Sun, May 4, 2023

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association has ID’d sites in federal waters for potential future fish farms in order to improve the economy, remain competitive in the seafood industry, and have a reliable source of food. One of those areas is the Santa Barbara Channel. While advocates say that the farms could create an environmentally sustainable source of food for the U.S., at least one organization believes that offshore agriculture will pollute the oceans, damage ecosystems, and cause algal blooms in nearby areas. Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor speaks with some of the groups involved about what fish farms are and their pros and cons [7].

This week, you can also read about why the Solvang City Council changed its mind about hanging Pride banners in town [4]; digital views of nature at Mystic Nature, Nipomo’s new art gallery [22]; and Nena’s Kitchen’s new permanent spot in Orcutt [25].

Camillia

Lanham editor

OCEAN FARMING: Raising fish in submerged cages offshore is one way the federal government envisions the future of seafood, identifying potential sites for future farms that include areas of the Santa Barbara Channel.

Cover photo courtesy of Andrianna Natsoulas > Cover design by Alex Zuniga

Our team at Pediatric Medical Group is dedicated to the health and well-being of your child. Whether you have an infant, preschooler or teenager, we work closely with parents to make sure that our care meets their children’s personal needs.

Call to schedule your child’s well exam today.

• The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was set to host a public forum on May 3 to discuss the license renewal process for Diablo Canyon Power Plant, agreeing to an invitation from U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara), according to a statement from the representative’s office. The commission planned to answer questions directly from Central Coast residents on the process and assessments that will certify the plant’s safety. “Discussions about the future of energy production on the Central Coast must include Central Coast communities—and I appreciate Chairman [Christopher] Hanson for heeding my request for the NRC to give our region’s residents a chance to ask questions and hear how our federal regulators will ensure the safety of Diablo Canyon remains the top priority in the next phase of its lifespan,” Carbajal said in the statement. Since the original proposed extension of Diablo Canyon’s lifespan last April, Carbajal has repeatedly stressed the importance of federal regulators, state agencies, and utility leaders engaging directly with Central Coast residents. He previously helped push for a public forum last August by the California Energy Commission, California Independent System Operator, and the office of Gov. Gavin Newsom to allow for similar questions and public engagement.

• U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-California) and Patty Murray (D-Washington) reintroduced legislation to protect abortion providers from attempts to restrict their practice, according to an April 26 statement from Padilla’s office. The Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act would ensure that doctors can continue to safely provide legal abortion care and protect health care providers from being held liable for providing abortion services to patients from other states. “Abortion access is a fundamental right, and we must protect the courageous health care providers that are delivering this essential medical care to those who need it,” Padilla said in a statement. “As Republicans work relentlessly to pass cruel laws dismantling reproductive rights that put lives at risk, we must do everything in our power to protect people in states run by anti-abortion legislatures.” Specifically, the bill will protect providers in states where abortion is legal from being subject to laws that try to prevent them from providing services to patients from other states; prohibit federal funds from being used to pursue legal cases against individuals who access legal reproductive health care services in states where abortion is legal; create a new grant program at the Department of Health and Human Services to support reproductive health care providers in obtaining physical, cyber, or data privacy security upgrades necessary to protect their patients; and protect providers from being denied professional liability insurance solely because of legal health services offered to patients.

• Gov. Gavin Newsom announced funding for the next round of the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) Program, which fights climate change by providing grants to projects that conserve agricultural lands and encourage sustainable development, according to an April 27 statement from Newsom’s office. Since the first round of awards in 2015, SALC has awarded $373 million to projects in 36 counties, permanently conserving more than 194,000 acres of agricultural land. “California is enlisting our working lands to fight climate change, support local economies, and combat urban sprawl,” Newsom said in a statement. “Across the state, we’ve conserved thousands of acres of agricultural land under this program, and will continue to support a wide range of innovative projects to reduce emissions and protect our communities.” The SALC program prioritizes funding for projects that benefit California Native American tribes, beginning farmers and ranchers, farmers and ranchers who are U.S. military veterans, and farmers who live in disadvantaged or low-income communities. m

Solvang approves Pride banner proposal and adjusts banner policies

What started as a simple proposal to hang Pride banners throughout June in Solvang turned into a months-long, widespread debate that received international attention and highlighted historic discrimination against the LGBTQ-plus community in the Danishthemed town.

“The banners are not what caused the division; people have created the division. Me being gay is not being political,” Kiel Cavalli said during public comment at the April 24 City Council meeting. “I have nothing to gain from this other than representation. Other than my kids walking down the street, seeing a rainbow banner on a light pole for two weeks and saying, ‘Papa, look at that. That’s who we are.’”

After two hours of public comment and discussion, people cheered, applauded, gasped, and shouted “no” as the Solvang City Council voted 3-2 (with councilmembers Robert Clarke and David Brown dissenting) to approve the LGBTQ-plus nonprofit The Rainbow House Inc.’s reapplication to hang redesigned, Pridethemed banners for two weeks in June.

“What became evident throughout this entire thing is the fact that systematic homophobia and racism is not just visible, but encouraged within the council and within their communication,” said Cavalli, one of the co-founders of the Rainbow House Inc.

When the nonprofit first proposed the project, Solvang residents and City Council members claimed that Pride banners go against the city’s Danish roots, promote the politics and

exclusivity of one group, and are not a symbol that is welcoming to all.

“You cannot say this town is welcoming and kind unless you have been gay and walking in my street while being spat upon. By being told that I am not enough, that I am not welcome, and [being] called slurs that I will not repeat,” Cavalli said.

The approved, redesigned banner will say “Solvang Pride” in the center with “All Welcome” in English beneath it and a windmill blocked in rainbow colors.

Councilmember Elizabeth Orona said that the applicant modified the proposal in a way that aligns with other applications the city’s accepted in the past and that the city has an opportunity to move forward in a positive way.

“I want to acknowledge that this is probably uncomfortable for many people who don’t understand this community, but that is the point,” Orona said. “We need to move forward and accept some change and accept some discomfort, and frankly we already made this decision 10 months ago when we proclaimed the Pride Month of June and we agreed to a parade.”

In that context, she added, this application is “simply to enhance this event” and adding eight banners to city lightposts is “really pretty simple,” she said.

Following the approval, City Council also reviewed Solvang’s banner policy guidelines in order to avoid situations like this from happening in the future.

According to the staff report, the city’s banner policy was last updated in 2011 and says that banners need to assist in advertising and promoting destinations or events that support tourism in Solvang, must be a part of a Solvang-sponsored special event, and match the Danish theme.

After debate that took the meeting past 11 p.m., the City Council voted 4-1 (with Councilmember Clarke dissenting) to only allow the Solvang banner, which features the Danish flag and a gold crown, to hang on all street lights for the moment—with the exception of the approved Pride banners and the Pacific Conservatory Theatre’s banners. The city will no longer accept banner applications, but may add banners to an integrated marketing plan that the city plans to develop, Orona said.

“A banner isn’t going to drive someone to the city, but a banner could drive them to do something additional while they’re here, or to an event they didn’t know about—especially when it’s in anticipation of an event,” she said. “It gives the city personality.”

—Taylor O’Connor

Buellton approves library retrofit of Willemsen House

Rather than fund the construction of a new library facility from scratch, the Buellton City Council recently greenlit plans to retrofit a historic site to become the city’s next public library. The proposed project—for the Willemsen House on Dairyland Road, adjacent to River View Park—was approved with a 4-1 vote during the council’s last meeting of April. The City Council was originally set to decide on the project in February but agreed to table the vote

until researching whether building a library from the ground up would be less expensive than a retrofit.

Buellton’s city staff brought the estimated costs to the April 27 meeting. The cost estimate for the retrofit is $1.4 million, while the ballpark cost for a new building ranges between $1.8 million and $6.7 million, according to the staff report.

After city staff’s presentation, the vote to move the retrofit proposal forward would have been unanimous if the cost difference had changed Councilmember Hudson Hornick’s stance against the proposed location for the project.

“I am supportive of this project going forward, but I do have very large concerns about all the things that we’re putting in a residential neighborhood,” said Hornick, who voiced his concern about the planned meeting rooms— intended for various clubs and other groups to use—for the facility and the number of visitors the amenity would bring to the River View Park area.

“We’re going to have a serious traffic problem,” said Hornick, who argued that street parking in the River View Park neighborhood would become congested, even with a designated parking area for library visitors.

“I know that we plan on having people parked down below, but, having said that, people are going to take the path of least resistance—they’re going to park in front of the property, they’re going to park in front of people’s houses,” Hornick said. “It’s going to happen.”

Hornick also said he believed the planned inclusion of meeting rooms at the proposed site could cause unwanted distractions between users of the rooms and readers in the library.

“These meeting rooms will have people come congregate for a yoga class, or whatever else,” Hornick said. “I don’t know if these designs incorporate soundproofing for the said yoga classes, or whatever else, adjacent to people reading in the library.”

Councilmember David Silva said that the specific uses of the new library should be saved for a different discussion and voiced his support in approving the retrofit proposal.

“I think that structurally, it makes sense; financially it makes sense. When it comes to how to have more books, how to have better hours of operation, I don’t think that’s for us to solve at this time,” Silva said. “This is something that I think we owe our community. We owe our community an amenity investment.”

“I think it’s good for us to show that we are serious about investing in our library and what that means to everyone in the community,” Silva added.

—Caleb Wiseblood

Santa Maria care provider pays more than $500,000 in back wages after federal investigation

A U.S. Department of Labor investigation found Bauer Residential Inc. denied overtime wages to 42 caregivers, violating the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act, and created a second payroll to hide the fraud, Wage and Hour Division Investigator Philipda Modrakee told the Sun.

“Careworkers are the backbone of our country. They’re low-wage workers, they have to receive hard-earned wages they are legally due and work tirelessly for,” Modrakee said.

Bauer Residential is an adult and senior residential care facility that has four locations in Santa Maria and one in Nipomo. The Wage and Hour Division recovered $545,655 in wages and liquidated damages for 42 affected caregivers— whose payments in back wages and damages ranged from $124 to $22,477 per individual, according to a statement from the Department of Labor—and required Bauer to pay $24,402 for

NEW LOOK: The Solvang City Council approved The Rainbow House Inc.’s reapplication to hang a redesigned Pride-themed banner for two weeks in June after months of debate.

its “willful violations.”

In fiscal year 2022, the Wage and Hour Division recovered $14.9 million in back wages for more than 22,000 workers in the health care industry, according to a statement from the Department of Labor.

The investigation—which included all five locations—found that Bauer required its caregivers to sign away their right to overtime in exchange for an extra $1 per hour—rather than receiving time-and-a-half—violating federal labor laws, Modrakee said.

“They [employers] can ask employees to sign whatever they want, but at the end of the day, employees have to receive time-anda-half,” Modrakee said. “We’re not going to acknowledge that [agreement] because their right is to receive time-and-a-half if they worked more than 40 hours.”

In addition, Bauer created separate sets of time cards for its employees rather than having one time card for each employee, failing to keep an accurate log of hours worked and resulting in additional record-keeping violations, she said.

“Let’s say one set shows 30 hours and another shows another 30. If they didn’t combine the hours, then we are going to think that they only worked 30, but combining the time cards equals 60 hours,” Modrakee said.

In addition to paying the wages back and violation fees, Bauer also wrote a formal letter to the Department of Labor stating that it will be in compliance with the law moving forward and it is actively making changes to be in compliance, she said.

Bauer Residential Inc. could not be reached before the Sun’s deadline for comment.

Although Modrakee couldn’t go into details about this

specific investigation, typically the Department of Labor starts looking into a company through an employee-filed complaint, a random inspection, or a competitor-filed complaint.

As part of the procedures, the department will reach out to the employer to make an appointment where investigators ask how they pay employees and ask for records, and then they will hold interviews with the employees, she said.

While the division tries to expedite each case, conclusions depend on the size of the company, the amount of employees, and the number of violations, Modrakee added.

