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Lisa Frankenstein is comedy nostalgia [22]

Cost of living

Santa Maria city employees, firefighters want more money than the city is bargaining for [6]

BY TAYLOR O’CONNOR

NEWS

Solvang’s pickleball debate [4]

ARTS

Grave Mistakes at the Melodrama [20]

EATS

Cafe DeVille in Nipomo [24]

Contents

FEBRUARY 15 - FEBRUARY 22, 2024 VOL. 24 NO. 51

S

anta Maria city employees and firefighters are asking for more money as part of contract negotiations, most recently picketing outside a City Council meeting on Feb. 6 to advocate for themselves. While the city concluded negotiations with its employees, firefighters are still waiting for a chance to fight for more. They say the city’s Fire Department pays about 14 percent less than surrounding areas, which has caused firefighters to leave and is making it hard to hire. Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor speaks with both unions about what they’re asking for [6].

This week, you can also read about what’s happening with pickleball in Solvang [4], the Great American Melodrama’s latest production [20], and a new café sliding into Nipomo [24].

Camillia Lanham editor

DreamHome

YOUR

Cover photo courtesy of Nicole Bryant > Cover design by Alex Zuniga

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AWA I TS

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News Briefs ...............................................................................4 Political Watch.........................................................................4 Spotlight......................................................................................8

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ARTS

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MOVIES

Reviews .................................................................................... 22

OPINION

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

PICKETING FOR WAGES: The city employees union advocated for higher pay both outside Santa Maria City Hall and during public comment at the Feb 6 City Council meeting.

Commentary ...........................................................................10 Web Poll ....................................................................................10 Modern World ........................................................................10 Canary .........................................................................................11

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to the following community partners for supporting Allan Hancock College’s efforts to bring a bachelor’s degree to Northern Santa Barbara County.

㘀㄀㐀 匀漀甀琀栀 䈀爀漀愀搀眀愀礀Ⰰ 匀愀渀琀愀 䴀愀爀椀愀Ⰰ 䌀䄀 㤀㌀㐀㔀㐀

Santa Maria / Lompoc Branch

Gregg Hart Assemblymember 37th District JAMES BRAY JOHN HOLLINSHEAD STEVE MCCARTY

Dawn Ortiz-Legg 3rd District Supervisor San Luis Obispo County MARK CLARKE KRISTIN HOROWITZ TIM SEIFERT

Bob Nelson 4th District Supervisor Santa Barbara County

JUDITH DALE MARK INFANTI GERTRUD STRAEDE

ANGELA & ERYKA GUDMUNDS LARRY LAHR JORDAN T. TOUT

“For decades, California’s public university systems have failed to meet the needs of low income and Latino students in our region. Today we have the tools to end that injustice. Allan Hancock College’s proposed baccalaureate degree will change the odds for countless students while supporting local businesses, public safety agencies, and service organizations.”

Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. Allan Hancock College Superintendent/President What’s Next?

The scoring committee, composed of colleagues from across the community college system, will review AHC’s application and the CCC Chancellor’s Office will make recommendations to approve 15 programs in early June of 2024. Our goal, if approved, is to launch the baccalaureate degree in fall 2025.

Help us make history and write a letter of support! www.hancockcollege.edu/unitedcc/letters.php

UNITED CENTRAL COAST www.santamariasun.com • February 15 - February 22, 2024 • Sun • 3

News

➤ Standing together [6]

February 15 - February 22, 2024

➤ Spotlight [8] PHOTO BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

POLITICAL WATCH • The California Strategic Growth Council awarded Resilient Cuyama Valley $1.08 million in funding through the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program, according to a Feb. 8 statement from Assemblymember Gregg Hart’s (D-Santa Barbara) office.

The TCC Program funds community-led development and infrastructure projects that achieve major environmental, health, and economic benefits in California’s most disadvantaged communities. “I am proud of the state’s significant investment to advance economic vitality and sustainability in the Cuyama Valley,” Hart said in the statement. “This funding will allow Resilient Cuyama Valley to enhance energy and water resilience, increase food access, and improve community mobility. I am committed to supporting our Central Coast communities in meeting our collective sustainability goals.” Specifically, the funding will be used for a home retrofit pilot, microgrid electrical upgrade, drinking water assessment, gray water installation pilot, backyard composting pilot, garden demonstration project, food hub feasibility assessment, and all-weather safe routes to school. The projects are rooted in community engagement, promoting workforce education, and displacement avoidance.

• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla helped lead 41 California lawmakers in urging White House Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young to reverse the budget cuts to the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, according to a Feb. 1 statement from Padilla’s office.

Padilla and a bicameral, bipartisan group of lawmakers previously sent a similar letter to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressing concern over this decision. The MSR mission, led by Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, would launch a spacecraft from the surface of another planet and return it to Earth for the first time in human history. MSR will carry samples currently being collected on Mars’ surface by the Perseverance Rover—the completion of a decadeslong project at NASA. The scientific community has identified MSR as the highest planetary science priority for the past two decades, and a recently commissioned Independent Review Board assessment of the program’s implementation plan and management approach reiterated that MSR should be a national space exploration priority, given its scientific and strategic importance, according to Padilla’s office. “We write to express our opposition to the administration’s recent unilateral decision to prematurely move forward with budget cuts to the Mars Sample Return mission before Congress has finalized fiscal year 2024 appropriations. This shortsighted and misguided decision will cost hundreds of jobs and a decade of lost science, and it flies in the face of congressional authority,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter. “If not reversed, this decision would ensure that JPL will not be able to meet the next launch window and will force a dramatic reduction of billions of dollars in contracts as well as the termination of hundreds of highly skilled employees.”

• Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta are launching a new partnership with Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price to increase the capacity to prosecute suspects involved in violent crimes, serious drug-related crimes, and property crimes—including retail theft and auto burglary—in Oakland and the East Bay, according to a Feb. 8 statement from Newsom’s office. “An arrest isn’t enough. Justice demands that suspects are appropriately prosecuted,” Newsom said in a statement.

“Whether it’s ‘bipping’ or carjacking, attempted murder or fentanyl trafficking, individuals must be held accountable for their crimes using the full and appropriate weight of the law.” The partnership aims to deploy deputy attorneys general from the California Department of Justice and attorneys from the California National Guard in Alameda County. “The East Bay is my home, and I’m committed to ensuring that the people of Oakland can live and work in a safe community,” Bonta said in the statement.

“The California Department of Justice has legal and law enforcement expertise to bring to bear as we work collaboratively to hold bad actors accountable. I welcome this partnership with local and state law enforcement, the governor’s office, and most importantly, the Oakland community, to ensure that justice is done so that Oakland residents can thrive and prosper.” m

QUITE A PICKLE: Due to repair needs and recent damages at two pickleball courts in Solvang, the city is temporarily converting one of Hans Christian Andersen Park’s tennis courts into four pickleball courts.

Solvang plans to amend recreation master plan amid pickleball dilemma

Hans Christian Andersen Park is home to Solvang’s two dedicated pickleball courts, both on the verge of closing to the public, according to Parks and Recreation Director Jenny McClurg.

“The current courts are getting to the point where it could become a safety hazard and could warrant a closure,” McClurg, who attributed some damage to the recent rain, said at the Solvang City Council’s Feb. 12 meeting.

McClurg and city staff sought direction from the City Council on designating a temporary site—by retrofitting one or multiple of Hans Christian Andersen’s tennis courts—for pickleball, while keeping the existing courts open for as long as possible.

Before committing to funding repairs at the two courts or scouting for potential places to build new courts, staff recommended that the city work toward updating both its recreation master plan and Hans Christian Andersen Park’s master plan, untouched since 2004 and 2006, respectively.

“Rather than survey [potential sites for new pickleball courts] at this time and spend potential wasteful money, we would like to proceed with a master plan … before any major capital expenses,” McClurg said.

McClurg added that it could take more than a year to update the recreation master plan and presented the City Council with three potential options that would provide pickleball players an alternative place to play in the interim.

Each option involved the use of one or more tennis courts at Hans Christian Andersen Park. One included the use of a court’s existing tennis net, while the other two pitches involved portable pickleball nets on wheels.

During council deliberations, Councilmember David Brown said that converting any of the park’s four tennis courts into multi-use courts or temporary pickleball courts could displease local tennis players.

“With the string of people we had previously, it was evident that they didn’t want to share the tennis courts,” Brown said, referring to some public speakers at the City Council’s Oct. 23 meeting, during an item on improvement projects at Hans Christian Andersen Park.

Many speakers at the October meeting urged the City Council to consider building new

4 • Sun • February 15 - February 22, 2024 • www.santamariasun.com

pickleball courts at the park or somewhere else in the city. Some of them spoke in support of the sport in general, while others complained that new courts were needed because pickleball players were already encroaching on tennis courts too often.

USA Pickleball Ambassador David Gay, who said he’s both an avid pickleball and tennis player, revisited the latter claim during the City Council’s Feb. 12 meeting.

Gay spoke during public comment in support of the staff option that temporarily converted one tennis court into four pickleball courts, while leaving the other three tennis courts at Hans Christian Andersen Park intact.

“It’s going to prevent conflict with the tennis players, I have no doubt,” Gay said. “I’m just saying there are some people who are kind of aggressive, and I can see conflict happening there.”

Councilmember Elizabeth Orona motioned for staff to carry out that option as a temporary solution, as it would “maximize” the use of the courts for both pickleball and tennis players at the park.

The motion passed 4-1, with Councilmember Robert Clarke dissenting.

—Caleb Wiseblood

Board of Supervisors unanimously approve funding new CalFresh positions

Facing a 69 percent increase in CalFresh caseloads from 2021 to 2023 while staffing increased just 28 percent, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved 86 new CalFresh positions for the county’s Social Services Department.

“For years our funding in the CalFresh program has been constrained by policies in the early 2000s, which only allow for funding increases based on caseload growth and not for the increases occurring every year for staff salary and benefits and other costs of doing business,” Social Services Deputy Director of Economic Assistance and Employment Services Maria Gardner told the supervisors during the Feb. 12 meeting.

CalFresh assists more than 60,000 Santa Barbara County residents, reaching about 1 in 7 individuals, but the California Department of Social Services estimates that Santa Barbara

County has only reached about 70 percent of those eligible for the food assistance program, according to the staff report.

Gardner and her team requested that the county approve an additional 50 positions for CalFresh eligibility workers, leads and supervisors, nine support staff, and six staff for child welfare and adult protective services, she said.

With new funding methodology that updated the CalFresh funding process for the first time in 20 years, the Social Services Department projected an additional $4.61 million in federal and state funding for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which required a $1.29 million county match.

The $1.29 million will come from unanticipated growth in the 2011 realignment— which was a state budget shift that put more responsibilities on local governments, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office—and from the department’s general fund allocation, Social Services Chief Financial Officer A.J. Quinoveva told the supervisors.

“We receive approximately $11 million annually, which we use to provide local matches for all our programs,” Quinoveva said.

While 5th District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino and 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann had concerns regarding the state budget deficit’s impact on the program, and 4th District Supervisor Bob Nelson had concerns with how this allocation impacts other local budget allocations, supervisors unanimously approved the new positions.

“As the state budget gets fleshed out more, I want to remind my colleagues and department heads that it’s imperative that we aren’t put in a position where we are attempting to backfill state and federal shortfalls with local dollars,” Lavagnino said during the meeting. “I want to make sure as the budget changes as the state budget impacts become more clear, that your rollout can come back to us when there’s shortages.”

Gardner told the supervisors that Newsom’s January budget showed that CalFresh received no cuts this year, but the department will get another look at it in May and when the final budget is enacted. She added that the supervisors could pull this item for discussion at any time to reevaluate.

“By increasing the number of staff in CalFresh … that picks up more of the overhead in the department,” Gardner said. “It’s a win across the department for being able to find change in the couch cushions for us. We have a specific need in the CalFresh program and then we looked globally for what else we could make happen with this.”

—Taylor O’Connor

Bob Nelson leads fundraising in 4th District race

Krishna Flores is going up against Bob Nelson in the Santa Barbara County 4th District supervisorial race with a little more than $2,000—$44,000 less than incumbent Nelson.

“As a challenger running a true grassroots campaign, we never expected large sums of money, but we had a great plan to spend the money wisely and strategically,” Flores told the Sun in a statement.

According to campaign finance filings, Flores, a Democrat, has $2,327.87 moving into the March 5 primary.

In 2023, Flores raised $4,000—receiving two $1,000 contributions from Florence Flores in Garden City, New York, and Santa Barbara City College costume design professor Pamela Shaw. Flores also contributed $500 to her own campaign, according to filings. She spent $1,899.30 in 2023, paying $250 for consulting services, $1,070.96 in candidate filings and $117 in office expenses.

NEWS continued page 5

News FILE COURTESY PHOTO BY JEREMY SYKES

NEWS from page 4

Between Jan. 1 and 20, Flores raised $550. According to 24-hour contribution reports— which require candidates to submit information within a day if it’s $1,000 or more—Flores received $1,000 on Jan. 23 from the Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee and $1,000 from the Democratic Women of Santa Barbara on Jan. 24.

The next pre-election campaign finance filing deadline is Feb. 22.

