New Times, Feb. 6, 2025

The Collinses came to SLO after their house was destroyed by the Palisades Fire [8]

BY BULBUL RAJAGOPAL

Paula Maria Benedict

Paula Maria (Leone) Benedict, cherished wife, mother, sister, and friend, peacefully passed on January 29, 2025 with her family by her side at her home in Avila Beach.

Paula is survived by her loving husband of 48+ years, Stephen Benedict, their beloved daughter, Stephanie (Benedict) Brantley and son-in-law Kalen Brantley, brother Leslie Leone and sister-inlaw Mary Leone, nieces Anne Leone Anderson (Philip Anderson) and Rachel Mangiavellano (Bryan Mangiavellano), their children Nathan Mangiavellano and Isaac Mangiavellano, and many adoring friends.

Paula was born in March 1952 in Royal Oak, Michigan, to Leonard Leone and Bertha Adela Leone. Leonard was the theatre director of Wayne State University and a local business owner in Berkley. Bertha was a visual artist, one of the early animators for The Walt Disney Co. and an independent artist with many works displayed in the Detroit area. Growing up, Paula loved to play with her brother, their dog Taffy, and her many friends, and also to spend time backstage at her father’s theatre productions. While at Berkley High School (class of 1970), Paula wrote for The Royal Oak Daily Tribune and traveled to Denmark on an exchange program.

Paula graduated from Michigan State University with her B.A. in Speech/ Language Pathology in 1974, and her M.A. in the same in 1975. She met Steve while they both worked in the university’s planetarium. For their first date, Steve took Paula on a motorcycle ride to the observatory for a private viewing of the stars. They married at the chapel at Michigan State in November 1976. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, Steve and Paula traveled North America with their successful laser light show company, Eye See The Light. They performed at theatres, planetariums, and concerts, including with musical artists The Grateful Dead, Journey, Linda Ronstadt, Rush, and Dr. John. In 1980, Paula and Steve settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, first in San Francisco and then in Oakland. From 1980 - 1984 they directed the planetarium laser shows at the California Academy of Sciences. During this time, Paula earned a (second) M.A., in Educational Administration, from San Francisco State University. Their daughter Stephanie was born in San Francisco in 1990, and they moved to Los Altos in 1994. Paula worked as a Speech/Language Therapist in the Richmond, Sunnyvale and Cupertino School Districts, as well as a private school, and later as Professor of Communicative Disorders & Sciences at San Jose State University. They moved to Avila Beach in 2009 part-time, and full-time in 2015, becoming active members of the community.

Paula and Steve continued their love of music and stage performance throughout their lives, frequenting jazz festivals, concerts, theatres and music cruises. They enjoyed traveling around the world, hiking with friends, eating delicious meals at restaurants, appreciating good wine, and cheering for the San Francisco Giants. Paula’s favorite place was Maui. Everywhere she went, Paula attracted friendship and admiration for her gentle warmth, strength, no-nonsense humor, and inclusivity.

Paula’s greatest joy was her daughter, Stephanie. She was endlessly proud of Stephanie’s many accomplishments, and always encouraged her daughter to pursue her interests and opportunities for growth. Paula and Steve especially enjoyed visiting their daughter in Washington, D.C., where Stephanie went to college and lived for many years. Paula and Steve enjoyed multiple private tours of the West Wing of the White House, and attended a presidential inaugural ball.

On January 20, Paula witnessed Stephanie marry at the Benedict family home in Avila Beach, bringing Paula great joy and peace.

Paula fought a 5+ year battle with metastatic endometrial cancer. She encouraged everyone she knew to advocate for their own health, to always get their regular check-ups and screenings, and to not ignore any symptoms or anything that might feel ‘off’. Paula was grateful to her doctors and nurses for their care.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Paula’s memory to the Cancer Vaccine Coalition and the Foundation for Women’s Cancer.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday February 22, 2025 at Reis Family Mortuary (991 Nipomo St.) in San Luis Obispo at 11:00am, with reception to follow. We love you forever, Paula.

Editor’s note

WStrictly Starkey 24 the rest

Classifieds 32

Brezsny’s Astrology ........ 39

cover courtesy photo by Sheldon Collins cover design by Alex Zuniga Every week

ith a stash of clothes and other essentials, Sheldon Collins and his family evacuated from their home in Pacific Palisades while the wind pushed flames toward the mobile home park they lived in on Jan. 7. As a separate fire roared to life, Collins said they made the decision to leave the Los Angeles area and head to San Luis Obispo, where his father lives. But not before visiting what was left of their home: nothing but a pink scooter. Staff Writer Bulbul Rajagopal talks with him about his family’s experience and what comes next [8].

Also this week, read about the newest member of the Lucia Mar Unified School District board [9]; Corazon Café’s upcoming show, Chingonas [20]; and where to find Persian barbecue in SLO [30]

Camillia Lanham editor

Sheldon Collins

his former mobile home the day after the Palisades fire ravaged it. His family is hunkering down in SLO County while they figure out what comes next.

SLOCOG picks Ventura Transit for Senior Go!

The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) chose a transit provider that’s based two counties away over a homegrown nonprofit to provide transport for senior citizens. But the public and county leaders are conflicted by the decision.

“I live in a community that is majority seniors that heavily utilize these services,” Morro Bay Mayor and SLOCOG board member Carla Wixom said. “Ride-On is offering four trips, not two, and that’s a huge difference. VTS [Ventura Transit System] made a lot of promises also. … I just feel that the level of service, that kind of reduction will hurt my community immensely.”

Wixom’s comments at the Feb. 5 SLOCOG meeting aligned with those of fellow board members 3rd District SLO County Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg and Paso Robles Councilmember Fred Strong. The three cast dissenting votes in the 9-3 decision approving a 16-month contract between SLOCOG and Ventura Transit System for an amount that must not exceed $371,200. The agreement allows Ventura Transit System to provide seniors and wheelchair users with transport services through SLOCOG’s Senior Go! program.

Nonprofit Ride-On, which has been providing a door-to-door senior shuttle service since 2006, was also a contract contender.

When SLOCOG put Senior Go! out to bid, RideOn submitted a proposal that offered four rides a month per passenger. Its proposal was $384,000— $13,000 over the ceiling set by SLOCOG.

Ride-On Executive Director Mark Shaffer told New Times that the proposal went over the required budget because the nonprofit handles around 14 other contracts and services, some of which are undersubsidized or not supported by SLOCOG at all.

“They don’t want to give Ride-On any money that will build up the social service transportation part, because they want to use that money for other services,” he said.

On the other hand, Ventura Transit System submitted two proposals. The first showed that if it maintained the current rate of four rides a month per passenger, the annual cost would skyrocket to $678,400. The alternative winning proposal suggested two rides a month per passenger at an annual cost of $371,000.

The transit system is also a brokerage, meaning any rides they’re unable to provide within SLO

Morro Bay OKs Embarcadero hotel, shopping

Morro Bay’s Embarcadero could get a bit funkier after the City Council approved a new building that includes a hotel and retail space.

As envisioned by Paul Gillan, owner of Associated Pacific Constructors, Inc., the proposed angled and colorful buildings would enhance the waterfront with walkways and pocket parks that connect the buildings to nearby parks. Between the four lease lots, the approved project includes space for seven hotel rooms, retail, a restaurant, and a translucent lookout deck.

“This project will create a significant and new visual and exciting draw of pedestrian traffic as they stroll south on the Embarcadero or the harbor walk offering a place to stay, eat, and socialize,” Gillan said at the Jan. 28 City Council meeting.

This wasn’t Gillan’s first attempt to make his vision a reality. The Morro Bay Planning Commission denied the project in November.

At the Nov. 19 meeting, the commission thought

County are transferred to Ride-On. If Ride-On can’t take those passengers, they’re referred to Lyft.

“What kind of training do Lyft drivers get, and who’s doing the maintenance on their vehicles?” Shaffer said. “The seniors don’t like it because the car shows up and it’s not marked like a Ride-On bus. They don’t know who this person is that’s picking them up. It’s really not a good system.”

He added that the transit system, which has held the Senior Go! contract since 2018, transferred 70 percent of its rides in December 2024 to Ride-On because it didn’t have the capacity to provide ample

Transit System’s proposal, he’s disappointed that the number of rides will be halved.

“We don’t have resources to sustain four round trips unless we want to take money from something else,” he said. “Eighty percent of the users only take Senior Go! two roundtrips per month. We recognize that this is hurtful to 20 percent of the existing riders, and we would like to be able to grow the senior volunteer programs that pay a mileage for volunteer drivers. We also need more revenue.”

Rodgers told the SLOCOG board at the Feb. 5 meeting that $750,000 has already been spent on such services, and the expenditure cap rests at $800,000.

However, 4th District Supervisor Jimmy Paulding informed his fellow board members that choosing the proposal with fewer rides could be detrimental to SLO County’s Master Plan on Aging where

vehicles and drivers from Ventura County.

Public comment from senior citizens who use Senior Go! favored Ride-On, too. Betty Rusty Zane, 77, told SLOCOG directors that she uses Senior Go! to attend Weight Watchers in Arroyo Grande.

“For the past year, I’ve managed to lose 50 pounds by going every week thanks to Senior Go!” she said. “The people are wonderful, they take good care of us, the drivers are very polite. … I just really enjoy my one day out a week to go to AG, … and I’d be really sad if I couldn’t go.”

SLOCOG Executive Director Peter Rodgers told New Times that while SLOCOG prefers Ventura

the hotel was too tall—projected to stand at 25 feet, which requires a height allowance—per the city’s waterfront master plan. At such a height, the commissioners said it was too uncharacteristic of the Embarcadero and didn’t provide enough public benefit to outweigh its height.

Taking those comments to heart, Gillan submitted an appeal to the City Council in December with alterations that included removing one of the originally proposed eight hotel rooms on the second floor, making the tallest point of the project 22 feet.

Community Development Director Airlin Singewald told the council at the Jan. 28 meeting that the new revised project met all city requirements and addressed the commission’s previous concerns.

According to the staff report, the Bayside Landing property currently has a 3,000-squarefoot contractor’s building and three vacation rental units. The contractor’s building would be renovated into a retail and marine research space and would replicate the current teal and magenta color palette

participants highlighted transportation issues.

“I think it’s a very difficult decision,” Paulding said. “My personal take is that I don’t like openended statements and promises. … If Ride-On is saying, ‘We can do the four rides,’ but then they run out of money, that doesn’t help us.”

The majority of the SLOCOG board agreed to Rodgers’ suggestion of deferring the two-ride limit through March. The board will return in April to discuss funding options outside of Local Transportation Funds to sustain more rides. ∆ —Bulbul Rajagopal

and stained-glass windows.

Gillan said it will be named Reggie’s Place after the late local fisherman, Reggie Whibley, who previously owned the property.

The three vacation rental units would be demolished and rebuilt into the seven hotel units and a public observation deck—translucent in color to view eelgrass and otters commonly found below.

In addition, the project will include floating docks for kayaking and an angled harbor walk that connects the property to Tidelands and Mariner Parks.

“All in all, the proposed design with the angled and offset buildings layout captures the uniqueness of Morro Bay’s funky architectural heritage,” Gillan said.

Public commenters weren’t so sure, though, and felt the decision to approve the build should go back to the Planning Commission that originally denied it.

One resident said that the current project was completely different than it was last year.

“It establishes a bad precedent, I think, that an

LESS MONEY, LESS RIDES Ventura Transit System beat nonprofit Ride-On as the lowest bidder for a SLOCOG contract to provide Senior Go! rides for senior citizens and wheelchair users, but its proposal reduces the number of monthly rides per passenger.

applicant can circumvent the judgment of the Planning Commission and go directly to the council,” he said.

But Mayor Carla Wixom replied that the commission wasn’t overlooked, and Gillan had based his revisions on its concerns.

Recently elected Councilmember Jeff Eckles said the project in front of the council on Jan. 28 was even better than what was first presented and allowed the city and applicant to reach a better balance.

“I believe the process worked in this instance,” he said.

After some deliberation, the council unanimously approved the project, and now Gillan needs a Coastal Development Permit from the California Coastal Commission before construction can begin.

—Libbey Hanson

Arroyo Grande updates cellphone towers ordinance after outcry

Arroyo Grande decided it’s time to update its 7-year-old city ordinance on wireless telecommunication facilities a few months after protests from Sunset Terrace residents over a proposed 55-foot-tall cell tower 100 feet from the mobile home park.

Since the city’s last ordinance was adopted in 2017, staff said Arroyo Grande’s policies and procedures related to wireless telecommunication facilities are outdated, and during ensuing years, numerous federal and state laws and regulations have taken effect that “significantly restricts local control.”

The most important regulations that the city has to abide by come from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)— that facilities need to be approved within a specific timeline, also called a shot clock, and making sure a wireless facility follows certain design and development standards.

“Such as aesthetics, landscaping, setbacks and lighting among other topics,” the staff report states.

The FCC has two shot clocks: 60 days for existing wireless structures and 150 days for new facility applications.

Failing to act within the time period can result in the application being deemed approved under federal law, according to the staff report.

“So, the proposed ordinance will establish permit processes for various categories of facilities, establish standards for location, design, and performance of the facilities and institute,” Community Development Director Brian Pedrotti said during the Jan. 28 City Council meeting. “The permit process proposed by the ordinance was designed with the shot clocks in mind because the last thing the city wants is a deemed-approved project.”

Thanks to the recent backlash from community members over the 55-foot-tall 5G Verizon cellphone tower proposed to look like a fake water tower, the city updated the new ordinance to require approved facilities to be the “least intrusive to community character and values.”

The city identified that the least compatible places—residential zones and the Village mixed-use area, followed by mixed-use zoning designations—and the most compatible areas for wireless facilities, which are industrial mixed-used, Traffic Way mixed-use, regional commercial, public facilities, and agricultural districts. But if an applicant doesn’t want their

facility placed in compatible areas, Pedrotti said the applicant has to provide staff with “factual and verifiable evidence” that shows why the area isn’t feasible.

“This could include coverage maps, technical coverage gaps, correspondence with property owners that have engaged in negotiations,” he said. “In addition to identifying the preferred location within the city, the ordinance establishes the most appropriate structure for this type of equipment.”

Pedrotti said these structures can include rooftops of existing buildings and nonreplacement structures.

While there will be no public hearing for wireless facilities placed within the city’s public right of way and the final decision will be up to the community development director, the new ordinance initially outlined notifying residents who lived within 500 feet of new structures, but Mayor Caren Russom spoke against the idea.

“It’s not because I don’t want the public to know, but I don’t want to give the public a false sense of impression that they have control when they don’t,” she said. “We don’t even have control.”

The council unanimously passed the ordinance—but voted against including the public notification. It will take effect 30 days from Jan. 28.

—Samantha Herrera

Sierra Club wants buffer amid Phillips 66 refinery demolition

The remnants of Phillips 66’s Santa Maria Refinery on the Nipomo Mesa will be removed from 218 acres, but a Sierra Club appeal to protect a large buffer area stands in the way of complete demolition.

“Placing a conservation easement on this land would greatly enhance the restoration efforts contemplated in the [draft environmental impact report] and increase the chance of successful restoration of an environmentally sensitive habitat area as mandated in the county’s local coastal plan,” Conservation Committee Chair Susan Harvey of the Sierra Club’s Santa Lucia chapter wrote to the San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission on Oct. 22, 2024.

Two days later, commissioners unanimously certified the final environmental report on the demolition and remediation of the refinery and approved a coastal development permit for the project that hinged on certain conditions. The Sierra Club appealed that decision in November.

Those conditions require Phillips 66 to prioritize carrying out its habitat creation obligations within a 630-acre buffer area that it also owns. The shuttered Santa Maria Refinery sits in the coastal zone within 1,650 acres that Phillips 66 owns. The buffer area rests on the west side of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

The Santa Maria Refinery was a production site for semi-refined liquid petroleum, carbon, and granular sulfur starting in 1955. It held pipelines that transported those partly processed products to the San Francisco Refinery in Contra Costa until the latter stopped processing crude oil altogether.

The energy company applied for a SLO County development plan and coastal development permit approval in August 2022 to demolish the facility. The county accepted the application in March 2023, sparking an environmental review process as required by the California Environmental Quality Act

(CEQA). The result: a 714-page draft report released in March 2024.

The Planning Commission convened last October for discussion and permit approval after a months-long public review period.

The local Sierra Club stated that the region known as the Tosco Buffer Area must be protected to sustain the biodiversity of the dunes and provide public access.

The Tosco Refining Company entered into an agreement with the State Parks Off-Road Vehicle (OHV) Division in 1998 to protect the buffer area. Their agreement replaced a previous one in 1980 between State Parks and Unocal, formerly known as Union Oil Company of California.

“The agreement expired after five years, and the land now has no deed restrictions or conservations easements, leaving the dune habitat and sensitive plant species at risk,” Sierra Club’s Harvey wrote in her letter.

The SLO County Board of Supervisors was scheduled to hear the appeal on Feb. 4. It’s been postponed to April 29 so that Phillips 66 can address the concerns.

The appeal alleged that the buffer area needs conservation because “multiple entities” are interested in converting the property into an extension of the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.

Friends of Oso Flaco Lake, the Nature Conservancy, and Surfrider Foundation also wrote to the Planning Commission in support of the Sierra Club’s letter prior to permit approval. Twenty-three letters in total urged commissioners to place the buffer area under a conservation easement.

But county staff disagreed. All demolition and remediation activities would take place within the Phillips 66 site boundary that’s east of the railway tracks.

“No project activities would occur on the west side of the … tracks within the 630acre buffer area or within 100 feet of ESHA [environmentally sensitive habitat area] within the buffer area,” the staff report said.

Staff also said that the Tosco and State Parks agreement is completely unrelated to the demolition project. While the agreement initially lasted for five years, it automatically renews annually unless Phillips 66 hands a written notice of non-renewal to the state.

The county also refuted the Sierra Club’s allegation that other groups were interested in using the remediated refinery property.

The final environmental impact report stated that potential future uses of the site are unknown. However, Phillips 66 proposed to retain certain refinery assets like track scales, an electric switchyard, outfall, and rail spurs, which could attract future users.

Sierra Club’s second point of appeal rests on the assumption that State Parks could acquire the land and favor off-road driving over other forms of non-motorized recreation—interfering with less expensive activities like camping and/or day-use visits.

The staff report stated that it was inappropriate to base land use decisions and conditions of approvals on speculative future uses.

“If State Parks were to acquire the property and propose the development envisioned in the [Public Works Plan], that development would be subject to land use permitting by the county, which would include an evaluation of the coastal access proposed by State Parks,” staff said.

PRJUSD talks staff reductions amid budget deficit

With a project $5 million budget deficit, the Paso Robles school board mulled potentially eliminating 47 staff administration positions at a meeting on Jan. 28.

According to the staff presentation, most positions within the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District being cut are supervisors, classroom assistants, therapists, and paraeducators, among others.

Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Brad Pawlowski presented the district’s plan for reductions to the council, alongside Assistant Superintendents Shauna Ames and Erin Haley. Pawlowski said narrowing down which positions to eliminate was no small decision and required effort from all superintendents’ areas of expertise.

During the pandemic, the district was given one-time funds that the district used primarily to hire staff who worked directly with students, Pawlowski explained. He also said that 85 percent of the district’s entire budget goes toward people.

With enrollment dwindling each year—a total of nearly 600 students since 2021—the district faces a $4.7 million deficit for the 2024-25 academic year.

Before reducing positions, Pawlowski said the district offered an early retirement program that many staff and administration took advantage of. This allowed the district to simply not fill those vacancies and eliminate fewer job positions.

He said the mentality behind this method is “hard on the problem, soft on people.” Just by using the early retirement program, Pawlowski said the district’s deficit of about $5 million would become a projected $2.2 million by the start of the next school year. But that still isn’t enough, so staff suggested reducing 47 district positions total.

“We know the gravity of this presentation. It’s been weighing heavily on us,” Assistant Superindendent Ames told the board.

Yet, staff said they remain hopeful that fewer positions would be eliminated if the district can properly reconfigure some job descriptions.

An example being what Assistant Superintendent Haley described as Teachers on Special Assignment—teachers who would have multiple assignments dedicated to supporting district curriculum and other teachers. This would allow one person to carry out multiple roles and needs.

Board member Kenney Enney said he would feel better making a final decision after holding a town hall meeting to hear from the community about what’s most important to them. But since those losing their jobs must be notified by March 15, staff said the reduction plan will return to the board at its next meeting on Feb. 11 for its approval.

“Well, I’m free tomorrow,” Enney said. Overall, Superintendent Jennifer Loftus told New Times that the district is “making the best of the wrong choice,” and that all areas will see reductions in some capacity.

“Proportionately we are trying to be as equitable as we can be,” she said.

The decision isn’t easy for anyone, she added.

“This is a really difficult topic, ultimately at the end of the day I am talking about humans and services that impact kids,” Loftus said. “There is nothing on the list that I want to take away.” ∆

—Libbey Hanson

—Bulbul Rajagopal

Coastal reprieve

Author Sheldon Collins lived in Los Angeles County for the majority of his life, until 48 hours after one of the most destructive fires in California history burned down his home.

little time to settle and figure things out.”

“We left by around noon, and the fire actually completely tore through our entire mobile home park, burned 151 homes by 5:30 p.m. that day,” Collins said from his father’s house in San Luis Obispo. “It is a low-income housing community, but it’s uniquely set right on the coast. So, we had a view of the ocean, and it was just a real gem of place. We have beautiful memories there.”

Collins, his wife, and their 11-year-old daughter lived in Pacific Palisades for six years before powerful Santa Ana winds pushed a wildfire on Jan. 7. The Palisades Fire, now fully contained, ravaged large swathes of Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu. According to Cal Fire, the Palisades Fire killed 12 people and burned 23,448 acres. That’s almost the size of the Netherlands.

“When thinking back upon it, the fire really traveled through the air,” Collins said. “You don’t really think of that when you’re a homeowner and you’re trying to protect your house with fire retardant or whatever; like, I have sprinklers on my roof.”

Not many people thought that the flames would hit the sea-facing community. But the rapidly billowing smoke alerted Collins to take the fire seriously and make plans to evacuate.

Grabbing a stash of clothes and other essentials, the Collinses traveled to his mother’s house in Pasadena where they thought they would be safe.

Then, winds roared the Eaton Fire to life.

Killing 17 people and engulfing 14,021 acres of land, the Eaton Fire is considered the fifth deadliest wildfire in state history. It blazed through foothill communities, including the historically Black town of Altadena.

“That’s when I made the decision that this is just crazy,” Collins said. “Let’s just get out of Los Angeles County. … It’s just getting nuts down here with all the fires, and take a

But not before he visited the ruins of his home one last time. Collins told New Times he felt compelled to visit the site after watching a TV news segment about a neighboring mobile home park that also burned down.

Wearing a ski helmet, ski goggles, and an N95 mask, he returned to Pacific Palisades the following day to survey the damage.

Small pockets of fire dotted the remains of the mobile home park, and the air smelled smoky and toxic, he said. Decimated to smoldering rubble, their house no longer existed. The only non-living survivor: his daughter’s pink scooter.

In the hurry of evacuating, the Collinses left one of their cars behind. They assumed the BMW would be safe parked at the bottom of a hill. Collins found it completely melted to the ground. He said it felt surreal.

“You have to actually go visit the area to really feel the devastation,” he said. “I mean, it’s just all your neighbors. Over the years, you hear all the work and love they put into their homes.”

Coastal living wasn’t completely lost.

The Central Coast became the family’s reprieve thanks to Collins’ father living in the city of San Luis Obispo. They’ve lived with him ever since and have already received help from locals.

One of them is Los Osos rancher Kristin Dell.

A horse lover who manages a veterinarian practice, Dell introduced Stassa—one of her five horses—to Collins’ daughter, who has autism. While Dell said she isn’t a therapist, she calls herself the “middleman” who connects people with horses.

“It’s really neat to see Sheldon’s daughter on the horse,” Dell said. “At first, she was talking a lot and repeating things that were comfortable for her, and as she started riding, she got silent, and she would smile. It was precious.”

