ccf dec 15

December 2015

Central Coast FamilyFree!

Inside

Child Development ......... 2

Library Voice ....................... 4

Family Life ............................. 6

Fun & Games ........................ 8

Money ........................................ 10

Local History ....................... 12

Wordmonger ....................... 14

Calendar .................................. 17

Family Events ..................... 18

Local Resources ............... 20

Alt Education ....................... 22

Safe & Classic Toys / Gift Reading / Financial Resolutions / SLO Night Life History

Central Coast

Family

Central Coast FamilyTM

(805) 528-0440PO Box 6424, Los Osos, CA 93412

Our goal is to connect Central Coast families with the resources they need to thrive!

Central Coast Family™ is published monthly with a readership over 40,000. Find FREE copies throughout San Luis Obispo County and North Santa Barbara County.

Visit our website: www.centralcoastfamily.comSubmission deadline: 15th of each month prior to publication

Information contained in advertisements and other submissions is accepted in good faith. Publication does not imply endorsement by Central Coast Family. Opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect views of the publisher. We reserve the right to reject or edit all submissions for any reason.

Material published herein may not be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. © Vogel 2008

Every issue is printed with soy ink on 100% recycled paper. Please recycle again!

AssoCiAtE EDitoRClaire Vogel

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EDitoRPatrice Vogel

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AssistANt EDitoRJack Vogel

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ADVERtisiNG Inquiries:

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DistRiBUtioN MANAGEREric Woodards

CoNtRiBUtiNG WRitERsKristen Barnhart, John J. Cannell, Guy Crabb, Kerrin Edmonds,

Renee Mosier, Molly Peoples, CS Perryess, Steven Smith

GRAPHiC DEsiGNOut of the Blue

CC F

Child Development

Central Coast Family • December 2015 • www.centralcoastfamily.com •

Cover Photo: © Nicole Boughton Photography nicoleboughtonphotography.com

Skates, tricycles, toy trucks and cars, wagons and balls are among children’s favorite playthings. But in one year, according to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates, there were 150,000 toy-related injuries serious enough to require hospital emergency room treatment.Falls are the most frequent kind of accident, but many serious injuries result from children swallowing small parts or placing tiny toys in noses or ears, from exploding gas-powered toys, from flammable products, and from sharp edges.Each year, some 5,000 new toys enter the market-place. The holiday season finds over 150,000

different kinds of toys for sale in approximately one million stores. Despite the efforts of manufacturers, retailers, safety inspectors, and others, it is impossible to examine every toy. But it is possible for parents and other relatives to check every new toy they buy and every old toy around the house for possible hazards.The following suggestions can help you keep playtime a safe, fun time.

sELECt toYs WitH CARE

• Choose carefully. Look for good design and quality construction in the toys you buy.

• Watch out for toys that have sharp edges, small parts, or sharp points. Avoid toys that produce extremely loud noises that can damage hearing and propelled objects that can injure eyes.

• Buy toys that suit a child’s age, interest, and abilities. Avoid toys that are too complex for young children. Many toys have a suggested age range to help you choose toys that are appealing as well as safe.

• Be a label reader. Look for safety information such as “Not recommended for children under 3 years of age,” or “non-toxic” on toys likely to end up in little mouths, or “washable/hygenic materials” on stuffed toys and dolls.

• Check with parents before you buy a child a toy that requires close supervision - electrically operated toys, shooting toys and games, chemistry sets, and the like. Remember, too, that younger children may have access to toys intended for older children once the toy has been brought into the home.

• Look for the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) seal on electrical toys. It indicates the electrical parts have been safety tested.

tEACH PRoPER UsE oF toYs

• Check the instructions and explain to your child how to use the toy.

• Always try to supervise children while they play. Learn to spot “an accident about to happen.”

• Check toys periodically for broken parts and potential

December is safe Toy & Gift month!

hazards. A dangerous toy should be repaired immediately or thrown away. Sharp or splintered edges on wooden toys should be sanded smooth. Use only non-toxic paint on toys or toy boxes. Check outdoor toys for rust and weak or sharp parts that could become hazardous.

• Teach children to put their toys away so the toys do not get broken and so that no one trips and falls on them.

• Toy boxes, too, should be checked for safety. A toy chest should have a lightweight lid that can be opened easily from within. For extra safety, be sure there are ventilation holes. Watch for sharp edges that could cut and hinges that could pinch. Attach rubber bumpers to the front corners of a toy chest so little fingers won’t be caught by a slammed lid.


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• Toy shelves are another storage possibility. Open shelves allow children to see favorite toys and easily return them to the shelf after play. Be sure the shelf is sturdy and won’t tip over if the child climbs on it.

sEVEN toY DANGERs

1. Sharp edges: Toys made of brittle plastic or glass can break easily, exposing sharp points and edges. Wooden, metal, and plastic toys sometimes have sharp edges due to poor construction.

2. Small parts: Tiny toys and toys with small, removable parts can be swallowed or become lodged in a child’s windpipe, ears, or nose. The squeakers in some squeeze toys can be removed and possibly swallowed. The seams of poorly constructed stuffed toys can break open and release

small pellets that also can be swallowed or inhaled.

3. Loud noises: Toy caps and some noise-making guns and other toys can reach noise levels that can damage hearing. The law requires the following label on boxes of caps producing noise above a certain level: “WARNING - Do not fire closer than 1 foot to the ear. Do not use indoors.”

4. Sharp points: Broken toys can expose dangerous prongs and knife-sharp points. Pins and staples on dolls’ clothes, hair, and accessories can easily puncture an unsuspecting child. Even a teddy bear or stuffed toy can be assembled with wires that can cut or stab.

5. Propelled objects: Projectiles - guided missiles and other flying toys - can be turned into weapons and can injure eyes

in particular. Children should never be permitted to play with adult lawn darts or other hobby or sporting equipment with sharp points. Arrows or darts used by children should have soft cork tips, rubber suction cups or other protective tips to prevent injury.

6. Electric toys: Electric toys that are improperly constructed, wired, or misused can shock or burn. Electric toys must meet mandatory requirements for the maximum surface

temperature, electrical wiring, and prominent warning labels. Electric toys with any heating elements are recommended only for children over the age of eight. Children should be taught to use electric toys cautiously and under adult supervision.

7. Wrong toy for the wrong age: Toys that may be safe for older children can be extremely dangerous in the hands of little ones. Check package labels for recommended age range.

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I received my first Christmas “gift” early this year. It started with a Facebook post from my daughter-in-law: “What do you prefer.... Jane Eyre; To Kill a Mockingbird; Alice in Wonderland; Bram Stoker’s Dracula; Harry Potter; Chronicles of Narnia; Wicked; The Secret Garden; Wuthering Heights, or Grimm’s Fairy Tales, and why? I know, one person’s gift is another’s pop quiz. So I shot back a comment: “OMG - All except Wicked have had deep defining impacts on my life.” She immediately shot back: “Which has THE MOST?” “The Secret Garden, I answered back. I’ve read it at least 50 times. My favorite grammar school teacher, Miss Moline, read it to us in 4th grade. It is the first book that described the feeling of “other” in my life and empowered me to make my own magic, believe in listening to what the animals say, and know that soul-mates are deeply real at any age. Her perfect poetic reply jumped on my Facebook wall: “They are all such

amazing books and all of them evoke such deep emotion. I was just wondering if you connect with one more than all the others. I would agree about The Secret Garden. It was the first non picture-book novel I ever read, and I was feeling like such an outcast at that time in my life. It gave me hope that I would find a deep soul connection at some point. It allowed me to be grateful for my family and kick-started my love for books and the ability they give you to live in another world for a short time.” Such a family we are!

