Sun, May 2, 2024

DreamHome

The Santa Maria Speedway is a cultural icon right on the county line. Families have spent generations racing vehicles there, attending races and rallies, and building memories. But for the last two years, its track and stands have been empty, following the COVID-19 pandemic and a fight with neighbors over noise, concerts, and what the racetrack’s permit allowed. Now, with a new lease, the speedway aims to bring racing back to the area, starting on May 11. Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor speaks with the speedway’s manager, a local family, and SLO County about the issue [6]. You can also read about the settlement that SoCal Edison reached with the U.S. Forest Service over Thomas Fire damages [4]; RocketTown Comic-Con [22]; and Roar and Pour at the zoo [25]

Camillia Lanham editor

Only Four Homes Left!

Open Daily, 10 am to 5 pm 1178 Flax Drive, Orcutt

• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) highlighted $850,000 he helped secure in the 2024 federal budget to build a 1.2 mile bike and pedestrian path adjacent to Highway 227 in San Luis Obispo, according to an April 25 statement from Carbajal’s office. The funding is set aside to help complete segments two of the Edna Valley Trail, a project overseen by the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG). The new trail will connect neighborhoods along the corridor to Los Ranchos Elementary School and retail and commercial zones along Highway 227. The Edna Valley Trail is part of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, a 1,200mile route from Nogales, Arizona, to San Francisco that commemorates the 1775-76 expedition led by Lt. Colonel Anza to settle Alta California. “I’m thrilled to bring $850,000 in federal funding to San Luis Obispo to fund a new bike and pedestrian path along state route 227,” Carbajal said in a statement. “This new project will complete segments 6 and 7 of the Edna Valley Trail which connects our neighborhoods to local schools, retail shops, and commercial areas all along the route—giving residents the ability to travel around their community while enjoying the Central Coast sun and fresh air.”

• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) applauded the Biden administration’s announcement of the first-ever national goal to transition to a zeroemission freight sector for the truck, rail, aviation, and marine industries, along with a commitment to develop a national zero-emission freight strategy. This whole-of-government strategy includes new federal investments, continued engagement with stakeholders on zero-emission freight infrastructure, and forthcoming action plans for each freight segment. The administration also announced a nearly $1 billion funding opportunity through the Inflation Reduction Act for cities, states, and tribes to replace polluting heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) with zero-emission vehicles; support infrastructure to charge, fuel, and maintain zero-emission HDVs; and advance workforce development and training to facilitate the transition. At least $400 million of the program’s funding will serve communities dealing with significant air pollution, such as those near California’s freight hubs. Transportation is the leading source of greenhouse gas and air pollution in the United States, accounting for more than a quarter of all greenhouse emissions nationwide. Despite California’s leadership and significant progress in reducing carbon emissions, the transportation sector and federally controlled pollution sources are still the largest source of air pollution in California cities. “California’s ports and freight system move the goods that fuel our national economy, yet it’s our local communities that bear the burdens of the poor air quality and harmful climate impacts that come with goods movement,” Padilla said in a statement. “I applaud the administration for following through on their obligation to reduce air pollution and advance environmental justice, and for building upon California’s leadership to slash emissions along goods movement corridors.”

• Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state has awarded more than $100 million for 33 tribal land projects, according to an April 26 statement from Newsom’s office. As part of the Newsom Administration’s Native American truth and healing process, Newsom has worked collaboratively with tribes to establish the historic Tribal NatureBased Solutions grant program. Designed to support tribal priorities as determined by the tribes themselves, grants can be used for ancestral land return, restoration, workforce development, implementation of traditional ecological knowledge and tribal expertise, habit restoration, and climate and wildfire resilience projects. “These awards are an acknowledgment of past sins, a promise of accountability, and a commitment to a better future— for the land and all its people, especially its original stewards,” Newsom said in a statement. “Only through partnership with California Native American tribes can we address the climate and biodiversity crisis and build a healthier California.” m

U.S. Forest Service to receive nearly $38 million in Thomas Fire settlement

Southern California Edison agreed to pay the United States $80 million to resolve claims and recovery costs associated with suppressing and recovering from the 2017 Thomas Fire—ending a nearly four-year litigation process.

“Obviously, we are not happy about the fire and the cause of the fire, but we are happy to reach a settlement with SCE [Southern California Edison] and use the funds to restore the natural resources and infrastructure that was destroyed by the fire,” said Christopher Stubbs, the Los Padres National Forest forest supervisor. “We are still having downstream effects from the fire. The floods we had last winter and this winter and lasting damage is in part due to the Thomas Fire.”

The Thomas Fire began in 2017 as two separate fires that later joined to burn more than 280,000 acres total—including 150,000 acres of national forest lands in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. In 2020, the United States filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Forest Service against SCE to recover costs incurred while fighting the fire and to fund continued restorative efforts.

“Forest Service investigators determined that the Thomas Fire ignited when power lines (conductors) SCE owned, maintained, and operated made contact with each other during a high wind event, causing heated material to ignite dry vegetation below the conductors,” according to the complaint filed by the United States. “SCE violated its general, statutory, and regulatory duties by failing to properly construct and maintain its equipment and power lines … which may cause a fire and failure to take reasonable precautions to avoid starting and spreading a fire.”

This is the largest wildfire cost recovery settlement made by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California—which includes Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, according to the U.S Attorney’s Office. Of the $80 million, about $37.7 million will be allocated to the Los Padres National Forest for recovery and restoration efforts—dollars expected in the next few months, Stubbs said.