Collins got in touch with Dell at the recommendation of his father’s neighbor. The family plans to return to her ranch this month for more horse rides for their daughter.

Hippotherapy—equine therapy—not only helped his daughter but also Collins and his wife, according to Dell.

“I love to observe them, and I think making a connection with such a powerful, honest, present animal is very empowering,” she said. “I mean horses, they’re aware of our emotional energies, and they can often sense what we are feeling better than we can.”

Dell isn’t alone in her kindness. Collins told New Times that several locals he’s talked to—be it at REI and Target while

restocking supplies, when enjoying meals at local restaurants, during dinners with their new neighbors, or even strolling through the Thursday downtown SLO farmers market— have extended welcoming words of support. Ever since fires broke out in LA County, several SLO County businesses stepped in to help. According to a compilation on enjoyslo. com, places like Idler’s Home, Rod and Hammer Rock, Fablerune, Active Church, Bird House Tattoo, Traffic Record Store, and Xochitl Wines, among others, put out calls for in-kind donations.

Now Collins, an author, wants to give back to the community. His first novel, The Legend of Valentine, made its debut amid his family escaping the fires. Collins discovered that SLO’s Barnes and Noble store was displaying his book when he walked in on Jan. 30. He’s offered to return on Valentine’s Day to sign any customer copies of his book from 10 a.m. to noon.

These days, Collins and his wife are busy homeschooling their daughter, who used to attend a special needs school in Culver City. They coordinate with her LA caretaker, who commutes every week to SLO for three days. Collins is also wrapped up in communication with their insurance company and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Before the fires, he said he made sure his family was insured to replace their home. But the challenge remains. While the Collinses owned their mobile home, it rested on leased land. If the mobile home park is unsalvageable and shuts down, the family would have to build their house elsewhere—losing home equity in the process.

“I think a lot of people, including ourselves, have to wrap our mind around the fact that … our home is going to be somewhere brand new now, and that’s something we just have to kind of re-create until, potentially, one day we do return that home,” Collins said. “Let’s be grateful for what we have right now. We have a place to stay, thank God. Not everybody has that. We have our lives.” ∆

Reach Staff Writer Bulbul Rajagopal at brajagopal@newtimesslo.com.

A KIND HAND Rancher Kristin Dell welcomes Collins’ daughter to SLO County with a ride on her horse Stassa.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHELDON COLLINS

GIVING BACK Collins said he wants to return SLO County’s kindness by signing all customer copies of his new book The Legend of Valentine at the SLO Barnes and Noble on Valentine’s Day from 10 a.m. to noon.

BY SAMANTHA HERRERA

The odd man out

Lucia Mar school board’s newest member wants to focus on parent rights and finances

Beating out a 12-year incumbent, Lucia Mar Unified School District board’s newest member, Mike Fuller, said he brings something that’s lacking to the dais: a different point of view.

Fuller’s win over Vicki Meagher, a teacher in the district for 38 years who prided herself on being pro-teacher and pro-student, was closer than Fuller thought it would be. He told New Times that he was fully expecting the win but was shocked that it was only by 74 votes.

“I know some people thought, ‘Oh, you beat an incumbent,’ but yeah that’s what I assumed was going to happen,” he said. “I didn’t think it was a long shot, and this community was not very happy with [this board], so I had that also on my side. Just a couple of years ago, the community was up in arms and a major group of people were trying to recall a large group of them.”

In 2021, community members sought to recall three board members for extending online learning from home during the COVID-19 pandemic: Don Stewart, Colleen Martin, and Dee Santos.

Although the recall effort was unsuccessful, Fuller said it as a gateway for him to run for the school board.

After coming to the Central Coast in 1969 when his father started working at Diablo Canyon Power Plant, Fuller said he never wanted to leave. He attended Cal Poly, became a financial planner, and in the late 1990s was an Arroyo Grande City Council member.

He took time off from local politics while his children were young, and he said he’s been itching to be involved in the community again. Since he now lives outside city limits and can’t run for the council, he decided to try and fix the problems that he said have faced Lucia Mar since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“That raised a lot of concerns with families of our particular district. Our kids were kept out longer than even the state required, so there was a lot of uproar in our community. It got quite deep,” he said. “I was hearing the frustrations and stuff; I’ve seen the consequences of it. They’re severe.”

So Fuller’s campaign focused on improving the district financially and increasing parents’ rights within the district. Something that needs to be addressed fast is the loss of student enrollment over the past 10 years, Fuller said.

“The Lucia Mar School District has lost 1,089 students. That’s a serious issue, a serious number of students, and a major role in less revenues,” he said.

Trying to maintain the same number of schools in the district with fewer staff and a smaller budget is a major problem that Fuller said board members need to give attention to.

Fuller said he has contacted the families of students who left the district and has been told that they shifted to homeschooling, private schools, or charter schools.

Now, the district needs to work on bringing these families back to the district, he said, adding that it can be done through paternal rights.

“Let kids in school be educated, and let parents be involved,” he said. “Don’t block them out of school board meetings just because you don’t want to hear from them during a time like COVID because you don’t like what they’re saying. If you keep them out of meetings, you diminish their voice.”

By reaching out to parents in the school district, Fuller said he’s heard that they want the school to be strictly educational and leave social issues to be discussed at home.

Act now!

Bischoff, who ran against Don Stewart for the Trustee Area 1 seat, was thinking about running but wasn’t sure if he wanted to commit, according to Fuller. Fuller said he called him up and asked if he wanted to do it together.

The two became a duo running under the slogan “Rebuild the Board,” and they decided they should team up with the Trustee Area 2 candidate who was running against Dee Santos.

“I thought who could run for Grover Beach, and through much checking around and asking around, I met Paul Hively,” he said. “I didn’t know him before, but he ended up being a small-business man, working for himself, a level-headed, practical guy who has kids in the district and cares a lot.”

The other two candidates lost their races.

Since Fuller’s victory over Meagher, he said he’s experienced a “lukewarm” welcome from other board members.

“I’d say it’s mixed. I wouldn’t say it’s warm, and I didn’t necessarily expect it to be with only two board meetings,” he said. “There’s some that are more talkative, some I don’t know fully, some of them it’s just personality and they’re quieter.”

Send any news or story tips to news@newtimesslo.com.

“They don’t want all that extra nonsense,” he said. “It creates stress and angst for kids in school. Just keep school school and let all the other stuff happen outside of schools. My opinion is to let the families educate kids on all social issues and all that and let the family values prevail in that child. Don’t have the school getting involved in those kinds of things because obviously they’re not going to know what the family wants.”

Fuller campaigned on these ideas with two others, Paul Bischoff and Paul Hively. But Fuller said the three men didn’t know each other before campaigning together and came together through their like-mindedness.

‘Let parents be involved. Don’t block them out of school board meetings just because you don’t want to hear from them during a time like COVID because you don’t like what they’re saying. If you keep them out of meetings, you diminish their voice.’

—Mike Fuller, Lucia Mar school board

While one differing opinion might not make too much of an impact on the board, Fuller hopes that his win encourages others with independent ideas to run for local politics. ∆

Reach Staff Writer Samantha Herrera at sherrera@newtimesslo.com.

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TRUSTEE AREA 4 Joining the Lucia Mar Unified School District board with a background in financial planning and previous local government experience as an Arroyo Grande City Council member, Mike Fuller promises to focus on bringing financial improvements and parental rights to the school district.

PHOTO COURTSEY OF MIKE FULLER

Frankie Moreno: Blue Suede Tunes

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It was a quiet afternoon at the Charles Paddock Zoo in Atascadero, until one of the zoo’s newest residents, a hyacinth macaw, let out a deep-toned laugh and said “hello.”

Zookeeper Crystal Crimbchin said this colorful breed of bird is smart and loves to mimic the sounds it hears around the zoo grounds. “Hello” is a favorite, as onlookers often greet the two macaws ecstatically.

Amid the giggles of the macaws, two toco toucans bumped their bright orange beaks together in the enclosure next door.

Crimbchin said the toucans are much more timid than the macaws but just as breathtaking, considering their beaks are nearly the same size as their entire bodies.

The pairs of macaws and toucans from the South American region are new to the Atascadero Zoo’s exhibit and were welcomed to the grounds on Jan. 18 thanks to funding from the Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival and Friends of the Charles Paddock Zoo.

Crimbchin said that the macaws came from an elderly woman who owned many of the birds.

“She surrendered them to us, and they’re doing great,” she said.

Since macaws are more social creatures, they could be placed on exhibit sooner than the toucans, who need more time to adjust. Crimbchin said the zoo had the toucans for about a year before placing them on exhibit.

“They’re a very timid bird, and so we had them in the back until they got used to people moving around everywhere and stuff like that,” she said. “They’re also part of the species survival plan, which means that they’re part of a breeding program. So, we wanted to make sure that they were happy and healthy and wanting to breed and able to breed.”

According to Crimbchin, the survival program through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is designed to maintain healthy, genetically diverse, and demographically stable populations in zoos.

“Zoos try not to pull any animals out of the wild, so we’re getting all of our genetic diversity by what we have and finding out who’s related to who, and just shipping them around,” she said.

Since the zoo’s macaws and toucans are breeding pairs, Crimbchin said they would never ship one bird off without a replacement being sent in—that way the birds always have a partner.

To make each bird’s enclosure as similar to their natural habitat as possible, Crimbchin said the zoo used the help of the Master Gardener program in SLO County.

“So, we figured out equivalent plants and stuff,” she said. “We had to find hiding areas for them and all different kinds of things. So it’s been a lot of work, but a lot of fun.”

She also said the macaws are destructive and often destroy the plants in their enclosure.

“These guys are going to chew on them. You know that their beak isn’t just for eating, it’s for all different kinds of things,” she said. “They do work their beaks a lot.”

Toco toucans’ large, bright beaks are used to peel and pick fruit, and Crimbchin said they enjoy berries most, despite the size of their bills. As she spoke, the bright blue macaw latched its beak on the enclosure, using its feet and bill to move around the caging.

The hyacinth macaw is the largest species of parrot and can grow to be more than 3 feet tall. Crimbchin said they have a powerful bite and can break any nutshell.

“So that big beak right there is extremely strong,” she said. “So, most of us, if we get a big walnut or something around the holidays, we have those special nutcrackers. No trouble at all for these guys. They’ll even break the macadamia nuts, which are extremely thick-shelled.”

Crimbchin said it’s the ideal time of year to see the new birds and all exhibits of the zoo, including animals from the Madagascar, tropical Andes, and California regions.

“Right now is the perfect time for people to come visit us because the weather is nice and cool,” she said. “It’s the perfect time to come out. Everybody’s active.”

Fast fact

• SLO County announced $500,000 in funding to establish warming centers in Paso Robles, Atascadero, and Morro Bay and is requesting proposals from local nonprofits and organizations. These three areas were found to have some of the highest numbers of unsheltered individuals and are in the greatest need of services during cold weather. Applications are due Feb. 25. For more information visit: slocounty.gov/homelessservicesgrants. ∆

Reach Staff Writer Libbey Hanson at lhanson@newtimesslo.com.

STICK TOGETHER The Charles Paddock Zoo in Atascadero welcomes a pair of toco toucans and a pair of hyacinth macaws to its grounds.

PHOTO BY LIBBEY HANSON

BY JOHN LAIRD

Energy questions

The

TMoss Landing fire: Where do we go from here?

he people of Moss Landing are experiencing what the people of Pajaro and Capitola have experienced before them. Three weeks after the catastrophic fire, news cameras and reporters are slipping away, they must deal with the aftermath while out of the spotlight.

This past weekend, I stopped to see Kim Solano at the Haute Enchilada Restaurant in Moss Landing. She—along with other local restaurants, shops, and bed and breakfasts— shut down when the highway was closed and the area evacuated. While reopened, they have not financially recovered.

Where do we go from here? I have asked for a complete, independent investigation. Scientific studies have come out piecemeal since the fire. The public deserves a complete investigation that is vetted in public. We need to know how the fire started, what can be done better in the future, and understand the public and ecological health impacts of the fire plume. The California Public Utilities Commission and Monterey County along with the relevant state public health agencies are pursuing these investigations.

In 2023, my Senate Bill 38 required safety plans for battery storage plants. It appears that both Vistra and PG&E did not submit these plans directly to Monterey County after the bill became law. They need to do this—and the county needs to advise the

The fundamental principle of journalism is accountability

In an era where misinformation spreads with alarming ease, fact-checking is an essential function of the media—not a form of sensationalism. While some critics dismiss media fact-checking as part of a theatricalized narrative, the reality is that holding other media outlets accountable is an obligation that should be respected and encouraged.

There are several reputable and nonpartisan organizations, such as factcheck. org and PolitiFact, dedicated to scrutinizing claims made by influential media figures. Journalists like Glenn Kessler, who has provided fact-checking analysis for The Washington Post since 2011, regularly analyze exaggerated or misleading claims. These efforts are not about amplifying drama but ensuring accuracy in reporting. However, when local outlets engage in fact-checking efforts, they are sometimes unfairly accused of engaging in media feuds rather than fulfilling their journalistic duty.

A recent New Times article regarding the supposed “squabble” between The Tribune and CalCoastNews reflects this mischaracterization (“Intensive coverage,” Jan. 30). The implication that The Tribune is engaging in journalistic malpractice simply for investigating claims made by CalCoastNews is a distortion of what investigative journalism entails. When CalCoastNews made unsubstantiated and salacious claims about former Paso Robles City Manager Ty Lewis, it was a public controversy that demanded scrutiny. Lewis subsequently accused CalCoastNews “reporter” Karen Velie of conspiring with City Councilmember Chris Bausch to ruin

public of the adequacy of the plans.

The effects of a changing climate are here. Scientists point out that the intensity of hurricanes and fires—such as the recent ones in Los Angeles—have increased due to the warming climate. The answer is to put less carbon in the air. Moving away from fossil fuels is key to doing that.

With the national government pulling out of the world blueprint for reducing carbon emissions, including the Paris Agreement, California must redouble our efforts toward the goal of zero carbon emissions by 2045, as well the interim goals on the road to 2045 established by Senate Bill 1020 I authored in 2022.

As we move toward more wind and solar power, we are impacted during times when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing. Battery storage allows for energy reliability—and less reliance on energy produced by fossil fuels—when it stores extra energy produced during windy, sunny times and returns energy to the grid at times when it’s dark and the wind isn’t blowing. Even with this storage, California continues to send solar power to Arizona’s grid, as we do not have enough battery storage to store it here.

California battery storage produced 500 megawatts in 2019, growing to 13,300 megawatts now, with the goal of 52,000 megawatts by 2045. In September 2022, when the electrical grid was on the verge of a blackout, battery storage

his reputation. This serious accusation warranted journalistic investigation, not dismissal as a petty dispute.

To suggest that The Tribune is merely engaging in a public spat by fact-checking CalCoastNews is to misunderstand the role of responsible journalism. The Tribune’s investigative work into the “Eye on Ty” series by Velie was an appropriate journalistic pursuit, given the weight of the allegations and the harm misinformation could cause. And there was harm to both Lewis’ reputation and Paso Robles taxpayers. Paso Robles agreed to a monetary settlement with Lewis based largely on the controversy that CalCoastNews created. The city clearly found enough merit in Lewis’ claims to pursue a settlement agreement.

Checking the accuracy of claims, especially those that directly impact individuals and public perception, is not at all equivalent to engaging in the type of sensationalism for which CalCoastNews has been criticized.

In fact, equating The Tribune’s factchecking efforts with the controversy surrounding CalCoastNews undermines

put more energy online than Diablo Canyon’s nuclear power during a few key hours—and the power stayed on.

Every energy source has had a disastrous incident—whether it’s Chernobyl with nuclear power, bird strikes with wind power and solar towers, or countless incidents with fossil fuel— including a several-day fire in 2003 on the very Moss Landing site that just burned. We recall too the loss of lives in San Bruno due to a natural gas explosion, and of course the recent, alarming fires at Moss Landing related to battery storage.

The transition to safer battery storage was underway before the fire. The original facilities— like some of those at Moss Landing—included batteries housed indoors, use a more volatile configuration of lithium. Newer technology has changed to a less volatile mix with lithium— and with a different physical configuration of batteries in enclosed individual containers that have individual fire suppression systems and are outside on separate cement slabs.

Think of your smartphone in 2019 and now. In such a short span of time, the smartphone of today performs far faster, with less energy. Similar advancements are being made with battery storage.

Current proposals for new battery storage facilities will utilize newer, much safer components. In Morro Bay, for example, we need to consider the appropriateness of that proposed location; however, the proposed technology would be newer, safer technology and not the configuration at Moss Landing.

Seventy-five percent of California’s battery storage uses newer, safer technology. Twentyfive percent is the older technology, such

the importance of media accountability. Investigative journalism exists to verify, to challenge, and to bring clarity to the public discourse. When a media outlet chooses to publish dubious or outright false information, it is not only the right but the duty of other credible outlets to fact-check and expose any inconsistencies or misinformation.

Dismissing media fact-checking as mere theatrics does a disservice to the integrity

as what burned at Moss Landing. The state should have discussions about the 25 percent of battery storage facilities that use older technology. What do we do? Heightened inspection? Safety improvements? Phasing out over time? All of the above? If Vistra’s plant is rebuilt in Moss Landing, it should be with newer, safer technology.

There are no lithium safety standards in California. This is also an issue that extends beyond battery energy storage facilities and includes EV battery servicing, operation, and disposal. I am working with the California Professional Firefighters and IBEW/Electrical Workers on a possible bill to establish safety standards.

In addition, the California Public Utilities Commission is considering an order about battery storage safety on March 13— including monitoring whether facilities have complied with SB 38.

There are three major energy goals in California—move away from fossil fuels to a greener electrical grid; have safe, reliable, renewable energy sources; and keep the lights on. Our job in the coming months and years is to have the public at the table as we decide how to meet each of these goals without sacrificing any of them. It is a tall order. The future of our state and planet demands it, and the well-being of our communities deserves it. ∆

Sen. John Laird represents California’s Central Coast and is former secretary for Natural Resources. Send a response for publication to letters@newtimesslo.com.

of journalism. Media organizations must be as accountable to the truth as the public figures they cover. The more we encourage responsible media scrutiny, the better informed our communities will be. If journalism is to maintain its credibility, it cannot turn a blind eye to misinformation— no matter where it originates.

Aaron Ochs Morro Bay

Sensational restraint

Paso Robles City Manager Ty Lewis got his settlement. Albeit a crappy one. After denying his $2.2 million complaint with the city last August over an alleged hostile working environment Lewis said was caused by appointed—not elected— City Councilmember Chris Bausch and Bausch’s co-conspirators, Paso budged in January. Lewis received about $366,000. Sounds like a pittance.

In fact, it actually sounds pretty standard for forcing someone into early retirement.

According to The Tribune—the community’s self-proclaimed “relentless” pursuer “of the truth”—$200,000 of that settlement was for damages. Of course, Lewis can’t talk about the settlement and neither can anyone else who was in on the deal— those pesky non-disclosure agreements really cut into my tea-time—so we’ll never know what exactly those damages were.

Maybe the Trib can tell us, and I’m sure it will try.

By my last count, the Trib had dedicated at least 24 of its news stories and multiple reporters to covering this one specific issue in Paso Robles over the last three months. That does not include opinion pieces, some of which were penned by the Trib’s own editorial board. That’s a lot of coverage. They’ve given us stories about naked hot tub photos, a surreptitious recording, Bausch’s cellphone, self-styled “investigative reporter” Karen Velie’s misinformation campaign, a conspiracy, restraining orders, Public Records

Act requests, legal threats, extortion allegations, an anonymous couple that became unanonymous, exclusive interviews, factchecking, setups, threats of violence and a citizen’s arrest, the Trib’s pursuit of the truth, opinion pieces that were taken down— more than this office appliance could keep up with. It’s been confusing to say the least.

Has actual light been shed? I mean, did the Trib reveal a smoking gun? No.

Is that journalism’s job? Sort of.

Ferreting out the truth, talking to sources, holding truth to power, and distilling it down into something understandable for the community is absolutely journalism’s job. A play-by-play of every little piece of information? Not journalism’s job.

There’s a lot of he-said, she-said wrapped up in the stories the Trib ran and also speculation, to take a page out of the national media’s playbook.

Not to drag out something that is so last week, but a little birdie named Aaron Ochs decided to weigh in with his journalism “expertise.” He asserted that the ultimate principle of journalism is accountability. Accountability to whom?

For him, that accountability seems to revolve around fact-checking CalCoastNews.

As a media ecosystem, SLO County has pursued that path before. Going tit for tat

with Velie about what’s true and what’s not. Trying to push back against her image of being “the only, one true investigative reporter that this county has to offer, the only one tracking down the truth about how corrupt local government is.” Sound familiar?

She publishes a lot of unsubstantiated, unverifiable rumors. He-said, she-said accusations. Salacious information. Hit pieces. She isn’t great at fact-checking (the sign of a truly impeccable journalist), finding documents to back up the allegations, or attributing sources. Her ethics are questionable, and she seems to like a good personal vendetta. Libel lawsuit be damned.

It’s the definition of sensationalism, and it absolutely impacts the community. Sometimes her stories even turn out to have elements of truth, which always pisses me off.

There could be a whole fact-checking website dedicated to her stories. Maybe Ochs could start one. Oh wait, he wrote a whole book about CalCoastNews and its “fake news,” so I guess he at least practices what he preaches.

So, who is the media supposed to be accountable to? Readers. Sources. The truth. Journalism itself. Its ethical principles. Balance. Restraint.

Not clicks. But that’s where we are.

Just look at the LA Times for a good view on how the media covers stories these days. That outlet has written several stories daily about the catastrophic fires—an arguably important event to inform its readers about—

for weeks. When does good coverage veer into sensational territory?

That is a question that everyone in the media should be asking, especially when it comes to once again covering the tRump administration. Did we actually learn from the mistakes we made in covering every orange “presidential” utterance during his previous term? It all sounds so important until it becomes background noise. Why exactly is the Paso story so important again?

In case any of you were still wondering, Trib Editor Joe Tarica told New Times that it was because a sitting City Council member was accused of conspiring with a reporter to oust a city manager. It cost the city of Paso time and resources. It impacts city business and residents. It’s unusual. It matters.

It’s important and worth covering, absolutely. Trib journalists pursued it with vigor and did some good journalism along the way. But if the actual story gets lost in headline after headline—sometimes three in the same day— the story loses its importance. The community misses out on reading about other news items that don’t get covered. That’s not balance. That’s not being accountable to readers. That’s not practicing journalistic restraint. It’s a free-for-all, and it’s unfortunate. Because the story got lost in its own importance. ∆

The Shredder might get shredded. Send paper to shredder@newtimesslo.com.

We o er Sunday services, meditation, classes, events, concerts, spiritual coaching, and more.

If you are ready to live your best life, come

Hot Dates

ARTS

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

COASTAL WINE AND PAINT PARTY Listen to music while enjoying an afternoon of creativity, sipping, and mingling. The party includes a complimentary glass of wine and canvas with materials. Saturdays, 12-2 p.m. $55. (805) 394-5560. coastalwineandpaint. com. Harmony Cafe at the Pewter Plough, 824 Main St., Cambria.

THE COLOR OF LIGHT, LAURA MURPHY, AND GEORGE ASDEL: ARTISTS RECEPTION AND ATRIUM PARTY: Come meet the artists, be inspired, and enjoy food, refreshments, a treefilled atrium, and all the businesses in Marina Square. Feb. 8, 3-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

FINE ART ACRYLIC PAINTINGS BY LAURA MURPHY Murphy is a Central Coast artist who creates abstract, non-representational art using acrylic and inks on canvas. Through Feb. 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

FINE ART PAINTINGS, POETRY, AND SMALL WORKS BY GEORGE ASDEL Asdel has been creating small works featuring his poetry and art for many years here on the Central Coast. Through Feb. 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare. com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

FOR THE BIRDS Held in conjunction with the Morro Bay Bird Festival. This group exhibit features artworks depicting various avian subjects from the show’s pool of artists. Through Feb. 17 artcentermorrobay. org. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 772-2504.

