Our second annual Pet Issue and photo contest brings you winners in five different categories, including Best Dressed and Farmhouse, and these pet pics are guaranteed to make your day. From lizards and fish to horses, sheep, dogs, and cats, they’re cute, curious, and funny. Entrants donated almost $2,000 to C.A.R.E.4Paws, a nonprofit dedicated to helping low-income and unhoused residents take care of their animals. And we’ve even got a story for you about a new Santa Barbara County program designed to better address barriers some pet owners have to accessing human services [6]. This week, you can also read about a development in Solvang that’s got residents riled up [4]; what the Los Olivos General Store has hanging on the walls [26]; and Zaca Coffee in Buellton [29]
525 East Plaza Dr #203a
PUBLIC NOTICE UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS
Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMRT) is inviting the public to a workshop on Unmet Transit Needs.
WHAT: Unmet Transit Needs Meeting
WHEN: Thursday December 5, 2024. First meeting will be held from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Second meeting will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Santa Maria Public Library Shephard Hall, 1st Floor 421 S. McClelland Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454
If you cannot attend the workshop, but would like to provide comments, please mail comments to the City of Santa Maria at 110 S. Pine Street, Suite 221, Santa Maria, CA 93458. Comments may also be emailed directly to smrtcomments@cityofsantamaria.org with subject “Unmet Transit Needs.”
You can also call (805) 925-0951, ext. 2170 for more information or to provide comment. The last day to submit comments is Friday, December 6, 2024.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), individuals needing special accommodations to participate in the meeting should contact SMRT at least three working days prior to the meeting at (805) 928-5624.
The meeting will be Spanish and Mixteco language accessible if requested. Las reuniónes serán accesibles en Español y Mixteco si se solicita. Favor de llamar a SMRT al (805) 925-0951 ext. 2170, para más información de la reunión o para solicitar un intérprete.
• U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-California) and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) applauded the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for making improvements to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to help callers access localized, lifesaving behavioral health resources, according to an Oct. 17 statement from Padilla’s office. The FCC Board of Directors unanimously voted to finalize the proposed rule to improve the 988 lifeline, which will expedite the process of connecting callers with their nearest call center so they can receive appropriate care and resources from mental health professionals and local public safety officials as quickly as possible while protecting user privacy. Reliable, timely access to the 988 Lifeline is essential to link people experiencing suicidal ideation or a mental health crisis with immediate support. The bipartisan 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has supported millions of Americans in crisis, but currently, calls to the hotline are routed by area code rather than location. As awareness of the hotline increases, operators can more quickly connect callers to a range of mental health services— and a full continuum of care is crucial. “From a college student far from home to a parent traveling for work, Americans in crisis across the country need access to timely, localized mental health services no matter where they call from,” Padilla said in the statement.
“Today’s final rule to efficiently route calls to the 988 Lifeline closer to the caller’s actual location—rather than by a phone’s area code—will improve the safe delivery of lifesaving mental health care. I applaud the Federal Communications Commission for heeding our bipartisan calls for tangible solutions to give those in crisis faster access to the help they need.”
• Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California is expanding access to culturally based substance use disorder treatment services, according to an Oct. 16 statement from Newsom’s office. After years of working toward this milestone, this will be the first time state Medicaid provider Medi-Cal will cover traditional health care practices. The first portion of coverage includes music therapy (traditional music, dancing, and drumming) and spiritual remedies (ceremonies, rituals, and herbal remedies). These practices are led by a traditional healer—who is recognized as a spiritual leader with at least two years of experience practicing in a setting recognized by a Native American tribe and who is contracted or employed by an Indian Health Care Provider. The second includes navigational support, psychological skill building, self-management, and trauma support led by natural helpers—who deliver health recovery and social support in the context of tribal cultures. They can be spiritual leaders, elected officials, or paraprofessionals who are trusted members of a Native American tribe. According to the governor’s office, these practices have been shown to improve health outcomes, particularly those with substance use disorders. Native Americans continue to be disproportionately impacted by the opioid epidemic, with higher overdose death rates than other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. “As the home of the largest population of Native Americans in the country, California is committed to helping heal the historical wounds inflicted on tribes—including the glaring health disparities we see between Native communities and other groups,” Newsom said in the statement. “Like many of the issues that plague successive generations of Native people, those inequities can be traced back to the historical atrocities the U.S. inflicted on tribes across the country. By supporting greater access to traditional medicine and healing, we are taking another step toward a healthier, brighter future.” m
NEW DEVELOPMENT: Josh Richman filed an application to develop 100 multi-family units on 5.48 acres of land on Alamo Pintado and Old Mission Drive (pictured), but residents are concerned about traffic, aesthetic, and density impacts if the project gets approved.
Solvang’s Wildwood housing proposal creates tension among neighbors
Several Solvang residents are ringing alarm bells about a housing development project that’s still behind the starting line.
“This area is unique, it’s precious, it’s a place where people come because it’s so special,” Michelle Neels said. “If we start to allow development that hurts that feel, that charm, then we become Anytown, USA, and that’s not what the Santa Ynez Valley is about.”
Neels is the treasurer for the Santa Ynez Valley Citizens Council, a recently formed nonprofit made up of valley residents that tracks developments going through the city and encourages public participation.
The Wildwood Development—a 100-multifamily-unit apartment and condo development with three two-story buildings on 5.48 acres on Alamo Pintado and Old Mission Drive—grabbed the group’s attention because of traffic safety, zoning, and density concerns from the neighboring Mission Oaks Homeowners Association.
“The premise was that the application that was provided to the building department was a defective pre-application. When I say that, I mean there is a situation in this development between Wildwood and Mission Oaks,” Neels said. “There are residents who have an easement with Lot C [Wildwood], and the applicant did not get the signatures of the shared easement when he provided his pre-application.”
Neels said that the applicant needed to collect signatures from the 18 residents who share the easement before development can begin.
Josh Richman, the Wildwood developer, told the Sun that he owns the easement for ingress, egress, utilities, drainage, and landscaping.
“The homeowners association thinks I need their permission for my own easement, and that’s where we have the disagreement. The easement is in my deed. It’s my property, and they say I need their permission,” Richman said. “In our view, it’s not really an issue because an easement by definition does not require the consent of anyone to use.”
Wildwood is a Builder’s Remedy Project, which falls under a state law that allows for developers to bypass certain local requirements to streamline housing development, Solvang Planning Manager Rafael Castillo said.
The project first came before Solvang in October last year, but the developer had to
resubmit its application to the city’s planning department in April and August to adjust its maps and address proposed roadway improvements.
The project application is still incomplete because the developer needs to conduct additional traffic studies to account for the higher population density in the area.
Once the city deems the application complete, the project still has to go through an environmental evaluation process required by the California Environmental Quality Act, where residents will have the opportunity to discuss environmental impact concerns.
“We are fully transparent, we have a major project page, we have every single submittal. [In] every single thing, the city has stated why we are doing what we are doing,” Castillo said.
Santa Ynez Valley Citizens Council Treasurer Neels agrees that this is important because there’s still time for the residents to air their concerns in a public forum.
“People have to understand we have time to make changes,” Neels said. “We have to make people understand that we have a voice, and we can speak that voice, and just require the developers to be responsible stewards environmentally and safety-wise for our community because none of that has been taken into consideration so far.”
Wildwood developer Richman is a Solvang native and said that he’s met with the neighbors in the Mission Oaks Homeowners Association on two different occasions to share plans with them and made changes “as a result of the comments they provided me.”
“We reduced the height of the buildings, we distributed the buildings equally across the site, we reduced the density from 109 to 100, and we changed the architectural style to be more of a contemporary ranch theme,” Richman said.
The developer and his team are still finalizing the traffic study to understand the impacts, and he said that traffic safety will continue to be addressed as it goes through the CEQA process.
“There is a dire need for housing in the area; there hasn’t been any significant housing built in this part of the valley for a very long time,” Richman said. “We are just excited to bring forward what we think is a very good project for the valley and contribute what we think will become a very pleasant walkable, bikeable corridor and a part of the valley that has a lot of amenities and services.”
—Taylor O’Connor
Lompoc cuts back on number of annual public safety meetings
Every other month, the Lompoc Public Safety Commission meets to discuss concerns related to police, fire, and emergency medical services— but rarely ever have there been more than a couple of attendees.
“We have one or two members of the community show up,” Lompoc Police Chief Kevin Martin said at the Lompoc City Council’s Oct. 15 meeting, in support of a proposed revision that aims to increase public attendance at the hearings while decreasing their occurrence.
City staff’s proposal would cut the Public Safety Commission’s yearly meeting count in half, from six to three, and move the hearings away from City Hall. The recommendation calls for the commission to rotate its meetings at gathering-friendly venues—such as a school gyms or hotels—across Lompoc’s four districts.
“One of the ideas we had was to go to each one of your districts, both the fire chief and I, and meet with the people in those areas,” Martin told the City Council. “So the community can then come more easily to those meetings and be involved.”
Councilmember Dirk Starbuck said he’s spoken to two members of the Public Safety Commission who raised a separate attendance issue within the committee. “Their frustration is the fact that they are never able to have a meeting because they are never able to have a quorum,” Starbuck said. “That could be faulted to the council because the appointees are not making meetings as they promised to do.”
According to Lompoc’s handbook on city government and administration, one of the Public Safety Commission’s general functions is to “make recommendations to the City Council in matters of public safety,” while abiding by the Brown Act, including its quorum requirement. Without a majority of the commission present, a meeting can’t be held.
“I’ll just say that I don’t think this is the fix that the commission needs. … I don’t think the solution here is to make it [the meeting] every four months,” said Starbuck, who suggested that each council member check in with their respective appointee on their attendance records.
Mayor Jenelle Osborne and Councilmember Jeremy Ball voiced support for staff’s recommendation, and both emphasized that the City Council could revise the meeting count again in the future if things don’t improve.
“I’m always up for change,” said Starbuck, who ultimately sided with them. “I don’t want to be the one to interfere, to stop progress. I just wanted to share my concerns. … I’m not going to get into an argument or a pissing contest about it.”
Ball said he appreciates “staff’s effort pointing us toward some sort of efficiency,” before seconding Osborne’s motion to approve the proposal, which passed 5-0.
“It is incredibly frustrating when you’re trying to make a difference and not enough people show up, and you feel a little deflated,” Ball said. “Let’s measure the data, … let’s see if it’s a better outreach mechanism, and if it’s working, let’s keep it going, or let’s go back to the old system if it’s not.”
—Caleb Wiseblood
Buellton City Councilmember David
for mayor
Both Dave King and David Silva want to see the creation of more gathering spaces for activities, and they both believe that they can
Silva faces incumbent Dave King
COURTESY PHOTO BY ZACH BROWN/ATLAS IMAGERY
streamline that process if elected as Buellton mayor.
Regional baseball parks on city-owned property by Riverview Park, the long-awaited bowling alley, reopening parts of the movie theater, renovating the high school swimming pool, and completing the Santa Ynez Valley Regional Trail are on incumbent Mayor Dave King’s list.
“When I came up here in 2004, my kids were pretty small, I realized there’s not a whole bunch of things for kids to do. The valley doesn’t have anything for young families,” King said. “So that’s going to be something that I want to keep pushing forward, and that’s going to get [pedestrians] off the 246, and push for activities like the bowling alley, like ballparks, like the movie theater. I think if people reelect me, I’m going to be able to get those things done in the next couple of years.”
King has been a part of the City Council for 12 years, with 10 as a council member and two as mayor. Buellton City Council members are up for election every four years, but the mayoral race is every two years.
“Two years is kind of a short term for mayor, and I am right in the middle of a lot of things that need to get over the finish line,” King said. “There’s a lot of things that take you four to six months to even figure out what you’re doing. I’m pretty much up to speed on all of those; changing mayors means they are going to have to do that whole thing over again, and before you know it, you’re running for mayor again.”
This time around, King will face 4th District City Councilmember David Silva, who’s completed two years of his first four-year term on the dais. If Silva is elected, the city will
either appoint someone or hold a special election to fill the remaining two years of his term.
Alongside the mayor’s race, Buellton voters will decide on an urban growth boundary to allow Buellton to expand its city limits to make way for more housing and a 2 percent Transient Occupancy Tax increase (raising it to 14 percent) for people staying in Buellton’s hotels.
Silva and King said separately that the urban growth boundary would allow the city to thoughtfully develop as the population swells, and the Transient Occupancy Tax increase will benefit residents by bringing in the additional revenue.
The additional TOT dollars could help support more family-friendly activities, Silva added.
Like King, he wants to see the bowling alley and movie theater come online—along with a splash pad for kids and complementary businesses to the movie theater—but he believes he could bring a fresh perspective to the table that could help accomplish some of these goals and serve the greater community.
While serving on City Council, Silva helped the city hire a grant-writing company to advocate on behalf of Buellton for grant opportunities, which funded the Santa Ynez Valley Regional Trail and helped the city establish better relationships with representatives at the county, state, and federal levels.
“I think my approach comes a bit more collaboratively, working with partners at a local community that maybe hasn’t been a part of our strategy for advocacy and funding,” Silva said. “The way we can move forward is to build a vision for what we want Buellton to be and the best way to do that is to make sure voices are heard. I hope I can help bring that culture to light and fruition.” m
—Taylor O’Connor
Los excrementos de perros crean contaminación de las aguas pluviales. Siempre recoge los excrementos de tu perro sin falta.
