Sun, October 2, 2025

One Battle is a helluva ride [20]

Unsatisfied by a 1 percent raise, Santa Maria-Bonita employees enter mediation with the district [5]

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

A position’s worth

As Santa Maria-Bonita School District’s classified staff watched a handful of their higher-ups receive promotions and raises, district administrators offered them only a 1 percent raise. That means less than 20 cents per hour for one longtime food service worker. Others have described their situation as barely enough to pay rent and eat. Now the classified employees union and the district are in negotiations over their contract, and Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood writes about what’s next [5]

Also, read about unpermitted food vendors [3]; three best friends who put up an art show in Los Olivos [18]; and Britishinspired tea and goodies in Lompoc [21]

Camillia Lanham editor

Team: Colette Florey, Dzi, Janae Amador, Isabella Moreno

Yuritzi Grooming Externs: Cody Dugan & Holly Prewitt

Brandi Janke & Ryleigh MacLean

• In a Sept. 26 statement, U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) commented on the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) recent cancellations of bargaining agreement contracts with correctional workers nationwide, including at the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC), Lompoc. The canceled contracts will impact about 35,000 employees nationally, according to Carbajal’s office. “Stripping correctional officers of their collective bargaining rights will only undermine morale, recruitment, and retention at a time when staff stability and safety are critical,” Carbajal stated. “I stand firmly with the correctional workers at FCC Lompoc and will push for the restoration of their bargaining rights.” In April, Carbajal co-sponsored the bipartisan Prison Staffing Reform Act, which directs BOP to conduct a review of prisons’ understaffing issues, devise a three-year plan to fill vacancies, and implement the plan, as well as submit yearly progress reports to Congress.

•U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-California) and Tim Sheehy (R-Montana)—co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate Wildfire Caucus—recently introduced The Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act. This bill would allow states to designate accredited nonprofit land trusts to manage conservation easements purchased with federal funding from the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program (FLP). While expanding FLP’s conservation footprint, the bill aims to minimize wildfire risk through “practical solutions to strengthen our forest resiliency,” Padilla said in a Sept. 24 statement. “Californians know that the status quo isn’t working when it comes to wildfire and forest management,” Padilla stated. “Addressing the wildfire crisis requires collaboration between federal and state governments, private landowners, and nonprofit land trusts to responsibly manage our forest lands. … Our bipartisan bill would improve the conservation of private forests to mitigate wildfire risk while protecting important forest resources and habitat and expanding access to outdoor recreation.” Laurie Wayburn, Pacific Forest Trust president, described the Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act as “commonsense, no-cost enhancement” of the FLP. “It will make it easier for private landowners and states to fulfill their goals of voluntarily conserving well-managed working forestlands for all their public benefits while maintaining private ownership,” Wayburn said in a statement from Padilla’s office. “The option provided in this bill will help many states leverage privatepublic partnerships to get better outcomes while saving money and resources. This bill would unlock and leverage millions in federal funding to help states conserve priority working forestlands, create good-paying jobs, and support sustainable forest management practices that reduce wildfire risk.”

• Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry member and U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-California) was among the 10 senators who signed a Sept. 24 letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins with inquiries about the department’s recent restructuring initiative. In July, Rollins released a memo to announce the department’s plan to relocate certain Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) staffers to five regional hubs in different parts of the country. None of the designated hubs are in California. “Has USDA analyzed how relocating multiple FNS regional offices away from their respective states might impact staff’s ability to provide direct technical assistance to their states?” the Sept. 24 letter asks Rollins. “This proposed reorganization will lead to reduced oversight quality, diminished technical assistance, and weakened relationships with state partners. … Contrary to USDA’s stated purpose, consolidating staff away from the regions they work in makes it more difficult and expensive for FNS employees to get out into the field to do their jobs.” m

County responds to grand jury report on unpermitted food vending

As part of their duties in a recent Santa Barbara County grand jury investigation, jurors visited dozens of food trucks and carts across the region.

Their observations of several state food safety code violations, combined with interviews of local health officials, inspired the jury’s verdict that the county needs to get a better handle on its street vendor scene.

“I’m really grateful to the grand jury because this is an issue that we’ve identified and they validate that,” 3rd District county Supervisor Joan Hartmann said at the Board of Supervisors’ Sept. 23 hearing. “I think many of their recommendations are right in sync with what we’ve been learning. So right on, grand jury.”

The board approved county staff’s responses to the grand jury report with a 5-0 vote during the meeting. Environmental Health Services (EHS) Director Lars Seifert walked supervisors through the report’s findings and recommendations.

While staff disagreed with the grand jury’s finding that the county lacks any “established process by which the public can report unpermitted mobile food vendors to county health,” Seifert outlined a pilot program that aims to give community members a new way to file food complaints beyond calling or emailing county officials.

“EHS does provide public phone numbers/ email addresses specifically for submitting complaints or concerns,” Seifert said. “These channels are monitored regularly by staff during business hours, and complaints are tracked and promptly responded to.”

“[We’re] currently piloting this online reporting form and should have this available to disseminate to the public in the near future,” he continued. “[It] will support more timely and efficient enforcement actions by enabling the public to provide information directly from a mobile device regarding the location and operation of unpermitted street food vendors.”

On Sept. 26, EHS debuted the new feature online for the public’s use.

During the Board of Supervisors’ review of the grand jury report, 2nd District Supervisor Laura Capps noted “that when the grand jury took this up, we were in a very different climate on our streets.”

“This is predominantly an immigrant issue, and there’s a lot of fear out there. … I just hope that we keep perspective,” Capps said at the September meeting. “While I know that of course no one is in support of bad meat or open flames or public spaces being used improperly. … I just want to make sure that we keep things in balance.”

“I know that LA County has paused enforcement of food vending given ICE raids, etc.,” she added.

Supervisor Hartmann said she appreciated Capps’ comment but added that the county’s come across several unpermitted vendors “largely controlled by a few operations working out of Orange County and LA [that are] very exploitative of the labor that they use.”

“When we talk about balance, I think it’s important that people play by the rules, and I think that this is something that’s being exploited not for the benefit of the immigrant community, but the benefit of people who are taking advantage of them from a few small companies,” Hartmann said. “That’s why there’s a concern about human trafficking. They’re also competing with Latino restaurants, and they also have many Latino employees. In my area, the Santa Ynez Valley, one [restaurant] is really struggling to keep in operation because a food truck is right there.”

—Caleb Wiseblood

Guadalupe asks the public to weigh in on urban forest management plan

The city of Guadalupe is in the process of finalizing its first urban forest management plan with grant money from the state to help maintain healthy trees. The plan is set to be finalized in February, but first the city is asking for suggestions from the public about their priorities for the city’s canopy.

An urban forest refers to trees in a city that can benefit the community by creating shade, mitigating flood risks, and contributing to better mental health, explained Dayanira Cruz, a Public Works engineering technician.

“Trees are vital to the community, and they have a multitude of benefits,” Cruz told the Sun “To just have people understand how important trees are to the community, I think that’s the ultimate goal.”

Overall, the 40-year plan will serve as a reference guide for managing current and future trees. For example, as Guadalupe continues to grow, Cruz said the city wants developers and individuals to have a recommended species list when planting new trees.

“We have a lot of young trees,” Cruz said. “We really want to see those trees live a long time, and so really the goal of the 40-year plan is to just create something that is going to last a long time.”

Most of Guadalupe’s trees are on private property, so it’s important for the plan to include information for residents about how to trim

trees, plant native species, and care for diseased trees, Cruz said.

“I know people want trees, it’s just a lot of times the maintenance part of it is the thing that sometimes might deter people from actually planting a tree,” Cruz said.

Cal Fire awarded the city roughly $170,000 in 2022 through the state’s urban and community forestry grant program. Since then, the city has created a GIS inventory of the city’s public trees and a map for future planting locations. The city is working alongside the environmental consulting company, Dudek, to develop the plan. Public input opportunities will continue into 2026. The city’s first focus group took place in September, and the next session will be held virtually through Zoom on Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. There will be live Spanish translation at the meeting.

Individuals who live or work in Guadalupe can also fill out a brief online survey, in English or Spanish, through Oct. 31. Participants indicate where they would like to see more trees in the city and what would encourage them to plant a tree on their property.

In addition, the city is urging residents to read the plan and attend City Council meetings to offer suggestions when the draft is under review. The meetings will likely take place in December or January, Cruz said.

“We want more urban forestry,” Cruz said. “We want to protect what we have.”

—Madison White

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: In the Santa Barbara County grand jury report titled Unpermitted Street Food Vendors in Santa Barbara County, the jury cited observations of improper meat, fruit, and vegetable storage at various mobile food vendor pop-ups.

WHAT TO RECYCLE

In Santa Maria

Buellton Planning Commission reinstates former 4th District representative

With new blood on the Buellton City Council after August’s mail-in election, a familiar face returns to the Planning Commission.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to continue serving,” three-year Buellton resident Daniel Contreras told the Sun. “Having previously served on the commission, I look forward to building on the experience.”

In early 2024, the council appointed Contreras to fill a mid-term vacancy after former Commissioner Patty Hammel retired from the dais 11 months early.

For the majority of 2025, however, that 4th District commission seat was empty in parallel with the City Council’s eight-month vacancy. Both boards were short a member between January and September.

That changed when 4th District Councilmember Carla Mead, a newcomer to city government, was sworn in on Sept. 25. Her first formal action as an elected official was appointing Contreras to the Planning Commission. He was the sole applicant.

