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Farm friends See some of the sweetest animals on the Central Coast in our annual Pet issue [10] BY SUN STAFF
NEWS
Sable needed permits, court says [4]
ARTS
The Rocky Horror Picture Show [26]
EATS
Local hot sauce celebrates one year [29]
Contents
Your Dream Home Awaits!
OCTOBER 23 - OCTOBER 30, 2025 VOL. 26 NO. 35
O
ur annual Pet issue promises to make your day a little brighter! As part of our third annual pet photo contest, this week’s issue brings you furry winners in five categories including Farmhouse and Exotic. These cute, curious, friendly pets are guaranteed to put a smile on your face, and, as a plus, entrants donated their dollars to the Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary in San Luis Obispo [10]. But there’s more: Be sure to check out Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood’s story about a bird sanctuary that specializes in parrots [16] and New Times intern Bella Cox’s piece about C.A.R.E.4Paws’ plans for a temporary pet shelter [17]. Also, read about what’s happening with Sable’s case for pipeline work [4]; a spooky season tradition continuing with The Rocky Horror Picture Show [26]; and a Central Coast hot sauce celebrating its first birthday [29]. Camillia Lanham editor
BFFs: These best fur friends won first place in our third annual pet photos contest in the Farmhouse category.
Cover photo by Ken Epstein > Cover design by Alex Zuniga
NEWS
News Briefs ...............................................................................4 Political Watch.........................................................................4 Spotlight...................................................................................... 7
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2 • Sun • October 23 - October 30, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com
Arts Briefs ...............................................................................26
MOVIES
Reviews ....................................................................................28
CLASSIFIEDS, HOME, AND REAL ESTATE .....................................................31
EVENTS CALENDAR
Hot Stuff ....................................................................................18
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Commentary .............................................................................8 Letters ..........................................................................................8 Web Poll ......................................................................................8 Modern World ..........................................................................8 Canary ..........................................................................................9
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santamariasun.com www.santamariasun.com • October 23 - October 30, 2025 • Sun • 3
News
October 23 - October 30, 2025
➤ Spotlight [7]
FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE CENTER
POLITICAL WATCH • Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed new state legislation that was partly based on a 2024 Santa Barbara County grand jury investigation, according to Assemblymember Gregg Hart’s (D-Santa Barbara) office. Authored by Hart, the Forensic Accountability, Custodial Transparency, and Safety (FACTS) Act of 2025 requires medical investigations of all deaths that occur in county jails, state prisons, and law enforcement custody—including immigrant detention deaths that occur in the jurisdiction of a county coroner—across California. Hart’s office described the FACTS Act (Assembly Bill 1108) as acting from the Santa Barbara County grand jury’s 2024 findings that identified real and perceived conflicts of interest in the investigations of multiple deaths that occurred at the Santa Barbara County Jail. California is one of three states that allow elected sheriffs to simultaneously serve as coroners. In 48 counties across California, elected sheriffs are tasked with investigating all suspicious and unattended deaths— including deaths that occur in their custody. In the aftermath of a death in a jail, the same officials responsible for keeping incarcerated individuals safe can be tasked with conducting death investigations and medical examinations. “AB 1108 will promote trust and transparency, ensuring that medical doctors can independently determine the facts when someone dies in custody,” Hart said at an Oct. 15 press conference. “This law will improve the process for all parties involved, ensuring fairness and justice.” Lea Villegas, assistant public defender for the county of Santa Barbara, described the law as a way to give the community “confidence that every life in custody is valued and that every loss will be dignified by an objective examination of the facts leading up to that tragedy.” • U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-California) and Gary Peters (D-Michigan) filed an amicus brief in midOctober in support of a lawsuit against the Trump administration centered on voter rolls and data privacy. Padilla and Peters’ brief in League of Women Voters v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) endorses the plaintiff’s motion for a stay and a preliminary injunction to stop the Trump administration’s “widespread collection of Americans’ legally protected data,” according to Padilla’s office. The brief argues that the DHS’s overhaul of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program “to sift through voter rolls with no direct notice to Congress” violates the Privacy Act and lacks legal authority. “DHS is actively advertising and encouraging states to use the overhauled SAVE program for voter verification, and several states have begun to do so, running tens of millions of voter files through this expanded system,” the brief states. “These actions—which, again, are occurring outside the bounds of the law—create an intolerable risk that eligible American voters will be disenfranchised and perhaps even wrongly prosecuted for their alleged ineligibility. This cannot continue.” • U.S. Sens. Adam Schiff (D-California), Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), and Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) recently introduced a war powers resolution to block the use of U.S. Armed Forces from engaging in hostilities within or against Venezuela, following reports that the Trump administration is considering land strikes inside the country. “In recent weeks we have seen increasingly concerning movements and reporting that undermine claims that this is merely about stopping drug smugglers,” Schiff wrote in an Oct. 17 statement. “Congress has not authorized military force against Venezuela. And we must assert our authority to stop the United States from being dragged—intentionally or accidentally—into fullfledged war in South America.” m
OFF TRACK: Sable Offshore Corp’s excavation work on the Santa Ynez Unit pipeline in 2024 triggered the California Coastal Commission to issue an $18 million fine in April for allegedly violating certain state permit protocols.
County Superior Court denies Sable Offshore’s petition of $18 million fine Between various state agencies’ ongoing legal battles with a Texas-based oil producer, at least one chapter of the Sable fable came to an end in mid-October. While Sable Offshore Corp. is currently seeking more than $300 million in damages from the California Coastal Commission for delaying its restart work on the Santa Ynez Unit, the company insisted that a recent judicial ruling— which upholds the commission’s decision to fine Sable $18 million for breaking environmental protocols—has no impact on its plans to reboot the Las Flores Pipeline system. On Oct. 15, Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Thomas Anderle denied Sable’s petition of the $18 million fine, which the Coastal Commission issued in April for pipeline reconstruction work completed in 2024 without proper permitting. “The issue before the court is not whether the specific work conducted by Sable was or is ultimately necessary or appropriate for pipeline safety,” Anderle wrote in his ruling. “The issue before the court is whether the commission abused its discretion in issuing the April 10 orders.” Anderle sided with the commission and described its findings as being supported by substantial evidence. “Sable has not met its burden to show an abuse of discretion by the commission in issuing the April 10 orders,” Anderle wrote. One of Sable’s arguments against the $18 million fine was that the commission mislabeled its replacement of certain portions of the Las Flores Pipeline—inactive since 2015 when one of the system’s lines ruptured and caused the Refugio oil spill—as “reconstruction,” one of the company’s attorneys stated. “There is no evidence that the repair and maintenance activity reaches the level of reconstruction,” Los Angeles-based attorney Jeffrey Dintzer wrote in court documents. “[Sable] did not modify the path of pipeline, did not replace major sections of the pipeline, did not alter the elevation of the pipeline, did not increase the size of the pipeline, did not change the character of the pipeline, nor the performance standards of the pipeline.” In his ruling, Judge Anderle said that “while there are some factual disputes regarding the scope and nature of the work performed by Sable,”
4 • Sun • October 23 - October 30, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com
he agreed with the commission’s determination that the pipeline replacements exceeded the scope of regular construction work. “The work in 2024 was significantly more intense than prior maintenance activities,” Anderle wrote. “The work done by Sable involved work at 121 sites done during a single year, rather than limited work done throughout nearly a decade.” Anderle said that the amount of work done would have fit under the definitions of regular construction or general maintenance if it occurred at a slower, incremental pace over multiple years. “Doing all of that work in the space of a few months has a cumulative effect of a substantially increased intensity of use of the land that is more consistent with ‘reconstruction’ than maintenance ‘construction,’” Anderle wrote. In an Oct. 15 memo to its investors, Sable stated that the company intends to appeal Anderle’s ruling to the California Court of Appeal. Sable Chairman and CEO Jim Flores described the ruling as disappointing, adding that it wouldn’t ultimately impact the company’s restart plans for the Santa Ynez Unit. Resuming oil production through the unit will help solve “the state’s crumbling energy complex,” while lowering gasoline prices for California residents, Flores wrote in the memo. “California’s economy will face dire consequences if refineries continue to close due to the lack of domestic production,” Flores stated. —Caleb Wiseblood
County to build more electric vehicle charging infrastructure More electric vehicle chargers are coming to Santa Barbara County in the next few years for county and public use, with plans to install at least 180 new chargers by June 2028. “We’re doing the best that we can to make charging stations available and to make them sustainable for us right now,” county Energy Manager Brandon Kaysen told the Sun. On Oct. 14, the county Board of Supervisors amended a previous agreement to allow the General Services Department to increase spending on the chargers from $1 million to $5 million. Most of that funding comes from a $4.7 million grant from the California Energy Commission for electrifying government fleets, according to Kaysen. Santa Barbara County will also contribute $1.4 million from its general fund for the project. Installing more chargers works toward the
county’s Zero Emission Vehicle Plan and the statewide Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation. “In order to support that effort, that transition to electric vehicles, we need to have infrastructure in the ground,” Kaysen said. Working with the company PowerFlex, the county will buy and install two types of charging stations: level 2 and level 3. Level 2 chargers are meant to recharge a vehicle overnight, while level 3 three ports provide a lot of power in a short period of time. However, the upfront costs present challenges, he explained. On top of construction costs, buying the materials for a level 3 charger can cost up to $120,000. Plus, the county needs to increase the electrical capacity at certain locations, which can extend the installation period by 12 to 16 months, Kaysen said. “The truth is that a lot of the buildings in our communities were just simply not designed to put out the amount of electricity that’s required for these fast chargers,” Kaysen said. “This is kind of that next phase where we’re really considering increasing the capacity and doing some electrical upgrades and making sure that we can install some higher capacity charging stations.” When the county retires a gas-powered vehicle, it’s replaced with an electric one, Kaysen said. There are exceptions, he added, if there are no comparable EVs on the market or if the vehicle is used for emergency services. In those cases, the county explores hybrid options when possible. Some of the new charging ports will be accessible to the community, but certain sites that are off-limits to the public will be reserved for the county’s fleet. Electrifying the county’s fleet of sedans, trucks, and heavy-duty vehicles will help lower the carbon footprint and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, he said. “Electric vehicles require much less maintenance than the internal combustion engines they replace,” Kaysen said. “There’s definitely a financial driver behind this.” Chargers are planned to be located throughout the county. For example, 10 will be installed at the Cachuma Lake Recreation Area and 14 at the county animal shelter in Santa Maria. “That was one of the benefits, being able to spread the love of this project throughout the county,” Kaysen said. To learn more about chargers available to the public, download the PowerFlex app. —Madison White
NEWS continued page 6
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Friday, November 7 Viernes, 7 de Noviembre 7 pm | Isla Vista Elementary
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Saturday, November 8 Sábado, 8 de Noviembre 7 pm | Guadalupe City Hall
NTMA NTMA READER’S READER’S CHOICE CHOICE AWARDS AWARDS
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Sunday, November 9 Domingo, 9 de Noviembre 6 pm | Marjorie Luke Theatre Doors open half an hour before the show starts. / Las puertas se abrirán media hora antes del espectáculo. Reception follows the performance. / Habrá recepción despues del espectáculo.
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Co-presented by Isla Vista Elementary School, The Marjorie Luke Theatre, City of Guadalupe and UCSB Arts and Lectures.
www.santamariasun.com • October 23 - October 30, 2025 • Sun • 5
News BORN 1962, SANTA MARIA, CA - DECEASED SEPT 19, 2025 SANTA BARBARA, CA
Rudy Anthony Hernandez Rudy Anthony Hernandez, 63 years old, born on February 21st 1962, of Santa Maria, California, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2025, in Santa Barbara, California. Rudy built his career as a licensed electrician and general contractor, pouring every ounce of himself into his work and every commitment he made. He lived as a man of honor—with happiness, passion, and a big heart. He loved the simple joys that brought people together: barbecuing, sharing his famous almond torte with friends and family, enjoying a good glass of wine, playing a round of golf, or relaxing with his favorite sitcoms like Two and a Half Men. His bright, colorful shirts and shoes mirrored his vibrant personality, and his quick humor and funny jokes brought joy to every room. Rudy lived each day with gratitude, often reminding those around him with his simple phrase: “thank you.” Above all, Rudy adored his wife, Marji Hernandez, with whom he shared 28 beautiful years of marriage. Their deep bond was the centerpiece of his life. He often said that finding Marji was his greatest accomplishment, and everything he had and everything he was came from her love. Together, they were inseparable—sharing their passion for animals, trucks, tools, projects, sports, volunteering, and simply enjoying life side by side. Their service to nonprofit organizations such as the YMCA and the Humane Society reflected their shared values and generous spirits. Rudy now joins in eternal peace his parents, Rudolph Martin and Mary Del Carmen- Hernandez; his siblings, Manuel and Anita Hernandez; and his brother-in-law, Dan Blough. He is survived by his beloved wife, Marji Blough-Hernandez, of Santa Maria; his sisters Lita Gamez, Katherine Celaya, Gloria Everett, and brother-
in-law Mark Everett; sister-in-laws Peggy Blough, Barbi Blough and her husband, Eric Swanson, aunt & unclein-law Patty and Bill Santmyer, his lifelong best friends Marc and Gayle Crockett, along with many nieces, nephews, and countless friends whose lives he touched deeply. Rudy will be remembered as a man who gave fully of himself—through his work, his cooking, his laughter, and his love. His memory will live on in the countless stories told, the meals shared, and the joy he spread so freely. He will be profoundly missed. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to all caregivers, family, and friends, including Davita Dialysis Center, Marian Hospital, and the UCLA Kidney Transplant Center, for their support throughout his journey. In honor of all the lives he touched, Two separate celebrations of life will be held in two separate Counties: Saturday November 1st, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 6826 Hazel Ave in Orangevale, California 95662. Sunday November 9th, 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Santa Maria Country Club located at 505 West Waller Lane, Santa Maria, California.
