New Times, Jan. 2, 2025

As numbers dwindle in places like Pismo Beach, U.S. Fish and Wildlife proposes the monarch for the endangered species list [8]

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ore than 4.5 million Western monarch butterflies once landed along the California coast to spend their winters, a number that has declined by 95 percent since the 1980s, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The pollinators have a 99 percent chance of being extinct by 2080. Recently, the service recommended placing the butterfly on the list of threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Staff Writer Libbey Hanson speaks with Fish and Wildlife, State Parks, and local volunteers about the butterfly, its issues, and how to protect it [8]

Also this week, the proposition that aimed and failed to tackle forced labor [9], the bird art accompanying a bird festival [20], and a trip to the soda capital of the United States [28].

Camillia Lanham editor

cover file photo by Christopher Gardner cover design by Alex Zuniga

1980s, the number of Western monarch butterflies overwintering in Pismo Beach has dwindled from thousands to only a couple of hundred. This image is from 2004.

LAFCO approves SLO County’s takeover of Oceano fire services

San Luis Obispo County is officially responsible for delivering Oceano’s fire services now that the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) approved divestiture of those services from the Oceano Community Services District (OCSD).

Following LAFCO’s Dec. 19, 2024, approval, the county, which has partnered with Five Cities Fire Authority (FCFA), took over fire services on Jan. 1 and will provide Oceano fire protection and emergency services through the Grover Beach and Arroyo Grande fire stations.

A minimum of two personnel per engine and response times of seven to 11 minutes from the Arroyo Grande Fire Station and seven to nine minutes from Grover Beach ensure that Oceano residents will receive the same level of service they currently do, according to a county staff report.

“When the OCSD announced it could no longer provide fire protection services, there was considerable concern about the future of fire services in the area,” LAFCO Executive Director Rob Fitzroy said during the Dec. 19 meeting. “However, through collaboration between LAFCO, the county, OCSD, and the FCFA, we’ve reached a solution that not only preserves the quality of service but also ensures the fiscal responsibility of the county.”

liabilities from OCSD to the county and two lease space agreements between the parties are also required.

“This agreement represents a significant milestone for Oceano and the broader region,” Fitzroy said.

Some OCSD board members and community members are unhappy with the agreement.

In both 2020 and 2022, Oceano voters shot down the idea of paying a flat parcel tax of $180

they were when all three stations were running. The fire station in Oceano isn’t operating.

“Those additional minutes are extremely significant to a critically ill person, and I hope that no one has to go through that,” she said.

While board members and residents expressed concerns about the plan during various OCSD board meetings over the last year, LAFCO reported that it didn’t receive any protests during the protest hearing.

The contract will cost the OCSD, as it was required to transfer property tax revenue, impact fees, rent revenue, and additional general fund revenue to the county as of Jan. 1.

“OCSD property tax revenue will be approximately $1.3 million,” the county staff report stated. “Additionally, the Public Facility Fire Fees that are collected by the OCSD will be transferred to the county.”

A one-time transfer of $2.5 million in assets and

Paso Robles schools face $5 million budget deficit

Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRUJSD) intends to continue investing in its infrastructure despite the $5 million budget deficit projected for the next academic year.

“Over the next couple of months, you may begin to hear about budget cuts and staffing reductions being made by the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District,” Superintendent Jennifer Loftus wrote in a Dec. 12 opinion piece in the Paso Robles Daily News “Making sense of school finance can be challenging. Even those of us who live and breathe it every single day find it to be overwhelming at times.”

per parcel owner annually to help maintain rapid response times from the FCFA. Due to the failed tax measures, the OCSD opted to pull out of the joint powers agreement it had with Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach for fire services.

During a June 26, 2024, OCSD board meeting, district board member Shirley Gibson said “the most concerning consequence” of the failed tax measures and the county taking over services is the fact that response times will now be longer than

New Times contacted Loftus for comment but did not receive a response before publication.

Paso Robles Public Educators Union President Bernadette Boddington told New Times that she wasn’t sure which positions would be cut in the 2025-26 academic year, however she anticipated that it would be support staff positions like playground supervisors and classroom assistants.

“These are the roles that work with students behaviorally,” Boddington said. “It’s important the community is aware that any cut of support staff positions will affect the teachers’ ability to teach.”

Thanks to laws that don’t allow classrooms to exceed a certain number of students, Boddington

“This agreement is a win for the Oceano Community, ensuring stable fire services while minimizing fiscal impacts for the county,” SLO County Fourth District Supervisor Jimmy Paulding said during the Dec. 19 LAFCO meeting. “The collaborative efforts of the county, the OCSD, and the FCFA have made this transition possible, and we are confident this will continue to benefit the residents of Oceano and South County.” ∆

—Samantha Herrera

said she doesn’t anticipate teacher layoffs because legally the district can’t “overcrowd the classroom.”

Boddington also said that the high school could see fewer elective courses, depending on how many students were enrolled.

While a course with 40 students wouldn’t be cut, those with 10 could be, she explained.

“Most likely, that is one area that the district will be looking at,” she said.

Best case scenario, Boddington said, maybe no one will lose a job as the district’s retirement incentive plan encourages higher-end salaried positions to retire early.

DIVESTITURE APPROVED Following the Dec. 19, 2024, Local Agency Formation Commission decision, SLO County entered into a contract with the Five Cities Fire Authority to take over fire protection and emergency services for Oceano starting Jan. 1.

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According to Boddington, 56 employees have taken the incentive, and the district likely won’t fill those vacant positions.

Despite potential staff reductions, Superintendent Loftus wrote that PRJUSD plans to continue investing in its infrastructure thanks to the funding from Measure M, a $96 million school bond passed in 2016.

He aims to continue this work and help address the problem of parking in Downtown Pismo Beach, he said.

While Newton won his second term, Guthrie won her third term on the council.

Newton previously told New Times his platform has always been to put residents first, and during his time he helped complete the largest paving project in the city’s history.

maybe need some attention that a patrol officer wouldn’t be able to give,” Suttles said, listing a feud between neighbors over a barking dog as an example. “One patrol officer comes and takes a report. Well, he’s out of that now. He’s gone. Then the special enforcement team can give follow-up and attention to those things.”

“We built both Chumash and Palisades park[s], opened the new Morris stairs beach access, and approved new pickleball and tennis courts,” he said.

According to a school board meeting on Dec. 17, the measure has a remaining $30 million intended to go toward the aquatic complex, which is still on track for completion in November 2025; an elementary playground at Georgia Brown Dual Immersion School; and kitchen modernization at Lewis Flamson Junior High this academic year.

Superintendent Loftus wrote in the Paso Robles Daily News that the school board will determine the final Measure M investments within the coming months.

“This means you will continue to see investments in and on our school campuses, even though we have a structural budget deficit that requires overall budget cuts,” she said.

Coming into her new term, Guthrie previously said she will continue to work to maintain a sound and responsive government that creates policies to protect the city’s quality of life.

This includes finishing the city’s general plan and local coastal plan, as well as discussing solutions for their residential and commercial properties that are experiencing land erosion, she said.

Suttles said the team could also be a solution for youth loitering near a local bridge, for example. Suttles said the team would be ideal responders for any reports of trouble among students in locations not accessible by police cars.

Alongside bickering neighbors and troublesome youth, the team could also help with cases of graffiti and homelessness issues.

While the city has its own Community Action Team (CAT)—a team of four professionals within the fields of law enforcement, health care, and social work that work directly with unhoused residents to provide resources—the special enforcement team could work in tandem with CAT to help solve issues on a more systematic level.

Loftus also said the district receives dozens of other funding sources that could not be reallocated to staff support. Some include funds for students with disabilities, or career technical education enhancements. Others are dedicated to specific students at risk and must be used toward that demographic.

Loftus attributed the deficit to increasing costs of service despite declining enrollment and loss of funding.

“While there will be no possible way to complete this monumental task without disappointing some in the process, we remain committed to transparency and ensuring the fiscal solvency of our district,” Loftus wrote.

—Libbey Hanson

Pismo Beach keeps same City Council, approves new sales tax

Pismo Beach residents decided to stick to what’s reliable when it comes to who’s sitting on the City Council, with all three incumbents winning reelection.

Mayor Ed Waage and Councilmembers Scott Newton and Marcia Guthrie were sworn in to continue their time on the dais during a Dec. 17 Pismo Beach City Council meeting.

Waage, who won 65 percent of the votes over his competitor Kevin Kreowski, a retired U.S. Border Patrol agent, said he’s thankful that the community is again entrusting him to lead them.

“It’s important we have that opportunity every two years, four years, to cast your ballot to decide who you want to represent you or what kind of policies you want to adopt,” he said during the meeting.

Waage often referred to past accomplishments during the 2024 campaign.

New Times previously reported that Waage led an effort to approve both a new fire station and police station that will reduce response times by 90 seconds, worked on projects that helped repave a third of the city’s streets, and finished construction on new playground equipment at several city parks.

“I just want to thank the public for their trust in me, and I hope you know, you feel free to call me or email me with anything, any of your concerns,” she said during the Dec. 17 meeting. “I feel like I’m finally getting it now.”

Following the swearing in of the current council members, General Manager Jorge Garcia said community members will see their sales tax measure F-24 take effect starting April 1.

Garcia said the half-cent sales tax that’s traditionally used for capital projects such as street, sidewalk, and park improvement projects.

“We do anticipate that it will be $4 million annually,” he said during the Dec. 17 meeting.

This isn’t the first time Pismo Beach has had a sales tax and F-24 is actually an extension of their sales tax Measure C, Garcia said.

Traditionally this sales tax has been used for capital projects, Garcia said, but the council will be able to choose how they use the funds, as long as it’s for any “lawful purpose that is a government use.”

“The sales tax has a 12-year sunset,” he said. “Moving forward, we’ll do annual audits of all sales tax money consistent with what we’ve done in the past and every two years during our budget, the City Council will have an opportunity to provide us direction on how to spend those dollars.”

—Samantha Herrera

New Atascadero detective team aims to address deeper local issues

The Atascadero Police Department is taking a multi-faceted approach when it comes to addressing the city’s deeper issues by adding another resource to its toolbox.

Police Chief Daniel Suttles told New Times that the special enforcement team is brand new to the police department as of late November, and it intends to investigate the city’s ongoing issues.

Consisting of two trained detectives per team, the enforcement officers follow-up on reports and will investigate further if needed—something that patrol officers don’t have the time to do.

“The special enforcement team is just like it sounds. We typically have some issues that

While CAT helps unhoused residents gain access to mental health and drug rehabilitation resources, Suttles said special enforcement officers could look at the larger picture—not focusing on the drug users themselves but investigating where they are receiving those drugs.

“If we have individuals who are homeless, and they have an intersecting factor of drug addiction, … I know if I have people who are using drugs, that means someone’s supplying those drugs. So, the special enforcement team can be like, ‘You know what? We’re not focused on the individuals using them,’” he said. “I want the special enforcement team to go out and try to figure out who’s supplying these drugs. How are they getting here? … It’s kind of an indirect way, but I think it’s an effective one.”

Being that the team is so new, Suttles said the enforcement officers aren’t on the streets just yet and are in the process of going through training.

“It’s too new to tell you whether or not we’ve had any headway in this area. I’ve been sending them to training,” Suttles said. “I’m sending them to detective school—all these different schools to be able to be trained to do these things. So I’m waiting for them to be all ramped up, and then we’ll get them on the street and see how effective it is.”

In other efforts to improve community health and safety, the City Council recently passed a shopping cart ordinance, which requires retail stores to place a placard on each shopping card to claim ownership of it.

As many unhoused residents take shopping carts illegally to store and transfer belongings, Suttles said the ordinance would be used to first deter cart theft. If carts are still taken, the ordinance would allow police to confiscate them immediately so the owner can reclaim it.

The ordinance’s purpose is to enhance community cleanliness and to regulate unauthorized removal of shopping carts and retrieval of abandoned or unattended shopping carts, Suttles told the City Council at a meeting on Aug. 13. The council approved the ordinance on Sept. 10.

“That gives us the ability to actually implement what’s already been on the books since before I was a police officer, so it’s been there for a long time. So, that’s another [method] we have,” Suttles said. ∆

—Libbey Hanson

3CE

Cluster crisis

U.S. Fish and Wildlife proposes placing the monarch butterfly on the endangered species list after years of declining numbers

Afew visitors shielded their eyes from the sun on a warm December day as they peered into the eucalyptus trees at Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove trying to spot a cluster of orange and black wings.

But the trees and sky were fairly empty.

Two monarchs fluttered around at about eye level by the small white trailer near the grove where visitors can get more information about the insect or purchase a souvenir.

“That’s not normal,” said Valerie Glahn, who has volunteered at the grove for eight years. “I don’t think they realize it’s winter.”

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), more than 4.5 million Western monarch butterflies once flocked to the California coast in the 1980s to overwinter— Natural Bridges State Park and Pismo Beach being two of the largest overwintering grounds on the West Coast. Huddled close together, the insects form clusters in eucalyptus, pine, and oak trees for warmth and protection from November through February.

Amid decades of lost habitat for breeding and overwintering, pesticides, and climate change, the vital pollinator’s numbers have declined by 95 percent, leaving the Western monarch species with a 99 percent chance of extinction by 2080, according to the FWS.

To combat the butterfly’s looming disappearance, on Dec. 12 the FWS proposed to protect the insect by placing it as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. This listing would designate approximately 4,395 acres of critical habitat for the monarchs in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Ventura counties.

California State Parks Information Officer Jo Biswas said via email that Pismo’s butterfly grove has experienced the decline since State Parks started surveying butterfly numbers in 1997—a time when they were reported to be at 100,000.

This November, the survey reported roughly 400.

FWS Media Officer Joanna Gilkeson said that it can be hard to imagine why the monarch needs to be placed on the endangered species list, especially when they can seem so common

in everyday life. But the FWS has seen the insect’s numbers consistently declining over the past 10 to 15 years.

“In the mid ’90s, there were really large amounts of butterflies counted, both on the West Coast in the Pismo Beach area, and along the coast,” she said. “But there’s been a pretty steep decline, and fewer and fewer monarchs counted at their historic overwintering grounds in those area.”

When counting the monarchs, Gilkeson said they use the clusters.

“That’s how they’re counted, right? It is when they’re congregating in the overwintering clusters because it’s the only time when they’re all sort of in the same place, and we’re able to get a handle on what their population is,” she said.

With fewer and smaller clusters throughout the years, Gilkeson said the service is attributing the decline to land conversion as humans build on critical habitat that naturally grows milkweed—what monarchs eat and lay their eggs on.

“Humans changing the land has affected their food supply and basically their ability to reproduce,” she said. “They require the milkweed plant to lay their eggs, and that’s the only food that they eat. So, the less milkweed available, the less they’re able to reproduce and survive. And so it’s just kind of like a vicious cycle.”

Pismo Butterfly Grove volunteer Glahn said this winter is the second lowest season there, after seeing its lowest numbers at about 200 in 2020.

But Glahn said that this year is more unusual than that. On Thanksgiving, the grove saw more than 400 butterflies, but she said by the end of December it had maybe 200.

“Usually when they cluster, they stay,” she explained.

The clustered butterflies had scattered within a month when usually they would stay together until February.

“This year they never got into their normal overwintering clusters,” she said. “This season they are flying around.”

Typically, monarchs start breeding in January and February when the cold season passes, Glahn said, but this year they had

Based on the biologists’ review and comments from the public, Gilkeson said, the monarch will either be listed as threatened or the rule could be withdrawn.

“It could even go endangered if the population were to quickly decline,” she added. “It usually doesn’t happen, but it could be endangered.”

According to Gilkeson, the official decision to place the monarch on the threatened species list will be made in late 2025, possibly early 2026.

