The 29^th Central Coast Writers’ Conference will stand out forever in my memory for professional and personal reasons. Professionally, the 2013 conference offers the best mix of presenters in a variety of genres for readers, aspiring writers and published authors. This year it is all about perfecting our craft in order to tell the story.

Personally, the 2013 conference resolves a quest started and completed within the four years I have been associated as a first year attendee then the director. Finally, all that I gleaned listening and applying what our presenters have taught us helped me fulfill my bucket list dream. My debut interpretative history book was published in April, 2013. 

               WHY WE WRITE is the title Rebecca Rasmussen chose for her keynote address. She is the author of The Bird Sisters and if I were still teaching high school English, I would challenge the list of required reading and incorporate this debut novel into my curriculum. Let me go out on a limb and state emphatically that Rasmussen achieved what most of us seek — “the great American novel.”

The Bird Sisters is crafted with memorable characters blended perfectly to their setting. These two ladies are bound and challenged by the mores of their mid-western rural heartland. We are introduced to spinster sisters, yet the story focus answers the question how they became “the bird sisters” one summer in their teens. Thus, the target reading audience spans the young adult seeking “coming of age” insights; the female adult looking for romance in her literature; seniors seeking peer adventures or reflection of times gone by. Male adults learn to understand the impact they might have on the female psyche and a family is put to the test of living through the drama between siblings and parents and extended kinfolk.  I hope everyone will read it before coming to the conference. You will wonder and ask as I did how Rebecca got into the heads and hearts of these two intriguing, richly developed characters.  

               With your guidance through evaluations and the insights of my advisory committee, I think we’ve found the perfect “closer.” We all want to squeeze one more nugget of process into our brains, but by the time we’ve crammed four workshops worth of training, we also need something light and fun. Joel Friedlander is all that, including being the best authority on what makes a great book cover that sells online or in the book store.

               Whether it is fiction, short fiction, children’s, YA, poetry, nonfiction, word usage, setting, character or platform development, audio books, writing a query letter, finding an agent or preparing your manuscript for a publisher, you’ll find amazing presenters to answer your questions. My apologies now for making you choose. I know it will be next to impossible because you’ll want to hear from all of them. Here’s an option! Pick their brains at lunch. We’ve collapsed Table Talks into a Power Lunch with our presenters. Don’t forget to savor your time with them by ordering your box lunch ahead!

               Seriously! If you have an idea for your bucket list or next book concept, 2013 is the time to invest in yourself and take advantage of the all new Manuscript Critique and Face Time. For a minimal add-on expense, you can submit your first 10 pages, your picture book text, or a couple of shorter poems to the professional editors our coordinator, Susanne Lakin, has assembled. You submit by August 16, we assign based on your genre, they return an in-depth critique by conference time and we schedule 15 minutes of Face Time for you and them to meet during the conference – to discuss it more or discuss another first page or your query to get your manuscript to the next step. I totally verify that if you listen to an experienced editor, you will produce a product that will be published to your satisfaction.

I’ll even share a secret…since I had a co-author, we submitted our 10 pages three years in a row under her name and avoided abusing a conflict of interest rule I set up for myself as director. It worked! We had to change our concept and focus a couple of times to get the right product and now it is a much better book thanks to the professionals that helped us.

Thanks to PG&E we’ve come a long way with our PG&E Teen Writers Program. For four years scholarships were offered for at least 25 students, who have learned to hone lifetime skills and appreciate reading and writing from our presenters. In 2013 we introduce the Chevron Teachable Moments Series to give our San Luis Obispo teachers the same opportunity we have given to their students – to learn from the professionals what expectations there are today in the world of writers and publishers, thus the world of work.

Jump out there in 2013 and enter the Lillian Dean Writing Competition. Former director Cathe Olson chairs the competition. Check out the rules and guidelines for submission on the website. The worst thing that can happen is you’ll get feedback on your submission for a very tiny add-on fee. The best, of course, is winning the trophy, certificate or review of your query letter submission by Foreword Literary and reading it to the rest of us at Saturday’s General Assembly.             

