Life is a precious gift; every day we wake up, we are given a choice on how we will face the world and connect with those we hold dear, those we come into contact with, and those we would rather avoid. How we choose to handle every encounter has a deep impact on our soul and well being. As we come into the colder months ahead, this becomes even more important because we tend to need our community more during the winter months, and in turn, others need us as well. Studies show that choosing to stay in a positive way of thinking and offering ourselves to our community enriches our lives and helps the community and others grow.
As the leaves start to turn to gold and the chilly night’s return, we are ready for pumpkin season and all that comes with it. The farms, pumpkin patches, hay rides, corn mazes, and of course, Halloween and Pumpkin Spice Lattes; even though I am not a fan of the lattes, I will partake in everything
else. This month we have your guide to San Luis Obispo County’s Pumpkin Patch Farms (page 10), and of course, Mrs. Barbie Butz gives us some home made cooking ready for “October is All for the Pumpkins” (page 9).
This month you will also read about Harbor Director Eric Endersby announcing in September that he is retiring, effective Dec. 23 (page 6), and the future of Diablo Canyon Power Plant still evolving (page 4).
On our cover this month, we have our first “Photo of the Month.” This allows us to share with our commu nity some of the incredible artists and photographers that fill our commu nity throughout the central coast. If you have a photo to share, email us at editor@13starsmedia.com for your chance to be featured on the cover of Morro Bay Life.
We love what we do and enjoy shar ing your neighbors with you; we hope you have a wonderful October and enjoy this month’s edition of Morro Bay Life.
“A symbol of a man who is forever young.”
Morro Bay Rock Canon, EOS 600D
“There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October.”
knowing that the continuous use of electricity surges during times of excessive heat, state lawmakers recently approved SB 846, which keeps Diablo Canyon Power Plant open until 2030 and gives operator PG&E a $1.4 billion loan to do so.
result of state policies that have focused on renewables and energy efficiency, coupled with lower PG&E customer electricity demand,” according to PG&E Sr. Marketing & Communications Manager Suzanne Hosn.
By BLAKE ASHLEY FRINO-GERL for Morro Bay Life
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — The fate of Diablo Canyon Power Plant seems slightly puzzling at this point. Up until recently, it was assumed the nuclear power plant would be closing around 2025. Over seen and monitored by the Nuclear Regu latory Commission (NRC), the plant is licensed to operate Unit 1 into 2024 and Unit 2 into 2025. However, it is likely that it will continue to operate beyond then.
Amidst annual California heat waves and
Once the bill was approved, the next day, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed it into law. The governor wants to extend the life of the plant, and that notion has received widespread opposition from legislators. In contrast, the measure, authored by Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham of San Luis Obispo and Senator Bill Dodd of Napa, gained overwhelming support in the Assembly in a 67-3 vote.
In 2016, PG&E partnered with labor and environmental organizations on a joint proposal agreement to retire Diablo Canyon Power Plant at the end of its current Nuclear Regulatory Commission operating licenses.
“This proposal was brought about as a
Then in 2018, the plan to retire the power plant was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission, the state legislature, and Gov. Jerry Brown.
After four years, the decision to close the power plant has switched but has been met with concerns and also praise. Lawmakers adamant about protecting climate change and using renewable energy are switching gears because they see no immediate fix to the situ ation and find keeping Diablo Canyon Power Plant in service is the necessary remedy while further research in renewable energy is completed.
For instance, in a statement, Senator Dianne Feinstein says that “keeping Diablo Canyon open and producing carbon-free energy is more important” (Feinstein.Senate. gov).
She adds, “California has some of the most ambitious clean-energy goals in the world, including decreasing carbon emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and achieving 100 percent clean electricity by 2045.”
These goals will require energy alternatives to provide power continuously in addition to solar and wind. So the situation now, with no relief in the near future, deems to be a significant reason as to why it was decided to keep it open.
Feinstein adds that “closing Diablo Canyon would remove 18,000 gigawatt-hours from the grid, nearly 10 percent of the state’s elec tricity generation. This is an extraordinary amount of power for a grid facing reliabil ity concerns amid heat waves and wildfires.”
