New Times, April 20, 2023

BY GLEN STARKEY

Editor’s note

Whether you’re a faithful fan of ’80s flicks, a surf enthusiast hooked on big wave docs, a music aficionado raised on MTV, or a behindthe-scenes cinephile, the San Luis Obispo International Film Fest has something for you between April 25 and 30. Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey walks the red carpet with big wave surfer Garrett McNamara, Surf Nite special guest and subject of the documentary series 100 Foot Wave , and King Vidor Award honoree Rick Carter, a production designer who won Academy Awards for creating the worlds behind Avatar and Lincoln and was nominated for many others. Starkey talks about what makes these stars shine as they prepare to descend upon SLO [10].

This week, you can also read about the verdict in the two-decade-old Morro Bay murder case [6], the healing power of art for local veterans [28], and Still Waters Vineyards’ 20th anniversary [33]

Andrea Rooks associate editor

cover photo courtesy of Garrett McNamara

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Jury declares Stephen Deflaun guilty of first-degree murders

The first half of a two-decade-old double homicide trial concluded on April 19 with the jury finding defendant Stephen Deflaun guilty of multiple murders in the first degree and of assaulting a law enforcement agent with a firearm.

“What began as a disagreement over a campsite ended as a tragic confluence of mental illness and murder,” San Luis Obispo County Assistant District Attorney Eric Dobroth declared in closing arguments on April 18.

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Dobroth is the lead prosecutor in the criminal trial of Stephen Deflaun—a man charged with fatally shooting two people and assaulting a peace officer with a firearm in the summer of 2001 at the Morro Strand State Beach campground.

Deflaun, 63, had pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. He was declared unfit to stand trial in 2004, but that changed last year, subsequently launching the two-part trial.

The sanity phase—a scrutiny of Deflaun’s mental health history—was scheduled to begin on April 20.

After an exhaustive series of witnesses comprising surviving eyewitnesses, first responders, and former members of the SLO County Sheriff’s Office who assisted in processing the crime scene, the prosecution concluded its arguments in the guilt phase of the trial with an hour-long chronological summary of the alleged crime.

The crux of prosecution’s arguments hinged on Deflaun’s testimony that voices in his mind harassed

him and told him to kill 37-year-old Stephen Wells and his 11-year-old nephew Jerry Rios Jr. and the determination that he falls on the paranoid end of the schizophrenic disorder spectrum.

“The remarks I make is meant in no way to malign or diminish the impact of mental illness on individuals, including Mr. Deflaun,” Dobroth told jurors on April 18.

Describing the nature of Deflaun’s crimes as “shocking deliberate escalation,” Dobroth urged the jury to classify the murders as first-degree. He argued that Deflaun’s actions were willful, deliberate, and premeditated—a stark contrast to the defense’s claim of “imperfect self-defense.”

Deflaun previously testified that voices belonging to a group called “the program” made him believe Wells was an assassin sent to kill him. He added that he initially wanted to die at Wells’ hands since “the program” left him “broken” after years of disturbance, but he changed his mind at the last minute. Dobroth alleged that Deflaun downplayed his actions and viewed himself as a victim to justify the killings.

“There is no other reason for Mr. Deflaun to arm himself the way he did and make that walk unless he intended to use his weapon,” Dobroth said. “If you create the situation that [requires] self-defense, you cannot hide behind it.”

Dobroth is referring to Deflaun carrying a fully loaded .375 revolver with three speed loaders containing 18 rounds and additional ammunition containing another set of 18 rounds. He then exited his van parked at the campground and walked roughly two minutes to a kiosk where Wells, accompanied by Rios Jr., was complaining to a park aide about their altercation with Deflaun. Deflaun fired six bullets into the man and the boy soon after and engaged in a shootout with Ranger Chuck Jackson who arrived on scene to apprehend him.

Both while presenting its initial case and during closing arguments, the prosecution played a video of DA’s Office Investigator Paul Kelly demonstrating

SLO County adopts redistricting map similar to 2011 map, repeals Patten map

San Luis Obispo County turned back the clock on April 18 and adopted a new redistricting map that mirrors what it’d used for the decade prior— before the county transitioned to the redrawn and controversial “Patten map” last year.

The 3-2 Board of Supervisors vote formalized a court settlement reached last month with SLO County Citizens for Good Government and the League of Women Voters of SLO County, which sued the county to stop the Patten map from being implemented, alleging that it gerrymandered the five districts to favor the Republican Party.

“[The new map] is best for us because it goes back to where we were,” 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg said in support of the repeal-and-replace at the April 18 hearing. “We didn’t have to change

the map in the first place, that came through from the census. By 2030, that will change, and I do support an independent redistricting committee.” Ortiz-Legg, 2nd District Supervisor Bruce Gibson, and 4th District Supervisor Jimmy Paulding all favored the redistricting map titled Map A— one of the three under consideration to replace the Patten map. All three were finalists during the 2021 redistricting process, and all three made significantly fewer changes to the 2011 district lines than the Patten map.

“We need a fair and equitable map that does not favor a particular political party. We need a map that will keep communities of interest together,” Paulding said. “I support Map A.”

Map A keeps all local cities in single districts except for the city of SLO, which is split between the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th districts. It reunites the communities of Los Osos, Morro Bay, Cayucos, Cambria, and San Simeon in the 2nd District.

the length and duration of the walk from Deflaun’s campsite to the kiosk.

“The replay … was solely to establish how long and how far that walk is and the timeframe that Mr. Deflaun had to carefully consider what he was about to do,” Dobroth said.

The prosecutor said that Deflaun neither made mention of “the program” in his journal (presented as a piece of evidence earlier in the trial) nor to survivors of Wells’ family or to first responders in the immediate aftermath of the murders. He added that Deflaun’s testimony about voices commanding him to kill isn’t a valid justification.

In his respective closing remarks, Deflaun’s defense attorney, Ray Allen, said that the murders weren’t “coldhearted” and “calculated” because of the interplay of provocation, intoxication, and delusion.

“It’s a fool’s errand to try and pull these things apart,” he countered. “They’re all intertwined like DNA.”

Allen argued for the jury to present a verdict of a lower scale: declaring the killings as second-degree murders or as manslaughter.

Provocation, according to Allen, came from Wells when he told Deflaun he would report him for being a “threat” to his nephew and for smelling marijuana on him even though Deflaun allegedly didn’t possess any at the time.

Intoxication, Allen said, came from the 12-pack of Keystone beer Deflaun consumed in its entirety shortly before meeting Wells and his family.

Allen argued that delusion came from Deflaun’s mental illness that made him believe “the program” was out to torture and kill him if he didn’t comply with it.

“He never mentioned the program because he doesn’t want people to know he hears the voices, and he knows everyone already knows [about the program],” Allen said. “It’s the convoluted, nonlogical part of his paranoid schizophrenia.”

These justifications ended in a rebuttal from Dobroth.

“I feel as though I need to defend Stephen Wells because what I hear from Mr. Allen is that Stephen Wells was a liar … who wanted to fabricate [lies] and get Mr. Deflaun kicked out [from the campground],” Dobroth said.

He informed the jury that delusions and hallucinations can be considered in their deliberations by law, but those elements aren’t separate from deliberate and premeditated actions. Dobroth capped counsel arguments by reciting his PowerPoint presentation.

“Actions speak louder than words, but actions and words speak loudest of all,” Dobroth read. Δ

—Bulbul Rajagopal

It keeps Paso Robles, San Miguel, and Shandon in the 1st District and groups Atascadero, Santa Margarita, Pozo, and the California Valley in the 5th District. Nipomo, Oceano, and Arroyo Grande are back together in the 4th District, while Avila Beach, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, and the Edna Valley are in the 3rd District.

The map divides the town of Templeton between the 1st and 5th districts—a splintering that faced an unsuccessful legal challenge in 2011—and breaks Cal Poly into two districts.

Opponents of Map A–1st District Supervisor John Peschong and 5th District Supervisor Debbie Arnold—highlighted those jurisdictional divisions and defended the legality of the Patten map. “There are no court rulings on the Patten map,” Peschong said. “They did not rule. There is no gerrymander because the court did not rule there was.”

DEFENSE DELIBERATES Standing trial for two two-decade-old murders and assaulting an officer with a firearm, Stephen Deflaun (center) consults with defense attorneys Ray Allen (left) and Tim Osman (right) before closing arguments to the jury.

PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

Arnold echoed Peschong, and lamented the fact that a closed session settlement is what triggered the Patten map’s repeal.

“This map never got to have its day in court,” Arnold said. “For a process that the state goes out of its way to make sure there’s a lot of public input, then to have it end with a settlement done by a few people behind closed doors, I think is a really sad thing.”

Supervisors traded jabs on April 18 about the events that took place since Arnold, Peschong, and former 4th District Supervisor Lynn Compton voted in the Patten map in December 2021.

In February 2022, soon after SLO County Citizens for Good Government filed a lawsuit against the map, a SLO County Superior Court judge denied the group’s request for a preliminary injunction to bar the county from using the map for the 2022 elections. The California Supreme Court upheld that decision on appeal.

But the local judge did note in her ruling that the petitioners had a “reasonable probability of prevailing” in the case due to the fact that the Board of Supervisors deliberately refused to consider evidence that the Patten map favored one political party.

“The prior board went against legal advice of our county counsel to consider that evidence,” Supervisor Paulding said at the meeting. “The reason we’re here is because there was a movement in our community around democracy, transparency, accountability, and good government.”

In arguing for Map A, Gibson, Paulding, and Ortiz-Legg noted that it keeps longstanding communities of interest together—like the North Coast and the Oceano/Nipomo dunes area—and respects most city boundaries. They added that while they considered political demographic evidence on Map A, it did not influence their decision-making.

According to political data submitted by Citizens for Good Government attorneys, Map A has two strongly Democratic districts (2nd and 3rd), one strongly Republican district (1st) and two swing districts with slightly more Republican voters (4th and 5th). Under the Patten map, per the analysis, the county’s two swing districts gained wider Republican advantages despite a countywide Democratic edge in voter registration.

On the other hand, local resident and longtime California Republican Party attorney Charles Bell wrote in a comment letter that the Patten map did retain two swing seats, like the 2011 map. He called Gibson’s and Paulding’s election victories last year “the best evidence that the claimed ‘discriminatory effects’ of the Patten map simply did not exist.”

About an hour’s worth of public comment mostly sided with the supervisors’ decision to repeal and replace the Patten map.

Patricia Gomez, a board member with Citizens for Good Government, called 2022 “a surreal election cycle,” which required voters to “overcome the gerrymander.”

“We citizens saw that our voices were being quelled and our rights to representation were being stripped. … We would have none of it. The Patten map sparked an incredible community mobilization and a reminder that with togetherness, we have power,” Gomez said.

Others weren’t as pleased. Paso Robles resident Allen Duckworth complained about a sliver of the 5th District in Map A that extends south down the Cuesta Grade into portions of the city of SLO and Cal Poly. He called it the “ribbon of shame.”

“The only reason to do that is to dilute the conservative vote in the 5th District. That’s gerrymandering,” Duckworth said.

While Map A supporters celebrated the board’s decision, many asked that it be the last time the SLO County Board of Supervisors draws its own district lines.

“Once the new map is adopted, it’s time to begin the process of establishing an independent redistricting commission,” said Cindy Marie Absey, president of the League of Women Voters of SLO County.

After they selected the new map, county supervisors voted 3-2 to ask staff to explore the possible routes to establish a citizens redistricting commission in time for the 2030 cycle.

While the Patten map’s overturn restored the map to its 2011 architecture, it will cause more disruption to residents’ voting cycles. Because the 2022 elections were held under the Patten map, the same communities that were denied the chance to vote in 2022 will lose that chance again in 2024 after the switcheroo. Those communities include Oceano, Los Osos, and Morro Bay, which now won’t vote for a supervisor until 2026—an eight-year drought.

But Los Osos resident Don Maruska said that correcting the redistricting mistake is worth the sacrifice.

“We lost our opportunity to vote in the last election, and to return to a legal map, we will also sacrifice our opportunity to vote for a supervisor in 2024,” Maruska said. “So now we each have a choice: We can wallow in our many losses and grudges, or we can pivot from this moment of conflict. … We can each choose to let go of our losses and move forward together for the successes that we can have as a county.”

—Peter Johnson

Enney takes lead in Paso Robles school board election

Recently ousted Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD) trustee Kenney Enney is leading in his bid to reclaim a seat on the contentious North County school board. Election night results on April 18 showed Enney with a 52 percent to 48 percent edge over challenger Angela Hollander—a difference of 412 votes out of nearly 10,000 counted thus far, a 32 percent turnout.

More than 2,000 ballots still remained to be counted—mostly mail-in ballots delivered on April 18 or postmarked April 18—according to SLO County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano on April 19. Those ballots will be counted and posted to the county’s website on Friday, April 21, she said.

After seeing the first round of results on April 18, Enney admitted that he was surprised to see himself “holding his own.” But he added, “it’s kind of early to tell what’s going to happen.”

“I’m glad I’m getting support,” the rancher and retired Marine said. “I think what I’m probably happiest about is the fact that I’ve kind of changed the narrative. It was an issue of getting the word out about how poorly performing our schools have really been.”

Hollander told New Times that the close results thus far show that “we have a divided community.”

“Some people like his style. Some people like mine,” Hollander said. “My focus was, we’re not going low. We’re going to focus on the positives. I’m proud of that.”

PRJUSD’s April 18 special election went on the calendar back in December 2022, when hundreds of district voters signed a petition to oust Enney, who had been appointed to a seat after the resignation of former trustee Chris Bausch.

The petition, according to previous New Times reporting, was sparked in part by a Facebook post in which Enney wrote about the transgender community: “You can’t be something you’re not, just because you say so and have surgery. … Although not reported, many within the LGBQ community reject what is transpiring in our schools, because of the ‘T,’ ... which is an attempt to recruit and convert children.”

Hollander, a nonprofit manager and retired NICU nurse, said that her main concern if Enney prevails in the race is whether the district can recruit a high-quality superintendent to replace Curt Dubost, whose contract is up this year.

“We need to recruit the best and the brightest to come in and lead us into the next decade,” Hollander said. “If Mr. Enney comes in and we go back to the board looking at the false news that there’s gangs at our school or looking for kitty litter boxes, we’re not going to move forward. Because who would want to come to that job?”

In response to that, Enney said he doesn’t think the district will have any trouble recruiting a superintendent if he’s elected.

“I don’t think that’s a concern at all,” Enney said. “In fact, I’ve already been talking to people out in Clovis who’ve given me names of several people out there who said they’d be interested in being candidates here. Clovis has done much better [than Paso]. Bringing in people with fresh ideas, whether it’s Clovis or some other school districts that have outperformed us, they’re out there. We need to find candidates who want to fix the problem.”

—Peter Johnson

SLO County asks to reintegrate with waste management agency

After two years of flying solo, SLO County recently asked to rejoin the Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA), a fate that rests with the cities and community services districts it once served alongside on the agency’s board.

“There are a lot of things that have to happen for the county to rejoin the IWMA officially, including a restructuring of the joint powers agreement and unanimous consent from both [the] SLO County Board of Supervisors, the IWMA Board, and the cities themselves,” Atascadero City Councilmember Charles Bourbeau told his council colleagues on April 11. “That’s the first and most important thing we have to consider: Do the cities themselves want the county to rejoin?”

The county withdrew from the IWMA board in a contentious October 2021 decision, following issues some members of the SLO County Board of Supervisors— particularly former 4th District Supervisor Lynn Compton—had with former IWMA Director Bill Worrell and board Secretary Carolyn Grace Goodrich following the District Attorney’s Office charging Goodrich with embezzlement and destruction of public records in August 2021.

Since the county went its separate way, rising waste management costs have caused the IWMA and its member agencies, as well as the county, to consider increasing their trash, recycling, and green waste fees—with the county facing the highest potential fee increases in the future. In March, the county sent a letter of intent to the IWMA board asking to explore potential options for the county to rejoin the board.

IWMA board members are now gauging support for that from their respective cities and districts. Former IWMA board President

Bourbeau asked for feedback at the Atascadero City Council’s April 11 meeting, stressing that unified city support is crucial to any discussion regarding the rejoining process. A letter that the IWMA sent out to its member agencies highlighted that the county could bring in more revenue to the authority, which means that waste management fees wouldn’t need to increase as much as projected.

“Should the county rejoin, we would see a lowering of the current solid waste management fee,” Bourbeau said. “That has the potential to generate approximately around $662,000 in revenue that could be considered in the 2024 fiscal budget.”

Bourbeau added that the county only represents about 18.5 percent of the population receiving waste management services. Prior to SLO County’s 2021 departure from the authority, every member of the Board of Supervisors served on the IWMA board, making up five of the 13 seats—something Compton also took issue with in 2021, saying that cities were able to ram their policies through even if the county didn’t like them.

“One of the biggest discussion points thus far has been, ‘What is the appropriate level of representation for the county?’” he said.

Atascadero City Councilmember Susan Funk said that regardless of how the IWMA and county decided to go about the rejoining, representation on the authority’s board should be reflective of the actual impact the county coverage has on waste management.

“It would make sense for the county representation on the board of the IWMA to be much less than the five supervisors it was in

the past,” Funk said. “Somewhere between its percentage of waste management contributions and percentage of people it represents.”

That sentiment was shared by everyone on Atascadero’s council, as well as the fear that the county might leave again, should Board of Supervisors’ members take issue with the IWMA board’s policy.

“No one would want a situation where the county rejoins then—two years from now, four years from now, eight years from now, 12 years from now, whenever—a different board decides they want to leave,” Bourbeau said. “There shouldn’t be any philosophical disagreements on what needs to be done— maybe how it needs to be done—but I am confident that, should the county rejoin, there won’t be any cities or jurisdictions that feel other members of the board are attempting to push a specific policy down everyone’s throats since we will all have the same objectives.”

—Adrian Rosas

State lifts restrictions on Nacimiento water, giving SLO County new options

After almost 70 years, San Luis Obispo County’s use of water from Lake Nacimiento will no longer be restricted—a shift in policy that could be key to helping cities across the county meet new state sustainability standards.

The April 7 change to the Monterey Countybased permit affects Nacimiento Water Project participants, including the city of Paso Robles, Templeton Community Services District, Atascadero Mutual Water Company, Santa Margarita Water Company, the city of San Luis Obispo and some parts of Cayucos, according

to SLO County Engineer Wes Thompson.

Before the restrictions were lifted, participants were limited in where they could apply their Nacimiento water allocations: on up to 7,000 acres of urban land and 500 acres of agricultural land in the county. Now, water agencies can continue using the water within their service areas, and they can also sell excess water to regions that wouldn’t have been allowed to use the water before.

SLO County Groundwater Sustainability Director Blaine Reely said the impact of the change can’t be understated—especially in the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin, a basin the state considers to be critically over-drafted and recently received state approval for its groundwater sustainability management plan.

“This is a critical restriction that needed to be removed—especially considering participants in the program weren’t using upwards of 50 to 60 percent of the water each year,” Reely told New Times. “Now participants can explore the use of that excess water—which, frankly, is a higher quality than traditional groundwater— to help meet those new goals and take our sustainability programs into the future.”

Thompson told New Times that current Nacimiento Water Project participants have roughly 3,000 to 6,000 acre-feet of water they aren’t using out of the 15,750 acre-feet allocated to them per year. While the lifted restrictions will free up how that leftover water is used, Thompson clarified to New Times that the county—across all participants—is still only allowed to use that maximum of 15,750 acre-feet of water from the project.

“The change approved by the State Water Board did not increase the amount of Nacimiento water available annually to SLO County, or change the allowable uses,” he said. “It only clarified where the contracted water could be used within SLO County.”

Regardless, the county still sees the change as key to complying with the California Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which requires medium- and high-priority basins—like the Paso Robles basin—in the state to develop long-term agencies and sustainability plans to manage groundwater.

“Water users in Paso Robles are exploring the possibility of blending Nacimiento water with recycled water to maximize water supply for certain crop types,” Thompson said. “This change in water rights is just one piece of the puzzle to the idea of water uses like this being a viable option for long-term groundwater sustainability.”

Paso Robles Resource Manager Kirk Gonzalez sees the lifted restrictions as able to both directly and indirectly help balance water use in the city and across the county—especially in helping maintain water suitability guidelines mandated by SGMA.

“The changes allow water from Lake Nacimiento to be used for several purposes including municipal, domestic, industrial irrigation, and recreational use,” Gonzalez told New Times. “All of these uses can benefit the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin where they would offset groundwater pumping or result in a return flow to the basin.” Δ

—Adrian Rosas

Moviemagic!

Showtime!

The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival runs from Tuesday, April 25, through Sunday, April 30, at various locations. A complete schedule is available at slofilmfest.org, but highlights include:

BY GLEN STARKEY

There’s going to be something for everyone at this year’s SLO International Film Festival, from Surf Nite at the Fremont to a screening of family classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial at the Sunset Drive-In. ere’s a night of music videos with live bands, the U.S. premiere of Oliver Stone’s new documentary Nuclear Now, a screening of iMordecai starring Judd Hirsh and Carol Kane—and Hirsh will be in attendance.

