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Reptile: methodical magic [20]

It’s time for the Readers Choice vote [7]

Cuyama Valley farmers, landowners face off against corporate growers over water [8]

BY TAYLOR O’CONNOR

NEWS

Solvang’s anti-camping ordinance [4]

ARTS

Nunsense: a play within a play [18]

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Contents

OCTOBER 12 - OCTOBER 19, 2023 VOL. 24 NO. 33

C

uyama Valley residents who use less than 2 acre-feet of groundwater per year face an uncertain future due to a water rights lawsuit filed by corporations that combined use more than 28,000 acre-feet of water per year. Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor speaks to those de minimis users this week for a cover story about small farmers, the challenges they’ve faced in the past and are facing now, and the battle over a groundwater basin they rely on for sustenance [8].

In addition, you can read about Solvang’s new rules about camping in the city [4]; Nunsense at SLO Repertory Theatre [18]; and what Juniper on Fourth has to offer [21].

Camillia Lanham editor

DreamHome

YOUR

Cover photo by Jayson Mellom > Cover design by Alex Zuniga

NEWS

AWA I TS

WESTERN VILL AGE SHOPPING CENTER

805-347-1121

News Briefs ...............................................................................4 Political Watch.........................................................................4 Spotlight....................................................................................10

Carpet & Floor

LIC. 668152

ARTS

Arts Briefs ................................................................................18

MOVIES

Reviews ....................................................................................20

OPINION

S A N T A M A R I A . A B B E Y C A R P E T.C O M

2 0 5 1 S . B R O A D WAY • S A N T A M A R I A

STANDING UP: In the wake of a groundwater rights lawsuit in the Cuyama Valley, several landowners are boycotting Bolthouse Farms and Grimmway Farms carrots and other products, encouraging people to sign a petition to join the boycott and ask the corporations to drop the lawsuit.

Web Poll .....................................................................................11 Mayfield......................................................................................11 Canary ........................................................................................ 12

CLASSIFIEDS, HOME, AND REAL ESTATE .................................................... 23

EVENTS CALENDAR

Hot Stuff .................................................................................... 13

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News POLITICAL WATCH • U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) introduced a bicameral bill that would increase access to internet and telephone services for low-income urban and rural Americans, according to an Oct. 6 statement from Padilla’s office. The Promoting Access to Broadband Act would help states increase awareness and enrollment in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Lifeline program and Affordable Connectivity Program—which provide a monthly subsidy to help low-income households pay for their broadband and telephone service. “Access to high-speed internet and communication services is essential infrastructure.

As the COVID-19 pandemic made abundantly clear, we urgently need to expand internet access to bridge the digital divide,” Padilla said in the statement.

“We have effective programs in place to address internet disparities in low-income and underserved communities, but too many eligible Californians remain unenrolled. This legislation would bring together states, nonprofits, and community-based organizations to help American families enroll in these crucial internet and telephone programs.” According to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, in 2022, 1 in every 5 households lacked access to broadband at home, and a 2021 Pew Research Center survey found that 27 percent of non-broadband users cited cost as the most important reason they do not have broadband at home. The Affordable Connectivity Program has made strides to close the digital divide with 21 million households enrolled in the program, including more than 2.5 million households in California, according to Padilla’s office. However, experts estimate that an additional 27 million households are eligible for the program. Further, participation in the Lifeline program has dropped in recent years and remains low nationwide.

• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) introduced the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, a legislation that will combat climate change while investing directly in American communities, according to a Sept. 27 statement from Carbajal’s office. “We do not have the luxury of time when it comes to getting to carbon neutral. We need to give big corporations a real, unequivocal incentive to shrink their carbon footprint.

We need to put a fee on carbon,” Carbajal said in the statement. “With this legislation, not only do we require fossil fuel companies to phase out dirty fossil fuels. We also put money directly into communities that can then use that money to invest in our local economies, create jobs—especially jobs in clean energy sectors, which will be in higher demand. And in the end, we save lives from lowering our emissions curve, cleaning up our air, and keeping us on track to carbon neutrality by 2050.”

The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act would levy a carbon fee on fossil fuel emissions, incentivizing the transition to carbon-free production and supply chains through an escalating price of carbon to help meet the U.S. goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

These collected fees would then be paid out to every American in the form of a carbon dividend, allowing families to cushion against any temporary increases in costs associated with the transition to clean energy as well as stimulate economic growth through direct investment in communities.

• Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation to expand workers’ paid sick leave, guaranteeing five paid sick days per year and increasing the ability to earn and keep them, according to an Oct. 4 statement from Newsom’s office. Offering sick days helps save employers money through improved productivity and morale, according to the governor’s office. Working sick costs the national economy $273 billion annually in lost productivity, and two days of unpaid sick time is nearly the equivalent of a month’s worth of groceries. Increasing access to paid sick days reduces health care costs, with evidence showing that when workers have paid sick days, such costs go down and workers’ health is benefitted. “Too many folks are still having to choose between skipping a day’s pay and taking care of themselves or their family members when they get sick,” Newsom said in the statement. “We’re making it known that the health and well-being of workers and their families is of the utmost importance for California’s future.” m

➤ Cover Story [8]

➤ Spotlight [10] FILE PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

ordinance will attract those who are voluntarily homeless to the city.

“It’s not going to be a family from Guadalupe or Guatemala. It’s going to be someone coming out of LA or San Francisco in an old Winnebago, and they’re going to park the damn thing on the city streets and they’re going to attract other people who want to join in with a substance party,” Butler said. “That’s the direction we’re going.

“These people are going to take advantage of our weather and everything that Solvang offers,” Butler added. “I don’t want to see us be a sister city with Portland Act now! or Seattle.”

Send any news During deliberations, or story tips to Councilmember news@santamariasun.com.

Elizabeth Orona described the new homelessness response TEMPORARY TENTPOLE: The Solvang City Council recently approved an ordinance that allows temporary camping on public ordinance as empowering property, excluding the Tourist Commercial District and other sites. both the city manager and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Solvang allows “to act on the maximum in terms of enforcement temporary camping in when or if we have these challenges.” some public spaces “The sentiment is clear from everyone in Currently outlawed, overnight camping on Solvang that we should be doing the maximum public property in Solvang will be allowed under to protect our city and this is an example of that,” certain circumstances by mid-November thanks she said shortly before motioning to adopt the to new rules. ordinance.

During the Solvang City Council’s Oct. —Caleb Wiseblood 9 meeting, City Attorney Dave Fleishman recommended the adoption of a new Board of Supervisors homelessness response ordinance, while deny North Fork Ranch describing the city’s current policy—unaltered since 2002—as unenforceable and at risk of being frost ponds project After nearly five years going through the rendered unconstitutional. planning and appeals process, the Santa Barbara “A number of agencies in Southern California County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 (with 4th have been sued for their approach to removing District Supervisor Bob Nelson and 5th District homeless encampments because they don’t have Supervisor Steve Lavganino dissenting) during an effective time, place, and manner regulation,” its Oct. 10 meeting to uphold denial of a proposal said Fleishman, who described staff’s proposed to build 15 acres of new water reservoirs in the ordinance as a tool for the city to enforce several Cuyama Valley. restrictions on overnight camping without “The conclusions that I would normally make “essentially criminalizing the act of being to meet the need for agriculture in an agricultural homeless.” zone to thrive would normally be my default,” 1st Within Solvang’s city limits, it’s currently District Supervisor Das Williams, who represents unlawful for any person to sleep or camp on Cuyama, said during the meeting. “In Cuyama, public property between one half hour after it’s different because it’s uncertain how much sunset and 6 a.m. the following day. those moves could threaten the viability of other The new overnight camping policy, approved farmers to continue to live and thrive in the by the City Council with a 5-0 vote on Oct. 9, Cuyama Valley.” allows temporary camping for 24 hours at a time North Fork Ranch, an 840-acre vineyard on city-owned property, excluding any area in the in Cuyama owned by Harvard Management Tourist Commercial District, within 100 feet of Company subsidiary Brodiaea Inc., proposed Mission Drive, or within 200 feet of any school, building three new water storage reservoirs on plus other restricted sites listed in the ordinance. its property to help protect grapevines from frost After a camp has been in place at a single damage. Any water left over would be used for location for 24 hours or more, the city may post a irrigation, according to the staff report. notice to enforce, alerting the occupant that the However, local farmers are concerned about camp must be removed no more than 72 hours more water being pumped out of the Cuyama later and moved to a different location either Valley Groundwater Basin as water tables 1,200 feet or at least two blocks away from the have dropped 80 feet since North Fork began original site.

Fleishman described the intent of the ordinance operations in 2016, and the basin is one of California’s 21 critically overdrafted basins. as being to help the city remove homeless “We need water as a method of frost encampments lawfully, but some locals are worried that the new law allows too much wiggle protection. Water applied through overhead room. Carl Butler was among a handful of Solvang spray is the most reliable and most protective residents who expressed their concerns during method of protection from cold temperatures public comment at the City Council’s Oct. 9 in Cuyama, and we need reservoirs to do that meeting. effectively,” Ray Shady, a representative from In response to one comment from Fleishman North Fork, told the supervisors. about individuals and families that become The frost pond project was first approved in involuntarily homeless, Butler said the new September 2017, but was appealed by Condor’s

4 • Sun • October 12 - October 19, 2023 • www.santamariasun.com

October 12 - October 19, 2023 Hope Vineyard owners Roberta Jaffe and Stephen Gliessman due to concerns about groundwater level impacts. They requested an environmental impact report. The county agreed in 2018 and required North Fork to prepare a report, which was denied by the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission in May 2023.

“We wanted to ask you to reconsider supporting agriculture and our ability to protect the vineyard,” Shady said. “If you’re asking us to not have water for frost protection, you’re basically saying, ‘I want you to take out hundreds of acres of vineyards.’”

Shady added that the company has experienced millions of dollars in crop loss and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to reestablish vines lost due to frost damage. Other methods to protect grapes from frost, like wind machines, have failed to protect the vineyard.

Shady and other Brodiaea representatives asked supervisors to focus on the land use side of this project, which is under the supervisors’ jurisdiction, and leave the concerns regarding water use to Cuyama’s groundwater sustainability agency—which now regulates water use in the basin due to the state’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act passed in 2014.

Fourth District Supervisor Nelson agreed and said that if the supervisors deny the project, “it would be a sad day in Santa Barbara County for agriculture.”

“I don’t like that some people have chosen to demonize Harvard. That’s not what I see this project is. I see this as a local farming group,” he said. “I want to trust the farmers on making these farming decisions on farming techniques that have been taking place for many years—decades, if not centuries.”

While 5th District Supervisor Lavagnino agreed, he wanted to see a compromise where North Fork would further restrict its frost ponds to only two instead of three, and require pond covers to prevent evaporation loss and limit the amount of water that can be used for frost protection.

“I’m not in favor of telling farmers how to farm or creating a slippery slope [that] I see where the board creeps in to tell farmers how to best protect their crops,” he said. “But at the same time, I really value what Cuyama farmers and ranchers told us, and the science tells us not to exacerbate the situation in one of the state’s critically overdrafted basins.”

Jacob Furstenfeld, a Cuyama resident and rancher for Walking U Ranch LLC, said that moving forward with this project would have devastating impacts to the valley’s groundwater.

“Some people want to say this is an attack on agriculture. In Cuyama, we are agriculture,” Furstenfeld said. “Some of us understand that this land and the water isn’t just for us to abuse for a profit, but to appreciate it and make it better for future generations.”

—Taylor O’Connor

Supreme Court upholds decision for Twitchell operators to release water for steelhead

The U.S. Supreme Court denied a request from the operators of Twitchell Dam to hear a case regarding water releases from the dam for steelhead trout preservation.

This decision upheld a 9th Circuit District Court of Appeals ruling stating that dam operators—the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District—need to release water for steelhead in order to be in compliance with the federal Endangered Species Act, said Maggie Hall, deputy chief counsel for the Environmental Defense Center, a law firm that represented the Los Padres ForestWatch during the 2019 lawsuit.

“We have known for a long time that Twitchell Dam, located on the Cuyama River, blocks and

NEWS continued page 6

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News NEWS from page 4 holds water from getting into the Santa Maria River. Historically, the Santa Maria River had the second largest populations in Santa Barbara County,” Hall said. “Since the dam was constructed in the 1950s, we’ve seen this decline in the steelhead population.”

Steelhead rely on river flows to swim upstream to spawning grounds in the Sisquoc River during the rainy season. By restricting the water that can flow into the Santa Maria, ForestWatch claimed that fish get stranded and aren’t able to access their spawning habitat, Hall said.

“At the district court, the Bureau of Reclamation argued they didn’t have legal authority to make the changes we requested.

