Sun, August 10, 2023

BULBUL RAJAGOPAL

With school starting, it’s time for the Sun ’s annual Education Today issue. One of the most pressing issues in education—other than the remaining impacts of COVID-19—is a teacher shortage. But there’s a program on the Central Coast that’s aiming to do something about it. The Ticket 2 Teach program is all about learning on the job and helping potential educators make their way toward the certifications they need to teach in local schools. Staff Writer Bulbul Rajagopal from the Sun ’s sister paper writes about it [6] . Also in this issue, read about a new club sport that your child can learn all about outside of school [7] .

In addition, you can read about the fight to boycott Big Carrot in Cuyama [4] ; a pair of painters who focus on light [18] ; and the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail Summer Passport [21]

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PET PHOTO CONTEST

A Central Coast Native, Dr. Ryan Leachman DO, MBA, Graduated from Arroyo Grande High School in 2004. Dr. Leachman attended California Polytechnic State University where he earned dual degrees in Biology and Psychology and graduated Cum Lade. Dr. Leachman continued his education at Cal Poly where he earned a Masters in Business Administration. Dr. Leachman further continued his education at Midwestern University school of Medicine where he earned his medical degree. Dr. Leachman attended residency at OSU Pediatrics. He is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics.

David Ikola, M.D. Shane Rostermundt, D.O. Joseph Nunez, M.D. Dr. Michele Kielty, D.O.

Geronna Leonards, N.P. Lynn Peltier, C.P.N.P. Jessica Prather, C.N.P.

• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) announced that his Ventura County district office is officially open for in-person appointments, according to an Aug. 2 statement. “If you are having trouble with a federal agency, have thoughts on a federal issue, or have concerns that you want to share with my team, I encourage you to set up an appointment with my team in our new space in Ventura City Hall,” Carbajal said in the statement. “As someone who spent part of his childhood in Ventura County, it is my privilege and honor to now be representing portions of it in Congress—including both Ventura and Ojai.” The office can help residents of Ventura, Ojai, and other parts of California’s 24th Congressional District who are having difficulty with a federal agency—including federal health and Social Security benefits, the Internal Revenue Service, and U.S. Postal Service, emergency passport and visa renewals, and others. The new office will be open Monday through Friday during business hours and is located in Ventura City Hall at 505 Poli St., suite 201.

• U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein (both D-California) introduced a resolution calling for the release of Eyvin Hernandez , a Los Angeles County public defender and UCLA School of Law alumnus who was “wrongfully detained” in Venezuela on March 31, 2022, according to an Aug. 2 statement from Padilla’s office. The State Department’s Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA) has been working to secure his release. Padilla recently met with Hernadez’s father, Pedro Martinez , to discuss his son’s imprisonment. It has been more than 15 months since Martinez has seen his son and, in the statement, he asked President Joe Biden to meet with him and Hernandez’s friends while they were in Washington, D.C. “I have made this request to the president many times before, but there has been no offer of a meeting with him,” Hernandez said. “It makes me sad and mad.” Padilla is also in regular communication with SPEHA. “As a public defender, Eyvin Hernandez has dedicated his life to helping those in need in his community and beyond,” Padilla said in a statement. “His ongoing wrongful detainment has devastated his loved ones, and we owe it to Eyvin to do everything in our power to bring him home. Today’s resolution demonstrates our unified condemnation of the Venezuelan regime’s unacceptable imprisonment of Eyvin and calls on senior U.S. officials to continue working to secure his immediate release.”

• Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the appointment of Tai Milder as the first director of the Division of Petroleum Market Oversight within the California Energy Commission, a milestone in the state’s efforts to hold Big Oil accountable following last year’s record gas price spikes, according to an Aug. 1 statement. Milder is a seasoned antitrust prosecutor who most recently served the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division as counsel to the assistant attorney general. He has successfully investigated and prosecuted companies and individuals for price-fixing, bid-rigging, and bribery. Milder also worked at California’s Department of Justice enforcing state antitrust laws against oil and gas companies. The new office is a part of Newsom’s gas price gouging law, which was approved during a special session of the Legislature earlier this year and took effect in June. The division will closely monitor the industry on a daily basis to identify irregular or illegal behavior, and will refer any violation of law—including industry misconduct or market manipulation—to the attorney general for prosecution. “California is serious about holding Big Oil accountable,” Newsom said in the statement. “Tai Milder has an impressive record of going after companies that rip off consumers, and that’s exactly what he’ll be doing—serving as a watchdog over the oil and gas industry and protecting Californians.” m

GENERATIONS OF FARMERS: The Harrington family has been farming pistachios in the Cuyama Valley for four generations and was sued by Grimmway Farms and Bolthouse Farms for their groundwater rights. Now, local farmers like the Harringtons are signing a petition to end the adjudication lawsuit and boycotting Bolthouse and Grimmway products.

Cuyama residents launch carrot boycott as groundwater adjudication begins

A judge pushed back the Cuyama groundwater adjudication’s first phase to Oct. 9 because Bolthouse Farms and Grimmway Farms failed to publish a notice in a local news outlet and still need to serve 314 landowners, Los Angeles Bankruptcy Law Firm Attorney Kay March told the Sun

California civil codes require those serving adjudications to notify every landowner involved by posting the complaint on individual properties and publishing in a news outlet before starting the trial, said March, who is representing her own property, Walking U Ranch LLC.

“This cannot be a comprehensive adjudication unless the court has jurisdiction over all the landowners in the basin. The only way for the court to get jurisdiction is for there to be proper service,” March said.

In August 2021, Bolthouse and Grimmway— the two largest corporate carrot growers in the valley—filed an adjudication for groundwater rights against every Cuyama Valley landowner shortly after the State Department of Groundwater Resources approved the Cuyama Valley Groundwater Basin’s sustainability plan—which called for a 60 percent reduction in groundwater use. If residents fail to join the lawsuit, they could risk losing their groundwater rights altogether.

As of Aug. 7, Bolthouse and Grimmway hadn’t agreed to post on the remaining 314 properties— more than a third of Cuyama’s landowners, March said, adding that she filed a petition to direct the court to order posting.

“We want to get it right the first time. We don’t want to [go to trial] twice because the court didn’t have subject matter jurisdiction,” she said.

In response to the case’s upcoming court date, Cuyama Valley residents launched a carrot boycott on July 30, calling people to stop purchasing Bolthouse and Grimmway products, specifically carrots, March said.

“You should never turn your nose up at a boycott and say, ‘This is just a few residents in the Cuyama Valley.’ Boycotts are extremely powerful,” March said. “Several decades ago, Cesar Chavez wanted to unionize farmworkers and they started a nationwide boycott of table grapes. That boycott eventually brought the employer, the ag business, to its knees.”

Grimmway and Bolthouse are responsible for about 80 percent of the U.S. carrot market, with an annual crop worth about $69 million, said Jacob Furstenfeld, a Walking U LLC rancher who helped organize the boycott.

“We want Grimmway and Bolthouse to drop the lawsuit against all the stakeholders in the

Cuyama Valley because it is draining people’s pockets, with people selling trucks to people filing for bankruptcy,” Furstenfeld said. “It’s literally do or die for people out here.”

Furstenfeld is helping circulate a petition calling for the corporate carrot growers to drop the lawsuit, agree to the groundwater sustainability plan, and reimburse every landowner involved, he said. As of Aug. 7, the petition had 1,300 signatures with the goal to reach 10,000 signatures.

“If it takes 10,000 or 10 million signatures, that’s what we’ll do. We’re just going to keep going,” Furstenfeld said. “I truly know and believe that this has united us as a community more than any other issue I’ve seen in the 32 years I’ve been here.”

Furstenfeld was also sued even though he doesn’t own property and said that this has been a very nerve-racking experience for him and other Cuyama residents.

“I’m on-edge for how long this phase one is going to last. My lawyer is in trial right now and I don’t know how big my bill is going to be this month,” he said. “I’m hoping for something positive, but I’ve been waiting for a positive for eight years now.”

When the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act passed in 2014 to address critically overdrafted basins like Cuyama’s, Furstenfeld said that it was a daunting process to create the required Groundwater Sustainability Agency and a sustainability plan. When Cuyama’s groundwater sustainability plan was accepted, residents started receiving lawsuit notices.

“There hasn’t been a lot of good news coming out of this,” he said. “It’s been a lot more questions than answers and it doesn’t seem like it’s very positive as far as things are going to change,” Furstenfeld said. “You get more drought and more bad news. When is it going to get better?”

Grimmway Farms spokesperson Dana Brennman told the Sun that Grimmway could not comment at this time regarding the adjudication or the boycott. Bolthouse Farms did not respond to the Sun’s inquiry for comment.

—Taylor O’Connor

SMPD plans to revive school resource officers initiative

Put on hold during the pandemic, a program that regularly stationed police officers at local high schools is being resurrected by the Santa Maria Police Department.

Between 1997 and 2021, the department deployed up to five officers a year to act as school resource officers for the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. These officers were posted

on the high school campuses within the district on a daily basis.

The Police Department halted the program in December 2021 due to the pandemic and a staffing crisis, but pitched its potential return— effective once the 2023-24 school year starts— for city officials to consider during the Santa Maria City Council’s Aug. 1 meeting.

“This is a tough one for me,” said Councilmember Gloria Soto, who requested to pull the item from the consent calendar for further discussion and a separate vote.

While Soto acknowledged that the program’s revival was requested by the school district’s board, she questioned whether students at the high schools involved would benefit from daily police presence.

“I’m very much appreciative of our officers and everything that they’re doing in our community. … We need to have great relationships with community members, and I can see this as being that,” Soto said. “But I also do have concerns about the school-to-prison pipeline.”

Santa Maria Police Chief Marc Schneider approached the podium during the Aug. 1 meeting to answer questions about the program. Soto asked Schneider if the Police Department would consider deploying its school resource officers with attire that would differentiate them from regular cops.

“Something that I’ve heard feedback on from students who are part of the Joint Union High School District is whether or not it would be possible for law enforcement officers who are on campus to be wearing civilian clothing rather than be in full uniform—to make themselves more approachable and not seem as intimidating to students,” Soto said.

Schneider said that he “reached out to the school district recently to ask them if they had a preference on how they would like the officers to be dressed.”

“The response they gave was they prefer them to be in a uniform,” Schneider said.

According to Schneider, one of the reasons the school district is vouching for school resource officers to wear regular uniforms is to deter individuals not enrolled at the high schools “who may be coming onto campus to cause issues or create some sort of incident” from entering the premises.

