Category: Central Coast

 

Reports from Daniel Swain and the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes offer a glimpse of what to expect in the few weeks.

Model ensembles have backed off substantially on expected precipitation across CA during rest of November. Widespread soaking & likely fire-season ending rain is still likely across northern 1/3 of state, but totals closer to Bay Area will be lower & SoCal will remain dry.

An active pattern is forecast to bring multiple landfalling atmospheric rivers to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California

•The first AR is forecast to make landfall on 13 November, though there is currently large ensemble uncertainty in onset and overall duration of AR conditions

•The second AR is forecast to make landfall over the Pacific Northwest on 15 November but is also associated with large ensemble and model-to-model uncertainty

•The GEFS control member is currently suggesting that first AR could bring AR 2 conditions to Northern CA and Southern OR while the second AR could bring AR 4 conditions to Southern OR

•The NOAA Weather Prediction Center is currently forecasting >10 inches of precipitation over the high elevations of the Coastal, Olympic, and Cascade Mountain Ranges during the next 7 days.

Pfizer says it is 90% effective

-November 9,2020-

Vandenberg’s base commander,Col Anthony Mastalir announced November 6 that the central coast Air Force base would be one of the first places pharmaceutical company Pfizer would ship their COVID-19 vaccine in more than enough quantity to vaccinate the entire base.

“We’ve been told to expect about 10,000 doses next month” Mastalir told the base at a video Facebook town hall meeting last Friday.

Pfzier has said their vaccine that has been undergoing clinical trials for efficacy and safety now expects to be granted so-called Emergency Use Authorization(EAU) from the Food and Drug Administration.

This local news parallels what is happening on the world stage as of Monday morning with the Pfizer announcement that their most recent clinical trial proved to be better than 90% effective in preventing COVID-19, similar to other highly effective vaccines for smallpox and measles and far more effective than flu vaccines.

On November 9 the American company Pfizer announced that the vaccine candidate was found to be more than 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 in participants without evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection in the first interim efficacy analysis. Their Analysis evaluated 94 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in trial participants.

The study enrolled 43,538 participants, with 42% having diverse backgrounds, and no serious safety concerns have been observed; Safety and additional efficacy data continue to be collected, they say.

Great day for science

“It is a great day for science. It is a great day for humanity,” said Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla of the vaccine trial results. “I think we can see light at the end of the tunnel.” The news jolted Wall Street in a good way with the Dow opening more than 1400 points higher.

Bourla has said recently that “three key areas where, as with all vaccines, we must demonstrate success in order to seek approval for public use. First, the vaccine must be proven effective, meaning it can help prevent COVID-19 disease in at least a majority of vaccinated patients. Second and equally important, the vaccine must be proven safe, with robust safety data generated from thousands of patients. And finally, we must demonstrate that the vaccine can be consistently manufactured at the highest quality standards.”

They expect that milestone to be achieved as of the third week of November, said Bourla, the first of several companies working on Covid vaccines to reach this threshold for approval.

Vandenberg may be first in line suggesting they will be the first Air Force base to receive the vaccine under the EUA rule.

The company launched its U.S. Phase 3 trials on July 27. Pfizer and partner BioNTech are seen as the leader in getting their COVID-19 vaccine ready for public use.

Base commander Mastalir says the “goal is to return to the life we had pre-Covid.” He hopes there will be enough doses to inoculate not just base personnel but their families, contractors and others who come to the base – even expecting to make it available to surrounding communities.

Base officials briefed personnel that their participation in what will be a two shot protocol – will be voluntary. While much of the US is experiencing record levels of COVID, California, and Santa Barbara County are below the 5% positivity level and stable. SLO County cases are low as well but with a recent spike seen among Cal Poly students.Right now Santa Barbara County is experiencing a low 2.4% positivity rate.

The  Vandenberg plan is to offer the vaccine given twice with a 21 day interval. The shot is given in the upper arm. Dr Paul Vu medical director assured listeners that the vaccine was” not a live virus.” The goal, he said, was to build up antibodies in the lymph glands that could fight off Covid 19 if it struck. He said the vaccine is being made in the US and Germany.

