COMMENTARY

By Cheryl Conway | 02 September 2010
Posted in Point of View

“You must give back for the space you take up on this Earth.”

There, in a few simple words, was the life philosophy of my friend, Mina Vaughn. Mina was one of two friends who passed away unexpectedly in the last few weeks. Like my other friend, Estelle Wall, Mina lived her life philosophy to the fullest. These two women, on the surface, appeared to be totally different. One was tall and slender, with the grace of a dancer (and she was). The other was shorter and rounder. Both women had seemingly endless amounts of energy to devote to their passions: community groups, politics, and children – always children. They both doted on their grandchildren, whether they achieved the title by birth or by “adoption”. They both gave back to our community much more than the space they took up.

It’s been a rough few weeks learning to adjust to not having these extraordinary women here with us. I know that groups like CASA, and Grover Beach, and the SLO Democrats are all learning to get by without their wit, ideas, and commitment. What they have left us with, however, is a goal to meet in our own lives.

“You must give back for the space you take up on this Earth.”

In the hectic days of late summer, trying to fit in the last vacation, getting ready for school to start again, and rushing to finish all of those items on the list that never seems to end, how can we even think about adding in something else? Giving back doesn’t have to be big and it doesn’t have to involve massive amounts of time. If you can’t be a part of a local organization, how about making a vow to check in on your elderly neighbor every few days and make sure that she’s doing okay? How about opening your home as a welcome place for friends of your children who need a friendly adult ear to bend? How about making sure that you register and vote in each election so you can say that you participated in making our community a better place by electing quality representatives? Maybe you could start recycling in your home or workplace? How about picking one group to join and be at least a small part of it?

It doesn’t take a lot of time an effort to give back. What it does is make you feel better about the space that you take up on Earth. It’s a good life philosophy.

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Did you vote in the Special Election in August? If not, can you make two small commitments before November? If you are not registered to vote, make sure that you do. There are opportunities at the weekly Farmers’ Markets in SLO and Cambria, as well as others – or go down to the County Clerk’s office. It only takes a minute. The second commitment? Promise to vote in November. If you don’t vote, you are not part of the solution - you’re just an aimless hitchhiker through life. There are so many issues that we need to deal with and if you don’t vote, you are telling the rest of the world that you’re content with just 20-25% of our citizens making decisions for all of us. Think about it.

Sunny Acres

By Sandra Marshall | 01 August 2010
Posted in Point of View

For the Record 

To dispel any previously held beliefs, I am writing about Sunny Acres, Inc. to give the community first-hand information on our clean and sober living program. Our organization was formed as a 501©3 nonprofit in 2002, and as a California Corporation in 2004. We are not required by law to be licensed. Sunny Acres is a completely separate entity from the property owner. No part of the program fees or revenues collected by the program go to the property owner.

GOP Calls Unemployed Workers "Lazy"

By Mike Papantonio | 05 May 2010
Posted in Point of View

It is obscene that Tom DeLay is not sitting in a Texas prison for felony charges brought against him four years ago. Instead, he has been dancing with the stars and making regular appearances on Fox News. In those latest talking head appearances, Tiny Tom has been telling us that Republicans should fight aggressively to make sure that unemployed Americans don’t get unemployment benefits. According to DeLay, American workers are slackers and paying them unemployment benefits will keep them from looking for a job.

“Brews & Bites”

02 August 2010
Posted in Point of View

hopes to repeat success

The San Luis Brewers Guild will hold their 2nd Annual “Brews & Bites” on Saturday, September 4th in the Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo from 12-6 pm.  Guild members will showcase their “brews” together with “bites” from local restaurants.

One of the most interesting aspects of this beer festival is that the Mission is open to all who come, including families who want the atmosphere, but don't want to spend a lot of money. There is no admission.  “Only those who wish to taste beer pay for a glass and tasting tickets.  Come down and simply enjoy the people and the music if you want” co-chairperson Christian Toran states.

Beer tastings will be affordable. “Our tasting glass and 15 tastes is $30 ($35 at the door), thereafter every taste will be $1. The most affordable beer festival on the Central Coast”, Toran says.  “Couples can share; everybody just has to be over 21”.  Tickets are available online (www.slobrewsandbites.com), at Creekside Brewing, Central Coast Brewing, or at the door on the day of the event.
 
Brews & Bites will take place again on Labor Day weekend. “The decision last year really paid off. We got run over” says event chairperson Douglas Martin from Einhorn Beer Co. “It was our first year, so we had no idea about how many people to expect. Our original estimate was about 700 people, but we had close to 1500 here in Mission Plaza during the course of the day”. 

The San Luis Brewers Guild is made up of most breweries based in San Luis Obispo County. For more information call Douglas Martin at 540-8040. For details and a complete schedule, visit www.slobrewsandbites.com.

What Goes Unnoticed

By Marisella Rodriguez | 01 July 2010
Posted in Point of View

Being an avid reader, I have the ability to escape my surroundings and emotions a few sentences into any story. Yet the best stories provide a distinct moment of clarity for each reader. This epiphany leaves the reader long after the book is done; it is a thought that can scratch at your brain or soothe your intellect.
In Matthew Dicks’ 2009 novel, Something Missing, professional thief Martin Railsback Jr. steals only what goes unnoticed from his “clients.” From laundry detergent to diamond earrings, Railsback spends years getting to personally know each client before stealing neglected items. With strict guidelines on conduct and daily lifestyle, Railsback grows to be an anti-social young man in order to preserve his career. Yet after a spontaneous situation leads him to emotionally contribute to clients’ lives for the better, he begins to acknowledge what is missing from his own life.
What draws me to this book is the idea that there are items in my home that would easily go unnoticed if taken. After much thought, I have come to the simple conclusion that I need to stop buying things I will never use. This understanding has no ties with being wasteful or a smart shopper, but the inability to enjoy the things I work hard to purchase.
Right around the time Railsback began to notice intangible things missing from his life, I did as well. Friends, family and laughter can sometimes fall to the wayside as daily responsibilities demand full attention. While I have yet to find a cure for this lifestyle, the best I can do to alleviate symptoms is maintain a balance. Much easier said than done, a balance of responsibilities and youthful actions can help fight all consuming adulthood.
Marisella Rodriguez is attempting to read one book a week throughout summer.

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