“We’ll endeavor to use the funds as expeditiously as we can, but we also want to do it in a measured and thoughtful way. It does have to be directly related to the Thomas Fire or the downstream effects, and that will be the focus of our efforts,” he said.

The Forest Service prepared a resource

damage assessment for the lawsuit, which included some specifics as to how the $37.7 million will be allocated, but the Forest Service is still determining how it will implement those dollars.

Jill Casselman, an assistant United States attorney, told the Sun that she didn’t have the specifics on how the remainder of the $80 million will be spent, but some categories include emergency rehabilitation costs, firefighting cost recovery, reforestation, relocating endangered frogs and toads, and hazardous tree removal.

“The Thomas Fire was a catastrophic fire; it was so resource-intensive to put out and did so much damage to the Los Padres National Forest and … to private land,” Casselman said. “I think Edison has paid a lot of money to resolve this suit and other suits, and I hope their decisionmaking in the future will be affected by the fact these lawsuits can and will happen.”

In 2020, SCE paid Santa Barbara County $28.1 million for Thomas Fire damages after a nearly two-year litigation process, according to previous Sun reporting. As part of the federal settlement, SCE paid without admitting fault, which is common when reaching financial agreements, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

SCE Spokesperson David Eisenhauer told the Sun that SCE has covered 5,700 miles of power lines with non-conductive materials to reduce wildfire risk, completed 360-degree inspections of equipment, and did a “robust” vegetation management program to inspect 1.6 million trees in its service area—which it cuts back if they are too close to power lines.

“The settlement with the Department of Justice resolving the Thomas Fire litigation is a reasonable resolution,” Eisenhauer said. “We continue to protect our communities from the risk of wildfire with grid hardening, situational awareness, and enhanced operational practices.”

—Taylor O’Connor

Buellton grants emergency support to SYV Community Outreach

A local nonprofit recently secured emergency funds from the city of Buellton to keep its Meals on Wheels program for seniors from going belly up.

In an April 24 letter to the city, Pam Gnekow, CEO of SYV Community Outreach, reported a deficit of $110,000 during 2023, due to expenses out of the organization’s control and a dry spell in grant funding.

“All we’re trying to do is make sure we stay open,” Gnekow said at the Buellton City

Council’s April 29 meeting. “We’re looking for a sustainable way to make sure that we can keep the doors open, keep the people fed.”

The program currently delivers meals to more than 260 Buellton seniors a day, according to Gnekow’s letter. Gnekow asked the City Council to consider setting aside $250,000 annually for SYV Community Outreach, either as an allocation, a loan with a low payment arrangement, or as funds toward purchasing the Buellton Senior Thrift Store property—owned by the nonprofit—which has been appraised at $1.2 million.

At its April 29 hearing, the City Council discussed the possibility of all three options and potentially cementing the funding with a fiveyear commitment, which City Manager Scott Wolfe advised against.

“I hate to be the Grinch on this, but from my perspective here where I’m sitting, I’m really hesitant to make a commitment of five years,” Wolfe said. “We don’t make a commitment of five years on anything. We do it on a biennial budget basis.”

As part of its 2023-24 budget, the city already allocated $140,000 to SYV Community Outreach in July, 2023. Wolfe suggested that the City Council declare an additional $110,000 as “emergency support” for the nonprofit and form an ad hoc committee to reevaluate the organization’s needs in subsequent years. Wolfe said that declaring the extra funds as emergency support would help secure future grant funding from other groups in the future, rather than create an assumption that SYV Community Outreach is guaranteed the $250,000 each year.

Councilmember David Silva expressed support for Wolfe’s proposal because it left room to increase funds for the nonprofit rather than lock in the total at $250,000 or below.

“[It’s] operating in a vacuum to think that somehow need, hunger, populations— everything—is going to maintain at the same level, and I think we keep learning over and over again that need doesn’t decrease year over year, we’re just seeing an increase of it,” Silva said. “[It’s] really critical to keep us aware of that need and … grounded in what the community needs. I think sometimes we get blinders, because if you don’t need the assistance, why would you know what’s offered out there.”

The $110,000 emergency support motion passed 5-0 with a special caveat that if the Buellton Senior Thrift Store should ever go up for sale, the city has the right of first refusal.

—Caleb Wiseblood

WILDFIRE RECOVERY: After about four years of litigation, Southern California Edison agreed to pay $80 million to the United States to settle a 2020 lawsuit filed on behalf of the Los Padres Forest Service for the damages and rehabilitation costs associated with the Thomas Fire.

State completes Santa Barbara County cannabis business licensing audit

Santa Barbara County will change its cannabis licensing application as it implements suggestions from the State Auditor’s Office.

“To my knowledge, this is the first time cannabis has been audited at the state level. It’s relatively new with recreational level,” Deputy County Executive Officer Brittany Odermann told the Sun. “It’s typical that the Legislature will put in requests to audit various items, including cannabis. This is the first time, and it may be the last time.”

The state auditor looked into six California jurisdictions—Santa Barbara and Monterey counties, and the cities of Fresno, Sacramento, San Diego, and South Lake Tahoe—and reviewed their cannabis permitting processes.

“In general, we determined that cities and counties (local jurisdictions) could improve their cannabis permitting process to increase public confidence and mitigate risks of corruption,” State Auditor Grant Parks said in the audit. “Our review found that the local jurisdictions we reviewed did not always include several best practices in their permitting policies that help ensure fairness and prevent conflicts of interest, abuse, and favoritism.”