Before the vaccine can be used widely in an unrestricted way, it must undergo a trial period  of 2 years. This vaccine has been in clinical trials for 6 months. Given the pandemic, FDA plans to allow targeted use under the EUA rule.

Consumer acceptance?

President Trump famously boasted the vaccine would be ready by the election but that was to  be. Still, the news this week shows the promise of the Operation Warp Speed project designed to quickly distribute the vaccine once it gets approval. On the CBS program 60 Minutes on Sunday, the head of the project commented that his fear was that even if the vaccine is proven effective and made available – many people will be hesitant to take it.

But there is optimism at the base.“We could be a distribution hub for the Central Coast” stated Commander Mastalir November 6. With enough people vaccinated – the base hopes to achieve “herd immunity”, he said.

The Mayo Clinic says herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected — not just those who are immune.

The Vandenberg community is already a kind of “bubble” and may be an attractive candidate to test if a somewhat isolated community with a controlled visitor gate – can quickly return to normal life.

Despite what may be good news long term, Mastalir warned listeners not to let their guard down in coming weeks by getting together with distant relatives traveling to or from Covid hot spots over the coming holidays. ”Now may not be with time.” he suggested. As of today, base personnel are being told they can visit anywhere in California except Los Angeles County which requires permission.

San Luis Obispo jobless rate

October 16,2020

The unemployment rate in the San Luis Obispo County was 7.2 percent in September 2020, down from a  revised 7.6 percent in August 2020, and above the year-ago estimate of 2.5 percent.  This compares with  an unadjusted unemployment rate of 10.8 percent for California and 7.7 percent for the nation during the same period.  

San Luis Obispo County has slowly recovered since the March/April economy shutdown but still has 13,600 fewer jobs in September 2020 than it did a year earlier. Almost half of that have been lost in the hospitality sector where jobs have dropped from 20,100 in September 2019 to 14,600 this September- a decline of 5500. Construction and manufacturing jobs  have dropped by 1300 and 1700 each. Government jobs- mostly teachers have decreased by 2000.

-August 19,2020-

 Correction: The physical therapy office relocated  – it did not close. The owners are Devon and Matt Ruane. Sorry for the mistake

 

Miner’s Ace Hardware store will expand in Los Osos taking over 9000 square feet formerly occupied by the Los Osos Fitness gym next door.The gym closed earlier this year due to COVID-19 and financing issues as the pandemic has punished some retail uses and favored others.

An affiliated physical therapy office next door also closed.Both gyms and physical therapy facilities have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic.

“It’s a crazy, uncertain time” admits Miner’s President Paul Filice  who confirms the plan to remodel the space and open it up by the end of the year. The demo and remodeling work is already underway this week (pictured).

The new retail space will be “dedicated for hardware, paint, tools, plumbing and electrical and all the things we already do. We are also making a larger nursery area outside to improve our selections of live goods, garden products, lumber and building materials.”

“Our expansion plans include more and better selections of Grills and accessories, larger selection of outdoor power equipment like STHIL, TORO and EGO brands. More patio furniture and a larger selection of pet supplies,” he adds.

“We are going to hire 10-15 more full time people and are excited to grow our footprint in Los Osos” adds Filice who has been in his post since 2008.

Asked how COVID has impacted their business the small chain located in Central California is enjoying a turbulent but profitable year with the number of customers and how much they spend higher this year.

Filice offers “With people spending more time at home, our industry has seen growth over the past five months. People are looking at the projects they never had time to do, and getting them done. Small remodels, painting a couple rooms, and upgrading their grills and backyards to name a few. “

Indeed a stroll around eclectic Los Osos along its typically quiet streets finds clear signs of home improvement projects often with a ladder leaning against a house or new garden in bloom. Besides hardware, local nurseries are reporting a good year for a change too.

Essential Business

Filice notes“Miner’s Ace Hardware is lucky enough to be an essential business and are fortunate to have enough great staff to remain open..” Our Team has really pulled together and done a great job not only in Los Osos but in all our locations. I can’t say enough about our wonderful customers and how understanding they have been with all of the changes to policy and procedure we have gone through over the last 5 months. We are truly blessed to be in the Los Osos community for the last 20 years and hope to be there for another 25 years!

