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Your Mother: stylish crime [25]
Pet photo contest winners, a military member reunites with a dog from overseas, and a peacock paradise [10] BY SUN STAFF
NEWS
Point Sal fishing restrictions approved [4]
ARTS
A View-Master retrospective [24]
EATS
Grover Beach Sourdough reopens [26]
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Contents
OCTOBER 22 - OCTOBER 29, 2026 VOL. 27 NO. 35
PUBLIC NOTICE UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS
Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMRT) is inviting the public to a workshop on Unmet Transit Needs. WHAT: Unmet Transit Needs Meeting
WHEN: Wednesday, December 2, 2026. First meeting will be held from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. Second meeting will be held from 5:15 to 6:00 p.m. WHERE: Santa Maria Public Library Shephard Hall, 1st Floor 421 S. McClelland Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454
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If you cannot attend the workshop, but would like to provide comments, please mail comments to the City of Santa Maria at 110 S. Pine Street, Suite 226, Santa Maria, CA 93458. Comments may also be emailed directly to smrtcomments@cityofsantamaria.org with subject “Unmet Transit Needs.”
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You can also call (805) 925-0951, ext. 2170 for more information or to provide comment. The last day to submit comments is Friday, December 4, 2026.
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In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), individuals needing special accommodations to participate in the meeting should contact SMRT at least three working days prior to the meeting at (805) 928-5624. The meeting will be Spanish and Mixteco language accessible if requested. Las reuniónes serán accesibles en Español y Mixteco si se solicita. Favor de llamar a SMRT al (805) 925-0951 ext. 2170, para más información de la reunión o para solicitar un intérprete.
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ats, dogs, rats, birds, donkeys, and more will make you forget the stress of election season. They’re cute, cuddly, and funny. This week’s issue brings you the winners of our annual Pet photo contest, and they’ll bring a smile to your face. Alongside those, we’ve got stories about a service member who was reunited with a dog he befriended overseas and the hundreds of peacocks who call See Canyon home [10]. Also, find stories about the approval of fishing restrictions at Point Sal [4]; a local documentary about View-Master photos [24]; and Grover Beach Sourdough’s reopening [26]. Camillia Lanham editor
RELAXING JAMESON: Taking first place in the Pet Photo Contest cats category, Jameson was “relaxing outside on a beautiful afternoon” in Morro Bay when owner Matthew Bagnall snapped his photo.
Cover courtesy photo by Matthew Bagnall > Cover design by Alex Zuniga
NEWS
News Briefs ..........................................................................4 Political Watch....................................................................4 Spotlight.................................................................................6
EVENTS CALENDAR
Hot Stuff ...............................................................................18
ARTS
Arts Briefs........................................................................... 24
OPINION
Commentary ........................................................................8 Letters .....................................................................................8 Web Poll .................................................................................8 Modern World .....................................................................8 Canary .....................................................................................9
MOVIES
Reviews ...............................................................................25
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new book AA new book by a by a local author Central Coast author Excerpt from a review by Glen Starkey, Senior Staff Writer, New Times, July 22, 2026: Author Cliff Branch delivers an insightful examination of America over the past decade. By any unbiased measure, Cliff Branch is an astute observer of American politics and culture. He is also an entertaining and lucid writer who scored a hit with 2015’s American Made: A Boomer’s Reflection – something of an oddball mashup of writing genres that inexplicably coalesces into a soul-bearing examination of a life well lived, missteps and all. Now he has followed up with American Made: 2016-2026 – A Nation in Turmoil, in which he examines the last decade’s change to American culture, from the advent of smartphones, social media, AI, the 24/7 news cycle, two Trump presidencies, other events, people and trends that have reshaped the U.S.
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Serving Your Employment Law Needs Throughout California www.santamariasun.com • October 22 - October 29, 2026 • Sun • 3
News POLITICAL WATCH •Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed Assembly Bill 2257—authored by Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara)—into law. This legislation grants county boards of supervisors across California the option to confirm a sheriff’s nominee to lead county jail operations. The law establishes a direct role for supervisors in approving jail leadership, helping close what Hart calls an accountability gap between sheriffs who operate jails and county leaders responsible for funding them. “As a county supervisor, I saw firsthand what happens when responsibility for funding a jail comes without meaningful authority to address its failures,” stated Hart, who previously served on the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors. “We faced preventable deaths, persistent budget overruns, and a Sheriff’s Office that often rowed in a different direction than the other county justice agencies. My colleagues and I were put in a position of writing blank checks to the sheriff for the jail. AB 2257 gives county supervisors a practical tool to demand stronger leadership, safer jails, and better use of taxpayer dollars.” Between 1993 and up until AB 2257 goes into effect, California sheriffs held exclusive authority over county jail operations while county supervisors maintained responsibility for funding jails and addressing costly failures when things went wrong. Hart’s legislation gives supervisors—in any county that chooses to participate—confirmation authority over jail administrators serving three-year terms, which Hart’s office described as creating “a regular point of accountability and encouraging closer collaboration between sheriffs and boards of supervisors.” The bill also allows participating boards to evaluate a nominee’s correctional management experience, knowledge of physical and mental health care standards, expertise in rehabilitation, ability to manage public budgets, and commitment to protecting the rights of people in custody. While sheriffs retain responsibility for selecting nominees for consideration by boards of supervisors, the supervisors have final say in the appointment of the jail administrator. “County supervisors are elected to protect public safety and ensure our jails are safe, humane, and accountable,” Santa Barbara County 2nd District Supervisor Laura Capps said in an Oct. 7 release from Hart’s office. “[AB 2257] is a common-sense reform that strengthens collaboration and accountability.” •In response to local reports of recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) issued a statement on Oct. 15. “ICE is raiding California and harming people across the Central Coast. This hate, abuse, and fearmongering is meant to make us stop fighting and to keep Californians from our American right to vote,” Addis stated. “We can’t be quiet, and we won’t back down.” On Oct. 16, U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) said that because of an increase of ICE operations in the area, he visited Santa Maria’s ICE facility in person to “get answers and demand accountability.” On his Facebook page, Carbajal stated that he was denied answers and access to the facility, which he called “100 percent unacceptable. … Our communities are being terrorized, and we don’t need to put up with this.” •U.S. Sens. Adam Schiff (D- California) and Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska) introduced a bipartisan resolution—recently passed by the Senate—to designate October 2026 as Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Month. “I am proud to join Sen. Ricketts in supporting crucial prevention programs to combat the drug addiction and overdose epidemic in our country,” Schiff stated. Ricketts said in a statement that, last year, illegal drug use and substance abuse impacted nearly 45 million Americans. “This bipartisan resolution raises awareness of abuse and the need to support prevention efforts,” Ricketts stated. “We can and must do more.” m
October 22 - October 29, 2026
➤ Spotlight [6] FILE COURTESY PHOTO BY ERIN EASTWOOD
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Santa Maria asks residents to vote yes on sales tax increase
A HAPPY HEADLAND: Point Sal was one of two state marine conservation areas on the Santa Barbara County coastline approved in October. They were the first to be added to California’s network in more than 10 years and the first successful proposals put forth by tribal leadership.
State approves Point Sal conservation petition A unanimous vote from the California Fish and Game Commission granted new safeguards to roughly 9 square miles of marine habitat off the coast of Guadalupe. “I understand how hard it is to lose yet another fishing area,” Commissioner Jacque HostlerCarmesin said at the hearing. “However, the Chumash people were displaced. Their lands taken. Forced slavery. Missions. All of those things. They have earned the right to manage this area.” The Point Sal state marine conservation area was approved in Sacramento on Oct. 15 after input from nearly 70 public commenters. It’s a tribally co-led plan with collaboration from the Northern Chumash Tribal Council during the petition process earlier this year. Point Sal’s new designation only allows fishing from the shore with a hook and line, as well as accidental take from critical missions at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Families who fish the waters for sustenance and recreation opposed the petition. Multiple kids explained how the restrictions would impact their livelihoods. “Point Sal has a rocky bottom that makes it a perfect home for rockfish,” a 10-year-old speaker said. “Catching fish is so much fun, and eating fresh fish is awesome. Point Sal is where you go smile, laugh, high-five, and sometimes cry and whine when the fish come off the hook. If you turn it into a [marine protected area], we won’t get to fish there anymore. Please don’t take my fishing spot away.” Chris Pavone, president of the Port San Luis Commercial Fishermen’s Association, argued that Point Sal is already protected because it’s a far trip and only accessible when weather permits. “I do know over 100 people whose lives, and tangentially people in the industry, that will be affected by this,” Pavone said at the meeting. “This
4 • Sun • October 22 - October 29, 2026 • www.santamariasun.com
Commissioners also agreed that Chumash representatives will help choose a formal name for the marine conservation area inspired by their land and culture. —Madison White
With a tax bump to consider on the Nov. 3 ballot, Santa Maria’s registered voters will determine the fate of some local playgrounds, pickleball courts, and public pools, according to City Manager David Rowlands. “These are all quality-of-life items, … services that are at risk due to the ongoing budget pressures,” Rowlands told attendees of Santa Maria’s State of the City conference on Oct. 13. “Measure C is asking voters to approve a half-cent local sales tax, … projected to generate approximately $13 million per year.” The city council voted 5-0 in late June to add Measure C to the ballot. Earlier that month, the city received more than a 100 letters from residents opposing a proposal to close the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center for six months out of the year—as a way to reduce city spending in fiscal years 2026-28 amid a projected $18 million budget deficit. As part of his State of the City address, Rowlands said that “major rehabilitation” and repair work at the aquatic center were among the city projects where Measure C funding is most needed, along with improvements to the Minami Community Center and other city-run recreational facilities. “We’re talking new roofs, HVAC units, exterior and interior lighting, new flooring,” Rowlands listed, “replacing pool heaters, modernizing the electrical systems, resurfacing asphalt parking lots.” If approved, the ballot measure would amount to an extra 5 cents on top of $10 taxable purchases, or 50 cents per $100 taxable purchase within city limits. Rowlands emphasized that the extra revenue would stay local, something more than 300 surveyed residents said could sway them to vote yes, according to a Measure C survey conducted in May. “There’ll be local control. The revenue will remain in Santa Maria, and funds cannot be taken away by the state,” Rowlands said. “And nonresidents who shop in Santa Maria would also pay. “Measure C is not a substitute for sound fiscal management,” he added. “It does not mean giving the city a blank check. It cannot replace careful budgeting, accountability, or long-term planning. If approved, it will be accompanied by transparency. We’ll have to have an annual spending plan, public reporting of our expenditures, oversight, … independent audits.”
is one of the last accessible rock bottom points in California. Right now, we only have about three to five places to go fish within distance in our area.” Commissioner Darius Anderson empathized with the fishers but ultimately approved the petition. “I do want to be the guy that fights for fishing rights and commercial fishing rights, but in this situation, because of the applicants and the tribe and everybody else, I do support this application,” Anderson said. Those in favor of conservation said one of the important features of Point Sal is biodiversity. Lion Rock is “very significant piece of geography” for seabirds and marine mammals, marine ecologist Dan Robinette said. He works for Point Blue Conservation Science and has been studying nearshore habitats for more than 30 years. NEWS continued page 5 “I’m here to speak to FILE PHOTO BY PIETER SAAYMAN the science that supports the petition for Point Sal,” Robinette said. “It’s a hot spot for seabird foraging, and the reason for that is it’s a retention area where larvae are not pushed offshore during upwelling.” Project co-leader Sandy Aylesworth explained that the effort is part of a 40-year-old push to protect the headland. “While there will never be consensus on any conservation decision, it is remarkable to have the opportunity to link both TAX ON THE BALLOT: Endorsed by all five Santa Maria City Council members, Measure C would implement a citywide half-cent sales tax land and sea conservation increase, excluding some exempted consumables, such as groceries efforts and to have it from existing markets and the city’s future El Super development be broadly supported,” (pictured). Aylesworth said.
