Central Coast May 2023

Family

Inside

Wellness .................................... 2

Safety ............................................ 6

Fun & Games ...................... 8

Family Life ............................ 10

Local History ....................... 12

Wordmonger ....................... 14

Family Events ..................... 18

Local Resources ............... 20

Alt Education .................... 22

Free! Central Coast Family

Wellness
Common Airborne Allergens do not outgrow peanut or tree nut
allergies.
Dust mites are one of the most
common causes of allergies. These Soy. Like peanuts, soybeans are
microscopic insects are the main legumes. Soy allergy is more common
allergic component of house dust. among babies than older children.
Dust mites are present year-round Many infants who are allergic to
in most of the US (although less cow’s milk are also allergic to the
common at high altitudes) and live in protein in soy formulas. Soy proteins
bedding, upholstery, and carpets. are often a hidden ingredient in
prepared foods.
Pollen is another major cause of
allergies (AKA hay fever or rose Wheat. Wheat proteins are found in
fever). Trees, weeds, and grasses many foods. Celiac disease is caused
release tiny particles into the air to by a sensitivity to gluten, which is
May is “National Asthma and Allergy In someone with an allergy, the fertilize other plants. Pollen allergies found in wheat, rye, and barley. An
Awareness Month.” It’s a peak immune system treats the substance are seasonal, and the type of pollen allergy to wheat not only can make
season for asthma and allergy (called an allergen) as an invader and someone is allergic to determines someone feel ill, but can also cause a
sufferers, and a perfect time to overreacts, causing symptoms that when symptoms will occur. life-threatening reaction.
educate your family, friends, co- can range from annoying to serious
Molds are fungi that thrive indoors Other Common Allergens
workers, and others about allergies. or life threatening.
and out in warm, moist environments.
Insect stings. Being stung by an
There is no cure for asthma and Allergies can be seasonal or can occur Outdoors, molds can be found in
insect can mean swelling, redness,
allergies, but many severe reactions any time contact with an allergen poor drainage areas, such as in
and itching at the site. But for
are preventable with proper care. occurs. piles of rotting leaves or compost.
those with insect venom allergy, an
Asthma affects 24 million Americans, Indoor molds thrive in dark, poorly
Who Gets Allergies? insect sting can cause more severe
and 6.3 million children suffer ventilated places, such as bathrooms
symptoms.
from asthma. Ten people a day die The tendency to develop allergies is and damp basements, and in clothes
from asthma. More than 50 million often hereditary. Someone usually hampers or under kitchen sinks. Medicines. Antibiotics (used to treat
Americans have all types of allergies. doesn’t inherit a particular allergy, infections) are the most common
Pet allergens from warm-blooded
The rate of allergies is climbing. just the likelihood of having allergies. types of medicines that cause allergic
animals (such as dander, saliva, and
reactions.
But some kids have allergies even
About Allergies urine) can cause problems. Contrary
if none of their family members is to popular belief, there is no such Chemicals. Cosmetics or laundry
An allergy is an overreaction of allergic. And a child who is allergic to thing as a non-allergenic dog or cat. detergents can cause an itchy rash.
the immune system to a substance one substance is likely to be allergic Dyes, household cleaners, and
that’s harmless to most people. to others. Cockroaches are also a major
pesticides also can cause reactions.
household allergen, especially in
inner cities. Exposure to infested Airborne Allergy Symptoms
buildings may cause the high rates of
Airborne allergens can cause allergic
Central Coast Family asthma in inner-city kids.
TM

