Morro Bay Life • March 2024

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CONTENT EDITOR

Camille DeVaul

COPY EDITOR

Michael Chaldu

LAYOUT DESIGN

John Nygaard

AD DESIGN

Jen Rodman

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Dana McGraw

Ellie Baisch

AdminiStrator

Cami Martin office@13starsmedia.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Barbie Butz

Neil Farrell

Blake Ashley Frino-Gerl

Ian Parkinson James Brescia

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State of newspapers undergoing significant transformation

“Were it left to me to decide if we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”

By Hayley

Mattson Publisher

The landscape of newspapers is in flux, as highlighted by a recent announcement from the editor of the San Luis Obispo Tribune regarding cutbacks on printed editions starting April 15. This decision mirrors a larger trend within the industry as newspapers confront the challenges posed by the digital age while striving for sustainability.

In his statement, editor Joe Tarica underscored the newspaper’s transition towards a more digitally focused future. This shift comes as no surprise, given the mounting costs associated with print production, particularly the steady rise in paper prices over recent years.

Many newspapers nationwide have found themselves compelled to halt print operations entirely due to these financial pressures.

The Los Angeles Times, for instance, made headlines at the end of January with news of significant layoffs affecting more than 20 percent of its newsroom — one of the largest workforce reductions in its 142-year history.

The necessity for these cuts was attributed to the paper’s inability to sustain annual losses ranging from $30 million to $40 million without commensurate progress in building higher readership, essential for attracting advertising and subscriptions.

Similarly, the historic Santa Barbara NewsPress, a venerable institution in California’s

- Thomas Jefferson

newspaper landscape, ceased publishing in July of last year after its owner declared bankruptcy. Despite transitioning to an online-only format in April 2023, the publication’s digital presence also came to an abrupt end when owner and publisher Wendy McCaw filed for bankruptcy.

As the publisher of multiple newspapers along the coast, including Morro Bay Life, the significance of our print editions resonates deeply with me. They serve not only as a historical record but as cherished documentation of local events within our region. Our newspapers offer a tangible account of our community’s narrative during specific periods, providing a unique perspective that digital platforms often fail to capture.

Despite the financial hurdles we have faced, our dedication to independent journalism remains steadfast. Independent journalism is fundamental to the very essence of society, provided it upholds impartiality and truthfulness, untainted by any undue influence or bias. Safeguarding the integrity and autonomy of journalism is imperative, ensuring that communities have unfettered access to information that is accurate and reliable.

Beyond the realms of editorial and journalistic considerations, the choice to persist with printing newspapers bears substantial implications for employment and livelihoods within our community. From printers to

postal services and delivery teams, the newspaper industry sustains a network of individuals who rely on its operations for stable incomes. Acknowledging this, I am steadfast in my commitment to upholding print editions for as long as they remain viable. We are immensely grateful for the support from our advertisers, subscribers, readers, and the community at large. I am steadfast in my commitment to continue printing for as long as it remains feasible. Even if we become the last newspapers to print in the great state of California, we will persevere in delivering valuable content weekly to our readers.

We hope you enjoy this month’s issue of Morro Bay Life

Through Print making communities better

If you know of a business or non-profit that deserves a spotlight, please send your nomination to our Ambassador’s Committee for review by emailing Lynsey Hansen at lynsey@morrochamber.org.

For more information contact Lynsey Hansen, Membership Director at lynsey@morrochamber.org

congratulations

Putting a Spotlight on Businesses

The Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce is putting a spotlight on local businesses!

Spotlight Businesses are nominated and selected by fellow business owners in Morro Bay as a standout business with exceptional ownership.

Business spotlights recognize Chamber member businesses that provide a consistent, positive customer experience, are actively engaged in the community and demonstrate resilience during challenging times.

Please help us CONGRATULATE these businesses on their spotlight award by visiting their establishments, purchasing their products or services, and leaving good reviews online.

Find your shopping ideas by following us on Facebook, Instagram or morrochamber.org

NRC engages public on Diablo Canyon’s future

Federal commission holds meeting to assess environmental impacts and renewal concerns

By NEIL FARRELL for Morro Bay Life

Should Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant be granted a new operating license?

That’s the ultimate question being asked of the Federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and the lengthy process for answering it has gotten started in earnest.

A panel of top NRC staffers working on the re-licensing application that Pacific Gas & Electric submitted last year held a public meeting Feb. 8 at the Embassy Suites in San Luis Obispo.

The point was to gather comments from the public on what issues the NRC should explore during its environmental review of the application under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the federal government’s version of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

And while the ballroom at Embassy Suites was set up for a crowd of 300, roughly 100 people turned out for the meeting.

As might be expected in such a divisive issue, the room was pretty equally divided between staunch anti-Diablo Canyon activists and supporters — mainly people who work for PG&E or garner work from PG&E.

Several politicians also turned out, including a Santa Maria City Councilman, a SLO County supervisor and the mayor of San Luis Obispo, with each of them supporting keeping the plant going for the economic benefits its roughly 1,000 full-time employees and millions in contracts for goods and services — plus the tax base — add to the area.

And while the NRC’s lead man on the safety concerns of the license renewal was sitting at the head table, the night was about environmental impacts, with the opponents of Diablo Canyon bringing up several important issues, namely:

• Earthquake safety in the wake of continued study and mapping of faults near and even underneath Diablo Canyon

• Aging equipment, including a key piece of the Reactor Pressure Vessel in Unit 1

Questions of why PG&E asked for five more years, yet the NRC’s license renewal calls for 20

• How much is going to be spent keeping Diablo Canyon running and at what point does it become too expensive?

Among the commenters, San Luis Obispo Mayor Erica Stewart referred to an official letter the City Council sent to the State Energy Commission supporting the license application. However, she said she has “concerns about the safety of that aging plant.” She added that the SLO Council only supports five more years for the plant. They support the local unions affiliated with the plant and keeping

local people working there.

District 3 San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg also supported the continued operations and spoke in favor of nuclear energy overall as one way to “achieve net zero carbon emissions,” the goal of those fighting climate change.

“We welcome the NRC and the NEPA review,” Ortiz-Legg said. She added that the plant has a relatively small footprint for an energy plant and can “power thousands of homes and protect the environment.”

She said visitors to Avila Beach — the nearest town to Diablo’s remote Point Buchon location — “don’t even know it’s there.”

