Sun, April 27, 2023

Oceano’s usually contentions political voices all seem to align on one thing: SLO County 4th District Supervisor Jimmy Paulding’s proposed civility contract is not for them. But that’s where the agreement ends. Paulding’s suggestion that the unincorporated community consider a future as part of Grover Beach stirred the pot once again. While some believe the Oceano Community Services District is perfectly capable of serving town residents, others see the district’s move to remove fire services from its responsibilites as proof it needs help. New Times Staff Writer Bulbul Rajagopal, from the Sun’s sister paper, jumps into the political fray [6]

This week, you can also read about why Santa Ynez High School’s principal is resigning after a year on the job [4]; a screening of a documentary focused on Sweden during World War II [22]; and the upcoming Los Alamos Flea festival [25]

photo by Jayson Mellom > Cover design by Alex Zuniga

Teaching Kids Healthy Habits is essential for their overall well-being, both right now and in the future. To raise a healthy child, start with the following:

• EATING A BALANCED DIET

Encourage fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats & healthy fats. Limit intake on sugars.

• STAYING HYDRATED

Drink plenty of water through out the day & limit sugary juices & soda.

• BEING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE

Physical activity for at least 60 minutes a day.

• GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP

Adequate sleep is important for overall health. Establish a regular sleep schedule.

• PRACTICING GOOD HYGIENE

Washing hands, brushing teeth & covering mouth when they cough & sneeze.

• MANAGING STRESS

Help kids learn ways to manage stress such as deep breathing or physical exercise.

• BEING SAFE

Teach safety rules such as wearing a helmet when riding a bike or how to cross a street. Monday – Friday

aims to spread awareness regarding the health of children. This is essential because, to grow up into healthy adults, it is important for kids to be healthy and active from a young age.

• Sen. Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) recently introduced Senate Bill 584: The Laborforce Housing Fund, alongside the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California This bill will establish an ongoing funding source for local governments to create needed low-income and middle-income housing units across California, according to Limón’s office. Specifically, the Laborforce Housing Fund would assess a fee to be paid by shortterm rentals to fund the construction and acquisition or rehabilitation of affordable and middle-income housing units that will be owned and managed by a public entity or a nonprofit. “It has been made clear that in order for all of our local governments to meet housing targets, we need a consistent, budget-proof funding source that will ensure our cities can meet our housing goals,” the senator said in a statement. While California has doubled its housing production in the last three years, local governments have expressed the need for ongoing funding to meet California’s housing goals, according to Limón’s office. Currently, the state is only funding 16 percent of what it needs to meet its housing production targets. In 2021, Gov. Gavin Newsom called for a collaboration across sectors to build more housing. The Laborforce Housing Fund would capitalize on the tourism economy in the state to fund needed housing for all Californians.

• Ahead of Earth Day, Congressman Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania) introduced two bipartisan bills on April 20 aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change on U.S. coastlines, coastal communities, and oceans, as well as the wide range of communities and industries that rely on them, according to Carbajal’s office. “The climate crisis threatens all industries and communities, but one of the most acute ways that our nation is already feeling the impacts of climate change is through the rapidly changing face of our oceans and coastlines. Whether it’s reduced capacity to fish, the erosion of our beaches, worsening storm surges and hurricanes, or devastation of our storied coastlines—coastal communities like mine will see widespread impacts and need support to navigate these challenges,” Congressman Carbajal said in a statement. The Ocean Acidification Research Partnership Act which would authorize up to $5 million in research grants for studies on the effects of ocean acidification, as worsening conditions threaten billions of dollars in U.S. economic activity and tens of thousands of U.S. jobs, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . In addition, the Coastal State Climate Preparedness Act would provide grants to coastal states for climate change adaptation and protection of infrastructure and coastal ecosystems.

• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California), chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety, and more than 100 lawmakers from around the country sent a letter to the Biden administration calling on it to continue to protect displaced Salvadorans and Hondurans by redesignating El Salvador and Honduras for Temporary Protected Status. The protected status is a renewable program that provides relief from removal and access to work permits for eligible foreign nationals who are unable to return safely to their home countries due to natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other extraordinary conditions. “We urge you to redesignate Honduras and El Salvador for Temporary Protected Status, as it is unsafe for the nationals of these countries to be returned at this time due to severe environmental damage caused by successive hurricanes and climate change-related catastrophes, combined with human rights violations and cascading political crises exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the letter stated. “Both El Salvador and Honduras face separate but equally devastating realities that prevent individuals who have fled these countries from safely returning.” m

Santa Ynez High School principal announces plan to resign

Once he finishes his one-year term as Santa Ynez Valley Union High School principal, Michael Niehoff plans to resign, according to a statement from Niehoff that was read out loud during the April 18 school board meeting.

“My goal was to be an instructional leader first and foremost. I worked hard to model and live that both for teachers and students. I always tried to make learning the forefront,” Niehoff said in the statement. “Unfortunately, there are some dynamics outside of the students and teachers that make it almost impossible to focus on teaching and learning.”

Niehoff’s decision follows recent adult uproar over the decision to allow the school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) to temporarily paint school crosswalks with a rainbow pattern during No Place for Hate week—an anti-bullying week meant to promote inclusion through the school’s various clubs like the GSA.

He told the Sun in a previous email that he recognized the importance of creating a welcoming environment and supportive place for students, but recent events surrounding a similar rainbow crosswalk proposal at the Solvang City Council pulled the high school into “an issue that has divided the community.” The school repainted the crosswalks back to white on March 28—one day before the school’s open house—and caused many student organizations to pull out of No Place for Hate Week in solidarity with the school’s GSA.

The school’s program coordinator for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Adriana Reyes, helped facilitate many of the anti-bullying events at school, according to a statement from the GSA. She was asked to remain off campus following the turmoil, causing students to hold a walkout on April 12 in an effort to bring Reyes back.

“Community members are claiming this was her way of ‘spreading her gay agenda,’ completely disregarding the fact that No Place for Hate is entirely student led,” the GSA stated. “[She] created a safe space on campus for everyone to enjoy and so much more. Depriving students of Adriana [Reyes] is a complete disservice.”

Reyes could not be reached for comment before the Sun’s deadline.

During the April 18 board meeting, board member José Juan Ibarra said that the district brought Niehoff in to combat some of the political challenges and create a better learning environment for students.

“This is my third year on the board and it hasn’t been easy; our community has had a lot

of challenges. There’s been a lot of tension in our schools, and our students and faculty and staff are yearning for change. Students were calling for a better lived experience on campus,” Ibarra said.

Students are now having much more meaningful conversations than he had during high school, Ibarra said, and students are ready to take on complex issues, Ibarra said.

“To me that’s powerful, that’s educational. That’s getting our students ready for the complexities of the future in the way they need to engage with so many different minds and so many different experiences,” he said Oftentimes it’s the adults—not the students— who have issues, Ibarra said, and he asked for the community to leave the “political grievances” outside the education system, to allow students to be students, and to let faculty and staff do their jobs so students can be prepared for life after school.

“It’s really important that we don’t lose sight of the positive work that we as a community and a district have been able to move the needle toward students being able to express more of who they are and show their identities and celebrate their culture,” he said.

—Taylor O’Connor

Tree removal in Buellton sparks debate over city policy

Before earning unanimous approval from the Buellton Planning Commission, a proposal for a new winery in town prompted a public dispute between two city officials.

The approved Chanin Wine Company project includes the final development plan for a new commercial building at an undeveloped parcel on the southwest corner of Industrial Way and Highway 246 and related improvements at the site to accommodate the new winery’s operations.

One of the improvements approved is the removal of an oak tree on the property, which Buellton City Councilmember Hudson Hornick voiced a concern about during public comment at the Planning Commission’s April 20 meeting.

“I just want everyone to know that I’m here in my personal capacity. If this project is appealed, I will not take part in any council

discussion,” Hornick said after introducing himself as the council member for District 1. “That oak tree is a strong love for a lot of people in the community, myself included. It is roughly 100 years old.”

Hornick described the tree, located on the approved winery site at 291 Industrial Way, as a town monument before stepping away from the podium. Planning Commission Chair Patty Hammel then asked Hornick to stay at the mic.

“You are on the City Council, correct?” Hammel asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” Hornick replied.

“Even though you’re here as personal business, it is strongly discouraged that you attend and make public comment at these meetings,” Hammel said.

“Are you discouraging me?” Hornick asked.

“I am, and I believe it’s our policy—it’s city policy,” Hammel said.

The two officials then began talking over one another. At one point, Hammel suggested that Hornick consult with Buellton’s city manager and city attorney about city policy.

“I do have a right to be here, and I talked to the city attorney about it,” Hornick said. “Maybe you should too.”

“Yeah, have them both consult with me and you,” Hammel said before inviting the next public speaker to the podium.

Buellton’s City Manager Scott Wolfe told the Sun that the city doesn’t currently have an official policy on the issue.

“The council may want to revisit this in terms of establishing a formal written policy, but we don’t have one like that in the moment,” Wolfe said.

Wolfe also confirmed that Hornick did consult with Buellton City Attorney Greg Murphy about the possibility of speaking during public comment in front of the Buellton Planning Commission ahead of the April 20 meeting.

“As a private citizen, it’s his legal right to do that,” said Wolfe, who explained that Murphy advised Hornick that to speak during public comment wouldn’t be against city policy “as long as you don’t create a conflict of interest.”

To avoid creating a conflict of interest, Hornick was advised to “get up, introduce yourself, tell the commission you’re speaking on behalf of yourself as a private citizen, not as a council member, and then let everyone know that if it winds up in front of City Council, you’ll have to recuse yourself— which he did,” Wolfe said.

“From a legal perspective, he was just fine,” Wolfe said. m

—Caleb Wiseblood

Correction

In last week’s issue of the Sun, the news brief “Santa Maria residents demand justice after off-duty officer-involved shooting” incorrectly stated the languages that the Sheriff’s Office released information in on April 7. The Sheriff’s Office released its statement in Spanish and English. The Sun regrets the error.

OUTSIDE DYNAMICS: Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Principal Michael Niehoff announced he plans to resign once the school year ends. His decision follows recent adult uproar against the school allowing students to temporarily repaint the crosswalks with a rainbow pattern for an antibullying and inclusion week at school.

SITE FOR SIPS: The final development plan for the Chanin Wine Company, set to be located on the southwest corner of Industrial Way and Highway 246, was approved with a 5-0 vote from the Buellton Planning Commission.

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Unified discord

BY BULBUL RAJAGOPAL

Apolitically fractured Oceano temporarily connected in an unintended way over an initiative put forth by SLO County 4th District Supervisor Jimmy Paulding.

Long an ideological battleground that witnessed bitter conflicts in its community services district (CSD) and advisory councils, Oceano came face-to-face with a draft “unification compact” helmed by the freshman county supervisor who eagerly wants the unincorporated town to bury multiple hatchets.

In letters dated Feb. 16 to the members of the recently decertified Oceano Advisory Council (OAC), the current countyrecognized Vitality Advisory Council of Oceano (VACO), and the Oceano Economic Development Council (OEDC), Paulding emphasized looking ahead.

“The compact builds on our initial conversations around making a conscious choice not to pursue certain controversial goals in the interim, and instead, to work together around common goals that will result in meaningful and tangible improvements to the community of Oceano,” he wrote.

Two of those “controversial goals” pertain to driving off-highway vehicles at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (ODSVRA) and the Oceano Airport—topics that Oceano’s advisory councils have disagreed on. Paulding’s road to civil recovery hinges on consensus among the three groups to not discuss either issue for the foreseeable future.

“The undersigned parties hereby agree to abide by the attached Code of Civility—and to the extent possible—not to use or participate in community advisory councils … to engage in unnecessary and unproductive controversial political activity related to offhighway vehicles [OHV] at the ODSVRA or the closure of the Oceano Airport,” read an excerpt of his compact agreement.

However, all three groups balked at the draft. The OEDC complained that Paulding’s document misrepresented its stance on the airport.

“The proposed Airport Improvements Project is seen as a preemptive move by the county to prevent the future repurposing of the airport’s land use,” OEDC Chair Nick Alter wrote in his response to the draft. “It is not seen as a benefit to Oceano, particularly in the long term if the land can be used for a higher

and better purpose than as an airport.”

Members of VACO and the former OAC—two groups whose public fights crested with Paulding’s predecessor Lynn Compton “unrecognizing” the latter—questioned the clause about keeping mum on off-roading and the airport.

“We very much appreciate Supervisor Paulding’s earnestness, but there is a general discomfort in VACO to sign a document that says other members can’t openly and passionately express their views on the airport and OHV,” VACO member Adam Verdin told the Sun

Historically, the OAC opposed off-highway vehicle use on the dunes and found continued use of the local airport dubious.

