voters. 

“I wish [Peschong] had not decided 

to run because he’s going 

to probably put [candidate Paso 

Robles Mayor Steve] Martin in the 

seat by splitting the conservative 

vote.” 

Trafficking: There is no doubt 

that heavy visitor-industry promotion 

has been working. San Luis 

Obispo County has seen marked 

rises in tourism proving we’re apparently 

on the map, big-time, 

but one of the side effects is more 

traffic. 

Hwy 46 east, tragically nicknamed 

“blood alley” chalked up 

another death this year; 38 motorists 

have lost their lives since 2000, 

according to highway patrol figures, 

with well over 200 accidents, 

just between 2006 and 2009, but 

Los Angeles-style gridlock is also 

becoming a fact of life. 

More than $75 million Prop 

1B money is helping on 46 east, 

bringing four lanes to the game, but 

four lanes are no longer enough in 

the south county. Road capacity is 

colliding with growth, whether 

people buy a house or just spend 

the night. The problem was never 

more vividly illustrated than during 

the Thanksgiving weekend, when 

the poor souls trying to get down 

over Cuesta Grade found themselves 

in a parking lot as far as the 

eye could see. An accident south of 

San Luis Obispo was to blame, but 

even so, evening commutes have, 

more often than not, become stopand-go 

brake-light congas. 

Motorists must make do with 

even fewer lanes on 227, taken over 

by commuters attempting to bypass 

101’s chronic gridlock. SLOCOG, 

the San Luis Obispo County 

Council of Governments, (SLO- 

COG) will study possible short 

term solutions. 

Changing behavior can help. 

Many states impose heavy fines 

on slow motorists blocking the 

left lane on multi-lane highways; 

keeping slower traffic to the right 

has the effect of increasing capacity 

and smoothing traffic flow. California 

has such a law, but it is rarely 

enforced. 

Pricey Eau: An irony of water 

conservation is more expensive water. 

Now, you might assume that’s 

because it’s scarcer, but the real reason 

is Byzantine in a way only government 

can make happen. 

For instance, as Santa Margarita 

water users cut back, as we all must 

in these bedroughted times, San 

Luis Obispo County Department 

of Public Works makes less money. 

Their most recent proposal to compensate 

is a fairly draconian 35% 

water user rate hike. You see, instead 

of cutting back on expenses like we 

poor citizens do when there is less 

money, governments must raise fees 

or taxes, because, heaven forbid they 

have to do with less. 

Now, to be fair, regardless of 

how much or little water is used, 

it does cost the county roughly the 

same to bring water to residents; 

pipes require the same amount of 

maintenance, pumps and reservoirs 

have maintenance and staffing 

requirements that don’t change appreciably. 

Yet with proposed rate 

hikes in Santa Margarita, average 

water bills could go from just 

under $90 a month to nearly $120. 

It doesn’t seem like the pain is 

being shared equitably by user and 

provider. 

Santa Margaritans, who have 

cut usage by 32%, rejected a similar 

rate hike last summer. The County 

subsidized the revenue shortfall by 

$60,000, but the proposal brings in 

an extra $100,000. They must hate 

me on Monterey St. when I emphasize 

numbers this way. 

Psych-out: A plan to build 

a 91-bed psychiatric care facility 

across from Twin Cities Community 

Hospital in Templeton 

is meeting with a fair amount of 

opposition. County planners have 

received hundreds of comments 

about the proposal from Vizion 

Health LLC, but planners aren’t 

counting the breakdown for 

or against. Still, opponents have 

started Concerned Citizens Preventing 

Unintended Consequences, 

a heady moniker, to fight the 

proposal. The facility would also 

include 60 beds for dementia, 

Alzheimer and similar memory-related 

patients. 

The group claims to have 500 

signatures on a petition opposing 

the proposed privately owned 

facility. 

I’m just thinking here that I ought 

to ask The Voice for her phone 

number, next time I fly through. I’m 

thinking she might just be able to 

win the race for supervisor. 

32 


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ROUND TOWN 

The Salinans 

At the annual dinner meeting 

in November of the San Antonio 

Valley Historical Association, the 

featured speaker for the evening 

was Suzanne Pierce Taylor, Salinan 

elder and Playano Salinan descendant 

who authored “The Ancestors 

Speak” a story of her own ancestry. 

She was joined by Salinan natives 

Susan Latta, member of the Tribal 

Council and Mary Two-Hawks 

Armas-Rodgers, SAVHA Board 

member. I thank them for permission 

to use information from both 

the book and the Salinan website. 

Salinan Indians inhabited the north 

county of San Luis Obispo from 

the Cuesta Grade into southern 

Monterey County. They were a 

peaceable tribe, hunters and gatherers, 

who lived in harmony with the 

land and neighboring tribes. 

Archaeological studies have determined 

their presence in the area 

for at least 10,000 years. Their language, 

Hokan, said to be one of the 

oldest in California, was spoken in 

three dialects – the Antoñiano in the 

Mission San Antonio area, the Migueleño 

near Mission San Miguel, 

and Playaño, spoken on the coast. 

Similarities in the dialects 

made it easy for each 

group to understand the 

others. Although much 

of their language was 

lost during the mission 

era, efforts are being 

made to preserve what 

is still known. Tribes 

visited back and forth 

often and intermarried. 

To the south were the Chumash 

while the Yokut and Tulares lived 

eastward. Boundaries were respected 

and permission asked to cross them. 

Before the advent of the missions, 

the Salinans lived a gently structured, 

family-oriented and full life. 

They lived in conical grass huts in 

family villages, respected each other, 

the neighboring tribes and the lands 

that provided for all of them. 

They were peaceable people who 

believed in a Creator and lived the 

Golden Rule long before Christianity 

came into their lives. Weapons 

were used to hunt birds and 

animals for food and other uses. As 

in many cultures, food was important 

not only for sustenance but also 

part of their social interaction. Their 

diet was varied and healthy. Meat 

was roasted or dried for jerky. Brush 

under the oak trees 

would be burned 

for ease of gathering 

acorns which were a 

staple. They would be dried, 

hulled and ground into 

flour, with the bitter taste 

leached out. The flour, very 

high in vegetable protein, was 

made into pancakes, baked 

into little cakes, used to thicken 

soups and cooked like cereal. 

Special, tightly woven and waterproofed 

cooking baskets were 

used on hot rocks. Wild fruits, 

nuts, seeds and berries were picked 

fresh in season, dried and stored 

for later use. They gathered edible 

roots, wild onions and garlic 

and used sea kelp for salt. Honey 

was a sweetener. Medicinal plants 

were also identified and used. 

They fished the rivers and ocean. 

Different foods were available with 

the changing seasons and diets 

varied accordingly. 

Salinan clothing was minimal in 

the temperate climate. Men wore 

ornaments in their ears and used 

paint on their bodies but, except 

for the shaman who might wear 

one eagle feather, they did not wear 

feathers. In cold weather they would 

wear a fur cape and for hunting, a 

deerskin complete with antlered 

head for camouflage. Women’s skirts 

were made with panels in front and 

back of leather or woven grasses and 

they also wore capes of rabbit fur or 

woven grasses in winter. 

Children wore nothing until 

adulthood. An application of mud 

to seal in body heat kept them 

warm when it got very cold. Children 

were raised with freedom 

and taught to use their senses, be 

honorable, helpful, generous and 

dependable. The older generation 

taught maturing youth the rituals 

and responsibilities of adulthood. 

Modesty was considered very 

important for the young women. 

The young boys were initiated with 

special rituals. Music was very important. 

Musical instruments were 

made to accompany singing and 

dancing for all occasions. Offenses 

were dealt with by admitting 

guilt and making reparation; family 

honor was paramount. 