I, of course, could not get that list out of my mind. Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, is a book I really wanted to like, but I was never able to fall into. I can, however, probably perform the entire musical Wicked based (loosely) on it since my daughter and I saw it four times and the cd lived in my car stereo for several years. I did finish the book, but

never read the rest of the series despite their fabulous titles.

The rabbit hole book I did fall into was Carroll’s Alice and Wonderland (and Through the Looking Glass). I so lived in my own little world as a child, that it was the closest thing to realistic fiction I read. In junior high, I revisited it with my artsy friend Cindy and we set out to memorize all the poems. We would walk along the beach arm-in-arm, our voices raised, “The sun was shining on the sea/ shining with all his might: / He did his very best to make the billows smooth and bright / And this was odd, because it was / The middle of the night.” That same year, we also set to memory the musical Hair and we would alternate the two on our beach walks, a perfect snapshot of a 1960s adolescence!

For my 13th birthday, John Selby gave me Bronte’s Wuthering Heights and Stoker’s Dracula. When I was four-years-old, John was the first soul-mate I recognized and we have stayed heart-connected long after his death from AIDS in the mid-1980s when we had to limit our time together to dreams. The tragedy of lost love on the moors with the cold wind howling filled my room as an antidote to my suburban Southern California home. Hormones assaulted me with no fewer furors than a caped vampire and I was left feeling changed forever and not necessarily in a good way! In that most awkward year, John gave me more than books and the peace sign button off his corduroy jacket. He gave me the gift of feeling seen, of being so much more than the treacherous waters of 7th grade could ever reveal. I still want to send him new books that he would have loved.

The Harry Potter series would have been John and my favorite books if they had been written as we tried to navigate our teens. I love them. I love talking with people of all ages who love them. I am somewhat suspicious of those who haven’t read them or (gasp) did not love them. J.K. Rowling gave my generation of boomers the happy childhood that Tom Robbins promised we were never too old for. She simultaneously gave people all over the world a new landscape, language, and community we could share. Rowling tapped into our

dreams of flying, being invisible, flexing our magic, and taking our places in a non-muggle tribe. The books themselves have the magic of being new and a bit different with each reading.

I think one of the qualities that all the books on this list share is that they beg to be re-read throughout our lives. Sharing To Kill a Mockingbird with my daughter by reading it to her turned a high school assignment into a memory. Jean Brody breathed life into Jane Eyre and transformed it from the Cliff Notes I read instead of the book in high school into a beloved friend. Grimm’s Fairy Tales continue to call me with their archetypes and I am looking to them to add to my story-telling repertoire. Friendships are tied into this list too, the friends who lay between the pages ready to come alive at each opening and those who live on in our hearts.

So, gift your friends and family with a list of favorite books this season. If they haven’t read them yet, you have the honor of becoming that person forever connected to a book that, perhaps, will change their lives too. Have a great holiday season.

Kristen Barnhart has been telling stories, recommending books, and stamping little hands for over 30 years throughout SLO County. She is currently a Youth Services Librarian at the San Luis Obispo Library. Kristen can be reached at (805) 781-5775 or [email protected].

“Libraries will get you through times with no money, better than money will get you

through times with no Libraries!”

Gift Readingby

Kristen Barnhart


Nanu Nanu

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Family Life

When my three children were small, we spent months reading through every single one of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series. One winter, it looked as though there would be no Christmas for Mary and Laura Ingalls. A storm was brewing, and to the children, there just did not seem to be anyway that Santa would be able to make it that year. To their great surprise and delight, the Ingalls’ good friend Mr. Edwards arrived, and he brought treasures: a cup, a penny, a heart-shaped cake, and a peppermint candy stick.

These were simple gifts to be sure, but they were welcomed with gratitude and delight. As I look back over many years of raising children, the gifts that had the most continued play

throughout the year were simple classic ones. My children had their share of plastic toys, but there is a growing concern that many plastic toys for small children can be toxic. The European Union has banned the use of PVC (thermoplastic resins) in children’s toys due to health concerns. Although the US banned Phthalates (a chemical that makes plastics more flexible), toys here are still made with PVC plastics.Electronic toys fill the holiday catalogs, but Victoria L. Dunckley M.D., author of Reset Your Child’s Brain, believes that children are “wired and tired,” and they need a “fast” from “screen time” stimulation. She believes that spending a lot of time playing with

phones, tablets, and computers can overload a child’s sensory system, fracture attention, and deplete mental reserves.For generations, children have enjoyed toys that encourage the imagination and offer a long-lasting experience. A toy that can be played with in many different ways provides value in that it is familiar, and yet also has new possibilities. Children enjoy classic toys that encourage creativity, socialization, and imagination.The Gift of Building: Lincoln Logs will be celebrating their 100 year anniversary next year. These notched miniature logs were invented by the son of architect Frank Lloyd Wright and provide imaginative construction potential for young builders. Regular wood blocks come in various shapes and colors. Pattern blocks include rhombus and trapezoid shapes providing extra math learning opportunities. Children who like to put things together often find that the tracks and trains of a Brio set provides hours of endless creativity.The Gift of Moving: A wood wagon or metal Red flyer wagon can become a spaceship, race car, or clipper ship depending on the imaginary needs of the day. For those with excess energy to burn, jumping rope can provide exercise and coordination practice. Small toys that are fun to watch include spinning tops and a Slinky.The Gift of Imagination: A brightly colored silk scarf can become a superhero cape when a child is pretending. When extra characters are needed for the day’s activities, a cloth doll,

sock money, or teddy bear can provide companionship. Puppet shows are fun and can include the whole family. Some children enjoy cutting out paper dolls. Dover Catalog provides historic paper dolls that add an element of education to a play.

The Gift of Music: The first musical instrument an infant receives is often a rattle. As the child shakes the small beads, he is introduced to rhythm for the first time. Tambourines and bells offer a different sound. As a child’s ability to coordinate his hands increases, a percussion instrument, such as a glockenspiel or xylophone, can introduce tones, colors, and even the alphabet when the notes are marked on the keys.

The Gift of Art: One of our family’s favorite gifts was a large set of Prisma colored pencils. They were used to illustrate homemade books, make posters to decorate the walls, and create handmade birthday cards for friends and relatives. For a rich, tactile experience, we drew pictures with pastel and oil chalks. Tubes of watercolor paints were a special treat and allowed us to create a different style of art.

Classic toys are good for your family’s health, your children’s development, and for the environment. When you offer a classic toy, you are giving the gift of endless possibilities.

by Debra Newby

Classic Toys

Debra Newby is a longtime educator and mother of two Suzuki violin teachers. She has been listening, singing, playing, and dancing with her family for over two decades. Debra tutors math, teaches group dancing, and writes music pattern song books for xylophones. She can be reached at [email protected].


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Fun & Games

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Jack’s Jokes

Winter Word

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tout today’s “hot stocks.” But by the time you might hear about them, they may have cooled off and, in any case, they might not be appropriate for your needs. Forget about “getting rich quick in the market.” It probably won’t happen. True investment success requires patience and persistence.

Cut down on your debts. It’s easy to pile up debts, but a lot harder getting rid of them. Yet, if you can reduce your debt load even moderately, you’ll free up money you could use to invest. So look for ways to conserve, cut back and consolidate; it will be worth the effort. Making these resolutions, and sticking to them, can help you as you work toward achieving your financial goals.