STEP INTO THE LIFE OF SCULPTOR

SALVATORE ORLANDO Join this free demonstration with sculptor Salvatore Orlando to learn and immerse yourself in the creative field. Feb. 10 3-5 p.m. (805) 558-6662. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay, artcentermorrobay.org.

UNCORK YOUR CREATIVITY: COASTAL WINE AND PAINT PARTY Offering a unique opportunity to sip wine while painting stunning ocean-inspired landscapes. All materials included. Saturdays, 12-2 p.m. $60. (805) 394-5560. coastalwineandpaint.com. Harmony Cafe at the Pewter Plough, 824 Main St., Cambria.

VALENTINE’S SPECIAL PAINT YOUR PARTNER Coastal Wine and Paint Party is calling all couples to join for an afternoon of “painting, sipping, and roasting your significant other.” No painting experience is necessary. Feb. 15 , 12-2 p.m. $60. (805) 394-5560. coastalwineandpaint.com. Harmony Cafe at the Pewter Plough, 824 Main St., Cambria.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

DIEGO IN PRINT An exhibition of works by Diego Huerta open Friday and Saturday afternoons. An Artist Reception will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 2 to 6 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, 2-5 p.m. through April 6 (805) 440-7152. Pocket Gallery on Pine, 8491/2 13th Street, Paso Robles.

RIVER A showcase of new oil paintings by Big Sur-based artist Abigail Smith. Originally from Templeton, Smith resides in a mountain cabin near the freshwater streams she depicted in her paintings on display. Through Feb. 10 cruisecontrolcambria.com. Cruise Control Gallery, 1075 Main St., Cambria, (805) 503-3820. SIP N’ SKETCH/SIP N’ PAINT Bring your own supplies (or borrow some of our’s) and paint or sketch a themed live-model or still life under the guidance of Studios resident artists. See website for the specific theme of the month. Your first glass of wine is included in price. Third Saturday of every

month, 6-9 p.m. $20. (805) 238-9800. studiosonthepark.org. Studios on the Park, 1130 Pine St., Paso Robles.

SWEETHART DANCE Celebrate love and dance during this fundraiser for the Homeless Animal Rescue Team. There will be live music from Los Osos-based band, Zongo All-Stars, and dessert treats from local Cambria establishments. Visit site for tickets and more info. Feb. 15 , 7 p.m. $50. Cambria Veterans Memorial Hall, 1000 Main St., Cambria, (805) 927-5010.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

AFTER AFTER DARK WITH JACOB DORN

Art After Dark will kick off the new year with Jacob Dorn, their first featured artist whose work includes mixed media and abstract still life photography. Dorn is a skateboarder and artist from rural Northern California, currently living in SLO. Feb. 7, 5-7 p.m. slocountyarts. org/art-after-dark. Ceremony Skate Shop, 1235 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

ALL AGES SCULPTING WITH JOHN ROULLARD John a retired school teacher who patiently guides potters of all ages to sculpt and work on details and design. Saturdays, 1:30-3 p.m. $40. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

ALL LEVELS POTTERY CLASSES Anam Cre is a pottery studio in SLO that offers a variety of classes. This specific class is open to any level. Teachers are present for questions, but the class feels more like an open studio time for potters. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. $40. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, anamcre.com.

ART AFTER DARK Art After Dark features an art opening of world-class artists. Refreshments will be served. First Friday of every month, 5-8 p.m. through March 7 Free. slocountyarts.org/art-after-dark. EDNA Contemporary, 967 Osos St, San Luis Obispo, (805) 459-1711.

VISTA POINTS

LA-based artist Whitney Bedford’s solo exhibit, The Window, will remain on display at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA) through Sunday, Feb. 16. The showcase opened in October and highlights a collection of multi-layered landscapes where eras collide to comment on urbanization, climate change, and “how we look back on history,” Bedford told New Times. Visit sloma.org to find out more about the exhibit.

—Caleb

BRUSHSTROKES AND BURROS: PAINTING WORKSHOP Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary urges you to join in on this event to paint with a purpose and support their rescued donkeys. Delicious donated food, fine wines, dessert and supplies will be included. Donate to reserve your easel today. Feb. 8, 1-4 p.m. $125. (805) 710-8445. ranchoburrodonkeysanctuary. org. Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary, 4855 Righetti Road, 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. my805tix.com/e/ improv-comedy-1-10. SLO Public Market, 120 Tank Farm Road, San Luis Obispo.

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

DATE NIGHT POTTERY Bring your date and throw a cup on the pottery wheel. Next, texture a clay slab and press into a form creating a personalized piece. Guest are welcome to bring drinks; venue provides aprons. Pieces are fired, glazed, and ready in two weeks. Saturdays, 6-7:30 p.m. $140. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

DEAR EVAN HANSEN: NORTH AMERICAN

TOUR This Tony and Grammy Award-winner takes a groundbreaking look — from multiple points of view - at our complex, interconnected, social media-filled lives. Feb. 12 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 13 7:30 p.m. (805) 756-4849. calpolyarts.org/20242025season/dear-evan-hansen. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.

FAMILY FRIENDLY WORKSHOP: LARGE PLATTER CLASS Fun for all ages. Instructors will guide you in creating large platters and decorating them. Create pieces together for your home. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $50. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

FIRST FRIDAYS Visit SLOMA on the first Friday of each month for exhibition openings, music, and wines provided by regional winery partners. Admission is free and open to the public. First Friday of every month, 5-8 p.m. Free. (805) 543-8562. sloma.org/events/ first-fridays/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

LUCAS ZELNICK LIVE New York born comedian Lucas Zelnick will share his wit with crowds at this all ages event. Visit link for tickets and more info. Feb. 13, 7 p.m. $24. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 546-8600, fremontslo.com.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET On a Tuesday night, shortly before Christmas 1956, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley gathered at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. This was their only performance together, and a cultural flashpoint that caught rock ‘n’ roll at the moment of creation. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays, Sundays, 2-4 p.m. through March 9 $30-$55. SLO Rep, 888 Morro St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 786-2440, slorep.org/. MUSHROOM DISCOVERY TWO-DAY WORKSHOP: EXPLORATION AND IDENTIFICATION Join this hands-on class that will move outside through a portion of the SLO Botanical Garden. Tips and instructions on collecting mushrooms will be given to all participants. Feb. 9

10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Feb. 10 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

$275. (805) 541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

OIL PAINTING WORKSHOP WITH DREW DAVIS Delve into the world of oil paints with guidance from local SLO artist Drew Smith, who has over 20 years of painting experience. Feb. 9 1-3:30 p.m. $105. Drew Davis Fine Art, 393 Pacific 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. SATURDAY FAMILY POTTERY CLASS

This family-friendly open studio time is a wonderful window for any level or age. Saturdays, 11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. $40. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, anamcre.com.

SLO NIGHTWRITERS: A COMMUNITY OF WRITERS SLO NightWriters supports local writers with monthly presentations, critique groups, contests, and other events. Second Tuesday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. (805) 703-3132. slonightwriters. org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo. STAINED GLASS PLANT STAKES CLASS Join this workshop to create stained glass plant stakes with Peaceful Plants. The class includes all supplies, firing, a 4-inch pot, plant, and a glass of rosé. Visit the link to purchase tickets and get more information. Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m. $93. Through Eyes of Glass, 138 South St., San Luis Obispo. STEPPIN’ UP TO THE MIC: CONTRA DANCE CALLING WORKSHOP SERIES Learn to lead contra dances from the best callers across California! Year-long workshop series for new and aspiring contra dance callers, with opportunities to call! Feb. 8 $120. cccds.org/stepup. Odd Fellows Hall, 520 Dana St., San Luis Obispo. THIS IS ONLY A TEST Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility commemorates its 20th anniversary with this photography exhibit. Reception will take place on Jan. 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Through Feb. 14 The Photo Shop, 1027 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo. THURSDAY NIGHT IMPROV AT BANG THE DRUM From fast paced games to a melodramatic narrative play, Bang The Drum Brewery invites you to enjoy a night of laughter with this month’s improvised show. Visit site for tickets and more info. Feb. 6 6:15-8 p.m. $13. Bang the Drum Brewery, 1150 Laurel Lane, suite 130, San Luis Obispo, bangthedrumbrewery.com. WALT WHITMAN GAY MEN’S BOOK CLUB This club reads, studies and discusses books chosen by the group which relate to their lives as gay men. All are welcome. Second Monday of every month, 7-9:30 p.m. Free. galacc.org/ events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

Wiseblood

FEBRUARY

Tribal Flower Fest: Belly Dance Festival

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Through Eyes of Glass, SLO

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Flower City Ballroom, Lompoc La Casita Drag Brunch Saturday

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 La Casita Mexican Restaurant, Grover Beach

Embodied Yoga on the Central Coast

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Aurora Sacred Events in Morro Bay

SLO Tribute to Jerry Jeff Walker and Nanci Griffith

Visions, Mechanical Ghost, & More!

FEBRUARY

Trivia Wednesday Night with Brain Stew Trivia WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Bang The Drum Brewery, SLO

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Private Location, SLO Ernie Watts: Bill Cunliffe Duo

Night Improv FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 San Luis Obispo Public Market

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, SLO That’s So Drag Brunch

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Libertine Brewing Company, SLO

Over Buffalo, A Ken Ludwig Comedy FRI-SUN, FEB 14-MAR 2 Klein Dance Arts Studio, Santa Maria

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Vineyards and

Harp Duo

Adelaida

Winery, Paso Robles

WHITNEY CUMMINGS: BIG BABY

Comedian and actress Whitney Cummings is the co-creator and co-writer of the Emmy-nominated CBS comedy series 2 Broke Girls and has appeared on countless television shows and stand-up specials. Feb. 6 7 p.m. Admission varies. fremontslo. com. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 546-8600.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

CHARACTERS AND RELATIONSHIPS:

IMPROVISATIONAL THEATER CLASS Learn to access emotion in the moment, build characters and relationships on emotional perspectives, and use patterns of emotional behaviors to drive scenes forward. Sundays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. through April 13 $80. (805) 5568495. improvforgood.fun/. Women’s Club of Arroyo Grande, 211 Vernon St., Arroyo Grande.

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.

DIY MACRAMÉ WITH LADONNA! Make your own macramé from a classic 1976 pattern. All supplies and hands-on instruction are included in the class. Feb. 8 1-4 p.m. $55. (805) 270-4083. theplantedparlour.com. The Planted Parlour, 592 W Grand Ave., Grover Beach.

THE GREAT GATSBY BALLET Step into the jazzy world of the roaring twenties with this new production of the World Ballet Company. See the glitz, glamor, and tragic romance of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless novel live on stage, featuring a multinational cast of 40 professional ballet dancers. Feb. 6, 7-10 p.m. $45-$95. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/shows/the-great-gatsbyballet/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

THE LOVE SHOW Visit site for tickets and more info. Feb. 7, 7 p.m., Feb. 8 7 p.m. and Feb. 9, 2 p.m. $35. Studio of Performing Arts, 805 West Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo.

THE PEKING ACROBATS For more than 30 years, The Peking Acrobats have astounded audiences worldwide with their breathtaking Chinese acrobatics. Perfect for families, their performances feature gravity-defying stunts, such as balancing atop towering chairs, trick-cycling, and precision tumbling. Feb. 8 2-5 p.m. $39-$59. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter. org/shows/the-peking-acrobats/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

SECOND SATURDAY IMPROV MEETUP Have you ever wanted to try improv? Or are you an experienced player looking for opportunities to practice? Join to play short-form games and share smiles in the supportive environment of improv. Second Saturday of every month, 2-4 p.m. through Dec. 13 improvforgood.fun/. Flex Performing Arts Studio (Studio D), 1820 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

BREATHE AND STRETCH One must be able to get down onto the floor and back up again, with ease, in order to participate in this 55-minute session. It’s specifically designed to enhance mobility and strength. Please bring a mat and some water. Mondays, 9-10 a.m. $10 per session. (415) 516-5214. Bayside Martial Arts, 1200 2nd St., Los Osos.

CENTRAL COAST SLIM DOWN Take control of food without suffering. Learn a step-by-step process to take control of overeating, cravings, and feel peace with food. Build the habits, mindset, and your unique path with results that stick. Hosted byTami Cruz (Certified Health/Life Coach) and Dana Charvet (Coach/Fitness Trainer). ongoing Call for pricing info. (805) 2357978. gratefulbodyhealthcoaching.com. Grateful Body, 850 Shasta, Morro Bay. CENTRAL COAST UECHI-RYU KARATE-DO

Uechi-Ryu Karate-do is a traditional form of karate originating from Okinawa, Japan. Focus is on fitness, flexibility, and self-defense with emphasis on self -growth, humility, and respect. Open to ages 13 to adult. Beginners

and experienced welcome. Instructor with 50 years experience. For info, call 805-215-8806. Tuesdays, Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m. Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way, Morro Bay, 772-6278, morro-bay.ca.us.

CENTRAL COAST WOOD CARVERS Learn the art of wood carving or wood burning. Join Central Coast Wood Carvers in Morro Bay at St. Timothy’s. Open for beginners, intermediate, or advance. Learn a wide range of techniques and skills. Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, 962 Piney Way, Morro Bay, (805) 7722840, sttimothymorrobay.org/index.html.

CO-DEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS MEETING Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) is a Twelve Step recovery program for anyone who desires to have healthy and loving relationships with themselves and others. Meeting is hybrid (both in person and on Zoom). For information, call 805-900-5237. Saturdays, 1-2:15 p.m. Free. thecambriaconnection.org/. Cambria Connection, 1069 Main St., Cambria, (805) 927-1654.

ENJOY AXE THROWING Enjoy the art of axe throwing in a safe and fun environment. Kids ages 10 and older are welcome with an adult. No personal axes please. Fridays, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and Saturdays, 12-6 p.m. $20. (805) 528-4880. baysidemartialarts.com.

Bayside Martial Arts, 1200 2nd St., Los Osos. LOS OSOS SUNDAY MEDITATION CLASS

Sitting with a supportive group strengthens one’s meditation practice. Join us for a weekly talk on topics related to meditation and consciousness plus silent and guided meditation. Facilitated by Devin Wallace. Beginners welcome. Email devinwalla@ gmail.com for more information. Sundays, 10:15 a.m.-11:15 p.m. By donation. (805) 709-2227. inner-workings.com. Central Coast Body Therapy Center, 2005 9th St., Los Osos.

MORRO BAY METAPHYSICIANS

DISCUSSION GROUP A group of metaphysically minded individuals that have been meeting for many years now in the Coalesce Chapel. Club offers a supportive metaphysical based community. Members discuss a different topic each week. All are welcome to join. Fridays, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Suggested donation of $10-$15. Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main St., Morro Bay, coalescebookstore.com/.

MORRO BAY MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

Disciplines include advanced athletic performance fitness training, Thai kickboxing, and more. Beginners to advanced students welcome. Day and evening classes offered. Mondays-Saturdays, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Call for more info. (805) 701-7397. charvetmartialarts.com. Morro Bay Martial Arts, 850 Shasta, Morro Bay. OPEN FLOW: DANCE AND MOVEMENT A community of movers and shakers who come together to express themselves through dance and movement. Inspired by a variety of conscious movement modalities, Open Flow is led by Silvia Suarez and Matt Garrity, embodiment teachers who share a passion for integration through movement exploration. Wednesdays, 6:30-8 p.m. $10 (general), $5 (ages 55 and older). SilviaAthaSomatics.org. Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way, Morro Bay, 772-6278.

PALI KAI OUTRIGGER RACING CANOE CLUB Join, train, and race with these Sunday morning demonstrations. Enjoy getting in a canoe and on the water. These sessions are a great way to make new friends and stay in shape. Sundays, 9-11 a.m. through March 1 Three practices for free. palikai.org/joinus/. Coleman Park (Morro Bay), 101 Coleman Drive, Morro Bay, (805) 772-6278. SHAMANIC MORNING RITUALS FOR VITALITY Set your alarm early for this semiprivate Chakra meditation class led by Dawn Feuerberg, yoga instructor and founder of Aurora Adventures. Feb. 7 8:30-9:45 a.m. $49. (805) 540-1762. auroraadventures.us. Aurora Sacred Events, 21 24th St, Cayucos. STAY YOUNG WITH QI GONG Qi gong offers great anti-aging benefits, providing a comprehensive system for improving physical, mental and emotional health. Its roots date back thousands of years in China. Learn with certified instructor Devin Wallace. Call first. Thursdays, 10-11 a.m. $10. (805) 709-2227. Hardie Park, Ash Ave. and B St., Cayucos. Qi gong offers great antiaging benefits, providing a comprehensive system for improving physical and mental health. Its roots date back thousands of years in China. Learn with certified instructor Devin Wallace. Call first for info and exact location. Fridays, 9-10 a.m. $12.

(805) 709-2227. inner-workings.com. Los Osos, Townwide, Los Osos. STRETCH, BREATHE, AND BALANCE Ideal for seniors, and open to everyone. Instructor Randal Bodlak takes you through specific moves to promote mobility, internal strength, and stability. Mondays, 9-10 a.m. $10 per session. (805) 528-4880. Bayside Martial Arts, 1200 2nd St., Los Osos. TAI CHI AND QI GONG: ZEN IN MOTION Small group classes with 2019 Tai Chi Instructor of the Year. Call for time and days. Learn the Shaolin Water Style and 5 Animals Qi Gong. Beginners welcomed. Mondays, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Call for price details. (805) 701-7397. charvetmartialarts.com. Morro Bay Martial Arts, 850 Shasta, Morro Bay.

TAI CHI BASICS Visit site for more details on this ongoing, weekly Tai Chi program. Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. $10-$12. (805) 7727486. fitnessworksmb.com. FitnessWorks, 500 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay.

WEEKLY QIGONG PRACTICE AT FITNESSWORKS MORRO BAY Calm your mind and nourish your joints with a weekly Qigong practice led by Mike Raynor of Tai Chi Rejuvenation. The practice is rooted in Qigong fundamentals, and standing/ moving meditations. Forms include: Eight Brocades, Five Elements, Shibashi 18, and Tai chi 24. Saturdays, 10:45-11:45 a.m. Members free; non-members $8-$10. (805) 772-7466. fitnessworksmb.com. FitnessWorks, 500 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay. YOGA PLUS A hybrid of yoga and “stretching” techniques that yield a body that moves and feels amazing. Mondays, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $10 per session. (415) 516-5214. Bayside Martial Arts, 1200 2nd St., Los Osos.

ZEN IN MOTION Learn the Shaolin Water Style and other deep breathing and moving meditation techniques with the 2019 Taijiquan Instructor of the Year. Beginners Welcome.Instructor Certification Courses available. Mondays, Wednesdays Call for details. (805) 701-7397. charvetmartialarts. com. Grateful Body, 850 Shasta, Morro Bay. NORTH SLO COUNTY

BALANCE FLOW Suitable for all levels. This class is meant to benefit the mind-body connection while emphasizing safe and effective alignment as well as breath awareness and relaxation. Please call to register in advance. Tuesdays, Thursdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. $16-$22; $50 membership. (805) 434-9605. ttrtennis.com/fitness/ yoga/. Templeton Tennis Ranch, 345 Championship Lane, Templeton. BASICS OF SILVERSMITHING WORKSHOPS Learn the basics of silversmithing at Golden State Goods. You’ll make 6 to 8 Sterling Silver Ring Stackers. All tools and materials provided. Max of 4 students admitted. Feb. 9 5-8 p.m. $95. (805) 464-2564. goldenstategoods.com/workshops. Golden State Goods, 5880 Traffic Way, Atascadero.

DON’T BE A PRICK-GIRLS NIGHT OUT (CACTUS GARDEN CLASS) This class includes all materials, use of tools, instruction, choice of pot and cacti, and one glass of rosé. Visit site for tickets and more info. Feb. 7 6:30 p.m. $55. my805tix.com. Golden State Goods, 5880 Traffic Way, Atascadero.

DR. FRANKENSTEIN’S HEART LAB Take part in this haunted experience in the world of Dr. Frankenstein’s monsters and the depths of his forsaken laboratory. Visit link for tickets and more information. Fridays, Saturdays, 6-10 p.m. through Feb. 16 $18. (805) 774-2868. app. hauntpay.com/events/Valentines2025. The Haunt, 5805 El Camino Real, Atascadero.

EFFLORESCENCE: EMBODIMENT WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN AT FLIP TEASE STUDIO Embark on this embodiment workshop for women and learn new ways to connect with your body. Visit site for tickets and more info on this workshop. Bring a yoga mat if attending. Feb. 8 , 3 p.m. $88. Flip Tease Pole Fitness Studio, 7379 El Camino Real, Atascadero. GUIDED MEDITATION WITH KAREN LEARY AT AWAKENING WAYS Experience guided meditations every Wednesday evening in a supportive space. Connect with your inner self and discover peace, healing, and self-awareness. Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m. (805) 391-4465. awakeningways.org. Awakening Ways Center for Spiritual Living, 7350 El Camino Real, Ste. 101, Atascadero. HAMBLY LAVENDER FARM GUIDED EXPERIENCE This one-hour walk about the farm immerses you in the processes

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

The Iron Maidens SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Maverick Saloon, Santa Ynez

Von’s Island, Exporter, Tiny Plastic Everything, & More! SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 The Bunker SLO

Austin Powers, International Man Of Mystery MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Bay Theatre, Morro Bay

SLOFunny Comedy Show

Robles

Age Of Love: Euphoric & World House Music

FEBRUARY 21 Kreuzberg California, SLO

Studio of Performing Arts Drama Department Presents: Oliver

Studio of Performing Arts, Grover Beach

The Sea Productions Presents: Fireflies

SLO Craft Beer Fest

Madonna Expo Center, SLO

It’s almost here...

of growing, harvesting, and drying this fragrant herb. Saturdays, Sundays, 10 a.m. my805tix.com. Hambly Farms, 1390 Grana Place, San Miguel.

SOCRATES DISCUSSION GROUP Have a topic, book, or article you wish to discuss with interested and interesting people? Join this weekly meeting to discuss it, or simply contribute your experiences and knowledge. Contact Mark Plater for instructions on entering the Chapel area. Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-noon (805) 528-7111. Coalesce Garden Chapel, 845 Main St., Morro Bay.

TAI CHI This course’s instructor has won many Tai Chi and other internal martial arts tournaments. Both experienced martial artists and new learners are welcome to the class. Tuesdays, Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. $65. (805) 237-3988. Centennial Park, 600 Nickerson Dr., Paso Robles.

TOPS SUPPORT GROUP: WEIGHT LOSS AND MAINTENANCE A self-help support group focusing on weight loss and maintenance. Thursdays, 1:30 p.m. (805) 242-2421. tops.org. Santa Margarita Senior Center, 2210 H St., Santa Margarita. TOPS TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY Join for affordable and effective weight-loss support. Sundays, 10-11 a.m. through Oct. 31 First visit is free. (805) 234-1026. Rancho Del Bordo Clubhouse, 10025 El Camino Real, Atascadero, tops.org.

VINYASA YOGA FLOW The class prioritizes increasing mental acuity and improving body and muscle flexibility. A restorative and gentle yoga focusing on breathing and targeting specific areas of the body. Please call to register in advance. Sundays, 12-1 p.m. and Saturdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. $16-$22; $50 membership. (805) 434-9605. ttrtennis.com/yoga. Templeton Tennis Ranch, 345 Championship Lane, Templeton.

2025 BEST OF SLO COUNTY BALLOT IS LIVE ON FEBRUARY 20

YANG STYLE TAI CHI The course’s instructor won many Tai Chi and other internal martial arts tournaments. Both experienced martial artists and new learners are welcome to the class. Mondays, Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. $62. (805) 470-3360. Colony Park Community Center, 5599 Traffic Way, Atascadero.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

BATTLETECH SUNDAYS AT CAPTAIN

NEMO GAMES AND COMICS Join this group of miniature gamers for a fun evening of free-to-play mech warrior battle games. The event takes place in the separate Game Hall. Visit site for more information. Feb. 9 5-8 p.m. and Feb. 16 5-8 p.m. downtownslo. com/do/battletech-sundays-at-captainnemo-games-and-comics. Captain Nemo Games, 565 Higuera Street, 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.

