above the grade march 2011

http://www.issuu/abovethegrade

Publications

2

2

F e a t u r e s

above the grade INDEX

Contents 2

Mission Statement & Pricing

and Editor’s Edition

3

Santa Margarita 6

Atascadero 10

Real Estate Reasoning 19

Templeton 22

Paso Robles 33

Wines of California 36

Insurance– Dental Care 42

San Miguel 44

Creston 46

Shandon 46

Feature Beach Town: Cambria by the Sea

26

Half Day Trip: Cambria 28

Feature Town: Paso Robles 33

Feature Wineries 36

Feature Restaurant: Level Four

37

Weekend Getaway: Hotel Cheval-Paso Robles

40

D e p a r t m e n t s

Dental Care-

Insurance

42

Gardening: How to build a composter?

43

Legal Tips: Types of Custody 47

The Contractor: Building of a Deck

48

Horsing Round: Transporting

51

Recipe of the Month: Salsa

55

Pictures at top of page: left to right

Paso Robles

Hotel Cheval

Cambria by the Sea

Paso Robles Hotel Cheval

March 2011

Cambria by the Sea

3

3

Full C o l o r Prices on Interior Pages

AD SIZE ($50 Layout Fee Per Page) AD COST

Full Page Interior (4.9”X 7.8”) $ 350

Half Page (1/2) (4.9”X3.9” or 2.4”X3.9”) $ 250

Quarter Page (1/4) (4.9”X1.9” or 2.4”X7.8”) $ 150

EDITOR’S EDITION Reaching Out Gotcha! You are proof in the pudding! You are reading, at least some of this publication and as long as it is well written and designed de-mographically for a certain audience, this will get picked up and read. Any publication is valuable when offering specialized information readers cannot get more easily somewhere else. The publication is a great avenue for regular contact with local clientele as well as “foot-in-the-door” with prospects. An editorially appealing publication advances your organization’s credibility, perceived expertise and affinity with your customers. I really would like more articles on “how-to”, industry information, question and answer columns, tips and “insider secrets”. If you have any ideas please feel free to call, write or email at the information below.

above the grade publications

6380 Navarette Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422

[email protected] or

telephone/fax 805-466-7966./ cell: 805-717-0669

http://www.abovethegradepublications.com

Mission Statement Above the grade is published on a monthly basis for the north county neighbors and

businesses of the Central Coast. In the coming months, we will focus on reaching

three distinctive demographical groups: college-affiliated people, locals and travel-

ers.

We will mail to homes in Santa Margarita, Atascadero, Templeton, Paso Robles,

San Miguel, Creston and Shandon. Publications will also be distributed weekly to

advertisers, bakeries, coffee shops, hotels, airports and medical offices of the

Central Coast.

Opinions included are not necessarily those of above the grade publications

or its affiliates, and we are not liable for misleading or incorrect ads.

Inquiries such as deadline for the next issue can be directed to:

[email protected] or

telephone/fax 805-466-7966./ cell: 805-717-0669

4

4

Crush

We are a tiny winery creating rich, volup-tuous wines. We take great pride in the fact that our wines are truly hand made by us personally with excessive emphasis

on quality of the finished product.

We have a simple philosophy; great wines are created in the vineyard. To this end, we have spent countless hours in our es-tate zinfandel vineyard priming it to bear only the lowest yields of highly concen-trated fruit. The same approach is made in the amazing vineyards we painstakingly select to craft our Cabernets and Syrah

with.

With the focus on the vines, there is little else for the wine to do except take a blissful sleep in French oak. This simple formula has allowed us to encapsulate the pure essence of the vineyard and bring forth wines that leave an unforgettable impression. Our passion and obsessive at-tention to detail can be discovered in

every bottle we create.

In order to achieve our aspiration to pro-duce nothing but extraordinary wines, our production is very low. If you would like to be among the select few that receive our new releases-join our Wine Club; Chateau Brochelle so that you may receive our highly allocated wines before they are just a memory. 805.237.4410 ext. 3 or

[email protected]

Summer

Fall

Spring

Just released very exclusive wines for the Holidays! LUXE CUVEE-The Luxe Cuvee comprising plush, voluptuous Grenache, Syrak & Mourvedre grapes. A stunning hand-crafted wine you will not want to miss! Twelve Anniversary Cuvee-Brock meticu-lously crafted another AMAZING Anniversary Cuvee. The master blender has chosen 12 of his finest French oak barrels in the winery, and took precise amounts from each one to create a harmonious cuvee comprising a mere 300 bottles! TWELVE is a wine you need in your collection! http://www.brochelle.com

5

5

Brochelle Line-up 2010 Zinfandel, Ridge Top Reserve Zinfandel, Syrah, Reserve Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet (Sierra Foothills), Cabernet (Napa), Nektar Late Harvest Zinfandel, Syrah/Zin Rose

We invite you to come visit us at our new tasting room located at: Meritage http://www.meritagelounge.com

810 11th Street Downtown Paso Robles next to the city park

805.238.9456

Area of Coverage North– San Miguel, South– Santa Margarita, West– Pacific Ocean

and East– Shandon

http://www.cayucoschamber.com

www.americantowns.com/ca/santamargarita-information

www.atascadero.org

www.templetonchamber.com

www.prcity.com

www.creston.ca.com

www.americantowns.com/ca/shandon-information

www.americantowns.com/ca/sanmiguel-information

6

6

Santa Margarita Created by the construction of the Salinas Dam in 1941, Santa Margarita Lake was originally designed to furnish water to Camp San Luis Obispo. Today, swimming in the lake is not permitted as it is the drinking water reservoir for the City of San Luis Obispo.

Beyond the developed area of the park, Santa Margarita Lake Natural Area represents several thousand acres of designated open space. This section of the park is managed for its natural resource values, passive recreational use, and environmental education opportunities. The area is accessible to hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. Motor vehicles are not permitted in the Natural Area. Santa Margarita Lake Regional Park is a nature lover's retreat. With thousands of acres of unspoiled open space, the park is home to countless species of plants and wildlife making it the perfect location for nature study, horse back riding, boating, and fishing.

Santa Margarita

www.americantowns.com/ca/santamargarita-information

7

7

The Range

I absolutely love this restaurant. I know where it is , yet it is still difficult to

spot , especially in the dark! Located in the tiny town of Santa Margarita (just a

quick 10-minute drive from San Luis Obispo and Atascadero), you would never

stumble upon it on your own. Another great thing about this the Range, there

main marketing is word-of-mouth, and the place stays full to capacity this way

speaking loudly for its consistency and quality of food. They don't take reserva-

tions or credit cards (or at least not up until the last time I went), but who cares!

Just hit the ATM before you go (or they will take a check, with proper ID?), and

tremendously worth the wait if there is one! The comfortable patio with a glass

of wine, a good friend and great weather (which we usually have –all thru the

year), makes the wait just another experience of The Range! This restaurant

has the nicest people working there, almost s if they own the place and the best

casual atmosphere for a more upscale quality cuisine. The food is always be-

yond incredible and I have yet to try something I didn't love, even during our

CHRISTMAS party each year. I have to admit I tend to slightly overeat because

you just have to try the appetizer, that salad (especially the MAN SALAD),

plus your dinner (incredibly tender beef, mouth watering chicken) and then

who can resist those desserts? The menu leans to "comfort-food" (my favorite)

in taste but it fits with the atmosphere of Santa Margarita, and my general

taste as well as the North County where people still want their red meat while

dining higher-end as seen in there apps like escargot and crawfish. A prime ex-

ample of fine dining was when, after the local ranch had castration day, they

had very fresh "Rocky Mountain Oysters" fresh off the steer from just down

the road, behind the Range. I don't eat them, however, I thought if you did, how

much more fresh can you get?

Whether from the Central Coast or wanting to truly experience the Central

Coast atmosphere and local lifestyle, The Range never has disappointed me nor

anyone I’ve referred. They are a refreshing perfect balance of local taste and

atmosphere with any big city quality, all at the right price.

You may want to call ahead (805-438-4500), just to see if there is a wait. If they

know you are on your way, sometimes they will sort of keep a table in mind for

you.

2317 El Camino Real Santa Margarita, CA

805-438-4500

8

8

We offer a wide selection

of American Cuisine on our menus.

We have private banquet

rooms

available to reserve for your next event.

Phone:

(805) 461 - 5143

http://www.shockleysrestaurant.com/index.html#

[email protected] - [email protected]

NOW

SERVING

BREAKFAST

9

9

Restaurant

~ Lunch ~

Restaurant

~ Dinner ~

Lounge Hours

We offer a wide selection

of American Cuisine on our menus.

We have private banquet

rooms

available to reserve for your next event.

We have a full

bar, beer on tap,

and extensive wine list

Phone:

(805) 461 - 5143

http://www.shockleysrestaurant.com/index.html#

[email protected] - [email protected]

10

10

Atascadero...The brainchild of mega-entrepreneur E.G. Lewis, Atascadero

CA is the result of nearly a century of organic community evolution. It is an amalga-

mation of rolling hills studded with majestic oaks and other mesmerizing flora; his-

toric buildings; quaint lake park and zoo; dynamic enclaves of artists, musicians and

writers; all surrounded by the most colorful visitor vistas and finest wineries in the

state.

Atascadero is the hub, the very center of California's Central Coast.