(805) 528-0440 rhinitis. It usually develops by 10

Common Food Allergens years of age and peaks in the teens or
Our goal is to connect Central Coast families with the resources they need to thrive! early twenties, with symptoms often
The American Academy of Allergy,
disappearing between the ages of 40
Asthma, and Immunology estimates
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Associate EDITORS and 60. Symptoms can include:
Patrice Horspool Claire & Jack Vogel
that eight foods cause most allergies.
sneezing
ccfamilyed@gmail.com ccfamilyae@gmail.com Cow’s milk. Between 2% and 3% of
infants are allergic to the proteins itchy nose and/or throat
found in cow’s milk and cow’s milk-
nasal congestion
PHOTOGRAPHy ADVERTISING based formulas. Cow’s milk protein
Stanley Horspool CC F Inquiries: allergy is a reaction to proteins used coughing
ccfamilyph@gmail.com ccfamilyad@gmail.com to make baby formulas, cheeses, These symptoms may be
and other milk products. Many kids accompanied by itchy, watery, and/
outgrow milk allergies. or red eyes, which is called allergic
GRAPHIC DESIGN DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Out of the Blue ™
Eric Woodards Eggs. One of the most common conjunctivitis. (When dark circles
food allergies in infants and young are present around the eyes, they’re
FEATURE & CONTRIBUTING WRITERS children, eggs are used in many of called allergic “shiners.”) Those who
Jennifer Best, John J. Cannell, Guy Crabb, Kerrin Edmonds, the foods kids eat — and in many have asthma may have wheezing and
Stanley W. Horspool, Karyn Lutes, Rebecca Juretic, CS Perryess cases they’re “hidden” ingredients. shortness of breath from airborne
Kids tend to outgrow egg allergies. allergens.
Central Coast Family is published monthly with a readership over 40,000 throughout
™

Fish and shellfish. Fish and shellfish Symptoms of Food, Medicines, or

San Luis Obispo County and North Santa Barbara County. Insect Venom Allergies
are from different families of food,
Find us online: www.centralcoastfamily.com so having an allergy to one does not trouble breathing
necessarily mean someone will be
www.facebook.com/CentralCoastFamily allergic to the other. coughing
Submission deadline: 20th of each month prior to publication Peanuts and tree nuts. Peanut allergy hoarseness
Information contained in advertisements and other submissions is accepted in good faith. Publication does not imply endorsement by Central Coast
Family. Opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect views of the publisher. We reserve the right to reject or edit submissions for any reason.
is another common and increasing throat tightness
food allergy in kids. Another common
allergy is to tree nuts. Most people stomachache
Material published herein may not be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. © CCF 2022

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 Wellness
vomiting exposure are hard to miss. Others
are less obvious because they seem
diarrhea
similar to other conditions.
itchy or swollen eyes
If your child has cold-like symptoms
red spots lasting longer than a week or two or
develops a “cold” at the same time
drop in blood pressure
every year, consult your doctor. To
About Anaphylaxis find the cause of an allergy, allergists
Kids with severe allergies can be at usually do skin tests for the most
risk for a sudden, potentially life- common allergens.
threatening allergic reaction called Treating Allergies
anaphylaxis. A child might faint or
There is no cure for allergies, but
like his throat is closing, for example.
it is possible to relieve symptoms.
Reactions can quickly worsen. If not
The only real way to cope with
treated, anaphylaxis can be fatal.
them is to reduce or eliminate
When treated properly, anaphylaxis
exposure to allergens. That means
can be managed.
that parents must educate their
If your child is diagnosed with a life- kids early and often. Informing
threatening allergy, the doctor will any and all caregivers about your
want her to carry an epinephrine child’s allergy is also important. If
auto-injector in case of an emergency. reducing exposure to allergens isn’t
Kids with severe allergic reactions possible or effective, medicines may
need an injection of epinephrine and help, including antihistamines, eye
immediate medical attention. drops, and nasal sprays.
Remove carpets or rugs from your Children with food allergies need
Diagnosing Allergies Here are some things that can help child’s room. to completely avoid products made
Some allergies are easy to identify kids avoid airborne allergens: Get rid of heavy drapes and other
with their allergens. This can be
because symptoms following Keep pets out of a child’s bedroom. tough as allergens can be found
items that allow dust to build up.
in many unexpected foods and
Clean when your child is out of the products.
room.
The good news is that only a very
Seal pillows and mattresses with small group of kids will experience
covers if your child is allergic to dust severe or life-threatening allergic
mites. reactions. With proper diagnosis,
preventive measures, and treatment,
Keep windows closed during
most kids can keep their allergies in
peak pollen season, bathe after
check and live happy, healthy lives.
being outdoors.
Keep kids with mold allergies away
Reprinted with permission. © 2023 The Nemours
from damp areas. Foundation. All rights reserved.