Cuteness overload
Love, laziness, and laughter—that’s what pets bring to their owners, who shared some of their favorite images with us
Brighten up your day by flipping through the winners of our second annual pet photo contest. Readers from across the Central Coast submitted more than 400 images of their cats, dogs, lizards, chickens, horses, bunnies, and even fish in this year’s competition. A panel of five judges narrowed them to the top three in each of five categories. First place winners get a little gift bag of pet goodies and a gift card from issue sponsor Lemos Feed and Pet Supply. The Best in Show winner will get a little something extra from Lemos! As part of the contest, entrants donated $2,000 to C.A.R.E.4Paws, a nonprofit that helps low-income families in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties take care of their pets. The organization plans to feature the winning cat and dog on one of its mobile clinics. Enjoy the cuteness!
Santa Barbara County received a state grant to explore ways to keep pet families together
BY TAYLOR O’CONNOR
With their unconditional loyalty, big eyes filled with nothing but love, and snuggles that bring endless comfort, pets can be the biggest support system for people going through tough times.
But that support system can morph into the biggest barrier when trying to access services to improve their circumstances.
“One of the things we talk about is let’s say you are a person who doesn’t have a house, and you have a dog, and you need to go to a wellness appointment or a probation appointment … but you don’t have anywhere to put your dog,” Santa Barbara County Animal Services Director Sarah Aguilar said. “Do you leave the dog and risk it being taken from you or not go to your appointment? If you don’t go to your appointment, does that cause an emergency later—which causes stress to the system, but it also puts a burden on the person.”
Historically, Santa Barbara County’s human services departments—and those statewide—have worked in silos that often didn’t consider pets in the equation, but Aguilar believes it could be one key to bringing more services to more people in need.
“If we could work with the human service agencies, we could find a solution,” Aguilar said. “There’s just a lot of ways we as a society historically have torn pets and people apart from each other as a way to influence control and it hasn’t worked, so let’s try something else.”
Santa Barbara County Animal Services established a Pawsitive Care coordinator position as part of its efforts to try something new. This role—created through a $200,000 state grant from the California for All Animals program—will be collecting data on how often human service agencies interact with people who have pets, and eventually bring the agencies together to find ways to keep pet families together and avoid surrenders to the shelter, Aguilar said.
Santa Barbara County Animal Services has 131 dogs, 93 cats, and nine other animals in its shelters, and 104 dogs and 146 cats in foster care as of Oct. 14. While capacity is fluid, Animal Services is comfortable at anything under 140 dogs in the shelters, Aguilar said.
“Each shelter knows their frequent flyers. … They are in a cycle trying to get out of [the system], and that’s orchestrating this whole other side,” Aguilar said. “Maybe keeping them together will help them.”
While Aguilar acknowledged that some policy changes may have to occur, particularly around housing and shelter services, she hopes that the data collected will encourage other agencies to make those adjustments to better accommodate pet families’ needs.
“What I would like to see is that the county shelter becomes a place where only animals that truly need these resources are housed here,” Aguilar said. “A reduction in lost pets because they’re going home instead of coming to the shelter; a reduction in pets coming in because people are hospitalized, arrested, or some other resource challenge because maybe we found ways to keep them together.”
Maddy Crowley, the Pawsitive Care coordinator, took on the new role after 12 years of working in the animal welfare industry.
“It’s as exciting as it is a learning curve,” Crowley said. “It hits close to home to me and is something I want to solve, rather than just a job. … I’ve seen really good families lose their pets due to unforeseen circumstances.”
It’s a “heartbreaking experience” that’s as hard on the pets as it is the families, and Crowley wants to prevent that from happening, she said. She’s currently sending out a survey to Santa Barbara County’s human service agencies to understand how many people with pets the county works with and what barriers they experience.
After survey results come in, Crowley and Animal Services want to create new programming to bridge those gaps. She’s looking into possible partnerships with local veterinarians to provide discounted vet care for allergy treatment or “simple issues” that can be taken care of for those who might be limited due to their income status. If people are missing doctor’s appointments because they have nowhere to leave their pet, the county could partner with a doggy day care at no cost to the owners.
On the housing side, the aim is to provide licensing and obedience training at little to no cost to help convince shelters or landlords to allow the pet on-site, she added.
“There’s not a whole lot of information yet; the plan for me is once we get closer to that time before the end of the grant [April 30], I will be making the print plan of this grant or the position,” Crowley said. “The last thing we want is the project to stop mid-process. … Whatever happens, we want this project to keep moving forward and assisting people within the community.”
Sacramento began a similar effort in 2022 with its homeless outreach and assistance program, said Jenna Topper, the program’s coordinator.
Through a $753,230 American Rescue Plan Act grant, Sacramento implemented a new emergency call type for animal control dispatch that specified whether a pet owner was experiencing homelessness to quantify the number of unhoused pet families the city saw. The funding covered six months starting in January 2021.
“Now, instead of neglect or strays, we were able to see it was a pet owner experiencing homelessness. A lot of calls come in with pet owners experiencing homelessness. Just because a call comes in for potential neglect or welfare doesn’t always mean that is the case,” Topper said. “It allows us to approach the call in an intentional way, start addressing our response to better offer care that was needed or whatever resources were needed when we were called.”
Sacramento saw calls related to 603 owners experiencing homelessness in 2021. Since then, those calls grew to more than 5,900 and the city moved $1 million into the shelter operating budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
The funding increase allowed Sacramento to expand its program, which now takes a partnered approach between animal services and human services during calls designated as owners experiencing homelessness. The collaboration allows the agencies to address pet needs on-site, rather than taking them in for veterinary care, and connect the pet parent to any services they might need.
“We play the long-term game to get everyone up to date on preventative care with the owner’s
consent and buy-in,” Topper said. “Supporting an individual into housing, we play the long game to get them within a reasonable number of pets, all with the owner at the forefront.”
Her team vaccinates and licenses pets to prepare them for housing opportunities and works with corresponding agencies to get their clients to the “top of the line” once something becomes available. Since its full-fledged operation took off in 2022, Topper said she’s seen an uptick in transitional housing opportunities that allow pets.
“The establishment of programming meeting people where they are at and having teams offering assistance have also created an opportunity for more housing to consider pet-friendly locations,” Topper said. “We’re continuing to build relationships with people services, new housing opportunities are on the horizon, folks are reaching out with us in advance to see how they can maintain pet policies and seeking our input.”
While Sacramento’s program is slightly different from Santa Barbara County’s, they share the same goal of keeping pet families together.
“The reality is these pets, dogs and cats too, [are] the things getting these owners up for the day, they’re sharing their meals with these animals,” Topper said. “They’re more than just companions but a lifeline for a lot of these owners. Recognizing this as such, that seeing pets as part of families will help in creating long-term success.” m
Reach Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor at toconnor@ santamariasun.com
CALL TO ACTION: Many folks who are experiencing homelessness have pets as a source of companionship, but Santa Barbara County doesn’t know how many individuals experience barriers due to their pet. Now, the county’s Animal Services Department established a new Pawsitive Care coordinator position to learn how many people seeking resources have an animal in order to better provide services that meet their needs with their pet in mind.
Best Dressed, First Place, Sara Cornish
Cats, First Place, Linda Tanner
Cats, Second Place, Tina Perry
Cats, Third Place, Carly Penson
Farmhouse, Third Place, Leslie Koenig
Aquatic/Exotic/Open, First Place, Alan Strasbaugh
Aquatic/Exotic/Open, Second Place, Alisa Aston
Aquatic/Exotic/Open, Third Place, Kathleen LaGue Farmhouse, First Place, Gina Killingsworth
Orcutt Union School District joins nationwide network of schools to improve education opportunities
BY TAYLOR O’CONNOR
The jobs that exist now are not going to be the same in the future, Orcutt Union School District Superintendent Dr. Holly Edds said.
“We’re always looking to the future and how we can improve our instruction here in the district because we do want to be responsive, we do want to have students ready for the next step,” Edds said. “For us, it’s about where we can go next and improve our systems.”
In order to better understand what practices the district can put in place to best prepare students for their next step in life, whether college or career, the district applied for and was accepted into the League of Innovative Schools—a national network of school districts that allows Orcutt to connect with other education leaders across 34 states. Orcutt Union is one of 150 school districts in the league.
Now that it’s in the network, Orcutt Union doesn’t have to reapply, but active participation is required. The league has two gatherings a year—with the first in Lindsay, California, and Edds will travel to Pittsburgh in March to “see innovative practices,” she said. Work groups meet virtually every month to discuss other topics like mental health systems and support for students along with career pathways.
“They took input on what types of groups do league members need, what are they grappling with, what are they struggling to address, and they can form work groups,” Edds said. “It’s really a very active [organization]. They listen, and it’s really about what’s going to serve us and our students the best.”
The district is now implementing a health care career pathway at Orcutt High School because of the increasing demand for health care workers. By partnering with A.T. Still University and Allan Hancock College, Orcutt Union is working to start new certificates or pathways that help students interested in the health care
field have access to pertinent classes. At the League of Innovative Schools, Orcutt Union is part of a computer science work group to look at teaching coding as early as kindergarten to implement other needed workforce skills earlier on.
“We don’t need to wait until junior high. … How can we start integrating skill sets at an early age to help serve them later in their educational career and later in their career?” Edds said.
The district’s just scratching the surface of learning opportunities, she added.
“I think a big part of it is networking and learning not only from other districts, but what is the business community looking for in their future employees, what’s happening in the industry to help inform our practices as an education system,” Edds said. “It informs what we do, but it also transforms training for teachers, which trickles down into students in the classroom.”
Highlights
• The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department announced its inaugural NFL Youth Flag Football League. The recreational program is open to boys and girls ages 8 to 14 and offers a fun and inclusive environment for young athletes to develop football skills, learn teamwork, and enjoy the game in a non-contact format. The league will run from Dec. 7 to Feb. 1 at local city parks. The league will feature three divisions based on age: 8- and 9-year-olds; 10 and 11; and 12 through 14. If sufficient registrations allow, separate divisions for boys and girls will be offered; otherwise the teams will be coed. All skill levels are welcome. The Recreation and Parks Department is also seeking volunteer coaches to support the league, with coaching incentives offered. To register, the cost is $42 for city residents or $53 for non-city residents; the deadline is Oct. 31. Each participant will receive an official NFL Youth Flag Football jersey and flags. Visit www.cityofsantamaria.org/register to sign up and call (805) 925-0951, Ext. 2260, if interested in coaching.
• Youthwell, a Santa Barbara County nonprofit that provides mental health education, prevention, and early support programs for families, is hosting LGBTQIA+ 101, a virtual
workshop designed for parents of LGBTQ-plus youth. On Nov. 3 from 5 to 6:30 p.m., therapists Kai Krupa and Jenny Ziesenhen will guide parents through conversations around gender, sexuality, and inclusivity. Through a supportive and informative setting, the Zoom session aims to empower parents with tools to communicate with their children from a place of love and understanding. Krupa and Ziesenhen will offer insight into the complexities of gender and sexuality as well as the historical context of LGBTQ-plus identities. Registration is required as space is limited. Visit youthwell.org to register and contact groups@youthwell.org or call (805) 770-1239 with any questions. m
Reach Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor at toconnor@santamariasun.com.
Now offering studio, one, and 2-bedroom homes! Conveniently located in Atascadero, this beautiful brand-new community for Seniors 62+ will provide an amazing place to call home. Elegant unit designs specifically for seniors. Energy efficient appliances, 9-foot ceilings, central heating and air conditioning, ceiling fans in living room and bedrooms. Granite countertops, spacious closets, hook ups for internet and cable services. Onsite laundry facilities!
YOUNG CODERS: Orcutt Union School District has begun introducing technology use and coding into younger grade levels as part of its efforts to prepare students for their futures.
What would convince you to join the Santa Maria Camera Club?
57% Meeting new friends and bonding over photography.
43% Finding someone to take my next LinkedIn photo for free!
0% The chance to compete in monthly photography contests.
0% Their group expeditions.
Return to reason
Get the lies and hate out of conservatism in this country
BY DAN DENNIS
Let’s return to reasonable conservatism where discourse is both practiced and honored.
7 Votes
Vote online at www.santamariasun.com.
EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING | 805-347-1968
E-MAIL | mail@santamariasun.com
WEB | www.santamariasun.com
FOUNDER | Steve Moss 1948-2005
EDITORIAL
EDITOR Camillia Lanham
ASSOCIATE EDITOR | Andrea Rooks
STAFF WRITERS | Taylor O’Connor
ARTS EDITOR | Caleb Wiseblood
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Jayson Mellom
ART DIRECTOR | Alex Zuniga
EDITORIAL DESIGNERS Leni Litonjua, Taylor Saugstad
CONTRIBUTORS | Glen Starkey, Anna Starkey, Ross Mayfield
ADVERTISING
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Kimberly Rosa
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Katy Gray, Stasja Knopf, Emma Corippo, Gracie Jones, Aja Castilleja
MAGAZINE DIVISION EXECUTIVE | Lee Ann Vermeulen
PRODUCTION
ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER | Mary Grace Flaus
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS | Ellen Fukumoto, Danielle Ponce
Business Cindy Rucker
CIRCULATION | Jim Chaney, Michael Ferrell, Margo Baldives, Simon Lopez
PUBLISHERS | Bob Rucker, Alex Zuniga
OFFICE MANAGER | Stephanie West
MARKETING & PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR Michael Gould
SUBMITTING LETTERS
WRITE | Mail your letter to Sun Letters, 801 S Broadway Suite 3, Santa Maria, CA 93454. Include your name, address, and phone number. FAX | (805) 546-8641 E-MAIL mail@santamariasun.com, letters@santamariasun.com
TO ADVERTISE
DISPLAY ADS | Rates and special discounts are available. Call our ad department at (805) 347-1968. CLASSIFIEDS Call (805) 546-8208, Ext. 211. Visa and MasterCard accepted.
ONLINE
Visit the Sun web site at www.santamariasun.com. Our site was developed and designed by Foundation, a website development company (www.publishwithfoundation.com).
The Sun is published every Thursday for your enjoyment. One copy of each issue is available free to Northern Santa Barbara County residents and visitors. Subscriptions to the Sun are $156 per year. The entire contents of the Sun are copyrighted by the Sun and cannot be reproduced without specific written permission from the publisher.
Because a product or service is advertised in the Sun does not mean that we endorse its use. We hope readers will use their own good judgement in choosing products most beneficial to their well-being.
We welcome submissions. Please accompany them with a selfaddressed, stamped envelope. All letters to the editor become the property of the Sun.
To my fellow patriotic Americans, are you not tired of all the lies and myths put out by Trump and his fascistic MAGA cult followers? Yes, I meant fascist. Look at the definition. It has three components: 1) ultra conservatism 2) disdain for the rule of law 3) the use of violence to support their view. Jan. 6, 2021, was a perfect example. Trump’s Big Lie that the election was stolen with zero evidence, calling 10,000 of his conservative followers to the Ellipse, stoking the flames of a riot with more lies, and then sending them to the capital to use any force necessary to take over the Capitol and force Congress to return him to power. This included attacking the Capitol Police, injuring many, and killing others.
In his four years as president, he told more than 30,000 documented lies. In every rally or debate, he spews out a firehose of lies. In a recent rally at Mar-a-Lago, he spoke for 62 minutes and told more than 124 lies. That’s two lies per minute. This flood of lies is called a Gish gallop after a debate technique that attempts to overwhelm their opponent by presenting so many lies that the opponent can’t possibly refute in the allotted time.
In the Sept. 12 issue of the Sun was a letter by David Puro (“The right and the left live in different realities”). I sat down with a highlighter to mark what became his Gish gallop. By the time I finished, almost the entire 2 1/2 columns were highlighted. Don’t they know we have Google? We can fact-check you. You rely on the fact that it would take up several pages in the Sun to go through all of them. So let me cover at least a few
Americans love to hate Nov. 5. It’s coming at us fast.
The divisiveness is dragging us down. I keep hearing that, “our bipartisan bill”; to be perfectly clear, the only bipartisan cooperation that I see is to protect the insider trading that’s going on among our elected officials, both sides being complicit in this. But, I digress.
The election.
Americans love to hate. Many members of both sides show open hostility toward anyone who shows any sort of support for their opponents. Many people show absolute, lockstep fanaticism for “their” party. Any kind of negative rumors are absolutely believed and gleefully spread, no matter how ridiculous. Anything negative about their own candidate is called lies, fake news, etc.
No matter what, not everything the opposition does is a bad idea, or socialism, or fascism, since apparently a lot of people have no idea what those terms mean. Trying to get your medical insurance premiums down is not socialism, and wanting the border/immigration issues fixed does not make one a racist.
And besides all that, there really isn’t much difference between the two parties, no matter how much they’re demonized.
So get out there and vote. It won’t make any difference in my life, whoever wins. It won’t make a difference in your life either.
Boris Roberts
Santa Maria
Give Lompoc a continued bright future: reelect Mayor Osborne
As a 30-year resident of Lompoc, I am writing to support the reelection of Mayor Jenelle Osborne.
of the most fallacious.
He says the 2020 election was rigged. There is zero evidence of this. Instead, there is overwhelming evidence that it was fair. Trump recently admitted he lost “by a whisker,” as if 7 million votes was a “whisker.” He claimed his N.Y. fraud trial was political and N.Y. had no jurisdiction. It’s true the feds declined to prosecute, but the crimes took place in N.Y. so they had jurisdiction. It was a trial by a jury of his peers. His lawyer agreed to the jurors.
Now the biggie. Mr. Puro claims there is no right to abortion, yet the Constitution says that all rights belong to the citizens unless ceded to the government. So SCOTUS had no right to overturn Row
SCOTUS, under the Constitution, can only call balls and strikes. They can’t make law. But that is exactly what they are doing. With Dobbs, they were only asked if the 15-week abortion ban was constitutional. They instead decided to overturn Row, not based on law but on their Catholic religious beliefs. Biden has the right idea to put some teeth in the ethics rules to keep Justices Thomas and Alito from taking millions in bribes (which they prefer to call “tips”), and to put term limits on them.
The next big lie states our economy was better under Trump. This is easy to fact-check. The GDP (gross domestic product ) is the measure of how well the overall economy is doing. Just Google the GDP from 2004 to 2024. It shows the big dip in 2008 (often called the Great Recession) and the amazing comeback. When Trump took over, the GDP slowly declined until COVID hit. It then dropped off the page, made worse by Trump’s
She has turned the town around with her dedication to security and improved work conditions for all. She has balanced the budget and taken part in most city-related associations. So let’s give Lompoc a continued bright future by reelecting her to another term as our mayor.
And we support Patrick Wiemiller for District
totally inept handling of the pandemic. Much worse than any other industrialized country except China.
Mr. Puro touts what a great businessman Trump is. His dad gave him $400 million to get him started. He squandered all that money and went bankrupt. When his dad died, he left Trump another $250 million, and he blew that too. He went bankrupt six times, including a casino where the No. 1 rule is “the house always wins.” It’s only Trump who says he is a great businessman. Trump’s international relations were a disaster. He insulted the democratic leaders while cozying up to dictators. He doesn’t understand that the required 2 percent of GDP countries contribute is not paid to the U.S. but rather to their own national defense.
He doesn’t understand that tariffs end up as an extra sales tax on the consumer. He stupidly believes the exporting country has to pay the tariff. His idiotic plan to put tariffs on all imports (including 60 percent on China), would cost the average American an extra $5,000 per year and cause a deep recession or depression.
Trump has no plan or policy for America. He wants to get rid of Obama Care and throw 30 million Americans off that health care. After nine years, he has nothing but a “concept of a plan.” All he has to offer is hate, fear, anger, and vengeance. That, and his torrent of lies. Trump and his fascist MAGA cult followers are bad for the country. First, we have to make Trump lose badly in November. Then, we have to help rebuild the Republican Party with patriots like John McCain, Liz Cheney, Reagan, and others. We may not agree with their policies, but at least they are reasonable and will support our country and not try to destroy democracy like Trump. m
Dan Dennis writes to the Sun from Orcutt. Send a letter for publication to letters@ santamariasun.com.
1 councilman. He has more experience running cities than anyone, since he was Lompoc city manager and city manager elsewhere. We could not have a better candidate for the council than Patrick Wiemiller.
Justin M. Ruhge Lompoc
LETTERS
Public participants Opinion
Wildwood in Solvang is getting wild before it’s even got roots in the ground.
The proposed 100-unit, multi-family, twostory apartment and condo development is running into ye ol’ “we want development, we just want it to be the right kind of development.” Which is code for “This development is going to bring in people who don’t have as much money as us.”
With a gated community close by raising red flags—the Mission Oaks Homeowners Association—and a newly formed nonprofit—the Santa Ynez Valley Citizens Council worried that Solvang is going to become “Anytown, USA,” these residents are raising a stink in the valley.
“This area is unique, it’s precious, it’s a place where people come because it’s so special,”
Michelle Neels with the council said. “If we start to allow development that hurts that feel, that charm, then we become Anytown, USA.”
Would Anytown allow for a multi-unit apartment building while the Santa Ynez Valley and Solvang shouldn’t? One hundred condos and apartments on a 5.3-acre parcel of land would hurt the feel of money—that’s what I’m gathering from Neels’ statements.
People also seem to be thinking that Solvang just ramrodded this project through the planning process and development is imminent! Well, it’s not. The project is still very much in the planning stages with many hoops yet to jump through.
The developer, Josh Richman, seems to be doing his darndest to accommodate the Mission Oaks folks, even going to far as to change the architectural scheme of the project to “more of
WELCOME Autumn
a contemporary ranch theme.” Was the “gated community in the hills of wine country” theme too much of a reach?
In Lompoc, having six meetings a year was too much of a reach for its Public Safety Commission, which sometimes doesn’t even have enough commissioners at its meetings to even have a meeting. Not only that, the public isn’t involved enough, according to Police Chief Kevin Martin
The answer to the conundrum is to cut the number of meetings each year in half and move them into community spaces outside of City Hall. And Lompoc City Councilmember Dirk Starbuck, who I almost never agree with, seemed to be a voice of reason. I know! Where are the flying pigs?
Starbuck said he’d spoken with a couple of commissioners who said attendance was an issue.
“Their frustration is the fact that they are never able to have a meeting because they are never able to have a quorum,” Starbuck said. “That could be faulted to the council because the appointees are not making meetings as they promised to.”
Yeah. And why would residents mark their calendar for a meeting that may not be able to happen in the first place? They wouldn’t.
This commission that makes recommendations to the City Council about police, fire, and emergency services is inconsistent. Perhaps appointees are the place to point fingers.
The first order of business isn’t necessarily public participation, as Starbuck astutely pointed out. The first order of business is consistency, as in the meetings must happen consistently. Without that, why are we complaining about citizens not attending? Seems like the pot’s calling the kettle black. m
The Canary is into black kettles. Send one to canary@santamariasun.com.
Hot Stuff
OPEN THE DOOR (TO YOUR ART)
Gallery Los Olivos will debut its new duo exhibition, Symphony of Color, on Friday, Nov. 1. Described in press materials as “a symphony for the eyes,” the upcoming exhibit will showcase paintings by featured artists Vicki Andersen and Neil Andersson through the end of November. For more info on the show, visit gallerylosolivos.com.
—Caleb Wiseblood
ARTS
SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS BALLROOM, LATIN, AND SWING DANCE
CLASSES Social ballroom, Latin, and swing lessons for all ages. Beginner and advance classes. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m. $45-$55. 805-928-7799. Kleindancesarts.com. KleinDance Arts, 3558 Skyway Drive, suite A, Santa Maria.
CASUAL CRAFTERNOON: SCRABBLE
TILE COASTERS Break out your dictionaries and mugs, as we celebrate the fall season by creating scrabble tile coasters. This workshop is free, and all materials are provided. Registration is required; for patrons 18 and older. Oct. 28 , 4-5:30 p.m. Free. 805-9250994. cityofsantamaria.org/services/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.
DANCE CLASSES: EVERYBODY CAN
DANCE Classes available for all skill levels. Class sizes limited. ongoing Everybody Can Dance, 628 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria, 805-937-6753, everybodycandance.webs.com/.
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. First Sunday of every month Free. 805-9250994. cityofsantamaria.org/services/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.
LEARN CALIFORNIA’S OFFICIAL DANCE:
WEST COAST SWING Learn west coast swing in a casual, friendly environment, taught by Texas state swing champion, Gina Sigman. Free intro from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Beyond the Basics ($10) is 7 to 7:45 p.m.
$10 entry includes social dance (7:45 to 8:15 p.m.). Tuesdays, 6:30-8:15 p.m. (832) 884-8114. Cubanissimo Cuban Coffee House, 4869 S. Bradley Rd., #118, Orcutt. NUESTRA VIVA EN EL ARTE (OUR LIFE IN ART): CHICANO ART EXHIBIT FROM THE SANCHEZ ART COLLECTION A collection of artworks from many of the iconic artists who were a quintessential part of the beginnings of the Chicano art movement as it has become an influence on popular culture and social issues. Through Dec. 13 Free. 805-694-8894. hancockcollege.edu/gallery/index.php. Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College Drive, Santa Maria.
SAVANNAH SIPPING SOCIETY A hilarious journey of friendship, laughter, and sweet tea sipping Through Oct. 27 my805tix. com/. Santa Maria Civic Theatre, 1660 N. McClelland St., Santa Maria.
VALLEY ART GALLERY: ROTATING DISPLAYS Featured artists of Santa Maria’s Valley Art Gallery frequently display their works at the airport. Check website for details on monthly exhibits and full list of the gallery’s artists. ongoing valleygallery.org. Santa Maria Airport, 3217 Terminal Drive, Santa Maria.
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY
A DEEPER LOVE: NEW PAINTINGS
INSPIRED BY CORAL REEFS A vivid duo exhibition that highlights a collection of paintings by husband and wife team David Gallup and Nansi Bielanski Gallup. Through Feb. 1. calnatureartmuseum.org. California Nature Art Museum, 1511-B Mission Dr., Solvang.