6 • Sun • October 23 - October 30, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com
said, before recommending that supervisors accept the commission’s modifications. County supervisors Before motioning to approve the revisions, 1st District Supervisor Roy Lee thanked the approve cannabis odor Coastal Commission for “putting this as a ordinance changes priority, to make sure we achieve the goals we’re setting for ourselves at the county.” Santa Barbara County’s path toward Lee’s district was at the center of the enforcing new restrictions on cannabis abatement policy’s origin, as the majority of greenhouses is one step shorter—thanks cannabis odor complaints—from a total of to a recent conditional green light from the 3,700 complaints the county received between California Coastal Commission. 2018 and 2025—were from Carpinteria Valley In March, the county Board of Supervisors residents. adopted a plan requiring cannabis growers “Today’s a great day for the people of the with indoor cultivation operations to follow Carpinteria Valley,” Lee said. “It’s something new odor mitigation protocols, set to go into they’ve been struggling with, and it’s good to effect in early 2026. see that there’s change coming.” The mandate included a land-use County 4th District Supervisor Bob Nelson amendment to the coastal zoning ordinance, seconded Lee’s motion, which passed 5-0. “in regards to requiring specific odor In 2024, Nelson’s office worked with 2nd abatement systems to be installed on District Supervisor Laura Capps’ office for commercial cannabis operations,” county nearly a year on a solution that addressed the Planning and Development Assistant county’s cannabis odor issues. At the start Director Jeffrey Wilson said, which put the of 2025, the two offices presented their pitch policy proposal within the state Coastal for the county to require indoor cannabis Commission’s purview. cultivators to install multi-carbon filtration “In September of this year, we received a technology for odor mitigation. conditional certification from the Coastal In January, Supervisor Capps anticipated a Commission with some modifications on quick turnaround from the California Coastal that ordinance amendment,” Wilson told Commission, which she said promised an supervisors during their Oct. 21 meeting. expedited review. Wilson described the modifications Capps reiterated her appreciation of the as “mainly clarification language,” with commission at the Oct. 21 meeting. some formatting adjustments he said were “I think the Coastal Commission often “insignificant as far as the overall intent” of the gets a bad rap for being proposed cannabis odor a place where things get abatement protocol. really gummed down “The goal is to be able to and slowed,” Capps said. get that back to the Coastal Send any news “They moved fast, … I Commission either by or story tips to acknowledge their fast December or January of news@santamariasun.com. work.” m next year so we can get final certification,” Wilson —Caleb Wiseblood
NEWS from page 4
Act now!
News
OPINION
nomad as embracing opportunities to go off-script when it comes to societal norms. “I think people are so accustomed to following scripts of what you’re supposed to do—what society told you, or Local life coach and pet sitter’s nomadic journey what your parents told you you needed to do when you grew up—and turns out you can just do whatever you takes her off the beaten path want,” she said. “The rules are all made up.” BY CALEB WISEBLOOD If there’s at least one rule Bolton follows before agreeing to look after someone’s pet or pets, it’s refusing to take on an assignment s much as she loves cats and dogs, Sarah “Bolty” Bolton that “doesn’t feel like a win-win-win all around,” for her, the doesn’t own any pets. She prefers “the cool aunt” role over client, and their beloved furball. full-time pet parent, which led her to start her own pet“I typically don’t take on dogs who need like 10 miles of sitting business, the Central Coast resident explained. walking per day, that’s not my jam,” she said with a laugh. “Pet-sitting is a way that I’m able to get my fill of puppy love A dog like that’s in better hands at “a boarding facility where and kitty love, … and at the end of the day I can give them back there’s lots of space to run around,” added Bolton, who typically to their ‘paw-rents,’” Bolton said. “I also don’t have children, and requests in-person meet-and-greets with potential patrons and I feel similarly. I love kids and I love being auntie to my friends their pet or pets before signing on with them, especially for who have kids, and I get my fill of being around kids and the overnight or multi-night stays. imaginative little beings that they are. … I love being the cool “I want to make sure I get along with their pets and their pets aunt.” get along with me,” she said. “It’s a very vulnerable decision.” Through her pet-sitting business, which she aptly named Bolton said she often gets booked in Pismo Beach, Arroyo Auntie Bolty, Bolton offers to watch her clients’ four-legged Grande, and other cities in SLO County, but is open to pet sitting friends anywhere between an hour or two to overnight stays and for residents across the Central Coast, including Santa Barbara longer periods of time. County. Some patrons have hired her to pet-sit—and essentially houseFor info on pricing, based on time, number of pets, and other sit—for up to a month or longer at a time, which Bolton is open to factors, Bolton welcomes messages through her Instagram thanks to her lifestyle as “a digital nomad,” she said. account, @boltythepetsitter, where browsers can also take a look “I actually don’t have a place of my own. I really am a nomad,” at some of the adorable critters she’s hung out with over the past Bolton said. “I stay wherever my gigs are. I have been super year. fortunate staying at some really, really, really beautiful homes.” Some of her favorite pet-sitting memories are about cats and In between pet-sitting assignments, Bolton either stays with dogs that seem shy at the start of Bolton’s stay but open up by the her partner in San Luis Obispo or crashes with friends in the end of her visit. area. Couch surfing doesn’t interfere with her work outside of “I had a client who had a rescue dog who was really afraid of pet-sitting, Bolton added, since her other role is a life and business new people and would hide out. By the time they came back, she coach for entrepreneurs—specifically, solopreneurs—mainly was like my best bud,” Bolton said. “I stayed there for about four centers on consultation calls via Zoom. nights. It was probably about day two-and-a-half that she started “My calls are 45 minutes or an hour long. Usually in between, to warm up to me.” I have little breaks so I can go for a walk with one of my doggy clients, or scoop a litter box if I need to,” said Bolton, a member of Highlight the Women’s Network of SLO. “I love working with women in business, a lot of solopreneurs, • The final training program of the year to become a volunteer advocate with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of because I have done that myself,” she said. Santa Barbara County begins Nov. 1. The application deadline Bolton described her philosophy as both a solopreneur and
NEWS
SLO solopreneur
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SPOTLIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF AUNTIE BOLTY
STROKES
Send business and nonprofit information to spotlight@santamariasun.com.
ARTS
A
PHOTOGRAPHER NEEDED New Times Media Group is looking for its next photographer—someone with a knack for capturing the candid, an expert in the art of taking environmental portraits, and a passionate advocate for photojournalism. We’re looking for a curious soul who’s interested in capturing the images that will help us tell the stories that our community needs to hear, a photojournalist who can encapsulate the essence of the news with a single image. Our next photographer should understand why local journalism is important, shoot with an eye for details big and small, believe in honesty and integrity, and have the ability to hit a hard deadline. This is a part-time, assignment-based position (with hours that vary from week to week) that shoots photos for two weekly newspapers, the Sun and New Times, with a coverage area that stretches through San Luis Obispo County and Northern Santa Barbara County. Other assignments may include shooting photos for our Menus Magazine. If you’re into AI, no need to apply! If you think using Adobe Photoshop is the only way to craft a perfect image, you’d best look elsewhere.
Please send a resume, cover letter, and a portfolio of published images to crucker@newtimesslo.com.
PALS WITH PAWS: Sarah “Bolty” Bolton offers pet-sitting and dog-walking services, from hourly arrangements to overnight and multi-night house stays, through her Central Coast-based business, Auntie Bolty.
is Oct. 29. The nonprofit recruits, trains, and supports volunteer members to advocate for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment. In mid-October, the organization reported more than 80 local children on its waiting list for an assigned volunteer advocate. Call (805) 739-9102 or visit sbcasa. org for more info. m Reach Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood at cwiseblood@ santamariasun.com.
Pumpkin Smashing!
Don’t TRASH ’em... Come out and SMASH ’em! Don’t send your tired old pumpkins and gourds to the landfill—bring them to our Pumpkin Smashing event for a fun way to recycle. It’s free, and all ages are welcome. Come on down for a smashing good time!
(If you have whole pumpkins, consider donating them as animal feed before you choose to bring them to be composted.)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2025 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. ROTARY CENTENNIAL PARK 2625 S College Dr, Santa Maria Additional pumpkins will be available. For more information, call (805) 925-0951 ext. 7270.
www.santamariasun.com • October 23 - October 30, 2025 • Sun • 7
Opinion ONLINE POLL
Beyond climate change
What do you think of the Santa Maria Police Department’s mounted unit? What really drove the LA fires?
56% It’s a great connection for the community. 22% It seems unnecessary— motor vehicles are enough. 22% Will we start seeing more robbers on horseback? 0% I hope I never have to outrun a police horse!
9 Votes
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 E-MAIL | mail@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 | Jayson Mellom ART DIRECTOR | Alex Zuniga EDITORIAL DESIGNERS | Leni Litonjua, Taylor Saugstad CONTRIBUTORS | Glen Starkey, Anna Starkey, Ross Mayfield ADVERTISING SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE | Kimberly Rosa ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES | Katy Gray, Stasja Knopf, Tyler Dunavan, Riley Speidel, Traci Bradbury PRODUCTION ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER | Mary Grace Flaus GRAPHIC DESIGNERS | Ellen Fukumoto, John Nygaard Business Cindy Rucker CIRCULATION | Jim Chaney, Michael Ferrell, Margo Baldives, Simon Lopez, Joe Brice PUBLISHERS | Bob Rucker, Alex Zuniga OFFICE MANAGER | Stephanie West 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
COMMENTARY
➤ Canary [9]
BY LAWRENCE ZHANG
T
“
otal garbage.” That’s how wildfire scientist Jon Keeley describes studies blaming climate change for Los Angeles’ catastrophic 2025 fires. Every summer and fall, Southern California braces itself for fire season. On June 2, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department officially declared the start of high fire season, suspending all burn permits and ramping up resources for disaster response until the winter rain season begins. With rising global temperatures and extreme climate conditions, the frequency and scale of wildfires have increased dramatically, right? But what if this story, repeated endlessly by journalists and climate scientists, is oversimplified—and dangerously misleading? Keeley, one of the nation’s leading wildfire scientists, has spent decades studying historical fire patterns and their relation to climate change. His take is blunt: The role of climate change in driving wildfire patterns in Southern California is often exaggerated. “The evidence is very limited,” Keeley said when I interviewed him over the phone on Sept. 15. Regarding the catastrophic Los Angeles fires of 2025, he went even further, saying, “There were several papers written about how climate change impacted those fires, and I think they’re total garbage.” Instead, extreme Santa Ana wind events drove the fires, with speeds up to 80 to 100 mph, far beyond the normal range. “That, without a doubt, is fundamentally the reason why these fires were so catastrophic,” Keeley argued. The drought, often blamed by many researchers as a significant contributor to the scale of the LA fires, was not unique either. “There’s at least a half dozen fires … with droughts three to five times longer,” he noted. Blaming climate change for these extreme natural disasters is a dramatic oversimplification of the causes of the fire, and doing so overlooks the specific contributions of each factor, which are crucial to understand when combating future wildfires. So, if not climate change, then what? Keeley points to two main culprits: power and people. First, human ignitions. More than 95 percent of fires in Southern California are started by people. Past policies have been able to decrease incidents caused by cigarettes and campfires
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substantially, but cases due to arson and power line failures have persisted. In fact, the No. 1 cause of area burned in Southern California is power line failures, according to the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force’s Southern California regional burn profile. Second, population growth. For decades, California has added hundreds of thousands of residents annually, leading to urbanization in fireprone areas. “When you put more people on the landscape … they’re being pushed out further and further into watersheds of very dangerous fuels,” Keeley said. Additionally, the development of new areas extends the electric grid and multiplies the risk of ignition. The danger of overstating the impacts of climate change is that it lets us off the hook. “If you say the fire is due to climate change, they just figure, well, that’s fate, and they can’t do anything,” Keeley explained. But fires here are not fate—they are overwhelmingly the result of human choices, which are tractable issues that can be resolved. This doesn’t mean climate change isn’t real, or that it doesn’t influence fire risk. On the north side of the country, for example, climate explains about 40 percent of year-to-year fire variation, according to Keeley. But even in those forests, the majority stem from human management decisions, such as the suppression of natural burns that allows fuel to accumulate. Whereas in Southern California’s chaparral, fires are a constant, with or without climate change. So what can be done? Starting with policy, significant strides have been made to reduce the risk of power line failures. In 2012, San Diego Gas & Electric was sued by the city for causing two wildfires after an equipment malfunction. The company now monitors winds in real time and cuts power once wind speeds exceed a certain threshold. According to Keeley, they haven’t seen another major line-caused fire since adopting these measures. This strategy has proved its effectiveness in reducing the number of human ignitions, and it’s a matter of expanding it statewide. On the individual level, “home hardening,” combining vegetation management and the utilization of fire-resistant materials, can
significantly reduce fire damage. This relatively inexpensive investment can save many dollars in the long run, though it’s worth noting that household protection is only effective against regular-scale fires and wouldn’t have been effective against the extreme LA fires. Taken together, these solutions remind us that California’s fire future will be shaped less by distant climate forces but by decisions we make today. If we want to protect our homes, we need to stop thinking about climate change on its own and start thinking, “It’s climate change and …” because in the end, fire here isn’t fate or luck, it’s the sum of our choices. m High School senior Lawrence Zhang at Cate School in Carpinteria wrote this commentary as part of a personal journalism project researching wildfires in Southern California by interviewing fire experts and survivors. Send a letter for publication to letters@ santamariasun.com.