Santa Maria Councilmember Mike Cordero said Diablo Canyon was “an intricate part of the community of Santa Maria” and provides numerous head-of-household, good-paying jobs to its residents. He pointed out that the plant has operated safely for decades and “I don’t know of anything negative that’s happened.”

He spoke of fishing the waters off Diablo Canyon, and the abundance of wildlife in the water, and on the rocks offshore from the plant. He also urged the audience to take a tour of the plant and see for themselves how well it is run. “It’s an extremely safe operation that should be allowed to continue,” Cordero said.

A representative of Cal Poly, who spoke on behalf of University President Jeffrey Armstrong, said the college had developed a strategic plant for what’s to become of the 12,000 acres of open lands surrounding the plant, once it finally does close.

Cal Poly, she said, has taken a neutral stance on the licensing application and instead has chosen to advocate for the future reuse of the plant. “Diablo Canyon’s future extends past the 20-year license renewal,” the representative said.

Several members of the Local IBEW (electrical workers union), spoke in favor of continued operations, stressing the importance of the many jobs the plant provides for its union members, many of whom work refueling outages.

The first of these was Dylan Keldsen, an IBEW Local #639 member, who said he supported Diablo Canyon staying open, which was met with a round of applause.

PG&E employee Renelle Alvarez, who said she’s been at the plant since 1989, said she was “very impressed with everything I’ve seen with the wildlife around the plant. I feel completely comfortable with this plant continuing to operate another 20 years.”

As for the opponents, David Weisman, the legislative director for the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility, wanted to know if it was true that in order for the license to go through, it needed to be approved by the Coastal Commission, a state agency? And if the Coastal Commission doesn’t find the application meets the requirements of the Coastal Act, “Is the license renewal over?” He added that given the nature of the scoping meeting, he didn’t really expect the panel to answer.

Jill ZamEk, the secretary for Mothers for Peace, an anti-nuclear activist group, accused the NRC of violating its own rules by giving Diablo Canyon multiple extensions to continue operating. She called it “hypocritical and deceptive,” and pointed out that it’s now been

over 20 years since the Unit 1 vessel reactor has been inspected. A few years ago, a report indicated such equipment is susceptible to “embrittlement” or denaturing of the vessel’s material and possibly failure, which if that should happen could be very bad for the environment.

Another critic, Molly Johnson of Paso Robles, said the environment of Unit 1 was extremely important. She read from a 2013 NRC report that named Diablo Canyon’s Unit 1 reactor pressure vessel as “the third most embrittled reactor” in the nation. And yet, “The NRC granted extension after extension,” she said, pleading with the NRC to “look into this.”

Mothers for Peace President and spokeswoman Jane Swanson, who’s been fighting Diablo Canyon for some 55 years, said earthquake faults found off Diablo Canyon “should have shut down the plant years ago.”

As for the pressure vessel issue, it’s at risk of cracking and “causing a nuclear meltdown,” Swanson said. “There are no insurance policies that cover nuclear irradiation.”

The NRC’s comment period for scoping the plant’s license was from Jan. 24-Feb. 24 and is now officially closed.

The license application is looking to keep the plant operating for another 20 years, well past the current expiration dates of November 2024 (for Unit 1) and August 2025 (Unit 2); and give the plant’s two reactors new expiration dates of November 2044 and August 2045 respectively.

Diablo Canyon had reached an agreement in 2018 to drop its relicensing application and close the plant when the current licenses expired.

But over the past couple of years, the state’s energy supply and reliability of the power grid has been sketchy at times — in particular during summer heat waves — prompting the State Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom to pass legislation calling on the plant to remain open for at least five more years.

PG&E, reacting to the law, asked the NRC last year if it could simply pick up where it left off in the license renewal process but was told to start over.

Last December, the NRC deemed PG&E’s new license application completed and began working on the NEPA study of environmental impacts.

Many of the issues surrounding the plant — from economics, to reliability, to the workforce — are not part of the NEPA review. However, safety is and will be looked at as part of this current process.

According to Environmental Project Manager Kimberley Conway, they expect a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) to be released in October and a final EIS to be voted upon in August 2025. That should be when the decision is made on approving or denying the license application, though recent events, including the U.S. Department of Energy’s award of a $1.1 billion grant to PG&E out of the Civil Nuclear Credit Program (part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), would tend to indicate high level governmental support for California’s last operational nuclear energy plant.

District 3 County Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg addresses the NRC staff during the recent public meeting on Diablo Canyon Power Plant. Photos by Neil Farrell

San Luis Obispo Mayor Erica Stewart addresses the NRC staff’s meeting on Diablo Canyon, held Feb. 8 at Embassy Suites in SLO.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission staffer Kim Conway is the agency’s project manager for the Diablo Canyon license renewal process.

New hotel is music to the ears

Rhapsody in View Boutique Hotel gearing up for grand opening in March

By NEIL FARRELL for Morro Bay Life

Like music to the ears, Morro Bay’s newest lodging property is an elegant, stylish, and even hip addition to the town’s tourism industry.

The Rhapsody in View Boutique Hotel is gearing up for a grand opening sometime in March. The development, located at 2790 Main St., next door to El Viejon restaurant, is a family-built project by Tim and Allie Cleath, their son Robert, and his wife Kezia Cleath, working together to get it built and now run it.

The location was the former site of a tiny hair salon for many years, and the original home of the Avocado Shack produce market. (Avocado Shack moved when the project was first approved, up Main Street to the former Shorty & Sons auto repair shop.)

Rhapsody in View features just seven rooms — five regular rooms and two suites — but these are not ordinary motel rooms.

The rooms carry different themes, all connected to the famed composer, Ira Gershwin. Names include “An American in Paris” (a second-floor suite); “Summertime”; “I Got Rhythm”; “Moonrise on the Sea”; “Rhapsody in Blue”; “Shall We Dance”; and “Love is Here to Stay,” which is described as a honeymoon suite and has a wet bar, stylish tub and shower in a huge bathroom, and a pair of giant 50-inch flat screen TVs mounted to the walls.

Indeed, every room has a king-size bed,

beautiful bathroom and carries a theme — in both wall colors and furnishings — down to interesting sconce lighting fixtures. The hardwood floors accent how spacious the rooms feel.

But this isn’t your traditional hotel, with desk clerks and bellhops. Here the guests will have the option of booking, paying, and even checking in online, or they can check in with a live person when they get there, after booking the room online.

