Sun, September 7, 2023

BY BULBUL RAJAGOPAL

About $6,000 built the Temple of the People in Halcyon, which was completed in 1924. Almost 100 years later, the temple is on its sixth guardian-in-chief, has 300 members around the world from several religious denominations, and is still guided by the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” In this first installment of a two-part series, Staff Writer Bulbul Rajagopal from the Sun’s sister paper, New Times, speaks with the guardian-in-chief to understand more about the Theosophical Society and learn about its origins [8]

In addition, you can read about a Central Coast oil pipeline that’s being decommissioned [4]; an Orcutt resident and AI-generated theater [28]; and the new rooftop restaurant in Pismo Beach [32]

Camillia Lanham editor

photo by Jayson Mellom > Cover design by Alex Zuniga

The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

Special Education Child Find

The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (SMJUHSD) seeks to identify, locate, and evaluate high school age students suspected of having a disability who may be eligible for special education services designed to meet their educational needs at no cost to families. This includes students that are highly mobile, migrant, experiencing homelessness, students that are wards of the state, and students attending private schools located within SMJUHSD boundaries.

If you suspect your child has a disability, contact the school special education department or district office Special Education Department. Staff | Special Education | Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (smjuhsd.k12.ca.us)

El Distrito Escolar de las Escuelas Preparatorias de Santa Maria Educación Especial Búsqueda de Estudiantes

El Distrito Unificado de Escuelas Preparatorias de Santa Maria (SMJUHSD) busca identificar, localizar y evaluar a los estudiantes en edad de escuela preparatoria sospechosos de tener una discapacidad que puede ser elegible para servicios de educación especial diseñados para satisfacer sus necesidades educativas sin costo alguno para las familias. Esto incluye a los estudiantes que son altamente móviles, migrantes, sin hogar, estudiantes que están bajo la tutela del estado, y los estudiantes que asisten a escuelas privadas ubicadas dentro los limites de SMJUHSD.

Si sospecha que su hijo tiene una discapacidad, comuníquese con el departamento de educación especial de la escuela u oficina de Educación Especial del distrito SMJUHSD.Staff | Special Education | Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (smjuhsd.k12.ca.us)

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,

of the Year: Sol Pacheco | Large Business of the Year: CalPortland | Non-Profit of the Year: Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley | Robert F Grogan Public Service Award: Mike Grogan Robert P Hatch Citizen of the Year: Jim Bray | Small Business of the Year: Wine Stone Inn | Tourism Partner of the Year: The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center

• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) spoke at Pioneer Park with Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne to highlight delivering $1.26 million in federal funding to support park renovations, including a new playground and baseball fields, according to an Aug. 30 statement from the congressman’s office. “Parks and green spaces are essential to the quality of life in every community, and I’m proud to be able to fight for this funding for Central Coast families,” Carbajal said in the statement. “These funds are contributing to critical improvements happening all across Lompoc and across the Central Coast, and I’m excited for local residents to enjoy the results of this work in the coming months and years.” Federal funding is projected to cover half of the renovation costs and is supplemented by Community Development Block grants to Lompoc from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The city will provide the remaining $4 million, which includes a full renovation of the baseball fields and exercise area as well as a replacement of the public restrooms—which is already completed by the city. “I want to thank Congressman Carbajal for investing in Lompoc with this funding for Pioneer Park,” Lompoc Mayor Osborne said in the statement. “His support will make it possible for the city of Lompoc to move forward on a park long overdue for improvements. This park is located near a large number of apartment complexes, so it is the outdoor space used for a variety of purposes, from weekend barbecues to baseball games and birthday parties. Partnerships such as this with our federal officials make a real difference locally.”

• Following Tropical Storm Hilary’s damage to California specialty crops in late August, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials alongside local leaders and growers to announce bipartisan legislation to improve access to federal agriculture disaster programs, according to an Aug. 28 statement from the senator’s office. The Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act would waive the adjusted gross income restriction on producers who derive 75 percent of their income from farming, ranching, or related farming practices from receiving USDA disaster program relief. “Whether from drought drying out our farmland or storms flooding our fields—growing conditions for farmers in California and across the country are facing unprecedented impacts from natural disasters,” Padilla said in the statement. “As we approach the Farm Bill expiration this September, hundreds of thousands of farmers are counting on us to make things right. That’s why today I’m announcing the introduction of bipartisan, bicameral legislation to even the playing field for specialty crop growers hoping to access critical federal agriculture disaster programs.”

• Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to launch a career education effort to prepare students and adults for the workforce and direct additional steps to reduce employment barriers for state jobs— including college degree requirements unnecessary to job duties, according to an Aug. 31 statement from the governor’s office. The governor’s executive order directs the state to align and integrate the implementation of programs supported by billions of dollars in funding to prepare students and workers for high-paying careers. As the economy evolves and unmet needs grow for various types of skilled labor in the trades, green energy, and health care sectors, the executive order launched the development of a new Master Plan on Career Education that will prepare students for the workforce that includes high-paying and fulfilling career paths that don’t require college degrees. “All families, students, and workers deserve the freedom to succeed: to build real-life skills and pursue careers—including those that don’t require college degrees. California is leveraging billions of dollars in investments to prepare students and workers for good-paying, long-lasting, and fulfilling careers,” Newsom said in the statement. m

Santa Barbara County successfully decommissions a Venoco oil pipeline

After receiving a $550,000 grant from the California Department of Toxic Substances and removing infrastructure on private properties, Santa Barbara County decommissioned Venoco’s Crude Oil Line 96.

The 6-inch diameter pipeline was approximately 9 miles in length and extended from the Ellwood Onshore Facility near the Bacara hotel in Goleta to a tie-in point at the Plains All American Pipeline near Las Flores Canyon on the Gaviota Coast.

“This project was reliant on the Plains pipeline. When the [2015] spill occurred and Plains shut down, they didn’t have another option to send the oil from Holly to market,” Planning and Development Deputy Director John Zorovich told the Sun

Venoco went bankrupt in 2017 and the oil company walked away from offshore Platform Holly, Ellwood Onshore Facility, and Line 96, he said. With the pipeline in Santa Barbara County jurisdiction, the Planning and Development Department oversaw its decommissioning after the California Office of the State Fire Marshal—the agency that regulates oil pipelines—sent a letter to the county in May 2021 to formally request the line’s abandonment, Zorovich said.

“The pipeline was initially full of oil when the Plains spill happened. They stopped the pipeline and stopped production, but oil was still in the line,” he said. “Before they went bankrupt, the pipeline was drained and filled with water.”

The line was still considered idle and contained approximately 1,685 barrels of water with “diluted corrosion inhibitor and biocide,” which was considered a safety hazard and posed a risk for the area, Zorovich said.

“I don’t think a lot of people in the public were aware that it was there or posing a risk. I don’t think a lot of people knew that the county stepped up; it presented a minor hazard, we reduced the hazard,” he said.

“With Platform Holly, it’s highly visible from Goleta, Ellwood, that entire area. Once it gets physically removed, I think it will be a huge benefit for the community because this was a previously producing platform.”

Platform Holly sits in the state’s jurisdiction, and the California State Lands Commission oversees the platform’s decommissioning,

Zorovich said. According to the State Lands Commission website, the commission has plugged 30 wells and eliminated the hydrogen sulfide risk—a gas that is toxic to humans in high concentrations.

Staff is now working on the environmental review process for Holly’s decommissioning and removal and is working with ExxonMobil to develop an engineering plan to help “inform analysis,” the website stated.

“Over the last 100 years or so there’s been a lot of oil production in Santa Barbara County. Generally, what we are seeing is that winding down, not the development of assets but the removal of them,” Planning and Development Supervising Planner and Energy Specialist Errin Briggs told the Sun Venoco’s pipeline and facility decommission follows the state’s efforts to plug and abandon wells in Cat Canyon and ExxonMobil’s efforts to continue producing oil. While it’s a relief to see the line decommissioned, the Center for Biological Diversity’s Ocean Programs Director Miyoko Sakashita told the Sun via email that it should be the oil companies on the hook to “clean up their messes,” not the county or the state.

“The companies drilling for and profiting from oil, not the taxpayer, are supposed to pay to clean up their old pipelines and platforms. We’d like to see the federal, state, and local government hold oil companies accountable,” Sakashita said.

—Taylor O’Connor

Coalition to host education sessions about LGBTQ-plus student rights

As students and teachers begin to settle into their routines in the new school year, a new type of educational opportunity is on deck for local students—and it’s one that Doug Heumann feels is more important than ever.

“Parents need to know what their kids’ rights are; students need to know what their rights are,” Heumann said. “It is important to understand what LGBTQ-plus students can and cannot do.”

Heumann is the director of the Central Coast Coalition for Inclusive Schools (CCC4IS), an organization collaborating with the Gala Pride and Diversity Center in San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County Office of Education, and Diversity Coalition to cosponsor ACLU-led informational sessions on the rights of LGBTQ-plus students.

“The election is coming up in 2024 and there are outside voices from the current [school] boards … that will want to run on a platform that is counter to students’ rights,” Heumann said. “We are holding these info sessions because it is clear that it is time to educate people on these matters as the tides shift in the culture and political climate of California and the country. … We must do this because of all the vitriol these students are experiencing.”

Nipomo High School and Paso Robles High School will host the free sessions from 6 to 8 p.m.—with Nipomo’s on Sept. 12 and Paso’s on Sept. 13.

According to CCC4IS, the sessions will include information on bullying and harassment protections, names and pronouns, student privacy and expression, accessing restrooms and facilities, dress code policies, student clubs, inclusive curricula, complaint processes, and more.

“Any adult on a school campus needs to be informed and ready to step up to stop acts of LGBTQ-plus discrimination from happening,” Heumann said. “Because when it does happen, seeing people stand by and do nothing is just disheartening.”

Heumann said that while CCC4IS stressed that the ACLU attorneys present will not be disseminating legal advice, the information they will provide is important regardless.

“We have people in the middle of this who might not be affected by this stuff personally but should still know what is there and why it is important,” Heumann said. “Even students and parents who are familiar with student rights might have differing levels of how much they know that we can help reinforce with these sessions.”

As the county, state, and country push into the future, Heumann said he’s hopeful that people will continue to educate themselves on the issue of LGBTQ-plus students’ rights and continue to foster a safer, inclusive environment for all.

“The big question a lot of these students are asking themselves is, ‘Does anyone give a crap about what is happening to us?’” he said. “LGBTQ-plus support is important in schools because if you don’t have an adult you know is aware of the rights you have and the issues you face, how will you be willing to report things that happen to you that violate those rights?”

—Adrian Rosas

DECOMMISSIONING EFFORTS: Santa Barbara County successfully decommissioned Venoco’s Line 96 pipeline, which transported oil from its former offshore platform Holly to its Ellwood onshore processing facility.