This audit is separate from the county’s efforts to analyze and update its cannabis tax, with the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office conducting financial audits of operators and the County Executive Office presenting new possible tax measures to go on the ballot. Odermann added that the cannabis tax measures will be back before the Board of Supervisors on May 14.

Regarding the state’s analysis, Odermann said that the County Executive Office is working on implementing an impartiality statement within the business application approval process— which requires county staff responsible for approving licenses to go on the record with a statement that they have no financial or personal interest in a business moving forward.

“These statements aren’t required but as a best management practice given the nature of the cannabis industry and how the public might perceive applications, I think the state looked at a few jurisdictions and thought this would be a good practice to ensure public confidence, so we’ll be implementing that as well,” she said.

The second change creates a system where the County Executive Office can see if an operator passes required background checks. The current system requires the Executive Office to reach out to the Sheriff’s Office to ensure that operators completed required background checks, and the state suggested a system to have all of that information in one place for better organization, Odermann said.

“It’s an added layer and an enhancement. Not necessarily additional work because the Sheriff’s Office is already doing [background checks],” she said. “It’s really nuanced. It’s just a small enhancement that will just ensure that everything [that] goes with the business license [is] in one spot.”

There’s no deadline for the county to make these changes, but the Executive Office is hoping to add everything by the end of this fiscal year, June 30.

“While we don’t need to make any real big changes and nothing is required of us, we are taking this information seriously and looking at implementing these enhancements in order to really follow best practices because that’s good government,” Odermann said. m

—Taylor O’Connor

A Central Coast Native, Dr. Ryan Leachman DO, MBA, Graduated from Arroyo Grande High School in 2004. Dr. Leachman attended California Polytechnic State University where he earned dual degrees in Biology and Psychology and graduated Cum Lade. Dr. Leachman continued his education at Cal Poly where he earned a Masters in Business Administration. Dr. Leachman further continued his education at Midwestern University school of Medicine where he earned his medical degree. Dr. Leachman attended residency at OSU Pediatrics. He is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics.

David Ikola, M.D. Shane Rostermundt, D.O. Joseph Nunez, M.D. Dr. Michele Kielty, D.O.

Start your engines!

BY TAYLOR O’CONNOR

Racing meant more to the Clayborn family than just a motorsport, Joey Clayborn told the Sun.

Sex: Female Weight: 14 lbs. Campus: Santa

“It was a way of life for the Clayborn family; it always has been. It’s something that’s always passed through generations. My grandfather passed it to my dad and uncle, and they passed it to me, and now I have my son that’s now racing,” Clayborn said.

The Santa Maria family’s home base was the Santa Maria Speedway: A Nipomo racetrack that hosted racing for more than 40 years until the raceway closed in 2021 due to a challenging permitting process for additional events and lawsuit costs. The Clayborns were a part of the raceway every step of the way since its inception in 1964, Clayborn said.

“[The closure] was terrible; it’s never been just a racetrack for us. It’s a home away from home. Every year … we got to go out and spend Saturday night with our extended racing family,” Clayborn said. “It didn’t stop us, but now we had to travel everywhere to race. Everyone knows how the price of everything gets really expensive week in and week out, for traveling and fuel.”

When the speedway announced it would be reopening after a nearly two-year shutdown, Clayborn said his family was thrilled.

“It was just a great feeling. We just heard rumors for so long and we didn’t know it was going to happen,” Clayborn said. “When we heard the Pombo family was stepping up, we knew that family for years because they are a huge racing family, it was just exciting.”

Tony Pombo, a multigenerational Fresnobased racer who’s raced his entire life, put in a bid for the property and signed a lease to get racing going again this year, said David Castaneda, the speedway’s general manager and events director.

“The goal was to find somebody in motorsports that would take over the track and continue to run it as a racetrack and not change it to another commercial venture,” Castaneda said. “It’s not like a restaurant; if it closes down

it’s gone forever. … It’s a very unique facility and very well known across the Western United States.”

With the lease guaranteed until the end of 2024, the Santa Maria Speedway anticipates hosting 10 races over nine weekends plus another six separate weekends of go-karts, he said. Construction and maintenance crews have been working alongside local volunteers to gear the raceway up for its first race on May 11, followed by a Memorial Day go-kart race, and its first open wheel sprint race on June 15.

“It means different things to different people. You have fans who’ve come and watched racing for years,” Castaneda said. “[To] the race teams it means something different; we’ve had multiple generations of families from the area that started in the ’60s and ’70s where their grandchildren are racing … . They’re excited to get back to racing; they are very hopeful we can get this track back up again.”

The speedway closed in 2021 following a 2018 lawsuit filed by neighbors in the Costa Pacifica Estates development over noise complaints about racing and the live music events the venue hosted, Castaneda said. The lawsuit claimed that the speedway needed an environmental impact report before it could go forward with any live music events.

“That was a very big and very expensive fight we had to drop, but the fact is we were exempt from CEQA [California Environmental Quality Act],” Castaneda said. “No. 1, we were an existing business and did not constitute a material change in operations. We’ve been racing since 1964, concerts since the ’70s. The county told us we had no problems; we were grandfathered in.”

According to reporting from the Sun’s sister paper, New Times, many residents claimed that the raceway operated without proper permitting and on an outdated license, but then SLO County 4th District Supervisor Lynn Compton said that the raceway had a legitimate entertainment license.

Castaneda added that the raceway could only

make improvements to current facilities, but not expand them, in order to maintain its status.