Former OAC Chair and current OCSD Board Director Charles Varni added that the advisory council no longer exists, and its body has dissolved into individual residents. Despite the OAC’s rocky past with VACO, Varni said that contentious subjects were never immune from discussion.

“We never suggested that people shouldn’t talk about certain issues,” he said. “I was not comfortable with [the clause], and I certainly wasn’t going to sign an agreement like that as an individual.”

Talks of unification of a different kind germinated from the rumblings surrounding the compact: the possibility of Oceano being annexed by the city of Grover Beach.

“This discussion was prompted due to Oceano’s inability to pay for fire service (the OSCD has initiated LAFCO [Local Agency Formation Commission] proceedings to divest from fire service responsibility),” Paulding wrote in a March 13 email to OEDC’s Alter. “The central question is—given its financial problems—whether Oceano would be better served receiving city services (police, fire, public works, water/sewer, parks/recreation, and community development) as opposed to the limited services that the [OCSD] and the county are able to provide.”

The supervisor clarified to the Sun that he’s not confident supporting an annexation until further outreach is done in both Oceano and Grover Beach.

“I’m not pushing anything,” he said. “I’m just considering this as an option. It’s an appropriate time to have this conversation, if any.”

Varni agreed with Paulding about the timeliness of an annexation discussion. He told the Sun that there’s “never been a better time to look at it.” Last year, he was a vocal proponent of rejecting the special fire tax that the OCSD brought to general election ballots for the second time. Voters booted that tax, consequently leaving the CSD to figure out how to pay for continued emergency fire and medical services originally delivered by the Five Cities Fire Authority.

Varni is also an advocate of curbs, gutters, and sidewalk improvements in Oceano and believes that a possible annexation by Grover Beach would address some of the unmet needs of the district. Until then, he’s looking forward to data collection to study the impacts of a unification.

“What comes to Grover Beach from Oceano are property, sales, and transient occupancy taxes, a very rich water portfolio, and a town on the verge of a very positive economic potential for expanded tourism and housing,” Varni said. “Right now, we’re a cash cow for the county and that’s been happening for a long time.”

But not everyone sees a possible annexation as a good thing. VACO representatives and Varni’s fellow OCSD board members Linda Austin and Shirley Gibson took offense at Paulding’s framing annexation as an option in the face of being unable to pay for fire services.

“OCSD is run very fiscally responsibly,” Austin said. “People who were so adamant about the fire tax of $15 a month are now for this draconian annexation. These people [county officials] have appointed themselves as knowing what’s best for this community.”

Both VACO members along with former OAC Vice Chair April Dury told the Sun that Oceano residents can afford to pay for fire services but chose not to. Gibson added that she hasn’t heard from Oceano residents who were supportive of a possible unification with Grover Beach. Dury said she’s witnessed the same.

“No one I’ve talked to wants to be Grover Southwest or Grover Lite,” Dury said.

A city’s annexation of a CSD requires a lengthy series of approvals. LAFCO Executive Officer Rob Fitzroy explained that there is a difference between an annexation and a merger. The latter terminates the existence of a CSD altogether while the functions, services, assets, and liabilities of that district are assumed by a city. An annexation, on the other hand, means the inclusion, attachment, or addition of territory to a city or district.

“LAFCOs generally exercise their regulatory authority in response to an application being submitted by an agency,” Fitzroy said. “The process would begin when an agency submits a proposal application for a ‘merger’ to LAFCO.”

As of April 25, LAFCO hadn’t received an Oceano-Grover Beach proposal yet. It would require a study of operational, financial, and service impacts followed by a LAFCO evaluation based on its existing policies. The entire process could take more than a year to complete.

“The proposal would then be considered and decided upon by LAFCO at a noticed public hearing, in which any member of the public may participate,” Fitzroy said. “In general, the merger would require agreement from affected agencies such as the city of Grover Beach, Oceano CSD, the county, as well as support from landowners/ registered voters of the affected area.”

Portions of Oceano have been under annexation interest since the 1960s. Archived clippings of a 1961 issue of the Arroyo Grande Valley Herald Reporter detail annexation attempts of the same Oceano parcel by both Arroyo Grande and then Grover City. In the late 1990s, the Five Cities Times PressRecorder recorded a Grover Beach City Council attempt to delete an annexation goal after inciting the ire of Oceano residents— one of whom was Harold Guiton, Austin’s father.

“Oceano has a [CSD], (which incidentally was formed primarily to stop the attempts at piecemeal annexation of Oceano), which gives us almost the same status as a city,” Guiton wrote in a 1998 Times Press-Recorder opinion piece. “To just ignore our 6,600 citizens and elected leaders and treat us like some second-class crime-ridden bad neighbor is pretty shoddy.”

The Grover Beach city officials Guiton faced have changed in the 25 years since. City Manager Matt Bronson told the Sun that annexation discussions are still in their infancy, and neither the county nor Oceano representatives have been approached yet.

“We are open to discussing ideas that support our community in Grover Beach and of our neighboring communities,” Bronson said. m

Reach New Times Staff Writer Bulbul Rajagopal, from our sister paper, at brajagopal@newtimesslo.com.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: After past conflicts among Oceano’s advisory councils, SLO County 4th District Supervisor Jimmy Paulding (left) and his 3rd District counterpart, Dawn Ortiz-Legg (right), started an ad hoc committee to set stronger standards for future advisory bodies.

‘The compact builds on our initial conversations around making a conscious choice not to pursue certain controversial goals in the interim, and instead, to work together around common goals.’

—letter to Oceano advisory groups by SLO County 4th

District Supervisor

Jimmy Paulding

SLO County supervisor’s attempt to iron out Oceano unrest results in disagreement and early talks of an annexation

safe and loving household.

Every child deserves to be in a safe and loving household.

The Grand Jury Wants YOU!

Every child deserves to be in a safe and loving household.

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Learn more at angelsfostercare.org

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The Grand Jury is made up of citizens like you. If you’re over 18 years of age and a resident of Santa Barbara County for at least one year; possess sufficient knowledge of English, and are of sound judgment with no felony convictions, then you are qualified!

Members meet at least 20 hours per week to investigate and inquire into local government, jails and juvenile detention facilities and special districts throughout the County. Curious about where your tax dollars are spent?

Learn more at angelsfostercare.org

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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Join the 2023-2024 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

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To learn more about becoming an Angels parent Call 805-884-0012

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nformation on the importance of preplanning your funeral. The presentation will guide you through preparing for one of life’s most challenging transitions and share with you the financial & emotional benefits of preplanning. Payment options are available.

email bpirkl@magnermaloney.com.

Filling gaps

A Bridge of Hope aspires to keep local seniors in their homes through care coordination, subsidies

aides, A Bridge of Hope will help clients and their families determine the best care plan for them, and then subsidize that care to make it affordable.

“I’ve learned that the key to keeping people at home is to have the proper in-home support,” Prince, a 28-year veteran of the home health care sector, told the Sun. “If we don’t have the right support systems in place, our senior population will fail. They’ll fall. They’ll be hospitalized. They’ll end up being placed against their will sometimes.”

Throughout his career, Prince said that he’s seen up close the ways that the current system fails seniors. The main culprit, like LaMere noted, is cost.

“The private in-home providers charge anywhere from $30 to $40 per hour, and that is out of reach for many folks,” Prince said. “It’s either, ‘I eat and pay for medications, or I pay for a caregiver.’ We have to bridge this gap.” While long-term care facilities play a needed role in the overall system, Prince said that a senior living at home, with physical help, is often the safest and happiest route.

“There is a place for the nursing homes, but it is a quality-of-life issue,” Prince said. “And you can look at the pandemic and how many people died in those [congregate] settings and could have been home and survived.”

BY PETER JOHNSON

Nipomo resident Janice LaMere found her life’s calling through an all-too-relatable personal ordeal.

When her father was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2011, he moved into her house for long-term care. There was no better option— at least not one they could afford.

“My parents lived in Paso Robles and I lived in Nipomo,” LaMere explained. “They rented their house—they’re not rich, just living paycheck to paycheck. I told my mom, ‘You have to move here because I have my 5-year-old grandson living with me.’ I couldn’t run back and forth.”

After seven years of caring for her dad, as his declining condition grew too severe to safely manage anymore, LaMere made the gut-wrenching decision to move him to a care facility.

“I cried every night,” she said. “I was there [at his care center] eight-plus hours every day. Bottom line, my father lived for nine months. Out of this came A Bridge of Hope.”

Formally established as a nonprofit last year, A Bridge of Hope’s mission is to help subsidize and coordinate quality in-home care for local seniors, so they can stay in their own houses for as long as humanely possible.

A brainchild of LaMere and occupational therapist Alan Prince, a longtime in-home care professional, their model is simple yet novel: to fill the gaps in a system that leaves too many families with too few options for their aging loved ones.

LaMere said that unless a senior is wealthy, on Medi-Cal, or paid for long-term care insurance, affording private in-home care is often impossible.

“I really want the community to understand that there’s only two options for these people: You go to a care facility, or you have to move in with family,” she said. “Neither one of those are good options. We’re the third option.”

By leveraging its network of trained and vetted independent home health

Promote!

With the community’s support, LaMere and Prince believe that they can use their combined passion and expertise to connect their clients to better solutions.

LaMere’s already been doing it for years. Since her dad passed away, she’s personally helped nearly 50 seniors with in-home care. Thanks to that experience, and her time in nursing homes with her dad, she’s friends with a community of home health aides who are working with the nonprofit.

“We’re all just women who had a passion,” she said.

A Bridge of Hope is currently accepting clients from Arroyo Grande to Lompoc. LaMere’s promise to clients is that they will be “treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.”

“The best thing about our job is I don’t ever feel like I go to work,” she said. “We’re there with them. We get to walk with them. We know they’re not alone and they’re taken care of.”

But A Bridge of Hope needs donations to be able to provide the subsidies and assistance that so many would benefit from.

“Right now, we need the support of the community to help us see this vision through. Nobody has done this before. This is a concept that doesn’t exist,” Prince said.

“There are thousands of clients in the county that would benefit from our services.”

Highlight

• The Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce is seeking vendors and sponsorships for the return of Old Town Market this summer. The event—which features different themes each week with live music, vendor booths, and free kids’ activities—is held on Friday evenings, July 7 through Aug. 11. Vendor registration is open until June 5. Booth space fees are $25 per night for chamber members and $35 per night for nonmembers. For more information, email Mayra Soto at mayra@ lompoc.com or call (805) 7364567. m

Send business and nonprofit information to spotlight@santamariasun.com.

Reach New Times’ Assistant Editor Peter Johnson at pjohnson@newtimesslo.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JANICE LAMERE

INSPIRATION: After housing and taking care of her father, Jim Morgan, for seven years as he battled dementia, Nipomo resident Janice LaMere decided to launch a nonprofit that aims to help others afford inhome senior care.

Winning Images

THE RULES:

Entry divisions are either ADULT or YOUTH (photographers who are under 18)

ADULT

• Categories are: Animals, Flora, Land/Seascapes, People, Travel, Open and In Motion which can include any interpretation of action or motion.

• All images must be submitted digitally via our online entry form, where the category can be selected.

• A completed online entry form MUST be submitted for EACH photo entered.

• Entrants are asked to submit a high-quality digital file of their image (jpeg format, at least 300 dpi) on the submission form.

• Photos submitted in previous years are ineligible.

• All photos must be the original, creative work of the submitting photographer.

• All photographs must be taken within the boundaries of San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara counties – except submissions to the Travel and Open categories – for which photos may be taken anywhere.

• Entries are $10 per photo.

• After entering your photos, submit your payment online You may also mail a check (made payable to New Times) to: Winning Images, c/o New Times, 1010 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. Be sure to include your name, address, email, and a brief description of the photo(s) entered online.

• Photos must be received and entry fees must be paid in full by 5 P.M. ON MONDAY, MAY 15, 2023, to be considered officially entered.

• Entry in the contest constitutes permission to use the photo in the paper, online, and for display.

• Judges have the right to reassign categories for mislabeled or misfiled photos at their discretion.

YOUTH (PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO ARE UNDER 18 YEARS OLD)

• This is an OPEN category. Photographs can be of any subject of the entrant’s choosing, but must have been taken within the boundaries of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.

• Entrants must be younger than 18 years old as of June 15, 2023, and must be enrolled in any school (including a home school) that’s not a college. A winner’s legal guardian will be required to sign a release form.

• All other rules from the adult categories apply.