Money

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors are not estate planners and cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your estate planning attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

Molly Peoples is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in San Luis Obispo. She can be reached at (805) 784-9013. © 2014 Edward Jones. All rights reserved. Member SIPC.

The countdown to 2016 has just about begun. If you’re like many people, you might be mulling over some New Year’s resolutions, such as hitting the gym more, learning a new language or taking a cooking class. All are worthy goals, but why not add some financial resolutions as well? For example:

Pay yourself first. Even if you aren’t living “paycheck to paycheck,” you probably don’t have much trouble spending your money, because there’s always something that you or a family member needs, always a repair required for your home or your car, always one more bill to pay. But if you are going to achieve your long-term

goals, such as a comfortable retirement, you need to invest consistently. So before you pay everyone else, pay yourself first by having some money automatically moved from your checking or savings account each month into an investment.

take advantage of all of your opportunities. If you have a 401(k) or similar plan at work, take full advantage of it. Contribute as much as you can afford or at least enough to earn your employer’s match, if one is offered. Be sure to choose the mix of available investments that give you the potential to achieve the growth you need at a level of risk with which you are comfortable.

Focus on the long term. In the short term, you might be excused for not wanting to invest. The headlines are typically scary, the financial markets are frequently volatile and the future often looks murky. Yet, if you can look past the uncertainties of today and keep your focus on tomorrow, you will find it easier to follow a disciplined investment strategy that gives you the opportunity to meet your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement.

Don’t be driven by fear. When the market is down, investors tend to react with fear. Specifically, they rush to sell their investments, afraid that if they don’t “cut their losses,” they might sustain even bigger ones. If you can get past this feeling, you may find that a down market can offer you the chance to buy quality investments at good prices.

Forget about the “hot stocks.” You’ll hear friends, co-workers and talking heads on television

Californians Don’t Waste

New Year’s Financial

Resolutions

by Molly Peoples


Local History

by Guy Crabb

SLO Night LifeMonterey Street is getting a makeover. Buildings are being renovated and the parking lots are being dug up.

Buy your copy of Monterey/Marsh Sts 100 Year Book. Remember the past, as the future is right around the corner.

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California became a state in 1850 and the gold rush was a major factor in attracting people to our great state. The majority of people who came to California during this time period were hard-working men who came to seek their fortune in the hills and rivers of the Golden State. Towns such as Angles Camp, Jamestown, Jackass Hill, Volcano, and many others started popping up all over in the areas where gold was being dug out of the dirt. These were the towns where gold seekers went to cash in their gold and stay for a few days before they went back to their claims in the hills.

These gold rush towns were small, but they needed businesses and entertainment to provide the miners with supplies, haircuts, fresh food, hot baths, and maybe a nice soft bed to sleep on. In addition to supplying miners with these amenities, the towns also provided the men with entertainment that would include gambling and beverages, such as beer and whiskey.

Many of these miners spent most, if not all, of their hard-earned

money in the saloons in these small towns. Some of these saloons were nothing more than a tent with a sign in front promising a strong drink of whiskey for a cheap price. It was a dangerous place for these miners, because the alcohol took away their common sense and soon their money would be gone. They would find themselves waking up in the local jail or laying on the ground behind the saloons after being thrown out of the bars.

We seem to have our own issue in San Luis Obispo with the number of bars we have in the city. In the old days, the saloons would often outnumber the churches and restaurants in a town. Some towns didn’t have the level of law enforcement needed to keep the peace. Today, we will often see a new bar that wants to be included with the bars that line Higuera Street or one of the cross streets.

San Luis Obispo was never a gold town, but several of our founding fathers came to our town after trying to find their fortune in gold. Some opened hotels, saloons, restaurants, stores, or bakeries. It seems that if you have a growing population, you also attract people who want to indulge in alcoholic beverages.

The history of San Luis Obispo indicates that saloons were common and patrons were plentiful. Most of my research has to do with the last 100 years of businesses that popped up in the downtown area of SLO. In 1904, there were over 20 saloons in the downtown area. There was the Branch Saloon at 789 Higuera, Novelty Saloon at 875 Monterey, St. James Bar at 877 Monterey (next door to the Novelty), Whisper Saloon at 775 Higuera, The Yosemite at 1015 Chorro, and the McCaffrey Bros at 710 Higuera. There were only about 8 restaurants, 4 banks, 3 bakeries, and 1 mining company called Chorro Gold Mining at 1133 Chorro. In 1912, we had around 20 saloons in town, 10 doctors, and 2 undertakers.

Let’s jump to 1949, when we find that bars are no longer called saloons, but cocktail lounges. Cal Poly was growing and so was the population of the city. There were around 17 cocktail lounges in town. There was the Budweiser Tavern at 1032 Chorro. The cool history of the Budweiser Tavern is that it later became known as Bull’s Tavern, because it was owned by Albert “Bull” Tognazzini, who renamed his tavern after himself. Some other lounges of the time were Berta’s at 869 Monterey, Fountain Inn at South 101 Highway, Jim’s Inn at 1025 Morro, and the Gold Room at 897 Monterey. Of course, other towns started growing and their cocktail lounges started popping up, such as Happy Jack’s in Morro Bay and Lyle’s Mid-Nite Cocktail Lounge at 1215 Spring Street in Paso Robles.

By 1970, San Luis Obispo continued to grow, but the number of cocktail lounges declined. Something interesting was happening. The number of bars reduced but the number of liquor stores increased dramatically. Also, more hotels and motels included bars in their own establishment. There were about 10 liquors stores in town, which made

it cheaper to make drinks at your own home. McCarthy’s Cocktail Lounge was at 1019 Court Street, Dan’s Cocktail Lounge was at 999 Monterey, and Floyd’s Cocktail Lounge was at 1011 Higuera. The Anderson Hotel had its own lounge at 955 Monterey, which made it convenient for its guests to have a drink without leaving the hotel.

By 1980, bars were spread out in hotels, pool halls, private clubs, and other venues. The bars listed in the yellow pages were the Gaslight Lounge at 2143 Broad, Sully’s at 1000 Higuera, and McCarthy’s still at Court Street. You could also go down to Golden West Beer/Pool at 676 Higuera and have a drink and shoot some pool, or you could go to McLintocks Saloon and have a drink and some good food with the family, just as you can today. In 1980, you could go to Delite Bakery or Swenson’s Ice Cream to have some treats. Today both of these businesses have turned into bars. You could also go into a few places and taste wine, such as Wine Street Wines.

Today, we have many bars in town. Is that a good thing? I’m not sure. How many bars should a town have? Ultimately, it is a decision that our city leaders will make. Personally, I would like to have a few more bakeries and ice cream stores in town to attract new families that are moving into the area. Happy holidays, and be careful if you have a drink or two at your holiday parties.

Guy Crabb teaches at Charles E. Teach Elementary School in San Luis Obispo. He graduated from Cal Poly SLO and has been teaching for 30 years. Guy was a Teacher of the Year in 2006 and currently teaches at a National Blue Ribbon School. Reach him at [email protected].


Make a Difference!(805) 781-3226

www.slobigs.org


Education

CS Perryess writes for teens, narrates audio books, and ponders the wonder of words in a foggy little town on California’s central coast. Find more at http://csperryess.blogspot.com, or reach him at [email protected].

CS Perryess writes about words

BAD BoYs

Fiction often depends on the villainy of the villain, and there are so many great terms to refer to those villains. Here are some of my favorites:

Hooligan – Though there is definitely some disagreement among the etymologists on this one, most seem to lean toward the theory that hooligan is one more slur against the oft-maligned Irish. It’s likely that a family by the name of Houlighan (one of the spellings of Hoolihan) was giving the police a tough time in London before the 1890s, about the time the derogatory term we now know first appeared in print.