News NEWS from page 4 If enacted by city voters, consumer products that won’t be impacted by the tax include prescription medications, feminine hygiene products, and groceries. Mayor Alice Patino and her four peers on the council endorsed the measure, along with the Santa Barbara County Democratic Party, Central Coast Labor Council, Santa Maria Police Officers Association, and Vernon Construction Inc.—the contractor behind some of the downtown area’s largest incoming housing and mixed-use projects. “Ultimately, success is not measured by simply how much we build, but the quality of life we create,” Patino said at the Oct. 13 conference. “We have a community of people capable of meeting the moment.” —Caleb Wiseblood
Guadalupe tackles unpaid water bills tallying up to $250,000 To make up for years of letting some Guadalupe residents’ unpaid water bills slide, the city ramped up its monthly shutoff average from 10 customers to 90 this October. “Starting tomorrow, we’re going to start shutting off water. The city has $250,000 in unpaid water bills,” City Administrator David Trujillo told the City Council at its Oct. 13 meeting. “That means that this has been going on for years. “This is probably carry-over from COVID,” Trujillo continued. “My understanding is there was a lot of relief during COVID when it came to this kind of thing. But that’s four years ago. This is where we’re at. The city can’t continue to support everybody.” After Councilmember Whitney Furness asked staff how much notice city water users get
when their bills aren’t paid, Trujillo clarified that citizens whose water was set to be shut off on Oct. 14 received a 30-day warning in advance. City Finance Director Eli Martinez added that residents who’ve reached the threshold for a water shutoff have unpaid bills past due at least 60 days. “As David alluded to, there’s a lot due a lot longer than that. There’s some very large balances,” Martinez told the City Council. “There’s some close to $5,000. … A lot of big balances.” “It’s not a good place to be,” Mayor Ariston Julian said at the meeting. “It’s good to be informed about it.” Mayoral candidate and Councilmember Christina Hernandez asked staff what types of payment plan options the city already has in place, if any, to help water users struggling to pay their bills on time. “Or will there be payment plans available for these residents?” Hernandez asked. “We definitely will be offering a payment plan,” Finance Director Martinez replied. “We have tiers for people who have larger bills that can go up to a year, legally. And for people who meet the hardship requirements, outlined by law, we can potentially go longer than that. “The other thing the council and the public should know, about those payment plans,” Martinez continued, “if they don’t meet them, [their water] will be shut off. … You’ve got to make the payments on time and then get yourself caught up within the time period.” City Administrator Trujillo reminded the council that, as a standard practice, staff schedules water shutoff on weekdays with flexibility for impacted users to rectify unpaid bills with staff in a timely manner. “We will not shut off water on Fridays,” Trujillo said. m —Caleb Wiseblood
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FD270 CR255 www.santamariasun.com • October 22 - October 29, 2026 • Sun • 5
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SPOTLIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF COASTHILLS CREDIT UNION
CALENDAR
OPINION
CoastHills partners with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to donate 100-plus beds NEWS BY CALEB WISEBLOOD
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STROKES or the second year in a row, dozens of employees Send business and of a local credit union nonprofit information to ARTS spent one of their days off on spotlight@santamariasun.com. a team building project, so SQUAD GOAL: A recent collaboration between Sleep in Heavenly Peace and CoastHills Credit Union brought together 150 volunteers to speak. on Oct. 12 to build more than a 100 bunk and single beds for local children in need. On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which fell on Oct. 12 this year, 150 CoastHills Credit Union workers volunteered their time to mattresses and bedding—brings us closer to ensuring no child build 105 beds for local children in need. Pohlman described the credit union’s collaboration with the in our community has to sleep on the floor.” “Participation is completely voluntary. Employees are drawn to nonprofit as an opportunity for employees to build camaraderie outside of an office setting for “a hands-on project that directly the cause,” CoastHills Credit Union Vice President of Marketing Highlights benefits children in our area.” Rebecca Pohlman told the Sun in an email interview. “We created the event to bring CoastHills employees together “Having a bed of our own is something many of us take for • On Oct. 13, the Allan Hancock College board of trustees outside their regular roles to give back to the communities we swore in local community leader Elisa Pardo to represent granted,” Pohlman said. “Learning that so many children in our Trustee Area 1, filling the vacant post left by outgoing trustee community are sleeping on yoga mats, dog beds, or even blankets serve,” she said. “We see ourselves as more than a financial provider, we’re a community partner, and that means showing Hilda Zacarias. A former Hancock student, Pardo has more on the floor really hits home and motivates our team to help.” up and putting in the work to make a difference.” than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership. She’s Through a partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, the Along with the rewarding feeling of knowing their work made currently the director of the California Advancing and credit union led a meet-up for volunteers at the Santa Maria Elks a difference for local families in need, volunteers received a few Innovating Medi-Cal Department at CommUnify. She also Lodge, where participants split into small groups and used drills perks from CoastHills for their efforts. serves as the chair of Santa Barbara County’s Voluntary and other woodworking tools to assemble bunk and single bed “Employees receive a floating holiday for participating, along Organizations Active in Disaster, and as a board member with frames. with CoastHills swag, including a shirt and hat,” Pohlman said. Community Partners in Caring. About 18 volunteers from Sleep in Heavenly Peace were on“We also share breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon treat, giving • The Santa Maria Utilities Department will host its fifth site to show credit union employees the ropes when it comes to employees from across the organization a chance to connect annual Pumpkin Smashing on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 1 to 3 bed-building. CoastHills also donated $27,500 to the nonprofit, and get to know one another outside their usual workday.” p.m., at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center parking lot, at 510 E. which covered the cost of the building supplies that day, as well Colleen Grant, Northern Santa Barbara County chapter Park Ave., Santa Maria. Admission and parking are both free. as bedding, mattresses, and pillows for all 105 beds. co-president of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, described CoastHills’ Participants are encouraged to bring leftover pumpkins and partnership with the nonprofit as getting it closer to meeting gourds to smash through “pumpkin bowling” and other games, Meet a need the goal it’s always strived toward. while diverting them for composting rather than ending up in a Visit shpbeds.org to find out more about Sleep in Heavenly Peace and its Northern “Every child deserves a bed, but many families in our landfill. Call (805) 925-0951, Ext. 7270, for more info. m Santa Barbara County chapter. For more info on CoastHills Credit Union, founded in community face circumstances that make that difficult,” Grant the Lompoc Valley in 1958, visit coasthills.coop. The company currently operates 11 stated in a release. “CoastHills’ support—from the volunteers Reach Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood at cwiseblood@ branches across the Central Coast. who showed up ready to work to helping cover the cost of santamariasun.com.
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Opinion ONLINE POLL
What would be your weapon of choice in a live-action role-playing battle? 75% 25% 0% 0%
Magic spells and sorcery! All swords all the time! Bow and arrows—I’ll keep my distance! I would definitely be a halfling on the sidelines.
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Vote online at www.santamariasun.com. Northern Santa Barbara County’s News & Entertainment Weekly 801 S Broadway Suite 3 Santa Maria, CA 93454 EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING | 805-347-1968 EMAIL | news@santamariasun.com advertising@santamariasun.com WEB | www.santamariasun.com FOUNDER | Steve Moss 1948-2005
EDITORIAL EDITOR | Camillia Lanham ASSOCIATE EDITOR | Andrea Rooks SENIOR STAFF WRITER | Caleb Wiseblood STAFF WRITER | Madison White CALENDAR EDITOR | Angelena Stevens STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER | Pieter Saayman ART DIRECTOR | Alex Zuniga EDITORIAL DESIGNERS | Leni Litonjua, Taylor Saugstad CONTRIBUTORS | Glen Starkey, Anna Starkey, Ross Mayfield ADVERTISING SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE | Kimberly Rosa ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES | Katy Gray, Tyler Dunavan, Robert Martinez, Gina Guglielmelli PRODUCTION ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER | Mary Grace Flaus GRAPHIC DESIGNERS | Ellen Fukumoto, John Nygaard BUSINESS PUBLISHERS | Bob Rucker, Alex Zuniga BUSINESS MANAGER | Cindy Rucker CIRCULATION | Jim Chaney, Michael Ferrell, Margo Baldives, Simon Lopez, Joe Brice OFFICE MANAGER | Patricia Horton MARKETING & PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR | Malia Jandra SUBMITTING LETTERS WRITE | Mail your letter to Sun Letters, 801 S Broadway Suite 3, Santa Maria, CA 93454. Include your name, address, and phone number. FAX | (805) 546-8641 E-MAIL | mail@santamariasun.com, letters@santamariasun.com
The devils on the dais County supervisors are to blame for policy problems behind high gas prices
BY ANDY CALDWELL
S
involving the climate change war is that CO2 emissions constitute “pollution.” The opposite is anta Barbara County supervisors did their true. CO2 emissions green the planet. Without part to make fuels more expensive when these “emissions” the planet would die. You they passed an ordinance to ban new would think the greenies wouldn’t lie about onshore oil and gas drilling in the county on something as obvious as that. Yet, what comes Sept. 15. You can say that when the supes took out of the smokestack of a tanker bringing oil this action, they didn’t miss the elephant in the and gas to California is real air pollution. Hence, room, but the foreign oil tanker. this action by the board of supes will serve to As California has been shutting down the negatively affect air quality. oil industry in our state, the only thing that Another huge omission from this discussion has been accomplished is making us more about banning oil and gas production is that dependent on foreign oil. That is, we didn’t nearly half of every barrel of eradicate our use of oil, only the oil isn’t used to produce fuel. It local source. And the countries is used to make asphalt, tires, from which we are now getting plastic, and thousands of other our oil are considered “gross products, including the natural polluters” because they lack the gas used to heat your home and pollution control measures we cook your food. Even if we did have in California. So, the action manage to switch entirely to soby the board will increase the called renewable energy sources, world’s greenhouse gases and we would still need oil and gas genuine pollution, a fine example derivatives and byproducts of virtue signaling, I might add. to provide society with these The volume of imports we valuable products we can’t live are discussing? California now without. The lefties never want to discuss this imports more than 280 million barrels of oil point. every year. Ignorance of this dramatic shift to Finally, at the Sept. 15 hearing, there was a foreign sources, including the Middle East, is not moment when the obvious was pointed out to bliss for consumers, especially when it comes MUSIC the oblivious. Supervisor Joan Hartmann was to gasoline prices, as our pain at the pump is on a rant claiming that every fire in our region, a result of these types of policy choices in our along with the related deadly Montecito debris state. FLAVOR/EATS flow, was a result of climate change, which Not only that, but now we are also importing she blamed on the oil industry. When a fellow gasoline, millions of barrels of refined gasoline, supervisor pointed out that many of the fires in much of which comes from halfway around INFO our region were started by storm-driven events the world, including Asia, India, South Korea, involving electrical lines, she didn’t miss a beat and Taiwan, which account for two-thirds of despite that “mic drop” moment! And after she California’s gasoline imports. CALENDAR finished, Supervisor Laura So, instead of reducing Capps continued the diatribe, greenhouse gases, we OPINION as oblivious as ever. increased them by having Relatedly, it is completely all these ships bringing oil Send us your hypocritical that county to our state. However, here views and opinion to NEWS supervisors are suing a utility a distinction needs to be letters@santamariasun.com. for damages associated with made. One of the biggest lies
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Instead of reducing greenhouse gases, we increased them by having all these ships bringing oil to our state.
Speak up!
STROKES
ARTS
the fire that set up Montecito for the debris flow while publicly blaming the oil industry. Now, please consider their blatant failures pertaining to these two industries. The supes have done absolutely nothing to help the utilities clear-cut around their power lines, which is standard practice in other states, and which would alleviate many fire dangers. Moreover, these same supervisors have continually raised legal objections in court about the continued operations of pipelines having to do with Sable, claiming the pipeline is unsafe, all the while making every effort to block repairs, upgrades, and replacements of the pipeline. That is not public service; that is diabolical intransigence. m Andy Caldwell writes to the Sun from Santa Maria. Send a letter for publication to letters@ santamariasun.com.
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LETTERS Don’t let the government restrict hand-imports of prescription drugs U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has a dangerous new rule that was set to begin Oct. 22 that will threaten the healthcare of millions of Americans. The rule, “Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Mail Shipments,” will effectively end Americans’ ability to personally import their prescription medicines. CBP extended the date to Jan. 20, 2027. Importing prescription drugs from licensed international pharmacies is the only lifeline for seniors on limited incomes, people with highdeductible health plans, and the uninsured. That’s why CBP and the FDA have allowed it for decades. Due to the much lower cost of medications in Canada and other countries, imported medicine is their only option. Many imported drugs can be less than half the U.S. price. These necessary medicines prevent blood clots, treat diabetes, and much more. This CBP rule will cut off access to the only affordable prescription drugs for millions, and that will lead to unnecessary harm and preventable deaths. I ask readers to immediately call or write our senators and U.S. representatives and demand they stop CBP from implementing any rulemaking that restricts Americans from importing personal-use prescription drugs from licensed pharmacies in Canada or other countries.
Sharon Elam Santa Maria
Is gun violence a necessary cost of preventing tyranny? Another school shooting, and it’s off the news cycle in 24 hours. Columbine and Sandy Hook shocked our conscience and were discussed for years. Have we accepted that losing children to gun violence is a necessary cost to prevent tyranny? Then why are gun advocates supporting a tyrant with insurrection and extrajudicial killings of U.S. citizens? Hopefully Gen Z, who grew up under this dark cloud, will vote to return sanity to this once great nation.
Steve Felten Paso Robles
Opinion
Lucky duckies
W
ater shutoffs are coming, Guadalupe! Total unpaid water bills in the city have apparently reached $250,000, and it’s time to bring the hammer down, according to city staff. This is a problem that’s years in the making, according to City Administrator David Trujillo. Guadalupe’s stayed at a steady average of shutting off the water for about 10 customers per month, but that’s going up to 90 starting this month. “Starting tomorrow, we’re going to start shutting off water,” Trujillo told the City Council on Oct. 13. It was an “oh, by the way, this is happening,” as water shutoffs weren’t agendized for the meeting. Some of the unpaid balances are close to $5,000—which is crazy! It sounds like those customers haven’t paid their bills for a lot longer than the 60 days that it takes to warrant a water shutoff. “There’s some large balances,” city Finance Director Eli Martinez added. “A lot of big balances.” Sounds like another big budget uh-oh in a city that’s had a lot of them in recent months. As the city’s former mayor put it in an opinion piece she wrote in September, “Guadalupe has a structural budget issue that needs to be addressed forthrightly, not through a culture of willful and knowing mismanagement.” Frances Romero, who was mayor from 2012 to 2014 and likes to make public comments at the City Council meetings, also accused the previous iteration of city staff of mismanaging funds, not auditing financials, and ignoring grand jury reports that criticized Guadalupe. Current staff, however, knows what they’re doing, she said.
