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Suncoast shines a light on darkness [20]

Revamping a system

Proposition 1 on the primary ballot aims to overhaul the Mental Health Services Act, focus on housing [6]

BY SAMANTHA HERRERA AND TAYLOR O’CONNOR

NEWS

Grapes get mildew, late harvest in 2023 [4]

ARTS

International Thespian Festival invites AG High [18]

EATS

The World of Pinot Noir [21]

Contents

FEBRUARY 22 - FEBRUARY 29, 2024 VOL. 24 NO. 52

C

alifornia voters have one statewide ballot measure to decide on in the upcoming March primary: Proposition 1.

The $6.4 billion bond aims to build housing units for the chronically homeless and boost services for those with substance abuse and severe mental health issues. But the changes it would make to the Mental Health Services Act will impact local funding for existing county-run mental health programs. Staff Writers Taylor O’Connor and Samantha Herrera (from New Times) speak with county officials to better understand how it would impact local programs [6].

This week, you can also read about how the weather impacted last year’s grape harvest [4], what Arroyo Grande High School’s theater program is raising money for [18], and what’s new with the World of Pinot Noir for 2024 [21].

Camillia Lanham editor

DreamHome

YOUR

AWA I TS

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

2 0 5 1 S . B R O A D WAY • S A N T A M A R I A WESTERN VILL AGE SHOPPING CENTER

805-347-1121

Abbey Carpet of Santa Maria

LIC. 668152

A PROPOSITION: Proposition 1 asks voters to pass a $6.4 billion bond, approve changes to the Mental Health Services Act, and prioritize housing for the chronically homeless.

Cover photo from Adobe Stock > Cover design by Alex Zuniga

NEWS

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

ARTS

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

MOVIES

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

OPINION

Commentary ...........................................................................10 Web Poll ....................................................................................10 Mayfield.....................................................................................10 Canary .........................................................................................11

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

EVENTS CALENDAR

Hot Stuff .................................................................................... 12

000 SINCE 2

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AT HER TABLE

10 DAY FOOD FESTIVAL | MARCH 1-10 TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 27 Pre-Party - Serata Delle Donne (6-11p): A night dedicated to celebrating women! Aperitivo style food, music, and full bar service. Gather your girl squad!

FRIDAY - MARCH 1 Women of Color Symposium (8:30a-5p): In partnership with the Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo, this event is dedicated to empowering women of color.

Wine Blending Class (4-6p): Become a winemaker for the day byTUESDAY joining The Blending Lab, High Camp - MARCH 7 Wines and Timshel Vineyards in this special wine blending seminar.

Friends of James Beard Foundation Dinner (5-10p): Join us at Sensorio's Field of Lights for our Friends of James Beard Dinner, celebrating culinary excellence and women's achievements amidst Bruce Munro's light installations.

SATURDAY - MARCH 2 Grand Opening! Dance, Eat, and Drink! (11a & 1p): Take a dance class and enjoy Black Sheep's mac & cheese, MCV Wines, and French macarons;. Experience live performances; win prizes, & exclusive merch!

Women of Union Road Collective Paired Dinner (5:30p to 8p): Yes Cocktail Co, Ulloa Cellars and Colony Culture join forces to showcase the incredible food and drink at Paso’s Union Road Collective. This dinner will feature alcoholic and nonalcoholic options.

SUNDAY - MARCH 3 The Versatile Chef Book Launch & Brunch (10:30a to 1:30p): Come celebrate the book launch of Chef Candice’s “The Versatile Chef.” Enjoy small bites inspired by the book’s recipes, a meet and greet, and captivating stories .

SLO Women of Wine & Food Urban Tour (10:30a to 4p): Join Breakaway Tours on SLO’s Urban Wine Trail with 4 wineries and then enjoy an authentic Peruvian Lunch at Mistura, with dessert from Bredaslo.

Sober Curious Sunday (11a to 3p): Dive into the world of sober curiosity with Jaime Lewis of the CONSUMED Podcast and beverage leaders.

Dunes and Dining (11a-2p): Experience a guided hike and learn about the Dunites. Make your way to Spoon Trade for a special luncheon with Dunites Wine Co. El Lenguaje De Comida: The Language of Food (6:30p to 8:30p): Enjoy an enchanting evening with Agridulce, Kelpful, Symbiosis Wines and singer Jazlynn Thompson at Farm Blanc Et Rouge. Enjoy a 5-course meal, wine pairing, & the harmonious blend of song.

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MONDAY - MARCH 4

FRIDAY - MARCH 8

Nighttime on 13th: An Evening of Wine, Art, Music, & Food (5p-8p): Enjoy Live demonstrations by the artists of the Pocket Gallery on Pine, music by vocalist Dawn Lambeth presented by Libretto, and food by The Hatch & Della’s paired with selections from TOP Winery.

Izakaya Dinner (6p-9p): Chef Kimi Walker-Ahrens of Wren is showcasing her Japanese heritage through a family style dinner. Wines are paired with Croma Vera, High Camp, Paix Sur Terre,& Thibido.

International Women's Day Celebration (5-8p): Celebrate International Women’s Day in Atascadero!

There will be free tours of city hall highlighting the influential role women played on the central coast.

Weather permitting, we will also enjoy a fireworks show in the Sunken Gardens, and a rooftop mixer at Cielo to celebrate the women in our lives.

SATURDAY - MARCH 9 Side by Side by Side: (1p & 3p): Join Arianna Wines, Pianetta Winery, & Symbiosis Wines for a Side by Side comparative tasting of three varietals made by three different women.

Wine, Blooms & Bites (3:30p to 5:30p) : Colline Flower Farm will lead you through a floral workshop, complemented by Fulldraw Wines and delectable bites from In Bloom.

TUESDAY - MARCH 5 Central Coast Cooking Show (4:45 to 6:30p): The Central Coast Cooking Show celebrates women and their talents at Idlers in Paso Robles.

Fashion Show at The Alchemists' Garden (5p to 7p): Visit The Alchemists’ Garden for a fashion show celebrating the creativity and vision of local women-owned boutiques.

Oyster & Sparkling Wine Pairing and Shucking Workshop (4p to 6p): Learn how to shuck oysters at Saints Barrel while tasting and pairing sparkling wines. You’ll leave with new skills, recipes, & tools!

WEDNESDAY - MARCH 6 Behind the Vines (11a to 1p): Explore Pelletiere Estate Winery on a guided tour through the vineyards, then enjoy an Italian picnic lunch.

Women Winemaker Event (5p to 7p): Paso Robles Wine Merchant will be featuring a flight of four different wines from four local women winemakers.

SUNDAY - MARCH 10 Family Fiesta Workshop (10:30a to 1:30p): This family event includes a wine flight, soda tastings, tortilla and quesadilla workshop, and exclusive discounts for MCV wines. PCH Shave Ice will also be onsite selling Horchata Boba & other special flavors.

An Exploration of Vermouth 2.0 (5:30p to 7:30p): Join Brooke from The Spoon Trade for a special seminar on the history and production of Vermouth including a tasting flight.

At Her Table Street Festival (11a to 5p): We’re excited to invite you to our street fair featuring over 50 vendors. No tickets needed!

Table to Farm Brunch (11a to 2p): Visit Tiber Canyon Ranch while tasting local seasonal produce from the FARMstead Ed and the SLO County Farm Trail with menu by Shekamoo Grill.

Winetasting with the Winemakers! (5:30p to 7:30p): The Savory Palette and the Goddess of Wine invite you to enjoy a guided wine tasting with 4 local women winemakers!

FOOD SPECIALS

THURSDAY - MARCH 7 Artisan's Tour of Paso (3:30p to 9p) : Join Copia Winery, Black Market Cheese Co, Stay on the Vineyard and friends for an evening of great food and drink.

Dreams & Suenos (6p to 8p): Enjoy a creative evening with Corazon Cafe and Ulloa Cellars. They will lead you through a collage art project while manifesting your dreams.

Women in Wine & Culinary Craft (6:30p to 9:30p): Enjoy an exclusive collaboration featuring Hubba, Alta Colina, Little Soul, Haliotide, In Bloom, & Nix Cellars. In Bloom’s Executive, Chef Ron Frazier and Alma Ayón present a 5-course tasting menu.

VACATION PACKAGES 3 Night Stay at the Dresser Winery Luxury Vacation Rental Villa for up to 10 guests- includes a Dresser wine paired dinner for 10 prepared by Chef Rachel Ponce AND Tour & Taste Experience with the Owner & Winemaker Private Suite at Stay on the Vineyard - with exclusive Artisan’s Tour of Paso Robles on March 7th

Granada Hotel & Bistro - The Glass Ceiling Cocktail. Don’t miss out on this interactive celebratory drink!

Arianna Wines - Vintage Wine Release - Includes a 3 year veritcal of owner Arianna’s Torrontes Barton Family Estate - Braised Maple Leaf Farms Duck & Sweet Potato Tostada. Owner Jenny Barton’s favorite dish!

Paso Robles Wine Merchant - ETTO James Berry Vineyard Meyer Lemon Ravioli. Pair it with a glass of ‘OrangoTango’ by Giornata. Available all month!

Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ - Smoked Beef Bolognese Lasagna. One of owner, Kathleen’s favorite dishes made by Jeffry! Órale Taqueria - Abuela’s Tamales, this special recipe has been passed down generations.

Beerwood - Chef Jess’s Classic Comfort Foods.

Paying tribute to the women who came before us!

Plantae + Fungi - Tastes of Kagoshima Japan - Enjoy a special Bento Box made by owner Miho Watanabe.

Robin’s Restaurant - Owner Shanny Covey presents her “Heritage Prix Fixe Menu” ft J Dusi Wine Grain + Vine - Special Basil Gimlet by Chef Sharon Blue Moon Over Avila - “Bib’s Apron” Dinner inspired by owner. Nancy Bell. Includes cookbook!

www.santamariasun.com • February 22 - February 29, 2024 • Sun • 3

News

➤ Shifting services [6]

➤ Spotlight [8]

February 22 - February 29, 2024 FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF MUSE WINE MANAGEMENT

POLITICAL WATCH • U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) urged House Republican leadership to bring the Senatepassed bipartisan national security supplemental aid bill to the floor for a vote, emphasizing its potential to meet the nation’s security challenges and help save lives in the short and long term, according to a Feb. 14 statement from his office. Carbajal joined House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) and other Democrats with military and national security backgrounds to push for debate and a vote on the bill. The package includes $60.06 billion to support Ukraine; $14.1 billion in security assistance for Israel; $2.44 billion to support operations in the U.S. Central Command and address the conflict in the Red Sea; $9.15 billion in humanitarian aid to Gaza and the West Bank; and $4.82 billion to support Indo-Pacific partners. “This … won’t just save lives today by delivering aid and helping defend civilian lives. This package will save lives in the future,” Carbajal said in the statement. “If Russia, in Donald Trump’s words, does whatever it wants to Ukraine, we know that it may not stop there. If we do not approve this bill today, we still have to approve it eventually. Only next time it might be to defend a NATO ally. And it would just not be American dollars. It could be the lives of American service members and, yes, civilians.”