THE LION HAS TO BE HAPPY: CONTEMPORARY DANISH CERAMICS
A showcase of ceramic artworks by featured artisan Marianne Steenholdt Bork. Through Oct. 27 elverhoj.org.
Elverhoj Museum of History and Art, 1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang, 805-686-1211.
MICHELLE JULIET FELDMAN: SOLO
EXHIBIT An exhibition of local artist Michelle Juliet Feldman, of The Giving Ink. The exhibit includes unique landscapes that captures the hills, oaks, and light that is a special part of the Santa Ynez Valley as well as abstract seascapes. Through Nov. 10 thegivingink.com/. Los Olivos
General Store, 2900 Grand Ave., Los Olivos.
SYMPHONY OF COLOR AT GALLERY
LOS OLIVOS Inspired by color and nature, painters Neil Andersson and Vicki Andersen collaborate to provide “a symphony for the eyes” during the month of November at Gallery Los Olivos. MondaysSundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through Nov. 30
805-688-7517. Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, gallerylosolivos.com.
THE VISUAL FEAST OF ROLAND
PETERSEN Enjoy viewing a collection of Petersen’s vivid, colorful paintings. Oct. 26 -Jan. 5 elverhoj.org. Elverhoj Museum of History and Art, 1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang, 805-686-1211.
WOODLANDS II AT GALLERY LOS OLIVOS
Deborah Breedon, Kris Buck, and Chuck Klein are the featured artists for the month of October at Gallery Los Olivos. Titled Woodlands II, this exhibit is a blend of pastels including landscapes, abstracts, florals, and fine woodworking. MondaysSundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Oct. 31. 805-688-7517. GalleryLosOlivos.com. Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos.
SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY
DANCE FITNESS ART AND CULTURE FOR ADULTS Discover dance as a form of artistic expression and exercise, using a wide range of styles and genres of music (including modern, jazz, Broadway, ethnic). Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m. $10 drop-in; $30 for four
classes. 510-362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach. THE EXPRESSIVE FIGURE WITH DAVID LIMRITE This four-day workshop will approach mixed media figure drawing and painting as a creative, expressive activity. Find out more and register online. Oct. 24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Oct. 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Oct. 27 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $1,015 includes lunch daily. 805-5506399. willowpondslo.com. Willow Pond SLO, 1250 Judith Lane, Arroyo Grande. IMPROV 101 This may be “the funnest class you ever take.” Improvisation is acting and reacting in the moment. Improv boosts creativity, self-confidence, and communication skills while reducing stress and social anxiety. This course will provide you with the fundamentals in a safe and supportive environment. Sundays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. through Oct. 27 $80. 805-556-8495. improvforgood.fun/. Women’s Club of Arroyo Grande, 211 Vernon St., Arroyo Grande.
MARY POPPINS JR. Your favorite practically perfect nanny takes center stage in this “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” adventure based on the award-winning Broadway musical and classic Walt Disney production. Nov. 1 7-10 p.m., Nov. 2 , 2-5 & 7-10 p.m. and Nov. 3 2-5 p.m. $28.50-$34. 805-489-9444. clarkcenter.org/shows/ mary-poppins-jr/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.
WEREWOLF OF ARROYO GRANDE Enjoy the Melodrama’s Halloween-spirited show. Through Nov. 9 Great American Melodrama, 1863 Front St., Oceano.
SAN LUIS OBISPO
ACTOR’S EDGE: ACTING CLASSES
Actor’s Edge offers film and television acting training in San Luis Obispo, plus
exposure to Los Angeles talent agents. All ages and skill levels welcome. Classes available in SLO, LA, and on zoom. ongoing $210 per month. actorsedge.com. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
ADVENTURES IN MIXED MEDIA! WITH SPENCER COLLINS Students will learn about different mediums each week as well as learn about an artist from history. Take one class of the entire 10-week series for a discounted price. Thursdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. through Nov. 7 $25 for one class; 10 classes for $180. (559) 250-3081. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
ALL AGES SCULPTING WITH JOHN ROULLARD John a retired school teacher who patiently guides potters of all ages to sculpt and work on details and design. Saturdays, 1:30-3 p.m. $40. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
ALL LEVELS POTTERY CLASSES Anam Cre is a pottery studio in SLO that offers a variety of classes. This specific class is open to any level. Teachers are present for questions, but the class feels more like an open studio time for potters. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. $40. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, anamcre.com.
ART AFTER DARK: CENTURY 21 HOMETOWN REALTY Century 21 Hometown Realty is pleased to host amazing local artists, rotating their art work each month for the ‘Art After Dark’ calendar year. Reception of food and wine. First Friday of every month, 5-8 p.m. through Nov. 1 Century 21 Hometown Realty, 1103 Toro St., San Luis Obispo, 805-235-4877.
ARTIST NICK WILKINSON: ARCHIVED WORK ON DISPLAY Multidisciplinary artist Nick Wilkinson’s early works (2015-2018) will be on display through the end of November. Wilkinson is a graduate of San Diego State University with honors. His paintings and drawings “exist in a world between investment-grade abstraction and dirty doodles on the back of a notebook.” Through Nov. 30, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 805-439-1611. mylrbookstore.com. MYLR Gallery, 1238 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
ARTIST RIKI SCHUMACHER AT ART CENTRAL GALLERY Schumacher’s work is pensive and introspective, inspiring one to take a solitary walk on a cloudy day. Wander in to reflect on her “delicious, wistful landscapes.” Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. Free. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo.com/galleryartists/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. THE ARTIST’S WAY: UNBLOCKING CREATIVITY 12 week program (13 meetings) for creatives and anyone who is seeking to “unblock” their creativity, following Julia Cameron’s famous workbook “The Artist’s Way.” Weekly group discussions and check-ins. Opportunities to share creativity and create community. Email for more info. Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m. through Nov. 26 $195. cuesta.edu. Cuesta College Community Programs, Building 4100 Cuesta College Road, San luis obispo, 805-540-8282. BEYOND THE BASICS OF WATERCOLOR WITH VIRGINIA MACK This is a class for those who love imagining ways to further their visual expressions. A watercolorbased course, but one that branches out into other media. Fourth Thursday of every month, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $35 per class. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. CARTOONING WITH KIDS WITH KANE LYNCH Whether you’re new to making comics or draw zillions of pages every week, this fun-filled class will take your ‘tooning to the next level. This program will help build your cartooning skillset with wacky interactive comics adventures and transform the ideas in your head into a finished product. Every other Sunday, 1-2:30 p.m. through Nov. 17 $25 per session. 805-801-6188. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. CERAMIC LESSONS AND MORE Now offering private one-on-one and group lessons in the ceramic arts. Both hand building and wheel throwing options. Beginners welcomed. ongoing 805-8355893. hmcruceceramics.com/. Online, See website, San
Obispo.
Luis
SLAM DUNK
The Allan Hancock College men’s basketball program presents Frightmare Forest, a 3-acre Halloween maze that runs on Oct. 24, 25, 26, and 31, from 7 to 10 p.m. each evening. This horrorthemed labyrinth is located at Hancock’s basketball and softball complex, adjacent to the school’s vineyard. For tickets and more info, visit ahcbulldogs.com.
—C.W.
CLAY BABY HANDPRINTS Offers a unique experience of pressing your baby’s hand/ foot into clay so parents can cherish this time forever. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays $55. anamcre.com/babyhandprints. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
COLLAGING THE COAST: UNDER THE BOARDWALK WITH LINDA CUNNINGHAM In this workshop, you’ll receive step-by-step instructions for creating a beautiful coastal image using a variety of hand-painted papers. Nov. 2 12-4 p.m. $40. 805-478-2158.
artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
COMIC MAKING FOR TEENS WITH KANE
LYNCH All skill levels are welcome in this collaborative class that will take students through the process of producing a finished comic story. Learn about plot structure, thumbnailing, penciling, inking, as well as the subtler skills to make your comic work shine. Wednesdays, 4-5:30 p.m. through Oct. 30 $25 per session; $175 for all 8 sessions. 805-801-6188. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
CREATIVE KIDS EVENT Bring your children, ages 6 to 12, to Art Central for an afternoon of colorful creativity. Kids can try out exciting art supplies and engage with fun and friendly artists. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the venue’s workshops and classes. Oct. 27 1-3 p.m. Free. 805-747-4200.
artcentralSLO.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
DATE NIGHT POTTERY Bring your date and throw a cup on the pottery wheel. Next, texture a clay slab and press into a form creating a personalized piece. Guest are welcome to bring drinks; venue provides aprons. Pieces are fired, glazed, and ready in two weeks. Saturdays, 6-7:30 p.m. $140. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
FAMILY FRIENDLY WORKSHOP: LARGE
PLATTER CLASS Fun for all ages. Instructors will guide you in creating large platters and decorating them. Create pieces together for your home. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $50. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
FIRST FRIDAYS Visit SLOMA on the first Friday of each month for exhibition openings, music, and wines provided by regional winery partners. Admission is free and open to the public. First Friday of every month, 5-8 p.m. Free. 805-543-8562. sloma.org/events/first-fridays/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
FORBES ORGAN SERIES: CAMERON
CARPENTER PLAYS NOSFERATU Known
for his formidable technical prowess and the athletic showmanship of his performance, Cameron Carpenter will be performing his own original score on the Forbes Pipe Organ, for a live-to-picture screening of the 1922 original vampire thriller, Nosferatu presented by Cal Poly Arts. Oct. 24 7:30 p.m. 805-756-4849. calpolyarts.org/20242025-season/ cameron-carpenter. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.
FREE DOCENT TOURS Gain a deeper understanding of the artwork on view with SLOMA’s new docent tours. Every Saturday, join trained guides for interactive and engaging tours of SLOMA’s current exhibitions. Saturdays, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. 805-543-8562. sloma.org/visit/ tours/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
GINI GRIFFIN: SOLO SHOW OF POTS AND PAINTINGS Showing during the month of October at SLO Provisions. Opening reception: Oct 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. Email ginizart@aol.com for more info. Through Oct. 31 SLO Provisions, 1255 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, 805-439-4298.
HALLOWEEN HORROR MOVIE NIGHT
A screening of Scream Oct. 25 6:30 p.m. my805tix.com/. The Secret Garden at Sycamore Mineral Springs, 1215 Avila Beach Dr., San Luis Obispo, 805-595-7302.
IMPROV COMEDY SHOWS AT THE HUB
The show contents will be rotated among the group’s ensemble, house, and musical improv team casts, as well as stand-up and student shows. Fourth Friday of every month, 6 p.m. my805tix.com/. The Hub, 1701 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY AND ART
Owen and Kyoko Hunt from Kyoto, Japan offer classes for Japanese calligraphy (Fridays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.), a Japanese art called “haiga” (Fridays, 10-11:30 a.m.) and more at Nesting Hawk Ranch. Fridays $45. 702-335-0730. Nesting Hawk Ranch, Call for address, San Luis Obispo.
LEARN MODERN SQUARE DANCING Sign up now for this new square dance class. Singles and couples welcome. Two hours of square dancing equals about three miles of walking. Learn a new skill now while having fun and meeting new friends. Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. through Nov. 21 $75 (one time fee per person for all 12 classes). 805-781-7300. squaredancecentralcoast. com/classes. San Luis Obispo Grange Hall, 2880 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
LEARN TO WEAVE MONDAYS An opportunity to learn how a four-shaft loom works. You will get acquainted as a new weaver or as a refresher with lots of tips and tricks. This class includes getting to know a loom, how to prepare/dress a loom, and much much more. Mondays, 1-4 p.m. $75 monthly. 805-441-8257. Patricia Martin: Whispering Vista Studios,
224 Squire Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo, patriciamartinartist.com.
MARIA MOLTENI: CELESTIAL
ANTIPHONY Celestial Antiphony creates a cycle of beats on the fingers and illustrates a childhood shortcut for praying the Rosary when beads have gone missing. The artist has returned to the modular, rhythmic orb-based practice of prayer, which transcends boundaries of faith and constructs of time. Through Nov. 11 Free. 805-543-8562. sloma.org/ exhibition/maria-molteni/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
MEMOIRS OF BEATRICE MILLER This KCHP Radio Theater broadcast is geared toward dark comedy fans. Oct. 24-26 my805tix.com/. CongregationHouse, 11245 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo.
MISERY This Stephen King adaptation follows successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon, who is rescued from a car crash by his “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes, and wakes up captive in her secluded home. Thursdays-Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays, Sundays, 2-4 p.m. through Oct. 27 $20-$34. SLO Rep, 888 Morro St., San Luis Obispo, 805-786-2440, slorep.org.
MONOPRINTING WITH GELLI PLATE WITH JOYCE BAUERLE Explore monoprinting with acrylic paints, stencils, texture, and other mark making tools to create colorful layered monoprints. Oct. 26 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $80. 805-468-5357. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
OPEN MIC COMEDY Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Aidan Candelario. Mondays, 7-9 p.m. Free. 805-540-8300. saintsbarrel. com/event-calendar. Saints Barrel Wine Bar, 1021 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo. OPENING RECEPTION AND ARTIST
TALK FOR JAMIL HELLU: FACE TO FACE
A free reception for Jamil Hellu’s solo exhibition, Face to Face. Enjoy music, refreshments, and art viewing from 4:30 to 6 p.m., followed by an artist talk from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 24 4:30-7 p.m. Free. 805-5463202. cuesta.edu/student/campuslife/ artgallery/2024-2025-exhibits/ jamil_hellu.html. Harold J. Miossi Gallery, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.
