New Times, March 2, 2023

Editor’s note

San Luis Obispo will double parking rates in the downtown core this July to help pay for a $50 million parking garage it’s hoping to start construction on in September. The garage is part of a bigger collaboration between the city and the SLO Rep theater that aims to transform part of downtown into an arts and culture district. Assistant Editor Peter Johnson talks to City Council members about why they support the project and what it could mean for downtown SLO visitors, who will soon pay $4 an hour for street parking and $3 an hour for garage parking [9]

This week, you can also read about how much more funding the Five Cities Fire Authority needs [4], the artists and makers featured at Barrelhouse Brewery every Sunday [28], and Del’s Pizzeria, which is celebrating 50 years [34].

Camillia Lanham editor

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Study finds that funding for Five Cities Fire Authority is inadequate

Athird-party consultant echoed concerns voiced by the Five Cities Fire Authority for at least the past five years.

Hired by the city managers of Grover Beach and Arroyo Grande, the Baker Tilly group recently presented preliminary findings about the future of fire services in parts of southern San Luis Obispo County following the anticipated exit of the Oceano Community Services District (OCSD).

“The recent annual financial contributions from the participating agencies have really not been sufficient to cover the total operating costs of the authority,” Baker Tilly special advisor Larry Waterhouse announced at the Grover Beach City Council meeting on Feb. 27.

Waterhouse is referring to the frozen funding contributions from Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, and the OCSD. A 2020 amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement, which governs emergency medical and fire services for the three areas, locked in the amount of money each put in the pot. The agreement will expire in July 2023, but the Fire Authority is in dire need for more funds so that they can hire more firefighters and improve their service abilities.

The OCSD and its $1.1 million in contributions per year are expected to leave the Fire Authority by June 30, but the consultant found that timeline to be unrealistic. SLO County’s Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) is also conducting its own evaluation of the impact of OCSD’s departure, which will take six to 12 months.

After interviewing public officials, including City Managers Matthew Bronson and Whitney McDonald of Grover Beach and Arroyo Grande, respectively; OCSD General Manager Will Clemens; FCFA command staff; and leaders of the firefighter union, among others, Baker Tilly discovered that the numerous operational challenges faced by the FCFA resulted in personnel feeling stressed.

Other findings include an imminent need for an ongoing and dedicated revenue stream to fully finance the operation and capital costs in the future, and that nonemergency requests make up a whopping 40 percent of FCFA’s call volume.

Baker Tilly highlighted two potential directions for the participating cities.

One plan imagines that Oceano continues to receive Fire Authority services. While future services are expected to cost the unincorporated community $1.2 million in fiscal year 2024, Grover Beach and Arroyo Grande would have to pay more than $3 million and $4 million, respectively. For the cities, it would be a significant jump from the budgeted respective $2 million and $2.5 million for fiscal year 2023. With the additional funds, the FCFA would be able to hire 3.5 more full-time employees, according to the consultant’s findings. Currently, the department staffs 26.5 full-time employees.

Driver police say killed couple and dog charged with vehicular manslaughter

The driver who allegedly hit and killed a San Luis Obispo couple in November now faces two counts of vehicular manslaughter after he was arrested on Feb. 27.

Daniel Angel Saligan Patricio, 24, is accused of fatally hitting Matthew Chachere, 39, and Jennifer Besser, 36, on Nov. 21 as they walked their dog

The second plan doesn’t include the OCSD, and would reduce staffing to 24. That scheme would require Grover Beach and Arroyo Grande to contribute similar amounts in 2023 and 2024 to what’s outlined in the other plan.

City Manager Bronson told New Times that his staff wasn’t surprised by the findings. Grover Beach will now work with Arroyo Grande to restructure the Joint Powers Agreement for fire services.

“The [City] Council direction also includes providing service to Oceano by contract while the [OCSD] goes through a divestiture process to cease providing fire services, at which point the county would likely be responsible for these services,” he said.

Baker Tilly also recommended introducing a parcel tax in both cities that could act as reliable

funding streams. The OCSD had firsthand experience with an unpopular parcel tax measure that its voters defeated in two separate election cycles. But without a dedicated source of money, the cities would have to either find their own revenue streams or make substantial reductions to their general fund expenses.

“A tax measure would need to be placed on the November 2024 ballot by August 2024, and before then, the city would seek to do polling to gauge the level of potential support by the community and inform the council’s decision,” Bronson said.

The agency’s final report will be ready in midMarch. In a statement issued to New Times, the Fire Authority’s union said the analysis was a “great opportunity” to set up a positive and safe future for residents and fire personnel alike.

Union leader Jeff Lane commented on the anxieties about meeting funding requirements after Baker Tilly’s presentation to the Arroyo Grande City Council on Feb. 28.

“This is not just a matter of money but the literal ability to save lives,” he said at the meeting. “The question should be, ‘What is the cost to save a single life?’” ∆

around 6 p.m. near Sacramento Drive.

In a Feb. 27 case update, SLO Police Department officials said that Patricio “either did not know or failed to notify police that he may have struck two people and a dog” when authorities first responded to the crash. The victims were found late the next day under “heavy brush” near the accident site. Following a three-month investigation that required a “complex accident reconstruction,” police said they arrested Patricio at his place of employment on Feb. 27. He was booked into county

jail on two felony gross vehicular manslaughter charges, with bail set at $200,000. He remained in custody as of March 1.

According to SLO police, the department’s criminal investigation found that “Patricio sped through a curve near the 3400 block of Sacramento Drive, lost control of the vehicle, and struck and killed” the victims. Drugs or alcohol were not noted as factors.

“The investigative reports indicate that the

—Bulbul Rajagopal

TIME TO CHANGE Five Cities Fire Authority union leader Jeff Lane told the Arroyo Grande City Council on Feb. 28 that determining the future of fire services in the area is not only about money but also involves the safety of its residents.

FILE PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

force of the impact of the collision knocked the couple into the adjacent wooded area and down into a dry creek bed where they remained undetected in the darkness and vegetation,” the case update stated.

Patricio was arraigned in court on March 1, but the hearing ran past New Times’ press time. Vehicular manslaughter is defined in the penal code as “the unlawful killing of a human being without malice” while driving unlawfully and with gross negligence.

If convicted on both counts, Patricio faces up to 12 years in prison.

In a public statement, SLO Police Chief Rick Scott thanked the community for its patience during the investigation, “while we worked towards providing important answers to family members and our community in ultimate pursuit of justice.”

“We have been in close communication and supported the families of the victims throughout this difficult process,” Scott said, “and hope that they get the justice they seek and the closure they need.”

—Peter Johnson

Glen Speck, Georgia Brown elementary schools in limbo again

Students and staff at two elementary schools face uncertainty about what campus they’ll call home after a new Paso Robles school board member requested that the district reconsider a February 2022 decision.

At the Feb. 28 board meeting, Paso Robles Joint Unified School District board trustee and Georgia Brown parent Laurene McCoy asked the board to reverse a decision moving Glen Speck from 17th Street campus to the smaller, renovated 36th Street campus and Georgia Brown to the new 17th Street campus.

This request comes after Georgia Brown parents cited concerns regarding the lack of after school programs, pickup and drop-off programs, and safety concerns at the temporary campus, which is slated to house students for at least two years until renovations at 36th Street are completed.

“You’re taking a population of 620 students and putting them someplace where there’s no convenient after school care for them,” McCoy told New Times over the phone. “Like how are they going to get there? Will there be an on-campus after school program, which would make a lot of sense because we don’t want them walking miles and miles. That’s dangerous.”

Georgia Brown parents have unsuccessfully petitioned the school district twice to move students directly to the new 17th Street campus, rather than moving them to a temporary campus while the 36th Street campus is renovated. The current plan moves Georgia Brown to a temporary campus, while Glen Speck remains at 17th Street until 36th Street campus renovations are completed, after which, Glen Speck makes the final move to 36th Street and Georgia Brown moves to 17th Street.

But now, Georgia Brown parents are asking the district to keep Glen Speck students where they are. McCoy asked the board to consider allowing Georgia Brown students and staff to return to the 36th Street campus after construction is completed.

Current plans for the 36th Street campus include redesigning it into a community school that would accommodate Glen Speck’s smaller student population, which ranges between 400 to 450 students. Board

member Joel Peterson said that McCoy’s motion to keep Georgia Brown at the 36th Street campus would not change existing construction plans.

“This is not about stopping a process that’s happening; it’s about looking at what’s going to happen in the next couple of years when we have two really beautiful campuses, [and] who lands in those campuses,” he said.

There are several reasons why Georgia Brown parents like McCoy want their children to remain at the smaller 36th Street campus even after renovations are completed. For one, after school care programs, such as the Boys and Girls Club and the Paso Robles Library Study Center, are closer to the school. McCoy also pointed out that moving schools would “affect the culture” of the school.

“You would be taking Georgia Brown out of a culturally Hispanic neighborhood and putting it in a non-Hispanic neighborhood,” McCoy told New Times. “And it’s a dual immersion program. They learned Spanish, so why wouldn’t you want them to be in a Spanish-speaking community? Not that there’s not Spanish-speaking community members [at] 17th Street, but if you actually look at the demographics of Paso Robles, 36th Street campus is in a community that is Hispanically cultured.”

During the Feb. 28 meeting, McCoy said that Georgia Brown was already cutting back certain programs in order to accommodate the larger student body population at the smaller 36th Street campus.

In a 4-2 vote, trustees voted to table the matter until the March 28 meeting when there will be more information and reports regarding the move.

“I do feel that the current plan that exists is a good one,” said board Presdient Nathan Williams, who voted against the motion. “I’ve talked to a lot of parents who are willing to move with their dual immersion program to Glen Speck. For me, I’m comfortable with all the work we’ve been doing and have had staff do for over a year now.”

—Shwetha Sundarrajan

Arroyo Grande to discuss safe parking program ordinance

Arroyo Grande’s horizon includes ambitious plans to address the homelessness and affordable housing problems—an ordinance for safe parking sites.

Originally meant for study at its Feb. 28 City Council meeting, the ordinance discussion was tabled after a previous agenda item about the future of fire services took longer than anticipated. Community Development Director Brian Pedrotti told New Times that the City Council will bring it back for deliberation in the spring, and added that if approved, it would be the first of its kind in Arroyo Grande.

“We don’t really have a definition in our municipal code that fits this type of land use,” he said. “A part of this ordinance would be to create a definition for safe parking sites.”

The draft ordinance defines a safe parking site as a “paved parking lot outside of the public right of way that provides unhoused individuals and/or families who are living in a vehicle a dedicated, safe place to park overnight.” It added that the occupants should not pay rent to their host, and occupying a vehicle parked in an approved location will not violate local municipal code.

City staff’s interest in establishing safe parking sites stems from talks they had with faith-based leaders in 2020. Pedrotti said that

several pastors, such as those from St. John’s Lutheran Church, approached the city about starting safe parking programs in response to rising rates of homelessness and the unique set of legal, social, and economic challenges faced by people living out of their vehicles.

The city initially recommended amending the conditional use permit issued to St. John’s to set up a permanent safe parking site. But the church pushed back and asked for a more “streamlined process.”

“They were more in favor of a process that didn’t involve a discretionary land use permit that would have to go through public hearing,” Pedrotti said. “Public hearings with discretionary permits would also have more scrutiny and be more costly.”

So, city staff issued a lower-level temporary use permit to St. John’s in September 2020, which authorized four parking spaces in the church parking lot as a temporary relief program. The church was allowed to operate that way for 12 months, including an extension of six months after no complaints were received.

The experience with St. John’s inspired city officials to consider an ordinance for property owners or parties interested in starting a safe parking program to establish one. The proposed idea is that the program can be in any area of the two approved zoning districts, which are the Public Facility and Industrial Mixed-Use zones.

“It’s on the condition that there would need to be a social service provider to work with them,” Pedrotti said.

Once that requirement is met, the program host would apply for a Safe Parking Permit for a one-time fee of $756. The project site could be active for 18 months, with the possibility of an 18-month extension if Pedrotti finds no violations. He told New Times that city staff has been looking into a safe parking ordinance for a few years, much before San Luis Obispo County set up its own controversial site at Kansas Avenue.

“It’s interesting timing that it was going to be discussed the same day as the article came out,” Pedrotti said of a Feb. 28 story that ran in The Tribune (“SLO County Safe Parking Site to close. What will happen to residents?”). “This is just one tool to fight the homelessness crisis and won’t be the sole solution.”

—Bulbul

SLO city hit with new demand to switch to by-district elections

Shenkman went on to “urge the city to voluntarily change its at-large system of electing its City Council” or face a lawsuit.

City Attorney Christine Dietrick told New Times that she had not yet discussed the letter with the City Council behind closed doors. But SLO is no stranger to the accusation or threat.

In 2019, a Santa Barbara attorney made the same demand on behalf of the California Voting Rights Act Project. After more than three years, the city reached a settlement in January that allowed it to keep its at-large model and avoid litigation, while paying about $17,000 in attorney fees.

Dietrick reiterated the city’s position on March 1 that local voter data does not support moving to by-district elections as a way to increase Latino voter influence in the city.

“I don’t dismiss the demand lightly by any stretch, but again, if you’re relying on the data, the data just simply does not support the conclusion that there’s polarization or dilution under the CVRA,” Dietrick said.

Shenkman’s letter references the 2020 city election—and City Council candidate Abrianna Torres, in particular—as an example of Latino voter dilution.

“Torres received significant support from Latino voters, but lost her bid for a seat on the City Council. This election evidences vote dilution, which is directly attributable to the city’s unlawful at-large election system,” the letter asserts.

Dietrick responded to that by saying the city already analyzed Torres’ bid for council during its previous negotiations with Goodman.

“Having analyzed that data, we don’t agree with [Shenkman’s] conclusion,” she said.

Shenkman is also no stranger to CVRA fights. He recently filed a lawsuit against the city of Cypress after it rejected his demand to change election models. In 2012, Shenkman won a CVRA case against the city of Palmdale, and he’s also involved in the ongoing election model showdown in Santa Monica, a case that’s currently before the California Supreme Court. He did not return a New Times phone call before press time.

Rajagopal

The city of San Luis Obispo received another attorney’s letter demanding that it establish City Council districts or face a lawsuit, just weeks after it had successfully resolved the same legal threat from a different source.

Malibu-based attorney Kevin Shenkman submitted the Feb. 17 letter on behalf of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, the “oldest Latino voter registration nonprofit” in the country, according to its website.

The letter alleged that SLO’s at-large election model violates the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) because it dilutes the influence of Latino voters in elections.

“Latinos comprise 19 percent of the city’s population of approximately 47,400. Yet, the city’s governing board has been nearly or completely devoid of Latinos,” Shenkman’s letter read. “Many nearby and overlapping jurisdictions have recognized this problem and adopted district-based elections to comply with the CVRA.”

“We’re certainly open to talking with him,” Dietrick said. “Our goal remains to advance access and participation in our voting system, and we want to be taking steps to further that objective.”

—Peter Johnson

Atascadero housing development held up by mismanagement claims

A proposed change to an ongoing housing development in Atascadero has one resident attempting to rectify what she claims to be a mishandling of construction.

Originally approved in 2017, the development located at 10850 El Camino Real aimed to build 48 senior living apartments, 20 townhomes, seven singlefamily residential cottages, parking, and amenities.

During a Feb. 7 Planning Commission meeting, Community Development Director Phil Dunsmore explained that the original tract map approved for the development expired in 2019. The developer came back to the city in 2022 with a revised tract map that would convert the senior apartments into 43 condominiums.

On Feb. 7, city resident Paula Ramsum— who has an ongoing lawsuit against both the city and developer over flooding from the project site in 2021—asked commissioners

to delay approval of the new map until it reviews what she called drainage issues at the construction site. She also submitted a letter to the Planning Commission prior to the meeting.

“At this point, construction has taken years to build, still is not complete, and now they want to build more,” Ramsum wrote in the letter. “I was never informed of this plan to divert more water than this small drain can handle. I was never informed that my house could be in danger.”

Ramsum alleges that before her property flooded on Jan. 27, 2021, construction crews diverted water runoff from the construction site into an 18-inch wide drain located in the back corner of her property.

In her lawsuit, Ramsum claims that she was misled by the developer, who originally promised to perform repairs on her property located at 920 La Costa Lane after it flooded. The lawsuit alleges that the city of Atascadero is complicit in the damages to Ramsum’s property because it owns the storm drain. City approval of re-grading and storm drain improvements combined with a recommendation to place silt protection fabric over the storm drain caused “government induced flooding,” according to the suit.

Act now!

a rainy season ahead of us?” Belscher asked during the meeting. “Or, are we going to take a leap of faith and say, ‘Well, we’re pretty sure the engineers will figure this out?’”

Commissioners requested that staff review the project again before it returned for discussion at the Feb. 21 meeting. In a letter submitted to the Planning Commission, property developer spokesperson/ representative John Carnesale disputed the allegations made by Ramsum and her lawyer during public comment at the Feb. 7 meeting, claiming no wrongdoing.

Carnesale pointed to city-approved drainage plans that raised the site elevation by 8 feet to ensure runoff only ended up in the retention basin. Carnesale also claimed that the 2021 flooding incident was a “freak occurrence,” referring to the drainage improvements still being under construction.

“The developer has been in the city of Atascadero for 25 years, as owners of the 140 apartment units across El Camino. After 25 years, there are no significant complaints from the tenants or neighbors of that complex,” Carnesale wrote.