“I read through your application, and I think you and I have very similar goals,” Mead told Contreras. “One of the things that stood out to me is this idea of balancing economic development and safeguarding Buellton’s unique character and values, and I think that is something that every person in this room can agree to, and everyone sitting on this dais as well.”

Originally from Whittier, Contreras told the Sun that he and his family moved to Buellton about three years ago for a change of pace.

“We wanted to get [somewhere] a little bit more quieter and a little bit slower. Living the

fast-paced life of LA takes a toll on you with two kids in the household,” said Contreras, who works for Santa Barbara County as a General Services division manager.

In his application to Buellton for Planning Commission consideration, Contreras described one of his platforms as prioritizing development projects that repurpose closed businesses and idle properties.

“One of the things we kind of really cherish around here is the open spaces that we have. We also have a lot of facilities and parcels that are just gathering dust at the moment, and we’re not revitalizing those areas,” he told the Sun. “I think that’s very important that we get to revitalize those areas before we go on to our open spaces.

“One that I’m really looking forward to is the development for the former Pea Soup Andersen’s property,” said Contreras, who added that he misses the shuttered restaurant’s soup and roast beef.

The historic site’s owner submitted concept plans for a proposed redevelopment—a mixeduse building with a new restaurant, other commercial spaces, and one-bedroom condos— in October 2024.

Contreras said he doesn’t know specifics about the project’s status in the Planning Commission’s review and public hearing pipeline. Buellton’s planning and development website describes the pitch as “only a submitted concept. … There is a substantial process before anything will be built on the site.”

The Planning Commission’s Oct. 2 meeting was canceled due to a lack of agenda items, so the committee’s first hearing as a complete fivemember board since late 2024 will be Oct. 16.

“I see this role as an opportunity to listen, collaborate, and help guide decisions that will shape Buellton’s future,” Contreras said, “in a positive way.” m

—Caleb Wiseblood

CONNECT THE DOTS: Alvin Elementary School is among the Santa Maria-Bonita School District campuses that employ teacher aides and other workers who are members of the California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter 129. The union recently declared an impasse with the district over its latest raise offer to classified employees.

Suspension disbelief

Santa Maria-Bonita School District labor union pushes higher wages for classified employees to state mediator

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

This October marks Cheryl Ausan’s 31st year making breakfast and lunch for hundreds of schoolchildren a day.

She’s been stationed in cafeteria kitchens within the Santa Maria-Bonita School District (SMBSD) for all 31 of those years. For the past 20, she’s held the title of food service worker at Ida Redmond Taylor Elementary School on Carlotti Drive.

Accepting the fact that her wages at year 31 are equal to most fast food employees on day one wasn’t a problem for Ausan until recently, she said, when talks between her labor union and the school district about a raise dispute reached a boiling point.

“For me, 1 percent is less than 20 cents an hour,” Ausan told the Sun

That’s the highest percentage raise the district was willing to offer its cafeteria workers, custodians, instructional aides, and other nonteacher positions broadly defined as classified employees who are part of the California School

Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter 129 union.

“The only reason I’m still here is I’ve put in so much time and I’m getting ready to retire in the next four or five years,” said Ausan, who described her CalPERS benefits as “a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Melissa Gutierrez, president of CSEA Chapter 129, told the Sun that the union and the school district reached an impasse over the offer in September. She said the next step will be working with a state-assigned mediator.

Months of prior negotiations between the two agencies included a survey distributed to about 1,000 classified employees during the spring. Of the 200 employees who responded, 72 percent voted for an 8 percent raise or higher, while 28 percent voted for a 1 to 7 percent raise.

Ausan was among those in the latter camp.

“I didn’t want to be greedy,” she said with a laugh.

When the union presented the survey results

to district leaders before the end of the 2024-25 school year, the slideshow quoted comments from employees:

“I am constantly torn between keeping a job I am happy at and love and looking for something that will pay me enough to pay rent and eat.”

“I love this job and everything it entitles but not making a living wage is killing me.”

“My family is needing to use our credit cards for basic necessities.”

According to Chapter 129 President Gutierrez, the 15-minute slideshow didn’t garner feedback from district officials in attendance.

“When we had presented that in negotiations with the district’s team, there was no response. I mean, people were on their cellphones during the presentation. People were on their laptops,” Gutierrez said. “We really don’t feel that we’re being heard at all.”

Gutierrez’s union declared its intention to flip SMBSD’s elected board—filling it with supportive members—in light of the impasse during the last week of September, the same week the board approved promotions for four district director positions with a 5-0 vote.

“They tell us that there’s no money: ‘We can’t give you more than 1 percent, but we can find money for all these management positions.’ That’s really been upsetting,” Gutierrez said.

“It’s time to find community leaders that will listen and will ask the hard questions, and not just rubber stamp everything, and just nod and agree with the district.”

SMBSD Deputy Superintendent Matthew Beecher told the board in September that the raises attached to the promotions were appropriate based on changes in job descriptions.

“Creating new positions can be very expensive if you’re backfilling the position that it’s created from. That’s not the intention tonight,” Beecher said at the Sept. 10 meeting. “[We’re] making changes congruent with other school districts.”

Beecher said the annual total cost of the four raises combined was $48,000, dispersed between leadership roles in nutrition services, facilities maintenance, fiscal services, and contracts and procurement.

“It is important to properly reflect the responsibilities of these positions and the impact that their decisions have on the district and its mission,” said Beecher, who told the board that the goal behind the proposal was to give each coordinator with increased responsibilities a new “job description and title that makes sense, then create the compensation that aligns with that job description.”

CSEA Chapter 129 President Gutierrez said that the last time her union branch declared an impasse was about a new job description the union and school board couldn’t agree on how to compensate.

About four years ago, the district updated its job description for more than 20 computer lab aides employed at the time with new responsibilities, according to Gutierrez.

“[SMBSD] said, ‘We’re just updating the job description, they don’t need raises,’” Gutierrez recalled. “It was literally over 29 cents. The difference between us and the district was 29 cents, and they fought us until we went to impasse.”

About a month after a state mediator got involved, Gutierrez said the district’s negotiators “finally came back and said, ‘OK, fine, we’ll give it to you.’”

“I still don’t understand why they’re taking the hard way,” Gutierrez said. “I don’t know if the district’s team does it just to see if we’ll give up. … Sometimes I do feel that way.”

As for the district’s latest negotiations with CSEA over classified employees’ wages, SMBSD Public Information Officer Samantha Scroggin said that the district cannot discuss specifics.

“SMBSD values all our employees and their contributions and is committed to reaching a compensation agreement that highlights that appreciation,” Scroggin said in a statement via email. “The interest-based bargaining team, including management and classified staff, are working toward next steps on reaching an agreement.” m

Reach Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood at cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.

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Flying high

Righetti High senior spruces up OASIS Senior Center during his Eagle Scout service project

BY MADISON WHITE

Ansh Vinchhi recently joined the roughly 4 percent of scouts in the country who achieve Eagle Scout ranking, the highest achievement in the program. He demonstrated that he is trustworthy, helpful, brave, kind, and all the other characteristics that scouts should exemplify, as outlined by scout laws.

The Ernest Righetti High School senior celebrated his accomplishment with his family and fellow troop members at a ceremony in September. Vinchhi is one of 21 scouts in Troop 87, based out of Santa Maria. Scoutmaster Ron Terry estimated that there have been 16 Eagle Scouts in the troop in the past eight years, a relatively high number that signals the troop’s dedication.

much English.

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

Vinchhi became a Cub Scout in 2018 and was soon old enough to join Boy Scout Troop 87 at age 11. From there, he climbed seven rankings to become an Eagle Scout.

“I learned just kind of like how resilient I can be when I’m faced with a lot of challenges,” Vinchhi said.

Some of his favorite memories are from summer camps. He participated in three of the weeklong camps and remembered having fun shooting rifles and throwing hatchets.

Become a Scout

Kids ages 11 to 18 are eligible to participate in Scouting America. To join a scouting unit, visit beascout.scouting. org. Follow Boy Scout Troop 87 on Facebook for updates. The troop is open to girls and boys.

“All three of them have been awesome,” Vinchhi said. “[I] met a lot of cool people from different scout troops that you wouldn’t be able to meet otherwise.”

Amid building leadership skills, making friendships, and giving back to the community, scouts dedicate time to earning merit badges, which signify proficiency in certain skills. Only 21 are required to become an Eagle Scout; Vinchhi earned 31.

In addition to certain mandatory badges like first aid and camping, scouts can choose topics they want to learn more about. Vinchhi collected badges in robotics, wood carving, and animation, among others. He said the hiking badge took the most effort because he had to complete four 10-mile hikes and one 20-mile hike.

Every Eagle Scout’s last milestone is a service project. Vinchhi decided to spruce up the OASIS Senior Center. He painted the interior offices, improved the landscaping, and built a bench for the center. He said planning the project took around two years.

Terry, a mentor to Troop 87 for the past 13 years, explained that the project is a “big deal” and must serve the greater good of the community.

“It asks a lot of leadership out of the Eagle Scout or candidate,” Terry said.

Vinchhi’s project honored his grandparents, frequent visitors of the center, who he said moved to the U.S. from India and didn’t speak

“They didn’t have American friends, so the OASIS Senior Center did an amazing job of providing them with like a second home, so I wanted to show gratitude,” Vinchhi said. Outside of scouting, Vinchhi competes in track and cross country and likes to stargaze, a passion inspired by his astronomy merit badge. After graduation he hopes to study astrophysics in college.