• U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-California) and Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) introduced the Health Accelerating Consumers’ Care by Expediting SelfScheduling (ACCESS) Act to modernize health care and improve patients’ access to care, according to a Feb. 13 statement from Padilla’s office. The legislation improves digital health services by allowing patients to easily search for and book health care appointments online while protecting personal health information.

“Every American deserves accessible physical and mental health care without having to jump through outdated hoops,” Padilla said. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the demand for digital health services and other innovative practices, according to Padilla.

Under current law, however, there isn’t a distinction between illegal referral practices and scheduling services that reduce the barriers associated with accessing care. These barriers exist for mental health as well as physical health care—nearly half of the 60 million adults and children living with mental health conditions in the United States go without any treatment, the statement said. Self-scheduling technology could increase the ability for patients to seamlessly see which mental health professionals are nearby and available to help. The Health ACCESS Act, according to Padilla’s office, would amend the Anti-Kickback Statute to remove regulatory ambiguity and allow digital health and appointment booking platforms to work together to better serve patients.

• The California Energy Commission (CEC) approved a $1.9 billion investment plan that advances the state’s electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling goals, according to a Feb. 13 statement from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office. This funding builds on $1.8 billion already invested and will help deploy 40,000 new public EV chargers statewide and other zeroemission infrastructure across California, creating the most extensive charging and hydrogen refueling network in the country, according to Newsom’s office.

The investments are part of the governor’s $10 billion budget for zero-emission vehicles—which is bolstered by billions of dollars for clean transportation from the Biden administration. At least half of the zeroemission vehicle infrastructure deployed through the four-year funding plan will benefit disadvantaged or low-income communities—places often hit hardest by air pollution. Combined with funding from the federal government, utilities, and other programs, these investments will help the state achieve its goal of deploying 250,000 public EV chargers at sites throughout California, such as highway corridors and shopping centers, according to the governor’s office.

“Our clean transportation future is here with more than 1 in 4 new cars sold in our state being electric.

That’s why California is building a bigger and better zero-emission charging network—the most extensive in the nation,” Newsom said in the statement. m

HISTORIC YEAR: California vineyards faced historic mildew pressure levels and a prolonged harvest season after the 2023 winter storms and cooler weather that followed.

Mildew levels, lower demand affected local grapes in 2023

Spear Vineyards lost more than half its chardonnay crop and just under a quarter of its pinot noir crop to mildew, grower and owner Ofer Shepher told the Sun. “Unfortunately, with the weather patterns we had, not so much the rain but the lack of wind, we had a lot of mildew pressure,” Shepher said. “We had this perfect combination of mildew potential, and when you don’t have the subsequent air movement afterward to dry everything out, you end up with mildew.”

Mildew creates a white dusting that looks similar to powdered sugar on the grapes, Shepher said. Once growers kill the mildew, it changes to a black crust on the outside of the berry. While “a little spot here and there” isn’t devastating, clusters have to be chopped down if whole berries or clusters become infected to save the remaining healthy fruits.

“We are growing world-class fruit, and we don’t want to take any chances on our reputation,” he said. “I think pinot took an 18 to 20 percent hit and chardonnay … probably averaged 55 percent.”

The Santa Rita Hills certified organic vineyard’s mildew protection practices have been effective for the last 14 to 15 years without causing any big hit to their crops, but the 2023 season caused Spear Vineyard to up its own measures and practices to prevent the spores from spreading.

“What we’re concerned about this year is mildew spores set from [2023], they are from the previous year,” Shepher said. “If you have a big mildew load one year and the same conditions, you will have another issue.”

Vineyards statewide faced one of the highest mildew pressure records in the history of grape growing during the 2023 harvest, Turrentine Brokerage’s Central Coast Director of Grape Brokerage Audra Cooper told the Sun. “Last year, thankfully, was a very wet rain year. We got rains that were welcomed, but the amount of rain and how late the season ended up being for growers put us at a disadvantage for getting out there [with] sprays,” Cooper said.

“In Santa Barbara County, we are talking about more than 1,000 tons that were rejected, but to a lesser effect than [in] some areas of California. … I hope to never see those kinds of rejections again on mildew in my career.”

However, the weighted average of grapes did not

4 • Sun • February 22 - February 29, 2024 • www.santamariasun.com

drop in most cases, but increased because the colder weather allowed for a “lengthy hang time” allowing the fruit to reach full maturity, Cooper added.

According to Turrintine’s summary of the preliminary 2023 Winegrape Crush Report—a California Department of Food and Agriculture summary containing tons crushed and prices of wine sold during the 2023 harvest—vineyards statewide crushed 3.6 million tons of grapes, but the crop would have been “considerably larger” if not for low demand and disease pressure.

“For the first time in the wine industry, we have had three-plus years of declining wine consumption, and that has put a damper on projecting future sales and is not giving wineries enough confidence to buy grapes for a vintage,” Cooper said.

The Central Coast crushed 523,755 tons of grapes, increasing by 23 percent from 2022, but the decrease in demand meant an excess supply, which can cause prices to decline, Cooper said.

Pinot noir in Santa Barbara County, Edna Valley, and SLO Coast is experiencing an oversupply, with 27,435 tons in total production and wineries deciding against purchasing all the grapes.

Other varieties, like cabernet, red blends, and chardonnay are experiencing various degrees of “smaller significance.”

“It was a really tough year, … a nail-biter with whether we are going to get the varietals ripe. We did end up catching up at the end of the season,” Cooper said. “The most positive, important thing is that the quality of the resulting wines should be exceptional. There are many people who are saying that this could be the vintage of the past decade.”

—Taylor O’Connor

Lompoc project benefits from state density bonus

A local developer is on track to build more than a dozen two-story homes on a 3-acre tract in Lompoc, despite the proposal’s deviations from some city standards.

Currently covered by dirt and weeds, the project site is an undeveloped parcel on the southeast corner of North V Street and West North Avenue.

The planned residential development was approved by the Lompoc Planning Commission during a public hearing on Feb. 14.

Of the project’s 18 proposed single-family homes, two will be dedicated to low-income housing, according to the staff report, which makes the development—known as La Purisima Court—eligible for a state density bonus.

As an incentive, the bonus grants some exemptions from city and county policies. In La

Purisima Court’s case, for example, the average area of the proposed houses is 2,700 square feet per lot, although Lompoc’s zoning code would usually require each of these units to have a minimum lot size of 7,000 square feet.

Before votes were cast, Planning Commissioner Steve Bridge asked staff if the development would still benefit from certain code exemptions if the project owner—a Solvang-based LLC known as 930 North V.— decided to pay in lieu fees to the city rather than offer low-income housing.

Planning Manager Brian Halvorson said that although Lompoc’s inclusionary housing ordinance grants the in lieu fee option, “that’s not on the table this evening.”

“Right now, there has been no request for in lieu fees, therefore they would have to build [lowincome units],” Halvorson said at the Planning Commission’s Feb. 14 meeting.

Lompoc Assistant City Attorney Brian Wright-Bushman clarified that the project would need to be reformatted to comply with city standards if its developer took the in lieu fee route. In that case, the project wouldn’t be eligible for the state density bonus.

“They have to build them if they want this project as it’s designed,” Wright-Bushman said. “If they decided they didn’t want to build them and wanted to pay in lieu fees, then it wouldn’t just be coming back [to the Planning Commission] for that change. They would have to redesign their whole project.”

Erik Vasquez, one of the project’s co-owners, spoke during public comment and said he wasn’t aware the in lieu fee option was a potential path to consider prior to the Feb. 14 meeting.

The Lompoc Planning Commission ultimately approved the La Purisima Court project with a 3-0 vote. Planning Commissioner Chris Braxton was absent.

—Caleb Wiseblood

State gives Guadalupe flood protection baskets

Guadalupe has new tools at its disposal to help prevent flooding during winter storms, thanks to its partnership with Santa Barbara County.

In 2023, historic rainfall caused the Santa Maria River to veer off its natural course—flooding Guadalupe’s Pioneer Street, the wastewater treatment plant, and farmland. After a monthslong effort to get federal and state funding failed, Santa Barbara County invested $8 million in a

NEWS continued page 5

News activation or any financial challenges.

NEWS from page 4 “We could deploy wherever we see fit, but our Santa Maria River debris and sediment removal point of problems or issues was on the west side project that helped construct a temporary sand of Highway 1 at the bridge and the Santa Maria berm to help keep the river in its course.

River, that’s where the temporary berm was But the city and county were concerned that built,” Cash said. “If the berm starts to fail, then it may not hold during severe storms like the we would deploy the baskets there; that way we ones forecast for this winter. can protect our city.”

“In anticipation of the impacts of the first During conversations about the debris and February 2024 storm, the County [Office of Emergency Management] Director made a request sediment removal project, county officials discussed investing in HESCO baskets, similar to the California Department of Water Resources to Supersacks, to better protect Guadalupe, (DWR) on behalf of the city of Guadalupe and the according to previous Sun reporting. This county for resources to prevent flooding,” County addition expands on Guadalupe’s efforts to Office of Emergency Management Outreach develop an emergency preparedness plan as the Coordinator Jackie Ruiz told the Sun in an email. city created an emergency response team to help “As confirmed by DWR, materials provided it mobilize locally in extreme weather events, included eight pallets of Supersacks and 1,800 and previous state funding to buy cots, sandbags, linear feet of visqueen plastic rolls.” and other flood prevention items.