And I feel sorry for them, because that means the bad news Trujillo and company have been laying on the City Council is probably going to keep on coming. The Royal Theater reboot was canceled after wasting so much time and precious resources on the project, which everyone could see was a bad idea. Then, we heard that previous staff “intermixed” enterprise funds with general funds, which gave city officials an inaccurate idea about how many dollars the city had. “You have competent professional staff for the first time in 12 years, listen to them for a change,” Romero said at the time. “[Past staff] apparently didn’t have any expertise at being able to balance a checkbook.” Well, they apparently didn’t ask people to pay their water bills either. And now some of the city’s residents are looking at bills that seem pretty unsurmountable. If you owe the city $5,000 for water, you’re in deep doo-doo, people! “It’s not a good place to be,” Mayor Ariston Julian said in the understatement of the year. “It’s good to be informed about it.” Oversight, people. That’s what a city council is supposed to provide—it makes policy decisions and ensures that the people appointed to do that work actually do the work the way that they’re supposed to. Guadalupe’s hasn’t done that. Now that the city seems to have an administrator who pays attention to things like balancing the budget, perhaps the council will finally pull its head out of the sand. Was it luck when the new Public Works director stepped in as interim city administrator at the end of last year? Sure seems that way. m The Canary is constantly wondering about Guadalupe. Send answers to canary@ santamariasun.com.
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BEST DRESSED: First Place & Best of Show, Kristell Mazzuco
Cuteness ahead Our annual pet photo contest winners are bound to ease your mind
W
arning: The photos on the following pages will bring a smile to your face. They’re adorable! Readers from Santa Ynez to Lompoc to Paso Robles submitted more than 300 images of their non-human companions as part of this year’s competition. A panel of in-house judges narrowed them down to the top three in each of five categories—including Best Dressed! Contest entry fees raised more than $1,000 for the SLO Beaver Brigade, an organization advocating for and educating about the environmental benefits of beavers. Winners get a gift card from issue sponsor Lemos Feed and Pet Supply. Flip through these images only if you’re ready to feel warm fuzzies! —Camillia Lanham
CATS: Third Place, Cheryl Barton-Petrie
DOGS: First Place, Amber Adika
FARMHOUSE: First Place, Fran Natale PET PHOTOS continued page 12
10 • Sun • October 22 - October 29, 2026 • www.santamariasun.com
www.santamariasun.com • October 22 - October 29, 2026 • Sun • 11
PET PHOTOS from page 10
CATS: Second Place, Carly Penson
BEST DRESSED: Third Place, Carol Bibby
DOGS: Second Place, April Fehrer
BEST DRESSED: Second Place, Amelia Dreizler PET PHOTOS continued page 14
12 • Sun • October 22 - October 29, 2026 • www.santamariasun.com
www.santamariasun.com • October 22 - October 29, 2026 • Sun • 13
PET PHOTOS from page 12
DOGS: Third Place, Chris Chew
EXOTIC: First Place, Johanna Rubba
FARMHOUSE: Second Place, Laurie Wright
FARMHOUSE: Third Place, Carol Bibby PET PHOTOS continued page 15 14 • Sun • October 22 - October 29, 2026 • www.santamariasun.com
PET PHOTOS from page 14
EXOTIC: Third Place, Johanna Rubba
EXOTIC: Second Place, Corinne Curtis
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www.santamariasun.com • October 22 - October 29, 2026 • Sun • 15
Homeward, westbound Nipomo native’s Army tour in Kuwait ends with adopting the stray dog he befriended
BY CALEB WISEBLOOD
D
espite having a soft spot for animals, U.S. Army service member Matthew Petersen said he rarely approached the stray dogs he observed while recently deployed in Kuwait. But something about the dog he’d eventually name Turkey stood out to him as a invitation to make an exception. “Dogs on the base, and even around the base, are super aggressive, and they usually travel in packs. But this dog was alone,” Petersen said, “and posed no threat to me. … He’s just a chill guy; that’s the best way to put it.” Born and raised in Nipomo, the 24-year-old met Turkey during the final months of his six-year military commitment overseas. Petersen recalled first spotting the stray—a Lab and Canaan dog mix—sometime in April while patrolling the Kuwait base where he was formerly stationed as a military police officer. “Clearly, at the time that I found him, he wasn’t involved in one of the wild dog packs. He was all by himself on the base, which is very unusual,” Petersen said. “I gave him a couple snacks that I had in my patrol car, some water, and then let him go about his day.
BASE BUDDIES: Born and raised in Nipomo, U.S. Army service member Matthew Petersen said that while he was stationed in Kuwait earlier this year, he quickly bonded with a stray dog who would hang around the base. He ultimately adopted the dog and named him Turkey.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SPCA INTERNATIONAL
“He ended up following my patrol car for about three hours, as I was doing my patrols around the base,” Petersen continued. “After a couple months of that, I was joking around, like: ‘Oh, you know what, I should probably just adopt him.’ And my supervisor was like: ‘Why don’t you?’” Five months later, one of Petersen’s first road trips after returning home to the U.S. was from his current home in Paso Robles to a dog kennel in Inglewood—where Turkey was waiting for him. Through his application for assistance to a global animal rescue, Petersen was able to adopt the 4-year-old dog he befriended—flown 7,000 miles from Kuwait to Los Angeles in September. Turkey’s flight was made possible thanks to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International’s Patriot Pets program, which has helped facilitate this type of adoption overseas for military service members since 2008. “He was, oh my goodness, that boy was so happy to see me,” Petersen said about his recent reunion with Turkey, who wagged his tail and lay down by Petersen’s feet upon seeing him. Over the past month since adjusting to his new home in Paso Robles, where it’s generally at least 40 degrees cooler than the desert weather he’d been used to, Turkey has been enjoying his new status as “an inside dog,” Petersen explained. “He definitely doesn’t seem too bothered by the weather. But whenever I take him out late at night, I notice he doesn’t like staying outside too long,” Petersen said. “He’s more or less like an inside dog now, … contrary to where he grew up, living in 140 [degrees], looking for whatever food he could find—which was typically dead camels and trash that people would leave on the side of the road.” Petersen described Turkey’s new favorite hobbies as joining him for drives around town, going on walks, and snacking on bully sticks. Along with gaining a parent, Turkey, Petersen’s cat, Miss Kitty. MAN’S BEST FRIEND: In mid-September, a global animal rescue Compared to a name like Turkey for Petersen’s newest agency transported a formerly stray dog from Kuwait to California companion, Miss Kitty for a cat seems fairly self-explanatory. to be reunited with U.S. Army service member and Central Coast The reasoning behind Turkey’s name? “Nothing specific,” resident Matthew Petersen—who sought to adopt the stray upon bonding with him while deployed overseas. Petersen said with a laugh. While spitballing names with a few of his fellow service members at the Kuwait base, one peer threw out Turkey as an option, “and it really just kind of stuck,” Petersen said. Reflecting on some of his most recent observations of his canine companion, Petersen said he’s noticed one sign of what he called “puppy PTSD.” Amid the United States’ ongoing war with Iran, hearing sirens to alert incoming missile and drone strikes was a regular occurrence at the Kuwait base, Petersen said—sounds he believes Turkey recalls whenever fire engines, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles whoosh past their Paso Robles home. “He kind of freezes up a little bit, and then once it goes away, he’s fine,” Petersen said. “Honestly, I catch myself doing the same thing sometimes.” For Petersen, the sound that brings him back to Kuwait more than anything is akin to that of a lawnmower motor, which he said reminds him of an enemy drone approaching. “When the gardeners come and fire up their weed-whacker, it’s typically Mondays when I sleep in, … it’ll wake me up and I’m like, ‘Oh shit,’” he said before reenacting a sigh of relief, “‘I’m in my bed. LONE WOOF: Unlike some stray dogs that U.S. service member I’m safe.’” m Matthew Petersen said he observed while stationed at a base Reach Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood at cwiseblood@ santamariasun.com.
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Fowl play
PHOTO COURTESY OF KELSEY SEE CANYON VINEYARDS
Generations of peacocks have made Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards their home BY CHLOË HODGE
K
eith Kelsey never intended to become the caretaker of 300 peacocks. He just wanted to bring a few birds home. About 45 years ago, Kelsey and his brother rounded up seven peacocks from a ranch near Highway 101 south of Pismo Beach and transported them to their family’s property in See Canyon. The birds settled in, started families of their own, and decided the coastal canyon was a pretty good place to live. Now, hundreds of their descendants and other peacocks introduced over the years roam the vineyards, hillsides, and neighboring properties surrounding Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards outside Avila Beach. “I’d estimate about 80 of them over a few years, and then I’d estimated about 100 of them,” Kelsey said, recalling the population’s growth. “Then I estimated last year 200 of them, and now so many babies and late babies are coming out. So I’m estimating there’s about 300.” The birds have become an attraction at the family-owned winery, where visitors can sip wine, feed the peacocks, and watch the males display their colorful feathers during mating season. But the peacocks aren’t exactly pets. They roam freely throughout See Canyon, where smaller flocks have established themselves and developed a way of keeping in touch. James Greenway, the winery’s assistant general manager and wine club manager, said the birds can often be heard calling to one another across the canyon. “It’s just a cacophony of peacocks calling to each other,” he said. “It’s almost deafening.” Their calls also serve a practical purpose. Kelsey said the birds are quick to announce unfamiliar visitors, alerting one another whenever a vehicle approaches. “If someone drives in, one goes off, they all go off,” he said. The birds can also hold their own against predators. Kelsey recalled watching roughly 15 male peacocks confront a coyote. Rather than scatter, the birds gathered together and advanced toward the predator, repeatedly forcing it to retreat. “They get in a tight group and start walking toward it,” Kelsey said. “The coyote will run to a different direction.” Not every animal on the property is such a threat to the birds. Kelsey’s roommate has a Chihuahua named Carlito, whose wagging tail occasionally attracts the attention of female peafowl. When the little dog ventures outside, the birds sometimes chase him back toward the house. “He has to run for cover in the house,” Kelsey said with a laugh. The peacocks are considerably more comfortable around people, particularly those carrying food. Every morning and evening, Kelsey calls the birds together and scatters dog food along the driveway. Three feral cats have also become regulars at the twice-daily meals. “I call them to dinner. They’ll come find me, and then I’ll go feed them,” he said. Visitors can purchase pre-portioned bags of food to feed the birds themselves, an activity Greenway said is especially popular with families. “They won’t really eat from your hand per se, but you can get
Looking forward to pampering your pets! Se Habla Español
ROAM: An estimated 300 peacocks roam Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards, descended in part from seven birds brought to the property 45 years ago.
them pretty darn close, within a couple of feet of you,” he said. Sometimes, their curiosity takes them indoors. “You leave your house door open, they’ll walk right inside the house,” Kelsey said. “They’ve been inside my Airbnb. They’ve been in my house. They’re just curious.” The birds’ history in See Canyon began on a 1,200-acre ranch Kelsey’s family once leased near Pismo Beach. The property had previously been home to exotic animals, including zebras and peacocks. By the time Kelsey lived there, the zebras were gone, but the peacocks remained. When the family had to leave the ranch, which Chevron had acquired, Kelsey and his brother decided to take seven of the birds with them. “We trapped them in a cage that we baited there by the barn on our old ranch,” Kelsey recalled. “Once we got them in the cage, we just had a string. You close the door, and we got them.” In See Canyon, the birds began reproducing, and the population expanded further as people began dropping off unwanted peacocks at the property. Peacocks can live for roughly 20 years, according to Kelsey, meaning several generations have come and gone since the original seven arrived. Among the birds are Indian peafowl, known for the males’ brilliant blue plumage and long, iridescent tail feathers. Over the years, Kelsey said, people have also dropped off other varieties, including three peafowl from Indonesia. One of those newcomers was a male named Prince, whose
smaller build and shorter tail made him stand out from the other birds. Although Prince was killed by a car a couple of years ago, Kelsey said some of the birds still resemble him. The peacocks were already well established when Kelsey’s father, Dick, began making wine in 1999 as a retirement hobby. His first vintage was called Vino Yucky, a name Greenway initially assumed was a joke. “I thought that they were joking when they told me that,” Greenway said. “They were not.” Today, the winery produces traditional reds and whites alongside apple wines and hard ciders, including its Golden Delicious apple chardonnay and Red Delicious apple rosé. The peacocks, meanwhile, remain one of the property’s most recognizable attractions. “Oh, they love them,” Kelsey said of visitors. “All the cameras come out. They’re amazed.” The males are currently regrowing their elaborate tail feathers following their annual molt. Kelsey expects their plumage to return by Christmas, ahead of the spring breeding season that typically begins in March. With new chicks continuing to appear around the property, the population shows little sign of slowing down. After 45 years, Kelsey no longer tries to distinguish most of the birds individually. Instead, he calls them all his “birdie birds.” m Reach New Times Staff Writer Chloë Hodge, from the Sun’s sister paper, at chodge@newtimesslo.com.