His advice to younger scouts is that scouting is all about the journey, not the destination.

“Sticking through it is what matters most,” Vinchhi said. “That will really teach you a lot about yourself, a lot about others, and a lot about a bunch of topics that you would never find out otherwise.”

Highlights

• The Santa Maria Valley Senior Citizens Club (SMVSCC) promotes happiness and active lifestyles for adults 50 years and older. The nonprofit offers a wide range of activities at the Elwin E. Mussell Senior Citizens Center in Santa Maria. During the week, the club holds indoor pickleball, billiards, bingo, mahjongg, yoga, dancing, and more. SMVSCC also provides educational, health and wellness, legal, and transportation resources. The center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during weekdays. Call (805) 349-0688 or visit smvscc. org for more information.

• Applications are open for the Lompoc Valley Children’s Christmas Season Parade. Individuals, groups, and businesses are invited to apply. The application is available at cityoflompoc.com/recreation or at the Anderson Recreation Center. The deadline is Nov. 17. The parade is scheduled for Dec. 5 and will start at 6 p.m. on H Street. m

Joseph Nunez, M.D.

Shane Rostermundt, D.O.

Michele Kielty, D.O.

Ryan Leachman, D.O.

Lynn Peltier, C.P.N.P.

Jessica Prather, C.N.P.

Geronna Leonards, N.P.

COURTESY PHOTO BY RANI SUBRAMANI

GIVING BACK: Ansh Vinchhi’s Eagle Scout service project helped refurbish the OASIS Center, where his grandparents spent a lot of time after moving to the area. Vinchhi built a bench, repainted interior rooms, and revitalized the landscape.

The

Santa Maria Joint Union

High School District

Special Education - Child Find

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

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

El Distrito Escolar de las Escuelas

Preparatorias de Santa Maria

Educación Especial - Búsqueda de Estudiantes

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

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

Should the county get more info from ICE regarding its activity in the county?

36% Yes, and it should get warnings of future operations.

36% No. There’s nothing the county can do about ICE activity.

14% Yes. The supervisors were right to update local policy.

14% No. The Sheriff’s Office already updates the county. 14 Votes

Vote online at www.santamariasun.com.

Maria, CA 93454

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Fool’s folly

Should politicians define and regulate ‘hate speech’?

BY RON FINK

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution “guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition.” Taking it literally, this means you can say anything you want about anything or anybody, sometimes.

One exception is that you can’t shout “fire” in a crowded theater unless there really is a fire in progress.

The earliest form of widespread communication was the town newspaper. Then, as now, the content was controlled by the owner of the publication. What followed was radio, then television, and finally the internet.

In the last decade broadcasters have been canceling shows that conflict with their management’s, the audience’s, or advertisers’ view of the political scene. This has aggravated many people who don’t realize that this isn’t the first decade in which this has happened.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, two comedy shows, Laugh-In and The Smothers Brothers were a little too edgy for local TV stations in Boise, Idaho, which routinely canceled their broadcast without notice.

At the time, according to a Fox News post, “Johnny Carson warned against preaching in entertainment” in a 60 Minutes interview.

In the last couple of years, we have been hearing that “hate speech” should be regulated.

The proliferation of 24/7 political opinionating on the public airways and social media has produced an unending stream of false information. Repeating the same falsehoods endlessly as

if they were fact has me not believing anything I see or hear either in print or on social media.

The online Encyclopedia Britannica defines hate speech this way: “Typical hate speech involves epithets and slurs, statements that promote malicious stereotypes, and speech intended to incite hatred or violence against a group.”

The online dictionary Merriam-Webster defines malicious this way: “having or showing a desire to cause harm to someone.” Some would say that most political comedy or pre-election ads that paint a person in an unflattering way might fit this description.

I think that an objective observer would say trying to regulate free speech from a public policy perspective based on these definitions would involve subjective decision-making by whichever political party is in power.

Therefore, asking the government to decide what’s “hate speech” would become very complicated.

It’s best left to the consumer who can simply research socalled “facts” and ignore those that are false.

Private industry—newspapers, radio, television, manufacturing, retail, and any other entity owned by a private person or corporation—is another story. The idea of free speech in any workplace is always subject to the interpretation of the business owner.

Considering that the current political atmosphere is akin to the rivalry between the Hatfields and the McCoys, whose families set out to eliminate each other in the late 1800s over some obscure disagreement, it’s no wonder that so-called “hate speech” has proliferated as each

political party tries to gain more power.

But back to the basic question, should government regulate “hate speech”? Asking politicians to define it is a fool’s folly. Why? Because they would conclude that any negative comments about their performance in office or their stance on current issues would fit that definition.

The enforcement of any regulation would be fluid depending on which party was running the government. And if strictly applied, that definition would eliminate almost all public discussion of any issue.

To quote Alexander Hamilton—one of the founders of our nation who in the late 1700s wrote in the Federalists Papers—“I have had an eye, my fellow-citizens, to putting you upon your guard against all attempts, from whatever quarter, to influence your decision in a matter of the utmost moment to your welfare, by any impressions other than those which may result from the evidence of truth.”

That’s still true in 2025. m

Ron Fink writes to the Sun from Lompoc. Send a letter for publication to letters@ santamariasun.com.

We want to know what you think about everything. Send your 250-word letter to Sun Letters, 801 S Broadway Suite 3, Santa Maria, CA 93454. You can also fax it (1-805-546-8641) or e-mail it (letters@santamariasun.com). All letters must include a name, address, and phone number for verification purposes; may be edited for space or clarity; and will be posted to santamariasun.com.

Why we must fight back and pass Proposition 50

If ever the maxim of fighting fire with fire presented a fitting action, it’s in these desperate times.

Texas mid-decade and against rules reshaped the state district map, a move intended to add more Republicans to Congress when Trump asked for five more seats. A move that suppresses the votes of brown and Black residents. The governor’s action lit a fuse that exploded into a conflagration that affects us all. For a nation to function, its citizens must abide by agreed upon rules.

The United States, though born imperfect, has strived to improve. Over the past 250 years, we’ve progressed slowly through hard-fought battles for our constitutional rights, but no situation has been as crucial as the one we now face.

The Republican Party under the tyrannical leadership of Trump turns the clock back. He has control of all three branches of government. He’s whipped a large segment of the media, courts, and universities into submission, closing down avenues of information and redress. He himself charges, convicts, and disappears people. He upends regulations, which destroy our health care system, our environment, and our justice system. Crucially it denies us free speech and isolates us.

We stand in the path of a maelstrom with few ways to fight back. We can play fair and stand by as democracy burns to ashes or start a defensive fire to contain the turbulence. Passing Proposition 50—a temporary measure—gives us a chance of gaining some control in Congress.

When the Republicans change the rules, we must fight back. An unchecked authoritarian government closes all avenues of dissent. Once in power, it’s very difficult to restore democracy. It’s essential to fight back before it’s too late.

Shirley Schaffer Arroyo Grande

Sarah Newfeld-Green and Kathy Bond Grover Beach

The good fight

If my boss offered me a raise that was less than 20 cents an hour, I’d be offended. That’s why I’m empathetic to the plight of Santa Maria-Bonita School District’s classified employees, who took a look at the district’s offer of a 1 percent raise and decided it was time for a mediator to step in!

Meanwhile a handful of higher-ups are getting $10,000 raises! That’s rude.

A woman who’s worked in the district’s kitchens for 31 years has wages that are about equal to most fast food employees on day 1. How?

“My family is needing to use our credit cards for basic necessities,” one employee told the classified employees union.

But the district is claiming that there’s no money, according to the union’s president, Melissa Gutierrez, who added that the district can find money for management positions.

“That’s been really upsetting,” she said.

And the union is threatening to upend the district’s board by running candidates against current board members.

“It’s time to find community leaders that will listen and will ask the hard questions, and not just rubber stamp everything, and just nod and agree with the district,” Gutierrez said.

Ooh. Them’s fighting words.

Are they taking a page out of the Santa Maria Firefighters Local 2020’s playbook and spending a bunch of money on candidates and a campaign against sitting elected officials? That union didn’t get what it wanted out of the election.

But firefighters did get a significant raise—14 percent—although it wasn’t what the union initially fought for.

I guess if that tack sort of worked, it’s worth the good fight! Right?

Santa Barbara County with the nuisance of unpermitted food vendors and the various ailments that go along with that—potential labor trafficking, food poisoning, unsafe roadways, etc. You know, code violations and legal issues.

Things are bad enough that the involved and penned a report that was strikingly similar to the county’s own conclusions. What’s up with that? Two in row? Remember the cannabis?

The food vendors issue has been one of 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann policy issues for a while now, and she concurred with the grand jury and the county.

“This is an issue that we’ve identified and they validate that,” she said. “Many of their recommendations are right in sync with what we’ve been learning. So right on, grand jury.”

It is nice to be validated, isn’t it.

However, one of her colleagues decided to hop on her immigrant issue soap box.

“While I know that of course no one is in support of bad meat or open flames or public spaces being used improperly, … I just want to make sure that we keep things in balance,” 2nd District Supervisor Laura Capps County paused enforcement due to the Hartmann countered that many of the unpermitted vendors are exploitative of the very people that Capps is concerned about. So what’s the answer?

