Sticks and stones can do more when supported with soil and other vegetation, especially when formed into the shape that a beaver would make. The city of San Luis Obispo is funding several such structures, known as beaver dam analogs, on one of its open spaces in the hopes of holding more water in a creek bed that often goes dry. The goal is to benefit the landscape, improve riparian habitat, and prevent wildfires.
Staff Writer Libbey Hanson gets into the benefits of beaver dams this week [6].
Also in this issue, read about the county’s new safe parking program [4]; what Cal Poly Arts has in store for the upcoming 40th season [20]; and a new Grover Beach spot focused on breakfast and more [26]
Camillia Lanham editor
cover photo by Jayson Mellom cover design by Alex Zuniga
SLO County is starting a rotating safe parking program
San Luis Obispo County is reaping the benefits of interest generated from Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program funding, trying to make a dent in its goal of reducing the homelessness rate by half by 2027.
Thanks to a 4-0 Board of Supervisors vote on Aug. 19, with 1st District Supervisor John Peschong absent, the Department of Social Services will use roughly $290,000 of interest earned on two rounds of HHAP funding to support the overnight safe parking program run by Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO). The supervisors also approved a 30-month contract with the nonprofit to handle services on-site.
Deputy Director Linda Belch of Adult and Homeless Services told New Times that the proposed safe parking pilot is an extension of CAPSLO’s existing 40 Prado safe parking program.
“By taking a wholistic [sic] approach to addressing the array of factors that can contribute to a person experiencing homelessness, the county is being intentional with not simply building more affordable housing but also connecting people to the services they need so they have adequate support to successfully transition out of homelessness and maintain stable housing on an ongoing basis,” Belch said via email.
The supervisors’ approval is the culmination of agreements forged among local faith groups, CAPSLO, and the city of SLO.
open one site at a time. According to the county staff report, the approved sites are 1545 Calle Joaquin, 25 Prado Road, 680 Industrial Way, 2075 Johnson Ave., 317 Foothill Blvd., and 10180 Los Osos Valley Road. Each of these six spots has 12 spaces for safe parking.
Lahey added that the community safe parking program intends to serve 84 households and support at least half of all participants into stable housing.
But HHAP funds alone can’t cover program operations including porta-potties, dumpsters, supplies, and the staff to enforce program rules. It needs a braided funding model because of funding restrictions.
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In January, the city Planning Commission greenlit sites for a rotating safe parking program, which includes spots at Journey Christian Fellowship, Renovate Church, and synagogue Congregation Beth David that’s outside SLO’s city limits.
At the time, funding gaps prevented the program from becoming an immediate reality. With supervisors now allowing for the HHAP funds to kick in, CAPSLO Homeless Services Director Jack Lahey confirmed to New Times that the community safe parking program would be launched in September.
“It also doubles the county’s safe parking capacity, growing from just 12 spots at Prado to 24 total,” he said. “At the end of the day, this means fewer people forced to park in neighborhoods or on side streets and more of our neighbors able to safely park, rest, and get back into housing as quickly as possible.”
Rotating every month, the program will only
Paso Robles ECHO transitions to 90-day stays
Statistics show that by providing unhoused residents with reliable, secure shelter for three months, they are more likely to get back into permanent housing.
That’s what El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO) CEO Wendy Lewis told the Paso Robles City Council at its meeting on Aug. 19, announcing that the nonprofit hoped to fully transition its services to a 90-day program as opposed to nightly stays.
According to Lewis, ECHO found that of those who used the center’s nightly stays at its Atascadero and Paso Robles locations, only 10 percent were able to get back into housing. About 60 percent of those who went through the 90-day program established housing.
In total, Paso’s ECHO facility has 70 beds. Nightly stays are through a lottery, Lewis explained to the council, with only five available beds per night. The three-month program, which requires an application, has 65 beds.
While SLO County earned a total interest of almost $350,000 on HHAP funds, California law mandates that 8 percent of that money must be committed to homeless youth.
CAPSLO plans to tap into Cen-Cal CAL-AIM funding, leveraging about $160,000 in funds to manage the parking program’s site operations.
“HHAP funds can support case management activities, which include staff time and client needs funds (to cover vehicle repairs and other expenses that arise during the housing process),” Lahey said via email. “Additionally, HHAP funds and city of SLO funds support our data team and administrative staff, enabling us to operate 365 days a year.”
Officials claim the expanded safe parking program will be different from the controversial and defunct county-run safe parking site on Kansas Avenue, where CAPSLO also provided case management services.
Lahey told New Times that unlike the Kansas
“The night-by-night offers safety and stability for that evening. But can you imagine, you took the leap to come to us, to seek the services. You’re one of 20 to 25 people hoping for one of those beds, and then your name isn’t drawn so then you’re upset, you’re sad, you’re scared,” she said. “We can offer you other services, but we can’t offer you a bed that evening. … Those people have to leave campus and they’re not happy, right?”
The topic landed on the council’s agenda as it reviewed ECHO’s 2024-25 end of year report and voted to distribute the city’s remaining payment of $111,000 to the homeless organization.
According to Paso Robles Homeless Services Manager Ashlee Hernandez, the city has been contributing $222,000 per year since August 2022 to assist with staffing and operations.
The council approved the funding and transition unanimously that night, but not before getting an earful from the public.
Wendy Richardson said she owns a nearby carwash that has frequently dealt with loitering of unhoused residents who didn’t receive a nightly stay in the
Avenue site, the new overnight parking program will require participants living out of their vehicles to leave during the day.
After an intensive two-year planning process for the program, a plan is in place for site safety, case management, neighbor relations, and scheduled community feedback over the course of the threeyear pilot program.
Enrolled participants would have an established housing plan, a working vehicle, up-to-date insurance, a valid driver’s license, and vehicle registration.
“This program is a traditional safe parking program, most similar to the program currently in operation at 40 Prado and previously operated at Railroad Square,” Lahey said. “[Kansas Avenue safe parking] was mis-titled as a safe parking program; it was most similar to a sanctioned vehicle encampment. Additionally, only vehicles that can fit in a standard parking space will be eligible for this program.”
—Bulbul Rajagopal
lottery. She told the council that it doesn’t realize the full extent of the damage inflicted on businesses, like public urination and stolen buckets of water.
“On the outside, I’m here to tell you, it is serious,” she said. “There’s a certain part of this homeless thing that they don’t want help, they just want to be ‘whatever,’ and the businesses are suffering.”
Resident Gary Lamb said he doesn’t see how a 90-day program would improve the loitering conditions, and suggested the city relocate those who inhabit the Salinas Riverbed to the former Estrella Juvenile Facility campus near the Paso Robles Airport.
“That is a big campus. It’s already got gates. You can secure the homeless people there and watch over them and keep them from going to the businesses and doing whatever,” he said. “Put them in the position where there’s control, where there’s people watching them and making sure that there’s no problems.”
Councilmember Fred Strong said that relocating people was illegal.
INSPIRATION POINT CAPSLO wants to emulate the model of the now-closed Railroad Square and the existing 40 Prado safe parking programs for the proposed set of six safe parking sites that are scheduled to become operational in September.
Referring to riverbed residents as the “hobos of yesteryear,” Strong said, “They don’t want to be a part of society. They want their own little government and their own little way and that’s what they do, and they are all still citizens and have all the rights we do. We can’t just pick them up and incarcerate them somewhere else without their permission.”
Strong said that without ECHO, the homelessness issue would be even worse than it is.
“They can’t just cease to exist. They are people. They are people in hard times and people with serious problems. Many of them were brought on themselves but nonetheless, they’re human beings with serious problems,” he said.
With the City Council’s approval, ECHO CEO Lewis told New Times that the Paso nightly program will end on Sept. 4, but anyone is welcome to apply for the longer stay.
“Absolutely anybody is eligible, and because we are a low barrier program, that means somebody can have the opportunity even before they’re sober,” she said. “As long as they’re able to have the behaviors that keep the whole of what we’re trying to do happen in a safe way.”
Right now, between both the Atascadero and Paso Robles facilities, Lewis said there’s a waiting list of about 300 for the program. And while it may take longer to serve them, in the long run, there will be more housed residents.
“It offers them the most stability in that unstable time, being unhoused, because they know that their bed is guaranteed,” she said.
—Libbey Hanson
Sunsets at Pismo pays the price for Pismo Beach’s zoning error
Pismo Beach city staff’s discovery of a years-long zoning error for its iconic pier has elbowed out Rib Line’s Sunsets at Pismo food truck that operates out of a city-owned vintage Airstream trailer.
Rib Line owner Brian Appiano told New Times he found out about the City Council’s Aug. 19 decision to stop commercial activity on the pier only when a KCBX reporter contacted him about his opinion.
“I would have went to the meeting and spoke,” Appiano said. “We were planning on hopefully being out [on the pier] again and winning the bid.”
In 2003, the Pismo Beach City Council adopted a resolution and changed the general plan to designate the pier as open space.
The pier’s zoning designation changed again between 2003 and 2006, designating its first diamond as resort commercial.
In 2018, the city purchased used Airstream trailers to be stationed at the first diamond after the City Council approved a pier plaza and parking lot project. The trailers would be used as a visitor information kiosk, a bait shack, and a concession stand.
Rib Line won the competitive bid process to be a food vendor at the concession stand trailer in 2019. Since 2020, the company has been running Sunsets at Pismo and its contract—renewed over the years—is set to expire in October.
City staff published a request for proposals [RFP] in July to operate the Airstream restaurant. Rib Line’s proposal to continue running Sunsets at Pismo was one of the four submitted proposals.
“I spent about three weeks working on a 22-page proposal bid to try to get the renewal contract,” Appiano said. “It was said in the RFP as well that they were looking for more of a long-term partner. So, I was hoping it was going to be more like a five- to 10-year lease.”
Pismo Beach spokesperson Mike James said that prior to the City Council meeting, the city notified Appiano and his wife about its intention to advertise a request for proposals. He didn’t say whether the city notified them about the zoning issue.
City staff found that the pier’s zoning from open space to residential commercial wasn’t formally accomplished by legislative action. James told New Times that a general plan amendment and a land use zoning change were required.
In a 3-1 vote with Mayor Ed Waage dissenting, the City Council agreed to maintain the pier as open space. Council member Stacy Inman was absent.
“I’ll be contrarian. I do enjoy the current operation there,” Waage said. “I don’t think it’s been too impactful on our visitors other than they seem to enjoy that operation.”
Councilmember Marcia Guthrie said that the city is subsidizing a business like Sunsets at Pismo for parking simply because it operates on the pier, while other Pismo Beach businesses must pay for some form of parking.
“My opinion isn’t based on anything having to do with the entity that’s leasing the space now,” Guthrie said at the meeting. “It has to do with when we originally made this decision, had incorrect zoning.”
Councilmember Mary Ann Reiss supported the open space zoning because the pier is a “solace” for residents who love walking and fishing there. Councilmember Mike Newton said the council shouldn’t grant the city more
authority than it would for a private property.
“I’m not comfortable giving special rules to government,” he said. “I’m not comfortable letting it slide just because we own it and because we collect revenue off of it.”
Over the past four years, the city collected between $43,000 and $47,000 annually in revenue from Sunsets at Pismo. The revenue comes from 2 percent of gross sales revenue and a monthly base license fee of $2,431 paid by Appiano. According to the staff report, the overall revenue fully covered the initial investment in the trailer.
City spokesperson James said that staff is still deciding how the city will make up for the expected loss in revenue. Staff will also coordinate with Public Works to remove the trailer, repair that area of the pier, and coordinate utility shutoffs.
With only five to six years of service life left on the trailer, the city is planning on disposing of it through auction services.
After the City Council’s decision, locals have swarmed in support of Sunsets at Pismo —both online and in person.
“I’ve been out here at Sunsets this morning and I’ve had so many people walking up asking us to start a petition,” Appiano said. “We’re definitely heartbroken but we’re definitely thankful for the time we’ve had out here.”
—Bulbul Rajagopal
Construction starts on new $7 million wildlife rehab facility
From pelicans to barn owls, raccoons to beavers, Pacific Wildlife Care has seen it all. It treats and releases more than 3,000 critters back into the wild each year.
But according to Executive Director Kristin Howland, its building is “falling down” around them.
Thanks to $11.7 million in donations, construction recently broke ground on Aug. 18 to provide the wildlife rehabilitation center a new home near the San Luis Obispo County Airport.
Howland called Pacific Wildlife Care a “grassroots effort,” started in 2006 by a group of volunteers that would rescue injured or sick wildlife, nurse them back to health in their homes, then return them to their natural habitat.
“Pelicans in bathtubs, and things in closets and such like that,” she said.
Aside from big game animals like deer and
elk, or mountain lions and bears, Howland said the organization takes in all other wildlife.
Right now, the rehab center operates in Morro Bay, leasing a building at the old power plant—the same spot that Vistra once had its eyes on to build a battery storage facility earlier this year.
“We kind of saw the writing on the wall that not only did we need to find a permanent home for our organization and for our animal hospital, but also something that was more accessible to the whole county since we do service wildlife throughout San Luis Obispo County. So we wanted to be centrally located,” she said.
The new building on Buckley Road is being constructed from the ground up.
“We are on [agriculture] land. It used to be a hayfield. It actually was a hayfield up until a few months ago,” Howland said.
The building itself will cost $7 million, while the remaining $4.7 million raised will go toward operating costs.
“It’s an expensive project, and that’s partially because of what we do, but it’s also partially because of where we were able to build our facility,” she said. “Because of what we do, we have to make sure that the water is safe for animals. … We have a full water treatment facility. The land that we have that we’re building on does not have access to city water and sewer. Then we have the well on the property and we have to treat it for the PFAS contamination that’s in that whole area due to the airport.”
Construction should take about 18 months, but in the meantime, the Morro Bay location remains fully operational for animal drop off and care.
In 2024, Pacific Wildlife Care treated 3,115 birds, mammals, and reptiles. This year it’s already treated 2,400 after recently wrapping up “baby season.”
“Last year we had a significant, crazy baby season. And I think that could be attributed to storms and just huge weather changes,” she said.
In addition to the birds, Howland said they see a lot of baby raccoons, which are longterm residents.
“Raccoons do stay with us the longest,” Howland said. “Young raccoons naturally stay with their mothers for almost a year. When we raise orphaned raccoons, they may remain with a homecare volunteer for nearly that long, with minimal interaction to ensure they learn independence.” ∆
—Libbey Hanson
Eager beavers
As the Central Coast gets drier, San Luis Obispo looks to beavers for inspiration
On a warm May day at the Johnson Ranch trailhead, Cooper Lienhart extends a hug and looks at the infographics displayed on a large sign describing the area.
Shielding his eyes from the sun, Lienhart gestures northwest and says that the creek bed ahead lives up to its name upon first glance: Dry Creek.
“It runs dry every year. It’s spring fed and it’s kind of a small system,” he says. “We’ll be walking first through the dry and then up. And then we should hopefully get to some water.”
The president of local nonprofit Nature’s Engineers—an organization that restores creeks and rivers by mimicking beaver dam activity—and his team built beaver dam analogs (BDAs) in Dry Creek last October. The team built 30 of the man-made structures that mimic the architecture and function of beaver-made dams.
He compared the process of building these dams to making lasagna.
“We took branches, sycamore branches, whatever was around—it’s all natural on-site materials—laid them across the channel, and put the leaves facing upstream, so it can kind of catch the flow,” he says. “So you layer them all across and make kind of a dense layer, stomp on it, then you take some soil from the banks that we dug with shovels and layer it on top. … It eventually creates this triangular pyramid shape across the channel, and you keep on doing that.”
As he hikes, he points out the first installment of a beaver dam analog, consisting of exactly what he’d described. Unless you’re looking for them, they aren’t that noticeable—just rows of rocks, branches, and dirt about a foot tall.
But Lienhart is pleased as he picks up some of the sediment that the dams collected from recent rains.
“You can see all this fresh sediment and gravel it was able to catch behind the structure,” he says. “Now we’re starting to build up the creek channel. This is like several inches deep of sediments and lots of fresh mud on the sides here.”
His beaver mimicry is working, and that’s just what the city of San Luis Obispo is hoping for as it aims to reintroduce water to the dried-out landscape—a natural method that also absorbs carbon and can prevent further fires.
It takes a village
Nature’s Engineers installed the BDAs thanks to SLO’s aim to create a more resilient city under its Local Climate Change Adaptation plan, said SLO Sustainability and Natural Resources Analyst Lucia Pohlman.
“Climate action has been a major city goal. We have a lot of urgency locally to think about how we can address climate change and help our beloved open space ecosystems adapt,” Pohlman said. “One of the things that we hear every community forum, which is a big event where tons of community members come out to help prioritize city resources through the budget process, and we always hear how much people love open space. It’s a clear community priority here.”
SLO owns about 4,000 acres of open space, Pohlman said. Johnson Ranch holds about 242 of those. The city has an additional 4,000 acres in conservation easements on private
BY LIBBEY HANSON
properties as well.
“We have this huge undeveloped green belt surrounding the city, and those landscapes can draw down carbon, and they can also be managed to help grow resilience,” she said.
“That resilience can benefit the critters that depend on that ecosystem today but also help folks who perhaps live downtown or live in the city be more safe from climate impacts like floods and wildfires.”
One way to develop this land is through process-based restoration, a technique that uses materials already on-site to slow, spread, and sink water from a riparian corridor, hence the work on Dry Creek.
Pohlman said the beaver dam analogs installed at Johnson Ranch started after she applied for a grant from the Wildlife Conservation Board that offers funding for projects designed to create climate-smart and resilient restoration projects for working landscapes.
“They really loved the thought of bringing process-based restoration to the Central Coast,” Pohlman said. “[BDAs] have been taking off in other parts of the state, particularly a little bit more in the northern part of California, before the project at Johnson Ranch had been installed. So there begins a big chapter of learning, but thankfully, we got this grant from the [Wildlife Conservation Board] to advance this work.”
Under the grant, the city is responsible for making two things happen in three years: to install the 30 BDAs and also to anchor the new sediment that accumulates with vegetation.
While Nature’s Engineers was contracted to handle the BDAs, Pohlman said nonprofit ECOSLO took on the task of planting more vegetation in recent months.
“We’re planting a total of 360 trees and riparian plants throughout the Dry Creek project site, and that’s all happening with volunteers. We had four volunteers last winter who successfully had an incredible time out there, planting a whole suite of native plants,” she said. “We really want to have this project have a community-
supported feel … because I believe that getting your hands dirty is the best way to learn about what climate solutions exist in your community that you can help out with.”
Beaver believers
Nature’s Engineers’ Lienhart studied environmental engineering at Cal Poly after being “blown away” by the issue of climate change in high school.
“As a kid in suburbia in Chicago, I was like, there’s got to be a way we can just use technology to suck CO2 back out of the atmosphere,” he said. “I thought we were going to build synthetic trees to suck CO2 out and so I was really juiced on that.”
But after a study abroad program through Cal Poly, his chain of thinking changed, he said.
“I got a chance to study abroad in Iceland and Greenland—a program all about climate change—and that’s where I learned that our natural ecosystems, especially wetlands, can be our greatest carbon sinks. Wetlands are the most efficient land ecosystem at absorbing and storing carbon from the atmosphere because they have so much plant growth and so much water to encourage that plant growth,” he said, “Then the plants and animals can decay and get locked underground to restore that carbon. And so I was like, OK, I just want to restore wetlands as my career.”
In 2020, Lienhart met the SLO Beaver Brigade, a local organization dedicated to educating the community about the benefits of the large rodents, and that’s where the idea
struck: Beavers were the solution.
“When I went out to the beaver ponds in Atascadero on the Salinas [River], then it all clicked for me. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s this amazing carbon sink,’” he said. “We walk through a half mile of dry flood plain, and then you see it. It’s this lush, life-filled wetland. This is a carbon sink and so much else at the same time—life, fire protection, water recharge—the beavers got it figured out. And so anything I can do to support the beavers, that’s what I want to do.”
Nature’s Engineers is under contract with SLO until the end of 2026. Last October, Lienhart said he and a group of five built the 30 analogs in six days. Now during the next two Octobers, they are tasked with maintaining the dams and making sure they remain intact and serve their intended purpose.
At the end of the contract, ideally the analogs won’t require any more maintenance and will help keep the creek bed and nearby plains wet.
Being self-sustaining means the creek bed will have the ability to hold water both above and below ground. And with more water comes more life, Lienhart said, adding that he’s already seen endangered species like redlegged frogs and steelhead trout inhabiting the water upstream in Dry Creek.
“All of the species that need water to survive, like 80 percent of native wildlife in North America, rely on riparian areas at some point in their life cycle. So if you want to restore wildlife, you start where the water is,” he said. “It also addresses erosion concerns and reverses the process and improves water quality because it allows pollutants to settle and get cycled underground. Anything that you can think of.
“Putting [in] these beaver dam-like structures really has a positive impact.”
Dammed
if you do, damned if you don’t
SLO isn’t the first city in the county to mimic the ancient methods of beavers.
Last August, the city of Atascadero wanted to revive dry portions of the Salinas Riverbed by harvesting willow stakes, a process involving the trimming of live willows and replanting those pieces along unstable riverbeds. The willow stakes eventually form new root structures and provide soil stability, similar to beaver dams, and prevent further erosion along the bed.
Morro Bay also has upcoming plans for Walter’s Creek later this summer.
Actual beaver dams have proven their effectiveness in the Salinas Riverbed in Atascadero. The SLO Beaver Brigade observes this portion of the river that’s maintained fully by families of local beavers.