PARODY ON A PRECIPICE

In commemoration of the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility’s 20th anniversary, the Photo Shop in San Luis Obispo presents This Is Only A Test, an exhibit of photographs David Weisman took specifically for a parody calendar. While lampooning SLO County’s annual PG&E calendar, Weisman’s landscapes capture various angles of the region’s emergency sirens. The show opened in mid-January and will remain on view through Friday, Feb. 14. To find out more about the Alliance, visit a4nr.org.

FREE TOURS OF THE MISSION Tour San Luis Obispo’s Spanish Mission, founded in 1772. Come learn its history and about the development of this area. Tours, led by docents, are free at 1:15 p.m Monday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Sundays, 2-3 p.m. and Mondays-Saturdays, 1:15-2:15 p.m. Free. (657) 465-9182. missionsanluisobispo. org. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, 751 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.

FREE VIRTUAL QPR SUICIDE PREVENTION

TRAINING For participants to learn about community resources in Santa Barbara County and be able to recognize the warning signs of suicide for parents and adults (ages 18 and over) who work or live with youth between ages of 12-18. Offered in partnership with Family Services Agency of Santa Barbara and thanks to a grant from SAMHSA. Feb. 15 10 a.m.-noon Free. (805) 770-1593. youthwell.org/mental-health-firstaid. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

FRIDAY MUSHROOM DISCOVERY

LECTURE: THE STATE OF FUNGI IN CALIFORNIA Join Christian, author of ‘Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast’ and the newly released ‘Mushrooms of Cascadia’ for an immersive and educational lecture. Feb. 7 6:30-8 p.m. $25. (805) 541-1400. slobg. org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

HEALING DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP

We Invite You to Join Us at 1027 B Marsh Street, February 13th, 14th and 15th, 10am - 4pm, Thursday - Saturday Appointments and Walk-Ins Accepted *KEH Camera will be Making Offers On-The-Spot for your Photographic Equipment. Digital and Film Cameras Alike! Please Include Batteries and any Accesories you Can for the Best Offer! For More Info Call Us at (805) 543-4025 info@photoshopslo.com • (805) 543-4025 • 1027 Marsh St The Photo Shop is teaming up with KEH Camera for a Three-Day Buying Event in San Luis Obispo Turn your Clean, Used Camera Gear into Cash! &

CITY FARM SLO’S YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM Check site for more info on programming and summer camps. ongoing cityfarmslo.org. San Luis Obispo, Citywide, SLO. COMMUNITY DRUM CIRCLE (FAMILYFRIENDLY) An inclusive, fun-focused drum circle experience designed for people all ages, backgrounds, and rhythmical abilities. Feb. 9 2-3:30 p.m. my805tix.com. SYYNC Studio, 871 Froom Ranch Way, San Luis Obispo. COMPLIMENTARY SHOWERS WITH SHOWER THE PEOPLE After a short hiatus, the San Luis Obispo Library will once again be partnering with local non-profit organization, Shower the People. The shower trailer will be located between the library and parking structure. Toiletries provided. Sundays, 1-3 p.m. Free. San Luis Obispo Library, 995 Palm 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. ENERGY ALCHEMY HEALING REIKI CIRCLE Visit website for more info and registration details. Feb. 9, 6-7 p.m. my805tix.com. Aligned Acupuncture and Wellness Spa, 672 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo.

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.

HOPE FOR ALSP Join this fundraiser that will raise money and awareness for patients living with a rare, rapidly progressive, and fatal neurological condition, known as ALSP. Proceeds from Hope for ALSP will go to the Sisters’ Hope Foundation. Feb. 7 (805) 405-6271. charity. pledgeit.org/c/kyTNdzdNHT. Madonna Inn, 100 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo. MELLOW YOGA FOR EVERYONE Stretch into yourself under the beautiful oaks and fresh air of this idyllic country setting. Suitable for all levels, these classes emphasize the gentler side of yoga and adapt to participants’ needs. Tuesdays, 5-6 p.m. $14 per class or $55 for five-class card with no expiration. (805) 440-4561. balancedlivingayurveda.com. Tiber Canyon Ranch, 280 W Ormonde Rd, San Luis Obispo. MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION (ONLINE MEETING) Zoom series hosted by TMHA. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon Transitions Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 270-3346. THE MOUNTAIN AIR BLOOD DRIVE Head downtown to The Mountain Air to donate blood to those in need. Feb. 7 10 a.m.-2 p.m. donors.vitalant.org/dwp/portal/dwa/ appointment/guest/phl/timeSlotsExtr?toke n=GevsdJiu20CCOgzlzcp26czB%2BWqRhY8 fOY8ZgIt%2Fscc%3D. The Mountain Air, 667 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 543-1676. MUSHROOM DISCOVERY – MONDAY

FIELD TRIP Search for and identify mushrooms in their natural habitat with an experienced leader. As part of the Mushroom Discovery series, this Monday field trip is an opportunity only for individuals who participated in the Saturday and Sunday workshops. Feb. 10 9 a.m.-2 p.m. $50. (805) 541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo. PARKOUR CLINIC Performance Athletics Gymnastics believes parkour offers a path to social confidence. Bring your children ages 5-17 to flip in a safe, nurturing environment at this parkour clinic. All levels are welcome. Feb. 8 1-3 p.m. $25 for first child, plus $10 per additional sibling. (805) 547-1496. performanceathleticsslo.com. Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo. PUPPY SOCIAL HOUR Puppies (10 weeks to 5 months old) will learn appropriate play style with other pups, acceptable manners with people, tolerance for gentle restraints, confidence with the approach of friendly strangers, and more. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. $25. (805) 543-9316. woodshumanesociety.org/training/. Woods Humane Society, 875 Oklahoma Ave., San Luis Obispo.

SCHOOL’S OUT GYMNASTICS DAY CAMP Bring your children, ages 4-13, to burn off energy at gymnastics camp while school is out. No experience is necessary, and extended care and customizable schedule are available. Feb. 10 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. $40$99. (805) 547-1496. performanceathleticsslo. com. Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

SLO NOONTIME TOASTMASTERS CLUB MEETINGS Want to improve speaking and leadership skills in a supportive and positive environment? During COVID, we are meeting virtually. Contact us to get a meeting link for info. Tuesdays, 12-1 p.m. Free. slonoontime.toastmastersclubs.org. Zoom, Online, Inquire for Zoom ID. SLO RETIRED ACTIVE MEN: WEEKLY COFFEE MEETING SLO RAMs is a group or retirees that get together just for the fun, fellowship, and to enjoy programs which enhance the enjoyment, dignity, and independence of retirement. Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. $10 coffee meeting. retiredactivemen.org. Madonna Inn, 100 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo. SNEAK PEEK AT SLO CLASSICAL ACADEMY SLOCA is a hybrid classical school. This sneak peek is for parents (interested in preschool through grade 8) and their students to come check things out. Feb. 10 4:30-6:30 p.m. (805) 548-8700. sloclassical.org. SLO Classical Academy, 165 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo. STAY YOUNG WITH QI GONG Qi Gong boosts energy and vitality, reduces stress, improves balance and flexibility, and, best of all, is fun. Join instructor Devin Wallace for this outdoor class which is held in a beautiful setting. Call or email before attending. Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m.

—C.W.

COURTESY PHOTO BY DAVID WEISMAN

$12. Crows End Retreat, 6430 Squire Ct., San Luis Obispo.

TECH BREW MEETUP Tech Brew is a free networking event where people interested in technology can hang out in an informal environment with a small TEDtalk-like presentation from an interesting speaker. Learn more online. Second Monday of every month, 5-7 p.m. (805) 323-6706. meetup.com/softec/. StoryLabs, 102 Cross St, Suite 220, 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.

THAT’S SO DRAG BRUNCH AT LIBERTINE

BREWING CO. Head downtown to enjoy an afternoon of high energy and stunning costumes. See drag performances by Nala Diamond, Juicy CW, Miss Gender, Cleo Van Scarlet, and Viola Tile. Food and drinks will be available throughout the show, including bottomless mimosas, breakfast burritos, and frozen espresso martinis.

This is an event for ages 18 and over. Feb. 16 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $22. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 548-2337, libertinebrewing.com.

TOUR THE HISTORIC OCTAGON BARN

CENTER The Octagon Barn, built in 1906, has a rich history that The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County looks forward to sharing with visitors. Please RSVP. Second Sunday of every month, 2-2:45 & 3-3:45 p.m. Tours are free; donations are appreciated. Octagon Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis Obispo, (805) 544-9096, octagonbarn.org.

TRANS* YOUTH PEER SUPPORT GROUP

This group is a safe place for trans* and gender non-conforming people, as well as those questioning, from ages of 11 to 18. A facilitated emotional support group to be heard, share your story, and hear stories that may sound surprisingly like your own.

Second Tuesday of every month, 6-8 p.m. Free. GALA Pride and Diversity Center, 1060 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 541-4252.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

ARGENTINE TANGO DANCE LESSONS This beginning dance class teaches the essentials of Argentine Tango. No partner or previous experience is needed. Sponsored by Arroyo Grande Parks & Recreation. Mondays, 6:30 p.m. through Feb. 24 $12 per class. (805) 473-5473. arroyogrande.org. Women’s Club of Arroyo Grande, 211 Vernon St., Arroyo Grande.

BEGINNER GROUP SURF LESSONS AND SURF CAMPS Lessons and camp packages available daily. All equipment included. ongoing Starts at $70. (805) 835-7873. sandbarsurf.com/. Sandbar Surf School Meetup Spot, 110 Park Ave., Pismo Beach.

BEGINNING BALLET FOR ADULTS Enjoy the grace and flow of ballet. No previous experience needed. Wednesdays, 5:15-6:15 p.m. $12 drop-in; $40 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.

BODY FUSION/EXERCISE AND FITNESS

CLASS Do something good for yourself and stay fit for outdoor sports, while enhancing flexibility, strengthening your core to prevent lower back issues, improving your posture through yoga, and more. Tuesdays, Thursdays, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. (970) 710-1412. Avila Beach Community Center, 191 San Miguel St., Avila Beach, avilabeachcc.com.

DONATION-BASED YOGA FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, EMTS, AND CARETAKERS

Class schedule varies. Contact empoweryoga805@gmail for details and reservations. ongoing (805) 619-0989. empoweryoga805.com. Empower Yoga Studio and Community Boutique, 775 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach.

LITTLE RANGER PROGRAM: ANIMAL

HABITATS Join Interpreter Sarah to learn about the different places that animals call home. An RSVP is required to this event, for ages 3 to 6. Feb. 16 10-11 a.m. Free. (805) 474-2664. Oceano Dunes Visitor Center, 555 Pier Ave., Oceano.

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

POINT SAN LUIS LIGHTHOUSE TOURS

A docent-led tour of the buildings and grounds of the historic Point San Luis Light Station. Check website for more details. Wednesdays, Saturdays pointsanluislighthouse.org/. Point San Luis Lighthouse, 1 Lighthouse Rd., Avila Beach.

QI GONG FOR LESS STRESS AND MORE ENERGY Experience the energy of Qi Gong through simple standing movements promoting flexibility, strength, relaxation, and increased energy. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, Qi Gong revitalizes and enriches your life. An outdoor class overlooking the ocean. Wednesdays, 4-5 p.m. $14 per class or $55 for 5-class card with no expiration. (805) 440-4561. pismobeach.org. Margo Dodd Gazebo, Ocean Park Blvd., Shell Beach.

SOCIAL GROUP FOR WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS Call for more details. Second Saturday of every month, 10 a.m. (805) 9046615. Oak Park Christian Church, 386 N Oak Park Blvd., Grover Beach.

VENUS RETROGRADE DISCUSSION:

ASTROLOGY STUDY GROUP Join February’s meeting to discuss Venus and her upcoming retrograde, as well as how this effects attendees’ personal birth charts. Feb. 6 , 6-7:30 p.m. $20. (805) 773-7063. Shell Beach Veterans Memorial Building, 230 Leeward Ave., Pismo Beach, pismobeach.org.

WEEKLY WATER SAFETY LESSONS Facility advertised as open and safe. Give the office a call to register over the phone. MondaysFridays $160-$190. (805) 481-6399. 5 Cities Swim School, 425 Traffic Way, Arroyo Grande, 5citiesswimschool.com.

FOOD & DRINK

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

MORRO BAY MAIN STREET FARMERS

MARKET Get fresh and veggies, fruit, baked goods, sweets, and handmade artisan crafts. Come have some fun with your local farmers and artisans and enjoy delicious eats while enjoying the fresh breeze of Morro Bay. Saturdays, 2:30-5:30 p.m. Varies. (805) 8247383. morrobayfarmersmarket.com. Morro Bay Main Street Farmers Market, Main Street and Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

CLUB CAR BAR TRIVIA WITH DR. RICKY

Teams of 1 to 6 people welcome. Visit site for more info. Wednesdays, 7-10 p.m. my805tix. com. Club Car Bar, 508 S. Main St., Templeton. HEARTS AMONG THE VINES Bring your significant other and enjoy this intimate gathering that PIUS says is designed “to delight wine enthusiasts and culinary adventurers alike.” Indulge in a champagne pour, four curated wine and food pairing stations, and the unveiling of two coveted library wines, the exquisite 2018 and 2019 PIUS Cabernet. Feb. 15 12-3 p.m. $55. PIUS Estates, 1550 West Highway 46, Paso Robles.

TACO TUESDAYS La Parilla Taqueria will be in the courtyard serving up their delicious tacos and tostadas. Menu typically includes barbacoa, chicken, and pastor tacos, as well as shrimp ceviche tostadas. Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m. (805) 460-6042. ancientowlbeergarden. com. Ancient Owl Beer Garden, 6090 El Camino Real, suite C, Atascadero.

VINO VALENTINE Sip, shop, listen to live music, and enjoy stunning vineyard views from a hilltop tasting room and event venue. There will be a POE POM Makers Market with more than 10 local artisans, and a live set by Ken Warrick. Feb. 15, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free. (805) 467-2046. Four Sisters Ranch Vineyard and Winery, 2995 Pleasant Rd., San Miguel.

WINTER WINE WALK Come meander around Downtown Paso on a winter evening to taste one special wine at each featured venue, expertly paired with a delicious morsel. Feb. 8 2-5 p.m. $60. (805) 591-7003. my805tix.com. Stilson Cellars, 1005 Railroad Street, Suite 2, Paso Robles. SAN LUIS OBISPO

CALRTA DIVISION 23 GENERAL MEETING AND LUNCHEON Join to celebrate passage of HR82 with entertainment by award-winning folk singer and songwriterJody Mulgrew. RSVP to Laura Temblay by Feb. 3. Feb. 13 9:45 a.m.-1 p.m. $25. (805) 748-6853. Madonna Inn, 100 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo.

DOWNTOWN SLO FARMERS MARKET

Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. Downtown SLO, Multiple locations, San Luis Obispo.

IMPROV COMEDY SHOWS All the improv you see will be on the spot from your audience suggestions. First Thursday of every month, 6 p.m. (805) 540-8300. my805tix.com. Bang the Drum Brewery, 1150 Laurel Lane, suite 130, San Luis Obispo.

MLK JR. HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP

FUND ANNUAL CHICKEN BBQ This annual barbecue raises funds for student scholarships at PBHS, Mission CP, and SLOHS. Feb. 9, 12-3 p.m. $15. (805) 5952526. mlkfund.org. SLO Elks Lodge, 222 Elks Lane, San Luis Obispo.

OX + ANCHOR: “INDIES & EATS” In support of the SLO International Film Festival, Hotel SLO’s Michelin-recognized modern steakhouse, Ox + Anchor, is offering evenings of film and fine dining. Movies and dinner are running every Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday now through mid-February. Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays, 7 p.m. through Feb. 23 hotel-slo.com/events/ indies+eats/. Hotel San Luis Obispo, 877 Palm St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 235-0700.

QUESADILLA GORILLA SAN LUIS OBISPO

GRAND OPENING Join Quesadilla Gorilla as they celebrate their San Luis Obispo grand opening. Feb. 7, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (805) 439-3300. Quesadilla Gorilla, 790 Foothill Blvd #140, San Luis Obispo, quesadillagorilla.com/.

SLO FARMERS MARKET Hosts more than 60 vendors. Saturdays, 8-10:45 a.m. World Market Parking Lot, 325 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo. SLO GRANGE HALL PANCAKE BREAKFAST Join the SLO Grange Hall for a good oldfashioned pancake breakfast. Pancakes, bacon, eggs, juice and coffee; all for a low suggested donation price of $10, with proceeds to benefit SLO Grange Hall 639. Second Sunday of every month, 8-11 a.m. $10. (805) 543-0639. San Luis Obispo Grange Hall, 2880 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

LA CASITA DRAG BRUNCH SATURDAY

Enjoy live entertainment, food, drinks, and more. Visit site for tickets and additional details. Feb. 15 noon my805tix.com/. La Casita, 1572 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach. MONTHLY FERMENTATION 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) 801-6627. kulturhausbrewing. com/classes/. Kulturhaus Brewing Company, 779 Price St., Pismo Beach. SANTA YNEZ VALLEY 11TH ANNUAL GARAGISTE FESTIVAL: SOUTHERN EXPOSURE About 30 featured wineries will pour more than 100 wines during the program’s grand tasting. Visit site for tickets and more info. Feb. 7 and Feb. 8 my805tix.com. Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang. ∆

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Arts

Whodunit!

Local author Terry Sanville recently added another book to his oeuvre. Cold case mystery

The Long Fall begins when a tourist discovers the skeletal remains of two people on a steep mountainside overlooking Avalon, on Catalina Island, sending the island’s watch commander, Sgt. Paul Saldano, in search of answers.

“How did the bones get there?” the book’s synopsis asks. “Was it an accident? A double lovers’ leap? Or maybe murder? The discovery of a neat bullet hole in one of the bodies’ breastplate kicks Saldano’s investigation into high gear. The county coroner estimates that the bones have lain on that mountainside since World War II. The recovery of a set of Army dog tags nearby takes our story back in time to the war years when civilian traffic to Catalina was cut off and the island occupied by the U.S. military.

“Sgt. Saldano enlists the help of specialist Barbara Spencer, an Army records clerk in San Francisco. They become partners in trying to solve this 80-yearold mystery. Who were these people? Why did they die? Why are there no records of anything?

Romance blossoms between the two investigators. And as we flash back to life on Catalina Island during World War II, we see love, fear, and jealousy are alive and well on this American outpost.”

Sanville, an accomplished jazz and blues guitarist, is a SLO Town fixture who can often be seen taking long walks. As his bio notes, he lives with “his artist-poet wife (his in-house editor) and two plump cats (his in-house critics).” He’s written more than 300 short stories and two previous novels, Face-to-Face (2020) and The Misplaced (2024). His books are available for purchase on amazon.com.

Sculpting demo

Local stone sculptor Salvatore Orlando will demonstrate his artistry on Monday, Feb. 10, at the Art Center Morro Bay workroom (835 Main St.; 3 to 5 p.m.; free and open to the public). His announcement quotes Michelangelo, who once said, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”

Orlando describes his work “as an art of subtraction as he removes material to expose the form he sees within.” He considers himself “a direct stone carver.

Motivated by each stone, he develops his designs in his mind without first making a sketch or model before bringing his vision into reality. Recently, he’s been combining and illuminating different translucent stones worldwide to enhance their unique colors and textures,” his announcement explains.

Sal, as he likes to be called, will share his lifelong passion and insights into the sculpting world with collectors, artisans, and stone enthusiasts alike. ∆

—Glen Starkey

BY GLEN STARKEY

Art for, and by, everyone

SLOcal Sara McGrath’s circuitous route to creating an arts community for all

Pablo Picasso famously said, “Every child is an artist. e problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” Corazón Café coowner Sara McGrath believes she has the answer in her group art shows, which she notes aren’t “to showcase the nest artists of the county, but rather to give people the opportunity to have something hanging in a public place, and a safe space.”

Friday, Feb. 7 (6 to 8 p.m.), during Art After Dark, the café is hosting an opening for Oh e Places You’ll Go, a collection of travel photographs from local folks of all ages and talent levels. She’s now looking for submissions for her next group show of portraits of women. How did McGrath come to be an advocate for art and community?

She took the long way around, having grown up on the Central Coast and attended SLO High before nishing high school in Santa Cruz. She was accepted to art school but put college “on pause” to travel. She eventually moved to San Francisco “because that’s what everybody was doing in the early to mid-’90s.”

Once there, she had a transformative experience.

“I was walking around my rst week there, staying with a friend in the Mission District, and I came across a mural on the side of the Women’s Building, which housed a lot of nonpro ts focusing on women.”

e mural had a “diverse array of women from every possible background, some well-known, some not, and I was just oored.”

An artist was still at work on the mural, and McGrath rushed over: “Who are you? What are you doing? How can I get involved?”

Soon she was volunteering with Precita Eyes Muralists, a community-based, inner-city mural arts organization “devoted to enriching and beautifying urban environments through community mural collaborations,” according to their mission statement. is led to teaching an after-school art program.

“I loved it,” McGrath said. “ en I ended up going to art school in New York, but I majored in arts education because I thought, ‘You know, I’m not interested in just being an artist.’ I love this idea of the accessibility of art on the street and art being for everybody.”

Her love of travel remained, and she decided that before embarking on a teaching career, she’d take a little more time to explore.

“I thought, I know all the basic Spanish. I grew up in California. I took the classes in high school, but I’d really like to be more uent, and so I decided to go travel in Mexico for a while, just with

Call for art

Corazón Café is soliciting contributions to its second annual Chingonas (which means “badass” in Spanish) show, a collection of portraits of women, that will hang on March 2, with an opening reception scheduled for Friday, March 7 (6 to 8 p.m. as part of Art After Dark). The portraits can be of any women and in any medium, from oils and acrylics to photographs to crayon on paper.

Any and everyone is invited to participate regardless of age, gender, or skill. The deadline to email a photo of your submission is Feb. 23.

The café, which specializes in the cuisine of Southern Mexico, is located at 847 Higuera St., SLO. Reach them at (805) 439-3823 or corazoncafeslo.gmail.com. The café has a website, but the best way to keep up with what’s happening at Café Corazón is Instagram, @corazoncafeslo.

my backpack.”

About halfway through her six-month adventure, she met her husband to be, Chiapas resident Pedro Arias López, in a bar with a reggae band, but she was just beginning her life and ended up moving to Brooklyn to teach art at a junior high. She discovered she didn’t like grading student work, reporting absences, and calling parents.

“I kept going back to this community idea.”

She also kept in contact with her eventual husband, and another serendipitous encounter with art on the street, this time a street fair in New York, led to a stint with Art Corps.

“It was like the Peace Corps but for artists,” she explained, and it led to a nine-month program in Guatemala. Right before that job started, she took work tutoring a junior high school-aged boy in Mexico.

“All the puzzle pieces started coming together to get me back to Latin America. I spent three or four months in Mexico, tutoring this kid and falling in love [with Pedro] again, and then nine months in Guatemala working for Save the Children.”

Now reunited with López, the two were married and spent four years in Mexico before deciding to move to the Central Coast to start their family, which is how she returned to SLO. During the day, McGrath is a service coordinator for Tri-Counties Regional Center working with children with developmental and intellectual disabilities. In the evenings and weekends, she focuses on making Corazón Café a welcoming place for everyone.

e café so far mounts thematic group shows that hang for a couple of months, like the travel show currently on the walls. She’s also working on the March and April show, Chingonas, which means “badass” in Spanish, and is looking to hang portraits of inspirational women.

“ e subject can be famous or not, a family member, artist, teacher, leader, etc.,” the yer explains. Any medium is acceptable: photos, paintings, drawings, crayons. Any and everyone can participate, regardless of age, gender, or ability.

“I want to give people opportunities, and I hope we have so many entries that we have to hang them like an awesome and amazing collage on the wall. at would make me so happy. I want people to be blown away by all that positive, inspiring energy coming o the walls.”

March is also Women’s History Month, and like last year, the café is working with women’s advocacy group At Her Table.

“I’ve always had this interest in art, not as an isolated thing. Nothing fancy or highfaluting, just something that you need to teach and share, something that needs to be accessible. I love art that tells a story. And cafés have this ability to bring people together for di erent types of events. Poetry readings or art shows or community gathering spots—they go hand in hand.”

