New Times, Sept. 5, 2024

North County cities are using man-made and natural beaver dams to control erosion and fire in the Salinas Riverbed [8]

BY LIBBEY HANSON

Photo contest is now open [13]

Editor’s note

Beaver engineering has already shown its stuff in some parts of North SLO County’s Salinas Riverbed, damming up shallow pools of water that give way to greener vegetation year-round. Paso Robles and Atascadero hope to capitalize even more on what nature’s architect has to offer by creating man-made beaver dams in other areas of the riverbed. The goal is to prevent soil erosion and fires and reintroduce the once-endemic species to other parts of the Salinas River. Staff Writer Libbey Hanson gets into the details [8].

Also this week, read about the questions surrounding Proposition 1 and SLO County’s behavioral health funding [9]; an art show focused on the San DiegoTijuana, U.S.-Mexico border [26]; and 2024’s Agriculturalist of the Year [32]

Camillia Lanham editor

cover photo by Libbey Hanson cover design by Alex Zuniga

NATURE’S ARCHITECT

Paso Robles and Atascadero want more beaver dams in the Salinas Riverbed to help protect the river from soil erosion and fire and restore riparian habitat.

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Dana Reserve in Nipomo moves closer to becoming a reality

The Dana Reserve moved one step closer to breaking ground after the Nipomo Community Services District (NCSD) voted in favor of splitting the development’s future property taxes with SLO County and annexing the project into its service area.

More than 100 community members were present at the NCSD’s Aug. 28 board meeting to show their support for or their disdain of the housing development. Members of the Nipomo Action Committee used the meeting as one of their last attempts to halt the project.

Action Committee Executive Director Alison Martinez provided New Times with a seven-page letter that the group’s lawyer, Babak Naficy, wrote to the NCSD board urging it not to accept the annexation agreement.

“The annexation of Dana Reserve would … undermine the long-term reliability of NCSD’s water supplies and be grossly unfair to the current NCSD customers, whose sacrifices and water-saving efforts has directly enabled the district to reduce groundwater pumping,” the letter reads. “These reductions in water use were undoubtedly intended to promote the health of the groundwater basin and to combat the negative effects of prolonged droughts, which are only expected to worsen as a result of climate change.”

A presentation from Dana Reserve developer Nick Tompkins’ team showed that there is projected to be sufficient water supply to serve future demands during multiple dry years, based on the NCSD’s 2020 Urban Water Management Plan.

“In the fifth dry year of five successive dry years, in 2045, NCSD’s water supply will exceed water demand by 415 [acre feet],” the presentation stated.

NCSD General Manager Ray Dienzo told directors that agreeing to annex this project and receive the agreed upon property tax percentage split with the county would provide funds that would go to much needed wastewater infrastructure improvements.

“When we presented the negotiation idea that, at build-out, the 2.36973 percent would increase the district property tax share from this proposed annexation by 20 to 30 percent, this correlates with the increase in population that this annexation would add,” Dienzo said during the Aug. 28 meeting. “It’s

Coastal Commission appeal challenges Moonstone motel project in Cambria

Cambria’s Burton Drive could get a new motel— that is, if the California Coastal Commission allows the development in light of an appeal that claims the community doesn’t have the water supply.

“In terms of water supply, Cambria has historically had difficulty meeting even existing water demand given that the community’s two main water sources, San Simeon and Santa Rosa creeks, have long suffered from overdraft conditions,” reads the appeal, which the California Coastal Commission will review at its Sept. 12 meeting.

The plot of land in question, between Burton Drive and Santa Rosa Creek, is where two existing empty buildings reside: The former Brambles Dinner House, unused since 2011, and former gift shop Oliver’s Twist—both of which were previously purchased by Dirk Winters, owner of local lodging chain Moonstone Hotel Properties.

also important to note that the additional property tax funds would go to the county.”

Property tax negotiations between the NCSD and the county weren’t exactly smooth. After the SLO County Board of Supervisors gave Tompkins the go-ahead to move forward with his 288-acre housing development, the Dana Reserve returned to the board on June 18 seeking approval for annexation into the NCSD’s service area for water and wastewater services.

It sparked a lengthy negotiation process between the county and the NCSD over where the development’s property taxes would go. The county Assessor’s Office provided data that the housing development would generate an extra 3.7 percent in property taxes, and both government entities felt entitled to the revenue.

Having conflicting annexation policies, the two parties met on two different occasions to find a common ground, which resulted in the NCSD receiving approximately 2.4 percent of the “extra” property tax and the county receiving the remainder.

“I am disappointed as I told the negotiators that I would support a 3.7 percent share, but I would not be enthusiastic as low as 2.7 percent,” NCSD President Ed Eby said during Aug. 28 meeting. “What is now being asked is less than 2.4 percent.”

subsidize an independent special district with the county general fund monies nor should any property tax exchange result in a net fiscal loss to the county. Therefore, the county first offered the NCSD zero percent of the property tax as the county already allocates 27 percent of its Post Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund to the district. This goes against the NCSD’s policy, which states that the amount of property tax revenue exchange in future years should remain consistent with historic property tax revenue sharing agreements.

A comprise was met and the Board of Supervisors voted in favor of it on July 9, with 1st District Supervisor John Peschong claiming that the project was too important to lose.

“I’m a little confused because we do have … a board rule that does say that from a budgeting standpoint we don’t want to share the tax revenue,” he said. “The problem is, this is what I’m afraid of, is that this will be used as an excuse to not build this project, and this project is very needed in the community.”

The county’s annexation policy states that independent special districts, like the NCSD, are autonomous government agencies fully independent of the county in governance, the provision of services, and funding. It adds that the county shall not

According to the appeal, both the Brambles and Oliver’s Twist buildings, as well as an existing nearby parking lot, would be converted into 26 motel rooms and a 31-spaced covered parking lot under a plan approved by a SLO County Planning and Building Department hearing officer on June 7.

This approval determined that since Brambles and Oliver’s Twist were previously operating as a restaurant and gift shop, the project is not a “‘new water using’ development” and that a motel would use less water than the two previous businesses combined.

The appellants, Coastal Commissioners Justin Cummings and Ann Notthoff, argued that the county got this projection wrong and the permit raised concerns under the SLO County Local Coastal Program (LCP), which provides tight restrictions on new development in Cambria due to water availability.

Commissioners determined that the 26-roomed motel would use an equivalent of 18 homes’ worth

The NCSD followed suit and voted in favor of both the annexation into their district and splitting the property tax. Now the Dana Reserve is waiting for annexation approval from the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), which will hold a study session on the issue on Sept. 19. ∆

—Samantha Herrera

more water than the site’s current water use, the appeal stated.

“The scope and magnitude of the project here, in such a well-known water-scarce community, raises significant coastal resource problems,” the appeal reads.

Commissioners said that the county conducted a “hypothetical exercise” that calculated the highest water usage for the plot based off a restaurant and gift shop, not the actual proposed project of a motel.

“These conclusions are simply not supported by the facts,” according to the appeal document.

In addition to water use, the commissioners who appealed the project said there was no specific plan to provide lower-cost lodging, another requirement under the LCP that specifies that 25 percent of rooms must be affordable.

“It is not at all clear that LCP lower-cost accommodation requirements would be met under the county’s approval, and thus raises

A COMMUNITY DIVIDED More than 100 SLO County residents attended the Aug. 28 Nipomo Community Services District board of directors meeting to voice their opinion on the directors’ vote to split property tax revenue with the county and move the Dana Reserve forward in its application process.

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA HERRERA

conformance issues,” the commissioners stated in the appeal.

—Libbey Hanson SLO property owner sues city for storm damages

The city of San Luis Obispo became the latest in the county to be on the receiving end of a lawsuit from disgruntled constituents who suffered damages from the January 2023 storms.

“When will they ever take on responsibility, or even, like, offer to help?” SLOtography owner Blake Andrews said.

“Because there’s no one in the city in a formal setting that’s offered to help. I’m guessing it’s not in the best interest of the city to offer to help, because clearly their stance on these things is to reject all claims and just be kind of generally unreasonable.”

Andrews’ mother, Katchy Andrews, owns the mixed-use building at 515 Broad St. that houses businesses, including SLOtography, along with some residential spaces. She granted Andrews power of attorney over the property, which lies adjacent to the citymanaged Old Garden Creek.

In January 2024, the mother and son sued the city of SLO for damages allegedly incurred from a culvert being constructed near their property. Their lawsuit states that the city’s reported failure to maintain the culvert and Old Garden Creek resulted in the culvert cracking and becoming damaged on the side of the building.

Eroding soil caused the downstream side of the building wall to shift, according to the suit. A riprap slope protection above the culvert also failed during the storms, leading to redirection of flow in the creek channel and scouring the earth below the property’s wall. They said that water and other materials streamed into the building and caused even more damage.

“The city knew or should have known that the culvert and Old Garden Creek were incompatible to properly drain surface waters and mud and silt from reasonably foreseeable rainstorms such that damage to private property was probable, unless the drainage through the culvert and Old Garden Creek and its drainage channels were properly designed, constructed, or managed,” the lawsuit reads.

The city rejected the claim for damages in October 2023, stating that they had six months from the date of the notice to file a court action.

“The city evaluated the specific claim and concluded that the Andrews’ private property damage was not caused by any action of the city and, therefore, the city cannot pay the costs associated with the storm damage on private property with public dollars, absent evidence that the city’ actions were the cause of the damages,” SLO attorney Christine Dietrick told New Times.

Blake Andrews said he ran into a dead end with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), too. Pursuing financial assistance from the agency was a “waste of time.”

“FEMA was only supporting private homes, like not apartment buildings,” he said. “Because it wasn’t a primary residence, they weren’t willing to contribute, which is a whole other can of worms.”

Other parts of SLO County are also embroiled in legal battles stemming from the historic storms.

The county, the city of Paso Robles, and the California Department of Transportation

(Caltrans) face a lawsuit for damages pertaining to negligence, dangerous condition of public property, failure to warn, survival action, emotional distress, and wrongful death from the parents of San Miguel’s missing 5-year-old Kyle Doan.

Oceano residents Pat and Victoria Cardoza filed a complaint against SLO County last September for general negligence and property damage stemming from the southside breach of the Arroyo Grande Creek levee. Their action demands an unspecified amount that exceeds $25,000.

At least two different residents have sued the city of Atascadero over alleged citycaused damages during the storms as well.

The city of SLO plans to object to the complaint through a demurrer hearing on Oct. 31.

“We’ve had no help in terms of providing like a collaborative effort towards fixing the wall in the creek,” Andrews said. “In fact, the most recent thing that we received was a notification to correct some graffiti that somebody has done on the wall, which is on our property. It’s on the culvert wall as well, which the city hasn’t fixed.”

—Bulbul Rajagopal

Pismo council supports proposition that would crack down on repeat offenders

The Pismo Beach City Council narrowly passed a resolution supporting a ballot proposition aimed at reforming how the state charges and prosecutes repeat offenders and drug crimes.

During a Sept. 3 City Council meeting, Pismo Beach Police Chief Jeff Smith presented Proposition 36: the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, which aims to refine the approach established by Proposition 47. That proposition passed in 2014 with the goal of reducing the number of inmates in California’s state prison.

The 2024 initiative focuses on four main parts: accountability for repeat offenders, narcotics-related crimes, retail thefts, and rehabilitation and diversion programs, according to the Sept. 3 staff report.

Proposition 36 will impose stricter penalties for individuals who repeatedly commit crimes, while seeking to ensure that crimes involving the use or sale of narcotics are met with consequences to deter further criminal behavior. It also addresses the growing fentanyl crisis by providing stricter penalties and mandatory treatment options.

“Fentanyl, in my 20 years, is probably the most dangerous drug I’ve ever seen on the streets, and we definitely have a crisis,” Smith said. “One use of fentanyl can definitely end somebody’s life.”

Proposition 47 had honorable intentions, Smith told City Council, but it had negative impacts because it reduced penalties for drug violations and crimes involving nonviolent offenses.

“We’ve seen an increase in property crimes and thefts related to our stores, retail stores, we’ve seen a strain on law enforcement with a lot of these property crimes,” he said. “We’re not seeing as many people held accountable, and we have a lot of repeat offenders within our city. So again, we end up arresting or dealing with the same individuals over and over, which is often not a good use of our resources and impacts public safety.”

Smith said that the end result is that community members feel unsafe, as they can become a victim of a crime with the

perpetrator being released a few hours later.

“The public feels like they’re not safe or they’re not being taken care of, which can be frustrating. And it’s frustrating for law enforcement when our community members don’t feel safe,” he said. “We’ve seen an open burden on the justice system with a little lack of accountability and the significant increase of repeat offenders. We’re seeing more and more people continuing to just cycle through the courts.”

Proposition 36 promises to address increases in retail thefts by lowering the felony threshold so individuals who repeatedly shoplift or commit other forms of retail theft face more serious consequences, which could restore a sense of security to businesses and the community, according to the staff report.

The staff report also states that the measure isn’t advocating for a return to mass incarceration. Rather, it emphasizes the importance of diversion programs, designed to help offenders break the cycle of addiction and crime, for individuals convicted of drugrelated crimes.

Councilmember Marcia Guthrie wasn’t sold on the proposition and asked Smith why the measure is being proposed as fighting against retail theft when it doesn’t change the $950 threshold that makes theft a felony.

“I think that there was a lot of resistance, and over the years there’s been a number of bills that have been proposed, and it was seen as more of a total reversal of Prop. 47, and [now] they’re looking for more compromises rather than repeals,” Smith said. “So, the way they are addressing this is through the repeat offenders. After two convictions of a theft, a third conviction can be charged as a felony.”

Smith said that Proposition 36 isn’t necessarily looking at the person who stole something worth more than $400 one time, it’s looking to address the individuals who continually steal.

Guthrie said she also doesn’t agree with the title “Proposition 36: the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act,” as a statistic from the 5Cities Homeless Coalition claims that less than 20 percent of homelessness in SLO County is a result of drug-addiction.

The council voted 3-2 to support the proposition with Guthrie and Councilmember Stacy Inman opposed.

“For me, it’s salacious to put this in the title because it’s very inaccurate,” Guthrie said. “It’s to erect emotions from people.”

—Samantha Herrera

Three candidates vie for Atascadero City Council seats

As local elections ramp up, two openings on the Atascadero City Council have three candidates campaigning for a seat, while the mayoral race has one contender.

Incumbent Councilmember Mark Dariz is running against newcomers Seth Peek and Tori Keen for the spots, with the top two vote getters taking the seats.

Current Councilmember Charles Bourbeau’s seat is up for grabs as he’s running unopposed for mayor.

Current Mayor Heather Moreno won the race to become SLO County’s new 5th District Supervisor in the primary and will replace current 5th District Supervisor Debbie Arnold, who didn’t run for reelection, at the end of the year.

Dariz has served one four-year term on the council. Previously, he was on the city Planning Commission for 10 years. He told New Times he wants to continue the work of the current council and keep advocating for economic growth, public safety, and affordable housing in the area.

“Affordable housing everywhere is super important, but I want to see that Atascadero does its part in providing that,” he said. “I really love Atascadero, and just want to continue to be a part of making things change for the better.”

Peek, owner of Peek Painting and Peek Realty, said he’s eager to provide a voice for Atascadero’s small business owners.

“I plan on being our local community business representative on the council,” Peek’s candidate statement reads. “There are so many great businesses that directly contribute to the vitality and character of our city. I plan on continuing to support their endeavors and be their champion.”

Peek did not respond to New Times’ request for comment in time for publication.

Family law paralegal Keen has been on the Planning Commission for five years, now serving as its chair.

Keen told New Times that she wants to include more viewpoints and has made a conscious effort during her campaign to speak with all age groups, especially the youth.

“I truly believe that they’re the future of our town, and everything we do now impacts over years to come,” she said. “And so, I’m really making a conscious effort to reach out to them and get their opinions, and they want to talk. … As I say in a lot of my stuff, every voice counts, whether you’re 16 or 60— it matters.”

Incumbent Bourbeau announced his campaign for mayor in April and is running for the two-year term unopposed.

According to his campaign website, Bourbeau is a Cal Poly graduate and has lived in Atascadero since 1985, serving on the City Council since 2016.

“While I have been on the City Council, our city has made great progress. We have improved funding and staffing for public safety and other services,” his campaign page says. “I want to continue that record of progress as mayor.”

Atascadero voters will also see two ballot measures in the upcoming election.

L-24 asks voters to approve a sales tax increase of a half-cent per dollar, which is intended to provide $3 million annually to be used toward city improvements such as road repair and general government needs. Additionally, M-24 will determine if the city’s treasurer position should be appointed. Find candidate statements and further election information at atascadero.org/2024general-election.

—Libbey Hanson

Correction

The Aug. 29 news brief, “County residents butt heads with harbor commissioners over offshore wind,” incorrectly stated how Commissioner Jim Blecha voted on the Clean Energy Terminals (CET) studies about whether Port San Luis can support offshore wind development. Blecha voted in favor of the studies. Commissioner William Barrow voted against it alongside Commissioner Mary Matakovich. New Times regrets the error. ∆

PARTICIPATE IN PLANNING OF THE FUTURE DECOMMISSIONING OF

DIABLO CANYON.

Spent nuclear fuel is currently stored at Diablo Canyon. Where will it go?

You’re invited to an in-person/online meeting to better understand national policy to establish facilities to store spent nuclear fuel, hosted by the Diablo Canyon Decommissioning Engagement Panel, in collaboration with Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

The meeting will include presentations from the Department of Energy on proposed interim and permanent storage repositories. There will also be international presenters discussing examples of spent fuel storage abroad. And an update will be given on the status of spent fuel stored at Diablo Canyon.

The Panel uses this information and public input to help shape its annual Strategic Vision and recommendations it makes to the utility.

Date: September 18, 2024 from 6-9pm at Grover Beach City Hall at 154 S. Eighth Street.

To see the agenda, attend online and submit questions or comments in advance, visit www.diablocanyonpanel.org. SATU RDAY SEPT 7 TH , 2024 5:30 - 8:30 PM

Awakening Ways Center for Spiritual Living

We are a diverse, welcoming community that accepts and supports everyone’s spiritual journey.

We teach the Science of Mind and Spirit, an a irmative philosophy free of dogma, and encourage personal development through questioning, contemplation, and direct personal spiritual experience.

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

If you are ready to live your best life, come check us out!

Rev. Elizabeth Rowley Hogue, Spiritual Leader

Sunday services are held at 10 AM at the Pavilion on the Lake 9315 Pismo Avenue · Atascadero · CA · 93422 805-391-4465 · info@awakeningways.org www.awakeningways.org

BY LIBBEY HANSON

Beaver believe it

fewer fires, but LaCaro sees green as a benefit to the city.

There’s a clear distinction between the dry land and lush riverbed along the Upper Salinas River in Atascadero. Tracks along the shoreline in late August reveal that a branch was recently dragged into the stream. A pile of fresh wood shavings and deep divots on the riverbed floor lead up to an architectured dam—the beavers were busy the previous night.

According to SLO Beaver Brigade

Founder Audrey Taub, the family of beavers that reside in this area is one of four in Atascadero. They maintain two dams that span the width of the riverbed holding up to 3 feet of water that slowly flows for about a mile, to which Taub named them “ecosystem engineers.”

Even in times of drought, these beaverinhabited areas remain wet year-round and provide a resource that humans have historically tried to engineer for fire prevention, water retention, and species conservation, said Taub, whose group monitors the activity in the area.

Both Atascadero and Paso Robles are using beaver engineering to help reintroduce the amphibious rodents to the area and allow the animals to maintain a lush Salinas Riverbed by doing what they do best—being beavers.

On Aug. 26 Paso Robles notified residents of a riverbed project to harvest willow stakes to enhance environmental health and water quality in the Upper Salinas River corridor starting in October. Its purpose: to build man-made beaver dams in Atascadero.

Willow stake harvesting involves trimming live willows and replanting those pieces along unstable riverbeds. The willow stakes eventually form a new root structure and provide soil stability, preventing further erosion along the bed.

Upper Salinas-Las Tablas Resource Conservation District (RCD) Executive Director Devin Best helped spearhead this project and is currently working on engineering beaver dam analogs—humanmade dams that mimic beaver activity.

“[Analogs] just seems kind of the path of least resistance on some level, and also has real potential to kind of change the way that we’re addressing species decline, climate change, landowner resiliency, and all these other concerns that we’re trying to deal with on a large scale,” Best said. “But a much more strategic and effective method.”

With funding from the county, and a partnership with the California Conservation Corps, the organizations will collect willow stakes within the Salinas River in Paso and transport them to the Atascadero area to assist with erosion issues.

The project started when SLO County contacted the RCD about a quick fix for some erosion near a pipeline on private land near the Upper Salinas Riverbed. When Best assessed the land, he determined that process-based restoration was the solution, a low-technology strategy that mimics nature and eventually could involve beavers.

“One of the elements of process-based restoration is using beaver dam analogs

because they replicate natural stream channel morphology and processes to help reduce sediment and increase water retention, and actually do some flooding, which is a good thing that you want to see when they hold water during certain events of the year,” Best said.

