Photo by Mike Baird:     Surf Girls

Photo by Kevin Cole: Harmony Outhouse

Photo by Chuck Abbe: Morro Bay in B&W

Photo by Cleve Nash:        Cedar Waxwing

Photo by Earthly Images: Montana de Oro

Photo by Maggie Smith: Three Cormorants - Double-crested, Brandt, and Pelagic

Adventures in Fitness by Chuck Abbe

I am passionate about fitness. There, I said it. It wasn't always that way, in fact I was in my 50's before the desire to be physically fit really hit me. Stay with me now, a little bit of my personal story is necessary here so that I can encourage you to undertake a fitness journey of your own. Read More

Best Friends by Malcolm Riordan, DVM

Many requests to declaw a cat will fall by the wayside simply with the mention that declawing is not something that we as veterinarians do automatically or even routinely. Read More

Beyond the Badge

Every child and young adult has their heroes who carry them through life; I certainly have mine. There was my fellow officer and friend, who while standing beside me, took a bullet meant for me. There was my friend, Arleigh McCree, an LAPD explosives and firearms expert who was killed in the line of duty while disarming a bomb. Of course, there is Clint Eastwood, even at his age, every cop's hero. Then there was LAPD Chief Daryl F. Gates, who I and most street-cops greatly admired. Perhaps some day I will write more about my heroes. But right now, I focus on Daryl Gates, who passed away on April 9, 2010 at the age of 83, following a short illness. Read More

Body, Mind, Spirit by Nancy Ballinger

At the heart of the month of May is Mother’s Day - a day we may love or dread depending on the sometimes complicated and often beautiful relationships we have with our mothers. This year I travel to Sebastopol, CA to celebrate the day with my son Ryan and daughter, Cassandra –herself a mother of two. Read More

Double Vision

Today, on the six-month anniversary since I left my home of two years in Malawi, Africa, I attended a skateboarding competition in Templeton, CA, USA. Read More

Get Involved

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. Read More

Let's Go Green

Composting food and yard "waste" is a fairly simple thing to do and can benefit you and the environment. Taking a step back, many would argue that "waste" is not waste and is instead a valuable resource – it serves primarily as soil amendment. Read More

Medical Myth Busting by Dr. Steven Sainsbury

Heart attacks are definitely one of our biggest fears. We have become a nation of joggers, dieters, and pill takers, much of this behavior directed towards avoiding "the big one." Yet many myths surround heart attacks, not the least of which is that in order to be having a heart attack, you have to feel crushing chest pain -- "Doctor, I feel like there is an elephant sitting on my chest." Read More

Meet the Neighbors

In high school and college, Rob Appell enjoyed learning about basic techniques in art classes. However, this art education did not bestow upon him the inspiration to move towards his now successful career as a quilt designer. In fact, he considers himself a cartoonist when it comes to being labeled a visual artist. Read More

Morro Musings by Janice Peters

Since I am retiring after 20 years in Morro Bay city government, people have been asking me which candidates I support in the primary election on June 8. I care very much about the future of our city and the leaders who will take us there, so here are my opinions on the candidates, pro and con, based on my personal experience and knowledge about them. Read More

Surfing Out Of The Box by Paul Finley

Board design can be a bit subjective, but there are some concepts that are objectively true across the board . . . no pun intended. Last month's preview topics included the question, "What makes a board faster?" If your board is feeling a bit sluggish, here are some things to scope out." Read More

Wilderness Mind

The Central Coast no longer has wolves, yet to know them is to enhance our love of nature. In the Northeastern part of the United States, wolves and coyote have crossed, producing an animal that is not as stable in its dealings with human as is a pure wolf. Coyotes do live in coastal communities in SLO County and we should be cautious around them. However, wolves are quintessential American icons. They are anxious to avoid us, yet we should understand and appreciate them even if they don't live in our back yard - yet. Read More

Photo by Chuck Abbe: Back Tomorrow

Receive a reminder to visit the Journal when the next issue or update is available. Send email to Update with "Update" in the subject line.

Do you tweet? If so, follow us on Twitter. Click here

Bobcat image on banner by Cleve Nash