They argued that they lacked the power to make those changes based on an old law from the creation of Twitchell Dam,” she said. “They said that the law only allowed for them to operate for the purpose of flood control and not to provide for endangered fish.”

The U.S. District Court upheld the bureau’s argument and it was appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals—which reversed the decision and said the operators need to comply with a “more modern” environmental law that requires agencies to protect endangered species, Hall said.

“The current operations of Twitchell Dam harms Southern California steelhead by impairing their ability to migrate and reproduce,” the 9th Circuit Court ruling read.

“The agencies have any discretion to release any amount of water from Twitchell Dam to avoid take of endangered Southern California steelhead.”

The city of Santa Maria, an intervener for the case, filed a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Now that the court denied hearing the case, all parties can move forward with setting water release requirements for steelhead, and they have a settlement hearing scheduled for Oct. 13, Hall added.

“The whole goal is to avoid this take to steelhead and give them the flows that will allow them to thrive in this watershed,” she said.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation declined to comment, and the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District didn’t respond before the Sun’s deadline. Mark van de Kamp, Santa Maria’s public information officer, told the Sun that the city will contribute input to the bureau for a water release plan that will minimize impacts to city water customers.

“The city owns some of the water stored in Twitchell Reservoir. The Bureau of Reclamation owns Twitchell Reservoir, which is operated by the Santa Maria Valley River Water Conservation District,” van de Kamp said in an email. “The next step is for the Bureau of Reclamation to draft the anticipated proposed water release plan.”

Jeff Kuyper, executive director for Los Padres ForestWatch, said that water release for steelhead would need 4 percent of the average annual amount of water stored behind the dam—citing a water report conducted by the state.

“The scientific recommendation is not that the dam needs to release huge volumes of water throughout the year, but looking at when stream flows are happening during storm runoff and can those be supplemented slightly so the steelhead can swim upstream,” Kuyper said.

The bureau is releasing water during the summer months, but trout need the water to swim upstream during the winter, which is the trout’s spawning season, he said.

“The bureau was put on notice and since then, nothing’s changed for years,” Kuyper said. “Steelhead [is] an endangered species and it’s of the essence [we protect them]. We don’t want them to go completely extinct. We had no choice but to file a lawsuit.” m —Taylor O’Connor

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www.santamariasun.com • October 12 - October 19, 2023 • Sun • 7

Faces of the valley

Despite conserving water and farming sustainably, Cuyama landowners face losing their water rights altogether

DRY FARMING: Stephen Gliessman and Roberta Jaffe, who own and operate Condor’s Hope Vineyard where they dry farm grapes and olives using minimal water, are two of more than 500 landowners facing a lawsuit over their groundwater rights.

BY TAYLOR O’CONNOR PHOTOS BY JAYSON MELLOM

D

ust kicks up onto Stephen Gliessman’s work boots as he walks through his vineyard. A widebrimmed hat protects his face from the Cuyama sun beating down in the 90-degree midday heat.

Birds caw and squawk as he approaches a row of zinfandel grapes.

“That’s our sound system playing distress calls of a bunch of pest birds,” Gliessman explains. “We think it helps, along with the flashy tape and the predator eyes—keeps the birds away long enough to harvest. It’s kind of annoying but it does its job.”

The balloons mimicking a predator bird’s eyes dance above Gliessman as he grabs a purple bunch weighing down a vine and pops a grape in his mouth with a crunch.

“Almost ready,” he says. “Not bad—22, 23 percent. We want 25.”

It’s September and the grapes’ sugar content still has a few more weeks to mature before they’re ready to be harvested. Visitors have been coming to

Condor’s Hope Vineyard to help harvest its 5 acres of zinfandel, syrah, chardonnay, and pinot grigio, and Gliessman expects to host a few more groups in October.

“I’ll be much more at peace when all of these grapes are out of the field and into the winery,” he says.

Growing up, Gliessman spent summers on his grandmother’s farm in Delano and has always found a connection with plants and nature. In 1980, he moved to Santa Cruz to teach agroecology— how to farm in harmony with the surrounding environment—at UC Santa Cruz. There, he met his wife, Roberta Jaffe, who grew up farming in upstate New York and worked in the school’s garden at the time.

After they got married, Gliessman, 77, and Jaffe, 73, purchased their 5-acre property in 1992, now called Condor’s Hope Vineyard. The couple retired from their Santa Cruz jobs and live in Cuyama full time where they dry farm grapes and olives and sell their wine to wine club members across California and local vendors.

Dry farming practices train grapes’ roots to reach deep into the soil, with records showing some roots reaching about 150 feet below the surface, he says. Instead of using a trellis system, they prune the vines and leave space to till the soil—which helps improve the soil quality and allows water to saturate the ground rather than staying on the surface.

“Every single plant is a work of art. Every one is different, each has its own character,” Gliessman says.

By dry farming, they use less than 2 acre-feet of water (about 652,000 gallons) per year, Jaffe says while sitting next to her husband. In contrast, agricultural corporations Bolthouse Farms and Grimmway Farms pumped 28,500 acre-feet last year out of the same aquifer—enough to supply three cities the size of Santa Barbara with water for a year, according to Stand With Cuyama, a group of farmers now organizing a carrot boycott.

“We thought we’re going to have our nice little farm, we’re going to be away from everything, we’re in the middle of nowhere, it’ll be just really peaceful. Then the water issues started [getting] very serious,” Jaffe says.

A 2012 United States Geological Survey study that looked at the Cuyama Valley Groundwater Basin’s conditions found that agriculture can’t continue the way it has in the past, Jaffe says.

“Why can’t we literally realize we are all on the same boat? [It] is a funny analogy, but that boat is sinking,” she says. “We don’t need to bail, we need to stop taking water out. There’s sort of no choice.”

The Cuyama Valley Groundwater Basin is one of the state’s 21 critically overdrafted basins.

California passed the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) in 2014, which required Cuyama and its fellow overdrafted basin areas to form a groundwater sustainability agency and create a plan designed to bring the basin back into balance.

After the state approved Cuyama’s groundwater sustainability plan that calls for a 60 percent reduction in groundwater use in 20 years, Bolthouse and Grimmway filed a groundwater rights lawsuit in August 2021 against all Cuyama landowners. They’re currently still serving more than 300 residents. If residents fail to get an attorney and join the lawsuit, they risk losing their water rights altogether.

“It’s now a whole other process that’s literally money sucking, and our groundwater levels have not improved at all in this whole time period,” Jaffe says.

Two tracks

Jaffe’s been involved since the beginning, she says. She sat on the stakeholders advisory committee, providing input to the 11-person groundwater sustainability agency—which included representatives from Bolthouse and Grimmway— about what pumping reductions should be made.

“With this happening literally in my backyard, there’s no way I couldn’t get involved, and I think Steve feels the same way,” Jaffe says. “The depressing reality is … this is a continual history, and we are just one more wave in the fight. It

doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it, we need to do it because if we don’t it’ll just get worse and worse.”

While the plan calls for small reductions over time (5 to 6 percent), the basin is expected to be in overdraft for the next 20 years until it reaches sustainability—where water pumped out equals water replenished, Gliessman adds. The water rights suit, aka adjudication, calls for a judge to rule on how much water everyone can pump, creating a parallel track to SGMA. However, many landowners don’t know if the groundwater sustainability plan or SGMA will impact the adjudication.

“This is all uncharted territory for California water,” he says. “Traditionally adjudications have been awarded on the basis of historical use. This is where we don’t know what’s going to happen. If it ends up being historical use, you know who’s going to get the water: The ones who caused the overdraft in the first place.”

Jaffe and Gliessman have spent between $300 to $500 a month on attorney fees over the last two years, “eating away” at their six grandchildren’s inheritance and raising concerns about their retirement, but they continue paying to stay in the fight, Gliessman said.

“When I start something I want to see it finish.

I didn’t realize it was going to take so long to finish and I’m not sure it ever will be, but I’m here for the long run,” he says. “My roots are here now; we’ve planted our first plants 25 years ago and I’ve seen them grow, I’ve seen them go through a whole lot … that same thing gives me hope.”

Cuyama’s de minimis users like Gliessman and Jaffe, who use 2 acre-feet or less per year, now worry about the future of their farms as they face retirement and climate change.

Since adjudications typically take decades to resolve, many worry whether they can afford to stay in the lawsuit—but everyone is determined to keep going, said Ella Boyajian, a fellow Cuyama property owner.

“If you were a small-scale farmer and your water’s reduced, that could be your livelihood.

People aren’t getting rich off of farming unless you are the corporations,” Boyajian said. “The only people making money are huge industrial farmers; everybody else is making enough to get by.”

A ‘numbing effect’

When John Caufield was 6 months old, his parents purchased an 868-acre cattle ranch in Cuyama from the Richardson family, who homesteaded the property starting in 1887.

“This ranch has been here since the 1880s, it’s had good times, tough financial times, et cetera.

Now we’re facing this adjudication on my watch, and this might be one of the biggest risks that the property has faced,” Caufield said. “It used to be harder, but it’s maybe not now. It’s been a numbing effect of this is the new normal.”

Caufield, 60, grew up going to the ranch running cattle every weekend with his family and now makes the four-hour drive with his wife, Suzette, 62, from their home in Ridgecrest.

“My dad never made me sign up for the responsibility [of the ranch], but it just feels like it’s an inherited responsibility of seeing that

Act now!

SEA OF GREEN: Together, Bolthouse Farms and Grimmway Farms grow 80 percent of the U.S. carrot market and pumped 285,000 acre-feet of groundwater out of the Cuyama Valley Groundwater Basin in 2022, enough to supply three cities the size of Santa Barbara with a year’s worth of water.

8 • Sun • October 12 - October 19, 2023 • www.santamariasun.com

Send any news or story tips to news@santamariasun.com.

“It seems like they should be more prepared to defend a product of their efforts as to why that plan is correct. If they are not defending their plan, if they didn’t believe in their plan, why did they send it in the first place?” he asked.

“You’re working with nature, you let nature do what it does and you’re trying to use the best point of that to grow something more resilient so that it can survive,” Gaillard said.

The couple grows zucchini, squash, sweet corn, cucumber, cantaloupe, honey dew, peaches, apples, apricots, cabbage, lettuce, plums, and persimmons for farm-to-table Sustainable operations or for pickling and jams farming they make for deliveries. Gaillard Jean Gaillard and Meg Brown does most of the farming and works can see the corporations that sued them from their front porch. as a horse dentist and horseshoer on the side for extra income; Brown Rows of bright green carrot works as the accountant, monitors heads dance in the sun, mocking orders, and runs the deliveries. the dusty, brown, dry Cuyama To give back to his community, landscape in the distance.

Gaillard sat on the standing advisory “Of course it’s always a committee for the groundwater disappointment when you see sustainability plan, but he said he was that, when you’re definitely frustrated to see the corporations turn feeling the big guys want to around and sue Cuyama landowners. overrun you and say, ‘We’ve got He and Brown now pay about more money, we can control $150 a month to lawyers to stay in the the water,’ and this and that,” HARVEST SEASON: When grapes at Condor’s Hope lawsuit—adding up to about $1,200 a Gaillard said. “My opinion is the Vineyard get a white layer of yeast bloom on them and a few year—money he could be saving for water should be more equitably start to raisin, it’s time for Stephen Gliessman and Roberta retirement or investing in his own distributed. It’s not only for the Jaffe to harvest and take them to a winery to produce wine. property to make it more sustainable, big moneymakers, [but for] so he said. many people living out here.”

“The lawsuit has complicated matters because I “I keep my mind on farming. That’s what keeps Gaillard, 65, grew up farming think there’s a fear [of] will we have enough water my head healthy because [if] you think about those in Belgium, but it was too rights after the adjudication to do the dreams we problems, you might become nuts or something,” expensive to operate his own have on the property?” Boyajian said. he said. “I have my horse, I’m doing things that FARM TO TABLE: Meg Brown and her husband, Jean Gaillard, farm because of Belgium’s Seeing fellow small farms cutting back on water grow a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables that they deliver I like, and I’m a part of the [standing advisory urbanization, he said. After use, Boyajian said she’s interested in opening every week to farm-to-table operations and businesses. committee] so I feel like I’m doing something. I’m college, he spent 20 years in up her property for tourism, possibly creating a Africa building irrigation systems doing the best I can.”