Lompoc Valley Medical Center will pay $5 million for alleged false claims

To resolve allegations that Lompoc Valley Medical Center knowingly submitted false insurance claims to Medi-Cal—violating the federal False Claims Act and the California False Claims Act—the health care provider agreed to pay $5 million, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

“Medi-Cal supports millions of Californians by providing for the critical health care they rely on every day,” California Attorney General Bonta said in a statement. “When providers misuse Medi-Cal funding, they siphon away much-needed resources from vulnerable, deserving patients.”

Lompoc Valley Medical Center’s (LVMC) settlement, along with several others on the Central Coast, pertains to false claims being submitted for “enhanced services” as part of Medi-Cal’s Adult Expansion for the previously uninsured adult population. Members of this group are adults between 19 and 64 years old without dependent children and with annual incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level.

“The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability,” according to the Department of Justice.

The Department of Justice has now recovered $95.5 million—with CenCal, Cottage Health System, Sansum Clinic, and Community Health Centers of the Central Coast previously paying $68 million in June, and Dignity Health, Twin Cities Community Hospital, and Sierra Vista Medical Center paid $22.5 million in December for similar

False Claims Act allegations.

Julio Bordas, CenCal’s former medical director, brought the investigations to light by naming the entities involved in the False Claim Act and California False Claims Act violations. Under the act, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. Bordas will receive $950,000 from the LMVC settlement and $12.56 million from the $68 million settlement.

The Sun reached out to the U.S. Department of Justice for further comment, but the department’s director of media relations couldn’t be reached before the Sun’s deadline.

LVMC Chief Executive Officer Steve Popkin said in a statement that the health care provider entered into an agreement with CenCal—the Central Coast’s Medi-Cal provider—to provide enhanced services.

“The DOJ contends that CenCal was not permitted to offer those funds to LVMC (and the other health care providers), based upon the contracts between CenCal and the federal and state governments,” Popkin said in the statement. “In the settlement agreement, the DOJ acknowledges that there is not a finding of liability on the part of LVMC and that the settlement is being done to avoid protracted litigation between the state and DOJ.”

Although LVMC “strongly disagrees” with the allegations, the settlement agreement enables LVMC to “put this matter behind us” and focus efforts toward providing health care for Lompoc valley residents, Popkin said. The Department of Justice recommended filing tips and complaints about health care fraud to the Department of Health and Human Services at (800) 447-8477. m

—Taylor O’Connor

ATTENTION all former SMJUHSD Special Education Students born 1997 and 1998!

All records for any Special Education student that was born within 1997-1998 and attended a Santa Maria Joint Union High School District school, your physical special education records are available for pick up at no charge from the District Office. All 1997 Records not picked up by June 1, 2022 and 1998 Records not picked up by June 1, 2023 will be destroyed.

If you have any questions, or to arrange a pickup date/time, contact:

Sandra Hernandez/ Dept. of Special Education

Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

2560 Skyway Dr., Santa Maria, CA 93455

805-922-4573 ext. 4311

ATENCION estudiantes anteriores de SMJUHSD nacidos en 1997 y 1998!

Todos los registros de cualquier estudiante de Educación Especial que haya nacido dentro de 1997 -1998 y asistió a una escuela del Distrito Escolar de las escuelas preparatorias de Santa Maria, sus registros físicos de educación especial están disponibles para recoger sin cargo en la Oficina del Distrito. Todos los registros del 1997 que no hayan sido recogidos para el 1 de junio de 2022 y registros del 1998 que no hayan sido recogidos para el 1 de junio de 2023 serán destruidos.

Si tiene alguna pregunta, o para programar una fecha/hora de recogida, comuníquense con:

Sandra Hernandez/ Dept. de Educacion Especial

Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

2560 Skyway Dr., Santa Maria, CA 93455

805-922-4573 ext. 4311

Halcyon’s homily

Members of Halcyon’s Temple of the People talk theosophy and misconceptions while preparing for 100-year anniversary

Editor’s note: This is the first installment of a two-part series on the Temple of the People in Haylcon.

BY BULBUL RAJAGOPAL

Cool tranquility washes over anyone who enters the Temple of the People.

Cradled between Oceano and Arroyo Grande in the town of Halcyon—a Greek word meaning calm—the white building detailed with sky blue and lined with pillars cuts a triangular figure amid agricultural fields and scattered businesses.

On May 7, it provides respite from the sun that’s already shining steadily at 10:30 a.m.

Inside, three rows of dark wooden chairs with deep blue seats face each other. A giant hand-built harp rests in one corner, a piano in another. The room’s apex holds an altar with a second altar at the triangle’s center, the heartbeat of the temple every Sunday morning.

Six elders in white and yellow robes tend to a table bearing two candlesticks, and a metal platter holds vials of liquid. One of them carries an incense burner similar to the swinging Catholic thurible. This is the Feast of Fulfillment, a communion service on the first Sunday of every month. The service was closed to the public until the early 1970s.

Slowly, temple members trickle into the building, and the congregation swells to a modest 14.

Within the hour, one of the temple acolytes offers a platter of glass communion cups to each attendee. The liquid within is colorless.

“The Catholics get wine, we get water,” Halcyon resident Karen White whispers while she waits her turn.

It’s blessed, holy water administered under the leadership of Guardian-in-Chief Rick London. The century-old tradition flourishes under the watchful eyes of spiritual masters and past temple leaders commemorated in black-and-white portraits along the walls of a space that nonmembers gained access to in the 1970s.

The Temple of the People sprung up as an offshoot of the Theosophical Society in America when some of its followers moved from Syracuse, New York, to San Luis Obispo County in 1903. Most local members currently live in the homes scattered across Halcyon, upholding the town’s original setup as an intentional theosophical settlement in the early 20th century.

London’s calling

London is the temple’s sixth guardianin-chief, following a series of leaders who alternated between women and men, with the first being Francia LaDue, who also went by the name of Blue Star.

The excitement in London’s voice was palpable this summer. He was poised to head the annual Temple Convention on Aug. 5 for the first time as guardian-in-chief, which also coincided with the 100-year anniversary of the then-roofless building being consecrated.

It was constructed with the help of notable Los Angeles architect Theodore Eisen after LaDue’s death in 1922 with money she left behind and funds raised by Halcyon residents. It’s called the Blue Star Memorial Temple in honor of LaDue.

“The temple was finally finished in October of 1924, and there was less than a dollar left over of the $6,000 that was raised,” present Guardian-in-Chief London told the Sun on July 13. “It would be a miracle now if we could paint it for $6,000!”

London assumed the lead role from fifth Guardian-in-Chief Eleanor Shumway, who retired due to ill health, last December after he stepped down as CEO of United Way of San Luis Obispo County.

London and his family moved to Nipomo from New York in 1993. His son’s interest in the Halcyon Store introduced him to the community through a handful of temple pamphlets. In the summer of 1995—on the 23rd anniversary of his brother’s death— London attended his first service at the temple. Participating in the short Noon Healing Service had a profound impact on him.

“Over the years I’ve held onto a practice of finding a special way of annually remembering my brother’s life,” he wrote in his July temple talk “Recalibrating Compassionately.” “Seems like those first 20 minutes I spent in the Temple of the People had a significant impact on the recalibration of my life.”

Culture cache

Despite its long-standing existence, the Temple of the People is still shrouded in mystery. While the temple has 300 followers across the world—many of whom tune in through Zoom to attend the services—only 35 members live in SLO County, plus wellwishers like White who are active through its events.

Temple members aren’t shy, though they refrain from proselytizing. Fear of the unknown, according to them, fills the gaps for local outsiders with misconceptions of the temple as being a hotbed for witchcraft and eerie practices.

But members are adamant about consciously following the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

They’re willing to shed light on their community and have but one condition if others want to know more: Just ask with an open mind.

London became a regular, gleaning from other members and Shumway. He witnessed highs like bonding with his then preteen son through Temple Builders gatherings—a kids-focused group that’s like Sunday school. Raised Jewish and married to a Catholic at the time, London said watching his son give a temple talk when he turned 14 made him feel like he was witnessing his son’s bar mitzvah or a confirmation.

“We celebrated Hannamas: Christmas and Hanukkah,” London recalled. “My son would say he’s a Cashew! He’s become Catholic in his adulthood, and I’m grateful he has a spiritual connection to the world.”

But London also witnessed lows. An enigma to most county residents outside of Halcyon, the temple and its members have raised suspicions.

Roughly 15 years ago, London was by Shumway’s side when a rogue rock flew through one of the sacred geometric windows, shattering it. Someone had hurled it at the temple before running away.

“We made a police report, as we always reported vandalism,” London said. “Within a week, Eleanor got a request from Arroyo Grande High School.”

The school was helping a handful of students with troublesome streaks assimilate better socially. When asked to name 10 things that scared them, the nearby temple was a frequent answer.

“The school asked Eleanor if she could show them the temple. The students thought we were doing witchcraft in the basement,” he said.

Shumway accommodated the request. After a tour of the temple basement strewn with decidedly less threatening paraphernalia like heaters, wheelchairs, and portable potties, she explained basic concepts of theosophy and temple teachings to the students.

“Every time I tell this story, I have a sense of wanting to cry,” London said. “One of the boys got up and apologized for throwing the rock.”

Practitioners of theosophy followed the spiritual thinking of Russian mystic Helena Blavatsky. She combined elements of Plato’s philosophy with Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist thought, namely that the purpose of human life is spiritual emancipation, and that through karma, the human soul undergoes reincarnation upon bodily death. Unfettered by any strict codes of ethics, theosophy values universal brotherhood and social improvement.

In 1898, Theosophical Society members LaDue and William Dower continued Blavatsky’s teachings by forming the Temple of the People as a spiritual practice. Dower, a doctor, established his medical practice in a three-story Victorian home they purchased in 1903 and named it the Halcyon Hotel and Sanatorium.

Confusion over the name is also common.

London told the Sun that some residents near Halcyon were convinced that the Temple of the People was the same as the Peoples Temple cult led by American preacher Jim Jones between the 1950s and the 1970s. The latter gained international notoriety for orchestrating a mass murder-suicide of 918 people in a remote jungle commune in Jonestown, Guyana.

“People were thinking we were affiliated with them,” London said. “We are so vulnerable to be influenced. We are experts at taking things personally and making assumptions.”

Like temple leaders before him, London has a second name as guardian-in-chief: Yellow Star. The color has deep roots with his family history. London’s mother was a Holocaust survivor, and his father a second-generation Lithuanian Jew. Both sides of his family fled anti-Semitic persecution before finally making their way to the U.S.

“All of the Jews at the time had to wear a yellow Star of David. Yellow is a very sacred color in my mind, and it was made to look bad,” he said. “Yellow is a very interesting color, too, because it’s got a negative connotation to the point where cowards are yellow.”

But yellow is dual-natured for London. It’s positive too. He added that the ancient wisdom of theosophy holds colors in high esteem and sees all religion as an outgrowth of theosophical principles.

“I’m not trying to say theosophy is the only way to look at things, but we believe there are more similarities among them all than differences,” London said of religions.

Essentially, London wishes for the world to be more spiritual, and yellow represents a tethering to the inner peace he found in theosophy.