Around Los Osos

Around Los Osos there are other signs that small business, particular restaurants are aiming to come back. Among the signs  several eateries have set up outside tables, the brew pub on LOVR (Olde Ale House )is about ready to open after a year of work and new owners of the closed brewpub on 3rd and Santa Maria (Baywood Tavern) are planning to reopen. Baywood has filled a couple of former empty storefronts  including a soap shop and art studio.

There is new energy behind the town’s third made-from-scratch bakery. Called Wayside Baking, owner Tim Veatch already offers his lineup of French pastries and bread out of a warehouse at 2015 Fairchild in town but is remodeling a retail location next to La Casita on 9th street.Tim says he is working with the county planning department but has no date yet to open.

Speaking of long time coming, the former Sculptured Egg spot in Baywood is getting a new life after High Street Deli owner Randy “Doobie” Coates bought the place.Remodeling started on the building last year but it was later tied up by a stop-order from the County. Now the County has issued a new permit for the remodel for what is called Randy’s Shack at 1326 Second Street, located across from the Blue Heron. Construction is finally underway.

Also the Baywood Inn has added a new hotel wing and is landscaping on top of where their 2nd St parking lot was, removing parking spaces to add flowers,with patrons now required to park in the rear.Now that’s progress!

One more sign we are slowly coming out of COVID slumber -Chase Bank is expected to reopen in Los Osos early next month.

Phillips 66 will convert SF refinery to biofuels, close Santa Maria facility

July 10,2020-

Morro Bay and its fishermen knock plans to move wind turbines closer to shore

Plans to alter the “call area” for offshore wind projects on the Central Coast to accommodate objections by the Navy now has its detractors that include the Morro Bay fishermen and the City of Morro Bay as well.

SEE COMPANION STORY IN ENERGY SECTION

The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is weighing modifying the area boundaries where they would accept wind power projects possibly closer to the coast. Wind power companies in the past have suggested they could set up 30-plus miles off the Morro Bay coast. But now there is discussion of sites as little as 15 to 20 miles offshore to meet Navy objections.

The idea was discussed at a webinar organized by a task force on offshore wind formed by Congressman Salud Carbajal and members of the California Energy Commission on July 1. The internet event was necessary due to COVID and replaced a planned public meeting in Morro Bay.

Carbajal helped form the task force as Department of Defense officials agreed to discuss their objections to offshore wind turbines in areas of the Pacific they consider key for their maneuvers. BOEM has jurisdictions over potential leases of federal waters beyond 3 miles out. On August 21, 2019, Congressman Carbajal hosted a meeting with senior officials from DoD, BOEM, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Sanctuaries), the CEC, and state and locally elected representatives to discuss finding a solution that accommodates a viable offshore wind industry on the Central Coast and meets the mission of DoD to test, train and operate.

Now, almost a year later,a proposal to modify the call areas off Morro Bay,closer to shore – has been put forth.

 

Bait & Switch?

Critical of the idea at the webinar was Tom Hafer, president of the 90-member Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Organization who complained the new proposal amounted to “bait and switch.” Originally Castle Wind, one of the proposed developers, suggested they would ask for a site for up to 100 turbines some 30 miles off the coast.They spent months huddling with the Morro Bay fishing industry well as the city and got them to agree to their idea. A memo of understanding was signed.

The new task force proposal being discussed would move the 900ft turbines into waters they use for fishing. “This is going to screw up fishing. This is going to change the migratory habits of a lot of fish out there — albacore, salmon, black cod. Who knows what these are going to do?” Hafer fears the idea that the wind industry wants more territory in the future as well.

“We have worries that the noise and electrolysis will greatly affect our fisheries in those areas including; rockfish, spot prawns, black cod, salmon, albacore, and wet fish. What studies have been done that will absolutely prove that this will not cause these fisheries to avoid this area? Making it a ‘dead zone’. Especially if it is as big as the wind industry desires.”

“You need to talk to the fishermen,” Hafer maintains. A member of the task force agreed to meet with Hafer as they take comments on the idea until at least July 31.

