San Luis Obispo News

March/April Issue

Recreation Cycling
Strap on your helmet, because biking is a popular pastime in San Luis Obispo County. With its mild year- round climate and numerous trails, it’s a bike friendly atmosphere for the whole family. Whether you rent a bike at one of the many rental spots, or bring your own, San Luis Obispo County has some of the best bike trails in California. The Bob Jones Trail between San Luis Obispo and Avila Beach is a good place to start if you want an ocean view…
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Great American Melodrama
2008 marks the 33rd season for San Luis Obispo County’s most popular theatre company, The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville. Opened in 1975, the company has grown into a year- round professional theatre that is attended by over 54,000 patrons annually!

At the Melodrama, theatergoers are welcomed into a comfortable atmosphere of cabaret tables with sawdust on the floor and…
more

Ice Cream Made Fun Again
Come to savor some for the best ice cream you’ve ever tasted. And when you do, you’ll also be treated to an experience that you’ll always remember. A visit to Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab is all about wonderful memories. Whether your memories are of a 1920’s soda fountain or the raucousness of a Ferrell’s Zoo Sundae, you’ll be reminded of your youth at Doc Burnstein’s old- fashioned parlour. And you’ll create memories for your children as they experience the joy of an ice cream parlour created just…
more

Ice Cream Made Fun Again

Come to savor some for the best ice cream you’ve ever tasted. And when you do, you’ll also be treated to an experience that you’ll always remember. A visit to Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab is all about wonderful memories. Whether your memories are of a 1920’s soda fountain or the raucousness of a Ferrell’s Zoo Sundae, you’ll be reminded of your youth at Doc Burnstein’s old- fashioned parlour. And you’ll create memories for your children as they experience the joy of an ice cream parlour created just for them. If you can catch Doc’s Ice Cream Lab Show on Wednesday evenings, you’ll be treated to a truly one-of- a-kind experience.

There is nostalgia in the parlour, located in a 100- year old building within the historic Village of Arroyo Grande. The parlour has retained the original wood floors, a tin ceiling and refinished antique booths, as well as a working soda fountain. You can have an ice cream soda, just like soda jerks made in the 20’s and 30’s.

Part of the fun of Doc Burnstein’s is discovering the model trains. Children of all ages enjoy following the trains as they circle the parlour overhead, disappearing into tunnels, crossing bridges, and even traveling outside the building! Above the track in the party room is an educational exhibit of model aircraft, showing the evolution of airplanes from the Wright Flyer to stealth aircraft. There’s even a model of the moon depicting the first lunar landing.

You’ll want to see Doc’s Ice Cream Lab Show, a 30-minute comedic skit where you’ll learn about the history of ice cream, invent a flavor to be made by the audience, and watch as Doc whips up a batch of the newest creation in the “Ice Cream Lab”, Doc’s manufacturing room. The show features lights, sounds effects and is fun for the whole family. Live performances every Wednesday evening at 7:00pm. If you miss the Show, you can still watch Doc and his Lab Assistants make ice cream through a window into the Lab.

As fun as a visit to the parlour is, the best reason to experience Doc Burnstein’s is their awardwinning ice cream. Ice cream lovers around the world are discovering what the San Luis Obispo Tribune described as, “The creamiest ice cream we’ve ever tasted.” The only super-premium ice cream made on the Central Coast, Doc Burnstein’s uses more cream than the rest. And they’ve won national recognition for it, earning a Blue Ribbon for quality and taste from the National Ice Cream Retailers Association. Doc’s features 32 rotating flavors daily from a recipe book of over 100 flavors, plus they are inventing new flavors all the time. You’ll find old- fashioned favorites alongside new concepts like Doc’s Java, Merlot Raspberry Truffle (yes, there is wine in it!), S’Mores, and the Elvis Special. You’ll never know what to expect on Doc’s flavor board, but you know it’ll taste phenomenal.

Nothing compares to a visit to Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab. However, if you need another fix of Doc Burnstein’s ice cream while visiting the Central Coast, you can find their award-winning ice cream at numerous ice cream scoop shops throughout the Central Coast. A complete listing is available at www.DocBurnsteins.com

Doc Burnstein’s is located at 114 W. Branch St, Village of Arroyo Grande. Phone: 805-474-4068. Open Fri & Sat, 11 a.m.- 10:30 p.m., and Sun-Thur, 11 a.m.-9:30p.m.

DOC BURNSTEIN’S ICE CREAM LAB Making ice cream fun again, Doc’s is a nostalgic ice cream parlour that creates its own awardwinning ice cream, and memories, daily. Watch Doc through a viewing window into his “Ice Cream Lab”, as he invents new flavors. Enjoy the model trains circling the parlour, disappearing into tunnels, reappearing over bridges, even passing outside the parlour. On Wednesday evenings be sure to see Doc’s Lab Show, a 30-minute comedic skit about ice cream where the audience creates a new flavor.Truly one-of- a-kind experience. Doc’s is a must- see for every family. Located at 114 W. Branch St., in the historic Village of Arroyo Grande. Open late. Phone 805-474-4068.

Great American Melodrama

2008 marks the 33rd season for San Luis Obispo County’s most popular theatre company, The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville. Opened in 1975, the company has grown into a year- round professional theatre that is attended by over 54,000 patrons annually!