However, energy experts and environ mental groups have since expressed strong opposition in keeping the plant working.
Their concerns are regarding nuclear waste and safety issues due to its proximity to seis mic fault lines. In addition, they also say it could delay necessary investments in renew able energy.
Yet, many are appeased with the power plant not retiring so soon. According to nonprofit news organization Cal Matters, Newsom says, “Climate change is causing unprecedented stress on California’s energy system, and I appreciate the Legislature’s action to maintain energy reliability as the State accelerates the transition to clean energy” (CalMatters.org).
In addition, he concludes, in agreement with Feinstein, that Diablo Canyon Power Plant is a “statewide reliability asset” beyond its complete initial retirement of 2025.
The California Independent System Oper ator, which manages the state’s power grid, supported Newsom’s plea for the Diablo Canyon extension.
“We are proud of the role Diablo Canyon plays in providing safe, reliable, low-cost and carbon-free energy to our customers and Californians,” according to Hosn.
She adds that they will do “their part to help the state achieve its energy reliability and decarbonization goals.”
PG&E has to obtain the necessary U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licenses, as well as other required state regu latory approvals, to keep the power plant working in an efficient manner.
While the reality seems to be that the power plant will stay open for at least eight more years, it is extremely clear that not all lawmakers and citizens are on the same side. Some people want it closed and for the state to focus on obtaining renewable energy, while many don’t see that as a possibility at this time. It is one of those arguments to agree to disagree on and hope that, in the end, it all works out for the benefit of our state and the environment.
The Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant near San Luis Obispo has been providing electricity since 1985. Photo credit Lionel Hahn, REUTERS
By NEIL FARRELL for Morro Bay Life
MORRO BAY — After some 30 years with the City of Morro Bay, Harbor Director Eric Endersby has decided to hang it up and move on to the next chap ter of his life. Endersby announced in September that he was going to retire, effective Dec. 23.
“Director Endersby,” a city news release said,” has served the City for nearly 30 years, beginning as a Reserve Harbor Patrol Officer in 1993. He served in a variety of increasingly responsible roles in the Harbor Department, ultimately promoting to Harbor Director in 2012.”
That climb up the ladder included many years as the chief harbor patrol offi cer. The city has already begun searching for a new harbor director.
The city “will engage outside support to facilitate the recruitment process and include the community, harbor profes sionals, waterfront businesses, and the Harbor Department staff in the process to ensure a good fit in the next director.”
Morro Bay City Manager Scott Collins said Endersby would be missed.
“Eric is an exemplary public servant, and we greatly appreciate all he has done to transform the Harbor over his 30 years with the city,” Collins said. “He demon strated a rare combination of skills and backgrounds in his role — boating, public safety, diplomacy, and a business acumen — in leading the department.
“We will miss Eric’s leadership, kind ness and good humor which helped the department, the executive team and community navigate through the chal lenges of the pandemic. We are excited for him as he prepares for the next stage of his career.”
Endersby reflected on his tenure with the city.
“Winston Churchill once said, ‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.’” he said. “When I started with the city as a reserve harbor patrol officer, I never dreamed it would lead to a 30-year career of public service.
“While that career has defined my life, it is time to move on to the next chapter. I am deeply honored to have served this community alongside my city brothers and sisters those three decades, and am infinitely proud of the work my Harbor Department team accomplish on a daily basis. Their skill, passion, determination, and loyalty are unsurpassed. Thank you all, and thank you Morro Bay.”
Endersby took a roundabout path to his ultimate profession, having come up to SLO County from Southern Califor nia to attend Cuesta College and then Cal Poly.
“I went to Cuesta first for a year, then got into Cal Poly to study aeronautical engineering,” he said. “Didn’t finish that, but instead moved back to SoCal and got my A&P [Airframe and Powerplant] license to work on airplanes.”
He was at the SLO County Airport when he started with the city in ’93.
