Sun Best of Northern Santa Barbara County, August 21, 2025

NOR T HERN S A N TA BA RBA R A COUN T Y ’ S NE WS A ND EN T ER TA INMEN T WEEK LY > AUGUS T 2 1 - AUGUS T 2 8, 202 5 > VOL . 26 NO. 26 > W W W. S A N TA M A RIA SUN .COM

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Nobody 2: Satisfyingly violent [68]

Find out who won! [10]

BY SUN STAFF

NEWS

The last remnants of the Gifford Fire [3]

ARTS

A chaotic creative in Lompoc [66]

EATS

Know Thy Farmer at Pico [69]

Contents

Your Dream Home Awaits!

AUGUS T 2 1 - AUGUS T 28, 2025 VOL . 26 NO. 26

Y

“

ou’ve worked hard to get here. You’ve struggled, failed, and overcome. You’ve built your business through hard work, teamwork, and thankless work. And I’m here to tell you two things: First, it’s paid off. And second, this is just the beginning of your storied life as one of Northern Santa Barbara County’s best.

So savor this moment, and keep doing what you do best.”

Faux commencement addresses aside, let’s all applaud the graduates, those who are crossing the stage to get their Best of Northern Santa Barbara County diplomas! You, dear readers, voted for them, and now it’s time to celebrate [10].

Also, read about the Gifford Fire’s last gasps [3]; Manic Creative’s show at the Cypress Gallery in Lompoc [66]; and how Pico Los Alamos is helping customers get to know local farmers [69].

Camillia Lanham editor

BEST OF 2025: Cue “Pomp and Circumstance,” because this year’s Best Of Northern Santa Barbara County winners are graduating with honors in our annual readers poll.

Cover image by Alex Zuniga > Cover design by Alex Zuniga

NEWS

News Briefs ...............................................................................3 Political Watch.........................................................................3 Spotlight......................................................................................6

Abbey Carpet 805-347-1121 SantaMaria.AbbeyCarpet.com

2051 S. Broadway • Santa Maria Western Village Shopping Center LIC. 668152

Arts Briefs ...............................................................................66

MOVIES

Reviews ....................................................................................68

OPINION

of Santa Maria

ARTS

Commentary .............................................................................8 Letters ..........................................................................................8 Web Poll ......................................................................................8 Mayfield.......................................................................................8 Canary ..........................................................................................9

CLASSIFIEDS, HOME, AND REAL ESTATE ..................................................... 71

EVENTS CALENDAR

Hot Stuff ...................................................................................59

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News

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE

POLITICAL WATCH •U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-California), Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), and Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) spearheaded a recent letter—cosigned by 45 government officials—that urged Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offices to launch an investigation into the department’s stops, arrests, detentions, and deportations of U.S. citizens. “Sweeping enforcement operations by [DHS] agents—particularly within Immigration and Customs Enforcement—threaten the safety, due process, and civil liberties of Americans around the country,” the Aug. 11 letter states. “When immigration agents arrest Americans without sufficient cause or simply because they are near an enforcement action, detain them without access to counsel, or ignore proof of citizenship, DHS fails in its core duty to protect the public and undermines trust in its operations.” The letter asked DHS to provide, by Sept. 5, clarity on its policies and guidelines related to the arrests or detentions of U.S. citizens, along with data on stops, arrests, detentions, and deportations of citizens this year; information about how agents are trained to verify citizenship status; and any ongoing reviews or investigations of wrongful detentions of citizens.

•In an Aug. 15 letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-California) requested details on the Trump administration’s decision to change the water level at Caesar Creek Lake in Ohio during a trip for Vice President J.D. Vance’s birthday earlier this month. Schiff highlights the potential inappropriate use of funds to alter water outflow levels of the lake for personal use and sought information on the processes and documentation of the decision. “Reporting suggests that the request from the Secret Service to alter the outflow request for Caesar Creek Lake was not just to ensure safe or secure conditions, but also to create favorable kayaking conditions. If true, this is an inappropriate and embarrassing abuse of power over publicly owned resources by the Trump administration,” Schiff wrote in the letter. “Army Corps leadership improperly leveraged access to public services for personal use and waived standard documentation requirements to identify and justify risks associated with this deviation from normal practice. Accordingly, I request an explanation of this USACE action and a commitment to no longer using federal resources for such unjustified and frivolous purposes.” Schiff also pointed to President Donald Trump’s release of billions of gallons from California reservoirs earlier this year as another instance in which the Army Corps executed questionable abuses of water by the Trump administration. Schiff sought answers from the Army Corps on those releases in February, according to the senator’s office.

• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) recently announced his reintroduction of the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act, which would designate approximately 250,000 acres of public land in the Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument as wilderness, the highest form of federal protection available. A wilderness designation would protect the land from future oil or gas drilling, while helping sustain the ecological future of 468 species of wildlife and more than 1,200 plant species, according to a release from Carbajal’s office. “From the rugged trails of the Los Padres National Forest to the sweeping Carrizo Plain, the Central Coast is home to some of the most pristine public lands in the country,” Carbajal said at an Aug. 6 press conference. “With my Central Coast Heritage Protection Act, we’ll take bold steps to ensure these landscapes are safeguarded so that future generations can continue to enjoy the natural beauty that defines our region.” m

August 21 - August 28, 2025

➤ Spotlight [6]

Act now!

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

CLEAR THE AIR: As of Aug. 19, the Gifford Fire was 95 percent contained. While its cause remains under investigation, the megafire has burned 131,000 acres since Aug. 1.

Red Cross provides safe parking for evacuee during the Gifford Fire Often wedged between Dave Hild’s van dashboard and windshield, the retired zookeeper’s road maps range from blueprint-style scrolls to thick, paperback atlases.

“These don’t require batteries or a signal, and I can drop them in the creek and they’ll still work,” said the former Charles Paddock Zoo employee, who’s lived off-grid in his van for the past three years.

Apart from some winter months, he’s spent the majority of his nomad days camped at Santa Margarita Lake, one of the San Luis Obispo County parks impacted by evacuation orders related to the Gifford Fire, which consumed about 131,000 acres in SLO and Santa Barbara counties in the first two weeks of August. Originally starting along Highway 166, the fire spread into both counties with the latter half of the blaze concentrated in SLO County.

While websites and apps like Watch Duty and InciWeb provided regular updates on California’s largest wildfire of the year, Hild mostly relied on the radio to stay informed, he told the Sun on Aug. 15 while staying at an American Red Cross evacuation shelter in Santa Margarita.

“My problem with this internet stuff—besides me being a Boomer—is some people … assume that every person has a smartphone and is connected and can pay one of the major telephone

companies $150 a month or whatever,” Hild said while holding his flip phone out. “I’m a senior citizen living on minimal Social Security. I have to buy a drug dealer phone and pay cash once a month, and I don’t have internet access.

“My most reliable source is KCBX, which Trump is trying to murder,” Hild added about the local public radio station.

He drove his van to Santa Margarita Community Hall on Aug. 11, the first day the venue became one of the American Red Cross’ evacuation centers.

The nonprofit was also stationed at spots in Pismo Beach, the Santa Maria Valley, and New Cuyama over the course of the multi-day megafire, reported as 95 percent contained as of Aug. 19.

Before Hild registered at the Santa Margarita site on Aug. 11, he had one question for the volunteers manning the shelter’s front desk.

“All I asked them was for a safe parking place where I don’t bother anybody, and nobody bothers me, and I can’t be arrested,” he said. “That relieves so much stress.”

Between Aug. 11 and 15, Hild occasionally ventured inside the shelter for coffee and to use the building’s bathroom, but slept each night in his van, parked outside of the community hall— next door to Santa Margarita’s original jail and constable’s office, preserved as a museum by a local historical society.

Hild joked that he might end up locked in there if someone reported him parked nearby in one of PHOTO BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

MAPS OVER APPS: A recent evacuation order at Santa Margarita Lake brought frequent camper and nomad Dave Hild to park his van outside of the Santa Margarita Community Hall’s American Red Cross evacuation shelter in mid-August. One of Hild’s many road maps outlines the Los Padres National Forest.

the area’s residential neighborhoods.

“If it wasn’t for this safe parking, I don’t know where I would have gone,” Hild said. “Roadside?

Then you have ‘Karens’ and people who immediately accuse you of being drug-addled. …

Hippies and environmentalists and retired van dwellers like me: Where do you go in SLO County without getting your vehicle impounded, ticketed, hassled all hours of the night by the police?”

American Red Cross volunteer Manny Lerma, who traveled from Bakersfield to support Santa Margarita’s evacuation point during the Gifford Fire, told the Sun that shelter registrants were welcome to sleep inside the building—supplied with about 100 folded cots, blankets, and pillows— or stay in their own vehicles onsite like Hild.

Assuring people that either option is safe, especially during late hours of the night, is an occasional task for Red Cross volunteers during conversations with some incoming evacuees, said Lerma, a retiree who’s worked with the nonprofit for about 11 years.

“We’ve had three people stay indoors, and two that’ve stayed outside,” Lerma told the Sun on Aug. 13 at the Santa Margarita shelter, which remained open through Aug. 17—the same day officials reduced evacuation orders to warnings at Santa Margarita Lake and other areas west of the Los Padres National Forest.

On Aug. 19, SLO County Parks reported that warnings and orders were lifted at both Santa Margarita Lake and Lopez Lake, but that Lopez would remain closed as restoration work is in process.

The team of Red Cross volunteers behind the former Santa Margarita evacuation shelter worked in 12-hour shifts, some from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., others from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., according to Lerma. “[We’re] here all night, vigilant, making sure these folks are safe and comfortable,” Lerma said.

In January, Lerma was among the Red Cross volunteers working at the Pasadena Convention Center, which housed more than 800 Eaton Fire evacuees, he recalled. During his time with the Red Cross, the Bakersfield resident has been deployed to areas across the country impacted by wildfires, floods, tornadoes, blizzards, and other disasters.

When emergencies reach a certain threshold, like the Gifford Fire’s status as a megafire, the Red Cross sends out a national alert for volunteers, Lerma explained.

“On a big event, they open it nationally, to whoever’s available. They’ll fly you in,” said Lerma, who added that the week he started working in Santa Margarita marked his 14th week in a row traveling to support different Red Cross initiatives.

There’s usually a two-week commitment per volunteer if they accept a call to travel far for a deployment, he added.

“That makes it more difficult for … most people who work. That’s why you see a lot of retirees in the Red Cross,” he said. “We have the time. We have more availability.”

Before the Santa Margarita evacuation shelter closed on Aug. 17, those who checked in had three meals available to them daily, and access to snacks and drinks 24/7, Lerma said.

While some took up the shelter’s offer of three hot meals and a cot, van dweller Hild said he limited himself to popping in and out of the building for his coffee fix and to occasionally chat with folks.

“Yesterday, I gave them all a lecture on rattlesnake bite treatment,” the former herpetoculturist said on Aug. 15.

Originally from Kentucky, Hild said he spent three decades working with reptiles for a few different zoos across the country before ending up in SLO County in 2003, the year he took a job at the Central Coast Zoo (formerly the Charles Paddock Zoo) in Atascadero.

He became attracted to the area after visiting the Carrizo Plain National Monument and becoming acquainted with its lizard inhabitants, specifically the blunt-nosed leopard lizard.

NEWS continued page 4

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 3

News

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NEWS from page 3 “There’s so much wildlife out there. … You can sit there for half an hour and see more wildlife than I saw in 30 years,” Hild said. “I’m not really a hippie. My drug is adrenaline. I was a caver, a rock climber, and a kayaker. But I’m old now, so my adrenaline is when I slide my [van] door open in the morning and make my coffee, and a couple lizards climb onto my pant legs.”

—Caleb Wiseblood

Animals return home after being evacuated from Gifford Fire The large animals evacuated due to the Gifford Fire are back at home as of Aug. 19.

Starting on Aug. 2, the Horse Emergency Evacuation Team (HEET) of San Luis Obispo County helped facilitate the evacuation of around 50 animals including horses, goats, llamas, donkeys, and pigs.

Animals were evacuated from Huasna, Ranchita, Santa Margarita, and Pozo, HEET board member and dispatcher Susan McElhinney told the Sun. In some cases, owners brought their animals to the shelter, and in other cases HEET picked the animals up. The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Grounds served as the main site for the temporary accommodations.

The last of the animals, a small group of pigs, were scheduled to return home on Aug. 19.

“Cal Fire and the Forest Service did such a great job of protecting structures and properties,” McElhinney said.

There was limited property damage, which allowed the animals to return home. If there had been damage to wells or fencing, McElhinney said it could have taken months before the animals could return.

P AINT

PIN T U R A

P AINT

As a dispatcher for HEET, McElhinney helped coordinate the evacuation effort, which was free to animal owners. Volunteers helped with everything from transporting animals in trailers to the maintenance at the rodeo grounds, and companies donated feed.

“The one thing about our shelter is none of this costs anything,” McElhinney said. “There’s no charge for feed, cleaning, and transports.”

At the shelter, the animals had 24-hour care, HEET President Julie Monser said.

She has been on the HEET board since 2003 and said she couldn’t remember an incident of this magnitude.

Spanning more than 130,000 acres across San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, the geographic area was “huge,” she said, adding that it was rewarding to see the community come together to help.

Privately owned facilities like the Varian Equestrian Center in Arroyo Grande also helped evacuate animals.

Varian took in around 30 horses from the Huasna and Ranchita areas, Ranch Manager Kristy Gillot-Hogue said. The last six returned home on Aug. 18.

Varian staff fed and cared for the horses, incorporating them into cleaning routines.

Gillot-Hogue said the community was helpful, offering trailers and assisting with cleaning and feeding.

“I think overall as a horse community it was really heartwarming to have a lot of support all the way around,” Gillot-Hogue said.

Caprice Arkell, who owns and operates Varian with her husband, said they wanted to be a place of refuge for their neighbors’ animals.

“We understand the damage and how scary fires can be, so we wanted to make sure that our neighbors knew that we could take their horses and livestock,” Arkell said. m —Madison White

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News

The next gen Students learn from nurses and doctors during a summer mentorship program at Dignity Health hospitals

BY MADISON WHITE

S

t. Joseph High School senior Ysabel Adoremos always knew she wanted to be a nurse. Both of her parents are nurses, and she loved the idea of working in the medical field.

After her first week in the Dignity Health Centers of the Central Coast physician mentor program this summer, Adoremos discovered her interest in the critical care unit (CCU).

“Everybody was so welcoming, and being in that section made me really want to work in the future as a CCU nurse,” Adoremos said.

She enjoyed learning about “what it really takes to be a nurse” from attending morning meetings and keeping track of charts to caring for patients. She called the experience eye-opening and recommends the program to other students who are interested in the medical field.

“The whole process is really rewarding,” Adoremos said. “I feel accomplished and more clear about my future, and I genuinely did have fun.”

Adoremos was one of 65 students who shadowed nurses and physicians two or three days a week during the two-month program, which ended on Aug. 6. Each week, the students rotated mentors throughout three local hospitals to experience working in different care areas.

The program was offered at Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, French Hospital Medical Center, and Marian Regional Medical Center. Its goal is to expose students to a variety of medical professions and inspire them to return to the Central Coast to practice, Program Coordinator Kelly Olney said. Students can get exposure to nursing, podiatry, cardiology, anesthesiology, and many more practices.

“The list goes on and on,” Olney said.

Four local physicians started the mentor program in 2001, and Marian began coordinating it in 2013. Olney is a registered nurse in the education department at Marian and has been the program

SPOTLIGHT coordinator for seven years.

Running the program is Olney’s favorite part of her job because she really enjoys working with the students.

“It’s really fun to see them get excited about medicine and health care,” Olney said.

The program is competitive, requiring an application and interview process. This year around 100 students applied. Students must be at least 17 years old to apply.

Olney expressed gratitude to the mentors who participated in the program.

“If it wasn’t for these physicians and nurses and techs allowing the students to come in and follow them around for a week, we wouldn’t have the program,” Olney said.

Kaitlyn Denissen, a pre-med sophomore at Barnard College, remembered shifts starting as early as 7 a.m. She discovered the program through a friend who participated in the nursing mentorship a couple of years ago.

“Something that really stood out to me was my hospitalist rotation, mainly because I didn’t know anything about that job before going into it,” Denissen said. “I was really shocked by how much I enjoyed it.”

Hospitalist doctors care for patients who are admitted to the hospital. Denissen said it was interesting to see the variety of patients in the fast-paced setting.

Her favorite part was meeting all the different people in the health care industry and seeing different types of procedures.

On her first day in the program, she shadowed a doctor in gastroenterology. After each patient, the doctor showed Denissen diagrams and explained everything in detail, she said.

“I walked away with a really great understanding of gastroenterology that I did not have going in, and it definitely eased a lot of my worries going into all of my other rotations,” Denissen said.

After earning her undergraduate degree, Denissen plans to conduct research and apply to med school.

“It’s less of an elusive mystery once you’ve seen what it’s like to be like in these jobs,” Denissen said. “I can visualize my future a lot clearer and see how I would fit into this industry, which I’m really grateful for.”

Students may apply for Dignity Health’s 2026 summer mentor program when applications open at the end of February. Learn more information about the program at dignityhealth.org.

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Oil Painting Workshop with Drew Davis

Pops by the Sea: Hollywood Hits

The Hammer Party Live in Concert

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIAN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

SHADOWING: During the medical mentorship program at Dignity Health hospitals, mentors give Kaitlyn Denissen (center) advice for her future, med school, and her career.

Highlights

• Guadalupe Social Club hosts family game day on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. with board games, Jenga, Connect Four, and more.

The venue is located at 945 Guadalupe St. in historic downtown Guadalupe and is known for offering high-quality, affordable wine, beer, and food. Call (805) 356-6018 for more information about Guadalupe Social Club’s offering.

• Every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Steller’s Cellar, a wine and beer bar, hosts a bar takeover. Each night features a wine flight from a different local winery. The winemaker or a winery representative takes over the bar, pouring wines and answering customers’ questions. Find Steller’s Cellar at 400 E. Clark Ave. in Orcutt. To learn more, call (808) 623-5129. m Reach Staff Writer Madison White at mwhite@santamariasun.com.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 CC Body Therapy Center, Los Osos

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 Humdinger Brewing, SLO

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 Liquid Gravity Brewing Co, SLO

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7th Annual Santa Barbara County Farm Day

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“Voices Through Time” A Hispanic Heritage Celebration SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 Cambria Center For The Arts

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 Odd Fellows Hall, SLO

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 Drew Davis Fine Art, SLO

Bob & Wendy w/Special Guests

Harvest Tea Party on The Bay Fundraiser

Monday Night Improv Class

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 The Bunker SLO

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Savory Palette, Morro Bay

6 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

MON, SEPT 8 - MON, OCT 20 The Bunker SLO

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 2361 Theatre Dr, Paso Robles

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 San Luis Obispo Public Market

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 Cottonwood Canyon Winery, Santa Maria

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 7

Opinion ONLINE POLL

What do you think of Santa Maria’s downtown revitalization goals moving forward?

44% Wrong buildings, wrong place— the city should build elsewhere.

34% I’m not sure—let’s see what the finished buildings look like.

22% It’s about time! We’ve waited 21 years for this.

0% I’m just glad the developments are not in my backyard.

COMMENTARY

➤ Canary [9]

‘Critical loss’

plants, there’s no nectar. It could take three to five years for the ecosystem to recover.” ranches have met the same The land itself is the area’s biggest loss fate.Other Next winter and spring will bring the inevitable flooding that will in the aftermath of the Gifford Fire occur following these types of fires.

BY RON FINK While hot/dry weather, winds, rugged terrain, and the types of vegetation involved (grass and he Gifford Fire has been burning in two light brush) contribute to the rapid spread of counties for a couple of weeks. This fire, the fire, it’s also true that when the fire reaches combined with a previous burn in the same so called “wilderness areas” forest management area, has incinerated well over 200,000 acres of practices will add to containment issues. vegetation; that’s more than 300 square miles of Fire officials have explained that motorized now barren land. equipment, such as fire engines, bulldozers, and The immediate losses, millions of dollars even chain saws, cannot be used. Simply put, it in losses, are associated with ranches, grazing will be men and women using axes, shovels, and lands, and public infrastructure. And before it’s other hand tools to create bare earth line around over, the fire suppression costs will also be in the the fire and eventually extinguish all the burning millions of dollars as fire crews work for several material. weeks to fully extinguish the last embers.