He said they hope to encourage vegetation growth where none currently exists.

“By incorporating some willows in there and keeping them alive, we hope to restore the riparian corridor as well as maybe find some beavers that might move back into that area,” he said.

Beaver dam analogs use the same natural resources that beavers use, such as tree branches, clay, and dirt. The process involves weaving tree branches and dirt either alongside the shore of the river for erosion control or perpendicular to the stream for damming.

Paso Robles Public Works Operations Manager David LaCaro worked with the RCD to provide the willow stakes, and said the city of Paso is trying to make its own beaver dam analogs along the Salinas River, creating protection from fires and investing in a green riverside.

Within the past years, Paso has experienced fires due to its current dry riverbed and evergrowing weeds and has started to use goats as natural weed abaters. LaCaro wants to take it one step further and prevent fires with flowing water, water that would come from the man-made dams.

If water can pool in the riverbed behind a man-made beaver dam, LaCaro said that water will seep into the ground and encourage green growth even in a drought. This moisture can prevent or stop major fires—an issue LaCaro said Paso is currently trying to address.

Not only does a green riverbed mean

“One of the things that we’ve been encouraging here in the city of Paso is just using [the] Salinas River as an asset,” he said. “It’s so beautiful. But if you look at the way the town is divided, a lot of the businesses face toward the downtown area. We have such a beautiful waterway that goes right through it. So if we can bring back some of that greenery, bring back some habitat, we can turn that into an asset itself.”

RCD Executive Director Best said beaver dam analogs are a “win-win-win.” They provide a green riverbed and more simple engineering solutions, as well as encourage more beavers to live in the area and continue those damming efforts.

After beavers faced near-extinction, Best said this engineering is a great way to give back to the species humans have learned so much from.

“Ever since they disappeared, we’ve been seeing eroding and overgrown riparians, and it’s not being maintained. [Beavers] were nature’s engineers, and they were doing a great job. Then we interrupted their whole sort of ecology,” he said. “So anything we can do to kind of put them back to some level and replicate that, I think we’d be moving in the right direction.”

Best said the implementation of the beaver dam analogs may involve some trial and error, but that’s the nature of process-based restorations.

“The concern is, are these things going to work and are they going to be successful? And it’s like, well, you have to start to find out what works and what doesn’t work,” he said. “So I’m happy to be sort of that risk taker and at the forefront of … the early adoption of these things here locally.”

Willow stake harvesting in Paso Robles is scheduled to begin at the end of September, and construction of the Atascadero dams between Oct. 1 and 15. ∆

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

DAM-IT Beavers in the Upper Salinas Riverbed keep a mile-long stretch green all year, inspiring local organizations to mimic beaver dams in hopes of preventing fires and erosion.

PHOTO BY LIBBEY HANSON

Facing the unknown

Proposition 1 brings unanswered questions regarding state funding allocation to SLO County’s Behavioral Health Department

With the narrow passage of Proposition 1 in March, the SLO County Behavioral Health Department is bracing for unknown change.

Passing with a margin of 50.2 percent to 49.8 percent, the $6.4 billion bond aims to modernize the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) and provide California with the resources to build 10,000 new beds to help those with serious mental illnesses and substance use disorders to get housing and services.

To help break down the measure so it’s easier to understand, the county’s Behavioral Health Deputy Director Frank Warren told New Times that Proposition 1 comprises three parts: It morphs the MHSA into the Behavioral Services Act, gives public access to funding reports for every California county, and generates funding through the $6.4 billion bond that gives counties competitive grants to build treatment beds.

“The bond is already moving funds into the state through the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program [BHCIP] and that would provide us with an opportunity to expand the number of crisis or inpatient beds that we have here in the county,” he said. “We don’t have any crisis or residential or psychiatric beds for youth in our county, so that’s our first priority with these grant funds.”

Currently, youth are transported to surrounding counties for care. SLO County will submit its grant applications for beds in December and is hoping that funding will start in 2025.

But there’s a lack of guidance from Proposition 1 about what will happen with current county funding. Warren said there are a few things that the county does know: It will not receive any additional funding. The money SLO County gets through the MHSA will be reallocated as the MHSA is reformed.

“What Prop. 1 does is reallocate the funding we get now for a wide variety of services into three really specific components. One of the components is something we already do, which is called Full Service Partnerships, and that is our most intense kind of wraparound services for individuals who have severe mental illness, severe use disorder, people who

are regular users of inpatient services or jail or hospitalization,” he said. “Our real intensive wraparound isn’t going to change much; we think that is going to remain in the programs that we do.”

However, he added, there’s a chance that funding will be tight for other programs that the county runs.

The MHSA passed in 2004 and was designed to expand and transform California’s behavioral health system to better serve individuals with and at risk of serious mental health issues and their families, provide early intervention, and provide for needed infrastructure, technology, and training.

“Where there will be change is they’ve added a component for housing, and about nearly a third of our allocation will be dedicated to housing—that’s a really good thing. However, we don’t know yet what we will be able to spend those dollars on,” he said. “The way the bill was written, it does not give us a lot of funding for services, actual treatment of those individuals, which is what we spend those dollars currently on. So, what that means is the other third of the funding is where we will have to pack in a lot of the programs that we currently provide.”

Warren said those programs include crisis services, outreach and education services, prevention and early intervention, counseling in schools, and special population programs for Latinos and LGBTQ-plus residents.

Around 20 years ago, Warren said, the Behavioral Health Department developed the Latino Outreach Program, which staffed clinicians who were both bilingual and bicultural to embed more representation in the county’s care response. Similarly, a few years ago a QCARES (Queer Community Action, Research, Education, and Support) study helped SLO County figure out the best way to serve LGBTQ-plus residents.

According to the QCARES website, Jay Bettergracia, a psychology and child development professor at Cal Poly, formed a team to use research to create queer and transgender social change and policy recommendations by engaging with individuals and communities to understand barriers to

mental health care and develop innovative solutions.

“One thing that came out of that, which was all funded through the MHSA, was training of ally clinicians who both were representatives of the community as well as allies in building affirmative care,” he said. “That’s something that came from those MHSA dollars, and with this new Prop. 1, we can’t see now how we would build those programs going forward.”

While dealing with the unknown effects of Proposition 1, the Behavioral Health Department has spent the year introducing new programs and facilities with the hopes that one of them will generate enough revenue to keep some of the at-risk programs going.

Like most counties in California, SLO is switching its Behavioral Health Department to using electronic health records. Warren said it should enable the department to get better at billing Medi-Cal to receive more revenue.

“We’re hopeful that the Medi-Cal revenue will now allow us to maybe sustain some of those programs that might get threatened by the cuts from Prop. 1,” he said.

The department also opened a new sobering center at 2180 Johnson Ave., and stays there could be billed to Medi-Cal.

“It’s a short-term crisis facility for people who are kind of suffering from severe intoxication. It’s not a locked facility; it’s a stabilization and access for treatment so people who come in the door are met with compassion and deescalation and safety,” he said. “It’s for sobering and then they can be linked with a therapist.”

Managed by Good Samaritan Shelter, the sobering center has 12 beds and is designed to keep individuals for less than 24 hours. The center does let some residents stay for up to 72 hours on a case-by-case basis.

“One of the other big items that we’re working on is establishing an access and crisis services division here in the department, so we’ll have one division that oversees that 24/7 crisis system,” Warren said. “Right now, all of those things exist, and we also have a mobile crisis team called Community Action Teams and those are basically psychiatric technicians who are embedded with law enforcement throughout the county.

“These programs are now going to fall under one single division, and they’ll all be connected more so than they are now.” ∆

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

BRACING FOR CHANGE After Proposition 1 passed in March, the county’s Behavioral Health Department has been preparing for funding changes in services it currently provides.

PHOTO

Dream granters

After spending their formative years in an internment camp set up during World War II, Japanese American brothers Toki and Nori Endo rose to become decorated pilots in the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy, respectively.

“Individuals like Toki Endo, who have given back so much to their country, really, in the face of incredible adversity, are individuals that we love to serve,” Wish of a Lifetime executive director Tom Wagenlander said. “I think as a society, we owe a debt of gratitude and opportunity to empower them to age in the way they would want to age.”

The brothers’ distinguished careers encompassed a combined 468 missions over Vietnam. But they eventually drifted apart, prompting 87-year-old Toki to arrive in San Luis Obispo County yearning for a reunion.

“Their careers, their families sort of created a little bit of a passive drift between the two brothers,” Wagenlander said. “It was about 10 years ago that Nori passed away, and it was at that moment that Toki realized he really wanted to make sure their story and their sacrifice, their connection … their legacy was preserved for future generations.”

Enter Wish of a Lifetime, a charitable affiliate of the American Association of Retired People (AARP). With the help of individual, corporate, and in-kind donations,

the program grants life-changing wishes to older and aging Americans like Toki.

Learning about his brother’s death sparked a desire in Toki to meet Nori’s family. The veteran connected with Wish of a Lifetime, and he arrived in Templeton with his daughter in August to meet his extended family. Wagenlander told New Times that Toki shared stories of brotherhood with Nori’s family.

“It was a pretty personal and intimate reconnection,” he said. “So, we didn’t actually send volunteers because we wanted the families to really have a lot of family time with one another and keep it a pretty close circle of individuals.”

Olympic skier Jeremy Bloom founded Wish of a Lifetime in 2008 in honor of his grandparents, whom he considered his major support system. Since then, Wish of a Lifetime has granted almost 3,000 wishes to senior citizens across the nation.

“Our services are open to anyone over the age of 65,” Wagenlander said. “We do work with historically underserved audiences that may be disadvantaged from a financial perspective, or a health condition that’s perhaps preventing them from aging successfully or with as much hope and joy is as would be desired.”

Submit wishes online through the application form available at wishofalifetime.org.

Wish of a Lifetime has granted wishes for at least four San Luis Obispo County residents, including one in 2019 for Arroyo Grande resident Elvira Gomes—a 94-year-old first generation U.S. citizen. Wish of a Lifetime fulfilled Gomes’ dream of traveling to New York City with her daughter to visit the Statue of Liberty for the first time in honor of her immigrant parents. Gomes passed away in 2020.

“Broadly speaking, our society has a very negative perception of aging,” Wagenlander said. “A lot of times it is seen as a period where you lose capabilities, you lose connections, when really there’s an amazing chance to reconnect with purpose and passions that give you a sense of joy.”

Fast fact

• The League of Women Voters of SLO

County is partnering with the South County Chambers of Commerce to moderate two local mayoral and city council races. Grover Beach candidates are up first on Sep. 17 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the South County Regional Center on 800 W. Branch St., followed by their Arroyo Grande counterparts on Sep. 19 at the same time and location. The moderators encourage community members to submit questions on issues applicable to all candidates. For additional information contact the South County Chambers of Commerce at (805) 488-1488 or ceo@ southcountychambers.com, or the League of Women Voters at (805) 242-6990 or candidateforums@lwvslo.org. ∆

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

TOGETHER AT LAST Wish of a Lifetime helped Japanese American veteran Toki Endo (center in leaf-print shirt) reunite with his brother Nori Endo’s family in Templeton 10 years after the latter passed away.

BY GALE MCNEELEY

Speak up

America can do something about Israel’s indiscriminate attacks on Palestinians

“Israelright or wrong” is the approach America takes in its support of Israel against the Palestinians. Israel has a right to defend itself against attack. Israel has no right to commit indiscriminate crimes against the Palestinian people.

Pope Francis recently said this, “I continue to receive very serious and painful news from Gaza. Unarmed civilians are subjected to bombings and shootings. A mother and her daughter were killed by Israeli snipers while going to the restroom. It is terrorism.”

Why are we supporting Israel in this terrorism? Why don’t we stop the genocide being committed against the Palestinian people?

America has the power to end this war by cutting off the funding we provide for all the weapons and bombs that have so far killed more than 40,000 Palestinian men, women, and children, and displaced more than 1.5 million Palestinians since last October.

Supervisor Debbie Arnold put one man’s interest above community good

Bravo, Debbie Arnold! Thank you for making it necessary for SLO to return federal, state, and local monies needed to complete the Bob Jones Trail (“Supervisors fail to adopt resolution to close Bob Jones Trail gap,” Aug. 22). Really, how important is fully funded community safety? Oh, compared to … the property rights of an intractable and selfish individual?

Speak up!

I walk. Many more ride bikes to work, to school, to market, for joy. You singlehandedly have put our lives in jeopardy. Are you proud? Does it please you to have put the interest of one above the community good? Will you wail, give a moment of silence when someone you love is in an accident on the incomplete, proposed, and funded Bob Jones Trail?

If Israel possesses precise technology to assassinate the lead Hamas ceasefire negotiator, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran, why do they use cluster bombs on hospitals, schools, and refugee camps, claiming their target is Hamas.

While Israel has the ability to allow deliveries of medicine, food, and water to the millions of Palestinians close to starvation throughout Gaza, why do they close the roads needed for these life-saving deliveries.

A large majority of the countries in the United Nations have condemned Israel’s war crimes. The International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court maintain that both Benjamin Netanyahu and the leaders of Hamas are equally guilty of war crimes.

But instead of distancing ourselves from Benjamin Netanyahu, we invite him to speak before the U.S. Congress, where the standing ovations he received from our Congress insult the memories of all the Palestinians who have died needlessly in this war.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and other pro-Israel lobbying groups are spending millions to defeat Congress members who are critical of Israel and who speak up for the Palestinians. Why aren’t these groups classed as foreign

goby, connects with the ocean every winter and spring. Federally threatened South Central Coast steelhead migrate to the ocean annually but return to the creek to spawn, making the creek-ocean connection essential for their life cycle.

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

The California Coastal Commission has raised significant concerns about the impact of vehicular crossings on the creek’s health. Driving through the creek alters its natural shape, causing bank collapse, erosion, and a reduction in water depth. The widening and meandering of the creek disrupts migration pathways and decreases the viability of steelhead migration. Furthermore, oil leaks and other pollutants from vehicles, including brake dust, contaminate the creek.

agents? Why should they be able to influence U.S. elections with their money?

We need more Americans to speak up against the genocide in Gaza. We must move our leaders to end the funding of weapons for Israel. How do we do this if there are forces working against our guaranteed free speech?

Lorraine Goldman San Luis Obispo

Oceano Dunes recreation is also a problem for Arroyo Grande Creek steelhead

Lopez Dam isn’t the only challenge for steelhead in the Arroyo Grande Creek (“Fish flop,” Aug. 29). The Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (ODSVRA) also poses a problem, as vehicles must cross the creek on Oceano Beach to access offhighway riding and car camping areas. The creek, crucial for steelhead and tidewater

Both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) have recognized the substantial habitat disruption caused by vehicle crossings. CDFW recommended banning crossings when the creek is 12 inches deep, but Coastal Commission staff have documented severe damage from crossings at any depth. In 2021, the commission prohibited all vehicular crossings in the creek when it connects with water, but this ruling was overturned in court. The commission’s appeal will be heard later this year. Long live the steelhead!

Lucia

Casalinuovo Oceano

supporting the Palestinian people.

All this has emboldened Benjamin Netanyahu to attack Hamas leaders in Iran and Hezbola leaders in Lebanon. Now, America is sending one-third of our naval forces to the Middle East to defend Israel from possible attack.

We must move our leaders to end the funding of weapons for Israel. How do we do this if there are forces working against our guaranteed free speech?

Last spring, free speech came to life at our colleges and universities. This fall, our schools are creating physical barriers to discourage peaceful assembly.

Without proof, pro-Israeli groups claim pro-Palestinian protests are fueled by “anti-Semitism.” University presidents have lost their jobs as a result of this lie.

Big funders have threatened to withdraw their support if pro-Palestinian protesters are not punished for what they say and do. Videos of the protests last spring show how harsh law enforcement was against those

The Bob Jones Trail isn’t what’s best for the greatest number of people

In (his/her/their/its) most recent piece, the Shredder made an important point about eminent domain, that being doing what is best for the greatest number of people (“Tree-huggers in crisis,” Aug. 29). So, which is better? Spending $18 million

Are we powerless to stop this? Only if we remain quiet and let the war in Gaza expand into a wider conflict.

We cannot let that happen. We must speak. We must protest. We must convince our leaders that it is time for a ceasefire and peace talks in order to prevent a disaster. Now is the time to end this war and establish peace in the Middle East. ∆

Gale McNeeley writes to New Times from Santa Maria. Send a response for publication by emailing letters@newtimesslo.com.

LETTERS

for the benefit of a relatively small group of people, or spending it on transportation that will benefit a larger group of people: elderly people that can’t ride bikes, regular people that have more sense, and less affluent people that can neither afford Schwinn beach cruisers nor drinks at Mr. Ricks? You tell me. Mark Henry San Luis Obispo

BY JOHN ASHBAUGH

All races need you

In November, voters will be selecting among candidates running to fill nominally nonpartisan local seats: all those “down-ballot” races after the partisan offices of president/vice president, Congress, and the state Legislature.

Pay attention now: There will be a test on everything that follows here, and that test is on Nov. 5—exactly two months from this edition of New Times!

There are competitive races in all seven of the county’s municipalities, in five of our 20 special districts, and in six school districts. Based on published data from the SLO County Elections Office, these races have attracted 69 candidates, including 30 who identify themselves as an incumbent. They’re vying for one of the 48 seats that, if they win, will entitle them to take office.

There are also 40 seats on local agencies in this county where only one qualified candidate filed to run, so those “uncontested contests” will not be on the ballot; the respective candidates are appointed “in lieu of election.” In fact, three special district seats will go unfilled because no candidate filed for them.

In the not-so-distant past, I served as one of those local elected officials (SLO City Council, 2008 to 2016), and I consider myself lucky to have won both contests. Based on this experience, allow me to offer the following observations:

1. Most people who run for local office are genuinely interested in serving their

community, regardless of any party affiliation or ideological fixation. People run because they want local government to conduct business in the best interests of their community. It certainly isn’t for the salary!

2. Running for office—even a low-profile seat like a special district board—requires compliance with campaign finance, financial disclosure, and Brown Act regulations that carry significant penalties even for a minor violation. A single screw-up can bring a fine from the state Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).

3. Local officeholders often find that their service requires far more time and expertise than they ever expected. They’re required to sit through seemingly endless “public comment” periods required for all local agency meetings. One mayoral candidate in Arroyo Grande uses this time (both in AG and at the county Board of Supervisors) to spout abusive and incendiary messages of homophobic hate.

4. Too often, people decide not to run for these local offices, or to step down from them, because it’s just too stressful. They have families to raise, businesses to run, or both. Local officeholders like Dan Rivoire and Aaron Gomez each only served one term as a SLO City Council member. Heidi Harmon resigned abruptly from her service as mayor of SLO largely because she couldn’t afford to serve, even after engineering a 50 percent raise in the mayor’s salary! (It’s still only $2,500/month.)

5. And it’s hard to please everyone—or, increasingly, anyone. Many voters want to have their cake and eat it too: They demand excellent public services and shiny new infrastructure projects, but they refuse to cough up the funds to pay for them.

In almost every community here in SLO County, there are examples of local elected officials getting out ahead of their skis with local voters even though they had good intentions:

• In Grover Beach, a “ratepayers’ revolt” threatened to recall nearly the entire City Council in 2023 after the city had initially proposed to nearly double their utility rates over five years to keep up with the escalating costs of the Central Coast Blue water treatment project. Last spring, the council withdrew from Central Coast Blue and repealed the water rate increase.

Only 2nd District Councilmember Dan Rushing is now threatened by a recall vote in November. Mayor Karen Bright and Councilmember Zach Zimmerman will step down when their terms expire in December. Clint Weirick is running unopposed for that city’s 4th District seat.

First District Councilmember Robert Robert is now running for mayor against two other candidates, Kassie Dee and perpetual gadfly (and recall leader) Debbie Peterson. (Note: The toxic rhetoric in Grover Beach continues as the pro-recall group is now raising hell about City Manager Matt Bronson’s salary.)

• Council members faced angry backlash in both SLO and Paso Robles over enormous increases in downtown parking rates. Both cities backed off in the face of outraged voters and business owners. (Anyone want a slightly used parking meter to decorate their driveway? Call the city of Paso Robles!)

• The San Simeon Community Services District may soon go out of business entirely, dissolving into a mere county services agency with no elected officials to conduct its affairs. If it weren’t so painful, it would almost be funny: They simply couldn’t find enough people to run for one of the five district board seats, each with only 33 voters. (Yes, that’s not a typo: The entire district only has about 200 service connections!)

Democracy requires an informed electorate and people who are willing to step up and run for these “down ballot” local offices. So please, read through your entire ballot, check out the candidate statements in the Voter’s Guide or online, read New Times, and then … VOTE. ∆

John Ashbaugh has been voting since 1972. Send your comments about these local races to him through the editor, clanham@ newtimesslo.com.

Should Sentinel Peak be allowed to

PHOTO BY: JENNIFER LAWRENCE

PHOTO BY: ERICA RAMIREZ

PHOTO BY: GREGORY SMITH

PHOTO BY: KARINA BERNFELD

PHOTO BY: DANNA DYKSTRA-COY

PHOTO BY: ANGELA HENDERSON

PHOTO BY: JENNIFER TURNER

I call a recess!

