{ Volume XXIII, Number 6 } November & December 2008 A Publication of the Women’s Community Center of San Luis Obispo

po County

Janet Roberts: “My Inner Territory” mixed media on canvas, 48 x 96”

5 Nice Girl Syndrome 8 Interview with 10 The Hormone 13

Outgoing Editor Dilemma

7 Voices Around 9 Introduction from 11 Upcoming

the Table New Editor Workshops
2 Women’sPress
Dear Readers,
I write this on the morning after the
election and my heart is full. I am hope-
ful. We have elected a leader who says “we”
more he says “I.” Watching the variety of
faces in Grant Park during his speech, we
could see who the “we” are. All ages, all
colors—all moved by his call to hope—
and accepting that change will be possible
only if we work together. For me, Obama’s
appeal has always been his ability to speak
with an awareness of both the yin and the
yang—in a world in which there is way
too much yang. He was the only candidate
who appeared to embrace both his mascu-
line and feminine aspects. Yes, he showed
assertiveness, an ability to control and take
charge, but he also exhibited gentleness,
tenderness, patience, and receptiveness. He
has a grace, a serenity, a lightness of being—
and his message of hope has always been
one of inclusion, relationship. In a world
crying out for balance, he responded, and
we responded to him.
Our theme for the Women’s Press work-
shops has been “Gather the Women – Save
the World,” which is another way to say
that honoring the feminine is necessary for
planetary salvation. The voices of women
in the Press have always reflected that wis-
dom—and so does Obama’s. His election
is a confirmation that our country’s collec-
tive energies are poised to find ways to heal
Mother Earth and serve the common good.
This is my last issue as editor. In January,
this column will be Courtney’s Quill and
Courtney Brogno will take over as manag-
ing editor. She is as committed as I have
been to make sure that women’s voices are
heard and that women in our community
make connections with one another. She
introduces herself on page 9.
My life has been so enriched over the
last six years as editor as the women in the
county have entered my life in their words
and spirits. Some have become treasured
friends. I will continue to write for the Press,
support Courtney as she takes on her edi-
torial tasks, and work with many of you to
organize events that will bring us together
to make connections and build community.
Thank you to all of you who enable an
independent newspaper by, for, and about
women to exist in our county. In the chal-
lenging times ahead, we will need your sup-
port, especially financial support. Click
occasionally on the Donate button on
the Women’s Community Center website,
www.wccslo.org. Keep in people’s hands
our ideas and visions.
My best to you all in these “interesting”
times,
MAILING ADDRESS:
Women’s Press
Women’s Community Center
880 Industrial Way
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805.544.9313
Managing Editor: Kathleen Deragon
womenspress.slo@gmail.com
Layout & Design: Benjamin Lawless
Photographer: Lynda Roeller
Distribution Manager: Charlene Huggins
Advertising Team:
Beverly Cohen, Carol Dawn, Benjamin Lawless
Submissions Welcomed!
Articles, essays, opinion pieces, letters, artwork, poetry
wanted & appreciated. The Women’s Press reserves the
right to edit all submissions for content, clarity &
length. Contact womenspress.slo@gmail.com or call
805-544-9313.
The opinions expressed in the Women’s Press are those of the
authors & do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the
Women’s Community Center. The Women’s Community Center
does not necessarily endorse products or services advertised
in the Women’s Press.
Drum Circle Magic
Part Four: The Heart Beat
By Francesca Bolognini 
Welcome back to the circle. In the first
three installments, I have shared with you
our universal rhythmic heritage, intimate
connection to rhythm, and various options
for exploration and shared experience. Part
four will connect you to the center of the
circle, the heart beat. Playing solo, the
heart beat may be your own. Try playing
to your own heart for a few minutes and
notice the difference in how you feel. This
practice is very centering and calming. It
will positively affect physiological processes
as well. You might offer to drum gently
for someone who is ill or severely stressed
and observe the changes which take place.
In the ancient world, women were trained
in great temples to use sophisticated forms
of this very principle to do healing work
throughout their communities. When we
drum, we resurrect and renew our rightful
powers to serve the greater good.
There are logical reasons for this transfor-
mational effect of rhythm. Before a woman
is born, all the eggs she will produce are
formed while in her mother’s body. So the
first sound to which you are exposed, at cel-
lular level, is your grandmother’s heart beat,
then the polyrhythm created by the addi-
tion of your mother’s heart and then your
own. Throughout prenatal development,
these fluctuating vibrations dominate. It is
no surprise how soothing the sensation of
resting ones’ head against the breast of our
beloved is.
Often in a drum circle, this centering
function is filled by a leader who plays what
is called, quite appropriately, the mother
drum. Frequently larger, louder, and deeper
than the other instruments, it should always
5000 free copies distributed in SLO County. Subscriptions available.
Contributors
Beverly Engel
Jeanie Greensfelder
Ali Hatcher
Hilda Heifetz
Charlene Huggins
Laura Grace
Angie King
Volunteers
Evelyn Adams
Barbara Atkinson
MaryAine Cherry
Bailey Drechsler
Anne Dunbar
Cynthia Fatzinger
Ani Garrick
Angela Henderson
Margaret Hennessy
Jane Hill
Susan Howe
Roberta Youtan Kay
Women’s Press | November & December 2008 | womenspress.slo@gmail.com
“With Arms Wide Open” Painting by Janet Roberts
A Word from
the Cover Artist
by Janet Roberts
Uncertainty is my welcomed comrade. Its
presence allows me to stand before a 6 x 7
Photos by Richard Gormley
foot piece of linen and discover who I am
predominate sufficiently to be heard, at and who I can become. That though I am a
least slightly above all else, providing a clear 50-year-old woman, a four-time cancer sur-
and steady pulse for all others to follow. The vivor, a mother of four daughters, an accom-
mother drum is the reference point for time plished horsewoman... these things, though
and tempo as well as volume level and gen- intimately precious, are not what absolutely
eral feel of the round being played. In some defines me or limits me. I continue to take
cases, people will take turns beginning and risks, manifesting change, growing, and
leading a round. Whoever has such respon- experiencing new fertile moments every day I
sibility should be respectfully heeded. This paint. Uncertainty is the inevitable and most
prevents chaos and cacophony and helps to valuable companion to any artist’s desire to
create that magical goal, the groove. create important art.
When the groove forms, it seems as www.janetrobertsfineart.com
if you cannot make a mistake, as if some
higher power has entered your being and
guides your hands from one beat to the Letters to the Editor
next, connecting you in a beautifully inti-
Hi,
mate way to all the other players as if you I enjoyed your paper—it’s the first
play with one heart, a collective inspira-
time I saw it. I was interested in the
tion, and pure spirit. As with all matters of Avoiding Breast Cancer Article by Mar-
the heart, this requires a balance that allows
leen Walmsley and looked at the refer-
one’s ego to open to the connectedness of enced YouTube search on cell phones
all things, dissolve boundaries, and wel-
and popcorn. Checked it out on Snopes
come communication on an elevated level. (http://www.snopes.com/science/cookegg.
Even one such experience can be life chang-
asp) and it was found to be a hoax by some-
ing, a spiritual awakening. It is like falling one promoting Bluetooth sales. An editing
in love, in that once you have done it, you
trick. Clever.
will forever want to do it again. So create Thanks,
and share a groove to heal our planet, and
Lana Beatty
until next time, keep the beat!
From Marleen:
Her information is incorrect. Bluetooth
Drum Circle Keeps Growing! devices, for one thing, act as antennas -
We now have 84 women on our drum- they do not protect from EMFs/RF. Snopes
ming e-mail list. We have been meet- has caused much confusion on a number of
ing in South County but if you want topics.
a gathering in your area of the county,
let me know: womenspress.slo@gmail.
From Kathleen:
com. Also use that address to ask to
Looks like we all need to do some careful
be put on the notification list.
reading and research on this for ourselves!
Women’s Community Center Board
Angie King, President
Sonia Paz Baron-Vine
Robin Rinzler
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November & December 2008 | www.womenspress-slo.org | Women’s Press
Women’s Community Center
Our mission is:
• TO maintain an accessible center to
collect and exchange information of
interest and concern to women
• TO organize and facilitate work-
shops, clinics, seminars, classes, and
support groups on subjects of inter-
est and need
• TO engage in and facilitate interac-
tion among local, state, and national
agencies and organizations working
to benefit women
Call for Volunteers
Hear ye, hear ye! The Women’s Com-
munity Center is looking for a few vol-
unteers to help with several projects. We
could use some help with general office
duties and to monitor family court pro-
ceedings (Court Watch).
Entitlement, or What Works?
By Robin Werderits
A frequently asked question, one I get as a
divorce mediator almost more than what
I charge for my services, is the question
that goes something like this: How will I
know what I’m legally entitled to?
The beauty of mediation is that you
can take entitlements and, to some
extent, disregard them. But, you might
say, “Wait, why shouldn’t I be concerned
about what I’m entitled to?” Some enti-
tlements are obvious: we live in a com-
munity property state, so we know that
community property items should - more
or less - be divided equally. But I often
have clients who are willing to give up
Earn extra $$$
Join our advertising sales team and earn a commission
Contact womenspress.slo@gmail.com
Keep the Women’s Press in Mind
for Your Holiday Giving
Subscribe or send donations to:
Family Law
Action Committee
Dealing With Divorce
3rd Wednesday of each month – 7 PM
Upcoming:
Nov. 19, Dec. 17 and Jan. 21
Talk with other women who have
been there, done that in a supportive,
non-judgmental environment.
$10 donation
Self-Represented Litigants’ Clinic
4th Tuesday of each month – 5:30 PM
Upcoming:
Nov. 25, Dec. 23 and Jan. 27
Get family law advice from local
attorneys and/or paralegals.
Reservations required. $40 donation
Call 544-9313 for information
more than their fair share of assets, or pay
more than guidelines on support. Why
do they do this? Because there is a feel-
ing of fairness, negotiation, and compro-
mise that takes place within the walls of
mediation that does not occur on the bat-
tlefield of litigation. My mediation clients
have an opportunity to sculpt their own
divorce with the imaginary block of clay
that is theirs to mold to their own per-
sonal needs and wishes. What you might
be entitled to legally could be more than
you would want or less than what you
need. I encourage my clients to look
beyond the question of what you are or
are not entitled to, and ask yourselves
what works for you.
Women’s Community Center
880 Industrial Way
SLO 93401
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Women’s Press in memo line
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click the Donate button!
Women’sCommunityCenter 3
Donating Blood, Saving a Life
Every two months, I drive to a pretty life, for 6 to 10 minutes. After the tube is
building on Broad St in the Creekside removed, I get to relax for about 15 min-
Center. As I enter the building, and then utes, reading magazines, eating cookies,