“We try to aim for a year out from the initial proposal. I think that will get a lot of comments on this one, so it’ll be interesting to see how long it takes all of our biologists to go through those comments, because they do read them all … and use that to build the final rule,” she said.

In the meantime, FWS and California State Parks encourage the public to learn more about the monarch and suggested ways to help with its conservation.

already started to breed in December. She equated this behavioral change to the warmer weather and pointed to a visitor wearing shorts and a T-shirt.

“The cues are telling them it’s fall,” she said.

With the butterflies laying eggs too early in a habitat that’s already lacking milkweed, Glahn said she worried this year could even be the last migration.

“Usually when I volunteer it’s happy, but this season has been doom and gloom,” she said.

Listing the monarch as a threatened species could be a years-long process, but the first step was proving that there’s a reason to even propose it, FWS Media Officer Gilkeson said.

“How that works is our biologists have done a big analysis over a period of time, looking at all the information that’s available out there about monarchs, determining that, yes, they do meet the definition of a threatened species,” she explained.

The FWS’s submitted threatened species proposal opened a 90-day public comment period, which will close on March 12, 2025.

“We encourage people with information and comments to submit them to us, and our biologists will go and look at all of those comments and determine and incorporate them as necessary,” she said.

“The unique thing about monarchs is that there are lots of things that anybody could do to help, right?” Gilkeson said. This includes planting native milkweed and flowering plants.

“You want some blooming in spring and summer and fall—so there’s an ongoing source of food for monarchs,” she said. Gilkeson also said that residents can dim their outdoor lights at night or place them on timers, as to not distract or confuse the monarchs.

“You know how moths are drawn to light?” she said. “There are studies coming out talking about how it distracts [monarchs] from being able to pollinate and to gather nectar at night. So, it’s actually impacting their ability to do their jobs, and their ability to gather the energy resources—the food that they need.”

State Parks Information Officer Biswas said that State Parks plans to continue working with the FWS and other partners to help the monarch and continue educating the public about the history and conservation status of the species.

“Similar to other ‘charismatic’ species like giant sequoias, humpback whales, grizzly bears, and bighorn sheep,” Biswas said, “monarchs help crystallize public attention on the need to preserve California’s biodiversity for future generations.” ∆

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

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LOOK UP The Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove is one of the largest monarch overwintering sites on the West Coast, but the species has declined by 95 percent since the 1980s.

Past prolonged

Amid Proposition 6 confusion SLO County, California voters opted not to end forced prison labor

More than 53 percent of voters across California in the Nov. 5 general election upheld continuing involuntary servitude for incarcerated people.

That’s more than 7.8 million people who rejected Proposition 6, which aimed to bar slavery in any form and repeal the provision in the state Constitution allowing jails and prisons to force incarcerated people to work as a punishment for crime.

“They’re just sitting there in a big building just eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner and just being there,” Atascadero resident and first-time voter Eli Lopez said. “I feel like using them for like load work or for picking up trash on the side of the freeway is better use of them than for them just to rot in jail. That way, they’re beneficial to society instead of being a hindrance to society.”

Twenty-one-year-old Cuesta College student Lopez isn’t alone in his thinking.

According to the final election results, 59.4 percent of votes cast in San Luis Obispo County said no to Proposition 6.

“[Inmates] learn real life skills that prepare them for jobs upon their release,” Atascadero resident and Arroyo Grande native Christine Rivas-Rodriguez told New Times via Facebook. “Landscaping, clerical, cooking, warehouse, janitorial, printing, painting, etc. We pay way too much for them to be there already. I did not vote to give them even more.”

According to the argument in favor of passing the proposition printed in the official voter information guide, the measure would end slavery in California and replace carceral involuntary servitude with voluntary work programs. With bipartisan support, it aligned with national efforts to reform the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution that abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the country and its territories except as punishment for a crime.

Esteban Nuñez, the chief strategy consultant of Proposition 6 advocacy group AntiRecidivism Coalition, told New Times that ballot language proved to be a stumbling block.

“Our ballot title, it’s technical by nature, but the words ‘involuntary servitude,’ it didn’t necessarily provide necessary context to voters to draw the connection to slavery and the importance of removing the extension,” he said. “We knew that voters do not know what involuntary servitude is, and when you frame it as an extension to slavery it helps voters really understand what we’re talking about.”

He added that the Los Angeles-based coalition tried working with the Attorney General’s Office to secure a more favorable ballot summary, but officials felt strongly that their draft was accurate enough from a legal standpoint. The resulting title was wordy: “Eliminates constitutional provision allowing involuntary servitude for incarcerated persons.”

“A lot of people felt like by voting yes, it would have meant people in prison wouldn’t have to work, which is completely

THE STATUS QUO Almost 60 percent of votes cast by SLO County constituents rejected Proposition 6, which repeals the current practice of forcing prisoners to work as a punishment for crime. Some voters reportedly believed that the proposal would do away with working altogether, making incarcerated people unproductive.

inaccurate,” Nuñez said. “It really was about allowing folks to be able to prioritize rehabilitation, whatever form that looks like—educational programs, substance abuse disorder programs, and vocational training.”

Nuñez is a formerly incarcerated person who served six years in Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, Amador County. There, he worked eight-hour unpaid shifts as a custodian. But mopping the day room and disinfecting tables only took him an hour.

“What am I doing with the rest of my time? I have to sit there and just twiddle my thumbs, and I’m not able to take part in educational programs. I’m not able to take part in therapy,” he said. “I wasn’t able to go take part in any kind of rehabilitative programming during my scheduled time because it takes priority.”

Since at least 2018, California has been behind the curve compared to states like Colorado, Nebraska, Utah, Alabama, Tennessee, Vermont, Nevada, and Oregon, which passed ballot measures of their own to end forced prison labor. The measures and amendments passed by these states all have the word “slavery” in their ballot titles.

Despite the new prohibition in these states, prisoners still have access to incentives to earn good time credits either by choosing to work or enrolling in educational programs.

“These other states that have passed [measures] have not seen this mass exodus of people not working,” Nuñez said. “Prison operations have maintained the status quo. It just allows folks the autonomy to tailor their program, which is really what is in the best interest of public safety.”

Act now!

hours while participating in rehabilitative programs,” CDCR Press Secretary Terri Hardy said. “The wage increase incentivizes job retention, supports restitution payments, and helps individuals save for their release.”

Hardy didn’t disclose the pay range for incarcerated workers. She added that all unpaid work assignments have now been eliminated. Up to 75 percent of the full-time jobs held by those incarcerated in the state’s prison system will switch to half-time positions. These changes align with the CDCR’s freshly rolled out California Model program, which strives to build safer communities through rehabilitation, education, and reentry.

Effective Aug. 31, 2022, updated CDCR regulations require every able-bodied prisoner to enroll in employment or rehabilitative programs.

“These regulations also make clear that when assigning an individual to work, academic, therapeutic, or other institutional programs, the individual’s expressed desires and needs are among the factors that are considered,” Hardy said.

It isn’t completely the end of the road for Proposition 6 just yet. Nuñez told New Times that among other lessons learned, the coalition realized that it launched a formal campaign advocating for the measure too close to the November election date because the proposition only qualified for the ballot on June 27.

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

In SLO’s California Men’s Colony, prisoners get to work as porters, clerks, plumbers, carpenters, and so forth. They get paid for it, too, according to Correctional Lt. Trad Eilers.

“We’re like a small city,” Eilers said. “Any job that’s on the outside, we have on the inside.”

Beginning April 16, 2024, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) increased the wages of all incarcerated workers as part of a commitment to prepare them for successful reintegration into their communities.

“The decision, informed by input from employees, incarcerated individuals, and community organizations, aims to allow incarcerated people to work fewer

The movement’s prime source of funding came from labor unions and nonprofits like Quest for Democracy Action Network and All of Us or None of Us Action Network. The Secretary of State website showed that the proposition had a total of $714,904 on hand as a result of contributions from all its supporters.

Next time, Nuñez said, the coalition is going to work on outreach and education much earlier, boosting levels of voter awareness and funding in the process.

“What was most disheartening is it’s hard as a state for us to say that we’re trying to remove institutional racism when a form of racism still lives and breathes in the document that is supposed to embody our principles as a state,” he said. ∆

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

FILE PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

New Year,

BY SAMANTHA HERRERA

Network in A-Town

With remote work becoming increasingly common, StoryLabs decided to offer a “co-working space” on the Central Coast for those who need it.

Based in Atascadero, StoryLabs gives remote workers an opportunity to rent desks or office spaces within the same building as a way to give people a neutral environment where they can get work done and have the chance to network.

“It meets a lot of the needs for just flexible working,” co-founder Greg Squires said. “Our community has attracted a lot of remoteworking types because we don’t really have industry on the Central Coast, but we do have a lot of people that want to work here and live here, so we need to have a place to be able to be productive and be connected.”

an application to storylabs.work/businessaccelerator by Jan. 31, 2025.

Following the application period, Squires said StoryLabs will choose six local business leaders to participate in the program.

“February will be an onboarding month, and it’ll run through October,” he said. “It’s a nine-month program meeting twice a month at StoryLabs in Atascadero, and it’ll culminate with a pitch event in November 2025.”

While a little less than a year away, Squires said StoryLabs will invite community members and investors to the pitch event to hear about the participants’ business plans and progress to create jobs and potentially be an economic boon to the Central Coast.

Fast facts

2:15 PM to 3:15 PM Exclusive Offers: Limited to the first 15 people who sign up for care during the event!

StoryLabs started offering monthly and daily memberships in 2021 with amenities like free parking, high speed WiFi, a kitchen filled with beverages and snacks, workshops, private call booths, a shower, and outdoor patio seating.

“Employers don’t necessarily need their own dedicated space with all the desks and all the amenities that need to come with a permanent office space,” Squires said. “But they do need a place to gather just to have meetings, a place for some employees to have most of their week working there and others who would just pop in for a few hours a week.”

Squires said with more and more companies requiring employees to work part-time in the office, businesses such as StoryLabs have been trending in bigger cities.

By bringing a co-working space to SLO County, Squires said he hopes that it will help boost economic growth.

He believes this will happen with the help of StoryLabs’ new Business Accelerator Program kicking off in 2025 for community members who want to gain more knowledge about the business industry.

“This could be anywhere from an entrepreneur that’s early career that has a product or a prototype,” Squires said. “Either they have their first customer, they have what’s called post-revenue—like they have income.”

Established business owners are also encouraged to apply, he said.

“The thing that will set apart participants in this program are two things: desire to grow and desire to create jobs on the Central Coast,” he said. “So those are the two criteria that we’re really looking for because that’s really the goal of the program.”

Those interested are encouraged to submit

• The Five Cities Fire Authority recently received a $10,000 donation from the Friends of Five Cities Fire Authority to help purchase a ventilation training prop to help support an ongoing training program. With a total price of $18,700, remaining funds came from the Fire Authority’s participation in the California Firefighters Joint Apprentice Committee program. “This will be an asset to our ongoing training program to enhance and maintain our firefighters’ skills, as well as keep our engine company training centralized within our response areas,” Fire Authority Chief Scott Hallett said in a press release. For more information about Friends of Five Cities Fire Authority, visit friendsof5citiesfire.org.

• The SLO County Behavioral Health Department received a $141,500 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety that aims to lower impaired, distracted, and unsafe driving locally by increasing educational events, trainings, and campaigns focusing on students at local high schools, Cuesta College, and Cal Poly. According to the county, the most recent crash rankings from the Office of Traffic Safety show that 226 individuals were killed or injured in SLO County in 2021 due to the involvement of alcohol, including 23 injuries and deaths caused by alcohol use of a driver under 21 years old. SLO County is ranked 17th out of California’s 58 counties in that category, according to the Behavioral Health Department. Learn more about San Luis Obispo County Friday Night Live programs for youth by visiting slofnl.com.

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

The smell of Musk

Elon Musk. It sounds like the name of a fine Italian fragrance. But don’t be fooled, as it really reeks of roadkill skunk.

This gazillionaire, who just bought a presidency, is not interested in the welfare of “the people,” rather in furthering his own enormous wealth and ego. Constitution be damned, the combination of Trump and

Murder endorsed by Americans is dangerous

Recently, certain segments of our society have elevated two murderers to the status of champions of their causes. Daniel Penny killed a homeless, mentally ill man with a choke hold and Luigi Mangione killed an executive of a health insurance company.

This occurs in the context of polls taken over the last few years finding that large percentages of Americans say that violence may be justified and necessary to achieve their political goals. More Republicans than Democrats and Independents agree, none in the majority but enough to be significant.

Penny is idolized as an icon of masculinity by Fox News and deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal in legislation introduced by 10 House Republicans (HR 10330). Mangione is idolized as a messenger for those angry at the negligence and profiteering of private health insurance companies.

Those propagating such adulation are, in effect, not only distracting from our undone

Musk can buy whatever laws they personally want to impose on our country.

Wake up, folks. What happened to “government of the people, by the people, for the people”? (A. Lincoln). It seems to have perished.

Thomas

Lott

Atascadero

work on homelessness, mental illness, and health care, but also legitimizing dangerous and ineffective reactions to them.

Those who are working against the stigmatization of the homeless and mentally ill and for providing shelter and psychological care as human rights, and against the extractive capitalist model of health insurance and for our collective commitment to health care as a human right, e.g., Medicare for All, are showing the way to a more peaceful, secure, satisfying, and robust future.

It’s time to reject reactionary propaganda and bear down on our demands for justice, compassion, and rationality.

David Broadwater Atascadero

Dear overly enthusiastic SLO church bell ringer,

I’m glad you love your religion. Good for you! But did it ever occur to you that maybe all that clanging and banging is annoying to others? And why in God’s name did you start doing it at 7 a.m.? What precedent are you

trying to set? What if the nice Muslim people decide to start screaming praises to Allah at 5 in the freaking morning? How’s that gonna be? What if I’m a really excited Satanist, and I decide to blast “Hell’s Bells” by AC/DC from concert stacks at 3 a.m.? I guess that’s protected speech, too, right? For the love of ... er, God ... tone it down. Christmas is over. And go back to 9 a.m., please.

Sean Shealy San Luis Obispo

We prefer to be entertained rather than learn from history

The movie Gladiator II entertains hugely. However, it does not educate people about how vengeance came to be the ruling principle of civic and international life in ancient Rome. That rogue philosophy resulted from the drying up of Rome’s system of civics education and from the unregulated accumulation of money and power.

Yes, characters in the two Gladiator movies have a “dream of Rome” as it once was, but there is no hint of how or why democracy

happens in the real world of history. The two movies are full of throat-slashing violence, man-eating mutated baboons, and maneating sharks, ... the kind of stuff that makes rich producers richer and poor people poorer. Gladiator II put in a modern context is about a young Muslim in Gaza whose family is killed, thus radicalizing him during America’s puppet-war there. He comes to America to exact revenge on the political establishment that harmed his family.

Because we are so busy being entertained with the low-life elements of an ancient culture, we are learning nothing about how to avoid reliving Rome’s history in America.

Kimball Shinkoskey Woods Cross, Utah

Put new protein on the public research agenda

Any state or federal politician who claims to care about animal welfare should support public funding for cultivated-meat research. For those who don’t know, cultivated meat is grown from livestock cells, without slaughter. There is nothing elected officials could do that has the potential reduce more nonhuman suffering and premature death than accelerating development of this technology.

While the new protein has been approved for sale in the United States by the relevant authorities, it is currently too expensive to mass produce. Achieving price parity with incumbent options will be crucial for the success of cultivated meat. Compassionate leaders can and should play an important role in pursuing this goal, by backing government money for cellular-agricultural development.

Jon Hochschartner Granby, Connecticut

HODIN

Russell Hodin

Waiting is torture

Oceano finally got what it wanted— deserved?

