Women's Community Center of San Luis Obispo County

WCC CHRISTMAS PARTY 2011

2011-12-11T04:44:00.000-08:00

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We had a wonderful time at our Christmas Party, it was a great way to end 2011

WCC PANCAKE'S BREAKFAST

2011-10-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

WCC PRO PER LEGAL CLINIC CHANGES

2011-10-11T01:09:00.000-07:00

10 OCTOBER 2011

The Women’s Community Center is making a change to the Pro Per Clinic effective immediately. The clinic will open at 5 pm until 8 pm

The $40 donation will now be a $40 fee.
If someone is financially “strapped” and unable to pay this amount, the WCC will allow them to come to the WCC office prior to the date of the Pro Per Clinic to bring proof of income and fill out a form to allow us to consider a
sliding scale fee. This fee can be anywhere from $39 down to $20.

This new policy was a board decision based on the last Pro Per where very few of the 17 participants paid any money at all, and one person, claiming not to have any money at all, later bought a book we had for sale. The purpose of the Pro Per Clinic has always been two-fold. One, and most importantly, is to provide assistance to women and their families when they were in need of family law advice or information. The second purpose, was to help the Women’s Community Center generate income. We needed to address this second issue, and this was the solution that the board came up with.

If you have any questions or concerns about this, please email wccslo@gmail.com

or call us at: 544-9313.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2011 WOMEN'S PRESS COVER

2011-09-04T21:47:00.000-07:00

Our September-October 2011 Women's Press Cover Art

"Old copper pot with pumpkins" has the colors of fall, and the mellowness of a quiet afternoon by the fireplace...

The artist is Barbara Bailey

www.baileyporter.com

IMAGES OF DWCW 2011

2011-08-14T22:52:00.001-07:00

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DAY WITH CREATIVE WOMEN MUSICAL SHOW

2011-08-14T16:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had a wonderful show at the Mission Plaza Gardens

The public participated and the artist were awesome!!!

Here some photos

Dance Obispo

Dance Obispo Ballet Group

Dance Obispo Tap Dance Trio

Dance Obispo Hip Hop Troupe

Coastal Winds Ensemble

Suspended Motion

World Rhythm & Motion Studio

Talia Ortega and mom doing a Sevillana
Saja

Jenna and Keeth lovely duet

Symphony of the Vines Quartet

Maheyla and the Ritual

Blue Moon Haven Belly Dancers

Chick Tuesday

Sean Day

Audio Engineer

And finally Sonia Paz Baronvine , our Musical Director.

DAY WITH CREATIVE WOMEN 2011 MUSIC SHOW

2011-08-10T12:37:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

We are so excited about our Day With Creative Women 2011 Music Show!
I invite all of you to come Saturday August 13, 2011 from 10 am to 5 pm
we will have dancers, singers and musicians perform at the Mission Plaza Garden’s Amphitheater, in San Luis Obispo, California. Corner of Chorro St and Monterrey St.

Bring your family and friends, sit on the grass and enjoy a day of fun and great entertainers. There will be varied booths with crafts, jewels, and art for sale, all hand made by creative women who have come from all over California to celebrate with the Women’s Community Center of San Luis Obispo County and the Commission on the Status of Women, the 37th year of Day With Creative Women.

In sisterhood,
Sonia Paz Baronvine
Musical Director
DWCW

DANCE OBISPO
Dance Obispo is a ballet based studio offering classes for ages 2 – adults. We offer a full range of ballet, creative dance, pre-ballet, jazz/lyrical, and East Coast Hip Hop classes and in September we will be celebrating the start of our third year. We have an beautiful studio in downtown San Luis Obispo, and are looking forward to an incredible season. Dance Obispo is looking to become a destination for dance offering many in-house performances this year for the downtown area!Dancers, Kimberly, Savannah, Cathie and Linda. Visit their website@ http://www.danceobispo.com/

COASTAL WINDS ENSEMBLE

Shelly Granger -Flute Linda Ashworth- Oboe Jessica Hoffman- Oboe

John Dilworth- bassoon
Coastal Winds Ensemble is a professional classical chamber group organized by flutist Shelly Granger. Today we will be joined by John Dilworth on Bassoon and Linda Ashworth and Jessica Hoffman on oboe. We will be performing selections from Handel, Mozart, Schubert, Bach and much more. For more information contact www.shellygranger.com.

SUSPENDED MOTION
Is a troop of traveling performers . They specialize in creating a unique performance hanging from colorful fabrics. Visit their website@ www.wix.com/suspendedmotion/silk

WORLD RHYTHM & MOTION STUDIO- SAJA, GINICI AND TALIA ORTEGA

Jenna Mitchell, co-director of SaJa and co-owner of the World Rhythm and Motion Studio, has performed and studied Middle Eastern Dance for many years in the U.S. and Egypt. Jenna performs regularly as a soloist and with the SaJa Middle Eastern Dance Co throughout California. Jenna has excelled in Modern Egyptian Style of Dance. She has been teaching Belly Dance Classes for several years and is excellent at communicating the art of the dance.

Saja, Ginici and Talia Ortega delight us with awesome dances. www.worldrhythmandmotion.com

SYMPHONY OF THE VINES QUARTET

is available for all occasions and offers musical selections ranging from classical to popular. Members of the group include James Riccardo and Ron Kiel, violins, Jessica Hoffman, English horn and Lynne Oliverius, cello. The group is a promotional wing of the Vines Symphony and all fees are 501(c)3 tax deductible under the symphony status. Contact the group at 815-228-2506, www.symphonyofthevines.org

MAHEYLA AND THE RITUAL

GET READY FOR THIS DYNAMIC TRIO!

Maheyla and the Ritual is a sensational band and provides their new blend of progressive rock roots and blues. This talented trio perform their unique original songs with an alternative cutting edge mix, rich in harmonies, rhythms and emotional lyrics. Together they celebrate everything from original progressive blues to real time jams to updated versions of vintage & classic tunes with innovative arrangements.
Visit their website@ http://www.reverbnation.com./maheylaandtheritual

BLUE MOON HAVEN
Blue Moon Haven is an American Tribal Style Belly Dance Troupe.