BIG STRETCH A local beaver reaches for a branch to add to its dam in the Salinas Riverbed in Atascadero. The critter was captured on SLO Beaver Brigade’s nature cam as the organization monitors beaver activity in the area.
ENGINEER, PIONEER Nonprofit Nature’s Engineers President Cooper Lienhart talks about beaver dams and cultural burnings at the trailhead of Johnson Ranch, an open space SLO has dedicated to preserving the climate.
PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM
Beaver Brigade Founder Audrey Taub is a big advocate when it comes to learning from the hardworking critters.
“We are thrilled and so excited about Nature’s Engineers,” she said. “The work that they are bringing to this county is really going to contribute to a more resilient Central Coast. We couldn’t be more excited.”
The stretch of the Salinas Riverbed maintained by the beavers holds about 4 feet of water, making the surrounding space lush and cool in temperature—an ideal riparian corridor as opposed to the dry portions of the riverbed just miles up and down stream.
“We’re at this place now where the beavers have been removed from the landscape for a very long time, hundreds of years. So now we’re dealing, in some places, with habitat that’s just not suitable anymore at this point for beavers. So it makes restoration tricky,” Taub said.
Right now, Johnson Ranch is no place for a beaver to thrive. But by installing BDAs, maybe it could be.
“[BDAs] start to create the ability for water to be stored so that the riparian can come back, and at some point, if a beaver finds it, it may become a beaver habitat,” she said. “But even without beavers, you can start to get some of the benefits that beavers provide.”
During the recent Gifford Fire, which burned 131,000 acres of land across SLO and Santa Barbara counties, Taub said she thought of beavers and how they could have potentially reduced the blaze.
“That fire really made me think, ‘Wow. If the Salinas River was lush and full of beavers the entire length, it wouldn’t be such a worry.’ You know, if all of our creeks and rivers were full of beavers, we would have a lot of water in our creeks and rivers. We would have very wet vegetation. We would have very wet soil,” she said. “All of that is really, really hard, if not impossible, to burn, and that would be just such a big help for these conditions we’re in right now.”
Branch by branch
Another element of SLO’s Local Climate Change Adaptation plan, in addition to
tribal members to maintain their ancestral practices,” Pohlman said. “So it was a really monumental day last year, seeing tribal members bring fire back to their ancestral landscapes for the first time in living memory.”
installing BDAs and planting vegetation, is cultural burns in partnership with the YTT Northern Chumash Tribe of SLO, said Sustainability and Natural Resources Analyst Pohlman. Such burns are part of an effort to revive the native grasses that historically dominated the flood banks and the floodplains of Dry Creek.
“Today, we have a lot of invasive species that are just outside of the creek corridor, and so we’re partnering with them to explore a myriad of ways to help transition invasive grasslands into perennial bunch grasses,” Pohlman said.
The first successful cultural burn performed by the tribe was completed last November, just across the trail from the beaver dam analogs on Johnson Ranch.
“It’s really reviving an ancestral land stewardship practice that, due to the level of displacement and colonization and genocide that occurred here on the Central Coast, there wasn’t the ongoing land tenure for
Pohlman said the relationship between cultural burns and BDAs is symbiotic— the burns remove flammable vegetation in a controlled way and return the soil back to a healthy state. The BDAs capture that sediment from the fire, and then the vegetation planting anchors the nutrients back into the land.
While the Wildlife Conservation Board grant funds the BDA installations, it doesn’t cover cultural burns. But Pohlman said the city intends to continue them annually at Johnson Ranch and hopes to find another grant to cover those burns.
Between all efforts in that area though, Pohlman said the bestcase scenario is that in three years, Dry Creek will accumulate so much sediment that the water will spill into the plains. The city should have a better idea of how the BDAs are working this spring after the rainy season, but monitoring will continue year-round.
“We anticipate that for this stretch of Dry Creek that the structures will function into
the future without maintenance,” she said. “That doesn’t mean we’re done installing beaver dam analogs on the city on riparian corridors. We’re currently partnering on a grant application that could expand BDAs beyond Johnson Ranch to three additional city open space properties, and we’ll definitely be sharing with the public when we hear back about that grant application.”
Dam good results
On the journey upstream at Dry Creek that day in May, Lienhart, of Nature’s Engineers, takes notice of some BDAs that were washed out after a storm sent water rushing down the corridor and knocked some of the analogs free.
He says they’ll repair them this October.
“This was all blown out just on the left side,” he says, pointing to the creek bed full of debris.
“Because it’s a multi-year project, what we’re going to do is come back in and rebuild the left side, but in a slightly different way. … We’re going to curve it further this time. I think [that] will help it hold a pond and hopefully not get blown out.”
Lienhart doesn’t mind repairing the structures. Just because they didn’t last doesn’t mean they were a failure—it’s now an opportunity to learn and rebuild, just like the beavers do every day.
The most rewarding day of the project was in March, Lienhart recalls, when the rainwater rushed down the creek bed and he saw a steelhead trout in the waters for the first time—a species not present, obviously, when the bed is dry.
“That was a magical day,” he says.
Near the highest installed BDA up Dry Creek, the landscape is nearly unrecognizable from how it first appeared downstream. The creek bed is easily holding 3 feet of water, and it’s 10 degrees cooler. Willow trees canopy the water, and Lienhart hops from rock to rock in an effort to not get wet. Vibrant moss sways in the water current, and small minnows bolt away as he points to them.
It’s an oasis, thanks to a little inspiration from beavers.
Lienhart has a pretty cool job.
“I really do,” he says, laughing. “It’s the best when you’re in the creek being a beaver.”
Staff Writer Libbey Hanson at newtimesslo.com.
BEAVER BELIEVE IT You’d never guess that just a ways up the trail, Dry Creek’s bed was holding water. That’s thanks to beaver dam analogs installed by Nature’s Engineers last October—man-made structures composed of natural materials that mimic beaver dams.
KNAWING AT THE BIT Nature’s Engineer President Cooper Lienhart examines sediment that accumulated near recently installed beaver dam analogs in Johnson Ranch’s Dry Creek, which should enable the corridor to hold more water year-round if enough debris collects.
I’LL BE DAMMED In this section of Dry Creek, the creek bed doesn’t live up to its name. Nature’s Engineer President Cooper Lienhart smiles ear to ear when looking at the water held by beaver dam analogs, remnants from March 2025’s rainstorms.
COMPLETE TESTING & REPAIR
The Waldorf way
When the bells rings for algebra class, most schools require students to crack open their textbooks and practice equations. But at Central Coast Waldorf School, the lesson can begin with an introduction to the history of the Arabic word “algebra.”
“They’ll pull in these different stories and this history and create this rich narrative behind what they’re going to be learning,” school Community Development and Engagement Coordinator Casey Farrell said. “From there, you’ve created this curiosity and this bigger picture for them to look at.”
It’s not just algebra. Most subjects and all students at Los Osos’ Central Coast Waldorf School get the holistic treatment. That’s how it’s been since the first Waldorf school opened in 1919 in Stuttgart, Germany, based on the educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner. Take a history lesson at Central Coast Waldorf about Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci. Students artistically journaled the recognition he received from patron Ludovico Sforza, complete with their own version of a perspective drawing—a technique popularized by da Vinci.
A botany class, according to Farrell, would start with taking the kids on a hike, finding a flower, sketching it, and understanding where it sits in the ecosystem as opposed to immediately dissecting a flower in the classroom.
“It’s this idea that you’re teaching the whole child,” she said. “It’s not that you need to spoon-feed all these facts to them. You’re helping them understand the world because they have the tools within them.”
The Los Osos private school is the only Waldorf-accredited one in San Luis Obispo County and received its certification from the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America this spring. Prior to that, the school was known for 17 years as the Wishing Well School under the guidance of founder Kim Wishon.
Central Coast Waldorf serves 115 students from all over the county, from preschool to eighth grade, with an average of 18 students per classroom.
Annual tuition rates for the 2025-26 school year costs $13,650 for first to eighth grades, $11,440 for mixed-age kindergarten, and between $10,120 and $5,940 for preschool. The school offers a 10 percent tuition discount for the first sibling, followed by a 15 percent discount for subsequent siblings. For more an admission overview or to schedule a school tour, visit centralcoastwaldorf.org.
Upon graduation, most students move on to high schools in local school districts. They often return to the Waldorf School as part of an alumni panel to answer questions from parents interested in enrolling their children.
“We find that they excel wherever they land because they have a willingness to learn and a curiosity to sort of expand and see what else is out there,” Farrell said. “Waldorf
students, in general, have a 98 percent rate of going on to higher education as well.”
Farrell’s kids also attend the Waldorf School. Like their classmates, her kindergartener and third grader enjoy screen-free time on campus and also homework-free time when they’re done for the day.
“Homework isn’t really assigned until you get up into the older grades, like fourth or fifth grade. That gives kids the freedom to be kids when they come home,” Farrell said. “When they do start doing homework, it’s not something you necessarily would need a computer for. It’s a lot of just doing math with a calculator or going to the library because you’re doing a research project.”
Once Waldorf kids enter the seventh and eighth grades, teachers make them aware of being a “conscious person” on social media and on the internet, Farrell added.
There are only eight teachers at the Waldorf School, meaning they nurture relationships with their students over multiple grades and years.
For Farrell, Waldorf schoolteachers and other parents proved to be a source of comfort for the family when she was handling a personal medical crisis.
“I knew every time I was dropping [her older son] off that he’s in a consistent environment with a teacher that truly sees him and is texting me updates to let me know how he’s handling his day,” she said. “People are always looking out and checking in on one another, you know, helping out with rides to and from school. I feel like parents feel like they’ve truly found a village here.”
Fast fact
• SLO’s Mee Heng Low Noodle House won a $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express. The restaurant plans to use the funds to update the restaurant’s façade and balcony and fix its iconic neon sign. ∆
Reach Staff Writer Bulbul Rajagopal at brajagopal@newtimesslo.com.
PROMISING START An eighth grader offers a rose as commitment to mentor a rising first grader throughout the school year—customary of the rose ceremony tradition in Waldorf schools like Central Coast Waldorf School. The two classes usually work on art projects and hike together.
PHOTO BY: SARA CORNISH
PHOTO BY: LINDA TANNER
PHOTO BY: GEORGE REYES
PHOTO BY: GINA KILLINGSWORTH
PHOTO BY: CARLY PENSON
PHOTO BY: ALAN STRASBAUGH
PHOTO BY: CANDACE MASE
PHOTO BY: ALISA ASTON
Lower risk
Better wild horse management is a win-win
With the Gifford Fire having burned through 132,000 acres on California’s Central Coast, the Black Mountain wild horses, the only wild horse herd on the Central Coast, have been spared. Their designated territory includes 13,215 acres of Los Padres National Forest and 635 acres of private land about 20 miles east of San Luis Obispo.
A little known but very important fact about wildfires and wild horses is that grazing by wild horses can reduce wildfire risk. New studies find they are especially effective in remote and inaccessible areas or rugged terrain. Their grazing is particularly helpful in Mediterranean landscapes such as the Central Coast. The Black Mountain
BY SHARON ROBERTS
Giving trees
We need to do more to keep trees thriving in SLO
Wow, I love this edition of the New Times (Aug. 21, “Canopy hazards”) about trees, one of my favorite living things. Your writer did such a great job—I learned a lot I didn’t know and can now use to try harder to fight for keeping our trees. I’m so glad to know there are others that feel as I do. Why wouldn’t we want to keep the shade we have and add to it? We have a constantly warming climate, and we are not increasing our tree canopy. Trees provide an entire ecosystem for the insects, birds, squirrels, etc., that live in them, and all of this enhances
Wild Horse Territory consists of blue oak, annual grasslands, and chaparral vegetation. In addition to lowering wildfire risk, Wild horses maintain, protect, and help to rebuild environmental systems and allow other native species to thrive.
Alarmingly, the Black Mountain wild horses have been reduced to only eight or nine mares, no stallions and no foals, so the herd will die out. This information was only discovered through data the U.S. Forest Service provided in response to Freedom of Information Act requests, and my onsite observations. But the Black Mountain Wild Horse Management Plan set the herd’s population at 15 to 20 horses to achieve genetic viability. The herd should already have been supplemented. If the Forest Service would protect the herd, which it’s required to do anyway, it would be a win-win situation. There could be a healthy herd and environment with lowered wildfire risk.
Wild horses evolved in North America, and as a native species need to be protected
our spirits and our lives. I congratulate the residents on Palomar Avenue who stood up for what they knew to be right, for the best interest of the neighborhood and community. It seems to me that many of our ordinances and rules need to be reviewed and perhaps changed. After all, what is wrong with suggesting to a developer or property owner that they incorporate keeping mature, healthy trees that are already on their property. Why couldn’t you offer them an incentive, lower fees or even waive some fees for providing a benefit to the neighborhood. I am still totally shocked over the 54 fully mature redwoods that were destroyed on Monterey Street for new HASLO Housing. Are you telling me that HASLO and the developer would not have been open to keeping the best of the trees and incorporating them into the landscaping?
How long had each of those trees stood
as such. But wild horses were nearly eradicated until Congress unanimously passed the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Congress found wild horses “are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West; that they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people; and that these horses and burros are fast disappearing from the American scene.” The law set policy for wild horses to be protected in areas where found on public lands. Federal agencies, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service, were required to designate territories for wild horse use, and develop management plans for horses. Black Mountain is a legally designated territory for wild horse use and the horses are to be protected, preserved, and managed by the Los Padres Santa Lucia Ranger District.
Finally, agencies cannot simply round up and remove wild horses and claim that is “management.” A U.S. judge in Nevada
there? How many other creatures did they support? How much natural cooling did they provide? What type of example is our city setting when we destroy fully mature, historic trees without considering a way to preserve them? Nature is beneficial to each and every one of us, and we should use it to guide our children to loving and respecting where they live.
It also seems to me that the responsibilities of the city arborist should be more about protecting and maintaining our current canopy, plus adding to it, rather than processing and reviewing tree removal applications. According to the article, from 2020 to 2023 the city removed 597 trees, but from 2022 to 2024 it only planted 415. It doesn’t sound like the city is meeting its
handed wild horse advocates a victory in ruling on mustang management plans and ordered an environmental assessment to include the potential impact of roundups on wildfire risks.
Agencies should integrate using wild horses in wildfire management planning moving forward. Case in point is the planning for Los Padres’ Forest Wildfire Risk Reduction Project.
Without delay, the Forest Service should update the four-decades-old Black Mountain Wild Horse Management Plan. Then, through the mandated National Environmental Policy Act process, the public can participate in management planning to help ensure the survival of our beloved Black Mountain wild horses, which would also help reduce wildfire danger. ∆
Colette Kaluza is the welfare team assistant director for Wild Horse Education. Send a response for publication to letters@ newtimesslo.com.
obligation to replace removed trees. If they process the applications for tree removal, why can’t they maintain records to report those numbers and let us know how those trees are being replaced? Why can’t we shoot for Cambria’s 40 percent canopy, utilizing some of the people listed in the article?
Once again, New Times, thank you for an excellent, timely, informative article. Now, we all need to talk to our SLO City Council about improving things and saving more beautiful, living, healthy trees. ∆
Sharon Roberts writes to New Times from San Luis Obispo. Send a commentary for publication to letters@newtimesslo.com.
HODIN Russell Hodin
BY JOHN DONEGAN
The revealing
Tit acts as a prompt or catalyst to draw out and reveal the obsessions and fixations of the viewer who is asked to interpret it. The interpretations are useful in psychotherapy to diagnose any mental pathologies of the patient.
The Rorschach test also serves as a useful analogy when considering the reactions to the American Eagle ads featuring hot actress Sydney Sweeney modeling the company’s blue jeans and making a wordplay with the homonyms “jeans” and “genes.” The terms are used interchangeably to indicate that her sexy looks are attributable to both her “genes” and her “jeans.”
The ad received a lot of different interpretations, typically revealing a fixation on either race, body type, or feminism. Some saw it as “objectifying women,” a longstanding feminist theme. The “body positive” and DEI advocates lamented the absence of fat, plain, older, and minority women and found that the ad presented pretty, thin, young, buxom, and blond women as the desirable ideal.
But what was truly depressing was how quickly the discussion went to race and the Nazis, merely by the use of the “genes/jeans” pun, which supposedly “promoted eugenics,” “white supremacy,” and “pushed Aryan race Nazi propaganda,” even though neither race nor eugenics are ever mentioned. Yikes!
The term “genes” seems to have triggered some. Genes and genetics are, of course, central to our understanding of evolution and natural selection, an area that “sciencebased” liberals always bring up when distinguishing themselves from religious conservatives and their creationist beliefs. But here liberals seem to reject any possible continuing role that genetics may play in human development, apparently believing that human evolution is now frozen, with themselves occupying the highest point of human development possible. The idea that some people might naturally enjoy and pass on “better genes” than others is anathema to them, and they see a sinister agenda.
different in this “ink blot.” The hard left saw further confirmation that American business and society is, like everything that annoys them, “racist,” “misogynist,” and “morally corrupt.” In turn, conservatives found further confirmation that leftists are a bunch of hysterical, humorless loons, spring-loaded to go off at pretty much anything. My take? It’s just an inkblot. ∆
Of course, many men take a longer evolutionary view, noting that currently popular super-celebrities like J.Lo, Beyoncé, and Kim Kardashian are not only graced with large, gravity-defying breasts and buttocks, and plump lips, but seem to have inspired countless other women to emulate them in this look. Evolutionarily, this probably predicts a future population boom of buxom, swollen-lipped women with big butts, since those features seem to bestow a reproductive advantage when interacting with us shallow males. But I digress.
The reaction to the ad was prompt. In relatively restrained tones, Today declared “For some, the campaign’s actual messaging about genes upholds outdated and harmful standards of beauty and even promotes eugenic ideals.” Other commenters, their faces undoubtedly contorted in a rictus of insane rage and hatred, were less controlled, with Hannah Holland of MSNBC
John Donegan is a retired attorney in Pismo Beach, who the DSM-5 is still trying to classify. Send a response for publication to letters@newtimesslo.com.
If it’s broken
Remember when you used to be able to actually slide down the concrete slides at the Pismo Beach pier’s entrance?
In 2020, right after the slides made their debut, they were closed “temporarily” thanks to a series of injuries experienced by adults and children alike. Well, apparently, temporary turned into permanent because the city didn’t fix the slides—even though they still exist. Instead, it put up beautiful gates in front of the slide entrances with signs that say, “permanently closed” “do not enter.”
These ugly-ass gates are right next to the playground. I don’t understand why Pismo didn’t opt to do something else, anything really, to gussy up the error and make that space usable.
It’s an eyesore in an otherwise cool area that the city designed to invigorate and liven up the pier.
Why fix a problem when you don’t have to? If it’s broke, why fix it?
The city’s taking a similar approach to another mistake it made along the pier.
That cool Airstream serving up ice cold adult beverages and savory snacks you can eat pier-side while watching people surf and play on the beach will be gone after October. Why? Whoopsie-daisy! Pismo Beach, in all its wisdom, screwed up its own zoning somehow. Many years later, city staff finally caught itself. But instead of fixing the issue, the city threw up its hands and said, “Why fix it?”
Meanwhile, the city did put out a request for proposals [RFP] to fill the Airstream on the pier that the Rib Line has operated Sunsets at Pismo out of since 2020, generating almost $200,000 in revenue for the city. Four proposals came in, including one from Rib Line owner
Brian Appiano
“I spent about three weeks working on a 22-page proposal bid to try to get the renewal contract,” Appiano said. “They were looking for more of a long-term partner. So, I was hoping it was going to be more like a five- to 10-year lease.”
While the city did notify Appiano about its RFP process, it didn’t notify him about staff’s big mistake or the fact that the city suddenly decided it didn’t need a partner at all because of its cock-up. The Airstream is leaving the pier, RFPs be damned. He found out because KCBX called him to ask how he felt about the City Council’s decision to stop commercial activity on the pier. Oof. Ouch. WTF, Pismo Beach?
Seems like a shady way for the city to operate. Where are the Debbie Petersons of the world to call out Pismo?
“I would have went to the meeting and spoke,” Appiano said.
Of course he would have. So would the
other three businesses that spent time working on proposals for the city.
Now, after finding out about its own mistake, the city has also decided—after specifying the need for a long-term partner to operate out of the Airstream on the pier— that its Airstream won’t work for the longterm after all. Funny how that works!
Councilmember Marcia Guthrie said the city was subsidizing the business operating out of the Airstream because other businesses had to pay for or provide some form of parking. Umm, Sunsets at Pismo has paid the city almost $50,000 a year for the last four years to operate. Who’s doing the subsidizing?
Councilmember Mary Ann Reiss decided the pier is for residents who love walking and fishing there. Last I checked there was plenty of that going on.
The only person who made sense was Mayor Ed Waage, who gets why it’s such a cool attraction: “I do enjoy the current operation there,” he said. “I don’t think it’s been too impactful on our visitors other than they seem to enjoy that operation.”
Duh! It’s hip. Like the slides. But, if it’s broken, why fix it?
Maybe the city will just leave the Airstream out there and put a giant gate up that states, “permanently closed,” so it looks just as nice as the slides. A reminder of what you can’t have.
It’s kind of like what’s happening in Paso Robles—only that city is actually trying to
fix the problem. The nightly shelter seekers in North County are out of luck if they’re looking to try their luck at ECHO. The five beds it used to offer for that kind of thing are no longer on the table.
With only five nightly beds and 20 to 25 people vying for them, folks were inevitably disappointed, ECHO CEO Wendy Lewis told the Paso City Council. So, let’s get rid of them!