“Jesus talked about all you need is enough faith the size of a mustard seed, and mustard is yellow,” he said. m

Reach Staff Writer Bulbul Rajagopal from the Sun’s sister paper, New Times, at brajagopal@ newtimesslo.com. Look for the second installment in the series in the Sept. 14 issue of the Sun.

HIDDEN AWAY: The Temple of the People is a quiet meeting place of the Theosophical Society cradled in Halcyon, near Oceano and Arroyo Grande, as an intentional community that follows the Golden Rule.

The Legend of the Peace Maker open house art exhibit can be viewed on Sept. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Temple of the People on Temple Street and Halcyon Road, Arroyo Grande. To learn more, visit templeofthepeople.org.

Half a century

The Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center celebrates 50 years of providing services to students, families, and the community

BY TAYLOR O’CONNOR

The Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center started in 1972 as Social Advocates for Youth in Santa Barbara, former Executive Director Judi Nishimori told the Sun.

“It’s been such a long-standing program; it’s evolved into different areas and it’s changed over the years. … I began in 1978; this would be my 45th year with the agency,” Nishimori said. “I’m a native of Santa Maria, this is very close to my heart, and it’s amazing to see that all these institutions in the Santa Maria area cared so much about their students and their children that they supported these programs through some really hard times.”

The center branched off from Santa Barbara by 1980 to start doing more intentional work catered to the Santa Maria and Guadalupe communities, contracting with the Santa Maria-Bonita and Guadalupe school districts to provide drug and alcohol presentations. Eventually, it expanded to provide counseling and mental health services as it received more grant funding, Nishimori said.

“Providing counseling services in the schools, that was something pretty rare during that time. The 1980s and 1990s—they funded a small amount of counseling time for students,” she said.

Over time, the Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center’s partnerships grew with the schools, and they now provide mental health counselors to Santa Maria-Bonita’s 21 schools and are a permanent part of Guadalupe Union’s budget. In 2017, the center merged with Santa Barbara County’s Family Service Agency to better meet the needs of the “whole student,” and expanded to serve adults in the community, Family Services Agency and Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center CEO Lisa Brabo told the Sun.

“The needs of the community across the county are just really clear: We’ve got inflation, pandemic impacts, people that are not making a living wage and working really hard,” Brabo said. “As needs have

continued to increase, our services have increased so we can do an even better job of helping people in the community so they can stabilize, they can grow, and they can have a better future.”

To celebrate 50 years of providing services in the community, Family Service Agency is hosting a Family Festival on Oct. 1 at the new Machado Plaza in Santa Maria where families can enjoy live music and grab food from food trucks, and kids can enjoy activities like face painting, get a balloon animal, and play games and win prizes.

“It’s such an amazing thing that this agency has been around for 50 years and the impact has been tremendous,” Brabo said. “I think the secret sauce, if there were a secret sauce for being around for 50 years, is this agency is so in touch with what’s happening at a community level and so the agency has pivoted as people’s needs have changed.”

The agency saw a massive change in needs during the pandemic, and the nonprofit worked to serve seniors isolated in their homes and kids at home during the school days, she said.

“Moving forward, that’s what we will do. We have staff in the community and they know what’s going on and they will direct us,” Brabo said.

As the state insurance provider Medi-Cal launches Whole Person Care—an insurance reimbursement program that covers mental health and medical services and adds case management, basic needs help, and school counseling services—Brabo said she expects the agency’s services to continue growing.

“The benefits people can receive has expanded greatly, and agencies are just starting to understand and work with their own health plans and that’s a big change we are adapting to,” Brabo said. “We are going to implement these expanded benefits, which will provide more access to our communities to the continuum of care services.”

Family Service Agency has been trying to create that, and with the state and federal government supporting a whole person continuum of care, Brabo said she sees a stronger program and greater sustainability.

“It’s very exciting. I think people are hoping for significant changes with whole person care across the board,” Brabo said.

The Oct. 1 celebration at Machado Park—105 N. Lincoln St.—is from 1 to 4 p.m. and is free to the public. Visit fsacares.org/smvyfc to learn more.

Highlight:

• The Santa Maria Public Library will hold a free presentation on child car seat safety, Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. in Shepard Hall—421 South McClelland St. Nationally certified car seat technicians will offer a presentation on safety features, California laws pertaining to car seats, when to move the child up to the next level, and correct installation. Parents, grandparents, and caretakers are encouraged to attend. Parents are encouraged to come without children if possible. This class will be presented in English and Spanish. Direct questions to (805) 925-0994, Ext. 8562. m

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

SERVING STUDENTS: Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center outreach mentors work with students at Rice Elementary School and its fellow Santa Maria-Bonita School District schools. On Oct. 1, the nonprofit is celebrating 50 years in the community.

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.

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 Studies

What do you think of restorative justice instead of traditional criminal justice?

67% It’s great! It connects people to resources and ensures they learn from past decisions.

33% I think it’s a waste of time and resources.

0% It gives victims and the general community a greater voice in the process.

0% While it’s a great in theory, I don’t know how it’s going to keep our communities safer.

Unprincipled

Politicians and activists who ignore reality wreak havoc on us all

BY RON FINK

From the Founding Fathers who became political leaders until today, politicians have misled and/ or outright lied about so many issues that it’s hard to keep up. For centuries they have promised better days if only we would vote for them; we are still waiting. And activists—they just make noise.

6 Votes

Vote online at www.santamariasun.com.

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To prove they care about us, politicians craft legislation to address public safety and environmental concerns. Once they have done this, they feel the job is done; there, we “had a conversation”—the problem is fixed. But many of us scratch our heads and wonder if they have made things better or worse.

Thirty years ago, I attended an environmental compliance seminar with scores of others from all over the U.S. in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and as usual they asked the group “where are you from.” I said “California,” there was a groan in the room, and then “Santa Barbara County”—another bigger groan.

The instructor then told the group that California was the most aggressive state for environmental legislation and Santa Barbara the most aggressive county in the state. Thus, Santa Barbara County was the worst county in the U.S. to conduct business due to its over-the-top environmental regulatory attitude.

As time went on, I found that he had understated the aggressive stance of our county’s government.

A recent case points out a serious flaw one politician has with his approach to “saving the earth”; another’s lack of concern for supporting compliance with the laws of our state, and yet another Lompoc activist’s inability to apply her concern for the environment to her own daily activities.

Recently the Santa Maria Sun reported that the Board of Supervisors conducted an appeal hearing concerning a decision by the county Planning Commission to deny a proposal to install 16 safety valves on the pipeline that leaked and caused the 2015 Refugio oil spill (“Supervisors unable to take

action on ExxonMobil valve project,” Aug. 24).

The Board of Supervisors couldn’t come to a consensus and agree to follow the law, so their 2-2 vote meant that the Planning Commission decision was final.

Concerning the vote, Supervisor Das Williams reportedly said, “It’s similar to a denial, but it doesn’t carry that prejudice.” How’s that for trying to put a happy face on a lack of principled leadership.

Why, you say? Well, the Santa Barbara Independent reminded us that it was Supervisor Williams who wrote Assembly Bill 864 (requiring the best available technology, which the valves are), “after the Refugio spill when he was an Assembly member in 2015.” So, his “no” vote points out his lack of principles since he didn’t support application of the law he wrote.

Then there is Supervisor Laura Capps. The staff disagreed with the Planning Commission decision saying, “The county’s role is to ensure compliance with the county’s codified requirements. AB 864 provides for state level requirements related to hazardous liquid pipeline safety. The Planning Commission’s denial contradicts the only expert evidence provided on the record. The Planning Commission concluded the pipeline’s integrity has degraded to a point of increasing the frequency of potential future spills. The Planning Commission had no basis to deny the safety valves based on speculative conclusions about the safety of future pipeline operations.”

So, even after the staff seemingly said the Planning Commission wasn’t following the law, and the current situation represented a demonstrated hazard, it didn’t matter. Supervisor Capps didn’t support the appeal, and the Santa Maria Sun reported that she said, “I respect that we are asked to talk about valves, but it defies logic for me that you would need safety valves [while it’s not operating]. With due respect, it’s not improper for me to look at the big picture, it’s actually my job to look at the big picture. I was elected to look at the big picture, and the big picture is climate change.”

No, Ms. Capps, it’s your job to implement the laws of the state of California and the regulations of the county even when they don’t fit your agenda.

Lastly there is the local environmental activist who opposes the use of fossil fuels but drove to the meeting to protest installation of the valves in her

Prius. As the Canary reported (“On the record,” Aug. 24), here’s what Toyota says about the Prius: “The vehicle always requires gasoline to operate properly.”

As for the two politicians in this story, neither belong in elected office if they can’t follow the laws, even the ones they have written, when they are considering matters before the Board of Supervisors in public hearings.

As for the activists, well, as usual they can’t seem to figure out how to live without fossil fuels. m

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

LETTERS

We’re entitled to our opinions, not our own facts

I read Stephen Siemsen’s letter in the latest edition of the Sun, “An open letter to the secretary of state,” (Aug. 31).

His use of a quote he attributes to President Trump caught my eye. It seemed too outrageous not to have been covered by mainstream media, especially as media these days are driven by clickbait headlines and blatant toxic partisanship. If President Trump had said this, had dismissed the Constitution as “a waste of paper” and something he did “not support,” surely I would have heard about it?

Curiosity took over.

So I did some research. It didn’t take me long, a 10 second Google search and a quick call to a passionate local Republican, to discover that President Trump said no such thing. The quote Mr. Siemsen used to justify his demand “to disqualify Donald John Trump as a candidate for any local, state, or federal office, or to appear on any ballot anywhere within the state of California” was taken from the well-known parody/satire account known as The Borowitz Report, a regular feature in The New Yorker!

I am no supporter of President Trump, nor for that matter President Biden.

I am however a passionate advocate for the campaign against the politicization of media and the toxic partisanship that media bias creates in our communities.

We all make mistakes. We are all entitled to our own opinions. We are not entitled to our own facts. Mr. Siemsen may have many reasons why he believes President Trump is not fit for office. I may even agree with him on some. However, the biggest mistake of all is allowing cognitive dissonance to cloud our judgement and, if we are voters, to cloud our responsibility to democracy.

That is why we need curious, impartial editors who aspire to Bob Woodward’s admonition that the media reliably acts “as the Fourth Estate,” not as a propaganda machine for one party or another.

I trust that the Sun publisher and editorial team will print a prominent retraction, or at the very least The Shredder in New Times will show some editorial equity by holding Mr. Siemsen to account, just as he derides Moms For Liberty (“Something to the outcry,” Aug. 31).

I also hope that the chief warrant officer (retd.) will honor his commitment to “defend the Constitution of the United States” by writing to the secretary of state to acknowledge his error and withdraw his petition.

As Alexander Pope wrote: “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” We need some more of that in our political discourse!

Clive Pinder Host of CeaseFire on KVEC 920AM/96.5FM Radio Templeton

Correction

In the Aug. 31 commentary, “Open letter to the secretary of state,” a quote was written as being stated by Donald Trump. The Sun learned after publication that the quote was not factual but was first published in the satirical column The Borowitz Report in The New Yorker’s Dec. 22, 2022, issue. The Sun regrets the error.