“Our job is to put all sides of the story together to see if there’s any labor violation or overtime violations, and to see if they are in compliance with the [Fair Labor Standards Act] or not,” Modrakee said.

The department also conducts outreach to employees and organizations, works with Spanish-speaking consulants to answer questions in Spanish, and has online resources and a breakdown of labor laws, Wage and Hour Division Assistant District Director Eduardo Huerta said.

Anyone cooperating with an investigation is protected and there’s on-site prevention against the employer coming back to ask for wages or to threaten employees into providing false statements, Huerta said.

“This is an industry that’s very important to us. … We don’t reveal the names of complainants to employers. It’s completely confidential and protected from any retaliatory acts,” Huerta said. “It’s something that we’re fully open to listening to and ready to address their complaints or issues.” m

—Taylor O’Connor

A safe seafood supply?

Local,

BY TAYLOR O’CONNOR

Environmental advocacy groups, local fisheries, chefs, and law firms are working their way up the food chain to get President Joe Biden to revoke a Trump-era executive order allowing fish farms in federal waters—with eight potential sites identified in the Santa Barbara Channel.

“This is your backyard, and they are treating your backyard like a playground for industry to come in, pollute, and destroy local environment, local economies, and the local coastal communities,” said Andrianna Natsoulas, campaign director for Don’t Cage Our Oceans.

Offshore fish farms, or offshore aquaculture, uses fish cages that are submerged in deep water and cultivate fish, which can cause ecosystem damage and pollution, Natsoulas said

Don’t Cage Our Oceans is a national coalition of organizations and businesses that fight offshore fish farming through policy, legislation, and coalition building. It also supports wild-caught fish operations, community-based oyster and mussel farming, and seaweed farming, she said.

Along with calling for policy change, part of the organization’s work includes calling on Biden to revoke a 2019 executive order signed by then President Donald Trump—which made it easier for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to identify potential sites for fish farms in federal waters in order to improve the economy, remain competitive in the seafood industry, and have a reliable sustainable source of food, according to the Federal Register.

“The name of it, which is quite benign, promotes seafood competitiveness and economic growth, but in reality what this order focuses on is opening our federal waters to offshore fish farms,” Natsoulas said.

Although no one has claimed any of the 10 available federal sites—including those in the Santa Barbara Channel—Don’t Cage Our Oceans is circulating a petition, requesting Biden revoke the executive order in order to prevent any development and protect the environment.

“We will continue to pressure Biden to revoke this executive order that is not in the benefit of Americans, coastal communities, and our marine environment,” Natsoulas said.

Meanwhile, NOAA remains supportive of offshore aquaculture. Advocates say that the farms benefit local economies and create an environmentally sustainable source of food for the United States, and they’re pushing for a federal bill that would create a regulatory system for aquaculture in the country.

“These companies are just looking to fill their pockets; they are not looking to feed the people or support the communities or ecosystem,” Natsoulas said. “You have the communities that

rely on tourism and [other] industries that will get decimated.”

Lauren Gaches, a NOAA spokesperson, told the Sun via email that aquaculture is vital for supporting the nation’s seafood production, year-round jobs, rebuilding protected species and habitats, and enhancing coastal resilience.

“Globally, aquaculture supplies more than 50 percent of all seafood produced for human consumption—and that percentage will continue to rise,” Gaches said. “At NOAA Fisheries, we support cutting-edge science and research as well as federal policymaking and regulation to grow sustainable aquaculture in the United States while supporting commercial and recreational fisheries.”

NOAA also supports science, policies, and regulations that allow communities to reap the social, economic, and environmental benefits of aquaculture, she added.

Don’t Cage Our Oceans Campaign Director Natsoulas said that offshore aquaculture would cause greater water pollution, ecosystem damage, marine mammal life loss, and algal blooms in nearby areas.

“Like pigs in a pen of a concentrated animal feeding operation, they are raising millions of fish at sea. What happens when you raise millions of one fish? Diseases spread. Parasites,” she said.

In order to manage disease and parasites, farmers mix antibiotics into the fish feed—which is then released by fish waste into the natural environment, Natsoulas said. The feed includes smaller fish that the entire marine ecosystem depends on and mixes soy and corn into the diet.

“We’re mixing genetically modified corn and soy into the fish’s feed. The problems pile on top, so that means genetically modified organism residue is coming out in fish waste and releasing into the ecosystem,” she said. “If the fish are not fed wild fish, the nutritional value declines.”

Cages also go missing or break open, Natsoulas said, releasing farmed fish into the wild that can often pass fatal diseases to other fish populations.

“This form of fish farming is devastating to the marine environment, it promotes a net loss of animal protein, and is ecologically unsustainable,” Natsoulas later added in an email. “There is a massive carbon footprint associated with the global sourcing, capturing, blending, and shipping of feed inputs to go into the fish feed, and related infrastructure associated with keeping them in cages, feeding them, medicating them, and harvesting them.”

If these fish are actually sold in the U.S., her email continued, farms will likely undercut wild fisheries and drive small businesses to closure.

She cited Alaska as an example. The state banned farming in 1990 to protect the wild system the state depends on, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

“You’re talking about entire communities and dockside infrastructure and hundreds of families that depend on fishing,” she told the Sun “These fish farms are not owned by community members, it’s not private business, it is fish farms that get backing from huge corporations that are outside the U.S.”

Drue Banta Winters, the campaign manager for Stronger America Through Seafood—a national organization that represents companies across the seafood supply chain—said that the U.S. currently imports 85 percent of the seafood it consumes and added that offshore aquaculture would help supply a source of protein in a sustainable and healthy way.

“We are already eating farm-raised fish; it’s just coming from other countries. Why wouldn’t we do this and build that industry here? It just makes sense while we’re safeguarding our seafood supply and a healthy source of protein,” she said.

Fish receive precise diets with soy, insects, algae, and seaweed. Antibiotics are used as an absolute last resort, she said, and farmers tend to use probiotics or vaccinations instead. Escapes rarely happen, she added, due to advanced technology and monitoring.

“Opponents are citing water quality, disease, and escape, and use of antibiotics as reasons that offshore aquaculture is not environmentally friendly, [but] much has changed over the past 20 years,” Winters said. “Siting is the best way to reduce water quality impacts—the right place, with the right current and depth. The ability to site a farm has

changed the landscape around aquaculture.” Aquaculture operations are also subject to heavy environmental regulation, taking years to get through the permitting process, and offshore aquaculture siting—picking the specific areas for fish farms—is environmentally sustainable, avoids conflicts with other users, and mitigates impacts to marine mammals, Winters said.

As wild capture is impacted by climate change, revoking the executive order would be “unfortunate” for the U.S. because it would take away the ability to create a steady supply of fish coming into ports—which could create longlasting jobs in coastal communities, she said.

Now, Stronger America Through Seafood is advocating for the bipartisan Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act: a federal bill that would establish a regulatory permitting system for offshore aquaculture, Winters said. It wouldn’t eliminate any environmental regulations; rather it gives certainty to which federal agency oversees the industry and sets a national plan to find sites well suited for aquaculture.

The bill was reintroduced in October 2021 by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) after the senators first introduced the legislation in 2020. “Climate change is changing the dynamics of fisheries and changing ocean conditions,” Winters said. “I think from both sides of the aisle we understand the AQUAA Act is a bipartisan bill and safeguards our seafood supply.” m

Reach Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor at toconnor@ santamariasun.com.

national organizations debate fish farming as federal agencies identify potential sites in Santa Barbara Channel

FISH FARMING: Offshore aquaculture uses submerged cages to cultivate millions of fish to provide a steady supply of seafood. Environmental advocates are calling for a stop to fish farming as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration identifies potential farming sites, with eight in the Santa Barbara Channel.

Helpful and healthy

Junior high school teacher-hosted spin class fundraiser benefits Cottage Children’s Hospital

BY TAYLOR O’CONNOR

When Amanda James’ mother passed away last Christmas, it made her want to do something to give back to her community.

As someone who’s always been into health and fitness and as a special education teacher at Santa Maria-Bonita School District’s Tommie Kunst Junior High School, she said wanted to do something that would benefit children who are either severely handicapped or sick while promoting health and wellness to fellow teachers or adults, James said.

She landed on the idea of hosting an event at Orcutt’s Lift Cycle Studio, where teachers or adults take a spin class for $10 or could donate without participating, and all funds would go toward Cottage Children’s Medical Center in Santa Barbara, she said.

“It was a two-fold thing: raising money for the medical center and introducing the staff to something new, something different to keep them healthy mentally and physically,” James said.

She approached Cottage, which told her the medical center needed new craft supplies and new library books—which James said was the “perfect tie-in.”

Teachers went through a spin class on Feb. 26 that had multiple raffles, a take-home goodie bag, and catered food at the end. The class raised $1,340 for the Santa Barbara Cottage Children’s Medical Center.

“It was overwhelming. I didn’t think it’d be as successful as it was, but the overwhelming part was the actual atmosphere and the feedback from the teachers and the staff. To see people taking on their fitness goals, aiming for higher, aiming for more. That was really big, that was huge,” James said.

Cottage allocated the dollars to its Children’s Miracle Network, which funds lifesaving technology and equipment, family overnight housing while their child is in the hospital, a playroom, and pediatric behavior and mental health support, she added.

Cottage Children’s Hospital told James in an email that the money would impact all of the categories the miracle network supports, which are considered to be some of Cottage’s “greatest pediatric needs right now.”

“It’s heartwarming to present a check to the children’s hospital and to just receive all the gratitude and

thanks from people,” James said. “It was just a life-changing thing for me, really. It makes me want to do more.”

Now, James said she’d like to host more fundraisers that stay in the theme of health and fitness and benefit organizations that serve the local Santa Maria and Orcutt communities.

“I think I see participation increasing, but I’m also aware [that in] recent years [people] are struggling so I want to keep it simple, low cost, but keep it beneficial,” she said. “I want to make sure they get something out of it. Whoever participates or donates is also getting something back out of it as well.”

She added that she’s currently seeking different organizations to benefit. Send suggestions for local organizations to amandajamesfit@yahoo.com.

Highlights

• Get ready to jump on a bike this May and take part in CycleMAYnia 2023. More than 23 events and activities countywide are offered as part of celebrating National Bike Month, each uniquely designed for kids, families, adults, and commuters. The public can join CycleMAYnia events and take on challenges to earn achievement badges for sponsored giveaways plus the chance to win an electric Radwagon cargo bike. There are also hidden badges participants can unlock for more chances to win throughout the month. An events and activities calendar is available online at cyclemaynia.org.

• After a three-year pause, the Cottage Mental Health Fair is back in person where residents can receive information about mental illness, substance use disorders, and services available in the community. This year’s fair will be held at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital on May 6 at 10 a.m. The event will feature 15 to 20 community nonprofit agencies covering topics including mental health and wellness, substance use disorders, community resources, wellness, and recovery. The fair also features a presentation on the opioid crisis, fentanyl, overdoses, and how to save a life with naloxone. No registration is required. Contact Frances McKinney at (805) 569-7471 or fmickinne@sbch.org for more information. m

Reach Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor at toconnor@ santamariasun.com

TWO-SIDED IMPACTS: Some of the Tommie Kunst Junior High staff who participated in the spin cycle fundraiser, from left to right: Gail Roemling, Sara Garcia, Lisette Murillo, Kendall Kline, Marc Metoyer, Amanda James, and Karina Delgadillo.

Winning Images

THE RULES:

Entry divisions are either ADULT or YOUTH (photographers who are under 18)

ADULT

• Categories are: Animals, Flora, Land/Seascapes, People, Travel, Open and In Motion which can include any interpretation of action or motion.

• All images must be submitted digitally via our online entry form, where the category can be selected.

• A completed online entry form MUST be submitted for EACH photo entered.

• Entrants are asked to submit a high-quality digital file of their image (jpeg format, at least 300 dpi) on the submission form.

• Photos submitted in previous years are ineligible.

• All photos must be the original, creative work of the submitting photographer.