In between, you can see a ton of independent lms—narrative and documentary features, as well as shorts—at a variety of theaters from Tuesday, April 25, through Sunday, April 30.

All told, the festival received 1,120 submissions with 129 selected. According to Executive Director Skye McLennan, this year the festival has brought in more genreoriented projects.

“We paired up with a DIY lm festival called Microhorrors that started two years ago. It’s a community of lmmakers who make horror lms that are [4 to 11 minutes long], so we’re screening four shorts and an ’80s slasher lm called Intruder,” she said. “It’s directed by Scott Spiegal, who worked on Evil Dead and Evil Dead II.

“ at’s going to be really fun, and we’re just kind of leaning into those kinds of things that make going [to] the movies really

• Opening Night on Tuesday, April 25, with a screening of BlackBerry, the film’s second screening after its SXSW premiere, about the rise and fall of the first smartphone;

• I Want My SLOMVTV music video showcase on Wednesday, April 26, with live performances by Caleb Nichols, Connect the Coast, The Honey Boys, and a DJ set by Peaking Lights in the Fremont Theater;

• 1982 family classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial at the Sunset Drive-In on Thursday, April 27;

• Surf Nite with 100 Foot Wave star Garrett McNamara on Friday, April 28, in the Fremont Theater;

• Red Eye Cinema: A Night of Microhorrors will screen horror shorts and the 1989 cult classic Intruder on Friday, April 28, at the Palm Theatre;

• Awards Gala with King Vidor Award Winner Rick Carter on Saturday, April 29, in the Fremont Theater followed by an after-party in the Festival Lounge;

• Closing Night on Sunday, April 30, with a screening of iMordecai starring Judd Hirsh, who will be in attendance.

fun and exciting,” McLennan continued.

“I think you’ll see that and feel that in the programming, too.”

You can download a PDF of the festival program at slo lmfest.org that lists all the details. ings kick o on opening night, April 25, with a 5 p.m. reception at Luna Red featuring live music by e Taproots, followed by a 7 p.m. screening of a brand-new lm at the Fremont eater, BlackBerry, that chronicles the rise and fall of the rst smartphone. is will be its second U.S. screening after premiering at the SXSW Festival.

Cinephiles, prepare to indulge!

Surf Nite!

One of the festival’s most popular nights, which nearly always sells out, is Surf Nite, and this year’s is going to be gnarly. e evening’s luminary is none other than Garrett McNamara, the big wave pioneer known for discovering and conquering the world’s biggest wave at Nazaré, Portugal.

He’s also subject of HBO’s documentary series 100 Foot Wave, which chronicled his achievements at Nazaré and elsewhere. One episode in season 1 recorded him sur ng waves generated by a 300-foot calving glacier in Alaska. He’s an eight-time Guinness World Record holder for the largest wave ever surfed.

McNamara spoke to New Times by phone from his home in Hawaii that he shares with his wife, Nicole, and their three boisterous children.

He’s now 55 years old and has had some well-publicized injuries. How’s he feeling?

“I’m feeling pretty good, actually. Up until about a month ago, I was in top shape. Ready for anything. en I started traveling all over the place and doing a lot of work outside of the water and not at home, so I stopped training,” he explained.

He’s not exactly a young man anymore. Is he still chasing the big ones?

“I’m actively letting the big one come to me (laughs). ere are a few spots I’d like to travel to and chase the low-pressure systems.

e one main one I’d love to surf again is Fiji Cloudbreak, and then in Portugal, if I’m there and it comes, it’s on as long as I feel up to it. We just surfed Cortes Banks about a month ago. It was probably the best day I’ve seen

from dawn to dusk.”

With his growing family and many responsibilities, have he and Nicole discussed him slowing down and lowering his risks?

“She’s anxiously awaiting the day I don’t want to chase anymore big waves around. As long as I’m healthy and strong, I don’t see any reason why not to ride the big ones, but I really have a lot of patience now, and if it’s not perfect, I’ll probably just drive [other surfers with a jet ski] or somehow be a part of it at the location, maybe through advice that I’m o ering. I really still enjoy it, so if everything’s feeling good and everything’s going in a good way, and I’m in the right place at the right time, I’ll de nitely enjoy some more big ones.”

What can people expect at Surf Nite?

“I think the most special thing is we get to share onstage and get to interact with everybody. We’ll get up close and personal with whoever’s there. We’ll actually be able to share and inspire each other through conversations and through Q-and-A, through our encounters with everybody while we’re there.”

Season 2 of 100 Foot Wave debuted on HBO on April 16, and he’s currently lming season 3.

“Yes, they already greenlit season 3 without 2 coming out,” he noted. “ at’s how con dent they are. ey love it.”

At Surf Nite, he’ll be screening an episode from season 1 that chronicles the largest swell to date at Nazaré as well as a devastating wipeout by big wave surfer Andrew Cotton. Meanwhile in the episode,

The SLO International Film Fest is ready for its close-up

Steven Spielberg’s beloved family classic, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, will screen at the Sunset Drive-In on April 27.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMBLIN ENTERTAINMENT AND UNIVERSAL PICTURES

McNarmara is rallying after a broken foot and back-to-back concussions.

“Episode 4 is really good, and it will spark lot of the past for me and Nicole. I think it will be cool to share in person what we went through and what we felt others went through, how we got through it, and what it entailed. It will be a much more personal look, and you know what? You’ll be surprised because a lot of people have not seen [season 1].”

Garrett may also have copies of his book, Hound of the Sea: Wild Man, Wild Waves, Wild Wisdom, for sale and will sign copies. He and his wife also run Waves of Life: e McNamara Foundation, which provides “surf therapy mentorship for at-risk and underprivileged youth to allow them the opportunity to grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.”

The King Vidor Award winner is …

Production Designer Rick Carter, 73, has collaborated on a few movies over the years. Maybe you’ve heard of some. He won Academy Awards for Avatar and Lincoln, and he was nominated for Forrest Gump, War Horse, and most recently e Fabelmans.

He also worked on e Goonies, Back to the Future II and III, Jurassic Park, e Lost World: Jurassic Park, Cast Away, e Polar Express, Star Wars: Episode VII— e Force Awakens, and Star Wars: Episode IX— e Rise of Skywalker, among many others.

He’s joining some pretty good company. Past King Vidor Award winners have included Peter Bogdanovich, Malcolm McDowell, Stanley Kramer, Je Bridges, Elmer Bernstein, Morgan Freeman, Peter Fonda, Lawrence Kasdan, Ann-Margret, Ernest Borgnine, Eva Marie Saint, James Cromwell, Josh Brolin, and many others.

How did Carter nd his way into the movies?

“Most prominently, I was born into it,” he explained during a Zoom call with New Times. “My father was a publicist in Hollywood, and he represented the actor Jack Lemmon in the 1960s, and he even produced a movie that Jack Lemmon directed called Kotch with Walter Matthau. He was always a part of the movie industry growing up.”

In his youth, Carter wasn’t much interested in following in his father’s footsteps.

“I knew about [the industry] but I didn’t think I wanted anything to do with it necessarily.”

Instead, he studied sociology at Berkeley, dropped out after a couple years, traveled, but eventually came back and attended UC Santa Cruz as an art major. After graduation, Carter headed to NYC to “try to be a painter.”

“After a year there doing the gallery scene, I think I recognized I wasn’t going to succeed in New York,” he conceded. “I asked my father what an art director did because it had the word ‘art’ in it.”

Upon his return to LA, his father introduced him to Production Designer Richard Sylbert, who’d done Chinatown, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Rosemary’s Baby, and e Graduate, among other lms.

“He was somebody who really became a mentor to me because he was able to explain aspects of what production design was in a way that I felt I wanted to see what I could do in that eld. I couldn’t be like him because he was very formal in his training, but I think I’ve taken on my version of his talents and [was] inspired to be philosophical in my approach.”

If you’re wondering what exactly a production design is, you’re not alone. When people think of movies, they think of the actors and the director and maybe the writer, but without production design, there wouldn’t be much to look at.

“[ e job entails] setting the stage for the movie in a visual way. A lot of people like to describe it as creating the world of the movie. Personally, I enjoy the aspect of it being somewhat invisible in the process because when you watch a movie, you don’t want to know that somebody has set up everything visually. You just want to be in the movie, and if you notice too much of that, you’re admiring the movie but you’re not relating to it in the most potent way a movie can get to you.

“It’s a bit of a magician’s act to be suspending disbelief.”

Good production design transports viewers into another world, but even if that world is pure fantasy, it still has to feel real. at’s where production design comes in. Just like a lm’s score, it shouldn’t draw attention to itself, but it’s essential to a lm’s “world” and the emotions it evokes.

“It was described e ectively by a cinematographer that I knew,” Carter recalled. “We were doing a scene in a cave, and the director was saying, ‘Well, where’s the light coming from in this cave?’ And the director of photography said, ‘ e same place as the music.’”

Carter—who continues to paint and just took down a show of his work at El Segundo’s Experimentally Structured Museum of Art that hung for 11 months—believes his visual skills come in part from a defect.

“I have a farsighted eye in my left eye and a nearsighted eye in my right eye, so they look at di erent things. My two forms of artistic expression have been derived from that di erent type of vision: With my right eye, I tend to paint people and faces, and with the left eye it’s sort of the worlds that I create.”

Both come in handy when he’s creating a world for a lm to inhabit.

“I like to call it the ‘ lmscape’ or the ‘moviescape,’ and ‘moviescape’ is an interesting word because it has the word ‘escape’ right in the middle of it, but it’s not the narrative or the people. It’s everything else that’s contributing to how you experience, in a sense, the dreamscape that you’re in that’s being created on all those multiple levels, both visual and audio. It creates an almost palpable sensation you can remember.”

As Carter explains, after watching e Wizard of Oz or Avatar, you can know what it’s like to be in Oz or Pandora even if you’re

not with Dorothy or Jake Sully because the production designer has made those worlds vivid. Your understanding of what those worlds are like is courtesy of the production designer and the art department.

“So where are you if you don’t have the narrative and the characters to rely on?”

Carter asked. “Most people, if you ask them about a movie or if you’re thinking about seeing a movie, ‘Well, who’s in it? What’s it about?’ at’s what you think you want to know, but coming out of it, you often remember a di erent level than the plot points or which characters meant the most to you. It’s far richer than that, and I enjoy participating in that part of it.”

As way of example, Carter explained that for Forrest Gump, he wanted to capture the essence of the American South, but the location of the story—Alabama—“really looks like any Midwest place. ere’s nothing distinctive that will tell you you’re in the South.”

He wanted to invoke the pre-Civil War era with “hanging Spanish moss from old oak trees, but that type of environment only exists in a few places.” After a lot of scouting, he found a place in South Carolina that had the look that was so essential to the lm’s story and setting, and they built the house there. It also turned out to be a very versatile location that t the budget.

“We shot Vietnam there, Jenny’s tree, Jenny’s farm. In that one area, there was about a month of shooting because we could nd it all there, and it provided the kind of look that I think helped the warmth of that movie.”

If you look at Carter’s list of credits, a certain collaborator seems to pop up a lot. He rst worked with Steven Spielberg on e Goonies (1985), where he was art director under Production Designer J. Michael Riva. Spielberg came up with e Goonies story and acted as executive producer.

“He also became the second unit director, though I don’t think he was credited, but I was assigned to work with him and that’s how I got to know him, and then he wanted to give me a shot at production designing on [the TV series] Amazing Stories (1985-1987).”

Between their similar artistic visions and work ethic, Carter and Spielberg have enjoyed a long and fruitful collaboration.

“Our visions line up in both those realms. We have a similar work ethic and how productive and frugal we try be, and straightforward. We have a very easy rapport, where I can read his mind a little bit, and he in some degree gets me in ways very few other people have. I appreciate that and I think he appreciates how I get him. It’s sort of a shared wavelength. It’s not necessarily known right away. It’s something that comes over time—years—but then within the context of a project a language develops.”

Carter has unquestionably left a permanent mark on Hollywood history.

“I have so many people come up to me and say that they grew up on the movies that I worked on. at they meant a lot to them.

“Just because it was a fanciful movie doesn’t mean it’s lesser than some ‘real’ movie. A lot of people like to talk about lm with a capital ‘L’, like ‘ LLLLm,’” he said with emphasis.

Carter makes popular movies for people who love a great story, and isn’t that why most of us go to the theater?

Lights, camera, action! ∆

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

SLOIFF from page 10

GO BIG OR GO HOME Big wave pioneer Garrett McNamara will be at Surf Nite at the Fremont Theater on April 28 as part of the SLO International Film Festival.

BEHIND THE SCENES This year’s King Vidor Award winner is Production Designer Rick Carter, a two-time Academy Award winner for Avatar and Lincoln, who’ll receive his award on April 29 at the Fremont Theater.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RICK CARTER

» For more highlights and information on the SLO International Film Festival, turn to page 22

The after party

There’s a new political party on the block, and it proposes to be neither right nor left but simply “forward.”

“Common Sense Party is taking a new, unconventional, untraditional approach of rather than social and economic reform, we’re actually focusing on the fundamental issues of governance: voting, democracy, and accountability and transparency of our candidates and political officials,” said Sara Lashanlo, the Northern California regional coordinator for the party.

The Common Sense Party isn’t certified yet. With nearly 30,000 registered voters signed on, party organizers are trying to collect more than 70,000 signatures by early October to be considered an official party by the state. Founded by Tom Campbell, Julie Meier Wright, and Quentin Kopp, the party has had its sights set on ballots since at least the 2020 elections. All three founders have political backgrounds—Campbell is a former Republican senator and member of Congress, Wright is the former state commerce secretary, and Kopp is a former San Francisco state senator.

Cal Poly graduate Lashanlo’s entry to the Common Sense Party also sprouted from her own political experience as both voter and candidate for public office. Last year, she unsuccessfully ran for a San Ramon City Council seat with an endorsement from the local Democratic Party chapter. She told New Times that she felt supported by the Democrats, and that she stands by their principles and values. But there were other reasons why she aligned her campaign with the Democratic Party.

“I also sought their support because I was desperate for their resources,” she said. “If I wasn’t in line with their value or if my constituents weren’t … half of them aren’t, then it’s a disservice to them because their elected representative is more accountable to the party than it is for the voters and the constituents.”

Lashanlo added that her campaigning process presented her with an opportunity to provide better candidate support in the future.

“If you’re an independentminded candidate or if you’re a candidate whose constituents don’t subscribe to either party fully, then that’s a problem,” she said. “That’s a problem that I see Common Sense being able to solve.”

Funded by the Independent Alliance for California, the Common Sense Party aims to be accessible in San Luis Obispo County too. On April 16, organizers hosted a meet-andgreet event at Belnano Coffee in Atascadero.

Its purpose was to recruit more voters and assess the potential of a South County chapter with an appointed leader. The party is currently planning to have another meetup in May, possibly in SLO.

“Our plan is to create two chapters in SLO County—one in Templeton or Atascadero, and one in south SLO County,” Lashanlo said. “The ultimate dream is to have a third chapter at Cal Poly.”

While the Common Sense Party is eager to set itself apart from the Democratic and Republican parties, Lashanlo said that it differs from the existing independent parties too.

“Every party takes a conventional approach in having a hard stance on social values and issues, and [uses] that as a litmus test for candidates and voters,” she said. “The Common Sense Party is the only party, to my knowledge, that’s flipping the script.”

Fundamentally, the party is looking for an “ethical person with integrity,” according to Lashanlo.

“Our values are being crafted by the membership, so it’s very democratic in its approach,” she said.

Transparency is high on the Common Sense Party’s list of values, as it wants to demystify the ballot initiative process for voters. They’re advocating for a politically neutral state librarian to have the authority to write ballot initiatives and summaries instead of the attorney general who presently pens them. By removing that power from someone holding a political post, the party believes voters could gain a clearer understanding of the ballot measures presented to them. However, the party has a more immediate goal if it gets certified.

“We’ll hold a virtual convention to approve the by-laws and an initial platform,” Lashanlo said. “The by-laws will create a mechanism for endorsing candidates, taking positions on initiatives, sponsoring our own initiatives, and adding or subtracting planks to the platform.”

Fast fact

The 15th annual Wine 4 Paws event will return over the weekend of April 22 and 23. More than 80 wine, cider, and olive oil producers will participate and donate 10 percent of their sales to Woods Humane Society. The event director is hoping to raise a record-breaking $75,000 that will help to support the homeless pets of Woods Humane. For more information, visit wine4paws.com. ∆

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

TRICOLOR STATE Representative Sara Lashanlo said that the Common Sense Party’s logo indicates its nonpartisanship through colors representing Democrats, Republicans, and a combination of the two.

AKVAREZ, ANNA M., 96, of Santa Maria passed away 4/14/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

ALLEN, YOLANDA, 78, of Arroyo Grande passed away 4/5/2023 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

BARRON, FRANK, 72, of Paso Robles passed away 4/11/2023 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation and Burial Service

BEGIN, RAJON, 56, of Paso Robles passed away 3/31/2023 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation and Burial Service

BERRY, ROMELIA OCHOA, 84, of Santa Maria passed away 4/9/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

BRADLEY, DIANA KAY, 77, of Nipomo passed away 4/12/2023 arrangements with Magner- Maloney Funeral Home & Crematory

CABRERA, SARA, 65, of Santa Maria passed away 4/4/2023 arrangements with Magner- Maloney Funeral Home & Crematory

CLARKE, JUDITH, 81, of Arroyo Grande passed away 4/11/2023 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

COWELL, ELVIN, 81, of Santa Maria passed away 4/16/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

DANNELLS, DICK, 88, of Pismo Beach passed away 4/01/2023 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

FERNANDEZ, BRENDA JEAN, 57, of Atascadero passed away 3/25/2023 arrangements with Chapel of the Roses

HALLETT, JAMES, 50, of Bradley passed away 4/11/2023 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation and Burial Service

HARRISON, HOWARD LEE, 88, of Santa Maria passed away 3/16/2023 arrangements with Starbuck- Lind Mortuary & Crematory

HART, HERBERT, 81, of Arroyo Grande passed away 4/8/2023 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

HERRERA, ESTHER MUNOZ, 84, of Santa Maria passed away 4/11/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

JENSEN, GLORIA MARIA, 82, of San Luis Obispo passed away 3/23/2023 arrangements with Los Osos Valley Mortuary & Memorial Park

KEISLER, BETTY JEAN, 96, of Arroyo Grande passed away 4/01/2023 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

KIMBLE, PATRICE LEE, 71, of Santa Maria passed away 4/4/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

KROENKE, LEON “LEE”, 89, of Santa Maria passed away 3/11/2023 arrangements with Magner- Maloney Funeral Home & Crematory

LINS, GREGORY, 82, of Atascadero passed away 4/6/2023 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation and Burial Service

LORBERBAUM, MARK IRA, 62, of Grover Beach passed away 3/15/2023 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

MARTIN, CHRISTOPHER WILLARD, 72, of Pismo Beach passed away 4/4/2023 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

MCCASLIN, COLLIN, 37, of Atascadero passed away 3/25/2023 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation and Burial Service

MEES, RONALD L., 69, of Santa Maria passed away 4/12/2023 arrangements with Magner- Maloney Funeral Home & Crematory

MENDOZA, SILVIA R., 78, of Santa Maria passed away 4/9/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

MIKITA, PHAM THI, 73, of Santa Maria passed away 4/9/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

MOFFAT, ELAINE, 85, of Atascadero passed away 4/9/2023 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation and Burial Service

MORENO, MARTHA “MARTI”, 62, of Santa Maria passed away 4/3/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

NUNEZ, JUANA E., 89, of Nipomo passed away 4/8/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

ONTIVEROS, MARCELLA DOLORES, 85, of Santa Maria passed away 4/12/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

PETERSON, MARILYN SUE, 70, of Santa Maria passed away 4/7/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

RIO, JUANA DINOZO, 84, of Santa Maria passed away 4/7/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

RITCHIE, CHARLOTTE J., 79, of Santa Maria passed away 4/17/2023 arrangements with Magner- Maloney Funeral Home & Crematory

ROBINSON, BILLY R, 74, of Arroyo Grande passed away 4/2/2023 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

ROBINSON, BETH A., 90, of Santa Maria passed away 4/3/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

SCHRIVER, Lula Jane, 93, of Lompoc passed away 3/22/2023 arrangements with StarbuckLind Mortuary & Crematory

TACKETT, HOLLY E., 39, of Oceano passed away 4/2/2023 arrangements with Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory & Memory Gardens

TATOSIAN, SHIRLEY, 94, of Cayucos passed away 4/9/2023 arrangements with Blue Sky Cremation and Burial Service

TAYLOR, NORMAN W., 84, of Nipomo passed away 4/11/2023 arrangements with MagnerMaloney Funeral Home & Crematory

WEEDON, MARK, 72, of Oceano passed away 3/22/2023 arrangements with Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel

It’s time to consider actual socialism

What comes to mind when thinking of public housing? Is it Cabrini-Green or Bronx style public housing with all its 1970, racist, graffiti-ridden connotations? Or perhaps, for the cosmopolitan set, Scandinavian (read “white”) public housing, complete with kindergartens, manicured lawns, functional public transportation, and strong state support?