It wasn’t really working, she said.
Apparently only 10 percent of the nightly shelter seekers eventually find permanent housing. About 60 percent of the folks staying in ECHO’s 90-day temporary housing situation find their way into long-term housing. So, the nonprofit is turning those five beds into 90-day housing instead.
It’s better than what resident Gary Lamb suggested the city do: round up all the loiterers and riverbed campers and lock them up at the former Estrella Juvenile Facility near the airport.
“It’s already got gates,” he said. “Put them in a position where there’s control, where there’s people watching them and making sure that there’s no problems.”
But they’ve got rights, Councilmember Fred Strong said while referring to riverbed residents as the “hobos of yesteryear.” Strong words, amirite?
The Shredder is going trainhopping. Send tips to shredder@ newtimesslo.com.
Hot Dates
ARTS
NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY
ARTIST LYNN EVEY CREATES HANDMADE SKETCHBOOKS AND JOURNALS Enjoy a free Sketchbook and Journal Making Demonstration with artist Lynn Evey at Art Center Morro Bay. Sept. 6 3-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-2504. ArtCenterMorroBay.org. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay.
BRUSHSTROKES 2025 AND OFF THE WALL: SCULPTURE Brushstrokes 2025 features paintings by The Painters Group while Off the Wall exhibits sculpture by Central Coast sculptors. Both are on display through Sept. 15. Through Sept. 15, 12-4 p.m. Free. (805) 772-02504. artcentermorrobay.org. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay.
COASTAL WINE AND PAINT PARTY
Listen to music while enjoying an afternoon of creativity, sipping, and mingling. The party includes a complimentary glass of wine and canvas with materials. Saturdays, 12-2 p.m. $55. (805) 394-5560. coastalwineandpaint. com. Harmony Cafe at the Pewter Plough, 824 Main St., Cambria.
FOREVER STOKED PAINT PARTY Join us at the gallery, for a few hours to travel on a creative paint journey. You will receive as much or as little instruction as you prefer. No artistic experience is necessary. Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. $45. (805) 772-9095. foreverstoked.com. Forever Stoked, 1164 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay.
NORTH SLO COUNTY
3 ARTISTS RETROSPECTIVE REVEAL
Susan Lyon, Maryanne Nucci, and Kathy Madonna invite you to visit their
Retrospective Show including original photographs, charcoals, watercolors, etchings, linocuts, and mono prints. Saturdays, 2-5 p.m. (805) 440-7152. cottontailcreek.com/susanart. Pocket Gallery on Pine, 8491/2 13th Street, Paso Robles.
FIRST SATURDAY: “ABOVE AND BELOW THE SURFACE” RECEPTION Join us in the Studios for an evening of refreshing art, live music, and local wine, during the art reception for “Above and Below the Surface”. Sept. 6 , 6-9 p.m. Free. (805) 238-9800. studiosonthepark.org/events/ first-saturday-above-and-below-thesurface-reception/. Studios on the Park, 1130 Pine St., Paso Robles.
FIRST SATURDAY: ART AND WINE On the first Saturday of each month, attend for the venue’s exhibit openings, with live music, art, and wine available for purchase. First Saturday of every month, 6-9 p.m. through Sept. 6 Free (wine $10). (805) 238-9800. studiosonthepark.org. Studios on the Park, 1130 Pine St., Paso Robles.
JILL GARMAN’S “PALM FOOLERY ART”
OPENING See artist Jill Garman’s unique, fun, beautiful, and quirky palm paintings at Pocket Gallery on Pine! Saturdays, 2-5 p.m. through Oct. 4 (805) 440-7152. Pocket Gallery on Pine, 8491/2 13th Street, Paso Robles.
MONTHLY BIRTHDAY PLATE PAINTING AT ARTSOCIAL 805 Please join ArtSocial805 on the first Saturday of each month to paint a personalized “Birthday Plate,” for someone special or for yourself. The workshop is $35, which covers the plate, glaze, and firing. First Saturday of every month, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $35. (805) 400-9107. artsocial805. com. ArtSocial 805 Creative Campus, 631 Spring St., Paso Robles.
WRITERS WANTED Novelists, screenwriters, poets , and short story writers welcome. This group meets in Atascadero twice a month, on Thursday nights (email jeffisretired@yahoo.com for specifics). Hone your skills for publication and/or personal development. First Thursday of every month, 7-9 p.m. Unnamed Atascadero location, Contact host for details, Atascadero.
SAN LUIS OBISPO
ALES FOR TAILS: COMEDY SHOW
BENEFITING LOCAL ANIMAL RESCUES
Join for a hilarious evening of comedy and good drinks at Humdinger Brewing, featuring the talented Leah Bonnema, who has performed for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Don’t Tell Comedy, along with Comedy Store regulars and local comics. The show’s net proceeds to benefit Atlas Animal Rescue and Shiloh’s Animal Rescue. Aug. 29, 8-10 p.m. $28.62. my805tix.com. Humdinger Brewing (SLO), 855 Capitolio Way, suite 1, San Luis Obispo, (805) 781-9974.
ART AFTER DARK Art After Dark features an art opening of world-class artists. Refreshments will be served. First Friday of every month, 5-8 p.m. through March 7 Free. slocountyarts.org/art-afterdark. SLO County, Various locations countywide, San Luis Obispo.
BEGINNING WATERCOLOR WITH JAN FRENCH You’ve heard watercolor is daunting, but it’s still fascinating you. Come be introduced to this tricky but dynamic painting medium! Sept. 4 , 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $100. (805) 747-4200. i0.wp.com/artcentralslo. com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ Beginning-WC-French-September25-1. jpg?fit=1275%2C1650&ssl=1. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
BISHOP’S PEAK ACRYLIC WORKSHOP WITH DREW DAVIS Join for a 2-hour acrylic painting workshop, where Drew will lead you in creating an expressive, most recognized landscape in San Luis Obispo - Bishop’s Peak. Purchase of a ticket includes all the essential art supplies you may need, including a 16x20 canvas, apron, and paints. Light snacks will be provided and feel free to bring your favorite beverage. Sept. 6 , 2-4 p.m. $87.54. my805tix.com. Drew Davis Fine Art, 393 Pacific St., San Luis Obispo. BRUSHSTROKES & BURROS: PAINTING WORKSHOP AT RANCHO BURRO DONKEY SANCTUARY Paint, sip, and support local rescued burros and mules at this donkey-inspired art workshop with local artist, Terry Greene. Sept. 6 1-4 p.m. $125. (805) 710-8445. ranchoburrodonkeysanctuary.org/ painting-workshops. Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary, 4855 Righetti Road, San Luis Obispo.
DEANNA BARAHONA California artist Deanna Barahona’s work centers her lived experiences, identity, and personal objects in intimate and domestic spaces through the creation of sculpture, and installation. Through Aug. 31, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 543-8562. sloma.org/exhibition/deannabarahona/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
FIRST FRIDAYS Visit SLOMA on the first Friday of each month for exhibition openings, music, and wines provided by regional winery partners. Admission is free and open to the public. First Friday of every month, 5-8 p.m. Free. (805) 5438562. sloma.org/events/first-fridays/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
FRIENDS OF THE ARROYO GRANDE
LIBRARY ART AUCTION The first ever art
FAIR FUN
Los Osos Family Fun Fair is a free event on Sunday, Sept. 7, from noon to 4 p.m., at the South Bay Community Center in Los Osos. This multigenerational celebration will feature games, entertainment, activities, and live music for all ages. Kids can win tickets redeemable for face painting, prizes, or hot dog meals. There will be a raffle with a Central Coast staycation package, among other prizes, to support the Rotary Club of Los Osos. Visit portal.clubrunner.ca for more information.
auction fundraiser for Friends of the AG Library is now live. Includes work by local artist Ellen November. Every 30 days, 9 a.m. Various. (310) 384-6912. app.galabid. com/aglibrary/items. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
IMPROV EXTRAVAGANZA AT THE BUNKER Join us for a night of improvised comedy! Four teams. Four unscripted performances. Lots of fun and laughs and performances that will only happen once. Aug. 28 , 6-8 p.m. 13. Cheer on your favorite teams, or discover new ones, in this show of back-to-back sets of spontaneous storytelling, wild characters, and big laughs. Aug. 28 6:158 p.m. $13. my805tix.com. The Bunker SLO, 810 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo.
JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY AND ART Owen and Kyoko Hunt from Kyoto, Japan offer classes for Japanese calligraphy (Fridays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.), a Japanese art called “haiga” (Fridays, 10-11:30 a.m.) and more at Nesting Hawk Ranch. Fridays $45. (702) 335-0730. Nesting Hawk Ranch, Call for address, San Luis Obispo.
LEARN TO WEAVE MONDAYS An opportunity to learn how a four-shaft loom works. You will get acquainted as a new weaver or as a refresher with lots of tips and tricks. This class includes getting to know a loom, how to prepare/ dress a loom, and much much more. Mondays, 1-4 p.m. $75 monthly. (805) 4418257. Patricia Martin: Whispering Vista Studios, 224 Squire Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo, patriciamartinartist.com.
MOBILE CLAY CLASSES Offering handbuilding, throwing, and ceramic decorative arts. All ages and abilities are welcome. Call for more info. ongoing (805) 835-5893. hmcruceceramics. com/book-online. SLO County, Various locations countywide, San Luis Obispo.
SATURDAY FAMILY POTTERY CLASS
This family-friendly open studio time is a wonderful window for any level or age. Saturdays, 11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. $40. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, anamcre.com.
SLO COMEDY UNDERGROUND OPEN
MIC NIGHT Enjoy a night of laughs provided by the local SLO Comedy
Community. It’s open mic night, so anyone can perform and “you never know what you’ll see.” Tuesdays, 8 p.m. Free. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 5482337, libertinebrewing.com.
TRISH ANDERSEN Combining fibers gathered from field, sheep, and those developed in a factory, Andersen proves that there is always room for both the vibrant and muted. Through Sept. 14, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 543-8562. sloma. org/exhibition/trish-andersen/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
VIRGINIA MACK: BEGINNING
WATERCOLOR This is a watercolor class designed to let you jump in and try out this engaging medium through experimentation. It’s designed for beginners and those with watercolor experience who wish to expand their knowledge of painting in watercolors. To enroll please contact Mack via email: vbmack@charter.net Mondays, 1:30-3:30 p.m. $35. (805) 747-4200. artcentralslo. com/workshops-events/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
WHITNEY PINTELLO: SOLO SHOW On display now through mid-April. ongoing slogallery.com/. SLO Gallery, 1023 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
WILDLIFE & EQUESTRIAN PHOTO
EXHIBIT The Photo Shop of SLO welcomes acclaimed wildlife and equestrian photographer Deborah Hofstetter with a display of recent captures that will capture your hearts imagination. Through Sept. 14, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 476-8032. The Photo Shop, 1027 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo.
SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY
DANCE FITNESS ART AND CULTURE FOR ADULTS Discover dance as a form of artistic expression and exercise, using a wide range of styles and genres of music (including modern, jazz, Broadway, ethnic). Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m. $10 drop-in; $30 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.
—Angie Stevens
PHOTO COURTESY OF ROTARY LOS OSOS
GREAT AMERICAN MELODRAMA:
50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECTACULAR
Full of songs, dance, and comedy to celebrate the milestone, with loads of opportunities to boo and cheer. Through Sept. 20 americanmelodrama.com. Great American Melodrama, 1863 Front St., Oceano.
WORKSHOPS AND MORE AT THE LAVRA Check the venue’s calendar for storytelling workshops, lectures, movie nights, and discussions held on a periodic basis. ongoing thelavra.org/ home. The Lavra, 2070 E. Deer Canyon Road, Arroyo Grande.
SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS
THE CEMETERY CLUB This comedy follows a group of widows who visit their husbands’ graves monthly until one day they meet a handsome widower at the cemetery. Fridays, Saturdays, 7-9:15 p.m. and Sundays, 4-6:15 p.m. through Aug. 31 $20. (805) 268-5969. orcuttcommunitytheater.com. Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt.
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY
SONGS FOR NOBODIES An unforgettable one-woman tour-de-force that celebrates the universal truth that everybody has a story—and a song—worth hearing. Thursdays-Sundays, 8-10 p.m. through Sept. 7 Starting at $25. (805)922-8313. pcpa.org/events/songs-for-nobodiessolvang. Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang.
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY
32ND ANNUAL CUHS AFS-PINEDORADO
5K FUN RUN Enjoy this family-friendly fun run. Proceeds provide scholarships to students planning to study abroad with AFS and support for sports teams. Aug. 30, 7-9:30 a.m. $25 entry fee; $15 t-shirts. (805) 801-1132. coastusd.org. Coast Union High School, 2950 Santa Rosa Creek Rd., Cambria.
BREATHE AND STRETCH One must be able to get down onto the floor and back up again, with ease, in order to participate in this 55-minute session. It’s specifically designed to enhance mobility
and strength. Please bring a mat and some water. Mondays, 9-10 a.m. $10 per session. (415) 516-5214. Bayside Martial Arts, 1200 2nd St., Los Osos.
CAMBRIA FILM FESTIVAL SPECIAL EVENT - “VOICES THROUGH TIME”
- A HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
CELEBRATION Join the Cambria Film Festival in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a special screening of four films from the “Voices Through Time” block featured in our 2025 festival. In addition to the film screening, there will be a special exhibit featuring the works of celebrated campesino artist, Ruben A. Sanchez. Ruben and his art are featured in the film, The Eye Begins in the Hand Sept. 6 7 p.m. $23.27-$28.62. my805tix. com. Cambria Center for the Arts Theatre, 1350 Main St., Cambria.
CENTRAL COAST SLIM DOWN Take control of food without suffering. Learn a step-by-step process to take control of overeating, cravings, and feel peace with food. Build the habits, mindset, and your unique path with results that stick. Hosted byTami Cruz (Certified Health/Life Coach) and Dana Charvet (Coach/Fitness Trainer). ongoing Call for pricing info. (805) 235-7978. gratefulbodyhealthcoaching.com. Grateful Body, 850 Shasta, Morro Bay.
CENTRAL COAST UECHI-RYU KARATEDO Uechi-Ryu Karate-do is a traditional form of karate originating from Okinawa, Japan. Focus is on fitness, flexibility, and self-defense with emphasis on self -growth, humility, and respect. Open to ages 13 to adult. Beginners and experienced welcome. Instructor with 50 years experience. For info, call 805-215-8806. Tuesdays, Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m. Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way, Morro Bay, 772-6278, morro-bay.ca.us.
CO-DEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS MEETING Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) is a Twelve Step recovery program for anyone who desires to have healthy and loving relationships with themselves and others. Meeting is hybrid (both in person and on Zoom). For information, call 805-900-5237. Saturdays, 1-2:15 p.m. Free. thecambriaconnection.org/. Cambria Connection, 1069 Main St., Cambria, (805) 927-1654.
EMBODIED YOGA ON THE CENTRAL COAST Take part in this 1.5 hour class, guided by Dawn Feuerberg, certified classical ashtanga yoga, tantra meditation guide and founder of Aurora
HISPANIC HERITAGE
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the Cambria Film Festival during its special event, Voices Through Time, on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. at the Cambria Center for the Arts Theatre. Four films will be screened: El Ojo Comienza En La Mano (The Eye Begins in the Hand), The Unbroken Sky, Edel Rodriguez: Freedom is a Verb, and Limite. Along with the screenings, a special exhibit will feature the works of celebrated campesino artist Ruben A. Sanchez, whose art is featured in the film The Eye Begins in the Hand. For tickets, which are $28.62, and more information, head to my805tix.com.
—A.S.
Adventures, LLC. You’ll be guided into a nourishing warm up that will prepare you for the standing postures; the vinyasa flow will include sun salutations and a sequence that will help you move at your own rhythm and listen to your own body’s needs. Aug. 30, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. my805tix.com. Aurora Sacred Events, 21 24th St, Cayucos.
LOS OSOS FAMILY FUN FAIR This free, multigenerational celebration features activities, games, and entertainment for all ages. Kids can win tickets redeemable for face painting, prizes, or hot dog meals. Sept. 7 12-4 p.m. Free. portal.clubrunner. ca/2838. South Bay Community Center, 2180 Palisades Ave., Los Osos.
MAIDEN TO CRONE SISTER CIRCLE
Connect deeply with other women. Sharing the things that are close to our hearts creates a space of shared vulnerability that leads to deep connection. First Sunday of every month, 9-11 a.m. my805tix.com. From the Roots Up Healing Studio, 2055 9th St., Los Osos.
ROOT CHAKRA SOUND JOURNEY / LOS OSOS Join for a journey toward wholeness, vitality, and deep inner peace.
This 8-week Chakra Flow Sound Journey Series invites you to explore these inner landscapes, one by one — from root to crown and beyond — through simple, integrative practices. This series takes place every 1st and 3rd Tuesday, September through December. In this first class we focus on the Root Chakra, also known as Muladhara. More info is available at the link. Sept. 2 , 6:30-8:30 p.m. $25.41 - $28.62. my805tix.com.
Central Coast Body Therapy Center, 2005 9th St., Los Osos, (805) 709-2227.
SHAMANIC MORNING RITUALS FOR VITALITY Dawn will guide you into intentional movement to awaken vital energy that rejuvenates and transforms. The class will help you to connect with your energy centers (chakras) in the body by doing earthing practices to clear the mind & the somatic body of any holding patterns. Dawn will introduce the 4 elements of these empowering shamanic morning rituals in a relaxed and open atmosphere for all so that it can be used as a framework for practical and empowered life change. More info at the link. Aug. 29 8:30-9:45 a.m. $48.98. my805tix.com. Aurora Sacred Events, 21 24th St, Cayucos.
SOCRATES DISCUSSION GROUP Have a topic, book, or article you wish to discuss with interested and interesting people? Join this weekly meeting to discuss it, or simply contribute your experiences and knowledge.
Contact Mark Plater for instructions on entering the Chapel area. Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-noon (805) 528-7111. Coalesce Garden Chapel, 845 Main St., Morro Bay.
WATERFRONT MARKET MORRO BAY
LABOR DAY WEEKEND EVENT Don’t roast! Enjoy this three-day event that will feature over 30 local hand crafters from the central coast. Aug. 30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Aug. 31 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sept. 1 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (805) 402-9437. Giovanni’s Fish Market, 1001 Front St., Morro Bay.
NORTH SLO COUNTY
BALANCE FLOW Suitable for all levels. This class is meant to benefit the mindbody connection while emphasizing safe and effective alignment as well as breath awareness and relaxation. Please call to register in advance. Tuesdays, Thursdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. $16-$22; $50 membership. (805) 434-9605. ttrtennis.com/fitness/ yoga/. Templeton Tennis Ranch, 345 Championship Lane, Templeton.
CRAFTING SELF CARE SERIES:
RITUALS FOR RADIANCE This three-part series offers a chance to slow down, reconnect, and explore intentional beauty rituals with herbalist and holistic esthetician Rodi Bragg. Through handson projects and thoughtful conversation, you’ll discover the connection between skin health, plant energetics, and everyday natural self-care. Class 1 will be DIY Skincare Rituals, Class 2 will be Intro to Natural Perfumery, and the third class will be Postpartum Skin & Hair. Aug. 28 6-7:30 p.m. and Sept. 4 6-7:30 p.m. $60 per class, $150 for full series. (805) 4642175. greenomenapothecary.com. The Green Omen Apothecary and Tea Lounge, 6280 Palma Ave., Atascadero.
GODDESS GROUP Please join Oracle Owner/Intuitive Medium, Tiffany Klemz, for this twice monthly, Goddess Group. The intention of this group is to curate connection, inspiration, unity, and empowerment. Every other Tuesday, 6:30-8 p.m. $11. (805) 464-2838. oracleatascaderoca.com. Oracle, 6280 Palma Ave., Atascadero.
HAMBLY LAVENDER FARM GUIDED EXPERIENCE This one-hour walk about the farm immerses you in the processes of growing, harvesting, and drying this fragrant herb. Saturdays, Sundays, 10 a.m.
my805tix.com. Hambly Farms, 1390 Grana Place, San Miguel.
LABOR DAY WEEKEND WAREHOUSE
SALE Help us clear out the warehouse during our biggest sale of the year! Shop past vintages, stock up on favorites, and save big. Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Aug. 30, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Aug. 31 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sept. 1 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (805) 721-4553. vinarobles.com/events. Vina Robles Tasting Room, 1650 Ramada Dr, Ste 140, Paso Robles.
MUSIC ON THE PORCH August 30 is International Play Music On the Porch. Head to the Veterans Memorial Building in Paso Robles to enjoy music, tacos, and beverages. Bring instruments, money, and a chair. Aug. 30, 2-5 p.m. -(805) 7126113. Veterans Building Paso Robles, 240 Scott St, Paso Robles.
SAN LUIS OBISPO
ARTIFICIAL IMAGINATION: A HANDSON AI CREATIVITY WORKSHOP - JOSH KNOX No prior experience with technology or the arts is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to explore. By the end of the course, we’ll each have created a personal piece of multimedia art and gained practical experience using AI as a creative partner. Participants should bring their own laptops to fully participate. Sept. 5 , 1-3 p.m. $24. my805tix.com. Oddfellows Hall, 520 Dana Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 544-0876. A BENEFIT CONCERT TO SAVE MORRO ELEMENTARY WITH CONDUCTOR KENT
NAGANO Save Morro Elementary and join this benefit concert with Conductor Kent Nagano. For a pair of VIP seats in the premiere rows, reach out to friendsofmorroelementary.org. Aug. 31 , 3 p.m. $85. (805) 546-3198. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.
