By: Sarah Simon If we can remember last weekend there were a ton of festivities happening in San Luis Obispo. Between Barrels in Plaza, Art after Dark and the 2015 Central Coast Sustainability Festival it was definitely a tough call choosing how to spend the weekend. Sometimes the best thing to do though is something completely not mainstream; which is exactly what I decided to do. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to spend the weekend being active in the community but that I knew I needed to surrender to self-effacement and spend my time focused on something that doesn’t happen quite often enough. Healing. Now, before I begin I want to acknowledge the fact that I totally get what you’re thinking. ‘Why the heck is she venting about healing?’ And friends, I’m talking with you about this today for a lot of reasons. The most important being that living in San Luis Obispo has healed me and I think that’s worth sharing. When I moved to the Central Coast last August I had just started an acupuncture-healing regime related to a five-year-old college injury. I had been in an accident that left my eye struggling for sight and my mental state completely distraught. In the process of healing I focused primarily on my vision and completely neglected the rest of body that caused a lot of built up tension in my neck, shoulder and jaw area. Around this time last year I decided to do a home acupuncture session due to some minor facial swelling which began an uprising of built up tension, emotion and misalignment I had neglected to care for over the last five years. As I started to release I noticed more and more systemic progression. And for me, being the adventurous person that I am, I started experimenting with different forms of therapy to promote restoration. I had read a little bit about cupping therapy but never thought too much about it. Yet as I went in for my biweekly acupuncture appointment my acupuncturist, Michelle Hamilton (who you should absolutely see at SLO Wellness for all your holistic healing needs) suggested we try it to release deeper uncovered tension in my back and shoulder area. I trusted her judgment as Michelle is truly an expert at her craft and probably asked 100+ questions about the therapy before we began. Now, for those of you who don’t know Michelle she really listens and educates during her sessions (not to mention she always dresses super cute!) so I felt really comfortable moving forward with the therapy. What it is is an ancient Chinese method of relieving pain and extracting toxins from the body. A vacuum is essentially created by placing heated cups on the skin that creates a suction and increases blood flow and energy to the treated area. It literally feels like the pain is being lifted out of the body through a tingling massage like sensation! What’s super neat about it too is that the treatment only lasts about three minutes and has serious long-term effects. I will warn you though, it will create some serious bruising, so don’t freak out when I show you the end result. Are you ready? Wait for it… Wait for it...! Ah!
Are you shocked? Don’t worry! The bruises went away after about a week and my back has never felt better! But that’s not even the best part! The best part about the treatment is that I cannot even begin to tell you how many people have inquired about my experience. What does it feel like? How is it done? Where did you go? Were you scared? Can I see more? I couldn’t believe it! All these inquires right here in our little community! The following day I had a little pain and soreness but nothing like what you might assume from the picture. My purpose here though is not to tell that you that you should or shouldn’t do this treatment because frankly it’s not for everyone. What I’m here to tell you is that this therapy is available right in your own backyard. The Central Coast is filled with alternative therapies for those who live an active lifestyle or are interested in experimenting with more holistic remedies. We’re very lucky to have so many unique forms of healing in our little bubble and the fact that so many people expressed interest in my story is why I’m sharing it with you today. If I can share the magic, and the power, and the opportunity that the Central Coast has to offer than my mission is complete. I’m here for you and I know you’re here for me and that’s why the Central Coast is the ultimate place to be. Our friends at the San Luis Obispo chapter of United Way have made volunteering easier, more rewarding, and even funner! Yesterday they introduced us to VolunteerSLO.org.