Roy Lee of the 1st District wondered whether the county could tell its employees not to eat at these roadside spots. Well, apparently, the county can’t tell people what to do in their free time. So, not the answer?

The Canary wonders about these electeds sometimes. Send concerns to canary@santamariasun.com.

Hot Stuff

The next bar takeover is set for Thursday, Oct. 2, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at Steller’s Cellar in Orcutt. Each week, a participating winery offers a flight and “takes over” the bar to pour their wine and answer any questions. To sample various wines, mark your calendar and visit stellerscellar.com for additional details.

ARTS

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/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: 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. Oct. 9-26 $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.

THE HUMANS Watch this production at the Santa Maria Civic Theatre. Get tickets and more details regarding showtimes at the link. Oct. 10-26 $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 VALLEY

“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. MondaysSundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Oct. (805) 688-7517. GalleryLosOlivos.com. Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos. PAINTING IN THE VINEYARD AT KOEHLER WINERY Head to Santa Barbara County Wine Country to sip wine and paint amongst the picturesque Koehler Winery in Santa Ynez. Oct. 11 , 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $89. (805) 325-8092. artspotonwheels.com. Koehler Winery, 5360 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos, California, 93441, United States, Los Olivos.

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 COUNTY

DANCE FITNESS ART AND CULTURE FOR ADULTS Discover dance as a form of artistic expression and exercise, using a wide range of styles and genres of music (including modern, jazz, Broadway, ethnic). Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m. $10 drop-in;

$30 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach. 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.

MANHATTAN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

Discover your inner film critic by casting your vote for Best Film and Best Actor in the 28th Annual Manhattan Short Film Festival. Oct. 2 1-4 p.m. and Oct. 3 1-3 p.m. Free. (805) 773-2263. slolibrary.org/. Shell Beach Library, 230 Leeward Ave, Shell Beach.

SLO COUNTY OPEN STUDIOS TOURDESIGNS BY TINA LOUISE, STUDIO # 24

Join the SLO Open Studios Tour with jewelry artist and designer Tina Doherty of Designs by Tina Louise. Oct. 11 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Oct. 12 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 720-0582. Designs by Tina Louise, 2342 Brant Street, Arroyo Grande.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

ARTIST RIKI SCHUMACHER AT ART

CENTRAL GALLERY Schumacher’s work is pensive and introspective, inspiring one to take a solitary walk on a cloudy day. Wander in to reflect on her “delicious, wistful landscapes.” Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. Free. (805) 747-4200. artcentralslo.com/galleryartists/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

AS THE CROW FLIES WITH LINDA CUNNINGHAM In this 4-hour mixed media workshop, you’ll receive step-by-

step instruction for creating a beautiful detailed collage of crows or ravens. Oct. 4 12-4 p.m. $45. (805) 478-2158. i0.wp.com/ artcentralslo.com/wp-content/uploads/ 2025/08/As-The-Crow-FliesCunningham.jpg Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

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

CENTRAL COAST COMEDY THEATER IMPROV COMEDY SHOW An ongoing improv comedy program featuring the CCCT’s Ensemble. Grab some food at the public market’s wonderful eateries and enjoy the show upstairs. Second Friday of every month, 6-8 p.m. $10. centralcoastcomedytheater.com/shows/. SLO Public Market, 120 Tank Farm Road, San Luis Obispo.

CUESTA DRAMA PRESENTS: JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH Join us in the Experimental Theater for this stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s famous children’s novel. Oct. 9 7:30 p.m., Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m., Oct. 11 2 & 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 12 , 2 p.m. $25 General, $20 Student w/ID. (805) 546-3198. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

IMPRESSIONISTIC REALISM OIL PAINTING WITH FRANK EBER Learn how to paint lively, expressive paintings with a focus on color accuracy, mark making, and the interconnection of each element. Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m. through Oct. 28 $295 for 6 classes. (805) 747-4200. i0.wp.com/artcentralslo.com/wp-content/ uploads/2025/08/Frank-Eber-Advanced-

Oil-Sept-Oct25.jpg Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

IMPROV WITH BENEFITS Join a dynamic cast of improvisers for a one-of-a-kind comedy show at Bioneers. Every laugh helps create positive change. Oct. 3 , 5:30-6:30 p.m. $10. Octagon Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis Obispo, (805) 544-9096, octagonbarn.org.

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.

MANHATTAN SHORT FILM FEST You be the judge! Watch short films screen simultaneously around the world. See and vote on films from up-and-coming filmmakers. See link for locations. Oct. 2 1:30-4:30 p.m. and Oct. 3 1-4 p.m. Free. sanluisobispo.librarycalendar.com/events/ list?program_types%5B368%5D=368. Various SLO County Libraries, Varies, Varies, (805) 781-5785.

OIL PAINTING: EXPRESSIONISTIC REALISM WITH FRANK EBER Learn how to paint lively, expressive paintings with a focus on color accuracy, markmaking, and the interconnection of each element. This class is for intermediate and advanced painters. Tuesdays, 1:30-4:30 p.m. through Oct. 28 $295. (805) 747-4200. i0.wp.com/artcentralslo.com/wp-content/ uploads/2025/08/Frank-Eber-AdvancedOil-Sept-Oct25-1.jpg Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

PAINT A FALL WREATH WITH TISHA

SMITH Instructor Tisha Smith will guide you step by step in painting a work of art which you can use to make cards, prints, etc. Oct. 9 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $25. (805) 440-9048. i0.wp.com/artcentralslo. com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/FallWreath-Oct.jpg Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

PICKET PAINTING PARTY Decorative picket purchasing opportunities are available to show your support and help fund maintenance and educational programs in the Children’s Garden. Second

Saturday of every month, 1-4 p.m. $75 per picket or 2 for $100. (805) 541-1400. slobg. org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo. PLEIN AIR PAINTERS OF THE CENTRAL COAST A self-directed fun group of dynamic artists who enjoy painting and sketching outdoors. Artists meet on site at various locations. Weekly plein air destinations are provided by Kirsti Wothe via email (mrswothe@yahoo.com). Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon SLO County, Locations countywide, San Luis Obispo.

SIJI KRISHNAN Krishnan’s evocative paintings exist in a realm between memory and myth, where figures emerge from translucent layers of pigment. Through Jan. 11, 2026, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 543-8562. sloma.org/exhibition/sijikrishnan/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

SPLISH SPLASH! A WATERCOLOR EXHIBIT Central Coast Watercolor Society & Art Central presents “Splish Splash!” celebrating excellence in watermedia painting. Mondays-Sundays, 12-6 p.m. through Nov. 3 (805) 747-4200. artcentralslo.com/gallery/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

VIRGINIA MACK: BEGINNING WATERCOLOR This is a watercolor class designed to let you jump in and try out this engaging medium through experimentation. It’s designed for beginners and those with watercolor experience who wish to expand their knowledge of painting in watercolors. To enroll please contact Mack via email: vbmack@charter.net Mondays, 1:30-3:30 p.m. $35. (805) 747-4200. artcentralslo. com/workshops-events/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. WHITNEY PINTELLO: SOLO SHOW On display now through mid-April. ongoing slogallery.com/. SLO Gallery, 1023 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

BAR TAKEOVER

—Angie Stevens

PHOTO COURTESY OF SANTA MARIA VALLEY

my805tix.com. Bay Theatre, 464 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay.

CREATIVE FLOW WORKSHOP IN RHYTHM, SONG, & ART Join for a joyful and grounding Creative Flow Workshop that blends art, rhythm, and song to reconnect you with your inner voice and the power of community. Led by Dee and Chenda, this experience invites you to explore creativity through guided movement, expressive arts, and a collaborative song circle filled with rhythm, voice, and heart. Oct. 4 , 1-5 p.m. $63. my805tix.com. Lor Coaching Studio & Gallery, 525 Harbor St., Morro Bay.

FREE DEMO: EXPLORING DIGITAL

ART WITH FRED VENTURA Join as digital artist Fred Ventura givew a free demonstration at Art Center Morro Bay. Oct. 4 , 3-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-2504. ARTCenterMorroBay.org. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay.

FREE DIGITAL PAINTING

DEMONSTRATION A painting demonstration with digital artist Fred Ventura will be held at Art Center Morro Bay. For more details, see artcentermorrobay.org. Oct. 4 , 3-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-2504. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay, artcentermorrobay.org.

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, 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.

SELF HELP See Self-Help by Norm Foster, directed by Lisa Woske at By The Sea Productions. Tickets and more details are available at the link. Oct. 3 7 p.m., Oct. 4 , 7 p.m., Oct. 5 3 p.m., Oct. 10, 7 p.m., Oct. 11 7 p.m. and Oct. 12 , 3 p.m. $28.62. my805tix. com. By The Sea Productions, 545 Shasta Ave., Morro Bay.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

A TASTE OF OLD TOWN ORCUTT

Experience sips, small bites, samples, specials and fun in O’ Town, leaving full and happy! Get tickets to this 21+ event at the link. Oct. 11 1-4 p.m. $45. my805tix.com.

Stellar Home, 255 Union Ave, Orcutt. ANDROID PHONE CLASS First Thursday of every month Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt, (805) 937-9750. CENTRAL COAST CORVETTE CLUB Open to Corvette owners and enthusiasts. First Thursday of every month, 7 p.m. Free. (805) 934-3948. Home Motors, 1313 E. Main St., Santa Maria.

FEEL GOOD YOGA Tuesdays, Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. (805) 937-9750. oasisorcutt. org. Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt.

