New Times, Jan. 5, 2023

BY SHWETHA SUNDARRAJAN

Whale entanglement potential, “low quality meat,” and delayed season openings often disrupt local crabbers’ ability to do their job. This season was no different, but this year, as Dungeness crabbers are allowed to finally start putting their equipment in the water, they have to deal with a new rule.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife cut the equipment that crabbers fishing between Humboldt and Santa Barbara are allowed to use in half due to humpback whale sightings. Staff Writer Shwetha Sundarrajan speaks with crabbers about what it means [9]

Also this week, read about the increased demand for animal shelter services and what it means for local spots [8]; a future art hotspot in SLO [20], and a cottage bakery that could deliver homemade confections to your door [26].

Camillia Lanham editor

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SLO County swears in new Board of Supervisors majority

The fierce campaigning, vicious attack ads, and bitter recounts of 2022 made way for joyous smiles, thunderous applause, and a peaceful changing of the guard at the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors’ first meeting of 2023.

Newly elected supervisors Bruce Gibson, Dawn Ortiz-Legg, and Jimmy Paulding took their oaths of office on Jan. 3 in front of an overflow crowd of supporters and local leaders inside the newly named Katcho Achadjian Government Center.

“It is an honor and pleasure to be sitting here today. It’s been quite a journey to get here,” said Paulding, a first-term 4th District supervisor from Arroyo Grande. “I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”

“We have had a little bit of a legacy here of some partisanship, some division, and I want to tackle that head-on and try to bring to this board a fresh perspective,” Paulding said.

While the board majority received effusive cheers from the meeting crowd, the audience reserved its loudest standing ovation for Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano, who was also sworn in on Jan. 3.

an outstanding fashion, and they deserve all our gratitude and respect for that,” he said, garnering applause.

Redistricting emerged as a theme during the Jan. 3 meeting. Public commenters asked that the new board majority reconsider its position on the county’s 2021-adopted supervisorial map—known as the Patten map—which is in the throes of litigation for alleged gerrymandering.

“I’m hopeful that perhaps you can do something to remedy it,” Los Osos resident Vita Miller said. “I really believe with the passage of the Patten map you woke a sleeping giant in this county. I haven’t seen this level of energy, commitment, and action by so many people throughout the county until this election.”

Carl Dudley, who identified as a “small R” Republican from San Luis Obispo, said that the

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The trio’s swearingsin—and the jubilant fanfare that accompanied them— marked the dawn of a new era in SLO County politics, as local voters elected the county’s first Democratic supervisor majority in nearly a decade.

It also signaled the end of a five-year run of Republican governance led by 1st District Supervisor John Peschong, former 4th District Supervisor Lynn Compton, and 5th District Supervisor Debbie Arnold.

The significance of that was not lost on Jan. 3 meeting attendees. Locals expressed enthusiasm about the new majority coming to power and called for less partisanship in county government.

“I hope this board does not re-partisanize the electoral and governing process the way it’s been repartisanized by the Republican Party for most of the last eight years, both at this board and nationally,” Atascadero resident Fred Monroe said during public comment. “Let’s do a better job.”

Paulding echoed that in his first-ever comments from the dais. The former Arroyo Grande City Council member said he wanted to “work together, build consensus, and do what’s right for everybody.”

Paso moves ahead with Pioneer Park sale, awaits state approval

Seven years of negotiations over the sale of Pioneer Park to the state of California are close to resolution after the Paso Robles City Council’s recent approval of a new agreement between the parties.

The decision met with raucous applause from attendees at the Dec. 20 council meeting.

“It certainly goes a long way to making sure we keep the Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles,” resident Dale Gustin said during the public comment.

The deal involves selling 5.6 acres of the city-

Cano oversaw two supervisor elections in June and November that ended in recounts, as her office weathered criticism from losing candidates and their supporters amid a heated political environment.

Gibson—who won his reelection as 2nd District supervisor by a mere 13 votes—commended Cano and her office from the dais, saying that “our democratic processes have held” in the face of “enormous, almost unbelievable pressure.”

“Your team has stood strong, has done its job in

owned Pioneer Park to the state so that the MidState Fair board—also known as the state’s 16th District Agricultural Association (DAA)—can have additional land for staging and other operations at the Paso Robles Event Center. According to a city staff report, these plans include an expansion and reorientation of the Event Center’s Grandstand Arena and a full demolition and remodel of the Paso Robles Pavilion buildings at the north end of the grounds.

According to previous New Times reporting, issues arose when the state Department of General Services asked for modifications to the original agreement that the city approved. Paso Robles City Manager Ty Lewis told New Times via email that

county’s redistricting last year left him without a supervisor and called for the board to bring the community together.

“The recent elections have shown that you have to take both sides of the aisle when you redistrict,” Dudley said. “That apparently was not done, however the people felt it should have been done. I ask all of you to work together and realize that the country, and even this county, is very divided, and let’s get it back to where it belongs.”

—Peter Johnson

the state still hadn’t approved the agreement despite the city giving it the go-ahead around 2015 and 2016.

“Since many years had passed since the original agreement was authorized by the City Council, the agreement had to be approved by the state of California, which required many levels of review,” Lewis wrote. “Working with the state Department of General Services was challenging, but the city and DAA board worked their way through the process.”

According to City Attorney Elizabeth Hull, the 5.6-acre portion of Pioneer Park property will still be sold for $800,000. She told the City Council that

NEW LEADERSHIP A new SLO County Board of Supervisors majority of 2nd District Supervisor Bruce Gibson, 4th District Supervisor Jimmy Paulding, and 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg (left to right) took their oaths of office on Jan. 3.

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

the city still retains the right to reacquire the property for the sales price if the DAA doesn’t adhere to the agreement terms.

“All of the deal terms have stayed the same as when you agreed to them in the 2015-16 timeframe,” Hull said during the Dec. 20 meeting. “They’ve been reworded a little bit, but the bulk of it is basically the exact same deal.”

Previous issues in the lease agreement included whether Paso’s youth teams could continue to use the lighted baseball field until another one would be built. Lewis told New Times that the baseball fields would stay in place, with Hull clarifying at the Dec. 20 meeting that the baseball fields would be usable for the next three years until a new baseball field is constructed.

“The approval finalizes the sale [of] a portion of Pioneer Park to include the baseball field,” Lewis wrote. “This means the city must begin the process of identifying a replacement.”

Although the City Council approved the agreement, Hull said that it still has a ways to go until the 5.6 acres of Pioneer Park can be used for the Mid-State Fair, slated this year for July 19 through 30.

“[The agreement] will sell the land to the state, eventually ending up in the fair’s control,” Hull said. “They have a complicated system but it’s going to go through the [state] Department of Public Works, get approved there, and will be available for the Mid-State Fair for use.”

—Shwetha Sundarrajan

Phone scams impersonating

Sheriff’s Office return to SLO

An old scam reappeared in San Luis Obispo County with a new disguise.

In December 2022, the SLO County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning about scam phone calls where swindlers impersonate members of local law enforcement.

“Typically, in the past, we would get reports of these types of scams around the holidays,” Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tony Cipolla told New Times on Jan. 3. “But now it seems they occur throughout the year and not just targeted at one specific timeframe.”

According to the public alert, scammers use technology that warps the caller ID to show that the call is coming from the Sheriff’s Office. When the call is picked up, the callers warn residents that a warrant is out for their arrest because they failed to appear for jury duty. These callers then inform residents that the warrant can be cleared by providing the information from their Green Dot card or prepaid debit card.

Cipolla added that reports of this scam come from all over the county and often target senior citizens.

“The scams usually are the same type from year to year but will sometimes add a new twist to it,” he said via email. “In the most recent case, they included the names of actual judges to make their ‘pitch’ sound even more official.”

Roughly a year ago, Orcutt resident and mental health professional Dr. Nicole Dolan received a call from a man claiming to be a SLO County Sheriff’s Office sergeant, according to previous New Times reporting. Using heavy police jargon, the fraudster told her that she missed a subpoena to testify for a client. It resulted in Dolan paying him $5,000.

Nationally, imposter fraud is on the rise. According to data from the Federal Trade Commission, 2021 tallied nearly 1 million reports of imposter scams, with approximately a third of them being people posing as government officials.

Cipolla said that two other ploys also plague residents—Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and grandparent scams.

“The caller poses as an IRS representative who tells the victim that they owe money to the IRS, and they must pay through a preloaded debit card or wire transfer, or they could face jail time,” he said.

He added that the IRS never calls to demand immediate payment or that taxes be paid without giving the chance to question or appeal the amount allegedly owned.

“The IRS will never ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone or threaten to bring in law enforcement to have you arrested for not paying,” Cipolla said.

The grandparent scam is one where the imposter poses as a grandchild in jail or in a hospital in a foreign country. They usually demand money for bail or emergency medical treatment. Cipolla advised residents to verify the call by immediately contacting the actual grandchild’s number or another family member to determine legitimacy. He added that money should never be wired based on a phone or email request.

“Resist the pressure to act quickly. Wiring money is like giving cash, once you send it, you cannot get it back,” Cipolla said. “The same goes for a pre-paid debit card. There’s virtually no way to trace where the money is sent or who receives the money.”

—Bulbul Rajagopal

SLO city to keep its election model after settlement

The city of San Luis Obispo will maintain its at-large election model and not adopt city council districts after reaching a settlement with an attorney who’d accused it of violating the California Voting Rights Act.

SLO Mayor Erica Stewart told New Times that both parties in the negotiations, which date back to 2019, ultimately agreed that a by-district election model wouldn’t improve minority representation on the City Council due to the city’s demographics.

“One-size-fits-all just doesn’t work,” Stewart said of the by-district model. “My desire is to help increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in this community. If districts would have done that, I would’ve been 100 percent behind it. It just didn’t make sense.”

According to the written settlement agreement, SLO’s Latino population makes up 18.6 percent of the city—but that population is spread out across the city in a manner that makes creating a district to empower it next to impossible. Only seven of the city’s 705 census blocks have a majority Latino population, totaling 82 people.

“In some communities, you have a Latinx community, or a Black neighborhood, or an Asian or Indian neighborhood. There are some communities where that’s how it is. We don’t have that based on our demographic studies,” Stewart said.

SLO couldn’t even create a district where the Latino population exceeds 30 percent of the population, per the settlement. Any attempt to carve out a Latino-influenced district would likely violate gerrymandering laws in turn, according to City Attorney Christine Dietrick.

“You would have to have the craziest looking district that sort of gerrymanders solely based on race in order to capture the Latino population,” Dietrick said.

Stewart added that splitting SLO into districts could have the opposite effect of empowering minority voices—it could diminish them. She said that the at-large system allows residents to gain broad-based support across the entire community.

“You can pull together in the city at large and activate around an issue,” Stewart said. “If we didn’t have that ability to come together, then you’re diluting the races even more.”

Under the settlement, SLO will pay Santa Barbara-based lawyer Robert Goodman— who represented resident Jamie Gomez in the Voting Rights Act claim—$17,257 in fees. Goodman’s office did not respond to a request for comment before press time.

Dietrick called the settlement a reasonable outcome to the case. It’s one that numerous other cities throughout the state have failed to reach. Litigation threats from the California Voting Rights Act Project—the larger campaign pushing the by-district model—spurred localities like Paso Robles, Arroyo Grande, and Grover Beach to change systems.

“The city was in no way suggesting that this might not be the right tool under the right circumstance,” Dietrick said. “Our analytics early on were very comprehensive and clearly demonstrated that this was not only not going to advance our diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives, but in fact be contrary to them.”

—Peter Johnson

Morro Bay’s Water

to 80 percent of the city’s future water needs and help establish a drought buffer.

“The new components that are going to be built out will enable the city in dry years to operate our facility in such a way as to produce more water, so that’s what residents can expect,” Kwolek said.

Throughout the entirety of the project’s existence, community members like Betty Winholtz, co-chair of the Citizens for Affordable Living Morro Bay, have watched the facility’s progress. Even though the city met the Regional Water Quality Control Board’s deadline earlier than expected, Winholtz still believes there are issues that still need to get addressed, per the California Coastal Commission’s permit.

“We’ve noticed that things aren’t done on a timely basis in the correct order, and all the requirements in the permit have yet to be fulfilled,” Winholtz said.

Those requirements, Winholz added, include the pending demolition of the old sewer plant, an agricultural easement that still hasn’t been completed, and rain runoff.

“The runoff from the plant has not been fixed since last year’s runoff. There’s mud that continues to come off the hills and continues to go down the ditch they built, but all that it’s done is funnel the mud right into the Caltrans drain, which goes right into the estuary,” Winholtz said. “We continue to be concerned about the impact of this plant on the cleanliness and the impact it will have on the estuary.”

According to Kwolek, a majority of 2023 will be spent focusing on improving existing infrastructure.

Reclamation

Facility operational ahead of schedule

After two years of construction, Morro Bay’s Water Reclamation Facility is ahead of schedule.

According to Greg Kwolek, director of Public Works, the expected completion date for the facility was March 23, 2023, but the city already hit that deadline set by the Regional Water Quality Control Board.

“We’ve been taking all the city’s wastewater for over a month now, through that new plant so the old wastewater treatment plant is now offline,” Kwolek said on Dec. 27.

The new facility, located on South Bay Boulevard north of Highway 1, includes two new lift stations as well as 3.5 miles of pipelines and wells that inject purified water into the groundwater aquifer, which can be reused through the city’s existing infrastructure.

Despite being ahead of schedule, Kwolek said that there are some aspects of the advanced wastewater treatment that the city is still working on.

“Our residents and our ratepayers can expect to still see some construction over the next couple of years, so that we can build out indirect potable reuse,” Kwolek said. “As a result, we expect to have a much more reliable and resilient water supply for the city of Morro Bay.”

According to the State Water Resources Control Board’s website, indirect potable reuse provides a way to convert recycled water into drinking water through a suitable environmental barrier. The city’s website says that the reclamation facility will provide up

“We’re a small town. This is a pretty big undertaking for a city like ours. And with our proportionate resources and staff resources and revenue sources, I think we’ve done a lot, and I think it’s pretty amazing,” Kwolek said. “Looking ahead, it’s not going to be so much about the plan, but catching up with maintenance of our existing water and wastewater infrastructure. So we have projects that are in progress to fix, rebuild, build water and sewer infrastructure.”

—Shwetha Sundarrajan

SLO County prepares for powerful rainstorm

The National Weather Service anticipated that hazardous weather conditions would grip San Luis Obispo County from Jan. 4 to late the next morning.

That notice put Jonathan Stornetta, the Paso Robles fire and emergency services chief, on high alert.

“We’re expecting 2 to 4 inches of rain in the valley that includes Paso Robles, 4 to 6 inches in the mountains, and half to 1 inch of rain every hour,” he said before the storm.

Supposed to start around 4 p.m. on Jan. 4, when New Times goes to press, the flood watch was expected to remain in effect until 10 a.m. on Jan. 5. The Weather Service forecasted flooding from excessive rain to be the greatest threat in urban areas and in places near and below the Alisal burn scar in Santa Barbara County.

Paso Robles issued an evacuation warning on Jan. 3 because the Salinas River within city limits is prone to overflowing during powerful storm events.

“It could be 50 to 70 mile per hour winds. If it hits, it’ll be the highest since 1990,” Stornetta said.

The city’s evacuation warning noted that

the ground is already saturated with recent rainfall, and winds associated with the upcoming storm could increase the potential for downed trees and power lines. Stornetta advised safe driving and staying away from fallen utility lines and all water crossings. He told New Times that city staff had been preparing since Jan. 1 and has a swift water rescue team ready.

In case of power outages, call PG&E at (800) 743-5002 or visit pge.com for more information on outages in specific areas. The city’s alert requested that residents not call 911 to report them.

Farther south, the Oceano Community Services District (OCSD) was preparing for the storm, too. The unincorporated town is familiar with stormwater runoff and flood control issues. Newly elected board member Charles Varni said that the OCSD provided sandbags to help residents weather the storm. OCSD General Manager Will Clemens told New Times that the district was preparing emergency generators to keep pumps running during possible power outages because it’s responsible for sewer collection and water.

However, most of the storm response in the county’s unincorporated communities lies with SLO County. Joshua Roberts of the county Public Works Department said via email on Jan. 3 that though it doesn’t provide

sandbags, residents can collect sand from locations provided in an online resource list at prepareslo.org.