This social network allows people seeking volunteer opportunities in the county, to be connected with the perfect organization to volunteer for. Not only are there companies seeking individuals, but groups of people will also find a way to contribute. This comes in handy for clubs or organizations such as fraternities or sororities, or even the local high-school club with a mind toward community service. We had a couple staff go through the process of signing up, and we all had the same reaction, "that was so easy". In order to begin surfing through San Luis Obispo volunteer jobs, we simply completed 5 steps. After that, we had our own "wall" created for us (slighlty reminiscent of FaceBook circa 2005). The "wall" displays our updates, and hours worked (which can auto-populate, depending on the listing you respond to. After poking around for a bit, we noticed perhaps the feature with the widest appeal/need in our community. You are able to add more details on your profile, which will enable you to help out in a major crisis. The details they ask for, will be added to a database, which is accessed in an emergency. This is in order to quickly bring together residents with particualr skills that may be in need. There is more than just "are you a doctor or a mechanic?" type of question about your skills. Everyone from cooks, to executives, teachers and landscapers can find a way to be included in this vital list of designated volunteers. If you want to know more, you can read the United Way's press release, or simply head on over to VolunteerSLO.org to get started helping out in our community right away! Volunteering is aNOTHER perfect way to embrace San Luis Obispo County's motto - "NOT FOR OURSELVES ALONE" El Chorro Regional Park is located about 3.5 miles north of San Luis Obispo, directly across from Cuesta College. Dairy Creek Golf Course, shares this expansive property which used be grazing land for cows (that's why it's called "Dairy Creek"). Many dairy farms were located in the area, prior to the govenment purchasing the land in the 1940s. Camp San Luis Obispo was created to train soldiers, and used this property to do so, until the Nixon administration in 1972. President Nixon gave the land, that is now El Chorro Park, to San Luis Obispo County. Under county control, the land is used for golfing, camping, events, a botanical garden, sports, and most important to this article....hiking. This hike has a steady incline to it, so you get to the panoramic view quickly. However, the terrain is not so steep that beginers or parents with their kids will have trouble. The quick and easy trek to start seeing the majesty of the surrounding area, makes this a great hike for Cuesta students between classes. In order to find the trailhead, continue to the very last parking lot in El Chorro Park. From there, the pedestrian gate is about .25 miles along the road. The Sierra Club has provided an opportunity to hike a self-guided nature trail at this location. The signs are clearly visible, and you should have no problem following them. Approximately .5 miles up the trail, you will make a right turn toward Eagle Rock. After finishing the final mile, you will arrive to the final viewing area. From the top you are able to see all 9 Morros, From Morro Rock, to Islay Hill, you will see the "sisters" lie never before. This hike, is "pound-for-pound" on of the greatest hikes the area has to offer (if you disagree, comment with your favorite). With limited effort, you can see nature's splendor laid out before you. Don't forget to tag your pictures from the top #ExploreSloCounty when you post them to Instagram! Have fun, stay safe, and happy hiking!!!
Teams may consist of 10 players maximum (matches are 6-on-6). Put together your co-workers, best friends, or your family. This is a great team-building opportunity, not to mention a great way to get outdoors. Each team should designate a captain to register their team (here), but each player will be required to sign in at game-time. All players need to be at least 18 years old to play.
The costs involved to register, goes to support the San Luis Obispo Chapter of the YMCA. Registration is $325 per team (once again, up to 10 people). Teams are required to be in matching Jerseys/T-shirts for the games. T-shirts are available locally from J. Carroll Screen Printing. You may want to purchase a mouth-guard as well, but it is not a requirement (this is a friendly game, but accidents happen). You can find the complete rules here. If your company is unable to participate, but would still love to support SLO YMCA through sponsorship, we have those opportunities. Sponsorship has many benefits, a few being that you will be seen on the website, and also appear on the winning T-shirts. Sponsorships start at $250, but you may donate more if you choose. If you would like to simply volunteer as an individual (or group) to help put the event on, you can register through the United Way’s Volunteer SLO website. Sign-up is quick and easy, and will connect you with the appropriate people/organizations. We hope to see the whole community at Los Ranchos Elementary on June 6th and 7th, for our Annual Adult Flag Football Tournament! By: Sarah Simon There's nothing like a good road trip. You pack the cooler, your swimsuit, your favorite tunes and zip out on the open road for a grand adventure. I like to think that sometimes the destination lies in the journey but that other times your path leads you to something you would have never expected; almost as if you stumbled upon something with surprisingly outstanding qualities unseen by the common eye and usually found by luck. As Central Coast dwellers we're privy to countless gems; some more hidden that others. With luck on my side I was fortuitous enough to visit one of these gems last