Crews often camp out in so called “spike The Santa Maria Times reported that the camps,” since they will be many hours from owner of the Rock Front Ranch east of Santa the nearest fire camp or other suitable lodging Maria said, “We were one of the first places to and eating meals in the field, most of which are burn,” Alisha Taff said. “There’s no pasture left simply “box lunches” or Meals Ready-to-Eat that for livestock, and no forage for the bees. Not just are used by the military. here, but across the surrounding national forest When in these remote areas, they will also lands.” sleep on the ground, and personal hygiene can be “About 99.9 percent of the ranch burned,” problematic. Communication with the fire crews’ Taff said on Aug. 8. “Even the fencing, irrigation, families while working these fires may be difficult water troughs, everything’s gone. But the most to impossible for several days because there is critical loss is the land itself. Without native

T 9 Votes

Vote online at www.santamariasun.com.

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little to no cell service in wilderness areas.

Most people rarely think of the conditions wildland firefighters encounter during these large fires. The media rarely spends more than a couple of minutes updating the public when fires like the Gifford Fire are in remote areas and only threaten or destroy ranch buildings.

According to press reports, nearly 3,000 structures including barns, outbuildings, and homes were threatened.

The biggest visual of the current fire was the smoke cloud rising into the summer sky each day. This cloud wasn’t just a visual thing because as it spread across the sky with the wind was blown into populated areas and hindered the use of air tankers and helicopters due to poor visibility.

Smoke can be hazardous to your health if you have breathing difficulties. Imagine what it’s like for the firefighters who must work, eat, and try to sleep in hot, smoky conditions for days at a time.

Eventually fire officials will figure out what caused this fire, the second of the year along this section of Highway 166. One thing is certain— this won’t be the last fire in the country that crews like this will be called to. m Ron Fink writes to the Sun from Lompoc.

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

LETTERS ‘American silence is a crime’

With so many humanitarian atrocities continuing to happen here locally on the Central Coast, in our state, across the United States, and globally, I’ve spent many sleepless hours pondering how I’ve become so disillusioned and frustrated with Americans. Until this year, I’ve been proud to be an American and part of our society that I believed fundamentally stood up for human rights and spoke out when we encountered examples of human rights abuses. But, alas. We have mistakenly elected a government that places a high value on power and profit. Not that there’s anything intrinsically wrong with that. This is, after all, the land of capitalism. But everything goes awry for mankind

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when power and profits stomp all over human rights. We are now witness to this happening every day, and yet we’re largely silent.

We have watched Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as 300,000 Russian soldiers, 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers, and more than 12,000 civilians have been killed, yet we’re silent. We have watched the genocide being perpetrated on Palestinians in Gaza—the constant bombings of civilian targets, the systematic mass starvation and famine, the estimated 93,000 Palestinians killed, with almost 60 percent of that being women, children, and the elderly. And yet Americans are not only silent but continue to support Israel with the funds, weapons and tools they require to continue this genocide.

The war in Sudan has caused the largest humanitarian crisis on record, with civilians

MAYFIELD

bearing the brunt as international humanitarian laws continue to be ignored with the continuation of rampant ethnic cleansing and sexual violence.

Americans don’t even talk about Sudan.

Myanmar is now one of the top three global crises due to the worsening military conflict and the devastation of that country’s water and health systems. I would bet that more than half of Americans have no idea what or where Myanmar is. Burkina Faso remains in the top 10 of global crises for the third year in a row due to armed groups continuing to displace millions of civilians and viciously attacking hospitals, schools, and communities. Raise your hand if you even know what Burkina Faso is. I’ll wait. And this list goes on with Lebanon, Syria, Mali, Haiti, Somalia, etc.

And Americans remain silent.

In our own great country, which daily seems to be getting less great, Americans remain silent on racial abuses of American citizens perpetrated by people who are paid by us to protect and serve our communities. Americans remain silent on the horrendous mass murders of our children in their classrooms by lunatics with guns. Americans remain silent on the politically motivated violence and murder that is becoming the new normal.

Across this “land of the free,” people are being swept up every day by unidentified, masked, and heavily armed groups headed for detention, deportation, or just being disappeared. But all we hear are crickets.

It’s no wonder that I feel this disappointment and frustration with Americans. And I’ve been trying to come up with a simple phrase to express it. Then the other night I attended the Steve Earle concert at the Fremont Theater in downtown SLO. Great concert, by the way. But I was particularly struck by Chris Pierce, the singer/songwriter who opened for Earle.

He is known for his compassion and humanity, which is evident in his lyrics. He uses his public platform to speak up about the things we should all be making noise about. One of his songs in particular struck a chord with me, because, in it, I found that simple phrase I’ve been looking for to describe the growing apathy and detachment of Americans. “American silence is a crime.” That’s it.

Not complicated at all in a time where Americans, especially our elected officials, should be standing up and strongly speaking out against humanitarian atrocities. “American silence is a crime.”

R. DeMilo Arroyo Grande

8 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

Opinion

Best of the best

W

e’ve had not just one fire, but two this summer.

Both started along Highway 166’s lonely stretch of two-lane road and lapped up vegetation, grassland, and oak-studded hills stretching through federal land—Los Padres National Forest, Carrizo Plain National Monument, the Caliente Mountain Wilderness Study Area, the Garcia Wilderness—threatened ranches, remote houses, county parks, cattle, crops, livestock, and lakes.

The Madre Fire, which started on July 2, was active for 24 days, damaged one structure, and injured two firefighters.

It incinerated 80,000 acres in San Luis Obispo County, and kept 166 closed for days.

The Gifford Fire, which started on Aug. 1, is still going, had destroyed three structures and injured three civilians and nine firefighters as of Aug. 19. It ate up 131,000 acres and was 95 percent contained. At the fire’s height, 5,000 personnel were assigned to fight the inferno, split between two fire camps—one at the Elks Rodeo Grounds in Santa Maria and one at Santa Margarita Ranch in Santa Margarita.

Highway 166 was closed and is now open, but damaged.

That’s more than 200,000 acres in one summer.

Acres and acres of wilderness are damaged and destroyed, but we got lucky. Lucky that more structures weren’t lost, more people weren’t injured, more infrastructure wasn’t destroyed.

And today, the Sun is putting out its annual Best of Northern Santa Barbara County issue.

I’d like to nominate firefighters, contractors, and adjacent personnel as one of our winners, so I can cheer for them and all that they’ve endured over the past two months to keep our communities as safe as possible.

Benjamin “Ben” Pirkl, Managing Partner Service at Magner-Maloney Funeral Home and Crematory 2002 - Present

They came from everywhere. I saw fire trucks with cities and counties from all over the state driving along Highway 101 between Santa Maria and Santa Margarita. Dustand ash-covered fire engines, water tenders, and trucks in overcast shades of green, red, and blue carrying those who choose to fight fire.

They dug dirt, bulldozed containment lines, set backfires, and hiked with pounds and pounds on their backs. Helicopters from Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service carried load after load of water, set backfires, and helped target hotspots. Planes dropped retardant. It was a monumental effort to get the flames under control and also time away from home, family, friends, and comfort for those assigned to it.

I’d also like to nominate all the volunteers who gave their time and compassion to others—to those who needed it—during the fires.

They’re also winners!

Those Red Cross workers who came from other areas to man shelters, pass out water and information, and give comfort. The Horse Emergency Evacuation Team and Varian Equestrian Center that made space to ensure that more than just humans had a safe place to evacuate to.

We need all of that and more when emergencies, natural disasters, and unforeseen events bear down on the Central Coast. It’s nice to know that we aren’t always split into opposing sides, that we can come together when we need to, we can pull for one another and pool our resources to work toward a common goal, to get through a harsh reality together.

Maybe we’re all winners today. m The Canary is looking for positive vibes only. Send some to canary@santamariasun.com.

Ben Pirkl came to work for the Maloney family in 2002. He soon realized funeral directing was his calling and became a part of the Maloney family, both in work and personal life. Joe and his wife Linda (also a licensed Funeral Director) accepted Ben as their son and his children as their grandchildren.

Ben brought his forward-thinking attitude, organization, and service skills to MagnerMaloney. Joe mentored Ben with his kindness and years of knowledge in the industry. In 2006, Ben assisted Joe in opening an on-site crematory to ensure loved ones never left our care. The name was then changed to Magner-Maloney Funeral Home and Crematory. Ben also opened the food and beverage gathering room, a funeral resource center, and many other additions to better serve our families.

Currently, Linda and Ben are partners; Ben operates the funeral home and crematory.

He honors the legacy of our past while innovating for the families we serve. When you see Ben at a service, take notice of his tie, he wears only Joe’s ties in honor of his mentor.

Magner-Maloney, continuing our 90-year legacy with compassionate care as a full-service funeral home with a large chapel, on-site crematory, and gathering room to serve the families of the Santa Maria Valley for years to come, just as we always have.

Family Owned and Operated since 1935

600 E. Stowell Road, Santa Maria (805) 925-2753

www.magnermaloney.com

WE TAKE PRIDE IN CARING for both the physical and emotional needs of your child.

Our team at Pediatric Medical Group is dedicated to the health and well-being of your child. Whether you have an infant, preschooler, or teenager, we work closely with parents to make sure that our care meets their children’s personal needs.

Call to schedule your child’s well exam today.

Shane Rostermundt, D.O.

Ryan Leachman, D.O.

1430 E. Main St. Santa Maria, CA

Joseph Nunez, M.D.

Lynn Peltier, C.P.N.P.

Michele Kielty, D.O.

Jessica Prather, C.N.P.

www.pmgsm.com

805-922-3548

Geronna Leonards, N.P.

Monday – Friday

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 9

Index

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

Give Me the Meat

Dine & Devour ............. 10 Liquid Connections ......... 26 Arts & Entertainment ...... 33 Goods ......................... 36 Services ...................... 44 Recreation ................... 56

Whiskey ‘N Rye Smokehouse Corporate Executive Chef Bryan Aceves holds a plate of Brisket Dirty Fries and a barbecue sampler trio with baby back ribs, hickorysmoked brisket, and pulled pork. Head to the Best Solvang Restaurant to see what else is coming out of the smoker.

& e n Di ur o v e D

Best santa M aria r estaurant

The Swiss Restaurant & Bar 516 N. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 347-7800 plemmonscatering@gmail.com swissrestaurantandbar.com @swiss_restaurant facebook.com/TheSwissBarSM

Best nipoMo r estaurant

Jocko’s Steakhouse 125 N. THOMPSON AVE., NIPOMO (805) 929-3686

jockossteakhouse.com @jockossteakhouse facebook.com/JockosSteakhouse

Best orcutt r estaurant

Pizzeria Bello Forno 119 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 623-7111

belloforno.com @pbf_pizzeriabelloforno facebook.com/BelloFornoPizza

Best LoMpoc r estaurant

Flare

510 W. OCEAN AVE., LOMPOC (805) 972-3047

@flare_lompoc facebook.com/p/Flare-Lompoc-61571884869639

Best GuadaLupe restaurant

El Tapatio

914 GUADALUPE ST., GUADALUPE (805) 343-2850

Best BueLLton r estaurant

Hitching Post 2 406 E. HWY. 246, BUELLTON (805) 688-0676 hitchingpost2.com @hitchingpost2 facebook.com/HitchingPost2

@el_tapatio88

Best Los aLaMos restaurant

Plenty On Bell

508 BELL ST., LOS ALAMOS (805) 344-3020 plentyonbell@gmail.com plentyonbell.com @plentyonbell facebook.com/PlentyOnBell

Best soLvanG r estaurant

Whiskey ‘N Rye Smokehouse

442 ATTERDAG ROAD, SOLVANG (805) 688-4227 eatBBQ@whiskeynryebbq.com whiskeynrye.com @whiskeynryebbq

Best Los oLivos restaurant Best santa Ynez restaurant

Nella Kitchen & Bar 2860 GRAND AVE., LOS OLIVOS (805) 686-1359 office@nellakitchen.com nellakitchen.com @nellakitchenbar facebook.com/NellaKitchenBar

S.Y. Kitchen

1110 FARADAY ST., SANTA YNEZ (805) 691-9794 office@sykitchen.com sykitchen.com @sykitchen facebook.com/SYKitchen

DINE & DEVOUR continued page 12 10 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

Thank you to our amazing patrons for voting us BEST BREAKFAST for the last 25 years, BEST WEEKEND BRUNCH

& BEST HAPPY HOUR

Thank you to our loyal customers!

Where Every Bite is a Fiesta!

We are truly honored; and always delighted to serve you!

Mom’s Home Cooking Kid’s Eat FREE! Wednesdays & Fridays Taco Tuesdays

MEXICAN RESTAURANT AND FOOD TRUCK

805.934.4001

Tues – Fri 10:30am – 8pm • Sat & Sun 8am – 8pm

4869 South Bradley, #122 • Orcutt

ORCUTT COUNTRY KITCHEN

127 E. Clark Ave, Old Orcutt • kayscountrykitchen.com

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 11

DINE & DEVOUR from page 10

Best R estauRant. PeRiod.

The Swiss Restaurant & Bar 516 N. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 347-7800 plemmonscatering@gmail.com swissrestaurantandbar.com @swiss_restaurant facebook.com/TheSwissBarSM

Best BReakfast

Kay’s Orcutt Country Kitchen 127 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 934-4429

kayscountrykitchen.com @orcuttcountrykitchen facebook.com/KaysCountry.KitchenOrcutt

Best Weekend BRunch

Kay’s Orcutt Country Kitchen 127 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 934-4429

kayscountrykitchen.com @orcuttcountrykitchen facebook.com/KaysCountry.KitchenOrcutt

Best outdooR dining

The Garden Mediterranean Restaurant & Cafe 122 E. BOONE ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 347-1112

thegardenmediterranean.com @thegarden.mediterranean facebook.com/TheGardenSantaMaria

Best cheaP eats

Orcutt Burgers

1099 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 938-0064 orcuttburgers.com @orcuttburgers facebook.com/OrcuttBurger

Authentic

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

Yoshi Kuno, Schiko Koga, and Shizu Levasheff (left to right) are serving up the Best Sushi and Best Japanese Food—donburi, udon, sukiyaki, and more—in Northern Santa Barbara County from the traditional atmosphere of Hamasato in Santa Maria.

Best R estauRant to imPRess

The Swiss Restaurant & Bar 516 N. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 347-7800 plemmonscatering@gmail.com swissrestaurantandbar.com @swiss_restaurant facebook.com/TheSwissBarSM

Best Place to go on a fiRst date

The Swiss Restaurant & Bar

516 N. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 347-7800 plemmonscatering@gmail.com swissrestaurantandbar.com @swiss_restaurant facebook.com/TheSwissBarSM

DINE & DEVOUR continued page 14

[805] 343-2850

Catering Available • Cell (805) 363-7659 • Located: 914 Guadalupe Street, Guadalupe, CA 93434 12 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

Thank You for Your Support & God Bless

VOTED BEST Orcutt Restaurant BEST Italian Food BEST Pizza BEST Wood Fired Pizza 7 Years in a Row! Serving more than Wood fired Artisan Pizzas!

Find our full menu online.

Dine in, or enjoy your meal al fresco on our patio. To-Go orders welcome.

119 E. Clark Ave, Orcutt • (805) 623-7111 • Belloforno.com www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 13

ilovenorthchina.com @northchinarestaurant facebook.com/iLoveNorthChina

Best K id-Friendly r estaurant

Orcutt Burgers

1099 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 938-0064

An Invitation

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

S.Y. Kitchen Executive Chef and Owner/Partner Luca Crestanelli invites you to snag a glass of wine and dine at the Best Santa Ynez Restaurant, where the yellow beet salad is fresh, the homemade pasta is delectable, and T-bone truffle sliders are decadent.

113 N. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 925-3705

Thai Hut Restaurant

Best Japanese Food

Hamasato Japanese Restaurant

230 BETTERAVIA ROAD, SUITE V, SANTA MARIA (805) 928-1279 hamasatosm.wixsite.com/website-1 facebook.com/p/Hama-SATO-JapaneseRestaurant-100067536319430

Best Chinese Food

Best m editerranean Food

North China Restaurant 113 N. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 925-3705

ilovenorthchina.com @northchinarestaurant facebook.com/iLoveNorthChina

Best italian Food

North China Restaurant

Best t hai Food

orcuttburgers.com @orcuttburgers facebook.com/OrcuttBurger

DINE & DEVOUR from page 12

Best Family m eal

@pbf_pizzeriabelloforno facebook.com/BelloFornoPizza

Pizzeria Bello Forno 119 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 623-7111 belloforno.com

The Garden Mediterranean Restaurant & Cafe

2431 S. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 937-8882 yanagisushigrillsantamaria.com @yanagisushi

230 BETTERAVIA ROAD, SUITE V, SANTA MARIA (805) 928-1279

Best authentiC mexiCan Food

@el_tapatio88

Yanagi Sushi & Grill

Hamasato Japanese Restaurant

thegardenmediterranean.com @thegarden.mediterranean facebook.com/TheGardenSantaMaria

914 GUADALUPE ST., GUADALUPE (805) 343-2850

Best seaFood

Best sushi

122 E. BOONE ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 347-1112

El Tapatio

120 E. FOSTER ROAD, ORCUTT (805) 934-0911

hamasatosm.wixsite.com/website-1 facebook.com/p/Hama-SATO-JapaneseRestaurant-100067536319430

Best BarBeCue

The Swiss Restaurant & Bar DINE & DEVOUR continued page 16

Thank you

to our loyal customers!

“Y de usted también”

Best Carniceria

6 Years in a Row!

FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS

@ MERCADO Y CARNICERIA LA MIA INC

VISIT OUR THREE LOCATIONS 417 S. Blosser Rd. Santa Maria, CA 93458 United States (805) 925-7746

112 E. Grant St. Santa Maria, CA 93454 United States (805) 349-2829

14 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

515 Orchard Rd. Nipomo, CA 93444 United States (805) 931-0730

Locally Owned & Operated since 2008

805.878.2885

Winner 11 Years in a Row! Dedicated to Helping YOU Become your BEST YOU.

JOIN US TODAY! 2015 S BROADWAY B, SANTA MARIA 805.348.1888

WVHEALTHCLUB23@GMAIL.COM

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 15

BEST TASTE

BEST NIPOMO RESTAURANT

S

Jocko’s Steakhouse

pencer, Spencer, Spencer! For hardcore Jocko’s fans, it’s the only thing on the menu, available in 8, 16, and 20 ounce cuts. Essentially an aged and hand-cut rib-eye cooked over a red oak firepit, this super flavorful crusted steak is juicy as heck. If filet mignon, New York, or top sirloin is more to your liking, that’s available too, as are lamb and pork chops, beef and pork ribs, chicken, burgers, linguica, wild caught salmon, other seafood options, and pasta dishes, plus the various sides. People come from far and wide to this unpretentious little restaurant with incredible steaks.

—Glen Starkey DINE & DEVOUR from page 14

516 N. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 347-7800 plemmonscatering@gmail.com swissrestaurantandbar.com @swiss_restaurant facebook.com/TheSwissBarSM

Best Vegetarian Food

The Garden Mediterranean Restaurant & Cafe 122 E. BOONE ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 347-1112

thegardenmediterranean.com @thegarden.mediterranean facebook.com/TheGardenSantaMaria

Best BreakFast Burrito

Orcutt Burgers

1099 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 938-0064 orcuttburgers.com @orcuttburgers facebook.com/OrcuttBurger

Best salsa

Maya Mexican Restaurant

110 S. LINCOLN ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 287-9920 mayamexicankitchen.com

DINE & DEVOUR continued page 18

WHISPERING TREE NURSERY

Thank You for voting us Best Local Nursery!