• All photographs must be taken within the boundaries of San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara counties – except submissions to the Travel and Open categories – for which photos may be taken anywhere.

• Entries are $10 per photo.

• After entering your photos, submit your payment online You may also mail a check (made payable to New Times) to: Winning Images, c/o New Times, 1010 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. Be sure to include your name, address, email, and a brief description of the photo(s) entered online.

• Photos must be received and entry fees must be paid in full by 5 P.M. ON MONDAY, MAY 15, 2023, to be considered officially entered.

• Entry in the contest constitutes permission to use the photo in the paper, online, and for display.

• Judges have the right to reassign categories for mislabeled or misfiled photos at their discretion.

YOUTH

IT’S TIME FOR OUR 28TH ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST!

CATEGORIES: ANIMALS · FLORA · IN MOTION · LAND/SEASCAPES · PEOPLE · TRAVEL · OPEN · YOUTH

Win cash prizes, get published in our annual Winning Images issues on June 15, see your work in an online gallery, and be part of a show at The Photo Shop in San Luis Obispo!

(PHOTOGRAPHERS

WHO ARE UNDER 18 YEARS OLD)

• This is an OPEN category. Photographs can be of any subject of the entrant’s choosing, but must have been taken within the boundaries of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.

• Entrants must be younger than 18 years old as of June 15, 2023, and must be enrolled in any school (including a home school) that’s not a college. A winner’s legal guardian will be required to sign a release form.

• All other rules from the adult categories apply.

Winning photos will be published in the Thursday, June 15, 2023, issues of New Times and the Sun.

Shad Giordano, 2022

Jenn Lawrence, 2022

Cathy Wallace, 2022

Dan Baum, 2022

Bob Canepa, 2022

Lance Wilson, 2022

What do you think of the Santa Ynez High principal’s plan to resign after recent No Place for Hate incidents?

43% It’s a bummer. It’d be better if he could stick it out and make more positive changes.

29% It’s the right thing. The community clearly wants a different school leader.

14% It’s not something I’ve been following.

14% It’s complicated. There’s only so much one school official can do.

14 Votes Vote online at www.santamariasun.com.

Northern Santa Barbara County’s News & Entertainment Weekly

2646 Industrial Parkway, #200 Santa Maria, CA 93455

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING | 805-347-1968

E-MAIL | mail@santamariasun.com

WEB | www.santamariasun.com

FOUNDER | Steve Moss 1948-2005

EDITORIAL EDITOR | Camillia Lanham

ASSOCIATE EDITOR | Andrea Rooks

STAFF WRITERS | Taylor O’Connor

ARTS EDITOR | Caleb Wiseblood

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER | Jayson Mellom

ART DIRECTOR | Alex Zuniga

EDITORIAL DESIGNERS | Leni Litonjua, Taylor Saugstad

CONTRIBUTORS | Glen Starkey, Anna Starkey, Ross Mayfield

ADVERTISING

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE | Kimberly Rosa

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES | Katy Gray, Jennifer Herbaugh, Lee Ann Vermeulen, Drew Gilmore

PRODUCTION

ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER | Eva Lipson

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS | Eva Lipson, Ellen Fukumoto, Ikey Ipekjian, Mary Grace Flaus

Business Cindy Rucker

CIRCULATION | Jim Chaney, Michael Ferrell, Margo Baldives, Simon Lopez

PUBLISHERS | Bob Rucker, Alex Zuniga

OFFICE MANAGER | Patricia Horton

OFFICE ASSISTANT | Michael Gould

SUBMITTING LETTERS

WRITE | Mail your letter to Sun Letters, 2646 Industrial Parkway #200, Santa Maria, CA 93455. Include your name, address, and phone number. FAX | (805) 546-8641

E-MAIL | mail@santamariasun.com, letters@santamariasun.com

TO ADVERTISE

DISPLAY ADS | Rates and special discounts are available. Call our ad department at (805) 347-1968.

CLASSIFIEDS Call (805) 546-8208, Ext. 211. Visa and MasterCard accepted.

ONLINE

Visit the Sun web site at www.santamariasun.com.

Our site was developed and designed by Foundation, a website development company (www.publishwithfoundation.com).

The Sun is published every Thursday for your enjoyment. One copy of each issue is available free to Northern Santa Barbara County residents and visitors. Subscriptions to the Sun are $156 per year. The entire contents of the Sun are copyrighted by the Sun and cannot be reproduced without specific written permission from the publisher.

Because a product or service is advertised in the Sun does not mean that we endorse its use. We hope readers will use their own good judgement in choosing products most beneficial to their well-being.

We welcome submissions. Please accompany them with a selfaddressed, stamped envelope. All letters to the editor become the property of the Sun.

© 2023 Sun

A rock and a hard place

BY RON FINK

Previous Lompoc City Council members painted the current council into a corner because they had delayed an orderly schedule of electrical rate increases. Thus the staff is now predicting that at “the current projected pace of use of cash reserves, staff believes that with the 2011 rates in place currently, the Electric Fund will deplete its reserves by May 2023, and will reach a zero cash balance by November 2023.”

That’s not the place an enterprise wants to be in and a hole that it wouldn’t be able to dig itself out of without massive rate increases. Increasing utility rates is never elected officials’ favorite thing to do, thus the Lompoc City Council was faced with a difficult decision on April 18.

Skip even one year of adopting a low single-digit percentage increase, and you are guaranteeing a high rate increase in a future year. Skip two or three needed increases, and you are guaranteeing future double-digit increases. Failing to adopt needed utility rate increases will cause the utility to go bankrupt, and the city of Lompoc may find the decision-making process taken away from the council and administered by state level regulatory agencies and courts, with potential triple-digit increases.

Elected officials don’t like to raise user fees for service. When they do, customers (voters) aren’t going to be happy. For example, I applied the new proposed rate to my own electric bill. We use between 325 and 500 units of electricity during the winter months; however, it’s much higher during the summer because we can’t open the windows to cool the house because of the obnoxious cannabis odors coming from nearby county-approved grows.

The cost for each 325 to 500 units of power, average for my home, will be about $115 a month as opposed to the current rate of $70! As you can see, it’s going to put a big dent in our household budget.

Why has the cost of electrical service gone up so dramatically? One reason is that over the last 12 years, labor and material costs have gone up to operate and maintain the distribution system. In addition, the cost to produce electricity and bring it to Lompoc has increased.

For example, the Northern California Power Agency (NCPA), which is owned by several participating cities, generates power for our city from geothermal wells (renewable and reliable energy). But the staff says it isn’t enough to match the power needed to supply the city’s current system load. Therefore, Lompoc must purchase additional power from the open market.

Considering that the political party in power in our county and state has launched an all-out war on fossil fuels to generate electricity, the state only produces enough power to supply less that 20 percent of our daily needs, so we buy power from out-of-state suppliers, which according to staff represents “a five-fold increase year over year.”

Another factor is the cost associated with moving the power into the city. To do that, Lompoc relies on conveyance systems owned, operated, and maintained by for-profit utilities such as PG&E. Over the last couple of years, PG&E has upgraded the conveyance system, replaced aged equipment, and cleared vegetation away from the aboveground systems. These improvements cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and that cost is passed on to customers like the city of Lompoc.

But are the rate increase tables equitable? They assume that every residential customer at all income levels can afford to pay either a 30 percent or up to 50 percent rate increase.

California Assembly Bill 205 appears to address that situation, but it only applies to utilities regulated by the Public Utilities Commission. The City Council regulates all utilities in our city.

Other electric PUC-regulated utilities are using an income-based approach to rate increases instead of the approach being considered in the staff proposal. This assures that low- and fixed-income residents are provided power at a lower cost, but it is also what many people consider “income redistribution” or a regressive fee structure. What’s “fair” in this situation? Nothing is free in our society even though some people in elected positions think it should be. The government consists of resources (people and materials) that cost a lot of money and it must come from the users of those services, just like car repair shops, plumbers, electricians, landscapers, or any other service people use.

The right and “fair” way to assure that the electric utility was on sound economic footing was to allow the incremental rate increases that the council approved in 2011. Keep in mind that there have been only a handful of actions on electric rates since 1992.

Had the previous council majorities not tried to buy votes by nixing necessary rate increases, it is likely the current big increase would not have been needed. Even though some additional increases would likely have been needed today because of increased costs, they would not have been nearly as dramatic as the ones being proposed.

The City Council approved the rate increases and asked for a progress report in six months; they had no other choice. It makes you wonder what other fiscal surprises are lurking in the weeds because of the poorly informed choices made by past council members. m

Ron Fink writes to the Sun from Lompoc. Send a letter for publication to letters@ santamariasun.com.

WRITE NOW!

We want to know what you think about everything. Send your 250-word letter to Sun Letters, 2646 Industrial Parkway #200, Santa Maria, CA 93455. You can also fax it (1-805-546-8641) or e-mail it (letters@ santamariasun.com). All letters must include a name, address, and phone number for verification purposes; may be edited for space or clarity; and will be posted to santamariasun.com.

Exxon’s corroded pipeline

Exxon’s asking Santa Barbara County to allow it to reopen a 123-mile-long pipeline that caused the 142,000-gallon Refugio spill in 2015. The pipe is more than 30 years old, is eight years older now than when it caused that great destruction, and has not been fully inspected and repaired in all this time.

Rather than spend the money to repair the old pipe, Exxon proposes to install valves that would supposedly limit future spills to manageable levels.

That massive spill has done more than enough damage in our county. There are still countless clumps of tar below the sand’s surface. Will my wife and I ever again be able to walk on Refugio Beach without getting it on our feet?

The long list of Exxon’s calamitous accidents will continue to grow, wherever it operates and regardless of its assurances and claims of engineering advances and safe operating practices.

For decades, Exxon has found ways to avoid responsibility for full cleanup and restoration. And recovery is never complete.

The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission should consider the values of the Gaviota Coast Plan and Exxon’s historic record. Otherwise, the next ruinous Santa Barbara spill is surely only a matter of time.

Seth Steiner Los

Alamos

Lompoc City Council must now help the community face inevitable major electric rate increases

The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

Special Education

Child Find

The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (SMJUHSD) seeks to identify, locate, and evaluate high school age students suspected of having a disability who may be eligible for special education services designed to meet their educational needs at no cost to families. This includes students that are highly mobile, migrant, experiencing homelessness, students that are wards of the state, and students attending private schools located within SMJUHSD boundaries.

If you suspect your child has a disability, contact the school special education department or district office Special Education Department. Staff | Special Education | Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (smjuhsd.k12.ca.us)

El Distrito Escolar de las Escuelas Preparatorias de Santa Maria Educación Especial Búsqueda de Estudiantes

El Distrito Unificado de Escuelas Preparatorias de Santa Maria (SMJUHSD) busca identificar, localizar y evaluar a los estudiantes en edad de escuela preparatoria sospechosos de tener una discapacidad que puede ser elegible para servicios de educación especial diseñados para satisfacer sus necesidades educativas sin costo alguno para las familias. Esto incluye a los estudiantes que son altamente móviles, migrantes, sin hogar, estudiantes que están bajo la tutela del estado, y los estudiantes que asisten a escuelas privadas ubicadas dentro los limites de SMJUHSD. Si sospecha que su hijo tiene una discapacidad, comuníquese con el departamento de educación especial de la escuela u oficina de

WINNING IMAGES

ENTRY PERIOD: April 27–May 15

BOOK ADS BY: June 8

PUBLICATION DATE: June 15

SUMMER GUIDE

BOOK ADS BY: May 18

PUBLICATION DATE: May 25

PRIDE

BOOK ADS BY: May 25

PUBLICATION DATE: June 1

Enter the annual photography contest!

Your guide to all the summer fun on the Central Coast

Celebrate Pride and our LGBTQ+ community

GET OUTSIDE DEADLINE: June 15 · PUBLISHED: July

55 FICTION ENTER BY: June 23 · PUBLISHED: July 27

EDUCATION TODAY DEADLINE: August 3 · PUBLISHED: August 10

ATTENTION all former SMJUHSD Special Education Students born 1997 and 1998!