“We’ve been getting ready for storms since the summer—that’s when we start our countywide culvert inspections and cleaning,” Roberts said. “It’s also when we sent sand to the community service districts. Our goal every year is to be ‘winter ready’ by October.”

As of Jan. 4, Public Works was still cleaning up from the previous storm that hit the county in late December. Employees were responding to calls about fallen trees, mud, debris, and flooding from over New Year’s weekend. Residents can keep up with road closures using the online county road map.

Previously closed, Highway 1 from Ragged Point in SLO County to south of Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn in Monterey County fully reopened at 8 a.m. on Jan. 3 but was expected to close again on Jan. 4 because of the storm.

Roberts advised the public to call CHP or 911 for emergencies and road hazards. For routine roads maintenance requests, he recommended contacting Public Works (805) 781-5252.

“We have our roads staff standby in anticipation of the coming storm, and we’ve put out signage to mark potential problem areas,” he said. “We continue to inspect and clear culverts where debris might have been washed in from previous rains.” ∆

—Bulbul Rajagopal

It started with a Facebook rumor. People on the Lost Pets of San Luis Obispo County group wondered and debated in December if pet owners surrendered their older dogs to shelters to make room for new puppies arriving as Christmas gifts.

“Please tell me people really don’t do this!?” commented a user named Abby Allen.

“All the time,” replied community member Scott Hamelin.

But Woods Humane Society Communications Manager Jamie Relth told New Times that they aren’t seeing any older pets being turned in in favor of new puppies. However, Relth noticed a change that has gripped the country is mirrored in SLO County.

“I can say that, overall, we have seen about 28 percent more surrender requests this year compared to last year, or about 12 more requests for dogs and seven more for cats per month, on average,” she said.

According to the national database of the Shelter Animals Count, the total number of animal outcomes (adoption, being returned to the owner or eld, transferring, dying, being lost in care, and shelter- and ownerintended euthanasia) decreased by 18 percent from 2019 to 2021.

“Additionally, we have seen an increase of about four to ve days, on average, in the length of stay for shelter animals this year, which indicates that adoption rates have cooled down a bit,” Relth said via email. “ is may be a result of the fact that many people adopted in the previous two years during the height of the pandemic (and, therefore, are not available to adopt more pets currently).”

Lower adoption rates could also be attributed to locals purchasing pets from locations other than shelters, according to Relth. But the longer length of stay in shelters is contributing to less space. Woods Humane currently has a waiting list for owner surrender requests because they need to make more room for animals transferred from other shelters.

“We also know that other communities outside of SLO County are dealing with much higher than usual numbers of surrenders and strays at their county shelters. Primarily, they are seeing large numbers of large breed, young dogs being surrendered and found as strays,” she said. “We have continued to transport as many of these dogs as possible from these highly overcrowded shelters to help them make space and to rescue animals from unnecessary euthanasia.”

In neighboring Santa Barbara County, Dori Villalon, the chief operating o cer at Santa Barbara Humane, saw similarities. She said that claims of swapping old pets for newer holiday ones haven’t been proven true statistically over the 30-plus years she’s been in the industry. But Santa Barbara Humane also has seen a rise in surrendered pets. In

2022, the independent nonpro t received 976 owner-surrendered animals, which is an increase of 18 percent from 2021.

“When owners inquire about surrendering a pet, we o er a variety of services, including low cost or free veterinary care, a ordable or free dog training classes or consultation with a certi ed dog trainer, emergency boarding for temporary situations, and pet food and supplies,” Villalon said.

Both Villalon and Relth said that the two main reasons for pet surrenders were a lack of time to spend with the pet—especially among owners who adopted animals during the height of the pandemic and now have to return to in-person work—and moving where the housing isn’t pet-friendly. Large dogs—

speci cally, German shepherds, huskies, and pitbulls—are the most frequent shelter residents.

“Sometimes, people will reach out and they are temporarily homeless,” Villalon said. “In those cases, we can o er emergency boarding and reunite them in a couple of weeks when everything is settled.”

Over the past year, Woods Humane brought in shelter animals from places in the Central Valley, and Santa Barbara Humane transported animals from regions in Tulare and Los Angeles counties. Santa Barbara Humane saw a 62 percent increase in transported animals in 2022 compared to 2021.

“We operate on a capacity-for-care space. When we transfer animals in, it’s because we do have space,” Villalon said. “We make sure that [they] get prompt medical care and prompt behavior assessments. Our average length of stay is eight to 10 days for cats and dogs.”

She added that most of the shelter overpopulation comes from people either abandoning their animals or presenting their own animals as strays. County-operated animal services, which are open admission, then have to accept them all.

“If there isn’t a strong internal process to make sure those animals are quickly reunited with their owners, or quickly undertaking the medical and behavior processes and get them adoptedadopted,” Villalon said, “then what can happen is that the population can grow beyond the capacity for care.”

Villalon and Relth encouraged people to take advantage of the resources both groups o er, like medical care, dog training, pet supplies and food, and general advice, especially because it’s stressful for animals to go into a shelter, even if it’s for a short period.

Relth told New Times that prior to adopting, Woods Humane encourages potential owners to carefully consider their lifestyle and the temperament of the animal to nd a successful match.

“We also provide 30 days of pet insurance for those who wish to enroll upon adoption and encourage adopters to maintain pet insurance thereafter to be prepared for unexpected medical expenses,” she said. “Our animal and customer care teams are available to provide guidance on choosing appropriate pets for adopters’ lifestyles and living situations.” ∆ Reach

Local crabbers and fishermen struggle to make ends meet due to stormy weather, a delayed fishing season, and a new state mandate.

On Dec. 26, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced that fisheries stretching roughly from Bodega Bay to Point Conception would finally open on Dec. 31, but now under one condition— crabbers and fishers are required to limit the use of crab traps and gear they throw in the water by 50 percent.

Longtime Morro Bay crabber Jeff French said the new rules set by the Department of Fish and Wildlife put crabbers and fishers at a disadvantage.

“Our costs are going to be basically the same, except that now we’re expected to make a living on half of our normal gear allotment and we have to pay for tags or licenses every other year for our traps,” French said. “And so we’re going to be paying for the amount of time, I’m sure we’re going to be paying for formatting tags and licenses, but we’re only going to have half the access.”

Aerial surveys taken by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Dec. 13 indicated 24 humpback whales in fishing zone 3, which stretches from Point Arena to Half Moon Bay.

“Entanglement triggers for humpback whales have been reached for the current calendar year,” CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham wrote in a statement. “I must implement a protective management action in the commercial Dungeness crab fishery.”

This is the first time CDFW has implemented a 50 percent gear reduction, something that San Francisco-based fisherman and crabber John Mellor said will cut their income in half.

“You know, a lot of us would prefer to have waited until they could see that the whales are gone and we could use all [the] gear even

if it meant waiting for an extra week or so,” Mellor said. “It didn’t really matter what most of us wanted. I think the department made the decision that they wanted to try this 50 percent gear reduction. So that’s kind of what we’re stuck with.”

Mellor founded the Dungeness Crab Working Group in 2015, an organization comprising commercial and recreational fishermen, environmental organization representatives, members of the disentanglement network, and state and federal agencies. The group worked to address an increase in whale entanglements, promote good fishing practices, and create awareness about the fishing industry.

In 2017, the Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit against CDFW, claiming that Dungeness crabbing was at fault for a surge in whale entanglements. Mellor said that after the lawsuit, the relationship between the CDFW and fisherman changed, which caused the CDFW to create what Mellor called “draconian regulations.” For example, in whale entanglement situations, Mellor said that Dungeness crabbers can be held liable for any sort of rope or gear found on the whale, even unknown gear.

“If the stakes are so high for us to where even if the whale is successfully disentangled, it can still potentially close our season down and can really disincentivize people to report entangled whales because we could be out of business because of it,” Mellor said.

Fishermen and crabbers aren’t the only ones impacted by the regulations. Rules and regulations drive up the costs of fish for consumers. Giovanni’s Fish Market owner Giovanni DeGarimore said that increased costs for local crabs force them to import seafood from out of state to meet consumer demand, which can increase prices by up to 50 percent.

“We’ve been dealing with this for multiple

years now, so it doesn’t take us by surprise. We are prepared for any eventuality, meaning that we’ve been sourcing crab out of Washington,” DeGarimore said. “That’s something we’ve done year after year after year. Our customers demand crab year round so we can’t wait on California to twiddle their thumbs and decide on when to open the season due to whales.”

Crab season traditionally opens up on Nov. 15, and repeated delays impact the number of crabs and fish that Morro Bay crabber French can catch, due to factors such as the natural migratory and breeding cycles of the crustaceans.

“And when the crab goes in their mating cycle, they don’t trap anymore. We get pushed up against March during the mating season, and then it’s almost impossible to

catch crab,” French said. “The whole thing gets squished. We’re pretty efficient at getting the crab, but we do need some time to find them, market them, and everything else.”

While the rules and regulations are intended to protect a now growing whale population, French said that they have a negative effect on the fishing industry.

“It creates instability in the market and it does make it so we can’t promise the buyers we’re going to have crab for the holidays,” French said. “They can’t promise their customers or the retailers they’re going to have the product that they can sell it, therefore getting the product late weakens our market position.” ∆

BIG CATCH Longtime Morro Bay crabber Jeff French poses with a trap containing Dungeness crab.

BY PETER JOHNSON

Access the coast

For thousands of school-age kids, the San Luis Obispo County coastline is a premier destination for epic field trips. The Central Coast State Parks Association plays an important role in that. The nonprofit arm of State Parks routinely offers educational field trip tours at local landmarks like the Oceano Dunes, the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History, the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove, and others.

And its programs don’t just serve SLO County students. Schools from Santa Maria to King City and from Paso Robles to the Central Valley send classes to the coast to experience and learn from the unique environment.

“Some of these kids tell us that if they didn’t have these opportunities, they wouldn’t set foot on a beach,” said Kristin Howland, executive director of the Central Coast State Parks Association. “They get to touch, feel, and learn, which is probably one of the most memorable things, and what really grows an environmental steward.”

But getting out to the coast isn’t easy for everyone. Whether it’s a school in Orcutt or one in Bakersfield, districts need to pay for bus transportation—which is becoming more and more of a challenge since COVID-19.

Between the high cost of gas, a shortage of bus drivers, and other budgetary challenges, fewer schools are sending classes out to the local state parks in the wake of the pandemic.

“We saw a huge drop after COVID,” Howland said. “Unfortunately, we’re not always reaching the audience we want to and who really need it.”

Thankfully, the nonprofit recently received a much-needed boost in funding specifically to subsidize schools’ transportation to state parks. The PG&E Corporation Foundation awarded the group a $100,000 grant as part of its Better Together Nature Positive Innovation program.

Howland said she was pleasantly surprised to see her organization win the grant—as it was one of only five doled out by PG&E across the state. She said it will go toward establishing a new fund to help Title I underserved schools get their classes out to the coast.

“We’re looking at potentially over 100 schools, or field trips, that we’ll be able to

serve,” she said.

Underscoring how expensive it is to charter a bus for students, Howland said that she is budgeting each trip at $1,000—with actual travel costs dependent on factors like how far the school is from the park.

“Some of those may have school bus drivers that would make that cheaper. And some charters will be less expensive,” she added.

Howland is expecting the PG&E grant to last through the end of the 2023-24 school year. Will the State Parks Association be able to find another grant to refill it in the future? Howland isn’t counting on it, but she emphasized that the funds are most needed right now.

“It probably won’t happen again, but we feel blessed,” she said. “We were really looking at ways we could increase attendance.”

School districts interested in applying for transportation funding can visit centralcoastparks.org.

Fast facts

• San Luis Obispo County is relocating one of its COVID-19 community testing clinics. Starting Jan. 4, the site will move from the SLO Vets’ Hall to an office at 3450 Broad St., suite 111. Patients who test positive for COVID-19 may access Test to Treat services at the site and take home a course of Paxlovid antiviral medication. The sites also provide rapid testing for influenza. “I’m grateful to our community’s veterans for so graciously sharing their wonderful space for more than two years,” County Health Officer Penny Borenstein said in a statement. “I’m also grateful that demand for testing has decreased to a level where it is possible to meet the need in a different location and return this space to its original use.”

• Local developers and homeowners are eligible to receive up to $5,000 in rebates if they build all-electric units as part of a partnership with Central Coast Community Energy. The rebates apply to affordable housing, farmworker housing, and accessory dwelling units. Visit 3ce.org for more details. ∆

Assistant Editor Peter Johnson wrote this week’s Strokes. Reach him at pjohnson@ newtimesslo.com.

MEMORABLE FIELD TRIPS A class visits the Monarch Dunes Butterfly Grove in Pismo Beach. The Central Coast State Parks Association recently received a grant that will help it pay for underserved classrooms to travel to the coast.

DEATH NOTICES

BAUSKE, PAMELA GAY, 75, of Oceano passed away 12/9/2022 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

BAXTER, ANTONIA, 93, of Paso Robles passed away 12/87/2022 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation Service

BOLIVAR, JOSEFA “JOSIE”, 87, of Grover Beach passed away 12/26/2022 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

BOYER, WANDA LEE, 97, of Grover Beach passed away 12/21/2022 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

CAROTENUTI, CAROLYN R., 82, of San Luis Obispo passed away 12/14/2022 arrangements with Reis Family Mortuary

CHAVES, MELBA, 84, of Pismo Beach passed away 12/15/2022 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation Service

FREEMAN, GLORIA MENDOZA, 88, of Santa Maria passed away 12/24/2022 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

FROELICH, THOMAS SR., 74, of Solvang, passed away 12/23/2022 arrangements with Magner-Maloney Funeral Home & Crematory

GAETA, LARRY ORTEGA JR., 75, of Cayucos, passed away 12/7/2022 arrangements with Reis Family Mortuary

GARCIA, ELENA DELEON, 25, of Santa Maria passed away 12/16/2022 arrangements with Magner-Maloney Funeral Home & Crematory

GEIB, JOYCE, 76, of Atascadero passed away 12/24/2022 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation Service

GIBEAUT, ROBERT, 75, of San Luis Obispo passed away 12/13/2022 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation Service

GOMEZ, MARICELA CUEVAS, 66, of Santa Maria passed away 12/31/2022 arrangements with Magner-Maloney Funeral Home & Crematory

GOWGANI, GEORGE G., 88, of San Luis Obispo passed away 12/13/2022 arrangements with Reis Family Mortuary

HAUSER, SALLIE, 70, of Cambria passed away 12/7/2022 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation Service

HILLEBRECHT, JOHN, 71, of Atascadero passed away 12/15/2022 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation Service

JAMISON, ROBERT, 93, of Morro Bay passed away 12/23/2022 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation Service

JENNINGS, AMANDA MARIE, 37, of Templeton passed away 12/19/2022 arrangements with Chapel of the Roses

KIRK, LEONARD, 70, of Oceano passed away 12/26/2022 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

MONTGOMERY, WAYNE, 74, of Grover Beach passed away 12/15/2022 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

MOREHEAD, JOHN, 90, of Morro Bay passed away 12/11/2022 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation Service

MORTON, LARRY, 76, of Morro Bay passed away 12/26/2022 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation Service

MUCKEY, LURA ELAINE, 29, of San Luis Obispo, passed away 12/14/2022 arrangements with Chapel of the Roses

MULLEN, PATRICIA, 89, of Arroyo Grande passed away 12/20/2022 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

MURPHY, PETER, 73, of Paso Robles passed away 12/16/2022 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation Service

NACCASHA, IBRAHIM AZIZ, 95, of San Luis Obispo passed away 12/16/2022 arrangements with Reis Family Mortuary

NEVILLE, CAROL, 97, of Paso Robles passed away 12/15/2022 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation Service

OTTO, GEORGE, 93, of Pismo Beach passed away 12/27/2022 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

OZZIMO, MARGARET “MARG”, 98, of Santa Maria passed away 1/2/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

RADCLIFF-BRUTON, SHIRLEY LEE, 78, of Paso Robles passed away 12/17/2022 arrangements with Chapel of the Roses

RICHARDSON, MARGARET L., 86, of Santa Maria passed away 12/20/2022 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

RODRIGUEZ, SANDRA, 50, of Santa Maria passed away 12/24/2022 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

ROSA, PRISCILLA, 93, of Santa Maria passed away 01/01/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

RUFINO, RICHARD VINCENT “RICK”, 29, of Santa Maria passed away 12/26/2022 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

STERLING, GARY, 75, of Paso Robles passed away 12/10/2022 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation Service

TORRES, ROSEMARY, 61, of Santa Maria passed away 12/29/2022 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

WOOD, JOYCE E., 84, of Santa Maria passed away 12/31/2022 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

bad decision

Roundabouts: I live in the Orcutt Road/Tank Farm Road area and drive around that circle almost every day, and each time feel sadness about the sculpture placed there in a deep bed of concrete. Kudos to the crews who constructed the new directed-traffic pathways with curbs, paving blocks, and attractive plantings. They did a nice job with their materials.