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WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO A CAL POLY FOOTBALL

Who should pay to clean up the hazardous facilities that bankrupt oil companies leave behind? It shouldn’t be taxpayers, but that’s what’s happening.

And Santa Barbara County shouldn’t be on the hook to facilitate that cleanup either, but that’s what’s happening.

Venoco filed for bankruptcy in 2017, blaming the shutdown of the Plains All American Pipeline that caused the 2015 oil spill along the Gaviota Coast. The fallout from the spill idled offshore Platform Holly because the pipeline was the only way that oil could make it onshore to Venoco’s processing facility.

The company blamed regulations and county residents for its dire financial straits and then stuck taxpayers with the cleanup bill—outside of the $22 million bond the company paid the state to insure Platform Holly, of course, a bond that doesn’t even foot the bill for a third of the $70 million-plus cost to shut the platform down.

PERLA BATALLA

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8 | 7 PM

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 9 | 7 PM

ISLA VISTA SCHOOL, 6875 EL COLEGIO RD, GOLETA, DOORS OPEN 6:30 PM

GUADALUPE CITY HALL, 918 OBISPO ST, GUADALUPE, DOORS OPEN 6:30 PM

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10 | 6 PM

VIERNES DE SEPTIEMBRE 8 | 7 PM

SABADO DE SEPTIEMBRE 9 | 7 PM

MARJORIE LUKE THEATRE, 721 E COTA ST, SANTA BARBARA, DOORS OPEN 5:30 PM

ISLA VISTA SCHOOL, 6875 EL COLEGIO RD, GOLETA, LAS PUERTAS SE ABRIRAN 6:30 PM

GUADALUPE CITY HALL, 918 OBISPO ST, GUADALUPE, LAS PUERTAS SE ABRIRAN 6:30 PM

DOMINGO DE SEPTIEMBRE 10 | 6 PM

MARJORIE LUKE THEATRE, 721 E COTA ST, SANTA BARBARA, LAS PUERTAS SE ABRIRAN 5:30 PM

Reception follows the performance. / Habrá recepción después del espectáculo.

@vivaelartesantabarbara @vivaelartesb

@vivaelarte

Mestiza, Mexican and Latin American songs from a world-class vocalist and Grammy nominee

TWO TICKETS TO “YESTERDAY”

THE LAS VEGAS BEATLES SHOW

Saturday, September 30 • 7:30pm

Clark Center, Arroyo Grande

WIN TWO TICKETS TO THE CAL POLY ARTS SHOW “DREAMERS’ CIRCUS”

Tuesday, October 10 • 7:30pm

Spanos Theatre, Cal Poly, SLO

TWO TICKETS TO JAMES GARNER’S TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY CASH

Sunday, October 22 • 7pm

Clark Center, Arroyo Grande

NewTimesSLO.com

While the State Lands Commission is in charge of that decommissioning, the county was required to spearhead shutting down a Venoco oil pipeline with the help of a $500,000 grant from the State Department of Toxic Substances and Pesticide Control. Venoco may have siphoned the oil out of the pipeline before calling it quits, but the company left it full of water, corrosion inhibitor, and biocide— which is considered to be hazardous to public safety—before peacing out.

Thanks, Venoco!

What a bunch of baloney.

As the Center for Biological Diversity puts it: Oil companies should be on the hook to clean up their own messes. We are allowing them to profit off of us, set up toxic facilities, pollute the environment, and stick us with the cleanup bill after they stop rolling in the dough. Lame! Does that make us stupid? I think so.

Center Ocean Programs Director Miyoko Sakashita told us that the nonprofit would love to see state and federal governments do more to hold oil companies accountable. And I 100 percent agree.

“The companies drilling for and profiting from oil, not the taxpayer, are supposed to pay to clean up their old pipelines and platforms,” she said.

Ain’t that the truth. And yet, that’s not what’s happening. HVI Cat Canyon, formerly known as Greka Oil Company, left a trail of oil spills, terribly maintained equipment, and abandoned oil wells in its wake. And the California Geologic Energy Management Division is left holding the bag to plug and abandon 171 oil wells in Cat Canyon while the company got to file for bankruptcy in 2019. A major bummer.

Companies like that shouldn’t be able to file for bankruptcy and just skate away from their responsibilities. And yet, America just lets it happen.

All you people out there who are so concerned about taxpayers footing the bill for people to get off the streets should be more upset about the millions and millions of dollars the state has to spend to clean up the environment and decommission oil facilities left behind by companies who made billions off of us.

It’s ridiculous to not hold them accountable. And we’re ridiculous for allowing it to happen. m

The Canary feels like ridiculing Big Oil chicanery. Send tips to canary@ santamariasun.com.

GAME! Spanos Stadium, San Luis Obispo

Hot Stuff

MANY HATS

The Santa Maria Valley Senior Citizens Club presents Wear That Hat, a live concert and dance featuring the Riptide Big Band, at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center in Santa Maria on Sunday, Sept. 10, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Admission to the dance is free, thanks to funding from the Community Foundation of SLO County. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite hat. For more info on the event, call (775) 813-5186 or visit riptidebb.com. The Elwin Mussell Senior Center is located at 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

—Caleb Wiseblood

ARTS

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

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

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

CRAFT BOUTIQUE Shop locally handcrafted arts and crafts. This event is showcasing local crafters and artisans covering all manner of exquisite, fun, homey, quirky, and breathtaking items made or refurbished by friends and neighbors. Proceeds donated to Paws for Purple Hearts and Nomad Pet Fostering. Sept. 9 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 310-606-1324. eventbrite.com. Masonic Family Center, 700 Lakeview Rd., Santa Maria.

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/.

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

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.

SEDGWICK RESERVE: A CONSERVATION

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

WOODLANDS Award-winning artists Deborah Breedon, Kris Buck, and Chuck Klein present their fall exhibition. Mondays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Sept. 30 Free. gallerylosolivos.com. Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-688-7517.

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.

SLOFUNNY COMEDY JAMBOREE

GROVER BEACH Visit site for tickets and more info on the show and its lineup. Sept. 13 8 p.m. my805tix.com. Ribline by the Beach, 395 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach.

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.

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.

BEGINNING WATERCOLOR WITH JAN

FRENCH Be introduced to the personality and potential of this tricky but dynamic painting medium. For beginners or watercolor artists who would like to “loosen up.” Bring your own materials; list provided and supplies available at Art Central. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. through Sept. 28 $120 for four classes. janfrench.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, 805-747-4200.

CCCT ENSEMBLE IMPROV COMEDY

SHOW CCCT’s Ensemble team is eager to entertain you, the audience, by using your unique suggestions to craft hilarious jokes, all on the spot. Sept. 8 , 6-8 p.m. $10.

SLO Public Market, 120 Tank Farm Road, San Luis Obispo.

CCCT HOUSE TEAM: CENTRAL TOAST (IMPROV COMEDY SHOW) Team will use your audience suggestions to curate an insanely funny show, all on the spot. Sept. 7, 6-8 p.m. $10. SLO Wine and Beer Company, 3536 S. Higuera St., suite 250, San Luis Obispo, 805-544-9463, slowineandbeerco.com.

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.

CLAY BABY HANDPRINTS Offers a unique experience of pressing your baby’s hand/ foot into clay so parents can cherish this time forever. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays $55. anamcre.com/babyhandprints. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. COMEDY NIGHT Professional comedy show featuring local and touring comics. Hosted by Aidan Candelario. First Thursday of every month, 7-9 p.m. $5. 805540-8300. Bang the Drum Brewery, 1150 Laurel Lane, suite 130, San Luis Obispo, bangthedrumbrewery.com.

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME After completely selling out two previous runs of this production, and winning 11 national awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), Cuesta Drama returns for one final remount. Directed by bree valle. Sept. 8 7:30-9:30 p.m., Sept. 9, 2-4 & 7:30-9:30 p.m. and Sept. 10 2-4 & 7:30-9:30 p.m. $25. 805-546-3198. cuesta. universitytickets.com/. Cuesta College Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

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

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

INTERMEDIATE OIL PAINTING: ADULT

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

INTRO TO OIL PAINTING WITH SPENCER

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

Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

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.

JOHN BARRETT John Barrett was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1952 and grew up in Manhattan Beach, California. He began pursuing his career as an artist in the late 1960s influenced by his great-grandfather, a painter. Through Nov. 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 805-543-8562. sloma.org/exhibition/ john-barrett/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

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

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

NUNSENSE The five nuns from Little Sisters of Hoboken put on a fundraiser to bury sisters accidentally poisoned by the convent cook, Sister Julia, Child of God. Fortunately, the remaining sisters all have hidden talents that bring merriment to this show full of “nun” puns. ThursdaysSaturdays, 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays, Sundays, 2-4 p.m. through Oct. 15 $20$45. 805-786-2440. slorep.org/shows/ nunsense-a-musical-comedy/. SLO Rep, 888 Morro St., San Luis Obispo.

ODDFELLOWS OPEN MIC Bring your music, improv, standup, magic, and dance talents. Each act gets five minutes. Audience votes for favorite. Third Saturday of every month, 7-9 p.m. Free. 805-2340456. Odd Fellows Hall, 520 Dana St., San Luis Obispo.

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

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

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

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.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JUDY LINDQUIST

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.

RICE PAPER COLLAGE WITH LINDA

CUNNINGHAM In this workshop, you will receive step by step instruction for creating a beautiful California-themed rice paper collage using. Beginners are welcome and no experience is necessary.

Sept. 9 1-4:30 p.m. $40 per person. 805478-2158. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

SCULPTURE CLASS WITH ROD PEREZ

This weekly sculpture drop-in class gives an opportunity for potters to take on new projects and learn new techniques relating to sculptural work. Additionally, every first Friday of the month, a new project will be taught by Rod Perez for beginners. Fridays, 10 a.m.-noon $40. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

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.

SENIOR CLAY CLASS Offered to the senior community as an outlet to explore the beauty of clay. For ages 60 and over. Caretakers welcome for an additional $20. Fridays, 10 a.m.-noon $40. anamcre.com.

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

SEWING FELT ANIMALS FOR AGES 12-16

Four-week course for teenagers who want to learn how to sew. Students will learn the basics of hand-sewing and create cute felt animals (an owl or fox). All materials included. Sept. 13 1-2:30 p.m. $100. 702-335-0730. nestinghawkshop.com/ workshops-and-lessons. Nesting Hawk Ranch, Call for address, San Luis Obispo.

SKETCH COMEDY CLASS This class is taught in the style that most popular sketch comedy TV shows and performance groups use to generate content. Students will learn how to create a pitch then craft that idea to it’s full funny potential with their ensemble. Sept. 14 6-8 p.m. $225 for series. Central Coast Comedy Theater Training Center, 2078 Parker Street, Suite 200, San Luis Obispo, 805-858-8255, centralcoastcomedytheater.com.

