Community volunteers calling themselves Bloomies have spent each Saturday for nearly two years sprucing up Morro Bay. Project organizer, Walter Heath, indicated the mission of Morro Bay In Bloom (MBIB) is to organize people and like-minded groups to beautify public spaces. “We can be the volunteer labor force for projects that groups determine are needed.”

The Bloomies have high hopes for a fruitful visit from volunteer judges representing America in Bloom (AIB) July 10-11. Notables in their fields of horticulture and gardening will spend two days touring Morro Bay, including MBIB landscape projects. AIB is a national grass-roots urban renewal program focused on “gardening therapy” for the beautification of America’s communities.

Heath says although MBIB anticipates a positive assessment, participating in the AIB awards programs comes with broader benefits. “Before they leave we’ll get an extensive written report telling us how we excelled and what we can still do to beautify Morro Bay.” On the AIB website it states the awards program “intends to help communities harness untapped energy, talent, and resources to champion greening, enhance environmental awareness, promote economic development, and improve quality of life.”

“Early in his first term, Mayor Irons attended an all-county mayor’s meeting,” explained Heath. “Arroyo Grande Mayor Tony Ferrara challenged the group to get involved with America in Bloom. I had asked Mayor Irons to find me a project that would be community affirming. I’d just been diagnosed with leukemia and was in a tailspin. America In Bloom matched my background. Growing up in San Francisco I came from a gardening family. My grandparents raised orchids and tuberous begonias. I started marigolds for my dad. I’m a retired chemist with some experience organizing people. I needed “gardening therapy” in my life.”

MBIB used Facebook to invite interested participants to come out and help with their first project, Morro Bay’s Library. “The landscaping was aging and overgrown. Next we took on the Chamber of Commerce. It needed major sprucing. Usually we get 10 to15 or as many as 25 people each Saturday from 9-11am. We are working with Joe Woods, (Morro Bay’s Recreation Director), on the Adopt a Park program. Community groups sign on to maintain a Morro Bay park. MBIB has adopted the Centennial Parkway project, which begins at the top of Centennial stairs on Market Street and runs out to the dock and water. We have big plans to stabilize the hillside and make it look nice. We’re adding succulents to the planters near D’Stacios. It’s amazing what ten people can accomplish in two hours.”

Bloomies are also promoting a public art project, Morro Bay Surfboard Art Festival benefitting Project Surf Camp and MBIB for November. www.morrobayinbloom.org

What do you do when the love of your life for 25 years goes on a Harley road trip with his brothers, calls every day to check in, but then doesn’t come home? Since 2008, Claudia Wright moved to Morro Bay, published a book, and reached out to 482 new friends.

“While golfing, Jim told his brothers he was tired,” said Wright. “He was 51. He had a heart attack.” Although a successful graphic artist, his wife and family of three were unprepared financially. “I couldn’t afford the mortgage. At one point we were homeless, but together we made it. The boys had scholarships for college, but losing their dad was tough. We had to pay three years for Toby.”

Formerly in management with Starbucks of Chandler, Arizona, she was a stay-at-home mom working on a book concept. Toasted: The Perfect Toast for Every Occasion had an advance from a publisher. Memories of her grandparents’ toasts, sparked the entrepreneurial idea. Wright planned to publish traditional and custom toasts for all occasions. When her publisher was bought out, her book idea was shelved.

She doesn’t know how they got her resume, but Apple Store called. Their second offer was appealing with Jim gone. She accepted a district manager position that ultimately transferred her to Mission Viegjo, CA. She requested San Luis Obispo to be closer to her daughter in Monterey.

“I needed to jumpstart my life,” said Wright. “One night I discovered www.Meetup.com. I thought there might be others around Morro Bay wanting to hike or go to the movies. I created the group ’50 Years Plus Active Singles.’ We are 482 members with no defined structure but to show up.”