Public art: As long as I’ve lived in SLO, discussions about public art have been lively.

And the Greys In Between: This is a large sculpture in the center of the Orcutt Road/ Tank Farm Road roundabout that should never have been chosen.

New Times offered the curator/ spokesperson from the SLO Museum of Art an opportunity to defend her choice of artist and sculpture after the fact (“Angular beauty,” Dec. 29, 2022). A lot of people don’t like the sculpture for a lot of reasons. However, after spending hundreds of thousands of developer and city funds to erect the eyesore, it must now be defended.

The main defense is that the artist is a Pakistani immigrant who lives in Indiana, showing SLO residents (if you read the plaque) that we believe in racial and ethnic diversity and in the contribution of immigrants to our community. The accomplished artist, Anila Agha, had a beautiful pre-COVID-19 sculpture exhibit at the Harold J. Miossi Gallery at Cuesta College that focused on the dance of patterns created with light. Based on that exhibit, she was selected for this prominent city roundabout.

She designed the sculpture that was built in SLO by a local craftsman. She did not see it until the ribbon cutting event.

Local media photographers have gone

out of their way to present close-up views unobstructed by signage—views not available to drivers. In reality, traffic signs block views of the sculpture at every point. The site is not safe for pedestrians. The two cutout steel shapes each have a large ball inside that lights up at night. The bright ball lights are overwhelmed by 11 very bright street lights shining down on the roundabout. Combined, they ended the neighborhood dark night sky experience in this corner of town.

Those of us who care about art in the public domain, and anyone with basic visual literacy, will experience this sculpture as inappropriate for this site. It is unfortunate that so many resources were expended. The design wasn’t included in city construction updates, so those of us in the neighborhood only saw roadwork and not what was planned for the center of the roundabout.

How did the selection happen? Who chose it? Were there other proposals?

Several different groups over the years have been in charge of selecting public art with dedicated developer fees. The city recently tasked the SLO Museum of Art to lead in public art selection. I was told that the selection was a rigorous process, but I don’t believe that.

In years past, a successful committee formed to select art for our new County Government Center. The committee was diverse mix and the result shows in a celebration of local, historical, and contemporary abstract images, making for a satisfying viewer experience. Another successful public art sculpture, my favorite, is the bronze at Railroad Square that honors Chinese workers who emigrated from China and built the railroads. When complete, news about it traveled through the entire Chinese community in America. In addition to the

sculptor’s intent, its meaning is obvious. It is also beautifully placed for a lot of pedestrian viewing in a small traffic circle in parking lots near restaurants, the train station, and the pedestrian bridge. The sculpture references both local and state history. Strong advocacy and financial support came from private citizens and business owners.

As the curator for the 1995 exhibit, Public Art: A Visual Dialog, at the ARTernatives Gallery in SLO, I included a survey of public art in Santa Barbara, Palm Desert, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other urban areas. A dragon sculpture in a pocket park playground, concrete and pavement designs, text on buildings, abstract signage, image transfers on tile for a public pool, and conceptual designs for public places all inspired me and others to think beyond the usual mobiles, kinetic sculpture, and hanging sculpture often selected and seen throughout SLO city. The exhibit asked, “What kinds of public art

enlivens a community?” Art that is derived from imported fantasy and myth-making is more Disney-type art, art that is decorative. It can be fun and often is temporary.

I’ve heard people describe the Orcutt/Tank Farm roundabout sculpture as “Welcome to Las Vegas.” For the general type of tourist doing a wine tasting tour, that is probably fine. Then consider how the public has embraced the bear and girl fountain at Mission Plaza. For many, this sculpture fits their idea of public art, with thousands of their selfies scattered around the world because it honors the site where it sits. I don’t expect that you’ll see a lot of anyone taking selfies with Greys in Between.

Why is it there? What does it mean? Its title might be better as Greys in Between the Traffic Signs. ∆

Elizabeth Johnson wrote to New Times from San Luis Obispo. Respond by emailing letters@newtimesslo.com.

HODIN Russell Hodin

INGRAINED INTENTIONS The Greys in Between sits across the road from Islay Park in SLO as part of the city’s latest collaboration with SLOMA to bring public art to recently installed roundabouts.

Think it through

Our legislators in Sacramento have been busy “helping us” again; they have passed—and Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed—several new laws that will impact people on the Central Coast and everywhere else in the once golden state. Some may have an adverse impact on traffic safety, others your pocketbook.

Two important changes go into effect in January that could have a serious impact on traffic safety. It’s already challenging to navigate crowded roadways, but these new laws will only add to pedestrians’ and car or truck drivers’ worries while traveling.

Existing law currently “prohibits pedestrians from entering roadways and crosswalks, except under specified circumstances. Under existing law, a violation of these provisions is an infraction.”

Assembly Bill 2147 will now “prohibit a peace officer, as defined, from stopping a pedestrian for specified traffic infractions unless a reasonably careful person would realize there is an immediate danger of collision with a moving vehicle or other device moving exclusively by human power.” (openstates.org/ca/bills/20212022/AB2147)

We all know that we are required to yield to pedestrians at intersections even if there is no marked crosswalk. The current law, the one being changed, was enacted as a means

of preventing injury accidents.

We don’t expect to have to watch out for jaywalkers in the middle of the block; now the jaywalkers appear to have the upper hand. Since police will no longer be able to keep folks from running out in traffic if they think they can beat passing cars, the number of injury/fatal accidents will increase.

In mid-December, a jaywalker was struck in a traffic lane on H Street (Highway 1) near Pine Street in Lompoc and seriously injured. Apparently, he/she thought it was OK to cross in traffic, but they guessed wrong.

Another is Assembly Bill 1909 the “bicycle omnibus bill”; this bill would additionally require a vehicle that is passing or overtaking a bicycle to “move over to an adjacent lane of traffic, as specified, if one is available, before passing or overtaking the bicycle.” Yet another thing to add to the list of things motor vehicle operators must contend with while trying to get from one place to another. (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient. xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB1909)

Two other bills will impact the cost of your hamburgers and will do nothing to help service industry workers. Assembly Bill 257 is “to establish sector-wide minimum standards on wages, working hours, and other working conditions related to the health, safety, and welfare of, and supplying the necessary cost of proper living to, fast food restaurant workers, as well as effecting interagency coordination and prompt agency responses in this regard.”

In effect, government appointees will be imposing unionization of fast-food workers on corporations and individual franchise owners. You can be sure that the cost of your Happy Meal is going up.

Another is Senate Bill 3, which was passed in 2017; it provided for periodic increases in the minimum wage. Now all employers are required to pay $15.50 no matter how many people they employ. Expect to see new menus soon; there won’t be any new items, just price increases.

Will either of these two actions by our elected officials help the workers? Just consider how the past increases impacted the cost of your burger; the employees who will be earning a couple of dollars more will be spending them to buy things that cost more because of increased labor costs. Businesses will react by changing the way they deliver services, such as changing from

Every time the minimum wage is increased, the cost of everything you use goes up and the folks who work at these jobs can never get ahead. Keep that in mind the next time you vote for these fools.

having servers take your order to making their restaurants self-serve, or self-checkout instead of having a checker to help you.

Politicians just don’t understand how some of their “helpful” lawmaking can impact your pocketbook; take it from someone who earned less than a dollar an hour when he was young and only paid 15 cents for a burger; now it’s over $10 for an a la carte order (no fries and no drink).

Every time the minimum wage is increased, the cost of everything you use goes up and the folks who work at these jobs can never get ahead. Keep that in mind the next time you vote for these fools; their minds can’t comprehend how the world works or what adverse impact their “help” will have—and you will suffer the consequences of their actions. ∆

This Week’s Online Poll

28% Let skaters skate when they want to!

26% We’ve waited so long, skaters can hold off for a bit more.

26% I’m just excited to finally get a skate park.

20% Um, can we get a rec center instead? 39 votes

Ron Fink writes to New Times from Lompoc. Send a letter for publication to letters@ newtimesslo.com.

What do you think about the progress of Nipomo’s skate park?

New laws are being enacted without state lawmakers thinking ‘what could go wrong?’

The first SLO County Board of Supervisors meeting of 2023 was kind of like a Trump rally for Democrats. The board chamber was packed to overflowing, filled with cheers and applause for the new liberal majority, and complete with murmured jeers for the old conservative one.

Newbie 4th District Supervisor Jimmy “I Finally Made It” Paulding was all smiles, as was 3rd District Supervisor Dawn OrtizLegg, who was elected to the seat she was appointed to after Adam Hill’s death. The belittling belligerent banter about election fraud that’s come to define supervisors meetings was nowhere to be found—and in fact, elected county Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano received a standing ovation for doing her job.

That definitely wouldn’t have happened just four short years ago. Nobody gave two hoots about the clerk-recorder back then. Tommy Gong easily won an uncontested reelection cycle after cycle. But along came Trump, and local Republican “leaders” ate the bait.

Now, we’re here. Dems barely scraped by, with 2nd District Supervisor Bruce “I’m Glad That Recount is Over” Gibson hanging onto his longtime seat by a mere 13 votes in a race he should have lost by at least 1,000.

The recount efforts lobbed by the San Luis Obispo County Citizens Action Team (SLOCCAT)—a new PAC/organization created by Darcia “The Recount Queen” Stebbens and the renegade conspiracy sniffers who she partnered with—revealed not one iota of discernible proof that voter

fraud suspicions had any legitimacy. They didn’t change the vote counts in either the Paulding or Gibson races, and it seems like the wild goose chase for “relevant materials” didn’t give them what they needed to sue Cano or the county, either.

A very long press release sent out by the “action team” and Stebbens during the last week in December didn’t state anything important except that they weren’t going to continue pursuing the recount effort in the 2nd District race.

“SLOCCAT finds it impossible to conclude that the system isn’t designed for abuse,” the release stated.

And also, SLOCCAT found it impossible to prove that the system is being abused, but they forgot to mention that!

So where does that leave us? Well, it leaves liberals as the new guardians of SLO County’s most powerful governing body, and it leaves the conspiracy sniffers to continue breathing deeply.

It should leave the Republican leadership in San Luis Obispo thinking deeply about the candidates they chose to back (Bruce “I Couldn’t Win a District Designed to Elect Me” Jones), the tactics they chose to use, and the national political causes they chose to champion locally: Election fraud claims; anti-history, anti-minority, anti-abortion rhetoric; accusations of public schools grooming children to be transgender (Paso

Robles Joint Unified School District races didn’t pan out well for them either); Donald tRump politics; gerrymandered redistricting maps that don’t do the job they were gerrymandered to do—that’s not what the majority of people in SLO County are looking for, folks.

Most people are looking for good government, elected officials who care about all of their constituents and the policy decisions that impact them directly. At least that’s what I’m taking away from the shenanigan-filled election cycle that got us to a new board majority being sworn in on Jan. 3.

That meeting’s elation was infectious, as enlightened liberals from across the county celebrated their win over the darkness of conservatism that’s hung over their beloved bucolic coastline for eight years. Gosh! Eight whole years! Could it be? Republicans’ hold on SLO County is gone.

Nay. It’s not, you nincompoops. What we have is an extremely divided county full of constituents who won’t hesitate to hold you accountable for your actions. So govern well.

Be done with all of the partisan, ideological bullshit. It’s infiltrated every aspect of life, circling over policy conversations that it shouldn’t, preventing sound decision-making,

devolving much-needed discussions into name-calling contests, and creating space for bad government. One thing it hasn’t done is make life better for SLO County residents.

Let’s take a couple of recent ridiculous decisions into consideration—what I’ll call the old majority’s last stand of ideological, ego-driven decisions: lame duck 4th District Supervisor Lynn Compton’s push to rid her then district of an advisory council that she hated because of the people who were on it, and 5th District Supervisor Debbie “Water Banks Are Real” Arnold’s push for a Paso Robles agricultural ordinance that every major stakeholder and the county Planning Commission opposed. Supervisors voted to increase the amount of water pumpers could pull out of a severely overdrafted water basin by a factor of five. Like that makes any sense. Good luck with your wells, rural Paso.

It was an embarrassing December to cap off an already embarrassing couple of years for government in SLO County. What a circus.

I hope that this “new” majority can stay on a nonpartisan course, but I’m not holding out past February.

“We have had a little bit of a legacy here of some partisanship, some division, and I want to tackle that head-on,” Paulding said. “Let’s work together, let’s build consensus, let’s work across the aisle, let’s do what’s right for everybody.”

Yes. Let’s.

Don’t think I’ll stop watching the board with an eye for criticism. I’ll be here to remind you of your statements should you stray. ∆

The Shredder will always shred. Send opinions to shredder@newtimesslo.com.

CIRCLE GAMES

Gallery at Marina Square in Morro Bay will hold a joint reception for its three January exhibitions on Saturday, Jan. 14, from 3 to 5 p.m. Throughout the month of January, the gallery is showcasing mixed media works by Stevie Chun, sculptures by Jarien De Ham, and a group photography display. Call (805) 772-1068 or visit galleryatmarinasquare. com for more info. Gallery at Marina Square is located at 601 Embarcadero, suite 10, Morro Bay.

ARTS

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

ART AND ABOUT LOS OSOS Join us for Art and About Los Osos, a self-guided art walk that gives the community an opportunity to experience visual, literary, and performing art in galleries and other venues throughout Los Osos. Events will not occur on major holidays. Second Saturday of every month, 1-4 p.m. Free. 805-544-9251. artsobispo.org/art-andabout. Los Osos, Townwide, Los Osos.

COLLAGES AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF LOS OSOS Collages and photographs featuring Sweet Springs Nature Preserve and the Elfin Forest by Los Osos photographer Kelly Hayes are for sale online and on display at Los Osos Pop-up Gallery (1056 Los Osos Valley Road). Photo prints on metal, paper, acrylic, and greeting cards. ongoing Free. centralcoasty.com. Los Osos, Townwide, Los Osos.

COSTA GALLERY: ELLEN JEWETT Gallery hours are expected to be extended beginning in October or November for the holidays. ThursdaysSaturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. Costa Gallery, 2087 10th St., Los Osos, 559-799-9632.

THE CRUCIBLE Arthur Miller’s riveting tale of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, where religion, personal grudges, and fear clash, with deadly results. Jan. 13-15 my805tix.com. By The Sea Productions, 545 Shasta Ave., Morro Bay.

FOREVER STOKED PAINT PARTY Join us at the gallery, for a few hours to travel on a creative paint journey guided by a member of the fun loving FS crew. You will receive as much or as little

instruction as you prefer. No artistic experience is necessary. Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. $45. 805-772-9095. Forever Stoked, 1164 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay.

METAL ART BY TRUDI GILLIAM Gilliam creates her sculptures using copper, brass, nickel/silver, and found objects. This new series of whales and birds uses copper and sea glass. ongoing 805-772-9955. Seven Sisters Gallery, 601 Embarcadero Ste. 8, Morro Bay, sevensistersgalleryca.com.

MOSAIC TRIVET WORKSHOP During this workshop, you will learn how to design and create a mosaic trivet. You will learn how to select materials, lay out a pleasing pattern, and adhere the tiles to the trivet base. You will learn how to properly grout and seal your project. ongoing, 1-4 p.m. $60. 805-772-2504. artcentermorrobay.org/index.php/ workshops/. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay.

THE PLEIN AIR TEAM Acrylic artist, Nancy Lynn, and husband, watercolorist, Robert Fleming, have an ongoing show of originals and giclee prints of Morro Bay and local birds. ongoing 805-772-9955. Seven Sisters Gallery, 601 Embarcadero Ste. 8, Morro Bay, sevensistersgalleryca. com.