According to Kezia Cleath, who did the design on the individual rooms, upon checking in, the guest is texted a numeric room code that will open their individual room and also works on the two common areas “for the duration of their stays.”

When the project was first brought before Morro Bay’s Planning Commission, it was to be a no-host operation, with no staff on site, which raised some alarms with neighbors of the project.

But the business model changed and there will be staff members, including kitchen staff, on hand during the day.

That kitchen has potential, too. Robert Cleath said the kitchen for now will only be serving breakfast to the guests, but someday they hope to expand it into a bakery open to the public.

While Morro Bay has several bakeries, none are in the North Main Street business district (with the exception of Spencer’s Market).

The Rhapsody in View’s website is at rhapsodyinview.com; book rooms at frontdesk@rhapsodyinview.com.

You can also send inquiries to sales@rhapsodyinview.com or call (805) 771-5055.

Kezia Cleath, asked when they will start booking rooms, was unsure, explaining that they were still putting the finishing touches on the development, but it should be sometime in March.

Here’s the stylish front entrance to Rhapsody In View Boutique Hotel. Photos by Neil Farrell

Here’s the king-sized bed in the “Rhapsody in Blue” room at the Rhapsody in View Boutique Hotel.

Morro Bay

‘Albatross: Life on the Wind and Sea’ at Morro Bay Museum of Natural History

California State Parks, in collaboration with the Central Coast State Parks Association (CCSPA), is thrilled to announce the debut of a captivating new exhibition titled “Albatross: Life on the Wind and Sea.” Presented at the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History within Morro Bay State Park, this exhibition will be open to the public until April 18. Generously sponsored by CCSPA, “Albatross: Life on the Wind and Sea” invites visitors to delve into the fascinating world of these magnificent seabirds through captivating artwork and storytelling.

Albatrosses, characterized by their impressive nine-foot wingspans and nomadic lifestyles, have long captivated the imagination of indigenous maritime cultures, sailors, scientists, and artists alike. From the original Pacific islanders who held the bird as sacred, to ancient mariners who revered them as symbols of good fortune, to modern-day conservationists working ardently to safeguard their declining populations, the narrative of the albatross is one of wonder and fascination.

“Albatross: Life on the Wind and Sea” showcases the work and research of Caren Loebel-Fried, an esteemed author and artist hailing from Half Moon Bay, California, and Volcano, Hawai’i. Loebel-Fried’s latest book, “A Perfect Day for an Albatross,” offers visually rich narratives and an exploration into the beautiful life of an albatross through their perspective. Employing the ancient art of block printing, a technique passed down to her by her mother, Caren’s books have garnered prestigious accolades such as the American Folklore Society’s Aesop Prize for Children’s Folklore and the Hawai’i Book Publishers Association’s Ka Palapala Po’okela Awards.

On Thursday, March 14, Caren Loebel-Fried will present her work at a special event held at the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History. The event will take place from 5-7 p.m., with Loebel-Fried’s presentation commencing at 5:30 p.m. Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session, participate in a book signing, and further explore the exhibition. The launch event is free and open to individuals of all ages, with CCSPA providing light refreshments throughout. The exhibition will remain accessible at the Morro Bay Museum of Natural

County News Briefs

History during regular hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, until April 18.

“Albatross: Life on the Wind and Sea” is a traveling exhibition by author and artist Caren Loebel-Fried, presented in partnership with Exhibit Envoy. Exhibit Envoy offers traveling exhibitions and professional services to museums across California. For additional information, please visit exhibitenvoy.org.

For inquiries regarding support for CCSPA and its fundraising endeavors, please visit centralcoastparks.org. For more details about the exhibition and launch event, kindly contact Robyn Chase at Robyn.Chase@parks.ca.gov or call (805) 286-0856.

Save Our Seas: Stop Offshore Wind/2024 Event Scheduled

The REACT Alliance, a local activist group dedicated to preserving the Central Coast’s natural environment, is organizing a special informational event aimed at opposing the proposed offshore, floating wind farms in the region. This gathering, titled “Save Our Seas: Stop Offshore Wind/2024,” will feature live music, expert speakers, food trucks, and more.

The event will take place on Saturday, March 9, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Morro Bay Vet’s Hall, located at 209 Surf St. Attendees will convene for a march from noon to 1 p.m., proceeding to the Embarcadero and the South T-Pier. There, they will join forces with a flotilla of fishing boats, sailboats, and kayaks also protesting the offshore wind project before returning to the Vet’s Hall.

The event will feature performances by local favorites: Jill Knight (1-2 p.m.), Mini Nova (2:30-3:30 p.m.), and the Susan Ritchie Band (4-5 p.m.). Expert speakers will discuss the environmental impacts of offshore wind projects. Additionally, food trucks will be on site, alongside a silent auction and a designated kids’ zone area. Admission is $10 at the door.

Proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the fight against the proposed wind farm projects, which are slated for development in a nearly 400-square mile area of open ocean, situated 20-30 miles off the San Simeon Coast (approximately 57 miles from Morro Bay, where the energy is expected to come ashore).

In July 2023, the Federal Government sold three substantial lease areas off San Simeon to Equinor, Ocean Wind/Golden State Wind, and Invenergy/Even Keel. The

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) also auctioned two additional areas off the coast of Humboldt County. These leases were acquired by various companies with plans to develop 3 gigawatts of wind energy capacity in the region and an additional 2 gigawatts off Humboldt.

While the logistics of implementing floating offshore wind farms are novel, existing offshore wind farms embedded in the seafloor off Europe and the U.S. East Coast serve as precedents.

This issue has brought together unlikely allies, with environmental groups like the REACT (Responsible Energy Adaptation for California’s Transition) Alliance and commercial fishermen uniting in opposition to the energy companies and government entities.

About REACT Alliance

The REACT Alliance is a grassroots organization dedicated to promoting responsible energy practices and protecting California’s coastal ecosystems. For more information, visit reactalliance.org.

San Luis Obispo County

Petco Love and Woods Humane Society offer free pet vaccine clinics in March

Woods Humane Society will offer two opportunities, on March 9 and 23, for San Luis Obispo County pet owners to access free pet vaccinations as part of Petco Love’s National Pet Vaccination Month. The free vaccines are made possible through Petco Love’s national vaccination initiative, “Vaccinated and Loved.”