Meanwhile, rights to self-publish her book Toasted were returned. She recently had a book signing and wine tasting at Coalesce Book Store where STAX Wine Bar pour three sparkling wines and Wright demonstrated several toasts for her attending friends and readers.

Living in the heart of wine country, Wright has pitched her book to other wine bars and wineries. “It’s a pocket-sized book and I’ve included pages where wine tasters can keep notes where they’ve tasted and which wines they prefer. I’m can customize the book for the wineries or a wedding party to have guest memory books of toasts.”

Besides STAX Wine Bar and Coalesce Book Store, Opolo Winery, Central Coast Wines, and Saucelito Canyon Winery are a short list of supporters. www.toastedtoasts.com.

“My children encouraged me to follow my dream,” said Wright. “My goal is to get the book into the hands of people celebrating life. Let me share my grandmother’s Scottish toast…Cheers to life, love, money and the time to enjoy it all.” 

Dan Reddell, owner/broker of Bayshore Realty in Morro Bay, will always be remembered for his zest for life, yet on June 3^rd he lost his battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, it is an incurable, progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes muscle weakness, paralysis, and ultimately, respiratory failure. From it’s onset, Reddell powered through persistent attacks to the part of his brain that directed muscle movement, while fully cognitive and powerless to reverse his decline.

He continued to go to the office daily, Morro Bay Rotary weekly and community activities on occasion, often accompanied by his brother, Dale Reddell. He would conduct business “talking” with his engaging smile and hand signals, or his smart phone and computer technology. He always sought a way to resolve a challenge or make it tolerable.

Reddell graduated from Coast Union High School and Cal Poly. He founded Bayshore Realty in 1997. A vocal community advocate for business development, he was active on numerous boards including president of the Morro Bay’s Harbor Festival, Police Foundation, and Rotary. In 2013 he was honored as Realtor of the Year by Scenic Coast Association of Realtors. Recognitions included Morro Bay Rotarian of the Year for 1988 and Morro Bay Citizen for 1987 and Living Treasure for 2013.

For several years he has helped Si Tennenberg distribute more than 1,200 care boxes for United States soldiers in Afghanistan. Through his office at Bayshore Realty and at Rotary meetings, he would tote packages ready to mail for those willing to take them to the post office and pay the small fee to shine a light from home for the soldiers oversees.

Instead of railing at his plight, he with his family and friends, led the charge to raise over $6,700 during the SLO Walk to Defeat ALS on April 12^th. In an email, Reddell credited “Janne’ and daughter Donna, Jamie Boucher and Don Hudson for their brilliant ways of raising funds…”  

In a post to www.fogcutternews.org on November 5, 2013, Reddell told the story of a 1980 recall effort. He ultimately befriended one of the deposed councilmembers, Tom Cantine. He wrote, “…I had personally served him with his recall notice…The most memorable thing about the Recall Election for me was to become friends with a bitter enemy. It showed me that Morro Bay citizens may disagree, but they all have one thing in common–they love living in Morro Bay…They may disagree on what is best for Morro Bay, but they all believe in doing the best thing for our City…Working together would be working for the good of our community!”

A memorial was held June 20 at 3:30pm at the Morro Bay Community Center for a respectful stand-room-only community group. Let’s hope Reddell’s life lessons will become his community legacy?

World War II veteran, Walter Stacy, just returned from a whirlwind tour of Washington D.C.’s monuments honoring our nation’s veterans. He was hosted by Honor Flight Network and traveled with his son, Richard Stacy. The nonprofit organization, www.honorflight.org, intends to host all living veterans. “Once they find the WWII vets,” said Stacy, “they want to find the Korean Vets.”

Now in their 90s, Walter and Doris Stacy will participate in the Lost at Sea Memorial ceremonies Monday, Memorial Day , 2014, at 2:45 pm at the Cayucos Pier Plaza. The service honors all those lost at sea, military or civilian. It is supported by the Cayucos Lions and Rotary Clubs of Cayucos and Morro Bay.