Dana Johnson, Director is a Certified Instructor and Sister Studio with FatChanceBellyDance, creators of American Tribal Style (ATS). They will be performing ATS which is all improvisational while appearing Choreographed. Learn ATS with Blue Moon Haven in San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande, Nipomo, Santa Maria and Lompoc. 805-709-4686
www.BlueMoonHaven.com FaceBook
www.BlueMoonHaven.com

CHICK TUESDAY
Sharon “Buffy” Doran on guitar and dulcimer is joined by Karen Wilkins and Sarah Jane Weiss on flute, vocals, and guitar.Their songs and arrangements are wonderful.A great way to end a super musical day at the Mission Plaza.Visit them on youtube@http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VOiwREM_0I

DAY WITH CREATIVE WOMEN 2011

2011-08-02T20:10:00.000-07:00

Just around the corner, this Saturday, August 13, 2011 the gardens of the Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo will be filled with colors, laughter and music.
This is the 37th year that the Women’s Community Center of San Luis Obispo County celebrates Creative Women by showcasing their talents.

2011 is a special year, we have united with our sisters from The Commission on the Status of Women and they have added their efforts and ideas to ours.
Women from all over California will arrive early on Saturday with their crafts, jewels, silk scarfs, paintings, photographs, creams, food, and music!
The music show starts at 10 am and it promise to be a great one, we have groups from the Central Coast, from Paso Robles to Lompoc. Singers, ribbon dancers, flute players, string quartets, folk trios, ballet dancers, belly dancers…oh my!!

Looking forward to celebrating with my sisters once more, I invite all of you to share this information with friends and to bring them along!
See you there!
In sisterhood,
Sonia Paz Baronvine
Editor
Women’s Press

DAY WITH CREATIVE WOMEN 2011

2011-06-27T00:24:00.000-07:00

The Women’s Community Center and the Commission on the Status of Women
Present
Day with CreativeWomen
Saturday August 13, 2011 10:00am-5:00pm
Mission Plaza San Luis Obispo

This festival features women’s creative visual and musical arts, each year on the second Saturday in August for the past 36 years.
This event is free to the public, showcases women’s creative arts and crafts by featuring vendors who offer their work for sale.
Musical entertainment from all genres, including belly dancing, acoustic guitar, flute chorales, singing choirs, drumming groups and everything in between provide music all day in the amphitheater at the San Luis Obispo Mission Plaza.

We invite you to help Sponsor this year’s festival
Major Donor $1500
Hang your business Banner in Mission Plaza the day of the event.-Logo on banner on day of event-Logo on all posters and print ads-Booth on day of the event
Major sponsor $1000-Logo on banner day of event-Logo on posters and print ads-Booth day of event
Sponsor $900 - $500 Logo on banner on day of event-Logo on posters and printed ads
Donor $400 Logo on posters and printed ads-Booths

$120 (late registration $130
Non-profits $60
Your donation is tax deductible! Tax ID #77-0516248

For more information, please visit our website www.wccslo.org
email at wccslo@gmail.com
or call us at 544-9313. Ask forRobin

Women’s community Center 1124 Nipomo Street, Suite D, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
W.C.C. - 805.544.9313
San Luis Obispo County Commission on the Status of Women www.slowomen.org

To maintain an accessible center to collect and exchange information of interest and concern to women.
To organize and facilitate workshops, clinics, seminars, classes and support groups on subjects of interest and need.
To engage in and facilitate interaction among local, state, and national agencies and organizations working to benefit women.
www.wccslo.org

The San Luis Obispo Commission on the Status of Women

is a official advisory agent of the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors.
Our charge is to be the voice that advocates equal commendations to enhance women’s lives by conducting surveys and outreach programs.
http://www.slowomen.org/

cosowo@gmail.com

Business Name:
_________________________________
Business Address:
___________________________________
Business city and zip code
___________________________________
Business email address
___________________________________
Contact person:
___________________________________
Donor Level
___________________________________

DAY WITH CREATIVE WOMEN BOOTH REGISTRATION

The first 10 to register and pay by June 1, 2011 to receive your business name on our
beautiful huge poster circulated throughout the county.
Final registration deadline is August 12, 2011.

Questions?

Email: wccslo@gmail.com or call the Women’s Community Center at (805) 544-9313
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DAY WITH CREATIVE WOMEN BOOTH REGISTRATION
Please complete this form and mail with your check payable to:
Women’s Community Center of San Luis Obispo
1124 Nipomo Street, Suite D, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Business Name: ________________________________

Email:_______________________________________
Contact Person: ________________________________
Phone: ______________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________

Description of Product or Services:___________________________________________

Electricity Required? Yes _____ No _____

Do you want an open booth (that is, patrons may walk into it) Yes __ No __

Pay with PayPal for your booth or send a check
$120.00 single booth/ $150.00 after July 13, 2011
$200.00 shared booth / $230.00 after July 13, 2011
$60.00 non-profit/ $80 after July 13, 2011

If you provided an email address, we will use it to communicate with you.

I understand that the Women’s Community Center will not be responsible for damage
or loss to any property during the course of this event. I have been given a copy of the Application Requirements, have read and understand them, and by signing below confirm
I agree to abide by them.

Signature: ___________________________________ Date: __________________

"RANDOM THOUGHTS" BY ANGIE KING

2011-06-26T21:15:00.000-07:00

Random Thoughts by Angie King

This is a long ramble about men and women and politics and peoples’ private sins. We have had a long list recently of men in politics who have done despicable things in their private lives (leaving wives’ on death beds to marry eye candy; lying about one’s whereabouts to meet an Argentine mistress; being found a wife batterer by the courts; "sexting" to random women, etc, etc).
Note they are all men behaving badly. Two issues (well, at least two) arise here: which, if any, of these private acts impacted their ability to act publicly in the political arena, and, are women any different?
And, then, if the acts complained of do not impact the person’s ability to hold the public office in question, does it matter how they act in their private lives?
Yes, and no.
Yes, because in many if not all of the cases, the men involved have been hypocritical, in the extreme. The whole "C Street Gang and their mentors come to mind. They want to make your life miserable but exempt themselves.
Publicly embracing a Puritanistic code of ethical behavior for everyone with dire consequences for transgression, they blatantly violate that code and expect no consequences.
Do as I say, not as I do. I am above your laws, those laws you elected me to enact and enforce. Is that the kind of person we want in office?
Some outright lie about their behavior, which calls into question their veracity in other matters and their ability to fulfill their oaths of office, as in So. Carolina Governor Sanford. Others appear to have been just plain stupid, following that "second brain" that only males are endowed with – and you know what I mean.
Clinton, Spitzer, Wiener. In Wiener’s case, the accusation that forced his resignation was that his behavior had become a distraction that made his representation of his constituents ineffective.