Today the traditions are being 

studied and documented by members 

of the tribe. 

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) 

Chronic Pain Support Group 

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 

is a progressive disease of the 

autonomic nervous system which 

typically results from an injury and 

considered one of the most constant, 

intense forms of chronic pain that exists 

today with symptoms of inflammation, 

weakness, spasms, insomnia, 

emotional disturbances and others. 

Symptoms may change due to the 

stage the patient is in; medications 

and treatments. Symptoms of CRPS 

should not be viewed in a snapshot; 

but observed over a period of time. 

The Central Coast Chapter of the 

American Chronic Pain Associa- 

tion meets the 3rd Tuesday of each 

month at the Community Room at 

Rabobank, 1025 Las Tablas Road 

in Templeton from 6 to 7 p.m. The 

ACPA is a nonprofit, self-help 

group assisting individuals who suffer 

with chronic pain by providing 

information, education and emo- 

tional support. Group facilitator Suzanne 

Miller belongs to numerous 

pain organizations; sharing information 

at meetings and online with 

members of the group. 

For more information, contact 

Suzanne Miller 704-5970 suzanne. 

miller@ymail.com and attend the 

monthly meetings. The group welcomes 

anyone with any type of 

chronic pain to include fibromyalgia, 

rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, 

neuropathy, migraines, back 

pain and other conditions. 

34 



ROUND TOWN 

JUMP INTO 2016 IN TEMPLETON 

By Heather Young 

January Women in Business 

Templeton Chamber of Commerce’s 

Women in Business meets 

the second Tuesday of the month 

at 11:30 a.m. at rotating locations. The January 

meeting will be held on Jan. 12 at Templeton 

Community Center, 420 Crocker St. The 

cost is $20 for chamber members and $25 for 

non-members. To RSVP, call 434-1789 by the 

Thursday by 5 p.m. before the luncheon. 

Community Shorts: Finders and Founders 

Community Shorts is a community readaloud 

events will take place each month at the 

Templeton Performing Arts Center on the 

Templeton High School campus on the last 

Sunday of the month at 4 p.m. It is based on 

the public radio program where celebrities, or 

community members, read their favorite short 

stories in front of a live audience. 

Each month there will be a different 

theme or author. Money raised 

from ticket sales or donations will 

pay for the use of the facility and 

help fund the new community theater 

group, North County Theatre Works, who is 

hosting the event. Donations will be accepted at 

the door. For more information, contact North 

County Theatre Works co-founder and director 

Catherine Kingsbury at northcountytheatreworks@gmail.com 

or 712-7999. 

SLOFolks Concert: 

Daniel Champagne 

SLOFolks’ January’s 

indoor concert 

will feature Australian 

born folk artist 

Daniel Champagne 

on Saturday, 

Jan. 23 at Castoro 

Cellars, 1315 N. 

Bethel Road in Templeton. Doors will 

open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 

7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 each. For more 

information, go to www.castorocellars.com 

Symphony of the Vines concert: 

A Hunting We Will Go 

Symphony of the Vines will perform “A 

Hunting We Will Go,” music by Haydn, 

Mozart, and Beethoven, on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 

3 p.m. at Templeton Performing Arts Center, 

1200 S. Main St. in Templeton. For more information, 

go to www.symphonyofthevines.org or 

call 235-0687. 

Templeton January After Five Mixer: 

Las Tablas Animal Hospital 

Templeton Chamber of Commerce’s 

January After Five Mixer will be held at Las 

Tablas Animal Hospital, 959 Las Tablas 

Road in Templeton, on Thursday, Jan. 28 from 

5:30 to 7 p.m. Mixers are generally held on 

the fourth Thursday of each month and are 

sponsored by member businesses. For more information, 

go to www.templetonchamber.com 

or call 434-1789. 

36 


SHOP 

TEMPLETON 

SHOP 

TEMPLETON 

SHOP 

TEMPLETON 


Find us at 

Centennial Park 

600 Nickerson Drive 

Phone: 237-3988 

brimming with unlimited choices 

for you and your family. 

So come out and play in 2016! 

www.facebook.com/ 

Happy New Year from the 

team! As we look ahead, there 

is so much for our community 

to celebrate in 2016. 

This winter and spring, our 

beloved City Park will undergo a 

annual Summer Concerts in the 

Park. With a new playground, 

Celebrating 

One Man. His Mission. His Purpose 

T O G E T HER 

We Can Make A Difference 

repairs to the gazebo and a 

revamped entry plaza in the 

to put a new gleam on this gem 

in the middle of downtown 

Paso Robles. 

Speaking of summer, we’re 

ready to dive into the new year 

re-opening of Centennial 

Pool. With the 

winter chill in the 

air, it’s hard to 

imagine, but in a few short 

months Centennial Pool will 

once again be filled with the 

sounds of splashing and playing! 

This year, we invite you to join 

us for one of our many recreoffers 

something for 

every area of 

interest. Check out 

our most recent 

offerings, scan the QR code or visit 

Hosted by the City of Paso Robles 

FLAMSON MIDDLE SCHOOL AUDITORIUM 

2405 Spring Street 


SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2016 

1:00pm - 3:00pm 

Special guest speakers, youth speakers, 

musical performances, showcasing 

Refreshments served. 

38 

unity in our community. 


HOOFBEAT 

By Dorothy 

Rogers 

Heading south to Pasadena for the 

127th Rose Parade? 

If you arrive on the 29th, consider 

heading to the LA Equestrian 

Center for a real equine show. Riders 

will strut their stuff while keeping 

the horses in check for the parade 

on the 1st. 

Rose Parade Equestrian 

Entries 

Parade entries are varied with 

something for almost everyone. 

Los Hermanos Bañuelos, 

the Martinez family, the Medieval 

Times representatives will 

take you back in time for a joust. 

Adding to the fun are the New 

Buffalo Soldiers, National Park 

Service, Norco Cowgirls, Scripps 

Miramar Ranch, Spirit of the 

West, US Army Field Artillery 

Half Section of Ft. Sill, the 

US Marine Mounted Color 

Guard, the Valley Hunt Club, 

Wells Fargo, 1st Cavalry Horse 

Detachment of Ft. Hood, the 

American Endurance Ride Conference, 

the Anheuser Busch 

Budweiser Clydesdales, the Calizona 

Appaloosa Horse Club, the 

Dakota Thunder Shires, Long 

Beach Mounted Police, and the 

LA County Sheriff ’s Department. 

The Long Beach Sheriff ’s 

Department with their silver 

mounted saddles and Palomino 

Horses add some flash and color 

to the parade. 

The Valley Hunt Club was instrumental 

in the early parades 

which are watched on TV on 

several continents. Sadly, the 

number of flashy personalities 

and equestrian groups has declined 

over the years. 

Make A Memory 

Always wanted to ride in a 

stagecoach? Play the part right 

here along the Salinas River 

in Paso Robles. Harris Stage 

Lines will be offering a taste of 

history experience for folks to 

start the year. Whatever you do, 

remember your camera for next 

year’s family cards. 

Why not make a western 

memory for your family or 

friends who are visiting? Check 

out a solid collection number 

of horse drawn vehicles complete 

with harness. Learn how 

the horses are hitched and 

unhitched, various styles of harness 

for different uses and what 

makes a good driving prospect 

for each position in the team. 

It hasn’t changed much in nearly 

a hundred and fifty years. 

Be Prepared 

Drought in California is often 

followed by copious rainfall. Of 

course, we must conserve regularly 

since we have no idea of 

the El Niño effect. Cali watches 

her gophers give her an updated 

warning. When the holes are 

plugged with dirt, there will be 

some sort of moisture soon. 

