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Apex: adrenalinefueled action [24]

Time to enter this year’s contest [11]

Home plight

St. Joseph High School’s neighbors ask county to penalize unpermitted softball field for alleged hazards [7]

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

NEWS

An update on the courthouse bomber case [4]

ARTS

Cuyama’s community theater [22]

EATS

A meatless meetup [26]

Contents

Your Dream Home Awaits!

M AY 7 - M AY 14, 20 26

S

VOL . 2 7

NO. 11

ince last year, St. Joseph High School’s neighbors have collected the softballs that drop into their yards. “You can’t enjoy your backyard while a game’s being played because you’re afraid of being hit,” Eleanor Lind said.

The county is currently working with the school to address “foul ball containment,” the county said. But the school didn’t apply for a permit before it built the field, which some neighbors argue is too close to their homes (as close as 3 feet) for comfort. Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood talks to neighbors, the archdiocese, and the county [7].

Also, find stories about the Santa Maria Courthouse bomber case [4]; how the Cuyama Valley’s taking theater into the community [22]; and a Central Coast group founded for those who don’t eat meat [26].

Camillia Lanham editor

TOO CLOSE: Foul balls sometimes end up in neighbors’ yards during St. Joseph High School’s home softball games, a new phenomenon for nearby residents upset that the county isn’t doing more to penalize the school for its yet-to-bepermitted field.

Cover photo by Pieter Saayman > Cover design by Alex Zuniga

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News POLITICAL WATCH • Following the Trump administration’s announcement that Morro Bay’s Golden State Wind project will recover $120 million in taxpayer dollars as part of its cancellation arrangement, U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) issued a statement on April 28. “I am outraged by this backwards decision to sabotage the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area. In Congress, I championed these projects because they represented a clear win-win-win for the Central Coast,” Carbajal stated. “Because of a bizarre personal vendetta against wind energy, Donald Trump’s administration is turning a historic opportunity into a historic failure.

Beyond the strategic failure of this policy decision, today’s announcement also represents a staggering waste of taxpayer dollars.” According to Carbajal’s office, the Morro Bay Offshore Wind Energy Area is the product of negotiations conducted by Carbajal’s Offshore Wind Working Group, created in 2019 to coordinate between federal, state, and local partners.

The group includes representatives from the offices of Carbajal and U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Department of Defense (DOD), Department of the Navy, and California Energy Commission (CEC).

• On May 1, Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) issued a statement in response to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to reinstate in-person dispensing requirements for mifepristone, ending telehealth and mail delivery options nationwide.

Mifepristone is a drug that blocks a hormone called progesterone, which is needed for a pregnancy to continue. “Today’s ruling by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is an attack on women, plain and simple. By seeking to gut access to mifepristone and strip away telehealth and mail delivery options, this court has sided with ideology over science, and politics over patients,” Addis stated. “These restrictions are not just dangerous, they are an attack on every woman who deserves safe, effective, and essential care. While the federal administration wages its relentless war on reproductive freedom, we refuse to be silenced.

We will continue to fight until every woman has their rights to make our own medical decisions fully restored and permanently restored.”

• Authored by state Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), Senate Bill 963 recently passed the Senate with unanimous bipartisan support, advancing the legislation to the Assembly. If passed, SB 963 will require the California Coastal Commission to provide permit applicants with a complete list of any additional information needed within 30 days of determining that an appeal raises a substantial issue, among other mandates. “SB 963 is about making sure the process works clearly and predictably for everyone involved,” Laird said in a May 1 statement. “California’s coast is one of our state’s greatest assets, and the Coastal Act has played a critical role in protecting it for nearly 50 years. … With the Senate’s passage of this bill, we’re taking an important step toward providing greater certainty for local governments, project applicants, and community stakeholders while continuing to uphold the protections and values of the Coastal Act.” • On April 30, U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-California) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) led 12 of their colleagues in reintroducing the Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act. According to Padilla’s office, this legislation responds to the Trump administration’s weakening of housing resiliency standards and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hazard mitigation programs. Legislators’ intention behind the Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act is to make it easier for survivors to access aid by codifying and expanding acceptable forms of documentation that can be used as proof of residence for establishing disaster assistance eligibility— including a pay stub from an employer, a driver’s license or state-issued identification card, and school registration. m

➤ Called out [7]

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May 7 - May 14, 2026 PHOTO BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

about parking, traffic, sanitation, and safety, according to the document.

Appel explained that the ordinance considers opponents of food trucks by prohibiting operations on state highways like Guadalupe Street and West Main Street.

“That regulation actually addresses the concerns for operating a food truck in front of our many restaurants that are on Guadalupe Street,” Appel said at the February meeting. “The trucks would still be able to operate on the side streets, though.”

The $340 administrative use permits are required for food trucks and trailers.

Applicants must also Act now! show proof of a business Send any news license, a county Public or story tips to Health permit, and news@santamariasun.com. insurance. Operators must renew their permit annually.

THREAT MANAGEMENT: Local law enforcement blocked off sections of the road and sidewalk outside of Santa Maria Superior Trucks that set up Court on Sept. 25, 2024, shortly after Nathaniel James McGuire allegedly threw an explosive into the courthouse’s front lobby. on streets or in parking lots have a limit of six Trial for alleged Santa Maria Crutchley wrote in court docs based on testimony operating hours between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. They from Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies who court bomber set two years witnessed the explosion. have to wait 72 hours before returning for another round of service. after explosion Crutchley is part of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Business owners may also apply for a permit Full of black powder, a can the size of a coffee Task Force, assigned to investigate criminal to allow food trucks to serve customers on their tin wrapped in duct tape and glued-on nails was violations related to international and domestic property, and party planners can bring food trucks inside of Nathaniel James McGuire’s backpack the terrorism, he stated. to events in residential zones once a quarter. day he was arrested on terrorism charges in Santa Based on info from one of law enforcement’s The rules are a little different for city-sanctioned Maria, according to law enforcement. recorded, Mirandized interviews with McGuire, activities, like a food truck night similar to Santa On Sept. 25, 2024, McGuire allegedly threw he admitted that he arrived at Santa Maria his backpack into Santa Maria Superior Court’s Superior Court that day “with the intention to kill Maria’s Downtown Fridays. It would allow multiple trucks to set up in one area, which normally isn’t front lobby and yelled, “Liberty or death!” The the deputies working at the security desk.” bag with McGuire’s homemade bomb exploded After throwing the bomb, McGuire intended to the case. Business owner Ernesto Valle hopes to see such an event in Guadalupe’s future. and injured at least five people, court documents “go back to his car—a red Ford Mustang—to get a A butcher for the past decade and a half, Valle state. He was detained and arrested outside of the shotgun, a lever-action rifle, and Molotov cocktails opened Lobo Butcher Shop in town four years courthouse. [and] then intended to reenter the courthouse to ago. He offers a rotating list of weekly specials While McGuire’s trial date is set for Sept. 22 kill a judge,” according to Crutchley’s summary. including tri-tip, sausage, steak, pork chops, and this year in federal court, his defense attorney McGuire’s trial start date was postponed from chicken wings. recently asked that the U.S. Probation Office issue last September to this April, and postponed again In 2025 Valle bought a food truck to expand a pre-plea investigation. to Sept. 22, following requested continuances his business opportunities. He mainly keeps it on “I believe it is prudent to request a pre-plea from McGuire’s defense that showed “good the butcher shop property but occasionally caters investigation, … in order to obtain [the Probation cause,” according to Judge Bernal. events elsewhere.

Office’s] opinion as to its calculation of defendant’s “Failure to grant the continuance would be Valle said he sees the pros and cons of food criminal history,” Santa Monica-based attorney likely to make a continuation of the proceeding trucks—it just depends on who you ask. On one Katherine McBroom stated in court docs, “so that impossible, or result in a miscarriage of justice,” hand, they compete for business with mom-andI may properly advise my client as to his potential Bernal stated in court docs, “[and] would deny pop restaurants, but large events featuring the exposure to prison time.” defense counsel the reasonable time necessary mobile restaurants could bring out-of-towners to U.S. District Judge Jesus G. Bernal granted for effective preparation, taking into account the enjoy Guadalupe.

McBroom’s request on April 20. Bernal ordered exercise of due diligence.”

“We’re trying to bring more people to Guad,” the Probation Office to provide McBroom with its —Caleb Wiseblood Valle told the Sun. “I think it would be a good pre-plea investigation report as soon as possible. thing. I don’t know how the other businesses April 20 also marked McBroom’s withdrawal Guadalupe adopts its first would react.” of a motion to dismiss one of the three criminal To read more about permit applications in counts McGuire is charged with: a count alleging food truck ordinance English or Spanish, visit cityofguadalupe.org/ that he knowingly possessed unregistered In the name of public health and safety, the planning-department. destructive devices, including 10 Molotov city of Guadalupe now has a concrete set of —Madison White cocktails discovered inside of McGuire’s vehicle regulations that operators of food trucks and by law enforcement after he was detained, and his trailers must abide by.

County approves improvised explosive.

The food truck ordinance saga in Guadalupe Along with the Molotov cocktails and an has lasted more than seven years, city contracted Los Alamos’ Cottonwoods additional explosive, law enforcement said officers Planning Director Larry Appel said at a Feb. 24 housing development also found a shotgun, a lever-action rifle, a box of City Council meeting. In 2023, the Sun reported Yellowtail Lane. Pargo Drive. Gopher Gulch. fireworks, and a bong inside of McGuire’s Ford that Council members directed staff to draft Naming a few newly proposed private roads in Mustang. the first-of-its-kind ordinance. It was officially Los Alamos after fish and rodents fell into the McGuire also faces felony counts that include adopted on March 10 this year.

Santa Barbara County Planning Commission’s use of a weapon of mass destruction and malicious Before the municipal code addition, city purview at its final hearing of April. destruction of a building using an explosive. staff permitted food truck operators to sell County Planner Tina Mitchell assured the “McGuire yelled that the government had in the city with business licenses and health commission on April 29 that the road names taken his guns and that everyone needed to permits. However, Guadalupe needed a formal NEWS continued page 6 fight, rise up, and rebel,” FBI Special Agent Cody ordinance to address complaints from residents

4 • Sun • May 7 - May 14, 2026 • www.santamariasun.com

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before them were cleared by the U.S. Postal Service, County Fire Department, and other agencies. These authorities confirmed that no duplicates of roads with those names exist throughout the county.

The 60-plus unit housing project set to include the new private roads, a community pool, children’s play areas, and other amenities is consistent with the Los Alamos Community Plan, “which envisioned multi-family residential development on this property,” Mitchell added.

Known as the Cottonwoods Housing Project, the proposed 108,000-square-foot development at the intersection of Price Canyon and Price Ranch roads won the Planning Commission’s unanimous approval with a 5-0 vote.

Before putting his motion to approve forward, Planning Commissioner Roy Reed praised the project’s village-style design elements, which he compared favorably to “the mainly cuboidal sorts of grouped, clustered structures we most often see.”

“I think it could be real asset to the county, and perhaps a model for others,” Reed said. “This really fits a need for the community.”

One speaker, who identified himself as a Los Alamos resident since 2008, came forward during public comment to raise concerns.

“All of my neighbors are in accordance that this project is way too thick for the amount of space allocated,” said speaker Neil Goodman, whose home is on Price Ranch Road. “Everybody else in the community has absolutely ‘zippo’ knowledge about what’s going on.”

Goodman said he wished there were additional public forum opportunities to inform Los Alamos residents about the project, but also said he understood that state housing rules probably superseded “any necessity for a community forum.”

“We got a letter two weeks ago or a week and a half ago about the project. I’m the only resident that was able to actually come because everybody else works,” Goodman said at the Wednesday morning hearing. “Like with any kind of thing that impacts a lot of people in the future, I think it’s important for some kind of forum or some kind of more public venue to discuss the impact, not only for me but for the community at large.”

After public comment, Planning Commissioner Reed asked staff how many informational project mailers were sent out to nearby residents of the site ahead of the April 29 meeting. Planner Mitchell said that the first mailer was sent about a year ago, while the latter that Goodman was referring to was sent about 10 days prior to the meeting.

“With respect to the impacts on neighbors, I realize it’s going to be hard to give up essentially a large open space that you’ve enjoyed. … But like the rest of California and the rest of the county, we’re subject to change,” Reed said. “Some of the change we’re subject to we don’t have a great deal of latitude in modifying.

“I think this will prove to be a very attractive and beneficial project,” he continued, “particularly with reference to the potential sorts of developments that could come in were not this one given a chance to proceed.”

Earlier in the meeting, Mitchell described the project as “subject to several state housing law protections,” since it’s a residential subdivision with multiple units proposed.