CENTRAL COAST DIALYSIS ORGAN TRANSPLANT SUPPORT GROUP Not faith based. All are welcome. Please wear a mask. First Saturday of every month, 9:3011:30 a.m. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church SLO, 650 Pismo St., San Luis Obispo. COMMUNITY FARM TOUR Join at the farm on the first Saturday of each month and get a public tour of the regenerative farm! First Saturday of every month, 9:30-11 a.m. through Dec. 6 (805) 7698344. cityfarmslo.org/community-tours. City Farm SLO, 1221 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo.
Featuring: Dave Becker, Bob Bennet, Ken Hustad, Ron McCarley, Ana Nelson, Marshall Otwell, Inga Swearingen, George Stone, & Darrell Voss!
Alligators
SATURDAY, AUGUST
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
FELINE NETWORK ADOPT A KITTEN EVENT! Join the Adopt a Kitten Event at PetsMart in SLO. Come see our beautiful kittens for adoption; all are fixed, vaccinated, and microchipped. Aug. 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (805) 540-0006. felinenetwork.org. PetSmart, 1530 Froom Ranch Way, San Luis Obispo.
FIGHT NIGHT VIII - PRESENTED BY BEATDOWN PROMOTIONS Enjoy an unforgettable evening, featuring fighters battling it out in the octagon. Watch top-tier athletes showcase their skills, strength, and strategy in an action-packed lineup of bouts. Enjoy the ultimate fight night experience with VIP tickets, including premium seating, exclusive access, and complimentary refreshments. This event is proudly supported by local businesses, ensuring a community-centric atmosphere that everyone will enjoy. Tickets and more info can be found at the link. Aug. 29 5 p.m. $39.34-$71.47. my805tix.com. Madonna Expo Center, 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo.
FREE PET VACCINE CLINICS With the support of Petco Love, Woods is providing free vaccines for cats and dogs during vaccine clinics in August and September! Sept. 6 , 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. (805) 5439316. woodshumanesociety.org/spayneuter/. Woods Humane Society, 875 Oklahoma Ave., San Luis Obispo.
FREE QPR SUICIDE PREVENTION
TRAINING Learn to question, persuade, and refer—three steps that can save a life. Free virtual training for parents, educators, and community members. Registration required. Sept. 6 , 8:30-10:30 a.m. Free. (805) 770-1593. youthwell. org/mental-health-first-aid. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
FREE TOURS OF THE MISSION Tour San Luis Obispo’s Spanish Mission, founded in 1772. Come learn its history and about the development of this area. Tours, led by docents, are free at 1:15 p.m Monday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Sundays, 2-2:30 p.m., MondaysSaturdays, 1:15-2:15 p.m. and ThursdaysSaturdays, 11 a.m. through Sept. 1 Free. (657) 465-9182. missionsanluisobispo. org. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, 751 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
FREE VIRTUAL QPR SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING For participants to learn about community resources in Santa Barbara County and be able to recognize the warning signs of suicide for parents and adults (ages 18 and over) who work or live with youth between ages of 12-18. Offered in partnership with Family Services Agency of Santa Barbara and thanks to a grant from SAMHSA. Sept. 6 , 10 a.m.-noon Free. (805) 7701593. youthwell.org/mental-health-firstaid. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
GARDEN FOUNDER WALK AND TALK Walk and talk with Eve Vigil in the Botanical Garden each month on the first Wednesday. Free garden tour with paid admission to the Garden. Free for
members. No need to RSVP, just show up and enjoy. First Wednesday of every month, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free with $5 Garden Entry. (805) 541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.
INTERNATIONAL AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR SIGNS NEW YA THRILLER
AT BARNES & NOBLE Wendelin Van Draanen (SAMMY KEYES mysteries, the book-to-movie sensation FLIPPED) signs The Steps , a page-turner described as “Karen McManus meets The Queen’s Gambit.” Sept. 7, 1-2:30 p.m. Free. (805) 781-8334. Barnes and Noble, 894 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo.
SLO OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY
This free event brings our community together to learn more about overdose, how to prevent it, and to remember those we’ve lost. Aug. 30, 12-3 p.m. Free. sloendoverdose.org/. Mitchell Park, 1445 Santa Rosa St., San Luis Obispo.
SLO PHILATELIC SOCIETY The SLO Philatelic Society (SLOPS) meets at the SLO Senior Center on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Visitors are welcome. First Tuesday of every month, 1-3 p.m. SLO Senior Center, 1445 Santa Rosa St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 5409484, slocity.org/seniors.
SLO SKIERS MONTHLY MEETING SLO
Skiers, a local, non-profit sports & social club for adults, holds monthly meetings. Join the social hour with food and drink, starting at 5:30 p.m. First Tuesday of every month, 6:30-7:30 p.m. through Dec. 2 Free; Annual Membership $65.. (805) 528-3194. SLO Skiers, a sports and social club for adults, will host its monthly meeting, preceded by a social hour with food and drink. First Tuesday of every month, 6:30-7:30 p.m. through Dec. 2 Free; yearly membership $65. (805) 5283194. sloskiers.org. Milestone Tavern, 972 Foothill Blvd., San Luis Obispo.
TRICKZONE CLINIC: PARKOUR, TUMBLING, TRAMPOLINE It’s Trickzone time! Your kids can enjoy a 2-hour combo of tumbling and parkour, taking them from timid to triumphant. All levels are welcome, ages 5 to 17 years. Sept. 6, 1-3 p.m. $25/ 1st child, +$10 per additional sibling.. (805) 547-1496. performanceathleticsslo.com/ saturday-event-clinics. Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY
BEGINNING BALLET FOR ADULTS Enjoy the grace and flow of ballet. No previous experience needed. Wednesdays, 5:156:15 p.m. $12 drop-in; $40 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.
BODY FUSION/EXERCISE AND FITNESS
CLASS Do something good for yourself and stay fit for outdoor sports, while enhancing flexibility, strengthening your core to prevent lower back issues, improving your posture through yoga, and more. Tuesdays, Thursdays, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. (970) 710-1412. Avila Beach
event information to events@newtimesslo.com or submit online.
Community Center, 191 San Miguel St., Avila Beach, avilabeachcc.com.
BOOK SIGNING WITH BESTSELLING
AUTHOR WENDELIN VAN DRAANEN
Award-winning and bestselling author Wendelin Van Draanen will discuss and sign her latest YA thriller, The Steps! Reserve your copy at the link. Sept. 6 Free. (805) 668-6300. monarchbooks805. com/events. Monarch Books, 201 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande.
COMMUNITY NATIVE GARDEN
MONTHLY VOLUNTEER WORKDAY
Volunteers accomplish a variety of tasks including pathways maintenance, litter patrol of the garden perimeter, weeding, irrigation system expansion/repairs, pruning, and plantings. Volunteers should bring work gloves, a hat, drinking water, and tools related to the above activities.
First Saturday of every month, 9 a.m.-noon Free. (805) 710-3073. Nipomo Native Garden, Camino Caballo at Osage, Nipomo.
MULTICULTURAL DANCE CLASS
FOR ADULTS Experience dance from continents around the earth, including from Africa, Europe, and more. Described as “a wonderful in-depth look at the context and history of cultures of the world.” Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. $10 drop-in; $30 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.
POINT SAN LUIS LIGHTHOUSE TOURS
A docent-led tour of the buildings and grounds of the historic Point San Luis Light Station. Check website for more details. Wednesdays, Saturdays pointsanluislighthouse.org/. Point San Luis Lighthouse, 1 Lighthouse Rd., Avila Beach.
SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS
CIRQUE ITALIA IS NOW PRESENTING: “PARANORMAL CIRQUE!” Paranormal Cirque will expose you to a unique creation of combined theatre, circus, and cabaret with a new European style flare. A careful casting selection has united the best artists from all over the world. Sept. 5 , 7:30 p.m., Sept. 6 , 6:30-9:30 p.m. and Sept. 7 5:30-8:30 p.m. $20. (941) 704-8572. paranormalcirque.com/. Santa Maria Fairpark, 937 S. Thornburg St., Santa Maria.
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FARM DAY
STREET FAIR Visitors can check out booths from SEEAG, local businesses and food vendors, and take home free produce, as part of the Santa Barbara County Farm Day. Sept. 6 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. (805) 8928155. sbcfarmday.org. Bonipak Produce, 1850 West Stowell Rd., Santa Maria.
HOT DATES continued page 18
WELCOME TO THE SOUNDTRACK OF FREEDOM
FRIDAY,
TICKETS START AT $49
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 / 8PM TICKETS START AT $20
FRIDAY,
A1 COMBAT MMA
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4 / 6PM TICKETS START AT $55
FOOD & DRINK
NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY
HARVEST TEA PARTY ON THE BAY - FUNDRAISER Join the South Bay Women’s Network on Sunday for a delightful gathering of friends, high tea, and refreshments. Put on your fanciest hats and Sunday best to enjoy tea and savory treats at The Savory Palette. The High Tea Menu features tea sandwiches, salad, and desserts, along with assorted teas, tea party-themed games, fancy hat contest, and prizes. Sept. 7, 3-5 p.m. $66.12. my805tix.com. The Savory Palette (formerly Morro Bay Wine Seller), 601 Embarcadero, Morro Bay.
MORRO BAY MAIN STREET FARMERS MARKET Get fresh and veggies, fruit, baked goods, sweets, and handmade artisan crafts. Come have some fun with your local farmers and artisans and enjoy delicious eats while enjoying the fresh breeze of Morro Bay. Saturdays, 2:30-5:30 p.m. Varies. (805) 824-7383. morrobayfarmersmarket.com. Morro Bay Main Street Farmers Market, Main Street and Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay.
WINEMAKER’S DINNER FEAT. BODEGA DE EDGAR Join in welcoming Bodega de Edgar for a signature wine dinner event! Enjoy a fine five-course meal accompanied by handselected Bodega de Edgar wines! Sept. 7 5:30-8 p.m. $130. (805) 927-4200. cambriapineslodge.com. Cambria Pines Lodge, 2905 Burton Dr., Cambria.
NORTH SLO COUNTY CLUB CAR BAR TRIVIA WITH DR. RICKY Teams of one to six people welcome. Visit site for more info. Wednesdays, 7-10 p.m. my805tix.com. Club Car Bar, 508 S. Main St., Templeton. SUMMER SERIES HAPPY HOURS This three-part series includes “Caviar & Austin Hope Wine Tasting” on Thursday, “Oyster Fest at Hope on Park: Oysters + Austin Hope Wines” on Saturday, and “Deconstructing Cabernet Sauvignon – A Paso Robles Exploration” on Monday. Get tickets and more info about the events at the link! Aug. 29 5:30-7 p.m. $35-$45. my805tix.com. Hope on Park Creative Space, 1140 Pine Street, Paso Robles.
TACO TUESDAYS La Parilla Taqueria will be in the courtyard serving up their delicious tacos and tostadas. Menu typically includes barbacoa, chicken, and pastor tacos, as well as shrimp ceviche tostadas. Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m. (805) 460-6042. ancientowlbeergarden.com. Ancient Owl Beer Garden, 6090 El Camino Real, suite C, Atascadero.
TASTE OF TIN CITY WALKING TOUR Enjoy the first ever walking tour of Tin City – an industrial area just outside of downtown Paso Robles – that is home to a community of innovative and passionate producers of high-quality wines, spirits, beer, and more. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $125. (805) 400-3141. toasttours.com/tour/tin-city-walking-tour/. Toast Tours, 1722 Stillwater Ct, Paso Robles.
SAN LUIS OBISPO
DOWNTOWN SLO FARMERS MARKET Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. Downtown SLO, Multiple locations, San Luis Obispo. HEAD GAMES TRIVIA NIGHT Live multi-media trivia every Wednesday. Free to play. Win prizes. Teams up to six players. Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. headgamestrivia.com. Antigua Brewing, 1009 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 242-1167.
LUNCHTIME IN THE GARDEN The UC Master Gardener SLO demo garden is open to the public. Bring your lunch, tour the garden, and ask questions. See what’s in bloom. First Wednesday of every month, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. through Sept. 3 Free. (805) 781-5939. ucanr.edu/sites/mgslo/. Garden of the Seven Sisters Demonstration Garden, 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo.
PIÑATAS ON THE PATIO What is more festive than a piñata? Join for some brunch drinks and a couple of good hits to a piñata (or two). Good times and goofy prices promised. Turns will be determined on a first come, first served basis. First Sunday of every month Free. SLO Public Market, South Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo. SLO FARMERS MARKET Hosts more than 60 vendors. Saturdays, 8-10:45 a.m. World Market Parking Lot, 325 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT PUB TRIVIA Bring your thinking cap as questions vary from pop culture, geography, to sports. There is a little for everyone. Prizes for the winning teams. Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. (805) 439-2529. Oak and Otter Brewing, 181 Tank Farm
Arts
The maestro keeps the baton
Festival Mozaic announced that it has extended Music Director Scott Yoo’s contract through 2030. Yoo joined the festival in 2005, and according to the announcement, he “has transformed the summer festival into a nationally recognized destination for classical music, celebrated for its world-class performances, adventurous programming, and intimate audience experiences in stunning venues across San Luis Obispo County.”
Festival Mozaic board of directors President Jeri Corgill added, “Scott Yoo is a singular talent and visionary. His artistry, leadership, and devotion to this community are unparalleled. We are thrilled to continue this journey with him as we look ahead to his 25th season in 2030.” Yoo, who was born in Tokyo but raised in Connecticut, is also the host and executive producer of the PBS program Now Hear This
He began studying violin at age 3 and performed the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the Boston Symphony when he was just 12.
“I’m honored to continue my work with the extraordinary musicians, staff, and supporters of Festival Mozaic,” Yoo, 54, said.
“Together, we’ve built something meaningful and joyful, an artistic home where musicians and audiences come together in celebration of great music.”
Art for Carrizo restoration
In July, SLO County experienced the Madre Fire that burned more than 80,000 acres and swept through a large portion of the Carrizo Plain National Monument, damaging its sensitive ecosystems. According to the Carrizo Plain Conservancy, “Damage to the area is still being assessed, but large-scale restoration efforts will be needed over much of the area.”
Carrizo Plains is California’s largest remaining single native grassland and is known for its colorful seasonal display of wildflowers as well as the Native American pictographs of Painted Rock. It’s home to 13 endangered species including the pronghorn antelope, San Joaquin kit fox, and the giant kangaroo rat.
Now the San Luis Obispo Painters for the Environment (SLOPE), The Oak Group of Santa Barbara, and others are partnering with Carrizo Plain Conservancy to present Art for Carrizo, an online sale of landscape paintings of the Carrizo Plain with 50 percent of the proceeds benefitting the Carrizo Plain Conservancy. Visit artforcarrizo.com to see the work.
“Enjoy browsing through the artwork, and when you make your purchases, know that you are also supporting environmental restoration efforts in the Carrizo Plain National Monument,” organizers announced. “Artists include Chris Chapman, Dennis Curry, Jan French, Dotty Hawthorne, Sandi Heller, John Iwerks, Anne Laddon, Laurel Sherrie, and Gisele D. Thompson.” ∆ Glen Starkey
BY GLEN STARKEY
Something for everyone
Cal Poly Arts delivers an eclectic 2025-26 season
Want some laughs? How about something for the kids? Broadway shows? Incredible music from around the world?
Christmas fun? Dance? Cirque performance? Heck, how about some Morgan Freeman action? Cal Poly Arts has all that and more in its upcoming season.
Cal Poly Arts, which presents many of its performers at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo (PAC), has been programed by Molly Clark since she took over the directorship in the 2022-23 season.
“My guiding principle in creating a season is that we want to have real diversity in the voices that are being represented, the genres that are being represented, the stories that are being told in an e ort to welcome as many people into the program as possible,” she explained. “I say this often, but it’s true. When I’m thinking about our season brochure, I don’t expect that any person in our county is going to look through and say, ‘I want to go to everything in this season.’ But my hope is that there’s enough variety and thoughtful programming that nearly every person in our county can nd at least one event that would interest them.”
e program truly o ers something for everyone, and you can nd a complete listing of events at calpolyarts.org.
Clark’s origin
Clark has been working in arts administration for nearly two decades with organizations such as the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory and UC San Diego where she was artistic director of their presenting arts program, ArtPower.
“When this opportunity came up at Cal Poly, I jumped on it,” she said. “I just thought it was a unique opportunity to usher Cal Poly Arts into the next generation. e College of Liberal Arts had been looking to diversify the program, welcome new audiences in, and that was exciting for me. It’s a challenge, for sure. But I’m passionate about this career and the arts—particularly music has always been a big piece of my life. I’m just so fortunate to be able to do this for a living, and to be able to do it here in our beautiful little bubble.”
See the program, buy your tickets
Cal Poly Arts presents its diverse 2025-26 season with events beginning Sept. 6, 2025, and running through May 28, 2026, in various venues such as the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo, Spanos Theatre, and Sensorio Paso Robles. Visit calpolyarts.org to see this year’s programming.
If this year’s season seems bigger than ever, it is. “ at was intentional, too, because it’s the 40th anniversary season,” Clark noted. “I started right as we were reopening from COVID shutdowns, so we had this huge program the rst year I was here.”
A lot of it was rebooked shows that had been canceled. Clark used the next season to scale back a bit and regroup.
“With the 40th anniversary, we felt like we needed to celebrate, so it’s a little bit bigger. We have more of a footprint with the Broadway series. Most of those titles have two-night runs, but we also wanted to make some splashes with it too, like having Morgan Freeman.”
Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience is scheduled for Nov. 16 at the PAC. It’s also worth noting that the Broadway shows are very expensive to book. According to Cal Poly Arts board President Mary Kay Harrington, even when they sell out, they’re money losers, which is why they now have a two-day run.
“ at way they cut a little bit of the cost because they don’t have to set up twice,” Harrington noted. Kinky Boots runs Dec. 1 and 2, e Choir of Man runs Jan. 9 and 10, and e Book of Morman runs on March 3 and 4.
Cal Poly Arts?
The PAC?
“Cal Poly Arts is a unit of the College of Liberal Arts at Cal Poly,” Clark explained.
“We’re speci cally focused on the programming, the residencies of artists, and the mostly international touring artists that we bring into the PACSLO, which is the venue. We rent the PACSLO just like any other organization does. We are separate organizations, just like how the SLO Symphony rents and pays for the use of the venue and all the tech and labor. We do the same thing.”
e Foundation for the Performing Arts Center is the entity that maintains and rents the venue, and they’re unconnected to Cal Poly Arts, which started 40 years ago. e PAC opened its doors in 1996. It exists thanks to a partnership between the city of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly, and private fundraising. e 1,280-seat venue is more than double the capacity of the 480-seat Spanos eatre, which is still used regularly for smaller shows.
“With the construction of PACSLO, that allowed Cal Poly Arts to really expand its programming beyond what it could do in the Spanos eater,” Clark explained. “I feel super fortunate to have a venue like that in our small market. It is not typical for a city of this size to have a venue that large and with those sorts of technical capabilities, and so from my standpoint, it’s a huge opportunity for us.”
Be part of the arts
“We try to strike a balance between artists who are known, and may have some household name quality, but also we’re really excited to be able to introduce artists to our community who are making their debuts [here],” Clark said. “ ey may be new to our community, but [they’re] very, very much established in their particular genres and disciplines.
“I would really encourage folks to—yes—go see your favorite artist, go see the artists that you’ve been listening to forever,” Clark continued. “Go see Patti LuPone, who’s a Broadway icon, but also push yourself to discover someone new, because I really feel that those are some of the richest experiences that we have. ere’s nothing like experiencing live performing arts. Without sounding too cheesy, I do feel like the arts are a vehicle for healing, and when we’re sitting in spaces, experiencing something beautiful or even tough, next to strangers, and being able to nd any sort of union and community in that, it’s really special.” ∆
Contact Arts Editor Glen Starkey at gstarkey@ newtimesslo.com.
HOLIDAZZLE Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter and pianist Ben Folds will present Tis the Season with Ben Folds on Dec. 6, at the PAC.
GOOD DOG (Left to right) Glory Yepassis-Zembrou, Mundo Ballejos, Jake Wernecke, Sadie Jayne Kennedy, Marquise Neal, and Brandon James Butorovich will star in Dog Man—The Musical, on Jan. 17, 2026, at the PAC.
COURTESY PHOTO BY JEREMY DANIEL
THE WOMAN WITH THE PLAN Cal Poly Arts Director Molly Clark is behind the diverse programing offered though the university’s College of Liberal Arts.
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Honey do!
Co-writer and director Ethan Coen has reteamed with co-writer Tricia Cooke (Drive-Away Dolls) on this second installment of their planned “lesbian B-movie trilogy.” is time around, the neo-noir comedy focuses on small-town private investigator Honey O’Donahue (Margaret Qualley), who investigates strange deaths and becomes entangled with a religious cult led by Rev. Drew Devlin (Chris Evans). (88 min.)
HONEY DON’T!