Winning photos will be published in the Thursday, June 15, 2023, issues of New Times and the Sun.

IT’S TIME FOR OUR 28TH ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST!

CATEGORIES: ANIMALS · FLORA · IN MOTION · LAND/SEASCAPES · PEOPLE · TRAVEL · OPEN · YOUTH

Win cash prizes, get published in our annual Winning Images issues on June 15, see your work in an online gallery, and be part of a show at The Photo Shop in San Luis Obispo!

Shad Giordano, 2022

Jenn Lawrence, 2022

Cathy Wallace, 2022

Dan Baum, 2022

Bob Canepa, 2022

Lance Wilson, 2022

What changes do you think need to happen after an off-duty Santa Maria police officer fatally shot 19-year-old José Manuel Reyes Rios?

31% We, as residents, have done all we can and it’s out of our control.

25% County and city officials need to look at how we are regulating gun purchases and procedures for illegal weapons like ghost guns.

25% The Sheriff’s Office needs to be completely transparent and release the full clip of the shooting.

19% The County and City need to develop strategies to ensure that these situations don’t happen again

16 Votes

Vote online at www.santamariasun.com.

Northern Santa Barbara County’s News & Entertainment Weekly

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Bend toward justice

It’s time to end the prohibition of cannabis at federal level and in all states

BY SAM RODRIGUEZ

“

The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

These are the words that were often mentioned by civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King in his fight for equal justice during the civil rights movement.

Today the fight for ending the prohibition of cannabis has been won in 38 state capitols, three U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. More than half of the U.S population reside in states where medicinal and adult use of cannabis is legal. Every major poll shows support to end prohibition of cannabis anywhere from 62 percent to 70 percent and among all political persuasions, according to the Pew Research Center.

The U.S. Congress has debated and passed at some level bipartisan federal legislation to end the prohibition of cannabis, provide for federal agency

Seek the truth and stand up for it

It’s not about red versus blue, but what do we value? What do we honor?

What’s best for our families, for our descendants, for our friends and neighbors, for the freedom our forefathers did their best to create and preserve. For all those who gave their lives in battle fighting for freedom.

Politics has become one’s identity. A polarization of ideas and ideals creating a cultural war.

To preserve the freedom we cherish and deserve, we must stop the hate, the evil, the promotion of the lawlessness, the corruption, the oppressive,

oversight, and allow for interstate sales of cannabis products. However there is no consensus on a final federal legislative proposal to send to the president of the United States.

Meanwhile, President Biden issued a directive to the U.S. Department of Justice, Health and Human Services, and the Food and Drug Administration to study, evaluate, and provide a recommendation to either reschedule or de-schedule marijuana from the current prohibitive schedule I drug. This executive act has been applauded by cannabis advocates as a necessary step given the inaction by the U.S. Congress.

However, governors and state legislative leaders are not waiting and passed their own interstate commerce laws to sell cannabis products across state lines with other states with similar regulatory rules.

Last year, the governor of California led an effort and succeeded in passing into law a cannabis

unrighteous teaching of our children.

“Truth is only available to those who have the courage to question what they have been taught” or told to believe.

What about moral law, seeking the truth, being open to being wrong or faulty in opinion?

It’s become a battle between right and wrong, truth and lies, justice and injustice. Our world is falling apart, and we are allowing it to happen.

Thoughts and opinions do not justify truth, we have to know for sure.

Courage is seeking the truth and standing up for it.

“A house divided cannot stand.” —Abraham

Lincoln

Ellie Ripley Arroyo Grande

WRITE NOW!

We want to know what you think about everything. Send your 250-word letter to Sun Letters, 2646 Industrial Parkway #200, Santa Maria, CA 93455. You can also fax it (1-805-546-8641) or e-mail it (letters@santamariasun.com). All letters must include a name, address, and phone number for verification purposes; may be edited for space or clarity; and will be posted to santamariasun.com.

interstate commerce framework and soon after directed his agency to work closely with the state’s attorney general to ensure the state’s legal industry is protected when agreements between states are signed. Oregon, Washington state, Colorado, Nevada, and New Jersey are in the process of passing a similar law. California may soon begin discussions with these states about signing an interstate agreement to sell cannabis products among legal, licensed operators.

As you see, the arc of the universe is long but it is bending toward justice, and we remain confident that our movement is on the right side of history. m

Sam Rodriguez is the policy director of the Santa Ynez based Good Farmers Great Neighbors, a Central Coast alliance of cannabis farmers, greenhouse operators, manufacturers, and businesses. Send a letter for publication to letters@ santamariasun.com.

The Canary’s ideology, anti-hate arguments are faulty

In response to the Canary from the April 6 edition (“No place for hate”):

“The whole public school system gets at least two weeks off school for a Christian holiday ... but paint a crosswalk rainbow colors, and now there’s an ideology problem” should not be used to make the Canary’s case against Jesse Taylor or others who do not embrace LGBTQplus as a good thing, because it is a very poor comparison—rather like comparing a runny nose caused by seasonal allergies to Ebola. It is meant to pull at emotions not make a well reasoned argument.

Nor is it an honest argument, as the Canary attributes Christmas to Christianity, but only because it serves the purpose of attempting to paint a school break as Christians pushing their ideology. We should remember that for decades the secular world has done all it can to make those two weeks “winter break,” attempting to purge a celebration of Christ from the season. But even if that weren’t happening, Christians aren’t using the break to push ideology. You won’t lose your business or be put on trial for not making Christmas-themed cakes. No one is dragged into a two-week break and no Christian would raise the cry that you aren’t letting them worship God.

Jesus, born so that mankind could be forgiven of their sins and be reconciled to God through Him, is not an ideology pushed by taking a two-week break from school. On the other hand, Pride Month is a blatantly in-your-face, monthlong pushing of LGBTQ-plus ideology.

So the answer to the question the Canary posed, “The logic of some people, amirite?” No, you are not. Especially when you are supposedly standing for No Place For Hate week by mocking someone for their hasty typos. What the Canary is really saying is that there’s no room for hate unless you aren’t pro LGBTQ-plus, then you are fair game to be hated.

Meanwhile, there is another who has called for loving your enemies and praying for those who persecute you. I would think he would be a far greater symbol to use for a No Place For Hate week.

Michael McCone Santa Maria

Every major poll shows support to end prohibition of cannabis anywhere from 62 percent to 70 percent

all political persuasions.

The nerve Opinion

At least one official in the Santa Ynez Valley has had it with the area’s political shenanigans.

The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School principal is quitting after one year on the job. Why? It’s definitely you, not him. Michael Niehoff said he tried to make learning the forefront of his job, but the people in the Santa Ynez Valley made that really hard.

“There are some dynamics outside of the students and teachers that make it almost impossible to focus on teaching and learning,” he wrote in a statement that was read out loud during the April 18 school board meeting.

That’s a very diplomatic way of saying: “You people suck!”

To Niehoff’s credit, he was always pretty diplomatic in dealing with the tomfoolery that caused high school drama—and it wasn’t the students! It was parents and other adults who didn’t have children in school. It was whoever decided they needed to hop onto the school’s “transparency” Facebook page, or clamber into a school board meeting to chastise, or circulate rumors due to what a teacher was perceived to have taught in the classroom/a basketball coach was perceived to have told his players/a diversity, equity, and inclusion coordinator was perceived to have indoctrinated students to do.

The unmitigated gall of these adults! Santa Ynez “community members” felt the need to comment on a professional educator’s sexuality, to the point where that person was placed on what equates to administrative leave! Adriana Reyes, the school’s DEI (that’s diversity, equity, inclusion for all of you adults in the reading room) coordinator, helped facilitate antibullying events at the high school during No Place for Hate week on campus.

Maybe she should have been called in to focus on parents’ pro-bullying agenda, but instead, administrators asked Reyes to steer clear of campus while the hullabaloo over rainbow-painted crosswalks blew over.

“Community members are claiming this was her way of ‘spreading her gay agenda,’ completely disregarding the fact that No Place for Hate is entirely student led,” a statement from the high school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance said.

Really. Adults need something better to do with their time. Get off social media. Go get some of that angst out by climbing a mountain. Learn yourself by reading a book.

I’m dumbfounded that community members felt the need to proclaim their feelings in such a hateful manner. It’s crazy that an educator would get attacked for doing her job—and then be asked to sit this one out. No wonder Niehoff is over it. Crosswalk-gate was the icing on the cake.

Ironically, the school board brought Niehoff in thinking that he could help combat some of the political challenges the area presents to the school district. Ha! Santa Ynez won’t have that kind of attitude. No way, nohow.

“This is my third year on the board, and it hasn’t been easy; our community has a lot of challenges,” board member José Juan Ibarra said at the April 18 meeting. “There’s been a lot of tension in our schools, and our students and faculty and staff are yearning for change. Students were calling for a better lived experience on campus.”

That means keep your political baggage to yourself—off campus. Take a chill pill. Smoke a joint. There’s more to life than ideological hate and anger. m

The canary is almost speechless, but not quite. Send tips to canary@santamariasun.com.

Hot Stuff

FEATHER WEATHER

The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature will host an artist talk, The Art of Feather Carving with artist Chris Maynard, via Zoom on Wednesday, May 3, from 4 to 5 p.m. The museum is hosting this virtual event in conjunction with its current group exhibition, Bird’s Eye View: Four Perspectives, which premiered in late March and will remain on display through early September. Visit wildlingmuseum.org for info. The museum is located at 1511 Mission Drive, unit B, Solvang.

—Caleb Wiseblood

ARTS

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

ARTISTIC SELF ART STUDIO For adults ages 50 and over. Bring your art projects and supplies and work on them in a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere with other artists. This is a drop-in program. Wednesdays, 9-10 a.m. through Dec. 27 Free. 805-925-0951. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

BALLROOM, LATIN, AND SWING DANCE

CLASSES Social ballroom, Latin, and swing lessons for all ages on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Beginner and advance classes. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m. $45-$55. 805-928-7799. Kleindancesarts. com. KleinDance Arts, 3558 Skyway Drive, suite A, Santa Maria.

BRIGHT STAR Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s Grammy and Tony-nominated musical weaves toe-tapping bluegrass and incredible true events into a rich, refreshingly genuine journey along the Blue Ridge Mountains. April 27, 7 p.m., April 28 7 p.m., April 29, 7 p.m., April 30 1:30 p.m., May 3, 1:30 p.m., May 5, 7 p.m., May 6 1:30 & 7 p.m. and May 7 1:30 p.m. Starting at $25. 805-922-8313. pcpa.org/events/bright-star.

PCPA: The Pacific Conservatory Theatre, 800 S. College, Santa Maria.

CENTRAL COAST GUITAR SHOW 2023

Buy, sell, trade, and see all things guitar, new, used, and vintage, and other musical instruments. April 29 10 a.m.-4 p.m. my805tix.com. Radisson, 3455 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria, 805-928-8000.

CRAFTWORKS: PUZZLE ART A unique take on framed art, patrons will use puzzle pieces and paint on canvas to create a custom work of art. This workshop is free and all materials will be supplied.

For patrons 18 and older. Registration is required. May 6, 10:30 a.m.-noon Free. cityofsantamaria.org/city-government/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria, 805-925-0994.

DANCE CLASSES: EVERYBODY CAN DANCE Classes available for all skill levels. Class sizes limited. Everybody Can Dance, 628 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria, 805937-6753, everybodycandance.webs.com/.

FAMILY CRAFT TIME Families, get creative with an afternoon of arts and crafts. Try out a new medium, make something amazing together, and take home a piece of art. All skillsets are welcome. May 2 4 p.m. 805-925-0994. Santa Maria Public Library (Altrusa Theater), 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

LEARN CALIFORNIA’S OFFICIAL DANCE: WEST COAST SWING Learn west coast swing in a casual, friendly environment, taught by Texas state swing champion, Gina Sigman. No partner needed. Tuesdays, 6:30-8:15 p.m. Beginning class is free; $10 for advanced. 805-344-1630.

Cubanissimo Cuban Coffee House, 4869 S. Bradley Rd., #118, Orcutt.

MUSIC LESSONS AT COELHO ACADEMY

Learn to play piano, drums, guitar, base, ukulele, or violin, or take vocal lessons. 805-925-0464. coelhomusic.com/

Lessons/lessons.html. Coelho Academy of Music, 325 E. Betteravia Rd., Santa Maria.