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Safety
National Water Safety Month
Play it Safe!
Nothing’s more fun on a warm
day than playing in the water,
whether you’re home, at a local
park or waterpark, or the beach.
But while you’re having fun, don’t
forget that water safety is serious
business. Drowning is the leading
cause of death for children under
age five in the United States. May
is National Water Safety Month;
a perfect time to remember
that water safety is everyone’s
responsibility.
Water Safety Tips
Teach children water safety
and swimming skills as early as
possible. All children are born
with a breath holding reflex that
disappears at 10-12 months of
age. This means that infants will
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Don’t just wait for paramedics to
arrive and lose valuable life-saving
seconds. 4-6 minutes without
oxygen can cause permanent
brain damage or death.
automatically hold their breath Pool Safety Tips
under water.
Keep rescue equipment and a first
Always brief babysitters on water aid kit at poolside.
safety, emphasizing the need for
constant supervision. Equip doors and windows that
exit to a pool area with alarms. drowningpreventionfoundation.com
Appoint a “designated watcher”
to monitor children during social Keep a telephone close by when
gatherings at or near the water. you or your family is using a pool Share safety instructions with
or spa, with emergency numbers family, friends and neighbors.
Post CPR instructions in your programmed into speed-dial.
home, learn the procedures, and Understand the basics of life-
update your skills regularly. Install four-sided isolation fencing, saving so that you can assist in a
at least five feet high, equipped pool emergency.
Don’t rely on swimming lessons, with self-closing and self-latching
life preservers, or other equipment gates, that completely surrounds Maintain appropriate equipment
to keep a child “water safe.” the pool and prevents direct for your pool or spa.
access from the house and yard.
Don’t think that you’ll hear a child Install a four-foot or taller fence
who’s in trouble in the water; Maintain constant visual contact around the pool and spa and
child drowning is silent, with no with children in a pool or pool use self-closing and self-latching
splashing to alert anyone. area. If a child is missing, check gates; ask your neighbors to do
the pool first; seconds count in the same at their pools.
preventing death or disability. Install and use a lockable safety
Don’t use flotation devices as a cover on your spa.
substitute for supervision. Never If your house serves as a fourth
allow a young child in a pool side of a fence around a pool,
without an adult. install door alarms and always use
Don’t leave objects such as toys them. For additional protection,
that might attract a child in the install window guards on windows
pool and pool area. facing pools or spas.
Never prop the gate to a pool Install pool and gate alarms to
area open. alert you when children go near
the water.
Never assume someone else is
watching a child in a pool area. Ensure any pool and spa you use
has compliant drain covers, and
Don’t leave chairs or other items ask your pool service provider if
of furniture where a child could you do not know.
use them to climb into a fenced
pool area. Maintain pool and spa covers in
good working order.
Stay close and alert watching
children in and around the pool. Consider using a surface wave or
underwater alarm.
Never leave a child unattended in
a pool or spa and always watch
your child when he or she is in or
near water. Find more safety tips for pools and
spas at poolsafely.gov.
Keep children away from pool
drains, pipes and other openings Learn more about the National
to avoid entrapments. Water Safety campaign, events,
and how to help others swim
If a child is missing, look for him or safely this summer, at www.
her in the pool or spa first. nationalwatersafetymonth.com.
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Fun & Games Jack’s Jokes
If evolution really works, why do mothers have only two hands?

Knock Knock. Who’s there? Figs. Figs who? Figs the doorbell!

What do you call a lazy baby kangaroo? A pouch potato!

Mother’s Day Word Search

Sudoku begins with some of the grid cells filled with numbers. The object is to fill
the other empty cells with numbers between 1 and 9 (1 number only in each cell).
A number should appear only once in each row, column, and region.

S
U
D
O
K
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U
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 Brainfuse
On demand, anytime, anywhere eLearning. View how easy, intuitive and engaging
Brainfuse HelpNow eLearning is for all ages and levels.