Hoodlum – Though a theory exists that hoodlum is actually another Irish name, Muldoon, flipped backward (noodlum) and mistakenly read by a San Francisco typesetter, most etymologists lean toward a Bavarian root for this word. One possibility is huddellump, a ragamuffin. Another contender is the term hydelum, meaning disorderly. The Bavarian argument generally wins out, since in 1870s San Francisco, Germans were one of the larger non-English speaking groups in the City by the Bay, and it’s no secret that, whether right or wrong, those who don’t fit in tend to be suspected of evildoing.

thug – The oldest (and possibly most honest) of these three villainous terms, thug showed up in English about 1810, originating in Hindi (thaq, meaning cheat or swindler), which may have come from a Sanskrit word meaning cunning and fraudulent. The moniker was adopted by

a powerful gang in fourteenth century India known for brutally strangling travellers and passersby.

The term rascal comes from the early 1500s, from a word meaning outcast, rabble, or the lowest class. Many etymologists suggest that the original term comes from an older form which was the grandmother of the term rash, meaning mud, filth, scab or dregs. Those early fifteenth century rascals really had it bad. Since the late 1500s, the term has meant dishonest, unprincipled, and/or lazy, which may be negative, but at least it doesn’t involve nasty skin conditions.

A miscreant, on the other hand, is lacking in spiritual understanding (or so suggest those applying the label). Miscreant comes form mes- meaning wrong and -creant meaning believe, defined originally in English as infidel, unbelieving, or heretic. Early on in its life as a French word, it simply meant heathen. Today in English, miscreant has the broader meaning, evil or immoral.

Villain, like rascal, was originally a term used to define someone of the lower class, someone base, low-born or rustic. The word villain is related to villa, or country house (which, interestingly, now carries a high class tone). Though starting out meaning inhabitant of a farm, the term morphed into meaning peasant, churl, boor, clown, knave or scoundrel. It wasn’t until 1822 that villain was associated specifically with the bad boys of literature.

So, my trusty followers, consider the class warfare reflected by

these etymologies. Also, can you suggest some other synonyms for rascals, miscreants and villains?

A stAB At EqUALitY

All badness does not belong to the boys. Though a quick survey of Disney movies suggests that nearly all antagonists are women (generally stepmothers), the language itself clearly leans more toward male malefactors. This final installment of antagonistic labels include two that initially referred to bad gals and one that referred to bad guys who employed women and soiled their reputations. Oddly, usage for all three has leaned over the years toward the boys.

Rapscallion is a term now associated with males, but it appears to have started with the Middle English term ramp, or ill-behaved woman. Many etymologists believe the grandmother word for ramp is romp, a rude, awkward, boisterous, untaught girl. The similarity with rascal is probably responsible for this word’s gender identity shift.

The term hussy has maintained its gender-associations, though somewhere along the way, this perfectly upstanding word moved to the dark side. In the 1500s Hussy was a respectable synonym for housewife or goodwife and had no negative connotation. The term shameless hussy originated in these times, with shameless modifying the perfectly upright term hussy. By the 1600s, though, hussy began to mean a woman or girl who shows casual or improper

behavior. Since then, it’s been downhill for the word hussy.

When the business of women exhibiting casual or improper behavior was “managed” by a man, that man was referred to in Middle Latin as a ruffian, or pimp. Interestingly (and frighteningly) enough, the term ruffian appears to share some etymological roots with words meaning lover, brother, and bully. We can still see a tiny part of this odd history in the phrase Bully for you, in which the term bully maintains its positive meaning.

Life can be pretty weird and language reflects life’s weirdness.What thoughts do you have, good followers, regarding ruffians, hussies and rapscallions?

My thanks to sources: Hugh Rawson’s book Wicked Words, etymonline.com, thesaurus.com, and the OED.


SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY29FARMERS MARKET:11:30-2:30pm Nipomo: Monarch Club3:00-6:00pm Grover Bch Ramona Pk

30FARMERS MARKET:2-4:30pm Los Osos: 2nd & Santa Maria

1FARMERS MARKET:3:00-6:00 pm in Paso Robles City ParkLIBRARY STORYTIME: 10:10 SLODOC BURNSTEIN’S READING LAB 3:30-4:15pm AG

WORLD AIDS DAY

ROSA PARk’S DAY

NATIONAL PIE DAY

2FARMERS MARKETS:8:30-11am AG Spencers Market12:30-4:30pm Santa Maria Town Ctr3:00-6:00pm AT Sunken Gardens3:00-6:00pm Pismo Beach PierLIBRARY STORYTIME: 10:30 AT, 10:30 AG, 11:00 NI

SPECIAL EDUCATION DAY

3FARMERS MARKETS:3:00-6:00pm Old Porte Fisheries AG 2:30-5:00pm Spencers Morro Bay 6:00-9:00pm Downtown SLO LIBRARY STORYTIME: 10:00 MB, 10:10 SLO, 10:15 CAM,10:30 AT, 10:30 AG,10:30 LO, 11:00 CAY, 11:30 SMG

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE DISABLED PERSON

NATIONAL ROOF-OVER-YOUR-HEAD DAY

4BINGO VETS HALL MB - 1st FRI 5:00pmFARMERS MARKETS:9:00am-12:30pm Paso Robles Wal Mart 2:30-5:30pm Cambria Main St Vets HallLIBRARY STORYTIME: 10:30 LO

NATIONAL COOkIE DAY

5FARMERS MARKETS:8:00-10:30am SLO Promenade9:00am-12:30pm Templeton City Park9:00am-1:00pm Paso Downtown Park12:00-2:30pm AG Village Gazebo2:30-6:00pm Morro Bay 800 Main StLIBRARY STORYTIME: 11:00 AG SLO CO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY 1st SAT 12:30am IOOF Hall SLO

WALT DISNEY’S BIRTHDAY (Born in 1901)

6FARMERS MARKET:11:30-2:30pm Nipomo: Monarch Club3:00-6:00pm Grover Bch Ramona Pk

HANUkkAH BEGINS


PEARL HARBOR DAY(Attacked by Japan in 1941)


NATIONAL BROWNIE DAY


HOLIDAY CARD DAY


HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

NOBEL PRIzE AWARDS

EMILY DICkINSON’S BIRTHDAY(Born in 1896)

11FARMERS MARKETS:9:00am-12:30pm Paso Robles Wal Mart 2:30-5:30pm Cambria Main St Vets HallLIBRARY STORYTIME: 10:30 LO

UNICEF ANNIVERSARY (Established in 1946)

12FARMERS MARKETS:8:00-10:30am SLO Promenade9:00am-12:30pm Templeton City Park9:00am-1:00pm Paso Downtown Park12:00-2:30pm AG Village Gazebo2:30-6:00pm Morro Bay 800 Main StLIBRARY STORYTIME: 11:00 AG

POINSETTIA DAY


INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S DAY

NATIONAL COCOA DAY


SOUTH POLE DISCOVERED

(In 1911)

15FARERS MARKET:3:00-6:00 pm in Paso Robles City ParkLIBRARY STORYTIME: 10:10 SLODOC BURNSTEIN’S READING LAB 3:30-4:15pm AG

EDISON PATENTS THE PHONOGRAPH (In 1877)

BILL OF RIGHTS DAY(Adopted in 1791)


BEETHOVEN’S BIRTHDAY (Born 1770)


WRIGHT BROS. DAY(1st flight @ Kitty Hawk 1903)