Republican incumbent Nelson raised $46,671.73 between Jan. 1 to 20, and received $2,500 from retired Buellton resident Dennis Patrick on Jan. 26, and $2,072.85 from Kavaughn Baghbeh, a project manager INCUMBENT’S AHEAD: Santa Barbara County 4th District for customizable notebook Supervisor candidate and incumbent Bob Nelson received company Happy Brands, on $446,671.13 as of Jan. 21—leading in front of challenger Feb. 1, according to 24-hour Krishna Flores by more than $44,000. contribution reports.

Nelson received $5,500 from Affairs, according to filings.

5th District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino’s 2024 Oil and energy companies also contributed campaign; $5,500 from Asset Equipment owner to the incumbent’s race in 2022, with Travis Turning; three $4,900 contributions Nelson receiving $4,900 from the California from Carpinteria residents Timothy Bliss and Virginia Bliss and Investment Group of Santa Independent Petroleum Association, based in Barbara Developer Maurice Duca, according to Irvine; $500 from Pacific Gas and Electric; and filings. $4,900 from Pacific Coast Energy Company.

In 2023, he received $5,500 from Jordan Solstra Communities California LLC, the Cunningham’s 2026 lieutenant applicant for Solomon Hills— governor campaign; $5,500 an Orcutt housing project from Bonita Packing Company that proposes to develop up to Inc.; and $200 from Nick Send any news 4,000 residential units—also Mirman, who works with the or story tips to contributed $4,900 in 2022. m former assemblymember at news@santamariasun.com.

—Taylor O’Connor Mirman Cunningham Public

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UNION ACTIONS: Firefighters and city union members picketed outside Santa Maria City Hall during the Feb. 6 City Council meeting to advocate for receiving wages that keep up with the cost of living.

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Standing together

while Santa Barbara city fire captains made from Santa Maria firefighters, city union members $160,000 to advocate for higher wages to keep up with living costs $292,000 with 28 captains.

BY TAYLOR O’CONNOR The 22 Santa Maria firefighters on staff earned anta Maria firefighter Shea Weidler has lived between $40,000 and $165,000 in 2022, according in a van since October because he can’t afford to Transparent California, and Santa Barbara’s 24 housing costs with the salary he makes. firefighters made between $103,000 to $233,000.

“As a 30-year-old, you see yourself owning a Since Chircop joined in 2012, the department home and more stable, but when you’re living in a hired 62 employees and lost 25—about 40 van, living paycheck to paycheck, it kind of wears percent of staffing, he said. The department has on you,” Weidler said. “While I don’t want to live in 73 employees total, according to Transparent a van, I can. If a coworker had a lease on their rental California, and is trying to hire 11 new firefighters, skyrocket and they can’t afford to live there and they Chircop said on Feb. 8. have kids, that would be a much tougher situation.”

In 2012, the Fire Department received more Weidler joined fellow members of the firefighters than 1,200 applications for open positions; this union and the city employees union to picket and year the city received 75, Chircop said. speak during public comment at the Feb. 6 Santa “The numbers are dwindling. There’s a lot of competition out there, a lot of places are trying to Maria City Council meeting, advocating for higher keep up with hiring, and unfortunately we don’t wages that keep up with costs of living. have the same applicant pool that we used to,” While negotiations resumed after that meeting Chircop said. “Historically, firefighters are not a for city employees, firefighters are still waiting for that chance and plan to attend future City Council job where people move around a lot. They come to their dream agency and stay for 30-plus years, but meetings to continue those efforts. now people are leaving for agencies that are paying “As a whole within our union, we are taking a better because we keep falling so far behind.” stand together, and we decided together that we While other agencies could strike to demand are going to fight for what we feel we deserve, not better wages, California law restricts public safety just what they offered,” Weidler said. “We could accept a low offer and move on, but it doesn’t get us agencies from striking, he added.

“We can’t walk away from our constituents. We out of the hole we are in and sets us back further in build a career on helping people and we can’t just the future.” walk away from them,” Chircop said. “All of my Santa Maria Firefighters Local 2020 members, members love coming to work, they love serving including 57 firefighters, captains, engineers, and their community, but it’s hard to not make a fair fire inspectors, are paid 14 percent below the local living wage.” market—making Santa Maria the second lowest The Service Employees International Union paid fire department in the Tri-Counties area, (SEIU) Local 620 joined firefighters and took Local 2020 President Matthew Chircop told the action for the second time in two months during Sun. As a result, union leaders asked the city to the Feb. 6 meeting to advocate for higher wages, come up with a plan to close that gap, but the city field representative Nicole Bryant told the Sun. presented a last, best, and final offer of a 5 percent “Since COVID, it’s been harder and harder, and raise in year one of the contract and a 4 percent that’s why they are taking a stance because they raise in year two. are seeing they cannot stay here anymore, they “This pay disparity issue has led to a lot of can’t work under these conditions,” Bryant said. problems. … We constantly have turnover, we SEIU Local 620 represents almost 50 percent constantly have recruitment and retention issues,” of Santa Maria’s city employees, with members Chircop said. “Santa Maria is the fastest growing in utilities, public works, recreation and parks, city in the county, the largest city in the county.

We are busier than any other agency around; Santa and a few police and fire administrative employees, Bryant said. During SEIU’s previous Barbara city has more staffing, less population, contract, inflation rose by 11.1 percent and other and more response units.” jurisdictions saw a minimum wage increase by 16.3 According to Transparent California, a percent, while SEIU members saw a 5.5 percent nonprofit-run database that compiles public pay increase. Santa Maria and SEIU officials resumed and pension information for state employees, negotiations after the Feb. 6 City Council meeting.

Santa Maria fire captains made between $155,000 On Feb. 12, city officials announced that they and $276,000 with 17 captains on payroll in 2022,

S

6 • Sun • February 15 - February 22, 2024 • www.santamariasun.com

had reached a two-year labor agreement with the SEIU, which will be presented to City Council on Feb. 20 for ratification.

Santa Maria Public Information Officer Mark van de Kamp told the Sun in a statement that the city does not engage with the news media during negotiations and remains committed to working with representatives of the labor groups at the negotiations table.

Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino told the Sun that she cannot comment at this time because negotiations remain ongoing.

While Councilmember Gloria Soto also couldn’t comment on negotiations, she told the Sun that it was important for the City Council to hear from the labor groups during public comment and that she hopes negotiations will conclude soon.

“I’m always a huge proponent of having people come and share their thoughts with us and give us a different perspective. I for one am very supportive of the fact that we are hearing directly from employees,” she said. “We’ll just see what this brings, and I look forward to continuing to hear from city employees on how this process is going with their perspective in mind.”

SEIU Local 620 member Natalia Heredia told the Sun on Feb. 9 that she hopes the city and union can reach an agreement that will produce a better wage to help her stay in her hometown.

Heredia has worked for the city for nine years and currently works in the Utilities Department as an accounting technician. As a single mother raising two daughters, she said she’s felt the impact of increased costs.

“Everything has skyrocketed—gas prices, food, the bare necessities have increased significantly,” Heredia said. “Just to stay afloat you have to go to three grocery stores for the best deals and look for which gas prices are the lowest. There are a lot of employees that used to have a single income, and that’s impossible to do.”

The resumed negotiations are a step in the right direction, she added, and have helped boost morale among fellow employees.

“For the most part, I know for myself and many employees, we enjoy working for the city, we enjoy helping build up our community. For a lot of us, this is the community we grew up in and want to raise our kids in,” Heredia said. “I’m hopeful that this negotiation round has set forth a future to get some of the benefits so we can stick around with better retention so we have quality employees that love what they do just as much as the next.” m Reach Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor at toconnor@ santamariasun.com.

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Partners in Education rotates its program between Santa Barbara County cities to ensure it equally distributes resources, Terrazas added that Santa Maria will continue to be a place they focus on because the high school district has the most schools and a large student population.

To participate, students must fill out an application and submit an essay to Partners in Education.

Once they complete the free program, students receive a $200 stipend and work as CAREER READINESS: During Partners in Education Job Readiness an intern for 80 hours Training and Internship Program, local professionals will coach students with local businesses in résumé building and cover letter writing and will conduct mock where they are paid interviews in preparation for students’ future careers. minimum wage.

Terrazas said that participating students get a leg up by having résumés ready Santa Barbara County’s Partners in Education their now to apply for jobs.

“And at the same is looking for Santa Maria professionals to time, they’re earning help with job readiness program $200 to do something they would later have to

BY TAYLOR O’CONNOR do on their own,” she said. “Getting that support rika Terrazas participated in Partners in from volunteers and coaching is so important.”

Education’s Job Readiness Training and Visit partners.sbceo.org for more information, Internship Program when she was in high and call (805) 964-4170 or email eterrazas@ school in 2010. And now, as the nonprofit’s sbceo.org with any questions. program services manager, she’s recruiting professionals in Santa Maria to volunteer for the Highlights same job readiness program she did 14 years ago, • The Lompoc Fire Department recently she told the Sun. “From experience, it’s really important to learn purchased a full set of emergency rescue tools after receiving a $75,000 grant from the those basic skills that will be beneficial when California Office of Traffic Safety. The tools applying for a job,” Terrazas said. include spreaders, cutters, a combination tool, Administered by the Santa Barbara County Education Office, Partners in Education prepares and a ram for helping extricate people from auto crashes. These tools are electric or batterystudents for college, careers, or the next grade. powered, whereas extrication tools previously The eight-week program brings in used by the Fire Department were 26-year-old professionals from the community to coach hydraulic tools. “These life-saving tools are students in résumé building, cover letter essential to auto extrications when seconds writing, financial literacy skills, professional count,” Lompoc Fire Chief Brian Fallon said in communication, and interview skills. Within a statement. “This updated equipment is easier this time, the county will also bring in human to deploy and use than our previous extrication resources professionals to host panel discussions and speak about employee rights, and energy and tools. The addition of this equipment helps ensure we can best protect the safety of Lompoc health care professionals will host a panel about residents and visitors.” their respective fields.

• The Santa Barbara County registrar of As of Feb. 7, Terrazas was looking for five voters announced that the Santa Maria Elections volunteers from Santa Maria to coach students Office—511 Lakeside Parkway, suite 134—is on these life skills, help them prepare for future open and will offer a full range of voter services in careers, and provide insight to their professions, preparation for the March 5 presidential primary she said. election. The office will be open Monday through “I think it’s beneficial because our volunteers to noon and then again from motivate students and provide real life experiences; Friday from 8 a.m.

MUSIC 1 to 5 p.m. The Santa Maria office will provide they are great role models for students who may not know about the workforce or are just learning,” new and registered voters with assistance for FLAVOR/EATS registering to vote, updating voter registration, Terrazas said. “I think their expertise is critical receiving voter-related materials, and voting in this development, and we want to provide accommodations for persons with disabilities. A them with different voices, especially in the Santa INFO Maria community, and different backgrounds and secured ballot drop box is located in the Santa Maria office parking lot for drive-through drop off pathways and exposure to those.” of completed ballots.

The Santa Barbara County Before becoming a coach, professionals CALENDAR Elections Office provides voter services for must complete a Live Scan background check community members countywide. Thirty ballot and training. Partners in Education provides a OPINION throughout Santa Barbara curriculum with talking points, but it’s flexible for drop boxes are located the coaches to adapt to their own experiences, she County and will be available 24 hours a day through 8 p.m. on Election Day, March 5, 2024. said. The deadline to volunteer is Feb. 20, and the NEWS Voters are encouraged to use the drop boxes to spring program starts Feb. 22. return their completed ballots.

While applications for Find a list of drop box locations students already closed for this STROKES at sbcvote.com. m round, Partners in Education Send business and hosts the Job Readiness and nonprofit information to Internship program twice ARTSReach Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor at toconnor@ spotlight@santamariasun.com. a year, with the next round santamariasun.com. happening in fall 2024. While

Career coaches

E

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2024

Water Awareness Poster Contest

Sign up for the Santa Maria Sun News Wire e-newsletter and get your current local news FREE in your inbox every Thursday RULES OF PARTICIPATION

Select the SIGNUP button at the top right of our homepage:

santamariasun.com

1. Each participating 3rd grade student must be enrolled within the Santa Maria Bonita School District.

2. Only one poster per student will be accepted.

3. Posters must be colorful and symbolize Water Awareness Month by explaining why water conservation is important.

(Examples: pictures of oceans, lakes, watersheds, etc.).

4. Posters must not be larger than 11” x 17”.

5. For more information and creative ideas, students can visit these websites: • City of Santa Maria www.cityofsantamaria.org • Santa Barbara County Water Agency www.waterwisesb.org • Save Our Water www.saveourwater.com

6. Students must provide the following contact information on the back of their poster: first and last name; name of school, teacher’s name; and telephone number.

7. DEADLINE: All posters MUST be turned in by Friday, March 1, 2024, by 4:00 p.m., at the Santa Maria Regional Landfill located at 2065 East Main Street. Posters may not be returned after submission.

www.santamariasun.com • February 15 - February 22, 2024 • Sun • 9

Opinion ONLINE POLL

How did you fare during the recent round of storms?

40% A little soggy, but I’m glad the rain will be passing this weekend.

30% No issues for me this year!

30% It was a bit scary driving around, but other than that it wasn’t too bad.

0% I had significant damage to my property and/or belongings.

10 Votes

Vote online at www.santamariasun.com.