“After 25 years, the developer has no desire to cause issues with the neighbors, and it would only appear that only one neighbor is disgruntled and unhappy with the situation.”

On Feb. 7, Ramsum’s lawyer, John Belscher, urged commissioners to take a closer look at the map before making a decision.

“Should we plunge ahead and hope that it all works out again, knowing that we still have

After reviewing information presented about the project, the Planning Commission voted to unanimously approve the updated tract map. Unless the project is appealed, the project will not require approval from City Council. ∆

—Shwetha Sundarrajan

Burning money

In the 57 years he’s lived in Pismo Beach, Cliff Henley has never paid a natural gas bill as high as the one he got in January.

“My bill for December is $75 average. Now it’s $435!” he told New Times on Feb. 20. “It’s like buying a car or taking out a loan and not knowing about it.”

The new amount was automatically deducted from his bank account, and left Henley adding roughly $375 to his potential gas bill budget every month. An uncharacteristically chilly winter in San Luis Obispo County did compel residents to use more heat than usual, but the usage amount and SoCalGas’ calculation rates still left Henley confused.

“The day I got that bill, I told my wife to not turn the fireplace on,” he said. “I think we used more gas in January than we did in December but not six times as much. That would be impossible.”

Gas prices on the West Coast increased at the beginning of the year. Measured in therms, the commodity cost per unit of gas from SoCalGas—the company that delivers natural gas to residents and businesses throughout Central and Southern California—tripled from $1.05 in December 2022 to $3.45 in January 2023.

Similarly, customer bills from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), which serves the Bay Area and Northern California, showed that the gas procurement cost rose from 98 cents per therm in December to $1.37 per therm in January. PG&E defines procurement cost as the price of buying natural gas and transporting it to the local transmission system.

While natural gas bills are decreasing for February and March, California’s customers are still reeling from sticker shock. SoCalGas data shows that customer usage spiked in early December compared to the same month in 2021 and the five-year average. However, usage plummeted below 2021 demands and the five-year average during the last week of December.

In a notice to customers dated Dec. 29, SoCalGas attributed the price hike to unstable national and regional markets

where companies buy natural gas. Other reasons include reduced natural gas supplies to the West Coast from Canada, diminished interstate pipeline capacity to the West Coast because of pipeline maintenance work in Texas, and low natural gas storage on the coast.

Storage levels for both SoCalGas and PG&E decreased, according to Aleecia Gutierrez, the director of the California Energy Commission’s Energy Assessments Division. She made the announcement at the state’s Feb. 7 Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) meeting, adding that inventory storage for SoCalGas was the highest it had been in six years, but that changed this winter.

From Nov. 1, 2022, to Jan. 24, 2023, SoCalGas’ natural gas reserve sank from 88 billion cubic feet (bcf) to roughly 58 bcf. PG&E’s levels dropped from almost 6 bcf to approximately 4 bcf over the same time period.

Jamie Court, president of a Santa Monica nonprofit called Consumer Watchdog, told the Los Angeles Times that SoCalGas could have managed their reserves better in preparation for the winter and offset costs for customers.

“SoCalGas’ storage inventory requirements for winter are regulated by the CPUC,” utility spokesperson Brian Haas told New Times in response to questions about the mismanagement allegations. “As of Oct. 31, 2022, SoCalGas had about 88 bcf in its storage inventory, including the inventory space used for system balancing and the inventory held by wholesale customers and core aggregators—fully meeting state requirements.”

Haas later added that it would take time to quantify SoCalGas’ inventory versus the state requirements, according to “subject matter experts.”

“Our inventory was 97 percent full at the beginning of the winter,” Haas said. “We quite literally didn’t have room for much more than we had.”

Rising natural gas prices alarmed

Californians so much, that it caught the attention of U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) in the 24th District, which includes Santa Barbara County and parts of SLO and Ventura counties. During the week of Feb. 22, he led a group of 15 members of California’s congressional delegation to call for a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) investigation into the increased home energy costs.

Carbajal spokesperson Ian Mariani said that mismanagement of inventory controls isn’t necessarily on the congressman’s radar at the moment.

“His primary focus in this effort is ensuring FERC investigates any potential anti-competitive practices to confirm that market manipulation is not one of the reasons for this recent spike,” Mariani said.

Earlier this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom also wrote a letter to the FERC chair calling for an investigation.

Haas from SoCalGas said the company was cooperative.

“We support Gov. Newsom’s call for a review of the natural gas supply and storage constraints, and cold weather conditions that drove up commodity prices in the Western United States recently and that left many SoCalGas customers facing unprecedented winter heating bills,” he said.

Chris Read, the city of SLO’s sustainability manager, said that local governments are also feeling the pain of increased bills because SoCalGas heats some facilities like the pools at SLO Swim Center.

“We are making a concerted effort to lead by example as we switch from natural gas to

all-electric energy, both because it is costeffective and because it will help us achieve our goal to have carbon-neutral municipal operations by 2030,” Read said.

Santa Barbara County spokesperson Kelsey Buttita said that she’s come across complaints from residents on social media about natural gas bills that have doubled and tripled. But there’s some respite, she said.

“The county of Santa Barbara is part of the Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN), which offers incentives to single- and multi-family residents to make energy efficiency improvements and switch to efficient all-electric appliances, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate high natural gas prices,” Buttita said.

SoCalGas also offers some help for customers struggling to pay their gas bills. They can apply to the Gas Assistance Fund for a one-time grant to cover a bill amount, as long as it doesn’t exceed $400. Then there’s the Level Pay Plan program that averages a customer’s annual natural gas use and costs over a 12-month period.

In February, the CPUC also tacked on a California Climate Credit to gas bills worth $52.78 and $50.77 for PG&E and SoCalGas, respectively.

“That doesn’t help with anything,” said Pismo Beach’s Henley. “If my bill is $435 again, that means it’ll still be $385. They [SoCalGas] could have done a better job notifying people.” ∆

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

Utility companies and elected officials try to pinpoint why natural gas costs increased for residents this winter

GAS GRIEF SoCalGas’ natural gas prices hit 344 cents per therm this January—a whopping rise compared to the 84 cents per therm charged for gas in January, 2022.

Worth it?

SLO City Council members explain their support for $53 million downtown parking garage

When freshman San Luis Obispo City Councilmember Emily Francis started her term in office a few months ago, she was initially skeptical about city plans to build a fourth parking garage downtown.

Her concern wasn’t just about the $53 million estimated price tag—a cost that has basically doubled since COVID-19. She questioned the need and how it fit into the future vision of downtown SLO.

“It’s been an evolution of thought for me, coming in as a citizen and not really seeing a need for additional parking and having that massive price tag, also,” said Francis, an avid bicyclist. “I’m not a fan of spending money on parking.”

But like her four colleagues on the City Council, Francis has since come around to supporting the five-level, 403-space structure that’s planned for the corner of Nipomo and Palm streets—despite increasingly painful trade-offs.

In order to raise sufficient revenue to cover what’s now expected to be a $47 million loan, the city is upping downtown parking rates to as high as $4 per hour, starting this July. The on-street rate will go up again in 2025 to $5 per hour for the foreseeable future.

Those major rate increases—which hit as the city works to modernize parking payment systems with new kiosks and phone apps— are causing angst and confusion for many downtown business owners and visitors.

“The upcoming approved rate changes have the potential to cause public outcry,” Downtown SLO Association CEO Bettina Swigger wrote in recent comments to the City Council about a new five-year parking management plan.

While city leaders said that they are under no illusion that the new rates won’t be painful, they’re confident that the investment will pay off and help the city achieve longplanned goals for downtown.

“It fits really well into the vision that I and a lot of folks have for downtown, which is freeing up our streets to be more bike friendly and put in safe infrastructure for pedestrians,” Francis said. “And just looking at the data we’re dealing with, we would have a significant issue downtown [with parking] if we don’t build it.

“I know the price tag is just bananas,” she added, “but it’s just also one of those things where it’s never going to get cheaper. It’s the reason it hasn’t been built for the past 30 years.”

Doubling down on a vision

Discussions about building a parking garage on the corner of Nipomo and Palm streets date back to the early 2000s, according to SLO officials.

Projections then showed that the demand for parking downtown would only increase— and building another structure would ensure capacity for the long haul.

But parking issues downtown weren’t that severe yet, and garages are expensive, so the urgency level was low at the time, said Gaven Hussey, the city’s current parking manager.

“Early on in the 2000s, could it have been more expedited? Yes. But the actual need

for parking wasn’t there at the time,” Hussey said. “If we’d done something in 2000 or 2001, we would’ve had a structure built well before the time it was actually needed.”

In 2011, the city approached the SLO Repertory Theatre (then the SLO Little Theatre) with an idea for a joint project: The city could build the parking garage and allot a portion of the land to the nonprofit to construct a new performing arts center.

“We spent a few months looking at the other options,” SLO Rep’s Managing Artistic Director Kevin Harris recalled to New Times, “and realized we’d be fools not to pick up the city’s offer of basically free land. Plus, being able to have SLO Rep be the cornerstone of this new Cultural Arts District was very attractive to us.”

According to Hussey, those plans moved forward—at a slow and steady pace typical of large public projects. By 2020, the city was nearly ready to start construction on the estimated $25 million garage. Then COVID-19 hit.

“We were really close to getting all the pieces going. No one assumed you’re going to have to shut down the entire economy,” Hussey said. “And who would’ve known the pandemic was going to cause a worldwide shortage on materials.”

SLO City Manager Derek Johnson calls what happened next the “triple whammy.” In the wake of the pandemic, construction costs skyrocketed, interest rates went up, and the city lost $4 million in parking revenue due to COVID-19.

Both the garage and theater’s price tags essentially doubled and forced the City Council to take a look at whether the project was really worth more than $50 million.

“That’s the big question,” SLO City Councilmember Andy Pease said. “We would save ourselves a lot of money and [lower] parking rates.”

Weighing options

How much of a parking crunch is there in downtown SLO? The answer depends on what day and time you go, according to a recent SLO parking study.

During most days and times, the downtown parking demand does not hit 85 percent of its capacity—a bellwether metric for when parking resources are overburdened.

Demand only climbs above the 85 percent threshold on Thursday nights during the downtown farmers’ market. Then, parking structures are at about 92 percent capacity, according to the study.

But council members said that building the new garage is not just about meeting the city’s current parking needs, but those of the future.

While noting that downtown businesses and customers have been asking for a fourth parking structure for “20-plus years,” Mayor Erica Stewart also pointed out that the city continues to grow in population.

“If we don’t build this parking structure, we continue down the road where our downtown businesses are harmed in the long run, our vitality is harmed in the long run,” Stewart said.

City leaders also said the structure is key to

moving cars and parking demand away from the main streets of downtown—which will provide more opportunities to improve bike and pedestrian safety in the downtown core.

“We want people to park on the perimeter and be able to be pedestrians in our downtown,” Pease said. “Part of the goal is to have these distributed along the edges.”

Establishing a bona fide Cultural Arts District is another chief reason for the council’s continued support of the garage.

The planned 205-seat SLO Rep Theatre— which can only be built once the city finishes construction on the garage—is expected to bring 50,000 people downtown annually.

It will neighbor the SLO History Museum, Children’s Museum, and Museum of Art.

“That’s what’s going to enable our arts and culture district to thrive,” Pease said. “I just don’t think we can build a theater and not have adjacent parking. Otherwise, honestly, I would be rethinking it and thinking about pulling the plug.”

Alternatives to moving forward with the project aren’t any more attractive, council members said.

“I’ve asked about what the ramifications would be of changing course now, and those are many,” Councilmember Michelle Shoresman said. “If we decided to change the parameters of the parking structure at this late a time, we’d be looking at going back to architects and changing designs, and that would cost additional money.”

As they commit to the garage project, City Council members emphasized that they are also looking at ways to lessen the blow of the parking rate increases.

The city is developing a “locals incentive” program that will continue offering, on a “limited” basis, one hour of free parking in garages for county residents. It’s also capping structure rates at $3 per hour and not planning to raise rates on long-term parking permits, which are popular with downtown employees.

“I hope that that is helpful,” Stewart said. “I don’t want to harm our downtown businesses. I don’t want to harm our local shoppers either.”

Officials say that vertical construction on the parking garage is scheduled to start in September, with the city currently working to secure debt financing at the lowest rate possible.

Francis said that while it “doesn’t feel good” to spend so much money on parking, she thinks the City Council is doing the right thing by following through on years of prior planning and investments.

“Essentially, you have decades of councils saying, ‘Let’s make the next council deal with this,’” she said. “I think it’s going to be one of those things that when it’s done, it’s going to feel like, ‘Ah, this corner of town is really special.’” Δ

PAY UP A local resident navigates a new parking payment kiosk on Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo on Feb. 27.

Student-produced artwork and live demonstrations greeted people who stepped out of the rain and into Allan Hancock College’s newest building on Feb. 24.

The 88,000-square-foot two-story Fine Arts Complex with a corrugated metal facade includes a 400-seat concert hall, a film screening room, and student lounge areas for students in the college’s dance, drama, film, graphics, music, photography, and multimedia arts and communications programs.

The building has been in the works for more than 30 years, Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers told New Times during the Fine Arts Complex’s grand opening festivities..

“The faculty started planning for this in the ’90s, and I literally saw a memo from the mid 1990s where they were talking to faculty about what kind of space you would need,” he said. “So they were already doing space planning 30 years ago, and now today, to see what it came to, it’s pretty incredible.”

Walthers explained that funding was the primary roadblock when it came to constructing the building. Funds for the Fine Arts Complex were provided by Measure I, the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, and the estate of former Hancock faculty member Patricia Boyd.

With $48 million in hand, construction on the building commenced in September 2020, and the complex has been open since January.

Students and faculty have been excited about the new building, said graphic design professor Nancy Jo Ward, as some students jokingly refer to it as UC Hancock. And they have good reason to be excited about it— before its construction, students and faculty were scattered across the campus in various outdated buildings, she told New Times Theater teacher Michael Dempsey said he used to walk half a mile from his office to his classroom and hold rehearsals outdoors due to a lack of space.

“It gives me a focus-dedicated space for theater and all of the technology in the building is state of the art,” Dempsey said. “You walk in here and there are hundreds of students doing the same thing they do. And there’s growth by them, seeing what the other is doing and the conversations that go on between them about art and politics and everything else.”

Adrienne Allebe, associate professor of art, told New Times that her new classroom is much larger than the one she used to teach in. Fitting several easels and workstations, the

new classroom is also equipped with large windows and LED lights to provide versatile lighting for budding artists. Prior to the Fine Arts Complex being built, Allebe said that there was only one classroom available to teach painting, drawing, and design classes.

With more classrooms in the same building, Allebe said she’s noticed that collaboration between faculty is starting to bloom.

“We didn’t even really run into our colleagues on a day-to-day basis. … So now it’s just nice for all of us to see each other all the time,” Allebe said. “We can easily walk into each other’s classrooms and have collaborations, and the students can all mingle together.”

For first year art student Natali Camacho, the additional lighting in the newly redesigned art classrooms really made a difference when it came to creating new pieces.

“So I feel like with these lightings and like the way it’s set up, essentially, it feels very more like you can zone into what you’re doing,” Camacho told New Times, adding that the fluorescent lights in the older classrooms didn’t do her artwork justice. “I know that instructors definitely struggled a lot more in the past with lighting. So I think that they are going to really enjoy all the lights that they have now.”

As students and faculty readjust from pandemic-era schooling, the common spaces for students are something that’s alluring for many students—even though Psychology major Nathaniel Shearer hasn’t taken any fine arts classes yet, he said he and his friends will still hang out in the common spaces in the fine arts building.

Graphic design professor Ward noted that those common spaces for the students were particularly important in the building’s design.

“As you walk around, you’re going to find pockets of areas for the students to hang out. That builds the culture and builds opportunities for conversations,” Ward said. “And then students start to kind of open their eyes up to maybe a discipline that they hadn’t considered.”

And a new, larger building means more growth for the Fine Art Department, John Hood, chair of the Fine Arts Department told New Times

“I think certain programs are going to grow more than others, like game art, animation, drama, theater, they will grow,” Hood said. “What’s funny is that we have to be careful of how much we grow because this is it, but we definitely have room to grow as sections.”

Fast fact

Celebrate springtime by tasting some rosé at the Rosé the SLO Way wine festival and fundraiser on April 23. The event will take place at Hotel San Luis Obispo from 1 to 4 p.m. Proceeds from the event will support Enology/WVIT and EIM/Hospitality scholarships at Cal Poly and the San Luis Obispo Food Bank. Purchase tickets at rosethesloway.com.

Contact Staff Writer Shwetha Sundarrajan at shwetha@ newtimesslo.com.