Contact Arts Editor Glen Starkey at gstarkey@ newtimesslo.com.

CAFÉ, COMMUNIDAD, COMIDA, CULTURA Corazón Café co-owners Crescencio “Chencho” Hernandez Villar (left), Sara McGrath (center), and Pedro Arias López (right) have created a space for everyone to participate in creativity.

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

LAST YEAR’S MODELS Artists Jennifer Grant and Sara McGrath sit underneath the artwork they hung in last year’s Chingonas show of female portraits, and McGrath is now soliciting artists for this year’s show hanging in March.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SARA MCGRATH

Grave new world

FCOMPANION

What’s it rated? R

What’s it worth, Anna? Full price

What’s it worth, Glen? Full price

irst, it would be better for you to go into his movie cold, and we highly recommend you do, so stop reading and just go if you like clever, quirky, twisty horror movies. Still here? Fine. Writer-director Drew Hancock helms this future sci- horror set not too far in the future about Josh (Jack Quaid) and his (unbeknownst to her) AI “girlfriend” Iris (Sophie atcher), who doesn’t understand she’s a sex bot. She has memories and feelings! And makes tears! e couple are on their way to stay with Josh’s friends at a remote lake house, and this being a horror movie, people start to die. (97 min.)

Where’s it showing? Colony, Downtown Centre, Park, Stadium 10

Glen Holy shiznatti! is little gem is a hoot. It brings up so many interesting ideas about how humanity and technology intersect. When we anthropomorphize robots to be wholly lifelike, what’s our ethical obligation on how to treat them? If you have a glitchy printer like in O ce Space, and you decide to beat and stomp it into oblivion in a eld, no biggie, right? It’s your property. But instead of a printer, what if it’s an android that believes she’s human? Can you destroy her with impunity? With arti cial intelligence now at our ngertips, what are our ethical obligations in its use? If you’re a rapist or pedophile and you use AI to play out your sick fantasies, is it immoral if no actual person is harmed? What if using AI ful lls a sicko enough so they don’t try to carry out their crimes in real life? Is it ethical then?

Anna Iris seems at rst to be a bit of a manic pixie dream girl, but luckily, we get to see her break out of that role and become the protagonist—and badass. She’s utterly in love with Josh, who she thinks, dreams,

ON CALL

What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2025

Where’s it showing? Amazon Prime

Created by Tim Walsh and Elliot Wolf, this police procedural follows Long Beach Police Department veteran Traci Harmon (Troian Bellisario) as she trains her rookie partner, Alex Diaz (Brandon Larracuente). Harmon is a no-nonsense, by-the-book officer, which puts her at odds with old-school Sgt. Lasman (Eriq LaSalle), who wants to see Diaz take a tough approach to increasingly violent street gang East Barrio.

It’s a gritty show with a fair amount of body camera point-of-view, which adds to the realism,

and worries about all day. She’s convinced that his friends don’t like her, especially Kat (Megan Suri), but she agrees to a weekend away with his crew that also includes Eli (Harvey Guilién); Eli’s beau, Patrick (Lukas Gage); and Kat’s lover, Sergey (Rupert Friend). e place they wind up is Sergey’s breathtakingly beautiful and thoroughly isolated house in the woods, 17 miles from the nearest neighbor. ings quickly go from fun to frantic after an incident between Iris and Sergey that forces the truth to come out and Iris to realize that her doting boyfriend has been playing her all along. e humans didn’t know what they’re dealing with in Iris, and soon the game of hunt and chase becomes deadly as Iris ghts to keep her autonomy. It’s a wild, wicked, and very fun ride.

Glen e thing about technology is it’s only as good and bad as its programming. We learn that Iris’ parent company, Empathix, installs fail-safes in their bots so that they can’t lie, hurt a human, or hurt another

but the short 24- to 30-minutes episodes don’t leave a lot of time to fully develop characters or plotline. On the other hand, the short runtime makes this very bingeable, and season 1 zips by. I was immediately ready for season 2, which has yet to be greenlit. What the series does best is communicate the difficulty of police work. Doing the right thing and the by-the-book thing aren’t always the same. Harmon’s job isn’t just to show Diaz the ins and outs of police work, it’s also to show him right from wrong. Diaz has complications with East Barrio, and he’s a bit of a hothead. Can Harmon train him and keep him safe? (eight approximately 30-min. episodes)

—Glen

SLINGSHOT

What’s it rated? R When? 2024

bot. So what goes wrong? Human behavior, that’s what. Nothing is as it seems on the surface, and as the story unfolds, new layers of deviancy emerge. Hats o to both Quaid and atcher, who have the biggest character arcs. Josh seems like a nice guy—nerdy, a bit of a sad sack. Iris can be controlled by a phone app, so atcher has to play Iris on a spectrum. Gage, too, has some acting “heavy lifting” to do as Patrick. It’s an amazing feature-length debut from Hancock. Anna Give humans rules, and they’ll show you how to break them pretty quickly. AI is becoming more of a thinking, breathing thing in this world, so this lm felt closer to reality than you might think. While a second watch won’t pack the same punch knowing the outcome, this one’s already on my rewatch list. Well done to Hancock and his cast: Companion is a winner! ∆

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

Where’s it showing? Multiple streaming platforms

Mikael Håfström (Evil, 1408, Escape Plan) directs this psychological sci-fi thriller about a trio of astronauts—Capt. Franks (Laurence Fishburne), John (Casey Affleck), and Nash (Tomer Capone)—on a mission to Saturn’s moon, Titan, that requires several chemically induced hibernation cycles on the multi-year journey. They awaken from stasis every 90 days to perform routine maintenance, communicate with Earth, and make sure the mission is proceeding accordingly. Unfortunately, the hibernation drugs can come with disorienting side effects.

Things

onboard. Meanwhile, the ship was damaged when the crew was asleep, and now Nash is questioning its ability to withstand the slingshot maneuver around Jupiter that will give the spacecraft the momentum it needs to reach its destination. Is a mutiny afoot? Affleck turns in a gripping performance as John, and Fishburne exudes his patented gravitas. Through flashback, we learn about John and Zoe’s romance and preparation for the harrowing mission. There’s also an unexpected twist ending that spices things up. With a general atmosphere of dread and the inherent claustrophobia of being trapped in a hunk of metal hurtling through space, the tension is palpable. (108 min.) ∆ —Glen

get weird when John starts hearing his girlfriend Zoe’s (Emily Beecham) voice, and then sees her

BAD ROBOT? Iris (Sophie Thatcher) is an AI sex bot who’s troubled to learn she’s not human and that her boyfriend, Josh (Jack Quaid), merely rented her, in Companion , playing in local theaters.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WARNER BROS.

TITAN BOUND

Capt. Franks (Laurence Fishburne, foreground) tries to keep John (Casey Affleck), a delusional crew member, focused on their mission, in Slingshot, streaming on multiple platforms.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BLEECKER STREET

ETHICS Long Beach Police Department veteran Traci Harmon (Troian Bellisario, right) tries to teach her rookie partner, Alex Diaz (Brandon Larracuente), right from wrong, in On Call, streaming on Amazon Prime.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON PRIME

Music

BY GLEN STARKEY

Log cabin sessions

Miss Leo releases her new solo album recorded in Parkfield

When I listen to Miss Leo (née Lauren Williams) play live, I often wonder if her K-8 music students know how lucky they are to have such a talented teacher. She grew up in the Bay Area in a non-musical family that nonetheless nurtured her interests. She ended up on the Central Coast in 2015, and since then, she’s become an award-winning singer-songwriter fronting a terrific Americana band called Miss Leo & The Handsome Fellers.

On Monday, Feb. 17 (4 to 6 p.m.; all ages; free), Miss Leo will play Baywood’s Beerwood to celebrate the release of her new solo album, Middle Ridge, that was recorded at Parkfield’s Middle Ridge Studio. It was a lightning fast, microbudget operation that led to a collection of 13 acoustic songs, five of which were released in the past five weeks. The entire album will be available on Feb. 7.

“This idea came about because I had earned some free recording time up at Middle Ridge Studio when the Handsome Fellers and I played at the grand opening party a couple years ago,” she explained. “I hadn’t recorded anything new in a while, so on a whim I scheduled a day up there without much of a plan but to record as much as I could in one day. I knew the studio setting was gorgeous and super vibey, so I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone and bring my videographer friend along. This whole project has been done with practically zero budget and no real plan, so it’s kind of just a fun experiment and opportunity to highlight myself as a songwriter and solo artist.”

She ended up with covers of the Grateful Dead’s “Brokedown Palace,” Townes Van Zandt’s “To Live is To Fly,” George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass,” Fleetwood Mac’s “One Together,” and the traditional “Bury Beneath The Willow,” as well as eight originals including “Winter Frost” and “Sweet Cataviña.”

“The recording process was very simple and basic: one vocal mic and one guitar mic. I played all songs live and most only took a couple takes—some even were done in one!

Live Music

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

BIG SIRS OF SWING LIVE Presented by Cambria Concerts Unplugged. Visit site for tickets and more info. Feb. 8 , 2:30-4:45 p.m. $30. my805tix.com. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2700 Eton Road, Cambria.

BLUES AGENDA JAM AND SHOWCASE

A rockin’ blues dance party at Niffy’s Merrimaker every first, third, and now fifth Wednesdays. The Blues Asylum house band welcomes local, visiting, and newcomers to the blues groove. Spirits, beer, and wine, with outside food welcome. Every other Wednesday, 7-10 p.m. Free. (805) 235-5223. The Merrimaker Tavern, 1301 2nd Street, Los Osos.

CELTIC, FOLK, AND WORLD MUSIC

CONCERT WITH FOUR SHILLINGS

SHORT Four Shillings Short are a husband and wife duo: Aodh Og O’Tuama from Cork, Ireland, and Christy

After the recording, we did minimal mixing or editing and didn’t add any overdubs or extra instruments, leaving all tracks sounding pretty raw and untouched. So, all in all, it was a very quick and simple process. After that, it just took me a while to decide what I wanted to do with all these songs and videos. I’m very much a fan of raw, live studio sounding records with minimal production, so that’s kind of the intentional vibe.”

You can see the videos and hear the songs on Miss Leo’s YouTube channel @missleomusic. There’s an intimacy and immediacy to these songs that’s irresistible, and the overall tone is melancholic yet beautiful.

“The main theme of the originals is loss and grief. I’ve endured devastating losses and some pretty hard times over the past few years, and that’s very much reflected in

Martin from California. Feb. 7 7-9 p.m. 4shillingsshort.com/. Unitarian Universalist Community of Cambria, 786 Arlington St., Cambria, (805) 395-4055.

CURSIVE PILE The iconic Omaha group is known for their intensity, ambition, and execution, and has spent 30 years creating a bold discography that’s defined as much by its cathartic sound as its weighty, challenging lyrical themes. Feb. 10, 7 p.m. goodmedicinepresents. com. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312.

JACKIE GREENE For ages 21 and over. Seating and tables are limited and on a first come first serve basis. Feb. 6 7 p.m. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312, thesirenmorrobay.com/.

LISTENING AS RITUAL Group listening sessions with musician/musicologist Ben Gerstein. Explore remarkable recordings of world music, nature field recording,

my songwriting as well as my choice of cover songs. This collection of songs and covers is definitely the most raw and vulnerable project I’ve ever put out into the world. I also think that the stripped-down simplicity of the recordings lends itself well to the lyrical and emotional content of these songs, along with the studio setting in a oneroom log cabin way out in the country. It all has a very vintage, hard times, folk singer, country aesthetic.”

This album was clearly a labor of love, and Miss Leo noted that she had no budget for the DIY project, and hence no plans to press CDs or vinyl. If you want to support it, buy the music on Bandcamp (missleomusic.bandcamp.com) and follow Miss Leo on Instagram @missleomusic for upcoming shows.

Old-timey fun

Is it possible to listen to a string band and not have a good time? There’s just something infectiously upbeat about oldtime string music, and one of the area’s best purveyors of this classic American sound is ready to strum, pick, and bow your ears to happy town.

MY BLOODY VALENTINE KARAOKE

western classical and contemporary, and jazz, sharing and discussing inspiration and perspectives on the expressive power of peoples, cultures, animals and habitats through sonic experience. Every other Monday, 7-8:15 p.m. $10-$15 donation. (805) 305-1229. leftcoastartstudio.com/. Left Coast Art Studio, 1188 Los Osos Valley Rd., Los Osos. LIVE MUSIC WITH GUITAR WIZ AT LUNADA GARDEN BISTRO “Guitar Wizard” Billy Foppiano plays a wide range of music, including blues, R&B, classic rock, and more. Second Sunday of every month, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (805) 900-5444. Lunada Garden Bistro, 78 N. Ocean Ave., Cayucos.

MUSIC AND THE ART OF DEEP LISTENING With guest speakers and musical duo Four Shillings Short. Feb. 9, 10 a.m. 4shillingsshort.com/. Unitarian Universalist Community of Cambria, 786 Arlington St., Cambria, (805) 395-4055.

PARTY Karaoke returns to the Siren. Let your inner rockstar loose on the famous Siren stage. Feb. 12 7:30 p.m. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312, thesirenmorrobay.com/.

OPEN MIC NIGHT Each Wednesday, enjoy this Open Mic Night in the downstairs dining area. Grab some friends and show off your talents. Food and drink service will be available. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. Free. (805) 995-3883. schoonerscayucos.com. Schooners, 171 North Ocean Ave, Cayucos.

SOUND INVESTMENT Take advantage of this free afternoon dance party. The featured band specializes in a danceable repertoire. Feb. 8 2-5 p.m. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312, thesirenmorrobay.com/.

STEVE POLTZ LIVE Food service available during the show until 10 p.m.

The SLO County Stumblers play the Historic Octagon Barn Center this Friday, Feb. 7 (6 p.m. jam, 7 p.m. show; all ages; $20 plus fees presale at eventbrite.com or $25 at the door). The band features fiddler Casy Meikle, guitarist David Baine, bassist Jerry James, and banjo player Daniel Bohlman, who explained that the band formed in 2018 when James hosted an old-time music festival at Pozo Saloon.

“Jerry really wanted to have a kind of welcome band on the front porch of the saloon that would play really ripping fiddle tunes, so he assembled a core group of players to hold it down out front. It just so happens that right around that time, Central Coast native turned Nashville resident and one hell of an old-time fiddler, Casy Meikle, was back in town and was down to help us hold it down out front. At some point during the three days of that festival, it became clear that there was some mojo amongst us. That core group of four would later become the SLO County Stumblers.”

How does Bohlman attest for the enduring popularity of old-time music?

Feb. 8 , 7:30-9:30 p.m. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312, thesirenmorrobay.com/.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

BARREL ROOM CONCERT: BLIMP PILOT

BAND Join Cass Winery for their monthly concert series and enjoy live music and drinks. Feb. 16 , 4-6 p.m. Free. Cass Winery, 7350 Linne Road, Paso Robles, casswines.com.

EASTON EVERETT AT CLUB CAR BAR A singer-songwriter who blends indie folk, neo-folk, and world beat with intricate fingerstyle guitar. Feb. 6 7-9 p.m. Club Car Bar, 508 S. Main St., Templeton.

EASTON EVERETT AT PASO ROBLES INN A singer-songwriter who blends indie folk, neo-folk, and world beat with intricate fingerstyle guitar. Feb. 7, 6-9 p.m. Free. eastoneverett.com. Paso Robles Inn, 1103 Spring Street, Paso Robles.

FRIDAY NIGHT DJ Weekly DJ series, with a different DJ every Friday. Presented by friends at Traffic Record store in Atascadero. Come listen, dance, drink, and unwind every Friday. All ages event; no cover charge. Fridays, 7-10 p.m. (805) 460-6042. ancientowlbeergarden.com. Ancient Owl Beer Garden, 6090 El Camino Real, suite C, Atascadero. HARP DUO Special guest artists Catherine Litaker and Gracie Sprout perform beautiful music for two harps. Presented by Symphony of the Vines. Feb. 16 , 5:30 p.m. my805tix.com/. Adelaida Vineyards, 5805 Adelaida Rd., Paso Robles.

JAZZ ON THE PATIO WITH SUNNY WRIGHT AND JACOB ODELL Join guitarist Jacob Odell and vocalist Sunny Wright on the patio for a night of jazz, LIVE MUSIC continued page 26

MIDDLE RIDGE MAGIC Miss Leo plays an album release party for her new album, Middle Ridge, on Feb. 17, at Beerwood.

COURTESY PHOTO BY CASEY FERA

BARN DANCE Old time quartet the SLO County Stumblers play the Milking Parlor of the Historic Octagon Barn on Feb. 7 COURTESY

“Well, first and foremost, I think it’s because it is dance music. This music was designed to restore people’s spirits at the end of a hard week. The work may have changed in the last 100 years, but the need to unwind certainly hasn’t. Like all good dance music, old-time music has a steady, driving, rhythm behind it. Even if you can’t hear the words, you can always feel the beat. That drive combined with the acoustic nature of the music makes it feel very familiar and rooted in something very fundamentally human.” Buckle up and get ready for a batch of

hard-driving old-time fiddle tunes and songs, influenced by the golden-era string bands of the 1920s and ’30s.

Witty AF

A Steve Poltz show is an event, a wild ride, verbal acrobatics without a net. His songs and music are amazing, but I’m there for the stage banter too. And his mantra, what keeps him going show after show, is his steadfast belief that the show he’s doing right at that moment is the best show of his life.

“I started doing it years ago, because I feel grateful to still be alive,” he noted in press materials. “Even today, I still do it, and I believe my own bullshit. I convinced myself that every show is the greatest show I’ve ever played. They’re all different, and it depends on my mood each day, but I know I’m there to entertain people. It always cracks me up when I stumble into some sort of weird thing that’s handed to me like a gift from the freaky deadly heavens above.”

Good Medicine, Numbskull, and KCBX present Steve Poltz at The Siren on Saturday, Feb. 8 (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $30.59 at goodmedicinepresents.com).

“I travel from town to town and fool people,” he added. “I sing them songs and tell them stories and somehow they decide to pay money to obtain some merch and witness the spectacle. Then I return a year later and fool them again.

“I have no rhyme or reason for what I do. It’s all magic. I go by instinct. It just felt right, so I went

with it.”

Numbskull and Good Medicine also host English singersongwriter Alain Whyte at SLO’s Libertine on Saturday, Feb. 8 (8 p.m.; 21-and-older; $24.41 at goodmedicinepresents.com). Whyte is best known for his cowriting partnership with gloom rock icon Morrissey.

Get Mad

Solvang ska, punk, reggae, and pop kingpins the Mad Caddies return to the area with a show at The Siren this Friday, Feb. 7 (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $30.12 at tixr. com), with Fooser and Paper Boats opening. The Caddies boast a phat horn section and tons of energy, and they’re currently touring in support of their eighth studio album, Arrows Room 117, written during the pandemic but just released last year.

“This album is very personal for me,” frontman Chuck Robertson said in press materials. “It represents three years of hard work back in the woodshed, while half the world stood still. During these strange times, I tapped into a new source of creativity and shared new experiences with new friends and great musicians. This body of work and these songs showcase pain and betrayal, love and loss, and the bright light of new beginnings.”

You can’t stop The Beat

I confess that The English Beat is absolutely one of my all-time favorite bands. They’re just a freaking party every time they play. I still have my original vinyl records I bought in the

early-’80s of I Just Can’t Stop It, Wha’ppen?, and Special Beat Service. The band still features original frontman Dave Wakeling, who sounds just as good as he always has. See for yourself when they play the Fremont Theater on Friday, Feb. 7 (8 p.m.; all ages; $39.37 at prekindle.com). They usually play their hits. A recent set list included “Twist & Crawl,” “Hands Off … She’s Mine,” and a medley of “Ranking Full Stop / Mirror in the Bathroom,” as well as some of their well-known covers like Prince Buster’s “Rough Rider,” The Staple Singers’ “I’ll Take You There,” and Andy Williams’ “Can’t Get Used to Losing You.”

blues, and soul. Feb. 8 5-7 p.m. Free. (805) 226-9995. hotelcheval.com. Pony Club Bar and Lounge at The Hotel Cheval, 1021 Pine St, Paso Robles.

THE KILLER DUELING PIANOS Visit site for tickets (and to reserve a table) and more info on this live duel of sorts. All ages are welcome. Feb. 8 , 6:30 p.m. my805tix.com. Blast and Brew, 7935 San Luis Ave., Atascadero.

LIVE MUSIC BY LOREN RADIS AT MCPRICE MYERS WINES Taste wine and enjoy music from Loren Radis on the patio! Brut Rosé will also be offered by the glass. Feb. 15 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Feb. 16 , 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $25. (805) 237-1245. exploretock.com. McPrice Myers Wine Company, 3525 Adelaida Rd., Paso Robles. OPEN MIC NIGHT Hosted by The Journals 805 (John and Dylan Krause). Mondays, 9 p.m. Pine Street Saloon, 1234 Pine St., Paso Robles.

RUMOR LIVE AT BARRELHOUSE A highenergy rock cover band based in San Luis Obispo known for delivering an electrifying mix of classic and modern rock, blues, and pop hits that keep audiences dancing and singing along. Feb. 8, 2-5 p.m. Barrelhouse Brewing Co. Brewery and Gardens, 3055 Limestone Way, Paso Robles, barrelhousebrewing.com/.

RUMOR LIVE AT THE POUR HOUSE A high-energy rock cover band based in San Luis Obispo known for delivering an electrifying mix of classic and modern rock, blues, and pop hits that keep audiences dancing and singing along. Feb. 7 7-10 p.m. The Pour House, 525 Pine St., Paso Robles, pasobrewing.com.

SINGING HANDS CHILDREN’S CHOIR

A unique performing arts group that performs across the state for deaf festivals, service organizations, churches, fairs, and other outlets. New members always welcome. Registration open

weekly. Mondays, 5-6:30 p.m. $45 tuition per month. singinghandschildrenschoir. com/. Singing Hands Children’s Choir and Performing Arts, 1413 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles.

VALENTINE’S DAY EVE MOCKTAIL

MIXER Participate in this Valentine’s Day Eve mocktail mixer with live poetry by Abigail Robinson and music by Cain Marshall. This event is in conjunction with Downtown Atascadero’s Sip & Shop. Feb. 14 6-9 p.m. Free. (805) 464-2564. Golden State Goods, 5880 Traffic Way, Atascadero.

VICTORIA BAILEY WITH EMILEE MORRISON LIVE Enjoy a night of music from California country singer Victoria Bailey, with Emilee Morrison opening. Visit the link to get tickets or more info on this all-ages show. Feb. 8 7-10 p.m. $13. my805tix.com. Club Car Bar, 508 S. Main St., Templeton.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

8-2-L8 AT KREUZBERG Head to the downtown SLO coffee shop and spend an evening amongst the blissful energy of house and techno music, with sets from three DJs: PROMI$E, Sam Gray, and GUSTAVÉ. Feb. 8 , 8 p.m. $10. Kreuzberg Coffee Company, 685 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 430-0260, kreuzbergcalifornia.com/.

ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ TRIO An unforgettable celebration of Latin rhythms with the ultimate showman, Alfredo Rodriguez, as he and his dynamic trio create an electrifying fusion of Latin, pop, jazz, funk, and more that will transport you straight to the heart of Havana. Presented by Cal Poly Arts. Feb. 7 7:30 p.m. (805) 756-4849. calpolyarts. org/20242025-season/alfredo-rodrigueztrio. Spanos Theatre, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

BRASS MASH: FIRST FRIDAY First Fridays are magical nights filled with the

vibrant energy of an all-horn band. Join the festivities at Liquid Gravity and immerse yourself in the unique fusion of your favorite rock and pop songs.

First Friday of every month, 6-10 p.m. my805tix.com. Liquid Gravity, 675 Clarion Court, San Luis Obispo.

CLASSICAL HITS The SLO Symphony presents an all-orchestral program including works by Schubert, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky. Feb. 8 7:30 p.m. (805) 543-3533. slosymphony.org/calendar/. Cal Poly Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo.

