Human beings are a gregarious lot. To survive there needs to be at least two of them to continue and when successful—have more of their kind around. It’s called a family. Somewhere in time, families joined together and were now a tribe eventually evolving into a...

While the rest of the country takes their steps into fall, covered in woolen jackets, thick socks and boots, Central Coast folks head to the beach. The winds are light or nil, the weather warm, and the crowds have joined the rest of the country raking leaves. And...

Maggie Vandergon, 91, is the force behind Atascadero's annual celebration of its beginnings—Colony Days. Vandergon was born in Paso Robles and raised on a ranch northeast of San Miguel. Her parents’ families came to the United States in the mid to late 1800s; her...

Two definitions of the term social justice seem to apply to the principles of Dawn Addis, educator, Women’s March organizer and candidate for the Morro Bay City Council: the concept of fair and just relations between the individual and society; the capacity to...

If the Central Coast Railroad Festival, which organizers boast focuses on railroading of many types with an eye towards the beauty of the Central Coast, gets you in the mood to start a rail line of your own, there’s one place to turn. Central Coast Trains in...

Thanks to the city of San Luis Obispo and a dedicated group of rail lovers whose efforts extended over decades, the 1894 Southern Pacific Freighthouse has been completely retrofitted as a modern-day railroad museum. Visitors can take a trip back in time as I did...

Just as they fought for Civil Rights and an end to the Vietnam War during the ‘60s, now baby boomers are redefining the aging process. As the largest segment of the American population, baby boomers (those born in the decade following World War II), have a loud and...

On a recent weekday afternoon, Spirit of San Luis restaurant—located at the SLO airport and known for many years to locals for its aviation-themed menu items and unique ambiance—was filled to capacity and owner Ellen Stanton was definitely in her element. Smiling,...

Most people who know Karen Rizzoli would say the 32-year-old San Luis Obispo native was born with adrenaline running in her veins. And they would probably be correct. By the time Rizzoli was 8 years old, the brunette with the big smile was competing in junior drag...

The major civic ancestor for San Luis Obispo—both county and city—was born on September 1, 1772. In a hastily conducted ceremony, Fra Junipero Serra intonated the ritual es- tablishing the fifth outpost in the spiritual “conquest” of Alta California. Understandably...