PHOTO BY SHWETHA SUNDARRAJAN

DEATH NOTICES

ANDERSON, ANTOINETTE MARIE, 91, of Atascadero passed away 2/25/2023 arrangements with Chapel of the Roses

ATWOOD, JUDITH KAY, 80, of Arroyo Grande passed away 2/22/2023 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

BUCKHOLZ, DOLORES, 94, of Los Osos passed away 2/25/2023 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation Service

CARDECCIA, DOREEN FERN WOLFE, 84, of Santa Maria passed away 2/20/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

DEASER, DYLAN VALENTINE, 27, of Grover Beach passed away 2/17/2023 arrangements with Chapel of the Roses

DESMOND, SHIRLEY ANN, 90, of Arroyo Grande, passed away 2/26/2023 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

DIAZ, MICHAEL L., 58, of Santa Maria passed away 2/16/2023 arrangements with Magner-Maloney Funeral Home & Crematory

DOWNEY, JOSEPH, 58, of San Miguel passed away 2/11/2023 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation Service

FURUKAWA, TETSUO, 95, of Santa Maria passed away 2/20/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

HOLLUM, PATRICIA LOUISE, 80, of Santa Maria passed away 2/18/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

KERSEY, CARMEN PATRICIA, 92, of Paso Robles passed away 2/05/2023 arrangements with Chapel of the Roses

LEINE, PATRICIA MAE, 91, of Santa Maria passed away 2/26/2023 arrangements with Magner-Maloney Funeral Home & Crematory

LOGUERCIO, MARILYN, 89, of Santa Maria passed away 2/18/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

MACK, RANDELL LEWIS, 76, of Atascadero passed away 2/18/2023 arrangements with Chapel of the Roses

MARTIN, DOROTHY, 97, of San Luis Obispo passed away 2/24/2023 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation Service

MCENTIRE, JAMES PAUL, 76, of Atascadero passed away 2/18/2023 arrangements with Chapel of the Roses

MCMILLAN, CHRISTOPHER SEAN, 50, of Santa Maria passed away 2/19/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

MOORE, WILLIAM HERBERT JR., 90, of Paso Robles passed away 2/25/2023 arrangements with Chapel of the Roses

NORTON, MARY, 59, of Templeton passed away 2/26/2023 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation Service

OSTINI, SALLY CAROL, 67, of Santa Maria passed away 2/25/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

PEEK, HOWARD ALAN, 72, of San Luis Obispo passed away 1/05/2023 arrangements with Reis Family Mortuary

PETERSEN, EDWARD DAVID, 78, of Atascadero passed away 2/14/2023 arrangements with Chapel of the Roses

POVERO, ROSE, 93, of Los Osos passed away 2/21/2023 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation Service

RICHARDSON, RONALD, 67, of Paso Robles passed away 1/31/2023 arrangements with Chapel of the Roses

SANFORD, ROBERT EMORY, 92, of Atascadero passed away 2/20/2023 arrangements with Chapel of the Roses

SILVERIA, SUSAN J., 72, of Santa Maria passed away 2/28/2023 arrangements with Magner-Maloney Funeral Home & Crematory

SINGH, PAUL KARM, 66, of Santa Maria passed away 2/23/2023 arrangements with Magner-Maloney Funeral Home & Crematory

STATOM, LEE, 97, of Arroyo Grande passed away 2/18/2023 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

SULLIVAN, RILEY HANS, 21, of Creston passed away 1/29/2023 arrangements with Chapel of the Roses

TRESTER, STEVEN, 58, of Paso Robles passed away 2/26/2023 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation Service

WOOD, SUSAN VERONIKA, 73, of Santa Maria passed away 2/24/2023 arrangements with Magner-Maloney Funeral Home & Crematory

Are you willing to serve on the volunteer Diablo Canyon Decommissioning Engagement Panel that fosters open dialogue between members of the local community and PG&E on topics regarding the future decommissioning of Diablo Canyon Power Plant near Avila Beach?

Are you willing to serve on the volunteer Diablo Canyon Decommissioning Engagement Panel that fosters open dialogue between members of the local community and PG&E on topics regarding the future decommissioning of Diablo Canyon Power Plant near Avila Beach?

Join the Engagement Panel. There are several positions subject to appointment or reappointment consistent with the Panel’s Charter and the application period runs until March 7, 2023.

Join the Engagement Panel. There are several positions subject to appointment or reappointment consistent with the Panel's Charter and the application period runs until March 7, 2023.

Learn more at https://diablocanyonpanel.org or www.pge.com/engagementpanel or scan the QR code:

Learn more at https://diablocanyonpanel.org or www.pge.com/engagementpanel or scan the QR code:

BY VIOLET SAGE WALKER

We need bold action

This should be the year the Chumash people create a new national marine sanctuary

In February, Indigenous peoples from throughout the Pacific and around the globe joined voices at a major international ocean conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, that gathered 3,000 participants from 123 countries and hundreds of Native nations.

Hosted by the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, the province of British Columbia and the federal government of Canada, representatives at the fifth International Marine Conservation Congress (IMPAC5) came together from areas far and wide across the sea. We gathered, shared stories and song, and discussed stewardship of our lands and waters, as we have always done. And the takeaway was clear: Urgent action is needed for our oceans, and Indigenous peoples must lead the way.

At the United Nations Biodiversity Summit in Montreal last November, global

Store memories not things by purchasing tickets to local performances

The other day while I was sitting outside the Bijoux Cafe in Cayucos, a youngish acquaintance of mine strolled by and we started to chat. She said she was on her way to buy a friend a gift, and that most of her friends preferred experiences over stuff. She also said she bought local as much as she could.

I thought that she was onto something, and I wanted to suggest to her and others the idea of buying tickets to live arts events

leaders agreed to protect 30 percent of the planet by the end of the decade. The Biden administration set a target of protecting 30 percent of U.S. waters by 2030 under its America the Beautiful campaign. Globally, and here in the U.S., there is finally agreement that we need to better protect our lands and waters and we have no time to waste.

As chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council, I represent a California tribal people that in 2015 nominated the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary to be added to the national marine sanctuary program after more than 40 years of advocacy to protect our homelands and waters from growing impacts. We were pleased last year when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its intent to designate the Chumash Heritage Sanctuary, resulting in an unprecedented more than 20,000 public comments in support of the sanctuary.

The Chumash are ocean people. We have always lived on the coast and with the sea. We have experienced the massive changes wrought by colonization, industrialization, and more recently by climate change. We have seen our whale, otter, and sea lion

in the county. Music, dance, theater, opera, and choral music all require an audience to exist. Many local arts organizations are still struggling after COVID-19 closed productions and put a damper on ticket sales. Perhaps instead of buying someone a sweater for a birthday or holiday gift, why not purchase tickets to a musical performance or a play?

Experience the transcendence of a choral music concert or the exhilaration of a modern

Speak up!

relations hunted to near extinction and our fish relations depleted by those who came to our lands from afar. We have seen oil spills foul our beaches and off-road vehicles desecrate our sacred places. And we know that climate change is making the ocean warmer and more acidic—changes that I’ve seen firsthand. Abalone mollusks have been a part of Chumash culture for millennia, but as the ocean becomes more acidic, abalone are unable to form hard shells as they grow, leaving them more susceptible to disease and to predation, putting an important part of our culture at risk.

The proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary would protect 156 miles of spectacular marine and cultural diversity from offshore oil extraction, acoustic testing, and other human harms while promoting traditional cultural practices. My homelands contain estuaries, kelp forests, deep water submarine canyons, undersea mountains, rocky reefs, and sandy beaches—as well as migratory paths frequented by marine mammals such as dolphins and whales. Within the proposed sanctuary boundaries, Chumash sacred sites would also be protected.

A sanctuary designation would provide recognition from the federal government of the many generations of stewardship by our ancestors, whose tomols (canoes) dotted the coastline for thousands of years before

colonization. Our people, our stories, and our songs are intertwined with the ocean, and they are vital to its healthy future.

It was an incredible honor to sit in ceremony, share our successes, laugh together with our stories, and feel the shared struggles with other Indigenous communities around the world in Vancouver. It is tremendously inspiring to learn how many paddles are in the water moving us forward toward improved ocean conservation, with stewardship led by Indigenous peoples, as it has been since time immemorial.

It is now time for action. The Biden administration must move forward with all due speed to adopt the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary as one important step toward safeguarding ocean biodiversity and uplifting Indigenous knowledge and leadership. There can be no healthy planet without healthy oceans, and Indigenous people are a vital part of the solutions to our very real existential crisis. We must take bold action now because there is more work to be done. ∆

Northern Chumash Tribal Council Chair Violet Sage Walker is the nominator of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. Respond with a letter to the editor emailed to letters@ newtimesslo.com.

LETTERS

Send us your views and opinion to letters@newtimesslo.com.

dance performance. And by attending a live performance, you are supporting the arts in the most fundamental fashion. And, if you are bringing children, you are ensuring the future of the arts in our community. Going out to a show or a musical event with friends or family is a bonding experience that does not have to be stored in a closet. People often say they believe in the arts as a vital component of a healthy society, but they must also take action in supporting

the arts by attending performances and nurturing the next generation of art lovers and advocates.

Kate Stulberg executive director Vocal Arts Ensemble

Are there enough ‘good’ Americans out there who support Ukraine?

Can it be true that America’s sunshine patriots are wavering in their support of the

LETTERS continued page 13

Russell Hodin

HODIN

Ukrainian people’s valiant struggle against Putin’s invasion of their country? Does “longterm COVID” include the loss of one’s spine?

“Live free or die” is just a motto here, but it is being put to action in Ukraine.

These same Americans said nothing while the United States pissed away billions of dollars in Iraq and Afghanistan for 20 years. Why? Because they could still buy cheap gas, eggs, and milk. Their shortsighted consumerism sickens me. “Freedom is not Free” the signs and bumper stickers say, unless of course the price of gas gets too high.

Should we just urge President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to negotiate peace with Putin by giving him Ukraine? OK, but only if we really “open the border” and provide a home for 40 million Ukrainian refugees. There is plenty of room for them in underpopulated and overrepresented red states, and the Ukrainians already know how to farm.

Or, we can continue to let “the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air” give proof through Ukraine’s fight that “our flag is still there!” Evil men only triumph when good people do nothing. I pray that there are still enough “good Americans” out there.

Slava Ukraini!

When the term “woke” first started being bantered about by right-wing nutjobs, it was my husband who first reminded me that it was progressive 19th century Republicans who established the “Wide Awake” movement to promote human rights.

Now, Trump and his “evangelical” acolytes want to “Take America Back.” This slogan reads like an incomplete sentence to me. Just what do the MAGA minions want to “take America back” to?

Jim Crow style segregation?

Internment camps for Asian-Americans?

The “ethnic cleansing” of the remaining Native Americans?

Corporal punishment when a child uses a language other than English in school?

Codifying that a woman has no voice in procreating?

Whitewashing all of the above from America’s history textbooks?

I bid you all: Stay wide awake!

Lisa Casillas-Siemsen Orcutt

This Week’s Online Poll

What’s your favorite part of a wedding?

Stephen H. Siemsen CW3, U.S. Army (Retired) Orcutt

Everyone needs to stay ‘wide awake’

How refreshing to read such an insightful piece in Rhetoric & Reason (“You can call me ‘woke,’ but I prefer ‘wide awake,’” Feb. 23)!

Parking paradise

Mark your calendars, folks. Starting in July, you can expect parking rates in downtown San Luis Obispo to double!

Apparently, we really need a new $53 million parking garage. Does that number sound familiar? It also happens to be about how much it would cost to build a brand new police station. If you had to choose, which would you rather have?

Wait! Don’t answer that. It’s a false choice.

In reality, we either pay for the city to build a new parking garage or the SLO Repertory Theatre doesn’t get to build its new theater. SLO Rep can’t start erecting its new theater (which it’s raised $11 million for, so far, and will cost $15.3 million) until SLO finishes garage construction. Those two projects are slated for the same city-owned surface lot on Nipomo and Palm—soon to be part of the city’s brand new Cultural Arts District. Fancy!

How did we get here? If you ask the city, it all started two decades ago, when SLO first decided that demand for parking downtown would only increase and building another parking structure would be good for longterm viability.

“But the actual need for parking wasn’t there at the time,” SLO Parking Manager Gaven Hussey said.

I’m pretty sure there still isn’t an actual need for parking. And a consultant hired by the city agrees with me! During most days

and times, downtown parking demand isn’t higher than the 85 percent threshold that determines whether parking resources are tight. Demand for parking downtown only climbs above 85 percent on Thursday nights during the downtown farmers’ market. So we’re building a parking structure because of the once-a-week farmers’ market?!

No, no, no, silly. It’s for the long-term “vitality” of our downtown, according to Mayor Erica Stewart

“If we don’t build this parking structure, we continue down the road where our downtown businesses are harmed in the long run, our vitality is harmed in the long run,” she told New Times

Let me get this straight: The city doesn’t believe that $4 an hour street parking will harm businesses downtown? That’s $1 for 15 minutes, folks—$1 to run into Scout Coffee, grab a $4 or $5 deliciously caffeinated specialty beverage, and pray that there isn’t a line so you don’t get a $45 parking ticket because you didn’t have another $1 worth of change in your cupholder.

But, you guys, parking garage rates will only be $3 an hour. Who’s going to park in the parking garage to run into a coffee shop?

And $1 for 1/4 hour of convenience is not where these parking rate hikes end. The city plans to make it an even $5 an hour in 2025. A nice, round, ridiculous number, amirite? Where else do people pay that much for parking?

Well, downtown Paso Robles is about to double its rates from $1 to $2 an hour (but the first two hours are free!). In Pismo Beach, people pay between $2 and $5 an hour, depending on how busy it is—supply and demand, baby! Santa Barbara charges $2.50 an hour after the first 75 minutes, which are free. So, SLO will be the most expensive city to park on the Central Coast! Take that, losers!

I’m not so sure downtown business owners agree that this new parking garage and the hourly rates that will help pay down the $47 million loan the city’s taking out to pay for it is good for long-term “vitality.” Some are concerned, and rightfully so, that it will do the opposite to downtown.

The upcoming rate increases, according to Downtown SLO Association CEO Bettina Swigger, “have the potential to cause public outcry.”

I’m already crying in public!

hikes, and lost parking revenue—the city lost $4 million in parking revenue during the pandemic (That’s a lot of coins!)—doubled the new garage’s estimated price tag, which had been about $25 million.

It’s so strange, you know, SLO Rep’s cost to build a new theater also doubled, but the nonprofit aimed to be fiscally prudent by reducing the size of its original project. Could the city do the same?

Nope, nope, nope! Going back to the drawing board costs too much money. It sounds like the city is moving forward with its expensive plan no matter what, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. All the City Council members are on board, Hussey and Johnson are gung-ho, and SLO Rep is ready to move forward with its plans already.

Speak up!

Hey, everyone who’s crying, you can’t blame the city for the outrageous price tag. You know, whose fault is, don’t you? COVID-19, obviously!

City Manager Derek Johnson said the city got wham-wham-whammed during and after the pandemic. A “triple whammy” of construction cost increases, interest rate

The good news is that no one will be able to afford to park downtown, so everyone’s going to walk and bike downtown—even SLO County residents who live outside of town. They can take public transit from Paso, aka the bus. It only takes 1.5 hours with 33 stops. Or bus it in from Pismo—which clocks in at an hour and you have to change buses. Makes downtown SLO sound appealing, right? Pedestrian friendly and empty. Totally worth spending almost three hours on a bus to walk around in the “heart” of our county. ∆

The Shredder is crying in public. Send tissues to shredder@newtimesslo.com.

Hot Dates

MELODRAMATIC MENU

The Great American Melodrama presents its latest vaudeville revue, The Culinary Cabaret Vaudeville Revue, through Saturday, March 25. The new chef-themed, one-act show follows each performance of the Melodrama’s current two-act production, Lumberjacks in Love. Call (805) 489-2499 or visit americanmelodrama.com for tickets and more info. The theater is located at 1863 Front St., Oceano.

—Caleb Wiseblood

ARTS

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

AQUARIUS 2023 CALIFORNIA OPEN

WATERMEDIA EXHIBITION Annual juried exhibition presented by Central Coast Watercolor Society, featuring varied watermedia styles and techniques by California artists. Through April 3, 12-4 p.m. Free. 805-772-2504. ccwsart.com. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay.

COASTAL WINE AND PAINT PARTY Listen to music while enjoying an afternoon of creativity, sipping, and mingling. Event lasts up to 2 hours. The party includes a complimentary glass of wine and canvas with materials. Saturdays, 12:30-2:30 p.m. $50. 805-394-5560. coastalwineandpaint. com. Harmony Cafe at the Pewter Plough, 824 Main St., Cambria.

FINDING THE LIGHT: ART EXHIBIT

OPENING AND RECEPTION Reception for the gallery’s next exhibit, Finding the Light, which features internationally shown artist Liz Hampton-Derivan. March 4 4:30-6 p.m. cambriaarts.org. Cambria Center for the Arts, 1350 Main St., Cambria. THE PSYCHIC A failed mystery writer soon finds himself embroiled in a string of bizarre and hilarious murders. FridaysSundays. through March 12 my805tix. com. By The Sea Productions, 545 Shasta Ave., Morro Bay.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

ART AFTER DARK: STUDIOS ON THE PARK Come join us in celebrating the grand opening of a new exhibition, The Eye of the Next Generation. Enjoy wine poured by Adelaida Vineyards and Winery and live music performed by Elyse Black Music. March 4 6-9 p.m.

Free; $10 for a glass of wine. 805-2389800. studiosonthepark.org. Studios on the Park, 1130 Pine St., Paso Robles.

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.

ART GALLERY OPENING Showcasing artwork of Susan Lyon, Kathy Madonna, and Maryanne Nucci. First Saturday of every month, 4-7 p.m. Free. Pocket Gallery on Pine, 849 13th Street, Paso Robles, 805-440-7152.