All records for any Special Education student that was born within 1997-1998 and attended a Santa Maria Joint Union High School District school, your physical special education records are available for pick up at no charge from the District Office. All 1997 Records not picked up by June 1, 2022 and 1998 Records not picked up by June 1, 2023 will be destroyed.

If you have any questions, or to arrange a pickup date/time, contact:

Sandra Hernandez/ Dept. of Special Education

Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

2560 Skyway Dr., Santa Maria, CA 93455

805-922-4573 ext. 4311

ATENCION estudiantes anteriores de SMJUHSD nacidos en 1997 y 1998!

Todos los registros de cualquier estudiante de Educación Especial que haya nacido dentro de 1997 -1998 y asistió a una escuela del Distrito Escolar de las escuelas preparatorias de Santa Maria, sus registros físicos de educación especial están disponibles para recoger sin cargo en la Oficina del Distrito. Todos los registros del 1997 que no hayan sido recogidos para el 1 de junio de 2022 y registros del 1998 que no hayan sido recogidos para el 1 de junio de 2023 serán destruidos.

Si tiene alguna pregunta, o para programar una fecha/hora de recogida, comuníquense con:

Sandra Hernandez/ Dept. de Educacion Especial

Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

2560 Skyway Dr., Santa Maria, CA 93455

805-922-4573 ext. 4311

News Wire

Perseverance payoff Opinion

Solvang Mayor Mark Infanti finally caved. Although he didn’t specify why he switched sides on Pride Bannergate 2023, he did indicate that he was feeling the pressure from the state, federal, and international levels. The pressure on Solvang seemed to continually rise in the weeks following the upheaval over a relatively benign proposal to hang banners from light poles in celebration of Pride Month and temporarily paint a crosswalk or two in rainbow colors.

It probably helped that The Rainbow House Inc., an LGBTQ-plus nonprofit, didn’t stop reapplying to put the banners up with new iterations of the proposal. Even threats of physical harm, elected officials being outwardly homophobic, and the city of Solvang denying the organization new hearings didn’t stop it from dusting itself off and trying again.

It probably helped that the media (That’s us!) continued to cover the issue as it unfolded and the pressure cooker started to crack certain council members (I’m talking about Robert Clarke and his big ass mouth. Has anyone ever told him to stick a sock in it?). Hey, Solvang even made the LA Times! Woohoo! And not for being a quaint Danish-themed town that’s great for wine tasting and Julefest-ing.

You know what they say: All coverage is good coverage—or whatever.

Kudos to Kiel and Matt Cavalli for continuing to push, for speaking up and out, and for conforming their proposal to work within the city of Solvang’s weird banner policies, as one does. On April 24, the council finally approved an iteration of banners for Pride Month: Two weeks, eight banners, very Solvang-themed—but with some rainbow pop!

It was a 3-2 vote, but still. Banners approved!

And kudos to Kiel for saying what needed to be said: “The banners are not what caused the division; people have created the division. Me being gay is not being political,” he told council members. “I have nothing to gain from this other than representation.”

If the two hours of public comment on April 24 and finale of jeers and gasps to the project’s approval are any indication of what the LGBTQplus community is up against in Solvang—it’s a lot. Like, a lot, a lot. And it’s a real bummer, too. With everything that a whole community of people could spend their time on, the city of Solvang, its residents, and elected officials chose to spend two months discussing whether to hang rainbow-themed banners from light poles during National Pride Month. Really? Not housing, homelessness, or economic issues. Not actual education and how to best serve underserved community members.

But banners and crosswalks. And why?

Because rainbows are apparently rife with consequences—and apparently so is representing and acknowledging minority, traditionally discriminated against community members. As a result of everything that’s transpired since the project was first introduced, a banner policy revamp flew to the top of the City Council’s to-do list. Now, nobody else can put their banners up. Are you anti-rainbow idiots happy? Probably. Because now no one can be represented or celebrated by the city of Solvang, except for its white, Danish, 1865 roots and the tourism that generates.

I wonder what kind of tourists the city will bring in this year. I hope it’s packed for Pride Month. m

The Canary is dyeing its feathers rainbow colors. Send pattern suggestions to canary@ santamariasun.com.

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

For more details:

bit.ly/55Fiction

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

Hot Stuff

RAISE THE WOOF

Zaca Mesa Winery in Los Olivos hosts its Dog Hike in the Vineyard event on Sunday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Guests are welcome to bring their dogs and enjoy a leisurely hike around the winery’s estate vineyard.

Lunch with gourmet hot dogs from the Doggy Door will be available with wine after the hike. Admission is $60. Visit zacamesa.com for more info. The vineyard is located at 6905 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos.

—Caleb Wiseblood

ARTS

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

AMERIPRISE ARTIST RECEPTION An Artist Reception for oil painter Susan Kounanis, whose lovely floral works are being shown. Meet the artist, and enjoy sips and nibbles. Art available to view through June. May 11 , 4-6 p.m. 805-9389724. mpf.com. Ameriprise Financial, 2605 S Miller St., suite 104, Santa Maria.

ARTISTIC SELF ART STUDIO For adults ages 50 and over. Bring your art projects and supplies and work on them in a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere with other artists. This is a drop-in program. Wednesdays, 9-10 a.m. through Dec. 27 Free. 805-925-0951. Elwin Mussell

Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

BALLROOM, LATIN, AND SWING DANCE

CLASSES Social ballroom, Latin, and swing lessons for all ages on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Beginner and advance classes. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m. $45-$55. 805-928-7799. Kleindancesarts. com. KleinDance Arts, 3558 Skyway Drive, suite A, Santa Maria.

BRIGHT STAR Steve Martin and Edie

Brickell’s Grammy and Tony-nominated musical weaves bluegrass and incredible true events into a rich, refreshingly genuine journey along the Blue Ridge Mountains. May 5, 7 p.m., May 6, 1:30 & 7 p.m., May 7, 1:30 p.m., May 12 7 p.m., May 13 1:30 & 7 p.m. and May 14, 1:30 p.m. Starting at $25. 805-922-8313. pcpa.org/events/bright-star.

PCPA: The Pacific Conservatory Theatre, 800 S. College, Santa Maria.

CASA GRANDE SPRING CRAFTS SHOW

Open to the public. May 6 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Casa Grande Craft Fair, 519 W. Taylor St., Santa Maria, 661-437-7261.

COMIC BOOK DAY Celebrate Free Comic Book Day with a visit to the Library. Visit Youth Services to select up to two free comics to add to a home collection (while supplies last). Make sure to visit Makerspace to create a super souvenir. May 6 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons. org. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

CRAFTWORKS: PUZZLE ART A unique take on framed art, patrons will use puzzle pieces and paint on canvas to create a custom work of art. This workshop is free and all materials will be supplied. For patrons 18 and older. Registration is required. May 6 10:30 a.m.-noon Free. cityofsantamaria.org/city-government/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria, 805-925-0994.

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

LEARN CALIFORNIA’S OFFICIAL DANCE: WEST COAST SWING Learn west coast swing in a casual, friendly environment, taught by Texas state swing champion, Gina Sigman. Free intro from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Beyond the Basics ($10) is 7 to 7:45 p.m. $10 entry includes social dance (7:45 to 8:15 p.m.). Tuesdays, 6:30-8:15 p.m. 805-344-1630. Cubanissimo Cuban Coffee House, 4869 S. Bradley Rd., #118, Orcutt.

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.

POKÉMON CLUB Join other Pokémon trainers at the popular Pokémon Club. Learn

how to play the Pokémon Trading Card game, watch Pokémon, and participate in other fun activities. Bring a deck from home to battle or use one from the library. May 6 11 a.m. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org.

Santa Maria Public Library (Altrusa Theater), 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

STAR WARS BILINGUAL STORY TIME

May the fourth be celebrated, with Star Wars stories and rhymes in English and Spanish. After story time, stay to play bingo and trivia with prizes, take home crafts, and more. May 4 4 p.m. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library (Altrusa Theater), 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

TEEN ART TIME Teens, create artwork, learn about artists, and experiment with new media in an inspiring environment with other teen artists. All skillsets are welcome. May 11, 4 p.m. 805-925-0994.

Santa Maria Public Library (Altrusa Theater), 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

VALLEY READS BOOK CLUB Group covers a different book each month. Registration required. Second Saturday of every month, 2 p.m. Free. 805-925-0994. cityofsantamaria.org/city-government/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

THE GRAPES OF WRATH The Theatre Group of Santa Ynez High School is preparing a staged version of John Steinbeck’s classic novel. Directed by Jeff McKinnon, this production includes a cast, crew, and musicians composed of 30. Mondays-Sundays, 7-9 p.m. $10 adults; $5 students at the door. 805-688-6487. Santa Ynez High School Little Theater, 2975 CA246, Santa Ynez.

LEARN CALIFORNIA’S OFFICIAL DANCE: WEST COAST SWING Learn to dance

west coast swing in a casual, friendly environment. No partner needed. Taught by Gina Sigman. Thursdays, 6:30-8:15 p.m. Beginning class is free; $10 for advanced. 805-344-1630. High Roller Tiki Lounge, 433 Alisal Road, Solvang.

THE NOT SO STILL LIFE: OIL PAINTINGS

BY PATTI ROBBINS Patti Robbins’ works are “a celebration of the natural world” and her use of color and form creates a sense of depth and emotion that is both striking and inspiring. Mondays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through May. 805-688-7517. GalleryLosOlivos.com. Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos.

SEDGWICK RESERVE: A CONSERVATION

STORY Through Oct. 16 Wildling Museum of Art and Nature, 1511-B Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-688-1082, wildlingmuseum. org.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

”SEWN WITH LOVE” QUILT SHOW

The Lompoc Quilters Etc. Guild, serving the Lompoc and Santa Ynez Valleys, is holding its two-day biennial quilt show. May 6 -7 $10. quiltersetc.org. Lompoc Veterans Memorial Hall, 100 E. Locust Ave., Lompoc.

HANDMADE CRAFT FAIRE Find your perfect gift for Mother’s Day, or any other occasion. All handcrafted. Includes food, knitted, leather, stone, wood, hand sewn items, crocheted articles, and more. Features raffle giveaways and a bake sale. May 6 -7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. 805-7366669. Valley of Flowers Half-Century Club, 341 No. N St., Lompoc.

POURING MY HEART OUT Explore the world of fluid art and beyond in this exhibition by central coast artist Christine Jeszeck. Through May 25 Free admission. 805-737-1129. Cypress Gallery, 119 E Cypress Ave., Lompoc, lompocart.org.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

ANNIE JR. Presented by Coastal Christian School. Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning musical, with a beloved book and score by Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse, and Martin Charnin. May 13 , 2-4 & 7-9 p.m.

$8-$14. 805-489-9444. clarkcenter.org. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

CPAF: SEUSSICAL JR. Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos. Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers. May 5, 7-9 p.m., May 6, 2-4 & 7-9 p.m., May 7, 3-5 p.m., May 12 , 7-9 p.m., May 13 , 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. and May 14 3-5 p.m. $20-$25. 805-489-9444. clarkcenter. org/shows/cpaf-seussical-jr/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

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

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

MIXED MEDIA FOR AGES 5-7 Each week students will have the opportunity to explore and combine various mediums like pastels with tempera, watercolors and collage, or clay and wood and so much more. Mondays, 3:30-4:45 p.m. $25. 805668-2125. lila.community. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

MIXED MEDIA WORKSHOP (AGES 7-12) Come explore mixed media with an emphasis on the Elements of Art and the

Principles of Design. Each week, students will have the opportunity to use various media. Tuesdays, 3:30-4:45 p.m. $25. 805668-2125. lila.community. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

OPEN STUDIO (AGES 7-12) Guests can explore a variety of media and techniques while focusing on their own subject matter. Whether they come with a project in mind, or find their way as they play, this class offers a chance for independent learning in a supportive environment.

