Tag Archives: coastal culture

Coastal Culture, Gareth Kelly
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The Wishing Tree

DSC_0002Story and photos by Gareth Kelly

With so much doom, gloom and, what seems at times, evil filling the news these days it can be hard to find those glimpses of what we know makes humanity so special. Unrequited love, hope, compassion and selflessness, to name but a few. However, as bleak as the rest of the world may look, we know here on the Central Coast things are usually different.
Take a walk or a drive around a certain neighborhood that lies beneath the shadow of Bishops peak in San Luis Obispo and look hard enough you will find a beautiful oak tree upon which hang hand written notes or ‘wishes’ from people within the community. This is the wishing tree started on Valentines weekend by husband and wife Jim and Kathy apRoberts.
“Years ago I had read about a lady in San Francisco that had started a wishing tree,” said Kathy apRoberts. At the time I never did anything about it but it stuck with me for years. A few weeks ago myself and Jim discussed the idea, proposed it to a few of our neighbors and their kids and decided to go for it.” Continue reading The Wishing Tree →

Gareth Kelly, Lifestyle
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From Kazakhstan to Oceano

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Story by Gareth Kelly

Photos courtesy of Zhanna Stinson

When some people think of Kazakhstan, they of think of either the ridiculous Borat movie or some place near Russia behind the iron curtain. In truth Kazakhstan is a modern vibrant mineral rich nation and host to many foreign companies and investment. Fifteen years ago while working for one of those companies Kazak native Zhanna Stinson’s life was about to change forever.
“At 30 and still single I was considered something of an old maid,” said Stinson. “Many friends and family had tried to set me up with men, but I told them I wanted to wait for the right one, my prince. One day I was walking down the hallway at work and I saw the back of a man. A shiver went through me, my body tingled and I knew I had found him.”
That man was Arroyo Grande native James Stinson. The pair did indeed fall in love and Zhanna returned to the United States with her husband where they have made their home, along with their son Justin, in Oceano. Continue reading From Kazakhstan to Oceano →