Major Events

Farmers Market - Downtown - Every Wednesday - Year 'Round

Sweetheart Stroll - Downtown - Saturday before Valentines' Day - February

Wildflower Bike Ride - April

Central Coast Cinca de Mayo - Saturday before May 5

Atascadero Wine & Golf Festival - Atascadero Lakeside Park - Saturday - June

Tuesday Concerts in the Park - Atascadero Lakeside Park - June to August

Saturday Concerts in the Park - Atascadero Lakeside park - June to August

Great American Holiday - Saturday after July 4

Ice Cream Zoofari at the Zoo - July

Hot El Camino Cruise Night - Huge car Cruise on Friday evening - August

Mid-State Cruizers Car Show - Atascadero Lakeside Park - Saturday - August

Sunken Gardens Flea Market - September

Colony Days Parade & Celebration - Downtown - Third Saturday in October

Halloween ZooBoo at the Zoo - October

Downtown Winter Wonderland - Downtown - Second Friday in December

More than just a stop-over point for other destinations, Atascadero offers a variety

of local and regional festivals and events, glorious country roads for biking, the

DeAnza Trail and other hiking venues, and an excellent golf course. Historic build-

ings and "Colony Homes" are scattered across the city. View the Italian Renaissance

architecture of the classic Administration Building or the original Printery where

E.G. Lewis created one of the finest printing companies in the nation. Learn about

Tent City, where hundreds of colonists lived for up to two years while their homes

were under construction. Visit the Colony House Museum and dig deeply into the

colorful past of the Colony of Atascadero - a place the founder intended to provide

the amenities of urban life and comfort of the countryside.

In the historic downtown Colony District friendly merchants and tucked-away little

cafes provide a unique experience for an afternoon or a weekend.

Atascadero Lake borders the Lake Park Pavilion; perfect for weddings, reunions and

other special occasions. The lake is home to many migrating water fowl and is a great

site for bird-watching. The Charles Paddock Zoo, adjacent to the lake, is the only

facility of its kind between Santa Barbara

and San Jose; a cool and relaxing way to

spend an afternoon with the kids.

While you are visiting the lake park be

sure to see the brand new Veteran's Memo-

rial complex. This stirring monument con-

sists of a Pathway to Freedom crowned

with a unique bronze statue and granite http://www.facesoffreedom.org

11

11

walls telling the story of local veterans. Flags wave proudly over this reminder that

freedom is never free.

The Atascadero Veteran's Memorial was conceived, designed and constructed us-

ing more than $200,000 in donations. It is one of the finest memorials of its kind in

the state.

Atascadero proves you don't have to be big to be good. Lodging in Atascadero

ranges from the modest to the opulent. In addition to several hotels you will find a

variety of B&Bs, boutique event centers and mini-venues dotting the countryside.

You are invited to sample one of a kind atmosphere and entertainment in our one at a

time community.

Looking for that undiscovered wine? The Atascadero neighborhood is home to

many small, but excellent wineries. These are the wineries where you can still talk to

the winemaker and make the kind of discoveries you want share with a friend.

Atascadero is located exactly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on

Highway 101. Highway 41 links you to the coast and the delights of the Pacific, just

minutes away.

After a long day of exploration be sure you relax in one of Atascadero's delightful

spas or salons. A massage, a glass of wine and wow! You've discovered one of the

Central Coast's best-kept secrets.

Atascadero, California is in an area settled by American Indians, Spanish and

Mexicans for many years before other American Europeans began to arrive. The

Mexican government began to distribute land in the valley to private citizens in

1833, and Pedro Estrada received 40,000 acres that includes the land the city now

occupies. In 1913, Edward Garner Lewis founded the "utopian" Atascadero Colony,

marking the start of the settlement of what has become the city of Atascadero. You

can learn more about this fascinating his-

tory at the Atascadero Historical Society.

More about Atascadero, California

Population (2003): 25,742

65+ (2000): 11.5%

Founded: 1913

City of Atascadero

http://www.atascadero.org/

805-461-5000

Atascadero Chamber of Commerce

http://www.atascaderochamber.org/

805-466-2044

Atascadero Main Street

http://www.atascaderomainstreet.org/

805-462-0177

Atascadero Tourism

http://www.visitatascadero.com/

Atascadero Historical Society

http://www.atascaderohistoricalsociety.org/

Atascadero Colony Days

http://www.colonydays.com/

Atascadero Wine Festival

http://www.atascaderowinefestival.com/

Chalk Mountain Golf Course

http://www.chalkmountaingolf.com/

Charles Paddock Zoo

http://www.charlespaddockzoo.org/

Videos of the Community

http://www.videovisitorshowcase.com/

Above the grade publications

http://www.abovethegradepublications.com/

http://www.atascadero.org/

http://www.atascaderochamber.org/

http://www.atascaderomainstreet.org/

http://www.visitatascadero.com/

http://www.atascaderohistoricalsociety.org/

http://www.colonydays.com/

http://www.atascaderowinefestival.com/

http://www.chalkmountaingolf.com/

http://www.charlespaddockzoo.org/

http://www.videovisitorshowcase.com/

12

12

Galaxy Theatre Atascadero

www.galaxytheatres.com

Galaxy Theatre Atascadero

El Camino Real & California 41

Atascadero, CA 93422

Phone: (805) 4-MOVIES (466-8437)

MARCH 18, 2011

Grand Opening!

For information concerning Theatre Rental or booking a Special Event, please call (805) 460-0123

This Theatre Features:

13

13

March 14, 2011 Contact: Maggie Cox (805) 788-4425; [email protected]

Galaxy Theatres Atascadero Offers Holiday Gift Certificates Atascadero Main Street & Atascadero Chamber receive portion of

sales

Galaxy Theatres in Atascadero hasn’t even opened, but is already step-

ping up to support the local community. The new 10-screen movie theatre in the heart of Atascadero’s downtown is offering movie gift

certificates as a perfect holiday gift purchase idea – with a portion of sales being donated to Atascadero Main Street and the Atascadero

Chamber of Commerce.

According to Galaxy CEO Frank Rimkus, $10 holiday gift certificates have

always been popular items in other communities where Galaxy operates. ―We offer the certificates in $10 denominations,‖ Said Rimkus! The gift

certificates can be purchased in person or online through the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce (offices at 6904 El Camino Real); online at

(www.atascaderochamber.org) Main St. offices at 6550 El Camino Real;

online at (www.atascaderomainstreeet.com) or at any of the merchants participating in Main Street’s Downtown discount program.

―We’re very excited about what Galaxy is bringing to our downtown,‖

said Atascadero Mayor Roberta Fonzi. ―Galaxy is a great addition to our community; by stepping up to support two of our leading organizations,

we know that Galaxy is a company that really wants to be a part of the

new Atascadero.‖

Galaxy will open its doors in March 18, 2011 in Downtown Atascadero’s beautiful new Colony Square. Gift certificates can be used to purchase

tickets and refreshments at the new complex, and the certificates have

no expiration date. The Atascadero Chamber of Commerce and Atasca-dero Main Street will each receive 10 percent of the funds raised in card

sales through their respective offices.

Galaxy Theatres Atascadero will offer the newest generation in technol-

ogy to moviegoers, with all digital projection, digital sound and five 3-D screens. Moviegoers will choose from 10 screens in the all-stadium style

facility that also offers a VIP lounge for guests over the age of 21.

Go to www.galaxytheatres.com for Theatre hours, prices and showings!

14

14

We are a tiny place serving up big flavors...homemade pasta, rotisserie chicken, whole grain & mixed green salads, soups, and some of the most flavorful sandwiches around. We are us-ing mostly organic vegetables— local when possible.

TAKE-OUT is our specialty; or you can dine in one of our 12 seats!

Dinners may include slow cooked meats off the rotisserie: ma-ple glazed pork loin with scalloped potatoes, choice top sirloin with rosemary potato wedges, or herb roasted lamb with market vegetables sautéed in sherry. Try Curried Roasted Vegetable medley over saffron infused polenta topped with Happy Acres Goat Cheese. Call for specials or view on Facebook.

OPEN Tuesday-FRIDAY 11:00 - 7:00pm

Monday & Saturday 11:00 - 3:00 (805)460-9900 Fresh Pasta Served with garlic bread

Spaghetti Marinara $9.00 Fettuccine Alfredo $11

Linguini Pesto $11

Add Pulled Chicken $2

Add Local Sausage $3

(805)460-9900

menu 5945 Traffic Way


www.figgoodfood.com

15

15

Salads

add pulled chicken $2

add blue cheese crumbles $1

add Happy Acres Goat Cheese $3.00

Caesar chopped romaine, Parmesan, tomatoes, croutons, classic

Caesar dressing—small $5 large $8

Market Green seasonal vegetables, fruit, greens, fig vinaigrette or

homemade buttermilk dressing—$9 House Green carrot, tomato, cucumber, homemade buttermilk

dressing—small $3 large $6 Poached Pear Salad baby greens, toasted pecans, blue cheese,

tomato, sherry vinaigrette—$9 Peruvian Chicken Salad crisp pear, roasted banana aioli, toasted

almonds, baby greens—$9 Quinoa Harvest butternut squash, pumpkin seeds, dried apricot,

greens, celery, green onion — $8

Sandwiches

Served with daily house salad

Frenchie fig chutney, brie, greens, focaccia—$8

Cuban Pulled Pork mojo braised pork, honey-apple slaw, fresh baked

roll —$9

Artichoke Heart Melt roasted red bells, white cheddar, garlic aioli,

lettuce, tomato, focaccia—$9

ChimiChurri Roast Beef top sirloin, white cheddar, chimichurri aioli,

herb focaccia— $10

Tuscan Sun dried tomato & black olive tapenade, pulled chicken,

melted provolone, house baked roll—$8

Home Made Soup Cup $4 Bowl $6 Quart $11

Citrus Glazed Rotisserie Chicken

(We use Rocky Jr. Natural Chicken)

Half $8 Half w/ one side $11

Whole $13 Whole w/ two sides $19

Sides (salads & light meals) small $4 med $7 quart $13 Greek Couscous cucumber, cherry tomato, feta, lemon, olive oil,

kosher salt & pepper

Wild Rice roasted grapes, braised greens

BBQ Wings & Drums tangy, organic chicken, good

Mediterranean pasta, artichoke hearts, black olives, carrots, cel-

ery, tomato vinaigrette Ratatouille slow roasted eggplant, garlic, tomatoes, squash, sweet

bell pepper, onion Oven Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

http://www.petalumapoultry.com/

16

16

In 1981 with just 1 Lifecycle, 12 Nautilus ma-chines and a stereo for music, Barb and Kevin Kennedy's dream of opening a health club grew to four locations with over 17,000 members and is consistently voted the #1 HEALTH CLUB in

San Luis Obispo County year after year.