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➤ Canary [11]

LETTERS

Costco should cut ties with Citibank

I worry about the climate. Lots of folks do these days. So I was really disappointed to learn that Citibank is one of the biggest lenders to fossil fuel companies. Since 2016 Citi has invested a whopping $332 billion in this industry, ever worsening the livability of our planet as we fight a barrage of floods, fires, excessive heat, and loss of life. Not to mention that atmospheric river that just swept through.

Costco, being the third largest retailer in the U.S., has the capability to persuade Citibank to stop funding fossil fuels. And all the customers of Costco can help push this agenda. Recently 18,000 Costco customers as well as 40,000 other people signed a petition asking Costco to cut ties with Citi.

Costco considers itself an ethical company.

They have succeeded in reducing their use of plastics and have done a good job at adding organic food. There are plenty of banks that don’t damage the environment like Citibank.

And lots of people love Costco. Let’s all encourage them to do the right thing!

Robbin Anderson Nipomo

Reelect Joan Hartmann

In my 11 years as an administrator with the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, I had the opportunity to work with many members of the county Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Joan Hartmann is among the very best.

As a county administrator in the past and as a current 3rd District resident, I find that Joan Hartmann demonstrates leadership in the best sense of the word. She asks probing questions, listens attentively, and provides thoughtful responses. Supervisor Hartmann explains her reasoning and the considerations that led to her votes. She is exceptionally respectful and considerate of all residents, speakers, and county staff.

Joan Hartmann brings people together to discuss thorny and controversial issues.

A Jan. 29 meeting on proposed rezoning of Glenn Annie Golf Course is a recent example.

She listened to all concerns and offered information to help everyone understand the challenges we face.

Susan Klein-Rothschild Goleta

Hartmann gets Santa Ynez

I love calling the Santa Ynez Valley home because residents show up to support each other. But it is evident that much of our workforce can’t be part of that because of the high cost of living here.

At the College Elementary School District in Santa Ynez, our school board and superintendent continually ask, “How can we best use our resources to maximize a thriving Santa Ynez Valley?” Our recent brainstorm was, “What if we could create homes on school property—where we have open space—that will help recruit the very best educators and alleviate our housing crunch?”

That’s where 3rd District County Supervisor Joan Hartmann, who represents the Santa Ynez Valley as well as the region from Lompoc to Goleta, comes in. She understands this issue and has been pitching in to move it forward.

The hardest lift for a housing project is navigating state and county regulations.

Supervisor Hartmann’s help has been invaluable. Her knowledge of the ins and outs of county committees, boards, and planning and development policies is exemplary. She has been an ever-accessible resource and guide as we try to quickly navigate the requirements necessary to move this project forward.

10 • Sun • February 15 - February 22, 2024 • www.santamariasun.com

Housing is one of the biggest and hardest issues for local governments to fix. Supervisor Hartmann has been taking the lead to get us what we need so that our teachers, as well as firefighters, police, doctors, and other key community members can live where they work and be part of our village!

Peter Wright Solvang

WRITE NOW!

We want to know what you think about everything. Send your 250-word letter to Sun Letters, 801 S Broadway Suite 3, Santa Maria, CA 93454. 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.

Biden vs. Trump

it isn’t. It is merely a continuation of Article II, Section 1, which gives us the requirements as to I am responding to John Donegan’s letter in who is eligible to run for president. the opinion section of Feb. 1 (“Ruling Donald Not until the Civil War did the question arise Trump stricken from the ballot is a big deal, so as to what would happen if someone violated don’t take it lightly”). their oath of office to uphold the Constitution It seems he has been confused by MAGA and now wants to run for president. This is Republican propaganda. He said inflation had exactly what the 14th Amendment, Section 3, been running rampant the last three years. addresses. In clear language, it says essentially Not true. After COVID, the inflation rate hit that once someone has violated their oath over 9 percent, but it is now at 3.2 percent. of office they cannot be trusted to not Corporate greed has kept food prices artificially violate it again. Not everyone who joined the high as they reaped record profits as high as Confederacy was convicted in a court of law of 700 percent. This is an argument for control of insurrection, but they were no longer eligible monopolies. to run for any office, civil or military, under the Crime is not running rampant; it has fallen United States or any state. dramatically. John said that immigrants are The Colorado Supreme Court looked at flooding across an “open border.” In spite of the evidence and determined that Trump Republicans screaming this lie every time a committed insurrection before declaring him Democrat gets in the White House, there is ineligible. After all, why did all those MAGA no “open border.” Yes, we need a new border hats show up in Washington, D.C., on Jan. policy. but the Republican House refuses pass 6, 2021? When asked that question at their the new bill before them. trial, they all said it was because “Trump told Another error was his claim that Biden is us to come.” Who stood before them on the decrepit because he is 80. This is ageism. He is Ellipse and told them to march on the Capitol mentally sharp, and the wisdom he has gained and to “fight like hell”? Who sat in his office from his years as a congressman and vice MUSIC unfold while cheering watching the events president has produced legislation unmatched on the slavering mob assaulting the Capitol since FDR. Compare to Trump, who at 77 with Police for hours and refusing to do anything FLAVOR/EATS his diet of Big Macs and KFC and no exercise to stop it? He has admitted that his purpose is in far worse physical shape. And just look at was to prevent Congress from certifying the Trump’s mental mistakes. He confused Nikki vote of millions of Americans. Some of the INFO Haley with Nancy Pelosi, Biden with Obama, same Republican Congressmen who were seen Orban of Hungary with Erdogan of Turkey. It running for their lives on Jan. 6 later called it isn’t age, it’s mental acuity, and Biden wins that a normal day at the Capitol. How many times CALENDAR hands down. did we hear them say some Some conservatives are version of “are you going OPINION twisting themselves into to believe me or your lying Gordian knots using pretzel eyes?”

Send us your logic trying to make the 14th Enough! views and opinion to NEWS Amendment, Section 3, of the Dan Dennis letters@santamariasun.com.

Constitution into something Orcutt

Speak up!

STROKES

ARTS

Opinion

What a racket!

T

ennis players and pickleball players are frenemies who simply cannot share a court—and the battle over volleying space is getting tense in Solvang.

Hans Christian Andersen Park hosts the city’s only two pickleball courts but they’re on the verge of closure with cracking and drainage issues.

“The current courts are getting to the point where it could become a safety hazard,” said Parks and Recreation Director Jenny McClurg.

Oof. Sounds like a pretty serious court case, amirite?

The city of Solvang doesn’t seem that interested in repairing the damage just yet because there are master plans that need updating! Exciting and fast-moving stuff, folks!

Instead, the Parks and Recreation Department is stirring the pot.

On Feb. 12, the Solvang City Council voted to go along with Parks and Recreation’s staff recommendation to retrofit a Hans Christian Andersen tennis court for pickleball with new paint and portable pickleball nets. I bet the tennis players are going to love that!

Councilmember David Brown said he was worried that converting any of the tennis courts into temporary pickleball courts might upset local tennis buffs.

“It was evident that they didn’t want to share the tennis courts,” Brown said, referring to residents who spoke at an October meeting about how Solvang needs new pickleball courts. Some complained that pickleball players were already encroaching on their tennis courts too often.

Sounds dicey!

“There are some people who are kind of aggressive, and I can see conflict happening,” USA Pickleball Ambassador David Gay told council members on Feb. 12.

It wasn’t too long ago that tennis players were complaining that pickleball players were too aggressive. Oh, how the tables have turned! Gay advocated for the city to temporarily convert one of the four tennis courts into four individual pickleball courts, saying that it would prevent “conflict with the tennis players.”

Sounds like people in Solvang are pretty protective of their court space. Hopefully everyone involved can keep their aggression under wraps while the city figures out a new recreation master plan, where it tries to please everyone on the court instead of racketswingers ending up in court.

But those rich racketeers with free time to tie up on the court are sitting pretty compared to at least one Santa Maria firefighter. He’s living in his van and providing emergency services to Santa Maria city residents because he’s not making enough money to afford housing (Not cool!)—something his union is trying to change.

Santa Maria Fire Department employees make 14 percent less than their counterparts on the Central Coast, according to Firefighter union President Matthew Chircop, who also said that Santa Maria’s fire department is the second lowest paid in the Tri-Counties area, leading to lots of issues.

“We constantly have turnover, we constantly have recruitment and retention problems,” he said. “Santa Maria is the fastest growing city in the county, the largest city in the county. We are busier than any other agency around.”

Why exactly can’t the city pay its firefighters a living wage? I’m not talking about the fire captains. I’m talking about the firefighter living in his car and all the other firefighters struggling to make a living while providing a public service to city residents. m The Canary is concerned about rackets. Send your choice of ball to canary@santamariasun.com.

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www.santamariasun.com • February 15 - February 22, 2024 • Sun • 11

Hot Stuff

10-DAY CALENDAR: FEBRUARY 15 - FEBRUARY 25, 2024

THE IRE THRONE

The Pacific Conservatory Theatre’s (PCPA) latest production, Henry V, is slated to open at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria on Thursday, Feb. 15, and run through Sunday, March 3. PCPA’s associate artistic director, Emily Trask, portrays Henry in this new iteration of the iconic Shakespeare play. Visit pcpa.org or call (805) 922-8313 for tickets to the show or more info.

The Marian Theatre is located at 800 S. College Drive, Santa Maria.

—Caleb Wiseblood

COURTESY PHOTO BY LUIS ESCOBAR/ REFLECTIONS PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

ARTS SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS

BALLROOM, LATIN, AND SWING DANCE CLASSES Social ballroom, Latin, and swing lessons for all ages. 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.

BED AND BREAKFAST AND MURDER Two actors that regularly play cops on a television series decide to become real police officers. The duo is employed in a small town with a low crime rate, but the plot thickens when someone’s murdered at a local bed and breakfast. Presented

by OCT. Through Feb. 25 my805tix.com.

Klein Dance Arts, 3558 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria.

DANCE CLASSES: EVERYBODY CAN DANCE Classes available for all skill levels. Class sizes limited. ongoing Everybody Can Dance, 628 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria, 805-937-6753, everybodycandance.webs.com/.

LEARN CALIFORNIA’S OFFICIAL DANCE: WEST COAST SWING Learn west coast swing in a casual, friendly environment, taught by Texas state swing champion, Gina Sigman. Free intro from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Beyond the Basics ($10) is 7 to 7:45 p.m. $10 entry includes social dance (7:45 to 8:15 p.m.). Tuesdays, 6:30-8:15 p.m.

832-884-8114. Cubanissimo Cuban Coffee House, 4869 S. Bradley Rd., #118, Orcutt.

SANTA YNEZ VALLE Y

CALIFORNIA’S CHANGING LANDSCAPE: THE WAY OF WATER Featuring more than 20 large-format documentary inkjet photographs of the Golden State, this timely exhibition showcases George

Rose’s recent expansive documentation of California’s dramatic water story. California Nature Art Museum, 1511-B Mission Dr., Solvang, calnatureartmuseum.org.

EN MI CORAZÕN: DEBBI GREEN AT GALLERY LOS OLIVOS Artist Debbie Green has solo show exhibiting a collection of farm animals: cows, chickens, horses, donkeys, and their spirited personalities reflected in paint with love and affection. Mondays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Feb. 29 Free. 805 688-7517.

GalleryLosOlivos.com. Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos.

GRAND OPENING: WILD HORSE PHOTO EXHIBIT AND TALK To celebrate the opening of an exhibit of photographs of America’s wild horses. Hear a talk about the history of wild horses from Return to Freedom Founder Neda DeMayo. Catered lunch and wine tasting. Meet equine ambassadors. Feb. 18, 12-3 p.m. $25-$55; free for children under age 5. 805-7379246. returntofreedom.org. Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum, 3596 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

GRAVE MISTAKES Book editor Ray’s chances of courting writer and housemate Molly get pushed to the backburner when the duo’s landlord teams up with a ghost hunter and plots to kick his two tenants out in order to transform their home into a horror-themed tourist destination.

Through March 16 Great American Melodrama, 1863 Front St., Oceano.

NEW WORKS BY STEVE ANDREWS Andrews’ artwork will be on display during January and February at The Clark Center. Through Feb. 29 805-489-9444. clarkcenter.org/about/visual-arts-exhibit/.

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

STORYTIME AND BOOK-SIGNING WITH AUTHOR PATRICIA TOHT Hosting author Patricia Toht for a special Storytime Reading and book-signing of her new children’s book, Taxi, Go! Preorders of her new book are available online.

Feb. 17, 1-2 p.m. Free. 805-668-6300. monarchbooks805.com. Monarch Books, 201 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

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

ALISA SIKELIANOS-CARTER The Alisa Sikelianos-Carter exhibition at SLOMA will promote an emerging female artist of color whose works are inspired by the stories of her Black ancestors and traditionally Black hairstyles, centered on ancestral power and mythology. Through March 10, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

805-543-8562. sloma.org/exhibition/alisasikelianos-carter/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

ALL AGES SCULPTING WITH JOHN ROULLARD John a retired school teacher who patiently guides potters of all ages to sculpt and work on details and design.

Saturdays, 1:30-3 p.m. $40. anamcre.com.

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

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

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

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.

12 • Sun • February 15 - February 22, 2024 • www.santamariasun.com

ARTIST RIKI SCHUMACHER AT ART CENTRAL GALLERY Schumacher’s work is pensive and introspective, inspiring one to take a solitary walk on a cloudy day. Wander in to reflect on her “delicious, wistful landscapes.” Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. Free.

