Community, Cultural, Political, Activist, and General Interest
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The Family Care Network’s 11th annual Miracle Mile for Kids
On Saturday, April 19th, lace up with the Family Care Network’s (FCNI) 11th annual Miracle Miles for Kids (MM4K). Join FCNI from 8:30am to 12:00pm starting at Morro Rock in Morro Bay as we continue 11 years of running for a reason on the Central Coast.
MM4K's unique 6.2 mile all-sand course runs from the start at Morro Rock, along the water, and to Cayucos Pier, following one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in California. MM4K is perfect for all types—from serious athletes trying to beat personal records, to casual beach runners, to people looking for fun for the whole family. We invite all to register online at Miracle Mile for Kids or in person on April 19th between 6:00 and 8:00 am at Morro Rock in Morro Bay. Early birds can enjoy a special discounted registration cost of $35 for adults, and $15 for children.
For over a decade, MM4K participants have come together with the community in support of the children and families served by FCNI, cumulatively raising last year’s goal of $1 Million. Thousands more will join this year in MM4K to help advance FCNI’s mission of enhancing the lives of children and families in partnership with the community. MM4K is proof that together, we can truly make a difference in the live of children and families in need in the Central Coast.
Sponsors Sought for Bands on the Run
MORRO BAY, Calif. – Bands on the Run will return May 31 with a music-driven half marathon, 10K and 5K along the sand to raise funds for the Morro Bay High School music department.
After a successful inaugural year in 2013, run organizers say this year’s event will be bigger and better, with numerous live bands playing at key points along the course, including a rock band at majestic Morro Rock, the turn-around point for the 5K walk/run.
All courses begin at Morro Bay High School and head through the Cypress Tunnel, a tree-lined path that leads directly to the Estero Bay coastline. Upon reaching the beach, 10K and Half Marathon participants will head north toward Cayucos while 5K entrants head south.
The MBHS Music Boosters is a volunteer group of parents and community members committed to providing for the needs of the school’s music program that are not met by current school funding. Much of the money raised comes from race registration and participation fees, but sponsors are needed now to help with organizing expenses and promotion of the upcoming event.
Several groups have already signed on to assist with this year’s run, including: Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce; Morro Bay Tourism Bureau; James N. Clark, D.D.S.; Rio Salon & Spa; Embarcadero Inn; and WTP Tech Support. Those interested in learning more about the benefits of sponsorship can contact Debbie Clark, president of the MBHS Music Boosters, at (805) 225-6040 or go to www.MorroBayBOTR.com.
Registration information is also available at the Bands on the Run website or by emailing musicboostersmbhs@gmail.com
Morro Bay Seeks Pictures of the Past
As the city's 50th anniversary approaches, Morro Bay residents are taking a look back at the people, places and events that helped make the community what it is today. Anyone with ties to the area is being asked to leaf through family photo albums and find pictures that could be used during a citywide celebration next year to mark 50 years since Morro Bay became a city on July 17, 1964. "We're particularly looking for actions shots – a fire breaking out or an event taking place," said Morro Bay photographer Garry Johnson, who is gathering photos for the celebration. "We're concentrating on the past five decades, but we're interested in photos from any period." While pictures of the sun setting behind Morro Rock may be beautiful, they don't necessarily tell a story about the city's history. Johnson said celebration organizers are most interested in finding photos that illustrate life in the community.
The 50th anniversary celebration is still in the planning stages, Johnson said, and organizers are looking at a number of ways that the photos might be used. "It depends on what we have to work with," he said. "We'd like to get 10 pictures from each decade – the '60s, the '70s, the '80s, etc. – and make them part of a huge display. It would be a portable presentation of photos that could be moved to different locations around town." He said a book or other commemorative publication is also being considered. Johnson assured that those who contribute photos will receive appropriate credit and that they will be able to keep their originals.
"We will copy them and get written permission to use them," he said. He noted that the search is not limited to photos from the past 50 years. If people have older photos of historical significance, he and his fellow organizers would be interested in seeing those, too. Johnson is working with Bill and Tracy Shewchuk at Suite 1 Gallery. For more information, call Johnson at (805) 772-3738, or send email. Or, photos can be taken to the gallery at 601 Embarcadero, Suite 1, Morro Bay.