Kennedy Club Fitness is exactly where SLO County locals love to work on their fitness, get physical, and sweat to the latest and greatest

music. Kennedy Club Fitness, then known as Kennedy Nautilus Center, began with the dream of a couple, Kevin and Barb Kennedy, in 1981 with the opening of their first 4,000 sq. ft. club in Atascadero. with one Lifecycle, twelve Nautilus machines and a stereo for ‘sound’ , their dream grew to four locations, over 17,000 members and

consistently voted the #1 HEALTH CLUB in San Luis Obispo County year after year.

Kennedy Club Fitness is home to SLO County locals pursuing a healthy and fit lifestyle. Kennedy Club Fitness is proud to offer programs, instruction and training for every age

and fitness ability. Find out more about your neighborhood club by clicking on the respective site above. We look forward to serving your health and fitness needs!

Kennedy Club Fitness: Atascadero. 3534 El Camino Real. The first of four club locations, it all started here. In October 1985, the first big move was made to the current location at 3534 El Camino Real. With a series of expansions culminating with the Atascadero location grow-ing to over 30,000 sq. ft. over three acres, in-cluding an outdoor 50-meter pool complex, club house and name change to Kennedy Club Fit-ness, we are no longer a ‘gym’ anymore! Ken-nedy Club Fitness-Atascadero truly offers some-

thing for ‘every body’. We invite you to visit our ‘club’ today! Paso Robles Adventure. 500 S. River Road. Our newly opened location in the North County has something for everyone! Including complete strength training opportuni-ties featuring Nautilus equipment, free weights, Life Fitness equipment and more. Paso Robles also in-cludes a specially designed spring air floor for group exercise, and men’s and women’s executive locker rooms; equipped with showers, vanity areas, blow dryers, toiletry products, even a private steam room We firmly believe that we have something to offer everyone regardless of your fitness level, and we in-vite you to visit our club today!

PASO ROBLES

805.239.8488

ATASCADERO

805.466.6775

www.kennedyclubs.com

17

17

Welcome to Atascadero Hay & Feed . . . your livestock and poul-

try headquarters.

We carry a comprehensive line of high quality feed and hay for all of

your farm and ranch livestock needs. We also have a full line of quality

food and supplies for the dogs, cats, and the feathered friends in your

life. We are currently “under construction” to be able to supply a wider

variety of products including the full line of Carhardt!

Our staff is friendly and knowledgeable. We can answer any questions

you may have about the products we carry, or questions about what feed

or supplies are best suited for your pets or livestock.

If we don't have the product you need, let us know and we will special

order it for you. Do you need local delivery? Give us a call and we can

set up arrangements to deliver to your home.

Do you have questions about starting a small backyard flock, horse nu-

trition needs, or the best feed to finish your 4-H and FFA show animals

for the fair? Stop by, call or e-mail us and we’ll do our best to help you

out.

We appreciate those of you that support local small business, and we

show that appreciation by giving you the respect and service you deserve

Monday thru Friday 8:30 - 6

Saturday 9-5

Sunday 10 - 3

6155 Via Avenue Atascadero, CA 93422 805-461-6411

We are easy to find! We are located in the old PCA building. Take the Traffic Way exit off of Highway 101 and head East. We are 1/4

mile past the Fire Station and Colony Park. We are on the corner of

Traffic Way and Via Avenue.

www.atascaderofeed.com

www.atascaderofeed.com

18

18

Nothing is better than discovering a

hidden gem. A treasure you can't

wait to tell your friends about. A

hotel that surprises and delights

with rooms that are comparable to

any luxury hotel around the world.

Genuine service and attitude that

can’t be taught. Restaurants that

you will plan your trip around. All wrapped around the charming, un-

spoiled Central California community of Atascadero in San Luis Obispo

County Wine Country. The Carlton, who would have known? Originally

built in 1929, The Carlton Hotel has been lovingly restored and re-

opened its doors in 2005. In addition to the 52 rooms and suites, it is

a culinary destination, embracing the essence of the wine region.

A landmark in the city of Atascadero, The Carlton is richly appointed

with surprising attention to detail from handcrafted ironwork in the

central staircase to meticulous moldings in the Library.

The Carlton is a hotel worthy of the guests who once graced the

rooms of Hearst Castle. Whether your interest is wine tasting or

whale watching, The Carlton is the perfect place to call home at the end of the day.

www.the-carlton.com

19

19

REAL ESTATE REASONINGS

THE GREG MALIK HOME SELLING SYSTEM

How to net thousands of $$$ more when selling your home

Hi, I'm Greg Malik with Greg Malik Real Estate Group. Thank you for taking a few min-

utes of your valuable time to learn how you can benefit from the Greg Malik Home Sell-

ing System in getting your North County home sold faster and for top dollar.

For the Record:

In 2007, I SOLD 5 TIMES more residential listings in Atascadero and Templeton than

any other REALTOR in the entire San Luis Obispo County!

* Consistent Results...........

* A Faster Sale................

*A whole team working for you, providing the ultimate in service!

* PLUS, Your SATISFACTION IS GUARANTEED. If you're not

satisfied with the service you receive from Greg and his team of

professionals, he will donate his portion of the commission to the

American Cancer Society.

Several factors contribute to the successful results of The Greg Malik Home Selling System

When you hire me to sell your home you actually are getting 4 licensed, full time real

estate agents, plus an office support team, for the same price as you would pay for a

single agent. The average real estate agent works alone and must handle a multitude

of tasks without help. I have developed team systems and processes to ensure that eve-

rything throughout the marketing and closing of a home goes smoothly. I've broken

down the entire real estate sales process into individual tasks. Each task is then as-

signed to the person best qualified to perform that task. The team members focus their

time and energy on those specialties which they do best--which allows the team to pro-

vide our clients with unbeatable customer service and a high level of communication

allowing us to respond to our clients' needs very quickly. Having several team mem-

bers to handle office chores and routine details allows me to focus my energies on

what I do best, which is making sure that your home is effectively marketed and strate-

gically positioned to sell quickly and for top dollar.

When you hire me to sell your home, I'll examine your property and give you detailed

and specific advice on how to prepare your home prior to placing it on the market. I'll

pay to have your home professionally "Home Staged" by the best Home Stager in the

business. She'll itemize value adding improvements you should make, and give you

practical home staging advice that will result in a faster sale for more money. I will

also provide you with detailed checklists produced by industry experts on preparing

your home for sale.

When you hire me to sell your home, I'll provide a detailed competitive market analy-

sis comparing your home to the homes currently for sale, and the homes that recently

sold. In addition, I'll gather all the relevant data and facts necessary to accurately

analyze the market. I will educate you about current market conditions and trends so

that you will be able to understand the market enabling you to make an intelligent

decision regarding the appropriate asking price. Correct pricing leads to shorter mar-

keting time and a higher selling price.

http://www.GregMalik.com

20

20

S Y L V E S T O R ’S BURGERS

BIG, HOT “n JUICEY !

BREAKFAST - LUNCH– DINNER

TACOS - Try our Al Pastor Tacos!!!! Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at our Atascadero location ONL

Find out why Sylvester's Burgers is famous for its "Big, Hot 'n Juicy"

burgers. Sylvester's Burgers has been a Central Coast favorite for over 20 years now with two locations - our new one in Atascadero

and the original in Los Osos, California.

At Sylvester's, you will be served the best

quality, guaranteed. We use 100% unfro-

zen USDA grade beef for our award-

winning burgers that are topped with Syl-

vester's Sauce, an undeniably delicious

blend of sauces and seasonings. We use

the freshest produce not only for our bur-

gers, but also for our healthier options,

including the Cajun Chicken Salad or for

our vegetarian customers, the Garden

Burger.

*******************

SATURDAYS Live music on our patios!

SUNDAYS $2 pints of any beer!

MONDAYS

www.sylvestorsburgers.com/menu.html

21

21

THE GREG MALIK HOME SELLING SYSTEM continued When you hire me to sell your home, you will receive the benefits of my

results based, 24 Hour Marathon Marketing Plan. With my 24 Hour

Marathon Marketing Plan, I first provide maximum market exposure by

aggressively advertising your property 24 hours a day through numerous

different types of media, including but not limited to local newspaper,

specialized real estate publications and extensive exposure on the inter-

net. I then make it super easy for prospective buyers to receive detailed

information about your property, automatically, 24 hours a day, in con-

venient and non-threatening ways by utilizing the latest in technology.

These include toll free 800# pre-recorded information hotlines, instant

fax-on-demand flyers and information sheets and visual tours on the

internet. Information about your property is automatically disseminated to buyers without their

having to talk to a real estate agent until they are ready. Studies have shown that this method of

marketing generates three to four times the response compared to traditional advertising and

marketing efforts. The results are more, better qualified buying prospects.

For your peace of mind, when you hire me to sell your home you don't have to worry about a

Seller's biggest fear, which is being locked into a lengthy listing contract with a less than compe-

tent real estate agent, costing you valuable time and exposure on the market. Why? Because I

take the risk and fear out of listing your home with a real estate agent with my Easy Exit Listing

Agreement and Total Satisfaction Guarantee. With my Easy Exit Listing Agreement, you'll have

peace of mind knowing that you can easily cancel your listing agreement at any time prior to

acceptance of an offer. My Total Satisfaction Guarantee is simple and straight forward: If, at the

close of escrow, you think that I have not lived up to my promises and extensive marketing com-

mitments in selling your home, simply tell me so and I will donate my portion of the commission

to the American Cancer Society.