“We did the remodel at the end of 2018, and in 2019, we operated with new grandstands, new bathrooms, a safety catch fence, and everybody loved the improvements, but that was when a number of noise complaints came in,” he said, adding that it resulted in the lawsuit. “The county then decided that we weren’t supposed to do concerts and forced us to go through this licensing process, which cost about $70,000.”

Attorneys told the speedway that it had a good case, but fighting against the lawsuit would have cost an additional $75,000 to $100,000 in legal fees “to be found right,” he said.

“We had to have surveyors come out, and it just became so expensive, and on top of that COVID hit. We had no revenue in 2020 at all, so when we got that going again, we were at limited capacity,” Castaneda said. “It just drained this business of all its capital.”

Next year, Castaneda wants to see at least 22 weekends of racing, from April to October, and eventually bring back monster truck rallies and motorcycle racing to the speedway. However, continued community support is vital to keep the track open, he said. While Castaneda’s encouraged by the community response so far, he’s concerned about possible future complaints.

“I have sympathy for people who don’t like noise, but we’ve been here since 1964 and we’ve never made a secret of what we do here,” Castaneda said. “My concern is that it only takes a few people to throw a monkey ... wrench and that can be expensive for a facility like this.”

SLO County 4th District Supervisor Jimmy Paulding, whose district encompasses the raceway, told the Sun via email that his office has not received any complaints about the speedway reopening.

“The raceway is an important community attraction. In fact, I used to enjoy going to the races as a kid, and I look forward to attending the races once reopened,” Paulding said. “Regarding past unresolved permitting issues associated with concert events at this location, it is my understanding that only racing is being pursued from a permitting standpoint at this time.”

SLO County Planning and Building Director Trevor Keith told the Sun that the raceway’s permit allows the venue to host races and other similar racing events, like monster truck rallies, but it can’t host any other events like rodeos or music concerts.

“The raceway received a permit in 1964 for racing and some concessionaire facilities. The raceway did receive a permit several years ago for some music events; however, that permit was ultimately withdrawn by the raceway owner,” Keith said. “As long as the use remains racing, the raceway is in compliance with the 1964 permit.”

Central Coast racers are eager to return to their hometown raceway. Clayborn said he’s gearing up to get back in the driver’s seat for a few races and coach his son in his rookie year.

“You can race other places, and it’s fun, but I’m looking forward to [watching] my son experience the Santa Maria Speedway,” Clayborn said. “I had many years out there and wins and track championships. It’s just exciting that I’m going to be able to wake up on May 11 and be able to take my son and race the speedway for the first time just like my dad did; just like his dad did.” m

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

BACK TO RACING: After a nearly two-year shutdown, the Santa Maria Speedway is ready to open its doors to racers and fans again, with May 11 as its first race of the season.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID CASTANEDA

LIVE WELL, PLAN AHEAD

Riding for cancer treatment

Santa Ynez Valley-based horse-riding group annually contributes to Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara

BY TAYLOR O’CONNOR

Over the past 12 years, Santa Barbara County riding group Rancheros Visitadores, in partnership with Wrangler, has donated more than $1.5 million to the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara to support local cancer research and care programs.

The Rancheros Visitadores was started in the Santa Ynez Valley in the 1930s by local ranch owners to carry on a tradition where ranchers would drive their cattle to market in the spring, said John Balch, the Rancheros Visitadores general manager. Every spring, the rancheros host a ride to the Mission Santa Inés to commemorate the old vaquero tradition.

In 2012, former club member Steve Beneto came up with the idea of partnering with Wrangler to start a campaign called Tough Enough to Wear Pink, where the Rancheros Visitadores would raise money for breast cancer treatment and awareness with a focus in Santa Barbara County, Balch said.

“A lot of our members’ wives and in some cases daughters have developed breast cancer, so he thought that was a good area to focus in, and we’ve been supporting them annually,” Balch said.

For the first time since 2022, the Rancheros will parade through the streets of Solvang to the Mission Santa Inés on May 4 where they will present a $155,000 check to the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara in celebration of its continued efforts to support cancer treatment.

“We love coming back here every year. ... It’s an old Spanish custom, and it’s something we’re trying to carry on,” Balch said. “We’ve been a part of the valley for 90, 94 years now, and we appreciate the kindness of ranchers in the valley who allow us to ride through their property so we can have an annual trek every year.”

The Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara raises funds to ensure that all county residents have access to oncology, nutrition counseling, and genetic counseling, alongside support groups and wellness groups at Santa Barbara and Solvang’s Ridley Tree Cancer Center, said Stephanie Carlyle, the foundation’s director of philanthropy and administration.

“There’s everything from scalp cooling to minimize damage to follicles so their hair may not fall out, to acupuncture to the other services mentioned. These services are not typically reimbursed—these are things we have raised funds to ensure they have access to this through and beyond cancer to

help with their recovery efforts,” Carlyle said.

The Rancheros Visitadores raising $1.5 million in overall contributions is a “pretty significant milestone,” she added.

“I would say that there are probably a small handful of organizations or groups who might commit themselves to a particular cause, and to see them continue to support year after year is really remarkable,” Carlyle said. “With such a strong presence in the valley, they know they are helping their friends, neighbors, and even fellow riders as they face cancer.”

All contributions to the foundation circle back into its programs, keeping dollars local and ensuring that residents can get the treatment they need covered, rather than going elsewhere, she said.

“The cancer foundation raises funds each year to support these programs, and our grants are typically around $3 million or more to cover the costs of these services. We rely on local donors, groups, and organizations to help us raise the funds to ensure these funds are available,” Carlyle said. “Those donations help us deliver a level of care not normally possible for a community of our size, making us unique as to what is available for our patients.”