805-747-4200. artcentralslo.com/galleryartists/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL Join the SLO outdoor community for two nights of acclaimed outdoor adventure, cultural, and environmental films. Find more info on website. Purchase tickets at REI or Mountain Air with no extra fees. Feb. 23-24, 7-10 p.m. $25 for one night; $45 for both shows. 509-951-6793. livetoplay.com.

The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

BARRY GOYETTE: MULBERRY For his exhibition at SLOMA, San Luis Obispobased artist Barry Goyette shows a series of portraits taken by a very specific mulberry tree as a site for portrait photography guided by the models, of varying stages of life. Through June 3, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 805-543-8562. sloma. org/exhibition/barry-goyette-mulberry/.

San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

BEEHIVE: THE ‘60S MUSICAL Take a trip down memory lane with this musical celebration featuring iconic female voices of the 1960s. Told from the perspective of six young women who came of age in this enigmatic decade and unforgettable time, this new show will have you “dancing in the aisles.” Wednesdays-Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays, Sundays, 2-4 p.m. through March 10 $40-$60. 805-786-2440. slorep.org/shows/beehive-the-60smusical/. SLO Rep, 888 Morro St., San Luis Obispo.

INDEX Arts.......................................12 Culture & Lifestyle ...........14 Food & Drink ......................16 Music ...................................18

BEYOND THE BASICS OF WATERCOLOR WITH VIRGINIA MACK This is a class for those who love imagining ways to further their visual expressions. A watercolorbased course, but one that branches out into other media. Third Wednesday of every month, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and Fourth Thursday of every month, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $35 per class. 805-7474200. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

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

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

CHICAGO A universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one showstopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing. Feb. 22, 7:30-9 p.m. $78-$119. 805-756-2787. calpolyarts.org.

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

COBI MOULES: SHOWERING OF SPARKLY BITS Cobi Moules’ paintings feature queer bodies at play, exuding agency and abandon. Symbolizing queer joy, they transcend boundaries, obscuring the landscape as a backdrop to their pleasures. Moules reimagines 19th century Hudson River School landscape painting as queer spaces of desire and belonging.

Mondays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. through March 15 Free. 805-546-3202. cuesta.edu/ student/campuslife/artgallery/index.html.

Harold J. Miossi Gallery, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

CREATIVITY DAYS WITH THE SILK ARTISTS OF CALIFORNIA CENTRAL COAST These are not “classes” as there is no formal teaching (although there is lots of sharing and learning). It’s an opportunity to work on your own projects with your own materials while picking up new skills among friends. Third Monday of every month $3; first session free. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, 805-747-4200.

ENHANCE YOUR CREATIVITY WITH JASON MAYR Give your creativity the gift of a jump start in the New Year. You’ll be led through exercises and examples to gain

insight and inspiration that will fuel you forward in 2024. All levels are welcome.

Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. through Feb. 22 $185 for 5 sessions. 805-234-6940.

Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, artcentralslo.wordpress.com.

HEARTS IN BLOOM: MIXED MEDIA COLLAGE WITH LINDA CUNNINGHAM In this workshop you’ll receive step by step instruction for creating a beautiful floral heart paper collage using multiple media.

Feb. 17, 1-4:30 p.m. $40 per person. 805478-2158. artcentralslo.com. 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.

LEAH ROSENBERG Rosenberg works across artistic media to spark new experiences of color. Using painting, installation, printmaking, sculpture, performance, and video, she invites viewers to consider how color can be perceived both multi-sensorially and multi-dimensionally. Free. 805-543-8562. sloma.org. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

LIGHTWIRE THEATER: DINO-LIGHT Join Lightwire Theater for their electrifying production, Dino-Light. Recipient of the prestigious Jim Henson Foundation Grant, this glow-in- the-dark adventure weaves a heartwarming story with a cutting-edge blend of puppetry and technology. Feb. 25, 3-4:30 p.m. $36-$40. 805-756-2787. calpolyarts.org. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.

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

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

ARTS continued page 14

UPCOMING SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS

WEDDINGS BOOK ADS BY: February 23 PUBLICATION DATE: February 29

Reach an affluent and active readership of brides and grooms-to-be

MENUS PROUD TO BE THE COMMUNITY PET RESOURCE FOR

Santa Maria

BOOK ADS BY: March 22 PUBLICATION DATE: April 2024

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL BOOK ADS BY: April 12 PUBLICATION DATE: April 18, 2024

Animal Adoptions • Low-cost Veterinary Care Affordable Dog Training • Pet Supplies & Resources sbhumane.org | 805-964-4777 1687 West Stowell Road Santa Maria, CA 93458

The Central Coast Guide to all things food and drink

SUMMER GUIDE PRIDE GET OUTSIDE

BOOK ADS BY: May 17 BOOK ADS BY: May 31 BOOK ADS BY: June 14

Reach thousands of attendees in the festival’s program printed in the Sun PUBLISHED: May 23 PUBLISHED: June 6 PUBLISHED: June 20

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFO TODAY NORTHERN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY (805) 347-1968 · advertising@santamariasun.com www.santamariasun.com • February 15 - February 22, 2024 • Sun • 13

Hot Stuff

presents...

FEBRUARY 15 - FEBRUARY 25, 2024 PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LOMPOC VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER

SPONSORED BY

Performances: February 9 - 25 Fri & Sat at 7:30pm • Sun at 1:30pm Buy Tickets online at My805Tix or Tickets available at the door

Directed by Laura Gonzalez

NORTH SLO COUNT Y

Tickets $20

Visit Us at orcuttcommunitytheater.org • 3558 Skyway Drive, Bldg 1, Studio 1, Orcutt CA

CARE NECESSITIES

Check Your Mailbox For Your Ballot

for the March 5th Presidential Primary Sign up at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov to receive notifications about the status of your ballot.

A person entitled to register to vote must be a United States citizen, a resident of California, not currently imprisoned in a state or federal prison for the conviction of a felony, not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court, and at least 18 years of age at the time of the election. A person may preregister to vote if that person is a is a United States citizen, a resident of California, not currently imprisoned in a state or federal prison for the conviction of a felony, and at least 16 years of age.

Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters

805-568-2200 sbcvote.com

Senior Dial-A-Ride HELP WANTED $500 BONUS! DRIVERS PART-TIME TO FULL TIME WITH GREAT PAY & BENEFITS Established, growing company with local routes. Class B Passenger & Air Brake Endorsements desired. Paid commercial license training provided. Good driving record required. $500 Sign on Bonus paid after 90 Day Intro Period. A GREAT career opportunity!

An Equal Opportunity (EEO) Employer

SMOOTH, Inc. 240 East Roemer Way, Santa Maria · 805-922-8476 14 • Sun • February 15 - February 22, 2024 • www.santamariasun.com

METAL ART BY TRUDI GILLIAM Gilliam creates her sculptures using copper, brass, nickel/silver, and found objects.

This new series of whales and birds uses copper and sea glass. ongoing 805-772-9955. Seven Sisters Gallery, 601 Embarcadero Ste. 8, Morro Bay, sevensistersgalleryca.com.

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

SACRED PLACES: A GROUP PAINTING SHOW Features various media from painters Hema Sukumar, Joan L. Brown, Hope Myers, Sandra Sanders, Craig Harrill, Nancy Jensen, Patricia Newton, Virginia Mack. Includes paintings of special sacred places “we all may have visited.”

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

Lompoc Valley Medical Center’s licensed occupational therapist Emily Garnica will speak during a lecture on caregiving at the Dick DeWees Community and Senior Center in Lompoc on Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission to attend the program is free. Call (805) 737-5762 or visit lhdfoundation.org for more info. The Dick DeWees Community and Senior Center is located at 1120 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc.

—C.W.

ARTS from page 12 ROCKIN’ MOSAICS IN THE GARDEN Learn mosaic basics and create a one-ofa-kind mosaic rock for your garden. Tools to cut, glue, and grout will be provided. For more information about registering for this program, email jen@slobg.org. Feb. 25, 1-3 p.m. $50. 805-541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

SCULPTURE SERIES WITH ROD PEREZ Rod will guide guests through creating a bust sculpture throughout the month of February. Meeting twice a week offers ample time to craft and fine tune your piece. Beginners more than welcome. Clay sold separately at $35 per bag. Please book in advance online. Mondays, Fridays, 10 a.m.-noon through Feb. 26 $250. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

SLO COMEDY FESTIVAL Visit website for the lineup of featured comedians and events, as well as tickets. Feb. 22-25 slocomedyfestival.com. SLO County, Locations countywide, San Luis Obispo.

UNITED MOVEMENT PRESENTS ILLUMINATE DANCE SHOWCASE The sixth annual Illuminate Dance Showcase, hosted by Cal Poly’s United Movement, brings together the cultural dance clubs of Cal Poly together on one stage for a day of artistic and creative expression. Feb. 17, 1-2 & 7-9 p.m. $17-$23. 805-756-4849. pacslo. org/events/detail/illuminate24. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.

VIRGINIA MACK: BEGINNING WATERCOLOR This is a watercolor class designed to let you jump in and try out this engaging medium through experimentation.

It’s designed for beginners and those with watercolor experience who wish to expand their knowledge of painting in watercolors.

To enroll, contact Mack via email: vbmack@ charter.net Wednesdays, 1:30-3:30 p.m. $35. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo.com/ workshops-events/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

YOUTH POTTERY CLASS Teens love this class. Learn handbuilding techniques and throwing on the potter’s wheel. Held every Friday after school. Fridays, 3:30-5 p.m. $40. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

NORTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

DEPRISE BRESCIA ART GALLERY: OPEN DAILY Features a large selection of encaustic art, sculpted paintings, art installations, acrylic palette knife paintings, digital art, glass, jewelry, stones, fossils, and a butterfly sculpture garden. ongoing DepriseBrescia.com. Deprise Brescia Art Gallery, 829 10th St., Paso Robles, 310-621-7543.

FRANK EBER: PRESENCE AND ABSENCE A special pop-up show in the Studio Spotlight space. Featuring the talented Frank Eber. The show will highlight a variety of Eber’s work that explores nature’s transitions in painting.

Through March 25 805-238-9800. studiosonthepark.org. Studios on the Park, 1130 Pine St., Paso Robles.

MONOCHROME MEMOIR: A BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION See the world in dark and light through the multifaceted lens of Celeste Hope.

Reflect on a creative journey that spans multicultural exploration, live music experiences, female strength, unexpected encounters, and other subjects of inspiration. Through Feb. 25 805-2389800. studiosonthepark.org. Studios on the Park, 1130 Pine St., Paso Robles.

AQUARIUS 2024 Central Coast Watercolor Society’s annual juried exhibit features a wide array of watermedia art from experimental to traditional. Meet the artists at the opening reception on Feb. 25, 2 to 4 p.m. when awards will be presented. Feb. 22-April 1 Free. ccwsart.com/aquarius2024-show. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay, 805-772-2504.

CALL FOR ARTISTS: CHASING LIGHT Accepting art submissions for Chasing Light, on display from Feb. 22 to April 1. Feb. 20, 10 a.m. Call or visit site for more details. 805-772-2504. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay, artcentermorrobay.org.

SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS COSTA GALLERY SHOWCASES Features works by Ellen Jewett as well as 20 other FEEL GOOD YOGA Tuesdays, Thursdays, local artists, and artists from southern and 8:30-9:30 a.m. 805-937-9750. oasisorcutt. northern California. Thursdays-Saturdays, org. Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt.

11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. 559GROUP WALKS AND HIKES Check 799-9632. costagallery.com. Costa Gallery, website for the remainder of this year’s 2087 10th St., Los Osos. group hike dates and private hike offerings.

DEBRA PIAZZA: ACRYLIC, MIXED MEDIA ongoing 805-343-2455. dunescenter.org.

ARTIST Piazza began her painting career Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, 1065 during the pandemic, and uses handmade Guadalupe St., Guadalupe. collage papers, and/or anything she can SANTA MARIA COIN CLUB: MONTHLY find to enhance the texture of a flat canvas.

MEETING Coin collectors of all ages Exhibiting at Morro Made, Rustic Diamond, invited. Bring coins for free appraisals.

Morro Bay Art Association, Cayucos Third Wednesday of every month, 7 p.m.

Makers, and Mea Winery. ongoing 650Yearly membership: $20-$25. 805-937888-2168. artbypiazza.com. Morro Made, 3158. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park 490 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay. Ave., Santa Maria.

IT TAKES TWO This upbeat musical celebrates the risky business of falling in LOMPOC/VANDENBERG love with 19 original songs and spoken CAREGIVER TRAINING Lompoc Valley bits that are both funny and touching.

Medical Center Licensed Occupational Feb. 23-March 3 my805tix.com.

Therapist Emily Garnica will offer

By The Sea Productions, 545 Shasta Ave., caregivers tips about caring for loved ones Morro Bay. during a free lecture. Feb. 21, 6-8 p.m.

JEWELRY, SMALL WORKS, AND ART BY Free. 805-737-5762. lhdfoundation.org.