110 Norris St, Orcutt

805-937-3808 Monday- Saturday 9am-5pm Sunday 10am-4pm 16 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 17

DINE & DEVOUR from page 16

@mayamexicankitchen facebook.com/TheMayaMexicanRestaurant

Best Burrito

Maya Mexican Restaurant

110 S. LINCOLN ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 287-9920

mayamexicankitchen.com @mayamexicankitchen facebook.com/TheMayaMexicanRestaurant

Best taco

Maya Mexican Restaurant

110 S. LINCOLN ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 287-9920

mayamexicankitchen.com @mayamexicankitchen facebook.com/TheMayaMexicanRestaurant

Best carniceria

La Mia Carniceria 417 S. BLOSSER ROAD, SANTA MARIA (805) 925-7746

Best Burger

Best t ri-tip

Orcutt Burgers

The Swiss Restaurant & Bar

1099 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 938-0064 orcuttburgers.com @orcuttburgers facebook.com/OrcuttBurger

Best sandwich

Papa Napoli Italian Deli 325 BETTERAVIA ROAD, SUITE B9, SANTA MARIA (805) 928-7272 papanapoli.com @papanapolideli facebook.com/PapaNapoliDeli

Best steak

The Swiss Restaurant & Bar 516 N. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 347-7800

plemmonscatering@gmail.com swissrestaurantandbar.com @swiss_restaurant facebook.com/TheSwissBarSM

516 N. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 347-7800 plemmonscatering@gmail.com swissrestaurantandbar.com @swiss_restaurant facebook.com/TheSwissBarSM

Best wings

Blast 825

241 S. BROADWAY, ORCUTT (805) 934-3777

wendy@cc-rg.com blast825brewery.com @blast825brewery facebook.com/Blast825Brewery

All in the Family

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

Third generation sandwich maker Mario Napoli holds a pastrami sandwich in front of a portrait of his grandparents. Mario took over Papa Napoli Italian Deli from his father and now runs it with his wife, and they still make what our readers voted as the Best Sandwich!

Best pizza

Pizzeria Bello Forno 119 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 623-7111

Best wood-Fired pizza

Pizzeria Bello Forno

pbf@belloforno.com belloforno.com @pbf_pizzeriabelloforno facebook.com/BelloFornoPizza

119 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 623-7111 pbf@belloforno.com belloforno.com

DINE & DEVOUR continued page 20

Mariachi Mexicanisimo

thanks all our customers and friends for voting for us as Best Musical Group. We appreciate your support, and it gives us even more energy to keep going. Thank you so much once again.

For More Information: [805] 598-5161 — www.meximariachi.net

18 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

Thank You From Our Family to Yours

Winner of 7 Awards

• Best Barbecue • Best Steak • Best Tri-Tip • Best Restaurant to Impress • Best Restaurant to go on a first date • Best Santa Maria Restaurant • Best Restaurant Period Make all your meals award winning Now available: Our signature all-purpose barbecue seasoning and our original blend of spicy jalapeno seasoning

The Swiss

Restaurant & Bar

Serving Santa Maria Since 1941

Hours: Sun–Thurs 11am–9pm, Fri & Sat 11am–10pm

516 N. Broadway, Santa Maria 805-347-7800 www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 19

BEST MORNING RISER

Thank You For 20 years in Santa Maria!

BEST DOUGHNUT

I

always skip the big chains and turn to local mom-and-pop shops when I’m craving a doughnut. Golden Donut’s the one for me when I find myself in Orcutt. Turns out most people who voted in the Sun’s Best of Northern Santa Barbara County think so too. For decades, it’s been the mainstay for Orcutt residents—with locals rallying behind the store when the pandemic hit and during owner Houth Hak’s personal medical crisis. What’s not to love? Golden Donut is the home of fluffy doughnuts, glazes that are not too sweet, and prices that are just right.

—Bulbul Rajagopal DINE & DEVOUR from page 18

@pbf_pizzeriabelloforno facebook.com/BelloFornoPizza

Best salad

The Natural Cafe

2407 S. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 937-2735 thenaturalcafe.com @thenaturalcafe_official facebook.com/TheNaturalCafe

Best Ice cream or F rozen Yogurt 230 E Betteravia Rd ste K info@gavinsbooks.com instagram.com/gavinsbooks

call or text 805.922.4282 facebook.com/gavinsbooks twitter.com/gavinsbooks

Golden Donut

Nite Creamery

2003 S. MILLER ST, SANTA MARIA

@nitecreamery facebook.com/NiteCreamery

Best doughnut

Golden Donut

4850 S. BRADLEY ROAD, SUITE F, SANTA MARIA (805) 937-6989

Best dessert

Gina’s Piece of Cake

307 TOWN CENTER EAST, SANTA MARIA (805) 922-7866 email@ginaspieceofcake.com ginaspieceofcake.com @ginaspieceofcake facebook.com/GinasPieceofCake

nitecreamery.com

Thank you for voting us Best Furniture Store!

153 East Clark A Ave Suite 101, Orcutt • www. ww www.chicinteriorsdesign.com chicinteriorsdesign.com • 805.287.9610 Boutique furniture store / Design services / Remodels / New Construction kitchen and bath EST 1999 Locally owned and operated

20 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

DINE & DEVOUR continued page 22

Thank you santa maria

110 S. Lincoln St. Santa Maria

Tuesday - Saturday 8AM-9PM Sunday 8AM-7PM / Closed Mondays

(805)287-9920

mayamexicankitchen.com

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 21

Chow Down

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

Orcutt Burgers serves up the Best Breakfast Burrito, Cheap Eats, and Burger—like this bacon burger—in addition to being the Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant around.

DINE & DEVOUR from page 20

Best Bakery

Gina’s Piece of Cake

Best Panaderia CLIP & SAVE

CLIP & SAVE

Purchase a Membership for $5 (for the 1st Month)

Following months return to regular price (depending on your package purchased initially).

CLIP & SAVE

Expires OCT. 31, 2025

307 TOWN CENTER EAST, SANTA MARIA (805) 922-7866

Panaderia Mana

email@ginaspieceofcake.com ginaspieceofcake.com @ginaspieceofcake facebook.com/GinasPieceofCake

503 N. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 928-6619

CLIP & SAVE

DINE & DEVOUR continued page 24

GOLD BUYING EVENT FOR OVER 40 YEARS C.B. HOOD DIAMOND CO. HAS BEEN CURATING A BREATHTAKING PRIVATE COLLECTION OF RARE, ANTIQUE, AND ONE OF A KIND JEWELRY FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER WE’RE OPENING OUR VAULT AND INVITING YOU TO OUR SILENT AUCTION - ONE NIGHT ONLY SELECT PIECES FROM OUR PRIVATE COLLECTION WILL NOW BE AVAILABLE TO OWN. GOLD IS AT AN ALL TIME HIGH! BRING IN YOUR OLD OR BROKEN GOLD JEWELRY

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ANTIQUE JEWELRY AUCTION 22 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

Thank You for Voting Us Best Juice Place!

SANTA MARIA

Store Hours Monday-Friday 7am-10pm Saturday-Sunday 8am-10pm

LOMPOC

2212 S. Bradley Rd. Crossroads Center 805-314-2724

1512-D2 H Street Albertson’s Center 805-743-4286

ORCUTT

BUELLTON

4854 South Bradley Rd. Suite 106 CVS Center at Clark & Bradley 805-938-9011

234 E. Hwy 246 Albertson’s Center 805-697-7643

Thanks a bunch for voting

Little Pete’s Farms BEST Farm/Produce Stand!

Our customers are the pick of the crop!

LOCATED AT 1550 CA-1 • SANTA MARIA www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 23

CAKE EATING CHAMPION

Thank You for Voting Us #1

BEST BAKERY

Gina’s Piece of Cake

W

hen it comes to finding a good pastry, let’s just say Gina makes it a piece of cake. Located in the Santa Maria Town Center Mall and on Clark Avenue in Orcutt, Gina’s is a full-time, family-operated bakery that makes one-of-a-kind cakes. Don’t believe me? Check out the website, because, boy, I’ve never seen so many options. When it comes to the cake, you don’t just have the choice between chocolate and vanilla. How about white, yellow, strawberry, almond poppy, banana nut, or pink champagne? Not to mention, you can add a filling of caramel, raspberry, cream cheese, German chocolate, and more. I’m drooling. Add some buttercream frosting to the top of that bad boy, and Gina, take all of my money. Please. Gina’s can bake cakes for weddings and quinciñeras, serving as few as six people up to 90. Whether I order an entire pan for myself is no one else’s business, though, thank you.

—Libbey Hanson DINE & DEVOUR from page 22

Best caterer

Best Food t ruck

Nena’s Kitchen

Fresh! Tasty! Affordable!

2407 S. Broadway Santa Maria, CA 93454

4869 S. BRADLEY ROAD, SUITE 122, SANTA MARIA (805) 934-4001 nenaskitchen1@yahoo.com nenaskitchen.net @nenas_kitchen1 facebook.com/NenasKitchenOrcutt

Testa Catering & Event Rentals 2218 S. THORNBURG ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 739-0809 teamtesta@testacatering.com testacatering.com @testacateringsm facebook.com/TestaCateringandEvents

www.thenaturalcafe.com

Thank You For Voting us

Best Bakery & Best Dessert!

Store Hours: Tuesday~Friday 7:30am~7pm, Saturday 7:30am~6pm, Sunday 11am~5pm, Closed on Mondays ginaspieceofcake.com (805) 922-7866 307 Town Center East, Santa Maria (lower level next to Macy’s) 2nd Location: 205 E Clark Ave, Orcutt (805) 922-9035 24 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

The Orcutt Academy thanks the readers of the Santa Maria Sun for voting us “Best Charter School” once again!

GO, SPARTANS!

Orcutt Academy HS 805-938-8550 • Orcutt Academy K-8 805-960-5530

938-8550 -960-5530

Thank You For Voting Us Best Jewelry Store for 17 years!

MELBY’S JEWELERS 1140 E. Clark Avenue, Santa Maria • (805) 925-1678 • www.melbys.com

Our Store Hours Tues-Fri: 9:30-5:30 Saturday: 10-3

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 25

Cocktail Hour

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

If you’re looking for the Best Craft Cocktail served by the Best Bartender (according to our readers), then hop on into the Far Western Tavern in Orcutt, and Andrea Prescott will serve you up an damn fine adult beverage.

d i u q i L s n o i t c e nn Co Best Winery for r ed Wine

Stolpman Vineyards

2434 ALAMO PINTADO AVE., LOS OLIVOS (805) 688-0400 stolpmanvineyards.com @stolpmanvineyards facebook.com/StolpmanVineyards

Best Winery for sparkling Wine

Stolpman Vineyards

2434 ALAMO PINTADO AVE., LOS OLIVOS (805) 688-0400 stolpmanvineyards.com @stolpmanvineyards facebook.com/StolpmanVineyards

Best Winery for White Wine

Best dog-friendly Winery

Presqu’ile Winery

Presqu’ile Winery

5391 PRESQU’ILE DRIVE, SANTA MARIA (805) 937-8110 info@presquilewine.com presquilewine.com @presquilewine facebook.com/PresquileWine

5391 PRESQU’ILE DRIVE, SANTA MARIA (805) 937-8110 info@presquilewine.com presquilewine.com @presquilewine facebook.com/PresquileWine

26 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

Best tasting room

Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard

6200 FOXEN CANYON ROAD, LOS OLIVOS (805) 688-1545 info@fessparker.com fessparker.com/fess-parker-wines @fessparkerwinery facebook.com/FessParkerWinery

Best Wine Bar

Wine Stone Inn

orcuttwinestone@gmail.com winestoneinn.com @winestoneinn facebook.com/WineStoneInn

Best BreWery

Naughty Oak Brewing Co. 165 S. BROADWAY, SUITE 102, ORCUTT (805) 314-2368 info@naughtyoak.com naughtyoak.com @naughtyoakbrew facebook.com/N.O.BrewingCo

255 W. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 332-3532

MOST LIKELY TO PARTY

LIQUID CONNECTIONS continued page 28

BEST BREWERY

T

Naughty Oak Brewing Co.

rivia nights at Naughty Oak Brewing Co. may only happen on Wednesdays, but beers are available on tap all year round. Pick from the Hawaiian-inspired hard seltzer, the Mexican lager called Chela, the mango blonde Staycation, a red rye ale, a Central Coast IPA, and the rotating hop double IPA Humulomongous that’s a mouthful in every way.

For optimal brewery experience, Naughty Oak also has an “artist on retainer.” Don’t forget to check out fine artist and figure painter Janis Rockwell’s fifth—and allegedly last—mural Home outside the front entrance. It’s a squirrely homage to the iconic mascot on the brewery’s logo.

— Bulbul Rajagopal

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 27

LIQUID CONNECTIONS from page 26

Best H appy Hour

Best sports Bar

R Bar

Blast 825 Brewery

127 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 934-4429

241 S. BROADWAY, ORCUTT (805) 934-3777

kaysorcuttcountrykitchen@gmail.com kayscountrykitchen.com @r_bar_ facebook.com/p/R-Bar-100091678804560

blast825brewery.com @blast825brewery facebook.com/Blast825Brewery

Best Bar

Best Craft CoCktail

Elmer’s

Far Western Tavern

115 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 934-1664

elmers@live.no facebook.com/Elmers-114026931984741

Best Bartender

Andrea Prescott Far Western Tavern 300 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 937-2211

farwesterntavern.com @farwesterntavern facebook.com/FarWesternTavern

Best dive Bar

farwesterntavern.com @farwesterntavern facebook.com/FarWesternTavern

Best MiCHelada

Maya Mexican Restaurant

110 S. LINCOLN ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 287-9920

mayamexicankitchen.com @mayamexicankitchen facebook.com/TheMayaMexicanRestaurant

Elmer’s

115 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 934-1664

300 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 937-2211

facebook.com/Elmers-114026931984741

Double Whammy

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

Stolpman Vineyards makes a lot of wine. Estate reds and whites, unfiltered, fresh (uncrushed and fermented whole), classics—there’s a lot to keep track of, but our readers can do it. And they decided Stolpman was the Best Winery for Red and for Sparkling—a portfolio that includes the 2023 estate grown syrah as well as the 2023 Chenin Pét Nat (sparkling).

Best M argarita

Maya Mexican Restaurant

110 S. LINCOLN ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 287-9920

mayamexicankitchen.com @mayamexicankitchen facebook.com/TheMayaMexicanRestaurant LIQUID CONNECTIONS continued page 30

Thank you for voting us Best Bar!

115 E Clark Ave, Orcutt • 7 days a week 10 am - 2 am 28 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

Bold flavor. Warm hospitality.

Wherever you are.

Celebrate in style at our award-winning Solvang tavern, home to more than 200 exceptional whiskeys. Savor the aroma and flavor of expertly grilled and smoked meats and vegetables in our warm, inviting indoor spaces or out on our dog-friendly patio.

Or let Rye on Wheels roll in with freshoff-the-smoker BBQ, fired up on-site for weddings, parties, and everything in between.

805-688-4227

www.WhiskeyNRye.com

@whiskeynryebbq www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 29

Your Bar

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

Our readers think R Bar in Orcutt (right next to Kay’s Orcutt Country Kitchen) has the Best Happy Hour, and it’s every day from 2 to 5 p.m.!

LIQUID CONNECTIONS from page 28

Best Place for a cuP of coffee

Best Place for a Beer

Elmer’s

Cups and Crumbs

facebook.com/Elmers-114026931984741

cupsandcrumbsoldtown@gmail.com @cupsandcrumbs facebook.com/CupsandCrumbs

156 BROADWAY, UNIT B, ORCUTT (805) 623-5973

115 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 934-1664

LIQUID CONNECTIONS continued page 32

THANK YOU deaseesboutique.com 30 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

1130 E Clark Ave Ste 120, Orcutt • 332-3152

Voted Best Clothing Store

P A C I F I C C O N S E R VA T O R Y T H E A T R E

Thank you!

FOR VOTING PCPA BEST THEATER GROUP

S E A S O N 62 25 | 26

EVERY BRILLIANT THING Disney's

FROZEN The Broadway Musical

SHANE MEASURE FOR MEASURE COME FROM AWAY LUCHADORA! BEEHIVE

THE 60s MUSICAL

TICKETS 805-922-8313 | PCPA.ORG

GROUPS 805-928-7731 x.4150

12 OR MORE

We Thank Our Community!

Best Bartender Andrea Prescott

Best Craft Cocktail FarWesternTavern.com • (805) 937-2211 www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 31

Thank You Relax, Sip, Repeat

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard’s recently refurbished tasting room on Foxen Canyon Road welcomes would-be oenophiles into the family-run winery with a decades-long history. It snagged the Best Tasting Room award in our annual readers poll.

LIQUID CONNECTIONS from page 30

Best Juice Place

Weekly Specials Wine Bingo Wednesday

Best BoBa t ea

Blenders in the Grass

Play to win your chance at a free bottle of wine

SANTA MARIA, ORCUTT, LOMPOC, BUELLTON (805) 938-9011

Tap Thursday

$5.00 Pints & Sparkling Cava’s

info@drinkblenders.com drinkblenders.com @blendersinthegrass facebook.com/DrinkBlenders

Food Truck Fridays

50% off select glasses of wine

255 W Clark Ave, Orcutt

Cha 101

340 E. BETTERAVIA ROAD, UNIT E, SANTA MARIA (805) 346-1588 facebook.com/CHA101.SantaMaria

(805) 332-3532

SHOP NOW

Rooted In Gratitude, Grounded In Community

To our customers, neighbors, family, and friends — thank you for supporting the first and only locally owned storefront cannabis dispensary in the Santa Maria Valley.

Because of you, Root One continues to grow strong, stay independent, and keep the culture alive. We’re here to serve our community — never corporate, always local.

OPEN DAILY 8:00 AM–9:00 PM

@ROOTONEDISPENSARY ROOTONEDISPENSARY.COM

s! r e e h C Thanks for voting us

Best Brewery

GUADALUPE 928 GUADALUPE ST 805-219-0257

Cannabis has intoxicating effects. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of cannabis. Keep out of the reach of children.

ADULT USE RETAIL 21+ OVER 18+ WITH VALID MEDICAL ID CARD LICENSE NO: C10-0001451

32 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

SANTA MARIA SUN 2025 BEST OF NSBC

165 S. Broadway Street, Suite 102 • Orcutt, CA

Sing it Loud

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

If you’re looking for someplace to do karaoke, there are many options to choose from. But what you really need to ask yourself is whether those options are the best. If they aren’t, then head down to Louie B’s for hugs and the Best Karaoke in North County.

& s t Ar t n e m n i a t r e t n E Best community event

Best PhotoGraPher

Santa Maria Elks Rodeo & Parade

Olivia Hardaway

4040 HIGHWAY 101, SANTA MARIA (805) 925-4125 elksrodeo@elksrec.com elksrec.com @smelksrodeo facebook.com/SMElksRodeo

oliviahardawayphoto.mypixieset.com @olivia.hardaway.photo facebook.com/Olivia.Taylor.Hardaway

Best Place to catch a Band

Best K ids a rts ProGram

Santa Maria Elk’s Lodge

Children’s Resource & Referral Discovery Museum

1309 N. BRADLEY ROAD, SANTA MARIA (805) 922-1538 lodge@elks1538.org santamariaelks.org @santamariaelkslodge facebook.com/SantaMariaElksLodge

Best a rt Gallery

Valley Art Gallery

3217 TERMINAL DRIVE, SANTA MARIA (805) 922-0663 valleyartgallerysm@gmail.com valleygallery.org facebook.com/profile.php? id=100089679233951

MOST LIKELY TO GROW

DJ Sparx (805) 720-3277

Best t heater GrouP

PCPA - Pacific Conservatory Theatre 870 S. BRADLEY ROAD, SANTA MARIA (805) 922-8313

pcpa@pcpa.org pcpa.org @pcpatheatre facebook.com/PacificConservatoryTheatre

Best local Band or musician

Mariachi Mexicanisimo (805) 598-5161

meximariachi.net @mariachi_mexicanisimo facebook.com/Mexicanisimo1

programs@smvdiscoverymuseum.org smvdiscoverymuseum.org @smvdiscoverymuseum facebook.com/SMVdiscoveryMuseum

Best Place to Get a tattoo

Copper Coffin Tattoo 104 W. CHAPEL ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 310-4536

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT continued page 34

BEST KIDS ARTS PROGRAM BEST MUSEUM

Children’s Resource & Referral Discovery Museum

Best dJ

sparxthedj@gmail.com @sparxthedj facebook.com/SparxtheDJ

705 S. MCCLELLAND ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 928-8414

T

here are many ways for kids to get crafty at the Children’s Resource & Referral Discovery Museum—formerly known as the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum—in Santa Maria. Along with its recently upgraded arts and crafts station, the venue added a new music station in early July, as part of a merger between the museum and Children’s Resource and Referral of Santa Barbara County (hence the name change). Some other kid-friendly programs new to the venue since the merger include a STEM nights series and Stay and Play family hours. “Every space is touched with the intention to build the brains of our youngest community members,” museum Chief Operating Officer Jacquilyn Banta told the Sun in July. “Research demonstrates that children enter kindergarten more ready when they have access to high-quality early learning environments beforehand.”