STAGE BRILLIANCE

Showtimes for the new production Every Brilliant Thing will begin on Thursday, Oct. 9, at the Severson Theatre in Santa Maria, and continue through Sunday, Oct. 26. Based on true and fictional stories, the play by Duncan MacMillan, with Jonny Donahoe, celebrates the power of resilience, the intricacy of mental health, and the extraordinary impact of ordinary joys. For tickets and more details, visit pcpa.org. —A.S.

FIRST FRIDAY First Friday of every month facebook.com/firstfridayoldtownorcutt/. Historic Old Town Orcutt, S. Broadway and Union Ave., Orcutt.

FREE BOOK SUNDAYS FOR AGES 0-17

Visit the Youth Services Desk on the first Sunday of each month to receive a coupon for a free book of your choice from the Library Bookstore. For ages 0-17. First Sunday of every month Free. (805) 925-0994. cityofsantamaria.org/services/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. GROUP WALKS AND HIKES Check website for the remainder of this year’s group hike dates and private hike offerings. ongoing (805) 343-2455. dunescenter.org. Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, 1065 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe.

GROW NATIVE PLANTS EVENT Fall is the best time of the year to grow native plants! Transform your garden into a stunning oasis by planting and growing native plants. Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. through Oct. 31 Free. (805) 934-2182. growing-grounds-farm-santa-maria.

square.site/. Growing Grounds Farm, 820 W. Foster Rd., Santa Maria.

“OUR LITERARY VOICES BUILD COMMUNITY “ A FREE HALF DAY LITERARY EVENT Head to the Santa Maria Public Library to meet, listen to, learn from, dialogue, and connect with five acclaimed regional authors. Oct. 4 1-5 p.m. Free. (805) 994-9536. coastaldunescwc.com. Shepard Hall Art Gallery (Santa Maria Public Library), 421 South McClelland St., Santa Maria.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

CHUMASH INTERTRIBAL POWWOW The Chumash Intertribal Powwow is a two-day event, where over 300 Native American dancers and singers representing many of the tribes from Canada and the United States will attend to participate socially and competitively. The committee’s goal is to provide the community with educational and cultural experiences, focusing on Native American music, arts and customs while promoting Native American self-reliance and pride. Oct. 4 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Oct. 5 10 a.m.-6

p.m. $5. (805) 688-7997. chumash.gov/ powwow. HWY 246 & Meadowvale Road, HWY 246 & Meadowvale Road, Santa Ynez.

THE NEAL TAYLOR NATURE CENTER

AT CACHUMA LAKE Fall under the spell of owls, bats, and spiders. See slithering snakes and lizards. Touch real skulls and bones that will rattle your bones. Oct. 4

11 a.m.-1 p.m. (805) 693-0691.

clnaturecenter.org. 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, 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.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

LOMPOC ART WALK Lompoc transforms into a celebration and showcase of local artists during this monthly event, which features live music, art, exciting exhibitions, performances, and a variety of unique vendors. First Thursday of every month, 5-8 p.m. Old Town Lompoc, H and I St., Lompoc.

RANCH TABLE Hosted by Elizabeth Poett, enjoy a farm-to-table dinner inspired by her Ranch Table cookbook. Every ticket supports the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. Oct. 11 , 4-8 p.m. $250. (805) 6980598. donate.foodbanksbc.org. Rancho San Julian, 6000 San Julian Rd, Lompoc. THE VILLAGE TREASURE CHEST This event is for the whole family. There will be vendors selling their wears, music, facepainting, and some kind of food booth. Come out and spend part of your Saturday supporting local vendors. First Saturday of every month, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Vandenberg Village Community Services District Office, 3745 Constellation Road, Lompoc, (805) 291-6370.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY ADVENTURES WITH NATUREOCEANO’S BEAVERS Join State Park Docent Dan to learn about Oceano’s beavers and enjoy a walk around Oceano Lagoon. Space is limited. RSVP by calling the number provided. Oct. 11 10 a.m.-noon Free. (805) 474-2664. centralcoastparks.org/awn/. Oceano Dunes Visitor Center, 555 Pier Ave., Oceano.

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.

PHOTO BY: CANDACE MASE

PHOTO BY: ALISA ASTON

PHOTO BY: SARA CORNISH

PHOTO BY: CARLY PENSON

PHOTO BY: GEORGE REYES

PHOTO BY: ALAN STRASBAUGH

GPDC X CENTRAL COAST PRIDE: YOUTH PRIDE PROM Dance the night away at this year’s Pride Prom, where the theme is Goth Fantasy. Grades 9 through 12 are invited to embrace their inner goth, dressing in your best dark or dreamy looks. Tickets and more details can be found at the link. Oct. 4 , 7 p.m. $14.70. my805tix.com. The Center, 1152 E Grand Ave, Arroyo Grande.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WATCH AND CLOCK COLLECTORS, CHPT. 52

Come join a friendly meeting of watch and clock collectors. Members bring watches and clocks to show, plus there are discussions of all things horological. Second Sunday of every month, 1:30-3 p.m. (805) 547-1715.

new.nawcc.org/index.php/chapter-52-lospadres. Central Coast Senior Center, 1580 Railroad St., Oceano.

SOCIAL GROUP FOR WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS Call for more details. Second Saturday of every month, 10 a.m. (805) 904-6615. Oak Park Christian Church, 386 N Oak Park Blvd., Grover Beach.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

2025 CENTRAL COAST BIONEERS

CONFERENCE Visit the link to get details regarding each day’s activities. There will be a pre-conference field trip, a beaver dam analog tour, a cocktail mixer, and conferences regarding the environment, climate change, and social justice.

Oct. 2-4 $12.56-$119.68. my805tix.com.

Octagon Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis Obispo, (805) 544-9096.

2025 FALL FOLK-N-SOAK MUSIC/HOT

SPRINGS/YOGA/CAMPING REUNION

Soak in 100 degree mineral water and camp out under the stars, enjoying the music from the pool at the hot springs, beginning at 4pm Friday until midnight, noon on Saturday until midnight, and resuming Sunday until 6. A Qi Gong class will be held Saturday morning and yoga on Sunday morning! Oct. 3-5 $35-$90. my805tix.com. Franklin Hot Springs, 3015 Creston Rd., Paso Robles.

AI SEMINAR FOR SENIORS A senior will present the fundamentals of this daunting technology for those needing answers. Come learn, lament, and laugh about the limits of the limitless AI. Oct. 9 1-2:30 p.m. Free. (805) 709-6234. Marty Mimmack, 1255 Orcutt Rd., SLO.

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.

BRIDGE LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS Get easy bridge lessons, with the first four lessons free! Expect an introduction to the fascinating game with a gentle format. First Tuesday of every month, 6:30-8:30 p.m. through Dec. 9 (805) 602-0171.

slobridge.com. SLO Senior Center, 1445 Santa Rosa St., 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.

CARE CREW Calling all crafty, caring, petloving kids! Care Crew members will join us in filling Kongs for our canines, crafting pet toys, and creating art. Oct. 5 2-3:30 p.m. and Oct. 12 , 2-3:30 p.m. $5. (805) 543-9316. woodshumanesociety.org/ youth-programs/. Woods Humane Society, 875 Oklahoma Ave., San Luis Obispo.

CENTRAL COAST DIALYSIS ORGAN

TRANSPLANT SUPPORT GROUP Not faith based. All are welcome. Please wear a mask. First Saturday of every month, 9:3011:30 a.m. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church SLO, 650 Pismo St., San Luis Obispo. COMMUNITY FARM TOUR Join at the farm and get a public tour of the regenerative farm! First Saturday of every month, 9:30-11 a.m. through Dec. 6 (805) 769-8344. cityfarmslo.org/communitytours. City Farm SLO, 1221 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo.

p.m. Free. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

SLO PHILATELIC SOCIETY meets at the SLO Senior Center on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Visitors are welcome. First Tuesday of every month, 1-3 p.m. SLO Senior Center, 1445 Santa Rosa St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 540-9484, slocity.org/seniors.

SLO PICKLE FESTIVAL Meals that Connect is hosing their second annual 21+ SLO Pickle Festival! All proceeds benefit Meals that Connect, supporting over 200,000 seniors in SLO county. Oct. 4 1-4 p.m. $65 for GA $80 for VIP. (805) 541-3312 ext. 116. slopicklefestival.org. Laguna Lake Park, 504 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo. SUNDAY EVENING RAP LGBTQ+

AA GROUP (VIA ZOOM) Alcoholics

Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of folks from all walks of life who together, attain and maintain sobriety. Requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Email aarapgroup@gmail.com for password access. Sundays, 7-8 p.m. Free. galacc.org/ events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

TEEN MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

GROUP Learn more about mental health and coping skills to help you through your journey towards wellness and recovery. Thursdays, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. (805) 5406576. t-mha.org. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo 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. FIVE CITIES REPAIR CAFÉ Get free repairs to household appliances, outdoor gear and apparel, bikes, jewelry, clothing, computers, tablets, game consoles, phones, and more. Don’t toss it! Fix it! Oct. 4 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. (650) 367-6780. repaircafe5cities.org. Octagon Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis Obispo. HEALING DEPRESSION SUPPORT

GROUP A safe place to share feelings of depression with those who suffer and those who have recovered to a full, healthy outlook on life. Mondays, 6-7 p.m. Free. (805) 528-3194. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo. MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION (ONLINE) Zoom series hosted by TMHA. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon Transitions Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 270-3346. Q YOUTH GROUP (VIA ZOOM) This is a social support group for LGBTQ+ and questioning youth between the ages of 1118. Each week the group explores personal, cultural, and social identity. Thursdays, 6-8

TRANS* TUESDAY A safe space providing peer-to-peer support for trans, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and questioning people. In-person and Zoom meetings held. Contact tranzcentralcoast@gmail.com for more details. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. GALA Pride and Diversity Center, 1060 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 541-4252.