Supersacks are large baskets that can be filled “In my opinion, we are light-years ahead with sand, dirt, or rocks to help prevent flooding of where we were five years ago in regards and protect Guadalupe in case the Santa Maria to emergency preparedness. I’m not from River floods again, Guadalupe’s Director of Guadalupe, I’m a transplant, but this river and Public Safety and Police Chief Michael Cash water damage has been occurring for at least told the Sun. Visqueen plastic protects levees the last 10 to 15 years,” Cash said. “What’s great from wave wash erosion. now is we developed emergency shelters, we’re “If we’re having an emergency, it’s a likelihood getting generators, we have our emergency plan, that the whole county and state [are] facing we have done everything possible to be selfsimilar emergencies,” Cash said. “The idea is sufficient [with] the resources we have.” to be as self-sufficient as possible, but we can —Taylor O’Connor still make the notifications so they could be prepared if we got overwhelmed and our current Correction resources were either depleted or we can’t keep • In the Feb. 15 article, “Board of Supervisors whatever capacity.” unanimously approve The state gave the flood funding new CalFresh protection materials to positions,” the Sun misstated Guadalupe for free, but the the years the CalFresh city would need to come up Send any news caseloads saw a 69 percent with a reimbursement plan or story tips to increase. It should read if they are deployed, Cash news@santamariasun.com. from 2016 to 2023. The Sun said. Fees could be waived regrets the error. m if there’s an emergency

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www.santamariasun.com • February 22 - February 29, 2024 • Sun • 5

News

COVER

Shifting services

FILE PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

Santa Barbara and SLO counties’ behavioral health departments could see changes to programs if Proposition 1 passes

BY SAMANTHA HERRERA AND TAYLOR O’CONNOR

C

alifornia voters will vote on Proposition 1 in March, which could change local behavioral wellness program funding and structure.

The multi-pronged legislation attempts to modernize the 2004 Mental Health Services Act (MHSA)—a personal income tax measure that established the current structure of county behavioral wellness programs—and add a $6.4 billion bond measure to build 10,000 new beds to help those with serious mental illness and substance use disorders get the housing and help they need, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office.

“We are facing a confluence of crises: Mental health, opioids, housing, and homelessness—and this transformation effort will ensure California is tackling these head-on in a comprehensive and inclusive way,” Newsom said in a statement. “Over the last few years, California has led the nation in expanding access to affordable and quality mental health services—especially for children, teens, and people with untreated mental illness. The historic legislative effort … will supercharge these efforts to ensure California continues to lead the way in the decades to come.”

Proposition 1 is split into three parts, SLO County Behavioral Health Deputy Director Frank Warren told the Sun. The first is a bond that aims to generate funds for immediate short-term residential housing throughout the state, while the other two parts focus on behavioral health reform.

“The third part is a reform of the Mental Health Services Act, and this is where it gets layered for us,” he said. “Right now, our Mental Health Services Act has a formula based on your MediCal population, your poverty rates, and that’s how fund amounts are calculated for counties.”

The MHSA was designed to expand and transform California’s behavioral health system to better serve individuals with and at risk of serious mental health issues and their families, provide early intervention, and provide for needed infrastructure, technology, and training. It’s currently funded by a 1 percent income tax on personal income in excess of $1 million per year.

In local jurisdictions, the MHSA requires mental health services to be provided in community partnership and encourages programs to meet people where they are instead of using a model that involves people walking into clinics, Warren said.

“It got counties to serve people in their communities, their schools, their family resource centers, and it focuses on people who are the most severe in inpatient units, crisis services, jails, and hospitals,” he said. “It also created a continuum in the mental health world that involves prevention

and early intervention, so that we can address issues with young people who have a very early signs of risk.”

Proposition 1 takes the MHSA and refocuses it to stabilizing folks who are the most challenged by their conditions and getting them to a place where they can benefit from ongoing treatment programs and take steps toward long-term recovery, Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness Director Toni Navarro told the Sun. “Any time something has been in place for 20 years, an overhaul is always welcome,” Navarro said. “The overall thing to remember with the Mental Health Services Act reform and Proposition 1 is that it’s a shifting of the funds—some from the county to state—shifting how we allocate the funds, but it’s no additional, new money.”

The MHSA requires counties to use these programs to serve individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses or co-occurring disorders, Navarro said. Santa Barbara County established five funding “buckets” through the act—community services and supports like outpatient treatment and crisis services; prevention and early intervention programs for ages 0 to 25 and 25 and older; innovation to solving Santa Barbara County-specific issues; workforce education and training programs; and capital facilities upgrades.

Proposition 1 would shift $140 million of existing MHSA funds from counties to the state, reducing local funds for programs, and adds people experiencing substance use disorders as eligible for programming, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office. In Santa Barbara County, this presents an estimated 58 percent decrease in funding for outpatient treatment and crisis services with a 30 percent increase in the population served, Navarro said.

The good news, Navarro said, is there are a lot of changes under California Advancing and Innovating in Medical (CalAIM)—an initiative that allows the state insurance Medi-Cal to reimburse behavioral health programs through insurance claims—that could help the county keep dollars in place for its treatment programs, she said.

“We are going to do our best to … leverage the opportunities in CalAIM to mitigate any losses should Proposition 1 pass,” she said. “When you look at it, if it passes, it has so many glaring things that seem to be impacting the system. ... The hope is we are going to stretch our limbs, and it gives us an opportunity to revamp the system.”

Full-service partnerships—the most intensive, outpatient treatment programs that provide wraparound services and see individuals multiple times a week—will receive a 6.5 percent increase in funding, and early intervention and prevention

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VOTE MATTERS: During the 2024 primary elections, voters across the state will weigh in on Proposition 1, which aims to modernize the Mental Health Services Act.

programs for both age groups will see a 17 percent increase total if the legislation passes.

“Now we get to the third bucket, which is housing,” Navarro said. “We currently spend $5 million on housing—we pay for shelter beds, board and care, certain types of crisis residential facility beds. … Under the reallocation of [Proposition 1] it would be an additional almost $7.5 million a year.”

Thirty percent of the housing allocation must be spent on individuals who are chronically homeless (a minimum of 12 months in unsheltered care), she said.

“I think initially it is going to be a great support for our community, but over time we are building facilities to bring people into care faster [and] that could be a challenge,” she said.

The $6.4 billion bond is not just for individuals served under the MHSA, but for veterans and other individuals with mental health disorders, she said.

“We will have some flexibility, but I don’t think there’s much clarity as to the distribution of the bond,” Navarro said.

SLO County’s Warren said that although Proposition 1 passing means that SLO’s MHSA funding could be reduced to a third, a lot of good could also come out of it, such as mandatory reporting for all county services to ensure transparency with residents.

“Certainly, a focus on housing is something that we all believe in, especially for people who are suffering from mental illness or addiction,” he

said. “Housing is the best way to get them treated and keep them sustaining their treatment, so we’re excited about that. We’ll just be forced to make some really tough decisions.”

Warren said that while they’re waiting on the proposition’s outcome, his team is collecting data abouts which programs are most at risk of losing funding.

“In the current Mental Health Services Act, there’s a requirement to do innovation programs that test new models and strategies. They are short-term funded projects that help you determine what’s the best way to serve a certain population,” he said. “This new reform would take away that requirement.”

If the measure passes in the March 5 primary, local jurisdictions will finish out their current three-year MHSA plans and shift under the new requirements by July 1, 2026, Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness Director Navarro added.

“Whether or not it passes, just this whole process has us thinking about our own programs and what our country needs locally,” she said.

“With all these other new initiatives coming our way … we’re making sure we leverage those opportunities to make a [more] responsive system for Santa Barbara County residents.” m Reach Staff Writer Samantha Herrera at the Sun’s sister paper, New Times, at sherrera@newtimesslo. com. Reach Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor at toconnor@santamariasun.com.

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News

SPOTLIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF PAM GATES

REGISTERING VOTERS: North Santa Barbara County League of Women Voters Secretary Sandy Boyd (left) and voter service committee member joyce ellen lippman (who doesn’t capitalize her name) help register residents to vote during a tabling event in North County.

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8 • Sun • February 22 - February 29, 2024 • www.santamariasun.com

Monday – Saturday

Voting matters The local League of Women Voters is looking for more members to conduct elections work in North County

BY TAYLOR O’CONNOR

District Board of Supervisors races, which are now irginia Perry Souza joined the league to better available online for residents to watch.

“What we’ve done increasingly is we are present educate herself on elections and items on the at local events. Whenever there’s a large gathering ballot.

“I sat there as ignorant as a post and let everyone [in] one of our cities, we have voter registration forms and help people fill those out,” Souza said. do the work, and therefore I didn’t learn or do “We’ve gone out to Santa Maria High School, and anything, but now what I’m doing is important,” the student club invited us in, and we registered Souza told the Sun. “When I retired and my 120 kids at a noontime club day.” husband passed, I had all the time, and boy oh boy In California, students can pre-register when am I learning a lot even in my advanced age.” they turn 16 and will automatically be registered From hosting candidate forums to registering when they turn 18, she added. residents to vote, the League of Women Voters Prior to each election, the league publishes and has been helping North County voters since the distributes its Easy Voter Guide that breaks down 1960s, said Souza, North Santa Barbara County the laws that are on the ballot and who’s behind the chapter president. funding. Visit my.lwv.org/california/north-santaThe League of Women Voters is a national nonprofit that started during the women’s suffrage barbara-county to learn more about the league’s local chapter, donate, or become a member. movement and advocated for women’s right to vote. Now with more than 700 chapters, the organization works to protect and expand voting Highlights rights to ensure equal representation, she said.

• Farmworkers, advocates, and researchers Formerly known as the League of Women Voters from the California Farmworker Advocacy Santa Maria Valley, the North Santa Barbara Working Group—including Central Coast County chapter decided to change its name in Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy— January to better encapsulate North County testified at the Assembly Labor and Employment communities, Souza said.

Committee’s informational hearing on Feb. “We have so many cities, from the little tiny 7 to discuss the unique challenges faced by [New] Cuyama to the largest city, Santa Maria,” farmworkers, including life-threatening safety she said. “We dig down with our advisory and wage violations and the failure by state labor committees for [what] our local issues are, and we agencies to enforce existing labor regulations just want our local communities to understand ahead of California’s deadly heat season. They how important their votes are because under the also discussed community-based solutions to new districting system … just a few votes separate these challenges. the winners and losers in local races.”

• Well Done Foundation, a national nonprofit As it gears up for the March 5 primary, and dedicated to plugging the 3.5 million orphaned MUSIC looking ahead to the Nov. 5 general election, the oil and gas wells across the United States, League of Women Voters is looking for more announced its first well-plugging project in people to join and help host election-related events Orcutt and Santa Maria. Well Done Foundation’s FLAVOR/EATS throughout northern Santa Barbara County.