—Caleb Wiseblood

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 33

Best Place to sHoP for a Quinceañera

Casa Blanca Bridal 901 N. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 928-7977

@casablancabridal805 facebook.com/pages/ Casa-Blanca-Bridal/141426082565008

Best car sHow

West Coast Kustoms 937 S. THORNBURG, SANTA MARIA (951) 488-0413 wckustom@aol.com westcoastkustoms.com facebook.com/CruisinNationals

Controlled Chaos

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

The Best Place to Have a Kids Party also happens to be a great place to have some water fun. Paul Nelson Aquatic Center in Santa Maria has a recreational pool with a zero-depth entryway complete with colorful animals and umbrellas of water. What more could a kid ask for?

Best Bookstore

Gavin’s Books

230 BETTERAVIA ROAD, SUITE K, SANTA MARIA (805) 922-4282 info@gavinsbooks.com gavinsbooks.com @gavinsbooks facebook.com/GavinsBooks

Best MuseuM

Children’s Resource & Referral Discovery Museum 705 S. MCCLELLAND ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 928-8414 programs@smvdiscoverymuseum.org smvdiscoverymuseum.org @smvdiscoverymuseum facebook.com/SMVdiscoveryMuseum

Best event Planner

Events by Krissy (805) 680-2628

events@eventsbykrissy.com eventsbykrissy.com @eventsbykrissy facebook.com/EventsbyKrissy805

102.5 Sunny Country 2325 SKYWAY DRIVE, SANTA MARIA (805) 922-1041

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT from page 33

coffintattoos@gmail.com coppercoffin.com @coppercoffintattoo facebook.com/CopperCoffin

Best r adio station

Best event venue

Santa Maria Elk’s Lodge

1309 N. BRADLEY ROAD, SANTA MARIA (805) 922-1538 lodge@elks1538.org santamariaelks.org @santamariaelkslodge facebook.com/SantaMariaElksLodge

Best Place to H ave a k ids Party

Paul Nelson Aquatic Center 615 S. MCCLELLAND ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 925-0951, EXT. 2260

rpinfo@cityofsantamaria.org cityofsantamaria.org @santamaria_recandparks facebook.com/SMrecandParks

Best M edia Personality

Jay Turner

listeners@sunnycountry.com sunnycountry.com @sunnycountryfm facebook.com/SunnyCountryFM

Best news source

KSBY

1772 CALLE JOAQUIN, SAN LUIS OBISPO (805) 541-5142 news@ksby.com ksby.com @ksbynews facebook.com/KSBYnews

(805) 404-1247

jay@djjayturner.com djjayturner.com @djjayturner805 facebook.com/DJjayTurner805

Best Place for k araoke

Louie B’s

213 E. MAIN ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 925-1193 @louiebssantamaria facebook.com/LouieBsBar

Best Place for t rivia

Wine Stone Inn 255 W. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 332-3532 orcuttwinestone@gmail.com winestoneinn.com @winestoneinn facebook.com/WineStoneInn

34 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

Be Entertained

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

The Wine Stone Inn in Orcutt is taking home a bevy of awards from this year’s annual readers poll: Best Place for Trivia, Best Wine Bar, Best Hotel or Motel, and Best Staycation.

Children’s Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County 2861 Airpark Dr. Santa Maria, CA 93455 4141 State St. #A 3.1 Santa Barbara, CA 93110

Santa Maria: (805)-925-7071 Santa Barbara: (805) 963-6631

At the heart of our community’s early childhood ecosystem, empowering families and child care providers alike. For families, we offer personalized support to find quality child care, financial assistance to make it possible, and programs that strengthen parenting skills and provide resources for foster children. For providers, we deliver the tools, training, and guidance they need to excel; from licensing support and trauma-informed care coaching to participation in our Provider Quality Network, nutrition programs, and alternative payment options.

Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient community where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

WINGS Infant Center & WINGS Preschool

Ages 0-2 Ages 2-5

2861 Airpark Dr. Santa Maria CA, 93455 1550 S. College Dr. Santa Maria CA, 93455 805-623-4313

Our Mission is to provide a high-quality environment for all children in a safe, nurturing, and inclusive setting that builds a foundation for life-long learning.

• Inclusive Early Learning: Welcoming children of all abilities in a nurturing environment.

• Nature-Based Curriculum: Emphasizing outdoor learning to foster exploration and engagement.

• Developmental Support: Activities designed to promote fine and gross motor skills.

• Safe & Enriching Environment: Maintaining a secure setting that encourages positive child development.

• Family Engagement: Encouraging active participation and communication between families and educators.

• Experienced Staff: Led by qualified professionals, including a director certified in the Outdoor Classroom Project.

CRR Discovery Museum

705 S. McClelland St. Santa Maria, CA 93455 805-928-8414

Discover, Learn, and Play—Together!

The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum and Children’s Resource & Referral have joined forces to create the Children’s Resource & Referral Discovery Museum— a vibrant hub where play meets learning! Explore upgraded exhibits, a new music area, and hands-on activities with robots, microscopes, and art. Enjoy exciting programs like STEM Nights, Stay & Play Family Hours, mobile discovery units, and multilingual access. Plus, our team can connect you with licensed child care resources. Affordable memberships start at just $75/year. All children deserve the chance to discover their potential—come see what’s new!

www.crrsbc.org www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 35

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

Strawberry Central

Diego Cardenas has been working at Little Pete’s Farms Family Fruit Stand since he was young, and the Best Farm/Produce Stand only offers up the best when it comes to strawberries: grown in California.

s d Goo

Best Grocery store

Spencer’s Fresh Markets 3580 ORCUTT ROAD, SANTA MARIA (805) 937-3702

spencersfreshmarkets.com @spencersfreshmarkets facebook.com/SpencersFreshMarkets

Best VitaMiN store

Lassens Natural Foods & Vitamins

lweb@lassens.com lassens.com @lassens facebook.com/LassensNatural FoodsandVitamins

Best Natural Food store

Lassens Natural Foods & Vitamins

1790 S. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 925-3432 lweb@lassens.com lassens.com @lassens facebook.com/LassensNatural FoodsandVitamins

1790 S. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 925-3432 36 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

Best HispaNic M arket

Vallarta Supermarkets

1875 N. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA 1482 S. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 349-9490

info@vallartasupermarkets.com vallartasupermarkets.com @vallarta.supermarkets facebook.com/Vallarta.Supermarkets

Best FarM/produce staNd

Little Pete’s Farms Fruit & Vegetables Stand 1550 CA-1, SANTA MARIA

@littlepetesfarm facebook.com/Petes.Farms.9

Best a Ntique sHop

Deja Vu Antique Mall 315 S. BROADWAY ST., ORCUTT (805) 314 2409

wsteller@dejavuldantiques dejavuldantiques.com @dejavuantiques facebook.com/LoadingDockAntiques

Best t HriFt store

New Image Thrift Store 2512 S. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 922-9668

newimagethrift.com @newimagethrift facebook.com/NewImageThrift

Best F urNiture store

Chic Interiors

153 E. CLARK AVE., SUITE 101, ORCUTT (805) 287-9610

chicinteriorsdesign.com @chicinteriorsag facebook.com/ChicInteriorsAG

GOODS continued page 38

oto yla,

Thank you Best Hair Salon Best Place for Skin Care

Back: Jen, Sheila, Paige, Kayla, Renee Front: Silvia, Liz, Cracelia (Sheila), Xo, Madyson

805-934-8682 130 Clark, Old Orcutt www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 37

Your Next Ride

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

Car shoppers on a budget can head to L&M Motors in Santa Maria, which has a large inventory of used cars that our readers love so much they voted it the Best Used Car Dealer.

Best Carpet/ Flooring CoMpany

Best Flower sHop

Abbey Carpet & Floor

Back Porch Fresh Flowers & Gifts

2051 S. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 347-1121 santamaria.abbeycarpet.com facebook.com/AbbeyofSantaMaria

GOODS from page 36

Best M attress store

Christian’s Mattress Xpress SANTA MARIA, LOMPOC (805) 922-7700

info@christiansmattress.com christiansmattress.com @christianmattressca facebook.com/ChristiansMattress

Best solar CoMpany

Sunrun

775 FIERO LANE, SUITE 200, SAN LUIS OBISPO (805) 322-4759 customercare@sunrun.com sunrun.com @sunrunsolar facebook.com/Sunrun

Best

4850 S. BRADLEY, SUITE D1, ORCUTT (805) 938-1965

info@backporchflowers.net backporchflowers.net @backporch facebook.com/BackPorchFlowers

H ardware store

Oak Knolls Hardware

Best loCal nursery/ garden store

orcutthardware@outlook.com oakknollshardware.com @oak_knolls_hardware facebook.com/OakKnollsHardware

110 NORRIS ST., ORCUTT (805) 937-3808

1155 E. CLARK AVE., SANTA MARIA (805) 937-3536

Whispering Tree Nursery @whisperingtreenursery GOODS continued page 40

Congratulations Orcutt Family Health Center Voted “Best Doctor’s Office” in Northern Santa Barbara County!

“Serving you and your family in Northern Santa Barbara County is our honor. Thank you from our entire team.”

—Rashik Patel, MD ORCUTT FAMILY HEALTH CENTER 5075 S. Bradley Rd., Suite 131 • Santa Maria, CA 93455 • 805.332.8155 dignityhealth.org/phc 38 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

IMPORTANCE OF

Recognition

Voted Best Bank by Our Customers* Although we have received numerous awards over the years, our focus remains committed to exceptional customer service. You can be assured, we will continue to provide an elite level of service going beyond normal to make sure our customers feel heard, understood and appreciated.

But it is nice when you get recognized for it, especially when it’s by your customers. Being recognized provides a platform for our bank to showcase the dedication, passion and excellence our employees deserve for their commitment to delivering superior customer service. We are truly grateful to our customers for their trust and support, which make this recognition possible.

Janet Silveria, President/CEO

*Sun “2025 Best Of ” Issue

Community Bank of Santa Maria Home of “Santa Maria Style” Banking™ 2739 Santa Maria Way • 1421 S. Broadway • (805) 922-2900 • yourcbsm.com www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 39

BEAUTY AND BRAINS

BEST FLOWER SHOP

F

LIVE PROFESSIONAL THEATRE FAMILY FRIENDLY SHOWS PERFORMANCES: WED - SUN

Back Porch Fresh Flowers & Gifts

eeling hopelessly romantic? Maybe sympathetic, or wanting to get on your mother-in-law’s good side? I think I have the right place for you. For more than 35 years, Orcutt’s very own Back Porch Fresh Flowers and Gifts has had customers covered when it comes to floral arrangements for any occasion, at any time, and according to its website, delivered to anywhere in the world. For a small gathering or a wedding of hundreds, Back Porch offers arrangements appropriate for any mood. For summer, think hues of pink, yellow, and orange, inspired by citrus and sun. Designs like “Artistic Embrace” feature hot pink roses, yellow gerberas, and fuchsia carnations. “Timelessly Tranquil” has quicksand roses, pink carnations and stock, yellow alstroemeria, and green lisianthus.

Feeling overwhelmed with options? Back Porch also offers a “Designer’s Choice,” for all occasions, allowing the professionals to do what they do best, so you can focus on making a big day even more special.

—Libbey Hanson

GOODS from page 38

Best New Car dealer

Best Pet suPPly store

Lemos Feed & Pet Supply

Home Motors

1313 E. MAIN ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 354-5240

SANTA MARIA, SOLVANG, LOMPOC, NIPOMO (805) 925-6606

contactus@homemotors.net home-motors.com @home_motors facebook.com/HomeMotorsChevrolet

info@lemospet.com lemospet.com @lemospet805 facebook.com/LemosPet805

Best tire store

Rizzoli’s Automotive

Best Feed suPPly store

Lemos Feed & Pet Supply

SANTA MARIA, SOLVANG, LOMPOC, NIPOMO (805) 925-6606 info@lemospet.com lemospet.com @lemospet805 facebook.com/LemosPet805

Best used Car dealer

L & M Motors

527 W. MAIN ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 549-4059 lmmotors1@yahoo.com landmmotors.net @landm_motors

1149 W. TAMA LANE, SANTA MARIA (805) 254-7127 karen@rizzolisautomotive.com rizzolisautomotive.com @rizzolisautomotiveinc facebook.com/RizzolisAutomotive

Best PlaCe to Fill uP your Car

Orcutt 76

100 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 937-5340 orcutt76.com facebook.com/Orcutt76gas

GOODS continued page 42 BASKING IN THE SUN

www.AmericanMelodrama.com

(805) 489-2499 1863 Front St. Oceano, CA THE GREAT AMERICAN MELODRAMA

@TGAMELODRAMA 40 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

BEST SOLAR COMPANY

S

Sunrun

unrun has placed solar panels on more than 1 million homes. I’m a customer myself. With rising utilities costs, solar stabilizes your monthly bill and helps the environment. I paid nothing down and financed everything, and now my electric bill is the monthly cost of the panels plus PG&E’s $15 monthly Base Service Charge, but most of the time, my PG&E bill is negative because my system produces slightly more power than my family uses. There’s even a phone app that tells me how much power my system is producing and that it’s operating normally. When my panels are paid off, I’ll have free energy for years.

—Glen Starkey

and

BEST GIFT STORE

BEST CHILDRENS STORE

THANK YOU FOR VOTING WILDFLOWER WOMEN AND SANDBOX KIDS BEST OF NORTHERN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY 2025 LOS OLIVOS | PISMO BEACH | ORCUTT | DOWNTOWN SAN LUIS OBISPO | PASO ROBLES #LOVEWFW | @WILDFLOWERWOMENBOUTIQUE | wildflowerwomenboutique.com www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 41

Best Place to Buy K ids clothes

Wildflower Women & Sandbox Kids 3388 ORCUTT ROAD, ORCUTT (805) 922-9195

amber@wfwboutique.com wildflowerwomenboutique.com/sandbox-kids @wildflowerwomenboutique facebook.com/WildflowerWomenBoutique

Pick Your Perfect High

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

Orcutt’s new cannabis dispensary is doing things right. Dr. Greenthumb’s, which opened in December 2024, nabbed the Best Cannabis Dispensary nod in our annual readers poll.

GOODS from page 40

Best Jewelry store

Melby’s Jewelers

Best eyewear store

Shepard Eye Center

SANTA MARIA, LOMPOC, SANTA YNEZ VALLEY (805) 925-2637 info@shepardeye.com shepardeye.com @shepardeye2020 facebook.com/ShepardEyeCenter

1140 E. CLARK AVE., SUITE 190, SANTA MARIA (805) 925-1678 melbys.com @melbysjewelers facebook.com/Est1922

Best women’s clothing store

Deasee’s Boutique

1130 E. CLARK AVE., SUITE 120, ORCUTT (805) 332-3152

Best gift shoP

Wildflower Women & Sandbox Kids 3388 ORCUTT ROAD, ORCUTT (805) 922-9195

amber@wfwboutique.com wildflowerwomenboutique.com/sandbox-kids @wildflowerwomenboutique facebook.com/WildflowerWomenBoutique

Best cannaBis disPensary

Dr. Greenthumb’s Orcutt Cannabis Dispensary

deaseesboutique@gmail.com deaseesboutique.com @deaseesboutique facebook.com/DeaseesBoutique

1604 E. CLARK AVE., SUITE 101, ORCUTT (805) 866-4433

Best Place to Buy a wedding dress

Best cannaBis delivery service

Santa Maria Bridal

Golden State Remedies Dispensary Santa Maria

218 W. MAIN ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 925-5234 @santamariabridal

doctorgreenthumbs.com @drgreenthumbs

(805) 435-2727

info@goldenstateremedies.com goldenstateremedies.com

Thank You for Voting us The Best!

SANTA MARIA

ANTIQUE MALL

315 S. Broadway Orcutt 805-287-9599

42 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

coastvalleycremations.com CALL 1-805 801-1546

SERVING THE CENTRAL COAST LICENSE NO. FD-2374

THE

CENTRAL

COAST

CARPET • LVP/LVT • HARDWOOD • LAMINATE • AREA RUGS • TILE & STONE

FREE MEASURES • FREE ESTIMATES • ON-STAFF INSTALLERS

VOTED #1 FOR CARPET/FLOORING STORE 4TH YEAR IN A ROW! WE’RE TOUCHED

WE’RE HONORED

WE’RE HUMBLED

DreamHome

YOUR

S A N T A M A R I A . A B B E Y C A R P E T.C O M • 8 0 5 - 3 4 7 - 1 1 2 1 2 0 5 1 S . B R O A D WAY • S A N T A M A R I A WESTERN VILL AGE SHOPPING CENTER

AWA I TS

Carpet & Floor

LIC. 668152

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 43

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

Best Barber Shop

Chop Shop Barber Shop owner Bryce Rodriguez performs his art of cutting hair, and it’s on point.

s e c i v r e S Best Cleaning serviCe

K & K Cleaners and Alterations

2528 S. BROADWAY, NO. A, SANTA MARIA (805) 928-0140

facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571611254092#

Best l andsCaPe design ComPany

Nishimori Landscape & Design 807 S. BLOSSER ROAD, SANTA MARIA (805) 928-5756 nishimorild@aol.com nishimorilandscape.com

Best Home Painting serviCe

Flynn’s Painting

2885 INDUSTRIAL WAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 922-2343 flynnspainting.com

Best yard m aintenanCe serviCe

Cullen Landscaping (805) 878-9871

cullenlandscaping805@gmail.com @cullenlandscaping805 facebook.com/CullenLandscaping805

44 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

Best PlumBer

Arrow Plumbing Drain & Repair Service 320 E. OAK ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 346-1791

arrowplumbing805@gmail.com arrowplumbing805.com @arrowplumbing805 facebook.com/ArrowPlumbing805

Best eleCtriCian

meatheadmovers.com @meatheadmovers facebook.com/MeatheadMovers

Best Pest Control serviCe

Labans Professional Pest Services (805) 266-1911

labanspest@yahoo.com labansprofessionalpestservices.com @labansprofessionalpestservices facebook.com/LabansProfessionalPestServices

Power and Lighting Service

Best t ree t rimming serviCe

powerandlightingservice@gmail.com powerandlightingservice.com @powerandlightingservice facebook.com/PowerandLightingService

805-treeservice.com

(805) 621-6875

Best moving ComPany

Meathead Movers 3600 S. HIGUERA, SLO (805) 544-6328

customerservice@meatheadmovers.com

805 Tree Service (805) 215-7487

Best WindoW Cleaning serviCe

Royal Pane Window Cleaning (805) 878-2885

SERVICES continued page 46

Voted

Best Plumber Locally Owned & Operated Since 1991 We are hiring Skilled Plumbers

• Medical • Paid Vacation • 401k

arrowplumbing805@gmail.com

805-346-1791

Thank You! www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 45

SERVICES from page 44

royalpanewindowcleaning@yahoo.com @royalpanewindowclean_rpwc facebook.com/Royal.Pane.Window.Cleaning

Best Car Wash

Splash n’ Dash Car Wash SANTA MARIA, ORCUTT, BUELLTON (805) 937-3243

mbsplashman@gmail.com splashndashcarwash.com @splashndashcarwash facebook.com/SplashnDashCarWashSM

rizzolisautomotive.com @rizzolisautomotiveinc facebook.com/RizzolisAutomotive

Best sMog CheCk

Pat’s Automotive

931 S. BLOSSER ROAD, SANTA MARIA (805) 928-4515 patsautomotive.com facebook.com/people/ Pats-Automotive/61556719897531

Best aCCounting praCtiCe Best auto M aintenanCe/r epair

Pat’s Automotive

931 S. BLOSSER ROAD, SANTA MARIA (805) 928-4515 patsautomotive.com facebook.com/people/PatsAutomotive/61556719897531

Best oil Change

Rizzoli’s Automotive 1149 W. TAMA LANE, SANTA MARIA (805) 254-7127 karen@rizzolisautomotive.com

Dorothy J. Hamilton CPA

Scrub a Dub Dub

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

Mario Diaz (left) and Isaac Ochoa wash a car as it enters the Splash n’ Dash in Santa Maria.

With three locations in Santa Maria, one in Orcutt, and one in Buellton, the Best Car Wash is always close by.