“After I finished A&P school, I worked 10 years for American Eagle Airlines in SLO,” he said. “It was actually Wings West Airlines, a small regional contracted by American to do their West Coast commuter work, and WW was based in SLO.”
Endersby, who will soon be 59, said he’s going to return to his former work, in a way.
“Cuesta is starting a new aircraft main tenance technician [what they call A&P now] program in conjunction with ACI Jet Center in SLO,” he said, “and since about this time last year they have been looking for part-time instructors to teach the various courses and labs.
“I am joining that team, with classes scheduled to start in January with the new Cuesta semester.”
Endersby’s coming full circle: “Iron ically, the classroom and hangar/shop space they are using is the same place I worked for American — back to the future.”
Endersby, who took over for former Harbor Director Rick Algert upon his retirement some 10 years ago, has steered the department through its latest growth surge, overseeing the redevelopment of several lease sites, which are owned by the State of California, managed by the city, and leased out long term to private companies.
He’s also seen some pretty tight budgets of late after Duke Energy sold the power plant over 10 years ago. Duke had been doling out $250,000 a year to the Harbor Department from the outfall lease.
Dynegy bought out Duke and via a merger, is now Vistra Energy. Dynegy shut down the power plant in 2014 and shut off the money spigot from the outfall soon after.
Since then, the department’s budget has been tight to say the least, but there could be hope on the horizon, with Measure B-22, a $120 per year special property tax on all private property parcels, which voters will decide on at the November general election.
Organizers of the petition drive that got the measure on the ballot, have pledged that every cent will go to help the Harbor Department repair and maintain publicly owned facilities on the water front — i.e. docks, piers, electrical service, pump out stations, and the public launch ramp, which is in dire need of repairs.
It’s something Endersby and the city have struggled to keep up with since the outfall money shutdown.
Whoever gets the director job will step into a nice position. Under the city’s current salary schedule, the Harbor Director’s salary range is from $146,700 at the low end to $178,000 at the top end (Step 5) of the scale. The job comes with a full complement of benefits. Of note, the salary schedule lists “Harbor Direc tor” as a “sworn” position, along with the police and fire chiefs.
Morro Bay Harbor Director Eric Endersby will be stepping down from his position, effective Dec. 23, and will start as an airport maintenance technician instructor at Cuesta College starting in January. Contributed Photo
Art and culture shape how we view the world around us. Art and culture, at their essence, present as some of the most significant, compelling, and social influences of human behavior and interactivity. Together they can start conversations, create empathy, cause reflection and cultivate new ideas and unions.
While often used together, art and culture have their differences. Art is learned by paralleling others or by self-taught methods and acts as an expression of imagination, concepts, or skill. Art can be visual, performative, or expressive and can be seen in painting, performance, sculpture, and more. Culture is an umbrella term that encom passes the social behaviors and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, customs, and habits of the individuals in these groups.
Art has been a part of the human experience for as far back as cave paintings. Art is used to communicate ideas, pass down knowledge and express emotion. It is how generations share stories and beliefs with each other. Art is influen tial on a society and can change opinions, inspire values and create experiences across space and time. Art allows people from different cultures and eras to communicate with each other via images, sounds, stories and movement. Art is often a vehicle for social change.
Culture provides artists with social context to define their work. Humans acquire culture through the learning processes of enculturation and socialization, which is shown by the diver sity of cultures across societies. All artworks are, to some extent, the products of their culture, and they reflect prevailing assumptions and beliefs.
understanding. Surveys have shown that in the US, high school students that are exposed to art and arts of different cultures are twice as likely to
communities that have arts and culture woven into the fabric of their towns attract more tour ism, develop more talent and innovation and it
Recently San Luis Obispo County has had two wonderful examples of art and culture coming together in our community. The first is by Camille Hoffman, showing at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art and is called “See and Missed.” This work activates Camille’s own ancestry and is deeply rooted in Filipinx history in America. This work directly references the historical date of October 18, 1587, when the first Filipinos stepped foot on Chumash land and the present-day Continental United States at Morro Bay, California. They arrived as crew members aboard the Nuestra Señora de Buena Esperanza, which was a part of the Manila galleon trade under Spanish rule.