G o t o : w w w. s l o l i b r a r y. o r g / i n d ex . p h p / k i d s
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Family Life
Grow it & Cook It
Gardening With Kids
Have you tasted a homegrown
tomato or a strawberry picked
straight from your own garden?
Preparing dishes with vegetables
or fruit that you have grown is a
real treat. Teaching your children
to grow vegetables and fruits to
cook is an excellent family project,
especially during the summer
months when school is out and
harvest time approaches!
Growing and preparing their own
vegetables allows children to
contribute to their family, learn
about nature and science, and
develop patience. Sharing a
garden can provide opportunities
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by Steven Smith
for the family to spend quality
time together. Children can learn
about the history and variety of
vegetables, how to cultivate them,
and traditions, celebrations and
folklore about them (such as, using
pumpkins in fall celebrations).
To foster interest in planting a
garden, try these popular books
for young children: The Carrot
Seed, Growing Vegetable Soup,
and Little Yellow Pear Tomatoes.
For older children, I recommend:
Grow it Cook It; A Backyard
Vegetable Garden for Kids; The
Vegetables We Eat, and Blue
Potatoes, Orange Tomatoes. And,
don’t forget the all-time favorite gardeningwithkids/Gardening_
classic Jack and the Beanstalk! with_Kids (This site has links to
other garden websites), www.
Many vegetables can be grown backyardgardener.com/veg, and/
either in a plot of ground or in or www.thegardenhelper.com.
containers. Kids can research
the local growing season, their Take your child on field trips. To
gardening zone, how much space see a deluxe vegetable stand,
vegetables need, what kind of soil visit the Avila Valley Barn (http://
and fertilizer is best, how to start www.avilavalleybarn.com/). Call
plants or seeds, and what tools 595-2810 for hours. Another
are needed. fantastic place to take the kids is
the seasonal Cal Poly U-Pick fields
Before your child decides what to (http://crops.calpoly.edu/). Call
plant, they can visit the produce 756-2279 for dates and hours.
section of a local grocery store or Shop at our many local Farmers’
a garden shop. If there isn’t much Markets to see a multitude of
outdoor space for a garden plot, vegetables and fruits grown on
children might prefer planting the Central Coast.
vegetables in containers. Cherry
tomatoes grow well in pots and Harvesting your vegetables from
small children love them. Popular the garden is especially fun and
plants for children to grow include rewarding. If your children have
tomatoes, zucchini, pumpkins, not cooked before, this can be
beans, potatoes, and carrots. an excellent opportunity for
them to learn how to prepare
There are many helpful gardening fresh vegetables for the family’s
books and web sites. Kids can meal. Betty Crocker’s Cookbook
look for books like these at local for Girls and Boys, DK Children’s
libraries or bookstores: Cook Book, and American Heart
• I n My Garden: a Child’s Association Kids’ Cookbook
have illustrations or step-by-step
Gardening Book, shows a
garden 10 x 12 feet with seven instructions so children can follow
types of vegetables: lettuce, along. Other popular cookbooks
radishes, carrots, zucchini, for children include:
beans, peppers and tomatoes) • Emeril’s: There’s A Chef in My
for preschoolers. Soup: Recipes for the Kid in
• A Kid’s Guide to How Vegetables Everyone by Emeril Lagasse for
Grow by Patricia Ayers for ages ages 4-8.
4 to 8. • Kids Can Cook Vegetarian
• Growing Vegetables is Fun by Recipes by Dorothy R. Bates for
Emma Cooper. ages 4-8.
• The Ultimate Step-by-Step Kids’ • Kid’s Cookbook: A Great Book
First Gardening Book: Fantastic for Kids Who Love to Cook! by
Gardening Ideas for 5-12 year Olds Abigail Dodge for ages 4-8.
by Jenny Hendy for ages 4-8. • Kitchen Fun for Kids by Michael
• Kids in the Garden: Growing F. Jacobson for ages 7-12.
Plants for Food and Fun by • Kids Can Press: Jumbo
Elizabeth McCorquodale for Cookbook for ages 9-12.
ages 9-12.
• Kids Cook 1-2-3 by Rozanne Gold
• Growing Vegetables by Tracy for ages 9-12.
Maurer for ages 9-12.
So get your children outdoors
• Jerry Baker’s Terrific Tomatoes, and start your family vegetable
Sensational spuds and Mouth- garden. Come harvest time, you’ll
Watering Melons (for older all be glad you did!
children and young adults).
Go online with your kids and Steven Smith is a resident of San Luis Obispo
check out these websites: and a graduate of CSU Long Beach with a
degree in Creative Writing. Steven is a painter/
www.homeandgardensite.com, muralist and freelance writer. Steven can be
www.gardening.about.com/od/ reached at: sloartiststevensmith@yahoo.com.
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Local History
San Luis Obispo Summer 1917
I taught 4th grade, and students
in my class wr0te research
reports. One of those reports
was called “The Coin.” I put an
assortment of old pennies in a
jar and each student picked out
a coin. They were then assigned
to write a report on the year their
penny was minted and to create
the front-page of a newspaper
showing the headlines of that
year. My oldest penny was a 1912
and the most recent one was a
1980.
For my readers in their 50s, 60s,
and older, 1980 was 40 years ago.
Yikes! The outline for our reports