SKETCH COMEDY WRITING CLASS

Covers the fundamentals of writing for comedy; taught by experienced comedy writer and director Sabrina Pratt. Learn how to generate ideas all the way to the stage in a positive, creative environment. Sept. 11 6-8 p.m. $225 for all six weeks. 805-858-8255. centralcoastcomedytheater.com/classes. Central Coast Comedy Theater Training Center, 2078 Parker Street, Suite 200, San Luis Obispo.

SLO COMEDY UNDERGROUND OPEN MIC

NIGHT Enjoy a night of laughs provided by the local SLO Comedy Community. It’s open mic night, so anyone can perform and “you never know what you’ll see.” Tuesdays, 8 p.m. Free. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, 805-548-2337, libertinebrewing.com.

SLO DRAWZ: OPEN FIGURE DRAWING

GROUP Improve your drawing skills while also building a community of supportive creatives with live models. This is not a guided class, please bring your own materials. To sign up, email chantellegoldthwaite@gmail.com. Every other Thursday, 5-7 p.m. through Dec. 31 $20 per session; or $60 for a month pass. 805-747-4200. instagram.com/slodrawz/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

SLO NIGHTWRITERS: A COMMUNITY OF WRITERS SLO NightWriters supports local writers with monthly presentations, critique groups, contests, and other events. Second Tuesday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. 805-703-3132. slonightwriters.org. Online, See website, 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.

TINY POTTERS: WISE ONES AND WEE ONES PAINT For ages 4 to 6. Kids have the option to paint animals and other subjects. Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. $30. anamcre.com/booking. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

VANESSA WALLACE-GONZALES

Wallace-Gonzales 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. 805543-8562. sloma.org/exhibition/vanessawallace-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 please contact Mack via email: vbmack@charter.net Wednesdays, 1:303:30 p.m. $35. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo.com/workshops-events. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. 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

AI THEATRE GALA Presented by Exit Pursued by a Bear. ChatGPT creates the script from audience suggestions for the cast to perform. Sept. 9 5 p.m. Free admission. Brightside Pizza, 1236 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos.

ATRIUM PARTY FOR FEATURED

ARTISTS NANCY JENSEN, LINDA HILL, AND WILD AUTUMN GROUP

PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW Gallery at Marina Square invites the public to its Gallery

Atrium Party and Artists Reception. Meet the artists and bring some art home. Sept. 9, 3-5 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. Jewett’s work is also on display at Nautical Bean in Laguna shopping center during February. Thursdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. 559-799-9632. costagallery.com. Costa Gallery, 2087 10th St., Los Osos.

FINE ART FUSED GLASS BY LINDA

HILL Linda Hill is a fused glass artist living and working in Los Osos. Linda has been working at her craft for more than 20 years and she loves color, patterns, shapes, and creating fused glass art.

Mondays, Wednesdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. through Sept. 29 Free. 805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

FINE ART WATERCOLORS BY NANCY

JENSEN Nancy Jensen celebrates the simple joys of living on the central coast of California. In her watercolor paintings, she honors the fruits of the harvest in local vineyards, the springtime surprises of bright wildflowers, and blooming gardens and the Central Coast as a whole. Mondays, Wednesdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. through Sept. 29 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 artistic experience is necessary.

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

FREE CERAMICS DEMONSTRATION

WITH JACK METTIER Featured artist has more than 60 years of passion in the art of ceramics. He taught art and ceramics at Paso Robles High School, and ceramics and jewelry at Taft College. He has experimented with making kilns and making pieces and glazes from different materials and clays. Sept. 11 3-5 p.m. Free. 805-772-2504. artcentermorrobay.org. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay.

GALLERY AT MARINA SQUARE

PRESENTS FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY

GROUP SHOW: WILD AUTUMN A group photography show with Alice Cahill, Michael Johnston, Jessica Weiss,

Lynda Roeller, and Liz Linzmeier. These wonderful photograpers will be showcasing their amazing photographs of the wild animals, horses, seals, otters, whales, birds, and autumn mood scenes that our visitors love. Mondays, Wednesdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. through Sept. 29 Free. 805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

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

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

HOT STUFF continued page 21

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. ongoing partnersincaring.org.

Santa Maria, Citywide, Santa Maria.

ALL FORD CAR SHOW Santa Maria Model A Ford Club’s 21st annual All Ford Car Show will benefit the Allan Hancock College Industrial Technology Program. Sept. 9 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. 805-478-1231.

SantaMariaModelAClub.com. Historic Old Town Orcutt, S. Broadway and Union Ave., Orcutt.

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

BOUNCING BABY STORY TIME Explore pre-literacy skills through music, movement, and visual stimulation, and promote a healthy bond between baby and caregiver. Learn, connect, and grow with other babies and caregivers.

For 0-12 months. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. through Oct. 4 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library (Altrusa Theater), 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

CENTRAL COAST CORVETTE CLUB Open to Corvette owners and enthusiasts. First Thursday of every month, 7 p.m. Free. 805-934-3948. Home Motors, 1313 E. Main St., Santa Maria.

CLUB COMITE CIVICO MEXICANO DE GUADALUPE 100TH YEAR CELEBRATION

The two day celebration will include a celebration at LeRoy Park in Guadalupe from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16. On Sunday, Sept. 17, the annual parade will

start at 5th Street and Guadalupe Street at noon. Sept. 16 12-5 p.m. and Sept. 17, 12-5 p.m. 805-720-8508. LeRoy Park, 11th Street, Guadalupe.

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

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

Dunes Center, 1065 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe.

ORCUTT MINERAL SOCIETY Second Tuesday of every month Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt, 805-937-9750.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

CARS AND COWBOYS EXTRAVAGANZA

A benefit fundraiser for Santa Ynez Valley Community Outreach and the local Meals on Wheels program. Sponsorship packages are available. Sept. 16, 1-5 p.m. $150. 805-688-4571. carsandcowboys. com/. Santa Ynez Valley Community Outreach, 56 W. Highway 246, Buellton.

SOLVANG DANISH DAYS Visit site to keep up with Solvang’s traditional festivities scheduled for this September. Sept. 15-17 solvangusa.com. Downtown Solvang, Citywide, Solvang.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

LOMPOC VALLEY BOTANIC AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY MEETING

The Lompoc Valley Botanic and Horticultural Society will hold its first-ever outdoor meeting at Lompoc’s botanical garden, followed by a guided tour of the same. The public is invited to participate. Light refreshments will be served.

Sept. 17 2-4 p.m. 805-450-3668. lvbhs. org. Burton Mesa Chaparral Garden at Allan Hancock College, 1 Hancock Drive, Lompoc.

CHAPARRAL CHAPEL

The Lompoc Valley Botanic and Horticultural Society will hold an outdoor meeting at the Burton Mesa Chaparral Garden on Sunday, Sept. 17, from 2 to 4 p.m. Nonmembers are welcome to attend the event, which will be followed by a guided tour of the garden, located at Lompoc’s Allan Hancock College campus, 1 Hancock Drive, Lompoc. Call (805) 450-3668 or visit lvbhs.org for more info. —C.W.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

BEGINNER GROUP SURF LESSONS AND SURF CAMPS Lessons and camp packages available daily. All equipment included. Starts at $70. 805-835-7873. sandbarsurf.com/. Sandbar Surf School

Meetup Spot, 110 Park Ave., Pismo Beach.

CUESTA COLLEGE HISTORY OF RANCHES IN SLO COUNTY: RANCHO

NIPOMO Come learn the history of the Dana Adobe; it’s architectural history, influence, historic visitors, and the family that once owned what is now all of Nipomo. Explore the gardens, trails,

Cultural Center, and even make some homemade tortillas. Sept. 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $35. 628-888-4012. cuesta.edu/ communityprograms/ranch-education/ index.html. DANA Adobe Cultural Center, 671 S. Oakglen Ave., Nipomo.

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 Come join a meeting of watch and clock collectors. Members bring watches and clocks, plus 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.

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. Sept. 9 9-11 a.m. my805tix.com. Pismo Preserve, Mattie Road, Pismo Beach.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

BARS AND BOUNCE CLINIC A sneaky way to get fit. Build whole-body strength swinging on bars and bouncing on trampolines. So much fun you don’t even notice it’s a workout. No experience is necessary. Sept. 9 1-3 p.m. $25 for first child, plus $10 per additional sibling. 805547-1496. performanceathleticsslo.com/ events. Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad 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.

BRAIDING WATER OPENING CEREMONY AT SLO SWIM CENTER Features art installations, live music, and Wicked Garden food truck. Honors water-based rituals of local community members. Sept. 9 6-8 p.m. Free. racemattersslo.org. SLO Swim Center, 900 Southwood Dr., 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.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 22

Hot Stuff

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE from page 22

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

AXE THROWING Enjoy the art of axe throwing in a safe and fun environment. Kids ages 10 and older are welcome with an adult. No personal axes please. Saturdays, 12-6 p.m. $20. 805-528-4880. baysidemartialarts.com. Bayside Martial Arts, 1200 2nd St., Los Osos.

CENTRAL COAST WOOD CARVERS Learn the art of wood carving or wood burning. Join Central Coast Wood Carvers in Morro Bay at St. Timothy’s. Open for beginners, intermediate, or advance. Learn a wide range of techniques and skills. Mask Required. Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, 962 Piney Way, Morro Bay, 805-772-2840, sttimothymorrobay.org/index.html.

CO-DEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS MEETING Co-Dependents Anonymous

(CoDA) is a Twelve Step recovery program for anyone who desires to have healthy and loving relationships with themselves and others. Meeting is hybrid (both in person and on Zoom). For information, call 805-900-5237. Saturdays, 1-2:15 p.m. Free. thecambriaconnection.org/.

Cambria Connection, 1069 Main St., Cambria, 805-927-1654.

SOCRATES: DISCUSSION GROUP Group members present interesting and thought provoking topics of all sorts. Topics are selected in advance and moderated by volunteers. Vaccinations are necessary. Enter through wooden gate to garden area. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. 805-528-7111. Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main St., Morro Bay, coalescebookstore.com/.

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.

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

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

THURSDAY EVENING BAR TAKEOVER

Call venue or visit website to find out about featured vintners. Thursdays stellerscellar.com. Steller’s Cellar, 405 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt.

TRI-TIP SANDWICH LUNCH

FUNDRAISER Don’t miss this special presale tri-tip sandwich lunch, conveniently available for pick-up at the Santa Maria Masonic Lodge, during this heartwarming fundraiser supporting Paws for Purple Hearts and Nomad Pet Rescue. Pre-sold meals only. Sept. 9, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $15. 310-606-1324. Masonic Family Center, 700 Lakeview Rd., 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

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 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.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

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

SAN LUIS OBISPO

DOWNTOWN SLO FARMERS MARKET

Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. Downtown SLO, Multiple locations, San Luis Obispo.

HEAD GAMES TRIVIA NIGHT Live multi-media trivia every Wednesday. Free to play. Win prizes. Teams up to six players. Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. headgamestrivia.com. Antigua Brewing, 1009 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, 805-242-1167.

QUEER TRIVIA Sip some cider, test your LGBTQ trivia knowledge, and learn new fun facts. Topic themes and hosts rotate each week. Prizes for winners. BYO food.