The initiative is providing 1 million more free pet vaccines to existing animal welfare partners, including Woods Humane Society, which has so far distributed 5,014 vaccines to SLO County pets in need.

Spring, commonly known as “puppy and kitten season,” threatens young and vulnerable pets with a high risk of exposure to deadly and contagious diseases and viruses.

To combat this risk, Petco Love and Woods Humane Society are urging pet owners to protect their pets from deadly pet diseases like parvovirus and distemper in dogs, and panleukopenia in cats. These are the most prevalent deadly diseases affecting pets and are preventable with a simple vaccine — either the DAPPv Canine or the HCP Feline vaccine — which Petco Love’s initiative has made

free and accessible.

In addition to the Petco Love free DAPPv Canine and HCP Feline vaccines, Woods will also offer other vaccines and services at low cost during the clinics.

Woods Humane Society’s appointment-based Pet Vaccine Clinics for publicly owned pets will be held at Woods Humane Society’s North County campus at 2300 Ramona Road in Atascadero on Saturday, March 9, and Saturday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Pet parents must make an appointment in advance at SpaySLOCounty.com. In order to qualify for free vaccines, pets must be 6 weeks or older, healthy, and owned (community outdoor cats do not qualify). Dogs must be on a leash, puppies under the age of 4 months must be carried, and cats must be in a secure cat carrier. More information is available at SpaySLOCounty.com.

“We are thrilled to help improve access in our community to life-saving pet vaccines through two free pet vaccine clinics this month, with the help of Petco Love,” said Woods Humane Society CEO Emily L’Heureux. “As spring’s puppy and kitten season arrives, we hope SLO County pet owners will make an appointment and take advantage of this free resource to ensure the health and wellness of our community’s pets.”

“It is heartbreaking when any pet suffers or dies from a disease that could have been prevented. It is further exacerbated when unvaccinated pets come into busy shelter kennels, where these deadly diseases can spread quickly, resulting in multiple deaths, skyrocketing expenses, and hindering saving pet lives,” said Petco Love President Susanne Kogut. “By creating greater awareness and making this crucial preventative care more accessible to pets not currently receiving these lifesaving vaccines, we can prevent the dangerous spread of disease.”

In November 2023, Petco Love’s Vaccinated and Loved initiative reached its goal of distributing 2 million free pet vaccines for family pets and commits an additional 1 million vaccines to make pet families healthier.

For more information about vaccine distribution, contact Woods Humane Society by calling (805) 543-9316, or visiting 875 Oklahoma Ave. in San Luis Obispo, or 2300 Ramona Road in Atascadero. Woods is open to the public daily from 12 to 5 p.m., with adoption

New and improved SafeSLO map apps Interested in what goes on in the kitchen of your favorite restaurant, behind the aisles of your local market, or just looking for a new place to try? Check out EatSafeSLO for the locations of permitted retail food facilities and links to health inspection results.

Did you know that Environmental Health inspects body art facilities, which are establishments that perform services such as body piercing, tattooing, branding, or the application of permanent cosmetics? Check out InkSafeSLO for the locations of permitted body art facilities and links to health inspection results.

Planning a trip to the beach this week? Whether you surf, swim, run through the waves, or just walk along the shores, check out SurfSafeSLO to view the beach water quality status for 19 beach water testing sites from San Simeon down to Oceano. We test for three types of indicator bacteria every week and post the sampling results along with historical sampling data and timely press releases.

Have you ever wondered about what is evaluated during a public swimming pool or spa pool health inspection? Whether you are a county resident, visitor, or public swimming pool and/or spa pool facility operator, it is important to ensure that the physical and chemical environment of public swimming pools and spa pools (including water parks) are in a safe and healthy condition. Check out SwimSafeSLO for the locations of permitted public pool and spa pool facilities and links to health inspection results.

3C-REN celebrates successful 2023 with over $800,000 in energy-saving incentives

Throughout 2023, 3C-REN (Tri-County Regional Energy Network), a partnership between the counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura, served more than 500 homes in the region with energy-saving projects, representing a local investment of over $800,000 via incentives paid out to projects. 3C-REN also upskilled hundreds of local workers and supported design and trade professionals adjusting to new, more efficient building codes.

“We are very proud of the work we accomplished and the energy-saving projects we completed in 2023 as we move our region closer to meeting local and state climate goals,” said Marisa Hanson-Lopez, 3C-REN

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

Behind the Badge: Our Unsung Heroes

IAN PARKINSON SLO County Sheriff

In our line of work, we often hear about those heroes who go above and beyond during a traumatic major incident. But in this column, I want to highlight those unsung heroes, who go above and beyond on a daily basis. Of course, I’m talking about the dedicated dispatchers who work at the Sheriff’s Office.

Quite simply, our dispatch center is the primary public safety answering point responsible for all 911 calls in the county of San Luis Obispo, as well as the cities of Arroyo Grande and Morro Bay. They maintain communication and direct resources to the citizens of these areas. That includes law enforcement resources as well as paramedics, and numerous county and state departments.

It’s important to know the Sheriff’s Office is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certified dispatchers. The center is responsible for receiving calls for service from the citizens of the community, and sending appropriate resources like law enforcement, ambulances, rescue helicopters, and

NEWS BRIEFS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

multifamily program manager.

“As we continue to provide new opportunities to save money and energy, we encourage residents and businesses to get in touch when replacing furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, windows, and more. 3C-REN incentives for these systems can lower energy bills while creating healthier, more comfortable homes that are better for the planet. We know it can be confusing, but we can help.”

One way to save energy is by replacing traditional water heaters and HVAC systems with modern electric versions that use heat pumps, which are three to four times more efficient than standard gas water heaters or furnaces. 3C-REN incentives, paired with state incentives and federal tax credits, can result in thousands of

other personnel as needed. That’s a tall order. Don’t forget we cover more than 3,000 square miles and serve more than 122,000 residents.

To give you an idea about the workload of our dispatchers let me give you some fast facts. In 2022, the Sheriff’s Dispatch Center answered more than 243,000 phone calls averaging over 20,000 calls per month. 911 calls were answered in 15 seconds or less, 99 percent of the time. That surpasses the California state standard of 95 percent.

No doubt about it. This is a high-stress job. As one dispatcher described it, “you are dealing with people who may be experiencing the worst day of their lives.”

