July has arrived and summer is now in full swing. With Fourth of July only a few days away, it is time to stock up on the barbeque essentials and festive American decorations and apparel. After the Fourth, be ready to continue the festivities at the Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market. Similar to our favorite July holiday, barbequed ribs, fresh produce, locally made products and live entertainment can all be found on Higuera Street each Thursday evening at The Market.
Category Archives: SLO City News
Reason Not to Meditate?
By Michele S Jang, PT ~
Isn’t meditation good for everybody? Certainly many studies show that meditation leads to positive changes in the brain and is beneficial for your health.
I contend that different means can achieve a state of calmness and that meditation is not necessary for everyone. Observe those around you. Parents notice the various ways each child engages the world; in the workplace, one is aware of the numerous ways others arrange their work environments. At one extreme, some one may keep their space extremely neat, everything filed or put away, the bed made or desktop clean and organized. At the other end of the spectrum one’s room may be filled with many piles, items not filed or stored away, and overall visually cluttered.
PHOTO GALLERY: 10 Tips For Stylish Outdoor Entertaining
Written, Styled & Photographed By Mari Robeson ~
The weather is heating up and there’s no better time to take to the outdoors for some fun summer entertaining. Whether it’s an outdoor movie night, a pool party, or an intimate dinner for two, here are my 10 tips to help you enjoy our beautiful Central Coast weather.
1) Pick the setting. I love the old idea of laying down a stylish rug, adding throw pillows, and entertaining, picnic-style, but today I’ve chosen my front porch where it stays cool on even the hottest days. Start with a table and layer on the linens. This is the first introduction of texture and color. A favorite fabric or a pretty tea towel will spark conversation and add elements of visual interest.
2) Choose your dinnerware. You may want to mix and match your dishes but in my case, the linens are so colorful that I’ve chosen to go with simple white ones. This way the food has a chance to be the star. Placing utensils in baskets makes it easy to transport back and forth from the kitchen, and also adds a casual flair.
3) Wrap it up. There was a time when napkins were used multiple times before being laundered, so it became important to know which napkin belonged to which person. That was when the napkin ring was introduced. Often napkin rings were monogrammed or had the name of the recipient. Get creative with your napkin rings and use summer flowers, a sprig of ivy, a pretty ribbon, and maybe even add a tassel.
4) A small side table. Be sure to have adequate stemware for your guests. Depending on what beverage is on the menu, this may include wine and water glasses or specific cocktail glasses. Having a small table next to your setting comes in quite handy with overflow stemware and dishes.
5) Keep the pests away. Make your own citronella candle by floating a candle in a mason jar of water and citronella oil, mint, Rosemary, lemon, and lime. You can also entertain with mosquito repelling plants. Lemongrass, catnip, geraniums, and citronella all keep the bugs away.
6) Place cards. If you choose to make your own place cards, consider making them two-sided. This makes it easier for guests to see where they are seated from either side of the table. This is especially nice for large dinner parties.
7) Lighting. Set the mood with strings of globe lights back and forth across your patio to create a charming atmosphere with a soft and flattering glow. Make a statement and hang a chandelier from a tree branch, or keep it simple and hang small tea lights with ribbon. Wrap tree trunks with small holiday lights or add different shaped lanterns around your seating area. The most flattering of all are simple candles on the table and if that’s all you do, it will be perfect.
8) Centerpieces. Two things to keep in mind are height and scent. Keep the centerpiece low, so that you can see the person sitting across from you, and if you use flowers, choose ones that aren’t too strong with scent. We want to smell the aroma of the delicious food. There are many ways to create a floral centerpiece but one of my favorites is using fresh fruit. Try a glass bowl of lemons or a tray of artfully arranged pears. Add individual flowers to each place setting, possibly in an antique glass or vase instead of the traditional arrangement of flowers in the center of the table.
9) Know your guest. Before planning a menu, take time to ask if your guest has any dietary limitations. Are they a vegetarian or do they have any food allergies? Keep a note of each person’s likes and dislikes so you only ask once. The added element of customizing your menu to your guest’s preferences shows thoughtfulness and the grace of the most stylish of hosts.
10) Start and end with a theme in mind. Themed cocktails are another way to create the feel of what’s in store for the evening. Today’s theme is lemons, so I’ve decided to start with a lemon drop martini when my guest arrives. I’ll end the night with a toast or two of Limoncello. Of course it’s good to have a non-alcoholic version and plenty of water as well, which goes along with knowing your guests. Many people would prefer no t to have alcohol but a “mocktail” is always a good idea.
Mari Robeson is an interior, home décor designer in Arroyo Grande and an experienced textile and product designer with her own brand of art and home décor items, sold internationally. She’s coming out with a new illustrated book on the art of home in the fall. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter (@MariRobeson) and online at: www.MariRobesonHome.com.
Flowers provided by flowersbydenise.com
The Right Move – SLO Nightwriters
By Andrea Chmelik ~
She rang the doorbell. Biting her lip, she took a step back when she heard the footsteps. The door flew open. She flashed a smile.
“Hi, I am Millie Dale,” she said, “your new neighbor. My husband and I just moved in.”
A full figured woman with blond hair and heavy make-up put her hands on her hips. “So you’re the fools who bought the haunted house?”
Millie fidgeted. “Yes, that’s us. But we don’t believe in ghost stories.” The woman didn’t respond, so she continued. “My husband is an author. He writes mystery. For him it’s quite inspirational, you know?”
Central Coast Gymnastics Celebrates 25th
By Judy Salamacha ~
Don’t tell 10-time All-American gymnast Mimi Phene-McKellar she can’t fulfill her dream – create the largest gymnastics sports center in San Luis Obispo County. Furthermore, don’t expect that surviving breast cancer and its debilitating treatment followed by her mother’s bout with breast cancer could daunt her quest. Above all, do not attempt telling Mimi and Andy McKellar that their beautiful daughter, Maddie, will not survive childhood.
Twenty-five years into her journey, it’s time to “eat cake” with Mimi, Andy and Maddie and the 43 employees at Central Coast Gymnastics Sports Center’s (CCG) during their 25th anniversary public invitational on Saturday, July 2 from noon-2 p.m. at 21 Zaca Lane. Congratulating alumnus will entertain with high-fiving demonstrations as Phene-McKellar directs tours of CCG’s jammed-packed 1,600-sq. ft. in Gym 1 plus check out Gym 2, an additional 1,650-sq. ft. of floor space being readied for new state-of-the-art equipment installation by July’s end.