weekend when I received an invitation from a group of close friends who recently bought seven lakefront rental homes on Lake Nacimento. The previous owners were a family who owned the space for 50 years so the new owners took it upon themselves to add some freshness and modernity to these timeless lakefront properties and with the rentals up and running for summer, the new owners graciously encouraged a weekend getaway. Without missing a beat I cleared my schedule and prepared for a road trip to Land’s End! My husband and I drove 75 minutes up to North County through a scenic stretch of rolling hills and windy roads. Blooming wildflowers covered the stretch into the shimmering waters through a maze of lakefront homes. The aerial views of the lake were incredible as we approached the gate welcoming us to Land's End. We were greeted by one of the partners who so generously gave us a history and tour of the property. Each home has its own name and distinguishing features complete with hard wood floors, custom finishes, uniquely assembled decor and a wraparound deck overlooking the lake. Our guide was kind enough to let us choose our bungalow for the night (which was almost impossible) and after some serious deliberation we decided to stay in the home nicknamed Water's Edge. This particular space had two bedrooms, one bath with a full modern kitchen, dining room and living area. A flat screen connected to Direct TV rested on the wall with several DVD’s and board games on the coffee table. The deck was strung with twinkle lights and a white crochet hammock facing Lake Naci. We enjoyed a picnic style lunch on the patio as we planned the day’s activities and watched the boats go by. There were a lot of people on the water wakeboarding, waterskiing, tubing, jet skiing and fishing. I even saw a dog in a life vest cruising with his owners on a joy ride around the booies. Choosing our activities was challenging as we had our choice of jet skis, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and even a paddle boat, but we knew we needed to get in the water so instead of choosing just one we decided to do them all! Jumping in the tepid waters was exhilarating! I can’t even begin to count the number of times we leapt off the dock, which was only a two-minute stroll from the house. The property actually has three docks, which is perfect for large groups and various activities, so we had tons of space to enjoy the water. After a full day of play we settled in and prepared a nice dinner using one of the many wood fire grills. We even had the option to barbeque on a custom made grill with a Land's End logo plasma cut in the top. Bottom line, this house had plenty of space to lounge, grill and entertain. We watched the sunset in the midst of the flickering twinkle lights and enjoyed the stillness of the lake as the daylight dwindled into darkness. The stars twinkled as we rocked and dozed on the hammock, and the next thing I knew my loving husband was carrying me into the cozy casa. The sun soon rose amongst a foggy distance and I embraced the porch and its spaciousness with a gentle yoga practice. The lake stood still and I felt grateful to be in the presence of water. That's the real message here. Land's End at Lake Nacimento represents a gathering place. A place to enjoy California's man made beauty and remember the importance of family, friends and everyone special your life. It's a place where recreational activities thrive and happiness sores. It’s the perfect getaway. A real hidden gem.
Life After Dead: An Evening with Dark Star Orchestra |
Vina Robles Amphitheater kicked off 2015 last Friday with a stellar opening performance from the group dedicated to keeping the Grateful Dead experience alive, the one and only, Dark Star Orchestra. What’s super cool about this band is that they play actual set lists, song by song, through an instrumental and vocal arrangement specific to the era of the original Grateful Dead performance. I was fortunate to receive complimentary tickets and could not have been more excited to show off my tye-die and floppy hat while dancing freely in the open air. Ironically, the only aspect I was slightly skeptical about was the outdoor venue. As a former resident of Boulder, CO, Red Rocks Amphitheatre in |
But as I approached VRA my preconceived notion quickly fluttered away. Retrieving the tickets from will call was a breeze and security was light and friendly. Upon entry I immediately loved the layout. Clean floors, clean lines, clean design and a seriously spacious dance floor with a sonically gorgeous sound system. The dining options were delectably atypical; definitely not your standard concert fare. Mouthwatering pulled pork sandwiches, local wines and craft beers were just a few delicacies my husband and I enjoyed on the grassy hill overlooking the stage.
We relished in our divine eats while watching the sun set over the venue. The vibrations were perfectly mellow and the crowd filled in with toddlers, gray hairs and everything in between. At one point I saw a young mother cradling her flower child for an entire song as they listened, swayed and loved and as we finished our first round I heard the sound of magic.
Dun, nah, nah, nah, “Picture a bright blue ball just spinning, spinning free.” Dun, nah, nah, dun. “Dizzy with eternity.”
Time to get funky.
We lost ourselves in the sights and sounds of the band’s delicately unique harmonies as they performed my all-time favorite Dead jam and as the night creeped to an end I stopped to savor in the joy that radiated around me. On the left was a collection of free spirits interpretive dancing with their arms and legs extended above the stars and on the right, a group of bohemian beauties frolicking in circles as a gentleman in a wheelchair zipped and glimmered through the gaps.