That’s a lot to deal with every day. Calls for domestic violence, child abuse, and drug over-

code support services. Over 120 training events were held in 2023 for Central Coast design and trade professionals, as well as students. Free certification events brought increased Passive House knowledge to the region, and over 140 construction projects received no-cost technical support from “Energy Code Coaches” who are trained in the latest building energy codes, which took effect January of 2023.

In 2024, 3C-REN will continue its Home Energy Savings, Building Performance Training, and Energy Code Connect programs while also launching three new programs: technical support for the agriculture sector, energy efficiency incentives for small and medium-sized businesses, and technical support to identify energy savings and resilience opportunities for commercial and public sector buildings.

For more information on

doses can take a toll over time. But there are also many rewarding aspects to the job. I always like to tell the story of one of our dispatchers who received a call regarding a person who was suffering from an apparent cardiac event and wasn’t breathing. The dispatcher was able to dispatch an ambulance and then was able to give CPR instructions over the phone to a family member until paramedics arrived on the scene. The person lived and made a full recovery. They were so grateful that they showed up to our dispatch center and presented that dispatcher with a bouquet of flowers. Stories like that happen every day. Not necessarily the part about the flowers, but about our dispatchers saving lives and helping others. And there are changes coming to our dispatch center. We are in the process of building a new

range. State incentives for a new heat pump water heater range from $3,100 to $5,300. The state incentive for a new heat pump HVAC system is $1,000. Federal tax credits for heat pump projects are 30 percent of project costs, calculated after incentives, capped at $2,000 per year. Find out what you qualify for at 3c-ren.org/incentives.

3C-REN (Tri-County Regional Energy Network) is a partnership between the Counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. 3C-REN takes a holistic approach to improve energy efficiency and develop workforce in the tri-county region. These efforts reduce energy use, strengthen local job markets and support climate goals. For more information or to start saving energy today, visit 3c-ren.org.

$5.5 million in homelessness solution funding available from the County of San Luis Obispo

The County of San Luis Obispo Adult and Homeless Services Branch has released $5.5 million in grant funding to address local

17,000-square-foot joint dispatch facility for the Sheriff’s Office and County/Cal Fire staff. The new facility will be located adjacent to the existing Sheriff’s North Station off Main Street in Templeton. When complete, the new facility will replace two antiquated and overcrowded dispatch centers with an efficient, state-of-the-art facility. It will address the need for improved communication between emergency response agencies. We broke ground last October, and the project’s estimated completion date is November of this year.

Side note: I know I’m a little early, but National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is April 15-19 this year. It’s a chance to express our thanks and appreciation for dispatchers. I know I’m extremely grateful for everything they do. And I hope you are too.

homelessness. This is the largest single round of funding specific to homelessness and housing released by the County of San Luis Obispo’s Department of Social Services.

In 2022, the County of San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a five-year plan to reduce homelessness by 50 percent in 5 years.

“We have an ambitious goal ahead of us, and seeing this money fund innovative projects and supportive programming in our community will be critical to meet that goal,” said George Solis, lead administrator for the Homeless Services Grants Unit.

There are seven different grant funds available, which consist of both state and federal investments. The current funding opportunities are as follows:

• $105,059.00 in FY2023 State Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program funds,

• $2,918,025.63 in Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Round 3 (HHAP-3) funds,

• $1,734,767.51 in Homeless

Housing, Assistance and Prevention Round 4 (HHAP-4) funds,

• $328,924.00 in HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Program funds,

• $149,723.80 in Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program 2020 funds,

• $175,715.80 in Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program 2021 funds, and

• $88,769.90 in Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program 2022 funds.

The county is looking to fund activities that address homelessness and housing insecurity in San Luis Obispo County such as street outreach, emergency shelter operations, case management services, and permanent housing solutions. Potential applicants may include local governments, private entities, and nonprofit organizations. Proposals will be scored against a standard rubric to ensure their projects align with the priorities outlined by each fund.

For more information, interested parties may go to slocounty.gov/ HomelessServicesGrants.

The dispatchers at the Sheriff’s Office are responsible for all 911 calls in SLO County. Contributed Photo

Business Spotlight

Lisa Mia of Haven Properties

All about connection, communication, and commitment

By Blake Ashley Frino-Gerl for Morro Bay Life

Originally a clothing designer/ business owner, local realtor

Lisa Mia of Haven Properties brings her creativity to the real estate industry on the Central Coast.

Lisa says she parlayed her apparel design experience into the remodeling property management industry, which then led to the real estate business. She recognized from the beginning it was a perfect fit.

She is committed to giving individualized attention to each family and property, while having the ability to present her client’s home in the best light. Seamlessly showcasing a property into a buyer’s dream.

Being able to connect buyers and sellers is her ultimate goal.

Lisa understands that selling a

Bob Gayle assists homeowners in accessing their equity

By Blake Ashley Frino-Gerl for Morro Bay Life

In 1995, Bob Gayle decided to go into the reverse mortgage business. After being with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage for 12 years, he evolved into MetLife Home Loans, then to Reverse Mortgage Professionals, and finally to his position with a small family-owned mortgage business headquartered in Santa Maria.

“With all these banks and mortgage companies, I have maintained an office in Morro Bay for 28 years,” Gayle says.

“Reverse mortgages allow homeowners aged 62 and older to convert part of their equity into tax-free cash,” he explains.

home can be an emotional, complex, and time-consuming undertaking. She excels at guiding sellers through the process while coordinating the many inspections and ultimately staging their home, often dramatically transforming the property.

She helps her buying clients with mindful and protective representation and clear communication to ensure they purchase the home they desire.

Experience in the remodeling and interior design industries has proven truly valuable. Contracting, negotiating, project management, marketing, and thinking outside of the box are at the core of her strengths, she says.

For Lisa, being a realtor is more of a people business than a property business. On her highly rated Zillow profile (zillow.com/profile/LisaMia), she notes that “‘love what you do and the rest will come’ is not just a saying to me, it’s my philosophy that has guided my over 25 years of experience in sales, marketing and design.”

While she loves the creative aspect of staging, the project management

of escrow, and the art of negotiating, she wants it to be a stress-free experience for her clients.

“It is an honor to be involved in such an important part of their lives and I take my position very seriously,” Lisa said. “I treat them like they are family.”

Lisa is quick to add that she has a great team working with her, and with their assistance, home sellers and buyers have a more comfortable experience.