What’s it rated? R
What’s it worth, Anna? Full price
What’s it worth, Glen? Full price
Where’s it showing? Bay (Sept. 5 through 10), Palm, Stadium 10
Glen e subtitle for this lm should be Men Behaving Badly, because almost every male character is deeply awed. Devlin’s corruption runs deep, from sexually exploiting his congregation to running drugs out of his church. His Aussie henchman, Shuggie (Josh Pafchek), is as dumb as a bag of hair and unquestioning in his loyalty. Earnest church member, Hector (Jacnier), is a murderous reactionary. Even police Detective Marty Metakawitch (Charlie Day) can’t stop himself from unrelentingly hitting on Honey no matter how many times she tells him, “I like girls.” Mr. Siegfried (Billy Eichner), who comes to Honey to investigate his philandering boyfriend, is a vindictive, simpering tool. e women aren’t much better; though to her credit, Honey tries to do the right thing. She’s a womanizing onenight-stand queen … until she meets police o cer MG Falcone (Aubrey Plaza), who she goes back to for “seconds.” It’s all very titillating and violent and entertaining. Anna Honey and her click-clacking heels is a spellbinder, but luckily this lm isn’t trying to paint anyone in rosy tones. She’s like a beautiful steak served up on a platter, but on closer inspection, there’s a streak of gristle running through. One of the wonderful things about a character like this is their “take me as I am” attitude, and Qualley has a real knack for embodying that cool-guy
SMOKE
What’s it rated? TV-MA
When? 2025
Where’s it showing? Apple TV+
It seems Smoke has taken notes on John Leonard Orr’s journal entries for Apple TV’s new series. Orr is a former arson investigator who was convicted of perpetrating the very fires he was investigating back in the mid ’80s and early ’90s.
Arson investigator Dave Gudsen (Taron
persona. When Honey’s green-lipsticked and bad-boyfriend-having teenage niece, Corinne (Talia Ryder), turns up missing, Honey soon surmises that another recent death may be connected and tied to Devlin’s weird church. Between Drive-Away Dolls and Honey Don’t!, this trilogy is a lot of fun so far. ey even managed to get me with the twist on this one. Let’s hope the next installation proves just as fun as the rst two. Glen Honey is a compelling character, and it’s interesting you describe her “cool-guy persona,” because she embodies what our culture often favors in young men: looks, a knack with the ladies, and an ability to handle herself if violence is required. She’s compelling because she’s also kind and wise. When Mr. Siegfried tries to hire her to investigate his boyfriend, she has sage advice for him, though he doesn’t take it. Likewise, when her estranged father (Kale Browne) turns up to make amends, she doesn’t turn soft. Instead, she handles him like the bully he was to her and her sister, Heidi (Kristen
Egerton) seems to have it all. Part of that “all” is the dream of writing a book, but what we quickly learn is that while Gudsen thinks highly of himself, his prose leaves much to be desired. He’s got a supportive wife, which he doesn’t deserve. He’s got a new partner, Detective Michelle Calderone (Jurnee Smollett), who he’s first cold to and then becomes creepily mesmerized by.
The series doesn’t take long to share with us that Gudsen is an awful, gross dude. The story also follows another arsonist Gudsen’s investigating, Freddy Fasano (Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine), a broken man whose life has been spent in the pile of forgotten toys, his mental health in absolute shambles. With some truly unpleasant characters, this series is propelled by the collective desire to see Gudsen, a man who believes he can outwit them all, go down in flames. (nine 42- to 65-min. episodes) —Anna
DEPT. Q
What’s it rated? TV-MA
When? 2025
Connolly), when they were kids. Honey doesn’t need a man in any capacity. It’s a surprising little ick with the patented Coen kick. I hope Qualley returns as the lead in the next one. She’s loaded with sass. Anna She’s a great lead, and if they snag her for the next lm, it’s sure to be a fun romp. Evans is good too as the smarmy preacher. ere’s no lack of self-indulgence in his personality or his bedroom. One thing I loved about this lm is it doesn’t feel the need to wrap up everything into nice, neat little bows. Some things are left to dangle, others come out of the blue, and with a tight 88-minute runtime, we get just enough to have a good time and avoid boredom creeping in. is is the perfect excuse to head on down for some AC and freshly buttered popcorn. You’ll have a great time with Honey Don’t! ∆
Arts Editor Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Split Screen. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
Where’s it showing? Netflix
Created by Scott Frank and Chandni Lakhani based on Danish writer Jussi AdlerOlsen’s book series, Dept. Q is about law enforcement workers dealing with trauma. At the center is formerly top-rated investigator Carl Morck (Matthew Goode), who was badly injured in a shooting that paralyzed his partner and killed another officer. Known for his abrasive demeanor and superiority complex, when he returns to duty, Morck finds himself relegated to the basement of the precinct and Dept. Q, which
is tasked with investigating unsolved crimes. He finds himself burdened with unwanted co-workers, such as insecure DC Rose Dickson (Leah Byrne), who suffered a breakdown on duty and hopes to prove herself. My favorite character is mysterious ex-Syrian policeman Akram Salim (Alexej Manvelov), who’s hired as a civilian employee. He’s clearly seen some serious action, and watching him become indispensable is fun. The central conceit is that lone wolf Morck thinks he doesn’t need help and believes he knows better than everyone, but it’s always his underdog teammates who deliver the breakthroughs required. The cast shines, and watching broken people bravely carry on and do their jobs inspires and entertains. Season two has been greenlit. Count me in. (10 42-
MISFITS After a bungled shooting, investigator Carl Morck (Matthew Goode,
returns to duty, demoted to leading a cold case team of the unwanted—DC Rose Dickson
and ex-Syrian
WALK TALL Bakersfield private eye Honey Donahue (Margaret Qualley) investigates strange deaths tied to a religious cult, in Honey Don’t!, screening in local theaters.
PYRO Arson investigator Dave Gudsen (Taron Egerton) thinks he’s too smart to get caught, but Columbia Metro Police Department Detective Michelle Calderone (Jurnee Smollett) is out to prove him wrong, in Smoke, streaming on Apple TV+.
PHOTO COURTESY OF APPLE TV+
Music
BY GLEN STARKEY
Chuga-chuga
Old-school Chicago blues trio GA-20 returns to The Siren
On GA-20’s new four-song EP, Volume 2, right from the opening guitar riff of the lead track—a cover of Billy Boy Arnold’s 1966 classic “Cryin’ & Pleadin’”— the band reassures fans that despite their recent personnel changes, the trio remains committed to delivering an authentic, 1950s and ’60s stripped-down Chicago blues sound. Formed in Boston 2018, the band first consisted of lead guitarist Matthew Stubbs, a 16-year veteran of Charlie Musselwhite’s band, singer-guitarist Pat Faherty, and drummer Tim Carman. Right from the get-go, the band seemed like it was firing on all cylinders. Every single got radio play, every album was acclaimed, debuting at either No. 1 or No. 2 on the Billboard Blues Album chart.
Then, surprisingly, Carman left the band in the summer of 2024, replaced by current drummer Josh Kiggans, and then Faherty— who co-wrote some of the band’s original songs with Stubbs—left too. What happened?
“It was just artistic differences,” Stubbs said during a recent phone call. “All those records did really well. When I started the band, I produced all that stuff. Pat left in December 2024, and the new singer-guitar player is Cody Nilsen, and he came right aboard right after we announced Pat was leaving.”
Despite swapping out two-thirds of the band, GA-20’s signature sound remains, and the news songs I’ve heard—the other three tracks on Volume 2—sound consistent with the band’s earlier material—gritty, guitardriven blues with emotive singing.
“When it was clear there was going to be some changes and Pat was leaving, Cody was the obvious choice,” Stubbs said. “I had moved from Boston to Providence, Rhode Island, a few years ago, and it just so happened [Nilsen] moved there as well, so he’s actually a neighbor. He lives like 2 miles from me, which is kind of a wild coincidence. We just started right away writing, rehearsing. I mean, we’re still [playing] the whole catalog, all the GA-20 stuff. You know, we’ve got four records out, so we’re doing all that [earlier] stuff, plus a bunch of new stuff.
Live Music
NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY
BLUES AGENDA JAM AND SHOWCASE
A rockin’ blues dance party at Niffy’s Merrimaker every first, third, and now fifth Wednesdays. The Blues Asylum house band welcomes local, visiting, and newcomers to the blues groove. Spirits, beer, and wine, with outside food welcome. Every other Wednesday, 7-10 p.m. Free. (805) 235-5223. The Merrimaker Tavern, 1301 2nd Street, Los Osos.
BRASS MASH – A BIG ASS BRASS
PARTY BASH The powerhouse horn band Brass Mash is set to perform all of your favorite tunes, spanning from the 1960s to today. You’ll be guessing all of our throwbacks, super jams and power ballads with your nearby strangers. Get tickets and more info at the link. Aug. 30 7:30-10:30 p.m. $18.48. thesirenmorrobay. com. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312.
And we have two albums that are done, and they’ll be coming out over the next year, year and half.”
Did you hear that? After being together less than eight months, the new lineup already released the new EP and recorded two albums’ worth of new material. And according to Stubbs, Nilsen and Kiggans have the band’s earlier material down pat.
“It was seamless,” Stubbs said of the transition. “Cody’s a great singer. He’s got his own voice. But it’s definitely still on-brand with the GA-20 concept.”
Kiggans played half of 2024 with GA-20, and he was familiar with Nilsen because they’d been in a band together for seven years. It was like the new lineup was meant to be.
“They have a long relationship of playing and recording music together,” Stubbs said of his new members, and he also noted that all three of them were now writing new songs collaboratively.
“Pat was a little bit more of a separate approach,” Stubbs said. “I would write a riff or progression or come up with a line, you know? I’m not a big lyricist, but I’d come up with a line or a concept, and we would just kind of send things back and forth. With Cody and Josh, it’s a group. We’ll demo things together and then hash it out together. It’s much more of an in-person songwriting approach for the three of us.”
Even GA-20’s recording process is traditional and collaborative. They go into a studio, set up live in a room, and let it rip.
“We’re trying to capture live performances like they did on the records we love,” Stubbs explained, “all these great blues and R&B records. We’re just trying to make records that we would want to listen to, and that’s how I approach it as a producer.”
Even the band’s name, GA-20, signals their commitment to authenticity. It refers to Gibson’s classic GA-20 tube amp produced from 1950 to 1961—a favorite of many Chicago blues guitarists.
“In the studio, we use pretty much exclusively vintage, small amps from the ’50s and the ’60s and vintage guitars,” Stubbs noted. “On the road, it’s kind of a mix. We were using vintage GA-20s up until this tour, but we just teamed up with an amp builder
DARING GREATLY – A FREE ROCK SHOW
Daring Greatly is a band that defies easy categorization. Their unique blend of rock and country influences has crafted a sound that’s both familiar and fresh, sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who hears it. Hear them live at The Siren! Aug. 29 7:30-10:30 p.m. Free. thesirenmorrobay.com/event/daringgreat-a-free-rock-show/. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312.
FRIDAY TWILIGHT CONCERTS Enjoy live music and food truck fare on Harmony Cellars’ hilltop patio every Friday this summer! This is a ticketed event. Fridays, 5:15-7:15 p.m. through Sept. 12 $25/pp, $20/club. (805) 927-1625. harmonycellars. com/. Harmony Cellars, 3255 Harmony Valley Rd., P.O. Box 2502, Harmony.
JAZZ AT MOONSTONE CELLARS WITH SUNNY AWRIGHT, JAKE ODELL, AND OZ BARRON Hear Jazz at Moonstone Cellars
out of Nashville called West Side Amp, so he designed an amp to our exact specs of what we would want. It’s based on an old Fender Tweed Deluxe Amp from the ’50s.”
This week, Good Medicine, Numbskull, and KCBX present GA20 at The Siren on Wednesday, Sept. 3 (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $21.84 at goodmedicinepresents.com), with Savannah Pope opening.
“I hope people come out and see the band, see the new lineup,” Stubbs said. “We’re blues, but it’s definitely a highenergy, uplifting show. This is our—I think—third time at The Siren. Last time we were there with Duane Betts as a co-bill and it was packed. It was a great night, so we’re looking forward to coming back.”
Also at The Siren … Country and rock act Daring Greatly plays on Friday, Aug. 29 (7:30 p.m.; 21-andolder; free). They were the 2023 San Diego Music Awards Song of the Year winner for “Never A Goodbye,” along with nominations for Best Rock Artist and Best Rock Album for Gird Valley
R&B act The Sinners plays a matinee show on Saturday, Aug. 30 (2 to 5 p.m.; 21-andolder; free). The band describes its sound as “a finely mixed cocktail [with] swirls [of] rhythm and blues, a sprinkle of rock, and down and dirty stories to create a smooth,
danceable concoction.”
Powerhouse horn band Brass Mash plays later that night on Saturday, Aug. 30 (7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; $18.48 at tixr.com). They’ll perform “all of your favorite tunes from the 1960s to today. You’ll be guessing all of our throwbacks, super jams, and power ballads with your nearby strangers.” The band’s arrangements mix unlikely combos like Britney Spears and Black Sabbath, Lorde and Dr. Dre, and Daft Punk and ZZ Top.
with Oz Barron, Sunny Wright, and Jake Odell. Enjoy beautiful wine, music, and friends this Sunday Funday in Cambria! Sept. 7 2-4 p.m. Free. (805) 927-9466. moonstonecellars.com/. Moonstone Cellars, 812 Cornwall St, Cambria. OPEN MIC NIGHT Each Wednesday, enjoy this Open Mic Night in the downstairs dining area. Grab some friends and show off your talents. Food and drink service will be available. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. Free. (805) 995-3883. schoonerscayucos.com. Schooners, 171 North Ocean Ave, Cayucos. THE SINNERS (FREE AFTERNOON SHOW) Head the 6-piece band swirls rhythm and blues during their live performance at The Siren. Aug. 30 2-5 p.m. Free. thesirenmorrobay.com/event/ the-sinners/. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312.
NORTH SLO COUNTY
BURLEY THISTLES Burley Thistles is an alternative rock band known for their guitardriven sound and memorable songs. Hear him live at Sun Outdoors Central Coast Wine Country. Aug. 29, 6-8 p.m. Sun Outdoors Central Coast Wine Country, 2500 Airport Rd, Paso Robles, (805) 238-4560.
EASTON EVERETT Easton Everett is a singer-songwriter who blends indie folk, neo-folk, and world beat with intricate fingerstyle guitar. Hear him live at the Paso Robles Inn. Aug. 30, 6-9 p.m. Paso Robles Inn, 1103 Spring Street, Paso Robles. Easton Everett is a singer-songwriter who blends indie folk, neo-folk, and world beat with intricate fingerstyle guitar. Hear him live at Barton Family Wines. Aug. 31 , 12-4 p.m. Barton Family Wines, 2174 Highway 46 West, Paso Robles, (805) 237-0771, greywolfcellars.com.
FRIDAY NIGHT DJ Weekly DJ series, with a different DJ every Friday. Presented by friends at Traffic Record store in Atascadero. Come listen, dance, drink, and unwind every Friday. All ages event; no cover charge. Fridays, 7-10 p.m. (805) 460-6042. ancientowlbeergarden.com.
Ancient Owl Beer Garden, 6090 El Camino Real, suite C, Atascadero.
HUBBA WINES 2025 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Head to Hubba Wines in Tin City for live music featuring local bands every Friday evening. Wine and food available for purchase. Fridays, 5-9 p.m. through Aug. 29 $5 donation. (805) 550-8190. hubbawines.com/Events. Hubba Wines, 2929 Limestone Way, Paso Robles.
IMPALEMENT AND UTTER SCORN AT DARK NECTAR Hear live sets from three bands at Dark Nectar! Tickets and more info can be found at the link. Sept. 5 8
JAZZ AT THE PONY CLUB WITH PAT KELLEY AND SUNNY WRIGHT Hear jazz at The Pony Club with Pat Kelley on guitar and Sunny Wright on vocals. Enjoy craft cocktails, an excellent wine list, and a wonderful menu. Sept. 6 , 6-9 p.m. Free. (805) 226-9995. hotelcheval.com/ pony-club-bar-lounge. Pony Club Bar and Lounge at The Hotel Cheval, 1021 Pine St, Paso
KARAOKE NIGHT Food and drink available for purchase. Last Saturday of every month, 8 p.m. Free admission. my805tix.com. Club Car Bar, 508 S. Main St., Templeton.
LIVE AT DARK STAR: NATALIE
STARKEY continued page 25
Robles.
GELMAN Natalie Gelman is an American folk-pop
BADITTUDE Gritty Chicago-style blues trio GA-20 plays a Good Medicine, Numbskull, and KCBX show at The Siren on Sept. 3
PHOTO COURTESY OF
PARTY’S ON Mash-up horn act Brass Mash, shown here playing Concerts in the Plaza this summer, brings their phat sound to The Siren on Aug. 30
PHOTO COURTESY OF DOWNTOWN SLO
singer and songwriter. Gelman is mainly known for her strong vocals, and has released four albums. Hear her live at Dark Star Cellars! Aug. 30, 1-4 p.m. and Aug. 31 1-4 p.m. Free. (805) 237-2389. darkstarcellars.com. Dark Star Cellars, 2985 Anderson Rd., Paso Robles.
LIVE MUSIC WITH FOREVER GREEN AT PEAR VALLEY WINERY Pear Valley Concert Series presents Forever Green. Hear them live at Pear Valley Winery! Tickets and more info at the link. Aug. 30 1-4 p.m. Free. pearvalley.com/events-3/. Pear Valley Winery, 4900 Union Road, Paso Robles, (805) 475-3389.
LIVE MUSIC WITH NATALIE HASKINS
Enjoy all-day tastings and live music with California Americana artist Natalie Haskins. There will be wine by the glass or bottle. Aug. 31 4-7 p.m. $25 tasting fee waived with $75 purchase. (805) 237-1245. mcpricemyers.com/events/083125music. McPrice Myers Wine Company, 3525 Adelaida Rd., Paso Robles.
LOST ‘80S LIVE Lost ‘80s Live, the longest running retro tour of its kind, will deliver an extensive setlist of classic tracks from the decade, including hits from A Flock of Seagulls, General Public, Josie Cotton, and others. Visit site for tickets and more info. Aug. 29 6:15 p.m. $75. vinaroblesamphitheatre.com. Vina Robles Amphitheatre, 3800 Mill Rd., Paso Robles, (805) 286-3670.
OPEN MIC NIGHT Hosted by The Journals 805 (John and Dylan Krause). Mondays, 9 p.m. Pine Street Saloon, 1234 Pine St., Paso Robles.
SINGING HANDS CHILDREN’S CHOIR
A unique performing arts group that performs across the state for deaf festivals, service organizations, churches, fairs, and other outlets. New members always welcome. Registration open weekly. Mondays, 5-6:30 p.m. $45 tuition per month. singinghandschildrenschoir. com/. Singing Hands Children’s Choir and Performing Arts, 1413 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles.
CARBON CITY LIGHTS AND CATE
ARMSTRONG AT CONCERTS IN THE PLAZA Hear Cate Armstrong and Carbon City Lights play live, and head to the after party at Libertine Brewing Co. with Benny G and The Sweet Spots. Sept. 5 5 p.m. Mission Plaza, Downtown, San Luis Obispo.
CONCERTS IN THE PLAZA: AFTER PARTY SERIES Enjoy free live music in downtown SLO every Friday, immediately following the Concerts in the Plaza. The concerts are 21+. Aug. 29, 8:30 p.m. and Sept. 5 , 8:30 p.m. Free. my805tix.com. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 548-2337.
COUNTRY NIGHTS: PARTNER EDITION
Featuring Special Guest Instructor & DJ Vanessa Roberts, get ready for a night full of country swing, two-step, and everything in between! Aug. 30 7-11 p.m. $20. nexusslo.com. Nexus Ballroom D.C., 3845 S. Higuera St. (Lower Level), San Luis Obispo, (805) 904-7428.
IMVA AND EMILY SMITH AT CONCERTS IN THE PLAZA Head to the heart of downtown SLO to hear Emily Smith and IMVA perform live at the Mission Plaza. At 8:30 p.m., head to Libertine Brewing Co. for an after party with Wilde Latin Jazz. Aug. 29 5 p.m. Mission Plaza, Downtown, San Luis Obispo.
MAC SABBATH | SCHIZOPHONICS |
DESCARTES A KANT Mac Sabbath, the LA-based American parody heavy metal tribute band will perform live at SLO Brew. Hear them live, along with sets from The Schizophonics and Descartes A Kant. Sept. 4 7 p.m. $32.36. slobrew.com. Rod & Hammer Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, (805) 543-1843.
MONKEYFLOWER, NORTH BY NORTH, VARGO, AND SKIPPING BREAKFAST
LIVE Hear an array of bands play The Bunker SLO. Get tickets and more info at the link. Aug. 31 , 6-10 p.m. $12.56. my805tix.com. The Bunker SLO, 810 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo.
RAINBOW CITY PARK FALL TOUR
org/events. Heritage Square Park, 201 Nelson St., Arroyo Grande. CENTRAL COAST HARMONY CHORUS INVITES SINGERS TO JOIN FOR HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES Men and women are invited! No prior experience is necessary - just a love of music. Call or email for more information. Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. through Dec. 18 $20. (805) 736-7572. ccharmony.org. Nipomo Senior Center, 200 E. Dana St., Nipomo. JAZZ AT PUFFER’S WITH TAYLOR RYAN, SUNNY WRIGHT, AND DYLAN JOHNSON! Join pianist Taylor Ryan, vocalist Sunny Wright, and bassist Dylan Johnson for a beautiful Jazz Sunday Funday! Aug. 31 5-8 p.m. $5. (805) 773-6563. facebook.com/PuffersofPismo. Puffer’s of Pismo, 781 Price St a,, Pismo Beach.
KARAOKE AT SLO COUNTY’S ONLY FILIPINO CAFE Join for all day, all ages karaoke hosted at SLO County’s only brick and mortar Filipino cafe, Lumpia Bros Cafe. Enjoy karaoke, filipino dishes, acai, and coffee. Tuesdays-Saturdays-6 p.m. through Dec. 31 Free. (805) 202-8473. Lumpia Bros Cafe, 1187 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach.