Suite 100, I enter a clean, bright, and
friendly office, where 90% of employees
and drinking juice. At the end of my 15
minutes, I say goodbye to all these great
are women. Once I answer the question- sisters and leave feeling filled of goodwill
naire, I am taken to a comfortable chair as I drive home. I invite you to donate
where I lie down and a professional nurse and tell your friends to donate as well.
pinches my arm once, which hurts about
as much as having a simple blood test. Warmly,
I am then connected to a little machine Sonia Paz Baron-Vine
that collects my precious blood, my gift of WCC Board Member
We need more blood donors.
Every three seconds, someone needs
blood. It could be an accident victim, a
person undergoing surgery, or a child
United Blood Services
receiving cancer treatment. Your family
Creekside Center
and friends are counting on us, and we’re
(between Tank and Fiero Lane)
counting on you! Every day we need at
4119 Broad St, Suite 100
least 270 blood donors to care for those
San Luis Obispo
in need in our community. And there
543-4290
is only one source of blood: Volunteer
blood donors.
With your help, United Blood Ser- Donate now.
vices supplies 100% of the blood and People can’t live without it.
blood components used in San Luis
Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura A blood donor must be 17 years of age,
counties, and the communities of Salinas weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in
and King City. Caring community mem- general good health.
bers such as you, donate the blood that
is transfused to local patients, including
those you love and know.
Women’s Press Says Farewell to the Outgoing Editor
Read an interview with Kathleen Deragon on page 8
And Welcomes a New Editor
Courtney Brogno introduces herself on page 9
Join the Staff of the Women’s Press
The new editor will be pulling together a team of interested
women to get the work of the paper done. Join a committee
to manage the monthly workshops, yearly women’s film fes-
tival, and events yet to be planned! Or do one of these tasks
on your own or with other volunteers.
• Decide on themes and seek out content
• Oversee a section of the paper
• Edit and proofread
• Maintain the database
• Solicit ads (get a commission!)
• Publicize workshops and film festival
• Keep website content updated
• Develop relationships with local women’s organizations
• Prepare paper for mailing
• Distribute paper in your area of the county
• Market the Press
• Participate in fundraising activities
Contact womenspress.slo@gmail.com
4 WomenatWork
Getting Unstuck: Tips for Overcoming “Decision Gridlock” (Part 1)
By Adele Sommers
Have you ever felt so stymied by your
choices that every time you stared down at
your “chessboard of life,” you weren’t sure
where you could possibly make a move?
If so, you’re in good company, since that’s
where many of us find ourselves at one time
or another.
And whether that feeling of being stuck
relates to your business, personal matters, or
both, it can serve to encumber your prog-
ress. This article discusses the first of two
patterns of “decision gridlock,” and what to
do about it.
Pattern #1: Worrying Incessantly
about Making the Perfect Move
I call this pattern “pondering perfection”
because every possibility appears to have
potential yet none stands out as the best
candidate for action. You may want to be so
absolutely, positively sure that you’re head-
ing in the right direction that instead, you
experience “analysis paralysis.”
Speaking to Create and Attract What You Want, Part II The Contagious Nature of Passion
By Dianne Legro
The power of speech, either spoken aloud or
voiced in our heads, combines sound and
purpose. Tone of voice, pitch, and choice
of words all come together to manifest your
reality. Hence, the power of speech is a
major factor in creation. Each word spoken
is a vibration of sound and since scientists
have proven that vibration is never lost, the
spoken word sets our intention in motion
and brings things we want to life.
The Law of Resonance determines what
you draw toward you using the Law of
Attraction. Scientists have long known that
every object, even those that seem solid, is
made up of particles that are moving. The
vibration of this movement - also referred
to as the vibratory pattern or frequency
- can be affected by your thoughts, beliefs,
and emotions. The frequency that you proj-
ect activates the Law of Attraction, since
this projected energy can only harmonize
with energies that vibrate or resonate at a
similar frequency. This harmony is what
determines the physical results that you cre-
ate.
So how can you use these laws as a
speaker? Here is a place to start:
• Follow one of the four agreements that
Don Miguel Ruiz speaks of in his book
of that name “Be impeccable with
your word.” What you say reflects and
defines who you are and where you are
going.
• Tell yourself that you are wealth, you
are health, you are intelligence, you are
unbounded energy and you are love.
According to the Universal Laws, you
will become those things and draw like
people and energy toward you. How-
ever, telling yourself you are wealthy
when you are not sets up a conflict
in your subconscious that could work
against you.
• Talk about what you want, not what
you don’t want. Pay attention to your
habits and stop each time you are talk-
ing aloud or to yourself about what
you don’t want. Quickly revise the
thought so that it’s about what you
want to create.
Take Anna’s situation, for instance.
She sees a myriad of possibilities for start-
ing a business. Yet without knowing how
to identify a business purpose that’s ideally
suited to her life passions and strengths, she
doesn’t have enough information to make a
selection. She’s uncertain of whether to sim-
ply choose a direction because it could be
expensive to switch later if her first choice
doesn’t work.
Robert, on the other hand, dreads the
idea of failure if he picks any direction that
doesn’t produce immediate success. His par-
ents always insisted that he should decide
what he wanted to do in life before leaving
high school. But Robert is multi-talented
with many different interests. Ever since
high school, he’s been unable to pinpoint
any single direction.
For Anna’s and Robert’s situations, I
recommend breaking the situation into
much smaller pieces that present little or
no risk. The first step can involve gathering
more information -- an extremely powerful
• Choose to speak the language of your
brain. The language of the brain is
pictures, sounds, smells, and tastes.
The brain can’t process negative pic-
tures —images of “not doing” or “not
seeing”—it can only work with posi-
tive information. Examine your per-
sonal explanation style. Do you explain
things in a positive fashion or using
negative words?
Remember that your experiences
become words, your words become actions,
your actions become habits, your habits
become character, and it is your character
that becomes your destiny. What destiny
are you creating with the words you choose
to exchange in your daily habits of speak-
ing and thinking? Changing your words
can transform your life, your business, your
health and relationships, and the lives of
those around you. What you say is the sin-
gle biggest factor that determines your suc-
cess and your happiness in life. You can
learn to use the transformational power of
your words to skyrocket your success and
attract what you most want by encourag-
ing success every day with every person you
meet.
Dianne Legro is a national speech coach to
individuals and corporate groups. She is a key-
note speaker and will help you to speak like a
pro and increase your business. Contact her at
Dianne@diannelegro.com.
Women’s Press | November & December 2008 | womenspress.slo@gmail.com
action!
So, ask yourself the following:
• What steps can I take to investigate,
study, or “test drive” my interests?
Consider conducting some Internet
research to become more familiar with
the options. If you’re considering a new
business, start researching your target
audience and learn what competing or
comparable businesses have to offer.
• Whom can I interview, observe, or
assist to see what kindles my inter- tors.
est and seems most aligned with my
strengths? Consider contacting some of In Part 2 of this series, we’ll explore
the subject matter experts whose infor- another pattern that can keep us stuck!
mation you read online. Most people
would be flattered to answer sincere Adele Sommers, Ph.D. is a business per-
inquiries about their areas of exper- formance consultant who helps entrepreneurs
tise. Local experts might happily let align their life passions with their business
you observe them in action and may purpose. She also guides organizations through
even endorse your writing an article “tactical tune-ups” and “strategic makeovers”
about your findings. They, or members in individual or group sessions. Contact her
of professional groups, could become today for a free initial consultation at Adele@
your most supportive advisors or men- LearnShareProsper.com, or 805-462-2199.
By Andrea Zeller
What actions inspire you and keep your
optimism flowing? How is your mood
affected by those around you? Think about
it for a moment.
We all face struggles during our lives.
And today, many are struggling through
the current economic downturn. Business
leaders have an inspirational effect on us,
especially during difficult times. Leaders are
likely very passionate about their work and
the people that work with them. Their pas-
sion inspires and is contagious. A passionate
leader has a positive effect upon everyone
that comes into contact with her; it is hard us: our families, friends, professional peers,
to stay down in the face of passion. employees, customers, and suppliers. So
I see this demonstrated all the time at remember passion inspires others, stimu-
our Women’s Business Partner’s Center. lates creativity and innovation, and can be
Many of our clients have faced domestic the seeds of hope for tomorrow.
violence, serious setbacks from health issues, With the current economic stresses, pas-
divorce, financial crises, etc. The list is long sion is the solution for restoring our com-
and daunting. Yet I consistently see our cli- munities – reach out support and inspire
ents synergizing and becoming inspired by one another! Wealth in spirit (as well as
the confidence, successes, and passion of our pocketbooks) sprouts from healthy sur-
our successful business owners and lead- rounding influences within close-knit com-
ers. Aspiring business women catch the munities. This is a time to exude passion
fever of passion through the stories of San and confidence, a time to believe in one
Luis Obispo accomplished business women another, a time to reach out and support
at our Roundtables. Mentors consistently one another. Sow seeds of hope today by
nurture protégés providing encourage- living your passion!
ment to help the nascent business owners
grow, develop, thrive, and be successful. Andrea Zeller, Executive Director of Mission
And MCSC’s small business advisors and Community Services (MCSC), coordinates
instructors provide tools and engage inno- Women’s Business Partners (WBP) to ensure
vative minds, building hope and optimism all community resources are leveraged and
every day at the Center. Clients learn to optimized to support entrepreneurial women.
leave adversity behind them and focus on WBP serves everyone interested in establishing
growth and possibilities. self-sufficiency through small business owner-
No doubt, these feelings of enthusiasm ship. WBP can take you step by step towards
and inspiration stay in their mind for a long success and can help those who speak only
time, allowing passion to grow and deepen. Spanish. Visit www.MCSCorp.org or call
Our passion is contagious to those around 595-1357 to find out more.
One of the most difficult things a family can go through is to watch their loved
one struggle with the use of alcohol or other drugs
A SUPPORT GROUP
for
families dealing with substance abuse
For More Information Contact: Pam Miller, LMFT
(805) 473-8311 Lic.#MFC35690