PLEIN AIR PAINTERS OF THE CENTRAL COAST A self-directed fun group of dynamic artists who enjoy painting and sketching outdoors. Artists meet on site at various locations. Weekly plein air destinations are provided by Kirsti Wothe via email (mrswothe@yahoo.com). Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon SLO County, Various locations countywide, San Luis Obispo.
SATURDAY FAMILY POTTERY CLASS
This family-friendly open studio time is a wonderful window for any level or age.
Saturdays, 11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. $40. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, anamcre.com.
SILK ART RECEPTION Celebrate the opening of Silk Art, featuring the Silk Artists of California Central Coast (SACCC) during Art After Dark. Nov. 1 5-7 p.m. Free. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo.com/portfolio/ silk-art/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
SLO COMEDY UNDERGROUND OPEN
MIC NIGHT Enjoy a night of laughs provided by the local SLO Comedy Community. It’s open mic night, so anyone can perform and “you never know what you’ll see.” Tuesdays, 8 p.m. Free. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, 805-548-2337, libertinebrewing.com.
TWO-DAY OIL PAINTING EXPERIENCE
WITH DREW DAVIS Visit site for tickets and full description. Oct. 26 and Oct. 27 my805tix.com/. Drew Davis Fine Art, 393 Pacific St., San Luis Obispo.
VIRGINIA MACK: BEGINNING
WATERCOLOR This is a watercolor class designed to let you jump in and try out this engaging medium through experimentation. It’s designed for beginners and those with watercolor experience who wish to expand their knowledge of painting in watercolors. To enroll please contact Mack via email: vbmack@charter.net Wednesdays, 1:303:30 p.m. $35. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo.com/workshops-events/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY
COSTA GALLERY SHOWCASES Features works by Ellen Jewett as well as 20 other local artists, and artists from southern and northern California. Thursdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. (559) 799-9632. costagallery.com. Costa Gallery, 2087 10th St., Los Osos.
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW FUNDRAISER SCREENING Get ready to do the Time Warp (again). 97.3 The Rock is thrilled to announce a special screening of the iconic cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show as a fundraiser to benefit The Rock Community Radio. Oct. 28 5-8 p.m. $15. 805-769-8458. my805tix.com/e/ rockyhorror. Bay Theatre, 464 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay.
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS
D-AND-D AT THE LIBRARY Get ready to join an epic adventure with Dungeons and Dragons presented by Central Coast Games. Space is limited and registration is required; designed for patrons 18 and older. Oct. 27 1-4:30 p.m. 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. First Sunday of every month Free. 805-9250994. cityofsantamaria.org/services/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.
CENTRAL COAST QUILTERS STITCHIN’ SISTERS AND BROTHERS FIFTH ANNUAL FALL BOUTIQUE Features 100 quilts and many unique and fun handmade items for sale. Proceeds go to making quilts for the community in need.10 percent of funds will go to Woods Humane Society. Oct. 25, 4-7 p.m. and Oct. 26 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (949) 433-6348. Arroyo Grande’s Community Center, 211 Vernon Street, Arroyo Grande, centralcoastquilter.org.
COMMUNITY NATIVE GARDEN MONTHLY VOLUNTEER WORKDAY
This guitar features an HSS pickup configuration with 5-way switching, vintage style tremolo, and an oversized 4+2 headstock.
Guitar donated by:
Buy one raffle ticket for $10, 3 for $25, or 15 for $100, and support the local music scene! cutlass ct30 hss
The guitar will be raffled at the New Times Music Awards Friday, November 22 SLO Brew Rock
Need not be present to win
Stay informed of breaking news, insightful opinions, and local events in Northern Santa Barbara County.
FINE ART PAINTINGS BY ATUL PANDE Gallery at Marina Square presents Atul Pande featuring his acrylic paintings, both representational and nonrepresentational. A marvelous exhibition of his talents as a painter. Through Oct. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.
FINE ART PAINTINGS BY CAROL ROULLARD Showcases both her abstract acrylic paintings and her micro-crystalline photography. Through Oct. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.
GETTING HIGH ON NATURE: FEATURING KARL DEMPWOLF The Cambria Center for the Arts Gallery presents “Getting High on Nature,” featuring Karl Dempwolf. Opening night includes a reception with music by Tom Bethke, treats, and more. TuesdaysSundays, 12-4 p.m. through Oct. 27 805927-8190. cambriaarts.org. Cambria Center for the Arts, 1350 Main St., Cambria. THE LIGHTHOUSE AT PIEDRAS BLANCAS
A picnic and horror film night at the Piedras Blancas Light Station. An outdoor showing of The Lighthouse directed by Robert Eggers. Bring a picnic and enjoy the sunset prior to showtime at 8 p.m. Bring your own lawn chairs/blankets. Reservations required. Oct. 26, 7-10 p.m. Free; suggested donation $5-$10 per person. 805-927-7361. piedrasblancas.org/ movie-night-the-lighthouse.html. Piedras Blancas Light Station, 15950 Cabrillo Highway, San Simeon.
THE OUTSIDER A timely and hilarious comedy that skewers politics and celebrates democracy. Through Oct. 27 my805tix.com/. By The Sea Productions, 545 Shasta Ave., Morro Bay.
THE PLEIN AIR TEAM Acrylic artist, Nancy Lynn, and husband, watercolorist, Robert Fleming, have an ongoing show of originals and giclee prints of Morro Bay and local birds. 805-772-9955. Seven Sisters Gallery, 601 Embarcadero Ste. 8, Morro Bay, sevensistersgalleryca.com.
FRIGHTMARE FOREST The Allan Hancock College men’s basketball program presents this horror-themed labyrinth, located at Hancock College’s basketball and softball complex, adjacent to the school’s vineyard. Oct. 24 7-10 p.m., Oct. 25, 7-10 p.m., Oct. 26 7-10 p.m. and Oct. 31 , 7-10 p.m. ahcbulldogs.com. Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College Drive, Santa Maria.
GROUP WALKS AND HIKES Check website for the remainder of this year’s group hike dates and private hike offerings. ongoing 805-343-2455. dunescenter.org. Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, 1065 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe.
KIWANIS BINGO BOONANZA Proceeds benefit the Kiwanis of Santa Maria Valley Foundation Charities. Oct. 27, noon my805tix.com. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.
LOMPOC/VANDENBERG
THE VILLAGE TREASURE CHEST This event is for the whole family. There will be vendors selling their wears, music, facepainting, and some kind of food booth. Come out and spend part of your Saturday supporting local vendors. First Saturday of every month, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Vandenberg Village Community Services District Office, 3745 Constellation Road, Lompoc, 805-291-6370.
SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY
BEGINNER GROUP SURF LESSONS AND SURF CAMPS Lessons and camp packages available daily. All equipment included. ongoing Starts at $70. 805-8357873. sandbarsurf.com/. Sandbar Surf School Meetup Spot, 110 Park Ave., Pismo Beach.
BEGINNING BALLET FOR ADULTS Enjoy the grace and flow of ballet. No previous experience needed. Wednesdays, 5:15-6:15 p.m. $12 drop-in; $40 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.
BODY FUSION/EXERCISE AND FITNESS
CLASS Do something good for yourself and stay fit for outdoor sports, while enhancing flexibility, strengthening your core to prevent lower back issues, improving your posture through yoga, and more. Tuesdays, Thursdays, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. (970) 710-1412. Avila Beach Community Center, 191 San Miguel St., Avila Beach, avilabeachcc.com.
Volunteers accomplish a variety of tasks including pathways maintenance, litter patrol of the garden perimeter, weeding, irrigation system expansion/repairs, pruning, and plantings. Volunteers should bring work gloves, a hat, drinking water, and tools related to the above activities. First Saturday of every month, 9 a.m.-noon Free. 805-710-3073. Nipomo Native Garden, Camino Caballo at Osage, Nipomo. DONATION-BASED YOGA FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, EMTS, AND CARETAKERS Class schedule varies. Contact empoweryoga805@gmail for details and reservations. ongoing 805-619-0989. empoweryoga805.com. Empower Yoga Studio and Community Boutique, 775 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach. FALL HARVEST GALA A fundraiser to support the Nipomo Action Committee. All profits go to supporting legal fees in fighting the development of the Dana Reserve Development. Includes appetizers and dinner, live music, dancing, silent auction, and no-host bar. Oct. 24 5-9 p.m. $75 single ticket; $135 for two tickets. 805722-9232. Cypress Ridge Pavilion, 1050 Cypress Ridge Parkway, Arroyo Grande. FULL MOON YOGA, MEDITATION, AND SOUND BATH Upcoming events include programs in October, November, and December. Visit site for tickets and more info. Nov. 1 my805tix.com/. Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort, 1215 Avila Beach Dr., Avila Beach.
LITTLE RANGER: OUR SPOOKY FRIENDS Join Interpreter Sarah for a fun program where guests will explore some of the “spooky” animals you might find in the park. For ages 2 to 6. RSVP is required: 805-474-2664. Oct. 27 10-11 a.m. Free. 805-474-2664. parks.ca.gov. Oceano Dunes Visitor Center, 555 Pier Ave., Oceano. MOVIE NIGHT AT THE CLIFFS: HOCUS POCUS Dress in costume to be entered into a raffle and use a Kramer Events Photo Booth. Bring your own blankets, low back chairs, and your favorite lawn setup for a cozy night under the stars. Oct. 27 6 p.m. my805tix.com. The Cliffs Hotel and Spa, 2757 Shell Beach Rd, Pismo Beach, 805-773-5000.
MULTICULTURAL DANCE CLASS FOR ADULTS Experience dance from continents around the earth, including from Africa, Europe, and more. Described as “a wonderful in-depth look at the context and history of cultures of the world.” Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. $10 dropin; $30 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach. POINT SAN LUIS LIGHTHOUSE TOURS A docent-led tour of the buildings and grounds of the historic Point San Luis Light Station. Check website for more details. Wednesdays, Saturdays pointsanluislighthouse.org/. Point San Luis Lighthouse, 1 Lighthouse Rd., Avila Beach.
PUMPKIN SMASH Bring old Halloween pumpkins to toss into a green bin and learn how the pumpkins will become valuable compost. Visit Emerson Park for a free pumpkin toss, composting demonstrations, food trucks, lawn games, and more. Nov. 1 3-6 p.m. Free; but please bring money to enjoy the food trucks. slocity.org/recycle. Emerson Park, 1341 Nipomo St., Nipomo. PUMPKINS IN THE PARK Don’t miss the 36th annual Pumpkins in the Park (formerly Pumpkins on the Pier) Halloween celebration. Oct. 26 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. 805-773-7063. pismobeach. org. Dinosaur Caves Park, 2701 Price St, Pismo Beach.
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 21
QI GONG FOR LESS STRESS AND MORE
ENERGY
Experience the energy of Qi Gong through simple standing movements promoting flexibility, strength, relaxation, and increased energy. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, Qi Gong revitalizes and enriches your life. An outdoor class overlooking the ocean.
Wednesdays, 4-5 p.m. $14 per class or $55 for 5-class card with no expiration. 805-440-4561. pismobeach.org. Margo Dodd Gazebo, Ocean Park Blvd., Shell Beach.
SOUTH COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
CEMETERY TOUR
The tour, led by Historical Society President and author Jim Gregory, includes a Civil War Medal of Honor awardee, a fearless woman schoolteacher, an Iwo Jima Marine, pioneers, immigrants, a murder victim— and alleged ghost—and the man who carved his own tombstone. Oct. 27 11 a.m.-noon Free; a $10 donation is suggested but not required. 805-489-8282. southcountyhistory.org/. Arroyo Grande District Cemetery, 895 El Camino Real, Arroyo Grande.
WEEKLY WATER SAFETY LESSONS Facility advertised as open and safe. Give the office a call to register over the phone. MondaysFridays $160-$190. 805-481-6399. 5 Cities Swim School, 425 Traffic Way, Arroyo Grande, 5citiesswimschool.com.
AGING GRACEFULLY WITH PREVENTATIVE CARE “We can’t stop getting older, but we can shift our thinking about it.” Moving from “I can’t do anything about it” to “I have some control over how my mind and body ages.” Series sponsored by Unity Five Cities. Details from chris@peacefulpoint.com. Over Zoom.
Wednesdays, 6-7:30 p.m. through Nov. 20 Love offering. 805-489-7359. unity5cities.org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
BEYOND MINDFULNESS Realize your potential through individualized meditation instruction with an experienced teacher via Zoom. This class is for those who wish to begin a practice or seek to deepen an existing one. Flexible days and times. Certified with IMTA. Email or text for information. Mondays-Sundays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sliding scale. (559) 905-9274. theartofsilence. net. Online, 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. 805541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo. BOOK SIGNING WITH LOCAL AUTHOR JILL
THAYER Jill Thayer will be signing copies of Sojourns: 100 Trails of Enlightenment . In the book, she shares her favorite trails on the Central Coast with resources on how to find them, a photo essay with inspired quotes, and more. Oct. 26, 3-5 p.m. Free. (661) 428-4611. Peloton Cellars, 470 Front Street, Avila Beach, pelotoncellars.com.