STEVIE CHUN Chun lives in a small town Dick DeWees Community & Senior Center, between Santa Clarita and Palmdale. She 1120 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. is a self-taught artist working in several mediums and many types of formats.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y Stevie is passionate about shape and ASTROLOGY 101 Have you always color in per paintings and crafts and been curious about astrology and your uses minimal outlined forms. Mondays, horoscope but don’t know where to Wednesdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. start? Local professional astrologer Lori through Feb. 29 Free. 805-772-1068.

Waters, KPDA, will be teaching a five-week galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Astrology 101 course that will lead you Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 15 Morro Bay.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

Hot Stuff CULTURE & LIFESTYLE from page 14 through the basics of astrology. Feb. 22, 6-7:30 p.m. $20. 805-773-7063. Shell Beach Veterans Memorial Building, 230 Leeward Ave., Pismo Beach, pismobeach.org.

BELLY DANCING BASICS Delve into fundamental techniques, including isolations, shimmies, and undulations, while emphasizing proper posture and body awareness. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, an experienced instructor will guide you through each step. Come once or every week. Mondays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. through March 25 $22 drop in; or $120 for all six weeks. 805-619-0989. empoweryoga805.com/events. Empower Yoga Studio and Community Boutique, 775 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach.

DONATION-BASED YOGA FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, EMTS, AND CARETAKERS Class schedule varies.

Contact empoweryoga805@gmail for details and reservations. ongoing 805-619-0989. empoweryoga805.com.

Empower Yoga Studio and Community Boutique, 775 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach.

EMBROIDERER’S GUILD OF AMERICA The Bishop’s Peak Chapter of the Embroiderer’s Guild of America invites you to attend its meeting on the third Saturday of each month. For more information, follow on Facebook at Bishop’s Peak EGA or visit the EGA website. Third Saturday of every month, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. through Nov. 16 Free. egausa.com. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach, 805-773-4832.

MINDFULNESS, NEUROSCIENCE, AND YOGA WORKSHOP Enjoy exploring the fascinating world of science and spirituality, as the class will discuss neuroscience and how reintegrating our mind, body, and soul through the practice of yoga alters our neural pathways and can help us live a healthier happier life.

Feb. 18, 3-5 p.m. $45. 805-619-0989. empoweryoga805.com/events. Empower Yoga Studio and Community Boutique, 775 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

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

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

BOOK LECTURE: TEACHING “INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF A SLAVE GIRL” IN THE 21ST CENTURY American Association of University Women presents Dr. Maya Hislop of Cal Poly, who will talk about how she first came into contact with the landmark book, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, and the impact that it has had on her as a teacher. Feb. 17, 11 a.m.-noon Free event. 805-781-5184. slolibary.org. San Luis Obispo Library Community Room, 995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.

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

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.

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORS ROUNDTABLE (FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS) Spokes roundtables are facilitated, peer networking, and

FEBRUARY 15 - FEBRUARY 25, 2024 PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO BOTANICAL GARDEN

IF YOU CAN’T BEAT ’EM

The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden hosts its Garden Groove Drum Circle on Saturday, Feb. 24, from noon to 1:30 p.m. This community-building drum circle event includes guided drumming activities. Guests are asked to bring their own drums. Admission ranges between $17 and $22. Call (805) 541-1400, Ext. 302, or visit slobg.org for more info. The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden is located at 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo.

—C.W. problem-solving opportunities. At the start recovery isn’t linear and judgment-free support is crucial. Share, listen, and be part of the roundtable, participants introduce of a community building up each other. themselves and share some good news Third Wednesday of every month, 7-8 or something that’s “keeping them up at night.” Roundtables encourage mutual p.m. Free. galacc.org/events/. Online, See support and a candid exchange of ideas. website, San Luis Obispo.

Feb. 20, 12-1 p.m. spokesfornonprofits.org. MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

(ONLINE MEETING) Zoom series hosted EXTEND YOUR MUSHROOM DISCOVERY: by TMHA. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon MONDAY FIELD TRIP Participants will Transitions Mental Health Warehouse, 784 meet at offsite location to search for High Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-270-3346. and identify mushrooms in their natural MUSHROOM DISCOVERY TWO-DAY habitat (rain or shine). Please dress for WORKSHOP: MUSHROOM EXPLORATION outdoor exploration and bring a lunch and AND IDENTIFICATION BASICS Learn water. Note: this field trip is only available the basics of mushrooms and mushroom to participants of Saturday and Sunday identification. Participants will gather workshops. Feb. 19, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. $50. specimens and discuss identification 805-541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo techniques. Please dress for outdoor Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., exploration and bring a lunch and water.

San Luis Obispo.

Space limited. Feb. 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Feb. 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $235 members; $275 FOOD FOREST WORKSHOP An non-members. 805-541-1400. slobg.org. exciting hands-on workshop on Food San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Forest Designing, as part of the host’s Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

Permaculture Gardening Series. Discover the art of creating sustainable and MUSHROOM DISCOVERY: TALES FROM productive food forests in your own THE CRYPTOGRAMS (ALTERNATIVE backyard. Learn how to create you own LIFESTYLES IN KINGDOM FUNGI) Explore food forest paradise. Register online on the vast range of bizarre lifestyles found EventBrite. Feb. 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $40. 626- in Kingdom Fungi in this two-hour lecture.

476-7584. slopermaculture.weebly.com/ Feb. 16, 6-8 p.m. $25 non-members; $15 upcoming-events.html. City Farm SLO, 1221 members. 805-541-1400. slobg.org. San Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo.

Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

FROM BIRMINGHAM TO BETHLEHEM: THE HISTORY OF BLACK-PALESTINIAN NONPROFIT BOARD OFFICER TRAINING SOLIDARITY AND WHY IT MATTERS : ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF TODAY Lecture on current events by THE BOARD SECRETARY This class will Eugene Puryear, an American journalist, give you the basics to perform the role of author, activist, politician, and host on board secretary effectively. Join to learn a Breakthrough News. He is also the author of mastery of minutes; the critical documents Shackled and Chained: Mass Incarceration your organization should have on hand; in Capitalist America. Feb. 20, 7-8 p.m. Free. how to use technology to lighten your load; 805-317-6661. Unitarian Universalist, 2201 and more. Feb. 22, 12-1:30 p.m. $60; $35 for Lawton Ave., San Luis Obispo.

Spokes Members. spokesfornonprofits.org.

GALA PRIDE AND DIVERSITY CENTER Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

BOARD MEETING (VIA ZOOM) Monthly PARTY FOR GOOD The Central Coast meeting of the Gala Pride and Diversity Friendship Bridge invites you to Party For Center Board of Directors. Meets virtually Good at the House of Bread. Live Music via Zoom and is open to members of

by Tax Band. 25 percent of the proceeds the public. Visit galacc.org/events to fill go to Friendship Bridge empowering out the form to request meeting access. impoverished Guatemalan women.

Third Tuesday of every month, 6-8 p.m.

Handmade Guatemalan gift items for sale.

No admission fee. galacc.org. Online, See Feb. 16, 4-6 p.m. House of Bread, 1025 website, San Luis Obispo.

Farmhouse Lane, San Luis Obispo, 805HEALING DEPRESSION SUPPORT 801-4853, houseofbread.com.

GROUP A safe place to share life PLUG-IN TO LOCAL CLIMATE ACTION experiences with those who have Get inspired by local action, connect with depression or have had and recovered others, and discover more ways to get from the devastating effects of depression. involved with the SLO Climate Coalition.

Mondays, 6-7 p.m. through Dec. 30 Free.

Attend virtually or in-person. Sustainable 805-528-3194. Hope House Wellness snacks and childcare will be provided.

Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo.

Third Thursday of every month, 6-8 p.m.

LGBTQ+ FED THERAPIST LEAD sloclimatecoalition.org/events/. Ludwick SUPPORT GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA Community Center, 864 Santa Rosa, ZOOM) A pro-recovery group offering San Luis Obispo. space to those seeking peer support, all CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 16 stages of ED recovery. We understand

A brief story, fifty-five words or less, with a headline no longer than seven words.

We accept entries to our annual 55 Fiction writing contest all year long.

Entries submitted by 5 p.m.

Monday, June 17, 2024 will be considered for this year’s publications which will be out on July 25, 2024.

For more details:

bit.ly/55Fiction

www.santamariasun.com • February 15 - February 22, 2024 • Sun • 15

Hot Stuff CULTURE & LIFESTYLE from page 15 Q YOUTH GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM) This is a social support group for LGBTQ+ and questioning youth between the ages of 11-18. Each week the group explores personal, cultural, and social identity. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m.

Free. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

QI GONG FITNESS ONLINE Qi Gong is a gentle but powerful way to strengthen body, mind, and spirit. Great for balance. Instructor: Gary West, through Adult School, San Luis Coastal Unified School District. An online class. Wednesdays, 9:35-10:35 a.m. through May 22 $90. 805-5491222. ae.slcusd.org/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

QUILTING AND SEWING SUPPLIES SALE Supplies donated from a quilter’s estate. Wide range of materials, notions, and storage cabinets at bargain prices. Two sewing machines will also be offered for sale. Feb. 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 1700 Block, San Luis Drive, San Luis Obispo.

SIERRA CLUB SLO HISTORIC WALK: THE MISSION, THE CHUMASH, AND GOLD RUSH RENEGADES Easy, guided stroll past the Mission courtyard, three adobes, the old stagecoach stop, and other landmarks of young and wild San Luis Obispo. Meet under the clock at the corner of Monterey and Osos Streets.

Rain cancels. Feb. 17, 10:30 a.m.-noon Free.

805-549-0355. Under the clock at Monterey and Osos Street, Corner of Monterey and Osos St, San Luis Obispo.

SLO LEZ B FRIENDS (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM) A good core group of friends who gather to discuss topics we love/ care about from movies, outings, music, or being new to the area. We come from all walks of life and most importantly support each other. Transgender and Nonbinary folks welcome. Third Friday of every month, 6:30-9 p.m. Free. sloqueer.groups. io/g/lezbfriends. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

SLO NOONTIME TOASTMASTERS CLUB MEETINGS Want to improve speaking and leadership skills in a supportive and positive environment? During COVID, we are meeting virtually. Contact us to get a meeting link for info. Tuesdays, 12-1 p.m. Free. slonoontime. toastmastersclubs.org. Zoom, Online, Inquire for Zoom ID. SLO RETIRED ACTIVE MEN MONTHLY GETTOGETHERS SLO RAMs is a group of retirees that get together just for the fun, fellowship, and to enjoy programs which enhance the enjoyment, dignity, and independence of retirement. Third Tuesday of every month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $31 luncheon. retiredactivemen.org/.

Madonna Inn Garden Room, 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo.

SLO RETIRED ACTIVE MEN: WEEKLY COFFEE MEETING SLO RAMs is a group or retirees that get together just for the fun, fellowship, and to enjoy programs which enhance the enjoyment, dignity, and independence of retirement.

Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. $10 coffee meeting. retiredactivemen.org. Madonna Inn, 100 Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo.

SUNDAY EVENING RAP LGBTQ+ AA GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM) Alcoholics Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of folks from all walks of life who together, attain and maintain sobriety. Requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Email aarapgroup@gmail.com for password access.

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

Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

TEEN MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP Learn 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.

TRANS* TUESDAY A safe space providing peer-to-peer support for trans, gender nonconforming, non-binary, and questioning people. In-person and Zoom meetings held.

Contact tranzcentralcoast@gmail.com for more details. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. GALA Pride and Diversity Center, 1060 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-541-4252.

NORTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

CENTRAL COAST WOOD CARVERS Learn the art of wood carving or wood burning. Join Central Coast Wood Carvers in Morro Bay at St. Timothy’s. Open for beginners, intermediate, or advance. Learn a wide range of techniques and skills. Mask Required. Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. Free. St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, 16 • Sun • February 15 - February 22, 2024 • www.santamariasun.com

FEBRUARY 15 - FEBRUARY 25, 2024 PHOTO COURTESY OF TIMSHEL VINEYARDS

962 Piney Way, Morro Bay, 805-772-2840, sttimothymorrobay.org/index.html.

CO-DEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS MEETING Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) is a Twelve Step recovery program for anyone who desires to have healthy and loving relationships with themselves and others. Meeting is hybrid (both in person and on Zoom). For information, call 805-900-5237. Saturdays, 1-2:15 p.m. Free. thecambriaconnection.org/. Cambria Connection, 1069 Main St., Cambria, (805) 927-1654.

EDUCATOR WORKSHOP SERIES A series of three educator training workshops focused on coastal ocean literacy, climate resilience, and environmental stewardship. Designed for classroom teachers, naturalists, and outdoor educators. Feb. 24, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $30. eventbrite. com. Morro Bay Museum of Natural History, 20 State Park Rd., Morro Bay, 805-772-2694.

ENJOY AXE THROWING Enjoy the art of axe throwing in a safe and fun environment. Kids ages 10 and older are welcome with an adult.

No personal axes please. Fridays, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and Saturdays, 12-6 p.m. $20. 805-5284880. baysidemartialarts.com. Bayside Martial Arts, 1200 2nd St., Los Osos.

FREE OUTRIGGER CANOE DEMO DAYS Athletes wanted. Pale Kai Outrigger is a nonprofit outrigger canoe club. The club offers competitive Hawaiian-style outrigger canoe racing for men and women and are opening up club registration for 2024. All levels and abilities welcome. Space is limited. Signup online now.