“I wanted to fly so enlisted September 28, 1942 when the Navy created the VT-5 flight training program. They needed pilots,” said Stacy.

Every three months he was moved. He trained in navigation in Massachusetts, flight training in Tennessee, ground and physical training in Georgia, flew “yellow perils” in Texas and finally got his wings August 8, 1944 in Pensacola, Florida. A member of the Dive Bombing Division (SBD), he was “carrier qualified” at Glenview Naval Air Station in Illinois.

Doris, today recognized as a Rosie the Riveter, trained as a sheet metal worker in Springfield, Massachusetts, then was stationed at Bradley Field, Connecticut. “I was a WAM (Women’s Aircraft Maintenance Squadron). We fixed the planes as the men damaged them. I made $1060 in 1943. My point is every one of us filled a space for the men who went to fight the war.”

“I called Doris and asked if she still wanted to get married before I got my orders,” said Stacy.

Their extended honeymoon was searching for Stacy’s VFZ carrier-based squadron. “When we got to San Diego, the Navy told us to come back in five days. They couldn’t find my squadron. When we came back they sent us to Seattle, then Pascal, Washington, and after a month back to San Diego.”

Eventually Stacy was shipped to Hawaii and Doris returned to New Hampshire pregnant with the first of their two sons. Stacy flew F4U-4 Corsairs — bombing, strafing and searching POWs out of Saipan’s Kagman Airfield. The couple agreed “it was a happy day when the skies lit up with bombs and we (Stacy’s squadron) found out the next day the Japanese had surrendered.”

After his carrier picked up 1,500 men caught in a big storm off Okinawa, Stacy returned to San Diego December 13, 1945. He retired as a commander after 26 years from the Naval Reserves while working for New England Telephone for 38 years. Now Cambrians, the flyboy and his war-bride will celebrate their 70^th wedding anniversary December 1.

Another note, I talked to Trudy O’Brien, Morro Bay Fisherman’s Organization, on KEBF Estero Bay Community Radio about her participation at the Cayucos Lost at Sea Event. She has carried the Memorial Wreath for 8 years because she loves the event and the position she plays. The wreath is so large she always selects a fisherman to help her.

I also talked to Mike Elliott, General Manager of the Los Osos Valley Mortuary and Memorial Park, which has presented a huge Memorial Day event for over 50 years. All services are represented and they have created an amazing aerial with all kinds of para-things falling out of the skies…plus music, bbq, Viet Nam Vet Peter Starling speaking. It all starts at 10:30am.

If you miss it this year mark you calendars to be in Los Osos and Cayucos same time next year. These tributes are exactly the right message why we celebrate Memorial Day.

This is not Walter Stacy although Walter is often with this group of Veterans that meets every Friday at La Parisiene Bakery in Morro Bay off of Front Street on the way to Morro Rock…This is Cayucos Senior Member Hank Hall and a veteran friend.

Volumes of Pleasure Book Shoppe in Los Osos between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay will participate in the first California Bookstore Day, a collaboration of the Northern and Southern California Independent Booksellers Association. The organization promotes its first annual event as “a statewide party on Saturday, May 3, 2014 as big and varied as the state itself.  It’s more than 90 stores in more than 80 zip codes putting their bells on and throwing out the welcome mat… (offering) books you cannot get on any other day at any other place.” An available list of books written and offered is at www.cabookstoreday.com.

“It’s a dual celebration for us,” said owner Carroll Leslie. “We are celebrating 35 years in business. I love books and love getting to know my customers and connecting them with a book I think they might like. My philosophy has always been to offer books with independent thought by lesser known writers and offer local authors a place to sell their books.”

Leslie and Barbara Strauss moved to Los Osos from Laguna Beach where they owned a book store. “I worked for the county and Barbara discovered Volumes and expressed an interest in buying it. The owners were eager to sell. We immediately increased the inventory. Barbara (deceased in 2012) and I loved escape literature and we added philosophy and spiritual books. As the trends changed we did.”