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
TRANSPLANT SUPPORT GROUP Not faith based. All are welcome. Please wear a mask. First Saturday of every month, 9:30-11:30 a.m. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church SLO, 650 Pismo St., San Luis Obispo.
CURIOUS ABOUT FLOATING OFFSHORE
WIND IN CALIFORNIA: THREE EDUCATIONAL EVENTS SLO Climate Coalition and California
Sea Grant are sponsoring three on-line lunchtime webinars during September and October for the San Luis Obispo County public to learn more about floating offshore wind. The first event features national climate expert Dr. Michael Mann. Oct. 30, 12-1 p.m. Free. sloclimatecoalition.org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
DAILY QIGONG PRACTICE For the early riser or commuter, every weekday morning. Maintain or improve concentration, balance, and flexibility. Includes weekly Friday 3 p.m. class with more practices. Led by certified Awareness Through Movement teacher. Mondays-Saturdays, 6:10 a.m. and Fridays, 3 p.m. $35/week or $125/ month. (646) 280-5800. margotschaal.com/ qigong. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
WHAT DOES THE OX SAY?
Ox and Anchor’s Winemaker Dinner will take place at Hotel SLO on Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Attendees can look forward to a unique tasting menu curated by the acclaimed restaurant’s executive chef. Each month, the venue highlights wines from a different Central Coast-based winemaker. Visit oxandanchor. com to find out more.
FREE PALESTINE PROTEST SIGN-MAKING EVENT Free sign-making supplies will be available for anyone to come and make a sign to protest U.S. involvement in Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people. Saturdays, 12-2 p.m. through Nov. 30 Free. 805-703-4090. instagram.com/sloactionforpeace. Meadow Park, 2251 Meadow St., San Luis Obispo.
FREE TOURS OF THE MISSION Tour San Luis Obispo’s Spanish Mission, founded in 1772. Come learn its history and about the development of this area. Tours, led by docents, are free at 1:15 p.m Monday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Sundays, 2-3 p.m. and Mondays-Saturdays, 1:15-2:15 p.m. Free. (657) 465-9182. missionsanluisobispo.org. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, 751 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
GUIDED ENERGETIC MEDITATION Are you energetically sensitive? This reoccurring weekly class will be a guided Introduction to Energetic Meditation Techniques that will assist you to: clear your energy field, improve energy flow and energy boundaries, quiet and focus your mind, and be clearer about “Who You Really Are.” Mondays, 6:30-8 p.m. through Nov. 30 $22. 503-929-6416. elohiacupuncture.com/classes/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
HALLOWEEN AT THE FARMERS’ MARKET Kick off the Halloween weekend with a fun-filled evening of costumes, candy, and karaoke. Activities include the beloved Trick-or-Treat Trail at dozens of downtown businesses, a costume contest, and more. Oct. 31 , 5-8 p.m. downtownslo.com/events/halloween-at-thefarmers-market. San Luis Obispo Farmers Market, Broad and Higuera, San Luis Obispo, 805-541-0286.
HARVEST FESTIVAL In honor of National Disability Awareness Month, this free familyfriendly event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our community and raise awareness about the incredible work being done to support individuals with disabilities. Oct. 26 12-3 p.m. my805tix.com. Achievement House, 3003 Cuesta College Road, San Luis Obispo. HEALING DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP
A safe place to share life experiences with those who have depression or have had and recovered from the devastating effects of depression. Mondays, 6-7 p.m. through Dec. 30 Free. 805-528-3194. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo. HOSPICE VOLUNTEER TRAINING Are you looking for a rewarding opportunity to get involved, give back to your community, and act with purpose? Join this free, in-person training. This work is extremely rewarding and life affirming. Please reach out if you have any questions. Oct. 30, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 805-5406020. Central Coast Home Health and Hospice, 253 Granada, San Luis Obispo.
METAPHYSICAL/SPIRITUALITY BOOK CLUB
A weekly book discussion, on a wide variety of titles from the general subject of metaphysics, spirituality, and comparative religion. By invitation. For more information, contact David Higgins, email: davidhiggins67@gmail.com. Location revealed to those invited. Wednesdays Free. rationalmetaphysics.com. Private location, TBA, Location not to be published.
MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION (ONLINE MEETING) Zoom series hosted by TMHA. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon Transitions Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-270-3346.
MUMTOBER With more than 20 different varieties of mums growing, along with the usual assortment of flowers, vegetables, and herbs. Savor tasty soup while soaking in the beauty of the fall garden. Oct. 26 11:30 a.m. my805tix.com. Dallidet Adobe and Gardens, 1185 Pacific St., San Luis Obispo.
Q YOUTH GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM)
This is a social support group for LGBTQ+ and questioning youth between the ages of 11-18. Each week the group explores personal, cultural, and social identity. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. Free. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
QIGONG ONLINE Register now for QiGong Online with Gary West, of San Luis Coastal Adult School. Great practice for balance, wellness, mindfulness, and vitality. Wednesdays, 9:3010:35 a.m. through Dec. 12 $115 per semester. 805-549-1222. ae.slcusd.org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
SAN LUIS OBISPO FALL WEDDING EXPO Your one-stop destination for all things wedding and event planning. This expo is the ultimate source of inspiration, expertise, and the latest trends. Nov. 3 , 12-4 p.m. my805tix.com/. Madonna Expo Center, 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo.
SLO NOONTIME TOASTMASTERS CLUB
MEETINGS Want to improve speaking and leadership skills in a supportive and positive environment? During COVID, we are meeting virtually. Contact us to get a meeting link for info. Tuesdays, 12-1 p.m. Free. slonoontime.toastmastersclubs.org. Zoom, Online, Inquire for Zoom ID.
SLO RETIRED ACTIVE MEN: WEEKLY COFFEE
MEETING SLO RAMs is a group or retirees that get together just for the fun, fellowship, and to enjoy programs which enhance the enjoyment, dignity, and independence of retirement. Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. $10 coffee meeting. retiredactivemen.org. Madonna Inn, 100 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo.
SUNDAY EVENING RAP LGBTQ+ AA GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM) Alcoholics Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of folks from all walks of life who together, attain and maintain sobriety.
Requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Email aarapgroup@gmail.com for password access. Sundays, 7-8 p.m. No fee. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
TEEN MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP
Learn more about mental health and coping skills to help you through your journey towards wellness and recovery. Thursdays, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. 805-540-6576. t-mha.org. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo.
TRANS* TUESDAY A safe space providing peer-to-peer support for trans, gender nonconforming, non-binary, and questioning people. In-person and Zoom meetings held. Contact tranzcentralcoast@gmail.com for more details. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. GALA Pride and Diversity Center, 1060 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-541-4252.
VICTORIAN MOURNING TRADITIONS AT THE JACK HOUSE Step back in time and experience the customs and rituals of the Victorian Mourning Traditions at the Jack House. In collaboration with the History Center of San Luis Obispo County, this unique historical experience invites you to explore the fascinating ways people honored their loved ones. Oct. 27 1-4 p.m. Free; donations welcome. slocity.org/JackHouse. The Jack House, 536 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo.
VIRTUAL PARENT WORKSHOP: LGBTQIA+ 101 Having conversations about sexuality and gender identity can be challenging. This event centers on understanding how to have conversations from a place of love and acceptance. Nov. 3 , 5-6:30 p.m. Free. 805-7701239. youthwell.org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY
ANNUAL CAMBRIA SCARECROW FESTIVAL
200 scarecrows will line the streets of Cambria and San Simeon. The festival is full of photo opportunities and happy discoveries at every turn. Perfect for all ages. Through Oct. 31 Free. cambriascarecrows.com. Cambria (various venues), Citywide, Cambria.
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. Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-1 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
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 22
Sat, OCT 26; 7:30pm
Sponsored by Latino Outreach Council (Spanish) (English) Mon, OCT 28; 7:30pm Tues, OCT 29; 7:30pm Fri, NOV 15; 7:30pm
SAN LUIS OBISPO
—C.W.
10
Vote for your favorite song!
After Sunset - The Loving Mosh
Bittersweet Addiction - Azere Wilson
Booty Church - Shawna Mox
Can’t Stop - Hot 45
Feel My Love - IMVA
I Don’t Know Why - Big Sierra
Infinite Surrender - Elysian Moon
Maybe This Time - Cate Armstrong
OG Funk - Scott Martin
One Eyed Ghost - Ynana Rose
Overboard - Walk the Whale
Put Me On A Train - Noach Tangeras
Sailing Around Nassau - Little Tyme
Sirens Over Gravesend - Jovian Queen
Sky Blue - Carbon City Lights
The Coast - Gehrig Kniffen
What A Year - Gehrig Kniffen
Wish For You - Azere Wilson
Hot Stuff
to have healthy and loving relationships with themselves and others. Meeting is hybrid (both in person and on Zoom). For information, call 805-9005237. Saturdays, 1-2:15 p.m. Free. thecambriaconnection. org/. Cambria Connection, 1069 Main St., Cambria, 805-9271654.
MORRO BAY
METAPHYSICIANS
DISCUSSION GROUP A group of metaphysically minded individuals that have been meeting for many years now in the Coalesce Chapel. Club offers a supportive metaphysical based community. Members discuss a different topic each week. All are welcome to join. Fridays, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Suggested donation of $10-$15. Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main St., Morro Bay, coalescebookstore.com/.
SALUTE TO SCARECROWS An annual celebration of all things scarecrow. Features live music, a costume contest, food, drinks, and much more. Oct. 26 6-8 p.m. my805tix.com/. Cambria Nursery and Florist, 2801 Eton Rd., Cambria.
SOCRATES: DISCUSSION
GROUP Group members present interesting and thought provoking topics of all sorts. Topics are selected in advance and moderated by volunteers. Vaccinations are necessary. Enter through wooden gate to garden area. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. 805-528-7111. Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main St., Morro Bay, coalescebookstore.com.
FOOD & DRINK
SHORES THAT SOAR
Calm Waters, a new group photography exhibition at Gallery at Marina Square in Morro Bay, is scheduled to open Friday, Nov. 1, and run through Saturday, Nov. 30. An artist reception to celebrate the show’s five featured photographers—Kerry Drager, Teresa Ferguson, Jessica Weiss, Gregory Siragusa, and Karen Peterson— will be held on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 3 to 5 p.m. Visit galleryatmarinasquare.com for more info.
—C.W.
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.
SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS
FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT COSTA DE ORO Featured vendors in the series include Cali Coast Tacos, Cubanissimo, Danny’s Pizza Co., Chef Ricks, and more. Call venue for monthly schedules. Fridays 805-922-1468. costadeorowines.com.
Costa De Oro Winery, 1331 S. Nicholson Ave., Santa Maria.
FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT WINE STONE INN Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, 805-332-3532, winestoneinn.com/.
FRIDAY NIGHT FUN Karaoke with DJ Nasty. With Beer Bucket specials. Kitchen stays open late. Come out and sing your favorite song. Fridays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, 805-623-8866.
ORCUTT HALLOWEEN BLOCK PARTY
Enjoy drink specials, enter the event’s costume contest for a chance to win prizes, and more. Oct. 26, 5 p.m. my805tix. com. Historic Old Town Orcutt, S. Broadway and Union Ave., Orcutt.
PRESQU’ILE LIVE: PETE MURANO IN CONCERT Come hear New Orleans-based musician Pete Murano who has developed a sound all his own that combines elements of rock, funk, and R&B. Bring chairs and blankets for amphitheater seating. The venue will be serving wine by the glass or bottle, while food trucks will offer delicious eats. Oct. 25 6-9 p.m. $25 general admission; $20 wine club members. 805-937-8110. presquilewine.com/events/presquilelive-pete-murano-in-concert/. Presqu’ile Winery, 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., Santa Maria. 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.
SOLVANG WINE AND TRUE
CRIME TOUR
Each Friday and Saturday of October, the Solvang Wine and True Crime Tour will host groups of 12 or less at various time slots. Open to ages 21 and over. The tours kick off at Final Girl Wines in Solvang and proceed to various tasting rooms and bars in town. Fridays, Saturdays. through Oct. 31 thehauntghosttours.com/tours/ solvang-wine-tour/. Final Girl Wines, 485 Alisal Road, unit 152, Solvang.
LOMPOC/VANDENBERG HEAD GAMES TRIVIA AND TACO TUESDAYS CLASH Don’t miss Head Games Trivia at COLD Coast Brewing Company every Tuesday night. Teams can be up to 6 members. Earn prizes and bragging rights. Kekas will be serving their delicious local fare. Fun for all ages. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. 805-819-0723. coldcoastbrewing.com.
COLD Coast Brewing Company, 118 W Ocean Ave, Lompoc.
SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY EAT PIZZA, HELP ANIMALS!