Schneider also sees having uniformed officers on local high school campuses as a benefit because if a school resource officer has a positive impact on students, that could in turn build a “bridge” between students and regular officers outside of school hours.

“When the students are away from campus, they’ll look at that uniformed officer who’s on patrol and come to that same conclusion that they may be equally as approachable as an SRO [school resource officer],” Schneider said.

Mayor Alice Patino asked if any council members would like to discuss the program further before motioning to approve an agreement between the Police Department and the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District to reestablish the deployment of school resource officers. Soto was the only council member to comment before the item was approved by the City Council 4-1, with her dissenting.

“The last thing I want to do is perpetuate the school-to-prison pipeline or make our students feel like they are being watched or that they’re being seen as criminals,” Soto said.

—Caleb Wiseblood

Bureau of Land Management orders oil company to plug wells in Carrizo

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management began the next steps in a 2022 settlement by issuing an order to E&B Natural Resources to plug 11 dormant oil wells and remove the surrounding infrastructure

within the Carrizo Plain National Monument.

The settlement occurred after Los Padres ForestWatch and the Center for Biological Diversity sued the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in 2020 for approving an E&B Natural Resources permit for a new oil well and the replacement of a rundown pipeline in the monument, claiming that this decision violated the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

“It’s exciting; not only did we stop new oil wells being constructed, but this settlement agreement signals a new era for the monument,” ForestWatch Executive Director Jeff Kuyper told the Sun. “We’re starting to phase out oil infrastructure, and we’re very excited that this is the first step of what will be a significant amount of work done to return the area to its natural conditions.”

After going through a year-long environmental review process, BLM ordered E&B to obliterate three roads, remove pipelines and electrical infrastructure, plug the 11 wells, and replant native plants in the area within five years, he said. There are currently nine active oil wells on the monument and 24 others that no longer produce oil, according to the California Department of Conservation’s Well Finder data.

“These were the 11 that BLM initially ordered the oil company to remove in 2013,” Kuyper said. “Now we have a much more enforceable order that’s been issued, we can focus on those as the initial step, and we’re ready to move on to phase two: addressing the remaining wells at the national monument.”

Sarah Denos, lead public affairs specialist for BLM, told

the Sun that BLM does not provide comment on matters related to litigation.

While it’s the BLM’s responsibility to ensure the company complies with the order, Kuyper added that this settlement gives ForestWatch and the Center for Biological Diversity the ability to go back to court if the timeline is not met, and holds a large oil company accountable for its actions.

“There are thousands of these defunct oil wells that have been left on the landscape that the oil industry has not taken any action to remove because it’s cheaper for the oil companies to keep the oil wells in place,” Kuyper said. “Yet that leaves taxpayers hooked with the bill for thousands of oil wells and billions of dollars.”

What often happens is oil companies will come into areas like the Carrizo Plain National Monument, pump out oil, and then dissolve the company when they expend resources, said Ileene Anderson, Center for Biological Diversity’s senior scientist.

“Not only are they commodifying a product out of our public lands for private profit, but then to stick the taxpayer with the cleanup costs—it shows a broken system,” Anderson said. “In this case, the company still owns those wells, so they are still liable for cleanup.”

This settlement flags to other oil companies that they are responsible for cleaning up their own mess and need to consider that in their cost of production, she said.

“There’s consequences to their business models and they need to be ready to, at the end of the life of the oil well, figure out what they are going to have to do to clean up their own mess,” Anderson said.

E&B Natural Resources couldn’t be reached before the Sun’s deadline. ∆

—Taylor O’Connor

Adoptable Pets of the Week

Teach the future

The Ticket 2 Teach program aims to support aspiring preschool teachers with mentors and resources, and ease local teacher shortage

BY BULBUL RAJAGOPAL

The Central Coast is addressing its early childhood teacher shortage by equipping aspiring educators through an apprenticeship program with the goal of employing them in the local workforce.

While teacher shortage is a national problem, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties are facing a serious demand for preschool teachers. But through state grant funding and support from county officials, SLO County has found proven success from its Ticket 2 Teach program.

A collaborative effort among the SLO County Office of Education, its nonprofit economic development initiative called SLO Partners, Cuesta College, and the Community Action Partnership of SLO County (CAPSLO), Ticket 2 Teach enrolled 25 new prospective teachers. They will receive mentorship, career and educational support from experienced teachers, and the chance to “earn while they learn.”

Nineteen-year-old Ethan Glover is a child care assistant and an apprentice in the Ticket 2 Teach program. He joined last year and works with kids between 18 months and 5 years old in Cuesta’s Children’s Center.

CJ“There’s a lot of unique situations when you’re in the classroom as a child care worker,” Glover said. “Having people who have been in that environment for 20 or 30 years, being able to ask them those questions—like when children are engaged in rough play, and you don’t know how to cater to that. Having all those different and educated opinions helps.”

For Glover, mentorship is the most valuable aspect of the Ticket 2 Teach program. The biggest lesson he learned was to ask more questions.

“In my first few weeks, I just wanted to figure it out on my own,” he recalled. “That did not work well. It’s hard to do it on your own.”

Through Ticket 2 Teach and the Children’s Center, Glover’s days look like equipping kids with the “learn through play” approach. This means that the child care assistants and other teachers try to help kids learn through different kinds of play forms rather than from a piece of paper.

“We want to teach them how to help

teach themselves,” he said. “It’s helping them improve their social and motor skills and get them ready for kindergarten.”

Glover is also compensated for the hours he spends at the Children’s Center. Ticket 2 Teach offers stipends to its apprentices and connects them with industry experts who can later assist them with getting employed. While Glover said he feels confident that Ticket 2 Teach will help his career even after he graduates from Cuesta, he highlighted something he said contributes to the teacher shortage crisis.

“I know nationally and just on a global scale, teachers are very much underpaid and that keeps people away from the field,” he said.

SLO County Superintendent of Schools James Brescia told the Sun he’s spent years researching the phenomenon, and it’s not a recent problem.

“Teacher shortages have waxed and waned since the 1960s as a result of economic expansion-recession cycles, changes in workforce demographics, and fluctuations in school-aged populations throughout the state,” Brescia wrote in a 2017 research brief he co-authored with James Gentilucci of the Veritas Research and Evaluation Group.

But Brescia and Gentilucci called the current long-running teacher shortage notably different from those of the past. It’s a result of the confluence of California’s volatile economic state, widespread retirement in the baby boomer generation, the millennial generation maturing and entering the workforce, and the steep costs associated with getting established in the teaching profession.

“So, for us, putting dollars into funding local individuals to finish their schooling, get their training, and then hire them in our agencies is a form of apprenticeship,” Brescia said. “We call it a ‘grow your own’ program.”

Brescia and the SLO County Office of Education identified the need to grow their own, meaning recruiting from one’s own community, in an educator recruitment and retention brief published last year. But the Ticket 2 Teach program has been in motion for longer.

In 2019, the SLO County Office of

Education received a $500,000 award from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. Those funds are now exhausted, and Ticket 2 Teach runs on contributions braided together from the SLO County Office of Education and the Board of Supervisors.

Brescia added that Ticket 2 Teach meets aspiring preschool teachers where they are. They can apply as early as in high school, and even working professionals looking to upskill themselves are welcome to try out.

“The program coordinator will assess your training,” he said. “The majority of people takes a year or two to get their certification.”

Depending on their interests and training level, apprentices are matched with offices like CAPSLO, First 5 SLO County, Quality Counts, and the Child Development Training Consortium. Success with Ticket 2 Teach looked like increasing the local workforce by injecting it with certified teachers trained by the program. For SLO County, the goal is to get high school and college students interested in Ticket 2 Teach, fund the program, and give those students a viable career path.

“The individuals are staying in the community and taking employment in our agencies, whether it’s for us, or CAPSLO, state preschool, the migrant education program,” he said.

Similar initiatives cropped up in neighboring counties too. Last year, the Santa Barbara County Office of Education also received a $500,000 grant through the California Apprenticeship Initiative for 25 people transitioning from three employee levels: child care assistants to associate teachers, associate teachers to teachers, and teachers to site supervisors. According to KEYT reporting, the initiative came about after the pandemic underscored the importance of having high quality and accessible child care.

Brescia said that efforts like those of Santa Barbara and SLO counties are all part of a statewide network through which officials are trying to achieve sustainable workforces for teachers.

“We’ve been sharing our information with other counties and there are roundtables across the state with workforce groups,” Brescia said. “There are other successful models. Marin County has one, there’s limited success in Santa Clara County, and LA has had some success. We’re all sharing best practices.” m

Reach Staff Writer Bulbul Rajagopal from the Sun’s sister paper at brajagopal@ newtimesslo.com.

‘LEARN THROUGH PLAY’: Ethan Glover, a Cuesta College child care assistant and Ticket 2 Teach apprentice, engages a young student in the “learn through play” approach that improves kids’ motor and social skills before they head to kindergarten.

Pass, set, hit!

BY TAYLOR O’CONNOR

If you’re looking for a new sport for your child to try outside of school hours, the United States Youth Volleyball League has been on the Central Coast for 20 years, Executive Director Veronica Sanchez said.

“We’ve been in Santa Maria for quite a few years, at least 15 years,” Sanchez said. “There was a person, who has since passed away, [that was] a volleyball player who had kids in the area, and he had reached out for starting a league in Santa Maria.”

The United States Youth Volleyball League (USYVL) has served communities across the nation since 1997 and sees 10,000 to 15,000 kids in its 250 programs. The coed recreational leagues for children ages 5 to 15 recently opened up its registration for Santa Maria, Arroyo Grande, and San Luis Obispo, she said

“Our programs are instructional because you don’t need to have any previous experience,” Sanchez said. “Our programs are made up of kids who have never played, who come back season after season, and who know how to play but want more practice and community-based sports programs.”

The United States Youth Volleyball League opens up registration for its fall youth leagues on the Central Coast and upskill your

The program runs from September to November, but dates vary depending on the location. Upon signing up, kids are divided into teams based on age, and all have practice once a week and game days on Saturdays.

With registration, kids receive a team shirt and will earn a medal at the end of the season; coaches get a red shirt, whistle, and a curriculum that will help support their coaching abilities.

“One of the things we really focus on is structure, learning the fundamentals correctly so that the kids are learning to get along with others and teamwork through positive reinforcement and feedback,” Sanchez said.

Having an atmosphere that’s fun and a place where they can learn at the same time is important, Sanchez said, because volleyball is not an easy sport to learn.

“We keep it positive so kids can meet new friends and it’s very family-oriented. It’s a fun place to go for a couple of days a week to coach, learn volleyball, play games, and all that fun stuff,” she said.