314 E. CHAPEL ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 922-5805 admin@dorothyhamiltoncpa.net dorothyhamiltoncpa.net

Best l aW offiCe

Stephens & Stephens LLP 518 E. MAIN ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 922-1951 info@stephensfirm.com stephensfirm.com

Thank you for voting us Best Optometrist

NG EYE CARE Christopher K. Ng, OD 610 E. Chapel St. Santa Maria, CA 93455 (805) 928-2020

Eye Exams for all ages Eyewear, Contact Lenses, Accessories 46 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

Best insuranCe offiCe

Best loCal Bank/Credit union

Leavitt Coastal Valley

Community Bank of Santa Maria

2739 SANTA MARIA WAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 922-2900

info@yourcbsm.com yourcbsm.com @yourcbsm facebook.com/CommunityBankofSantaMaria

204 E. ENOS DRIVE, SUITE B, SANTA MARIA (805) 925-8607 leavitt.com/santamaria facebook.com/LeavittCoastal ValleySantaMaria

SERVICES continued page 48

Thank You for Voting Us ##11 USED CAR DEALER L&M Motors BUY • SELL • TRADE Frankie Maycotte 53 Years in Business

Visit us at: LandMMotors.net

527 Main St. Santa Maria

805-928-1545

THANKS FOR VOTING US BEST ORTHODONTIST! 9 Time Winner in Northern Santa Barbara County

Visit us at CentralCoastOrthodontics.com Unlock Your Best Smile with Digital Precision!

We’re Your Digital Orthodontic Experts!

Experience Fewer Visits with our “At-home Smile InSpechtor”

3D-Printed Brackets for Ultimate Personalization.

Central Coast’s Most Experienced Invisalign Doctor Step into the Future of Smiles with Us!

805-347-4444

1311 South Miller Street, Suite 201 Santa Maria

Free Consultation includes xrays and a 3D scan, Top invisalign provider means no mouth too complicated with the experience we have, Over 1,000 Google reviews Visit us on Facebook & Instagram www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 47

SERVICES from page 46

Best R eal estate Company

Era Polly Real Estate 200 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 938-7474

erapollyrealestate.com @erapollyrealestate facebook.com/EraPollyRealEstate

Best ChiRopRaCtiC offiCe

Anaya Chiropractic and Sports Injury 338 E. BETTERAVIA ROAD, SUITE D, SANTA MARIA (805) 925-9299

santamariachiro@gmail.com anayachiro.com facebook.com/profile.php?id=100042955407051

Best R eal estate agent

Liz Cuccia

1105 E. FOSTER ROAD, SUITE G, ORCUTT (805) 705-4587 liz@lizcucciarealestate.com lizcucciarealestate.com @liz_cuccia_real_estate facebook.com/LizCucciaRealEstate

Best DoCtoR’s offiCe

Orcutt Family Health Center

5075 S. BRADLEY ROAD, SUITE 131, SANTA MARIA (805) 332-8155

Always Smiling

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

Rizzoli’s Automotive Assistant Shop Manager Josue Castro is always ready to help and provide the Best Customer Service in North County along with the Best Oil Change, too.

dignityhealth.org

Best CustomeR seRviCe

Rizzoli’s Automotive 1149 W. TAMA LANE, SANTA MARIA (805) 254-7127 karen@rizzolisautomotive.com rizzolisautomotive.com @rizzolisautomotiveinc facebook.com/RizzolisAutomotive

Best oB-gyn offiCe

Elaine K. Yin, MD

220 S. PALISADE DRIVE, SUITE 203, SANTA MARIA 525 E. PLAZA DRIVE, SUITE 100, SANTA MARIA (805) 354-7102

ORCUT T PROVIDING FUEL & SERVICE TO ORCUTT FOR OVER 60 YEARS

Best peDiatRiC offiCe

Pediatric Medical Group of Santa Maria 1430 E. MAIN ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 922-3548

pmgsm.com facebook.com/p/Pediatric-Medical-Group-ofSanta-Maria-Inc-100063792439976

Best Dentist offiCe

Derek Ng DDS, Ng Dental Care

610 E. CHAPEL ST., SUITE A, SANTA MARIA (805) 928-0363 derekngdds@gmail.com ngdentalcare.com

SERVICES continued page 50

ANAYA CHIROPRACTIC & Sports Injury Center

Thank you to our community!

Thank you for

31 years to all of our wonderfull customers.

805-937-5340

100 E. Clark Avenue, Orcutt · Orcutt76.com 48 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

338 E. Betteravia Rd. Suite D, Santa Maria, CA (805) 925-9299 • www.anayachiro.com

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 49

SERVICES from page 48

Best charter schOOL Best OrthOdOntist Office

Central Coast Orthodontics

1311 S. MILLER ST., NO. 201, SANTA MARIA (805) 347-4444

reception@centralcoastorthodontics.com centralcoastorthodontics.com/santa-maria-office facebook.com/CentralCoastOrthodontics

Orcutt Academy Charter School 610 PINAL AVE., ORCUTT (805) 938-8550

contactus@orcutt-schools.net orcuttschools.net/orcutt-academy facebook.com/Orcutt-Union-SchoolDistrict-747370015312341

Best veterinary cLinic Best OptOmetry Office

Ng Eyecare

610 E. CHAPEL ST., SUITE C, SANTA MARIA (805) 928-2020

Best seniOr Living cOmmunity

Hummel Village Senior Residence 4468 HUMMEL DRIVE, NO. 106, ORCUTT (805) 937-2021 office@hummelvillage.com hummelvillage.com

All Valley Pet Hospital 230 E. BETTERAVIA ROAD, SUITE A, SANTA MARIA (805) 922-0305

allvalleypethospital@gmail.com vetsantamariaarea.com @allvalleypethospital facebook.com/profile.php?id=100043602356033

Best pLace tO pamper yOur pet

TIE: Lemos Feed & Pet Supply

SANTA MARIA, SOLVANG, LOMPOC, NIPOMO (805) 925-6606 info@lemospet.com

Group Work

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

It takes everyone on the team to do what Community Bank of Santa Maria does—“Santa Maria style banking” that aims to meet the needs of the community by implementing the vision of its founders, Jim Glines and Bill Hares. No wonder it’s the Best Local Bank/Credit Union.

(805) 934-8682

lemospet.com @lemospet805 facebook.com/LemosPet805

sheila@insparations1.com insparations1.com @insparationssalon facebook.com/InSPArationsSalonandSpa

TIE: Doggie Parlour 125 W. CHAPEL ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 922-1218

Best naiL saLOn

Best h air saLOn

238 BETTERAVIA ROAD, SUITE B, SANTA MARIA (805) 346-6466

Lotus Nails Lounge & Spa

@doggieparlour_sm facebook.com/DoggieParlour

InSPArations

lotusnailsloungespa@gmail.com

130 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT

SERVICES continued page 52

2025 Best Real Estate Company!

Thank you for voting for us. We are deeply honored.

• 32+ years serving the entire Central Coast

• Celebrating 25 years & the longest standing Real Estate office in Old Town Orcutt

• Experienced, knowledgeable & top notch seasoned professionals • Helping to make big moves with a personal touch • Residential, Commercial, Investment, Lots & Land

200 E. Clark Ave

Located in Old Town Orcutt

(805) 938-7474

www.EraPollyRealEstate.com

FROM MOBILE HOMES TO MANSIONS, WE ARE SELLING THE CENTRAL COAST! 50 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

Thank you for voting us Best Dentist in Northern Santa Barbara County three years in a row!

Scan Me

731 S. LINCOLN ST, SANTA MARIA, CA 93458 l 805-928-0363

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 51

SERVICES from page 50

lotusnailssantamaria.com @lotusnails_santamaria facebook.com/LotusNails LoungeSpa

Best Place for skin care

InSPArations

130 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 934-8682

sheila@insparations1.com insparations1.com @insparationssalon facebook.com/InSPArationsSalonandSpa

Best tanning salon

Bikini’s Optional

2043 S. BROADWAY, SANTA MARIA (805) 346-1155 @bikinisoptional805 facebook.com/BikinisOptional

Best Place to get a Massage

Orcutt Massage

4869 S. BRADLEY ROAD, SUITE 111, SANTA MARIA 3420 ORCUTT ROAD, SUITE 105, SANTA MARIA (805) 287-9924 orcuttmassage2010@gmail.com orcuttmassage.com facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069067222681

Best BarBer shoP

Chop Shop Barber Shop 118 E. DONOVAN ROAD, SUITE B, SANTA MARIA (805) 314-1710

Best housing DeveloPer

Coastal Community Builders

330 JAMES WAY, NO. 270, PISMO BEACH (805) 556-7321 sales@ccb1.net coastalcommunitybuilders.com @ccb_newhomes facebook.com/CoastalCommunityBuilders

Best nonProfit

Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria

k01035.site.kiwanis.org @smkiwanis facebook.com/KiwanisSantaMaria SERVICES continued page 54

Thank You for Voting Power and Lighting Service the BEST Electrician in ALL of Northern Santa Barbara County!

The Bright Choice for ALL Your Electrical Needs.

(805) 621-3731 • (805) 550-8647 powerandlightingservice.com

Thank You...x3!

Best of Northern Santa Barbara County:

www.LemosPet.com

Best Feed Supply Store Best Pet Supply Store Best Place to Pamper Your Pet

52 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

THANK YOU FOR VOTING CCB BEST HOUSING DEVELOPER!

Find Your Dream Home From Studios to Three-Bedroom Homes, We Have a Home for Every Stage of Life.

Discover Bellecrest, our thoughtfully crafted 55+ gated community in Santa Maria, designed for ease, connection, and peace of mind. Or explore Hill Street Terraces in Nipomo, offering single-family homes with a quaint neighborhood feel.

You can also enjoy Grover Beach’s vibrant West End with modern condos and townhomes close to shopping, dining, and the coast. With options to fit your lifestyle, you’ll find comfort, style, and a place that feels just right.

Visit CCB.Homes or call 805.556.7321 Connect with our sales experts to find your perfect next home!

DRE #01266964

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 53

MOST HELPFUL

BEST ORTHODONTIST

O

wned and founded by orthodontist Dr. Kirk Specht, Central Coast Orthodontics has helped thousands of patients in need of braces or other alignment services since it first opened in Santa Maria in 1995. The clinic’s win in our poll’s Best Orthodontist category this year closely aligns with its 30th anniversary celebration, set for Friday, Aug. 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. Over the past three decades, Specht has felt “really blessed with great team members,” he recently told the Sun. Originally from the Napa Valley, Specht said that he considered moving to a handful of areas before landing on Santa Maria as a great spot to start his practice. “There’s no place like the Central Coast,” he said.

—Caleb Wiseblood

Thank you for your continued support over the years!

Thank you for voting us

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Best Person Behind the Badge

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Chief of Police nk Christopher Williams

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805-928-0140

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Best Place to Volunteer

Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria

k01035.site.kiwanis.org @smkiwanis facebook.com/KiwanisSantaMaria

(805) 928-3781

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SERVICES from page 52

Lic. # 610659 Tel: 805-928-5756 www.nishimorilandscape.com

rn the Nor n i L TRO row!

ON y!

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BEST

Central Coast Orthodontics

Best take-it-to-t he-M an local actiVist

Andy Caldwell

P.O. BOX 7523, SANTA MARIA

andy@colabsbc.org theandycaldwellshow.com facebook.com/The-Andy-Caldwell-Show-97490963436

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Thank You for Voting for Voting Us BEST PEST CONTROL in Northernfor Voting Us BEST PEST CONTROL in Northern Santa Barbara County 3 years in a row!

Santa Barbara County 3 years in a row!

Thank You

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the #1 # 1 Moving Moving Company in Northern Northern Santa Barbara Barbara County County!!

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54 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 55

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

Stance, Form, Follow-Through Nick Petrone readies himself to smash a drive off the first tee at the Best Golf Course in Northern Santa Barbara County, according to our readers. Rancho Santa Maria Golf Club is located off Highway 1, southwest of Santa Maria.

n o i t a e r c Re Best HealtH CluB/Gym

Best Golf Course

Western Village Health Club

Rancho Maria Golf Course

2015 S. BROADWAY, SUITE B, SANTA MARIA (805) 348-1888

sadiegwvhealthclub@gmail.com wvhealthclub.com @westernvillage_official facebook.com/WesternVillageHealthClub

1950 HIGHWAY 1, SANTA MARIA (805) 937-2019

ranchomariagolfshop@gmail.com ranchomariagolf.com @ranchomariagolf facebook.com/RanchoMariaGolf

Best Hotel or r esort

Wine Stone Inn 255 W. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 332-3532

Best Hike

Orcutt Hills ORCUTT HILL ROAD (805) 568-2460

countyofsb.org/898/Orcutt-Hills @countyfosb facebook.com/countyofsb

orcuttwinestone@gmail.com winestoneinn.com @winestoneinn facebook.com/ WineStoneInn

Grace Riding Academy

Best

isabella@graceridingacademy.com graceridingacademy.com @grace_riding_academy_llc facebook.com/GraceRidingAcademy

stayCation

Wine Stone Inn 255 W. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 332-3532

orcuttwinestone@gmail.com winestoneinn.com @winestoneinn facebook.com/ WineStoneInn

Best HorseBaCk r idinG 930 E. CLARK AVE., ORCUTT (805) 268-7630

Best doG Park

WOOF Pac Dog Park at Waller Park 300 GOODWIN ROAD, SANTA MARIA (805) 568-2460

contact@sbparks.org countyofsb.org/parks/day-use/waller.sbc facebook.com/SBcoParks RECREATION continued page 58

56 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

Thank you for voting us BEST PEDIATRIC OFFICE

in Northern Santa Barbara County!

WE TAKE PRIDE IN CARING for both the physical and emotional needs of your child.

Our team at Pediatric Medical Group is dedicated to the health and well-being of your child. Whether you have an infant, preschooler, or teenager, we work closely with parents to make sure that our care meets their children’s personal needs.

Call to schedule your child’s well exam today.

Dr. Ryan Leachman, DO, MDA

Dr. Joseph Nunez, MD

Dr. Shane Rostermundt, DO

Lynn Peltier, CPNP Dr. Michele Kielty, DO

Jessica Prather, CNP

1430 E. Main St. Santa Maria, Ca

www.pmgsm.com

805-922-3548

Monday - Saturday

Geronna Leonards, NP

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 57

From the booth to the dance floor —

YOU made this happen!

Staycate

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

Pismo Beach has given itself a facelift in recent years, including the refurbished pier, these gigantic letters at its entryway, new hotels, and upscale restaurants. Our readers voted the city that still retains its California beach berg charm as the Best Day Trip around.

Thank you f

or voting

RECREATION from page 56

Best Bike shop

Best Day t rip

Main Street Cycles

Pismo Beach

581 DOLLIVER ST., PISMO BEACH (VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER) (805) 556-7397

Best DJ in Northern Santa Barbara County!

pbcity@pismobeach.org experiencepismobeach.com @pismobeachca facebook.com/PismoBeachCa

311 E. MAIN ST., SANTA MARIA (805) 922-5577 Info@mainstreetcycles.com mainstreetcycles.com @mainstreetcycles facebook.com/MainStreet CyclesSantaMaria

AWARD-WINNING IMPACT STARTS WITH YOU!

DOUBLE WINNER!

Thanks to your votes, we're Santa Maria's Best Nonprofit and Best Nonprofit to Volunteer With!

From scholarships for local students to beds for children in need, from feeding families to supporting our homeless neighbors – we're making a difference together, one child and one community at a time.

Ready to multiply your impact? Join the Kiwanis family where your time, talents, and heart create real change for local children and families.

58 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

WHEN: Thursdays, 12:00-1:30 PM WHERE: Minami Community Center, 600 Enos, Santa Maria WHO: YOU! (All community members welcome) CONNECT WITH US: santamariakiwanis.org Facebook: KiwanisSantaMaria Instagram: @KiwanisSantaMaria #IAmKiwanis #ServingChildren #CommunityStrong

Hot Stuff

10-DAY CALENDAR: AUGUST 21 - AUGUST 31, 2025

INSIDE SCOOP

Photographer William Neill will lead an artist-directed gallery tour at the California Nature Art Museum in Solvang on Sunday, Aug. 31, from 4 to 5 p.m., where attendees can learn more about his exhibit, Yosemite: Sanctuary in Stone. The community will have a chance to also ask questions about the park, his creative process, and his time being mentored by Ansel Adams and other fine art photographers of the area. The tour is free for CalNAM members, and $5 for nonmembers. Visit calnatureartmuseum.org for more details.

—Angie Stevens PHOTO COURTESY OF ANGIE STEVENS

ARTS SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS

17 RACCOONS….OR IT’S A REALLY LONG STORY There are only three chances to see this show! Watch it live and get tickets at the link. Aug. 22, 7 p.m., Aug. 23, 7 p.m. and Aug. 24, 7 p.m. $17.91. my805tix. com. Santa Maria Civic Theatre, 1660 N. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

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. Klein Dance Arts, 3558 Skyway Drive, suite A, Santa Maria.

THE CEMETERY CLUB This comedy follows a group of widows who visit their husbands’ graves monthly until one day they meet a handsome widower at the cemetery. Fridays, Saturdays, 7-9:15 p.m. and Sundays, 4-6:15 p.m. through Aug. 31 $20. (805) 268-5969. orcuttcommunitytheater.com. Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt.

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/.

SONGS FOR NOBODIES An unforgettable one-woman tour-de-force that celebrates the universal truth that everybody has a story—and a song—worth hearing.

Aug. 21, 7-9:30 p.m., Aug. 22, 7-9 p.m. and Aug. 23, 1:30-4 & 7-9:30 p.m. Starting at $25. (805)922-8313. pcpa.org/events/ songs-for-nobodies. PCPA: The Pacific Conservatory Theatre, 800 S. College, 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 VALLE Y

6-WEEK ADULT INTERMEDIATE ACRYLIC COURSE Enjoy this follow-up class to our 6-week beginner acrylic painting class. This is only available to returning students who have completed a four, five, or six-week beginner course. Wednesdays, 6-8:30 p.m. through Sept. 24 $285. (805) 325-8092. artspotonwheels.com. Art Spot on Wheels, 320 Alisal Road, unit 306B, Solvang.

6-WEEK BEGINNER WATERCOLOR CLASS Join our Beginner Watercolor class and learn the basic techniques, fundamentals of composition, and color theory! Tuesdays, 1-3:30 p.m. through Sept. 23 $285. (805) 325-8092. artspotonwheels.com. Art Spot on Wheels, 320 Alisal Road, unit 306B, Solvang.

GALLERY TOUR WITH YOSEMITE PHOTOGRAPHER WILLIAM NEILL Attendees will learn more about the exhibition from the show’s solo photographer as well as the park, his process, and his time with Ansel Adams.

Aug. 31, 4-5 p.m. calnatureartmuseum. org. California Nature Art Museum, 1511-B Mission Dr., Solvang.

PAINTING IN THE VINEYARD AT BRANDER WINERY Join us at the Brander Vineyard, for an afternoon of wine tasting and capturing the beauty of the landscape on canvas! Aug. 30, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $89. artspotonwheels.com. The Brander Vineyard, 2401 N Refugio Rd., Los Olivos.

RHAPSODY IN HUE ARTISTS NEIL ANDERSSON AND VICKI ANDERSEN Vicki Andersen and Neil Andersson are set to return for a duo show at Gallery Los Olivos. See their display, “Rhapsody in Hue” until August 31. Mondays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Aug. 31 (805) 688-7517.

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

SOMETHING ROTTEN Blends sixteenthcentury wit with twenty-first-century Broadway flair to prove that stardom requires kicking up your heels and staying true to yourself. Thursdays-Sundays, 8-10 p.m. through Aug. 23 Starting at $25. (805)922-8313. pcpa.org/events/ something-rotten-solvang. Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang.

SONGS FOR NOBODIES An unforgettable one-woman tour-de-force that celebrates the universal truth that everybody has a story—and a song—worth hearing.

Thursdays-Sundays, 8-10 p.m. through Sept. 7 Starting at $25. (805) 922-8313. pcpa.org/events/songs-for-nobodiessolvang. Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang.

YOSEMITE: SANCTUARY IN STONE A solo exhibition by award-winning nature and landscape photographer William Neill. Through Sept. 1 California Nature Art Museum, 1511-B Mission Dr., Solvang, calnatureartmuseum.org.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

ARTISAN MARKET ON THE ARROYO GRANDE MESA Join the 2nd annual Artisan Market, featuring 20 local artists. Enjoy the peaceful lakeside patio setting at Fit Forever Gym in Cypress Ridge. Aug. 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (805) 720-0582. FItForever Gym (Outdoor Lakeside Garden Patio), 1080 Cypress Ridge Parkway, Arroyo Grande.