STAR WARS BILINGUAL STORY TIME

May the fourth be celebrated, with Star Wars stories and rhymes in English and Spanish. After story time, stay to play bingo and trivia with prizes, take home crafts, and more. May 4 4 p.m. 805-9250994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library (Altrusa Theater), 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

THE GRAPES OF WRATH The Theatre

Group of Santa Ynez High School is preparing a staged version of John Steinbeck’s classic novel. Directed by Jeff McKinnon, this production includes a cast, crew, and musicians composed of 30. Mondays-Sundays, 7-9 p.m., April 27 7-9 p.m., April 28 7-9 p.m. and April 29 7-9 p.m. $10 adults; $5 students at the door. 805-688-6487. Santa Ynez High School Little Theater, 2975 CA-246, Santa Ynez.

LEARN CALIFORNIA’S OFFICIAL DANCE: WEST COAST SWING Learn to dance west coast swing in a casual, friendly environment. No partner needed. Taught by Gina Sigman. Thursdays, 6:30-8:15 p.m. Beginning class is free; $10 for advanced.

805-344-1630. High Roller Tiki Lounge, 433 Alisal Road, Solvang.

SEDGWICK RESERVE: A CONSERVATION

STORY Through Oct. 16 Wildling Museum of Art and Nature, 1511 Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-688-1082, wildlingmuseum.org.

VOICES AND VISTAS Award-winning artist Jim Tyler will exhibit a collection of landscape, figurative, and portrait pastel paintings at Gallery Los Olivos during the month of April. Mondays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through April 30 805-688-7517. GalleryLosOlivos.com. Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

POURING MY HEART OUT Explore the world of fluid art and beyond in this exhibition by central coast artist Christine Jeszeck. April 28 - May 25 Free admission. 805-737-1129. Cypress Gallery, 119 E Cypress Ave., Lompoc, lompocart.org.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

AG LIBRARY: 40TH ANNIVERSARY

SAN LUIS OBISPO POETRY FESTIVAL

New Times and the Sun now share their community listings for a complete Central Coast calendar running from SLO County through northern Santa Barbara County. Submit events online by logging in with your Google, Facebook, or Twitter account at newtimesslo.com. You may also email calendar@newtimesslo.com. Deadline is one week before the issue date on Thursdays. Submissions are subject to editing and approval. Contact Calendar Editor Caleb Wiseblood directly at cwiseblood@newtimesslo.com.

Features poets Amber West, Karl Kempton, and Pilar Graham. Open reading follows. Hosted by Kevin Patrick Sullivan. April 29, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Arroyo Grande Library, 800 W. Branch, Arroyo Grande, 473-7164, slolibrary.org.

BE PART OF ART There will be a different art activity each month. Bring the whole family to see the beauty in creating together and how easy it can be to bring art into your home. Last Saturday of every month, 1:30-3 p.m. Free. 805-668-2125. lila. community. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

CPAF: SEUSSICAL JR. Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos. Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers. May 5 7-9 p.m., May 6, 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. and May 7 3-5 p.m. $20-$25. 805-489-9444. clarkcenter.org/shows/cpaf-seussical-jr/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

MIXED MEDIA (ADULTS) Each week, attendees will combine two or more media in several pieces, while working with watercolor, acrylic, ink, pastels, charcoal as well as various printmaking techniques in the course of a month. Enjoy discovering new ways to work with traditional and nontraditional materials. Mondays, 1-3 p.m. $35. 805-668-2125. lila.community. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

MIXED MEDIA FOR AGES 5-6 AND 7-12 For ages 5-6 (Mondays) and 7-12 (Tuesdays). Mondays, Tuesdays, 3:15-4:15 p.m. 805-668-2125. lila.community. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

MIXED MEDIA FOR AGES 5-7 Each week

INDEX

12

students will have the opportunity to explore and combine various mediums like pastels with tempera, watercolors and collage, or clay and wood and so much more. Mondays, 3:30-4:45 p.m. $25. 805668-2125. lila.community. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

MIXED MEDIA WORKSHOP (AGES 7-12) Come explore mixed media with an emphasis on the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design. Each week, students will have the opportunity to use various media. Tuesdays, 3:30-4:45 p.m. $25. 805668-2125. lila.community. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

OPEN STUDIO (AGES 7-12) Guests can explore a variety of media and techniques while focusing on their own subject matter. Whether they come with a project in mind, or find their way as they play, this class offers a chance for independent learning in a supportive environment. Thursdays, 3:45-4:45 p.m. $25. 805-6682125. lila.community/all-workshops/openstudio. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

OPEN STUDIO FOR ADULTS Guests can come in and decide what materials they would like to work with and create freely. Share your creative process with others and see how your work will flourish.

Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m. and Wednesdays, 12:30-3:30 p.m. $40. 805-668-2125. Lila. community. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

PLAY, EXPLORE, CREATE (AGES 5-7)

Young artists will play at various stations, exploring games, and mixed media. There will be a new activity each week. Wonderful opportunities for drawing, painting, and sculpture. Tuesdays, 9-10 a.m. $25. 805-668-2125. lila.community. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

PLAY, EXPLORE, CREATE 1 (AGES 3 AND 4) Enjoy the opportunity to explore drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, and mixed media. Each week a new adventure awaits. Thursdays, 2-3 p.m. and Fridays, 9-10 a.m. $25. 805-668-2125. lila. community. LilA Creative Community, 1147

East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande. SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE FINAL PROBLEM Sherlock Holmes’ skills are put to the test when he goes head-tohead with his intellectual equal, criminal mastermind Professor Moriarty. After repeated attempts on his life, Holmes is rejoined by his recently married friend Dr. Watson and the two attempt to thwart the Professor’s plans Saturdays, 2-4 p.m., Wednesdays-Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. and Sundays, 6-8 a.m. through May 14 $30$36. 805-489-2499. americanmelodrama. com. Great American Melodrama, 1863 Front St., Oceano.

SHIBORI INDIGO DYE WORKSHOP Learn the magic of indigo dye through Shibori techniques Everyone will go home with four beautifully dyed cloth napkins. Lead by Jennifer de Treglode. April 29, 9 a.m.noon $65. 805-668-2125. lila.community. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

ACTOR’S EDGE: ACTING CLASSES

Actor’s Edge offers film and television acting training in San Luis Obispo, plus exposure to Los Angeles talent agents. All ages and skill levels welcome. Classes available in SLO, LA, and on zoom. ongoing $210 per month. actorsedge.com. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

ALL LEVELS POTTERY CLASSES Anam Cre is a pottery studio in SLO that offers a variety of classes. This specific class is open to any level. Teachers are present for questions, but the class feels more like an open studio time for potters. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. $40. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, anamcre.com.

ART AFTER DARK Featuring rotating exhibits from local artists, live music, and vegan and vegetarian dining. First Friday of every month. through May 5 Free. Linnaea’s Cafe, 1110 Garden St., San Luis Obispo, 805-541-5888, linnaeas.com/.

ART AND ABOUT SLO Join us for Art and About SLO, a self-guided art walk that gives the community an opportunity to experience visual, literary, and performing

COURTESY PHOTO BY GEORGE ROSE

The mission of the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center is to reduce the incidence of and vulnerability to sexual assault, child abuse, and human trafficking by providing education and prevention skills to community children and adults, and to alleviate the trauma experienced by survivors of these crimes by providing direct services.

OUR STORY IS YOUR STORY

Nothing existed at that time in the area, so they got together and did something about it: The Rape Crisis Center was born. Thirteen years later, the branch office in Santa Maria was established.

The Center provides 24-hour hotline support, crisis intervention services and prevention outreach in Lompoc, Santa Maria/Guadalupe, Santa Ynez Valley, Cuyama/New Cuyama and neighboring areas through our prevention and intervention efforts.

North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center has a total of 10 full- and part-time staff positions.

With over 85 years of combined service, Center staff are fully dedicated to the mission of the organization, providing direct services as well as educational programming in the community.

Volunteers play a critical role in providing services.

On average, volunteers donate over 250 hours per month supporting the agency’s direct services to survivors and significant others by providing critical linkages on the 24-Hour Support Line. Without dedicated volunteers answering these calls for service, the staff would be hard-pressed to meet the continual need. We may not always know “what” our impact is, but if we plant a seed of hope and have helped alleviate someone’s trauma, then we have done our job.

The Center was established in 1974 when a group of Lompoc women realized there was a critical need for support and resources for survivors of sexual assault.

Center staff and volunteers provide intervention and direct services 24 hours a day.

Our services are available to survivors of sexual violence, child abuse and human trafficking as well as advocacy for their significant others and others in crisis. Services include crisis intervention and support through our 24-hour Support Line, immediate advocacy, case management, counseling, follow-up contact, information/referral services, and support groups. One of the most critical aspects of the Center’s intervention program is our membership with the county’s SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) The Center’s role on the team is to provide accompaniment and support services for the survivor once they disclose to law enforcement.

Our intervention services are available not only for an immediate crisis; we serve all survivors –whether they were victimized an hour ago or 60 years ago.

We assist people of all ages – yes, men and boys , too, as we understand that they are victimized at an alarming rate; just as women are. Significant others are welcome to contact us for direction in helping their family member or friend on their journey of healing. All services and programs are available free of charge to all, though donations are of course accepted, and are tax deductible.

School-based ChildSAFE Program provides personal safety, sexual harassment, and healthy relationship workshops.

ChildSAFE has been provided to North County youth since 1984; these workshops are delivered to children from pre-school to high-school level. With this specialized instruction, younger children learn about different types of touch in the “Good Touch, Bad Touch” presentation, how to prevent unwanted touch, and how to identify and get assistance from “helping people” in the community, and who these people may be. Older students get an extended lesson on abuse which also concentrates on how to recognize and prevent potentially dangerous situations. The presentations are age appropriate and specific, based on different stages of socialization experienced by each age group and the different issues that they may face.

The Center offers a variety of other educational opportunities, one of which is the “Word on the Street” program.

This training is given specifically to youth aged 14–19, and focuses on the realities of human trafficking and what one needs to be aware of as far as the slow, patient tactics that exploiters use to trap vulnerable youth into a life of being trafficked. Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) are, sadly, a common occurrence on the Central Coast, and the Center is working hand-in-hand with many organizations to not only assist the survivors of these crimes, but to raise awareness and prevent children from being victimized in this manner. The Center’s goal through its prevention programs is to reduce their vulnerability by providing healthy dialogue that helps them explore the dangers and learn practical ways to avoid the tactics of exploiters. The program can be tailored to meet the needs/time constraints of the attendees, but ideally it is a multi-week program.

areas of Northern Santa Barbara County.

It’s no secret that every nonprofit operating in our county has felt the lingering effects of the pandemic. As things slowly return to normal, funding is still tenuous. There’s just no way to know what the ripple effect will be, but we are surely feeling it. While we are excitedly planning a fundraiser for May 20 th we know it still won’t fill all the gaps. Your gift can and will make a difference.

Did you know that:

• $1,000 funds 40 hours of assistance for teens identified as Commercially Sexually Exploited Children and adult survivors of human trafficking.

• $750 funds 3 months of 24-hour Support Line Services accessibility for survivors of sexual assault, child abuse and human trafficking.

• $500 funds 4 ChildSAFE three-day workshop s for one school. The Center provides these workshops in all north county secondary schools.

• $250 funds art supplies for four Survivor support group sessions.

• $100 provides workbooks to 15 youth in the Center’s Word on the Street human trafficking prevention program.

• $50 funds four survivors with clothes to wear home after a SART/Rape Kit exam. We average over four SART’s a month.

• $25 provides office supplies that are used for outreach programming.

art in galleries and other venues. Visit site for an updated map of locations. Events will not occur on major holidays. First Friday of every month, 5-8 p.m. Free. 805544-9251. artsobispo.org/art-and-about.

San Luis Obispo, Citywide, SLO.

ART EXHIBIT: FLOWERS AND FLUTTERBYS Art Central presents a spring exhibit featuring local artist of all media. Meet the artists during the artist reception on Apr. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. Through May 1, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 805747-4200. artcentralslo.com/gallery/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

ART EXHIBIT: LUMINOUS EXPRESSIONS

An exhibit of pastel paintings by members of the California Central Coast Pastel Society (3CPS). Meet the artists during a reception on May 6 at 3 p.m. May 5 -July 3 , 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo.com/gallery/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

ARTIST RIKI SCHUMACHER AT ART

CENTRAL GALLERY Schumacher’s work is pensive and introspective, inspiring one to take a solitary walk on a cloudy day. Wander in to reflect on her “delicious, wistful landscapes.” Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. Free. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo.com/galleryartists/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

CERAMIC LESSONS AND MORE Now offering private one-on-one and group lessons in the ceramic arts. Both hand building and wheel throwing options. Beginners welcomed. ongoing 805-8355893. hmcruceceramics.com/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

COMEDY NIGHT Professional comedy show featuring local and touring comics. Hosted by Aidan Candelario. First Thursday of every month, 7-9 p.m. $5. 805540-8300. Bang the Drum Brewery, 1150 Laurel Lane, suite 130, San Luis Obispo, bangthedrumbrewery.com.