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Hot Stuff
10-DAY CALENDAR: OCTOBER 22 - NOVEMBER 1, 2026
DAY OF THE DEAD
Santa Maria’s 16th annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration features cultural activities and crafts, food, vendors, and live music and dance performances. This year’s event will also include a chalk art contest. The festivities, sponsored by the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, PLAY Inc., and Allan Hancock College, will be held at Hancock’s Fine Arts Center in Santa Maria on Friday, Oct. 23, from 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Artists ages 14 and older can participate in the chalk art contest, and all art must be completed by 1 p.m. on Oct. 25. First-, second-, and third-place winners will receive prizes. Visit cityofsantamaira.org for more information. —Angie Stevens
PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF SANTA MARIA
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. BAT BOY THE MUSICAL This smart, hilarious and tuneful off-Broadway hit is an uproarious, high-energy parable about prejudice, community, love, and bloodsucking bats. Oct. 23, 7 p.m., Oct. 24, 7 p.m. and Oct. 25, 1:30 p.m. $23.27-$28.62. my805tix.com. Santa Maria Civic Theatre, 1660 N. McClelland St., Santa Maria. DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS CHALK ART CONTEST The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, in partnership with Allan Hancock College, invites artists ages 14 and older to participate in the Día de los Muertos Chalk Art Contest. All artwork must be completed by 1 p.m. on Oct. 25. Judging will take place from 1 to 4:30 p.m., and first-, second-, and thirdplace winners will receive prizes provided by Art Central. Winners will be announced at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 23, 5-8 p.m., Oct. 24, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Oct. 25, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (805) 925-0951. cityofsantamaria.org/ services/departments/recreation-andparks-5013. Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College Drive, Santa Maria. DANCE AND MUSIC CLASSES KleinDance Arts offers various dance and music classes for a variety of ages! Visit the link for info! 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/. NATURE ART EXHIBITION AT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM See the work of over 17 artists from San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties who were accepted into the juried exhibition. There will be realism along with abstract works with oil, acrylic and photography. The month-long exhibition also features an eclectic variety of nature themed recorded music in the gallery during open hours, curated by Rick Mathews popular DJ with KCBX Public Radio. Through Nov. 2 smnaturalhistory.org. Shepard Hall Art Gallery (Santa Maria Public Library), 421 South McClelland St., Santa Maria, (805) 925-0994. “POST-WILD: NATURE IN THE 21ST CENTURY” The Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture is proud to present Post-Wild: Nature in the 21st Century, a juried exhibition featuring artworks by 34 emerging and established Santa Barbara County artists. Co-curated by Allan Hancock College Professor of Fine Arts Laura-Susan Thomas and the Office of Arts and Culture, the exhibition highlights artists working across painting, ceramics, photography, digital media, and mixed media. Mondays-Fridays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through Nov. 1 Free. sbac.ca.gov/ post-wild-nature-in-the-21st-century/. Betteravia Art Gallery, 511 Lakeside Pkwy, Santa Maria. SITE SPECIFIC PRESENTS “THREAD COUNT” FEATURING DAILY HANDEMBROIDERED WORKS BY SUZANNE REED Site Specific is pleased to announce its upcoming exhibition, thread count, a showcase of intricate, hand-embroidered panels by local artist Suzanne Reed. The
exhibition runs from Oct. 24 through Nov. 1, viewable on weekends at the Site Specific storefront on Bell Street in Los Alamos. Saturdays, Sundays, 4 p.m. potteryandhouses.com/exhibitions/ thread-count. Site Specific, 466 Bell St, Los Alamos. 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. valleygallery.org. Santa Maria Airport, 3217 Terminal Drive, Santa Maria. SANTA YNEZ VALLE Y
THE 1ST LITERARY CHALKFEST AT THE BUELLTON LIBRARY Come have fun and show off your creativity! We will be chalkpainting sections all around the Buellton Library. Oct. 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. forms.gle/ VxAJonyW7cMGfZPAA. Buellton Library, 202 Dairyland Rd, Buellton, (805) 688-3115. INDAH GALLERY ART EXHIBITION AT ROBLAR WINERY: CO-CURATION WITH NAHR, THE DEFINITION OF PLACE Inspired by the ecological and cultural landscapes of the Santa Ynez Valley, “The Definition of Place” presents the work of Nature, Art & Habitat (NAHR). FridaysSundays, 12-5 p.m. through Oct. 25 Free. indahgallery.org/current. Indah Gallery, 2190 N. Refugio Road, Santa Ynez, (877) 327-2656. PAINTING IN THE VINEYARD AT VEGA VINEYARD AND FARM Are you looking for something unique to do in Santa Barbara County Wine Country? Why not paint with us at the picturesque Vega Vineyard and Farm! Oct. 25, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $89. (805) 325-8092. artspotonwheels.com. Vega Vineyard and Farm, 9496 Santa Rosa Road, Buellton.
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. 18 • Sun • October 22 - October 29, 2026 • www.santamariasun.com
SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y
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. (805) 835-5893. hmcruceceramics.com/. Online, See website, Arroyo Grande. OCEANO SEABREEZE MARKET Enjoy an afternoon of community fun! Featuring locally made handcrafted goods and exclusive collections, music, tasty eats, and more! Free! Oct. 25, 12-4 p.m. Free. discoveroceanoca.com/oceanoseabreeze-market. Oceano Elks Lodge, 410 Air Park Drive, Oceano. ROCKY HORROR Come and enjoy this 16-year-long tradition of The Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadow Cast. Wild fun, prizes, and non stop laughs ! Oct. 23, 8 p.m., Oct. 24, 10 p.m., Oct. 30, noon and Oct. 31, 10 p.m. my805tix.com. The Studio of Performing Arts, 835 West Grand Ave., Grover Beach. SEAN AMUNDSON: BEYOND THE VEIL Central Coast artist Sean Amundson presents Beyond the Veil, his first public exhibition in years, featuring bold original paintings exploring identity, intimacy, transformation, and rebellion. Oct. 23, 6-9 p.m. (805) 433-7685. theportalpb.com/ events. The Portal at Living Energy, 649 Dolliver Street, Pismo Beach. 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
ALL AGES SCULPTING WITH JOHN ROULLARD John a retired school teacher who patiently guides potters of all ages
INDEX Arts.......................................18 Culture & Lifestyle ...........19 Food & Drink .....................22 Music ..................................22
to sculpt and work on details and design. Saturdays, 1:30-3 p.m. $40. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. CALL FOR ARTISTS SLO Gallery is now organizing small group exhibits for our central viewing area. One of the displayed artists will be a co-op member. The others can be local or visiting artists. Drop by the SLO Gallery to sign up and see which of our artists on display you may be interested in doing a group show with. Fridays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. SLO Gallery, 1023 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, SLOgallery.com. 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. DATE NIGHT POTTERY CLASS Join our couple’s pottery class to learn handbuilding and wheel throwing with an instructor. Glazing and firing are included. Pick up pieces in three weeks. Saturdays, 6-7:30 p.m. $160. anamcre.com/. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. FAMILY FRIENDLY WORKSHOP: LARGE PLATTER CLASS Fun for all ages. Instructors will guide you in creating large platters and decorating them. Create pieces together for your home. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $50. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. GUTENBERG THE MUSICAL! Two broke, overconfident writers perform every role in their ridiculous musical about Johann Gutenberg, desperately hoping a producer will fund their Broadway dream. Fridays, 7-9 p.m., Saturdays, 2-4 & 7-9 p.m., Sundays, 2-4 p.m. and Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. through Nov. 5 $28-$51. (805) 786-2440. slorep.org/shows/gutenberg-the-musical/. SLO Rep, 888 Morro St., San Luis Obispo. LEARN TO WEAVE MONDAYS An opportunity to learn how a four-shaft loom works. You will get acquainted as a new weaver or as a refresher with lots of tips and tricks. This class includes getting
to know a loom, how to prepare/dress a loom, and much much more. Mondays, 1-4 p.m. $75 monthly. (805) 441-8257. Patricia Martin: Whispering Vista Studios, 224 Squire Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo, patriciamartinartist.com. MAGICANS CLUB This is a non-profit club where magicians from the local areas meet, exchange, share magic ideas, and showoff. Last Monday of every month, 6-9 p.m. Free. (805) 720-1164. SLO Elks Club, 222 Elks Lane, San Luis Obispo. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Cal Poly Theatre and Dance department presents Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Cal Poly Faculty Karin Hendricks-Bolen. Thursdays, Fridays, 8-10 p.m., Oct. 24, 2-4 p.m., Oct. 25, 2-4 p.m. and Oct. 31, 2-4 p.m. through Oct. 30 $20$28. (805) 756-1465. theatredance.calpoly. edu/midsummer-nights-dream. Spanos Theatre, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. “OCEANO – FOR SEVEN GENERATIONS” EXHIBIT This exhibition highlights nearly a decade of research and outreach by artist Lana Z Caplan, associate professor of photography and video in Cal Poly’s Art and Design Department. The project was first published as a book of the same title by Kehrer Verlag in 2023. A selection of large and small-scale photographs will be presented alongside a video projection, ephemera, and issues of the Dune Forum from the 1930s, drawn from Special Collections. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through Dec. 11 Free. library.calpoly.edu. Cal Poly Special Collections and Archives, Robert E. Kennedy Library, 1 Grand Ave., Building 35, Room 409, San Luis Obispo, (805) 756-2305. PAINT PRE-MADE POTTERY Paint premade pottery at our studio. Choose a piece, get creative, and make family memories. Reserve your spot online today and enjoy some fun for all ages! MondaysSaturdays anamcre.com/. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. REGGIE WATTS Former bandleader on CBS’s The Late Late Show with James Corden, Watts will blur the lines between
ARTS continued page 19
Hot Stuff ARTS from page 18 music and comedy through his improvised show. Oct. 24, 7:30-9 p.m. $41-$75. (805) 756-6556. calpolyarts.org. Cal Poly Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo. SATURDAY FAMILY POTTERY CLASSES Join our family pottery class! Learn to throw on the wheel or build by hand. All ages are welcome. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $45. anamcre.com/. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. VISTA: SELECTIONS FROM SLOMA’S PERMANENT COLLECTION Vista: Selections from SLOMA’s Permanent Collection is an exhibition that looks back with gratitude and forward with hope. Oct. 24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 5438562. sloma.org. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo. WEEKLY ALL AGES SCULPTURE CLASS Join in on the fun of sculpture and handbuilding for ages 6 to 10. Learn to create figurines, bowls, funny faces, and more! Saturdays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. through Nov. 21 $45. anamcre.com/. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. NORTH COAST SLO COUNT Y
DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is a Bramnew comedy you can really sink your teeth into. Filled with clever wordplay and anything-goes pop culture references, it’s a 90-minute, action packed, laugh-outloud reimagining of the gothic classic, perfect for audiences of all blood types. A delightful mix of Monty Python humor with the rock & roll sexiness of Rocky Horror! Oct. 23, 7 p.m., Oct. 24, 7 p.m., Oct. 25, 3 p.m., Oct. 30, 7 p.m., Oct. 31, 7 p.m. and Nov. 1, 3 p.m. $33.98. my805tix.com. By The Sea Productions, 545 Shasta Ave., Morro Bay.