To compete with the corporate book stores and Amazon, they added sideline products to stay in business. “At one time there were fourteen independent book stores in the county,” said Leslie. “Now there is Coalesce in Morro Bay and us.”

Editor’s Note: There are several wonderful book stores still in San Luis Obispo County that offer recycled books, including Nan’s of Pismo (south of San Luis Obispo), which will also order new books for clients. Nan’s is also very supportive of local authors.

According to Volumes of Pleasure’s Christine Ahern, the celebration will begin at 11:30am Saturday with a Children’s Book Corner followed by readings by local authors throughout the afternoon until 5:30pm. Participating include Anne R. Allen, Charlie Perryess, Sue McGinty, and poets Beverly Boyd, Carol McPhee and Bonnie Young. Three Sheets to the Wind will perform at 1pm and Hoapili Pomaika’i Aloha is at 3pm.

 Allen, author of seven comic novels, including her latest mystery set in Morro Bay, No Place Like Home, said, “Independent stores like Volumes of Pleasure can carry books by authors who publish with smaller presses, the way I do. Big box bookstores usually only carry titles published by the big five publishing corporations, who can pay for shelf space. It’s a fantastic resource for readers and writers alike.”

 McGinty, author of three mysteries set in Cayucos, Morro Bay and Los Osos, said, “Readers often want books with local settings. I write about the Central Coast. Bella, my protagonist in Murder in Los Lobos, lives in “Los Lobos.” It’s invaluable to have my books in Volumes of Pleasure.” www.volumesofpleasurebookshoppe.com

Another Editor’s Note: When you make that choice to buy a book, think about all the help an independent book store owner has given you over the years. Do you want the chance to walk in a storefront and browse the shelves and look at the book jacket and feel the “volumes of pleasure” waiting to be opened and read. Does Amazon smile at you when you place that order? I encourage you that convenience is not always the best decision. Support your Independent Book Store so we will have them in our future. Thanks. Judy

In 1983, when Jean Brown worked at Security Pacific Bank, she believed the Los Osos area needed a networking organization for women in business to support their individual endeavors and share issues specific to working women.  

Brown persuaded Cathy Stalter, Judi Tewell, Connie Framberger, Rosa Metzler, Diane McClish and Linda Villanueva to join her on the first governing board of the South Bay Women’s Network.

Last December the group celebrated 30 years of community support for the San Luis Obispo Women’s Shelter, including 2013 when $1,500 was raised at the annual Holiday Auction. Metzler reported the first holiday meeting was a wrapping party with each member donating a gift. Current president, Gila Zak, thanked her team of Metzler, Debra Angell and Peggy Zett for gathering community donations for their latest auction supporting the shelter.

“Helping the Women’s Shelter continues to be our major fund raiser, but we also give three $500 scholarships annually for women at Cuesta College,” said Zak, owner of Quantum Wave Biofeedback. “Mainly our mission is to encourage and support each other.”

Past-president Dawn Rodden, owner of Creative Design in Los Osos, explained the networking group commits to doing business with members, including helping women in transition. “One member’s car broke,” Rodden said, citing an example. “Another member helped this single mom replace her car so she could get to work.” Rodden, who prefers being the quiet worker bee, added she “never thought I might lead the group as president, but with full support from the group, I had the confidence and a great experience.”

Sally Brooks, owner of The Great Skin Company said, “I joined in 1996 because of the great causes we support, then so many SBWN members support my business. The friendships are invaluable. For me it has been a win-win.”
            

The group meets the first Tuesday of each month at noon at La Palapa in Baywood. Andrea Tackett, MD, with Coast Cardiology is an example of one of their monthly speakers. Guests are encouraged to attend. More details and to connect to attend a meeting check out www.sbwn.org.