Third Friday of every month, 6-8 p.m. Free. 805-292-1500. Two Broads Ciderworks, 3427 Roberto Ct., suite 130, San Luis Obispo, twobroadscider.com.

SLO FARMERS MARKET Hosts more than 60 vendors. Saturdays, 8-10:45 a.m. World Market Parking Lot, 325 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo.

MUSIC

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

CELTIC CABARET This open mic will celebrate the season of Mabon. Bring your instrument. Sept. 10, 12-5 p.m. Free. 805710-3309. Celtic Cabaret, 1311 Smallwood Ct., Santa Maria.

FOLK DANCE CLASS For adults ages 50 and up. Learn folk dances from around the world. No experience is necessary. Every third Thursday, 2-3 p.m. through Dec. 28

Free. 805-925-0951. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

THE HOMESTEAD: LIVE MUSIC ON THE PATIO Check the Homestead’s Facebook page for details on live music events. Fridays, Saturdays The Homestead, 105 W. Clark Ave, Old Orcutt, 805-287-9891, thehomesteadoldorcutt.com.

LADIES NIGHT OUT Music by DJ Van

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. Free. 805-925-0951. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

LIVE MUSIC AT STELLER’S CELLAR

Enjoy live music most Fridays and Saturdays. Call venue or check website to find out who’s performing. Fridays, Saturdays stellerscellar.com. Steller’s Cellar, 405 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt.

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. ongoing 805-925-0464. coelhomusic. com/Lessons/lessons.html. Coelho Academy of Music, 325 E. Betteravia Rd., Santa Maria.

SIPPIN’ SUNDAYS: WINE, MUSIC, AND MORE Enjoy a flight of six distinctively different age-worthy wines while listening to live entertainment presented by a local band, musician, or disc jockey. Features sweet treats from Santa Maria food vendors and local artisans. Sundays, 1-4 p.m. through Nov. 19 Free. 805-937-8463. instagram.com/ cottonwoodcanyonwinery/. Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard And Winery, 3940 Dominion Rd, 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.

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.

WEAR THAT HAT DANCE With Riptide Big Band and vocalists Bob Nations and Mitch Latting. Wear a hat and join the fun. Funding: Community Foundation of SLO County. Sept. 10 1:30-4 p.m. Free. 775 8135186. RiptideBB.com. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

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

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS

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

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

BANDA TORO Live music from Banda Toro, in celebration of Mexico Independence Day. Sept. 16 8 p.m. my805tix.com. Flower City Ballroom, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. FLANNEL 101 LIVE Tribute to the 1990s. Sept. 8 , 7 p.m. my805tix.com. Flower City Ballroom, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. KINGS OF QUEEN Queen tribute band. Sept. 7 8 p.m. my805tix.com. Flower City Ballroom, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc.

THE RETURN OF COLONEL ANGUS Visit site for tickets and more info on the show. Sept. 9 7 p.m. my805tix.com. Flower City Ballroom, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

B & THE HIVE LIVE Part of the Lighthouse’s live music series. Sept. 9 2-5:30 p.m. my805tix.com. Point San Luis Lighthouse, 1 Lighthouse Rd., 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 EVERY WEDNESDAY A weekly event with barbecue offerings and more. Wednesdays, 4-8 p.m. Rancho Nipomo BBQ, 108 Cuyama Ln., Nipomo, 805-925-3500.

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

NOTABLE SOIREE: MOZART FLUTE

QUARTET Scott Yoo and Alice Dade take you behind the music of Mozart’s quartet for flute and strings. In this informal onehour event, you’ll learn about Mozart’s musical style. Event followed by a Meet-

MUSIC continued page 26

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

Hot Stuff

WITH

GALLOP TO THE GALA

The Redwings Horse Sanctuary is co-hosting its Block Party Fundraiser with Cass Winery on Sunday, Sept. 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The winery will provide a catered lunch at the event, which also features a live and silent auction, wine and beer, live music, and more. Proceeds from the benefit will support medical care and feed for the horses at the sanctuary, located at 6875 Union Road, Paso Robles. Visit redwingshorsesanctuary.org for more info.

MUSIC from page 24

the-Artists wine and appetizer reception in the Sculpture Garden. Sept. 16 2-5 p.m. $85. 805-781-3009. festivalmozaic.org. The Monarch Club at Trilogy Monarch Dunes, 1645 Trilogy Parkway, Nipomo.

TALENT DREAMS INAUGURAL

JAMBOREE Visit site for more info on the program. Sept. 9, 5:30 p.m. my805tix. com. Camp Arroyo Grande, 250 Wesley St., Arroyo Grande, 805-249-9517.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

15TH ANNUAL CUESTA ACOUSTIC GUITAR CONCERT WITH MARY FLOWER

Featuring local recording and touring artists Dorian Michael and Jennifer Martin. This popular concert will feature music of an assortment of genres, including folk, jazz, blues, and more. All proceeds benefit the Cuesta College guitar program. Sept. 16 7:30-9:30 p.m. $15; $10 for students with ID. tickets.cuesta.edu. Cuesta College

Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

ALL AGES OPEN MIC NIGHT Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m. Liquid Gravity, 675 Clarion Court, San Luis Obispo.

CCCT MUSICAL IMPROV COMEDY SHOW

Improv team will be creating an entirely improvised, live comedy show using audience suggestions. Sept. 14 , 6-8 p.m. $10. SLO Wine and Beer Company, 3536 S. Higuera St., suite 250, San Luis Obispo, 805-544-9463, slowineandbeerco.com.

CUESTA JAZZ FACULTY CONCERT

Cuesta Jazz Faculty take the stage to raise funds for student scholarships. Faculty are not only dedicated to their students, they’re dedicated to their craft, often performing as local professional musicians in SLO County. Sept. 8 , 7-9 p.m. General admission $20; Student with ID $10. tickets.cuesta.edu. Cuesta College

Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

DAVID FOSTER EVANS AND TRACY

MORGAN AT BIG VARIETY NIGHT

David Foster Evans is accompanied by percussionist Tracy Morgan for a set of original music. Sept. 14 5-8 p.m. Contact for admission. 805-710-3309. Linnaea’s Cafe, 1110 Garden St., San Luis Obispo, linnaeas.com/.

EASTON EVERETT Easton Everett plays guitar-woven music that has an authentic feel and is easy to listen to. Sept. 10-4 p.m. Free. eastoneverett.com/. Edna Valley Vineyard, 2585 Biddle Ranch Rd, San Luis Obispo, 805-544-5855.

EASTON EVERETT SOLO Enjoy some indie-acoustic, live music. Thursdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. eastoneverett.com. Big Sky Cafe, 1121 Broad Street, San Luis Obispo, (805)545-5401.

KABAKA PYRAMID AND THE BEBBLE ROCKERS Doors open at 7 p.m. With special guest Jemere Morgan. For ages 21 and over. Sept. 7 7:45 p.m. SLO Brew

Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, 805-543-1843, slobrew.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT LIQUID GRAVITY Check social media and calendar for weekly updates. Saturdays, 2-5 p.m. and Fridays, 6-9 p.m. Liquid Gravity, 675 Clarion Court, San Luis Obispo.

LIVE MUSIC AT RAGTAG WINE CO.

Enjoy live music by local favorites. Wine available by the flight, glass, or bottle.

Thursdays-Saturdays, 6-9 p.m. Ragtag

Wine Co., 779 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, 805-439-0774, ragtagwineco.com.

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.

MO BETTA SUMMER JAZZ SERIES

Enjoy an afternoon of smooth jazz and some cool R&B. Sept. 17 4 p.m. my805tix.com. Bliss Cafe, 778 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo.

THE PAT KELLEY TRIO Visit site for tickets and more info on the concert. Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m. my805tix.com. Mount Carmel Lutheran Church, 1701 Fredericks St., San Luis Obispo.

SCOTT YOO AND GUESTS CHAMBER

CONCERT Join Scott Yoo and the visiting artists for the weekend’s culminating concert featuring three beautiful works of chamber music. Sept. 17 2-5 p.m. Tickets start at $35. 805-781-3009. festivalmozaic.org. Cuesta College Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

SHREK RAVE For ages 18 and over. Sept. 9 9 p.m. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, 805-5468600, fremontslo.com.

SQUARE DANCE 12-WEEK CLASS Learn to square dance. Wide variety of music. No dress code and no dance experience needed. Every Thursday, Thanksgiving excluded. No partner needed; couples are welcome. Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. through Nov. 30 $70 per person for full program. 805-781-7300. squaredancecentralcoast/ classes. SLO Guild Hall, 2880 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

SUNDAY MUSIC AT RAGTAG WINE CO.

Enjoy live music by local favorites. Wine available by the flight, glass, or bottle. Sundays, 4-7 p.m. Ragtag Wine Co., 779 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, 805-4390774, ragtagwineco.com.

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

BLUES AGENDA JAM AND SHOWCASE

A rockin’ blues dance party at Niffy’s Merrimaker every first, third, and now fifth Wednesdays. The Blues Asylum house band welcomes local, visiting, and newcomers to the blues groove. Spirits, beer, and wine, with outside food

welcome. Every other Wednesday, 7-10 p.m. Free. 805-235-5223. The Merrimaker Tavern, 1301 2nd Street, Los Osos.

FAMILY FUN FAIR ON GRANDPARENTS

DAY Kids play games to win tickets for bounce houses, face painting, prizes, or a hot dog meal. Live music by Route 66 from 2 to 4 p.m. Food available for purchase. Raffle tickets available onsite. Sept. 10, 12-4 p.m. Free. 805-591-0563. South Bay Community Center, 2180 Palisades Ave., Los Osos.

LISTENING AS RITUAL Group listening sessions with musician/musicologist Ben Gerstein. Explore remarkable recordings of world music, nature field recording, western classical and contemporary, and jazz, sharing and discussing inspiration and perspectives on the expressive power of peoples, cultures, animals and habitats through sonic experience. Every other Monday, 7-8:15 p.m. $10-$15 donation. 805-305-1229. leftcoastartstudio.com/. Left Coast Art Studio, 1188 Los Osos Valley Rd., Los Osos.

MORRO BAY WHITE CAPS COMMUNITY

BAND CONCERT

Under the baton of conductor Brenda Hascall, the Morro Bay White Caps Community Band will perform a series of free concerts including pops, classical, and jazz music on the south T-Pier in Morro Bay. Sept. 9 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free; donations accepted. 916-337-9046. Morro Bay S. T Pier, 1185 Embarcadero, Morro Bay.

NOTABLE INSIGHT: SCHUMANN AND DURUFLÉ Scott Yoo guides guests through pieces by Schumann and Duruflé in an informal one-hour event. Learn about the composers, their musical styles, and influences, and gain a deeper understanding of the pieces in advance of Sunday’s chamber concert. Sept. 15, 5:30-6:30 p.m. $30. 805-781-3009. festivalmozaic.org. Trinity United Methodist Church, 490 Los Osos Valley Rd., Los Osos.