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS
FEEL GOOD YOGA Tuesdays, Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. (805) 937-9750. oasisorcutt. org. Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt. FREE BOOK SUNDAYS FOR AGES 0-17 Visit the Youth Services Desk on the first Sunday of each month to receive a coupon for a free book of your choice from the Library Bookstore. For ages 0-17. First Sunday of every month Free. (805)
OCTOBER 22 - NOVEMBER 1, 2026 925-0994. cityofsantamaria.org/services/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. GROUP WALKS AND HIKES Check website for the remainder of this year’s group hike dates and private hike offerings. (805) 343-2455. dunescenter.org. Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, 1065 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe. NFL AT THE LOON Come watch your favorite NFL team play on one of our six TVs. Mondays, Thursdays, Sundays, 10 a.m.9 p.m. Loon & Crown, 155 E Clark Ave, suite 110, Santa Maria, (805) 372-2327. OLD ORCUTT TRICK OR TREAT Old Orcutt Trick or Treat is a family-friendly community tradition inviting families to trick or treat throughout Old Orcutt at participating businesses. Oct. 24, 1-3 p.m. Free. (805) 878-9509. Historic Old Town Orcutt, S. Broadway and Union Ave., Orcutt. ORCUTT HALLOWEEN BLOCK PARTY Join for a Halloween Block Party you won’t want to miss! Naughty Oak, Lark + Sparrow, and Loon & Crown are teaming up for a night of fun and another epic costume contest. There will be live music, DJs, food trucks, and our famous costume contest! Oct. 30, 6-10 p.m. $37.71. my805tix.com. Naughty Oak Brewing Co., 165 S. Broadway St., suite 102, Orcutt. SANTA MARIA TOASTMASTERS Develop your public speaking skills at this club meeting. Fourth Tuesday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m. (805) 570-0620. Santa Maria Airport, 3217 Terminal Drive, Santa Maria. SMKA 2026 KART RACING SEASON Participate in this local kart racing series, featuring kid karts, LO206, and two-cycle classes, delivering competitive sprint racing, driver development, and familyfriendly events for all skill levels. Oct. 25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $10. smka.org. Santa Maria Karting Association, 3951 S Blosser Rd, Santa Maria, (805) 464-6114. SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y
BEGINNER WESTERN LINE DANCE CLASS All levels are welcome, with a focus on beginners. Bring your boots and water. Plan accordingly, arrive by 12:45 p.m. to get registered. Fourth Tuesday of every month, 1-2:15 p.m. Free. (805) 929-1615. nipomoseniorcenter.org Nipomo Senior Center, 200 E. Dana St., Nipomo. BEGINNING BALLET FOR ADULTS Enjoy the grace and flow of ballet. No previous experience needed. Wednesdays, 5:15-6:15 p.m. $12 drop-in; $40 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SUZANNE REED
Grover Beach DISCOVERY HIKES world.” Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. $10 dropin; $30 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. Community Center, Discover the rich grover.org. Grover Beach Community 1230 Trouville Ave., history of Camp Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach. Grover Beach. Arroyo Grande, while connecting with nature. MURDER IN THE VILLAGE: A WEEKENDBEYOND Oct. 24, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. LONG WHODUNNIT Pick up your “Player’s MINDFULNESS Free. (805) 249-9517. Newspaper” at Monarch Books and visit Realize your potential camparroyogrande.org. participating shops to interview suspects through individualized Camp Arroyo Grande, and gather clues to solve the mystery. meditation instruction 250 Wesley St., Roaring ‘20s theme. Oct. 24, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. with an experienced Arroyo Grande. and Oct. 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (805) teacher via Zoom. 668-6300. monarchbooks805.com/ This class is for those FRIENDS OF THE events/51240. Monarch Books, ARROYO GRANDE who wish to begin a LIBRARY ART 201 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande. practice or seek to AUCTION The first ever deepen an existing OPEN CAMP DISCOVERY DAY Join us art auction fundraiser one. Flexible days for a free family afternoon with pumpkin for Friends of the AG and times. Certified carving, hands-on Tinkering Studio Library is now live. with IMTA. Email or projects, Nature and Steam Center Includes work by local text for information. exploration, and swimming in the pool! artist Ellen November. Mondays-Sundays, Oct. 24, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. (805) 249-9517. Every 30 days, 9 a.m. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sliding camparroyogrande.org. Camp Arroyo Various. (310) 384-6912. scale. (559) 905-9274. Grande, 250 Wesley St., Arroyo Grande. app.galabid.com/ theartofsilence.net. POINT SAN LUIS LIGHTHOUSE TOURS aglibrary/items. Online, Online, See website, A docent-led tour of the buildings See website, Arroyo Grande. and grounds of the historic Point San Arroyo Grande. CITY OF ARROYO Luis Light Station. Check website for GIVING PAWS FOR GRANDE HALLOWEEN more details. Wednesdays, Saturdays HOPE An inspiring CARNIVAL Enjoy a pointsanluislighthouse.org/. Point San Luis evening including fantastic bounce town, Lighthouse, 1 Lighthouse Rd., Avila Beach. dinner, auction, and costume contests, mini Q YOUTH GROUP (VIRTUALLY) This is more dedicated to pumpkin patch, photo a social support group for LGBTQ+ and providing free service ops, LED mini golf, questioning youth between the ages of 11dogs for veterans, food trucks, and a free 18. Each week the group explores personal, and first responders movie! Oct. 24-25, cultural, and social identity. Thursdays, living with PTSD. Oct. 1-9 p.m. and Oct. 25, 6-8 p.m. Free. galacc.org/events/. Online, 24, 5 p.m. $85-$100. 1-9 p.m. $25. See website, Arroyo Grande. newlifek9s.org/ (805) 473-5472. SACRED SOUND PORTAL WITH DEE givingpawsforhope. arroyogrande.org/rec. DIGIOIA AT THE PORTAL PISMO BEACH Thousand Hills Ranch, Elm Street Park, 1221 Whether local or visiting, reset your mind 550 Thousand Ash St., Arroyo Grande. and body with an immersive sound bath Hills Rd., Pismo Beach, Site Specific—run by husband-and-wife team Ben DAILY QIGONG near the ocean to release tension, quiet (805) 574-0739. PRACTICE For the McDonald, an architect, and Kristina Batiste, an thoughts, and find peace. Fourth Saturday HEALTH WELLNESS & early riser or commuter, artist—announced its upcoming exhibition, “thread of every month, 9-10:30 a.m. through Oct. 26 YOU Leave your stress every weekday count,” a display of hand-embroidered panels by local $23-$34. (805) 270-5523. my805tix.com. behind to relax, renew, morning. Maintain or The Portal at Living Energy, 649 Dolliver artist Suzanne Reed. The exhibition will run from reflect, and revitalize. improve concentration, Street, Pismo Beach. Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1, viewable on Let’s focus on healthy balance, and flexibility. weekends at the Site Specific storefront on Bell Street habits, stress reduction, SACRED SOUNDS PORTAL / PISMO Includes weekly Friday BEACH Begin your weekend by diving mindfulness, and self in Los Alamos from noon to 5 p.m. A free opening 3 p.m. class with more deep into a sanctuary of restoration love. No registration is practices. Led by reception and artist talk will be held on Saturday, Oct. for a profound inner exploration and needed. Fourth Tuesday certified Awareness 24, at 4 p.m. Additional information is available at “soul-cation.” Located just blocks from the of every month, 1-2 p.m. Through Movement potteryandhouses.com. rhythmic, grounding pulse of the Pacific Free. (806) 929-1615. teacher. Mondays—A.S. nipomoseniorcenter.org Ocean and nestled within the vibrant, Saturdays, 6:10 a.m. and crystal-infused space of The Portal at Nipomo Senior Center, Fridays, 3 p.m. $35/week 200 E. Dana St., Nipomo. Living Energies, Sacred Sounds Portal is or $125/month. (646) a monthly morning retreat designed to 280-5800. margotschaal.com/qigong. music (including modern, jazz, MULTICULTURAL DANCE CLASS realign your mind, body, and spirit. Oct. 24, Online, See website, Arroyo Grande. Broadway, ethnic). Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m. FOR ADULTS Experience dance from 9-10:30 a.m. $23.27-$33.98. my805tix.com. $10 drop-in; $30 for four classes. (510) continents around the earth, including DANCE FITNESS ART AND CULTURE The Portal at Living Energy, 649 Dolliver 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach FOR ADULTS Discover dance as a form from Africa, Europe, and more. Described Street, Pismo Beach, (805) 433-7685. Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., of artistic expression and exercise, using as “a wonderful in-depth look at the CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 21 a wide range of styles and genres of Grover Beach. context and history of cultures of the
THREAD COUNT
SHOW TIMES
Wednesday - Friday: 7pm Saturday: 2pm to 7pm Sunday: 6pm CLOSED: Monday & Tuesday th September September 25 25thth ~~ November November 7th 7th 1863 HWY 1 ~ OCEANO, CA 3 miles south of Pismo Beach
www.AmericanMelodrama.com (805) 489-2499
It’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow like you’ve never seen (or sung!) before! Join the awkwardly charming Ichabod Crane as he waltzes his way through the town of Sleepy Hollow—meeting the lovely Katrina, the mischievous Brom Bones, and that not-soheadstrong rider of the night, the legendary Headless Horseman. After each show, brace yourself for the fantastical antics of the Happily Ever After Vaudeville Review!
www.santamariasun.com • October 22 - October 29, 2026 • Sun • 19
The Addams Family
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23
Garagiste Wine Festival
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
Cambria Center for the Arts
Jazz Jubilee Central Coast 2026
Pumpkin Succulent Centerpiece Class
Souls of Mischief, Palmtree, MC Friend & More
Morro Bay Comedy Night with Danny Minch
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 The Pottery Atascadero
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 The Bunker SLO
Spaghetti Dinner Bingo Night
Ghoul and Dry Socket
Arise Roots w/True Zion
Ultra Live at The Pour House
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 Avila Beach Community Center
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 Humdinger Brewing, SLO
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 The Rock SLO
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 The Pour House, Paso Robles
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Cambria Firefighters Pickleball Fundraiser
Sacred Sounds Portal
FRI, OCT 23 - SAT, OCT 31 835 W Grand Ave, Grover Beach
FRI, OCT 23 - SUN, NOV 8 Oasis Senior Center, Orcutt
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 Cambria Pickleball by the Sea
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 Portal at Living Energy, Pismo Beach
SLO Coast Wine Social
Monster Ball (all ages)
Divas de los Muertos Drag Party
Laughs on the Coast
Dani Cole Live at The Pour House
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 The Pour House, Paso Robles
That’s So Drag Brunch: Rhythm & Boos SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 Libertine Brewing Co, SLO
20 • Sun • October 22 - October 29, 2026 • www.santamariasun.com
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 Naughty Oak/Lark & Sparrow, Orcutt
S Bay Community Center, Los Osos
Improv Extravaganza
SUN, OCT 18 - TUES, OCT 27 Various Locations on Central Coast
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 Community Church of Atascadero
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Ava Hotel & Paso Fairgrounds
FRI, OCT 9 - SUN, OCT 25 Santa Maria Civic Theatre
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 Talley Vineyards, Arroyo Grande
Bash Cancer Fest
FRI & SAT, NOV 6-7
Santa Maria Fairpark
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 Jaspers, Lompoc
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 The Rock SLO
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 Nauti Anchor Bar/Resturant, Morro Bay
Mumtober
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 Dallidet Adobe & Gardens, SLO
First Day Back
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 San Luis Obispo Grange Hall
Zoo Boo!
FRI & SAT, OCTOBER 23-24 Central Coast Zoo, Atascadero
3rd Annual Jazz Fest
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 Mission Plaza, SLO
Bruce Forman Meets the SLO Jazz All-Starts
That’s So Drag Presents: Drop Dead Divas
Susan Branch: A Fond Farewell & Book Signing
Blue Street w/Carl Sonny Leyland
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 Mt Carmel Lutheran Church, SLO
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 Sycamore Mineral Springs, Avila Beach
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 Libertine Brewing Co, SLO
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 Pismo Beach Veteran’s Memorial
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Hot Stuff CULTURE & LIFESTYLE from page 19 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. SUNDAY EVENING RAP LGBTQ+ AA GROUP (VIRTUALLY) Alcoholics Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship from all walks of life who together, attain and maintain sobriety. Requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. aarapgroup@gmail.com for password access. Sundays, 7-8 p.m. No fee. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, Arroyo Grande. SAN LUIS OBISPO
CENTRAL COAST GYMNASTICS TRICKOR-TREAT TRAIL Free family Halloween fun at Central Coast Gymnastics! Kids can wear costumes, follow the Trick-or-Treat Trail, collect candy, enjoy decorations, and see gymnasts perform. Oct. 24, 5-7 p.m. Free. (805) 549-8408. iflipforccg.com/ trick-treat-trail. Central Coast Gymnastics Sports Center, 21 Zaca Lane, San Luis Obispo. CIVIL DISCOURSE AT A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING Join the League of Women Voters of SLO County to learn how public school boards operate, how you can participate, and more. Oct. 26, 6:30-8 p.m. (805) 242-6990. SLO County Office of Education - Board Room, 3350 Education Lane, San Luis Obispo. EVERY STONE HAS A STORY Join us for a Virtual tour of Old Mission Cemetery Narrated by historian Dan Krieger. Oct. 24, 1-4 p.m. slocgs.org. SLO Library Community Room, 995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 781-5991. HEALING DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP The Healing Depression Support Group is a safe place to share with others who are suffering from or have recovered from the pain of depression. Mondays, 6-7 p.m. through Jan. 11 Free. (805) 528-3194. A safe place to share feelings of depression with those who suffer and those who have recovered to a full, healthy outlook on life. Mondays, 6-7 p.m. Free. (805) 528-3194. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo. HISTORY CENTER FALL HARVEST Celebrate of all things autumn and SLO County at the Dallidet Adobe for a harvest evening. Oct. 24, 4-7 p.m. $100. historycenter-fall-harvest.auctria.events. Dallidet Adobe and Gardens, 1185 Pacific St., San Luis Obispo. HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA Special Holiday Shopping event to support clothing children in our community. Shop from fine jewelry, holiday decor, party attire, designer bags, door prizes, and more. Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 782-0824. Assistance League Thrift Store, 667 Marsh St., A, San Luis Obispo.