               And what a special year to share with Dave Congalton, San Luis Obispo’s favorite talk show host and friend and former director of the Central Coast Writers’ Conference. We’re so excited for Dave and Charlotte as they live the dream Rebecca Rasmussen will talk about in her keynote. It’s still a bumpy ride, but Dave understands why he was compelled to give screenwriting time and attention again. Indeed it is WHY WE WRITE! You won’t want to miss our celebration of Dave’s Success Story.

               Whether you want to hang out with writers and see how we tick or have a dream to write and publish your memoir for posterity, chapbook of poetry, how-to book to get it right, or great American novel, please, join us September 20-21. We won’t disappoint your Great Expectations.    

Director’s Message by Judy Salamacha…

               The 29^th Central Coast Writers’ Conference will stand out forever in my memory for professional and personal reasons. Professionally, the 2013 conference offers the best mix of presenters in a variety of genres for readers, aspiring writers and published authors. This year it is all about perfecting our craft in order to tell the story.

Personally, the 2013 conference resolves a quest started and completed within the four years I have been associated as a first year attendee then the director. Finally, all that I gleaned listening and applying what our presenters have taught us helped me fulfill my bucket list dream. My debut interpretative history book was published in April, 2013. 

               WHY WE WRITE is the title Rebecca Rasmussen chose for her keynote address. She is the author of The Bird Sisters and if I were still teaching high school English, I would challenge the list of required reading and incorporate this debut novel into my curriculum. Let me go out on a limb and state emphatically that Rasmussen achieved what most of us seek — “the great American novel.”

The Bird Sisters is crafted with memorable characters blended perfectly to their setting. These two ladies are bound and challenged by the mores of their mid-western rural heartland. We are introduced to spinster sisters, yet the story focus answers the question how they became “the bird sisters” one summer in their teens. Thus, the target reading audience spans the young adult seeking “coming of age” insights; the female adult looking for romance in her literature; seniors seeking peer adventures or reflection of times gone by. Male adults learn to understand the impact they might have on the female psyche and a family is put to the test of living through the drama between siblings and parents and extended kinfolk.  I hope everyone will read it before coming to the conference. You will wonder and ask as I did how Rebecca got into the heads and hearts of these two intriguing, richly developed characters.  

               With your guidance through evaluations and the insights of my advisory committee, I think we’ve found the perfect “closer.” We all want to squeeze one more nugget of process into our brains, but by the time we’ve crammed four workshops worth of training, we also need something light and fun. Joel Friedlander is all that, including being the best authority on what makes a great book cover that sells online or in the book store.

               Whether it is fiction, short fiction, children’s, YA, poetry, nonfiction, word usage, setting, character or platform development, audio books, writing a query letter, finding an agent or preparing your manuscript for a publisher, you’ll find amazing presenters to answer your questions. My apologies now for making you choose. I know it will be next to impossible because you’ll want to hear from all of them. Here’s an option! Pick their brains at lunch. We’ve collapsed Table Talks into a Power Lunch with our presenters. Don’t forget to savor your time with them by ordering your box lunch ahead!

               Seriously! If you have an idea for your bucket list or next book concept, 2013 is the time to invest in yourself and take advantage of the all new Manuscript Critique and Face Time. For a minimal add-on expense, you can submit your first 10 pages, your picture book text, or a couple of shorter poems to the professional editors our coordinator, Susanne Lakin, has assembled. You submit by August 16, we assign based on your genre, they return an in-depth critique by conference time and we schedule 15 minutes of Face Time for you and them to meet during the conference – to discuss it more or discuss another first page or your query to get your manuscript to the next step. I totally verify that if you listen to an experienced editor, you will produce a product that will be published to your satisfaction.

I’ll even share a secret…since I had a co-author, we submitted our 10 pages three years in a row under her name and avoided abusing a conflict of interest rule I set up for myself as director. It worked! We had to change our concept and focus a couple of times to get the right product and now it is a much better book thanks to the professionals that helped us.