KARAOKE EVERY WEDNESDAY A weekly event with barbecue offerings and more. Wednesdays, 4-8 p.m. Rancho Nipomo BBQ, 108 Cuyama Ln., Nipomo, (805) 925-3500.
SIPS & SOUNDS WEDNESDAY Doors to our tasting room will open at 5 p.m., with music beginning at 6. There will be no cover charge, but a drink purchase is required. This is a 21+ event. Sept. 3 6-8 p.m. (805) 591-7003. stilsoncellars.com/ events/. Stilson Cellars, 1005 Railroad Street, Suite 2, Paso Robles.
THE QUADRATONES LIVE Hubba Wines in Tin City for live music from The Quadratones. Aug. 29, 5-9 p.m. $5.00 Donation. (805) 550-8190. hubbawines. com/Events. Hubba Wines, 2929 Limestone Way, Paso Robles.
SAN LUIS OBISPO
ANNUAL JAZZ FACULTY CONCERT
Experience the artistry, energy, and improvisation of live jazz as the Cuesta Jazz Faculty take the stage! 100% of ticket proceeds benefit music student scholarships. Sept. 5 , 7:30 p.m. $30 VIP, $25 General, $22 Senior (65+), $10 Student w/ID. (805) 546-3198. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.
BOB AND WENDY WITH PAUL GRIFFITH
Bob and Wendy’s music is a heartfelt blend of folk, Americana, and poetic storytelling—rooted deeply in the Central Coast and beyond. Hear them live at The Bunker SLO. Sept. 7 3-5 p.m. $15. (805) 235-5456. my805tix.com. The Bunker SLO, 810 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo.
BRASS MASH FIRST FRIDAY IN SEPTEMBER 2025 Experience the magic of the first Fridays of every month are magical with the vibrant energy of our all-horn band. Join the festivities at Liquid Gravity and immerse yourself in the unique fusion of your favorite rock and pop songs. It’s a musical journey that promises to be unforgettable, so make sure to wear sensible shoes for the dance-worthy beats. Sept. 5 6-10 p.m. $26. my805tix.com. Liquid Gravity Brewing Company, 675 Clarion Ct., San Luis Obispo, (805) 457-4677.
AT SLO DOCO DONUTS Rainbow City Park is bringing their fall tour through SLO on Sunday. Supporting acts will include Unlikely, Radiation Invasion, Ultraviolets, and Bloodsugar. Aug. 31 , 6-11 p.m. $10. (805)-782-9766. bandsintown. com/e/107136456. SLO DoCo Donuuts, 793F Foothill Blvd, San Luis Obispo.
SOUL EXCHANGE, KID PUNK, PARASITE, AND CLONE THE WOLF LIVE
Head to Humdinger Brewing for a night of live performances. Sept. 3 7 p.m. $10. my805tix.com. Humdinger Brewing (SLO), 855 Capitolio Way, suite 1, San Luis Obispo, (805) 781-9974.
TOMMY GUERRERO LIVE American musician, composer, and professional skateboarder Tommy Guerero who is a former member of the Bones Brigade, a prominent skateboarding team of the 1980s that also included Tony Hawk and Steve Caballero, will hit the SLO Brew stage early September. Hear him live and get tickets at the link. Sept. 7 7 p.m. $32.36. slobrew.com. Rod & Hammer Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, (805) 543-1843.
WALL OF SOUND | THE GREAT DIVIDE
Grateful Dead tribute band Wall of Sound will hit the SLO Brew stage. Get tickets and hear them live. Aug. 30 6 p.m. $27.21. slobrew.com. Rod & Hammer Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, (805) 543-1843.
SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY
2025 LIVE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE CONCERT SERIES Head to the Point San Luis Lighthouse in Avila Beach for Saturday afternoon concerts. Get tickets and more info at the link. Through Oct. 11 $28. my805tix.com. Point San Luis Lighthouse, 1 Lighthouse Rd., Avila Beach. ARROYO GRANDE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES These free concerts will begin on July 4 and run every Sunday until September 21. Sundays, 1-3 p.m. through Sept. 21 Free. (805) 473-5472. arroyogrande.
THE LOUNGE AT BESO An upscale afterhours nightclub experience. With limited capacity and a dress code. For ages 21 and over. Fridays, 10 p.m. my805tix.com. Beso Cocina, 1050 Willow Road, Nipomo. MUSIC WITH A VIEW - OPEN GATES AT THE CHAPMAN ESTATE GARDEN Enjoy Open Gates at the seaside Chapman Estate in Shell Beach. Bring a picnic dinner and music, tables, chairs, and views will be supplied. Docent-led garden tours are available. Fridays, 5-7:30 p.m. through Oct. 24 $5/ person + $5 for Docent tours (optional). chapmanestatefoundation.org/. Chapman Estate, Private residence, Shell Beach. NATURAL SCIENCE: A TRIBUTE TO RUSH A powerhouse trio delivering authentic, high-energy performances of Rush’s greatest hits. Aug. 30 7:309:30 p.m. $35-$60. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/shows/natural-science/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande. PIANO MEN: GENERATIONS A spectacular father-son tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John, delivering an electrifying celebration of two legendary music icons. Aug. 28 7-9 p.m. $49.50-$70.50. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/shows/ piano-men-generations/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.
POPS BY THE SEA: HOLLYWOOD HITS The San Luis Obispo Symphony presents Pops by the Sea, where all your favorite soundtracks from movies, TV shows, and video games will be performed live. Tickets are available for purchase at the link. Aug. 30, 2:45-6 p.m. $28. my805tix. com. Avila Beach Golf Resort, 6464 Ana Bay Rd., Avila Beach, (805) 595-4000. RADIATION INVASION, GODCOLLIDER, FULL CLIP, NT4DB, OUTPATIENT X, AND SPECIAL FORCES LIVE WITH VISUAL ART BY ANIMALTEETH13 Anomaly House & Village Hardcore Shows are proud to present a night of food and music with different flavors of punk rock, combined with different flavors of Mexican cuisine. This show will feature live performances by an array of local and California-based bands. Get tickets now! Sept. 6 7 p.m. $15.81. my805tix.com. La Casita Cantina and Restaurant, 1572 West Grand Avenue, Grover Beach.
SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS GRATEFUL TRIBUTE FESTIVAL: THE ALLIGATORS Head to The Stockyard BLAST & BREW -for a special daytime show, with two full sets of the early Grateful Dead era!! Aug. 30, 1-5 p.m. $15. my805tix.com. Blast 825 Brewery, 241 S. Broadway St., Orcutt, (805) 934-3777. ∆
Dead tribute and I’m lovin’ it
SLO Brew Live at Rod & Hammer Rock presents Grateful Dead tribute act Wall of Sound on Saturday, Aug. 30 (doors at 7 p.m.; all ages; $27.21 at ticketweb.com), with Phish tribute band The Great Divide opening. That’s a whole lot of jammin’. Channel your McDonald’s cravings with Mac Sabbath on Thursday, Sept. 4 (doors at 7 p.m.; 18-and-older; $32.36 at ticketweb. com), with The Schizophonics and Descartes A Kant opening. Mac Sabbath is a parody heavy metal tribute band performing what they call “drive-thru metal,” playing Black Sabbath music with fast-food-centric lyrics.
Get ready to sail away
Vina Robles Amphitheatre is bringing your yacht rock favorite back when Yachtley Crew plays on Saturday, Aug. 30 (doors at 6:30, show at 8 p.m.; all ages; $62.25 to $362.52 at ticketmaster.com). The SoCal septet is also known as “The Titans of Soft Rock,” playing classic tracks such as Boz Scaggs’ “Lido Shuffle,” Ace’s “How Long,” Robbie Dupree’s “Steal Away,” the Bee Gees’ “How Deep Is Your Love,” and Christopher Cross’ “Ride Like the Wind.”
So long, summer OK, so technically summer doesn’t end until the autumn equinox
on Sept. 23, but with the kiddies back in school, I guess people can be forgiven for mourning the end of summer a bit early. This weekend, Damon Castillo headlines an End of Summer Beach Party at Avila Beach Golf Resort on Sunday, Aug. 31, with sets by folkie Graybill (noon), R&B act IMVA (2 p.m.), and R&B-jazz act the Damon Castillo Band (5 p.m.). The concert ends at 7 p.m. RSVP at facebook.com/ events/1023730333166497.
Fundraiser
for Morro Elementary World-renowned maestro Kent Nagano
will conduct a benefit concert at the Cuesta College Cultural and Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Aug. 31 (3 p.m.; all ages; $85 at cuesta.universitytickets.com).
“The benefit is for the purchase of the 90-year-old Morro Elementary school site,” according to organizers. “Mr. Nagano went to Morro under the tutelage of Botso Koresheli.”
Deemed “surplus,” the old school site is for sale and at risk of development, so a recently formed 501c3 organization, Friends of Morro Elementary, hopes to raise funds for and to encourage the city of Morro Bay to buy the site and turn it into a civic center. Learn more at friendsofmorroelementary.org. ∆
Contact Arts Editor Glen Starkey at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
Al Di Meola: tuesday, sept 9
Trey Kennedy: thursday, sept 11
Queen Nation: saturday, sept 13
Circle Jerks: sunday, sept 14
Fred Armisen: thursday, sept 18
Slacker University: saturday, sept 20
Michael Richards: thursday, sept 25
tom papa: thursday, oct 2
Hinder: friday, oct 3
BROOKS NIELSEn : saturday, oct 4 (of The Growlers)
ROCKIN’ RONALD SLO Brew Live presents parody metal act Mac Sabbath at Rod & Hammer Rock on Sept. 4
IF YOU LIKE PIÑA COLADAS Nederlander Concerts presents yacht rock favorite Yachtley Crew at the Vina Robles Amphitheatre on Aug. 30
SUMMER LOVIN’ Damon Castillo headlines a three-act End of Summer Beach Party at Avila Beach Golf Resort on Aug. 31
COURTESY PHOTO BY BARRY GOYETTE
Flavor
BY MADISON WHITE
Diner classics, reimagined
A new family-run brunch spot in Grover Beach serves American eats with a Mexican flair
Cindy Flores never pictured herself running a restaurant. Instead, she was thinking of opening her own hair salon when she found a restaurant space for rent in Grover Beach last October.
Flores sent the link to two of her brothers, who have worked in the food industry for decades, and they visited the spot soon after. The Flores’ idea for a brunch restaurant started to take shape.
“We slowly got involved, and at one point we said, ‘OK, are we doing this or not?’” Flores told the Sun
The siblings opened Holy Belly in April after months of planning the concept and building the interior. The décor is neutral with pops of green, complementing the plants that help enliven the restaurant. Flores said she wants Holy Belly to be a welcoming, cozy atmosphere for people to gather in.
More importantly, she wants the food to be their top focus.
With more than 20 years of experience, Flores’ brothers Cesar and Omar oversee the kitchen, develop the menu, and order the ingredients.
Flores described herself as the face of Holy Belly, the one at the front of the house.
She said running a restaurant and interacting with customers makes her feel connected to the community. She has gotten to know her customers on a deeper level, too.
“I think that having a restaurant means a sense of belonging in the community,” Flores said. “You have a place where you can bring in people and serve them food that maybe they’re not going to find anywhere else.”
Two of the most popular menu items are tiramisu French toast and blueberry lemon ricotta pancakes. Flores said she wants to provide customers with a culinary experience
that goes beyond typical diner fare.
Brunch time
“I feel like [the dishes] do have that extra touch that maybe other places don’t have. I feel like that’s what brings uniqueness in our place,” Flores said.
Holy Belly is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Sunday. It is located at 967 W. Grand Ave. in Grover Beach. To learn more about Holy Belly, visit Instagram @holybellygb or call (805) 202-8247.
Holy Belly aims to satisfy the diverse palates of customers while honoring classic brunch dishes, she added.
The breakfast menu, served all day, features eggs Benedict, omelets, waffles, and chicken-fried steak.
Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes sandwiches, burgers, salads, and seafood. A kids’ menu is also available.
While all their dishes have hints of Mexican flavors, the siblings also created a section of the menu dedicated to their Mexican favorites. Customers can choose from tamales, chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, and breakfast burritos.
In the future, Holy Belly plans to update its menu to feature seasonal ingredients. Flores said her brothers are creative chefs who enjoy making new recipes and offering specials on the menu.
They are proud of what they have accomplished so far, in less than one year of work. Flores said they’ve had a great response from the community.
During her childhood, Flores wished she had gotten to spend more time with her brothers, who got married and started their families young.
“When they moved here, I didn’t really get to grow up with them as much,” Flores said.
Now that they work together, Flores feels she is getting to know both her brothers on a deeper level.
“I discover how they are, how they interact with each other,” Flores said.
Cesar’s daughters even had a hand in naming the family business.
The name Holy Belly stemmed from its Spanish translation, “santa panza,” which Flores brainstormed. She thought it was catchy and fun, but it was not until her nieces approved that the decision was final.
In addition to spending time with her brothers, Flores finds motivation by being able to provide a place for the community to gather.
“I do want to feel successful, and not necessarily money wise, but just knowing that we did something. That is important to me,” Flores said.
Send tidbits on everything food and drink to bites@newtimesslo.com.
When talking about the future, she joked about franchising Holy Belly but mentioned that she and her brothers just take it one day at a time.
“I’m just going to play it as I go,” Flores said. ∆
Send omelets and blueberry pancakes to Sun Staff Writer Madison White, from New Times’ sister paper, at mwhite@ santamariasun.com.
HOT CAKES Holy Belly serves breakfast favorites, like blueberry lemon ricotta pancakes, until it closes at 2 p.m.
TIME TO EAT The name Holy Belly stems from its Spanish translation, “santa panza.” The Flores siblings wanted to name the restaurant in English because their menu is reminiscent of an American diner.
GRAND OPENING Siblings Cesar (left), Cindy (middle), and Omar (right) Flores first welcomed customers to Holy Belly in Grover Beach with a soft launch in April.
FARM FRESH Grover Beach’s newest breakfast spot, Holy Belly, buys locally sourced ingredients. The eggs on the chilaquiles are from Los Osos.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CINDY FLORES
To all interested persons: Petitioner: Jodie Knollenberg filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME: Jodie Knollenberg PROPOSED NAME: Jodie Lasslett. THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.
NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: September 24, 2025 9:30 am, Dept: P2 in person or by Zoom at the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo, 901 Park St Paso Robles, CA 93446. Civil Court Operations. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: New Times Date: August 8, 2025. /s/: MC Kelley Judge of the Superior Court. August 14, 21, 28, September 4, 2025 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER: 25CV-0389
To all interested persons: Petitioner: Roberto Fuentes filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME: Roberto Antonio Fuentes PROPOSED NAME: Robert Anthony Fuentes. THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.
NOTICE OF HEARING:
Date: October 01, 2025 9:00 am, Dept: 4 in person or by Zoom at the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo, 1050 Monterey Street, Room 220 San Luis Obispo CA 93408. Civil Court Operations. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: New Times Date: July 30, 2025.
/s/: Tana L. Coates, Judge of the Superior Court.
August 14, 21, 28 September 4, 2025 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME
NEW FILE NO. 2025-1509
OLD FILE NO. 2025-0008
VERITAS LIVING CO., 3424 Roberto Ct., Unit A, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. San Luis Obispo County. The fictitious business name referred to above was filed in San Luis Obispo County on 01/02/2025. The following person(s) has abandoned the use of the fictitious business name: Heaven A. Marculis (1695 Valle Vista Pl., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405). This business was conducted by A individual, /s/ Heaven A. Marculis. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 07/16/2025. I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk. By A. Webster, Deputy Clerk.
August 14, 21, 28, & September 4, 2025
STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS
BUSINESS NAME
NEW FILE NO. 2025-1724
OLD FILE NO. 2024-2600 The Pet Department, 705 6th St., Paso Robles, CA 93446. San Luis Obispo County. The fictitious business name referred to above was filed in San Luis Obispo County on 12/30/2024. The following person(s) has abandoned the use of the fictitious business name: Brian Wright (705 6th St., Paso Robles, CA 93446). This business was conducted by An Individual /s/ Brian Wright. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 08/19/2025. I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk. By M. Maltby, Deputy Clerk. August 28, September 4, 11, & 18, 2025
T.S. No. 131904-CA APN: 053-115-033 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 5/14/2021. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER On 9/12/2025 at 9:00 AM, CLEAR RECON CORP, as duly appointed trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust recorded 5/14/2021 as Instrument No. 2021036314 of Official Records in the office of the County Recorder of San Luis Obispo County, State of CALIFORNIA executed by: TIMOTEI IOAN FLOREA AND DUSTIN JOSEPH BLOM, WHO ARE MARRIED TO EACH OTHER, AS COMMUNITY PROPERTY WITH RIGHT OF SURVIVORSHIP WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK DRAWN ON A STATE OR NATIONAL BANK, A CHECK DRAWN BY A STATE OR FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, OR A CHECK DRAWN BY A STATE OR FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, OR SAVINGS BANK SPECIFIED IN SECTION 5102 OF THE FINANCIAL CODE AND AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN THIS STATE; IN THE BREEZWAY FACING SANTA ROSA STREET, COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO GENERAL SERVICES BUILDING, 1087 SANTA ROSA ST, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93408 all right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State described as: MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON SAID DEED OF TRUST The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 1445 PREFUMO CANYON ROAD 20, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93405 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be held, but without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, condition, or encumbrances, including fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust, to pay the remaining principal sums of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is: $520,802.37 If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee, and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned or its predecessor caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located. NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (855) 313-3319 or visit this Internet website www.clearreconcorp. com, using the file number assigned to this case 131904-CA. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. NOTICE TO TENANT: Effective
January 1, 2021, you may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are an “eligible tenant buyer,” you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. If you are an “eligible bidder,” you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase. First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call (855) 3133319, or visit this internet website www.clearreconcorp.com, using the file number assigned to this case 131904-CA to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as an “eligible tenant buyer” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase. FOR SALES INFORMATION: (855) 313-3319 CLEAR RECON CORP 3333 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 225 San Diego, California 92108 August 14, 21,& 28, 2025
T.S. No.: 25-34613
A.P.N.: 001-135-007
NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 2/21/2020. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, cashier’s check drawn on a state or national bank, check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, or savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state will be held by the duly appointed trustee as shown below, of all right, title, and interest conveyed to and now held by the trustee in the hereinafter described property under and pursuant to a Deed of Trust described below. The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust, with interest and late charges thereon, as provided in the note(s), advances, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, interest thereon, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee for the total amount (at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale) reasonably estimated to be set forth below. The amount may be greater on the day of sale.
BENEFICIARY MAY ELECT TO BID LESS THAN THE TOTAL AMOUNT DUE. Trustor: ZION JERGE, A MARRIED MAN AS HIS SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY
Duly Appointed Trustee: Vylla Solutions, LLC Recorded 2/27/2020 as Instrument No. 2020009439 in book , page of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of San Luis Obispo County, California , Described as follows: As more fully described in said Deed of Trust Date of Sale: 9/16/2025 at 11:00 AM Place of Sale: In the Breezeway adjacent to the County General Services Bldg. located at 1087 Santa Rosa Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408 Amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $609,150.00 (Estimated) Street Address or other common designation of real property: 859 CALIFORNIA BLVD SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93401
A.P.N.: 001-135-007
The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address or other common designation, if any, shown above. If no street address or other common designation is shown, directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this Notice of Sale. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee, and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, or the Mortgagee’s Attorney. If you have previously been discharged through bankruptcy, you may have been released of personal liability for this loan in which case this letter is intended to exercise the note holder’s rights against the real property only. THIS NOTICE IS SENT
FOR THE PURPOSE OF COLLECTING A DEBT. THIS FIRM IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDER AND OWNER OF THE NOTE. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED BY OR PROVIDED TO THIS FIRM OR THE CREDITOR WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. As required by law, you are hereby notified that a negative credit report reflecting on your credit record may be submitted to a credit report agency if you fail to fulfill the terms of your credit obligations. NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property.
NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (949) 776-4697 or visit this Internet Web site https://prestigepostandpub.com, using the file number assigned to this case 25-34613. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. For sales conducted after January 1, 2021: NOTICE TO TENANT: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are an “eligible tenant buyer,” you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. If you are an “eligible bidder,” you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase. First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call (949) 776-4697, or visit this internet website https://prestigepostandpub. com, using the file number assigned to this case 25-34613 to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as an “eligible tenant buyer” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase.
Date: 08/14/2025
Vylla Solutions, LLC 1600 South Douglass Road, Suite 140 Anaheim, CA 92806
Automated Sale Information: (949) 776-4697 or https://prestigepostandpub.com/ for NON-SALE information: 888-3131969
LaTedran Franklin, Trustee Sale Specialist PPP#25-005661
22, 2025, at 1:15 pm in Dept. 12 located at Courthouse Annex, 1035 Palm St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93408.
*This hearing will be held remotely. If you wish to appear by telephone, your attorney in this case must notify the Court on the day of the hearing, prior to the hearing calendar. If you wish to appear in person, notify your attorney in this case. If you do not have an attorney and you wish to appear for the hearing, you must contact the court. The remote hearing will be confidential. You must not record the hearing, allow others to listen to the hearing, or disclose to others what occurs during the hearing. Participants who violate confidentiality may be subject to criminal and civil sanctions.