OCTOBER 22 - NOVEMBER 1, 2026 MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION TRANS* TUESDAY A safe space (ONLINE) Zoom series hosted by TMHA. providing peer-to-peer support for trans, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon Transitions gender non-conforming, non-binary, Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, and questioning people. In-person San Luis Obispo, (805) 270-3346. and Zoom meetings held. Contact tranzcentralcoast@gmail.com for more MONTHLY MEETING FOR details. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. GALA CARDIOVASCULAR PATIENTS Join Pride and Diversity Center, 1060 Palm Mended Hearts of San Luis Obispo Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 541-4252. for Empowering Monthly Meetings for Cardiovascular Patients. Fourth TRANS* YOUTH PEER SUPPORT GROUP Wednesday of every month, 2-3:30 p.m. This group is a safe place for trans* and Free. mendedhearts.org. French Hospital gender non-conforming people, as well Copeland Health Education Pavilion, 3rd as those questioning, from ages of 11 to Floor, 1911 Johnson Ave, San Luis Obispo. 18. A facilitated emotional support group to be heard, share your story, and hear MUMTOBER Join the History Center of stories that may sound surprisingly like SLO County for Mumtober! A chrysanthemum harvest and celebration your own. Fourth Tuesday of every month, 6-8 p.m. Free. GALA Pride and Diversity of the bounty of the Dallidet Gardens. Join Center, 1060 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, us to enjoy five flavors of soup made with (805) 541-4252. produce from the gardens, lots of flowers, local wine and beer, and a day in the sun WALKTOBER CHALLENGE This October, celebrating autumn. Oct. 24, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. we are celebrating Walktober! Get $66.12. my805tix.com. Dallidet Adobe and rewarded for walking when commuting Gardens, 1185 Pacific St., San Luis Obispo. to work, running an errand, or visiting a friend. Win big prizes! Mondays. through NATURE SUNDAY: LIFE IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS Join Mandy Ward to MUSICNov. 1 Free. (805) 781-4462. rideshare.org/ program/walktober/. SLO County, learn about our planet’s extreme-loving Various locations countywide, organisms and where you might find San Luis Obispo. them. Oct. 25, 10 a.m.-noon Free. (805) FLAVOR/EATS 541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo NORTH SLO COUNT Y Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo. INFO ZOO BOO! Get your best costume ready and bring the entire family out to a nottoo-scary evening at Zoo Boo! You can expect Halloween decorations throughout CALENDAR the zoo, carnival games, Halloween activities, a haunted maze, tricks and treats, and more! Put on your best Send event information to calendar@ OPINION costume and bring the whole family! santamariasun.com. Oct. 23, 4-7 p.m. and Oct. 24, 4-7 p.m. NEWS$18.98. my805tix.com. Central Coast Zoo, 9100 Morro Road, Atascadero. PONY RIDES Every weekend we bring our sweet and gentle ponies for kids, all ages, NORTH COAST SLO COUNT Y to ride, cuddle, enjoy, and create forever STROKES MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL memories. Saturdays, Sundays, 10 a.m.SCREENING FUNDRAISER FOR THE 4 p.m. $15. (805) 909-3303. slopartyanimals.com. SLO Ranch Farms &ARTS ROCK COMMUNITY RADIO The historic Bay Theatre in Morro Bay will host a Marketplace, 871 Froom Ranch Way, special benefit screening of the iconic San Luis Obispo. comedy classic, Monty Python and the THE SLO FLOWER COLLECTIVE WEEKLY Holy Grail. Oct. 26, 6-8 p.m. $15. FLOWER MARKET Enjoy an amazing (805) 769-8458. Bay Theatre, weekly fresh flower market, open to the public. Enjoy the historic gardens with local 464 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay. CAMBRIA SCARECROW FESTIVAL blooms from nine local flower farmers. This October, returning favorites and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. through brand-new scarecrows transform Nov. 5 Free. sloflowercollective.com. Dallidet Adobe and Gardens, 1185 Pacific St., Cambria and San Simeon into a San Luis Obispo. whimsical wonderland. Discover hundreds of creative creatures all TEEN MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT month long! Through Oct. 31 Free. GROUP Learn more about mental health cambriascarecrows.com. Cambria and coping skills to help you through your Scarecrow Festival, Cambria, journey towards wellness and recovery. (818) 399-5319. Thursdays, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. (805) 5406576. t-mha.org. Hope House Wellness MARITIME FAMILY FUN DAY AT Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo. MORRO BAY MARITIME MUSEUM Celebrating Morro Bay’s Waterfront with TOUR THE HISTORIC OCTAGON BARN exhibitors focused on fun and CENTER The Octagon Barn, built in educational activities for children and 1906, has a rich history that The Land families. Free hot dogs for kids. Oct. 25, Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. (805) 903-3552. looks forward to sharing with visitors. morrobaymaritime.org/. Morro Bay Please RSVP. Fourth Sunday of every Maritime Museum, 1210 Embarcadero, month, 2-2:45 & 3-3:45 p.m. Tours are Morro Bay. free; donations are appreciated. Octagon Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis HOT STUFF continued page 22 Obispo, (805) 544-9096, octagonbarn.org.
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2026 SÁBADO, NOVIEMBRE 7, 2026 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Elwin Mussell Senior Center 510 E Park Ave, Santa Maria
Bring your pumpkins to our FREE Pumpkin Smashing event. All ages are welcome, come on down for a smashing good time! Trae tus calabazas a nuestro evento GRATIS de aplastamiento de calabazas. Todas las edades son bienvenidas, ¡ven a pasar un rato increíble!
Extra pumpkins will be available to smash while supplies last.
Habrá calabazas adicionales para romper, hasta agotar existencias.
www.santamariasun.com • October 22 - October 29, 2026 • Sun • 21
Hot Stuff HOT STUFF from page 21
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. FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT WINE STONE INN Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, (805) 332-3532, winestoneinn.com/. FRIDAY NIGHT FUN Karaoke with DJ Nasty. With Beer Bucket specials. Kitchen stays open late. Come out and sing your favorite song. Fridays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, (805) 623-8866. PRESQU’ILE WINERY: WINE CLUB Call or go online to make a reservation to taste at the winery or find more info on the winery’s Wine Club offerings. ongoing presquilewine.com/club/. Presqu’ile Winery, 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., Santa Maria, (805) 937-8110. SIPPIN’ SUNDAYS Every Sunday, come cozy up inside the tasting room and listen to great artists. Sundays, 1-4 p.m. Free. (805) 937-8463. cottonwoodcanyon.com. Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard And Winery, 3940 Dominion Rd, Santa Maria.
OCTOBER 22 - NOVEMBER 1, 2026 SOURDOUGH AT GROWING GROUNDS FARM Urban Homesteadings, your local female veteran owned sourdough specialty shop is at GrowingGroundsFarm.org. Veterans and first responders get a free cookie! Thursdays, 12-3 p.m. through June 30 Free. (805) 865-6318. UrbanHomesteadings.com. Growing Grounds Farm, 820 W. Foster Rd., Santa Maria. TACO TUESDAY Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, (805) 332-3532, winestoneinn.com/. THURSDAY EVENING BAR TAKEOVER Call venue or visit website to find out about featured vintners. Thursdays stellerscellar.com. Steller’s Cellar, 405 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt. WINE AND DESIGN CLASSES Check Wine and Design’s Orcutt website for the complete list of classes, for various ages. ongoing Varies. wineanddesign.com/ orcutt. Wine and Design, 3420 Orcutt Road, suite 105, Orcutt. LOMPOC/VANDENBERG
HEAD GAMES TRIVIA AND TACO TUESDAYS CLASH Don’t miss Head Games Trivia at COLD Coast Brewing Company every Tuesday night. Teams can be up to 6 members. Earn prizes and bragging rights. Kekas will be serving their delicious local fare. Fun for all ages. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. (805) 819-0723. coldcoastbrewing.com. COLD Coast Brewing Company, 118 W Ocean Ave., Lompoc. SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y
SLO COAST WINE SOCIAL: FALL POURS AND VINYL Spend a beautiful autumn afternoon discovering the SLO Coast through the wines and the people who craft them. Meet the makers from 15 SLO Coast wineries as they pour seasonal selections and enjoy conversation, connection, and exploration. Whether you’re discovering a new favorite winery
or reconnecting with familiar faces, this is the perfect way to experience the region’s vibrant wine community. Oct. 24, 4-6 p.m. $44.69. my805tix.com. Talley Vineyards, 3031 Lopez Dr., Arroyo Grande. SAN LUIS OBISPO
ART OF TEA: HISTORY, CULTURE, AND TASTING Join us on an informative and illuminating journey to discover tea, the second most consumed beverage in the world after water. Fridays, 9 a.m.-noon through Oct. 23 $80. (619) 807-7006. cuesta.edu. Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo. COCKTAIL CLASS & PRIX FIXE DINNER Join us for an intimate evening of cocktail craft and seasonal dining at Marcerro, tucked just up the hill from the Botanical Garden. Oct. 23, 5:30-8 p.m. $100. (805) 541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo. DOWNTOWN SLO FARMERS MARKET Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. Downtown SLO, Multiple locations, San Luis Obispo. EDNA HARVEST FEST Join us for an afternoon of harvest celebration featuring wine from Dunites, Greengate, and Vestre, food from FTT Provisions and music from The Ragged Jubilee. Oct. 25, 12-4 p.m. $100. (805) 234 9114. ednaslo.com. Edna, 2585 Biddle Ranch Rd, San Luis Obispo. THAT’S SO DRAG BRUNCH: RHYTHM AND BOOS Oct. 25, 10 a.m. $21.13. my805tix.com. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 548-2337.
MUSIC
SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS
BATTLE OF THE CENTRAL COAST PRESENTED BY BEATDOWN PROMOTIONS Join us at the Santa Maria Fairpark for an unforgettable evening featuring fighters battling it out in the
octagon. Watch top-tier athletes showcase their skills, strength, and strategy in an actionpacked lineup of bouts. Enjoy the ultimate fight night experience with VIP tickets, including premium seating, exclusive access, and complimentary refreshments.This event is proudly supported by local businesses, ensuring a communitycentric atmosphere that everyone will enjoy. Oct. 24, 5 p.m. $39.34. my805tix.com. Santa Maria Fairpark, 937 S. Thornburg St., Santa Maria. 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.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MY805TIX
ZOO BASH
The Central Coast Zoo in Atascadero presents Zoo Boo, a family-friendly two-day event scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be carnival games, Halloween activities, a haunted maze, and tricks and treats. General admission is $16, and $15 for zoo members. Children under 2 get in for free. Visit my805tix.com for tickets and more details. —A.S.
KARAOKE SATURDAYS Enjoy Karaoke Saturdays with host Nic with an H. Sports, shuffleboard, darts, and Guinness on tap. Saturdays, 7-10 p.m. Loon & Crown, 155 E Clark Ave Suite 110, Santa Maria, (805) 372-2327.
LADIES NIGHT OUT Music by DJ Van Gloryious and DJ Panda. Features delicious daiquiri specials. Thursdays, 8 p.m.-midnight Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, (805) 623-8866.
LIVE JAZZ SATURDAYS Celebrate the Central Coast Jazz Jubilee and enjoy live jazz featuring swing jazz guitarist Edwin Hite. Oct. 24, 2-4 p.m. Free. (805) 925-0860. Crumbles Cafe & Bake Shop instagram.com/ Crumblescafeandbakeshop. 1635 S. Broadway, Santa Maria.
LIVE MUSIC AT STELLER’S CELLAR Various local musicians rotate each Friday. Fridays, 6-8:30 p.m. Free. Steller’s Cellar, 400 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt, (805) 623-5129, stellerscellar.com. MUSIC AT ROSCOE’S KITCHEN Live DJ and karaoke every Friday and Saturday night. Featured acts include Soul Fyah Band, DJ Nasty, DJ Jovas, and more. Fridays, Saturdays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, (805) 623-8866. MUSIC LESSONS AT COELHO ACADEMY Learn to play piano, drums, guitar, base, ukulele, or violin, or take vocal lessons. ongoing (805) 925-0464. coelhomusic.com/ Lessons/lessons.html. Coelho Academy of Music, 325 E. Betteravia Rd., Santa Maria. OLD TIME GOSPEL SING-ALONG All are welcome. Call for more details. Last Saturday of every month, 5-6 p.m. (805) 478-6198. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria.
SUNDAY NIGHT FUN End the weekend with some good vibes. Music by DJ Van Gloryious. Sundays, 8 p.m.-midnight Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, (805) 623-8866.
MUSIC continued page 23
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Hot Stuff MUSIC from page 22 SANTA YNEZ VALLE Y
WELC OME TO T HE S O U N D T R A C K OF F REEDOM
LIVE MUSIC SUNDAYS Sundays, 2-6 p.m. Brick Barn Wine Estate, 795 W. Hwy 246, Buellton, (805) 686-1208, brickbarnwineestate.com. WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Brick Barn Wine Estate, 795 W. Hwy 246, Buellton, (805) 686-1208, brickbarnwineestate.com. LOMPOC/VANDENBERG
KARAOKE AT COLD COAST BREWING CO. Pick out a song, bring your friends, and get ready to perform. Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m. COLD Coast Brewing Company, 118 W Ocean Ave., Lompoc, (805) 819-0723, coldcoastbrewing.com. YOUTH OPEN MIC NIGHT A fun, welcoming environment for first time performers and an opportunity for kids and teens to showcase their talent. Prizes awarded every month for Outstanding Performer. Last Friday of every month, 6-8 p.m. certainsparks.com/. Certain Sparks Music, 107 S. H St., Lompoc.