This is in line with our written 

history as well as recorded in 

our ancient oaks. In the 1800’s, 

we had several severe periods of 

drought. Much of the livestock 

had to be eliminated to save a 

few. Without water, deep wells, 

motorized transportation, or 

stored feeds or grass, mass starvation 

was the result. 

You have heard that we need 

Tom Harris has four black Friesians 

in hand to usher in 2016. 

the moisture for our dry and 

thirsty land. Decades of subsurface 

water that has been accessed 

by tree roots is no longer available. 

If you live in low lying areas 

of the Central Coast with little 

drainage, it might be wise to regrade 

or build French drains with 

lots of gravel to direct the run off, 

preventing erosion. Ask advisors 

what steps you might take to 

minimize the impact. 

If your horses are contained in 

small corrals with footing that 

packs down over time, fresh dirt 

may be needed for a lift. With 

covered corrals or a barn you 

may want to add gutters, gravel 

and French drains to your equine 

housing. 

Please see HOOFBEAT page 40 

January 2016, Paso Robles Magazine 

39

HOOFBEAT 

HOOFBEAT from page 39 

If your horses are turned out in 

pasture, after a good soaking check 

the stability of posts and wire. 

Trees can shed limbs after a 

drought, a hot day or as a result 

of high winds. Fencing can be 

down and act as a trap for horses. 

Sandy loam is one thing, but real 

adobe can be a hazard. Observe 

the changing conditions: old wire 

or nails revealed or washed onto 

your property can become a serious 

danger. Look at the ground 

after a rain. Often old ranches will 

see nails (even some square headed) 

and other hardware rise to the 

surface. Check your horse’s hooves 

for punctures and possible rot over 

extended periods of damp footing. 

A Fresh Start 

If you have invested in good 

gear or tack, plan to take care of it 

for the best and longest return on 

your investment. You might want 

to put on some music and invite 

a few friends over for a cleaning/ 

treating “party.” 

The biggest issue with leather 

or rawhide is getting and keeping 

it clean. Grit and grime are abrasive, 

so regular cleaning is essential 

for lasting results. Now is an 

opportune time to inspect all of 

your gear for wear and tear. Either 

make an appointment to repair 

your gear, work on it yourself or 

plan on replacements. Leather requires 

oil. Rawhide rots with oil. 

If your leather items have been 

enclosed without much air circulation, 

inspect over and under 

for mold and mildew. They have 

spores which can exist for years, 

reappearing when the conditions 

are right. 

Remember to wash your silver 

with soap and water then let it 

dry BEFORE polishing it. You 

won’t be smearing the tarnish, 

nor will you be using up the 

cleaner quickly. Thanks to Patty 

Knudson for sharing this tip 

many years ago with folks on the 

Chamber of Commerce Equestrian 

Tour. Watch Hoofbeat this 

winter for news of Patty’s upcoming 

schooling shows. 

By the way, it’s important to 

support these small shows across 

the area. They are disappearing 

incredibly quickly. Volunteer 

man power is even more important 

to their existence than 

money, but do stop and thank the 

hosts, sponsors, etc. It might be 

a good educational experience to 

teach children to write a thank 

you note on real paper—perhaps 

some that they made on their 

computer. 

Looking for a Stallion? 

Pacific Coast Cutting Horse 

Association is raising funds 

through the sale of breedings to 

some terrific stallions. There is a 

$10,000 incentive purse. The bidding 

ends February 8. (209-727- 

5779, www.PCCHA.com) 

Hear Ye, Hear Ye: 

Post Your Events 

Want your events included in 

the Hoofbeat Master Calendar? 

Simply email pertinent data to 

info@calclassics.net by the beginning 

of the month PRIOR to 

the event. Better yet, send tentative 

schedules for the year NOW. 

You can update and confirm as 

the year progresses. If there is a 

special rider, horse or event that 

is worthy of mentioning and 

sharing with the equine community, 

please let us know. 

HOOFBEAT CALENDAR 

Dec. 29 Equestfest 10 a.m. LA 

Equestrian Center, 480 W. Riverside 

Dr., Burbank, tickets $15 

Sharp Seating Co., vendors, show 

12-2 p.m., rain or shine, parking 

$10/vehicle, visit with riders, see 

demos, in conjunction with the 

Rose Parade 

Jan. 1 Friday 127th Rose Parade, 

“Find Your Adventure,” Pasadena, 

8:00 a.m. start, 19 equestrian 

groups to ride rep a variety of 

breeds & activities 

Jan. 2 District 7 High School Rodeo 

#4 & 5, Madonna Inn 

Jan. 9 Central Coast Cutting, Paso 

Events Center, Kathy Grimes, 

680-1294, free to spectators 

Jan. 15-17 Double R Cutting, 

Paso Events Center, free to spectators 

Jan. 16 High School Rodeo, Cutting 

#4, Alisal Ranch 

Jan. 16-17 Cal Poly v U of Idaho 

Polo, 8 a.m. & noon, respectively 

Jan. 17 Combined Test, Twin 

Piano and French Lessons 

20 Year teaching 

experience. 

Very friendly & patient 

teacher. 

Ages 5 to 105 welcome 

Music is Good Therapy & Great Mental Stimulation 

40 


HOOFBEAT 

Rivers Horse Park, 8715 N. River 

Rd., open to spectators 

Jan. 22-24 So. CA. Arabian & 

Half Arabian Show, Reg. 1 qualifier, 

LA Eq. Center, Burbank, 

ASDF, SDEF, AHS 

Jan. 23-24 Cal Poly v Oregon W, 

noon both days 

Jan. 23-24 PCCHA Convention, 

South Point Hotel & Casino 

Jan. 29-31 High School Rodeo 

#5, District 7s 5, 6 & 7 West 

Hills College, Coalinga 

Jan. 29 & 31 Cal Poly v SMU, 

2 p.m. & 10 a.m. respectively 

Jan. 30 or 31 High School Rodeo 

#6, Coalinga 

Feb. 5-7 Central Coast Cutting, 

Paso Events Center, covered arena/seating, 

free to spectators 

Feb. 8 PCCHA Stallion Service 

Auction closes, 209-727-5779 or 

www.PCCHA.com, local stallion, 

“Mylanta Lena” is on the list, 

furthering the legacy from the late 

George Hearst 

Feb. 12-14 High School Rodeo 

#6 King City, Districts, 4, 6, & 7 

Trail Tales: Montana de Oro, Dunes Revisited 

View: Ocean & coastal dunes 

Access: Pecho Valley Rd., 

park in lot across from 

Camp Keep 

Fees: Free, so far 

Rated: Easy, but deep sand. 

Tiring for horses 

Time factor: 2-3 hrs. at walk 

Trail: Single track thru dunes, 

may also ride beach 

Feet: Barefoot fine for most 

horses 

Dogs: Not on trails, leash in 

parking area 

Camp: Horse water, take own 

water & food, reserved corrals, 

$7.50 non-refundable on credit 

card for camp plus $75/vehicle, 

primitive, see www.parks. 

ca.gov/default.asp?page_ 

id=592 

Overnight: Horse Camp adv. 

reservations req.Main Ranger 

Station: Spooner’s Cove, 

528-0512 info. 

First Aid: Ranger’s station, 

bring layered clothing, hat, 

sunscreen 

Cell Reception: Spotty 

Caution: Snakes. Multi use. 

Be courteous to hikers, mountain 

bikers 

Maps: Ranger station, 

www.CCCMB.org or 

www.SLOPOST.org 

Participation: see above for 

trail clearing dates & events 

Trail Directions: This is a 

good wet weather ride. Please 

riders stay off trails following 

rain. Stay on the dunes side of 

Pecho Rd. From the parking 

lot, ride down the L side of the 

road heading back out of park. 