EASTON EVERETT LIVE Enjoy an evening performance by singersongwriter, Easton Everett, who blends indie folk, neo-folk, and world beat with intricate fingerstyle guitar. Feb. 13 , 7-9 p.m. Free. Benny’s Pizza Palace and Social Club, 1601 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 439-3838.

EDITH MARQUEZ Marquez has garnered a large following in Mexico and Latin America, with her romantic ballads and ranchera songs. Join her live at this all-ages performance. Feb. 14 , 7 p.m. $49. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 546-8600, fremontslo.com.

THE ENGLISH BEAT LIVE Hailing from Birmingham, England, The English Beat formed in 1978. Listen as they hit the Fremont Theater stages and give fans a taste of their sound: a unique blend of ska, pop, reggae, soul, and punk rock. This is an all ages event. Feb. 7 7 p.m. $39. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 546-8600, fremontslo.com.

ERNIE WATTS-BILL CUNLIFFE DUO The SLO County Jazz Federation is excited

to present Grammywinning saxophonist Ernie Watts in a rare duo outing with pianist Bill Cunliffe. Feb. 15 7:30 p.m. my805tix.com/. Mount Carmel Lutheran Church, 1701 Fredericks St., San Luis Obispo.

FLAVOR PACKET AT KROBAR CRAFT

DISTILLERY A California-based jazz band with an imaginative, contemporary sound. Feb. 8 , 6-9 p.m. Free. eastoneverett.com. Krobar Craft Distillery, 10 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo.

GOOD KID, M.A.A.D PARTY: A KENDRICK LAMAR NIGHT DJ Salenie will spin the best of Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Baby Keem, Future, J. Cole, A$AP Rocky, Rihanna, Travis Scott, and more. Get tickets and more info at the link. For ages 18 and over. Feb. 8 8 p.m. $23. fremontslo.com. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 546-8600.

THE HOLDUP WITH DYLAN REESE

Welcome San Jose-based musician

Michael Garmany who performs as The Holdup. You can expect a night of groovy, experimental songs with sounds that reach from pop, reggae, and R&B. This is an 18 and over show. Feb. 6 , 8-11:55 p.m. $25. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 5482337, libertinebrewing.com.

HONOR JAZZ BAND CONCERT Enjoy an exciting night of jazz with the SLO County High School Honor Jazz Band and the Cuesta Jazz Ensemble. Feb. 8 , 7:30 p.m. $17 Adult, $10 Student w/ID. (805) 546-3198. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

HOTEL CALIFORNIA Eagles tribute band will grace the stage and bring audience

members back in time with classic, beloved songs like “Hotel California,” “Take It Easy,” and “Desperado.” This is an all ages event. Feb. 15 7 p.m. $27. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 546-8600, fremontslo.com.

LIBERTINE AND CHANNEL FREQUENCIES PRESENT: TWO HEADED GIRL, PAPER BOATS, AND SPOINGUS

Enjoy a night with East Coast-based band Two Headed Girls. This is a 21 and over show. Feb. 13 8-11:55 p.m. Free. libertinebrewing.com. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 548-2337.

LIBERTINE PRESENTS: COUCH DOG, THE LET DOWNS, AND JOONE Welcome local favorite Couch Dog to the stage with support from Joone and The Let Downs. For ages 18 and over. Feb. 7, 8-11:55 p.m. $12. libertinebrewing.com. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 548-2337.

LIVE MUSIC FROM GUITAR WIZ BILLY FOPPIANO AND MAD DOG Join “Guitar Wiz” Billy Foppiano and his trusty side kick Mad Dog for a mix of blues, R&B, and more. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (805) 544-2100. Bon Temps Creole Cafe, 1819 Osos Street, San Luis Obispo, bontempscreolecafe.com/index.htm.

RANDY TRAVIS: THE MORE LIFE TOUR With guest vocalist James Dupré. This unique tour brings together Travis’s original touring band with Dupré’s captivating voice to deliver an unforgettable experience. Please note: Randy Travis will be part of the show, but will not be singing. Feb. 10 7:30 p.m. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo, 756-4849, pacslo.org.

SLO COUNTY STUMBLERS AT THE HISTORIC OCTAGON BARN CENTER The Stumblers play hard-driving, old-time fiddle tunes and spirited songs, heavily influenced by the golden-era string bands of the 1920s and ‘30s. Feb. 7, 7-9

p.m. $25. (805) 235-2874. eventbrite.com. Octagon Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis Obispo.

SUN ROOM LIVE Sun Room brings their surf-rock sound to town at this all ages event. With Ray and Paul opening. Feb. 11 7 p.m. $25. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 5468600, fremontslo.com.

SUTRATMA, TRAGIC VISIONS, AND MORE With Mechanical Ghost and Wormreaper. Visit site for tickets and more details. Feb. 8 7 p.m. my805tix. com. Humdinger Brewing (SLO), 855 Capitolio Way, suite 1, San Luis Obispo, (805) 781-9974.

VON’S ISLAND LIVE Head to The Bunker to hear a live set from Von’s Island, along with Tiny Plastic Everything and Flip The Phaze. Visit the link to get tickets and more info to this all-ages show. Feb. 16 , 6:30-10 p.m. $11. The Bunker SLO, 810 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

DAVID BRIGHTON’S SPACE ODDITY: THE QUINTESSENTIAL DAVID BOWIE TRIBUTE EXPERIENCE Experience a live, theatrically-staged, multimedia spectacle with David Brighton transporting audiences on a musical journey through the profound career of David Bowie. Feb. 7 7:30-10:30 p.m. $45-$59. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/ shows/space-oddity/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

FOREVER GREEN IN THE SECRET GARDEN Head to the Secret Garden at the Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort to listen to Forever Green perform new and old songs. Feb. 16 1-4 p.m. Free. The Secret Garden at Sycamore Mineral Springs, 1215 Avila Beach Dr., Avila Beach, (805) 595-7302, sycamoresprings.com/ dining/secret-garden.

STARKEY continued page 28

LIVIN’ IN THE MOMENT Good Medicine, Numbskull, and KCBX present singer-songwriter and raconteur Steve Poltz at The Siren on Feb. 8

COURTESY PHOTO BY JEFF FANSANO

RANKING FULL STOP The English Beat led by Dave Wakeling plays the Fremont Theater on Feb. 7

FOR GROCERIES

FREE MONEY APPLY FOR CALFRESH

Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 4 - 6:00 p.m. at Meadow Park Community Center (2251 Meadow St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401)

Chameleon

David Bowie was an expert at reinventing himself. Through his four-and-a-half-decadelong career, he went from a band member named Davy Jones in acts like The Lower Third to the King Bees, took on the name David Bowie for his 1967 self-titled debut, release Space Oddity, embraced androgyny, became Ziggy Stardust, then Pierrot, then Jareth the Goblin King.

Bowie died of cancer in 2016 at 69, but you can still get a taste when David Brighton’s Space Oddity: The Quintessential David Bowie Tribute Experience comes to the Clark Center on Friday, Feb. 7 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $45 to $69 plus fees at clarkcenter. org). Expect a “live, theatrically staged, multimedia spectacle that transports audiences on a musical journey through the constantly metamorphosing career of David Bowie,” organizers announced.

Latin rhythms

The Alfredo Rodriguez Trio plays Cal Poly’s Spanos Theatre on Friday, Feb. 7 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $47 plus fees at pacslo.org). The ensemble fuses Latin, pop, timba, jazz, tango, and funk “that will transport you straight to the heart of Havana,” according to Cal Poly

KARAOKE EVERY WEDNESDAY A weekly event with barbecue offerings and more. Wednesdays, 4-8 p.m. Rancho Nipomo BBQ, 108 Cuyama Ln., Nipomo, (805) 925-3500.

THE MOONSTONE BAND AT MULLIGAN’S Gather for an evening of classic rock tunes and delicious food and drink. Feb. 7 5-7 p.m. Free. Mulligans Bar and Grill, 6460 Ana Bay Road, Avila Beach, (805) 595-4000.

TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT: A TRIBUTE TO THE EAGLES Eagles fans, mark your calendars, because this Eagles tribute band from Vancouver, Canada, is landing in Arroyo Grande for the first time. Feb. 10 7:30-10:30 p.m. $59-$69. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter. org/shows/take-it-to-the-limit/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

HAPPY HOUR MUSIC SERIES Enjoy live music at the winery most Friday evenings. Check site for concert schedule. Fridays presquilewine.com. Presqu’ile Winery, 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., Santa Maria, (805) 937-8110.

LADIES NIGHT OUT Music by DJ Van Gloryious and DJ Panda. Features

Arts. “Their collective music chops will leave you breathless as you dance the night away at this pulsating fiesta of culture and sound. Don’t miss this extraordinary celebration of music and dance.” ∆

Contact Arts Editor Glen Starkey at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.

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 Check out live music every Friday night from a variety of artists at Steller’s Cellar in Old Orcutt. Dinner served by Lobo Butcher Shop between 5 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 5-9 p.m. Varies according to food options. (805) 6235129. stellerscellar.com. Steller’s Cellar, 405 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt.

MARDI GRAS DANCE Join the Santa Maria Valley Senior Club along with Riptide Big Band, and vocalists Bob Nations and Mitch Latting. Feb. 9, 1:30-4 p.m. Free. (775)813-5186. RiptideBB.com. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

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

MUSIC LESSONS AT COELHO ACADEMY Learn to play piano, drums, guitar, base, ukulele, or violin, or take vocal lessons. ongoing (805) 925-0464. coelhomusic. com/Lessons/lessons.html. Coelho

Academy of Music, 325 E. Betteravia Rd., Santa Maria.

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.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

KARAOKE AT COLD COAST BREWING CO. Pick out a song, bring your friends, and get ready to perform. Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m. COLD Coast Brewing Company, 118 W Ocean Ave., Lompoc, (805) 8190723, coldcoastbrewing.com.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY THE IRON MAIDENS LIVE Maverick Saloon invites you to come see the all-female tribute band to Iron Maiden, the English heavy metal group. This is a 21 and over show. Feb. 16 , 6 p.m. $28. my805tix.com. Maverick Saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez, (805) 686-4785. 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. ∆

STARKEY from page 26

MAJOR TOM Arroyo Grande’s Clark Center hosts David Brighton’s Space Oddity: The Quintessential David Bowie Tribute Experience on Feb. 7

PHOTO COURTESY OF

MAESTRO DEL RITMO The Alfredo Rodriguez Trio will fuse Latin, pop, timba, jazz, tango, and funk in the Spanos Theatre on Feb. 7

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAL POLY ARTS

LIVE MUSIC from page 26

Flavor

BY CAMILLIA LANHAM

Charred and juicy

Shekamoo Grill embraces tradition and fusion to serve Persian flavors to SLO County

Blitzed onions squeezed until the juice is almost gone are key to the tender meat that Shekamoo Grill fires up on the patio behind SLO Ranch Farms & Marketplace.

Those onions form a base layer of flavor in the marinades for the hanger steak, chicken, and koobideh (ground beef and lamb) kabobs, pierced by stainless steel skewers that are an inch wide and more than 2 feet long. Barbecued over charcoal on a special grill that allows the heat and flames to lap at the meat, Shekamoo co-owner Sina Shakerian bastes the kabobs with butter as they sizzle. All of it is key to the flavors he wants San Luis Obispo to taste.

“Char and juiciness, which is the whole reason I’m doing this,” he said.

The finished product is most often served on top of Persian basmati rice dappled with saffron and butter (if you haven’t tried that yet, you should), which comes with shallot yogurt, a Shirazi salad (cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion with a lemony dressing), and a grilled vegetable or two.

Shakerian and his wife, Lindsey, have spread Persian cuisine around San Luis Obispo County since 2020, as a pop-up, event caterer, and with a booth on Thursday nights at the downtown SLO Farmers’ Market. In late January, Shekamoo Grill opened its first brick-and-mortar location at SLO Ranch alongside Sushi Table and soon-to-come Palo Mesa Pizza and Baby Bear Biscuits.

“After two years of catering, we started to see that we were going to plateau when it comes to being able to grow more,” Shakerian said. “We looked for over a year at different options. … Nowhere provided the opportunity for having an actual charcoal grill outside, and that was the essence.”

The SLO Ranch developer wanted an outdoor barbecue spot, met with the Shakerians, and they signed the lease in April 2023. After a year and a half, the marketplace is open, and Shakerian is grilling.

“You’re going to see my smoke off the 101,” he said.

Raised in Los Angeles and Orange County, Shakerian has cooked Persian food with his parents since he was a teen.

Satiate your palate

Catch Shekamoo Grill on Thursday nights at the downtown SLO Farmers’ Market and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at SLO Ranch Farms and Marketplace. Visit 811 Froom Ranch Way, suite 140, or shekamoogrill.com to learn more.

His family and friends would gather together, and his father would barbecue classics like kabob-e koobideh and joojeh kabob (chicken kabob). People always told his father to open a restaurant.

“He always said, ‘You can’t sell your soul. I put my heart and soul into this food. That’s not something you can sell to another,’”

Shakerian said. “I think that that’s the key, is I had the opportunity to do the thing that my dad thought that he couldn’t.

“I can still put my entire being into something and have people appreciate it.”

Shakerian started sharing his love for kabob with people while he was a basketball coach. He would throw the end-of-the-year party at his home and have the parents and players come over.

“I wanted to have fun with it so I would make kabob,” he said.

Then, the pandemic happened. One of the parents on the team owned a winery, and they needed to serve food to be able to stay open, thanks to state guidelines. So the parent asked Shakerian if he would make kabob for patrons so the winery could host a concert.

That’s what started the Shekamoo journey. He was still teaching in Atascadero at the

time, and his wife was working—and is still working—as a project manager at PG&E. Together, they cooked, created, and catered.

Shekamoo was actually his nickname for Lindsey, and it roughly translates to someone who likes to eat, but in a playful way. The pair met while taking engineering classes at Cal Poly, and they would study together. After visiting home in LA, he would bring back home-cooked Persian food from his mother, which Lindsey loved and would ask about.

And while Shakerian tended to stick to his traditions when it came to cooking, Lindsey experimented. He said she would figure out what to do with the leftovers from catering, so they wouldn’t go to waste. Through that experimentation, she helped create what Shekamoo calls the “Persian version” of things like nachos—house-made

pita chips topped with koobideh beef, red chile sauce, shallot yogurt, fresh tomatoes, and basil—and lamburgers—a lamb and beef patty topped with caramelized onions, tomato jam, shallot yogurt, and arugula on a brioche bun.

“The key is she helped create so much of this. The fusion foods, the crostinis. She was without a doubt a creator in this process,” he said. “She’s still working her 40 hours a day at Diablo, and she’s here every other minute. … She’s my light.”

Share tasty tips! Send tidbits on everything food and drink to bites@newtimesslo.com.

menu, including the nachos: house-made pita chips topped with koobideh beef, red chile sauce, shallot yogurt, fresh tomatoes, and basil.

While Shekamoo Grill is focused on kabob and fusion food, you can also catch Persian stews (khoresh) as specials of the day inspired by his mother’s cooking. On Feb. 3, his mother, Soudabeh Abdizadeh, was cooking ghourmeh sabzi. It’s a favorite in my family—one my mother (who’s Persian), my sister, and I all love to make and eat.

A mix of herbs is pan-fried until the moisture is gone and the greens start to caramelize. It’s then stewed with dried limes, kidney beans or black-eyed peas, turmeric, sometimes saffron, and beef or lamb for hours and served over rice.

Abdizadeh came up from Orange County for about a month to help the Shakerians with their opening. At first, she said she was concerned about how hard the restaurant business would be on her son and daughterin-law. But then she saw how much passion and joy they get out of it.

“He’s working very hard, and it’s because he loves it,” Abdizadeh said. “And his wife, too.” ∆

Editor Camillia Lanham is salivating over koobideh. Send some to clanham@ newtimesslo.com.

SHARING HIS HEART Sina Shakerian grills with his soul and serves up some of his family traditions at Shekamoo Grill in SLO.

TOGETHER Sina and Lindsey Shakerian opened their first brick-andmortar spot in January after starting Shekamoo Grill as a pop-up in 2020.

PERSIAN VERSION Persian inspired flavors mix with other cuisines on part of Shekamoo Grill’s

CHARCOAL-GRILLED Persian Shekamoo Grill started serving up (left to right) tomato, vegetarian, koobideh (ground lamb and beef), chicken, and steak kabobs at SLO Ranch Farms and Marketplace in January.

Brunch

Sundays Only - 8 am ‘til 3 pm Vegan Hash. Yukon gold potatoes, sweet potatoes, kale, onions, local mushrooms, garlic, cilantro, harissa, and avocado. Toast or biscuit.

Breakfast Burger. Snake River Farms American Wagyu beef patty, melted provolone, and an egg, with sliced tomato and warm bacon-onion jam, on a home-made hamburger bun.

Avocado Toast. Avocado, heirloom tomato, and poached eggs on home-made sourdough toast.

Ceviche. Mexican sea bass, shrimp, and lobster marinated in Meyer lemon and seasonings. With radishes and corn tortilla chips.

Call for Reservations 805.927.5708 www.raggedpointinn.com

VALENTINE’S DAY Friday, February 14

Throughout February, we’re going to offer in-room delivery of cheese plates, chocolate-covered strawberries, baked goods, wine, and flowers. We will be requiring a 7-day advance order, Extended menu of Valentine’s beverages and desserts/ pastries, Available throughout February.

Live Music - Jill Knight

Classies

Reach over 150,000 readers weekly from Santa Ynez to San Miguel

Keep it

Classy—for Free!

Private parties may run FREE classified ads in the FOR SALE (items under $200) and GARAGE SALE sections for two weeks

Contact us today! (805) 546-8208 or classifieds@newtimesslo.com

Real Estate

Quiet, responsible female (writer/editor) seeks first-floor studio, guest house, or one-bedroom apartment to rent starting late Feb. References available. (858) 635-1233 (voicemail only) thesuperioreditor@gmail.com

Plus excellent benefits. City application required, contact City of Atascadero, 6500 Palma Ave., Atascadero, CA (805) 461-5000 or visit www.atascadero.org for full details and job flyer. This position is within the City’s Community Development Department and would be part of the team responsible for development review and policy related activities.

Closing Date: Open until filled.

January 23, 30, February 6, 2025

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COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: March 12, 2025 9:00 am Dept.: 4, in person or by Zoom at the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo, 1050 Monterey Street, Room 220 San Luis Obispo, CA 93408. Civil Court Operations. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: New Times Date: January 12, 2024. /s/: Judge Tana L. Coates, Judge of the Superior Court. January 23, 30, February 6, 13, 2025

CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

CASE NUMBER: 25CV-0011

To all interested persons: Petitioner: Keith LeVoy McClellan filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME: Keith LeVoy McClellan, to PROPOSED NAME: Arthur Keith McClellan.

THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: March 12, 2025 9:00 am Dept.: 4, in person or by Zoom at the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo, 1050 Monterey Street, Room 220 San Luis

93408. Civil Court Operations. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: New Times Date: January

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

CASE NUMBER: 25CV-0443

To all interested persons:

Petitioner: Daniel Silva Robles filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME: Daniel Silva Robles PROPOSED NAME: Daniel Robles Silva Walker. THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: March 19, 2025 9:00 a.m. Dept. 4, in person or by Zoom at the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo, 1050 Monterey Street, Room 220 San Luis Obispo, CA 93408. Civil Court Operations. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: New Times

Date: January 27, 2025.

/s/: Hon. Tana L. Coates, Judge of the Superior Court.

February 6, 13, 20, 27, 2025 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER: 25CVP0001

To all interested persons: Petitioner: Francis Lee Teague filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME: Francis Lee Teague, to PROPOSED NAME: Frank Lee Teague.

THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: February 26, 2025 9:30 am P-2, in person or by Zoom at the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo, 901 Park Street Paso Robles, CA 93446. Civil Court Operations.

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: New Times Date: January 7, 2025. /s/: MC Kelley, Judge of the Superior Court.

January 16, 23, 30, February 6, 2025 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

NEW FILE NO. 2025-0093

OLD FILE NO. 2024-0714

OLIVE NAILS SPA, 1602 W Grand Ave Grover Beach, CA 93433. San Luis Obispo County. The Fictitious Business Name referred to above was filed in San Luis Obispo County on 03/26/2024. The following person(s) has abandoned the use of the fictitious business name: Thi Nguyen (1602 W Grand Ave Grover Beach, CA 93433). This business was conducted by an Individual Thi Nguyen 1602 W Grand Ave Grover Beach CA 93433. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 01/14/2025.. I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk. By mkatz, Deputy Clerk. January 23, 30, February 6, 13, 2025

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER:

25CVPO003

To all interested persons:

Petitioner: Guillermo Daniel Arrieta Alvarez filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME: Guillermo Daniel Arrieta Alvarez PROPOSED NAME: Daniel Guillermo Arrieta THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: February 19, 2025, 9:30 am P2, in person or by Zoom at the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo, 901 Park Street Paso Robles, CA 93446. Paso Robles Branch. Civil Court Operations. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: New Times Date: January 9, 2025.

/s/: M.C. Kelley Judge of the Superior Court.