Santa Barbara County Legacy Orphan Well Currently the local chapter has a little fewer than Project is in collaboration with state, regional, INFO 50 members working throughout the county. and local government agencies; community “We want to build a strong foundation. Our organizations; and private sector businesses to fiscal year ends June 30, so we want to be ready to take action to plug orphan wells that may be CALENDAR sprint out of the gate in July. This primary we only leaking methane into the surrounding towns and have one proposition on our ballot; in November, cities. After each well is plugged, the foundation we’re going to have lots of them,” Souza said. “We aims to restoreOPINION the area around it to its natural need more people in order to do more work.” state. Well Done Foundation has plugged more Part of that work includes hosting candidate than 40 orphaned wells in Pennsylvania, Ohio, NEWS and New Mexico—saving forums, where the league presents the same Louisiana, Montana, questions to each candidate more than 950,000 metric tons and gives audience members a of greenhouse gasses from STROKES chance to ask questions directly entering the atmosphere. m to those running for local office, Send business and Reach Staff Writer Taylor she said. Before the primary nonprofit information to ARTS O’Connor at toconnor@ election, the league hosted spotlight@santamariasun.com. santamariasun.com. forums for the 3rd and 4th

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Harry Hagen, County Treasurer “Supervisor Hartmann has been at the forefront to reduce crime, enhance public safety, and provide criminal justice services in a safe, fair and cost-effective manner.”

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Homeless Veterans: Cut by 2/3 in 3 years!

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Opinion ONLINE POLL

Does the Central Coast need more pickleball courts?

81% Yep! We need to keep up with how fast the sport is growing.

15% We need more bowling alleys!

2% Yes, because pickleball players crowd tennis courts too often.

2% No! We need more tennis courts.

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COMMENTARY

➤ Canary [11]

Obvious choice

not authorized to raise funds who receives and forwards an earmarked contribution to the candidate or candidate’s authorized campaign committee.” The address for Act Blue LLC is in Somerville, Massachusetts. I didn’t know that the 3rd District stretched that far.

If this is her experience at “delivering to her constituents,” then I want to return the package.

Frank Troise, one of her challengers, in an There is only one promising, interview in the Santa Maria Times, claims nonpartisan candidate for he and his team have “14 very specific budget proposal items, and we have presented five 3rd District supervisor of them to the county.” They think they will “generate over $200 million in revenue to the

BY RON FINK county.” Or is it $100 million? He has claimed oters have received vote-by-mail ballots. both during election forums, so I don’t think All three incumbent county Supervisors we should consider his plan credible if he really running for reelection need to be replaced, doesn’t know how much funding it would raise. but I want to focus on the 3rd District because One of the projects in his plan is the Pale Blue that’s where I live.

Dot space center project in Lompoc, but this The 3rd District supervisor’s seat is being project has been four years in the making and contested by two people: One is widely known after numerous revisions in the Lompoc Valley, and the other is relatively still hasn’t been able to unknown. The incumbent, Joan Hartmann pass an independent “inherited” the city of Lompoc when district lines were redrawn, and Isla Vista was reassigned financial review.

And remarkably to the 2nd District, where it should have been all he also said, “If either along.

Jenelle [Osborne] or the In a Noozhawk interview, the incumbent incumbent came to us and claims that “I am present, I am there, and I have [said], ‘We will do this, we been delivering for my constituents.” And her campaign posters proclaim “experience matters.” agree with you that this is But Hartmann supported, with her vote, an act a road map to get us from point A to point B,’ I will drop out of the race.” that was deemed “illegal” by the Superior Court That doesn’t sound like he is very committed to when she voted to invalidate a lawfully awarded taking the job in the first place. contract for emergency ambulance services to One prominent conservative who owns a land American Medical Response (AMR) and instead MUSIC and government relations use, environmental, created a set of conditions, with the help of the consulting firm said, “I don’t believe Mr. Troise, county Fire Department that allowed the Board with very little name ID, will get more than 2 to 3 of Supervisors to hire itself (the county Fire FLAVOR/EATS percent of the vote.”

Department) to take AMR’s rightful place.

Then there is Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne; Her Fair Political Practices campaign finance she really doesINFO want the job, and her experience submittals show numerous entries for an outfit includes serving the citizens of Lompoc as known as “Act Blue LLC”; their website says a member of the Economic Development “ActBlue Charities Inc. is an American political Committee beginning action committee and fundraising platform CALENDAR in 2012 for four years, and then as a council member and established serving left-leaning mayor since 2016. And she has and Democratic nonprofits OPINION fought for 3rd District issues and politicians.” as a member of the Santa They are listed as an Send us your Barbara County Association “intermediary,” which for views and opinion to NEWS political campaigns means of Governments for the past letters@santamariasun.com. “anyone the campaign has five years.

V

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Osborne says on her website, “I am willing to focus on providing direction and policies that are in the best interest of all residents, businesses, and organizations. I am not registered with any political party because I understand that the county supervisor position is nonpartisan, and the problems cannot be solved along political party lines. I am confident we can improve all of the 3rd District with a more balanced approach.”

And in a Goleta forum, Noozhawk reported that she said she “would bring a different viewpoint as a nonpartisan candidate who understands the commuter experience and how cities deal with problems that trickle down or run downhill at us from the county.”

I think she’s right. For too long the “party line” has prompted elected officials to ignore any potential impacts their decisions might make in the future; the AMR debacle is a perfect example.

Another is suspending fossil fuel production, which costs the county $20 million in property tax revenue every year.

The 3rd District is a swing vote, and Osborne said at the Goleta forum, “it needs to swing a little more than it has in recent years, and I’d like to be that voice for you.”

This election is important to the 3rd District; do we want more of the same? No! Do we want someone who is willing to “sell” his spot on the ballot? No! We need someone who isn’t beholden to out-of-state political action committees or major political party agendas.

Yes, we need Jenelle Osborne who is the only truly nonpartisan in the race and the most promising candidate who has already firmly established her commitment to serve residents of the 3rd District. m

For too long the ‘party line’ has prompted elected officials to ignore any potential impacts their decisions might make in the future.

Speak up!

STROKES

ARTS

MAYFIELD

Ron Fink writes to the Sun from Lompoc.

Send a letter for publication to letters@ santamariasun.com.

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).

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LETTERS America doesn’t need to start over; it just needs tweaks

I have never understood the MAGA movement. Make America great again? America has always been great. I should know. I have been to at least 50 countries and all 50 states.

While America may need to be tweaked once in a while, as democracy is dynamic, she does not need to be destroyed, as Trump and the GOP want to do, only to start over.

We solved the problem of bowing down to the king in the 1770s, and I am not about to bow down to someone who wants to be a king or dictator. The reason so many people want to come to America is because of its greatness. She has provided freedom and opportunity for so many and continues to do so. We have shown our strength when necessary and kindness to so many all over the world.

Keep our democratic republic. America has done so well for way more than 200 years with that system because it works.

Rick Tibben Nipomo

10 • Sun • February 22 - February 29, 2024 • www.santamariasun.com

Opinion

The bond and the baby

W

hat can I say about Proposition 1?

It’s hard to know how to vote—unless you’re adamantly against the state taking out a $6.4 billion bond to build more places where people can get mental health care and substance abuse treatment and more housing for people with health and substance abuse challenges.

Sounds like a problem we should be addressing, right?

Sounds like something everyone—especially people in county behavioral health departments—should get behind. But, like any good situationship, it’s complicated.

Why? The relationship between homelessness and housing isn’t straightforward. This measure is Gov. Gavin Newsom’s baby, which he’s proposing as a “fix” to a problem that intensified exponentially under his watch (thanks, in part, to the COVID-19 pandemic).

“We are facing a confluence of crises: Mental health, opioids, housing, and homelessness—and this transformation effort will ensure California is tackling these head-on in a comprehensive and inclusive way,” Newsom said in a statement about his situationship solution.

Proposition 1 also wants your approval to reallocate the funding generated through the Mental Health Services Act. This act is funded by a 1 percent tax on people with incomes of more than $1 million per year and raises between $2 billion and $3.5 billion annually, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office. About 95 percent of that currently goes to counties, which use it to provide mental health services.

If the proposition passes, the state will get about 10 percent and counties 90 percent.

However, it would also require counties to spend more of the funding they receive on housing and personalized support services, meaning counties would have less money for some of the mental health programs that currently exist.

It also places more of a focus on stabilizing those who are most impacted by their conditions (aka, the chronically homeless who suffer from substance abuse disorder and severe mental health issues) and less on early intervention.

In Santa Barbara County, this presents an estimated 58 percent decrease in funding for outpatient treatment and crisis services with a 30 percent increase in the population it will need to serve, county Behavioral Wellness Director Toni Navarro said. In SLO County, Behavioral Health Deputy Director Frank Warren said the programs currently operated under the act could lose up to two-thirds of their funding.

Both said that building housing would be a good thing. Duh! They can’t really talk smack about a measure that aims to house chronically homeless people!

“Housing is the best way to get them treated and keep them sustaining their treatment, so we’re excited about that,” Warren said. “We’ll just be forced to make some really tough decisions.”

Doesn’t it seem like we’re trying to do too much with one measure?

We’d be throwing a baby out with the bathwater and having a new one by focusing on the most at-risk population at the expense of the people who need that funding so they don’t become chronically homeless.

We need housing. We need more inpatient beds. We need to provide better mental health services. Those are facts. I’m not sure taking money away from some mental health services to provide for others is the way to do all of that. m

ALWAYS AMAZING.

NEVER ROUTINE.

TYLER HENRY

TOWER OF POWER

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The Canary is crazed and confused. Send thoughts to canary@santamariasun.com. www.santamariasun.com • February 22 - February 29, 2024 • Sun • 11

Hot Stuff

10-DAY CALENDAR: FEBRUARY 22 - MARCH 3, 2024

SEVEN DAYS OF HEAVEN

The Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce collaborated with several local restaurants and wineries to host Lompoc Restaurant Week, which runs through Sunday, Feb. 25. Participants of the promotion include Savory & Sweet Eats (pictured), Camins 2 Dreams, Alfie’s Fish and Chips, and other businesses, each offering a meal or a different kind of promotional option for $20.24. Visit lompoc.com for more info.

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CRAFTWORKS: EMBROIDERY HOOP PLANT HANGER Hang out at the library while making a plant hanger out of embroidery hoops. This workshop is free, and all materials will be provided.

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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.

SATURDAY CRAFTERNOON: COMIC JEWELRY AND MAGNETS Repurpose comic books with flair. Learn to make pieces of art from recycled comics and other materials. Everything will be provided. Feb. 24, 2:30-4 p.m. Free. 805925-0994. cityofsantamaria.org/services/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

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.

Through July 8 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 Enjoy an exclusive exhibition showcasing the beauty of wild horses through photography and art. Hear a talk about wild horses, enjoy a catered lunch and wine tastings, and meet equine ambassadors. Feb. 25, 12-3 p.m. $25-$55; free for children (inquire about exact pricing details). 805-737-9246. returntofreedom.org.

Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum, 3596 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez.