DATE NIGHT POTTERY Looking for a fun date night? Head to Anam Cre Pottery Studio and play with clay. Couples will learn how to throw a pot on the wheel and make a cheeseboard. Fridays, Saturdays, 6-8 p.m. $140. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, anamcre.com.

FREE DOCENT TOURS Gain a deeper understanding of the artwork on view with SLOMA’s new docent tours. Every Saturday, join trained guides for interactive and engaging tours of SLOMA’s current exhibitions. ongoing, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. 805-543-8562. sloma.org/visit/ tours/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

HART’S SECOND ANNUAL CAT ART

AUCTION Details about these creative and beautiful paintings, along with biographies about their local and not-solocal creators, will be on display at HART’s retail store in Cambria, and through the online auction. Bidding closes at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 29. Through April 29 805927-7377. slohart.org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

INTERMEDIATE OIL PAINTING: ADULT

ART CLASS This class is for students who may have tried oil painting in the past but are looking to advance their skill levels. Color theory and proportion study will be a focus in the class. Mondays, 2-5 p.m. $30 per student or $75 for 3 classes. 805747-4200. artcentralslo.com/workshopsevents/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

INTRO TO OIL PAINTING WITH SPENCER

COLLINS The perfect class for those wanting to try oil painting for the first time. Guests discuss color theory, layering paint, and how to use various media. For ages 16 and over. Thursdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $30 per class or $100 for 4 classes. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo.com/workshops-events/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

ISABELLA ROSSELLINI: DARWIN’S SMILE

Iconic actress Isabella Rossellini’s new one woman show reconciles two worlds that are often at the opposite ends: art and science. The show is a lesson on evolution and acting. She demonstrates how acting can be used to understand animals and

their emotions. April 29, 7:30-9 p.m.

$49-$79. 805-756-4849. calpolyarts.org. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.

KIDS ART CLASS: PORTRAITS FOR KIDS

WITH ZOE WILLIAMSON Learn to love drawing faces. Each class, we will look at a famous artist, a new style of art, and practice drawing different expressions using simple proportions. Learn new techniques and build confidence. For kids ages 7 and older. Tuesdays, 3:30-5 p.m. through June 13 $300 for 10 Classes. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo.com/workshops-events/. Art

Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

KIDS POTTERY CLASSES Enjoy making animal sculptures, bowls, plates, etc. Please arrive on time, not early, as venue uses the transition time between classes to sanitize. Designed to sign up on a weekly basis. Thursdays, 1:30-2:30 p.m. $40. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., 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. 805-441-8257.

Patricia Martin: Whispering Vista Studios, 224 Squire Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo, patriciamartinartist.com.

LIVE WEBINAR: CCCC GRANT FOR INDIVIDUAL ARTIST FELLOWSHIPS A live webinar explaining the grant for individual artist fellowship. All artists including: tattoo artists, muralists, painters, sculptors, artists in film, artists in music, poets, etc. are all welcome to join. April 27 6-7 p.m. Free. tinyurl.com/Workshopcccc. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

MARELA ZACARÍAS: STORYTELLING

Through July 7 San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, 543-8562, sloma.org/.

OPEN MIC COMEDY Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.

Hosted by Aidan Candelario. Mondays, 7-9 p.m. Free. 805-540-8300. saintsbarrel. com/event-calendar. Saints Barrel Wine Bar, 1021 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo.

PARENT-CHILD POTTERY CLASS Make lasting memories with clay together as a family. For ages 6 and over. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon $70. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, anamcre.com.

PLEIN AIR PAINTERS OF THE CENTRAL COAST A self-directed fun group of dynamic artists who enjoy painting and sketching outdoors. Artists meet on site at various locations. Weekly plein air destinations are provided by Kirsti Wothe via email (mrswothe@yahoo.com).

Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon SLO County, Various locations, San Luis Obispo.

POTTERY: BEGINNING WHEEL CLASS

This series is a great intro to the pottery wheel. Students learn to throw various shapes, surface decorate, and glaze. Clay and firing included with admission. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $180. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

SCULPTURE CLASS WITH ROD PEREZ

This weekly sculpture drop-in class gives an opportunity for potters to take on new projects and learn new techniques relating to sculptural work. Additionally, every first Friday of the month, a new project will be taught by Rod Perez for beginners.

Fridays, 10 a.m.-noon $40. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

SENIOR CLAY CLASS Offered to the senior community as an outlet to explore the beauty of clay. For ages 60 and over. Caretakers welcome for an additional $20.

Fridays, 10 a.m.-noon $40. anamcre.com.

Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

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. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, 805-548-2337, libertinebrewing.com.

SLO DRAWZ: OPEN FIGURE DRAWING GROUP Improve your drawing skills while also building a community of supportive creatives with live models. This is not a guided class, please bring your own materials. To sign up, email chantellegoldthwaite@gmail.com. Every other Monday, 5-7 p.m. and Every other Thursday, 5-7 p.m. through Dec. 31 $20 per session; or $60 for a month pass. 805747-4200. instagram.com/slodrawz/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. SLO FILM FEST Check website for full list of featured films and screenings. Through April 30 slofilmfest.org/. SLO County, Various locations, San Luis Obispo.

TINY POTTERS: WISE ONES AND WEE

ONES PAINT For ages 4 to 6. Kids have the option to paint animals and other subjects. Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. $30. anamcre. com/booking. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey 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 Wednesdays, 1:303:30 p.m. $35. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo.com/workshops-events/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

ANYTHING GOES A toe tapping-inducing musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. April 28 , 7:30-10 p.m., April 29, 7:30-10 p.m. and April 30 2-4:30 p.m. $18. 805-769-1500. Paso Robles High School, 801 Niblick Rd., Paso Robles, pasoschools. org/prhs.

BRUCE MUNRO: LIGHT AT SENSORIO

Sensorio, the Central California location dedicated to the intersection of art, technology, and nature, continues to welcome crowds to its stunning multiacre outdoor exhibit, Bruce Munro: Light at Sensorio. Thursdays-Saturdays, 7-10 p.m. and Thursdays-Saturdays, 7:30-10:30 p.m. through May 13 $22-$112. 805-2264287. sensoriopaso.com. Sensorio, 4380 Highway 46 East, Paso Robles.

EVENING OF COMEDY FROM HEMINGWAY’S STEAKHOUSE GA tickets are theater seating. VIP tickets get preferred table seating and food and drink service at the table. First Saturday of every month, 8-10 p.m. through Dec. 6 $38-$55. 805-369-1017. Park Ballroom, 1232 Park St., Paso Robles, ehsteaks.com.

THREE SPECKLED HENS: ANTIQUES AND OLD STUFF SHOW A biannual event that specializes in selling one-of-a-kind antique and vintage items. More than 100 vendors will participate in the show. April 28 -30 my805tix.com. Paso Robles Event Center, 2198 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles.

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

ANGLES AND DANGLES MOSAICS Learn mosaic basics to create a one-of-a-kind project. Preregistration required. April 30 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Various. 805-286-5993. CreativeMeTime.com. 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. Event lasts up to 2 hours. The party includes a complimentary glass of wine and canvas with materials. Saturdays, 12-2 p.m. $50. 805-394-5560. coastalwineandpaint.com. Harmony Cafe at the Pewter Plough, 824 Main St., Cambria.

DEVOTIONAL JEWELRY BY JANE

SIRAGUSA Jane’s Devotional Jewelry are wearable reminders of unique spiritual journeys, as not all spiritual journeys are the same, so different devotionals serve different purposes. Ultimately, Jane’s jewelry best serves as a reminder that “we are not alone.” Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. through April 29 Free. 805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

DRIFTWOOD MOSAICS Choose from the instructor’s vast selection of beautiful, local driftwood. Preregistration required. April 29 10 a.m.-noon $45. 805-286-5993. CreativeMeTime.com. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay.

FINDING THE LIGHT FEATURING LIZ

HAMPTON-DERIVAN Cambria Center for the Arts features artist Liz HamptonDerivan, an accomplished photographer and internationally shown artist. Liz has begun experimenting with mixed media, hot and cold wax, paints, and pastels to create an exhibit of unexpected and delightful imagery. Fridays-Sundays, 12-4 p.m. through April 30 Free. cambriaarts. org. Cambria Center for the Arts, 1350 Main St., Cambria.

FINDING THE LIGHT RECEPTION

Features internationally shown artist Liz Hampton-Derivan. Her work includes mixed media, photography, hot and cold wax, paints, and pastels to create an exhibit of unexpected and delightful imagery. Reception on March 4, March 4, 2023, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Through April 30 cambriaarts.org. Cambria Center for the Arts, 1350 Main St., Cambria.

FINE ART ACRYLIC AND DIGITAL PAINTINGS BY STEVE DAYTON

Steve obtained Associate and BFA degrees in graphic design from Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Steve’s paintings are either abstract or representational, and those in his Cayucos series use acrylic paints inspired by the Central Coast. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. through April 29 Free. 805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

FINE ART ACRYLIC PAINTINGS BY HEMA SUKUMAR California’s colorful landscapes from the water’s edge to mountaintops are a constant source of Sukumar’s artistic inspirations. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. through May 29 Free. 805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

FINE ART OIL PAINTINGS BY JEFF

ODELL For more than 30 years on the Central Coast, Odell has been painting rural/urban landscapes, seascapes, portraits, figures, interior studies, and “anything that will sit long enough to serve as a subject.” Gallery open daily. Mondays, Wednesdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. through April 29 Free. 805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

FINE ART WATERCOLORS BY ARDELLA SWANBERG Ardella Swanberg has painted her entire life. Her first awards for her art were received during high school in Garden Grove, and her travels and adventures are reflected in her paintings of various locales.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. through May 29 Free. 805-7721068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

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 necessary. Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. $45. 805-772-9095. Forever Stoked, 1164 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay.

HAND MADE LEATHER AND FIBER ART BY KRISTINA ALBION Kristina Albion has been inspired to create art, bags, wearable art, and home decor using cloth, fiber, stone, leather, paint, and more. Her pieces showcase her talents in many media.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. through May 29 Free. 805-7721068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

IT’S A SHOE-IN Learn mosaic basics to create a one-of-a-kind project, with many colors, baubles, and beads to choose from to create a custom piece. May 7 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Various. 805-286-5993. CreativeMeTime.com. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay.

RICH POURS

The Cypress Gallery in Lompoc presents Pouring My Heart Out, a new solo exhibition of works by local artist Christine Jeszeck, which is scheduled to debut on Friday, April 28, and run through Thursday, May 25. One of Jeszeck’s featured paintings in the upcoming fluid art showcase is Reflections, pictured. Visit lompocart.org to find out more about the exhibit. The Cypress Gallery is located at 119 E. Cypress Ave., Lompoc.

METAL ART BY TRUDI GILLIAM Gilliam creates her sculptures using copper, brass, nickel/silver, and found objects. This new series of whales and birds uses copper and sea glass. ongoing 805-772-9955. Seven Sisters Gallery, 601 Embarcadero Ste. 8, Morro Bay, sevensistersgalleryca.com.

MOSAIC TRIVET WORKSHOP During this workshop, you will learn how to design and create a mosaic trivet. You will learn how to select materials, lay out a pleasing pattern, and adhere the tiles to the trivet base. You will learn how to properly grout and seal your project. ongoing, 1-4 p.m. $60. 805-772-2504. artcentermorrobay.org/. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

26TH ANNUAL SANTA MARIA NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER The Community of Prayer, Inc. is hosting the 26th annual National Day of Prayer celebration. This years’ service will be bilingual. May 4 , 5:30-7 p.m. Free. 805-260-2461. communityofprayer.org. Santa Maria Fairpark, 937 S. Thornburg St., Santa Maria. 30 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN SANTA

MARIA/ORCUTT Community Partners in Caring is seeking volunteers to help support dependent older adults and seniors. ongoing partnersincaring.org.

Santa Maria, Citywide, Santa Maria.

ADULTING 101: HEALTHY LIVING A series of fun and informative workshops designed for emerging adults ages 16 to 21. Registration required. April 27 3:30 p.m. Free. 805-925-0994. cityofsantamaria.org/city-government/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

ANDROID PHONE CLASS First Thursday of every month Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt, 805-937-9750.

CENTRAL COAST CORVETTE CLUB Open to Corvette owners and enthusiasts. First Thursday of every month, 7 p.m. Free.

805-934-3948. Home Motors, 1313 E. Main St., Santa Maria.