Both of Klondike Pizza’s locations (Arroyo Grande and Santa Maria) are raising funds (15 percent of sales and all tips received) for the animals of Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary. Oct. 28 4-8 p.m. Free. 805-481-5288. Klondike Pizza (Arroyo Grande), 104 Bridge Street, Arroyo Grande, klondikepizza.com.
HOUSE OF PRAYER’S Q-TEAM MONTHLY BARBECUE Come enjoy finger lickin’ barbecue with all the fixings. First Saturday of every month, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. through Nov. 2 805-732-5111. House of Prayer Church, 640 S. Frontage Road, Nipomo.
SAN LUIS OBISPO
OX + ANCHOR’S WINEMAKER DINNER
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. ongoing Varies. wineanddesign.com/ orcutt. Wine and Design, 3420 Orcutt Road, suite 105, Orcutt.
Hotel SLO’s Michelin-recognized steakhouse, Ox + Anchor, is honored to be part of a diverse and dynamic community dedicated to the craft of winemaking. The event celebrates a prominent Central Coast winemaker each month with a carefully curated tasting menu. Oct. 29 6-9 p.m. $155. Ox + Anchor, 877 Palm St., San Luis Obispo, 805-234-9968, oxandanchor.com/events/. THAT’S SO DRAG BRUNCH PRESENTS: DEATH BECOMES THEY/THEM A Halloween-themed show full of spooky performances, delicious food, and bottomless mimosas. Oct. 27, 11 a.m. my805tix.com. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, 805-548-2337.
MUSIC
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY
PAINTING IN THE VINEYARD AT SUNSTONE WINERY Deeply rooted in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, Sunstone is a beautiful place to taste beautiful wines. Located just 35 minutes north of Santa Barbara, Sunstone seemingly transports visitors to the Provençal French countryside. Nov. 2 , 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $89. 805-325-8092. artspotonwheels.com. Sunstone Winery, 125 N. Refugio Road, Santa Ynez.
PAINTING IN THE VINEYARD AT VEGA VINEYARD AND FARM Looking for something unique to do in Santa Barbara County Wine Country? Spend the afternoon sipping delicious wine and capturing the beauty of the landscape on canvas. Oct. 27, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. $89. 805-325-8092. artspotonwheels.com. Vega Vineyard and Farm, 9496 Santa Rosa Road, Buellton.
SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS HAPPY HOUR MUSIC SERIES Enjoy live music at the winery most Friday evenings. Check site for concert schedule. Fridays presquilewine.com. Presqu’ile Winery, 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., Santa Maria, 805-937-8110.
JEFF ELLIOTT AT COSTA DE ORO
WINERY Live in Santa Maria. Oct. 26, 3-5 p.m. pismojazz.com/schedule-jazzfest/. Costa De Oro Winery, 1331 S. Nicholson Ave., Santa Maria, 805-922-1468. 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.
LIVE MUSIC AT STELLER’S CELLAR Enjoy live music most Fridays at the venue. Call venue or check website to find out who’s performing. Fridays stellerscellar.com. Steller’s Cellar, 405 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt.
MARIA
MUSIC AT ROSCOE’S KITCHEN Live DJ and karaoke every Friday and Saturday night. Featured acts include Soul Fyah Band, DJ Nasty, DJ Jovas, and more. Fridays, Saturdays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, 805-623-8866.
MUSIC LESSONS AT COELHO ACADEMY Learn to play piano, drums, guitar, base, ukulele, or violin, or take vocal lessons. ongoing 805-925-0464. coelhomusic.com/Lessons/lessons.html. Coelho Academy of Music, 325 E. Betteravia Rd., Santa Maria. OLD TIME GOSPEL SING-ALONG All are welcome. Call for more details. Last Saturday of every month, 5-6 p.m. 805-478-6198. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria. ROCK ODYSSEY LIVE This band covers a variety of popular rock hits. Nov. 2 , 5-8 p.m. my805tix.com/. Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard & Winery, 3940 Dominion Rd, Santa Maria, 805-9378463.
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 VALLEY LIVE MUSIC SUNDAYS Sundays, 2-6 p.m. Brick Barn Wine Estate, 795 W. Hwy 246, Buellton, 805-686-1208, brickbarnwineestate.com.
WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Brick Barn Wine Estate, 795 W. Hwy 246, Buellton, 805-686-1208, brickbarnwineestate.com.
LOMPOC/VANDENBERG
YOUTH OPEN MIC NIGHT A fun, welcoming environment for first time performers and an opportunity for kids and teens to showcase their talent. Prizes awarded every month for Outstanding Performer. Last Friday of every month, 6-8 p.m. certainsparks.com/. Certain Sparks Music, 107 S. H St., Lompoc. SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY BUFFETT’S MARGARITAVILLE An explosive celebration of the iconic music of Jimmy Buffett, featuring all of his greatest hits, that will have you singing along and dancing in your seat. A performance that captures the essence of Buffett’s music and the lifestyle it embodies. Oct. 31 7:30-10:30 p.m. $49.50-$70.50. 805489-9444. clarkcenter.org/shows/buffetts-margaritaville/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande. DISNEY/PIXAR’S COCO IN CONCERT ON TOUR Enjoy a magical evening with a screening of the complete film Coco accompanied by the Oscar and Grammy-winning music of Michael Giacchino, performed live by the 20-member Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México, conducted by Esin Aydingoz. Presentation dates in both English and Spanish. Oct. 28, 7:3010:30 p.m. and Oct. 29, 7:30-10:30 p.m. $39-$62. 805-489-9444. clarkcenter.org/shows/coco-in-concert/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.
JAZZ JUBILEE CENTRAL COAST The Basin Street Regulars Hot Jazz Club presents Jazz Jubilee Central Coast 2024. This festival will feature local jazz bands, venues, and swing dancers across the Central Coast. For updates about the festival, check the website Through Oct. 28 Free and ticketed events. pismojazz.com/ schedule-jazzfest/. Pismo Beach Veterans Memorial Hall, 780 Bello St., Pismo Beach.
JAZZ JUBILEE CENTRAL COAST PRESENTS TOM RIGNEY AND FLAMBEAU PLUS CRESCENT KATZ BSR presents two great bands. Oct. 27, 12-5 p.m. $10-$25 for members; General Admission $30. pismojazz.com/schedule-jazzfest/. Pismo Beach Veterans Memorial Hall, 780 Bello St., Pismo Beach. PACIFIC MAMBO ORCHESTRA With its Grammy Award-winning Latin big band ensemble, PMO effortlessly blends genre-bending originals and covers as diverse as Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed”, Sergei Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Piano Concerto, and more. Oct. 26 7:30-10 p.m. $39-$59. 805-489-9444. clarkcenter.org/shows/ pacific-mambo-orchestra/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.
RIPTIDE BIG BAND AT THE RANCHO Riptide Big Band and the Dana Adobe Cultural Center present Riptide Big Band at the Rancho. This event is part of the Jazz Jubilee Central Coast series of musical performances featuring local jazz musicians. Oct. 27, 2-4 p.m. $25; $20. 805-929-5679. DANA Adobe Cultural Center, 671 S. Oakglen Ave., Nipomo, danaadobe.org.
RIPTIDE BIG BAND ON THE RANCHO Riptide Big Band and the Dana Adobe Cultural Center present this event as part of the Jazz Jubilee-Central Coast series of musical performances (featuring local jazz musicians from the Central Coast). Proceeds to benefit the Dana Adobe Cultural Center. Oct. 27 2-4 p.m. $20-$25. 805929-5679. DANAAdobe.org. DANA Adobe Cultural Center, 671 S. Oakglen Ave., Nipomo.
SWING DANCE LESSONS AND PERFORMANCES BY REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE BIG BAND JAZZ GROUPS Free show with donations for the bands (details TBA). Oct. 26 10 a.m.5 p.m. Free;
BE READY TO VOTE!
how to locate ballot measures and candidates, reader’s survey about issues that matter to
Arts
ARTS BRIEFS
Jill Thayer’s upcoming signing highlights her book on local hiking spots
Outdoor destinations in Oceano, San Simeon, and other areas along the Central Coast are among the locales featured in author Jill Thayer’s book, Sojourns: 100 Trails of Enlightenment Inspired by the California Central Coast Thayer—a local author, artist, art historian, and professor who teaches at Allan Hancock College and other schools—will be signing copies of her book at Peloton Cellars in Avila Beach on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 3 to 5 p.m. Admission to the book signing event is free.
Released in 2023, Thayer’s book is also available for sale locally at the Los Olivos General Store, Hancock’s bookstore, Ron’s Nursery in Arroyo Grande, the Hearst Castle gift shop, the Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay, Paso Robles Antiques and Vintage, Terracotta Home and Garden in Cambria, and other outlets, as well as online through Amazon and other retailers.
Described as an examination of Thayer’s favorite hiking trails, the book includes several photographs Thayer took during treks at various destinations over the years, along with journal-style narrative entries and insightful quotes from others that resonate with her.
She chose quotes from various artists, naturalists, and philosophers, and other notable figures, including Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Soren Kierkegaard, and E.B. White.
“The quotes, I feel, bring context to my imagery,” Thayer told the Sun in 2023. “The process of compiling the photographs, quotations, and narrative was cathartic, introspective, and fulfilling. … I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be able to share the beauty of our region.”
The book also includes a forward written by Kaila Dettman, executive director of the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County. One of Thayer’s hopes for the book—which took her about two years to write and compile before it was published in April 2023—is to showcase local trails in a way that inspires others to explore these spaces for themselves while promoting initiatives that support land conservation and environmental sustainability.
“The beauty of our region is the result of care and advocacy in land conservation and sustainability of the environment,” Thayer said in press materials. “These sacred spaces bring peace and clarity. They resonate in the mind and speak to the soul.”
To find out more about Sojourns: 100 Trails of Enlightenment Inspired by the California Central Coast and more of Thayer’s works, visit studios.jillthayer.com. Peloton Cellars is located 470 Front St., Avila Beach. Call the venue at (805) 627-1080 for additional details. m
See what’s in store
Local oil painter sets up shop at Los Olivos General Store during solo exhibit
BY CALEB WISEBLOOD
Across the street from where her former stationery shop once stood, Michelle Feldman is working with paper in a different way.
On almost every wall of the Los Olivos General Store, visitors will spot Feldman’s oil paintings, some of which were painted directly onto rice paper. Stepping away from the stationary business didn’t stop The Giving Ink founder—who closed her brick-and-mortar in 2019— from experimenting with unique paper varieties.
One of her favorite perks about working with rice paper is how transparently paint can seep through it.
“It stains. You’re literally staining the paper,” Feldman said, while standing in front of her piece titled Golden Hills II
“This is the reverse of the painting,” she revealed.
Shortly after completing Golden Hills II, Feldman discovered that she liked its backside—a mirror image of her work that seeped straight through the page—more than the
No paint, no gain
Michelle Feldman’s current solo exhibit at the Los Olivos General Store will remain up through Sunday, Nov. 10. She will also be participating, among nine other painters, in the Central Coast Art League’s upcoming group show at the venue, scheduled to debut on Friday, Nov. 15, and run through March 2025.
For more info on Feldman’s work, visit thegivingink.com. The Los Olivos General Store is located at 2900 Grand Ave., Los Olivos.
front and decided to frame the reversed version instead.
“Somehow that felt symbolic of how life can work,” Feldman said. “You think you’re going one direction, then you find yourself somewhere else, but that ‘somewhere else’ is better than the direction you thought you were going to go.”
For Feldman, her path to “somewhere else” began when she decided to pursue painting as a fulltime profession.
“I never thought I could make a living off of it. I just always did art for other people, like illustrations,” said Feldman, an alumna of UCLA’s design school with decades of experience illustrating wedding
invitations, greeting cards, posters, decorative and functional maps, and similar commissions.
“Somehow I could always do something for other people, but I never really did it for myself,” said the prolific designer, whose current landscape and seascape showcase at the Los Olivos General Store marks her first solo oil painting exhibition.
The ongoing show, which features several prints and originals by Feldman on display and available
to
Showtime! Send gallery, stage, and cultural festivities to cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
One
is
itself is [calming] for me, so it’s just
and the
of that,” she told the Sun
for sale, opened in January and will remain on display until Sunday, Nov. 10.
Los Olivos General Store owner Christina Larner said that more of Feldman’s pieces have sold than those of any other local artist she’s showcased at the shop over the past 12 years.
“Michelle’s work has been extremely popular. Customers really have gravitated toward it and asked questions about it,” Larner said, “and I think a lot of visitors are looking for things that represent the local landscape.”
Many of Feldman’s pieces were inspired by the Santa Ynez Valley’s rolling hills and Santa Barbara County’s coastline. One of her personal favorite ocean scenes on display is an oil on panel piece titled Out is Through, which she described as representing perseverance and healing.
“If you’re in a hard place, you have to recognize it and work through it, and the light is going to be on the other side of that,” Feldman said. “You have to get through it. It’s like you have to go through the storm to see the light. … You can’t ignore it. It doesn’t just go away. You have to face it.
“Art is … such a deep expression of yourself, especially if you do it authentically. It can be really vulnerable, and it wasn’t until lately when I became more confident,” the artist added. “Now it’s just pouring out of me. … I can’t find enough time in the day to do it.” m
Pour out your thoughts in an email to Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood at cwiseblood@ santamariasun.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE FELDMAN
MEET THE ARTIST: Local artist Michelle Feldman has been the Los Olivos General Store’s featured solo artist since January. Her oil paintings will remain on display and available for sale at the venue through early November.