AN EVENING OF COMEDY Bob Zany headlines this evening of hilarious entertainment, signature cocktails, and appetizers from Hemingway’s Steakhouse. Two showtimes available. March 4, 6-7:30 & 8:30-10 p.m. $38.50-$55.00. Park Ballroom, 1232 Park St., Paso Robles.

MOSAIC MIRROR WORKSHOP Create a unique mosaic mirror in this two-day workshop. All materials included. March 4 10 a.m.-noon and March 5 , 12-1 p.m. $75. 805-464-2633. glassheadstudio. com. Glasshead Studio, 8793 Plata Lane, Suite H, Atascadero.

PAINT AND SIP Join Art Social 805 at Cass Winery, where you will paint the featured image while sipping on wine. First glass of liquid courage is included, as well as all your painting materials. March 10 7-9 p.m. $55. 805-239-1730. casswines.com.

Cass Winery and Vineyard, 7350 Linne Rd., Paso Robles. Join Art Social 805 at San Antonio Winery where you will have the

opportunity to paint the featured image while enjoying your favorite beverage. March 11 10-midnight $68. 805-226-2600. riboliwines.com. Riboli Family of San Antonio Winery, 2610 Buena Vista Drive, Paso Robles.

SALSA SERIES AT SERIAL WINES WITH SABRINA Hosts provide multiple levels of lessons teaching salsa and more. Included in ticket price is a glass of rosé or sauvignon. Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m. through March 29 $30. 805-296-3377. serialwines.com. Serial Wines, 1226 Park St., Paso Robles.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

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. 805544-9251. artsobispo.org/art-and-about. San Luis Obispo, Citywide, SLO.

ART EXHIBIT: NEEDLING Featuring the Cutting Edge Fiber Art Group. Reception on March 4 Through April 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo. com/gallery/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

BEACON ART SHOW A juried show held annually. The community is invited to enter up to five pieces of art. The show’s opening night will be March 3 This year’s theme is Artistic Spectrum. Fridays-Sundays. through April 2 Free. 805-544-4608. San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church, 1515 Fredericks Street, San Luis Obispo.

CAMBRIA CENTER FOR THE ARTS:

JURIED PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT Seeking

New Times and the Sun now share their community listings for a complete Central Coast calendar running from SLO County through northern Santa Barbara County. Submit events online by logging in with your Google, Facebook, or Twitter account at newtimesslo.com. You may also email calendar@newtimesslo. com. Deadline is one week before the issue date on Thursdays. Submissions are subject to editing and approval. Contact Calendar Editor Caleb Wiseblood directly at cwiseblood@newtimesslo.com.

art for Spring Juried Photography Exhibit. The exhibit will be juried by photographer, Kerry Drager, known for his constructive encouragement and solid advice, and author of three nationally published photo how-to books. Online submissions welcome through April 21. Exhibit: May 5- July 2. Through April 21 $15 per entry for members. cambriaarts.org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

COLORS OF CONSERVATION: SPRING

2023 ART EXHIBIT San Luis Outdoor Painters for the Environment (SLOPE) and The Land Conservancy of SLO County announce this annual exhibit of original landscape paintings from artist members of SLOPE. March 3 4-7 p.m. and March 4 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission. 805-544-9096. slope-painters.com. Octagon Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, 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.

A CONVERSATION WITH RAIN PRYOR:

INTERSECTING IDENTITIES Rain Pryor, comedian, actress and activist, explores racism and her bi-racial and bi-cultural identity with insight and humor. This event is a part of the SLO Jewish Film and Learning Festival. March 11 7-9 p.m. $25. slojflf.com. Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St, San Luis Obispo.

FLORAL FEMALE SCULPTURE SERIES

A seven-session class, walking students through a young woman sculpture with floral elements. Beginners welcome. Tuesdays, Fridays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. through March 24 $250. anamcre.com/booking.

Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

HOME/WORK Features the work of 14 contemporary artists whose work questions our collective experiences of home: Brandy Eve Allen, Zalika Azim, Kate Barbee, Phoebe Boswell, Andrea Bowers, Allana Clarke, Geoffrey Chadsey, Judy Chicago, Mary Kelly, Emmett Moore, Sophia Narrett, Woody de Othello, Greg Scott, and Chiffon Thomas. Through March 5, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 805-5438562. sloma.org/exhibition/home-work/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

IMPROV 101 This class is designed for beginners to explore the fundamentals of collaborative improvisation in a fun, positive setting. Enjoy playing theater games and meeting new people. March 2 6-8 p.m. $225. centralcoastcomedytheater. com. Central Coast Comedy Theater Training Center, 2078 Parker Street, Suite 200, San Luis Obispo, 803-487-4401.

IMPROV COMEDY SHOW Celebrate your Thursday evening with some laughs, a drink, and some delicious food from our friends at Slo Wine and Beer Co. Our improv house team will host a live, improvised comedy show while you wine and dine. March 9 6-8 p.m. $10. centralcoastcomedytheater. com. SLO Wine and Beer Company, 3536 S. Higuera Street, Suite 250, San Luis Obispo, 805-544-9463. A night of improv comedy at SLO Public Market. Watch the ensemble perform high-speed, fun, interactive, and hilariously spontaneous improv comedy. March 10, 6-8 p.m. $15. centralcoastcomedytheater.com. San Luis Obispo Public Market, 3845 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, 805-439-4285.

LIZ MARUSKA’S ART: ENJOYING

BIG SUR Wander through Maruska’s spellbinding impressions of this iconic seashore in a euphoric and inspiring display of art rendered in a luminous palette of colors that glows with vitality. March 3 -31 Free. 805-550-3308. SLOProvisons.com. SLO Provisions, 1255 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

NATURE NIGHTS An immersive exhibition for the entire family featuring Bryn Forbes’ large format projections, Michael Reddell’s wire sculpture, and Kody

Cava’s colorfully creative illumination of the garden areas. Food, wine, and beer available for purchase. Fridays, Saturdays, 6-8 p.m. through March 18 $14.75-$24.75. 805-541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., 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.

PAINT YOUR PET Join Art Social 805 at Art Central where you will be guided through the process of creating a one of a kind masterpiece of your very own pet. March 5 , 1-3 p.m. $45. 805-747-4200. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, artcentralslo.wordpress.com.

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.

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.

RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY

CASH

From the songbook of Johnny Cash comes this unique, original musical about love and faith, struggle and success, rowdiness and redemption, and the healing power of home and family. Through March 12 slorep.org. San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre, 888 Morro St., San Luis Obispo, 805-786-2440.

ROCK SCISSORS PAPER, SLUG FROG

SNAKE: ARTWORK BY JOOLEE KANG

Pen and ink drawings, paper sculptures, and digital animations by Korean artist JooLee Kang focus on the complicated interactions between humans and

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREAT AMERICAN MELODRAMA

nature, and the symbiotic relationship between the two. Mondays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. through March 10 Free. 805546-3201. cuesta.edu. Harold J. Miossi Gallery, Highway 1, 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 COMEDY UNDERGROUND OPEN MIC

NIGHT Enjoy a night of laughs provided by the local SLO Comedy Community. It’s open mic night, so anyone can perform and “you never know what you’ll see.” Tuesdays, 8 p.m. Free. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, 805-548-2337, libertinebrewing.com.

SLO JEWISH FILM AND LEARNING

FESTIVAL The JCC-Federation of SLO and Hillel CalPoly are coordinating to present the SLO Jewish Film and Learning Festival. With in-person screenings at The Palm and Cal Poly. March 9 -11 Varying by events. slojflf.com/. Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St, San Luis Obispo.

STAND UP CLASS This six-week series is a great way to work out your set. Come in with an idea and we will work to craft it into a stand up set. The class will include time to workshop your material, exercises for generating content, and performance practice. March 6 , 6-8 p.m. $225. centralcoastcomedytheater.com.

Central Coast Comedy Theater Training Center, 2078 Parker Street, Suite 200, San Luis Obispo, 803-487-4401.

TINY POTTERS: WISE ONES AND WEE

ONES PAINT For ages 4 to 6. Kids have the option to paint animals and other subjects.

Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. $30. anamcre. com/booking. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

ABSTRACT ART EXHIBIT BY STEVE

ANDREWS Steve Andrews’ “Wow Factor” works are on display at The Arroyo Grande Library. 10 percent of all sales help the Central Coast Parkinson Association continue their valuable work in the community’s fight against Parkinson’s Disease. Through March 25 Arroyo Grande Library, 800 W. Branch, Arroyo Grande, 473-7164, slolibrary.org.

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.

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

THE RIVER BRIDE BY MARISELA

TREVIÑO ORTA Marisela Treviño Orta describes her lyrical play as a “grim latino fairy tale” swimming with mystery, family, true-love, and unexpected visitors.

Through March 5 $49. 805-922-8313. pcpa.org/events/the-river-bride. PCPA: The Pacific Conservatory Theatre, 800 S. College, Santa Maria.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

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.

BALLROOM DANCE AND LESSON Grab your dance shoes and get ready to waltz, swing, salsa, foxtrot, hustle, two-step, and more to a wide variety of pre-recorded music. Beginners welcome. March 10 6-9 p.m. Free. 805-709-2477. Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way, Morro Bay, morro-bay.ca.us/345/ Community-Center.

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. 805-235-7978. gratefulbodyhealthcoaching.com. Grateful Body, 850 Shasta, Morro Bay.

CENTRAL COAST WOOD CARVERS Learn the art of wood carving or wood burning. Join Central Coast Wood Carvers in Morro Bay at St. Timothy’s. Open for beginners, intermediate, or advance. Learn a wide range of techniques and skills. 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.

GENTLE YOGA AT ST. BEN’S Instructor: Seanna. Must RSVP to Maureen by phone or emailing naseema6@sbcglobal.net to determine space available. Must bring a yoga mat, water, blanket, or any other props

you may need. Fridays, 9-10 a.m. through May 26 $10-$15 donation per person. 805441-7262. stbenslososos.org. St. Benedict’s Church, 2220 Snowy Egret Ln., Los Osos.

MORRO BAY MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

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

SHAKTI: EMBODYING THE GODDESS

This four-class series will explore the iconography, mythology, and devotional practices of 4 goddesses: Durga, Kali, Saraswati, and Laksmi. Guided by Dawn Feuerberg, certified classical ashtanga yoga teacher and tantra meditation instructor.

March 9 5:15-6:45 p.m. $44; $148 for series. 805-540-1762. my805tix.com. 9th Limb Yoga, 845 Napa Ave., Morro Bay.

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. 805-7017397. charvetmartialarts.com. Morro Bay Martial Arts, 850 Shasta, Morro Bay.

TAI CHI CHUN CERTIFICATION With 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

EARTH SHINE IN SHANDON Join the Earth Shine Volunteers as they work to pick up litter in communities across the Central Coast. Group provides grabbers, bags, safety vests, gloves, and disposes of all they collect. All ages welcome. March 11 10 a.m.noon 805-591-4691. EarthShineOrg.com. CW Clarke Park, 101 W. Centre St., Shandon. 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. GUIDED BREATHWORK MEDITATION

For those looking to make a shift of any kind or seeking insight on the path ahead. Breathwork gets energy moving very quickly. The thinking mind shuts off allowing channels to open in a unique way. Second Thursday of every month, 6-7:30 p.m. $33. pasoyoga.com. Dharma Yoga Loft, 1329 Spring Street, Paso Robles, 805-434-1924. LIGHT, LOVE, INTUITION 101 The intention of these classes is to provide a beginning; a starting place on your path of connecting, listening, and trusting your own intuitive knowing, allowing you to become “a clearer channel for your own soul’s highest good.” Wednesdays, 6-7:30 p.m. through March 30 $33-$111. 805-4642838. 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. 805441-2164. North County Connection, 8600 Atascadero Ave., Atascadero.

SHERECOVERS SHARING CIRCLE SheRecovers Foundation is a non-profit organization with a community of more than 325,000 women in or seeking recovery from substance use disorders, other mental health issues, and/or life challenges. It’s mission is to inspire hope and reduce stigma. Facilitated by Monica Galli, Certified Recovery Coach. First Thursday of every month, 6-7:30 p.m. Free. sherecovers.org/

sharing-circles/. Dharma Yoga Loft, 1329 Spring Street, Paso Robles, 805-434-1924.

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

TOPS SUPPORT GROUP: WEIGHT LOSS AND MAINTENANCE A self-help support group focusing on weight loss and maintenance. Thursdays, 1:30 p.m. 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

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.

GARDEN FOUNDER WALK AND TALK

SCENTS TO SIP

Symbiosis Wines in Paso Robles is hosting its Wine Aroma Workshop on Saturday, March 11, with three start times for attendees to choose from (2, 4, and 6 p.m.). Guests will learn about ways to identify different aromas in wines. Admission to the class is $30 per person. Visit symbiosiswines.com for more info. The venue is located at 612 12th St., suite 101, Paso Robles. —C.W.

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

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

Walk and talk with Eve Vigil in the Botanical Garden each month on the first Tuesday. Free garden tour with paid admission to the Garden. Free for members. No need to RSVP, just show up and enjoy. First Tuesday of every month, 11 a.m.-noon Free with $5 Garden Entry. 805-541-1400. slobg.org/ calendar. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

THE GRIEF RECOVERY METHOD (ZOOM) Part of the Cuesta College Community Educational Series. Call or go online for more details. Tuesdays, 6 a.m.-8 p.m. through March 21 $150 includes book. 714-273-9014. griefrecoverymethod.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

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 18

PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIN BEDELL

Steampunk Adventures

Sundays March 5th and 12th

Audience members are invited to wear any Steampunk attire!

ENJOY INTERMISSION CHOICES:

- Come to the lobby and watch while judges award a $100 prize for “Best Full Outfit” and you can mix and mingle with the cast in the lobby or

- Enjoy the Cuesta Musical Theater Workshop singers in the theater - or enjoy both!

More information: clarkcenter.org/events

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.

LOW STRESS LIVESTOCK HANDLING

Discover how humanely handling your livestock can contribute safety and security for animals and handlers. The class will emphasize the importance of understanding livestock behavior based on a few techniques and designs. March 4 , 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $50. 628-888-4012. cuesta.edu. Cuesta College Community Programs, Building 4100 Cuesta College Road, San luis obispo.

MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION

(ONLINE MEETING) Zoom series hosted by TMHA. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon Transitions Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-270-3346.

PUPPY SOCIAL HOUR Puppies (10 weeks to 5 months old) will learn appropriate play style with other pups, acceptable manners with people, tolerance for gentle restraints, confidence with the approach of friendly strangers, and more. Saturdays, 9 a.m. and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. $25. 805-543-9316. woodshumanesociety.org/training/. Woods Humane Society, 875 Oklahoma Ave., 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.

SALLY, THOMAS, OPRAH, AND ME: A

FAMILY STORY AAUW SLO is presenting member and local resident Mary Jefferson, a descendant of President Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, who will talk about an often ignored chapter of our history as well as sharing her personal journey uncovering her heritage. March 11, 10-11:30 a.m. San Luis Obispo Library Community Room, 995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-781-5991.

SLO NOONTIME TOASTMASTERS CLUB

MEETINGS Want to improve speaking and leadership skills in a supportive and positive environment? During COVID, we are meeting virtually. Contact us to get a meeting link for info. Tuesdays, 12-1 p.m. Free. slonoontime.toastmastersclubs.org.

Zoom, Online, Inquire for Zoom ID.

SLO 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.

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.

TAI CHI AND QIGONG FITNESS ONLINE

Gentle but powerful physical exercises to improve balance, posture, and overall well being. Wednesdays, 8:25-10:35 a.m. through May 24 $77. 805-549-1222. ae.slcusd.org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

TAICHI AND QIGONG ONLINE With Gary West through SLO Adult School. Held

Wednesdays, at 8:25 a.m. (TaiChi) and 9:35 a.m. (QiGong). Wednesdays. through May 25 $77 for semester. 805-549-1222. ae.slcusd. org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo. TRANS* TUESDAY A safe space providing peer-to-peer support for trans, gender nonconforming, 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.

YOGA ON THE TERRACE Held every Saturday morning through winter. Cheryl will be guiding attendees through a series of postures and breathwork. For all levels; all ages. Saturdays, 8-9 a.m. through March 18 $12; $10 Members. 805-541-1400. slobg. org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

BEGINNER GROUP SURF LESSONS AND SURF CAMPS Lessons and camp packages available daily. All equipment included. ongoing Starts at $70. 805-835-7873. sandbarsurf.com/. Sandbar Surf School Meetup Spot, 110 Park Ave., Pismo Beach. FREE SEMINAR: THE TRUTH ABOUT DOWNSIZING AND DECLUTTERING

Leave with a simple plan to downsize, organize, and declutter your life. Be prepared for a future move. March 2 , 10-11:30 a.m. Free. 805-710-2415. Hilton Garden Inn, 601 James Way, Pismo Beach. 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.

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT

The Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) presents its current production of The River Bride at the Severson Theatre in Santa Maria through Sunday, March 5. The show’s cast includes Johnny Valerio (pictured, left), Christen Celaya (right), Rosie Quintana, Oscar Emmanuel Fabela, Hugo Carbajal, and Dena Martinez. To find out more about the show or purchase tickets, call the PCPA box office at (805) 922-8313 or visit pcpa.org. The Severson Theatre is located at 800 S. College Drive, Santa Maria. —C.W.