started with what was happening
locally, then statewide, in the
United States, and then finally
throughout the world during
their year. We discussed what
the world was like 100 years ago.
Imagine what it would be like to
walk down Higuera Street in San
Luis Obispo in the year 1917. It’s
a beautiful day for a walk.
Join my wife and myself on a
Friday stroll in downtown San
Luis Obispo at about noon in
the summer of 1917. We start
our walk at the corner of Santa
Rosa and Higuera streets and
set off to complete several
chores. My wife Janet has a list
of things we need to do today
and we are walking rather than
taking our wagon into town. To
be honest, I was just too lazy to
hitch up the horse to the wagon
(and figure if we don’t bring the
wagon then we can’t spend too
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by Guy Crabb
much money). I’m sure our horse
Rocky is also happy about not
pulling the wagon on this warm
afternoon. One less horse on the
road also means less dust flying
around in the air. There are so
many horses and wagons kicking
up dirt on the downtown streets
on Saturday afternoons, I often
wish I wore a mask.
Some wealthy people are starting
to get automobiles in this part
of California. Janet and I have
decided to stick with our horse
and wagon because we both
agree this whole automobile
idea is crazy and will never last,
and those automobiles have a
funny smell. Speaking of odors,
I can tell we are getting close to
town because I can smell Rowan
Stables.
The stables (now a parking lot
next to Union Bank on the corner
of Higuera and Osos) are taking
care of fewer horses these days,
which is why San Luis Transfer
is using part of their property.
Rowan Stables is a big building,
and today I noticed the stable
boys trying to repair one of those
automobiles. Those machines
always seem to be breaking
down, which is another reason
we will never buy one.
Most of upper Higuera Street is
flanked by fields and empty lots,
but as you get past the stables,
there are many businesses where
the good citizens of San Luis
Obispo County do their shopping.
Monterey Street has gotten a makeover.
Buildings have been renovated and the
parking lots have been dug up.
Buy your copy of Monterey / Marsh Sts
100 Year Book. Remember the past, as
the future is right around the corner.
Enjoy Your Memories!
Get an autographed copy at:
w w w. s l o 1 0 0 ye a r s . co m
Also available at Barnes and Noble, Crushed Grape, Antiques of Monterey,
History Center, Apple Farm, and Boo Boo Records. GUY CRABB PUBLISHING
As we pass the stables, we walk of my favorite fresh cigars.
by Harrington Bros. Harness
Makers (875 Higuera - where the Janet does not approve of me
Gap was for years) and wave at smoking cigars, but it is one of
the brothers who have been my few bad habits. I’ve read in
making our horse harnesses the newspaper that smoking may
for many years. They use the be bad for your health. Even Ty
best leather and the strongest Cobb thinks that smoking is bad
steel. People from all around the for your lungs. George Kluver
county come to San Luis Obispo and his sons roll the best cigars
to buy their harnesses from the in town. We can smell the aroma
Harrington Brothers. of cigars leaves that comes from
downstairs where many of the
The first thing on my wife’s To cigars are rolled. Kluver and Sons
Do list is a stop at City Hall (867 Cigar Store (in what is now 716
Higuera - where Charles Shoes Higuera) has been located here
was for years) to ask about the for many years.
tax on a piece to property we
The J. J. Andre store is next door
own out near El Moro (Morro
(714 Higuera - Romp Shoe Store
Bay). I don’t mind stopping by
is there today), and Janet goes in
City Hall because the fire station
to do a little shopping. I hope she
is on the ground floor and while
doesn’t buy anything too heavy
my dear wife is upstairs inquiring
because I don’t want to carry
about property taxes, I can check
around 10 pounds of dry goods.
out the new fire wagon the city
She comes out empty handed, but
recently purchased. The fire
wagons are red with lots of shinyI did notice she had a paper in her
hand. She bought some things
chrome everywhere. I can see
the horses that pull the wagons and arranged for the Sandercock
moving company to bring it up
out in back. Janet comes down
after about 20 minutes and pulls to our house. Suddenly, I feel
a headache coming on and ask
me away off down the street.
if we coan stop by Norton Drug
We walk past the White House Store to buy some pain pills.
Grocery store and Janet asks me Thank you for joining us. I hope
to remind her to stop here on you have enjoyed our stroll in
our way home. The Sandercock historic San Luis Obispo. It won’t
family has had this store on be long until we can safely go
Higuera forever (856 Higuera - out and mingle again. In the
Fiore is there today), and they meantime, stay well everyone!
have hauled many items for me
in the past. I always have them
Guy Crabb retired after teaching for over
deliver animal feed to our ranch 32 years, most recently at Charles E. Teach
out in El Moro. We say howdy. If Elementary School in San Luis Obispo. He was
we greet everyone, I will never selected as San Luis Coastal Unified School
District Teacher of the Year for 2006-2007.
get down to Kluver’s to buy some Reach him at crabbx5@charter.net.
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 Mother
Education