WEEKEND ON THE HILLTOP: A 1935

FASHION EXPERIENCE Step into the golden age of California glamour featuring a 1930s private collection and pieces on loan from California State Parks at Hearst Castle. Oct. 4 , 11 a.m.-1 p.m. & 4-6 p.m. $100. themondayclubslo.org. The Monday Club, 1815 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 541-0594.

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

END OF SEASON EVENT: WATERFRONT

MARKET This is the last market for the 2025 season. If you haven’t come out yet, do it before we say goodbye until 2026. Oct. 4 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Oct. 5 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (805) 402-9437. Giovanni’s Fish Market, 1001 Front St., Morro Bay.

ZONGO YACHTING CUP - 2025 Join for the Zongo Yachting Cup, where racers and cruisers will be making their way down to San Diego for the start of the Baja Haha. Your race entry includes complimentary dockage and mooring at Morro Bay Yacht Club, the Zongo Cup Launch Party, water taxi service in Port San Luis a post-race party at the Point San Luis Lighthouse, and trophies. Oct. 10-11 $50. my805tix.com. Morro Bay Yacht Club, 541 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, (805) 772-3981.

Hot Stuff

FOOD & DRINK

SANTA

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

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

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT COSTA DE

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

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT WINE STONE

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

FRIDAY NIGHT FUN Karaoke with DJ Nasty. With Beer Bucket specials. Kitchen stays open late. Come out and sing your favorite song. Fridays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, (805) 623-8866.

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

SECOND SATURDAY OPEN AIR MARKET:

LOS ALAMOS A carefully curated open air artisan and farm market. Features great vintage finds, handwoven and hand dyed textiles, hand-spun yarn, organic body care products, and locally grown organic eats. Second Saturday of every month, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (805) 722-4338. Sisters Gifts and Home, 349 Bell Street, Los Alamos.

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

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

TAP THURSDAY Head to Tap Thursdays at the Wine Stone Inn every week, featuring $5 draft beers and $5 Cava’s. Thursdays, 3-9 p.m. through April 16 Free. (805) 3323532. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, winestoneinn.com/.

THURSDAY EVENING BAR TAKEOVER

Call venue or visit website to find out about featured vintners. Thursdays stellerscellar.com. Steller’s Cellar, 405 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt.

WINE AND DESIGN CLASSES Check Wine and Design’s Orcutt website for the complete list of classes, for various ages. ongoing Varies. wineanddesign.com/ orcutt. Wine and Design, 3420 Orcutt Road, suite 105, Orcutt.

WINE BINGO WEDNESDAYS Join Wine

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

SET SAIL

The 16th annual Zongo Yachting Cup from Morro to Avila will be held at the Morro Bay Yacht Club on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a launch party at Tidelands Park from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, and a reception party at the Point San Luis Lighthouse beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday. This is the Central Coast’s biggest offshore sailing race, and custom glass trophies will be up for grabs. It’s $50 to enter a vessel. To purchase a ticket and get more info, head to my805tix.com.

214-1213. santaynezvalleygrange.org/mcevents/adult-and-teen-cooking-classeswith-a-z-cooking-school/?mc_id=222. Santa Ynez Valley Grange Hall, 2374 Alamo Pintado, Los Olivos.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

HEAD GAMES TRIVIA AND TACO

TUESDAYS CLASH Don’t miss Head Games Trivia at COLD Coast Brewing Company every Tuesday night. Teams can be up to 6 members. Earn prizes and bragging rights. Kekas will be serving their delicious local fare. Fun for all ages. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. (805) 819-0723. coldcoastbrewing.com. COLD Coast Brewing Company, 118 W Ocean Ave., Lompoc.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

MONTHLY FERMENTATION CLASSES

Join to expand your knowledge of the fermentation process and get started fermenting at home. We alternate between demonstration and hands-on classes. Second Sunday of every month, 3:30-5 p.m. $30-$50. (805) 801-6627. kulturhausbrewing.com/classes/. New topics each month with a thorough demo and explanation of the process that creates non-alcoholic, probiotic, and nutrient-dense fermentations. Leave the class confident and prepared with recipes to make your own at home. Limited seating; reserve spot prior to class by phone/email. Second Sunday of every month, 3:30-5 p.m. $30. (805) 8016627. kulturhausbrewing.com/classes/. Kulturhaus Brewing Company, 779 Price St., Pismo Beach.

TRIVIA NIGHT Join BrainStew Trivia for a hilariously witty evening of trivia in Pismo.

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

SAN LUIS OBISPO

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

BATCH COOKING CLASS WITH A-Z

COOKING SCHOOL Work with seasonally available local produce, and learn a variety of techniques and recipes. Take home what you cook after this class, geared towards adults and teens, 14 years and older. Second Sunday of every month, 2-3:30 p.m. through Nov. 9 $55. (805)

SAN LUIS OBISPO VEGAN CHEF

CHALLENGE Businesses across the region will showcase exciting special vegan menu items. This event is open to everyone, not just vegans! Through Oct. 31 veganchefchallenge.org/slo/. At participating businesses, All over the region, San Luis Obispo, (480) 954-1257.

SLO OKTOBERFEST Join the festivities at the annual SLO Oktoberfest, with a variety of German beer, food, games, contests and music. Oct. 4 1-5 p.m. $55. my805tix.com. Madonna Expo Center, 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo.

MUSIC

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS HAPPY HOUR MUSIC SERIES Enjoy live music at the winery most Friday evenings. See site for schedule. Fridays presquilewine.com. Presqu’ile Winery, 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., Santa Maria, (805) 937-8110. HAWAII IN OCTOBER Santa Maria Valley Senior Citizens presents a “Hawaii in October” dance with Riptide Big Band. Oct. 12 1:30-4 p.m. Free. (775) 813-5186. RiptideBB.com. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria. LADIES NIGHT OUT Music by DJ Van Gloryious and DJ Panda. Features delicious daiquiri specials. Thursdays, 8 p.m.-midnight Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, (805) 623-8866.

LIVE MUSIC AND FOOD BY LOBO BUTCHER SHOP Live music every Friday night from a variety of artists at Steller’s Cellar in Old Orcutt. Dinner served by Lobo Butcher Shop between 5 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 5-9 p.m. Varies according to food options. (805) 623-5129. stellerscellar.com. Steller’s Cellar, 405 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt. LIVE MUSIC AT STELLER’S CELLAR Various local musicians rotate each Friday. Fridays, 6-8:30 p.m. Free. Steller’s Cellar, 400 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt, (805) 623-5129, stellerscellar.com.

MUSIC AT ROSCOE’S KITCHEN Live DJ and karaoke every Friday and Saturday night. Featured acts include Soul Fyah Band, DJ Nasty, DJ Jovas, and more. Fridays, Saturdays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, (805) 623-8866.

MUSIC LESSONS AT COELHO ACADEMY Learn to play piano, drums, guitar, base, ukulele, or violin, or take vocal lessons. (805) 925-0464. coelhomusic.com/ Lessons/lessons.html. Coelho Academy of Music, 325 E. Betteravia Rd., Santa Maria. 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.

—A.S.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

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

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

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

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

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

2025 LIVE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE CONCERT SERIES Head to the Point San Luis Lighthouse in Avila Beach for Saturday afternoon concerts. Get tickets and more info at the link. Through Oct. 11 $28. my805tix.com. Point San Luis Lighthouse, 1 Lighthouse Rd., Avila Beach.

ABBA LA: THE ABBA CONCERT EXPERIENCE Experience

ABBA-mania with ABBA LA, a dazzling 8-piece tribute packed with iconic hits, costumes, lights, and nonstop sing-along, clap-along, dance-floor joy for all ages! Oct. 4 , 7:30-9:30 p.m.

$45-$60, Premium $65. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

BLANK SPACE - THE UNOFFICIAL TAYLOR SWIFT TRIBUTE

STARRING OLIVIA MORETTI Clark Center Presents: BLANK

SPACE - The Unofficial Taylor Swift Tribute, starring Olivia Moretti. Oct. 11 2-3:30 & 7:30-9 p.m. $49-$69, Platinum $79; Senior & Student Discounts. (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 more information. Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. through Dec. 18 $20. (805) 736-7572. ccharmony.org. Nipomo Senior Center, 200 E. Dana St., Nipomo.

KARAOKE AT SLO COUNTY’S ONLY FILIPINO CAFE Join for all day, all ages karaoke hosted at SLO County’s only brick and mortar Filipino cafe, Lumpia Bros Cafe. Enjoy karaoke, filipino dishes, acai, and coffee. Tuesdays-Saturdays-6 p.m. through Dec. 31 Free. (805) 202-8473. Lumpia Bros Cafe, 1187 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach.

THE LOUNGE AT BESO An upscale after-hours nightclub experience. With limited capacity and a dress code. For ages 21 and over. Fridays, 10 p.m. my805tix.com. Beso Cocina, 1050 Willow Road, Nipomo.