Visit cfsb.org to learn more about the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara or donate to its programs. The Rancheros Visitadores is an inviteonly club, and membership requires sponsorship.

Highlight

• The Lompoc Public Library System’s Village Library is offering a pilot seed library program that allows gardeners to borrow seeds from the library at planting time. Seed libraries encourage biodiversity and decrease reliance on major seed companies. This practice helps combat seed monocultures, which threaten the world’s food supply, according to the library. Patrons who borrow seeds from the Village Library save the seeds from their plants and return a portion of the seeds to the library. Participants start by picking out their seeds—limited to five packets a day— sign out what they have taken in a seed binder, and return dry seeds from plants the patron has grown. The seed library runs on donations from library patrons; store-bought seeds are also welcome in place of seeds from a home garden. Direct questions to (805) 733-3323. m

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS: As part of its annual parade through Solvang to the Mission Santa Inés, the Rancheros Visitadores will present a $155,000 check to the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara on May 4. The organization regularly contributes to local cancer research and treatment programs.

CATEGORIES:

Winning Images ENTRY PERIOD IS APRIL 25–MAY

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. The link below will take you to the entry form and invite you to open a free account. You’ll need an account to enter images.

• 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.

• 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 and fees must be received by 5 P.M. ON MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024 , 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

(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, 2024, 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 20, 2024, issues of New Times and the Sun

Dan Baum, 2023

J.J. Baker, 2023

Michael V Messina, 2023

Lance Wilson, 2023

Jonathan Shapiro, 2023

Dylan Kyle, 2023

Have you gotten on the birria bandwagon?

60% Not yet, but I’m eager to try it!

20% Yes! It’s the best thing ever!

20% What’s birria?

0% No. I don’t understand the hype. 5 Votes Vote online at www.santamariasun.com.

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Who will pay?

The electric vehicle mandate will cost more and cause more problems—for everyone—than it solves

BY RON FINK

According to the state Air Resources Control Board, California is mandating by executive fiat the electrification of all new vehicles purchased in California by 2035. Not mentioned is the cost of the mandate or who will pay for it.

The first issue is fire safety. According to Business Insider, “Car fires have always been dangerous and difficult for firefighters, but highly combustible chemicals in electric car batteries are posing new challenges. One major difference is the possibility of what’s referred to as a ‘thermal runaway,’ in which an EV [electric vehicle] battery falls into a cycle of overheating and over-pressurizing, causing fires and sometimes explosions.”

Even minor fender-bender accidents can cause a short-circuit, causing a fire. Fires in EVs are difficult to extinguish using conventional methods and, unlike fires in fossil fuel-powered vehicles, create large amounts of contaminated water and hazardous waste from the carcass of the burned-out vehicle.

Who pays for this? The owner of the car must pay to replace his vehicle and/ or anything else that’s damaged (like their house) in the fire. Taxpayers pay to extinguish the fire. But who pays for waste cleanup and disposal?

Then there is the cost to build recharging stations. When fossil fuel-powered vehicles were first introduced, it was private industry that paid to build refueling stations; in this case it is electric utilities that are providing the “fuel” to power the EV. But who will pay to install all those recharging stations?

And what about the distribution system upgrades

that will be required to support increased power loads? One local power utility manager told me that if every single-family house on any city block were to have an EV charging station in their home, the utility would have to double the number of transformers serving the block and rewire the distribution system to handle the load.

These improvements will cost millions of dollars.

When you go to a refueling station today, the pumps indicate the price per gallon and are regularly tested to ensure that they are providing the customer an assurance that he/ she is paying the correct amount for the fuel.

One fleet car rental company recently sold all its EVs at a loss because no one would rent them, primarily because of the limited travel distance between recharges and the difficulty finding recharging stations and the two-tosix-hour wait while they recharged. Even a Biden administration cabinet secretary, trying to prove the benefits of EVs, couldn’t complete the trip because the battery drained sooner than expected partway through the trip.

These are just some of the issues to consider when you place your vote; Gov. Gavin Newsom issued this mandate by executive order. There was no public debate, voters weren’t allowed to choose the mandatory change to EVs, and the state Assembly didn’t debate the positive or negative aspects of the change.

One good way to kill an economy and place an untenable economic burden on the average family is to require this change.

Newsom is termed out, but someone will step up and ask for your vote. The first thing voters should ask a new candidate for governor is about the EV mandate: Who will pay for it?

All the EV recharging stations I have seen so far do not have this information posted, so the EV owner has no idea what he/she is paying until they get the bill. And there is no indication that these stations are properly calibrated to ensure the customer is getting what they paid for.

Then there is the cost to fleet operators. Electric powered vehicles are heavier than the current fossil fuel-powered units, thus the amount of freight that can be carried is significantly less. Also, the distance they can travel between recharging stops is about half that of fossil fueled-powered equipment. The cost of everything from eggs to the EV you will be required to buy will go up significantly as shipping costs increase.

Speak up! Send us your views and opinion to letters@santamariasun.com.

Not only that, but the number of trucks will double to move the same amount of freight, thus requiring twice as many drivers and more traffic congestion.

One good way to kill an economy and place an untenable economic burden on the average family is to require this change. Whether you’re rich or poor, an environmental activist, or just don’t care, when electrical fees and taxes are increased to pay for system upgrades, you and I will be paying for this. 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, 801 S Broadway Suite 3, Santa Maria, CA 93454. 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.

Mother Nature will have her revenge on Dana Reserve development

[Regarding the SLO County Board of Supervisors April 24 approval of the Dana Reserve development in Nipomo.]

