On Saturday, October 1, the Hearst Castle Evening Tour Program will begin a new season. Visitors to the castle will be able to experience evening reflections from the 1930’s heyday era.
On most Friday and Saturday evenings, from October 1 through December 30, Hearst Castle will feature the Living History Program that emphasizes the bygone lifestyle of this great estate. Docents in elegant vintage clothing will recreate the social life of Mr. Hearst’s guests, lounging by the magnificent Neptune Pool or playing cards in the Assembly Room. Other docents will portray household staff attending to the needs of Mr. Hearst’s guests.
The evening progresses through one of the guest houses, Casa del Mar, and several of the large rooms on the ground floor and the upstairs guest suites of the main house, Casa Grande. The tour continues through the Main Library and Mr. Hearst’s private Gothic Suite. Completing this magical tour with a walk over blue and gold Venetian-glass tiles of the breathtaking indoor Roman Pool, visitors to Hearst Castle will leave with long lasting memories of bygone nights at “The Enchanted Hill.” Visitors should allow two hours and ten minutes for this tour. Evening Tour prices are $36 for adults and $18 for youth, ages 5 through 12.
For tour reservations, please call (800) 444-4445 or go online at www.hearstcastle.com
For more information, please send your e-mail to John Fixler, Hearst Castle Ticket Office at JFixler@HearstCastle.com
Over 200 photography professionals and enthusiasts from around the world will be gathering at the Embassy Suites in San Luis Obispo from October 12 – 16 to improve their skills, rub elbows with 16 top industry experts, and celebrate the best of digital photography and the Central Coast during the 2nd annual Click! California Photo Festival. Presented by Light Photographic Workshops in Los Osos, the Festival offers five days of total digital photography immersion against the backdrop of California’s beautiful Central Coast. 1, 2 and 3-day passes are available for purchase, in addition to the 5-day Gold Pass.
The largest annual photographic event in San Luis Obispo County, the Click! California Photo Festival offers something for every skill level. Attendees customize their learning experience to fit their individual interests and needs with a choice of 150+ intensive seminars, workshops, demonstrations and photo shoots, taught by 16 world-class photography and digital imaging experts. Hands-on workshops include expert-guided photo shoots in picture perfect locations around the county like scenic Morro Bay, Cayucos, Paso Robles and the beautiful San Luis Obispo Botanical Gardens. Social and networking opportunities round out the week, including the popular “Dinner with a Pro” series. The list of elite guest instructors includes Canon “Explorers of Light” photographers Jennifer Wu, Hanson Fong, and this year’s Keynote Speaker Rick Sammon.
A highlight of the Festival will be a free Canon sponsored lecture by world famous photographer and Canon “Explorer of Light” Parish Kohanim on Wednesday, October 12. The complementary event will be held from 3:30-4:45 p.m. at the Embassy Suites, and is open to the public.
According to Click! co-founders and organizers Hal and Victoria Schmitt of Light Photographic Workshops, the Click! California Photo Festival is carefully designed to spark creativity and passion, and empower each participate to take their photography, art or business to the next level. “Whether in symposium or individual portfolio review, the Festival delivers an optimal learning experience unlike any other,” says Hal Schmitt. “Both professional and recreational photographers are sure to create incredible images, learn the best tips, tricks and techniques, and – most important – have a great time with some amazing and talented people!”
To register for the California Photo Festival, visit www.californiaphotofest.com. For more information, call Victoria Schmitt at Light Photographic Workshops: 805-528-7385.
The 10th Annual Plein Air Festival comes to the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art from October 3 to 9. The Museum plays host to 50 of the country’s most accomplished landscape painters who for one week grace San Luis Obispo County, painting the seascapes, landscapes and town scenes of our area. During the week, there are events each night celebrating the painter and the style of painting known as Plein Air. The schedule of events are as follows:
Click the above photo for a larger view.
Monday – Thursday
“50 x 50”, a preview exhibit of the
artists’ work is on display daily from 11 – 5 p.m.