DÍA DE LOS NIÑOS CELEBRATION: LAVIGNINO PLAZA Celebrate children, families, and reading during Día de los Niños. Gather at the library for music, dance, food, face painting, crafts, culture, and stories. Provided in partnership with Recreation and Parks. Program funded in part or whole by California State Library. April 29 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

FEEL GOOD YOGA Tuesdays, Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. 805-937-9750. oasisorcutt.org. Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt.

FIRST FRIDAY First Friday of every month facebook.com/firstfridayoldtownorcutt/. Historic Old Town Orcutt, S. Broadway and Union Ave., Orcutt.

GROUP WALKS AND HIKES Check website for the remainder of this year’s group hike dates and private hike offerings. ongoing 805-343-2455. dunescenter.org. Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, 1065 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe.

HOMEWORK HELP: SANTA MARIA

PUBLIC LIBRARY Volunteer tutors are available to help with assignments and work on skills. For children in grades K-6. First come, first served; no sign-ups are required. No events scheduled between April 10 and 13. Mondays-Thursdays. through May 25 Free. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

JOURNALING PACK FOR TEENS AND

TWEENS: ALL LOCATIONS Learn about the many ways in which people journal. Create, customize, and build a personal journal to keep. Program funded in part or whole by California State Library. April 29 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

PRESCHOOL YOGA STORY TIME Come for a morning of yoga with stories and breathing exercises. Children are introduced to mindfulness and will learn exercises to help regulate emotions. Space and supplies are limited. For ages

3-5. Program funded in part or whole by California State Library. April 28 11 a.m. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library (Altrusa Theater), 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

SANTA MARIA VALLEY STRAWBERRY

FESTIVAL A celebration of the Santa Maria Valley’s number one commodity. Attendees can expect the traditional favorites including carnival rides, strawberry tasting, live entertainment, shopping vendors, and the children’s coloring contest. April 28 , 12-10 p.m., April 29 12-10 p.m. and April 30 12-10 p.m. $15. 805-925-8824. santamariafairpark.com/. Santa Maria Fairpark, 937 S. Thornburg St., Santa Maria.

VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS OVER ZOOM

Visit site or call to learn about various virtual workshop offerings. ongoing Varies. Unwind Studio, 130 N. Broadway, suite B, Santa Maria, 805-748-2539, unwindsantamaria.com.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

BDSM 101 This monthly class from the Central Coast Kink Community provides a basic overview of kink, consent, rules, and information to help practitioners be successful and safe. Attendees must be 18+ years of age. Virtually meets via Zoom. Fourth Friday of every month, 6-8 p.m. No admission. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

BEYOND MINDFULNESS Realize your potential through individualized meditation instruction with an experienced teacher via Zoom. This class is for those who wish to begin a practice or seek to deepen an existing one. Flexible days and times. Certified with IMTA. Email or text for information. Mondays-Sundays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sliding scale. 559-9059274. theartofsilence.net. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

BIRDS AND

BOTANY MONTHLY WALK

AT SLO BOTANICAL GARDEN The Garden is excited to present a monthly bird walk series on the fourth Thursday of every month which explores the intersection of birds and botany. Fourth Thursday of every month, 8-11 a.m. $10 for Garden Members; $40 for general public. 805-541-1400. slobg. org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

CAL HOPE SLO GROUPS AT TMHA Visit website for full list of weekly Zoom groups available. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays calhopeconnect.org. Transitions Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-270-3346.

FREE REPAIR CAFÉ Toaster won’t toast? Lamp doesn’t shine? Get free help fixing household appliances, outdoor gear and apparel, phones, laptops, game consoles, bikes, knife and tool sharpening, clothing, and more. Guests are also encouraged to bring their garden abundance to share.

April 30 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. 650-3676780. repaircafe5cities.org. iFixit, 1330 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

GARDEN FOUNDER WALK AND TALK

Walk and talk with Eve Vigil in the Botanical Garden each month on the first Tuesday. Free garden tour with paid admission to the Garden. Free for members. No need to RSVP, just show up and enjoy. First Tuesday of every month, 11 a.m.-noon Free with $5 Garden Entry. 805541-1400. slobg.org/calendar. 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.-noon Free with $5 Garden Entry. 805-541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

HEALING DEPRESSION SUPPORT

GROUP A safe place for anyone suffering from the pain of depression. We do not criticize but do share our journey,

feelings, and what works for us. We can meet in person or use Zoom if needed. Mondays, 6-7 p.m. Free. 805-528-3194. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo.

JUSTICE SUNDAY AT MOUNT CARMEL: DAYS FOR GIRLS, INTERNATIONAL

Founded in 2008, Days for Girls provides education and hand-made kits containing renewable hygiene products to address “period poverty” that prevents girls and women in 145 countries from attending school and work. Refreshments provided. April 30 11 a.m.-noon No charge. 805544-2133. mtcarmelslo.org/. Mount Carmel Lutheran Church, 1701 Fredericks St., San Luis Obispo.

LGBTQ+ FED THERAPIST LEAD

SUPPORT GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM) A pro-recovery group offering space to those seeking peer support, all stages of ED recovery. We understand recovery isn’t linear and judgment-free support is crucial. Share, listen, and be part of a community building up each other. First Wednesday of every month, 7-8 p.m. Free. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

LITTLE ACORNS: PARENT PARTICIPATION GROUP A playtime group in the SLOBG Children’s Garden. Pre-registration is required. For more information about registering for this program, email millie@slobg.org. April 27, 9:30-11:30 a.m. 805-541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION

(ONLINE MEETING) Zoom series hosted by TMHA. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon Transitions Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-270-3346.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE:

MAUREEN BECK (IMPROBABLE ASCENT)

Paraclimber Maureen Beck learned how to rock climb one-handed through trial and error—one of her early adaptive climbing

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 20

innovations involved taping a metal ladle to her arm. It wasn’t long before she was tackling some of the hardest climbs by a one-handed athlete.

May 1 7:30-9 p.m. $30-$72. 805-756-6556.

Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo, pacslo.org.

PUPPY SOCIAL HOUR Puppies (10 weeks to 5 months old) will learn appropriate play style with other pups, acceptable manners with people, tolerance for gentle restraints, confidence with the approach of friendly strangers, and more.

Saturdays, 9 a.m. and Wednesdays, 10 a.m.

$25. 805-543-9316. woodshumanesociety.org/ training/. Woods Humane Society, 875 Oklahoma Ave., San Luis Obispo.

PURRR-FECT PLANTS SUCCULENT PLANTS

AND POTTERY SALE With three local plant vendors and a potter, plus awesome Cal Poly student-grown tropical plants and houseplants.

Benefits Cal Poly Cat Program. April 29 10 a.m.-

4 p.m. and April 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Cal Poly Plant Greenhouses/ Poly Plant Shop/ Leaning Pine Arboretum, 1 Grand Ave., Bldg. 48, Via Carta Road, San Luis Obispo, 805-602-7817.

Q YOUTH GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM)

This is a social support group for LGBTQ+ and questioning youth between the ages of 11-18. Each week the group explores personal, cultural, and social identity. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. Free. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

QI GONG FOR MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT Learn and practice qi gong, a Chinese system for physical, mental and spiritual development. This class is conducted outdoors in a beautiful setting, which is the best place to do qi gong, as its inspiration is drawn from nature. Certified instructor: Devin Wallace. Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m. $10. 805-709-2227. Crows End Retreat Center, 6340 Squire Ct., San Luis Obispo.

SLO NOONTIME TOASTMASTERS CLUB

MEETINGS Want to improve speaking and leadership skills in a supportive and positive environment? During COVID, we are meeting virtually. Contact us to get a meeting link for info. Tuesdays, 12-1 p.m. Free. slonoontime. toastmastersclubs.org. Zoom, Online, Inquire for Zoom ID.

SLO RAM RETIRED ACTIVE MEN COFFEE

CABINET Weekly Coffee Cabinet meeting of the SLO RAM Active Retired Men, a local men’s social club. Click ‘Contact’ on website for invite.

Thursdays, 8-9:30 a.m. $10. retiredactivemen. org. Madonna Inn Garden Room, 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo.

SLO SKIERS MONTHLY MEETING SLO Skiers is a non-profit sports and social club for adults ages 21 and older. First Wednesday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m. through Dec. 6 Meetings free; yearly membership $65. 805-528-3194. sloskiers.org. Dairy Creek Golf Course, 2990 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

SOUL AND SOIL: PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL

GATHERINGS A safe space to “connect to our bodies, children, and the natural world.” Bring water, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and other items for a day in the Garden. May 2 10-11:30 a.m. $10; free for members and children. 805541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

STAY YOUNG WITH QI GONG Qi Gong boosts energy and vitality, reduces stress, improves balance and flexibility, and, best of all, is fun. Join instructor Devin Wallace for this outdoor class which is held in a beautiful setting. Call or email before attending. Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m. $10. 805-709-2227. Crows End Retreat Center, 6340 Squire Ct., San Luis Obispo.

SUNDAY EVENING RAP LGBTQ+ AA

GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM) Alcoholics

Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of folks from all walks of life who together, attain and maintain sobriety. Requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Email aarapgroup@gmail.com for password access.

Sundays, 7-8 p.m. No fee. galacc.org/events/.

Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

TAI CHI AND QIGONG FITNESS ONLINE Gentle but powerful physical exercises to improve balance, posture, and overall well being.

Wednesdays, 8:25-10:35 a.m. through May 24 $77. 805-549-1222. ae.slcusd.org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

TAICHI AND QIGONG ONLINE With Gary West through SLO Adult School. Held Wednesdays, at 8:25 a.m. (TaiChi) and 9:35 a.m. (QiGong).

Wednesdays. through May 25 $77 for semester.

805-549-1222. ae.slcusd.org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

VASE BASE

The 15th annual Cambria Wildflower Show will be open to the public at the Cambria Veterans Memorial Hall on Saturday, April 29, from noon to 5 p.m., and Sunday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The indoor event features hundreds of fresh wildflowers displayed under one roof. For more info on the event, visit fiscaliniranchpreserve.org. The Cambria Veterans Memorial Hall is located at 1000 Main St., Cambria.

—C.W.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

TRANS* TUESDAY A safe space providing peer-to-peer support for trans, gender nonconforming, non-binary, and questioning people. In-person and Zoom meetings held. Contact tranzcentralcoast@gmail.com for more details. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. GALA Pride and Diversity Center, 1060 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-541-4252.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

BREW AT THE ZOO Features craft beers, distilled spirits, ciders, seltzers, wine, live music, games, contests, and more. All proceeds benefit the zoo. Animal onesies encouraged. April 29, 5:30-8:30 p.m. 805-461-5080. charlespaddockzoo.org/. Charles Paddock Zoo, 9100 Morro Rd., Atascadero.

FOOD & DRINK

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT COSTA DE ORO

Featured vendors in the series include Cali Coast Tacos, Cubanissimo, Danny’s Pizza Co., Chef Ricks, and more. Call venue for monthly schedules. Fridays 805-922-1468. costadeorowines.com. Costa De Oro Winery, 1331 S. Nicholson Ave., Santa Maria.

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT WINE STONE INN

Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, 805-332-3532, winestoneinn.com/.

PRESQU’ILE WINERY: WINE CLUB Call or go online to make a reservation to taste at the winery or find more info on the winery’s Wine Club offerings. ongoing presquilewine.com/ club/. Presqu’ile Winery, 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., Santa Maria, 805-937-8110.

SIMPLY SOURDOUGH

First Thursday of every month Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt, 805-937-9750.

TACO TUESDAY Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, 805-332-3532, winestoneinn.com/.

WINE AND DESIGN CLASSES Check Wine and Design’s Orcutt website for the complete list of classes, for various ages. ongoing Varies. wineanddesign.com/orcutt. Wine and Design, 3420 Orcutt Road, suite 105, Orcutt.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

HEAD GAMES TRIVIA AND TACO TUESDAYS

CLASH Don’t miss Head Games Trivia at COLD Coast Brewing Company every Tuesday night. Teams can be up to 6 members. Earn prizes and bragging rights. Kekas will be serving their delicious local fare. Fun for all ages. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. 805-819-0723. coldcoastbrewing.com.

COLD Coast Brewing Company, 118 W Ocean Ave, Lompoc.

11:30 a.m. through Dec. 27. 805-925-0951. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

LIVE MUSIC SUNDAYS Sundays, 2-6 p.m. Brick Barn Wine Estate, 795 W. Hwy 246, Buellton, 805-686-1208, brickbarnwineestate.com.