The second is a mural on the outside of SLOMA, created by Erin Leann Mitchell, and is called “Calafia was Here.” Calafia is described as the fictional queen of the island of Califor nia, first introduced by sixteenth-century poet Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo in his epic novel, Las Sergas de Esplandián (The Adventures of Esplandián). In Montalvo’s fictional world, this island was ruled by Calafia and inhabited by her Amazon tribe. The entire piece emphasizes the often forgotten role of Black women throughout all — but specifically Californian history.
Both of these works are incredibly personal to the artists and share a commonality with our area. It is important to note that both of these installations were created by BIPOC women and that alone is a huge change in our town’s previous cultural landscape. It is a breath of fresh air to learn new histories about the town and state we are all living in. The opportunity to learn more about other cultures and their ties to our place allows growth, understanding and communica tion to flourish. It is a community’s responsibility to allow these different cultures to share their stories, artworks and performances and to listen,
“See and Missed” by Camille Hoffman. Photo by Heraldo Creative Studio
“Calafia was Here” by Erin Leann. Photo by Heraldo Creative Studio
By NEIL FARRELL for Morro Bay Life
MORRY BAY - It was billed as a “reimagined” festival and the new-look Avocado-Margarita Food & Drink Festival is being called a success by organizers.
Put on by the Chamber of Commerce, the Avo-Marg Fest, as it’s referred, was brought out of a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The annual event is a celebration
of Morro Bay’s most famous agricultural crop — avocados, with a little tequila worship thrown in for fun.
The focus was shifted from a rather wild, anything-goes party and street fair to a calmer, lower-key, more upscale event.
Even the venue was changed, as the Chamber moved the festival from the parking lot across from Rose’s Landing and all along the Embarcadero from Harbor to Marina streets, down to Tidelands
Park, with a special venue set up Saturday for a first-time-ever concert at the foot of Morro Rock.
Chamber CEO Erica Crawford said they were pleased at how the new event went off, calling the concert at the Rock that featured up-and-coming local band Proximo Parada as “a solid foundation” for the future.
The three-day festival, held Sept. 9-11, started on Friday evening (Sept. 9) with a Family Movie Night, no doubt made interesting
by a lightning storm that passed through the area.
“We had lightning but no rain,” Crawford said.
The lightning also interrupted Morro Bay High’s football game against Fresno High, which was called in the third quarter with Morro Bay ahead on the scoreboard.
That threat of rain through the rest of the weekend may have put a damper on the festival, as Crawford said people on social media were talking up the rain Saturday, which
It’s the “Great Bronze Heist” that wasn’t.
Last month, someone pried off numer ous bronze plaques attached to public memorial benches strung along the Harbor walk, from Coleman Park to Morro Rock. The benches are donated to the City of Morro Bay by the friends and families of people who have died, memorializing them in a practical and public way with loving trib utes and kind words.
But on Sept. 8, a local resident noticed something amiss — a number of the bronze plaques had been pried off the cement and wooden benches. That citizen, who remains anonymous, notified Ron Reisner, a former member of the Harbor Advisory Board, of the situation, and he called the Harbor Patrol.
Harbor Patrol Officer Dana Wilke said they investigated the report and indeed found that numerous benches had the plaques torn off, essentially vandalized. But the bronze wasn’t stolen.
“Someone took the plaques off the benches — 27 of them — and then left them on the benches,” Wilke told Estero Bay News. He wasn’t sure how many benches in total were vandalized, because some of them have just one plaque while others have three.
They were both wooden benches and the newer cement benches that the city put in about four or five years ago. How were they attached? The cement ones,” Wilke said, “were glued on. The wooden ones had screws, so they were better secured. But we got them all back.”
He said they called the police to report the incident and turned the plaques over to the maintenance department.
“We did recover all the plaques that were
removed and are in the process of reinstalling them,” City Maintenance Supervisor Dale Simpson told EBN. “We are using a strong adhesive to install, which we believe is the best method for this application. However, if someone is determined enough to destroy something, they will find a way.”
