My wife Merrily and I moved to SLO last April from San Mateo, CA so that we could be closer to our children and their young families. Our combined families have four adult children and eight grandchildren, the youngest being fifteen months old. I was born in Chicago, educated, and married in Illinois. I eventually packed up the family and headed to California in 1982. My career has been in retail advertising, creating print and electronic commercials mainly for Home Centers both here and in Illinois. I retired in 2003 and Merrily and I spent several years trailer camping and serving as camp hosts in California, Oregon, Idaho and Washington. I enjoy woodworking, reading and spending time with the grandkids.