Celebrate the season with wines that support advocacy organizations [6] and establishments that support the community [7]
BY SUN STAFF
It’s officially Pride Month, and despite the national politics surrounding certain LGBTQ-plus issues, the community is ready to celebrate with events across the Central Coast.
As part of our annual Pride issue, Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood speaks with a handful of wineries that are contributing a portion of wine proceeds to support local LGBTQ-plus advocacy organizations and hosting events of their own to commemorate the season [5]. Staff Writer Emma Montalbano speaks with a couple of local establishments focused on being a space for the LGBTQ-plus community to celebrate year-round [6]. Also this week, read about the high fire season predicted for Santa Barbara County [3]; Youth ARTS Alive in Santa Maria [20]; and a quarter century of Lompoc’s Flying Goat Cellars [24]
Summer Membership Drive
We’ve only begun spreading the word over the past year, but Sun’s membership program has enabled readers like you to support our journalism since 2020. It’s about time we raised our voices: We want to grow our member base—and we’d love for you to join!
• On May 29, U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) released a statement in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order, “Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,” which directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to coordinate with Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on reforming existing regulations, including time limits on license application reviews. According to Carbajal’s office, the executive order also mandates certain staff cuts and reductions in public input procedures, “under the guise of streamlining” nuclear energy projects. “The Central Coast is home to California’s last remaining active nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon. Our community understands that safety must always come first when using nuclear energy,” Carbajal said in his May 29 statement. “President Trump’s order to shake up the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is yet another reckless decision that could weaken the agency’s ability to protect communities near nuclear plants. I will fight any attempts to roll back the safety and environmental protections that keep Central Coast residents safe.” Situated north of Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County, Diablo Canyon generates 9 percent of California’s total electricity, according to Carbajal’s office.
•U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-California), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Adam Schiff (D-California) joined U.S. Reps. Luz Rivas (D-Arleta) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles) and 34 other lawmakers in signing a May 29 letter to urge Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to reconsider the termination of the legal status of a 4-year-old Bakersfield girl and her family. The young girl, identified in the letter by her initials as S.G.V., has short bowel syndrome and will lose essential medical care at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles if deported, the letter explains. “We urge you to reconsider the termination of S.G.V. and her family’s legal status as S.G.V.’s doctors say she could die within days without treatment. … Your department has revoked this child’s legal status in the U.S., which interrupts the urgent, life-saving care she receives at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles every six weeks,” the letter to Noem states. “Due to S.G.V.’s short bowel syndrome, she receives intensive medical treatments such as: being tethered to feeding tubes 24 hours a day; spending 14 hours each night being hooked up to an intravenous feeding system; and receiving a different type of nutrition via a gastric tube into her stomach four times a day. In 2023, S.G.V. and her family were allowed to enter the U.S. legally on humanitarian grounds. … We believe this family’s situation clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid and urge you and this administration to reconsider its decision. It is our duty to protect the sick, vulnerable, and defenseless. Without action, S.G.V. will die. We urge a prompt response from your department and a swift decision to extend this family’s legal status in the U.S.”
• State Sen. Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) chose the Westminster Free Clinic and Community Care Center as the 2025 nonprofit of the year for the state Senate’s 21st District. In a May 21 statement, Limón described the Ventura County-based nonprofit as “an invaluable resource” that provides various health care services to underserved, low-income, and uninsured residents, “as well as innovative programming to fill the gaps we so often see in our health care system.” In 2023, the clinic provided more than 13,900 medical services and served more than 2,100 people through the nonprofit’s school and community outreach programs, according to Limón’s office. m
Santa Barbara County Fire Department announces high fire season
Wildfire season is here. Don’t want your home to burn down? The Santa Barbara County Fire Department has tips it hopes will help you evade disaster.
In the first quarter of this year, the Palisades Fire tore through Los Angeles County, burning more than 23,000 acres of land and destroying more than 6,000 structures. Aiming to prevent a similar catastrophe locally, the county Fire Department announced the start of high fire season on June 2 during a press conference.
“The hard truth is, in the face of a fast-moving fire, firefighters may have to make difficult choices about which houses they can defend,” county 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann said at the conference. “They will prioritize those that have the greatest chance of surviving with their help.”
Along with deploying more resources to fight vegetation fires throughout the county, the department also suspended burn permits issued for residential burning and hazard reduction. As summer starts and the dry season accelerates, the department encouraged community members to help prevent a catastrophe as well.
“In the county, we have about 100 vegetation fires that start every year,” Fire Marshal Fred Tan said at the conference. “Eighty-five percent of those are along a highway or a roadway.”
As Caltrans and other agencies work to clear roadways of fuel, the Fire Department urged property owners to remove all combustible materials—leaves, mulch, wood piles—from within 5 feet of homes and structures and use non-combustible materials when landscaping the area.
“Clean your gutters,” Hartmann said at the conference. “We tend to think that’s something to do in the fall for the rain. Those leaves and twigs are just waiting for a fire to ignite. Clean your gutters, now.”
Within 5 to 30 feet of homes and structures, the department said to keep grass no more than 4 inches, remove dead plants and vegetation, and maintain space between trees and shrubs. From 30 to 100 feet, thin or remove excess vegetation, prune tree limbs up 6 to 10 feet from the ground, and reduce plant density.
“Even wooden fences attached to the house act as conduits for fire,” Hartmann said. “That was one of the lessons from the Palisades [fire].”
The department also advised residents to clear vegetation along access points like driveways and private roads, so emergency vehicles can safely enter if needed. Overhanging branches should
be cut to at least 13.5 feet above roadways and at least 10 feet of clear, horizontal space for driving should be provided.
“We have a lot of narrow streets, and we have a lot of residences that are built into the wild land environment,” fire Public Information Officer Capt. Scott Safechuck said at the conference. “When we put out those red flag warnings, that’s the warning—a fire could happen. When those fires happen, be proactive to leave the area, especially if you see smoke.”
To further reduce your home’s risk, the department recommends installing 1/8-inch metal mesh screens on attic and crawl space vents; replacing wood shake roofs with Class A fire-rated roofing; covering chimneys with spark arresters; switching to dual-pane, tempered glass windows; and removing combustible fencing connected to structures.
“Every action you take matters,” Hartmann said at the conference. “Our firefighters are doing their part. Now, we have to step up and do ours.”
Those looking to develop their own Ready, Set, Go plan can download their wildfire preparation checklist and learn how to protect their home before fire season intensifies at sbcfire.com/ ready-set-go.
“Know your neighborhood so you know the alternative routes to get out of your neighborhood,” Safechuck said. “The sooner you leave, the better your chance of survival.”
—Reece Coren
Solvang City Council introduces potential camping ban akin to 2002 policy
For more than two decades, Solvang upheld a ban against overnight camping on public property.
Two years after a 2023 revamp that made temporary camps lawful, the city is calling back to its 2002 stance.
Approved 5-0 by the Solvang City Council on its first reading, the potential new anticamping ordinance prohibits overnight stays on city-owned and public spaces at all times, City Attorney Craig Steele told the council at its May 27 meeting.
“In the past ordinance, we made concessions, … because of pre-existing legal precedent,” Steele said. “Currently there’s an allowance [for some overnight camping] in the municipal code that was consistent with what supreme court precedence was prior to this case coming down last year.”
Steele was referring to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Grants Pass v. Johnson in
2024.
This case reversed a lower court’s ruling that banned jurisdictions from enacting laws to criminalize camping in areas that don’t have enough shelter beds to serve their unhoused populations.
At least 40 California jurisdictions adopted new homelessness response policies after the Supreme Court’s verdict, according to previous Sun reporting.
If Solvang’s proposed policy passes its second reading, scheduled for the City Council’s June 9 meeting, the city’s current allowances for temporary camping will be eliminated by midJuly.
Currently, the city’s municipal code allows anyone to camp, whether they’re in or outside of a vehicle, on city-owned property for 24 hours at a time, except for areas in Solvang’s Tourist Commercial District, within 100 feet of Mission Drive, or within 200 feet of any school.
The proposed ordinance axes the 24-hour allowance and tightens certain restrictions related to homelessness response. For example, the city’s current 72-hour notice policy before removing camping materials from a public area would be cut to a 24-hour notice.
Similarly, the city’s retention period, where it keeps removed materials in storage for at least 90 days, would be shortened to at least 60 days, Steele told the council.
Before motioning to approve the anti-camping policy’s first reading, Councilmember Elizabeth Orona asked staff to elaborate on the ordinance’s newly proposed exclusion order policy for violators who are caught camping in the same public space, such as a park, twice in one year. Under the proposed camping ban, Steele said the city will be allowed to issue exclusion orders for those kinds of violators, which will ban them from visiting the respective site they were caught at during any part of the day.
Expiration dates on exclusion orders will vary, Steele added, and an appeal route will be open for alleged violators to choose to use.
—Caleb Wiseblood
Guadalupe appoints nonprofit to accept Royal Theater donations on its behalf
To reassure the public that donations toward Guadalupe’s Royal Theater project won’t be channeled into other uses, city leaders agreed on a new go-between for future contributions.
During the Guadalupe City Council’s May 27 meeting, City Attorney Philip F. Sinco explained staff’s reasoning for nominating the Guadalupe Community Action Coalition (GCAC) to fill this role—despite instances where the board and city management overlap.
“In full disclosure, some people think it’s kind of strange to have the city administrator as the [GCAC] president, and the finance director as the treasurer. But there are three other non-city people on the board,” Sinco said at the meeting.
“With the way [GCAC] was set up, the city wanted to have some control over it, but not legally have control over it.”
Alongside City Administrator Todd Bodem and Finance Director Janice Davis, the nonprofit’s five-member board includes Michael Jimenez, Garret Matsuura, and Emilio Handall, according to GCAC’s website. The nonprofit meets once a month to help the city seek funding for community services by assisting with grant applications and other programs, Sinco told the council.
Under current projects, the sole item GCAC’s website lists is the Royal Theater project with no additional text as of June 3—minus a subtitle that reads, “Project updates coming soon.” “Moving forward, is there a way that maybe we can just get some updates from the GCAC?”
HI, FIRE SEASON: Last summer’s Lake Fire burned more than 26,000 acres in Northern Santa Barbara County. The Santa Barbara County Fire Department is hoping its guidelines prevent a similar outbreak this summer.
Councilmember Whitney Furness asked staff. “Because I don’t think previously we have had anything.”
Furness serves on the Royal Theater’s capital campaign committee and raised similar transparency concerns about the project during the council’s May 13 meeting.
“Well, technically they’re not required to give you any updates,” Sinco told Furness on May 27 when asked about the GCAC nonprofit’s obligations to the city.
“But, on this MOU [memorandum of understanding], they will have to give you updates,” Sinco added. “I believe, … on a monthly basis.”
That MOU designated GCAC as the Royal Theater Project’s official fiscal sponsor, thanks to a 5-0 approval vote from the council later during the May 27 meeting.
Before the vote, staff gave the council an alternative to consider, in which the city continues to directly accept financial donations for the Royal Theater project. In both scenarios,
the city itself is the ultimate beneficiary of these funds, according to the staff report.
“It just seems to make good sense to have a nonprofit organization out there as well that can accept the donations on behalf of the city,” Sinco said. “There are some people that would be hesitant to maybe make donations directly to city government for whatever reason.” m
—Caleb Wiseblood
PAVE THE WAY: On May 27, the Guadalupe City Council named the Guadalupe Community Action Coalition as the Royal Theater Project’s official fiscal sponsor. The city previously accepted donations toward the project directly, a route city staff believes “many potential donors are leery of.”
Pop a cork
Vintners across Santa Ynez, Santa Maria, and Lompoc valleys celebrate Pride by raising a glass—and funds
BY CALEB WISEBLOOD
Since its inception, Los Olivos’ Future Perfect Wine hasn’t let a year go by without donating one of its wine’s proceeds to a cause close to owner and winemaker Sunny Doench Stricker’s heart.