The Santa Maria, Arroyo Grande, and SLO leagues are large enough where the kids will scrimmage against one another, but there are game days where the teams will play against other sites on the Central Coast, she said. Coaches and team members are carefully divided and selected so the teams are balanced with beginner and advanced players.

“We put a lot of intention in how we teach volleyball and that makes a huge difference,” Sanchez said. “We want to teach the skills correctly, and I know for a fact we have so many people who are phenomenal and talented.”

USYVL programs are all volunteer-based, and families only need to pay a registration fee to participate. Coaches are all volunteers, who are either parents or high schoolers who have

participated in the program in the past; however in order to be assigned to a team, all coaches have to go through an interview and training process, she said.

“It’s a program for the whole family. We want mom and dad, aunts or uncles, or neighbors coaching the kids. We reach out to local high schools to get high school volunteers,” Sanchez said. “A lot of kids who have older siblings come out and get volunteer hours. We have a lot of high school volunteers that come out and do a good job.”

By going through the vetting process, coaches have to demonstrate that they are not only skilled or have some background knowledge, but are comfortable coaching kids, she said.

“At the end of the day, they have to show up, expend energy, and they have to do it. Even with our high school volunteers we interview them to know why they’re doing it and if they are comfortable working with the kids,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez said she hopes kids sign up for volleyball because it’s a great way to spend time

outside during the week, spend time with family, and learn or enhance new skills.

“I love volleyball, I think it’s one of the best sports. It’s a lifelong sport that promotes a healthy lifestyle. You meet a lot of people perhaps you wouldn’t have had the opportunity otherwise,” she said.

Santa Maria’s program runs from Sept. 14 to Nov. 4 with practices on Thursdays and Saturdays at Maramonte Park—620 Sunrise Drive. Arroyo Grande’s program runs on Tuesdays and Saturdays from Sept. 12 to Nov. 4 at Elm Street Park, and SLO’s program runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Sept. 13 to Nov. 4 at Johnson Park. Weekday practices run from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays run from 10 to 11 a.m. across all programs.

Visit usyvl.org, call (888) 988-7985, or email info@usyvl.org for more information on registration, programs, or locations. m

Reach Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor at toconnor@santamariasun.com.

PLAYING AND LEARNING: The United States Youth Volleyball League recently opened up registration for Central Coast recreational volleyball programs where kids ages 7 to 15 can play volleyball against kids in their neighborhood and play against teams across the Central Coast.

WHEN DEEP CALLS TO DEEP JOURNEYS OF THE SOUL FOR A CULTURE IN CRISIS

The challenges of our times are demanding more than just political reforms. They are compelling us towards journeys of the soul that will ask not only for great courage, but new understandings of power and inclusive leadership, new mythologies of collective heroism, more diverse communities and organizational models that are more sustainable ecosystems than hierarchical power pyramids. We invite you to engage with contemporary issues and the latest in depth psychological thinking and practices, join interactive learning sessions on the cutting edge of practice and theory, and explore all that Pacifica Graduate Institute has to offer for your personal and professional journey.

Vet on wheels

BY CAMILLIA LANHAM

Three mobile clinics rolled into Oceano on Aug. 6, aiming to treat animals in the community at no cost to town residents in need.

Although Santa Barbara-based C.A.R.E.4Paws charges for its services on a sliding scale and does comp services for those who can’t afford to pay anything, the nonprofit is now able to help the seaside berg’s pet population for free thanks to a $120,000 grant from PetSmart Charities.

“Only 10 nonprofits in the United States have received this grant, so it’s an incredible honor and a wonderful opportunity to be a part of this innovative initiative,” C.A.R.E.4Paws Executive Director Isabelle Gullö said. “This grant is part of PetSmart Charities’ visionary new $100 million grant program focusing on underserved communities.”

C.A.R.E.4Paws had the opportunity to pick one community to serve when it applied for the Access to Care project grant. Gullö said Oceano is a fairly remote area where pet families have zero access to veterinary care or even affordable pet food, about 42 percent of the community members are Hispanic, and the per-capita income is less than $34,000 per year.

As part of the first Pet Wellness Clinic event at the Oceano Parks and Recreation facility on Aug. 6, the nonprofit provided free spay/ neuters and medical care inside its mobile units by prior appointment, as well as a walkin clinic with free vaccines, microchipping, flea treatment, deworming medication, and nail trimming. Gullö said C.A.R.E.4Paws will be back in Oceano on Aug. 11 and 18 and then either weekly or biweekly, depending on the turnout to the first couple of events.

“It’s a bit hard to say how huge the need is going to be, but we are definitely planning on having a regular presence there going forward,” she said.

The nonprofit’s aim is to qualify again for the grant in future years and possibly expand the program to other underserved areas in SLO and Santa Barbara counties.

Gullö co-founded the nonprofit in 2009 with fellow Santa Barbara County Animal Services shelter volunteer Carlos Abitia, C.A.R.E.4Paws’ mobile clinic manager. She said they realized that the main contributor to shelter overpopulation is a lack of

access to affordable pet care, so they launched the nonprofit that would work directly with communities, providing low- and no-cost care to pet families in need. In 2022, C.A.R.E.4Paws expanded its mobile community outreach and spay/neuter outreach program into SLO County with plans to do more in the future, including serving communities in northern SLO County.

On Aug. 6, the nonprofit debuted its new 37-foot mobile clinic in Oceano, which C.A.R.E.4Paws raised money for over the last three years.

“The new clinic is larger and better equipped than our existing 26-foot units, with capacity for two surgery teams and increased kennels space, which allows us to house more large dogs during clinic days,” Gullö said. “This means we will use it the most going forward, but we plan to double up or use all three units as often as resources allow. The need for help keeps growing in both Santa Barbara and SLO counties, and we want to do all we can to meet that demand.”

To make an appointment, visit care4paws. org/clinicservices and care4paws.org/oceano. To learn more about C.A.R.E.4Paws and find out how to contribute to the organization, visit care4paws.org.

Highlight:

• Leadership Lompoc Valley announced enrollment for its class of 2024. For more than 36 years, current and future Lompoc leaders have participated in this program to cultivate their leadership skills in relation to the Lompoc community. Participants explore Lompoc and network with local leaders through a series of hands-on activities between November and May, covering topics like public safety, local government, media and communications, education, business, and military and aerospace. The program’s application deadline is Sept. 1, and it kicks off Oct. 13 with a Meet the Class Reunion Mixer where participants, board members, and alumni meet up for a one-day retreat designed to introduce participants to the program. Visit lompoc.com/llv.html to download the application and submit it to the Chamber of Commerce, 111 South I St. The $700 tuition fee covers program costs and meals. Employers may sponsor the cost, and partial scholarships are available for those requiring financial assistance. m

Editor Camillia Lanham wrote this week’s Spotlight. To get in touch, email clanham@ santamariasun.com.

Dr. Susan Rowland PGI Core Faculty C.G. Jung Award Recipiant

Dr. Leonie H. Mattison PGI President/CEO

Dr. Thema Bryant APA President

Roland Palencia Documentarian, Filmmaker

Dr. Emily Lord-Kambitsch PGI Myth Co-Chair

Dick Russel, Author James Hillman, Soul in the World Jemma Elliot PGI Counseling Co-Chair

Dr. Bayome Akomolafe Psychologist, Philosopher, Author

Dr. Dylan Hoffman PGI Core Faculty Jungian & Archetypal

VET ON THE GO: As part of its goal to keep pets in homes across the Central Coast, C.A.R.E.4Paws offers low- or no-cost services in local communities via its mobile clinics.

C.A.R.E.4Paws aims to bring more care to underserved communities

What do you think of the groundwater adjudication happening in Cuyama?

100% It’s sad that the residents have to join a lawsuit or risk losing water rights.

0% Drop the suit and distribute water based on the sustainability plan.

0% Bolthouse and Grimmway are acting within their rights to go to court.

0% It’s too confusing and complex.

4 Votes Vote online at www.santamariasun.com.

Northern Santa Barbara County’s News & Entertainment Weekly

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Red-tagged

BY RON FINK

“Stop work; substantial work completed without a permit,” on a red tag affixed to your project is one thing a project manager and/or building owner doesn’t want to see.

Last October, the Lompoc Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider the architectural design and site development review for the KFC remodel project. The architecturally pleasing mission-style building that had sat at the corner of H Street and Central Avenue for decades was to be replaced with a new façade that looked like the box customers get their chicken orders in.

One of the approved conditions was, “no work may commence until a building permit is issued from Building and Safety Division, as applicable.” Although I wasn’t a planning commissioner at the time and didn’t attend the meeting, I am sure that the project representative was asked if they understood and agreed with all the conditions before the Planning Commission voted.

Soon after the commission approved the project, demolition work began to remove all the

We need the Dana Reserve project

I support the housing development known as the Dana Reserve in Nipomo. Our area is in desperate need of housing, especially affordable housing for young, working adults. This neighborhood will directly address this need by providing a significant number of affordable housing units, which will enable young people like my own kids to find suitable homes within our community. Our own son was only able to buy his older, fixer-upper because we helped him to do so. We want to do the same for our daughter, but the prices have exceeded our budget. This project will

mission-style façade off the existing building and new construction started. But either the contractor or the property owner forgot one critical process—obtaining a building permit.

Building permits are necessary to assure that the project meets all the building code requirements, is properly sited on the property, and is a safe place for customers and employees. For example, if you want to add an additional living space to your house or build a new garage, you need a building permit before you start.

Since this project is at the busiest intersection in the city, I am sure that one or more city staffers, including those who would be involved with approving building permits, could clearly see that work was underway without the appropriate approvals. So, more than a month ago, on June 26, the city issued a stop work order.

So, we are left with a partially completed project held in check because of a blunder by the owner. It is quickly becoming an eyesore, and unlike all other projects of a similar nature, there is no temporary fencing around the construction site, only some tattered yellow tape blowing in the wind.

The remains of the original building are

even help my elderly parents who rent in the area and have also been priced out of a home. By providing a mix of housing options, this development fosters a sense of diversity and inclusivity within our region.

As a Nipomo property owner, I am apprehensive of the upcoming increase in water fees, which is estimated to be in excess of 30 percent. This project pays for water from Santa Maria, helping the Nipomo Community Services District to reduce its reliance on groundwater. Please join me to support homes for locals by writing to the SLO County supervisors by Aug. 14.

Shannon Kessler Nipomo

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.

boarded up; however, there are numerous pedestrians walking by each day and of course the ever-present homeless who frequent the area. Construction materials were left stacked on-site when the stop work order was posted. The parking area is still open for public access, and foot traffic can be seen walking through the area.