SECOND SATURDAYS Come by and see the Featured Artists Shows, find gifts for your loved ones, surprises for yourself, and meet the artists featured in the incredible gallery. Second Saturday of every month, 5-7 p.m. Free. 805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

START THE NEW YEAR WITH LARRY LE BRANE’S BEGINNING FUSED GLASS

CLASS No previous art skills needed to

make fused glass home-garden décor, gifts, dishware, and jewelry. Class size is 4 to 6 students. Safety mask and vaccination required, please.No drop-ins. Must attend all classes. Jan. 14 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $150 for three weeks. 805748-6935. Central Coast Glass Blowing and Fusing, 1279 2nd Street, Los Osos, RodBakerGlass.com.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

ART AND ABOUT PASO Join us for Art and About Paso, a self-guided art walk that gives the community an opportunity to experience visual, literary, and performing art in galleries and other venues. Visit site for an updated map of locations. Events will not occur on major holidays. First Saturday of every month, 5-9 p.m. Free. 805-544-9251. artsobispo. org/art-and-about. Participating locations, Paso Robles, City-wide.

CREATIVE JOURNAL VISION BOARD WORKSHOP Join artist and surface pattern designer, Breann DeLisle of Designs by Breann, to ring in the new year with a new healthy habit of a daily creative practice. Jan. 11 , 6-8 p.m. $45. 805-464-2838. oracleatascaderoca.com. Oracle, 6280 Palma Ave., Atascadero.

DEPRISE BRESCIA ART GALLERY: OPEN DAILY Features a large selection of encaustic art, sculpted paintings, art installations, acrylic palette knife paintings, digital art, glass, jewelry, stones, fossils, and a butterfly sculpture garden. ongoing DepriseBrescia.com. Deprise Brescia Art Gallery, 829 10th St., Paso Robles, 310-621-7543.

NANCY HILL FABRIC ART EXHIBITION AT THE DOSTER GALLERY Doster Gift Gallery in Atascadero will be hosting an exciting exhibition of Nancy Hill’s extraordinary fabric sculptures. Opens

on Dec. 16 and runs through the end of January. Through Jan. 31 Free. 805 4629309. Doster Gift Gallery, 5970 Entrada Ave., Atascadero.

STUDIOS ON THE PARK: CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS Check site for a variety of classes and workshops offered. ongoing studiosonthepark.org. Studios on the Park, 1130 Pine St., Paso Robles, 805-238-9800.

ACTOR’S

SAN LUIS OBISPO

EDGE: ACTING CLASSES

Actor’s Edge offers film and television acting training in San Luis Obispo, plus exposure to Los Angeles talent agents. All ages and skill levels welcome. Classes available in SLO, LA, and on zoom. ongoing $210 per month. actorsedge. com. Online, See website, 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 AND ABOUT SLO Join us for Art and About SLO, a self-guided art walk that gives the community an opportunity to experience visual, literary, and performing art in galleries and other venues. Visit site for an updated map of locations. Events will not occur on major holidays. First Friday of every month, 5-8 p.m. Free. 805-544-9251. artsobispo.org/ art-and-about. San Luis Obispo, Citywide, SLO.

ARTIST RIKI SCHUMACHER AT ART CENTRAL GALLERY Schumacher’s

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

CERAMIC LESSONS AND MORE Now offering private one-on-one and group lessons in the ceramic arts. Both hand building and wheel throwing options. Beginners welcomed. ongoing 805-8355893. hmcruceceramics.com/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

COMEDY NIGHT Professional comedy show featuring local and touring comics. Hosted by Aidan Candelario. First Thursday of every month, 7-9 p.m. $5. 805-540-8300. Bang the Drum Brewery, 1150 Laurel Lane, suite 130, San Luis Obispo, bangthedrumbrewery.com.

DATE NIGHT POTTERY Looking for a fun date night? Head to Anam Cre Pottery Studio and play with clay. Couples will learn how to throw a pot on the wheel and make a cheeseboard. Fridays, Saturdays, 6-8 p.m. $140. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, anamcre.com.

DEAR RIDER: SCREENING AND FILMMAKER Q-AND-A For the first time on Central Coast, Central Coast Film Society and Red Bull Media are presenting a special screening of Dear Rider, The Jake Burton Story Jan. 14 7:30 p.m. my805tix.com. Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St, San Luis Obispo.

HILDA KILPATRICK-FREYRE: ART SHOW Hilda is influenced by California paintings, as well as impressionists. Her work is vibrant and she paints local nature scenes. Through Feb. 14 805-5455401. bigskycafe.com. Big Sky Cafe, 1121 Broad Street, San Luis Obispo.

INTERMEDIATE OIL PAINTING: ADULT ART CLASS This class is for students who may have tried oil painting in the past but are looking to advance their skill levels. Color theory and proportion study will be a focus in the class. Mondays, 2-5 p.m. $30 per student or $75 for 3 classes.

805-747-4200. artcentralslo.com/ workshops-events/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

INTRO TO OIL PAINTING WITH SPENCER COLLINS The perfect class for those wanting to try oil painting for the first time. Guests discuss color theory, layering paint, and how to use various media. For ages 16 and over. Thursdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $30 per class or $100 for 4 classes. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo. com/workshops-events/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

KIDS POTTERY CLASSES Enjoy making animal sculptures, bowls, plates, etc. Please arrive on time, not early, as venue uses the transition time between classes to sanitize. Designed to sign up on a weekly basis. Thursdays, 1:30-2:30 p.m. $40. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

LEARN TO WEAVE MONDAYS An opportunity to learn how a four-shaft loom works. You will get acquainted as a new weaver or as a refresher with lots of tips and tricks. This class includes getting to know a loom, how to prepare/ dress a loom, and much much more. Mondays, 1-4 p.m. $75 monthly. 805-4418257. Patricia Martin: Whispering Vista Studios, 224 Squire Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo, patriciamartinartist.com.

LITTLE TREASURES HOLIDAY EXHIBIT Artwork in this exhibit is priced $100 or less. Everything is handcrafted and made with love by local artists. Find that oneof-a-kind gift for that special someone. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. through Jan. 30 Free. 805-7474200. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

THE MONDAY CLUBHOUSE CONSERVANCY FINE ARTS AWARDS APPLICATIONS Open to high school juniors and seniors. Categories: classical music, jazz music, and visual art. Submit online application. Finalists in all categories compete in a live competition at The Monday Club on Feb. 26. Through Jan. 30 Free. 805-242-1076.

—Caleb Wiseblood

FILE COURTESY IMAGE BY STEVIE CHUN

themondayclubslo.org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

OPEN MIC COMEDY Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Aidan Candelario. Mondays, 7-9 p.m. Free. 805-540-8300. saintsbarrel. com/event-calendar. Saints Barrel Wine Bar, 1021 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo.

PICKET PAINTING PARTY Decorative picket purchasing opportunities are available to show your support and help fund maintenance and educational programs in the Children’s Garden. Second Saturday of every month, 1-4 p.m. $75 per picket or 2 for $100. 805-541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

PLEIN AIR PAINTERS OF THE CENTRAL COAST A self-directed fun group of dynamic artists who enjoy painting and sketching outdoors. Artists meet on site at various locations. Weekly plein air destinations are provided by Kirsti Wothe via email (mrswothe@yahoo.com). Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon SLO County, Various locations, San Luis Obispo.

POTTERY: BEGINNING WHEEL CLASS

This series is a great intro to the pottery wheel. Students learn to throw various shapes, surface decorate, and glaze. Clay and firing included with admission. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $180. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

SCULPTURE CLASS WITH ROD PEREZ

This weekly sculpture drop-in class gives an opportunity for potters to take on new projects and learn new techniques relating to sculptural work. Additionally, every first Friday of the month, a new project will be taught by Rod Perez for beginners. Fridays, 10 a.m.-noon $40. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

SENIOR CLAY CLASS Offered to the senior community as an outlet to explore the beauty of clay. For ages 60 and over. Caretakers welcome for an additional $20. Fridays, 10 a.m.-noon $40. anamcre. com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

SLO NIGHTWRITERS: A COMMUNITY

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.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

MIXED MEDIA (ADULTS) Each week, attendees will combine two or more media in several pieces, while working with watercolor, acrylic, ink, pastels, charcoal as well as various printmaking techniques in the course of a month. Enjoy discovering new ways to work with traditional and nontraditional materials. Mondays, 1-3 p.m. $35. 805-668-2125. lila. community. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

MIXED MEDIA FOR AGES 5-6 AND 7-12 For ages 5-6 (Mondays) and 7-12 (Tuesdays). Mondays, Tuesdays, 3:15-4:15 p.m. 805-668-2125. lila.community. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

MIXED MEDIA FOR AGES 5-7 Each week students will have the opportunity to explore and combine various mediums like pastels with tempera, watercolors and collage, or clay and wood and so much more. Mondays, 3:30-4:45 p.m. $25. 805-668-2125. lila.community. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

MIXED MEDIA WORKSHOP (AGES 7-12) Come explore mixed media with an emphasis on the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design. Each week, students will have the opportunity to use various media. Tuesdays, 3:30-4:45 p.m. $25. 805668-2125. lila.community. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

PAW PRINTS

The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature is currently displaying a collection of photos by wildlife photographer Roy Dunn, who will be leading an artist talk at the venue on Sunday, Jan. 22, from 4 to 5 p.m. Pre-registration for the event is open, with admission ranging from $5 to $10. Dunn will be discussing his work in camera trapping and ethical wildlife photography during the talk. Visit wildlingmuseum.org for more info. The museum is located at 1511 Mission Drive, unit B, Solvang.

—C.W.

for a chance to win LED Christmas yard decorations and other items. MondaysFridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Jan. 27 cityoflompoc.com. Lompoc City Hall, 100 City Hall Dr., Lompoc.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY DUNES: VISIONS OF SAND, LIGHT, AND SHADOW Traverse the sand dunes with Central Coast photographer Bob Canepa in the Wildling Museum’s new Valley Oak Gallery exhibition. Receptions: Sept. 11 and Oct. 9. Through March 23, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wildling Museum of Art and Nature, 1511-B Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-688-1082, wildlingmuseum.org.

WILDLIFE ON THE EDGE: HILARY BAKER New and recent acrylic paintings from Baker’s Predators series alongside a new series of animal portraits on birch wood. From a group of common pigeons to an elusive cougar, Baker’s subjects make themselves at home in urban locales. Through March 6 Wildling Museum of Art and Nature, 1511-B Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-688-1082, wildlingmuseum.org.

WINTER SALON In honor of the holiday season and celebration of the gallery’s 30th anniversary All fine art media hung “salon style”, floor to ceiling.

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. Mask Required. Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, 962 Piney Way, Morro Bay, 805-772-2840, 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.

FULL MOON CEREMONY AND 2023 INTENTION SETTING Manifest your most heartfelt desires in 2023. Jan. 5 5-7 p.m. my805tix.com. 9th Limb Yoga, 845 Napa Ave., Morro Bay, 415-852-1787.

PLAY, EXPLORE, CREATE 1 (AGES 3 AND 4) Enjoy the opportunity to explore drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, and mixed media. Each week a new adventure awaits. Thursdays, 2-3 p.m. and Fridays, 9-10 a.m. $25. 805-668-2125. lila. community. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

provided on a first come, first served basis. Supported in whole or in part by the Central Coast Literacy Council. Jan. 11 Free. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Orcutt Library, 175 S. Broadway, Orcutt.

Mondays, Thursdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through Jan. 30 805-688-7517. GalleryLosOlivos.com. Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos.

KIDS WINTER CAMP Offered in both the winter and the summer, kids camp is a place for third through sixth graders to play games, make friends, catch frogs, and experience God through teachings and creation. Jan. 13 $225. 805-238-3582. facebook.com/OutsiderCamp. Granite Ridge Christian Camp, 4850 Coyote Creek Lane, Creston.

MORRO BAY MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS BALLROOM, LATIN, AND SWING DANCE CLASSES Social ballroom, Latin, and swing lessons for all ages on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Beginner and advance classes. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m. $45-$55. 805-928-7799. Kleindancesarts. com. KleinDance Arts, 3558 Skyway Drive, suite A, Santa Maria.

THE RED VELVET CAKE WAR The three Verdeen cousins—Gaynelle, Peaches, and Jimmie Wyvette—could not have picked a worse time to throw their family reunion. Presented by SMCT. Fridays, Saturdays, 7 p.m. and Jan. 15-29 1:30 p.m. through Jan. 28 smct.org/show/the-red-velvet-cakewar/. Santa Maria Civic Theatre, 1660 N. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

Disciplines include advanced athletic performance fitness training, Thai kickboxing, and more. Beginners to advanced students welcome. Day and evening classes offered. MondaysSaturdays, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Call for more info. 805-701-7397. charvetmartialarts. com. Morro Bay Martial Arts, 850 Shasta, Morro Bay.

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.

VIRGINIA MACK: BEGINNING

WATERCOLOR This is a watercolor class designed to let you jump in and try out this engaging medium through experimentation. It’s designed for beginners and those with watercolor experience who wish to expand their knowledge of painting in watercolors. To enroll please contact Mack via email: vbmack@charter.net Wednesdays, 1:303:30 p.m. $35. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo. com/workshops-events/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

OPEN STUDIO (AGES 7-12) Guests can explore a variety of media and techniques while focusing on their own subject matter. Whether they come with a project in mind, or find their way as they play, this class offers a chance for independent learning in a supportive environment. Thursdays, 3:45-4:45 p.m. $25. 805-6682125. lila.community/all-workshops/openstudio. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

OPEN STUDIO FOR ADULTS Guests can come in and decide what materials they would like to work with and create freely. Share your creative process with others and see how your work will flourish.

Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m. and Wednesdays, 12:30-3:30 p.m. $40. 805-668-2125. Lila. community. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

PLAY, EXPLORE, CREATE (AGES 5-7) Young artists will play at various stations, exploring games, and mixed media. There will be a new activity each week. Wonderful opportunities for drawing, painting, and sculpture. Tuesdays, 9-10 a.m. $25. 805-668-2125. lila.community. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

CRAFTWORKS: DIY TABLETOP ZEN GARDEN Bring a sense of calm, relaxation, and beauty to any space by creating your very own tabletop zen garden. All materials will be provided at the workshop. Jan. 7, 10:30 a.m. Free. 805925-0994 ext. 8562. cityofsantamaria. org. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

DANCE CLASSES: EVERYBODY CAN DANCE Classes available for all skill levels. Class sizes limited. ongoing Everybody Can Dance, 628 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria, 805-937-6753.

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

NEXT CHAPTER BOOK CLUB: ORCUTT BRANCH LIBRARY Youth are invited to a special book club, recommended for ages 8 to 12. Copies of the book will be

UKULELE LESSONS For individuals 50 years and up, at no charge. Participants will learn to play chords, melodies, and familiar songs. Five baritone ukuleles are available to borrow, or class members may bring one of their own. Mondays, Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. cityofsantamaria.org/register. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

VALLEY READS BOOK CLUB Second Saturday of every month, 2 p.m. Free. 805-925-0994. cityofsantamaria.org/citygovernment/departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

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

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG CHRISTMAS LIGHT EXCHANGE PROGRAM Exchange your old Christmas lights for new, energy-saving LED lights. Participants entered in a raffle

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.

BREATHE BALANCE AND STRETCH Be prepared to get down to the floor and up again. Breath practice is sustained throughout the session, which is filled with accessible movements that will create and enhance flexibility and balance. Shoe-less environment. Please bring a mat. Every other Monday, 9-9:45 a.m. $10. 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. 805235-7978. gratefulbodyhealthcoaching. com. Grateful Body, 850 Shasta, Morro Bay.

CENTRAL COAST WOOD CARVERS

SOCRATES: DISCUSSION GROUP Group members present interesting and thought provoking topics of all sorts. Topics are selected in advance and moderated by volunteers. Vaccinations are necessary. Enter through wooden gate to garden area. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. 805-528-7111. Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main St., Morro Bay, coalescebookstore.com/.

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.

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 CHUN CERTIFICATION With CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 18

WALT WHITMAN GAY MEN’S BOOK

COURTESY PHOTO BY ROY DUNN

the 2019 Tai Chi Instructor of the year. Ongoing courses. ongoing Call for price. 805-701-7397. charvetmartialarts.com. Grateful Body, 850 Shasta, Morro Bay.