What is happening in South County?

Between the Oceano Community Services District, Arroyo Grande City Council, and Grover Beach City Council, there’s no shortage of policymaking in disarray.

I feel bad for the elected officials who sit on the governing bodies—except for Oceano’s, of course as they brought it upon themselves (they are the agitators). They seem scared to even say anything for fear of the reaction it will get from a small number of agitators who just have to insert themselves into everything.

I’m not talking about the big issues that rally everyone to the political discourse table: like oil, large developments, or homeless shelters. In South County, even the little discussions become big discussions because of how the public chooses to conduct themselves at public meetings.

Grover Beach can’t get through an agenda item without someone from Grover H20 I’m talking to you Brenda Auer, Debbie Peterson, and Elizabeth Doukas—yelling at council members about the increased water rates that are no longer increased (sounds like the council did listen). It came up again during the Aug. 26 discussion about whether city executive staff should get the same cost-of-living increase the rest of city staff received.

Not only did the water rates issue come up, Auer didn’t fill out a speaker slip, she just casually traipsed her way to the podium to

say that Grover H20 is “a good group, full of love” in response to an earlier comment that sounded “a little angry” about how conversations about the pay raises on Nextdoor got out of hand. Peterson took to the mic to take a pot shot at former Grover Beach Mayor Jeff Lee, who spoke in favor of the pay raise. Did she forget that public comment isn’t a Nextdoor comment thread?

Sounds very loving, amirite?

Peterson—who was the city’s mayor until she quit and accused everyone of corruption but is running for mayor again—served on the very same dais she seems to relish disrupting!

Doukas actually got into an argument with Mayor Karen Bright about what was allowed during public comment, causing Bright to call a recess and close public comment. Is it really that hard to understand the rules that govern public meetings?

During public comment at the end of the meeting, Pamela Storton (yet another Grover H20 member) said: “We’re in a war and trust has gone away and we need to find a way to really, truly engage.”

I’m not sure that wars are where engagement really, truly happens, Pam.

Both Doukas and Auer showed up and spoke at the Aug. 27 Port San Luis Harbor Commission meeting that devolved into community members calling commissioners

liars who are in the pocket of Big Wind, and 3rd District SLO County Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg was booed for making a comment about how change is hard. Man, public discourse is really on a downswing: #proud.

Meanwhile, in Arroyo Grande, the same lovely lady who caused the SLO County Board of Supervisors to change its rules about public commenters borrowing county equipment for their presentations and who, in part, caused the Arroyo Grande City Council to reduce the number of minutes that some public commenters can speak for, waylaid yet another meeting to show how fit she is to be the city’s next mayor and rail on about her favorite subject: the culture war.

Gaia Powell attempted to stage a coup against Arroyo Grande’s new one-minute limit for public comments on items not on the meeting agenda. Powell questioned the council before it broke for closed session: “What happens to the citizens who refuse your dictates? Will you call the police?”

The city didn’t call the police—although it’s within the council’s rights if the disruption gets too crazy. Powell did proceed to grandstand during public comment on items not on the agenda for more than a minute, causing Mayor Caren Ray Russom to recess the meeting!

“Obviously, you’re discriminating against me and others who have grievances about DEI and the fact that you will not voice your opposition to … pornography at the high schools,” Powell said. “I’m not

Speak up! Send

complying. … The Constitution protects me.” Not in this case. Governing bodies can make rules about how the public interacts with them, including limiting public speech to a minute per person. Even though it sucks. Powell needs to run for the Lucia Mar Unified School District board if she’s so concerned about high school pornography, but maybe she didn’t get the memo about what board’s in charge of education. What is happening? We don’t understand how local governments function—although a certain segment of public commenters seems to think they know (even though they obviously skipped civics class in high school). We are slipping ever more quickly into social media-style incivility.

And it’s impacting those who really do need to be heard by the governing bodies that represent them. Disruption—not the good kind—pushes the people’s business to the bottom of the agenda. Thanks to people like Powell and Peterson, two governing bodies have been stifled from conducting the business they need to conduct.

When people like them make it onto the daises they pine for, we get the Oceano Community Services District—where public infighting rules the agenda, namecalling is a regular occurrence, policy proposals sit stagnant, and progress isn’t a thing. Good luck. ∆

The Shredder thinks everyone needs a time out. Send notes to shredder@newtimesslo.com.

Hot Dates

RAISE THE WOOF

So Cal Corgi Nation presents the first annual Pismo Beach Corgi Getaway, with festivities happening between Sept. 6 and 8, including a beach party south of the Pismo Beach Pier on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The party is open to the public and will include corgi contests, music, vendors, sand art across the beach, and more. Visit socalcorgibeachday.com to find out more.

—Caleb Wiseblood

ARTS

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

COASTAL WINE AND PAINT PARTY

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

COSTA GALLERY SHOWCASES Features works by Ellen Jewett as well as 20 other local artists, and artists from southern and northern California. Thursdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. 559799-9632. costagallery.com. Costa Gallery, 2087 10th St., Los Osos.

FOREVER STOKED PAINT PARTY Join us at the gallery, for a few hours to travel on a creative paint journey. You will receive as much or as little instruction as you prefer. No artistic experience is necessary. Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. $45. 805772-9095. Forever Stoked, 1164 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay.

FREE DEMONSTRATION: PAINTING WITH GOUACHE … THE MOST

FORGIVING WATERCOLOR Art Center

Morro Bay proudly hosts Tricia Reichert on Free Demo Day. The focus will be “Painting With Gouache ... The Most Forgiving Watercolor.” The artist specializes in the practice and theory of portraiture, particularly in the mediums of pastel and watercolor. Sept. 9 Free. 805-772-2504. artcentermorrobay.org. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay.

GETTING HIGH ON NATURE: FEATURING

KARL DEMPWOLF The Cambria Center for the Arts Gallery presents “Getting

High on Nature,” featuring Karl Dempwolf. Opening night includes a reception with music by Tom Bethke, treats, and more. Tuesdays-Sundays, 12-4 p.m. through Oct. 27 805-927-8190. cambriaarts.org. Cambria Center for the Arts, 1350 Main St., Cambria. MOSAIC GARDEN POLE Create a stunning mosaic garden pole in this weekend long event. You’ll learn all the ins and outs of mosaics, so this workshop is open to all skill levels. Preregistration required. All supplies included to finish the pole. Sept. 13 , 4 p.m. $275. 805-2865993. creativemetime.com. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay.

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

A ROCK SAILS BY A brilliant astrophysicist faces a crisis when an unidentified object hurtles toward Earth. Through Sept. 15 my805tix.com. By The Sea Productions, 545 Shasta Ave., Morro Bay.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

A-TOWN ART HOP Explore Atascadero’s Downtown Art Hop, with 30 plus businesses showcasing regional artists, with live music, art exhibits, and a feel-good atmosphere. Free and familyfriendly. Visit atownarthop.org for a map and details. Sept. 6-7 6-9 p.m. Free. 831-291-8329. atownarthop.org. A-Town Art Hop, Multiple locations in downtown Atascadero, Atascadero.

BEGINNER STAINED GLASS SUN

CATCHER Create a stained glass butterfly or a simple design of your choosing. Learn how to cut glass to a pattern, copper foil,

and solder. Wear closed toe shoes and bring a snack. All materials included. Sept. 7 10 a.m.-noon $125. 805-464-2633. glassheadstudio.com. Glasshead Studio, 8793 Plata Lane, Suite H, Atascadero.

BEGINNING WHEEL THROWING:

SIX-WEEK CLASS A beginner-level class designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of pottery on the wheel. The price includes all clay, glazes, and firing services. Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m. through Oct. 1 $288. 805-203-0335. thepotteryatascadero. com/wheelclasses. The Pottery, 5800 El Camino Real, Atascadero.

CERAMIC AND DRIFTWOOD SPOONS: TWO-DAY WORKSHOP Create your own ceramic spoons using hand building techniques. The first Saturday of the class will be spent making and decorating the spoons out of clay. The second Saturday of the class will be spent attaching the spoons to driftwood. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-noon through Sept. 14 $96. 805203-0335. thepotteryatascadero.com/ potteryworkshops. The Pottery, 5800 El Camino Real, Atascadero.

DATE NIGHT Couples or friends, bring a bottle of wine and enjoy a creative night out. Have fun and get messy as the venue walks you through the basics of throwing on the potter’s wheel. Fridays, 6-8 p.m. $144. 805-203-0335. thepotteryatascadero.com/datenight. The Pottery, 5800 El Camino Real, Atascadero.

FIRST SATURDAY: WINE, ART, AND MUSIC Studios on the Park celebrates First Saturdays, a fun tradition of art, wine, and live music-filled evenings at the start of each month. Enjoy meeting artists and seeing rotating exhibitions while enjoying live music and wine from one of the venue’s winery partners. First Saturday of every month, 6-9 p.m. Free; $10 for wine. 805-238-9800.

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.

studiosonthepark.org. Studios on the Park, 1130 Pine St., Paso Robles.

KIDS CREATIVE CLUB AT ARTSOCIAL

805 Bring your kids for a fun afternoon art session at the ArtSocial805. Your child will have the opportunity to use many different materials to make their very own masterpieces each week, surrounded by like minded creators. Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m. through Nov. 19 $25. 805-400-9107. artsocial805.com. ArtSocial 805 Creative Campus, 631 Spring St., Paso Robles.

LADIES NIGHT AT ARTSOCIAL 805 Join ArtSocial 805 for a fun evening full of pottery and companionship. Sept. 5 , 6-8 p.m. Varies. 805-400-9107. artsocial805. com. ArtSocial 805 Creative Campus, 631 Spring St., Paso Robles.

MOLD MAKING BASICS WORKSHOP

(THREE DAYS) Learn to design and create plaster molds for slip casting. In this accelerated class, you will learn the basics on how to design a mold to successfully cast any shape you want. Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. through Sept. 28 $360. 805-203-0335. thepotteryatascadero. com/potteryworkshops. The Pottery, 5800 El Camino Real, Atascadero.

THE POCKET’S GRAND OPENING OF ITS “BACK POCKET” Showing the latest artwork created by printmakers Susan Lyon, Kathy Madonna, and Maryanne Nucci. Saturday, April 6, from 2 to 5 p.m., swing by for grand opening. Also open by appointment. First Saturday of every month, 2-5 p.m. Pocket Gallery on Pine, 8491/2 13th Street, Paso Robles, 805-440-7152.

TAKE A SPIN: TWO-HOUR WHEEL

CLASS These two hour blocks provide an opportunity to learn the basics of wheel throwing. Instructors will center your clay for you, so you will have the opportunity to make two items. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-noon

$72. 805-203-0335. thepotteryatascadero. com/wheelclasses. The Pottery, 5800 El Camino Real, Atascadero.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

ADVENTURES IN MIXED MEDIA! WITH SPENCER COLLINS Students will learn about different mediums each week as well as learn about an artist from history. Take one class of the entire 10-week series for a discounted price. Thursdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. through Nov. 7 $25 for one class; 10 classes for $180. 559-250-3081. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

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

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

ART AFTER DARK: CENTURY 21

HOMETOWN REALTY Century 21

Hometown Realty is pleased to host amazing local artists, rotating their art work each month for the ‘Art After Dark’ calendar year. Reception of food and wine. First Friday of every month, 5-8 p.m. through Nov. 1 Century 21 Hometown Realty, 1103 Toro St., San Luis Obispo, 805-235-4877.

ARTIST RIKI SCHUMACHER AT ART

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

THE ARTIST’S WAY: UNBLOCKING CREATIVITY 12 week program (13 meetings) for creatives and anyone who

is seeking to “unblock” their creativity, following Julia Cameron’s famous workbook “The Artist’s Way.” Weekly group discussions and check-ins. Opportunities to share creativity and create community. Email for more info. Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m. through Nov. 26 $195. cuesta.edu. Cuesta College Community Programs, Building 4100 Cuesta College Road, San luis obispo, 805-540-8282. CERAMIC LESSONS AND MORE Now offering private one-on-one and group lessons in the ceramic arts. Both hand building and wheel throwing options. Beginners welcomed. ongoing 805-8355893. hmcruceceramics.com/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo. CLAY BABY HANDPRINTS Offers a unique experience of pressing your baby’s hand/ foot into clay so parents can cherish this time forever. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays $55. anamcre.com/babyhandprints. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. COLLAGING THE COAST: PISMO MONARCHS WITH LINDA CUNNINGHAM In this workshop you’ll receive step-bystep instructions for creating a beautiful butterfly collage using a variety of handpainted papers. You’ll create a canvas board worthy of framing. Beginners are welcome and no experience is necessary. Sept. 7 12-4 p.m. $40. 805-478-2158. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. COMIC MAKING FOR TEENS WITH KANE LYNCH All skill levels are welcome in this collaborative class that will take students through the process of producing a finished comic story. Learn about plot structure, thumbnailing, penciling, inking, as well as the subtler skills to make your comic work shine. Wednesdays, 4-5:30 p.m. through Oct. 30 $25 per session; $175 for all 8 sessions. 805-801-6188. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. DATE NIGHT POTTERY Bring your date and throw a cup on the pottery wheel. Next, texture a clay slab and press into a form creating a personalized piece. Guest are welcome to bring drinks; venue

PHOTO COURTESY OF TAJ ADVERTISING

Tribute’s to: Deftones, Avenged Sevenfold, & Tool

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 The Stockyard, Orcutt

SATURDAY,

TalentDreams Central Coast Jamboree

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Camp Arroyo Grande

SBWN Garden Party Evening Scholarship Benefit

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Sage Ecological Landscapes, Los

SUNDAY,

22 Cambria Center For The Arts

provides aprons. Pieces are fired, glazed, and ready in two weeks. Saturdays, 6-7:30 p.m. $140. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

DEYO DANCES PRESENTS WORLD

PREMIERE OF JULIE MOMENTS IN SAN LUIS OBISPO Join Deyo Dances for a witty and nostalgic show that premieres Julie Moments, one of Deyo’s most uplifting creations. The dancers are a unique company of local and imported professionals of different ages. Open seating; register at Eventbrite to guarantee your spot. Sept. 14 7-9 p.m. and Sept. 15 2-4 p.m. Donations welcomed at the door. 805-540-1081. deyodances.com. Spanos Theatre, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

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

FIRST FRIDAYS Visit SLOMA on the first Friday of each month for exhibition openings, music, and wines provided by regional winery partners. Admission is free and open to the public. First Friday of every month, 5-8 p.m. Free. 805-5438562. sloma.org/events/first-fridays/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

FREE DOCENT TOURS Gain a deeper understanding of the artwork on view with SLOMA’s new docent tours. Every Saturday, join trained guides for interactive and engaging tours of SLOMA’s current exhibitions. Saturdays, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. 805-543-8562. sloma. org/visit/tours/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

IMPROV SHOWS Hosted by Central Coast Comedy Theater. Second Friday of every month my805tix.com/. SLO Public Market, 120 Tank Farm Road, San Luis Obispo.

JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY AND ART Owen and Kyoko Hunt from Kyoto, Japan offer classes for Japanese calligraphy (Fridays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.), a Japanese art called “haiga” (Fridays, 10-11:30 a.m.) and more at Nesting Hawk Ranch. Fridays $45. 702-335-0730. Nesting Hawk Ranch, Call for address, San Luis Obispo.

LEARN HOW TO PAINT IN OIL WITH FRANK EBER Learn value, color mixing, edges, underpainting, principles of design, and composition. Start painting immediately while learning the foundations of oil painting. Tuesdays, 2:30-5:30 p.m. through Sept. 17 $295 for six classes. 805747-4200. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

LEARN MODERN SQUARE DANCING Sign up now for this new square dance class. Singles and couples welcome. Two hours of square dancing equals about three miles of walking. Learn a new skill now while having fun and meeting new friends. Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. through Nov. 21 $75 (one time fee per person for all 12 classes). 805-781-7300. squaredancecentralcoast. com/classes. San Luis Obispo Grange Hall, 2880 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

LEARN TO WEAVE MONDAYS An opportunity to learn how a four-shaft loom works. You will get acquainted as a new weaver or as a refresher with lots of tips and tricks. This class includes getting to know a loom, how to prepare/dress a loom, and much much more. Mondays, 1-4 p.m. $75 monthly. 805-441-8257.

Patricia Martin: Whispering Vista Studios, 224 Squire Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo, patriciamartinartist.com.

MODIGLIANI: SCULPTURE 6-SESSION SERIES Beginners welcome. This sculpture class meets twice a week for a total of three weeks. Amedeo Modigliani was an Italian painter and sculptor. Modigliani is a modern style characterized by a surreal elongation of faces, necks, and figures. Book online. Mondays, Fridays, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. through Sept. 23 $225. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, anamcre.com.

THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (THE MUSICAL!) Enjoy five hilarious musical

FINS FOR THE WIN

Art Center Morro Bay will host a free demo with pastel and watercolor painter Tricia Reichert on Monday, Sept. 9, from 3 to 5 p.m. The demo will focus on Reichert’s approach to painting with gouache. To find out more about the upcoming event and other programs hosted by Art Center Morro Bay, visit artcentermorrobay.org.

satires in one. Thursdays-Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays, Sundays, 2-4 p.m. through Sept. 15 $20-$37. 805-786-2440. SLO Rep, 888 Morro St., San Luis Obispo, slorep.org/.

OIL PAINTING: IMPRESSIONISTIC

REALISM WITH FRANK EBER Learn how to paint lively, expressive oil paintings with a focus on color accuracy, mark making, and the interconnection of each element. Learn techniques to bring your painting skills to the next level. This class is great for intermediate or advanced painters. Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. through Sept. 17 $295 for six classes. 805747-4200. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

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

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

POTTERY SALE A pottery sale with local members of the studio and teachers selling their work. Will also be hosting an outdoor Raku firing you won’t want to miss, alongside a wheel throwing demo. Sept. 6 , 5-8 p.m. Free. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

SATURDAY FAMILY POTTERY CLASS

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

SECOND SATURDAYS SLOMA’s Second Saturdays program encourages intergenerational learning and creative expression for children of all ages. Families are invited to SLOMA’s lawn to learn about the visual arts together using unique activity kits and create an art project inspired by current exhibitions.

Second Saturday of every month, 11-1 a.m. through Dec. 14 Free. 805-543-8562. sloma.org/events/second-saturdays/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

SLO LIBRARY: CLIMATE FUTURE FILM

FESTIVAL Ten films from four continents in two hours give expression to what we’re feeling—hope and cynicism, climate denial and climate grief, rage and heartbreak, resilience and resolve—and offer paths toward climate empowerment. Sept. 6 , 1-3:30 p.m. Free. 805-781-5994.

slolibrary.org. San Luis Obispo Library Community Room, 995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.

SLO NIGHTWRITERS: A COMMUNITY OF WRITERS SLO NightWriters supports local writers with monthly presentations, critique groups, contests, and other events. Second Tuesday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. 805-703-3132. slonightwriters.org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

VIRGINIA MACK: BEGINNING WATERCOLOR This is a watercolor class designed to let you jump in and try out this engaging medium through experimentation. It’s designed for beginners and those with watercolor experience who wish to expand their knowledge of painting in watercolors. To enroll please contact Mack via email: vbmack@charter.net Wednesdays, 1:303:30 p.m. $35. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo. com/workshops-events/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. WALT WHITMAN GAY MEN’S BOOK CLUB This club reads, studies and discusses books chosen by the group which relate to their lives as gay men. All are welcome. Second Monday of every month, 7-9:30 p.m. Free. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

WHOSE WATERS? This Gray Wing exhibition will build upon the photojournalistic work of Southern California artist Gabriella Angotti-Jones whose I Just Wanna Surf book highlights Black female and non-binary surfers and other unseen or outright ignored communities that ride the waves off the Golden State. Through Oct. 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 805-543-8562. sloma.org/exhibition/ surf-show/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo. YOUTH POTTERY CLASS Teens love this class. Learn handbuilding techniques and throwing on the potter’s wheel. Held every Friday after school. Fridays, 3:30-5 p.m. $40. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY BRUSHSTROKES AND BURROS: PAINT WITH A PURPOSE Come spend an unforgettable afternoon at Rancho Burro. Meet the adorable rescued donkeys, hear their heartwarming stories, and unleash your creativity with a donkey-inspired painting session. Enjoy delicious local treats and fine wines while you paint. Best of all, your support helps these amazing animals. Sept. 7, 1-4 p.m. $125. 805-710-8445. ranchoburrodonkeysanctuary.org. Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary, 1604 Tiffany Ranch Road, Arroyo Grande. CERAMIC AND DRIFTWOOD SPOONS: ALL LEVELS TWO-DAY WORKSHOP Create your own ceramic spoons using hand building techniques. The first

ARTS continued page 18

Oak Brewing Company, Orcutt

—C.W.