As of July 21, 2023, the city manager’s report indicated that 105 letters were sent to property owners for “unpermitted construction” and 116 for “unsafe conditions.” So, this problem isn’t limited to the KFC project.

I guess until the appropriate permits are issued and the stop work order is lifted, we will be stuck with a partially completed project at one of the entrances to our city and miss out on all those KFC specials. m

Ron Fink writes to the Sun from Lompoc. Send a response for publication to letters@ santamariasun.com.

Is it time we all shift our thinking on Oceano Dunes?

For years, the public discussion regarding the Oceano Dunes and vehicle access has been binary: four wheelers vs. environmentalists. But maybe its not that simple.

Not every person who accesses and recreates on the beach and dunes does so in the same manner. There are pedestrians, cyclists, surfers, kite fliers, clammers, and nature lovers getting on the beach with various vehicles. And yes, there are off-road enthusiasts. Unfortunately, some local news sources have not done a good enough job of encouraging informed dialogue when they choose to run only pictures of Oceano on the busiest days, at the entrance to the dunes, and only highlight the off-road enthusiasts, rather than reporting on diverse uses that are enjoyed by many. More people are able to enjoy the beach with vehicle access. Could you imagine no vehicle access into Yosemite or Yellowstone? There is also a line of thinking that suggests making the Oceano Dunes accessible for locals only. This is akin to the notion of giving access to national or state parks only to those who live near it, or Pismo Pier only to those who live in Pismo Beach. Access is for all of us, not just a select few.

The vehicle access issue is now against the backdrop of the recent economic study commissioned by Visit SLO CAL. The study, which is supported by San Luis Obispo County and local municipalities, determined that the Oceano Dunes contributes half a billion dollars each year to our local economy. The countywide economic contribution includes hotel stays, grocery store purchases, and dining at restaurants throughout the county.

It’s time for our community to come together and work on how to do this better. How do we make vehicle access on the dunes and beach safer and enhance and respect diversity of uses?

We can work on designated recreational zones and access points and more robust enforcement, as an example. The benefits of diverse recreational uses and vehicle accessibility, coupled with the gigantic economic benefit and legal victories of Friends of Oceano Dunes, should compel us to work on how to make access safer and better for all.

Adam Verdin Oceano business owner

Opinion

Santa Maria City Council member Gloria Soto is extremely concerned about the school-to-prison pipeline.

It was in full swing between 1997 and 2021 in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, if you take her comments at a recent board meeting at face value.

“The last thing I want to do is perpetuate the school-to-prison pipeline or make our students feel like they are being watched or that they’re being seen as criminals,” Soto said at the City Council’s Aug. 1 meeting during a discussion about reinstating the school district and Santa Maria Police Department’s school resource officer (SRO) program.

I guess when the SROs stopped showing up in 2021 on high school campuses in town, students finally had a chance to extricate themselves from the prison pipeline. So why is the school district’s board requesting for the program to come back?

Obviously, it thinks that pipeline is pretty empty! Not. It could be the increase in gang activity around town, all those drug overdoses on campuses where Narcan needed to be deployed, or perhaps, as Police Chief Marc Schneider said, to keep shady non-high school students off campus.

Soto, I’m not sure if you realize this or not, but those shady elements in your city are what’s causing the school-to-prison pipeline, not SROs who are in uniforms on local campuses.

But if she’s right, maybe we should be putting SROs in the well-watered carrot fields of the Cuyama Valley. Then, we could have a carrotto-prison pipeline where industrialized carrot-

growing kingpins get arrested for corporate malfeasance and committing orange-collar crimes like overpumping aquifers and filing lawsuits to stymie sustainability measures.

Apparently Bolthouse Farms and Grimmway Farms, which filed a quiet title lawsuit over groundwater rights in the Cuyama Valley Groundwater Basin two years ago, didn’t notify all the landowners overlying the basin about the lawsuit. The first phase of their adjudication case was set to move forward in early August with more than 150 landowners signed on to defend themselves against their corporate overlord neighbors.

The judge in the case pushed the start date to October because the moneyed pockets of Big Carrot simply couldn’t pony up the dough to publish a notice about the lawsuit in a local newspaper or notify all the impacted landowners. More than 300 landowners still need to be notified before the adjudication can move forward, and these water-sucking jerks can’t be bothered to move any faster.

But locals are doing what they can to defend themselves from orange-collar crimes. They’ve put together a petition to get Big Carrot to drop the lawsuit and are attempting to rally everyone who cares to boycott Grimmway and Bolthouse products— especially those orange-colored root vegetables.

“You should never turn your nose up at a boycott,” Cuyama Valley landowner and LA attorney Kay March said. “Boycotts are extremely powerful.” They can be, but they need consistency and they need to be widespread to have an impact. The two commercial carrot growers have fields in Southern California, Arizona, and beyond, shipping carrots across the nation and farther. Those are some pretty big carrots to take down. Some real David and Goliath-style action needs to happen. I say go get ‘em. ❍

The canary is in! Send boycott recommendations to canary@santamariasun.com.

Hot Stuff

DRIVE MY CAR

The 19th annual Lompoc Police Car Show and Cruise Night will be held at Civic Center Plaza in Lompoc, with Cruise Night on Friday, Aug. 11, from 5 to 8 p.m., and the car show on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event features cars, trucks, motorcycles, bikes, and more. Vehicle registration ranges between $20 and $40. Proceeds benefit the Lompoc Police Association Youth Sports Program and the Lompoc Police Foundation. Visit my805tix.com for more info.

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.

AUGUST ARTE, CAFE, Y CULTURA: GUN CONTROL COLLAGE MAKING

A combination of the monthly Cafe Y Cultura, a series of lecture-based community discussions, and art workshops to create Arte, Cafe, y Cultura. Includes a 15-minute presentation. Afterwards, participants make collages centered on gun control. Aug. 16, 5-8 p.m. Free. 209-312-8653. corazondelpueblo.org.

Corazon del Pueblo Office, 201 E Main St., suite M, 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.

THE BOOK OF WILL By Lauren Gunderson. William Shakespeare is dead. Bad Hamlet knock-offs and children’s acting troupes litter the stages of Elizabethan London. And the King’s Men are running out of time. Rooted in real events. Aug. 17, 7 p.m., Aug. 18 7 p.m., Aug. 19, 7 p.m. and Aug. 20, 1:30 p.m. Starting at $25. 805-9228313. pcpa.org/events/the-book-of-will.

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

—Caleb Wiseblood

CABARET Presented by SMCT. Visit site for tickets and more info. Aug. 11-27 my805tix.com. Santa Maria Civic Theatre, 1660 N. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

COOKIES AND CHAPTERS BOOK CLUB

Each month will feature a new chapter book. Free copies of the book will be provided on a first come, first served basis. For ages 9-14. Aug. 12 11 a.m. Free. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library (Altrusa Theater), 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

CRAFTWORKS: DECO MESH WREATHS

Make a wreath for any season in this free workshop for adults 18 and older. Using colorful deco mesh, create a homemade wreath to take home. All materials will be provided. Registration is required. Aug. 12 10:30 a.m.-noon. cityofsantamaria.org/citygovernment/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. ongoing Everybody Can Dance, 628 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria, 805-937-6753, everybodycandance. webs.com/.

FELT MINI LANTERN TO-GO KITS:

ORCUTT, LOS ALAMOS, CUYAMA

BRANCHES Light up the night with these felt mini lanterns. To-go kits will be available for pick up to make a felt lantern. Pick up begins Aug. 14, while supplies last. For patrons 18 and older. Aug. 14 Free. cityofsantamaria.org/city-government/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria, 805-925-0994.

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. Free intro from 6:30 to 7

p.m. Beyond the Basics ($10) is 7 to 7:45 p.m. $10 entry includes social dance (7:45 to 8:15 p.m.). Tuesdays, 6:30-8:15 p.m. 805-344-1630. Cubanissimo Cuban Coffee House, 4869 S. Bradley Rd., #118, Orcutt. VALLEY READS BOOK CLUB Group covers a different book each month. Registration required. Second Saturday of every month, 2 p.m. Free. 805-925-0994. cityofsantamaria.org/city-government/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

AMERICAN MARIACHI: SOLVANG

An uplifting comedy about family, the freedom to go after your dreams, and the music that unites us. WednesdaysSundays, 8 p.m. through Aug. 27 Starting at $25. 805-922-8313. pcpa.org/events/ american-mariachi. Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang.

FIRST ANNUAL ZACA MESA WINERY AND VINEYARDS MAKER’S FAIRE Join a fun-filled afternoon in wine country. Support local artists with this free event open to all ages. Aug. 19, 12-3 p.m. zacamesa.com. Zaca Mesa Winery, 6905 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos.

INSPIRED BY LIGHT A captivating exhibit by Carrie Givens and Karen McGaw. These artists unite their distinct styles in works that depict California’s Central Coast landscapes and fauna. Mondays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Aug. 31 Free. 805688-7517. GalleryLosOlivos.com. Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos.

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE An installation by Northridge-based artist Elizabeth Criss. Through Feb. 1, 2024 wildlingmuseum.org. Wildling Museum of Art and Nature, 1511-B Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-688-1082.

MUSIC IS LOVE: PHOTOGRAPHS BY HENRY DILTZ Highlights a collection of

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.

the prolific music industry photographer’s work. Through Aug. 13 elverhoj.org. Elverhoj Museum of History and Art, 1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang, 805-686-1211.

SEDGWICK RESERVE: A CONSERVATION

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

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

EMBROIDERERS GUILD OF AMERICA The Bishop’s Peak Chapter of the Embroiderer’s Guild of America invites you to attend its monthly meeting. For more information, follow on Facebook or visit the EGA website. Third Saturday of every month, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. through Nov. 18 Free. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach, 805-773-4832.

GOLD FEVER AT THE ROUGH AND READY Boo the villain and cheer the hero at this show full of colorful characters. Through Sept. 9 Great American Melodrama, 1863 Front St., Oceano.

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.

INDEX

Arts

Music 16

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.

CENTRAL COAST DAHLIA SOCIETY 2023

DAHLIA SHOW A free exhibit of exhibition quality dahlia blooms on display by the Central Coast Dahlia Society. Aug. 12 , 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Aug. 13 1-4 p.m. Free. centralcoastdahlias.org. San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church, 1515 Fredericks Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-242-6065.

CENTRAL COAST SHAKESPEARE

FESTIVAL All performances take place in the beautiful outdoor setting of the Filipponi Ranch. Don’t forget to bring your picnic, standard height lawn chair, and warm layers for the chilly evenings.