What America has is a patchwork system of means-tested, scant, formal public housing owned by the state. It has Section 8, whose vouchers go to subsidize private interests and owners. The only thing blocking the U.S. from getting serious about helping its people is the lock on the state and federal legislatures, whose owners, i.e. campaign donors, scream in pain at the very thought of their gravy train coming to an end.

Make no mistake, providing public housing will end their gravy train. No longer will property owners and investors be able to kick little old ladies, grown men and women, and the disabled out onto the street at their own discretion as if lifted out of a page from a Charles Dickens novel. No longer will American workers be forced to choose between eating or heating their residences. No longer will Americans walk around despondent, aware that their government’s only interest is to keep them from organizing and burning down the offices of their property managers, social service agencies, and centers of government. No longer will Americans look at every other person as a competitor or as someone responsible for their own misfortune.

When the state provides clean, safe, and large-scale public housing at little or no cost for all Americans, men, women, married couples, single individuals, the sick, the healthy, the infirm, alcoholics, felons, and from all walks of life, that is when you can expect all the social indicators of a collapsing society to reverse.

Until then, we can expect the usual suspects to continue their macabre parade down our main streets: decreased life spans, tents on the sidewalk in front of your house, mass shootings, suicides, teen pregnancies, hunger, ill health, bankruptcies, mass incarceration, and failing schools.

We live in a new era now. Gone are the days of lifelong employment; gone are the days of a high school graduate being able to buy a house fairly soon out of high school; gone are the days of trading your car in every two years for a new one; gone are the days of defined benefit pensions; gone are the days of nutritious, inexpensive food; gone are the days of responsive government.

Instead, we now live in an economy characterized by austerity budgets, high deficits, record public borrowing, throw-away jobs, and failing infrastructure. So yes, it’s time to consider actual socialism. We can begin by funding and building large-scale, safe, public housing. After that, let’s work on Medicare for all.

Shanti Harris San Luis Obispo

An open letter about merging Oceano and Grover Beach

When the concept of annexation or “merger” of Oceano with Grover Beach was presented as a solution for the impending

fire services challenge facing Oceano, we were favorable to the idea. After speaking with community members and gaining more understanding, it is now difficult to imagine how such an action would solve the fire services problem. Oceano also risks losing or—at a minimum—diluting its representation, given its relatively small population.

It is even more difficult to understand how it would be fair or feasible to Grover Beach, which would ostensibly be responsible for fire and police, and would also take on the curbs, gutters, and sidewalks effort underway in Oceano, as well as other requests from the community. It would be a big lift. However, if such a study is undertaken, as advanced by 4th District Supervisor Jimmy Paulding, then it would be negligent and an affront to the precepts of regionalism, to not include the cities of Arroyo Grande and Pismo Beach in such a study or discussion.

Oceano is a resilient town, which, along with Grover Beach, is proudly home to much of the workforce that powers the economic engine of the Five Cities. How can any meaningful results occur without Arroyo Grande and Pismo Beach if a study or even discussions move forward?

We don’t believe annexation is the right prescription. But if it is to be considered, then logic demands that such a study consider the totality of the equities and challenges of the community as a whole: Oceano, Pismo/Shell Beach, Arroyo Grande, and Grover Beach.

Isolating Oceano and Grover Beach in contemplation of a merger is to ignore the interdependence among our adjoined communities and to oversimplify the dynamics of the Five Cities.

Adam Verdin co-owner, Old Juan’s Cantina Oceano

Bruce Van Vort owner, Fin’s Bar and Grill Grover Beach Oceano home owner

Yes, Donegan, Dems worry about the wrong things

John Donegan made an excellent point in his opinion piece last week (“Prosecuting Trump,” April 13). Democrats are too worried about justice and accountability, and not worried enough about what centrists think. Low-level felonies are just a normal part of presidential politics, and it’s enlightening to hear this from a retired attorney. When all the Democrats got together and voted to charge Trump with falsifying business records, I should have shown a little self-control, not wet my pants, and voted the other way. But for the crimes of inciting the Jan. 6 attacks, election fraud, wire fraud, colluding with Russia, and then obstructing the FBI’s investigation, etc., well, that’s another matter.

Mike Diaz SLO

three U.S territories, and the District of Columbia. More than half the U.S. population resides in states where medicinal and adult-use of cannabis is legal. Every major poll shows support to end prohibition of cannabis anywhere from 62 to 70 percent and among all political persuasions, according to the Pew Research Center.

The U.S. Congress has debated and passed at some level bipartisan federal legislation to end the prohibition of cannabis, provide for federal agency oversight, and allow for interstate sales of cannabis products. However there is no consensus on a final federal legislative proposal to send to the president of the United States.

Meanwhile, President Biden issued a directive to the U.S. Department of Justice, Health and Human Services, and the Food and Drug Administration to study, evaluate, and provide a recommendation to either reschedule or de-schedule marijuana from the current prohibitive Schedule 1 drug. This executive act has been applauded by cannabis advocates as a necessary step given the inaction by Congress. However, governors and state legislative leaders are not waiting and have passed their own interstate commerce laws to sell cannabis products across state lines with states that have similar regulatory rules.

Speak up!

As you see, the arc of the universe is long but it is bending toward justice, and we remain confident that our movement is on the right side of history.

Sam Rodriguez Policy Director, Good Farmers Great Neighbors Santa Ynez

Seek the truth and stand up for it

It’s not about red versus blue, but what do we value? What do we honor?

What’s best for our families, for our descendants, for our friends and neighbors, for the freedom our forefathers did their best to create and preserve. For all those who gave their lives in battle fighting for freedom. Politics has become one’s identity. A polarization of ideas and ideals creating a cultural war.

To preserve the freedom we cherish and deserve, we must stop the hate, the evil, the promotion of the lawlessness, the corruption, the oppressive, unrighteous teaching of our children.

“Truth is only available to those who have the courage to question what they have been taught” or told to believe.

Last year, the governor of California led an effort and succeeded in passing into law a cannabis interstate commerce framework and soon after directed his agency to work closely with the state’s attorney general to ensure the state’s legal industry is protected when agreements between states are signed. Oregon, Washington state, Colorado, Nevada, and New Jersey are in the process of passing a similar law. California may soon begin discussions with these states about signing an interstate agreement to sell cannabis products among legal, licensed operators.

What about moral law, seeking the truth, being open to being wrong or faulty in opinion?

It’s become a battle between right and wrong, truth and lies, justice and injustice. Our world is falling apart and we are allowing it to happen.

Thoughts and opinions do not justify truth, we have to know for sure.

Courage is seeking the truth and standing up for it.

“A house divided cannot stand.” –Abraham Lincoln

Ellie Ripley Arroyo Grande

These are the words that were often mentioned by civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King in his fight and leadership of the civil rights movement for equal justice. Today the fight for ending the prohibition of cannabis has been won in 38 state capitols,

‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice’

Hatred, racism, bigotry

As I write this, my Jewish friends are observing Yom HaZikaron laShoah ve-laG’vurah Yom HaShoah, Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day. A recent survey revealed that 63 percent of Americans don’t know that 6 million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust. Nearly 20 percent of millennials and Gen Z in New York—New York!—feel that Jews caused the Holocaust.

Clearly, Yom HaShoah is an auspicious day, and important day—and all this past week I have been thinking deeply about the Holocaust and our own nation’s role in it.

In fact, I could think of little else since April 11. That day began at 7 a.m. when I picked up Paul Wolff, my friend for many years, so that he could give a presentation at my Tuesday Morning Kiwanis Club. It ended that evening at Two Broads Cider, where Paul was featured as the guest of honor at a fundraising mixer for Access for All. AFA is a local organization that advocates for persons with disabilities.

Paul Wolff is one of my favorite people to hang out with. His presentation on the dangers of fascism, hatred, and bigotry goes down more easily when you’re handed a cold mug of Two Broads’ Bearded Queen hard cider (ABV is 6.9 percent). Though Paul is 93 years old and mostly blind, his very existence is testimony to the resilience of the human spirit, and his career confirms the idea that human progress is possible.

the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires every building in the entire nation that is open to the general public be designed to accommodate people with disabilities— especially those using wheelchairs.

Side note: Several disabled people joined Paul and me at both the Access for All event at Two Broads Cider and at my Morning Kiwanis Club. One major feature of our club is our hospitality to anyone with disabilities; many of our members have intellectual as well as physical impairments.

Paul’s presentations are largely devoted to the dangers of prejudice, discrimination, bigotry, and the false patriotism that breeds fascism and “ethnic cleansing.” Whether it is a burning hatred of Jews, a racist hostility toward people of color, an aversion to LGBTQ people, or a rejection of people with disabilities (including the elderly)—it’s all the same, really: We prefer to be among our own kind, and we’d rather not be confronted by “those people” who fail to meet our definition of “normal.”

Paul Wolff is living proof that the individuals of a despised minority—when given the opportunity to thrive in a nation that values skill and creativity—can truly add value to all of our lives. In fact, he was born the same year as Anne Frank, author of the famous diary, whose single published book has enriched the lives of millions of us. Think of what we might have learned from Anne, had her life not been cut short at the age of 15 in Bergen-Belsen? We still have too many people in this country—and a few even in this county—who dwell in the depths of hatred, racism, and bigotry. We still have too many places where people feel unwelcome or unsafe because they are living with disabilities, or are LGBTQ, or members of a racial or religious minority.

Paul was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1929. His father was Capt. Karl Wolff, a successful Jewish businessman and a decorated infantry officer whose bravery in World War I had won him the lasting admiration of the men under his command. Twenty years after WWI, in 1938, all of Germany saw the devastation of Kristallnacht, the tragic events that signaled the rise of the SS and led directly to the Holocaust. Jews throughout Germany were rounded up and thrown in jails. Few of them survived the systematic murder of their people over the next seven years.

One of those who did survive was Capt. Karl Wolff—but only because a soldier who had served under him in WWI was also one of those ordered to seize and interrogate him.

With the secret help of his former comrade in arms, Karl Wolff was released, and his family was able to escape the Nazi regime. Ultimately, they found asylum in San Francisco. It was a favorable twist of fate that would lead to Paul’s education as an architect at UC Berkeley, and a lifelong practice devoted to the field of universal design.

Every time you see a wheelchair ramp and notice the special signs for wheelchair access, you’re seeing the results of Paul’s work as a founder of the specialized field of architecture for everyone. Since 1990,

In this week of Yom HaShoah, let’s all take a cue from Paul Wolff and all those who, by their living example or by their words, are there to testify to the truth. ∆

John Ashbaugh probably suffers from an excessive obsession with “truth, justice, and the American Way.” Seven decades in, he’s still wondering how—or whether—the real Superman will ever arrive to lead us. Respond with a letter to the editor by emailing letters@ newtimesslo.com.

This Week’s Online Poll

VOTE AT WWW.NEWTIMESSLO.COM

Do you think Oceano’s advisory boards need to sign a “unification compact” for civil discourse?

66% No. Supervisor Jimmy Paulding should stay out of it.

18% What’s going on in Oceano?

11% Yes! Those agencies are too contentious!

5% Yes, but they should be able to discuss all issues.

38 Votes

Twenty years after WWI, in 1938, all of Germany saw the devastation of Kristallnacht, the tragic events that signaled the rise of the SS and led directly to the Holocaust.

One North County school district is showing us why it was so important for small jurisdictions to change their election models from at-large to by-district. It’s all about representation.

In the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District, the remaining two years left on an at-large seat that will shift to by-district in the next cycle will likely be occupied by Kenney Enney—a clown that just won’t drown. Up by about 400 votes, with approximately 2,000 left to count in the April 18 special election, Enney—who’s outspoken in his outlandish views on gender, his “championing” of parents rights, and his belief that the district superintendent led a conspiracy against him—could take back the seat he was kicked out of late last year. His challenger, Angela Hollander, a reasonable adult with a level head, would need to win about 60 percent of the remaining votes to overtake his lead: #sad. Luckily, him winning back his seat wouldn’t tip the district’s scales in his favor. And that’s thanks to the 2022 election in which by-district seats were won by levelheaded, reasonable adults—not conspiracyaddled minds. Well, all except for one:

whatever other culture war topics suit Paso school board members’ fancies. But only banter, not bad decision-making (Fingers crossed!), as long as the reasonable majority holds onto its vote!

Speaking of a reasonable majority. Thank goodness for the current makeup of the SLO County Board of Supervisors, amirite? After all the hullabaloo about leaving the Integrated Waste Management Authority in 2021, spending $2 million, creating a new county waste agency, and trying to soothe the policy worries of the conservative cabal, the county’s come crawling back to the authority asking to be let back in.

Why? Turns out, it’s both expensive and hard to deal with waste management all by your lonesome. Duh! Not only did the county’s divorce from the waste agency result in waste management fees increasing in every single city and community services district in the county, it also increased fees for those who the county served. Tsk. Tsk. Old board. And now that the county wants back in, it sure sounds like the cities are going to decrease the power it had on the authority’s board. Hah! The ramifications of bad decisions just keep on slapping 1st District

elections will be felt through at least 2026 by some voters, thanks in part to Peschong’s very own votes on the board. Let’s be honest, those votes have consequences. In addition to costing taxpayers money and other resources, his votes have wasted a ton of everyone’s time, and my gears have needed constant attention. I’ve shredded his shitty decisions so much since he took office, my teeth started to get dull!

With a new redistricting map on the horizon after he and his fellow conservatives ramrodded the radically redrawn Patten map through in 2021, getting the county sued, losing his side an election, and costing the conservatives their board majority— some of the voters he disenfranchised in 2022 will not be able to vote until the 2026 elections. That sucks! It’s more than half as long as the census cycle.

But Peschong’s poor decisions didn’t prevent him from whining about not getting his way during the April 18 board meeting when the new liberal board majority officially adopted a new map to replace the patently gerrymandered

rulings on the Patten map. They did not rule. There is no gerrymander because the court did not rule there was,” he lamented.

Oh really? Is that how gerrymandering works? It didn’t happen if the court didn’t say it happened? Is that like if a tree falls in the forest but no one was there to hear it, it didn’t make a sound?

And, really, what’s wrong with forming an independent redistricting commission? Why did Arnold and Peschong vote against the county looking into how it could form one in time for the next census? It takes the onus off the patently partisan Board of Supervisors— which, let’s face it, is now on a long liberal ride through at least 2024, hell-bent on undoing what it believes are the past majority’s mistakes—and puts it on the cantankerous constituents, who are equally flawed but aren’t up for election in the next cycle.

And then they can decide whether to adopt a map designed by some dude from South County, who also happens to fervently believe in election fraud and is now the 4th District chair for the local Republican Party. Sounds fishy, you know? Speaking of Richard Patten (Can I call you “Dick”?): he donated more than $17,000 out of his own pocket to the San Luis Obispo County Citizens Action Team, which alleged election fraud and contested election results in the county’s primary and general elections last year. Did Peschong know whose map he was voting for in 2021? Absolutely. ∆ The Shredder believes in consequences. Send some to shredder@newtimesslo.com.

Be Hoppy Tours:

Brewery, Winery, & Cidery Tours

THURSDAY THRU SUNDAY

Begin/end at CC Brewing Co., SLO

Templeton

Women Investing In Real Estate (WiiRE) Luncheon FRIDAY, APRIL 21 Saints Barrel, San Luis Obispo

Live Oak Music Festival

FRI, SAT, SUN, JUNE 23, 24, 25

El Chorro Regional Park, San Luis Obispo

Wine4Paws Woods Fundraiser

Kick-Off Party

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

Hayseed & Housdon, Paso Robles

Celebrate 40 Years of Creek Lands Conservation FRIDAY, APRIL 21

San Luis Obispo Museum of Art

Live Local Music: Graybill FRIDAY, APRIL 21 Pony Club Bar & Lounge, Paso Robles

Symphony of the Vines: Celebrate the Arts Fundraier

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

Riding Residence, Paso Robles

METALACHI: The world’s first and only heavy-metal mariachi band SATURDAY, APRIL 22 Flower City Ballroom, Lompoc

SLO County Jazz: Bruce Forman Meets the SLO Jazz All-Stars

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, SLO

Barrel Room Concert: The Counterfeit Kings

SUNDAY, APRIL 23

Cass Winery, Paso Robles

Hot Dates

TUNE IN

Wine Country Theatre presents its musical revue production, Stay Tuned: Songs from TV, at Broken Earth Winery in Paso Robles through Saturday, April 23. The show features performances of classic television theme songs and commercial jingles, and its cast includes Tony Costa, Katie Hofstetter-Ridge, and Dakota Corrales (left to right). For showtimes, tickets, or more details, visit brokenearthwinery.com. The winery is located at 1650 Ramada Drive, Paso Robles.

—Caleb Wiseblood

ARTS

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

ANGLES AND DANGLES MOSAICS

Learn mosaic basics to create a one-of-a-kind project. Preregistration required. April 30 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Various. 805-286-5993. CreativeMeTime. com. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay.

CALL TO ARTISTS: SMALL ITEMS

FOR CABINET Seeking all types of small items for the venue’s cabinet display case in artists’ co-operative gallery in Cambria. ThursdaysSaturdays, 12-4 p.m. through April 30 cambriacenterforthearts.org. Cambria Center for the Arts, 1350 Main St., Cambria.

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, 12-2 p.m. $50. 805-394-5560. coastalwineandpaint.com. Harmony Cafe at the Pewter Plough, 824 Main St., Cambria.

DRIFTWOOD MOSAICS Choose from the instructor’s vast selection of beautiful, local driftwood. Preregistration required. April 29 10 a.m.-noon $45. 805-286-5993. CreativeMeTime.com. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay.

EARTH DAY KOKEDAMA MOSS PLANT AND SEED BOMB WORKSHOP Create two wildflower seed bombs and plant a Japanese inspired Kokedama moss ball to take home. Outdoors; dress warm;

limited space; register online to reserve spot. April 22 3-4 p.m. $45. 805-9359046. sea-n-green.com. Sea + Green, 2380 Main St., unit F, Cambria.

THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS …THE MUSICAL Music: Eric Rockwell. Lyrics: Joanne Bogart. A hilarious parody of musical theatre. A simple plot is told five different ways, as if written by five different well-known composers. Fridays, Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. and Sundays, 2-4 p.m. through May 14 $30. 805-927-8190. cambriaarts.org. Cambria Center for the Arts Theatre, 1350 Main St., Cambria.

SLOFUNNY COMEDY SHOW Hosted by comedian and mentalist Zach Waldman and featuring Matt Champagne, Joel Bryant, AiSha Alfa, and headliner Laura Hayden. April 29 , 6:30 & 9 p.m. my805tix.com. Morro Bay Veterans Memorial Building, 209 Surf St., Morro Bay. Hosted by comedian and mentalist Zach Waldman. Featuring Matt Champagne, Joel Bryant, AiSha Alfa, and headliner Laura Hayden. April 29 , 6:308:10 p.m. $30. 805-534-3129. facebook. com/slofunny. Morro Bay Vet’s Hall, 209 Surf St., Morro Bay.

SPINNING INTO BUTTER: STAGED

READING Described as “a thoughtprovoking play” that explores complexities and conflicts, set on a college campus. April 21 -23 my805tix. com. By The Sea Productions, 545 Shasta Ave., Morro Bay.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

ANYTHING GOES A toe tappinginducing musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. April 21 , 7:30-10 p.m., April 22 7:30-10 p.m., April 23 , 2-4:30 p.m., April 28 7:30-10 p.m., April 29 ,

7:30-10 p.m. and April 30 2-4:30 p.m. $18. 805-769-1500. Paso Robles High School, 801 Niblick Rd., Paso Robles, pasoschools.org/prhs.

BULLET JOURNALING CLASS Ivy

Arkfeld will be teaching bullet journaling; a way for creative people to be organized and organized people to be creative. Materials included in workshop fee. April 29 , 3-4 p.m. $30. 805-464-0533. the1artery.com. The ARTery, 5890 Traffic Way, Atascadero.

CELEBRATE THE ARTS Enjoy an afternoon of music, visual arts, fine wine and gourmet hors d’oeuvres at the exquisite west Paso Robles hilltop home of Ken and Marilyn Riding, local champions of the arts. April 22 , 4-6 p.m. my805tix.com. Riding Residence, 3030 Adara Road, Paso Robles.

SCULPTERRA SPRINT ART SHOW

Features works by several talented Central Coast-based artists. With live music, food truck offerings, and more. April 22 -4 p.m. Free. 805-226-8881. sculpterra.com. Sculpterra Winery, 5015 Linne Rd., Paso Robles.

