Get Involved

Women's Energy Symposium - May 10

The future of alternative and renewable energy in California will be explored by four policy, legal and scientific authorities on Monday, May 10, noon to 2:00 p.m., at the Cal Poly Chumash Auditorium in the first-of-its-kind women’s energy symposium. Attendance is free.

Collectively, the four speakers represent energy providers, business and consumer advocacy, public policy and scientific innovation in the alternative and renewable energy fields.

Julie Blunden is the vice-president of public policy and corporate communication for SunPower, which is pursuing plans to create innovative solar projects throughout the state. Haley Goodson has been a staff attorney at TURN (The Utility Reform Network) since 2003 with a focus on consumer protection and renewable/efficiency energy programs.
Carla Peterman, a doctoral candidate in the Energy and Resources Group, University of California at Berkeley, specializes in renewable energy, technology innovation and climate change mitigation policy. Catherine Kunkel, a doctoral candidate in the same Energy and Resources Group, researches state and local climate policies.

This event is co-sponsored by Empower Poly, Transition Towns and the SWANS project of the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility, which is headquartered in San Luis Obispo. Together, these groups believe that a future California energy paradigm based on truly renewable energy will require a collaboration involving today’s students, designers and planners, and advocacy.

A reception, which the speakers will attend, will be held after the symposium starting at 3:00 p.m. in a private home and garden near the campus. Reservations may be made by contacting Evy Justesen (cq) at 546-8907 or at evyjust@gmail.com.

CERT Training - May 4, l6, 11, 13, & 18

If a major disaster occurred in our community right now, would you know how to take care of yourself and assist others? In the event of a large-scale disaster, the normal Emergency Response Agencies that serve you will be overwhelmed and they might not be able to assist you for up to 72 hours (it’s simply, a supply and demand issue).

WHO: Sponsored by SLO County Fire Chiefs Assoc. and the SLO County Sheriff’s Advisory Council.

WHAT: CERT is a 20-hour "hands-on" course that teaches individuals to be better prepared in the event of a major disaster, and to form into effective neighborhood teams to assist others. In the CERT training class you will learn about; how and when to turn off your Utilities; Firefighting skills; Medical skills; Hazardous Materials & Terrorism awareness; light Search and Rescue techniques; and most importantly, you’ll learn self reliance.

WHERE: CAL/SLO County Fire Station 15- South Bay, 2315 Bayview Heights Drive for the first two classes and the Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way, for the last two classes. The final class location will be held at the Morro Bay Fire Department.

WHEN: Five evening classes. The class dates are May 4, 6, 11, 13, and 18 from 6:00pm to 9:30 p.m.

COST: There is a $40 materials fee that provides you with a student manual and a "CERT bag" that includes a helmet, gloves, vest, goggles, etc.

Since it’s not a matter of "if," but more a matter of "when," join the over 650 graduates, county wide, of the program to better prepare yourself and your family.

Pre-registration is a must. To reserve your space, send your check, payable to: CERT, Mail to: Morro Bay Fire Dept, 715 Harbor, Morro Bay, 93442

If you have any questions call the Morro Fire Department at 772-6242 or CAL/SLO County Fire Station 15- South Bay at 528-1053

California State Parks - Actors and Actresses

California State Parks is looking for a few actors and actresses interested in portraying the ranching and/or Native American history of Montana de Oro State Park.

The Docent group at that park has been conducting Living History, in which individuals research the lives of persons living in the late 1800s-early 1900s, dress in period costume, and give presentations - alone or in groups - to portray those characters or fictitious ones who have characteristics of actual historic figures. Our group of volunteer Living History Docents has decided to retire, but will be available to coach and advise new volunteers. To the extent possible, we use historic accounts, local histories, letters, newspaper clippings, historic photographs, and other historic archives to create as authentic an experience as possible. We hope to offer presentations at least one day a month, and two days would be better. Schedule is negotiable.

Options are open at this point. You could:

*Present in first-person, as a real or fictitious (but based on fact) figure, speaking about that person's life as if it were your own.

*Present in third-person, speaking generally about life in the historic period represented (for example, as a ranch hand or houseworker).

*Recreate a real or fictitious Native American person from any period prior to the present, and especially in or prior to the ranching period.

*Recreate a real or fictitious ranching person from the late 1800s-early 1900s.

*Continue one of the current Living History characters if this piques your interest.

Skills in costume and/or clothing-making are helpful, but not essential. Funding may be available to help defray the cost of period costumes and/or artifact replicas. For further information, please contact:

George Wright, Montana de Oro Docent Chair, Joyce Cory, Montana de Oro Living History Chair, or Rouvaishyana, Manager, Morro Bay Museum of Natural History

We look forward to meeting you and working with you to continue this very effective approach to teaching history to State Park visitors.

100+ Women Who Care - Interested in Starting a Coastal Branch?

Everyone has been touched by the recent economy. Particularly hard hit are the local non-profit organizations with decreasing funds and donations but increasing needs for services and resources. One group having a positive affect in our county is the 100+ Women Who Care. This group is about local people helping local charities. It is quite a simple idea and it is very powerful as more and more people seek help from the county's non-profit organizations and charities. They don't run garage sales, wash cars, or knock on doors. It's very easy - meet, choose a charitable group from the county, and each woman writes a tax deductible $100 check to that group.

"This is a fabulous group of ladies. Even though all of us have been negatively affected by this down economy, our members are now more determined to make a difference in our county. There are so many local worthy organizations thqt we can help," said Cathie Orrick. "It is very empowering to realize our group's potential is huge in helping local non-profits. "

Their power is in numbers. "When our membership reaches 100," explains member Kathi Hanauer, "we'll be putting $10,000 into our community, and all it takes is half an hour and the ability to write a $100 check."

The more women become involved in the group, the more money they have to donate. Not only do they hope word of their group will spread throughout the San Luis Obispo area, but they hope this idea will inspire others to start chapters in other counties. They are currently the only California chapter.

The Food Bank Coalition of SLO recently received a $2600 donation from the local 100+ Women Who Care group. The mission of the women is to raise money for local charities. They meet twice a year, choose a charitable group from SLO county, and each donates $100 to that non-profit organization. Their next meeting is March 9, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. If interested in joining this dynamic group, call 805-226-2822 or e-mail Hundred Women Who Care.

The group meets bi-annually, the second Tuesday in March and November. They have made contributions to Big Brothers, Big Sisters, the Maxine Lewis Memorial Shelter, and the Atascadero Community Link. If you would like to become part of this dynamic women's organization, contact Cathie Orrick at 805-226-2822 or e-mail her at Hundred Women Who Care.

Press Release / May

100+ Women Who Care, a countywide group making a positive difference in our communities, recently donated $4,200 to Transitions Mental Health Association, a broad-based resource for people and their families affected by mental illness.  100+ Women Who Care meet bi-annually, choose a charitable organization in SLO county, and each member donates $100 to that nonprofit organization.  Their next meeting is November 9, 2010, 5:30-6:00 pm at the Village Caffe, Atascadero.  If interested in joining this dynamic group, call 805-226-2822 or e-mail hundredwomenwhocare@mac.com.

From left to right:  Cathie Orrick of 100+ Women,
Jill Bolster-White executive director of Transitions,
and Irene Roselli of 100+ Women.

We invite local, non-profit groups to send information about themselves and volunteer opportunities in the Los Osos to Cambria area. Send your submission to Judy Sullivan before the 25th of the month with the subject line: Get Involved Listing Request.

We reserve the right to decline any request we receive. Material we find offensive in any way will not be published.

Peregrine Falcon image on banner by Cleve Nash