REGGAE NIGHT Featuring Reverb Iration Sound System and DJs LilMan, Kid Dub, and Roommate. Sept. 9, 7 p.m.-midnight Free. The Merrimaker Tavern, 1301 2nd Street, Los Osos, 805-534-1007.

SOCKS IN THE FRYING PAN An awardwinning trio from County Clare, the universal hub of Irish traditional music. Formed in 2014, this trio comprises Aodán Coyne on guitar and vocals, Shane Hayes on accordion, and Fiachra Hayes on fiddle and banjo. Sept. 11 7-9 p.m. $18. 805-2251312. thesirenmorrobay.com. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay.

SUMMER TWILIGHT CONCERT SERIES AT HARMONY CELLARS Start your weekend in Harmony with live music, food truck fare, and wine on the patio. Reservations required. Seating provided. Fridays, 5:15-7:15 p.m. through Sept. 8 $12$20. 805-927-1625. harmonycellars.com. Harmony Cellars, 3255 Harmony Valley Rd., P.O. Box 2502, Harmony. m

ARTS BRIEFS

Upcoming auction in Santa Maria features artworks by Nat Fast

The inaugural Art in the Heart of the City auction and fundraiser will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Santa Maria on Saturday, Sept. 16, starting at 2 p.m. The auction will feature artworks by acclaimed artist Nat Fast (1924-2013).

The artist’s surviving children have curated a collection of pieces by Fast to be included in the auction. Attendees of the event can view the artworks between 2 and 2:30 p.m. in the church’s Parke Parish Hall. Bidding begins at 2:30 p.m. and will run through 4 p.m.

Fast (pictured) was a prolific artist and scholar who led art departments at both Santa Maria High School and Righetti High School as well as Alan Hancock College during his career.

He was also one of the founding members of the Santa Maria Arts Council and was involved with the Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) during the company’s start in the 1960s. The late artist helped design sets and drew or painted posters for shows, which he occasionally acted in as well, according to previous Sun reporting.

In addition to Fast’s pieces, the upcoming fundraiser will include artworks by other Central Coast-based artists as well, including Marilyn Hoback, a former student of Fast’s. Tile and glass murals by Jan Manriquez and vineyard landscapes by photographer Kirk Irwin will be among the featured works in the auction as well.

Admission to the Sept. 16 fundraiser, which also features light appetizers and a no-host bar, is $50. Proceeds from the auction will benefit St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, located at 201 S. Lincoln St., Santa Maria.

Funds collected will support the church’s ongoing programming, including its partnership with the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County to distribute food to more than 200 families a week. Visit stpeterssm.org for more details.

Festival Mozaic hosts Notable Soirée in Nipomo

We,

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

In the midst of the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strike, complete with picket signs that read, “AI is not ART” and similar sentiments, one local theater company is tackling the hotbutton issue by playing devil’s advocate.

Earlier this year, Orcutt resident and thespian Weston Scott began experimenting with ChatGPT by entering the most absurd story prompts he could think of for his own amusement.

“For the past six months, I have been tricking AI into writing unimaginable plays and pushing the limits of common decency,” said Scott, a member of the theater group Exit Pursued by a Bear since 2015. “You’d be surprised at how easy it is to manipulate AI to go down weird paths.”

After Scott shared his hobby with other members of Exit Pursued by a Bear, “they ran with it in a way that both inspires and terrifies me,” he said.

On Saturday, Sept. 9, the group will host a theater gala event in which audience suggestions are transformed into fully realized AI-generated plays, to be performed by humans immediately.

Bear necessities

Exit Pursued by a Bear, a Central Coast-based theater group, will hold its Stage and Slice Soirée at Brightside Pizza in Los Osos on Saturday, Sept. 9, starting at 5 p.m. For more info, visit facebook.com/exitpursuedbyabeartheatre.

“I’ll be sitting there at a laptop, the audience will give me a suggestion, and as soon as ChatGPT creates the script I’ll send it to the actors and we’ll perform it,” Scott said. “I think we’ll be able to do at least 10 wholly original plays for the audience at our gala—never performed before and hopefully never performed again.”

The Sept. 9 showcase will be held at Brightside Pizza in Los Osos, starting at 5 p.m. and won’t end “until our robot overlords cut us off—or we’ve eaten enough pizza,” Scott joked. Admission to the gala is free, but small donations will be accepted to support the theater group’s pursuit of achieving nonprofit status. Over the years, Exit Pursued by a Bear has performed shows at various venues in cities across the Central Coast, including in Solvang, Oceano, Arroyo Grande, and Shell Beach.

“We have performed in backyards, public parks and other community spaces, warehouses, kitchens,” said Tyler Lopez, cofounder of Exit Pursued by a Bear.

Lopez and co-founder Kristie Siebert originally envisioned

the group as a way to bring more found-space theater—the concept of converting a nontheatrical area, such as Brightside Pizza, into a temporary theater space—to the Central Coast.

The upcoming AI-generated theater showcase will be held on the pizzeria’s newly finished patio. Some complimentary pizza will be served during the event, while attendees are “encouraged to support Brightside by purchasing drinks or additional food,” Lopez said. The event will mark the first time Exit Pursued by a Bear has performed at Brightside Pizza, but not the first time its members have ventured to Los Osos for a show. In 2013, the group staged its production of John Ford’s ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore at the Red Barn in Los Osos Community Park.

Over the course of the company’s history, admission to the Exit Pursued by a Bear shows has either been completely free or a required donation of $10 or less, at most.

“What I have found really rewarding about working with Exit is how radically accessible it is,” Scott said. “When other theaters have priced their audiences out, Exit is there to do cool shows and challenge the notion of what theater can be.”

Scott was the playwright behind the group’s most recent production, Deaths We Don’t Sing About, an original play performed during two nights in May at Meadow Park in San Luis Obispo.

The company will return to Meadow Park in October for its next offering, Him, a fresh take on Dracula. Scott is back in the writer’s chair for this vampiric retelling, slated to be performed on Oct. 21 and 22 in the park’s indoor recreational facility.

“It’s an immersive Dracula adaptation. The audience will be holed up in a room, trying to keep out a monster,” Scott said. “But maybe the most monstrous part of ourselves is already among us.” m

Send holy water and garlic fries to Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood at cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.

Admission to the Sept. 16 event is $85. To find out more about programs hosted by Festival Mozaic, visit festivalmozaic. org or call (805) 781-3009. The Monarch Club is located at 1645 Trilogy Parkway, Nipomo. m

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

Musicians Scott Yoo (pictured) and Alice Dade will lead an informal lecture on the music of Mozart at the Monarch Club at Trilogy Monarch Dunes in Nipomo on Saturday, Sept. 16. The program, hosted by Festival Mozaic, starts at 2 p.m. and will be followed by a wine and appetizer reception in the Monarch Club’s Sculpture Garden.

FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY GEORGE

SLICE OF LIFE: During its upcoming theater gala at Brightside Pizza in Los Osos, Exit Pursued by a Bear will perform ChatGPT-generated scripts, which will be created based on spontaneous story prompts from the audience.

COURTESY PHOTO BY ANNETTE KOHLER

12 DAYS A WEEK: Over the years, Exit Pursued by a Bear has hosted found-space theater iterations of Twelfth Night and other plays at various venues in Solvang, Oceano, San Luis Obispo, and other cities.

WHAT’S UP, DOC: Orcutt-based actor and playwright Weston Scott (standing, left) was among the cast of Doctor Faustus, presented in Solvang by Exit Pursued by a Bear. The local theater group’s upcoming AI-generated showcase is Scott’s brainchild.

COURTESY PHOTO BY ANNETTE KOHLER

FILE COURTESY PHOTO BY BRIAN P. LAWLER

Eat a slice of justice pie

Antoine Fuqua (The Replacement Killers, Training Day, King Arthur, Shooter, Brooklyn’s Finest, Emancipation) returns to direct this third installment in the film franchise based on the CBS TV series The Equalizer (1985 to 1989) about mysterious retired intelligence operative Robert McCall, who uses his deadly skills to help innocent people caught up in dangerous situations. Denzel Washington stars as McCall, and in this installment, he finds himself settling into life in Southern Italy, when he discovers his new friends are under the control of the local mafia. (109 min.)

Glen: There’s something deeply satisfying about the premise of this franchise—a lone wolf who metes out justice to the corrupt and powerful who prey on the innocent and weak. It’s what we wish would happen in real life. I never watched the TV show upon which this trilogy is based, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each installment of this Fuqua/Washington collaboration. This new story starts out strong right out of the gate, with an end-of-film-worthy climax pitting McCall against a wing of the mafia. It’s almost the end of him. Wounded, he finds himself in the town of Altomonte being cared for by the local doctor, Enzo (Reme Girone). As he recovers, he gets to know the town folk, and he begins to feel a real sense of peace … until he discovers another branch of the mafia has its hooks in the town.

THE EQUALIZER 3

What’s it rated? R

What’s it worth, Glen? Full price

What’s it worth, Anna? Full price

Where’s it showing? Movies

Lompoc, Regal Edwards

Arroyo Grande, Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria

Television Reviews

PAINKILLER

What’s it rated? TV-MA

When? 2023

Where’s it showing? Netflix

Anna: Violence for violence’s sake isn’t nearly as much fun to watch as this brand of justice. Washington is always a stellar lead, and he’s made for this type of role. Robert McCall is a badass who’s driven by a deep sense of right and wrong. A man who’s seemingly adrift and falls in love with this little town tucked into the mountains as he begins to

feel a sense of home. There’s no way McCall is going to let a bunch of jerks ruin this slice of paradise. It was fun to see Washington back on screen with Dakota Fanning, who was just 10 when the two starred in Man on Fire together—another great action revenge film. Fanning plays an agent tipped off by McCall who comes to Italy to discover a drug ring and track down the man who told her to come. The story is violent and fast paced, but McCall himself is a quiet, methodical man who knows his move three turns from now. Like you said, there’s something immensely satisfying about watching bad people get their comeuppance. In fact, we were on such a high from it we went home to watch the first two Equalizer flicks. Glen: McCall is a compelling character. He’s softspoken, thoughtful, and polite … until it’s time to rumble. Then he’s efficient, deadly, and merciless. A man of precision, he can inform the bad guys exactly how much time they have to reverse course before it’s too late. “Nine seconds,” he says, starting the stopwatch

SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS

What’s it rated? TV-MA

When? 2023

Where’s it showing? Paramount Plus

on his digital wristwatch. Hats off to Fuqua. He knows how to direct an effective action sequence as well as how to deliver the emotional payoff of a scene. Sure, this is formulaic, but it’s a helluva good formula. Even though this is the end of the trilogy, I read there might be a prequel. If there is, count me in.

Anna: We’ll be there if that happens! Don’t fix what’s not broken: This storyline and this type of character work. The great thing about movies like this for me is that they are easily rewatchable— knowing the plotline and ending doesn’t ruin a second or third viewing. I’ll happily watch as many as they want to make as long as the integrity of the formula isn’t lost over time. Beat the heat and see this one in the theater. m

Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey from the Sun’s sister paper and freelancer Anna Starkey write Sun Screen. Glen compiles listings. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.

