SanLuisObispo.com: Living

Low-impact landscaping at Templeton home

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:08 PST

By Connie Pillsbury -- As an industrial designer, Mark Jurey carefully studied his ridgeline 8-acre lot in the Templeton Hills before building his passive-solar home and designing a natural deer-friendly garden.

Mark, a design professor at Cal State Northridge, and wife Debra, a librarian, relocated to the North County in 1990. Mark built a small model of the home, then placed it in various locations on the property to ascertain the best sun angles for collecting and storing heat in the winter and cool air in the summer.

Right away, Mark and Debra discovered the many deer that visited the high, oak-covered property and decided to create a natural environment that would invite the deer in rather than keep them out. This philosophy, combined with a desire for unity with the natural environment, directed their landscape plan.

Do you love gardening? Join with the Masters

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:02 PST

The volunteer Master Gardener Program, whose goal is to share sustainable gardening and landscape practices with home gardeners, is seeking applicants. The deadline to apply is Nov. 20.

The service organization, sponsored by the University of California Cooperative Extension, uses research-based information produced by the UC.

Master Gardeners are community members who love gardening and are enthusiastic to share it with others. After an initial interview process, volunteers are trained by Cooperative Extension experts in horticulture and plant science. The classes cover a range of gardening topics including basic botany, plant propagation, soils and composting, plant and insect identification and control strategies, and diagnosing plant problems.

French antiques from a virtual storefront

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:02 PST

In 2007, a leisurely visit to an olive oil farm led to a new career for Cindy and Bill Calabrese of San Luis Obispo.

The pair met Clotilde and Yves Julien, owners of Olea Farm in Templeton which was, at the time, part olive oil farm and part antique shop.

The Juliens, who relocated from France in 2000, originally owned a French antique shop, Clotilde and Yves, in downtown Paso Robles. But the 2003 San Simeon earthquake left them without a storefront. They resorted to showcasing their goods from their tasting room, their home, and even a 40-foot container located on their property.

A touch of sparkle: Bottles of bubbly a labor of love for some SLO County winemakers

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:37 PST

By Raven J. Railey -- For holiday celebrations and special occasions, many prefer a bottle of bubbly to add to the sense of festivity.

But a wide variety of carbonated vinos offer tasty complements to everyday foods too, say Central Coast vintners who craft sparkling wines. These wines can refresh on a warm day, or add an air of celebration to an ordinary evening.

Champagne—which comes only from that region of France — is the most well-known and popular sparkling wine in the United States. Many are also familiar with Italian spumante or Spanish cava.

A natural community at the Elfin Forest in Los Osos

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:38 PST

By Lee Sutter -- The Small Wilderness Preservation Society is getting a jump on the new year with its 2010 calendar celebrating the Elfin Forest in Los Osos.

Nearly 20 avid, nature-loving photographers donated their work for the cause, filling the calendar with about 50 images.

The cover shot by Marlin Harms provides a look at a segment of the 90 acres, with Hollister Peak in the distance and abundant pale lavender eriastrum in the foreground.

Arts and Craftsman project in Arroyo Grande

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:20 PST

By Rebecca Juretic -- The Arroyo Grande home of Claire Martin was built in 1938 when Craftsman homes were still at the height of fashion. But this home was, instead, a humble little cottage more evocative of Sears, Roebuck & Co. than of Craftsman-era pioneers Greene & Greene.

Martin purchased the home for herself in 2003 with visions of reinventing it as the Craftsman home that it could have been.

She pored over books about the American Craftsman and English Arts and Crafts movements, gleaning ideas that she communicated to builder Paul Rose of Rose Construction.

Design Notebook: Matt Clark Tile & Stone

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:16 PST

By Rebecca Juretic -- Matthias Clark learned the tile business in the most fashion-forward of U.S. cities � New York. As an apprentice to venerable 4th generation tile installer Armand Agresti, he laid tile in glittering skyscrapers and high-end residences from 1982 to 1988.

Clark followed that up with a career as a tile installer that included working for tile maven Ann Sacks.

Today, Clark focuses less on installation and more on materials. He takes his New York City-derived yen for cutting-edge designs and applies it to finding new and innovative products for the San Luis Obispo tile showroom he has owned with wife Katie Franklin since 2002. Matt Clark Tile & Stone relocated to a new 3,500-square-foot showroom in August, featuring a wide array of tiles including ceramic, porcelain, decorative, stone and glass, as well as installation products.

Preserving fall's harvest for the months ahead

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:19 PST

By Ann Dozier -- Q. We have a big apple crop this year. What�s the best way to store surplus fruit? Also, how do I dry walnuts that a neighbor gave me? -- The Kincaids, San Luis Obispo

A. One benefit of supermarkets is that they store food for us. When we grow our own, we need to decide how to preserve fruits and vegetables so that we don�t have feast and then famine! First, here�s a good Web site with detailed information on how to store and preserve many kinds of fruits and vegetables, including apples, nuts, garlic, tomatoes and peppers. Go to http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu, search �storing,� then choose a variety.

The article on apples, for example, gives extensive information on freezing and drying them -- good options for those uninterested in canning. It tells how to prepare fruit, emphasizes sanitation (washing under running water, drying with paper towels, and using a clean cutting board), and suggests containers. It offers details on types of ascorbic acid for keeping apple preparations from darkening, and tells how long preserved fruit can safely be stored.

Boy genius still in a class of his own at age 21

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:30 PST

By Patrick S. Pemberton -- Jenny Church knew there was something special about her son, Tom, when he was 21 months old.

Standing in line at the Post Office, the toddler looked at a sign above the door and said, “Exit.”

“Yeah, that’s right,” his mom said, thinking maybe he had just recognized the letters.