Unleashing Your Inner
Strength: Self Defense
By Ali Hatcher, SARP Center Education Services Coor-
dinator & Self Defense Instructor
W
hen you think of self defense, what do you
envision? When you think of protecting your-
self, does that involve carrying a weapon?
It’s possible that what we consider self defense may
actually be putting us at greater risk for assault. The
reality is that carrying a gun, knife, pepper spray, or any
weapon makes us reliant upon that weapon, and then
what happens when we aren’t equipped? We no longer
feel safe. Experts agree that about 73% of all sexual
assaults are committed by someone the victim knows.
So, when we walk down a dark street with pepper spray
in hand, are we really protecting ourselves? Of course,
it is always important to be vigilant and aware when we
walk alone, especially at night, but what is most impor-
tant is to develop a few key skills and a deep belief that
at any moment, we can protect ourselves on our own.
The most powerful weapon that every woman has is
herself: her mind, her voice, her body and her spirit. We
must be aware and assertive: two traits we have been
taught to ignore.
Awareness includes awareness of the realities of sex-
ual assault. It also includes awareness of our body and
of our environment.
Consider your environment. How well do you know
your way around your house, your work, your town?
If you were cornered in your home, do you have an
escape plan? Consider the people in your life: do you
know them well? Do you trust them? Fortunately, our
body has a built in defense mechanism, our instincts.
Sometimes, an individual will set off those instincts. It
can take only a few seconds before we conclude that
someone makes us feel uncomfortable. Unfortunately,
as women, we may have been taught to be polite, and
this often conflicts with our gut feeling. Often we ignore
vital instincts that are our body’s way of telling us “dan-
ger.” As we begin to acknowledge our own beauty
and our instincts, we naturally begin to take action to
protect ourselves. This may mean leaving an uncom-
fortable situation or asking someone to leave us alone.
Regardless, when we honor our instincts we are per-
ceived as more confident and aware..
Assertiveness is the ability to exercise one’s own
rights while respecting the rights of others. Fortunately,
as much at 95% of sexual assaults can be stopped by
an assertive response. Unfortunately, in our culture
women are not taught to be assertive, but instead
passive, and are taught to place the needs and wants
of others over our own. But, just as we have learned
to be passive, we can unlearn it. Practicing assertive-
ness requires commitment and time. Begin to listen to,
honor, and act on your own needs and desires.
Assertiveness is especially important because most
perpetrators test their victim. This may be in the form
of sexual harassment, suggestive offers, or just obser-
vation. When we show strength and resiliency, a per-
petrator will most likely lose interest and seek a more
vulnerable target: someone who will not fight back.
Therefore, assertiveness becomes a far more important
skill than physical techniques.
Rarely is assertiveness not an option and a physical
attack unavoidable, but in this situation, you must trust
your body. Every woman has built in weapons: elbows,
fists, knees, and feet. These “hard parts” can be used
very effectively against a perpetrator’s “soft parts.” It is
not true that a woman who is smaller and weaker than
her attacker can’t protect herself. Perpetrators are not
looking for a fight. If we impose a few simple, instinc-
tual moves against an aggressor, we will create time
and space to escape – and that is the ultimate goal.
Research has shown that sexual assault is directly
related to perceived vulnerability. The higher one’s self
esteem and confidence, the less she is perceived as
an easy target or a potential victim. Every woman has
the ability to protect herself. To learn more about self
defense, please sign up for a community class, offered
the first Monday of every month.
For more information or to sign up for a self defense
class, contact the SARP Center at 805-545-8888 or
online at www.sarpcenter.org.
Are You Too Nice For Your Own Good? Or Are You
Raising Your Daughter To Be?
By Beverly Engel
I
n this day and age, you would think that women
have learned enough about assertiveness, bound-
aries, and codependency, that they would end any
attempt to be used and abused. There certainly are
enough books on the subjects. So why is it that women
continue to be victimized and taken advantage of by
lovers, partners, family members, friends, and cowork-
ers?
The main reason these statistics exist certainly lies
in the fact that we still allow men to abuse women.
Although there has been some progress when it comes
to exposing and treating abusers, and we have come a
long way since the time when men believed that their
wives and daughters were their property and they had
the “right” to treat them any way they saw fit, there are
still far too many men who believe they have the right
to abuse “their” women, and there needs to be more
pressure put on abusive men to get the treatment they
need.
In addition to not enough being done to expose
and treat abusive men, I propose that another reason
women continue to be victimized is that women tend to
be too nice for their own good. This niceness attitude,
otherwise known as Nice Girl syndrome, attracts the
wrong kind of people and sends the message that they
are an easy target to be taken advantage of, controlled,
and even emotionally, physically, and sexually abused. It
also prevents women from standing up for themselves
and keeps them in relationships that are unhealthy or
abusive.
What characterizes Nice Girl behavior? Nice Girls
are more concerned about what others think of them
than they are about what they think of themselves.
Being a Nice Girl means that you are more concerned
about other people’s feelings than you are about your
own. And it means you are more concerned about giv-
ing people the benefit of the doubt than you are about
trusting your own perceptions.
Nice Girls are also compliant. They do what they are
told. They’ve learned that it is easier to just do what
someone asks than to risk an argument. Nice girls are
passive. They are often too afraid to stand up for them-
selves and therefore they are easily manipulated and
controlled. Nice Girls are wishy-washy. Because they are
so afraid of confrontation, they say one thing one time
and another thing another time. They want to please
everyone all the time and because of this they agree
with one person and then turn right around and agree
with someone else who has the exact opposite belief.
And because they are afraid of telling others how they
really feel, Nice Girls can be phony. They pretend a lot.
They pretend they like someone when they don’t. They
pretend they want to be somewhere when they don’t.
Nice Girls tend to put up with inappropriate or abusive
behavior, to minimize the damage they are experienc-
ing, and to make excuses for their partner.
The hard truth is that women cannot afford to be
Domestic Violence Services in Our Community
By Kelsey Kehoe, M.A.
D
omestic violence is an epidemic that not only
affects our country as a whole, but also our
small San Luis Obispo community. Domestic
violence knows no boundaries or limitations; it affects
people from all socio-economic backgrounds, all ethnic
groups, and both the heterosexual and LGBTQ com-
munity. Domestic violence is about one person in a
relationship using a pattern of behaviors to control the
other person. It can happen to people who are married,
divorced, separated, living together, or simply dating.
Many people believe that domestic abuse is only physi-
cal, but in fact, it includes emotional, psychological,
verbal, sexual, and financial abuse as well. All types of
abuse are detrimental to the victim and catastrophic to
the children of these families.
The patterns of abuse within these different types of
relationships often follow a cyclical pattern called the
“Cycle of Violence” (shown on page 14).
Due to the prevalence and nature of domestic vio-
lence there are many resources available, some of which
5
Nice Girls. It simply is not safe.
Nice Girls are far more likely to become victimized—
emotionally, physically and sexually—than those who
are not so nice. While not every Nice Girl gets raped
or is emotionally, verbally, or physically abused in her
relationships, every Nice Girl is putting herself at risk by
continuing to believe and act as she does
Turning Nice Girls into Strong Women
Unfortunately, no matter how old a woman becomes,
she still may have some Nice Girl in her. Whether you still
have some Nice Girl left in you or you have a daughter that
you want to help avoid becoming a Nice Girl, the following
actions steps (taken from my new book, The Nice Girl Syn-
drome) will help you on your way.
ɶɶStop playing sweet, gullible, and naïve. It’s out-
dated and it invites people, especially men, to take
advantage of you.
ɶɶStop giving people second (and third and fourth)
chances. If someone shows you who he or she is,
pay attention and act accordingly. Stop being “fair”
and start being strong. Women’s need for fairness
often gets them into trouble. Their tendency to
want to look at both sides of a situation often blurs
the real issue, and they can be easily manipulated.
ɶɶLearn that setting limits and boundaries and
expecting others to take care of their own needs
can be the greatest “act of kindness” you can
perform. You don’t do anyone a favor by allowing
them to take advantage of you.
ɶɶLet others know when they have hurt or angered
you. By not speaking up when someone insults or
mistreats you, you are inadvertently giving permis-
sion for them to continue to treat you in the same
way in the future.
ɶɶConfront your own anger. Sometimes under all that
niceness lies a huge storage bin of repressed and
suppressed anger.
ɶɶAcknowledge that often the real reason you take
care of others is because you secretly want to be
taken care of. You hope the person you’ve been
taking care of will turn around and take care of you
in the same way.
ɶɶAcknowledge that sometimes it is easier to sacrifice
yourself for others than to focus on your own prob-
lems or take the risk of going after your own goals.
ɶɶBe honest with yourself about your real reasons for
being a Nice Girl. When we look for the motive for
our “niceness” we often find guilt, shame, fear of
confrontation, fear of rejection, and an intense fear
of being alone.
ɶɶAllow yourself to be bad sometimes. It’s not only
okay to be bad, it is healthy. In fact, if you don’t
allow yourself to be bad at times you will continue
to attract people into your life who will act out your
“badness” for you.
are in our very community.
The Women’s Shelter Program of San Luis Obispo
County is a non-profit organization that promotes
healthy relationships and violence-free lives for adults
and children in our community.
The services provided within this organization
include:
ɶɶ24-hour hotline
ɶɶSafe house
ɶɶTransitional housing
ɶɶIndividual and group counseling services in both
San Luis Obispo and South County for adults and
children through our program called the Center for
Alternatives to Domestic Violence (CADV)
ɶɶCounseling services in many of the local schools
ɶɶLegal services that help with Temporary Restraining
Orders (TRO)
ɶɶCHAT- Child Abuse Treatment Program
Continued in DOMESTIC, page 14
6 LocalPerspectives
Less Paper. More Happy
By Elizabeth McGregor
For years, I’ve been gradually drowning in
paper. I had fallen into the “I’ll deal with
it later,” and “I might need that someday”
traps, and the results were frightening. My
incoming mail file became a mailbox, then
a mail cabinet, and when it was in danger
of becoming a mailroom, I decided some-
thing had to be done.
So I’m going paperless! Or, at least
paper less. I called all of the catalog compa-
nies, credit card companies, and every other
business I could think of, and asked them
to take me off their lists. And best of all, I
have discovered the miracle of online bank-
ing and bill paying.
Now, I know this isn’t exactly a new
resource. Many of my friends have been
doing it for years, but if you’re a late-
bloomer like me, allow me to give you a
gentle shove off that fence upon which
you’ve been sitting.
I’m neither a computer expert nor a
financial whiz, but this online banking
thing is easy. Much easier, in fact, than
plowing through a stack of bills every cou-
ple of weeks with a checkbook, a calculator
and fortune in stamps.
The biggest error I made when I began
the process was to try to set up online
accounts through all of the individual com-
panies. Huge mistake! Keep it simple – one
site. I found a bank that offers free check-
ing and online bill paying (most of them
do) and set up all of my accounts through
them.
Our Past Is Made Up of All Our Best Efforts
By Judy Guarnera
“He meant well,” said a friend defend-
ing the behavior of an acquaintance. I was
instantly irritated. How could she excuse
his dreadful behavior? Next she would be
saying, “He did the best that he could.”
It has always aggravated me how we
excuse poor behavior. Isn’t it true that some
behaviors should not be tolerated? Doesn’t
tolerance beget more of the same insuffer-
able behavior?
After 30 years of marriage, my husband
and I began a painful divorce. I needed an
outlet, so I joined a divorce support group.
At one of the meetings, the speaker was
discussing the importance of forgiving our
spouses and ourselves for the demise of our
relationships. She stated that each of us had
done the very best we could in our mar-
riage. Most of us could accept that for our-
selves. The dilemma came when we tried to
apply that axiom to an ex-spouse.
The speaker surmised that once individ-
uals had gone through the grieving process
for the “loss of a dream,” getting on with
life is difficult if they can’t forgive the for-
mer partners and/or themselves. Somehow,
in spite of the anger and disappointment I
was feeling, the idea that both my ex-hus-
band and I had done the best we could
appealed to me and helped me to move for-
ward.
Two friends whose husbands had abused
their children were so outraged at what
they had discovered, so angry with them-
selves for not recognizing what was happen-
ing, that they refused to label such heinous
offenses as “the best.”
After I jumped through all the hoops
to prove I’m not a terrorist, they walked
me through the process of setting up my
bills, scheduling payments, and stopping
my paper statements. Oh, and I’m giving
myself bonus points for finding a bank with
a phone number requiring less than a three-
button journey to speak with a human.
And, that’s it! I’m adding new bills as they
come in, and so far there have been no
major snafus.
It’s like having a staff. I feel like I have
this little virtual assistant dude living in my
computer who gently taps me on the shoul-
der and says, “Um – excuse me, but your
car payment is due on Monday. May I send
it in for you?” All I need to do is give him
the OK and he sends the bill and adjusts
my balance accordingly. But that’s not all;
from this one magic place, I can check my
balance, transfer funds, and view old state-
ments. And I don’t have to do any math!
That’s huge, because I hate math. This is the
greatest thing since the self-adhesive stamp.
So I have entered the world of elec-
tronic banking, and I’m never looking back.
What’s next – day trading? Online dating?
Who knows, but I am sorry I waited so long
to do this. And sure enough, there is more
room in my curbside mailbox, I spend a lot
less on postage, and I’m feeling pretty green
about all of the beautiful, oxygen-giving
trees I’m saving. But most of all, my mail
file is once again a mail file.
Elizabeth McGregor is a freelance
writer and marketing consultant. You
can reach her through her Web site at
www.finelineswriting.com
They seemed to equate accepting this
definition of behavior with approval. The
speaker pointed out that it was important
to separate the past from the future. The
horrible and painful past behavior, though
it was the best those individuals could do,
was not an excuse for future behavior. She
stressed that abusive behavior is criminal
and should be reported. She contended that
labeling behavior as criminal does not pre-
clude simultaneously labeling it “the best
that the person had been able to do.”
Sometimes my self-talk is negative –
“I can’t believe I did that; I should have
known better.” At times I wish I could
backspace, as I do on my computer, and
just delete certain behaviors. When I tell
myself that “I did the best I could,” I don’t
see it as an excuse for my behavior, but
rather an acknowledgement that, flawed as
my actions might have been, it was my best
for that moment.
Such thinking gives me the courage
to evaluate my actions and to plan how I
might act or respond differently in the
future. I am able to visualize a door open-
ing to a better future.
As we grow older, our past is full of
events and people who have enriched our
lives or caused us unhappiness. It is also
made up of our own actions and behav-
iors, some of which bring joy and others
that bring sadness or regret. I don’t want to
squander what time is left to me, regretting
or resenting people or myself for past behav-
ior. Knowing it was the best that they and I
could do is a powerfully freeing belief.
Women’s Press | November & December 2008 | womenspress.slo@gmail.com
Home For The Holidays
By Jill Turnbow
While attempting to “be in the moment,”
I can’t help but look ahead to the future. I
would love to focus on nothing but now,
but Christmas will be here before we know
it and while things might change, right
now it doesn’t feel very merry. By nature,
I’m a fairly optimistic person, eager to wear
the rose-colored glasses, but I can’t recall a
time in my life where the prospects seemed
more bleak. Please note that I am writing
this prior to the election. So by the time
this issue is on the newsstands, my outlook
could be different. I could be either danc-
ing in the streets, filled with hope, or pack-
ing for Canada.
How does our gross consumerism sur-
vive this economic crisis? And by “gross
consumerism,” I mean Christmas. How do
you graciously give to charity, buy gifts for
the family, and overload the postal service
with Christmas cards when you are in dan-
ger of losing your home?
Maybe we can finally do away with the
excessive gifts and guilt and get back to the
reason for the season. Back to the basics.
We should be able to say, “I’m sorry I didn’t
get you anything this year, but I love you!”