In any case, whatever the reasons, women have fewer sex scandals, and even those who do, have demonstrated an ability to remain focused on their responsibilities in office, not succumbing to distractions.
They are perceived by the voters as better able than men to be problem solvers with the right priorities, according to Celinda Lake, a nationally known Democratic pollster.
So, shouldn’t more women be running for office given the current climate?
The Center for the American Woman and Politics at Rutgers University is promoting women to run for office in 2012. It will be the first election under newly redrawn congressional districts; many veteran legislators have already announced their retirement and others are expected not to run in 2012, thus creating an opportunity for new faces to emerge.
It is a Presidential election year, which always brings a larger turnout.
But they are not. Women were increasingly running for office, and winning, surging in 1992 (not coincidentally the first election following the prior census redistricting).
By 2007, women reached the densest levels in the Congress in 40 years: 17 senators (of 100) and 72 representatives (of 435), still not very good numbers. Since then, there has been a steady decline. Only 6 states now have a female governor; the number of women in state legislatures is down this year by a thousand over last year; only 21.9% of statewide offices (AG, treasurer, governor and lt governor, secretary state, comptroller, etc) are held by women, which is one quarter as many as 10 years ago.
As Geraldine Ferraro, a true political pioneer for women, once said, "Every time a woman runs, women win."
We can’t afford to miss the unique opportunity for that victory in 2012.
Once that door closes, it won’t be as wide open again until after the next census — and we can’t wait until 2022.

WOMEN'S PRESS JUNE-JULY 2011

2011-06-26T21:11:00.001-07:00

www.womenspress-slo.org

Women's Press February-March 2011 Issue

2011-03-15T16:26:00.000-07:00

Women's Press February-March 2011 Issue

www.womenspress-slo.org

NEWS FROM THE WOMEN'S PRESS

2011-02-07T23:13:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

I have been working hard, with a wonderful group of energetic, creative women and all of us are very excited about our next issue

Our cover will feature a young local artist, Lena Rushing, her vibrant colors and feminine style subjugated me!

Before the end of February, you will be holding in your hands an interesting, informative, creative issue, with articles from women near and far.

Local musicians and artists working together in a page where Music, Poetry and Art entwine.
We have a new page about local women protecting the local environment.

A page on health, on caring about our bodies, with articles from local women physicians, psychologist and tips on helping our bodies work and look better.
A legal information page, with up to date, local assistance.
The WCC page with all the latest news, programs and workshops.

Our NOW page with excellent articles and information
And a global page, where we can learn what our sisters are doing around the planet.

I will let you discover for yourself the new style, and I hope your comments will be positive!

Send me your ideas, and articles !!

In sisterhood,

Sonia Paz Baronvine
Editor
Women’s Press

WCC 2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2011-01-31T22:45:00.000-08:00

Amber Baron, Rebecca Said, Sonia Paz Baronvine, Janet Potter,
Vickie Steffensen, Robin Rinzler

President
Robin Rinzler,
Vice president
Rebecca Said
Treasurer
Janet Potter
Editor Women's Press
Sonia Baronvine
Board Members
Amber Baron
Shannon Scaife
Vickie Steffensen
Dianne Tuttle

We also welcome our new volunteers

Amanda Atkinson
Sharon Dobson
Debbie Hall
Mabel Jaramillo
Karen Wilkins

ANGIE KING STEPS DOWN AS HEAD OF WCC

2011-01-23T20:03:00.000-08:00

Angie King steps down as head of Women's Community Center
Sonia Paz Baronvine to take helm

After more than 10 years as President of the Board of Directors of Women's Community Center ( WCC ),
Angie King announced her resignation at the January 2011 Women's Community Center Board meeting. King, who retired from her position as Director of Senior Legal Services in 2008, has a distinguished career in women's issues, for which she has been recognized with the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association John L.Seitz Award in recognition of community service, 2002; the League of Women Voters' Mary Rhodes Leadership Award, and Cuesta College's -Woman of Distinction Award, 1999

The incoming board president, Sonia Paz Baronvine has been a Women's Community Center Board Member since 2007 Nx hZ organized the all day entertainment at Day With Creative Women, the annual craft fair and fundraiser the Women's Community Center presents each year in August at the SLO Mission Plaza. She is also the current editor of the Women's Press, the Women's Community Center bi-monthly newspaper. Ms Baronvine is the founder and president of Mellowswan Foundation, a medical charitable international all volunteer non-profit foundation that helps orphans with deformities worldwide to attain medical care.

In addition to leadership changes, Women's Community Center also has a new home in a more central downtown location (1124 Nipomo St. Suite D )
The SLO County Law Library has agreed to house their monthly legal clinic for self represented litigants; and this past year saw the creation of a new service program BETTER (Building Enduring Ties That Enrich Relationships), providing low cost community based monitors for court ordered supervision visitation following divorce.
Programs for 2011 include the above, plus a "makeover" program for clients of the Women's Shelter Program, who will receive fashion assistance when returning to the workforce.
King says of her tenure at Women's Community Center, " A lot has happened in those ten years. Women's Community Center stabilized its infrastructure and budgets, expanded its programs activities, including the Family Law Action Commitee programs, and administered on-going grant awards from both public and private sources. During this time WCC also collaborated with a number of other local womane's organizations to produce succesfull seminars on improving women 's financial literacy." King added, " I think we have set up a base that will foster lasting relationship among those groups serving women in our county."