805-619-0989. Empower Yoga Studio and Community Boutique, 775 W. Grand Ave., 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 KAYAK TO THE LIGHTHOUSE Paddle a kayak out to the Point San Luis Lighthouse for a one of a kind Pilates session led by Vanessa Dominguez of Tabula Rasa Pilates. March 5 10 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.

FOOD & DRINK

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

BEYOND BASIC: BREAKING CEILINGS AND DOOR Experience six deliciously diverse wines made by three extraordinary women sharing how they are forging their paths. Meet independent wine producers Arianna Spoto (Arianna Wines), Glenna Thompson (Symbiosis Wines), and Nancy Ulloa (Ulloa Cellars).

March 7, 2-9:30 p.m. $30. exploretock. com. Symbiosis Wines, 612 12th St., Paso Robles, 805-729-2000.

COASTAL WINE AND PAINT PARTY Local artists inspire and instruct customers step-by-step to create their masterpieces. Saturdays, 12-2 p.m. $50. 805-394-5560. coastalwineandpaint.com. Madeline’s Wine Tasting Room, 788 Main St., Cambria. THE FEAST AND FAIR Get ready to elevate your picnic game and join Kindred Oak Farm for a fun-filled day of farm-fresh fare, crafting, and community, with Chef Candice Custodio and a collection of local craftswomen and female artisans selling their one-of-a-kind creations. March 8 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $15. eventbrite.com. Kindered Oak Farm, 1250 Paint Horse Place, Paso Robles, 805-226-0600.

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.

WOMEN WINEMAKER EVENT Meet Riley

Roddick and Molly Lonborg at the Paso Robles Wine Merchant for their Women Winemaker Event. Enjoy a flight, glass, or bottle of their featured Hubba and Little Soul Wines. March 8 5-7 p.m. $25 per flight. athertable.com. Paso Robles Wine Merchant, 1803 Spring St., Paso Robles, 805-369-1056.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

3 BABES BRUNCH AND VINEYARD TOUR FEATURING CHEF CANDICE

Joining At Her Table in celebrating women owned businesses. Package includes a tour of the Stay on the Vineyard and Estate along with a multiple course, highly curated brunch prepared by Chef Candice with wines paired from Stilson Cellars. March 10 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. & 1-1:30 p.m. $90. 805-400-0098. stayonthevineyard.com. Stay on the Vineyards, 7110 Drake Road, Paso Robles.

46 WEST WINE SAFARI WEEKEND

This year’s annual Wine Safari benefits

Zoo to You Conservation Ambassadors. March 4 and March 5 my805tix.com. Paso Robles 46 West Wineries, Highway 46 West, Paso Robles.

AFTERNOON TEA AT THOMAS HILL

HAVEN Enjoy High Tea served at the house by Chef Alma Ayon. Included: an assortment of teas, assorted tea sandwiches, mini scones with jam and clotted cream, plus small pastries. March 9, midnight $245. athertable.com. Thomas Hill Haven, 608 Oak St., Paso Robles, TBA.

AT HER TABLE STREET FESTIVAL

Support local, women-owned food and beverage companies at a street festival in downtown Atascadero. Food and drinks will be available for purchase by individual vendors, and can be enjoyed with live music. March 12 , 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free entry. athertable.com. Downtown Atascadero, Entrada Ave., Atascadero.

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.

EPICUREAN VEGAN CHEESE AND CHARCUTERIE EXPERIENCE Join Jennifer Golden, seasoned vegan cheesemaker and owner of The Vreamery, for an epic vegan tasting that will showcase the most distinguished vegan cheese and charcuterie currently being produced from all across the country. March 9 4-5 p.m. $40. athertable.com. The Vreamery, 1815 Spring St., Paso Robles, 805-423-5835.

MOTHERS FOR PEACE BARBECUE

FUNDRAISER Join for good food, including vegetarian/vegan options, a silent auction featuring works from local artists, and updates on Fukushima and the current legal efforts to foil Diablo Canyon’s license extension. March 11 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $25.

Guaranteed Rates

805-602-8342. Community Church of Atascadero, 5850 Rosario Ave., Atascadero, atascaderoucc.org.

ORANGE WINE AND CHAKRA PAIRING

Enjoy a Citrine Orange Wine by Timshel Vineyards that “represents and generates the Sacral Chakra of creativity and sexuality,” according to press materials. Event described as an evening of wine and cheese and connecting with your Solar Charka. March 7 5-7 p.m. $44.44. athertable.com. Timshel Vineyards, 825 Riverside Ave., suite 1, Paso Robles.

PAIR WITH X EDIBLE SLO MAGAZINE:

WINE AND DINE AROUND Chef Rachel Ponce and Edible SLO Magazine invite you to an afternoon of delicious food and wine pairings celebrating five badass female winemakers, with music by nationally renowned violinist Emily V and DJ Jteeny. March 6 5-7 p.m. $95. pairwithchefrachel.com. Frunchroom, 3330 Ramada Dr., Paso Robles.

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

UNCORKING HISTORY TOUR Uncorked

Wine Tours is uncorking the history of Italian wine with this special tour, tasting, and lunch with J Dusi and 15 Degrees C Wine Bar. March 8 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $120. jdusiwines.orderport.net. J Dusi Wines, 1401 Hwy. 46 West, Paso Robles, 805-226-2034.

UNTAMED DINNER Celebrate women in a powerful evening of food and wine. Four chefs and four winemakers will be coming together under one roof to create “an unforgettable dining experience.” March 8 5:30-9:30 p.m. $225. tickettailor. com. Barton Family Wines, 2174 Highway 46 West, Paso Robles, 805-237-0771.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

AT HER TABLE X CONSUMED PODCAST: APRON STRINGS Join Jaime Lewis of the Consumed Podcast for Apron Strings, a conversation about motherhood and the hospitality industry. This live recording before an audience will be happening at There Does Not Exist. March 7, 6-8 p.m. Free (RSVP). eventbrite.com. There Does Not Exist Brewery, 4070 Earthwood Lane, Suite 110, San Luis Obispo, 805-351-2664. BAR TAKEOVER: IN THE SPIRIT OF WOMEN Visit Nightcap in Granada Hotel and Bistro for a special night with Dominique Gonzales from Root Elixirs and Monica from Re: Find Distillery as they mix delicious cocktails. March 7, 5-7 p.m. Free. athertable.com. Granada Hotel and Bistro, 1126 Morro St., San Luis Obispo. BOOZY HIGH TEA PARTY Saints Barrel Wine Bar is hosting a boozy tea party featuring Secret Garden Herb Shop Teas, Bramble Pie Company, and Breda SLO’s gourmet chocolates. March 12 12-2 & 2-4 p.m. $75. eventbrite.com. Saints Barrel FOOD & DRINK continued page 19

Hot Dates

Wine Bar, 1021 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, 805-439-1929.

CRAFTY WOMEN TASTINGS AND TOUR Hop on the Be Hoppy Bus for this At Her Table event and meet the women behind some of the best craft beverages in the San Luis Obispo area. Tour includes transportation, beer, wine and cider tastings, along with lunch, cheeses, and charcuteries. March 11 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $175. my805tix.com. Be Hoppy Tours, Call or visit site for address, San Luis Obispo, 866-234-6779.

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

HEAD GAMES TRIVIA NIGHT Live multi-media trivia every Wednesday. Free to play. Win prizes. Teams up to six players. Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. headgamestrivia.com. Antigua Brewing, 1009 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, 805-242-1167.

MEZCAL TASTING EXPERIENCE Join Ariette of Rambling Spirits in discovering four different mezcals from the Rambling Spirits Workshop private collection, and talk about the process. For up to 15 guests only. March 9, 6-8 p.m. $40. eventbrite.com. Rambling Spirits, 3845 South Higuera St., suite 114, San Luis Obispo.

SLO FARMERS MARKET Hosts more 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

FISH FRY The St. Patrick’s Italian Catholic Federation (ICF) is offering a seasonal fish and chips and coleslaw dinner in the parish hall. Dine in or take out. Fridays, 4-7 p.m. through March 10 $10-$20. St. Patrick’s Church, 501 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande, stpatsag.org.

SOURED BREADS FROM MANY CULTURES: FERMENTATION

CLASS Join Jennifer of Kulturhaus Brewing and Monika of Colony Culture and learn about the traditional sourdough technique to make loaves, pizza, and naan as well as glutenfree fermented flatbreads such as dosa and injera. March 7 5:30-7:30 p.m. $50. eventbrite.com. Kulturhaus Brewing Company, 779 Price St., Pismo Beach, 805-801-6627.

SUNSET DINNER AND WINE PAIRING Features a five-course plated dinner with wine pairings by local, women-owned Arianna Wines. March 10, 4:30-6:30 p.m. $65. eventbrite.com. Sunsets at Pismo, 1 Pier Plaza, Pismo Beach, 805-858-8220.

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

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

2023 KIWANIS CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE Each meal includes a generous portion of lean corned beef, red potatoes, cabbage, carrots, onions, horseradish, and a freshly baked roll. March 12 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

MUSIC

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

EASTON EVERETT LIVE AT LIBERTINE (MORRO BAY) Easton

Everett plays guitar-woven indie music that has an authentic feel and is easy to listen to but also surprises. March 11 6-9 p.m. Free. eastoneverett.com/. Libertine Brewing Co. (Morro Bay), 801 Embarcadero Way, Morro Bay, 805-772-0700.

THE HENHOUSE PROWLERS WITH BREMEN TOWN March 2 7 p.m. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, 805-225-1312, thesirenmorrobay.com/.

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.

NEXT LIFE LIVE AT THE OLDE ALEHOUSE What would it sound like if Tom Petty met the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin for a jam? Find out with classic rock band Next Life. March 10, 6-9 p.m. 805-215-9316. The Olde Alehouse, 945 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos.

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.

PARTY FOR PADDY WITH THE WEEDS This special St. Patrick’s Day celebration concert will trace the traditional music of the Emerald Isle to the New World with lively jigs, reels, songs, and Irish dance. March 5 4-6 p.m. $30-$35. 805-215-0306. eventbrite. com. South Bay Community Center, 2180 Palisades Ave., Los Osos.

Vote online (newtimesslo.com), drop your ballot by our office, or mail it to: New Times -

Best of SLO County

1010 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Name

Address

City/State/Zip

Phone # Email

Ballots must be in our office by Monday, March 13, at 5 p.m., to be eligible for inclusion in the poll results.

THE RULES: One ballot per person. No more than two ballots may be submitted per envelope or in person at one time. No photocopies can be accepted. To prevent ballot-box stuffing (also known as cheating), all ballots must have at least 30 categories completed and must include the name and address of the voter, for verification purposes only. Ballots without this information will be disqualified. All information is kept in complete confidence. Ballots must be in our office by Monday, March 13, at 5 p.m. Winners will be announced in our May 4 special publication. All entries become the property of New Times Remember, vote for your favorite local businesses!

Vote for your local favorites

Surf’s up SLO County! It’s time to get stoked to vote. Grab a seat on a beach towel, dig those toes into a little bit of Central Coast sand, and maybe crack a beer (in a can, not glass, people) as you figure out who’s going to win everyone’s favorite annual contest. We’re asking you, dear readers, to pick your favorite local businesses, leaders, restaurants, bars, and community members who can charge it, make the drop, and ride. But we don’t want any junk yard dogs, bennies, or barnies. We only want the raddest professionals, because our annual readers’ poll ain’t no ankle slapper. New Times’ Best of San Luis Obispo County contest is a heavy party wave, waiting for you to take off. You must fill out at least 30 categories for your ballot to be counted. Ballots are due Monday, March 13, by 5 p.m., and we will announce the winners on May 4!

EATS

1.

Camillia Lanham

22. Best Vegetarian Food  23. Best Deli

31. Best Taco

BALLOT continued on next page

DRINKS

ARTS

GOODS

SERVICES

RECREATION

CAL POLY SYMPHONY

Featured students: Davis Lerner: Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto in B-flat major, K. 191; (third movement)

Reenu Kutty: Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26 (first movement);

Ari Maman, saxophone: Paul Maurice’s “Tableaux de Provence” (first three movements)

Sarah Jane Scott, soprano: “Laudate Dominum” from Mozart’s “Vesperae solennes de confessore,” K. 339 Yumin Park composition: “Chronicles”

Hot Dates

SONGWRITERS AT PLAY FEATURES

ZOE FITZGERALD CARTER Songwriters at Play host Steve Key presents an evening of live music featuring Zoe FitzGerald Carter. Special guests include Blythe Berg, The InVocations, and Lisa Richards. March 7 6-9 p.m. Free. 805204-6821. songwritersatplay.com/events.

Schooners, 171 North Ocean Ave, Cayucos. SONGWRITERS AT PLAY SONG CONTEST FINALE Ten contestants play two original songs each, three judges award prizes, including a grand prize of $500. Contestants are Kaitlyn Chui, Fort Vine, Ricky Berger, Dave Tate, Just Wing It, Bradberri, Blythe Berg, Walk the Whale, and Dead Nettle (one more artist will be added during the last contest of February). March 12 2-4:30 p.m. $25. 805-204-6821. songwritersatplay.com/ events. Cambria Center for the Arts Theatre, 1350 Main St., Cambria. THE TAPROOTS AT THE MERRIMAKER

$10 students $15 and $20 general pacslo.org, 805-756-4849

Jayden Perez, conductor, John Williams’ “Theme from Jurassic Park”

SINGER AUDITION

Experienced singers of all voices needed to audition for the awardwinning Vocal Arts Ensemble.

Morro Bay High School

March 28, 6:30-8:30 PM

The Taproots, best known for their original compositions, strong harmonies, and innovative guitar work, bring their lively mix of Americana, rock and jazzflavored music to The Merrimaker Tavern in Baywood Park. March 6 , 5-7 p.m. Free. 805-439-1735. niffysmerrimaker.com. The Merrimaker Tavern, 1301 2nd Street, Los Osos.

NORTH SLO COUNTY ATASCADERO COMMUNITY BAND CONCERT: THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Explore the great outdoors through music. Tunes will include campfire favorites and popular songs. Open to all ages. Donations benefit the PRHS Band Backers. March 5 , 3-5 p.m. Free. atascaderoband.org. Atascadero Bible Church, Atascadero Mall, Atascadero, 805-466-2051.

CELTIC ROCK AND SOUL WITH THE ANAM CARA QUARTET Join the Anam Cara Quartet for an evening of eclectic fun with a diverse range of music to groove to. March 3 , 7-10 p.m. Tips accepted. 805-710-3309. Bristols Cider House, 3220 El Camino Real, Atascadero.

FRIDAY NIGHT DJ Weekly DJ series, with a different DJ every Friday. Presented by friends at Traffic Record store in Atascadero. Come listen, dance, drink, and unwind every Friday. All ages event; no cover charge. Fridays, 7-10 p.m. 805-460-6042. ancientowlbeergarden. com. Ancient Owl Beer Garden, 6090 El Camino Real, suite C, Atascadero.

HARMONIOUS HARP Presented by Symphony of the Vines. March 12 5:30 p.m. Cass Winery, 7350 Linne Road, Paso Robles, casswines.com.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

A BRASS MENAGERIE FEATURING THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY TRUMPET

ALLIANCE Enjoy several talented soloists and wonderful ensemble compositions and arrangements. Led by Warren Balfour. The 2022-2023 CPAC season is sponsored by Joan G. Sargen and the SLO New Times. March 12 , 2-4 p.m. $10-$15. tickets.cuesta. edu. Cuesta College Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

BRAVE NEW WORLD Opens with LA-based composer and Grammy winner, Patrice Rushen’s “Sinfonia.” Keeping with the LA connection, soloist in Schumann’s Cello Concerto transcription for violin, is LA Philharmonic first violin, and recent Nipomo resident, Mischa Lefkowitz. March 4 7:30 p.m. $21-$89. 805-356-1438. slosymphony. org/2022-2023-season/. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.

CAL POLY WIND BANDS: BANDEMONIUM

The Cal Poly Bands welcome Jennifer Martin and the Cuesta Wind Ensemble for a program that will feature three collegiate ensembles — separate and combined — in works inspired by theatrical stage and screen. March 5 3 p.m. $15 and $20 general; $10 students. 805-756-4849. music. calpoly.edu/calendar/. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.

CAL POLY’S POLYPHONICS AND CHAMBER CHOIR CONCERT: HEAVEN AND HELL Cal Poly’s PolyPhonics and Chamber Choir will to present a concert

FRIGHT NIGHTS

Cirque Italia presents Paranormal Cirque at the Santa Maria Fairpark, starting on Thursday, March 2, at 7:30 p.m. Additional performances will take place on Friday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 4, at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m., Sunday, March 5, at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m., and Monday, March 6, at 7:30 p.m. The show includes several horror-themed circus acts (ages under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian). Visit paranormalcirque.com for tickets and more info.

featuring two major works from both old and new traditions. PolyPhonics will perform Mozart’s famous “Requiem” with an orchestra from 1791, and the Chamber Choir Herbert Howells’ “Requiem,” which was composed in the 1930s. March 11 , 7:30 p.m. $20 general; $10 students. 805756-4849. music.calpoly.edu/calendar/.

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, 751 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.

CHARLIE PARR WITH MARISA ANDERSON

Charlie Parr is an incorruptible outsider who writes novelistic, multi-layered stories that shine a kaleidoscopic light on defiant, unseen characters thriving in the shadows all around us. Parr has released 14 studio albums and tours the globe performing at legendary venues like Newport Folk Festival. March 10 $20. slobrew.com. SLO Brew Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, 805-543-1843.