ANYTHING FOR S A L I N A’ S
N O V E M B E R 6 / $20+
SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y
JAZZ JUBILEE CENTRAL COAST | BLUE STREET JAZZ BAND AND HIGH SIERRA REUNION JAZZ BAND FEATURING CARL SONNY LEYLAND Whether you are a lifelong traditional jazz devotee or stepping into the jazz scene for the very first time, this Sunday showcase brings the high-energy, feel-good, foottapping joy that makes live jazz unforgettable. Oct. 25, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $20-$40. my805tix.com. Pismo Beach Veteran’s Memorial Building, 780 Bello Street, San Luis Obispo. JAZZ JUBILEE CENTRAL COAST 2026 THE SUNDAY MAIN EVENT: BLUE STREET JAZZ BAND FEATURING CARL SONNY LEYLAND AND HIGH SIERRA REUNION JAZZ BAND Prepare for an explosive double-header of traditional jazz and highenergy swing! Oct. 25, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $20-$40. (805) 937-8402. pismojazz.com/. Pismo Beach Veterans Memorial Hall, 780 Bello St., Pismo Beach. THE LOUNGE AT BESO An upscale after-hours 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. TICKET TO RIDE: THE BEATLES CONCERT EXPERIENCE Ticket to Ride delivers a hit-packed journey through the music that defined a generation, from the early days of Beatlemania to the Sgt. Pepper era. Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. $49-$79. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.
GL ADYS KNIGHT
N O V E M B E R 13 / $80+
GRUPO BRYNDIS & GUARDIANES DEL AMOR N O V E M B E R 20 / $40+
TOWER OF POWER
D E C E M B E R 4 / $49+
SAN LUIS OBISPO
3RD ANNUAL JAZZ FEST Bonjour Everyone! I’m pleased to announce that we’re bringing to you our 3rd Annual Jazz Fest to Mission Plaza. This year’s event includes three bands including jazz , R&B, and a special guest. Oct. 24, 12-4:30 p.m. $23.27. my805tix.com. Mission Plaza, 751 Palm St., San Luis Obispo. ARISE ROOTS WITH TRUE ZION Arise Roots was formed in 2010 with the intent to create a new and unique roots-reggae band which reflects their collective passions. Hear them live at The Rock. Oct. 23, 7 p.m. $26.36. my805tix.com. Rod & Hammer Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, (805) 543-1843. BIG BAND BLOW OUT CONCERT Enjoy as bands from Cuesta College, Cal Poly, Allan Hancock College, Atascadero HS, and Paso Robles HS play as part of the Jazz Jubilee Central Coast. Oct. 24, 1 p.m. $10. (805) 546-3198. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo. BRUCE FORMAN MEETS THE SLO JAZZ ALL-STARS The San Luis Obispo County Jazz Federation will present “Bruce Forman meets the SLO Jazz All-Stars” at Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church in SLO. The internationally acclaimed guitar master will perform with Inga Swearingen (vocals), Dave Becker (woodwinds), Marshall Otwell (piano), Ken Hustad (bass), and Darrell Voss (drums). Oct. 24, 7:30-9:45 p.m. $39.34. my805tix.com. Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, 1701 Fredericks Street, San Luis Obispo. CAL POLY FALL JAZZ CONCERT: THE ART OF JAZZ The jazz ensembles will perform styles from swing and hard bop to Latin American and Caribbean traditions, soul, and funk. Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m. $12-$22. (805) 756-4849. music.calpoly.edu/calendar/ jazz/. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo. CUESTA CHOIRS: “MOMENTS OF HOPE” The award-winning Cuesta vocal ensembles promise to lift your spirits with an evening of music celebrating hope, light, joy, grace, and dance. Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. $10-$18. (805) 546-3198. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo. DRAG QUEEN KARAOKE Sing your heart out with Pandora Mystere at Drag Queen Karaoke! Every first and third Thursday at The HUB in SLO. Grab your crew! Every other Thursday, 6:30-8 p.m. through Oct. 29 Free. bigbalszproductions.com/. The Hub, 1701 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. FIRST DAY BACK LIVE Hear live sets by First Day Back, The Pine, and Allure. Oct. 22, 7 p.m. $24.34. my805tix.com. San Luis Obispo Grange #639, 2880 Broad Street, San Luis Obipso, (805) 543-0639. SOULS OF MISCHIEF, PALMTREE, MC FREND, AND LEGION OF GROOVE LIVE Oct. 22, 7-11 p.m. $31.71. my805tix.com. Rod & Hammer Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, (805) 543-1843. THAT’S SO DRAG PRESENTS: DROP DEAD DIVAS Oct. 24, 8 p.m. $12.56. my805tix.com. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 548-2337. m
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D E C E M B E R 1 8 / $69+
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WEDNESDAY, NOV 25 - SUNDAY, DEC 27 San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden
Christmas at the Santa Margarita Ranch!
FRIDAY, NOV 27 - SUNDAY, DEC 20 Santa Margarita Ranch
www.santamariasun.com • October 22 - October 29, 2026 • Sun • 23
Arts
CINEMA COURTESY PHOTO BY SIMON MACHIN
ARTS BRIEFS Santa Maria calls for artists to design a bench at Jim May Park
Inside the collection
Watch Dave Machin’s travel videos and his View-Master 3D documentary on his YouTube channel, View Master Travels. His online database of reels is available to browse at vmdatabase.com.
PHOTO BY MADISON WHITE
The theme “living waters” should inspire local artists interested in creating a new public art installation at a Santa Maria park. Digital submissions related to plants, wildlife, and the lake at Jim May Park are due by 5 p.m. on Nov. 13. “The selected artist or team will receive a $1,000 award, and the winning design will be professionally fabricated as an exterior vinyl wrap for a new shaded bench overlooking the park’s lake,” according to the city. With the installation, the city aims to create a familyfriendly design that celebrates curiosity and stewardship of the park’s natural landscape. Individual artists and teams may submit. Applicants must be 18 years or older and live or work in Ventura, Santa Barbara, or San Luis Obispo counties. Eligible submissions must be delivered by mail or in person on a USB drive to the Recreation and Parks Department, located at 615 S. McClelland St. in Santa Maria. Public Art Committee members will decide the winner. An optional site walk is scheduled for Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. Find the park at 809 Stanford Drive in Santa Maria. For the full rundown of the guidelines and more information, visit cityofsantamaria.org/recreation.
Esther Jacobsen Bates wins the county’s 2026 arts leadership award PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA
CONSCIENTIOUS COLLECTOR: During the pandemic, Dave Machin dedicated time to digitizing his collection of around 4,000 View-Master 3D reels to create what he believes is the largest online database of images in the world.
Worth 1,000 words Explore the history of View-Master 3D through a Santa Maria resident’s new documentary BY MADISON WHITE
D
ave Machin’s hobby collecting View-Master 3D toys started by chance when he picked one up at an antique shop in San Luis Obispo. He clicked through travel reels of destinations like Yosemite, Chicago, and Miami. “What occurred to me was that these are now antiques, so all these pictures of these places were like 70 or 80 years old,” Machin told the Sun. “It started to get really interesting to look at what has changed from then to now in these pictures. So, there’s stuff in the pictures that don’t exist anymore.” He manually converted his stockpile of vintage viewers and reels into a large online database to occupy his mind during the pandemic. Then, an idea for a project sparked. Since View-Master initially began by selling travel postcards for people to experience exotic places, Machin had the idea to try to find the locations and document what’s changed. On his YouTube channel, View Master Travels, Machin posts travel vlogs that compare scenes from decades ago with his 21st century photographs. The retiree became so invested in the devices that he started conducting in-depth research and released a film with his findings in September.
COURTESY PHOTO BY TARA MACHIN
Solvang native Esther Jacobsen Bates has spent 30 years dedicated to supporting arts education and cultural organizations in Santa Barbara County. For her dedication, she received the county’s Leadership in the Arts Award at the Oct. 6 Board of Supervisors meeting. “Over time, I discovered that my strength was not making art but helping others experience, learn from, and benefit from arts and culture,” the honoree said at the meeting. “It’s been a tremendously rewarding path, and I’ve had the privilege of seeing what the arts can do—bring people together, open doors, build confidence, spark curiosity, and help us learn more about ourselves.” Bates delivered art programs to schools in Los Alamos and the Santa Ynez Valley through Arts Outreach, a Los Olivos nonprofit. She was the executive director of the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art from 2003 to 2023. Recently, the philanthropist joined the board of Solvang Cinema Arts. After the resolution at the board meeting, 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann said the award winner is a “living national treasure.” “You’re so deeply embedded in the community, and you’re one of those connectors that bring people in different nodes together,” Hartmann said. “It’s been extraordinary to see your career, and thank you so much for all you’ve done for our community.” m Staff Writer Madison White compiles Arts Briefs. Send information to mwhite@santamariasun.com.
ONE ADVENTURE AFTER ANOTHER: Dave Machin’s YouTube channel is called View Master Travels. Videos feature his adventures to specific locations he identified in decadesold View-Master 3D reels. Machin’s mission is to take a photo in the exact same place, documenting the landscape’s changes.
24 • Sun • October 22 - October 29, 2026 • www.santamariasun.com
“I decided to put the whole thing together into one long, full-length documentary movie and kind of realized, I don’t think anybody’s ever done that before,” Machin said. His first published View Master Travels adventure was to Santa Catalina Island five years ago. On the ferry ride over, Machin remembered one specific View-Master reel in his collection with photos of the island. “I looked it up, and we just spent the day going to exactly the same spots that all the pictures were taken back in 1947 and seeing what things looked like now. There were all these neat changes, like there used to be penguins on Catalina Island in a big zoo,” Machin said. The View-Master reels are labeled, and if he’s lucky, there’s an accurate description of the photo subject. Otherwise, Machin spends hours online before his travels hunting down GPS coordinates. He’ll look at street view perspectives on Google Maps, identifying any remaining buildings in an attempt to match modern architecture to the historic images. “Part of what has been fun with the travel videos was doing all the historical research and learning stuff that I definitely didn’t know. I mean, there’s probably 100 cool things I could go on and on about. Any one of these places I visit, there’s tons of neat, historical facts I learn,” Machin said. So far, he’s uploaded 50 travel videos of locations including Seattle, Solvang, Las Vegas, Niagara Falls, and Montreal. He gives the audience a peek into his collection of thousands of reels, revealing today’s footage next to the faded, historic images. Ideas for a documentary about View-Master 3D sparked when the daughter of the toy’s inventor commented on one of Machin’s YouTube videos.
She sent Machin a copy of the biography she penned about her father, William Gruber, a German, after discovering his diaries in a safe upon his passing. “It turns out he joined the Nazi Party,” Machin explained. “Then he moved to America, and he started to run what would become the American arm of the Nazi Party.” Gruber unveiled the View-Master at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, and it took off from there with wild success, eventually passing to different owners. Machin made the documentary in phases, not intending to produce a full movie at first. He interviewed Gruber’s daughter and then one of the company’s 3D cartoonists. Drawing for three dimensions is a lost art. ViewMaster devices blend two slightly different images for each eye that create depth in the brain, giving a 3D effect. Machin wanted to know how artists created the images and how the reels were manufactured. “This guy reached out, and he’s like, ‘Hey, I see you’re making a video about how this used to work. I’m the guy who used to do this. I was the guy in the ’80s that drew the 3D cartoons,’” Machin said. “So, I interviewed him, and his name’s John Kurtz. I think he’s probably the last living person who knows how this was done because the technologies behind it are lost because everything went digital in the ’90s.” It’d take days just to sketch one reel in perfect 3D. Then the artist would color it in with paint. “Nowadays, you do it on a computer. You just kind of hit a button, and that was weeks of work,” Machin said. He has between 3,000 and 4,000 reels in his ViewMaster collection and 30 or 40 viewing devices. With seven 3D images on each disk, Machin has loaded more than 21,000 images into his online database since he started the hobby six years ago. He believes it’s the largest collection of its kind in the world. “There are people who have larger collections than I do, but I don’t think anybody has the images that are on the reels available online other than my collection, which is kind of neat,” Machin said. None of this would’ve started had he not stumbled upon a View-Master 3D in the antique shop years ago. However, what got him hooked wasn’t simply the pictures of nature. The last few images on one of the reels were a woman’s personal photos circa the 1940s in 3D and color. She stood outside of her house by a bank and an orange tree. “I got the bug in my head even then. I’m like, ‘I wonder where she used to live. How did it get in this antique shop in San Luis?’ And I was trying to match the mountains from her view and the bank, and I was trying to read the street signs,” Machin remembered. “I kind of figured out it was in LA and at this intersection. The bank is kind of still there.” In that moment, Machin realized View-Masters are much more than toys. “It’s like totally going back in time.” m Have a cool, uncommon, artsy hobby? Tell Staff Writer Madison White all about it at mwhite@ santamariasun.com.
COURTESY PHOTOS BY DAVE MACHIN
ISLAND TIME: View-Master 3D images of Santa Catalina Island around 80 years ago (left) inspired Dave Machin to visit in the present day to see what’s new. He photographed the exact same spot (right) as seen on the vintage reel for a video published on his YouTube channel.