Monday, October 3
Twilight in the Vineyards, 4 – 8 p.m., Travel
by luxury coach to watch the artists paint the vineyards at dusk and enjoy a
wine tasting at Wolff and Chamisal Vineyards. Finish the evening with a gourmet
meal at Lido’s restaurant at Dolphin Bay. Tickets $75, members; $100,
nonmembers. Details at 805.543.8562 or sloma.org
Tuesday, October 4
Children’s Paint Out, 3 – 5 p.m.,
Artists mentor children ages 5 –15 in Plein Air landscape painting on the
Museum of Art’s front lawn. $15 includes materials, info 805.543.8562 or
sloma.org
Wednesday, October 5
Plein Air Movie Night, 7 p.m., Master painters
visit two remote locations and share their experiences on location in Cape Cod
and Trinidad, Colorado. Donations appreciated, info 805.543.8562 or sloma.org
Thursday, October 6
Painter and Poets, local poets shadow
Plein Air painters to celebrate in words what the artists’ see, featuring Kevin
Patrick Sullivan, Glenna Luschei, James Cushing, 7 p.m., $5 members/ $7
nonmembers, info 805.543.8562 or sloma.org
Friday, October 7
Plein Air Collector’s Luncheon, 1–3 p.m.,
An exclusive sneak preview and sale of the150 best new works by the Plein Air
painters includes the best of show, limited to 50 patrons, tickets $100, cost
of ticket applies to purchase of Festival paintings. info 805.543.8562 or
sloma.org
Friday, October 7
Art After Dark reception for the Plein
Air artists and a chance to see and purchase their newest creations, 6–9 p.m.,
free, San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad Street, SLO, info 805.543.8562
or sloma.org
Saturday, October 8
Plein Air Quick Draw Paint Out, 9
–11:30 a.m., the festival painters gather in Mission Plaza and the surrounding
downtown area to paint against the clock before their wet and wild works are
put up on auction block in the Mission amphitheater, free to watch, info
805.543.8562 or sloma.org
Saturday, October 8
Plein Air Live Auction, 12–2:30 p.m.,
works just painted by the festival’s Quick Draw artists that morning go on the
block, wet and live, Mission Amphitheater, info 805.543.8562 or sloma.org
September is California Wine Month and the San Luis Obispo County wine community’s more than 250 wineries and 36,000 vineyard acres are raising a toast to this proclamation made by Governor Jerry Brown and the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors, shepherded by the Wine Institute. San Luis Obispo County is made up of four distinct American Viticulture Areas (AVAs): Arroyo Grande, Edna Valley, Paso Robles and York Mountain making more than 50 wine varietals in a variety of styles. These family businesses invite wine enthusiasts to join them during California Wine Month to celebrate the vibrant wine culture in San Luis Obispo County.
A number of events and wine specials are scheduled across San Luis Obispo County to celebrate California Wine Month. Most notable among them is the destination food and wine event, Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast 2011, taking place September 29 through October 2 in the communities of San Luis Obispo County. This four-day series of events includes the Marketplace at the Main Event featuring more than 200 Central Coast wineries and unique winemaker dinners where you will taste the bounty of the region and meet the personalities behind the product. Wine enthusiasts can choose from the enchanting Mission Plaza Heritage Dinner in San Luis Obispo on October 1, sponsored by the City of San Luis Obispo, http://www.sanluisobispovacations.com/; the magical Paso Glow Dinner in Paso Robles on October 1, sponsored by the Travel Paso Robles Alliance, www.TravelPaso.com, and the prestigious Sunset Western Wine Awards in Pismo Beach on September 30, a ceremony recognizing the West’s finest vintners, sponsored by the City of Pismo Beach, www.ClassicCalifornia.com. For information and to purchase main event tickets to Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast 2011 events, please visit www.SavorCentralCoast.com.
In celebration of San Luis Obispo County’s $1.8 billion industry contribution to the California wine industry the San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Conference Bureau is holding a month-long sweepstakes for two pairs of winners to enjoy an all-inclusive weekend at the region’s upcoming harvest festival events. Enter to win a weekend either:
• Paso Robles Harvest Wine Weekend, October 21-23, or
• San Luis Obispo Wine Country Rockin’ Harvest, November 4-6
Both packages will include winery tours with hands-on experiences, vintner dinners, balloon rides over the vineyards, behind the scene tours of Hearst Castle and lodging for two. To enter, visit the SLO County Visitors and Conference Bureau website at www.SanLuisObispoCounty.com between September 1 and 30, and ‘Like’ on Facebook. Winners will be announced October 1 at the Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast 2011 Main Event at the Santa Margarita Ranch. (Winners need not be present to win.)