COURTESY IMAGE BY TRICIA REICHERT

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 Cambria Center For The Arts

Afternoon of Greatness SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Aligned Movement Studio, SLO

SEPTEMBER 14

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER

Baroque Bliss, by Symphony of the Vines

SEPTEMBER 8 Mission San Miguel Arcangel

Sexy Cosmic Freak Disco Space Party

SEPTEMBER 14 Bang The Drum Brewery, SLO Arthur Tress “Water’s Edge”

Equinox Full Moon Ceremony

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

Aurora Adventures @ Barn at Fog’s End, Cambria

LIVE MUSIC • THERAPY DOGS • ART/ACTIVITIES • FOOD • LOCAL YOUTH SPEAKER • KEYNOTE SPEAKER • LARGE RESOURCE FAIR

SATURDAY Sept. 14th 12–4 PM

AVILA BEACH GOLF RESORT MAIN LAWN

6464 Ana Bay Road Avila Beach, CA 93424

FEATURING LIVI REDDEN

LIVI REDDEN is an acclaimed mentor to teens and young adults. She is an author, TEDx speaker with 1M+ views, and her mission is to equip the next generation with the tools to be happy and resilient.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Kendra Belch at kbelch@t-mha.org OR visit our website, t-mha.org.

Joan G Sargen

Saturday of the class will be spent making and decorating the spoons out of clay. The second Saturday of the class will be spent attaching the spoons to driftwood. Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-noon and Sept. 14 10 a.m.-noon $96. 805-2030335. thepotterygroverbeach.com/ potteryworkshops. The Pottery Grover Beach, 957 West Grand Ave., Grover Beach. DANCE FITNESS ART AND CULTURE FOR ADULTS Discover dance as a form of artistic expression and exercise, using a wide range of styles and genres of music (including modern, jazz, Broadway, ethnic). Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m. $10 drop-in; $30 for four classes. 510-362-3739. grover. org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.

GUNSMOKIN’ Through Sept. 7 Great American Melodrama, 1863 Front St., Oceano.

HAND BUILT BOWS: EMPTY BOWLS

EVENT Learn how to roll slabs of clay, drape them over forms, and decorate them to create unique, hand built bowls. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-noon through Sept. 14 $72. 805-2030335. thepotterygroverbeach.com/ potteryworkshops. The Pottery Grover Beach, 957 West Grand Ave., Grover Beach.

IMPROV 101 This may be “the funnest class you ever take.” Improvisation is acting and reacting in the moment. Improv boosts creativity, self-confidence, and communication skills while reducing stress and social anxiety. This course will provide you with the fundamentals in a safe and supportive environment. Sundays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. through Oct. 27 $80. 805-556-8495. improvforgood.fun/. Women’s Club of Arroyo Grande, 211 Vernon St., Arroyo Grande.

WEREWOLF OF ARROYO GRANDE Sept. 13 - Nov. 9 Great American Melodrama, 1863 Front St., Oceano.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

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

CENTRAL COAST SLIM DOWN Take control of food without suffering. Learn a step-by-step process to take control of overeating, cravings, and feel peace with food. Build the habits, mindset, and your unique path with results that stick. Hosted byTami Cruz (Certified Health/Life Coach) and Dana Charvet (Coach/Fitness Trainer).

ongoing Call for pricing info. 805-235-7978. gratefulbodyhealthcoaching.com. Grateful Body, 850 Shasta, Morro Bay.

CENTRAL COAST UECHI-RYU KARATE-

DO Uechi-Ryu Karate-do is a traditional form of karate originating from Okinawa, Japan. Focus is on fitness, flexibility, and self-defense with emphasis on self -growth, humility, and respect. Open to ages 13 to adult. Beginners and experienced welcome. Instructor with 50 years experience. For info, call 805-215-8806. Tuesdays, Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m. Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way, Morro Bay, 772-6278, morro-bay.ca.us.

CENTRAL COAST WOOD CARVERS

Learn the art of wood carving or wood burning. Join Central Coast Wood Carvers in Morro Bay at St. Timothy’s. Open for beginners, intermediate, or advance. Learn a wide range of techniques and skills. Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, 962 Piney Way, Morro Bay, 805-772-2840, sttimothymorrobay.org/index.html.

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

ENJOY AXE THROWING Enjoy the art of axe throwing in a safe and fun environment. Kids ages 10 and older are welcome with an adult. No personal axes please. Fridays, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and Saturdays, 12-6 p.m. $20. 805-528-4880. baysidemartialarts.com. Bayside Martial Arts, 1200 2nd St., Los Osos.

FAMILY FUN FAIR The Rotary Club of Los Osos presents its annual Family Fun Fair. With games, prizes, bouncy houses, petting zoos, food, raffle, and live rock cover band. Join to celebrate Grandparents Day at this free event. Sept. 8, 12-4 p.m. Free. 805-591-0563. South Bay Community Center, 2180 Palisades Ave., Los Osos.

HEALTHY BACK WORKSHOP Cassandra Elizabeth offers her 38 plus years of expertise and experience in this hands on, active course for a strong back. You can live pain free. Bring water; mat optional. Socks or bare feet, please. Sept. 8 9:15-10:30 a.m. $20. 415-516-5214. Learn and perform moves you can do daily to promote a strong and healthy back. Ability to get down onto the floor and back up again is required. Live pain free, for life. Sept. 10 5:45-7 p.m. $20. 415-516-5214. Bayside Martial Arts, 1200 2nd St., Los Osos.

LOS OSOS SUNDAY MEDITATION

CLASS Sitting with a supportive group strengthens one’s meditation practice. Join us for a weekly talk on topics related to meditation and consciousness plus silent and guided meditation. Facilitated

GARDEN GUIDE

The Lompoc Valley Botanic and Horticultural Society will host a free guided tour of Burton Mesa Chaparral Garden on Sunday, Sept. 15, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Attendees can look forward to seeing a variety of plant species during the tour of the garden, located at 1 Hancock Drive, Lompoc. Visit lvbhs. org for more info on the event and additional programs hosted by the Lompoc Valley Botanic and Horticultural Society. —C.W.

by Devin Wallace. Beginners welcome. Email devinwalla@gmail.com for more information. Sundays, 10:15 a.m.-11:15 p.m. By donation. 805-709-2227. innerworkings.com. Central Coast Body Therapy Center, 2005 9th St., Los Osos.

MORRO BAY LIBRARY: CLIMATE FUTURE FILM FESTIVAL Ten films from four continents in two hours give expression to what we’re feeling—hope and cynicism, climate denial and climate grief, rage and heartbreak, resilience and resolve—and offer paths toward climate empowerment. Sept. 7 1:30-4 p.m. Free. 805-772-6394. slolibrary.org/. Morro Bay Library, 625 Harbor St., Morro Bay. MORRO BAY METAPHYSICIANS

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

MORRO BAY MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

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

OPEN FLOW: DANCE AND MOVEMENT A community of movers and shakers who come together to express themselves through dance and movement. Inspired by a variety of conscious movement modalities, Open Flow is led by Silvia Suarez and Matt Garrity, embodiment teachers who share a passion for integration through movement exploration. Wednesdays, 6:30-8 p.m. $10 (general), $5 (ages 55 and older). SilviaAthaSomatics. org. Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way, Morro Bay, 772-6278. TAI CHI AND QI GONG: ZEN IN MOTION Small group classes with 2019 Tai Chi Instructor of the Year. Call for time and days. Learn the Shaolin Water Style and 5 Animals Qi Gong. Beginners welcomed. Mondays, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Call for price details. 805-7017397. charvetmartialarts.com. Morro Bay Martial Arts, 850 Shasta, Morro Bay. TAI CHI BASICS Visit site for more details on this ongoing, weekly Tai Chi program. Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. $10-$12. 805-7727486. fitnessworksmb.com. FitnessWorks, 500 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay. WEEKLY QIGONG PRACTICE AT FITNESSWORKS MORRO BAY Calm your mind and nourish your joints with a weekly Qigong practice led by Mike Raynor of Tai Chi Rejuvenation. The practice is rooted in Qigong fundamentals, and standing/moving meditations. Forms include: Eight Brocades, Five Elements, Shibashi 18, and Tai chi 24. Saturdays, 10:45-11:45 a.m. Members free; non-members $8-$10. 805-772-7466. fitnessworksmb.com. FitnessWorks, 500 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

11TH ANNUAL BREW AT THE ZOO Animal onesies are encouraged at the event, which includes a hula hoop contest, beer, wine, and cider tastings, live music, and other festivities. Tickets are available for ages 21 and over in advance at my805tix. com. Proceeds benefit the Charles Paddock Zoo. Sept. 7 5:30-8:30 p.m. charlespaddockzoo.org. Charles Paddock Zoo, 9100 Morro Rd., Atascadero. BALANCE FLOW Suitable for all levels. This class is meant to benefit the mindbody connection while emphasizing safe and effective alignment as well as breath awareness and relaxation. Please call to register in advance. Tuesdays, Thursdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. $16-$22; $50 membership. 805-434-9605. ttrtennis.com/fitness/ yoga/. Templeton Tennis Ranch, 345 Championship Lane, Templeton. DRIFTWOOD SUCCULENT CLASS Visit

&

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LOMPOC VALLEY BOTANIC AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

NEWS WIRE

CENTRAL COAST NEWS

site for more info on the class and tickets. Sept. 7 2 p.m. my805tix.com. Golden State Goods, 5880 Traffic Way, Atascadero.

HAMBLY LAVENDER FARM GUIDED

EXPERIENCE This one-hour walk about the farm immerses you in the processes of growing, harvesting, and drying this fragrant herb. Saturdays, Sundays, 10 a.m. my805tix.com. Hambly Farms, 1390 Grana Place, San Miguel.

MOON PHASES An enchanted evening learning about the magic associated with the phases of the moon. Align with the divine feminine within you and become attuned with the moon’s magnetic shifts. Sept. 11 6-7:30 p.m. $45. 805-464-2175. greenomenapothecary.com/eventdetails/moon-phases. The Green Omen Apothecary and Tea Lounge, 6280 Palma Ave., Atascadero.

NAR-ANON: FRIDAY MEETINGS

practice or seek to deepen an existing one. Flexible days and times. Certified with IMTA. Email or text for information. Mondays-Sundays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sliding scale. 559-905-9274. theartofsilence.net. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

CAL HOPE SLO GROUPS AT TMHA Visit website for full list of weekly Zoom groups available. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays calhopeconnect.org. Transitions Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-270-3346.

CENTRAL COAST DIALYSIS ORGAN

TRANSPLANT SUPPORT GROUP Not faith based. All are welcome. Please wear a mask. First Saturday of every month, 9:3011:30 a.m. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church SLO, 650 Pismo St., San Luis Obispo.

CITY FARM SLO’S YOUTH

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

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

TOPS SUPPORT GROUP: WEIGHT LOSS AND MAINTENANCE A self-help support group focusing on weight loss and maintenance. Thursdays, 1:30 p.m. 805242-2421. tops.org. Santa Margarita Senior Center, 2210 H St., Santa Margarita.

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

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

AERIAL SILKS CLINIC Learn aerial skills that build memory, strength, coordination, confidence, and endurance. Plus, silks is a great way to learn flipping safely. For ages 7-17; all levels welcome. Sept. 7, 1-3 p.m. $25 for first child, plus $10 per additional sibling. 805-547-1496. performanceathleticsslo.com/events. Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo. AGING GRACEFULLY WITH PREVENTATIVE CARE “We can’t stop getting older, but we can shift our thinking about it.” Moving from “I can’t do anything about it” to “I have some control over how my mind and body ages.” Series sponsored by Unity Five Cities. Details from chris@peacefulpoint.com. Over Zoom. Wednesdays, 6-7:30 p.m. through Nov. 20 Love offering. (805) 489-7359. unity5cities. org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo. ASTROLOGY BASICS: HOW TO READ YOUR BIRTH CHART This class will teach you how to use astrology for deeper self-understanding through learning how to read your natal chart. Event will go over archetypes, house systems, planetary rulers, how to synthesize all this information, and more. Email for more info. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. through Oct. 10 $150. cuesta.edu. Cuesta College Community Programs, Building 4100 Cuesta College Road, San luis obispo, 805-540-8282. BEYOND MINDFULNESS Realize your potential through individualized meditation instruction with an experienced teacher via Zoom. This class is for those who wish to begin a

EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM Check site for more info on programming and summer camps. ongoing cityfarmslo.org. San Luis Obispo, Citywide, SLO.

COMPLIMENTARY SHOWERS WITH SHOWER THE PEOPLE After a short hiatus, the San Luis Obispo Library will once again be partnering with local non-profit organization, Shower the People. The shower trailer will be located between the library and parking structure. Toiletries provided. Sundays, 1-3 p.m. Free. San Luis Obispo Library, 995 Palm St., San Luis Obispo.

DAILY QIGONG PRACTICE For the early riser or commuter, every weekday morning. Maintain or improve concentration, balance, and flexibility. Includes weekly Friday 3 p.m. class with more practices. Led by certified Awareness Through Movement teacher. Mondays-Saturdays, 6:10 a.m. and Fridays, 3 p.m. $35/week or $125/month. 646-2805800. margotschaal.com/qigong. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

FAMILY FREE DAY: THE MAGIC OF PLANTS Experience the captivating power of nature and uncover the secrets of herbs and plants through a day of magical fun for the whole family. Activities will include magic wand and herb bag crafting, master food preserver hands-ons activities, and more. Sept. 8, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 805-541-1400. slobg.org/event/the-magicof-plants-family-free-day/. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

HANDSPRINGS AND AERIALS CLINIC

Build your flipping finesse. The target skills are intermediate level, but even beginners can start working on the fundamentals. All levels welcome. For ages 5-17. Sept. 7, 1-3 p.m. $25 for first child, plus $10 per additional sibling. 805547-1496. performanceathleticsslo.com. Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

METAPHYSICAL/SPIRITUALITY BOOK

CLUB A weekly book discussion, on a wide variety of titles from the general subject of metaphysics, spirituality, and comparative religion. By invitation. For more information, contact David Higgins, email: davidhiggins67@gmail.com. Location revealed to those invited. Wednesdays Free. rationalmetaphysics.com. Private location, TBA, Location not to be published.

PLAY GROVE, AN OUTDOOR PRESCHOOL PROGRAM A nature-based and placebased enrichment program. This means we use the environment as our guide as we play, grow, create art, garden, and learn together. Play Grove will allow young children to access this experience alongside enthusiastic playworkers. Through June 7, 2025, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Options: 2 day, 3 day, or 5 day. 805-2426301. onecoolearth.org/play-grove.html. Jewish Community Center, 875 Laureate Lane, San Luis Obispo.

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

QIGONG ONLINE Register now for QiGong Online with Gary West, of San Luis Coastal Adult School. Great practice

for balance, wellness, mindfulness, and vitality. Wednesdays, 9:30-10:35 a.m. through Dec. 12 $115 per semester. 805-549-1222. ae.slcusd.org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo. SLO CLIMATE COALITION’S SEPTEMBER SOCIAL SLO Climate Coalition’s September Social is a free, family-friendly event to celebrate our collective efforts towards climate action on the Central Coast. Enjoy great food and live music, and learn more about SLO Climate Coalition’s new program year and initiatives. All attendees must register. Sept. 13 , 5-8 p.m. Free. sloclimatecoalition.org/events/. Meadow Park, 2251 Meadow St., San Luis Obispo. SLO NOONTIME TOASTMASTERS CLUB MEETINGS Want to improve speaking and leadership skills in a supportive and positive environment? During COVID, we are meeting virtually. Contact us to get a meeting link for info. Tuesdays, 12-1 p.m. Free. slonoontime.toastmastersclubs.org. Zoom, Online, Inquire for Zoom ID. SLO RETIRED ACTIVE MEN: WEEKLY COFFEE MEETING SLO RAMs is a group or retirees that get together just for the fun, fellowship, and to enjoy programs which enhance the enjoyment, dignity, and independence of retirement. Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. $10 coffee meeting. retiredactivemen.org. Madonna Inn, 100 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo. STAY YOUNG WITH QI GONG Qi Gong boosts energy and vitality, reduces stress, improves balance and flexibility, and, best of all, is fun. Join instructor Devin Wallace for this outdoor class which is held in a beautiful setting. Call or email before attending. Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m. $12. Crows End Retreat, 6430 Squire Ct., San Luis Obispo.

TECH BREW MEETUP Tech Brew is a free networking event where people interested in technology can hang out in an informal environment with a small TEDtalk-like presentation from an interesting speaker. Learn more online. Second Monday of every month, 5-7 p.m. 805-323-6706. meetup.com/softec/. StoryLabs, 102 Cross St, Suite 220, San Luis Obispo. TOUR THE HISTORIC OCTAGON BARN CENTER The Octagon Barn, built in 1906, has a rich history that The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County looks forward to sharing with visitors. Please RSVP. Second Sunday of every month, 2-2:45 & 3-3:45 p.m. Tours are free; donations are appreciated. Octagon Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis Obispo, (805) 544-9096, octagonbarn.org. TRANS* TUESDAY A safe space providing peer-to-peer support for trans, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and questioning people. In-person and Zoom meetings held. Contact tranzcentralcoast@gmail.com for more details. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. GALA Pride and Diversity Center, 1060 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-541-4252. TRANS* YOUTH PEER SUPPORT GROUP This group is a safe place for trans* and gender non-conforming people, as well as those questioning, from ages of 11 to 18. A facilitated emotional support group to be heard, share your story, and hear stories that may sound surprisingly like your own. Second Tuesday of every month, 6-8 p.m. Free. GALA Pride and Diversity Center, 1060 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-541-4252.

VISUALIZING CLIMATE CHANGE FROM NASA’S UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE AND HOW YOU CAN HELP WHILE IMPROVING YOUR HEALTH AND WEALTH Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your understanding of Earth’s changing climate, the critical role NASA plays in deciphering its mysteries,

& LIFESTYLE continued page 22

ARMEN

and how climate change effects you.

Speakers: Susan Callery, Managing/ Science Editor, NASA’s Climate website (ret.); Don Gaede, MD. Register to save your spot. Sept. 7 9-11:30 a.m. Free. slocce.org/. San Luis Obispo Library Community Room, 995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-781-5991.

OCTOBER 19 & 20, 2024

the world.” Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

$10 drop-in; $30 for four classes. 510-362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.

PISMO BEACH CORGI GETAWAY: BEACH

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY ADVENTURES WITH NATURE: BUTTERFLIES (COMMUNICATION IN COLOR) Join docent Peggy for an engaging talk about butterflies from around the world to the ones right in our backyard. Monarch season is coming soon, so come learn about their interesting adaptations. Recommended for ages 10 and older. RSVP by calling 805-474-2664 Sept. 7, 11 a.m.-noon Free. 530-520-7300. centralcoastparks.org/awn/. Oceano Dunes Visitor Center, 555 Pier Ave., Oceano.

ASTROLOGY STUDY GROUP The astrology study group is geared towards astrology enthusiasts with a preliminary understanding of the planets, signs, and houses of astrology. This class will begin an in depth study of aspects and how to read the current positions of the planets against your natal chart. Sept. 12 , 6-7:30 p.m. $20. 805-270-3192. Shell Beach Veterans Memorial Building, 230 Leeward Ave., Pismo Beach, pismobeach.org.

BACK TO SCHOOL: TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON EVERY EMPOWERED

AGING TOPIC Come test your knowledge on every vital empowered aging topic and pave the way to a full and vibrant life well into your most fragile years. Sept. 11 10-11:30 a.m. my805tix.com. Hilton Garden Inn, 601 James Way, Pismo Beach.

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

BEGINNING BALLET FOR ADULTS Enjoy the grace and flow of ballet. No previous experience needed. Wednesdays, 5:156:15 p.m. $12 drop-in; $40 for four classes. 510-362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.

CATCH OF THE CENTRAL COAST

Celebrating 30 years of marine science education in San Luis Obispo County and beyond. Under the starts, and within sight and sound of the sea, the event will feature dinner and local wine, beer, and cider. With live music, and silent and live auctions. Sept. 7, 5-9:30 p.m. $200. 805-457-5357. centralcoastaquarium.org. Central Coast Aquarium, 50 San Juan St., Avila Beach.

COMMUNITY NATIVE GARDEN

MONTHLY VOLUNTEER WORKDAY

Volunteers accomplish a variety of tasks including pathways maintenance, litter patrol of the garden perimeter, weeding, irrigation system expansion/repairs, pruning, and plantings. Volunteers should bring work gloves, a hat, drinking water, and tools related to the above activities. First Saturday of every month, 9 a.m.-noon Free. 805-710-3073. Nipomo Native Garden, Camino Caballo at Osage, Nipomo.

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

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

JPCF’S 14TH ANNUAL SURVIVORS

CELEBRATION The Jacqualyn Palchak Cancer Fund will host its annual Cancer Survivors’ Celebration. Lunch, speakers, gifts, and more. Free, but reservations required. Sept. 7, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Free. 805-710-3113. palchakcancerfund. org/happenings. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 959 Valley Rd., Arroyo Grande. MULTICULTURAL DANCE CLASS FOR ADULTS Experience dance from continents around the earth, including from Africa, Europe, and more. Described as “a wonderful in-depth look at the context and history of cultures of

PARTY Hosted by So Cal Corgi Nation as part of the first annual Pismo Beach Corgi Getaway, which features festivities happening between Sept. 6 and 8. This beach party, south of the Pismo Beach Pier, is open to the public and will include corgi contests, music, vendors, sand art across the beach, and more. Sept. 7 10 a.m. socalcorgibeachday.com. Pismo Beach Pier, West end of Pomeroy, Pismo Beach.