EASTON EVERETT LIVE AT MULLIGANS

Easton Everett plays guitar-woven indie music that has an authentic feel and is easy to listen to. March 2 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.

EMILY FRANKLIN LIVE Come over to the tasting room for a jazz show from Emily Franklin and delicious ciders on tap. March 3, 6-8 p.m. Free. 805-721-6878. SLO Cider, 3419 Roberto Ct., Suite C, San Luis Obispo.

JACOB MANN WITH CUESTA JAZZ Jacob Mann is a pianist, keyboardist, composer, and arranger currently based in LA. Performing with groups such as Knower, Sam Wilkes, Lee Ritenour, Moonchild, Jacob Collier, Bob Mintzer Big Band, Michael Mayo, and Grace Kelly. March 10

7:30-9:30 p.m. $10-$15. tickets.cuesta.edu.

Cuesta College Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

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. OF GOOD NATURE, WITH THE WHEELAND BROTHERS Of Good Nature (OGN) incites and unites listeners with a fusion-friendly approach to today’s music, uncovering a highly accessible sound that concentrates on positive and feel-good lyrics, uplifting energy, and technical musicianship, packed into a potent blend of alternative, soul, rock, groove, and pop. March 9 $17. slobrew. com. SLO Brew Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, 805-543-1843.

OPEN MIC NIGHT IN THE TASTING ROOM

Kelsey Rae hosts this open mic event for music and comedy in the tasting room. Second Thursday of every month, 7-9 p.m. Free show. 805721-6878. SLO Cider, 3419 Roberto Ct., Suite C, San Luis Obispo.

SHABANG BATTLE OF THE BANDS

All ages welcome. March 2 , 8 p.m. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, 805-546-8600, fremontslo.com.

—C.W.

SONGWRITERS AT PLAY FEATURES ZOE

FITZGERALD CARTER AND KYLE HUSKEY

Songwriters at Play host Steve Key will share the stage with Zoe FitzGerald Carter, and local writer Kyle Huskey. They will swap songs in-the-round, Nashville-style. Cynthia Ford joins for a guest set. March 8, 6-8 p.m. Free. 805-204-6821. songwritersatplay.com/ events. SLO Wine and Beer Company, 3536 S. Higuera Street, Suite 250, San Luis Obispo.

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.

TAKE ME TO THE RIVER: NOLA LIVE

Featuring George Porter Jr. and Runnin’ Pardners and Jon Cleary and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen. March 5, 8 p.m. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, 805-546-8600, fremontslo.com.

VANCE FAHIE BENEFIT CONCERT WITH THE KICKS AND TRUE ZION 100 percent of tickets sold to this concert go to Vance Fahie and his recovery. March 4, 7 p.m. $12. slobrew.com. SLO Brew Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, 805-543-1843.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

ANAM CARA AT BIG VARIETY NIGHT

Part of Ted Waterhouse’s Big Variety Night, the premier local music gathering for more than 30 years. Musicians from all over come to play a short set of their best stuff. March 5 , 6-9:30 p.m. Tips accepted. 805-710-3309. Puffers of Pismo, 781 Price St., Pismo Beach, puffersofpismo.com.

THE TAPROOTS AT PUFFERS The Taproots, best known for their original compositions, strong harmonies, and guitar work, bring their lively mix of Americana, rock, and jazzflavored music to Puffers Of Pismo. March 2 6:30-9:30 p.m. Free. 805-773-6563. puffersofpismo.com. Puffers of Pismo, 781 Price St., Pismo Beach.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

ANGIE AND THE NIGHTMARES LIVE

A night of music with Angie and the Nightmares and Mike Healy and the Canaries. This evening will feature country music, old time rock and roll, folk, and more. March 11 8 p.m. my805tix.com. Flower City Ballroom, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

GEORGE CLINTON LIVE March 4 8 p.m. $49 and up. Chumash Casino Resort, 3400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez, 800-248-6274, chumashcasino.com/entertainment.

Sarah Jane Scott

The symphony will also perform music by Joe Hisaishi from four Studio Ghibli films: “Howl’s Moving Castle,” “Spirited Away,” “Kiki’s Delivery Service” and “My Neighbor Totoro.” David Arrivee, conductor.

COURTESY PHOTO BY RICARDO HERRERA

Be Hoppy Tours: Sip of SLO Brewery/Cidery Tours

THURSDAYS & SUNDAYS THRU JUNE 29

Begins/ends at CC Brewing, SLO

Flannel 101 (’90s Tribute Band) FRIDAY, MARCH 3

City Ballroom, Lompoc

Be Hoppy Tours: Friday Hoppy Hour Tours

FRIDAYS THRU JUNE 30

Begins/ends at CC Brewing, SLO

By the Sea Productions: The Psychic

FRI,

Nature Nights: Immersive Outdoor Holiday Light & Art Exhibition

FRI, SAT, SUN THRU MARCH 19 SLO Botanical Garden

Point San Luis Lighthouse Tours

An Evening of Comedy with Bob Zany & Justin Rivera SATURDAY, MARCH 4 Hemingway’s Park Ballroom, Paso Robles

Pilates/Kayak to the Lighthouse

MARCH 5 Point San Luis Lighthouse, Avila Beach

Almost, Maine

FRI, SAT, SUN, MARCH 10–26

Santa Maria Civic Theatre, Santa Maria

Lompoc

Arts

ARTIFACTS

Anam Cre Pottery

Studio holds sevenpart sculpture series

Sculptors Rod Perez and Jenn Hope will lead the Floral Female Sculpture Series at Anam Cre Pottery Studio in San Luis Obispo, starting on Friday, March 3, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The seven-part, biweekly series will continue with sessions on March 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, and 24.

Perez and Hope will guide attendees through creating a sculpture of a young woman with floral elements. Beginners are welcome. Admission is $250. Email hello@anamcre.com or visit anamcre.com to find out more about the series. Anam Cre Pottery Studio is located at 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

Pelletiere Estate Vineyard hosts Art and Wine Night

Abstract artworks by local artist Jeanne Tierno will be on display during Art and Wine Night at Pelletiere Estate Vineyard in Paso Robles. The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, March 10, from 3 to 7 p.m. Wine and cheese pairings will be available for purchase throughout the evening. Admission to attend the event is free. For more info, call the venue at (805) 239-9432 or visit pelletiere.com. Pelletiere Estate Vineyard is located at 3280 Township Road, Paso Robles.

Fifty-five visual artists participate in annual Beacon Art Show

The theme of this year’s Beacon Art Show, held at the San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church, is Artistic Spectrum. An opening reception for the 2023 exhibition is scheduled to take place on Friday, March 3, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

This year’s showcase marks the program’s 15th annual event and features visual artworks from 55 participating artists. The show will remain on display at the church through the beginning of April.

The opening reception for this year’s exhibit will include an awards presentation to recognize a handful of artworks selected and ranked by a group of judges. The show includes a variety of media, including drawings, paintings, fabric art, sculptures, and more.

Purchases of artworks included in the exhibit—which originated in 2008—directly benefit the artists, as the San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church will not take a percentage of the purchase price. Last year’s iteration of the Beacon Art Show is available to view virtually online at beaconartshow.com.

To find out more about the 2023 Beacon Art Show, call (805) 543-7580. The San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church is located at 1515 Fredericks St., San Luis Obispo. ∆

—Caleb Wiseblood

BY ADRIAN VINCENT ROSAS

Handmade happiness

Local beer and art come together at Barrelhouse Brewery in SLO

Visitors to Downtown San Luis Obispo’s Barrelhouse Brewery may nd themselves observing an unusual procession taking place at the taproom, one that combines a passion for art with the unique local drinks crafted by the brewery. Sunday patrons can grab one of the various beers, sours, and seltzers the bar has to o er before heading upstairs to peruse the pieces made by a local artist.

is crossover of beer and art is the brainchild of Taproom Lead Alicia Miller who, since February 2022, has blended her passion for local art with her day job by incorporating both into an event that highlights lesser-showcased artists on an individual scale.

“Why shouldn’t beer people have their own art events?” she said with a laugh. “ ese pop-ups open up a window for people who want to showcase their art or go to art events without necessarily committing to the fanciness—and wine—normally associated with art.”

Miller, who is an artist herself, became inspired to make use of the often unused upstairs portion of the taproom when regulars who happened to be artists mentioned needing a place to showcase their work.

“A lot of these artists are younger, so they don’t necessarily have the funds to pay to be at the standard big pop-up, so through this event, we provide a venue for them,” she said. “Nothing is set in stone, so it’s all very uid and they can make it their own style, invite their friends, and have their own personalized pop-up for the day.”

Miller has worked to provide a weekly venue for these artists

Head on over

Grab a local beer at Barrelhouse Brewery SLO (located at 1033 Chorro St.) on Sunday, March 5, and experience the creations of Kaitlyn Tolin from 12 to 3:30 p.m. For more information on this or future art events, visit Barrelhouse virtually at barrelhousebrewing. com or follow them on Instagram @bhbcslo.

while bolstering and creating new camaraderie between local artists, Barrelhouse regulars, and new visitors to the taproom.

“To have these events that make it so you can not only go and get local beer but also support these local artists just made sense,” Miller said.

e art featured at Barrelhouse on Sundays ranges from traditional paintings, jewelry, ceramics, and photography to candles, tarot cards, and even art made from recycled materials found across the Central Coast.

“ ere’s really no limit to what I want to have presented at these pop-ups,” Miller said. “I am all about opening the oor to everyone and letting them showcase things they made with their own hands.” e idea of crafting something with her own hands and sharing it with the world is at the core of Miller’s relationship with art, something that stems from her father’s in uence as a fellow artist.

“Ever since I was a kid, I was always interested in art, whether it was in art classes or just making things on my own,” she said. “I’ve just always wanted to support and be around art.”

Miller’s father, Jonny—a former professional skateboarder who makes custom art out of recycled surfboards and skateboards—was featured at one of the rst pop-up events.

Showtime!

Send gallery, stage, and cultrual festivities to arts@newtimesslo.com.

“My dad’s obviously a big inspiration to me, so to be able to host an event where I could not only let him showcase his wonderful art, but also show him where I work and the family we really cultivated here was really special to me,” Miller said.

One of those Barrelhouse family members includes Miller’s coworker Kaitlyn Tolin, a fellow artist who will be featured at the next event on March 5. Tolin specializes in pieces highlighting the preserved landscape of waves, water, and ocean across the Central Coast.

“It’s really cool to be featured at events like this because I get to

show o a di erent type of work that I do to my coworkers and other regulars,” Tolin said. “It’s di erent than other events I have attended because it’s a smaller, more intimate setting that gives me the time to talk with more viewers and connect with them at a closer level.”

Miller truly sees the art events as a celebration of the combined drive shared between the creation of art and beer—and the subsequent enjoyment and social aspect of the two.

“It can be hard to nd places and ways to express yourself as an artist, so to have a place that’s less of a ‘you have to pay here to share your things’ and more of a place where you can feel inspired to share your art with others is really important,” Miller said.

“You can feel happy to not only have your art out but also be surrounded by friends and family, the loved ones in your life, enjoying a beer in a chill place and really just being yourself.” ∆

Freelancer Adrian Vincent Rosas is sipping on a Barrelhouse standard and enjoying the company around him. Reach him at arosas@newtimesslo.com.

SUNDAY SUNSHINE The bejeweled creations of Ali Akers (@theenchantedgeode on Instagram) glisten in the afternoon sunlight projected through Barrelhouse Brewery’s windows in SLO.

CREATIVITY AND CAMARADERIE Visitors to Barrelhouse Brewery’s art events can grab a variety of locally brewed beers before checking out the work of creatives like Tess Davis (@tess.jewelry).

PERSONALIZED SPACE Los Osos-based artist Carey Lynch (on Instagram, @careylynchart) showcases his skate culture-influenced art in a variety of forms, including traditional paintings, stickers, and murals depicted on the back of skateboards.

White bloody lines

Elizabeth Banks (Pitch Perfect 2, Charlie’s Angels) directs this action comedy inspired by a 1985 true story about black bear ingesting 75 pounds of smuggled cocaine. (95 min.)

Glen OK, first of all, to call the story “inspired by” is a stretch. From what I’ve gleaned, a drug dealer (Matthew Rhys) jettisoned cocaine out of a plane into the forest before falling to his death, and a 175-pound back bear ate a bunch of the coke and was later found dead. Beyond that, the story about a rampaging cokefueled 500-pound “apex predator” attacking hikers, Elsa (Hannah Hoekstra) and Olaf (Kristofer Hivju), is all in screenwriter Jimmy Warden’s imagination. So is the storyline about a mother, Sari (Keri Russell), in search of her middle school daughter, Dee Dee (Brooklynn Prince), and Dee Dee’s classmate, Henry (Christian Convery), who skipped school and wandered into the bear’s territory. And the side story about park ranger Liz (Margo Martindale) and her crush, Peter (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), a game warden. And the trio of hooligans—Kid (Aaron Holliday), Vest (J.B. Moore), and Ponytail (Leo Hanna)—marauding through the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest park annoying hikers. And the part about the drug dealer, Syd White (Ray Liotta), coming to recover his missing coke, preceded by his henchman, Daveed (O’Shea Jackson Jr.), and bereaved son, Eddie (Alden Ehrenreich), who lost his wife to cancer and is having a hard time being a father. And yet another side plot about a detective, Bob (Isiah Whitlock Jr.), who’s hot on Syd’s trail. The result is a silly, entertaining romp—gory, campy, spoofy. I sort of loved it.

What’s it rated? R

What’s it worth, Glen? Full price

What’s it worth, Anna? Full price

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

Anna This film was way more fun to watch

than I was expecting. I guess I needed a reminder that Banks is hilarious both as an actress and a filmmaker, and she did a great job with this silly story. It has gore—limbs go flying as this beast gets all hopped up on rowdy powder. I’d heard the story long ago. In fact, I think the actual bear this is based on was taxidermied and has been posthumously named “Pablo Eskobear.” The film definitely has very little in common with the actual story—there were no victims besides the bear. But this version is much more fun. A hopped-up, drug-fueled bear ready to tear into anyone and everyone is just plain funny. I was a little worried that this film was going to be dumb and far from funny, and I’m so glad how wrong I was! It was also bittersweet to see Liotta in this role as well since he passed not long ago. Glen The actors were certainly game for the fun and went all-in. Liotta, in what was one of his final film roles (imdb.com says he’s got another film competed and two more in post-production), was riveting as

away and Craig is crushed.

MR. HARRIGAN’S PHONE

What’s it rated? PG-13

When? 2022

Where’s it showing? Netflix

Harrigan (Donald Sutherland), whom he reads to from the billionaire’s magnificent library. The two grow close, forming a bond over the words on the pages they share every afternoon. Craig teaches the old man to use a cellphone and the two talk about life—the little things and the big. Eventually Mr. Harrigan passes

SHARPER

What’s it rated? R

When? 2023

Where’s it showing? Apple TV Plus

Benjamin Caron (The Crown) directs this nonlinear grifter story about various confidence games being played out in New York City by several “sharpers,” or swindlers. Who’s conning who is part of the fun as these interlayered stories unfold, with each new segment offering a new reveal. It begins with Tom (Justice Smith), who runs a small bookstore and meets Sandra (Briana Middleton), a potential love interest

At school he is a loner, shy and bullied. He’s lost his best friend, odd as the pairing may be. At the funeral, Craig slips the phone into Mr. Harrigan’s pocket in a last-ditch attempt to hold onto his pal. Like many do when they’ve lost someone, Craig sends a message to the buried man’s phone in hopes of a bit of healing. Things turn sinister though, and soon Craig suspects that the weird texts he keeps receiving from Mr. H’s phone are something more than a hacker or a glitch, and odd happenings seem to be tied to them.

This is a Stephen King short story, and unfortunately it falls the way many film adaptations of King’s work do: It fails to deliver the nuance that King builds into his world. That said, Martell and Sutherland pull off great performances, and the film, while flawed, is an interesting watch. Worth it if you have Netflix. (104 min.)

—Anna

whose background is complicated and murky.

Later we meet Max (Sebastian Stan) and his “mother” Madeline (Julianne Moore), who’s living with billionaire Richard Hobbes (John Lithgow), who also happens to be Tom’s father by a previous relationship. Mild-mannered Tom is a deep disappointment to his cutthroat businessman father, but Tom is also Richard’s heir apparent. With this kind of money at play, the stakes are high.

The story is cleverly assembled, and the acting is riveting as one swindler after another tries to one-up the other and stay ahead of the current “game.” The twists and turns kept on coming, and while the film isn’t as fun as The Sting (1973) or as slick as The Grifters (1990), it’s a worthy entry into this very specific genre and free with your Apple TV subscription. (116 min.) ∆

the desperate drug dealer. Martindale is always a welcome addition, and her amorous Ranger Liz had to hide her frustration with the interference in her wooing process of Peter. Speaking of Ferguson as Peter, he was definitely my favorite character—earnest and goofy with a Chris Elliott vibe and a Captain Kangaroo haircut. As for the bear, it’s CGI and you can tell, but like the CGI sled dog, Buck, from Call of the Wild (2020), I’d rather a real animal not be put through the torture of making a film. This is going to be one of those love-it or hate-it films. If you like gore and absurdist comedy, Cocaine Bear will deliver.