Thursdays, 3:45-4:45 p.m. $25. 805-6682125. lila.community/all-workshops/openstudio. LilA Creative Community, 1147 East Grand Ave. suite 101, Arroyo Grande.

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

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

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

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

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE FINAL PROBLEM Sherlock Holmes’ skills are put to the test when he goes head-tohead with his intellectual equal, criminal mastermind Professor Moriarty. After repeated attempts on his life, Holmes is rejoined by his recently married friend Dr. Watson and the two attempt to thwart the Professor’s plans Saturdays, 2-4 p.m.,

PHOTO COURTESY OF ZACA MESA WINERY

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

Viva La Cerveza SLO Beer & Taco Festival SATURDAY, MAY 27 Madonna Meadows, San Luis Obispo

SLOFunny By the Sea Productions: The Cemetery Club FRI, SAT, SUN, MAY 12–28 Shasta Ave., Morro Bay

Mother’s Day Restorative Yoga & Tea

SUNDAY, MAY 14

Saunter Yoga & Wellness, Atascadero

Be Hoppy Tours: Brewery, Winery, & Cidery Tours WEEKLY: THURS, FRI, SAT, SUN Begin/end at Central Coast Brewing, SLO

Tiny Porch Concerts: 2023 VIP Season Tickets 4 CONCERTS: MAY 14–AUGUST 6 Peter Strauss Ranch, Agoura Hills

Live Oak Music Festival FRI, SAT, SUN JUNE 23, 24, 25 El Chorro Regional Park, San Luis Obispo

Peaceful Plants

SUNDAY, MAY 7 Pianetta Winery, Paso Robles

SLOFunny Comedy Jamboree Grover Beach

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10 Rib Line by the Beach, Grover Beach

Point San Luis Lighthouse Tours WEEKLY: SAT & WED Virtual Tours Available On Demand Avila Beach

Tiny Porch Concerts: Shane Alexander with guest Water Tower

SUNDAY, MAY 14 Peter Strauss Ranch, Agoura Hills

POE POM Mother’s Day Spring Maker’s Market SATURDAY, MAY 13 Atascadero Printery

SLOFunny Comedy Jamboree Morro Bay

MAY 14

Bay Eagles Club

Central Coast Youth Chorus: Global Melodies

& SUN, MAY 13 & 14

MAY 14 & 21 Community Presbyterian Church Cambria First Date Broadway’s Musical Comedy FRI, SAT, SUN, MAY 12–28 Santa Maria Civic Theatre

Church of the Nazarene

Shamanic Morning Rituals for Vitality FRIDAY, MAY 19

Meditations & Rituals, Morro Bay

SELL TICKETS WITH US! It’s free! Contact us for more info: 805-546-8208 info@My805Tix.com

37th Annual Central Coast Renaissance Faire SAT & SUN, JULY 15 & 16 Laguna Lake Park, SLO SLO Blues Baseball 32 HOME GAMES: MAY 26–JULY 29 Sinsheimer Park, SLO

Shamanic Morning Rituals for Vitality FRI, SAT, SUN, MAY 19, 20, 21 Franklin Hot Springs, Paso Robles

18th Annual Paso Pinot & Paella Festival SUNDAY, JUNE 4 Templeton Park, Templeton UPCOMING EVENTS ON MY805TIX.COM UPCOMING EVENTS ON MY805TIX.COM ONGOING EVENTS ONGOING EVENTS San Salvador: Pacific Heritage Tour 2023 AUGUST 11–20 Morro Bay South T Pier

naacpslocty@gmail.com juneteenthslo.com

Hot Stuff

Wednesdays-Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. and Sundays, 6-8 a.m. through May 14 $30$36. 805-489-2499. americanmelodrama. com. Great American Melodrama, 1863 Front St., Oceano.

SLOFUNNY COMEDY JAMBOREE

GROVER BEACH The SLOFunny Comedy

Jamboree kicks off month two at Ribline in Grover Beach. Hosted by Edi Gibson, with special guest Nick Guerra, Featuring David Murphy and headliner Kiran Deol. Come enjoy great barbecue and laughs. May 10 $30. 805-534-3129. facebook.com/ slofunny. Ribline by the Beach, 395 W Grand Ave., suite B, Grover Beach.

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 LEVELS POTTERY CLASSES Anam

Cre is a pottery studio in SLO that offers a variety of classes. This specific class is open to any level. Teachers are present for questions, but the class feels more like an open studio time for potters.

Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. $40. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, anamcre.com.

ART AFTER DARK Featuring rotating exhibits from local artists, live music, and vegan and vegetarian dining. First Friday of every month. through May 5 Free. Linnaea’s Cafe, 1110 Garden St., San Luis Obispo, 805-541-5888, linnaeas.com/.

ART AFTER DARK: LINNAEA’S Various paintings and photographs of the hanging of laundry by Diane Harrison. May 5 6-8 p.m. Linnaea’s Cafe, 1110 Garden St., San Luis Obispo, 805-541-5888, linnaeas.com/.

ART EXHIBIT: LUMINOUS EXPRESSIONS

An exhibit of pastel paintings by members of the California Central Coast Pastel Society (3CPS). Meet the artists during a reception on May 6 at 3 p.m. May 5 -July 3 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo.com/gallery/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

ART EXPLORATIONS FOR TEENS WITH SPENCER COLLINS In this class series, students learn about drawing and acrylic painting. Each class students will recreate a famous piece of art from history. Topics include: Joan Miro, Claude Monet, Frida Kahlo, and Piet Mondrian. Ages 11-17. Every other Thursday, 3:30-4:30 p.m. through June 22 4 classes for $100 or 1 class for $30. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

ARTIST RIKI SCHUMACHER AT ART

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

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.

CUESTA DRAMA PRESENTS: FLORA AND ULYSSES Based on the book by Kate DiCamillo. An imaginative 10-year-old, Flora Belle Buckman, is in for a surprise when she witnesses an incident involving a self-propelled vacuum and a squirrel.

May 5, 7 p.m., May 6 2 & 7 p.m., May 7 2 p.m., May 12 , 7 p.m., May 13 2 & 7 p.m. and May 14 , 2 p.m. Adult $15; Child (under 18) $10; Buddy Bundle $40. tickets.cuesta.edu.

Cuesta College Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo. ETCHINGS Enjoy the richly detailed fine art etchings of Rosey and Barbara Rosenthal. The etchings and other art will “bring you home or feed your imagination.” May 5, 5-8 p.m. Free. 805-550-1852. slocountyarts.org/art-after-dark. Century

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE

The Santa Maria Public Library’s Youth Services department will celebrate Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 6, by offering up to two free comic books per guest while supplies last. The library will be open between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and is located at 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Call (805) 925-0994 or visit engagedpatrons.org for more info. —C.W.

21 Hometown Realty, 599 Higuera St, Ste A, 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 and engaging tours of SLOMA’s current exhibitions. ongoing, 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.

INTERMEDIATE OIL PAINTING: ADULT

ART CLASS This class is for students who may have tried oil painting in the past but are looking to advance their skill levels. Color theory and proportion study will be a focus in the class. Mondays, 2-5 p.m. $30 per student or $75 for 3 classes. 805747-4200. artcentralslo.com/workshopsevents/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

INTRO TO OIL PAINTING WITH SPENCER

COLLINS The perfect class for those wanting to try oil painting for the first time. Guests discuss color theory, layering paint, and how to use various media. For ages 16 and over. Thursdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $30 per class or $100 for 4 classes. 805747-4200. artcentralslo.com/workshopsevents/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

KIDS ART CLASS: PORTRAITS FOR KIDS

WITH ZOE WILLIAMSON Learn to love drawing faces. Each class, we will look at a famous artist, a new style of art, and practice drawing different expressions

using simple proportions. Learn new techniques and build confidence. For kids ages 7 and older. Tuesdays, 3:30-5 p.m. through June 13 $300 for 10 Classes. 805747-4200. artcentralslo.com/workshopsevents/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

MARELA ZACARÍAS: STORYTELLING

Through July 7 San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, 543-8562, sloma.org/.

MOMMY AND ME PAPER MACHE FRAME

DECORATING CLASS Celebrate Mothers Day with your little one. Decorate paper mache frames with paint pens. Bring paper mache frames (available at Art Central). All else provided. May 14, 11 a.m.-noon $40 for you and your child. 805747-4200. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

MY TIME Enjoy Children’s Museum exhibits and activities at this free event celebrating LGBTQIA+ families with young children on the Central Coast. May 4 5-7 p.m. Free. 805-545-5874. slocm.org. San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum, 1010 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo.

OPEN MIC COMEDY Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Aidan Candelario. Mondays, 7-9 p.m. Free. 805-540-8300. saintsbarrel. com/event-calendar. Saints Barrel Wine Bar, 1021 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo. PARENT-CHILD POTTERY CLASS Make lasting memories with clay together as a family. For ages 6 and over. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon $70. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, anamcre.com.

PICKET PAINTING PARTY Decorative picket purchasing opportunities are available to show your support and help fund maintenance and educational

ARTS continued page 17

DANTE MARSH & THE VIBESETTERS Guest Speaker: MAUREEN JULIE MCGRATH Keynote Speaker: IRIS DUPLANTIER RIDEAU The Rebellious Life of MRS. ROSA PARKS

programs in the Children’s Garden. Second Saturday of every month, 1-4 p.m. $75 per picket or 2 for $100. 805-541-1400. slobg. org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

PLEIN AIR PAINTERS OF THE CENTRAL

COAST A self-directed fun group of dynamic artists who enjoy painting and sketching outdoors. Artists meet on site at various locations. Weekly plein air destinations are provided by Kirsti Wothe via email (mrswothe@yahoo.com).

Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon SLO County, Various locations, San Luis Obispo.

POTTERY: BEGINNING WHEEL CLASS

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

SCULPTURE CLASS WITH ROD PEREZ

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

SECOND SATURDAYS AT SLOMA

Intergenerational learning and creative expression for children of all ages.

Families are invited to SLOMA’s lawn to learn about the visual arts together using our unique activity kits and create an art project inspired by our exhibitions. Second Saturday of every month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. 805-543-8562. sloma.org/events/secondsaturdays/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

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

SLO DRAWZ: OPEN FIGURE DRAWING

GROUP Improve your drawing skills while also building a community of supportive creatives with live models. This is not a guided class, please bring your own materials. To sign up, email chantellegoldthwaite@gmail.com. Every other Thursday, 5-7 p.m. through Dec. 31 $20 per session; or $60 for a month pass. 805-747-4200. instagram.com/slodrawz/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

SLO NIGHTWRITERS: A COMMUNITY

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

SLOFUNNY COMEDY JAMBOREE SLO

Come for Farmer’s and stay for some laughs. The SLOFunny Comedy Jamboree is back at Highwater SLO. Hosted by Edi Gibson, with special guest Nick Guerra, Featuring David Murphy and headliner Kiran Deol. May 11 , 8-9:30 p.m. $30. 805-534-3129. facebook.com/slofunny. Highwater SLO, 1127 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

TINY POTTERS: WISE ONES AND WEE

ONES PAINT For ages 4 to 6. Kids have the option to paint animals and other subjects. Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. $30. anamcre. com/booking. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

VIRGINIA MACK: BEGINNING

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

WALT WHITMAN GAY MEN’S BOOK CLUB

This club reads, studies and discusses books chosen by the group which relate to their lives as gay men. All are welcome.

Second Monday of every month, 7-9:30 p.m. Free. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

26TH ANNUAL SANTA MARIA NATIONAL

1900’s Engine used by the Betteravia Union Sugar Company, a 1930’s Sacramento Northern box car, and more. Second Saturday of every month, 12-4 p.m. smvrhm.com. Santa Maria Transit Center, Miller and Boone Streets, Santa Maria.

TEEN GAMING Teens, come for a Friday afternoon of gaming. Play to win or sit back and watch the action on a large screen. Light snacks will be provided. May 5 4:30 p.m. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Shepard Hall Art Gallery - Santa Maria Public Library, 421 South McClelland St., Santa Maria.