Hipcamp or hiking trails, to highlight the nature something good happens from this,” Caufield With the looming costs and sustainability for farmers, where he met his wife, Brown, 68, who and lifestyle in Cuyama. Moving to Cuyama, said. “I feel some accountability for the history of projects he still wants to complete, Gaillard said was working for USAID at the time. she had to play catch-up to learn about the water the ranch and its caretaking, but there’s also the he wants to do this for another 20 years. At 65, he’s “As I worked with the farmers, I saw that they issues, like wrapping her arms around the beast of element of peace and quiet and separation from not sure if he’ll be able to keep going. didn’t have access to the conventional systems, an adjudication. the rest of the world.”

“The fact is I’m not totally finished with what I it was just the old way by hand,” he said. “I really While she was sitting with her neighbors The couple has made improvements to the want to do in terms of farming,” he said.

“When realized that the crops were much nicer and discussing the lawsuit, one had an idea: “We property since inheriting it from Caufield’s father you’re starting farming, you don’t give up. You healthier, and [if] I was going to go and farm, it should boycott carrots,” she recalled. after he passed away from cancer in 2003. They can’t give up. would be more this kind of way.”

“We debated it amongst ourselves, the pros and added bathrooms and redid bedrooms while still “I’m not giving up, I’m a fighter.”

Gaillard and Brown came to the U.S. in 2005 cons, these farms grow more than carrots, but preserving some of the home’s original features, looking for property to start a small farm. While this could hurt carrots that aren’t Grimmway and and they continue running cattle, which are raised Gaillard wanted to farm in Brown’s hometown in Fighting back Bolthouse,” Boyajian said. “Ultimately, we decided for beef.

Bolthouse and Grimmway served Boyajian and upstate New York, Brown was tired of the cold and it was a bold message because they are 80 percent “It’s really a matter of getting out, generally her husband, Tanner, shortly after they purchased opted for California, he said. The couple bought of the carrot market. They have lots of subsidiaries daily, make sure nobody’s hurt, everybody’s their ranch in 2021. their 80-acre property and started experimenting below them, chances are you’re buying from one accounted for as much as you can because they’ll “When we bought this property, there was lots with crops and sustainable farming techniques of them.” … get up in the brush and you can’t find them,” he before becoming a registered farm in 2018, he said. of hope. We wanted to spend Thanksgiving and On July 30, Boyajian and her neighbors said of the cattle.

Christmas with our extended families. We wanted launched the boycott at the Buckhorn, where “Sustainability in farming means you have The cattle graze on the property, rather than cousins running around. We want our girls, they certain resources, but you don’t want to exhaust more than 150 people showed up and agreed to munching on purchased feed, and drink water love it now and we want them to love it forever and stop buying Bolthouse and Grimmway products, those resources because you still want to be from troughs. Because the troughs are mostly have this home base,” Boyajian said. “That dream is specifically carrots, and signed a petition to ask the farming in 20 years,” Gaillard said. supplied by surface water, the Caufields only use complicated when you factor the realities of water.” corporations to drop the lawsuit.

By using dry farming techniques, Gaillard and half to three-quarters of an acre-foot per year from Brown use 1.4 acre-feet of groundwater per year to Boyajian, 35, grew up in Tacoma, Washington, Signs calling people to boycott Bolthouse and the basin across the entire property—making and moved to Los Angeles to attend Loyola irrigate their farm. By rotating crops on the same Grimmway now line Highway 166 and people’s them another de minimis groundwater user, Marymount University, where she met Tanner. As plot of land year round, Gaillard gets more out of a properties. Known as Stand With Cuyama, the Caufield said. smaller piece of land, and it keeps his land healthier. time went on, the couple moved farther and farther boycott’s Change.org petition had gained 7,560 Caufield said he isn’t worried about losing his If any crop goes bad before they can use it, Gaillard away from big cities and wanted to buy a rural signatures as of Oct. 10. groundwater rights in the adjudication; he’s more will feed it to his goats or sheep to create manure, property where their two girls (3 1/2 years old, and “We are thrilled with that because the valley concerned about affording attorney fees. Already, which will be used to improve the soil quality.

1 1/2 years old) could grow up. is less than 2,000 people, and we’d like that the first phase of the adjudication to look at the momentum to continue and have more people basin’s boundaries has been pushed back three learn about our struggle and the cause,” Boyajian times and is now scheduled to begin in January said. “If we could impact their sales in one specific 2024. area like carrots, if we could make an impact on “Looking at it, we’ve got a lawsuit that’s filed that area, that could be leveraged to negotiate or by an entity or entities that effectively have a talk to us because they might see that trend of sales bottomless resource, and these things can take decreasing.” decades to resolve,” Caufield said. “The plaintiff has The Stand With Cuyama team is attending a unbounded resources and time, so there’s nothing local fundraiser in November and hoping to raise on the horizon of when this will end.” more money to support the boycott’s efforts, she Bolthouse and Grimmway also had said. Eventually, Boyajian said she’d like to host representatives on the groundwater sustainability a larger in-person meeting to help delegate more agency and provided input on the basin’s tasks for the boycott and encourage people to shop sustainability plan, which is frustrating to Caufield locally and seasonally. because the representatives were able to vote for “We have gotten farther and farther away from the companies’ opinions, he added. eating what is seasonal and being patient with what “To have their own attorneys challenge the plan we want. It’s driving that corporate greed. They are that their representatives voted for seems odd,” looking out for themselves and their self-interests,” he said. she said. “These aren’t companies committed to Representatives from both Bolthouse and Cuyama and [staying] here long term. No way.

Grimmway didn’t respond to the Sun’s requests They’ve got five to 10 years. for comment.

“They are figuring out how much they can Caufield added that he’d like to see the DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY: Cuyama sits at the junction of four counties—Santa Barbara, squeeze out before the water’s gone.” m SLO, Kern, and Ventura—with agriculture as the primary economic driving force. Many landowners groundwater sustainability agency take an active worry about affording the attorney fees they need to pay to defend themselves against the ongoing Reach Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor at toconnor@ stance in the lawsuit and file a brief to stand up for groundwater rights lawsuit or risk losing their water altogether if they drop out. newtimesslo.com. the plan they created. www.santamariasun.com • October 12 - October 19, 2023 • Sun • 9

News

Informed eating

MÚSICA DANZA Y MUCHO MÁS Free Event! ¡Entrada gratuita!

Central Coast-based Food Empowerment Project increases education about food sources and healthful living PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FOOD EMPOWERMENT PROJECT

The Food Empowerment Project currently has websites for Mexican, Filipino, Laotian, and Chinese food, which all offer some form of translation to the respective languages to make the sites as accessible as possible.

Another core value is education and support regarding farmers and farmworkers.

“In my family, we were raised to respect the [boycotts when FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Lauren Ornelas hopes to use the Food workers were striking] Empowerment Project, which recently moved to San Luis Obispo, to and so including farminspire and inform people about where their food comes from and how working justice is an to live healthy lives. important part of our work,” Ornelas said.

BY ADRIAN VINCENT ROSAS “Farmworkers feed everyone.” hen you take a bite out of a sandwich or She said that the Food Empowerment sip on a coffee, how often do you think Project organizes a yearly school supply drive about where that food comes from? for children of farmworkers and advocates for It’s a question that served as the genesis for legislation and regulatory changes that benefit lauren Ornelas (Ornelas does not capitalize farmworkers. her first name) when she founded the Food An additional core value focuses on how Empowerment Project. the Food Empowerment Project can end what “I founded the Food Empowerment Project Ornelas describes as food apartheid—or the in 2007 as a way to connect various injustices Caucasian dominance of access to healthier in the food industry and not only inform people foods, which are less accessible to people of about them but give them tools to help make a color. difference,” Ornelas said.

“Just as important as the rest is our work The company originally began its work in on lack of access to healthy foods in Black and Santa Clara County before relocating to San brown communities,” she said. “We do physical Jose in 2021. Now based in San Luis Obispo, surveying on the availability of fresh, canned, the Latinx-led organization has made its 2023 and frozen produce and other information [as mission to inform local residents about where well as] focus groups to help us understand the their food comes from, why it comes from there, barriers each community faces and what they and whether it’s ethically sourced. see as potential solutions.”

“We are new to SLO but overjoyed to be here,” Ornelas said that locals can visit Ornelas said with a laugh. “But we do feel our foodispower.org for more information on the work is important, especially for a community various programs the Food Empowerment that is focused on nature conservation and Project is developing as well as how they can get having a powerful impact on the climate crisis.” involved in its causes.

Although based in SLO, Ornelas told the “We truly hope to connect with those in the Sun that the Food Empowerment Project began community who are interested in any area of its current work on the Central Coast when it our work,” she said. “We know that the more we raised funds for children of farmers in Santa work together, the stronger we are to improve Maria. She credits that early connection as one the current food system and make it more just of the driving reasons why the project chose to for all beings.” make the Central Coast its home.

The Food Empowerment Project has four Highlight core values—focusing its education efforts on • The Santa Barbara County Association of these topics, according to Ornelas, because they Governments (SBCAG) launched a planning are the ones that often impact people without effort to update the Coordinated Public Transittheir ever realizing it.

Human Services Transportation Plan. The The first is the concept of practicing veganism coordinated plan MUSICis the region’s blueprint for for the sake of animals. planning, funding, and coordinating strategies to “There is so much cruelty in the world today, serve people with disabilities, residents 65 years and for those who have access to healthy foods, FLAVOR/EATS or older, veterans, economically disadvantaged, not consuming animals is a way to lessen that,” or limited English speakers facing transportation she said. “It is good for them, the planet, and hurdles in getting from one place to another.

INFO your health.”

The aim of collecting feedback is to identify But sometimes being a vegan is difficult in opportunities and recommendations to certain cultures, and that’s where the Food CALENDAR improve mobility and the efficiency of the Empowerment Project offers a solution through public transportation network in Santa Barbara their specialized recipe websites. According to County. Feedback can be provided by taking OPINION Ornelas, these websites are designed to offer an online survey or attending online listening different cultures from around the world access sessions on Oct. 12 at noon, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m., to vegan recipes that make use of ethically or Oct. 17 at noon.

NEWS Email info@sbcag.org or call sourced ingredients.

(805) 961-8900 to register to “As a proud Xicanx, it’s attend. m STROKES important to me to create [these Promote! websites] to show our foods Reach Staff Writer Adrian Send business and without animal ingredients Vincent Rosas from the Sun’s nonprofit information to ARTS while still embracing our sister paper, New Times, at spotlight@santamariasun.com. arosas@newtimesslo.com. culture,” she said.

W

BALLET FOLKLÓRICO DE LOS ANGELES FRIDAY

13 | 7 PM SATURDAY OCTOBER 14 | 7 PM SUNDAY OCTOBER 15 | 6 PM

OCTOBER

VIERNES

13 | 7 PM SABADO DE OCTUBRE 14 | 7 PM DOMINGO DE OCTUBRE 15 | 6 PM DE OCTUBRE

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 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 ABRIRÁN A LAS 6:30 PM GUADALUPE CITY HALL, 918 OBISPO ST, GUADALUPE, LAS PUERTAS SE ABRIRÁN A LAS 6:30 PM MARJORIE LUKE THEATRE, 721 E COTA ST, SANTA BARBARA, LAS PUERTAS SE ABRIRÁN A LAS 5:30 PM

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

@vivaelartesb

Co-presented by The Marjorie Luke Theatre, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center and UCSB Arts and Lectures, in partnership with the Isla Vista School After School Grant.

10 • Sun • October 12 - October 19, 2023 • www.santamariasun.com

SPOTLIGHT

Opinion

COMMENTARY

➤ Canary [12]

Leading the way What measures should be required ONLINE POLL

of developers proposing new housing in floodplains?

83% Future housing projects shouldn’t be developed in floodplains.

17% Developers should adhere to standards laid out by CEQA and other protocols.

0% Helipads should be located on some roofs for potential rescues.

0% Life boats should be available on-site for residents to use in case of a flood.

6 Votes

Vote online at www.santamariasun.com.

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WRITE NOW!

With its many community-driven initiatives, Lompoc is a beacon of hope for our youth

BY JOAN HARTMANN

asthma. National standardized test results are also in decline. Post-pandemic, math he community of Lompoc is advancing and reading scores fell by the largest margin a set of initiatives to provide new and in 30 years, with the most significant drops motivating opportunities for its young occurring among already lower-performing people so they can navigate and thrive in the students. world beyond high school. This focus is critical Amid this deeply troubling backdrop, given sobering national trends that reveal Lompoc stands as a ray of hope. The increasing death rates and other deteriorating community is rallying like never before to outcomes among children in the U.S. National trends paint a disheartening picture create a safety net for its young residents.

Initiatives are sprouting across town, and revealing a rise in child deaths—due to various my office is bringing organizers together to causes—leading to a shocking decline in the share information and explore possibilities for overall life expectancy of our nation. collaboration.