Apart from events held within the county, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles vintners – including nominees for the Sunset Western Wine Awards – will take their show on the road, pouring wines under the auspices of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance and San Luis Obispo Vintners Association this September, including:
• Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Station , New York, NY, September 14, 2 to 5 p.m., Media and Trade Tasting
• California Wine Rush – Ferry Building San Francisco, CA, September 17, 12 to 3 p.m., Consumer Tasting, General Admission $45, www.CaliforniaWineMonth.EventBrite.com
• K&L Wine Merchants, Hollywood, CA, September 23, 5 p.m. Media Tasting; 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Consumer Tasting, Admission $5, www.klwines.com/local_events.asp#2
Additionally, several San Luis Obispo County wineries will commemorate California Wine Month with special offers for guests throughout September. For more information on special promotions at San Luis Obispo County wineries in honor of California Wine Month, please visit www.SanLuisObispoCounty.com, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance at www.PasoWine.com or the San Luis Obispo Vintners Association at www.SloWine.com.
Morro Bay, California’s location on the spectacular Coast Highway One offers visitors 
more than just a scenic vista: it is also the gateway to robust avocado orchards dotting the local landscape. On September 17, the charming coastal community celebrates two of its best loved products with the Fifth Annual Avocado & Margarita Festival. The daylong event is produced by the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce to showcase locally grown avocados alongside Morro Bay’s well known reputation for food and fun.
The Avocado & Margarita Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 714 Embarcadero on the Morro Bay waterfront. Attendees will enjoy live music, margaritas and a selection of beers, and tasty avocado dishes that begin with guacamole and just keep going. Members of the California Avocado Commission will be on hand with recipe books, avocado scoopers and children’s goodies. Ask them where the best avocados on the planet are grown. Morro Bay restaurants will extend the festivities with avocado-based recipes on their menus.
The event’s prime location in the heart of the fishing village affords visitors commanding views including the iconic Morro Rock, families of kayakers paddling in the Bay and whale watching boats making their way to waters where grey whales entertain into the fall. The Avocado & Margarita Festival celebrates the avocado industry and local California growers who produce more than 10 million pounds of avocados every week.
Admission is $1; food and beverages are available for purchase. Live music, prizes and fundraising efforts will also take place.
For more information contact Craig Schmidt at (805) 772 – 4467 or e-mail at craigschmidt@morrobay.org.
Created by Women for Community in 2004, the Hit & Giggle Golf Tournament has 
contributed nearly $167,000 to programs providing health and human services to those most in need in San Luis Obispo County. United Way is proud to be able to continue the successful tradition of this event in 2011. It is with Women for Community’s enthusiastic endorsement that United Way is now the host of this fun and unique golfing experience.
The Hit & Giggle will be held on Sept. 10 at Avila Beach Golf Resort with a shotgun start at 11:30 a.m. The event includes a four-person scramble format, cocktail reception and awards ceremony following tournament play.
Originally started as a women’s tournament, the Hit & Giggle fills the playing field with men, most of whom good naturedly don their best feminine attire and compete for the best dressed, among other prizes. The tournament also features the “Sip & Giggle” raffle for 100 bottles of premium wine signed by local “celebrities and characters”, a piece of unique art by Ashleigh Anderson and six magnums from Adelaida Cellars in Paso Robles. Tickets are $100 and you need not be a golfer or present to win at the time of drawing.
“We are so excited that United Way has agreed to continue this tournament so that it continues to provide a fun yet productive means of giving back to the community,” said Kristin Yetter, founding member of Women for Community. “We are supporting this year’s tournament committee and plan to participate at the event. We hope to see all the past golfers and volunteers there.”
All of the tournament’s proceeds will provide funding to local nonprofit programs through United Way’s Community Impact Fund grant awards. This year, 20 programs focused on education, financial stability and health were awarded a total of $75,000. The public is invited to participate by being a player, sponsor or volunteer at the Eighth Annual Hit & Giggle Golf Tournament.
To register for the tournament as a player, sponsor or volunteer, contact United Way of San Luis Obispo County at (805) 541-1234. For more information, visit United Way’s website at www.unitedwayslo.org or e-mail golf@unitedwayslo.org.