Thanks to PG&E we’ve come a long way with our PG&E Teen Writers Program. For four years scholarships were offered for at least 25 students, who have learned to hone lifetime skills and appreciate reading and writing from our presenters. In 2013 we introduce the Chevron Teachable Moments Series to give our San Luis Obispo teachers the same opportunity we have given to their students – to learn from the professionals what expectations there are today in the world of writers and publishers, thus the world of work.

Jump out there in 2013 and enter the Lillian Dean Writing Competition. Former director Cathe Olson chairs the competition. Check out the rules and guidelines for submission on the website. The worst thing that can happen is you’ll get feedback on your submission for a very tiny add-on fee. The best, of course, is winning the trophy, certificate or review of your query letter submission by Foreword Literary and reading it to the rest of us at Saturday’s General Assembly.             

               And what a special year to share with Dave Congalton, San Luis Obispo’s favorite talk show host and friend and former director of the Central Coast Writers’ Conference. We’re so excited for Dave and Charlotte as they live the dream Rebecca Rasmussen will talk about in her keynote. It’s still a bumpy ride, but Dave understands why he was compelled to give screenwriting time and attention again. Indeed it is WHY WE WRITE! You won’t want to miss our celebration of Dave’s Success Story.

               Whether you want to hang out with writers and see how we tick or have a dream to write and publish your memoir for posterity, chapbook of poetry, how-to book to get it right, or great American novel, please, join us September 20-21. We won’t disappoint your Great Expectations.    

“Unlock the great in yourself and others,” is the catalyst offered in Don Maruska’s latest book, Take Charge of Your Talent, co-written with Jay Perry. And if further explanation about “three keys to thriving in career, organization, and life” is desired, Maruska’s office has been in Morro Bay for 19 years. He loves demonstrating his concepts. Recently he presented to Morro Bay Rotarians and SLO NightWriters.

“You have a treasure chest of talent…Every high achiever has 30-40% of untapped talent…Encourage self-motivation…Power through the obstacles…Power up your talent story…If you want to play the banjo, don’t put it in the closet…,” are just a few Maruska insights he invites readers and audiences to ponder.

“What gives me joy is bringing out the best in people,” said Maruska. “My first book, How Great Decisions Get Made, taught people how to solve tough issues together. This book encourages the individual to seek his/her passion. It is written for anyone, anytime, anywhere to take charge and be the hero of their talent story.”

Maruska took his own advice when his family deliberated about a move to the Central Coast. Wife Liz was diagnosed with urban-air allergies. Her doctor advised living by the water. His consulting business allowed them to test out Morro Bay for a month, which was all it took to give up the “Silicon Valley vortex.”

Since 1993, Maruska, a Master Certified Coach, has helped corporations, colleges and clients maximize their potential. But first he experienced his own life lessons. After Harvard, he learned he was better suited for the private sector while serving as a legislative assistant for a political neophyte and consulting for HUD on the 1974 Housing Act.

“It was an exciting time during the Viet Nam War balancing late nights researching and writing legislation and daytime meetings with Tom Hayden and Jane Fonda and random invites to Georgetown’s exclusive Jockey Club.”

He left Washington for Stanford and MBA and JD degrees. Following the ideals of motivators like Tom Peters (In Search of Excellence) and James Collins (Good to Great), Maruska was recruited to be Vice President of E*Trade and challenged to “rethink” how brokerage houses did business. Helping hospitals become profitable while consulting for Health Advantage was his next success story. Then the emerging entrepreneur decided to coach and consult for a start-up firm, Don Maruska & Company, Inc. When clients kept asking when he would put theories into a book, he ultimately added author to his portfolio.

The Maruska-Perry team has a goal encouraged by “think big” motivator, James Collins. Discover their “Take Charge 20/20 Vision” by reading the book or better yet, invite the authors to share their hopes. Contact Don@DonMaruska.com.

She’s Bacccckkkkkkk! That’s how it feels to be seeing friends and supporters in Bakersfield.