WOMEN'S PRESS HAS A NEW EDITOR

2011-01-21T21:50:00.000-08:00

Women's Press has a new editor, Sonia Paz Baronvine who is a WCC board member has taken the post after Courtney Brogno our old editor had to resigned as family and work obligations made it hard to continue.

Sonia Paz will bring a new style to Women's Press with her cosmopolitan background and with the help of WCC President Angie King and Ashley Kircher our graphic designer among others, we are sure the Women's Press will continue to delight the women of our counties.

As always, articles are welcomed and volunteers too!!

Send your opinions, requests, articles, and ideas to

womenspress.slo@gmail.com

WOMEN`S PRESS STAFF 2010

2011-01-21T21:30:00.002-08:00

We took this photo at the end of the year 2010 at the WCC office.
From left to right Ben Lawless, Angie King, Courtney Brogno, Ashley Kircher and
Sonia Paz Baronvine

REMEMBERING A WONDERFUL WOMAN

2010-11-06T18:31:00.000-07:00

On a cold rainy day, looking out my window at the wet grass on the quiet park, I think of my friend Chelita.
That is how we called Doctor Graciela Sarmiento, a Peruvian born physician who died tragically last Friday, south of Ensenada, Mexico.
She had gone along a group from San Luis Obispo, California in a mission to Baja with the Flying Samaritans, a charitable group that does free medical procedures for low income people in rural Mexico.
The Beachcraft A-36 plane took off from the San Luis Obispo Airport, Friday morning and landed in Ensenada, Mexico. It then took off for it's final destination in San Quintin in Baja California.
At about 15 miles south of Ensenada, the pilot called the control tower and said he was climbing to get above heavy fog... radio contact was lost around 2 pm Friday.
The people aboard the plane were Roger Lyon an attorney and pilot from Cayucos, Doctor James Thornton MD a plastic surgeon from San Luis Obispo, Andrew Theil a Cal Poly Student and Paramedic and my friend Doctor Graciela Sarmiento MD a physician who worked at the Community Health Center in Oceano, California. All of them were wonderful selfless people, doing what they loved, helping the poor.

I met Doctor Graciela Sarmiento in 1993 at a bbq at the house of another physician friend, Alba Barberia from Argentina.

I found doctor Sarmiento to be sweet, bright, fun and someone very friendly.

She had moved from Seattle with her family to work at the CHC Clinic in Oceano, hired by yet another physician friend from Peru, Isabel Ruiz MD ( R.I.P )
Dr Sarmiento went to medical school in the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain graduating in 1984 and she did her residency at University of Kansas School of Medicine.

We had long conversations about our lives in South America, we being neighbors her from Peru and me from Chile we had similar cultural, culinary and musical memories. She was married and had three children, I did too.

Years later, she saved the life of my oldest son, when he was an inpatient at Arroyo Grande Hospital, taking over his medical treatment and aggressively treating him with antibiotics and thus controlling his rampant infection. I was forever in her debt.

Today I attended a Catholic Mass in her honor,along my son now a young man, at Saint Patrick's Church in Arroyo Grande, California. At least 600 or more people were there, the church was filled with teary eyed family members, friends, colleagues, patients and neighbors..

We heard about Graciela's kindness and tenderness, about what a great woman she was, a great wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, neighbor and a super doctor.

She leaves behind her husband Jocelin, and her children Maya, Saioa and Sebastian
I had the pleasure afterwards to meet her sisters Camuncha, Patricia and her brother Francisco, all of them sweet as Chelita and I asked them to please let her mom and dad back in Lima, Peru know how much Chelita was loved and admired by so many, but what an imprint she left forever in my life.

Sonia Paz Baronvine
WCC Board Member

"MAKE OVER" PROJECT

2010-10-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

"The Mane Affair Team"
Tiffany Ventura, Naomi Ventura-Aguillon, Adam Romero and Michelle Silveira

We have a new project!!

Our friend Naomi Ventura-Aguillon co-owner of "The Mane Affair Salon" in Santa Maria, California called me and offered to do a " make over" for women that are entering the work force after experiencing a life crisis like divorce, being at the shelter, or recovering from an illness.
We are in the process of inviting selected women to experience the wonderful renaissance of being pampered by these professionals and getting a complete make over for free!!

I asked Naomi to send me some information on her life and her salon and here it is!

The Mane Affair Salon Story

The Mane Affair Salon has served Santa Maria for ten years.

Established by Grace Segovia and now partnered with Naomi Ventura-Aguillon, we continue the proud tradition of serving our community.
Naomi Ventura-Aguillon studied cosmetology at the Santa Maria Beauty College.

Before her partnership at The Mane Affair Salon, She started her career at the four diamonds, Chumash Casino Resort & Spa.
“I have had the honor and privilege, to work with many great and talented people in my 7 years of being a hairstylist.”
The Mane Affair Salon is a full service salon offering Haircuts, Color, Nails, Waxing and more.

They are located at 900 S. Broadway on the Corner of Broadway and Morrison.

Contact them at 928-9800 or visit us on Facebook.

We thank Naomi for being such a great woman, helping her sisters accomplish their dreams!

Sonia Paz Baronvine
WCC Board Member

WCC HAS MOVED!!!

2010-10-06T11:07:00.001-07:00

The Women's Community Center has moved to a new office downtown San Luis Obispo !!

Our new address is 1124 Nipomo St Suite D San Luis Obispo California 93401

our phone number continues to be the same one 805-544-9313

It is a quaint little spanish style building and we have a cute patio.

Come and visit us and volunteer!!!

TRANSLATING AT THE WCC LEGAL CLINIC

2010-09-19T19:19:00.001-07:00

While waiting to translate at the WCC Legal Clinic, Board Member Sonia Paz Baronvine

pets a client's Borzoi Russian dog " Anastasia"

THE 2010 WOMEN'S LEGACY FUND LUNCHEON

2010-09-17T00:50:00.000-07:00

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Women's Community Center Board Member Sonia Paz Baronvine attended the Women's Legacy Fund Luncheon at the Embassy Suites San Luis Obispo to honor the 2010 Grant Recipients.