Anna I also really liked Convery, the kid who played Henry. He’s hilarious and adorable. The band of troubled teens was also fun. Holliday as Kid was a great character to tag along with Daveed and Eddie. I had a whole lot of fun watching this one, and I can totally see saying yes to watching it again when it pops up on streaming services. ∆

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

THE LONG REACH After his death, aging billionaire Mr. Harrigan (Donald Sutherland) appears to communicate, and exact revenge, from beyond the grave, in Mr. Harrigan’s Phone streaming on Netflix.

THE LONG CON Tom (Justice Smith) is at risk of losing his multi-billiondollar inheritance to Madeline (Julianne Moore), his father’s new wife, in the grifter film Sharper, streaming on Apple TV Plus.

Craig (Jaeden Martell) grows to admire his employer, Mr.

PHOTO COURTESY

COCAINE BEAR

COURTESY PHOTO BY NICOLE RIVELLI/NETFLIX

30 • New Times • March 2 - March 9, 2023 • www.newtimesslo.com

BY GLEN STARKEY

Return the favor

Local reggae icon Vance Fahie needs your help

If you’re into the local reggae scene even a little bit, you know Vance Fahie. He’s fronted Resination for as long as I can remember, bringing good vibes and great music to a legion of Central Coast fans. Now Vance needs our help.

On Sunday, Feb. 12, Vance experienced multiple seizures, and after being rushed to the hospital and undergoing multiple tests, he was found to have a sinus infection that spread to his bloodstream causing sepsis.

“The infection in his bloodstream had traveled to his brain causing swelling and infection there,” bandmate Mike Jimenez explained. “It was determined that Vance will need to be transferred to Stanford or UCLA for brain surgery as soon as possible. Due to this, it’s obvious that Vance is unable to work or perform to pay for his mounting medical bills, everyday bills, or travel and lodging expenses for his partner and daughter, while he’s in surgery and recovering.”

That’s why this Saturday, March 4, SLO Brew Rock will host a benefit concert with The Kicks and True Zion (7 p.m.; 18-andolder; $12 at ticketweb.com). One hundred percent of tickets sold to this concert go to Vance Fahie and his recovery, and added donations would be much appreciated.

Not only has Vance be an integral part of the music scene, but he’s impacted thousands of children’s lives over the years. From 1998 to 2008 he worked for the city of San Luis Obispo’s Parks and Recreation Youth Services Division. He also oversaw multiple sites in the SLO School District including dual-immersion Pacheco Elementary School, CL Smith Elementary, Bishop Peak Elementary, and Hawthorne Elementary. He worked at the local YMCA and currently works at Bright Life Playschool. Please give what you can.

Also coming up at SLO Brew Rock, check out Of Good Nature and the Wheeland

Brothers next Thursday, March 9 (7 p.m.; 18-and-older; $17 at ticketweb.com). Of Good Nature mixes alt-rock, soul, groove, pop, and island sounds. Wheeland Brothers play “beach rock reggae.” This one will feel like a beach party.

The historic Fremont …

If you want to get excited about the upcoming Shabang music and art fest in May, head to Fremont Theater for the Shabang Battle of the Bands on Thursday, March 2 (8 p.m.; all ages; $15 at tixr.com) and watch five bands compete for $1,000 and a performance slot at Shabang. White Jagg, The Sandspits, Honeyboys, Couch Dog, and Cate Armstrong will go head-to-head to see who’ll join the rest of the Shabang lineup. You can buy tickets now for Shabang at Dairy Creek Golf Course Friday, May 5 (3 to 10 p.m.) and Saturday, May 6 (noon to 10 p.m.). The music fest is all ages; tickets at shabangslo.com.

If you want to visit New Orleans without having to leave SLO County, head to Take Me to the River NOLA Live! on Sunday, March 5, which will feature inveterate New Orleans scene makers George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners and Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen (8 p.m.; all ages; $46.50 to $56.50 at eventbrite.com).

Both acts are featured in the soundtrack for Take Me To The River: New Orleans, a feature documentary film celebrating the musical history, heritage, legacy, culture, and influence of New Orleans.

Latin folk and dream pop singer Kevin Kaarl, who hails from Meoqui Municipality, Mexico, plays on Tuesday, March 7 (8 p.m.; all ages; $37.50 plus fees at seetickets. us). I’d never heard of him, but after some exploration online, he’s an amazing singer with a singular style. His super-chill delivery would be good for Spanish language learners to train their ear.

Finally, next Thursday, March 9, mark your calendar for Noche de Verano Sin Ti, the Bad Bunny Birthday Bash DJed by Cali Ally (8 p.m.; 18-and-older; $26 plus fees at seeticket.us). ¡Vamos a bailar!

The Siren’s got you covered

Morro Bay’s only and best nightclub will have you circling the bases with four great shows this week. First, see “bluegrass ambassadors” The Henhouse Prowlers, on Thursday, March 2. They’re a band that’s been around the world, bringing American folk music to Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. “Using traditional American music as a foundation, connecting folk music and cultures the world over, the Prowlers incorporate international elements into their already robust repertoire of unique traditional American music,” their bio explains. Americana act Bremen Town opens the show (7 to 10 p.m.; 21-and-older; $15 presale plus fees at eventbrite.com).

If you’re in the mood for a unique, violin-

driven blend of Latin, pop, and R&B, head to Patrick Contreras—Violin on Fire this Friday, March 3 (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $17 plus fees at eventbrite.com). The Fresno-based performer has his own style and sound, which includes the likes of Santana and Gipsy Kings, and rhythms such as cumbia and salsa.”

Rock out with a double tribute show when The Faithfull and Alice Insane pay homage to Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains, respectively, this Saturday, March 4 (8 p.m.; 21-and-older; $18 plus fees at eventbrite.com). “Our goal is to bring that community together by re-creating the music, the energy, and the emotional intensity of a Pearl Jam show,” The Faithfull said.

Finally, local supergroup MiniNova (with Kenny Lee Lewis of the Steve Miller Band and Scott Martin of War) plays on Monday, March 6 (7 to 9:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; free). The Latin, jazz, funk quintet feature monster players, including the stellar rhythm sections of percussionist Jim Stromberg and bassist David Keif. Expect covers from Santana, War, the Steve Miller Band, Ray Charles, and blues standards.

More music … Bluegrass fans, head to the Clark Center this Saturday, March 4, when The HillBenders take center stage (7:30 p.m.; $35 to $47 at clarkcenter.org). The group formed in Springfield, Missouri, in 2008, and their talented picking won them the 2009 Telluride Bluegrass Competition and the 2010 National Single Microphone Competition. They scored more acclaim when they took The Who’s rock classic and transformed it bluegrass style into “Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry.” Expect virtuoso musicianship and sparkling vocals.

ALWAYS SMILING Resination frontman and local children’s educator Vance Fahie is in the hospital awaiting surgery, so his music friends will raise funds March 4 , at SLO Brew Rock.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE JIMENEZ

PASSING THE TORCH The Weeds (left to right—Stuart Mason, John Weed, and Tyler Weed) play a Party for Paddy on March 5 , in the South Bay Community Center, tracing the traditional music of the Emerald Isle to the New World.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STUART MASON

SHABANG BOUND? The Sandspits are one of five bands battling it out on March 2 , in the Fremont, to see who’ll play the Shabang Music and Art Festival in May.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SANDSPITS

STRING MAGIC Virtuoso violinist Patrick Contreras brings his blend of Latin, pop, and R&B to The Siren on March 3

PHOTO COURTESY OF PATRICK CONTRERAS

STARKEY continued page 32

The SLO Symphony presents Schumann and the New World this Saturday, March 4, in the Performing Arts Center at Cal Poly (7:30 p.m.; ages 5 and older; $26 to $80 at pacslo.evenue.net), with violin soloist and Nipomo resident Mischa Lefkowitz making his SLO Symphony debut. Lefkowitz, born in Riga, Latvia, is a current member of the LA Philharmonic first violin section. In addition to Schumann’s Violin Concerto (arr. of Cello Concerto Op.129), you’ll hear Patrice Rushen’s “Sinfonia” and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World.”

Get in the mood for St. Paddy’s Day when The Weeds present Party for Paddy this Sunday, March 5, in the South Bay Community Center (4 p.m.; all ages; $30 presale at eventbrite.com, $35 at the door, and $20 for kids 13 and under). “This special St. Patrick’s Day celebration concert will trace the traditional music of the Emerald Isle to the New World, and emphasize the passing of musical traditions from the older to the younger generation,” organizers explained.

“Watch the folk process unfold as John Weed (fiddle) and ‘Uncle’ Stuart Mason (guitar, banjo, mandola), two members of West Coast Celtic powerhouse Molly’s Revenge and Nordic band New World String Project, pass this musical lineage to nextgen banjo, mandolin, and fiddle wizard Tyler Weed.”

Vivian Leva and Riley Calcagno will play their old-soul roots music at the historic Octagon Barn

Sound out!

Center next Thursday, March 9 (7 p.m.; $20 presale at eventbrite.com or $25 at the door). They meld “Appalachian traditional music with fresh iconic melodies and the tightly wound vocal harmonies of indie folk,” organizers said. “Both Leva and Calcagno grew up in the Appalachian string band tradition, have noted parents in the old-time scene, and spent formative years running wild around festival campgrounds.” ∆

Send music and club information to gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.

Contact Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey at gstarkey@ newtimesslo.com.

PICKIN’ PARTNERS Vivian Leva and Riley Calcagno will play their old-soul roots music at the historic Octagon Barn Center on March 9

Brave New World Saturday, March 4, 2023

7:30 PM

@ The Performing Arts Center SLO

Andrew Sewell, conductor

Mischa Lefkowitz, violin

PATRICE RUSHEN – Sinfonia

SCHUMANN – Violin Concerto (arr. of Cello concerto Op.129)

DVORAK – Symphony No. 9

“From the New World"

Tickets @pacslo.org or 805-756-4849

Sponsored By Len Jarrott, The New Times & Sun, Estero Bay News, KSBY, & Dr. Klaus Gottlieb

Tickets $21-$89 @ pacslo.org or 805-756-4849

POLYPHONICS AND CHAMBER CHOIR CONCERT:

‘HEAVEN AND HELL’

The concert will feature two major works from both old and new traditions. PolyPhonics will perform W.A. Mozart’s famous Requiem in D Minor, K 626, from 1791; and the Chamber Choir will perform Herbert

Howells’ “Requiem,” which was composed in the 1930s. PolyPhonics will also perform “A Silence Haunts Me” by Jake Runestad, with lyrics derived from Beethoven’s “Heiligenstadt Testament.” The group will also

Saturday, March 11, 2023 | 7:30 p.m., Mission San Luis Obispo

perform “The Heavens’ Flock” by Ēriks Ešenvalds, which will be conducted by Cal Poly music major Alfred Zoppi, and “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” featuring Cal Poly faculty member Amy Goymerac Scott Glysson, conductor; Paul Woodring, accompanist $20 general, $10 students | pacslo.org 805-756-4849

More information: music.calpoly.edu/calendar, 805-756-2406

LIVE ON STAGE RECREATING MANY CLASSIC HITS OF:

The Temptations, The Supremes, Martha and The Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Fontella Bass, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder ....and many more MOTOWN legends.

Flavor

BY BULBUL RAJAGOPAL

Rolling with the times

A slice of history

Grab a table at Del’s Pizzeria, 1101 Price St., Pismo Beach. The restaurant is celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout March with specials on their menu items, including $9.99 lasagna through March 12. Call them at (805) 773-4438 to place orders, or visit delspizzeria.com.

Framed photographs pepper the interior of Del’s Pizzeria in Pismo Beach.

Jay Leno playfully holds a white Del’s T-shirt in one, actors Steve Martin and Rick Moranis gaze right back at patrons in another, and matriarch Bernadette Delmore stands beside them—undoubtedly the heart of the restaurant.

In the 50 years since she started Del’s, it has seen 10 presidents, witnessed the birth and escalation of the internet, and withstood economic downturns and a global pandemic, among other major historic events, all while cementing itself as a southern San Luis Obispo County classic.

“Although I wasn’t that schooled in cooking, I started prepping the food when we were at restaurant No. 1, and I really got a knack for it,” Delmore said while gesturing to a large picture of herself hanging in the busy restaurant.

In the snapshot of 1973, she’s dressed in dark jeans and a yellow blouse stirring whatever’s bubbling in a large pot on the Italian food joint’s opening day. While I was being introduced to Del’s storied past, Delmore was revisiting it. Come March 14, Del’s will have been in business for half a century.

“I really enjoyed working with people. I got pregnant as soon as we opened the first Del’s, so that part wasn’t too fun,” she said with a laugh.

Del’s legacy is synonymous with Delmore’s reign. She opened shop with her now exhusband, Jim, in 1973. They started at 1759 Shell Beach Road—a spot now occupied by Mei’s Chinese Restaurant.

Twenty-one years later, Del’s shifted to 401 Shell Beach Road. By then, Delmore and Jim had split up, and his dad, Ed, helped

her with the move. In 2018, Del’s finally left the Shell Beach neighborhood for its current location in Pismo Beach, and still honors Ed.

“He was very instrumental in helping us get Del’s started when we first opened,” Delmore said. “Without him, we might not have been able to do it.”

Ed’s memory comes alive with every order of Big Ed’s pizza—a pie topped with sausage, meatballs, tomatoes, onions, and garlic. My friend and New Times Calendar Editor Caleb Wiseblood grew up grabbing slices of Big Ed’s with his family at 401 Shell Beach Road. The Wisebloods are fans of the pizzas, but Del’s bread rolls won Caleb’s heart.

“I love them so much,” he told me as he snuck bites of a roll while packing up the rest of our second basket.

Made from their pizza dough, the warm and rustic rolls are generous in size and taste even better with thick layers of the housewhipped honey butter. The rolls were Ed’s idea, and the restaurant has been dishing them out since 1994.

“On a slow day, we serve 350 to 500 bread rolls. On a busy day, 700, maybe,” Delmore said.

While the rolls are a 29-year-old institution, most of Del’s menu has adapted to changing times. The current menu boasts three desserts, five styles of calzone, 10 kinds of pizza, 11 varieties of pasta, and a 13-dish strong appetizer list.

The earliest available menu, which Delmore approximates to be circa 1974 or 1975, shows humbler offerings. According to the large wooden menu that Delmore still keeps in her garage, the most expensive item was Del’s Family Dinner Special. For $6.75, a group of three to five people

could tuck into a family salad, a “spaghetti bucket” with meat sauce, and a regular sized cheese and tomato pizza. Pizza lovers of the ’70s could also enjoy pies ranging from $2.35 to $5.50, with extra thick dough and extra cheese setting them back another 25 cents and 35 cents, respectively.

Looking at the old prices, Delmore told me that while the restaurant fared well during the pandemic, increased food costs and decreased supply have been hard on the restaurant.

“I would love to go back to the prices we had on the first day we opened. My manager would kill me if I changed the prices!” Delmore said with a laugh. Her manager is none other than her son Ryan. He oversees the daily operations at Del’s and has been helping out at the eatery since he was a teenager. Other family members work there too. Delmore’s other son, Darren, handles the eatery’s beer and wine purchasing and is the national sales manager of Tablas Creek Vineyard. Her grandsons Wyatt and Samuel work as a server and a cook, respectively.

Delmore said that she’s proud of the restaurant being family-run but wishes she could talk less shop with them.

“One of these years I’ll probably retire and tell them to take over. It’s your turn!” she said.

Delmore is wistful about their previous Shell Beach location, which offered more room for private events like weddings and birthdays. Delmore said she has had conversations with her sons about the future of the restaurant.

“I’ve said to them, ‘Should we look for a new location? Should we call it quits? Should we try and sell, and a get a little bit of money for the recipes and equipment?’” she said.

“Ryan said, ‘Mom, it’s up to you. It was your dream, and you did beautifully with it.’”

Now, Del’s is preparing for a ribbon cutting by the Chamber of Commerce on March 11. The family has invited past employees and regular customers who have supported the restaurant throughout the years to join the celebration. For Delmore, even if she’s unsure of what comes next for her, she’s certain that Del’s legacy will live on one way or another.

“How much longer I’ll keep going, personally, depends on my health, and so far, so good. I’m hoping that the boys will come together when I do decide I’ll retire,” she said. “But I don’t see Del’s going away. This is my imprint on Pismo Beach, California.”

Staff Writer Bulbul Rajagopal is daydreaming about Del’s bread rolls. Snap her out of it at brajagopal@newtimesslo.com.

LIKE MOTHER LIKE SON Bernadette Delmore opened Del’s Pizzeria in 1973, and her son and now-manager Ryan has been working there ever since he was a teenager.

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

SOUTH COUNTY STAPLE Del’s famous bread rolls are made fresh daily with pizza dough and come with easy-to-spread whipped honey butter.

PHOTO BY BULBUL RAJAGOPAL

VEGGIE DELIGHT One of Del’s 10 pizzas is the Farmer’s Market pie that comes with artichoke hearts, black olives, onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms.