DAY OF PRAYER

The Community of Prayer, Inc. is hosting the 26th annual National Day of Prayer celebration. This years’ service will be bilingual. May 4 5:30-7 p.m. Free. 805-260-2461. communityofprayer.org. Santa Maria Fairpark, 937 S. Thornburg St., Santa Maria.

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

ADULTING 101: LIFE SKILLS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY Join staff from the Santa Maria IT department for a presentation on cybersecurity. Library staff will share best practices for social media. For emerging adults ages 16-21. Registration is required. May 4 3:30 p.m. Free. 805-925-0994. cityofsantamaria.org/city-government/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

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

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

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

FESTIVAL OASIS Come enjoy a full day of live music, vendors, food, drinks, bounce houses, and kid carnival games all while supporting OASIS Center in Orcutt. May 6 12-8 p.m. $35 for adults 13 and older; under 13 free. 805-937-9750. oasisseniorcenter. ticketspice.com/festival-oasis. Pioneer Park, 1150 W. Foster Rd., Orcutt.

FIRST FRIDAY First Friday of every month facebook.com/firstfridayoldtownorcutt/.

Historic Old Town Orcutt, S. Broadway and Union Ave., Orcutt.

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

Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, 1065 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe.

HOMEWORK HELP: SANTA MARIA

PUBLIC LIBRARY Volunteer tutors are available to help with assignments and work on skills. For children in grades K-6. First come, first served; no sign-ups are required. No events scheduled between April 10 and 13.

Mondays-Thursdays. through May 25 Free. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

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

PRESCHOOL ACTIVITY TIME A fun morning of crafts, experiments, and other activities which build kindergarten readiness skills. For ages 3-5. Registration is required. May 8 11 a.m. 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library (Altrusa Theater), 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME Story time is designed to build literacy skills and school readiness, all while having a great time. Features songs, fingerplays, and stories. For ages 3-6.

Mondays. through May 22 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library (Altrusa Theater), 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

SANTA MARIA VALLEY RAILWAY

HISTORICAL MUSEUM TOURS The collection includes late 1800’s-early

TEEN WORLD FASHION PACK: ALL LOCATIONS Check out fashion from around the world, see what clothing styles are popular in different countries, and learn about fashion capitals around the globe. Program funded in part or whole by California State Library. May 6 805-925-0994. engagedpatrons.org. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS OVER ZOOM

Visit site or call to learn about various virtual workshop offerings. ongoing Varies. Unwind Studio, 130 N. Broadway, suite B, Santa Maria, 805-748-2539, unwindsantamaria.com.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

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

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. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WATCH AND CLOCK COLLECTORS, CHPT. 52 Come join a friendly meeting of watch and clock collectors. Members bring watches and clocks to show, plus there are discussions of all things horological.

Second Sunday of every month, 1:30-3 p.m. 805-547-1715. new.nawcc.org/index. php/chapter-52-los-padres. Central Coast Senior Center, 1580 Railroad St., Oceano. PILATES/HIKE TO THE LIGHTHOUSE May 7 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. my805tix.com.

Point San Luis Lighthouse, 1 Lighthouse Rd., Avila Beach.

POINT SAN LUIS LIGHTHOUSE TOURS

Tours will give you a glimpse into the lives of Lighthouse Keepers and their families, while helping keep our jewel of the Central Coast preserved and protected. Check website for more details. Wednesdays, Saturdays pointsanluislighthouse.org/.

Point San Luis Lighthouse, 1 Lighthouse Rd., Avila Beach.

SIP AND SAVOR: GLITTER AND GOLD

Visit site for more info. May 6 5:30-10:30 p.m. $100. smkiwanis.givesmart.com.

Edwards Barn, 1095 Pomeroy Road, Nipomo, 805-929-1673.

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. 805-4816399. 5 Cities Swim School, 425 Traffic Way, Arroyo Grande, 5citiesswimschool.com.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

BEYOND MINDFULNESS Realize your potential through individualized meditation instruction with an experienced teacher via Zoom. This class is for those who

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.

COFFEE CHAT SLO HomeShareSLO, a program of non-profit Smart Share Housing, facilitates matches between Providers (those with extra rooms) with home Seekers (those looking for affordable housing). Second Wednesday of every month, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free and open to the public; No RSVP required.. 805-215-5474. smartsharehousingsolutions.org. SLO Guild Hall, 2880 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

HEALING DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP A safe place for anyone suffering from the pain of depression. We do not criticize but do share our journey, feelings, and what works for us. We can meet in person or use Zoom if needed.

Mondays, 6-7 p.m. Free. 805-528-3194. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo.

MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION (ONLINE

MEETING) Zoom series hosted by TMHA.

Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon Transitions Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-270-3346.

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

Q YOUTH GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM)

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

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

SHEEP SHEARING SHINDIG Entertainment and education for all ages. Watch a live sheep shearing demonstration and enjoy hands-on activities with wool, hay rides, and food by Brick and Mortar Caterers using the farm’s fresh produce. Music by Miss Leo and the Handsome Fellers. May 6, 12-4 p.m. Free under 12; $12 for adults. 805-783-0401. cityfarmslo.org/events. City Farm SLO, 1221 Calle Joaquin, 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 RAM RETIRED ACTIVE MEN COFFEE

CABINET Weekly Coffee Cabinet meeting of the SLO RAM Active Retired Men, a local men’s social club. Click

‘Contact’ on website for invite. Thursdays, 8-9:30 a.m. $10. retiredactivemen. org. Madonna Inn Garden Room, 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo.

SHEAR AND TELL

The Sheep Shearing Shindig will take place at City Farm SLO on Saturday, May 6, from noon to 4 p.m. All ages are welcome to the event, which will include a live sheep shearing demonstration, hay rides, educational activities, live music, food, and more. Admission is free for children under 12 and $12 for adults. Visit cityfarmslo.org for more info. The farm is located at 1221 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo. —C.W.

Squire Ct., San Luis Obispo.

SUNDAY EVENING RAP LGBTQ+ AA

GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM) Alcoholics

Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of folks from all walks of life who together, attain and maintain sobriety. Requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Email aarapgroup@gmail.com for password access.

Sundays, 7-8 p.m. No fee. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

TAI CHI AND QIGONG FITNESS ONLINE Gentle but powerful physical exercises to improve balance, posture, and overall well being.

Wednesdays, 8:25-10:35 a.m. through May 24 $77. 805-549-1222. ae.slcusd.org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

TAICHI AND QIGONG ONLINE With Gary West through SLO Adult School. Held Wednesdays, at 8:25 a.m. (TaiChi) and 9:35 a.m. (QiGong). Wednesdays. through May 25 $77 for semester. 805-549-1222. ae.slcusd. org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

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

TACO TUESDAY Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, 805-332-3532, winestoneinn.com/.

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

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

BRITISH CORONATION CELEBRATION Join for a High Tea to celebrate the Coronation and everything British. Admission includes a high tea made of hand made British sandwiches, cakes, fruit scones with cream and jam, and the official Coronation Quiche. May 6 1-3 & 4-6 p.m. $35-$45 (please leave a phone message to register). 805-686-9126. arrowsmithwine.com. Arrowsmith’s, 1539 Mission Drive, Solvang. DOG HIKE IN THE VINEYARD Bring your best pal on a leisurely hike in the estate vineyard. Learn more about the estate history and winemaking. Afterwards, relax at the Grenache Blanc vineyard with a delicious meal of wine and gourmet hot dogs by the Doggy Door. May 7 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $60. 805-688-9339. zacamesa. com. Zaca Mesa Winery, 6905 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos.

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH BUFFET A special Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet at Vega Vineyard and Farm. Visit site for seating times and pricing details. May 14, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $69. 805-688-2415. vegavineyardandfarm.com. Vega Vineyard and Farm, 9496 Santa Rosa Road, Buellton.

SECOND SATURDAY OPEN AIR MARKET: LOS

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

HEAD GAMES TRIVIA AND TACO TUESDAYS

CLASH Don’t miss Head Games Trivia at COLD Coast Brewing Company every Tuesday night. Teams can be up to 6 members. Earn prizes and bragging rights. Kekas will be serving their delicious local fare. Fun for all ages. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. 805-819-0723. coldcoastbrewing. com. COLD Coast Brewing Company, 118 W Ocean Ave, Lompoc.

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

YOGA ON THE TERRACE Resident yogi, Cheryl of Waking Fields Yoga, channels the natural healing energy of the garden into her weekly class on the terrace of SLOBG. Please bring a mat, towel, water, and any supports you may need. May 6, 9-10 a.m. and May 13 9-10 a.m. $10-$12. 805-541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

FOOD & DRINK

Send

SOUL AND SOIL: PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL

GATHERINGS A safe space to “connect to our bodies, children, and the natural world.” Bring water, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and other items for a day in the Garden. May 9, 10-11:30

a.m. $10; free for members and children. 805541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

STAY YOUNG WITH QI GONG Qi Gong boosts energy and vitality, reduces stress, improves balance and flexibility, and, best of all, is fun.

Join instructor Devin Wallace for this outdoor class which is held in a beautiful setting. Call or email before attending. Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m. $10. 805-709-2227. Crows End Retreat Center, 6340

TECH BREW MEETUP Tech Brew is a free networking event where people interested in technology can hang out in an informal environment with a small TEDtalk-like presentation from an interesting speaker. Learn more online. Second Monday of every month, 5-7 p.m. 805-323-6706. meetup.com/ softec/. StoryLabs, 102 Cross St, Suite 220, San Luis Obispo.

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

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT COSTA DE ORO

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

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

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

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

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.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

COOKING CLASS SERIES WITH CHEF ALMA

AYÓN Learn to prepare exquisite dishes from California, Chile, the Mediterranean Basin, Australia, and South Africa taught by highly acclaimed, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-trained chef, Alma Ayón. May 9 6-9 p.m. 805-541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

FOURTH ANNUAL SIP ‘N’ SAUNTER Taste local flavors and explore downtown San Luis Obispo’s diverse lineup of retailers. Local wineries, beverage providers, restaurants, and caterers from around the county will serve up tastings and small bites at downtown retail locations. May 7, 1-4 p.m. $50–$60. 805-5410286. downtownslo.com. Downtown SLO, Multiple locations, San Luis Obispo.

MUSIC

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

FOLK DANCE CLASS For adults ages 50 and up. Learn folk dances from around the world. No experience is necessary. Every third Thursday, 2-3 p.m. through Dec. 28 Free. 805-925-0951. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

MUSIC continued page 20

Hot Stuff

MUSIC from page 18

THE HOMESTEAD: LIVE MUSIC ON THE PATIO Check the Homestead’s Facebook page for details on live music events.

Fridays, Saturdays The Homestead, 105 W. Clark Ave, Old Orcutt, 805-287-9891, thehomesteadoldorcutt.com.

LINE DANCING FUN For adults ages 50 and older. Learn basic patterns and steps to some of your favorite music. This beginner-friendly class is for anyone that enjoys dancing. Wednesdays, 1:30-2:30 p.m. through Dec. 27 Free. 805-925-0951.

Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

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.

PUTTING ON THE RITZ: SENIOR PROM

The Santa Maria Valley Senior Citizens Club presents this year’s Senior Prom with Riptide Big Band, and vocalists Bob Nations and Mitch Latting. Free thanks to grant funded by Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County. May 7 1:30-4 p.m. Free. 775-813-5186. RiptideBB.com. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

UKULELE JAM SESSIONS This is a drop-in program. Play melodies and many songs with other musicians. Baritone ukuleles are available to use or bring your own. Music and music strands provided. Mondays, Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. through Dec. 27 Free. 805-925-0951. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

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.

LIVE MUSIC WITH JEFF PINE Come and see “the man with 700 songs in his head.” May 7 7-10 p.m. Free. 805-686-9126. arrowsmithwine.com. Arrowsmith’s, 1539 Mission Drive, Solvang.