Selecting a Real Estate Agent is one of the few things in life where you pay the same amount of

money whether you select the best or the worst. You have a clear choice: You can choose an

average agent, working by himself, with a mediocre marketing plan, or you can choose an ag-

gressive and dynamic agent who provides you with a team of professionals and implements a

detailed marketing plan with proven results. However, with real estate, you're talking about one

of your largest investments. The real risk is that if you choose the wrong agent, that decision can

potentially cost you tens of thousands of dollars of your hard earned equity. However, if you

choose the right agent, you could easily net tens of thousands of dollars in additional proceeds.

So, when you hire Greg Malik to sell your home, you get an experienced team of full time profes-

sionals who utilize an innovative and proven marketing system and who are fully accountable to

you. Not only do we provide unbeatable service and results, but we also make the home selling

process an enjoyable one with a minimum of stress and hassles. To receive a FREE, no obliga-

tion information package on the Greg Malik Home Selling System, simply e-mail Greg and ask

for The Greg Malik Home Selling System information package.

22

22

TEMPLETON: Feature above the grade town History

Templeton was founded in 1886 when C.H. Phillips of the West Coast Land Company sent R.R. Harris to survey 160 acres south of Paso Robles. This acreage was to be laid out in business and residential lots and 5-12 acre parcels for a town named "Crocker" after the famous San Francisco financier. When it was discovered that there was already a town by that name, this settlement became "Templeton", named after Crocker's son. This is the only town along the El Camino Real named for a person rather than a saint. Templeton was fathered by the railroad, built on the main highway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and, in its heyday, had a reputation for its saloon brawls and wild 'n' rough street scenes. The town was the end of the line for passengers coming from the north. Tourists disembarked here and took a stagecoach south to San Luis Obispo. In 1891 the railroad continued south and the town was reduced to a flag stop and is now a bypass. In 1897 there was a great fire which burned most of the business district. The town was rebuilt, but not to its former glory. In 1965, Josephine Gilfillan wrote for the Paso Robles Press a series of pieces on Templeton. Newcomers kept asking, "Why was Templeton was built so close to Paso Robles and Atascadero," she said. "I wanted to tell them that Templeton came first." Today Templeton is a small quiet town with a strong community

spirit and a vision to preserve its colorful past.

General Profile

Templeton is a pleasant rural community located midway between Atascadero and Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County. It was founded in 1886 when the Southern Pacific Railroad came through the area. Templeton has retained much of its historical character - many of the old buildings have been restored and are still in use today. New build-

ings are being built, but always with an eye to the past.

Area Growth

Templeton is one of three unincorporated areas in San Luis Obispo County that has land available for development. The population of the community of Templeton was 1,173 in 1990 and 3,139 in 1995. Unoffi-

cial 2000 estimate is approximately 5100.

Climate

At an elevation of 721 feet above sea level, the climate is mild and

smog free. Prevailing winds are from the

southwest and average four miles per hour.

Humidity is 31-40%, and average rainfall is about 15 inches. The aver-age temperature in January is 60 Degrees during the day and 41 De-grees at night. In July, the daytime high averages 95 Degrees with

nights dropping to 55 Degrees, thanks to the ocean breeze.

The average rainy season runs from mid-October to mid-April, with

frost occurring occasionally. www.templetonchamber.com

23

23

Griff’s is on the east side of Main Street… about two blocks north of Templeton Feed and McPhee’s Griff’s opened quietly on July 14th, 2008. We offer hand-crafted pizzas, pastas, salads along with an interna-

tional selection of wine and beer.

Phone Your Order 434-1760

Hours

Mon-Fri - 11:30a to 8:00p Sat-Sun - 5:00p to 8:00p Pickup available until 8:30p

Address

105 S. Main Street Templeton, CA 93465 (two blocks north of McPhee's & Templeton Feed)

www.griffspizzeria.com

24

24

416 S Main St Templeton, CA 93465

(805) 434-3204

A visit will ensure wonderful appetizers, tasteful entrees and

delectable desserts!

Come spend some special events

with us!

www.mcphees.com

25

25

Hoover's Beef Palace Hoover's Beef Palace Hoover's Beef Palace --- Templeton, CATempleton, CATempleton, CA

Where else would you expect to get fresh, "ambient" wafts of a stable

outside and amazing meats inside? Why, Hoover's Beef Palace, of

course.

Located just minutes outside of Paso Robles, CA (one of the Central

Coast's great wine territories), you can get the FRESHEST cuts of meats

w/ your breakfast here. A winemaker that my friends and I met with one

overcast November afternoon recommended that we go here for the best

breakfast ever. Boy, was he right.

They have their own slaughter house in the back (sounds odd, but oh

well), and it really is a local's hole-in-the-wall...AMAZING FOOD.

My husband ordered the homemade sausage breakfast patty w/ eggs -

heavenly. Most flavorful, fresh, juicy thing you've ever tasted. And,

huge!

I had homemade corned beef hash - To-Die-For. I didn't know that hash

could be that flavorful and not greasy at the same time.

We also ordered biscuits and gravy to share with our table of friends,

also tasty (though Ellen's Danish Pancake House in Buellton is still #1 in

my book). I highly recommend going here before or after a long day's

worth of wine tasting through the Templeton Gap.

Part of a review from winecountry.com:

"Hoover’s sits on a lot as incongruous as its name. Trailers hauling cattle

roll around the back, and I was afraid to ask – but assumed – that was

where my breakfast fare came from. The restaurant opens early enough

and goes through lunch, around 2:00 p.m. I think. But, I believe they

leave that an option and warn people that they could close earlier, if they

feel like it."

Address:

401 N Main St

Templeton, CA 93465

(805) 434-2114

26

26

Nestled among towering pines and the shimmer-ing sea on the California Central Coast, Cambria California is a picturesque village that unfolds along scenic Highway 1 between San Francisco

and Los Angeles.

Free of chain stores and brimming with charm, Cambria invites you to exit the beaten path and explore one of California’s truly unique destina-tions Welcome to Cambria, your Central California vacation destination! Cambria CA. is located half

-way between San Francisco and Los Ange-les on the Central Coast of California just four miles south of the famous historic landmark Hearst Castle. Stay informed about Cambria's events and activities! Go to http://cambriachamber.org/ The Cambria Chamber Calendar and Cambria events page is the best resource for visi-

tors and local residents to stay informed about upcoming events and activi-ties happening in Cambria California. Our most popular annual events are the Cambria Art and Wine Festival, the Cambria Chili Cook-Off & Classic Car Show, the Cambria Western Dance Jamboree, the Cambria Business Showcase and the Cambria Festival of the Trees. Here at the Cambria Chamber of Commerce web site we are proud to offer a varied selection of Cambria lodging, Cambria activities, Cambria events, Cambria shopping, Cambria real estate, Cambria services, Cambria restau-rants and Cambria art galleries. Did you know, Cambria is the perfect location for an amazing Cambria wedding! Use our list of Cambria wedding professionals to find Cambria wedding planners, Cambria wedding photographers, Cambria wedding ca-terers and Cambria wedding flowers.

Feature Beach Town

27

27

CAMBRIA FACTS Population: Estimated 6,500

Elevation: Sea level to 200 feet

Area of Town: About 3 square miles.

Climate:

Mild - no smog, clear

blue skies, some seasonal

fog, ocean breeze.

Temperature:

50 – 70 degrees year-

round

Normal rainfall: 20" to 25" a year

Industry: Tourism, agriculture,

light industry

Visit pages 34 and 35 for Cambria businesses! Go to ; http://www.cambriamag.com/Sponsors.html

28

28

Currently featured on

Food Network TV's

"The Best Thing I Ever

Ate - Desserts!"

…a little history In 1977 John and Renee Linn packed up their family and moved from the com-forts of the big city to the rugged central coast of California with high hopes of living their version of the “American Dream”.

The Linns wanted to farm and literally plowed, planted and plotted their future in the fertile land up Santa Rosa Creek, just east of Cambria. With hard work and a determination to succeed, they cultivated their crops, orchards and a deep love for this small community. By 1985 the Linns were becoming well known throughout California for quality home-style products. Their bustling country fruit stand and pie-making business was part of a new breed of California farmers. The Olallieberry, a virtually unheard of fruit, was the cornerstone of their success. A berry which crossed a blackberry with a raspberry, the olallie-berry proved to be very versatile in the hands of Renee Linn. Original prod-ucts such as preserves and pies featuring the berry, became favorites of customers near and far.

Over time, Linn’s customers started asking for a restaurant where they could enjoy Renee’s inventive recipes and farm-fresh products. So, in 1989 the Linns opened their doors on Main Street in Cambria. Since then, the Linn’s restaurant has become an anchor in the community. A devastating fire closed the restaurant for 20 months in April 2006. That’s when the “Easy-as-Pie Cafe” and “Gourmet

Goods”, on Bridge St., became part of the Linn's enterprise as their perma-nent, emergency expansion. With the re-opening of the restaurant in December of ’07, after an elegant remodel, the Linn’s decided to offer more choices than ever for the dis-criminating Cambria visitor. In the summer of 2009 the newest venue was added with “Home Style” sell-ing hand-picked home décor and personal accessories.

https://linnsofcambria.com/Home.html

HALF DAY TRIP

29

29

Linn's Restaurant & Gifts 2277 Main St., Cambria, CA 93428 805.927.0371, FAX 805.927.0934

Easy-as-Pie Cafe 4251 Bridge St., Cambria, CA 93428 805.924-3050

Gourmet Goods 4241 Bridge St., Cambria, CA 93428 805.924.1064

Home Style & Has Bin 4249 Bridge St., Cambria, CA 93428 805.927.5717

Original Farm Store 6275 Santa Rosa Creek Road, Cam-bria, CA 93428 805.927.8134

30

30

8365 El Camino Real


Phone: 805-466-8228

Call or email us to schedule your next

appointment.