bunk & its buddies of the term and it simply means

cheap, nonsensical or pretentious
English is rife with colorful terms language.
referring to irrelevant, useless, or sound (cellophane, cinnamon, Others argue for the Arabic term
empty words. As we ramp up to There are so many great synonyms cyborg…). Otherwise, it makes yasara, he played at dice, while
elections, let’s celebrate a few. for bunk, blatherskite, bosh and the K sound (coliform, curly, others argue for azahr or al-zahr,
claptrap. Followers, what empty- cadaver…). The scraperfish rule meaning, the die.
Bunk appeared in American word words would you add to the even works when a C is doubled, as
English about 1900 as a shortened list? in accident and accelerate. When By the mid-1500s, the English
form of bunkum, meaning a C is followed by the letter H, all word hazard shed its specific
nonsense. By most accounts the the elusive scraperfish bets are off, but in other cases, connection to games of chance
term was born in the US House it’s amazing how consistently this and became generalized to refer
of Representatives when North Word-lovers go to great lengths pronunciation rule applies. to any chance of loss, harm, or risk.
Carolina Representative Felix to help others make sense of
Walker threw in his two cents this nutty language we love so What’s cooler still is that there’s a What I find fascinating is that by
regarding Missouri’s statehood well. The Elusive Scraperfish is second form of scraperfish. most accounts, the word entered
in relation to the Mason-Dixon one such tale. It’s not elusive English due to the Crusades.
Line. He needed to say something because of its astounding Soldiers don’t spend all their time
that would appear in the papers camouflage or because it buries lopping off heads; they have a
back home in Buncombe, so itself in the muck. It’s elusive little down time to learn the local
he unabashedly made a “long, because so many people don’t customs and play the local games,
dull, irrelevant speech.” In time, even know it’s there. Such is the Amazingly, it hunts the same and throwing dice was one of the
Buncombe shifted to bunkum, nature of bottomdwellers that exact prey, giving us gelatin, gin, games Crusaders learned during
which got shortened to bunk. concern themselves with English and gymnasium in the presence their travels. Isn’t it wickedly
pronunciation rules. of its prey, and gasoline, gogo ironic that games of chance, and
Blatherskite, was born during the boots, and guru otherwise. This eventually a word referring to risk
American Revolution, and refers second fish’s rule doesn’t work and chance of loss was born of
to both the words spoken by a when g doubles up. Also, it has the recreational time of Christian
talkative, nonsensical person and some high profile rule-breaking soldiers heading to the Holy Land
the person him/herself. It comes words in begin and girl, but like with violent intent? That’s not just
of blather, meaning to babble. the first scraperfish, it applies the irony, that’s exponential irony.
Blather is a Scottish term derived Meet the scraperfish. It scrapes great majority of the time.
from an Old Norse word meaning along on the bottom of the sea,
to wag the tongue, added to skite, looking for its tunnel-dwelling Okay, so how many of you
meaning contemptible individual. prey. As its rough belly scrapes word nerds have already met Many thanks to sources: Etymonline.com,
We see a related ending in the along the ocean floor, it makes the the scraperfish? And who can Interesting English Borrowed Words, Hugh
word cheapskate, and a related sound kkkkkk, kkkkkkk, kkkkkk, contribute other unlikely tales
Rawson’s Wicked Words and the OED.
beginning in the term blithering signifying to those in the know to support English spelling or
idiot. Skite also originated in Old that the letter C (masquerading pronunciation rules?
Norse, from a word meaning to as a gill), generally makes the
shoot, which apparently is what K sound. However, when the hazard
the Old Norse thought should be scraperfish spots its tunnel-
done with blatherers. dwelling prey, it sucks it up, savors This word’s etymology is quite
it, and says sssss, sssss, sssss. pleasingly contentious.
Bosh came to English in the 1830s
from Turkish. Its literal Turkish Hazard came into English about
meaning of empty, applies in 1300 from the Old French word,
English only to meaningless hasard or hasart, a game of
speech or writing. chance played with dice. Most
etymologists agree that the
Claptrap appeared in the 1730s The observant reader will notice French word stems from the CS Perryess writes for teens, narrates audio
and meant a stage trick to catch the nature of the scraperfish’s Spanish word, azar, an unfortunate books, and ponders the wonder of words in a
foggy little town on California’s central coast.
applause. Since then we’ve lost prey. When the letter C is followed card or throw at dice. From there, Find more at http://csperryess.blogspot.com,
the applause-inducing element by an E, I, or Y, it makes the S some etymologists see no source. or reach him at csperryess@gmail.com.