3. At the hearing the court will consider the recommendations of the social worker or probation officer.
4. The social worker or probation officer will recommend that your child be freed from your legal custody so that the child may be adopted. If the court follows the recommendation, all of your parental rights to the child will be terminated.
5. You have the right to be present at the hearing, to present evidence, and you have the right to be represented by an attorney. If you do not have an attorney and cannot afford to hire one, the court will appoint an attorney for you.
6. If the court terminates your parental rights, the order may be final.
7.The court will proceed with this hearing whether or not you are present.
Date: August 21, 2025 /s/ Myranda Morales, Deputy Clerk August 28, September 4, 11, & 18, 2025 CITATION FOR PUBLICATION UNDER WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE SECTION 294 ATTORNEY
6.
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To: Tatiana Sousa aka Tatiana Danielle Sousa and anyone claiming to be a parent of Vladimir Philip Sousa born
Cit-
CITY OF PISMO BEACH STATE OF CALIFORNIA
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
SEALED BIDS will be received electronically by the City of Pismo Beach via the City’s e-Procurement Portal PlanetBids, until 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, September 18, 2025 as determined by www.time.gov for performing work as follows:
PIER AVENUE STAIR REMOVAL PROJECT
The project scope includes removal of the existing beach access stairway at the south end of Pier Avenue in Pismo Beach. All stair components will be demolished, with existing concrete caissons to remain in place.
A mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Please meet promptly onsite at the intersection of Pier Avenue and Ocean Boulevard, Pismo Beach, CA 93449. Bidders that do not attend this mandatory pre-bid meeting shall be disqualified from bidding on this Project.
Before submitting bids, Contractors shall be licensed in accordance with the Laws of the State of California. Accordingly, the successful Bidder shall possess a Class A, General Engineering, Contractor’s License at the time this contract is awarded.
All questions must be submitted in writing through the PlanetBids Procurement Question/Answer Tab via the City’s e-Procurement portal, on or before the Question & Answer Submission Date and Time. All questions submitted and answers provided shall be electronically distributed to all proposers who have selected to “follow” this RFP on the City’s e-Procurement Portal.
Proposals must be submitted online using the City’s electronic bidding platform which can be accessed at www.pismobeach.org/bids.
ERICA INDERLIED
CITY CLERK
August 21 & 28, 225
NOTICE OF RIGHT
TO CLAIM EXCESS PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF TAX DEFAULTED PROPERTY (PARTIES OF INTEREST)
Excess proceeds have resulted from the May 28, 2025, sale of tax defaulted properties listed in this notice. Parties of interest, as defined by California Revenue and Taxation Code section 4675, are entitled to claim the excess proceeds. The Tax Collector has been unable to obtain a valid mailing address for the Parties of Interest listed below.
All claims must be in writing and must contain sufficient information and proof to establish a claimant’s right to all or any part of the excess proceeds. Claims filed with the county more than one year after recordation of the tax collector’s deed to the purchaser on June 4, 2025, cannot be considered.
Claim forms and information regarding filing procedures may be obtained at the San Luis Obispo County Tax Collector’s Office, 1055 Monterey St., Rm. D290, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408, or by calling (805) 781-5836 between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Assessor’s Parcel No.: 023,192,010
Property Address: 1685 DREYDON AV, CAMB Parties of Interest: Abrenica Family Trust Dtd 8/2/1994, Cheatham Evelyn Tre and Estate of Abrenica Epitacio & Veneranda P, Ttees
Assessor’s Parcel No.: 023,333,029
Property Address: CAM PINES M U 2 BL 24 LTS 7 & 8
Parties of Interest: Abrenica Family Trust Dtd 8/2/1994, Cheatham Evelyn Tre and Estate of Abrenica Epitacio & Veneranda P, Ttees
Assessor’s Parcel No.: 094,221,003
Property Address: CUYAMA HY SCLPAD
Parties of Interest: Bazan Ralph & Bazan Paulette
I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed at San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, California, on August 28, 2025.
/s/ James W. Hamilton, CPA, San Luis Obispo County Tax Collector Published in the New Times on August 28, and September 4, 2025.
Applications to make minor changes to the properties at the addresses listed below have been received by the City.
1. 100 Madonna Rd. DIR-0547-2025; Request for an intermittent use permit to host music events at Madonna Meadows associated with the Beach BreakaWave Rodeo and hosted by Cal Poly Rodeo (beginning Sept 24 & 25, 2025 from 6pm-10pm). This project is categorically exempt from environmental (CEQA) review; C-T-S and C/OS-40 Zone; Ben Londo, applicant. (Eva Wynn)
2. 3355 Broad St. DIR-0165-2025; Request for a height exception from Accessory Dwelling Unit standards to allow a 35ft, three-story building for three ADUs on multifamily lot where 25ft is the standard allowable height for ADU’s. 35-feet is the maximum standard for the underlying (R-2) zone. This project is categorically exempt from environmental (CEQA) review; R-2-S Zone; Joseph Collins, applicant. (Eva Wynn)
3. 4051 Broad St ARCH-0098-2025; Minor Architectural Review of a 1,445 sf single floor addition to the southwest side of the building for a medical facility and a new trash enclosure on the southeast side of the property. This project is categorically exempt from environmental (CEQA) review; BP-SP Zone; Bruce McFadyen, AKSM Oncology, applicant. (Eva Wynn)
4. 1022 Leff St MOD-0616-2025; Modification to a previously approved homestay rental application to allow short-term rental of one bedroom within an owner-occupied residence. This project is categorically exempt from environmental review (CEQA); R-3-H Zone; Jeffrey Gomez, applicant. (Naomi Wilbur)
5. 1134 and 1144 Chorro St. DIR-0563-2025; Review of a sign program consisting of three (3) signs for a building with two (2) tenant spaces. The project is categorically exempt from environmental review (CEQA); C-D-H-PD Zone; Cal Poly Partners, applicant. (Hannah Hanh)
6. 212, 216, 218, and 222 Kitty Hawk Ct. SBDV-0558-2025; A request for a Lot Line Adjustment between four (4) lots, including Lots 245, 246, 247, and 248 of Tract 3089, Avila Ranch
Phases 2 and 3. The project is categorically exempt from environmental review (CEQA); R-2-SP Zone; TH Avila Ranch, LLC, applicant. (Callie Taylor)
The Community Development Director will either approve or deny these applications no sooner than September 8, 2025. The Director’s decision may be appealed, and must be filed with the appropriate appeal fee within 10 days of the Director’s action. For more information, contact the City of San Luis Obispo Community Development Department, 919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, stop by Monday and Wednesday between 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday between 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., or call (805) 781-7170, weekdays, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. August 28, 2025
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING
The San Luis Obispo Architectural Review Commission will hold a Special Meeting on September 8, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. Public comment, prior to the start of the meeting, may be submitted in writing via U.S. Mail to the City Clerk’s Office at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 or by email to advisorybodies@slocity.org.
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS:
• Review of a mixed-use project that includes a 49-unit, four-story, 56.5-foot-tall residential building with upper-story balconies and a rooftop deck; a 2,190 square foot commercial building (rehabilitated Master List Historic Resource with addition); and supporting site improvements. Per Density Bonus Law, the project includes a 16% density bonus with a concession to reduce parking and waivers/reductions for ground-floor residential units, exceedance of the maximum building height, and a reduction in building setback. The project is exempt from environmental review (CEQA); Project Addresses: 251 Pacific Street, 1390 Walker Street, and 280 Pismo Street; Case #: ARCH-0451-2024; Zones: C-S and C-S-MU; Alamo, LLC, owner/applicant.
The Architectural Review Commission may also discuss other hearing or business items before or after the item(s) listed above. An action of the Architectural Review Commission is typically a recommendation to the City’s Community Development Director, Planning Commission or City Council, and therefore is not final. Please note that any court challenge related to the recommendation on this item may be limited to considering only those issues raised at the public hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence received prior to the public hearing.
Report(s) are typically available one week in advance of the meeting and can be viewed on the City’s website, under the Public Meeting Agendas web page: https:// www.slocity.org/government/mayor-and-city-council/ agendas-and-minutes. Please call The Community Development Department at (805) 781-7170 for more information, or to request an agenda report. August 28, 2025
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 25-04
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Monday, August 25, 2025, the City Council of the City of Grover Beach had the Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 25-04
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GROVER BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE IX (DEVELOPMENT CODE) OF THE GROVER BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE TO REPEAL AND REPLACE CHAPTER 4 SECTION 4.10.015 (ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS), THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES A LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM AMENDMENT.
This Ordinance will amend Article IX (Development Code) of the Grover Beach Municipal Code (GBMC) regarding various amendments to the City’s Development Code and Local Coastal Program.
The full text of the Ordinance is on file in the City Clerk’s Office, 154 South Eighth Street, Grover Beach, California, or a copy may be obtained from the office for a nominal charge.
The City Council conducted the first reading at the Regular City Council meeting on Monday, July 28, 2025. Second Reading and adoption of the Ordinance was conducted at the Regular City Council meeting on Monday, August 25, 2025. The Ordinance shall not become effective and in full force and effect until 12:01 a.m. on the thirtieth day after adoption by the City Council, or 12:01 a.m. on the day after final certification by the California Coastal Commission, whichever occurs later.
AYES: Council Members – McCorry-Driscoll, Tuggle, Weirick, Mayor Pro Tem Robert, and Mayor Dee
NOES: Council Members – None
ABSENT: Council Members – None
ABSTAIN: Council Members – None
/s/ KASSI DEE, MAYOR
Attest: /s/ WENDI SIMS, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM: /s/ Rob Lomeli, City Attorney
/s/ Wendi B. Sims, City Clerk
Dated: Thursday, August 28, 2025
Publish: 1x – New Times (Thurs, August 28, 2025)
Post: Grover Beach City Hall (Thurs., August 28, 2025)
NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Paso Robles Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing to consider the following project:
Project Description: 1. New Conditional Use Permit to allow Vehicle Sales (CUP 25-06).
2. Time extension for the previously approved Development Plan for a Peterbilt sales and service center and Conditional Use Permit for a Highway Oriented Sign (TEX25-04, P22-0017).
3. Time extension for the previously approved Conditional Use Permit for a new billboard sign (TEX25-05, P23-0019).
Applicant: Archer Paso Robles, LLC and Outfront Media
Location: 2805 Theatre Drive (APN 009-851-022)
CEQA Determination: The City Council adopted Resolution 23-084 approving Mitigated Negative Declaration SCH 2022090384 for the project. No subsequent environmental review is necessary because the time extension would not result in any significant impacts not considered in the approved MND. There is no substantial evidence in the record suggesting any of the criteria set forth in State CEQA Guidelines section 15162 is met, and accordingly, no subsequent environmental review is necessary
Hearing Date: he Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on September 9, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Council Chamber/Library Conference Center, 1000 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446.
The public has the option to attend the meeting in person or to participate remotely. To participate remotely, residents can livestream the meeting at www.prcity.com/youtube and call (805)865-7276 to provide live public comment via telephone. The phone line will open just prior to the start of the meeting.
Written public comments can be submitted via email to planning@ prcity.com or US Mail (submit early) to the City Clerk, 1000 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446 provided that the comments are received prior to the time of the public hearing. Comments received prior to 12:00 noon on the day of the meeting will be posted as an addendum to the agenda. If submitting written comments, please note the agenda item by number or name. Comments on the proposed application must be received prior to the time of the hearing to be considered by the Planning Commission.
Challenge to the application in court will be limited to issues raised at the public hearings or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing.
Copies of the project staff report will be available for review on the City’s website (www.prcity.com/meetings) on the Friday preceding the hearing. If you have any questions, please contact the Community Development Department at planning@prcity.com or (805) 237-3970. August 28, 2025
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, REVOKING THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY (ORDINANCE 1687 [2020 SERIES]), RELATED TO A DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PROPOSED AT 1144 CHORRO STREET, AND AMENDING THE ZONING MAP TO REZONE THE SEVEN (7) ASSOCIATED PROPERTIES FROM C-D-PD AND C-D-H-PD TO C-D AND C-D-H, RESPECTIVELY. THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA)(1144 CHORRO STREET; 895, 898, AND 973 HIGUERA STREET; 876 AND 890 MARSH STREET; AND 868 AND 870 MONTEREY STREET; PDEV-0428-2023)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, at its Regular Meeting of August 19, 2025, introduced the above-titled ordinance upon a motion by Council Member Marx, second by Vice Mayor Shoresman, and on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Member Boswell, Francis, Marx, Vice Mayor Shoresman, and Mayor Stewart NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Ordinance No. 1749 (2025 Series): This is a City Ordinance to revoke the Planned Development Overlay (Ordinance No. 1687 [2020 Series]), related to a development project proposed at 1144 Chorro Street, and rezone the seven (7) affected properties from C-D-PD and C-D-H-PD to C-D and C-D-H, respectively. The project is exempt from environmental review under Section 15061(b) (3) (General Rule Exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines. Project Addresses: 1144 Chorro Street; 895, 898, and 973 Higuera Street; 876 and 890 Marsh Street; and 868 and 870 Monterey Street. A full and complete copy of the aforementioned Ordinance is available for inspection as part of the published agenda packet for the September 2, 2025 Council Meeting, or you may call (805) 7817114 for more information.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo will consider adopting the Ordinance at its Regular Meeting of September 2, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. The City Council meeting will be televised live on Charter Cable Channel 20 and live streaming on the City’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/ CityofSanLuisObispo.
Teresa Purrington City Clerk August 28, 2025
NOTICE OF ADOPTION AND SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE 3545
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AMENDING TITLE 16 OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY CODE, FIRE PREVENTION, TO PROVIDE ABATEMENT OF FIRE HAZARDOUS WEEDS AND RUBBISH IN UNINCORPORATED SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
On August 20, 2025, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 3545 amending County Code Title 16, Chapter 16.30 to expand hazard abatement throughout the County Fire Authority Area of the Local Responsibility Area (LRA) of San Luis Obispo County. Government Code Section 51182 mandates that local agencies maintain defensible space in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and Civil Code Section 1102.19 requires that property sellers in High or Very High Hazard Severity Zones provide buyers with compliance documentation. The ordinance was adopted and certified by the following roll call, to wit:
AYES: Supervisors Jimmy Paulding, Bruce S. Gibson, Heather Moreno and Chairperson Dawn Ortiz-Legg
NOES: None
ABSENT: Supervisor John Peschong
ABSTAINING: None
Certified copies of the full text of the ordinance may be purchased at reproduction cost or reviewed without charge in the San Luis Obispo County Administrative Office, 1055 Monterey St., Room #D430, County Government Center, San Luis Obispo, California 93408, or on the County’s website at slocounty.ca.gov.
DATED: August 21, 2025
Matthew P. Pontes, Ex-Officio Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: /s/ Niki Martin
Deputy Clerk August 28, 2025
PUBLISHED DELINQUENT LIST
(Revenue and Taxation Code Section 3371)
I, James W. Hamilton, CPA, San Luis Obispo County Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector, State of California, certify that:
The real properties listed below were declared to be in tax-default at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2022, by operation of law. The listed real property assessments are only those for which a copy of the latest delinquent reminder letter was returned as undeliverable by the United States Postal Service. The declaration of default was due to non-payment of the total amount due for the taxes, assessments and other charges levied in 2021/22 which were a lien on the listed real property. The name of the assessee, the assessment number, which describes the property, and the total that is due on or before September 30, 2025, is listed.
Tax-defaulted real property may be redeemed by payment of all unpaid taxes and assessments, together with additional penalties and fees as prescribed by law, or it may be redeemed under an installment plan. On July 1, 2027, if the taxes remain unpaid, or there is not an active Annual Installment Plan of Redemption, the property will become subject to tax sale.
All information concerning redemption of taxdefaulted property, including the initiation of an installment plan, will be furnished upon request by the office of James W. Hamilton, CPA, San Luis Obispo County Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector, at 1055 Monterey St., Rm. D-290, San Luis Obispo, California, 93408. Telephone inquiries may be directed to (805) 781-5836. Information on prior year tax amounts can also be found on the Tax Collector’s website at: www.slocountytax.org.
ASSESSMENT NUMBERING SYSTEM EXPLANATION
The assessment number refers to the Assessor’s map book, the map page, the block on the map (if applicable), and to the individual parcel number on the map page or in the block.
Assessment numbers beginning with “902” indicate a timeshare property. The Assessor’s parcel maps and further explanation of the assessment numbering system are available in the Assessor’s Office, 1055 Monterey St., Rm. D-360, San Luis Obispo, California, 93408. Assessee Assessment Redemption Number Amount
Beebe William 012-252-031 $2,367.16
Katoch Tapinder S & Renu R 023-233-058 $1,132.47
Maddalena Andrew Tre Etal 028-413-001 $435.76
Gutierrez Jose AR 049-213-016
$7,280.69
Evans Gregory S 064-345-014 $326.35
Evans Gregory S 064-345-015 $326.35
Marquez Ivan 082-161-028 $533.57
Gorman Terry A 082-171-028 $1,069.75
Hinojosa Carlos Tre 082-291-020 $1,247.24
Sanchez Gary Heirs Of 083-111-015 $528.85
Bourassa Karin Etal
083-171-041
$508.74
Bourassa Karin Etal 083-171-042 $508.74
Pecot Maridel M Tre 084-061-006 $584.02
Mendoza Salvador V 084-141-021 $395.28
Mourey Richard W 084-221-047 $488.81
Marquez Teresita P 084-341-028 $533.57
Lafferty Margaret 084-381-009 $613.29
Barton Scott 084-441-055 $613.29
Cinquini M Etal 084-461-025 $533.57
Laurel Roberto Jr & Mayra V 091-194-060 $6,151.92
Simmons Camilla V Tre Etal 096-231-073 $260.64
Diamond Resorts San Luis Bay Development LLC 902-000-336 $386.72
Stuart Aurora R Tre 902-010-931 $386.72
I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
/s/ JAMES W. HAMILTON, CPA San Luis Obispo County Auditor-Controller-TreasurerTax Collector
Executed at San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, on August 28, 2025.
Published in New Times on August 28, September 4, and September 11, 2025.
Shandon-San Juan Water District NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on August 13, 2025, an assessment levied by the ShandonSan Juan Water District for the 2025-2026 fiscal year became due and payable. Payment is requested by October 13, 2025. The assessment will be delinquent if not paid by February 13, 2026. Upon delinquency, a penalty of 5 percent of the amount delinquent will be added thereto and the delinquent property sold to the District, or the delinquency otherwise collected as provided by law.
August 28, 2025
Your Voice Matters – Be Part of the Community Development Needs Assessment Survey
The County of San Luis Obispo is conducting a community-wide needs assessment to determine the best way to use the 2026 Action Plan funds from HUD. We encourage the public to participate in this process by completing a quick 10-minute online survey. The last day to complete the survey is October 14, 2025. Your input will help us prioritize how funds should be allocated to the goals established in the development of the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan. The following priorities were identified by public comment, needs assessments and workshops conducted in 2024 and approved by the Board of Supervisors on April 8, 2025.
• Housing Facilities, including affordable rental housing, single family housing, and senior housing
• Public Services, including health care, mental health, and homeless services
• Public Facilities, including health care and mental health facilities, and childcare centers
• Housing Services, including homelessness prevention, rental assistance, and emergency shelters
• Public Infrastructure, including high-speed internet, water/sewer improvements, and sidewalk improvements
A link to the online Community Development Needs Assessment Survey can be found at slocounty.gov/ CommunityDevelopment or by using the QR code shown below
Thank you for participating in the survey. We value your time and input. Your responses play an important role in the County of San Luis Obispo’s community development priorities.
Community Development Needs Assessment Hearing
A hearing will be held to present the results of the Community Development Needs Assessment Survey to the County of San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors on December 9, 2025.
The 2026 Action Plan funds include Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME), and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG). The purpose of the hearing is to provide the public with an opportunity to express their views prioritizing the goals for the use of federal funds.
CDBG funds can be used for housing, public facilities, and public service activities that benefit low-income persons. HOME funds are used to support affordable housing projects for low-income families. ESG funds support homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing programs.
The 2026 Notice of Funding Availability for HUD grant funds and General Fund Support will be released on September 11, 2025.
August 28, 2025
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, to consider amending the Sheriff-Coroner Cannabis Fees in the County Fee Schedule “B” for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Ordinance. The hearing will be held at the Board of Supervisors Chambers, County Government Center, 1055 Monterey Street, in San Luis Obispo.
Recommended amendments include fee decreases, new fees, and the deletion of a fee. Schedule B Fee amendments would become effective September 9th, 2025.
Any person interested in expressing their views regarding the proposed amendments to the Fee Schedule may do so at the hearing. To determine specific placement of this item on the Board of Supervisors Agenda and to review the fee schedule amendments, go to the County’s website at www.slocounty.ca.gov on the Wednesday before the scheduled hearing date.
The fee schedule amendments may also be reviewed at the:
County Government Center Administrative Office, Room D430 1055 Monterey Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93408 (805) 781-5011
DATED: August 19, 2025
MATT Pontes, County Administrative Officer and Ex-Officio Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: /s/ Niki Martin Deputy Clerk
August 21 & 28, 225
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible, the Pismo Beach Planning Commission will hold a public hearing in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach, for the following purpose:
PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA:
A. Address: 153 Baker Avenue
Applicant: Rick and Julie Parker Project No.: P25-000036
Description: Coastal Development Permit and Architectural Review Permit request for a 621 square-foot addition, including an exterior and interior remodel of an existing 1,191 square foot single-story single family residence and 447 square-foot garage and adoption of Categorical Exemption No. 2025-019. The project is located within the Coastal Zone and is appealable to the Coastal Commission. APN 010-213-007.