“Pursuant to the Housing Accountability Act, the project is only required to be consistent with objective requirements,” she said. “Housing development projects cannot be denied or required to reduce the density unless the decision-maker finds with substantial evidence that the project would have a specific adverse effect on public health and safety.” m —Caleb Wiseblood

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Orcutt condo owners question a softball field’s compliance with county law

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

K

eeping count of how many softballs land in their backyards became an accidental hobby for several residents of Knollwood Terrace, a townhome community near St. Joseph High School in Orcutt.

Some condo dwellers make an effort to return stray balls to the school, while others keep them stored away in a bag or box.

Eleanor Lind and her husband, Andy Philpot, have collected 15 balls since the school unveiled its softball stadium in March 2025, while one nearby neighbor’s tally gradually mounted to 30.

“You can’t enjoy your backyard while a game’s being played because you’re afraid of being hit,” Lind told the Sun. “If the field was there three years ago, we would not have bought this place.”

Lind and Philpot moved into their condo in 2023, two years before St. Joseph High School finished its new softball field. Prior to that, the school held its home games at venues elsewhere, including at St. Louis de Montfort Catholic School. Both campuses are associated with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

A year into the field’s use, Santa Barbara County’s Planning and Development Department mailed a letter to residents of Knollwood Terrace informing them of a permit review procedure that “may affect your property.”

The early April notice summarized the school’s application for a project amendment that would “allow for the validation” of softball facility components, including structures like fences and dugouts.

Upon reading the notice, Lind said she found it odd that neither she nor any neighbors she knows got this type of letter before the softball field was developed.

That’s because the county never received a permit application from St. Joseph High School to construct the field, according to the Planning and Development Department.

“Because no application was submitted before construction, the project did not undergo the county’s standard discretionary permit review process prior,” county Senior Planner Soren Kringel told the Sun in an email interview.

In response to an “increase in concerns expressed by the neighbors,” the county is currently working with St. Joseph High School “to address foul ball containment,” Kringel said.

Knollwood Terrace homeowners association (HOA) board member David Whitham told the Sun that residents began voicing their concerns about softballs hitting their condos—including cracking roof tiles, damaging walls, and breaking potted plants and one resident’s window—as early as last summer.

According to Whitham, St. Joseph High School’s request for a project amendment—filed in December 2025—is essentially asking for retroactive approval of softball field structures that already exist.

“St. Joseph school never had a permit to build that field,” Whitham said. “When you apply for a permit or an amendment to a permit, you notice the people that it’s affected, and they have a chance for an open public forum to object to, to support, to ask questions. And our residents never got that opportunity.”

While the school waits for the county to review and approve or deny the application, the Knollwood Terrace HOA asked both parties in mid-April to suspend all activities at the field on the grounds that the venue isn’t currently permitted. The HOA also emphasized residents’ safety concerns in its requests—via emails, phone calls, and voicemails to both the school and the county—

ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM: On May 1, the St. Joseph High School girls’ varsity softball team squared off against players from San Luis Obispo’s Mission College Prep Catholic High School.

which Whitham described as having “fallen on deaf ears” as of early May. On May 1, the school’s girls’ varsity softball program hosted its last home game of the season, versus San Luis Obispo’s Mission College Prep Catholic High School, as scheduled. Outside of softball season events, the school holds year-round training, youth camps, and other community programs on the field.

“This isn’t just a permit situation where they built something they shouldn’t have. This is a dangerous situation,” Whitham said. “It’s inevitable. We’re going to have an injury. … Some of our residents say they’ve had near misses with their kids in the backyard.”

One of the softball field’s most concerning traits, Whitham said, is that it’s as close as 3 feet away from some condo residents’ property lines along East Foster Road.

Pursuant to the land use code, the school needed approval from the county for rear-yard and side setbacks of less than 15 feet from neighboring properties. In its retroactive permit application, the school included a request for a permit “modification” to “reduce the northern property line (side) setback to 3 feet” to accommodate existing softball field structures.

“They built a grandstand—with a 3-foot setback—adjacent to [someone’s] backyard,” Whitham said. “The top five levels of the grandstand look right down into her backyard. She’s got a rather big dog, and one time it was by her fence, and one of the spectators was petting her dog—from the grandstand.”

Conversations between St. Joseph High School officials and Knollwood Terrace HOA members about improving stray ball containment included an April 16 phone call between Whitham and Assistant Principal of Athletics Tom Mott.

According to Whitham, Mott told Whitham that the county authorized the school to “immediately” erect higher netting to improve safety, but it would take at least three weeks for the netting materials to arrive. This delayed the installation date to after softball season ended.

After the Sun reached out to both Mott and St. Joseph High School Principal Erinn Dougherty for comment, a representative

of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles joined the email thread.

“St. Joseph High School remains committed to being a thoughtful community partner,” Media Relations Director Yannina Diaz stated on behalf of the Archdiocese, “maintaining open communication with neighbors and the homeowners association, and making good-faith efforts to address concerns.”

Diaz added that “bringing softball to the campus had been a goal for over a decade” and described the home softball field as “developed on land already designated for athletic use” before its completion in 2025.

When asked if the high school had any prior land designation that excused it from undergoing the permit application process for construction of the softball field, county Senior Planner Kringel told the Sun: “They are required to get a permit, … and the county is still reviewing this permit.”

As of May 1, the permit remained under review, said Kringel, who described St. Joseph High School’s application as seeking approval of “the as-built” softball field.

Kringel said that county enforcement staff investigated the softball field “after receiving a complaint,” and that investigation prompted the school to file its formal application for the permit review in December 2025.

“The school was cooperative and submitted their application,” Kringel said. “Thus, further enforcement was not necessary.”

Knollwood Terrace resident Whitham said he believes the county is setting a terrible precedent for developers to take an “ask for forgiveness, not permission” approach on future projects in the area.

“If [the county] retroactively approves this, that sends a really, really bad message, in terms of getting away with something like this,” Whitham said. “You pay for bad behavior. And that’s our stance on this. I’m sorry that it may affect other entities, like your softball team and others that want to use that field. But your bad behavior should have consequences.” m Reach Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood at cwiseblood@ santamariasun.com.

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News

SPOTLIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF MATTHEW SIEGLER

didn’t realize how much they were missing,” Salazar said. “I love seeing … all these people thankful and grateful that they can hear again.”

Aside from hearing aids, Santa Maria’s Beltone also supplies specialized hearing protection products that can help individuals exposed to loud noises on a regular basis lower their chances of developing hearing loss.

Salazar said she’s helped customize ear protection gear for military personnel at Vandenberg Space Force Base, local farmworkers who often work with tractors and other loud machinery, and visitors of recreational gun ranges.

“People out here who do shooting and hunting really need to, I emphasize, wear ear protection,” she said.

When customizing gear, Salazar takes an ear impression from her customer, similar to a dentist’s dental impression except “with the ear,” she said.

HEAR, HEAR: Before taking on the role of hearing care practitioner “Then I’ll send it off to at Santa Maria’s Beltone office, Remy Salazar spent 20 years the manufacturer,” said working as a hearing aid specialist for Santa Maria’s Costco.

Salazar, who added that the Beltone office also carries specific products from other hearing aid manufacturers on occasion, including Starkey and its SoundGear hearing Longtime hearing aid specialist protection line. takes on practitioner role with Depending on the model, a piece of customized Santa Maria’s Beltone office hearing protection

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD equipment could reduce up to 26 decibels of noise, Salazar said. onstant ringing. Buzzing. Swishing.

On the other hand, hearing aids meant to Hissing. Tinnitus can take on many maximize hearing can help silence tinnitus different sounds for those who suffer from symptoms by amplifying natural sounds. the condition, commonly due to hearing loss.

For those who suffer from tinnitus, Salazar Local hearing care practitioner Remy recommends pairing hearing aid use with Salazar said one seldomly reported form of meditation, either traditional meditation or tinnitus she’s observed over the course of her through a health and wellness app. career is kind of like having a song stuck in “It’s just really bothersome. There really is your head. no cure for tinnitus. There’s nothing to get rid “There’s also—which is very rare—where of the ringing,” Salazar said. “But the hearing people actually hear music. It’s very rare, but aids actually help reduce or make some of that I have come across some people with it in the ringing not as noticeable.” past 21 years,” Salazar told the Sun. “Tinnitus is actually in our brain. … The ringing part is Highlights when we’re not hearing a certain frequency, and it’s like our brain trying to fill in [the gap].”

• Formerly hosted in the city of Solvang, the outdoor Flying Miz Daisy Vintage Market will Published in January, a new Brain Sciences take place in Buellton this year—on May 23 journal study showed that about 1 in 5 adults from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with free admission— who suffer from tinnitus have claimed that following “a shift in direction” due to Solvang’s harsh symptoms of the condition forced them enforcement of certain vendor business license to either call in sick or quit a job. fee waivers,MUSIC which “significantly impacts the Salazar said that those stats didn’t surprise small businesses at the heart of the market,” her, based on testimony she’s heard from some according to market founder Char Goetz. “This Central Coast residents she’s helped cope with FLAVOR/EATS is a fresh and exciting chapter,” she stated. the condition. Although hearing aids can help “We’re bringing the same beautiful market reduce those symptoms, there’s currently no experience people love—just in a location cure for tinnitus.

INFO where that experience is fully supported and Salazar has spent the past year working for encouraged.”

Santa Maria’s Beltone office (also known as • Alma Rosa Winery’s annual fundraiser Hometown Hearing Aids, at 2125 S. Broadway, CALENDAR walk, Peace of Mind, will benefit two mental suite 111), and she entered the role with 20 health nonprofits: One Mind and Santa years of experience with Santa Maria’s Costco OPINIONWellness Center. Registration Barbara Mental as a licensed hearing aid dispenser. to join the 4.5-mile walk is $70. The fundraiser As much as she misses looking forward to will take place on May 29, at 9 a.m. (checkthe free Costco samples each workday, she in starts atNEWS 8 a.m.), at 7250 Santa Rosa Road, continues to enjoy her role as a hearing aid Buellton. Over the course of six professional because of years, the annual program has the way her line of work STROKES raised more than $1.2 million. m can change someone’s life.

Send business and “Some of the people nonprofit information to that come in, they’re in ARTSReach Senior Staff Writer Caleb spotlight@santamariasun.com.

Wiseblood at cwiseblood@ tears after I fit them with santamariasun.com. a hearing aid because they

From ear to ear

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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)

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Opinion ONLINE POLL

What mask would you wear?

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50% An elegant masquerade/carnival/ Mardi Gras mask.

0% A set of classic comedy-tragedy masks.

0% The creepiest clown mask imaginable.

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COMMENTARY

➤ Canary [12]

Trump vs. the pope

The president takes on the pope, and it’s not a good look

BY JOHN ASHBAUGH

I

King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. He does not listen to the t’s been two months since the president prayers of those who wage war but rejects them.” precipitated his brutal air war against Iran.

Then on Easter Sunday, Trump issued a This “little excursion” has morphed into a profane demand for Iranians to surrender— regional war with devastating consequences for on Easter Sunday, the most sacred day for virtually everyone: to the unfortunate Lebanese, caught in the cross fire; to every one of the petro- Christians: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! states on both sides of the Persian Gulf; and to Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or every nation that continues to depend on the you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be world market for petroleum products. to Allah.”

It’s a war with Congress blind to the reality Then, only two days later, Trump posted this that the American people oppose it. ominous threat: “A whole civilization will die It’s a war that Trump initiated in close tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t consultation with only one ally: Benjamin want that to happen, but it probably will.”

Netanyahu of Israel.

In response, Pope Leo told reporters in Who does benefit from this war? Analysts Italy that Trump’s threat to wipe out an entire cite only two nations: Putin’s Russia and the civilization was “truly unacceptable.”

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

On April 12, Trump posted a bizarre AIPutin benefits from vastly increased sales of generated image depicting himself as Jesus.

Russian oil and gas—made possible by Trump’s decision to remove the heavy sanctions placed on Replete with images of high-tech weaponry, Trump extends two AI-enlarged hands toward the Kremlin since the 2014 invasion of Crimea. a prostrate man who holds an astonishing The Saudis benefit from rent-free use of American and Israeli armed forces to “obliterate” resemblance to Jeffrey Epstein.