TAI CHI CHUN/ QI GONG BASICS Learn the foundation of Qi Gong, the rooting of breathing, and Shaolin Tai Chi. TuesdaysThursdays Call for details. 805-701-7397. charvetmartialarts.com. Grateful Body, 850 Shasta, 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.

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

GODDESS GROUP Please join Oracle Owner/Intuitive Medium, Tiffany Klemz, for this twice monthly, Goddess Group. The intention of this group is to curate connection, inspiration, unity, and empowerment. Every other Tuesday, 6:30-8 p.m. $11. 805-464-2838. oracleatascaderoca.com. Oracle, 6280 Palma Ave., Atascadero.

KID’S HOLIDAY TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL CAMPS (SESSION 3)

For kids ages 7 to 12, come learn to play tennis, pickleball, bocce, and other games and fun activities. There are three sessions to choose from during the Thanksgiving and Christmas school holidays. Jan. 5 9 a.m.-1 p.m. $180-$200; discounts available. 805434-9605. ttrtennis.com/tennis/kidscamps/. Templeton Tennis Ranch, 345 Championship Lane, Templeton.

KUNDALINI 4 PART SERIES Please join Hanna, of Wholistic Alchemy, as she guides you through this 4-part Kundalini Series, exploring, learning, and embodying the roots of Kundalini yoga. Wednesdays, 10-11:30 a.m. through Jan. 26 $100. 805-464-2838. oracleatascaderoca. com. Oracle, 6280 Palma Ave., Atascadero.

MEMBERSHIP MEETING OF THE MULTIFLORA GARDEN CLUB

The Multiflora Garden Club (MFGC) focuses on furthering its members’ interests in horticulture, gardening, floral, and landscape design. Organized in 1971,

fundraising efforts support scholarships in these areas and in the conservation of natural resources. The MFGC is affiliated with California Garden Clubs Inc. Second Wednesday of every month, 12-2:30 p.m. through June 30 Free. 805-237-2534. Centennial Park, 600 Nickerson Dr., Paso Robles.

NAR-ANON: FRIDAY MEETINGS

A meeting for those who know or have known a feeling of desperation concerning the addiction of a loved one. Fridays, 12-1 p.m. Free. 805-4412164. North County Connection, 8600 Atascadero Ave., Atascadero.

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. 805-2373988. 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. 805242-2421. tops.org. Santa Margarita Senior Center, 2210 H St., Santa Margarita.

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

AGILITY CLINIC Agility (AKA parkour) offers a path to social confidence. No experience is necessary, so come transform from timid to triumphant. Ages 5 to 17 welcome. Jan. 14 1:15-3:15 p.m. $25 for first child; $10 per additional sibling. 805-547-1496. performanceathleticsslo. com/events. Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

BEYOND MINDFULNESS Realize your potential through individualized meditation instruction with an experienced teacher via Zoom. This class is for those who wish to begin a practice or seek to deepen an existing one. Flexible days and times. Certified with IMTA. Email or text for information. Mondays-Sundays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sliding scale. 559-905-9274. theartofsilence.net. Online, See website, 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.

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.

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.

FREE GUIDED MEDITATION GROUP A free guided meditation group held every Friday morning. Call for more info. Fridays, 10-10:45 a.m. through Jan. 27 Free. 805439-2757. RuthCherryPhD.com. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

HEALING DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP A safe place for anyone suffering from the pain of depression. We do not criticize but do share our journey, feelings, and what works for us. We can meet in person or use Zoom if needed. Mondays, 6-7 p.m. Free. 805-528-3194. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo.

JUSTICE SUNDAY: UPDATE ON SLO CITY HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE TASK FORCE Daisy Wiberg, Administrative Specialist with the City of SLO, will present an overview and update on efforts at reducing homelessness. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. Refreshments served. Jan. 8 , 10:45 a.m.noon Free. 805-544-2133. mtcarmelslo. org/. Mount Carmel Lutheran Church, 1701 Fredericks St., 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, 805-2703346.

NATURE NIGHTS An immersive outdoor holiday light and art exhibition. Features large format light projections, illuminated sculptures, and artistic lighting of garden areas throughout the garden. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. ThursdaysSundays, 5, 6 & 7 p.m. through Jan. 8 my805tix.com. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo, 8055411400.

OPEN MIC COMEDY NIGHT Come on over to the tasting room for some laugh out loud fun at Open Mic Comedy Night with many delicious ciders on tap. Second Thursday of every month, 7 p.m. Free show. SLO Cider, 3419 Roberto Ct., Suite C, San Luis Obispo.

Q YOUTH GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM) This is a social support group for LGBTQ+ and questioning youth between the ages of 11-18. Each week the group explores personal, cultural, and social identity. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. Free. galacc. org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

QI GONG FOR MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT Learn and practice qi gong, a Chinese system for physical, mental and spiritual development. This class is conducted outdoors in a beautiful setting, which is the best place to do qi gong, as its inspiration is drawn from nature. Certified instructor: Devin Wallace. Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m. $10. 805-709-2227. Crows End Retreat Center, 6340 Squire Ct., San Luis Obispo.

SLO BOTANICAL GARDEN PRESENTS YOGA ON THE TERRACE WITH CHERYL WAKEFIELD An immersive yoga experience led by Cheryl Wakefield, a yoga instructor of 15 years. The event will take place on the terrace in a serene outdoor setting that promotes a relaxed and tranquil mind. Saturdays. through Jan. 29 San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo, 8055411400.

Free. slonoontime.toastmastersclubs.org. Zoom, Online, Inquire for Zoom ID.

SLO RAM RETIRED ACTIVE MEN

COFFEE CABINET Weekly Coffee Cabinet meeting of the SLO RAM Active Retired Men, a local men’s social club. Click ‘Contact’ on website for invite. Thursdays, 8-9:30 a.m. $10. retiredactivemen.org. Madonna Inn Garden Room, 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo.

SLO TABLE TENNIS The club is open to all skill levels. There are many tables available to play casual and competitive games. Sundays, 4-7 p.m. and Tuesdays, Thursdays, 7-10 p.m. through Jan. 31 Free. 805-540-0470. Ludwick Community Center, 864 Santa Rosa, 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. $10. 805-709-2227. Crows End Retreat Center, 6340 Squire Ct., San Luis Obispo.

SUNDAY EVENING RAP LGBTQ+ AA GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM)

Alcoholics Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of folks from all walks of life who together, attain and maintain sobriety. Requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Email aarapgroup@gmail.com for password access. Sundays, 7-8 p.m. No fee. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

SUPPORT GROUP FOR CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS WITH

FTD (FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA) A welcoming meeting providing information and support for caregivers of people with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). FTD is a dementia that affects younger people and is very difficult for families. This is an open group. Caregivers can drop in for information, supportive discussion, and caregiving tips. Second Saturday of every month, 2:30-4 p.m. through Jan. 14 805471-8102. calpoly.zoom.us/j/83141446835. Online, See website, 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.

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

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

BEGINNER GROUP SURF LESSONS AND SURF CAMPS Lessons and camp packages available daily. All equipment included. ongoing Starts at $70. 805-8357873. sandbarsurf.com/. Sandbar Surf School Meetup Spot, 110 Park Ave., Pismo Beach.

Grover Beach, empoweryoga805.com.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WATCH AND CLOCK COLLECTORS, CHPT. 52

Come join a friendly meeting of watch and clock collectors. Members bring watches and clocks to show, plus there are discussions of all things horological.

Second Sunday of every month, 1:30-3 p.m. 805-547-1715. new.nawcc.org/index. php/chapter-52-los-padres. Central Coast Senior Center, 1580 Railroad St., Oceano.

PILATES AND HIKE TO THE LIGHTHOUSE Hike to the Point San Luis Lighthouse for a one of a kind Pilates session led by Vanessa Dominguez of Tabula Rasa Pilates. Jan. 8 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. my805tix.com. Point San Luis Lighthouse, 1 Lighthouse Rd., Avila Beach.

POINT SAN LUIS LIGHTHOUSE TOURS Tours will give you a glimpse into the lives of Lighthouse Keepers and their families, while helping keep our jewel of the Central Coast preserved and protected. Check website for more details. Wednesdays, Saturdays pointsanluislighthouse.org/. Point San Luis Lighthouse, 1 Lighthouse Rd., Avila Beach.

SOCIAL GROUP FOR WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS Call for more details. Second Saturday of every month, 10 a.m. 805904-6615. Oak Park Christian Church, 386 N Oak Park Blvd., Grover Beach.

WEEKLY WATER SAFETY LESSONS Facility advertised as open and safe. Give the office a call to register over the phone. Mondays-Fridays $160-$190. 805-4816399. 5 Cities Swim School, 425 Traffic Way, Arroyo Grande, 5citiesswimschool.com.

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS 30 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN SANTA MARIA/ORCUTT Community Partners in Caring is seeking volunteers to help support dependent older adults and seniors. ongoing partnersincaring.org. Santa Maria, Citywide, Santa Maria.

ANDROID PHONE CLASS First Thursday of every month Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt, 805-937-9750.

CENTRAL COAST CORVETTE CLUB Open to Corvette owners and enthusiasts. First Thursday of every month, 7 p.m. Free. 805-934-3948. Home Motors, 1313 E. Main St., Santa Maria.

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

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

GROUP WALKS AND HIKES Check website for the remainder of this year’s group hike dates and private hike offerings. ongoing 805-343-2455. dunescenter.org. Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, 1065 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe.

JOURNALING FOR TEENS AND TWEENS: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY Come to the library to learn about the many ways people journal. Create, customize, and build a personal journal to keep. Jan. 5 Free. 805-925-0994. cityofsantamaria. org. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

Tuesday of every month Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt, 805-937-9750.

SANTA MARIA VALLEY RAILWAY HISTORICAL MUSEUM TOURS The collection includes late 1800’s-early 1900’s Engine used by the Betteravia Union Sugar Company, a 1930’s Sacramento Northern box car, and more. Second Saturday of every month, 12-4 p.m. smvrhm.com. Santa Maria Transit Center, Miller and Boone Streets, Santa Maria.

SENSORY BIN CREATION STATION: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY Preschoolers and caregivers, learn how to create your own sensory bin. Sensory bins allow children to explore, discover, imagine, create, and learn while engaging their senses. For ages 3-5; adult assistance is required to assemble sensory bins. Registration is required. Jan. 9 Free. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

TEEN ANIME NIGHT: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY When the Library closes, the fun begins. Enjoy dinner, crafts, games, and a movie with other teen anime fans. Registration is required. Jan. 6 Free. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

TEEN GAMING: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY Teens, come hang out for a Friday afternoon of gaming. Play to win or sit back and watch the action on our large screen. Light snacks will be provided. Jan. 13 Free. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS OVER ZOOM Visit site or call to learn about various virtual workshop offerings. ongoing Varies. Unwind Studio, 130 N. Broadway, suite B, Santa Maria, 805-748-2539, unwindsantamaria.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. through May 31 Varies. 805-824-7383. morrobayfarmersmarket.com. Morro Bay Main Street Farmers Market, Main Street and Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

BRUNCH IS BACK Celebrate the second Sunday of the month with brunch. Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the waterfront. Features fresh coffee, pastries, and more. Second Sunday of every month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $50. 805-772-2128. chabliscruises. com. Chablis Cruises, 1205 Embarcadero, Morro Bay.

GOAL MINE

Artist and designer Breann DeLisle will lead a journaling workshop at Oracle in Atascadero on Wednesday, Jan. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. Attendees of the class will create their own vision boards, with collages of images, words, and other elements. Admission is $45. Call (805) 464-2838 or visit oracleatascaderoca.com to find out more. Oracle is located at 6280 Palma Ave., Atascadero.

—C.W.

SLO CHESS CLUB All skill levels welcome. Feel free to come by and check it out. Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m. through Feb. 28 Free. 805-540-0470. Whole Foods Market, 1531 Froom, 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 YOGA FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, EMS, AND COMMUNITY CARETAKERS

Join for some well-deserved self-care. Anyone including fire, EMS, police, hospital workers, medical staff, assisted living caretakers, etc. is welcome. All yoga abilities are encouraged to attend. Please email empoweryoga805@gmail.com in advance to enroll. Thursdays, 6-7 p.m. 805-619-0989. Empower Yoga Studio and Community Boutique, 775 W. Grand Ave.,

LET’S BLOW OFF SOME STEAM: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY Curious preschoolers and caregivers, come to a special story time filled with exploration and discovery. Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math themes will be explored through stories and discovered through hands-on activities. Come dressed for mess. For ages 3 to 5. Jan. 13 Free. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons. org. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

LIGHT UP ROBOT CRAFT PACKS: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY Use a few simple supplies to make an awesome light up robot paper craft. Learn about open and closed circuits and simple electricity. For ages 6 to 12. Jan. 14 Free. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons. org. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

ORCUTT MINERAL SOCIETY Second

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. 805-4606042. ancientowlbeergarden.com. Ancient Owl Beer Garden, 6090 El Camino Real, suite C, Atascadero.

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

HOMESHARE SLO COFFEE CHAT Join a chat about home sharing and learn about being either a provider or affordable housing options. Jan. 11 , 10:30 a.m. and Second Wednesday of every month, 10:30 a.m. No cost. smartsharehousingsolutions.org. Coastal Peaks Coffee, 3566 S. Higuera St., San Luis Obispo.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF TIFFANY KLEMZ

CARD CARRYING

Los Angeles-based Americana artist Pi Jacobs is among several musicians set to perform during an upcoming Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson tribute concert, scheduled to take place on Sunday, Jan. 15, at 2 p.m., at the Cambria Center for the Arts Theatre. Other artists in the lineup include Aireene Espiritu, Taylor C. Lewis, Ricky Berger, Chris Mariscal, and more. Tickets to the show, presented by Songwriters at Play, are available in advance at my805tix.com. The Cambria Center for the Arts is located at 1350 Main St., Cambria. —C.W.

than 60 vendors. Saturdays, 8-10:45 a.m. World Market Parking Lot, 325 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT PUB TRIVIA Bring your thinking cap as questions vary from pop culture, geography, to sports. There is a little for everyone. Prizes for the winning teams. Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. 805-439-2529. Oak and Otter Brewing, 181 Tank Farm Road, suite 110, San Luis Obispo.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

PISMO BEACH FARMERS MARKET

Features various vendors selling their goods. Wednesdays, 4-7 p.m. Pismo Beach Farmers Market, Pismo Pier, Pismo Beach, 805. 773.4382.

TRIVIA NIGHT Join BrainStew Trivia for a hilariously witty evening of trivia in Pismo. Teams of 1 to 4 people. Prizes awarded to the first and second place teams. Kitchen is open until 7:30 p.m. for brain fuel. Beer, cider, wine, and nonalcoholic options available. First Thursday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m. Free to play. 805-295-6171. kulturhausbrewing.com. Kulturhaus Brewing Company, 779 Price St., Pismo Beach.

MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

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

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT WINE STONE INN Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, 805-332-3532, winestoneinn.com/.

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

SIMPLY SOURDOUGH First Thursday of every month Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt, 805-937-9750.

TACO TUESDAY Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, 805332-3532, winestoneinn.com/.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

SECOND SATURDAY OPEN AIR MARKET:

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

MUSIC

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

EASTON EVERETT LIVE Easton Everett writes “compelling music outside the pop mainstream in distinctive stylistic shapes,” according to marketing materials. Jan. 7 6:30-9:30 p.m. Free. eastoneverett.com/. The Savory Palette (formerly Morro Bay Wine Seller), 601 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, (805) 679-3326 / (805) 858-8440.

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.

MICHAEL AHERN AND THE ROCKMAKERS A 5-piece rock and roll cover band drawing from a catalog of 50 years of rock and roll music. Jan. 7, 2:30-5:30 & 8-10:30 p.m. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, 805-225-1312, thesirenmorrobay.com/.

OPEN MIC NIGHT Come join us each Wednesday for 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.

SONGWRITERS AT PLAY FEATURES

KERN RICHARDS SoCal Americana artist Kern Richards speaks to traditional folk, country, and blues audiences as well as to the rocker in us all. Special guests on this weekly showcase includes Cynthia Ford, Bradly Coats, and Tommy Choboter. Jan. 10 6:30-9 p.m. Free. 805-204-6821. stevekey.com/events. Schooners, 171 North Ocean Ave, Cayucos.

THE STORYTELLERS LIVE A progressive bluegrass ensemble whose repertoire represents a unique blend of roots-rock, Americana, country-blues, folk, and more. Jan. 13 7:30-10 p.m. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, 805-225-1312, thesirenmorrobay.com/.