Or “I give you my friendship and wish you
nothing but happiness and joy”. Think how
Nurturing “Thank You” Moments
By Jeanie Greensfelder
I ran into a neighbor’s daughter, said,
“Hello! So good to see you.”
“So good to see you too!” she said with
equal enthusiasm. This genuine connec-
tion reminded me of Elie Wiesel after his
concentration camp release. On a train to
France, he looked out the window. With
each person he saw, he said, “Thank you for
being alive. Thank you for being human.
Just thank you, thank you.”
After hearing Wiesel’s story, I looked
at people differently. When I’m at a stop
light and people are passing, I often say his
words. How fortunate we are to have each
other with all our diversity. We may be
passersbys, but we are fellow humans shar-
ing time on this amazing planet.
Thich Nhat Hanh taught me a mantra
I treasure: “Yes, yes, yes. Thank you, thank
much we can save on the wrapping alone.
Instead of using all of our gas traveling to
another county to prowl the malls, maybe
we could spend time caroling in a retire-
ment home, holding someone’s hand, hug-
ging a child, or doing something kind for a
stranger. It feels good, and it doesn’t cost a
thing.
As I review my bank account and con-
template the ability to make my mort-
gage payment, I refuse to grieve over the
holidays. I am pretty sure my friends will
understand as I know many of us are in the
same sinking ship. But know that I will give
what I can and share what I am able to. It
won’t be much, but my heart will be in it.
you, thank
you.” When I
remember, I
say it on walks,
noticing plants,
trees and views
that speak to
me. Sitting quietly I say it to center myself
and express gratitude for being alive.
This time of the year calls for appreciat-
ing all we have, especially in a challenging
economy. Being grateful lifts our spirits and
actually supports our immune system.
What fresh ways can you imagine to
express thanks? Does looking at strang-
ers and wishing them well appeal to you?
Would you like an eye-to-eye moment with
family members for mutual appreciation?
Perhaps sit quietly, take a few deep breaths
and give yourself a hug for all you do.
November & December 2008 | www.womenspress-slo.org | Women’s Press
Voices Around the Table:
Sonia Paz Baron-Vine
In my family, we join forces. Everyone
cooperates with one area of the celebration,
and thus we can all get together and pro-
vide the presents for the little ones, while
the adults enjoy each other’s com-
pany. One idea for presents is
to make a video online,
using old family photos,
then make a DVD and
bring one copy for each
guest.
Lynne Levine
Yes, yes, yes, but
this year is not dif-
ferent from any other
year. I think the holiday spending spree is a
uneeded sickness and we should all get over
it!!! Peace and love.
Karen Hale
Having time with friends and family
are my priority every year. Volunteering to
support others and enjoying this time of
year creates immeasurable and unforeseen
experiences, twists, and turns. We might
create an overnight camping experience for
friends in our yard.
Margaret Hennessy
As we approach the holiday season,
those near and dear to us will receive gifts to
show our love. What if some of the “gifts”
included our time? Time for ourselves is
hard to come by. When we offer it to oth-
ers there is no way to retrieve it. That is why
it is such a profound thing to give away. I
will make time this holiday season to spend
with my new granddaughter and be fully
present. I know that this will be more valu-
able than any presents she will receive. I will
give us both the “gift” of precious memo-
ries, which always “fit” and never need to
be returned!
Cynic’s Corner: It’s PROJECT AMEND Time!
By Jackie Turner
Wake up, folks! When you go to sleep at
night and peacefully dream that you are liv-
ing in paradise on the Central Coast, think
again. There is an insidious virus going
around our town. It is not on your com-
puters, and there are no flu shots or easy
fixes for this epidemic. The problem here is
drugs, and it is rampant, and it is affecting
your lives even though you do not think
so. Addiction is spoken about in whispers,
behind closed doors. People don’t want
to talk about it; they think that addiction
could never affect their personal lives; they
think that drugs are other peoples’ stories.
Well, think again! If drugs/alcohol do not
affect you at your home front, then look at
the large picture: tax money spent on pris-
ons, robberies to homes and businesses,
homelessness, families torn apart, abusive
situations, failures to protect our kids.
Fast forward to Project Amend: a men’s
sober living home, which is currently await-
ing licensing approval for residential detox/
treatment. It will house ten beds. Proj-
ect Amend counsels patients on their core
issues and encourages them to new levels of
understanding, acceptance, and a degree of
resolve. The project offers educational lec-
tures on various topics such as health and
nutrition, family dynamics, and life skills.  problems here in San Luis Obispo.
The Executive Director, Michael Axelrod,
is a state and internationally certified coun-
selor, and a state certified prevention spe-
cialist.
Project Amend is a hard-core, no-non-
sense charity... it doesn’t come with a pretty
pink ribbon, but it is fierce, important,
relevant, and significantly under-funded.
Project Amend is in crisis mode! Without
With the economy in turmoil, how do you plan to make this
holiday season memorable without spending money?
Dorothy Segovia
Make my own presents! I’ve loved mak-
ing presents ever since I was a kid. Back
then, I’d start in the summer because I sew
or do embroidery. Now it’s fun to burn
songs onto CD’s and write liner notes
about why the song is special. It’s a
good way to share stories with my
friends/family.
Robin Rinzler
I am right up there with
Scrooge... I hate the holidays
mainly because I hate the pressure
of having to shop and not know-
ing what to get. I typically wait
until the last minute and then wan-
der around aimlessly, picking through left
over items in all the wrong sizes. This year,
I am anxious to try out a new recipe that I
got from Sue McMean: it’s a cake in a cup
that is microwaved, and I’m looking for-
ward to making that with the kids.
Jeanie Greensfelder
Not to spend money at Christmas is the
best gift! The best present we can ever offer
is time, attention, and having fun together.
Stories of past holidays can be shared along
with olden days memories. My mother,
born in 1897, grew up on a farm in Ken-
tucky and she was thrilled Christmas
morning to receive an orange. We are so
wonderfully spoiled, but we have lost the
joy of simple pleasures. Shopping makes
holidays stressful when what we want is to
love and be loved. Tender notes of appre-
ciation to each family member will be a
lovely gift. Wrapping up items we already
have is another way to show thoughtfulness
and inviting family members to brainstorm
ideas together will be fun and fruitful.
financial and social support, the only non-
profit male drug facility in San Luis Obispo
County will not survive.
Wake up to the fact that drugs (meth-
amphetamines) and alcohol addictions are
killing families, destroying lives, and caus-
ing unspeakable crimes to our SLO com-
munity. Do we need a facility like Project
Amend?  Yes, we desperately do. And we
need more facilities like Project Amend.
Start shouting your outrage! Our County
has one of the leading drug problems in
California, and we do not have even one
rehabilitation and treatment facility to help
restore addicts to society. Shame on us for
speaking in whispers about our addiction
Please, go out and do something! Offer
your financial support for Project Amend.
Let’s work to fund charities that are not
“designer” in nature, but necessary... chari-
ties like Project Amend.
For more info or to learn how to help,
please contact Executive Director, Michael
Axelrod, at (805) 782-9600 or e-mail pro-
jectamend@charter.net
Mary Heacock
I believe the holidays can always be
memorable without being dependent on
spending money. The most important
thing is to be with the ones we love. Per-
sonally, I plan on putting together more
gifts of food and taking the time to visit
those I love. Another great gift is the gift of
time. Babysitting for a busy mom, helping
a friend move or planting a vegetable gar-
den...things like that. I love it when my
kids make me coupon books for a neck rub,
foot massage, or pedicures.
MaryAine Cherry
This is a perfect time to remember the
ones less fortunate and spend a little money
on them. My grandson and I pick out a tag
at one of the many stores
to get something for a
child really needing it.
We both feel the gift-
ing is better than the
getting. Giving more
attention to elderly
neighbors or anyone
alone that you know
is a very rewarding gift
for them and for you.
For the family, we
draw names. The home-
made gifts are always the best.
Another very fun party idea is to have a
white elephant gift exchange. That is bring-
ing something of value, wrapped up and
each person gets to pick a package from the
wrapped packages or from someone else
that has already picked a gift. It’s great fun.
One year a brick with California stamped
in it was ‘the hot item’. Everyone wanted it.
Kathy Bond
“The best gifts are tied with heart
strings,” says Susan Branch in her Days
From the Heart of the Home. I opened
this book to remind myself to print out
my writing from the Cuesta course Bits &
Pieces and put it in notebooks for our chil-
dren last year. Our oldest said it was one of
the best gifts she’d received. I knit pink and
purple scarves for our granddaughters, buy
walnuts to make whiskey cakes, frame cal-
ligraphies for friends, and may make jew-
elry gifts after taking a bead class in a local
craft store. I enjoy doing these things and
hope they make loved ones feel cherished
and happy.
Jackie Turner
Christmas has never been a holiday
that I understood or enjoyed, so it is not a
big deal to me that I will not be spending
a lot of money... I never did anyway! The
holiday is supposed to be about spending
time with loving friends and family; eating
good comfort food; helping people who are
alone, hungry, or needy. Those things do
not change because of a bad economy and
cost very little money anyway—so I plan to
spend this year like all others ... in the com-
pany of friends and strangers.
Mary McNally
My mother may be terminally ill. We’re
waiting for test results. So the money and
the material things are drastically unim-
portant. I will make a point to spend time.
And that is something I will never regret
spending.
Voices 7
Nancy Lee Grantham
By spending it with the people that I love
the most.
Jill Turnbow
I really wish I had an inspiring answer, but
my holiday plans just recently fell through
and I have nuthin’. Probably just pull the
covers over my head and stay in bed most of
the day. That shouldn’t cost too much.
Diane Schuetz
On behalf of my family members
that are voting “Yes on 8” I will donate
to “No on 8” in their names. But then
again, that’s spending money isn’t it?
Francesca Bolognini
Since this is culturally a time when people
get together with family members at
Christmas or Hanukkah,
I organize an event
around the Winter
Solstice, an event
of planetary sig-
nificance. We usu-
ally celebrate with
a pot luck, a drum
circle, a sharing of the
meaning of this time for
us, perhaps a bit of what we are
grateful for from the past Solar Sea-
son, and our appreciation for each other.
There is often dancing , singing, and a bit of
flute and guitar. Fellowship is a more appro-
priate way to express our love of each other
than any material item.
Renee Sante
I’ll be getting together with my fam-
ily and friends, enjoying good food, taking
walks, helping one another with projects we’d
like to get done as a gift or trade. In my fam-
ily, we used to do a Chautaqua at Christmas
time, which was especially fun and entertain-
ing. On snowy days in the mountains, we’d
sing, play instruments, dance, and put on
skits. We’d make snow-ice cream, sled, and
play fox and goose. Playing games and being
creative is very important. I like connect-
ing with my adult friends in that way still.
Doing things that warm the heart and soul is
a great way of spending time together. (I find
the less I shop, the more joy and peace I have
at this time of year, especially.)
Susan Howe
Thinking of gifts for the holiday, I know
I appreciate getting a promise of time from a
friend, to be spent in walking, talking, and
playing games. I’ll give statements of time
to be shared, helping with kid care, cleaning
house, or playing games. I’ll write notes of
appreciation to people, hopefully in the form
of poetry. Some yummy low-cost food items
will go to a few folk.
Michele Brooks
I will be spending money, but not so
much on gifts. I like to light the candles for
Hanukkah and have a lovely smelly Christ-
mas tree as well. The presents are in honor-
ing the change in seasons, thinking of rebirth
and miracles and keeping expectations low
and easy. A nice meal with friends and fam-
ily. Last year my son and I volunteered in
helping feed some of our homeless in the
community and that was such a gift. Really
helps put things in perspective...
8 Women’sStories
An Interview with Kathleen Deragon, Our Outgoing Editor
By Sonia Paz Baron-Vine,
WCC Board Member
I interviewed Women’s Press editor Kath-
leen Deragon on the Day with Creative
Women 2008. We sat under the sycamores
and took a look back at her life and her
work with the Women’s Press, and in this,
the last issue she will be producing for us,
we give our thanks to Kathleen for a job
well done!
Kathleen was born in Albany New York,
moved around a lot growing up, and ended
up in Colorado, where she went to college,
married, had two daughters, and worked as
an editor and instructional designer for a
nonprofit educational organization. In 2001
she decided to move to California, where
her family had settled and where now
her daughters also lived. She found SLO
because one of her brothers lives here. Able
to bring her job with her, she knew this is
where she wanted to settle.
But working out of her home was iso-
lating. She wanted to meet other women,
do some creative writing and community
service. She called the Women’s Commu-
nity Center, and wouldn’t you know, they
needed an editor for the Women’s Press! So
she volunteered, got some guidance from
outgoing editor Sandra Pendell, and worked
with Judy Hastings, another new resident of
the county, who was able to do the desktop
publishing that Kathleen did not have the
skills to do. With Judy and later Rebecca
Brown, the paper got a new look, expanded
its variety of content, and increased distri-
bution from 2000 to 6000 copies. Further
visual improvements were made when Ben
Lawless took over from Rebecca two years
ago.
One of Kathleen’s talents has been to
find women in the community to help
her realize her vision for the paper. That
was especially important in 2006 when the
paper needed money to continue. One of
the regular columnists, Heather Mendel,
suggested a women’s retreat and worked
with a team of women to offer a day of
workshops titled “Gather the Women—
Save the World.” The signature event drew
75 women and brought in enough money
to keep the paper going. In 2007-2008, she
and the retreat committee decided to offer
monthly workshops instead of a one-day
retreat and the workshops will continue to
“gather the women” in 2008-2009.
But money was still needed and Marga-
ret Hennessy, who had run a small news-
paper in Colorado, volunteered to help
develop the business and advertising aspects
of the paper, pulling together an advertis-
ing team and establishing the processes and
paperwork to support that activity. Our ad
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Women’s Press | November & December 2008 | womenspress.slo@gmail.com
revenue continues to increase (but we could
use more women on our team!).
Another project Kathleen and Women’s
Press volunteers have participated in for
both fundraising as well as intergenerational
community building is LUNAFEST, collab-
orating with Cal Poly women. LUNAFEST,
put together by Luna Bars, offers indepen-
dent films by, for, and about women, and
its proceeds are divided between the non-
profits that sponsor the event and the Breast
Cancer Fund. The event has been held on
campus for the past two years in March to
coincide with International Women’s Day. Recently a group of women, who write
Kathleen’s newest venture is drumming. and work with Kathleenand the Women’s
Wanting to learn hand drumming, she put a Press, got together at the SLO Country
call in the paper for other interested drum- Club and celebrated Kathleen with a fare-
mers, met Francesca Bolognini, who was well dinner. The Board of Directors of the
willing to facilitate a group, and since April Women’s Community Center presented her
this year, she and 5-15 women have been with a crystal plaque that reads:
meeting every other week, having fun and
building community. 82 women are now on
To Kathleen,
the list of interested women! I took a video
For the many dreams you made possible,
of the group who were the opening “act” at
Day With Creative Women. You can view to the many women you guided
it at www.wccslo.blogspot.com. with your words and your deeds
Kathleen is retiring from managing the and to the many dreams to come...
Women’s Press to write a book about how
single middle-aged women can begin to We are looking forward to reading her
create options for their futures, finding like- book and wish Kathleen much luck! We
minded women, pooling their assets, and love Kathleen and thank herfor being a
building communities among themselves. super editor and friend!
Serving Students of All Ages
NEW: Beginning Recorder Lessons
Bonnie Richan
bonnie@bonnierichan.com
805-748-6087
Current Member:
San Luis Obispo Symphony
San Luis Chamber Orchestra
Save the Date
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Women’s Way to Wealth
Financial Literacy Seminar
Bodywork makes a great gift!
Gift Certificates Available Details to be announced in next issue
This is a “don’t miss” event for any-
one worried they won’t have enough saved
to retire, for those wondering how to get
and/or repair credit, even those for whom
balancing a checkbook is a daunting task.
Experts will help you decipher the financial
world and start you on your way to wealth.
The low registration fee for this day-long
seminar will include all materials, bever-
ages, and snacks. Box lunches will be avail-
able for purchase or bring your own.
November & December 2008 | www.womenspress-slo.org | Women’s Press Women’sStories 9