Well, some Oceano Community Services District (OCSD) board members didn’t want it, but residents spoke up with their votes against increasing taxes to pay for the town’s portion of Five Cities Fire Authority services and bing, bang, boom, no more fire services! The irony of it all is that the Five Cities Fire Authority will continue providing fire services to Oceano—just not from Oceano’s fire station.

It took almost two years for the OCSD to divest its fire service responsibilities, which the SLO Local Agency Formation Commission officially approved in December.

One recently reelected OCSD board member is still sour about how everything shook out: Shirley Gibson. She blames Charles Varni, who she beat for the seat she just won, which is silly because he wasn’t on the board that tried and failed to pass the same flat parcel tax to pay for fire services twice. She was.

Repeating something that didn’t work the first time is the definition of stupid.

Gibson laments a lot of things, including how much the OCSD had to give up to SLO County to pay for its new fire services arrangement as well as the Oceano fire station’s closure. It’s giving up $1.3 million in annual property taxes and the OCSD’s public facility fire fees. The OCSD also had to give the county $2.5 million in assets and liabilities.

Whew, I guess public safety services ain’t free, amirite? Everyone’s got to pay their way!

That’s something that I’m sure the San Simeon Community Services District’s residents will learn at some point in the future.

With the San Simeon CSD’s decision to divest itself from all of its utility responsibilities in March 2024, the CSD is still wading through all the administrative work it will actually take. Will it take two years? Will it take longer? What will it eventually cost everyone involved? Is 2025, San Simeon’s year?

I doubt it.

San Simeon said it’s broke and will be even broker in the future if it has to fix everything that needs fixing. The CSD doesn’t want to charge the people it serves! And it’s hoping the county will just take care of everything—fingers crossed!

In June, the county said it needed more time to study it all. Later in June, the Local Agency Formation Commission said that the CSD’s application was incomplete and put it on hold. And the county’s opted to hire a consultant to wade through the mess of existing infrastructure and service needs for the wastewater, water, waste collection, roads, and streetlights.

Hopefully, San Simeon’s residents who are stuck in the middle don’t have to wait as long as the Western monarch butterflies have been waiting for a little extra help to survive. It’s been 10 years and counting.

In 2020-21, an estimated 2,000 Western monarch butterflies were counted at overwintering sites. In 2022-23, that count hit 300,000.

But this winter is expected to be super low, with the count ongoing and a little less than 200 counted at Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove in December—and more than 10,000 counted the year before. So what do we do?

Propose the species to be listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act! Maybe this time around will shake out a little differently than the last go-around.

In 2014, monarchs were also petitioned for a listing. But in December 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided that while a listing might be warranted, there were other listing actions that took precedence on its national priority list. Umm, what?

In December 2024, the service decided to propose listing the monarch as threatened. So I guess we’ll see what gets national priority.

The service estimates that the monarch could go completely extinct by 2080, so as long as there are two fluttering around maybe there’s still time?

Meanwhile, in California, monarchs aren’t listed under the state’s Endangered Species Act, either. But it is identified as a species of greatest conservation need in the State Wildlife Action Plan, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Wow, everyone. We’ve been talking about protecting monarchs for what seems like forever, but we haven’t managed to make the species a priority quite yet. Except for telling everyone to plant milkweed!

Slow clap! Let’s not wait until it’s too late. People upset over employee parking in Paso Robles will continue to wait for an answer to whether the city will rid its downtown of the parking spaces reserved for workers. It costs $5 per month to park in the 98 spots near 12th and 13th streets. And the city said that it doesn’t effectively enforce the permit system.

Wait, isn’t parking free in downtown Paso now anyway?

The free parking has made it hard to find parking, according to some Paso business owners who spoke up during the Dec. 17 City Council meeting. Councilmember Fred Strong said that they should remove the parking lots’ legal restrictions but leave up the permit signs to dissuade tourists from parking there. What?

That’s the same sentiment Mayor John Hamon had. He said it would be “unethical.” And he’s right.

New Councilmember Kris Beal called the conversation “torture.” Hah! It was. And it will continue to be in the future. ∆

The Shredder’s always waiting for the next shred. Send tips to shredder@newtimesslo.com.

Hot Dates

ARTS

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

CALL FOR ARTISTS: AQUARIUS 2025

WATERMEDIA EXHIBIT Aquarius 2025 presented by Central Coast Watercolor Society seeks California artists working in all watermedia for this prestigious annual juried exhibit. Submissions open Dec. 1 and close on Jan. 5. Exhibit runs Feb. 20 through Mar.31, 2025 at Art Center Morro Bay. See website for full info. Through Jan. 5 $25-$65. ccwsart.com/aquarius-2025-prospectus.

Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 772-2504.

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. (559) 799-9632. costagallery.com. Costa Gallery, 2087 10th St., Los Osos.

FINE ART PAINTINGS AND SMALL WORKS BY ARDELLA SWANBERG

Swanberg is a mixed media artist and teacher who has been painting and teaching on the Central Coast for almost 40 years. Through Jan. 29 Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

FOCUS ON BIRDS, BRIAN JOHNSON, AND ARDELLA SWANBERG: ARTISTS

RECEPTION AND ATRIUM PARTY Come meet the artists, be inspired, and enjoy

food, refreshments, a tree-filled atrium, and all the businesses in Marina Square. Jan. 11 3-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

FOCUS ON BIRDS: A GROUP WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW Come discover what all our bird friends in the Estuary have been up to. Through Jan. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare. com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

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. (805) 772-9095. foreverstoked.com. Forever Stoked, 1164 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay.

GALLERY AT MARINA SQUARE PRESENTS MIXED MEDIA PAINTINGS BY BRIAN JOHNSON Stop by to see Johnson’s mixed media abstract art that incorporates inks, gels, and mirrors. Through Jan. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

MIXED MEDIA PAINTINGS BY BRIAN JOHNSON Johnson creates mixed media abstract art using inks, gels, and mirrors. Through Jan. 29 Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

PAINT YOUR PET Come paint your animal, whether that’s a dog, cat, horse, or chicken. No painting experience is necessary. Jan. 11 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $60. (805) 394-5560. coastalwineandpaint.com. Harmony Cafe at the Pewter Plough, 824 Main St., Cambria. 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.

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

WINTER FAIRE AND JURIED CRAFT

SHOW A collection of festive holiday treasures curated by the Morro Bay Art Association. Through Jan. 6 Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 772-2504, artcentermorrobay.org.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

ALLIE MOUNT: PRESENTATIONS View a captivating display of several floating wall sculptures by featured artist Allie Mount. Through Jan. 5 cruisecontrolcambria. com. Cruise Control Gallery, 1075 Main St., Cambria, (805) 503-3820.

DAILY POTTERY Walk in, pick your pottery project, and paint away. Something for all ages. Prices vary depending on what you choose and includes; paint, glaze, firing, and studio time. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Varies. (805) 400-9107. artsocial805. com. ArtSocial 805 Creative Campus, 631 Spring St., Paso Robles.

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.

DEPRISE BRESCIA ART GALLERY: ONGOING DISPLAYS Features a large

GATEWAY TO PAINT

Drew Davis hosts an oil painting workshop for “super beginners” on Jan. 11 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Drew Davis Fine Art Studio in San Luis Obispo, 393 Pacific St. Davis is a contemporary impressionistic painter who mostly works in oil and acrylic and is inspired by the California coast, including the Golden Gate Bridge featured in Baker Beach Day. No prior painting experience is needed, and all materials will be provided. Tickets are $105.50 and available at my805tix.com.

—Camillia Lanham

selection of encaustic art, sculpted paintings, art installations, acrylic palette knife paintings, digital art, glass, jewelry, stones, fossils, and a butterfly sculpture garden. ongoing DepriseBrescia.com. Deprise Brescia Art Gallery, 829 10th St., Paso Robles, (310) 621-7543.

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

HOLIDAY GLOW AT SENSORIO Wander through dazzling light displays and soak in the festive atmosphere as art, music, and holiday magic come together to create lasting memories. Thursdays-Sundays, 4:30-9 p.m. through Jan. 6 $30, $45 or $110 for adults; $15, $22, or $85 for children. (805) 226-4287. sensoriopaso.com/sensoriocelebrations. Sensorio, 4380 Highway 46 East, Paso Robles.

MONTHLY BIRTHDAY PLATE PAINTING AT ARTSOCIAL 805

Please join ArtSocial805 on the first Saturday of each month to paint a personalized “Birthday Plate,” for someone special or for yourself. The workshop is $35, which covers the plate, glaze, and firing. First Saturday of every month, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $35. (805) 400-9107. artsocial805.com. ArtSocial 805 Creative Campus, 631 Spring St., Paso Robles.

PRINTMAKER TOUR OF THE POCKET

GALLERY ON PINE Open most Saturdays and by appointment. Gallery is showing three local printmakers: Susan Lyon, Kathy Madonna, and Maryanne Nucci. Saturdays, 2-5 p.m. (805) 440-7152. Pocket Gallery on Pine, 8491/2 13th Street, Paso Robles.

SHORT FORM IMPROV CLASS AT TOP GRADE COMEDY THEATER Join instructor Charles Charm, an improvisor with 10 years of experience, to learn how to play improvgames. Classes are drop in only at this time. Shows TBD. Fridays, 6-8 p.m. $25. (530) 748-6612. Saunter Yoga and Wellness, 5820 Traffic Way, Atascadero.

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

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

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

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.

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) 7474200. artcentralslo.com/gallery-artists/. Art

Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. CAPTURING THE MAGIC OF COWBOY COUNTRY An equestrian photography exhibit featuring authentic cowboys and cowgirls horse wrangling, galloping, and traversing the foothills of the majestic Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming in winter. Through Jan. 15 (805) 423-6427. The Photo Shop, 1027 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo. CERAMIC LESSONS AND MORE Now offering private one-on-one and group lessons in the ceramic arts. Both hand building and wheel throwing options. Beginners welcomed. ongoing (805) 8355893. hmcruceceramics.com/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo. CLAY BABY HANDPRINTS Offers a unique experience of pressing your baby’s hand/ foot into clay so parents can cherish this time forever. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays $55. anamcre.com/babyhandprints. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. DATE NIGHT POTTERY Bring your date and throw a cup on the pottery wheel. Next, texture a clay slab and press into a form creating a personalized piece. Guest are welcome to bring drinks; venue provides aprons. Pieces are fired, glazed, and ready in two weeks. Saturdays, 6-7:30 p.m. $140. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. FAMILY FRIENDLY WORKSHOP: LARGE PLATTER CLASS Fun for all ages. Instructors will guide you in creating large platters and decorating them. Create pieces together for your home. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $50. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

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

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

COURTESY IMAGE BY DREW DAVIS

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.

JULIE ALPERT: STRANGE MAGIC As you step into Strange Magic, artist Julie Alpert’s first solo show in California, you’ll know one thing for certain: “Life is being lived.” Through March 2, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 543-8562. sloma.org/exhibition/julie-alpertstrange-magic/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 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.

OPEN MIC COMEDY Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.

Hosted by Aidan Candelario. Mondays, 7-9 p.m. Free. (805) 540-8300. saintsbarrel.com/ event-calendar. Saints Barrel Wine Bar, 1021 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo.

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

PLEIN AIR PAINTERS OF THE CENTRAL

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

SATURDAY FAMILY POTTERY CLASS

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

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

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, 1:30-3:30 p.m. $35. (805) 747-4200. artcentralslo. com/workshops-events/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

WHITNEY BEDFORD: THE WINDOW The Window intricately bridges the natural, the historical, and the imagined. Through Feb. 16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 543-8562. sloma.org/exhibition/whitney-bedford/. 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

DANCE FITNESS ART AND CULTURE FOR ADULTS Discover dance as a form of artistic expression and exercise, using a wide range

of styles and genres of music (including modern, jazz, Broadway, ethnic). Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m. $10 drop-in; $30 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.

DIY MACRAMÉ WITH LADONNA Have local macramé expert Ladonna guide you in making your own vintage macramé from a pattern first published in 1976. Visit site for tickets and more info. Jan. 11 1-4 p.m. $55. (805) 270-4083. theplantedparlour.com. The Planted Parlour, 592 W Grand Ave., Grover Beach.

SECOND SATURDAY IMPROV MEETUP

Play short-form games and share smiles in the supportive environment of improv. Second Saturday of every month, 2-4 p.m. through Dec. 13 improvforgood.fun/. Flex Performing Arts Studio (Studio D), 1820 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

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

CENTRAL COAST SLIM DOWN Take control of food without suffering. Learn a step-by-step process to take control of overeating, cravings, and feel peace with food. Build the habits, mindset, and your unique path with results that stick. Hosted byTami Cruz (Certified Health/Life Coach) and Dana Charvet (Coach/Fitness Trainer). ongoing Call for pricing info. (805) 235-7978. gratefulbodyhealthcoaching.com. Grateful Body, 850 Shasta, Morro Bay.

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

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

CITIZENS FOR ESTERO BAY PRESERVATION: MONTHLY FACE-TOFACE MEET-UPS Representatives from “Citizens for Estero Bay Preservation” will be on hand to discuss current news and events surrounding efforts to stop the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Morro Bay and the industrialization of the Embarcadero and waterfront. “No Batteries by the Bay” yard signs available. Email preserveesterobay@gmail for more info. First Tuesday of every month, 10-11 a.m. Free. Buttercup Bakery and Cafe, 430 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay.

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

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

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

Connect deeply with other women. Sharing the things that are close to our hearts creates a space of shared vulnerability that leads to deep connection. First Sunday of every month, 9-11 a.m. my805tix.com. From the Roots Up Healing Studio, 2055 9th St., Los Osos.

MORRO BAY METAPHYSICIANS

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

MORRO BAY MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

Disciplines include advanced athletic performance fitness training, Thai kickboxing, and more. Beginners to advanced students welcome. Day and evening classes offered. 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.

PALI KAI OUTRIGGER RACING CANOE

CLUB Join, train, and race with these Sunday morning demonstrations. Enjoy getting in a canoe and on the water. These sessions are a great way to make new friends and stay in shape. Sundays, 9-11 a.m. through March 1 Three practices for free. palikai.org/joinus/. Coleman Park (Morro Bay), 101 Coleman Drive, Morro Bay, (805) 772-6278.

STAY YOUNG WITH QI GONG Qi gong offers great anti-aging benefits, providing a comprehensive system for improving physical, mental and emotional health. Its roots date back thousands of years in China. Learn with certified instructor Devin Wallace. Call first. Thursdays, 10-11 a.m. $10. (805) 709-2227. Hardie Park, Ash Ave. and B St., Cayucos. Qi gong offers great anti-aging benefits, providing a comprehensive system for improving physical and mental health. Its roots date back thousands of years in China. Learn with certified instructor Devin Wallace. Call first for info and exact location. Fridays, 9-10 a.m. $12. (805) 709-2227. inner-workings.com. Los Osos, Townwide, Los Osos.

STRETCH, BREATHE, AND BALANCE

Ideal for seniors, and open to everyone. Instructor Randal Bodlak takes you through specific moves to promote mobility, internal strength, and stability. Mondays, 9-10 a.m. $10 per session. (805) 528-4880. Bayside Martial Arts, 1200 2nd St., Los Osos.

TAI CHI AND QI GONG: ZEN IN MOTION

Small group classes with 2019 Tai Chi

Instructor of the Year. Call for time and days. Learn the Shaolin Water Style and 5 Animals Qi Gong. Beginners welcomed. Mondays, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Call for price details. (805) 701-7397. charvetmartialarts.com. Morro Bay

Martial Arts, 850 Shasta, Morro Bay.