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Local Resources
days per week. Contact: 929-6878. Santa Maria Joint Union Home School.

Alternative Education
Santa Lucia School on 5 acres in
Templeton. Peace education for
over 25 years. Integrated curriculum
founded on life experiences, in-
Accredited high school program at
Santa Maria Public Library. Interactive
student-parent-teacher partnerships
provide educational resources, a
mentor teacher, and eligibilty for

on the
depth study, and active immersion in
the arts for grades 1-8. Attendance
Mon-Thu with homeschool Fridays.
Carpooling encouraged. Contact:
sports, clubs, and activities. Students
may qualify to enroll in community
college as well as secondary classes.
Contact: 937-2051 x 2761 or x 2762.

Central Coast families are fortunate to have a wide variety of quality
choices for their children’s education. Following are some options for
those seeking secular alternative education in our region. For more
information on independent and religious schools, go to: cde.ca.gov/
re/sd or private-schools.findthebest.com/directory/a/California.
Parent Participation. San Luis Coastal
Adult School offers core classes
to enhance parenting skills, meet
other families, and allow children
to play with peers. Also enrichment
classes such as Spanish, Cooking,
and Gardening, and a Cooperative
Preschool at CL Smith. Contact: 549-
1222 or parentparticipation.org.
Charter Schools
CAVA – California Virtual Academies
and K¹² give kids the chance to
learn at their own pace. Online
schooling is aligned with California
state standards. Teacher support as
needed, meetings and work samples
required quarterly. Contact: (866)
339-6790, caliva.org, or k12.com.
Family Partnership. A tuition-free
K-12 independent study public school
serving Santa Barbara, San Luis
Obispo and Ventura counties. Home
study charter schools in San Luis
Obispo (165 Grand Ave), Solvang,
Santa Maria, and Cambria. Meet
with teachers weekly and turn in
work samples. Contact: 348-3333 or
fpcharter.org.
Olive Grove. Independent study
home school with sites in San Luis
Obispo (165 Grand Ave), Santa
Maria, Lompoc, Los Olivos, and
Santa Barbara. Meet with teacher
weekly and turn in work samples.
Enrichment classes also offered.
Contact: 543-2701 or sbceoportal.
org/losolivos.
Orcutt Academy Independent Study.
Affiliated with Orcutt Academy
Charter School at 500 Dyer St, this
free program offers home study and
blended classroom/home study for
grades K-8. Contact: 938-8934 or
orcuttacademycharter.net.
Summit Academy charter school
serves K-12 grades, and provides
Central Coast
434.2217 or santaluciaschool.org.
Templeton Independent Study
SLO Classical Academy. Private High School. WASC accredited.
school. Part time or full time Weekly meeting with teacher.
classical education in SLO. Part time Opportunity for early graduation
options are Tuesday/ Thursday or and concurrent Cuesta College
Monday/ Wednesday with a Friday enrollment. In Templeton and SLO
enrichment day. Contact: 548-8700 at Los Ranchos Elementary School.
or sloclassicalacademy.com. Contact 434-5833 or tae.tusd.
ca.schoolloop.com/tishs.
Wishing Well School in Los Osos
offers pre-school, mixed age Trivium Charter Schools in Lompoc,
kindergarden, and 1st-3rd grades. Santa Maria, and Arroyo Grande
The approach (educating the whole offer a hybrid program of classical
child: head, heart, and hands) is project-based classes 2 days per
based on Rudolf Steiner’s Waldorf week and homeschool 3 days
personalized home-based learning model. Contact: 235-4401. per week. Contact: 489-7474 or
that fosters investigation, skill Children’s triviumcharter.org.
House Montessori
development and creativity, and School in Atascadero strives to help West Mall Alternative School.
lifelong curiosity. Contact: (818) 450- each child reach his/her greatest Independent Study Home School
9810 or summitacademyca.org. potential, by embracing learning in Atascadero. Contact: 462-4238