“I have released a Pride rosé every year since the tasting room has been open, and we just celebrated our fourth anniversary on Memorial Day weekend,” the local vintner and former film actor told the Sun via email.
Nicknamed “the Porch Pounder,” Future Perfect Wine’s Pride rosé is 100 percent grenache, and “Provençal in style—light and bright,” said Stricker, who will donate all proceeds of the limited edition wine’s sales to local nonprofit SYV Pride.
“I expect it to be gone before the end of the month,” Stricker
said. “The Pride rosé usually sells out pretty quickly.”
Stricker said that her aim to help uplift groups like SYV Pride stems from an ideal her mother ingrained in her.
“Making sure everyone feels safe and inspired enough to be their shiniest, brightest self, … that is the culture we carry at Future Perfect,” Stricker said. “I was raised by a queen. … She always reminded me to razzledazzle. ‘Never ever tap down the sparkle,’ she would say. ‘You must glow, radiate, light the way.’”
While living in LA as a working actor before moving to the Central Coast, Stricker said that her mother “would mail me tinsel, feathers, and glitter that I kept in a glove box” with a note that read: “Look up, … keep looking up.”
“So I do, I keep looking up,” said the winemaker, who unveiled her brand’s latest iteration of its Pride rosé on June 1, during Future Perfect Wine’s annual Razzle Dazzle Disco event.
“Your vibe really does attract your tribe. And somehow, the shiny, kind, extra hopeful, creative, supportive people just keep showing up,” Stricker said about the event’s popularity over the years. “I dig it.”
With each vintage of Pride rosé, starting with its first in 2021, Stricker has credited two of her dear friends, Jenae Unruh and her wife, Nikki Faragasso, as its co-creators, “even though they are not winemakers,” she clarified.
Future Perfect Wine’s general manager, Gillian Arnold, said that the couple contributes “to the overall concept and spirit of the project.”
“Nikki and Jenae have collaborated with Sunny on the Pride rosé every year since the first vintage,” Arnold said over email. “They help shape the vision, aesthetic, and messaging, and their input is a big part of what makes the wine feel so celebratory and intentional.”
Future Perfect Wine is one of many local wineries either allocating wine sale proceeds to LGBTQ-plus initiatives or using other means to benefit them this June.
Presqu’ile Winery in the Santa Maria Valley will donate 100 percent of its ticket sales to the eighth annual HOPE After Dark Drag Show to House of Pride and Equality (HOPE). Morgan McMichaels and Venus D-Lite of RuPaul’s Drag Race fame will be among the performers.
Lompoc-based boutique winery Camins 2 Dreams, owned and operated by Mireia Taribó and her wife, Tara Gomez, is releasing a special Pride red blend for the third year in a row to benefit HOPE. Like Future Perfect Wine’s track record, it’s a tradition that’s been part of Camins 2 Dreams since the winery’s first year in business.
“This year, specifically, we’re donating 50 percent of the Pride edition red wine to HOPE,” Gomez told the Sun via email.
“[In] 2024, we donated 60 percent of the proceeds split between SYV Pride and HOPE,” Gomez added, while 60 percent of 2023’s Pride wine proceeds supported both nonprofits and a third beneficiary, The Rainbow House Inc.
Regardless of what time of year it is, Gomez said that she and Taribó “aim to foster a space where everyone feels valued and included, while also raising awareness” at the couple’s tasting room on East Chestnut Court.
To close out Pride Month later this June, Camins 2 Dreams will host its third annual Cheers Queers event, with music from DJ EWreck, a food pop-up from Lompoc’s Savory and Sweet Eats, and more.
Stolpman Vineyards’ Los Olivos tasting room will join in on this year’s Pride action with its fourth annual All Colors
of the Rainbow program, on June 12 from 6 to 8 p.m.
“In addition to the event, we run a special sale on [our] 2023 Crunchy Roastie for the entire month of June,” Stolpman Vineyards events and marketing manager Natalie Anders said over email. “Fifteen percent of sales go to SYV Pride during the month of June.”
Crunchie Roastie isn’t the only wine from Stolpman people can buy knowing a portion of their purchase goes toward SYV Pride.
“This year, we’ve expanded the sale to include two more summertime wines—2023 Uni white, 2024 Love You Bunches rosé,” Anders said, “with the aim of increasing the donation.” m Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood is raising a glass at cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
TERRIFIC TRIO: Sunny Doench Stricker, Nikki Faragasso, and Jenae Unruh—the co-creators of Future Perfect Wine’s annual Pride rosé—pose at 2024’s SYV Pride Parade and Festival. This year’s fest will take place in downtown Solvang on June 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
DYNAMIC DUO: Lompoc’s Camins 2 Dreams, owned and operated by Mireia Taribó (left) and her wife, Tara Gomez (right), will donate 50 percent of its Pride edition red blend to Santa Barbara County’s House of Pride and Equality (HOPE).
TASTE THE RAINBOW: Throughout the month of June, Stolpman Vineyards is donating 15 percent of proceeds from three of its wines—2023 Crunchie Roastie, 2023 Uni white, and 2024 Love You Bunches rosé—to SYV Pride.
PHOTO COURTESY OF STOLPMAN VINEYARDS
FANTASTIC FOUR: Stolpman Vineyards representatives Nicole McAllister, Savannah Seagal, and Natalie Anders and SYV Pride Vice President Alyce Barrick (left to right) were among the attendees of last year’s All Colors of the Rainbow event at Stolpman Vineyards’ Los Olivos tasting room.
PHOTO COURTESY OF STOLPMAN VINEYARDS
parties
BY EMMA MONTALBANO
he Central Coast may not be known for its LGBTQ-plus nightlife, but some businesses are using Pride Month as an opportunity to change that.
Pride Month, which became official in 1999, offers a period of time to recognize, celebrate, and uplift members of the LGBTQ-plus community.
While locals can find a Pride Month dance party at Chido Bar in Santa Maria—which will host the Official Pride After Party on June 8, starting at 5 p.m. featuring music from DJ CARIII—Vanessa Perez, who handles marketing at Chido, said that even though the venue doesn’t necessarily host Pride-centric events every night, it welcomes all walks of life at all times.
“It doesn’t matter what day or time it is, everybody’s welcome, and I want people to understand that,” Perez said. “I think once we host parties like this, people will understand how comfortable it actually is here and how they can just let loose and be safe.”
To put on this event, Chido is partnering with the Central Coast’s House of Pride and Equality (HOPE). Executive Director Suzette Lopez said that this is the organization’s seventh annual Pride celebration, noting that with all of the events being hosted, they are raising money for HOPE to be able to hold gatherings throughout the year.
“We want to create safe spaces for everyone in the community all year round,” Lopez said.
“We hope that the community can engage and continue the momentum and continue to come to our events and just keep growing the community in Santa Maria and the Central Coast.”
According to Lopez, the point of Pride Month is to remind people that it’s OK to be their true and authentic selves all day, every day. In her lifetime, she has noticed a positive shift in Santa Maria, where the LGBTQ-plus community has become more visible and proud.
“We’re not afraid anymore, and we want to celebrate our differences and ourselves,” she said.
“I think a wonderful thing is that there’s not just one organization on the Central Coast, there’s multiple organizations doing the good work.”
Some of those local organizations and safe spaces are a harder to come by in other places on the Central Coast. Libertine Brewing Company Event and Marketing Manager John Pranjic said that the lack of queer-friendly places
Time and place
Chido Bar is located at 221 N. Broadway in Santa Maria. For more information, visit facebook.com/ChidoBarSantaMaria or call (805) 631-5007.
For more information about Libertine Brewing, visit libertinebrewing.com or call (805) 548-2338. The venue is located at 1234 Broad St. in SLO.
To find more Pride events happening
in San Luis Obispo is “both scary and sad.”
“There’s not very many friendly, safe spaces for [LGBTQ-plus] people to gather,” Pranjic said. “As inclusive of an image as SLO tries to portray, there just aren’t very many spaces that are friendly, safe spaces for these types of events, and I struggle to think of any to name to even tell you right now.”
Libertine Brewing Company in downtown SLO has hosted That’s So Drag brunches for several years now, which Pranjic said always bring in enthusiastic and fun crowds. On June 7 at 8 p.m., the brewery will host an event to premiere the That’s So Drag documentary.
The idea for the documentary came about after hearing one of the catchphrases of San Luis Obispo-based drag queen, Nala Diamond, he said. According to Pranjic, Diamond, who uses nonbinary pronouns, ends every drag brunch at Libertine by saying something along the lines of, “a wise queen once told [me], stand for those who have fallen, be a voice for those who are silent, be here, and be yourself.”
“I think it was the second or third time that I heard them say that, I was hanging out on the sidewalk, and I saw everybody seated inside and all eyes on Nala,” Pranjic explained. “They said
that quote, and I was like, more people should probably hear that because it’s really inspiring and really positive. This community is typically looked down upon, and there are a lot of negative connotations when it comes to this environment. I had the idea to just kind of share more of the positive side of this experience.”
The documentary, which features behind-thescenes footage from some of the previous drag shows hosted at Libertine along with interviews of drag queens, aims to honor the art and beauty of drag.
“We sat down and interviewed the queens, and they got to tell their stories,” Pranjic said. “Why do they do this? What scares them about doing it? What excites them about doing it? Overall, we set out with the vision to kind of tell a serious, funny story, and I feel like we nailed it.”
After the premiere of the documentary, Diamond and other featured drag queens, such as Juicy CW, will be available to answer questions and engage with attendees. Then, the event will turn into a dance party. m
Reach Staff Writer Emma Montalbano at emontalbano@newtimesslo.com.
FABULOUS FESTIVITIES: Attendees of the That’s So Drag documentary premiere and dance party can expect a fun time with glamour and glitter, according to Libertine Brewing Company Event and Marketing Manager John Pranjic.
SAFE SPACES: The Central Coast has a vibrant LGBTQ-plus
Dozens of shoppers traversed aisles of fresh produce and namebrand
after the Orcutt Grocery Outlet’s ribbon cutting in mid-May, all under the watchful gaze of Bimbo’s beloved mascot, Osito Bimbo.
Shopping carts with heart
Grocery Outlet marks Orcutt debut with $1,000 donation toward local education resources
BY CALEB WISEBLOOD
Awhite bear in a puffy chef’s hat and apron by the name of Osito Bimbo greeted the first customers to step foot in Orcutt’s newest grocery store the morning of its May 15 grand opening.
Bringing Orcutt its first Grocery Outlet was a venture into uncharted territory for owner and operator Bryan Lutz, even with nearly four decades of grocery retail experience under his belt.
“Lucky, Albertsons, Save Mart were some of the other chains I’ve worked for,” said Lutz, who relocated from Sacramento to Orcutt a few months ago.
“I’ve always been a fan of the Central Coast,” he added while citing past visits to Pismo Beach and Santa Barbara.
But he had never been to Orcutt prior to considering setting up shop in the area.
“I already knew I was going to love [Orcutt]. But when I got down here to look at it, I just really fell in love with it, … when I was deciding on this store,” Lutz told the Sun. “It’s a wonderful community. Everything about this area just checked every box for me.”
Based out of Emeryville, the Grocery Outlet chain primarily operates through a network of independently owned stores across the country, such as Lutz’ new market in Orcutt. The Grocery Outlet in Santa Maria, for example, about 5 miles away from Lutz’s, is under different ownership.
Lutz said he spent about a year training with some of Grocery Outlet’s corporate staffers to learn the ins and outs of running an independent store.
Between now and June 13, visitors of the new Orcutt bargain market can enter a raffle to win $1,000 worth of free groceries. Lutz said he plans to post other promotions and limited time discounts on the Orcutt store’s Facebook page regularly.
In late May, for instance, a video on the page showed an employee in the store’s chicken section peel away a “2.69/lb.” sticker to reveal a “1.99/lb” listing underneath. The video’s caption read: “Don’t chicken out on this deal.”