THE WOMEN'S LEGACY FUND LUNCHEON

I enjoy volunteering in non profits that help humanity like the Mellowswan Foundation, The Women's Community Center of San Luis Obispo County and today I enjoyed a wonderful luncheon at the beautiful Embassy Suites Hotel with the Women's Legacy Fund
There were more than 300 women there to Honor the 2010 Grant Recipients, focusing on Women and Education.D
The mistress of ceremonies was Betsey Nash who did a great job.
Ann Robinson, Dee Lacey, spoke and lifted our spirits.

The keynote speaker was Mary Catherine Swanson- the founder of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination )
AVID prepares low income students for college entry and has a 94% success rate. With an annual budget of $ 36.000.000 there are more than 4000 schools across the US, Asia, Europe, and Canada.
Mary Catherine Swanson has a BA in English and journalism and MA in education. She taught high school English for 20 years before founding AVID
Among other honors Mary Catherine has recieved the Charles A Dana $ 50.000 Foundation Award for Pioneering Achievment in Education, the only school teacher to have ever been so honored. She also recieved the $ 25.000 McGreaw Prize in Education and was named America's best teacher by Time Magazine and CNN
She retired as CEO of AVID in 2006 leaving the organization with a $ 23.000.000 endowment. She currently serves on the AVID Board as well as the board of several other non for profit organizations.

Then Barbara Bell and Janice Fong Wolf presented this year grant's recipients

American Association of University Women with a $ 1,500 grant
To provide 2 scholarship fpr girls to attend Tech Trek- an AAUW Statewide science and math camp for girls.

Avila Beach Sea Life Center with a $ 3,500 grant
To underwrite a new one week marine science camp for girls ages 12-16 to be implemented in June 2011

Big Brothers Big Sisters with a grant of $ 3,000
To support girls through a school based mentoring program pairing 30 high school and college aged mentors with elementary school students.

It was wonderful to sit there representing the Women's Community Center of San Luis Obispo County and be surrounded by excellent women of all ages, backgrounds, races, and education levels.
The sisterhood was so strong, the fraternal love was present and we learned about a very special young woman. Susana Ayala-Lopez
Her parents Mexican Inmigrants, with only elementary school education, and she worked alongside her mom cleaning houses in order to earn money to pay her tuition.
Not only she graduated from high school, then college, the first in her family to do so, she earned her BA and her Masters and now she is getting her PhD
We gave her a standing ovation!!!
There were many teary eyes in the room!!

DAY WITH CREATIVE WOMEN 2010

2010-08-16T10:40:00.000-07:00

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

MUSICAL SHOW DWCW 2010

2010-08-12T14:56:00.001-07:00

CAROL LOWELL

Local singer-songwriters Carol Lowell, Kristen Black and Sandi Severson join voices and acoustic forces for a blend of lyrically-rich samplings from their CDs.
Each artist has a solo album to her credit. Carol and Kristen have a collaborative album. Rise and shine, bring your Java!
(Pictured: Kristen Black and Carol Lowell - left to right)

Fun Flutes
A group of women who love to play all kinds of flutes, their repertoire from classical to pop. They have performed at DWCW in the past

Central Coast Celebration Chorus

The award winning Central Coast Celebration Chorus is part of an international organization of women singers dedicated to the joy of performing exciting four part harmony, while fostering an environment of personal growth and musical excellence! They are an extraordinary group of women who gather in celebration of the artform known as barbershop music!
Directed by Dani Avalos Prigge, they can be heard throughout the year, singing for civic and charitable organizations, private groups, churches, community events, and fundraisers

Women's Drums

A local group of women of all ages and backgrounds who bring different types of drums and styles.
And communicate thru rythm the ancient femenine soul.

Maheyla and the Ritual
perform their unique original songs with an alternative cutting edge mix, rich in harmonies, addictive rhythms and emotional symbolic lyrics. Together they celebrate everything from original blues to psychedelic real time rock jams to updated versions of classic tunes with innovative arrangements.

Blue Moon Haven is an American Tribal Style Belly Dance Troupe. These dancers come together from all over Lompoc to the San Luis Obispo areas. They are an eclectic troupe of dancers who enjoy each other’s company as much as they enjoy dancing together. American Tribal Style is a purely improvisational dance which means nothing you see them perform is choreographed. Having a vocabulary of dance steps with subtle cues, they are able to dance together using leaders and followers. This troupe consists of experienced professional dancers plus intermediate students. Their Director and Instructor, DanaJohnson teaches classes in San Luis Obispo, Nipomo and Lompoc. Theytravel throughout California to perform at Belly Dance Festivals,Renaissance Fairs, and community events. They are available to performfor weddings, private events & special gatherings. Visit their website@ www.BlueMoonHaven.com for more information on performances and classes.

Steel Drum Duo
The Crome Addicts, a steel drum duo, originated from Aircut Music Studio in San Luis Obispo, California. The steel drums that are played by Patty Dee and Andrea Iversen are chromed 55-gallon oil drums that have been fashioned into beautiful looking and sounding instruments, thus the name The Chrome Addicts! Their repertoire includes traditional Caribbean songs, Afro-Cuban, calypso, reggae, jazz and pop arrangements.

Jenna Mitchell and World Dancers
Jenna Mitchell, co-director of SaJa and co-owner of the World Rhythm and Motion Studio, has performed and studied Middle Eastern Dance for many years in the U.S. and Egypt. Jenna performs regularly as a soloist and with the SaJa Middle Eastern Dance Co throughout California. Jenna has excelled in Modern Egyptian Style of Dance. She has been teaching Belly Dance Classes for several years and is excellent at communicating the art of the dance

Chick Tuesday with Buffy Duran
Sharon “Buffy” Doran on guitar and dulcimer is joined by Karen Wilkins and Sarah Jane Weiss on flute, vocals, and guitar. A great way to end a super musical day at the Mission Plaza.

INVITING EVERYONE TO WCC "DAY WITH CREATIVE WOMEN"

2010-07-28T11:31:00.001-07:00

Cover Artist
Yelena Kozlova

Yelena Kozlova is from Sunnyvale, CA in the Bay Area. She’s a student at Cal Poly.