PISMO BEACH QIGONG Move energy, relieve stress, and expand awareness, strength, and flexibility. All levels welcome. At the end of Addie Street in Pismo Beach. Taught by local acupuncturist Lorne Johnson. Saturdays, 9-10 a.m. through Sept. 28 Sliding scale. Pismo Beach Pier, West end of Pomeroy, Pismo Beach.

POINT SAN LUIS LIGHTHOUSE TOURS

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

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

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

LOMPOC BOTANIC GARDEN GUIDED

TOUR The Lompoc Valley Botanic and Horticultural Society invites the community to a free guided tour of this maritime chaparral garden for an opportunity to see a variety of species uniquely adapted to life on California’s Central Coast. Sept. 15 2:304 p.m. 805-450-3668. lvbhs.org/activities.

Burton Mesa Chaparral Garden, 1 Hancock Drive, Lompoc.

FOOD & DRINK

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

MORRO BAY MAIN STREET FARMERS

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

NORTH SLO COUNTY

BEER YOGA Enjoy some yoga and beer during this unique hybrid event. Sept. 7, 10-11 a.m. my805tix.com. Ancient Owl Beer Garden, 6090 El Camino Real, suite C, Atascadero, 805-460-6042.

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

CLUB CAR BAR TRIVIA WITH DR. RICKY

Teams of 1 to 6 people welcome. Visit site for more info. Wednesdays, 7-10 p.m. my805tix.com. Club Car Bar, 508 S. Main Street, Templeton, 805-400-4542.

SEPTEMBER 2024 CENTRAL COAST

COOKING SHOW Watch local pro chefs cook delicious seasonal dishes along with wine pairings from local wineries and delectable desserts. Sept. 10, 4:30-6:30 p.m. my805tix.com. Idler’s Home Paso Robles, 2361 Theatre Drive, 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. 805-4606042. ancientowlbeergarden.com.

Ancient Owl Beer Garden, 6090 El Camino Real, suite C, Atascadero.

TASTE OF TIN CITY WALKING TOUR

Enjoy the first ever walking tour of Tin City – an industrial area just outside of downtown Paso Robles – that is home to a community of innovative and passionate producers of high-quality wines, spirits, beer, and more. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $125. 805-400-3141. toasttours.com/tour/ tin-city-walking-tour/. Toast Tours, 1722 Stillwater Ct, Paso Robles. SAN LUIS OBISPO

CHEF’S HARVEST AND WINE DINNER Visit website for more info on this elegant dinner gathering and to purchase tickets in advance. Sept. 6 6-9 p.m. my805tix. com. The Secret Garden at Sycamore Mineral Springs, 1215 Avila Beach Dr., San Luis Obispo, 805-595-7302.

DOWNTOWN SLO FARMERS MARKET Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. Downtown SLO, Multiple locations, San Luis Obispo. HEAD GAMES TRIVIA NIGHT Live multimedia trivia every Wednesday. Free to play. Win prizes. Teams up to six players. Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. headgamestrivia.com. Antigua Brewing, 1009 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, 805-242-1167.

IMPROV COMEDY SHOWS All the improv you see will be on the spot from your audience suggestions. First Thursday of every month, 6 p.m. 805-540-8300. my805tix.com. Bang the Drum Brewery, 1150 Laurel Lane, suite 130, San Luis Obispo. SLO FARMERS MARKET Hosts more than 60 vendors. Saturdays, 8-10:45 a.m. World Market Parking Lot, 325 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo.

SLO GRANGE HALL PANCAKE

BREAKFAST Join the SLO Grange Hall for a good old-fashioned pancake breakfast. Pancakes, bacon, eggs, juice and coffee; all for a low suggested donation price of $10, with proceeds to benefit SLO Grange Hall 639. Second Sunday of every month, 8-11 a.m. $10. 805-543-0639. San Luis Obispo Grange Hall, 2880 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

TRIVIA NIGHT Reservations are no longer required to play. Reservations are now for teams who want to guarantee a table to play. Tables available first come, first serve. Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m. my805tix.com. Bang the Drum Brewery, 1150 Laurel Lane, suite 130, San Luis Obispo.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT PUB TRIVIA Bring your thinking cap as questions vary from pop culture, geography, to sports. There is a little for everyone. Prizes for the winning teams. Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. 805-439-2529. Oak and Otter Brewing, 181 Tank Farm Road, suite 110, San Luis Obispo. WEDNESDAY PUB TRIVIA Bring your thinking caps as questions vary from pop culture, geography, to sports. There is a little for everyone. Prizes for the winning teams. Trivia provided by Geeks Who Drink. Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. 805439-2529. Oak and Otter Brewing, 181 Tank Farm Road, suite 110, San Luis Obispo. SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

HOUSE OF PRAYER’S Q-TEAM MONTHLY BARBECUE Come enjoy finger lickin’ barbecue with all the fixings. First Saturday of every month, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. through Nov. 2 805-732-5111. House of Prayer Church, 640 S. Frontage Road, Nipomo. MONTHLY FERMENTATION CLASSES New topics each month with a thorough demo and explanation of the process that creates non-alcoholic, probiotic, and nutrient-dense fermentations. Leave the class confident and prepared with recipes to make your own at home. Limited seating; reserve spot prior to class by phone/email. Second Sunday of every month, 3:30-5 p.m. $30. 805-801-6627. kulturhausbrewing.com/ classes/. Kulturhaus Brewing Company, 779 Price St., Pismo Beach. TRIVIA NIGHT Join BrainStew Trivia for a hilariously witty evening of trivia in Pismo. Teams of 1 to 4 people. Prizes awarded to the first and second place teams. Kitchen is open until 7:30 p.m.

for brain fuel. Beer, cider, wine, and non-alcoholic options available. First Thursday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m. Free to play. 805-295-6171. kulturhausbrewing.com. Kulturhaus Brewing Company, 779 Price St., Pismo Beach.

VICTORY GARDEN WORKSHOPS Come learn the basics of how to grow your own food with SLO County UC Master Gardeners; how to start your garden quickly and easily in a container, in the backyard, or in a community garden. Scholarships available. Sept. 8 and Sept. 15 $55 series; $82 couple; $15 class; $45, $75, $10 for OCSD residents. 805-7815939. Oceano Train Depot, 1650 Front St., Oceano.

MUSIC

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

BEACHSIDE LIVE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Enjoy free live music by the beach in Cayucos. Showtimes are Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Also featuring live music on holiday weekends, and on select Fridays and Saturdays in the summer. Check out @schoonerscayucos on Instagram for band updates. Sundays, 1-8 p.m. Free. 805-995-3883. schoonerscayucos.com/ live. Schooners, 171 North Ocean Ave, Cayucos.

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

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. Second Sunday of every month, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 805-900-5444. Lunada Garden Bistro, 78 N. Ocean Ave., Cayucos.

MORRO BAY CELEBRATES 60 YEARS WITH MUSIC Join the Morro Bay White Caps Community Band for a spectacular performance at the town’s 60th celebration. Enjoy pops, classical, and jazz music, featuring the debut of “ Moonlight in Morro Bay” by composer/conductor Brenda Hascall. Don’t miss this musical extravaganza. Sept. 7 12-3 p.m. Free; donations graciously accepted. Tidelands Park, South end of Embarcadero, Morro Bay. OPEN MIC NIGHT Come join us each Wednesday for Open Mic Night in the downstairs dining area. Grab some friends and show off your talents. Food and drink service will be available. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. Free. 805-995-3883. schoonerscayucos. com. Schooners, 171 North Ocean Ave, Cayucos.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

BAROQUE BLISS Presented by Symphony of the Vines. Sept. 8 4 p.m. my805tix.com. Mission San Miguel Arcángel, 775 Mission St., San Miguel.

DEAD MAN’S PARTY Don’t miss this Oingo Boingo tribute. Sept. 6 7 p.m. my805tix.com. The Pour House, 525 Pine St., Paso Robles, 805-239-1000.

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.

SINGING HANDS CHILDREN’S CHOIR A unique performing arts group that performs across the state for deaf festivals, service organizations, churches, fairs, and other outlets. New members always welcome. Registration open weekly. Mondays, 5-6:30 p.m. $45 tuition per month. singinghandschildrenschoir.com/. Singing Hands Children’s Choir and Performing Arts, 1413 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles. TWILIGHT CONCERTS Come and stay awhile after hours and listen to live music by your favorite local bands. Genres range from country music to reggae; bring the whole family for a rockin’ good time. Sundays, 5-8 p.m. through Oct. 27 $5. 805-239-8904. midnightcellars.com. Midnight Cellars, 2925 Anderson Road, Paso Robles. SAN LUIS OBISPO ALL AGES OPEN MIC NIGHT Tuesdays,

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

BURLEY THISTLES Burley Thistles is an alternative rock band that plays guitar-woven music that is easy to listen to but also surprises with memorable songs, expressive vocals, an authentic sound. Sept. 7 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Frog and Peach Pub, 728 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, 805-595-4764, frogandpeachpub.com.

CROSS CULTURAL FOLK MUSIC WITH NABANITA SARKAR AND THE SALTY DAWGS Hailing from Kolkata, India, Nabanita Sarkar and the Salty Dawgs play a unique blend of Bengali and American folk music at the Historic Octagon Barn Center, with an old-time jam at 6 p.m. before the show. Sept. 5 , 6-9 p.m. $20 advance; $25 at the door. 805-235-2874. eventbrite. com/e/cross-cultural-folk-music-with-nabanita-sarkar-andthe-salty-dawgs-tickets-982435580267. Octagon Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis Obispo.

DANTE MARSH & THE VIBESETTERS AND DAVE TATE: CONCERTS IN THE PLAZA Free live music. Family-friendly. Food/drink available. Free bike valet. Sept. 6 , 5-8 p.m. Free. DowntownSLO.com/Concerts. Mission Plaza, Downtown, San Luis Obispo.

EASTON EVERETT Easton Everett plays guitar-woven music that is easy to listen to but also surprises. Sept. 5 7-9 p.m. eastoneverett.com. Benny’s Pizza Palace and Social Club, 1601 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, 805-439-3838.

FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC: A CLASSICAL VOCAL

PERFORMANCE Enjoy an hour of beautiful, sacred music, opera arias, and popular ballads, performed by accomplished opera singers and musicians. Performance is located inside the beautiful Mission San Luis Obispo in downtown SLO. Offerings encouraged to benefit the Mission San Luis Obispo Music Ministry. Sept. 15 3-4:30 p.m. Free. 805-550-3529. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, 751 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, missionsanluisobispo.org/.

JAZZ IN THE PLAZA The Mo Betta Band is at the Historic Mission Plaza. Bring your friends, your lawn chair, and grab a bite to eat from one of our sponsors’ locations. Sept. 8 2-4 p.m. my805tix.com. Mission Plaza, Downtown, San Luis Obispo.

JAZZ WEDNESDAYS Spinning jazz records all night. Bebop, jazz funk, acid jazz, hard bop, nu jazz, jazz house, crossover, Latin jazz, and more. Featuring guest selectors. Music at a polite volume in an acoustically treated space. Vintage sound system, big warm speakers. Plenty of free parking. Wednesdays, 3-8 p.m. through Oct. 30 Free. 805-439-1544. jansplaceslo.com. Jan’s Place, 1817 Osos St., San Luis Obispo.

LIVE MUSIC AT KROBAR Enjoy live music at Krobar, which showcases local, talented artists of all music genres. Kick-off your weekend right, grab your favorite seasonal craft cocktail, and vibe to the sounds of the night. Follow on Instagram to find out who is playing. Every other Friday, 6-9 p.m. Free entry. 833-576-2271. krobardistillery.com/events. Krobar Craft Distillery, 1701 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

LIVE MUSIC AT LIQUID GRAVITY Check social media and calendar for weekly updates. Fridays, 6-9 p.m. and Saturdays, 2-5 p.m. Liquid Gravity, 675 Clarion Court, San Luis Obispo.

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

SEXY COSMIC FREAK DISCO SPACE PARTY Strap on your go go boots and your sparkle spanky shorts for this dance. DJ A Wizard and DJ Suz will be spinnin’ with fun treats, performers, and suprises all night long. Features vendors and tarot readings. Sept. 14 6-11 p.m. $15. 805-858-8255. my805tix. com/e/sexy-cosmic-freak-disco-space-party. Bang the Drum Brewery, 1150 Laurel Lane, suite 130, San Luis Obispo.

SUMMER MUSIC SERIES AT OAK AND OTTER BREWING CO. Summer music series featuring local artists, including Jaxon Camaero, Spike and the Box, Ben and Danny, Graybill, and Devin Welsh. Check @oakandotterbrewing for up to date info. Sept. 14 , 2-5 p.m. Free. 805-439-2529. oakandotterbrewing. squarespace.com/events. Oak and Otter Brewing, 181 Tank Farm Road, suite 110, San Luis Obispo.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

2024 LIVE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE CONCERT SERIES These Saturday afternoon concerts are limited and will sell out, so make your purchase early to secure your spot. Saturdays, 2:30-5 p.m. through Oct. 12 my805tix.com. Point San Luis Lighthouse, 1 Lighthouse Rd., Avila Beach. FREQUENCY WITHIN AND MORE Visit site for the full band lineup, as well as for tickets and more info. Sept. 7 7 p.m. my805tix.com. Fuego in Grover Beach, 1187 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach, (805) 710-6477.

PRINCE AGAIN: A TRIBUTE TO PRINCE This spot-on tribute delivers such unforgettable hits as “Purple Rain” and many more. Sept. 15 , 7-9:30 p.m. $49.50. 805-489-9444. clarkcenter. org/shows/prince-again/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

A TRIBUTE TO THE LEGENDARY LINDA RONSTADT WITH RONSTADT REVIVAL FEAT. SHANNON RAE A tribute to Linda Ronstadt, with a full seven-piece band, including fiddle and pedal steel, “to bring you the true authentic sound of the Ronstadt catalog.” Sept. 14 7:30-10 p.m. $40-$60. 805-4899444. clarkcenter.org/shows/ronstadt-revival/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

THERESA CAPUTO

Arts

Werewolf antics take center stage during the Great American Melodrama’s new show

The Great American Melodrama in Oceano presents its production of Werewolf of Arroyo Grande, which opens on Friday, Sept. 13. Upcoming performances of the new original show are scheduled to run at the theater through Saturday, Nov. 9. According to the Melodrama’s website, the play follows a man who relocates to the Village of Arroyo Grande to open a nutcentric fast food restaurant. He eventually discovers that the small town is being terrorized by a horrifying werewolf. The nutty protagonist and his neighbors must band together to defeat the creature and restore peace in their town.

Thirty minutes prior to each performance, the Great American Melodrama’s popular snack bar opens for attendees to enjoy and reopens during each of the show’s intermission breaks.

The snack bar’s menu includes popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, soda, beer, and more.

General admission to the play ranges between $32 and $38, with discounts available for children (ages 12 and under), students (ages 13 to 18), seniors (ages 62 and older), and active and retired military.

Tickets can be purchased online at americanmelodrama. com or in person at the Great American Melodrama’s box office, which is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 5:30 p.m., and every Sunday from noon to 4:30 p.m.

To find out more about the theater and its lineup of shows, visit americanmelodrama.

com. After the show’s run ends, the Melodrama’s 2024 season will conclude with The Holiday Extravaganza scheduled to open on Friday, Nov. 15, and run through Tuesday, Dec. 31.

The Holiday Extravaganza is an annual tradition at the Melodrama and features a wintry yet ultimately heartwarming retelling of A Christmas Carol, which is followed by a fractured fairy tale opera parody and the Melodrama’s signature holiday vaudeville review. Call (805) 489-2499 for additional details. The Great American Melodrama is located at 1863 Front St., Oceano.

Go behind the scenes with Ballet Theatre SLO at open house event

Ballet Theatre San Luis Obispo will open its doors to the community for a special open house event on Sunday, Sept. 15, from 2 to 5 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the venue’s studio space and meet dancers, instructors, and other artists who work with the local performance group. There will also be complimentary snacks and beverages. Admission is free. Guests are asked to RSVP in advance at my805tix.com. Ballet Theatre San Luis Obispo is located at 3566 S. Higuera St., San Luis Obispo. ∆

—Caleb Wiseblood

BY SAMANTHA HERRERA

Cross-border experiences

Cuesta College showcases works of nine Mexican artists living on the border of San Diego and Tijuana

Once part of the same country but separated by barriers both tangible and intangible, California and Tijuana have a complicated relationship.

e tension and connection between the two regions inform the works of the nine Mexican artists whose work currently graces Cuesta College’s Harold J. Miossi gallery. e Outsiders from the Other Side, on display through Oct. 11, showcases the cultural, social, and creative practices linked to the dynamic border region.

“Sean messaged me about this show that he had put together with this Mexican artist who he had met in a real kind of fortunate way, and that’s Damariz. She and him had constructed this show with his space and with her nding the artists and kind of putting everybody together,” Tim Stark, Harold J. Miossi Art Gallery’s Curator told New Times. “So, I went down there and saw the show, and it struck me instantly as a really important chance to highlight the voices of these unique artists that were being able to export their own views of identity and of experiencing the culture that exists right along the U.S.-Mexico border.”

e collection of pieces was originally showing at Track 16, a gallery in Los Angeles, and Stark said he knew he had to show them in San Luis Obispo— and he was fortunate enough to nd a time that worked for everyone.

e Outsiders from the Other Side hosts the distinctive work of Acamonchi, Alejandro Zacarias, Basura Innecesaria, Damariz Aispuro, Dada, Hermanos De La Torre, Mariel Miranda, Ris Byron, and Toni Larios.

Aispuro told New Times that working with Track 16 and with Stark at Cuesta has given her the opportunity to openly express herself through her work.

Beyond borders

The Outsiders from the Other Side will be on display at the Harold J. Miossi Art Gallery at Cuesta College until Oct. 11. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Visit cuesta.edu to learn more.

“It was a good experience to work with these guys because they as a gallerist taught me and showed me many things that I didn’t know as an artist,” she said. “So, for me, it was a very good and nice experience to work with these two guys because here in Mexico, or even in Tijuana, we have a lot of men in charge of the galleries and they’re very machistas, so it was very hard for me to work with them.”

Growing up on the streets of Tijuana, Aispuro said her work is in uenced by her childhood and what she’s seen living in the city.

Aispuro’s work is joined in the exhibition by other artists, including Dada who’s a visual artist from both Tijuana and San Diego and takes in uences from pop culture, skateboarding, gra ti, music, painting, photography, and graphic arts.

BY

A LOOK BACK Visual artist Dada’s art has been influenced by pop culture, skateboarding, and graffiti, and his mural Danzante highlights one of the most important rituals for the Yaqui and Mayo communities that live in Sonora and Sinaloa. This dance represents the natural world, and its movements, sounds, and music, as well as its paraphernalia and clothing, allude to the deer.

Fellow featured artist Zacarias, who’s lived in Tijuana since 1970, makes his art with a variety of techniques, including “painting, recycling, intervention and installation of public and private spaces,” according to his artist statement.

“It’s also a sense of surviving, getting a lot of materials to make money with or building something with that.

... Why, it’s almost like recycling centers that you’re going to see in Zacarias’ work,” Dada said during the Aug. 28 opening celebration and artist panel at Cuesta College. “ at’s how a lot of things in Tijuana are made and since the migration is ... heavy, it’s nonstop, there’s a lot of people trying to make a living or trying to survive with the ow of the city that have to adapt to recycling materials.”

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

wages, and environmental impact, send them over the border and then Tijuana becomes a large, bigscreen manufacturing plant where everyone from South America is getting jobs at,” Acamonchi said during the panel. “When the TVs are done, they’re sent back to the United States, but there’s a lot of residues, a lot of industrial waste that stays in the city, and it’s all up in a land ll or somewhere.” is is when Zacarias will go for a walk and pick stu out of the leftover parts that he nds interesting and can repurpose into sculpture.

In Zacharias’ piece Mirón II, he used recycled hardware, wood, wallpaper, and other metal parts.

“In Tijuana all the maquiladoras, which are the factories where they can no longer exist in the United States because of safety regulations,

“So that’s how part of his work comes about, but also, we all recycle, we all repurpose without even thinking,” Acamonchi said. “In Mexico people are forced to repurpose things, and that emotion, that feeling, and that necessity get passed on from generations that nd a di erent use for it but don’t throw it away.” ∆

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

REPRESENTING ME Created by Damariz Aispuro, same shit is a dystopian image of her childhood. Walking through the street while listening to music, Aispuro said this is her life experience.

REUSE, REDUCE, RECYCLE In Mirón II, Alejandro Zacharias used recycled hardware, wood, wallpaper, and other metal parts.