The first big Grocery Outlet giveaway Lutz facilitated was on May 15, when the market opened its doors to the public at 8 a.m.
The first 100 customers to scurry through and make purchases at the new shop on East Clark Avenue received a gift card, each loaded with a mystery amount—ranging between $5 and $500.
Lutz said he knew the giveaway would be carried out swiftly but was still caught off guard that morning.
“We had 100 [cards], which is normally sufficient. But this community really took to the grand opening,” Lutz said. “Those gift cards went fast. … [There] was an amazing turnout.”
“We let them in at 8 a.m. and I would probably say at about 8:30 a.m., we got through all the gift cards,” he recalled.
Shortly before his store’s ribbon cutting, Lutz announced a special donation he had in mind to commemorate the occasion while benefitting a local cause. That day he donated $1,000 to Supporting Orcutt Academy’s Academic Resources (SOAAR).
“It’s a resource that helps Orcutt Academy with their educational programs that they have going on,” said Lutz, who has two teen daughters back in Sacramento finishing the school year before moving to Orcutt this summer.
“I’m very passionate about education,” Lutz continued. “Sports and education are two spots that hit my heart.”
Lutz said he’s a lifelong baseball fanatic and that he also got into soccer later in life after his daughters started playing. At the May 15 opening, Lutz presented his $1,000 donation in giant check form to SOAAR board president Mark Steller and board member Joe Dana.
“We definitely want to get involved in this community and get involved as much as we can,” Lutz said. “I love getting involved, … whatever I can do to give back is my goal and my family’s goal.”
Highlight
• The Lompoc Unified School District invites its students of all grade levels to take part in the fifth annual Summer Reading Challenge: Book Bingo, between June 6 and Aug. 11. To participate, students can pick up or download a book bingo card with prompts to complete for the chance to receive a prize. For more info, email nelson.katelyn@lusd.org. m
Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood wrote Spotlight this week. Send comments to cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
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Local lovers of Central Coast open spaces must take action now to protect our natural capital
BY GIANNA PATCHEN & ANDREW CHRISTIE
“Action is the best antidote to despair.”
–Joan Baez
Public lands and waters are our country’s most popular areas for exploring nature while conserving landscapes, cultural areas, clean water, and wildlife, including the Central Coast’s very own Carrizo Plain National Monument, Los Padres National Forest, and Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.
But legislation introduced in Congress would make it easier to sell off and privatize those public lands, eliminate conservation areas, and prevent future presidents from declaring national monuments.
The Trump administration has ordered the removal of environmental protections for half of the land managed by the U.S. Forest Service. In February, the secretary of the interior issued an order mandating a review of all lands withdrawn from fossil fuel and mining development, directing the department to “revise all withdrawn public lands.” This could allow industrial development in iconic and important places like the Grand Canyon watershed, wildlife refuges, and other public lands.
When we can’t rely on federal agencies to do their jobs, local governments need to speak up. And the Central Coast has a lot to lose. From Avila Bay up to the Carrizo Plain and everything in between, the Central Coast’s outdoor places are essential to all of our lives. Local leaders have an opportunity to stand in solidarity with our communities and our ecosystems. It’s time to make it clear that Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties will oppose any policies and proposals to reduce or dismantle national monuments and other public land and water protections. Our supervisors should encourage California’s governor and attorney general and the members of California’s congressional delegation to take such actions as may be necessary to oppose future attempts to sell, transfer, or dispose of our national public lands.
They have an opportunity to pass such a resolution, conveying it to Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, U.S. Reps. Salud Carbajal and Jimmy Panetta, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, and President Donald Trump.
For all Americans, now is the time to use our voices in defense of our environment, our neighbors and our communities. We hope Central Coast leaders will join us in defense of people and the planet, starting with a resolution of support.
While we’re waiting, the SLO Sierra Club is hosting a Protecting Public Lands and Waters Panel at the SLO Grange Hall on June 18, from 5 to 7 p.m., featuring Congressman Carbajal and local conservation leaders. RSVP required via sierraclub.org/santa-lucia.
Meanwhile, the importance of this work is continually emphasized by the onslaught of federal efforts to dismantle environmental and community protections. In a profound assault on endangered species, the administration is gutting the Endangered Species Act by proposing to delete the definition of “harm” from federal regulations.
The Trump appointees now running the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service claim that the “take” (i.e., any actions that harm, wound, or kill wildlife) of threatened or endangered species should not include harm to species’ habitats. The administration asserts that “harm” should only mean actions that directly wound or kill wildlife.
Their “logic” fails when you read the first sentence in the section of the Endangered Species Act describing its very purpose, which is “to provide a means whereby the ecosystems upon which endangered species and threatened species depend may be conserved.”
The administration’s proposal to delete the definition of “harm” in the regulations, defies a Supreme Court ruling that has stood for 30 years, ignores the fact that the protection of threatened and endangered species is inextricably bound to the protection of their habitat, and that the protection of habitat is a primary purpose of the Endangered Species Act.
Removing that definition of “harm” would greenlight logging, drilling, mining, development, and other industrial activities that will destroy the habitat endangered species need to survive and recover—and that we humans need to survive. The loss of natural capital, including deforestation and the loss of soils and wetlands, will impair the ability of natural resources to clean air and water, an impact that will occur simultaneously with rising levels of pollution resulting from the proposed action.
The administration claims it is simply proposing a minor regulatory change that is exempt from environmental review. But in fact they are proposing extinction. We can’t let them do that. Your voice makes a difference in standing up against these threats.
Together we can and must defend people and the planet. m
Gianna Patchen is chapter coordinator for the Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club. Andrew Christie served as chapter director from 2004 to 2023. Send comments in response to letters@ santamariasun.com.
Stop targeting trans people, focus on issues
At a recent school board meeting, I stood up to speak—not to argue, but to ask our community to refocus on the real challenges facing our students. What I witnessed that night was deeply troubling: a growing effort to target trans students and trans athletes, often based on fear, misinformation, and political rhetoric. We owe it to ourselves—and especially to our youth—to do better.
Let’s start with the argument I heard more than once: “Men should not compete against women.” On that, we agree. Men and women have biological differences that, in competitive sports, require clear boundaries to ensure fairness. But trans women are not “men competing against women.” They are individuals who, after deep personal struggle, have made the extremely difficult decision to transition—often after years, even decades, of psychological distress and marginalization. Transition is not something anyone undertakes lightly. It typically involves rigorous mental health evaluations, hormone therapy, and often significant social and medical risks. Trans women who undergo hormone replacement therapy experience a dramatic decrease in testosterone levels— reducing muscle mass, strength, and endurance to levels much closer to those of cisgender women. Sports organizations like the NCAA and the International Olympic Committee have developed guidelines around these transitions for exactly this reason: to balance fairness with inclusion.
Another concern I heard was that trans people—particularly trans women—make locker rooms unsafe for women. Let me be clear: There is no credible evidence that trans people pose a danger to others in public restrooms or changing areas. In fact, trans people themselves are far more likely to be the targets of violence and harassment in these spaces. Suggesting that trans women are a threat reinforces dangerous stereotypes and ignores the real problem: the culture of misogyny and violence that already exists—and that no trans person created.
If safety is truly our concern, we should be talking about how to prevent sexual harassment, enforce consent education, and build respectful spaces for everyone. Frankly, most women would feel far safer in a locker room with a trans woman than with a certain male politician who has bragged about sexually assaulting women—and still holds office.
We can and should continue to have thoughtful discussions about fairness in sports. But let’s base those conversations on science, compassion, and truth—not fear. Let’s stop punching down one of the most vulnerable groups in our community and start lifting all people up.
Janice Mundee Paso Robles
Rainbows galore
Pride is upon us. It’s here. And I’m ready to flap my wings and tweet and twitter in celebration of the LGBTQ-plus community during their month, June!
I’m curious what will happen at the Santa Maria City Council meeting tonight—June 3—as proclaiming Pride Month in June is on the agenda. Will the emboldened haters out there show up to “speak out”?
I hope not.
In Solvang, I haven’t heard a disgruntled peep out of the constituents who so malevolently spoke out against Pride banners on streetlights in 2023 while claiming they weren’t ill-intentioned and loved everybody. The Solvang City Council claimed that hanging the banners went against the city’s Danish roots.
Turns out, Copenhagen’s lord mayor (an actual Danish person from Denmark) had something to say about that!
However, I haven’t seen any proposals to proclaim June Pride Month in Solvang, either. So, I’m a little suspicious. Hopefully other cities won’t follow Morro Bay’s lead in attempting (pretending?) to stay out of the political fray over Pride and what it represents.
Really, Pride is about celebrating several communities that have overcome so much— communities once criminalized by law enforcement, communities that are still battling disenfranchisement and erasure.
All we really need to do is look to Arroyo Grande High School to see how important it is to support the underrepresented populations in our midst. It’s crazy that one trans female at a school can inspire so much hatred. She needs all the support we can give her. That way, others know that it’s OK to be who they are as well.
As a community, we can do better. And some of us are.
Kudos to all the wineries out there supporting Pride Month and LGBTQ-plus nonprofits, wineries like Future Perfect
“Making sure everyone feels safe and inspired enough to be their shiniest, brightest self is the culture we carry at Future Perfect,” owner and winemaker Sunny Doench Stricker said.
The winery’s 100 percent grenache Pride rosé’s proceeds all go to benefit Santa Ynez Valley Pride, which is hosting a Pride parade and festival in Solvang on June 14.
Some SYV Pride members attended Copenhagen’s Pride festivities in 2023 and learned a lot about what a celebration like that can do for the community as a whole and what it means for its individual members.
The anti-LGBTQ rhetoric that continues its drumbeat here in the U.S.—a rhythm our president unfortunately has tuned into and continues to increase—ripples out into the world.
“It’s certainly affirmed that Pride is one of our greatest tools in fulfilling our mission of creating a safe, supportive, and empowering home for LGBTQ residents in the valley,” SYV Pride board President Lauren Lastra said at the time. “I think in general Pride celebrations are so important for our youth and allies to feel affirmed in their identities, to feel seen, to have a sense of belonging—outside of Pride or queer-friendly spaces, it’s hard to find.
“Being a part of the majority for a few hours, that is really important, especially in your formative years.” m
The Canary is ready to paint the Central Coast rainbow. Send colors to canary@santamariasun.com.
NAACP San Luis Obispo County Branch
Juneteenth Celebration
–– Freedom Day ––
Theme: “WE’RE STILL HERE STANDING TOGETHER”
Saturday June 14, 2025
MISSION PLAZA DOWNTOWN SLO 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Visit Juneteenthslo.com for more information
BBQ Chicken Dinner & Gumbo Cook-off • Black History Exhibit • Resourse Fair • Silent Auction
Keynote Speaker - Dr. Darren McDuffie, Superientendent Santa Maria-Bonita School District
Performances By House of Prayer Choir
Connect The Coast
Silk Oocean • Jasmine Pickett
Bay Love and more !
2025 Sponsors
MERCADO Y CARNICERIA LA MIA
Susan Rodriguez, Agent
Behavioral Health San Luis Obispo County
The class of 2025 is almost here, and we’re looking to fill the pages of the Best of Northern Santa Barbara County yearbook. We need you to help us by voting for the most popular kids in school. Cheer on your favorite coffee shops, bars, restaurants, dentists, salons, and more— we’ve got categories for all of them!
You don’t even need to talk to an adviser for help with this one. And don’t forget to keep in touch.
Vote online at santamariasun.com. Remember, you need to complete at least 25 categories to make the cut. Return this ballot to the Sun office or finish filling one out online by Monday, June 23, at 5 p.m., and keep an eye out for our biggest issue of the year memorializing the winning class of 2025 on Aug. 21.
—Camillia Lanham
JACK’S ALL-AMERICAN PLUMBING
59. Best Bar
60. Best Bartender (name & location)
61. Best Dive Bar
62. Best Sports Bar
63. Best Craft Cocktail 64. Best Michelada 65. Best Margarita
66. Best Place for a Beer 67. Best Place for a Cup of Coffee 68. Best Juice Place 69. Best Boba Tea
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.