Film
SUN SCREEN
Allah’s mysterious ways
COURTESY PHOTO BY JACLYN MARTINEZ/AMAZON MGM STUDIOS
M
after a pornography business run by Mike’s nephew, Hatty (Abubakr Ali). All Latif wants to do is feed his baby, and you can bet your ass he’ll mow down everyone who gets in his way. If you can stomach ample violence and a thirdact miracle, it’s a pretty fun ride. Meg: I don’t quite know what to make of this movie, and that’s a rare occasion. I didn’t hate it, but it left me unsatisfied. Writer-director Tariq seemed to have some grand point to make about the nature of faith, but I’ll be damned if I can tell you what it is. The story is incredibly Editor’s note: Anna Starkey is convoluted and doesn’t allow YOUR MOTHER YOUR walking the Camino in Spain, so characters to develop in MOTHER YOUR MOTHER the former Palm Theatre employee any real or natural way; that and current Atascadero English What’s it rated? R leaves them feeling surface teacher Meghan Higdon is What’s it worth, Meg? Meh level and rather hollow. There What’s it worth, Glen? Matinee stepping in again. isn’t enough world building Where’s it showing? Regal Glen: Films that come to mind to make this a lived-in, fully Edwards Arroyo Grande watching Your Mother include realized piece of storytelling. I the offbeat code of honor of Jim can accept ambiguity in a film, Jarmusch’s Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai but this narrative felt downright incoherent—a (1999) and the gritty foreign culture vibe of good idea that needed a few more drafts to Nicolas Winding Refn’s Only God Forgives make it truly great. One Battle After Another (2013), with a little Road to Perdition (2002) (2025) covers similar “single dad trying to take and The Book of Eli (2010) thrown in for good care of his baby at all costs” territory in a much measure. Latif is at the center of a shitstorm. more satisfying way. Save your money and go His spiritual leader, Abdul Malik (Giancarlo watch that instead. Esposito), wants him out of the assassin life, Glen: I guess I liked it more than you did. I but his “boss,” Mike Mahmoudi (Laith Nakli), think this one’s worth a trip to the theater. Ali is such a soulful actor, and he’s got legit isn’t done with him. Mike wants charismatic intense killer vibes going. I also really liked Christian cult leader Hwan Yoon (John Cho) Adia, the Christian R&B and contemporary dead since he’s threatened to kill Mike and go ahershala Ali stars as Latif, an exmilitary, devoutly Muslim hitman, in writer-director Bassam Tariq’s (These Birds Walk, Mogul Mowgli) new film. After his wife dies unexpectedly, Latif returns home to Huston to care for his children—daughter Fatiha (Adia), son Qadir (Jahleel Kamara), and infant daughter Aziza (twins Brooklyn and Jaxon Hughes)—but must embark on a dangerous quest to find breast milk for Aziza, who cannot digest formula, leading him deep into criminality. (112 min.)
CRISIS OF FAITH: Muslim hitman Latif (Mahershala Ali, center) races to find breast milk for his daughter after his wife dies, in Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, screening at Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande.
gospel singer who plays Latif’s daughter, Fatiha. She’s convincing as a conflicted teenager who doesn’t know what to make of her secretive father. Mike and Juan and Hatty are all crazy and extreme characters. Religious zealotry and religious hypocrisy are bookends here, but you’re right, if you want a story that makes neat sense, this isn’t it! I’d watch again to see if I can figure it out. Meg: I’ll certainly agree that Ali is carrying this entire movie with the intensity of his gaze and
PHOTO COURTESY OF WAYFARER STUDIOS
CODE 3
What’s it rated? R When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Hulu Christopher Leone (Parallels) directs this script co-written with Patrick Pianezza about Randy (Rainn Wilson), a burnt-out paramedic who’s completely frazzled. He and his co-worker, Mike (Lil Rel Howery), are directed by their supervisor, Shanice (Yvette Nicole Brown), to take on a new trainee, Jessica (Aimee Carrero), and they embark on a harrowing 24-hour shift, frequently butting heads with ER Dr. Serano (Rob Riggle) as they work to save lives. This black comedy/drama highlights many of the things wrong with our broken, profit-driven healthcare system. Randy has been on the front lines of the system for 18 years and is completely FRONT LINE: Rainn Wilson (center) stars as Randy, a jaded. His job is stressful, thankless, and often burnt-out paramedic in the black comedy/drama Code 3, ineffectual. All he wants is to get out. Wilson is streaming on Hulu. fantastic in the role, playing Randy as a man whose empathy has been beaten out of him by it’s a story about an apparently and generally unpleasant a system that doesn’t value his efforts. The thing person who despite his flaws you really want to win. It’s also a is, Randy knows he’s good at his job, but he uses gallows reminder of just how valuable good EMTs are. (104 min.) humor to work through the stress. —Glen Both laugh out-loud-funny and break-your-heart sad,
his stunning cheekbones, and yes, the dynamic with his on-screen daughter is compelling. I can admit it was cool to look at, but the visual grammar of the film is saying far more than the film itself. I feel about this film like I feel about a bad boyfriend: I can’t love it based on perceived potential alone. m New Times Arts Editor Glen Starkey and contributor Meghan Higdon wrote Sun Screen. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com. PHOTO COURTESY OF EMI FILMS
MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL
What’s it rated? PG When? 1975 Where’s it showing? Bay Theatre of Morro Bay on FROM THE Monday, Oct. 26 (doors at 5 p.m.; show at 5:45; $17.91 tickets at my805tix.com) Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones direct this 1975 British comedy by the Monty Python comedy group. Written by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, and Eric Idle, the story is a gag-filled absurdist take on the Arthurian legend. Chapman stars as Arthur, Cleese is Sir Lancelot the Brave, Gilliam is Arthur’s servant Patsy, Idle is Sir Robin the-not-quiteso-brave-as-Sir-Lancelot, Terry Jones is Sir Bedevere the Wise, and Michael Palin is Sir Galahad the Pure, among other roles. After traveling to Camelot, God (also Gilliam) appears and directs Arthur to find the Holy Grail. “Brave knights, shrubbery enthusiasts, and lovers of independent local radio, rejoice! The Rock Community Radio invites the Central Coast to sound the trumpets—or bang your coconut halves together—for a night of medieval cinematic madness,” The Rock announced. “Attendees are encouraged to arrive early in their finest medieval garb, brave knight armor, Killer Rabbit attire, or Tim the Enchanter robes for a high-stakes Grand Costume Contest
BLAST
TIS BUT A SCRATCH: The Monty Python comedy group teams up in this 1975 King Arthur spoof, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, screening as a fundraiser for The Rock Community Radio at the Bay Theatre on Oct. 26.
featuring big prizes for the best dressed,” organizers continued. “To quench your questing thirst, a selection of refreshing beer and wine will be available for purchase throughout the evening.” The Rock is a non-commercial, volunteer-powered community radio station. (91 min.) m —Glen
www.santamariasun.com • October 22 - October 29, 2026 • Sun • 25
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THE NEXT CHAPTER: Brooke (left) and Jacob (right) Town reopened Grover Beach Sourdough in September after a fourmonth closure, during which they built a dining room next door to serve guests. They originally founded the bakery in 2018.
Revamped Grover Beach Sourdough reopens with a new café attached to its bakery
BY MADISON WHITE
S
itting at a table by the window inside Grover Beach Sourdough, Jacob and Brooke Town can still see the site of their former restaurant across the street. In an unexpected, bittersweet turn of events, the owners had to close The Spoon Trade one year ago and pivot. A developer bought the building that housed The Spoon Trade for a decade and plans to tear it down. Within the next few months, the couple will watch it crumble while continuing business at their bakery. “We’re at the mercy of our life’s path. We’re still on it, and I think this is a good equation,” Brooke told the Sun. “That restaurant was a little bit big for its britches.” After closing the restaurant’s doors, the Towns also halted production at Grover Beach Sourdough so they could spend time renovating the space next door into a full-service dining room. The new and improved operation opened in early September. “It’s an opportunity to go back in time 10 years and ask ourselves, ‘What would we do differently?’” Jacob said. “So, we got to do that. We got to combine both businesses under one roof with a new concept.” Jacob and Brooke took time to clear out their 2,400-square-foot restaurant and move supplies to the 1,000-squarefoot space across the street. For a while, the new dining room was filled, nearly floor to ceiling, with restaurant necessities. “It definitely felt a little out of place for us as far as clutter and stuff piled up,” Jacob said. “It was four months of being out of our comfort zone for sure because we know food and beverage. We do not know nails, screws, construction, and plumbing.” Customers who walk in the front
Savory sourdough Order to-go baked goods or have a seat at the Grover Beach Sourdough café Thursday to Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The restaurant is located at 236 W. Grand Ave. in Grover Beach and can be found on Instagram @groverbeachsourdough. Read the full menu at gbsourdough.com.
doors today won’t be able to tell. With 32 seats, the café feels intimate without being too crowded. The café can only get so busy, Jacob said. Sometimes there’s a waitlist. Mementos of The Spoon Trade are hidden in plain sight at Grover Beach Sourdough. Small spoon sculptures hang on the walls, and some of the artwork also survived the move. “I just wanted it to kind of nod to those memories, those fond memories, without it being exactly the same,” Brooke said. “We were definitely really crisp over there [at The Spoon Trade] as far as the palette, but here it’s buttery yellows, rich eggplant color. Just feels a little bit warmer.” The dine-in menu features brunch items like vegetable hash with sautéed Halcyon Farms produce on top of an onion puree, finished with a poached egg and a slice of rosemary sourdough. Avocado toast comes with corn, cilantro, a poached egg, and a salsa of jalapeños and pink beans. Find lunch specialties like their hot bologna sandwich, chicken and tuna melts, roast chicken and potatoes, salads, and seasonal soups. Take one step down from the dining room to enter the original bread shop. It has its own entrance, too, greeting guests with an open kitchen and a selection of baked goods. Jacob and his bakers batch bagels, pretzels, loaves, baguettes, rolls, cookies, and muffins. Grab-and-go foods are available for those craving a quick breakfast sandwich, biscuit and gravy, or a helping of chicken and dumplings—one of Guy Fieri’s favorites when Jacob was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. “We’re busier than we’ve ever been. We’re busier than the restaurant was before,” Jacob said. “The bakery is now getting customers that come in for breakfast [who] are getting bread to go,
26 • Sun • October 22 - October 29, 2026 • www.santamariasun.com
and some people who are getting bread to go are getting breakfast. So, it’s a really good balance of both concepts.” Visitors have been “piling in” to check it out since it opened, he added. However, the owners know that they can’t please everybody. Before, the bakery offered hot graband-go sandwiches, but that doesn’t work anymore, Jacob said. Everything besides cold sandwiches are made to order, meaning there’s a wait for certain items. Dishes are still made with locally sourced, organic ingredients when possible. Another thing that may catch people off guard is that menu items may change, just like at The Spoon Trade. “Be ready for something not to be there but be ready for something new to show up also,” Jacob explained. “Like we used to say over there, we reserve the right to change things up and have fun doing it,” Brooke said. Adjusting to an earlier schedule has been a challenge for her and her husband. Jacob falls asleep between 6 and 8 p.m. because he arrives to work by 4 a.m. “My bakers are here by 3 [a.m.], and if I’m baking, I’m here by 2:30 [a.m.],” Jacob said. “My crew gets in at 5 [a.m.] for the savory stuff.” Transitioning from nighttime wine pairings to a bright and early coffee service was new for Brooke. “I’m definitely a wine person, and I adore wine service and just talking about it, learning about it, getting people excited about it,” she said. “But knowing that we serve some of the best coffee in the county is a very prideful moment, so I just put a different attention to detail and just kind of shift my gaze towards that.” Brooke still gets to tout their wine selection when guests come in for
FRESH PAINT: One Grover Beach Sourdough team member spray-painted a new sign on the wall of the bakery as a backdrop for a display of bagels, muffins, and to-go sandwiches. FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF JACOB TOWN
READY FOR FIXINS: Some things have changed at Grover Beach Sourdough, but the bread remains the same. Bakers use old-world techniques, including a 24-hour fermentation process, but bake the dough as an easy-to-slice American-style loaf.
lunch, and of course, many groups ask for bubbles with brunch. “We had $20,000 worth of wine on the shelf at the restaurant when we moved over, so we had to sell something,” Jacob said. They’re making their way through that “extensive inventory,” Brooke added, and she hopes to use some of the bottles for evening happy hour pop-ups next year. The financial burden of closing for
four months was another challenge, but the Towns are excited to have returned to serving their community. “It’s crazy to go from four months being closed to being open. It’s like, it feels like two years ago, but at the same time, it also feels like yesterday,” Jacob said. “It’s incredible. People are so loving and supportive.” m Reach Staff Writer Madison White at mwhite@santamariasun.com.
Jay & Vicki Conner
Bill Ostini & Terri Stricklin
Laurie Tamura
Honoring those who give generously of their time, talent and treasure to improve life in the Santa Maria Valley. Thursday, November 5 11:30am – 1:30pm Santa Maria Country Club 505 W. Waller Lane
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