An Introduction from Dancing for America 2008

Courtney Brogno, Our New Editor
A couple of nights ago, just as I settled
down after putting both my kids to sleep,
the phone rang and a Gallup pollster asked
me to participate in their newest politi-
cal poll. Although tired from a long day, I
was excited to contribute. Little did I know
I would be answering questions for over
20 minutes, deeply trying to identify who
I was as a citizen, a voter, and ultimately I
realized, a woman.
The questions started off innocuous
enough: my age, gender, vocation, and
political leanings. All of this was easily
answered; I had no problem explaining that
I am a mother of two kids, one 9 years old,
the other 6 months old; that I am a writing
instructor at both local colleges; that I check
the age box of 30-34 years old; and that I am
liberal, though I do have some conservative
views. I did, however, have a more difficult
time answering the questions that had a
prescribed answer. I could tell you exactly
how I feel about our current economic situ-
ation, but I could not find my answer in the
four choices I was given. I tried to explain
this dilemma, but the pollster gently urged
me to pick a choice. I hemmed and hawed,
and finally, the pollster declined asking me
any further questions.
At first I felt a little bit like a failure, but
then I realized that I just couldn’t fit my
views into a neat and tidy box. Trying to
answer questions about the environment,
the war, and education prompted me to
think about my children and my commu-
nity, and even my own little street. How do
my views on the environment help not only
myself and my family, but also my neigh-
bor? How about children living in China?
Or India? Or Guatemala? I realized, as I
frustrated the pollster with my questions
and ponderings, that this is one of the
unique attributes to me, to women, and to
Women’s Press. I, like many women, think
about every possible way I can constantly
give back to my community and the world
around me, which is why I am so drawn to
Women’s Press. This paper is more than just
an independent, local press; it’s a statement
about life, spirituality, and movement… a
statement about who women are and aspire
to be.
And so, in this political landscape, when
our country will herald in a new leader, we
here at Women’s Press are also heralding in
a new leader and saying goodbye to Kath-
leen, the beloved editor of Women’s Press
for the past six years. I take the reins from
Kathleen with trepidation and excitement.
Although I will do a better job than I did
with the Gallup people, I can only hope to
do as good of a job as Kathleen. I hope to
further the goals of Women’s Press—to cre-
Artist Josephine Crawford paints from her heart. Her theatrical canvases mirror her
ate community, encourage positive change,
love for music and dance, the excitement of crowds, cafés and nightlife. Her danc-
and spread a feminist worldview. I hope to
ers are earthy maidens at home in forests and fields as well as behind the footlights.
expand readership and organize more com-
Josephine is a colorful expressionist painter using oils, acrylics, oil pastels and prints
munity events. I hope to survive! And most
to share her energy and love of life. She says she painted the dancer because of her
of all, I hope to get to know all of you.
excitement over the possibility that Barack Obama might be president.
www.josephinecrawford.com

When One Door Closes, Another Door Opens

By MaryAine Cherry
Sometimes I feel like I’m sitting in the hall-
way waiting for the next door to open.
And eventually it does. I’m finally getting
it! I have to close the first door – make the
choice to close it – before I find out which
other door is ready to open.
Here’s a recent example of that. I
moved into a beautiful and cozy two-bed-
room house with breathtaking views of the
coastline and the mountains. I moved for
the therapeutic value of the views, know-
ing a roommate would ease the high-rent
amount.
The owners and I interviewed prospec-
tive roommates and recently decided on
one because we know and love her boss.
She was asked to leave three days later by
the owners. This created a big disruption in
my life. Because of the unfortunate circum-
stance, I realized a roommate was just not
possible and I decided to give my 30-day
notice to move myself. I was also trusting
that my gut instinct was accurate.
A month ago, I would have felt very
depressed about this conclusion to my
renter situation. Thankfully, as I closed
that door, a new and wonderful change
presented itself to me. I am moving to a
place that will be very comfortable for me
and decreases my mileage to my office and
grandson’s house. I see this experience as a
blessing and my week-long roommate as a
catalyst for my change in an easy and ele-
gant manner.
So when one door closes, yes, expect
wondrous and happy things are behind the
next door you will open.

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10 Body&Soul Women’s Press | November & December 2008 | womenspress.slo@gmail.com

Faith-In-It As You Make It

By Laura Grace
One of my favorite workbook lessons in
A Course in Miracles affirms: “Love is the
way I walk in Gratitude.” Although the les-
son teaches, “You have been given every-
thing,” it acknowledges that it is difficult to
be grateful for all that we have been given
when we see the world “amiss.”
Exactly what does this mean?
It means that it is a matter of what
we choose to look at. The financial crisis
has been dominating the news and pum-
meling our consciousness. When you see
your stocks dropping value, do you see a
financial calamity or a chance to practice
patience and faith? And if you really want
to tune into your inner abundance, do you
see it as a chance to tithe your time, talent,
and treasure? When you are given notice of
a layoff from your company, do you choose
to see it as a horrible disaster or an oppor-
tunity to do something that you’ve been
wanting to do, but perhaps, have been too
afraid to try?
All possibilities exist at all times. Grat-
itude is the dimension in which we can
clearly experience these infinite possibili-
ties. Gratitude is an aspect of love; we can-
not experience one without the other. As
we experience the winter months and the
season of giving, I invite you to take the
Gratitude Challenge, to be willing to see
the lesson, meaning, growth, and light in
every single situation in your life. This isn’t
merely about becoming conscious of the
good in your life, but being able to face the
areas of your life that you’d rather not look
at. Remember: not facing a situation gives it
power over you. And I’m not talking about
faking it until you make it. I’m talking
about faith-in-it as you make it. No less
than that will set you free. No less than that
will allow you to shift from fear to love. No
less than that will inspire feelings of grati-
tude and abundance within you.
In my own life, I’ve been using a spiri-
tual practice for many years that has never
failed to create a radical shift in my percep-
tion—a miracle.
#1 Notice the situation that disturbs
your inner peace, bothers you,
annoys you or irritates you in any
way.
#2 Ask for guidance from your inner
Self to see the highest Truth within
the situation.
#3 Surrender your perception and
attachment to seeing the situation
a certain way based on past expe-
riences. Am I willing to release my
preconceived notions, doubts, cyni-
cism, and be willing to have a little
faith that I may not be seeing all of
the possibilities within the situa-
tion?
#4 Appreciate the shift in perception
that is on its way. This is a form of
pro-active gratitude which includes
being willing to see all of the good
in your life, especially those fre-
quently over-looked blessings that
are happening all day long.
The technology to transport man to the Laura Grace is the Spiritual Leader
moon had always been there; it just needed of the Circle of Spiritual Enlight-
the scientists from NASA to discover it— enment in San Luis Obispo, CA:
and they did because they had faith in it www.spiritualcircle.org. Laura is also
until they made it. The acronym for the the author of the books Gifts of the Soul
four steps I shared with you is N.A.S.A. It’s and The Intimate Soul. Visit Laura at:
a reminder that everything is also there for www.lauragrace.net or call: (805) 748-7506
you. You need only to have faith in IT as
you make it.

The Hormone Dilemma

By Melody Pickell LAc, MSTOM
Many women facing or entering meno-
pause are confronted with what seems like
a dilemma without a solution. They must
tolerate the mood swings, sweats, insom-
nia, and hot flashes of “The Change” or
risk hormone replacement therapy. Many
women assume the risk, while others just
suffer the symptoms. There is an alternative
however.
Thousands of years ago, Chinese doc-
Treating Children with Autism / Sensory Disorders tors started experimenting with hormones
Lawrence Bardach, OTR / L derived from urine much like what West-
Pediatric Occupational Therapist ern doctors currently prescribe with Pre-
Menopause is not just about hot-flashes
and night sweats. For some, these symptoms
never occur. Instead, some women experi-
ence depression, insomnia, memory loss,
anxiety, weight gain, and joint pain among
many others. Menopause may also increase
a women’s risk for osteoporosis and cardio-
vascular disease. So what are your options?
Oriental Medicine works for meno-
pause by treating each woman as a unique
individual. The pattern of symptoms tells
us where to look for weakness in the body.
Other signs, like an individual’s pulses or
even tongue, show us where the body needs
to be strengthened and where things need








!
www.Playpaththerapy.com marin (pregnant mares’ urine). In the case to be moved. Everyone is different. If stress
805-481-7529 of menopause, these Chinese doctors, like
their current Western counterparts, were
dissatisfied with the use of hormones alone
because it failed to address all of the symp-
toms or imbalances they were seeing. Today
those imbalances have become even more
profound. Our lives are stressful and our
diets less than perfect. Girls reach puberty
early. Hormone levels are commonly imbal-
anced by the time a woman reaches her
thirties, as demonstrated by increasing
complaints of PMS. Stress and diet play
an important role in menopause due to the
interrelationship between the adrenals, the
thyroid gland, and levels of hormones avail-
able. Menopause symptoms are becoming
more common and more severe. Meno-
pause without adverse symptoms, otherwise
known as “ideal menopause”, is becoming
increasingly rare.
Want to know more about hormonal health from the
natural perspective?
Come hear Melody and four other local practitioners speak on Hormones 101.
November 15th
9am - 2pm
Ludwig Center,
864 Santa Rosa St., SLO
Registration is $49
(includes a light lunch)
in your life has caused depletion of your
adrenals, it may not be able to make even
the small amount of hormones you need
for an ideal menopause. The same stress
affecting a different part of your body could
cause anxiety and mood swings. What you
eat may also cause problems. Caffeine can
cause hot flashes while sugar can be the
cause of your joint pain or memory loss. It
all depends on where your body is weak. In
my practice, I use Oriental Medicine, acu-
puncture, and herbs to locate your body’s
weaknesses and treat them. Along the way
I can offer some healing alternatives for
menopause and its many symptoms.
Melody Pickell is a licensed acupuncturist
who practices a gentle form of Japanese acu-
puncture at Healing Alternatives in San Luis
Obispo.
For more information or to register
for the event, contact Fran Edwards at
544-6285.
Net proceeds will go to EOC’s
“Forty Wonderful” Program, which
provides no-cost preventive health
screening services for low-income,
under and un-insured women of SLO
County.
November & December 2008 | www.womenspress-slo.org | Women’s Press
Perchance to Dream
By Hilda Heifetz
In the late sixties, I used to go up to Esalen,
Big Sur, for their “Human Potential” week-
end seminars. Fritz Perls was a main attrac-
tion; well-known Rollo May and Alan Watts
were also frequent presenters. There would
be encounter groups, soul-searching dia-
logue, psychotherapy, and massage. When I
came home, my family and friends would
expect reports of what took place. I was
even sought out to speak on some of these
experiences. (In one case, I was invited by a
church group to tell about Buddhism, and
I observed that “only in America” would
Episcopalians ask a Jewish woman to talk
about Zen!)
It was during this period of Big Sur
activities that I had a dream that haunted
me for a long time:
I was in the Hollywood Bowl, seated
on the shell-shaped stage, a huge crowd
in attendance. I was obviously a guru
being bombarded with urgent questions. I
saw myself wave my arm dramatically for
silence, then spoke importantly: “Be mind-
ful. It’s all very simple. I can sum it up in
one word…” and I woke up….
As you would imagine, I tried every
which way to get back into that dream to
finish my sentence. I kept asking people to
help me, to suggest what that word might
be. The dream pursued me for months
Motherhood
By Patti Sullivan
A simple refusal to sign
would have made us a pair
But what does a teenage girl
know of signing anything
except a school year book
...have a great summer—
hope we get math together next fall...
...to a girl with the brightest smile...
I’d wish you luck, but I don’t think
you’ll need it...
I did sign
sending you one way
me another
...have a great life ... be careful out there...
now that you’re no longer mine.
Thin
By Dorothy Segovia
The last time I saw you-
you were unconscious,
gasping, wiggling and jerking,
tied to that hospital bed.
I lay down on you, spread eagle.
My arm straight out on your arms,
my legs pressed down against your legs
to hold you still.
Together we formed a weird human cross.
My tears streamed down our faces
in the terrible farewell of a
“beautiful baby sister”
to her oldest and favorite brother.
Though it has been over 12 years, even now
I feel your skeleton beneath me.
Your body had been ravaged
by a disease so cruel
that Mom is still too embarrassed
to name it out loud.
without delivering the missing part. Then,
one night at a meeting of a local discus-
sion group (known as the San Luis Obispo
“SLO Thinkers”), the subject of my dream
came up, and I described it. A wise look
brightened the face of one of the members:
Member: “Ah, it speaks to me, but in
action not in a word.”
I: “It does?”
Member: “Yes. It’s so obvious that you
did finish your message. All teachings
are about this. You did better than speak
the word. You did the word… Awaken!
Awaken! do it!”
Well, to be or not be believed? I, for
one, accept his interpretation. It wraps up
my dream.
Autumn Again...
 By Sonia Paz Baron-Vine
Outside my window I can see the lawn
covered with golden and red leaves
The houses in my town, are decorated
with pumpkins
and the little ones are getting ready
for Halloween...
 
It is Autumn again, time of cold mornings
and crisp night air
the hills are gold and slowly the trees
are changing colors..
 