and appreciating and respecting or edline.net/pages/West_Mall_
Nature Based Schools the world. Contact: 466-5068 or Alternative.
SLOWanders. Offering nature-based childrenshouse.cc. Paso Robles Joint Unified School
education in SLO County. Programs Montessori Children’s School in San District Home School & Independent
include wilderness living skills, Luis Obispo seeks to inspire a passion Study Program serves K-8th grade.
naturalist studies, wildlife tracking, for excellence, to nurture curiosity, Students and parents work one-on-
awareness skills, and rites-of-passage creativity and imagination, and to
one with teachers, receive lesson
customized for after-school, home- awaken the human spirit of every plans, textbooks, and teachers’
school, and personal one-on-one child. Ages 3-12. Contact: 544-6691
editions for all subjects. Classes,
mentoring. Weekend workshops or montessoriofslo.com. enrichment activities, and field trips
for adults. Contact: 215-0595 or
are also offered. Contact: 769-1675.
slowanders.com. Central Coast Montessori School in
Morro Bay offers a rich, individualized Homeschool Organizations
Outside Now. Summer, after-school, academic environment to promote
and private nature-based education independence and optimum scholastic California Homeschool Network is
in SLO County. Contact: 541-9900 or achievement. Contact: 772-9317 or
a statewide grassroots organization
outsidenow.org. centralcoastmontessori.com. to protect the right of parents to
Coyote Road Regional School. Heritage Montessori Preschool educate their children. Their website
Natural Science and Outdoor in San Luis Obispo provides an provides information about current
Education. Contact: 466-4550 or enriching and loving environment in state and federal laws, and how to
coyoteroadschool.com. get started. Contact: (800) 327-5339
a beautiful country setting. Waldorf or californiahomeschool.net.
Independent Schools and Montessori based for ages 2.5-5
years. Contact: 235-5589. Homeschoolers of the Central
Coast. An inclusive Yahoo! group
Central Coast International School. Academics and More is a Homeschool
Inquiry-based, small class, International Helper class for 7th-8th grade at meeting on a regular basis for
Baccalaureate (IB) candidate school interaction and field trips: groups.
Ludwick Community Center in SLO. yahoo.com/group/Homeschoolers_of_
serving grades 1-8 in SLO. One tablet
computer per child. Spanish and Offered in partnership with City of the_Central_Coast.
Mandarin taught weekly. Strong SLO, this class includes a convenient Santa Maria Inclusive Learners.
math, sciences, music and arts. Caring cost-effective way for students to A Yahoo! group offering free
community that nurtures learners. gain access to a tutor, community homeschool enrichment and
Contact: 858-8054 or ccisslo.com. involvement, assistance with their
school work, time management and support: groups.yahoo.com/group/
santa_maria_inclusive_learners.
The Laureate School. Project-based, organization skills, and more. Contact:
differentiated learning to develop EarthAdventuresForKids.com. Templeton Unified School District
critical thinking, in arts, technology, K-8 Home Schooling program.
foreign language, and character Public Schools
Contact: 434-5840 or tae.tusd.ca.
development programs. In San schoolloop.com.
Luis Obispo. Contact: 544-2141 or Cambria Montessori Learning Center.
laureateschool.org. Tuition-free public school in Morro
Bay for grades K-6th through the Note: This feature is published as space
Clarity Steiner School in Nipomo. Family Partnership Charter School. allows and is a work in progress. Please
Waldorf education for first and Contact: 927-2337, 541-2412 or submit updates, corrections, or additional
second graders. Class meets four familypartnershipschool.com. resources to: ccfamilyed@gmail.com.

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 Education

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