LETTER The Five Cities has a historic opportunity for water security
In May of 2017, the California Coastal Commission (CCC) mandated the SLO South County Waste Water Treatment plant to begin planning for possible relocation of the Oceano facility by May of 2047. The CCC has legitimate concerns that the treatment plant could be compromised by climate change-induced sea level rise and creek flooding. It also required a progress report every 10 years and specified studies be completed on: new locations safe from sea level rise and watershed flooding; detailed life expectancy of the current plant; detailed hazard response plan and risk assessment related to flooding and earthquakes; estimated costs to build a new treatment and drinking water standard purification plant for all municipal waste water from Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, and Oceano; estimated costs to demolish the existing plant and restore the property to a natural state; and estimated costs to build new distribution structures for treated water. The first 10-year progress report is due in 19 months. Most of the above required information has been created and shared with the CCC. The CCC has provided a huge gift to the South County in laying out the groundwork for a comprehensive plan to secure a new treatment plant while at the same time creating a state-ofthe-art municipal wastewater reclamation and purification operation. It would create millions of gallons of “new water” on a daily basis for South County and create water security for decades to come. Water insecurity is perhaps the most acute environmental issue we face in our communities. This legacy project will create water security for our great-great-grandchildren. The existing treatment plant is old and vulnerable. Studies estimate it would need more than $100 million over the next 22 years in maintenance and repairs. Its replacement is inevitable, and now is the time for our communities to come together in this effort to protect our water resources into the future. We can use the CCC’s “gift” of this planning mandate as a regional water management blueprint. At this time, there are billions of dollars in planning and construction grants from state and federal sources. Now is the time to embrace and mobilize as communities working together to create a modern water recycling facility and be a model for doing it right. We need elected leaders who have the vision and understanding necessary to seize this opportunity and push the process forward on behalf of all who live in Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, and Oceano. We need citizens who are educated and engaged in the process. We need to be ready and at the front of the line when it is time to seek funding.
Charles Varni Oceano
8 • Sun • October 23 - October 30, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com
Opinion
Political microcosm
W
ho knew an oil pipeline in little ol’ Santa Barbara County could be on the national political radar? The Trump administration is weighing in on Sable Offshore Corporation’s battle to get the Santa Ynez Unit, its affiliated offshore oil rigs, and a corroded pipeline up and running. On X—formerly known as Twitter—no less. Actually, it’s not just political peeps focused on us. It’s celebrities too! On one side we’ve got Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jane Fonda screaming about Big Oil and protecting the environment because they “smell a rat” when it comes to Sable. On the other we’ve got golfer Phil Mickelson threatening to have a town hall about Sable because apparently he’s an expert on energy! “I will meet you anytime and anyplace,” he wrote on X. “Let’s discuss this openly so the public knows the facts.” I wonder what facts Mickelson plans to bring to the table. How petroleum helps golfers have a better swing? Celebrities weighing in on this particular issue aren’t going to help the conversation be more level-headed. Having a Trump minion weigh in is most certainly not going to help tamp down any rhetoric. It’s all just so amped up! In between all the posts aimed at blaming Democrats for the government shutdown, Energy Secretary Chris Wright took the time to blame Gov. Gavin Newsom for “blocking oil production off California’s coast from reaching their own refineries, driving gasoline prices even higher for Californians!” We are flattered he thought of us! On Oct. 15, a Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge ruled against Sable, which sued the
California Coastal Commission over an $18 million fine it levied against the Houston-based oil company in April for doing work on the pipeline without the proper permits. In his ruling, the judge stated that had the work that Sable completed in such a short time at 121 different sites been carried out over several years, the company wouldn’t have needed any special permits. “Doing all of that work in the space of a few months has a cumulative effect of a substantially increased intensity of use of the land that is more consistent with ‘reconstruction’ than maintenance ‘construction,’” the judge wrote in his ruling. Sable CEO Jim Flores described the ruling as disappointing in a memo to investors. Duh! But don’t worry, he added, the company is still going to restart the Santa Ynez Unit. That’s what the company’s been saying all along as it rams its hopes and dreams into reality, rules and regulations be damned. Resuming oil production he said, would help solve the “state’s crumbling energy complex” and lower gas prices for residents. Hmm. I’m not sure about that. With all the fines Sable’s starting to rack up and all the money it’s spending to go around the state’s agencies and end up in court instead, those production costs are starting to pile up before oil drilling has even restarted. I guess the big plan to thwart California’s oil policy is to simply not come ashore at all. Sounds like an oil disaster waiting to happen. Sable told investors that it could use shuttle tankers in federal waters to get its oil from the oil rigs to a refinery somewhere—probably not California, though. m The Canary is sick of the rhetoric and ready for reason. Send common sense to canary@ santamariasun.com.
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BEST DRESSED: First Place & Best of Show, Sarah Samaniego
Pet pride
Take a break with the cutest little companions from across the Central Coast
F
ind some peace by checking out the winners of our third annual pet photo contest. They’re cute! Really cute. Readers from San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties submitted hundreds of images of their fur, feather, and scale babies 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! Winners get a gift card from issue sponsor Lemos Feed and Pet Supply, and proceeds from entrants’ contest fees were donated to the Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary in San Luis Obispo, which has a mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and give lifetime homes to abused, abandoned, and neglected donkeys and mules. Flip through the images to feel the love that only an animal can bring!
—Camillia Lanham
PET PHOTOS continued page 12
BEST DRESSED: Third Place, Priya Verma 10 • Sun • October 23 - October 30, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com
DOGS: Second Place, Charlotte Bowser
CATS: Second Place, Priya Verma
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PET PHOTOS from page 10
BEST DRESSED: Second Place, Amelia Dreizler
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DOGS: Third Place, Chris Chew
EXOTIC: First Place, Tunde Banffy 12 • Sun • October 23 - October 30, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com
PET PHOTOS continued page 14
www.santamariasun.com • October 23 - October 30, 2025 • Sun • 13
PET PHOTOS from page 12
EXOTIC: Third Place, Amelia Dreizler
EXOTIC: Second Place, Tina Niebuhr
CATS: First Place, Jasmine Gonzalez
FARMHOUSE: Second Place, Gretchen Moreno PET PHOTOS continued page 15
14 • Sun • October 23 - October 30, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com
PET PHOTOS from page 14
DOGS: First Place, Jasmine Gonzalez
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www.santamariasun.com • October 23 - October 30, 2025 • Sun • 15
SHOULDER ROOM: Tropical gardens and large-scale aviaries are mainstays at the Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary, a local parrot rescue that houses more than 50 feathered residents.
Blessed are the beaks Central Coast-based parrot rescue provides adoption and sponsorship opportunities for local bird lovers
BY CALEB WISEBLOOD
P
arrot adoptions at the scenic Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary are few and far between for a flock of reasons, founder and director Jamie McLeod explained. “Unless you’ve owned a parrot before, it’s hard to understand what you’re getting yourself into. It’s a wild animal,” McLeod told the Sun. “You have to realize that when you take a wild animal into your house, that they are going to exhibit behavior that is natural to being in the wild. When the cockatoo screams at 120 decibels—and your neighbors
complain about it—that’s his natural voice.” Although McLeod’s local nonprofit has rigorous screening and application measures for each adoption case, some parrots repeatedly end up back at the bird sanctuary, which functions exclusively as a parrot rescue despite its broadsounding name. McLeod considers the number of times a parrot’s been rehomed when determining if she should add it to the sanctuary’s “forever flock,” which currently consists of about a dozen permanent residents she’s taken out of the
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16 • Sun • October 23 - October 30, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com
everything about their pet they would want us to adoption pool. know.” The property’s total parrot population consists With an exhibitor’s license similar to zoos and of more than 50 cockatoos, macaws, and other other animal facilities, the Santa Barbara Bird parrot types, which McLeod said puts the facility Sanctuary is open to the public most days of the over full capacity. week. There are also opportunities to sponsor “Even if a bird has gone out three times and certain parrots through periodic donations, while come back, I’m not going to condemn them to gaining special visitation perks and frequent ‘forever with me,’” McLeod said. “But some are photo updates about the bird or birds you choose rehomed so many times, and I can’t keep doing it to support. to them.” “When you come and visit you might strike a One of the sanctuary’s most recent adoption fancy with a specific bird and want to contribute cases involved a 25-year-old parrot McLeod said to that bird’s upkeep,” McLeod said. “It’s like being she nearly “gave up hope of finding an appropriate a grandma. You get to come and hang out and home for,” due to behavioral issues, she explained. “That bird had gone out three times. Because of then when it’s time to go home, you can leave them that bird’s level of aggression, I never thought I’d there because they scream louder than children.” find somebody that would be willing to take her Before starting the parrot rescue in 2004, on after a full disclosure that this bird can hurt you McLeod was a prolific bird breeder throughout pretty badly,” she said. “I have to be up-front.” the 1990s. But the full disclosure didn’t faze the “I worked privately and out of my home, troublesome parrot’s new owner, McLeod breeding birds and selling them for a decade,” she continued. In September, someone stationed said. “It became apparent after about a decade of at Vandenberg Space Force Base visited the that, that there was really more of a need to be sanctuary in hopes of adopting a feathered rehoming unwanted birds than to be bringing companion. more creatures into the world that live potentially “They clicked. The guy just clicked with her. He’s 80 years and have the mentality of a 2-year-old military, and he grew up with birds,” McLeod said. child the whole time.” “I guess he’d been through bird boot camp already. McLeod’s dedication to looking after parrots, No bird was going to scare him, and I didn’t want especially those with violent behavior tendencies, to deny her that opportunity.” led to a crucial ultimatum from her ex-husband, After he applied, part of the sanctuary’s she explained. consideration process included making sure his “I was told by my partner: ‘I can’t take this home and planned bird enclosure space could anymore; it’s either me or the birds,’” she recalled, accommodate the parrot, according to McLeod. “and he was surprised when I picked the birds.” m “We may elect to visit your home, or you may need to send us a video of your home, including Reach Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood at the cage you have,” she explained. “We got videos cwiseblood@santamariasun.com. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE SANTA BARBARA BIRD SANCTUARY and photographs of his cage and his home and he knew what he was doing because he’d grown up with birds. … We’ve been checking in and so far so good.” McLeod said that the sanctuary usually checks in with new parrot parents and their recent adoptees at least once a month shortly after successful adoptions. “He’s a younger man, which is a plus as well because [parrots] live a long time,” added McLeod, who described him as roughly around the same age as the parrot he adopted. “Hopefully they’ll grow old together.” One of the most common reasons a parrot becomes rehomed is that it outlives its owner, as some parrots can live for up to 80 years or longer, McLeod said. A tab on the Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary’s website outlines the preemptive steps someone can take if they wish for the nonprofit to inherit their pet someday. “It has to be discussed well before your death,” McLeod said. “We ask that people send us a copy of what’s FITS THE BILL: The cockatoo is one of the most common parrot species that Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary guests stated in the will, as well as a filled-out are likely to encounter during their visit. relinquishment form that details out
PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIA BLACK
A REFUGE: C.A.R.E.4Paws is currently raising money to construct a boarding facility that could temporarily house pets, including those coming from victims of domestic violence and other difficult life circumstances, while they transition to new living situations.
Temporary refuge C.A.R.E.4Paws will offer boarding for pets living with struggling families BY BELLA COX
A
bout a year ago, C.A.R.E.4Paws was offering its services to a shelter for the unhoused, when a woman staying at the shelter asked for help to take care of her dog who had become pregnant, and would eventually have 10 puppies. The woman wasn’t in a state to be able to care for either the puppies or the mom, so C.A.R.E.4Paws took them in to ensure they had proper treatment and went to good homes. This is when Isabelle Gullo, C.A.R.E.4Paws executive director and co-founder, came up with the idea of the Pet Refuge. The goal: to provide temporary shelter for pets and reunite them with their owners once they are settled in a comfortable living situation. “We just have seen a huge need for somewhere that we can instantaneously provide safe, confidential boarding for pets right away and not have that lag time or scramble trying to find available fosters,” Julia Black, C.A.R.E.4Paws marketing and Safe Haven manager said. Pet Refuge aims to offer immediate boarding opportunities for pet families in order to try to eliminate the need for individuals in tough situations from having to put pets in the shelter. The dog portion of the facility will contain 10 dog kennels and a large covered play yard for the dogs. As of Oct. 10, the nonprofit had raised $105,000 out of the $175,000 needed for the kennel structure. And it recently received a $20,000 donation that will go toward building the play yard, according to Gullo. C.A.R.E.4Paws launched its Safe Haven program in 2020 in partnership with Domestic Violence Solutions in Santa Barbara County to provide support and resources to victims and their pets. The Pet Refuge aims to be an extension of that program and a temporary boarding facility for pets of victims of domestic violence. Advocates for Domestic Violence Solutions in Santa Barbara County reach out to C.A.R.E.4Paws when they are in need of fostering, pet supplies, vet care, or dog training, according to Black.
C.A.R.E.4Paws recently had its first collaboration with Lumina Alliance, which provides support for victims of domestic violence and intimate partner assault in San Luis Obispo County, and will continue offering support, according to Black. The refuge should be open early 2026, according to Black. As for the location of the facility, it will remain confidential to protect the pets and their families. Whether families are struggling financially or experiencing domestic violence, possible deportations, temporary homelessness, loss due to a wildfire, etc., C.A.R.E.4Paws employees want to relieve pet owners of any stress when deciding what to do with their animal. Once the pets are back in the care of their family, C.A.R.E.4Paws offers dog training services to help the animal reacclimate into the home. For more than 15 years, C.A.R.E.4Paws has served pet owners in Santa Barbara County with the intention of providing resources for pet owners during significant life crises. C.A.R.E.4Paws started offering their mobile clinic services around SLO County in 2022. The clinic travels directly to low-income communities to offer affordable veterinary care like spays-neuters, medical exams, dental care, bloodwork, and more. “We keep evolving, year to year, to always do our best to meet the community needs,” Gullo said. C.A.R.E.4Paws often gets requests from surrounding counties, like Bakersfield and the Los Angeles area, inquiring if the nonprofit would ever be able to provide services in their area. “If we get a request from someone who’s out of our area, if we’re not able to help them, we’ll try to provide them [with] all the resources we can in their area,” Black said. m Reach New Times intern Bella Cox , from the Sun’s sister paper, at ntintern@newtimesslo.com.