NATIONAL MAPLE SYRUP DAY


NATIONAL UGLY CHRISTMAS

SWEATER DAY


OATMEAL MUFFIN DAY


GO CAROLING DAY


HUMBUG DAY


SOLSTICEFIRST DAY OF WINTER


ROOTS DAY


NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY

NATIONAL EGG NOG DAY

CHRISTMAS EVE


CHRISTMAS


BOxING DAY

kWANzA BEGINS


VISIT THE zOO DAY


CARD PLAYING DAY

CHEWING GUM PATENTED (In 1869)


BOWLING BALL INVENTED

(In 1862)

30FARMERS MARKETS:8:30-11am AG Spencers Market12:30-4:30pm Santa Maria Town Ctr3:00-6:00pm AT Sunken Gardens3:00-6:00pm Pismo Beach Pier\LIBRARY STORYTIME: 10:30 AT, 10:30 AG, 11:00 NI


NEW YEAR’S EVE

1FARMERS MARKETS:9:00am-12:30pm Paso Robles Wal Mart2:30-5:30pm Cambria Main St Vets HallLIBRARY STORYTIME: 10:30 LO


NEW MooN

FULL MooN

December 2015 Free Ongoing Events

December is:Universal Human Rights Month

Hi Neighbor MonthNational Stress Free Family

Holiday MonthRead A New Book MonthSafe Toy and Gift MonthWrite to a Friend Month

Birthstone: Blue Topaz / Turquoise

Flower: Poinsettia


Family EventsTHU NOV 19-THU DEC 31 (days & times vary): HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA at The Great American Melodrama, 1863 Front St, Oceano. Scrooge finds his Christmas spirit in this magical holiday musical. The Vaudeville Revue follows each show with song, dance, and comedy. Cost: $19-25, discounts for groups, seniors, students, military, and children. The in-house snack bar serves great food and drinks. Contact: americanmelodrama.com or 489-2499.

THU NOV 26 at 8:30 am: TURKEY TROT FUNDRAISER at Avila Beach Community Park on San Juan St. Start Thanksgiving day (rain or shine) having fun jogging or walking as a community to raise funds for the food bank. Cost: $10 donation. Contact: southcountyturkeytrot.com.

THU NOV 26 at 8:30 am: TURKEY TROT FUNDRAISER at Pismo Beach Pier. Start Thanksgiving day (rain or shine) having fun jogging or walking as a community to raise funds for the food bank. Cost: $1. Contact: southcountyturkeytrot.com.

THU NOV 26 at 9:00 am: THANKSGIVING DAY SERVICE at St. Mark’s-In-The-Valley Episcopal Church, 2901 Nojoqui Ave, Los Olivos. Enjoy an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service with your whole family. Cost: free. Contact: 688-4454 or http://smitv.org.

THU NOV 26 12:00-2:00 pm: THANKSGIVING FOR PASO ROBLES at Centennial Park, 600 Nickerson Dr, Paso Robles. A free Thanksgiving dinner is available for all who wish to attend. This will be the 31st year of serving the North County Community. Cost: free. Contact: 423 358-0249.

FRI NOV 27 5:30-7:30 pm: PASO ROBLES DOWNTOWN LIGHTING CEREMONY at City Park, 11th & Spring Sts, Paso Robles. Community candlelight caroling with hot chocolate and cookies. Mrs. Claus and the Elves will lead a sing-a-long to get ready for Santa’s arrival. Careful, the Grinch may try to steal our Christmas! Cost: free. Contact: 238-4103 or pasoroblesdowntown.org.

FRI NOV 27 & SAT NOV 28 10:00 am-4:00 pm: HOLIDAY CRAFT BAZAAR at City Park, 11th & Spring Sts, Paso Robles. Handmade arts, crafts, and handmade items for sale. Visit a variety of booths and search for that hard-to-find gift. Cost: free. Contact: 238-4103 or pasoroblesdowntown.org.

FRI NOV 27 & SAT NOV 28 10:00 am-4:00 pm: HOLIDAY DECORATORS WANTED at San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum, 1940 Santa Barbara Ave, San Luis Obispo. Help decorate the SLO Railroad Museum for the holidays. Cost: free. Contact: 548-1894 or http://slorrm.com.

FRI NOV 27 & SAT NOV 28 (times vary): CENTRAL COAST CRAFT FAIR AND BOUTIQUE at Veterans Memorial Building, 801 Grand St, San Luis Obispo. Enjoy over 130 vendors from all over the US. Free cookies and cider bring out the holiday spirit as you shop for the perfect gift. Door Prizes every hour. Cost: free. Contact: 466-0191.

FRI NOV 27-THU DEC 24 (times vary): SANTA’S HOUSE at Mission Plaza, Chorro and Monterey St, San Luis Obispo. Cost: $5 for photo with own camera; $7.50 for a souvenir framed photo; $11 to take own photo and souvenir framed photo. Contact: 541-0286 or downtownslo.com.

FRI NOV 27 & SUN NOV 29 8:00 am-4:00 pm: HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR at Mission San Miguel, 775 Mission St, San Miguel. Enjoy lots of handmade items and baked goods for holiday parties. Cost: free. Contact: 467-2131.

FRI NOV 27-THU DEC 31 (times vary): ARTFUL HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW at Gallery at the Network, 778 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo. A variety of handcrafted works from Central Coast artists available for purchase. Cost: free. Contact: 788-0886.

FRI NOV 27-THU DEC 31 (times vary): SLOMA CRAFT ART MARKET at San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St, SLO. Shop for gifts of handmade art and crafts. The Nybak Wing transforms into a high-end art gallery boutique of treasures created by local artisans. Contact: 543-8562 or sloma.org.

FRI NOV 27-THU DEC 31 (times vary): HAVE A HART at Pewter Plough Playhouse, 824 Main St, Cambria. Enjoy this delightful holiday musical. Cost: $17-22. Contact: 927-3877 or pewterploughplayhouse.org.

SAT NOV 28 11:30 am-12:30 pm: SANTA’S DOGGIE PARADE at Front Street Promenade, 380 Front St, Avila Beach. Enjoy this annual event with over 100 dogs. Fun for all ages! Pre-registration required. Cost: free. Contact: 627-1997 or avilawinterholiday.com.

SUN NOV 29 9:00 am-5:00 pm: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS STREET FAIRE at Morro Bay Blvd & Main St, Morro Bay. This family event features holiday festivities, music, dancing, kids’ activities, shopping, food & gifts. A good time for everyone!. Cost: free. Contact: morrobay.org.

SUN NOV 29 at 11:00 am-Dusk: CLIMATE FEST at Back Bay Inn, 1391 2nd St, Baywood Park/Los Osos. Enjoy great live music, and be part of photo and video messages sent to world leaders re: climate change. Cost: free. Contact: baywoodclimatefest.org.

SUN NOV 29 at 5:00 pm: ARROYO GRANDE CHRISTMAS PARADE at Short & Branch Sts, Arroyo Grande. Bring the whole family for this fun annual event. Cost: free. Contact: agchristmasparade.com.

MON NOV 30 at 7:30 pm: 42ND STREET at Cohan Center, PAC, 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo. Musical comedy about a chorus girl who becomes a star. Contact: 756-6556 or calpolyarts.org. Cost: $60-90. Contact: 756-6556.

MON NOV 30-SAT DEC 19 9:00 am-5:00 pm: SEE’S CANDY FUNDRAISER at Los Osos Post Office, 1189 Los Osos Valley Rd. The Kiwanis Club of Bay-Osos is selling See’s Candy for the holidays. All profits support children, local schools, scholarships, the Special Olympics, and Tolosa Children’s Dental Center, to name a few. Don’t forget friends & colleagues! Cost: varies. Contact: 801-8793.