The national statistics are sobering: Suicide At the heart of this rates for children under 17 surged by 84 percent between 2007 and 2018. Homicides committed movement is the Lompoc Unified School District, led against children started increasing in 2013— by its new superintendent, driven by gun violence, which became the Dr. Clara Finneran. The leading cause of death among U.S. children district is prioritizing in 2020. Drug-related deaths had remained students’ social-emotional relatively stable for young people until just before the pandemic, when it rose by 94 percent learning, with dedicated counselors in every school between 2019 and 2020, followed by another to enhance skills in self20 percent increase in 2021. And child traffic and social awareness, selffatalities, which had been on a decades-long management, relationship decline, began rising in 2019. skills, and responsible The alarming reality is that guns, drugs, decision making. Wellness depression, and accidents are cutting short and Resource Centers the lives of our children. Startlingly, 1 in 25 are being established to MUSIC American 5-year-olds won’t live to see their provide vital support.

40th birthday, a death rate approximately four The Family Service times higher than that of other wealthy nations.

FLAVOR/EATS Agency’s Community This grim picture is not evenly spread, with Changers Program is educating parents on a recent California study suggesting that the how to foster children’s learning and advocate gap in survival by income has grown since the INFO within the educational system. The district pandemic, disproportionately affecting lowhas even enlisted the help of UCSB’s renowned income areas and communities of color. sociology professor, Dr. Victor Rios, to train Layered on top of these mortality factors is CALENDAR teachers in addressing the the fact that 1 in 5 American needs of marginalized youth. children is obese, giving OPINIONLompoc’s communitythe U.S. the highest obesity driven programs are rate in the world. Relatedly, Send us your equally inspiring. During an equal number of U.S. views and opinion to NEWSthe school year, Future children suffer from chronic letters@santamariasun.com. for Lompoc Youth offers diseases such as diabetes and

T

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

communication and career readiness skills for high school juniors and seniors. During the summer, students receive a $5,000 stipend for participating in a UCLA-sponsored leadership and civic engagement curriculum. The program has grown substantially and is expanding to include mentors from local businesses, ensuring that no student graduates without a plan for their future.

Another communityled initiative, the Lompoc Teen Center, provides after-school peer tutoring and recreational activities.

Students can earn field trips to exciting places like Magic Mountain or Highline Adventures.

The Center also offers space for safe Friday night gatherings with music and games until 8 p.m.

The collaboration extends to the Lompoc Y, which offers memberships to all middle and high school students, providing them a safe space with access to physical activity, mentoring, and a sense of belonging. The Lompoc Police Department is engaging youth through a revitalized Explorer Program, attracting a new cohort of potential future law enforcement professionals while fostering positive relations between the department and young residents.

Numerous exciting programs rooted in the creative economy are on the horizon. The Lompoc Theater Project and the new owners of the Lompoc Record building plan to offer arts programs for young people to explore their cultural roots. Future Leaders of America intends to introduce its LatinX leadership development program to Lompoc. The South Coast’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative is expanding to Lompoc with a Youth Safety Partnership aimed at increasing family and community engagement to reduce violence.

Additionally, C4 Lompoc (Collective Communities Creating Change) is working on neighborhood-based programs inspired by the model of Self-Healing Communities with guidance from renowned community transformation expert Laura Porter. C4 is hosting a community event on Sunday, Oct. 15, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the DeWees Community Center in Lompoc.

In a world where the challenges facing our children can seem insurmountable, Lompoc reminds us that proactive, community-driven initiatives can make a real difference. The dedication of its leaders, educators, parents, and community members serves as a beacon of hope, proving that with the right support and determination, we can create a brighter future for our young generations.

Lompoc is setting an inspiring example, showing that it is possible to turn the tide and provide our children with the opportunities and support they need to thrive. m

The alarming reality is that guns, drugs, depression, and accidents are cutting short the lives of our children.

Startlingly, 1 in 25 American 5-year-olds won’t live to see their 40th birthday, a death rate approximately four times higher than that of other wealthy nations.

Speak up!

STROKES

ARTS

MAYFIELD

Joan Hartmann represents Lompoc as the Santa Barbara County 3rd District supervisor.

Send a letter for publication to letters@ santamariasun.com. www.santamariasun.com • October 12 - October 19, 2023 • Sun • 11

Opinion

Confused and confuddled

S

Join us for a first of its kind event in the Mission Plaza on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

15 + SLO County favorites will present their finest Mule.

You will have the opportunity to taste them all and vote for your favorite Mule in a variety of styles.

This Kick-Ass event will have it all: food trucks, merchandise, live music, and more!

Your Local Pharmacy and Medical Equipment Supply Source.

What’s Your We know you’ve got an opinion.

Take? Everybody’s got one!

that offers e pharmacy c i v r e s Full ment and medications al equip c i d e m

Was it necessary for Solvang to revise its homelessness response policy?

JDX PHARMACY

1504 S. Broadway, Santa Maria Mon-Fri 9am – 6pm · Sat 9am – 1pm (805) 922-1747 · www.healthmart.com 12 • Sun • October 12 - October 19, 2023 • www.santamariasun.com

This week’s online poll 10/12–10/19

m Yes. Outlawing camping on city-owned property is essentially criminalizing homelessness. m No. Homeless encampments should never be allowed on public property. m Maybe. But a new policy will attract homeless people from other areas. m I didn’t know Solvang had a homelessness response policy.

Enter your choice online at: SantaMariaSun.com

olvang updated its homelessness ordinance.

Starting Nov. 9, you can camp overnight in a number of publicly owned spaces but for no longer than 24 hours at a time. Unless, of course, you do camp somewhere for longer. Then, the city can notify you that you have up to 72 more hours to vacate the premises. So, really, you have four days and four nights to hang your hat on public property.

While Solvang’s current rules made it illegal for someone to sleep or camp on public property overnight, the city’s attorney, Dave Fleishman, said they were unenforceable and possibly unconstitutional.

These new rules are way better, apparently.

Because although they don’t make homelessness illegal, they make it easier for the city to enforce against homelessness.

See. Those two things are different!

Carl Butler, though, wasn’t having it. He was very concerned about the Solvang’s new homelessness which will make for someone from LA or San Francisco to live in an “old Winnebago” on the city streets.

“It’s not going to be a family from Guadalupe or Guatemala,” Butler opined. “They’re going to attract other people who want to join in with a substance party.”

Those are interesting places he chose to add into his public comments to City Council. People who become homeless can’t possibly be from Solvang!

I’m not going to lie, a “substance party” sounds pretty fun! But not in an old Winnebago. I’d rather head out to the desert and get rained on, muddied up, and party with celebrities and 20,000 other people. That’s the kind of party I’m into.

You know what else I’m into? Groundwater.

The Cuyama Valley Groundwater Basin is in a state! Amid boycotts against Big Carrot— Bolthouse Farms and Grimmway Farms—due to a lawsuit over groundwater rights, Harvard University—aka Brodiaea Inc.—wants to store some of that groundwater in above-ground ponds to help protect its 840-acre Cuyama vineyard from grape-killing frost.

As far as I understand things, pulling water out of the ground to put it in a pond can lead to things such as evaporation, which means less water all around. The more water that stays in the ground, the more water in the groundwater basin.

However, 4th District Supervisor Bob Nelson seems to understand things a little differently.

“Groundwater should go down because you want to make sure you have a capacity to refill. Declining numbers by themselves aren’t necessarily a bad thing. It actually often means there’s more room for recharge, if I understand groundwater correctly,” he said during the Board of Supervisors discussion about Harvard’s proposed ponds on Oct. 10.

Um. What?

He’s talking about a water basin that’s one of the 21 most critically overdrafted water basins in the state. The basin is currently on track to have every single one of its pumpers reduce water consumption by 60 percent, unless the water rights lawsuit gets its way. Who knows what will happen there?

Also, groundwater doesn’t just automatically recharge because there’s room to grow.

It needs to rain. Like, a lot of rain. It takes 10 years of heavy rains to recharge water in a groundwater basin. It will take 20 for Cuyama’s basin to be back in some sort of balance—and that’s only if landowners pump less. m The Canary is so confused. Send clarity to canary@santamariasun.com.

Hot Stuff

10-DAY CALENDAR: OCTOBER 12 - OCTOBER 22, 2023

CHALK ZONE

The Lompoc Theatre Project presents Lompoc Chalks at the Lompoc Airport on Oct. 20 from 5 to 8 p.m., and Oct. 21 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. The three-day fundraiser will feature chalk drawings, live music, food trucks, kids activities, and more.

Admission to attend is free. Visit lompoctheatre. org/chalks for more info.

The Lompoc Airport is located at 1801 N. H St., Lompoc.

—Caleb Wiseblood PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC LONG

ARTS SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/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.

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/.

EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL A hilarious and spine-chilling rock musical adaptation of the beloved Evil Dead films. Oct. 13-29 my805tix.com. Santa Maria Civic Theatre, 1660 N. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

LEARN CALIFORNIA’S OFFICIAL DANCE: WEST COAST SWING Learn west coast swing in a casual, friendly environment, taught by Texas state swing champion, Gina Sigman. 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.

POETRY FOR SELF-CARE WORKSHOP Looking for a new form of self-expression?

Poetry facilitation is the use of poetry to promote mental health. Workshop participants will be introduced to a poem and explore their reaction through writing.

Registration is required and this workshop is free. For patrons 18 and older. Oct. 15, 2-3:30 p.m. Free. 805-925-0994. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

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.

WHICH WITCH Presented by Orcutt Community Theater. Oct. 21-29 my805tix. com. Klein Dance Arts, 3558 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria.

SANTA YNEZ VALLE Y

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.

SURF TO SUMMIT Three award winning pastel artists display their landscapes, ranging from expressive energy, serenity and grandeur to interpretative realism.

Mondays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Oct. 31 805-688-7517. GalleryLosOlivos. com. Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

ANNUAL FALL ART SHOW Visitors to the gallery will vote for their favorite pieces throughout the month of October. Cash

prizes will given for first, second, and third place. Thursdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. through Oct. 29 Free. 805-737-1129. lompocart.org. Cypress Gallery, 119 E Cypress Ave., Lompoc.

LOMPOC CHALKS Lompoc Airport will turn into an explosion of chalk art masterpieces, live music, public art, and community engagement. Oct. 20, 5-8 p.m., Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Oct. 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Contact for details. 805-4007145. lompoctheatre.org/chalks. Lompoc Airport, 1801 North H St., Lompoc.

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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.

NINTH ANNUAL FASHIONS FOR A PURPOSE: FASHION SHOW EVENT Features live and online auctions.

Proceeds of this fundraiser benefit domestic violence and safe dating awareness. Oct. 14, 9:30 a.m.-noon my805tix.com. DANA Adobe Cultural Center, 671 S. Oakglen Ave., Nipomo, 805-929-5679.

PAULA POUNDSTONE Iconic comedian Paula Poundstone is known for her smart, observational humor and legendary spontaneous wit. Paula is the star of several HBO specials and a regular panelist on NPR’s “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” Oct. 20, 7:30-10:30 p.m. $39-$62. 805-489-9444. clarkcenter.org/shows/paula-poundstone/.

Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

New Times and the Sun now share their community listings for a complete Central Coast calendar running from SLO County through northern Santa Barbara County. Submit events online by logging in with your Google, Facebook, or Twitter account at newtimesslo.com. You may also email calendar@newtimesslo.com.

Deadline is one week before the issue date on Thursdays. Submissions are subject to editing and approval.

Contact Calendar Editor Caleb Wiseblood directly at cwiseblood@newtimesslo.com.

SILENT SKY In this play by Lauren Gunderson, travel back in time to the early 20th century and meet Henrietta Leavitt, an astronomer ahead of her time. This inspiring and moving play celebrates the remarkable achievements of women in science, and more. Presented by AGHS Theater Company. Oct. 13, 7-10 p.m., Oct. 15, 2-5 p.m., Oct. 19, 7-10 p.m. and Oct. 21, 7-10 p.m. $10-$15. 805-489-9444. clarkcenter.org/shows/aghs-theatre-fall/.

Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

28TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE Features more than 40 vendors. Items include handmade jewelry, home decor, quilts, and more. Presented by the CA Poppy Decorative Artist Group.

Oct. 13, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Oct. 14, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Oct. 15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. californiapoppydecorativeartists.org. SLO Elks Lodge, 222 Elks Lane, San Luis Obispo.

ACRYLIC PAINTING WITH CATHERINE LEMOINE Paint a colorful, lively landscape and farmhouse. This class will involve a lot of color theory and mixing. For intermediate acrylic painters. Expect to have a unique painting when you leave.

Oct. 13, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $45. 805-8634287. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

AUTHORS IN DISCUSSION Book launch for Straight Jackets and Lunch Money.