In 2021, Hulu brought us the mini-series Dopesick, which took us to the boardrooms, courtrooms, and living rooms of those inside the opioid crisis. 2023 brings us Painkiller another look at the crisis, the cover-up, and the eventual rulings against Purdue and the Sackler family.

We follow several threads that soon weave together. Glen (Taylor Kitsch) is an auto shop owner and family man who gets hooked on Oxycontin following an accident at work. Edie Flowers (Uzo Aduba) is an investigator who doggedly pursues the corrupt company despite those above her demanding her silence. Richard Sackler (Matthew Broderick) is the moneyhungry head of Purdue, who cares much more for his bottom line than he does for his fellow humans. Shannon Shaeffer (West Duchovny) is the pharma rep turned whistleblower searching to make amends for pushing high doses to doctors and onto patients.

Their stories are interwoven and at times overlapping. We watch the rise of Sackler’s greed, the cover-up plotted

and executed, and the dissolving lives of addicts and the families that surround them. This well-crafted and beautifully acted miniseries will hit you in your gut. Maddening and heartbreaking, Painkiller peels back the layers of this tragic story with repercussions still being felt daily by millions. (six approximately 50-min. episodes)

—Anna

In my mind, writer Taylor Sheridan can do no wrong. He’s penned compelling action films such as Sicario, Hell or High Water, and Wind River and since turning his attention to TV, he’s created series such as Yellowstone and its spinoffs 1883 and 1923 Tulsa King Mayor of Kingstown and most recently this new series, Special Ops: Lioness about a team led by Joe (Zoe Saldana), that gets in trouble for operating on U.S. soil.

They’re after a terrorist financier, and Joe thinks the way in is to put a “lioness,” a female special operator, near the financier’s daughter, Aaliyah (Stephanie Nur). The operator in question is Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveira), a fierce warrior with questionable methods whose troubled background makes her something of a wildcard. Meanwhile, Joe’s got trouble at home with her daughter, Kate (Hannah Love Lanier) and husband, Neal (Dave Annable), not to mention her boss, Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman).

Like all of Sheridan’s work, this is a gritty, macho business, even with the ladies in the lead. Sure, it’s pure fantasy. If you’re looking for a plausible story, this ain’t it. But if you like

a mix of action and drama with strong characters and muscular writing, this is on target. (eight approximately 42-min. episodes) m

—Glen

Externs: Cody Dugan & Holly Prewitt

‘DO I LOOK LIKE A KILLER?’: CIA operative Emma Collins (Dakota Fanning) questions Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) about a bunch of dead mafiosi, in The Equalizer 3 , screening in local theaters.

COURTESY PHOTO BY KERI ANDERSON/NETFLIX

GREED: Uzo Aduba stars as investigator Edie Flowers and Matthew Broderick as Purdue Pharma head Richard Sackler, in Painkiller, streaming on Netflix.

BADASS: Zoe Saldana stars as Joe, who leads a special ops team in the war on terror, in Special Ops: Lioness, streaming on Paramount Plus.

Eats

Elevated cuisine

Cypress Beach House offers al fresco dining atop Pismo’s Inn at the Pier

BY CHERISH WHYTE

Inn at the Pier at Pismo Beach has a new feather in its cap: a breathtaking eatery on its rooftop.

Cypress Beach House opened its doors in July after a major renovation, and now “the sky’s the limit,” said Caleb Granski, the hotel’s food and beverage manager.

Added Kristin Cavalli, regional director of operations for hotelmanagement firm Quorum, the oceanfront property boasts “the only rooftop dining experience in Pismo Beach, and we’re really proud of that.”

“It’s great to be able to offer our community something completely unique,” she added.

Granski of Orcutt and Cavalli of Buellton are also over the moon about the eatery’s chef and new menu, specializing in Italian and California coastal cuisine.

Formerly the outlet manager for dining experiences at Chateau Elan Winery and Resort in Braselton, Georgia, Granski returned to his hometown on the Central Coast in late 2022 and helped reimagine the hotel’s original restaurant, The Rooftop. “We have all of the right people in place—including Executive Chef Ricky Sausser—to become the go-to spot in Pismo Beach,” he said. “I love everything chef puts forth. He leads the team with genuine enthusiasm and really pours his heart and soul into every dish he makes.”

Cavalli, a hospitality industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience, is equally excited about the restaurant’s potential under Sausser.

“Chef Ricky is an incredible talent and master of his craft,” she said.

Raised in the Lake Tahoe area, Sausser gained a passion for cooking at the age of 15 when he joined the kitchen staff at Ice Lakes Lodge in Soda Springs. His 20-year career includes stints as chef of 22 Bistro in Olympic Valley, California, and Blue Canyon Kitchen and Tavern in Missoula, Montana.

Tide change

The reimagined Cypress Beach House at Inn at the Pier, located at 601 Cypress St. in Pismo Beach, is open daily for midday service from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. The bar closes at 11 p.m. Brunch is served from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday only. For more information or to make reservations, visit cypressbeachhouse.com. Follow the eatery on Instagram and Facebook @cypressbeachhouse.

In 2022 he accepted a position at Inn at the Pier, happy to relocate to the Central Coast’s “beautiful weather, regional produce, and wine country,” he said.

Built in 2017, the hotel was prepping for a massive overhaul and new affiliation with Curio Collection by Hilton, touting “one-of-a-kind hotels and resorts with distinct character.”

Sausser was particularly lured by the team’s vision of what is now Cypress Beach House.

“We have all new furniture, new china, glassware, and silverware, and an artist painted a beautiful mural as well,” he said. “Ownership really went all out to make it a unique spot in Pismo.”

With a “laid-back, yet sophisticated setting,” drawing locals and tourists, Sausser said he aims to keep them returning with his menu and motto: “Use the best ingredients you can find, cook intuitively using all your senses, and less can be more.”

Sausser’s niche is “fusing contemporary Californian cooking with comforting Italian favorites,” he explained.

Standout appetizers at the restaurant include bison meatballs, fried calamari, and ricotta toast.

“Our bison meatballs are my personal recipe based on traditional Sicilian meatballs, but we use bison instead of … beef,” he said. “I think it gives it a more rounded flavor. The secret is adding currants, pine nuts, and lots of Parmesan. You also need to let the breadcrumbs soak in milk before mixing.

“We cook them with our spicy pomodoro sauce and burrata cheese. The burrata adds a creaminess to balance the acidity of the pomodoro.”

The calamari dish also gets a kick from spicy tomato sauce,

EATS continued page 34

Cypress Beach House Ricotta Toast

Whipped ricotta

1 1/2 cup (12 ounces) whole ricotta

Approximately 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil—more as needed

Kosher salt to taste—approximately 1/2 teaspoon

Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Add the ricotta, salt, and black pepper to a food processor and blend. With the motor running, add the olive oil in a thin stream to incorporate. Pause to scrape the sides. The mixture should become creamy as it whips. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and olive oil. Transfer to a container, cover, and refrigerate.

Ricotta toast

1 piece sourdough bread, sliced 3/4-inch thick

2 teaspoons olive oil

3 1/2 ounces—approximately 1/2 cup—whipped ricotta in a piping (pastry) bag with a large round tip

1/4 teaspoon orange zest

2 teaspoons honey

Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Maldon salt to taste

Slather the sourdough bread on both sides with olive oil, season lightly with kosher salt to taste, and grill until lightly charred and toasted on both sides. Remove and cut in half. Place on a plate together as one piece. Drizzle honey over both halves. Top with piped, whipped ricotta. Garnish with orange zest, fresh ground black pepper, and Maldon salt to taste. Serve immediately.

PHOTO BY CHERISH WHYTE

FAN FAVORITE: Cypress Beach House’s cioppino, based on the San Francisco original, features ample fresh seafood in a spicy white-wine tomato broth. Soak up the last drops with grilled sourdough bread.

PASTA A LA PACIFIC: Executive chef Ricky Sausser tosses Sogna Toscano linguini with Pacific steamer clams at Pismo’s Cypress Beach House, specializing in Italian and contemporary California cuisine.

PHOTO CONTEST

Summer Concert Series

THURSDAYS, AUG. 31

Santa Maria Civic Theatre 2023-2024 Membership

THROUGH DECEMBER 2023

SMCT, Santa Maria

SLO County Jazz Federation: The Pat Kelley Trio SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, SLO

SLOFunny Comedy Jamboree with Headliner Chris Bennett

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 Rib Line by the Beach, Grover Beach

SLOFunny Comedy Jamboree with Headliner Chris Bennett

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 Central Coast Pizza, Los Osos

SEPTEMBER 9 Pismo Preserve, Pismo Beach

Women Making Waves: Shake It Off Dance Party FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 SLO Wine & Beer, San Luis Obispo

Taste of Downtown Paso Robles

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Downtown Paso, 12th & Park Streets

Grupo La Promesa de Tierra Juarez

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Flower City Ballroom, Lompoc

Symphony of the Vines: Arctic Chill

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Mission San Miguel Arcángel

Mo Betta Summer Jazz Series Concert

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Bliss Cafe, San Luis Obispo

Eats

complemented by a green olive aioli, while the simple yet elegant ricotta toast offers subtle flavors of honey and orange.

Dinner entrees include pasta, seafood, beef, chicken, and vegetarian options.

Braised short rib rigatoni is the restaurant’s most popular pasta.

“It has an incredible depth of flavor and is so comforting,” Sausser said, jokingly adding that “it’s like the dish itself hugs you.”

However, the restaurant’s pièce de résistance is its cioppino— “something I recommend to anyone that likes seafood,” Sausser said.

“Our cioppino is a recipe based off the original San Francisco seafood stew,” he explained. “It’s fresh seafood—heavy on the clams because we are in Pismo Beach, after all—cooked in a spicy white-wine tomato broth. We use head-on shrimp to have a more intense flavor. We season the broth with a little fennel seed and finish it with lemon juice and fresh parsley to brighten it up.”

On weekends, check out the restaurant’s brunch menu, featuring dishes ranging from brioche French toast, buttermilk hotcakes, eggs Benedict, chilaquiles, and short rib hash to shakshuka, a slow-cooked tomato and sweet pepper stew with baked eggs, chickpeas, and yogurt.

Completing the picture is a full-service bar. Sip handcrafted cocktails, curated local and Italian wine and beer, kombucha, espresso, tea, and more.

Sausser and his colleagues are proud of their menu, showcasing imported specialty ingredients, regional proteins when available, and fresh local produce, primarily from wholesale distributor The Berry Man in San Luis Obispo.

“I want Cypress Beach House to be the premier restaurant in Pismo for locals and people traveling to the area,” Sausser said. “If you haven’t been in yet, come see us. ... We have a fantastic team.”

And the view is extraordinary. m

Contributor Writer Cherish Whyte will be returning at sunset for round two. Contact her at cwhyte@newtimesslo.com.

SAUSSER SPECIALTY: Cypress Beach House executive chef Ricky Sausser’s original-recipe bison balls—a sharable plate—are slathered in spicy tomato-based pomodoro sauce and creamy burrata cheese.