Real estate is just one of the many ways Lisa Mia connects people in her community. She has hosted several clinics at her office in Morro Bay, including a presentation in 2018 on climate change, hosted by local meteorologist John Lindsey, as well as a clinic on informative ways of preparing and maintaining your home. She also hosted a backyard gardening clinic with guest speakers, sharing information on how to create sustainable backyard gardens, chickens, composting, and more.

The backyard gardening clinic will return on Saturday, April 20, from

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Haven Properties in Morro Bay. There are more details on the upcoming event on

Reversing for gain

“They can take their money in a lump sum, or as monthly income, or as a line of credit, or any combination of these adjustable cash-advance options.”

Unlike a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), a reverse mortgage will never be reduced, frozen, or taken away due to the economy. Consumer protections have increased, and start-up fees have been significantly reduced in many situations. In addition, Gayle says that leading researchers believe reverse mortgages could solve some of the income challenges of retirees who saved too little to finance a retirement that could last for decades.

An important factor is that with a reverse mortgage, there are no monthly mortgage payments required. The loan is not due until all borrowers have vacated the home. At that time, they, or their heirs, pay back the reverse mortgage any way they

want, but if the heirs want to keep the property, they could refinance. They also could elect to sell the property for the equity. Gayle points out that the heirs will never owe more than the value of the home.

“This business has taken me to many interesting locations in California, from San Diego to Santa Rosa,” he says. “For example, I’ve done business in the scenic town of Cool, outside of Auburn.”

Now, he specializes on the Central Coast because there is enough business here to keep him busy. Gayle enjoys meeting new people and making new friends.

“The fact that my customers need me and I’m able to help them makes me feel good,” he said.

He also enjoys the challenges of the business, being able to get the job done and ultimately

having happy customers.

In addition to working within the community by way of his business and his clients, he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as fraternal organization Morro Bay Eagles.

“We are people helping people in many ways,” Gayle said of the Eagles. “They provide scholarships to local, worthy students, as well as helpful supplies to needy families.”

Within the community

Gayle is assisting his clients in accessing their equity while also serving the community in a positive way.

Bob

the back page. Lisa welcomes all to join, bring friends, and “enjoy a little garden therapy.”

Lisa Mia of Haven Properties has made the transition from a clothing designer/business owner to the real estate industry. Photos provided by Lisa Mia

Lisa Mia (not shown) has has hosted several presentations at her office in Morro Bay, including this on the monarch butterfly.

By Neil Farrell for Morro Bay Life

It’s one of the longest continuously running businesses in Morro Bay, and the town’s lone appliance store has new owners for just the fourth time in half a century.

Morro Bay Appliance owners Mike and Annette Mlnarik have sold the business they’ve owned since May 2010, when Mike bought out his parents, Jim and Sherry Mlnarik, who owned the business for 19 years.

Prior to that, Morro Bay Appliance was owned and operated by Bob and Rhoda DeSomer for more than 20 years, making the little appliance store on Main Street one of the anchors for the Downtown business district.

And now, Chris and Julia Nichols, a Nipomo couple with two young children, are eager to continue the family-run business.

Chris Nichols, who had spent years working in natural resources management first for BLM and most recently for the City of San Luis Obispo, said this has long been his dream.

“My dream and my goal has been to own my own business,” Chris said. He and Julia had been looking for something to go into and found a sale ad for the appliance store, placed by Mike and Annette, who had been trying to sell — due to Mike’s health issues — and avoid closing the business, which still offers the owner a good living.

“I liked the history of the business,” Chris said. “It’s been here a long time.”

Ironically, Chris and Julia said they’d found a story online done previously by Estero Bay News in 2022 when Annette retired from hairdressing, closed her salon, and joined Mike fulltime as the store manager.

But the little appliance store does more than just sell refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, and more, it has to be service-oriented, as making service calls for people having issues with their appliances makes up a large part of the business. So, too, does fixing what are essentially trade-ins and selling those as reconditioned models.

The Nichols’ said they are “anxious to learn” the business and Mike’s been tutoring Chris about repairs while Annette teaches Julia about the office and sales.

They planned to hire a full-time repair technician and may have already found a guy to bring aboard. “We wanted to keep everything going,” Chris explains of what was a pretty seamless transition.

Julia said, “We’re learning the business and rolling along.”

“We’re like two sponges,” Chris laughed, “absorbing all their knowledge.”

Julia grew up in Novato in the Bay Area and moved here after high school intending to go to Cal Poly. She went to Cuesta College for one year and wanted to transfer to Poly, but it was during a time when the school wasn’t taking new students, she explained. And so she ended up at Fresno State studying animal sciences.

Chris grew up here and attended Hancock College in Santa Maria before going to Chico State. They have a 2-year-old son and 9-month-old daughter, Julia said.

The sale comes as a relief for the Mlnariks, who had a lot of stress fall away as their former deadline to close the business in December was put off after the Nichols’ put in an offer on the store.

Indeed, Estero Bay News had planned on doing a big story last December about the impending store closure and a big sale they had planned. But when the offer came in, they asked to hold the story for what in the end is a much happier ending and continuation of the story of a successful family-owned business that’s over 50 years in the writing.

Morro Bay Appliance is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. It’s located at 935 Main St. and you can call (805) 772-2755 for more information.

(From left) Julia and Chris Nichols get the keys to the Morro Bay Appliance store from now-former owners Annette and Mike Mlnarik. The Nicholses took over the business on Feb. 4. Photo by Neil Farrell

MTaste of Americana: An Irish Blessing

any years ago, this Irish blessing was sent to me, and I tucked it away to use on St. Patrick’s Day. I share it here with you.

An Irish Blessing for Friends and Family

May love and friendship warm your home. May luck move in to stay. May every morning be the start of another happy day.

May you have health, faith, and strength to give life all your best.

May St. Patrick’s Day and all your days be richly blessed.

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year on March 17 by the Irish and other people in many

parts of the world. In fact, on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone can be a “wee bit Irish.”

We honor St. Patrick on March 17 because he died on that date in the year 461. Later, the Catholic Church made him a saint in recognition of the work he had done as a Bishop, caring for the Irish people. He built churches and schools all over the country and taught the people about God.

It’s always fun to invite friends and family for an Irish feast of corned beef and cabbage. To put a twist on the menu, I found the following recipes for side dishes to serve with the corned beef.