Fridays, 7:30-9:30 p.m. and Saturdays, Sundays, 6-8 p.m. through Aug. 13 $25. centralcoastshakespeare.org/. Filipponi

Ranch, 1850 Calle Joaquin, 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.

FAMILY POTTERY CLASS A familyoriented class time. Any age or level welcome. Choice of sculpting, painting. or throwing on the wheel. Children must be accompanied by participating parent.

Saturdays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. through Aug.

26 $35. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery

Studio, 1243 Monterey St., 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.

INTERMEDIATE WHEEL SERIES: SOUL POTTER Scott Semple will be teaching this intermediate, world view ceramics course, emphasizing wheel throwing with personal style. Clay sold separate at $30. Book online in advance. Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. through Aug. 30 $240. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 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. 805747-4200. artcentralslo.com/workshopsevents/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY AND ART

Owen and Kyoko Hunt from Kyoto, Japan offer classes for Japanese calligraphy (Fridays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.), a Japanese art called “haiga” (Fridays, 10-11:30 a.m.) and more at Nesting Hawk Ranch. Fridays $45. 702-335-0730. Nesting Hawk Ranch, Call for address, San Luis Obispo.

LEARN TO WEAVE MONDAYS An opportunity to learn how a four-shaft loom works. You will get acquainted as a new weaver or as a refresher with lots of tips and tricks. This class includes getting to know a loom, how to prepare/dress a loom, and much much more. Mondays, 1-4 p.m. $75 monthly. 805-441-8257.

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

LISA SOLOMON Solomon’s mixed media works revolve thematically around discovering her heritage, the notion of domesticity, craft, feminism, and the pursuit of art as science/research. Through Aug. 28, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 805-543-8562. sloma.org/exhibition/lisasolomon/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

ONCE MORE, WITH FEELING: GARET

ZOOK Garet Zook’s contemporary sculptures utilize resin castings, molded foam, and natural stone along with abandoned and forgotten objects,

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LOMPOC VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

unearthing hidden treasures and revealing layers of profound significance, challenging traditional notions of value and inviting viewers to engage in dialogue about the nature of existence. MondaysFridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. through Aug. 18 Free. 805-546-3202. cuesta.edu/student/ campuslife/artgallery/index.html. Harold J. Miossi Gallery, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

PAINTING THE MAROON BELLS WITH DREW DAVIS Are you looking for a chance to expand your painting skills and create a stunning masterpiece that you can be proud of? Look no further. Aug. 13 , 3-5 p.m. my805tix.com. Drew Davis Fine Art, 393 Pacific St., San Luis Obispo.

PICKET PAINTING PARTY Decorative picket purchasing opportunities are available to show your support and help fund maintenance and educational programs in the Children’s Garden. Second Saturday of every month, 1-4 p.m. $75 per picket or 2 for $100. 805-541-1400. slobg. org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

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

RED, WHITE, AND BLUES

The Flower City Ballroom in Lompoc presents blues guitarist Chris Durante, live in concert, on Friday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m. Admission to the show is $15 at the door or $10 in advance. Tickets to the concert in advance are available at my805tix. com. For more info on the show, call (805) 586-3295 or visit fcballroom.com.

The Flower City Ballroom is located at 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. —C.W.

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.

SECOND SATURDAYS AT SLOMA

Intergenerational learning and creative expression for children of all ages. Families are invited to SLOMA’s lawn to learn about the visual arts together using our unique activity kits and create an art project inspired by our exhibitions. Second Saturday of every month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. 805-543-8562. sloma.org/events/secondsaturdays/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

SLODRAWZ FIGURE DRAWING GROUP

Doesn’t include guided instructions. Students are encouraged to bring whatever media they desire. Features a different nude model each session. All skill levels welcome. Second Monday of

every month, 5-7 p.m. through Dec. 11 $20 ($3 tip recommended). 559-250-3081. spencerpoulterart.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

STONES IN HIS POCKETS Presented by the San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre. Aug. 11-27 SLO Rep, 888 Morro St., San Luis Obispo, 805-786-2440, slorep.org/.

VANESSA WALLACE-GONZALES WallaceGonzales is a Black-Latinx and Santa Barbara-based artist who uses elements of mythology to explore her identity and personal experiences. Through Oct. 2, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 805-543-8562. sloma.org/ exhibition/vanessa-wallace-gonzales/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

VIRGINIA MACK: BEGINNING

WATERCOLOR This is a watercolor class designed to let you jump in and try out this engaging medium through experimentation. It’s designed for beginners and those with watercolor

experience who wish to expand their knowledge of painting in watercolors. To enroll, contact Mack via email: vbmack@ charter.net Wednesdays, 1:30-3:30 p.m. $35. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo.com/ workshops-events/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

WALT WHITMAN GAY MEN’S BOOK CLUB

This club reads, studies and discusses books chosen by the group which relate to their lives as gay men. All are welcome. Second Monday of every month, 7-9:30 p.m. Free. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

ART EXPLORATIONS A children’s class series for ages 6-12. In this series, students learn about a new artist each week and recreate a masterpiece from history. This class incorporates both drawing and painting. Thursdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. through Aug. 10 $40. 559-250-3081.

Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay, artcentermorrobay.org.

ASSEMBLAGES OF STEVE DAYTON

Steve divides his time between creating assemblages and abstract painting on wood panels. The assemblages are made by taking small hand built familiar objects and motifs and placing them in box frames to create absurd scenes that include absurd and humorous titles. Through Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

COSTA GALLERY SHOWCASES Features works by Ellen Jewett as well as 20 other local artists, and artists from southern and northern California. Thursdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. 559799-9632. costagallery.com. Costa Gallery, 2087 10th St., Los Osos.

FIBER ART BY GAY MCNEAL McNeal possesses an appreciation of the

multifaceted role that fiber has played in the art and material cultures of many ethnic societies, and her creative high comes from the actual process of trying out the multitude of techniques, both old and new. Through Aug. 30, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

FINE ART WATERCOLORS BY VIRGINIA MACK Virginia, along with her late husband John, also an artist, have spent endless hours exploring the back roads of San Luis Obispo County seeking those bits of landscape and the birds that are visually stimulating or interesting. Virginia works primarily in watercolors. Through Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 805-772-1068. 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 experience is necessary. Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. $45. 805-772-9095. Forever Stoked, 1164 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay.

FREE CALLIGRAPHY DEMONSTRATION WITH MARY LOU JOHNSON Art Center Morro Bay is happy to present a free demonstration with calligrapher and teacher, Mary Lou Johnson. She began hand lettering in the 1980s and joined the LA Society for Calligraphy in the ‘90s. Aug. 14 3-5 p.m. Free admission. 805-772-2504. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay, artcentermorrobay.org.

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.

ARTS continued page 14

CDPH-10004016

2023 New Times Music AwardsMusic Entry Period

Songwriters at Play: Roy Zimmerman THURSDAY, AUGUST 10

SLOFunny Comedy Jamboree Los Osos THURSDAY, AUGUST 10

Pacific Heritage Tour 2023:

Lompoc Police Car Show

& SAT, AUGUST 11 & 12

SMCT: Cabaret

Women Making Waves: Community Hike at the Pismo Preserve

AUGUST 12 Pismo Preserve, Pismo Beach

Resonance Presents: BEYOND SAT & SUN, AUGUST 12 & 13 Mission San Luis Obispo and Community Church of Atascadero

The Boys of Summer: The Music of the Eagles

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13 Blast 825, The Stockyard, Orcutt

Painting the Maroon Bells with Drew Davis

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13 Drew Davis Fine Art, San Luis Obispo

Summer Concert Series

Murder at Deadwood Saloon

Murder Mystery Dinner

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18 Templeton Mercantile

Chris Duarte

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18 Flower City Ballroom, Lompoc

OPENING RECEPTION FOR GAY

MCNEAL, VIRGINIA MACK, AND STEVE

DAYTON Come meet the artists, have a snack, and bring some beautiful art home. Aug. 12 , 3-5 p.m. 805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

THE PLEIN AIR TEAM Acrylic artist, Nancy Lynn, and husband, watercolorist, Robert Fleming, have an ongoing show of originals and giclee prints of Morro Bay and local birds. ongoing 805-772-9955. Seven Sisters Gallery, 601 Embarcadero Ste. 8, Morro Bay, sevensistersgalleryca.com.

SECOND SATURDAYS Come by and see the Featured Artists Shows, find gifts for your loved ones, surprises for yourself, and meet the artists featured in the incredible gallery. Second Saturday of every month, 5-7 p.m. Free. 805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

30 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN SANTA MARIA/ORCUTT Community Partners in Caring is seeking volunteers to help support dependent older adults and seniors. partnersincaring.org. Santa Maria, Citywide, Santa Maria.

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

FINANCIAL BASICS PRESENTED BY

SESLOC The Santa Maria Public Library will be hosting Outreach staff from SESLOC Federal Credit Union for a free presentation on the basics of personal finances. Afterwards, patrons will have an

opportunity to ask questions in a Q-and-A session. This program will be presented in Spanish. Aug. 13 , 2-4 p.m. Free. 805-9250994 ext. 8562. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

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.

LET’S BLOW OFF SOME STEAM Curious preschoolers, come to a special story time filled with exploration and discovery. Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math themes will be explored through stories and discovered through hands-on activities. Come dressed for mess. For ages 3-5. Aug. 11 11 a.m. Free. 805-9250994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library (Altrusa Theater), 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

SANTA MARIA COIN CLUB: MONTHLY

MEETING Coin collectors of all ages invited. Bring coins for free appraisals.

Third Wednesday of every month, 7 p.m.

Yearly membership: $20-$25. 805-9373158. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

SMVGS MEETING Visitors welcome. Contact smvgs.org for program and location info. Third Thursday of every month, 2:15-4 p.m. smvgs.org. Santa Maria Valley Genealogical Society, 908 Sierra Madre, Santa Maria.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

TEEN WORKSHOP: WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO (SEX ED FOR YOUNG

ADULTS) A three-hour interactive workshop hosted by Open Door Support. Offers information for teens to help empower informed decision-making. Aug. 10, 12-3 p.m. $75. 805-688-4921. opendoorsupport.com/events. Santa Ynez Valley Grange Hall, 2374 Alamo Pintado, Los Olivos.