Follow the trail L (by surfers 

park at Hazard Cyn.), crosses 

creek. Climb out of creek & 

take the 1st trail to R, paralleling 

rd. Follow to well marked/ 

traveled trails to L. Head to 

back bay, you find trails to 

the beach or stay along back 

bay. Makes a big loop & brings 

you back to Hazard Canyon 

& Camp Keep parking lot. 

Option: cross rd. at Cable 

Trail or Bloody Nose Trail. 

Brought to you by 

Whitehorse Tack 

2805 Black Oak Drive, 

Paso Robles 

whitehorsetack.com 

Expires 1/31/16 

January 2016, Paso Robles Magazine 

41

BUSINESS 

The Voice of the Visitor Center 

By Karyl Lammers 

Executive Director/Visitor Center 

‘JANUARY’ The Roman God ‘Janus’ was pictured 

with two heads: This allows him to see the 

Past and the Future. That is just how it feels in 

January, reflecting on the past and anticipating 

the future. This year, 2016, is a Leap Year, the 

Chinese Year of the Monkey, the National Parks 

and Recreation Service turns 100, and it is the 

240th year of American Independence – 1776. 

Reflecting on the past year I can tell you the Visitor 

Center has been busier than ever. We have provided 

information to walk-in visitors from all over 

the world, tour groups, business groups coming to 

town for meetings, wedding guests, family reunions 

and so many locals coming in to get information 

about what is happening as well as suggestions of 

things to do for visiting family and friends. Living 

in Paso Robles is like having the only swimming 

pool in your neighborhood, you have friends you 

The Big Launch: Central Coast LIVE Radio 


The newest media broadcast company based in 

SLO County launched Central Coast LIVE, a local 

Internet radio station on December 5 at Tooth 

& Nail Winery in Paso Robles. Company founder 

Brad Golden says, “We officially launched the 

barely know and family you haven’t seen for a while 

all wanting to visit you, because you live here! 

Anticipating the future we will see a very busy 

year ahead so hold on to your hat. There are now 

so many more events throughout the area than in 

years past that you’re going to have fun deciding 

which ones to attend. Events are being offered all 

year long by our Wineries, Restaurants, Art Galleries, 

Theatre Groups, Missions and Museums, along 

with the many scheduled Main Street Events in the 

City Park, Happenings at the Paso Robles Event 

Center and Wine Events throughout the region. 

“The hills are alive with music,” it’s coming from 

so many directions in and around Paso Robles any 

time of the year. The Visitor Center has always provided 

a monthly calendar, we now have to print a 

radio station! We will set Central Coast LIVE apart 

from most radio stations by facilitating live, remote 

broadcasts of local concerts, in-studio interviews 

and occasionally just radio and live streamed video. 

Please see LIVE RADIO page 44 

weekly one just to keep up! Please stop by anytime 

and pick up a copy, or access our online calendar at 

www.pasorobleschamber.com. 

As a reminder, we are your #1 Stop for free current 

magazines and newspapers, including extra 

copies of Paso Robles Magazine and Paso Robles 

Press too. We are open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday 

thru Friday, and 10 am until 2 pm on Saturday. 

“Love our Locals Cards” are still available and 

are good thru the end of February. Valentine’s 

Day is coming next month so be sure you have 

your card for that special purchase, dinner and 

wine. There are so many businesses participating 

that you will be able to save on just about everything 

you need, and don’t need. 

Extra! Extra! Read All About It! The Paso Robles 

Chamber of Commerce is Celebrating 95 Years 

serving this great community. We’re taking it back 

to the ’20s on February 20th! So mark your calendar 

and stay tuned for the details! This is not a misprint. 

The Chamber Annual Gala has been held in late 

January for years, but with all the many changes and 

upgrades the Chamber is going thru the February 

date is perfect. Get your reservations early! 

Above: Brad and 

Jennifer Golden 

Right: The Launch 

Party at Tooth 

& Nail Winery 

Looking for 

RESULTS 

from your 

advertising? 

Call 239-1533 

True 100% Market 

Coverage! 

42 



BUSINESS 

The Community Angel and Giveapalooza 

– Heart to Heart’s Week of Giving – 


The honor of the December Community 

Angel has been given to Daniel “DJ” Bigelow. 

He recently passed away after battling cancer. 

Daniel served as a Paso Robles Police Officer 

for nine years and was greatly respected by his 

peers and the community. He leaves behind 

his wife and three children. Heart to Heart 

will give $2,000 to the Bigelow family through their 

Community Angel project; giving recognition to 

individuals who work with dedication and compassion 

“behind the scenes” for our community. 

Early in December, more than $30,000 was given 

to 12 nonprofit and charitable organizations, 

many of whom were surprised by Heart 

to Heart’s Mark McConnell and Liz Lee, 

aka Santa Claus and his merry elf! The 

timing of numerous closings of real estate 

transactions prompted Mark and Liz to 

create a week of giving from December 8 

to 11 and naming it “Giveapalooza.” Mark 

and Liz visited the recipients throughout 

Paso Robles and North San Luis Obispo 

County delivering giant checks to the organizations 

selected by their clients. 

Mark and Liz created Heart to Heart Real 

Estate with philanthropy as their mission; enabling 

those who don’t have the means but the 

DJ Bigelow 

Heart to Heart’s Mark McConnell and Liz Lee, 

aka Santa Claus and his merry elf. 

desire to give back. Heart to Heart Real Estate 

owners Mark and Liz gift 50% of their commissions 

to the nonprofits and charities selected by 

their clients. It’s as simple as a real estate transaction. 

Their inspiration comes from their upbringing 

and willingness to work hard, unselfishly 

with a desire to give back to those in need. Stay in 

touch with Heart to Heart by visiting www.heart 

toheartrealestate.com. 

LIVE RADIO from page 42 

We are also developing several radio shows that will 

roll out this year. Our goal is to emulate a Pandora 

-style radio format exclusively featuring local talent, 

more music, less ads and DJ chat. Lastly, if we 

reach our goals, there is a plan to develop a youth 

education fund for musical discovery for kids. 

Fans can now enjoy music on the radio player 

on our website or “radio on the go” by downloading 

free radio apps for Android and Apple mobile devices. 

The app displays album art along with artist/ 

band name and song as well as features that provide 

links to ‘share’ and ‘buy’ a song. As CCL continues 

to receive submissions from Central Coast artists, 

an app to offer genre selections will be developed 

along with the 2.0 version of the app that offers 

more interactive features. 

The launch party was a huge success. Brad adds, 

“We had a great turnout of around 250; many of 

whom were local musicians and some who traveled 

as far as Ventura. Three bands played starting 

with Amaya Rose & Johnny Vergara, Burning 

James and the Funky Flames and The Zongo 

Allstars. In fact, many of them smiled and said 

how cool it was that there has never been such a 

gathering of local musicians in one place.” 

Local favorite and Grammy Award winner Louie 

Ortega is one of hundreds of artists featured on 

Central Coast Live Radio. “CCL is on the cutting 

edge with their Internet radio station,” said Ortega. 

Local musicians from Oxnard to Santa Cruz are 

encouraged to submit music to centralcoastlive.com 

on the “Artist Submission” link. Every submission 

and all genres are considered. 

“This has been a year in the making. We are 

thrilled to launch this exciting, new music service 

that will provide an unprecedented promotional 

platform so local musicians can reach current and 

new fans, near and far. By virtue of broadcasting via 

the Internet, listeners can tune in from anywhere 

around the world.” For more information, download 

the app and visit www.CentralCoastLIVE.com. 