LAUGH THERAPY AT MAVERICK SALOON Cure your Valentine’s Day hangover with a dose of Laugh Therapy. Headliner Trent Babb has played all the top clubs in California. Features Courtney Rainwater and John Hacker, who are bringing their A-game to Santa Ynez. Opener Stephen Spiegel is a rising voice in the 805. Feb. 28, 8-10 p.m. $20. 773-401-2998. my805tix.com. Maverick Saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez.

SPRING INTO 2024 Gallery Los Olivos presents three distinct artistic voices: Ginny Speirs, Patricia Watkins, Felice Willat. An award-winning photographer, oil painter, and jewelry artist share the spotlight at the venue. Mondays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through March 31 805-688-7517.

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

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

GRAVE MISTAKES Book editor Ray’s chances of courting writer and housemate Molly get pushed to the backburner when

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 22 - February 29, 2024 • www.santamariasun.com

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.

WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP WITH JOE CIBERE Central Coast Watercolor Society sponsors artist Joe Cibere, Aquarius 2024 Juror, for a three-day workshop, “Design, Backlight, and Water.” His abstract realism features strong design with a sense of illusion. Fee includes morning snacks and lunch. Go to CCWS website to register. Feb. 26, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Feb. 27, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Feb. 28, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $390. ccwsart.com/ joe-cibere-workshop. Nipomo Community Presbyterian Church, 1235 N Thompson Rd., Arroyo Grande, 805-219-0133.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL “The gods are real.

Like, the Greek gods.” Based on the bestselling book series by Rick Riordan. This musical is a pop rock-fueled adventure brought to life through song, dance, shadow play, and all kinds of theater magic. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8-10 p.m. and March 3, 2-4 p.m. through March 9 $25 general admission. 805-756-4849. theatredance.calpoly.edu/lightning-thiefpercy-jackson-musical. Spanos Theatre, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

ALISA SIKELIANOS-CARTER The Alisa Sikelianos-Carter exhibition at SLOMA will promote an emerging female artist of color

INDEX Arts.......................................12 Culture & Lifestyle ...........13 Food & Drink ......................15 Music ...................................15

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. Free. 805-543-8562. sloma. org/exhibition/alisa-sikelianos-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.

ART OF LIZ MARUSKA: AWAKEN TO BEAUTY Immerse yourself in a place held together by breathtaking sunlight and sparkling water. Discover a stunning painting and awaken to the wonder of art. Connect with beauty through Liz Maruska’s exhibition at SLO Provisions’ Art After Dark reception held Friday, March 1. March 1, 5-8 p.m. and March 2-31, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Free. 805-439-4298.

SLOProvisions.com. SLO Provisions, 1255 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.

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.

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.

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.

KIDS POTTERY This is a month-long class that meets four Thursdays. Homeschooled children welcome. A Heartland vendor.

Thursdays, 1:30-2:30 p.m. through March 1 $140. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., 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. Through April 1 Free. 805-543-8562. sloma.org. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

ARTS continued page 13

Hot Stuff

FEBRUARY 22 - MARCH 3, 2024 FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB HOUCHENS

ARTS from page 12 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.

SLO COMEDY FESTIVAL Visit website for the full lineup of featured comedians and event happenings, as well as tickets. The fest takes place at various venues across San Luis Obispo County and showcases various talented comedians. Feb. 22-25 slocomedyfestival.com. SLO County, Various locations countywide, San Luis Obispo.

NORTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

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.

JEWELRY, SMALL WORKS, AND ART BY STEVIE CHUN Chun lives in a small town between Santa Clarita and Palmdale. She is a self-taught artist working in several mediums and many types of formats. Stevie is passionate about shape and color in per paintings and crafts and uses minimal outlined forms. Mondays, WednesdaysSundays, 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. POP-UP EXHIBITION FEATURING ATUL PANDE AND HEMA SUKUMAR If you’re looking for some artistic inspiration, don’t miss the pop-up gallery exhibition in Gallery at Marina Square featuring the colorful acrylic paintings of Atul

BEETHOVEN BEATS

The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society presents its next concert program, In the Classical Style, at Grace Baptist Church on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Under the direction of maestro Michael Nowak (pictured, right), the orchestra will perform selections

by Beethoven, Mozart, and Stravinsky. Visit santamariaphilharmonic. org for more info. Grace Baptist Church is located at 605 E. McCoy Lane, Santa Maria.

—C.W. Pande and Hema Sukumar. Come explore dreamy landscapes and magical abstract paintings. Mondays, WednesdaysSundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. through Feb. 28 Free. 805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare. com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS

BOARD GAME AFTERNOON Visit the Youth Services Desk to borrow a board game to play while at the library. Play a favorite or try something new. Feb. 26, 11 a.m. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org.

Santa Maria Public Library (Altrusa Theater), 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Visit the Youth Services Desk to borrow a board game to play while at the library. Play a favorite or try something new. March 3 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

D-AND-D AT THE LIBRARY Get ready to join an epic adventure with Dungeons and Dragons presented by Central Coast Games. This easy to learn game is the world’s most popular tabletop role playing game, and everyone is welcome regardless of previous experience. Space is limited and registration is required. Feb. 25, 1-4:30 p.m. Free. cityofsantamaria.org/ services/departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria, 805-925-0994.

DISCOVER YOUR ROOTS: GETTING STARTED WITH ANCESTRY.COM Interested in learning more about your family history? Library staff will host a free workshop for adults interested in getting started with the Library Edition of ancestry.com. Patrons are invited to bring the names of ancestors they would like to research to this hands-on workshop.

March 2, 10:30 a.m.-noon Free. 805-9250994. cityofsantamaria.org/services/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

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

FIRST FRIDAY First Friday of every month facebook.com/firstfridayoldtownorcutt/.

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

FREE BOOK SUNDAYS FOR AGES 0-17 Visit the Youth Services Desk on the first Sunday of each month to receive a coupon for a free book of your choice from the Library Bookstore. For ages 0-17.

For more information, please call the Information Desk. March 3 Free. 805925-0994. cityofsantamaria.org/services/ departments/library. Visit the Youth Services Desk on the first Sunday of each month to receive a coupon for a free book of your choice from the Library Bookstore.

For ages 0-17. First Sunday of every month Free. 805-925-0994. cityofsantamaria.org/services/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

GROUP WALKS AND HIKES Check website for the remainder of this year’s group hike dates and private hike

offerings. 805-343-2455. dunescenter.org.

Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, 1065 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe.

MONARCHS AND MILKWEED: PRESENTED BY UCANR MASTER GARDENERS Monarch butterflies are both beautiful and important. Learn what steps can be taken at home to both attract and protect these native pollinators.

Registration is required; for patrons 18 and older. March 3, 2-3 p.m. Free. 805-9250994. cityofsantamaria.org/services/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

PRESCHOOL PLAY TIME Preschoolers and their caregivers are welcome to play and socialize with kids similar in age.

Children will have the opportunity to engage in imaginative play, sharing, and making friends. For ages 3-5. Feb. 26, 11 a.m. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons. org. Santa Maria Public Library (Altrusa Theater), 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

TECH MADE EASY: IPHONE AND APPLE IOS This workshop is for anyone wanting to learn more about their Apple mobile device. Class covers phone basics, apps, and simple troubleshooting. Please bring your cell phone to this free class and make sure you know your password. For patrons 18 and older. Feb. 24, 11 a.m.-noon Free.

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

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

ASTROLOGY 101 Have you always been curious about astrology and your horoscope but don’t know where to start? Local professional astrologer Lori Waters, KPDA, will be teaching a five-week Astrology 101 course that will lead you 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.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 14

ORCUTT PROVIDING FUEL & SERVICE TO ORCUTT FOR OVER 60 YEARS

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Plus $8.25 Certificate + $1.50 Transfer fee +$1.00 OPUS fee. ’95 & Older $99.00 / ’96-’99 $89.00.

Vans & Motorhomes $99.00 Coupons may not be combined with any other offer. Expires 2/29/24

805-937-5340 100 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt

Call Today for Reservations 805.931.7177 • 1050 Willow Rd. Nipomo

WWW.ORCUTT76.COM

Fri & Sat 11:30am-10pm • Sun, Mon & Thurs 11:30am–8pm • Tues & Wed Closed www.santamariasun.com • February 22 - February 29, 2024 • Sun • 13

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Hot Stuff

FEBRUARY 22 - MARCH 3, 2024 PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CAL POLY MUSIC DEPARTMENT

FREE TICKETS!

CHORAL CONFERENCE WIN TWO TICKETS TO A CAL POLY BASKETBALL HOME GAME Various Dates & Times Baggett Stadium, Cal Poly, SLO

Cal Poly Cantabile will present a special preview concert at the First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo on Friday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m. The ensemble will preview its planned performance for the upcoming American Choral Directors Association Western Regional Conference, with highlights of works by Cal Poly professor Meredith Brammeier and others. Admission ranges between $10 and $20. Visit pacslo.org for more info. The church is located at 981 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo.

—C.W.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE from page 13

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

By The Sea Productions, Morro Bay

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

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

NewTimesSLO.com 14 • Sun • February 22 - February 29, 2024 • www.santamariasun.com

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.

CALLING ALL NATURE-LOVING WHEELCHAIR USERS: EXPLORE AND EXPERIENCE FREEDOM TRAX AT PISMO STATE BEACH NatureTrack will be at Pismo State Beach to introduce those who use wheelchairs to the Freedom Trax devices at no cost. These devices enable users to get up close to the waters’ edge and navigate the beach. Feb. 25, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 805-886-2047. naturetrack.org/.

Pismo Beach Pier, West end of Pomeroy, Pismo Beach.

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

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

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

SCIENCE AFTER DARK A monthly lecture series at the Central Coast Aquarium. An evening for those ages 21 and older. Last Tuesday of every month, 6-8 p.m. through May 28 my805tix.com. Central Coast Aquarium, 50 San Juan St., Avila Beach, 805-595-7280.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

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

BIRDS AND BOTANY MONTHLY WALK AT SLO BOTANICAL GARDEN The Garden is excited to present a monthly bird walk series on the fourth Thursday of every month which explores the intersection of birds and botany. Fourth Thursday of every month, 8-11 a.m. $10 for Garden Members; $40 for general public.

805-541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

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

CENTRAL COAST DIALYSIS ORGAN treasurer effectively. Join to learn: the TRANSPLANT SUPPORT GROUP Not faith required financial reports and how they’re related; role of treasurer versus based. All are welcome. Please wear a bookkeeper; annual state and federal mask. First Saturday of every month, 9:30reporting requirements; how technology 11:30 a.m. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church can lighten your load; and more. Feb. SLO, 650 Pismo St., San Luis Obispo.

27, 2-3:30 p.m. spokesfornonprofits.org.