Within hours, Pope Leo resoundingly their sworn enemies in Iran and Iranian proxies denounced the distortions of the message of Jesus, like the Houthis in Yemen. citing the Beatitudes: “The message of the Gospel Trump views this war as a 21st century is very clear, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’”

Christian Crusade, as do all the “holy warriors” But the president wasn’t happy with Pope in the administration who would happily bring Leo, and that same day he tried to explain away us to Armageddon. The crusader-in-chief is his post to CBS reporter Weijia Jiang, saying, “I Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who literally me as a doctor and had to do with wears his “Christian nationalism” every day with thought it wasMUSIC Red Cross. …. It’s supposed to be me as a doctor pride: It’s tattooed on his chest. His belligerent making people better. And I do make people views were revealed in a recent “Christian” FLAVOR/EATS better.” prayer service in the Pentagon, where he prayed Then another reporter asked Trump whether to a vengeful God: “Let every round find its he might apologize to the pope. He declined, mark against the enemies of righteousness INFO [with] overwhelming violence against those who of course. Instead, he doubled down on his criticism of Pope Leo, calling him “weak on deserve no mercy.” crime, terribleCALENDAR for foreign policy.”

Just a few days after the media learned of What kind of leader— Hegseth’s “prayer,” Pope what kind of person—would Leo XIV used his Palm OPINION attack the pope as “weak on Sunday message to reject crime”? The pope isn’t some such misguided appeals to Send us your Democratic big-city mayor; the Almighty. Citing Isaiah views and opinion to NEWShe’s the spiritual leader of 20 15, Pope Leo reminded all letters@santamariasun.com. percent of Americans who Christians to view Jesus as “the

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identify as Catholic. The man who occupies the Chair of Saint Peter often speaks for the 2 billion Christians throughout the world.

In 2024, 55 percent of American Catholics voted for Trump. A recent poll for the National Catholic Register shows that a majority— 52 percent—now disapprove of the job he is doing. And that poll was taken before Trump’s trash talk directed at the pope.

This is the man who has claimed that the only limit to his power is “my own morality.”

We already know where this president has hidden his morality: In the gutter.

And what more insistent moral issue is there than the choice of war versus peace? Jesus’ first words to his disciples when he appeared to them, cowering in their hideaway after the crucifixion, were these: “Peace be with you.” In Matthew 5, the central lesson of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is “blessed are the peacemakers.”

Our nation needs a peacemaker, not a warmonger. Americans need to elect leaders who build bridges, not bombers eager for an apocalypse. In the Oval Office, we need to have an advocate for the rule of law rather than ignoring international alliances. m John Ashbaugh “strongly approves” of Pope Leo. And he’s not even Catholic. Respond to letters@ newtimesslo.com.

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LETTER Working Families Party support of Ricardo Valencia for supervisor is troubling As the race to fill Steve Lavagnino’s soon-to-be vacant 5th District supervisorial seat heats up, a particularly troubling fact has emerged regarding one of the candidates. In a previous piece I characterized Santa Maria High School teacher Ricardo Valencia as a “puppet” of local activist organizations. I have also, on occasion, referred to his ever-present smile, at least in his photos, as Mamdani-like, a reference to New York City’s openly socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Now, in a recent endorsement from a frequent writer (“Ricardo Valencia is best for supervisor,” April 30), it has been revealed that Valencia’s resemblance to the radical Mamdani is more than coincidental—he has been endorsed by the Working Families Party, the very same Working Families Party that supported New York City’s socialist mayor.

So are we to expect that Valencia, like Mayor Mamdani, will support a radical socialist agenda?

Confiscatory taxes? County-run grocery stores?

Crippling labor policies destructive to our local economy? The prospect of Ricardo Valencia sitting on the Board of Supervisors becomes even more troubling with the revelation that the Working Families Party will likely be one of his string-pullers. I find it incomprehensible that anyone could find that an endorsement by such an extreme group would prove an asset to a political campaign.

As for me, I will stick with my support of Maribel Aguilera for 5th District supervisor, someone who has spent her career supporting property rights, business, job creation, and prosperity for residents of the 5th District. I recommend that the voters of the 5th District join me in supporting Maribel Aguilera for supervisor.

Roy Reed Santa Maria

10 • Sun • May 7 - May 14, 2026 • www.santamariasun.com

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Brought to you by: www.santamariasun.com • May 7 - May 14, 2026 • Sun • 11

Opinion

Fly balls S

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

t. Joseph High School claims that it aims to be a “thoughtful community partner.” But some of its closest neighbors would beg to differ.

Especially since softballs have been raining down in their yards, which butt up against the campus’s newest addition: an unpermitted softball field. How nice for the school’s neighbors! They can now watch high school softball for free from the comfort of their upstairs bedrooms.

Apparently, the good book has something in it about begging for forgiveness—but not asking for permission. If St. Joe’s had asked Santa Barbara County for permission before it began designing the field, perhaps one of the dugouts wouldn’t sit so cozily against a backyard fence and the grandstand that looms large over one townhome’s yard would be a little farther away.

“The top five levels of the grandstand look right down into her backyard. She’s got a rather big dog, and one time it was by her fence, and one of the spectators was petting her dog—from the grandstand,” according the Knollwood Terrace homeowners association (HOA) board member David Whitham.

That’s a little too close.

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a sports field built so close to homes before.

Neighbors have been complaining about cracked roof tiles, damaged walls, and near misses since last summer, he said. They’ve taken to collecting the balls that land on their properties, with one resident at 30 so far.

“You can’t enjoy your backyard while a game’s being played because you’re afraid of being hit,” Knollwood Terrace resident Eleanor Lind said.

NORTHERN SAN

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Entries submitted by 5 p.m., Monday, June 15, 2026 will be considered for this year’s publications which will be out on July 23, 2026.

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Life of Chuck is poetic [20]

The county said that it’s currently working with St. Joe’s to address “foul ball containment” in response to an “increase in concerns expressed by the neighbors.” It’s hard to believe the county wasn’t aware of the issue prior to last summer— but it initiated an investigation in December, and then the school decided it should apply for a permit. Funny how that works.

“This isn’t just a permit situation where they built something they shouldn’t have. This is a dangerous situation,” Whitham said. “It’s inevitable. We’re going to have an injury.”

In its retroactive permit application, the school requested a modification to reduce the property setbacks to 3 feet instead of the required at least 15 feet—you know, because the field is already built. So, essentially, all the rules that normally apply in these situations are out the window, including giving residents a chance to weigh in before something gets constructed against their property.

For St. Joe’s part, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is defending its actions by saying the softball field had been a goal for more than a decade and was developed on land already slated for athletic use. And the county is clear: It still needed a permit.

Seems unfair, you know? And neighbors want the school to get more punishment than the county seems willing to give.

“If [the county] retroactively approves this, that sends a really, really bad message, in terms of getting away with something,” Whitham said. “You pay for bad behavior. And that’s our stance on this.

I’m sorry that it may affect other entities, like your softball team and others that want to use that field.

But your bad behavior should have consequences.”

Yes. It’s a teaching moment for the kids, amirite? m

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12 • Sun • May 7 - May 14, 2026 • www.santamariasun.com

Hot Stuff

10-DAY CALENDAR: MAY 7 - MAY 17, 2026

BEE STORIES

National Geographic Explorer and community scientist Krystle Hickman will give a free lecture at the Solvang Library about her studies of California’s native bees and new book, The ABCs of California’s Native Bees, on Wednesday, May 13, at 7 p.m. An optional Zoom webinar will be available, and a book signing will follow the presentation. For more details, visit syvnature.org.

—Angie Stevens PHOTO COURTESY OF CORIOLIS COMPANY

ARTS SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS

BALLROOM, LATIN, AND SWING DANCE CLASSES Social ballroom, Latin, and swing lessons for all ages. Beginner and advance classes. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m. $45-$55. (805) 928-7799.

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

DANCE CLASSES There are weekly dance classes, from ages 2 to adult, at KleinDance Arts . Mondays-Saturdays, 4-8 p.m. (805) 268-2530. kleindancearts.com. KleinDance Arts, 1954 S Broadway, Suite J, 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 VALLE Y

ARTIST ANN WIRTZ PRESENTS LIMITLESS Wirtz’s figurative works consider the stories and relationships between people and their environment, offering paintings that speak to human connection in our daily lives. Through May. (805) 698-0084. annwirtz.com. Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos.

CONTEMPORARY LANDSCAPE WORKSHOP Join the weekend landscape painting workshop with Robin Deshayes.

May 16, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and May 17, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $285. (805) 325-8092. artspotonwheels.com. Art Spot on Wheels, 320 Alisal Road, unit 306B, Solvang.

MOTHER’S DAY PAINTING IN THE VINEYARD AT SUNSTONE WINERY Are you looking for a unique way to celebrate Mother’s Day? Join us at Sunstone Winery to grab a glass of wine and a paintbrush!

May 10, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $89. (805) 325-8092. artspotonwheels.com. Sunstone Winery, 125 N. Refugio Road, Santa Ynez.

THE ABCS OF CALIFORNIA’S NATIVE BEES: LECTURE AND BOOK-SIGNING WITH KRYSTLE HICKMAN Join National Geographic Explorer and community scientist Krystle Hickman for a presentation about her studies of California’s native bees, which culminated in her new book, The ABCs of California’s Native Bees. May 13, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. syvnature.org. Solvang Library, 1745 Mission Dr., Solvang.

“WHEN THE EARTH WHISPERS BACK: NATURE’S HOPE” Woman Painters West, an organization of juried professional woman artists (100 + years old) were invited to exhibit at this museum creating paintings that answered their theme. See 48 paintings juried from 100 entries on view at the museum. Through Sept. 16 Canatureartmuseum.org. California Nature Art Museum, 1511-B Mission Dr., Solvang.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

EVOLVING The Lompoc Valley Art Association’s Cypress Gallery will be featuring “Evolving”, an exhibition by artists

C. Wood and Chuck Klein. ThursdaysSundays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. through May 24 (805) 737-1129. lompocart.org/events.

Cypress Gallery, 119 E Cypress Ave., Lompoc.

MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND PAINTING AT ROCK 12 DISTILLERY Celebrate Mother’s Day with a cocktail and a paintbrush at the picturesque Rock 12 Distillery! May 9, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $89. (805) 325-8092. artspotonwheels.com. Rock 12 Distillery, 6605 Highway 246, Lompoc.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

ACTOR’S EDGE: ACTING CLASSES 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. $210 per month. actorsedge.com.

Online, See website, Arroyo Grande.

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

Beginners welcomed. ongoing (805) 8355893. hmcruceceramics.com/. Online, See website, Arroyo Grande.

JUDKINS AND MESA MIDDLE SCHOOLS PRESENT: LION KING JR. Experience the magic of the savanna in this unforgettable production of The Lion King JR., proudly presented by Judkins and Mesa Theater.

May 15, 7 p.m. and May 16, 2 & 7 p.m. $17.

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

NORTH COUNTY CAMERA CLUB: REGULAR MEETING A Zoom meeting for the camera club, where photographers of all levels can participate, share photos,

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

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

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

exchange information, and learn from each other. Second Tuesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. Free. facebook.com/ groups/PRAAphotoguild. Online, See website, Arroyo Grande.

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, 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

OLIVER! AUDITIONS Head to Atascadero for auditions for Oliver! Seeking ages 8 to 18, and adults. Get more info at the link.

May 9-10, 2-5 p.m. oeatheatrical.com.

Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, 1701 Fredericks Street, San Luis Obispo.

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

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

BEGINNING WATERCOLORS WITH JAN FRENCH Come be introduced to this tricky but dynamic painting medium!

The class is for beginners or advanced

INDEX Arts.......................................13 Culture & Lifestyle ...........14 Food & Drink ......................19 Music ..................................20

who’d like to “loosen up.” Inquire via email.

Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. through May 26 $130. (805) 747-4200. artcentralslo. com/workshops-events/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

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

CAL POLY BRASS AND PIANO STUDENT RECITAL A free recital presented by Cal Poly Music Department student brass and piano players. May 12, 7:30 p.m. Free. (805) 756-2406. music.calpoly.edu/calendar/ free/#brass. Cal Poly Davidson Music Center, Room 218, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

CLAY BABY HANDPRINTS Offers a unique experience of pressing your baby’s hand/ foot into clay so parents can cherish this time forever. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays $55. anamcre.com/babyhandprints. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

COLLAGING MORRO ROCK WITH LINDA CUNNINGHAM Join us for this four-hour workshop where you will receive step-bystep instructions for creating a beautiful coastal image using a variety of hand printed papers. May 9, 12-4 p.m. $45. (805) 747-4200. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

CUESTA DRAMA PRESENTS: SPRING AWAKENING, winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, is an electrifying rock musical that redefined the boundaries of theatre. May 8, 7:30 p.m., May 9, 7:30 p.m., May 10, 7:30 p.m., May 14, 7:30 p.m., May 15, 7:30 p.m., May 16, 2 p.m. and May 17, 2 p.m. $20-$25. (805) 546-3198.

Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY AND ART Owen and Kyoko Hunt from Kyoto, Japan offer classes for Japanese calligraphy

(Fridays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.), a Japanese art called “haiga” (Fridays, 10-11:30 a.m.) and more at Nesting Hawk Ranch. Fridays $45.

(702) 335-0730. Nesting Hawk Ranch, Call for address, San Luis Obispo.

LEARN TO WEAVE MONDAYS An opportunity to learn how a four-shaft loom works. You will get acquainted as a new weaver or as a refresher with lots of tips and tricks. This class includes getting to know a loom, how to prepare/dress a loom, and much much more. Mondays, 1-4 p.m. $75 monthly. (805) 441-8257.

Patricia Martin: Whispering Vista Studios, 224 Squire Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo, patriciamartinartist.com.

MOTHER’S DAY COMEDY SHOWCASE Celebrate Mother’s Day with an evening of great touring comics from The Comedy Store, Laughs Unlimited, and The Improv.

Bring your Mom for free! May 9, 8-10 p.m. $20. (805) 878-2038. Oak and Otter Brewing, 181 Tank Farm Road, suite 110, San Luis Obispo.

OUTSIDE TOGETHER: BREATH OF GLOSTER SCREENING AND PANEL See a viewing of the short film Breath of Gloster, featuring environmental activist and trail runner Peyton Thomas, and educatoractivist Dr. Krystal Martin. A panel with Thomas and Dr. Martin will follow the film.

May 9, 1-3 p.m. Free. catalog.slolibrary.org/ outside-together-storytelling-event. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

PAINT A PREMADE POTTERY PIECE! Drop into the studio to pick out and paint a premade piece! There is fun for all ages, and prices are based upon size. Mondays, Wednesdays-Saturdays, 2-7:30 p.m. $30-$75. app.acuityscheduling.com/ schedule.php?owner=22676824&appoin tmentType=35974477. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

PICKET PAINTING PARTY Decorative picket purchasing opportunities are available to show your support and help fund maintenance and educational

ARTS continued page 14

www.santamariasun.com • May 7 - May 14, 2026 • Sun • 13

Hot Stuff ARTS from page 13 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.

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 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.

THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT When a fresh out-of-Harvard fact-checker is assigned to a talented writer’s essay, they come head-to-head in a hilarious yet gripping battle over facts vs. truth. Fridays, 7-9 p.m., Saturdays, 2-4 & 7-9 p.m., Sundays, 2-4 p.m. and Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. through May 14 $28-$47. (805) 786-2440. slorep.org/ shows/the-lifespan-of-a-fact/. SLO Rep, 888 Morro St., San Luis Obispo.

VIRGINIA MACK: BEGINNING WATERCOLOR This is a watercolor class designed to let you jump in and try out this engaging medium through experimentation. It’s designed for beginners and those with watercolor experience who wish to expand their knowledge of painting in watercolors.

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

WHITNEY PINTELLO: SOLO SHOW On display now through mid-April. ongoing slogallery.com/. SLO Gallery, 1023 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

NORTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

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.

MAY 7 - MAY 17, 2026 IMAGE COURTESY OF ROBIN DESHAYES ART

MAY FEATURED ARTIST HEMA sbcanimalcare.org/events. Blast BEGINNING BALLET FOR ADULTS SUKUMAR, FINE ART ACRYLIC 825 Brewery, 241 S. Broadway St., Enjoy the grace and flow of ballet. No PAINTINGS FROM THE COAST previous experience needed. Wednesdays, Orcutt, (805) 934-3777.

TO THE HILLS From shorelines 5:15-6:15 p.m. $12 drop-in; $40 for four ORCUTT MINERAL SOCIETY to mountaintops, Hema Sukumar classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org.

Second Tuesday of every month catches California and beyond in Grover Beach Community Center, Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., acrylic with warmth and a sharp 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.

Orcutt, (805) 937-9750. eye for color. Through May 29, 11 BEYOND MINDFULNESS Realize SANTA MARIA TOASTMASTERS a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. your potential through individualized Develop your public speaking galleryatmarinasquare.com. meditation instruction with an skills at this club meeting.

Gallery at Marina Square, 601 experienced teacher via Zoom. This class Second Tuesday of every month, Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay. is for those who wish to begin a practice 6:30-8 p.m. (805) 570-0620.

MAY FEATURED ARTIST or seek to deepen an existing one. Flexible Santa Maria Airport, JARI DE HAM, EXHIBITING days and times. Certified with IMTA. Email 3217 Terminal Drive, Santa Maria.

SCULPTURES AND SMALL or text for information. Mondays-Sundays, WORKS From Chinese brush 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sliding scale. (559) 905LOMPOC/VANDENBERG painting to stone sculptures, Jari 9274. theartofsilence.net. Online, AFTERNOON BINGO Bingo with See website, Arroyo Grande. de Ham’s work finds the Central potluck.

Parking in rear.

Buy one Coast in an ancient artistic BOOK SALE Check out the used books for of everything for $20. Guests tradition. Through May 29, 11 can participate without bringing sale to benefit the Friends of Shell Beach a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068.

Library. May 9, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Shell food. Look forward to a fun galleryatmarinasquare.com.

Beach Veteran’s Community Building, afternoon. Second Tuesday of Gallery at Marina Square, 601 every month, 12-4 p.m. All games 230 Leeward Avenue, Shell Beach, Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay. (805) 878-7454. are $1 each. (805) 736-6669.

MAY FEATURED ARTIST DAILY QIGONG PRACTICE For Valley of Flowers Half-Century NATHAN TOOLE, WHERE the early riser or commuter, every Club, 341 No. N St., Lompoc.

COLOR FINDS ITS OWN ORDER weekday morning. Maintain or improve Find color and form that feel LOMPOC ART WALK Lompoc concentration, balance, and flexibility. right before you know why. transforms into a celebration Includes weekly Friday 3 p.m. class Nathan Toole exhibits his acrylic and showcase of local artists with more practices. Led by certified abstract paintings. Through during this monthly event, which Awareness Through Movement teacher.

May 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. features live music, art, exciting Mondays-Saturdays, 6:10 a.m. and Fridays, (805) 772-1068. exhibitions, performances, and 3 p.m. $35/week or $125/month. (646) galleryatmarinasquare.com. a variety of unique vendors. First 280-5800. margotschaal.com/qigong.

Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Thursday of every month, 5-8 p.m. Online, See website, Arroyo Grande.

Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay. Old Town Lompoc, H and I St., DANCE FITNESS ART AND CULTURE Lompoc.

MEET THE ARTISTS: MAY FOR ADULTS Discover dance as a form Award-winning Southern California artist Robin Deshayes will run a 2026 OPENING RECEPTION AT of artistic expression and exercise, using SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y weekend Contemporary Landscape Workshop on Saturday, May 16, and GALLERY AT MARINA SQUARE 18TH ANNUAL PARTY ON PISMO a wide range of styles and genres of Sunday, May 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Art Spot on Wheels in Meet Nathan Toole, Hema music (including modern, jazz, Broadway, VINTAGE TRAILER RALLY View Sukumar, and Jari de Ham and Solvang. Creatives can dive into an array of landscape painting concepts and ethnic). Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m. $10 drop-in; and tour the magical world of see their new works, along with dedicate time to deepening their craft. Visit artspotonwheels.com to secure a $30 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. vintage trailers as well as shop the art of over 55 artists. May 9, grover.org. Grover Beach Community spot and review a class materials list. our vintage swap meet. The event 3-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068.

Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.

—A.S. is child and dog friendly. May 16, galleryatmarinasquare.com.

DONATION-BASED YOGA FOR 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Pismo Coast Gallery at Marina Square, 601 FIRST RESPONDERS, EMTS, AND Village RV Resort, 165 S Dolliver Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay. CARETAKERS Class schedule varies.

FEEL GOOD YOGA Tuesdays, Thursdays, St., Pismo Beach, (805) 773-5649.

NEIL SIMON’S CALIFORNIA SUITE Contact empoweryoga805@gmail.com 8:30-9:30 a.m. (805) 937-9750. oasisorcutt. ADULT SOFTBALL Let’s play ball! The City By the Sea Productions is celebrating its for details and reservations. ongoing org.

Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt. of Arroyo Grande’s Adult Softball League 10th year of live theater in Morro Bay with (805) 619-0989. empoweryoga805.com.

GROUP WALKS AND HIKES Check a director’s workshop production of Neil is a fun and competitive program offering Empower Yoga Studio and Community website for the remainder of this year’s Simon’s “California Suite.” May 8, 7 p.m., leagues for Coed Teams and Men’s Teams.

Boutique, 775 W. Grand Ave., group hike dates and private hike offerings. Sundays, 3-9 p.m. through May 17 $671.

May 9, 7 p.m. and May 10, 3 p.m. $28.62.

Grover Beach.

SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS (805) 343-2455. dunescenter.org. my805tix.com. By The Sea Productions, (805) 473-5474. arroyogrande.org/709/ LA CONVERSACIÓN Join La Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, ANDROID PHONE CLASS First Thursday 545 Shasta Ave., Morro Bay. Adult-Sports. Soto Sports Field, Ash Street, Conversación, a group for practicing of every month Oasis Center, 420 Soares 1065 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe.

Arroyo Grande.

THE PLEIN AIR TEAM Acrylic artist, Nancy spoken Spanish. There is no homework Ave., Orcutt, (805) 937-9750.

MOTHER’S DAY FURBABY SIDEWALK BEGINNER GROUP SURF LESSONS Lynn, and husband, watercolorist, Robert or lessons, just conversation. Thursdays, STROLL AND COSTUME CONTEST AND SURF CAMPS Lessons and camp Fleming, have an ongoing show of originals CENTRAL COAST CORVETTE CLUB 9-11:30 a.m. Free. Greenhouse Coffee Open to Corvette owners and enthusiasts. Join us for a family-friendly community packages available daily. All equipment and giclee prints of Morro Bay and local Company, 1064 E Grand Av, Arroyo Grande, First Thursday of every month, 6 p.m. Free. event where pet parents and their furry included. Starts at $70. (805) 835-7873. birds. ongoing (805) 772-9955. Seven (805) 825-1345. friends dress in costumes, get prizes, and (805) 934-3948. Home Motors, Sisters Gallery, 601 Embarcadero Ste. 8, sandbarsurf.com/. Sandbar Surf School Morro Bay, sevensistersgalleryca.com.

1313 E. Main St., Santa Maria. enjoy live music! May 10, 12-3 p.m. Free.

Meetup Spot, 110 Park Ave., Pismo Beach. CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 16

14 • Sun • May 7 - May 14, 2026 • www.santamariasun.com

LEARNING THE LANDSCAPE

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

May 22-24, 2026 S ANTA M ARIA California

Cruising only for Participants Spectators Welcome

S ANTA M ARIA“C ITY C RUISE” Friday Night on Broadway..

Saturday and Sunday at the Fairpark

L OTS O F V ENDORS • L IVE B ANDS • M ODEL C AR S HOW S UNDAY A UTOMOTIVE S WAP M EET

FOR EVENT INFO: click on westcoastkustoms.com or call: 951-488-0413

Saturday & Sunday at the FAIRPARK

Meet Butch Patrick “Eddie Munster”

Follow Our Footsteps!

Join classes now to perform in

9

Sleeping Beauty

Classes for ages 2 through adult! • Come try a class for free!

Call 805-345-5570 or visit everybodycandance.webs.com

Everybody Can Dance

Home of the Santa Maria Civic Ballet 628 S McClelland Santa Maria

Call 805-345-5570 or visit everybodycandance.webs.com

www.santamariasun.com • May 7 - May 14, 2026 • Sun • 15

Hot Stuff

MAY 7 - MAY 17, 2026 PHOTO COURTESY OF EXPLORE TOCK

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE from page 14 MOTHER’S DAY TEA PARTY This beautiful event includes tea and lemonade, tea sandwiches, scones, dessert, music, crafts, photo ops, painting class, and more! May 10, 1-3:30 p.m. $50.

(805) 473-5472. arroyogrande.org/rec.

Historical Society Heritage Garden, 126 S. Mason St., Arroyo Grande.

MULTICULTURAL DANCE CLASS FOR ADULTS Experience dance from continents around the earth, including from Africa, Europe, and more. Described as “a wonderful in-depth look at the context and history of cultures of the world.” Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. $10 dropin; $30 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.

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-lospadres. Central Coast Senior Center, 1580 Railroad St., Oceano.