44 


BUSINESS 

What’s happening 

on Main Street? 


Paso Robles is #2 of the 

50 Best Small Town Main 

Streets in America! 

Our way of life represents the best 

in small town living. The recent announcement 

by Top Value Reviews 

is quite an honor; confirming that 

living in Paso Robles is indeed a 

privilege. 

For nearly 30 years, the Main 

Street approach, under the leadership 

of Norma Moye, has sustained 

our success and created 

the sense of community 

pride. The approach 

always works 

where residents have 

a strong social, civic 

and emotional connection 

and are motivated 

to get involved and 

make a difference. Norma, her staff 

and volunteers are the passionate 

advocates who work to create partnerships 

with city government, nonprofits 

and the private sector to promote 

pride in Paso! 

We enjoy the charm of older and 

historic buildings, independent businesses, 

and activities that attract residents 

and visitors to the downtown 

commercial district. Today, Paso 

Robles is evolving with a diverse 

cultural and business perspective by 

people from all walks of life. Let’s 

not forget the legacy of the forefathers 

that originated our town over 

125 years ago with the same sense of 

civic pride. 

Top Value Reviews.net is a webbased 

organization comprised of 

consumer advocates and editors 

that review and rank a variety 

of categories to help consumers 

make the best decisions. The 

criteria for selection includes a 

population of less than 60,000, 

the designation of a significant historical 

registry, notable and historic 

places, a diverse mix of downtown 

attractions, and a national ranking 

of some kind; which is our title of a 

Great American Main Street city! 

As we welcome 2016, let’s hear 

a resounding “Cheers to The New 

Year!” Spend a weekend living like a 

tourist in your own hometown! Explore 

and visit new places, wine and 

dine in style, schedule a spa day, shop 

for special things, introduce yourself 

to downtown businesses owners and 

their employees and share the experience 

with family and friends! It’s 

said time and time again…”There 

is something special about Paso 

Robles.” Our small town charm and 

hospitality pairs perfectly with the 

feeling of big city sophistication! 

Where Everybody Comes 

Together! 

On January 16, Winter Wine 

Stroll will showcase 13 different 

tasting rooms with unique wine and 

food pairing experiences. The Stroll 

runs from 5 to 8 p.m. for $25 per 

person. Visit PasoRoblesWineStroll. 

com to purchase tickets and choose 

the tasting room to start by checking 

in for admission tickets, wristband, 

map and glass. Attendees must be 

21. Dogs are welcome and tour is 

wheelchair accessible. 

A Romantic Comedy! 

Valentine’s Day Movie Night 

sponsored by Park Cinemas raises 

money to fund the downtown 

events. Don’t miss the romantic 

comedy, The Apartment on Sunday, 

February 14th at 7 p.m. The 1960 

film starring Jack Lemmon, Shirley 

Wedding and Special Event Planning 

at the EXPO 

MacLaine, Edie Adams and Fred 

MacMurray won 5 Oscars including 

Best Picture that year. 

Movie tickets include Chocolates 

and Champagne. 

Wedding & Special Event 

EXPO 

It’s never too early to start planning 

spring and summer events, especially 

if it means someone’s getting married 

or throwing a party! The Main Street 

Wedding & Special Event EXPO 

will be held on Sunday, March 6 at 

the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom from 

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s free to the public 

and vendors are encouraged to call 

238-4103 for booth information. The 

rising popularity of Paso and surrounding 

areas puts the nicest venues 

and professional services in high demand. 

Set your dates and mark your 

calendar to meet the wedding and 

special event professionals in person! 


BUSINESS 

Kim Bankston 

PATTERSON REALTY 

Kim Bankston recently joined the 

successful team at Patterson Realty. 

A full-time real estate professional in 

San Luis Obispo County since 1989, 

she specializes in residential, ranch, 

and luxury homes. 

Kim holds a Broker’s license and 

has vast real estate experience that 

includes co-owning a large franchise 

real estate company, and representing 

a successful builder 

selling the entire tract of 58 

homes in one year. Her high 

standard of professionalism 

has earned her the respect 

of buyers and sellers and real 

estate agents she has worked 

with over the years. 

“With my move to Patterson 

Realty, I am looking forward to 

another successful chapter in my real 

estate career – choosing a local real 

estate company is a welcome change,” 

says Kim. 

Patterson Realty has five offices 

throughout the county, comprised of 

seasoned agents with various professional 

backgrounds. Patterson Realty 

has a strong global network, and cutting 

edge technology providing the 

tools necessary to best serve clients. 

“I took time to research real estate 

companies before making this important 

move and Patterson Realty 

Kim Bankston 

Business 

Spotlight 

was an obvious choice given their 

Mission Statement to their clients 

and their successful track record,” 

says Kim. 

Each listing is presented 

with professional photos, 

virtual tour, beautiful color 

brochures, and an individual 

website. The agents at Patterson 

Realty are continually 

updated with current information 

about local real estate, 

market trends across the United 

States, and the International 

real estate market. 

Kim provides detailed information, 

giving her clients the ability to 

make their own educated decisions 

in the selling and buying process. 

She is a past board member for the 

Paso Robles Main Street Association, 

and has served on various committees 

for the Paso Robles Chamber 

of Commerce. 

For current and accurate real estate 

market information and statistics, visit 

StatsbyKim.com and sign up for her 

monthly newsletter. For more information, 

contact Kim at (805) 674-2298 or 

By Meagan 

Friberg 

Bankston.kim@gmail.com and be sure to 

visit her website at kimbankston.com. 

Jim Madden 

PASO ROBLES DOOR & TRIM 

Well-known for his long-standing 

relationship with clients, 

Jim Madden of Paso Robles 

Door & Trim takes the time 

to discuss projects, bounce 

around ideas, and provide 

solutions for many of the area 

contractors and homeowners 

that frequent his shop. In 

business locally since 1995, 

Jim has owned Paso Robles 

Door & Trim since 2009. 

“We offer options and can build, 

modify and remedy existing issues,” 

says Jim, an experienced carpenter 

and general contractor with 30+ 

years of experience. “I have first-hand 

knowledge of how things work in this 

business. We make a point of sitting 

down with our commercial and residential 

clients and showing them 

how to choose products and how we 

can adapt products to fit their needs.” 

Paso Robles Door & Trim has an 

Jim Madden 

active shop that enables Jim and his 

crew to complete custom designs, 

match doors, and build jambs. With a 

motto of “Let’s do it right the first time,” 

they take the time to review sets of 

plans to best determine the needs of 

the project at hand. Jim enjoys educating 

and sharing his knowledge 

with contractors and homeowners 

alike, and he takes pride in his attention 

to detail, his problem-solving 

and astute technical abilities. 

At Paso Robles Door & Trim, 

find every type of door or 

window imaginable for your 

home, office, or commercial 

building needs including energy-efficient 

windows with 

noise-reducing properties, 

sliding glass doors, French 

doors, wooden and fiberglass 

doors, and more. And be sure 

to ask Jim about his expertise 

in the arena of “moving walls.” 

Although most of Jim’s work is 

for Central Coast clients including 

local homeowners, area wineries, 

offices, assisted living facilities, 

and industrial complexes, he handles 

projects throughout the state. 

Whatever your door or window 

needs may be, Paso Robles Door & 

Trim has you covered! 

Stop by Paso Robles Door & Trim at 

805 Paso Robles St. or give Jim a call at 

239-5992 for more information. 

Happy New Year! 

46 


TIME & PLACE 

A monthly look at local events, 

meetings, entertainment and special 

occasions. To submit a listing, 

email bob@pasoroblesmagazine. 

com, bring info to drop box at 

Dutch Maytag, 1501 Riverside 

Ave., or mail to PO Box 3996, Paso 

Robles, 93447 by the 7th of each 

month. Questions? Call 239-1533. 