A candid account of events related to mental illness, eating disorders, and “the flawed science used to treat her.”

Cal Poly teacher Katya Cengel will discuss her new memoir with author Mark Parsons. Oct. 21, 2-3 p.m. Free. 805781-5184. slolibrary.org. San Luis Obispo Library Community Room, 995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.

INDEX Arts.......................................13 Culture & Lifestyle ...........14 Food & Drink ......................16 Music ...................................16

AUTUMN THEMED MEMBERS ONLINE ART EXHIBIT Submissions open on Oct. 9 for Central Coast Watercolor Society’s members-only online show for autumn.

Join now to participate in this and other exhibit opportunities. See CCWS website for details on joining and how to submit entries for this show. Winners announced on Oct. 24. Oct. 18 Free. ccwsart.com.

Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

BODYTRAFFIC Witness BODYTRAFFIC’s captivating fusion of urban edge and inventive dance, embodying the creative spirit of Los Angeles. Acclaimed for its versatile, peerless dancers, this company delivers breathtaking performances featuring works from renowned contemporary choreographers such as Kyle Abraham, Ohad Naharin, and Micaela Taylor. Oct. 18, 7:30-9 p.m. $36-$60. 805756-2787. calpolyarts.org. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.

CERAMIC LESSONS AND MORE Now offering private one-on-one and group lessons in the ceramic arts. Both hand building and wheel throwing options.

Beginners welcomed. ongoing 805-8355893. hmcruceceramics.com/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

CUESTA COLLEGE CENTRAL COAST WRITER’S CONFERENCE An annual one-day event at Cuesta College providing education, inspiration, and community to writers and creatives across genres.

For 39 years, the conference has invited notable authors, speakers, and industry professionals to help writers improve their craft. Oct. 14, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. $249. cuesta.edu/communityprograms/writersconference/index.html. Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo, 805-546-3132.

GHOSTS GALORE: DOUBLE SCREENING Kick off your Halloween festivities at the Sunset Drive-In with a double feature of Casper and Poltergeist. Join us under the stars with this cinematic experience and family-fun event by sporting your favorite ghostly costumes and trick or treating at the snackbar. Oct. 18, 6-11 p.m. $10-$15.

805-546-3456. slofilmfest.org. Sunset Drive In Theatre, 255 Elks Lane, 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.

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.

LESLIE SUTCLIFFE This installation consists of 96 panels, any number of which can be assembled and reassembled in a multitude of ways. Initially, the individual panels were inspired by the rich visual imagery in Italo Calvino’s Six Memos for the Next Millennium. Through Jan. 29, 2024 Free. 805-543-8562. sloma.org/exhibition/ mementos-of-six-millennia/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

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.

OPEN STUDIOS ART TOUR 2023 Fine artists and crafters open their studios to showcase their art and share their processes. Visitors create their own

ARTS continued page 14

www.santamariasun.com • October 12 - October 19, 2023 • Sun • 13

Hot Stuff

OCTOBER 12 - OCTOBER 22, 2023 FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHUMASH CASINO RESORT

ARTS from page 13 self-guided tours using the catalog (full catalog of participating artists available online). A program of the SLO County Arts Council. Oct. 14-15 and Oct. 21-22 slocountyarts.org/osat. SLO County, Various locations countywide, San Luis Obispo.

OPEN STUDIOS ART TOUR: KICKOFF CELEBRATION Features a live DJ set to enjoy from Peaking Lights; food from Baguette About It and Big Wave Sushi Bowls available for purchase; and opportunities to network and mingle with local artists and art patrons. Oct. 13, 6-9 p.m. my805tix.com. The Bunker SLO, 810 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo.

OUTSIDE THE BOX Craftmakers presents Outside the Box, an exhibition of fine craft, including clay masks, encaustics, collages, fabric, sculpture, and more. Craftmakers is an artist group of the Central Coast Artists Collective. Through Nov. 27 Free. 805-7474200. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

SCAB PICKER: MOLLY SEGAL Los Angeles-based painter Molly Segal’s surreal largescale watercolors explore a world with finite resources, both natural and emotional, where we find ourselves grappling with insatiable needs and limited provisions. Mondays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. through Oct. 13 Free. 805-5463202. cuesta.edu/student/campuslife/ artgallery/index.html. Harold J. Miossi Gallery, Highway 1, 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. through Dec. 9 Free. 805-543-8562. sloma.org/events/second-saturdays/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

GIFTY UNDER FIFTY ALL YEAR ROUND Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-noon $40. 805-286-5993.

Costa Gallery is gearing up for the holiday creativemetime.com. Art Center Morro Bay, season. Check out a seasonal collection 835 Main St., Morro Bay. of art. Thursdays-Sundays. through Dec. 31 Costa Gallery, 2087 10th St., Los Osos, 559-799-9632.

GREENSPACE ART AND ADVENTURE AUCTION 2023 An evening filled with fine art, epic adventures, and a live and silent auction, all to benefit Greenspace. Oct. 21, SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS 5-7:30 p.m. my805tix.com. Stolo Vineyards 30 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN SANTA and Winery, 3776 Santa Rosa Creek Road, MARIA/ORCUTT Community Partners Cambria. in Caring is seeking volunteers to help HAND-PAINTED TABLE WORKSHOP support dependent older adults and Students will be immersed into a seniors. ongoing partnersincaring.org. philosophy of creating beauty from Santa Maria, Citywide, Santa Maria. everyday objects. This fun workshop ADULTING 101: SKILLS FOR THE 21ST includes all the supplies needed to CENTURY A series of fun and informative create beautiful art designs on foldable workshops designed for emerging adults tray tables. Designed for beginner to ages 16-21. Learn how to budget, save intermediate artists. Oct. 13, 12-4:30 money, balance a check book, and much p.m. Contact for price. 805-772-2504. more with financial professionals Naomi artcentermorrobay.org. Art Center Morro and Randy Altergott from World Financial Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay. Group. Oct. 17, 3:30 p.m. Free. 805-925MAKE A MOSAIC Choose a project to 0994. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. make your heart sing while learning McClelland St., Santa Maria. mosaic basics to complete your CAR SEAT SAFETY Nationally certified masterpiece. You’ll have many colors, Car Seat Technicians will teach about baubles, and beads to choose from. Great safety features, California laws pertaining for all skill levels. Preregisation required. to car seats, when to move the child up Oct. 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Various. 805-286to the next level, and correct installation.

5993. CreativeMeTime.com. Art Center No registration is required. This class Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay. is in English and Spanish. Oct. 21, 11 SECOND SATURDAYS Come by and see a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. 805-925-0994. the Featured Artists Shows, find gifts for cityofsantamaria.org/city-government/ your loved ones, surprises for yourself, departments/library. Santa Maria Public and meet the artists featured in the Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. incredible gallery. Second Saturday of D-AND-D AT THE LIBRARY Get ready to every month, 5-7 p.m. Free. 805-772-1068. roll with Central Coast Games. Join an epic galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at adventure with Dungeons and Dragons Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, at the library. Everyone is welcome, Morro Bay. regardless of previous experience. Space SUCCULENT PUMPKINS Create a is limited and registration is required. beautiful succulent pumpkin to usher in Oct. 22, 1 p.m. Free. 805-925-0994. Santa the fall season. You bring the pumpkin and Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., the host supplies 10 medium and 10 small Santa Maria. succulent cuttings, moss, glues, and CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 15 instruction. Preregistration required.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

CASINO CONCERT

The Chumash Casino Resort presents 24K Magic, live in concert, on Friday, Oct. 13, at 8 p.m. This Bruno Mars tribute band will perform in the casino’s Samala Showroom. Admission to the concert is $20. For more details, call (805) 686-0855 or visit chumashcasino.com. The Chumash Casino Resort is located at 3400 Highway 246, Santa Ynez.

—C.W. SERENITY IN DESTRUCTION SLO Movement Arts Collective will be performing their original choreography in the Miossi Art Gallery as a direct response to Molly Segal’s Scab Picker exhibition at Cuesta College. Oct. 12, 6 p.m. Free.

805-546-3202. Harold J. Miossi Gallery, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo, cuesta.edu/ student/campuslife/artgallery/.

WHIMSY BOARDS WITH LINDA CUNNINGHAM Receive step by step instruction for creating a folk-art style whimsical design using Derwent Inktense Pencils activated with water. With many designs to choose from, or create your own. Beginners are welcome; no experience is necessary. Oct. 14, 12-3 p.m. $40. 805-478-2158. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

NORTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

FINE ART PAINTINGS BY ATUL PANDE In Atul’s Own Words: “I am an intuitive, self-taught acrylic painter influenced by post-WWII expressionism who layers vivid colors and shapes, informed by my Indian upbringing and scientific, medical background, to create textured, engaging works that organically evolve through my processes.” Mondays, WednesdaysSundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. through Oct. Free.

805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare. com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay. FINE ART WATERCOLOR GROUP SHOW: THE COLOR OF WATER Fall-weather countryscapes and seascapes, still-life settings, and birds and wildlife scenes

are the focus for this show to highlight the beauty of artwork done in watercolors.

Mondays, Wednesdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. through Oct. galleryatmarinasquare. com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay. FINE ART WIRE WRAPPED JEWELRY BY AMALIA THOMAS Thomas: “As a creative soul who drew, painted, and more before raising a family on the Central Coast, I discovered wire wrapping art. I use nickel-free copper and sterling silver wire to handcraft wearable pieces that feature local stones, shells, glass, and more.”

Gallery open daily. Mondays, WednesdaysSundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. through Oct. Free.

805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com.

Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

RIVALRY WEEKEND soccer doubleheader!

*must purchase a men’s game ticket to attend the women’s game

WOMEN’S SOCCER VS. csun

Volleyball vs. Hawai’i

2 p.m. | Sunday, October 15th

Saturday, October 14th 7 p.m. | Mott Athletics Center

don’t miss the biggest games of the fall! get your tickets now!

14 • Sun • October 12 - October 19, 2023 • www.santamariasun.com

MEN’S SOCCER VS. UCSB

5 p.m. | Sunday, October 15th

Hot Stuff CULTURE & LIFESTYLE from page 14 FAMILY HISTORY WORKSHOP: ANCESTRY.COM Library staff will host a free workshop for adults on getting started with the Library Edition of Ancestry.com.

Patrons are invited to bring the names of ancestors they would like to research for this hands-on workshop. Laptop computers will be available for use; registration required. Oct. 17, 5-6 p.m. Free.

805-925-0994. cityofsantamaria.org. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

FAMILY YOGA STORY TIME Come for an afternoon of yoga with stories and breathing exercises. Children are introduced to mindfulness and will learn exercises to help regulate emotions. Yoga mats will be provided or bring one from home. Oct. 22, 2 p.m. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library (Altrusa Theater), 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

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

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.

KIWANIS BINGOFEST 2023 Each ticket includes special BingoFest lunch for two, four Bingo cards, three Bingo games, and a chance to win a $500 Grand Prize. Oct. 22, noon my805tix.com. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

LET’S BLOW OFF SOME STEAM Curious preschoolers, come to a special story time filled with exploration and discovery. For ages 3-5. Oct. 12, 4 p.m. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library (Altrusa Theater), 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

SANTA MARIA COIN CLUB: MONTHLY MEETING Coin collectors of all ages

OCTOBER 12 - OCTOBER 22, 2023 invited. Bring coins for free appraisals.

Third Wednesday of every month, 7 p.m.

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

SANTA MARIA VALLEY HISTORY PRESENTS: THE GOLDEN DUKES Learn about a semi-pro basketball team, as told by Doug Sims, Randy Stanford, and Bobby White. Admission is free. Oct. 21, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 805-922-3130. Santa Maria Valley Historical Society Museum, 616 S. Broadway, Santa Maria.

SMVGS MEETING Visitors welcome.

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

TECH HELP SUNDAY Schedule a one-on-one appointment for instruction on technology topics like setting-up new devices, installing apps, privacy best practices, and enjoying library e-resources at home. Registration is required. Call the library at 805-925-0994 Ext. 8562 to schedule an appointment.

Oct. 22, 2 p.m. Free. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria, 805-925-0994.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

AVILA BEACH CHILDREN’S BUSINESS FAIR Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at this one-day marketplace. Includes 50-plus booths. Oct. 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. childrensbusinessfair.org/avila-beach.

Avila Beach Community Center, 191 San Miguel St., Avila Beach.

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

ST. PATRICK SCHOOL’S 61ST ANNUAL AUCTION Ticket includes dinner, drinks,

COURTESY IMAGE BY HOPE MYERS

and live music. A prize will be given to the best dressed cowboy and cowgirl.