Q YOUTH GROUP (VIA ZOOM) This is a social support group for LGBTQ+ and questioning youth between the ages of 1118. Each week the group explores personal, cultural, and social identity. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. Free. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, Arroyo Grande.

SLO LEZ B FRIENDS (VIA ZOOM) A good core group of friends who gather to discuss topics we love/ care about from movies, outings, music, or being new to the area. We come from all walks of life and most importantly support each other.

Transgender and Nonbinary folks welcome.

Third Friday of every month, 6:30-9 p.m.

Free. sloqueer.groups.io/g/lezbfriends.

Online, See website, Arroyo Grande. |2|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.

STAY YOUNG WITH QI GONG Qi Gong boosts energy and vitality, reduces stress, improves balance and flexibility, and, best of all, is fun. Join instructor Devin Wallace for this Crows End Retreat outdoor class, which is held in a beautiful setting. Call or email for location and to reserve a spot.

Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m. $12. (805) 709-2227.

Online, See website, Arroyo Grande.

BRUNCH FOR MOM

Celebrate Mom at Roblar Winery and Vineyard in Santa Ynez during a Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy a buffet crafted by executive chef Terri Buzzard and live music from Natalie Espinoza between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. General admission is $80.

Learn more or purchase tickets at roblarwinery.com.

—A.S. 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, Arroyo Grande.

WEEKLY WATER SAFETY LESSONS Facility advertised as open and safe.

Give the office a call to register over the phone. Mondays-Fridays $160-$190.

(805) 481-6399. 5 Cities Swim School, 425 Traffic Way, Arroyo Grande, 5citiesswimschool.com.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

2026 MOTHER’S DAY FAERIE FESTIVAL Join for a Mother’s Day celebration at the SLO Botanical Garden filled with arts and crafts, music, and family fun! May 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. (805) 541-1400.

slobg.org/calendar-of-events/.

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

30-DAY BREATH AND RESET JOURNEY FOR WOMEN Wired at night, drained all day? Reset your body in 30 days. Focus on breath practices to calm stress, sleep deeply, and restore lasting energy.

Registration is required. Tuesdays, 6:307:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 10-11 a.m.

(805) 235-7978. charvetgratefulbody.com.

Live Webinar, online, SLO County.

5TH ANNUAL SHEEP SHEARING SHINDIG Join for our 5th Annual Sheep Shearing Shindig and Ag Festival — a free, family-friendly afternoon of live demonstrations, hands-on activities, farm tours, live music, with local food, beer, and wine. Whether you’ve been a friend of the farm for years or you’re visiting for the first time, there’s something here for everyone of all ages. May 9, 12-4 p.m. Free. my805tix.com. City Farm SLO, 1221 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, (805) 769-8344.

BATTLE OF THE CENTRAL COAST Join us at the SLO Vets Hall for an unforgettable evening featuring fighters battling it out in the octagon. Watch top-tier athletes showcase their skills, strength, and strategy in an action-packed lineup of bouts. May 9, 5-11:30 p.m. $44.69. my805tix.com. Veteran’s Memorial Building, 801 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.

BEST OF SLO COUNTY WINNERS PARTY Every year, New Times Media Group hosts the Best of SLO County reader poll, count the votes, contact the winners, hand out awards and banners, and publish all the winners in our annual Best of SLO County edition of New Times. It’s a great opportunity for the community to vote for and support local businesses. To celebrate our 40th year and all 242 winners, they are hosting the first Best of SLO County Winners Party! May 8, 5-8 p.m. $5. my805tix.com. Marisol Restaurant at The Cliffs Hotel & Spa, 2757 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach, (805) 773-5000 ext. 1.

CAL HOPE SLO GROUPS AT TMHA Visit with local blooms from nine local flower website for full list of weekly Zoom groups farmers. Thursdays, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. available. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, through Nov. 5 Free. sloflowercollective.

Fridays calhopeconnect.org. Transitions com. Dallidet Adobe and Gardens, 1185 Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, Pacific St., San Luis Obispo.

San Luis Obispo, (805) 270-3346.

SLO MASTER GARDENERS, ADVICE TO GROW BY: HOW TO GROW AND CITY FARM SLO’S YOUTH PRESERVE YOUR OWN HERBAL EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM Check BOUNTY Hear speakers from the SLO site for more info on programming and Master Gardeners and Master Food summer camps. ongoing cityfarmslo.org.

Preservers explain how to grow and San Luis Obispo, Citywide, SLO. preserve herbs. There will also be |2|FREE TOURS OF THE MISSION Tour a plant sale. May 16, San Luis Obispo’s Spanish Mission, 10 a.m.-noon Free. (805) 781-5939. founded in 1772. Come learn its history and importance to the development of this ucanr.edu/sites/mgslo/. Garden of the area. Tours are led by docents and meet in Seven Sisters Demonstration Garden, front of the church Sundays, 2:30 p.m. and 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo.

SLO RETIRED ACTIVE MEN: WEEKLY Mondays-Saturdays, 1:15 p.m. Free.

COFFEE MEETING SLO RAMs is a group or (805) 550-7713. missionslodocents.org. retirees that get together just for the fun, Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, fellowship, and to enjoy programs which 751 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. enhance the enjoyment, dignity, and HEALING DEPRESSION SUPPORT independence of retirement. Thursdays, GROUP A safe place to share feelings 8:30-9:30 a.m. $10 coffee meeting. of depression with those who suffer retiredactivemen.org. Madonna Inn, and those who have recovered to a full, 100 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo. healthy outlook on life. Mondays, TEEN MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT 6-7 p.m. Free. (805) 528-3194. Hope House GROUP Learn more about mental health Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo St., and coping skills to help you through your San Luis Obispo.

INNER PEACE DAY RETREAT Join this day journey towards wellness and recovery.

Thursdays, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. (805) 540retreat in Montecito for meditation, yoga, sound healing, tea, and teachings on inner 6576. t-mha.org. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo. peace with Bhai Bahadur Singh Ji. May 9, TRANS* TUESDAY A safe space 1-8 p.m. (805) 724-4324. drishti.house/ providing peer-to-peer support for trans, products/innerpeacedayretreat. gender non-conforming, non-binary, Flowing River, Tabor Lane, Montecito. and questioning people. In-person MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION and Zoom meetings held. Contact (ONLINE) Zoom series hosted by TMHA. tranzcentralcoast@gmail.com for more Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon Transitions Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, details. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. GALA Pride and Diversity Center, 1060 Palm San Luis Obispo, (805) 270-3346.

Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 541-4252.

MOUNTAIN BIKE SKILLS CAMP Join SLO TRANS* YOUTH PEER SUPPORT GROUP Ranger Service for a free Mountain Bike This group is a safe place for trans* and Skills Camp with beginner clinics, safety gender non-conforming people, as well as tips, trail etiquette, and fun activities for those questioning, from ages of 11 to 18. A young riders. May 9, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. facilitated emotional support group to be slorangers.org. Laguna Lake Park, heard, share your story, and hear stories 504 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo. that may sound surprisingly like your own.

PARKOUR CLINIC Parkour offers a path Second Tuesday of every month, 6-8 p.m. to social confidence. Come flip with Free. GALA Pride and Diversity Center, flair in a safe, nurturing environment 1060 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, at our Parkour Clinic. Geared towards (805) 541-4252. children 7 to 17 years old. All levels are welcome. May 9, 1-3 p.m. $25. (805) NORTH COAST SLO COUNT Y 547-1496. performanceathleticsslo.com.

CENTRAL COAST WOOD CARVERS Performance Athletics Gymnastics, Learn the art of wood carving or wood 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo. burning. Join Central Coast Wood Carvers THE SLO FLOWER COLLECTIVE WEEKLY in Morro Bay at St. Timothy’s. Open for FLOWER MARKET Enjoy an amazing beginners, intermediate, or advance. weekly fresh flower market, open to CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 19 the public. Enjoy the historic gardens

“A smooth, dark alto possessed of qualities you might associate with barrel-aged bourbon or butter-soft leather.” – The New York Times

LIZZ WRIGHT SANTA BARBARA

THURS

MAY

14 Featured Sponsor 16 • Sun • May 7 - May 14, 2026 • www.santamariasun.com

Rooted in her Southern upbringing, Wright’s sound is anchored by acoustic textures, rich harmonies, and emotional honesty. Audiences can expect an evening of profound musical storytelling that honors tradition while embracing reflection, healing, and connection.

LOBERO.ORG / 805.963.0761

@loberotheatre

e G IS T E R , R O T Y R R U H d out o f a l mo st so l c e s! b o ot h s p a

CONNECT • NETWORK • DISCOVER

FREE TO THE PUBLIC! MAY 20 A lex M a do n n a Expo Center 4-7 PM

10 0 M a do n n a R d., S LO

Exhibitors as of April 30, 2026 1776 Roofing Solutions/ Roof Maxx Aesthetic Eye Care Alzheimer’s Association Amplifier One Anderson Social Andrews and Associates Astound Business Solutions Atascadero Chamber of Commerce Athlon Fitness and Performance Avila Bay Athletic Club & Spa Better Business Bureau of the Tri-Counties Big Brothers Big Sisters of SLO County Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast Brick & Mortar Catering Company

Care Connection Transport Services CASA of San Luis Obispo County Central Coast Assembly IORG Central Coast Veteran’s Memorial Museum CIO Solutions City of San Luis Obispo Coastal Communities Physician Network Coastal Peaks Coffee CoastHills Federal Credit Union Coast Supply Co Community Action Partnership Corrective Care Chiropractic Costco Wholesale Dentists of SLO

Major sponsor:

Downtown SLO Eckerd Connects ECOSLO Educational Employees Credit Union Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Joe Boche, AAMS™ Family Care Network Finn Plumbing Inc. Foronjy FInancial Frank Crum Glenn Burdette Good Samaritan Shelter Goodwill Central Coast Hearst Cancer Resource Center at French Hospital Human Interest Hyundai San Luis Obispo Idler’s Home Isaman Design

JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery K&D Landscaping KCBX Kitchen & Vine Leadership SLO Leticia’s First Class Cleaning, Inc. Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes Lumina Alliance Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolates Meals That Connect Medspa SLO Megan’s Organic Market SLO MGP Coatings Miller Event Management, Inc. Mountaineer IT Inc. Murphy Bank

NAMI San Luis Obispo County New life K9s New Times Nexus Ballroom Dance Community Orangetheory Fitness San Luis Obispo Pacifica Hotels Paso Robles Safe & Lock PathPoint Photon Brothers Placer Title Company Polk Insurance Agency Popolo Catering Professional IT Solutions Quesadilla Gorilla Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary Rebel Vinyl Apparel Rental Depot, Inc.

Social sponsors:

Residence Inn & Springhill Suites San Luis Obispo San Luis Ambulance Service, Inc. San Luis Coastal Education Foundation San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum San Luis Obispo Heart San Luis Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation Santa Maria Sun SESLOC Credit Union Silver Castle Care LLC SLO Blues Baseball SLO Chamber of Commerce SLO Climate Coalition SLO County Integrated Waste Management Authority SLO County Library Foundation

SLO Film Festival SLO Food Co-op SLO Piercing SLO Safe Ride Spokes St. Andrew The Apostle Greek Orthodox Church Sunrun Swiss Dental Center Tachi Palace Casino Resort Talley Farms Fresh Harvest The Law Offices of Daniel J. Knight, APLC The Management Trust – TMT Property Services The Monday Club The Sign Place The Villages of San Luis Obispo ThriveWell Women’s Health Torrey Concrete

Tri-County Office Furniture, Inc. Trillium Wellness Truly Gifted Tuff Shed UCLA Health United Staffing Associates U.S. Small Business Administration Vanessa Rozo for San Luis Obispo Clerk-Recorder 2026 Velvet Noses Horse Ministry Wandering Eats Waste Connections Westpac Wealth Partners Williams Cleaning Systems Central Coast Woodstock’s Pizza YPNG - Young Professionals Networking Group Zen Warden Security LLC

Media sponsors:

For more information about attending EXPO or reserving an exhibitor space, go to slochamber.org or call (805) 781-2777 www.santamariasun.com • May 7 - May 14, 2026 • Sun • 17

Topanga Banjo • Fiddle Contest & Folk Festival SUNDAY, MAY 17

King Gillettte Ranch, Calabasas

UPCOMING EVENTS ON MY805TIX.COM

SLO Blues Baseball 2026 Season

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 22-24

SLO Wine Mixer

FRIDAY, MAY 22-SUNDAY, JULY 26

Santa Margarita Ranch

SATURDAY, JUNE 6

Sinsheimer Stadium, SLO

Sculpterra Spring Wine Club Dinner

&

Alex Madonna Expo Center, SLO

THURSDAY, MAY 7 The Bunker, SLO

Best of SLO County Winners Party

FRIDAY, MAY 8 The Cliffs Hotel and Spa, Pismo Beach

Boys Of Summer - A Tribute To The Eagles!