May 15th was Chapter 2 in the COLONEL BAKER’S FIELD: AN AMERICAN PIONEER STORY saga. Just as Chris Brewer dedicated a lifetime researching the biography of his great-great grandfather, Colonel Thomas Baker, and then graciously shared his insights with Sandy Mittelsteadt, Jody Salamacha-Hollier and I, I want to chronicle our journey as we offer our interpretation of the life and times of Colonel Baker and Chris Brewer to Bakersfield, Visalia, maybe Iowa, America and my hometown Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo County.

Mayor Harvey Hall encouraged us to present at the Bakersfield City Council Meeting. First I learned Bakersfield has changed their council meeting times since I moved away. They start early….probably so they can end at a decent time for all concerned…so we were there at 4:30 to be sure we were on time at 5:30 to present at public comment. We provided a signed copy for each of the council members and in 3 minutes I read from Chapter 1 where Chris at 10 years old is asking his dad why Bakersfield has a large statue of his great-great grandfather in front of City Hall. It is the dedication scene after the 1952 earthquake and Chris remembered it well. Sandy then told the reality of California going bankrupt in the 1860s due to the flooding, which is why it was critical for our state that Colonel Baker focused on draining the swampland. Did you know he traveled from Visalia to Bakersfield the very first time by boat…that’s how much water was soaking our future ag land. The council members were gracious and welcoming and Mayor Hall couldn’t have been more positive about the quality of the book and supportive encouraging great sales for our future. Thank you, one and all.

Earlier in the day we had a chance to meet with Kern County Museum Board Member and co-chair of the upcoming Nut Festival on June 15 at the museum. We had a wonderful reunion visit and an invitation to do a book signing in the Museum store…where our book is currently on sale!…during the Nut Festival. Hope you will all join us there.

We also delivered 6 copies of our book to Bakersfield Rubber Stamp. Robert McKelvey was a classmate of mine at Garces High and called to say he’d just returned from vacationing and had learned all about the history of the place they visited (sorry, Robert, I forgot where you went!) and when he heard about our book he thought he should be learning more about his own home town…so for his own birthday, he bought himself and all his siblings a copy of our book…signed, of course. Thanks, so much Robert.

Sandy and I went by KGET-TV 17 to thank John Pelios and Michael Trihey for their terrific coverage when we came to Bakersfield the first time. They were busy uncovering news about the Sheriff Dept. and a shooting incident..and cell phone photos.

We also met with Steve Sanders at the Kern County Superintendents office…he’s chief of staff now and incoming Bakersfield Downtown Rotary president. Previous research said one thing about Colonel Baker and Sandy and Chris have proven otherwise. Steve was very receptive to adapt the website version to the correct information. We’re also looking at a future date to present to Rotary.

We’ll be at West Rotary, however, June 26. Thanks, guys and gals.

And Sandy and I just had to visit Tony at Russo’s and see how he was showcasing our book with the posters Jody has designed and provided….WOW…billboard outside the store, front window display and front of store display….Thank you sooooo much.

And thanks all who have purchased so far…would love your feedback, questions, comments, insights…..

Next up is May 31 for another edition of the Scott Cox Show, lunch with the winner of our book give-away from the Cal State 60+ presentation, meetings with numerous people and BIG, BIG day on June 1….11am is presentation and book signing at the Beale Memorial Library Tejon Room…then 1-3pm is book signing at Russo’s. Hope to see you all at both or at least one of our events.

And my goal was just to get us on the shelf at the Beale!!! We’re already there! Thanks, Bakersfield.

…Starring Jack Smith

               In 1978 professional skateboarder Jack Smith squeezed stomach-first into the domed Vetter streamline skatecar designed by Cal Poly’s Mechanical Engineering students to race in the World Speed Championships at Signal Hill in Long Beach, CA. Would his 60-mph downhill run win? Amazing he was one of the lucky one’s to survive the run. The movie Signal Hill Speed Run was featured during the SLO Film Festival in March, 2013 and is available at the Morro Bay Skate Museum.