TRIBUTE TO DOLLY AND WILLIE IN

CAMBRIA Songwriters at Play presents local and touring artists covering Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson songs. Jan. 15 , 2-4:30 p.m. $25. 805-204-6821. stevekey. com/events. Cambria Center for the Arts Theatre, 1350 Main St., Cambria.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

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. 805460-6042. ancientowlbeergarden.com. Ancient Owl Beer Garden, 6090 El Camino Real, suite C, Atascadero.

SYMPHONY OF THE VINES: CLASSICAL ARTISTRY Maestro Magie leads the orchestra. Featuring violinist Mischa Lefkowitz as soloist. Jan. 15 , 3 p.m. my805tix.com. Mission San Miguel Arcángel, 775 Mission St., San Miguel.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

DIRT MONKEY X JANTSEN: FULL CIRCLE TOUR Jan. 12 8 p.m. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, 805-546-8600, fremontslo.com.

DJ B.TRU An evening DJ set featuring Mushroom Jazz and Roots Reggae and delicious ciders on tap. Held in the tasting room and patio. Saturdays, 5-8 p.m. 805-721-6878. SLO Cider, 3419 Roberto Ct., Suite C, San Luis Obispo.

EASTON EVERETT An artist known for a guitar-woven sound that spreads across “the American music story.” Jan. 5 5-7 p.m. Free. eastoneverett.com/. Mulligans Bar and Grill, 6460 Ana Bay Rd, Avila, (805) 595-4000.

EASTON EVERETT SOLO Enjoy some indie-acoustic, live music. Thursdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. eastoneverett.com. Big Sky Cafe, 1121 Broad Street, San Luis Obispo, (805)545-5401.

LIVE MUSIC AT RAGTAG WINE CO. Enjoy live music by local favorites. Wine available by the flight, glass, or bottle. Thursdays-Saturdays, 6-9 p.m. Ragtag Wine Co., 779 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, 805-439-0774, ragtagwineco.com.

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.

STEEL PANTHER LIVE Jan. 7 8 p.m. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, 805-546-8600, fremontslo.com.

SUNDAY MUSIC AT RAGTAG WINE CO. Enjoy live music by local favorites. Wine available by the flight, glass, or bottle. Sundays, 4-7 p.m. Ragtag Wine Co., 779 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, 805-4390774, ragtagwineco.com.

W. TERRENCE SPILLER PIANO RECITAL Pianist and Cal Poly Professor Emeritus W. Terrence Spiller will perform works by Frédéric Chopin, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sergei Prokofieff, and Maurice Ravel. Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m. $20 general; $10 students. 805-756-4849. music.calpoly.edu/calendar. Spanos Theatre, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

DANA HUBBARD LIVE Winner of the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival Acoustic Blues Competition and the Indie International Songwriting Contest for Folk/Acoustic, as well as the American River Music Festival Musician Showcase. Jan. 14 7-9 a.m. $20-$35. my.ListeningRoomNetwork.com. Tunes On Mentone, 1901 Mentone Ave., Grover Beach, 805-441-5868.

JAZZ JUBILEE BY THE SEA Three full days of traditional jazz, vintage jazz, New Orleans, Cajun, Dixieland, Western Swing, and big bands. Jan. 12-15 my805tix.com. Pismo Beach Veterans Memorial Hall, 780 Bello St., Pismo Beach.

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS TRIBUTE TO DOLLY AND WILLIE IN SANTA MARIA Songwriters at Play presents local and touring artists covering Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson songs. Jan. 14, 2-4:30 p.m. $20. 805-204-6821. stevekey.com/events. Unity Chapel of Light Church, 1165 Stubblefield Rd., Orcutt. ∆

SANTA

FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF PI JACOBS

BY

DANA Adobe and

Cultural

Center

showcases

photos by John Craig

On Sunday, Jan. 22, the DANA Adobe and Cultural Center will host an opening reception for its new exhibition, Photography of My Diné (Navajo) Family and Images of the Southwestern Landscape, a solo showcase of photos by John Craig. Admission to the reception, which starts at 1 p.m., is free for DANA members, $8 for nonmembers, and $3 for children.

Craig will lead a presentation on his photography during the event, which will also include appetizers for guests to enjoy. To find out more about the exhibit and other programs hosted by the DANA Adobe and Cultural Center, call (805) 929-5679 or visit danaadobe.org.

The DANA Adobe and Cultural Center, regularly open Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., is located at 671 S. Oakglen Ave., Nipomo. Tours of the Adobe are offered by appointment only. The Adobe is a registered historical site and is considered the oldest home in SLO County.

Art Center Morro Bay hosts drawing demo with Amelie Butkus

Writer and illustrator Amelie Butkus will lead a free drawing demonstration at Art Center Morro Bay on Monday, Jan. 23, from 3 to 5 p.m. Butkus will demonstrate her process in drawing full-body characters that express distinct emotions in both facial and body language.

To find out more about the demo, visit artcentermorrobay.org. The venue is located at 835 Main St., Morro Bay.

Local theater group stages Arthur Miller’s The

Crucible

By the Sea Productions presents its staged reading of The Crucible at St. Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church in Morro Bay for one weekend only, starting on Friday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m., with additional performances on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 15, at 3 p.m.

From prolific writer Arthur Miller, The Crucible is set during the 1692 Salem witch trials.

The show’s synopsis in press materials describes the play as a riveting tale “where religion, personal grudges, and fear clash, with deadly results.’

Tickets to By the Sea Productions’ The Crucible are available online in advance at my805tix.com. General admission to the show is $15. Visit bytheseaproductions.org or call (805) 776-3287 for more info on the production, as well as details on future shows hosted by By The Sea Productions. St. Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church is located at 545 Shasta Ave., Morro Bay. ∆

—Caleb Wiseblood

Coffee community

Central Coast coffee company Nautical Bean collaborates with The Bunker on a renovated art space

From the ’70s and ’80s pop culture-themed lunch boxes and skateboards that populate the walls to the retro couches and wooden tables, Nautical Bean co ee shops create a certain ambiance.

Whether it’s the Parker Street or the Los Osos Valley Road location, Nautical Bean strives to provide an enjoyable atmosphere for anyone in their communities to kick back in, something owner Brett Jones has always maintained as his goal.

“It’s a pop culture explosion,” he said with a laugh. “We have always done things our own way, and it bene ted us over the years.”

So when the opportunity came to build a community-oriented co ee shop and gallery at the iconic Bunker art space on Orcutt Road in San Luis Obispo, e Bunker’s owner, Missy ReitnerCameron, immediately reached out to Jones to be a part of the new location. e Bunker plans to open up its co ee services in late winter with the goal of being an art-focused community gathering space for the expanding Broad Street area.

Reitner-Cameron originally became connected to e Bunker when she rented the location 10 years ago while it served as a closed gathering space for artists. In 2018 she fully purchased the property and set out to renovate the space and open it to the public for both art and community gatherings.

“Having arts involved in whatever I do has always been part of my passions,” she said. e idea to renovate the space was mainly motivated by the needs Reitner-Cameron saw in the nearby Broad Street community—something she and Jones experienced rsthand as members of the neighborhood.

“I wanted to rethink what exactly e Bunker is, especially in regards to serving a growing community and how we can provide those services that this area lacks, one of those being a co ee shop,” she said.

Be in the know

While The Bunker is under construction, visit thebunkerslo.com to see more about the artists it features. Follow it on Instagram, @thebunkerslo, to keep up to date about when the renovated space at 810 Orcutt Road will open.

For more info on Nautical Bean and its various locations throughout San Luis Obispo County, visit nbcentralcoast.com or drop in at 11560 Los Osos Valley Road, No. 150, or 2010 Parker St.

Jones said he feels that adding this new Nautical Bean location will not only provide for those community needs but combine them with an appreciation for the arts in San Luis Obispo as a whole.

“We call it the ‘Low Bro’ (lower Broad Street); everyone who has been here knows about this sense of community we have,” Jones said. “With this new location we can expand that experience to not just everyone in the community, but those coming to visit.”

Jones is no stranger to embracing the local communities where Nautical Bean cafes set up shop. e Parker Street neighborhood is a place Jones considers a large contributing factor to building up a sense of community in that part of SLO for both locals and college students.

“ e Parker Street community really embraced our style and co ee, and with this new location [near Broad] our hope is that we do the same,” Jones said.

“Having upwards of 40 seats in addition to all the space we will have within the gallery itself plus the outdoor area is something I am very excited about,” he said, “to be able to enjoy not just Nautical Bean’s co ee in our own little space but enjoy it in the wonderful SLO weather alongside art.”

With art being the primary focus of the revitalized Bunker project, Reitner-Cameron also wants to use the space as a means to bring outside art into the San Luis Obispo community.

“ e local art here is so wonderful, and given the history e Bunker has in supporting that art, [local artists] are absolutely the rst on my list to bring into the renovated location,” she said. “As the project grows I would love to bring in outside art side by side to blend the styles together.”

Showtime!

e Bunker will largely be focused on the gallery aspect with the Nautical Bean only taking up a small part of the overall structure. But even in its corner, Jones will be able to decorate the space with his own pop culture stylings alongside local art. e space will also allow Jones to serve an entire gallery in addition to the small co ee shop space, something he said he wants to fully take advantage of to spread his unique brand of ca einated cheer.

Ultimately both ReitnerCameron and Jones view e Bunker collaboration as a way to bring the local community forward. By combining two creative SLO establishments, they see the potential to bring the community together into the future.

“Everyone needs their co ee rst,” ReitnerCameron said with a laugh, “that’s our priority in getting this done. Once we have that, everything else will follow naturally.” ∆

Freelancer Adrian Vincent Rosas is sipping on a mint chip mocha from Nautical Bean. Reach him through the editor at clanham@newtimesslo.com.

BUILDING THE BUNKER The Bunker on Orcutt Road in SLO has served as a long-term haven for artists, and with the new renovations it will also serve as a focal point for community art appreciation and coffee.

High anxiety

WHITE NOISE

What’s it rated? R

Writer-director Noah Baumbach (Frances Ha, The Squid and the Whale, Marriage Story) brings author Don DeLillo’s 1985 satirical postmodern novel to the big screen. Jack Gladney (Adam Driver) is a college professor who’s pioneered the niche academic pursuit of Hitler studies. He’s married to Babette (Greta Gerwig), and together they raise a large brood of children and stepchildren and frequently fret about death. After an accident causes a chemical spill that releases a noxious cloud over their area, the family takes to the road in their station wagon to escape, but Jack fears he’s been exposed and will die. Meanwhile, he discovers Babette may have an addiction problem. (136 min.)

What’s it worth, Glen? Full price What’s it worth, Anna? Full price Where’s it showing? Netflix

Glen This Reagan-era absurdist comedy does a pretty good job covering DeLillo’s main themes of his novel: skewering the pretentiousness of academe, thanatophobia (fear of death), consumerism, and contemporary life’s general feeling of anxiety and the cornucopia of pharmaceutical avenues we take to treat it. Considering the novel has been called “unfilmable,” I’d argue Baumbach has succeeded, though the 38 percent Rotten Tomatoes audience score would beg to differ. OK, so it’s not for everybody, but if you like Wes Anderson films, you’ll probably dig this. Anderson and Baumbach co-wrote Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, and this film is filled with quirky characters playing it deadpan in absurd moments, for instance when Jack and his colleague Murray Jay Siskind (Don Cheadle) offer a deeply ironic joint lecture juxtaposing the lives of Adolf Hitler and Elvis Presley. Surrender to its weirdness and White Noise will pay off. Anna Perhaps White Noise is too quirky for some, too consumed in the minutiae of the dialogue. For me, this sort of film hits a sweet spot. It helps that I love both Driver

BEST SELLERS

What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2021 Where’s it showing? Rent on Amazon Prime, Redbox, Vudu, and Apple TV

ucy

(Scott Speedman). Cue

STRANGE BEDFELLOWS

Lucy (Aubrey Plaza) must convince famed but notoriously cranky author Harris Shaw (Michael Caine) to release one more novel, in the dramedy Best Sellers , rentable on streaming platforms.

and Gerwig as much as I love this style of campy filmmaking. Odd yet ordinary, the Gladney family ponders the mysteries of death over chile fried chicken and corn niblets at the dinner table. Jack and Babette seem made for each other, both on their fourth go-round with marriage. But as close as the partners may be, there are still secrets lurking. Babette’s daughter, Denise, sees her mother hide an empty prescription bottle deep in the trash, but when Denise consults her trusty encyclopedia of medications, the mysterious pill cannot be found. Does this explain Babette’s lapse in memory lately, her vacant moments? Then the family is outrunning the mysterious noxious gas cloud and seeking refuge at an emergency shelter, desperate for news. What is the substance? What are the consequences? It all is very strange, very mysterious. Glen If you’re looking for neat, tidy answers, this film (and DeLillo’s novel) will not provide them, and the film’s ending is a weird cherry on top of the story’s “what the heck?” cake. However, in light of the pandemic and

harebrained scheme to save her business by digging out Shaw’s old contract with her father—a contract that requires another manuscript from the aging hermit.

He’s gruff and unhelpful and totally not interested in helping Lucy out. However, the two end up out on the road on a book tour together. While Lucy tries everything from booking bars to selling merch to make money, Harris causes trouble and gets drunk. Caine is terrific here—a roguish malcontent hiding a heart of gold.

The two are meant to be in each other’s lives, and soon a reluctant friendship forms between the two as they work to make Shaw’s newest book a hit. Sweet and funny, if Best Sellers comes across your streaming service, it’s worth a rental to watch at home. (102 min.) —Anna

BABYLON

What’s it rated? R When? 2022

its effects on society, the story feels very timely. It also boasts a Danny Elfman score, and LCD Soundsystem recorded its first new music in five years for the Devo-esque track “New Body Rhumba,” which perfectly captures the film’s ’80s milieu. The acting is spectacular, too, especially the three principals. Netflix strikes again!

Anna I’m sure this sort of ambivalent storyline can drive some people bonkers, but I’m OK with a bit of absurdity and unknowing. The music and costuming were on point, the storyline weird and interesting. I’m betting I could happily watch this film again and find pieces of dialogue or small moments that I missed the first time around, and as someone who loves a repeat movie, I appreciate that. I liked Baumbach’s work with Anderson, and I like this film as well, so whatever he puts out next I will be sure to watch. I dig his weirdness. ∆

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

“Excessive” is probably the best word to describe Babylon writer-director Damien Chazelle’s (Whiplash, La La Land ) new film—an often gross and graphic exploration of Hollywood’s pre-code nascent days, its transition from silent films to talkies, and the industry’s ease with which it sucks in and grinds up those involved. In the first few minutes, you’ll see an elephant defecate all over someone, and not long after, you’ll watch a little person (“midget” in the vernacular of the era) wield a giant phallus and testicles and spray a group of partygoers with mock ejaculate. Some viewers might not find it as hilarious as I did.

The story focuses on Manny Torres (Diego Calva), a Mexican worker who dreams of being part of filmmaking magic but instead is relegated to cleaning up other people’s messes until he has a chance meeting with party crasher Nellie LeRoy (Margot Robbie), who wants to be a movie star and gets her big break after being noticed by a

TOO MUCH? Babylon takes on Hollywood excess, the transition from silence to sound, and the allure of fame through the eyes of wannabe star Nellie LeRoy (Margot Robbie, center), screening in local theaters.

producer. Brad Pitt stars as Hollywood leading man Jack Conrad, whose career is derailed by sound films, and Jean Smart stars as gossip columnist Elinor St. John.

Is it too much? Absolutely! Is it too long? By an hour! Is it amazing? Hell yes! (189 min.)

Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Split Screen. Glen compiles listings. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.

LIFE, DEATH, AND CONSUMERISM Jack Gladney (Adam Driver), his wife Babette (Greta Gerwig), and Jack’s college professor colleague Murray Jay Siskind (Don Cheadle) navigate the absurdities of modern life, in White Noise, streaming on Netflix.