The group has maintained their dues at $45 so women can afford to join. This year, the group plans to continue raising money for the women’s shelter and support member Paula Ufferherdt’s efforts as a longtime commissioner with the Status of Women, a commission of women appointed by the San Luis Obispo County Supervisors to advocate for women and girls and inform the supervisors of unmet needs in the county. This year both groups will celebrate women volunteers for their countless hours of volunteerism during a luncheon at the Madonna Inn. Details at http://www.slowomen.org

Morro Bay’s Jeff Eckles pursues possibilities. Two years ago when he heard about a possible community based radio station, he stepped forward. The founder of Eckles Wealth Management, he hosts “Beyond Business,” a weekly financial information program at Estero Bay Community Radio 97.3FM The Rock. A 501c3 nonprofit , www.esterobayradio.com streamed programs on art, health, relationships, fitness, business, and music until the license was approved recently by the FCC.

Saturday, March 29 at 1pm the public was invited to a “flip the switch” celebration and tour of the studio housed at Morro Bay’s Chamber of Commerce, 695 Harbor Blvd. Sample the 24-hour programming schedule and meet EBCR Chaiman Sherry Sim and board members plus Hal Abrams, Operations Manager until 4:30pm. Live entertainment included Christine Rogers, Ray Taratino and The Monroe, plus current on-air talent Ruthann Angus, Michael Saffran, Cyndee Edwards, Greg Finch, Bryce Davis, Youssef Alaoui, James Davis, Chris Christian, Rachal Duchak and Eckles.

“This will be huge,” said Eckles. “Community radio is an on-air town hall. There are so many possibilities. We don’t know what it will become, but we know we can make it what we want it to be. It’s only limited by the number of volunteers who want to share their interests and expertise.”

Station Manager Hal Abrams was excited many of the former DJs from KOTTR which once was based in Cambria and provided the area with eclectic music and talk had volunteered to bring their voices and music files to 97.3 The Rock. The 24-hour operations will be a mix of mostly music, 34 talk format mixed in and public service announcements for community news and emergency notices as needed. “I’m working closely with Morro Bay Police Chief Amy Christie to coordinate the first responders to provide talk shows and information on a regular basis.”

Eckles was a seasoned seminar presenter, but had never interviewed or hosted radio before Dave Congalton invited him to appear on KVEC 920AM’s The Dave Congalton Show. “I learned everything I know about radio from Dave. When the financial crisis hit, I’m grateful he gave me a chance to do what I think I do best…take a complex economic issue and break it down to its simplest parts – un-complicate it for the general public.”

For those interested in hosting a show on 97.3 The Rock, Eckles advised, “Talk about what you know – what you’re passionate about. Topics need to be researched and interesting for a broad group of listeners. But community radio is not to sell your business. Listeners see right through the sales pitch and will turn you off. Endless possibilities for programming are still available.”

Eckles continued, “Listeners want you to share your passions. Most don’t know why a financial guy serves on the Morro Bay Harbor Advisory Board. Maritime is in my blood. I was a U.S. Merchant Mariner at sea for two years. I need to live and work by the sea. It’s why I resigned a Smith Barney vice-presidency to start my company in Morro Bay near the sea and my 9-year old twins, Aiden and Sophie.”

Eckles encouraged, “Go for it. Submit an idea. It may move you out of your comfort zone, but that’s how we grow.” And sustaining the station with an all volunteer staff will be the challenge – and the benefit – and hopefully the joy of birthing a new radio station for the Central Coast.

Change is happening…and as the director for the 5th year of the Central Coast Writers Conference and an active member of SLO NightWriters, I couldn’t be more pleased about the partnerships we’ve created for 2014.

And you out there in the writers’ world can benefit. This year Central Coast Writers Conference and SLO NightWriters will collaborate to present the Golden Quill Awards, a worldwide writing competition open to anyone who would like to test the waters. The 2014 theme is  Déjà vu. Creepy and wonderful right? For years both organizations have celebrated talented writing by showcasing winning authors at the conference and at San Luis Obispo NightWriter meetings and we still will do that…only our organizations won’t be competing for your manuscripts…we want you to compete for our kudos. You have until June 30 to send us your entry.