Thirty-five years later, Smith can’t believe he did it, yet the 90-minute documentary demonstrates his survival during the wild, early years of skateboarding before safety was a consideration. Now an icon in the sport, Smith hopes Craig Vetter and Professor Steve Blair will join him and director, Mike Horelick at Saturday’s showing. Immediately following, Smith invites all to the official opening of his newest exhibit “Anything But Wood” at the Morro Bay Skateboard Museum in Marina Square with skateboards on loan from Stephen Pizzo’s collection.

The museum opened in November, 2010. “I wanted to share the history and culture of skateboarding.”  Smith documents the evolution of skateboarding showing boards from the era. His first board was made by his dad. He shows the steel wheels of the 1960’s and sophisticated modifieds like the skatecar. He talks about his boards used in Skateboarding Across America. Many are autographed by notables.

In the 1960s skateboarding began as a kid’s toy “steel wheels stolen from your sister’s roller skates.” In the 1970s Urethane boards morfed skateboarding from a fad to risky recreation. Once skaters discovered empty swimming pools to challenge their skills, today’s extreme sport was born.

“The coolest is Stacy Peralta’s trophy when he won Skateboarder Magazine’s poll as “Skateboarder of the Year.” He’s an award winning film director now,” said Smith. “My favorite board pictures my son, Jack Marshall Smith, who died of Lowe Syndrome. We dedicated our 2003 Skateboarding Across America in his memory.”

Smith started skateboarding seriously after graduating from Morro Bay High School. “We used to do it after dark, because we were embarrassed it was still considered a kid’s thing.” He made the finals in his first competition at the Del Mar Nationals in 1975. That summer he produced the first of ten competitions for Morro Bay, several World and National Championships. Taking time off in 1976 as Sun Bulletin Circulation Manager/Sports Writer, Smith, Jeff French and Mike Filben completed Smith’s first Skateboarding Across America. In 1984 it benefitted Multiple Sclerosis. In 2003 it memorialized his son. Coming up in 2013, the tour raises funds for Alzheimer’s.

Smith, the consummate entrepreneur, publishes skateboarder’s Journal and had a small part in Lords of Dog Town with Heath Ledger.

Jack would love a visit from locals and visitors at the Morro Bay Skateboard Museum and he’s looking for sponsorship for his next cross country adventure to benefit Alzheimer’s. He leaving July 4th and information can be found on his Facebook page for the Morro Bay Skateboard Museum.

And speaking of Morro Bay 4th….BIG – Delish – annual event that helps fund fireworks in Morro Bay…Tognazzini’s Dockside 2 does an Oysters & Beer Event this Saturday May 18, Six huge barbecued oysters and a pitch of beer for only $20…lots of fun people and good food…all for fireworks in Morro Bay.

Typically, I write about others in my Central Coast Blog, but today I need to crow a bit about myself and my collaborators in a new book recently released by Bear State Books. While booking the schedule for our media launch next week, May 1-2, in Bakersfield, I told John Pilios, News Director for KGET-TV(NBC), where I used to work and Mike Allen, KERNTALK Radio, where I used to always listen, I wasn’t sure if COLONEL BAKER’S FIELD, our book, was my swan song or the beginning of a another new career relationship in Bakersfield. Adding author to my wonderful life is such an honor and a dream come true since I was in the 4th grade. And to work with Sandra Mittelsteadt, Chris Brewer, and my daughter, Jody Salamacha-Hollier  on this project has been exciting, challenging, glorious, frustrating, and we’re bonded now forevermore. Here’s how it all came about…

Sandy taught at East Bakersfield High and started the Career Academies in the Kern High School District system. She can tell you so much more about herself. She left temporarily to spread the academy concepts to other national school districts. She used to divide her time between Washington, DC and Bakersfield. I taught at Bakersfield High School and retired to have my children, Jeremy and Jody and then went into the media business at KMPC-Radio, then Ralph Edwards’ talk radio, KNTB, and then interned at KBAK-TV, landed a job with Ray Watson at KGET-TV and with the help of my good friend Sheryl Barbich (Vision Bakersfield 2020 and more), I went corporate with Castle & Cooke, then independent with Salamacha PR Strategies with Future Bakersfield and Mesa Marin Raceway my biggest clients. Love jobs all…but when my husband, Bob, wanted to retire to Morro Bay, I had to go.