Time to bring the logs inside, to
clean the fireplace,
to sit by my window with a
hot cup of apple cider
listening to soft music
and enjoy the colors mother nature brings...
Last night I dreamt that you were alive
but sick.
You were a secret that Mom kept from us
because you were ashamed of being
so damned skinny.
You were afraid that your bones
would poke anyone
brave enough to come close enough
to hold you.
I’ve dreamt this dream before
and I’m always pissed at Mom
for keeping you a secret-
(she is still so good at it, you know)
and I always wake up mad.
Then slowly, as I am pulled into morning
my anger dissolves into the
cold ache of astonishment
that you have grown so thin.
Thin enough to disappear from my life,
thin enough to slip into that wispy void
between consciousness and sleep.
presents
A Monthly Series of Spiritual Workshops
Congregation Beth David, 10180 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo
Third Thursday of Each Month • 7-9 pm • $20
Contact womenspress.slo@gmail.com or (805) 541-6874 for more information.
November Workshop
Yoga Prepares the Receptacle.
Thursday, November 20
Eckhart Tolle’s teachings are transmit-
ting the wisdom of a new consciousness to
anyone receptive.
See how a balanced blend of basic
physical exercise, conscious breathing, eat-
ing, and simple meditation can accelerate
the flow of consciousness into your life. A
video of Tolle followed by a short practice
of some of the exercises he recommends
will demonstrate how they shift one’s per-
spective.
Combining the practice of presence
with thoughtful exercise, breathing, eating,
and meditation can prepare us for whatever
life might hold in these times of change.
After nearly thirty years of practice, Eve
Neuhaus was writing a book on crea (kriya)
yoga and her guru, Ganesh Baba, when she
came across the teachings of Eckhart Tolle.
The receptacle was ready. Her book will be
published by Inner Traditions in the fall of
2009.
January Workshop
Dancing with Your Shadow
Thursday, January 15
Let 2009 be the year to feel less confused
and conflicted and more fulfilled and ener-
getic. By relating to your shadow, the dis-
owned, undeveloped, and denied aspects
of your personality, you can improve all
your relationships and make more satisfy-
ing choices. Trip the light (and the dark)
fantastic to understand your hot buttons,
blind spots, and projections. Learn how
other people mirror our shadow elements,
thereby, becoming important teachers.
Through journaling, dialogue, awareness,
and reflection, we discover the sacred pur-
pose of the shadow, not as an enemy to be
vanquished or an enigma to be solved, but
as a fascinating partner in the rhythmic,
improvisational dance of life.
Women’sStories 11
Save the World
December Workshop
Will You Still Like Me If I Say NO?
Thursday, December 18
Are you a good girl that can be counted
on to say yes even when you mean NO!?
Together, we will redefine what good girls
do and say. At the completion of this inter-
active workshop you will each establish
some new and comfortable boundaries.
Say yes to yourself.
• Learn, notice and listen to your own
inner guidance
• Recognize when you’ve heard it before
and use it
• Identify comfort zones past, present
and future
• Establish comfortable boundaries for
the coming season and New Year
MaryAine Cherry helped people believe
in themselves with self development coach-
ing for twelve years. She is a Rapid Eye
Technician-Trainer, Health Educator, Mas-
sage Therapist and the founder of RETurn
to JOY! in Pismo Beach.
Berta Parrish, Ed.D, is a college edu-
cator, writer, and workshop leader with a
strong background in Jungian and Arche-
typal Psychology. She has published articles
on spiritual journaling, women’s issues, and
Cronings as well Wise Woman’s Way: A Guide
to Growing Older with Purpose and Pas-
sion, a book that offers an initiatory expe-
rience to a vibrant third stage of life. Berta
also offers Practical Jung, Dream Quest-
ing, Elder Tales, and Myths Women Live
By workshops for civic organizations, wor-
ship communities, Osher Lifelong Learning
Institutes, and Grandmother Gatherings.
12 Body&Soul Women’s Press | November & December 2008 | womenspress.slo@gmail.com

Photo by Anne-Mette Jørsfeldt

By Barbara Atkinson
Resources and Tips
Tools: healing the trauma of stored emo-
tion
• Therapy with Jungian and/or body-
centered therapist
• Educate yourself (Myers-Briggs; Own-
ing Your Own Shadow; Resource list
books, et. al)
• Energy healers
• Use processes like The Work with
Byron Katie; The Journey or Focusing;
See life as a metaphor – any that reso-
nate with you
• Learn to come to a point of non-
judgment and forgiveness (If judging
someone, ask yourself, “How am I like
that?”)
• Protect yourself with the image of a
2-way mirror – you see out, but noth-
ing comes in
• Check your cortisol and DHEA levels
and take amino acids and DHEA sup-
plement
• Experiment with the MAP program
(self-healing energetically) as devised
by Machaelle Small Wright at Perelan-
dra farms
• Flower essences as proposed by Dr.
Mesich in her book (see resource list-
ing)
• Food – protein and carbs can often
ground and soothe, but need to watch
food issues
• Writing/journaling
Flower essences as a tool
Essences are an alternative health rem-
edy that can specifically target emotional
healing. (They are not essential oils or aro-
matherapy.)
They can rebalance your empathic abil-
ity, release years of painful overload (the
build-up) and help you feel more protected
and less overwhelmed by your sensitivity.
Reminder: empathy doesn’t go away; you
need to connect with its positive power
once build-up is dissipated.
Machaelle Small Wright, the expert in
flower essences, states, “Flower essences are
liquid pattern-infused solutions made from
individual plant flowers, each containing a
specific electrical imprint that responds in a
balancing, repairing, and rebuilding manner
to imbalances in humans on their physical,
emotional, mental and spiritual…levels.”
Spiritual Awakening
for the Highly Sensitive,
Empathic Nature (HS/E),
For the highly sensitive, empathic
nature’s emotional build-up, the following
essences are recommended:
• Yarrow
• ETS+ (only from Machaelle Small
Wright at www.perelandra-ltd.com)
Where to get flower essences
• Featherhawk Essences in Indiana
(877/226-7858) www.featherhawk.com
• Melinda Forbes in Garden Farms, SLO
County (805/438-5077)
• Star Essence in Santa Barbara for
“Strength of Achilles” (their name for
White Yarrow) www.staressence.com
(805/965-1619)
• Perelandra ETS+ when overwhelmed
and for trauma at www.perelandra-ltd.
com
Flower essences are traditionally put into
an alcohol base. You can request a non-alco-
hol alternative. There are many more sites
listed in Kyra’s “...Survival Guide” book
listed above and on line.
Books:
• The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine
N. Aron, Ph.D. www.hsperson.com
Part II
• The Sensitive Person’s Survival Guide by
Kyra Mesich, Psy.D. www.kyramesich.
com
• You Are Psychic! by Pete A. Sanders, Jr.
www.freesoul.net or for an interview
with the author go to http://thirdmill.
com/html/pete.htm (This is an older
book that I include only because of
what he says about the “feeling” sense.)
• Please Understand Me by David Kei-
rsey and Marilyn Bates (Google “Myer
Briggs Test” and you’ll get a slew of
sites.)
• Owning Your Own Shadow by Robert
A. Johnson
• The Dream Book by Betty Bethards
• After the Ecstasy, the Laundry: How the
Heart Grows Wise on the Spiritual Path
by Jack Kornfield
These are just a few books I include as
essential reading for the HS/E nature. There
are many other wonderful books to which
you may be drawn.
Barbara Atkinson is a spiritual teacher with
a website that includes information on the
HS/E nature, www.theblisspapers.com

Where to find Women’s Press

Spirituality Matters: In the Stars or Genetic Memory? All Libraries and the following exceptionally fine establishments!

By Heather Mendel
Is it in the stars or far closer— in our own
genetic makeup? What shapes us and forms
the basis of our interests, likes and passions?
Like the answer to all paradoxical ques-
tions, I guess the answer to the dilemma
is “yes.” Having had a detailed astrological
chart drawn up, we realize that in the inter-
connections of the various constellations at
the time of our birth lies the blue print to
all that interests us. This came as an amaz-
ing insight when I had my chart drawn up
several years ago. It was all there— from
my penchant to calligraphy to an abiding
call to investigate the mysteries in our lives
from the world of myth, mysticism, and in
particular, the meaning and influence of the
Sacred Feminine in human affairs.
Then I watched the movie “Signs Out of
Time” that tells the story of Marija Gimb-
utas, amazing scholar, thinker, archeo-
mythologist and teacher who introduced a
novel way of viewing antiquities that makes
pre-patriarchal culture come alive. The
possibility that the patriarchal worldview
of hierarchy and separation (of ourselves
from Divinity, from one another and from
nature) was not always the way human
beings interacted, gives us great hope for
the future. Marija was born in Lithuania
and through her profound wisdom, she
was able to take the knowledge of the lan-
guage, the songs, the stories and mythology
of the region, and craft an intuitive vision
of the past. As I watched the movie, I real-
ized that my grandparents all came from
Lithuania. They were forced to flee at the
end of the 19th century because of rampant
anti-Semitism at the time. I have no idea of
how long my family roots connect back to
this geographic location as it is very diffi-
cult to trace our genealogy. What struck me
was how deeply moved I was when I first
heard Riane Eisler talking about Gimbutas’
findings some 25 years ago and how it reso-
nated within me. I was very aware of being
in the midst of a paradox - history as it was
taught to me, or ‘herstory’ as felt real when
I started studying Gimbutas’ book Language
of the Goddess.
In the stars or our genetic memory? I
celebrate the dilemma and the result. In
December 2009 my book, Dancing in the
Footsteps of Eve: Retrieving the Healing
Gift of the Sacred Feminine for the Human
Family will be published and in anticipa-
tion, I have started a blog, found at http://
sacredfemininematters.blogspot.com/that I
invite you to visit and share your thoughts.
Heather Mendel has focalized wom-
en’s spirituality groups for the past 15 years.
She can be contacted through her website at
www.wordartist.com, and also e-mailed
at heathermendel@charter.net or called at
544-4933.
• NORTH COUNTY: Atascadero – The Coffee House and Deli, Starbuck’s at Von’s
Plaza, Green Goods, Player’s Pizza, Harvest Health Food Store, North County
Connection, Senior Center, Women’s Resource Center/Shelter Office, Curves. Paso
Robles – Cuesta College North Campus, Café Vio, Curves, DK Donuts, Panolivo
French Cafe, NCI Village Thrift Shop, Paso Robles Health Foods; Templeton – Twin
Cities Hospital, Templeton Market & Deli, Affinity Chiropractic, Kinship Center,
Jobella’s Coffee; Santa Margarita– Santa Margarita Mercantile.
• NORTHERN COAST: Baywood – Coffee & Things; Cambria – Cambria
Connection, Cambria Pines Lodge, Chamber of Commerce, Gym One, 7 Sisters,
Azevedo Chiropractic, Lilly’s, Alloco’s, Cambria Drug and Gift, Bob & Jan’s Auto
Shop, Linn’s, Donna’s Nail Salon, Cookie Crock, Rainbow Bean and Coffee Shop;
Cayucos – Cayucos Super Market, Kelley’s EsPresso & Dessert, Ocean Front Pizza,
Chevron Station, Mobile Balloons; Los Osos – Starbuck’s, Baywood Laundry, Cad’s,
Carlock’s Bakery, Chamber of Commerce, Copa de Oro, Garden Café, Los Osos Deli
Liquor, Volumes of Pleasure; Morro Bay – Backstage Salon, Coalesce Bookstore, Coffee
Pot Restaurant, The Rock, Southern Port Traders, Sunshine Health Foods, Two Dogs
Coffee, La Parisienne Bakery.
• SAN LUIS OBISPO: Broad St. Laundry, Cool Cats Café, La Crepes, Edna Market,
Art Café, Booboo Records, Creekside Center, GALA, Marigold Nails, Palm Theatre,
Susan Polk Insurance, Utopia Bakery, Unity Church, Zoe Wells, Naturopath, Cal
Poly Library and Women’s Center, Center for Alternatives to Violence, Chamber of
Commerce, Cuesta College Library, EOC Health Services Clinic, HealthWorks,
Healing Alternatives, Laguna Laundry, Linnaea’s, Monterey Express, Natural Foods
Coop, New Frontiers, Nautical Bean, Outspoken Beverage Bistro, Phoenix Books,
Planned Parenthood, Rudolph’s Coffee & Tea, San Luis Obispo Housing Authority
Office, SARP, The Secret Garden, SLO Perk Coffee, Spirit Winds Therapy, The Studio
Fitness for Women, Uptown Cafe, Yoga Centre, Ahshe Hair Salon, Apropos Clothing,
Soho Hair Salon, Hempshack, YMCA, KCBX, Fairchild Salon, Jaffa Café, Med Stop
(Madonna Plaza), World Rhythm and Motion, Steynberg Gallery, Correa Chiropractic,
High St. Deli, Sunset N. Car Wash, Jamaica You, United Blood Services.
• SOUTH COUNTY: Arroyo Grande – Mongo’s, Act II Boutique, Central Coast
Yoga, CJ’s Restaurant, Curves-AG, Cutting Edge, EOC Health Services Clinic, Girls
Restaurant, Grande Whole Foods, Kennedy Club Fitness, JJ’s Market, Chameleon,
Brave New Wares; Avila Beach– Avila Grocery, Custom House, Sycamore Hot
Springs, Inn at Avila, Joe Mamma’s; Grover Beach – Back Door Deli, Cindi’s Wash
House, Nan’s Pre-owned Books, Therapeutic Body Center, 30-minute Fitness;
Halcyon – Halcyon Store; Nipomo – Anna’s Creekside Coffee House, Healing Touch
Spa, Curves, La Placita Market, Healthy Inspirations, World Gym, Trendy Sister Salon,
Senior Centers; Pismo Beach – Honeymoon Café, Pismo Athletic Club, RETurn to
JOY!; Shell Beach – De Palo & Sons Deli, Seaside Cafe, Steaming Bean.
• SANTA MARIA: Café Monet, Hunter’s Landing, Library, Curves on Main and on
Broadway, Lassen’s.
• ORCUTT: Loading Dock, Oasis Spa.
November & December 2008 | www.womenspress-slo.org | Women’s Press NOWNews 13
This Page Presented by the National Organization for Women
The purpose of NOW is to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society NOW !

