Dear All -
There is something spectacular about the Central Coast. Every season is special and delightful. The great outdoors here continues to be something worth fighting for, protecting, and enjoying through sports, ocean activities, hikes, walks, bike rides, or sunset picnics.
Thank you all for continuing to support our Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club with your annual membership and additional donations! During my tenure as Chair, it has been wonderful to see an increase in membership and in donations. The membership age range spans some 70 years, which is fantastic.
The highlights of last month included our third annual “Picnic by The Sea” in Cambria on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
Many participants enjoyed a hike on the Fiscalini Preserve before lunch. A round of applause also goes to hike leader Art Westerfield for skillfully taking everyone out along the pristine coastline.
Kudos to our fantastic Vice Chair Ranel Porter and her husband Steve, for setting up a majority of the event. There was delicious food, and great tunes provided by Mark Welch. All had a proverbial “good time.”
Another highlight of August was being invited to the SLO Art Museum to meet the new director of the Community Foundation, Christine Dawson. There was a wide variety of non-profits represented. It was heartwarming to meet other volunteers for diverse causes throughout our County.
Our Santa Lucia Chapter Coordinator, Gianna Patchen, and our Programs Chair, Linda Moran, have worked tirelessly to host educational and action-oriented events.
Our homepage is up to date thanks to the gifted past Chair, Carole Mintzer! It is the best place to find out about the exciting, monthly “Earth Action Hours” and “General Meeting” topics.
Ironically, even before the tragic, local Gifford Fire that very recently burned nearly 150,000 acres, we had scheduled our next General Meeting presentation on “Wildfire Protection.” This “hot” and timely topic will be at the French Hospital Copeland Health Education Pavilion at 1911 Johnson Avenue in San Luis Obispo on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from 5:30-7:30 pm.
Traditionally, at General Meetings, people bring snacks for a delicious potluck and their own tableware. However, it is not mandatory to contribute! You can just come and enjoy the lecture! I hope to see you all there! RSVP today.
Personally, I applaud the hardworking souls of “Save Cuesta Inlet,” whose representative spoke at our last General Meeting in June. There are multiple levels of support requested, but as all of us who have ever been involved in fundraising for a good cause know, every little bit helps! Visit www.savecuestainlet.org. I am hoping for their success after three years of solid work and strategizing.
One of the reasons that I have enjoyed being a member of our local Chapter is that all of our members have been inclusive and kind. In the last few years, we have also made an increased effort to receive feedback and information from people from all walks of life.
If you want to be involved or make a suggestion for our Chapter, please do reach out or come and chat with any Executive Committee member personally with ideas to make our Chapter even better. Additionally, there will soon be a Google Form survey for each member to fill out so we can best meet everyone’s needs.
In closing, I am celebrating a new school year as a public school teacher, all of the accomplishments of our Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club, my family, friends, and my new hip! I have renewed energy, and I am laughing and smiling more than ever.
Thank you for being a part of something so very special to me - taking care of Mother Earth!
With love and gratitude,
Mila