Sandy and I were introduced by Morgan Clayton. He knew we were soul-sisters waiting to work together. She asked me to help her with Morgan’s Leaders in Life Conference since she was traveling to DC. I always try to work with Jody when she is available because of her graphic artistry, computer talents, photography and supportive organization skills compliment my craziness. She helped out with Leaders in Life and Sandy loved working with her as well. Then while I was enjoying my life and career at Mesa Marin Raceway, Sandy had funding that perfectly matched the Mesa Marin Raceway High School Racing Program. We couldn’t have done it without her support.

Down the road while Sandy continued to be successful with two books as an education consultant in DC, our friend Andrea set up a lunch for us at at Mexicali. Sandy was an author and I had a column in the San Luis Obispo Tribune. She suggested we write a book together…so we did! Colonel Baker’s story had been told in “coffee table” history books but his entire story…barring one or a couple elements he was still researching…was waiting for publication by his great-great grandson Chris Brewer. According to Sandy, it was God’s plan to have a collaboration by all four of us to complete the biography of Bakersfield’s namesake, Colonel Thomas Baker. Chris Brewer graciously shared his research to help us document the history and authenticate where we have enhanced the scenes with fictional dialogue. He also offered us his entire library of original art and photography for Jody to place and/or illustrate and in some cases restore pieces of his collection for the book.

COLONEL BAKER’S FIELD once started as a creative nonfiction children’s story targeted for middle grade, but ultimately evolved into the biography of Colonel Baker and the story of a lifetime of research by Chris Brewer. The goal was to tell their story in period historical scenes. Chris allowed us the license to create dialogue we could not document, but checked it all against the facts and based on the historical research he had discovered through the years. Yes, we wanted it historical…but we wanted to tell the story that we knew was interesting and inspiring.

Colonel Baker lived by a code…a dreamer who worked hard and never dreamed harder than he worked to make things happen for his family and his community.

It’s been a wonderful project and the book is out after three years in the making. I just got word from Sandy that Russo’s Books in Castle & Cooke’s Marketplace will carry the books and sell at $24.95. We will have a book signing at the story from 1-3pm Saturday, June 1. But next week we officially launch it in Bakersfield. May 1-2 we start with meetings with our fellow Rotarians and “testimonial” partners. Wednesday evening at 7pm we will present at the Bakersfield City Council meeting to Mayor Harvey Hall. Mayor Hall provided one of the commentaries about why Colonel Baker was important to Bakersfield. We wanted to invite more to participate, but only had so many pages we could include in the book. We selected individuals that complimented the many careers Colonel Thomas Baker had….legislator, lawyer, real estate broker, educator, entrepreneur, and promoter of Bakersfield. Mayor Hall graciously offered his comment.

Thursday, May 2 we start off with the Scott Cox Show at 8am on KERNTALK Radio, then more meetings, my former Downtown Rotary Club which is offsite at the Petroleum Club and then at 2:o0 is a presentation at the Cal State’s 60+ Club where KGET-TV will provide coverage and Russo’s Books will have books available to sell…and we’ll even autograph. And I’m so honored that after a career of friendship, journalist/columnist Camille Gavin of The Bakersfield Californian will tell our story on Sunday, May 5.

We can’t wait to see everyone in Bakersfield including our testimonial partners, Congressman Kevin McCarthy, Mayor Hall, Holly Culhane, Blanca Cavasos, Morgan Clayton, Ken Carter, and George Martin. Life and career begins again…one step at a time….another step…this is a big one for me! Could it be fulfillment?

Dinner to Support People Help People: The Luck of Los Osos: Good Times, Good Cause, Great Price

Just a wee bit of cash will buy you supper and song at the 2^nd annual Scottish Irish Night Thursday, March 14 at the South Bay Community Center. Scottish meat pies with Irish mashed potatoes and peas, salad and dessert are only $8. After supper the Gillie Weesels (www.centralcoastceltic.com) will croon Irish and Scottish ditties and ballads while Duncan McQueen, donned in his finest kilt, might be convinced to play his musical saw. But the best Irish luck is every penny for these pleasures benefits People Helping People (PHP) of Los Osos.