We at WCC have been working hard getting everything ready for our annual fundrasing
"Day with Creative Women"
Every year women from all over California come to San Luis Obispo and participate with their art and music in our wonderful day.
We invite you to come on August 14, 2010 from 10 am to 5 pm at the Mission Plaza!

WCC "OPEN HOUSE"

2010-04-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

Jan Potter, WCC Volunteer and Divorce Class Facilitator
Angie King WCC President
Sonia Paz Baronvine WCC Board of Directors

Sonia Paz Baronvine getting the raffle tickets ready!

Raffle Items

Rev. Charles Archibald, Unitarian Universalist

Ed Martin WCC Volunteer

Bill Morem, SLO Tribune Colummnist

Paul Rinzler Jazz Professor Cal Poly

Robin Rinzler WCC Vice President

Our Family Law programs

Dianne Tuttle, Owner Academy Travel Consultants and member of the Commission on Status of Women.

Rebecca Said WCC Volunteer

Bill Morem SLO Tribune Columnist

Robin Rinzler WCC Vice President

Jan Potter WCC Volunteer

Sonia Paz Baronvine WCC Board of Directors

Information on our magazine "Women's Press "

and our annual fundraising event "Day With Creative Women "

Rev C Hite owner of Art Zero Gallery

Consuelo Mieux PhD Strategic Mentor, Organizer of the first Central Coast Women's Conference in Paso Robles and Member of the Commission on Status of Women.

Janice Fong Wolf Director of Programs at the SLO County Community Foundation.

Our Buffet with delicious food donated by our local stores.
Vons in the Marigold Center and Arroyo Grande

and San Luis Obispo Trader's Joes

Barbara Bellinger, Local Business Woman

Sonia Paz Baronvine, Women's Community Center Board of Directors

Diane Tuttle, Academy Travel Consultants and Member of the Commission on Status of Women.

Patricia Gundert Legal Assistant at the Women's Shelter, legal service program

Angie King WCC President

Wayne Bellinger Artist

In the middle of April we held a very successful Open House, to celebrate our move from the Goodwill Building last June to our new offices at the San Luis Business Center, and a good time was had by all!
Thanks to our sponsors for this event!!

Angie King , Robin Rinzler, Sonia Paz Baronvine

WCC Board of Directors

OUR NEW BANNER

2010-04-17T15:14:00.000-07:00

Here we are, Robin, Angie and Sonia Paz in front of our new office with the brand new WCC banner!!

CELEBRATING ROBIN'S CUESTA COLLEGE AWARD!

2010-04-17T15:05:00.000-07:00

Angie King, Robin Rinzler and Sonia Paz Baronvine

We are very happy to announce that our vice president Robin Rinzler has been awarded the "Progress for Women Award " by Cuesta College!!

This honor is awarded to a woman whose commitment to a particular program or issue of special relevance to women has helped to improve the quality of life for women.
As an example: arts, science, health, etc.
We celebrated Robin along with her family and presented her with balloons and cards!
She was glowing as she thanked the public, which included other recipients and the creme of San Luis Obispo women's volunteers.

Congratulations Robin on a well deserved award!

Sonia Paz Baronvine and Angie King

WCC Board of Directors

RSVP FAIR

2010-04-17T14:56:00.001-07:00

Sonia Paz Baron Vine and Angie King sitting at the WCC table

NOMINATING ROBIN RITZLER

2010-03-30T10:35:00.000-07:00

I wanted to write an article to share with all of you and also to keep
this information for posterity..

We are nominating our sister, board member, and colleague, Robin
Rinzler, to be Cuesta College 2010 Woman of Distinction for Community
and Public Service, Volunteer.
We believe Robin is the perfect woman to win this most prestigious award.

It would take me several pages, to tell you all the services Robin
provides for our community, but I will give you a small glimpse into
her volunteer life.

Robin has been on the Women's Community Center Board of Directors
since 2004, where she has personally been an inspiration to me. I
have observed her dedication to the tasks, her uplifting attitude, her
compassion and her work ethic; all of which is very contagious!

She is the coordinator of the Family Law Action programs of the WCC,
and, as such, oversees the monthly seminar meetings on divorce issues,
runs the monthly legal clinic, which provides legal advice to women,
and their families, who need help, but cannot afford an attorney.
Robin is the force behind all these programs. She makes the calls,
sets up the appointments and attends the seminars and clinics, always
arriving early to set up and staying late to clean up after.

As a professional mediator and owner of her own divorce mediation
business, she sometimes donates time either to the Court for mediation
of small claims cases or as a guest speaker to talk about conflict
resolution.
Robin has developed a new program with the Women's Community
Center called B.E.T.T.E.R. Supervised Vistitation. (Building Enduring
Ties That Enrich Relationships) This program allows anyone in our
county to obtain affordable supervised visitation as ordered by the
Court. She has trained several volunteers to become monitors, has
developed all the paperwork necessary, and has the ball rollilng to
begin this project in the next few weeks.

Every year the WCC celebrates our major fundraiser: "Day with Creative
Women" in Mission Plaza. It is Robin who organizes the vendors, the
volunteers, the city permits, the decorations, traffic and a million
other details, making each year a huge success and loads of fun.
Robin also picks up the Women's Press newspaper, the WCC publication,
bimonthly, from the printer in Santa Maria, loading 6.000 copies into
her van and unloading them at the WCC in SLO, often without help.

She also volunteers every Christmas Day with her husband Paul at the
Odd-Fellows Hall in San Luis helping to feed the homeless. She
arrives two hours before dinner is served, and stays to help clean up
after.
Robin is a brilliant, fun and wonderful woman, and as our WCC
president Angie King said, " Robin Rinzler uses her considerable
intellect and education to rationally determine a course of action and
then follows through".
We are hoping, with much love, and fingers crossed that Robin wins
this most deserving award!!

Sonia Paz Baronvine
WCC Board Member

OUR CHRISTMAS PARTY

2009-12-24T19:46:00.000-08:00

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Our Christmas Party was a success, many friends who have supported us during the year, came to celebrate.
We ate delicious food, and played " The White Elephant Game" opening presents and stealing them from each other!
We want to thank our friends for all their support during 2009
and our hostess for a wonderful evening!