MARIACHI DIVAS DE CINDY SHEA Clark Center Presents: The Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea. Oct. 5 7-9 p.m. $45-$65; Senior & Student Discounts. (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. REELIN’ IN THE YEARS - CELEBRATING THE MUSIC OF STEELY DAN Minerva Presents: Reelin’ in the YearsCelebrating the Music of Steely Dan. Oct. 9 7:30-9:30 p.m. $39-$65. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

SOLEDAD BARRIO & NOCHE FLAMENCA - SEARCHING FOR GOYA Noche Flamenca’s latest creation is an evocative flamenco performance inspired by the powerful imagery of Francisco de Goya. Hear them live at Clark Center for the Performing Arts! Oct. 3 7:30-9:30 p.m. $49-$79, Platinum $85; Senior & Student Discounts. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

A TASTE OF IRELAND - THE IRISH MUSIC & DANCE

SENSATION Pace Live Presents: A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music & Dance Sensation. Oct. 7, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $45-$75. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

BROOKS NIELSEN (OF THE GROWLERS) LIVE Brooks Nielsen, celebrated frontman of The Growlers and now a critically acclaimed solo artist, has firmly established himself as one of the most distinctive voices in independent music. Hear his solo work live at the Fremont. Oct. 4 8 p.m. $60.74. fremontslo.com. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 546-8600.

WHIP IT! A WEST COAST SWING PARTY Westies, groove with Nexus’ West Coast Swing jam! An intermediate WCS lesson will be held at 7 p.m., followed by social dancing at 8! Oct. 4 7-11 p.m. $10. nexusslo.com. Nexus

WELCOME TO THE SOUNDTRACK OF FREEDOM

HOLLYWOOD FIGHT NIGHTS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3 / 6PM

TICKETS START AT $55

A1 COMBAT MMA

SATURDAY,

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JEFFERSON STARSHIP

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17 / 8PM TICKETS START AT $29

DSB WORLDS GREATEST JOURNEY TRIBUTE BAND

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21 / 8PM

TICKETS START AT $25

ARTS BRIEFS

Square Perspectives is on display this month at the Cypress Gallery

Square Perspectives, an art show at the Cypress Gallery, is showing until Oct. 26 featuring 12-by-12-inch works created by both professionals and beginners.

“This democratic approach creates a visually striking mosaic of styles and techniques and fosters a supportive environment where established and up-and-coming artists can connect and inspire each other,” according to the gallery.

Showcasing a diverse array of subjects and themes, Square Perspectives features artists from across the county.

The show is a great opportunity to discover hidden local talent, according to Lompoc Valley Art Association President Vicki Andersen.

“The Lompoc Valley Art Association that runs the Cypress Gallery likes to include our local community as much as we can. It is always great to see what the public can create,” Andersen wrote in an email to the Sun

On Oct. 12, the gallery is hosting an opening reception for Square Perspectives from 1 to 3 p.m. The paintings in the show are for sale, with 70 percent of proceeds going toward the artist and 30 percent to the gallery.

Visit the Cypress Gallery at 119 E. Cypress Ave. in Lompoc Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (805) 737-1129 for more information.

Lompoc library hosts a book-themed pumpkin decorating contest

The community is invited to participate in a pumpkin decorating competition hosted by the Lompoc Public Library. In the Book Character Pumpkin Contest, participants of all ages are challenged to turn a pumpkin into their favorite literary character.

Decorators can use real or fake pumpkins and gourds for their submission. They can decorate with supplies such as paint, glue, and other craft materials. Participants shouldn’t be afraid to get creative, but the library asks that no food be used.

After the decorating is done, bring the creations to the Lompoc Public Library between Oct. 13 and 18 to be on display. Public voting will take place in person at the library from Oct. 20 to 25. The winner will be announced on Oct. 27, and they’ll receive a prize and certificate.

The library, located at 501 E. North Ave. in Lompoc, is open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call (805) 875-8775 with questions. m

‘Full circle’ Three painters and longtime friends have their first show together at Gallery Los Olivos

BY MADISON WHITE R

enée Kelleher’s journey as an artist took off when she started painting murals at her elementary school. Then, in junior high, an art teacher saw potential and encouraged her to attend the California College of Arts and Crafts one summer.

“My teachers were all French, and it was live nude models. Our parents had to sign a waiver that it’s OK to look at naked bodies,” she said with a laugh.

The experience boosted her confidence as a young artist, she remembered, because she was holding her own amid painters from around the world.

Elsewhere, Carrie Givens and Karen McGaw were also developing a love for art at a young age.

Like Kelleher, Givens remembered an inspiring art teacher who influenced her life. She drew all throughout school, experimenting with different media, until she landed on pastels. She took a break to raise her family but found her way back.

“I always wanted to be an artist and didn’t think it would really happen,” Givens said. “But now I feel like maybe I might be.”

McGaw became a dental hygienist after her parents steered her away from art school, “as was real common in that time,” she said, but the passion stuck with her. McGaw hung her work in the dental office, which led to her first sales.

Despite the twists and turns of life, they all made time to pursue painting. Now the three have been friends for years, evident in their banter on a recent group phone call with the Sun

Their exhibit, A Personal Point of View, is up at Gallery Los Olivos through the end of October. It marks their first show all together and features watercolors by McGaw, pastels by Givens, and oils by Kelleher.

McGaw and Kelleher first met in the 1990s through a watercolor critique group.

“We became best friends and fellow painters, and we took that trip to France and had so much fun,” McGaw said. “We’ve been doing things like that ever since.”

The pair encountered Givens about eight years ago in a critique group, Brush Marks, and the trio solidified. Brush Marks has been a strong foundation for their friendship through the years.

“We’re still friends, even after critiques,” Kelleher said.

At monthly Brush Marks meetings, 11 artists convene for drinks and snacks. They give advice to each other about how to elevate their work and grow as artists.

The trio thinks that their regular honest and caring feedback led to their lasting friendship. They don’t agree with every critique, but everyone is allowed their own point of view. That perspective inspired the name of their show.

“We’re tight as artists, as critics, and yet nobody has ever said, ‘I have to change the way I paint,’” Kelleher said. “We all come to it from our own perspective. It’s been really cool, so I love this title.”

In A Personal Point of View, McGaw’s work emphasizes water and light on the cliffs, prominent in her landscapes. One of her favorites is an evening scene at Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara.

“With watercolor, you never know if you’re going to get it or not, and every once in a while, you get lucky,” McGaw said. “That one all kind of went together for me.”

Leadbetter Evening depicts the Santa Barbara cliffs bathed in warm sunlight above the shallow, glistening tide.

Givens will also be showing some of her landscape paintings, but her focus is on still life vegetables and fruit. She and her husband have an organic farm in Goleta where Givens likes to photograph produce in the fields. She’s returning to the subject after having lost some of her previous vegetable paintings in a fire.

“I just really have fun with the leaves, trying to arrange the leaves so that they look kind of decorative,” Givens said.

“I can’t wait to see those, Carrie,” Kelleher chimed in.

Kelleher is displaying “a bit of this and that,” including a few pieces from her succulent series and a New York scene of a flower market that her two friends suggested she include.

“Thank you, girls,” Kelleher said to her friends. “That’s what friends are for.”

The artists agreed that it’s a validating feeling to have their paintings hang in the gallery. They each work at the gallery one day per month, which is especially fun when they have artwork up because they can see gallerygoers’ reactions.

“It’s like the completed circle,” McGaw added, “from the seed of imagination to the full circle.” m

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

IMAGE COURTESY OF VICKI ANDERSEN

FROM EXPERIENCE: Early Morning Round-Up is inspired by Renée Kelleher’s sunrise trip with a cowboy to round up cattle. She wants the viewer to feel the grit from the cows kicking up dust.

COURTESY IMAGE BY RENÉE KELLEHER

COURTESY IMAGE BY KAREN MCGAW

BEACHSIDE: Karen McGaw painted Leadbetter Evening around fall last year, highlighting the shadows and light on the cliffs at the Santa Barbara beach.

COURTESY IMAGE BY CARRIE GIVENS

BERRY NICE: Using reference photos that she took in the field, Carrie Givens likes to paint produce growing on her organic farm.

Adoptable Pets of the Week

Inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland, writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, Punch-Drunk Love, There Will Be Blood, The Master) weaves this story about Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio), a former revolutionary now living a paranoid existence off the grid with his daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti). When Bob’s old nemesis, Col. Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn), resurfaces after 16 years and Willa goes missing, Bob springs into action to find her while facing the consequences of his past. (108 min.)

Glen: Penn is the real star of this show. He thoroughly embodies Steve Lockjaw, a military leader whose assignments always seem to be running immigration detention facilities. Penn sticks his jaw out and struts around like he’s got a steel rod shoved up his ass that’s fused to his spine. His performance is riveting. As the film opens, members of the revolutionary group French 75 are preparing to liberate his concentration camp and free his prisoners. That sets up the ongoing tension between Lockjaw, Bob, and Bob’s love interest and the mother of his future child, Perfidia Beverly Hills (Teyana Taylor), another French 75 revolutionary. Along the way, ultra right-wing nationalists get involved, and when Lockjaw

THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB

What’s it rated? PG-13

When? 2025

Where’s it showing? Netflix

shows up, Willa’s karate sensei, Sergio St. Carlos (Benicio del Toro), becomes instrumental to Bob’s mission to find Willa. It’s a helluva ride, with a wry sense of humor—very much a commentary on today’s America.

