Well, folks, I was there to see singer/songwriter Rod Stewart at the Midstate Fair in Paso Robles last night. Brian Adams was the opening act. Brian Adams and his band were okay; nothing technically wrong. They just aren't one of my favorite bands, and they didn't win me over last night either. On the other hand, Rod Stewart and his band were fabulous! Rod played a lot of his old hits, including Maggie May, Every Picture Tells A Story, Hot Legs, Do Ya Think I'm Sexy, Downtown Train and Passion. I wish he would have sung Georgie, but he did sing for a good hour, and if he sang all of his hits, he would have lost his voice for sure. As it was, he was struggling a tad with the last 2 songs. Not bad, but noticeable. I understand he had throat surgery in th... 07/31/2008

More on the Paso Robles Olive Festival. Fun for the kids!!!! There will be Live music and Free olive oil Ice Cream. Plenty of Arts and Crafts vendors, children's activities, several olive product vendors. This will be the fifth year that the Olive festival has taken place at the Downtown city Park. Visit www.pasoolivefestival.com for more information. 07/30/2008

This Festival will be a family event. Of course there will be olive tasting but there will also be tastings from the local wineries and breweries. There will be different food prepared which were influenced by the use of olive oil. There is an out door kitchen set up for food demonstrations and a cook-off. For information on entering the Olive Dish Contest entry forms are available at www.pasoolivefestival.comThe Olive Festival will be August 23 , 2008 11:00-4:00 at the Paso Robles Downtown City Park 07/30/2008

Daily Schedule - July 31st ENTERTAINMENT CLASS ACT DANCE 5:30 PM ALBERTSONS/PEPSI HEADLINER STAGE CUESTA RIDGE 6:00 PM FRONTIER TOWN GRAND FUNK RAILROAD 6:30 PM & 8:30 PM BUDWEISER FORT FRONTIER STAGE FERGIE 7:30 PM MAIN GRANDSTAND ARENA JADE 7:30 PM ALBERTSONS/PEPSI HEADLINER STAGE DJ KARAOKE 9:30 PM FRONTIER TOWN TOYOTA LIVESTOCK AREA/EQUESTRIAN EVENTS SWINE SHOWMANSHIP 8:00 AM, LIVESTOCK PAVILION MEAT GOAT SHOWMANSHIP 8:00 AM, LIVESTOCK PAVILION SHEEP SHOWMANSHIP FOLLOWING MEAT GOAT SHOWMANSHIP LIVESTOCK PAVILION TEAM ROPING 8:00 AM EQUESTRIAN CENTER OTHER FUN ACTIVITIES SEWING AND QUILTING DEMONSTRATION PRESENTED BY SEW FUN OF ATASCADERO 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM HOME ARTS BUILDING ZOO TO YOU: LEOPARDY! 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM, AND 7:00 PM CULLIGAN PONDEROSA STAGE SINGING HANDS CHILDRENS CHOIR 3:... 07/30/2008

If it is too hot to visit the fair during the day, don't forget about the Ravine Waterpark. Admission is just under $20 per person, and the parking is free. Here you will find a medium-sized waterpark with several slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, 2 speed slides and a play area for young children. If you have the energy and it isn't too hot, the park also offers beach volleyball. This is the perfect place to cool off on a hot Paso day. Not to worry; the fair will still be open in the late afternoon when temperatures start to ease. The Waterpark doesn't allow food and drink to be brought in, but there is a snack bar offering hamburgers, burritos, barbecued sandwiches and the like. Also, there is a gift shop at the admittance gate that carries probably most everything you may have forgot... 07/27/2008

FYI: During the fair, the Paso Robles Police Department will be enforcing strict regulations with regard to parking, pedestrian violations and all other vehicle codes to ensure safety of visitors. With regard to parking, red paint on the curb indicates no parking. White paint indicates either passenger loading and unloading only or bus loading zones only in effect during the fair. Violators will be towed. During the fair in previous years, PRPD has responded to many accidents. As a result, the following restrictive curb markings will be in effect during the fair: 1) Riverside Avenue between 21st and 24th Streets - Curbs painted red or white on both sides of the road. 2) Westside Riverside Avenue between 21st and 24th Streets - Curb painted white for passenger loading and unloading only.... 07/26/2008