Angie King
Robin Rinzler
Sonia Paz Baronvine

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE WORLD TODAY

2009-11-15T16:04:00.000-08:00

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

(To see this video without the music of our blog playing, first scroll down the page and pause our music player )

Domestic Violence in the World Today

by Sonia Paz Baron-Vine

I have done research on this terrible worldwide epidemic, and I have learned, that women are victims of violence in approximately 95% of the cases of domestic violence.
Race, Religion, Culture, Economic Status...none of these, are a shield against domestic violence. It violates the fundamental human rights of women and often results in serious injury or death.
Studies show that between one quarter and one half of all women in the world have been abused by intimate partners.
Worldwide, 40-70% of all female murder victims are killed by an intimate partner.

According to the The Family Violence Prevention Fund ( FVPF )
one in every three women in the world has experienced sexual, physical, emotional or other abuse in her lifetime
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) reports that in forty-eight surveys from around the world, 10-69% of women stated that they had been physically assaulted by an intimate partner at some point in their lives.
In the United States, approximately 22.1% of all women have experienced some form of assault by an intimate partner.
Each year, 4.5 million physical assaults are committed against women by intimate partners,In 1999, approximately 1,218 women—more than three women every day—were murdered by an intimate partner.
In that same year, intimate partner homicides accounted for 32% of all murders of women.on domestic violence in Europe indicates that every day, one woman in five is a victim of domestic abuse

Most of the time the person or persons that is being abused is so terrified of what their abuser can and will do to them if they did try to leave, that they stay quiet.
In 95% of the cases the victim is so brainwashed by their abuser that the abuser has the victim believing that they could not make it alone or without them in the world. Most people do not realize the physiological damage that occurs when a Domestic Violence Victim is told day in and day out that no one would want them, because they are used or damaged goods, how unworthy unattractive, how stupid they are, and they are not worth the air that god gave them to breathe.
Being abused in this manner causes a person’s self-esteem to fall so low that they begin to believe the lies that their abuser says.
By this time the victim’s self-esteem and self worth lay completely and utterly shattered on the ground in millions of pieces. Then what is replaced by the person everyone once knew is a traumatized shell of a person.
The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women recommends that states parties "promote research, collect data and compile statistics, especially concerning domestic violence, relating to the prevalence of different forms of violence against women and encourage research on the causes, nature, seriousness and consequences of violence against women and on the effectiveness of measures implemented to prevent and redress violence against women."
Here are the Domestic Violence Laws of the World

http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/population

So what are WE doing?
The Women's Community Center is strongly against Domestic Violence.
We are here at 805-544-9313 to listen, guide any woman, who may need our support.
We can connect you with different agencies in the SLO County to help you get out of a Abusive Relationship!!

Sonia Paz Baron-Vine
WCC Board Member

MEMORIES OF OUR DAY WITH CREATIVE WOMEN

2009-08-17T13:53:00.000-07:00

Robin, Angie and Sonia Paz

Friends visiting the booths

Delia Horwitz and Kristina Bennett of

"Poetry in Motion"

"Poetry in Motion" performing

Our guests relaxing on the lawn and listening to music

Sonia Paz and Joy

Our banner and the cool balloons!

Delia Horwitz of "Poetry in Motion"

performing one of her poems

Sonia Paz Baronvine, Joy and Jan

Angie, Robin and Renee Sampei

Musical Organizer for DWCW

Angie King and Robin Rinzler

WCC President and Vice President

DAY WITH CREATIVE WOMEN 2009

2009-08-12T15:11:00.000-07:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

MUSIC PLAYLIST

2009-08-12T10:03:00.001-07:00

Hello friends,

I wanted to tell you that when you open our page, you can either browse the articles and have our classical music playing, or you can scroll down the page and on the right side, on our " Music Playlist" click on the arrow, and mute it.
That way when you see our videos, there is not confusing music!!
thanks,
Sonia Paz

DAY WITH CREATIVE WOMEN 2009 MUSICAL GUESTS

2009-08-11T22:14:00.000-07:00

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

DAY WITH CREATIVE WOMEN 2009

2009-08-10T17:13:00.000-07:00

WCC Board of Directors Robin, Angie and Sonia Paz

Our Banner

Sonia and Joy

Friends and Families sit on the lawn

Sonia, Joy and Jan

Angie, Robin, Renee

Angie and Robin

Robin and Renee

Happy Families walking under our rainbow gate

It was a super day, the weather was nice, the vendors of quality handcrafted items, setting their booths, the volunteers got to the Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo early Saturday and our 35th Annual Day with Creative Women started!!!

Angie, Robin, Sonia, Joy, Renee, Jan, sat up the Women's Community Center Booth with the help of our faithful volunteers, Rebecca, Tatiana, Paul and Dimitri. Later the drumming began with the

DAY WITH CREATIVE WOMEN 2009

2009-08-07T12:40:00.000-07:00

Poster by Elise Beavers a third year student at CSUC

Hello Everyone!!!

We are so excited, tomorrow Saturday, August 8th, 2009 is our 35th Annual
"Day With Creative Women" at the Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo, California.
It will run from 10 am to 5 pm, and there is free admission.

Women from all over the State of California, will arrive, set up their booths and sell their Art and Handcrafted Items.
This event benefits our Women’s Community Center of San Luis Obispo County, a non- profit, all volunteers group, dedicated to the empowerment of women.

We will have
CRAFTS - ARTISTS - KIDS ZONE - WOMEN GROUPS DANCING - LIVE MUSIC - HANDCRAFTED ITEMS - FOOD
Please come and bring your family and friends, meet new friends and sit on the lawn under the Sycamores to hear great music.
See you there!

Sonia Paz Baron-Vine
WCC Board Member

Welcome new Women's Press Editor Courtney Brogno!!!!

2009-01-21T10:46:00.000-08:00

The Women's Press has a new editor!!
Her name is Courtney Brogno, she is young, clever, and we are excited to have her join our team!!!
Welcome Courtney!!

SIX YEARS OF WOMEN'S PRESS

2008-10-20T02:57:00.000-07:00

A look at six years of hard work and dedication.