PHOTO

L

(Aubrey Plaza) inherited her book publication business from her father, whose skillful editing and salesman smarts led to Harris Shaw’s (Michael Caine) hit novel way long ago. Unfortunately, the world of publishing has changed and Lucy can’t seem to produce a hit—in fact, she is faced with selling off the company to slimy guy Jack Sinclair

PHOTO COURTESY OF ITEM 7 AND WISHING TREE PRODUCTIONS

PHOTO COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES, C2 MOTION PICTURE GROUP, AND MARC PLATT PRODUCTIONS

After completion of a major renovation project, the Grover Beach Goodwill store will celebrate its grand reopening on Friday, January 13th.

Born in 1922 Poland, Joe was sent by the Nazis to 12 different Concentration Camps, including Dachau and Auschwitz. After the brutal annihilation of the Warsaw Ghetto in 1943, he was assigned to a slave-group tasked with cleaning up the destruction’s aftermath. Towards the end of the war, after being shuttled from one death camp to another, the Nazis forced Mr. Alexander on one of their infamous death marches from which very few survived.

Born in 1922 Poland, was sent by the Nazis to 12 different Concentration Camps, including Dachau and Auschwitz. After the brutal annihilation of the Warsaw Ghetto in 1943, he was assigned to a slave-group tasked with cleaning up the destruction’s aftermath. Towards the end of the war, after being shuttled from one death camp to another, the Nazis forced Mr. Alexander on one of their infamous death marches from which very few survived.

BY GLEN STARKEY

Politically incorrect, totally obnoxious

Hide your daughters (or at least hide this column from your young children) because as far as Los Angeles-based comedic glam metal band Steel Panther is concerned, profanity and adopting the over-the-top personas of obnoxious horndog rockstars in service to an ironic tribute to the most-base clichés of ’80s hair bands is the pastiche they’re aiming for.

“Well, I bet you never guessed/ When you came to the show/ You’d be getting on the bus with me/ And doing some blow// Your mama’s in the parking lot/ Looking for you/ She’s gonna nd you when I’m done/ All covered with goo,” lead vocalist Michael Starr sings on “Girl from Oklahoma,” which is one of the band’s tamer songs compared to “Eatin’ Ain’t Cheatin’,” “Fat Girl ( ar She Blows),” “17 Girls in a Row,” “It Won’t Suck Itself,” and “Gangbang at the Old Folks Home.”

If you’re looking for political correctness, these ain’t your lads. In fact, according to their bio, the four members of Steel Panther “boldly plant their ag (and maybe another appendage) into the ground in the name of heavy metal,” and on their fth album, Heavy Metal Rules, they promise that “the solos screech louder, the vocals soar higher, the drums hit harder, and the bass throbs mightier than ever before.”

“You’re going to hear something familiar, but you’re also going to hear something new,” Starr said in press materials. “We grew as musicians and as people. e core values stay the same: Heavy Metal Rules and hot chicks are fun.”

“Heavy Metal Rules is the perfect phrase to describe how we feel,” drummer Stix Zadinia explained. “It’s not just music; it’s a lifestyle. We’ve been able to create an environment for ourselves where nothing is o limits. ere are no boundaries. We push it because we like to push it. In this day and age, people are open to pushing it because everything is so politically correct. We are the last bastion

where you can go if you want to get your freak on. We’re the most truthful band on the fucking planet.”

ese dudes are wholly committed to their shtick. As bassist Lexxi Foxx explains about their new album, “I can’t play what [lead guitarist] Satchel does, so we got a fucking bitchin’ studio musician to do the bass. e studio musician killed it. We had one of my strongest photo shoots, because I had some Botox and got my highlights done right before. I’m still staying with my mom. If this goes well, I’ll be able to get my own apartment.”

“ e lead guitar is really in-your-face,” Satchel added. “We left out a lot of the rhythm guitar. It’s easier to hear the solos.

ey don’t suck either.”

“What [our producer] got out of the record sonically is our best,” Stix elaborated. “ ere are hooks all over it. It’s the perfect Steel Panther album.”

“We’re going to write about sex, drugs, and all of the bitchin’ shit from the ’80s we love,”

Satchel noted. “It’s a great feeling to be in this band. We have a blast. We love each other. We’ve been through a lot together. We’ll keep on rocking until one of us breaks a hip or some shit.”

“We really do love heavy metal and performing,” Starr continued. “We’re going to fucking conquer the world the Steel Panther way. Heavy metal is coming back. Pretty soon, everyone’s going to have long hair and wear spandex.”

“Can I just say we all look fantastic as well?” Stix interrupted. “We’re doing our part to bring heavy metal to the masses. ... Heavy metal rules.”

Experience Steel Panther this Saturday, Jan. 7 (8 p.m.; all ages; $44.36 with fees at seetickets.us).

Also coming up at the historic Fremont eater is electronic dance music artist Dirt Monkey (alias of Patrick Megeath), with opening act Jantsen on their Full Circle Tour next ursday, Jan. 12 (8 p.m.; all ages; $31.03 with fees at seetickets.us).

According to his bio, “Dirt Monkey embodies the identity of a forward-thinking electronic music artist in every sense. Cutting-edge sound design is the name of his game, proven by his constant releases that span a broad spectrum of genres. From dubstep, to house, to drum and bass, and beyond—it’s no surprise that Dirt Monkey is regarded as a producer’s producer and a fanfavorite performer in the electronic music world.”

He released his debut full-length in 2012 and has since o ered plenty of singles, collaborations, remixes, and albums, and he’s appeared at several huge EDM festivals, including as Electric Zoo, Lost Lands, and Bass Canyon.

The Siren

You can always count on Morro Bay’s e Siren to keep the live music owing. is week they have the Route 66 Band on ursday, Jan. 6 (7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; free). ese Central Coast performers are a classic rock cover-song powerhouse, playing everything from Elvis Presley to Van Morrison, from the Eagles to Creedence Clearwater Revival, from the Beatles to the Rolling Stones and more.

e cover songs keep on rolling when Michael Ahern & the Rockmakers play twice on Friday, Jan. 7 (2:30 and 8 p.m.; 21-and-older; free). Hailing from El Granada, this quintet draws from more than 50 years of rock music—everything from ’60s psychedelic rock, ’70s American and British classic rock, ’80s “big hair” music, to ’90s grunge.

“If you’re looking for a great band, look no further,” their bio reads. “Michael Ahern & the Rockmakers deliver. Our music will take you to that wonderful place where music raises your spirit. Every song performed is a hit.” ∆

Contact

gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.

Senior Sta Writer Glen Starkey at

‘Heavy metal rules and hot chicks are fun,’ says Steel Panther

‘EATIN’ AIN’T CHEATIN ’ ’ Heavy metal band Steel Panther will bring their unbridled sexuality, skintight spandex, enormous hair, and unapologetic braggadocio to the Fremont Theater on Jan. 7

FORWARD-THINKING ELECTRONICA Dirt Monkey (aka Patrick Megeath) brings his cuttingedge dubstep, house, drum and bass, and beyond sounds to the Fremont Theater on Jan. 12 .

FIFTY YEARS OF ROCK ’N’ ROLL Cover band Michael Ahern & the Rockmakers guarantee “every song is a hit” when they play two shows at The Siren on Jan. 7

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVE JACKSON

PHOTO COURTESY OF DIRT MONKEY PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL AHERN & THE ROCKMAKERS

Home sweet home

Sea for yourself

Muffins. Cookies. Cupcakes. No matter which of her baked goods is up for review, Jacqueline Rubio never gets tired of hearing “nostalgiainducing” and similar adjectives as feedback from her customers.

“I love when someone tells me it reminds them of a specific time or memory after they taste a certain treat,” said Rubio, the founder of Jackie’s Treats to Sea, an Orcutt-based cottage bakery.

Rubio started her business during the summer of 2022. Since then, she’s offered deliveries of her baked creations to residents of cities in Santa Barbara and San Luis

Obispo counties and has worked as a vendor at a handful of farmers market events along the Central Coast.

While her ingredients and recipes vary from treat to treat, Rubio’s goal is consistent with each of her confections: to transport tasters to a fond place or memorable moment in their lives.

Rubio described her aim with baking as an attempt to “bottle up a feeling or memory,” similar to a candle with a scent that reminds someone of home, she said as an example. She hopes this feeling comes across in not only her baked goods’ taste, but their appearance as well.

“I am an artist in many media, such as painting, and I feel like that also shows through my baking. I try to make each treat I create look beautiful,” Rubio said. “I was thrilled to start this business because I love trying new things and being creative.”

Rubio, who works as a fulltime teacher in Santa Maria, has enjoyed baking as a hobby for nearly as long as she can remember.

“I have been passionate about it since I was really young,” Rubio said. “I would often bake for family and friends, and I would bake with my grandparents sometimes.”

She continued to bake for fun in adulthood, and her everexpanding reach has extended to friends of friends of friends and beyond simply through good word of mouth.

“Everybody would always ask, ‘Oh can you bake this for our party?’ or, ‘Could you bake this for my birthday?’” Rubio said. “That’s kind of where I got started with it, baking for family and friends. And I would constantly find new things to bake for them. After a while, they started telling people or would take it to a party. It kind of got around that way.”

Rubio said she had dreamed of running her own cottage bakery for a long time, before taking a leap of faith, shortly after her first son was born in May.

“I’ve been wanting to do it for a while. I just kind of felt like I really didn’t have a lot of time,” said Rubio, who decided to start the bakery while on maternity leave from her

FLAVOR

New cottage style bakery stems from a local confectioner’s lifelong hobby

FRESH OUT OF THE OVEN When it comes to ranking her own cookies, cottage industry baker Jacqueline Rubio can’t decide which one takes the top spot. It’s a close tie between her sprinkled sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies, she said.

MEET YOUR BAKER Orcutt local Jacqueline Rubio has worked as a vendor—serving items from her new cottage industry bakery, Jackie’s Treats to Sea—at a few farmers market events and pop-ups on the Central Coast since the summer of 2022.

WHAT DOES THE BOX SAY? Since starting her cottage bakery in the summer of 2022, Jackie’s Treats to Sea founder Jacqueline Rubio has delivered her baked goods to residents of Orcutt, Lompoc, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, and other cities along the Central Coast.

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teaching job. “I had a lot of downtime. I was like, ‘You know what, I’m going to try this and see how it works out.’ So far, it’s been really good for me.”

Once Rubio started an Instagram page for Jackie’s Treats to Sea, her clientele gradually grew in size. Many of her orders are placed through direct messaging on the app, and her followers have a big say in what she bakes, as she frequently posts polls for the public to vote on new kinds of items she should add to her selection. The baker’s personal favorite items in her current offerings include apple

cinnamon muffins, sprinkled sugar cookies, and chocolate chip cookies.

When Rubio returns to teaching, she plans to continue running the cottage bakery, she said.

“As far as when I go back, I feel like I will be able to balance it out,” Rubio said. “Most likely I’ll just bake either early in the morning—because sometimes it doesn’t take me too long if it’s a small order—or after school hours.” Δ

Calendar Editor Caleb Wiseblood is too cool for school, but never too cool for raw cookie dough. Send comments to cwiseblood@ newtimesslo.com.

AN APPLE A DAY Among her current offerings at Jackie’s Treats to Sea, baker Jacqueline Rubio’s personal favorite of her muffin options is the apple cinnamon muffin.

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FINANCIAL SERVICES

HOME SERVICES

NOTICE

TO DEFENDANT: (AVISO AL DEMANDADO) David Gould, an individual; and Does 1-100, inclusive

The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y dirección de la corte son)

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN LUIS 1035 Palm St., Room 385 San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO CONFORM TO GENDER IDENTITY CASE NUMBER: 22CV-0608

SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL)

YOU

ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (LO ESTÁ DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): UHG I, LLC

CASE NUMBER (Número de caso): 21LC-0475

Notice! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money and property may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia. org), the California Courts online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo. ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case.

¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 dias, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su version. Lea la informacion a continuacion.

Tiene 30 DIAS CALENDARIOS despues de que le entreguen esta citacion y papeles legales para presentar una repuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefonica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted puede usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formuleriors de la corte y mas informacion en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp/espanol), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentacion, pida al secretario de la corte que le de un formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas.

Si no presenta su repuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte la podra quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia.

Hay otros requistas legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remision a abogados.

Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniendose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar ias cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperacion de $10,000 o mas de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo ao una consesion de artitraje en un caso dce derecho civll. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.

CASE NUMBER: (Número de caso):21LC-0475

The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la dirección y número de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): Kevin W. Yeam/SBN 126519; Martin Weingarten/SBN 201906 Persolve Legal Group, LLP 9301 Corbin Ave ste 1600 Northridge, CA 91324 818-534-3100

Date: (Fecha) 06/06/2021

By: /s/ Michael Powell, Clerk (Secretario) /s/, D. Rincon, Deputy Clerk, (adjunto)

December 15, 22, 29, 2022 & January 5, 2023

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE

NUMBER: 22CV-0650

To all interested persons: Petitioner: Karissa Kay Shaffer filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME: Karissa Kay Shaffer to PROPOSED NAME: Karissa Kay Smalley

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: January 25, 2023 Time: 9:00 am, Dept. 4, at the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo, 1035 Palm St. Rm. 385, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408. 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: December 5, 2022

/s/: Tana L. Coates, Judge of the Superior Court December 15, 22, 29, 2022, & January 5, 2023

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE

NUMBER: 22CV-0669

To all interested persons: Petitioner: Laura Ann Jagels filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

PRESENT NAME: Laura Ann Jagels to PROPOSED NAME: Laura Ann Gonzalez

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 9, 2023 Time: 9:00 am, Dept. 2, at the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo, 1035 Palm St. Rm. 385, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408. 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: December 12, 2022

/s/: Rita C. Federman, Judge of the Superior Court December 22, 29, 2022, January 5, 12, 2023

To all interested persons: Petitioner: JESSICA STRONG filed a petition with this court for a decree changing name as follows: PRESENT NAME: William Ryan Strong Lee to PROPOSED NAME: Billie Ryan Strong Lee

THE COURT ORDERS: that any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection within six weeks of the date this order is issued. If no written objection is timely filed, the court will grant the petition without a hearing.

A hearing date may be set only if an objection is timely filed and shows good cause for opposing the name change. Objections based solely on concerns that the proposed change is not the person’s actual gender identity or gender assigned at birth shall not constitute good cause. (See Code Civ. Proc., § 1277.5(c).)

Date: December 12, 2022

/s/: Linda D. Hurst, Judge of the Superior Court December 22, 29, 2022, January 5, 12, 2023

Public Notice of Lien Sale Auction

This notice is given that Buckley Springs Storage, 901 Buckley Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, will sell personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property pursuant to the California Self-Storage Facilities Act. (California Business & Professions Code 21700)

The undersigned will sell at public auction at www.storageauctions. net from January 18, 2023 – January 24, 2023, of contents stored by the following persons and will be sold to the highest bidder:

Peter Bertelsen of San Luis Obispo, CA, unit C131

Golf clubs, sports equipment, minifridge, household goods

Public sale terms, rules, and regulations will be made available prior to the sale. All sales are subject to cancellation. We reserve the right to refuse any bid. Buyers must secure the units with their own personal locks. To claim tax-exempt status, original RESALE certificates for each space purchased is required. Cash only.

January 5 & 12, 2023

SERVICE

BY PUBLICATION OF RESTRAINING ORDER AFTER HEARING ISSUED AGAINST HENRY SMITH CURTIS CASE NUMBER: 22FLP-0436

TO HENRY SMITH CURTIS OF CRESTON, CA:

A Restraining Order After Hearing was issued against you by the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo, on November 2, 2022 protecting Petitioner, Laura Curtis.

THE COURT ORDERS: Respondent, Henry Smith Curtis, shall be subject to the following orders: 1) Respondent is ordered to not abuse Petitioner; 2) Respondent is ordered to have no contact with Petitioner; 3) Respondent is ordered to stay away from Petitioner’s person, home, job, vehicle, children, and the children’s school;

4) Respondent is ordered to move out of the marital residence; 5) Respondent shall have no visitation with his minor children; 6) Respondent must stay away from the dogs Piper, Remi, and Annie; 7) Respondent shall pay the monthly obligation to Kubota Credit Corp in the amount of $1,000 per month; and 8) Respondent shall attend and complete the Batterer intervention program.

THE COURT FURTHER ORDERS: The Court has found good cause to permit the service of this Restraining Order After Hearing by publication.

Date: /s/: Matthew Guerrero, Judge of the Superior Court, November 2, 2022 and December 2, 2022.