FOOD FOREST WORKSHOP An Online, See website, San Luis Obispo. exciting hands-on workshop on Food Q YOUTH GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA Forest Designing, as part of the host’s ZOOM) This is a social support group for Permaculture Gardening Series. Discover LGBTQ+ and questioning youth between the art of creating sustainable and the ages of 11-18. Each week the group productive food forests in your own explores personal, cultural, and social backyard. Learn how to create you own identity. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. Free. galacc. food forest paradise. Register online on org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis EventBrite. Feb. 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $40.

Obispo.

626-476-7584. slopermaculture.weebly. com/upcoming-events.html. City Farm QI GONG FITNESS ONLINE Qi Gong is a SLO, 1221 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo. gentle but powerful way to strengthen body, mind, and spirit. Great for balance.

FOSTERING COMMON PURPOSE WITHIN THE HOUSING SECTOR Instructor: Gary West, through Adult ROUNDTABLE (FOR NONPROFIT School, San Luis Coastal Unified School ORGANIZATIONS) For this roundtable, District. An online class. Wednesdays, host is seeking representatives from 9:35-10:35 a.m. through May 22 $90. local nonprofits that serve the housing 805-549-1222. ae.slcusd.org/. Online, See sector. This is an opportunity to gather website, San Luis Obispo. and accomplish the following: build QUILTING AND SEWING SUPPLIES SALE relationships and collaborations; share Supplies donated from a quilter’s estate. challenges, successes, and opportunities; Wide range of materials, notions, and and seek and receive feedback and moral storage cabinets at bargain prices. Two support from peers. Feb. 28, 10-11 a.m. sewing machines will also be offered for Free. spokesfornonprofits.org. Online, See sale. Feb. 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 1700 Block, website, San Luis Obispo.

San Luis Drive, San Luis Obispo.

FREE SCREENING AND CONVERSATION: SUNDAY EVENING RAP LGBTQ+ PRESENTED BY THE NAACP The AA GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM) Environmental Justice Committee NAACP Alcoholics Anonymous is a voluntary, SLO County Branch presents a free worldwide fellowship of folks from all screening of The Smell of Money. A North walks of life who together, attain and Carolina community fights one of the maintain sobriety. Requirement for world’s largest port corporations for the membership is a desire to stop drinking. right to have fresh air, clean water, and Email aarapgroup@gmail.com for a life without smelling manure. Feb. 25, password access. Sundays, 7-8 p.m.

2-4:30 p.m. Free. 805-619-5354. Unitarian No fee. galacc.org/events/. Online, See Universalists Church, 2201 Lawton Ave., website, San Luis Obispo.

San Luis Obispo, naacpslocty.org/.

TEEN MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT HEALING DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP Learn more about mental health GROUP A safe place to share life and coping skills to help you through your experiences with those who have journey towards wellness and recovery. depression or have had and recovered Thursdays, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. 805-540from the devastating effects of depression. 6576. t-mha.org. Hope House Wellness Mondays, 6-7 p.m. through Dec. 30 Free.

Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo.

805-528-3194. Hope House Wellness TRANS* TUESDAY A safe space Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo. providing peer-to-peer support for trans, MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION gender non-conforming, non-binary, (ONLINE MEETING) Zoom series hosted and questioning people. In-person

by TMHA. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon and Zoom meetings held. Contact Transitions Mental Health Warehouse, 784 tranzcentralcoast@gmail.com for more High Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-270-3346. details. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. GALA NONPROFIT BOARD OFFICER TRAINING Pride and Diversity Center, 1060 Palm : ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-541-4252.

THE BOARD SECRETARY This class will TRANS* YOUTH PEER SUPPORT GROUP give you the basics to perform the role of This group is a safe place for trans* and board secretary effectively. Join to learn a gender non-conforming people, as well mastery of minutes; the critical documents as those questioning, from ages of 11 to your organization should have on hand; 18. A facilitated emotional support group how to use technology to lighten your load; to be heard, share your story, and hear and more. Feb. 22, 12-1:30 p.m. $60; $35 for stories that may sound surprisingly like Spokes Members. spokesfornonprofits.org. your own. Fourth Tuesday of every month, Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

6-8 p.m. Free. GALA Pride and Diversity NONPROFIT BOARD OFFICER TRAINING: Center, 1060 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF 805-541-4252.

BOARD TREASURER This class provides CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 15 the basics to perform the role of board

Hot Stuff

FEBRUARY 22 - MARCH 3, 2024

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE from page 14 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, 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.

FREE OUTRIGGER CANOE DEMO DAYS Athletes wanted. Pale Kai Outrigger is a nonprofit outrigger canoe club.

The club offers competitive Hawaiianstyle 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

W

FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF SLO REP

BEHIND THE BEEHIVE

The San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre (SLO Rep) presents its production of Beehive through Sunday, March 10. Local trio The Heavy Cats (left to right: Steve Philip, Chuck Neely, and Bill Starling) is the backing band for the show, which celebrates the powerful female voices of the 1960s, including Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, and Aretha Franklin.

Visit slorep.org for more info.

SLO Rep is located at 888 Morro St., San Luis Obispo.

—C.W. 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.

MUSIC

SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS

FOOD & DRINK SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS

NORTH SLO COUNT Y

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/.

THE MID-STATE WEDDING AND EVENT EXPO An evening of event planning fun, networking, prizes, giveaways, and more.

Feb. 25, 12-4 p.m. my805tix.com. Hunter Ranch Golf Course, 4041 Highway 46 East, Paso Robles, 805-237-7444.

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.

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/.

mANcE

OW fOR PERfOR N L L O R N E !

TOLOSA’S OCEANFRONT WINEMAKERS DINNER Tolosa Winemaker Frederic Delivert and Executive Chef Eddie Ruiz welcome the public to this exclusive and intimate evening featuring a five-course dinner and wine pairings set to a stunning oceanfront Pismo Beach sunset. Waitlist open. Feb. 28, 5:30-9 p.m. my805tix.com.

SeaVenture Restaurant, 100 Oceanview Ave., Pismo Beach, 805-779-1779.

E C N A D n a C y d o b Every

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.

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

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

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

WINE AND DESIGN CLASSES Check Wine and Design’s Orcutt website for the complete list of classes, for various ages.

wineanddesign.com/orcutt. Wine and Design, 3420 Orcutt Road, suite 105, Orcutt.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

HEAD GAMES TRIVIA AND TACO TUESDAYS CLASH Don’t miss Head Games Trivia at COLD Coast Brewing Company every Tuesday night. Teams can be up to 6 members. Earn prizes and bragging rights.

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

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

DUNES AND DINING (AT HER TABLE) Experience a guided hike through the dunes, learning about the Dunites, a group of free thinkers and artists and poets who once called these sandy landscapes home.

Then make your way to the Spoon Trade for a luncheon with Dunites wine. March 3 $45. my805tix.com/e/dunes-dining-winehike-aht. Meadow Creek Trail, 25 W Grand Ave., Grover Beach, 805-489-1869.

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 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. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, 805-623-8866.

MUSIC LESSONS AT COELHO ACADEMY Learn to play piano, drums, guitar, base, ukulele, or violin, or take vocal lessons.

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

OLD TIME GOSPEL SING-ALONG All are welcome. 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.

MUSIC continued page 16

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MUSIC from page 15 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.

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.

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and the artists for a tour behind Mozart’s Piano Trio and Dohnanyi’s Piano Quintet.

Then after the presentation, enjoy a threecourse 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. my805tix.com. Pismo Beach Veterans Memorial Hall, 780 Bello St., Pismo Beach.

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.

ENGLISHMEN ABROAD: A CONVERSATION WITH ROBERT FRIPP AND DAVID SINGLETON An evening of questions, answers, and conversation with Robert Fripp and David Singleton of

Locally owned and operated OVER 50 YEARS PRIVATE, IN OF TEACHING PERSON LESSONS MUSIC FOR ALL LEVELS

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GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA LIVE See this world famous orchestra live in concert. March 2, 2 & 7 p.m. my805tix. com. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande, 805-489-9444.

KIKI EBSEN: HOUSE CONCERT Ticket holders will receive address to this special house show, in the Avila Beach area.

Presented by Songwriters at Play. Feb. 24, 2 p.m. my805tix.com. Avila Beach Promenade, 404 Front St., Avila Beach.

NOTABLE DINNER: MOZART AND DOHNANYI Scott Yoo hosts an evening of culinary and musical adventures. Join Scott

Pian o • G uitar • B as s • D ru m s • Vo c al • Violin • Man dolin • Piano • G u itar • B ass

Performances: February 9 - 25 Fri & Sat at 7:30pm • Sun at 1:30pm

IT’S A PUNKY REGGAE PARTY With Soul Fyah in Da Mix and DJ Lee the PHd. All ages. March 2, 7-11 p.m. $12-$15. 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.

FEBRUARY 22 - MARCH 3, 2024 King Crimson. Feb. 27, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $65. pciconcerts.com. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

GARDEN GROOVE DRUM CIRCLE Enjoy exploring rhythms in a playful way.

Garden Groove is a community-building drum circle, focused on fun, friendship, and good vibrations through guided activities. Bring a drum (please no pans, hang drums, etc.). Feb. 24, 12-1:30 p.m. $17 members; $22 non-members. 805541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

LIVE MUSIC AT KROBAR Enjoy live music at Krobar, which showcases local, talented artists of all music genres. Kick-off your weekend right, grab your favorite seasonal craft cocktail, and vibe to the sounds of the night. Follow on Instagram to find out who is playing. Every other Friday, 6-9 p.m. and Every other Saturday, 6-9 p.m. through March 30 Free entry. 833-5762271. krobardistillery.com/events. Krobar Craft Distillery, 1701 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

SCOTT YOO AND GUESTS CHAMBER CONCERT Scott Yoo and the visiting artists perform a culminating concert of the works featured on the Notable Encounters throughout the week. Feb. 25, 2-4 p.m. Tickets start at $32. 805-781-3009. festivalmozaic.org. Cuesta College Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

TAJ MAHAL QUARTET AND SONA JOBARTEH With a 50-plus year career, three Grammy wins, 14 nominations, Blues Hall of Fame membership, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association, Taj Mahal’s impact on the blues is undeniable. In addition, this performance will include widely acclaimed Gambian musician Sona Jobarteh. Feb. 24, 7:30-9 p.m. $45-$69. 805-756-2787. calpolyarts.org. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo. m

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SLO Comedy Festival: 20 Comedy Shows

At Her Table

THURS-SAT, FEBRUARY 22-24

Various Locations in SLO County

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24

Harold J. Miossi CPAC, Cuesta College

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

Improv Comedy Show: Ensemble Team

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

SLO Craft Beer Festival

Songwriters at Play presents Kiki Ebsen House Concert

Improv Comedy Show with Longform students

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Bang The Drum Brewery, SLO

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Alex Madonna Expo Center, SLO