Money raised during the event will benefit St. Patrick School. Oct. 14, 5-9 p.m. $100.

805-489-1210. stpatschoolag.com/. St. Patrick Catholic School, 900 W. Branch St., Arroyo Grande.

WMW SUNSET HIKE A monthly meet-up with some fresh air and a stunning ocean view. Hosted by Women Making Waves.

Oct. 14, 4 p.m. my805tix.com. Pismo Preserve, Mattie Road, Pismo Beach.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

AERIAL SILKS CLINIC Learn aerial skills that build memory, strength, coordination, confidence, and endurance. Plus, silks is a great way to learn flipping safely.

For ages 7-17; all levels welcome. Oct. 14, 1-3 p.m. $25 for first child, plus $10 per additional sibling. 805-547-1496. performanceathleticsslo.com/events.

Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

BARS AND BOUNCE CLINIC Build whole-body strength swinging on bars and bouncing on trampolines. Learn trampoline and skill safety for home practice. For ages 5-17. All levels welcome.

Oct. 14, 1-3 p.m. $25 for first child, plus $10 per additional sibling. 805-547-1496. 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. 559-905-9274. theartofsilence.net. Online, 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

BRIDGE OVER WATERCOLOR

Gallery at Marina Square in Morro Bay presents The Color of Water, a new group exhibition scheduled to remain on display through the end of October. An artist reception to celebrate the exhibit will be held on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 3 to 5 p.m.

The show’s six featured watercolor painters are Hope Myers (whose work is pictured), Virginia Mack, Jari DeHam, Candle Cranston, Don Doubledee, and Nany Jensen. Gallery at Marina Square is located at 601 Embarcadero, suite 10, Morro Bay. —C.W. Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-270-3346.

CENTRAL COAST POLYAMORY Hosting a discussion group featuring different topics relating to ethical non-monogamy every month. Third Wednesday of every month, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. galacc.org/events/.

Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

LOTERÍA NIGHTS Enjoy a game of La Lotería Mexicana, a bingo-style game with colorful and beautifully-drawn cards. With drink specials and prizes for the winners.

RSVP encouraged. Thursdays, 6 p.m. Free. drinkramblingspirits.com. Rambling Spirits, 3845 S. Higuera St. (inside SLO Public Market), San Luis Obispo.

PLUG-IN TO LOCAL CLIMATE ACTION Get inspired by local action, connect with others, and discover more ways to get involved with the SLO Climate Coalition.

Attend virtually or in-person. Sustainable snacks and childcare will be provided.

Third Thursday of every month, 6-8 p.m. sloclimatecoalition.org/events/. Ludwick Community Center, 864 Santa Rosa, San Luis Obispo.

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: TRAIN THIS AUTUMN TO MEET CRUCIAL HOSPICE VOLUNTEER NEEDS Want to pay it forward? Want to see good in the world? Call Central Coast Hospice and ask to speak with the Volunteer Coordinator.

Fridays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. through Oct. 27 Free.

805-540-6020. centralcoasthomehealth. com. Central Coast Home Health and Hospice, 253 Granada, San Luis Obispo.

TEEN MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP Learn more about mental health and coping skills to help you through your journey towards wellness and recovery.

Thursdays, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. 805-540-6576. t-mha.org. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo.

USYVL SAN LUIS OBISPO FALL 2023 Youth Instructional Volleyball Program for boys and girls ages 7 to 15 of all skill levels.

Learn the “FUNdamentals” of volleyball in a positive and encouraging environment.

Teams are determined by age divisions, with 10-12 players each. Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 10-11 a.m. through Nov. 4 Contact for price. usyvl. org/locations/san-luis-obispo-fall/.

Johnson Park, 1020 Southwood, San Luis Obispo, 213-204-1934.

HEALING DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP A safe place for anyone suffering from the pain of depression. We do not criticize but do share our journey, feelings, and what works for us. We can meet in person or use Zoom if needed. Mondays, 6-7 p.m. 805-5283194. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 16 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo.

525 East Plaza Dr #203a, Santa Maria (805) 928-1000 • www.moatslaser.com www.santamariasun.com • October 12 - October 19, 2023 • Sun • 15

Voted

Best Wood Fired Pizza & Best Family Meal!

Order to go online or by phone

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Hot Stuff

OCTOBER 12 - OCTOBER 22, 2023

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE from page 15 NORTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

5K WALK OR RUN THE CAMBRIA COAST TO HELP ERADICATE POLIO Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cambria. Proceeds go to Rotary’s PolioPlus, part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Oct. 14, 9 a.m.-noon $25. 805-9090780. cambriarotaryfundraiser.org/. Shamel Park, 5455 Windsor Blvd., Cambria.

FALL WORKSHOP AT SEA + GREEN: WITH SPECIAL GUESTS IDLEWILD FLORAL AND FABLE RUNE Enjoy a fall workshop with special guests Idlewild Floral and Fable Rune at Sea + Green. Make a mini dried floral wreath with Idlewild Floral, create a healing bath salt with Fable Rune, and put together a magical sage crystal bundle with Sea + Green. Oct. 14, 2-5 p.m. $60. 805-935-9046. sea-n-green.com. Sea + Green, 2380 Main St., unit F, Cambria.

SELECTING AND GROWING SUCCULENTS A presentation by Jeanne Miller, owner of Cal Coast Succulents. Los Osos offers ideal growing conditions for many succulents—learn which plants are best for your needs and personality.

Also enjoy a member talk on “Curing Olives.”

Oct. 15, 2-4 p.m. Free. lovgardenclub.org. First Baptist Church of Los Osos, 1900 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos, 805-528-3066.

FOOD & DRINK

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HEAD GAMES TRIVIA AND TACO TUESDAYS CLASH Don’t miss Head Games Trivia at COLD Coast Brewing Company every Tuesday night.

Teams can be up to 6 members. Earn prizes and bragging rights. Kekas will be serving their delicious local fare. Fun for all ages. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. 805-819-0723. coldcoastbrewing.com.

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

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

SPAGHETTI DINNER AND BINGO NIGHT Includes a delicious spaghetti dinner with salad, garlic bread, and dessert followed by Bingo. Dinner tickets include first Bingo card.

Prizes for Bingo winners. Oct. 20, 6-8 p.m. $10; additional Bingo cards are $1 each. 805-6271997. my805tix.com. Avila Beach Community Center, 191 San Miguel St., Avila Beach.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

KICK-ASS MULE FEST A first of its kind event in the Mission Plaza. SLO county favorites will present their finest mule. You will have the opportunity to taste them all and vote for your favorite mule in each style. Oct. 14, 2-5 p.m. my805tix.com. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, 751 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-781-8220.

RAMBLING SPIRITS BAR & GRILL GRAND OPENING An event to celebrate the grand opening of Rambling Spirits Bar & Grill. The venue is excited to welcome the public to its brand new location. Will feature delicious food, refreshing drinks, live music, a ribbon cutting, a shuffleboard tournament, and more. Oct. 14, noon drinkramblingspirits.com. Rambling Spirits Bar & Grill, 114 Tank Farm Road, San Luis Obispo, 805-752-1090.

CHUCK WAGON BARBECUE WEEKEND WITH CHEF BEN FORD Summer’s going out with “a bang, a hoot, and a holler.” Join the season ending celebration. Oct. 14, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. $150.

661-766-2825. cuyamabuckhorn.com. Cuyama Buckhorn, 4923 Primero St., New Cuyama.

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT COSTA DE ORO Featured vendors in the series include Cali SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS Coast Tacos, Cubanissimo, Danny’s Pizza DOC OLIVER LIVE Presented by Blast 825 Co., Chef Ricks, and more. Call venue for Brewery at The StockYard.

MUSIC All ages welcome. Oct. monthly schedules. Fridays 805-922-1468.

14, 3 p.m. my805tix.com. Blast 825 Brewery, 241 S costadeorowines.com. Costa De Oro Winery, Broadway St., Ste. 101, Orcutt, 805-934-3777.

1331 S. Nicholson Ave., Santa Maria.

LADIES NIGHT OUTFLAVOR/EATS Music by DJ Van Gloryious FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT WINE STONE INN and DJ Panda. Features delicious daiquiri specials.

Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Thursdays, 8 p.m.-midnight Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Ave., Orcutt, 805-332-3532, winestoneinn.com/.

Town Center E, SantaINFO Maria, 805-623-8866.

FRIDAY NIGHT FUN Karaoke with DJ Nasty.

LINE DANCING FUN With Beer Bucket For adults ages 50 specials. Kitchen stays and older. Learn basic CALENDAR open late. Come out patterns and steps to and sing your favorite some of your favorite song. Fridays, 9 p.m.-2 music. This beginnera.m. Roscoe’s Kitchen, Send event information to calendar@ OPINION friendly class is for 229 Town Center E, santamariasun.com. anyone that enjoys Santa Maria, 805-623dancing. Wednesdays, 8866.

NEWS 1:30-2:30 p.m. through PRESQU’ILE WINERY: WINE CLUB Call or go Dec. 27 Free. 805-925-0951. Elwin Mussell online to make a reservation to taste at the Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria. winery or find more info on the winery’s Wine STROKES LIVE MUSIC AT STELLER’S CELLAR Enjoy live Club offerings. ongoing presquilewine.com/ music most Fridays and Saturdays. Call venue club/. Presqu’ile Winery, 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., or check website to find out who’s performing.

Santa Maria, 805-937-8110.

Fridays, Saturdays ARTS stellerscellar.com. Steller’s TACO TUESDAY Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m. Wine Stone Cellar, 405 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt.

Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, 805-332-3532, MUSIC AT ROSCOE’S KITCHEN Live DJ and winestoneinn.com/. karaoke every Friday and Saturday night.

THURSDAY EVENING BAR TAKEOVER Call Featured acts include Soul Fyah Band, DJ Nasty, venue or visit website to find out about featured DJ Jovas, and more. Fridays, Saturdays, 9 p.m.-2 vintners. Thursdays stellerscellar.com. Steller’s a.m. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Cellar, 405 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt.

Maria, 805-623-8866.

WINE AND DESIGN CLASSES Check Wine and MUSIC LESSONS AT COELHO ACADEMY Learn Design’s Orcutt website for the complete list to play piano, drums, guitar, base, ukulele, or of classes, for various ages. ongoing Varies. violin, or take vocal lessons. ongoing 805-925wineanddesign.com/orcutt. Wine and Design, 0464. coelhomusic.com/Lessons/lessons.html.

3420 Orcutt Road, suite 105, Orcutt.

Coelho Academy of Music, 325 E. Betteravia Rd., Santa Maria.

SANTA YNEZ VALLE Y LOS OLIVOS DAY IN THE COUNTRY Los Olivos’ SIPPIN’ SUNDAYS: WINE, MUSIC, AND MORE Enjoy a flight of six distinctively different agemost highly acclaimed festival of the year, the worthy wines while listening to live entertainment popular Day in the Country is back. A weekend presented by a local band, musician, or disc of vendors, specials, small-town parade, food, jockey. Features sweet treats from Santa Maria wine, beer, and more. Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. food vendors and local artisans. Sundays, 1-4 p.m.

Free. 805-688-9049. losolivosca.com/day-inthe-country/. Downtown Los Olivos, Grand Ave., through Nov. 26 Free. 805-937-8463. instagram. com/cottonwoodcanyonwinery/. Cottonwood Los Olivos.

Canyon Vineyard And Winery, 3940 Dominion Rd, SECOND SATURDAY OPEN AIR MARKET: LOS Santa Maria.

ALAMOS A carefully curated open air artisan SUNDAY NIGHT FUN End the weekend with and farm market. Features great vintage finds, handwoven and hand dyed textiles, hand-spun some good vibes. Music by DJ Van Gloryious.

Sundays, 8 p.m.-midnight Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 yarn, organic body care products, and locally Town Center E, Santa Maria, 805-623-8866. grown organic eats. Second Saturday of every month, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 805-722-4338.

UKULELE JAM SESSIONS This is a drop-in Sisters Gifts and Home, 349 Bell Street, program. Play melodies and many songs Los Alamos. with other musicians. Baritone ukuleles are available to use or bring your own. Music

16 • Sun • October 12 - October 19, 2023 • www.santamariasun.com

MUSIC

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PUMPKIN PARTY

Creative Me Time will host a succulent pumpkins workshop at Art Center Morro Bay on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Participants of the class will use succulent cuttings, glue, and other materials to work on their pumpkin projects. Registration for the workshop is $40. Call (805) 286-5993 or visit creativemetime.com. Art Center Morro Bay is located at 835 Main St., Morro Bay. —C.W. and music strands provided. Mondays, Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. through Dec. 27 Free. 805-925-0951. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

SANTA YNEZ VALLE Y

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

HALLOWEEN BANDA Y NORTENO Will keep you dancing from start to finish. Oct. 20, 8 p.m. my805tix.com. Flower City Ballroom, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc.