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER

What’s it rated? R

What’s it

Anna: Perfidia is a natural leader—resolute, constant, and steely. Bob is the guy to go to when something needs blowing up—softer but still a resolute revolutionary. When Perfidia becomes a mother, her focus doesn’t shift to her new life the same way that Bob’s does. Baby or no baby, Perfidia won’t stop or slow her participation in revolutionary acts the French 75 are inciting. The film’s first 30 minutes are frenetic dialogue and carefully crafted chaos, but when we pull back into the larger scope of the story, it all swirls back into a much more complicated madness at hand. You are spot on about Penn’s performance as Lockjaw; he was so lost in the role there were times that I questioned who I was watching onscreen. You have to be committed for this one at almost 2.75-hours, but Anderson does amazing work, and this is no exception. Poignant and relevant, it speaks to the atrocities we see happening all around at this very moment.

Glen: It’s also a story about the families we choose. These revolutionaries believe in something greater than themselves … until

they’re caught and trapped. Willa loves her dad, Bob, but also recognizes he’s broken. We all wish the world was right and just, but who’s willing to risk everything to change it? It’s a deeply complicated set of ideas Anderson is juggling, but that’s his M.O. as a filmmaker. He’s always ready to examine the complicated. He also embraces Pynchon’s sense of the absurd. Characters named Lockjaw, Junglepussy, and Sergio St. Carlos? A white nationalist organization called the Christmas Adventurers Club? It’s brilliant and ridiculous, and I loved it. Anna: I definitely felt some self-examination going on throughout. Where we land and what

we say we stand for and what we are willing to do can feel worlds apart. That’s how the masses get pushed down and stay down. This film doesn’t sugar coat or come with a bright light. Instead, I think Anderson hopes to leave us with both some resolve but also maybe a state of lostness. History is happening, and complacency spells death for many, even if it isn’t you. All that said, I laughed so much. Anderson has a knack for getting the balance just right. See it! m

New Times Arts Editor Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Sun Screen. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.

Based on Richard Osmen’s novel, this slice-of-life film follows three retirees who welcome in a new recruit to their whodunit club, The Thursday Murder Club. Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and Ben Kingsley star as the founding members of the crew with Celia Imrie as their new recruit, Joyce. Joyce is a retired nurse, so her medical knowledge is a real get for the curious crew.

The group is bound and determined to solve every cold case that crosses their path, but it turns out they have a hot one on their hands when one of the owners of their retirement community turns up dead. The crew’s cozy lifestyle is threatened when the remaining owner, Ian (David Tennant), makes moves to turn the property into luxury rentals—ousting all the residents who call Coopers Chase home.

Cheesy as can be and light as air-popped popcorn, this straight-to-streaming flick boasts an impressive cast with a little too little to do, but these pros manage to keep the fun coming anyway. Anyone out there with a bit of armchair detective in them and an affection for these older stars will have fun watching them piece together this puzzle. (118 min.)

—Anna

BLACK RABBIT

What’s it rated? TV-MA

When? 2025

Where’s it showing? Netflix

Created by Zach Baylin (King Richard, Creed III, The Order ) and Kate Susman, this crime thriller miniseries focuses on the Friedken brothers, Jake (Jude Law), proprietor of NYC hotspot Black Rabbit, and his chaotic brother, Vince (Jason Batemen), who after a period of estrangement comes back into Jake’s life, bringing with him a whole litany of problems and debt.

Jake seems like he has it all. His restaurant is pumping, and his apartment is enviable, but he’s also bleeding money to pay for his son’s private school and alimony to his ex. He’s also sick of the grind of running a popular nightspot and being the one left standing every night to clean up after the party. Then there’s Vince, who’s an absolute hot mess of a human being. A degenerate gambler, he returns to New York owning loan shark Joe Mancuso (Troy Kotsur) $140K in past debt.

The series busies itself with Jake and Vince trying to figure out how to make things right while juggling the issues of the many side players. All eight episodes are out now, making it very bingeable. It’s a gritty series about the limits of brotherly bonds. (eight 44- to 68-min. episodes) m —Glen

HAUNTED: Leonardo DiCaprio stars as ex-revolutionary, Bob, who’s forced to confront his past when his daughter goes missing, in One Battle After Another, screening in local theaters.

COURTESY PHOTO BY GILES KEYTE/NETFLIX

MURDERINOS: Ron (Pierce Brosnan), Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley), Elizabeth (Helen Mirren), and Joyce (Celia Imrie) are retirees and amateur sleuths, in The Thursday Murder Club, streaming on Netflix.

TROUBLE IN MIND: Brothers Jake (Jude Law) and Vince (Jason Bateman) navigate a dangerous criminal underworld as they operate a trendy NYC eatery, in Black Rabbit, streaming on Netflix.

PHOTO

Piping hot

British-inspired afternoon tea sits at the top of a Lompoc café’s long list of offerings

BY MADISON WHITE

Customers drive to Lompoc from as far as Los Osos for tea parties at One Room Escapes and Coffee. It’s one of the only places on the Central Coast for a proper, yet affordable, afternoon tea with tiny sandwiches and sweets served on dainty china.

Clusters of sofas and lounge chairs create smaller sitting rooms within the restaurant, inviting visitors to make themselves at home. Adding to the homey atmosphere, the tables are adorned with floral tablecloths and the walls covered with artwork.

“It’s always been family and friend oriented, and so I think the décor kind of reflects that,” owner John Frias said. “A lot of people come and just hang out for a while.”

Out of One Room’s many highlights, John and his wife, Hether, notice that many customers enjoy taking the time to experience afternoon tea. There are a few different services to choose from, but tea generally includes a decadent two-tiered platter of bite-sized sandwiches and desserts along with a steaming pot of tea. Think mini cucumber sandwiches, quiches, cheesecakes, and scones. Since the Friases opened One Room in 2018, Hether was interested in building up their own British-inspired tea service, which is now a significant portion of their business.

Time for tea

“Tea is about time,” Hether said. “It is taking the time to just sit and to relax and connect with people.”

Some of the most popular events are seasonal tea parties. One Room plans to host a fall tea on Oct. 12 and a holiday tea and dessert tasting on Nov. 8. At the ticketed evening events, guests can sip reserve teas that are not typically on the menu.

Hether selects loose-leaf teas—green, black, and herbal—that are high quality and made by small companies. There are usually seven or eight teas on the regular menu, she said, which rotates periodically.

While tea is a big reason customers return to One Room, the café has more to offer. Hether mentioned that everyone has their own reason for visiting. Some come just to eat.

“The common denominator is the fresh food and the aim for that homemade feel,” John said.

All the dishes on One Room’s brunch menu are made from scratch. Crowd favorites include breakfast sandwiches, cinnamon rolls, soups, and chicken salad sandwiches.

The couple also makes all the restaurant’s baked goods inhouse—English muffins, bread, pastries, and scones. While it is a team effort, John gives a lot of the credit to his wife for fine-tuning their recipes.

“She’s a recipe savant, and she reads cookbooks the way the rest of us read novels,” he described.

They make their dishes in-house to keep the food as healthy as possible, which also gives them flexibility to cater to those with dietary restrictions.

$32 and includes cucumber and chicken salad sandwiches, seasonal desserts, a scone with clotted cream and lemon curd, and a pot of tea. Diners with dietary restrictions can request accommodations when booking in advance.

HOMEY VIBES: One Room is a café that serves breakfast, lunch, coffee, tea, and baked goods. The owners also want it to be a community hub where people come to hang out and enjoy each other’s company.

SAVORY AND SWEET: Afternoon tea at One Room costs about

As someone with gluten and dairy intolerances, Hether said she wants to provide meals that others with similar restrictions can enjoy because there aren’t a lot of options at most restaurants nearby. Since they make small batches of everything, they can cook vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options in the morning with enough advanced notice.

“It’s not just about health, but it’s about supporting people who have those kinds of needs,” John said.

John added that he is always conscious of pricing for the quality of food he serves. One Room sells a soup box meal including a grilled cheese, a cup of soup, a cookie, and a drink for about $15 and a quiche lunch combo for $12.

The budget-friendly thinking stems from the couple’s experiences raising their children. John remembers not being able to go out to eat with the whole family, not only because of the cost, but also because kids usually can’t sit still for too long.

Now with their own restaurant, John and Hether molded it into a family-friendly community space. Inspired by Hether’s days as a homeschool teacher and preschool director, the back room of the eatery is a kids’ zone. She said parents often come to enjoy a coffee while their kids play together.

“It’s like the park,” Hether said. “You meet new families, and the kids play.”

The theme of the playroom changes monthly. Recently it’s transformed from a school to a campground, she said, and up next is a pet hospital.

Families can also check out books from One Room’s vast collection, just like a library.

For older kids, there are plenty of games to play

while sipping coffee or nibbling on a pastry. From chess to Scattergories, floor-to-ceiling shelves contain games for all ages.

“We’re hoping to provide opportunities when you come here that you’re interacting with the people you’ve come with,” John said.

One of John’s dreams remains to finish building an escape room inside the café. After a career in software engineering, he’s now working full time at One Room and can give his whole attention to his vision.

“I have big dreams about where we can take this,” John said.

As the only employees besides two of their kids, the couple is focused on meeting their diners’ demand.

“You serve good food and good company,” Hether said, “and that’s all that really matters.” m Reach Staff Writer Madison White with a cup of tea at mwhite@santamariasun.com.