Also critical of moving wind turbines closer to shore was Mayor John Headding of Morro Bay who complained that a change of plans would require BOEM to re-issue a new call – delaying the project a year or more. Another idea to utilize a portion of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary for power generation would be “disastrous ” he suggested.With Diablo Canyon closing soon the region needs the economic stimulus now, he said.

Morro Bay Harbor Director Eric Endersby says he believes the Navy is amenable to some portion of the existing call location but that this issue remains”a moving target.” The task force has already taken the Diablo Canyon call area off the table at the request of the Navy allowing the 25 mile wide Morro Bay site and now some adjacent areas closer to shore,some overlapping the existing Morro Bay site.

“I can’t see why the Navy claims thousands of miles of the eastern Pacific and won’t allow wind energy in one little box on the map.”Endersaby adds that moving the site nearer to the shore would be in more shallow fishing waters.

The industry had hoped the leasing process would go forward in 2021 after more than 4 years of talking about it.

Grubby fingers

Moving the project closer to land was not a popular idea among others as well including Big Sur residents, one arguing “Leave Big Sur alone. It’s beautifully untouched by your energy-grubby fingers. The public should have a say!”  A Hearst Castle representative also offered concerns about the “viewshed.”

The workshop included a visual simulation of how the tall turbines would look if sited 15 or 17 to 20 miles out from several vantage points  including Valencia Peak in Montana de Oro. The visual impact appeared to be minimal but readers can judge for themselves at Offshore Working Group Visual Simulations, Central California .

One late breaking bit of news that could impact all this. Last week, the House Armed Services Committee passed H.R. 6395, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. The bill includes an amendment by Congressman Carbajal addressing the Navy’s opposition to offshore wind development.  The measure is said to make improvements to Department of Defense assessment procedures for wind energy projects

Other Morro Bay news

Morro Bay planning official Scot Graham says Vistra, who own the shuttered power plant in town has “pulled their application” for a large battery store project next to the vacant building.”We don’t know what issues they have.We have been negotiating with them over right of way on another matter” says Graham. He adds “I wouldn’t be surprised if they reapplied  since they are doing similar energy storage projects  in other locations.”

O’Reilly Auto Parts has applied for tenant improvements at the former Dollar Tree location at 710 Quintana after the bargain store moved down the block. O’Reilly, the number three chain in sales, operates more than 5,400 stores in 47 states.

Plans for a 35-unit affordable housing complex at 405 Atascadero Rd in Morro Bay are in limbo after the approval of the Housing Authority of SLO project by the planning commission. The project has been appealed to the city council at their July 14 meeting

-July 10,2020-

Restaurants come & go in Los Osos

The Baywood Tavern on Santa Maria and 3rd is no more and the building is going on the market.

Meanwhile the former Baywood Ale House people, who used to be located in the same building as the shuttered Baywood Tavern , after many months of construction are about ready to open their new ale house on LOVR next to Martins. The place, now called The Olde Ale House, features a large outdoor patio and could open in matter of weeks.

Meanwhile Nichols’ Pizza & Grill is for sale as the owners put up a big ‘For Sale’ sign on the shuttered restaurant on LOVR a month ago. For info contact  the owners directly at nicholspizza@gmail.com.Darren and Mari Nichols had a previous restaurant — Big Daddy’s Pizza.
Still there is new energy behind the town’s third made-from-scratch bakery. Called Wayside Baking, owner Tim Veatch already offers his lineup of French pastries and bread out of a warehouse at 2015 Fairchild in town but is remodeling a retail location next to La Casita on 9th street.Tim says he is working with the county planning department but has no date yet to open.

Speaking of long time coming, the former Sculptured Egg spot in Baywood is still empty a year plus after High Street Deli owner Randy “Doobie” Coates bought the place.Remodeling started on the building last year but it was later tied up by a stop-order from the County. Now the County has issued a new permit for the remodel for what is called Randy’s Shack at 1326 Second Street, located across from the Blue Heron

Miner’s Ace Hardware eyes former gym space

Miner’s Ace Hardware is in talks with the owner of the the Los Osos shopping center to possibly take the place of the shuttered Los Osos Gym and expanding their hardware store/garden supply to include the additional space.