OZOMATLI: LIVE IN CONCERT “If the city of LA had a soundtrack, it would be Ozomatli’s music.” For salsa, merengue, hip hop, funk, and more, come experience Ozomatli under the stars. May 13 7-9:30 p.m. Starting at $55. 805-686-1789. solvangtheaterfest.org. Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY CONCERT SERIES: 42ND SEASON The SYV Concert Series’ 2022-23 season includes five upcoming concerts, between October and May. Through May 13 smitv.org/syv-concertseries.html. St. Mark’s in the Valley Episcopal Church, 2901 Nojoqui Ave., Los Olivos.

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS

Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Brick Barn Wine Estate, 795 W. Hwy 246, Buellton, 805-686-1208, brickbarnwineestate.com.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

BANDA INVASORA May 6, 6 p.m. my805tix.com. Flower City Ballroom, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. CINCO DE MAYO WITH 805 CALI

TEJANOS 805 Cali Tejanos is a premier Latin music band in the 805 area. All ages welcome. May 6 6 p.m. $10-$15. my805tix.com. Flower City Ballroom, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

JOHN MUELLER’S WINTER DANCE

PARTY The official live and authentic re-creation of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper’s final tour. This engaging and much-loved show brings years’ worth of hits from three great artists to the audience in just one memorable night. May 6, 7:30-10 p.m. $40-$55. 805-489-9444. clarkcenter.org/ shows/winter-dance-party/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

JULIE KELLY QUARTET Vocalist/guitarist

Julie Kelly brings a great quartet into

Puffers of Pismo with the music of Bill Withers, A.C. Jobim, Mose Allison and Thelonius Monk. May 7 5-8 p.m. 805773-6563. puffersofpismo.com. Puffers of Pismo, 781 Price St., Pismo Beach.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

ARISE ROOTS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

From the heart of Los Angeles rises a powerful movement known as Arise Roots. Steadily becoming a household name around the globe, the group of six veteran musicians united their talents in order to form a unique and refreshing interpretation of Roots-Reggae. May 6

7 p.m. $16. slobrew.com. SLO Brew Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, 805543-1843.

BABE RAINBOW LIVE A stoner pop band from Australia noted for their boogie psychedelia and throwback surf cult imagery. May 12 , 7 p.m. $28. slobrew.com. SLO Brew Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, 805-543-1843.

BROOKS NIELSEN LIVE Uncompromising, enigmatic, and wildly ambitious, Brooks Nielsen (lead singer of Southern California surf-psych icons The Growlers) is proud to announce his first full-length solo album; a double-vinyl, twenty-song journey into the heart of darkness, and toward the light that eventually remains. May 4 7 p.m. $30. slobrew.com. SLO Brew Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, 805543-1843.

CAL POLY’S ‘AN EVENING OF WOODWINDS AND STRINGS’ RECITAL

Several Cal Poly music ensembles will perform a variety of traditional and contemporary repertoire featuring woodwind and string instruments. May 9, 7:30 p.m. Free. 805-756-2406. music. calpoly.edu/calendar/. San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church, 1515 Fredericks Street, San Luis Obispo.

CUESTA CHOIRS CONCERT: THE ROLLERCOASTER RIDE Join Cuesta Voce and The Cuesta Chamber Singers on this rollercoaster ride performance— exploring the highs and lows, the storms and tumults, the Be-Bop and the slow dance. May 6 7:30 p.m. Starts at $10. tickets. cuesta.edu. Cuesta College Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

CUESTA WIND ENSEMBLE SPRING

CONCERT The Cuesta Wind Ensemble will perform great symphonic music, including old favorites and newer works. Featured will be music of Eric Whitacre, John Philip Sousa, Aaron Copland, and the world premiere of a new work by composer Dorian Michael. Jennifer Martin conducts. May 10, 7:30 p.m. $10-$15. tickets.cuesta.edu. Cuesta College Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

DARRYL TAYLOR SEMINAR Taylor will host a seminar for Cal Poly students. He will speak and answer questions about his extensive career as a soloist, recording artist, professor, arts administrator and founder of the African American Art Song Alliance. May 4 5 p.m. Free. 805-756-2406. music.calpoly.edu/calendar/. Cal Poly

Davidson Music Center, Room 218, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

DARRYL TAYLOR: VOCAL MASTER

CLASS Countertenor Darryl Taylor will present a vocal masterclass with three Cal Poly music majors specializing in voice. Taylor is a soloist, recording artist, professor, arts administrator and founder of the African American Art Song Alliance. May 4 11 a.m.-noon Free. 805-756-2406. music.calpoly.edu/calendar/. Cal Poly

Davidson Music Center, Room 218, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

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

THE EMO NIGHT TOUR May 12 8 p.m. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, 805-546-8600, fremontslo.com.

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN: SING-ALONG

A special sing-along screening featuring lyrics on screen for all of the film’s songs. Costumes encouraged (come as a

ringmaster, clown, or acrobat). All proceeds benefit PAC Outreach Services, serving to create an accessible center for students. May 7, 3-5 p.m. $15-$18. 805-756-4849. pacslo.org. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.

JUNGLE FIRE WITH VINYL DJ SET BY STEVE HANEY The Los Angeles-based juggernaut pulls its influences from the music of legends such as Irakere, Ray Barretto, James Brown, Fela Kuti, and Manu Dibango. May 5, 7-10 p.m. $20. slobrew. com. SLO Brew Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, 805-543-1843.

KATCHAFIRE Katchafire performing live at SLO Brew Rock with special guest Swells. For ages 18 and over. May 7 7 p.m. $30. slobrew.com. SLO Brew Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, 805543-1843.

LIVE MUSIC AT RAGTAG WINE CO.

Enjoy live music by local favorites. Wine available by the flight, glass, or bottle. Thursdays-Saturdays, 6-9 p.m. Visit Ragtag Wine Co.’s downtown tasting room to enjoy tunes from favorite local musicians. Wine available by the tasting flight, glass, or bottle. ThursdaysSaturdays, 6-9 p.m. Free. 805-439-0774. ragtagwineco.com/visit. Ragtag Wine Co., 779 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo.

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

MAD CADDIES WITH SUPPORT BY UPSIDE SKA

The Mad Caddies are a ska punk band from Solvang, California, United States. The band formed in 1995 and has released seven full-length albums, one live album, and two EPs. To date, Mad Caddies have sold over 500,000 albums worldwide. May 10, 7-10 p.m. $25. slobrew. com. SLO Brew Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, 805-543-1843.

NOTABLE DINNER: BRAHMS QUARTET

Join Scott Yoo for an interactive musical exploration of Brahms’s Piano Quartet in C minor. Learn about the composer, hear performances of some selections, and gain insight into the piece. The evening includes a reception and a three-course gourmet dinner. May 12 5:30-9 p.m. Tickets start at $175. 805-781-3009. festivalmozaic.org. The Monday Club, 1815 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

OPEN MIC NIGHT IN THE TASTING ROOM

Kelsey Rae hosts this open mic event for music and comedy in the tasting room. Second Thursday of every month, 7-9 p.m. Free show. 805-721-6878. SLO Cider, 3419 Roberto Ct., Suite C, San Luis Obispo.

SLO SYMPHONY: TCHAIKOVSKY’S

FOURTH Testimony of Tone, Tune and Time is based upon the speeches of Frederick Douglass. The Symphony welcomes this message of courage, hope, and endurance. It will conclude with Tchaikovsky’s stunning Symphony No. 4. May 6, 7-9:30 p.m. $25-$89. 805-756-4849. slosymphony.org/. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.

SPRING CONCERT SERIES Bring the family, friends, or come by yourself to enjoy an afternoon in the historical and beautiful Jack House Gardens. Bring a chair, a picnic, and enjoy games, dancing, and live music by local bands. Please no pets or alcoholic beverages. Every other Saturday, 2-4 p.m. through May 20 Free. slocity.org/jackhouse. The Jack House, 536 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo.

SUNDAY MUSIC AT RAGTAG WINE CO.

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

NORTH SLO COUNTY

COLONY CONCERT SERIES

ATASCADERO: VERONICA STREET

BAND Live on the patio. May 6 5-7 p.m. 805-460-6252. colonymarketanddeli.com. Colony Market and Deli, 6040 El Camino Real, Atascadero. m

Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast holds benefit concert

App naturally

Mystic

On Friday, May 19, singer and musician Pryor Baird will perform in Santa Maria at a special benefit concert to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast. Proceeds of the event will help fund programs hosted by the nonprofit, which provides after-school programs, mentoring, and other services to children and teens at 23 club sites across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

Baird’s upcoming concert will take place on the rooftop plaza at Toyota of Santa Maria. According to press materials, Baird will bring along one of his peers in the Nashville music scene as a surprise special guest to perform with him. The show will start at 5 p.m.

“I’m honored to be part of this special event and support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast,” Baird said in press materials. “As a Central Coast native, I’m thrilled I can give back to my hometown and know how valuable Boys & Girls Clubs are to kids and families in the community. I hope my music can help raise awareness and support their efforts.”

Born and raised in Orcutt, Baird moved to Nashville in 2010 to pursue a career in music. In 2018, he gained popularity while competing on NBC’s The Voice

Dan Lillard, president of the board of directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast, said in press materials that the organization is “thrilled to have Pryor Baird perform for our community and support our mission to provide a safe and positive place for young people.”

Tickets to the upcoming benefit concert are available in advance at centralcoastkids.org. Early purchases are recommended as the intimate event will be limited to 100 attendees. Ticket holders will have the chance to meet and greet with Baird at the concert and have access to a hosted bar with light bites.

Call (805) 354-7433 for more info on the concert. Toyota of Santa Maria is located at 1643 S. Bradley Road, Santa Maria.

DANA Adobe and Cultural Center presents Jazz on the Rancho

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

The pencil that Nipomo artist Fred Ventura uses to sketch with isn’t one to stick in a pencil sharpener. Ventura’s new exhibit at Mystic Nature showcases a collection of digital paintings he created using said drawing implement.

“In digital art, you can play with the image in very unique ways,” said Ventura, whose Apple Pencil can operate as a paint brush, charcoal pencil, and other artistic tools when used with the Procreate app.

“Procreate offers a vast library of customizable brushes,” the digital painter said. “Artists can also create their own brushes to suit their specific needs.”

Watercolor used to be Ventura’s preferred medium before embracing digital art, which he said has allowed him to conveniently capture the smallest of details in his realistic animal portraits and botanical paintings.

“My goal is to get the piece as detailed as possible so the viewer is awed by the precision,” Ventura said. “Procreate helps me get all the details exactly the way I want it.”

Ventura listed some of the other benefits of Procreate available to users, such as the time-lapse recording feature, which allows artists “to record their work as time-lapse videos, which can be shared on social media or used for instructional purposes,” he said.

That feature comes in handy when Ventura—a former full-time teacher and semiretired software developer— occasionally hosts classes on digital art at Trilogy at Monarch Dunes in Nipomo.

When it comes to the level of realism he’s attempting to reach through intricate detail work, Ventura said he wants his digital paintings to make viewers question whether they’re looking at a painting or an actual photograph.

“You can do that kind of stuff with digital because the image is built on several layers,” said Ventura, who explained one example of his layer altering as replicating the feeling of realistic depth found in photos by blurring

MUSIC

certain objects in the backgrounds of his paintings.

Ventura’s nature-themed artworks have been showcased at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden and other venues over the years. His latest show at Mystic Nature in Nipomo premiered in mid-April and is scheduled to remain on display through the end of May. An artist reception will be held at the gallery space on Friday, May 19.

The show is titled Nature’s Harmony and includes several of Ventura’s animal and plant paintings. His favorite subjects include birds, butterflies, and flowers.

FLAVOR/EATS

INFO

CALENDAR

OPINION

NEWS

STROKES

The Ron McCarley Jazz Quartet and Cuesta Jazz Combos will perform during an upcoming jazz event, Jazz on the Rancho, at the DANA Adobe and Cultural Center on Friday, May 6, starting at 4:30 p.m. General admission is $35.