January 16, 23, 30, February 6, 2025 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME

NEW FILE NO. 2025-0035

OLD FILE NO. 2024-0867

MED-STOP URGENT CARE CENTER 283 Madonna Ste. B San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. San Luis Obispo County. The fictitious business name referred to above was filed in San Luis Obispo County on 04/17/2024. The following person(s) has abandoned the use of the fictitious business name: Med-Stops Medical Clinic, Inc. (283 Madonna Ste. B San Luis Obispo, CA 93405). This business was conducted by a Corporation Med-Stops Medical Clinic, Inc., Brian Roberts, President. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 01/06/2025. I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk. By mparedes, Deputy Clerk. January 16, 23, 30, February 6, 2025

Public Notice

Lien Sale 02/17/2025 @ 9am at 611 AVE OF FLAGS, BUELLTON, CA 2018 CHEVROLET CA LIC# 7ZQC546 VIN# 1G1FB1RX5J0105220

February 6, 2025

Public Notice

Lien Sale 02/17/2025 @ 9am at 613 AVALON ST, LOMPOC, CA 2013 FORD CA LIC# 50065N1 VIN# 1FTFX1CF2DFD84331

February 6, 2025

STATEMENT OF A BANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME

NEW FILE NO. 2025-0131 OLD FILE NO. 2024-1893

ALBERTSONS #1345, 730 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay, CA 93442. San Luis Obispo County. The Fictitious Business Name referred to above was filed in San Luis Obispo County on 01/17/2025. The following person(s) has abandoned the use of the fictitious business name: 1918 Winter Street ABS LLC (7 Corporate Drive Keene, NH 03431). This business was conducted by a Limited Liability Company 1819 Winter Street ABS LLC, Kevin McNamara CFO, Exec. VP & Treasurer. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 01/17/2025. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk. By atrujillo, Deputy Clerk. January 30, February 6, 13, 20, 2025

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE

Title Order No. 2457758CAD Trustee Sale No. 21967 Account No. 1663004801 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A NOTICE OF DELINQUENT ASSESSMENT DATED 05/23/2024. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On 03/04/2025 at 11:00AM, SUNRISE ASSESSMENT SERVICES, INC., as the duly appointed Trustee pursuant to Notice of Delinquent Assessment, Recorded on 05/28/2024, as Instrument # 2024014025 of Official Records in the Office of the Recorder of SAN LUIS OBISPO County, California, property owned by: CAROLYN L. BAKER, TRUSTEE OF THE CAROLYN L. BAKER REVOCABLE TRUST DATED OCTOBER 23, 2009. WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States, by cash, a cashier’s check drawn by a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state). At: In the breezeway adjacent to the County General Services Building, 1087 Santa Rosa Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408, all right, title and interest under said Notice of Delinquent Assessment in the property situated in said County, describing the land therein: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID RECORDED NOTICE OF DELINQUENT ASESSMENT APN: 075-165-044 THIS SALE IS SUBJECT TO A RIGHT OF REDEMPTION FOR 90 DAYS AFTER THE PUBLIC AUCTION IS CONDUCTED. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 765 RIDGEMONT WAY, ARROYO GRANDE, CA 93420 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum due under said Notice of Delinquent Assessment, with interest thereon, as provided in said notice, advances, if any, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee, to-wit: $16,123.85 Estimated Accrued interest and additional advances, if any, will increase this figure prior to sale. The claimant under said Notice of Delinquent Assessment heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located and more than three months have elapsed since such recordation. NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 916-939-0772, or visit this internet website www.nationwideposting. com, using the file number assigned to this case 21967. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the internet website. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. NOTICE TO TENANT: You may have a right to purchase this property after the

trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are an “eligible tenant buyer,” you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. If you are an “eligible bidder,” you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase. First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call 916-939-0772, or visit this internet website www.nationwideposting. com, using the file number assigned to this case 21967 to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid by remitting the funds and affidavit described in Section 2924m(c) of the Civil Code so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as an “eligible tenant buyer” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase. NOTICE: THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM YOU WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

Date: 01/30/2025 SUNRISE ASSESSMENT SERVICES, INC. 7844 Madison Ave., Suite 145 Fair Oaks, CA 95628 ____ (916) 961-0374 Sale Information line: 916-939-0772 or www.nationwideposting.com TARA CAMPBELL, DIVISION VICE PRESIDENT NPP0470657 To: NEW TIMES

PUB: 02/06/2025, 02/13/2025, 02/20/2025

TS No: CA08001243-23-1 APN: 024-252-014

TO No: 230468181-CA-VOI

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE

(The above statement is made pursuant to CA Civil Code Section 2923.3(d)(1). The Summary will be provided to Trustor(s) and/or vested owner(s) only, pursuant to CA Civil Code Section 2923.3(d) (2).) YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED October 10, 2006. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On April 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM, in the breezeway adjacent to the County General Services Building, 1087 Santa Rosa Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408, MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps, as the duly Appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust recorded on October 13, 2006 as Instrument No. 2006072671, of official records in the Office of the Recorder of San Luis Obispo County, California, executed by OSCAR GREGO, A MARRIED MAN AS HIS SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY, as Trustor(s), in favor of LONG BEACH MORTGAGE COMPANY as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST The property heretofore described is being sold “as is”. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 1798 ROSCOE PLACE, CAMBRIA, CA 93428 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee’s Sale is estimated to be $1,290,198.30 (Estimated). However, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary’s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier’s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the Trustee. In the event tender other than cash is ac-

cepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee’s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. Notice to Potential Bidders If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a Trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a Trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same Lender may hold more than one mortgage or Deed of Trust on the property. Notice to Property Owner The sale date shown on this Notice of Sale may be postponed one or more times by the Mortgagee, Beneficiary, Trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about Trustee Sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may visit the Internet Website address www.nationwideposting.com or call Nationwide Posting & Publication at 916.939.0772 for information regarding the Trustee’s Sale for information regarding the sale of this property, using the file number assigned to this case, CA08001243-23-1. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Website. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. Notice to Tenant NOTICE TO TENANT FOR FORECLOSURES AFTER JANUARY 1, 2021 You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are an “eligible tenant buyer,” you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. If you are an “eligible bidder,” you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase. First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call 916.939.0772, or visit this internet website www.nationwideposting. com, using the file number assigned to this case CA08001243-23-1 to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as an “eligible tenant buyer” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase. Date: January 27, 2025 MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps TS No. CA08001243-23-1 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 Phone: 949-252-8300 TDD: 711 949.252.8300 By: Loan Quema, Authorized Signatory SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ONLINE AT www.nationwideposting.com FOR AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL: Nationwide Posting

Adult Services

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Notice is hereby given that the governing board of the San Miguel Joint Union School District will receive sealed bids for the following project, Bid No. 15, Bid Package LLES 15:

Lillian Larsen Elementary School Sewer Improvements

The Project consists of:

Removal and replacement of sewer infrastructure and associated site work

To bid on this Project, the Bidder is required to possess one or more of the following State of California contractors’ license(s):

A, General Engineering

The Bidder’s license(s) must remain active and in good standing throughout the term of the Contract.

To bid on this Project, the Bidder is required to be registered as a public works contractor with the Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to the Labor Code. Contract Documents will be available on or after January 30, 2025, for review at the District Facilities Office, and may be downloaded from the District’s website, https://www. sanmiguelschools.org/facilities, using the “For Bidders” link. In addition, Contract Documents are available for bidders’ review at the following builders’ exchanges:

A. Builder’s Exchange of San Luis Obispo County (805) 543-7330

B. Central Coast Builder’s Association (831)758-1624

C. Construction Bidboard (800) 479-5314

D. Dodge Data and Analytics (877)784-9556

Sealed bids will be received until 3:00p.m., March 5, 2024 at the District Facilities Office, 1601 L Street, San Miguel, California 93451 at or after which time the bids will be opened and publicly read aloud. Any bid that is submitted after this time shall be nonresponsive and returned to the bidder. Any claim by a bidder of error in its bid must be made in compliance with section 5100 et seq. of the Public Contract Code.

A mandatory pre-bid conference and site visit will be held on February 12, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at 1601 L street, San Miguel, California. All participants are required to sign in at the front of the Administration Building, 1601 L street, San Miguel, California. The site visit is expected to take approximately 60 minutes. Failure to attend or tardiness will render bid ineligible.

The Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids and/ or waive any irregularity in any bid received. January 30 & February 6, 2025

Description:

NOTICE OF FORMAL BID

Improvements and rehabilitation at Sanitary Sewer Lift Stations #4, 7 and 11. Work generally includes wet well and valve vault improvements, electrical upgrades, pump and motor control panel replacements. Work also includes temporary bypassing as required to maintain operations at the lift stations and associated repair to impacted surrounding surface improvements. City-supplied items include control centers and pumps, to be installed by contractor.

Agency:

City of Atascadero

Project Title:

Life Station #4,7 & 11 Rehabilitation Project No. C2021W01

Cost Range:

$325,000 – $375,000

Bid Bond: 10%

Performance Bond: 100%

Labor & Material / Payment Bond: 100%

Location:

Multiple Locations

San Luis Obispo County

Plans & Specifications Available:

January 30, 2025

City of Atascadero Website / Quest CDN

Quest EBidDoc # 9521610, $22 Download Fee

Bid Opening:

February 27, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall, 6500 Palma Avenue

City of Atascadero Department of Public Works 6500 Palma Avenue Atascadero, CA 93422 (805)-470-3180

February 6 & 13, 2025

CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 2025-001

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING SECTION 2.19.070 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW

COMMITTEE AND FINDING THE ORDINANCE EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT

This Ordinance Summary is published in accordance with the provisions of Government Code Section 36933. On January 28, 2025, the City Council, by a 5-0 vote, adopted an Ordinance amending Section 2.19.070 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code (AGMC) relating to the Architectural Review Committee’s (ARC) meeting location.

Ordinance No. 2025-001 was adopted by the following roll call vote:

AYES: Council Members Guthrie, Loe, Maraviglia, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest, and Mayor Ray Russom

NOES: None

ABSTAIN: None

A certified copy of the full text of the Ordinance is available for review by contacting the City Clerk at 805-473-5400.

Jessica Matson, City Clerk

Publish one time, The New Times, Thursday, February 6, 2025

Post: City Hall, 300 E. Branch Street, Arroyo Grande

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible, the Pismo Beach City Council will hold a public hearing in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach, for the following purpose:

PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA:

Hearing to receive public comment on final funding recommendations for annual federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The 2025 Action Plan, a component of the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, includes an estimated allocation to Pismo Beach of $28,873 of CDBG funds to be considered for funding award by the City Council. Two applications were received from the 5 Cities Homeless Coalition (5CHC) for their Rapid Re-Housing / Homeless Prevention program and an application by the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County (CAPSLO) for their Minor Home Repair program. City Council final funding recommendations will be forwarded to the County Board of Supervisors for Board action on the 2025 Annual Action Plan. Details about ways to participate in this hearing will be provided on the agenda posted for the meeting online at pismobeach.org/agenda, and on the bulletin board at City Hall. The agenda will be posted in the afternoon of February 13, 2025.

Environmental Review

In compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the grant application is not considered a project and is therefore exempt from environmental review. Specific projects that may have environmental impacts will be reviewed under CEQA and NEPA prior to implementation.

You have a right to comment on these projects and their effect on our community. Interested persons are invited to participate in the hearing or otherwise express their views and opinions regarding the proposed projects. Emailed comments may be submitted to citycouncil@ pismobeach.org; staff cannot guarantee that emailed comments submitted after the start of the meeting will be given full consideration before action is taken. Written comments may be delivered or mailed to the City Clerk’s Office at 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach, CA 93449, prior to the meeting, or hand-delivered during the meeting no later than the comment period for this item. Oral comment may be provided prior to the meeting by calling 805-773-7005 and leaving a voice message. Please state and spell your name, and identify your item of interest. Oral comment may also be made during the meeting by attending the meeting in person in the Council Chamber at City Hall. Please refer to the agenda for this meeting for specific instructions for participation.

Staff reports, plans and other information related to these projects are available for public review from the City Clerk’s Office, by emailing City Clerk Erica Inderlied at einderlied@pismobeach.org. The meeting agenda and staff report will be available no later than the Thursday before the meeting and may be obtained upon request by mail or by visiting www.pismobeach.org/agenda. The Council meeting will be televised live on Charter Cable Channel 20 and streamed on the City’s website.

PLEASE NOTE:

If you challenge the action taken on this item in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Pismo Beach at, or prior to, the public hearing.

For further information, please contact Erica Inderlied, City Clerk, at einderlied@pismobeach.org or 805-773-7003.

Erica Inderlied City Clerk

February 6, 2025

NOTICE: SEIZURE OF PROPERTY AND INITIATION OF NONJUDICIAL FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS PER HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 11488.4(J) TO: ALL PERSONS CLAIMING ANY RIGHT, TITLE, OR INTEREST IN PROPERTY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

$6,807.00 IN UNITED STATES CURRENCY

Notice is hereby given that on January 14, 2025, the abovedescribed property was seized at or near 536 Bakeman Lane, Arroyo Grande, CA, by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, in connection with cannabis violations, to wit, sections 11359 and 11360 of the California Health and Safety Code. The estimated/appraised value of the property is $6,807.00.

Pursuant to section 11488.4(j) of the California Health and Safety Code, you must file a verified claim stating your interest in the property with the Superior Court’s Civil Division, Room 385, County Courthouse Annex, 1035 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California 93408. Claim forms are available from the Clerk of the above court and also online at https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/mc200.pdf.

Furthermore, an endorsed copy of the verified claim must also be served on the District Attorney, Asset Forfeiture Unit, County Courthouse Annex, 1035 Palm Street, 4th Floor, San Luis Obispo, California 93408, within 30 days of filing the claim with the Superior Court’s Civil Division.

Both the District Attorney’s Office and the Interested Party filing the claim are entitled to conduct reciprocal requests for discovery in preparation for a hearing. The provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure shall apply to the proceedings unless inconsistent with the provisions or procedures set forth in the Health and Safety Code (Section 11488.5(c)(3)). The Interested Party in entitled to legal representation at a hearing, although not one appointed at public expense, and has the right to present evidence and witnesses, and to cross-examine plaintiff’s witnesses, but there is no right to avoid testifying at a civil hearing.

The failure to timely file and secure a verified claim stating an interest in the property in the Superior Court will result in the property being declared or ordered forfeited to the State of California and distributed pursuant to the provisions of Health and Safety Code section 11489 without further notice or hearing.

DATED: January 27, 2025

DAN DOW

District Attorney

Kenneth Jorgensen

Deputy District Attorney

January 30, February 6, & 13, 2025

NOTICE: SEIZURE OF PROPERTY AND INITIATION OF NONJUDICIAL FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS PER HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 11488.4(J) TO: ALL PERSONS CLAIMING ANY RIGHT, TITLE, OR INTEREST IN PROPERTY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS

$3,472.00 IN UNITED STATES CURRENCY

Notice is hereby given that on January 8, 2025, the abovedescribed property was seized at or near the intersection of Santa Rosa Street and Walnut Street in the City of San Luis Obispo, by the City of San Luis Obispo Police Department, in connection with controlled substance violations, to wit, section 11379 of the California Health and Safety Code. The estimated/appraised value of the property is $3,472.00.

Pursuant to section 11488.4(j) of the California Health and Safety Code, you must file a verified claim stating your interest in the property with the Superior Court’s Civil Division, Room 385, County Courthouse Annex, 1035 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California 93408. Claim forms are available from the Clerk of the above court and also online at https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/mc200.pdf.

Furthermore, an endorsed copy of the verified claim must also be served on the District Attorney, Asset Forfeiture Unit, County Courthouse Annex, 1035 Palm Street, 4th Floor, San Luis Obispo, California 93408, within 30 days of filing the claim with the Superior Court’s Civil Division.

Both the District Attorney’s Office and the Interested Party filing the claim are entitled to conduct reciprocal requests for discovery in preparation for a hearing. The provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure shall apply to the proceedings unless inconsistent with the provisions or procedures set forth in the Health and Safety Code (Section 11488.5(c)(3)). The Interested Party in entitled to legal representation at a hearing, although not one appointed at public expense, and has the right to present evidence and witnesses, and to cross-examine plaintiff’s witnesses, but there is no right to avoid testifying at a civil hearing.

The failure to timely file and secure a verified claim stating an interest in the property in the Superior Court will result in the property being declared or ordered forfeited to the State of California and distributed pursuant to the provisions of Health and Safety Code section 11489 without further notice or hearing.

DATED: January 27, 2025

DAN DOW

District Attorney

Kenneth Jorgensen

Deputy District Attorney

January 30, February 6, & 13, 2025

PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Arroyo Grande Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. or soon thereafter, to consider the following item:

Consideration Of Conditional Use Permit 24-004 And Finding That This Action Is Exempt From Review Under The California Environmental Quality Act Pursuant To State Guidelines Section 15301; Establishment of a Cocktail Bar; Location – 110 ½ East Branch Street; Applicant – Casey O’Connor

The Planning Commission will consider an application to establish a new alcohol-serving use at an existing storefront in the Village Core Downtown. The project includes both interior and exterior alterations to an existing structure.

The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under the Class 1 exemption, which applies to the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing structures, facilities (State CEQA Guidelines, § 15301.) Here, the project involves minor alterations to the existing commercial suite that involves minor interior and exterior changes involving such things as plumbing, electrical, siding materials, and lighting.

This Planning Commission meeting will be held at 215 E. Branch Street and conducted in a hybrid in-person/virtual format. Members of the public that prefer to participate virtually may do so by joining the Zoom meeting option. Members of the public may provide public comment on agenda items during the meeting in-person, by joining the Zoom meeting, or by submitting written public comments to the Commission at pc-publiccomment@arroyogrande.org. To provide comment during the meeting, members of the public may join the Zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86752345420; Webinar ID: 867 5234 5420 or by phone by calling 1- 669-900-6833; or 1-346-248-7799. During the public hearing, public comment will be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker, pursuant to current meeting procedure.

The Planning Commission may also discuss other hearings or business items before or after the item listed above. If you challenge the proposed action in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing. Failure of any person to receive the notice shall not constitute grounds for any court to invalidate the action of the legislative body for which the notice was given.

Documents related to the project are available in the Community Development Department located at 300 E. Branch Street, Arroyo Grande. The Agenda and reports are posted online at www.arroyogrande.org 72 hours prior to the meeting. Please call (805) 473-5420 for more information. The Planning Commission meeting will be televised live on Charter Cable Channel 20 and streamed live on the City’s Website

Jessica Matson, City Clerk

February 6, 2025

COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & BUILDING

NOTICE OF TENTATIVE ACTION / PUBLIC HEARING

WHO County of San Luis Obispo Planning Department Hearing

WHEN Friday, February 21, 2025 at 9:00 AM: All items are advertised for 9:00 AM. To verify agenda placement, please call the Department of Planning & Building at (805) 781-5600.

WHAT A request by Brian Simas for Minor Use Permit/Coastal Development Permit (N-DRC2024-00014) to allow grading on slopes in excess of 20% for the construction of new upper and lower floor decks totaling approximately 1,500 square feet. The project also includes the removal of two non-native pine trees, an interior remodel, driveway and right-of-way improvements, a re-roof to the existing approximately 1,075 square-foot single-family residence, and a request to establish an approximately 379 square-foot Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) within the lower level of the residence. The project will result in disturbance of approximately 1,545 square-feet of the 3,862 squarefoot parcel. The proposed project is within the Residential SingleFamily land use category and is located at 44 Bakersfield Avenue, in the community of Cayucos. The site is in the Estero Planning Area.

Also to be considered is the determination that this project is categorically exempt from environmental review under CEQA.

County File Number: N-DRC2024-00014

Supervisorial District: District 2

Assessor Parcel Number(s): 064-046-006

Date Accepted: 7/24/2024

WHERE Virtual meeting via Zoom platform. Instructions on how to view and participate in the meeting remotely and provide public comment will be included in the published meeting Agenda and are posted on the Department’s webpage at:

Planning Department Hearing - County of San Luis Obispo (ca.gov)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A copy of the staff report will be made available on the Planning Department website at www.sloplanning.org. You may also contact Andy Knighton, Project Manager, in the Department of Planning and Building at the address below or by telephone at 805-781-4142.

TO REQUEST A PUBLIC HEARING

This matter is tentatively scheduled to appear on the consent agenda, which means that it and any other items on the consent agenda can be acted upon by the hearing officer with a single motion. An applicant or interested party may request a public hearing on this matter. To do so, send a letter to this office at the address below or send an email to pdh@co.slo.ca.us by 2/14/2025 at 4:30 PM. The letter or email must include the language “I would like to request a hearing on N-DRC2024-00014.”

If you challenge this matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this public notice or in written correspondence delivered to the appropriate authority at or before the public hearing.

Ysabel Eighmy

Secretary Planning Department Hearing

February 6, 2025

The San Luis Obispo City Council invites all interested persons to attend a public hearing on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. Meetings may be viewed remotely on Government Access Channel 20 or streamed live from the City’s YouTube channel at www.youtube. com/CityofSanLuisObispo. Public comment, prior to the start of the meeting, may be submitted in writing via U.S. Mail delivered to the City Clerk’s office at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 or by email to emailcouncil@slocity.org.

PUBLIC HEARING ITEM:

• The City Council will consider the 2025-2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding recommendations approved by the Human Relations Committee. The 2025-26 CDBG recommendations allow the City to further implement the General Plan 6th Cycle Housing Element. For more information, contact David Amini, Housing Coordinator, for the City’s Community Development Department at (805) 781-7524 or by email, damini@ slocity.org.

The City Council may also discuss other hearings or business items before or after the items listed above. If you challenge the proposed project in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the public hearing.

Council Agenda Reports for this meeting will be available for review one week in advance of the meeting date on the City’s website, under the Public Meeting Agendas web page: https://www.slocity.org/ government/mayor-and-city-council/agendas-andminutes. Please call the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 7817114 for more information. The City Council meeting will be televised live on Charter Cable Channel 20 and live streaming on the City’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/CityofSanLuisObispo.

February 6, 2025

The San Luis Obispo Planning Commission will hold a Regular Meeting on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. Meetings may be viewed on Government Access Channel 20 or streamed live from the City’s YouTube channel at www.youtube. com/CityofSanLuisObispo. Public comment, prior to the start of the meeting, may be submitted in writing via U.S. Mail delivered to the City Clerk’s Office at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 or by email to advisorybodies@slocity.org.

PUBLIC HEARING ITEM:

• Review of amendments to the Airport Area Specific Plan to allow mixed-use development within the Service Commercial (C-S) and Manufacturing (M) zones subject to a Conditional Use Permit where appropriate and consistent with the Airport Land Use Plan. An addendum to a previously adopted EIR has been prepared in accordance with CEQA; Project Address: Airport Area Specific Plan; Case #: SPEC0457-2023; Zone: M and C-S; Applicant: City of San Luis Obispo.

Contact: Rachel Cohen – 805-781-7574 – rcohen@ slocity.org

The Planning Commission may also discuss other hearing or business items before or after the item(s) listed above. If you challenge the proposed action in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing.

Report(s) are typically available six days in advance of the meeting and can be viewed on the City’s website, under the Public Meeting Agendas web page: https:// www.slocity.org/government/mayor-and-city-council/ agendas-and-minutes. Please call The Community Development Department at (805) 781-7170 for more information, or to request an agenda report. The Planning Commission meeting will be televised live on Charter Cable Channel 20 and live streaming on the City’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/ CityofSanLuisObispo.

February 6, 2025

PUBLISHED NOTICE INVITING BIDS

DOWNTOWN PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT NO. 22-08

SEALED BIDS will be received by the City Clerk, or designee, of the City of El Paso de Robles until March 20, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. for the DOWNTOWN PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS, DPW Project No. 22-08. Please be certain that any bid submitted is sealed and addressed and noted as follows:

City Clerk

City of El Paso de Robles

1000 Spring Street Paso Robles, CA 93446

Sealed Bid for DOWNTOWN PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS, DPW Project No. 22-08

Following the closure of the bid submittal period, bids will be publicly opened and read for performing work as follows: Furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, and performing all work necessary and incidental to the construction of the project known as DOWNTOWN PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS, DPW Project No. 22-08, according to drawings and specifications prepared by the City of El Paso de Robles and according to the Contract Documents. The work shall include, but is not limited to, pavement rehabilitation, concrete surface improvements, drainage improvements, lighting improvements, signage and striping improvements, along with retaining walls, landscaping, and installing EV charging stations. Contractor to provide all necessary work plans, permits, and inspections necessary, all as shown on the plans and/or as specified herein.

Project is to be completed within One Hundred Twenty (120) WORKING days from the date specified in the Notice to Proceed. The Contractor shall pay to the City of El Paso de Robles the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), for each and every calendar day’s delay in finishing the work in excess of the calendar day completion time.

The California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) implemented amendments to the In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulations (“Regulation”) which went into effect on January 1, 2024 and apply broadly to all self-propelled off road diesel vehicles 25 horsepower or greater and other forms of equipment used in California. A copy of the Regulation is available at https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/barcu/regact/2022/offroaddiesel/appa-1.pdf. Bidders are required to comply with all CARB and Regulation requirements, including, without limitation, all applicable sections of the Regulation, as codified in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations section 2449 et seq. throughout the duration of the Project. Bidders must provide, with their Bid, copies of Bidder’s and all listed subcontractors’ most recent, valid Certificate of Reported Compliance (“CRC”) issued by CARB. Failure to provide valid CRCs as required herein may render the Bid non-responsive.

Copies of the Bid Documents are now on file and available for public inspection at Public Works Department at 1000 Spring Street, El Paso de Robles, California. Interested bidders must obtain copies of the documents electronically.

The Contract Documents will be available electronically, at no cost, at DemandStar Paso Robles, CA. Use the link DemandStar Paso Robles, CA to navigate to the website for out to bid projects. To download the Bid Documents, the user must register as a user on the site. It is the responsibility of each prospective bidder to download and print all Bid Documents for review and to verify the completeness of Bid Documents before submitting a bid. Any Addenda will be posted at DemandStar Paso Robles, CA. It is the responsibility of each prospective bidder to check DemandStar Paso Robles, CA on a daily basis through the close of bids for any applicable addenda or updates. DemandStar Paso Robles, CA sends email notifications to ONLY those registered on their website. The City does not assume any liability or responsibility based on any defective or incomplete copying, excerpting, scanning, faxing, downloading or printing of the Bid Documents. Information on DemandStar Paso Robles, CA may change without notice to prospective bidders. The Contract Documents shall supersede any information posted or transmitted by any other vendor besides the City.

Bidding procedures are prescribed in the Contract Documents. Each bidder must submit bid security in one of the following forms: cash, cashier’s check payable to City, a certified check payable to City, or a bid bond in the form included with the bid documents, executed by an admitted surety insurer, made payable to City in an amount equal to at least 10% of the total amount of the bid or proposal.