Creamed Cabbage With Dill

Ingredients:

• 1 head green cabbage, about 2 1/2 pounds

• Salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 1 cup light cream

• 2 tablespoons minced fresh dill, or 1 tablespoon dill seeds

Directions:

Core cabbage and chop leaves into squares about an inch or so across. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt to taste and cabbage. Boil, uncovered, for 3 minutes. Drain and rinse with cool water. Press out as much water as you can from leaves. About 30 minutes before serving, put cabbage in a wide skillet with salt and pepper to taste, cream, and dill or dill seeds. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to

low, cover, and stew gently until the cabbage is tender, about 20 minutes. The cream won’t be cloying because of the water in the cabbage, but will end up as a thin, flavorful sauce. Serve hot.

Note: Serve cabbage and its sauce as a side dish or over toasted Rye Bread or egg noodles, with your favorite link of grilled sausage.

Irish Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds white or red boiling potatoes

2 tablespoons butter

• 2 tablespoons safflower oil

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 1 large white or yellow onion, cut into 1-inch squares

• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and finely diced

• chopped parsley

Directions:

Put potatoes in a saucepan with water to cover and bring to a boil. Cook until tender when pierced with a knife but not falling apart, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and let cool, then peel and slice thinly. Heat 4 teaspoons each of the butter and oil in a very wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add potatoes and fry, stirring occasionally, until nicely browned on both sides, about 25 minutes. The browning is important to their success. Season potatoes well with salt and pepper while they cook. Meanwhile, in a second, smaller pan, heat remaining butter and oil over high heat. Add onion and sauté until

with salt and pepper.

May your troubles be less. May your blessings be more. May nothing but happiness come through your door.

Cheers!

What is the state budget process?

JAMES BRESCIA, Ed.D. Superintendent SLO County Office of Education

“Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have.” — Winston Churchill

Iam often asked about the state budget when I speak with Rotary groups, school boards, PTAs, and community organizations. The best explanation about the California budget I have heard is that budget is a process rather than a product. One colleague describes the California budget as the development of the Governor’s

Budget, the Legislature’s enactment of a budget, and the executive branch’s administration of the budget as a combination of phases. Each of these phases contains all the ramifications and influences of political interactions, relationships with federal and local governments, public input, natural events, legal issues, the economy, initiatives and legislation, etc. In short, the state budget is a complex, multi-faceted, and ever-changing process.

Our California State Constitution requires that the governor submit a balanced budget to the Legislature by January 10. One interesting requirement is that if the proposed expenditures for the budget year exceed estimated revenues, the governor is required to recommend changes to balance the budget. The director of finance, as the chief financial advisor to the governor, directs the effort for the preparation of the Governor’s Budget. Under the policy direction of the governor, the director of finance issues instructions and guidelines for budget preparation to agencies and departments. This effort typically gets underway even before the Legislature has passed the budget for the current fiscal year.

Even though terms such as Zero-Based Budget-

ing, Management by Objectives, and Total Quality Management are used by the administration, the process is essentially incremental budgeting with some lobbying added for good measure. The current departmental level of funding is considered a base amount to be adjusted up or down by change proposals. According to the Department of Finance, the general goal is to resolve budget issues at the lowest level possible. Departments should clear their proposals through agency-level hearings and the Department of Finance generally attends the hearings. For non-agency departments, proposals are presented directly to the Department of Finance. Issues that are not resolved between departments and finance staff are discussed at hearings conducted by the director of finance and the most sensitive issues are ultimately presented to the governor for a decision.

Once the decisions are finalized, the Department of Finance coordinates the printing of the Governor’s Budget Summary containing goals and objectives for the following year. Along with the summary is a detailed presentation of each department for the past, current, and budget years. The State Constitution also requires that the Governor’s Budget is accompanied by a budget

bill itemizing recommended expenditures that are introduced into each house of the Legislature to be passed by June 15.

This year, education continues to be one of the largest California State Budget items. A greatly reduced Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) at 0.76 percent, the projected reductions in Personal Income Taxes (PIT) or state revenue, and the projected state budget deficit all impact the amount of funding available for education. School districts and charters are preparing for spending reductions and reevaluating priorities to balance their budgets. Of particular interest for our county are the state’s efforts to expand the educator workforce pipeline. A goal of my administration has been to promote “Future Careers that are Locally Grown.” Several of the grants proposed by the governor complement my research on recruitment and retention, validate our work on apprenticeships, and if awarded, will benefit our county for generations. For additional information, please contact the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education. It is an honor to serve as your County Superintendent of Schools.

“Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower

BARBIE BUTZ

Commentary

MARCH Calendar of Events

NOW - APRIL 1

AQUARIUS 2024

CALIFORNIA JURIED WATERMEDIA EXHIBITION

ART CENTER MORRO BAY

835 Main Street

Aquarius 2024 showcases diverse watermedia paintings, fostering appreciation for the medium. Featuring various styles and techniques, it includes a workshop led by Joe Cibere, with substantial awards. Selected artists listed online at ccwsart.com.

MARCH 1-10

AT HER TABLE STREET FESTIVAL

Celebrate Women’s History Month in Downtown Atascadero from March 1 to 10 with At Her Table’s Women’s Week. Over 160 womenowned businesses unite for a 10-day culinary and beverage festival. Enjoy the At Her Table Street Festival on Entrada Ave with food, drinks, vendors, and live music. No tickets are required. Explore 40+ unique events and dinners showcasing local female chefs, mixologists, and winemakers. Visit athertable. com for details and specials. For more details on upcoming events and delectable food specials, visit athertable.com.

MARCH 11 – 16

PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY VIRTUAL AUCTION

Save the date for the 4th Annual Paso Robles Wine Country Virtual Auction. Bid on exceptional lots, including tasting excursions, luxury stays, Michelin-star dining, vineyard adventures, and rare wines. Proceeds benefit the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Foundation, a 501c3 organization supporting local non-profits and education. Visit pasowine.com for more information.