DANCE FITNESS ART AND CULTURE

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

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

Contact Calendar Editor Angelena Stevens directly at astevens@newtimesslo.com.

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.

FREE MOVIE NIGHT IN THE SECRET GARDEN: I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER (1997) Bring a blanket, grab your favorite Secret Garden snacks, and settle in for this feel-good road trip full of fierce fashion, big laughs, and even bigger heart. Aug. 22, 8 p.m. Free. my805tix.com.

The Secret Garden at Sycamore Mineral Springs, 1215 Avila Beach Dr., Avila Beach, (805) 595-7302.

FRIENDS OF THE ARROYO GRANDE LIBRARY ART AUCTION The first ever art auction fundraiser for Friends of the AG Library is now live. Includes work by local artist Ellen November. Every 30 days, 9 a.m. (310) 384-6912. app.galabid.com/ aglibrary/items. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

GREAT AMERICAN MELODRAMA: 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECTACULAR Full of songs, dance, and comedy to celebrate the milestone, with loads of opportunities to boo and cheer. Through Sept. 20 americanmelodrama.com. Great American Melodrama, 1863 Front St., Oceano.

IMPROV YOUR LIFE This fun applied improvisation class helps participants tap into their creativity through interactive exercises that build confidence, reduce stress, and ease social anxiety. Fourth Sunday of every month, 6-7:30 p.m. through Aug. 24 $15. (805) 556-8495. improvforgood. fun/. Women’s Club of Arroyo Grande, 211 Vernon St., Arroyo Grande.

WORKSHOPS AND MORE AT THE LAVRA Check the venue’s calendar for storytelling

INDEX Arts......................................59 Culture & Lifestyle ..........60 Food & Drink .....................62 Music ..................................62

workshops, lectures, movie nights, and discussions held on a periodic basis. ongoing thelavra.org/home. The Lavra, 2070 E. Deer Canyon Road, Arroyo Grande.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

ALES FOR TAILS: COMEDY SHOW BENEFITING LOCAL ANIMAL RESCUES Join for a hilarious evening of comedy and good drinks at Humdinger Brewing, featuring the talented Leah Bonnema, who has performed for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Don’t Tell Comedy, along with Comedy Store regulars and local comics. The show’s net proceeds to benefit Atlas Animal Rescue and Shiloh’s Animal Rescue. Aug. 29, 8-10 p.m. $28.62. my805tix.com. Humdinger Brewing (SLO), 855 Capitolio Way, suite 1, San Luis Obispo, (805) 781-9974.

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.

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

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

DEANNA BARAHONA California artist Deanna Barahona’s work centers her lived experiences, identity, and personal objects in intimate and domestic spaces through the creation of sculpture, and installation. Through Aug. 31, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 543-8562. sloma.org/ exhibition/deanna-barahona/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

DEYODANCES: TWO FREE PERFORMANCES Be swept away by Deyodances! Enjoy professional concert dance. Choreographer Lisa Deyo will blend ballet, jazz, modern, and musical theater to make human stories. Aug. 23, 7-9 p.m. and Aug. 24, 2-4 p.m. Free. (805) 540-1081. deyodances.com. Spanos Theatre, Cal Poly, 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.

IMPROV EXTRAVAGANZA AT THE BUNKER Cheer on your favorite teams, or discover new ones, in this show of backto-back sets of spontaneous storytelling, wild characters, and big laughs. Aug. 28, 6:15-8 p.m. $13. my805tix.com. The Bunker SLO, 810 Orcutt Road, 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.

MOBILE CLAY CLASSES Offering handbuilding, throwing, and ceramic decorative arts. All ages and abilities are welcome. Call for more info. ongoing (805) 835-5893. hmcruceceramics.com/bookonline. SLO County, San Luis Obispo.

PAINTING PRE-MADE POTTERY Variety of pieces to choose from including mugs, bowls, jars, animals, and wall hangings.

Priced by size. Paint and pick up once fired in kiln. Mondays, Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. through Aug. 31 app.acuityscheduling. com/schedule.php?owner=22676824&ap pointmentType=category:Paint%20a%20 Pre-Made%20Pottery%20Piece%21. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

ARTS continued page 60

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 59

Hot Stuff ARTS from page 59 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.

STORYTELLING USING MARKER AND INK PENS WITH JASON KNOX Come with your ideas and Jason will guide you as you bring your characters and story to life in an illustrated book! Wednesdays, 4-5:30 p.m. through Aug. 27 $25. (805) 471-8189. i0.wp.com/artcentralslo.com/wp-content/ uploads/2025/04/Storytelling-wMarkers-and-Ink-Knox-Wednesdays-1. jpg?fit=1275%2C1650&ssl=1. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

THURSDAY NIGHT IMPROV AT THE BUNKER Join for a night of unscripted mayhem as Off the Cuff and the Ensemble join forces and take the stage as one.

“Expect scenes that escalate way too fast, chaotic characters, questionable choices, and very real laughter — all made up on the spot based on your weird suggestions.” Aug. 21, 6:15-8 p.m. $12.56. my805tix.com. The Bunker SLO, 810 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo.

TRISH ANDERSEN Combining fibers gathered from field, sheep, and those developed in a factory, Andersen proves that there is always room for both the vibrant and muted. Through Sept. 14, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 543-8562. sloma. org/exhibition/trish-andersen/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

NORTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

Focus. Flexibility. Determination.

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.

MICHAEL JOHNSTON SHOWS HER FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY IN GALLERY AT MARINA SQUARE Michael Johnston loves horses, traveling, exploring, and nature itself. Her camera captures what she sees, and brings them home for you. Through Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay. PROOF See the production, Proof , at By The Sea Productions. Get more information at the link. Fridays-Sundays, through Aug. 24 $28. my805tix.com. By The Sea Productions, 545 Shasta Ave., Morro Bay. SAVE CUESTA INLET - ART SHOW FUNDRAISER Save Cuesta Inlet, inc. 501c3 is in escrow to acquire over 14 acres of tidal wetlands in Los Osos. Join the art show fundraiser, as your support makes a difference. We are halfway to our goal!

Aug. 23, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. (805) 903-2210. facebook.com/SaveCuestaInlet22/. Sea Pines Golf Resort, 1945 Solano St., Los Osos.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE Learn all the health benefits of Ballet.

Call today!

Class Size Limited – Sign Up NOW! All dance skill levels welcome · Classes for ages 2–adult New Beginning Pointe class

Everybody Can Dance

800 S. Broadway, Santa Maria

(805) 345-5570

everybodycandance.webs.com FIND US ON FACEBOOK 60 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS

DAY OF HOPE 2025 Hundreds of volunteers will take to the streets through the SM Valley during Day of Hope, a fundraiser to benefit local cancer patients.

Join in, and get more info at the link. Aug. 27, 7 a.m.-noon Free. (805) 739-3595. supportmarianmedical.org/dayofhope.

Marian Regional Medical Center, 1400 E. Church St., Santa Maria.

DAY OF HOPE CAR SHOW Join the Day of Hope Car Show with proceeds to benefit patients with cancer at Mission Hope Cancer Center in Santa Maria.

Aug. 23, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (805) 739-3595. supportmarianmedical.rallybound.org/ day-of-hope-2025/Static/car-show.

Mission Hope Cancer Center, 1325 East Church 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.

AUGUST 21 - AUGUST 31, 2025 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.

JUNK JOURNAL BOOK CLUB Combine the love of crafting and reading! The Book for August is Welcome to the HyunamDong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum.

Registration is required, and the club is for patrons 18 and older. Aug. 23, 3-4:30 p.m.

Free. (805) 925-0994. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

SANTA MARIA TOASTMASTERS Develop your public speaking skills at this club meeting. Fourth Tuesday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m. (805) 570-0620. Santa Maria Airport, 3217 Terminal Drive, Santa Maria.

QI GONG: MINDFUL MOVEMENTS FOR LESS STRESS AND MORE ENERGY Balance your mind, body, and spirit with Qi Gong — gentle stretching and strengthening movements that promotes physical wellbeing and inner peace. This is geared towards all fitness levels and ages.

Mondays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. $14 per class or $55 for 5-class card. (805) 440-4561. balancedlivingayurveda.com. Shell Beach Veterans Memorial Building, 230 Leeward Ave., Pismo Beach.

RESILIENCE SOUND JOURNEY / ONCOLOGY CARE Join for a soothing, nourishing, and revitalizing Sound Journey experience facilitated by Dee DiGioia of Mindful Kindful YOUniversity. Each Sound Journey—also known as a Sound Bath— offers a gentle, immersive experience featuring a soothing soundscape created by crystal and metal singing bowls, SANTA YNEZ VALLE Y chimes, gongs, and other therapeutic ALMA ROSA MOVIE NIGHT UNDERTHE instruments. More information is available STARS See this special screening of at the link. Aug. 22, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free.

Sideways at Alma Rosa’s estate in the my805tix.com. Arroyo Grande Adventist heart of the Sta. Rita Hills, while enjoying Church, 240 Vernon Ave., Arroyo Grande, wines and classic movie snacks under (805) 489-6622. the stars! Aug. 22, 7-10 p.m. $10. (805) 691-9395. almarosawinery.com. Alma Rosa SYCAMORE DOG DAY WITH NOVY’S ARK Stop by and bring you dogs for National Estate, 7250 Santa Rosa Road, Buellton.

THE SANCTUARY A collective gatheringMUSICDog Day! Join for a tail-waggin’ good time with our friends from Novy’s Ark! RSVP and where wellness, growth, and positivity come together. Join for a day of inspiration get more info at the link. Aug. 24, 1-3 p.m.

Free. my805tix.com. The Secret Garden at and enjoy workshops, intuitives, FLAVOR/EATS Sycamore Mineral Springs, 1215 Avila Beach shopping, raffles and more. Aug. 24, Dr., Avila Beach, (805) 595-7302.

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (805) 325-3045. http:thesanctuarysyv.com. Craft House at INFO SAN LUIS OBISPO Corque, 420 Alisal Road, Solvang.

BEYOND MINDFULNESS Realize your potential through individualized CALENDAR meditation instruction with an experienced teacher via Zoom. This class is for those who wish to begin a practice Send event information to calendar@ OPINION or seek to deepen an existing one. Flexible santamariasun.com. days and times. Certified with IMTA. Email or text for information. Mondays-Sundays, NEWS 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sliding scale. (559) 905SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y 9274. theartofsilence.net. Online, See BEGINNING BALLET FOR ADULTS Enjoy website, San Luis Obispo. the grace and flow of ballet. No previous STROKES BIRDS & BEES INQUIRE, “BUT DO experience needed. Wednesdays, 5:15-6:15 HUMANS DO IT? - GITA KOLLURU We’ll p.m. $12 drop-in; $40 for four classes. review how Charles Darwin originally (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach ARTS explained animal mating behavior, and Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., how our views have evolved since, and Grover Beach. later explore how and why understanding BODY FUSION/EXERCISE AND FITNESS the sex lives of other creatures helps us CLASS Do something good for yourself better understand our own. Come see why and stay fit for outdoor sports, while her “Biology of Sex” class has become enhancing flexibility, strengthening one of the most popular on the Cal Poly your core to prevent lower back issues, campus. During this course, you will see improving your posture through yoga, filmed scenes of non-human animals and more. Tuesdays, Thursdays, 9-10:30 mating and hear discussion about sex in a.m. Free. (970) 710-1412. Avila Beach animals including humans. If this makes Community Center, 191 San Miguel St., you uncomfortable, this course may not be Avila Beach, avilabeachcc.com. appropriate for you. Aug. 27, 1-3 p.m. $12. my805tix.com. Oddfellows Hall, 520 Dana DONATION-BASED YOGA FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, EMTS, AND Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 544-0876.

CARETAKERS Class schedule varies.

CAL HOPE SLO GROUPS AT TMHA Visit Contact empoweryoga805@gmail website for full list of weekly Zoom groups for details and reservations. ongoing available. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, (805) 619-0989. empoweryoga805.com.

Fridays calhopeconnect.org. Transitions Empower Yoga Studio and Community Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, Boutique, 775 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach. San Luis Obispo, (805) 270-3346.

FAMILYTOOLS+ SUPPORT GROUP – DAILY QIGONG PRACTICE For YOUTHWELL This event is for parents the early riser or commuter, every and caregivers of youth, ages 5 to 18, with weekday morning. Maintain or improve ADHD, dyslexia, autism, Tourette’s, and concentration, balance, and flexibility. uniquely-wired brains. Thursdays, 12-1:30 Includes weekly Friday 3 p.m. class p.m. through Aug. 29 Free. (805) 770-1930. with more practices. Led by certified youthwell.org/groups/. SBCC Wake Center, Awareness Through Movement teacher.

300 N Turnpike, Santa Barbara.

Mondays-Saturdays, 6:10 a.m. and Fridays, MULTICULTURAL DANCE CLASS 3 p.m. $35/week or $125/month. (646) FOR ADULTS Experience dance from 280-5800. margotschaal.com/qigong. continents around the earth, including Online, See website, San Luis Obispo. from Africa, Europe, and more. Described FIGHT NIGHT VIII - PRESENTED BY as “a wonderful in-depth look at the BEATDOWN PROMOTIONS Enjoy an context and history of cultures of the unforgettable evening, featuring fighters world.” Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. $10 dropbattling it out in the octagon. Watch in; $30 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. top-tier athletes showcase their skills, grover.org. Grover Beach Community strength, and strategy in an actionCenter, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach. packed lineup of bouts. Enjoy the ultimate QI GONG FOR LESS STRESS AND MORE fight night experience with VIP tickets, ENERGY Experience the energy of Qi Gong including premium seating, exclusive through simple standing movements access, and complimentary refreshments. promoting flexibility, strength, relaxation, This event is proudly supported by local and increased energy. Suitable for all ages businesses, ensuring a communityand fitness levels, Qi Gong revitalizes centric atmosphere that everyone will and enriches your life. An outdoor class enjoy. Tickets and more info can be found overlooking the ocean. Wednesdays, at the link. Aug. 29, 5 p.m. $39.34-$71.47.

4-5 p.m. $14 per class or $55 for 5-class my805tix.com. Madonna Expo Center, 100 card with no expiration. (805) 440-4561.

Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo. pismobeach.org. Margo Dodd Gazebo, CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 62 Ocean Park Blvd., Shell Beach.

Spread the word!

Noon ‘til 4pm

2025 FREE

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Saturday

WE LC OME TO T HE S O U N D T R A C K OF F REEDOM

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Sept 1

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Management reserves the right to change or cancel promotions and events at any time without notice. Must be 21 or older. Gambling problem? Call 1.800.GAMBLER. ©2025 Chumash Casino Resort.

AUG 1 - 23

AUG 14 - 23

Solvang Festival Theater

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AUG 28 - SEP 7

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www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 61

Hot Stuff

AUGUST 21 - AUGUST 31, 2025 PHOTO COURTESY OF ARTSPOTONWHEELS

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE from page 60 ALL TICKETS. ONE PLACE.

ON SALE NOW!

CAMBRIA NIGHT LIVE

Aug. 22 to Aug. 31 • 7:00 pm Cambria Vets Hall, Cambria Presented by:

CAMBRIA LIONS CLUB TICKETS AVAILABLE AT

MY805TIX.COM Does your organization sell tickets?

Get more exposure and sell more tickets with a local media partner. Call 805-546-8208 for more info.

Adoptable Pets of the Week

Bruno

Age: 2 years, 8 months

Breed: Mixed Breed (Medium)

Sex: Male Weight: 36 lbs.

Campus: Santa Maria

Soba

Age: 1 year, 4 months

Breed: Domestic

Shorthair Sex: Female Weight: 11 lbs.

Campus: Santa Barbara All animals are health checked, spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.

FROZEN IN TIME – A ROYAL FUNDRAISER There will be a Frozen live show, with an enchanting performance from Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff, along with a Royal Meet & Greet with the beloved princesses Ariel, Cinderella, and Belle.

All tickets are a donation to support those who need our help, through the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. “This isn’t just a party - it’s a chance to teach our children the power of kindness and community. As we come together in joy, we also honor the preciousness of life and share love with families who need it most.” Aug. 24, 3-4:30 p.m. $33.98. my805tix.com. Madonna Inn, 100 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo.

HEALING DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP A safe place to share feelings of depression with those who suffer and those who have recovered to a full, healthy outlook on life. Mondays, 6-7 p.m. Free. (805) 528-3194. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo.

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.

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.

SLO OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY This free event brings our community together to learn more about overdose, how to prevent it, and to remember those we’ve lost. Aug. 30, 12-3 p.m.

Free. sloendoverdose.org/. Mitchell Park, 1445 Santa Rosa St., 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.

TOUR THE HISTORIC OCTAGON BARN CENTER The Octagon Barn, built in 1906, has a rich history that The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County looks forward to sharing with visitors. Please RSVP. Fourth Sunday of every month, 2-2:45 & 3-3:45 p.m. Tours are free; donations are appreciated. Octagon Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis Obispo, (805) 544-9096, octagonbarn.org.

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.

TRANS* YOUTH PEER SUPPORT GROUP This group is a safe place for trans* and gender non-conforming people, as well as those questioning, from ages of 11 to 18. A facilitated emotional support group to be heard, share your story, and hear stories that may sound surprisingly like your own. Fourth Tuesday of every month, 6-8 p.m. Free. GALA Pride and Diversity Center, 1060 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 541-4252.

NORTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

1687 West Stowell Road (Santa Maria)

(805) 964-4777 • sbhumane.org Adoption Center Hours are:

12:00-4:30pm, every day except Wed. AD PROVIDED BY

(805) 878-0807

CCSPA MOVIE NIGHT - OUT THERE: A NATIONAL PARKS STORY Join CCSPA for their 2nd screening of the award-winning feature documentary Out There: A National Park Story.

The film follows a 10,000-mile road trip through America’s national parks, as the filmmaker and his childhood friend share inspiring stories of the incredible people they meet along the way.

Aug. 25, 5:30 p.m. $17.91. my805tix.com. Bay Theatre, 464 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay. 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

62 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

VINEYARD CANVAS

A Painting in the Vineyard class will take place on Saturday, Aug. 30, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Brander Vineyard in Los Olivos.

Participants can grab a glass of wine and take their canvas into the field, using the sprawling vineyard landscape as artistic inspiration.

The event falls on Brander Vineyard’s 50th Anniversary Open House Weekend, celebrating 50 years since Fred Brander first planted vines in the area. Tickets to the class are $89 each. For more information, head to artspotonwheels.com.

—A.S. Catholic Church, 962 Piney Way, Morro Bay, (805) 772-2840, sttimothymorrobay.org.

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

Free. thecambriaconnection.org/. Cambria Connection, 1069 Main St., Cambria, (805) 927-1654.

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/.

THE KINDNESS COALITION PRESENTS: AN EVENING OF SURF II Enjoy an evening of surf and earth inspired films, music, refreshments, and prizes. There will be live music accompanied by silent surf footage, and the films Trashman, Para Siempre Coco, and The Road to Patagonia will be screened. Aug. 24, 5:30 p.m. $23.27. my805tix.com. Bay Theatre, 464 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay.

FOOD & DRINK

SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS

BAR TAKEOVER THURSDAYS Join us Thursdays to meet and chat with the winemaker of the flight we’re featuring that week. Thursdays, 4-7:30 p.m. $15-$30. (805) 623-5129. Steller’s Cellar, 400 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt, stellerscellar.com.

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY Head to Food Truck Friday, with wine bottle specials and local food trucks every Friday at the Wine Stone Inn. Fridays, 4-9 p.m. through April 24 Free. (805) 332-3532. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, winestoneinn.com/.

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

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

FRIDAY NIGHT FUN Karaoke with DJ Nasty.

With Beer Bucket specials. Kitchen stays open

late. Come out and sing your favorite song.

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

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

SIPPIN’ SUNDAYS Every Sunday, come cozy up inside the tasting room and listen to great artists. Sundays, 1-4 p.m. Free. (805) 937-8463. cottonwoodcanyon.com. Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard And Winery, 3940 Dominion Rd, Santa Maria.

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

TAP THURSDAY Head to Tap Thursdays at the Wine Stone Inn every week, featuring $5 draft beers and $5 Cava’s. Thursdays, 3-9 p.m. through April 16 Free. (805) 332-3532.

Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, 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.