Pursuant to Section 1770, et seq. of the California Labor Code, the successful bidder and all subcontractors shall pay not less than the prevailing rate of per diem wages as determined by the Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations.

Pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5, for bids due on or after March 1, 2015, all contractors and subcontractors that wish to bid on, be listed in a bid proposal for, or enter into a contract to perform work on the Project must be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to Labor Code sections 1725.5 and 1771.1. No bid will be accepted, nor any contract entered into if the bidder is not registered as required by law.

Pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 22300, for monies earned by the Contractor and withheld by City of El Paso de Robles to ensure the performance of the Contract, the Contractor may, at its option, choose to substitute securities meeting the requirements of Public Contract Code Section 22300.

All bidders shall be licensed under the provisions of the Business and Professions Code to do the type of work contemplated in the project. In accordance with provisions of California Public Contract Code Section 3300, City has determined that the Contractor shall possess a valid Class A (General Engineering) License at the time that the bid is submitted. Failure to possess the specified license shall render the bid non-responsive.

The successful bidder will be required to furnish a payment bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, as well as a faithful performance bond, in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price. The bonds shall be on the forms included in the Contract Documents.

City reserves the right to reject any or all bids; to make any awards or any rejections in what it alone considers to be in the best interest of City and waive any informalities or irregularities in the bids. The contract will be awarded, if at all, to the responsible bidder that submits the lowest responsive bid. City will determine the low bid.

Date: February 6, 2025

By:

PUBLISHED NOTICE INVITING BIDS

ANNUAL PAVEMENT STRIPING AND MARKERS REFRESHMENT

PROJECT NO. 24-20

SEALED BIDS will be received by the City Clerk, or designee, of the City of El Paso de Robles until March 6, at 2:00 p.m. for Annual Pavement Striping and Markers Refreshment, DPW Project No. 24-20. Please be certain that any bid submitted is sealed and addressed and noted as follows:

City Clerk

City of El Paso de Robles

Public Works Department

4305 Second Wind Way Paso Robles, CA 93446

Sealed Bid for Potholing for Huer Huero Bridge, DPW Project No. 19-05B

Following the closure of the bid submittal period, bids will be publicly opened and read for performing work as follows: Furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, and performing all work necessary and incidental to the construction of the project known as Annual Pavement Striping and Markers Refreshment, DPW Project No. 24-20 according to drawings and specifications prepared by the City of El Paso de Robles and according to the Contract Documents. The work shall include, but is not limited to, removal of existing pavement lines and markers, preparation of surface to receive new pavement lines and markers, and bicycle lane improvements, all as shown on the plans and/or as specified herein

Project is to be completed within Thirty (30) WORKING days from the date specified in the Notice to Proceed. The Contractor shall pay to the City of El Paso de Robles the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), for each and every calendar day’s delay in finishing the work in excess of the calendar day completion time.

The California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) implemented amendments to the In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulations (“Regulation”) which went into effect on January 1, 2024 and apply broadly to all self-propelled off road diesel vehicles 25 horsepower or greater and other forms of equipment used in California. A copy of the Regulation is available at https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/barcu/regact/2022/offroaddiesel/appa-1.pdf Bidders are required to comply with all CARB and Regulation requirements, including, without limitation, all applicable sections of the Regulation, as codified in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations section 2449 et seq. throughout the duration of the Project. Bidders must provide, with their Bid, copies of Bidder’s and all listed subcontractors’ most recent, valid Certificate of Reported Compliance (“CRC”) issued by CARB. Failure to provide valid CRCs as required herein may render the Bid non-responsive.

Copies of the Bid Documents are now on file and available for public inspection at Public Works Department at 4305 Second Wind Way, El Paso de Robles, California. Interested bidders must obtain copies of the documents electronically.

The Contract Documents will be available electronically, at no cost, at DemandStar Paso Robles, CA. Use the link DemandStar Paso Robles, CA. to navigate to the City’s website for out to bid projects. To download the Bid Documents, the user must register as a user on the site. It is the responsibility of each prospective bidder to download and print all Bid Documents for review and to verify the completeness of Bid Documents before submitting a bid. Any Addenda will be posted at DemandStar Paso Robles, CA.

It is the responsibility of each prospective bidder to check DemandStar Paso Robles, CA. on a daily basis through the close of bids for any applicable addenda or updates. DemandStar Paso Robles, CA. sends email notifications to ONLY those registered on the City’s website. The City does not assume any liability or responsibility based on any defective or incomplete copying, excerpting, scanning, faxing, downloading or printing of the Bid Documents. Information on DemandStar Paso Robles, CA may change without notice to prospective bidders. The Contract Documents shall supersede any information posted or transmitted by any other vendor besides the City.

Bidding procedures are prescribed in the Contract Documents. Each bidder must submit bid security in one of the following forms: cash, cashier’s check payable to City, a certified check payable to City, or a bid bond in the form included with the bid documents, executed by an admitted surety insurer, made payable to City in an amount equal to at least 10% of the total amount of the bid or proposal.

Pursuant to Section 1770, et seq. of the California Labor Code, the successful bidder and all subcontractors shall pay not less than the prevailing rate of per diem wages as determined by the Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations.

Pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5, for bids due on or after March 1, 2015, all contractors and subcontractors that wish to bid on, be listed in a bid proposal for, or enter into a contract to perform work on the Project must be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to Labor Code sections 1725.5 and 1771.1. No bid will be accepted, nor any contract entered into if the bidder is not registered as required by law.

Pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 22300, for monies earned by the Contractor and withheld by City of El Paso de Robles to ensure the performance of the Contract, the Contractor may, at its option, choose to substitute securities meeting the requirements of Public Contract Code Section 22300.

All bidders shall be licensed under the provisions of the Business and Professions Code to do the type of work contemplated in the project. In accordance with provisions of California Public Contract Code Section 3300, City has determined that the Contractor shall possess a valid Class A (General Engineering) License at the time that the bid is submitted. Failure to possess the specified license shall render the bid non-responsive.

The successful bidder will be required to furnish a payment bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, as well as a faithful performance bond, in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price. The bonds shall be on the forms included in the Contract Documents.

City reserves the right to reject any or all bids; to make any awards or any rejections in what it alone considers to be in the best interest of City and waive any informalities or irregularities in the bids. The contract will be awarded, if at all, to the responsible bidder that submits the lowest responsive bid. City will determine the low bid.

Date: February 6, 2025 By: Kevin Wells, PMP. Assistant Capital Projects Manager

Publication Dates: - February 6, 2025 - February 13, 2025

PUBLIC NOTICE — CITY OF GROVER BEACH

NOTICE

OF INTENT TO CIRCULATE PETITION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the persons whose names appear hereon of their intention to circulate the petition within the City of Grover Beach for the purpose to adopt an ORDINANCE TO CREATE THE OFFICE OF THE ELECTED CITY ATTORNEY

A statement of the reasons for adoption of the proposed action by the petition is as follows:

The Grover Beach City Attorney should be part of our community and represent the Voters of Grover Beach, answer to Voters, and provide to the elected City Council, City Clerk, appointed City Manager and Department Heads independent advice and counsel faithful to California’s Constitution and Law. The City Attorney should not file any suit, writ or appeal without first being authorized by the City Council. Current contract city attorneys that represent multiple governments risk conflicts of interest and cannot keep faith exclusively with the Voters of Grover Beach.

The City Attorney is the one City official able to protect Voters’ rights to Open City Records, Open Public Meetings, and City action free from officials’ conflict of interest and corruption.

An Attorney serving a city population of less than 14,000 should not receive pay that exceeds the State Attorney General, who brings civil and criminal suits on behalf of 39 million Californians.

The appointed Grover Beach City Attorney firm, has violated the public interest by impairing access to city records, authorizing closed city council meetings, been complicit in impairing voters’ right to circulate and file petitions for recall in violation of California’s Constitution and Election Law, filed Appeal of a Superior Court ruling ordering certification of recall without prior City Council approval, has contracts with cities and districts all over California, and charges the City of Grover Beach for part-time civil work more than the State of California pays the Attorney General for full time representation in civil and criminal matters. The Voters find that the Office of Appointed City Attorney shall be immediately terminated for cause, as against the public interest.

An elected City Attorney should be, and must be a resident, be a City Elector (registered voter), and have continuously been an active licensed California Attorney for more than 10 years prior to filing nomination papers for the Office of City Attorney.

/s/ Debra Diane Peterson 160 S 3rd St Grover Beach 93433

/s/ Lesley Marr 1465 Farroll Road Grover Beach 93433

/s/ Sharon Elaine Biddle 900 Charles St Grover Beach 93433

AN INITIATIVE MEASURE PROPOSING TO CHANGE THE GROVER BEACH CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FROM AN APPOINTIVE TO AN ELECTIVE OFFICE

Under current local law, the Grover Beach City Attorney’s Office is appointive, meaning that the City Attorney is appointed by the City Council and serves at the pleasure of the City Council until removed by them.

This initiative would amend section 2017(C) and add sections 2110 through 2115 to the Grover Beach Municipal Code to change the City Attorney’s Office from a Council-appointive office to an elective office, meaning that Grover Beach voters would directly elect the City Attorney. The initiative would provide as follows:

• The City Attorney would be elected to a four-year term at each General Municipal Election that coincides with the Statewide Gubernatorial Election (Nov. 2026, 2030, 2034);

• The elected City Attorney’s salary would be capped at no greater than 80% of the compensation received by the California Attorney General in the year prior to the City Attorney’s elected four-term term;

• The elected City Attorney would not receive any severance pay or compensation upon resignation, not seeking reelection, or another being elected as City Attorney;

• The elected City Attorney must represent the City exclusively and could not individually represent any other city, district or county; nor be employed by or be a partner in a firm that represents such other agencies;

• A City Attorney candidate must, prior to filing nomination papers, be a resident elector of the City and must have continuously been a licensed California attorney for 10 or more years and not have served as Grover Beach Acting City Attorney within 2 years of filing nomination papers; and

• The City Council may establish subordinate positions in the City Attorney’s Office, such as assistant city attorneys, paralegals and secretaries. The elected City Attorney would have the exclusive authority to hire and fire such subordinate employees;

• If a court holds that Grover Beach voters may not directly elect a City Attorney, the City Clerk shall accept nomination papers from qualified candidates, and the City Council must place an advisory measure on the ballot in the general election asking voters which nominated persons shall serve as City Attorney. Upon certification of the advisory vote, the City Council must immediately appoint the person receiving the highest number of votes in each such election for a fouryear term;

• Within 30 days of adoption of this initiative measure, the City Council shall meet to temporarily fill the office of City Attorney with an Acting City Attorney to perform until the next General Municipal Election. The Acting City Attorney must have continuously been a licensed California attorney for 10 or more years prior to appointment, must be a resident of San Luis Obispo County and meet the fidelity and compensation requirements of this measure;

• This measure could not be amended, except upon future voter approval.

/s/ William J. “Jim” Priest, Special Legal Counsel Acting on behalf of the Grover Beach City Attorney Feb 6, 2025 GroverH2O-2025PRT01

Ad paid for by Grover H2O

CITY OF MORRO BAY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Morro Bay City Council will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. to consider the following matter. This public hearing will be conducted in a hybrid format with opportunities for public comment both in-person at the Morro Bay Veterans Memorial Building, 209 Surf Street, Morro Bay, CA 93442, as well as through virtual public participation via Zoom. Details for virtual participation will be provided on the meeting agenda. Staff reports, plans and other information related to the interim zoning/urgency ordinance are available for public review at the Community Development Department, 955 Shasta Avenue, Morro Bay, CA and are available on the City of Morro Bay website at www.morrobayca.gov/agenda three (3) business days prior to the hearing. Ways to participate, watch, and submit public comment for this meeting are provided on the agenda.

Written comments are also accepted by the City Council via email at council@morrobayca.gov or by mail prior to the meeting to the Community Development Department, c/o City Hall at 595 Harbor Street, Morro Bay, California, 93442. All agenda correspondence received by 10 am on the meeting day will be posted on the city website.

Proposal: Hearing to consider: 1) an ordinance extending the expiration date of interim zoning / urgency ordinance (Ordinance No. 668) by 22 months and 15 days (from March 14, 2025 to January 28, 2027) to prohibit the application, acceptance, approval, commencement, establishment, operation, relocation, or expansion of grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) facilities within the city-limits; and 2) a staff report describing the measures being taken to alleviate the condition which led to the adoption of the interim ordinance

Location: Citywide

CEQA Determination: Exempt under Sections 15061(b) (3), 15307, and 15308.

Staff Recommendation: Adoption of the proposed ordinance.

Staff Contact: Airlin Singewald, Community Development Director, (805) 772-6291, asingewald@morrobayca.gov

Airlin Singewald

Community Development Director

February 6, 2025

CITY OF MORRO NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Morro Bay City Council will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on Tuesday, FEBRUARY 18, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Veteran’s Memorial Building, located at 209 Surf Street in the City of Morro Bay, to consider the following matter. Staff reports, plans, and other information related to this case is available for public review at the Community Development Department, 955 Shasta Avenue, Morro Bay, CA and also on the city’s website at www. morrobayca.gov/1067/city-council-agendas three (3) business days prior to the hearing.

Ways to participate, watch, and submit public comment for this meeting are provided on the agenda. Written comments are also accepted by the City Council via email at council@morrobayca.gov or by mail prior to the meeting to the Community Development Department, c/o City Hall at 595 Harbor Street, Morro Bay, California, 93442.

Case No: Conditional Use Permit (CUP24-03), Coastal Development Permit (CDP24-027), Variance Request (VAR25-001), and Variance Request (VAR25-002)

Site Location: 460 Errol Street, Morro Bay, CA

Proposal: Request for Planning Commission approval for eight (8) recreational vehicle (RV) stalls, eight (8) parking stalls, perimeter landscaping and fencing within an RV park on a vacant 16,532 square foot (s.f.) parcel. There are also two (2) variance requests; one is for approval to construct a 6’-6” privacy fence at the street-side property line, and the other is for approval to permit an onsite storage container (20’ L x 8’ W x 8.5’ H). An environmentally sensitive habitat area will remain undeveloped. The property is in the Visitor-Serving Commercial (V-SC) zoning district and is located within the California Coastal Commission appeals jurisdiction. CEQA: Exempt under Section 15332, Class 32 for In-Fill Development Projects.

Staff Recommendation: Recommendation to Planning Commission for approval with attached conditions.

Staff Contact: Kim Fowler, Planning Manager, 805-772-6577, kfowler@morrobayca.gov Airlin Singewald Community Development Director February 6, 2025

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

Date of Notice: February 6, 2025

Name of Responsible Entity: County of San Luis Obispo, Department of Social Services (DSS)

Address: P.O. Box 8119

City, State, Zip Code: San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8119

Telephone Number: Attn: Marge Castle, Program Manager, (805) 788-9491, mrcastle@co.slo.ca.us

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the County of San Luis Obispo. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about February 24, 2025, the County of San Luis Obispo, as the Responsible Entity and designated administrator of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program for the Urban County of San Luis Obispo, will submit a request to the Los Angeles Field Office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of CDBG funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.), to undertake a project known as People’s Self-Help Housing Site Clearing for the purpose of the removal of spot blight conditions at 2455 El Camino Real, Atascadero, California (APN: 049-151-056) with estimated funding of $154,712.

Project Description:

The proposed project for site clearing will eliminate spot blight conditions which include a dilapidated single-family residence and garage/shed building on the subject property. The existing on-site single-family residence is approximately 1,320 square feet and was built in 1948. The garage/ shed structure is approximately 750 square feet. The structures and their use have remained the same since 1948 and have not been improved, contributing to the spot blight conditions evidenced by dilapidated and deteriorated unkept structures representing a health and safety nuisance and vagrant activity. The structures are wood-frame construction and composite roofing built with slab on grade. The site is approximately 1.95-acre parcel consisting of primarily undeveloped land with a vacant single-family residence and associated garage/ shed located on-site. The site will be cleared to eliminate existing spot blight conditions including a single-family residence and a garage/shed structure. The project site is zoned “Residential Multi-Family” (RMF) by the City of Atascadero. The surrounding built environment consists of existing residential development to the south and east, with retail commercial development located to the west and northwest (between El Camino Real and Highway 101) and vacant land and large-lot single-family residences to the north. The project site terrain is slightly to moderately sloping with elevations varying from approximately 935 feet above mean sea level (MSL) on the eastside of the property to approximately 880 feet MSL to the west adjacent to El Camino Real.

Statement of Purpose and Need for the Proposal [40 CFR 1508.9(b)]:

The purpose of the Project is to remove spot blight conditions on the property. The dilapidated and deteriorating condition of the existing structures on-site, the risk to public health and safety and the illegal activity these conditions attract to the site, the properties are considered spot blighted based on the SBS national objective. Site clearing including the elimination of the structures on the subject property would address these blighted conditions and provide an improvement to neighborhood health and safety.

Allocation: $ 154,712.00 in 2022 CDBG funds

Total Funds: $ 154,712.00

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The County of San Luis Obispo has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at County of San Luis Obispo, Department of Social Services, 3433 S. Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, CA and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Electronic copies of the document are also available for review. Please contact Marge Castle, Program Manager (805) 788-9491, mrcastle@co.slo.ca.us during operating hours as noted above.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the County of San Luis Obispo, Department of Social Services, PO Box 8119, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8119, Attn.: Marge Castle, Program Manager. All comments received by February 23, 2025, will be considered by the County of San Luis Obispo prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The County of San Luis Obispo certifies to The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that Mark LaRue in his capacity as the Deputy Director of the Department of Planning & Building consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The HUD/Los Angeles Field Office’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities allowing the County of San Luis Obispo to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

The HUD/Los Angeles Field Office will accept objections to its release of funds and the County of San Luis Obispo’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the County of San Luis Obispo; (b) the County of San Luis Obispo has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD/Los Angeles Field Office; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality.

Objections under CDBG must be prepared and submitted via email in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD Los Angeles Office of Community Planning and Development Department at CPDLA@HUD.gov Potential objectors should contact the HUD Los Angeles Office of Community Planning and Development Department via email to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Mark LaRue

Department of Planning & Building County of San Luis Obispo

976 Osos Street, Room 300

San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

February 6, 2025

Free Will Astrology by Rob Brezsny

Homework: Here are all your long-term, big-picture horoscopes for 2025: tinyurl.com/yourdestiny2025

ARIES

(March 21-April 19): The world’s largest mirror isn’t an actual mirror. It’s Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni salt flat, a vast area that’s almost perfectly flat. After a rain, a thin layer of calm water transforms the surface into a perfect reflector that can be used to calibrate observation satellites. In these conditions, it may be almost impossible to tell where the earth begins and the sky ends. I foresee metaphorically similar developments for you during the coming weeks. Boundaries between different aspects of your world—professional and personal, spiritual and practical—might blur in interesting ways. A temporary dissolution of the usual limits may offer you surprising insights and unexpected opportunities for realignment. Be alert for helpful clues about how to adjust the way you see things.

TAURUS

(April 20-May 20): From day to day, glaciers appear static. But they are actually slow-moving rivers of ice that have tremendous creative power. They can make or reshape valleys, moving tons of dirt and rock. They pulverize, grind, and topple trees, hills, and even mountains. New lakes may emerge in the course of their activity. I invite you to imagine yourself as a glacier in the coming months, Taurus. Exult in your steady transformative power. Notice and keep track of your slow but sure progress. Trust that your persistence will ultimately accomplish wonders and marvels.

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20): In recent weeks, have you stirred up any dynamic fantasies about exotic sanctuaries or faraway places or mercurial wild cards? Have you delivered enticing messages to inspiring beauties or brave freedom-fighters or vibrant networkers? Have you been monitoring the activities of longshots or future helpers or unification adepts who might be useful to you sooner than you imagine? Finally, Gemini, have you noticed I’m suggesting that everything important will arise in threes—except when they come in twos, in which case you should hunt for the missing third? PS: When the wild things call to you, respond promptly.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22): Archaeologists found two 43,000-year-old flutes in Germany. Constructed of mammoth ivory and bird bone, they still produce clear notes with perfect pitch. They were located in a cave that contains ancient examples of figurative art. Some genius way back then regarded art and music as a pleasurable pairing! I propose we make these instruments your power symbols for the coming weeks, Cancerian. May they inspire you to resuscitate the value of your past accomplishments. May you call on the help of melodies and memories that still resonate—and that can inspire your future adventures! Your words of power are regeneration, revival, and reanimation.

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22): It’s your unbirthday season, Leo—the holiday that’s halfway between your last birthday and your next. During this interlude, you could benefit from clarifying what you don’t want, don’t believe, and don’t like. You may generate good fortune for yourself by going on a quest to discover rich potentials and stirring possibilities that are as-yet hidden or unexpressed. I hope you will be bold enough to scan the frontiers for sources of beauty and truth that you have been missing. During your unbirthday season, you will be wise to gather the rest of the information you will need to make a smart gamble or daring change.

VIRGO

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Austrian playwright Elfriede Jelinek won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2004, and Romanian-German author Herta Müller earned it in 2009. But garnering the world’s most prestigious award for writers did not provide a big boost to their book sales. In some markets, their famous works are now out of print. In 2025, I hope you Virgos do in your own spheres what they only half-accomplished in theirs. I would love for you to gather more appreciation and attention while simultaneously raising your income. According to my reading of the astrological omens, this is a reasonable expectation.

LIBRA

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): By day, Libra-born Forrest Bess (1911-1977) worked as a commercial fisherman in Texas. By night, he created visionary paintings inspired by symbols that appeared to him in states between sleeping and waking. Other influences in his art came from alchemy, the psychological philosophy of Carl Jung, and Indigenous Australian rituals. His life was living proof that mystical exploration and mundane work could coexist. I’m hoping he might serve you as an inspirational role model. You are in a phase when you have the power to blend and synergize seemingly opposing aspects of your world. You would be wise to meditate on how to find common ground between practical necessity and spiritual aspiration. Are there ways you can unite the desires of your head and heart? Of your need for safety and your longing for adventure? Of your craving for beauty and your fondness for usefulness?

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, arranged for himself to be buried after death with an army of 8,000 soldiers made from terracotta, which is a clay ceramic. Joining the gang below the earth’s surface were 770 horses and 130 chariots. For over 2,000 years, this assemblage was lost and forgotten. But in 1974, farmers digging a new well found it accidentally. In this spirit, I am predicting that sometime in the next five months, you will make interesting discoveries while looking for something other than what you find. They won’t be as spectacular as the terracotta army, but I bet they will be fun and life changing.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Author Zora Neale Hurston said, “There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” I will adjust that counsel for your use, Sagittarius. According to my astrological analysis, the first half of 2025 will ask questions, and the second half will answer them. For best results, I invite you to gather and polish your best questions in the next five months, carefully defining and refining them. When July begins, tell life you are ready to receive replies to your carefully wrought inquiries.

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Hemoglobin is an iron-bearing protein that’s crucial to most life. It enables the transportation of oxygen in the blood. But one species, the icefish of the Antarctic seas, lacks hemoglobin. They evolved other ways to obtain and circulate enough oxygen in the frozen depths, including larger hearts and blood vessels. The system they’ve developed works well. So they are examples of how to adjust to an apparent problem in ways that lead to fine evolutionary innovations. I suspect you’re now in the midst of your own personal version of a comparable adaptation. Keep up the good work!

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Born under the sign of Aquarius, Clyde Tombaugh discovered the heavenly body known as Pluto in 1930. This was years before he earned advanced degrees in astronomy. His early education was primarily self-directed. The telescopes he used to learn the sky were built from tractor parts and old car components from his father’s farm. During the coming months, I surmise there will be elements of your life resembling Tombaugh’s story. Your intuition and instincts will bring you insights that may seem unearned or premature. (They’re not!) You will garner breakthroughs that seem to be arriving from the future.

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20): One of the world’s deepest caves is Veryovkina in the nation of Georgia. At its lowest, it’s 7,257 feet down. There are creatures living there that are found nowhere else on earth. I propose we make it your symbolic power spot for now. In my astrological opinion, you will be wise to dive further into the unknown depths than you have in quite some time. Fascinating mysteries and useful secrets await you. Your motto: “Go deeper and deeper and deeper.”