Visit danaadobe.org for more info. The venue is located at 671 S. Oakglen Ave., Nipomo. m

“It’s hard not to appreciate birds. I have a pond out in my backyard, so we have a lot of birds around here,” said Ventura, who strives to capture “the essence of nature’s beauty and grace” in his artworks and transport viewers “into a world of natural wonder and harmony.”

Prints of several of Ventura’s digital paintings are available for sale during the show, along with postcard versions of his works.

“The cards are kind of a nice way for somebody to buy something to remember you by, without spending a lot of money,” the local artist said with a laugh. m

Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood is a card-carrying postcard enthusiast. Email him at cwiseblood@ santamariasun.com.

Not

ARTS

FILE PHOTO BY JAYSON MELLOM

INTO THE MYSTIC: A collection of digital paintings, including Scarlet Tanager, by local artist Fred Ventura are currently on display at Mystic Nature in Nipomo.

BUTTERFLY KIND-OF-GUY: One of Fred Ventura’s personal favorites of his digital paintings in his new exhibit at Mystic Nature is Swallow Tail.

BUG BYTES: The subjects found in digital artist Fred Ventura’s nature-themed artworks, including Ladybug, are usually insects, animals, and flowers.

QUID PRO CROW: Local artist Fred Ventura uses the Procreate app on his iPad to create his digital artworks, including Evening Crow.

Gobsmacked

Writer-director Ari Aster (Hereditary, Midsommar) takes viewers on an epic adventure with Beau Wassermann (Joaquin Phoenix), an anxious milquetoast man forced to confront his deepest fears following the death of his mother and take a surrealist journey home. (179 min.)

Glen: If you’re a mentally well-adjusted person and don’t know what it’s like to suffer from crippling anxiety and paranoia, and you’d like to know, step right up to Aster’s latest nightmare, Beau Is Afraid. It’s three hours of sheer madness— deeply, uncomfortably, stunningly weird, and thoroughly confounding. Beau lives in a rundown apartment in a nightmarish neighborhood where corpses rot in the street and a naked man stabs random passersby. He only reluctantly leaves to see a therapist (played with sinister cheerfulness by Stephen McKinley Henderson) who’s happy to prescribe him new medications to take the edge off, but there’s no taking the edge off Beau. In fact, he’s all edge. He’s supposed to be visiting his mother, a powerful businesswoman with whom he has a complicated and guilt-ridden relationship, but after he oversleeps and has his apartment keys stolen because he left the keys in his door to return for dental floss, he misses his flight and suddenly begins circling the drain of his wretched life. Hopefully I’m not

Television Reviews

SCHMIGADOON!

making it seem too fun. I’m glad I saw it, but this movie is challenging!

Anna: It was clear from the start we were living in Beau’s reality. The streets are riddled with danger, the accidental swallowing of mouthwash is sure to mean that stomach cancer is not far behind, and nothing he does can or will ever please his mother. It feels like a dangerous mind we’re living inside.

BEAU IS AFRAID

What’s it rated? R

What’s it worth, Glen? Full price

What’s it worth, Anna? Full price

Where’s it showing? Regal Edwards RPX Santa Maria, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande

Aster’s films are all a bit bonkers, and Beau is Afraid doesn’t break his tradition. I’ll see anything that Phoenix spends his time on, and I honestly love Aster’s weird, mind-bending storytelling. I found both Hereditary and Midsommer absolutely mesmerizing and entirely painful. Aster’s films present an experience, one you’re destined to have—an agreement you make once you settle into your seat. The dude has something about separating bodies from heads that he may need to explore. Just saying!

I felt a bit shell-shocked after the film was over, disjointed and disturbed. I can say that days later I’m still pondering the gravity of it all, so I think Aster got exactly what he wanted from me as an audience member—a completely unsettled feeling of wonder.

Glen: I’ve got to hand it to Phoenix—he’s all in with this performance. His Beau is a man-child whose development is as arrested as they come. His mother, Mona, played with sadistic glee by Patti LuPone, piles the guilt

What’s it rated? TV-14 When? 2021-present

Where’s it showing? Apple TV Plus

Alright, my musical theater enthusiast friends—strap in! Schmigadoon is back for season 2 with all the fun and folly of season 1. Now married, Josh (Keegan-Michael Key) and Melissa (Cecily Strong) are looking to return to the place that once brought them together. However, that isn’t what’s waiting for them on the other side of the magical bridge. This time we aren’t stuck in the rolling hillsides of quintessential Americana. Our world is now the nitty-gritty streets of Chicago, and the couple soon realize they aren’t on the ride they were hoping for. Key and Strong are both hilarious actors, and both can carry a tune. This is a show that’s downright bingeable, so if you haven’t seen Season 1, get comfy and get watching. There’s so much great musical theater to parody, and I can’t get enough of the familiar tunes and tropes.

Most of the cast from season 1 has been recast into familiar but somewhat skewed characters in the new Chicago landscape, and our couple once again has troubles they must overcome. I know that this type of show can’t be everyone’s

THE SCHWINDY CITY! After their relationship flags, Josh (Keegan-Michael Key) and Melissa (Cecily Strong) try to find Schmigadoon again, this time arriving in Schmicago, a world based on musicals from the ’60s through the ’80s, in season 2 of Schmigadoon!, streaming on Apple TV Plus.

jam, but I love it when everyday life breaks into song, and Schmigadoon brings me joy with every tune.

(Season 2, six 25- to 34-min. episodes) —Anna

onto her kowtowing son with the finesse of a lifelong martyr. She’s given and given until she can’t give anymore. Hence, Beau’s tortured mind perpetually wrestles with an intractable Oedipus complex coupled with a deep fear of intimacy. He believes if he orgasms, he’ll die. There’s this and so much more going on. When I left the theater, I thought, “I’ll never put myself through that again,” but now as I’m continuing to unpack it all, I’ll probably have to watch it again to see what I missed. Color me gobsmacked.

Anna: There’s definitely a lot going on here, and the lines between reality and Beau’s mental spiraling are tricky to untangle. After an accident, Beau is taken to the home of

MRS. DAVIS

What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2023

Where’s it showing? Peacock

Created by Tara Hernandez (The Big Bang Theory) and Damon Lindelof (Lost), this Warner Bros. Television-produced series follows Sister Simone (Betty Gilpin), a Catholic nun who finds herself battling a powerful artificial intelligence called Mrs. Davis with the help of her ex-boyfriend, Wiley (Jake McDorman), sending them on a globetrotting adventure to find and destroy the Holy Grail in exchange for Mrs. Davis shutting herself off.

It’s as wackadoodle and farcical as it sounds. Mrs. Davis knows what people want, and she can manipulate them into doing her bidding, but she’s yet to get her hooks into Simone, who recognizes her evil powers. It leads to one weird adventure after another, for instance when Simone and Wiley travel to the English countryside to follow a lead and Wiley’s sidetracked by an absurd competition to see who can remain touching a giant sculpture of King Arthur’s mythical sword, Excalibur.

Along the way they meet Arthur Schrodinger (Ben Chaplin) who has a cat (wink-wink); Simone’s celestial husband Jesus Christ, who

Roger (Nathan Lane), Grace (Amy Ryan), and their teenage daughter, Toni (Kylie Rogers), and the world soon becomes claustrophobic. Is he trapped there? What is the motivation these people have to keep him around? It all feels so confusing, and as soon as you settle into acceptance with one part of the story, we move on to the next even more bizarre chapter. I’m with you; this one hasn’t quite sunk in yet. The more I think about this film, the wilder it gets. m

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

JESUS’ WIFE: Betty Gilpin stars as Sister Simone, a nun fighting an artificial intelligence, in the deeply weird sci-fi dramedy Mrs. Davis, streaming on Peacock.

goes by Jay (Andy McQueen); and a litany of other characters, including an always welcome Margo Martindale as Mother Superior. It’s a hoot! (eight 48- to 60-min.) m —Glen

TREPIDATIOUS TRAVEL : Joaquin Phoenix stars as anxiety-ridden Beau Wassermann, whose mother dies, forcing him to return home and confront his deepest fears, in Beau Is Afraid, screening in local theaters.

If these walls could talk

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

Locally known for setting up shop at pop-up events, the Nena’s Kitchen food truck now has a permanent home in Orcutt.

January marked the grand opening of the first brick-and-mortar iteration of Nena’s Kitchen, located at the former site of The Hang Out on South Bradley Road.

When the food truck’s owners first toured the vacant space, they thought it’d be the perfect spot to open a new Mexican restaurant in town, said co-owner Octavio Lopez, who runs the business with some of his close family members.

“We just pulled the trigger and said, ‘Let’s do it. Let’s go ahead and

get it,’ and here we are now,” said Octavio, whose family named their company brand after his mother, Nena.

Fans of the Nena’s Kitchen food truck can expect to find most of the truck’s popular fare at the restaurant, along with a much wider menu of new offerings—all inspired by Nena’s recipes that Octavio and his siblings enjoyed growing up, and continue to enjoy.

“She was always busy in the kitchen,” recalled Octavio, who added that his mother’s enchiladas have long been his personal favorite of her dishes. As far as he knows, Octavio’s been eating them since he “was able to eat solid foods,” he said with a laugh.

“I would eat three plates backto-back,” said Octavio, who loves sharing his mother’s unique take on enchiladas with patrons of Nena’s Kitchen. It’s been the company’s most popular dish since the Lopez family started the food truck in 2021.

“It’s a bit different than your normal enchiladas,” Octavio said, before describing how the family grill-fries their enchiladas and listing off several toppings.

An order of Nena’s enchiladas comes with five Michoacán red enchiladas, topped with lettuce, sour cream, queso, and tomatoes, along with ample sides of grilled chicken and crispy potatoes.

“Ever since we started doing events, the enchiladas would just capture everybody’s scent, and it would bring them straight to the food truck,” said Octavio, whose

FAMILY VALUES: The Lopez family—including Octavio Lopez, Nena Lopez, and Maria Lopez (left to right)—celebrated the grand opening of Nena’s Kitchen in Orcutt in January.

ENCHILADA ECSTASY: Servings of Michoacán enchiladas at Nena’s Kitchen are topped with lettuce, sour cream, queso, tomatoes, grilled chicken, and crispy potatoes.

ROOM FOR DESSERT:

family still runs the food truck—often catering for weddings and other events and appearing frequently in front of breweries, tasting rooms, and other venues in Old Orcutt.

Octavio’s sister-inlaw, Maria Lopez, vividly remembers the first time that Nena’s Kitchen food truck worked for an event—the 2021 Chalk Festival in Old Town Orcutt.

“We were nervous because we got a big line right away,” Maria said. “But it was great. People really liked it, and that motivated us to keep going.”

Octavio said he and his family members felt similar feelings of nervousness and excitement just before opening the restaurant in January. Over the past five months, the restaurant has periodically expanded its ever growing menu, which includes burritos, tacos, nachos, tostadas, flautas, quesadillas, and much more.

One of Octavio’s personal favorite dishes at Nena’s Kitchen is the pozole verde, a Mexican stew with chicken and several toppings.

“A lot of people don’t know about it, and they’re a little scared to try it,” Octavio said. “But once they try it, they come back for more.”

During the last week of April, the restaurant introduced a new weekly promotion—Wing Wednesday. The new combo was Octavio’s

idea and comes with spicy chicken wings and zesty seasoned fries. While almost everything else on the restaurant’s menu is customizable, Octavio said that he’s not letting customers alter this one.

“They’re really spicy, and I’m not going to take any modifications on it. If you want them, you’ve got to get them this way,” he said with a laugh. “People’s noses were dripping after trying them but [they] also said that the flavors were so good.” m

Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood devoured both the wings and enchiladas. Send comments to cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.

Reach over 150,000 readers weekly from Santa Ynez to San Miguel

your classified ad—for Free!

Private parties may run FREE classified ads in the FOR SALE (items under $200)