Coordinator’s Corner
By Angie King
How did it get to be so late so fast? Can it
be the holidays already? For those of you
making up wish lists for presents this year,
let me wish you all good health and peace-
ful hearts. We’ll need them next year if
things don’t get better.
This is the last issue of the year of the
Women’s Press, and of our newsletter. By the
time you read this, the world may be com-
pletely different than it is when I’m writing
it! It’s hard to keep up with the news and
the impact on women. What’s happened in
2008?
Start with two undeclared wars, leav-
ing close to 5,000 US families mourning
the death of a service member; move to the
scandal, corruption and greed that brought
capitalism to its knees, worldwide impov-
erishing our middle class in ways not seen
since 1929; and add the savage ravaging and
plundering of the earth without regard to
the consequences on our own continued
existence, to name only a few problems,
and the list goes on. And it’s not just the
deregulating anti-government Republicans
who are to blame. We are all complicit. As
they used to say in the civil rights move-
ment, if you are not part of the solution,
you are part of the problem.
It’s hard to remain optimistic, but we
must. Negative thinking only wears us
down and prevents creative energies from
bubbling up with new solutions. So, at this
year’s end, cherish your friends and family,
love Mother Earth, and keep your eyes on
the prize (another slogan from the 60’s).
On another topic, we print a calen-
dar in these pages each month, to mark
important milestones in feminist history as
well as publish our meeting dates. A lot of
the women mentioned are not household
names, although they should be. If you are
not familiar with who these women are, I
urge you to educate yourself. At least check
out Wikipedia and look up your feminist
heritage. You’ll be surprised at the rich,
diverse stories of our foremothers all over
the world.
Happy Holidays.
NOW news
While the election is the big news, there are
still bills moving through Congress. Some
of the pending legislation NOW supports.
1. United States Cadet Nurse Corps
Equity Act (H.R. 3423), clarifies service
in the Cadet Nurse Corps as active mili-
tary service and recognizes the members as
veterans. This change in status would give
Cadet Nurse Corps members access to ser-
NOW Chapter # CA 565 vices administered by both Federal and
PO Box 1306, SLO, CA 93406 State Veterans’ Affairs departments. Over
SLONOW @ kcbx.net the past decade, numerous Cadet Nurse
http://groups.myspace.com/~slonow Corps Equity Acts have been introduced
and sent to committees where they were
left to languish. 2008 marks the 60th anni-
versary of the graduation of the last class of
Cadet Nurses, and the small, hearty band of
Calendar surviving nurses deserves our support! These
women are mostly in their 80s and 90s and
have waited long enough; we need to help
November 8: them achieve equal veteran status NOW!
• Birthday of Margaret Mitchell, 1900 2. There is bi-partisan support for the
November 12: Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave
• Birthday of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Act (S.3140), which will guarantee four
1815 weeks of paid leave for federal workers for
November 18: the birth or adoption of a child. The federal
• NOW regular meeting, 6 PM government -- the nation’s largest employer,
November 19: with more than 1.8 million civilian employ-
• Birthday of Indira Gandhi, 1917 ees -- should set the example of workplace
November 26: policies that truly meet the needs of today’s
• Death of Sojourner Truth, 1883 working families. When enacted, a paid
November 30: parental leave bill for federal workers will
• Birthday of Shirley Chisholm, 1924 serve as a critical benchmark for achieving
paid family and medical leave for all work-
December 14: ers. This legislation is a first step toward
• Birthday of Margaret Chase Smith, providing economic support for new fam-
1897 ilies, because no worker should have to
December 16:
• Birthday of Margaret Mead, 1901
December 16:
• NOW regular meeting, 6 PM
December 23:
• Birthday of Madame C. J. Walker,
Reproductive Rights Update
1869
The assault on women’s bodies might be
December 25:
coming to an end, at least in Congress.
• Birthday of Clara Barton, 1821
There are a number of issues we hope will
move in a more progressive direction under
the new Congress. We’ll have more to say in
the January issue when the dust has settled.
But here is some of the damage of the last 8
choose between their paycheck and their
new child, especially in these tough eco-
nomic times.
In June, the House of Representatives
overwhelmingly passed their version of the
Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act
(H.R.5781), but the Senate has yet to pass
S.3140. If there is no vote before the Senate
adjourns, the bill will die when Congress
goes home this fall. Sen. Webb has said he
will reintroduce this bill next year if neces-
sary.
3. A month after the Supreme Court
denied Lilly Ledbetter’s claim for pay dis-
crimination in May 2007, the House of
Representatives passed the Lilly Ledbet-
ter Fair Pay Act. The Senate version of the
bill, the Fair Pay Restoration Act (S.1843),
has been held up by partisan bickering. The
bill would fix the Court’s misinterpretation
of Title VII and ensure that pay discrimi-
nation victims get their fair day in court.
This Act will simply return us to the long-
standing rule that treated each and every
discriminatory paycheck as a new act of dis-
crimination.
It’s sad enough that women are still paid
only 77 cents or less to men’s dollar, even
though civil rights laws banned wage dis-
crimination more than four decades ago
unless redressed by this bill. The Supreme
Court’s decision could push back much of
the progress that women have been making
in closing the wage gap.
Check out NOW.org for more about
these bills, and about NOW’s activities in
the legislative arena.
are not. This is written before the fate of
Prop 4 is known, but it is the 3rd time in
4 years the right wing has tried to restrict
minor’s rights in California, this time using
deceptive tactics even the Tribune couldn’t
stomach. In an editorial it pointed out that
the backers have distorted and lied their

Get Involved — Join NOW!