The Golden Quill Awards information is all new developed by a committee led by Tom Snow, who has become an active member of the CCWC team. Tom and I encourage everyone to participate. Note: You don’t have to attend CCWC #30 to enter the Golden Quill Awards, however, if you enter you are guaranteed registration at the Early Bird discounted fee. And the two top winners will be showcased at the conference with a reading of their winning entry…and if you are in Australia? Well, there is Facetime! Check out the following details:

 Entries accepted from April 1^st to June 30th, 2014

1^st Place Prize-$750 for each category & Scholarship to CCWC #30 featuring Anne Perry

2^nd Place Price-$400 for each category

Honorable Mention Certificates

 Entries must include the words “Déjà vu” AND depict the theme (Interpret as broadly as you like)

Entry Fee – $15 per entry

You may enter in more than one category and with as many entries as you like.

Go to www.slonightwriters.org for payment and contest information.

SHORT STORY/MEMOIR 1,000 max word limit – must be double spaced and, where applicable, will be judged on:  1) Beginning / Ending, 2) Character, 3) Dialogue, 4) Narrative Voice & Point of View, 5) Description of Setting, 6) Emotional Impact, 7) Plot / Story Arc, 8) Use of Language

POETRY 40 line max limit – may be creatively spaced and formatted and, where applicable, will be judged on:  1) Power/Emotional Impact, 2) Message, 3) Form and Flow, 4) Use of Language

All rights belong to the author.  SLO NightWriters may request permission to announce and publish the winning entries on its website and other media.

For a complete set of Rules and Format Guidelines see below or visit our website at….or just read on:

www.slonightwriters.org

Contest Entrants qualify for the special Early Bird rate at the 30th Annual Cuesta College Central Coast Writers Conference, September 19-20, 2014 in San Luis Obispo, CA, featuring keynote speaker, Anne Perry.  Attendance at the CCWC is optional. First place winners will be given free entries into the conference ($140 value each).  Registration begins in June, 2014. For details:  www.communityprograms.net       

 Questions?  Contact us: nightwriterscontest@gmail.com

2014 Contest Rules

1.  ELIGIBILITY:  All writers are welcome except NightWriters board members, Contest Committee members, screeners and judges.  Entries must be the original unpublished works of the authors.  

2.  FEES and PAYMENTS:  Entry Fee is $15 per contest entry.  For payment:

3.  DISCOUNTS:  If you wish to join SLO NightWriters at this time, include $25 (your discounted membership fee) along with your first $15 entry fee (a total of $40).

Contest Entrants will also qualify for the special Early Bird rate at the 30th Annual Cuesta College Central Coast Writers Conference, September 19-20, 2014 in San Luis Obispo, CA, featuring keynote speaker, Anne Perry.  Attendance at the CCWC is optional. First place winners will be given free entries into the conference ($140 value each).  For details, visit:  www.communityprograms.net          

4.  THEME:  Entries must include the words “Déjà vu” AND depict the theme (Interpret broadly.

5.  WORD LIMITS: Excluding titles, Short Story/Memoir – up to 1,000 words. Poetry – up to 40 lines.

6.  FORMATTING:  Each entry must use the following formatting:

• Courier or Times New Roman or Ariel type font.   
• A minimum of 1-inch margins.
• Short Stories/Memoirs must be double-spaced, and include page numbers.
• Poems may be creatively spaced and formatted, and include page numbers if needed.
• At the top of each entry, list: title, entry category, and word/line count only.  NO IDENTIFYING INFORMATION is to be placed on the entry itself.