THREE SPECKLED HENS: ANTIQUES AND OLD STUFF SHOW A biannual event that specializes in selling one-ofa-kind antique and vintage items. More than 100 vendors will participate in the show. April 28 -30 my805tix.com. Paso Robles Event Center, 2198 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles.

VETERANS POP-UP ARTS CAFE Join the gallery for this upcoming celebration, and advocacy for art as a tool for healing and mental wellness. Featuring veteran artists in a variety of media: metal, stone, wood sculpture, painting, photography, oil, digital art, and written word. Sponsored by VETART.org and

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.

MHSOAC. April 22 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 805-721-0549. deprisebrescia.com. Deprise Brescia Art Gallery, 829 10th St., Paso Robles.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

ACRYLIC PAINTING WITH CATHERINE

LEMOINE Paint lily pads or butterflies in classes taught by Catherine Lemoine. Attend one or both classes as each day will have different subjects. Most materials will be included. April 22 , 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and April 23 12:30-3:30 p.m. $45 per class, per person. 805-8634287. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

ACTOR’S EDGE: ACTING CLASSES

Actor’s Edge offers film and television acting training in San Luis Obispo, plus exposure to Los Angeles talent agents. All ages and skill levels welcome. Classes available in SLO, LA, and on zoom. ongoing $210 per month. actorsedge.com. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

ART EXHIBIT: FLOWERS AND FLUTTERBYS Art Central presents a spring exhibit featuring local artist of all media. Meet the artists during the artist reception on Apr. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. Through May 1, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo.com/ gallery/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

BALLET UNBOUND Enter the world of Ballet Unbound; where classicism meets modern convention, where dance becomes emotion, and where movement speaks. 17 of the area’s most talented dancers present two works of contemporary styling dance. April 22

7:30 p.m. and April 23 2 p.m. $34-$45.

Cuesta College Cultural and Performing

Arts Center, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo, cuesta.edu.

CALL FOR PHOTOGRAPHY Seeking photography for the Spring Juried Photography Exhibit: Coastal Perspectives. Juror: nationally recognized photographer and author; Kerry Drager. Register/submit art online between April 17 and 21. Through April 21 cambriaarts.org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

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

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

FANNY MENDELSSOHN HENSEL AND THE PROBLEM OF A WOMAN IN MUSIC Composer Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel was restricted from having a professional career due to her gender and upper-class status. In spite of this, she became an important musical figure in the nineteenth century and a symbol of women’s struggle for equality. April 22 7-8 p.m. Free. 805-538-3311. slomasterchorale.org. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

ISABELLA ROSSELLINI: DARWIN’S

SMILE Iconic actress Isabella Rossellini’s new one woman show reconciles two worlds that are often at the opposite ends: art and science. The show is a lesson on evolution and acting. She demonstrates how acting can be used to understand animals and their emotions. April 29 , 7:30-9 p.m.

$49-$79. 805-756-4849. calpolyarts.org. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.

JURIED PHOTOGRAPHY CALL

ARTISTS Seeking photography for the Spring Juried Photography Exhibit with juror: nationally recognized photographer Kerry Drager. Register/ submit art online April 17 through 21. Reception in May. April 20 and April 21 cambriaartsgallery.org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

MACRAME WORKSHOPS AT SLO PUBLIC MARKET’S ‘MAKERS AT THE MARKET’ Tied + True Goods has teamed up with SLO Public Market to offer macrame workshops during their ‘Makers at the Market’ event. Join at noon to make a driftwood air plant hanger, and at 2 p.m. for a ceiling plant hanger. April 22 , 12-1 & 2-3 p.m. $30. slopublicmarket.com/events/makersat-the-market-earth-day. SLO Public Market, 120 Tank Farm Road, San Luis Obispo.

SLO FILM FEST Check website for full list of featured films and screenings. April 25 -30 slofilmfest.org/. SLO County, Various locations, San Luis Obispo.

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

AG LIBRARY: 40TH ANNIVERSARY

SAN LUIS OBISPO POETRY FESTIVAL

Features poets Amber West, Karl Kempton, and Pilar Graham. Open reading follows. Hosted by Kevin Patrick Sullivan. April 29 , 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Arroyo Grande Library, 800 W. Branch, Arroyo Grande, 473-7164, slolibrary.org.

BE PART OF ART

There will be a different art activity each month. Bring the whole family to see the beauty in creating together and how easy it can be to bring art into your home. Last Saturday of every month, 1:30-3 p.m. Free. 805-668-2125. lila.community. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

DRAG RACE FAVORITES AND MORE

Enjoy a night of Queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race. American Idol and Queen of the Universe finalist Ada Vox headlines and evening of stellar talent. April 22 7:30-10 p.m. $48-$58. 805-4899444. clarkcenter.org/shows/dragrace-favorites/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE FINAL PROBLEM Sherlock Holmes’ skills are put to the test when he goes head-tohead with his intellectual equal, criminal mastermind Professor Moriarty. After repeated attempts on his life, Holmes is rejoined by his recently married friend Dr. Watson and the two attempt to thwart the Professor’s plans Saturdays, 2-4 p.m., Wednesdays-Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. and Sundays, 6-8 a.m. through May 14 $30-$36. 805-489-2499. americanmelodrama.com. Great American Melodrama, 1863 Front St., Oceano.

SHIBORI INDIGO DYE WORKSHOP Learn the magic of indigo dye through Shibori techniques Everyone will go home with four beautifully dyed cloth napkins. Lead by Jennifer de Treglode. April 29 9 a.m.noon $65. 805-668-2125. lila.community.

LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

THE GRAPES OF WRATH The Theatre Group of Santa Ynez High School is preparing a staged version of John Steinbeck’s classic novel. Directed by Jeff McKinnon, this production includes a cast, crew, and musicians composed of 30. Mondays-Sundays, 7-9 p.m., April 21 , 7-9 p.m., April 22 7-9 p.m., April 27 7-9 p.m., April 28 7-9 p.m. and April 29 7-9 p.m. $10 adults; $5 students at the door. 805-688-6487. Santa Ynez High School Little Theater, 2975 CA-246, Santa Ynez.

LAUGH THERAPY-STAND UP COMEDY 2023 Enjoy comedy from headliner comics from across the country. April 26 8 p.m. my805tix.com. Maverick Saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez, 805-686-4785.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION: INVEST IN

OUR PLANET Features activities like Earth Day-themed booths and vendors from our community and beyond representing sustainable practices, alternative energy, organic food, and animal ambassadors. April 22 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 805-927-2866. greenspacecambria. org. Greenspace, The Cambria Land Trust, 2264 Center St., Cambria.

EARTH DAY CLEANUP AT BAYWOOD

PIER Join the Morro Bay National Estuary Program on Earth Day for a morning beach cleanup. Gloves, trash bags, trash pickers, and light refreshments will be provided. Register ahead of time online. April 22 9-11 a.m. Free. mbnep.org. Baywood Park Pier, 601-639 El Moro Ave., Los Osos.

EARTH DAY CLEANUP IN MORRO BAY

Join the Morro Bay National Estuary Program on Earth Day for a morning beach cleanup at Morro Rock. Gloves, trash bags, trash pickers, and light refreshments will be provided. Register ahead of time online. April 22 9-11 a.m. Free. mbnep.org. Morro Rock, Coleman Drive, Morro Bay.

EARTH DAY FESTIVAL AT CAMBRIA

NURSERY Celebrate our planet with a variety of fun, educational activities. Shop for spring plants, attend garden workshops, watch live demonstrations by local artisans, and enjoy the sounds of live music while exploring the nursery grounds and more. April 21 9 a.m.-5

p.m., April 22 , 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and April 23 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit website to view free and paid activities.. 805-927-4747. cambrianursery.com. Cambria Nursery and Florist, 2801 Eton Rd., Cambria. EXCLUSIVE SCREENING OF ANECDOTALS “A personal journey that focuses on questions, not answers; on people, not politics.” Q-and-A with a medical practitioner follows the film. April 24 5-7 p.m. $11. Bay Theatre, 464 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay, 805-7722444, morrobaymovie.com.

MORRO BAY AAUW GARDEN TOUR

Tour four gardens in Morro Bay and Los Osos. Purchase tickets at Volumes of Pleasure Bookstore in Los Osos, Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay, and Farm Supply in San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande, and Paso Robles, or online at my805tix.com April 30 , 12-5 p.m. $15. 805-550-5216. morrobay-ca.aauw. net. Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main St., Morro Bay.

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.

NATURE JOURNALING AND HIKE AT

BLACK HILL Want to start or develop a nature journaling practice? Join the Morro Bay National Estuary Program and Creek Lands Conservancy for a workshop on nature journaling and a short hike up Black Hill. Some supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring your own. April 29 , 9-11 a.m. Free. Black Hill Parking Lot, Upper State Park Rd, 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/.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

15TH ANNUAL CAMBRIA WILDFLOWER

SHOW Enjoy seeing hundreds of fresh wildflowers all under one roof, each flowers labeled with botanical names along with common names arranged by plant family. Have your wildflower questions answered by plant experts. Helpful books, plant lists, wildflower seeds, and light snacks will be for sale

April 29 , 12-5 p.m. and April 30 10 a.m.4 p.m. $5 at the door; free for students. 805-927-2856. fiscaliniranchpreserve. com. Cambria Veterans Memorial Hall, 1000 Main St., Cambria.

BREW AT THE ZOO Features craft beers, distilled spirits, ciders, seltzers, wine, live music, games, contests, and more. All proceeds benefit the zoo. Animal onesies encouraged. April 29 , 5:30-8:30 p.m. 805-461-5080. charlespaddockzoo. org/. Charles Paddock Zoo, 9100 Morro Rd., Atascadero.

NAR-ANON: FRIDAY MEETINGS

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

WINE 4 PAWS: PUP WALK IN THE VINES

Enjoy a one-mile loop walk through the vineyard (which can be taken multiple times) with proceeds benefitting Woods Humane Society. Includes water and treat stations for the dogs. April 23 9 a.m. $25 per person. 805-434-5607. onxwine. com. ONX Estate Vineyard, 1200 Paseo Excelsus, Templeton.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

2023 SLO COUNTY EARTH DAY

Highlights of the fair include a Kid’s

Zone, Electric Vehicle Show, and an array of exhibitors (businesses, nonprofits, students, and families) sharing earth friendly tips, tools, and giveaways. Live music will be featured. Food and beverages will be sold. Bring a blanket or chair. April 22 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 805-544-8529. earthdayslo.com. Laguna Lake Park, 504 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo.

AERIAL SILKS CLINIC Learn aerial skills that build memory, strength, coordination, confidence, and endurance. Plus, silks is a great way to learn flipping safely. Wrapped up in the fabric, it’s like having your own personal spotter. For ages 7-17; no gymnastics experience necessary. April 22 1-3 p.m. $25 for first child; $10 per additional sibling. 805-547-1496. performanceathleticsslo.com/events. Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

BIRDS AND BOTANY MONTHLY WALK

AT SLO BOTANICAL GARDEN The Garden is excited to present a monthly bird walk series on the fourth Thursday of every month which explores the intersection of birds and botany. Fourth Thursday of every month, 8-11 a.m. $10 for Garden Members; $40 for general public. 805-541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

CELEBRATE 40 YEARS: CREEK LANDS

CONSERVATION A celebration of Creek Lands Conservation’s 40th anniversary of saving our creeks for fish, wildlife and people from Monterey to Ventura. April 21 , 4:30-7:30 p.m. my805tix.com. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, 543-8562.

COLLECTIVE TRAUMA: WINTER STORM

HEALING TEA CEREMONY AND YOGA

An afternoon that includes a meditative, silent tea ceremony, circle of connection and sharing, and mindful trauma and grief informed somatic movement and meditation to reset our nervous systems and heal from the collective trauma the winter storms left in their wake. April 22 , 3:30-5:30 p.m. Free. 619-807-7006. inariteaart.com. Meadow Park, 2251 Meadow St., San Luis Obispo.

FROM JUNKIE TO JUDGE: RECOVERY WITHOUT GOD Former federal judge Mary Beth O’Connor will discuss her history of methamphetamine addiction, how she responded when Alcoholics Anonymous ordered her to comply with its God-based approach, and how she built a secular recovery program. O’Connor is a director for LifeRing Secular Recovery. April 23 3-4 p.m. Free. auslo.org. San Luis Obispo Library Community Room, 995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-781-5991.

GYM JAM CLINIC Enjoy two hours of progressive gymnastics skill training on bars, beam, floor, trampoline, plus obstacle courses and more. All levels welcome, no experience necessary. For ages 5-17. April 22 1:15-3:15 p.m. $25 for first child; $10 per additional sibling. 805-547-1496. performanceathleticsslo.com/events.

Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

KIDS’ PARTY PARADISE: SPRING

FLING Drop your kids off at Kids’ Party Paradise. They’ll have a blast with pizza, a movie, and gymnastics fun while you get an evening off. For ages 4-13; no gymnastics experience necessary. April 22 5-9:30 p.m. $50 for one child; $70 total for two children. 805-5471496. performanceathleticsslo.com.

Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

LITTLE ACORNS: PARENT

PARTICIPATION GROUP A playtime group in the SLOBG Children’s Garden. Pre-registration is required. For more information about registering for this program, email millie@slobg.org. April 26 , 9:30-11:30 a.m. and April 27 9:3011:30 a.m. 805-541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

APRIL 25-30

ENCORE VIRTUAL + IN-PERSON SCREENINGS: APRIL 30–MAY 7

Enjoy over one hundred movies, special events, Q&A’s and panel discussions inperson at the Fremont Theater, Palm Theatre, Downtown Center Cinemas, and Park Cinemas—or from the comfort of your home! Festival Passes, Special Event tickets, individual screening tickets and our full Festival Guide are available online at SloFilmFest.org. Printed program guides are also available to pick up in locations around the county or at the Festival HQ in downtown SLO.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

OPENING NIGHT

BLACKBERRY

Please check SloFilmFest.org for updates & announcements.

Coming straight from its premiere at SXSW, BLACKBERRY tells the story of Mike Lazaridis (Jay Baruchel) and Jim Balsillie (Glenn Howerton), the two men who charted the course of the spectacular rise and catastrophic demise of the world’s first smartphone. Recounting the Canadian company’s humble yet chaotic rise to market dominance, BLACKBERRY is a darkly comedic telling of the tragic tale of a Canadian company that revolutionized the way we communicate, before swiftly plummeting into obsolescence. Co-Producer/Writer, Matthew Miller, in attendance.

7PM | FREMONT THEATER

$25 General / $20 Student

CENTRAL COAST FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE

THERE ’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!

Just a short drive to nearby major cities, the Central Coast boasts incredible scenic filming locations and some of the most amazing talent. Join us on Wednesday, April 26 as we spend the day showcasing films from our Central Coast Filmmakers and celebrate the outstanding artists in this community. Awards for this category will be presented at the Wednesday night event.

I WANT MY SLOMVTV! MUSIC VIDEO SHOWCASE

Remember back in the ‘80s, ‘90s and early 2000s when MTV actually played music videos? For the third year in a row, music videos officially have a home at our festival. We are elated to once again be able to experience and celebrate the eclectic mix of creative music videos in person alongside live music performances by Caleb Nichols, Connect the Coast, The Honeyboys & a Peaking Lights DJ set! Awards will be presented in both the Central Coast Filmmaker and Music Video Showcases on Wednesday, April 26 during our Music Video Showcase.

7:30 PM LIVE MUSIC + MUSIC VIDEO SHOWCASE + CCFS / MV AWARDS | FREMONT THEATER

$25 General / $20 Student

E.T. AT THE SUNSET DRIVE-IN

It is with great excitement that we will be returning to the SUNSET DRIVE-IN this year to present a retrospective screening of the adored classic, E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL.

6:30PM | GATE OPENS

8PM | FILM BEGINS

SUNSET DRIVE-IN

$15 Per Occupant / $10 Under 12 years old / $10 Per Bicycle — Cycle into the drive-in in style! We’ll have an area just for cyclists

SURF NITE IN SLO

CAL POLY SHORT CUTS

SHORT CUTS features 10 short films created by Cal Poly students under the mentorship of Randi Barros, screenwriter, editor, and ISLA Lecturer, and James Werner, Associate Professor and Chair of Art & Design. Engage with emotionally charged stories exploring love, loss, discovery, and unexpected moments of connection. From writing the scripts to filming the scenes, students of different majors have come together to bring their stories to life. See tomorrow’s filmmakers at work today.

6PM | FREMONT THEATER

$10 General / $5 Students

Surf Nite in SLO is one of those rare events fueled by the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd that attends each year. It is with great excitement that we will be returning to the FREMONT THEATER for the first time in many years to celebrate surfing on the big screen! With iconic cars, drinks in the lobby and live music from the Boomer Surf Band before the feature, join us for what’s been coined the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” for surf and film lovers! We’re excited to present the 100 FOOT WAVE Experience with legendary Big Wave Surfer Garrett & his partner Nicole McNamara in attendance.

5:30PM DOORS OPEN + LIVE MUSIC

7PM FILM BEGINS | FREMONT THEATER

$25 General / $20 Student

TEXTURES OF LOVE — FREE SCREENING

Love can be prickly, smooth or burning with desire. It can be between lovers, family, friends or ancestors. The possible textures of love are infinite. R.A.C.E. Matters has curated a free program of five contemporary short films that will evoke the experience of feeling the different textures of love.

1PM | FREMONT THEATER FREE WITH REGISTRATION

NUCLEAR NOW

We are excited to be hosting the US Festival Premiere of Oliver Stone’s new documentary NUCLEAR NOW, based on the book, A Bright Future, by Joshua S. Goldstein.

9:30AM | FREMONT THEATER

$15 General / $12 Student

AWARDS GALA: A CELEBRATION AW OF FILM AND CRAFT

Join us for our most highly anticipated evening as we celebrate award-winning films as well as present a lifetime achievement to our 2023 King Vidor Recipient: legendary Production Designer, Rick Carter (Fabelmans, Avatar, Jurassic Park).

7PM | FREMONT THEATER

$25 General / $20 Students

CLOSING NIGHT — IMORDECAI

The festival will wrap up with our Audience Award ceremony alongside a showing of iMORDECAI — a comedy about a Holocaust survivor whose life changes when his son buys him an iPhone. We are excited to announce that JUDD HIRSCH will be in attendance for a conversation about the film.

7PM AWARDS + SCREENING |

FREMONT THEATER

$25 General / $20 Student

MAKERS AT THE MARKET: EARTH DAY

Co-hosted with SLO General Store. A day of learning, live music, workshops, local makers, and food and drinks. April 22 , 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 805-215-3669. slopublicmarket.com. SLO Public Market, 120 Tank Farm Road, San Luis Obispo.

MORNING ALTARS WITH DAY SCHILDKRET Join author, artist, and teacher, Day Schildkret, who returns to the SLOBG to teach the transformative tools of nature, creativity, and ritual. For more information about registering, email millie@slobg.org. April 22 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $120; or $100 for Garden Members. 805-541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

SLO LEZ B FRIENDS (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM)

A good core group of friends who gather to discuss topics we love/ care about from movies, outings, music, or being new to the area. We come from all walks of life and most importantly support each other. Transgender and Nonbinary folks welcome. Third Friday of every month, 6:30-9 p.m. Free. sloqueer. groups.io/g/lezbfriends. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

SOUL AND SOIL: PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL GATHERINGS Join SLOBG for grounding into your pregnancy and life-long postpartum journey. Please be advised to bring water, sitting mat, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, snacks, and play clothes for children. April 25 , 10-11:30 a.m. $10; Free for members and children. 805-541-1400. slobg.org. San

design strategies to improve bee habitat. April 20 6:45 p.m. Free. lovgardenclub. org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

TRANS* YOUTH PEER SUPPORT GROUP

This group is a safe place for trans* and gender non-conforming people, as well as those questioning, from ages of 11 to 18. A facilitated emotional support group to be heard, share your story, and hear stories that may sound surprisingly like your own. Fourth Tuesday of every month, 6-8 p.m. Free. GALA Pride and Diversity Center, 1060 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-541-4252.

WOMEN INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE

A mastermind-style workshop where a community of wild women gathers for a cause: wealth generation through real estate investing. April 21 noon my805tix. com. Saints Barrel Wine Bar, 1021 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, 805-439-1929.

YOGA ON THE TERRACE Join Cheryl of Waking Fields Yoga is channeling the healing energy of our Garden. Be advised to bring a mat, towel, water, and any supports you may need. April 20

9-10 a.m. $10-$12. 805-541-1400. slobg. org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

10TH ANNUAL EVERYTHING EDIBLE: SPRING PLANT SALE Find a huge selection of heirloom and hybrid tomato varieties, peppers, eggplant, basils, herbs, veggies, berries, fruit trees, flowers, and more. April 21 , 12-5 p.m. and April 22 , 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free admission. 805-934-2182.