It was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful sights I’d ever seen. To see that kind of love and light so purely encapsulating the energy and experience of the Grateful Dead era was absolutely incredible.
The intimacy Dark Star Orchestra delivered as they waved goodbye was one loving as they expressed that the performed set was originally showcased by the Dead on June 14th 1985 at the Venture Fairgrounds in Ventura, CA.
Still in awe, hearts full and glasses empty, we waved back with tears in our eyes and nothing but love in our hearts.
So needless to say I was totally on board when my friend invited me to her birthday brunch at Novo. I rode my bike, which was a smart move, and upon entering the restaurant I was completely immersed in the amazing ambiance that is Novo. We sat creekside in a completely serene setting with just enough space between each party at a table for eight in the shade. I enjoyed a Mojito but our table was filled with specialty cocktails including Bellinis and Bloody Marys. Something I liked about the Bellini's was that the mixologist included fruit in the glass. As for the Bloodys, these babies we're topped with everything from bacon, green olives, celery and lemon. I'm personally not a fan of either drink (hence the Mojito bit) but the fact that they went the extra mile to create a visually appealing beverage says a lot in my book.
The food though is what's really good. Our table had eggs benedict with potatoes along side an english muffin, smoked salmon on a bagel with cream cheese and capers, turkey avocado crepes in a delectable cream sauce and a hearty burger on a brioche bun topped with sauteed mushrooms and all the fix-ins. With all these choices what's not to love? But for the sake of encompassing all the elements, my only gripe would have to be the price. Maybe I'm not at that level to order $9 shrimp avocado spring rolls and a $14 calamari appetizer plus a $9 fennel citrus salad, $15 burger and two $11 Mojitos, (because that's what I really wanted) but a girl can dream; and when I get to that point I'll be back because Novo is definitely worth the trip!
Want more? Feast for yourself.
Novo Restaurant & Lounge
The Network Shopping Center
726 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-3986
www.novorestaurant.com
Recycling can change the planet, S Earth starts by changing neighborhoods.
Our desire to change the way recycling is done in our Community distinguishes our company from the local competitors. Having lived on the Central Coast well over a decade, the Santana family understands and appreciates the need for these services as well as the need to maintain our community's as clean, attractive, and safe places to live.
S. Earth Recycling is dedicated to providing their customers competitive rates, and exceptional service, in a clean and professional atmosphere. The staff offers efficient, reliable, honest, and friendly service. S Earth's goal is not only to continue establishing successful businesses, but also to partner with our community. The recycling services S Earth provides, benefit our communities in several ways. Just a couple are, as reducing landfill requirements, and controlling the cost of providing garbage collection services for residences, and businesses.
Come visit one of our many locations for yourself, and see how we uphold the community standards we come to love....as longtime residents of the Central Coast ourselves.
Upon entry the Expo Center was filled with positive and bubbly vitality. As we passed by the live group Zumba class, two energetic hostesses greeted and graced us with a map and tote bag for acquired swag. We kicked off our journey with a visit to my personal favorite mobile kitchen, KunFusion Kulinary, SLO’s ultimate food truck. The creative genius and owner, Lori Nunes, shared her most gracious hospitality while dishing out legendary fish tacos with lime, cilantro, chipotle aioli and cherry tomatoes.
As we continued through the ins and outs of the counties finest health and fitness vendors my husband and I learned about organic dog food, local exercise facilities, spirituality and more herbal and preventative health remedies than one could ever imagine. There were interested and disinterested vendors, most of whom offered a parting gift. Other vendors made an impression with their unique product mix such as the oxygen bar and hyperbaric chamber.
One thing I really admired about the event was that everyone was there in pursuit of the same ambition. The organic energy and collective mindset gave the Expo Center a warm glow. A sense of community not easily described, but fully tangible.
As we exited through the balloon arc and classic, “See you next year!” sign, I stopped to look back. You most certainly will.
San Luis Obispo Blog
Regular Writers
Sarah Simon
Lindsey Rapone
Von Odermatt
About
We look to provide ideas to get folks away from the couch, and out exploring California. We aim to provide day-trips. We want to provide suggestions of things to do, in a single day. Whether you're from out-of-town, or looking to get to know the our magnificent section of California (and beyond) a little better....we want to inspire you to explore.
If you have an article you would like published, feel free to send your ideas to patron@slocounty.info, for consideration.
We are currently looking for a dedicated writer. Please email us for details.
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