Monday - Friday

8:00AM - 5:00PM

Saturday 9:00AM - 3:00PM

Sunday

Closed

24/7 Automotive Towing

31

31

West Coast Auto & Towing has been providing quality car care in Atasca-

dero, Ca since 2007. We are a family owned business delivering honest and

professional automotive repair and auto maintenance services to the people

of Atascadero, Santa Margarita, Pozo, Creston, Templeton, Paso Robles, San

Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Cayucos, Cambria, and surrounding areas. The

quality ASE (automotive service excellence) certified technicians at West

Coast Auto & Towing employ today’s latest automotive technology and are

equipped to handle all major and minor repairs on foreign and domestic ve-

hicles.

West Coast Auto & Towing is a certified Napa Auto Care Center, we are

able to provide the benefits of an established national entity while maintain-

ing the personal touch of a family owned business. We understand that your

vehicle is a major investment, and that is why we care for each customer’s

vehicle as if it were our own.

Please be sure to go to our Shop Specials section for our current promotions

and specials.

Come by and visit our clean and professional shop in Atascadero, California.

Our Services

Air Conditioning Service (A/C) Electrical

Wheel Alignment Exhaust Systems

CV Axles Suspension Work

Vehicle Preventative Maintenance Fuel Injection

Auto Repair Replace Lights

Tune Ups Coolant Service

Oil Changes and Lubes Air Filter Replacement

Vehicle Maintenance Vehicle Fluids

Clutch Repairs Chassis Lube

Fleet Service Car Battery Replacement

Storage Facility Belts & Hoses Replacement

Towing Service 4X4 Towing

We are an auto repair shop in Atascadero, California providing

32

32

Sunday noon-9PM Mon-Thurs. 11:30 AM—9 PM Fri.—Sat. 11:30 AM—10 PM

Spring Street & City Park 832 11th STREET, Paso Robles, CA 805.226.9330

New Funnel Cake

Business Hours

Sunday - Thursday 4:00PM - 10:00PM Friday & Saturday 4:00PM - 2:00AM

Happy Hour

Monday - Sunday 4:00PM - 6:00PM 805) 237-2111 | 1216 Park Street | Paso

Robles, CA

LEVEL 4 Early Bird

Three Course Menu

Your choice of any (2) Two

Entrees including soup or salad

& dessert for

$25.98

ENTREES

New York Strip 6 oz

Mahi Mahi Filet

Bowtie Pasta w/ Sun Dried To-

mato Pasta

Blackened Breast of Chicken (Seasonal veggies & choice of sweet potato

fries or rice pilaf)

DESSERT Tiramisu or Vanilla Ice Cream

33

33

www.prcity.com

Address City Hall

1000 Spring Street

Paso Robles, CA

93446

Information Line (805) 227-PASO

(7276)

Hours Mon-Fri 8am to

5pm

E-mail [email protected]

El Paso de Robles, or "Pass of the Oaks", a community of

29,950 nestled in the coastal mountain range of central California,

where the values and riches of the past are interwoven with the fu-

ture. Located close to mountains, beaches, and deserts, it is home to

one of the United States’ greatest wine growing areas and a grow-

ing number of hot springs resorts.

The City of Paso Robles has a long history with both wine and

healing waters. Situated midway between Los Angeles and San

Francisco, it is also a gateway to thriving metropolitan areas north,

south and east.

Paso Robles offers all the amenities of family life including

attractive and available housing, ample City services, state-of-the-

art recreation facilities, easy access retail shopping, excellent public

schools, and safe neighborhoods.

The City understands the importance of business and works

hard to attract commerce in a diverse array of industries. The local

economy is remains healthy with a 2008 gross product of

$2,000,000,000. Paso Robles' population growth continues to ex-

ceed much of the Central Coast. With just over 11% of San Luis

Obispo County's population, the City has 19% of retail sales and

53% of manufacturing jobs. In 2008 alone, Paso Robles accounted

for 14% of all the new homes built. Paso Robles has sustained

strong, uninterrupted economic growth since 1993. Given Paso

Robles’ diversified economy, the national economic recession will

be felt in the City, but at a lesser degree than the remainder of the

county. Paso Robles holds the charm of a rural community, but is

developing into a center of industry, viticulture, recreation, com-

merce, and housing. It is truly a place with something for everyone.

HISTORY OF PASO ROBLES

This beautiful, rolling hills area of the Central Coast that we

know as the City of El Paso de Robles or Paso Robles and ―Paso‖

to locals, has always been renowned for thermal springs. The Sa-

linan Indians—the most historical inhabitants of the area—were

here thousands of years even before the mission era. They knew

this area as the ―Springs‖ or the ―Hot Springs.‖ The Indians, and

later the Mission Fathers and their congregations, found relief from

various ailments in the therapeutic waters and soothing mud baths.

34

34

www.prcity.com

The Land

The Paso Robles Rancho (25,993.18 acres also known as the Paso de

Robles Land Grant) was originally granted to Pedro Narvaez, who soon after gave over the estate to Petronilo Rios. In 1857, the entire

rancho was purchased by James H. Blackburn, Daniel Drew Blackburn, and Lazarus Godehaux for $8,000. At the time of the purchase, there

was very little of the town site—only the remains of the original log

shanty built by Father Juan Cabot of San Miguel Mission around the main spring located on the Northeast corner of what is now 10th and

Spring Streets. This same site was the home of the first bathhouse in 1864, containing eight wooden tubs, and later the site of the first ho-

tel—Hotel El Paso de Robles, which opened in 1891.

The Waters

As far back as 1795, Paso Robles has been spoken of and written about as ―California’s oldest watering place‖—the place to go for

springs and mud baths. In 1864, a correspondent to the San Francisco Bulletin wrote that there was every prospect of the Paso Robles hot

springs becoming the watering place of the state. By 1868 people were coming from as far away as Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, and even

Alabama. Besides the well-known mud baths, there were the Iron

Spring and the Sand Spring, which bubbles through the sand and was said to produce delightful sensations.

The Wine

Paso Robles’ growth as industry—wine—has a long history with the area. Wine grapes were introduced to the Paso Robles soil in 1797 by

the Spanish conquistadors and Franciscan missionaries. Spanish ex-

plorer Francisco Cortez envisioned an abundant wine-producing op-eration and encouraged settlers from Mexico and other parts of Cali-

fornia to cultivate the land. The first vineyardists in the area were the Padres of the Mission San Miguel, and their old fermentation vats and

grapevine artwork can still be seen at the Mission, north of the city of

Paso Robles.

35

35

―Paso Firsts‖ First Drug Store: The Eagle Pharmacy, owned by A.R. Booth. First Newspaper: The Paso Robles Leader (H.G. Wright, Editor of the

Santa Clara Journal), the first issue appearing in November 1886. First Blacksmith Shop: W.C. Henderson’s, who bought out the old

stage station where in former days the stage horses had been shod,

and built his shop on the corner of Pine and 13th Streets. Erected on the same site is the Pioneer Garage, which still stands.

First House: Mr. Testermann’s on Pine Street (on the first lot bought after the town site was surveyed).

First School (private): Built by Mr. James in back of Pelton’s feed

store. The teacher was Miss Green. Later, James donated the land for a public school, the site of the present Junior High School.

Business Building: Adams’ block, built by George R. Adams on the corner of 12th and Spring Streets.

Hotel (other than the Hot Springs Resort): Alexander Hotel on the corner of 12th & Pine Streets, completed in 1889.

36

36

Wines Of California Feature Wineries

Justin Winery

EberleWinery

http://www.castorocellars.com http://www.justinwine.com

http://www.eberlewinery.com

37

37

Party Partners Rental!

100% Customer Satisfaction!

[email protected]

Our BEST Price Guarantee If you are offered a lower written price quote on identical rental items offered by Party Partners from any other rental company in San Luis Obispo County, we will

match the price and beat it by 10%. Guarantee is subject to product availability

at the time of order.

WHO WE ARE OUR SERVICES RECENT PROJECTS

Party Partners Rental is committed to providing the Central Coast, Paso Robles,

Templeton, Atascadero and all of San Luis Obispo County quality Event Rental Ser-

vice with a Best Price Guarantee.

If you are planning a corporate event, wedding or backyard party of any size that

requires tables, linens, chairs, umbrellas or canopies, call or email us for price and

availability on our friendly and professional service.

The Partners who started it all.. Party Partners was established in 2008 by Steven Herring who was born and raised

in Atascadero, California. He saw an opportunity to provide our community with a

Party Rental Service that offers a Best Price Guarantee. Later partnered with AJ

Croce, the two now make an excellent team and are expanding constantly!

Our friendly, professional service focuses on providing tables, linens, chairs, umbrel-

las and canopies for corporate functions, galas, weddings, sporting events or back-

yard parties of any size. As our business expands we plan to add a wider variety of

products such as dance floors, heaters, a photo booth and much more!!!

We are anxious to be a part of your special event, so send us an e mail or give us a

call for price and availability today!!

Contact Steven Herring AJ Croce

805-460-6326 805-423-1353 [email protected]

38

38

click below http://www.exhibitorads.com/csentry/content/_subscribe.asp?cust_id=199

MOVIE LINE - (805)-227-2172

Located at 1100 Pine Street - Paso Robles, CA

4X4 4 $44

GO TO

http://www.abovethegradepublications.com

Purchase Coupons for

Dinner for 2 @ Level 4 (4-6) see ad

2 Adult Movie Tickets for park Cinemas 2 Cold Stone Cold Plate Desserts

All 4 $44

39

39

Sunday noon-9PM Mon-Thurs. 11:30 AM—9 PM Fri.—Sat. 11:30 AM—10 PM

Spring Street & City Park 832 11th STREET, Paso Robles, CA 805.226.9330

New Funnel Cake

Business Hours

Sunday - Thursday 4:00PM - 10:00PM Friday & Saturday 4:00PM - 2:00AM

Happy Hour

Monday - Sunday 4:00PM - 6:00PM 805) 237-2111 | 1216 Park Street | Paso

Robles, CA

LEVEL 4 Early Bird

Three Course Menu

Your choice of any (2) Two

Entrees including soup or salad

& dessert for

$25.98

ENTREES

New York Strip 6 oz

Mahi Mahi Filet

Bowtie Pasta w/ Sun Dried To-

mato Pasta

Blackened Breast of Chicken (Seasonal veggies & choice of sweet potato

fries or rice pilaf)

DESSERT Tiramisu or Vanilla Ice Cream

40

40

Located almost halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Hotel Cheval is located just off the charming and historic Paso Robles town square. Hotel Cheval offers a welcoming haven for travelers visiting California’s Central Coast. We believe hospitality comes from the heart and our goal is to utterly surprise and delight our guests.