DANCE CLASSES: EVERYBODY CAN
DANCE Classes available for all skill levels. Class sizes limited. Everybody Can Dance, 628 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria, (805) 937-6753, everybodycandance.webs.com/.
VALLEY ART GALLERY: ROTATING
DISPLAYS Featured artists of Santa Maria’s Valley Art Gallery frequently display their works at the airport. Check website for details on monthly exhibits and full list of the gallery’s artists. ongoing valleygallery.org. Santa Maria Airport, 3217 Terminal Drive, Santa Maria.
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY
EARTH PIGMENTS AND NATURAL
PAINTS WORKSHOP Learn how to identify rocks suitable for paint, as well as the best practices for collecting respectfully and turning stones into pigments. June 8, 1-3 p.m. $65. calnatureartmuseum.org. California Nature Art Museum, 1511-B Mission Dr., Solvang.
PAINTING IN THE VINEYARD AT VEGA
VINEYARD AND FARM If you are looking for something unique to do in Santa Barbara County Wine Country, Vega Vineyard and Farm in Buellton has got you covered. Enjoy an afternoon of wine and paints. June 8 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $89. (805) 325-8092. artspotonwheels.com. Vega Vineyard and Farm, 9496 Santa Rosa Road, Buellton.
YOGA IN THE GALLERIES: GENTLE, RESTORATIVE, AND NATURE-INSPIRED In this nature-inspired yoga class, we unite gentle expressions of yoga postures with calm breathing, while weaving in mindful reflection on the awe of nature. Participate and purchase your ticket at the link. June 10 9-10 a.m. $10. calnatureartmuseum.org. California Nature Art Museum, 1511-B Mission Dr., 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 COUNTY
DANCE FITNESS ART AND CULTURE FOR ADULTS Discover dance as a form of artistic expression and exercise, using a wide range of styles and genres of music (including modern, jazz, Broadway, ethnic). Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m. $10 drop-in; $30 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach. LESS MISERABLE A spoof of one of the most beloved musicals of all time. Through June 14 Great American Melodrama, 1863 Front St., Oceano.
SECOND SATURDAY IMPROV MEETUP
Have you ever wanted to try improv? Or are you an experienced player looking for opportunities to practice? Join to play short-form games and share smiles in the supportive environment of improv.
Second Saturday of every month, 2-4 p.m. through Dec. 13 improvforgood.fun/. Flex Performing Arts Studio (Studio D), 1820 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach.
SNOW WHITE AND LA BAYADERE
Presented by Everybody Can DANCE and
Santa Maria Civic Ballet. June 7 7-9 p.m. and June 8 3-5 p.m. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/shows/ecd-snow-white-labayadere/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.
WORKSHOPS AND MORE AT THE LAVRA
Check the venue’s calendar for storytelling 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
ACTOR’S EDGE: ACTING CLASSES
Actor’s Edge offers film and television acting training in San Luis Obispo, plus exposure to Los Angeles talent agents. All ages and skill levels welcome. Classes available in SLO, LA, and on zoom. ongoing $210 per month. actorsedge.com. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
ART AFTER DARK Art After Dark features an art opening of world-class artists. Refreshments will be served. First Friday of every month, 5-8 p.m. through March 7 Free. slocountyarts.org/art-after-dark. SLO County, Various locations countywide, San Luis Obispo.
ART, WINE, AND KITTENS Wander through the gallery of stunning artworks, from original oil paintings to fine art prints and postcards. Meet the artists, Drew Davis and Marina Marsh, and find the perfect art piece to take home while petting kittens. Get more info at the link. June 6, 5-8 p.m. Free. my805tix.com. Drew Davis Fine Art, 393 Pacific St., San Luis Obispo.
ARTIST RIKI SCHUMACHER AT ART CENTRAL GALLERY Schumacher’s work is pensive and introspective, inspiring one to take a solitary walk on a cloudy day. Wander in to reflect on her “delicious, wistful landscapes.” Mondays-Saturdays,
SUMMER FILMS
Three free movies will be screened at Ryon Memorial Park in Lompoc over the upcoming months as part of the Summer Movies in the Park series, hosted by the city’s Parks and Recreation Division. Moana 2 will play on Saturday, June 14, at 8 p.m., and on Saturday, July 12, Dog Man. To round out the series, community members can enjoy A Minecraft Movie on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 8 p.m. More information is available at cityoflompoc.com.
—Angie Stevens
10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. Free. (805) 747-4200. artcentralslo.com/galleryartists/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
CENTRAL COAST COMEDY THEATER IMPROV COMEDY SHOW An ongoing improv comedy program featuring the CCCT’s Ensemble. Grab some food at the public market’s wonderful eateries and enjoy the show upstairs. Second Friday of every month, 6-8 p.m. $10. my805tix.com/e/ improv-comedy-1-10. SLO Public Market, 120 Tank Farm Road, 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. June 6 -Aug. 31, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 543-8562. sloma.org/exhibition/deannabarahona/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
ESTEBAN CABEZA DE BACA: REMEMBERING THE FUTURE Ranging from 2015 to 2024, the eleven paintings in the gallery explore issues of belonging and identity, activism, and joy and celebration. Through June 22, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 543-8562. sloma.org. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
FIRST FRIDAYS Visit SLOMA on the first Friday of each month for exhibition openings, music, and wines provided by regional winery partners. Admission is free and open to the public. First Friday of every month, 5-8 p.m. Free. (805) 5438562. sloma.org/events/first-fridays/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY AND ART
Owen and Kyoko Hunt from Kyoto, Japan offer classes for Japanese calligraphy (Fridays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.), a Japanese art
called “haiga” (Fridays, 10-11:30 a.m.) and more at Nesting Hawk Ranch. Fridays $45. (702) 335-0730. Nesting Hawk Ranch, Call for address, San Luis Obispo.
THE LARAMIE PROJECT
CongregationHouse Productions is thrilled to present this second annual Reader’s Theater presentation of The Laramie Project . Get tickets to see it live at the link. June 12 7-9:30 p.m. $23. my805tix.com. CongregationHouse, 11245 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo.
NORTH COUNTY CAMERA CLUB: REGULAR MEETING Zoom meeting for The North County Camera Club, where photographers of all levels can participate, share photos, exchange information, and learn from each other. Second Tuesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. facebook.com/ groups/PRAAphotoguild. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION: A KLASS’ PHOTOGRAPHY Head to the GALA Pride and Diversity Center to celebrate the opening night of the nationally-recognized trans photographer A Klass’ exhibit. Klass’ portrait work highlights the beauty, complexity, and resilience of trans live. There will also be a Q&A with the artist. Get more info at the link. June 6 5-8 p.m. Free. galacc.org. GALA Pride and Diversity Center, 1060 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 541-4252.
PICKET PAINTING PARTY Decorative picket purchasing opportunities are available to show your support and help fund maintenance and educational programs in the Children’s Garden. Second Saturday of every month, 1-4 p.m. $75 per picket or 2 for $100. (805) 541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE Central Coast Gilbert and Sullivan proudly presents one of the duo’s most famous operas. June 7 3 p.m. and June 8 3 p.m. $25-$30. (805) 546-3198. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.
PLEIN AIR PAINTERS OF THE CENTRAL COAST A self-directed fun group of dynamic artists who enjoy painting and sketching outdoors. Artists meet on
site at various locations. Weekly plein air destinations are provided by Kirsti Wothe via email (mrswothe@yahoo.com). Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon SLO County, Locations countywide, San Luis Obispo. SLO COMEDY UNDERGROUND OPEN MIC NIGHT Enjoy a night of laughs provided by the local SLO Comedy Community. It’s open mic night, so anyone can perform and “you never know what you’ll see.” Tuesdays, 8 p.m. Free. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 548-2337, libertinebrewing.com.
SLO NIGHTWRITERS: A COMMUNITY OF WRITERS SLO NightWriters supports local writers with monthly presentations, critique groups, contests, and other events. Second Tuesday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. slonightwriters.org. United Church of Christ (Congregational) of San Luis Obispo, 11245 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo.
SLO REP’S ACADEMY OF CREATIVE THEATRE SUMMER CAMPS Registration is open for the summer theatre camps at SLO REP. They are week-long camps for ages five to 18. Scholarships are available. Mondays. through Aug. 4 $230. (805) 781-3889. slorep.org/education/acttheatre-camps/. San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre, 3533 Empleo St., San Luis Obispo. STEPPIN’ UP TO THE MIC: CONTRA DANCE CALLING WORKSHOP SERIES Learn to lead contra dances from the best callers across California. Year-long workshop series for new and aspiring contra dance callers, with opportunities to call. Feb. 8 $120. cccds.org/stepup. Odd Fellows Hall, 520 Dana St., San Luis Obispo. VIRGINIA MACK: BEGINNING WATERCOLOR This is a watercolor class designed to let you jump in and try out this engaging medium through experimentation. It’s designed for beginners and those with watercolor experience who wish to expand their knowledge of painting in watercolors. To contact Mack via email: vbmack@ charter.net Wednesdays, 1:30-3:30 p.m. $35. (805) 747-4200. artcentralslo.com/ workshops-events/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DENNIS SMITHERMAN
Hot Stuff
SEABREEZE SHOP
Purchase locally made goods from an array of vendors at the Oceano Seabreeze Market on Saturday, June 7, from noon to 4 p.m. The free event will be held at the Oceano Train Depot, and will feature live music as well as food and drink for purchase. For more information, visit discoveroceanoca.com.
—A.S.
ARTS from page 14
WALT WHITMAN GAY MEN’S BOOK CLUB This club reads, studies and discusses books chosen by the group which relate to their lives as gay men. All are welcome. Second Monday of every month, 7-9:30 p.m. Free. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
WHITNEY PINTELLO: SOLO SHOW On display now through mid-April. ongoing slogallery.com/. SLO Gallery, 1023 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN With charm, wit, and heart, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown explores life through the eyes of Charlie Brown and his friends in the Peanuts gang. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays, Sundays, 2-4 p.m. through June 29 $20-$37. SLO Rep, 888 Morro St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 786-2440, slorep.org/.
NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY
ART LIFE COACHING:CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS: ART JOURNALING Blending expressive art with gentle life coaching principles, this class invites seniors to explore their stories, values, and dreams through mixed media art journaling. Get tickets and more info at the link. Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-noon through July 15 $20. my805tix.com. Lor Coaching Studios, 525 Harbor St., Morro Bay.
BOOK SIGNING WITH AWARD-WINNING
LOCAL AUTHOR DEBBIE NOBLE BLACK Debbie Black will sign copies of Deetjen’s Closet plus newly-released The Old Secret at Hotel Oregon both in her lightly haunted series for ages 8-12. June 7 1-3 p.m. Free. Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main St., Morro Bay, coalescebookstore.com/.
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.
DRAWING ABSTRACT AND PATTERN PLAY: FOCUS ON ZENTANGLE® AND CREATIVE FLOW
Unleash your creativity and experience the joy of drawing in this 6-week course designed especially for seniors. Drawing for Joy and Discovery invites participants into a world of abstract art, expressive mark-making, and
provided. Registration is required. June 7 3-4:30 p.m. Free. (805) 925-0994 ext.8562. cityofsantamaria.org/services/departments/ library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.
CENTRAL COAST CORVETTE CLUB Open to Corvette owners and enthusiasts. First Thursday of every month, 7 p.m. Free. (805) 9343948. Home Motors, 1313 E. Main St., Santa Maria.
FAMILY TOOLS+ FamilyTools+ is geared towards parents of youth, ages 5 to 18, with ADHD, autism, Tourette’s to focus on the needs of neurodiverse youth. Get more info at the link. Thursdays, 12-1 p.m. through July 1 Free. (805) 770-1593. youthwell.org/groups. Online (Santa Barbara County), Visit website, Countywide.