He added that they have records of which plaque goes where and “we are hoping to have all the plaques reinstalled in the next couple of weeks as our work schedule permits. We are confident we will have them back in the right place very soon.”
As for who may have done such a thing, Wilke said he didn’t know but Morro Bay Police Sgt. Nicole Taylor in response to EBN’s inquiries as to this incident, said the Harbor Patrol “indicated that they thought it was the same individual who stacks the rocks.”
That reference would be to the unnamed person who likes to go to the North Jetty area and create rock cairns, stacks of balanced rocks in the shape of spires, that are like works of art in their creativity.
Taylor also said she could find no calls for service, so no crime report was done and no
may have caused some people to not venture out. The two main days of the festival at Tidelands saw patchy clouds but just a smattering of rain — maybe 45 minutes — Saturday, early and towards the end of the day.
Crawford didn’t have attendance figures for the festival, which carried an admission price of $25 a day, although she said they did get good feedback from the attendees and City officials.
“Everybody had a good time,” Crawford said.
investigation is underway.
But why would someone vandalize what is essentially a memorial to the dead, risking the wrath of instant karma?
Wilke speculated it might be for scrap value. Bronze scrap is currently going for $2.15 a pound, he discovered with a quick Google search. And collectively, all those plaques were pretty heavy, which might explain why they weren’t stolen.
“Maybe someone spooked them,” Wilke guessed, “and they took off and left the plaques.”
Shown here is one of the numerous memorial benches strung along the bay and Harborwalk that had their bronze memorial plaques pried off but left behind. Photo by Neil FarrellSeveral years ago, my husband and I were coming home from Branson, Missouri, when we spotted a Case Cutlery Outlet. John has been a collector of their beautifully crafted knives for many years, so of course, we stopped. I came home with a wonderful cook book titled W.R. Case & Sons Cookbook and Historical Companion, published in 1996. The cutlery company has been producing handcrafted knives since 1889.
The fascination of the book is that the reci pes are from members of the company at all levels and include the associate’s name, depart ment or title, and years of service.
It also included recipes from some of the retirees, one of who had worked for the company for 70 years.
The Letter from the President, George T. Brinkley, stated, “Too often companies are viewed as buildings, products, or machines. In reality, a company consists of people — ordinary folks making a living, raising fami lies, and doing all the things that make life worthwhile.”
He went on to say “Many of our activities seem to revolve around cooking and eating food. What we eat often says who we are. Ethnic foods, health foods, fattening foods — they all combine to define our personalities and preferences.”
The proceeds from the book were directed to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of McKean County and the McKean Literacy Team.
Cookbooks such as this are a huge part of our “Americana” and sharing recipes is a wonderful
way of communicating with each other here in this country and around the world.
The following recipes from the Case book are for cakes with fun names.
Ingredients:
Ingredients:
11⁄2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup warm water
Directions:
Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt into a large bowl. Add butter, vinegar, vanilla and warm water and mix well. Pour into a nonstick 8×8-inch cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cake tests done. Yields 8 to 12 servings.
1 (4-ounce) package vanilla instant pudding mix
1 (2-layer) package yellow cake mix
5 eggs, beaten 2 tablespoons sour cream
1⁄2 cup whiskey
1⁄2 cup milk
3⁄4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup chopped walnuts
Directions:
Combine pudding mix, cake mix, eggs, sour cream, whiskey, milk and oil in a large bowl.
Mix well. Layer batter and walnuts 1⁄2 at a time in a greased bundt pan. Stir gently with a spoon several times. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Yields 12 to 15 servings.
This next recipe is in honor of October and Pumpkin Month. Try it and I know you will receive many compliments.
Ingredients:
1 bakery angle food cake
2 cups canned pumpkin pie mix
11⁄2 cups whipped cream
black and orange sprinkles
Directions:
Cut cake into 1-inch cubes. Place pumpkin pie mix in medium bowl. Beat whipping cream in large bowl with electric mixer at medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Spoon one-third of whipped cream into pumpkin pie mix; fold with spatula until blended. Add another third of whipped cream to pumpkin mixture; fold gently until uniform in color.