PHP began in 1972 when Los Osos, Baywood Park, and Cuesta-by-the-Sea seniors created the non-profit to help special needs seniors. A “senior center” was intended when they sold their lot on 4^th Street for $38,000 and continued fundraising. Then the leadership realized the entire community had special needs, so PHP donated the seed money of $58,000 to construct the South Bay Community Center.

Today Jim Quesenberry, 1^st Vice-President and coordinator of the food distribution program reports PHP averages 50 to 70 people daily at the Community Center and volunteers have stepped forward to help with distribution. “Our relationship with the Baywood Farmers Market renewed so we have fresh produce. The Food Bank and USDA provide the staples and proteins. We have a good time and thanks to board Secretary, Lynn Wise, donuts and coffee are available.”

Beverly Ford volunteers in the office and admits they could use more help weekday mornings. She helps provide medical, housing and tax referral information and checks out the medical equipment PHP can loan for a nominal deposit.

Newly elected board president Richard Margetson anticipated the pending remodel at the Community Center that will offer more efficiency in operations to both the center and PHP. He explained, “The cost to expand space behind the stage area will cost approximately $56,000 and most is already donated by area businesses and tradesmen. The community center started as a grassroots endeavor and it continues to gather support. After all, it belongs to the community.”

Margetson succeeds Jerri Walsh as president of the board. “Throughout my life I’ve volunteered for homeless issues. I’m not sure how People Helping People captured my interest but I’ve been involved ten years. Jerri will be past president, Linda Owens is 2^nd Vice-President and Carol Cribbs is treasurer.”

Scottish Irish Night tickets are limited to approximately 120 and must be picked in advance at the PHP office in the Los Osos Community Center, 2180 Palisades, Monday thru Friday from 9 to 1 pm. For more info call 528-2626.

Catherine “Kiki” Kornreich grew up in the San Joaquin Valley determined to attend Cal Poly. After graduation, she established Kornreich Design Associates in San Luis Obispo. Four years ago the allure of the beach moved her to Cayucos where she could beach-walk with her dog, Izzi.

“I used to consider sea glass trash. Then I found a white heart-shaped piece and started collecting,” said Kornreich. “I’d bump into the same women picking up sea glass and we’d compare our finds. We were all active Cayucos chamber businesswomen. I googled sea glass festivals and discovered Cayucos was perfect for a west coast festival so called everyone together to brainstorm at the Shoreline Inn. We’re now ready for our third festival, March 8-10.”

As chairwoman, Kornreich said she couldn’t have hand-picked a better team. Each has unique talents and passion to produce the community festival. Their common goals are to keep it small enough to reflect Cayucos’ welcoming attitude, but large enough to support their cause, the Cayucos Chamber of Commerce 4^th of July. The first year they had 3,000 people and made $5,000. Abundant success has continued.

“We fix what needs fixing each year, keep what works, and offer new activities to bring people back or entice new visitors.” The 2013 committee of Kornreich, Debbie Black, Carol Kramer, Jennifer Norton, Amanda Fritzsche, Laila Kollmann, Nadine Lilley, Maureen Carlson, Kate Stulberg, and Donna Halliday will direct 60 volunteers festival weekend.

The inaugural festival kick-off is Friday evening at the Borradori Garage. Guests will meet sea glass historian, Robert LaMotte, president of the North American Sea Glass Association and author of the definitive guide, Pure Sea Glass. Cayucos Cellars, Cayucos Beach Ale, nibbles and dessert will accompany LaMotte’s first California visit, presentation and book signing. Call 995-1351 for reservations.

“Robert and Nancy LaMotte have collected 40,000 pieces of sea glass mostly from the Chesapeake Bay. She designs jewelry. He can tell you how old, what the glass originally came from and often what ocean it came from,” marveled Kornreich.