TAI CHI BASICS Visit site for more details on this ongoing, weekly Tai Chi program. Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. $10-$12. (805) 7727486. fitnessworksmb.com. FitnessWorks, 500 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay. WEEKLY QIGONG PRACTICE AT FITNESSWORKS MORRO BAY Calm your mind and nourish your joints with a weekly Qigong practice led by Mike Raynor of Tai Chi Rejuvenation. The practice is rooted in Qigong fundamentals, and standing/ moving meditations. Forms include: Eight Brocades, Five Elements, Shibashi 18, and Tai

chi 24. Saturdays, 10:45-11:45 a.m. Members free; non-members $8-$10. (805) 772-7466. fitnessworksmb.com. FitnessWorks, 500 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay.

YOGA PLUS A hybrid of yoga and “stretching” techniques that yield a body that moves and feels amazing. Mondays, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $10 per session. (415) 516-5214. Bayside Martial Arts, 1200 2nd St., Los Osos.

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

NORTH SLO COUNTY

BALANCE FLOW Suitable for all levels. This class is meant to benefit the mind-body connection while emphasizing safe and effective alignment as well as breath awareness and relaxation. Please call to register in advance. Tuesdays, Thursdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. $16-$22; $50 membership. (805) 434-9605. ttrtennis.com/fitness/ yoga/. Templeton Tennis Ranch, 345 Championship Lane, Templeton.

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

GUIDED MEDITATION WITH KAREN LEARY AT AWAKENING WAYS Experience guided meditations every Wednesday evening in a supportive space. Connect with your inner self and discover peace, healing, and self-awareness. Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m. (805) 391-4465. awakeningways.org. Awakening Ways Center for Spiritual Living, 7350 El Camino Real, Ste. 101, Atascadero.

HAMBLY LAVENDER FARM GUIDED

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

HIIT 45 WITH SARA JORGENSEN A dynamic and fun way to improve strength and cardiovascular conditioning using weights, resistance bands, and body weight. Bring a yoga mat and water. Thursdays, 9:30-10:15 a.m. and Mondays, 5:30-6:15 p.m. $15 for members; $25 for guests. (805) 4349605. ttrtennis.com/fitness/fitness-classes/. Templeton Tennis Ranch, 345 Championship Lane, Templeton.

HOLIDAY KID’S CAMPS AT TEMPLETON TENNIS RANCH Children ages 7 to 12 can learn to play tennis, pickleball and bocce at this tennis camp. To register, call the number provided. Jan. 2 9 a.m.-noon and Jan. 3 , 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Prices vary per camp date. (805) 434-9605. ttrtennis.com. Templeton Tennis Ranch, 345 Championship Lane, Templeton. NAR-ANON: FRIDAY MEETINGS A meeting for those who know or have known a feeling of desperation concerning the addiction of a loved one. Fridays, 12-1 p.m. Free. (805) 441-2164. North County Connection, 8600 Atascadero Ave., Atascadero.

NEW YEAR’S RITUALS FOR PROSPERITY AND REJUVENATION An afternoon of renewal, ancient ritual, and meditation to harness the New Year and set powerful intentions for ourselves, our community, and the world. Jan. 5, 3-5 p.m. my805tix. com. Yoga Village Templeton, 105 S. Main St., Templeton.

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

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

TOPS SUPPORT GROUP: WEIGHT LOSS

AND MAINTENANCE A self-help support group focusing on weight loss and maintenance.

Thursdays, 1:30 p.m. (805) 242-2421. tops.org. Santa Margarita Senior Center, 2210 H St., Santa Margarita.

TOPS TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY

Join for affordable and effective weight-loss support. Sundays, 10-11 a.m. through Oct. 31 First visit is free. (805) 234-1026. Rancho Del Bordo Clubhouse, 10025 El Camino Real, Atascadero, tops.org.

VINYASA YOGA FLOW

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

YANG STYLE TAI CHI

FOR BIRDING’S SAKE

Celebrate Morro Bay Bird Festival month by checking out the Gallery at Marina Square’s Focus on Birds group photography show, featuring Gregory Siragusa, Jessica Weiss, Cathy Russ, Grant Kreinberg, Karen Peterson, Dominic Hartman, and Alice Cahill, whose owl is pictured. Find the birds and bird habitats, countrysides, and oceansides where winged wildlife lives, thrives, hunts, and sings at 601 Embarcadero, suite 10, Morro Bay, starting with the opening reception on Jan. 11 from 3 to 5 p.m.

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

BEYOND MINDFULNESS Realize your potential through individualized meditation instruction with an experienced teacher via Zoom. This class is for those who wish to begin a practice or seek to deepen an existing one. Flexible days and times. Certified with IMTA. Email or text for information. Mondays-Sundays, 5:306:30 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, 9:30-11:30 a.m. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church SLO, 650 Pismo St., San Luis Obispo.

CITY FARM SLO’S YOUTH

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

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

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.

FREE TOURS OF THE MISSION Tour San Luis Obispo’s Spanish Mission, founded in 1772. Come learn its history and about

the development of this area. Tours, led by docents, are free at 1:15 p.m Monday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Sundays, 2-3 p.m. and Mondays-Saturdays, 1:15-2:15 p.m. Free. (657) 465-9182. missionsanluisobispo.org. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, 751 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.

HANDSPRINGS AND AERIALS CLINIC Children can build their skills and begin working on intermediate fundamentals. All levels are welcome. Jan. 11 1-3 p.m. $25. (805) 547-1496. performanceathleticsslo. com. Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo. KIDS’ PARTY PARADISE: NEW YEAR SOIREE Children ages 4 to 13 can enjoy pizza, movies, and gymnastics. No experience is necessary. Jan. 11, 5-9:30 p.m. $50. (805) 547-1496. performanceathleticsslo.com. Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

MELLOW YOGA FOR EVERYONE Stretch into yourself under the beautiful oaks and fresh air of this idyllic country setting. Suitable for all levels, these classes emphasize the gentler side of yoga and adapt to participants’ needs. Tuesdays, 5-6 p.m. $14 per class or $55 for five-class card with no expiration. (805) 440-4561. balancedlivingayurveda.com. Tiber Canyon Ranch, 280 W Ormonde Rd, San Luis Obispo. 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. MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION (ONLINE MEETING) Zoom series hosted by TMHA. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon Transitions Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 270-3346.

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 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 15

—C.L.

COURTESY PHOTO BY ALICE CAHILL

enthusiastic playworkers. Through June 7, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Options: 2 day, 3 day, or 5 day. (805) 242-6301. onecoolearth.org/ play-grove.html. Jewish Community Center, 875 Laureate Lane, San Luis Obispo.

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

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.

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 PHILATELIC SOCIETY Stamp Collector? The SLO Philatelic Society (SLOPS) meets in the SLO UMC Conference Room on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Visitors welcome. For more info, contact SLOPS at slostampclub@gmail.com. First Tuesday of every month, 1-3 p.m. (805) 801-9112. San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church, 1515 Fredericks Street, San Luis Obispo.

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.

SLO SKIERS MONTHLY MEETING SLO Skiers, a local nonprofit, sports, and social club for adults has monthly meetings. Meetings are free and annual membership is $65. Events held year around, with ski trips and other events (indoor and outdoor). First Tuesday of every month, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free; annual membership $65. (805) 528-3194. sloskiers.org. Rod & Hammer Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., 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.

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

TEEN MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP Learn more about mental health and coping skills to help you through your journey towards wellness and recovery. Thursdays, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. (805) 540-6576. t-mha.org. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo St., 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.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

ARGENTINE TANGO DANCE LESSONS This beginning dance class teaches the essentials of Argentine Tango. No partner or previous experience is needed. Sponsored by Arroyo Grande Parks & Recreation. Mondays, 5:30-8 p.m. through Feb. 24 $12 per class. (805) 473-5473. arroyogrande.org. Women’s Club of Arroyo Grande, 211 Vernon St., Arroyo Grande. Join this beginning class to learn the essentials of Argentine Tango. No partner or experience is required and sign ups are through Arroyo Grande Parks and Recreation. Mondays, 5:30-8 p.m. through Feb. 24 $12. (805) 473-5473. arroyogrande.org. Woman’s Club Community Center, 211 Vernon St., Arroyo Grande.

BEGINNER GROUP SURF LESSONS AND SURF CAMPS

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

BEGINNING BALLET FOR ADULTS Enjoy the grace and flow of ballet. No previous experience needed. Wednesdays, 5:15-6:15 p.m. $12 drop-in; $40 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach. BODY FUSION/EXERCISE AND FITNESS CLASS Do something good for yourself and stay fit for outdoor sports, while enhancing flexibility, strengthening your core to prevent lower back issues, improving your posture through yoga, and more. Tuesdays, Thursdays, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. (970) 710-1412. Avila Beach Community Center, 191 San Miguel St., Avila Beach, avilabeachcc.com.

BUTTERFLIES COMMUNICATION IN COLOR: GUIDED

ALWAYS AMAZING. NEVER ROUTINE.

QUEEN NATION

HOLLYWOOD FIGHT NIGHTS

FEBRUARY 21 | FRIDAY | 6PM

Manifesting & The Law of Attraction, Meditation & Self-Hypnosis, & Soul-Centered Living

SATURDAY, JANUARY 11

YSLASH Carocha’s Gallery & Art Studios, Morro Bay

SUNDAY, JANUARY 12

Painting Workshop with Drew Davis

SATURDAY, JANUARY 11

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14

SATURDAY, JANUARY 11

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17

The Musical FRI-SUN, JANUARY 10-26

Maria Civic Theatre

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18

Sacred Events in Morro

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18

2 - JANUARY 12,

INTERPRETIVE TALK Butterflies come in a multitude of colors, shapes, and sizes. RSVP with the phone number provided to come and learn about butterflies’ adaptations with Docent Peggy. Jan. 11 11 a.m.-noon Free. (805) 474-2664. centralcoastparks.org/ awn/. Oceano Dunes Visitor Center, 555 Pier Ave., Oceano.

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.

MULTICULTURAL DANCE CLASS

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

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WATCH AND CLOCK COLLECTORS, CHPT. 52 Come join a friendly meeting of watch and clock collectors. Members bring watches and clocks to show, plus there are discussions of all things horological. Second Sunday of every month, 1:30-3 p.m. (805) 547-1715. new.nawcc.org/index.php/chapter-52-lospadres. Central Coast Senior Center, 1580 Railroad St., Oceano.

POINT SAN LUIS LIGHTHOUSE TOURS

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

QI GONG FOR LESS STRESS AND MORE

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

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

WEEKLY WATER SAFETY LESSONS

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

ZOO TO YOU The zoo is coming to you at the discovery center. Come check out the animals. Jan. 4 Free. (805) 473-1421. Exploration Discovery Center, 867 Ramona Ave., Grover Beach.

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

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 St., Templeton.

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

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-citywalking-tour/. Toast Tours, 1722 Stillwater Ct, Paso Robles.

FIND MAGIC

Seattle-based artist Julie Alpert’s life-sized art installation at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art infuses a routine living space with colors, textures, shapes, and whimsy. Her site-specific installations and works on paper bridge the gap between reality and expectations and transport viewers back to a time where they can play as children do, according to SLOMA. See Alpert’s first solo show in California, Strange Magic, through March 3 at 1010 Broad St. in SLO. Visit sloma.org for more information.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

DOWNTOWN SLO FARMERS MARKET

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

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

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.

NAME THAT NOISE: MUSIC TRIVIA A monthly special music-only trivia at Oak and Otter Brewing Co. Call ahead to reserve a table. Second Thursday of every month, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oak and Otter Brewing, 181 Tank Farm Road, suite 110, San Luis Obispo, (805) 439-2529.

PIÑATAS ON THE PATIO What is more festive than a piñata? Join for some brunch drinks and a couple of good hits to a piñata (or two). Good times and goofy prices promised. Turns will be determined on a first come, first served basis. First Sunday of every month Free. Rambling Spirits, 3845 S. Higuera St. (inside SLO Public Market), San Luis Obispo, drinkramblingspirits.com.

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

SLO GRANGE HALL PANCAKE

BREAKFAST Join the SLO Grange Hall for a good 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. (805) 439-2529. Oak and Otter Brewing, 181 Tank Farm Road, suite 110, San Luis Obispo.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

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. ∆

SLO County Restaurant

Wednesday, January 1 through Friday, January

SAN LUIS OBISPO SLO RESTAURANT

MONTH

by: Sarah Kathleen

Experience the rst-ever city of SLO Restaurant Month, January 1-31. Local eateries will have special menus at special prices you won’t want to miss. Indulge in innovative creations, savor classic favorites with a twist, or settle in with a multicourse meal. Satisfy your taste buds while supporting our culinary community!

VisitSLO.com/RestaurantMonth

SAN LUIS OBISPO

OLD SAN LUIS BBQ CO.

Old SLO BBQ Co. is the local spot to enjoy the best BBQ on the Central Coast! Grab a sandwich or salad and CHECK OUT ALL OF THE CRAFT BEERS ON TAP. We specialize in authentic Santa Maria style cuisine and many of our family recipes date back nearly a century. For Restaurant Month, choose any sandwich, side, and drink for $20. Add a beer card for 25% OFF 3870-3 Broad Street & 670 Higuera Street (805) 285-2473

OldSanLuisBBQ.com

SAN

LUIS OBISPO

FERAL KITCHEN + LOUNGE

Discover Feral, downtown SLO’s newest culinary destination. Bold flavors, creative cocktails, and a stunning, lounge-style atmosphere set the stage for unforgettable nights. Whether for dinner, drinks, or unforgettable moments, join us and experience what’s wild and delicious at Feral Kitchen + Lounge!

725 Higuera Street (805) 465-2211 FeralKitchenAndLounge.com

PASO ROBLES

THE STEAKHOUSE

Paso Robles’ premier steakhouse for generations, The Steakhouse at Paso Robles Inn blends cowboy-meets-coastal avors with classic California cuisine. Join Chef Joe for an exclusive threecourse dinner for a true taste of Paso for $45.

1103 Spring Street (805) 226-4925 PasoRoblesInn.com

PASO ROBLES

FISH GAUCHO

We take pride in offering the freshest seafood, succulent shellfish, locally sourced produce, and organic meats, all complemented by an exquisite selection of tequilas, mezcals, and fine spirits. We invite you to indulge in an exclusive three-course dinner, featuring a curated selection of our chef’s favorite dishes, all for just $41. Join us for an unforgettable dining experience that celebrates the best of our culinary offerings. 1244 Park Street (805) 239-3333 • FishGaucho.com

PISMO/SHELL BEACH

OLD SLO AT THE CAPE

The Cape, known for its seafood, is the Central Coast’s go-to for classics like Lobster rolls, sh ‘n’ chips, and our homemade chowder, but don’t forget about our tacos and burgers! Now serving Old SLO BBQ favorites at this seaside destination too! For Restaurant Month, choose any burger, side, and drink for $20. Add a beer or glass of wine for $5

SAN LUIS OBISPO

PRESS QUESADILLA GRILL

Treat your senses to a California Coastal Fresh experience at Press Quesadilla Grill—NOW OPEN in SLO! Create a bowl, salad, burrito or ‘dia with chili-lime shrimp, adobo chicken or re-grilled skirt steak. Enhance every bite with creamy, melt-in-your-mouth Queso Blanco. Show us this ad or order from pressqg.com and get FREE Chips & Queso with an entrée! Coupon Code: QUESO

773 East Foothill Boulevard pressqg.com

SAN LUIS OBISPO KIKO RESTAURANT AND

PISCO BAR

Enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal with a modern twist at our creekside dining restaurant. We have crafted 3 special menus just for you, our locals!  Options:

1) Three Course Set Menu: Appetizer-Main Course-Small Dessert $49

2) Four Appetizers (small plates) & Two Pisco Sours: $49

3) Appetizer Sampler (4 small plates): $35

You won’t forget this unique and memorable dining experience!