Reserve remaining one-third of whipped cream for garnish. In a trifle bowl or a deep glass bowl layer cake cubes and pumpkin mixture, beginning and ending with pumpkin mixture. Spread last layer with reserved whipped cream and sprinkle black and orange decorations. Refrigerate until serving time. Makes 8-10 servings.
Enjoy October and all of the fun it brings.
Cheers from Barbie Boooooootz !
We are entering the fall season now, where the word “pumpkin” is popping up everywhere, especially in food and drinks. But we can not forget where the true pumpkin lies — in a patch on a farm! In San Luis Obispo County, we are fortunate that there are many pump kin patches for us to purchase that special pumpkin(s). Whether you want to go to North or South County or want a pumpkin patch with additional activities surrounding the picking-out fun, there is a patch for you.
Some pumpkin patches offer more than just pumpkins. River K in Paso Robles is a family-owned and operated business by the Kunze family, and they have been growing pumpkins for 25 years. They also have a fun three-acre corn maze to meander through and weekend hay rides for an added fee, according to Zak Kunze.
Customers are also given clippers to pick and cut their pump kins. The patch is open October 1 through 31, and during the week, the hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on the weekends from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Jack Creek Farms in Templeton is a fifth generation-run farm. It is open year-round, selling produce and honey, and offers what they deem a pumpkin palooza centering around pumpkin crafts and activities for families to enjoy.
Kids can enjoy playing with their wooden train and haystack. Their farm also features Happy Acres (paid entrance fee required). Families and children will enjoy their fort polliwog maze, tractor tire garden, farm animals, farmer’s market, corn bin, sand trough, storybook trail, laundry adventure, little buckaroo cafe, and more.
Jack Creek visitors can even get a Pumpkin Palooza “to go” kit, which is available September 16 and while supplies last. The kit includes one small pumpkin, one apron, one table cover, six acrylic paint cups, one paint brush, one paint tray, one cup for in-between paintbrush rinsing, one glue stick, and one bag of decorations. The Jack Creek Farms is open most days, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Chesebrough Farms in Templeton, founded by Bob and Donna, has been running a seasonal pumpkin patch for over 20
years. The patch is open October 1 through 31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and specializes in growing fresh pumpkins, squash, and corn, but also offers other fresh vegetables in season. There are plenty of photo opportunities on the farm, including at their old-fash ioned roadside stand, complete with their “Pumpkin and Winter Squash Cookbook.” Also, for an additional cost, you can make an early request to artist Donna to scar a pumpkin for you next year — something she is known for around town!
South County Brookshire Farms in Los Osos is a seasonal pumpkin patch and Christmas tree farm owned by Shawn and Gretchen Call away.
Beginning October 1, besides having a pumpkin patch, they have many activities to engage in, including a jump pillow and jump pad, 9-hole frisbee disc course, a mining town area, corn, and pumpkin cannons, peddle cart race track, and novelty places for photo opportunities such as a 3-D barn. Families can partake in the 1.5-acre corn maze that has a geometric “space design with circles and straight lines,” according to Shawn.
For a challenge, you can try to get through the maze at night on the last two weekends in October. Shawn also says they are going to have newly born baby goats and a llama and food items for sale, too. They are open for produce and pumpkins only, Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., open for activities Tuesday through Friday noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In between San Luis Obispo and Los Osos, you will find Sunny Acres pumpkin patch, which is a farm that supports clean and sober living. Open in September, most days from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., they are using a new field with a variety of seeds, so there will be a diverse crop of pumpkins.
Avila Valley Barn in San Luis Obispo, is an old favorite, too. Open year-round by first-generation farmers, Bruce and Debbie raised their seven kids on the Avila Farm while working the farm each season. There is much to do at the farm — a corn maze to go through, farm animals to feed, and hay rides from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is also a large selection of baked goods and produce to buy, including tasty grilled corn.