FRIDAY, MAY 8 The Pour House, Paso Robles

FRIDAY, MAY 8 Sculpterra Winery, Paso Robles

SATURDAY, MAY 9 The Pottery, Atascadero

SATURDAY, MAY 9 Simple Cafe, Santa Maria

Self Love Saturday

SATURDAY, MAY 9 Goddess Temple, Morro Bay

Fight the Good Fight

SATURDAY, MAY 9 Pioneer Valley High School, Santa Maria

Mother’s Day High Tea at The Dallidet

5th Annual Sheep Shearing Shindig SATURDAY, MAY 9 City Farm, SLO

rePOTting Class

SATURDAY, MAY 9 The Pottery, Atascadero

Battle of the Central Coast

SATURDAY, MAY 9 Veterans Memorial Building, SLO

Color My World with Song

Live Free Music with Joy Bonner

If I Only Had a Song

Plant Bingo with Peaceful Plants

Dr. No Film Screening

Rockeros Contra ICE

SATURDAY, MAY 9 Dallidet Adobe, SLO

Mosaic Pot Class

Mother’s Day Tea

SATURDAY, MAY 9 First Presbyterian Church, SLO

SUNDAY, MAY 10 Sculpterra Winery, Paso Robles

SUNDAY, MAY 10 Community Presbyterian, Cambria

SUNDAY, MAY 10 Ancient Owl Beer Garden, Atascadero

MONDAY, MAY 11 Bay Theatre, Morro Bay

FRIDAY, MAY 15 Humdinger Brewing, SLO

Chakra Flow Sound Journey

Spring Folk-n-Soak Reunion

Urinetown: The Musical

Root & Rise: Spring Wellness

Who Let the Dogs Out Party!

Earth Goddess Foundations

FRIDAY, MAY 15 Mystic Nature, Nimpomo

YoBa (Yoga & Boba Fundraiser) SATURDAY, MAY 16 Santa Rosa Park, SLO

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 15-17 Franklin Hot Springs, Paso Robles

Spring Songwriter Concert: Matthias Clark SATURDAY, MAY 16 Gathering Place at UCC, SLO

18 • Sun • May 7 - May 14, 2026 • www.santamariasun.com

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 15-31 Santa Maria Civic Theatre

SATURDAY, MAY 16 Sycamore Mineral Springs, SLO

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SATURDAY, MAY 16 The Cliffs Hotel and Spa, Pismo Beach

SATURDAY, MAY 16 Goddess Temple, Morro Bay

DJ Williams Band

Legend Zeppelin

SATURDAY, MAY 16 Niffy’s Merrimaker, Baywood-Los Osos

SATURDAY, MAY 16 The Pour House, Paso Robles

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Hot Stuff CULTURE & LIFESTYLE from page 16 Learn a wide range of techniques and skills. Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.

St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, 962 Piney Way, Morro Bay, (805) 772-2840, sttimothymorrobay.org/index.html.

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

Cambria Connection, 1069 Main St., Cambria, (805) 927-1654.

LEARN TO SAIL AT MORRO BAY YACHT CLUB! Learn to sail at the Morro Bay’s only sailing school: Morro Bay Yacht Club.

These sessions are led by competent, responsible sailing instructors. Expect a great experience, with the goal of each student being comfortable in commanding their own sailboat. There’s a focus on teamwork, developing leadership skills, and having fun. Through Aug. 9, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $450. my805tix.com.

Morro Bay Yacht Club, 541 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, (805) 772-3981.

MORRO BAY METAPHYSICIANS DISCUSSION GROUP A group of metaphysically minded individuals that have been meeting for many years now in the Coalesce Chapel.

Club offers a supportive metaphysical based community. Members discuss a different topic each week. All are welcome to join. Fridays, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Suggested donation of $10-$15. Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main St., Morro Bay, coalescebookstore.com/.

SOCRATES DISCUSSION GROUP Have a topic, book, or article you wish to discuss with interested and interesting people?

Join this weekly meeting to discuss it, or simply contribute your experiences and knowledge. Contact Mark Plater for instructions on entering the Chapel area.

Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-noon (805) 528-7111.

Coalesce Garden Chapel, 845 Main St., Morro Bay.

FOOD & DRINK SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS

BAR TAKEOVER THURSDAYS Join us Thursdays to meet and chat with the winemaker of the flight we’re featuring that week. Thursdays, 4-7:30 p.m. $15-$30.

(805) 623-5129. Steller’s Cellar, 400 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt, stellerscellar.com.

FOOD TRUCK 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.

MAY 7 - MAY 17, 2026 FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT WINE STONE LOMPOC/VANDENBERG INN Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Wine Stone Inn, HEAD GAMES TRIVIA AND TACO 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, (805) 332-3532, TUESDAYS CLASH Don’t miss Head winestoneinn.com/.

Games Trivia at COLD Coast Brewing FRIDAY NIGHT FUN Karaoke with DJ Company every Tuesday night. Teams Nasty. With Beer Bucket specials. Kitchen can be up to 6 members. Earn prizes and stays open late. Come out and sing bragging rights. Kekas will be serving your favorite song. Fridays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. their delicious local fare. Fun for all ages.

Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. (805) 819-0723.

Santa Maria, (805) 623-8866. coldcoastbrewing.com. COLD Coast Brewing Company, 118 W Ocean Ave., MOTHER’S DAY HIGH TEA Join for the Lompoc. third annual Mother’s Day High Tea at Cuyama Buckhorn! Celebrate all the moms SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y in your life with light bites and freshly MONTHLY FERMENTATION CLASSES prepared tea during this Buckhorn take New topics each month with a thorough on a traditional high tea affair. May 10, 2 p.m. $78. cuyamabuckhorn.com. Cuyama demo and explanation of the process that creates non-alcoholic, probiotic, Buckhorn, 4923 Primero St., New Cuyama, and nutrient-dense fermentations. Leave (661) 766-2825.

PRESQU’ILE WINERY: WINE CLUB Call or the class confident and prepared with recipes to make your own at home. go online to make a reservation to taste at the winery or find more info on the winery’s Limited seating; reserve spot prior to class by phone/email. Second Sunday Wine Club offerings. presquilewine.com/ club/. Presqu’ile Winery, 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., of every month, 3:30-5 p.m. $30. (805) 801-6627. kulturhausbrewing.com/ Santa Maria, (805) 937-8110. classes/. Join to expand your knowledge SECOND SATURDAY OPEN AIR MARKET: of the fermentation process and get LOS ALAMOS A carefully curated open started fermenting at home. We alternate air artisan and farm market. Features between demonstration and hands-on great vintage finds, handwoven and handMUSICclasses. Second Sunday of every month, dyed textiles, hand-spun yarn, organic 3:30-5 p.m. $30-$50. (805) 801-6627. body care products, and locally grown kulturhausbrewing.com/classes/. organic eats. Second Saturday of every FLAVOR/EATS Kulturhaus Brewing Company, month, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (805) 722-4338. 779 Price St., Pismo Beach.

Sisters Gifts and Home, 349 Bell Street, TRIVIA NIGHT Join BrainStew Trivia for a Los Alamos.

INFO hilariously witty evening of trivia in Pismo.

Teams of 1 to 4 people. Prizes awarded to the first and second place teams. Kitchen CALENDAR is open until 7:30 p.m. for brain fuel. Beer, cider, wine, and non-alcoholic options available. First Thursday of every month, Send event information to calendar@ OPINION 6:30-8 p.m. Free to play. (805) 295-6171. santamariasun.com. kulturhausbrewing.com. Kulturhaus Brewing Company, 779 Price St., NEWS Pismo Beach.

SIPPIN’ SUNDAYS Every Sunday, come cozy up inside the tasting room and listen SAN LUIS OBISPO to great artists. Sundays, 1-4 p.m. Free. STROKES DOWNTOWN SLO FARMERS MARKET (805) 937-8463. cottonwoodcanyon.com.

Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard And Winery, Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. Downtown SLO, Multiple locations, San Luis Obispo.

3940 Dominion Rd, Santa Maria.

ARTS SLO GRANGE PANCAKE BREAKFAST TACO TUESDAY Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m.

Join the SLO Grange Hall for a good oldWine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, fashioned pancake breakfast. Pancakes, (805) 332-3532, winestoneinn.com/. bacon, eggs, juice, and coffee will be THURSDAY EVENING BAR TAKEOVER served, and proceeds will benefit local Call venue or visit website to find out non-profits. Second Sunday of every about featured vintners. Thursdays month, 8-11 a.m. $10. (805) 543-0639. stellerscellar.com. Steller’s Cellar, slogrange.org. San Luis Obispo Grange 405 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt.

Hall, 2880 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

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

BRUNCH IS BACK Celebrate the second ongoing Varies. wineanddesign.com/ Sunday of the month with brunch. Enjoy a orcutt. Wine and Design, 3420 Orcutt two-hour cruise on the waterfront. Features Road, suite 105, Orcutt. fresh coffee, pastries, and more. Second Sunday of every month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $50.

SANTA YNEZ VALLE Y (805) 772-2128. chabliscruises.com. Chablis MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH AT ROBLAR Cruises, 1205 Embarcadero, Morro Bay. WINERY AND VINEYARDS Celebrate MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH Celebrate the Mom in fashion at Roblar Winery with a mother figures in your life with a delicious delectable buffet crafted by executive brunch at Cambria Pines Lodge! May 10, chef Terri Buzzard. Enjoy live music from 11 12-3 p.m. $29-$59. (805) 927-4200. a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring Natalie Espinoza. cambriapineslodge.com. Cambria Pines May 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $40-$80. (805) 686- Lodge, 2905 Burton Dr., Cambria.

2603. exploretock.com. Roblar Winery & HOT STUFF continued page 20 Vineyards, 3010 Roblar Ave, Santa Ynez.

BBB Central Coast of California

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Featured Events Best of SLO County Winners Party

FRIDAY, MAY 8 The Cliffs Hotel and Spa, Pismo Beach

SUNDAY, MAY 10 Community Presbyterian, Cambria

Seeds of the Future

Next to Normal

SUNDAY, MAY 17

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 22-31

San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden

Cambria Center for the Arts

Spread the word!

Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties BBB’s mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. Since 1945, BBB of the Central Coast of California has been fostering honest and responsive relationships between businesses and consumers – instilling consumer confidence and advancing a trustworthy marketplace for all.

Please use P.O. Box 129 Santa Barbara, CA 93102 Email this BBB info@santabarbara.bbb.org M–Th 8am to 12:30 then 1:30 to 6:00pm Fridays closed at Noon

Giafunni’s

SATURDAY, MAY 16 Giavanni’s Pizza, Santa Maria

Camp AG Jamboree with Brass Mash

How We Met

Paw-casso Sunday

SATURDAY, MAY 16 SLO Cider Co, SLO

SUNDAY, MAY 17 MCV Wines, Paso Robles

Into the Forest: Mindful Nature Connection

Beer Yoga Goat Edition!

SUNDAY, MAY 17 Camp Arroyo Grande, Arroyo Grande

SUNDAY, MAY 17 Montana de Oro State Park, Los Osos

SUNDAY, MAY 17 Naughty Oak Brewing Co, Orcutt

Sonic Soul Shine Circle

MONDAY, MAY 18 Los Osos

Optimize Your Business

TUESDAY, MAY 19 ACI Jet, SLO

End of Life Choices presented by Valerie Ferrario

Bitterwater Road Country Music Dance Party

Taste & Sculpture Tour

Pulp Vixen-LA’s #1 All-Female Cover Band

FRIDAY, MAY 22 The Pour House, Paso Robles

805-963-8657 Follow us:

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SATURDAY, MAY 23 Sculpterra Winery, Paso Robles

THURSDAY, MAY 21 Odd Fellows Hall, SLO

SATURDAY, MAY 23 The Pour House, Paso Robles

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www.santamariasun.com • May 7 - May 14, 2026 • Sun • 19

Hot Stuff

MAY 7 - MAY 17, 2026 PHOTO COURTESY OF STACI THOMPSON

HOT STUFF from page 19

MUSIC

SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS

WE WE ARE ARE THE THE OFFICE OFFICE TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY EXPERTS EXPERTS ON ON THE THE CENTRAL CENTRAL COAST COAST

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ULTREX.NET|712 ULTREX.NET|712 FIERO FIERO LANE LANE STE STE 33, 33, SANSAN LUISLUIS OBISPO, OBISPO, CA CA 93401 93401

TO ALL OF OUR GENEROUS DONORS THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR

RAISE THEM UP 2026 FUNDRAISER A HUGE SUCCESS WE APPRECIATE YOU!