Really? This is an outrage on all levels, an insult and attack on our sense and sensibilities. We have surpassed our oak tree removal quota after letting Resnick clear-cut 15,000 oaks in Paso Robles. What is going on here?

Development and destruction of this magnitude does not even compute, makes no sense. What the he!! is the definition and purpose of a reserve? Who speaks for the trees? William O. Douglas asked this question 52 years ago, and we still don’t get it. If this is about housing, this is not the place to do it. You can find a better place that does not require the death and destruction of old, precious, never-did-anything-wrong trees. If we don’t get this right, Mother Nature is going to get even. She always does, that is her job. And cutting down her masterpieces is going to pi## her off.

This whole project in this place is a bad, stupid idea, and I would vote that stupid gets cut down and out and the trees stay. Jean’ne Blackwell San Luis Obispo

The United States is getting $80 million from Southern California Edison for the 2017 Thomas Fire, which burned through more than 280,000 acres. That’s cash money.

Why? To recoup the damages and cost of fighting said fire on 150,000 acres of Los Padres National Forest in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Los Padres is getting roughly $38 million of the pie. So, where’s the rest going?

Nobody the Sun spoke with could tell us. Not Los Padres Forest Supervisor Chris Stubbs and not Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Casselman. Well, Casselman said there were “categories” of how the money could be spent: emergency rehab costs, firefighting cost recovery, reforestation, hazardous tree removal.

That’s a lot of money not going to the actual national forest in which this fire happened. It’d be nice to be privy to some of the specifics.

In addition to paying the U.S. government, Edison has also paid out at least $150 million to public agencies in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties for the Thomas Fire and resulting 2018 Montecito debris flow that killed 23 people.

It paid out an additional couple of hundred million to other agencies in connection to the Woolsey Fire, which burned through almost 100,000 acres in the Santa Monica Mountains and through Malibu in 2018.

The utility also agreed to pay $110 million in fines to the California Public Utilities Commission over these two fires and three others in Southern California and were prevented from charging ratepayers for $375 million in costs related to uninsured claims. All told, the fires cost the utility close to a billion dollars and counting.

And it’s not the only utility that’s paid out hundreds of millions of dollars for damages

related to equipment-sparked wildfires in California, damaging homes, recreation areas, forested land, and private property and killing residents. They’ve taken steps to correct the devastating error of their ways: Not maintaining their infrastructure. But it’s baby steps. Little, tiny baby steps. Southern California Edison has so far covered 5,700 miles of power lines with non-conductive material to reduce wildfire risk, has a “robust” vegetation management program to cut back trees that are too close to power lines, and conducts 360-degree inspections of equipment.

For a billion dollars, the utility probably could have buried miles and miles of power lines underground. It could have maintained its equipment in the years preceding the costly wildfires.

Utility Spokesperson David Eisenhauer called the settlement with the Forest Service a “reasonable resolution.” One of the terms of that settlement means that the utility doesn’t have to admit fault, which is awesome for them—legally. Is it reasonable? How much should a human life cost? How much does a burned acre of forest cost? Putting a wildland firefighter at risk? I guess that’s why they have lawyers for that stuff. At least through lawsuits there’s some accountability.

“We continue to protect our communities from the risk of wildfire with grid hardening, situational awareness, and enhanced operational practices,” he said.

Maybe that lesson was learned too late for Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas and Electric, and others that didn’t do what they were supposed to and prevent catastrophic wildfires. Hopefully, it’s a lesson that others across the country take to heart. m

The Canary is depressed. Send happy thoughts to canary@santamariasun.com.

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 Educación Especial del distrito SMJUHSD.Staff | Special Education | Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (smjuhsd.k12.ca.us)

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, 2023 and 1998 Records not picked up by June 1, 2024 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 2023 y registros del 1998 que no hayan sido recogidos para el 1 de junio de 2024 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

Santa

Center East

Hot Stuff

WE’VE GOT SPIRIT

The Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary in Lompoc hosts an outdoor opening day ceremony for its 2024 season on Saturday, May 4, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. The event will include a birthday celebration for Spirit, the horse that the animators behind Dreamworks’ Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron modeled the film’s title character after. Guests will have the chance to meet and get photos with Spirit, who has been at Return to Freedom since 2002. Visit returntofreedom.org to find out more about the event.

—Caleb Wiseblood

ARTS

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

ANNUAL SPRING ARTISAN CRAFT

FAIR Come enjoy browsing the amazing handmade items our artists/crafters have lovingly made. Jewelry, home goods, bags, clothing, and so much more. Yummy treats made from scratch by the event’s fabulous bakers. Snack bar with sloppy Joes and world famous Costco dogs. May 4 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Casa Grande Mobile Estates, 519 W Taylor St., Santa Maria, 805-922-4888.

BALLROOM, LATIN, AND SWING DANCE

CLASSES Social ballroom, Latin, and swing lessons for all ages. 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.

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/.

FEATURED ARTIST: LINDA NELSON

Showcasing artwork by featured artist Linda Nelson. Through May. Santa Maria Airport, 3249 Terminal Dr., Santa Maria.