FEEL GOOD YOGA Tuesdays, Thursdays, 8:309:30 a.m. (805) 937-9750. oasisorcutt.org. Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt.
FIRST FRIDAY First Friday of every month facebook.com/firstfridayoldtownorcutt/. Historic Old Town Orcutt, S. Broadway and Union Ave., Orcutt.
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. HOPE AFTER DARK: 8TH ANNUAL DRAG
SHOW DJ Suz will deliver the music, while wine will be provided by Presqu’ile Winery, coffee by Deltina Coffee, and food by Kekas and Tubby Cravings. Get tickets and more info at the link. June 7 7 p.m. $45. my805tix.com. Presqu’ile Winery, 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., Santa Maria, (805) 937-8110.
ORCUTT MINERAL SOCIETY Second Tuesday of every month Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt, (805) 937-9750.
SANTA MARIA TOASTMASTERS Develop your public speaking skills at this club meeting. Second Tuesday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m. (805) 570-0620. Santa Maria Airport, 3217 Terminal Drive, Santa Maria.
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY
meditative pattern play rooted in the Zentangle® method. Each week, you’ll explore drawing techniques that promote relaxation, focus, and personal expression. No prior drawing experience is needed. Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m. through July 15 $20. my805tix.com. Lor Coaching Studios, 525 Harbor St., Morro Bay.
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER CATHY RUSS Russ’ distinctive and evocative streetscape and landscape photography captures unique moments from her many global travels, exhibited inside Gallery at Marina Square. Through June 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.
FIBER AND TEXTILES BY DEBBIE GEDAYLOO
Gedayloo’s richly textured and touchable fiber, felt, and mixed media art depicts dimensional landscapes and objects. Through June 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.
FOREVER STOKED PAINT PARTY Join us at the gallery, for a few hours to travel on a creative paint journey. You will receive as much or as little instruction as you prefer. No artistic experience is necessary. Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. $45. (805) 772-9095. foreverstoked.com. Forever Stoked, 1164 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay. FREEPHOTOGRAPHY DEMONSTRATION Art Center Morro Bay is offering a demonstration with photographer Barry Goyette. Don’t miss out. June 7 3-5 p.m. (805) 772-2504. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay, artcentermorrobay.org.
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS
ANDROID PHONE CLASS First Thursday of every month Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt, (805) 937-9750.
CASUAL CRAFTERNOON: PIPE CLEANER
JELLYFISH LIGHT Light up your space with a fun pipe cleaner jellyfish that has fairy lights. This workshop is free, and all materials are
SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY
BEGINNER GROUP SURF LESSONS AND SURF
CAMPS Lessons and camp packages available daily. All equipment included. Starts at $70. (805) 835-7873. sandbarsurf.com/. Sandbar Surf School Meetup Spot, 110 Park Ave., Pismo Beach.
BEGINNING BALLET FOR ADULTS Enjoy the grace and flow of ballet. No previous experience needed. Wednesdays, 5:15-6:15 p.m. $12 drop-in; $40 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.
BODY FUSION/EXERCISE AND FITNESS
CLASS Do something good for yourself and stay fit for outdoor sports, while enhancing flexibility, strengthening your core to prevent lower back issues, improving your posture through yoga, and more. Tuesdays, Thursdays, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. (970) 710-1412. Avila Beach Community Center, 191 San Miguel St., Avila Beach, avilabeachcc.com.
COMMUNITY NATIVE GARDEN MONTHLY
VOLUNTEER WORKDAY Volunteers accomplish a variety of tasks including pathways maintenance, litter patrol of the garden perimeter, weeding, irrigation system expansion/repairs, pruning, and plantings. Volunteers should bring work gloves, a hat, drinking water, and tools related to the above activities. First Saturday of every month, 9 a.m.-noon Free. (805) 710-3073. Nipomo Native Garden, Camino Caballo at Osage, Nipomo.
DONATION-BASED YOGA FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, EMTS, AND CARETAKERS
Class schedule varies. Contact empoweryoga805@gmail for details and reservations. ongoing (805) 619-0989. empoweryoga805.com. Empower Yoga Studio and Community Boutique, 775 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach.
GREEN & BLUE: A COASTAL CELEBRATION
Join the Environmental Defense Center in a beautiful garden for exciting live and silent auctions, wine, beer, food and fun! June 8 , 2-5:30 p.m. $125. environmentaldefensecenter. org/gb/. Rancho La Patera & Stow House, 304 N Los Carneros Rd, Goleta, (805) 963-1622.
MULTICULTURAL DANCE CLASS FOR ADULTS
19TH ANNUAL LOS OLIVOS JAZZ AND OLIVE FESTIVAL Spend the afternoon tasting wine and delicious olive-themed dishes, while strolling in the Santa Ynez Valley. The Alan Satchwell Quintet will perform live jazz. Get tickets and more information now at the link. June 7 1-4 p.m. $100. jazzandolivefestival.org/. Lavinia Campbell Park, 2398 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos.
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY PRIDE PARADE AND FESTIVAL The 2025 SYV Pride Parade will roll through downtown Solvang with floats, music, and more, ending with a family-centric Pride Festival (also in downtown Solvang). June 14 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free; with item or activity purchase prices. syvpride.org/2025-pride. Downtown Solvang, Citywide, Solvang.
LOMPOC/VANDENBERG
AFTERNOON BINGO Bingo with potluck. Parking in rear. Buy one of everything for $20. Guests can participate without bringing food. Look forward to a fun afternoon. Second Tuesday of every month, 12-4 p.m. All games are $1 each. (805) 736-6669. Valley of Flowers HalfCentury Club, 341 No. N St., Lompoc.
LOMPOC ART WALK Lompoc transforms into a celebration and showcase of local artists during this monthly event, which features live music, art, exciting exhibitions, performances, and a variety of unique vendors. First Thursday of every month, 5-8 p.m. Old Town Lompoc, H and I St., Lompoc.
SUMMER “MOVIES IN THE PARK” SERIES The city of Lompoc’s Parks and Recreation Division will host three free movies for community members throughout the summer at Ryon Memorial Park. The first will be Moana 2 and screened in June, followed by Dog Man in July and Minecraft in August. June 14 8 p.m. (805) 736-1261. cityoflompoc.com. Ryon Memorial Park, Lompoc, CA, Lompoc.
THE VILLAGE TREASURE CHEST This event is for the whole family. There will be vendors selling their wears, music, facepainting, and some kind of food booth. Come out and spend part of your Saturday supporting local vendors. First Saturday of every month, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Vandenberg Village Community Services District Office, 3745 Constellation Road, Lompoc, (805) 291-6370.
Experience dance from continents around the earth, including from Africa, Europe, and more. Described as “a wonderful in-depth look at the context and history of cultures of the world.” Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. $10 drop-in; $30 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WATCH AND CLOCK COLLECTORS, CHPT. 52 Come join a friendly meeting of watch and clock collectors. Members bring watches and clocks to show, plus there are discussions of all things horological. Second Sunday of every month, 1:30-3 p.m. (805) 547-1715. new.nawcc.org/ index.php/chapter-52-los-padres. Central Coast Senior Center, 1580 Railroad St., Oceano.
OCEANO SEABREEZE MARKET
Enjoy the June Oceano Seabreeze Market, featuring locally made artisan goods, food, drinks, music and more. June 7, 12-4 p.m. Free. (805) 779-1414. discoveroceanoca.com/. Oceano Train Depot, 1650 Front St., Oceano.
PISMO STATE BEACH 2ND ANNUAL SANDCASTLE COMPETITION Pismo State Beach is excited to host their 2nd annual Sandcastle Competition. Grab your buckets, friends and family, and join in the fun. RSVP at the link. June 14 8-11:30 a.m. Free. (805) 474-2664. castateparksweek.org. West Grand Avenue Plaza and Parking Lot, 25 W Grand Avenue, Grover Beach.
QI GONG FOR LESS STRESS AND MORE ENERGY Experience the energy of Qi Gong through simple standing movements promoting flexibility, strength, relaxation, and increased energy. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, Qi Gong revitalizes and enriches your life. An outdoor class overlooking the ocean. Wednesdays, 4-5 p.m. $14 per class or $55 for 5-class card with no expiration. (805) 440-4561. pismobeach.org. Margo Dodd Gazebo, Ocean Park Blvd., Shell Beach.
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.
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 17
PHOTO
7
Libertine Brewing Co, SLO
Invocation, Wasted Life, Cat Positive & Bandwidth
TUESDAY, JUNE 10
Humdinger Brewing, SLO
Friday Night Improv
FRIDAY, JUNE 13
SLO Public Market
Bled and Buried Tour 2025 SAT. & SUN, JUNE 7 & 8
Brewing, SLO
Sunset Song Circle MDO
TUESDAY, JUNE 10 Montana de Oro, Los Osos
By The Sea Productions Presents: The Importance of Being Earnest
FRI-SUN, JUNE 13-29
545 Shasta Ave, Morro Bay
Flower Pressing and Lavender U-Pick SUNDAY, JUNE 8
Lavender Farm, San Miguel Bone Crown and Catacombs
Art Life Coaching:Creative Expressions: Art Journaling
TUESDAYS, JUNE 10-JULY 15
Lor Coaching Studios, Morro Bay
Lavender Bloom Celebration
SATURDAY, JUNE 14
Hambly Lavender Farm, San Miguel
SUNDAY, JUNE 8
Humdinger Brewing, SLO
Drawing Abstract & Pattern Play: Focus on Zentangle and Creative Flow
TUESDAYS, JUNE 10-JULY 15
Lor Coaching Studios, Morro Bay
Wealth, Women & Woo
SATURDAY, JUNE 14
Angela Cisneros Jewelry Concierge, Atascadero
Watercolor Painting: Expressive Techniques for All Abilities
MONDAYS, JUNE 9-JULY 14
Lor Coaching Studios, Morro Bay
The Laramie Project 2025
THURSDAY, JUNE 12 CongregationHouse, SLO
Rose to the Occasion Wine Pairing Dinner
SATURDAY, JUNE 14
JonnyBoy’s Bagelry, Atascadero
Regina Ferguson with Tristan Lake Leabu
TUESDAY, JUNE 10 Club Car Bar, Templeton
Dinner & A Duel Featuring The Killer Dueling Pianos
FRIDAY, JUNE 13 Embassy Suites by Hilton, SLO
June Central Coast Cooking Show
TUESDAY, JUNE 17
Idler’s Home, Paso Robles
Hot Stuff
WHITE CAPS
The Morro Bay White Caps Community Band will perform live on the South T-Pier on Saturday, June 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Blending jazz, classical, rock, and pop music, the band will later play three more concerts, which are scheduled for June 28, July 26, and Aug. 23 at the same time. More information can be found at morrobaywhitecaps.com.
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE from page 15
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.
SOCIAL GROUP FOR WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS Call for more details. Second Saturday of every month, 10 a.m. (805) 904-6615. Oak Park Christian Church, 386 N Oak Park Blvd., Grover Beach.
SURF LESSONS ALL SUMMER LONG
Learn to surf with Sandbar Surf School. All equipment is provided, including a surfboard, wetsuit, and leash. You must pre-register. Through Aug. 31, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $60. (805) 835-7873. sandbarsurf.com. Addie Street Surfer Parking Lot, Addie Street, Pismo Beach.
WEEKLY WATER SAFETY LESSONS Facility advertised as open and safe. Give the office a call to register over the phone. Mondays-Fridays $160-$190. ongoing (805) 481-6399. 5 Cities Swim School, 425 Traffic Way, Arroyo Grande, 5citiesswimschool.com.
WORLD OCEANS DAY BEACH CLEANUP
Come join for a beach cleanup in Avila to celebrate World Oceans Day. Get more info at the link. June 7 9 a.m.-noon Free. (805) 710-8021. Central Coast Aquarium, 50 San Juan St., Avila Beach, centralcoastaquarium.org.