FILE PHOTO BY HAYLEY THOMAS CAIN

HOW

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ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE

NUMBER: 23CVP-0125

To all interested persons:

Petitioner: Samantha Suefina Barkhuff filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

PRESENT NAME: Samantha

Suefina Barkhuff to PRO-

POSED NAME: Samantha Alice Matlock

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:

April 20, 2023, Time: 9:00 am, Dept. 2, in person or by zoom 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: February 28, 2023

/s/: Rita C. Federman, Judge of the Superior Court March 2, 9, 16, & 23, 2023

Adult Services

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO CONFORM TO GENDER IDENTITY CASE

NUMBER: 22CVP-0035

To all interested persons:

Petitioner: Ning Zhang filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME: Ning Zhang to PROPOSED

NAME: Helene Shanruo Ning Zhang

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

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: March 29, 2023, Time: 9:30 am, Dept. P2, in person or by zoom 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: January 26, 2023

/s/: Tana L. Coates, Judge of the Superior Court February 9, 16, 23, & March 2, 2023

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Notice Requesting Proposals for Consulting Services to conduct a Citywide User and Impact Fee Study

The City of San Luis Obispo is requesting sealed proposals to conduct a Citywide User and Impact Fee Study.

All firms interested in receiving further correspondence regarding this Request for Proposals (RFP) will be required to complete a free registration using BidSync (https://www. bidsync.com/bidsync-app-web/vendor/register/Login.xhtml).

All proposals must be received via BidSync by the Department of Finance at or before March 23, 2023, when they will be opened publicly in the City Hall Conference Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.

The preferred method for bid submission is electronic via BidSync. However, if you wish to submit a paper copy, please submit it in a sealed envelope to the Department of Finance, City of San Luis Obispo, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401.

Project packages and additional information may be obtained at the City’s BidSync website at www.BidSync.com. Please contact Dan Clancy with any questions.

For technical help with BidSync please contact BidSync tech support at 800-990-9339.

March 2, 2023

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER APPOINTED

Notice is hereby given that a vacancy resulting from a resignation filed with the San Luis Obispo County Superintendent of Schools occurred on the Governing Board of the San Luis Coastal Unified School District for Trustee Area 7 effective at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2022. On February 22, 2023, Brian Clausen was provisionally appointed to fill the vacancy for Trustee Area 7 pursuant to Education Code section 5091. Unless an election is ordered as explained below, the appointment will run until the position is filled for a full four-year term at an election in November 2024.

This appointment shall remain an effective appointment unless the registered voters of the District decide to, within thirty (30) days after the appointment, file a petition calling for a special election to fill the vacancy. A petition shall be deemed to bear a sufficient number of signatures if signed by at least the number of registered voters of the District equal to 1½ percent of the number of registered voters of the District at the time of the last regular election for Governing Board members. Such a petition shall be submitted to the County Superintendent of Schools Office no later than 5:00 p.m., March 24, 2023. For details concerning a petition, consult Education Code Section 5091.

Dr. Eric Prater Superintendent & Secretary to the Board  March 2, 2023

COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & BUILDING

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

WHO County of San Luis Obispo Planning Department Hearing

WHEN Friday, March 17, 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 Kunal and Neeta Mittal / DRC2021-00144 for a Minor Use

Permit to allow the phased construction of a boutique winery facility with a public tasting room. At build-out the winery facility would total 3,600 square feet (sf) that will include a 400-sf tasting room. No special events have been proposed. Industry-wide events are allowed per land use ordinance. Wine production is limited to 5,000 cases per year. The applicant requests a setback modification for the tasting room of the minimum 200-foot setback to the property line requirement to allow setbacks of 143 feet (west front setback), 179 feet (south side setback) and a setback modification for the wine processing building of the minimum 100-foot setback to property line to allow 69 feet (west front setback). This same project that was approved on August 14, 2015, and was never built and subsequently expired (Minor Use Permit DRC2013-00086). The project will result in the disturbance of approximately 0.96 acres on a 13.6-acre parcel. The project is located within the Agriculture land use category and is located on the east side of Willow Creek Road (at 3690 Willow Creek Road), approximately 3 miles west of the community of Templeton, in the North County planning area, Adelaida Sub Area.

@NewTimesSLO #NewTimesSLO

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS

Applications to make minor changes to the properties at the addresses listed below have been received by the City.

• 1350 Osos St. DIR-0059-2023; Request for exceptions to Sign

Regulations to allow two total wall signs with a total combined sign area of 80 square feet where the standard for the Medium Density Residential (R-2) Zone is a maximum of one sign per premise and a maximum cumulative sign area of 20 square feet. (Categorically exempt from CEQA environmental review); R-2-H Zone; Grace Central Coast, applicant. (Walter Oetzell)

• 1464 Gulf St. HOME-0079-2023; Review of a homestay rental application to allow short-term rental (such as AirBNB) of an owner-occupied single-family residence. This project is categorically exempt from environmental review; R-1 Zone; Jonathan Olcott, applicant. (Graham Bultema)

The Community Development Director will either approve or deny these applications no sooner than March 13, 2023

The Director’s decision may be appealed, and must be filed with the appropriate appeal fee within 10 days of the Director’s action. For more information, contact the City of San Luis Obispo Community Development Department, 919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, stop by Monday and Wednesday between 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday between 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., or call (805) 781-7170, weekdays, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

March 2, 2023

Also to be considered is the environmental determination. The Environmental Coordinator finds that the previously adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration is adequate for the purposes of compliance with CEQA because no substantial changes are proposed in the project which will require major revision of the previous Negative Declaration, no substantial changes occur with respect to the circumstance under which the project is undertaken which will require major revision of the previous Negative Declaration, and no new information of substantial importance has been identified which was not known at the time that the previous Negative Declaration was adopted.

County File Number: DRC2021-00144

Supervisorial District: District 1 Assessor Parcel Number(s): 040-161-005

Date Accepted: 02/09/2023

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/Planning-Department-Hearing-(PDH)-VirtualMeeting-.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 Holly Phipps, 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, March 10, 2023 at 4:30 PM The letter or email must include the language “I would like to request a hearing on DRC2021-00144.”

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.

Corla Wade, Secretary Planning Department Hearing

COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & BUILDING

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

WHO County of San Luis Obispo Planning Department Hearing

WHEN Friday, March 17, 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 Barry Maas for a Minor Use Permit / Coastal Development Permit (C-DRC2022-00001) to allow the addition of 950 square feet of living space, 304 square feet of impermeable roof deck, and 1,013 square feet of permeable deck to an existing approximately 3,109 square foot single-family residence. The project would result in the disturbance of approximately 1,963 square feet on an approximately 10,800 square-foot parcel. The proposed project is within the Residential Single-Family land use category and is located at 4919 Windsor Boulevard, in the community of Cambria. The project is in the Coastal Zone and in the North Coast Planning Area.

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

County File Number: C-DRC2022-00001

Supervisorial District: District 2 Assessor Parcel Number(s): 013-321-014

Date Accepted: 10/13/2022

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 Andy Knighton, Project Manager, in the Department of Planning and Building at the address below or by telephone at 805-781-4142.

TO REQUEST A PUBLIC HEARING

This matter is tentatively scheduled to appear on the consent agenda, which means that it and any other items on the consent agenda can be acted upon by the hearing officer with a single motion. An applicant or interested party may request a public hearing on this matter. To do so, send a letter to this office at the address below or send an email to pdh@co.slo.ca.us by Friday, March 10, 2023 at 4:30 PM. The letter or email must include the language “I would like to request a hearing on C-DRC2022-00001.”

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

If the County approves this project, that action may be eligible for appeal to the California Coastal Commission. An applicant or aggrieved party may appeal to the Coastal Commission only after all possible local appeals have been exhausted pursuant to Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance Section 23.01.043(b). Local appeals must be filed using the required Planning Department form as provided by Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance Section 23.01.042(a)(1).

Daniela Chavez, Secretary Planning Department Hearing

March 2, 2023

COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & BUILDING NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

WHO County of San Luis Obispo Planning Department Hearing

WHEN Friday, March 17, 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 Thomas B. Hamlin for a Minor Use Permit / Coastal Development Permit (C-DRC2022-00059) to allow for an existing 4,657 sq. ft. two-story single-family residence to be used as a residential vacation rental. The proposed project is within the Agriculture land use category and is located at 3696 San Simeon Creek Road, approximately 4.2 miles east of the San Simeon Village Reserve Line. The site is in the Coastal Zone and in the North Coast Planning Area. Also to be considered is the determination that this project is categorically exempt from environmental review under CEQA.

County File Number: C-DRC2022-00059

Supervisorial District: District 2 Assessor Parcel Number(s): 013-271-023

Date Accepted: 12/06/2022

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 805 781-5157.

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, March 10, 2023 at 4:30 PM. The letter or email must include the language “I would like to request a hearing on C-DRC2022-00059.”

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

If the County approves this project, that action may be eligible for appeal to the California Coastal Commission. An applicant or aggrieved party may appeal to the Coastal Commission only after all possible local appeals have been exhausted pursuant to Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance Section 23.01.043(b). Local appeals must be filed using the required Planning Department form as provided by Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance Section 23.01.042(a)(1).

Corla Wade, Secretary Planning Department Hearing

March 2, 2023

WHO County of San Luis Obispo Planning Department Hearing

WHEN Friday, March 17, 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 Rob Crandall for a Minor Use Permit to modify detached garage/workshop standards to allow a 2,400 square foot detached garage/workshop. The project will result in the disturbance of approximately 21,168 square feet on a 4.8-acre parcel. The proposed project is within the Residential Rural land use category and is located at 620 Pine Ridge Lane, approximately 600 feet east of the Palo Mesa Village Reserve Line, 3 miles south of the city of Arroyo Grande. The site is in the South County Sub-area of the South County (Inland) Planning Area.

Also to be considered is the determination that this project is exempt from environmental review under CEQA. County File Number: N-DRC2022-00008

Supervisorial District: District 4 Assessor Parcel Number(s): 075-351-044

Date Accepted: 07/29/2022

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/Planning-Department-Hearing-(PDH)-VirtualMeeting-.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 Michael Pero, Project Manager, in the Department of Planning and Building at the address below or by telephone at 805-781-5096.

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, March 10, 2023 at 4:30 PM. The letter or email must include the language “I would like to request a hearing on N-DRC2022-00008.”

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

Corla Wade, Secretary Planning Department Hearing

March 2, 2023

COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & BUILDING

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

WHO County of San Luis Obispo Planning Department Hearing

WHEN Friday, March 17, 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 Victor and Debra Early for a Minor Use Permit to allow for the interior remodel/conversion of an existing 3,642-squarefoot barn into a café and brewery. The project is requesting an approximate-324-square-foot outdoor patio, storage area and related site improvements. The applicant is requesting a modification of ordinance standards that would require 16 on-site parking spaces to allow 2 onsite spaces. The project is within the Commercial Retail land use category and within the Central Business District and is located at 1600 Ocean Street, in the community of Oceano. The project site is located in the San Luis Bay Inland Sub-Area South and is within the South County Planning Area.

Also to be considered is the determination that this project is categorically exempt from environmental review under CEQA County File Number: N-DRC2022-00005

Supervisorial District: District 4

Assessor Parcel Number(s): 062-083-017

Date Accepted: 02/11/2023

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 Holly Phipps, 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, March 10, 2023 at 4:30 PM The letter or email must include the language “I would like to request a hearing on N-DRC2022-00005.”

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.

Corla Wade, Secretary Planning Department Hearing

March 2, 2023

Free Will Astrology

by Rob Brezsny

Homework: What’s something you’d be wise to let go of? What’s something to hold on to tighter? Newsletter.freewillastrology.com

ARIES

(March 21-April 19): In 1993, I began work on my memoirish novel The Televisionary Oracle It took me seven years to finish. The early part of the process was tough. I generated a lot of material I didn’t like. Then one day, I discovered an approach that liberated me: I wrote about aspects of my character and behavior that needed improvement. Suddenly everything clicked, and my fruitless adventure transformed into a fluidic joy. Soon I was writing about other themes and experiences. But dealing with self-correction was a key catalyst. Are there any such qualities in yourself you might benefit from tackling, Aries? If so, I recommend you try my approach.

TAURUS

(April 20-May 20): Two Taurus readers complained that my horoscopes contain too much poetry and flair to be useful. In response, I’m offering you a prosaic message. It’s all true, though in a way that’s more like a typical horoscope. (I wonder if this approach will spur your emotional intelligence and your soul’s lust for life, which are crucial areas of growth for you these days.) Anyway, here’s the oracle: Take a risk and extend feelers to interesting people outside your usual sphere. But don’t let your social adventures distract you from your ambitions, which also need your wise attention. Your complex task: Mix work and play; synergize business and pleasure.

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20): Astrologer Jessica Shepherd advises us to sidle up to the Infinite Source of Life and say, “Show me what you’ve got.” When we do, we often get lucky. That’s because the Infinite Source of Life delights in bringing us captivating paradoxes. Yes and no may both be true in enchanting ways. Independence and interdependence can interweave to provide us with brisk teachings. If we dare to experiment with organized wildness and aggressive receptivity, our awareness will expand, and our heart will open. What about it, Gemini? Are you interested in the charming power that comes from engaging with cosmic contradictions? Now’s a favorable time to do so. Go ahead and say, “Show me what you’ve got” to the Infinite Source of Life.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22): “Only a lunatic would dance when sober,” declared the ancient Roman philosopher Cicero. As a musician who loves to dance, I reject that limiting idea—especially for you. In the upcoming weeks, I hope you will do a lot of dancing-whilesober. Singing-while-sober, too. Maybe some crying-for-joy-whilesober, as well as freewheeling-your-way-through-unpredictableconversations-while-sober and cavorting-and-reveling-while-sober. My point is that there is no need for you to be intoxicated as you engage in revelry. Even further: It will be better for your soul’s longterm health if you are lucid and clearheaded as you celebrate this liberating phase of extra joy and pleasure.

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22): Poet Mary Oliver wondered whether the soul is solid and unbreakable, like an iron bar. Or is it tender and fragile, like a moth in an owl’s beak? She fantasized that maybe it’s shaped like an iceberg or a hummingbird’s eye. I am poetically inclined to imagine the soul as a silver diadem bedecked with emeralds, roses, and live butterflies. What about you, Leo? How do you experience your soul? The coming weeks will be a ripe time to home in on this treasured part of you. Feel it, consult with it, feed it. Ask it to surprise you!

VIRGO

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): According to the color consultant company Pantone, Viva Magenta is 2023’s color of the year. According to me, Viva Magenta is the lucky hue and power pigment for you Virgos during the next 10 months. Designer Amber Guyton says that Viva Magenta “is a rich shade of red that is both daring and warm.” She adds that its “purple undertone gives it a warmth that sets it apart from mere red and makes it more versatile.” For your purposes, Virgo, Viva Magenta is earthy and exciting; nurturing and inspiring;

soothing yet arousing. The coming weeks will be a good time to get the hang of incorporating its spirit into your life.

LIBRA

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): If you are not working to forge a gritty solution, you may be reinforcing a cozy predicament. If you’re not expanding your imagination to conjure up fresh perspectives, you could be contributing to some ignorance or repression. If you’re not pushing to expose dodgy secrets and secret agendas, you might be supporting the whitewash. Know what I’m saying, Libra? Here’s a further twist. If you’re not peeved about the times you have wielded your anger unproductively, you may not use it brilliantly in the near future. And I really hope you will use it brilliantly.

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Storyteller Martin Shaw believes that logic and factual information are not enough to sustain us. To nourish our depths, we need the mysterious stories provided by myths and fairy tales. He also says that conventional hero sagas starring big, strong, violent men are outmoded. Going forward, we require wily, lyrical tales imbued with the spirit of the Greek word metis meaning “divine cunning in service to wisdom.” That’s what I wish for you now, Scorpio. I hope you will tap into it abundantly. As you do, your creative struggles will lead to personal liberations. For inspiration, read myths and fairy tales.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Many astrologers don’t give enough encouragement to you Sagittarians on the subject of home. I will compensate for that. I believe it’s a perfect time to prioritize your feelings of belonging and your sense of security. I urge you to focus energy on creating serenity and stability for yourself. Honor the buildings and lands you rely on. Give extra appreciation to the people you regard as your family and tribe. Offer blessings to the community that supports you.

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): If you are like 95 percent of the population, you weren’t given all the love and care you needed as a child. You may have made adaptations to partly compensate for this lack, but you are still running a deficit. That’s the bad news, Capricorn. The good news is that the coming weeks will be a favorable time to overcome at least some of the hurt and sadness caused by your original deprivation. Life will offer you experiences that make you feel more at home in the world and at peace with your destiny and in love with your body. Please help life help you! Make yourself receptive to kindness and charity and generosity.

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The philosopher Aldous Huxley was ambitious and driven. Author of almost 50 books, he was a passionate pacifist and explorer of consciousness. He was a visionary who expressed both dystopian and utopian perspectives. Later in his life, though, his views softened. “Do not burn yourselves out,” he advised readers. “Be as I am: a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it.” Now I’m offering you Huxley’s counsel, Aquarius. As much as I love your zealous idealism and majestic quests, I hope that in the coming weeks, you will recharge yourself with creature comforts.

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20): Piscean author and activist W. E. B. Dubois advised us to always be willing to give up what we are. Why? Because that’s how we transform into a deeper and stronger version of ourselves. I think you would benefit from using his strategy. My reading of the astrological omens tells me that you are primed to add through subtraction, to gain power by shedding what has become outworn and irrelevant. Suggested step one: Identify dispiriting self-images you can jettison. Step two: Visualize a familiar burden you could live without. Step three: Drop an activity that bores you. Step four: Stop doing something that wastes your time. ∆