MARCH 23

HOP TO IT - VISIT THE EASTER BUNNY

DOWNTOWN CITY PARK HOLIDAY HOUSE

PASO ROBLES

Visit the Easter Bunny on March 23 from 11 am to 2 pm at the Downtown City Park Holiday House in Paso Robles. pasoroblesdowntown.org

CENTRAL COAST CRAFT BEER FEST SUNKEN GARDENS, ATASCADERO

12–4 pm

Join the Central Coast Craft Beer Fest on March 23 during Beer Week, featuring 40+ breweries, ciders, spirits, and wine. Enjoy samples from 55+ independently owned craft beverage makers, live entertainment, food trucks, vendors, and lawn games at Sunken Gardens in Atascadero. Admission includes a souvenir glass. Shuttle service is available for added convenience. Visit centralcoastcraftbeerfest.com or email info@surfbeerfest.com for details.

MARCH 24

PASO ROBLES & TEMPLETON CHAMBER GALA

RAVA WINES

5:30–10 pm

6785 Creston Rd, Paso Robles

Welcome the 2024 Board of Directors and thank the 2023 outgoing Board members. They will also honor the Roblan of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Beautification Award recipient, and Business of the Year as they share the Chamber’s accomplishments from 2023 and look forward to the year ahead. For tickets and more information, visit pasorobleschamber.com.

APRIL 25-30

SAN LUIS OBISPO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Experience the highly regarded San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, screening over 100 films, hosting events, Q&A sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and a virtual component. Celebrate the power of film. Contact info@slofilmfest.org for more information.

APRIL 26-28

MORRO BAY KITE FESTIVAL MORRO BAY

Experience the Morro Bay Kite Festival, a joyful weekend of kiteflying in a picturesque coastal town known for perfect winds. This community tradition brings all ages together to celebrate the art of kite-flying in a distractionfree environment. Enjoy the ocean breeze and beautiful kites. Visit morrobaykitefestival.com for details.

APRIL 27

VINTAGE SIDECAR RENDEZVOUS, RECYCLED TREASURES, ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLES & ELECTRIC VEHICLES

PASO ROBLES CITY PARK

On Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm at Paso Robles City Park for the Vintage Sidecar Rendezvous featuring recycled treasures, antique motorcycles, and electric vehicles. pasoroblesdowntown.org

APRIL 29

19TH ANNUAL TASTE OF PISMO PISMO BEACH

Join in the fun for the 19th Annual Taste of Pismo on Saturday, April 29, from 1 to 4 pm. This premier culinary, wine, and beer event on the Central Coast offers culinary delights with the Pacific Ocean as your backdrop. Enjoy extraordinary wines, brews, and spirits while voting for your favorites to win the “Best of” trophy. Top chefs will compete for the “Top Chef” award. Limited general admission and VIP tables are available, so get your tickets today. This is a 21-and-over event, and no pets are allowed. All tickets are non-refundable and nontransferable. For all the details, visit experiencepismobeach.com.

MAY 4

ATASCADERO 8TH

ANNUAL TAMALE FESTIVAL CITY OF ATASCADERO (805) 470-3490

The City of Atascadero is pleased to announce the return of the Atascadero Tamale Festival on May 4. Enjoy a variety of delicious traditional, gourmet, and sweet tamales from local restaurants,

as well as restaurants from across California. The event features margaritas and other adult beverages, merchandise vendors, live music, “best” tamale, tamale eating, pet costume contests, photo opportunities, and more! This fun-filled event is free to attend and suitable for all ages. For more information, visit atascaderotamalefest.com or email info@visitatascadero.com.

MAY 11

PASO ROBLES OLIVE & LAVENDER FESTIVAL

CITY PARK, DOWNTOWN PASO ROBLES

(805) 238-4103

Join us on Saturday, May 11, at City Park for the Paso Robles Olive & Lavender Festival. From 10 am to 5 pm, savor olive oil and olive tastings, explore art and crafts, and indulge in wine, beer, and spirits tastings. Admission is free for all. Visit pasoroblesdowntown.org for details.

MAY 12

COOKIE ADVENTURE

CHARLES PADDOCK ZOO

ATASCADERO

Make Mother’s Day special at Charles Paddock Zoo from 11 am to 2 pm. Explore the zoo while savoring delicious cookies from local bakers. Cookie Adventure included with regular admission. For information, call (805) 461-5080 or visit charlespaddockzoo.org. Celebrate with family at Atascadero Charles Paddock Zoo.

MAY 15

EXPO AT THE EXPO

ALEX MADONNA EXPO CENTER

SAN LUIS OBISPO

4–7 pm

The EXPO at the Expo is the Central Coast’s largest business trade show, featuring 100+ local exhibitors and drawing a crowd of 2,000 attendees annually. It’s not just about exposure; it’s a chance to network with local businesses, find essential services, and offer support. Contact Kaila at kaila@slochamber.org or call (805) 786-2774 for inquiries.

MAY 18

7TH ANNUAL FRIENDS OF ATASCADERO LAKE LAKEFEST

ATASCADERO LAKE PARK

Join the 7th Annual Friends of Atascadero Lake LakeFest on May 18, 10 am - 4 pm at Atascadero Lake Park. Enjoy activities like the Cardboard Boat Regatta, fishing derby, music, and vendors. Proceeds support Atascadero Lake improvements and the LINK Family Resource Center. Visit friendsofatascaderolake.com or linkslo.org for details.

MAY 25, 26, 27

MORRO BAY ART IN THE PARK

The 68th annual Morro Bay Art in the Park showcases 125 independent artists and craft workers in a picturesque outdoor setting at Morro Bay Park, San Luis Obispo County. Event dates: May 25-27, 10 am-5 pm (May 27: 10 am-4 pm). Enjoy food, beverages, and creativity at morrobayartinthepark.com.

MAY 31 - JUNE 2

37TH ANNUAL CLASSIC CAR SHOW

37th Annual Classic Car Show Immerse in Pismo Beach’s grand classic car show, “The Classic.” Hundreds of cars, live music, food, vendors, and beachfront lodging. Attracting car enthusiasts worldwide, sponsored by major companies, and supporting charities. Held in June, open to all car makes/ models. Explore downtown and wineries. Unforgettable experience at theclassicatpismobeach.com.

MAY 18

7TH ANNUAL FRIENDS OF ATASCADERO LAKE LAKEFEST ATASCADERO LAKE PARK

Join the 7th Annual Friends of Atascadero Lake LakeFest on May 18, 10 am - 4 pm at Atascadero Lake Park. Enjoy activities like the Cardboard Boat Regatta, fishing derby, music, and vendors. Proceeds support Atascadero Lake improvements and the LINK Family Resource Center. Visit friendsofatascaderolake.com or linkslo.org for details.