A slice of SLO County.

With the national election less than two months away, much attention is upon the presidential race for the White House. And while it may be unlikely to meet the national candidates in person, it is absolutely possible to meet the candidates in your own town. On September 17 and 22, the candidates for Pismo Beach Mayor and City Council will hold a forum discussion on local issues.

Residents are welcome and encouraged to attend to meet the candidates and discuss local issue with them first-hand in a forum style environment. Are there things you would like to be addressed? Would you like to hear about the plans for Pismo Beach? Do you have questions about how things are decided or why certain things happen? This is a great way to get informed so you can cast an educated vote on Election Day.

The forum events are sponsored by the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Shell Beach Improvement Group. In this historic time for our nation, each person’s decision to vote is more important than ever, both on a national and local level.

Get more information

More and more residents in SLO County are leaving their cars in the driveway, turning instead to alternate modes of transportation to get around town and commute to work. With gas prices on the rise since the beginning of summer, public transportation and carpooling have increased around the county, according to a report today on SanLuisObispo.com. But what about walking and riding a bike?

In a comment left by one local reader on the site, those habits have increased as well, “Walter, owner of Wally’s Bicycles, has told me he has been selling lots of commuter bikes. The perception seems to be that the only form of transportation is by automobiles. Maybe with more media coverage about commuting by bike, motorists might be more aware of bicyclists and be less aggressive. I began commuting to work by bike three months ago.” And perhaps that is the key to encouraging even more commuters to consider other options; making the conversation louder.

While riding a bike, walking, or even taking the bus to work is not practical for everyone, it certainly could work for many local residents who live in close proximity to their workplace. If non-automotive modes of transportation are embraced by a few, talked about in the local media, and encouraged by the community, we just may see a new and thriving trend in SLO County.

———-

How do you commute? Have you changed any of your transportation habits over the past year?

Today, the 2008 Olympics have officially begun. Where in SLO County will you be watching the games? Will you watch at home, with friends, out in town… will you watch at all?