Environmental Review
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), it has been determined that the project is exempt from the requirements of CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 (e) of the CEQA Guidelines regarding small additions to existing singlefamily residences.
Details about ways to participate in this hearing will be provided on the agenda posted for the meeting online at pismobeach. org/agenda, and on the bulletin board at City Hall. The agenda will be posted in the afternoon of September 4th, 2025.
You have a right to comment on these projects and their effect on our community. Interested persons are invited to participate in the hearing or otherwise express their views and opinions regarding the proposed projects. Emailed comments may be submitted to planningcommission@pismobeach.org; staff cannot guarantee that emailed comments submitted after the start of the meeting will be given full consideration before action is taken. Written comments may be delivered or mailed to the Community Development Department / Planning Division Office at 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach, CA 93449, prior to the meeting, or hand-delivered during the meeting no later than the comment period for this item. Oral comment may be provided prior to the meeting by calling 805-773-7005 and leaving a voice message. Please state and spell your name, and identify your item of interest. Oral comment may also be made during the meeting, either by joining the virtual meeting using the link provided on the agenda document, or by attending the meeting in person in the Council Chamber at City Hall. Please refer to the agenda for this meeting for specific instructions for participation.
Staff reports, plans and other information related to these projects are available for public review from the Planning Division Office, by emailing Administrative Secretary Brianna Whisenhunt at bwhisenhunt@pismobeach.org. The meeting agenda and staff report will be available no later than the Friday before the meeting and may be obtained upon request by mail or by visiting www.pismobeach.org/agenda. The Planning Commission meeting will be televised live on Charter Spectrum Cable Channel 20 and streamed on the City’s website.
PLEASE NOTE:
If you challenge the action taken on this item in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Pismo Beach at, or prior to, the public hearing.
For further information, please contact Administrative Secretary Brianna Whisenhunt at bwhisenhunt@pismobeach. org or 805-773-4658.
Brianna Whisenhunt
Administrative Secretary August 28, 2025
The City of San Luis Obispo’s Zoning Hearing Officer will hold a public hearing at 2:30 p.m. or later on Monday, September 8, 2025, in Conference Room 1, at 919 Palm Street, to consider the following: 1. 11990 Los Osos Valley Rd. USE-0536-2025; Request for a Minor Use Permit to operate a Recycling Collection Facility behind an existing retail building. This project is categoricaly exempt from environmental (CEQA) review; C-R Zone; Recycling Solutions Sites, Inc., applicant. (Eva Wynn)
PLEASE NOTE: Any court challenge to the actions taken on this public hearing item may be limited to considering only those issues raised at the public hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City of San Luis Obispo at, or prior to, the public hearing.
August 28, 2025
AUGUST 19, 2025
COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING BRIEF
Item 25: Public Comment Period – Items not on the agenda: S. Mackey; G. Kirkland; P. McGibney; C. Lewis; T. Bassi Boaz; M. Davis & G. Naylor: spoke - No action taken.
Item 26: Title 29 Affordable Housing Fund Annual Report FY 2024-25 - Rec’d & filed.
Item 27: Presentation & Res. 2025-179, accepting the Los Osos Valley Rd. Corridor Concept Plan; finds the plan is consistent w/ & encompassed by the Final Program EIR certified for the Los Osos Community Plan (LOCP) & the Coastal Commission’s certification of the LOCP Local Coastal Program Amendment & directs staff to consider this plan & its elements for future circulation plans, road improvement fee updates, development review & informing design of future capital improvement projects - Approved.
Item 28: Cont’d hearing re: appeal by the Sierra Club of the Planning Commission’s approval of a request by Phillips 66 for a Development Plan/ Coastal Development Permit to allow demolition/ remediation of the Santa Maria Refinery at 2555 Willow Rd, Arroyo Grande – Cont’d Off Calendar.
Item 29: Hearing re: the status of the County’s vacancies, recruitment & retention efforts, & obstacles in the hiring process per GC §3502.3 – Rec’d.
Item 30: Cont’d hearing re: increase in solid waste collection rates w/in the service area provided by Mission Country Disposal that include rural areas of Los Osos, Morro Bay, Cayucos, San Simeon, Cambria & Harmony; Res. 2025-180, establishing the solid waste collection rate increase & authorizes the Public Works Director/or designee, to waive Mission Country Disposal’s payment of fees to the County ($20,739) to account for revenue not rec’d from the proposed rate increase during 7/1/25 - 8/31/25 - Approved.
Item 31: Hearing re: increase in solid waste collection rates w/in the service area provided by San Miguel Garbage for rural areas of San Miguel, Heritage Ranch, Oak Shores, Whitley Gardens, Shandon; majority protest not found & adopts Res. 2025-181, establishing the solid waste collection rate increase – Adopted.
Item 32: Closed Session: Anticipated Litigation: Significant exposure to litigation - potential cases: 1. Initiation of litigation - potential cases: 1. Existing Litigation: SLO Coastkeeper, et. al. v. Co. of SLO, U.S. District Court, Central District of CA, Western Division, Case No. 2:24-CV-06854-SPG-ASx. Conference w/ Labor Negotiator re: employee organizations: SLOPA; SLOCEA-T&C; DCCA; Sheriffs’ Mgmt; SLOCPPOA; DSA; DAIA; SLOCPMPOA; SLOCEA – PSSC; Unrepresented Mgmt & Confidential Employees; SDSA; UDWA; Unrepresented Employee: County Administrative Officer. Open Session: Report out - None.
Item 33: Ordinance No. 3545, amending Chapter 16.30 of the Co. Code to expand hazard abatement throughout the County Fire Authority Area of the Local Responsibility Area of the County - Adopted.
Item 34: Hearing to consider Ad Hoc Steering Committee’s/ Planning Commission’s recommendations; amendments to the Land Use & Circulation Element of the General Plan, Land Use Ordinances for the inland areas & Coastal Zone & Local Coastal Program to update policies/regulations re: multi-family dwelling development, exempt from CEQA – Tentatively Approved as Amended (final action set for 9/23/25).
Item 35: Board Member comments and reports on meetings: Supervisor Moreno’s 25th wedding anniversary today; a Medicare Education Forum & senate hearing re: 5 year extension for the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant – No action taken. Meeting adjourned.
For more details, view meeting videos at: https://www.slocounty. ca.gov/Departments/Administrative-Office/Clerk-of-the-Board/ Clerk-of-the-Board-Services/Board-of-Supervisors-Meetingsand-Agendas.aspx
Matthew P. Pontes, County Administrative Officer & Ex-Officio Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: Annette Ramirez, Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors August 28, 2025
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of El Paso de Robles (“City”) invites and will receive sealed Bids up to but not later than 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the office of the Department of Public Works, located at 4305 Second Wind Way, Paso Robles, CA 93446, for the furnishing to City of all labor, equipment, materials, tools, services, transportation, permits, utilities, and all other items necessary for Golden Hill Tank #1 Repair and Recoating, DPW Project No. 21-20 (the “Project”) At said time, Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the City Office. Bids received after said time shall be returned unopened. Bids shall be valid for a period of 90 calendar days after the Bid opening date The work shall include, but is not limited to, removal of lead based paint, welded repair, new appurtenances, partial rafter replacement, preparation and recoating, disinfection. All as shown on the plans and/or as specified herein to result in a long term corrosion resistant system to an existing 4-million gallon welded steel potable water tank. Project is to be completed within One Hundred Sixty (160) WORKING days from the date specified in the Notice to Proceed. The Contractor shall pay to the City of El Paso de Robles the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each and every calendar day’s delay in finishing the work in excess of the calendar day completion time.
A NON-MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE IS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 AT 10AM. PLEASE PARK ON ROLLING HILLS ROAD AND WALK TO THE TANK SITE.
The California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) implemented amendments to the In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulations (“Regulation”) which went into effect on January 1, 2024 and apply broadly to all self-propelled off road diesel vehicles 25 horsepower or greater and other forms of equipment used in California. A copy of the Regulation is available at https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/ barcu/regact/2022/off-roaddiesel/appa-1.pdf Bidders are required to comply with all CARB and Regulation requirements, including, without limitation, all applicable sections of the Regulation, as codified in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations section 2449 et seq. throughout the duration of the Project. Bidders must provide, with their Bid, copies of Bidder’s and all listed subcontractors’ most recent, valid Certificate of Reported Compliance (“CRC”) issued by CARB. Failure to provide valid CRCs as required herein may render the Bid non-responsive.
Bids must be submitted on the City’s Bid Forms. Bidders may obtain a copy of the Contract Documents from DemandStar Paso Robles, CA, or 4305 Second Wind Way, El Paso de Robles, California (805) 2373861. To the extent required by section 20103.7 of the Public Contract Code, upon request from a contractor plan room service, the City shall provide an electronic copy of the Contract Documents at no charge to the contractor plan room.
It is the responsibility of each prospective bidder to check DemandStar Paso Robles, CA on a daily basis through the close of bids for any applicable addenda or updates. DemandStar Paso Robles, CA sends email notifications to ONLY those registered on their website. The City does not assume any liability or responsibility based on any defective or incomplete copying, excerpting, scanning, faxing, downloading or printing of the Bid Documents. Information on DemandStar Paso Robles, CA may change without notice to prospective bidders. The Contract Documents shall supersede any information posted or transmitted by any other vendor besides the City.
Each Bid shall be accompanied by cash, a certified or cashier’s check, or Bid Bond secured from a surety company satisfactory to the City Council, the amount of which shall not be less than ten percent (10%) of the submitted Total Bid Price, made payable to City of El Paso de Robles as bid security. The bid security shall be provided as a guarantee that within fifteen (15) calendar days after the City provides the successful bidder the Notice of Award, the successful Bidder will enter into a contract and provide the necessary bonds and certificates of insurance. The bid security will be declared forfeited if the successful Bidder fails to comply within said time. No interest will be paid on funds deposited with City.
The successful Bidder will be required to furnish a Faithful Performance Bond and a Labor and Material Payment Bond each in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price. Each bond shall be in the forms set forth herein, shall be secured from a surety company that meets all State of California bonding requirements, as defined in California Code of Civil Procedure Section 995.120, and that is a California admitted surety insurer.
Pursuant to Section 22300 of the Public Contract Code of the State of California, the successful Bidder may substitute certain securities for funds withheld by City to ensure its performance under the contract.
Pursuant to Labor Code Section 1773, Contractor shall obtained the prevailing rate of per diem wages and the prevailing wage rate for holiday and overtime work applicable in San Luis Obispo County from the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations for each craft, classification, or type of worker needed to execute this contract. A copy of these prevailing wage rates may be obtained via the internet at: www.dir.ca.gov/dlsr/
It shall be mandatory upon the Bidder to whom the Contract is awarded, and upon any subcontractors, to comply with all Labor Code provisions, which include but are not limited to the payment of not less than the said specified prevailing wage rates to all workers employed by them in the execution of the Contract, employment of apprentices, hours of labor and debarment of contractors and subcontractors.
Pursuant to Labor Code sections 1725.5 and 1771.1, all contractors and subcontractors that wish to bid on, be listed in a bid proposal, or enter into a contract to perform public work must be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations. No Bid will be accepted nor any contract entered into without proof of the contractor’s and subcontractors’ current registration with the Department of Industrial Relations to perform public work. If awarded a contract, the Bidder and its subcontractors, of any tier, shall maintain active registration with the Department of Industrial Relations for the duration of the Project. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the contractor registration requirements mandated by Labor Code Sections 1725.5 and 1771.1 shall not apply to work performed on a public works project that is exempt pursuant to the small project exemption specified in Labor Code Sections 1725.5 and 1771.1.
This Project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Department of Industrial Relations. In bidding on this Project, it shall be the Bidder’s sole responsibility to evaluate and include the cost of complying with all labor compliance requirements under this contract and applicable law in its Bid.
Unless otherwise provided in the Instructions for Bidders, each Bidder shall be a licensed contractor pursuant to sections 7000 et seq. of the Business and Professions Code in the following classification(s) throughout the time it submits its Bid and for the duration of the contract: Class A, General Engineering.
Substitution requests shall be made within 35 calendar days after the award of the contract. Pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 3400(b), the City may make findings designating that certain additional materials, methods or services by specific brand or trade name other than those listed in the Standard Specifications be used for the Project. Such findings, if any, as well as the materials, methods or services and their specific brand or trade names that must be used for the Project may be found in the Special Conditions.
The City shall award the contract for the Project to the lowest responsive, responsible Bidder as determined by the City from the Base Bid alone. The City reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any irregularities or informalities in any bids or in the bidding process.
Date: August 14, 2025 By: Ditas Esperanza P.E. Capital Projects Engineer
Publication Dates:
- August 14, 2025
- August 28, 2025 - September 25, 2025
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
WHO: San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors
WHEN: Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. All items are advertised for 9:00 a.m. To find out placement of this item on the Board of Supervisors Agenda, go to the County’s website at www. slocounty.ca.gov on the Wednesday before the scheduled hearing date.
WHAT: Hearing to consider [1] adoption of ordinances and resolutions amending the Land Use and Circulation Element of the County General Plan, Land Use Ordinances for the inland areas and Coastal Zone, and Local Coastal Program to update policies and regulations related to multifamily dwelling development (County File Number: LRP2024-00015); [2] introduction of amendments to the Land Use Ordinances for the inland areas and Coastal Zone to update affordable housing standards, amendment to the Land Use Ordinance for the inland areas to establish regulations for Regional Housing Incentives, and establishment of County Code Title 31 (Regional Housing Fund) (County File Number: LRP2024-00016 and –00017); and [3] authorization of the use of alternate publication procedures for the ordinance amendments. (Planning and Building)
County File Number: LRP2024-00015, -00016, and -00017
Assessor Parcel Numbers: N/A
Supervisorial District: All Districts
Date Accepted: N/A
WHERE: The hearing will be held in the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 1055 Monterey St., Room #D170, County Government Center, San Luis Obispo, CA. The Board of Supervisors Chambers are located on the corner of Santa Rosa and Monterey Streets. At the hearing all interested persons may express their views for or against, or to change the proposal.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: You may contact Schani Siong, Project Manager, in the San Luis Obispo County Department of Planning and Building, 976 Osos Street, Room 200, San Luis Obispo, California 93408, ssiong@co.slo.ca.us (805) 781-4374. The staff report will be available for review the Wednesday before the scheduled hearing date on the County’s website at http:// www.slocounty.ca.gov.
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION: These actions qualifies for a General Rule Exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because the recommended land use regulation updates and program would support more housing development consistent with the County’s vision for efficient use of land, protection of environmental and agricultural resources, and priority to establish a regional approach to encourage guaranteed affordable housing production in areas closer to jobs and service hubs. (ED24-194 and ED24-195).
COASTAL APPEALABLE: No
**If you challenge this matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this public notice or in written correspondence delivered to the appropriate authority at or before the public hearing**
DATED: August 25, 2025
MATTHEW P. PONTES, EX-OFFICIO CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
By: /s/ Niki Martin Deputy Clerk August 28, 2025
Free Will Astrology by Rob Brezsny
Homework: Sometimes it’s a chore to change yourself. But why not choose a fun change? Newsletter.freewillastrology.com
ARIES
(March 21-April 19): In some Buddhist mandalas, the outer circle depicts a wall of fire. It marks the boundary between the chaotic external world and the sacred space within. For seekers and devotees, it’s a symbol of the transformation they must undergo to commune with deeper truths. I think you’re ready to create or bolster your own flame wall, Aries. What is non-negotiable for your peace, your creativity, your worth? Who or what belongs in your inner circle? And what must stay outside? Be clear about the boundaries you need to be your authentic self.
TAURUS
(April 20-May 20): Centuries ago, builders in Venice, Italy, drove countless wooden pilings deep into the waterlogged mud of the lagoon to create a stable base for future structures. These timber foundations were essential because the soil was too weak to support stone buildings directly. Eventually, the wood absorbed minerals from the surrounding muddy water and became exceptionally hard and durable: capable of supporting heavy buildings. Taurus, you may soon glimpse how something you’ve built your life upon—a value, a relationship, or a daily ritual—is more enduring than you imagined. Its power is in its rootedness, its long conversation with the invisible. My advice: Trust what once seemed soft but has become solid. Thank life for blessing you with its secret alchemy.
GEMINI
(May 21-June 20): In Inuit myth, Sedna is the goddess who lives at the bottom of the sea and oversees all marine life. If humans harm nature or neglect spiritual truths, Sedna may stop allowing them to catch sea creatures for food, leading to starvation. Then shamans from the world above must swim down to sing her songs and comb her long black hair. If they win her favor, she restores balance. I propose that you take direction from this myth, Gemini. Some neglected beauty and wisdom in your emotional depths is asking for your attention. What part of you needs reverence, tenderness, and ceremonial care?
CANCER
(June 21-July 22): In ancient Rome, the lararium was a home altar. It wasn’t used for momentous appeals to the heavyweight deities like Jupiter, Venus, Apollo, Juno, and Mars. Instead, it was there that people performed daily rituals, seeking prosperity, protection, and health from their ancestors and minor household gods. I think now is a fine time to create your own version of a lararium, Cancerian. How could you fortify your home base to make it more nurturing and uplifting? What rituals and playful ceremonies might you do to generate everyday blessings?
LEO
(July 23-Aug. 22): In Persian miniature painting, entire epics are compressed into exquisite images the size of a hand. Each creation contains worlds within worlds, myths tucked into detail. I suggest you draw inspiration from this approach, Leo. Rather than imagining your life as a grand performance, play with the theme of sacred compression. Be alert for seemingly transitory moments that carry enormous weight. Proceed on the assumption that a brief phrase or lucky accident may spark sweet changes. What might it look like to condense your full glory into small gifts that people can readily use?
VIRGO
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In Andean cosmology, the condor and the hummingbird are both sacred messengers. One soars majestically at high altitudes, a symbolic bridge between the earth and heaven. The other moves with supple efficiency and detailed precision, an icon of resilience and high energy. Let’s make these birds your spirit creatures for the coming months. Your challenging but feasible assignment is to both see the big picture and attend skillfully to the intimate details.
LIBRA
(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In the ancient Greek myth of Psyche, one of her trials is to gather golden wool from violent rams. She
succeeds by waiting until the torrid heat of midday passes, and the rams are resting in the cool shade. She safely collects the wool from bushes and branches without confronting the rams directly. Let this be a lesson, Libra. To succeed at your challenges, rely on strategy rather than confrontation. It’s true that what you want may feel blocked by difficult energies, like chaotic schedules, reactive people, or tangled decisions. But don’t act impulsively. Wait. Listen. Watch. Openings will happen when the noise settles and others tire themselves out. You don’t need to overpower. You just need to time your grace. Golden wool is waiting, but it can’t be taken by force.
SCORPIO
(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In 1911, two teams tried to become the first humans to reach the South Pole. Roald Amundsen’s group succeeded, but Robert Falcon Scott’s did not. Why? Amundsen had studied with Indigenous people who were familiar with frigid environments. He adopted their clothing choices (fur and layering), their travel techniques (dogsledding), and their measured, deliberate pacing, including lots of rest. Scott exhausted himself and his people with inconsistent bursts of intense effort and stubbornly inept British strategies. Take your cues from Amundsen, dear Scorpio. Get advice from real experts. Pace yourself; don’t sprint. Be consistent rather than melodramatic. Opt for discipline instead of heroics.
SAGITTARIUS
(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): A lighthouse isn’t concerned with whether ships are watching it from a distance. It simply shines forth its strong beams, no questions asked. It rotates, pulses, and moves through its cycles because that’s its natural task. Its purpose is steady illumination, not recognition. In the coming weeks, Sagittarius, I ask you and encourage you to be like a lighthouse. Be loyal to your own gleam. Do what you do best because it pleases you. The ones who need your signal will find you. You don’t have to chase them across the waves.
CAPRICORN
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In 1885, Sarah E. Goode became the fourth African American woman to be granted a U.S. patent. Her invention was ingenious: a folding cabinet bed that could be transformed into a roll-top desk. It appealed to people who lived in small apartments and needed to save space. I believe you’re primed and ready for a similar advance in practical resourcefulness, Capricorn. You may be able to combine two seemingly unrelated needs into one brilliant solution—turning space, time, or resources into something more graceful and useful. Let your mind play with hybrid inventions and unlikely pairings.
AQUARIUS
(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I expect you will be knowledgeable and smart during the coming weeks, Aquarius. But I hope you will also be wise and savvy. I hope you will wrestle vigorously with the truth so you can express it in practical and timely ways. You must be ingenious as you figure out the precise ways to translate your intelligence into specifically right actions. So for example: You may feel compelled to be authentic in a situation where you have been reticent, or to share a vision that has been growing quietly. Don’t stay silent, but also: Don’t blurt. Articulate your reality checks with elegance and discernment. The right message delivered at the wrong moment could make a mess, whereas that same message will be a blessing if offered at the exact turning point.
PISCES
(Feb. 19-March 20): Liubai is a Chinese term that means “to leave blank.” In traditional ink painting, it referred to the portions of the canvas the artist chose not to fill in. Those unpainted areas were not considered empty. They carried emotional weight, inviting the eye to rest and the mind to wander. I believe your near future could benefit from this idea, Pisces. Don’t feel you have to spell everything out or tie up each thread. It may be important not to explain and reveal some things. What’s left unsaid, incomplete, or open-ended may bring you more gifts than constant effort. Let a little stillness accompany whatever you’re creating. ∆