JANUARY 

2, 9, 16, 23, 30 • Grief Share 

–13 week Saturday seminar and 

support group for people grieving 

a loss.10 am to noon, Trinity 

Lutheran Church, Fireside Conference 

Room, 940 Creston Rd., 

Paso Robles. Info: Deaconess Juliet 

Thompson, 238-3702, ext. 205. 

4 • Almond Country Quilters 

Guild Meeting at 6:30, Trinity 

Lutheran Church, 940 Creston 

Road, Paso Robles. January program 

is a surprise with fresh, new ideas for 

2016! First VP, Carolyn cwallen2 

@aol.com is coordinating. Sign up 

for the Judy Sisneros class in February 

with Dora Espinosa, sunzia2@charter.net. 

General info: 

almondcountryquilters.org. ACQG 

is a nonprofit with membership between 

150 and 200 annually with 

the goal of providing Community 

Quilts to Social Services, elder 

care facilities and small quilts for 

organizations. For info contact 

lisaguerrero@msn.com. Visitors are 

welcome! 

5, 12, 19, 26 • BNI – Business 

Networking International – Early 

But Worth It chapter, Tuesdays 

7 to 8:30 am, Paso Robles Golf 

Club. Visitors welcome, visit bni. 

org for info and chapter website. 

5 • Paso Robles Chamber of 

Commerce Women In Business 

meets the first Tuesday of each 

month. Info: 238-0506 or WIB 

@PasoRoblesChamber.com. 

5, 19 • MOPS – Mothers of 

Pre-schoolers meets the 1st and 

3rd Tuesday each month, 9:30 

to 11:30 am, Trinity Lutheran 

Church, 940 Creston Road, Paso 

Robles. Support for young mothers, 

speakers, creative activities, play 

dates, “mom’s night out” and more. 

LADIES’ CONFERENCE 

The Ladies’ Conference will be 

held on March 4 and 5, 2016 

at the Colony Park Community 

Center in Atascadero. The theme 

this year is Design for Living with 

speaker Debbie Alsdorf. Returning 

from Portland Oregon is the 

Lisa Reiff Band. Registering online 

at www.LadiesConference.com 

or call 466-9203. 

MOPS is an international nonprofit 

organization. Contact Rachel 

Wisener, 559-473-8258, northcountymops@gmail.com. 

6 • North County Newcomers 

Club meets the first Wednesday of 

the month for residents living here 

less than 2 years, 11 am to 1:30 pm, 

see website for details on attendance/monthly 

calendar of events 

and activities. northcountynewcomers.org. 

6 • Monthly dinner at Estrella 

Warbird Museum. Open to the 

public on the first Wednesday of 

every month at 6 pm. Reservations 

required. Museum features American 

aircraft, vehicles and artifacts, 

open 10 am to 4 pm. Thursday 

through Sunday, Monday holidays. 

Group tours by appointment. 

Admission $10, $5 ages 6-12, free 

under 5. 4251 Dry Creek Road, 

Paso Robles. Call for group tours. 

ewarbirds.org. 227-0440, 238-3897. 

8, 15, 22, 29 • Speak Easy 

Toastmasters Club meets every 

Friday, 12:10 to 1:15 pm, Founders 

Pavilion at Twin Cities Community 

Hospital. http://9797.toastmastersclubs.org. 

9 • Classic Car Cruise Night – 

Meet at 5 to 7 pm, King Oil Tools, 

2235 Spring St., Paso Robles. Always 

the 2nd Saturday of the month. Info: 

Tony Ororato, 712-0551. 

10 • Daughters of the American 

Revolution. Regular meeting the 

second Sunday of each month 

at 1:00 for buffet lunch ($20) at 

SpringHill Suites in Atascadero. 

Info: Donna Cohen 395-0630, 

dmcpatriotdaughter@gmail.com. 

10 • PR Grange Pancake Breakfast, 

7:30 to 11am, the second 

Sunday of the month. 627 Creston 

Road, PR. 

11 & 25 • Writing Support 

Group. Get that writing project 

done with encouragement, kindness 

and truth, complete with a 

deadline! Led by award-winning 

author/editor Patricia Alexander. 

Ongoing, every other Monday, 6:30 

to 9 pm. $25 per meeting or $20 for 

4 meetings paid in advance. Call for 

details/location: 479-7778. www. 

BookOfComforts.com. 

11 • Community Open House 

hosted by NEET West and 

PG&E. 4:30 to 6:30, Park Ballroom, 

1232 Park St., Paso Robles. 

Learn about a new reliable energy 

project and provide your feedback. 

Estrellaproject@nexteraenergy.com 

or 788-4435. 

13 • Paso Robles Chamber of 

Commerce Membership Mixer. 

The second Wednesday of each 

month, 5:30 to 7pm. Call 238-0506 

and online pasorobleschamber.com. 

16 • Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration 

at Flamson Middle School 

Auditorium – “Together We Can 

Make a Difference.” 1 to 3pm, 

free to the public, special guest 

speakers, youth speakers, musical 

performances, and youth art with 

a focus on promoting unity in our 

community. Call Centennial Park 

237-3988 or prcity.com/recreation 

for information. 

18 • Martin Luther King Jr. Day 

18 • Paso Robles Republican 

Women Federated meets the third 

Monday of the month at the Paso 

Robles Golf Club, 1600 Country 

Club Drive. Check-in and social at 

11:30 a.m. Lunch at 12 noon. Guest 

speakers and guests welcome. Reservations 

by Jan. 4 to 226-5620 or 

katemorgans@gmail.com. $22 payable 

at the door, check/cash. www. 

prrwf.org. 

18 • Santa Lucia Rockhounds 

meets the 3rd Monday of the month 

at Templeton Community Center, 

601 South Main St. Open to all ages 

who enjoy rocks, fossils and minerals. 

Guest speakers, Jr. Rockhound education, 

raffles, silent auction, refreshments. 

Members encouraged to share 

their latest finds and treasures. Visitors 

welcome. Visit slorockhounds.org 

19 • Chronic Pain Support Group 

Meeting – Central Coast CRPS 

(Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome) 

and RSD (Reflex Sympathetic 

Dystrophy and Chronic Pain. 3rd 

Tuesdays, 6 to 7 pm, Rabobank 

Community Room, 1025 Las Tablas, 

Templeton. Info: Suzanne Miller 

704-5970, suzanne.miller@ymail.com, 

Cortnie Muniz, DPT 835-5897. 

21 • Free Class at The Natural 

Alternative – “Healthy Weight, 

Healthy You!” 6 to 7pm, call 

237-8290 to reserve a seat. Garden 

of Life representative will lead 

class on RAW Fit and healthy eating 

principles. Samples and gift 

basket raffle! 

28 • OPEN HOUSE Las Tablas 

Animal Hospital, 5:30 to 7:30 

pm. Meet the doctors, staff and 

take a tour. 959 Las Tablas Road, 

Templeton, 369-2222. Lastablasanimalhospital.com. 

Events, Entertainment 

& Art Exhibits 

2 • Art After Dark Paso – First 

Saturday of the month features 

self-guided walks through art galleries, 

wine tasting rooms and 

businesses featuring local artists. 

6 to 9 pm Downtown Paso Robles. 

Coordinated by Studios on the Park. 

16 • Winter Wine Stroll – 13 

wines & 13 pairings. Stroll downtown 

Paso from 5 to 8pm, $25 per 

person. All tickets are the same; 

choose a downtown winery/ 

tasting room to check-in for tickets, 

wristband, map and glass. 