HAPPY HOUR MUSIC SERIES Enjoy live music at the winery most Friday evenings.

Check site for concert schedule. Fridays presquilewine.com. Presqu’ile Winery, 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., Santa Maria, (805) 937-8110.

LADIES NIGHT OUT Music by DJ Van Gloryious and DJ Panda. Features delicious daiquiri specials. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, (805) 623-8866.

LIVE MUSIC AT STELLER’S CELLAR Various local musicians rotate each Friday.

Fridays, 6-8:30 p.m. Free. Steller’s Cellar, 400 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt, (805) 623-5129, stellerscellar.com.

MUSIC AT ROSCOE’S KITCHEN Live DJ and karaoke every Friday and Saturday night. Featured acts include Soul Fyah Band, DJ Nasty, DJ Jovas, and more.

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

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

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

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.

HERBAL BOUNTY

A free UC Master Gardener Workshop, focused on growing and preserving herbs, will be held on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to noon at the UC Master Gardener Demo Garden in San Luis Obispo. Learn from UC master gardeners and UC master food preservers as they cover herb growth requirements, container herbs, harvesting, and more. There will also be a plant sale. Visit ucanr.edu for additional information and to register for a spot.

—A.S.

SANTA YNEZ VALLE Y

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

VOICES OF THE VALLEY We are honored to announce Voices of the Valley, a onenight-only benefit concert supporting three cornerstone arts organizations that enrich the cultural life. May 8, 7-9 p.m. $300.

(805) 686-1789. solvangtheaterfest.org/ show-listing. Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang.

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Brick Barn Wine Estate, 795 W. Hwy 246, Buellton, (805) 686-1208, brickbarnwineestate.com.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

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

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

AN EVENING WITH JIM MESSINA An undisputed expert in the art of making hit music, his legacy of genius spans five decades a three supergroups. May 7, 7:30 p.m. $49-$79. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter. org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

KARAOKE EVERY WEDNESDAY A weekly event with barbecue offerings and more.

Wednesdays, 4-8 p.m. Rancho Nipomo BBQ, 108 Cuyama Ln., Nipomo, (805) 925-3500.

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

Beso Cocina, 1050 Willow Road, Nipomo.

MOTHER’S DAY MARIACHI FESTIVAL: LEYENDAS DEL MARIACHI Celebrating all mothers on their special weekend with a spectacular Saturday night concert featuring the masters of mariachi music Leyendas del Mariachi. May 9, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $50-$98. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

THURSDAY NIGHT MUSIC IN THE PARK Free concerts with SLO County Band at Rancho Grande Park. May 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (805) 473-5472. arroyogrande.org/ rec. Rancho Grande Park, 500 James Way, Arroyo Grande.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

LIVE MUSIC WITH ASHER WHITE AND SPECIAL GUESTS Hear Asher White live, with special guests Tiny Plastic Everything and Slutboy. May 8, 6-10 p.m. $17.91. my805tix.com. The Bunker SLO, 810 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo.

CAL POLY GUITAR STUDENT RECITAL Enjoy this free recital presented by Cal Poly Music Department student guitarists.

May 8, 7:30 p.m. Free. (805) 756-2406. music.calpoly.edu/calendar/free/#guitar.

Cal Poly Davidson Music Center, Room 218, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

CUESTA WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERT Join the Cuesta Wind Ensemble for an evening of wind music classics by great American and International composers, with conducter Jennifer Martin. May 13, 7:30 p.m. $10-$17. (805) 546-3198. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

THE BUNKER SLO PRESENTS: LIVE MUSIC WITH ASHER WHITE & SPECIAL GUESTS Enjoy live music with Asher White and special guests Tiny Plastic Everything and Slutboy. May 8, 6-10 p.m. $17.91. my805tix.com. The Bunker SLO, 810 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo.

NORTH COAST SLO COUNT Y

MOTHER’S DAY WITH PI JACOBS Blending roots-rock swagger and storytelling soul, Pi Jacobs’ music has drawn comparisons to Tom Waits, Dolly Parton, and Lucinda Williams. Celebrate Mom with live music! May 10, 2-4 p.m.

Free. (805) 927-9466. moonstonecellars.com. Moonstone Cellars, 812 Cornwall St, Cambria. m

Annual Coin & Collectible Show

You’ve been there for us . . . we’re here for the community!

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May 9th, 2026 • 9am–4pm

NORTH COUNTY RAPE CRISIS & CHILD PROTECTION CENTER 24-Hour Support Line (805)736-7273 www.sbcountyrapecrisis.org 20 • Sun • May 7 - May 14, 2026 • www.santamariasun.com

Elwin Mussell Senior Center 510 E. Park Avenue, Santa Maria Presented by: Santa Maria Coin Club

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www.santamariasun.com • May 7 - May 14, 2026 • Sun • 21

Arts

OPINION

NEWS

STAGE

COURTESY PHOTO BY ELIZABETH HERRING STROKES

ARTS BRIEFS Four artists dive into the deep for a CalNAM show

Showtime!

COURTESY PHOTO BY LAURA SIMONATO

Paddle on over to the California Nature Art Museum for an exhibit under the sea. It’s hanging at the museum until July 20. Four artists contributed work celebrating the dynamic ecosystems that are touched by the saltwater spray.

Ocean Forests: Our Coastal Communities highlights giant kelp, the largest marine plant on the planet. Each stalk can grow up to 120 feet long and weigh up to 700 pounds, according to the museum. In its decade-long lifespan, kelp can sequester and remove at least 4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.

California native Richard Salas is known for his diving and underwater photography, which has appeared in a few coffee table books.

Salas’ goal is “to take the viewer through a marine biosphere where humanity’s impact is an undeniable force,” the museum announced.

Multidisciplinary visual artist Eliot Spaulding focuses on conservation and sustainability. Spaulding gathers materials from nature to use in her work, reflecting on human participation in ecosystems.

Laura Simonato, whose work is pictured, is a photographer and citizen scientist who hopes to spark curiosity into the “often over-looked world revealed at low tide,” according to the museum.

The fourth and final artist is Lompoc-based block printer Angelina LaPointe. Her prints capture all of California’s flora and fauna.

California Nature Art Museum is located at 1511-B Mission Drive in Solvang. It’s open on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Santa Maria middle schoolers put their creativity on display PHOTO COURTESY OF SANTA MARIA-BONITA SCHOOL DISTRICT

Junior high students in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District are proud to present their artwork for one weekend only at the city’s public library.

Expanding Perspectives is displayed inside Shepard Hall.

Community members are invited to opening night on May 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. The exhibit is also open to the public on May 9 from noon to 5 p.m. and on May 11 from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Educator Kurt Payne works in visual and performing arts for the district.

“We invite the community to visit the library and join us in Expanding Perspectives through the eyes of our Santa MariaBonita School District junior high students. This year’s exhibit challenges us to see the world through fresh, imaginative lenses,” Payne said in press materials. “It is a wonderful opportunity to support our young artists, and since the show runs through Mother’s Day weekend, it makes for an inspiring outing for families to enjoy together.”

Support from the Santa Maria Public Library Foundation and the Santa Maria Fairpark made the show possible.

The library is located at 421 S. McClelland St. in Santa Maria.

Visit cityofsantamaria.org for more information. m Staff Writer Madison White compiles Arts Briefs. Send tidbits to mwhite@santamariasun.com.

ARTS

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

AGUA PARRANDA: New Cuyama nonprofit Blue Sky Center works with PlaceBase Productions to create community projects. Last summer the groups collaborated for a water parade.

Drama in Cuyama Teams assemble to produce an outdoor community theater event in New Cuyama

BY MADISON WHITE

T

Wheels are spinning

Performers will present Rec Hallipalooza: A Resilient Cuyama Drama on May 16 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event is free to the public and takes place at Richardson County Park in New Cuyama off the Hubbard Avenue exit of Highway 166. For more information about Blue Sky Center, visit blueskycenter.org.

In every play Hanson writes and directs, Blue Sky Center right after the pandemic. This whether it be in South Dakota, Colorado, or production will be the director’s fifth in Cuyama, iny skateboard wheels spinning on cement California, she makes sure the material is “hyper but she and her collaborator, Alex Barreto deliver actors smoothly to their marks. In local.” That means going to all the hot spots, Hathaway, produce two every year in various New Cuyama, this is theater. So is playing attending church, and sitting at the bar to talk with states. She knows that the arts can be a big support soccer, racing lawn mowers, and other community people about their hometown. Hanson wants to to small communities, having grown up in rural celebrations in the valley. determine what the pressing topics are that the northern Minnesota.

Residents are putting on an original production “We’ve really fallen in love with that community, community wants to comment on through theater. called Rec Hallipalooza: A Resilient Cuyama and they’ve also really taken to our process and Drama on May 16. The outdoor performance She calls the result a site-specific production, like approach to organizing around different topics moves through multiple community hubs and the name of her company. through community theater,” Hanson said of shares locals’ dreams, skills, and stories.

“What futures are we imagining?” Hanson said.

Cuyama.

The show is made possible by a $100,000 grant “That helps inform the script writing.”

COURTESY PHOTO BY LIZ FISH from the Arts in California Parks program, which Hanson helped write songs and oversee the supports groups that use cultural storytelling to script from her homebase in Utah. She visited engage communities. The boots-on-the-ground Cuyama twice last year for the Rec Hallipalooza efforts were organized by the nonprofit Blue Sky project and will return eight days before the May 16 Center. performance.

“It’s going to sort of be between a play and a “Basically, it’s a play in a week, but everybody parade probably because it’s going to be outside, will have already had access to the script. We’ve got and it’s going to be moving around,” Creative a really solid team on the ground there who we’re Programs Manager Liz Fish said. “There’ll be a lot going to work with that weekend to do the build of activity and a lot of movement.” day and make all the props,” Hanson said.

The parade style fits the feel of Cuyama: wide In such a large valley with only 1,100 residents, open and free. Scenes take place at the skate park, they can’t afford to be exclusive. Community baseball and soccer fields, lawn mower racetrack, theater in Cuyama accepts everyone’s help horseshoe pits, and the recreation hall. The and embodies what it means to create an audience moves with actors through each setting intergenerational project. as they try to defeat the Big Lonely, a monster Take the young people, who wanted to shred threatening community life in nearby towns. at the skate park in New Cuyama but didn’t have Characters realize how gathering in communal equipment. Hanson helped rally gear donations spaces helps cure social isolation. from the Carpinteria Skate Foundation and the There’ll be some recorded elements but not skate company Arbor Collective.

SKATE JAM: In order to include skateboarding necessarily lots of scripted lines, although the cast In March, Blue Sky Center and PlaceBase in the Rec Hallipalooza: A Resilient Cuyama of around 20 spent time rehearsing on Zoom. It’s Productions hosted a two-day Skate Jam at the Drama production, residents needed gear and likely that the cast will expand on production day local skate park to help kids get more comfortable lessons. Two nonprofits rallied for donations and when actors’ uncles, siblings, or friends decide on their wheels. The community now has more taught kids how to skate, a skill that some will they’d like to join in. than 20 sets of skateboards, helmets, and pads that show off in the upcoming performance.

Rural community theater is a little bit different skaters can check out from the Rec Center.

COURTESY PHOTO BY LIZ FISH than in cities. In the Cuyama Valley, “We really tried to think about, drama doesn’t have to be contained ‘What is the long-term impact of inside a building or on a stage. the work that we’re doing?’” Hanson Soccer players and skaters can call said. “Rather than just building a set themselves actors, too. in an auditorium and then tearing “That’s the fun thing about it, is it it down, what improvement can we sort of touches on all these different make to these sites?” interest points, and people can The skateboarding scene is access something that is theater in a shaping up to be one of the most different way,” Fish said. anticipated parts of Rec Hallipalooza.

Blue Sky Center’s grant allowed During the show, audience members the organization to commission two will get to see performers acting, artists from PlaceBase Productions, a dancing, and skating at the same company that Ash Hanson started 14 time, but the community’s new years ago in her native Minnesota. Its wheels will keep turning long after OPEN CALL: Community theater projects often look more like parades mission is to produce plays for small, the play’s final scene. m than plays in Cuyama, like the water parade in 2025. These productions rural towns, listening to ideas from get neighbors engaged with each other outside, rather than sitting quietly the community.

Reach Staff Writer Madison White at in front of a stage.