December 15, 22, 29, 2022, & January 5, 2023

NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: (AVISO AL DEMANDADO) Anthony Cocciardi aka Tony Cocciard; Giovanna Cocciard; Horacio Campos; Additional Parties; Claudia Silva Campos, aka Melissa Silva, aka Claudia M. Silva, aka Claudia Melissa Silva; Jose Silva aka Jose Silva Luna; Yang Yia aka Yia Yang; Giatou Yang; Does 1 to 100

YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (LO ESTÁ DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE):

Newella Barrie Hafler, Trustee of the Newella Barrie Hafler Trust Dated 07/09/2004

CASE NUMBER (Número de caso): 22CVP-0209

Notice! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below.

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money and property may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case.

¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 dias, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su version. Lea la informacion a continuacion.

Tiene 30 DIAS CALENDARIOS despues de que le entreguen esta citacion y papeles legales para presentar una repuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefonica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted puede usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formuleriors de la corte y mas informacion en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www. courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/espanol), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede mas cerca. Si no

puede pagar la cuota de presentacion, pida al secretario de la corte que le de un formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su repuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte la podra quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia. Hay otros requistas legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remision a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniendose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar ias cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperacion de $10,000 o mas de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo ao una consesion de artitraje en un caso dce derecho civll. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.

CASE NUMBER: (Número de caso): 22CVP-0209 The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y dirección de la corte son)

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO 901 Park Street Paso Robles, CA 93446

The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la dirección y número de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es):

Brighton K. Hushing-Kline Hushing Law 5855 Capistrano Ave, Suite G Atascadero, CA 93422 805-466-6644

Date: (Fecha) 09/02/2022

By: /s/ Michael Powell, Clerk (Secretario); M. Lanerum, Deputy (Adjunto)

December 22, 29, 2022, January 5, & 12, 2023

Adult Services

MARKETPLACE

WHO: County of San Luis Obispo Planning Department Hearing

WHEN: Friday, January 20, 2023 at 09:00 AM. All items are advertised for 09:00 AM. To verify agenda placement, please call the Department of Planning & Building at (805) 781-5600.

WHAT: A request by Glenn and Kelle Black and John Sterling Bryan and Christine Bryan for a Minor Use Permit / Coastal Development Permit (C-DRC2022-00051) to allow an existing two-story singlefamily residence to be used as a residential vacation rental. The proposed project is within the Residential Multi-Family land use category and is located at 362 McCarthy Avenue, in the community of Oceano. The site is in the San Luis Bay Coastal Planning Area. Also to be considered is the determination that this project is categorically exempt from environmental review under CEQA.

County File Number: C-DRC2022-00051

Supervisorial District: District 4 Assessor Parcel Number(s): 061-021-014

Date Accepted: 10/24/2022

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: https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Planning-Building/ Grid-Items/Meetings,-Hearings,-Agendas,-and-Minutes/PlanningDepartment-Hearing-(PDH)-Virtual-Meeting-.aspx

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 Nicole Ellis, Project Manager , in the Department of Planning and Building at the address below or by telephone at (805) 781-5600.

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 Friday, January 13, 2023 at 4:30 PM. The letter or email must include the language “I would like to request a hearing on C-DRC2022-00051.”

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.

COASTAL APPEALABLE: County action may be eligible for appeal to the California Coastal Commission after all possible local appeal efforts are exhausted. Appeals must be filed in writing as provided by Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance Section 23.01.043.

Corla Wade, Secretary Planning Department Hearing January 5, 2023

SAN LUIS OBISPO CITY COUNCIL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The San Luis Obispo City Council invites all interested persons to attend a public hearing on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. Please note that Zoom participation will not be supported, as this will be an in-person meeting. Meetings can be viewed remotely on Government Access Channel 20 or streamed live from the City’s YouTube channel at http://youtube.slo.city. 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:

• Review of the General Plan Climate Adaptation and Safety Element Update that is intended to address the disruptive impacts of a changing climate by incorporating initiatives focused on community resilience and environmental justice throughout the community. The project includes a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact in accordance with the CEQA Guidelines. (GENP-0436-2022, EID0437-2022)

The

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

Unmet Transit Needs can also be sent in online, by phone, fax, email, mail, or in person by February 10, 2023. Submissions can be made online at slocog.org/transitneeds; by phone at (805)776-8700; by fax at (805) 7815703; by email at: unmet_needs@slocog.org; and by mail or in person to: Clerk of the Board, SLOCOG, 1114 Marsh St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.

Mailed written comments for the public hearing must be received by SLOCOG no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 6, 2023.

SLOCOG, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, is committed to providing special accommodations and translation services to those interested in participating in public hearings. Please note that a 48-hour notice is needed to honor your request. Call (805) 781-4219 to make arrangements. Visit www.slocog.org for the agenda and meeting details. The SLOCOG Board meeting and public hearing will be held in person at the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors Chambers, County Government Center, 1055 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. For more information, call (805) 781-4219 or write to SLOCOG, 1114 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. December 15, 2022 & January 5, 2023

For more information, you are invited to contact Teresa McClish of the City’s Community Development Department at (805) 783-7840 or tmcclish@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 http:// youtube.slo.city

January 5, 2023

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY AND INTENT TO ADOPT A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION

FOR WHALE ROCK STILLING BASIN DEWATERING AND INSPECTION PROJECT (CITY FILE EID-0683-2022)

The City of San Luis Obispo has completed the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the proposed Whale Rock Stilling Basin Dewatering and Inspection Project. The IS/MND found the following environmental factors to be less than significant with mitigation incorporated: Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Geology and Soils, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, Hydrology and Water Quality, Noise, and Tribal Cultural Resources.

The project is located at Whale Rock Reservoir spillway basin, near the terminus of 13th Street, Cayucos, California. The project site is not included on any of the lists enumerated under Section 65962.5 of the Government Code. The proposed project includes dewatering, sediment removal, and visual inspection of the spillway basin below Whale Rock Reservoir.

The City of San Luis Obispo is required by the Division of Safety of Dams to inspect the integrity of the spillway basin below Whale Rock Reservoir. In order to conduct the visual inspection, the City must first dewater the lower section of the basin, then remove accumulated sediments and vegetation from the area for an engineer to gain and see the basin bottom. The project would result in approximately 0.10acre and 160 linear feet of temporary impacts to waters of the state and waters for the U.S. Specifically, temporary impacts are expected as a result of dewatering and excavating accumulated sediment and vegetation. No permanent impacts are proposed.

Submersible pumps will be used to dewater the area, discharging the water to the adjacent disturbed upland terraces, 50 feet or greater from the spillway and top of bank. Temporary sediment catchments and dissipation devices, such as straw bales and plastic sheeting, will be used to slow down and settle turbid water before it is allowed to run overland. Additional devices (e.g., sandbags, silt fence, straw wattle, hay bales) will be implemented to ensure no erosion or sedimentation occurs to the creek below. Once the area is dewatered, equipment such as a backhoe or skid steer and a container will be lowered down from the 13th Street/access road bridge above the spillway. Sediment and vegetation will be scooped up and placed in the container, and it will be pulled back up to the bridge and emptied onto either of the disturbed upland terraces, 50 feet or greater from the spillway and top of bank (0.85-acre area). Sediment and vegetation removed from the channel with be spread locally in the disturbed upland terrace, where the materials will not wash back into the spillway or downstream to the creek. Once the area is accessible and the concrete channel visible, an engineer or engineers will conduct the required inspection.

Reference copies of the IS/MND are available on the City’s website at https://www.slocity.org/government/department-directory/ community-development/documents-online/environmental-review-documents

If you are unable to access the internet, please contact Shawna Scott at sscott@slocity.org or (805) 781-7176 to arrange for an alternative means to view the study. The required 30-day public review period for the IS/MND will extend from January 5, 2023 to February 6, 2023.

Anyone interested in commenting on the document should submit a written statement to the City of San Luis Obispo, Public Utilities Department, 879 Morro Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, Attention: Shawna Scott, Special Projects Manager, or by email at sscott@ slocity.org, by 5:00 p.m., by February 6, 2023.

The item is tentatively scheduled with the Whale Rock Commission, April 2023 (meeting date to be determined) to consider approval of the project and adoption of the IS/MND. Interested persons can access the Whale Rock Commission agenda at https://www.slocity. org/government/department-directory/utilities-department/meetings-events/-toggle-all to locate the agenda of the public hearing for this project.

January 5, 2023

CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION

ACCOUNT INFORMATION RELATED TO LOCAL AGENCY IMPROVEMENT FEES

1st Notice Issue Date: December 29, 2022

2nd Notice Issue Date: January 5, 2023

Notice is hereby given that, as of the date noted above, the City of San Luis Obispo has made available to the public a draft report entitled:

FY 2021-22 ANNUAL REPORT ON DEVELOPER IMPACT FEES PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 66001 (AB 1600)

The notice is provided in accordance with Section 66006 (b)(2) of the California Government Code. The final report shall be considered by the City Council at the following public meeting:

When: Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.

Where: Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA

The draft report is available online at https://www. slocity.org/government/department-directory/finance/ finance/infrastructure-financing. If you are unable to view the document online please contact the City Clerk’s Office at cityclerk@slocity.org or (805) 781-7114 and one will be mailed to you. 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

Meetings can be viewed on Government Access Channel 20 or streamed live from the City’s YouTube Channel at http://youtube.slo.city

This notice was posted on December 22, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. on the City’s bulletin board, located in front of City Hall, on the door of the Finance Department, and on the City’s website www.slocity.org. For further information, interested persons may contact Brent Taylor, Financial Analyst, at (805) 781-7091 or btaylor@slocity.org

Teresa Purrington City Clerk

January 5, 2023

Rob Brezsny’s Free Will Astrology

Homework: Visualize in intricate detail a breakthrough you would like to experience by July 2023. Newsletter.freewillastrology.com

ARIES

(March 21-April 19): “My life was the best omelet you could make with a chainsaw,” observed flamboyant author Thomas McGuane. That’s a witty way to encapsulate his tumultuous destiny. There have been a few moments in 2022 when you might have been tempted to invoke a similar metaphor about your own evolving story. But the good news is that your most recent chainsaw-made omelet is finished and ready to eat. I think you’ll find its taste is savory. And I believe it will nourish you for a long time. (Soon it will be time to start your next omelet, maybe without using the chainsaw this time!)

TAURUS

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:

$11,836.00 IN UNITED STATES CURRENCY

Notice is hereby given that on May 13, 2021, the above-described property was seized at or near 52 Brewer Street, Templeton, by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, in connection with cannabis violations, to wit, section(s) 11366, 11358(C), 11359(B), 11360(A)(2), 11357(B) (2) and 11359(C) of the California Health and Safety Code. The estimated/appraised value of the property is $11,836.00.

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: December 22, 2022

DAN DOW District Attorney

(April 20-May 20): After meticulous research of 2023’s astrological omens, I have come to a radical conclusion: You should tell the people who care for you that you’d like to be called by new pet names. I think you need to intensify their ability and willingness to view you as a sublime creature worthy of adoration. I don’t necessarily recommend you use old standbys like “cutie,” “honey,” “darling,” or “angel.” I’m more in favor of unique and charismatic versions, something like “Jubilee” or “Zestie” or “Fantasmo” or “Yowie-Wowie.” Have fun coming up with pet names that you are very fond of. The more, the better.

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20): If I could choose some fun and useful projects for you to master in 2023, they would include the following: 1. Be in constant competition with yourself to outdo past accomplishments. But at the same time, be extra compassionate toward yourself. 2. Borrow and steal other people’s good ideas and use them with even better results than they would use them. 3. Acquire an emerald or two, or wear jewelry that features emeralds. 4. Increase your awareness of and appreciation for birds. 5. Don’t be attracted to folks who aren’t good for you just because they are unusual or interesting. 6. Upgrade your flirting so it’s even more nuanced and amusing, while at the same time you make sure it never violates anyone’s boundaries.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22): When she was young, Carolyn Forché was a conventional poet focused on family and childhood. But she transformed. Relocating to El Salvador during its civil war, she began to write about political trauma. Next, she lived in Lebanon during its civil war. She witnessed firsthand the tribulations of military violence and the imprisonment of activists. Her creative work increasingly illuminated questions of social justice. At age 72, she is now a renowned human rights advocate. In bringing her to your attention, I don’t mean to suggest that you engage in an equally dramatic self-reinvention. But in 2023, I do recommend drawing on her as an inspirational role model. You will have great potential to discover deeper aspects of your life’s purpose—and enhance your understanding of how to offer your best gifts.

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22): Are the characters in Carlos Castañeda’s books on shamanism fictional or real? It doesn’t matter to me. I love the wisdom of his alleged teacher, Don Juan Matus. He said, “Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself, and yourself alone, one question. Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn’t, it is of no use.” Don Juan’s advice is perfect for you in the coming nine months, Leo. I hope you will tape a copy of his words on your bathroom mirror and read it at least once a week.

a fabulous time to deepen your relationship with this crucial source of useful and sacred revelation

LIBRA

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Libran philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche offered advice that is perfect for you in 2023. It’s strenuous. It’s demanding and daunting. If you take it to heart, you will have to perform little miracles you may not yet have the confidence to try. But I have faith in you, Libra. That’s why I don’t hesitate to provide you with Nietzsche’s rant: “No one can build you the bridge on which you, and only you, must cross the river of life. There may be countless trails and bridges and demigods who would gladly carry you across; but only at the price of pawning and forgoing yourself. There is one path in the world that none can walk but you. Where does it lead? Don’t ask, walk!”

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): How might you transform the effects of the limitations you’ve been dealing with? What could you do to make it work in your favor as 2023 unfolds? I encourage you to think about these questions with daring and audacity. The more moxie you summon, the greater your luck will be in making the magic happen. Here’s another riddle to wrestle with: What surrender or sacrifice could you initiate that might lead in unforeseen ways to a plucky breakthrough? I have a sense that’s what will transpire as you weave your way through the coming months in quest of surprising opportunities.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sagittarian singer Tina Turner confided, “My greatest beauty secret is being happy with myself.” I hope you will experiment with that formula in 2023. I believe the coming months will potentially be a time when you will be happier with yourself than you have ever been before—more at peace with your unique destiny, more accepting of your unripe qualities, more in love with your depths, and more committed to treating yourself with utmost care and respect. Therefore, if Tina Turner is accurate, 2023 will also be a year when your beauty will be ascendant.

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “I’m homesick all the time,” writes author Sarah Addison Allen. “I just don’t know where home is. There’s this promise of happiness out there. I know it. I even feel it sometimes. But it’s like chasing the moon. Just when I think I have it, it disappears into the horizon.” If you have ever felt pangs like hers, Capricorn, I predict they will fade in 2023. That’s because I expect you will clearly identify the feeling of home you want—and thereby make it possible to find and create the place, the land, and the community where you will experience a resounding peace and stability.

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Storyteller Michael Meade tells us, “The ship is always off course. Anybody who sails knows that. Sailing is being off-course and correcting. That gives a sense of what life is about.” I interpret Meade’s words to mean that we are never in a perfect groove heading directly towards our goal. We are constantly deviating from the path we might wish we could follow with unfailing accuracy. That’s not a bug in the system; it’s a feature. And as long as we obsess on the idea that we’re not where we should be, we are distracted from doing our real work. And the real work? The ceaseless corrections. I hope you will regard what I’m saying here as one of your core meditations in 2023, Aquarius.

PISCES

Kenneth

Jorgensen Deputy District Attorney

December 29, 2022, January 5, 12, 2023

VIRGO

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Teacher and author Byron Katie claims, “The voice within is what I’m married to. My lover is the place inside me where an honest yes and no come from.” I happen to know that she has also been married for many years to a writer named Stephen Mitchell. So she has no problem being wed to both Mitchell and her inner voice. In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to propose marriage to your own inner voice. The coming year will be

(Feb. 19-March 20): A Chinese proverb tells us, “Great souls have wills. Feeble souls have wishes.” I guess that’s true in an abstract way. But in practical terms, most of us are a mix of both great and feeble. We have a modicum of willpower and a bundle of wishes. In 2023, though, you Pisceans could make dramatic moves to strengthen your willpower as you shed wimpy wishes. In my psychic vision of your destiny, I see you feeding metaphorical iron supplements to your resolve and determination. ∆

Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny's expanded weekly horoscopes and daily text message horoscopes The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877-873-4888 (fees apply). ©Copyright 2023 Rob Brezsny