TUE DEC 1 4:00-5:30 pm: SANTA YNEZ CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING at 3568 Sagunto St, Santa Ynez. Bring the whole family for visits from Santa, live music, and snacks. Cost: free. Contact: santaynezchamber.org.

TUE DEC 1 6:00-9:00 pm: CAMBRIA FESTIVAL OF TREES at Vet’s Hall, 1000 Main St, Cambria. This annual decorated tree auction features gourmet food and fine wines. Cost: $25. Contact: 927-3624

or cambiachamber.org.

TUE DEC 1 at 6:30 pm: LIGHT UP A LIFE at First United Methodist Church, 311 S Broadway, Santa Maria. Join Dignity Health Hospice for a candlelight celebration of loved ones including music, reflections, and lighting of a memorial tree. Cost: free. Contact: 739-3595.

TUE DEC 1 at 7:30 pm: TEN TENORS - HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS at Cohan Center, PAC, 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo. Australia’s The Ten Tenors present a magical holiday performance. Cost: $40-90. Contact: 756-6556 or calpolyarts.org.

WED DEC 2 at 5:00 pm: LIGHT UP A LIFE! at Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main St, Morro Bay. Join us for a “heartfelt” ceremony with Hospice of San Luis Obispo honoring our lost loved ones. After the ceremony, there will be refreshments served. Cost: free. Contact: coalescebookstore.com.

WED DEC 2-MON DEC 7 (times vary): TALL SHIPS IN THE HARBOR in Morro Bay Harbor. Every year the excitement builds to the time of year when the Lady Washington visits the harbor in Morro Bay. This year, their visit comes in the midst of the holiday season. There are public tours and programs for all ages! Cost: $3-75. Contact: morro-bay.net/events.htm or 800 200-5239.

Morro Bay High School & Los Osos Middle School

Bands & Choirs

present a variety of seasonal music at their annual

wiNTeR CONCeRTSChristopher Cohan Center

Performing Arts CenterCal Poly San Luis Obispo

Choirs: TUe, December 15 at 7:00 pm

Bands: weD, December 16

at 7:00 pm


Family Events

THU DEC 3 5:00-8:30 pm: HOSPITALITY NIGHT at Main St & Burton Dr, Cambria. Share the warmth and camaraderie of the holiday season at the annual village open house. Enjoy a tree lighting ceremony, carolers, decorations, food, and family fun. Cost: free. Contact: 927-3624.

THU DEC 3-SUN DEC 6 (times vary): REFRIED ELVIS at Cuesta College CPAC, CA-1, San Luis Obispo. A white hot twist in the night. A jamboree. A revival with an irreverent shake of the hips. This new slicked-backed thrill ride reimagines the origins of Rock and Roll and thrusts the audience center stage. Cost: $5-15. Contact: 546-3100 or cpactickets.cuesta.edu.

FRI DEC 4 5:15-6:30 pm: TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY at Hobbs Civic Center, Santa Maria. Enjoy holiday displays from around the world, youth activities, refreshments, entertainment, and the lighting of Santa Maria’s 24-foot Christmas tree. Cost: free. Contact: 925-0951 or cityofsantamaria.org.

FRI DEC 4 at 5:30 pm: HOLIDAY HARMONY & TREE LIGHTING at Pismo Beach Pier, 100 Pomeroy Ave, Pismo Beach. The evening will include fresh snow, bounce houses, crafts, music, and cookie decorating. In addition, kids will have the chance to visit and take a picture with Santa. 6:00 pm: tree

lighting. Cost: free. Contact: 773-7063.

FRI DEC 4 6:00-7:00 pm: ANNUAL HOLIDAY LIGHTING CEREMONY at Sunken Gardens, 6505 El Camino Real, Atascadero. This family event features live music, hot chocolate, and visits with Santa. Cost: free. Contact: atascaderochamber.org.

FRI DEC 4 7:00-9:00 pm: 40TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE in Downtown SLO, San Luis Obispo. This year’s theme is “There’s no place like SLO.” The parade starts at the corner of Palm & Chorro Sts. Cost: free. Contact: 541-0286 or downtownslo.com.

FRI DEC 4-FRI JAN 8 (times & locations vary): JULEFEST at Mission Santa Ines, 1760 Mission Dr, Solvang. DEC 4: Community Tree Lighting Ceremony; DEC 4-6: Shop, Mingle, and Jingle; DEC 5: Parade; DEC 12-13: Wine and Beer Walk; DEC 12: Nativity Pageant; DEC 15: Christmas Lights and Sights, JAN 2: Christmas Tree burn. Cost: free. Contact: 709-2221 or julefestsolvang.com.

SAT DEC 5 8:00-11:00 am: REINDEER RUN at Mitchell Park, 1445 Santa Rosa St, San Luis Obispo. Benefit Food Bank Coalition while staying fit with the family! Enjoy a fun morning 5k with the family. Cost: $25-30 includes T-shirt and Breakfast with Santa! Contact: slocity.org.

SAT DEC 5 at 2:00 pm: FAMILY MOVIE at Los Osos Library, 2075 Palisades. Take a journey to the North Pole. G rated. Call for movie title. Popcorn provided. Cost: free. Contact: 528-1862.

SAT DEC 5 at 4:30 pm: LIGHTED BOAT PARADE at South T-Pier & Embarcadero, Morro Bay. Bring the family to watch a procession of some of the most beautifully-decorated Christmas skiffs, yachts, fishing boats, cutters, sailboats, and kayaks. 4:30 pm: Pre-Parade Festivities (White Caps Band, Strolling Carolers, and free photos with Santa & Mrs Claus). 6:30 pm: Boat Parade. Cost: free. Contact: morrobay.org.

SAT DEC 5 at 7:00 pm: CHRISTMAS LIGHT PARADE in Downtown Paso Robles. 11th and Spring St, Paso Robles. The theme is A Christmas Wish List. Entry forms available at the Paso Robles Main Street office, 238-4103. No fee, prizes for winners. Contact: 238-4103 or pasoroblesdowntown.org.

SAT DEC 5 at 8:00 pm: CAL POLY CHOIRS’ A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION at Harman Hall, PAC, 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo. Featuring Polyphonics, University Singers, Early Music Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Susan Azaret Davies, Paul Woodring, and a cappella groups That’s the Key, and Take It SLO. Cost: $9-14. Contact: 754-4849 or music.calpoly.edu.

SAT DEC 5-SUN DEC 6 9:00 am-5:00 pm: CHRISTMAS CRAFTS FAIR at Mission Plaza, 989 Chorro St, San Luis Obispo. Enjoy arts and crafts and fun for the whole family, including Santa’s house and a carousel. Cost: free. Food will be for sale with tamales benefitting the mission. Contact: 559-288-6614.

SAT DEC 5-SUN DEC 20 (times vary): A CHRISTMAS STORY at SLO Little Theatre, 888 Morro St, San Luis Obispo. Based on the motion picture of the same name, A Christmas Story follows Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas. Cost: $15-33. Contact: 786-2440.

SUN DEC 6 at 5:00 pm: HANNUKAH DOWNTOWN in Mission Plaza, 989 Chorro St, San Luis Obispo. Bring the family for candle lighting, followed by a party including a Schmooze Zone and Kid’s Zone, songs, games and treats. Candlelighting continues 8 nights until DEC 13. All events begin at 5:00 pm, except SAT at 6:00 pm. Cost: free. Contact: jccslo.com.