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www.santamariasun.com • October 23 - October 30, 2025 • Sun • 17
Hot Stuff
10-DAY CALENDAR: OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 2, 2025
FRIGHTMARE
The Frightmare Forest—a 3-acre haunted maze— will be open at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, Saturday, Oct. 25, and Friday, Oct. 31. All proceeds from Frightmare Forest will benefit Hancock men’s basketball. Tickets are $15; visit ahcbulldogs.com for tickets and more information. —Angie Stevens PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE
ARTS SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS
BALLROOM, LATIN, AND SWING DANCE CLASSES Social ballroom, Latin, and swing lessons for all ages. Beginner and advance classes. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m. $45-$55. (805) 928-7799. Kleindancesarts.com. Klein Dance Arts, 3558 Skyway Drive, suite A, Santa Maria. DANCE CLASSES There are weekly dance classes, from ages 2 to adult, at KleinDance Arts . Mondays-Saturdays, 4-8 p.m. (805) 268-2530. kleindancearts.com. KleinDance Arts, 1954 S Broadway, Suite J, Santa Maria. DANCE CLASSES: EVERYBODY CAN DANCE Classes available for all skill levels. Class sizes limited. Everybody Can Dance, 628 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria, (805) 937-6753, everybodycandance.webs.com/. EVERY BRILLIANT THING See Every Brilliant Thing at the PCPA, by Duncan Macmillan, with Jonny Donahoe. Based on true and fictional stories, MacMillan’s play celebrates the power of resilience, the intricacy of mental health, and the extraordinary impact of ordinary joys. Through Oct. 26 $25. (805) 922-8313. pcpa.org. Severson Theatre, 800 S. College Dr., Santa Maria. 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) 925-0994. cityofsantamaria.org/services/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. GIAFUNNI’S HALLOWEEN COMEDY JAM Stand-up comedy, costume contest and
an all-out good time with more surprises to be announced. Oct. 25, 8 p.m. $23.27. my805tix.com. Giavanni’s Pizza, 1108 E Clark Ave, Orcutt, (805) 934-8555. THE HUMANS Watch this production at the Santa Maria Civic Theatre. Get tickets and more details regarding showtimes at the link. Through Oct. 26 $17.91-$23.27. my805tix.com. Santa Maria Civic Theatre, 1660 N. McClelland St., Santa Maria. VALLEY ART GALLERY: ROTATING DISPLAYS Featured artists of Santa Maria’s Valley Art Gallery frequently display their works at the airport. Check website for details on monthly exhibits and full list of the gallery’s artists. ongoing valleygallery.org. Santa Maria Airport, 3217 Terminal Drive, Santa Maria. SANTA YNEZ VALLE Y
“A PERSONAL POINT OF VIEW” THREE FRIENDS THREE STYLES ONE COLORFUL SHOW AT GALLERY LOS OLIVOS See A Personal Point of View — Gallery Los Olivos features watercolorist Karen McGaw, pastel artist Carrie Givens, and oil painter Renée Kelleher. Mondays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Oct. 31 (805) 688-7517. GalleryLosOlivos.com. Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos. GYOTAKU PRINTMAKING: SEASHELLS & SEAWEED Learn to apply ink to seashells, seaweed, and other coastal artifacts for printing onto rice paper in the traditional Japanese art form of Gyotaku. Oct. 26, 1-3 p.m. $55-$70. calnatureartmuseum.org. Hans Christian Andersen Park, 633 Chalk Hill Rd., Solvang. PAINTING IN THE VINEYARD AT BUTTONWOOD FARM & VINEYARD Head to the picturesque Buttonwood Farm and Vineyard for an afternoon of painting and wine. Visit site for tickets and more information. Oct. 25, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $89.
(805) 325-8092. artspotonwheels.com. Buttonwood Farm & Vineyard, 1500 Alamo Pintado Road, Solvang, California, 93463, United States, Solvang. WILD IN CALIFORNIA SOLO EXHIBITION See the exhibition Wild in California, a solo exhibition by Museum Founder, conservation advocate, and artist Patti Jacquemain. A array of woodcut prints and mosaics will be showcased, highlighting the bioregions and species that make up California’s rich biodiversity. Through Feb. 23, 2026 calnatureartmuseum.org/news/ wild-in-california-2025. California Nature Art Museum, 1511-B Mission Dr., Solvang. SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y
COASTAL YOUTH THEATER PRESENTS: ELF THE MUSICAL JR. Coastal Youth Theater presents Elf the Musical Jr. Oct. 30, 7-8:30 p.m., Nov. 1, 2-3:30 & 7-8:30 p.m. and Nov. 2, 2-3:30 p.m. $28.50. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande. EVERYDAY IMPROV: SKILLS FOR LIFE These interactive, welcoming workshops use the tools of improvisational theater— like play, spontaneity, and “yes, and”—to build real-life skills for communication, confidence, and connection. Every other Sunday, 6-7:30 p.m. through Nov. 16 $15 each or $75 all. theagilemind.co/. Women’s Club of Arroyo Grande, 211 Vernon St., Arroyo Grande, (805) 270-5523. FREE MOVIE NIGHT IN THE SECRET GARDEN: GHOSTBUSTERS (1984) Gather for a night of ghostly fun and supernatural laughs. Join the team, feel the chills, and experience Ghostbusters in The Secret Garden. Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m. Free. my805tix. com. The Secret Garden at Sycamore Mineral Springs, 1215 Avila Beach Dr., Avila Beach, (805) 595-7302.
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 23 - October 30, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com
LA CASITA’S HALLOWEEN DRAG BRUNCH Join the outrageously fun Halloween themed Drag Brunch with some of the Central Coasts hottest queens and kings and enjoy La Casita’s Famous Brunch. This event is hosted by Ezra’s Rockin’ Entertainment! Oct. 25, noon $23.27. my805tix.com. La Casita, 1572 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach. ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW SHADOW CAST Don’t miss the 50 year anniversary of this wild movie and the 15th year anniversary of The Studio Players shadow cast. Join in this intimate setting of rock and roll fantasy! Oct. 24, midnight, Oct. 25, 10 p.m., Oct. 31, midnight and Nov. 1, 10 p.m. $20. my805tix.com. The Studio of Performing Arts, 835 West Grand Ave., Grover Beach. SAN LUIS OBISPO
15TH ANNUAL SLOPOKE ART OF THE AMERICAN WEST EXHIBITION AND SALE Dust off your hat, lace up those boots, and get ready to step into a weekend where fine Western art meets country fun. SLOPOKE celebrates its 15th anniversary with three days of world-class art, live music, and Western hospitality — all in the beautifully restored Octagon Barn Center. Oct. 31-Nov. 2 $28.62. the-slopoke.com. Octagon Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis Obispo, (805) 544-9096. ALES 4 TAILS: A COMEDY BENEFIT FOR ANIMAL RESCUES Join at Humdinger Brewing for a night of belly laughs, cold brews, and warm fuzzies—all in support of Atlas Animal Rescue and Paddling Paws. Oct. 25, 8-10 p.m. $27.50. my805tix.com. Humdinger Brewing (SLO), 855 Capitolio Way, suite 1, San Luis Obispo, (805) 781-9974. ALL AGES SCULPTING WITH JOHN ROULLARD John a retired school teacher who patiently guides potters of all ages
INDEX Arts.......................................18 Culture & Lifestyle ..........20 Food & Drink .....................24 Music ..................................24
to sculpt and work on details and design. Saturdays, 1:30-3 p.m. $40. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. ALL LEVELS POTTERY CLASSES Anam Cre is a pottery studio in SLO that offers a variety of classes. This specific class is open to any level. Teachers are present for questions, but the class feels more like an open studio time for potters. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. $40. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, anamcre.com. CERAMIC LESSONS AND MORE Now offering private one-on-one and group lessons in the ceramic arts. Both hand building and wheel throwing options. Beginners welcomed. ongoing (805) 8355893. hmcruceceramics.com/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo. CHICANOS AT CAL POLY: WHO WE ARE AND HOW WE SHOW UP This exhibition honors the history of Chicane students at Cal Poly, focusing on their expressions of cultural identity while recognizing the challenges of placemaking. MondaysFridays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. through Dec. 12 Free. (805) 756-2305. library.calpoly.edu/ events/chicanos-cal-poly. Cal Poly, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo. CHRISTIAN ELLIOTT PLAYS “THE MARK OF ZORRO” (1920) Renowned organist Christian Elliott accompanies “The Mark of Zorro” on the Forbes Pipe Organ, enriching Douglas Fairbanks Sr.’s swashbuckling classic with thrilling, dramatic live music. Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m. (805) 756-4849. calpolyarts.org/20252026-season/ christian-elliott-plays-the-mark-ofzorro-1920. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo. CLAY BABY HANDPRINTS Offers a unique experience of pressing your baby’s hand/ foot into clay so parents can cherish this time forever. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays $55. anamcre.com/babyhandprints. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. 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. FRIENDS OF THE ARROYO GRANDE LIBRARY ART AUCTION The first ever art auction fundraiser for Friends of the AG Library is now live. Includes work by local artist Ellen November. Every 30 days, 9 a.m. (310) 384-6912. app.galabid.com/ aglibrary/items. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo. JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY AND ART Owen and Kyoko Hunt from Kyoto, Japan offer classes for Japanese calligraphy (Fridays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.), a Japanese art called “haiga” (Fridays, 10-11:30 a.m.) and more at Nesting Hawk Ranch. Fridays $45. (702) 335-0730. Nesting Hawk Ranch, Call for address, San Luis Obispo. KCPR: THE MAGIC OF COLLEGE RADIO This exhibition narrates a history of KCPR, Cal Poly’s home-grown radio station, focusing on the impact students have had building and sustaining the station. Mondays-Fridays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. through Dec. 12 Free. (805) 756-2305. library. calpoly.edu/events/magic-college-radio. Cal Poly, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo. LEARN TO WEAVE MONDAYS An opportunity to learn how a four-shaft loom works. You will get acquainted as a new weaver or as a refresher with lots of tips and tricks. This class includes getting to know a loom, how to prepare/dress a loom, and much much more. Mondays, 1-4 p.m. $75 monthly. (805) 441-8257. Patricia Martin: Whispering Vista Studios, 224 Squire Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo, patriciamartinartist.com. MOBILE CLAY CLASSES Offering handbuilding, throwing, and ceramic decorative arts. All ages and abilities are welcome. Call for more info. ongoing (805) 835-5893. hmcruceceramics.com/ book-online. SLO County, Various locations countywide, San Luis Obispo. NARRATIVE ECHOES: RECENT ACQUISITIONS TO THE PRINT COLLECTION Highlighting newly acquired prints in conversation with artist books, this exhibition reflects stories that reverberate within our Cal Poly and SLO community.
ARTS continued page 20
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Hot Stuff ARTS from page 18 Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through Dec. 12 Free. library.calpoly.edu/events/ narrative-echoes. Cal Poly Special Collections and Archives, Robert E. Kennedy Library, 1 Grand Ave., Building 35, Room 409, San Luis Obispo, (805) 756-2305. PAINT A PREMADE POTTERY PIECE! Drop into the studio to pick out and paint a premade piece! Fun for all ages, and prices are based upon size. Mondays, Wednesdays-Saturdays, 2-7:30 p.m. $30$75. app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule. php?owner=22676824&appointmentTy pe=35974477. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. SATURDAY FAMILY POTTERY CLASS This family-friendly open studio time is a wonderful window for any level or age. Saturdays, 11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. $40. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, anamcre.com. UNNECESSARY FARCE Get ready for a fast-paced, door-slamming, laugh-out-loud comedy! Two cops. Three crooks. Eight doors. This outrageous, award-winning farce delivers a night of side-splitting fun. 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. 6 $28-$47. (805) 786-2440. slorep.org/shows/unnecessary-farce/. SLO Rep, 888 Morro St., San Luis Obispo. NORTH COAST SLO COUNT Y
‘THE BIRDS’ FUNDRAISER SCREENING FOR THE ROCK COMMUNITY RADIO Join The Rock Community Radio fundraising screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic ‘The Birds’ at the Bay Theatre. There will be a halloween costume contest, raffle, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. Oct. 27, 6-8:45 p.m. $15. (805) 769-8458. Bay Theatre, 464 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay. GALLERY AT MARINA SQUARE PRESENTS 40 YEARS OF WATERCOLORS BY HOPE MYERS Award-winning watercolorist Hope Myers will showcase her Central Coast-inspired paintings, created over four decades of artistic efforts on the Central Coast. Gallery is open daily. Through Oct. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay. GALLERY AT MARINA SQUARE PRESENTS ATUL PANDE’S ACRYLIC PAINTINGS, WHERE COLOR AND FORM COLLIDE. Atul Pande creates intuitive abstract paintings in acrylics, layering colors and forms inspired by his Indian heritage and scientific background. Gallery is open daily. Through Oct. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay. GALLERY AT MARINA SQUARE PRESENTS CENTRAL COAST INSPIRATIONS: JAY STIELER’S WATERCOLOR LANDSCAPES Jay Stieler captures the Central Coast’s unspoiled beauty in marvelous watercolors, embracing the medium’s unpredictable nature resulting in beautiful works. Gallery is open daily. Through Oct. 29,
OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 2, 2025 PHOTO COURTESY OF FLYING MIZ DAISY’S
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay. GALLERY AT MARINA SQUARE PRESENTS SMALL WORKS IN ACRYLIC BY CAROLE MCDONALD Carole McDonald creates vibrant, small-scale acrylic paintings of magical landscapes, birds and Central Coast life. Bring home a bookshelf treasure. Gallery is open daily. Through Oct. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay. OIL PAINTING WITH ANITA HAMPTON Students will paint still life set-ups while learning color theory, value, perspective, lighting, design, composition, and more with well-respected teacher Anita Hampton. Thursdays, 6-8:30 p.m. through Nov. 20 (805) 772-2504. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay, artcentermorrobay.org.
LOMPOC/VANDENBERG
THE VILLAGE TREASURE CHEST This event is for the whole family. There will be vendors selling their wears, music, facepainting, and some kind of food booth. Come out and spend part of your Saturday supporting local vendors. First Saturday of every month, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Vandenberg Village Community Services District Office, 3745 Constellation Road, Lompoc, (805) 291-6370.