KD TRAIN/ KNEE DEEP An evening of R&B, pop, soul, funk, and jazz music. Oct. 21, 8 p.m. my805tix.com. Flower City Ballroom, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc.

RANSOM NOTE Enjoy live 80s hair/glam metal.

Oct. 13, 7 p.m. my805tix.com. Flower City Ballroom, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc.

RASTRELLI CELLO QUARTET The Rastrelli Cello Quartet opens the Lompoc Concert Association’s 76th season with their thundering orchestral sound and virtuosity combined with humor to provide a wonderful concert experience. Tickets are available at the door at 6:45 pm. Season tickets are available by calling 805-588-9271.

Oct. 21, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Adults $25; Students $5; Active Duty Military $15. First United Methodist Church, 925 North F St., Lompoc.

SIEMPRE SELENA While taken from this world way too soon, Selena’s talent and lovely voice endures. Keeping that memory alive, “Siempre Selena” is the premier Selena tribute band. Oct. 14, 7 p.m. my805tix.com. Flower City Ballroom, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

BACK PAGES BAND: LIVE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE Visit site for tickets and more info on the show. Oct. 14, 2-5:30 p.m. my805tix. com. Point San Luis Lighthouse, 1 Lighthouse Rd., Avila Beach.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

CAL POLY MUSIC DEPARTMENT FACULTY SHOWCASE The event is part of Cal Poly’s Mustang Family Weekend, and will feature several of the Music Department’s applied faculty who are recognized across the region for their expertise in solo and chamber ensemble performance. They will present intimate works that highlight their artistic

achievements. Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. $10 public; $5 students. 805-756-2406. music.calpoly.edu/ calendar/. Cal Poly Davidson Music Center, Room 218, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

CHUCK PELIGROSO LIVE Come check out Chuck Peligroso and his “band of heathens” for a spooky show. Bring the whole family and enjoy great beer/food/music. Oct. 13, 6-9 p.m.

Free. 805-457-4677. liquidgravitybrewing.com/ calendar. Liquid Gravity, 675 Clarion Court, San Luis Obispo.

CUESTA CHOIRS CONCERT: STRINGS ATTACHED Features the Cuesta Chamber Singers performing works of Mozart, Eric Whitacre, and more, accompanied by the lush string sounds from some of the Central Coast’s best players. The vocal jazz ensemble, Voce, will close the concert with swinging music as usual.

Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m. $10-$15. 805-546-3198. Cuesta College Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo, cuesta.edu.

EASTON EVERETT Easton Everett plays guitarwoven music that has a compelling sound, and an indie attitude. Oct. 19, 5-7 p.m. Free. eastoneverett.com/. Mulligans Bar and Grill, 6460 Ana Bay Rd, Avila, (805) 595-4000.

MATT SARGENT: GUITAR CONCERT Matt Sargent will perform new guitar works with electronics. He is a composer, guitarist, recording engineer, and music technologist based in upstate New York, where he is assistant professor of music at Bard College.

Enjoy works by Eve Beglarian and Robert Carl, and Sargent’s original work. Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m. Free. 805-756-2406. music.calpoly.edu/ calendar/. Cal Poly Davidson Music Center, Room 218, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

THE MIMI FOX B3 ORGAN TRIO Presented by the San Luis Obispo County Jazz Federation. Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m. my805tix.com. Mount Carmel Lutheran Church, 1701 Fredericks St., San Luis Obispo.

SEVEN SISTERS FOLKLORE SOCIETY PRESENTS WILLI CARLISLE WITH RACHEL BAIMAN An evening with poet and folk musician Willi Carlisle and special guest Rachel Baiman. With guitar, fiddle, button-box, banjo, harmonicas, and more. Oct. 17, 7-10 p.m. $20 in advance; $25 at the door. 805-235-2874. eventbrite.com. Octagon Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis Obispo.

U.S. ARMY FIELD BAND & SOLDIERS’ CHORUS The U.S. Army’s 60-member Concert Band and 29-member Soldiers’ Chorus join together to offer unparalleled versatile programming, ranging from orchestral masterworks and operatic arias to Sousa marches, jazz classics, and musicals. Oct. 19, 7:30-9:45 p.m. . 805-7564849. pacslo.org. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo. m

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Arts

STAGE PHOTO BY RYAN LOYD, RYLO MEDIA DESIGN

ARTS BRIEFS Visions of Beauty exhibit showcases art by Mara Abboud in Solvang COURTESY IMAGE BY MARA ABBOUD

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The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature presents Visions of Beauty, a new solo art exhibition slated to open on Saturday, Oct. 21, and remain on display through Sunday, Nov. 12. An opening reception to celebrate the exhibit, which showcases a collection of acrylic works by award-winning artist Mara Abboud, will be held on Sunday, Oct. 22, from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

A display of more than a dozen pieces by Abboud, including Iris (pictured), will be on display in the museum’s Valley Oak Gallery during the exhibit’s run. All featured artworks in the show are also available for sale, and proceeds from sales will benefit the museum.

To find out more about Abboud and view samples of her art, visit maraabboud.com. For more details on Visions of Beauty, call (805) 688-1082 or visit wildlingmuseum.org. The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature is located at 1511 Mission Drive, suite B, Solvang.

Polls open to determine winner of New Times Music Awards’ Readers Choice Award

To determine the FILE PHOTO BY STEVE E. MILLER winner of this year’s Readers Choice Award in the 2023 New Times Music Awards competition, the New Times Media Group is collecting votes through Monday, Oct. 16, at 5 p.m.

The polls opened in early October.

This year marks the 15th year for the annual New Times Music Awards.

The competition’s awards showcase, which will feature performances from the contest’s finalists, will be held on Friday, Nov. 3, at SLO Brew Rock, located at 855 Aerovista Lane, San Luis Obispo. Tickets to the showcase are available in advance at my805tix.com.

General admission is $15.

During the awards ceremony, first place winners in each featured category will be presented with the contest’s traditional Newtie trophy, while second and third place winners will receive honorary plaques. Each category’s first place winner will also be invited to compete against one another during the event in a live standoff to win the competition’s Best Live Performance Award.

Participants of the competition reside primarily in either San Luis Obispo County or northern Santa Barbara County. All contest submissions entered into the competition were scored by a panel of judges.

Sponsors of the annual event include Big Big SLO, Robbo Music, The Krush, Pirate Radio, SLO Brew, 1st Capital Bank, American General Media, and Ernie Ball Music Man. For more info on the 2023 New Times Music Awards, call (805) 546-8208 or email ntma@newtimesslo.com. m Arts Briefs is compiled by Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood. Send information to cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.

DELIGHTFUL DANCING: SLO Repertory Theatre’s Nunsense is a musical comedy adventure that features dance numbers and audience interaction.

Meta musical Nunsense brings musical laughs and fun for all ages to SLO Rep’s stage

BY ADRIAN VINCENT ROSAS

I

t’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a—play within a play?

That’s right. If you can believe it, the San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre’s (SLO Rep) latest production is a meta musical comedy that Artistic Director Kevin Harris helped bring to life.

“Everyone who knows about theater knows about this play,” Harris said. “It’s super interactive, very hands-on, and makes use of the space and audience interaction to create an extremely unique experience.”

The play began its current SLO Rep run on Sept. 15 and will continue until Oct. 15 with showings Thursdays to Sundays.

“I’ve wanted to do this play since I came on board with SLO Rep in 2008,” Harris said. “I served as the person who chose the play and the actors in my role as artistic director, but for this play specifically I also worked as the lighting and sound designer.”

The production is directed by John Keating alongside his brother, Musical Director Marshall Keating. The play also features veteran actors and actresses including Suzy Newman, Rachel Tietz, Katie Worley-Beck, Natalie Mara, and Billy Breed.

“It has been such a pleasure to work with the cast on this show,” Harris said. “These are people that have worked with SLO Rep or adjacent to our crew for over the past decade.”

Written by Dan Goggin in 1985, the play tells the story of a group of five nuns tasked with the unfortunate job of raising money to help bury

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

50 of their fellow sisters who were the victims of food poisoning.

“The audience gets to see the fundraiser—or, well, the attempt at a fundraiser—in action,” Harris said with a laugh. “Because of the urgent nature of burying their fellow nuns—in the play they have them all over these giant blocks of ice— they have no choice but to run their fundraiser on a middle school production of Grease.”

It’s that middle school production of Grease that Harris worked alongside scenic designer Dave Linfield to help fit inside SLO Rep’s unique performing area.

“It adds this cool layer to the entire production since we are working with our performing space that used to be an old library building before it was converted,” he said. “It’s very fitting since the nuns in the play have to use whatever space they can get their hands on to put the fundraiser together and in that same way we use the unique space we have at our disposal.”

Harris added that bringing the meta musical to life would not have been possible without the cast it has.

“It’s like coming home to family, I mean we push each other as far as we can go because everyone on the team is super critical of our work, so it magnifies it even more for us to get things perfect when working together on this,” he said. “It helped us envision what exactly we thought a middle school’s

Get your tickets

Catch a showing of Nunsense before its run ends on Oct. 15. Showings are Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. with an additional 2 p.m. showing Saturday and Sunday. Purchase your tickets at tix.slorep.org. SLO Rep is located at located at 888 Morro St., San Luis Obispo.

production of Grease would look like.”

All of this is by design, according to Harris, who said that Goggin originally had in mind very specific skill sets for each of the actresses playing the nuns to fit the distinct environment the play takes place in.

“He wrote this play and cast very exact actresses for the nuns because he wanted it to be driven by each of their unique personalities,” he said. “Some of them were really good opera-style singers, another was a pinpoint ballet dancer—it goes on and on, but we could not have done this show until we found these five actors for this specific production.”

Whether you’re looking for a fresh new stage experience or want to catch a well-known play, Harris said this production will appeal to any audience.

“Even if you don’t like musicals, it’s got something for everybody,” he said. “It’s got that humor, the meta acknowledgment, the audience interaction—an absolute blast that I know everyone in the family will laugh at from start to finish.” m New Times Staff Writer Adrian Vincent Rosas, from the Sun’s sister paper, is experiencing playception. Reach him at arosas@newtimesslo.com.

PHOTO BY RYAN LOYD, RYLO MEDIA DESIGN

PHOTO BY RYAN LOYD, RYLO MEDIA DESIGN

FOR EVERYONE: SLO Rep’s Nunsense offers a moment for every fan of theater, whether dramatic or hilarious.

18 • Sun • October 12 - October 19, 2023 • www.santamariasun.com

ARTS

CHARGE! Expect to laugh while watching Nunsense’s five nuns put together a last-minute fundraiser to bury their fallen comrades.

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usic video director Grant Singer makes his feature film directorial debut with this stylish police procedural he wrote with Benjamin Brewer and star Benicio Del Toro about New England Detective Tom Nichols (Del Toro), who with the help of his wife, Judy (Alicia Silverstone), digs through layers of deceit to find the killer of young real estate agent Summer Elswick (Matilda Lutz). Was it the victim’s boyfriend, Will Grady (Justin Timberlake)? Was it Eli Phillips (Michael Pitt), a man wronged by Grady and his mother, Camille Grady (Frances Fisher)? Was it the victim’s estranged husband, Sam Gifford (Karl Glusman)? Was it drug smuggler Rudi Rackozy (Owen Teague)? Or is there much more to the case—something he’s missing that’s right under his nose? (134 min.)

Allen (Eric Bogosian), who also happens to be his wife Judy’s uncle. They work and socialize together, and they’re like family. As he works the case, however, it threatens to dismantle his own life and relationships.

Anna: I’m a little surprised this film didn’t fare better with critics. It sits at a 42 percent critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it fared better with audiences with a 75 percent score. I personally found its broody, moody nature compelling. Timberlake plays Grady as a reserved, shaken man who seems to be willing to help the detectives however he can.

On the other hand, Eli Phillips (Michael Pitt) is cagey and somewhat menacing, but is his hate for Grady reason enough to make him a murderer? There was a lot I didn’t see coming here, and Singer does an excellent job of pulling Glen: As this story unfolded, on those strings until the tension I was reminded of director is palpable. Del Toro is one Paul Verhoeven and writer Joe of those actors who instantly REPTILE Eszterhas’ steamy 1992 thriller commands the screen, and his What’s it rated? R Basic Instinct. Reptile isn’t as role as Nichols gives him room What’s it worth, Glen? Full price sleezy, but it uses the same to move within the ever-growing What’s it worth, Anna? Full price whip-smart camera work and spiderweb as the detective works Where’s it showing? Netflix red herring-filled storyline to to uncover the truth. I found this keep you guessing. Nichols has film hard to look away from; it had me hooked from the beginning. some skeletons in his closet from his previous Glen: Like Nichols’ investigative style, Reptile is big city assignment, but now in Scarborough, methodical, and that arguably makes the story Maine, he’s found a new start and a new tribe: unfold in a somewhat plodding way, which his partner, Dan Cleary (Ato Essandoh); his may be why it’s got such a low critics rating. fellow detective and friend, Wally (Domenick Personally, I found the film’s pacing a strength.