746 Higuera Street • (805) 668-6711

KikoRestaurantslo.com • IG @kikorestaurantslo

TEMPLETON & PASO ROBLES JACK’S BAR & GRILL

Enjoy a flavorful three-course meal featuring your choice of Soup or Salad, a hearty Main Course, and a sweet Dessert to finish. Price: $40 Availability: 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Join us for Restaurant Month and savor the smoky, bold flavors that make Jack’s Grill a local favorite!

509 South Main Street, Templeton (805) 434-5500 • JacksTempletonGrill.com 1902 Creston Road, Paso Robles (805) 296-3355

PASO ROBLES

PASO TERRA

Restaurant Month Special Indulge in a delectable three-course dining experience at Paso Terra this January!

Starter: Your choice of Caesar Salad or Soup du Jour Main Course: Chicken Coq au Vin or Cod Puttanesca (spicy tomato sauce), both served with rice and seasonal vegetables

Dessert: Chocolate Mousse

All for just $35! Available January 2nd - 31st. Reservations can be made through the website. 1032 Pine Street (805) 227-4100 • PasoTerra.com

PASO ROBLES

ETTO PASTA BAR

Etto Pasta Bar serves pasta produced in our own factory served fresh with the best seasonal, local and Italian ingredients. Our menu re ects the purity and simplicity of the Italian table where great ingredients are featured to shine in a comfortable and casual setting.

3070 Limestone Way (805) 400-3193 ettopasti cio.com

PISMO BEACH

MARISOL RESTAURANT AT THE CLIFFS

Oceanfront views & sunsets.

Hyperlocal owners, chefs, and ingredients. Three Course Prix Fixe Menu for $50

Your Choice of Starter, Entrée, and Dessert Everyday 3:30 - 9PM • January 6 - 31

1127 Shell Beach Road (805) 295-5144 • OldSLO-at-thecape.com

2757 Shell Beach Road (805) 773-5000 Cli sHotelAndSpa.com

Photo

Restaurant Month

January 31, 2025

Find Local Restaurant Month Specials

PISMO BEACH SEAVENTURE RESTAURANT

180-degree panoramic views and spectacular sunsets! Three Course Prix Fixe Menu for $55 Your Choice of Starter, Entrée, and Dessert Entrée Options include Grilled Flat Iron Steak or Salmon Paella Pair dinner with a Flight of 3 Wines for $18

100 Ocean View Avenue (805) 773-3463 · SeaVenture.com views and spectacular sunsets!

PISMO BEACH VESPERA RESORT

PISMO

BEACH

VENTANA GRILL

Sunday Brunch Buffet

Enjoy hot dishes, seafood, fresh salads and desserts. Sip Bloody Marys and Mimosas while taking in the amazing view! Special Price: $41.95/person (normally $51.95)

Max party size: 4 guests. Reservations required; must mention this ad when booking. Available Dates: January 5, 12, 19, & 26

2575 Price Street (805) 773-0000 VentanaGrill.com

Located on the lobby level of Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, Pequín Coastal Cocina offers whimsical Baja Coastal selections highlighting local ingredients and Chef touches that are inspiring and transformative. Join Chef Brandon for an exclusive threecourse dinner for $49. Complimentary valet parking is included.

147 Stimson Avenue (805) 779-4065 or (805) 773-1011 marriott.com/sbpak

AVILA BEACH

THE GARDENS OF AVILA RESTAURANT

Dine with a cozy natural stone replace or on our heated Old Stone Patio. Dishes featuring the freshest garden-to-table and locally sourced ingredients.

Three Course Prix Fixe Menu for $50

Your Choice of Starter, Entrée, and Dessert Served 5 – 9PM • January 5 – 31

Hot tip: Warm up with a mineral springs hot tub soak before or a er dinner for the perfect night!

1215 Avila Beach Drive (805) 595-7302 • SycamoreSprings.com

ATASCADERO

KULA HAWAIIAN KITCHEN

Discover Kula Hawaiian Kitchen’s elevated comfort food, featuring fresh island ingredients and the spirit of aloha. For just $30, choose from four tempting appetizers and eight savory entrees. Indulge in authentic Hawaiian flavors, beautifully presented in a warm, inviting setting. Visit today and taste the islands, in style! Valid for dine-in only.

6200 El Camino Real • (805) 519-8200 kulahawaiiankitchen.com

ATASCADERO

GUEST HOUSE GRILL

ula Hawaiian Kitchen K

OCEANO OLD JUAN’S CANTINA

Dig into bold Mexican flavors at Old Juan’s Cantina! This January, get our 3-course special: Start with tortilla soup or a house salad, then choose mole enchiladas, adobo, or smoke carnitas, and end with tres leches or churros. All for $40!

Bring your appetite—we’ve got the rest!

649 Pier Avenue (805) 489-5680 OldJuansCantina.com

AVILA BEACH BLUE MOON OVER AVILA

Enjoy sweeping seaside views and stunning sunsets while enjoying our 3-course French Country Menu for $49. Pair classics like Beef Bourguignon, Coq-au-Vin, and Crème brûlée with a glass of French wine for the ultimate dining experience. Available daily from 4:30-8:00pm.

460 Front Street (805) 595-2583 BlueMoonOverAvila.com

ATASCADERO JONNYBOY’S BAGELRY & JEWISH DELICATESSEN

Enjoy a specially curated three-course menu featuring a Soup or Salad, a delicious Main Course, and a tempting Dessert. Price: $40 Availability: 4 PM – 8:30 PM Make Restaurant Month memorable with a meal that’s cra ed to impress!

8783 El Camino Real (805) 460-0193 GuestHouseGrill.com

It’s pie season! Celebrate with a

An

value for just

5935 Entrada Avenue (805) 464-2159 • @jonnyboysbagelry

ATASCADERO

CIELO

Come visit Atascadero’s only bagelry & Jewish deli! All month long, enjoy one of our sandwiches, an 8oz side of our house-made potato salad, a Dr. Brown’s soda of your choosing, and a chocolate-dipped coconut macaroon for $25

Indulge in an unforgettable three-course dinner featuring a choice of Soup or Salad, a delectable Main Course, and a sweet Dessert finale.

Price: $50 Availability: 5 PM – 9 PM Celebrate Restaurant Month with us and experience the perfect blend of flavors in every bite.

6400 El Camino Real (805) 538-9517 • CieloAtascadero.com

ATASCADERO

BARLEY & BOAR KITCHEN, BREWHOUSE AND DISTILLERY

. While supplies last. Call ahead to reserve.

5945 Entrada Avenue (805) 460-6294 @bramblepieco

Come in and enjoy a three-course dining experience with options including a Soup or Salad, a Main Course, and a delightful Dessert.

Price: $55 Availability: 5 PM – 9 PM

Celebrate Restaurant Month with bold flavors and impeccable dishes.

5925 Entrada Avenue (805) 460-6369 · BarleyAndBoar.com

Avila BeachBlue Moon Over Avila

Arts

Learn about monarch butterflies in Mission Plaza

A native flower garden and educational panels about the Western monarch butterfly recently flew into San Luis Obispo’s Mission Plaza.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed listing the butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, as this year’s Western monarch numbers are signaling one of the lowest population counts since the count’s inception in 1997, according to a press release from the Central Coast State Parks Association.

The association collaborated with the Xerces Society and the city of San Luis Obispo on the panels—sponsored by the Thomas E. and Mary Kathryn Eltzroth Fund. They aim to help locals and tourists learn about the butterfly’s ecological and cultural significance, including identifying overwintering and nectaring locations for Western monarchs and providing information about population restoration efforts. The native plant nectar garden around the panels highlights the flowering plant species that benefit the monarch and other pollinators, the press release states.

As part of efforts started in 2021 on establishing a Western Monarch Trail, the association placed more than 10 educational panels in overwintering habitats along the Central Coast to protect the migration route of the butterflies. The project was handed over the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation in March 2024.

Every year between October and February, western monarchs migrate to the Central Coast to spend their winter. SLO County has as many as 55 overwintering sites, according to the association. To learn more about the Western Monarch Trail, visit westernmonarchtrail.org.

SLO REP presents Shakespearean comedy Twelfth Night

San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre’s Academy of Creative Theatre presents its production of Twelfth Night from Jan. 10 to 19. The ensemble of local students offers a fresh interpretation of one of Shakespeare’s classic comedies, SLO REP said in a press release. Set in Illyria, the comedy about love, identity, and mischief tells the story of Viola, a shipwrecked young woman who disguises herself as a man and enters the service of Duke Orsino.

Directed by Shannon Peters, the production emphasizes themes of love, gender, and selfdiscovery.

“We are thrilled to offer this opportunity for students to engage with one of Shakespeare’s most joyous and complex plays,”

SLO REP Managing Artistic

Director Kevin Harris said in the release. “Twelfth Night is a beautiful exploration of love, identity, and the confusion that comes with it.” Find tickets at slorep.org or by calling the box office at (805) 7862440. Performances run Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.

BY SAMANTHA HERRERA

Migration season

The Morro Bay Bird Festival and Art Center Morro Bay bring bird-based activities to the Central Coast

Every January, Morro Bay becomes a connecting hub for bird lovers from around the world.

From far across the pond in Europe, the deep South, and the East Coast, bird enthusiasts make their way to the Morro Bay Bird Festival for a weekend of bird watching and educational events.

Partnering with the Morro Bay Bird Festival, Art Center Morro Bay is hosting For the Birds, an exhibition in which local artists show o their bird-centered artwork to help “promote an understanding and appreciation of birds and other wildlife” and bring awareness to environmental and conservation issues on the Central Coast, Art Center President Kathleen Heil said.

“Artists have been asked to share their artistic talents with the many visitors attending the festival through art that celebrates the varieties of birds and other wildlife and their habitats in our area,” she said.

Dating back to 1994, the Morro Bay Bird Festival has a history of spending Martin Luther King Jr. weekend teaching attendees about all things birds related through the guiding hand of experts, program Chairperson Bob Revel said.

Running from Jan. 16 through 20, this festival is the most extensive one yet with more than 250 events led by 141 experts, Revel said. e event welcomes those of all ages and all experience levels.

“So far we have approximately 700 people registered to come,” he said. “We have Kenn Kaufman who’s well known in the bird world. He’s written numerous books and eld guides and things like that. We also have David Lindo, who’s from England, coming and both guys are going to give keynote addresses.”

e keynote address will be at Cuesta College, and Revel said the event has something for everyone. Photographers will be able to take photos out on the water thanks to the Bay Birding Photo

Grab your binoculars

For more information on gallery times or how to submit art for Art Center Morro Bay’s show For the Birds , visit their website at artcentermorrobay.org. For more information about the Morro Bay Bird Festival, check out morrobaybirdfestival.org.

Cruise on Jan. 18 or while they’re on a calming walk at the Oceano Lagoon Bird Walk held on Jan. 19.

Participants can sign up for kayaking trips, wine tasting, selfhealing activities such as nature journaling, and a brand-new wood carving class.

“I had two guys walk up to me from up in the Sacramento area and they said, ‘Hey Bob, we’re members of this bird decoy group association and we would love to come to your festival and teach people how to carve shore birds.’ It sounds like fun so we’re giving it a try, and if it goes well this year and nobody cuts o a nger, then we’ll have them back next year,” he said with a laugh.

and stu like that,” he said. “So, what happens in wintertime is we get all these birds that aren’t here any other time of the year.”

Revel said while winter might seem like an odd time of year to bird watch since it’s usually overcast, rainy, and quite cold on the Central Coast, it’s actually the perfect time to catch snowbirds, and other arctic birds, migrating from north to south for winter.

For thousands of years, hundreds of di erent bird species have own south to Mexico to escape harsh winter conditions. However, Revel said around 200 species make it about halfway into their journey, aka Morro Bay, and decide it’s a good place to settle for the season.

“ e bay itself is an ideal location for them because there’s plenty of food for them and safety

You can catch those birds and other local avians from Jan. 9 through Feb. 17 at Art Center Morro Bay. President Heil said the original bird-based artwork takes the form of 2D wall-hung artwork, matte prints, paintings, sculptures, and 3D pieces.

“All are invited to the For the Birds reception on Sunday, Jan. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. where we have invited Paci c Wildlife to bring two of their birds and talk about their organization,” she said.

ose interested in submitting art can ll out an entry form at artcentermorrobay.org and bring their artwork by on Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. ∆

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

OFF WE GO Lynn Hessler’s pelicans will be on display as part of the For the Birds art show.

EVERY BIRD IS UNIQUE The expressive artwork of Debra Piazza featuring a little bird full of color and shape will be at Art Center Morro Bay until Feb. 17.

—Camillia Lanham

HA-HA-HA Rod Aszman’s painting of seagulls squawking at Morro Rock will be featured in Art Center Morro Bay’s For the Birds exhibition.

IMAGES COURTSEY OF KATHLEEN HEIL

Voted Best Indian Food!

INDIAN RESTAURANT

All You Can Eat Bu et with 15+ Items!

Lunch - $15.99 Mon-Sat 11:30am – 2:30pm

Monday Dinner Bu et - $16.99

5:00pm – 9:30pm

Sunday Brunch - $16.99 Served with one champagne or Lassi

• Indoor & Outdoor Dining

• Bu et Take Out

• Banquet

• Catering

• Dine Out Available

(805) 781-0766 • 3820 Broad St. Marigold Center, SLO Open 7 Days · shalimarslo.com

Heavy conscience

Clint Eastwood (Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino) directs this legal thriller written by Jonathan A. Abrams about journalist Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult), who’s selected to serve on the jury of a high-pro le murder trial. As the trial begins, he realizes he may have been involved. (98 min.)

JUROR #2

What’s it rated? PG-13

Glen Clint Eastwood is a terri c, gifted, and wholly adept director, and this new thriller explores the moral quandary Kemp nds himself in. e recovering alcoholic has a baby on the way with wife Allison (Zoey Deutch). His life has turned around and his future is bright. However, he just happened to nearly relapse in the bar where the victim, Kendall Carter (Francesca Eastwood), had a ght with her boyfriend, James Sythe (Gabriel Basso), the man now on trial for her murder, on the very night Kendall died. After leaving the bar without drinking, Kemp realized he hit something with his car. He got out, looked around, saw nothing, and assumed he grazed a deer that ran o . Now sitting in the courtroom hearing the evidence, he realizes it might not have been a deer after all. So begins a series of choices he makes as he weighs putting an innocent man in prison versus saving himself from detection.

What’s it worth, Anna? Full price

What’s it worth, Glen? Full price

Where’s it showing? Max

may outweigh a domestic assault. While Kemp manages to mitigate that threat, it doesn’t stop prosecutor Faith Killebrew (Toni Colette) from pursuing the truth and alerting Kemp’s wife, Allison, to the fact that his incident with the deer all those months back may not have been so innocent. It’s pretty gripping.

I sympathized with Kemp up to a point. Obviously, the right thing to do would be to tell the truth, but as his AA sponsor Larry explains, with his previous DUIs and history as a drunk, no one will believe he left the bar sober, and it was all a simple accident. It truly is an impossible situation with no easy answer.

JAN

Anna What are the chances, right? While a whole lot of things have to rst go wrong and then go right for Kemp to be in this situation, he wields a secret that comes with more power than any one jury member should have. He’s got the choice of confessing, which he discusses with his lawyer and AA companion, Larry (Keifer Sutherland), swaying the jury to nd Sythe innocent, or putting an innocent (of this crime anyway) man in prison. ings get complicated when it’s revealed that there’s a retired detective (J.K. Simmons) on the jury who starts to poke into the circumstances of the crime and nds that the likelihood of a hit and run

THE MADNESS

What’s it rated? TV-MA

When? 2024

Where’s it showing? Netflix

Created by Stephen Belber (Tape, Drifting Elegant ), this gripping thriller explores race relations, social and mainstream media, wealth distribution, big tech, political influence, and ultimately conspiracy. Colman Domingo stars as Muncie Daniels, an on-the-rise CNN pundit on the cusp of getting his own show. He travels to a rented cabin in the Poconos to get away from the media circus and begin working on a book, but he stumbles upon a murder, for which he’s now being framed.