SAT DEC 12 10:00 am-7:00 pm: NEEDS ‘N WISHES Fundraiser at So Bay Community Center, 2180 Palisades Dr, Los Osos. A day of Holiday fun for everyone! Cost: free. Contact: 528-5800.

SAT DEC 12 6:00-9:00 pm: VICTORIAN

CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE at Vine Street between 8th & 21st Sts, Paso Robles. This 29th annual event features decorated homes, music, hot drinks, cookies, snow, Scrooge, Santa, elves and more. Cost: free. Contact: 238-4103.

TUE DEC 15 at 7:00 pm: WINTER CONCERT at Cohan Center, PAC, 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo. MBHS and LOMS Choirs perform seasonal favorites with special alumni guests and SLO Youth Symphony. Cost: $12. Contact: 756-4849 or pacslo.org.

WED DEC 16 at 3:00 pm: MAKE’N’TAKE at Los Osos Library, 2075 Palisades. There will be a holiday themed craft for school age children. Cost: free. Contact: 528-1862.

WED DEC 16 at 7:00 pm: WINTER CONCERT at Cohan Center, PAC, 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo. MBHS and LOMS Bands perform seasonal favorites. Cost: $11. Contact: 756-4849 or pacslo.org.

SAT DEC 19 at 2:00 pm: FAMILY MOVIE at Los Osos Library, 2075 Palisades. Watch how “midnight changes everything” in this PG film. Call for movie title. Popcorn provided. Cost: free. Contact: 528-1862.

SAT DEC 19 at 7:30 pm: HANDEL’S MESSIAH at Cohen Ctr, PAC, 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo. Enjoy this sing-along, and holiday carols, and other musical treats with SLO Master Chorale and orchestra. Bring your Messiah score. Cost: $5. Contact: 756-4849 or pacslo.org.

SAT DEC 19-SAT JAN 2 (times vary): HOLIDAYS AT MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY at 20 State Park Road, Morro Bay. Family-oriented activities every day. Most are in the Museum auditorium, some are just outside. The majority are at 2:00 pm. Suitable for ages 3 and up. Cost: adults $3, children under 17 are free. Contact: 772-2694.

THU DEC 31 10:00 am-3:00 pm: NOON YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION at SLO Children’s Museum, 1010 Nipomo St, San Luis Obispo. Ring in the New Year well before bedtime at our 8th annual Noon Year’s Eve Celebration. Make crowns and enjoy noisemakers and an apple juice toast with cookies. You won’t want to miss the big countdown and balloon drop at NOON SHARP! Cost: free with admission. Reservation recommended. Contact: 545-5875.

THU DEC 31 5:00 pm-Midnight: NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION at Madonna Inn, 100 Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo. Enjoy dancing, live music, a prix fixe menu, champagne, party favors, and a midnight balloon drop. Cost: $75-125. Children 2 and under free. Contact: 543-3000 or madonnainn.com.


Local Resources

Every WED 3:00-4:00 pm: PAWS TO READ at Los Osos Library, 2075 Palisades Ave. Read to Berkeley, a golden retriever, who loves to listen to children read. Cost: free. Contact: 528-1862.

Every THU 6:30-9:30 pm: SLO CHESS CLUB meets at Carl’s Jr on Santa Rosa St, one block W of Foothill, across from Cal-Poly. All ages welcome. Cost: free. Contact: 441-7210 or slochess.com.

Every SAT 10:00 am-2:00 pm: SLO CHESS CLUB meets at the big board on the Morro Bay Embarcadero at the west end of Morro Bay Blvd (down the stairs). Cost: free. Contact: 441-7210 or slochess.com.

The Mankind Project men’s support group meetings: all issues welcome. Find purpose, mastery, healthy autonomy, and your life’s mission and purpose. Gain skills to change your life or to become a better husband or dad. Call ahead to confirm. 1st & 3rd TUE 6:00-9:00 pm in San Luis Obispo. Contact: 459-7808. 1st & 3rd THU 6:30-9:30 pm in Cayucos. Contact: 471-9342. 2nd & 4th THU 6:30-9:00 pm in Atascadero. Contact: 235-2774. Cost: free. Info: www.mkp.org.

3rd SAT every month 3:00-6:00 pm: Interactive Indonesian Music at Grandma’s Frozen Yogurt, 307 Morro Bay Blvd, MB. Instruments available for all. Play along with “Ëru” and Anna! Endang “Ëru” Rukandi is a master of the regional music of West Java. Cost: free. Contact: 704-9866.

1st & 3rd THU every month 7:00-8:30 pm: Drop-in Dream Group at St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church, 2220 Snowy Egret Ln, Los Osos. This is a

“drop-in” support group to share dreams and the relationship between dreams and spiritual path, using Jungian interpretive assumptions and language and Robert Johnson’s book Inner Work. Cost: free. Contact: [email protected].

3rd WED of every month at 6:30 pm: Prepared & Natural Chidlbirth Classes at Twin Cities Community Hospital, 1220 Las Tablas Rd, Templeton. This is a six-series class addressing all matters of childbirth in the form of a lecture as well as hands-on demos and practice techniques. Cost: free. Contact: 434-4654.

2nd THU of every month at 6:30 pm: Breastfeeding Basics at Twin Cities Community Hospital, 1100 Las Tablas Rd, Templeton. In this introduction to breastfeeding class you and your family will learn about the practical aspects of feeding your newborn from an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Cost: free. Contact: 239-4443.

San Luis Obispo Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) and Community Advisory Committee (CAC) offer parent orientation to special education programs in SLO County. Contact: 782-7301 or www.sloselpa.org/pro_dev.htm.

Twin Cities Community Hospital Volunteers, a non-profit org providing support to patients, doctors, and nurses of the hospital, seek volunteers to work in the gift shop and Obstetrics Dept. AM and PM 4 hour shifts are available. Contact: 434-4524.

Last FRI every month at 6:00 pm: Family Fun at Unity Church, 1165 Stubblefield St, Orcutt. Contact: 937-3025.

Every THU-FRI 12:00-5:00 pm & SAT 11:00 am-5:00 pm: Exploration Station Interactive Science Center welcomes families at 867 Ramona Ave, Grover Beach. Cost: $2-3. Contact: 473-1421 or http://explorationstation.org.

2nd THU of every month 6:00-7:00 pm: Grief Support Group at Central Coast Hospice, 253 Granada Dr, Ste D, San Luis Obispo. This free group is for anyone suffering the loss of a loved one who is in need of support. Contact: 540-6020.

2nd SAT of every month FEB-NOVat 9:00 am: the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Dept offers free docent-led nature walks in Los Flores Ranch, 6271 Dominion Rd, Santa Maria. Cost: free. Contact: 925-0951 x 263.

2nd MON every month 6:30-8:00 pm: Caregiver Support Group at Cayucos Community Church, Ocean Ave & S 3rd St. free support for caregivers and family dealing with long-term illness, memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. Contact: 458-7484.

Every MON 10:00 am-2:00 pm: Remain Independent Despite Vision Loss at Santa Maria Terrace, 1405 E Main St. New ways of doing daily tasks are taught by the Braille Institute, such as home management, traveling, and

using talking library books. Contact: 462-1225.

2nd & 4th MON every month at 6:30 pm: MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meet at Pacific Christian Church, 3435 Santa Maria Way, Santa Maria. Childcare is provided. Contact: 934-3491 or www.pacificchristian.net.