With only 16 rooms, Hotel Cheval is designed for guests to enjoy them-selves; by one of our intimate outdoor stone wood-burning fireplaces, with a quiet respite in the Library, or with friends in the Pony Club, our Parisian inspired zinc topped horse-shoe-shaped Wine Bar. Visitors to Paso Robles quickly discover that it is a very special place. Famous for its world-class wines, Paso Robles boasts a charming downtown scene with boutiques, art galleries, tasting rooms, excellent restaurants and a welcoming ambience. Paso Robles features a long list of attractions such as wine tasting at more than 200 local wineries, olive oil tasting, farmer’s markets, laven-der farms, multiple golf courses, and perhaps the most renowned: Hearst Castle, which attracts almost one million visitors a year and is located just 45 minutes from Hotel Cheval. As the finest boutique luxury hotel in Paso Robles, Hotel Cheval is de-lighted to offer guests the best accommodations and service on Califor-nia’s Central Coast

http://www.hotelcheval.com/about_chester.php

Meet Hotel Cheval’s Belgian draft

horse.

Weekend Getaway

41

41

Click on the items below to direct to hotel information.

http://www.hotelcheval.com/gallery http://www.hotelcheval.com/about.php

http://www.google.com/maps?

f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1021

+Pine+Street+Paso+Robles,+CA

&sll=37.0625,-

Paso Robles Hotel Cheval • 1021 Pine Street • Paso Robles, CA 93446

P: 866.522.6999 • F: 805.226.9979

Located just off the Lobby is the Pony Club, Hotel Cheval’s wine bar. The Pony Club con-tinues the hotel’s equestrian theme with a traditional French zinc-topped, horseshoe-shaped bar. Serving premium Cen-tral California Wines and light re-freshments, the Pony Club is the perfect spot to sample some of Paso Robles finest wines. LUNCH AND DINNER Some of the eateries nearby Hotel Cheval in Paso Robles are:

ARTISAN

BISTRO LAURENT

II CORTILE RISTORANTE

VILLA CREEK

42

42

Insurance– Dental Care

Are you avoiding going to the dentist because you know it is going to put a big dent in your

wallet? This article can help you find an individual dental plan that is affordable and that can

save you money.

The best dental arrangement will offer you generous discounts on both minor and major dental

procedures. Along with the discounts it can also offer you very affordable dental coverage.

You are probably wondering just how much money I can save since I am interested in main-

taining my dental health. Let's take a look a both some minor and major procedures that will

give you a general idea of typical cost savings of this type of individual dental program.

Let's say you haven't been to the dentist in quite a while and you are serious about keeping

your teeth in good condition to avoid future major dental problems. The first thing the dentist

is going to want to know is the condition of your teeth presently.

To do this the dentist must do full mouth x rays. This would normally cost you around $141 but

with good dental benefits you would receive a discount of around $87 which means your pay-

ment would only be approximately $54. That's not too bad since the cost to own this type of

plan is very affordable.

What about something simple like an adult teeth cleaning. Typically this cleaning would run

you about $101 but with your discount your out of pocket cost would only be about $43.

Let's look at an expensive procedure like a molar root canal treatment. This procedure would

set you back approximately $1,146. With your plan discount your cost would be only about

$488. That's a big $658 savings on this major dental procedure.

These types of individual dental plans can give you a generous savings on almost all dental pro-

cedures when you go to the dentist. You should look specifically for a discount dental plan. Be

sure to compare the cost savings of the different plans since they can vary. Look for a source

that can give you a large array of choices so that you can get a good comparison.

You will find to own this type of dental plan is affordable for both individuals and families and

can fit into almost anyone's budget.

D.D.S.

805/466-5787 New Patients Welcome

5960 WEST MALL, SUITE A ATASCADERO, CA 93422

43

43

Gardening: COMPOSTING: How to build a tumbling composter. One of the keys to composting is aeration. The bacteria need oxygen to carry out the aerobic respiration that creates rich compost. One way to aer-ate your compost is with a pitchfork or a compost turning tool. If you keep your compost in a tumbler, however, all you have to do is turn the con-tainer. Since most compost barrels can be expensive, you may be interested in building your own for much less money and an hour of your time. A finished tumbling composter.

1. Buy a plastic drum, between 20 and 55 gallons (75-200 liters), and a 48 inch (1.25 meter) length of 2 inch (5 cm) schedule 80 PVC pipe, or a length of 1 1/2 to 2 inch (3.8-5 cm) galvanized steel pipe. 2.Drill holes in the center of the top and bottom of your drum, large enough for the pipe you are going to use for an axle . 3. Pass the pipe or post through the center holes. 4. Build a wooden saw buck to support the compost bar-rel. Nail 2 sets of 2x4s (pieces of wood that are 1.5″ × 3.5″ or 38×89 mm in terms of height and width, respec-tively) in an x-frame, and nail two 2x4s across the feet at the bottom for support. 5.Set the barrel with the pipe in the wooden 2x4 saw buck. 6. Drill holes in the body of the barrel with a 1-inch (2.5 cm) drill for aeration.

7. Rotate the barrel in the sawhorse frame using the pipe or post as an axle. 8.Cut a hole in the side and add simple hinges and a hasp to create a door with the piece you cut from the side of your drum. Or, you can simply use scrap wire to create three hinges, and use the same material and an old cabinet knob to effect a way to close the hatch.

9.Create a Mixing Fin Inside the Barrel to help turn the compost when the drum is rotated. A long spare piece of galvanized sheet metal bent into an L shape and bolted to the interior wall of the barrel will do this nicely. (Put the Fin opposite from the Hatch, so as to weight balance the empty container.)

(Barrel with 10" square hole cut in side. For a 55 gal barrel, hatch size can be larger) 11. Check the contents occasionally, and when they are broken down by the bacteria in the drum, remove them to use for soil amending, mulch, and other purposes around your lawn and garden Next Month: How to build a tumbling composter that you can just roll on the ground, and for a full explanation on how the composter works and what you need to do to operate it

44

44

San Miguel is home to the Mission San Miguel Arcángel, founded on 25 July 1797. Mission

San Miguel Arcángel was founded on July 25, 1797 by the Franciscan order, on a site cho-

sen specifically due to the large number of Salinan Indians that inhabited the area, whom

the Spanish priests wanted to evangelize. It is located at 775 Mission Street, San Miguel,

California, in San Luis Obispo County. The mission remains in use as a parish church to

this day. After being closed to the public for six years due to the 2003 San Simeon Earth-

quake, the church re-opened on December 22, 2009. Inside the church are murals by

Esteban Munras. Father Presidente Fermin Francisco de Lasuen founded the mission on

July 25, 1797, making it the sixteenth California mission. Its location between Mission San

Luis Obispo and Mission San Antonio de Padua provided a stop on the trip that had previ-

ously taken two days. In 1803, the mission reported an Indian population of 908, while its

lands grazed 809 cattle, 3,223 sheep, 342 horses and 29 mules. That year's harvest included

about 2,186 fanegas of wheat and corn (A fanega was about 220 pounds). Most of the mis-

sion burned, while still being developed, in 1806. It was rebuilt within a year. On July 15,

1836, the Mexican government secularized mission lands, including Mission San Miguel,

and Ygnacio Coronel took charge.

In 1846, Governor Pío Pico sold the Mission for $600 to Petronillo Rios and William Reed.

Reed used the Mission as a family residence and a store. In 1848, Reed and his family were

murdered, leaving the Mission vacant for a period of time. The Mission was a stopping

place for miners coming from Los Angeles to San Francisco, and was consequently was used

as a saloon, dance hall, storeroom and living quarters. In 1859, President James Buchanan

returned the Mission to the Church. In 1878, after 38 years without a resident padre, Father

Philip Farrelly became the "First Pastor" of Mission San Miguel Arcángel. Through all the

years the priests kept the church in condition and it is called the best-preserved church in

the mission chain today. In 1928, Mission San Miguel Arcángel and Mission San Antonio de

Padua were returned to the Franciscan order. Since then, the Mission has been repaired

and restored, and has one of the best-preserved interiors (which gives one of the best exam-

ples of old mission life). For many years, the Mission served the town as an active parish

church of the Diocese of Monterey. Unfortunately, harmonic vibrations from the nearby

Union Pacific Railroad main line has weakened the unreinforced masonry structures over

the years. The San Simeon Earthquake of December 22, 2003 caused severe damage to the

sanctuary at Mission San Miguel. The Catholic Church considered closing the parish due to

the extensive damage and the estimated $15 million cost of repair. Work has since been

completed and the Mission is to reopen on October 2, 2009. Bells were vitally important to

daily life at any mission. The bells were rung at mealtimes, to call the Mission residents to

work and to religious services, during births and funerals, to signal the approach of a ship

or returning missionary, and at other times; novices were instructed in the intricate rituals

associated with the ringing the mission bells.