LIVE MUSIC WITH JEFF PINE Come and see “the man with 700 songs in his head.” May 7 7-10 p.m. Free. 805-686-9126. arrowsmithwine. com. Arrowsmith’s, 1539 Mission Drive, Solvang.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY CONCERT SERIES:

42ND SEASON The SYV Concert Series’ 202223 season includes five upcoming concerts, between October and May 13. smitv.org/ syv-concert-series.html. St. Mark’s in the Valley Episcopal Church, 2901 Nojoqui Ave., Los Olivos.

TEGAN AND SARA, WITH HAND HABITS:

LIVE IN CONCERT Canadian indie pop/rock sister duo Tegan and Sara will perform at the Solvang Festival Theater stage under the stars with special guest Hand Habits. May 3 , 7-9:30 p.m. Starting at $55. 805-686-1789. solvangtheaterfest.org. Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang.

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Brick Barn Wine Estate, 795 W. Hwy 246, Buellton, 805-686-1208, brickbarnwineestate.com.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

TRIVIA NIGHT Join BrainStew Trivia for a hilariously witty evening of trivia in Pismo. Teams of 1 to 4 people. Prizes awarded to the first and second place teams. Kitchen is open until 7:30 p.m. for brain fuel. Beer, cider, wine, and non-alcoholic options available. First Thursday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m. Free to play. 805-295-6171. kulturhausbrewing.com. Kulturhaus Brewing Company, 779 Price St., Pismo Beach.

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

SPRING BRUNCH IN THE GARDEN Enjoy a delicious brunch in the serene Gazebo Garden. Menu features bagels, artisan sandwiches, familiar breakfast classics, and more. Sundays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. through June 25 Please see event menu for pricing. 805-927-4200. cambriapineslodge.com. Cambria Nursery and Florist, 2801 Eton Rd., Cambria.

MUSIC

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

ELEGANCE AND MASTERY The Santa Maria

Philharmonic Orchestra and Maestro Michael Nowak close the 2022/2023 season with a concert immortalizing two titans of classical music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Dmitri Shostakovich. April 29, 7:30 p.m. 805-925-0412. smphilharmonic.org. Grace Baptist Church, 605 E. McCoy Ln., Santa Maria.

THE HOMESTEAD: LIVE MUSIC ON THE PATIO

Check the Homestead’s Facebook page for details on live music events. Fridays, Saturdays

The Homestead, 105 W. Clark Ave, Old Orcutt, 805-287-9891, thehomesteadoldorcutt.com.

LINE DANCING FUN For adults ages 50 and older. Learn basic patterns and steps to some of your favorite music. This beginner-friendly class is for anyone that enjoys dancing. Wednesdays, 1:30-2:30 p.m. through Dec. 27 Free. 805-9250951. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

MUSIC AT ROSCOE’S KITCHEN Live DJ and karaoke every Friday and Saturday night. Featured acts include Soul Fyah Band, DJ Nasty, DJ Jovas, and more. Fridays, Saturdays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, 805-623-8866.

PUTTING ON THE RITZ: SENIOR PROM The Santa Maria Valley Senior Citizens Club presents this year’s Senior Prom with Riptide Big Band, and vocalists Bob Nations and Mitch Latting. Free thanks to grant funded by Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County. May 7, 1:30-4 p.m. 775-813-5186. RiptideBB.com. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria. UKULELE JAM SESSIONS This is a drop-in program. Play melodies and many songs with other musicians. Baritone ukuleles are available to use or bring your own. Music and music strands provided. Mondays, Wednesdays, 10:30-

KNEE DEEP LIVE All ages welcome. April 29, 8 p.m. my805tix.com. Flower City Ballroom, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc.

TONY BUCK AND THE CADILLAC ANGELS

LIVE April 28 8 p.m. my805tix.com. Flower City Ballroom, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. YOUTH OPEN MIC NIGHT A fun, welcoming environment for first time performers and an opportunity for kids and teens to showcase their talent. Prizes awarded every month for Outstanding Performer. Last Friday of every month, 6-8 p.m. certainsparks.com/. Certain Sparks Music, 107 S. H St., Lompoc.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

BIG VARIETY NIGHT AT BROAD STREET PUB

Hosted by Ted Waterhouse, Big Variety Night features the best local musical acts in a series of short, sweet sets. Check website for the list of performers. April 28 6-9:30 p.m. No cover. 805704-5116. tedwaterhouse.com. Broad Street Public House, 3590 Broad Street, San Luis Obispo.

DAWN LAMBETH (WITH THE TEVIS RANGER

JAZZ ENSEMBLE) The Dawn Lambeth Jazz Band from San Luis Obispo and the Tevis Ranger Jazz Ensemble from Bakersfield will be playing “Hot Swingin’ Jazz” at the Basin Street Regulars’ Sunday afternoon concert. April 30 1-4 p.m. $10 for members; $15 for non-members. 805-9378402. Pismo Beach Veterans Memorial Hall, 780 Bello St., Pismo Beach.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

EASTON EVERETT LIVE AT HOTEL SLO Easton Everett plays guitar-woven indie music that has an authentic feel and is easy to listen to, but also surprises. April 29 6-9 p.m. Free. eastoneverett.com/. Hotel San Luis Obispo, 877 Palm St., San Luis Obispo.

INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY Presented by Mo Betta Jazz. Additional concert at Field Day Coffee at 3 p.m. April 30, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Mint + Craft, 848 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, 805632-9191, mintandcraft.com.

JAZZ VESPERS CONCERTS: VOCE The series returns to the historic sanctuary with the award-winning vocal jazz ensemble “Voce” from Cuesta College. April 30 4-5:30 p.m. Donations appreciated. 805-543-5451. fpcslo. org. First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo, 981 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo.

SALUTE TO AMERICA San Luis Obispo Wind Orchestra to perform with pianist Rudolf Budginas at Cuesta College. April 30 3-5 p.m. $10-$30. 805-464-7804. slowinds.org. Cuesta College Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

SON OF A GUN: THE GUNS “N” ROSES TRIBUTE Fronted by Ari Kamin. April 28 7-10 p.m. $20. slobrew.com. SLO Brew Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, 805-543-1843. W. TERRENCE SPILLER: BEETHOVEN PIANO

SONATA CYCLE VII Pianist and Cal Poly Professor Emeritus W. Terrence Spiller will give an all-Beethoven recital. Though retired, he still teaches applied piano in the Music Department. April 28 7:30-9:45 p.m. $10-$20. 805-756-4849. PAC Pavilion, Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo. m

ARTS BRIEFS Gallery Los Olivos holds solo exhibit, Voices and Vistas

A solo exhibition of portraits, figures, and landscapes by local artist Jim Tyler will remain on display at Gallery Los Olivos through Sunday, April 30. The exhibition, titled Voices and Vistas, features more than 30 of Tyler’s pastel paintings, including A Song of the Siren (pictured), A Quiet SelfConfidence, and more.

Visit jimtylerfineart.com for more info on the local painter. Gallery Los Olivos is located at 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos. Call (805) 688-7517 for additional details.

Mystic Nature showcases paintings by Fred Ventura in Nipomo

A solo exhibition of paintings by artist Fred Ventura premiered at Mystic Nature in Nipomo in mid-April and is scheduled to remain on display through Wednesday, May 31. In conjunction with Ventura’s exhibit, titled Nature’s Harmony, an artist reception will take place at the gallery on Friday, May 19, from 1 to 4 p.m.

According to press materials, Ventura’s artworks capture “the essence of nature” and “the beauty found in the natural world,” and visitors of the exhibit “can expect to be transported into a natural world of harmony and wonder.” Pieces in the show include botanical paintings and ornithological paintings. Guests of the upcoming artist reception, open to the public, will have the opportunity to meet Ventura and learn about his artistic process during the event. Admission to the reception is free, and refreshments will be served.

Visit mysticnaturephotography.com to find out more about the Nature’s Harmony exhibition and future announcements from Mystic Nature, a contemporary art gallery located at 191 W. Tefft St., Nipomo. The venue is open Wednesdays through Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mystic Nature specializes in selling rocks, gems, and handmade gifts and showcasing “fine art that celebrates the beauty and diversity of nature,” according to press materials. It features an ongoing, curated selection of locally produced artworks from both established and emerging artists based throughout the Central Coast.

Santa Ynez High School’s drama department stages The Grapes of Wrath

Showtime!

Rite of passion

Documentarian examines WWII-era Scandinavia in latest film, Passage to Sweden

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

For more than a decade, filmmaker Suzannah Warlick periodically chiseled away at 130 hours of footage to complete her latest passion project—a 58-minute documentary called Passage to Sweden

“During the course of 14 years, I did a little here and there. So many years went by that I didn’t touch it,” Warlick told the Sun. “We started shooting in 2006, and I didn’t finish the movie until 2020.”

The documentary examines World War II-era Scandinavia and tells the true story of how thousands of Jews were spared from the Holocaust by being smuggled into Sweden. For the documentary, Warlick, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor herself, spent years interviewing individuals who lived in Sweden,

Denmark, Norway, and Hungary during World War II.

The California-based filmmaker has screened the feature at film festivals and during special events in venues in Los Angeles, North Hollywood, Santa Clarita, and other cities over the past few years.

On Sunday, April 30, she’s taking the film to Solvang for a free screening at Bethania Parish Hall. Passage to Sweden marks her fourth film to date as a director, producer, and editor, whose past credits are The Queen’s Court, Supporting Actors, and Match & Mary

The upcoming Solvang screening of Passage to Sweden is co-sponsored by Bethania Parish Hall, the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art, and the Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community. A longtime resident of Valencia,

Warlick is excited to trek up the coast to attend the Solvang event, which will also include a special Q-and-A. She recently carved out some time for separate questions and answers with the Sun over the phone.

Sun: Based on your experience screening Passage to Sweden for events in various settings over the past few years, how would you say most viewers are reacting to the documentary so far?

Warlick: The main comment I get all the time after showing the film is that this needs to be in schools; this needs to be taught to kids. So I’m trying my hardest to get it into schools. As we’re going around to audiences, you notice that people know about the Holocaust in generalities, but people don’t know what happened in that region of the world—it’s not highly talked about when you talk about the Holocaust.

Sun: Why do you think this particular story isn’t more widely

Free admission

A free screening of Passage to Sweden will take place on Sunday, April 30, at 4 p.m. at Bethania Parish Hall, located at 603 Atterdag Road, Solvang. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. For more info on the film and its future screenings, visit passagetosweden.com.

known? Why isn’t it highly talked about?

Warlick: People talk more about what happened in Poland or France or Britain, but not so much about what happened in Scandinavia. I’m even noticing going around to audiences of Scandinavian background that they aren’t so familiar with the stories. So I’m very happy to be educating people who are not familiar with these stories.

Sun: When you first started working on the film, how did you approach the process of discovering potential sources for the documentary? How did you find your interviewees?

Warlick: I knew some people initially, and when you make a documentary or a film like this, it always ends up being a domino effect. You’ll go and interview somebody and they say, ‘Oh, you know who you should talk to, you should talk to so-and-so.’ And then you follow the lead, and that’s how it is. You start with a couple of people that you pinpoint and they tell you who else you should interview.

Sun: As an experienced filmmaker, with four documentary entries in your filmography so far, what do you think draws you most to documentaries specifically?

Warlick: I have a curious mind and I used to be a teacher. I think the best way of teaching anything is through film— especially documentaries. I make documentaries about topics that interest me, and I hope that the same thing interests other people. m

Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood also has a curious mind. Spark his curiosity at cwiseblood@ santamariasun.com.

The Theatre Group of Santa Ynez High School presents its production of The Grapes of Wrath at the Santa Ynez High School Little Theater through Saturday, April 29. Tickets to this stage adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel are $5 for students and $10 for adults.

Call (805) 688-6487 for performance times and additional details. The Santa Ynez High School Little Theater is located at 2975 Highway 246, Santa Ynez. m

Arts Briefs is compiled by Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood. Send information to cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.

COURTESY IMAGE BY JIM TYLER

DIRECTOR-PRODUCER-EDITOR: Valencia-based filmmaker Suzannah Warlick is bringing her latest documentary, Passage to Sweden, to Solvang for a free screening at Bethania Parish Hall.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUZANNAH WARLICK

FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFFREY MCKINNON

Send gallery, stage, and cultural festivities to cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUZANNAH WARLICK

RESOURCEFUL SOURCES: Interviewees in Passage to Sweden include late Swedish businesswoman Nina Lagergren (1921-2019). Filmmaker Suzannah Warlick spent years interviewing World War II-era residents of Sweden and other countries for her latest documentary.