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE: Multiple landscapes and seascapes in oil by Santa Ynez artist Michelle Feldman currently line the walls of the Los Olivos General Store. Feldman’s subjects include rolling hills, oak trees, and ocean surfaces.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE FELDMAN
COURTESY IMAGE BY MICHELLE FELDMAN
OCEAN EYES:
of Michelle Feldman’s favorite subjects
paint
the ocean, partly for therapeutic purposes. “The ocean ones are calming for me to paint, so they have a personal benefit—just the action of doing it,
ocean
reflective
The Paderewski Festival Gala Concert: Janina Fialkowska with the SLO Symphony Works by Mozart, Paderewski, Mussorgsky/Ravel, and a world premiere commission by Stefan Podell
Saturday, November 2nd
Established, growing company with local routes. Class B Passenger & Air Brake Endorsements desired. Paid commercial license training provided. Good driving record required. $500 Sign on Bonus paid after 90 Day Intro Period. A GREAT career opportunity!
Don’t fence him in
Marc Marriott directs this independent film scripted by Dave Boyle and Ayako Fujitani about Japanese corporate turnaround artist Hideki Sakai (Arata Iura), an expert in fixing money-hemorrhaging businesses any way possible. When he’s tasked with turning around a Montana cattle ranch owned by Peg (Robin Weigert), he thinks he has the answer in wagyu beef, but cultural differences soon prove to be more than challenging. (118 min.)
Glen: Hideki thinks he has all the answers. When he shows up in Montana to make an insolvent ranch profitable, he approaches it in the only way he knows how: his way. The classic fish out-of-water tale is all about a man who won’t listen and learn from the people he’s there to help. He’s like a colonist who thinks he’s going to save the savages from themselves. With the help of ranch hand Javier (Goya Robles), however, he begins to see the beauty of the ranch and realizes it’s more important to save what’s here rather than reinvent it in his image. The problem is his boss, Keiko (co-writer Fujitani), thinks he’s not working fast enough, and she’s ready to sell the land to developers. To complicate matters, Keiko is also his fiancée, and she’s none too happy about Hideki turning soft. When he cancels his flight home to Japan, she heads to Montana herself to deliver her ultimatum. This is the sort of
TOKYO COWBOY
What’s it rated? PG
tender, emotional story that Hollywood simply can’t make anymore. Score one for independent filmmaking!
What’s it worth, Anna? Full price
What’s it worth, Glen? Full price
Anna: This film is also an ode to the beauty of Montana. The scenery is a rich, captivating landscape. Fish out of water is right, but Hideki soon finds ways to endear himself to the locals—he learns to drink beer despite not being a drinker, he switches out his salaryman suit for rodeo gear after a wardrobe mishap, and he starts to listen to the locals whose livelihoods are at stake. The relationship between Keiko and Hideki is a complicated one. Playing both boss and partner is a tricky situation, and Keiko can sense that Hideki’s mission has shifted from when he left home. This film is a testament to the idea that you can have the best laid plans, but to truly succeed, you must be able to bend.
Where’s it showing? Opens Oct.
Glen: Hideki learns perhaps the most important lesson of all, which is to ask Keiko what she wants. When you think you know everything already, it’s hard to realize how to make your relationship work. The couple’s long engagement is stuck in a rut, and the stunning, expansive Montana landscape opens their eyes to what’s important. This sweet, deeply disarming story of personal growth won Best Narrative Feature at the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival this year, not to mention awards at the Tallgrass, Boston, Sedona, and St. Louis International Film Festivals. Iura—in his U.S. film debut
(he’s appeared in dozens of Japanese films and TV series)—shines as Hideki, delivering a warm performance. In one scene, he attends a quinceañera and breaks down in tears as the 15-year-old’s father toasts his now adult daughter’s birthday. The speech isn’t translated, but like this film and Irua’s performance, you don’t need to understand all the words to be stirred. It’s a beautiful film in every way.
Anna: The film has a unique beauty, a slow simmer of sweetness that doesn’t slather on the
MONSTERS: THE LYLE AND ERIC MENENDEZ STORY
What’s it rated? TV-MA
When? 2024
Where’s it showing? Netflix
The Menendez brothers are all over the news again, in part thanks to the new season of Monsters , which tells the murderous tale of how the two brothers wound up in prison for killing their parents in 1989. This deep dive into the brothers’ tale brings allegations of sexual abuse, cover-ups, and a deadly plot that wound up capturing the nation. The case was sensationalized and scandalous, and the nation couldn’t keep its eyes off the two affluent, handsome young men who savagely murdered their parents and failed to grieve gracefully.
This story doesn’t hold back on the messiness of the moment, but what you choose to believe is the truth is still very much up to you. Who was the monster? Eric and Lyle or their father, Jose? Are all three truly terrible, and if not, who is getting painted in the wrong light? Even their mother seems rotten to the core.
True crime fans are given the chance to relive the madness around this story and the media circus that followed it. While it seems their names have made their way back into the news, this Ryan Murphy version of their tale
MEGALOPOLIS
What’s it rated? R When? 2024
Where’s it showing? The Bay Theatre of Morro Bay Auteur Francis Ford Coppola’s decades-in-the-making fable-like passion project has finally arrived with a resounding clunk, but does it deserve being panned? I mean, this is the director of The Godfather trilogy, Apocalypse Now, and The Conversation we’re talking about. He’s a certified genius. The only important question for you to answer is, “What kind of movie lover am I?”
sap but instead presents true authenticity. My favorite element is Hideki and Javier’s budding friendship. The two come from very different worlds but share the same values—and values are what allow humans to relate. Tender, earnest, and subtle, Tokyo Cowboy is worth seeking out. m
New Times Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Sun Screen. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
leaves us with more questions than answers. In the end, tragedy reigns over the lives of the Menendez family. (nine 36- to 65-min. episodes)
—Anna
Megalopolis is a sprawling, epic story that combines Greek mythology, Roman history, American excess, political demagoguery, wealth disparity, nepotism, hedonism, optimism, and more. Set in New Rome, which looks a lot like New York City, the story follows visionary architect Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver), who’s invented Megalon, a revolutionary building material from which he hopes to construct a utopian city that will fairly provide comfort to all, not just the ruling class. Mayor Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito) represents the status quo. Their power struggle is at the center of the story.
The visuals are stunning, the acting is potent, but the story is convoluted. If you’re the kind of filmgoer who doesn’t
STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: Arata Iura stars as Hideki Sakai, a Japanese businessman hired to either quickly turn around a financially ailing Montana cattle ranch or liquidate it, but instead he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, in Tokyo Cowboy, screening at SLO’s Palm Theatre.
like to leave the theater confused, this may not be the film for you. If you like a challenging film, see this on the big screen. I was enthralled. (138 min.) m
FAMILY PORTRAIT: Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story explores the famous case of parricide, starring (left to right) Nicholas Chavez, Chloë Sevigny, Javier Bardem, and Cooper Koch, streaming on Netflix.
VISIONARY: Architect Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver) dreams of building a utopian city and enlists muse Julia Cicero (Nathalie Emmanuel) to help him, in Megalopolis screening in the Bay Theatre of Morro Bay.
25 at the Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo
Local roaster Zaca Coffee makes its coffee shop debut in Buellton
BY CALEB WISEBLOOD
It’s not every day that you see a llama riding a surfboard, unless you’re spending every day at Zaca Coffee—which opened its first brick-and-mortar shop in Buellton in September—or staring intently at the local roaster’s quirky logo.
But that surfboard on the logo isn’t just any surfboard—it’s a Yater Spoon, of Santa Barbara and Apocalypse Now fame. The llama isn’t just any llama either.
“Llama Joe is our mascot,” said Dennis Patrick, who co-founded Zaca Coffee as a roaster in 2021 with his wife, Hayley Firestone. “When we started talking about a coffee company, one of the first thoughts Hayley had was, ‘Wouldn’t it be fun if we had one of our llamas as the mascot?’”
The couple raises llamas and alpacas at their scenic ranchero property, Zaca Creek Ranch, located on the northern edge of Buellton. Attendees of the recent Zaca Coffee shop’s grand opening event got a chance to meet one of them, the famous Llama Joe, in person.
I felt obligated to address the elephant in the room during my mid-October visit with Firestone and Patrick. Were any of their other llamas jealous when they picked Joe?
“They’ve not said anything, thus far. But I’m sure they are in their heart of hearts,” Patrick said.
Firestone said it seemed appropriate for Joe to represent the couple’s “cup of joe” venture based on his name, and she added that the 14-year-old llama loves interacting
with humans and has participated in a handful of public festivities over the years—including the Los Olivos Day in the Country parade.
“Most llamas don’t like to be petted, … he likes the attention,” Patrick added. “When we introduce the coffee to markets around the Central Coast, we will often do a tasting, and we’ll bring Llama Joe. He’s quite a showboat. He loves it.”
Zaca Coffee ships its products across the country, while its beans are available at various markets and grocery stores between Montecito and Paso Robles, including large chains like Albertsons and Vons and independents like Spencer’s Fresh Markets and New Frontiers Natural Marketplace.
“We hope our coffee appeals to everyone, … but not everyone likes
THE BLENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS: A prominent coffee roaster since 2021, Zaca Coffee opened its first coffee shop location in September. The Buellton venue serves lattes and other espresso favorites, and it sells the roaster’s blends by the bag as well.
DYNAMIC DUO: Zaca Creek Ranch owners Hayley Firestone (left) and Dennis Patrick (right) have raised llamas and alpacas for more than two decades. During the pandemic, the couple decided to pursue starting their own coffee roasting business, which became Zaca Coffee.
Roast host
Visit zacacoffee.com or call (805) 6984540 to find out more about
CUPS OF JOE: The logo found on Zaca Coffee’s coffee cups
the same style of coffee,” Patrick said. “We were really going for a widely appealing blend, or series of blends that are characteristic of what we all love about coffee. That deep, dark, rich, flavorful feel.”
When their relationship was quite new, Patrick and Firestone bonded over early morning coffee as a sacred ritual, Firestone said.
“Morning coffee was our time. We would just turn off our phones, we would just kind of take a deep breath,” Firestone said. “For the first three years, that was kind of our thing.”
Both Firestone and Patrick had to hit the ground—or grounds—running when they pursued starting a coffee roaster of their own with no prior experience.
“We were both coffee lovers, but neither of us had ever baristaed. We didn’t know anything about how to make an espresso drink,” Firestone said. “That wasn’t our specialty, but we knew that we love good coffee.”
Firestone said she and Patrick casually played with the idea of starting a roaster years ago, forgot about it for a while, but then started
thinking about it seriously during the pandemic.
“The idea started off as, ‘Hey, wouldn’t this be interesting?’” Patrick said. “It was not something obviously we had ever done. So, we really went to school. We took the assignment quite seriously, and talked to a lot of folks, and did a lot of cupping, and tasted beans from all over the world before we chose our beans, and then the blends, and then the roast technique.”
The brand’s roasting facility— where Zaca Coffee is hand-roasted in small batches—is located within walking distance of the couple’s new coffee shop, which serves up lattes and other favorites with fresh supplies brought in from basically around the corner.
“It’s very different from the coffee you’re going to get in some of our larger competitors,” Patrick said. “So what started as a little quirky has become quite serious, in terms of the quality of the coffee, and us taking a great deal of pride in that.” m
Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood recommends Zaca Coffee’s vanilla latte. Send comments to cwiseblood@ santamariasun.com.
and interior paint. As you enter the front door to the inviting living room with a stone fireplace and large windows, allowing in all the natural light, immediately you feel warmth and coziness. Features mostly hard surface flooring including real hardwood and tile. There are 3 bedrooms and a hall bathroom that is tastefully updated with tile shower/tub and an amazing vanity. The main bedroom has a stunning bathroom with a spacious walk-in shower and double sink vanity. The kitchen has granite counter tops, and stainless steel cook top and sink. As if that wasn’t enough–the family room allows for emphasis on entertaining guests, offering a wet bar, wood burning stove, and a bathroom with a shower. Exiting through slider to the sizable backyard, you will be impressed– from the concrete patio to the fruit trees and raised garden beds, the opportunities are endless. Also walking distance to schools! (388CR) $687,990
Listing Agent - Regina Cosma, Lic. 01703042, 805-310-8180
HELP WANTED
Advertising Sales Pro Wanted
The Sun, Santa Maria’s premier community newspaper is expanding its sales department. The Sun is owned by the New Times Media Group which includes its sister paper New Times in SLO. The Sun is a proud, active member of the Santa Maria community contributing comprehensive local news, and entertainment coverage for northern Santa Barbara County. We are seeking energetic and self-motivated individuals looking for a career in advertising sales. As part of The Sun team, you can build a career in an exciting industry, enjoy a small office atmosphere, a wonderful work environment and be a part of a company that makes a difference in our community. These are full time positions. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and reliable automobile. Sales experience preferred. Competitive compensation base on your sales experience and health benefits included. Please send cover letter and resume to crucker@newtimesslo.com