SAILOR LORE

The Morro Bay Maritime Museum, in collaboration with Maritime Museum San Diego, is bringing the Pacific Heritage Tour to Morro Bay Friday, Aug. 11, through Sunday, Aug. 20. The public is invited to step aboard a full-scale replica of Juan Rodriguez’s legendary ship, the San Salvador, from the Morro Bay pier, at 1185 Embarcadero, Morro Bay. Visit my805tix. com for tickets and more details.

—C.W.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

2023 LOMPOC POLICE CAR SHOW Visit site for tickets and more info on this twoday fundraiser car show and cruise. Aug. 11 5 p.m. and Aug. 12 3 p.m. my805tix. com. Old Town Lompoc, H and I St., Lompoc.

SUMMER STAR PARTY SPECTACULAR

At this annual event, explore astronomy through interactive presentations and activities, and then watch the Perseid meteor shower after dark. Aug. 12 7-10 p.m. 805-736-6528. sunburst.org/stars/. Sunburst Retreat Center, 7200 CA-1, Lompoc.

AQUATIC BIRDS OF OSO FLACO LAKE

Join The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County for a short hike as we explore dune ecosystem and the aquatic birds of our lakes. Aug. 12 9 a.m.-noon Free. 805724-9709. sblandtrust.org. Oso Flaco Lake Natural Area, Oso Flaco Lake Rd., Nipomo. BEGINNER GROUP SURF LESSONS AND SURF CAMPS Lessons and camp packages available daily. All equipment included. ongoing Starts at $70. 805-8357873. sandbarsurf.com/. Sandbar Surf School Meetup Spot, 110 Park Ave., Pismo Beach.

DONATION-BASED YOGA FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, EMTS, AND CARETAKERS Class schedule varies. Contact empoweryoga805@gmail for details and reservations. ongoing 805-619-0989. empoweryoga805.com.

Empower Yoga Studio and Community Boutique, 775 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WATCH AND CLOCK COLLECTORS, CHPT. 52 Come join a friendly meeting of watch and clock collectors. Members bring watches and clocks to show, plus there are discussions of all things horological.

Second Sunday of every month, 1:30-3 p.m. 805-547-1715. new.nawcc.org/index. php/chapter-52-los-padres. Central Coast Senior Center, 1580 Railroad St., Oceano.

PROPER PLANNING PREVENTS

DISASTER Come hear what local experts have to say about plans to put in place before the crisis happens. Never a sales pitch. RSVP to save a seat. Text or call 805-710-2415. Aug. 16 10-11:30 a.m. Free. 805-710-2415. NancyPuder.com. Hilton Garden Inn, 601 James Way, Pismo Beach.

SOCIAL GROUP FOR WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS Call for more details. Second Saturday of every month, 10 a.m. 805-9046615. Oak Park Christian Church, 386 N Oak Park Blvd., Grover Beach.

WEEKLY WATER SAFETY LESSONS

Facility advertised as open and safe. Give the office a call to register over the phone.

Mondays-Fridays $160-$190. 805-4816399. 5 Cities Swim School, 425 Traffic Way, Arroyo Grande, 5citiesswimschool.com.

WMW COMMUNITY HIKE Hosted by Women Making Waves (WMW). Aug. 12 9-11 a.m. my805tix.com. Pismo Preserve, Mattie Road, Pismo Beach.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

BANG MUAY THAI EXPERIENCE WITH DUANE Sleeping Tiger Fitness and Martial Arts is thrilled to announce a not-to-bemissed opportunity for martial arts enthusiasts. Aug. 12 , 12-2 p.m. $100

members; $150 non-members. 805-7489182. Sleeping Tiger Fitness, 3595 Sueldo St., 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.

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.

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.

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.

THE MONDAY CLUB SLO LIVING

HISTORY TOURS Enter the iconic doors of the historic, Julia Morgandesigned clubhouse. Docents will take you back to the 1920s and ‘30s, while viewing the beautiful architecture, murals, and gardens. Aug. 14, 1-4 p.m. TheMondayClubSLO.org. The Monday Club, 1815 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, 805-541-0594.

PLUG-IN TO LOCAL CLIMATE ACTION

Get inspired by local action, connect with

others, and discover more ways to get involved with the SLO Climate Coalition. Attend virtually or in-person. Sustainable snacks and childcare will be provided.

Third Thursday of every month, 6-8 p.m. sloclimatecoalition.org/events/.

Ludwick Community Center, 864 Santa Rosa, San Luis Obispo.

QI GONG FITNESS ONLINE Hosted by the San Luis Coastal Adult School. Gentle but powerful exercises for mind and body with instructor Gary West. Enhance your well being, improve your balance, and practice mindfulness. 19 weeks. Wednesdays, 9:3010:30 a.m. through Dec. 13 $95.

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

REGISTER FOR QI-GONG FITNESS

ONLINE Gentle but powerful movement for balance, flexibility, and mindfulness.

Hosted by San Luis Coastal Adult School, with instructor Gary West. Over Zoom. Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. through Aug. 18 $95. 805-549-1222. ae.slcusd.org.

Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING

PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ATHLETES

(GRADES 2-4) In this program, your child will learn the foundation of becoming a well-rounded athlete as we focus on skill development, movement, teamwork, and increasing confidence in each workout session. Mondays, Wednesdays, 3:30-4:20 p.m. through Sept. 20 $399 for a 12-Week Session (24 Classes). slocity.org. MZR

Fitness, 3536 S. Higuera St. suite 200, San Luis Obispo, 805-439-4616.

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING

PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ATHLETES

(GRADES 5-7) In this program, your child will learn the foundation of becoming a well-rounded athlete as we focus on skill development, movement, teamwork, and increasing confidence in each workout session. Mondays, Wednesdays, 4:30-5:20 p.m. through Sept. 20 $399 for a 12-Week Session (24 Classes). slocity.org. MZR Fitness, 3536 S. Higuera St. suite 200, San Luis Obispo, 805-439-4616.

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING

PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ATHLETES

(GRADES 8-12) In this program, your child will learn the foundation of becoming a well-rounded athlete as we focus on skill development, movement, teamwork, and increasing confidence in each workout session. Mondays, Wednesdays, 5:30-6:20 p.m. through Sept. 20 $399 for a 12-Week Session (24 Classes). slocity.org. MZR

Fitness, 3536 S. Higuera St. suite 200, San Luis Obispo, 805-439-4616.

TECH BREW MEETUP Tech Brew is a free networking event where people interested in technology can hang out in an informal environment with a small TEDtalk-like presentation from an interesting speaker. Learn more online. Second Monday of every month, 5-7 p.m. 805-323-6706. meetup.com/softec/. StoryLabs, 102 Cross St, Suite 220, San Luis Obispo.

TOUR THE HISTORIC OCTAGON BARN

CENTER The Octagon Barn, built in 1906, has a rich history that The Land

Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County looks forward to sharing with visitors. Please RSVP. Second Sunday of every month, 2-2:45 & 3-3:45 p.m. Tours are free; donations are appreciated. Octagon Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis Obispo, (805) 544-9096, octagonbarn.org.

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/.

FRIDAY NIGHT FUN Karaoke with DJ

Nasty. With Beer Bucket specials. Kitchen stays open late. Come out and sing your favorite song. Fridays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, 805-623-8866.

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.

TACO TUESDAY Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, 805332-3532, winestoneinn.com/.

TEEN COOKING EXPERIENCE WITH MASTER FOOD PRESERVERS Teens, want to learn to make something delicious? Register for a cooking class with Master Food Preservers where you’ll learn food prep skills, canning techniques, and get to take home something delicious.

Aug. 11 2 p.m. Free. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library (Altrusa Theater), 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

TEEN NAILED IT COOKING COMPETITION

Participants will use their skills to attempt to duplicate a confectionary creation. Aug. 18 4:30 p.m. Free. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library (Altrusa Theater), 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

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.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

C.A.R.E. 4 PAWS’ MOBILE CLINIC LAUNCH AND ‘FRIENDRAISER’ Enjoy delicious appetizers, wine and beer, and tours of the brand-new, 37-foot mobile clinic. Aug. 20, 2-5 p.m. $100. 805-9682273. care4paws.org/event/friendraiser/.

BIRD IS THE WORD

Gallery at Marina Square in Morro Bay will host a joint reception for its three featured artists for the month of August on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 3 to 5 p.m. The gallery is currently showcasing paintings by Virginia Mack (whose work is pictured), fiber and textile art by Gay McNeal, and assemblages by Steve Dayton. Visit galleryatmarinasquare. com for more info. The gallery is located at 601 Embarcadero, suite 10, Morro Bay. —C.W.

The Maker’s Son, 346 Bell St., Los Alamos. FESTA DEL POMODORO A collaboration with Chef Sal Marino of Marino Restaurant, Hollywood for a special day celebrating tomato season. Aug. 20 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 805-688-2415. vegavineyardandfarm.com. Vega Vineyard and Farm, 9496 Santa Rosa Road, Buellton.

SECOND SATURDAY OPEN AIR MARKET:

LOS ALAMOS A carefully curated open air artisan and farm market. Features great vintage finds, handwoven and hand dyed textiles, hand-spun yarn, organic body care products, and locally grown organic eats. Second Saturday of every month, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 805-722-4338. Sisters Gifts and Home, 349 Bell Street, Los Alamos.

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

Gloryious and DJ Panda. Features delicious daiquiri specials. Thursdays, 8 p.m.-midnight Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, 805-623-8866.

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. 805-925-0951.

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.

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.

OPERA SANTA BARBARA CONCERT

Enjoy the beautiful and unmistakable sound of Opera with a free concert by Opera Santa Barbara. This concert is sure to delight music lovers of all ages. Aug. 19 1 p.m. Free. cityofsantamaria.org. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria, 805-925-0994.

SUMMER DANCE PARTY The Santa Maria Valley Senior Citizens Club presents “Summer Dance Party”, with Riptide Big Band, and vocalists Bob Nations and Mitch Latting. Grant funded by Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County. Aug. 13 , 1:30-4 p.m. Free. 775-813-5186. RiptideBB.com. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

SUNDAY NIGHT FUN End the weekend with some good vibes. Music by DJ Van Gloryious. Sundays, 8 p.m.-midnight Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, 805-623-8866.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

CHRIS DUARTE LIVE Visit site for tickets and more info. Aug. 18 7 p.m. my805tix. com. Flower City Ballroom, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc.

GRUPO DILIGENCIA AND DJ KAZANOVA

Visit site for tickets and more info. Aug. 12 , 7 p.m. my805tix.com. Flower City Ballroom, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. RED HOT TRIBUTE With The Faithful, a tribute to Pearl Jam. Aug. 19 7 p.m. my805tix.com. Flower City Ballroom, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

DANTE MARSH AND THE VIBESETTERS

A high energy pop/soul band based out of San Luis Obispo. Aug. 12 2-5:30 p.m. my805tix.com. Point San Luis Lighthouse, 1 Lighthouse Rd., Avila Beach.