The lush hills and premier wine country surrounding the charming downtown of San Luis Obispo (halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco along the Central Coast of California) will provide an aptly green-themed backdrop for the City’s inaugural San Luis Obispo Marathon + Half, slated for Earth Day on Apr. 22, 2012. Registration is now open through Active.com.
Recently designated the “Happiest Place in the USA” by National Geographic author Dan Buettner, San Luis Obispo, or “SLO,” offers visiting racers a happy setting in which to experience a runners’ high: scenic views, clean air, crisp ocean breezes, and before and after-race farm-fresh wine tasting, dining, and live entertainment at the event’s three-day “SLO Life Expo.”
Founded by Get Off the Couch Potato Sports Productions LLC, with Title Sponsorship from the City of San Luis Obispo’s Tourism Business Improvement District, the inaugural event will feature a full and half-marathon benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training and a 5K race benefiting the local Special Olympics Chapter.
Honoring Earth Day, the event coordinators plan to take extra measures to ensure a “green” race environment by asking racers to participate in the “BYOB” (bring your own bottle) initiative and by using recycled paper and plastic for marketing and vendor materials.
Packet pick-up is scheduled for Apr. 20 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Apr. 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the SLO Life Expo at the Madonna Inn. On Race Day, the SLO Life Expo will open at 7 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. Each finisher receives a technical t-shirt, medal, inaugural commemorative program, as well as a “green” virtual goodie bag.
SLO hotels offer the ideal home-base for vacationing runners to experience the area’s lively downtown shopping district, endless outdoor adventures, and one-of-a-kind historic and cultural attractions such as Hearst Castle, Mission San Luis Obispo, world-class wine country, and the famous Thursday Evening Farmer’s Market.
For more information and updates on the inaugural San Luis Obispo Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K, visit www.SLOMarathon.com. For information on downtown San Luis Obispo’s centrally located lodging and activities, visit www.SanLuisObispoVacations.com.
This Labor Day Weekend, for the 20th year in a row, the San Luis Obispo Symphony will return to Avila Beach, and transform a golf course into a concert hall for a family-friendly, community event that has become a Central Coast tradition. On Sept. 4, Maestro Michael Nowak and the San Luis Obispo Symphony will present “Pops: Summer of Love,” an orchestral summer “Pops” concert, hosted by KSBY’s Jeanette Trompeter, featuring the music of the late 60’s and early 70’s –music that defined a generation. Fans this year will be treated to fabulous tunes from the Beatles, the Byrds, Jefferson Airplane, Chicago and much more. From California Dreamin’ to Nights in White Satin, Yellow Submarine to The Pink Panther, the concert will feature the talents of San Luis Obispo’s Louie Ortega, saxophonist Dave Becker, and a talented band of local favorites with your San Luis Obispo Symphony.
The event will be held at the Avila Beach Golf Resort. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic, but alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the venue. Wine, beer and affordable picnic fare are readily available for purchase at the event.
Lawn seating $15, “Pedal to Pops” lawn seating for cyclists $12, lawn seating for kids 14 and under are free, party table seating $25 per person, premium party table seating $35 per person, champagne tables $85 per person.
For more information or to order tickets now, contact Patty Thayer at the Symphony office at (805) 543-3533 or go to www.slosymphony.com.
The Paso Wine Country Alliance is working with 15 Degrees C Wine Shop & Bar to showcase San Luis Obispo County Wines at the Mission Square Wine Bar during the California Mid-State Fair.
The fair ends this Sunday and fair goers are invited to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the fair and then stop by and enjoy a glass of wine or draft beer in the shade. During the fair, Mission Square has been featuring award-winning Paso Robles wines by the glass, different daily wine flights from the Central Coast Wine Competition Award winners as well as a selection of beer, various cheeses and olive oils.
Mission Square features a new wine flight each day focused on different varietals and themes from the Central Coast Wine Competition award winners.
Flights include everything from Syrah and Spanish whites, to Chardonnay and Zinfandel demonstrating the diversity of wines produced in San Luis Obispo County. Special guest appearances are made from the winemaker personalities themselves from 5 – 7 p.m. every day. Mission Square guests are encouraged to taste through the wine flights and chat with the winemakers.
Visit www.pasowine.com to sneak a peek of the wineries and wines featured.
What’s Happening in SLO SLO-Business
Lindsey Miller
lindseyinslo