SAN LUIS OBISPO
BEYOND MINDFULNESS Realize your potential through individualized meditation instruction with an experienced teacher via Zoom. This class is for those who wish to begin a practice or seek to deepen an existing one. Flexible days and times. Certified with IMTA. Email or text for information. Mondays-Sundays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sliding scale. (559) 9059274. theartofsilence.net. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
BRUSHSTROKES & BURROS: PAINTING
WORKSHOP AT RANCHO BURRO
DONKEY SANCTUARY Paint, sip, and support local burros at this donkeyinspired art workshop with local artist, Terry Greene. June 7, 1-4 p.m. $125. (805) 710-8445. ranchoburrodonkeysanctuary. org. Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary, 4855 Righetti Road, San Luis Obispo.
BRUSHSTROKES & BURROS PAINTING
WORKSHOP Paint, sip, and support with a purpose. Meet local rescue burros at this donkey-inspired art
workshop with local artist, Terry Greene. June 7 1-4 p.m. $125. (805) 710-8445. ranchoburrodonkeysanctuary.org. Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary, 4855 Righetti Road, San Luis Obispo.
CAL HOPE SLO GROUPS AT TMHA Visit website for full list of weekly Zoom groups available. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays calhopeconnect.org. Transitions Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 270-3346.
CENTRAL COAST DIALYSIS ORGAN TRANSPLANT SUPPORT GROUP Not faith based. All are welcome. Please wear a mask. First Saturday of every month, 9:30-11:30 a.m. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church SLO, 650 Pismo St., San Luis Obispo.
DAILY QIGONG PRACTICE For the early riser or commuter, every weekday morning. Maintain or improve concentration, balance, and flexibility. Includes weekly Friday 3 p.m. class with more practices. Led by certified Awareness Through Movement teacher. Mondays-Saturdays, 6:10 a.m. and Fridays, 3 p.m. $35/week or $125/month. (646) 280-5800. margotschaal.com/ qigong. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
EMBODIED ALCHEMY: A DANCE WORKSHOP FOR DEVELOPING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE Join for a dance workshop that will use somatic processing to liberate your authentic self and strengthen your emotional intelligence. June 8 1-4 p.m. $33 - $55. (206) 484-2382. Nexus SLO Ballroom D.C. (Inside the SLO Public Market), 3845 S. Higuera St. #B-1, San Luis Obispo.
FAMILY FREE DAY: BUZZING BEAUTIES
Join for our monthly Family Free Day with a focus on our local pollinators. There will be crafts and educational activities. All are welcome. June 8 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. (805) 541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.
FINAL FANTASY + MAGIC THE GATHERING PRE-RELEASE TOURNAMENT Join at Captain Nemo Games for an epic MTG Universes Beyond: Final Fantasy Pre-Release Tournament. June 7, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. and June 8 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. $40. (805) 544-6366. Captain Nemo Games, 563 Higuera St., 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.
HUNGER AWARENESS DAY OPEN
HOUSE SLO Food Bank welcomes the community to a Hunger Awareness Day Open House, presented by Joan G. Sargen. RSVP today at the link. June 6 4-6 p.m. Free. (805) 238-4664. donate.slofoodbank.org/event/hungerawareness-day-open-house-registration/ e673886. SLO Food Bank, 1180 Kendall Road, 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.
NATURE CONNECTION SUMMER
CAMPS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS
These weeklong nature camps held on SLO Wild Lands are filled with memorable hikes, epic games, earth arts, skills, stories, song, new friends, and more. Get more info at the link. Mondays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. through Aug. 4 (805) 541-9900. outsidenow.org/summer. State Parks and Wild Lands, P.O. Box 15918, San Luis Obispo.
Q YOUTH GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM) This is a social support group for LGBTQ+ and questioning youth between the ages of 11-18. Each week the group explores personal, cultural, and social identity. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. Free. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
SHARK WEEK SUMMER GYMNASTICS CAMP Swim into summer with gymnastics, ocean-themed crafts and games, and educational trivia. This camp is geared towards ages 4 to 13, and prior experience is not necessary. Members and non-members are welcome. June 9 -13, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. $45-$396. (805) 547-1496. performanceathleticsslo.com/camps. Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo. SLO NOONTIME TOASTMASTERS CLUB MEETINGS Want to improve speaking and leadership skills in a supportive and positive environment? During COVID, we are meeting virtually. Contact us to get a meeting link for info. Tuesdays, 12-1 p.m. Free. slonoontime.toastmastersclubs.org. Zoom, Online, Inquire for Zoom ID.
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 18
Apothecary, Morro Bay
WELCOME TO THE SOUNDTRACK OF FREEDOM
A1 COMBAT
FRIDAY,
HOLLYWOOD
SATURDAY, JUNE 21 / 6PM TICKETS
HOT VALLEY NIGHTS
OAK RIDGE BOYS
FRIDAY, JULY 4 / 8PM TICKETS START AT $49
SLO RETIRED ACTIVE MEN: WEEKLY COFFEE MEETING
SLO RAMs is a group or retirees that get together just for the fun, fellowship, and to enjoy programs which enhance the enjoyment, dignity, and independence of retirement. Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. $10 coffee meeting. retiredactivemen.org.
Madonna Inn, 100 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo. SUNDAY EVENING RAP LGBTQ+ AA GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM) Alcoholics Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of folks from all walks of life who together, attain and maintain sobriety. Requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Email aarapgroup@gmail.com for password access. Sundays, 7-8 p.m. No fee. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
TECH BREW MEETUP Tech Brew is a free networking event where people interested in technology can hang out in an informal environment with a small TEDtalk-like presentation from an interesting speaker. Learn more online. Second Monday of every month, 5-7 p.m. (805) 323-6706. meetup.com/softec/. StoryLabs, 102 Cross St, Suite 220, 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.
THAT’S SO DRAG DANCE PARTY AND DOCUMENTARY PREMIER Join the dance party and documentary premiere of That’s So Drag –– an electrifying night honoring the art, beauty, and power of drag. Get tickets and more info at the link. June 7 8 p.m. $9. my805tix.com. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 548-2337.
TRANS* TUESDAY A safe space providing peer-to-peer support for trans, gender non-conforming, 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. Second Tuesday of every month, 6-8 p.m. Free. GALA Pride and Diversity Center, 1060 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 541-4252.
TRICKZONE (PARKOUR & TRAMPOLINE) CLINIC It’s Trickzone time. A 2-hour combo of tumbling and parkour will take your kids from timid to triumphant. All levels are welcome, 5 to 17years. June 7 12-3 p.m. $25. (805) 547-1496. performanceathleticsslo.com/saturday-event-clinics. Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo
FOOD & DRINK
SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT COSTA DE ORO Featured vendors in the series include Cali Coast Tacos, Cubanissimo, Danny’s Pizza Co., Chef Ricks, and more. Call venue for monthly schedules. Fridays (805) 922-1468. costadeorowines.com. Costa De Oro Winery, 1331 S. Nicholson Ave., Santa Maria. FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT WINE STONE INN Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, (805) 3323532, 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.
SECOND SATURDAY OPEN AIR MARKET: LOS ALAMOS A carefully curated open air artisan and farm market. Features great vintage finds, handwoven and hand dyed textiles, hand-spun yarn, organic body care products, and locally grown organic eats. Second Saturday of every month, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (805) 722-4338. Sisters Gifts and Home, 349 Bell Street, Los Alamos.
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/. 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
FOOD & DRINK continued page 19
Design, 3420 Orcutt Road, suite 105, Orcutt.
LOMPOC/VANDENBERG
HEAD GAMES TRIVIA AND TACO
TUESDAYS CLASH Don’t miss Head
Games Trivia at COLD Coast Brewing Company every Tuesday night. Teams can be up to 6 members. Earn prizes and bragging rights. Kekas will be serving their delicious local fare. Fun for all ages. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. (805) 819-0723. coldcoastbrewing.com. COLD Coast Brewing Company, 118 W Ocean Ave., Lompoc.
SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY
MONTHLY FERMENTATION CLASSES
Join to expand your k nowledge of the fermentation process and get started fermenting at home. We alternate between demonstration and hands-on classes. Second Sunday of every month, 3:30-5 p.m. $30-$50. (805) 801-6627. kulturhausbrewing.com/classes/. New topics each month with a thorough demo and explanation of the process that creates non-alcoholic, probiotic, and nutrient-dense fermentations. Leave the class confident and prepared with recipes to make your own at home. Limited seating; reserve spot prior to class by phone/email. Second Sunday of every month, 3:30-5 p.m. $30. (805) 8016627. kulturhausbrewing.com/classes/. Kulturhaus Brewing Company, 779 Price St., Pismo Beach.
MUSIC
SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS
HAPPY HOUR MUSIC SERIES Enjoy live music at the winery most Friday evenings. Check site for concert schedule. Fridays presquilewine.com. Presqu’ile Winery, 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., Santa Maria, (805) 937-8110.
HAPPY HOUR WITH JINEANNE CODERRE
Unwind at golden hour with live music by Jineanne, wine by the glass, and Tri-Tip Sandwiches — easygoing vibes in true Central Coast style. June 6, 5-7:30 p.m. Free. (805) 937-8110. presquilewine.com. Presqu’ile Winery, 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., Santa Maria.
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.
LET’S GO TO THE MOVIES WITH RIPTIDE Santa Maria Valley Senior Citizens present “Let’s Go to the Movies,” with vocalists Bob Nations ad Mitch Latting of Riptide. June 8 , 1:30-4 p.m. Free. (775) 813-5186. RiptideBB.com.
Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.
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. ongoing (805) 925-0464.
TRANS LOVE
The GALA Pride and Diversity Center in SLO is hosting an opening night reception of A Klass’ photography exhibit on Friday, June 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. Klass’ images capture the complexity, beauty, and resilience of trans lives and love. Visit galacc.org for additional details.
—A.S.
coelhomusic.com/Lessons/ lessons.html. Coelho Academy of Music, 325 E. Betteravia Rd., 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 VALLEY
CARMEN & THE RENEGADE VIGILANTES
Hear Carmen & The Renegade Vigilantes blend country and rock ‘n’ roll at The Maverick Saloon. More info can be found at the link. June 7 8:30 p.m.-midnight mavericksaloon.com/event-calendar/. Maverick Saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez, (805) 686-4785.
DOUBLEWIDE KINGS Six fairly nice guys. One big, mean sound. June 8 , 3-5 p.m. $37. (805) 686-1789. solvangtheaterfest.org/ show-listing. Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang.
LIVE MUSIC SUNDAYS Sundays, 2-6
p.m. Brick Barn Wine Estate, 795 W. Hwy 246, Buellton, (805) 686-1208, brickbarnwineestate.com.
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY WIND ENSEMBLE SUMMER CONCERT Enjoy a great summer concert on the beautiful Skytt Terrace at this family-friendly concert. June 7, 2-3 p.m. Free. Elverhoj Museum of History and Art, 1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang, (805) 686-1211, elverhoj.org.
TEX PISTOLS LIVE Hear country band Tex Pistols live at Maverick Saloon. June 6 8:30-11:30 p.m. mavericksaloon.com/ event-calendar/. Maverick Saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez, (805) 686-4785. 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,
EASTON EVERETT LIVE Easton Everett is a singer-songwriter who blends indie folk, neo-folk, and world beat with intricate fingerstyle guitar. Hear him live at Blacklake Golf Course. June 7, 1-4 p.m. Blacklake Golf Course, 1490 Golf Course Lane, Nipomo. GIRLS NIGHT: THE MUSICAL (PRESENTED BY ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS, INC) The off-Broadway sensation that’s taking audiences by storm. Five friends relive their past, celebrate their present, and sing along to iconic female anthems. June 6, 7:309:30 p.m. $55-$65.50. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/shows/girls-night/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.