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y
SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS
ANNUAL COIN AND COLLECTIBLE SHOW This event is presented by the Santa Maria Coin Club. There will be a collection of coins, beanies, sporting cards, and casino chips. Nov. 1, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (805) 937-1250. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria. BEER YOGA AT NAUGHTY OAK Start your Sunday with Jenn’s Beer Yoga. She will lead you through the most fun you’ll ever have at yoga. All levels are welcome. Nov. 2, 11 a.m.-noon $22.30. my805tix.com. Naughty Oak Brewing Company, 165 South Broadway, Orcutt. BINGO BOONANZA Join this benefit for the Kiwanis of Santa Maria Valley Foundation Charities. The event includes a lunch for two, along with four bingo cards, three games, 15 prizes, a silent auction, and a $500 grand prize! Oct. 26, 12-3 p.m. $100 for 2 tickets. (805) 886-8355. santamariaeveningkiwanis.org/. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria. C.A.R.E. 4PAWS & POURS Join at the Gatehouse at Bien Nacido in Santa Maria for a pawsitively inspiring gathering! Enjoy wonderful wine, light hors d’oeuvres, and live music. Oct. 25, 1-4 p.m. Free. (805) 968-2273. care4paws.org/pours/. The Gatehouse at Bein Nacido, 3503 Rancho Tepusquet Road, Santa Maria. CEMETERY TOUR OF OLD MISSION CEMETERY Dr. Dan Krieger will conduct this cemetery tour, which is a fundraiser for SLO Co. Genealogical Society. Oct. 25, 2-4 p.m. $5 donation non-members. (805) 478-1951. Vicki Book, 4332 White Chapel Ct, Santa Maria, slocgs.org. FEEL GOOD YOGA Tuesdays, Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. (805) 937-9750. oasisorcutt.org. Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt.
tourists, and area merchants may vote. Through Oct. 31 Free. (805) 688-0701. syvscarecrows.com/. Solvang Chamber of Commerce, 485 Alisal Rd #245, Solvang. THE SOLVANG FARMER PUMPKIN PATCH The Solvang Farmer Pumpkin Patch will reopen for the 2025 season beginning on Sept. 26, growing more than 50 different varieties of pumpkins ranging in size from Wee-B-Littles up to several hundred pounds. The pumpkin patch also features a corn maze with a scavenger hunt for hidden symbols throughout, as well as freshly-grown, freshly-popped popcorn and kettle corn. Through Nov. 2 Solvang Farmer Pumpkin Patch, 1035 Alamo Pintado Road, Solvang.
VENDORS GALORE
Shop from more than 60 vendors at Flying Miz Daisy’s market on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Mission Santa Inés in Solvang. An array of vintage clothing, garden decor, jewelry, and more will be for sale, along with fare from local food trucks. For more information, head to flyingmizdaisy.com. —A.S. 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) 925-0994. cityofsantamaria.org/services/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. FREE HAUNTED HOUSE Oct. 25, 7:30-10 p.m. Free. Fair Oaks Fright Night, 560 Fair Oaks Drive, Orcutt, (805) 868-0186. FRIGHTMARE FOREST The three-acre “Frightmare Forest” haunted maze will be located at Hancock’s basketball and softball complex and is adjacent to the college’s vineyard. Open to all ages Oct. 24, 7-10 p.m., Oct. 25, 7-10 p.m. and Oct. 31, 7-10 p.m. $15. (805) 922-6966. hancockcollege.edu/. Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College Drive, Santa Maria. GROW NATIVE PLANTS SALE! Fall is the best time of the year to grow native plants! Join us in celebrating the beauty of native plants. Mondays-Wednesdays, Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursdays, 12-3 p.m. and Saturdays, 12-1 p.m. through Oct. 31 Free. (805) 934-2182. growing-grounds-farmsanta-maria.square.site/. Growing Grounds Farm, 820 W. Foster Rd., Santa Maria.
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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. SANTA YNEZ VALLE Y
FLYING MIZ DAISY’S MARKET Shop vintage goods, clothing, jewelry, and more from over 60 vendors, and enjoy music and local food trucks. Oct. 25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. flyingmizdaisy.com/markets. Old Mission Santa Ines, 1760 Mission Drive, Solvang. GOING BATTY AT THE NEAL TAYLOR NATURE CENTER Going Batty consists of a weekly talk and observation of local bats. Program times vary by week depending on the time of sunset. Fridays, Saturdays, 6-7 p.m. through Oct. 27 (805) 693-0691. clnaturecenter.org/going-batty/. Neal Taylor Nature Center, 2265 Highway 154, Santa Barbara. SANTA YNEZ VALLEY SCARECROW FEST Head to the 16th annual Solvang Scarecrow Fest, part of the larger SYV Scarecrow Fest, running through Oct. 31. Solvang businesses and organizations will participate in the contest by featuring a scarecrow of their own creation posted at their location, upon which locals,
CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL CHAOS AND HAUNTED MAZE Enjoy a bounce town, haunted maze, pumpkin patch, photo ops, costume contest, festive displays, food vendors, and more. Some events are free, some have a cost. Oct. 25 and Oct. 26, 1-7 p.m. Free. (805) 473-5472. arroyogrande.org/rec. Elm Street Park, 1221 Ash St., Arroyo Grande. COMMUNITY NATIVE GARDEN MONTHLY VOLUNTEER WORKDAY Volunteers accomplish a variety of tasks including pathways maintenance, litter patrol of the garden perimeter, weeding, irrigation system expansion/repairs, pruning, and plantings. Volunteers should bring work gloves, a hat, drinking water, and tools related to the above activities. First Saturday of every month, 9 a.m.-noon Free. (805) 710-3073. Nipomo Native Garden, Camino Caballo at Osage, Nipomo. HRCC ANNUAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Join the HRCC for the 2025 Annual Leadership Conference: The Future of Work is Human - Inspiring Minds, Motivating Generations and Building Resilient Workplaces. Oct. 24, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. $90. hrcentralcoast.org/meetings. php. South County Regional Center, 800 W. Branch, Arroyo Grande, (805) 489-1488. MURDER MYSTERY WEEKEND IN ARROYO GRANDE Interview suspects, hunt for clues, and solve the Curious Case of J.J. Branch! Local shops will transform into characters and clue stops in the Village. Participants should pick up a “1911 Newspaper” at Monarch Books, which will provide the background story, character bios, event rules, and space to log clues. Participants should submit their final guesses before 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, to Monarch Books. Nov. 1, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Nov. 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (805) 668-6300. monarchbooks805.com/events. Monarch Books, 201 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande.
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SAN LUIS OBISPO
30-DAY BREATH AND RESET JOURNEY FOR WOMEN Wired at night, drained all day? Reset your body in 30 days. Focus on breath practices to calm stress, sleep deeply, and restore lasting energy. Registration is required. Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (805) 235-7978. charvetgratefulbody.com. Live Webinar, online, SLO County. BEYOND MINDFULNESS Realize your potential through individualized meditation instruction with an experienced teacher via Zoom. This class is for those who wish to begin a practice or seek to deepen an existing one. Flexible days and times. Certified with IMTA. Email or text for information. Mondays-Sundays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sliding scale. (559) 9059274. theartofsilence.net. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo. BOO BASH Put on your best costumes for this year’s Boo Bash! Bring the family for games, food trucks, a movie, and a haunted house. Oct. 24, 4-8:30 p.m. Free. (805) 7817305. slorecactivities.org. Meadow Park, 2251 Meadow St., San Luis Obispo. BRAVER ANGELS WORKSHOP: DEPOLARIZING WITHIN Worn down with our deeply polarized world right now? Join us to learn how to turn down the heat and get skills to disagree better. Oct. 30, 3-6 p.m. Free. (805) 595-2211. uuslo.org/. Unitarian Universalist Church, 2201 Lawton Ave., San Luis Obispo. CAL HOPE SLO GROUPS AT TMHA Visit website for full list of weekly Zoom groups available. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays calhopeconnect.org. Transitions Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 270-3346. CENTRAL COAST DIALYSIS ORGAN TRANSPLANT SUPPORT GROUP Not faith based. All are welcome. Please wear a mask. First Saturday of every month, 9:30-11:30 a.m. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church SLO, 650 Pismo St., San Luis Obispo. DAILY QIGONG PRACTICE For the early riser or commuter, every weekday morning. Maintain or improve concentration, balance, and flexibility. Includes weekly Friday 3 p.m. class with more practices. Led by certified Awareness Through Movement teacher. Mondays-Saturdays, 6:10 a.m. and Fridays, 3 p.m. $35/week or $125/month. (646) 280-5800. margotschaal.com/qigong. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo. DIA DE LOS MUERTOS FESTIVAL MISSION PLAZA SLO Participate in this celebration of life, culture, and community. Join in on the costume contest, parade, and more. Nov. 1, 12-4 p.m.. Mission Plaza, Downtown, San Luis Obispo. FLANNEL 101 PRE-HALLOWEEN PARTY Live at Libertine! Oct. 30, 7 p.m. Free. my805tix.com. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 548-2337. GROW NATIVE PLANTS SALE Fall is the best time of the year to grow native plants! Transform your garden into a stunning
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 23
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805-937-1250
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15th Annual Garagiste Paso Robles Wine Festival FRI & SAT, NOVEMBER 7 & 8
FRI, NOV 28 - SUN, DEC 21
Various Locations in Paso Robles
9000 Yerba Buena Ave, Santa Margarita
Student Showcase
Carl Sonny Leyland & Marc Caparone
It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
Reindeer Run
SAT, NOV 29 - SUN, DEC 14
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
Plymouth Congregational Church Fellowship Hall
State of the SLO Creek Watershed
&
Mitchell Park, SLO
Zoo Boo!
The Office Party at the End of Time
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23 The Pottery Atascadero
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23 The Bunker SLO
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23 Puffers, Pismo Beach
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23 Octagon Barn, SLO
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24 Central Coast Zoo, Atascadero
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24 1152 E Grand Ave, Arroyo Grande
2025 Central Coast Jazz Jubilee
The Idiomatiques
Rocky Horror Picture Show
2025 Cayucos Car Show
NLP Phobia Process Training
La Casita’s Halloween Drag Brunch
FRI, OCT 24 TO SUN, OCT 26 Paso Robles to Solvang
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24 Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, SLO
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24 835 W Grand Ave, Grover Beach
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 North Ocean Ave, Cayucos
SAT & SUN, OCT 25-26 TBD
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 1572 W Grand Ave, Grover Beach
Mumtober
Halloween Special: Brass Mash
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 Libertine Brewing Co, SLO
Giafunni’s Halloween Comedy Jam!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 Giavanni’s Pizza, Santa Maria
Ales 4 Tails: A Comedy Benefit for Animal Rescue
Paso Picture Show presents “Beetlejuice”
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 Naughty Oak, Orcutt
Kiwanis Bingo BOOnanza
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 Mussell Senior Center, Santa Maria
“The Birds” Fundraiser Screening
Oyster + Austin Hope Wines
MONDAY, OCTOBER 27 Hope on Park, Paso Robles
Flannel 101 Pre-Halloween Party
THURS & FRI, OCT 30 & 31 Libertine Brewing Co, SLO
Giddyup SLOPOKE & Saddle Up for the Spirit of the West
Orcutt Halloween Block Party
Dueling Pianos Halloween Bash
Halloween Bash at Marisol Bar
Boxes
Fall Wine Walk
Bill Gaines Audio Big Annual Swap Meet
46 West Wineries Hallowine
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 Dark Star Cellars, Paso Robles
Boos & Brews Drag Brunch
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31 Orcutt
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 Dallidet Adobe & Gardens, SLO
FRIDAY, OCROBER 31 Blast & Brew, Atascadero
22 • Sun • October 23 - October 30, 2025 • www.santamariasun.com
MONDAY, OCTOBER 27 Bay Theatre, Morro Bay
FRIDAY, OCROBER 31 The Cliff s Hotel & Bar, Pismo Beach
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31 By the Sea Productions, Morro Bay
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 Humdinger Brewing, SLO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Paso Robles Downtown Wine District
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 Bianchi Winery, Paso Robles
FRI, OCT 31 - SUN, NOV 2 Octagon Barn, SLO
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Bill Gaines Audio, Inc, SLO
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Hot Stuff CULTURE & LIFESTYLE from page 20 oasis by planting and growing native plants. Oct. 25, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. (805) 543-6071. growing-grounds-nursery. square.site/. Growing Grounds Nursery, 3740 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo. HALLOWEEN AT THE DOWNTOWN SLO FARMERS’ MARKET Join us for the spookiest night of fun in downtown San Luis Obispo! There will be a trick-or-treat trail at dozens of downtown businesses. Oct. 30, 6-9 p.m. Free. downtownslo.com/ events/halloween-at-the-farmers-market. Downtown SLO Events, Downtown SLO Farmers Market, Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 541-0286. HEALING DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP A safe place to share feelings of depression with those who suffer and those who have recovered to a full, healthy outlook on life. Mondays, 6-7 p.m. Free. (805) 528-3194. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo. LOS OSOS/BAYWOOD PARK OKTOBERFEST 2025 Ein Prosit : “A Toast” to good life is the theme of the 46th annual Oktoberfest, featuring music, biergarten, costume contests, street vendors, and a supervised Kid Zone. Oct. 26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Los Osos / Baywood Park Oktoberfest 2025, 2nd Street and Santa Maria, Baywood Park, (805) 458-9523, lobpchamber.org. MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION (ONLINE) Zoom series hosted by TMHA. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon Transitions Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 270-3346. MUMTOBER Join for Mumtober at the Dallidet Adobe! A curated selection of mum plants and bouquets will be sold. New this year, there will be a vintage book and painting sale. Oct. 25, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $55.40. my805tix.com. Dallidet Adobe and Gardens, 1185 Pacific St., San Luis Obispo. Q YOUTH GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM) This is a social support group for LGBTQ+ and questioning youth between the ages of 11-18. Each week the group explores personal, cultural, and social identity. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. Free. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo. QI GONG AT SPIRIT WINDS PHYSICAL THERAPY This class will lay a foundation for health and vitality by integrating joint mobility, flowing movement, energizing breathwork, and mindfulness practices. Join now! Wednesdays. through Dec. 31 $23. my805tix.com. Spirit Winds Physical Therapy, 1422 Monterey Street, Suite C-102, San Luis Obispo, (805) 543-5100. SAN LUIS OBISPO FALL WEDDING EXPO The San Luis Obispo Wedding and Event Expo is a must-attend event for brides, grooms, and event planners alike. With tons of vendors, this expo offers a unique opportunity to connect with the best professionals in the industry and gather inspiration for your special day. Nov. 2, 12-4 p.m. $12. my805tix.com. Madonna Expo Center, 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo.
OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 2, 2025 SLO NOONTIME TOASTMASTERS CLUB Please RSVP. Fourth Sunday of every MEETINGS Want to improve speaking month, 2-2:45 & 3-3:45 p.m. Tours are and leadership skills in a supportive and free; donations are appreciated. Octagon positive environment? During COVID, we Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis are meeting virtually. Contact us to get a Obispo, (805) 544-9096, octagonbarn.org. meeting link for info. Tuesdays, 12-1 p.m. TRANS* TUESDAY A safe space Free. slonoontime.toastmastersclubs.org. providing peer-to-peer support for trans, Zoom, Online, Inquire for Zoom ID. gender non-conforming, non-binary, SLO RETIRED ACTIVE MEN: WEEKLY and questioning people. In-person COFFEE MEETING SLO RAMs is a group or and Zoom meetings held. Contact retirees that get together just for the fun, tranzcentralcoast@gmail.com for more fellowship, and to enjoy programs which details. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. GALA enhance the enjoyment, dignity, and Pride and Diversity Center, 1060 Palm independence of retirement. Thursdays, Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 541-4252. 8:30-9:30 a.m. $10 coffee meeting. TRANS* YOUTH PEER SUPPORT GROUP retiredactivemen.org. Madonna Inn, 100 This group is a safe place for trans* and Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo. gender non-conforming people, as well as SLOCA SNEAK PEEK SLOCA is a hybrid those questioning, from ages of 11 to 18. A classical school. This sneak peek is for facilitated emotional support group to be parents (interested in preschool-8th) heard, share your story, and hear stories and their students. Oct. 27, 4:30-6:30 p.m. that may sound surprisingly like your own. (805) 548-8700. sloclassical.org/event/ Fourth Tuesday of every month, 6-8 p.m. sneak-peek-preschool-8th-3/. Free. GALA Pride and Diversity Center, SLO Classical Academy, 165 Grand Ave., 1060 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo. (805) 541-4252. STATE OF THE SLO WATERSHED WIGGLE WAGGLE FALL FESTIVAL Join Creek Lands Conservation invites you us for the 5th Annual Wiggle Waggle Fall to celebrate the restoration efforts Festival! Bring the whole family, including MUSIC underway on your local San Luis Obispo leashed and dog-friendly dogs, to Creek! Hear key findings, current work in Woods SLO. Oct. 25, 12-3 p.m. Free. (805) the watershed, and next steps toward a 543-9316. woodshumanesociety.org/ resilient and thriving SLO Creek. Oct. 23, FLAVOR/EATS fallfestival/. Woods Humane Society, 875 4:30-8 p.m. $25. my805tix.com. Octagon Oklahoma Ave., San Luis Obispo. Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis INFO Obispo, (805) 544-9096. NORTH COAST SLO COUNT Y
Spread the word!
2025 CAYUCOS CAR SHOW Join the
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Elks Lodge #2733, Atascadero
Electric Funeral 3: Dia De Los Inmortals
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Odd Fellows Mausoleum, SLO
That’s So Drag Brunch: Night of the Living Queens
Heart Strings: Ties That Bind
Beer Yoga
San Luis Obispo Fall Wedding Expo
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Libertine Brewing Co, SLO
SUNDAY, NOVERMBER 2 United Methodist Church, SLO
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Naughty Oak, Orcutt
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Alex Madonna Expo Center, SLO
2025 Central Coast Cooking Show
Throat Chakra Sound Journey
Building a Better SLO
34th annual Cayucos car show to enjoy CALENDAR
a day of classic cars, food and drink, and live music. Visit site to register your car and get more info. Oct. 25, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Send event information to calendar@ OPINION my805tix.com. N. Ocean Ave, N. Ocean santamariasun.com. Ave., Cayucos. NEWSCENTRAL COAST WOOD CARVERS Learn SUNDAY EVENING RAP LGBTQ+ the art of wood carving or wood burning. AA GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM) Join Central Coast Wood Carvers in Morro Alcoholics Anonymous is a voluntary, STROKES Bay at St. Timothy’s. Open for beginners, worldwide fellowship of folks from all intermediate, or advance. Learn a wide walks of life who together, attain and range of techniques and skills. Tuesdays, maintain sobriety. Requirement for ARTS 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. St. Timothy’s Catholic membership is a desire to stop drinking. Church, 962 Piney Way, Morro Bay, (805) Email aarapgroup@gmail.com for 772-2840, sttimothymorrobay.org. password access. Sundays, 7-8 p.m. CO-DEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS No fee. galacc.org/events/. Online, See MEETING Co-Dependents Anonymous website, San Luis Obispo. (CoDA) is a Twelve Step recovery program A T.E.D.-LIKE TALK ON THE AMERICAN for anyone who desires to have healthy PRESIDENCY The little-known history and loving relationships with themselves of our American presidency is a history and others. Meeting is hybrid (both in responsible for today’s governmental person and on Zoom). For information, fiasco. Hear speaker Gene Strohl, former call 805-900-5237. Saturdays, 1-2:15 p.m. KCBX on-air personality. Oct. 29, 7-8 p.m. Free. thecambriaconnection.org/. Cambria Free. (805) 748-1044. San Luis Obispo Connection, 1069 Main St., Cambria, Library Community Room, 995 Palm (805) 927-1654. Street, San Luis Obispo. MORRO BAY METAPHYSICIANS TEEN MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT DISCUSSION GROUP A group of GROUP Learn more about mental health metaphysically minded individuals and coping skills to help you through your that have been meeting for many years journey towards wellness and recovery. now in the Coalesce Chapel. Club offers Thursdays, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. (805) 540a supportive metaphysical based 6576. t-mha.org. Hope House Wellness community. Members discuss a different Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo. topic each week. All are welcome to join. TOUR THE HISTORIC OCTAGON BARN Fridays, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Suggested donation CENTER The Octagon Barn, built in of $10-$15. Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main 1906, has a rich history that The Land St., Morro Bay, coalescebookstore.com/. Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 24 looks forward to sharing with visitors.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 Idler’s Home, Paso Robles
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 CC Body Therapy Center, Los Osos
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 Palm Theatre, SLO
KCPR Presents: feeble little horse
2025 Paderewski Festival
Central Coast Economic Forecast
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 Libertine Brewing Co, SLO
THURS, NOV 6 - SUN, NOV 9 Various Locations in Paso Robles
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Alex Madonna Expo Center, SLO
Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party
Avila Beach Spaghetti Dinner/ Bingo Night FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Avila Beach Community Center
Brass Mash First Friday
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Humdinger Brewing, SLO
Vitriol/Unmerciful/ Weeping
The Man From Earth
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Centennial Park, Paso Robles
Book your tasting today!
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Humdinger Brewing, SLO
3940 Dominion Road, Santa Maria 805-937-8463 info@cottonwoodcanyon.com
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Santa Maria Civic Center
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www.santamariasun.com • October 23 - October 30, 2025 • Sun • 23
Hot Stuff
FOOD & DRINK
SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS
BAR TAKEOVER THURSDAYS Join us Thursdays to meet and chat with the winemaker of the flight we’re featuring that week. Thursdays, 4-7:30 p.m. $15-$30. (805) 623-5129. Steller’s Cellar, 400 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt, stellerscellar.com. FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY Head to Food Truck Friday, with wine bottle specials and local food trucks every Friday at the Wine Stone Inn. Fridays, 4-9 p.m. through April 24 Free. (805) 332-3532. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, winestoneinn.com/. FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT COSTA DE ORO Featured vendors in the series include Cali Coast Tacos, Cubanissimo, Danny’s Pizza Co., Chef Ricks, and more. Call venue for monthly schedules. Fridays (805) 922-1468. costadeorowines.com. Costa De Oro Winery, 1331 S. Nicholson Ave., Santa Maria. FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT WINE STONE INN Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, (805) 332-3532, winestoneinn.com/.
FRIDAY NIGHT FUN Karaoke with DJ Nasty. With Beer Bucket specials. Kitchen stays open late. Come out and sing your favorite song. Fridays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, (805) 623-8866. PRESQU’ILE WINERY: WINE CLUB Call or go online to make a reservation to taste at the winery or find more info on the winery’s Wine Club offerings. presquilewine.com/ club/. Presqu’ile Winery, 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., Santa Maria, (805) 937-8110. SIPPIN’ SUNDAYS Every Sunday, come cozy up inside the tasting room and listen to great artists. Sundays, 1-4 p.m. Free. (805) 937-8463. cottonwoodcanyon.com. Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard And Winery, 3940 Dominion Rd, Santa Maria. TACO TUESDAY Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, (805) Celebrate Halloween at the Downtown SLO Farmers Market on 332-3532, winestoneinn.com/. Thursday, Oct. 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. This free evening of costumes, sweet TAP THURSDAY Head to Tap treats, and activities will be fun for the whole family. Kids can follow the Thursdays at the Wine Stone trick-or-treat trail and walk around participating downtown businesses Inn every week, featuring $5 to collect candy. The event also features a costume contest in Mission draft beers and $5 Cava’s. Plaza and a karaoke contest. Visit downtownslo.com for more details. Thursdays, 3-9 p.m. through —A.S. April 16. (805) 332-3532. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, winestoneinn.com/. Games Trivia at COLD Coast Brewing SAN LUIS OBISPO VEGAN CHEF THURSDAY EVENING BAR TAKEOVER CHALLENGE Businesses across the Company every Tuesday night. Teams Call venue or visit website to find out region will showcase exciting special can be up to 6 members. Earn prizes and about featured vintners. Thursdays vegan menu items. This event is open to bragging rights. Kekas will be serving stellerscellar.com. Steller’s Cellar, 405 E. everyone, not just vegans! Through Oct. 31 their delicious local fare. Fun for all ages. Clark Ave., Orcutt. veganchefchallenge.org/slo/. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. (805) 819-0723. At participating businesses, All over the coldcoastbrewing.com. COLD Coast WINE AND DESIGN CLASSES Check region, San Luis Obispo, (480) 954-1257. Brewing Company, 118 W Ocean Ave., Wine and Design’s Orcutt website for the Lompoc. complete list of classes, for various ages. NORTH COAST SLO COUNT Y ongoing Varies. wineanddesign.com/ SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y CAMBRIA SCARECROW FESTIVAL orcutt. Wine and Design, 3420 Orcutt Scarecrows take over October again. The Road, suite 105, Orcutt. HALLOWEEN BASH AT MARISOL BAR festival favorite returns to Cambria and Sip, laugh, and raise a glass to a fangWINE BINGO WEDNESDAYS Join Wine San Simeon with fall fun for all. Oct. 31, tastic Halloween! Food and beverages Bingo Wednesday at the Wine Stone noon-midnight Free. (805) 203-0743. will not be included with entry. Valet Inn –– the original bingo night in Old cambriascarecrows.com. Cambria parking can be validated with purchase. Orcutt. The event will occur weekly Scarecrow Fest, Citywide, Cambria. Oct. 31, 7-10 p.m. Free. (805) 773-5000. with the purchase of an adult beverage. cliffshotelandspa.com. The Cliffs Hotel and Wednesdays, 5-8 p.m. through April 29 Spa, 2757 Shell Beach Rd, Pismo Beach. (805) 332-3532. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, winestoneinn.com/.
HAUNTED HARVEST
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HEAD GAMES TRIVIA AND TACO TUESDAYS CLASH Don’t miss Head
DOWNTOWN SLO FARMERS MARKET Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. Downtown SLO, Multiple locations, San Luis Obispo.
SANTA MARIA VALLE Y/LOS ALAMOS
HAPPY HOUR MUSIC SERIES Enjoy live music at the winery most Friday evenings.
Bonnie and Clyde, the charming troublemakers, and Dr.the Jekyll, who may or Bonnie and Clyde, charming may not turn into the sinister Mr. Hyde, troublemakers, and Dr. Jekyll, who may or contemplate a into showdown: in aMr. battle of good may not turn the sinister Hyde, versus evila within everyin soul, who of would for ages 5 to 105! contemplate showdown: a battle good PerformancesFun Wednesday through Sunday emerge victorious? COLD BEER 50 YEARS OF LAUGHS GREAT SNACKS versus evil within every soul, who would Fun for ages 5 to 105! emerge victorious? GREAT SNACKS COLD BEER 50 YEARS OF LAUGHS
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LIVE MUSIC SUNDAYS Sundays, 2-6 p.m. Brick Barn Wine Estate, 795 W. Hwy 246, Buellton, (805) 686-1208, brickbarnwineestate.com.
SEPTEMBER 26 - NOVEMBER 8 SEPTEMBER 26 - NOVEMBER 8
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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) 8190723, coldcoastbrewing.com. YOUTH OPEN MIC NIGHT A fun, welcoming environment for first time performers and an opportunity for kids and teens to showcase their talent. Prizes awarded every month for Outstanding Performer. Last Friday of every month, 6-8 p.m. certainsparks.com/. Certain Sparks Music, 107 S. H St., Lompoc. SOUTH COAST SLO COUNT Y
BAY TO THE BEACH Bay area legends will be performing, and up and coming local rapper Gehrig Kniffen will be opening the show up. Oct. 25, 4 p.m. Avila Beach Resort, 6464 Ana Bay Dr., Avila Beach. THE BLACK MARKET TRUST WITH THE MIDIRI BROTHERS SEXTET This Jazz Jubilee Central Coast headliner show offers an unforgettable night of swing, harmony, and virtuosity with The Black Market Trust and Midiri Brothers Sextet. Oct. 25, 7-9 p.m. $30-$50. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande. CENTRAL COAST HARMONY CHORUS INVITES SINGERS TO JOIN FOR HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES Men and women are invited! No prior experience is necessary - just a love of music. Call or email for information. Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. through Dec. 18 $20. (805) 736-7572. ccharmony.org. Nipomo Senior Center. EASTON EVERETT Easton Everett is a singer-songwriter who blends indie folk, neo-folk, and world beat with intricate fingerstyle guitar. Hear him live at Mulligans Bar and Grill. Oct. 30, 5-7 p.m. Mulligans Bar and Grill, 6460 Ana Bay Road, Avila Beach, (805) 595-4000. THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL STARRING BELINDA DAVIDS: A TRIBUTE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON The Clark Center presents: The Greatest Love of All starring Belinda Davids: A Tribute to Whitney Houston. Oct. 26, 7-9 p.m. $49-$69, Platinum $79; Senior Discounts. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.