Every other Saturday, 8-10 & 10 a.m.-noon through Feb. 25 Free. palekai.org/joinus/.

Coleman Park, Morro Bay, 101 Coleman Drive, Morro Bay, (805) 772-6278.

PLANT SWAP Calling all plant enthusiasts, newbies, and everyone in between. Bring along any plants, cuttings, starts, and pots you’d like to share; then take home a new plant for yourself. Don’t have a plant to share? There’ll be extras, so come anyway. Feb. 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

805-528-1862. Los Osos Library, 2075 Palisades Ave., Los Osos.

PLANTING BULBS FOR SUMMER COLOR Linda Hicks, of California Garden Clubs, Inc., will show examples of bulbs, corms, rhizomes, and tubers and explain how to successfully grow them. Feb. 18, 2-4 p.m. Free. lovgardenclub.com.

First Baptist Church of Los Osos, 1900 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos, 805-528-3066.

SENIOR CANNABIS FAIR A free senior cannabis fair for active aging adults, family, and caregivers to learn about the basics, dosing, and delivery methods. Featuring guest speaker Sue Taylor “Mama Sue,” recently featured on CNN and known as the face of cannabis for seniors. Must be 21 with ID. Feb. 20, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. eventbrite.com. Natural Healing Center Morro Bay, 495 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay, 805-201-1498.

SOCRATES: DISCUSSION GROUP Group members present interesting and thought provoking topics of all sorts. Topics are selected in advance and moderated by volunteers.

Vaccinations are necessary. Enter through wooden gate to garden area. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. 805-528-7111. Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main St., Morro Bay, coalescebookstore.com/.

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DOWNWARD DOG

Saunter Yoga and Wellness is hosting a Yoga and Wine Blending Class at Timshel Vineyards’ tasting room in Paso Robles on Sunday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to noon. During this hybrid yoga program, yoga is followed by a wine tasting and wine blending class. Tickets to the event are available at my805tix.com. The tasting room is located at 825 Riverside Ave, suite 1, Paso Robles. Visit timshelvineyards.com for more info.

—C.W.

FOOD & DRINK SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS

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

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT WINE STONE INN Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, 805-332-3532, winestoneinn.com/.

FRIDAY NIGHT FUN Karaoke with DJ Nasty.

With Beer Bucket specials. Kitchen stays open late. Come out and sing your favorite song.

Fridays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, 805-623-8866.

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

SIPPIN’ SUNDAYS Every Sunday, come cozy up inside the tasting room and listen to great artists. Sundays, 1-4 p.m. Free. 805-937-8463. cottonwoodcanyon.com.

MUSICCottonwood Canyon Vineyard And Winery, 3940 Dominion Rd, Santa Maria.

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

CHAKRA BALANCING AND FUSED GLASS MOBILE WORKSHOP With Annette Jones, INFOBAR TAKEOVER THURSDAY EVENING a local intuitive reader and healer, who will Call venue or visit share her knowledge website to find out of the chakra system.

CALENDAR about featured Participants will receive vintners. Thursdays a chakra clearing and a stellerscellar.com. set of custom blended Steller’s Cellar, 405 E. Send event information to calendar@ oils. Create fused glass OPINION Clark Ave., Orcutt. mobile based on the santamariasun.com. seven chakras. Feb. 20, WINE AND DESIGN 1-2:30 p.m. $225. 805NEWSCLASSES Check Wine 464-2633. glassheadstudio.com. Glasshead and Design’s Orcutt website for the complete Studio, 8793 Plata Lane, Suite H, Atascadero. list of classes, for various ages. ongoing Varies. wineanddesign.com/orcutt.

GODDESS GROUP Please join Oracle Owner/ STROKES Wine and Design, 3420 Orcutt Road, suite 105, Orcutt.

Intuitive Medium, Tiffany Klemz, for this twice monthly, Goddess Group. The intention of this LOMPOC/VANDENBERG group is to curate connection, inspiration, unity, ARTS and empowerment. Every other Tuesday, 6:30-8 HEAD GAMES TRIVIA AND TACO TUESDAYS CLASH Don’t miss Head Games Trivia at COLD p.m. $11. 805-464-2838. oracleatascaderoca.

Coast Brewing Company every Tuesday night. com. Oracle, 6280 Palma Ave., Atascadero.

Teams can be up to 6 members. Earn prizes THE MID-STATE WEDDING AND EVENT EXPO and bragging rights. Kekas will be serving their An evening of event planning fun, networking, delicious local fare. Fun for all ages. Tuesdays, prizes, giveaways, and more. Feb. 25, 12-4 p.m.

7-9 p.m. Free. 805-819-0723. coldcoastbrewing. my805tix.com. Hunter Ranch Golf Course, 4041 com. COLD Coast Brewing Company, 118 W Highway 46 East, Paso Robles, 805-237-7444.

Ocean Ave, Lompoc.

Spread the word!

SAN LUIS OBISPO

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

HEAD GAMES TRIVIA NIGHT Live multi-media trivia every Wednesday. Free to play. Win prizes.

Teams up to six players. Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. headgamestrivia.com. Antigua Brewing, 1009 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, 805-242-1167.

QUEER TRIVIA Sip some cider, test your LGBTQ trivia knowledge, and learn new fun facts. Topic themes and hosts rotate each week. Prizes for winners. BYO food. Third Friday of every month, 6-8 p.m. Free. 805-292-1500. Two Broads Ciderworks, 3427 Roberto Ct., suite 130, San Luis Obispo, twobroadscider.com.

SLO CRAFT BEER FEST Visit site for more info on this craft beer-centric festival as well as tickets. Feb. 24, 1 p.m. my805tix.com.

Madonna Expo Center, 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo.

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

NORTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

BREAKFAST ON THE BAY A monthly occasion that brings together the passionate citizens and business owners of the greater Estero Bay region in one place to deepen connections and share information. Breakfast is included with ticket price. Third Wednesday of every month, 7:30-9 a.m. $20 per member; $25 per non-member. 805-772-4467. morrochamber.org.

Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way, Morro Bay. THE WORLD OF TEA WORKSHOP AND TASTING Unleash your inner tea connoisseur with this comprehensive event. Feb. 17, 9-11 a.m. $30. 805-395-9323. plantaeandfungi.com.

Plantae and Fungi, 750 Sheffield St., Cambria.

NORTH SLO COUNT Y

BIRRIA WORKSHOP Guests will make pineapple salsa, guacamole, and their own take-home birria spice kits. Feb. 25, 4:30-7 p.m. my805tix.com. MCV Wines, 3773 Ruth Way, suite A, Paso Robles, 805-712-4647.

CLUB CAR BAR TRIVIA WITH DR. RICKY Teams of 1 to 6 people welcome. Visit site for more info. Wednesdays, 7-10 p.m. my805tix.com.

Club Car Bar, 508 S. Main Street, Templeton, 805-400-4542.

CUPID’S DATE NIGHT WITH TIMSHEL VINEYARDS Join Chef Candice Custodio for a delightful three-course French-inspired menu, expertly paired with exquisite Timshel Vineyards wines. Feb. 16, 6-8 p.m. my805tix. com. Timshel Vineyards, 825 Riverside Ave., suite 1, Paso Robles.

FOOD & DRINK continued page 18

Shameless: Sex and Body Positivity Workshops

Various locations in SLO County

The Benedict, Morro Bay

THURS-SAT, FEBRUARY 22-24

Al Stewart with his band The Empty Pockets

FRI-SUN MARCH 1-10 Various Locations in SLO County

SATURDAY, APRIL 20

Harold J. Miossi CPAC, Cuesta College

Michael Nowak and Friends Featuring Maria Jette

Mark Hummel’s Blues Harmonica Blowout

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Timshel Vineyards, Paso Robles

Orcutt Community Theater: Bed and Breakfast and Murder

FRI, SAT, & SUN, FEBRUARY 16-25 Klein Dance Arts Studio, Santa Maria

Stand-Up Comedy Show: Comedy Showcase SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Linnaea’s Cafe, SLO

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Flower City Ballroom, Lompoc

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Trinity United Methodist Church, Los Osos

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Clark Center, Arroyo Grande

Bootleg Comedy Presents: Leah Bonnema

Mo Betta JAZZ, R&B,and BLUES with guest Walt Johnson

Bears, Asylum of Ashes, Slaughterhouse Effect, & No Warning Shots

By The Sea Productions: It Takes Two, An Original Musical Revue

SLO Craft Beer Festival

Songwriters at Play presents Kiki Ebsen House Concert

Cupid’s Date Night with Timshel Vineyards & Chef Candice Custodio

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 Templeton Mercantile

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Bang The Drum Brewery, SLO

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Raconteur Room, Atascadero

Different Strings: Back in the Saddle

FRI, SAT, & SUN, FEB 23-25 & MAR 1-3 545 Shasta Ave, Morro Bay

Yoga & Wine Blending Class with Saunter Yoga

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Timshel Vineyards, Paso Robles

The Mid-State Wedding & Event Expo

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Hunter Ranch Golf Course & Restaurant, PR

Starlight Dreamband, brought to you by Basin Street Regulars SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Pismo Beach Veterans’ Hall

Mexican Culinary Workshop: Birria by Chef Candice Custodio SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 MCV Wines, Paso Robles

Englishmen Abroad SLO 1x1(1080).png

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Maverick Saloon, Santa Ynez

FRIDAY, MARCH 1 Clark Center, Arroyo Grande

The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra

SATURDAY, MARCH 2 Clark Center, Arroyo Grande

Noise Bloc Presents: Plywood Love, Throw Away, & more!

SATURDAY, MARCH 2 The Bunker SLO

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 Harold J. Miossi CPAC, Cuesta College Green Omen Apothecary, Atascadero

SATURDAY, MARCH 2 Flower City Ballroom, Lompoc

Central Coast Aquarium

TICKETS · VOLUNTEER · DONATE FRI: 12–3PM · SAT & SUN: 10AM–4PM San Juan Street, Avila Beach

Tiny Porch Concerts

2024 VIP SEASON TICKETS FOUR SHOWS MAY–AUGUST Peter Strauss Ranch, Agoura Hills

Live Music, Trivia, Karaoke, and more!

CHECK WEBSITE FOR DETAILS Club Car Bar, Templeton Mercantile

805-546-8208 info@My805Tix.com

Comedy Night with Ahmed Ahmed, Blake Bartee, & more!

SATURDAY, MARCH 2 Paso Lounge, Paso Robles

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PROUD Tina: The Ultimate Tribute to Tina Turner

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Intimate House Concert, Avila Beach

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Alex Madonna Expo Center, SLO 1/29/24, 2:46 PM

Laugh Therapy: Stand Up Comedy 2024

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Hot Stuff FOOD & DRINK from page 16 THE RHONE RANGERS EXPERIENCE Join the Rhone Rangers in Paso Robles for the largest gathering of American Rhone producers this winter. 80 wineries; more than 320 wines.

Day includes a coffee bar, seminar, vintners’ luncheon, grand tasting, silent auction, and book signing with Ray Isle, wine editor of Food & Wine. Feb. 18, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. $85-$195.

800-467-0163. rhonerangers.org. Paso Robles Event Center, 2198 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles.

TASTE OF TIN CITY WALKING TOUR Enjoy the first ever walking tour of Tin City – an industrial area just outside of downtown Paso Robles – that is home to a community of innovative and passionate producers of high-quality wines, spirits, beer, and more. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $125.

805-400-3141. toasttours.com/tour/tin-city-walking-tour/.

Toast Tours, 1722 Stillwater Ct, Paso Robles.

MUSIC It’s not just a job, it’s a calling.

The mission of Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics is to provide high quality comprehensive, affordable healthcare to all people, regardless of their ability to pay, in an environment that fosters respect, compassion, and dignity.

We offer generous salaries and excellent benefits including: • Sign on incentives • Reoccurring productivity incentives • Medical, dental and vision PPO plans • Full time, 30 - 40 hours per week • Vacation, sick time and 10 paid holidays per year • 403(b) and 457(b) retirement plans • Opportunity for HRSA loan repayment • HPSA score – 18 Visit sbclinics.org or contact Rosalind.Gilbert@sbclinics.org or call 805.617.7857

SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS

BED AND BREAKFAST AND MURDER February 9th thru February 25th Klein Dance Arts Studio, Santa Maria

IT TAKES TWO Satrday, February 23 at 7pm & Sunday, March 3 at 3 pm

By The Sea Productions, Morro Bay

NEW EDITION ON STANDS IN APRIL

The Central Coast Guide to All Things Food & Drink

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.

SLO SYMPHONY: CLASSIC IV BARTOK AND BEETHOVEN Saturday, March 2 • 7:30pm Performing Arts Center, SLO

Spring/Summer 2024 published in April Reserve your ad by March 22, 2024 San Luis Obispo County: 805-546-8208 advertising@NewTimesSLO.com

LADIES NIGHT OUT Music by DJ Van Gloryious and DJ Panda.

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

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT Sing, dance, play instruments, and move to the beat. Develop motor skills and listening skills while having fun. Ideal for younger children but all ages welcome.

Feb. 19, 11 a.m. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library (Altrusa Theater), 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

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

MUSIC LESSONS AT COELHO ACADEMY Learn to play piano, drums, guitar, base, ukulele, or violin, or take vocal lessons. ongoing 805-925-0464. coelhomusic.com/Lessons/lessons.html. Coelho Academy of Music, 325 E. Betteravia Rd., Santa Maria.