PasoRoblesWineStroll.com. 

21 • Third Thursday Shop, dine 

and drink in downtown Paso 

Robles. A portion of the proceeds 

benefit must! Charities. Visit facebook.com/pages/Third-Thursday-PasoRobles. 

31 • Symphony of the Vines – 

A Hunting We Will Go, 3 pm at 

Park Ballroom, 1232 Park St., Paso 

Robles, Music of Hayden, Mozart 

and Beethoven. www.symphonyofthevines.org 

31 • Concert featuring Donald 

Sinta Quartet presented by North 

SLO County Concert Association. 

Doors open at 2:30, concert at 3:00, 

Trinity Lutheran Church, 940 

Creston Road, Paso Robles. Tickets 

at the door $20. Classic and commissioned 

works; Quartet played 

at Carnegie Hall and abroad. Info: 

239-2770, 237-8122. 

Paso Robles Inn Steakhouse 

& Cattlemen’s Lounge 

1103 Spring Street • 226-4925 

Steakhouse: Join us for Prime Rib 

Wednesdays! 

Cattlemen’s Lounge: Happy Hour, 

4-7 pm, includes cocktail and menu 

specials Monday Industry Night, 

6 to 9 pm, 20% off for all professionals; 

Taco and Tequila Tuesdays 

5 to 9 pm; Tuesday Tunes 6 to 

8 pm: 1/5 Billy Manzik, 1/12 

Daniel Palmer, 1/19 Adam Rowland, 

1/26 Max Martinelli; Wednesday 

Locals Appreciation Night Happy 

Hour 4-CLOSE 

Friday & Saturday Live Entertainment, 

9:30-11:30 pm: 1/1/-1/2 

Rumble, 1/8-1/9 The Jammies, 1/15- 

1/16 Rough House, 1/22-1/23 Soundhouse, 

1/29-1/30 Kenny Taylor. 

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS 

held at RISE 

Sponsored by HospiceSLO 

1030 Vine St., Paso Robles 

544-2266 • hospiceslo.org 

Bereaved Parents Group 

Tuesdays, 5:30 to 7:00 pm. 

General Grief Support 

Wednesdays, 5:00 to 6:30 pm. 

Suicide Bereavement Support 

(for those left behind) 

– 4th Wednesday each month, 

3 to 4:30 pm. 


TIME & PLACE 

THE WELLNESS KITCHEN 

AND RESOURCE CENTER 

1255 Las Tablas Road, Templeton 

434-1800 • TheWKRC.org 

The weekly Wellness Foods program offers pre-ordered meals made with 

nutritious, fresh ingredients. Phone orders (434-1800), fax (434-1885) and 

online thewkrc.org by Sunday for pick-up the following Wednesday. The Kitchen 

is located at 1255 Las Tablas Rd., Templeton 434-1800. 

8 • Children’s After School Cooking Class “Safe Chefs.” 3:30 to 5 pm, 

taught by Terri Knowlton. 

13 • WELLthy Living Workshop – Using Self-Care as Your Health Care taught 

by Ashley Beels, CHC, RDH, MA, 6:30 to 8pm. 

14 • Hispanic Cooking Class taught by Yessenia Echeverria, 6:30 to 8:00 pm. 

20 • Understanding Blood Sugar – the Key to Longevity! 6:30 to 8:00 pm by 

Stephanie Austin, Holistic Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach. 

21 • Comfort Foods – Healthy Cooking for People Touched with Illness. 

5:30 to 7:30 pm. RSVP required. 

22 • Children’s After School Cooking Class – Eating a Rainbow. 3:30 to 5 pm 

taught by Terri Knowlton. 

27 • Intro to Wellness 5:30 to 6:30 – A Taste of Change – 10 things to begin 

clean eating, 5:30 to 6:30 pm, Class is FREE, please RSVP. 

28 • 3-Way Cooking Series – Cauliflower! 5:30 to 7pm, demonstration by 

Chef Kim Aubuthnot using one ingredient 3 ways, tasting with class, $20 or 

donation. RSVP required. 

30 • Hands-on Cooking Series – 1st class: Pantry Rehab Plus, 10 am to 

2pm, 5 part series taught by Kim Aubuthnot. $300 for series or $70 single class. 

Reservations required, class limited to 6 -8. 2nd class: Stocks and Soups, 3rd 

class: Grains, Beans & Greens, 4th class: Poultry & Fish, 5th class: Desserts 

& Snacks. 

CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY 

The Cancer Support Community provides support, education and hope to those 

with cancer and their loved ones. Visit twcccc.org for information on programs 

that include support groups, classes and lectures at 614 13th Street, Paso Robles. 

Call 238-4411. Returning programs. Call for dates/times. Look Good Feel Better 

(registration required). Silhouette Breast Forms and Lingerie by appointment. Sign-up 

for Cancer Well Fit® at Paso Robles Sports Club with Kathy Thomas 610-6486 or 

kathythomas10@hotmail.com. 

Call to confirm classes/programs on regular schedule: Monday: 4, 11, 18, 25 

Yoga 11:30 am to 12:45 pm, Wellness Yoga, 1329 Spring St., Paso, 4th Monday: Reiki 

Circle 5:30 to 7pm. Tuesday: 5, 12, 19, 26, Tai Chi Chih 9 to 10 am, Coffee Café 10:05 

am, Frankly Speaking CSC Podcast 1 pm, Tai Chi Chih 1 to 2 pm at Cayucos Senior 

Center, 200 S. Ocean Ave., Family/Caregiver Support Group 4 to 5 pm; 2nd Tuesday: 

12 Intro to Tai Chi Chih 11am to noon, Young Survivors 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Wednesday: 

6, 13, 20, 27 Living with Cancer Member Support Group 10 to 11:30 am; Tai Chi Chih 11 

am to 12 noon at Hearst Cancer Resource Center, Creative Expressions 1 to 2 pm, 

New Member Orientation 5 to 6 pm, PLEASE RSVP. 1st & 3rd Wednesday: 6, 20 

Living with Cancer Group 6 to 7:30 pm; Thursday: 7, 14, 21, 28 Tai Chi Chih 9 to 10 

am, Coffee Café 10:05, Newcomer Orientation 11am to 12 noon, PLEASE RSVP; 1st & 

3rd Thursday: 7, 21 Balance and Mobility 2 to 3pm. Friday: 8, 15, 22, 29 Navigate 

with Shannon 11 am to 1 pm, PLEASE RSVP. 8, 22 Grupo Fuerza y Esperanza 6 to 8 pm. 

New! Meditation Class starting Monday, Jan. 18, 1:15 to 2 pm led by Tom Almeida. Ongoing 

the 1st and 3rd Mondays. RSVP required since 4 people needed for each session. 

48 



LAST WORD 


Dale Zeulner hopes to inspire older veterans to 

honor young soldiers who have served our country 

and returned home. “I came across the Purple Heart 

eight years ago. It was given to me. I didn’t earn it.” 

The wife of the man who earned it gave it to Dale. 

She was moving; leaving some things behind. Dale 

took an old chest and stored it in his garage. Eventually, 

he opened the drawer and discovered the 

Purple Heart. Even then, he thought about finding 

a soldier who deserved it. Dale says, “I couldn’t find 

anybody, until I heard Lance Iunker speak at Band 

of Brothers at the First Baptist Church.” 

Lance Iunker survived a traumatic war experience 

and will carry on the legacy of many veterans, 

particularly his friend Dale Zeulner. Lance recalls, 

“Growing up I thought about joining the military 

and serving my country. A lot of young boys idolize 

sports stars, but I looked up to veterans. I’ve always 

wanted to thank and somehow give back to them. 