GROWING IN LIFE’S GARDEN

The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden hosts its next Little Acorns event on Wednesday, April 26, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., in the Children’s Garden area. This morning play group is geared toward children ages 3 and under and their parents. For more info, call (805) 541-1400 or visit slobg.org. The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden is located at 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo. —C.W.

holds yoga poses for a longer duration. It is a practice of deep relaxation. April 22 , 2-3:30 p.m. and April 25 2-3:30 p.m. $20 or love offering. 805-788-4777. adhiyoga.com/. Peaceful Point, 2850 Peaceful Point Lane, Arroyo Grande.

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

SANTA MARIA VALLEY STRAWBERRY

FESTIVAL A celebration of the Santa Maria Valley’s number one commodity. Attendees can expect the traditional

SEEAG’S EARTH DAY PLANTOPIA U

PICK TRANSPLANT

FUNDRAISER

Participants can pick a combination of 12 small plants to fill two six-pack containers with tomatoes, zucchini, squash, basil, and peppers. The organic seedlings are from Plantel Nurseries. In addition, the first 100 donors will receive a free bag of compost from Engel and Gray. April 22 , 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $35. 805892-8155. SEEAG.org/plantopia. Farm Supply, 1920 N. Broadway, Santa Maria.

FOOD & DRINK

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

MORRO BAY MAIN STREET FARMERS

MARKET Get fresh and veggies, fruit, baked goods, sweets, and handmade artisan crafts. Come have some fun with your local farmers and artisans and enjoy delicious eats while enjoying the fresh breeze of Morro Bay. Saturdays, 2:30-5:30 p.m. through May 31 Varies. 805-824-7383. morrobayfarmersmarket.com. Morro Bay

Main Street Farmers Market, Main Street and Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay.

PAINT AND SIP Let Harmony Cellars wine and views of the coastal countryside spark your creative side. Creative Me Time will guide participants through the process of painting a wine bottle and pair of glasses. Price includes all materials, glass of wine, and individual cheese tray. Preregistration April 23 , 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Various. 805-927-1625. CreativeMeTime. com. Harmony Cellars, 3255 Harmony Valley Rd., P.O. Box 2502, Harmony.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

PAINT AND PINTS Join Art Social 805 At BarrelHouse in Tin City, Paso Robles,

where you will paint the featured image, while sipping on a glass of BarrelHouse brew. Tickets include all painting materials plus your first glass of liquid courage. April 26 , 6-8 p.m. $50. 805296-1128. artsocial805.com. Barrelhouse Brewing Co. Brewery and Gardens, 3055 Limestone Way, Paso Robles.

PAINT AND SIP IN THE MEZZANINE

Please join Art Social 805 at PasoMarketWalk in the mezzanine, where you will paint the featured image while sipping on a glass of wine. Tickets include all painting materials plus your first glass of liquid courage. April 20, 6-8 p.m. $49. 805-720-1255. artsocial805.com. Paso Market Walk, 1803 Spring St, 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.

TEAT TO TABLE WORKSHOP Tina Ballantyne from Giving Tree Family Farm teaches guests what it takes to get from “Teat to Table” in this goat cheese making workshop. April 30 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $145. farmsteaded.com. Giving Tree Family Farm, 6135 Parkhill Road, Santa Margarita. WINE4PAWS KICKOFF PARTY Features wine, tacos, live music, and more. Enjoy festivities while helping to raise funds for Woods Humane Society. April 21 6 p.m. my805tix.com. Hayseed and Houston, 1122 Railroad St., Paso Robles.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

15TH ANNUAL WINE 4 PAWS WEEKEND

Join forces with SLO County wineries to raise funds for Woods Humane Society. Support any of the participating FOOD & DRINK continued page 26

Teams will create their own signs at the event and stroll through downtown, bringing awareness and acceptance to those with autism in our community.

Hot Dates

Wine 4 Paws businesses. No advance tickets needed. April 22 and April 23 wine4paws.com/. Participating wineries, County-wide, SLO County.

CHEF’S HOME TABLE: VIRTUAL COOKING CLASS AND WINE TASTING With Truffle Shuffle’s founder and French Laundry alum chef Jason McKinney. Chef Jason will walk guests through the cooking class and dining experience from the comfort of your home. April 29 4-5:30 p.m. $230 for 2. 805-434-5607. onxwine.com. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

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

A NIGHT A LA FERME, TAKE DUEX An evening of local food and wine pairings al fresco on the farm. This fundraising and outreach event will support the youth education programs run by City Farm SLO, a nonprofit urban farm. April 23 4:30-7 p.m. $60.01. cityfarmslo.org.

City Farm SLO, 1221 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, 805-769-8344.

PAINT AND PINTS Join Art Social 805

At BarrelHouse Speakeasy in San Luis Obispo, where you will paint the featured image, while sipping on a glass of BarrelHouse brew. April 30, 2-4 p.m. $50. 805-439-4600. artsocial805.com. Barrelhouse Brewing Co. Speakeasy, 1033 Chorro St., San Luis Obispo.

PAINT AND SIP AT THE PIERFRONT

Please join Art Social 805 at the PierFront wine and beer bar in Avila Beach, for an introductory painting event, where you will paint the featured wave image. April 21 6-8 p.m. $50. 805-439-3400. artsocial805.com. PierFront Wine & Brew, 480 Front Street, Avila Beach. SLO FARMERS MARKET Hosts more than 60 vendors. Saturdays, 8-10:45 a.m. World Market Parking Lot, 325 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo.

MUSIC

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY DUO CARBE AND DURAND OF INCENDIO April 30 , 3 p.m. my805tix. com. Old Santa Rosa Chapel, 2353 Main St., Cambria.

LISTENING AS RITUAL Group listening sessions with musician/musicologist Ben Gerstein. Explore remarkable recordings of world music, nature field recording, western classical and contemporary, and jazz, sharing and discussing inspiration and perspectives on the expressive power of peoples, cultures, animals and habitats through sonic experience. Every other Monday, 7-8:15 p.m. $10-$15 donation. 805-305-1229. leftcoastartstudio.com/. Left Coast Art Studio, 1188 Los Osos Valley Rd., Los Osos.

LIVE MUSIC WITH GUITAR WIZ AT LUNADA GARDEN BISTRO “Guitar

Wizard” Billy Foppiano plays a wide range of music, including blues, R&B, classic rock, and more. Fourth Sunday of every month, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 805-9005444. Lunada Garden Bistro, 78 N. Ocean Ave., Cayucos.

SONGWRITERS AT PLAY FEATURES

CARY MORIN DUO Native American roots artist Cary Morin blends bluegrass, folk, blues, and rock styles. Celeste Di Iorio has played and sung with Cary for more than 11 years. Special guests include Cynthia Ford, Kameron K. Alton, Craig McNichols, J. Gavin, and Nick Brittan. April 25 6:30-9 p.m. Free. 805-2046821. songwritersatplay.com/events. Schooners, 171 North Ocean Ave, Cayucos.

THE TAPROOTS IN THE BEER GARDEN

The Taproots, best known for their original compositions, strong harmonies and innovative guitar work, bring their lively mix of Americana, rock, and jazz-flavored music for an afternoon show in the Beer Garden at The Merrimaker Tavern in Baywood Park. April 22 3-5 p.m. Free. 805-439-1755.

niffysmerrimaker.com. The Merrimaker Tavern, 1301 2nd Street, Los Osos.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

BARREL ROOM CONCERT: THE COUNTERFEIT KINGS Enjoy the views of the hilltop vineyard with modern rock hits from The Counterfeit Kings. April 23 4 p.m. my805tix.com. Cass Winery, 7350 Linne Road, Paso Robles.

EASTON EVERETT LIVE AT HOTEL

CHEVAL Easton Everett plays guitarwoven indie music that has an authentic feel and is easy to listen to but also surprises. His songs are memorable and the music is “in distinctive stylistic shapes outside the pop mainstream.” April 20 , 6-8 p.m. Free. eastoneverett. com/. Hotel Cheval, 1021 Pine St., Paso Robles, 805-226-9995.

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.

GRAYBILL LIVE Enjoy live music in the lounge. April 21 6-8 p.m. my805tix.com. Pony Club Wine Bar, 1021 Pine St., Paso Robles, 805-226-9995.

Spread the word!

Send

THE REAL BLUES JAM NORTH AT THE

propelled by surging percussion. April 21 , 7:30-9 p.m. $40. 805-756-6556. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo, pacslo.org.

SCIENTIST LIVE Hopeton Overton Brown is a recording engineer and producer who rose to fame in the 1980s mixing dub music as “Scientist”; a protégé of King Tubby (Osbourne Ruddock). April 20 7 p.m. $25. slobrew. com. SLO Brew Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, 805-543-1843.

SLO MASTER CHORALE PRESENTS

BEYOND THE NOTES: FELIX

MENDELSSOHN COMPOSES HIS WORLD

Felix Mendelssohn’s romantic music drew on his lifelong engagement with his German musical heritage as well as theater, literature, and poetry. An amateur painter, Mendelssohn also composed music that reflected the natural landscape he encountered in his many travels. April 23 1:15-2 p.m. Free. 805-538-3311. slomasterchorale.org. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.

SON OF A GUN: THE GUNS “N” ROSES TRIBUTE Fronted by Ari Kamin. April 28 7-10 p.m. $20. slobrew.com. SLO Brew Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, 805-543-1843.

SPRING CONCERT SERIES Bring the family, friends, or come by yourself to enjoy an afternoon in the historical and beautiful Jack House Gardens. Bring a chair, a picnic, and enjoy games, dancing, and live music by local bands. Please no pets or alcoholic beverages. April 22 2-4 p.m. Free. slocity.org/ jackhouse. The Jack House, 536 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo.

POUR HOUSE

After a winter hiatus, The Real Blues Jam North returns to The Pour House. Led by Ted Waterhouse, The Real Blues Jam offers a chance to jam with the pros, or just enjoy. All levels welcome. April 20 6-9 p.m. No cover. 805-704-5116. pasoroblesbeer.com/ events. The Pour House, 525 Pine St., Paso Robles.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

BRUCE FORMAN MEETS THE SLO

JAZZ ALL-STARS The internationally acclaimed guitar master will perform with Inga Swearingen (vocals), Dave Becker (woodwinds), Dylan Johnson (bass), and Darrell Voss (drums). April 22 7:30 p.m. $10-$30. my805tix.com. Mount Carmel Lutheran Church, 1701 Fredericks St., San Luis Obispo.

EASTON EVERETT LIVE AT HOTEL SLO

Easton Everett plays guitar-woven indie music that has an authentic feel and is easy to listen to, but also surprises. April 29 , 6-9 p.m. Free. eastoneverett. com/. Hotel San Luis Obispo, 877 Palm St., San Luis Obispo.

JAZZ VESPERS CONCERTS: VOCE The series returns to the historic sanctuary with the award-winning vocal jazz ensemble “Voce” from Cuesta College. April 30 , 4-5:30 p.m. Donations appreciated. 805-543-5451. fpcslo.org. First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo, 981 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo.

OPEN MIC NIGHT IN THE TASTING

ROOM Kelsey Rae hosts this open mic event for music and comedy in the tasting room. Fourth Thursday of every month, 7-9 p.m. Free show. 805-7216878. SLO Cider, 3419 Roberto Ct., Suite C, San Luis Obispo.

SALUTE TO AMERICA San Luis Obispo

Wind Orchestra to perform with pianist Rudolf Budginas at Cuesta College. April 30 3-5 p.m. $10-$30. 805-464-7804. slowinds. org. Cuesta College Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

SAN SALVADOR LIVE Hailing from France, San Salvador is a six-voice and percussion collective that combines poetry with hypnotic vocal harmonies

W. TERRENCE SPILLER: BEETHOVEN PIANO SONATA CYCLE VII Pianist and Cal Poly Professor Emeritus W. Terrence Spiller will give an all-Beethoven recital. Though retired, he still teaches applied piano in the Music Department. April 28 7:30-9:45 p.m. $10-$20. 805-756-4849. PAC Pavilion, Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

BIG VARIETY NIGHT AT BROAD STREET

PUB Hosted by Ted Waterhouse, Big Variety Night features the best local musical acts in a series of short, sweet sets. Check website for the list of performers. April 21, 6-9:30 p.m. and April 28 6-9:30 p.m. No cover. 805-704-5116. tedwaterhouse.com. Broad Street Public House, 3590 Broad Street, San Luis Obispo.

DAWN LAMBETH (WITH THE TEVIS

RANGER JAZZ ENSEMBLE) The Dawn Lambeth Jazz Band from San Luis Obispo and the Tevis Ranger Jazz Ensemble from Bakersfield will be playing “Hot Swingin’ Jazz” at the Basin Street Regulars’ Sunday afternoon concert. April 30 1-4 p.m. $10 for members; $15 for non-members. 805-937-8402. Pismo Beach Veterans Memorial Hall, 780 Bello St., Pismo Beach.

FOREVER GREEN LIVE AT LAETITIA

Come enjoy world class wines and live music by eclectic folk/rock/pop duo Forever Green, an electronic/acoustic, modern/traditional duo. April 22 , 1-4 p.m. Laetitia Vineyard & Winery, 453 Laetitia Vineyard Drive, Arroyo Grande, 805.481-1772, laetiticiawine.com.

HOME CONCERT IN GROVER BEACH

Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan traverse a wide Americana landscape, stopping at musical landmarks along the way, tipping their hat to bluegrass bands, blues divas, jazz cats, and others. April 21 , 7:30-9:30 p.m. Suggested donation $20. 805-441-5868. Tunes On Mentone, 1901 Mentone Ave., Grover Beach.

LEGENDARY GUITARIST ALBERT LEE

COMES TO HARRY’S A special guest performance by legendary guitarist Albert Lee, one of the most respected and renowned guitarists in music history. April 26 noon-midnight $50. 805-260-4766. harryspismobeach.com. Harry’s Night Club & Bar, 690 Cypress St., Pismo Beach. ∆

Arts

Symphony of the Vines holds fundraiser in Paso Robles

On Saturday, April 22, Symphony of the Vines will host Celebrate the Arts, a fundraiser with art, live music, wine, and appetizers, at the Riding residence in Paso Robles, from 4 to 6 p.m. The hilltop residence is the home of local art supporters Ken and Marilyn Riding. For location details and additional info, email hilarocity@yahoo.com.

Music at the event will include performances by Nipomo-based cellist Hilary Clark and Orcuttbased pianist Lynne Garrett. The program’s special guest musician is young award-winning pianist Andy Shen.

Guests at Celebrate the Arts will be able to participate in a silent auction during the fundraiser. Auction items will include artworks, wine selections, vouchers for Central Coast-based aerial tours and wine tastings, and more.

Admission to the April 22 fundraiser is $150. Tickets to the event are available online in advance at my805tix.com. To find out more about Symphony of the Vines, a nonprofit association of symphony musicians dedicated to hosting local concerts and promoting learning opportunities for young musicians, visit symphonyofthevines.org.

Opera SLO conductor leads upcoming shows in SLO, Lompoc

Local conductor Brian Asher

Alhadeff will direct the Lompoc Pops Orchestra during its next concert on Monday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Lompoc. Alhadeff is widely known for his longtime work with the 55-piece orchestra, as well as his full-time conductor role with Opera San Luis Obispo.

Prolific vocalist and Lompoc resident Jennifer Freye also collaborates with both ensembles and will sing during both the upcoming Lompoc Pops Orchestra concert and the next Opera San Luis Obispo program—a 1970s disco-themed reenvisioning of Die Fledermaus—in May.

Song selections at the Lompoc Pops Orchestra show will include “Memory” from Cats, “Hello, Young Lovers” from The King and I, a special orchestral tribute to the music of Star Trek, and renditions of other popular tunes. For more info on the concert, visit the orchestra’s Facebook page. The First United Methodist Church is located at 925 N. F St., Lompoc. Performances of the aforementioned production of Die Fledermaus presented by Opera San Luis Obispo, will be held at the Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo on Saturday, May 13, and Sunday, May 14, at 2 p.m. both days. The venue is located at 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo. Visit operaslo.org for more details. ∆

—Caleb Wiseblood

BY ADRIAN VINCENT ROSAS

Healing expression

San Luis Obispo County veterans showcase their work at VETART-hosted pop-up in Paso Robles

There is something about the nature of the artist that resonates with Deprise Brescia—it illuminates the forgotten and castaway parts of people and helps them process the sometimes scary emotions that come to the surface.

On April 22 the Veterans Pop-Up Arts Cafe at the Deprise Brescia Art Gallery in Paso Robles will showcase the healing nature of art that Brescia hopes will resonate with visitors as much as it does with her.

“For people to walk away and go, ‘I’ve struggled through a lot, and art might be a good way to express myself and deal with those emotions,’” she said. “It’s incredibly powerful, and I am happy we have the opportunity to showcase that.”

e event, which is free and open to the public, will feature a variety of art made by San Luis Obispo County veterans including sculptures, paintings, jewelry, lms, music, literature, poetry, spoken word, glass, metal, digital art, and other mixed media.

“ ere really is no limit to the type of art veterans can submit for an event like this,” Brescia said. “We really want to o er an event that embraces all of it.”

e pop-up is one of the multiple events coordinated by the Vista, California, based Veterans Art Project (VETART) and sponsored by California’s Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission with the goal of bringing mental health resources for veterans to counties across California via these art showcases.

“ ese artists have experienced things that are so intense—things like hiding in their closet

Making meaning

Experience art from veterans from across SLO County at the Deprise Brescia Art Gallery (located at 829 10th St. in Paso Robles) on April 22 from 10 am to 4 pm. The event is free to the public and all are welcome. For more information on VETART events visit vetart. org and visit despisebrescia.com to stay informed on future events.

su ering from breakdowns brought on by PTSD—but art has given them a place to heal and express themselves in a way that is much healthier,” Brescia said.

Brescia has worked with VETART over the years hosting events similar to this pop-up, including Veterans’ Voices and Wings of Change, but she feels now more than ever is the time to showcase how much these veterans have grown alongside their art over the years.

“Sometimes you can’t always tell that art—any kind of art—engages that right part of your brain and opens up these paths of creativity,” she said. “It has this physiological e ect on the body that calms you and de-stresses you when you tap into creativity like that—it rea rms who you are as a human.”

Brescia says that seeing veterans realize they can express themselves and grow through trauma using the artistic process is an incredibly powerful aspect of art many are often too intimidated by to really approach.

“Some people might feel that they aren’t ‘good enough’ to do art, but it is like, ‘Yes, you are,’” she said. “People need that pat on the back and encouragement to go and express themselves through art.”

One of the veteran artists featured at this event and past events who epitomizes those sentiments is John Somics—a Vietnam War Army veteran who shares Brescia’s view that art can be used as a means to heal the trauma that comes with serving in combat overseas.

Showtime!

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

there,” he said. “It really a ects you mentally—no matter how long you spent that time abroad and how often you think about it.”

Somics specializes in making sculptures out of things ranging from marble to metal to wood—anything he can obtain that gets his hands moving.

“I’m the kind of person where if I am not doing something with my hands I am just not comfortable,” he said. “ at’s why I do so many mediums of art because if I get bored with whatever it is I’m working on at the moment, I can switch to something else to keep my passion fresh and exciting.”

In particular, he’s contributed several large shing lure-like sculptures carved out of wood that highlight his love of simple beauty present in the everyday objects found around him.

“A lot of people don’t really know what soldiers went through in those 10 years of con ict over

“One day I was looking through my collection and I had this realization that these things were beautiful and an art piece within themselves,” Somics said. “So I started making these largerthan-life versions of them—sure you can’t use them like a traditional lure, but they really highlight just how intricate those regular lures can be.”

Somics hopes that his passion for art, alongside the other veterans, reminds the community that people like him do exist and have so much to express after their service— and that should events like the VETART pop-up continue to be successful, veterans will continue to get the attention and help they need.

“If it wasn’t for art, I would probably be a very di erent person,” he said. “Events like this will help vets like myself let people know that we are still here, we are healing, and we have so much to o er in everything that we do.” ∆

Freelancer Adrian Vincent Rosas is appreciating the healing power of art. Reach him at arosas@newtimesslo.com.

BEAUTIFUL BAIT John Somics’ wood carving Monterey Jack is just one of the veteran-made pieces that will be featured at the upcoming VETART event in Paso Robles.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DEPRISE BRESCIA ART GALLERY

DOWNTOWN DISPLAY Located in downtown Paso Robles, the VETART pop-up event at the Deprise Brescia gallery will be open to all to appreciate and learn more about veteran-made art.

HELPFUL HEALING Through art, John Somics has found a pathway to expressing himself and a peace that has helped him come to terms with trauma from serving in the Vietnam War.

Geek tragedy

BLACKBERRY

What’s it rated? R

Co-writer and director Matt Johnson helms this story about the rise and fall of BlackBerry, the world’s rst smartphone. It follows tech developer Mike Lazaridis (Jay Baruchel), his sidekick Doug (played by the director), and the rest of the team at their Canadian start-up company Research in Motion, as they revolutionized the way we communicate … until the iPhone made BlackBerry obsolete. (122 min.)