MUSIC continued page 25
WORLD WORLDPREMIER PREMIER
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MUSIC
Check site for concert schedule. Fridays presquilewine.com. Presqu’ile Winery, 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., Santa Maria, (805) 937-8110. LADIES NIGHT OUT Music by DJ Van Gloryious and DJ Panda. Features delicious daiquiri specials. Thursdays, 8 p.m.-midnight Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, (805) 623-8866. LIVE JAZZ SATURDAYS Crumbles Cafe & Bake Shop presents live jazz every Saturday. Hear Barbara Wilson on trumpet. Oct. 25, 2-4 p.m. Free. (805) 925-0860. instagram.com/ Crumblescafeandbakeshop. Crumbles Cafe & Bake Shop, 1635 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. LIVE MUSIC AND FOOD BY LOBO BUTCHER SHOP Check out live music every Friday night from a variety of artists at Steller’s Cellar in Old Orcutt. Dinner served by Lobo Butcher Shop between 5 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 5-9 p.m. Varies according to food options. (805) 623-5129. stellerscellar.com. Steller’s Cellar, 405 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt. LIVE MUSIC AT STELLER’S CELLAR Various local musicians rotate each Friday. Fridays, 6-8:30 p.m. Free. Steller’s Cellar, 400 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt, (805) 623-5129, stellerscellar.com. MUSIC AT ROSCOE’S KITCHEN Live DJ and karaoke every Friday and Saturday night. Featured acts include Soul Fyah Band, DJ Nasty, DJ Jovas, and more. Fridays, Saturdays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, (805) 623-8866. MUSIC LESSONS AT COELHO ACADEMY Learn to play piano, drums, guitar, base, ukulele, or violin, or take vocal lessons. (805) 925-0464. onging 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.
WORLD WORLDPREMIER PREMIER
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE from page 23 PUMPKIN PATCH Our Pumpkin Patch is officially open for the season! All of our pumpkins are thoughtfully grown by 46 Ranch and come in various sizes. Mondays-Sundays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 927-4747. cambrianursery.com/ events/. Cambria Nursery and Florist, 2801 Eton Rd., Cambria. SOCRATES DISCUSSION GROUP Have a topic, book, or article you wish to discuss with interested and interesting people? Join this weekly meeting to discuss it, or simply contribute your experiences and knowledge. Contact Mark Plater for instructions on entering the Chapel area. Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-noon (805) 528-7111. Coalesce Garden Chapel, 845 Main St., Morro Bay. WHIMSICAL WINTER WONDERLAND Step into the Whimsical Winter Wonderland at Cambria Nursery—where the magic of the season comes to life through light, design, and imagination. Through Jan. 15, 2026 (805) 927-4747. cambrianursery.com/events/. Cambria Nursery and Florist, 2801 Eton Rd., Cambria.
OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 2, 2025 PHOTO COURTESY OF DOWNTOWN SLO
Hot Stuff MUSIC from page 24 JAZZ JUBILEE CENTRAL COAST PRESENTS :THE BLACK MARKET TRUST WITH THE MIDIRI BROTHERS SEXTET Hear The Black Market Trust and opening act The Midiri Brothers Sextet live. Oct. 25, 7 p.m. $30-$50. pismojazz.com/2025-jjccinformation/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande, (805) 489-9444. JAZZ JUBILEE CENTRAL COAST - THE MIDIRI BROTHERS & BLACK MARKET TRUST East Meets West: A Hot Jazz DoubleHeader!! Enjoy an unforgettable afternoon of world-class jazz featuring two dynamic bands. Oct. 26, 12-4 p.m. $20-$40. pismojazz.com/2025-jjcc-information/. Pismo Beach Veterans Memorial Hall, 780 Bello St., Pismo Beach.
WE LC OME TO T HE S O U N D T R A C K OF F REEDOM
THE LONG RUN EXPERIENCE THE EAGLES MUSIC The Long Run delivers spot-on Eagles hits with lush harmonies, stellar musicianship, and national acclaim—an unforgettable tribute to one of rock’s most iconic bands. Hear them live at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts. Oct. 23, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $44.50$55. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande. MUSIC WITH A VIEW - OPEN GATES AT THE CHAPMAN ESTATE GARDEN Enjoy Open Gates at the seaside Chapman Estate in Shell Beach. Bring a picnic dinner and music, tables, chairs, and views will be supplied. Docent-led garden tours are available. Fridays, 5-7:30 p.m. through Oct. 24 $5/person + $5 for Docent tours (optional). chapmanestatefoundation.org/. Chapman Estate, Private residence, Shell Beach.
VOZ DE MANDO AND LOS NUEVOS REBELDES F R I D AY, N O V E M B E R 7 / 8 P M T I C K E T S S TA R T AT $49
SAN LUIS OBISPO
THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA & CORY HENRY The Blind Boys of Alabama and Cory Henry will unite for an unforgettable night of gospel, soul, and genre-blending mastery, inspiring audiences with timeless, electrifying sound. Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. (805) 756-4849. calpolyarts.org/20252026-season/blind-boysof-alabama-cory-henry. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.
D S B W O R L D S G R E AT E S T JOURNEY TRIBUTE BAND F R I D AY, N O V E M B E R 21 / 8 P M T I C K E T S S TA R T AT $25
BURLEY THISTLES Burley Thistles is an alternative rock band known for their guitar-driven sound and memorable songs. Oct. 25, 1-4 p.m. Wolff Vineyards, 6238 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo, (805) 781-0448, wolffvineyards.com. CAL POLY ARAB MUSIC ENSEMBLE FALL CONCERT The ensemble’s orchestra and choir will feature world-class guest artists and a dance troupe that sets the music in motion with original choreographies. Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m. $17 and $22 general, $12 students. (805) 756-4849. music.calpoly.edu/ calendar/ame. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.
C O L B I E C A I L L AT A N D G AV I N D E G R AW F R I D AY, D E C E M B E R 12 / 8 P M T I C K E T S S TA R T AT $59
CHAMBER MUSIC WITH SOPHIE SHAO Cellist Sophie Shao completes her 2025 Residency with a chamber music concert exploring three works of chamber music. Oct. 26, 3 p.m. $45. festivalmozaic.org. Cuesta College Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo. COUNTRY NIGHTS: HALLOWEEN EDITION Join for our new monthly country event focused on partner dancing! This month we’re starting with a two-level Country Two Step class—one track for newer dancers and another for those ready to level up their skills. Get ready for a night full of country swing, two-step, and everything in between. Oct. 25, 7-9 p.m. $20. nexusslo.com. Nexus SLO, 3845 S Higuera St.( Lower Level), San Luis Obispo, (805) 904-7428. CUESTA CHOIRS CONCERT The Cuesta College Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Cuesta Voce, under the direction of John Knutson, present an evening of classical and jazz choral music. Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m. $18 General, $10 Student w/ID. (805) 546-3198. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo. THE HIP ABDUCTION Hear The Hip Abduction, the vibrant St. Petersburg, FL-based collective that formed over a mutual appreciation for West African and early Jamaican reggae and dub music Oct. 23, 8 p.m. $36.02. fremontslo.com. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 546-8600.
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THE IDIOMATIQUES LIVE In part with the Jazz Jubilee Central Coast event, see The Idiomatiques live at Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church. Oct. 24, 7:30-9:45 p.m. $33.98. my805tix.com. Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, 1701 Fredericks Street, San Luis Obispo. MEMORIES OF THE FAR SHORE Memories of the Far Shore is a new immersive art and performance project based on the Central Coast which began in 2020 when local artist and naturalist Derek Schultz (Murk Rider) and sound designer Bryant Keith Bayhan (.paperman) started sending each other audio recordings. This will be the second performance of Memories of the Far Shore after the successful collaboration at the beginning of the summer with Shiny Object Art Gallery in Morro Bay, and will feature approximately thirty minutes of sound demonstrations followed by an hour-long music performance. Oct. 30, 6-8 p.m. Free. my805tix.com. The Bunker SLO, 810 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo. SALSA AND BACHATA LEVEL 1.5 WORKSHOP This class bridges the gap between Level 1 and Level 2, focusing on body movement, musicality, and partner connection to help you dance with confidence. Oct. 25, 1-3 p.m. $35. nexusslo.com. Nexus SLO, 3845 S Higuera St.( Lower Level), San Luis Obispo, (805) 904-7428. m
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FINALE WEEKEND! (OCT 23-26) Featured shows include The Midiri Brothers & Black Market Trust Details, Schedule and Tickets: JAZZJUBILEECENTRALCOAST.COM www.santamariasun.com • October 23 - October 30, 2025 • Sun • 25
Arts
STAGE PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHANNON LOWRIE
ARTS BRIEFS The Solvang Festival Theater lines up entertainment for fall
Travel to Transylvania
The Studio of Performing Arts’ production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show runs on Oct. 25 and Nov. 1 at 10 p.m. and Oct. 24 and Oct. 31 at midnight. Audience members 18 years and older can watch the show at The Studio Black Box Theater, located at 835 W. Grand Ave. in Grover Beach. Buy tickets online at my805tix.com. For information about dance and drama classes at The Studio of Performing Arts, visit thestudioofperformingarts.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SOLVANG FESTIVAL THEATER
Shows at the Solvang Festival Theater continue this season with a diverse mix of live performances and community events. Eerie frights await those brave enough to enter the annual Solvang Parks and Recreation’s haunted house. Walk through on the evenings of Oct. 24 and 25. Kid-friendly tours run from 6 to 6:30 p.m., and then the nightmares get scarier during regular tours from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Buy tickets at the door. The Robert Cray Band is stopping at the theater on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. as part of its nationwide Out Driving Around Tour. The Grammy winner, Robert Cray, is a singer and guitarist known for blues tunes. Excitement continues with Chris Perondi and his team of rescue dogs during the Stunt Dog Experience. The canines will perform midair stunts and athletic feats. Tricks start at 5 p.m. on Nov. 8. One Night of Queen, performed by Gary Mullen and The Works, is set to visit Solvang on Nov. 14. The tribute to the rock ’n’ roll legend begins at 7 p.m. The next night, Sabor del Valle, a celebration of Latino culture and heritage, will be hosted at the theater on Nov. 15 starting at 4 p.m. Guests can enjoy live performances, a food and wine garden, and art displays. A percentage of proceeds benefit Centro Corazón Comunitario. Solvang Festival Theater is located at 420 Second St. in Solvang. Visit solvangtheaterfest.org to purchase tickets online for the performances.
Vote for the Taylor Park mural design, then lend a hand painting it PHOTO COURTESY OF SANTA MARIA RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
Make your artistic voice heard by choosing from designs of tropical flowers, sunshine and a garden, or whimsical doodles for the city of Santa Maria’s next mural, which will be painted at Taylor Park in November. Vote online through the Recreation and Parks Department website until Oct. 28, according to the department’s marketing coordinator, Karen Ramos. After the winning design gets chosen, the community is invited to join the hands-on, messy fun on Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “This free, family-friendly event offers the opportunity to come together, express creativity, and take part in a lasting public art project that celebrates the community spirit,” according to the city. The painting day will be held at Taylor Park, located at the north end of N. Miller St. near 403 E. Taylor St. “This public art project aligns with the city’s Smart City, Safe City vision, enhancing public spaces, fostering creativity, and strengthening community connection through accessible art opportunities,” according to the city. Call the Recreation and Parks Department with questions at (805) 925-0951, Ext. 2260, or visit cityofsantamaria.org/ services/departments/recreation-and-parks-5013. m Staff Writer Madison White compiles Arts Briefs. Send information to mwhite@santamariasun.com.