San Miguel

http://www.americantowns.com/ca/sanmiguel-information

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_San_Miguel_Arc%C3%A1ngel

45

45

Mission Market & Deli OPEN DAILY FROM 6:00AM TO 9:00PM 1402 Mission Street San Miguel, CA 93451 805-467-2000

Mission Market & Deli is proud to bring your community a wide se-lection of quality groceries. We have carefully selected our prod-ucts to fit almost all your daily needs. We are committed to pro-viding superior products and service to our customers mad we thank you for the opportunity to serve you. Hungry for a custom made sandwich built your way? All sandwiches start with a 1/4 pound of meat and topped from selection of condi-ments of your choice. If you’re in a hurry try one of our premade sandwiches or call in advance to have your sandwich ready when you get here. Try some our hot Deli fried foods, chicken, egg rolls, corn dogs, poppers, chimmicongas and more. All fried in the highest quality of oils and with the best possible products used makes for a great meal.

http://www.mission-market.com

46

46

From the menu for the Loading Chute Restaurant right after it opened in

December of 2000 after extensive renovations by Gary and Dana

Parker: "Creston History 101" In the early 1870's, settlers were drawn to

the Creston countryside by wild oats that "stood up to a horse's shoulders," hills and valleys

dotted with majestic ancient oaks and fertile farm ground. The quaint community was

founded in March 1884 by four pioneers who bought the 40,000 acre Rancho Huer Huero

land grant. C.J. Cressy, Amos Adams, Thomas Ambrose, and J.V. Webster laid out the town

of Creston, which, for a time, they called the Huer Huero after the ranch, in hopes that the

tracks of the long-awaited railroad would someday parallel their investment. Named after

Cressy, Creston was at one time home to three saloons, two restaurants, a couple of livery

stables, two laundries, a pair of blacksmith shops, a hotel, a bakery, post office, church,

school, and jail. The Creston jail ( locals called it a "calaboose" ) was used to lock up "people

who get filled up on the corner with lightning water to such a degree that they make things

howl," according to Edouard Cliff in an 1887

edition of the Creston News. When vacant, the

Calaboose was found to e "convenient for eve-

ning prayer meetings and private card parties

when stud poker is on the carpet" and also was

used as a makeshift meat locker. The Creston

Jail was burned down in 1960 by a pack of

careless young renegades who used to hide be-

hind the tiny building and smoke cigarettes.

though the numbers of deputy-defying despera-

does who ever spent the night in the Creston

Calaboose are not confirmed, stories passed

down through the generations say bands of

them rode a route known as the "Outlaw

Trail," which wound its way through the brush

country south of Creston. Cattle rustlers said to

include Jesse James, jack Powers, the Dalton Boys and Joaquin Murrietta, drove their herds

over the trail, and "found it a convenient way of coming and going on their prowls for victims

to rob or even kill if the occasion made it needful." The outlaws moved on, and Crestonites

haven't seen a need to rebuild the old jail house. However, locals do treasure the tradition-

rich roots of such historical landmarks as the Creston Post office, which opened for business

in 1885; the Community Church, which opened its doors in 1886; and the Elementary School,

which has been ringing the same beloved bell since 1889.

Creston

is located at the bottom of the San Juan Valley, where San Juan Creek and

Cholame Creek come to-

gether to form the Estrella River, which

flows west to meet the Salinas River north

of Paso Robles. Shandon is also at the junc-

tion of State Routes 41 and 46, at the south-

western portion of the stretch where the two

highways merge together for approximately

six miles. The even smaller town of

Cholame is about six miles northeast of

Shandon, where the two highways diverge

again. The San Andreas Fault cuts perpen-

dicular to the highways here, six miles from

Shandon.

Grasslands and low hills surround the town,

with the area immediately southwest of

town being an agricultural region.

Shandon

http://www.creston.ca.com

http://www.americantowns.com/ca/shandon-information

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estrella_River

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salinas_River_(California)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paso_Robles

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_41

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_46

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholame

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Andreas_Fault

47

47

Types of Child Custody

Learn the difference between legal custody, physical custody,

sole custody, and joint custody.

Physical Custody

Physical custody means that a parent has the right to have a child live with him or her. Some states will award joint physical custody to both parents when the child spends significant amounts of time with both parents. Joint physical custody works best if parents live relatively near to each other, as it lessens the stress on children and allows them to maintain a somewhat normal routine. Where the child lives primarily with one parent and has visitation with the other, generally the parent with whom the child primarily lives will have sole physical custody, with visitation to the other parent.

Legal Custody

Legal custody of a child means having the right and the obligation to make decisions about a child's upbringing. A parent with legal custody can make decisions about schooling, religion, and medical care, for example. In many states, courts regularly award joint legal custody, which means that the deci-sion making is shared by both parents. If you share joint legal custody with the other parent and you exclude him or her from the decision-making process, your ex can take you back to court and ask the judge to enforce the custody agreement. You won't get fined or go to jail, but it will probably be embarrassing and cause more friction between the two of you -- which may harm the children. What's more, if you're repre-sented by an attorney, it's sure to be expensive. If you think you have circumstances that make it impossible to share joint le-gal custody (the other parent won't communicate with you about important matters or is abusive), you can go to court and ask for sole legal custody. But, in many states, joint legal custody is preferable, so you will have to convince a family court judge that it is not in the best interests of your child.

Sole Custody

One parent can have either sole legal custody or sole physical custody of a child. Courts generally won't hesitate to award sole physical custody to one parent if the other parent is deemed unfit -- for example, because of alcohol or drug dependency, a new partner who is unfit, or charges of child abuse or neglect. However, in most states, courts are moving away from awarding sole custody to one parent and toward enlarging the role a divorced father plays in his chil-dren's lives. Even where courts do award sole physical custody, the parties often still share joint legal custody, and the noncustodial parent enjoys a gen-erous visitation schedule. In that situation, the parents would make joint de-cisions about the child's upbringing, but one parent would be deemed the pri-mary physical caretaker, while the other parent would have visitation rights.

Types of Custody continued on page 58

48

48

The Contractor: Building a deck! 4 to 6 days for construction, plus one week for concrete to cure $800 to $1,000 for a 10x16-foot pressure-treated deck Skill Level: Moderate to hard

Digging holes and pouring concrete piers is hard work, but building the frame and laying the decking is straightforward, even enjoyable.

If you’ve always dreamed of building your own deck, but were hesitant to tackle such a large, complicated construc-tion project, we’ve got some good news. We asked This Old House general contractor Tom Silva to demonstrate the proper techniques for building a small, simple on-grade deck. All you need are some basic carpentry tools and the

desire to invest a little sweat equity.

The deck shown here features a pressure-treated floor frame that’s supported by a ledger board and concrete piers, and topped with 5/4-inch decking. And because the deck is only a one step high, no railing was required. Now just fol-low Tom's tips and build your own backyard oasis. It’s a great way to make your neighbors jealous.

Tools for This Project

Hammer-drill with ma-sonry bit

Drill with 3/8-inch bit

Socket wrench

Plumb bob and string

Circular saw

Level Chalk line Concrete mixer or trough and

hoe

Hammer Impact wrench

Tape Utility knife Shovel

Overview An on-grade deck—one built just above the ground—doesn't require posts, steps, or railings. But it has the same structural elements as any deck—ledger, joists, beams and piers. Building one begins with determining the sizes of the framing material. Tom Silva uses these rules of thumb: for rim joists or beams made of doubled-up 2x lumber, the boards' nominal width (in inches) should match the span (in feet). So a rim joist spanning 10 feet requires two 2x10s. The ledger is made from a single board of the same width. For interior joists, Tom halves the span then adds two—a joist spanning 8 feet warrants a 2x6. (In all cases, round up odd numbers or fractions to the next even number.)

49

49

Supplies You Will Need

1. 5X4-INCH DECKING LUMBER 2. 2X8 PRESSURE-TREATED LUMBER joists 3. 2X10 PRESSURE-TREATED LUMBER ledger, beams and rim joists 4. FIBERBOARD PIER FORM 5. PLASTIC FOOTING FORM 6. CONCRETE 7. LEDGER FASTENERS lag screws and/or carriage bolts 8. POLYURETHANE MARINE SEALANT 9. FACE-MOUNTED JOIST HANGERS 10. POST BASES 11. MASONRY EXPANSION BOLTS to fasten post bases to concrete piers 12. SILICONIZED ACRYLIC CAULK 13. METAL FLASHING ] 14. 6D, 12D, AND 16D GALVANIZED OR STAINLESS STEEL COMMON NAILS 15. 8D GALVANIZED OR STAINLESS STEEL FINISH NAILS 16. 5/8-INCH ROOFING NAILS 17. SELF-ADHERING WATERPROOF MEMBRANE 18. CONCEALED-FLANGE AND FACE-MOUNTED DOUBLE JOIST HANGERS AND HANGER NAILS

19. CONSTRUCTION ADHESIVE

Step by step next month!

50

50

Types of Custody continued from page 55 It's understandable that there may be animosity between you and your ex-spouse. But it's best not to seek sole custody unless the other parent causes direct harm to the children. Even then, courts may simply allow supervised visitation, while still ordering joint legal custody.

Joint Custody

Parents who don't live together have joint custody (also called shared cus-tody) when they share the decision-making responsibilities for, and/or physical control and custody of, their children. Joint custody can exist if the parents are divorced, separated, or no longer cohabiting, or even if they never lived together. Joint custody may be:

joint legal custody

joint physical custody (where the children spend a significant por-tion of time with each parent), or

joint legal and physical custody. It is common for couples who share physical custody to also share legal cus-tody, but not necessarily the other way around.

Joint Custody Arrangements

When parents share joint custody, usually they work out a schedule accord-ing to their work requirements and housing arrangements and the children's needs. If the parents cannot agree on a schedule, the court will impose an arrangement. A common pattern is for children to split weeks between each parent's house or apartment. Other joint physical custody arrangements in-clude:

alternating months, years, or six-month periods, or

spending weekends and holidays with one parent, while spending weekdays with the other.

There is even a joint custody arrangement where the children remain in the family home and the parents take turns moving in and out, spending their out time in separate housing of their own. This is called "bird's nest cus-tody."