Hanson began working with mwhite@santamariasun.com.

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DJ

Film

SUN SCREEN

Hunted

Anna: Theron has earned her badass badge.

She doesn’t shy away from roles that demand physicality and strength. After pushing herself and her partner to the limit on Troll Wall, she’s off to the Australian wilderness to altasar Kormákur (2 Guns, Everest) clear her mind, kayak the rapids, and let go. directs Jeremy Robbins’ script about Egerton’s Ben immediately made my hackles adrenaline junkie Sasha (Charlize rise—a feeling familiar to many women when Theron), who’s haunted by a climbing accident a strange man is a little too interested in what and heads to the isolation of the Australian you’re doing and where you’re going. He plays outback. What was meant as a retreat to it as charm, though, and until Sasha returns reset turns into a cat-and-mouse battle to to camp to find her pack missing and then the death when Ben (Taron Egerton), a local stumbles onto Ben’s camp in search of it, he’s weirdo, makes her his next target for his sick, a forgotten blip in her day. When ritualistic killing spree. (95 min.)

Ben makes clear his intention to APEX hunt and kill her, Sasha is given Glen: Charlize Theron once again little time to process the strange What’s it rated? R proves she’s a credible badass What’s it worth, Anna? news. From there, it’s a race (Mad Max: Fury Road, Atomic Full price against a killer who knows the Blonde, The Old Guard), and Taron What’s it worth, Glen? landscape well. Our girl Sasha isn’t Egerton leans into his surface-level Full price going down without a fight though. charm with an unhinged psycho Where’s it showing?

Glen: The premise is nothing bubbling just beneath (Legend, Netflix new. The Most Dangerous Game, Smoke). Sasha lives on the edge, an Richard Connell’s short story about extreme-sports nut who’s always big game hunter who’s hunted by ready to push it too far. That personality trait a Russian aristocrat, was published in 1924 is dangerous for her—and also dangerous to and inspired dozens of films including The those she’s with, as we discover during the Running Man (1987) and more recently The opening tandem climb of Norway’s Troll Hunt (2020), a satire where liberal elites hunt Wall. It’s easy to dismiss the tall, willowy, “deplorables.” The twist here is that Ben isn’t supermodel-esque Theron as being incapable merely a hunter out for the ultimate game, he’s of Sasha’s level of athleticism, but as part of a sadist who wants to toy with his prey. Egerton the film’s marketing campaign, she scaled an gets to chew the scenery. He’s so menacing it’s Apex billboard in Times Square. She’s legit.

It’s entertaining and gripping—think The almost cartoonish. The film’s not going to win Perfect Getaway (2009). any awards, but watching Theron scale a sheer

IMAGE COURTESY OF NETFLIX

B

DEATH MATCH: A ritualist serial killer (Taron Egerton) targets an adrenaline junkie (Charlize Theron) vacationing in the Australian wilderness, setting up a battle of wills, in Apex, streaming on Netflix.

cliff, working to find toeholds and tiny ledges to pull herself up, or watching her hang on for dear life as she’s sucked down whitewater rapids is a blast.

Anna: It’s a predictable premise, but it benefits from two strong leads. Ben’s character does take unexpected turns, and we learn there’s more to his menace than mere murder. He’s not your run of the mill killer; he’s got it in his head that this is part of a larger puzzle and that sacrifice is key. People have gone missing in this wilderness often, but they’re thought to be careless tourists

who wander too far. Little did they know there’s a monster out here, picking off people in a sick game. You’re right, this isn’t a rare film, and it very likely will be forgotten over time, but the setting is truly gorgeous, Theron is a certified badass, and Egerton turns his creep factor up to 11. This is a perfect flick to stream when you can’t decide what to watch. m New Times Arts Editor Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Sun Screen.

Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HBO MAX

THE PITT

What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2025-present Where’s it showing? HBO Max Another 15-hour day in a Pittsburgh hospital ER with Dr. Robinavitch (Noah Wyle) is upon us with season 2 of the Emmy Award-winning show.

End of shift, Robby’s leaving on sabbatical, a three-month motorcycle trip that sounds more like a mental health induced death march than a vacation. Charge Nurse Dana Evans (Katherine LaNasa) is trying to keep everything together, but a cyberattack puts her whole floor in vulnerable territory.

The series does an excellent job at being relevant—this season we watch as ICE agents attack and detain emergency workers, as the cost of health care literally costs people their lives, and as overtaxed and overworked health FRAGILE HEROES: Dr. Robinavitch (Noah Wyle) care providers lose their sanity wading through and Charge Nurse Dana Evans (Katherine LaNasa) red tape. navigated another 15-hour shift in season 2 of the This show can be a stressful watch, but Emmy Award-winning show The Pitt, streaming on luckily for some of us, it’s also oddly soothing.

HBO Max. Applauded for its accuracy, this medical drama stays away from the usual tropes—there is no Both seasons of this show are very bingeable, and McDreamy here, no Dr. Doug and Nurse Carol romance.

I’ve gone for a second watch of both—it’s that good.

Instead, we get the messiness of everyday life paired with (30 41-to-61-min. episodes) the professionalism and dedication of the staff at this —Anna overwhelmingly chaotic ER.

EVENTS WIRE CENTRAL COAST EVENTS

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PHOTO COURTESY OF UNITED ARTISTS

DR. NO

BLAST

What’s it rated? PG When? 1963 Where’s it showing? FROM THE Bay Theatre in Morro Bay on Monday, May 11, at 5:30 p.m. (doors at 4:30; $15 benefit for the Morro Bay Senior Center) Terence Young (who went on to helm From Russia With Love and Thunderball) directs this script

by Richard Maibaum, Johanna Harwood, and Berkely Mather that adapts Ian Fleming’s 1958 novel about the British spy James Bond (Sean Connery), who’s sent to Jamaica to investigate the disappearance of another British agent. Bond soon discovers that Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman), a member of the criminal organization SPECTRE, is planning to disrupt the Project Mercury U.S. space launch from Cape Canaveral with a radio beam weapon.

THE OG: The first film in the James Bond franchise, The film set the precedent for future Bond films Dr. No, screens on Monday, May 11, at the Bay with an eccentric villain; a Chinese German scientist Theatre in Morro Bay, as a benefit for the Morro Bay with prosthetic metal hands; beautiful women who Senior Center. fall for Bond’s charm, such as Sylvia Trench (Eunice Gayson), Miss Taro (Zena Marshall), and Honey This low-budget film was a huge financial success but Ryder (Ursula Andress); and goons for Bond to overcome received a mixed critical reception. Over the years, however, like Quarrel (John Kitzmiller), who turns into an ally, and Dent it’s become considered one of the series’ better installments.

(Anthony Dawson), who tries to kill Bond with a tarantula.

(110 min.) m We’re also introduced to M. (Bernard Lee), CIA agent Felix —Glen Leiter (Jack Lord), and Miss Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell).

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Eats

FOOD PHOTOS BY PIETER SAAYMAN

YOU ARE WHATCHA EAT! Central Coast Meatless Meetup originated on Facebook earlier this year. Every month, both herbivorous foodies and vegan skeptics gather at local restaurants to enjoy a plant-powered menu.

Green cuisine

MINUS THE MEAT: Santa Maria resident Leslie Kasanoff went

The group’s first meetup in to her first Central Coast Meatless Meetup in April at Humdinger Brewing. She’s enthusiastic to return for the next dinner on May 26 March was at a community at Jaffa Café in the Village of Arroyo Grande. favorite, Klondike Pizza, in Arroyo Grande where they The couple continued researching vegan recipes and how meat eight pies and three Try something new with the Central Coast Meatless Meetup crew sampled and dairy consumption impacts the world around them. Key salads. Shortly after, a crowd of

BY MADISON WHITE started looking into things he’d never thought about before. How 35 celebrated taco Tuesday in we clear land to grow crops. How we feed crops to animals. How we April at Humdinger Brewing in Arroyo Grande, which stacked hirteen years ago, Steve Key decided to stop eating animal plates with refried beans, Spanish rice, and three tacos: mushroom, eat animals. products. Before he flipped the switch, he’d call himself a roasted veggies, and Beyond Meat. “wannabe vegetarian,” refraining from meat most of the time “The way livestock is raised in slaughterhouses and the pig farms “One of the motivations for doing this Meatless Meetup once a but not going against the grain while out to eat with his buddies. and chickens. I mean, it’s just horrendous,” Key said. “I got to feeling month was at least we have once a month where we know we can go compassion for the animals as well as concern for the environment.

He found it difficult in the 1980s and 1990s to find meatless out and have 100 percent plant-based food,” Key said. options on tour as a folk singer. At the time he couldn’t simply … The facts just started compiling to the point where I thought, Everyone has their own guidelines when it comes to food, and search for nearby vegan restaurants on Google.

‘I don’t really want to participate in that anymore. I’d like to do The musician read The Tofu Tollbook, a traveler’s guide for vegan- so do people with plant-based preferences. Vegetarians typically something different.’” eat dairy and eggs. Pescatarians eat fish and seafood. But most friendly spots around the country. It helped him avoid confused Key has lived on the Central Coast for nearly 20 years, but he plant-based eaters avoid anything from an animal, and vegans may looks from waiters when he explained he didn’t eat meat. Key hasn’t noticed much improvement in the plant-based scene. In his choose to extend that philosophy into the clothing they wear and the early days living here, Key saw a lot of “token” dishes on menus, like remembered one experience with a waitress clear as day during a products they use.

Texas road trip. primavera pasta or a portobello mushroom burger. Then it was a It seemed simple to Key and “She looked at me kind of strangely, Beyond Meat patty or an Impossible Burger.

Nelson. After completing a 30-day and she said, ‘How about turkey?’”

By organizing Central Coast Meatless Meetup events, he vegan challenge, they didn’t want Key said. “So, I guess it’s kind of hopes to expand possibilities at local restaurants and broaden the to eat animal products anymore. misunderstood by a lot of people.” horizons of skeptics who have preconceived notions of vegan food.

In 2026, he doesn’t have to deal with “I’m just trying to share with people my enjoyment of that sentiment nearly as often in part food that tastes good and also happens to be free of animal thanks to a club he founded. Earlier this products,” Key said. year Key and his wife, Bonnie Nelson, The other component of the group is making new friends. started a Facebook group called Central Breaking bread is always more enjoyable with good company.

Coast Meatless Meetup to gather likeLeslie Kasanoff attended for the first time in April at minded and curious folks.

Humdinger Brewing. Besides the tacos, she said she enjoyed Once a month, they eat at a restaurant talking with others who are conscious of the environment that provides a preset plant-based menu. and the treatment of animals.

Instead of having to explain veganism The Santa Maria resident identifies as pescatarian. or ask wait staff about ingredients and Originally from a small town in between Boston and Cape cooking methods—à la, ‘How about Cod, she can only go so long without her favorite seafood. turkey?’—these diners are relieved to Her lifestyle switch flipped after a seminar about living know their meal has been vetted. to 100 years old. Then, at 52, the health coach thought, “I’m Coming up is a dinner at Jaffa Café only halfway done.” Kasanoff believes eating mostly a plantin the Village of Arroyo Grande on May based diet is setting herself up for a long, healthy life.

26. A combo plate costs $25 (sent to the As far as attending the next Central Coast Meatless restaurant) and includes the eater’s five Meetup at Jaffa Café, Kasanoff said she’s already made out of 10 menu items. Choose from the plans to be there. m likes of falafel, pasta, dolma, and soup.

Beverages and gratuity aren’t included.

Email Staff Writer Madison White at mwhite@ santamariasun.com for her favorite tofu recipes.

The founding couple will greet guests as they walk in, and Nelson will MEDITERRANEAN MASH-UP: handwrite nametags for everyone. Diners Tickets are on sale for the next Central Don’t kale their vibe can mingle and claim their seats to THE PLANT CLUB: Steve Key, a retired singer and Coast Meatless Meetup. It’s scheduled Join the Central Coast Meatless Meetup group on Facebook to learn concert promoter, lives in Pismo Beach and started for May 26 at Jaffa Café in Arroyo place an order for drinks and dinner. In more about future events. Tickets for the dinners cost $25 each and are Central Coast Meatless Meetup on Facebook.

The Grande.

Diners will make their own between bites of Mediterranean cuisine, available to purchase online. The group’s next meetup is at Jaffa Café in passion project also belongs to his wife, Bonnie Nelson, plate, choosing from options like rice, folks will spend the next two hours in Arroyo Grande on May 26 at 6 p.m. without whom he couldn’t do “this vegan thing.” falafel, pasta, dolma, and soup. dynamic conversation.

T

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