PHOTOS

SAMANTHA HERRERA

Enduring friendship

Tina Mabry (Mississippi Damned) directs this story based on Edward Kelsey Moore’s 2013 bestselling novel about a trio of friends—Odette (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Kyanna Simone as young Odette), Barbara Jean (Sanaa Lathan and Tati Gabrielle as young Barbara Jean), and Clarice (Uzo Aduba and Abigail Achiri as young Clarice)—known as e Supremes, who over the decades have weathered the trials and tribulations of life but now nd their friendship tested as they face new challenges. (124 min.)

THE SUPREMES AT EARL’S ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT

What’s it rated? PG-13

What’s it worth, Anna? Stream it

What’s it worth, Glen? Stream it

Where’s it showing? Hulu

Glen I never read this book, but I have a feeling it was able to go a lot deeper into the dynamics of these three women’s complicated relationships and lives. e story seems like it skips along the surface. Yet, this is the kind of feel-good lm you can’t help but like. It’s a warmhearted exploration of the depths of lifelong friendship. ese women are awed, and separately they’re vulnerable, but together they’re one another’s support system through all the ups and downs of life. ey help each other through bad romantic relationships, personal loss, and dealing with racism, illness, and more. eir strength is their bond, and as their challenges mount, that bond is threatened, but for me the tension wasn’t quite there because the end was never in doubt. Still, I enjoyed watching it.

Anna It borders on feeling a bit like treacle sometimes, but the women’s long-standing friendship is endearing. ey’ve all had to make sacri ces over the years and have su ered from both loss and looming feelings of what if things were di erent. Clarice is a talented piano player whose decision to marry Richmond (Russell Hornsby) changed her possible life path and her chance at a musical career. Barbara Jean has lost her husband, and we learn through the lm

LITTLE WOMEN

What’s it rated? PG

When? Monday, Sept. 9, at 5:30 p.m.

Where’s it showing? The Bay Theatre of Morro Bay

Gillian Armstrong (My Brilliant Career, Mrs. Soffel ) directs this 1994 film adaptation of writer Louisa May Alcott’s two volume coming of age novel (released in 1868 and 1869) about the March sisters— Meg (Trini Alvarado), Jo (Winona Ryder), Beth (Claire Danes), and Amy (Kirsten Dunst as younger Amy and Samantha Mathis as older Amy). Susan Sarandon stars as their mother, Mrs. March. With Mr. March serving far from home as a chaplain during the American Civil War, the March women face their first Christmas without him. The story chronicles their struggles, romantic relationships, and deep love for one another. It’s a real tearjerker.

it isn’t the rst time that her world has been upended by loss. Odette is the tough one who too often tries to shoulder an unbearable load. I do like lms that o er sweeping glimpses of lifetimes, and having six actresses carry three characters’ stories is an interesting dynamic. It’s a bit of feelgood, a bit of feel-sad, and overall, a sweet look at what friendship over a lifetime can be.

Glen Jumping back and forth through time made the plot a lot more interesting than if it had followed direct chronology. I enjoyed both sets of actresses, and casting did a commendable job of nding younger and older actresses that looked close enough alike to keep track of who was who. e bottom line is this is a straightforward melodrama with some laughs and some e ective emotional moments. I liked these characters and had empathy galore for their troubles, and though they had moments of doubt in their friendship and got fed up with each other, in the nal tally, the lm was a portrait of a deeply enduring and

BL AST BL AST FROM THE FROM THE

If you’re unfamiliar with the source material, I’m surprised. By my count, it’s been adapted for the screen seven times, most recently in 2019 by director Greta Gerwig. Other famous adaptations include George Cukor’s 1933 film with Katharine Hepburn as Jo.

Armstrong’s film was Claire Dane’s first major movie. Kirsten Dunst was hot off her success in Interview with the Vampire which also came out in 1994. The film also features Christian Bale as Laurie and Eric Stoltz as John Brooke. Add in Gabriel Byrne as Friedrich Bhaer, and you’ve got a monster cast. This is a terrific adaptation. (115 min.)

—Glen

FTHE KILLER

What’s it rated? R

When? 2024

mostly unconditional friendship. We’d all be lucky to have a lifelong friend set like e Supremes—their moniker awarded by Big Earl (Tony Winters), whose classic old-school diner was their gathering spot. It’s a pretty sweet story. Anna e lm hits on the di culties of life for the Black teenagers back in the ’50s. ere’s racial turmoil and the small town the girls live in isn’t always the most welcoming. But Earl’s is a place of safety and a home base where the Supremes can work out all of life’s woes over the years. e casting director was smart to pull these talents together; the actresses really felt like old friends who have been through it together. It de nitely dips into some corny territory here and there, but if you don’t mind the sweet aftertaste, you’ll likely nd it to be a delightful, funny lm with heart through and through. ∆

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

Where’s it showing? Peacock

amed Hong Kong auteur John Woo ( A Better Tomorrow, Hard Boiled, Face/Off, Mission Impossible II ) directs this action flick (a remake of his 1989 film of the same name with Chow Yun-Fat in the lead) about Zee (Nathalie Emmanuel), a female assassin out to make amends for Jenn Clark (Diana Silvers), an American singer accidently blinded during a hit job.

Sam Worthington plays Finn, Zee’s handler, and the two seem to have very different moral codes. Zee wants to know that the people she

SUPPORT SYSTEM Lifelong besties Odette (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), Barbara Jean (Sanaa Lathan), and Clarice (Uzo Aduba) find their friendship tested as they face new challenges, in The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, streaming on Hulu.

COURTESY PHOTO BY DANA HAWLEY/SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES

COURTESY PHOTO BY CHRISTINE TAMALET/UNIVERSAL PICTURES

TEAM UP To battle a worse enemy, Paris detective, Sey (Omar Sy), joins forces with Zee (Nathalie Emmanuel), an assassin, in The Killer, streaming on Peacock.

THE MARCH WOMEN Jo (Winona Ryder), Meg (Trini Alvarado), Amy (Kirsten Dunst), Mrs. March (Susan Sarandon), and Beth (Claire Danes) make the best of their poverty in Little Women (1994), screening at the Bay Theatre on Sept. 9.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES

FRIDAY, NOV.22

2024

@SLO BREW ROCK

855 AEROVISTA PLACE, SLO

See LIVE performances from winning artists for each genre. Hear winning songs from Country/ Americana/Folk , Rock/Alternative, R&B/Blues , Hip-Hop/Rap, and Open categories. The coveted Newtie award will be presented to the top spot along with awards for each genre.

We’ll also announce this years Local Legend Award that is presented to an individual who has dedicated their time, talent, and effort to benefit the local music scene.

Also, get your chance to win an Ernie Ball guitar by purchasing raffle tickets online or at the event.

JOSH ROSENBLUM

DAVE TATE

MAX MACLAURY

BY GLEN STARKEY

The Burley Thistles’ new self-titled eight-song album is exactly the sort of guitar-driven alternative rock I would have locked myself in my bedroom with as a teenager and played on repeat until I knew every song by heart. It’s got the kind of memorable songwriting of an Elvis Costello or a Graham Parker, but with—as frontman Easton Everett describes—“a heartland, midSouth rock sound as well as embodying an evolutionary new Laurel Canyon like LA, pop rock ethos.”

These are really hooky songs, and Everett’s voice has a wonderfully authentic tatterededge quality—worn but immediately comfortable. And the music? Wow, he’s got Elliot Easton of The Cars playing electric guitar, and damn if he doesn’t rip! The Burley Thistles’ studio band also includes producer/drummer Phil Jones “whose studio experience with Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne can be heard in the Burley Thistles production style,” Everett added. Jim Wilson (formerly with Daniel Lanois) is on keyboard, electric bass, guitar, and vocals.

See The Burley Thistles on Saturday, Sept. 7, when they play Frog and Peach (9:30 p.m.; 21-and-older).

Numbskull and Good Medicine

Good Medicine and Numbskull kick things off with the indie-folk-psychedelic lofi magician Kurt Vile and the Violators on Friday, Sept. 6, at BarrelHouse Brewing (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $41.92 at goodmedicinepresents. com). He’s made so many weird-good songs and albums over the years. I mean, what to even make of “Pretty Pimpin” with its shimmering dissonant opening sliding into its folky groove and machinegun vocals? Or the nine-minute opus “Walking on a Pretty Day?” He’s mentioned Pavement, John Prine, Neil Young, Ween, Tom Petty, Dinosaur Jr., Bruce Springsteen, and John Fahey as influences, but he’s so original, Vile doesn’t sound like anyone but himself.

In November, he released the EP Back to Moon Beach, which featured the last contributions by Violator Rob Laakso,

who died of cancer last year, and features a cover of “Must Be Santa” as well as the 1995 Wilco song “Passenger Side.” It’s another predictably weird-good offering.

Country singer-songwriter Mike Ryan plays The Siren on Friday, Sept. 6 (6 p.m.; 21-and-older; $26.99 at goodmedicinepresents.com), with Bakersfield singer-songwriter Joe Peters opening.

“We’re certainly enjoying our time and playing a lot of really fun shows,” Ryan said in press materials. “The live shows are my favorite part of the business, and we never really slow down.”

For some amazing vocal harmonies, don’t miss The T Sisters on Saturday, Sept. 7, in Club Car Bar (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $23.90 at goodmedicinepresents.com). Billing their sound as “sassy sister folk,” the trio’s newest album is Big Girl Pants, and they also have a new EP coming soon called Sheroes

If you’re in the mood for some bluesy guitar shredding and compelling songwriting, check out Eric Gales on Sunday, Sept. 8, at The Siren (7 p.m.; 21-andolder; $40.89 at goodmedicinepresents.com), with local guitar shredder Travis Larson opening. Gales, who’s released 18 albums over 30 years, has endured some struggles with substance abuse, but he’s five years sober and sounding great.

More at The Siren

The Siren’s big in-house show this week is legendary reggae act Black Uhuru on Monday, Sept. 9 (7 to 10 p.m.; 21-and-older; $36.86 at tixr.com).

First formed in 1972 in the Waterhouse district of Kingston, Jamaica, as Uhuru (“freedom” in Swahili), the band has been through many lineup changes over the decades, with one unwavering stalwart at the helm since the beginning, Derrick “Duckie” Simpson. The band is an eight-time Grammy nominee that won the 1984 Best Reggae Recording Grammy Award for their album Anthem. The award marked the very first ever Grammy Award for reggae music.

Also at The Siren, take a trip back through time on Saturday, Sept. 7, when I got 5 on it—a ’90s hip hop DJ event happens with four classic ’90s hip-hop elements represented: DJ, emcee, graffiti, and break dancing (8 to 11 p.m.; 21-and-older; $5): náboh is a multi-instrumentalist, DJ, and producer; Gypsy Baritone is one-seventh

of the hip-hop crew the Archaics; Lakey is a highly acclaimed illustrator and designer; and Central Coast United Bboys & Bgirls is an organization that’s sole purpose is to bring together bboys and bgirls.

Mo’ Betta!

Jazz and R&B singer Deborah Gilmore and the Mo’ Betta Band will play a free concert in Mission Plaza this Sunday, Sept. 8 (2 to 4 p.m.; all ages; free though donations can be made at my805tix. com).

Gilmore experienced homelessness for a time, but through the kindness of people she encountered, she began putting on concerts and soon found success, eventually putting a roof over her head.

“I’ve been able to put these music projects together because of my very supportive sponsors and community support,” she explained. “This has been a huge undertaking for me, and I’ve had the fortunate experience of working with brilliant professional and Cal Poly musicians. I’m excited about this event because I love the venue and the opportunity to perform in the heart of the city!”

Even more music …

There may still be tickets at the door for Bonnie and the Salty Dawgs at the Octagon

Barn’s Milking Parlor this Thursday, Sept. 5 (an old-time jam at 6 p.m. followed by a 7 p.m. concert; all ages; $23.18 presale at eventbrite.com; $25 at the door), Fronted by Nabanita Sarkar, the group plays Bengaliinfused mountain music from India. Don’t miss your chance to soak up some jam rock when Grateful Shred and Circles Around the Sun play a SLO Brew Live show at Rod & Hammer Rock on Thursday, Sept. 5 (doors at 7 p.m.; all ages; $45.23 at ticketweb.com). Both these acts are influenced by the Grateful Dead.

The very last Concerts in the Plaza show of the season happens this Friday, Sept. 6, with popular local singer-songwriter Dave Tate opening at 5 p.m., followed by super popular local soul and funk act Dante Marsh & The Vibe Setters at 6 p.m. (all ages; free).

Andy Chen, the winner of the Paderewski Youth Piano Competition, plays a free concert on Sunday, Sept. 8, in Atascadero’s Hope Lutheran Church (2 p.m.; all ages). This month, Chen begins his studies at Stanford University majoring in human biology and music composition, and while the concert is free, donations to help pay off his college expenses will be gratefully accepted. Rising reggae rock singers Joe Samba and Kyle Smith share the bill next Thursday, Sept. 12, in The Pour House (7 p.m.; 21-andolder; $23.18 at eventbrite.com). Think of it as an East meets West reggae rock showdown. Samba is Massachusetts-born while Smith hails from Ventura. According to press materials, Samba “finds the sweet spot between smoked-out Caribbean bliss and sweat-soaked punkified energy.” Smith blends SoCal style “reggae with melodic acoustic rock that is catchy, truthful, and humorous.”

If you’re thinking about Whale Rock Music and Arts Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14 and 15, you better think fast. Tier 1 tickets sold out weeks ago, and Tier 2 tickets are almost sold out. When they’re gone, remaining tickets will go up in price, and chances are very good the festival will sell out completely. Visit tickets. whalerockmusicfestival.com. ∆

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

GET BURLEY The Burley Thistles will release their rockin’ eponymous debut album on Sept. 7, in Frog and Peach.

Flavor

Lasting legacy

Talley family of Arroyo Grande nabs Agriculturalist of the Year award and raises its next generation of leaders

San Luis Obispo County boasts several renowned surnames, including Hearst and Madonna. However, there is one that flies under the radar but has made a huge impact on the region through winemaking, agriculture, and charitable endeavors.

In the late 1940s, around the same time that William Randolph Hearst completed construction of his hilltop castle in San Simeon, Oliver and Hazel Talley began planting vegetables in Arroyo Grande Valley.

More than 75 years later, Talley Farms now grows more than 40 varieties of fruits and vegetables on 1,500 acres, while Talley Vineyards, boasting 190 acres in the Arroyo Grande and Edna valleys, produces an estimated 36,000 cases of wine annually.

So when Brian Talley, grandson of Oliver and Hazel, was selected by the SLO County Farm Bureau for its 2024 Agriculturalist of the Year award, it was an easy choice, according to Paul E. Clark, the nonprofit organization’s executive director.

“Talley Farms and Talley Vineyards are great examples of what production agriculture brings to our county,” Clark said. “The Talleys are environmentally conscious, forward-thinking, successful producers. Brian and his family are heavily

For pours and produce

Talley Vineyards, located at 3031 Lopez Drive in Arroyo Grande, is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations are recommended. For more details, visit talleyvineyards.com and follow the winery on Instagram and Facebook @talleyvineyards. To learn more about Talley Farms’ pickup and delivery options for fresh produce, visit talleyfarmsbox.com.

invested in our community, being involved in agricultural organizations and charities.”

Currently the president and CEO of Talley Farms and Talley Vineyards, which his parents Don and Rosemary established in 1986, Brian is also a philanthropist, cookbook author, and viticultural visionary.

He co-founded the World of Pinot Noir wine festival, helped spearhead the creation of the SLO Coast American Viticultural Area, and, along with his wife, Johnine, established the Fund for Vineyard and Farm Workers, providing grants to organizations that assist local agricultural workers and their families.

However, in acknowledging his most recent award from the Farm Bureau, Brian is quick to share the limelight.

“I am proud to continue the commitment to quality that was established in previous generations, and I’m proud that our

Sarah’s Napa Cabbage Salad

Serves 8

1/2 medium head napa cabbage, chopped, about 8 cups

4 green onions, chopped, about 1/2 cup

1 3-ounce package chicken-flavored Top Ramen noodles, uncooked and crumbled (reserve seasoning packet)

2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3 tablespoons rice vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

1/2 teaspoon pepper, plus more to taste

1/2 cup slivered or sliced almonds, toasted

Combine cabbage, onions, Top Ramen noodles, sesame seeds, and cilantro in a large bowl. Sprinkle with half of the packet of the Top Ramen seasoning. In a separate bowl, combine sugar, oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and the remaining half of the Top Ramen seasoning packet. Mix until sugar dissolves.

To serve, dress the salad initially with about three-quarters of the dressing about one hour before serving. Add more to taste and correct seasoning with salt and pepper. Top with toasted slivered or sliced almonds.

transition to the fourth generation is underway with four members of that generation now working in our businesses,” he said.

One such member is his daughter, Elizabeth, who this year became the winery’s manager of sales and marketing.

Armed with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications from Cal Poly and a master’s in brand design and management from Instituto Europeo di Design in Florence, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain, her ascension at Talley is more about her résumé than her roots.

Previous positions at Constellation Brands and Gallo introduced Elizabeth to the production side of the business, which she said was “really valuable.”

“I worked on wine planning and wine tracking, and I was able to learn about how wine is made on a larger scale,” she said.

“Elizabeth’s got a great work ethic and has established an excellent rapport with everyone at the winery,” Brian said.

“In addition, she had some great exposure to employee engagement programs when she worked at Gallo, so she leans into ways to strengthen our culture.”

Elizabeth concedes that “it’s hard in the

wine and farming industries to be a small, family-owned business competing with big corporations.”

“Consolidation is making it harder and harder every day,” she continued. “I am striving to get the message out that supporting small businesses is really important.”

It’s all about lifting others up, from supplier to consumer, she says.

“The three generations before me have consistently demonstrated exceptional support for our people,” she explained. “We take great pride in the fact that some of our employees have been with us for over 40 years, which I believe is a significant accomplishment.

“Our family has always been deeply involved in the community and committed to helping others, which is truly inspiring.

“My sister [Olivia] and I are particularly passionate about sustainability. At our farm and winery, we are dedicated to treating the land with respect and continually strive to improve our practices for a better future.”

Olivia, who is presently a self-described remote brand ambassador for Talley while

From Our California Table by Brian Talley

COURTESY PHOTO BY JEREMY BALL

IT’S ALL RELATIVE The Talley Vineyards tribe includes co-owners Brian Talley; his daughter, Elizabeth; and mother, Rosemary, who established the Arroyo Grande winery along with her husband, Don, in 1986.

working as winter sales manager at Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort, chimed in that she and Elizabeth learned from the best.

“[My dad’s] passion for both the wine industry and agriculture is unmatched,” she said. “He has been an advocate for this area for as long as I can remember.”

Other Talleys running the family businesses include Rosemary, Brian’s cousins Todd and Ryan, and Ryan’s children Byron and Grant.

Brian is also thrilled to work alongside Eric Johnson, a seasoned Talley employee who this year was appointed to director of viticulture and winemaking.

To sample Talley’s acclaimed chardonnay, pinot noir, and other wines, visit the tasting room. Also, mark your calendars for the Adobe Release BBQ on Oct. 19 and Harvest on the Coast on Nov. 2. The release party at the Talley estate celebrates its latest vintage of reserve pinot noir while the harvest event in Pismo Beach showcases SLO Coast AVA wines.

Also explore subscription options for Talley’s curated boxes of fruits and vegetables, and for cooking ideas, pick up a copy of Brian’s Our California Table. Sarah’s Cabbage Salad is particularly enticing, using one of the farm’s most popular crops.

“Sarah Matthews is a longtime family friend and our winery chef,” Brian notes in the book. “She grew up next door to my grandparents and tells funny stories about how she and her sisters used to drive my grandmother crazy. She has been making this salad recipe for years, and it is one of the most popular dishes served at various

family or winery events. It’s also a great use for napa cabbage, one of the most nutritious vegetables you can consume.” ∆

Flavor Writer Cherish Whyte was impressed by the fruits of the Talley family’s labors. She’ll be enjoying Rosemary’s estate pinot at cwhyte@newtimesslo.com.

ESTATE GROWN Talley Vineyards specializes in chardonnay and pinot noir but also produces other wines sourced from seven estate vineyards in the Arroyo Grande Valley and Edna Valley districts of the San Luis Obispo Coast American Viticultural Area.