What’s it worth, Glen? Full price

What’s it worth, Anna? Full price

Where’s it showing? April 25 at 7 p.m. in the Fremont Theater; and April 27 at 10:15 a.m. and April 29 at 4 p.m. in Downtown Centre Cinemas

Glen is is less a story about a revolutionizing tech invention and more about the people and personalities at the center of a game-changing device. ink of it as a mismatched geeks, tech bros, and ruthless businessmen story where egos, greed, and hubris collide. Lazaridis is the brains of the operation, whose big idea is to put a full qwerty keyboard on a handheld device, exponentially speeding up typing time. If you’re old enough, maybe you remember trying to type a message with what was essentially a telephone keypad. But the lm barely cares about the tech aside from trying to gure out how the network might support this new device. Instead, it busies itself with those who want to exploit the geeks and their invention. I especially enjoyed Glenn Howerton as Jim Balsillie, who joins the team and drives them to success. He was a total dick and the source of the lm’s darkest comedy. When it all implodes, you can’t help but think they got what they deserved. Tragedy’s never been so fun.

Anna Ah, the BlackBerry used to be so cool, right? Famously, President Obama fought tooth and nail to keep his until the White House sta ripped it from his hands. is is de nitely a story of the characters around the invention of this now dated piece of technology. We watch as they struggle through hurdle after hurdle, desperately

THE BIG DOOR PRIZE

What’s it rated? TV-MA

When? 2023

Where’s it showing? Apple TV Plus

What are you supposed to be? If you stripped away all of the pieces of your everyday life and looked at what your destiny is supposed to be, what would your title be? Are you a hero? Maybe even royalty? Perhaps you are meant to be exactly what you are—a teacher, a caretaker, a father.

The Big Door Prize brings a mysterious machine to a grocery market in small-town

SECOND GUESSING Cass (Gabrielle Dennis) and Dusty (Chris O’Dowd) begin to question their life choices and relationship after a mysterious vending machine tells people their life’s potential, in The Big Door Prize.

trying to stay relevant while their rivals quickly catch up to them. We see Steve Jobs introduce the iPhone (that’ll never catch on, right?) and the mad dash relay race the dudes at BlackBerry were in the middle of. You couldn’t sell this story on the device alone—it’s pretty much obsolete these days, so this lm is smart to focus on the people who all had their hands in the mix trying to make big bucks in the early days of personal devices.

Glen At its peak, BlackBerry had 45 percent of the market. Unfortunately, as smart as Lazaridis was, his big mistake was refusing to evolve. He was so enamored by his full keyboard idea that he was unable recognize it had become obsolete. With smart, briskly paced dialogue and a rogues’ gallery of characters, the story feels very propulsive, and its two hour run time zips by. When the lm screens this week at the SLO International Film Festival, attendees are getting a sneak peek. It doesn’t o cially come out until May 12. It debuted in

America. This machine takes your fingerprints, your Social Security number, a scan of your face, and it tells you exactly who it is you are supposed to be. Based on a book by M.O. Walsh, this series features Chris O’Dowd as Dusty, who inherently distrusts the machine and dislikes the results he was given. Everyone around him seems to be thriving with the card they were dealt, but Dusty doesn’t buy any of it.

O’Dowd is charming and funny and a bit of a Debbie Downer, and while this series is still young, it has big potential. Apple TV once again makes a good move with this series—I’m compelled to keep watching this mystery unfold.

(10 29- to 35-min. episodes) —Anna

RABBIT HOLE

What’s it rated? TV-MA

When? 2023

February at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival, and then it made its U.S. premiere at the SXSW festival. It’s pretty cool that our festival got it for opening night. Anna Very cool! It’s very interesting to look back at what technology was during this time and how clunky it seems now. I think at the end of the lm it said something along the lines of BlackBerry currently having less than 2 percent of the market, so you can see how far it has fallen from its heyday. e lm stays engaging and focused on the human story. While the characters do nerd out on the technology they’re developing, the lmmakers are smart and recognize that their audience probably doesn’t need to know all that much about it. is is a great get for the lm festival—I hope audiences enjoy BlackBerry as much as I did! ∆

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

story moves back and forth in time, revealing that what we think happened was in fact another ploy orchestrated by Weir and his team.

Where’s it showing? Paramount Plus

Creators Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (I Love

You Phillip Morris, Focus) helm this new series on Paramount Plus that follows John Weir (Kiefer Sutherland), a private espionage operative who’s especially adept at orchestrating complicated plans rife with deception. The series’ nonlinear plotting keeps viewers guessing as the

By the third episode, Weir’s father, Dr. Ben Wilson (an always welcome Charles Dance), a CIA spy long thought dead, shows up, leading to an already paranoid Weir growing ever more suspicious. We get a love interest in Hailey Winton (Meta Golding), who may or may not be who she says she is.

Part of the fun of the series is its connection to real world events and its general sense of cynicism, paranoia, and the belief that sinister forces are at work manipulating our world. When Weir is framed for murder, the story kicks into high gear. You could argue there are too many needlessly complicated twists, but considering the series’ title, the shoe fits. (eight 44- to 56-min. episodes) ∆ —Glen

Starring: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, Seth Rogan, Fred Armisen

WILD RIDE BlackBerry inventor Mike Lazaridis (Jay Baruchel, far left) and his tech team are credited with inventing the world’s first smartphone, in BlackBerry, screening exclusively at the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

PHOTO COURTESY OF APPLE STUDIOS COURTESY PHOTO BY MICHAEL GIBSON/PARAMOUNT PLUS

THE MAN WITH A PLAN

Private espionage operative John Weir (Kiefer Sutherland) finds himself framed for murder and on the run in Rabbit Hole, an action thriller series streaming on Paramount Plus.

Music

BY GLEN STARKEY

I want my (sort of) MTV

The SLO Film Fest brings live music and videos to the Fremont

In case you hadn’t noticed, the Fremont Theater has reverted to its movie house days this week as the SLO International Film Festival takes over to screen movies and present special events, but there is one day for music fans that promises to be very cool indeed.

This year, the film festival once again solicited music videos, and a panel of judges—Manuel Del Valle, David Hardberger, and Ernesto Rivera—have hand-selected 12 of the 66 entries for a showcase on Wednesday, April 26 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $25 general admission at slofilmfest.org).

In addition to the videos, there’ll be a DJ set by Peaking Lights and performances by SLO Town rock act The Honeyboys, Central Coast hip-hop collective Connect the Coast, and Los Osos folk crooner Caleb Nichols, who was recently signed to the Kill Rick Stars label.

“For the third year in a row, music videos officially have a home at our festival. We are elated to once again be able to experience and celebrate the eclectic mix of creative music videos in person alongside live music performances,” festival organizers announced. “Awards will be presented in both the Central Coast Filmmaker and Music Video Showcase on April 26, during our Music Video Showcase.”

SLO Town’s favorite daughter

Sarah Pillow is a real SLO Town success story. I remember when we both attended SLO High, I was walking by a room where she was practicing singing “You Light Up My Life,” the song Debbie Boone had a hit with in 1977. I couldn’t believe Sarah’s voice! Amazing.

We’ve been friends ever since, but she’s gone on to great heights, having earned a singing degree from Oberlin Conservatory, then moving to NYC where she met her husband, the Swiss-American vibraphonist Marc Wagnon. Together they run the record

label Buckyball Music.

“Ms. Pillow has a lovely, natural-sounding tone and versatile gift for interpretation,” The New York Times exclaimed.

“Sarah swings. Her scat version of Bird’s ‘Confirmation’ had her rising into the stratosphere, displaying formidable range,” gushed Jazz Now

“Sarah Pillow’s singing of ‘O Maria Dei Genetrix’ is gorgeous,” The Sunday London Times asserted.

Pillow, who still has family in the area, returns periodically and often plays a show just for kicks, and this Friday, April 21, Sarah with husband Marc and bassist Tony Green will perform from 6 to 7:30 p.m. as the West Origin Trio in Linnaea’s Café for free.

“The group shifts between jazz standards, original compositions, and ‘re-mixed’ songs from the past. Sarah sings both jazz and early music, and has arranged archaic songs, giving them a modern twist and relevancy to the present. The original compositions by Marc Wagnon are on themes of science and history,” according to the band’s bio.

Numbskull and Good Medicine shows

Hailing from the Santa Cruz Mountains, The Coffis Brothers—with singersongwriter Alex Lucero opening— return to The Siren on Friday, April 21 (7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; $15 presale at goodmedicinepresents.com). The Coffis Brothers play rootsy rock, folk, blues, and a little R&B, and are often billed as appealing to Tom Petty fans.

The Molly Ringwald Project will deliver “the ultimate ’80s experience” when Numbskull and Good Medicine bring the cover band to Blast 825 Brewery Stockyard in Orcutt this Saturday, April 22 (4 p.m.; all ages; $20 presale at goodmedicinepresents. com). Hear all the fun hits like Billy Idol’s “Dancing with Myself,” A-Ha’s “Take on Me,” The Go-Go’s “We Got the Beat,” and many more.

Good Medicine and Numbskull return to The Siren to present TK & The Holy KnowNothings on their Blood of the Gilded Palm Tour on Tuesday, April 25 (7 p.m.; 21-andolder; $15 presale at goodmedicinepresents.

com). Fronted by Taylor Kingman, the band is a Portland staple, especially at The Thirst, Portland’s oldest independent venue. Though he’s played in a lot of bands, this one may be a favorite:

“Half-dutifully and half-facetiously selfdubbed ‘psychedelic doom boogie,’ the group was born out of Kingman’s desire to create a loose, groove-heavy bar band that never sacrifices the importance of good, honest songwriting,” their bio explains.

“I like to alternate between plain-spoken truth and fragmented visions of painfully vivid dreamscapes,” Kingman noted in press materials. “Songs need a listener to be complete. And I don’t want to tell the listener what to think or do. It’s our job to present honesty, good or bad: an unfinished song from an unfinished life. And everybody hearing it gets a co-write because each moment is unique.”

ACTION FIGURE Eric Alt directs Better Now, one of 12 music videos screening at the Fremont Theater as part of music night at the SLO International Film Festival on April 26 .

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SLO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

TOO MUCH TO LIVE FOR Kill Rock Stars recording artist Caleb Nichols is one of three bands performing at the SLO International Film Festival music night, April 26 , at the Fremont.

BEYOND JAZZ The West Origin Trio—vibraphonist Marc Wagnon, vocalist Sarah Pillow, and bassist Tony Green—plays Linnaea’s Café on April 21 , mixing jazz, early music, and sciencethemed originals.

IMAGE COURTESY OF THE WEST ORIGIN TRIO

EAT ’EM UP Good Medicine and Numbskull present TK & The Holy Know-Nothings on their Blood of the Gilded Palm Tour on April 25 , at The Siren.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOOD MEDICINE PRESENTS

STARKEY continued page 32

Also this week at The Siren, the club brings Los Angles rockers The Tens on Saturday, April 22 (7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; free). Emerging in 2014, they began the old fashioned way: busking around the city until they started getting booked. They’re a ballsy band.

“In 2016, The Tens audaciously tracked a live, direct-to-vinyl record in Nashville’s Welcome to 1979 studio owned by Chris Mara. The process required them to cut each side of the double LP in a single take. The result was an honest, sonic rendering of the band on a beautiful day in the South,” press materials explained.

More music …

Cal Poly Arts hosts San Salvador, a six-voice and percussion collective hailing from Correze in south-western France, this Friday, April 21, in Cal Poly’s Spanos Theatre (7:30 p.m.; $34 to $42 at pacslo.org). They have a very cool and unusual sound “that combines Occitan poetry with hypnotic vocal harmonies propelled by surging percussion,” their bio explains. “Their compositions use the Occitan language—a Romance language spoken in southern France, Italy’s Occitan Valleys, and in parts of Spain and Monaco—as a rhythmic instrument, combining poetry with hypnotic vocal harmonies cascading over shifting patterns of compelling percussion to create their own compositions.”

the arts. Participate in an exciting silent auction of items including aerial tours of the Central Coast, wine selections, tasting opportunities and pairings, and artwork,” organizers said.

Sound out!

Documentary Film Screening

Presented

Symphony of the Vines is hosting a fundraising event with young local pianist Andy Shen and additional music by Symphony of the Vines principal cellist Hilary Clark and pianist Lynne Garrett, this Saturday, April 22 , at The Riding House (4 to 6 p.m.; $150 at symphonyofthevines.org). “Enjoy an afternoon of music, visual arts, fine wine, and gourmet appetizers at the exquisite west Paso Robles hilltop home of Ken and Marilyn Riding, local champions of

The San Luis Obispo County Jazz Federation will present “Bruce Forman meets the SLO Jazz All-Stars” on Saturday April 22 , in the Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church in SLO (7:30 p.m.; $30 general admission at my805tix. com). Internationally acclaimed guitar master Bruce Forman will perform with Inga Swearingen (vocals), Dave Becker (woodwinds), Dylan Johnson (bass), and Darrell Voss (drums). Forman has appeared at the Monterey Jazz Festival more than 20 times, cut 18 recordings as a leader and countless sideman recordings, and played on the soundtracks of three Clint Eastwood movies, including the Academy Awardwinning Million Dollar Baby SLO Master Chorale presents “The Theatrical Mendelssohn: Elijah” this Sunday, April 23, in Cal Poly’s Performing Arts Center (3 p.m.; $10 to $60 at slomasterchorale.org or by calling (805) 756-4849). Expect to hear more than 100 voices and a full orchestra under the direction of Thomas Davis in their presentation of “Elijah,” “a large, dramatic work of music composed by Felix Mendelssohn … [that] tells the story of major events in the life of the Old Testament prophet.”

Finally this week, Bang the Drum is back after being shuttered for renovations, and Ben Bellizzi of the For the Folks music series has booked indie folk duo Sway Wild on Thursday, April 27 (7 p.m.; all ages; $15 presale at forthefolks.com or $17 at the door). Sway Wild is Mandy Fer and Dave McGraw, hailing from San Juan Island. You might have seen them in the past at Whale Rock Music & Arts Festival. They’re a power duo that’s been compared to Shovels and Rope.

“Mandy Fer’s side gig is the musical director and guitar player for Allison Russell, which means she gets to play with the otherworldly Brandi Carlile, which I’d usually say is some tacky name-dropping, except that it’s Brandi Carlile,” Bellizzi gushed.

Late for the Train is opening. ∆

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

FREE SHOW Los Angeles rock band The Tens plays The Siren on April 22

FOR THE FOLKS Sway Wild, a duo with indie folk rockers Mandy Fer and Dave McGraw, plays Bang the Drum on April 27

COURTESY PHOTO BY EMILIE FARRIS

Oasis for oenophiles

Still

Set amid green rolling hills in the El Pomar District of Paso Robles is the fulfilled viticultural vision of Paul and Patricia Hoover.

The co-founders of Still Waters Vineyards are celebrating their 20th year of business and reflecting on how they’ve evolved yet honored their three guiding principles— “staying small, having fun, and focusing on great wines,” Paul explained.

“When we started this venture, we were the total cliché,” Patricia added. “Forming a game plan at our favorite little restaurant— the Trading Post—in Shaver Lake on a paper napkin, we decided we would be direct-toconsumer and have wine in restaurants that we love.

“Since I do all the delivery, it became important to either be local or be in places that we enjoy,” she said.

“We were so silly at first. We thought we would be open by appointment only and have no employees and do it all ourselves. We now have about 15 part-time employees and four full-time.”

Still Waters has also developed an enviable industry reputation for fine wine,

Instagram and Facebook @stillwatersvineyards.

storied hospitality, and gorgeous grounds that include 57 acres of SIP (Sustainability in Practice)-certified vineyards, an acre of 135-year-old olive trees, gardens, a pond, a flock of chickens, a production facility, tasting venues, and their primary residence.

The Hoovers limit wine production to about 4,000 cases annually, and their product is in only seven local restaurants “where we know the owners personally,” Paul said. “Our sales are about 70 percent wine club with the rest to visiting consumers.”

However, the property’s 14 grape varieties are purchased by other wineries and home winemakers.

“I sell to Autry, Eberle, Ecluse, Mitchella, Ruby, Graveyard, Dresser, Alma Sol, Ghost, and four to five out-of-the-area wineries,” Paul said. “I’m proud of the long-standing direct-to-consumer policy in the tasting room and the successful relationships with the wineries and home winemakers that the vineyard supports.”

Still Waters grows sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot gris, viognier, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, malbec, petite sirah, zinfandel, primitivo, syrah, grenache, and mourvèdre.

While Paul has been Still Waters’ head winemaker for nearly two decades and has trained several budding winemakers from Cal Poly, he hired Brandon Carlisle last year to work his magic on the winery’s 22 different offerings ranging from blends and single varietals to rosé and bubbly.

Carlisle’s extensive experience includes stints as lab manager at Daou, assistant winemaker/ enologist at Sextant, and

winemaker at Pacific Wine Services—a custom crush facility in Paso Robles.

He said he’s humbled to follow in Paul’s footsteps and aims to create wines that respect the terroir—“that taste like the varietal they are, just kind of add my own touch to them,” he said.

Carlisle concedes, though, that what really “sets us apart is the knowledge of Paul in the vineyard.”

Paul—who was the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance’s Wine Industry Person of the Year in 2016 and Grower of the Year in 2019—still dabbles in winemaking but feels comfortable passing the baton.

Now he can focus on the vineyard and winery operations and his myriad other activities, including selling farm-fresh eggs and even fish.

Paul and Patricia attended Cal Poly in the late ’70s. A job bartending at the San Luis Bay Inn in Avila Beach led to Paul’s career as general manager of the 76-room hotel, restaurant, and golf course. He later became executive vice president of a hotel group

overseeing 10 properties and restaurants across the western United States, and then, ultimately, CEO of Morris & Garritano Insurance in San Luis Obispo.

In the 1990s, Paul’s passions turned to winemaking, which led to the founding of Still Waters in 2003.

“The name was anointed when our daughter Stephanie designed the original label reflecting the family’s favorite pastime of water skiing and always looking for the perfect ‘still water,’” Paul said.

Fast forward 20 years, and the Hoovers wouldn’t change a thing.

“With farming, there are always surprises in the vineyard due to frost, drought, and grape price variations,” he admitted.

“With the tasting room, the ups and downs of the economy and certainly the COVID experience have always kept us on our toes.

“Yet we have been able to remain successful, and we are very happy with where we are. … We have amazing people who work with us as a team, and we have been able to

LABOR OF LOVE Paul and Patricia Hoover toast their legacy at Still Waters. You can find the couple at their Paso Robles estate most days, “unless we are spending time with our kids and four grandchildren, or the fish are biting,” Paul says.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STILL WATERS VINEYARDS

RED ROUNDUP Still Waters specializes in decadent single varietals and blends from its estate vineyard. Reds include cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, malbec, zinfandel, primitivo, petite sirah, and several Rhones.

Experience Unbound Unwound

Arrive an hour early and enjoy a glass of wine on the terrace during an intimate meet & greet with the creators!

Two ballets in one show: Alone Together, Together Alone by Maartje Hermans Seasons End by Ryan Lawrence

THIS WEEKEND ONLY

Sat Apr 22 at 7:30pm

Sun Apr 23 at 2:00pm

TICKETS.CUESTA.EDU

Harold J. Miossi CPAC Cuesta College SLO

Flavor

FLAVOR from page

offer memorable experiences and great wines to friends, family, and wine club members.”

Longtime employees and customers are likewise devoted to the Hoovers.

“Pat and Paul are like family,” said employee Lee Becker of Morro Bay. “They are so down-to-earth and welcoming. That down-home feeling is part of what makes Still Waters unique. The guests pick up on that vibe.”

Becker has been at the winery for nine years, doing just about everything—“pouring for tastings, bottling, pruning, leafing, irrigation, tech support, and managing the tasting room on weekends,” he said.

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“A whole bunch of the team works on more than just one job,” he added. “There is lots of versatility. Just like in a family.”

The Hoovers say they’ve appreciated the love and support of their staff and customers over the past two decades.

“It has been a great adventure,” Paul said. “It is very fulfilling to see people having so much fun at the tasting room. It’s like having 100 new friends every day that go home at 5 p.m. Then Pat and I can sit and have a glass of wine together.” ∆

Flavor Writer Cherish Whyte thanks the Still Waters team for a dreamy afternoon of sipping, storytelling, and sightseeing. Reach her at cwhyte@newtimesslo.com.