PACIFIC BREEZE CONCERTS The City of Pismo Beach Recreation Division proudly presents the Pacific Breeze Concerts at Dinosaur Caves Park. Family activities and food will be for purchase. June 8 , 1-4 p.m. Free. (805) 773-7063. pismobeach.org/73/ Recreation. Dinosaur Caves Park, 2701 Price St, Pismo Beach.
SLO COUNTY BAND THURSDAY NIGHT SUMMER CONCERTS Join in on the fun at these free Thursday night concerts with the Slo County Band. Bring your lawn chairs! Second Thursday of every month, 6:30-7:30 p.m. through Sept. 11 Free. (805) 473-5472. arroyogrande.org/events. Rancho Grande Park, 500 James Way, Arroyo Grande.
SAN LUIS OBISPO
2025 LIVE OAK MUSIC FESTIVAL You can expect a weekend full of music, art, camping, and activities to enjoy nature and connect with community. There will be three stages with musicians around the world, ranging from bluegrass, soul, and Americana music. Visit the link for tickets and more info. June 13-15 $168. liveoakfest.org/. El Chorro Regional Park, California 1, San Luis Obispo. m
ARTS BRIEFS
Alma Rosa annual charity walk through the vineyards raises more than $250,000 for mental health
The 2025 Alma Rosa Winery Peace of Mind charity walk raised more than $250,000 to support research on and community services for mental health.
On the morning of May 17, more than 250 local community members participated in Alma Rosa’s sixth annual Peace of Mind: 10,000 Steps in the Right Direction walk.
Participants were greeted with juice from Pressed Juicery, coffee from the Buellton Starbucks, and brain booster performance shots from Magic Mind before their approximately 4.5-mile hike through the hillside vineyards of Alma Rosa’s 628acre estate.
Alma Rosa General Manager Emeritus Debra Eagle, One Mind’s Brandon Staglin, and Mental Wellness Center CEO Annmarie Cameron all spoke about the importance of mental health awareness to inspire participants on their walk.
The fundraiser has brought in more than $1.2 million for One Mind and Santa Barbara County’s Mental Wellness Center since Alma Rosa Winery owners Bob and Barb Zorich started it in 2020.
“It’s just the winery’s way of trying to support something important to us,” Eagle told the Sun. “We’ve been grateful for everybody’s support, and we hope to be able to continue to grow the event moving forward.”
Book Loft in Solvang displays graphic novel allowing kids to write their own adventure
Iranian writer Vahid Imani’s graphic novel, Naji and the Mystery of the Dig, is now on display at the Book Loft in Solvang.
Adapted from Imani’s chapter book of the same name, this version offers readers a uniquely interactive storytelling experience. Rather than having the words already filled in, Imani’s novel comes with blank dialogue bubbles, inviting kids to write their own narratives.
A brief summary at the beginning of the book serves to guide young writers, providing them a base they can use to interpret the plot. Along with English, the novel also comes in Spanish, German, and Farsi. There’s even a black-and-white edition that allows young artists to color the story however they desire.
“My students were super excited to work on the graphic novel format and use their own ideas and words,” Jamie Gilson, a third-grade teacher at Nevada’s Bethlehem Lutheran School, said in press materials. “The graphic edition of Naji is great for kids who enjoy comic books and writing their own dialogue and action sequences. Students can listen to sections of Naji [read by the teacher] and then go back through the corresponding illustrations and fill in their own ideas for what each character is saying.”
Interested readers can find the book at najistories.com/ creativewriting.html. m
‘Buffet of art classes’
Youth ARTS Alive returns for ninth summer of offering free performing and visual arts classes, culminating in showcase
BY REECE COREN
Summertime is just around the corner. School is ending, giving kids plenty of free time. What is there for them to do that doesn’t require spending money?
Nothing—at least that’s the realization Gale McNeeley had in 2017.
That’s when he started Youth ARTS Alive, a five-week schedule of free summer art classes for children that culminates with a showcase performance in July. Painting, drawing, and sculpting are just some of the skills children can build.
On June 16, Youth ARTS Alive will return for its ninth summer. Classes will be held from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, starting on the 16th and concluding with the Visual and Performing Arts Fiesta on July 18 at the Veterans’ Memorial Center in Santa Maria.
“We tried to take our classes to where the kids live, so transportation isn’t a challenge,” McNeeley said.
This summer, Youth ARTS Alive will host classes at three locations: the Minami Community Center at 600 W. Enos Drive, the Newlove Community Building at 1619 S. Thornburg St., and the Grogan Community Center at 1155 W. Rancho Verde.
Each location offers a different set of classes— McNeeley said there’s a pottery class offered only at the Grogan Center, a ballet folklórico class just at the Newlove building, and a screen-printing class exclusively at the Minami Center.
“Every one of our sites has visual arts, theater, some form of dance, and some form of music,” McNeeley said. “We have great teachers. They’re all professionals.”
Unlike at a typical summer camp, children sign up for each Youth ARTS Alive class they want to take, not the program as a whole. Kids don’t have to be in class every Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to participate—they can sign up for just one class, every class, or any number of classes in between.
“Some of the older kids may just want to take pottery twice a week, or they’re interested just in guitar,” McNeeley said. “We have enough of a spread on the buffet of art classes that anyone should find something they enjoy.”
Classes occur twice a week, either every Monday and Wednesday or every Tuesday and Thursday, and McNeeley said they’re 50 minutes long and usually consist of about 12 to 15 students
Art’s alive!
Starting June 16, Youth ARTS Alive will offer free summer classes for children ages 8 to 18 every Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The classes are held at three locations—the Minami Community Center, the Newlove Community Building, and the Grogan Community Center—and culminate with a Visual and Performing Arts Fiesta on July 18. Visit youthartsalive.org for details on how to register and which classes are offered at each location. For more information, text (805) 930-9029 or email info@youthartsalive.org.
to participate. Kids and their parents can sign up at youthartsalive.org or in person at any one of the three summer program locations.
“If you [forget to] register online or you’re not computer savvy, you can come to class any morning that first week at any one of our sites and sign up,” McNeeley said. “At 9:30 on Monday, June 16, you can register right there.”
Youth ARTS Alive, which started in 2017 at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center offering four weeks of classes for 17 students, grew to serve 250 kids last year.
Thanks to assistance from the Santa Barbara Bowl, Youth ARTS Alive has enough musical instruments to lend students guitars and ukuleles to use for their summer classes.
“Every child is guaranteed an instrument if they don’t have one,” McNeeley said. “For the weeks of the program, they can take it home and practice so they’re ready to perform on July 18.”
but can include as many as 25.
After each class, Youth ARTS Alive provides a 10-minute break for students to refresh. Classes are open to students ages 8 to 18.
All students need to sign up is a $20 refundable deposit for each session to reserve their spot and a parent’s signature on a release form allowing them
That final performance, McNeeley said, aka the Visual and Performing Arts Fiesta, begins at 6 p.m. and will conclude with a community potluck. He said usually about 250 people attend.
“It’s open to the public,” he said about the culminating festivities. “We love when people from the community come.”
The children will display their visual art and sing, dance, and act onstage, McNeeley said. The children in the screen-printing class will show off shirts with their own printed designs, and the show will conclude with call-and-response drumming led by Sean Sullivan, who founded Drum Perks Inc., he said.
“Whether you’re doing theater, playing guitar, or dancing together, in the arts, you find your family,” McNeeley said. “Our goal is to let every child in Santa Maria who wants to try out music or dance or theater or visual arts do that in a safe place where they can grow year by year. Come have fun and learn something new.” m
Tell Staff Writer Reece Coren how you keep art alive at rcoren@ santamariasun.com.
PHOTO BY ALMA ROSA MIDDLETON
SMILE, IT’S NOT SCHOOL: Founding Director Gale McNeeley said he started Youth ARTS Alive during the summer of 2017 after realizing there was nothing for kids to do for free. Visual arts like painting, drawing, and screen printing are just some of the classes available.
COURTESY PHOTOS BY JEANNE SPARKS
PHOTO COURTESY OF VAHID IMANI
DANCE THE DAY AWAY: Each of Youth ARTS Alive’s three locations offer different classes. The Newlove Community Building is the only space that has a ballet folklórico class. Founding director Gale McNeeley said every location has classes in visual arts, theater, music, and dance.
SUMMER STRUMS: Youth ARTS Alive offers several summer classes to build musical skills. Along with singing and dancing, children can also learn to play the guitar, drums, and ukelele.
No one left behind
Alive-action film based on the 2002 Disney movie Lilo & Stitch, this is the story of a lonely and grieving 6-year-old named Lilo who befriends and adopts a blue dogshaped alien that she names Stitch. Stitch is a space fugitive, who both aliens and human law enforcement try to get ahold of as he terrorizes and entertains both Lilo and her old sister, Nani. Through love and belief in “ohana,” the Hawaiian concept of family, Lilo gives Stitch the ability to care for someone else, while Stitch brings the two sisters closer together. (108 min.)
Editor’s note: Our usual Split Screen reviewers, Glen and Anna Starkey, are on vacation, and Staff Writers Libbey Hanson and Emma Montalbano filled in this week.
the spaceship leader (Hannah Waddingham) orders Jumba and Earth-loving alien Pleaky (Billy Magnussen) to retrieve him. Once Stitch lands on a Hawaiian island, he meets 6-year-old Lilo (Maia Kealoha) and her older sister, Nani (Sydney Elizebeth Agudong), who are grieving their recently lost parents. But before Stitch can bring this family together, by nature, he must first cause some destruction.
LILO & STITCH
What’s it rated? PG
What’s it worth, Emma?
Full price
What’s it worth, Libbey?
Full price
Where’s it showing?
Regal Edwards
Santa
Libbey: How long has it been since you watched Lilo & Stitch? For me, it’s got to be at least 18 years—eek! But when I heard Disney was releasing a live-action remake, I felt a sudden wisp of nostalgia, longing to see a cute little beady-eyed, blue-furred terror befriend an adorable and lonely child in Hawaii. If you have similar feelings, you’re covered. You can see the iconic story unfold right before your eyes on the big screen, just in a new and fun way. Lilo & Stitch (2025) started right off the bat with Stitch (aka experiment 626) being a naughty little alien in a spaceship far, far away. It’s not his fault he’s naughty though—he was designed to be destructive by the genius alien scientist Jumba (Zach Galifianakis). After Stitch escapes the ship and heads toward Earth,
NONNAS
What’s it rated? PG
When? 2025
Where’s it showing?
Netflix
Vince Vaughn stars as Joe Scaravella, a grieving man determined to honor the memory of his late mother by opening a restaurant with Italian grandmothers as the chefs, in this wholesome and engaging based-on-a-true-story comedy.
The grandmothers, played by Susan Sarandon, Talia Shire, Lorraine Bracco, and Brenda Vaccaro, bring unique perspectives and menu items to the table at Scaravella’s newly opened and struggling Enoteca Maria. Between silly arguments, food fights, and negative attitudes, the nonnas ultimately find purpose and joy again in bringing dishes from their families and cultures to life. The real-world Enoteca Maria continues to hire grandmothers from around the globe, allowing them to share their meaningful dishes with people outside of their inner circle.
I ended the film teary-eyed and hungry, ready to add Enoteca Maria to the ever-growing list of places I need to go when I visit New York for the first time. Sure, the film features
Emma: I honestly can’t remember if I’ve even seen the original Lilo & Stitch, so I had no idea how the story would unfold. Going into the movie, I thought Stitch was a cute, cuddly friend, but, almost immediately, the aliens introduced him as a six-limbed monster, capable of mass destruction. Within minutes of being on Earth, the fluffy blue alien manages to ruin a wedding reception. Then, he’s run over by a big-rig, mistaken for a dog, and taken to a nearby animal shelter. Since the loss of her parents, Lilo has been acting out and causing trouble. It doesn’t help that other local kids have been picking on her, calling her weird. When Lilo finds Stitch at the animal shelter and her face lights up, it’s clear that the two will become partners in crime. The movie had moments of chaos, humor, and even heartbreak, but with its fast pacing, we didn’t sit with any one emotion for too long. Toward the end, I felt overwhelmed, trying to wipe my tears from a sad scene while simultaneously laughing at a new plot point that came right after. I wasn’t alone, though, because I could hear Libbey
and faith. (114 min.)
sniffling and chuckling beside me. Libbey: I totally agree with you, Emma. I think this movie really nailed making us feel a whole spectrum of emotions, but I wanted to feel them a bit longer, especially the sweet moments between the sisters and Stitch. It was a “Hawaiian roller coaster ride” of emotions, if you catch my drift. Being a late ’90s child and last watching this movie so young, I was surprised at how many characters and story plots I remembered. Some pleasant similarities were the Elvis scenes, Pudge the sandwich-eating fish, and Sgt. Cobra Bubbles—the most iconic name. But the plot did change some, with the evil aliens taking human shape and one of them being just too plain evil for my liking (don’t worry, I won’t spoil who).