FLAMENCO DANCE WITH LA GITANE

Learn the art of Flamenco dance. Express your truest self in this ancient art form through its mysterious rhythms and songs that represent the purest emotions we possess as a people. Aug. 10 6-7 p.m. $20. 805-595-7600. Avila Bay Athletic Club, 6699 Bay Laurel Place, Avila Beach.

KARAOKE EVERY FRIDAY Enjoy some good food and karaoke. Fridays, 5-8 p.m. 805-723-5550. The Central Grill, 545 Orchard Road, Nipomo.

KARAOKE SATURDAYS Take advantage of karaoke every Saturday. Saturdays, 3-7 p.m. 805-723-5550. The Central Grill, 545 Orchard Road, Nipomo.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

BROOKS BURGERS: SLO PUBLIC

MARKET SUMMER CONCERT SERIES WITH THE SKYLITES Have fun on the outdoor patio with great food, drinks, and The SkyLites at Brooks Burgers. Aug. 12 2-5 p.m. Brooks Burgers, 134 Tank Farm Road, San Luis Obispo, 805-439-3092.

bragging rights. Kekas will be serving their delicious local fare. Fun for all ages. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. 805-819-0723. coldcoastbrewing.com. COLD Coast Brewing Company, 118 W Ocean Ave, Lompoc.

MUSIC

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

THE BOYS OF SUMMER: THE MUSIC OF THE EAGLES A tribute to the Eagles. Visit site for tickets and more info. Aug. 13 2 p.m. my805tix.com. Blast 825 Brewery, 241 S Broadway St., Ste. 101, Orcutt, 805934-3777.

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.

LADIES NIGHT OUT Music by DJ Van

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, 10:30-11:30 a.m. through Dec. 27 Free. 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.

SUMMER SWING 2023 WEST COAST SWING WORKSHOP AND DANCE Led by swing champ Gina Sigman. Also includes some line dancing, two-step, and salsa Aug. 12 , 6:30-11 p.m. $15. 805-344-1630. cityofsolvang.com. Veterans Memorial Building, 1745 Mission Dr., 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.

GUITAR BAZAAR Come to the Guitar Bazaar–a new kind of swap meet to buy and sell used guitars, amps, and pedals. Josh Collins, guitarist for Próxima Parada, will perform. Win a new $550 Michael Kelly Hybrid Guitar at the event with your admission. Aug. 12 $12.25. 805-203-5564. guitarbazaar.info. SLO Guild Hall, 2880 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

LIVE MUSIC FROM GUITAR WIZ BILLY FOPPIANO AND MAD DOG Join “Guitar Wiz” Billy Foppiano and his trusty side kick Mad Dog for a mix of blues, R&B, and more. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 805-544-2100. Bon Temps Creole Cafe, 1819 Osos Street, San Luis Obispo, bontempscreolecafe.com.

MAKESHIFT MUSE See the Mission Plaza come to life with creatives. Shop from more than 40 businesses with live music. Aug. 12 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission. 805-540-1768. themakeshiftmuse.com. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, 751 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.

RESONANCE PRESENTS: BEYOND “To infinity and beyond.” Aug. 12 , 8 p.m. my805tix.com. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, 751 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, 781-8220. m

ARTS BRIEFS

Santa Maria Philharmonic Society welcomes new board president

On the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society’s board of directors since 2021, Sandra Dickerson (pictured, left) was announced as the group’s new board president in late July. Dickerson’s predecessor, Jed Beebe (right), was named president emeritus in recognition of his dedication to the organization over many years, according to press materials.

“I am looking forward to working with the Santa Maria Philharmonic as its board president. Our 2023-24 season is beginning in earnest,” Dickerson said in a statement from the nonprofit. “We’re all very excited about our concerts and educational offerings.”

Dickerson is the owner and CEO of Your People Professionals of Santa Maria and has previously served as the chair of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce. In addition to Dickerson’s new appointment, the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society also announced two new members of its board of directors: Lompoc resident Norman Hardy and Santa Maria resident Philip F. Sinco.

The inaugural concert in the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society’s 2023-24 season will take place on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Grace Baptist Church, located at 605 E. McCoy Lane, Santa Maria. The show is titled Fate and Romance, and will include selections of works composed by Verdi, Adams, and Brahms. For more details on Fate and Romance and other upcoming shows slated in the season, call (805) 925-0412 or visit smphilharmonic.org.

American Pickers series seeks California-based antique collectors

Scenes of luminescence

Two local painters pay homage to natural light at Gallery Los Olivos

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

The sun’s place in the sky or its relation to a single cloud can make or break a plein air expedition for Karen McLean-McGaw and Carrie Givens, two local artists and longtime friends who often paint landscapes outdoors together.

Despite their countless painting adventures over the years, the pair has never showcased their works side by side in a duo exhibition, until this August, when their debut collaboration premiered at Gallery Los Olivos.

Through the end of the month, a collection of colorful landscapes by McLean-McGaw and Givens will remain on display at the local gallery in a show titled Inspired by Light.

“When Carrie and I decided to work together on a show, it wasn’t hard to come up with an unifying theme,” McLean-McGaw said. “Carrie and I have always been drawn to and inspired by the natural qualities of light when defining the landscape.”

“Light is just a given for both of us,” she added. “It’s what makes us tick.”

A prolific watercolor and oil painter based in Santa Barbara, McLeanMcGaw said she has always been attracted to the interplay between sunlight and the environments she chooses to capture, especially waterfront settings.

Showtime!

France to not only paint landscapes but demonstrate her painting techniques during workshops she’s led.

While McLean-McGaw uses watercolor and oil to bring her landscapes to life, Givens works primarily with pastels.

Even prior to viewing her vibrant, photorealistic paintings, full of subtle hues to illustrate shadows and sunshine, Givens’ emphasis on natural light and timing is apparent in the titles of her works, which include Morning at the River and Glow of Sunset Grass

“Light brings out shadow, color, and atmosphere that makes the scene so inspiring to paint,” said Givens, a member of the Pastel Society of the West Coast, the Santa Barbara Art Association, the Goleta Valley Art Association, the Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment, and other artist collectives.

A pastelist since 2003, Givens perfected her penchant for capturing light and shadows while shadowing several renowned artists—including Richard McKinley, Kim Lordier, Barbara Janieke, Liz Haywood-Sullivan, and Lorenzo Chavez—during various art workshops over the years.

Similar to McLean-McGaw’s approach, Givens will often start her landscapes outdoors on location and complete them at a later time in her studio, or work from her own reference photos to start and finish a piece indoors.

Over the years, one of Givens’ favorite areas she and McLean-McGaw have traveled together to paint plein air was Bishop, California, especially during the fall, when they’re “both able to paint the colors from that time of year—super golden trees against the dark blue Sierras in the background,” the pastelist said. m

Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood loves autumn colors too. Send pumpkin spice lattes to cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.

The producers of American Pickers an ongoing documentary series on the History Channel, are currently seeking California residents who collect valuable antiques and other unique items. The show is shot in different states throughout the year and will center on California during the month of September.

The series does not highlight flea markets, museums, or other businesses, but focuses on individuals with private antique collections of their own. California-based collectors who are interested in appearing on the show can call (646) 493-2184 or send their name, phone number, locations, and a description of their collection with photos to americanpickers@cineflix.com.

As “the Pickers” travel from coast to coast, the group is on “a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics” and hopes “to give historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way,” according to press materials. The show is hosted by Danielle Colby (pictured, left), Mike Wolfe (right), and Robbie Wolfe.

Visit history.com/shows/american-pickers to find out more about American Pickers m

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

McLean-McGaw’s personal favorite piece of her own currently on display at Gallery Los Olivos is Refugio Palm Reflections, which she completed in her studio based on a photograph she took at Refugio State Beach. She took the photo shortly after finishing a plein air landscape at the beach, when a change in sunlight grabbed her attention.

“The light was low and the colors were intensified,” said McLean-McGaw, who became mesmerized by a shoreside row of palm trees and the way it was mirrored in the ocean water while she was packing her painting supplies.

“When I turned around to pack up, the tide had gone out, revealing all the beautiful reflections of the line of palm trees,” said the artist, who set out to re-create that moment in Refugio Palm Reflections

Although seaside locales are prevalent throughout her body of work, McLean-McGaw is no stranger to highlighting vineyards, urban terrains, and other types of settings in her paintings. Over the past three decades, she’s frequently traveled to Italy and

IMAGE COURTESY OF THE SANTA MARIA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY

READING THE PALMS: Prolific watercolor and oil painter Karen McLean-McGaw based her piece Refugio Palm Reflections on a line of palm trees at Refugio State Beach, one of her favorite Central Coast destinations.

DISPLAY DESTINATION: Inspired by Light opened at Gallery Los Olivos in early August. The showcase includes watercolor and oil works by Karen McLean-McGaw and pastel landscapes by Carrie Givens.

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE: One of local pastelist Carrie Givens’ landscapes featured in Inspired by Light, a new duo exhibition at Gallery Los Olivos, is Gaviota Morning, which captures the rolling hills of Gaviota.

Mega dumb fun!

Ben Wheatley (Free Fire, Sightseers, Kill List) directs this sequel to 2018’s The Meg, about the research scientists exploring the Marianas Trench who encounter the prehistoric Megalodon, a massive 75-foot shark. This time around, the researchers return to further study the strange hidden world, where they uncover new threats as well as a secret rare earth minerals mining operation. (116 min.)

Glen: The action begins 65 million years ago with a fun CGI depiction of the prehistoric food chain, introducing us to a new creature that can best be described as a hybrid of landand-sea seals, pack-hunting wolves, and toothy catfish-alligators all feasting on a beached whale. Soon a T-Rex arrives to show the, let’s call them “killer amphibians,” who’s really in charge … until a megalodon snatches the T-Rex from the shore. Mm. B-movie magic, and this is not a spoiler. If you’ve seen the trailer, you’ve seen this opening scene. In fact, the trailer reveals a bunch of the outlandish moments in this ridiculous follow-up to its ridiculous predecessor. Prepare yourself for Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham) riding a jet ski and harpooning megalodons with homemade exploding spears. Prepare yourself for a giant squid. Prepare yourself for three tourist-eating megalodons and a bunch of marauding killer amphibians. It’s bigger, dumber, and more ridiculous than the original, which—if you’re

Film Reviews

STILL: A MICHAEL J. FOX MOVIE

What’s it rated? R

When? 2023

Where’s it showing? Apple TV Plus

going to see it, let’s face it—is exactly what you’re paying for.