I decided to join the Army after 9/11 stirred an 

emotion to serve my country.” 

Ironically, on Sept. 10, 2007, Lance was severely 

wounded during a mission and spent 10 months 

recovering in an Army hospital before being medically 

retired. Lance’s parents were notified that he 

had been wounded in 2007 on the anniversary of 

9/11, the day that prompted him to join the military. 

Full Circle. Lance adds, “I joined right out 

of high school, trained to become an infantryman; 

placed in the 82nd Airborne in North Carolina. 

Two weeks after finishing training, I was sent to 

Baghdad to serve in a Reconnaissance Surveillance 

Target Acquisition Unit. 

“We were tasked with going after the most wanted, 

high value targets in Baghdad. We went after 

these targets on daily and nightly missions. After 

nine months, we went after 19 guys. We caught them 

all. On our way back under fire, the driver of our vehicle 

lost control. We crashed through a guard rail 

and fell 50 feet down an overpass, crushing all of us. 

Seven of my buddies died. Eleven of us were severely 

wounded.” Lance suffered a shattered back, crushed 

50 

3 Oaks Studio 23 

Adrienne Hagan 48 

Advanced Concrete 35 

Advanced Construction 33 

Amdal Transport Services 32 

American Oak 3 

Arlynes Flowers 44 

Artworks 11 

Austin, Mary Ann 34 

Baker, Faye 24 

Bankston, Kim 11 

Bella Rae Lingerie Bout 25 

Berry Hill Bistro 8 

BlakesTrueValue 39 

Blakeslee&Blakeslee 44 

Blenders 15 

Body Basics 36 

Brad Dyck Chiro 17 

Bridge Sportsmen 41 

Brooklin Oaks 

Pharmacy 42 

Casey Print 46 

Casper, EJ, DDS 30 

Central Coast 

Smoothies 33 

Chains Required 27 

Chad Woodrum Const 48 

Chalekson, Dr. Charles 37 

Cider Creek 13 

City-Recreation 38 

Connect Home Loans 29 

Country Florist 28 

Dawg on It 29 

Desmond, Heather 5 

Diffley, Marty 14 

Eddington Funeral 

Services 44 

El Paso Storage 41 

Estrella Warbirds 25 

Farmhouse Motel 10 

Forsythe, Dr. 10 

Frontier Floors 19 

chest, severed right ear, lung contusions and other 

injuries. “Even though it was a combat mission, it was 

termed combat wounded in a non-combat related 

accident. So none of us got Purple Hearts.” 

When Dale heard of Lance’s bravery, he was 

compelled to give him the Purple Heart. Dale adds, 

“I belong to the First Baptist Band of Brothers 

Church. We have a speaker every now and then. 

Lance was a speaker. Since I’d been given this 

Purple Heart, I’d been thinking – I don’t need it, I 

don’t want it and I didn’t earn it. I put it away. For 

months, I listened to the radio and read newspapers. 

I never found the most eligible person for that 

Purple Heart until I heard Lance. I heard him and 

still didn‘t make a decision. One day I asked God. 

“I need help on this one.” A couple days later, I 

heard Him say ‘He’s the one. He’s the one’.” 

Between two and three hundred people were at the 

church when Dale presented Lance with his Purple 

Heart. Lance recalls, “I thought I was just giving a 

speech on Veteran’s Day.” Instead Lance was surprised 

with the presentation of a Purple Heart. “What’s 

amazing is that this Purple Heart is from World 

War II. Dale received this Purple Heart around eight 

years ago. That’s exactly around the time I joined 

the military to thank men like Dale. For him to thank 

me makes me feel so honored.” 

Dale adds, “After I heard what he’d been through, 

it got me. It’s been a blessing for me to do this and I 

know he feels the same way.” 

DIRECTORY TO OUR ADVERTISERS 

Gallagher Video 30 

Gilliss, Keith/PRIME 19 

Golden Collar 17 

Golden Reverse 

Mortgage 25 

GRL Computing 10 

Grey Hub Irrigation 40 

Hamon Overhead 17 

Hansen Bros Cleaning 36 

Healthy Inspiration 42 

Heart to Heart RE 29 

HFG Insurance 8 

Horse Connection 

Center 39 

Idler’s 2 

Joseph Antone 27 

Kennedy Fitness 36 

Klockenteger, RDHAP 8 

Knights Carpet 20 

Lansford Dental 35 

Las Tablas Animal Hosp 11 

Lube N Go 28 

Main St Animal Hosp 37 

Mikulics, Dr 33 

Mode Communications 29 

Mullahey Dodge 11 

Natural Alternative 13 

New With Tags 27 

Next ERA Energy 9 

Nose to Tail 45 

Odyssey Cafe 19 

PAN Jewelers 7, 52 

Paso Jules 42 

Paso Massage Therapy 46 

Paso PetCare 35 

PR Chamber LOL 43 

PR District Cemetery 26 

PR Door & Trim 45 

Dale Zeulner and Lance Iunker 

For years after Lance’s physical recovery, the 

mental anguish of severe PTSD, nightmares, anxiety 

attacks, flashbacks and insomnia ruled his life. 

Fortunately Lance was a candidate for a neurofeedback 

therapy trial which alleviated many of 

the PTSD symptoms. Lance is now the Project 

Director for the Institute for Advanced Technology 

& Public Policy’s Operation Headstrong (operationheadstrong.com) 

whose mission is to help 

veterans become their very best. Operation Headstrong 

is a research project that explores cutting 

edge technology in neurofeedback as a treatment 

for vets struggling with combat related PTSD. 

With the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Lance attended Cal 

Poly in San Luis Obispo earning a BA in Political 

Science. In 2010, Lance worked for Governor Arnold 

Schwarzenegger in support of veterans in Washington 

D.C., speaking at the White House, the Pentagon, 

Dept. of Labor, Dept. of Education, Dept. of 

Veteran Affairs and addressing the full Congressional 

Democratic Caucus. 

Dale adds, “Our park (Quail Run) has a lot of older 

people and some WWII veterans. Some of them 

and others might have something special to give a 

young soldier who fought for our country.” Dale just 

turned 91 with a life dedicated to others through his 

work as a peace officer and World War II soldier and 

veteran. He smiles and says, “I want to go to heaven 

happy! But don’t rush it!” 

Veterans Lance Iunker and Dale Zeulner 

are brothers bonded, serving our country in the 

company of many heroes; some known, others yet 

to be discovered. 

PR Handyman 22 

PR Insurance 17 

PR Pet Boarding 31 

PR Waste 21 

Patricia Alexander 30 

Peck, Bibiche 40 

Perfect Air 34 

Photo Stop 15 

Planet Fitness 51 

Pure Elements 46 

PW Construction 16 

Rags Home 

Renovations 18 

Red Scooter Deli 24 

Reneau, J Scott 13 

Reverse Mort Pros 44 

Scoles,Law Offices 

of Patricia 18 

Señor Sancho’s 17 

SESLOC 19 

Simple Lending 32 

SolaraloS 15 

Solarponics 21 

Sotheby’s-Cassidy 35 

Sousa & Company 45 

Spice of Life 14 

Sprains Draperies 27 

Stephen Mulder, MD 13 

Stifel Nicolaus 15 

Symphony of Vines 45 

Tea Trolley 21 

Ted Hamm Ins 40 

Teresa Rhyne Law Gp 25 

The Loft 27 

Tree of Life 22 

Twin Cities Hospital 4 

Vic’s Cafe 21 

Wallace Music Studio 26 

Western Janitorial 48 

Whitehorse 41 

Wine Country Theatre 31 

Worship Directory 49

2016 January PASO Magazine

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