Thank you Kathleen!!

WCC SLO

KATHLEEN'S FUTURE PLANS

2008-10-20T01:34:00.000-07:00

And to end a magical evening of sisterhood, Kathleen told us about her future plans, we all listened with a smile, because we feel she is going to have such a wonderful journey!!

KATHLEEN REMEMBERS BACK TO SIX YEARS AGO

2008-10-19T21:20:00.000-07:00

After the presents, cheers and hugs, Kathleen told us the story of how she becamed involved with the Women's Community Center of San Luis Obispo, how she was offered the post of editor of Women's Press and how she and other women started the task of making it the wonderful newspaper it is today.

WCC PRESENTED KATHLEEN WITH A CRYSTAL PLAQUE

2008-10-19T21:09:00.000-07:00

After our delicious chocolate dessert, WCC Board Members, Angie King and Sonia Paz Baron-Vine presented Kathleen with a crystal plaque to thank her for the six years as editor of Women's Press.

The poem was written by Sonia Paz

To Kathleen,

For the many dreams you made possible
to the many women you guided it
with your words and your deeds
and to the many dreams to come...

In sisterhood,

Board of Directors

WCC SLO
2008

CHEERS FOR KATHLEEN!!

2008-10-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

We all got together, women of all ages and professional backgrounds and one by one, read outloud a phrase that described Kathleen's talents, kidness, efforts, guidance, patience and above all, her superb editorial skills.

Cheers Kathleen!!

( again my apologies for the weak audio, the staff serving our delicious dinner kept on opening the dinning room doors, and the noise was at times too much for our little video camera)

DINNER FOR KATHLEEN DERAGON AT THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTRY CLUB

2008-10-19T18:46:00.000-07:00

Many of the women who write articles, have been involved with the Women's Press or assisted Kathleen all these years, got together at the San Luis Obispo Country Club to celebrate her and wish her well in her future plans.

I went around the room and got some of them to speak on camera, and send greetings to Kathleen.

( the audio is kind of weak, due to the excitement in the room, as friends chatted and laughed in the background)

WCC BOARD MEMBERS SALUTE WOMEN'S PRESS EDITOR KATHLEEN DERAGON

2008-10-19T18:33:00.000-07:00

WCC President, Angie King and WCC Board Member, Sonia Paz Baron-Vine
salute Women's Press Editor Kathleen Deragon, as she retires.

" BIG CHILL" AT "THE GRAD" IN SAN LUIS OBISPO

2008-10-10T16:12:00.000-07:00

WCC had a fundraising on October 4, 2008

I got there around 9 pm and the place was full of people 40 and over, dancing to the songs of the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's

It was a lot of fun.

We got one dollar for every ticket sold.

I took this photo using my cell phone, just to give you a taste of a fun night!
thank you to all who came and supported us.

Sonia Paz Baron-Vine
WCC Board Member

PLAYING DRUMS AT THE MISSION PLAZA

2008-08-15T23:31:00.000-07:00

Our "Day with Creative Women" was a total success!!!
The Drum Circle played drums to celebrate our sisterhood.
The public danced along and I took this little video to show the great celebrating feeling at the Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo.

At the WCC booth our president of the board Angie King, worked hard along volunteers that helped us sell drinks and raffle tickets.

I walked around the mission plaza with Jennifer Alton, and we visited Amber and Lisa Furr's booth and looked at their art. And finally the dance group Tribal Mosaic entertained all of us, dancing to an oriental tune.

WOMEN'S PRESS COVER

2008-07-10T23:05:00.000-07:00

Art by Amber Furr

"DAY WITH CREATIVE WOMEN"

2008-06-11T21:30:00.000-07:00

We arrive from near and far
smiling, hugging and laughing
happy to see each other

Every year under the sycamores
by the creek we meet
bringing our creations
sharing our art

Creative women we all are
our hands magical tools
our voices sweet melodies
our words pure poetry

A day with creative women
our banner announces
and the young girls
walk among our art
with bright eyes
filled with wonder

And the old sisters
visit us with tenderness
happy to see our unity
blessing us with smiles

Welcome sisters
old and new
here we meet again
to show our art,
to make new friends
to sing along
the ancient
song of sisterhood

Copyright 2008
Sonia Paz Baron-Vine

Welcome to our blog!!

2008-06-09T21:12:00.000-07:00

"Women's Community Center of San Luis Obispo" (WCC)
is an all volunteer organization originally founded in 1973 under the name of
"Women's Resource Center"

TO EDUCATE...

ENLIGHTEN...

EMPOWER...

OUR MISSION

TO enhance women's opportunities in the private and public sectors by facilitating access to services...

TO educate women to the possibilities in our society...

TO enlighten by facilitating communication between local, state and national organizations that serve women's interests...

RESOURCES

WCC offers assistance in areas such as;

Family Matters, Counseling, Employment, Legal Issues, Education, Healthcare, Childcare and Housing.
Referral to Community Agencies and Organizations.
Workshops and Seminars.
Many workshops require pre-registration.

For more information call (805) 544-9313
or visit www.wccslo.org

FAMILY LAW ACTIVITIES

WCC offers a monthly legal clinic for self-represented litigants.
Volunteer attorneys provide a one-on-one legal advice to participants.
WCC also offers a monthly non legal divorce advice class.
WCC mantains a court watch program, monitoring the family law courts to ensure women's voices are heard.

WOMEN'S PRESS

Our unique newspaper includes WCC news, calendar of events, workshop and program information and issues of special concern to women.
It is also a forum for creative writing, letters and poetry.
We encourage you to submit articles for publication.

"WOMEN AND THE ARTS"

"DAY WITH CREATIVE WOMEN" is our annual fundraising event that celebrates art, music, poetry and other forms of creative expression.

We hope you will explore your creativity while assisting WCC at this event.

August 9 at the Mission Plaza Downtown San Luis Obispo, California.
For more information, please call (805) 544-9313 or visit www.wccslo.org

WCC STAFF

Trained volunteers donate time to answer the phone, greet visitors and provide information and support in a safe and confortable enviroment.
While effectively helping other women, we increase our own understanding.
We welcome new volunteers!!!