MEG 2: THE TRENCH

What’s it rated? PG-13

What’s it worth, Glen? Matinee

What’s it worth, Anna? Matinee

Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande

Anna: Right, there are no worries here about the filmmakers taking the Meg franchise in a different direction. They stick with the ridiculous and amp it up even more. I like these campy, over-the-top monster flicks like the Piranha series and Godzilla vs. Kong. There’s just something deliciously summery about these movies that brings delight. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty to groan over here—but there’s no delusion by those involved about what they’re doing The Meg 2: The Trench is like the deep-fried butter stand at the fair—there is no rhyme or reason to why it exists, but there is always a line and no matter how much you deny it, you know you’ll be right back in line and handing over cash next time it comes around. Statham is always great, and he has panache in these brash hero roles. Between the Fast and Furious, Transporter, and Meg franchises, he’s solidified himself in the role of swaggering badass who has comedy chops to boot.

Glen: It’s not just giant sharks and squids that endanger this team of scientists—there’s someone in their own organization who’s out to sabotage their operation, which they realize when they discover a mining facility at the bottom of the trench and a henchman named Montes (Sergio Peris-Mencheta) who’s trying to kill them. Much of the original cast

has returned, including Shuya Sophia Cai as Meiying, the daughter of one of the first film’s researchers. She was just 10 in the first film and is now 15. Also back from round one is Page Kennedy as hapless DJ, who in the last five years has been honing his fighting skills, which come in handy when their facility is attacked. Cliff Curtis is back as Mac. I do miss Rainn Wilson as Morris, but since he was eaten in the first, oh well. Ignore the groan-inducing dialogue and embrace the absurd CGI mayhem. Eat some popcorn. Turn off your brain. Live a little. Anna: I love that they brought back the same

KANDAHAR

What’s it rated? R

When? 2023

Where’s it showing? Redbox and streaming platforms

young actress as Meiying. She did great here! I’m not sure if I missed what happened between the first film and the second, but her mother is now gone and Jonas is her protector along with her uncle, Jing Wu (Juiming Zhang). Sometimes you just have to let go of knowing how we got where we are. It’s all so silly, and I’m here for it! More homemade harpoons and big-toothed sea monsters, please! m

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

Now 62 and in the depths of his Parkinson’s disease, which was diagnosed at age 29, Michael J. Fox has been living with the reality of both his fame and his disease for most of his life. This documentary, written by Fox and directed by Davis Guggenheim, chronicles his early life and jump into fame at a young age, his years spent as one of the world’s biggest stars and teen heartthrob, and the aftereffects of his diagnosis as well as the years of struggle as his body slowly becomes less steady and reliable.

Fox’s perspective on his young stardom and the sliceof-life look we get into those years remind us what a true sensation he was, especially in the Back to the Future years. We also watch as he struggles to function. He’s walking still but with a marked handicap and is prone to falling, and watching his health degrade is difficult.

Ultimately touching and undeniably saddening, Still offers us a look at what goes on behind the limelight

and lets us see that even stars share human struggles. (95 min.)

—Anna

In their third collaboration, Ric Roman Waugh ( Angel Has Fallen, Greenland ) directs Gerald Butler once again, this time as Tom Harris, a freelance special operator working for the CIA. He’s a world-weary mercenary with a young daughter he doesn’t see enough and a wife demanding he sign divorce papers. We first meet him as he’s working undercover as a communications tech, but he’s really inserting malware into an Iranian nuclear facility.

That successful op leads his CIA handler Roman Chalmers (Travis Fimmel) to send him on another mission, this time in Afghanistan, but his cover is immediately blown, and soon he and his Afghan American translator, Mohammad “Mo” Doud (Navid Negahban), are in a race to an extraction point with Iranian security forces in pursuit, as well as Pakistani agent Kahil Nassir (Ali Fazal), a relentless and resourceful antagonist.

If, at this point, you’re thinking, “This sounds a lot like Guy Richie’s The Covenant,” you’d be right. Richie’s film is much better, but hey, if you’re an action junkie and you need to feed your habit, Kandahar is a serviceable

flick with engaging performances and effective direction, it’s just not as masterful as The Covenant which remains one of this year’s best. (119 min.) m —Glen

BAD SHARK!: Once again, Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham) must save vacationers from prehistoric apex predators, in Meg 2: The Trench, screening in local theaters.

STILL HERE: In Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, director Davis Guggenheim mixes film clips and reenactments, over which Fox narrates what it’s been like to spend 30 years with Parkinson’s disease, streaming on Apple TV-plus.

ON THE RUN: Special ops mercenary Tom Harris (Gerald Butler, left) and his Afghan American translator Mohammad “Mo” Doud (Navid Negahban) must evade Iranian and Pakistani security forces, in Kandahar, on streaming platforms and at Redbox.

Grand canyon

Vineyards along Foxen Canyon Wine Trail offer Summer Passport tastings

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

More than a dozen tasting rooms in Santa Barbara County have teamed up to create a passport that can be used for tasting flights rather than international flights. Scattered across a 30-mile stretch between Santa Maria and Los Olivos, the wineries of the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail are participating in the Summer Passport 2023 program through Aug. 31. Holders of the $65 passport can take advantage of a variety of exclusive deals, including complimentary glasses of wine, two-for-one tastings, cheese offerings, charcuterie, and other discounted fare, at each destination on the vineyard-laden trail.

Here’s a roundup of the 16 tasting rooms, located in Santa Maria, Sisquoc, Los Alamos, and Los Olivos, taking part in the annual summer program.

Trailblazing

For more info on the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail Summer Passport, visit foxencanyonwinetrail.net. The annual promotion runs through Aug. 31.

North to south

The northernmost point—or North Pole, minus the snow—of the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail is the Bien Nacido Estate, an acclaimed cool-climate vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. Founded in 1973 and known for its chardonnay, pinot noir, and syrah, the estate held a ribbon-cutting for its first on-site tasting room, The Gatehouse, in May. The winery and accompanying tasting room are located at 3503 Rancho Tepusquet Road, Santa Maria.

Just a stone’s throw away from Bien Nacido is Cambria Winery and Vineyards, at 5475 Chardonnay Lane. Under the leadership of head winemaker Jill Russell, the winery has been recognized as a Santa Maria staple by wine aficionados and wine publications, including Wine

Spectator, which selected Russell’s first completed vintage as one of the top 100 chardonnays in 2017.

Another vintner located on the northern edge of the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail in Santa Maria is Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard and Winery. This boutique winery is located at a 78-acre estate on 3940 Dominion Road.

The Santa Maria Valley is also home to Riverbench Vineyard, which consists of 115 acres of pinot noir grapes and 15 acres of chardonnay grapes. Hopeful visitors of the winery’s tasting room, a restored 1920s era Craftsman style house with an outdoor patio, can find the venue at 6020 Foxen Canyon Road.

Foxen Vineyard Winery has two sibling tasting rooms on the same stretch of road, one at 7600 Foxen Canyon Road and the other at 7200.

Wake Up with Make Up

Speaking of siblings, Marvin and Paulette Teixeira, the founders of Tres Hermanas Vineyard and Winery, decided to name their venue after their three daughters, Stacey, Tracey, and Marcey. The Teixeira family’s winery on 9660 Foxen Canyon Road is home to a cattle ranch, barn, and tasting room and is open daily for wine tastings.

Succulent sidequests

Passport holders heading south along Foxen Canyon Road from the Santa Maria Valley will eventually reach a string of Los Olivos-based destinations, but not before the opportunity to turn east into Sisquoc

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT: Riverbench Winery in Santa Maria is currently offering a complimentary wine tasting to holders of the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail Summer Passport. Fifteen other tasting rooms across Santa Barbara County have similar promotions.

THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE: Foxen Canyon Wine Trail Summer Passport members who visit Andrew Murray Vineyards in Los Olivos will receive a complimentary charcuterie snack pack and can take advantage of two-for-one tastings.

TABLE FOR TWO: Guests of the tasting room at Cambria Winery in Santa Maria with a Foxen Canyon Wine Trail Summer Passport can look forward to a complimentary wine flight for two.

to visit Rancho Sisquoc Winery. Primarily used as a cattle ranch during the 1950s, the venue became a winery during the 1960s, when its owners planted their first vineyards on the property, located at 6600 Foxen Canyon Road.

Guests of Rancho Sisquoc Winery can expect to find vintages of pinot noir, merlot, and other offerings. The local vintner’s 2019 Sisquoc River red is described as a blend of red fruits with subtle notes of dried herb, leather, and tobacco.

VINEYARD VIEWS: Visitors of the Gatehouse at Bien Nacido can enjoy views of the estate’s sprawling vineyards during their wine tastings. The venue is offering a complimentary cheese plate with the purchase of two tasting flights to Summer Passport members.

While the Sisquoc-based ranch is east of the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, Dovecote Estate Winery in Los Alamos is west of the trail, at 9229 Alisos Canyon Road. Founded in 1990, Dovecote specializes in carefully concentrated cool-climate Rhone wines and is the only Los Alamos-based winery included in the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail summer passport.

Heavenly seven

Synonymous with imagery of painterly olive orchards and vineyard views, the Santa Ynez Valley is home to nearly half of the tasting rooms—seven of the 16—participating in the summer passport promotion.

In Los Olivos, Zaca Mesa Winery and Vineyards offers its wine tastings in a picnic table patio setting shaded by oak trees that overlooks the San Rafael Mountains. The winery is located at 6905 Foxen Canyon Road.

The site of Demetria Estate Winery, at 6701

Foxen Canyon Road, was chosen by vintner John Zahoudanis because he was captivated by the Los Olivos property’s idyllic setting, similar to the olive farm he grew up on near Mount Olympus in Greece, according to the winery’s website. Regarded as the first estate winery established in Santa Barbara County, Firestone Vineyard in Los Olivos encompasses 325 acres of sustainably grown grapes and hosts wine tasting and other types of guest experiences on-site at the vineyard, located at 5017 Zaca Station Road.

Other iconic wineries located in Los Olivos along the Foxen Canyon Trail include the Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard, at 6200 Foxen Canyon Road; Koehler Winery, at 5360 Foxen Canyon Road; Andrew Murray Vineyards, at 5249 Foxen Canyon Road; and Petros Winery, on 3360 Foxen Canyon Road. m

Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood is hitting the wine trail. Send charcuterie boxes to cwiseblood@ santamariasun.com.