SIP AND SNACK

Charcuterie boards available for purchase at Still Waters feature cheese from Central Coast Creamery, salami, olives, and more. Guests can also bring their own picnics or enjoy a selection of fresh tacos sold at concerts.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STILL WATERS VINEYARDS

Classies

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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0719 (03/10/2021)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as BIG BRAND TIRE & SERVICE, BIG BRAND, BIG BRAND TIRE, BIG BRAND TIRES, BIG BRAND TIRE & SERVICE CHATSWORTH, AMERICAN TIRE DEPOT, AMERICAN TIRE DEPOT COMPLETE AUTO CARE, AMERICAN TIRE DEPOT AUTO CARE EXPERTS, BBTS, 8775 Plata Lane, Store 1016, Atascadero, CA 93422. San Luis Obispo County. MAJCO LLC (14401 Princeton Ave., Moorpark, CA 93021). This business is conducted by A CA Limited Liability Company /s/ MAJCO LLC, Laura K. Mollet, Secretary. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-21-23. I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk A. Trujillo, Deputy. Exp. 0321-28. April 6, 13, 20, & 27, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0716 (12/03/2021)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as BIG BRAND TIRE & SERVICE, BIG BRAND, BIG BRAND TIRE, BIG BRAND TIRES, BIG BRAND TIRE & SERVICE CHATSWORTH, AMERICAN TIRE DEPOT, AMERICAN TIRE DEPOT COMPLETE AUTO CARE, AMERICAN TIRE DEPOT AUTO CARE EXPERTS, BBTS, 505 E Grand Ave., Store 1100, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420. San Luis Obispo County. MAJCO LLC (14401 Princeton Ave., Moorpark, CA 93021). This business is conducted by A CA Limited Liability Company /s/ MAJCO LLC, Laura K. Mollet, Secretary. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-21-23. I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office.

(Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk A. Trujillo, Deputy. Exp. 03-21-28.

April 6, 13, 20, & 27, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0715 (12/03/2021)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as BIG BRAND TIRE & SERVICE, BIG BRAND, BIG BRAND TIRE, BIG BRAND TIRES, BIG BRAND TIRE & SERVICE CHATSWORTH, AMERICAN TIRE DEPOT, AMERICAN TIRE DEPOT COMPLETE AUTO CARE, AMERICAN TIRE DEPOT AUTO CARE EXPERTS, BBTS, 101 Calle Propano, Store 1157, Paso Robles, CA 93446. San Luis Obispo County. MAJCO LLC (14401 Princeton Ave., Moorpark, CA 93021).

This business is conducted by A CA Limited Liability Company /s/ MAJCO LLC, Laura K. Mollet, Secretary.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-2123. I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk A. Trujillo, Deputy. Exp. 03-21-28.

April 6, 13, 20, & 27, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0714 (03/10/2021)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as BIG BRAND TIRE & SERVICE, BIG BRAND, BIG BRAND TIRE, BIG BRAND TIRES, BIG BRAND TIRE & SERVICE CHATSWORTH, AMERICAN TIRE DEPOT, AMERICAN TIRE DEPOT COMPLETE AUTO CARE, AMERICAN TIRE DEPOT AUTO CARE EXPERTS, BBTS, 91 Cary St., Store 101, Paso Robles, CA 93446. San Luis Obispo County. MAJCO LLC (14401 Princeton Ave., Moorpark, CA 93021). This business is conducted by A CA Limited Liability Company /s/ MAJCO LLC, Laura K. Mollet, Secretary. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-21-23. I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk A. Trujillo, Deputy. Exp. 03-21-28. April 6, 13, 20, & 27, 2023

On February 7, 2023, I, James W. Hamilton, San Luis Obispo County Tax Collector, was authorized by the Board of Supervisors of San Luis Obispo County, California, to conduct a Sealed Bid Sale of properties that have had delinquent taxes for five years or more, but are not usable due to their size, location or other conditions. The tax-defaulted properties listed below are subject to the Tax Collector’s Power to Sell. Owners of property that is contiguous to the listed properties qualify as eligible bidders. Notice of the Sealed Bid Sale has been given to the California State Controller.

I will publicly open the sealed bids submitted and sell the properties at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2023, in the Board Chambers on the first floor of the County Government Center, at 1055 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, California. The properties will be sold to the highest bidder among the eligible bidders, for not less than the minimum bid as shown on this notice.

The properties that are the subject of this notice are situated in San Luis Obispo County, California. The following is a list of properties that were approved by the Board of Supervisors for sale at this Sealed Bid Sale.

The right of redemption will cease at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Properties that are redeemed (taxes paid) by May 10, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. will not be sold. Properties not redeemed by that time will be offered for sale.

If a parcel is not sold at the Sealed Bid Sale, the right of redemption re-instates up until the close of business on the last day prior to the next scheduled sale.

If the properties are sold, parties of interest, as defined in California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 4675, have a right to file a claim with the County for any excess proceeds from the sale. Excess proceeds are the amount of the highest bid in excess of $150 after the liens and costs of the sale are paid from the sale price. Notice will be given to parties of interest, pursuant to law, if excess proceeds result from the sale. Additional information about the Sealed Bid Sale may be obtained by contacting the Redemption Division of the Tax Collector’s Office at 1055 Monterey Street, Room D-290, County Government Center, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93408, or by calling the Redemption Division at (805) 781-5836.

Assessment Numbering System Explanation

The assessment number refers to the Assessor’s map book, the map page, or the block on the map (if applicable), and to the individual parcel number on the map page or in the block.

The Assessor’s parcel maps and further explanation of the assessment numbering system are available in the Assessor’s Office, 1055 Monterey Street, Room D-360, San Luis Obispo, California.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0705 (03/20/2023) New Filing

The following person is doing business as FRS FLOORS, 1441 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. San Luis Obispo County. Enrique Ruben Ramos (1441 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401), Felix Concepcion Castillo (Rural Route 1 Box 415, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405), Santos Sarabia (3970 Broad Street, suite 7190, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401). This business is conducted by An Individual /s/ Ramos Enrique Ruben. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-20-23. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk A. Trujillo, Deputy. Exp. 03-20-28.

March 30, April 6, 13, & 20, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0706 (01/20/2022) New Filing

The following person is doing business as GONZALEZ CLEANING RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL, 1152 Murray Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. San Luis Obispo County. Gonzalez Family LLC (1152 Murray Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405). This business is conducted by A CA Limited Liability Company /s/ Gonzalez Family LLC, Aron Gonzalez Gonzalez, General Manager. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-20-23. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk M. Katz, Deputy. Exp. 03-20-28.

March 30, April 6, 13, & 20, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0710 (03/13/2023)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as PURCHASE REAL ESTATE, 1204 Nipomo Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. San Luis Obispo County. Barry Purchase (1204 Nipomo Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401). This business is conducted by An Individual /s/ Barry Purchase. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-21-23. I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk A. Trujillo, Deputy. Exp. 03-21-28.

March 30, April 6, 13, & 20, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0718 (03/10/2021) New Filing

The following person is doing business as BIG BRAND TIRE & SERVICE, BIG BRAND, BIG BRAND TIRE, BIG BRAND TIRES, BIG BRAND TIRE & SERVICE CHATSWORTH, AMERICAN TIRE DEPOT, AMERICAN TIRE DEPOT COMPLETE AUTO CARE, AMERICAN TIRE DEPOT AUTO CARE EXPERTS, BBTS, 3595 S. Higuera St., Store 1013, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. San Luis Obispo County. MAJCO LLC (14401 Princeton Ave., Moorpark, CA 93021). This business is conducted by A CA Limited Liability Company /s/ MAJCO LLC, Laura K. Mollet, Secretary. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-21-23. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk A. Trujillo, Deputy. Exp. 03-21-28. April 6, 13, 20, & 27, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0723 (05/14/2022)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as LUNA COFFEE BAR, 84 N. Ocean Ave., Cayucos, CA 93430. San Luis Obispo County. Alma Jessica Fabil-Miranda, Jorje Luis Miranda (2718 Main St., Morro Bay, CA 93442). This business is conducted by A General Partnership /s/ Alma Jessica Fabila-Miranda. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-21-23. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk A. Trujillo, Deputy. Exp. 03-21-28.

March 30, April 6, 13, & 20, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0725 (N/A)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as S&K VACATION RENTAL, 601 Camino Caballo, Nipomo, CA 93444. San Luis Obispo County. Seth Michael McMillan, Keri Renee McMillan (601 Camino Caballo, Nipomo, CA 93444). This business is conducted by A Married Couple /s/ Seth Michael McMillan. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-21-23. I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office.

(Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk A. Trujillo, Deputy. Exp. 03-21-28.

March 30, April 6, 13, & 20, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0730

(N/A)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as MONDAY MORNING MERCHANDISE, MONDAY MORNING MERCH 968 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. San Luis Obispo County. Port By Passport Inc. (968 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401). This business is conducted by A CA Corporation /s/ Port By Passport Inc., Christopher Limon, CEO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-22-23. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office.

(Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk M. Katz, Deputy. Exp. 03-22-28.

March 30, April 6, 13, & 20, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0731 (03/22/2023)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as GLAMOUR STUDIO, 1222 Price Street, Pismo Beach, CA 93449. San Luis Obispo County. Vivaan Beauty Services Inc (1222 Price Street, Pismo Beach, CA 93449). This business is conducted by A CA Corporation /s/ Vivaan Beauty Services Inc., Yesha Himanshu Panchal, President. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-22-23. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk M. Katz, Deputy. Exp. 03-22-28.

March 30, April 6, 13, & 20, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0741 (N/A)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as ASTOUND, ASTOUND BROADBAND, ASTOUND BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, ASTOUND MOBILE, 3620 Sacramento Drive #102, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. San Luis Obispo County. Astound Broadband, LLC (3620 Sacramento Drive #102, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401).

This business is conducted by A CA Limited Liability Company /s/ Astound Broadband, LLC, Jeffrey B. Kramp, Vice President and Secretary. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-23-23. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk A. Trujillo, Deputy. Exp. 03-23-28.

April 6, 13, 20, & 27, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0742 (N/A)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as BMW OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, 1251 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. San Luis Obispo County. Cardinale Protective Services Inc (12100 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405). This business is conducted by A CA Corporation /s/ Cardinale Protective Services Inc., Teresa Fountain, CFO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-23-23. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office.

(Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk

A. Trujillo, Deputy. Exp. 03-23-28.

March 30, April 6, 13, & 20, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0747 (01/01/2023)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as THE BAITING YARD, 124 Gray Ave., Santa Barbara, CA 93103. Santa Barbara County. Garrett D Rose (97 Ash Ave. #599, Cayucos, CA 93430). This business is conducted by An Individual /s/ Garrett D Rose. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-24-23. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office.

(Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk

M. Katz, Deputy. Exp. 03-24-28. April 20, 27, May 4, & 11, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0748 (05/10/2018)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as RECYCLE 101 INC, 1909 Front Street, Oceano, CA 93445. San Luis Obispo County. Recycle 101 Inc (1519 South Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93454). This business is conducted by A CA Corporation /s/ Recycle 101 Inc, B.Julio Garcia, CEO.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-24-23. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office.

(Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk

M. Katz, Deputy. Exp. 03-24-28.

March 30, April 6, 13, & 20, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0756 (03/01/2003) New Filing

The following person is doing business as ED CUMING CUSTOM HOMES, 535 Le Point Street, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420. San Luis Obispo County. Ed Cuming Construction Inc. (535 Le Point Street, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420). This business is conducted by A CA Corporation /s/ Ed Cuming Construction Inc., Edward Cuming, President. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-24-23. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk A. Trujillo, Deputy. Exp. 0324-28. March 30, April 6, 13, & 20, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0757 (03/07/2023) New Filing

The following person is doing business as COAST FLOWER COMPANY, 575 Upper Los Berros Rd., Nipomo, CA 93444. San Luis Obispo County. Kimberly Colleen Olson (575 Upper Los Berros Rd., Nipomo, CA 93444). This business is conducted by An Individual /s/ Kimberly Colleen Olson. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-27-23. I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk A. Trujillo, Deputy. Exp. 03-27-28.

April 6, 13, 20, & 27, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0758 (01/01/1990) New Filing

The following person is doing business as LIFELINK, 750 Farroll Rd., Unit H, Grover Beach, CA 93433. San Luis Obispo County. Lifelink (750 Farroll Rd., Unit H, Grover Beach, CA 93433). This business is conducted by A CA Corporation /s/ Lifelink, Dax Blanco, Vice President. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-2723. I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk M. Stiletto, Deputy. Exp. 03-27-28. April 6, 13, 20, & 27, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0764 (N/A) New Filing

The following person is doing business as MOON SPA, 12324 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. San Luis Obispo County. Yuping Huang (12324 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405). This business is conducted by An Individual /s/ Jose L Martinez. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-27-23. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk A. Bautista, Deputy. Exp. 03-27-28.

April 6, 13, 20, & 27, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

FILE NO. 2023-0766 (03/20/2023) New Filing

I

Published in New Times on April 6, April 13, and April 20, 2023

FILE NO. 2023-0720 (03/20/2023)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as RIGHT PLACE RIGHT TIME PHOTO, 1339 Pismo Ave., Los Osos, CA 93402. San Luis Obispo County. Chantal Lapointe Blanchard (1339 Pismo Ave., Los Osos, CA 93402). This business is conducted by An Individual /s/ Chantal Lapointe Blanchard, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-21-23. I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office.

(Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk G. Ugalde, Deputy. Exp. 03-21-28. March 30, April 6, 13, & 20, 2023

FILE NO. 2023-0740 (02/24/2023)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as LAURIE MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY, 3220 Arena Road, Atascadero, CA 93422. San Luis Obispo County. Laura Lee Miller (3220 Arena Road, Atascadero, CA 93422). This business is conducted by An Individual /s/ Laura Lee Miller. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-23-23. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk A. Trujillo, Deputy. Exp. 03-23-28.

March 30, April 6, 13, & 20, 2023

FILE NO. 2023-0755 (03/24/2023)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as JD MOODY CONSTRUCTION, 614 Grand Ave. #14, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. San Luis Obispo County. Joshua David Moody (614 Grand Ave. #14, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401). This business is conducted by An Individual /s/ Joshua David Moody.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-24-23. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office.

(Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk A. Webster, Deputy. Exp. 03-2428. March 30, April 6, 13, & 20, 2023

The following person is doing business as THE TAIL WAGON, 179 Danny Lane, Nipomo, CA 9344. San Luis Obispo County. Sydney Svetlana Roberts (179 Danny Lane, Nipomo, CA 9344). This business is conducted by An Individual /s/ Sydney Svetlana Roberts, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 03-27-23. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk A. Bautista, Deputy. Exp. 03-27-28. April 13, 20, 27, & May 4, 2023

» MORE

certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed at San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, California, on April 6, 2023.

/s/ James W. Hamilton, CPA, San Luis Obispo County Tax Collector

Notice of Items to be Escheated to the County of San Luis Obispo Pursuant to Government Code §50050

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that there is in the Treasury of the County of San Luis Obispo, the sum of $70,931.37. Said funds resulted from uncashed warrants and monies in trust with no response to noticing. The funds noted below have been outstanding for more than three years. These funds will become the property of San Luis Obispo County on June 14, 2023, unless a valid claim is made. For more information, please call the County Treasurer’s Office at (805) 781-5831. To the best knowledge of the Treasurer, claimants for these funds may include the following:

CITY OF MORRO BAY NOTICE OF CITY COUNCIL

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Morro Bay City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at the Morro Bay Veterans Hall, 209 Surf Street, Morro Bay, at 5:30 p.m. or soon thereafter, to consider the following:

1. Adoption of a resolution amending the schedule of fees and charges for City services for Fiscal Year 2023/24.

Interested individuals are invited to be present and will be given an opportunity to speak on the item. Written comments are also accepted by the City Clerk via email at cityclerk@morrobayca.gov or by mail prior to the meeting at 595 Harbor Street, Morro Bay, CA 93442 and will be distributed to the City Council.

A proposed fee schedule can be viewed on the City’s website at www.morrobayca.gov, and is available upon request by contacting the City Clerk’s office at (805) 772-6205. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Finance Department at (805) 772-6201.

/s/ Dana Swanson City Clerk

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

WHO County of San Luis Obispo Planning Department Hearing

WHEN Friday, May 5, 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 Oak Flower LLC for a Minor Use Permit to allow for an expansion of the existing 6,685-square-foot wine cave that would result in 5,800 additional square feet, extending the subterranean wine caves 260 linear feet south to a new access portal. The project will result in the disturbance of approximately 1.26 acres on a 126acre parcel. The proposed project is within the Agriculture land use category and is located at 2815 Live Oak Road, approximately 2.5 miles southwest of the City of Paso Robles. The site is in the North County Planning Area of the Adelaida Sub Area.

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

County File Number: N-DRC2022-00037

Dated: April 11, 2023

Date Published: April 13, 2023 and April 20, 2023

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the EstrellaEl Pomar-Creston Water District (District) will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, commencing at 3:00pm at Windfall Farms Conference Room, 4710 Flying Paster Lane, Paso Robles, California 93446, pursuant to Water Code section 10723(b), for the purpose of hearing comments on whether the District shall become a Groundwater Sustainability Agency. Written comments may be submitted prior to the hearing by mail (EPC Water District, PO Box 1499, Paso Robles, CA 93447) or electronically (info@epcwd.org). Other questions or comments may also be directed to these two addresses or by phone at (805)354-5158.

Jerry Reaugh, Secretary

April 20 & 27, 2023

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) will hold a Public Hearing on June 7, 2023 on the Proposed Final 2023 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), Corresponding Conformity Analysis and Determination, and the Proposed 2023 Addendum to the 2019 Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Review (PEIR). At two public hearings, first on February 8th, 2023 held in San Luis Obispo, and second on April 5th, 2023 held in Arroyo Grande, the SLOCOG Board received public comments on both the proposed 2023 RTP and Addendum.

The 2023 RTP is SLOCOG’s long range regional transportation plan for each mode of transportation. The plan identifies financial projections through 2045 and the SLOCOG Board of Directors’ priorities on specific projects expected to be accomplished. The plan contains the documentation to support a finding that the 2023 RTP and SCS meet the air quality conformity requirements for ozone. This long range transportation “plan” can be amended at any time by the SLOCOG Board. The RTP serves as a foundation for the development of the shorter “action” plans called the Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP), which satisfies California transportation planning requirements, and the federal counterpart referred to as the Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) for all transportation projects that require federal approval or are “regionally significant.” The required 55-day public review and comment period began on January 31, 2023 and concluded on April 6, 2023 for the RTP, SCS, and Conformity Analysis. Additional information pertaining to these documents is posted on the SLOCOG website at: https://slocog.org/2023RTP.

The proposed Addendum to the 2019 PEIR provides an analysis of potential environmental impacts related to the implementation of the 2023 RTP as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A public review and comment period for the Addendum began on February 23rd, 2023 and concluded on April 6, 2023. Additional information pertaining to these documents is posted on the SLOCOG website at: https://slocog.org/2023RTP

Individuals wishing accessibility accommodations at this meeting, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), may request such accommodations to aid hearing, visual, or mobility impairment (including Limited English Proficiency [LEP]) by contacting SLOCOG offices at (805) 781-4219. Please note that 48 hours advance notice is needed to honor your request. Please refer to www.slocog.org for the meeting agenda and further information. The hearing will be held during the SLOCOG Board meeting that begins at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in the County Board of Supervisors’ Chambers, County Government Center, 1055 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, California. On June 7, 2023, the SLOCOG Board of Directors will consider adoption of the 2023 RTP, SCS, and associated conformity analysis with consideration of the proposed addendum and the 2019 PEIR. For more information, write to SLOCOG, 1114 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, or contact James Worthley (805) 788-2002, or email at jworthley@slocog.org

April 20, 2023

Supervisorial District: District 1 Assessor Parcel Number(s): 026-342-045

Date Accepted: 03/29/2023

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 Jessica Macrae, Project Manager, in the Department of Planning and Building at the address below or by telephone at 805-788-2714.

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, April 28, 2023 at 4:30 PM. The letter or email must include the language “I would like to request a hearing on N-DRC2022-00037.”

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

Ysabel Eighmy, Secretary Planning Department Hearing

April 20, 2023

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

WHO: County of San Luis Obispo Planning Department Hearing

WHEN: Friday, May 5, 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 The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County for a

Minor Use Permit and Coastal Development Permit (C-DRC2021-00047) to allow for restoration activities at Black Lake through increasing the capacity of the lake and the surrounding wetlands. The restoration activities would take place on the eastern portion of the lake and when complete would reestablish the area’s natural hydrologic functions and provide habitat for rare, sensitive, and listed species. Major construction and wetland restoration at the East end of Black Lake would include two main components. A 1-acre area would create expanded open water habitat by recontouring the slopes and depressions and lowering the finished elevation of the area by up to 5.8 feet. A 0.5-acre area would create marsh sandwort habitat through the installation of at least 350 plugs and lowering of the finished elevation of the area by up to 2.8 feet. This project will temporarily disturb 1.5 acres of coastal freshwater pond by removing approximately 10,715 cubic yards of sediment and vegetation to create additional open water habitat, and the disturbance of 1 acre of freshwater emergent and forested/shrub wetlands in order to create of La Graciosa thistle habitat on the 90-acre site. The project will also remove up to 1.5 acres of hedgerow eucalyptus, and 10 Arroyo Willow trees, to restore approximately 16 acres of coastal dune scrub habitat, including 13 acres adjacent to the established monarch overwintering grove, and 3 acres within the sediment disposal site. The project is located on the west side of California State Route 1 (SR 1), approximately 1,000 feet north of Callender Road, in the South County (Coastal) Planning Area and the California Coastal Zone. Also to be considered is the environmental determination that this project is statutorily exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to California Public Resources Code Section 21080.56, Statutory Exemption for Restoration Projects (SERP) (ED23-033, assigned February 10, 2023).