FREE BOOK SUNDAYS FOR AGES 0-17

Visit the Youth Services Desk on the first Sunday of each month to receive a coupon for a free book of your choice from the Library Bookstore. For ages 0-17. First Sunday of every month Free. 805-9250994. cityofsantamaria.org/services/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. HOPE FUNDRAISER (MUSICAL BUYOUT)

House of Pride and Equality (HOPE) in conjunction with the Santa Maria Civic

Theatre (SMCT) proudly hosts this buyout performance of The Prom May 11, 1:30 p.m. my805tix.com. Santa Maria Civic Theatre, 1660 N. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

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. 832-8848114. Cubanissimo Cuban Coffee House, 4869 S. Bradley Rd., #118, Orcutt. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Menken and Ashman’s hit dark comedy musical adapted from the cult classic film by Roger Corman. Whatever you do, don’t feed the plant. Through May 12 pcpa.org/shows/. Marian Theatre, 800 S. College Dr., Santa Maria.

PARADISE COLLECTIBLES CONVENTION

The goal of this community event is to create a space for the collectible and hobbyists communities on the Central Coast to share their passions, network, and trade goods and services. May 4 my805tix.com/. Santa Maria Fairpark, 937 S. Thornburg St., Santa Maria.

THE PROM: THE MUSICAL Presented by SMCT. May 3 -19 my805tix.com/. Santa Maria Civic Theatre, 1660 N. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

VALLEY READS BOOK CLUB The Valley Reads is a monthly book club for adults featuring coffee, snacks, and lively discussion. May 11 2 p.m. Free. 805-9250994. cityofsantamaria.org/services/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

CALIFORNIA’S CHANGING LANDSCAPE:

THE WAY OF WATER Featuring more than 20 large-format documentary inkjet

photographs of the Golden State, this timely exhibition showcases George Rose’s recent expansive documentation of California’s dramatic water story. Through July 8 California Nature Art Museum, 1511-B Mission Dr., Solvang, calnatureartmuseum. org.

PAINTING IN THE VINEYARD AT BRANDER WINERY Are you looking for something unique to do for Mother’s Day this year? Why not join us at the picturesque Brander Vineyard in Santa Ynez. You’ll spend the afternoon sipping delicious wine and capturing the beauty of the landscape on canvas. May 12 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $89. 805-325-8092. artspotonwheels.com/events/mothersday-painting-in-the-vineyard-at-branderwinery/. The Brander Vineyard, 2401 N Refugio Rd., Los Olivos.

POETRY IN PAPER Karen Bit Vejle’s gallery show. Make sure to experience this unique gallery exhibit during the museum’s regular hours before the show ends. Through May 7 Elverhoj Museum of History and Art, 1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang, 805686-1211, elverhoj.org.

TODDLER TIME ART PLAY GROUP Calling all walkers to four-year-olds. join Art Spot Wednesday mornings for some discovery play in the art studio. Each week you and your toddler(s) will be met with water play, painting, and more sensory discovery stations of fun. Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m. through May 29 $35. 805-325-8092. artspotonwheels.com/events/toddler-timeart-play-group-2/. Art Spot on Wheels, 320 Alisal Road, unit 306B, Solvang.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

POURING MY HEART OUT Featured Artist Christine Jeszeck shares her art in a variety of mediums and genres at the Cypress Gallery. Artist Reception will be

held Thursday, May 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. through May 26 805-737-1129. Cypress Gallery, 119 E Cypress Ave., Lompoc, lompocart.org.

ROCKET TOWN COMIC CON Features stars from various media, including Pixar films and Star Wars spin-offs. May 4 and May 5 my805tix.com/. Lompoc Valley Middle School, 234 S. N St., Lompoc.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

THE FISH WHISPERER A mysterious outsider plots to fix a small fishing town’s sudden bad luck when it comes to fishing. Through May 11 Great American Melodrama, 1863 Front St., Oceano.

WATERCOLOR PAINTINGS BY WILL

BARKHUFF Includes a series of images featuring invaluable field workers in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. May 5 12-5 p.m. Natural Toolbox, Suite 137, Pismo Beach Premium Outlets, Pismo Beach.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

2024 STUDENT ANNUAL ART EXHIBITION

Juried by Cal Poly instructor Makia Sharp, this exhibit showcases the work of Cuesta students, featuring drawings, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, and digital art. Proceeds of sales go directly to students, less 10 percent which goes to Fine Arts Access scholarships. Mondays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. through May 17 Free. 805-546-3201. cuesta.edu/ student/campuslife/artgallery/2023-24exhibitions/2024StudentAnnual.html. Harold J. Miossi Gallery, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

ADAM PARKER SMITH: FOR THE TIME

BEING This exhibition will feature several works made throughout the artist’s career as sort of a mid-career retrospective. Adam Parker Smith has a unique ability to address complex themes in a whimsical, light-hearted way that makes his work

incredibly accessible. Through July 7, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 805-543-8562. sloma.org/ exhibition/adam-parker-smith/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

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

APRIL BANKS: OUTLANDISH Los Angeles-based artist April Banks is a creative strategist working across visual art, social engagement, and exhibition design. Her practice sits intentionally between image, space, and experience. Through July 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 805-543-8562. sloma.org/exhibition/aprilbanks/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

ART AFTER DARK: GROUP SHOW Visit site for more info on this Art After Dark program. May 3 , 5-8 p.m. my805tix.com. Drew Davis Fine Art, 393 Pacific St., San Luis Obispo.