Muncie is a complicated character who’s struggling to reconnect with his ideals as well as his estranged family: wife Elena (Marsha

Glen It’s also complicated by Killebrew’s political ambitions. She’s up for reelection, and she’s hoping a conviction in this case will assure she remains district attorney. Meanwhile, Sythe’s public defender, Eric Resnick (Chris Messina), is overworked and frankly doing a poor job of proving an alternate theory to the DA’s domestic violence argument. Why couldn’t it have been a hit-and-run? Why not more thoroughly challenge the state’s eyewitness, who couldn’t possibly have seen clearly that night? Like 12 Angry Men (1957), we witness the machinations in the deliberation room. e jurors are tired and want to get it over with, and most initially favor conviction.

Stephanie Blake), son Demetrius (Thaddeus J. Mixson), and daughter from a previous relationship, Kallie (Gabrielle Graham). As the noose around his frame job tightens, his family is endangered. Of the multiple law enforcement agencies with Muncie in their crosshairs, only idealistic but irreverent FBI Agent Franco Quinones (John Ortiz) seems willing to hear him out. Throw in a huge tech company with its eyes set on controlling politicians, a white supremacist organization called The Forge, and a gun-fanatic libertarian/antifa organization called Profane Discord, and you have a lot of players up against one smart, resourceful, but outnumbered man. (eight 43- to 58-min. episodes) —Glen

IN THE CROSSHAIRS Colman Domingo stars as media pundit Muncie Daniels, who stumbles upon a murder and now finds himself both a suspect and at the center of a conspiracy, in The Madness, streaming on Netflix.

Anna It certainly brings to light the uncomfortable truth: Justice in the hands of human beings is awed and imperfect. ere are no winners here. e lm does a great job at conveying the discomfort of it all. While the circumstances are certainly ginned up for the big screen, the fact is that wrongful convictions happen all the time. Eastwood’s direction pays homage to 12 Angry Men while subtly marrying the consequences of conscience and selfpreservation. It’s de nitely worth a watch. ∆

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

THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT

What’s it rated? PG-13

When? 2024

Where’s it showing? Netflix

Writer-director Tyler Perry (Madea’s Family Reunion, Dairy of a Mad Black Woman) helms this World War II drama based on Kevin M. Hymel’s 2019 WWII History magazine article, “Fighting a Two-Front War,” about the 855 Black women of the 6888th Central Post Directory Battalion, who joined the war effort to alleviate the three-year backlog of undelivered mail. The film follows young Lena Derriecott (Ebony Obsidian) after the loss of her young love overseas as she joins the army in a mix of fury and grief. She and fellow recruits are

commanded by Maj. Adams (Kerry Washington), a career military woman who runs a tight ship despite the ever-present racism and sexism that comes from above. Adams has finally been given a mission overseas and six months to accomplish it—getting mail to soldiers that has long been moldering in airplane hangars. The task seems insurmountable, and the unit has been set up to fail. Little do those men know how much these women will accomplish and how far the touch of humanity will reach.  The film’s pretty cheesy, but it tugged at

RACE AGAINST TIME

Maj. Charity Adams (Kerry Washington), leader of the all-Black all-female 6888th Central Post Directory Battalion, must battle time and racism to deliver a three-year backlog of mail during World War II, in The Six Triple Eight, streaming on Netflix.

TORN ASUNDER District Attorney Faith Killebrew (Toni Collett) speaks to Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult), a conflicted juror in a high-profile murder case, in director Clint Eastwood’s legal thriller, Juror #2, streaming on Max.

COURTESY PHOTO BY CLAIRE FOLGER/WARNER BROS.

COURTESY PHOTO BY BOB MAHONEY/PERRY WELLS FILMS 2/NETFLIX

COURTESY PHOTO BY AMANDA MATLOVICH/NETFLIX

BY GLEN STARKEY

Bay Loves Baez

Local duo Bay Love plays their Joan Baez tribute at the Cambria Center for the Arts

Joan Baez is a folk icon, arguably the most famous American folk singer of the 20th century, praised for her distinctive style, her commitment to social justice, and preternatural ability to interpret other writers’ songs.

Next week, local acoustic duo Bay Love, featuring Linda Martin and Kevin Termunde, will present The Lady From The House In The Tree (A Tribute To Joan Baez) at the Cambria Center for the Arts on Sunday, Jan. 12 (2 to 4 p.m.; all ages; $25 plus fees at my805tix.com). I’m telling you about this early because it will sell out.

According to the band, the show is “a 32song acoustic experience celebrating the life and career of an amazing artist, peace activist, and humanitarian. Based on the Bay Love original song of the same name, the show is a musical journey lightly tracing Joan’s footsteps from the 1960s to present. Revisit classics such as ‘Diamonds & Rust,’ ‘The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,’ ‘There But For Fortune,’ ‘Blowin’ In The Wind,’ ‘House of the Rising Sun,’ and many more sing-along favorites. Become inspired by the music of Joan Baez!”

So, what inspired Bay Love to create this tribute?

“We love Joan Baez because she has dedicated her life and 60-plus-year

Live Music

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

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.

DEJA VU Enjoy live tunes from five talented Central Coast-based musicians. Jan. 4 2-5 p.m. Free admission. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312, thesirenmorrobay.com/.

HAZARD CANYON A four-piece

Americana/country cover band based out of SLO County. Jan. 4 7:30-10:30 p.m. Free admission. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312, thesirenmorrobay.com/.

HEART AND SOUL SONG CIRCLE All voices are welcome, no matter how you think you sound. It’s about showing up, expressing yourself, and feeling the transformative power of rhythm and song in the collective energy. Jan. 3 4:30-6 p.m. my805tix.com/. Central Coast Body Therapy Center, 2005 9th St., Los Osos, (805) 709-2227.

JOAN BAEZ TRIBUTE CONCERT: “THE LADY FROM THE HOUSE IN THE TREE” Los Osos band BAY LOVE presents a 32-

song acoustic experience, celebrating the life and career of Joan Baez. Visit the site for more info. Jan. 12 , 2-4 p.m. $20-$25. Cambria Center for the Arts, 1350 Main St., Cambria.

JOHNNY MARFA AND THE LIGHTS

Described as “a Southern-fried, Cali-fied, Texas tornado of good times.” Jan. 11 , 2-5 p.m. Free admission. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312, thesirenmorrobay.com/.

LIVE MUSIC WITH GUITAR WIZ AT LUNADA GARDEN BISTRO “Guitar Wizard” Billy Foppiano plays a wide range of music, including blues, R&B, classic rock, and more. Second Sunday of every month, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (805) 900-

career to advocating for human rights and nonviolent peace activism,” Martin explained. “We resonate deeply with those causes, and we knew that by creating this project—born of our pandemic downtime—we could share these ideals in a meaningful way. Music has a unique ability to unify people, and it reaches across barriers that society increasingly creates to divide us. Promoting awareness and connection is our goal.”

It began in 2020 when Bay Love wrote the song the show takes its title from.

“The title draws from the fun fact that Joan loves to spend time in the treehouse she has enjoyed on her property in Northern California for many years,” Martin continued. “The studio track can be downloaded for free at our website, baylove.net, and each attendee will be invited to take a CD single home with them from the performance.”

It’s more than just a musical journey. You’ll learn something too.

“We give information and tell a few stories about the tunes we chose to highlight, and we invite our audience to sing along with many of her well-known songs. We hope our guests will feel the sweet nostalgia of days gone by,

5444. Lunada Garden Bistro, 78 N. Ocean Ave., Cayucos.

THE METEORS Attendees can look forward to a high energy rock show. Jan. 12 7-10 p.m. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312, thesirenmorrobay.com/.

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

STEVIE NICKS ILLUSION A live

as well as feel inspired to help us spread Joan’s message of advocacy and nonviolence.”

This is the duo’s fourth year performing their tribute, and they note the performance falls on Baez’s 84th birthday weekend.

“She’ll turn 84 years young just days before the show! We had the opportunity to meet her last year at one of her book signings in San Francisco, and we gifted her the CD of our song. It feels good to know that she had the opportunity to hear it, and to share with her how much her music means to us and the world!”

All profits from the show are donated to local food banks.

Free at The Siren

The Siren has you covered this week with three free shows. See Three4All on Friday, Jan. 3 (7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older). Expect classic rock, Motown, and more. The power trio puts a fresh spin on ’80s, ’90s, and today’s music. See Déjà Vu on Saturday, Jan. 4 (2 to 5 p.m.; 21-and-older). The quintet plays a variety of covers from classic rock to country to R&B to Top 40, spanning five decades of crowd-pleasing music.

tribute to Nicks. For ages 21 and over. Jan. 11 8-10:30 p.m. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312, thesirenmorrobay.com/.

THREE 4 ALL A Central Coast-based power trio. Jan. 3 , 7:30-10:30 p.m. Free admission. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312, thesirenmorrobay.com/.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

FRIDAY NIGHT DJ Weekly DJ series, with a different DJ every Friday. Presented by friends at Traffic Record store in Atascadero. Come listen, dance, drink, and unwind every Friday. All ages event; no cover charge. Fridays, 7-10 p.m. (805)

460-6042. ancientowlbeergarden.com. Ancient Owl Beer Garden, 6090 El Camino Real, suite C, Atascadero. MOZART AND BEETHOVEN Features Ernesto Cruz, clarinet soloist. Presented by Symphony of the Vines. Jan. 12 4 p.m. my805tix.com/. Mission San Miguel Arcángel, 775 Mission St., San Miguel. OPEN MIC NIGHT Hosted by The Journals 805 (John and Dylan Krause). Mondays, 9 p.m. Pine Street Saloon, 1234 Pine St., Paso Robles.

SINGING HANDS CHILDREN’S CHOIR A unique performing arts group that performs across the state for deaf

A NOD TO THE QUEEN OF FOLK Local duo Bay Love, shown here performing their Joan Baez tribute in Jack Kerouac Alley near City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco, will perform their show The Lady From The House In The Tree (A Tribute To Joan Baez) at the Cambria Center for the Arts on Jan. 12

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BAY LOVE

HANGING WITH JOAN The two members of Bay Love, Kevin Termunde and Linda Martin, got to meet Joan Baez (right) during a book signing in 2023, where they gave her a copy of their original tribute song.

STARKEY continued page 26

Finally, Americana and country quartet Hazard Canyon plays on Saturday, Jan. 4 (7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older). The band includes Todd Davidson (vocals and acoustic guitar), Jacob Odell (lead guitar), Tom Morrison (vocals, harmonic, and bass), and Charlie Trujillo (drums), and they cover tracks such as “Lonely Ol Night” by John Mellencamp, “That’s How I Got to Memphis” by Tom T. Hall, “Peach Fuzz” by Caamp, “OD’d in Denver” by Hank Williams Jr., “Cabin Down Below” by Tom Petty, and “Ain’t Waitin’” by Justin Townes Earle.

New Times interviewed frontman Todd Davidson. How’d they get together and how do they choose their material?

“We’re a newer local band formed in 2024. The extended autonomous COVID period precluded band get-togethers, so the acoustic guitar was played a lot by various members as lone accompaniment. The acoustic guitar-driven deep dives rekindled a love for Americana grooves and good roots country, fueling a dynamic set list for Hazard Canyon to share with our local music community. We love to play songs with catchy choruses and danceable rhythms,” Davidson said.

Any interest in writing some originals?

“We’re writing some original music now, yet we are having a blast taking our own spin on tons of fun Americana and country songs out there as well,” Davidson explained.

What’re the live gigs like?

“We have over 35 songs and growing. We have a three-hour setlist, plus extras. We cover a wide range of songs from older Waylon Jennings, Tom Petty, Neil Young to Ben Harper, Caamp, Vincent Neal Emerson, and Khruangbin.”

Why Hazard Canyon? Is it the surf spot in Montaña de Oro?

“Yes indeed. Our band name origin is a play on Hazardous Outlaws, Dukes of Hazzard bootleggers, and Hazard Canyon of Montaña de Oro.”

What else should people know about the music?

“Our bassist, Tom Morrisson, is an extremely versatile multi-instrumentalist that plays bass, harmonica, and sings, often performing all three stylings within one song. Our lead guitarist, Jake Odell, is a studied musician and has a deeply versatile music catalog. Jake plays in many other popular local bands and teaches guitar

to a vast group of aspiring students. Our drummer, Charlie Trujillo, plays one of the most rhythmically locked-in country train beats in SLO County, yet he is historically a punk drummer. As our lead singer, I also play rhythm guitar and have an engaging, rich tenor voice that calls you to join in on each song. Bring your dancing shoes and good energy!”

Miss Leo’s shotgun blast of songs

“Back in May, I spent a day of recording and filming at a log cabin out in the country in gorgeous Parkfield,” Miss Leo wrote to her mailing list. “I pumped out 13 songs in one live session, just my guitar and me. We tracked eight originals and five covers with a live video performance of every song. To ring in the New Year, every Friday in

January I’ll be releasing a song and video from the session on all platforms. Finally, on Feb. 7, I will release the whole collection Live From Middle Ridge on all streaming platforms! This fun little solo project is something that I’m hoping will help me and the Handsome Fellers gain some more traction to get started on our second fullforce studio album in 2025.”

Miss Leo, aka Lauren Williams, arrived on the Central Coast in 2015 and spends her days as a K-8 music teacher. Her band was originally called Miss Leo and Her Bluegrass Boys, “a feminist jab at the male dominated, traditional bluegrass scene,” as she notes on her website. The name eventually changed to Miss Leo and the Handsome Fellers, and their debut, 2021’s All I Need, landed Miss Leo two New Times Music Awards.

“One of my main goals as an independent musician is for the songs that I put into the world find their way to the right ears,” she continued. “Here’s how you can help: Head to my YouTube channel to pre-save the videos of the five singles coming out in January so you can be the first to watch. Make sure to save/like my songs on Spotify or iTunes or wherever you listen to music, add them to playlists, and share with friends. And of course, come to live shows and bring your friends.”

You can buy Miss Leo’s music online at missleomusic.bandcamp.com. You can keep up with her at missleomusic.com, where you can also find her upcoming gigs. This month she plays at Niffy’s Merrimaker on Friday, Jan. 17 (8 p.m.), and Club Car Bar on Saturday, Jan. 25 (7 p.m.). ∆

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

MIDDLE RIDGE COMING DOWN Americana singer-songwriter Miss Leo will be releasing new music and video every Friday through January, starting Jan. 3 , from her upcoming album, Live from Middle Ridge, dropping on Feb. 7. She’s also playing live this month at Niffy’s Merrimaker on Jan. 17; and Club Car Bar on Jan. 25

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. STILL NOT A TOUR AT MOZZI’S Gehrig Kniffen and Green Room are celebrating the release of ‘97 their new album. They will be in Cambria celebrating the project. Visit site for tickets and more info. Jan. 4 9 p.m.-midnight (805) 835-6453. Mozzis Saloon, 2262 Main Street, Cambria.

Sound out! Send music and club information to gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

BILL MAYS TRIO NYC-based trio will hit the stage. Get tickets and more info at the link. Jan. 11 , 7:30-9:30 p.m. $40. Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, 1701 Fredericks Street, San Luis Obispo. BRASS MASH: FIRST FRIDAY First Fridays are magical nights filled with the vibrant energy of our all-horn band. Join the festivities at Liquid Gravity and immerse yourself in the unique fusion of your favorite rock and pop songs. First Friday of every month, 6-10 p.m. my805tix.com. Liquid Gravity, 675 Clarion Court, San Luis Obispo.