At the Melodrama, theatergoers are welcomed into a comfortable atmosphere of cabaret tables with sawdust on the floor and honky- tonk piano music in the air. Professional performers, recruited from all over the United States, present highly acclaimed productions of classic comedies, melodramas, musicals and thrillers. Following the play at each performance is the vaudeville show, a musical revue full of song, dance and comedy in the Melodrama’s own hilarious style. The high quality and unique combination of show and vaudeville are among the reasons Sunset Magazine called the Melodrama “an excellent year ‘round company.”

Over the last 33 years as audiences grew, the theatre was remodeled and enlarged two times. The playbill, once all melodrama, has grown as well. Playing through March 2 is Just Kidding, a hilarious new American play that centers on Calvin Rogers, a young husband who has created a fictional daughter to enter various contests. When he wins a big one, all he has to do is send his wife on a wild goose chase, enlist his brother- in- law’s help, find someone to play his daughter, convince the contest promoters and side- step a truancy officer – all before his wife returns. The sure winners here are chaos and hilarity! Following Just Kidding at each performance is the Ah, Paris! Vaudeville Revue, transporting the audience to the beautiful and romantic City of Light through song, dance and comedy. Can- can girls, funny French waiters, romantic duets, and a hysterical condensed version of Les Miserables are among the highlights of this not- to-be-missed show.

Playing March 6 through April 20 is The Road to Oildale, the hilarious story of a second- rate vaudeville act, Wiffle and Perkins. Down on their luck and desperate to improve their situation, the two song- and- dance men concoct a scheme to get rich in California oil. Soon they are off across the Wild West, stumbling from one misadventure to another, encountering sultry saloon singers and black-hearted bad guys along the way. In the spirit of the Bob Hope-Bing Crosby “Road” movies, this is road trip full of laughter and song, and as always, a terrific Vaudeville Revue rounds out the evening.

The Melodrama’s in- house pub serves up jumbo hot dogs, BBQ beef sandwiches, baked potatoes, soups and salads. Beer, wine, soft drinks and coffee are available, as are popcorn, pretzels, nachos and a variety of tasty desserts. Open 30 minutes before showtime and during intermissions, the pub is family priced so all can enjoy great food as part of their Melodrama evening.

Performances are Wednesdays through Sundays at the theatre located at 1863 Pacific Highway 1 in Oceano, 3 miles south of Pismo Beach. Information on showtimes can be found at their website, www.americanmelodrama.com or by calling the Box Office at 805-489-2499.

Recreation Cycling in San Luis Obispo

Cycling Made Fun Again

Strap on your helmet, because biking is a popular pastime in San Luis Obispo County. With its mild year- round climate and numerous trails, it’s a bike friendly atmosphere for the whole family. Whether you rent a bike at one of the many rental spots, or bring your own, San Luis Obispo County has some of the best bike trails in California. The Bob Jones Trail between San Luis Obispo and Avila Beach is a good place to start if you want an ocean view.

The wine country of Paso Robles also offers great trails and winding roads through the vineyards. For a romantic time, rent a tandem Pismo – it has some lovely oceanfront trails and roads for coasting along and enjoying the view. For those experienced bikers up to the challenge, explore Diablo Canyon Road in San Luis Obispo- you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful view from the top.

If you’re visiting on the first Thursday of the month, don’t miss Bike Happenings. It ’s a fun way to get some exercise and join in the community. Everyone gathers in downtown San Luis Obispo’s Mission Plaza at 9:30pm to bike around the quaint downtown – with a different theme for each month.

San Luis Obispo also boasts the only bike boulevard in California south of the bay area. The Bill Roalman Bike Boulevard, on Morro Street, is a safe way for bikers to reach adorable downtown.
Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or just ready to coast along and enjoy the breeze, San Luis Obispo County has something for you.

SLO COUNTY BIKE SHOPS

BROAD STREET BIKES Located at 1033 Robin Cr., Arroyo Grande. Call 805-541-5878.

COAST CYCLING SPECIALTIES Located at 107 Bridge St., Arroyo Grande. Call 805-489- 5074.

IRA’S BIKE SHOP Located at 107 Bridge St., Arroyo grande. Call 805-489-2621.

THE BIKE LANE Located at 1312 Grande Ave., Arroyo Grande. Call 805-481-0840.

SUNSTORM CYCLERY Located at 6905 El Camino Real, Atascadero. Call 805-466-6430.

CAMBRIA BICYCLE OUTFITTER Located at 2164 Center St., Cambria. Call 805-927-5510.

SPINOZA’S BIKE REPAIR ETC. Located at 250 D St., Cayucos. Call 805-995-0232.

GRAND SCHWINN SHOP Located at 983 Grand Ave., Grover Beach. Call 805-481-3292.

ART’S CYCLERY Located at 2179 10th St., Los Osos. Call 805-528-5115.

BIKEMASTERS Located 1030 Railroad St., Paso Robles. Call 805-237-2453.

ART’S CYCLERY Located at 2140 Santa Barbara St., San Luis Obispo. Call 805-543- 4416.

FOOTHILL CYCLERY Located at 896 Foothill Blvd. Ste A, San Luis Obispo. Call 805- 541-4101.

WALLY’S BICYCLE WORKS Located at 306 Higuera St. Call 544-4116.