Pros and Cons of Joint Custody

Joint custody has the advantages of assuring the children continuing contact and involvement with both parents. And it alleviates some of the burdens of parenting for each parent. There are, of course, disadvantages:

Children must be shuttled around.

Parental noncooperation or ill will can have seriously negative ef-fects on children.

Maintaining two homes for the children can be expensive. If you do have a joint custody arrangement, maintain detailed and organized financial records of your expenses. Keep receipts for groceries, school and after-school activities, clothing, and medical care. At some point your ex may claim she or he has spent more money on the kids than you have, and a judge will appreciate your detailed records.

51

51

Horsing Around: Transporting

Trailer Training Psychology

If we contemplate the conflict between the

horse's basic nature and what is expected of

him for trailering, it's no surprise that prob-

lems frequently occur.

By Brenda Forsythe Sappington, DVM, Ph.D. As the days get longer and the weather warms up, our thoughts start to turn to the myriad activities we hope to enjoy with our horses this year. To make the most of the seasons, enterprising horse owners endeavor to fill free time with events such as horse shows, lessons, clinics, trail rides and camping trips. Our plans may seem innocuous as we imagine them now, but how they actually play out in reality may be an entirely different matter. Looming just beyond our daydreams is a stark necessity that is often a formidable obstacle to the en-joyment of equestrian activities away from home. Somehow we have to load our horses into a trailer and transport them without incident to the event site. If we contemplate the conflict between the horse's basic nature and what is expected of him for trailering, it's no surprise that problems fre-quently occur. A few years back, an acquaintance at my barn and I made plans to haul our two young horses to a local peninsula to enjoy a day's outing on picturesque seaside bridle paths. My mare had some experience loading and hauling to local shows, and Darla's horse Shadow had recently been trained to load into her trainer's two-horse trailer. We carefully wrapped Shadow's legs, at-tached a rubber head protector to her halter crownpiece and gently asked her to move forward into the trailer. She stepped in with confidence and began eating hay while we attached the trailer tie to her halter. Just to be on the safe side, Darla and I decided to take Shadow on a short ride around the stable grounds before loading my mare into the other stall and setting off on our journey. Everything seemed to be proceeding without any trouble as we started rolling. We had gone about halfway around a row of pipe cor-rals when we heard a restless clattering from behind us, quickly followed by an abrupt lurching motion. Darla walked back to see what happened and discovered her mare had pan-icked and jumped into the feed manger with her front legs, causing her head to be pulled into a dangerously unnatural position by the trailer tie. We urgently set about trying to free the horse. Darla opened the back doors of the trailers while I entered the front through an emergency escape door and cut the tie strap. Shadow's head immediately slammed into the roof of the trailer with enough force to split the rubber head protector. She then managed to force her head out of the trailer's narrow emergency door as she struggled to free herself from the tight space she was wedged into. With

52

52

the assistance of a few other boarders, we forced Shadow's head back into the trailer and secured the emergency escape door. The boarders went in search of strong ropes with which to "pull" Shadow out of the manger while Darla ran to call the vet. In the interim, Shadow continued to thrash and flail, and in the course of her struggles managed to extricate herself from the manger and roll out of the trailer. Fortunately, Shadow's injuries had missed her vital areas and she escaped from the ordeal with only 22 stitches above her right eye. For Darla and me, the ex-perience served as a frightening lesson about how quickly everything can go completely wrong during even a well-planned horse-trailering experience. While Shadow (who has since recovered from the incident) had been taught to load into a trailer, she had never been in a moving trailer before. To minimize the possibility of potentially disastrous trailering problems such as the one just described, it makes sense to try to understand the trailering experience from the horse's point of view. The types of problems people tend to have while trailering horses can be broken down into two general categories: loading or unloading problems and hauling problems. At the root of most loading problems is one common explanation, which is simply that horses are born with a natural wariness of confinement. This isn't hard tounderstand when we consider that horses have evolved as prey animals whose primary defense mechanism is to flee from danger. The horses that manage to survive in the wild are those that avoid any situation where they might find themselves trapped without and escape route. In this respect, our domestic horses aren't very different from their feral cousins. Although selective breeding has had positive effects on temperament and tractability, most horses still have the potentially adaptive genetic "hard-wiring" of their prey species. Bearing this in mind, let's try to consider the interior of a typical two-horse trailer from a horse's viewpoint. The horse is being asked to move from the relative safety of open space into a dead-end space that isn't much bigger than his body—a space where he stands alone and vulnerable, removed from the comfort and safety that comes from being around other horses. To the horse, a trailer is a dark, enclosed space to which his vision and other senses must adjust, and a potential trap from which no escape route is evi-dent. If you were a horse, would you willingly walk into a place like this? Recognizing the underlying behavior in most loading problems as fear of confinement gives us the understanding we need to solve them. We must work to alleviate our horse's fear of trailer confinement or resign ourselves to lifelong battles at loading time. The most important part of this training is

53

53

to do it well in advance of the actual event, on days when you literally have all day to spend on it. This cannot be rushed, because the horse must set the pace of these lessons. If the horse is pushed, he will not have the chance to relax enough to realize there's nothing to fear about trailers. There are many good books and videotapes on trailer-loading train ing. Two that I have found particularly informa tive are the video Trailer Loading & Hauling Tips by Jimmy Williams, and the section on successful trailer loading in the book Lyons on Horses, by John Lyons. I have incorporated many of the elements of these training methods in my own training approach. I like to begin by leading the horse at his shoulder toward the trailer. At whatever point the horse stops moving toward the trailer, I stop with him and leave a little slack in the lead line, waiting as long as necessary for him to relax. The signals that he is relaxing are when he drops his head back down to its normal below-withers position and also loses the rigidity in his posture. This is when I ask him to move forward again. If he balks, I begin lightly tapping his hindquarters with a rigid, 4-foot "pole"—a piece of ½-inch PVC tubing or the blunt end of a firm whip will do—and I steadily increase the intensity of the taps until I get at least a few steps of forward move-ment. If the horse stops again at this point, I stop with him and again wait for signs of relaxation before asking for any more forward progress, at which time the process repeats. We continue this slow and steady cycle of relaxation, followed by asking for a little more forward movement right up to and eventually into the trailer, always allowing the horse the opportu-nity to relax before asking for more. It often takes many patient hours to teach a horse to load calmly, but this approach gives the horse the chance to relax and realize there's nothing to fear about trailers. Pulling him in against his will, on the other hand, rein-forces the fear. Once the horse is in the trailer for the first time, I allow him to back out whenever he's ready, and then ask him to load right back in again. I repeat the loading in and out of the trailer several more times. At the lesson's conclusion I feed the horse his evening ration in the trailer, further reinforcing the message that the trailer is a pleasant place where good things happen. This lesson is repeated daily until I am certain that the horse is relaxed and happily eating his meals inside the trailer. At this time I will take my calm pupil for a short, slow drive around the stable grounds and

54

54

perhaps around the block. I gradually increase the length of the trips in the trailer during successive lessons. On the day of the horse's first actual event away from home, rather than risk undoing all of this work, I plan to load and haul a few hours earlier than I ordinarily would. This assures me that my approach will be patient and pleasant for the horse. Finally, if the horse's behavior indi-cates that previous lessons may need repeating, it's usually worth it in the long run to skip the planned event and spend more time reinforcing those earlier lessons correctly. In contrast to the innate anxi-ety which is at the root of most loading problems, the vast major- ity of hauling problems are learned behaviors re-sulting from aversive prior hauling experi- ences. While it's true that some horses react to any trailer movement by panicking, as Shadow had, we should recognize that many hauling problems are preventable. A horse that has had one or two frightening trips being jostled about in a speeding trailer may de-velop behavior problems such as climbing divider walls (especially on turns as he loses his balance), kicking the rear panels and jumping into the feed manger. Sometimes the anxiety carries over into loading problems as the horse associates being loaded into the trailer with the trip to come. If your horse behaves dangerously during handling, it is advisable to discuss the problem with your veterinarian, as the horse may require tranquilization to reduce the risk of injury during retraining. Many conscientious owners don't realize how rough the ride in a horse trailer is for their horses. I encourage every horse owner to take a short ride around his or her property while standing in the horse trailer (don't do this on public streets, as it is illegal in some states). When I tried this, I was very surprised to find out how noisy, bumpy and awkward it was riding in the trailer in contrast to the comfortable ride I'd always enjoyed in the tow-ing vehicle. This experience helped me to understand how horses can de-velop hauling behavior problems resulting from driving that seems quite reasonable to us. To help prevent dangerous hauling behaviors from show-ing up in your horse, imagine that your horse trailer is a great, brimming tub of water that you're pulling around behind you. Try to make all your stops and turns so smooth that not a single drop of water spills out. If you endeavor to haul your horses with this degree of gentleness, your efforts will most likely be rewarded with problem-free trailering.

55

55

March 2011 Page 63

Recipe of the Month: Award Winning Salsa

Ingredients:

4 large tomatoes, chopped

1 large red onion, chopped

1 bunch chopped fresh cilantro

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 large cans peeled diced to-

matoes

1 lime squeezed juice

1 yellow pepper diced

1 green pepper diced

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground pepper

2 jalapenos minced

Directions:

In a large non-metal mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, onion, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, peppers, salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Add 1 of the jalapeno peppers, and taste. If you de-sire your salsa with more of a kick, add the remaining jalapeno. If you are satisfied with the salsa's heat, do not add the remain-ing jalapeno pepper. Cover the salsa, and chill until ready to

serve.

56

56

6380 N

avare

tte A

venue

Ata

scadero

, C 93422

USA

OFFIC

E:P

hone/F

ax.8

05.4

66.7

966

INFO

: ch

uck

@aboveth

egra

depublic

ations.

com

w

ww

.ab

ove

the

gra

de

pu

bli

ca

tio

ns.c

om

above the grade march 2011

Documents