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) 5442100. Bon Temps Creole Cafe, 1819 Osos Street, San Luis Obispo, bontempscreolecafe.com/index.htm.

W. TERRENCE SPILLER PIANO RECITAL Professor Emeritus W. Terrence Spiller will perform Béla Bartok’s demanding Sonata and Franz Schubert’s legendary “Wanderer” Fantasy, among various selections. Jan. 10 7:30 p.m. $22 general; $12 students. (805) 756-4849. music.calpoly.edu. Spanos Theatre, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

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

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

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

LADIES NIGHT OUT Music by DJ Van Gloryious and DJ Panda. Features delicious daiquiri specials. Thursdays, 8 p.m.midnight Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, (805) 623-8866.

LIVE MUSIC AND FOOD BY LOBO BUTCHER SHOP Check out live music every Friday night from a variety of artists at Steller’s Cellar in Old Orcutt. Dinner served by Lobo Butcher Shop between 5 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 5-9 p.m. Varies according to food options. (805) 623-5129. stellerscellar.com. Steller’s Cellar, 405 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt.

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

MUSIC LESSONS AT COELHO ACADEMY Learn to play piano, drums, guitar, base, ukulele, or violin, or take vocal lessons. ongoing (805) 925-0464. coelhomusic.com/ Lessons/lessons.html. Coelho Academy of Music, 325 E. Betteravia Rd., Santa Maria.

SUNDAY NIGHT FUN End the weekend with some good vibes. Music by DJ Van Gloryious. Sundays, 8 p.m.-midnight Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, (805) 623-8866.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

KARAOKE AT COLD COAST BREWING CO. Pick out a song, bring your friends, and get ready to perform. Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m. COLD Coast Brewing Company, 118 W Ocean Ave., Lompoc, (805) 819-0723, coldcoastbrewing.com.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

LIVE MUSIC SUNDAYS Sundays, 2-6 p.m. Brick Barn Wine Estate, 795 W. Hwy 246, Buellton, (805) 686-1208, brickbarnwineestate.com.

NIGHTLY LIGHT AND MUSIC SHOWS This holiday-themed, choreographed light and music display, which is free to attend, entails two different shows that will alternate on the hour each evening. Through Jan. 5, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 p.m. solvangusa.com/ things-to-do/solvang-julefest/. Solvang Park, Mission Dr. and First St., Solvang. WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Brick Barn Wine Estate, 795 W. Hwy 246, Buellton, (805) 686-1208, brickbarnwineestate.com. ∆ LIVE MUSIC from page 24

COURTESY PHOTO BY CASEY FERA

A DANGEROUSLY GOOD TIME Americana and country quartet Hazard Canyon plays a free show at The Siren on Jan. 4

Flavor

Make it dirty

Diet Coke with lime and coconut, please— a local’s look into Utah’s ever-growing soda culture

Igrew up in Utah’s soda culture, so Diet Coke is basically in my blood. But I was surprised when I moved to the Central Coast to find that “dirty soda” wasn’t a thing—in fact, multiple people have asked me if Utah’s soda obsession is real.

I can tell you it is real, and it’s real serious. What’s a dirty soda? It’s your typical fountain drink, but with added syrups, creams, and even gummy candy. Think of it like a coffee shop, but with Diet Coke and a dash or two of diabetes.

Utah is home to the dirty soda. According to Visit Utah, Utahns have obsessed over sugary beverages since 2010 when a now popular soda shop named Swig opened in southern Utah, in St. George, and created the first dirty Diet Coke—Diet Coke, fresh lime, coconut syrup, and a touch of half-and-half.

Now, hundreds of shops alongside Swig, like Fiiz, Sodalicious, and Thirst serve sodas up dirty throughout the state, offering customers nearly every flavor imaginable. No one asked, but my favorite is Diet Dr. Pepper with raspberry syrup and coconut cream.

One reason the phenomenon of soda culture may have taken off in Utah? The state’s majority religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), or Mormonism. Under LDS doctrine, members are discouraged from drinking any hot, strong, or alcoholic beverages including coffee and tea.

Former Sodalicious employee Mary Allen said she believes soda could be a modern-day loophole when it comes to the local doctrine.

“In some of their scripture, it isn’t something that they’re supposed to partake in,” Allen said. “And so, kind of a loophole that modern day members have found is that soda doesn’t count.”

Having worked in a Sodalicious shop for five years, Allen said most the shop’s daily customers were “Mormon moms” who had just dropped their kids off at school.

“It was a lot of moms going throughout their day,” she said, explaining some would even arrive at 7:30 a.m. ordering a 44-ounce beverage.

“I would say the main sizes we ever sold were 32 and 44 ounces,” she said. “We went through those cups a lot faster.”

Soda shops also offer smaller sizes. But Allen said that when an adult ordered a 16-ounce fancy drink, like a Sodalicious Blue

In addition to sodas, which can contain more than 90 grams of sugar and 500 calories, soda shop menus often also include treats like frosted sugar cookies, pretzel bites, and beignets.

Shirley Temple—7Up soda with blue cotton candy and a maraschino cherry—she always assumed they were from elsewhere.

“Every time an adult person would order a small size drink I’d be like, ‘Oh, are you from out of town?’ They’re like, ‘Yeah, I’m here on business,’” she said with a laugh. “They’d always order one of the fun drinks just to try it, and it’s more of a novelty. But for a lot of regulars, it’s a way of life, you know, you have their drinks ready by the time they get to the window, because you see them every day.”

Former soda shop employee Anna once worked for two competing soda shops at the same time, Swig and Fiiz. She attributed Utah’s soda craze to the state’s religion and its high alcohol prices. Mark-up prices were recently raised from 88 percent to 88.5 percent in February, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

“I mean, yeah, if you live in a state where alcohol has giant taxes, and 60 percent of the population doesn’t believe in drinking, I guess soda happens,” she said. “There’s a lot of sweets that happen, because with things like cookies and other things, there’s just a sugar culture for some reason.”

Soda culture hit the national stage after appearing on reality TV show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Cast member Demi Engemann said that Mormon moms don’t do drugs or drink alcohol, so soda was “kind of their vice.”

through only. San Luis Obispo banned drivethroughs in 1982 and polystyrene products (including Styrofoam) in 2015.

“The big thing for a soda shop is you want it close to an elementary or high school or junior high. So when parents are dropping their kids off, they can drive here and get their drinks … and also right by LDS churches,” she said.

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

According to reporting by the Salt Lake Tribune, the soda shop industry expanded into 22 other states including Nevada, Arizona, and Washington. But California’s a holdout.

Self-proclaimed Diet Coke lover Teresa Karas is a franchise owner of two Fiiz locations in North Salt Lake with her husband. She said they decided to open a shop after their friends and neighbors missed one that closed down the street from their house.

“It was weird that it was gone—it just disappeared, and people loved it, and they wanted it there again,” she said.

Karas doesn’t imagine soda shops would be too popular in places like California because there are fewer Mormons, but also because of environmental factors.

According to Karas, a successful Fiiz shop uses Styrofoam cups and must have a drivethrough—many shops operate by drive-

Karas said Fiiz franchise owners are required to follow company guidelines, which includes using only Fiiz branded Styrofoam cups.

“That’s what keeps your cup cold,” she said. “But I do know that’s been a big factor [in California]. Stores have not opened there.”

Former Sodalicious employee Allen said that Utah’s craze is here to stay.

“I think people from out of state don’t really see it as much. It’s not like pop doesn’t exist in other places, but definitely not at the consumption rate that it does here,” Allen said. “So, all of that is to say I have no idea how a soda shop would do in a place like California, but I do know that people who kind of start to frequent those places start to understand it more.” ∆

Staff Writer Libbey Hanson is impatiently waiting for the second season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Team Taylor or Whitney? Let her know at lhanson@newtimesslo.com.

DRIVE-THRU ONLY Many soda shops offer drive-through service only and have closed lobbies, like this Swig location in Ogden,

HAPPY FLIGHT Soda shops can be found every couple of miles in Utah, including a Thirst location in the Salt Lake City International Airport.

DIRTY DIET COKE Diet Coke, fresh lime, coconut syrup, and a dash of half-and-half is the most popular drink among Utah moms, according to former soda shop employees.

Utah.

FIIZ FLAVOR Utah soda shops can have up to 92 flavors of syrup to make the most customizable sodas possible in up to 44-ounce cups.

Ontario Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. San Luis Obispo County. The Fictitious Business Name referred to above was filed in San Luis Obispo County on 09/11/2024. The following person(s) has abandoned the use of the fictitious business name: Patrick Sean Vance (5430 Ontario Road San Luis Obispo, CA 93405). This business was conducted by An Individual Patrick Sean Vance. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 11/21/2024. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk. By mmaltby, Deputy Clerk. December 26, 2024, January 2, 9, 16, 2025 SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL)

NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: (AVISO AL DEMANDADO) NESTOR FRANCISC ACOSTA CHAVEZ aka NESTOR ACOSTA aka NESTOR F. ACOSTA, an individual; and DOES 1 through 20, inclusive

YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (LO ESTÁ DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): THE GOLDEN 1 CREDIT UNION, a California corporation, CASE NUMBER (Número del caso): 24CV-0588

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

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

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

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

Tiene 30 DIAS DE CALENDARIO despues de que le entreguen esta citacion y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefonica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted puede usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y mas informacion en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www. sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentacion, pida al secretario de la corte que le de un formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte la podra quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia. Hay otros requistos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remision a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para ob-

tener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniendose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperacion de $10,000 o mas de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una consesion de arbitraje en un caso dce derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.

CASE NUMBER: (Número del caso): 24CV-0588

The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y dirección de la corte es) SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 1035 PALM STREET SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93408

The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la dirección y número de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): Karel Rocha 212413

Prenovost, Normandin, Dawe & Rocha 2122 North Broadway, Suite 200 Santa Ana, CA, 92706 (714) 547-2444

Date: (Fecha) 09/20/2024

By: /s/ Michael Powell, Clerk, by (Secretario); Carol L. McGuirk, Deputy (Adjunto)

NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: You are served as an individual defendant.

December 12, 19, 26, 2024, & January 2, 2025 SUMMONS

NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: Bradshaw Construction, Inc., Casey Bradshaw and DOES 1-10, inclusive YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: Jeanne Dickey CASE NUMBER: 24CV-0253

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

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

CASE NUMBER: 24CV-0253

The name and address of the court is: Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo 1050 Monterey Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: Daniel J. Knight, The Law Offices of Daniel J. Knight, PLC, 1103 Johnson Avenue San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

805-316-1180

Date: 04/04/2023 By: /s/ Michael Powell, Clerk, M. Zepeda, Deputy Clerk

December 12, 19, 26, 2024, & January 2, 2025

T.S. No.: 2016-01804-CA

A.P.N.:092-137-008

Property Address: 759 Viola Court, Nipomo, CA 93444

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 요

있습니다 NOTA: SE ADJUNTA UN RESUMEN DE LA INFORMACIÓN DE ESTE DOCUMENTO TALA: MAYROONG BUOD NG IMPORMASYON SA DOKUMENTONG ITO NA NAKALAKIP LƯU Ý: KÈM THEO ĐÂY LÀ BẢN TRÌNH BÀY TÓM LƯỢC VỀ THÔNG TIN TRONG TÀI LIỆU NÀY

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 04/04/2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED

And

of Trust Recorded 04/18/2007 as Instrument No. 2007026248 in book —-, page—and of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of San Luis Obispo County, California, Date of Sale: 03/04/2025 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: $ 473,324.45 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: 759 Viola Court, Nipomo, CA 93444

A.P.N.: 092-137-008

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: $ 473,324.45.

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

NOTICE TO POTENTIAL

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

lien. If you are the

bidder at the

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

You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on 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 2016-01804-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 2016-01804-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

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Deputy. Exp. 11/06/2029. December 19, 26, 2024, January 2, 9, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2024-2298 TRANSACTION BUSINESS DATE (09/06/2024) New Filing The following person is doing business as, BROAD ST SMILES 2240 Emily St Ste 150 San Luis Obispo CA 93401. County of San Luis Obispo. Chet L. Jenkins, D.D.S., Inc. (410 N 44th St #600 Phoenix, AZ 85008).

NOTICE OF ADOPTION AND SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE 3521

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING LOCAL STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE DESIGN, SITE DEVELOPMENT, AND OPERATION OF EMERGENCY HOMELESS SHELTERS AT PUBLIC FACILITIES

INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors held on the 12th day of November, 2024, and PASSED and ADOPTED by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Luis Obispo, State of California, on the 17th day of December, 2024, by the following roll call vote, to wit:

AYES: Supervisors John Peschong, Bruce S. Gibson, Dawn Ortiz-Legg, Jimmy Paulding and Chairperson Debbie Arnold

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAINING: None

Certified copies of the full text of the ordinances may be purchased at reproduction cost or reviewed without charge in the San Luis Obispo County Administrative Office, 1055 Monterey St., Room #D430, County Government Center, San Luis Obispo, California 93408, or on the County’s website at slocounty.ca.gov.

DATED: December 30, 2024

Matthew P. Pontes, Ex-Officio Clerk of the Board of Supervisors

By: /s/ Niki Martin

Deputy Clerk

*Attachment 1 is not attached hereto and is available in the Administrative Office and online at https://agenda.slocounty.ca.gov/ iip/sanluisobispo/agendaitem/ details/18256, Meeting Date: 12/17/24, Agenda Item No. 32.

January 2, 2025

DATE: Tuesday, January 28, 2025

TIME: 6:00 p.m.

PLACE: City of Atascadero Council Chambers 6500 Palma Avenue Atascadero, CA 93422

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Atascadero will hold a PUBLIC HEARING in- person at the time and place indicated above to consider a General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, Specific Plan Amendment, Master Plan of Development, and Conditional Use Permit for the Del Rio Ranch project located at 4999, 5505, 5701, 5703, & 5705 Del Rio Road and, 2005, 2055, 2115, 2205, 2325, 2375, & 2405 El Camino Real (APNs 049-112-002, 049-112018, 049-112-019, 049-112-022, 049-112-036, 049-112-040, 049-151-005, 049-151-036, 049151-037, 049-151-040, and 049-151-041). The project proposes an RV resort on a 26-acre site on the southeast corner of Del Rio Road and El Camino Real within the Del Rio Road Commercial Area Specific Plan area. The development concept includes 98 RV sites, 70 glamping sites, and associated amenities such as a central lodge, guest pools, and restaurant. Two commercial buildings are proposed at the corner of Del Rio Road and El Camino Real with an 18-unit hotel on the upper floors. A height modification is requested for these buildings to allow a 50’ building height and an exception is requested to allow full kitchens in all hotel rooms. An event space is proposed along El Camino Real. A Final Environmental Impact Report was previously certified for the Specific Plan. An Addendum to this Environmental Impact Report has been prepared for the Project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., “CEQA”) and CEQA Guidelines (Title 14 California Code of Regulations §§ 15000, et seq.) Sections 15162 and 15164 (DEV24-0044).

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that if a challenge to the above action is made in court, persons may be limited to raising only those issues they or someone else raised at the public hearing described in the notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Council at, or prior to, the public hearing.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS are invited to attend in-person and will be given an opportunity to speak in favor of, or opposition to, the above-proposed project. Written comments are also accepted by the City Clerk, prior to the hearing at 6500 Palma Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422 or cityclerk@ atascadero.org and will be distributed to the City Council. Written public comments must be received by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Email comments must identify the Agenda Item Number in the subject line of the email. Written comments will not be read into the record.

Information regarding the hearing is filed in the Community Development Department. If you have any questions, please call Planning Services or visit the office at 6500 Palma Ave., by appointment only, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. All documents related to the project will be available for review on the City’s website 72 hours prior to the public hearing at www.atascadero. org/agendas.