WINE BINGO WEDNESDAYS Join Wine Bingo Wednesday at the Wine Stone Inn –– the original bingo night in Old Orcutt. The event will occur weekly with the purchase of an adult beverage. Wednesdays, 5-8 p.m. through April 29 (805) 332-3532. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, winestoneinn.com/.

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.

MUSIC

SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS

GRATEFUL TRIBUTE FESTIVAL: THE ALLIGATORS Head to The Stockyard BLAST & BREW -for a special daytime show, with two full sets of the early Grateful Dead era!! Aug. 30, 1-5 p.m. $15. my805tix.com. Blast 825 Brewery, 241 S. Broadway St., Orcutt, (805) 934-3777.

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.

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 AND FOOD BY LOBO BUTCHER SHOP Check out live music every Friday night from a variety of artists at Steller’s Cellar in Old Orcutt. Dinner served by Lobo Butcher Shop between 5 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 5-9 p.m. Varies according to food options. (805) 623-5129. stellerscellar.com. Steller’s Cellar, 405 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt.

LIVE MUSIC AT STELLER’S CELLAR Various local musicians rotate each Friday. Fridays, 6-8:30 p.m. Free. Steller’s Cellar, 400 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt, (805) 623-5129, stellerscellar.com.

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. (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.

SUNDAY NIGHT FUN End the weekend with some good vibes. Music by DJ Van Gloryious.

Sundays, 8 p.m.-midnight Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, (805) 623-8866.

SANTA YNEZ VALLE Y

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

SOUL MAJESTIC Originated on the sandy shores of California, Soul Majestic channels their sunny beach days and bonfire nights into their unique style of reggae music. Hear them live! Aug. 24, 3-5 p.m. $37. (805) 6861789. solvangtheaterfest.org/show-listing.

Theaterfest Solvang, 420 2nd St, Solvang.

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

KARAOKE AT COLD COAST BREWING CO. Pick out a song, bring your friends, and get ready to perform. Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m. COLD Coast Brewing Company, 118 W Ocean Ave., Lompoc, (805) 819-0723, coldcoastbrewing.com.

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

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

2025 LIVE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE CONCERT SERIES Head to the Point San Luis Lighthouse in Avila Beach for Saturday afternoon concerts.

Get tickets and more info at the link. Through Oct. 11 $28. my805tix.com. Point San Luis Lighthouse, 1 Lighthouse Rd., Avila Beach.

ARROYO GRANDE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES These free concerts will begin on July 4 and run every Sunday until September 21.

Sundays, 1-3 p.m. through Sept. 21 Free. (805) 473-5472. arroyogrande.org/events. Heritage Square Park, 201 Nelson St., Arroyo Grande.

JAZZ AT PUFFER’S WITH TAYLOR RYAN, SUNNY WRIGHT, AND DYLAN JOHNSON! Join pianist Taylor Ryan, vocalist Sunny Wright, and bassist Dylan Johnson for a beautiful Jazz Sunday Funday! Aug. 31, 5-8 p.m. $5. (805) 7736563. facebook.com/PuffersofPismo. Puffer’s of Pismo, 781 Price St a,, Pismo Beach.

KARAOKE AT SLO COUNTY’S ONLY FILIPINO CAFE Join for all day, all ages karaoke hosted at SLO County’s only brick and mortar Filipino cafe, Lumpia Bros Cafe. Enjoy karaoke, filipino dishes, acai, and coffee. Tuesdays-Saturdays-6

MUSIC continued page 65

The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Special Education - Child Find The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (SMJUHSD) seeks to identify, locate, and evaluate high school age students suspected of having a disability who may be eligible for special education services designed to meet their educational needs at no cost to families. This includes students that are highly mobile, migrant, experiencing homelessness, students that are wards of the state, and students attending private schools located within SMJUHSD boundaries. If you suspect your child has a disability, contact the school special education department or district office Special Education Department.

Staff | Special Education | Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (smjuhsd.k12.ca.us)

El Distrito Escolar de las Escuelas Preparatorias de Santa Maria Educación Especial - Búsqueda de Estudiantes El Distrito Unificado de Escuelas Preparatorias de Santa Maria (SMJUHSD) busca identificar, localizar y evaluar a los estudiantes en edad de escuela preparatoria sospechosos de tener una discapacidad que puede ser elegible para servicios de educación especial diseñados para satisfacer sus necesidades educativas sin costo alguno para las familias. Esto incluye a los estudiantes que son altamente móviles, migrantes, sin hogar, estudiantes que están bajo la tutela del estado, y los estudiantes que asisten a escuelas privadas ubicadas dentro los limites de SMJUHSD. Si sospecha que su hijo tiene una discapacidad, comuníquese con el departamento de educación especial de la escuela u oficina de Educación Especial del distrito SMJUHSD. Staff | Special Education | Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (smjuhsd.k12.ca.us)

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 63

SATURDAY, AUGUST 30

Mellovue with Special Guests

Club SupSup: Coastal Tasting in SLO

Sunday Brunch at Simple Cafe!

Central Coast Zoo, Atascadero

Guadalupe Social Club, Guadalupe

The Mac & Cheese Festival

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 Avila Beach Golf Resort, Avila Beach

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22 Private Home, SLO

Cambria Night Live

AUGUST 22 - 31 Cambria Veterans Memorial Building

17 Raccoons... or It’s a Really Long Story

Tent City Limits Concerts at the Printery

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22 Santa Maria Civic Theatre

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22 6351 Olmeda Ave, Atascadero

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23 The Temple of Horus, SLO

James Garner’s Tribute to Johnny Cash

Frozen in Time A Royal Fundraiser

Monte Mills & the Lucky Horseshoe Band

Hot Summer Night! An Ode to the Chili Pepper

The Kindness Coalition Presents: An Evening of Surf II

Birds & Bees Inquire, “but do Humans Do It?”

Hear Me Roar S’more!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24 Templeton Performing Arts Center

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24 Madonna Inn, SLO

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24 CASS Winery Barrel Room, Paso Robles

Space Debris: The What, How & What is Next?

MONDAY, AUGUST 25 Oddfellows Hall, SLO

Summer Series Happy Hours

AUGUST 25 - OCTOBER 27 Hope on Park, Paso Robles

CCSPA Movie Night - Out There: A National Parks Story MONDAY, AUGUST 25 Bay Theatre, Morro Bay

Last Tuesday Drum Circle

TUESDAY, AUGUST 26 CongregationHouse, SLO

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 Odd Fellows Hall, SLO

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 105 W. Grand Ave, Grover Beach

Improv Extravaganza

Fight Night VIII - presented by BeatDown Promotions

The Killer Dueling Pianos

Ales for Tails - Comedy Benefit w/Leah Bonnema

Shamanic Morning Rituals for Vitality

Embodied Yoga on the Central Coast

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 Alex Madonna Expo Center, SLO

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 Blast & Brew Eatery, Pismo Beach

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 Humdinger Brewing, SLO

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24 5935 Entrade Ave, Atascadero

Electric Funeral 2: Doom in the Tomb

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24 Simple Cafe, Santa Maria

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 The Bunker SLO

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 Aurora Sacred Events, Morro Bay

SELL TICKETS WITH US! Full Moon Yoga

NOW-DECEMBER 4 Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, SLO

Qi Gong – Yoga & Fitnes Feng Shui

THURSDAYS, NOW-DECEMBER 31 CC Body Therapy Center, Los Osos

64 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

Point San Luis Lighthouse Tours IN-PERSON TOURS: WED & SAT VIRTUAL TOURS: ON DEMAND Point San Luis Lighthouse, Avila Beach

Garagiste Annual Tasting Pass 2025

NOW-DECEMBER 31 Various Wineries

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24 Bay Theatre, Morro Bay

SATURDAY, AUGUST 30 Aurora Sacred Events, Morro Bay

It’s free! Contact us for more info:

Scan QR code with camera to sign up for the weekly Ticket Wire newsletter.

info@My805Tix.com

Get all the latest events each Wednesday!

805-546-8208

ONGOING EVENTS

ONGOING EVENTS

Reggae by Railway: True Zion & About Time

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Blast 825 Stockyard, Old Orcutt

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22 The Bunker SLO

12th Annual Brew at the Zoo!

&

UPCOMING EVENTS ON MY805TIX.COM

UPCOMING EVENTS ON MY805TIX.COM

Grateful Tribute Festival: The Alligators

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Hot Stuff

AUGUST 21 - AUGUST 31, 2025 PHOTO COURTESY OF MY805TIX

MUSIC from page 62 p.m. through Dec. 31 Free. (805) 202-8473.

Lumpia Bros Cafe, 1187 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach.

THE LOUNGE AT BESO An upscale afterhours nightclub experience. With limited capacity and a dress code. For ages 21 and over. Fridays, 10 p.m. my805tix.com.

Beso Cocina, 1050 Willow Road, Nipomo.

MUSIC WITH A VIEW - OPEN GATES AT THE CHAPMAN ESTATE GARDEN Enjoy Open Gates at the seaside Chapman Estate in Shell Beach. Bring a picnic dinner and music, tables, chairs, and views will be supplied. Docent-led garden tours are available. Fridays, 5-7:30 p.m. through Oct. 24 $5/person + $5 for Docent tours (optional). chapmanestatefoundation.org/.

Chapman Estate, Private residence, Shell Beach.

PIANO MEN: GENERATIONS A spectacular father-son tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John, delivering an electrifying celebration of two legendary music icons. Aug. 28, 7-9 p.m. $49.50-$70.50.

(805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/shows/ piano-men-generations/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

STONE SOUP MUSIC FESTIVAL & STREET FAIR Celebrate 30 years of music, art, and community at Stone Soup Festival. Get more info about this free, family-friendly weekend at the link. Aug. 23, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Aug. 24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org.

Ramona & 9th Streets, Ramona Street and 9th Street, Grover Beach.

WILDE LATIN JAZZ: LIVE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE Wilde Latin Jazz is comprised of the top musicians in SLO county, each with a unique musical experience. Hear live jazz, salsa, soul, and funk tunes with a Latin influence. Aug. 23, 2:30-5 p.m. $28. my805tix.com. Point San Luis Lighthouse, 1 Lighthouse Rd., Avila Beach.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

B & THE HIVE AND TWOPAPERSQUARES AT CONCERTS IN THE PLAZA Two Paper Squares and B & The Hive are set to perform live at the Mission. Mininova will play a live set at the after party at Libertine Brewing at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 22, 5 p.m.

Mission Plaza, Downtown, San Luis Obispo.

THE BUNKER SLO PRESENTS: MELLOVUE WITH SPECIAL GUESTS Hear Mellovue live at The Bunker SLO, along with Masokissed, Archiac Face, and Beach Fiction. Aug. 22, 5:30 p.m. $12.56. my805tix.com. The Bunker SLO, 810 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo.

BURLEY THISTLES Burley Thistles is an alternative rock band known for its guitardriven sound and memorable songs. Hear them live at Frog and Peach Pub. Aug. 23, 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Frog and Peach Pub, 728 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 5954764, frogandpeachpub.com.

CONCERTS IN THE PLAZA: AFTER PARTY SERIES Enjoy free live music in downtown SLO every Friday, immediately following the Concerts in the Plaza. The concerts are 21+. Aug. 22, 8:30 p.m. and Aug. 29, 8:30 p.m. Free. my805tix.com.

Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 548-2337.

JUNIOR TOOTS: TRIBUTE TO TOOTS & THE MAYTALS WITH SPECIAL GUEST RASTAN Hear Jamaican-born Junior Toots, son of the legendary Toots Hibbert of Toots & The Maytals, live at SLO Brew. Aug. 23, 7 p.m. $32.36. slobrew.com. Rod & Hammer Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, (805) 543-1843.

LAST TUESDAY DRUM CIRCLE Join for Adults at Play, the drum circle facilitated

by Dee DiGioia. Get tickets and more info at my805tix.com. Aug. 26, 6-8 p.m. $15.81. congregationhouse.online/.

CongregationHouse, 11245 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo.

MAD CADDIES LIVE Hear Solvang-based ska band The Mad Caddies blend their styles of punk rock, hardcore punk, reggae, dixieland jazz, Latin music, and polka in a live performance at SLO Brew.

Get tickets and more info at the link. Aug. 21, 7 p.m. $31.39. slobrew.com. Rod &

SUMMER SONGS

The Tent City Limits Concert Series, presented by the Atascadero Printery Foundation, is set for Friday, Aug. 22, at 6 p.m. at the historic Atascadero Printery Foundation. Hear a soothing summer blend of bluegrass, folk, and Americana acts, including Caltucky and June Clivas & the Ditty Boys. On Sept. 19, Honey Buckets (pictured) will play the second concert in the series. Tickets are $28.62 each, and can be found at my805tix.com.

—A.S. Hammer Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, (805) 543-1843.

PETE YORN LIVE Hear singer songwriter Pete Yorn live at the Fremont Theater. Get tickets and more info at the link. Aug. 22, 7 p.m. $39.11-$57.14. fremontslo.com. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 546-8600.

TRIBAL SEEDS AND THE MOVEMENT - COAST 2 COAST SUMMER TOUR See San Diego-based reggae group Tribal Seeds and The Movement live at the Fremont, with support from KBong & Johnny Cosmic. Aug. 26, 6:30 p.m. $66.92. fremontslo.com. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 546-8600.

NORTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

“SHANTY-SING” AT THE MORRO BAY MARITIME MUSEUM Saturday morning “Shanty-Sing” at the Morro Bay Maritime Museum. Learn and share maritime music.

Bring a song. Learn a song. Sing along.

Fourth Saturday of every month, 11 a.m.noon through Oct. 25 Free. (805) 225-6571. morrobaymaritime.org/event/shantysing/. Morro Bay Maritime Museum, 1154 Front St., Morro Bay. BLUES AGENDA JAM AND SHOWCASE A rockin’ blues dance party at Niffy’s Merrimaker every first, third, and now fifth Wednesdays. The Blues Asylum house band welcomes local, visiting, and newcomers to the blues groove.

Spirits, beer, and wine, with outside food welcome. Every other Wednesday, 7-10 p.m. Free. (805) 235-5223. The Merrimaker Tavern, 1301 2nd Street, Los Osos.

BRASS MASH – A BIG ASS BRASS PARTY BASH The powerhouse horn band Brass Mash is set to perform all of your favorite tunes, spanning from the 1960s to today. You’ll be guessing all of our throwbacks, super jams and power ballads with your nearby strangers. Get tickets and more info at the link. Aug. 30, 7:30-10:30 p.m. $18.48. thesirenmorrobay. com. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312.

DARING GREATLY – A FREE ROCK SHOW Daring Greatly is a band that defies easy categorization. Their unique blend of rock and country influences has crafted a sound that’s both familiar and fresh, sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who hears it. Hear them live at The Siren! Aug. 29, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Free. thesirenmorrobay.com/event/daringgreat-a-free-rock-show/. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312.

THE DROPTINES Alternative country band, The Droptines, are based out of Texas. They are scheduled to hit The Siren’s stage. Get tickets and more info at the link. Aug. 22, 7:30-10:30 p.m. $20.

The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312, thesirenmorrobay.com/.

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

MORRO BAY WHITE CAPS COMMUNITY BAND, MUSIC BY THE SEA SUMMER CONCERT SERIES The Morro Bay White Caps Community Band, under the baton of conductor Brenda Hascall, will perform a variety of pops, jazz, and classical music. Aug. 23, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. (805) 459-9543. morrobaywhitecaps.com. The Morro Bay White Caps Community Band will perform four concerts on the South T-Pier featuring jazz, classical, rock, and pop music. Aug. 23, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free, Donations accepted. (805) 459-9543. morrobaywhitecaps.com. The Morro Bay White Caps Community Band, conducted

by Brenda Hascall, will perform a variety of pops, classical and jazz music by the sea. Aug. 23, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. (805) 4599543. morrobaywhitecaps.com. Morro Bay S. T Pier, 1185 Embarcadero, Morro Bay. OPEN MIC NIGHT Each Wednesday, enjoy this Open Mic Night in the downstairs dining area. Grab some friends and show off your talents. Food and drink service will be available. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. Free.

(805) 995-3883. schoonerscayucos.com.

Schooners, 171 North Ocean Ave, Cayucos.

SHANTY SING Bring a song. Learn a song. Sing along! The Morro Bay Shanty Project will lead this shanty sing along event. No experience is needed, and all are welcome. Fourth Saturday of every month, 11 a.m.-noon through Oct. 25 Free.

(805) 225-6571. m.facebook.com/story. php?story_fbid=pfbid0XU2CETCDiomA H5zp2XeQ9eswFTfFnScXaXZSpDX31Wp mXAZznYdQsZ7MuwVuMzpQl&id=1000 95006873277&mibextid=wwXIfr. Morro Bay Maritime Museum, 1154 Front St., Morro Bay. SHANTY SING AT THE MARITIME MUSEUM Join our monthly sea-shanty sing-along every 4th Saturday through October. Learn and share maritime music.

Bring a song. Learn a song. Sing along.

Fourth Saturday of every month, 11 a.m. through Oct. 25 Free. (805)225-6571. Morro Bay Maritime Museum, 1154 Front St., Morro Bay. THE SINNERS (FREE AFTERNOON SHOW) Head the 6-piece band swirls rhythm and blues during their live performance at The Siren. Aug. 30, 2-5 p.m. Free. thesirenmorrobay.com/event/ the-sinners/. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312. m

th

100 ANNUAL AWARDS

Gala

Mark your calendars and prepare for a memorable night celebrating excellence in the Santa Maria Valley with a sit-down dinner and award celebration!

Save the Date:

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 | 4:30-9:30P.M.

Reserve Your Tickets:

santamaria.com/events or scan the QR code

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 65

Arts

ART SCENE COURTESY PHOTO BY JASMINE GONZALEZ

ARTS BRIEFS An indie movie with local ties plays in Santa Maria for one night only

IMAGE FROM UMBAG MOVIE

Umbag, an independent Filipino-American film, will be playing in Santa Maria on Aug. 25. Rosemarie Dumadara Koerner, a member of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, executive produced the movie, and her daughter, Marie Dumadara, stars in one of the leading roles.

“The story delves into universal experiences of family dynamics, sibling rivalry, and the pursuit of redemption, making it deeply relatable to audiences from all walks of life,” according to press materials.

There are two screenings of Umbag at the Regal Edwards Santa Maria theater at 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. In addition, there will be a red carpet, a photo wall, giveaways, and a meet-andgreet with the cast and creators.

Directed by John Ad Castillo, the 2025 film follows two estranged sisters who reunite and must confront their past inside and outside the boxing ring. Umbag was shot in the Philippines and “beautifully captures the essence of the Philippines, providing a rich backdrop that enhances the narrative’s emotional depth,” according to press materials.

This year, Umbag won the Golden State Film Festival award for Best Action Feature Film and the Indie Vegas Film Festival’s Audience Award Best Feature.

Buy tickets at xperto-events.com, and find the Regal Edwards Santa Maria at 100 Town Center East in Santa Maria.

Auditions open soon for young actors in PCPA’s Frozen musical

COURTESY PHOTO BY MARK VELASQUEZ

Young actors are invited to audition for the Pacific Conservatory Theatre’s (PCPA) production of Disney’s Frozen.

Auditions start at 10 a.m. on Aug. 23 at 900 E. Stowell Road in Santa Maria.

Actors should memorize approximately one minute of a song from a musical to perform and bring sheet music for the provided accompanist. The actors will sing in order of arrival, and some will be asked to read from the script and dance, according to press materials.

Frozen follows princess Anna on a journey to find her older sister, Elsa, after she traps their kingdom in eternal winter with her powers. PCPA is casting four actors to play Young Anna and Young Elsa and act in the ensemble. PCPA plans to double cast the roles.

Young Anna is 8 to 11 years old and “filled with a tremendous amount of light, energy, and love,” according to press materials. The actor must be no taller than 52 inches.

Young Elsa has magical powers but becomes withdrawn, afraid of hurting anyone. PCPA is looking for an actor between 9 to 12 and no taller than 58 inches.

Frozen will run this fall and next summer. PCPA hopes to cast the same actors for both runs of the show. Rehearsals start on Sept. 23 for the show’s run at the Marian Theatre from Nov. 6 to Dec. 21. In 2026, rehearsals will begin on June 27, and the show will play at the Solvang Festival Theatre from July 5 to Aug. 2.

Email casting@pcpa.org with questions. m Arts briefs is compiled by Staff Writer Madison White. Reach her at mwhite@santamariasun.com.

FLOW STATE: Manic Creative can wear the mask and see through it, too.