SYMBOLS INTHE STONE

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:11 PST

By Lee Sutter -- Photographer Robert Frear, originally from Detroit, knows more about the Chumash than most Central Coast Californians.

He got immersed in the culture after hooking up with the U. S Forest Service, who contracted for his photos and took him to sites unknown to most people.

“I jumped at every opportunity,” Frear said.

Modernizing the inefficient wood-burning fireplace

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:15 PST

A wide, open hearth offers plenty of comfort and ambience, especially on a chilly winter night. As for heat — it probably offers less than you think.

Peter Rasi, who owns Paso Robes’ Sooty Goose Fireplace Shop, specializes in replacing inefficient fireplaces with superheating efficient ones.

Rasi learned the fireplace business from the inside out. A former General Telephone utility lineman, he quit his job in 1988, relocated to Cambria from Southern California, and bought a chimney sweep business that he now co-owns with daughter Peri Rasi.

Sow edible allium now for a savory summer harvest

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:15 PST

Q: What suggestions might be offered for growing allium on the Central Coast?

— Leroy Davis, SLO

A: Among the many wonderful things about life on the Central Coast are our mild winters, which allow gardening all year long. As gardeners pick the last of our summer produce we ponder the many choices of crops to plant in our newly vacant beds.

ASUCCULENT SOLUTION TO LOWMAINTENANCE

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:15 PST

By Sharon Crawford -- L ike many locals, Ann Reeves came to San Luis Obispo

to attend Cal Poly, and stayed.

A home economics major interested in clothing design, she followed the Poly mantra “learn by doing,” and opened a clothing store near campus as her junior year project. After graduation, she established ANN’S clothing store, now on Morro Street, its third San Luis Obispo location.

El Dia de los Muertos - or The Day of the Dead - subject of new ARTS Obispo show

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:01 PST

By Sarah Linn -- As holidays go, El Día de los Muertos—known in English as “The Day of the Dead” — is far from bleak.

“In that tradition, there are all these expressions of artistic energy,” said Santa Maria painter John E. Garcia y Robertson, such as sugar skulls, skeletons and papel pic-ado — brightly colored tissue paper cut in delicate patterns.

The Latin American holiday is the subject of a new show sponsored by ARTS Obispo, also known as the San Luis Obispo County Arts Council. It runs today through Nov. 13 at ARTS Space Obispo in San Luis Obispo.

SLO Poetry Festival kicks off on Nov. 6

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:52 PST

By Julia Hickey -- Nearly 20 top local and regional artists will give poetry readings at “Language of the Soul,” the upcoming 26th annual San Luis Obispo Poetry Festival.

According to San Luis Obispo Poet Laureate James Cushing, live readings highlight the performative aspects of literature— transforming the poets into dramatists, teachers, preachers or even conversation partners for the audience.

And while the “poetry community everywhere is small, because it’s a really unusual art form that makes some demands on people,” Cushing said, size doesn’t indicate depth of accomplishment.

Variety of artists bringing their work to show that benefits CASA

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:02 PST

By Lee Sutter -- A baker’s dozen of artists are involved with the annual fundraiser for CASA—Court Appointed Special Advocates — at EOC Estate Winery.

Photographers, painters and assemblage artists are showing and selling their work, along with many sculptors.

Gail Lapins of Cambria is offering bronze pieces from her narrative series “Journey,” which consists of androgynous figures, often interacting with a circle to represent the wholeness of life. The point of Lapins’ series is to examine life’s purpose.

Templeton couple's home is simply spooktacular

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:18 PDT

By Rebecca Juretic -- Six years ago, Dave and Cindy Condit decided to throw a Halloween party � just an intimate affair for 40 of their closest friends.

To set the mood, they transformed their contemporary Spanish-style Templeton home into a macabre mansion. Each year since, the decorations have grown more elaborate and the guest list has swelled to more than 60.

Dave is owner of San Luis Obispo�s Integrity Systems, a company that customizes security, entertainment and communications systems for homes and businesses. Cindy has worked for 24 years at the San Luis Obispo AAA office. Both work long hours, so eking out the 80-plus hours to decorate for Halloween is always a challenge. They spread the shopping, crafting and decorating out over about a month, working nearly every evening and weekend.

Design Notebook: Where contemporary meets Old Country

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:38 PDT

By Rebecca Juretic -- When San Luis Obispo�s Fortini Home, Garden & Design opened in 2004, it was somewhat misunderstood.

�Because of the name, we were kind of stereotyped in the beginning with having just Italian things,� said Marisa Fortini, who owns the store jointly with husband Ryan Fortini, who handles landscape design, and Ryan�s mother Anne Fortini, who heads up the interior design staff.

Since then, the store has developed its own distinct style that the Fortinis like to call �California contemporary with a nod to the old country.�

UC Master Gardeners: Still time to get cool-season veggies under way

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:16 PDT

By Mary Giambalvo -- Q: How do I get ready for a winter vegetable garden, and what do I grow?

� Amy Breschini, San Luis Obispo

A: While East Coast gardeners hunker down by the fireplace with a stack of seed catalogs to entertain them through the snowy winter, Central Coast gardeners gear up for the next planting session, ready to rip out tired tomatoes, cucumbers and squashes that cheerfully supplied us all summer long.

8 easy and cheap homemade Halloween costumes

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 06:16 PDT

By Sarah Linn -- This Halloween, the only thing scarier than ghouls, ghosts and goblins is the economic forecast.

Finances are tight this fall, which means less money for freaky festivities and expensive store-bought costumes. Luckily, a spooky solution may be as close as your own closet.

Homemade Halloween costumes are cheap, easy and eco-friendly, since they often feature recycled clothes, props and accessories. Plus, most of the materials for the perfect costume can be found around the house or at your local thrift store.