DATED: December 30, 2024

S/ L Christensen, City Clerk

PUBLISH: January 2, 2025 CITY

NOTICE OF 30-DAY PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE 2025 ACTION PLAN DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS FOR CDBG, HOME, PLHA, AND TITLE 29 FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE URBAN COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO

The Urban County of San Luis Obispo has released draft Affordable Housing funding recommendations for the 2025 Action Plan pursuant to the requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The draft Affordable Housing Recommendations are recommended to receive funding through the 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership (HOME), State Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA), and County of San Luis Obispo Title 29 Funds. The Draft 2025 Action Plan Affordable Housing Recommendations are available online at https:// slocounty.gov/homeless for a 30-day public review and comment period. The last day to comment is February 2, 2025.

A public hearing regarding the draft funding recommendations for 2025 Action Plan Affordable Housing projects will be held before the County Board of Supervisors on February 4, 2025, to solicit additional feedback and comments prior to approval of the draft funding recommendations. Please submit any questions or comments related to the proposed recommendations to SS_HSDinfo@co.slo.ca.us.January 2, 2025

CITY OF ATASCADERO

NOTICE OF CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING

DATE: Tuesday, January 14, 2025

TIME: 6:00 p.m.

PLACE: City of Atascadero Council Chambers 6500 Palma Avenue Atascadero, CA 93422

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Atascadero will hold a PUBLIC HEARING in- person at the time and place indicated above to consider an ordinance to establish a Downtown Entertainment Zone, as permitted under Senate Bill 969, authorizing consumption of alcoholic beverages on public streets, sidewalks, or public rightsof-way. Alcoholic beverages must be sold by participating businesses with valid ABC licensing that abut the entertainment zone. Alcohol sales by participating will be limited to specified hours. Offsite consumption of alcoholic beverages shall be limited to the boundaries of the entertainment zone. This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Public resources Code Section 21000 et seq., because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the enactment of this Ordinance would have a significant effect on the environment (Pub. Resources Code § 21065; CEQA Guidelines §15061(b)(3).) (CPP 2024-0102)

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that if a challenge to the above action is made in court, persons may be limited to raising only those issues they or someone else raised at the public hearing described in the notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Council at, or prior to, the public hearing.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS are invited to attend in-person and will be given an opportunity to speak in favor of, or opposition to, the aboveproposed project. Written comments are also accepted by the City Clerk, prior to the hearing at 6500 Palma Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422 or cityclerk@atascadero.org and will be distributed to the City Council. Written public comments must be received by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Email comments must identify the Agenda Item Number in the subject line of the email. Written comments will not be read into the record.

Information regarding the hearing is filed in the Community Development Department. If you have any questions, please call Planning Services or visit the office at 6500 Palma Ave., by appointment only, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. All documents related to the project will be available for review on the City’s website 72 hours prior to the public hearing at www.atascadero.org/agendas.

DATED: December 30, 2024

S/ K Gleason, Planning Manager

PUBLISH: January 2, 2025

District: District 2 Assessor Parcel Number(s): Date Accepted: 12/3/2024

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 Nicole Ellis, Project Manager, in the Department of Planning

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES DETERMINING THAT THE PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY REQUIRE THAT THE RATE AND METHOD OF APPORTIONMENT OF SPECIAL TAX FOR IMPROVEMENT AREA NO. 2 OF CITY OF PASO ROBLES COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2022-1N (OLSEN/SOUTH CHANDLER RANCH – FACILITIES) BE REVISED

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on December 3, 2024, the City Council of the City of El Paso de Robles (the “City”) adopted Resolution No. 24-139, (the “Resolution”) scheduling a public hearing for 6:30 p.m. on January 15, 2025 in the City Council Chambers located at City Hall, 1000 Spring Street, Paso Robles, California, upon said resolution which initiates proceedings for consideration to revise the Rate and Method of Apportionment of Special Tax for Improvement Area No. 2 of the City of Paso Robles Community Facilities District No. 2022-1N (Olsen/South Chandler Ranch – Facilities) (the “Community Facilities District”).

The Resolution provides in summary as follows:

1. The City Council of the City (the “City Council”) finds that (a) the public convenience and necessity require the proposed changes, (b) there are not any persons registered to vote within the territory of Improvement Area No. 2 of the Community Facilities District; and (c) pursuant to Section 53326 of the Government Code, the vote in the special election on the changes which are proposed by the Resolution, if it is held, shall, therefore, be by the landowners within Improvement Area No. 2 of the Community Facilities District, with each landowner of record at the close of the public hearing having one vote for each acre or portion of an acre of land that he or she owns within Improvement Area No. 2.

2. The Community Facilities District is “City of Paso Robles Community Facilities District No. 2022-1N (Olsen/ South Chandler Ranch – Facilities).” The territory within Improvement Area No. 2 of the Community Facilities District is generally shown and described on the boundary map entitled “Boundaries of City of Paso Robles Community Facilities District No. 2022-1N (Olsen Ranch/South Chandler Ranch – Facilities), County of San Luis Obispo, State of California” recorded on July 8, 2022 in Book 6 of Maps of Assessment and Community Facilities Districts at Pages 3637, and as Document No. 2022-028170, in the Office of the County Recorder in the County of San Luis Obispo, State of California.

3. It is proposed that the Rate and Method of Apportionment of Special Tax for Improvement Area No. 2 shall be revised as set forth in Exhibit “A” of the Resolution.

4. A public hearing regarding the proposed changes identified in Section 3 hereof has been set for 6:30 p.m. on January 15, 2025, in the City Council Chambers located at City Hall, 1000 Spring Street, Paso Robles, California.

5. Since no persons are registered to vote within the territory of Improvement Area No. 2, pursuant to Section 53326 of the Government Code (“Section 53326”), the vote in the special election on the changes which are proposed by the Resolution will be by the landowners of the property located within Improvement Area No. 2, with each landowner of record at the close of the public hearing having one vote for each acre or portion of an acre of land that he or she owns within Improvement Area No. 2, and the special election shall be conducted as a mail ballot election. The special election shall be conducted by the City Clerk (the “City Clerk”). The special election shall be held on the earliest date following the conclusion of the public hearing, as may be selected by the City Council, pursuant to Section 53326, or such earlier date as the owners of land within Improvement Area No. 2 and the City Clerk agree and concur is acceptable. Pursuant to Section 53326, the special election may be held earlier than 90 days following the close of the public hearing if the qualified electors of Improvement Area No. 2 waive the time limits for conducting the election set forth in Section 53326 by unanimous written consent and the City Clerk concurs in such earlier election date as shall be consented to by the qualified electors. Pursuant to Section 53326, ballots for the special election shall be distributed to the qualified electors by the City Clerk by mail with return postage prepaid, or by personal service, and the special election shall be conducted in conformance with the applicable requirements of Section 53326, 53327 and 53327.5 of the Government Code. The procedures set forth in this section for conducting the special election, if it is held, may be modified as the City Council may determine to be necessary or desirable by a resolution subsequently adopted by the City Council.

A copy of the Resolution may be reviewed or obtained at the office of the City Clerk at 1000 Spring Street, Paso Robles, California.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that at the hearing the testimony of all interested persons or taxpayers for or against the proposed revision of the Rate and Method of Apportionment of Special Tax for Improvement Area No. 2, as provided in the Resolution, will be heard. If 50% or more of the registered voters, or six registered voters, whichever is more, residing within Improvement Area No. 2, or the owners of one-half or more of the area of the land in said territory, file written protests against the proposed revisions to the Rate and Method of Apportionment of Special Tax for Improvement Area No. 2, the City Council shall not proceed further with proceedings with respect to such matters and such matters shall not be included in a resolution adopted by the City Council for a period of one (1) year from the date of the decision of the City Council on the hearing.

SAID PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD BY THE CITY COUNCIL on January 15, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located at City Hall, 1000 Spring Street, Paso Robles, California, at which time any person desiring to be heard may appear.

/s/ Melissa Boyer

City Clerk

January 2, 2025

PUBLISHED NOTICE INVITING BIDS

PASO ROBLES AIRFIELD

PAVEMENT REPAIRS

PROJECT NO. 24-23

SEALED BIDS will be received by the City Clerk, or designee, of the City of El Paso de Robles until February 6, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. for the Paso Robles Airfield Pavement Repairs, DPW Project No. 24-23. Please be certain that any bid submitted is sealed and addressed and noted as follows:

City Clerk City of El Paso de Robles 1000 Spring Street Paso Robles, CA 93446

Sealed Bid for Paso Robles Airfield Pavement Repairs, DPW Project No. 24-23

Following the closure of the bid submittal period, bids will be publicly opened and read for performing work as follows: Furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, and performing all work necessary and incidental to the construction of the project known as Paso Robles Airfield Pavement Repairs, DPW Project No. 2423, according to drawings and specifications prepared by the City of El Paso de Robles and according to the Contract Documents. The work shall include, but is not limited to, localized pavement rehabilitation on the northwest and transient ramp that includes full depth reconstruction, crack routing and filling, mill and fill and slurry seal, and placing new taxiway centerline pavement markings on the taxiway, ramp, and helipad areas. Contractor to provide all necessary work plans, permits, and inspections necessary, all as shown on the plans and/or as specified herein.

Project is to be completed within Fifteen (15) WORKING days from the date specified in the Notice to Proceed. The Contractor shall pay to the City of El Paso de Robles the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), for each and every calendar day’s delay in finishing the work in excess of the calendar day completion time.

A non-mandatory pre-bid conference has been scheduled at 10AM on January 24, 2025, at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport. PLEASE BE ON TIME.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Date: January 2, 2025 By: Ditas Esperanza P.E. Capital Projects Engineer

Publication Dates: - January 2, 2025 - January 16, 2025

Free Will Astrology by Rob Brezsny

Homework: Visualize yourself accomplishing a goal you would have thought impossible a year ago. Newsletter.freewillastrology.com

ARIES

(March 21-April 19): There are experiences, people, and places that can either be good for you or bad for you. Which way they tilt at any particular time may depend on your mood or their mood or forces beyond your immediate control. An example for me is social media. Sometimes it’s a mediocre drug that dulls my sensibilities and aggravates my fears. On other occasions, it brings rich new connections and teaches me lessons I’m thrilled to learn. What about you, Aries? In my astrological view, 2025 will be a time when you will be wise to re-evaluate and redefine your relationships with these paradoxical resources. If there are some whose influence is far more likely to be bad than good, consider ending your bond. For those that are equally bad and good, do what you can do to enhance the goodness.

TAURUS

(April 20-May 20): Taurus supermodel Linda Evangelista has supreme levels of self-esteem. At the height of her career, she bragged that she got out of bed each morning with the intention of earning no less than $10,000 in the coming day. I’m not advocating that you be equally audacious in your expectations during 2025, dear Taurus. But it’s reasonable for you to adopt at least a measure of Evangelista’s financial confidence. According to my analysis of your destiny, cosmic rhythms will be conspiring to open up economic opportunities for you.

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20): In 2025, dear Gemini, I invite you to make ample use of at least five of the following 11 tactics: 1. Shatter the molds. 2. Defy the conventions. 3. Challenge the norms. 4. Redefine the boundaries. 5. Disrupt the status quo. 6. Defy old rules and create new ones. 7. Go against the flow and against the grain. 8. Bushwhack through frontiers. 9. Dance to unfamiliar rhythms. 10. Search for curious treasures. 11. Change the way you change.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22): Good advice for the first half of 2025: 1. Lose your respect for tangled complications that have begun to rot. 2. Keep some of your necessary protective defenses, yes, but shed those that no longer serve you and are weighing you down. 3. Bury a broken-down dream to make room in your heart for a sweet new dream. 4. Scour away as much resentment as you can. 5. Sneak away from people and situations that are far too demanding. 6. Discard as much as you can of what’s inessential, unhelpful, and defunct. 7. Don’t make a radical break for freedom yet, but begin plotting to do so by your birthday.

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22): The coming months will be an excellent time to dream up bigger, better, more original sins and seek out wilder, wetter, more interesting problems. You should experiment with being naughty and even sweetly wicked as you uplift your spirit and deepen your love for life. You are being invited by your future self to experiment with daring departures from tradition that bring you exciting challenges. Dear Leo, my wish for you in 2025 is that you will be cheerfully courageous (not belligerently courageous) as you become both smarter and wiser than you have ever been before.

VIRGO

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Aztecs were originally known as the Mēxihcah people. Before they forged an empire, they were semi-nomadic tribes. But even then, early on, they were guided by a prophecy that they would eventually settle permanently in a place where they found an eagle roosting on a cactus holding a snake in its talons. In 1325, wanderers spied this precise scenario on a small island in Lake Texcoco. Soon they began to construct the city of Tenochtitlan, the capital of their future kingdom. I bring this true myth to your attention, Virgo, because I want to invite you to formulate a similar prophecy in 2025—and then fulfill it. Your personal empire is primed for expansion and consolidation.

LIBRA

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): As 2025 unfolds, your burdens will grow lighter, and your duties will become more interesting. Joyless missions and trivial hopes will be increasingly irrelevant and easy to relinquish, opening up opportunities for fresh assignments that motivate you to play more and to work smarter rather than harder. During the coming months, dear Libra, I predict you will be basking in extra good karma and tapping into more fertile mojo than you have in a long time. Would you like more freedom than ever before? It’s yours for the plucking.

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Painter P. K. Mahanandia is well-known because of his fine art. He is even more famous for an amazing adventure he had in the name of love. It’s a long story, but his wife was living in her native Sweden while he was stuck in his native India. Mahanandia was still at an early stage of his career and couldn’t afford to fly by plane. Instead, he bought a used bicycle and headed west, covering about 27 miles per day. He pedaled through Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey until he arrived in Europe 127 days later. He had raised money by drawing portraits of people he met along the way, so he had enough to travel by train the rest of the way to Sweden. I’m thinking you may have an epic romantic adventure yourself in 2025, Scorpio. Maybe not quite as extreme, but very interesting.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): To symbolize your destiny in 2025, I drew a Tarot card. It was the 9 of Cups. Here’s my four-part interpretation: 1. Sometime soon, you should identify your top desires and ruminate about how to express them in the most beautiful and fulfilling ways possible. 2. Take a vow that you will shed half-hearted, insecure approaches for bringing them to fruition. 3. Be uninhibited about seeking not just a partial but a complete version of each fulfillment. 4. Figure out which allies you will need in your life to manifest the happiest and most meaningful outcomes.

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’re the most pragmatic sign of the zodiac and are most highly skilled at getting constructive things done. It’s also true that you thrive on organizing the chaotic details of our messy world into smooth-functioning systems. But I periodically need to remind you that these superpowers of yours require you to nurture a vigorous and rigorous imagination. All of what you ultimately accomplish originates in the fantasy realm. This will be especially crucial for you to keep in mind during 2025.

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The Mona Lisa is a world-famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci. Beneath its visible surface is evidence that the artist reworked it extensively. There are at least three earlier versions with different facial features. In one, the figure has eyebrows and is wearing hairpins and a headdress. These details were scrubbed out of the image that now hangs in the Louvre Museum in Paris. I bring this to your attention, Aquarius, because I suspect you have been engaged in a comparable process as you have worked on your labor of love. In my reckoning, you’re finished with your false starts, practice runs, and dress rehearsals. In the coming months, you can make excellent progress toward ripening and culminating your creation.

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20): Ancient Greek literature references a drug called nepenthe. Anyone who ingested it would forget memories that stirred pain and sorrow. Many of us modern people might consider taking such medicine if it were available. But let’s imagine a very different potion: one that arouses vivid memories of all the wonderful experiences we have been blessed with. If there were such a thing, I would recommend that you sample it frequently in the months to come. That’s because your relationship with the good parts of your past will be especially useful and inspirational. In fact, drawing on their power will be instrumental in helping you create your best possible future. ∆