County File Number: C-DRC2021-00047

Supervisorial District: District 4

Assessor Parcel Number(s): 075-261-005, -006

Date Accepted: 02/22/2022

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)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 Schani Siong, Project Manager, in the Department of Planning and Building at the address below or by telephone at 805-781-4374.

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, April 28, 2023 at 4:30 PM The letter or email must include the language “I would like to request a hearing on C-DRC2021-00047.”

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).

Ysabel Eighmy, Secretary Planning Department Hearing April 20, 2023

SAN LUIS OBISPO CITY COUNCIL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The San Luis Obispo City Council invites all interested persons to attend a public hearing on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. Meetings can be viewed remotely on Government Access Channel 20 or streamed live from the City’s YouTube channel at http://youtube.slo.city. Public comment, prior to the start of the meeting, may be submitted in writing via U.S. Mail delivered to the City Clerk’s office at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 or by email to emailcouncil@slocity.org.

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS:

• As recommended by the Cultural Heritage Committee, adopt a Resolution approving a Historic Property Preservation Agreement between the City and the owner of ‘The Call Hotel’ at 1703 Santa Barbara Street, under the terms described in the draft agreement; Consideration of eligibility for historic listing is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under the general rule described in CEQA Guidelines §15061(b)(3), as it is does not have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. (1703 Santa Barbara St., HIST-0601-2022)

For more information, you are invited to contact Walter Oetzell of the City’s Community Development Department at (805) 781-7593 or woetzell@slocity.org

• The City Council will hold a Public Hearing to consider the following actions related to the Cannabis Business Program:

o Introduce an Ordinance amending the Zoning Map expanding the Cannabis Business Overlay Zones to include recently annexed services, manufacturing, and business park areas along Broad Street in the Airport Area Specific Plan (RZ-0118-2023); and

o Introduce an Ordinance amending Chapter 9.10 (Cannabis Regulations) of the Municipal Code adding requirements for owners that lease property to cannabis businesses (CODE-01642023); and

o Adopt a Resolution updating cannabis operator permit ranking criteria to clarify potential points awarded during the evaluation of commercial cannabis operator permit applications.

CHENG PARK REVITALIZATION SPEC. NO. 91385-10

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the City of San Luis Obispo will receive bids by mail for the “CHENG PARK REVITALIZATION, Spec. No. 91385-10” at the Public Works Administration Office located at 919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 until, THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023, at 11:00

A.M., when they will be publicly opened.

Bids received after said time will not be considered. Bids shall be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly marked with the project title, contractor name, address, and specification number.

The Contractor must possess a valid Class A Contractor’s License at the time of the bid opening. Every bid must be accompanied by a certified check/cashier’s check or bidder’s bond for 10% of the bid amount, payable to the City of San Luis Obispo.

Download FREE at the City’s website: www.SloCity.orgBid packages under Bids & Proposals. Questions may be addressed to Erica Long, Project Manager, at 805-783-7758 or elong@slocity.org.

April 20, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 5:30 p.m., the Pismo Beach City Council will hold a regular meeting in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach, during which it will consider the following:

Address: Citywide

Applicant: City of Pismo Beach

Project #: P23-000001

Description: Introduction (first reading) an Ordinance modifying Chapter 5.22 of Title 5 of the Pismo Beach Municipal Code regarding short-term rentals.

Details about ways to participate in this meeting will be provided on the agenda posted for the meeting online at pismobeach.org/agenda, and on the bulletin board at City Hall. The agenda will be posted in the afternoon of April 27, 2023.

Environmental Review

In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), it has been determined that the project is exempt pursuant to Section 15060(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines for projects where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.

You have a right to comment on these projects and their effect on our community. Interested persons are invited to participate in the meeting or otherwise express their views and opinions regarding the proposed projects.

Emailed comments may be submitted to citycouncil@ pismobeach.org; staff cannot guarantee that emailed comments submitted after the start of the meeting will be given full consideration before action is taken. Written comments may be delivered or mailed to the City Clerk’s Office at 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach, CA 93449, prior to the meeting, or hand-delivered during the meeting no later than the comment period for this item. Oral comment may be provided prior to the meeting by calling 805-773-7005 and leaving a voice message. Please state and spell your name, and identify your item of interest. Oral comment may also be made during the meeting, either by joining the virtual meeting using the link provided on the agenda document, or by attending the meeting in person in the Council Chamber at City Hall. Please refer to the agenda for this meeting for specific instructions for participation.

SELECTION OF PROPOSALS

HOUSING AUTHORITY ACCEPTED PROPOSALS FOR HOUSING CHOICE

VOUCHER PROJECT BASED VOUCHERS

The Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo (HASLO) reviewed, rated, and ranked the submitted requests for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Project Based Vouchers (PBV) funding for eligible low-income affordable housing projects. Per HASLO’s Administrative Plan, the following criteria was used to rate and rank the project proposals: owner experience and capacity, meeting the criteria in the Request for Proposals, addressing HASLO’s goals, types for services and population served, and the implementation of local Housing Elements and Countywide Plan to Address Homelessness.

The selected project proposals include:

• Cleaver & Clark Commons in Grover Beach by People’s Self-Help Housing was selected for 21 PBVs

• Bridge Street Family Apartments in San Luis Obispo by San Luis Obispo Nonprofit was selected for 8 PBVs

Any questions about the awarded projects or process can be submitted to Matt Leal, Project Manager mleal@haslo.org.

April 20, 2023

CITY OF GROVER BEACH NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Grover Beach will conduct a Public Hearing on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 at 6:00 p.m., or soon thereafter.

Development Application 23-06

Applicant – 1071 Highland LLC

The Planning Commission will consider a one-year Time Extension for Development Application 18-22, Development Permit and Use Permit construct a commerical cannabis manufacturing and distribution facility located at 1071 Highland Way (APN 060-546-028).

The site is zoned Industrial (I). CEQA Determination – The project received a certified mitigated negative declaration. Approved project plans may be viewed at the following url: https://www.groverbeach. org/DocumentCenter/View/13805/PC-Approved-1071-Highland-UP

Development Application 23-15

Applicant – 800 Farroll Investments LLC

The Planning Commission will consider a one-year Time Extension for Development Application 21-16, a Use Permit for interior tenant improvements located at 800 Farroll Road (APN 060-544-012). The site is zoned Industrial (I). CEQA Determination – The project received a Class 1 exemption for existing structures and facilities. Approved project plans may be viewed at the following url: https://www. groverbeach.org/DocumentCenter/View/13806/PC-Approved-800Farroll-Road

Development Application 22-29

Applicant – Coastal Community Builders

The Planning Commission will provide direction and comments on a pre-application review for a potential project located along the 400 block of West Grand Avenue (APNs 060-214002,003,004,005,006,007,008,009). The potential project includes the potential demolition of all existing structures and the construction of two (2) new structures containing a mix of retail/commerical uses and residential uses. The site is zoned Visitor Serving (VS).

Development Application 23-14

Applicant – Pacifica Companies

The Planning Commission will consider making a recommendation to the City Council for a time extension for Development Application 10-03 related to a Coastal Development Permit and Use Permit for the Grover Beach Lodge project. The project is located within the Coastal Zone at 55 West Grand Avenue in the Coastal Visitor Serving (CVS) Zone. The City Council action is appealable to the California Coastal Commission in compliance with Municipal Code, Article IX Section 7.20.040. If an appeal is requested, an appeal shall be filed with the Coastal Commission Santa Cruz District Office. Approved project plans may be viewed here: https://www.groverbeach.org/ DocumentCenter/View/13800/Grover-Beach-Lodge-Project-Plans

Where You Come In:

For more information, you are invited to contact Alex Fuchs of the City’s Community Development Department at (805) 783-7877 or afuchs@slocity.org

The City Council may also discuss other hearings or business items before or after the items listed above.

If you challenge the proposed project in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the public hearing. Council Agenda Reports for this meeting will be available for review one week in advance of the meeting date on the City’s website, under the Public Meeting Agendas web page: https://www.slocity.org/ government/mayor-and-city-council/agendas-andminutes. Please call the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 781-7114 for more information. The City Council meeting will be televised live on Charter Cable Channel 20 and live streaming on the City’s YouTube channel http://youtube.slo.city.

April 20, 2023

A brief story, fifty-five words or less, with a headline no longer than seven words.

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

PLEASE NOTE:

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

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

Erica Inderlied City Clerk

April 20, 2023

Any member of the public may appear at the meeting or call (805) 321-6639 during the meeting and be heard on the item(s) described in this notice or submit written comments prior to the meeting by personal delivery or mail to: Community Development Department, 154 South Eighth Street, Grover Beach, CA 93433 or by email to comdev@ groverbeach.org. If you require special accommodations to participate in the public hearing, please contact the City Clerk’s office at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting by calling (805) 473-4567.

For More Information:

If you have questions or would like more information regarding the item(s) described in this notice, please contact the Community Development Department by telephone at (805) 473-4520 or send an e-mail to comdev@groverbeach.org

The Planning Commission may also discuss other items of business at this meeting. The complete meeting agenda and staff reports will be posted on the City’s website at www.groverbeach.org.

If you challenge the nature of the proposed actions in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the Public Hearing(s) described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City at, or prior to, the Public Hearing. (Govt. Code Sec. 65009).

We accept entries to our annual 55 Fiction writing contest all year long. Entries submitted by 5pm Monday, June 19, 2023 will be considered for this year’s publications which will be out on July 27, 2023

For more details: bit.ly/55Fiction

SAN LUIS COASTAL UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the San Luis Coastal Unified School District acting by and through its Board of Education will receive proposals up to, but not later than 2:00:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2023, for Bid #309-San Luis High School Athletics Storage Building Project.

A mandatory pre-bid informational meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 9:00:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at the San Luis High School Track and Field, 1499 San Luis Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. Parking will be available on the street of San Luis Drive at the Track, gates will be open. Failure to attend will render the bid non-responsive and subject to rejection by the District.

Proposals shall be received in the Facilities Office, San Luis Coastal Unified, 937 Southwood Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. Questions regarding Bid #309 may be directed in writing only to the Facilities Analyst, Kelly Lee, at klee@slcusd.org, and must be submitted no later than 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 20, 2023.

Project documents are available at the San Luis Coastal Online Planroom at www.asapreprographics.com.

The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or accept or reject any one or more items of a proposal, or to waive any irregularities or informalities in the proposals.

Kelly Lee, Facilities Analyst

San Luis Coastal Unified School District

April 13 & 20, 2023

CITY OF PISMO BEACH

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

SEALED BIDS will be received at the office of the City Clerk, 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach, California, until 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, May 18, 2023 as determined by www.time.gov for performing work as follows:

PALISADES AND CHUMASH PARKS PLAYGROUND PROJECT

Before submitting bids, contractors shall be licensed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Accordingly, the successful bidder shall possess a Class A, General Engineering, Contractor’s License at the time this contract is awarded.

Project Plans and Specifications are available at the Engineering Division office located at 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach, CA, 93449. A non-refundable fee of $400.00 per set will be charged.

Electronic Plans and Specifications are available via email at no charge. Questions will be accepted in writing up to 96 hours before bid closing by emailing Eric Eldridge at eeldridge@ pismobeach.org. Questions regarding bid procedure or other non-technical questions can be asked by emailing Erin Olsen at eolsen@pismobeach.org or by calling (805) 773-4656.

ERICA INDERLIED, CITY CLERK

April 20 & 27, 2023

Free Will Astrology

by Rob Brezsny

Homework: Make a guess about when you will fulfill your No. 1 goal. Newsletter.freewillastrology.com

ARIES

(March 21-April 19): In English, the phrase “growing pains” refers to stresses that emerge during times of rapid ripening or vigorous development. Although they might feel uncomfortable, they are often signs that the ongoing transformations are invigorating. Any project that doesn’t have at least some growing pains may lack ambition. If we hope to transcend our previous limits and become a more complete expression of our destiny, we must stretch ourselves in ways that inconvenience our old selves. I’m expecting growing pains to be one of your key motifs in the coming weeks, dear Aries. It’s important that you don’t try to repress the discomfort. On the other hand, it’s also crucial not to obsess over them. Keep a clear vision of what these sacrifices will make possible for you.

TAURUS

On February 7, 2023, I, James W. Hamilton, San Luis Obispo County Tax Collector, was authorized by the Board of Supervisors of San Luis Obispo County, California, to conduct an Internet Public Auction of properties that have had delinquent taxes for five years or more. The tax-defaulted properties listed below are subject to the Tax Collector’s Power to Sell. Notice of the Internet Public Auction has been given to the California State Controller.

The Internet Public Auction will commence at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 12, 2023, and will continue until approximately 9:00 a.m. on Monday, May 15, 2023. The sale will be held through the Tax Collector’s website at: www.slocountytax.org, at “Internet Public Auction.” For bidders without access to the Internet, a computer will be available in the Tax Collector’s Office at 1055 Monterey Street, Room D-290, County Government Center, San Luis Obispo, California, during regular business hours. Public access to computers is also available in the County Public Library at 995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California.

The properties will be sold to the highest bidder for cash in lawful money of the United States (payable at close of the Internet Auction on May 15, 2023), for not less than the minimum bid as shown on this notice. Cashier’s checks and electronic fund transfers will be accepted for payment. Bidder registration will be through Bid4Assets, which is accessible through the Tax Collector’s website.

The right of redemption (paying the prior year taxes) will cease at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2023, or when the first bid is received on a subject property, whichever is later. Properties that are not redeemed prior to 5:00 p.m. on May 11, 2023, will be offered for sale. If a property is not sold at the Internet Public Auction, the right of redemption re-instates up until the close of business on the last day prior to the next scheduled sale.

If the properties are sold, parties of interest, as defined in California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 4675, have a right to file a claim with the County for any excess proceeds from the sale. Excess proceeds are the amount of the highest bid in excess of $150 after the liens and costs of the sale are paid from the sale price. Notice will be given to parties of interest, pursuant to law, if excess proceeds result from the sale.

Additional information about the Internet Public Auction may be obtained by contacting the Redemption Division of the Tax Collector’s Office at 1055 Monterey St., Room D-290, County Government Center, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93408, or by calling the Redemption Division at (805) 781-5836. The properties listed in this notice are situated in San Luis Obispo County, California. The Internet Public Auction sale of the properties was approved by the Board of Supervisors. The list of properties approved for sale is also posted on the Tax Collector’s website, which will be updated weekly.

Assessment Numbering System Explanation

The assessment number, when used to describe properties in this list, refers to the Assessor’s map book, the map page, or the block on the map (if applicable), and to the individual parcel number on the map page or in the block. The properties that have an assessment number beginning with “902” are timeshare intervals. A “timeshare” is a right to use a specified unit for a specified time during the calendar year. The timeshare intervals to be sold in the Internet Public Auction are for units located at the San Luis Bay Inn, at Avila Beach in the County of San Luis Obispo, California.

The Assessor’s parcel maps and further explanation of the assessment numbering system are available in the Assessor’s Office, 1055 Monterey Street, Room D-360, County Government Center, San Luis Obispo, California or online at http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Assessor/ Services/Assessment-Maps.aspx.

(April 20-May 20): Satirical Taurus author Karl Kraus defined “sentimental irony” as “a dog that bays at the moon while pissing on graves.” Please avoid that decadent emotion in the coming weeks, Taurus. You will also be wise to reject any other useless or counterproductive feelings that rise up within you or hurtle toward you from other people, like “clever cruelty” or “noble self-pity” or “sweet revenge.” In fact, I hope you will be rigorous about what moods you feed and what influences you allow into your sphere. You have a right and a duty to be highly discerning about shaping both your inner and outer environments. Renewal time is imminent.

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20): In his poem “October Fullness,” Pablo Neruda says, “Our own wounds heal with weeping, / Our own wounds heal with singing.” I agree. I believe that weeping and singing are two effective ways to recover from emotional pain and distress. The more weeping and singing we do, the better. I especially recommend these therapeutic actions to you now, Gemini. You are in a phase when you can accomplish far more curative and restorative transformations than usual.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22): After careful analysis of the astrological omens and a deep-diving meditation, I have concluded that the coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to indulge in an unprecedented binge of convivial revelry and pleasure. My advice is to engage in as much feasting and carousing as you can without completely ignoring your responsibilities. I know this may sound extreme, but I am inviting you to have more fun than you have ever had—even more fun than you imagine you deserve. (You do deserve it, though.) I hope you will break all your previous records for frequency and intensity of laughter.

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22): In 1886, Vincent van Gogh bought a pair of worn-out shoes at a Paris flea market. When he got home, he realized they didn’t fit. Rather than discard them, he made them the centerpiece of one of his paintings. Eventually, they became famous. In 2009, a renowned gallery in Cologne, Germany, built an entire exhibit around the scruffy brown leather shoes. In the course of their celebrated career, six major philosophers and art historians have written about them as if they were potent symbols worthy of profound consideration. I propose that we regard their history as an inspirational metaphor for you in the coming weeks. What humble influence might be ready for evocative consideration and inspirational use?

VIRGO

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Gliding away from the routine for rendezvous with fun riddles? I approve! Delivering your gorgeous self into the vicinity of a possibly righteous temptation? OK. But go slowly, please. Size up the situation with your gut intuition and long-range vision as well as your itchy fervor. In general, I am pleased with your willingness to slip outside your comfortable enclaves and play freely in the frontier zones. It makes me happy to see you experimenting with AHA and WHAT-IF and MAYBE BABY. I hope you summon the chutzpah to find and reveal veiled parts of your authentic self.

LIBRA

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The German word Sehnsucht refers to when we have a profound, poignant yearning for something, but we quite don’t know what that something is. I suspect you may soon be in the grip of your personal Sehnsucht But I also believe you are close to identifying an experience that will quench the seemingly impossible longing. You will either discover a novel source of deep gratification, or you will be able to transform an existing gratification to accommodate your Sehnsucht Sounds like spectacular fun to me. Clear some space in your schedule to welcome it.

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Most of us have at some time in the past been mean and cruel to people we loved. We acted unconsciously or unintentionally, perhaps, but the bottom line is that we caused pain. The coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to atone for any such hurts you have dispensed. I encourage you to be creative as you offer healing and correction for any mistakes you’ve made with important allies. I’m not necessarily suggesting you try to resume your bond with ex-lovers and former friends. The goal is to purge your iffy karma and graduate from the past. Perform whatever magic you have at your disposal to transform suffering with love.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The blues singer-songwriter B. B. King wasn’t always known by that name. He was born Riley B. King. In his 20s, when he began working at a Memphis radio station, he acquired the nickname “Beales Street Blues Boy.” Later, that was shortened to “Blues Boy,” and eventually to “B. B.” In the spirit of B. B. King’s evolution and in accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to identify areas of your life with cumbersome or unnecessary complexities that might benefit from simplification.

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Proboscis monkeys live in Borneo and nowhere else on earth. Their diet consists largely of fruits and leaves from trees that grow only on Borneo and nowhere else. I propose we make them your anti-role model in the coming months. In my astrological opinion, you need to diversify your sources of nourishment, both the literal and metaphorical varieties. You will also be wise to draw influences from a wide variety of humans and experiences. I further suggest that you expand your financial life so you have multiple sources of income and diversified investments.

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): It’s challenging to track down the sources of quotes on the Internet. Today, for instance, I found these words attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Plato: “I enjoy the simple things in life, like recklessly spending my cash and being a disappointment to my family.” That can’t be right. I’m sure Plato didn’t actually say such things. Elsewhere, I came upon a review of George Orwell’s book Animal Farm that was supposedly penned by pop star Taylor Swift: “Not a very good instructional guide on farming. Would NOT recommend to first-time farmers.” Again, I’m sure that wasn’t written by Swift. I bring this up, Aquarius, because one of your crucial tasks these days is to be dogged and discerning as you track down the true origins of things. Not just Internet quotes, but everything else, as well—including rumors, theories, and evidence. Go to the source, the roots, the foundations.

PISCES

I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed at San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, California, on April 6, 2023.

/s/ James W. Hamilton, CPA, San Luis Obispo County Tax Collector

Published in New Times on April 6, April 13, and April 20, 2023

In accordance with astrological omens, I’m turning over this horoscope to Piscean teacher Esther Hicks. Here are affirmations she advises you to embody: “I’m going to be happy. I’m going to skip and dance. I will be glad. I will smile a lot. I will be easy. I will count my blessings. I will look for reasons to feel good. I will dig up positive things from the past. I will look for positive things where I am right now. I will look for positive things in the future. It is my natural state to be a happy person. It’s natural for me to love and laugh. I am a happy person!” ∆

(Feb. 19-March 20):