New Bike Map Puts Morro Bay Cyclists on the Right Path
Like many newcomers, when Barry Rands first arrived on the Central Coast, he was delighted to find a wealth of great bicycle routes. But the discovery was by trial and error. “I discovered Morro Bay’s bike paths by chance,” said Rands, who is now an associate engineer with the city’s Public Services Department. “Because they were hard to find, they were a really well-kept secret.”
Now the secret is out. Through a combined effort with the Morro Bay Tourism Bureau and the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club, the City of Morro Bay has a new Bike Route Map. The free map is available at several locations throughout the city, or it can soon be downloaded from the city’s website: www.morro-bay.ca.us.
The map shows detailed routes for biking within the city and marks public restrooms, bikes shops and other places of interest to cyclists. It also directs riders to regional routes around the Central Coast, from Cayucos to Los Osos and inland toward San Luis Obispo. “For those more adventurous riders, it includes some outlying routes through the countryside, and some elevation and climbing routes as well,” Rands said. He said biking enthusiasts have wanted a Morro Bay bike map for years, but without available funding, the plan was shelved. Recently, with financial support from the Morro Bay Tourism Bureau and the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club, the map became a reality.
Helping to spearhead the project was Robert Davis, chairman of the Morro Bay Citizens Bike Committee and past president of the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club. Both groups aim to encourage and support safe biking. “We love this type of project,” Davis said. “It fits exactly with the bike club’s mission.” He noted that the new map also demonstrates what can be achieved through successful partnership. “It’s an excellent example of nonprofits and government working together for the public,” he said.
Free copies of the map are available at: Morro Bay Visitors Center, 255 Morro Bay Blvd.; Morro Bay City Hall, 595 Harbor St.; the city’s Recreation & Parks Department, 1001 Kennedy Way; and at various other locations throughout the community.
State of the Bay Event Series Coming in April
Hosted by the Morro Bay National Estuary Program, State of the Bay provides opportunities for the public to learn about the environmental health of Morro Bay, including local wildlife, sea life, and the sensitive estuarine environment. Events include a guided Black Hill Hike on April 3 at 9am, the Bay Health and Science Presentations at Morro Bay Community Center on April 5th at 1pm, a Family Event at Tidelands Park on April 12 at 10am, DogFest at the Meadow at Del Mar Park on April 26 at 10am, a Bay Friendly Gardening Presentation at Sage Ecological Nursery in Los Osos, on-water tours, and more in and around Morro Bay.
The goal of State of the Bay is to share real, local science with the public about the health of the bay, and to engage the community in helping to keep the Morro Bay estuary clean. Data collected over the last five years will be presented in the State of the Bay report, a science-based assessment of the health of Morro Bay and the Morro Bay watershed. The report, available in March, will present results on water quality, sedimentation, bird populations, eelgrass monitoring, and many other aspects of bay health. State of the Bay is made possible by a grant from the Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust.
More information about State of the Bay and the complete event schedule is available online at MBNEP/State of the Bay. For questions, email Kathryn Winfrey, Communications and Development Coordinator, or call (805) 772-3834.
The Morro Bay National Estuary Program is a non-regulatory, non-profit organization that brings together citizens, local government, agencies, and landowners to protect and restore the Morro Bay Estuary for people and wildlife. The program conducts monitoring and research, restores natural habitats, and educates residents and visitors on how to keep Morro Bay clean and healthy. Morro Bay National Estuary Program
Morro Bay Art Associations Newest Show, “SPRING PATTERNS" Opens February 27th, 2014 at the Art Center Gallery, 835 Main Street, Morro Bay, California, 12 to 4pm daily
Opening Reception, Sunday March 2nd, 2014 from 2pm to 4pm; where the public can meet the featured artists: Marlene McQueen, Linda Meyer-Delcid, Lani Briceland and Leonore Messenger. Their work, which includes oil, fabric, pastel and acrylic will be shown in the Main Gallery with members work shown in the Russell Gallery.
Show closes on April 7th, 2014.
For more information or to rent our facilities, call: 772-2504 or go to our web site: www.artcentermorrobay.com
Visit various local city sites for their upcoming events listings: Los Osos, Morro Bay, Cayucos, Cambria.
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