 7.  COVER PAGE:  Judging is blind, so each contest entry must be emailed with a SEPARATE attachment cover page that includes:

• Author(s) name, First and Last
• Title of submission AND Entry Category
• Exact Word Count, or Line Count for poetry
• Author(s) Mailing Address, Phone Number and Email Address
• How I heard about this contest

 8.  SUBMISSION:  Electronic submissions only (Contact us for exceptions.)  Use .doc, .rft, or Adobe pdf. 

NO DocX files please.  Place entry title and author(s) last name in the Subject Line of the email.  You may enter multiple categories and with multiple entries.  Email entry and cover page as attachments to:

Nightwriterscontest@gmail.com

9.  WINNERS: Judges’ decisions are final.  Winners will be notified after Aug 1, 2014.  For each category 1^st place prize is $750, 2^nd place prize is $400.  Honorable Mentions will also be granted.  Winners may be asked to read entries at the Oct 14th, 2014 SLO NightWriters Meeting.  If co-authors, they must split prize money between themselves.  Winners may be acknowledged at this year’s Cuesta College Central Coast Writers Conference.

10. PUBLICATION:  All rights belong to the authors.  SLO NightWriters may request permission to announce and publish the winning entries on its website and other media.

Won’t you join us in 2014 for the first collaboration of SLO NightWriters and Cuesta College’s Central Coast Writers Conference writing competition. It will feed your soul and our treasury!

In 1984 Norman and Gail Galloway owned retirement businesses — a Cayucos apartment complex and Morro Bay floral shop. So partnering with their friend Jerry Winnowski to purchase a coffee business in Baywood wasn’t a stretch, however, the learning curve was steep. Norman read profusely, interrogated coffee reps, and worked long hours testing coffees before he discovered Central Coast Coffee Roasting Company’s signature secret.

“Once the beans are roasted,” said daughter Julie Galloway, who is spokesperson for their family business, “we let them sit a couple days so the natural sugars come in. We call it seasoning time. Dad used to roast late into the night – maybe 50 to 1,000 pounds a night. With the equipment we have today, we can roast a batch in 18 to 26 minutes or three times more in a day.”

In 2000 the Los Osos-based company moved from their smaller warehouse on Los Olivos to a 7,000 square-foot pristine roasting and packaging warehouse at 1172 Los Olivos.

“We grew up working the business,” said Julie. Today twelve employees including her husband, Paul Miller, her brother Chris and his son, Eric, roast, blend, and package 140 varieties of regular, decaf, holiday and blended coffees under the labels SLO Roasted Coffee, Baywood Exotic Flavored Coffee and Walker/Hupp Signature Blend benefitting camperships for Headwaters Outdoor School. They ship worldwide and deliver five days a week to retail outlets from Paso Robles to Carpentaria.

The Galloways choose to purchase their fair trade organically grown beans from Royal Coffee of Emoryville. Their supplier personally inspects the coffee plantations assessing the health of the operations. And they sample the coffee beans before they purchase complete crops to wholesale.

Their company’s chief roaster, Adam Boyd, was imported from Hawaii. He joined them thirteen years ago. “He can tell from the beans crackling in the 400-degree roaster where they are in the roasting process,” explained Julie.

The deep chocolate-cherry colored beans then go into an environmentally secured after-burner to take out any particulates. Once cooled and “seasoned” in bins for two days – the time for full flavors and smells to emerge — they are package. Packaging is fully automatic including the folding and labeling in sized bags.

“Customers favorites are anything with vanilla,” said Julie. “Dad is really good at naming the coffees — romantic names like Hawaiian Affair Hazel Nut. He renamed our German Blend calling it Darn Good Coffee. It now flies off the shelf.”

Julie recapped, “We’re local – always fresh. We sell retail at the warehouse, have gift packages, and offer group tours. We recycle. Coffee chaff makes great compost.”

Details and mail order instructions are at www.sloroasted.com

Worth posting again for 2014…always a fun party!! And tickets are sell out fast…they really do!! Go by the South Bay Community Center and pick up your tickets asap!None will be available at the door.

Just a wee bit of cash will buy you supper and song at the 3rd annual Scottish Irish Night Thursday, March 13 at the South Bay Community Center. Scottish meat pies with Irish mashed potatoes and peas, salad and dessert are only $10. 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.

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 succeeded 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.