Old Edna has revived a timeless treasure. The antique store’s owner, Pattea Torrence, brought new life to the historic building that houses Old Edna by filling it with treasures from the past.

Back in the day, circa 1900, the historic building that now houses Old Edna—located on Highway 227 at Price Canyon Road in San Luis Obispo—was home to a general merchandise store and a dance hall. The locals, as well as folks traveling through on the Southern Pacific Railroad, would stop by to pick up supplies during the day and maybe have a little drink, which usually led to a favorite nighttime activity of the old joint—the kicking up of heels in the dance hall upstairs.

Now, Torrence is celebrating her five-year anniversary in the antiques store, and on Sept. 28 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., the whole complex is throwing a party to honor the achievement. Gay Melodies Gallery, upstairs from the store, and Fiales chocolates and gourmet deli downstairs, will join in the fun.

Torrence said one thing that makes her store a bit different is the layout of her merchandise. The store is in a cottage that has three bedrooms, a bathroom, a foyer, a dining room, a parlor, and a kitchen. The rooms are decorated with the items for sale, and Torrence said customers sometimes purchase every item in the room.

She said owning an antiques store is always a work in progress but it’s something she wouldn’t trade for anything.

“This is more a dream than a job.”

FAST FACTS

The Central Coast Chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) have received a training grant from national PFLAG. The grant provides for a three-day training session on Oct. 3-5 for Safe Schools for All, a national program that that aims to make schools safe for all students; particularly gay, lesbian, or bisexual and transgender students (GLBT), or those whose parents are GLBT. Three PFLAG trainers from Washington, D.C., will facilitate the training of around three-dozen members of the community. PFLAG has invited not only school district employees to attend, but also put out the word to local gay organizations and groups, governmental agencies, nonprofits who work with youth, parks and recreation programs, religious community leaders, and business owners. For further information, please contact Steve Click, local PFLAG president, at 549-8317 or e-mail him at smcfai@hotmail.com … .

… Imagine taking an introductory flight in an airplane and you’re at the controls the first time up! That’s the kind of hands-on training offered by San Luis Airport’s newest flight training school Victory Aviators. Owners Adam Verdin and Roy Ogden started Victory Aviators in April with the idea that a flight school offering comprehensive, multimedia training was needed at the San Luis Airport. The owners said the main target for the school is the business community. They want to give them something different from their everyday world. The school’s rate for private instruction in the air is $35 per hour; on the ground it’s $30 per hour. Instrument instruction in the air is $35 per hour; on the ground it’s $30 per hour. Membership dues are $40 per quarter. For more information, call 541-9004 or check out their web site at www.victoryaviators.com …

… The author of the best-selling “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book series, Jack Canfield, will be at Borders in San Luis Obispo on Sunday, Sept. 28 for a book signing and panel discussion at 1 p.m. The event will be a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the book, as well as a debut of “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living Your Dreams 10th Anniversary Edition.” The book’s contributing writers—Gary Seidler, Patty Aubery, Jeff Aubery, Nancy Autio, and Kirk Autio—will also be on hand for the panel discussion. In the decade since it was first published, “Chicken Soup” has touched the minds of nearly 70 million people. ³

This week’s Strokes & Plugs were compiled by Staff Writer Matt McBride.