Good morning Friends... Just a reminder that the California Midstate Fair opened yesterday at the Paso Robles Event Center in Paso Robles and ends August 3rd. Get your tickets and make your hotel reservations, or forever hold your peace; at least until 2009... If you can't get room reservations in Paso Robles , consider Atascadero , San Luis Obispo or even Morro Bay, which is only 40 minutes west; plus there are many other beachside towns to choose from. As usual, we have a terrific lineup of entertainers on the Main Grandstand. Entertainers this year include John Mayer, Toby Keith, Steely Dan, Sawyer Brown, Matchbox 20, Stone Temple Pilots, Alan Jackson, Boz Skaggs and Rod Stewart, and many more entertainers on the free stages. Forgive me, I may have missed a few, but if you click on "... 07/24/2008

Today, I am sharing with you one of my favorite easy recipes, Scallops in Cream Sauce. This is a fabulous recipe that can be made in advance and then heated in the oven at the last minute. Enjoy! Preheat oven to 450° SCALLOPS Wash 1 1/2 lbs scallops. If they are large sea scallops, cut them into quarters. Put in saucepan with: 2 tablespoon chopped shallots, 1/2 teaspoon salt, a few dashes of white pepper, and 1 cup dry vermouth. Bring liquid to a boil, cover saucepan, and simmer over low heat for 2 minutes only. Remove scallops with a slotted spoon, and divide into 4 scallops shells or put in a heat resistant pan. Cook liquid remaining in saucepan over high heat until reduced to half. SAUCE Add to reduced liquid: 1 cup cream. Stir and boil rapidly until cream is reduced and sauce is the... 07/21/2008

The Level 4 Restaurant and Speak-Easy opened in Paso Robles earlier this year. It is located in the basement of the historical Clock Tower Building on Park Street that was destroyed in the 2003 earthquake. Not to worry... The Clock Tower Building was completely rebuilt after the quake, and the basement is dark and mysterious in a good way. After an elevator ride down to the restaurant and bar, you will see this establishment is modeled after the prohibition circa of the 1920's, and it brings you an urban, stylish atmosphere that reminds you of the lavish bars and restaurants to be found in the big city. Furniture is lavish and colored in chocolate browns and deep reds, and the brown marbled onyx bar top exudes its own extravagance. The restaurant menu is California cuisine with a French... 07/21/2008

There are no less than 15 wine tasting rooms and wine bars within walking distance of historic downtown Paso Robles. During the month of August, these tasting rooms will be banding together every Saturday night from 5:00 to 7:00 pm to offer not only wine tasting but also a sampling of local artists and musicians. A handful of the vendors will be offering appetizers, but not to worry.... There are several fine restaurants along the route. The Paso Art, Wine & Song event, PAWS, which is being sponsored by the Paso Robles Main Street Association, wishes to promote local artists and musicians while at the same time encouraging locals and visitors to come downtown to taste the signature wines that have made Paso famous as a wine destination. Brochures and maps of the event will be available,... 07/21/2008

Another reminder to you that the California Midstate Fair opens this Wednesday, July 23rd, at the Paso Robles Event Center and concludes Sunday, August 3rd. There are still tickets available for most of the evening main stage concerts, and they can be purchased at www.midstatefair.com. Need directions to the Paso Robles Event Center? Click here. For your convenience, here is the opening day calendar: JULY 23 (Opening Day) 8:00a - 4H & FFA Horse Show (Equestrian Center) 9:00a - 4H & FFA Poultry Show (Livestock Pavilion) 11:30a - Cattle Drive (Riverside Avenue) 12:00p - Fair Opens 2:00p - Quilting Demonstration (Home Arts Building) 4:00p - Albertsons Talent Show (Headliner Stage) 5:00p - Zoo To You: LEOPARDY! 6:00p - Miss CMSF Pageant (Frontier Stage) 7:30p - John Mayer with special guest... 07/21/2008

Just off the Central Coast along the mountain range is the quaint town of Paos Robles you will find a welcoming community. With 29,000 people and growing there is plenty to do. We are located near beaches, mountains and the deserts. We are know for our great wine tasting and vineyards as well as our hot springs. Paso Robles has plenty of housing available for family, seniors and those first time home buyers. We build these homes near parks, shopping, the veterans center, senior center and the community college. Visit my web site today for information on finding your home. www.centralcaliving.com 07/20/2008