Every TUE 3:00-6:00 pm & FRI 3:00-5:30 pm: Teen Wellness Program at Arroyo Grande EOC Health Services Clinic, 1152 E Grand Ave. Health services, including reproductive health, in a safe environment with staff trained to screen, assess, and to provide intervention. Appointments are preferred. Contact: 489-4026.

1st WED every month at 9:00 am: Community Action Partnership Senior Health Screening at First United Methodist Church, 275 N Halcyon Rd, Arroyo Grande. free and low-cost services are offered for people 50 and older: blood pressure, pulse, weight, total cholesterol, screening for anemia, diabetes, and fecal blood,

Women’s Shelterof San Luis Obispo County

crisis line: 781-6400business phone: 781-6401email: [email protected]

www. womensshelterslo.org

Recurring Events& Resources


nutritional counseling, and medical referrals. Contact: 481-2692 or 788-0827.

1st WED every month at 12:00 pm: Disabled American Veterans luncheon at Veterans Memorial Bldg, 313 W. Tunnell St, Santa Maria. Contact: 345-0402.

Every WED 5:30-7:00 pm: Widowed Support Group at New Life Church, 990 James Way, Rm 14, Pismo Beach. Arrive 10 min early for 1st meeting. Offered by Hospice of SLO Co. Contact: 544-2266 or hospiceslo.org.

Every TUE at 7:00 pm: Al-Anon Family Support Group at Luis OASIS Senior Center, 420 Soares Ave, Orcutt. Contact: 937-9750.

3rd WED every month at 7:00 pm: How to Survive Divorce seminar at the San Luis Obispo Women’s Community Center, 1124 Nipomo St, #D in SLO. Practical tips, pointers, and suggestions for handling family law issues. $10.00 donation requested for handout materials and book. Contact: 544-9313 to register.

4th TUE every month at 5:30 pm: Legal Clinic for Self-Represented Litigants at the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse Law Library, 1050 Monterey St in SLO, #125. SLO County Bar Assn Family Law Section & Women’s Community Center provide one-on-one legal advice for persons filing divorces w/o an attorney, and a document preparer to assist in completing court-required forms. Min. $40.00 donation. Limit: 12 participants. Contact: 544-9313.

RISE (formerly Sexual Assault Recovery and Prevention Center of San Luis Obispo Co) offers: Weekly Drop-In Support Groups for Sexual Assault Survivors; 24 Hour Crisis Line; Advocacy and Accompaniment; Peer Counseling; Individual Counseling; Prevention and Education, and Women’s Empowerment and Self Defense Workshops. Contact: 545-8888 or www.sarpcenter.org.

Every SAT 11:00 am-3:00 pm: ADOPT A PET at Petco, 2051 Theater Dr, in Paso Robles. Cats are available for adoption through NCHS. Dogs are available through Short n’ Sweet Dog Rescue. Contact: 466-5403.

Every MON 2:00-4:00 pm & WED 3:00-5:00 pm: Jacks’ Adaptive Toy Lending Library-Jack’s Helping Hand at Central Coast Gymnastics, 21 Zaca Lane, #100, San Luis Obispo. Traditional and adaptive toys for children with all

types of disabilities to check out. In-home appointments available. Cost: free! Contact: 547-1914 or www.jackshelpinghand.org.

Every TUE 2:00-5:00 pm & FRI 4:00-7:00 pm: Jacks’ Adaptive Toy Lending Library - Jack’s Helping Hand at Pat’s Place in Nipomo Recreation Community Rm, 671 W Tefft St, Ste 2, Nipomo. Toys for children with all types of disabilities to check out. In-home appointments also available. Cost-free! Contact: 547-1914 or www.jackshelpinghand.org.

Every FRI at 7:00 pm: Senior Ballroom Dancing at Madonna Inn. If you are a senior (single or attached) and like ballroom dancing, this is the place! Look left of the bandstand for sign: Senior Dancers. Dance, chat and listen to good music. No fees; no dues; just fun! Contact: 489-5481 or [email protected].

Literacy Council for San Luis Obispo County has an ongoing and urgent need for volunteer tutors and offers free training in SLO. Contact: 541-4219 or www.sloliteracy.org.

1st THU every month at 6:15 pm: Commission on the Status of Women meets at Coast National Bank, 500 Marsh St, SLO. This official advisory group to SLO County Board of Supervisors identifies issues of concern to women that are not the focus of other advocacy or advisory

organizations. Contact: 788-3406.

Every WED 11:00 am-12:00 pm: Growing With Baby, an infant feeding office for breastfeeding moms and babies (0-10 mos), offers a free class on feeding, crying, and sleep at 1230 Marsh St, SLO. Nurse and lactation consultant Andrea Herron answers questions. Dads welcome! Call to reserve. Contact: 543-6988.

Morro Bay Museum of Natural History offers Adventures With Nature & Mind Walks. Find the schedule at: www.ccnha.org/naturewalks.html.

Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens offers many free services: Senior Connection - connecting callers with local resources; HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) one on one Medicare assistance, advise and referrals for long term care, and help with billing / appeals; Vial of Life magnetized containers with medical information; a Senior Resource Directory for SLO and SB counties, and much more. Contact: 925-9554 or www.centralcoastseniors.org.

Hospice of San Luis Obispo County provides free grief counseling, group support, counseling, crisis intervention, and wellness education to those with a life-limiting illness, their families, and the bereaved. This non-profit agency offers free counseling, community education and volunteer

support to those grieving a death or dealing with potential end-of-life issues. Offices in San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles. Contact: 544-2266.

Volunteer as a Good Neighbor! Make a difference in the life of an older or disabled adult. Trained volunteers choose services to contribute and schedule hours at their convenience. Training is monthly at Wilshire Community Services, 285 South St, Ste J, SLO. Contact: 547-7025 x 17.

Volunteer at San Luis Obispo Museum of Art! Stop by at 1010 Broad St (Mission Plaza) or email [email protected].

San Luis Obispo Senior Center offers health screening, legal services, meals, exercise, bridge, and bingo at 1445 Santa Rosa St. Contact: 781-7306.

Central Coast Astronomical Society sponsors a Dark Sky Star Party every month at Santa Margarita Lake KOA Campground at sunset. CCAS sponsors guest speakers and public programs. Find events, weather updates, and resources at: www.centralcoastastronomy.org.

San Luis Coastal Adult School’s Parent Participation Program offers Core Parenting and Enrichment classes in San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, and Los Osos. Bring your child to a parent and child activity class, or find peer support and education just for parents. Cost:


NOW OPEN FOR LuNch!

EL MORRO CHURCHOF THE NA Z ARENE

Thursday, December 24 5:00 pm & 7:00 pm Christmas Eve

Candlelight ServiceNursery care during the 5:00 pm service

SundayRegular Worship

8:00 am - Acoustic Contemporary9:30 am - Traditional Piano, Hymns & Choir

11:00 am - Full Band Rock Contemporary

A Place for New Beginnings1480 Santa Ysabel Ave, Los Osos(805) 528-0391 www.elmorro.org

FamilyCentral Coast ™

What do you offerCentral Coast families?

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Central Coast Family ™ is published monthly online and in print with a readership over 40,000! FREE copies are available throughout San Luis Obispo and North Santa Barbara Counties at all libraries and community centers, at chambers of commerce, schools, supermarkets, banks, restaurants, hotels, YMCAs, medical and dental clinics, real estate offices, museums, and other family-friendly businesses.

Distribution (population 400,000+) : Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Avila Beach, Cambria, Cayucos, Grover Beach, Guadalupe, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Nipomo, Orcutt, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Santa Margarita, Santa Maria, Shell Beach, and Templeton.

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