Lombardozzi); police Chief Marty Graeber I expected Del Toro to be terrific, but I was a (Mike Pniewski); and his boss, Capt. Robert

BY THE BOOK: As methodical police detective Tom Nichols (Benicio Del Toro) investigates the murder of a young real estate agent, he discovers a conspiracy, in Reptile, streaming on Netflix.

little surprised at how good Silverstone was in her role. This film also reminds me a bit of Cop Land, James Mangold’s terrific 1997 film about cops living in suburbia where something sinister bubbles just below the surface. If you like thrillers and have Netflix, Reptile delivers.

Anna: I get what you mean about pacing. This may feel plodding to some, but for me it’s a slow burn—and I like it. I’ll take a film styled like this over a gutless action film that relies on CGI and an inordinate amount of fight scenes to keep the audience watching. The cast was well chosen

and the story compelling. I encourage audiences to give it their full attention—something that can be hard to do with films watched on home screens. If you’re into police procedurals and don’t mind a slowly unfolding story, Reptile is right up your alley. The performances alone are well worth a watch. Del Toro, in particular, and Silverstone both work some magic. m New Times Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Sun Screen.

Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER/GETTY IMAGES

PHOTO COURTESY OF PANDORA CINEMA AND NEW MARKET FILMS

DONNIE DARKO

Film Reviews POLTERGEIST

What’s it rated? PG When? 1982 Where’s it showing? The Sunset Drive-In in SLO on Wednesday, Oct. 18 (7:15 p.m.)

Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Lifeforce) directs this supernatural horror story written by Steven Spielberg about a family that moves to a new home in the planned community of Cuesta Verde and soon discovers it’s occupied by malevolent entities. Steve Freeling (Craig T. Nelson) is a successful real estate agent, and he and his wife, Diane (JoBeth Williams), look after their three kids: 16-year-old Dana (Dominique Dunne), 8-year-old Robbie (Oliver Robins), and 5-year-old Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke)—the latter seems particularly attuned to the ghostly infestation.

When strange things begin happening around the house, the family enlists parapsychologist Martha Lesh (Beatrice Straight) and her team to investigate, who in turn brings in Tangina Barrons (Zelda Rubinstein), a spiritual medium, to rid the house of its poltergeists. Things do not go as planned.

The special effects are awesome, and even though it has a PG rating, it may upset some kids due to some gruesome moments. The film also has a weird real-life curse. Two of the

‘THEY’RE HERE’: The Freeling family discovers their new house is filled with malevolent ghosts in the 1982 horror classic, Poltergeist, screening with Casper on Oct. 18, at Sunset Drive-In in SLO.

Freeling kids died young—Dunne, who was 22, was murdered by her boyfriend just a few months after the film’s release, and O’Rourke died at age 12 of a misdiagnosed intestinal disorder. Boo! (114 min.)

—Glen

What’s it rated? R When? 2001 Where’s it showing? The Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo on Saturday, Oct. 14 (1:30, 4:15, and 7 p.m.) and Monday, Oct. 16 (7 p.m.)

Writer-director Richard Kelly (Southland Tales, The Box) helms this cult classic that’s still as puzzling now as when it first came out in 2001. Set during the 1988 presidential election, the story focuses on Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal, in a powerhouse performance), a troubled teenager who sleepwalks out of his house one night and encounters Frank (James Duval), a mysterious figure in a monstrous rabbit costume who tells Donnie the world will end in exactly 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds.

Donnie awakens the next morning on a golf course, and when he returns home, he discovers his bedroom has been destroyed by a jet engine that inexplicably fell out of the sky, and that Frank and his sleepwalking saved him from a deadly freak accident.

So begins a confounding sci-fi story about time travel and alternative realities … or is Donnie just mentally ill?

Endlessly inventive, wholly original, and absolutely weird, this hazy fever-

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BEYOND TEEN ANGST: Jake Gyllenhaal stars as a troubled high school student who’s either mentally ill or in an alternate reality, in Donnie Darko, screening at The Palm Theatre on Oct. 14 and 16.

dream of a story absolutely deserves its reputation as a cult classic. The terrific cast includes Jena Malone, Jake’s real-life sister Maggie Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Katherine Ross, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osborne, and Patrick Swayze, among others. This one’s best seen on the big screen. (113 min.) m —Glen

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SAY CHEESE: Local restaurateur and chef Nathan Peitso’s newest venture in Solvang is Juniper on Fourth, which offers cheeseburgers, sandwiches, salads, desserts, cocktails, and more.

Juniper ascending

Foodie options are on the rise at Juniper on Fourth, but prices aren’t

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

W

ith an aim to offer first-rate yet low-cost cuisine, Juniper on Fourth is one of a kind in downtown Solvang. Chef and owner Nathan Peitso described the new restaurant and bar, which opened in early October, as a product of our time.

“Everybody seems to be feeling a bit of a pinch. Gas is expensive. Housing is expensive,” said Peitso, who also owned Sear Steakhouse, the former occupant of the address now belonging to Juniper on Fourth, located on—take a wild guess—Fourth Place.

“It’s definitely a huge departure from the steakhouse,” said Peitso, who brainstormed a way to rebrand his former eatery into something “recession proof,” as $100 steaks haven’t been selling “like they once did,” he added.

The solution? Close the steakhouse

for remodeling and reestablish the site as a family-friendly lunch and dinner spot with a focus on elevated comfort food and cocktails.

“I believe in getting out in front of a problem, so that’s what we did here. … It’s not a fancy restaurant, it’s just a really good restaurant,” the local restaurateur said with a laugh. “We wanted to offer something that was affordable and still really good, so you could go take your family out to dinner and not feel like you were mortgaging your future.”

During the makeover process, Peitso collaborated with his team’s general manager, Julio Peñuela—who the chef described as a human Swiss Army knife—on curating a menu selection for Juniper on Fourth that was tasty and filling but not overly complex.

“It’s a recognizable and approachable menu. The whole

DIVINE DESSERT: Of the dessert options available at Juniper on Fourth, chef Nathan Peitso said the best is probably the house-made panna cotta, which he described as “delicate, delicious, and subtle.”

LIBATION STATION: Draft cocktails, bar bites, and more are available for patrons of the Tap Garden, an outdoor segment of Juniper on Fourth.

Of the fourth kind

To find out more about Juniper on Fourth and view the new eatery’s menu, visit juniperonfourth.com, or call (805) 245-9564 for additional details. The restaurant is located at 478 Fourth Place, Solvang.

restaurant is geared toward feeling relatable,” said Peitso, who hopes patrons will walk away from Juniper on Fourth feeling like “this place gets me, and I get this place.”

While cheeseburgers and tri-tip and brisket sandwiches are among the lunch items at the eatery, there’s one protein offering situated between two buns that stands out above the rest for Peitso: Swedish meatballs. And based on a recent observation, his affinity for the savory treat could be genetic.

“The Swedish meatballs is what my daughter eats more than anything else now,” said Peitso, who also offers a non-sandwich iteration of Swedish meatballs plated with potato purée, gravy, and a lemon herb salad for a total of $8 on the eatery’s all-day “bar bites” menu.

While lunch is available at the restaurant Fridays through Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the restaurant’s dinner service runs from about 5 to 9 p.m. Dinner at Juniper on Fourth includes dishes of fish, lamb, and quail.

Peitso’s personal favorite dinner combination at his new venture is the “Big Fish,” a whole fried rockfish served with house-made tortillas, salsa verde, and cabbage slaw.

“It’s gorgeous, it’s delicious, and it’s totally shareable,” Peitso said of the meal designed to feed many and priced at $40. “Most people love it. We sell a lot of those fish.”

Many of the dinner entrees at Juniper on Fourth are offered in both a large or medium-to-small portion size, for patrons looking to spend less and/or with no intention of sharing or

GRILL TO THRILL: The brisket grilled cheese sandwich at Juniper on Fourth comes with American, Gruyere, and white cheddar cheeses, salsa, and caramelized onions.

bringing home leftovers.

“I find that, with my wife, most of the time when we go out, there’s leftovers because there’s too much on the plate,” Peitso said. “We’ve sized smaller portions so that they cost less, and what I found is people really respond to that.

They’re really happy with it. … With careful attention and sourcing, you still can put out a really great venue at a really reasonable price.”

Juniper on Fourth also offers a diverse selection of desserts— including house-made panna cotta, fruit cobbler, and ice cream sundaes— and a rotating menu of draft cocktails, which are pre-batched with fresh ingredients and ready to serve inside the restaurant or outdoors in the venue’s scenic Tap Garden area.

“The cocktails are based on whatever we feel like drinking, really,

and seasonality in the sense that if there’s something at the farmers market that looks like it could be pretty good in a cocktail, we’re gonna put it on the list,” Peitso said.

With the pre-batch approach, Peitso said the restaurant is able to economize labor and in turn keep cocktail prices low.

“We have $12 cocktails across the board,” said Peitso, who plans to offer cocktails for $10 each during an upcoming happy hour offering. “We want to make sure that everyone can afford to be here, and that when you’re here, you’re enjoying yourself—you’re not kind of negatively anticipating that big bill.” m Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood is keeping his tab open. Send comments to cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.

www.santamariasun.com • October 12 - October 19, 2023 • Sun • 21

9th Annual Fashions for a Purpose: Fashion Show Event

Fall Concerts on the Green: Young Dubliners

Welcome to the 805: Boots & Booze Country Festival

Mission San Luis Obispo

Dana Adobe Cultural Center, Nipomo

Sea Pines Golf Resort, Baywood/Los Osos

Alex Madonna Meadows, SLO

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14

SLOFunny Comedy Jamboree - Los Osos

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12 Central Coast Pizza, Los Osos

Shamanic Morning Rituals for Vitality

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 Aurora Meditations & Rituals, Morro Bay

SLO County Arts Open Studio Art Tour Kickoff Celebration FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 Orcutt Road, The Bunker SLO

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 Flower City Ballroom, Lompoc

By the Sea Productions: War of the Worlds

2023 Harvest Festival Grape Stomp & Tacos SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 Cass Winery, Paso Robles

Chakra Meditation on the Beach

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 Aurora Meditations & Rituals, Morro Bay

The Downtown Vibe Grand Tasting

SLO County Jazz Federation: The Mimi Fox B3 Organ Trio

Avila Beach Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo Night FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20 Avila Beach Community Center

Halloween Banda y Norteño

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20 Flower City Ballroom, Lompoc

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21 Flower City Ballroom, Lompoc

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21 New Life Community Church, Pismo Beach

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21 Stolo Vineyards & Winery, Cambria

Orcutt Community Theater: Which Witch

Kiwanis of Santa Maria Valley: BingoFest 2023

Laugh Therapy Stand-Up Comedy Show

Full Moon, Cacao, & Day of the Dead Ceremony

Peaceful Plants: Pumpkin Succulent Centerpiece Class

2023 New Times Music Awards Presentation and Showcase

FRI, SAT, SUN, OCT 13-15, 20-22, 27-29 545 Shasta Avenue, Morro Bay

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, SLO

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22 Mussell Senior Center, Santa Maria

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25 Maverick Saloon, Santa Ynez

Ransom Note (80s Hair/Glam Metal)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28

SLOFunny Comedy at Tooth & Nail

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 Tooth & Nail Winery, Paso Robles

Doc Oliver

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 Flower City Ballroom, Lompoc

All Aboard! The KD Train (Knee Deep)

Empty Bowls Pick-Up Party 2023

Greenspace Art & Adventure Auction 2023

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26 Aurora Meditations & Rituals, Morro Bay

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26 Penman Springs Vineyard, Atascadero

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FRI, SAT, SUN, OCTOBER 13–15, 20–22, 27–29 Santa Maria Civic Theatre

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Win this guitar!

The Mariposa features an offset lightweight okoume body, a roasted maple neck, and an ebony fingerboard that showcases pearlescent style block inlays. Electronics include two custom wound EBMM humbucking pickups with separate volume control for each pickup, controlled by a 3-way pickup selector switch that allows for variable humbucking combinations when needed. The pickguard is laser etched with an ornate design coordinated to compliment specific finish options. Retails at $3,199!

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