Thirty-six nationally traveled vendors will display and sell sea glass products. Six Cayucos eateries will offer tastes in the food pavilion. Mermaids will greet and share “mermaid tears” and festival information to attendees entering the Cayucos Veterans Hall. The first 200 will munch on Brown Butter Cookie Company. And a new Discovery Station sponsored by Santa Cruz Sea Glass will offer tips on the value and history of sea glass.
Entry is $3 with music offered by Grammy-winning Louie Ortega, The Bobby Santa Cruz Band, The Tennessee Jimmy Harrell Trio and Bruce Beck and the Mystery Brothers. www.cayucosseaglass.com.
Note: If you come over next weekend (or need to book for same time in 2014 the check out the wonderful B&Bs and Inns in Cayucos…you’ll find your heaven on earth!

In 1972 the San Luis Obispo office for RSVP – Retired Senior Volunteer Program – opened for business to match seniors over 55 to a variety of activities. The Inn at Morro Bay hosted one of three area brunches celebrating their 40^th Recognition for RSVP Volunteers of the Central Coast. San Luis Obispo County Supervisors, Senator Sam Blakeslee, and Representative Lois Capps recognized the 182,000 hours valued at $4.26M tallied in 2011 – support services rendered by senior volunteers.

Capps wrote, “What would your communities do without you?”

For example, 140 volunteers donated 13,000 hours to ten police departments; 50 volunteers visited frail elderly weekly; more than 220 helped at parks, hiking trails, museums and recreation departments; 150 individuals gave up 20,000 hours to gather, distribute or home deliver five million pounds of food.

Most volunteers say they are the true beneficiaries – and for good reason. Harvard Medical School’s Dr George Vaillant stated in 2001, “As one ages, remaining connected to life is crucial.” The RSVP website (www.rsvpcentralcoast.org) reflects, “Active involvement in solving community problems can stimulate positive thinking…”

RSVP Program Director, Marie Brinkmeyer, recognized volunteers with 300 to over 1,500 accumulated hours and asked why they volunteered.

Cayucan Patricia McKaye and Arroyo Grande’s Ted Hanson received the 2012 Carol Conway Spirit of Volunteerism Awards. Both emulate Conway’s legacy as an early RSVP director to model and inspire volunteers. Hanson serves at multiple locations, including Woods Humane Society, Pacific Wildlife and Veterans’ services. Cayucos Seniors’ President Betsy Watts nominated McKaye for dedicating 1,000 hours a year for 12 years as manager of the volunteers for their thrift store and senior activities’ center.

Brinkmeyer remarked, “They so take care of one another. We patterned the Good Neighbor Program after Cayucos Seniors.”

“I’m there because of the people I work with,” McKaye said. “Bonnie Allen and Ray Guillen coordinate the weekly food distribution; Mike and Doreen Cavataio pick up food from the grocery stores weekly; Pat Machen, Loretta Scholfield, Betty Hall and David Robinson organize the thrift donations so our board can donate thousands each year to our community, especially Cayucos School. Trudy Minott’s group does crafts. My receptionists keep the doors open six days a week and I especially thank my friend, Arley Robinson, who had the idea year’s ago for the thrift store.”

Northern District Volunteer of the Year, Ann Fletcher said about their Atascadero Fun Club, “Behind every successful program is a team. Volunteering comes from the heart.”

Cayucans Machen and Scholfield agreed volunteering fulfilled their lives.

Bill Pluma volunteers at ten stations and said, “I get to meet people at the top, bottom, and in between and learn something new every day.”

PostScript: Pat McKaye was my mentor and my mom. She lived life to the fullest until her last breath August 11. She continued to serve the Cayucos Seniors until the very end and they honored her royally and miss her sincerely as do I. Her birthday was February 10 and she would want us to celebrate. We would have gone to the movies. I did. I saw Daniel Day Lewis in LINCOLN. She would have loved it. Goodnight, my moon.

She walked with grace and attitude. You felt good being in her space. She breathed life into Cayucos and it smiled back and gave her joy.