Creative mania Lompoc artist strengthens the community with art clubs and shows

BY MADISON WHITE

M

ixed-media artist Jasmine Gonzalez moved to Lompoc on a whim in 2017 and fell in love with the town immediately.

ON FIRE: Manic Creative wanted to offer up a fun photo opportunity in Lompoc’s Cypress Gallery for her exhibition, Creating Through Chaos, “Lompoc is like if you had to find a place on the map in California and created a flaming prop. that felt like a small-town vibe that you would get in a TV show,” Gonzalez told the Sun. She pointed to Lompoc’s “eccentric quirks,” like flower fields and informed the title of her newest show at the Cypress Gallery. The show is a launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base, that stood out to her after representation of what it looks like when the artist creates through chaos, she moved. but it also runs deeper than that.

One thing that was not as obvious to her was the art scene, she said, “It’s sort of just this overload of creative energy that I’ve been working MUSIC which was “rather stagnant.” through, and I’m sharing it with people because I think it’s important to Gonzalez—who goes by the artist name Manic Creative because share growth,” she said. “If more people can harness the vulnerability to art feels “so much bigger than my name”—set out to grow the local art share, there would be more healed people walking around feeling better in FLAVOR/EATS market. Eight years after moving to Lompoc, she is the co-founder of two their own skin because they can express themselves genuinely.” social clubs, a Lompoc Valley Art Association board member, and the Manic Creative does not view chaos negatively but rather strives to find featured artist at the Cypress Gallery for a second time. Her current show the value in it.INFO at the gallery, Creating Through Chaos, runs until Aug. 24.

While gallery visitors can see Manic Creative’s artistic chaos, they’re At the heart of all her endeavors is building a sense of community for also invited to create their own through interactive exhibits. A tall herself and those around her. gumball machine spits out fortunes when prompted, 3D glasses alter CALENDAR “I feel like it makes you a well-rounded person to be involved in things the layers of collages, and a giant cardboard picture frame envelopes its within your community, especially if it’s something you’re passionate subjects with smoke and flames. about,” Manic Creative said.

“I’ve had myOPINION experience with my art, and I’m sharing it, not just so that To begin immersing herself in the Lompoc art scene, she set out with you can look at what I’ve done, but also hopefully be inspired and then a friend to create Pot Mamas Social Club in 2021. They organized social continue to create through the chaos,” Manic Creative said. “I think it’s events featuring local artists. kind of insaneNEWS that we can just make things. It doesn’t need to exist, but if “We were building the parties that we wanted to basically go to,” Manic you want it to, it can.”

Creative said.

Manic Creative likes making big, bold statements with her art, which STROKES and delusion, she said. Often her work continues The club helped bring people together with events that emphasized takes a bit of audacity the Lompoc art scene. They hosted art and flower fairs to build momentum when she is chasing the “mania,” and helped organize vendors for the Lompoc Chalks until she’s left with her next creation.

ARTS Showtime!

Festival put on by the Lompoc Theatre Project.

The mask on the cover art for the show is one Manic Creative then founded the Lonely Plover example. It’s made of cardboard, toilet paper, disco tiles, Send gallery, stage, Social Club to initiate more community events. The and paint. and cultural festivities to highlight is the Lompoc art walk, which started almost “I made that from nothing,” she said. “I think that mwhite@santamariasun.com. two years ago. magic comes from allowing yourself to sort of snowball The art walk is held on the first Thursday into ideas and to lean in and follow a flow of every month in downtown Lompoc with state.” the goal of connecting artists, businesses, That magic is also something Manic and residents. During the event, visitors Creative sees in the Lompoc community, experience an open gallery throughout which continues to inspire her. downtown filled with artwork, live “I find out what all of these other really performances, and do-it-yourself activities. rad artists have been up to and the different “It’s cool to see people get excited about creative installations that are happening in where they live and their community and our town. It’s just so cool,” she said. their fellow artists, and to be in that energy One way she gives back is by teaching art to once a month renews that creative spirit,” teenagers at the YMCA. Manic Creative said.

“As teenager, I wish I had the ability to just Her work has always been chaotic, which go and be creative for a couple hours after school and decompress,” Manic Creative said.

She wants everyone to be able to make art See the show and support each other, too.

Visit the Creating Through Chaos show through “There’s enough room for all of us to Aug. 24 at the Cypress Gallery, which is located at 119 E. succeed,” she said. “We just have to party Cypress Ave. in Lompoc. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. more.” m to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Reach Manic Creative online at maniccreativeart.com or on Instagram at @maniccreativeart.

66 • Sun • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com

PLAYING AROUND: This piece, Mind Games, started off as a collection of different materials and ended up a giant mind game.

Reach Staff Writer Madison White at mwhite@santamariasun.com.

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 67

Film Underestimated T

Anna: Of course, Plummerville, the hybrid amusement park/town they visit, is also the center for some illegal hijinks, corrupt cops, and the seriously scary Lendina. Hutch just can’t catch a break from his 9-to-5, which happens to include a task list of stomping out henchmen and ringleaders alike. After an altercation between Brady and Plummerville head honcho Wyatt Martin’s (John Ortiz) son, Hutch is told quite plainly to scram, but Hutch is determined to give Becca and the rest of the Glen: It’d be nearly impossible to top the fam the vacation he promised. That means original, but this sequel is trying. As it opens, water parks and carousels, hot dogs and duck Hutch finds himself on a hamster wheel of boats. What he gets alongside those innocent repetition, this time trying to work off $30 family moments is a whole lot of people after million in debt to a criminal organization by him, bound and determined to run him out of carrying out their dirty work. town. What Sheriff Abel (Colin Ah, the drudgery of daily Hanks) and his goons soon NOBODY 2 assassinations. His wife, Becca realize is that simple family What’s it rated? R (Connie Nielsen), is frustrated man Hutch Mansell isn’t just What’s it worth, Anna? Full price by his workload and concerned a dad on vacay or a normal What’s it worth, Glen? Full price that his tendency toward civilian. He’s a killing machine Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards violence is rubbing off on their when his back is against the RPX Santa Maria, Movies Lompoc, son, Brady (Gage Munroe). He wall, and he won’t be leaving Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande needs a break, so he decides to town until he takes them all load up the family, including down.

Glen: Stone is amazing as Lendina—positively daughter Sammy (Paisley Cadorath) and father unhinged! As bad as Martin and Sheriff Able David (Christopher Lloyd), and head to Wild are, they’re victims of Lendina’s cruelty too.

Bill’s Majestic Midway and Waterpark—the only place his father took Hutch and his brother Like the original, this neo-Western ends in a Harry (RZA) on a vacation as kids. They’re there showdown. Hutch’s brother, sensing he’s in crisis, shows up to lend a hand during the final to “make memories,” but they turn out to not battle. Father David goes into full geriatric be the kind Hutch hoped for when town bullies Rambo mode. Even Becca, who turns out to be a ruin his family fun.

SUN SCREEN PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL PICTURES

imo Tjahjanto (The Night Comes for Us) directs this sequel to the 2021 original about Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk), a seemingly docile family man who turned out to be a former assassin who goes to war with a Russian crime boss over a burglary. This time around, Hutch is trying to take his family on vacation, but oops!

They visit a corrupt tourist town with a secret bootlegging operation run by Lendina (Sharon Stone). (89 min.)

HE’S BACK: Bob Odenkirk reprises his role as Hutch Mansell, a seemingly mild-mannered family man who’s actually a former government assassin, in Nobody 2, screening in local theaters.

crack shot, gets in on the action. The bloodshed gets pretty graphic, and the film earns its R-rating. But the story also has a lot of heart.

It’s all about the importance of family, which is a very sweet message contained in a film with flying body parts. I was completely entertained and grateful for its tight 90-minute runtime. It flew by.

Anna: After a summer of bloated blockbusters with uber-long run times, Nobody 2 is a perfect palate cleanser. It has the fun of road trip comedy, the comically bloody fight scenes of

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON MGM STUDIOS

THE BETTER SISTER

What’s it rated? TV-14 When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Prime Chloe (Jessica Beil) and Adam’s (Corey Stoll) seemingly perfect life hides some dirty little secrets—ones they work hard to keep quiet. Chloe is a powerful editor-in-chief for The Real Thing, a feminist magazine that she’s determined to helm meticulously. When Adam fails to show up to a gala where Chloe is being honored, she heads back to their beachfront Hamptons home only to find her husband in a pool of blood with no pulse. What follows is a twisty tale as investigators zero in on the couple’s teenage son, Ethan (Maxwell Acee Donovan), as the culprit and as Chloe’s long lost wayward sister, Nicky (Elizabeth Banks), shows up to further complicate things.

It turns out that this family affair is much thornier than it looks from the outside. Nicky is messy and struggling with sobriety and refuses to apologize for being utterly human— something her picture-perfect sister just can’t comprehend.

The two must navigate their own difficult journey as siblings, all while doggedly pursuing a strong defense for the young man at the center of the storm.

While not as juicy as Big Little Lies or Sharp Objects, fans of mystery get a good dose of drama and intrigue with The Better

the first film, and a great cast. Odenkirk is a fun action star simply because at first glance he doesn’t fit the bill. His Hutch is whiskered and a bit worse for wear because of his line of work, but when it’s time to kick bad guy butt, he’s surprisingly convincing as a badass. See this one—you’ll enjoy indulging in this violent, fun, popcorn flick with a lot of heart. m New Times Arts Editor Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Sun Screen.

Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.

COURTESY PHOTO BY JUHAN NOH/PRIME

BUTTERFLY

FAMILY SECRETS: Formerly estranged sisters Nicky (Elizabeth Banks, left) and Chloe (Jessica Biel) must put aside their differences when Nicky’s son is arrested for murder, in The Better Sister, streaming on Prime.

Sister. (eight 53- to 61-min. episodes)

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What’s it rated? TV-16 When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Prime Daniel Dae Kim stars as David Jung, a former CIA operative living in South Korea. He’s presumed dead from an operation gone wrong nine years earlier, now living a quiet life with his new wife, Eunju (Kim Tae-hee).

His big regret was leaving his then-14-year-old daughter, Rebecca, behind when he “died,” but he had his reasons. He discovers that his daughter (Reina Hardesty)—now 23—is working as an assassin for Juno (Piper Perabo), the head of Caddis Private Intelligence, a security service he started that’s become a criminal enterprise.

Now David will stop at nothing to extract Rebecca and expose Juno for the criminal she is. Juno is an equal opportunity mercenary, at one point snarling, “The only enemy I have is peace.”

This is standard spy thriller stuff, but it’s done well with a lot of action sequences. Both Kim and Hardesty are effective— he as the worried father and she as the bitter abandoned daughter who’s a little too gleeful about mayhem. Can he “fix” what’s been broken in her? It’s basically a melodrama/soap opera

UNIFICATION: David Jung (Daniel Dae Kim), a former CIA operative, must rescue his daughter from her life as an assassin, in Butterfly, streaming on Prime.

gussied up with violence. (in English and Korean; six 45- to 60-min. episodes) m —Glen

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Eats

FOOD PHOTO COURTESY OF KALI KOPLEY

PHOTO COURTESY OF KALI KOPLEY

HOME GROWN: Kali Kopley and Will Henry (center) live to eat rather than eat to live, and they love working in the food and wine industry together.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARLA MALLOY

GATHERING: Pico Los Alamos owners Will Henry (left) and Kali Kopley (right) hope to make the Know Thy Farmer series a monthly event.

Tomatoes galore Pico Los Alamos hosts a tomato-forward lunch with the local farmer who grew them

BY MADISON WHITE

N

ine years ago, Kali Kopley and Will Henry bought the original Los Alamos General Store that was built in 1880 and turned it into their restaurant, Pico Los Alamos.

Their goal was to create a farmerdriven, fine dining spot. The husbandwife duo tore out the parking lot behind the building and planted a garden.

“To see that piece of asphalt transform into this lush garden that’s providing food was super rewarding,” Henry said. “The garden represents what beauty you can create when you put a little love and sweat into a piece of land.”

The garden is the perfect representation of farm-to-table, he added, which has always been a priority for the couple. The entire menu at Pico uses locally sourced ingredients, from protein to produce.

This philosophy drives the idea behind their Know Thy Farmer series. Kopley and Henry invite a local farmer to tell their story while guests enjoy a meal featuring the farmer’s ingredients and a wine pairing. As the food designer for Pico, Kopley develops a three-course menu using key ingredients from the highlighted farm. She wants to wow her guests and allow the flavors of the ingredients to speak for themselves.

Let’s lunch The upcoming Know Thy Farmer event will be held at 1 p.m. on Aug. 29 in the Pico Los Alamos garden located at 458 Bell St. in Los Alamos. The three-course meal will feature dishes like ratatouille and gazpacho.

Tickets can be purchased online through exploretock.com. For more information about Pico, visit Instagram @picolosalamos or losalamosgeneralstore.com.

Wine is also a big part of the event.

Henry creates the wine pairing, which is “one of the most fun things ever,” he said. He has operated Lumen Wines with Kopley since 2012 and usually uses Lumen wines for the Know Thy Farmer events.

The most important reason to source locally is to support small farms, Kopley said.

“There’s a much smaller footprint, you get to know your farmer, and the food is much fresher,” Henry added.

PRESERVATION: Carla Malloy is passionate about preserving foods, like tomatoes, so she and her family can enjoy them year-round.

By inviting farmers to join the lunch, the restaurant owners hope their customers will learn where their food is coming from and how the farmers operate.

Pico often serves produce that was picked the same day. Kopley drives to farms to collect fresh produce nearly every day, like she will for the Know

Thy Farmer event.

The lunch is an intimate gathering of fewer than 40 guests. Everyone sits at one table and listens to the farmer’s stories.

Customers might not understand everything that goes into producing

EATS continued page 70

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Eats

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give farmers the opportunity to explain their process.

“It’s a perfect platform for really knowing what’s on your plate and the love and care that goes into it,” Henry said. “Every farmer has got hilarious stories to tell, and you don’t get that on the package of food.”

The farmer featured at the upcoming lunch on Aug. 29 is Carla Malloy of Elder Flat Farm in Los Alamos.

Malloy moved to Los Alamos in 2017 and built a ranch with her husband. She met Kopley shortly after. The majority of Malloy’s 105AN HOMAGE: Elder Flat Farm is the focus on an upcoming Know Thy Farmer event at Pico Los Alamos. acre farm is home to animals like The farm’s name is meant to honor local history and those chickens, horses, cows, pigs, and who cared for the land before Carla Malloy. sheep, she said. Malloy also grows row crops on 2 acres of the farm.

“I hate food waste,” Malloy said.

Despite not knowing anybody in Los Alamos, Malloy fell into the farming With tomato season in its prime, she wants to community right away. She recalled use her platform at the Know Thy Farmer lunch farmers lending produce to each other and to share the different ways guests can use and communicating directly with restaurant owners preserve tomatoes that will work for their own to inform menus. families. She mentioned making bruschetta, soup, tomato salad, and canned tomato sauce.

“The thing I love about Los Alamos is really In addition to sharing her passion for the connection. It’s such a small, tight-knit preservation, Malloy also plans to talk about her community in the food scene,” Malloy said. background andMUSIC answer questions from guests She said she appreciates restaurants sourcing at the event. locally because it makes small “I’m really excited for farms like hers feel supported the actual meal, and then while also “putting dollars FLAVOR/EATS teaching is really fun,” back into your own economy.”

Malloy said. m One of Malloy’s passions is Send tidbits on everything INFO preserving food. Her goal is to food and drink to Reach Staff Writer Madison harness the peak ripeness of mwhite@santamariasun.com.

White at mwhite@ foods in the summer and get CALENDAR santamariasun.com. to enjoy them all year long.

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Explore Our Ocean’s Wonders on Stearns Wharf!

Feel the tickle of a sea anemone’s tentacles and the smooth shell of a cowrie snail. Marvel at baby sharks still nestled in their translucent egg cases, and explore interactive exhibits that reveal the Santa Barbara Channel.

Discover how we study the ocean.

Learn more

SantaMariaSun

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anta Maria L -X of S LC

50 OFF!

$

Truck Shells & Tonneau Covers We Accept Shell Trade-Ins!

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

805-347-7387

1915 N. Broadway, Suite A, Santa Maria

Horse Trailers • Boats • Truck Beds • Jeep Floorboards • RV Roofs

HEALTH

Questions? - Call (805) 833-0041 Horse Trailers • Boats • Truck Beds • Jeep Floorboards • RV Roofs

Service Directory

Fairfield INN and SUITES 2061 North Roemer Court, Santa Maria

www.santamariasun.com • August 21 - August 28, 2025 • Sun • 71

STRAIGHTEN YOUR SMILE

Thank you for your support

BBB of the Tri-Counties

Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties BBB’s mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. Since 1945, BBB of the Tri-Counties has been fostering honest and responsive relationships between businesses and consumers – instilling consumer confidence and advancing a trustworthy marketplace for all.

Billy Burger & Deep Fried Burrito Small order of fries & small drink

9.99 + tax

$

• Digital Orthodontic Experts • 3D-Printed Brackets • Central Coast’s Most Experienced Invisalign Doctor!

Voted BEST ORTHODONTIST in Northern Santa Barbara County 7 years in a row!

Visit us on Facebook & Instagram

*Diamond Plus Provider

Central Coast Orthodontics

1311 South Miller St, Ste. 201, Santa Maria (805) 347-4444

3 per coupon. No substitutions. Exp. 8/31/25

Bill’s Take Out

Santa Maria’s Original Fast Food Place!

VISIT US TODAY

Margie Halsell, Owner 4620 & 4630 Song Lane magnoliaprimrose.com

3564 Skyway Drive, STE A, Santa Maria, CA 93455

• FAMILY-FRIENDLY • GREAT FOOD • GOOD VIBES

Proudly Serving the Central Coast

Order now 805charcuterie.com 805-354-0068

www.roostsm.com 1-820-946-4389

Mention this ad for a Military discount

No Job Too Small • Free Estimates

RESIDENTIAL – COMMERCIAL – INDUSTRIAL All Phases of roofing including HOT ASPHALT, TPO, PVC, and ALL Metal roofs!

LIABILITY & WORKMANS COMP INSURED Over 30 Years in Business Proudly Serving the Santa Maria Valley

Family owned and operated Call Jimmy, Billy Melena or Victor Sedillos

805.937.6200 JCMELENA@VERIZON.NET LIC. NO#937929

Serving the Central Coast

SOLAR ELECTRIC BATTERY BACKUP SOLAR POOL HEATING $0 DOWN FINANCING SERVICE & UPGRADES

13 years!

Sun’s Best of Winner, 15 years!

1140 E. Clark Avenue · Suite 190

MELENA ROOFING PARTNERSHIP

Lawn Care & Service

Mon – Sat 8am – 6:30pm

MELBY’S Sun’s Best of Winner, JEWELERS

Tues Fri: 9:30-5:30 Our -Store Hours Saturday: 10-3 Tues - Fri: 9:30-5:30 Saturday: 10-3 www.melbys.com

Where Curb Appeal Begins

805-268-6585

Lic# 425801520 & 425801723

Santa Maria, 93455 1140 E. Clark Ave•CA Suite 190 (805) 925-1678 Santa Maria, CA 93455 (805) 925-1678

805-963-8657 Follow us:

523 NORTH BROADWAY • SANTA MARIA

ld Town Orcutt In O

ASSISTED LIVING for PERSONS with MEMORY LOSS

Please use P.O. Box 129 Santa Barbara, CA 93102 Email this BBB info@santabarbara.bbb.org M–Th 8am to 12:30 then 1:30 to 6:00pm Fridays closed at Noon

E•E P E OP L

N E R GY

• P L AN

ET

(805) 922-3774 • CSLB# 391670 • SINCE 1975

805-925-8711 • 734-4355 • www.oconnorcentralcoast.com

Got Ants, Black Widows, Rodents?

L CAL S U

Family Owned & Operated

SPECIAL $69 Monthly Service or $99 Every 2 Months General Pest Service Only. Gophers & Rodents Excluded.

One Year Term Minimum. Homes up to 1,000 sq. ft.

Free Gopher & Rodent Estimates Same Day Service M-F Look for the ANT on the Door

4850 S. Bradley Rd. #D1, Orcutt

805-925-8711 • 734-4355 • www.oconnorcentralcoast.com

www.backporchflowers.net

Shop Local reserve your space today

(805) 938-1965

805.347.1968 www.santamariasun.com