IMAGE COURTESY OF SUZANNAH WARLICK

PASSAGE PROJECT: Prolific documentarian Suzannah Warlick described her documentary Passage to Sweden as a passion project, completed periodically over the course of 14 years.

Brother’s keeper

Co-writer Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes; Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) directs this story of U.S. Army Sgt. John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal) and his Afghan interpreter Ahmed (Dar Salim). After being shipped back to the U.S., Kinley learns Ahmed—who had saved his life in battle—was now endangered himself, so Kinley decides to return to Afghanistan in an unsanctioned mission to rescue Ahmed. (123 min.)

Glen: This is without a doubt the best movie I’ve seen this year. I’ve pretty much liked every Ritchie film I’ve seen, but sometimes his work feels lightweight and frivolous, such as his previous film, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre

especially outstanding. There’s one scene in particular that I’ll never forget, but I won’t spoil it here. Go watch this film and see for yourself.

This film, however, is a gut punch—a propulsive war movie of surprising depth that’s most interested in the relationships between the fellow soldiers. When you depend on one another for your very lives, a bond forms, and for a person of integrity, that bond, that agreement to have each other’s back, is paramount. There’s an easy, glib, insouciant banter between Kinley and his fellow soldiers. It comes across as a way to mask the constant fear they must feel. Each and every one of them knows every moment in the field might be their last, and so their bravado is a mask that when stripped away by death leaves them feeling primal. The acting is astounding, and Gyllenhaal and Salim are

GUY RITCHIE’S THE COVENANT

What’s it rated? R

What’s it worth, Glen? Full price

What’s it worth, Anna? Full price

Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards

RPX Santa Maria, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande

Anna: Gut punch is right! This is the story of invisible ties that happen in this type of relationship. The two aren’t family, they aren’t even friends, but they rely on each other in a way I can’t even fathom. Most of the movie is spent in Ahmed’s tortuous journey to get Kinley back to an air base through Talibaninfested land with a high price on their heads. But Kinley cannot forget the debt he owes, and the last third of the film where we follow his journey back to Ahmed proves to be just as compelling as the action-packed, intense first two thirds. We haven’t been starved for good films as of late, so I’m not sure why this one felt like such a clean, cool drink of water. It was shot with panache and style and the story was rooted in fundamentally human moments. The tragedy of the big picture still held room for the beauty of the small moments. I’m telling everyone who can handle the intensity of war films to see this movie—it is about so much more than a coming home story.

Glen: The battle scenes feel real, in part because of a lot of handheld camera work that makes viewers feel like they’re in it. It’s also worth mentioning that the body count is really high, so if that’s a problem for you,

Television Reviews

THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME

What’s it rated? TV-MA

When? 2023

Where’s it showing? Apple TV PLUS

Jennifer Garner stars as Hannah, a successful artist who lives with her husband, Owen (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), and stepdaughter, Bailey (Angourie Rice), in Sausalito in a houseboat. Owen goes missing under mysterious circumstances, and on closer inspection, it seems his past may be messing with his present. Suddenly Hannah and Bailey are on a mission to find out who this person they both love actually is and what drove him into apparent hiding.

Bailey isn’t exactly stoked with her stepmother of 14 months, and while Hannah tries to be a good support system, she’s dealing with a teenager who’s totally uninterested in forming bonds. Clues from Owen’s past unfold quickly, and the two head off to Texas to track them down.

This is a seven-part miniseries based on Laura Dave’s novel of the same name, and the first few episodes have proved to be intriguing. This is perfect for anyone who likes to watch a mystery unfold, so if you’re a fan of series such as

VANISHED: After her husband disappears amid an FBI investigation, Hannah Michaels (Jennifer Garner, left) begins to form a relationship with her standoffish stepdaughter, Bailey (Angourie Rice), as they search for answers, in The Last Thing He Told Me streaming on Apple TV Plus.

Big Little Lies or Sharp Objects jump on board. This promises to take viewers on a twisty journey. (seven 37to 45-min. episodes)

steer clear. I found it gripping, and I’d watch it again. Even though it’s fictional, the story frames itself firmly in the reality of the Afghanistan War and serves as a reminder that we left a lot of interpreters there to face the wrath of the Taliban, which murdered 300 U.S. collaborators after our pullout and sent a thousand more into hiding. We were supposed to be proffering them visas to America, but instead all they got were broken promises. Anna: Gyllenhaal is compelling, and Salim proves to be a force. They’re both absolute

GHOSTED

What’s it rated? PG-13

When? 2023

Where’s it showing? Apple TV Plus

Dexter Fletcher ( Eddie the Eagle, Rocketman) directs this rom-com action-adventure about Cole (Chris Evans), who falls in love with Sadie (Ana de Armas), who turns out to be a secret agent. They’re soon embroiled in a mission to save the world. It’s been roundly panned by critics, but I’m here to tell you it’s not as awful as they claim. It’s a fun little romp, and de Armas is charming as a spy more interested in her mission than protecting Cole.

The plot is convoluted and forgettable, with Adrian Brody as the villain who’s trying to sell a bioweapon called “Aztec,” even though he doesn’t have the code to open it. In a case of mistaken identity, hapless Cole is believed to have the code, and the source of tension between him and Sadie is her willingness to put them in danger to achieve her goals. The story is essentially secondary to the action set-pieces, which are fun enough to keep viewers distracted.

Compared to our main review this week, Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant, Ghosted is indeed utter garbage. But if you need a distraction

beasts onscreen. This isn’t a film I can blanket recommend—there’s a lot of damage done here, and it could be a very difficult watch for certain triggers. However, if you can handle the bloodshed, the story that sits behind it is incredibly gripping. This is one of those movies I’ll never say no to watching, no matter how many times I’ve seen it. m

New Times Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Sun Screen. Glen compiles listings. Comment at gstarkey@ newtimesslo.com.

SECRETS: Cole (Chris Evans, left) falls in love with Sadie (Ana de Armas) before learning she’s a spy who’s drawn him into an international adventure, in Ghosted, streaming on Apple TV Plus.

and already have Apple TV Plus, it’s free with your subscription. (116 min.) m

ALEX FERREL PAINTING

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US! This our 19th year in business and we owe all our success to you! From an apprentice high steel painter in 1983 to today’s contractor, we are able to meet all of your painting needs. Over the years, what stands out in my mind, is the people we’ve met. The relationships that have been made, have me believe that we live in a special place. What I love about this community is we are growing but we’ve still retained that small town feeling. Our motto says it all: “Small town painters, Big time quality.”

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With 40 years of experience in the painting industry, I have truly been blessed. Thank you and look forward to seeing you this year. Call us for advice, it’s always free. “Small Town Painters, Big Time Quality”

BROTHERS IN ARMS: After recruiting Ahmed (Dar Salim, below) as his interpreter, U.S. Army Sgt. John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal, right) and he form an unbreakable bond, in Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant, screening in local theaters.

Flee to Flea

Los Alamos Flea highlights sustainable

winemakers and farms with vendor event and documentary screening

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

More than a dozen local winemakers and an East Coast-based chef are among the special guests set to dish up their fare during an upcoming three-day festival in Los Alamos.

The inaugural Los Alamos Flea—with a variety of events occurring between May 5 and 7 at three venues in town—will kick off with an appetizer and wine tasting event at The Maker’s Son on Friday, May 5, from 5 to 8 p.m.

During this opening night of the festival, New Yorker and prolific chef John McCarthy will be using food products from four sustainable farms located along the Central Coast—Los Alamos’ Las Cumbres Ranch, the Santa Ynez Valley’s Anavo Farm, Arroyo Grande’s Talley Farms, and Goleta’s Gaia Farm—to create a selection of appetizers for the event’s guests to choose from.

Los Alamos resident Katie Smith-Adair—a

Flea with glee

Find out more about the Los Alamos Flea at losalamosflea. com. The three-day festival will be held in Los Alamos Friday, May 5, through Sunday, May 7. Proceeds raised during the festival will support the IRL Arts Foundation. For more details on the local nonprofit, visit irlaf.org.

career event producer and founder of Los Alamos Flea— met McCarthy while she and her husband were living in Brooklyn, where they originated their event production company for wineries, wine clubs, and other clients in 2014.

“We first met John while doing a series of dinners in upstate New York,” said Smith-Adair, who was able to enlist McCarthy to travel across the country to take part in the first Los Alamos Flea.

The purpose of the event—which Smith-Adair envisions becoming an annual festival—aligns with the Los Alamos local and her husband’s nonprofit organization, the IRL Arts Foundation: to raise awareness for sustainable food use and agriculture practices.

“Convenience is something that’s programmed into all of us, and we have had so much increase in conveniences over the past few years that it does take a little bit of practice to say, ‘Can I find something slightly less convenient but significantly more sustainable to replace this purchase or action?’” said Smith-Adair, who described herself as “the sort of nagging person in the group text to tell people they don’t really need to buy a new dress, they can find something in their closet instead.”

Funds raised by ticket sales and vendor fees at the Los Alamos Flea will be used to support the IRL Arts Foundation’s ongoing scholarship opportunities for students in local schools that offer education in sustainable food systems, including Allan Hancock College and Pioneer

Valley High School in Santa Maria.

The day after the festival’s opening night appetizer soiree at The Maker’s Son—with McCarthy’s appetizers paired with wines from Camins 2 Dreams, Fiddlehead Cellars, Final Girl Wines, and several other local vintners—the Los Alamos Flea will continue with a vendor market on Saturday, May 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“All of our vendors either repurpose goods, upcycle secondhand, or offer handmade sustainably produced items,” said Smith-Adair, who added that the vendor market—held at the Los Alamos Antiques Depot and Bar—will feature hundreds of items from more than 25 local sellers. The third and final night of the festival will

EATS continued page 26

PHOTO COURTESY OF KATIE SMITH-ADAIR

SUNSET AT THE SON: The three-day Los Alamos Flea festival will kick off with an appetizer and wine tasting event at The Maker’s Son, on Friday, May 5, from 5 to 8 p.m.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KATIE SMITH-ADAIR

FOOD PREP: Husband and wife Hagan Blount (left) and Katie Smith-Adair (right) have worked as professional event organizers for wine and food events since 2014, with clients including wineries and other businesses.

MEET THE CHEF: During the opening night of the Los Alamos Flea festival, New York-based chef John McCarthy (left) will be using food products from four sustainable Central Coast-based farms to create a variety of appetizers.

take place at the Los Alamos Men’s Club, where the documentary Living Wine will be screened, followed by a special panel and Q-and-A with four local winemakers who will discuss their own approaches to mitigating climate change through their winemaking practices, similar to the approaches explored in the documentary.

“The documentary follows some winemakers in Northern California during the terrible wildfire season a couple years ago, and it really has

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an environmental message around how people growing food and leveraging the land have a responsibility to manage the land in a way that actually helps mitigate climate change,” SmithAdair said.

“So [the winemakers are] both kind of responding to the impacts of climate change and also taking actions to reduce it.” m

Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood asks, ‘Wine not?’ Send comments to cwiseblood@ santamariasun.com.

DYNAMIC DUO: Hagan Blount (left) and Katie Smith-Adair (right) lived and worked in Brooklyn before moving to Los Alamos in 2016, where they continue to run their event production company as well as a nonprofit to raise awareness for sustainability in agriculture and food practices.

EATS from page 25

ATKINSON CONSTRUCTION

Guy F. Atkinson Construction, LLC (GFAC) is constructing the SR46 Expressway located in Shandon.

Guy F. Atkinson Construction, LLC is currently looking for qualified applicants with road, bridge and/or heavy civil experience to fill the following craft positions: Carpenters, Cement Masons and Laborers

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Qualified applicants will be local union members in good standing. Information and referral to apprenticeship programs can be provided upon request.

Applications are being accepted at the Jobsite Trailer: 17997 CA-46, Shandon CA 93461

GFAC is Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

Guy F. Atkinson Construction, LLC (GFAC) está construyendo el Autopista SR46 úbicado en Shandon.

Employment Marketplace

Guy F. Atkinson Construction, LLC ésta buscando candidatos calificados con experiencia en carreteras, puentes y / o trabajos civiles pesados para ocupar los siguientes puestos de trabajo: Carpinteros, Cementeros y Obreros.

Todos los candidatos calificados recibirán consideración para el empleo sin distinción de raza, color, religion, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad de género, nación de origen, discapacidad o condición de veterano protegido. Los solicitantes calificados deberán ser miembros del sindicato local con buena reputación. Se puede proporcionar información y referencias a programas de aprendizaje a pedido.

Se aceptan solicitudes en el trailer del lugar de trabajo localizado en: 17997 CA-46, Shandon CA 93461 GFAC es un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades, incluida la discapacidad y el estado veterano protegido.

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