years that could easily be undone: way to claim such a law is needed. See more
#1 Repeal the global gag rule (Mexico at NOW.org.
City policy), which prohibits any Roe v Wade will certainly continue to
San Luis Obispo Chapter US government funding overseas be a topic of discussion next year. The next
for any organization that provides president will nominate at least one, and
National Organization for Women (even with its own funds) or dis- possibly more, new justices to the high
Every woman doesn’t have to join NOW, just the 142 million who are cusses the option of abortion. court. NOW will continue to monitor all
discriminated against! #2 Repeal the Hyde Amendment, judicial nominees for their positions on this
which forbids the use of US gov- issue. Has science outstripped the analysis
ernment money for abortion ser- of the Supreme Court in 1972? What now?
Goals vices here at home, for instance When, if ever, can the state place restric-
• Support reproductive choice • Commemorate Roe v Wade (Jan 22) service members, Indians on reser- tions on that right? Yet the basic constitu-
• Work to eliminate ALL violence • Celebrate Women’s Equality Day vations, prisoners, women on Med- tionally protected right to privacy, the right
against women (Aug 26) icaid assistance, and others under to make personal decisions personally will
• Fight against sexual harassment • Participate in Farmer’s Market federal jurisdiction. still remain.
• Encourage tolerance and diversity • Support feminist politics #3 Restore funding for UN population Speaking of Roe v Wade, the San Luis
• Promote feminist issues fund. It’s part of our commitment Obispo chapter of NOW is now planning
to the UN, yet Bush has refused to for its annual rally in January commemo-
Name: _ ______________________________________________ make the money available. rating the decision in Roe. Look for more
#4 Increase money for family plan- information in January, but save January 22,
Address: _____________________________________________ ning, provide access to contracep- 2009 to help us keep this issue in peoples’
tion, and change the abstinence minds. As Ellen Goodman recently noted,
City/St/ZIP: ___________________________________________
only sex education concept. We all at least 1/3 of all American women will have
Phone: ________________________________________________ need truthful factual information had an abortion by the time she is 45. Over
Regular Dues ….$40 about our reproductive systems half of these women already have families
Sliding Scale…..$15-39 Amount enclosed: ________________________ and access to quality health care in and are making their decision in that con-
order to make informed intelligent text. This isn’t something that only happens
choices and lower the unintended to “them”; your friends and neighbors, your
Send your check and this form to pregnancy rates. professional colleagues are likely to be in
General Meetings
PO Box 1306 11573 Los Osos Valley Rd, #B, SLO
Here in California, of course, while the that 33%. It could be you next. Keep abor-
legislature is solidly pro-choice, the people tion legal!
SLO, CA 93406
Chapter # CA 565 3rd Tuesday of every month
slonow@kcbx.net at 6:00 pm
14 CommunityBulletins
Bulletins
SLO Vocal Arts Ensemble 2008-2009
Concert Season Begins!
The SLO Vocal Arts Ensemble presents
a World in Harmony! beginning with their
holiday concert, “Christmas from Around
the World, Dec. 5th, 6th, and 7th. Then for
spring they will offer “Spring Into a New
World, April 24th, 25th, and 26th. And
this year they are expanding their venues to
include Cambria and Paso Robles. Coming
in June of 2009, the Vocal Arts Ensemble
will once again participate in the California
International Choral Festival and Competi-
tion. These three performances are sure to
be glorious, so become a season ticket sub-
scriber to get first choice seating and spe-
cial discounts. Go to www.vocalarts.org to
order tickets or call 805-541-6797.
Houselights Theatre Has Gone to the Cats
Allied Arts presents Houselights Theatre’s
next production, INDOOR/OUTDOOR by
Kenny Finkle. Opening November 7th and
playing thru November 30th, this heart-
warming romantic comedy is being directed
by Adrian Balbontin and features Janet Sti-
picevitch, Kelli Rodda, Thom Waldman,
and Tim McManus.
Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at
7:30pm and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are $18
and a portion of the proceeds will benefit
HART (Homeless Animal Rescue Team).
Houselights Theatre is located at 1350 Main,
in TOGS (Theatre at the Old Grammar
School) in Cambria. Reservations can be
made by calling 805-927-4667 or by e-mail
at houselightstheatre@yahoo.com.
Annual SLO Poetry Festival
The Annual San Luis Obispo Poetry Festival,
Corners of the Mouth, will open Novem-
ber 7th and run thru November 16th at the
San Luis Obispo Art Center, 1010 Broad St.
Celebrating 25 years, the festival is spon-
sored by the City of SLO, Cal Poly Writ-
erSpeak, Poets & Writers, Inc., and Glenna
Luschei.
All events begin at 7pm and tickets are
$5 for general admission, $3 for students or
seniors.
The festival also highlights the Cali-
fornia Poet Laureate Project with a photo
exhibit by Ronna Leon, which will hang at
Linnaea’s Café throughout November.
For more information, contact Kevin
Patrick Sullivan at 547-1318 or go to www.
languageofthesoul.org.
Boasting a host of Hollywood VIP person-
alities and famous musicians, the Paso Rob-
les Digital Film Festival will not only be
webcast worldwide, but filmed for a spe-
cial DVD, showing an inside look at a film
festival and the film business itself in the
Digital Age. Scheduled for November 20
through 25, seasoned event director Ben-
ford Standley will produce what promises
to be a first-class film festival.
The theme is “Music In Film,” meaning
there will be a number of outstanding Jazz,
Rock and Country performances, screen-
ings, a 3-D Indie Film Expo, an art show,
and panel discussions held at the Martin
& Weyrich Winery and in various loca-
tions in Paso Robles, CA, in Cowboy Wine
Country just South and Sideways of Sun-
dance.
For more info on schedules, screenings
and performances, go to PRDFF.com
Women’s Press | November & December 2008 | womenspress.slo@gmail.com
The Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS-
Central Coast Chapter) meets to address
the potentials and powers of consciousness,
including perceptions, beliefs, intention,
and intuition. New meeting date is the
fourth Sunday of every month at 1:30pm to
3:30 pm at Coast National Bank, 500 Marsh
Street, SLO, 93401.
Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores
are Bulging with Great Deals!
Open to Contractors and the Public
You can save money on your home improve-
ment project by shopping for building
materials at the Habitat for Humanity
ReStores. All proceeds from the ReStores
are used to build new Habitat homes in
San Luis Obispo County. Penny Rappa,
Executive Director, states “Since opening
the Templeton ReStore in 2005, and the
SLO ReStore in 2007, we estimate over two
tons of materials have been diverted from
the local landfills annually.”
Both locations are open Thursday thru
Saturday from 9am to 3pm. Visit the web-
site for location and more information.
www.hfhsloco.org
Original graphic provided by the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Habitat For Humanity To Build
Four Homes in Grover Beach
The City of Grover Beach has approved
DOMESTIC
Punch” and the Women’s Shelter Program
plans to build four Habitat for Human- Continued from page 5
at Farmer’s Market on Thursdays in Octo-
ity homes in 2009. Similar Habitat homes ber.
In addition to the intervention-based
have been built in Atascadero, Paso Robles, To seek our services or if you are in crisis
resources that the Women’s Shelter Pro-
and Cambria. regarding domestic abuse here are the num-
gram of SLO provides, prevention-based
Habitat for Humanity uses donations bers to call:
programs are also in place. Our prevention
of funding, materials, professional services,
programs include:
and volunteer labor to build simple, decent • Local Hotline (crisis line):
Presentations or trainings are offered to
homes, which are then sold to qualified, (805) 549-8989 or 211
community groups and local agencies.
low-income families. All home buyers must • Out of the area call: (800) 799-SAFE
Peer counseling and groups offered in
complete 500 hours of volunteer labor on • Police: 911
the high schools.
their home. • Counseling services through CADV:
Also, the Domestic Violence Task Force
All donations are greatly appreciated. (805) 473-6507
(DVTF) of San Luis Obispo and many
For information on how you can donate • Legal services: (805) 781-6418
other agencies, including the Women’s
or volunteer, visit www.hfhsloco.org or call • North County Women’s Resource
Shelter Program, collaborate on a preven-
805-782-0687. You can make a difference! Center: (805) 461-1338
tion campaign called, “Beat the Punch.”
“Beat the Punch” is a prevention pro- • To log-on to our Women’s Shel-
gram that focuses on young adults in ter Program’s SLO website go to
Energy Balancing Sessions Free of Charge in
our community to give them knowledge, http://www.womensshelterslo.org
Templeton and Arroyo Grande resources, and tools to lead violence-free • To log-on to the North County Wom-
The Global Alliance for Balance and Heal- lives. The focus is primarily on ending en’s Resource Center’s website go to
ing is offering free energy balancing sessions dating violence, since relationships don’t http://northcountywomensshelter.org
on Saturday, November 15 and Saturday, become abusive simply because of marriage,
December 20 from 11am to 4pm. The free but rather the violence most often begins To log-on to the “Beat
clinic will be held in two locations to bet- early on in dating relationships. the Punch” website go to
ter serve the community. In Templeton at The types of campaigns that “Beat the http://www.violencefreecommunity.com
Dancing Deer Ranch, 2975 Vineyard Drive. Punch” incorporates are dating violence or to visit the “myspace” page go to
In Arroyo Grande, at Central Coast Yoga, prevention curriculums within the local http://www.myspace.com/beatthepunch
900 East Grand Avenue at the corner of high schools called Safe Dates, a media No one deserves to be abused.
Halcyon . No appointment is necessary. campaign that includes radio commercials,
Visit www.globalalliance.ws or call 805- coasters with our logo on them distributed Kelsey Kehoe is a Marriage and Family
438-4347 to learn about energy balancing at local bars, a “myspace” page, website, Therapist Intern and Dating Violence Preven-
or other free clinics held by the Global Alli- and billboard, generously donated by Coast tion Coordinator for the Women’s Shelter Pro-
ance for Balance and Healing. National Bank, during the month of Octo- gram of SLO.
For more information or to coordi- ber in SLO. You will also find “Beat the
nate a clinic in your area, e-mail Wendy
McKenna at wendy@globalalliance.ws.
Noted Acivists Coming to the Central Coast
January 9-11, Joanna and Fran Macy (joan-
namacy.net) will conduct a workshop enti-
tled “Guardians of the Future.” Sponsored
by the Mothers for Peace and the Terra
Foundation, this weekend will help local
activists deepen their commitment to the
A subscription to the Women’s Press
world and future generations. This event is
being held at Dancing Deer Ranch in Tem-
would be a nice holiday gift!
pleton (dancingdeer.org). For information Call 544-9313 for more information.
on registration and accommodations, con-
tact Linda Seeley at lindaseeley@gmail.com.
November & December 2008 | www.womenspress-slo.org | Women’s Press Resources 15
ABUSE Hospice of SLO County (inc. miscarriage/stillbirth Planned Parenthood
Adults Molested as Children Support Group (AMAC) support) 544.2266 or 434.1164 SLO 549.9446
Project Lifesaver Stroke Support Group
545.8888
Center for Alternatives to Domestic Violence 548.0909 471.8102 (SLO)
Safe and Sober Support Group Caregivers of Stroke Survivors
781.6406
North County Women’s Shelter & Resource Center, 473.6507 544.2266 (SLO)
Senior Peer Counseling Women’s Support/Therapy v (general)
(inc. domestic violence support groups)
461.1338 Free, trained in-home counseling for 60+ 534.1101
547.7025, ext. 15 Women’s Healthcare Specialists
Rape Survivors Support Group, SLO
545.8888 Talk/Listen - Emotional support 544.4883
SARP (Sexual Assault Recovery & Prevention) 489.5481 POLITICAL
545.8888 Transformations Counseling Center
Free monthly workshops 541.7908 Code Pink
Support Group for Sexual Assault Survivors ososousaville@aol.com
545.8888 FINANCE/BUSINESS Commission on Status of Women
Women’s Shelter Program of SLO Consumer Credit Counseling Services 545.8412; Dawn Williams
781.6400 www.womensshelterslo.org 800.540.2227 Democratic Women United
ADDICTIONS 541.4252
GAY & LESBIAN League of Women Voters
AA Meeting Gay and Lesbian Alliance of the Central Coast
541.3211 543.2220
Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA)
541.4252 NOW (National Organization for Women)
PFLAG.Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays slonow@kcbx.net
498.2176 438.3889
Al-Anon SOL (Single Older Lesbians) READERS/WRITERS
534.9204 Mostly socializing! Call 474.9405 Adult Literacy
Cambria Connection (12 step support) 541-4219
927.1654 HOSPICE Creative Writing Group
Casa Solana AIDS Bereavement Group (Hospice) 748-2676; contact Gloria
Women’s Recovery Home 481.8555 544.2266 Nightwriters
Chemical Dependency intensive Hospice of SLO County 549.9656; contact Shirley Powell
outpatient program 544.2266 and 434.1164 Sisters in Crime
541-9113 Hospice Partners of the Central Coast http://SinC-CCC.blogspot.com
Compulsive eaters Anonymous, H.O.W.Concept 782.8608
546.1178 SENIORS
Drug & Alcohol Services JOBS/CAREERS Adult Day Care
781.4275 AARP 489.8894 (Arroyo Grande);
800.549.7730 788.2643 434.2081 (Templeton); 927.4290 (Cambria)
Overeaters Anonymous Cal Poly Foundation Adult Protective Services
541.3164 Jobline 756.7107 781.1790
SCA, SLAA & SAA (Sex, Love & Romance Addictions) Cal Poly University Computerooters:
461.6084 http://calpolyjobs.org 756.1533 Computer help: 489.6230
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Cuesta College Department of Social Services:
929.1789 http://www.cuesta.edu Jobline 546.3127 In-Home Support 781.1790
Women for Sobriety The Creekside Career Center Nursing help for the terminally ill 781.5540
http://www.womenforsobriety.org www.slocareers.org 788.2631 or 788.2690 Elder and Dependent Adult Advocacy and Outreach –
215.536.8026 Department of Rehabilitation Victim Witness Assistance Center
549.3361 781-5821
CHILDREN & FAMILIES Mission Community Services Corporation Elder Law, Geraldine E. Champion, Attorney
Birth and Baby Resource Center Women’s Business Partners 473.4747
546.3755 www.bbrn.org 595.1356 www.mcscorp.org Foster Grandparents.Senior Companions
Childcare Resource Connection Private Industry Council (PIC) 782.9200
541.2272 or 800.727.2272 www.jobhunt.org 788.2601 Senior Ballroom Dance club
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) 489.5481 dg17@juno.com
“A child’s voice in Court in SLO County” LEGAL Senior Peer Counseling
541.6542 Core Mediation Services Free, trained in.home counseling for 60+
Children’s Services Network 544.6334 medeee8@aol.com 547.7025 ext. 15
781.1847 District Attorney’s Office – Victim Witness Center
First 5: Children & Families Commission 781.5821 SPIRITUAL
781.4058; ask for Susan Hughs Family Law Facilitator Circle of Spiritual Enlightenment
Homeschooling in SLO County (HSC) 546.3769 995.1390; www.spiritualcircle.org
462.0726; ask for Barbara Lawyers Referral Services/Legal Aid Alternative Awakening Interfaith Spiritual Community
La Clinica De Tolosa 238.5334 788.2099 Meditation Monday evenings 7-7:45 pm
La Leche League Pro Per Divorce Workshop Open to all. 772-0306 awakeninginterfaith.org
489.9128 544.9313 Hungry Hearts Spiritual Community
Migrant Childcare Program Senior Legal Services RC liturgy with womanpriest 546.8672
544.4355 and 466.3444 543.5140 Meditation Group
MOMS Club of South SLO county Mondays, 7:30–8:30 PM; 772.0306
473. 2548 MEDICAL SUPPORT/SERVICES
New Beginnings Church
Partnership for Children ALS Support Group (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
Every Sunday, Coalesce Bookstore, MB
541.8666; ask for Beth 227.4785 or 674.4162 Self-Realization Fellowship
Real F.A.C.T.S. (Forum on Abused Children) Alzheimer’s Support
Sunday Services 995-1599
460.9016 534.9234 (LO); 547.3830 (SLO);
Social Services 547.3830, 534.9234 (SLO/Los Osos) WOMEN’S CENTERS/SHELTERS
781.1600 888.488.6555 Homeless Shelter
Support for Kids Coping with Domestic Violence American Cancer Society 781-3993
473.6507 San Luis Obispo 543.1481 Housing Authority
Templeton 434.3051 543.4478
EMERGENCY/CRISIS Anorexia Nervosa & Bulimia Support Group North County Women’s Resource Center, Shelter
Hotline 541.9113 461.1338
www.slohotline.org 800.549.8989 Arthritis Foundation Prado Day Center (for the homeless)
Sexual & Rape Prevention (SARP) 892.5556 786.0617
545.8888 or 800.656.HOPE (4673) Cancer/ Breast Cancer Support Groups Women’s Community Center, SLO
Temporary Restraining Order & Victim Witness 543.1481 ext. 3 for information 544.9313
Program 781.5821 Caregivers of Aging Parents Women’s Shelter Program of SLO
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT 547.3830 (AG); 927.4290 (Cambria); 549.8989 (crises), 781.6401 (business)
227.7135 (PR); 547.3830 (SLO); 543.7969 www.womensshelterslo.org
A.D.A.P.T. (Aid in Divorce Adjustment Problems Today) Celiac Disease Support Group
543.0388 226-9893 OTHER WOMEN’S ORGANIZATIONS
Alzheimer/Dementia Resource Center Endometriosis Association Altrusa International, Inc.
434.2081 or 534.9234 or 888.488.6555 www.endometriosisassn.org 481.1039; Cici Wynn, President
CALL–Concerned Agoraphobics Learning to Live Enhancement, Inc. (for breast cancer survivors) American Association of University Women
543.3764 771.8640 www.enhancementinc.com 781-0922; Karen
Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) EOC Health Services Clinics Camping Women
542.0577 (SLO) 481.5093 (Grover Beach) no or low cost reproductive health services 440.2723 www.campingwomen.org
927.1654 (Cambria) 466.8600 (North County) 544.2478 (SLO); 489.4026 (Arroyo Grande) Hadassah.SLO
Community Counseling Center Healthworks of the Central Coast 543.9452
543.7969 No or low cost reproductive health services
Dealing With Divorce 542.0900
OTHER GROUPS & GATHERINGS
544.9313 IC Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome Central Coast Peace and Environmental Council
Depresson and Bipolar Support Alliance Group 3rd Thursday, SLO, 7 -9 pm 464-0564 544.3399 or 783.2383
927.3703 Long-term Care Ombudsman Services of SLO County Compassion & Choices (or Final Exit)
Divorce Discussion Group 785.0132 800.247.7421 or 489-5481
489.2990, saintbarnabas@sbcglobal.net Lymphedema Education & Support Group
Eating Disorders Support Group 2nd Monday, 4-5 pm, 782-9300
546-3774; free, meets weekly in SLO Parkinson’s Support Groups Please send additions, corrections or deletions to:
Grief Awareness Group 466.7226 (Atascadero/Templeton) womenspress.slo@gmail.com or leave a message at
489.2990, saintbarnabas@sbcglobal.net 481.7424 (Arroyo Grande) the WCC: 805.544.9313. Last update 11/05/08.
541.8633 (SLO)
 Near Downtown
Deluxe Continental Breakfast
Pool & Spa
Fitness Room
Guest Laundry
Suites
SAN LUIS OBISPO
2050 Garfield Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Toll Free: 800.544.7250
805.549.9911 Fax: 805.546.0734
SUPPORTERS OF WOMEN IN BUSINESS!

Carmen Green Broker/Owner

www.CGreenRealEstate.com
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True wealth is about Mama’s Meatball

Fine Italian Cuisine
more than money.
It’s about achieving life.®
Let us help you achieve what matters most to you.
Contact a Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor today.

RAMIREZ/SIPSAS
Financial Advisory Team
Helen Sipsas, CRPC®
Financial Advisor
(805) 596-2227
1020 Marsh Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
www.fa.ml.com/rsteam

Dine-in • Take-out • Full Catering Service

© 2008 Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. Member SIPC.
All three locations are open: Mon.-Sun. 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM
570 Higuera St., #130 • San Luis Obispo, Ca 93401- tel. 805.544.0861
New Locations:
325 Pier Ave. • Oceano, CA 93425 • tel. 805.473.2383
In Avila Hotsprings • San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 • tel. 805.627.0288
Also, order on line: www.MamasMeatball.com