The Pumpkin Patch, which lies within Edna Valley of San Luis Obispo, has been embraced by five generations. The family grows the pumpkins, and people can come and pick their own. Open in September, they grow over 40 varieties of pumpkins, have a four-acre corn maze to explore, fresh produce to purchase, early season pumpkin scarring, and more.
Halcyon Farms, formerly Rutiz Farms, in Arroyo Grande, has consistently been an organic and pesticide-free family farm specializing in a variety of produce for all seasons. Each late summer, you can come to choose and scar your own green pump kin, and once the pumpkins have turned orange, that is then when they let you know the pumpkins you scarred are ready to pick up and purchase. It is open Tuesday and Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
River K | 5670 N. River Road, Paso Robles
Jack Creek Farms | 5000 Highway 46 West, Templeton
Chesebrough Farms | 790 Moss Lane, Templeton
South County Pumpkin Farm Locations
Brookshire Farms | 4747 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos
Sunny Acres | 10340 Los Osos Valley Road, SLO
Avila Valley Barn | 560 Avila Beach Drive, SLO
The Pumpkin Patch | 2315 Biddle Ranch Road, SLO
Halcyon Farms | 1070 The Pike, Arroyo Grande
DOWNTOWN ATASCADERO
10am-3pm
The parade will start at 10am and run down El Camino Real from Davis Auto Body to West Mall and Palma Ave. by Sunken Gardens.
SAT
1001 KENNEDY WAY
5-9pm
The concert is a benefit for the Community Foundation of Estero Bay, celebrating its 12th annual “Morro Bay Sings.” In addition, to live music, the event features dinner, a live auction, and a silent auction. This year’s event also celebrates the 30th year of the Foundation, and over half a million dollars given to local youth!
SAT
PADDLE
COLEMAN PARK
4-5:30pm
This bewitching event is open to the public and benefits the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County. Don your favorite witch or warlock costume and meet at Coleman Park, 101 Coleman Drive at the north end of the bay along the Embarcadero, for a ghoulish morning on the water.
VFW POST 2814, ATASCADERO
9am-3pm
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2814’s fall car show will be held with an Oktoberfest theme with proceeds benefiting local veterans and their families.
PT. SAN LUIS
2pm
Join us for a “bucket list” experience to see some of the very best local talent in an intimate setting - at the historic Point San Luis Lighthouse, perched high atop beautiful Port San Luis and Avila Beach.
MORRO BAY ROTARY DUCKY DERBY
899 EMBARCADERO
8:30-10am
Proceeds go to support the “Help Us Help Others” Campaign providing grants to local non-profits that enhance our Community.
10am-1pm
Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy and then open for business in this one-day marketplace. The event is free and open to the public. childrensbusinessfair.org/avilabeach
MORRO BAY YACHT CLUB
7:30am-12pm
The race consists of a 3k or 10k course, beginning and ending at the Morrro Bay Yacht Club in Morro Bay, CA. The event is sponsored by many local Central Coast merchants & organizations, as well as Jesse’s friends and family. All paddle craft are welcome- SUP, Kayak, OC-1, prone paddleboards, and outriggers. Participants will receive a race shirt, raffle ticket, and have access to pre and post-race drinks and snacks.
ATASCADERO BIBLE CHURCH
3-5pm
The Atascadero Community Band presents their Fall Concert, “Celebrations!” Conductor Randy Schwalbe will lead the band in songs including Exhilaration, In the Mood, Candide Overture, Rhapsody in Blue, and many more.
ZOO BOO CHARLES PADDOCK ZOO
5-8:30pm
Get your best costume ready and bring the entire family out to a not-too-scary evening at Zoo Boo! You can expect Halloween decorations throughout the Zoo along with Carnival games, a costume contest, Halloween activities, a Haunted House, and tricks & treats to enjoy!
TRICK OR TREAT DOWNTOWN DOWNTOWN ATASCADERO
4-6pm
Join the fun on Entrada Ave in Downtown Atascadero, people and pets of all ages are welcome to come and enjoy family, children, and pet costume contests, hay maze, and of course, Trick or Treating!