The Mission In San Miguel will be holding a rummage sale and bake sale. This event will take place August 2nd and 3rd from 8-4. Tamales are for sale, coffee is provided.This event will benefit the Mission Parish Hall Fund.The Mission is at 775 Mission St.,San Miguel, California. (Just North of Paso Robles). Lisa Long -  Keller Williams Realty North County, Paso Robles. 07/18/2008

If you are a Military Relocation or in the market to buy a house I would love to help you find your new home. The Paso Robles area has so much to offer. San Miguel is a quiet little town North of Paso and has made huge positive changes in the past few years. Paso Robles is a booming area with small town charm. We have two lakesa water park, several city parks, children's museum, and a community college all local. Give me a I would be happy to tell you all about it and give you free information on finding the right home for you and your family. Lisa Long - Keller Williams Realty North County, Paso Robles, California www.centralcaliving.com 805-610-4314 07/12/2008

I have a monthly news letter for those of you who are interested. It comes out the first Monday of every month. All you need to do is email me your name and email and I will sign you up. This month My topics will be :Unlimited resources of free electricity,Chemical free Gardens, Why home purchases fall apart at the last minute, No fail deck staining, Rules for appraisals, and Hot links for Real Estate and Local Information. Just put Newsletter in the subject line and I will do the rest. lisalongagent@yahoo.com or lisalong@kw.com  Lisa Long- Keller Williams Realty, Paso Robles 07/06/2008

The headlines today on yahoo says " Foreclosures to rise no matter who is elected President".  Enough already. It seems like every time I run an ad in the news paper That's the day they choose to print their doom and gloom on the housing market. I guess I'm just optimistic. If you sell at a lower price you buy at a lower price, common sense. Never borrow against your home what you cant make the payment on tomorrow. I know this doesn't help those already in trouble, but  all the bad press just seem to offer is no hope. I believe things will turn around and sooner than predicted. Lisa Long- Keller Williams Realty. www.centralcaliving.com 07/05/2008

Wishing everyone a fun and safe 4th of July!!! Please don't drink and drive. Keep our loved ones safe. We are very lucky to have the freedom to celebrate with our family and friends. Lets remember those that make this day possible. Thank you to those who have served, Past, and Present.  Lisa Long- Keller Williams Realty 07/03/2008

  Give Blood It is a Great way to give back to the community and save a life!The Paso Robles Association of REALTORS®Community Relations Committe Is having a Blood Drive with United Blood Services. Monday June 30th, 2008 from 10:00am - 3:00pm, In the parking lot of the Paso Robles Inn. Don't wait to be invited they are always looking for donations. 06/26/2008

We Californians are blessed to live in a state with such an abundance of beauty and bounty. Friday morning, Laura and I took off for an afternoon and evening in Paso Robles enroute to see R.E.M. Saturday night at the Greek Theatre. We stopped for lunch in Santa Barbara, then finished the five hour and change drive to Paso Robles. If you've see tne move Sideways, you've seen some of the area. It is gorgeous and home of some of the best wines California has to offer. Our first stop was at Zenaida Cellars. We were fortunate enough to be the only two visitors, so we has a nice visit with the hostess, sampled some very tasty Syrahs and Chardonnays and joined their wine club. From there we went to Dover Canyon Winery. I'm a big fan of Zinfandel, and Dover Canyon makes some of the best I have... 06/05/2008

The Wine and Wineries of Paso Robles Wine Countryfrom Paso Robles Real Estate There are about 250 wineries in the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance and nearly 100 wineries in the 24 square mile wine country territory with over 26,000 vineyard acres. Along California’s Central Coast Paso Robles Wine Country is centrally located between San Francisco and Los Angeles and is California’s fastest growing wine region.Paso Robles is fast emerging as a real powerhouse in the world of fine wine. What started as a sleepy western town of agriculture and horse ranches has blossomed into the perfect getaway for wine lovers. Here lies some of the best wines in California. Wine tasting in Paso Robles California is a favorite activity among tourists with many wine tours cruising the Paso Robles Wine Co... 06/06/2007