COLD CASE: THE TYLENOL MURDERS
What’s it rated? TV-14
When? 2025
Where’s it showing? Netflix
It’s likely we all have a bottle of Tylenol in our cabinet right now for everyday aches and pains. But before I knew the story about the Tylenol murders, I would have never guessed why these bottles are so well-sealed when you purchase them from the local pharmacy.
Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders is a three-part docuseries that revisits a crime that shattered the nation’s trust in the safety of over the counter painkillers and what led to the safety measures we see today.
The series dives into at least seven deaths that took place in 1982 Chicago after the victims ingested cyanidelaced Tylenol capsules, sending the nation into a panic and prompting one of the largest criminal investigations in U.S. history. Throughout the three episodes, producers consider whether it could have been one mastermind at work or a potential conspiracy from within Johnson & Johnson’s own walls.
I binged this show in the evening and couldn’t look away from the screen. The storytelling is compelling, and the events
Emma: I went into this movie with low expectations, given Disney’s last couple of attempts at live-action remakes, but I was pleasantly surprised by the wholesomeness of this film. Perhaps it helped that I didn’t remember the original movie because I had nothing to compare this one to. I loved when Stitch tried to speak English to communicate with Lilo and the other characters. These heartwarming moments helped humanize the little alien, making me want a Stitch of my own to befriend. m
New Times Staff Writers Libbey Hanson and Emma Montalbano stepped in for usual reviewers Glen and Anna Starkey this week. Send comments to gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
he’s never been found guilty. (three approximately one-hour episodes) m —Libbey
How it Works:
On-Demand wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) brought to you by Care Connection Transport Services powered by Santa Barbara County
Service Hours:
Mon-Fri: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm Sat-Sun: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Service Details:
Scan the QR code to download the app or book online $2.00 per mile
CUTE AND FLUFFY: Disney’s new live-action Lilo & Stitch brings back your favorite trio of Nani, Lilo, and Stitch, who teach each other the true meaning of forever “ohana.”
some overdone Italian-American cliches, but it’s a charming story about family, food,
absolutely chilling. There’s testimony from the victims’ loved ones who are still trying to find answers and an interview of one of the most eerie men I think I have ever seen on a true crime docuseries—and
OUT OF RETIREMENTY: Based on a true story, Joe Scaravella (Vince Vaughn) hires Italian grandmothers to cook the food at the restaurant he opened to honor the memory of his late mother in Nonnas
SEALED UP: Netflix’s new documentary, The Tylenol Murders, covers the story of seven people who died from ingesting cyanidelaced capsules in Chicago.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NETFLIX
Maria & RPX, Movies Lompoc, Regal Arroyo Grande
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)
Eats
Raise a glass
Flying Goat Cellars’
Norm Yost honored as Vinter of the Year
BY REECE COREN
Norm Yost said he was a beer-drinking offensive lineman for the University of California, Davis when he first tried wine in 1979.
“My roommate was a winemaker at the time,” Yost said. “I put down my beer and joined him for a wine tasting one afternoon, and I was completely taken by the whole process.”
This spring, Yost was named the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance’s 2025 Vintner of the Year, an honor he’ll officially receive in August. His brand, Flying Goat Cellars—known for its sparkling wines and pinot noir—will celebrate its 25th anniversary on June 21.
Yost said he was couch surfing in Napa Valley when he landed his first job in the wine world working construction for Silver Oak Cellars. It was 1982. Three years after his first wine tasting and one year after he graduated from UC Davis with an environmental science degree.
“I worked for the state one summer but really didn’t enjoy the politics and diplomacy [involved with] working for the state government,” Yost said. “Another summer, I thought I’d try the political wing of the environmental movement. I worked for a lobbyist group and realized I just wasn’t cut out for it.”
Yost said he spent four years using his science background to climb from a “cellar rat” to assistant winemaker at Silver Oak.
“I started at the bottom,” he said. “I was plumbing tanks, digging ditches, and cleaning barrels.”
Yost then started as a winemaker in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley before working his way across the Pacific, participating in a harvest near Margaret River in Western Australia and returning to the States to work in wine in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
In 1998, Yost moved to Santa Maria to become the winemaker for Foley Estates in Lompoc. Two years later, he started
Flying Goat Cellars with 4 tons of pinot noir. He said his label is named after his two pigmy goats at the time, Epernay and Never, themselves named symbolically after regions in France. Yost said a friend came up with the Flying Goat idea one night during a barbecue in 2001.
“[The goats] loved to jump and climb,” he said. “One night, they kept jumping off the goat house, and the wine kept flowing. At the end of the night, someone jokingly said, ‘Why don’t you call your winery Flying Goat Cellars?’ I said, ‘Perfect. I love it.’”
In 2005, Yost pioneered Goat Bubbles. Flying Goat Cellars became the first winery in Santa Barbara County to make sparkling wine using méthode champenoise, the traditional method of fermenting
Champagne-style sparkling wine in-house. Bottles typically sell for between $49 and $65. Since starting with 75 cases of rosé, Yost has grown Goat Bubbles to six expressions including crémant, blanc de noirs, brut cuvée, and pinot meunier, along with the rosé.
A year after launching the cellars’ second pinot noir, YNOT, Yost moved Flying Goat to its own facility and bought his own equipment to make the wine in 2008.
In 2010, Yost married Kate Griffith. A decade and a half into branding and selling Flying Goat’s wines, she now serves officially as chief philosopher and proprietor.
“You can make great wine, but you need to be able to sell it and promote it,” Yost said. “The most
Flying high
Flying Goat Cellars will celebrate its 25th birthday on June 21, with Full of Life Flatbread and Bob’s Well Bread, along with music by Angie and the Nightmares, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the winery.
On Aug. 15, winemaker Norm Yost will be honored as Sta. Rita
Year and will celebrate 25 years of Flying Goat Cellars at the La Pauleé Dinner at Babcock Winery from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $183 each and are available at eventbrite.com. For more information or to RSVP to an event, call (805) 736-9032 or email info@flyinggoatcellars.com. The winery is located at 1251 W. Laurel Ave. in Lompoc, with its tasting room at 1520 E. Chestnut Court, suite A. Tastings are available Thursdays through Mondays from 11 a.m.
valuable thing I’ve ever done is marry my wife, Kate.”
The next year, Yost started Club Celebrate, the first sparkling wine club in Santa Barbara County.
For customers like Steve Jacobson, who’s been supporting Flying Goat for 20 years, it’s all about the pinot noir. Jacobson said his favorite expression is Flying Goat’s pinot from Dierberg Vineyard—he still has a 2019 bottle in his collection.
“I’ve never opened up a bad bottle of Norm’s wine,” Jacobson said. “Every time I open up a bottle, there’s always consistency—strong flavors, lots of great layers.”
He said that everyone, including novice wine tasters, will find something to enjoy.
“All of the wines are very
accessible,” Jacobson said. “You don’t have to have experience to taste Norm’s wines and recognize there’s something special about them.”
For wine connoisseurs like Jacobson, tasting can quickly turn monotonous if the drinks lack originality. He said that’s not an issue at Flying Goat.
“It isn’t pinot, pinot, pinot,” Jacobson said. “It’s, ‘Here’s a pinot from this vineyard, and this is where it’s situated in the valley. And then here’s another pinot from a different vineyard. They’ll have some characteristics that are similar, but there are a lot of differences.’”
Lately, Yost said Flying Goat has been pouring a lot of its 2019 pinot
WINE NOT TRY: Norm Yost first entered the wine industry in 1982 after trying wine for the first time as a beer-drinking offensive lineman. This spring, he was named the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance’s 2025 Vintner of the Year.
POWER COUPLE: Norm Yost with his wife and business partner, Kate Griffith, run Flying Goat Cellars. Since meeting Yost in 2010, Griffith has spent the last decade and a half focusing on branding and selling Flying Goat’s wines.
EATS continued page 26
Hills Wine Alliance’s 2025 Vintner of the
Come explore the whimsical and musical world of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka! These weeklong skill-building camps will give children and teens the opportunity to sing, dance, and build social connection through play. Using theatre games, movement, and music, campers will explore the fundamentals of musical theatre while challenging their imaginations and growing in confidence. Choose From These Sessions!
on the Allan Hancock College Campus No experience required! Work directly with current PCPA performers!
CANDY KIDS: Ages: 8-12: June 16 - June 21, 9AM - 12PM
Calling all music makers and dreamers of dreams! This camp will explore the basics of musical theatre--Singing, dancing, and acting--while focusing on the importance of teamwork as we tell the story of Charlie and the many colorful characters of the Chocolate Factory! Cost of camp: $250
TEATRO PCPA: Ages: 8-12: June 23 - June 28, 9AM - 2PM
Teatro PCPA, offered in partnership with Artists Ink, emphasizes Spanish language, Latino culture, and its intersection with theatre. Students will learn a variety of theatre-related skills to help tell their stories, build confidence, and find their voice. Campers will work together to collectively create a piece that reflects their own interests and stories. A healthy meal will be provided daily to Teatro PCPA students. Cost of camp: $30
PURE IMAGINATION: Ages: 13-18: July 14 - July 19, 9AM - 12PM
If you want to view paradise, simply join this camp and view it! Pure Imagination will explore the basics of musical theatre and ensemble building while challenging its teen participants to embody characters and songs from Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka. Cost of camp: $250
Oompa Loompa doompa dee doo, what an easy decision for you! Join us for a final-day showcase--each camp ends with an invited sharing for family and friends!
2ND ANNUAL WARRIOR
noir from the Nielson Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley and its 2019 pinot noir from the Rio Vista Vineyard Dijon in the Sta. Rita Hills.
Jacobson said tasting wine at Flying Goat enhances the experience even further. He said the winery’s soil jars allow tasters to inspect the source of what they’re tasting as they sip.
“You can feel the soil and then go taste that particular vineyard’s wine,” Jacobson said. “I’ve learned so much from that experience. It’s more than just tasting wine. You’re tasting where it comes from.”
In the end, Jacobson said his favorite part of opening a bottle of Flying Goat wine is watching his friends’ reactions.
“If people aren’t expecting that kind of quality, when you open up a bottle, it’s great to watch their eyes light up,” he said. “It happens every time I open up a bottle of Flying
Goat—the eyebrows go up, the mouth goes, ‘Wow,’ and the response is, ‘This is a great wine.’ Because of the quality, you can’t help but go, ‘Wow.’”
Reflecting on his 45-year journey from trading a beer can for a wine glass to being named the region’s top wine producer of the year, Yost had a similar reaction. He said it’s been an adventure he wouldn’t trade for the world.
On June 21, Flying Goat Cellars will host a celebration for its 25th birthday. On Aug. 15, Yost will be honored as the Vintner of the Year at the La Pauleé Dinner at Babcock Winery.
For those who can’t attend, Jacobson suggested bringing the celebration to their own lawns.
“Open a bottle of pinot, go out in the backyard, sit down, crank on your tunes, and enjoy the wine,” he said. m
Staff Writer Reece Coren wants to hear about your favorite bottle of wine at rcoren@santamariasun.com.