The cast has a similar experience. The director encourages the actors to take naps during the day—like she does—so they are rested for their 10:30 p.m. call time. She thinks the pre-show shenanigans are just as exciting as the performance. “We turn on the loud music and just wake ourselves up and start dancing and laughing,” Lowrie said. “We’re trying to lower our inhibitions and pump each other up.” LOTS TO CELEBRATE: It’s the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show film and the 15th year The studio also follows other that The Studio of Performing Arts is putting on a production. To celebrate, the studio will decorate the set Rocky Horror customs, like a raunchy and offer bigger prizes for winners of the risqué pre-show activities. ceremony before the performance for first-time viewers and audience callbacks “It’s really when certain characters appear onstage. fun to get up It all helps the audience get “revved up and and see what ready” when the actors take the stage at The happens and Studio Black Box Theater, which Lowrie bought just to be wild a little more than a year ago. and be silly and The 50-seat theater is so intimate that it feels allow ourselves like the audience is part of the show. BY MADISON WHITE to not be so serious,” Lowrie said. “It’s special “Their feet meet our feet,” Lowrie described. that way.” “For the actors, you can see the audience he cult following of The Rocky Horror While performing usually comes naturally smiling, and you feel their energy. It’s just a Picture Show is one that Shannon Lowrie to the director, the one character that dragged really cool experience.” admits she didn’t understand when her her out of her comfort zone was mad scientist For Lowrie, the theater is her family’s legacy. studio first started performing it. and transvestite Frank-N-Furter when, one year, Simon, her husband, helps build sets, and “I thought, ‘I want to see what the deal is nobody signed up for the role. The experience Lowrie’s three kids grew up performing. This about this because I don’t get it,’” Lowrie told was memorable because she was proud of how year her son, nephew, and husband are in Rocky the Sun. “I just became obsessed with it.” she just went for it. Horror. She said even her friends in the show feel A lifelong singer and dancer, Lowrie has “I don’t even know if it was good,” she said. been the owner of and director at The Studio of like family. “It forced me to really study and work and do Performing Arts (SOPA) in Grover Beach for 25 Lowrie joked that the show will continue at something different.” years. Making a “complete flip” from teaching the theater until the actors get too old to wear Now Lowrie is playing the criminologist, jazz, tap, and drama to kids at the studio, Lowrie corsets and fishnets. who’s like the narrator, she described. It gives has taken on Rocky Horror for the past 15 years “I’m super proud that we’re still doing her the opportunity to focus on directing the as both an actor and director. this,” she said, “and that we are so loyal to the rest of the crew. “This is our adult time,” Lowrie said. tradition of it.” m Lowrie directs a shadow cast, meaning the There typically aren’t any auditions for movie plays on a screen behind the actors SOPA’s production of Rocky Horror. The first Send your favorite Rocky Horror lines to who lip sync and follow the movements of the year, Lowrie remembered rounding up some Staff Writer Madison White at mwhite@ original film’s cast. She’s never heard of another friends to assemble the cast. The method has santamariasun.com. movie that elicits this type of stuck, with many of the same actors returning performance—it’s just part of the year after year to rehearse the show in just a Rocky Horror phenomenon. couple of months. Following traditions, SOPA has The Rocky Horror Picture Show is coming two midnight shows to get the back to The Studio Black Box Theater in Grover audience feeling “more open.” Beach on Oct. 24, 25, and 31 and Nov. 1. The “It just creates a different story follows naive fiancées, Brad and Janet, who get a flat tire in a storm and end up at Dr. Frank- atmosphere, a different attitude from everybody when they show N-Furter’s mysterious mansion for a night of up at midnight to walk in the door,” wild adventures. Lowrie said. “A lot of those people that were in the very first production are in the production again, still today,” Lowrie said about SOPA’s show. “It’s super fast now, too.” Returning actors and new recruits sign up for the roles they want and rehearse once or twice a week, she said. Many of the veteran Rocky Horror actors are playing new characters this year, which throws Lowrie off as the director, but even she’s CLOSE QUARTERS: Midnight screenings of The Rocky Horror BACK FOR MORE: Many cast members of The Rocky Horror played a handful of Picture Show are meant to get the audience feeling loose and Picture Show return year after year to keep the tradition alive characters over the ready for a night of comedy, horror, and music. at The Studio of Performing Arts in Grover Beach. years.
Do the ‘Time Warp’ The Studio of Performing Arts’ story behind the Rocky Horror anomaly
T
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Film
SUN SCREEN
Crime time
COURTESY PHOTO BY PETER KRAMER/HBO
B
McShane), the noose is tightening around Robbie and Cliff. It’s a gripping story filled with compelling characters. Anna: This is one where there doesn’t seem to be any winners. When we meet Tom, he’s still benched, handing out recruitment materials at job fairs, staying away from cases. I don’t recall that it’s ever exclusively said, but the implication Glen: While focused on crime and criminals, is that Ethan’s crime led to the death of this is really a series about family. Tom has Tom’s wife, Susan, in one way or another, two adopted kids, Emily (Silvia Dionicio) and and it certainly has left Tom in shambles. her biological brother, Ethan (Andrew Russel), His drinking doesn’t seem to be so secret, at who’s in prison for a crime Tom can’t forgive least not from his daughter, Emily, who’s too him for. Tom also has a biological young to leave the house but too daughter, Sara (Phoebe Fox), Emily old to be none the wiser about and Ethan’s stepsister. Tom’s trying what’s going on. When we peek TASK to hold it together at home, but he’s into the lives of Robbie and his What’s it rated? clearly struggling and has a secret family, we see more heartbreak. TV-MA drinking problem. On the criminal Every moment is a struggle for What’s it worth, Anna? side, there’s Robbie Prendergrast the ex-con, but he’s determined Full price (Tom Pelphrey), an unassuming to provide for his kids. When What’s it worth, Glen? family man whose life is spiraling one of the robberies goes wrong, Full price downward ever since his wife left suddenly Robbie’s got Tom and his Where’s it showing? him with two young kids, Wyatt team on the hunt. The task force HBO Max (Oliver Eisenson) and Harper itself is a collection of detectives (Kennedy Moyer), who are all living and a local trooper from the area, and the group hosts a spectrum of problems— in Robbie’s dead brother’s house, owned by from inexperience to double-crossing. It’s a his put-upon niece, Maeve (Emilia Jones). He wildly engrossing show. and his friend Cliff (Raúl Castillo) are garbage Glen: Ruffalo is great as the disheveled FBI collectors who use their job to case the stash agent, but I was most impressed with Pelphrey’s houses. Between the FBI and the Dark Hearts motorcycle gang headed by Perry Dorazo (Jamie Robbie. The character is a criminal, but he’s got rad Ingelsby (Mare of Easttown) created and wrote this crime drama focusing on Tom Brandis (Mark Ruffalo), a Philadelphiabased FBI agent and former Catholic priest put in charge of a task force investigating a series of robberies targeting motorcycle gang stash houses. (seven 60- to 68-min. episodes)
DANGEROUS GAME: Tom Pelphrey stars as Robbie Prendergrast, a seemingly unassuming family man engaging in a series of robberies of motorcycle gang stash houses, in Task, streaming on HBO Max.
a lot of soul. I was really rooting for him to find a way out. Martha Plimpton was also terrific as Tom’s superior officer, Kathleen McGinty. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but Ingelsby’s story makes it easy to navigate through the various worlds of the motorcycle gang, Robbie’s family, Tom’s family, and the task force itself. Jones is also great as Maeve, who didn’t ask for her messed up life. Her dead father, Robbie’s brother, was a member of the Dark Hearts, and there’s a lot of secrets and animosity driving Robbie’s robberies. This is another terrific miniseries from the writer behind Mare of Easttown.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NETFLIX
WAYWARD
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Netflix Created by and starring comedian and musician Mae Martin, Wayward tells the increasingly familiar story of “camps” created for “troubled teens” whose surface-level purpose is to whip kids into compliance and discipline the rebellion out of them. In reality, these camps are absolute cesspools of abuse, neglect, and secrecy. With more survivor stories revealed, it’s a wonder any still operate. This miniseries takes place in fictional Tall Pines and focuses on Martin’s character, Alex Dempsey, a young police officer who’s moved to town with his pregnant wife, Laura (Sarah Gadon), who once attended Tall Pines Academy. The small town has a strange air to it, and Alex can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right, especially when it comes to the academy’s leader, Evelyn (Toni Colette). Laura is weirdly loyal to the strange woman who’s inserting herself into their lives, and when Alex gets a radio message from a teen trying to escape, he knows that the shiny package presented by Evelyn must hold darker secrets.
This mysterious drama is spellbinding, as is Colette in this and every role. If you like peeking into deep dark corners, Wayward has many. Totally bingeable. (eight 40- to 50-min. episodes) —Anna
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What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 1963 FROM THE Where’s it showing? Bay Theatre of Morro Bay, Monday, Oct. 27 (doors at 5, show at 6 p.m.; $17.91 presale at my805tix.com) In time for Halloween, Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1963 nature-horror film will screen as a fundraiser for The Rock Community Radio. The screenplay by Evan Hunter is loosely based on Daphne du Maurier’s 1952 novella of the same name. The basic premise is that for entirely unknown reasons, all bird species suddenly become aggressive and dangerous, attacking humans. The film was also informed by a real mass bird attack in Capitola on Aug. 18, 1961, which Hitchcock heard about while his film was already underway. It was later determined the birds’ aberrant behavior resulted from consuming toxic algae. Though it received somewhat mixed reviews upon its release, The Birds has withstood the test of time and is now considered among Hitchcock’s greatest like Psycho, Vertigo, Rear Window, and North by Northwest. Its special effects were groundbreaking and used a mix of mechanical and live birds. Hedren was injured by broken glass during a phone booth scene, and later she said she was misled and that real birds replaced mechanical ones.
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SEA S O N | 62 _ 26 TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
New Times Arts Editor Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Sun Screen. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com. PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL PICTURES
THE BIRDS
TEEN ANGST: Police officer Alex Dempsey (Mae Martin, left) begins to suspect head teacher Evelyn Wade (Toni Collette) is up to no good at her troubled teen school, in Wayward, streaming on Netflix.
Anna: I’ll happily watch anything from this writer knowing how much I absolutely loved both Mare of Easttown and Task. I, like you, just wanted Robbie to find a way out and live his life with his kids. In the end, it seems like that’s what Tom wanted too. Without spoiling too much, Tom and Robbie get a chance to spend some time together, and I think they both know they’re more similar than different. Both are drowning and just drifting farther from the water’s surface. m
TORTURING TIPPI: San Francisco socialite Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren), on an impromptu trip to Bodega Bay, is attacked by birds, in The Birds, screening on Oct. 27, in Morro Bay’s Bay Theatre.
The “master of suspense” also certainly conjured an intense atmosphere throughout, and the story’s lack of neat resolution makes it somewhat of an anomaly. Nature rebels, but why? (119 min.) m —Glen
Eats
FOOD PHOTOS COURTESY OF SAUCE BABY
DYNAMIC DUO: Michael and Diana Muranaka dreamed of starting a business together, and their hot sauce brand, Sauce Baby, just celebrated its first full year of business.
Hot in here An Orcutt couple celebrates one year of their signature hot sauce, Hot Lil Mama
BY MADISON WHITE
M
ichael and Diana Muranaka quote their favorite movie, Bridesmaids, to each other so often that one scene inspired the name of their hot sauce company. The scene follows a police officer who stops Kristen Wiig’s character and recognizes her from a sign at her bakery. “You’re Cake Baby,” the officer said, referencing the name of her business. Then Sauce Baby was born. “This company is basically us,”
Michael said. “It’s like our relationship.” In their 15 years of marriage, they knew they wanted to start a business together. After some abandoned ideas—like a directory for tourists in El Salvador, where they lived for seven years—Sauce Baby stuck. The brand recently celebrated its first anniversary. Like the name of the company, the ingredients in their sauce, called Hot Lil Mama, also have a unique background. Michael is the chef in their household and started mixing
Craving some heat?
Sauce Baby’s signature product, Hot Lil Mama, is sold in nearly 20 stores up and down the Central Coast, from Paso Robles to Santa Ynez. It’s also available to order online at heysaucebaby.com along with the brand’s hats, shirts, and stickers. Follow the brand on Instagram @heysaucebaby. PUT IT ON EVERYTHING: Sauce Baby’s signature product is Hot Lil Mama, a sauce with a medium heat level. It’s made with manzano, Fresno, serrano, and Thai chili peppers, featuring hibiscus tea for a tangy touch. Michael Muranaka designed the spunky label.
ingredients in their blender. The first one he remembered making was a jalapeño and pineapple sauce. As he continued experimenting, the couple began to think more seriously about starting a hot sauce company. “For Michael, it’s also a creative outlet,” Diana said. “He’s a very creative person, so I think cooking is another channel for him to express that.” Hot Lil Mama is a blend of manzano,
Fresno, serrano, and Thai chilis. The special ingredient is brewed hibiscus tea, common in El Salvador, where Diana is from. “We tried it, and it perfectly rounded the hot sauce out,” Michael said. Their sauce complements a wide variety of food, the Orcutt couple agrees, from eggs to pizza. “I think it’s definitely more than just the heat plus vinegar,” Diana said.
“I do like when it’s tangy.” Diana likes that the spice in Hot Lil Mama doesn’t keep burning for an extended period. Unlike her husband who grew up on hot sauce, she started eating it when she met him. Michael said she’s the inspiration for the name of the sauce, which is now in almost 20 Central Coast stores from Paso Robles down to Santa Ynez.
EATS continued page 30
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Eats
PHOTO COURTESY OF SAUCE BABY
EATS from page 29
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It’s sold in places like the Old Town Market in Orcutt, California Fresh Market in Pismo Beach, and SLO Ranch Farms in San Luis Obispo. The label is printed in Paso Robles, and the bottles are packed in Nipomo. Michael said Hot Lil Mama also gets shipped across the state and country. The process of making the sauce gets specific, Michael said. It’s no longer as simple as blending the ingredients in their kitchen. “We had to figure out how long you have to blend stuff to get the consistency that you want,” he explained. “Since we have hibiscus in it, you have to boil the hibiscus first to make tea before you add it to the hot sauce. It oddly gets pretty A KICK HERE AND THERE: Michael Muranaka’s favorite involved, but it’s really cool.” food to drizzle Hot Lil Mama over is pizza and burritos, and The label, doodled by Michael, his wife, Diana, loves to put it on breakfast food. sums up their relationship and, in turn, their company. “What has been really enjoyable is just being “In my head the character looks relentless. out in the community,” Michael said. He looks kind of beat up and stuff, but ready to Customers have asked for a spicier version of continue,” Michael said. “Every time we really wanted to do something, we’ve always been able to Hot Lil Mama, which the couple is “95 percent sure” they’ll develop, Michael said. They plan to buckle down and talk through and figure it out.” use Caroliina Reaper peppers to jack up the heat “It’s like funky, … pretty unique and bold,” while maintaining the same flavor. Diana added. “That’s kind of like how we are too. For now, Michael and Diana are proud of how Serious when we have to be serious, and then we far they’ve come in one year. Diana said she still just like having fun.” When they started the venture, neither of them likes to take pictures of Hot Lil Mama when she sees it in stores. knew about the food industry. They’re both used “It’s almost unbelievable,” Michael said. “I’m to working in creative spaces. Diana remembered very happy that we’re doing this together.” m filling out stacks of frustrating paperwork before they could even make the product. Staff Writer Madison White is turning up “A lot of the unknown but pushing through the heat. Send peppers to mwhite@ because we’re together,” she said about the early santamariasun.com. stages of the business.
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