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23 The Hub, SLO

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Raconteur Room, Atascadero

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Intimate House Concert, Avila Beach

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Linnaea’s Cafe, SLO

1/29/24, 2:46 PM

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

Science After Dark: Featuring Dr. Ashley Sobchuk-Hudson

SATURDAY, MARCH 2 Clark Center, Arroyo Grande

SATURDAY, MARCH 2 The Bunker SLO

FRI, SAT, SUN, JUNE 14, 15, 16 El Chorro Regional Park, SLO

Orcutt Community Theater: Bed and Breakfast and Murder

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

Shameless: Sex and Body Positivity Workshops

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

Club SupSup: The Aquarian Deck Dinner

Laugh Therapy: Stand Up Comedy 2024

PROUD Tina: The Ultimate Tribute to Tina Turner

FRI, SAT, & SUN, FEBRUARY 23-25 FRI, SAT, & SUN, FEB 23-25 & MAR 1-3 Klein Dance Arts Studio, Santa Maria 545 Shasta Ave, Morro Bay

Robert Fripp & David Singleton: Englishmen Abroad

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Central Coast Aquarium, Avila Beach Harold J. Miossi CPAC, Cuesta College Green Omen Apothecary, Atascadero

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

Live Oak Music Festival 2024

Bootleg Comedy Presents: Jasmine Ellis

Dinosaur World Live: An Interactive Show

1/1

It’s a Punky Reggae Party with Soul Fyah in Da Mix & DJ Lee with The PHd SATURDAY, MARCH 2 Flower City Ballroom, Lompoc

FRIDAY, MARCH 1 Clark Center, Arroyo Grande

Vision Board Making Party

SUNDAY, MARCH 3 The Bunker SLO

TUESDAY, MARCH 5 Templeton Mercantile

CHECK WEBSITE FOR DETAILS Club Car Bar, Templeton Mercantile

EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT, 7:30PM The Red Piano, Santa Barbara

Tiny Porch Concerts

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

Central Coast Aquarium

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

805-546-8208 info@My805Tix.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 7 Clark Center, Arroyo Grande

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Pismo Beach Veterans’ Hall

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Maverick Saloon, Santa Ynez

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 The Benedict, Morro Bay

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The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra

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Arts

ARTS SCENE COURTESY PHOTO BY LISA BARTLE

ARTS BRIEFS Great American Melodrama seeks short-term rentals for guest artists

FILE PHOTO BY STEVE E. MILLER

As part of its goal in showcasing performing artists from around the country, the Great American Melodrama in Oceano is looking for local residents with an extra bedroom, ADU, or other spot to spare for short-term rentals.

If “hosting artists while earning extra income sounds like a fantastic opportunity,” email stacy@americanmelodrama.com to be added to the Melodrama’s list of potential local hosts.

Locals interested in hosting can also schedule a meeting with a representative to answer any questions. The Melodrama is looking to house guest artists between April 22, and May 13.

Nipomo artist Fred Ventura leads digital art workshop in Morro Bay

COURTESY IMAGE BY FRED VENTURA

Local art enthusiasts and artists of all skill levels can reserve their space at an upcoming digital art workshop led by Nipomo-based painter and digital artist Fred Ventura. Hosted by the Morro Bay Art Association, the two-day workshop includes sessions on Saturday, March 9, and Saturday, March 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. both days, at Art Center Morro Bay. Ventura will cover various digital art topics—including basic tools, working with layers, symmetry, simulated artistic effects, special brushes, and more. The event is held in conjunction with Art Center Morro Bay’s new exhibition, Chasing Light, on display through Monday, April 1.

Creating art on an iPad is “essentially painting with light,” Ventura said in press materials. Attendees of Venutra’s workshop will gain experience creating digital art with an iPad, Apple Pencil, and the Procreate app. To fully participate, visitors are asked to bring their own iPads and Apple Pencils to the class.

Ventura will guide students with step-by-step demonstrations, while offering one-on-one individual guidance when needed and “fostering real-time interactions between the teacher and participants,” according to press materials.

The workshop is open to both beginners and intermediate artists, whether attendees have no prior experience or are looking to enhance their skills. For more info on the event or to reserve a seat, contact Ventura at fred@venturaes.com or (805) 709-2281.

Ventura said he has been passionate about digital art since 1982, when he co-founded a software company. He’s also an avid watercolor and acrylic painter. With a doctorate in education from UCSB, Ventura has taught at California Lutheran University and other organizations over the years.

For more info on the local artist and teacher, visit venturaes.com. m Arts Briefs is compiled by Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood. Send information to cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.

Next stop, Indiana

Follow Arroyo Grande High School Theatre Company on Facebook or Instagram @aghstheatrecompany to find out how you can help the group get to its summer performance at the International Thespian Festival.

role to land the crew the chance to perform alongside the world’s best in Indiana.

“It’s this uplifting story about a woman and her resilience,” she said. “To be accepted into such a prestigious festival because I contributed to a play like that is something I feel incredibly lucky about.”

According to Blauvelt, there were a few unique challenges and experiences in bringing Levitt’s story to life.

“I usually work with a much larger cast but this time around, just due to the nature of the entire play, we had a much smaller crew,” he said.

“But what makes that cool is that we were able to develop a very strong chemistry as a result.”

TEAM TRIUMPH: Arroyo Grande High School’s theater company—(top left to right) Carly Gallagher, He also employed projectors and lighting Olivia McDonald, Quinlin Gallagher, Joy Avant, and Dylan Long; (bottom left to right) Emily Vickrey, setups to ensure the mood in each scene matched Corbin White, Aurian Oliphant, Rio Vogler, Selmah Palomar, Mia Beck, Hannah Hay, Rin Leonard, Conor the caliber of the actors’ performances.

Reed (kneeling), and Maverick Chaney—is raising money to attend the International Thespian Festival.

“That’s going to be the fun or, well, challenging part of bringing this play to be performed in Indiana,” he said. “We are going to have to put our noggins together to figure out how to make the best use of the performing space even if it’s not the same size as where we have been performing.”

According to Blauvelt, the biggest hurdle now is getting the performers to the festival in Indiana.

“We are figuring it out, but it will cost a good amount of money to get each student involved

BY ADRIAN VINCENT ROSAS with the play out to Indiana for the week the festival takes place,” he said. he moment was almost four years in the making for one Arroyo Grande “We are not necessarily worried we won’t be able to do it, but it will take High School (AGHS) Theatre Company member. some time.”

“I thought he was joking when the director first told us,” Quinlin One way they aim to raise some money? Blauvelt said they plan on having Gallagher said. a special one-time performance of Silent Sky at the Clark Center in Arroyo The 17-year-old Arroyo Grande High School senior is part of a team of Grande in the coming months. students whose performance of the play Silent Sky earned them an invitation “Most of the proceeds from that show will help give us the boost we need to the International Thespian Festival in Indiana this summer. to get the crew out there,” he said. “Beyond that show, we also plan on doing “I get goosebumps just talking about that moment right now,” said the standard candy-, cookie-, pizza-drive type fundraisers.”

Gallagher, who performed as the play’s lead. “The same thing happens to me For students like Gallagher, this is the moment when everything they have whenever I think about it because it is that amazing.” spent years working on finally comes to be recognized for what it is—art.

The International Thespian Festival happens every year and is put on by “This was so important to me because it was my last year in school,” she the International Thespian Society, which invites the best of youth theater said. “I’ve been doing stuff like this since my freshman year, and now having groups like the one in Arroyo Grande to perform alongside their peers. this honor given to us is the perfect way to end things before I graduate.”

Directed by longtime AGHS Theatre Company leader Sean Blauvelt, Silent Even with the festival trip not guaranteed, Blauvelt sees the chance to Sky is based on a Lauren Gunderson book of the same name about Henrietta attend as a great recognition for his crew of excited theater students.

Leavitt’s life and scientific contributions.

“I’ve worked with a ton of students over the years, but this group has “It’s very similar to the film Hidden Figures where you have this woman shined brighter than most, especially for a high school theatre program,” he lead who is trying to and succeeds in pushing her way past the gender roles said. “They deserve every single bit of honor they are getting and more.” m of the era,” Blauvelt said. “And thanks to her contributions, things like the Hubble Telescope were able to advance and take us into our modern era of New Times Staff Writer Adrian Vincent Rosas, from the Sun’s sister paper, space knowledge.” is reading up on the story of Henrietta Leavitt. Reach him at arosas@ Alongside the story of resistance in the face of struggles against newtimesslo.com. stereotypes, the play also shows excellent insight into early space COURTESY PHOTO BY LISA BARTLE exploration, Blauvelt said.

“I am a little biased as to why I like this performance so much, as I used to teach science at Arroyo Grande High School,” he said with a laugh. “But for anyone unfamiliar with just how much was explored in the world of space exploration, it is a fascinating play.”

Gallagher said portraying someone like Leavitt—whose struggles and eventual triumph as a female scientist at the Harvard Observatory in the early 20th century—was a perfect

Starlight surprise Arroyo Grande High School Theatre Company’s performance of Silent Sky nets international recognition

T

COURTESY PHOTO BY LONDON RAFTERY

IMPORTANT IMPACT: Silent Sky highlights the contributions of female scientist Henrietta Leavitt to modern space exploration with help from a cast including (from left to right) Olivia McDonald, Quinlin Gallagher, and Joy Avant.

18 • Sun • February 22 - February 29, 2024 • www.santamariasun.com

SUPERSTAR SISTERS: Arroyo Grande High School Theatre Company members Quinlin (left) and Carly Gallagher (right) shine as sisters on stage and in life.

UPCOMING SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS

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Film

SUN SCREEN

Death and life

COURTESY PHOTO BY ERIC ZACHANOWICH/SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES

W

Anna: It definitely pulls at the heartstrings, especially when you know that Chinn is basing the nuts and bolts of this film on her own life.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—Laura Linney is an absolute treasure, and she shows her chops in this role as the exasperated, exhausted Kristine who’s trying to navigate her own grief around losing her firstborn. Her kids’ dad died when Doris was just a little girl, and Doris has been pushed into the role of caretaker as her brother has gone through his illness. She’s torn between a desperate need to feel normalcy and a feeling of obligation to her mom and brother.