OLD TIME GOSPEL SING-ALONG All are welcome.

Call for more details. Last Saturday of every month, 5-6 p.m.

805-478-6198. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria.

SANTA MARIA PHILHARMONIC SEASON CONCERT: IN THE CLASSICAL STYLE The Santa Maria Philharmonic Orchestra and Maestro Michael Nowak celebrate the artistry and genius of three of Classical music’s greatest composers in the penultimate season concert. Feb. 24, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $45.

805-925 0412. smphilharmonic.org. Grace Baptist Church, 605 E. McCoy Ln., Santa Maria.

SUNDAY NIGHT FUN End the weekend with some good vibes.

Music by DJ Van Gloryious. Sundays, 8 p.m.-midnight Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, 805-623-8866.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

DIFFERENT STRINGS: BACK IN THE SADDLE Enjoy live rock and country music from Different Strings. Feb. 17, 7 p.m. my805tix.com. FCB, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc.

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

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

FALL/WINTER 2023-24 IS ON STANDS NOW Pick up a copy or check it out online: NewTimesSLO.com

RUMOURS A FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE Thursday, March 21 • 7:30pm Clark Center, Arroyo Grande

No. Santa Barbara County: 805-347-1968 advertising@SantaMariaSun.com

18 • Sun • February 15 - February 22, 2024 • www.santamariasun.com

NewTimesSLO.com

EASTON EVERETT Everett plays guitar-woven music that has an indie attitude with songs in distinctive stylistic shapes outside the pop mainstream. Feb. 19, 2-4 p.m. eastoneverett.com. Mulligans Bar and Grill, 6460 Ana Bay Road, Avila Beach, 805-595-4000.

THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL: A TRIBUTE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON Featuring Belinda Davids, this acclaimed two-hour production will fill you with joy, nostalgia and wonderment as it takes you on a heartfelt journey through Houston’s greatest hits including “I Will Always Love You,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” “How Will I Know,” and more. Feb. 17, 7:30-10:30 p.m. $45-$75. 805-489-9444. my805tix.com.

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

JULIE KELLY QUARTET Join vocalist/guitarist Julie Kelly and the Rich Severson Trio as they offer up an eclectic mix of vocal jazz, Brazilian, and pop tunes. Groove-oriented repertoire with mesmerizing solos and energy. Feb. 18, 5-8 p.m.

805-773-6563. puffersofpismo.com. Puffers of Pismo, 781 Price St., Pismo Beach.

MUSIC continued page 19

Hot Stuff MUSIC from page 18 KARAOKE EVERY FRIDAY Enjoy some good food and karaoke.

Fridays, 5-8 p.m. 805-723-5550. The Central Grill, 545 Orchard Road, Nipomo.

KARAOKE EVERY WEDNESDAY A weekly event with barbecue offerings and more. Wednesdays, 4-8 p.m. Rancho Nipomo BBQ, 108 Cuyama Ln., Nipomo, 805-925-3500.

MARK HUMMEL’S BLUES HARMONICA BLOWOUT Blues harmonica master Mark Hummel and his fellow blues musicians are on the road and will be bringing the magic of the blues to the Clark Center. Feb. 18, 7-10 p.m. $29-$55. 805-489-9444. my805tix.com. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

NOTABLE DINNER: MOZART AND DOHNANYI Scott Yoo hosts an evening of culinary and musical adventures. Join Scott and the artists for a tour behind Mozart’s Piano Trio and Dohnanyi’s Piano Quintet. Then after the presentation, enjoy a three-course dinner complete with Central Coast wines.

Feb. 24, 5:30-9 p.m. Tickets start at $200. 805-781-3009. festivalmozaic.org. Cypress Ridge Pavilion, 1050 Cypress Ridge Parkway, Arroyo Grande.

ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN: PERFORMED BY GARY MULLEN AND THE WORKS Gary Mullen & The Works will be performing their world-renowned One Night of Queen live at the Clark Center.

Get your tickets today for an evening that captures all the stage theatrics, showmanship, and music of Queen.

Feb. 24, 7:30-10:30 p.m. $45-$65. 805-489-9444. clarkcenter.org. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

THE STARLIGHT DREAMBAND: PRESENTED BY BASIN STREET REGULARS Presenting top quality dance music with a more than casual nod to the great American standards, The Starlight Dreamband performs various styles of highly popular music. Feb. 25, 1-5 p.m. $10 for members; $15 for non-members. 805-937-8402. eventbrite.com. Pismo Beach Veterans Memorial Hall, 780 Bello St., Pismo Beach.

ALWAYS AMAZING.

NEVER ROUTINE.

HOLLYWOOD FIGHT NIGHTS

GERARDO CORONEL

TYLER HENRY

TOWER OF POWER

FEBRUARY 23 | FRIDAY | 7PM

MARCH 1 | FRIDAY | 8PM

SAN LUIS OBISPO

AMY GRANT LIVE Grant put contemporary Christian music on the map, becoming the first CCM artist to have a platinum record, the first to hit No. 1 on the Pop charts, and the first to perform at the Grammy Awards. Feb. 18, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $79-$89.

805-756-4849. pacslo.org. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.

CAL POLY WINTER JAZZ CONCERT Cal Poly’s University Jazz Ensembles will present the annual Winter Jazz Concert. Known to the world as America’s original art form, jazz has several subgenres which will be showcased at this concert, performed by student musicians from a variety of majors on campus.

Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m. $15 and $20 general; $10 students.

805-756-4849. music.calpoly.edu/calendar/. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.

DENM AND LITTLE STRANGER WITH BIKINI TRILL All ages welcome to attend this concert from DENM and Little Stranger, with special guest Bikini Trill. Feb. 20, 7 p.m.-midnight $23 advance. 805-329-5725. fremontslo.com. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

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

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

MO BETTA JAZZ, R&B, AND BLUES With seven featured musicians, including Walt Johnson (former trumpet player for Frank Sinatra). Feb. 22, 7-9 p.m. my805tix.com. Bang the Drum Brewery, 1150 Laurel Lane, suite 130, San Luis Obispo, 805 242-8372.

NOTABLE INSIGHT: SHOSTAKOVICH STRING QUARTET In this informal, one-hour event, you will learn about Shostakovich and his compositional style, the context surrounding this work, and gain a deeper understanding of the piece. Feb. 22, 5:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. $30. 805-781-3009. festivalmozaic.org. Congregation Beth David, 10180 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo.

ROTARY DE TOLOSA BENEFIT: THE TEN TENORS Australia’s popular group returns to the stage in 2024, celebrating their greatest hits with a new show. The Greatest Hits tour will feature the most loved songs the Tenors have performed across their 28-year history and from opera, pop, rock, and more. Feb. 19, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $52-$97. 805-756-4849. pacslo.org/events/detail/rotary24. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.

SHAOLIN JAZZ: CAN I KICK IT? Experience the entertaining fusion of hip-hop, jazz, and martial arts with Shaolin Jazz’s show. Witness cult classic and contemporary martial arts/ action films come to life as they’re scored scene-by-scene with a vibrant blend of tunes by live DJs. Feb. 15, 7:30-9 p.m. $30.

805-756-2787. calpolyarts.org. PAC Pavilion, Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo.

WINTER CRUSH: MID CENTURY MAQUERADE The Bunker SLO presents Hayley and the Crushers. Featuring the art of Neal Breton. Dance performance by Heather Gray and Pals, plus DJ Malik Miko. Feb. 17, 6-9 p.m. my805tix.com. The Bunker SLO, 810 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo. m

MARCH 15 + 16 | 8PM

MARCH 29 | FRIDAY | 8PM

Management reserves the right to change or cancel promotions and events at any time without notice. Must be 21 or older.

Gambling problem? Call 1.800.GAMBLER. ©2024 Chumash Casino Resort.

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Great Snacks · Cold Beer · Hwy 1 Oceano · 805-489-2499 · americanmelodrama.com www.santamariasun.com • February 15 - February 22, 2024 • Sun • 19

Arts

STAGE COURTESY PHOTOS BY JENNIFER “Z” ZORNOW

ARTS BRIEFS Festival Mozaic Music Director Scott Yoo conducts free master class in Santa Maria

Norms we cannot weather

The Great American Melodrama presents its production of Grave Mistakes through March 16. The two-act show, which opened in early January, is followed by the Melodrama’s new MUSIC vaudeville revue, Whatever the Weather We’ll Weather the Weather Together.

FLAVOR/EATS The theater is located at 1863 Front St., Oceano. Call (805) 489-2499 or visit americanmelodrama.com for tickets and INFO more info.

FILE PHOTO BY BRIAN P. LAWLER

CALENDAR

OPINION

NEWS

STROKES

Showtime!

ARTS

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

Members of the public are welcome to sit in on a free music master class, hosted by acclaimed violinist and Festival Mozaic Music Director Scott Yoo, at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria on Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. to noon.

The following day, Yoo will take part in a special Chamber Concert with Festival Mozaic at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo. Tickets to the Feb. 25 concert—which starts at 2 p.m., after a free pre-concert lecture at 1 p.m. with speaker Alyson McLamore—start at $32.

During Yoo’s master class at Hancock, the conductor will work with students Olga Autyunyan, Amelie Loya, Jorge Arturo Perez, Daniel Moreno, and Andrew Genge.

In press materials, Nichole Dechaine, a music professor at Hancock, described the master class as a chance for participating music students to “perform and receive instant feedback from a professional musician on their performance.”

“The students will have access to a professional musician with whom they might not regularly have the opportunity to study under,” Dechaine said, “and the audience can learn as much as the performers.”

Hancock’s music program is designed to prepare students for employment in the areas of music, music teaching, music performance, music merchandising, music recording, church music positions, and other fields of the music industry.

FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF FESTIVAL MOZAIC

Through master class programs and other live performance experiences, music students can “gain essential stage presence that allows them to build confidence and grow in any career they may pursue,” Yoo said in press materials.

“Teaching master classes to young musicians is crucial,” Yoo said. “It’s not just about skills, but also about instilling passion and a love for classical music.”

Locally known for his work with Festival Mozaic, Yoo is also the chief conductor and artistic director of the Mexico City Philharmonic, and the host and executive producer of the PBS show Now Hear This, a miniseries focused on classical music.

Admission to sit in on Yoo’s upcoming master class— sponsored by the Allan Hancock College Foundation—is free, but space is limited. Hopeful attendees can reserve their spots online in advance at festivalmozaic.org, where tickets to Yoo’s upcoming Cuesta College concert are also available for purchase.

Festival Mozaic is a local nonprofit dedicated to hosting live music performances year round in unique Central Coast venues, including historic and outdoor settings, as well as contemporary concert halls.

For more info on Hancock’s music offerings and degree and certificate programs, visit hancockcollege.edu/pathways. m Arts Briefs is compiled by Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood. Send information to cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.

SPIRITED AWAY: The cast of the Great American Melodrama’s latest show, Grave Mistakes, includes (from left to right) Toby Tropper, Dori Duke, Billy Breed, Mike Fiore, Casiena Raether, Julia Mae Abrams, and Jeff Salsbury.

Make no mistake

It’s one helluva first outing for Abbott in a writing capacity.

Director Eric Hoit brings Abbott’s tale of life, death, and the afterlife to the stage within the confines of an unchanging set, in a wellfurnished house occupied by two employees of a publishing company.

Molly (Casiena Raether) is a typewriter-wielding writer working on a new novel whose housemate is also her editor, Ray (Jeff Salsbury). There are enough scenes of awkward tension between the two for the audience to assume they probably have the hots for one another.

Little does Ray know, his deceased father, Bob (Billy Breed), gets front row seats to his courtship of Molly, as Bob is one of the two ghosts who haunt the premises. The other specter is Eloise (Dori Duke), whose spirit hasn’t left the house since the untimely death—due to choking on a grape—of her mortal counterpart decades ago.

Bob, on the other hand, died from drowning during a fishing trip, which explains his fisherman

Great American Melodrama’s Grave Mistakes is a rave-worthy romp

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

T

o miss Grave Mistakes—the Great American Melodrama’s latest staging, described as a ghostly rom-com—would be a grave mistake, I fear.

The Oceano staple has never failed to make me laugh over the years, but Grave Mistakes is the first of their shows to make me cry, in a good way. Full disclosure: I’ve been going to the Melodrama since I was small enough to fit in their popcorn buckets.

The play was written by Melodrama regular Ben Abbott, whose script dials in the perfect amount of zany humor to please the local theater’s die-hard fans while telling a bittersweet story that culminates in a profoundly moving conclusion.

Abbott has acted in shows at the Melodrama since 2006, while Grave Mistakes—which opened in late January and runs through March 16—marks his first time working as a playwright for the theater, according to the show’s program (consistently stylized as a newspaper titled the Melodrama Oracle, which I’ve always appreciated).

attire, although he doesn’t appear to be sleeping with the fishes, as the idiom suggests.

Throughout the show, Bob attempts to move objects to get Ray’s attention, but it’s usually in vain. The house’s sleazy landlord (Mike Fiore), however, becomes convinced there’s a haunting, and hires a no-nonsense paranormal investigator (Toby Tropper) and an alleged psychic (Julia Mae Abrams) to appraise the residence, with the intention of evicting Ray and Molly and turning the building into a ghost tourist destination.