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person is

as FAMILY THERAPY

INC., PO

144, Oceano, CA 93475. San Luis Obispo County. Family Therapy Solutions, Inc. (PO Box 144, Oceano, CA 93475). State of California. This business is conducted by A CA Corporation /s Family Therapy Solutions, Inc., Erin Addams, President. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 07-17-24. I 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. 07-1729. Publication dates August 15, 22, 29, September 5, 2024.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2024-1559 (02/07/2014)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as MARCHBANKS ARTS AND MEDIA, 536A PASEO BELLA MONTANA, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. San Luis Obispo County. Paul Marchbanks (536A PASEO BELLA MONTANA, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405), Tracey Marchbanks (536A PASEO BELLA MONTANA, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405). This business is conducted by A Married Couple Tracey Marchbanks. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Luis Obispo on 07-23-24. 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. 0723-29. August 15, 22, 29, September 5, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2024-1576 (01/01/2024)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as THERAPYWORKSFITNESSWORKS, 500 Quintana Rd, Morro Bay, CA 93442. San Luis Obispo County. FWTW, Inc. (500 Quintana Rd, Morro Bay, CA 93442). State of California. This business is conducted by A CA Corporation FWTW, Inc., Ross Dover, CEO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 07-24-24. 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. 07/24/29 August 15, 22, 29, September 5, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2024-1589 (08/02/2019)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as BELLA COLINA WEIDEMAN, 3650 Mustang Springs Road Paso Robles, CA 93446. San Luis Obispo County. Roberta Weideman (3650 Mustang Springs Road Paso Robles, CA 93446). This business is conducted by An Individual Roberta Weideman. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 07-26-24. 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. 07-26-29. Publication dates - August 15, 22, 29, September 5, 2024.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2024-1601

(01/18/2024) New Filing

The following person(s) are doing business as RESONATE HOPE CHURCH, 855 South 16th Street, Grover Beach, CA 93433. County of San Luis Obispo. Sara Lindsey (450 Manhattan Ave, Apartment #1 Grover Beach, CA 93433), Christopher Lindsey (450 Manhattan Ave, Apartment #1 Grover Beach, CA 93433). State of California. This business is conducted by An Unincorporated Association Other Than a Partnership /s/ Sara Lindsey. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Luis Obispo on 07-29-24. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk, M. Maltby, Deputy.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

CASE NUMBER: 24CVP0244

To all interested persons:

Petitioner: Jimmy Dale Smith filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: PRESENT NAME: Jimmy Dale Smith, to PROPOSED NAME: James Dale Smith.

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

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date:

October 9, 2024, 9:30 am P2, in person or by Zoom at the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo, 901 Park Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446. Civil Court Operations.

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

Date: July 15, 2024. /s/: Michael C. Kelley, Judge of the Superior Court. August 29, September 5, 12, 19, 2024

SUMMONS (Parentage - Custody and Support)

NOTICE TO RESPONDENT(Name): CHRISTOPHER RYAN GRAHAM

You are being sued. Petitioner’s name is: LUCY FARELL CASE Number: 24FLP-0131

You have 30 calendar days after this Summons and Petition are served on you to file a Response (form FL-220 or FL-270) at the court and have a copy served on the petitioner. A letter, phone call, or court appearance will not protect you.

If you do not file your Response on time, the court may make orders affecting your right to custody of your children. You may also be ordered to pay child support and attorney fees and costs.

For legal advice, contact a lawyer immediately. Get help finding lawyer at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp), at the California Legal Services website (www.lawhelpca.org), or by contacting your local county bar association.

NOTICE: The restraining order on page 2 remains in effect against each parent until the petition is dismissed, a judgment is entered, or the court makes further orders. This order is enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of it.

1. The name and address of the court are: San Luis Obispo County Superior Court 901 Park Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446 Paso Robles Branch

2. The name, address, and telephone number of petitioner’s attorney, or petitioner without an attorney is: William D. Ausman 197995 8320 Morro Rd Atascadero, CA 93422

Date: 4/19/2024 /s/ Clerk, by /s/Michael Powell, Deputy STANDARD

ORDER (Parentage - Custody and Support)

Starting immediately, you and every other party are restrained from removing from the state, or applying for passport for, the minor child or children for whom this action seeks to establish a parent-child relationship or a custody order without the prior written consent of every other party or an order of the court.

This restraining order takes effect against the petitioner when he or she files the petition and against the respondent when he or she is personally served with the Summons and Petition OR when he or she waives and accepts service.

This restraining order remains in effect until the judgment is entered, the petition is dismissed, or the court makes other changes.

This order is enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of it.

NOTICE— ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE

Do you or someone in your household need affordable health insurance? If so, you should apply for Covered California. Covered California can help reduce the cost you pay toward high-quality, affordable health care. For more information, visit www.coveredca.com. Or call Covered California at 1-800-300-1506

August 22, 29, September 5, 12, 2024

T.S. No.: 2023-01636-CA

A.P.N.:008-092-028

Property Address: 2323 VINE STREET, PASO ROBLES, CA 93446

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE

PURSUANT TO CIVIL CODE § 2923.3(a) and (d), THE SUMMARY OF INFORMATION REFERRED TO BELOW IS NOT ATTACHED TO THE RECORDED COPY OF THIS DOCUMENT BUT ONLY TO THE COPIES PROVIDED TO THE TRUSTOR.

NOTE: THERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT ATTACHED 注：本文件包含一个信息摘要 참고사항: 본 첨부 문서에 정보 요약서가 있습니다 NOTA: SE ADJUNTA UN RESUMEN DE LA INFORMACIÓN DE ESTE DOCUMENTO

TALA: MAYROONG BUOD NG IMPORMASYON SA DOKUMENTONG ITO NA NAKALAKIP

LÝU Ý: KÈM THEO ÐÂY LÀ BẢN TRÌNH BÀY TÓM LÝỢC VỀ THÔNG TIN TRONG TÀI LIỆU NÀY

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 06/17/2003. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER.

Trustor: SHAWN REES, A SINGLE MAN

Duly Appointed Trustee: Western Progressive, LLC

Deed of Trust Recorded 06/27/2003 as Instrument No. 2003069800 in book —-, page—- and of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of San Luis Obispo County, California, Date of Sale: 10/01/2024 at 11:00 AM

Place of Sale:IN THE BREEZEWAY ADJACENT TO THE COUNTY GENERAL SERVICES BLDG.

LOCATED AT 1087 SANTA ROSA STREET, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93408

Estimated amount of unpaid balance, reasonably estimated costs and other charges: $ 175,215.64

THE TRUSTEE WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK DRAWN ON A STATE OR NATIONAL BANK, A CHECK DRAWN BY A STATE OR FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, OR A CHECK DRAWN BY A STATE OR FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, A SAVINGS ASSOCIATION OR SAVINGS BANK SPECIFIED IN SECTION 5102 OF THE FINANCIAL CODE AND AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN THIS STATE:

All right, title, and interest conveyed to and now held by the trustee in the hereinafter described property under and pursuant to a Deed of Trust described as:

More fully described in said Deed of Trust.

Street Address or other common designation of real property: 2323 VINE STREET, PASO ROBLES, CA 93446A.P.N.: 008092-028

The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address or other common designation, if any, shown above.

The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust with interest thereon, as provided in said note(s), advances, under the terms of said Deed of Trust, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is: $ 175,215.64.

Note: Because the Beneficiary reserves the right to bid less than the total debt owed, it is possible that at the time of the sale the opening bid may be less than the total debt.

If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee, and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse.

The beneficiary of the Deed of Trust has executed and delivered to the undersigned a written request to commence foreclosure, and the undersigned caused a Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located.

NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BID-

DERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insur-

ance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on this property.

NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER:

The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (866)-960-8299 or visit this Internet Web site https://www.altisource.com/ loginpage.aspx using the file number assigned to this case 2023-01636-CA. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale.

NOTICE TO TENANT: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction, if conducted after January 1, 2021, pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are an “eligible tenant buyer,” you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. If you are an “eligible bidder,” you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase. First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call (866)-960-8299, or visit this internet website https://www.altisource.com/ loginpage.aspx, using the file number assigned to this case 2023-01636-CA to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid, by remitting the funds and affidavit described in Section 2924m(c) of the Civil Code, so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as an “eligible tenant buyer” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase.

Date: August 20, 2024 Western Progressive, LLC, as Trustee for beneficiary C/o 1500 Palma Drive, Suite 238 Ventura, CA 93003

Sale Information Line: (866) 960-8299 https://www.altisource.com/loginpage.aspx

Trustee Sale Assistant

August 29, September 5, 12, 2024

Adult Services

NOTICE OF CITY COUNCIL

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Paso Robles City Council will hold a Public Hearing to consider the following project:

Project Description: Tentative Map Amendment for Planning

Area 9 of the Olsen Ranch Tract 3149

Applicant: Vinedo II, LLC

Location: 601 Linne Road, Paso Robles CA

CEQA Determination: A Final Environmental Impact Report was previously prepared for the Olsen South Chandler Specific Plan, and the proposed Vesting Tentative Tract Map and Master Development Plan for planning area 9 of the Specific Plan and does not require additional review under CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21166 and CEQA Guidelines section 15162 (no subsequent or supplemental EIR is required, because no “substantial changes” to the project or to the circumstances under which the project was undertaken are proposed, and there are no “new significant environmental effects” or a “substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects” under the existing EIR).

Hearing Date: The City Council will hold a Public Hearing on September 17, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at the Library Conference Center, 1000 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446. Residents can livestream the meeting at www.prcity.com/youtube, and call (805)865-7276 to provide public comment via phone. The phone line will open just prior to the start of the meeting and remain open throughout the meeting to ensure the opportunity to comment on each item heard by the Council, other than brief reports and announcements by staff or the Council.

Written public comments can be submitted via email to cityclerk@prcity.com prior to 12:00 noon on the day of the Council meeting to be posted as an addendum to the Agenda. If submitting written comments in advance of the meeting, please note the agenda item by number or name. City Council meetings will be live-streamed during the meeting and also available to play later on YouTube by accessing the following link: www.prcity.com/ youtube. Any writing or document pertaining to an open session item on this agenda which is distributed to a majority of the City Council after the posting of this agenda will be available for public inspection at the time the subject writing or document is distributed. The writing or document will be available for public review in the City Clerk’s Office, 1000 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA, during normal business hours, and may be posted on the City’s web site at www.prcity.com/meetings

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT Any individual, who because of a disability needs special assistance to attend or participate in this meeting, may request assistance by contacting the City Clerk’s Office (805) 237-3960. Whenever possible, requests should be made four (4) working days in advance of the meeting.

September 5, 2024

CITY OF GROVER BEACH NOTICE TO BIDDERS

An electronic copy in PDF format of all required submittals must be submitted to publicworks@groverbeach.org and received by no later than 2:00pm on Thursday, September 19, 2024. Submittals received after the specified time will not be accepted. PDF documents must have permissions enabled for comments and printing.

CITY OF GROVER BEACH FRONT STREET TREE MAINTENANCE

BACKGROUND & SCOPE OF WORK

Grover Beach is seeking a qualified arborist to assist with the Front Street Tree Maintenance. Due to the overgrowth of the existing trees, the City contracted with a certified arborist and biologist to develop the scope of work to mitigate the risk from trees losing limbs. The City is seeking a qualified arborist to trim, thin, and top approximately twelve (12) identified Eucalyptus trees, as necessary. This maintenance can occur between October 1st and November 1st. A complete report is available upon request.

The Tree Maintenance also requires debris removal. The trees are located adjacent to the railroad tracks at the 700-900 block of Front Street in Grover Beach, CA. Each of the approximately twelve (12) eucalyptus trees involves specific trimming and or topping of branches and limbs.

The full scope of work is listed in the bid documents on the City’s website.

MANDATORY PRE-BID JOB SITE WALK

There will be a mandatory site walk for all bidders on Thursday, September 12, at 11:00 a.m. Bidders interested in submitting a bid for this project must attend the mandatory site walk.

Bidders must coordinate with Javier Garcia by email at jgarcia@groverbeach.org or (805) 724-5504 to confirm they will be attending the site walk by 5:00 p.m. the day before.

Questions can be asked at the site walk and will be included in the addendum posted prior to the bid due date.

Bidder inquiries shall be submitted in writing via email to the City of Grover Beach, Public Works Department, at: publicworks@ groverbeach.org. The cut off time that the City will accept bidder’s inquiries is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday September 12, 2024.

The City will respond to bidder’s inquiries via bidding addenda. Any such inquiries, submitted after the cutoff time of receiving bidder’s inquiries, will not be considered.

The entire Request for Quotes document may be obtained electronically on the City’s website at www.groverbeach. org, by email to publicworks@groverbeach.org or by calling 805-473-4530.

Legal Ad Published

New Times: Thursdays September 5th & September 12th

The San Luis Obispo City Council invites all interested persons to attend a public hearing on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. Meetings may be viewed remotely on Government Access Channel 20 or streamed live from the City’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/ CityofSanLuisObispo. Public comment, prior to the start of the meeting, may be submitted in writing via U.S. Mail delivered to the City Clerk’s office at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 or by email to emailcouncil@slocity.org.

PUBLIC HEARING ITEM:

• The City Council will hold a public hearing to introduce an Ordinance establishing a Development Impact Fee Deferral Program for eligible affordable housing projects. Impact fee deferrals have successfully provided important financial incentives over the years to accelerate the construction of affordable housing projects. The Ordinance will create a formal program for affordable housing developers to request and secure certain impact fee deferrals, providing clear eligibility criteria as well as a defined loan structure and repayment term for all deferrals granted under the program. The program will ensure that the City continues to provide this crucial incentive to affordable housing developers, while also securing the impact fee revenue necessary to maintain and improve City infrastructure.

For more information, contact David Amini, Housing Coordinator, for the City’s Community Development Department at (805) 781-7524 or by email, damini@slocity.org The City Council may also discuss other hearings or business items before or after the items listed above. If you challenge the proposed project in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the public hearing.

Council Agenda Reports for this meeting will be available for review one week in advance of the meeting date on the City’s website, under the Public Meeting Agendas web page: https://www.slocity.org/government/mayorand-city-council/agendas-and-minutes. 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 www.youtube.com/CityofSanLuisObispo. September 5, 2024

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of El Paso de Robles (“City”) invites and will receive sealed Bids up to but not later than 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at the office of the Public Works Department, located at 1000 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446, for the furnishing to City of all labor, equipment, materials, tools, services, transportation, permits, utilities, and all other items necessary for PICKLEBALL COURT COMPLEX CONSTRUCTION (the “Project”). At said time, Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the City Office. Bids received after said time shall be returned unopened. Bids shall be valid for a period of 90 calendar days after the Bid opening date.

The work required for the Project performed under this contract is generally described as the construction of a new pickleball sports complex with site amenities including picnic areas, shade structures, restroom building, adjacent parking lot, utilities and landscape improvements.

The Project will be funded in whole or in part with the City’s allocation of funds provided under the American Rescue Plan Act - Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (ARPA), classified by the City under the lost revenue category. Pursuant to 2 CFR Subpart E—Cost Principles, all costs for the Project, including any Change Orders, must comply with the federal cost principles, and must be reasonable and allocable to the Project. Failure of the successful Contractor to complete the Project within the time specified for completion may impact the ability of the City to utilize this funding source for the Project, and to lose ARPA funds, which would harm the City.

The Project is to be completed within 450 calendar days from the date specified in the Notice to Proceed. The Contractor shall pay the City of El Paso de Robles the sum of One Thousand Nine Hundred Dollars ($1,900.00) for each calendar day delay in excess of the completion time.

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

Bids must be submitted on the City’s Bid Forms. Bidders may obtain a copy of the Contract Documents from www.CIPLIST.com. To the extent required by section 20103.7 of the Public Contract Code, upon request from a contractor plan room service, the City shall provide an electronic copy of the Contract Documents at no charge to the contractor plan room.

It is the responsibility of each prospective bidder to download and print all Bid Documents for review and to verify the completeness of Bid Documents before submitting a bid. Any Addenda will be posted on www.CIPLIST.com. It is the responsibility of each prospective bidder to check www.CIPLIST.com on a daily basis through the close of bids for any applicable addenda or updates. The City does not assume any liability or responsibility based on any defective or incomplete copying, excerpting, scanning, faxing, downloading or printing of the Bid Documents. Information on www.CIPLIST.com may change without notice to prospective bidders. The Contract Documents shall supersede any information posted or transmitted by www.CIPLIST.com.

Each Bid shall be accompanied by cash, a certified or cashier’s check, or Bid Bond secured from a surety company satisfactory to the City Council, the amount of which shall not be less than ten percent (10%) of the submitted Total Bid Price, made payable to City of El Paso de Robles as bid security. The bid security shall be provided as a guarantee that within five (5) working days after the City provides the successful bidder the Notice of Award, the successful Bidder will enter into a contract and provide the necessary bonds and certificates of insurance. The bid security will be declared forfeited if the successful Bidder fails to comply within said time. No interest will be paid on funds deposited with City.

A MANDATORY Pre-Bid Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 11 a.m. to review the Project’s existing conditions at the job site, Sherwood Park, 1861 Creston Road, Paso Robles. Representatives of the City and consulting engineers, if any, will be present. Questions asked by Bidders at the Pre-Bid Conference not specifically addressed within the Contract Documents shall be answered in writing, and shall be sent to all Bidders present at the Pre-Bid Conference. Bids will not be accepted from any bidder who did not attend the mandatory Pre-Bid Conference.

The successful Bidder will be required to furnish a Faithful Performance Bond and a Labor and Material Payment Bond each in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price. Each bond shall be in the forms set forth herein, shall be secured from a surety company that meets all State of California bonding requirements, as defined in California Code of Civil Procedure Section 995.120, and that is a California admitted surety insurer.

Pursuant to Section 22300 of the Public Contract Code of the State of California, the successful Bidder may substitute certain securities for funds withheld by City to ensure its performance under the contract.

Pursuant to Labor Code Section 1773, City has obtained the prevailing rate of per diem wages and the prevailing wage rate for holiday and overtime work applicable in San Luis Obispo County from the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations for each craft, classification, or type of worker needed to execute this contract. A copy of these prevailing wage rates may be obtained via the internet at: www.dir.ca.gov/dlsr/

In addition, a copy of the prevailing rate of per diem wages is available at the City’s Public Works Department and shall be made available to interested parties upon request. The successful bidder shall post a copy of the prevailing wage rates at each job site. It shall be mandatory upon the Bidder to whom the Contract is awarded, and upon any subcontractors, to comply with all Labor Code provisions, which include but are not limited to the payment of not less than the said specified prevailing wage rates to all workers employed by them in the execution of the Contract, employment of apprentices, hours of labor and debarment of contractors and subcontractors.

Pursuant to Labor Code sections 1725.5 and 1771.1, all contractors and subcontractors that wish to bid on, be listed in a bid proposal, or enter into a contract to perform public work must be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations. No Bid will be accepted, nor any contract entered into without proof of the contractor’s and subcontractors’ current registration with the Department of Industrial Relations to perform public work. If awarded a contract, the Bidder and its subcontractors, of any tier, shall maintain active registration with the Department of Industrial Relations for the duration of the Project. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the contractor registration requirements mandated by Labor Code Sections 1725.5 and 1771.1 shall not apply to work performed on a public works project that is exempt pursuant to the small project exemption specified in Labor Code Sections 1725.5 and 1771.1.

This Project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Department of Industrial Relations. In bidding on this Project, it shall be the Bidder’s sole responsibility to evaluate and include the cost of complying with all labor compliance requirements under this contract and applicable law in its Bid.

Unless otherwise provided in the Instructions for Bidders, each Bidder shall be a licensed contractor pursuant to sections 7000 et seq. of the Business and Professions Code in the following classification(s) throughout the time it submits its Bid and for the duration of the contract: CLASS A.

Substitution requests shall be made within 35 calendar days after the award of the contract. Pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 3400(b), the City may make findings designating that certain additional materials, methods or services by specific brand or trade name other than those listed in the Standard Specifications be used for the Project. Such findings, if any, as well as the materials, methods or services and their specific brand or trade names that must be used for the Project may be found in the Special Conditions.

City shall award the contract for the Project to the lowest responsive, responsible Bidder as determined by the City from the BASE BID ALONE. City reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any irregularities or informalities in any bids or in the bidding process.

Date: August 29, 2024

By: Freda Berman Public Works Director

Publication Dates: -August 29, 2024 -September 5, 2024

PUBLISHED DELINQUENT LIST

(Revenue and Taxation Code Section 3371)

I, James W. Hamilton, CPA, San Luis Obispo County Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector, State of California, certify that:

The real properties listed below were declared to be in tax-default at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2021, by operation of law. The listed real property assessments are only those for which a copy of the latest delinquent reminder letter was returned as undeliverable by the United States Postal Service. The declaration of default was due to nonpayment of the total amount due for the taxes, assessments and other charges levied in 20 20/21 which were a lien on the listed real property. The name of the assessee, the assessment number, which describes the property, and the total that is due on or before September 30, 2024, is listed.

Tax-defaulted real property may be redeemed by payment of all unpaid taxes and assessments, together with additional penalties and fees as prescribed by law, or it may be redeemed under an installment plan. On July 1, 2026, if the taxes remain unpaid, or there is not an active Annual Installment Plan of Redemption, the property will become subject to tax sale.

All information concerning redemption of tax -defaulted property, including the initiation of an installment plan, will be furnished upon request by the office of James W. Hamilton, CPA, San Luis Obispo County AuditorController-Treasurer-Tax Collector, at 1055 Monterey St., Rm. D-290, San Luis Obispo, California, 93408. Telephone inquiries may be directed to (805) 781-5836. Information on prior year tax amounts can also be found on the Tax Collector’s website at: www.slocountytax.org.