The relationship with Paul is an interesting Glen: Being a teenager is one—he’s a man who’s lived his difficult enough, but try to own grief after losing his wife, imagine also being burdened and he seems a bit lost. We SUNCOAST by an unresponsive wheelchairaren’t privy to why the Schiavo What’s it rated? R bound brother you have to push case became his cause, but he What’s it worth, Glen? Full price around and a mother who pours offers Doris kindness and escape What’s it worth, Anna? Full price on the guilt anytime you try to when she needs it most. It really Where’s it showing? Hulu carve out a little normalcy for is a touching film from start to yourself. Doris is a nonentity at finish. her Catholic school. She’s so busy caring for her Glen: I can’t say enough good things about brother that she has no friends, that is until she Linney’s performance. She makes Kristine overhears some popular kids from her ethics both cruel and sympathetic, which is a neat class lament not having a place to party, so she trick. Harrelson is also predictably great. He knows how to communicate a sort of hangdog invites them to her house while her mother sadness while also demonstrating a deep spends nights sleeping on a cot at Suncoast to be moral core. Parker’s also sympathetic, and her near Max as his life draws to an end. Doris has a performance is very sweet as Doris begins to complicated relationship with her mother, who take more control of her life. There were so fiercely loves her kids but is so preoccupied with many surprising, resonant moments. Kristine Max that Doris feels used and neglected. This soulful, heartfelt story is about familial love, loss, finds fault everywhere she looks, even in smiling, upbeat Nurse Mia (an amazing Keyla and trying to find closure. It’s a weeper. riter Laura Chinn (Grandfathered, Florida Girls) makes her directorial debut with this semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story about Doris (Nico Parker), a teenager helping her flinty mother, Kristine (Laura Linney), care for her seriously ill brother, Max (Cree Kawa). When Max can no longer speak or move on his own, he’s sent to hospice care at the Florida facility called Suncoast, where Doris forms an unusual friendship with Paul Warren (Woody Harrelson), an eccentric activist protesting the removal of the feeding tube in the landmark Terri Schiavo case. (109 min.)

PHOTO COURTESY OF COLUMBIA PICTURES FILM PRODUCTION ASIA

Film & Television & Film Reviews KUNG FU HUSTLE

BLAST

What’s it rated? R When? 2004 Where’s it showing? The Palm FROM THE Theatre on Feb. 24 and 25 (1:30 and 7 p.m.), and Feb. 26 (7 p.m.)

Director Stephen Chow (Shaolin Soccer) helms this outrageously funny, action-packed, fantasy martial arts epic set in Shanghai, China, in the 1940s, where wannabe gangster Sing (also Chow, who co-wrote the script) hopes to join the notorious Axe Gang along with his friend Bone (Tze-Chung Lam). To prove their worthiness, Sing and Bone pose as Axe Gang members and try to shake down the residents of a rundown slum called Pigsty Alley, which in turn attracts the actual Axe Gang, leading to a fight.

The film is really about Sing’s journey from a good kid into a cynical villain, and in flashback, we learn how Sing was humiliated and came to the realization that nice guys finish last. Sing must go further into darkness before he realizes he’s been misguided. It’s a familiar trope in Chinese wuxia films that examine martial arts and chivalry.

What makes the film so entertaining is its Looney Tunes

KUNG FU … NNY! Director, co-writer, and star Stephen Chow (center in white) is Sing, a petty crook turned kung fu master, in Kung Fu Hustle, screening at the Palm Theatre.

cartoon approach to martial arts action. The laws of physics are completely suspended, gang members break out into choreographed dance sequences, and harmless-appearing characters such as Landlady (Qiu Yuen) and Landlord (Wah Yuen) turn out to be gifted martial arts experts. As both satire and homage, the film shines. (In Cantonese and Mandarin; 99 min.)

—Glen

SHARED GRIEF: Doris (Nico Parker) and Paul (Woody Harrelson) strike up a friendship as she watches over her dying brother and he protests the feeding tube removal in the Terri Schiavo case, in Suncoast, streaming in Hulu.

Monterroso Mejia), who helps care for Max in hospice. This shouldn’t be a spoiler, he’s in hospice after all, but when Max passes, Nurse Mia has a line that destroyed me. It’s a lovely film about grieving.

Anna: The ending of this film is rough and raw, and even though losing Max was inevitable, Doris didn’t realize what a profound effect saying goodbye can have. When her mom pushes her too far, she tries to escape into her new, close-knit friend group—but the looming

reality of her soon-to-be loss is never far from the surface. Doris is asked to live in a suspended youth while also asked to grow up far too quickly, both courtesy of her mother. Chinn kept these characters feeling very real, and the unfortunate reality is that everyone must navigate loss and grief on their own terms. m New Times Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Sun Screen.

Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NETFLIX

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT: A TWIN EXPERIMENT

What’s it rated? Not rated When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix What happens when you take two genetically identical people and track changes to their body on different diets? This new Netflix series follows several sets of twins as they navigate their health journey. One twin sticks to an omnivore diet while the other goes plant-based (aka vegan) over the course of a few months while working with experts and trainers. What effect does this type of lifestyle change really have on the human body and how realistic is it to stick to a plant-based routine?

This four-part series delves into the ever-expanding world of meat alternatives and the people behind some of the biggest brands such as Impossible Foods and Miyoko’s Creamery as well as farmers in the heart of the country who are trading their poultry operations for plant-based alternatives, such as mushrooms.

Sometimes media touting plant-based eating can feel out of touch and preachy; A Twin Experiment is a softer look at how small shifts can lead to big health changes. If you’re toying with eating more plant-based, this series may be

FOOD MATTERS: Identical twins adopt different diets in an eight-week scientific experiment that examines how diet and lifestyle impact health, in the Netflix documentary miniseries You Are What You Eat.

inspire you to kick-start the process. (four approximately 50-min. episodes) m —Anna

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Eats

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PINOT PANEL: Flying Goat Cellars founder and winemaker Norm Yost is one of the featured panelists in Bubbles and Bites: A Journey Around the World on Saturday, March 2, in conjunction with the multi-day World of Pinot Noir program.

Wine whisperers

World of Pinot Noir celebrates vintners’ varying approaches to making wine from the same grape

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

O

ne venue. Three days. Hundreds of pinot noirs.

Established in 2001, World of Pinot Noir is an annual gathering that showcases dozens of wineries under one roof, while zeroing in on each participating vintners’ pinot noir selections specifically.

The three-day event—held this year Feb. 29 through March 2 at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara—includes tastings, wine seminars, lunches, dinners, and other special events. Although the program is exclusive to showcasing its namesake grape, there doesn’t seem to be a limit on the highlighted wine regions—which range from

One grape to rule them all

throughout California and outside the U.S. Alongside several guest vintners from abroad, many of the program’s participants operate wineries near Santa Barbara, including in Santa Maria, Santa Ynez, Lompoc, and other cities along the Central Coast.

Here’s a rundown of some local pinot proprietors set to pour at the event.

Lompoc libations

While some Lompoc-produced pinot noirs shine with star power, like Kurt Russell’s boutique pinots at GoGi Wines, there are others that sparkle in a more literal sense.

One of Ampelos Cellars’ three featured wines at World of Pinot

For more info on World of Pinot Noir, visit worldofpinotnoir.com. The Santa Barbara program will include various events to highlight local and visiting wineries between Feb. 29 and March 2.

World of Pinot Noir will take place at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, located at 8301 Hollister Ave., Santa Barbara.

GRAB A GLASS: Fess Parker Winery is one of the featured Los Olivos-based vintners participating in the 2024 World of Pinot Noir program.

Noir is its 2020 blanc de noir sparkling, a 100 percent pinot noir sparkling wine sourced from its vintner’s biodynamic vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. The same vineyard is responsible for the pinot noir grapes that Flying Goat Cellars used to produce its 2019 Goat Bubbles, which will be poured during the World of Pinot Noir tasting festivities, alongside two of Flying Goat’s traditional nonsparkling pinot noirs.

The program will highlight pinot noir tastings from a plethora of wineries and vineyards based in Lompoc, including Brewer Clifton, Dierberg Vineyard, Fiddlehead Cellars, Liquid Farm, Longoria Wines, Melville Winery, Montemar Winery, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pali Wine Co., Sandhi Wines, Sanford Winery & Vineyards, Sea Smoke, The Hilt Estate, and the aforementioned GoGi Wines.

SYV sips

Hours after this year’s Golden Globes ceremony ended in January, Paul Giamatti was famously spotted at an In-N-Out Burger in LA with his trophy in hand. Although animal

FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF CHAMISAL VINEYARDS

LOCALLY SOURCED: Chamisal Vineyards’ handcrafted pinot noirs are sourced from its 82-acre estate vineyard in the Edna Valley AVA. The SLO-based winery will pour four of its pinot noirs during this year’s World of Pinot Noir tastings.

style fries and Neapolitan shakes aren’t part of any pairing events at World of Pinot Noir this year, the program is highlighting a Buellton vintner that one of Giamatti’s past portrayals endorsed.

As seen in Sideways, pinot noirs from Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post Wines will be poured during the

World of Pinot Noir, alongside several wines from wineries located throughout the Santa Ynez Valley.

Other Buellton-based participants in the lineup include Brick Barn Wine Estate, Ken Brown Wines, Marbeso Wine, and Pence Vineyards and

EATS continued page 22

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At county’s end

Multiple wineries featured at World of Pinot Noir are based near the northern boundary of Santa Barbara County, including one vintner—Lumen—from Los Alamos and eight that range throughout the Santa Maria Valley.

The Santa Maria-based vintners scheduled to showcase their pinot noirs are Au Bon Climat Winery, Bien Nacido Estate, Bonaccorsi Wine Company, Cambria Estate Winery, Foxen Vineyard and Winery, Native9 Wine, Presqu’ile Winery, and Riverbench Vineyard & Winery.

World of Pinot Noir will highlight wineries from the city of Santa Barbara and outside Santa Barbara County as well.

San Luis Obispo County-based wineries hail from Arroyo Grande (Campion Wines, Center of Effort Wines, Laetitia Vineyard & Winery, and Talley Vineyards), SLO (Chamisal Vineyards, Tolosa, and El Lugar Wines), Paso Robles (Aequorea, Cordant Winery, and Oceano Wines), and Templeton (Haliotide Wines).

BOTTLE THROTTLE: This year’s World of Pinot event will The event will feature vintners highlight pinot noirs from several wineries based in the Santa from outside the state, and Maria Valley, including Bien Nacido. country, too, with select pinots from France and Argentina to EATS from page 21 help accentuate the “world” in World of Pinot Winery. Los Olivos-based vintners Fess Parker Noir. m Winery, Tercero Wines, and Zaca Mesa Winery, and Solvang-based vintners Alma Rosa Winery, Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood is in a world Lincourt Vineyards, Piazza Family Wines, and of his own. Send comments to cwiseblood@ Rusack Vineyards are slated to pour as well. santamariasun.com.

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