After the show’s second act finale, the cast members of Grave Mistakes return to the stage for the Melodrama’s new vaudeville revue, titled Whatever the Weather We’ll Weather the Weather Together. Try saying that three times fast, with or without a mouthful of popcorn.

Directed and choreographed by Johnny Keating, this vaudeville act features dance segments set to live covers of weather-themed songs, such as “It’s Raining Men,” with powerhouse lead vocals from Breed. He nails every “Hallelujah” and “Amen” with praiseworthy prowess.

Aside from song and dance routines, this vaudeville’s variety isn’t short of comedy sketches, including one where Tropper plays a TV anchor who reluctantly fills in for a missing weatherman— but without a teleprompter or green screen.

If I treated my theater reviews like weather forecasts, I’d recommend bringing sunscreen to Grave Mistakes. It’s in the high 90s. m Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood wishes it would rain popcorn. Send comments to cwiseblood@ santamariasun.com.

SINGING AND DANCING IN THE RAIN: During a vaudeville revue performance of “It’s Raining Men,” lead vocalist Billy Breed (center) steals the show, and deservedly so.

HOUSE OR SOUL MATES: Housemates Ray (Jeff Salsbury, left) and Molly (Casiena Raether, center) have to pause their romantic advances toward one another when their landlord hires a paranormal investigator (Toby Tropper, right) to determine whether the house is haunted.

20 • Sun • February 15 - February 22, 2024 • www.santamariasun.com

DEAD DUO: Billy Breed (left) and Dori Duke (right) play two bickering ghosts in Grave Mistakes, onstage at the Great American Melodrama through mid-March.

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Film

SUN SCREEN

Quasi-alive Z

good laughs, but overall, there’s a reason this film showed up during the preOscars dumping ground.

Anna: Yes, seeing the Conair hair crimper and elda Williams (Kappa Kappa Die) directs Rave hairspray in the opening shots was a great this Diablo Cody (Juno, Jennifer’s Body, dose of nostalgia, one the film manages to carry Young Adult) script about Lisa (Kathryn Newton), a maudlin high schooler whose mother through its entirety. Whether it’s AstroTurf on her stepsister’s dashboard or Janet’s bowl of died in an ax attack and who now lives with her cottage cheese and canned peaches, the film father, Dale (Joe Chrest); Dale’s new wife, Janet has late-’80s charm all over it. Unfortunately, (Carla Gugino); and Janet’s teenage daughter, that’s the best thing about it. Cody has a good Taffy (Liza Soberano). In a new town and new eye for crafting films that appeal to the basic high school, Lisa struggles to fit in … until familiar feelings within us, and with Juno she through some cosmic twist, she raises a young also had the benefit of a truly likable main man (Cole Sprouse) from the grave who died in character. In Lisa Frankenstein, Lisa starts off the 19th century and seems to imbue Lisa with as a bit of a mousy introvert trying to navigate new confidence. (101 min.) life without her mom and pining after the hot Glen: Diablo Cody is a talented and clever editor of the school paper. Without giving too writer, but I think she peaked at Juno. Like much away, I’ll just say she winds up a pretty Jennifer’s Body, she’s again different character. While trying her hand at horror her new wild side is fun, it felt LISA FRANKENSTEIN comedy, and while the film like the character didn’t just What’s it rated? PG-13 has its charms—in particular go off the rails—she burned What’s it worth, Glen? Matinee its winking 1989 setting with down the train station too. It What’s it worth, Anna? Matinee accompanying hairstyles, wasn’t as endearing as a film Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards clothing, and music—it like Warm Bodies. It just didn’t RPX Santa Maria, Movies Lompoc, doesn’t quite gel. It also doesn’t have the spark of magic to Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande really give itself anywhere to make it memorable. go, and the ending left me Glen: The ’80s and earlyunderwhelmed. That said, it has its strengths. ’90s horror comedies it emulates are frankly Gugino is terrific as Lisa’s bitchy, judgmental much better than this homage, and Cody is sometimes too clever for her own good. For new mom, and Soberano shines as Lisa’s new instance, the malfunctioning tanning bed as a sister who’s genuinely nice, albeit vacant and stand-in for Dr. Frankenstein’s lightning-fueled trying her best to help Lisa fit in. It’s essentially reanimator to reinvigorate her dead “boyfriend” a love story, but before we get there, Lisa has was a tad groan-inducing. It’s not like I hated some lessons to learn in part by pining for the film or thought it was a total waste of time.

Michael (Henry Eikenberry), the handsome It was a fun, lightweight little romp, but we’ve editor of the school newspaper. Expect a few

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELE K. SHORT/FOCUS FEATURES

SPARK OF LOVE: Eighties goth high schooler Lisa (Kathryn Newton) raises a Victorian-era corpse (Cole Sprouse) from the grave, in Lisa Frankenstein, screening in local theaters.

but she’s so kind and accepting and sweet to her new sis. I think this film’s getting a pretty fair rating with a 6.6 on IMDb and a higher audience score than critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

Definitely worth a matinee if you want to see some great late ’80s fashion and hair shine on the big screen. m

seen so many amazing films in the run-up to awards season that this feels like a mouthful of powdered sugar—momentarily sweet but soon forgotten.

Anna: Exactly. Whereas Juno is a film I will watch countless times, I don’t see Lisa Frankenstein becoming anything more than a one-time viewing, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t have a pretty good time watching it. I loved stepsister Taffy—she’s a pretty, popular cheerleader who generally would be a jerk,

New Times Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Sun Screen.

Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.

COURTESY PHOTO OF NETFLIX

THE BROTHERS SUN

What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix This new Netflix series is an absolute hoot—a sparkling mix of comedy, martial arts, and Chinese soap opera.

Charles Sun (Justin Chien) is a Taipei gangster, the son of Jade Dragons leader, Big Sun (Johnny Kou), who as the series opens narrowly survives an assassination attempt.

Believing his estranged mother, Eileen (a fantastic Michelle Yeoh), and brother Bruce (Sam Song Li) are in danger, Charles travels to their home in America to ensure their protection as he works to figure out who’s after this family.

Bruce was just 5 when he and his mother fled Taipei, and he’s been completely in the dark that his family is part of a Chinese Triad and that his older brother is an assassin, and watching the two brothers reconnect is part of the series’ fun. Bruce is a coddled mama’s boy and college student whose life has been utterly routine … until now. Meanwhile, Charles, who secretly likes to bake and watch soap operas, pines to get out of his murderous life of crime.

Stretched out in eight episodes, we really get to know

PHOTO COURTESY OF KELLY WILLIS-FAIRBANKS

THEY CALLED HIM MOSTLY HARMLESS

Film & Television & Film Reviews

FUN WITH THE SUNS: Michelle Yeoh stars as Eileen “Mama” Sun, the matriarch of a Chinese Triad gang, whose two sons, Bruce (Sam Song Li, center), and Charles (Justin Chien), couldn’t be more different, in the bingeable new Netflix series, The Brothers Sun.

these characters and their motivations, and Yeoh is the glue that holds the series together. I’ll binge this one again. (eight 47- to 69-min. episodes) —Glen

Welcome Martin Hetland, OD!

What’s it rated? Not rated When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Max The Appalachian Trail winds for more than 2,000 miles, and the hikers who take on such adventures form a special bond—anyone who has read Cheryl Strayed’s Wild can tell you that. When a malnourished man is found deceased in a tent in the wilderness of Florida, armchair detectives and internet sleuths jump on the task of identifying the stranger.

This new feature-length documentary on Max tackles the story of the hiker only known by his trail names “Denim” and “Mostly Harmless,” and the journey many went on to finally identify who he was outside of the trail. This film pulls in interviews from people who met the man on the trail as well as the internet groups and law enforcement that were trying to identify him. But Mostly Harmless soon turns into a mythical legend among those searching for his true identity.

What secrets does his story hide, and are they secrets for a reason? Mystery lovers will enjoy watching this one get solved and the unexpected turns it takes along the way.

As fascinating as Mostly Harmless’ story is, the story of these amateur internet detectives and their infighting was

MYSTERY MAN: In the new Max documentary They Called Him Mostly Harmless, internet sleuths and the police search for the identity of this man, found dead in a tent along the Appalachian Trail.

just as interesting. People have weird hobbies. (89 min.) m —Anna

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Eats

FOOD PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAFE DEVILLE

MUSIC

Share tasty tips!

Send tidbits on everything food and drink to cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.

MANY HATS: Michelle DeBilzan, co-owner of Cafe DeVille, is a prolific wedding photographer and gardener. Her photography experience comes in handy when managing the restaurant’s social media, and she grows some of the eatery’s ingredients in her own garden.

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

L

ate night cravings are rarely insatiable at the DeBilzan family’s Nipomo home, thanks to its patriarch’s improvisation skills in the kitchen.

“He’s very capable of making things out of nothing,” Michelle DeBilzan said of her husband, Ben, who often enjoys the challenge of pulling together elevated midnight snacks solely from “whatever’s left in the fridge.”

Ben has worked in the culinary industry since youth and held positions at various restaurants throughout his career before he and Michelle decided to start their own business in 2019.

“My claim to fame was always that I can walk into anybody’s kitchen and throw together a multi-course meal, and I don’t care what you have, I’ll figure it out,” Ben said with a laugh.

Ben and Michelle have spent the past five

CALENDAR

NO PLACE LIKE HOME: The DeBilz & Family Mobile Kitchen, locally known for its burger, sandwich, and other comfort food NEWS offerings, now has a permanent home at Cafe DeVille, the DeBilzan family’s new brick-and-mortar restaurant in Nipomo.

years operating their food truck, DeBilz & Family Mobile Kitchen, and are planning to open their first brick-and-mortar restaurant, Cafe DeVille, in Nipomo by the end of February or early March at the latest.

After a few months of renovations at their upcoming space, the former site of Mother Shuckers on South Thompson Road, the couple began hosting food truck pop-up events at the venue to give the community a teaser trailer version of Cafe DeVille—which will serve many of the mainstay burger and sandwich offerings the family’s mobile eatery is known for.

While the restaurant’s interior will open to the public upon Cafe DeVille’s official debut, the food truck pop-ups are held in the new venue’s spacious outdoor patio.

“The back patio is so important to us. I think it’s important to everybody, especially after the shutdown,” Ben said. “Everybody got really comfortable eating outside.”

The couple’s goal is to make Cafe DeVille as inviting and approachable for families and kids as possible, the kind of place a youth baseball coach

THE GREAT OUTDOORS: Cafe DeVille is set to officially open by early March. In the meantime, the DeBilz & Family Mobile Kitchen is hosting ongoing outdoor pop-up events, which use Cafe DeVille’s spacious patio.

24 • Sun • February 15 - February 22, 2024 • www.santamariasun.com

INFO

OPINION

Patties on the patio Slide on over to Cafe DeVille for sliders during pop-ups and it upcoming grand opening

FLAVOR/EAT

STROKES

would feel comfortable sitting their whole team down at a ARTS picnic table, Michelle said.

“We wanted families to come in and hang out at our place, and make it feel like our backyard,” said Michelle, who added that many patrons of the patio pop-ups so far have enjoyed ordering the eatery’s shareable offerings.

“We get a lot of couples that come in and just want to split a sandwich, have a glass of wine or beer, sit outside, and enjoy the weather, and then head out,” Michelle said. “Shareables are big for us, and we know that there’s a big need for that, with a lot of people working on a budget, wanting to go out and eat, but not spend $100.”

Sliders, steak bites, garlic fries, and skewer items will be among some of Cafe DeVille’s upcoming shareable offerings geared toward families and groups, whether the occasion is NOT JUST BEHIND THE COUNTER: Longtime chef Ben DeBilzan a momentous get-together or a enjoys interacting with customers as much as he enjoys cooking. “I quick snack outing. don’t just hide away in the kitchen,” he said. “I want to get out and “We’re really not entree talk to people and see what they’re into and take feedback.” driven. We’re more appetizer and shareable-driven than tomato season. “Part of what we plan to do is anything,” Ben said. “We really want it to be work with the seasons, so there will be times approachable for families; easy to walk in with when we pull out specials just because we’d like your kids, or if you want to come in for an early to have fun with it and change it up. snack before you go out to dinner.”

“It’d be silly not to work with the seasons Various sandwiches available from the food in an area like this,” Michelle added, “where truck set to carry over to Cafe DeVille include we have such great access to so many different the hot pastrami sandwich and the signature fresh foods.” m breakfast sandwich—offered beyond traditional breakfast hours and assembled with a fried egg, Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood wants breakfast for beef patty, bacon, cheddar cheese, grilled peppers lunch and dinner. Send bacon to cwiseblood@ and onions, tomato, balsamic vinegar, and aioli santamariasun.com. on a brioche bun.

Some items on Cafe DeVille’s menu will rotate Nipomo promo based on what kinds of fresh ingredients are Follow Cafe DeVille on social media for more info available locally—and from Michelle’s garden about the restaurant’s future opening and its outdoor specifically. pop-up events. Cafe DeVille is located at 133 S. Thompson “I have a half-acre portion on our property Road, Nipomo. where I grow all of our herbs,” said Michelle, who For additional details, visit cafedevillenipomo.com. grows basil and oregano, and heirlooms during

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