ASSESSMENT NUMBERING SYSTEM EXPLANATION

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

Assessment numbers beginning with “902” indicate a timeshare property. The Assessor's parcel maps and further explanation of the assessment numbering system are available in the Assessor's Office, 1055 Monterey St., Rm. D-360, San Luis Obispo, California, 93408

/s/ JAMES W. HAMILTON, CPA

San Luis Obispo County Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector

at San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, on

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, September 20, 2024 at 09:00 AM. All items are advertised for 09:00 AM. To verify agenda placement, please call the Department of Planning & Building at.

WHAT

A request by Rosa Esquivel for a Minor Use Permit / Coastal Development Permit (C-DRC2024-00025) to allow an existing twostory single-family residence with an attached two-car garage to be used as a residential vacation rental. The proposed project is within the Residential Multi-Family land use category and is located at 1168 Pacific Boulevard, in the community of Oceano. The site is in the San Luis Bay Coastal Planning Area of the Coastal Zone.

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

County File Number: C-DRC2024-00025

Supervisorial District: District 4 Assessor Parcel Number(s): 061-112-033 Date Accepted: 07/25/2024

WHERE Virtual meeting via Zoom platform.

Instructions on how to view and participate in the meeting remotely and provide public comment will be included in the published meeting Agenda and are posted on the Department’s webpage at: Planning Department Hearing (PDH) - County of San Luis Obispo (ca.gov)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A copy of the staff report will be made available on the Planning Department website at www.sloplanninq.org. You may also contact Dane Mueller, Project Manager, in the Department of Planning and Building at the address below or by telephone at 805-781-5600.

TO REQUEST A PUBLIC HEARING

This matter is tentatively scheduled to appear on the consent agenda, which means that it and any other items on the consent agenda can be acted upon by the hearing officer with a single motion. An applicant or interested party may request a public hearing on this matter. To do so, send a letter to this office at the address below or send an email to pdh@co.slo.ca.us by Friday, September 13, 2024 at 4:30 PM. The letter or email must include the language “I would like to request a hearing on C-DRC2024-00025.”

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 September 5, 2024

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, September 20, 2024 at 09:00 AM. All items are advertised

Supervisorial District: District 2 Assessor Parcel Number(s): 038-681-014 Date Accepted: 2/16/2024

WHERE Virtual meeting via Zoom platform.

Instructions on how to view and participate in the meeting remotely and provide public comment will be included in the published meeting Agenda and are posted on the Department’s webpage at: Planning Department Hearing - County of San Luis Obispo (ca.gov)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A copy of the staff report will be made available on the Planning Department website at www.sloplanning.org. You may also contact Dane Mueller, Project Manager, in the Department of Planning and Building at the address below or by telephone at 805-781-5600.

TO REQUEST A PUBLIC HEARING

This matter is tentatively scheduled to appear on the consent agenda, which means that it and any other items on the consent agenda can be acted upon by the hearing officer with a single motion. An applicant or interested party may request a public hearing on this matter. To do so, send a letter to this office at the address below or send an email to pdh@co.sIo.ca.us by 9/13/2024 at 4:30 PM. The letter or email must include the language “I would like to request a hearing on C-DRO2024-00004.”

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

The Department of Social Services Homeless Services Division is excited to announce the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the 2025 Action Plan is now available at slocounty.gov/HomelessServicesGrants Information regarding specific activities and the qualifying applicant for each grant is available on the website.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) annually allocates the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) to meet community development needs. These funds can be used address the needs of low- and moderate-income individuals by creating, preserving and maintaining diverse housing or shelter opportunities, reducing the number of individuals or families experiencing homelessness, building affordable housing, stabilizing and revitalizing neighborhoods, and increasing economic opportunities.

State Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) can be used for housing-related projects and programs that assist in addressing unmet housing needs. County General Funds may be used for homelessness-related programs and emergency shelters. Title 29 affordable housing funds are eligible for affordable housing projects in designated areas within the county.

Eligible applicants for funds include private nonprofits, private for-profit entities (economic development activities only), governmental agencies (such as a public housing authority or a park district), and units of general local government (such as a city participating in the urban county). Applicants should refer to the website slocounty.gov/ HomelessServicesGrants for specific information on eligible projects.

Deadline to apply is 11:59 pm, Sunday, October 6, 2024. Please email SS_homelessgrants@co.slo.ca.us with questions.

A grant information session for potential applicants will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Zoom. The link to the online meeting is available at slocounty.gov/HomelessServicesGrants Attendee(s) will be informed of grant specific requirements and have an opportunity to ask questions.

PUBLIC INPUT ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NEEDS ASSESSMENT

A virtual Community Development Needs Assessment Survey to identify community needs and help establish funding priorities for the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan is available online at slocounty. gov/CommunityDevelopment. Interested community members are encouraged to complete the survey and/or attend one of the Community Development Needs Assessment Workshops held at various locations within the County.

Five Community Development Needs Assessment Workshops will be held between September 17, 2024, and September 30, 2024, at the locations shown below. A virtual Community Development Needs Assessment Workshop will be held on October 2, 2024, via Zoom. These workshops serve as an opportunity to identify community needs and help establish funding priorities for the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan. Interested community members are encouraged to attend.

• September 17, 2024, at 6pm in the Morro Bay Community Center Multipurpose Room, 1001 Kennedy Way, Morro Bay.

• September 18, 2024, at 6 pm in the Paso Robles City Council Chambers, 1000 Spring Street, Paso Robles.

• September 23, 2024, at 6 pm in the Atascadero Martin Polin Community Room on the 2nd floor of the Atascadero Library, 6555 Capistrano Ave, Atascadero.

• September 25, 2024, at 6 pm in the South County Regional Center, 800 W. Branch St, Arroyo Grande

• September 30, 2024, at 6 pm in the Department of Social Services, 3433 S. Higuera Street, Room 101, San Luis Obispo.

• October 2, 2024, at 12:00 pm - Virtual Meeting via Zoom (link available on slocounty.gov/ CommunityDevelopment)

A link to the online Community Development Needs Assessment Survey can be found at slocounty.gov/ CommunityDevelopment

September 5, 2024

The San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission will hold a Special Meeting on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. Public comment, prior to the start of the meeting, may be submitted in writing via U.S. Mail to the City Clerk’s Office at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 or by email to advisorybodies@slocity.org.

PUBLIC HEARING ITEM:

• Human Services Grant (HSG) Community Needs Grant Workshop: This is a public hearing to solicit public comments on current community health, human services, and equity needs in the city of San Luis Obispo as they pertain to the current grant program supported by the Human Relations Commission. City staff will briefly describe the Human Services Grant program, explain how to apply for grant funding, provide an overview of eligible activities, and describe how activities are selected to receive funding. Public comments will inform the grant funding priorities that the Human Relations Commission will approve and then recommend to the City Council for final approval.

Contact Information: Nestor Veloz-Passalacqua – (805) 781-7073 –nveloz@slocity.org

Report(s) are typically available one week in advance of the meeting and can be viewed on the City’s website, under the Public Meeting Agendas web page: https://www.slocity.org/government/mayorand-city-council/agendas-and-minutes. Please contact the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at (805) 781-7073 for more information, or to request an agenda report. September 5, 2024

CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Arroyo Grande Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., or soon thereafter, to consider the following item:

Consideration Of Development Code Amendment 24-002; Amendments to Title 16 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Regarding Wireless Telecommunication Facilities and Finding That This Action Is Exempt From Review Under The California Environmental Quality Act. The Planning Commission will discuss the proposed amendments to the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code (AGMC) to regarding wireless communication facilities, including general development procedures and standards, design standards, and conditions of approval.

In compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Community Development Department has determined that the proposed AGMC amendments are exempt from CEQA because it is known with certainty that there is no possibility that the adoption of the ordinance will have a significant effect on the environment. (State CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).

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

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

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

Jessica Matson, City Clerk

Publish 1T, 1/8 page New Times, Thursday, September 5, 2024

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS

Application to make minor changes to the properties at the addresses listed below has been received by the City.

1. 3229 Broad, 3210 Broad, 280 Higuera, 277 Higuera, 307 Higuera, 251 Pacific, 265 Pacific, 331 Pacific, & 313 Higuera Street. DIR-0512-2024; Request for a night work permit for 13 nights from September 17, 2024 through October 31, 2024 between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. to upgrade lines to relieve forecast overloads in the public right-of-way (categorically exempt from CEQA environmental review); C-R-SF, C-C-S, C-R-MU, C-S-MU, & C-S Zone; PG& E, applicant. (Monserath Casillas-Rios)

The Community Development Director will either approve or deny this application no sooner than September 16, 2024

The Director’s decision may be appealed and must be filed with the appropriate appeal fee within 10 days of the Director’s action. For more information, contact the City of San Luis Obispo Community Development Department, 919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, stop by Monday and Wednesday between 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday between 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., or call (805) 781-7170, weekdays, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. September 5, 2024

NOTICE: SEIZURE OF PROPERTY AND INITIATION OF NONJUDICIAL FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS PER HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 11488.4(J)

TO: ALL PERSONS CLAIMING ANY RIGHT, TITLE, OR INTEREST IN PROPERTY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

$2,200.00 IN UNITED STATES CURRENCY

$3,510.00 IN UNITED STATES CURRENCY

$5,238.00 IN UNITED STATES CURRENCY

$4,342.00 IN UNITED STATES CURRENCY

Notice is hereby given that on April 25, 2024, $5,238 was seized at the Paso Robles Airport, 4912 Wing Way, Paso Robles; on April 25, 2024, $4,342 was seized at 204 Moore Lane, Arroyo Grande; On July 22, 2024, $2,200 was seized at 1775 Rochelle Way, Oceano, CA; and on June 18, 2024, $3,510 was seized at 1911 Redwood Dr. Paso Robles. The above-described property was seized the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office in connection with the illegal sales of narcotics, section(s) 11351 of the Health and Safety Code. The estimated/appraised value of the property is $2,200, $3,510, $5,238, and $4,342.

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

Furthermore, an endorsed copy of the verified claim must also be served on the District Attorney, Asset Forfeiture Unit, County Courthouse Annex, 1035 Palm Street, 4th Floor, San Luis Obispo, California 93408, within 30 days of filing the claim with the Superior Court’s Civil Division. Both the District Attorney’s Office and the Interested Party filing the claim are entitled to conduct reciprocal requests for discovery in preparation for a hearing. The provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure shall apply to the proceedings unless inconsistent with the provisions or procedures set forth in the Health and Safety Code (Section 11488.5(c)(3)). The Interested Party in entitled to legal representation at a hearing, although not one appointed at public expense, and has the right to present evidence and witnesses, and to cross-examine plaintiff’s witnesses, but there is no right to avoid testifying at a civil hearing.

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

DATED: August 26, 2024

DAN DOW District Attorney

Kenneth Jorgensen

Deputy District Attorney

August 29, September 5, 12, 2024

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ACQUIRE REAL PROPERTY

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to California Government Code Section 6063, that the County of San Luis Obispo intends to acquire approximately 748.13 acres of real property from Chevron Land and Development Company, a Delaware corporation located within the unincorporated portion of the County between Morro Bay and Cayucos described as APNs 073-077-046 (Partial), 073-077-044, 073- 076-016 (Partial), and 073-084-032 (“Subject Property”). The purchase price is Five Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($5,500,000). Funding of the purchase price includes grant funds from the California State Coastal Conservancy and Wildlife Conservation Board and funding from private fundraising efforts by the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo and Cayucos Land Conservancy. The County Board of Supervisors will consider the proposed acquisition of the property at a regular meeting of the Board occurring in the Board Chambers, County Government Center, 1055 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 9:00 AM, or as soon thereafter as possible.

DATED: August 15, 2024

MATTHEW P. PONTES, EX-OFFICIO CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

By: /s/ Niki Martin, Deputy Clerk August 22, 29, September 5, 2024

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Paso Robles Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing to consider the following project:

Project Description: Rezone 23-02: Amending Title 21, Zoning, of the City of Paso Robles Municipal Code; amending the Zoning Map including removing special conditions overlays D and E as well as removing of Hillside District Overlay; and amendments to Municipal Code Titles 2 (Administration and Personnel), 3 (Revenue and Finance), 5 (Permits and Regulations), 7 (Health and Sanitation), 8 (Animal Control), 9 (Public Safety), 10 (Vegetation), 11 (Streets and Sidewalks), 12 (Vehicles and Traffic), 14 (Water and Sewers), 19 (Signs), and 22 (Subdivisions) which are in support of significant amendments to the Zoning Ordinance (Title 21). Most of the proposed Municipal Code Title amendments are to correct code references that will be outdated if Title 21 is amended. More substantive changes are proposed in Titles 10 and 19. In Title 10, the review authority for oak tree removal permits would be changed so the Development Review Committee and Planning Commission could approve some removals. Title 19 would be repealed and replaced with updated standards for billboards (Rezone 23-02, P23-0063).

Applicant: City Initiated

Location: Citywide

CEQA Determination: This application is exempt from CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment; and Section 15060(c)(3), because the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines, since it has no potential for resulting in a direct or indirect physical change to the environment.

Hearing Date: The City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the Library Conference Center, 1000 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446.

The Planning Commission held a public hearing for amendments to Title 21 and amendments to the Zoning Map including removing special conditions overlays D and E as well as removing of Hillside District Overlay on August 13, 2024 and on six successive votes of 6-0-1 (one Commissioner absent), recommended the City Council approve said amendments. The Planning Commission also held a public hearing for amendments to Municipal Code Titles 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, and 19 on August 27, 2024 and on five successive votes of 5-0-2 (two Commissioners absent), recommended the City Council approve said amendments. The Council will consider these recommendations from Planning Commission in addition to amendments to Titles 11 and 22 to correct code references related to Title 21, the latter which the Planning Commission did not recommend action on.

Residents can livestream the meeting at www.prcity.com/ youtube, and call (805)865-7276 to provide public comment via phone. The phone line will open just prior to the start of the meeting and remain open throughout the meeting to ensure the opportunity to comment on each item heard by the Council, other than brief reports and announcements by staff or the Council.

Written public comments can be submitted via email to cityclerk@prcity.com prior to 12:00 noon on the day of the Council meeting to be posted as an addendum to the Agenda. If submitting written comments in advance of the meeting, please note the agenda item by number or name. City Council meetings will be live-streamed during the meeting and also available to play later on YouTube by accessing the following link: www.prcity.com/youtube. Any writing or document pertaining to an open session item on this agenda which is distributed to a majority of the City Council after the posting of this agenda will be available for public inspection at the time the subject writing or document is distributed. The writing or document will be available for public review in the City Clerk’s Office, 1000 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA, during normal business hours, and may be posted on the City’s web site at www.prcity.com/meetings.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT Any individual, who because of a disability needs special assistance to attend or participate in this meeting, may request assistance by contacting the City Clerk’s Office (805) 237-3960.

Student Guide

Free Will Astrology by Rob Brezsny

Homework: What are you afraid or too timid to ask for? I dare you to ask for it. Newsletter.freewillastrology.com

ARIES

(March 21-April 19): In 2015, a large earthquake struck Nepal, registering 7.8 on the Richter scale. It was so powerful, it shrunk Mt. Everest. I mention this, Aries, because I suspect you will generate good fortune in the coming months whenever you try to shrink metaphorical mountains. Luckily, you won’t need to resort to anything as forceful and ferocious as a massive earthquake. In fact, I think your best efforts will be persistent, incremental, and gradual. If you haven’t gotten started yet, do so now.

TAURUS

(April 20-May 20): We don’t know the astrological sign of Egyptian Queen Cleopatra, who ruled from 51 to 30 BCE. But might she have been a Taurus? What other tribe of the zodiac would indulge in the extravagance of bathing in donkey milk? Her staff kept a herd of 700 donkeys for this regimen. Before you dismiss the habit as weird, please understand that it wasn’t uncommon in ancient times. Why? Modern science has shown that donkey milk has anti-aging, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory qualities. And as astrologers know, many of you Tauruses are drawn to luxurious and healing influences that also enhance beauty. I recommend you cultivate such influences with extra verve in the coming days.

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20): In 2 trillion galaxies stretched out across 93 billion light years, new stars are constantly being born. Their birth process happens in stellar nurseries, where dense clouds of gas coalesce into giant spheres of light and heat powered by the process of nuclear fusion. If you don’t mind me engaging in a bit of hyperbole, I believe that you Geminis are now immersed in a smallscale, metaphorical version of a stellar nursery. I have high hopes for the magnificence you will beget in the coming months.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22): The planet Mars usually stays in your sign for less than two months every two years. But the pattern will be different in the coming months. Mars will abide in Cancer from Sept. 5 to Nov. 4 and then again from Jan. 27 till April 19 in 2025. The last time the red planet made such an extended visit was in 2007 and 2008, and before that in 1992 and 1993. So what does it mean? In the least desirable scenario, you will wander aimlessly, distracted by trivial battles and unable to decide which dreams to pursue. In the best scenario, you will be blessed with a sustained, fiery devotion to your best and most beautiful ambitions.

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22): Famous rock musicians have on occasion spiced up their live shows by destroying their instruments on stage. Kurt Cobain of the band Nirvana smashed many guitars. So did Jimi Hendrix, who even set his guitars on fire. I can admire the symbolic statement of not being overly attached to objects one loves. But I don’t recommend that approach to you in the coming weeks. On the contrary, I believe this is a time for you to express extra care for the tools, machines, and apparatus that give you so much. Polish them up, get repairs done, show them you love them. And if you need new gizmos and gear to enhance your self-expression, get them in the near future.

VIRGO

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In all of world history, which author has sold the most books? The answer is Agatha Christie, born under the sign of Virgo. Readers have bought over 2 billion copies of her 70-plus books. I present her as a worthy role model for you during the next nine months. In my astrological opinion, this will be your time to shine, to excel, to reach new heights of accomplishment. Along with Christie, I invite you to draw encouragement and inspiration from four other Virgo writers who have flourished: 1. Stephen King, 400 million in sales from 77 books. 2. Kyotaro Nishimura, 200 million in sales from more than 400 books. 3. Leo Tolstoy, 413 million from 48 books. 4. Paul Coelho, 350 million from 28 books.

LIBRA

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Centuries before the story of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, there was a Greek myth with similar themes. It featured Persephone, a divine person who descended into the realm of the dead but ultimately returned in a transfigured form. The ancient Festival of Eleusis, observed every September, honored Persephone’s down-going and redemption—as well as the cyclical flow of decay and renewal in every human life. In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to observe your own version of a Festival of Eleusis by taking an inventory: What is disintegrating and decomposing in your own world? What is ripe for regeneration and rejuvenation? What fun action can you do that resembles a resurrection?

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The coming weeks will be an excellent time to take inventory of your community and your network of connections. Here are questions to ask yourself as you evaluate whether you already have exactly what you need or else may need to make adjustments. 1. Are you linked with an array of people who stimulate and support you? 2. Can you draw freely on influences that further your goals and help you feel at home in the world? 3. Do you bestow favors on those you would like to receive favors from? 4. Do you belong to groups or institutions that share your ideals and give you power you can’t access alone?

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “Progress was all right. Only it went on too long.” Sagittarian humorist James Thurber said that, and now I’m conveying it to you. Why? Well, I am very happy about the progress you’ve been making recently—the blooming and expanding and learning you have been enjoying. But I’m guessing you would now benefit from a period of refining what you have gained. Rather than even more progress, I feel you need to consolidate and integrate the progress you have so robustly earned.

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The people of Northern Ireland have more than 70 colorful slang terms for being drunk. These include splootered, stonkied, squiffy, cabbaged, stinkered, ballbagged, wingdinged, bluttered, and wanked. I am begging you, Capricorn, to refrain from those states for at least two weeks. According to my reading of the omens, it’s important for you to avoid the thrills and ills of alcohol. I am completely in favor of you pursuing natural highs, however. I would love you to get your mind blown and your heart opened through epiphanies and raptures that take you to the frontiers of consciousness.

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Beginning 11,000 years ago, humans began to breed the fig. It’s the world’s oldest cultivated food, preceding even wheat, barley, and legumes. Many scholars think that the fig, not the apple, was the forbidden fruit that God warned Adam and Eve not to munch in the famous biblical passage. These days, though, figs rarely make the list of the fruits people love most. Their taste is regarded by some as weird, even cloying. But for our purposes, I will favorably quote the serpent in the Garden of Eden: “When you eat the fig, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God.” This is my elaborate way of telling you that now may be an excellent time to sample a forbidden fruit. Also: A serpent may have wise counsel for you.

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20): The coming weeks would be an excellent time to file lawsuits against everyone who has ever wronged you, hurt you, ignored you, misunderstood you, tried to change you into something you’re not, and failed to give you what you deserve. I recommend you sue each of them for $10 million. The astrological omens suggest you now have the power to finally get compensated for the stupidity and malice you have had to endure. JUST KIDDING! I lied. The truth is, now is a great time to feel intense gratitude for everyone who has supported you, encouraged you, and appreciated you for who you really are. I also suggest you communicate your thanks to as many of your personal helpers and heroes as you can. ∆