ART AFTER DARK: CENTURY 21

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

BARRY GOYETTE: MULBERRY For his exhibition at SLOMA, San Luis Obispobased artist Barry Goyette shows a series of portraits taken by a very specific mulberry tree as a site for portrait photography guided by the models, of varying stages of life. Through June 3, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 805-543-8562. sloma. org/exhibition/barry-goyette-mulberry/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad 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 805-835-

5893. hmcruceceramics.com/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo. CLAY BABY HANDPRINTS Offers a unique experience of pressing your baby’s hand/ foot into clay so parents can cherish this time forever. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays $55. anamcre.com/babyhandprints. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. COMIX FAIR 2024 With local comic book artists, a vendor showcase, photo booth, board games, and more, all inside the library. This mini-comics convention is free and family-friendly. Wear your favorite costume. May 11 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. 805781-5991. slolibrary.org. San Luis Obispo Library Community Room, 995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. DATE NIGHT POTTERY Bring your date and throw a cup on the pottery wheel. Next, texture a clay slab and press into a form creating a personalized piece. Guest are welcome to bring drinks; venue provides aprons. Pieces are fired, glazed, and ready in two weeks. Saturdays, 6-6:30 p.m. $140. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. FIRST FRIDAYS Visit SLOMA on the first Friday of each month for exhibition openings, music, and wines provided by regional winery partners. Admission is free and open to the public. First Friday of every month, 5-8 p.m. Free. 805-543-8562. sloma.org/events/first-fridays/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

FOUR-WEEK ADULT HANDBUILDING AND WHEEL SERIES Learning both handbuilding and wheel throwing techniques. Students will get a taste of all things clay in this four-week series. Clay/ firing included; beginner friendly. Please sign up online in advance. This series is offered each month (check website for availability). First Saturday of every month, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $180. anamcre.com/ booking. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo. IMPROV COMEDY SHOW Presented by Central Coast Comedy Theater. May 10, 6-8 p.m. my805tix.com/. SLO Public Market, 120 Tank Farm Road,

All Dry Services of SLO &

Barbara County

Alzheimer’s Association

Astound Business Solutions powered by Digital West

Avila Bay Athletic Club & Spa

Better Business Bureau of the Tri-Counties

Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast

Butlerz Event Rentals

Caribbean Love LLC

Central Coast Brewing

Central Coast Veteran’s Memorial Museum

CIO Solutions

City of San Luis Obispo

City Wide Facility Solutions

Coastal Communities Physician Network

CoastHills Federal Credit Union

Community Action Partnership

Community Home Health

Costco

County of San Luis Obispo

THE CENTRAL COAST’S LARGEST BUSINESS TRADE SHOW

Cuesta College Damsel in Defense

Diversity Coalition SLO County

Drop Water

ECHO sponsored by Photon Brothers Eckerd Connects

Educational Employees Credit Union

Eighty20 Group

Elite Virtual Assistant

Epic Entertainment Foundation for the Performing Arts Center

Genoa Visual Group

Glenn Burdette

Goodwill Central Coast

Greenpoint Psychotherapy

Hellahot

Home Matters Caregiving

Hospice of San Luis Obispo County

HOTWORX SLO

House of Bread at Farmhouse

Housing Authority San Luis Obispo (HASLO)

Insperity

Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards

Launch and Ladder Pub

Libertine Brewing Company

Lumina Alliance (formerly RISE & Stand Strong)

Luttrell Staffing Group

KSBY-TV

Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolates

Mechanics Bank - Broad Street

Mercedes-Benz of San Luis Obispo

MGP Coatings

Miller Event Management

Monarch Primary Care

Monde Public Relations

Murphy Bank

NAACP San Luis Obispo County

New Life K9s

New Times

Obispo Hyperbarics

ONX Wines & Vineyards

Orangetheory Fitness San Luis Obispo

Pacific Hotels

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Party Scene

Paso Robles Safe & Lock

PathPoint

Photon Brothers

Poor Richard’s Press

Popolo Catering

Promotional Concepts

RKM Real Estate Group

Roof Maxx

San Luis Obispo Legal

Assistance Foundation

Senior Care Authority

SESLOC

Shows CPA | Consulting

SLO4Home

SLO Blues Baseball

SLO Council of Governments/SLO Regional

Rideshare

SLO Food Co-op

SLO Piercing

SLO Provisions

SLO Safe Ride

Spectrum Reach (Charter Media)

St. Andrew The Apostle Greek

Orthodox Church

Starphyre Digital Security Services

Tachi Palace Casino Resort

Templeton Glass

The Law Offices of Daniel J. Knight, APLC

The Management Trust – Goetz Manderley

The Monday Club

The Tribune and sanluisobispo.com

The Villages of San Luis Obispo

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Tri-County Office Furniture, Inc.

Truly Gifted

UCLA Health

United Staffing Associates

United Way of SLO

Exhibitors as of April 26, 2024

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.

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.

SHAKESPERIENCE: A CUESTA DRAMA

IMMERSIVE PRODUCT This new, cuttingedge interactive event allows guests to experience different Shakespeare plays in different locations in one night. This experience has pairs of audience members moving from location to location to experience the best of Shakespeare. May

9 7 & 9 p.m., May 10 7 & 9 a.m., May 11, 1:30, 3:30, 7 & 9 p.m. and May 12 1:30 & 3:30 p.m. $18. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

SLO COMEDY UNDERGROUND OPEN MIC

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

STAND-UP COMEDY CLASS: ALL THINGS

COMEDY This class covers the basics of crafting jokes, putting your set together, and includes performance training. Learn

SYMMETRICAL SHOWCASE

A diverse variety of artworks from Allan Hancock College students is currently on display in the Ann Foxworthy Gallery’s annual Fine Arts Student Exhibition, which runs through Wednesday, May 10. The exhibit highlights paintings, drawings, sculptures, digital art, and works of other media. Visit hancockcollege.edu/gallery to find out more about the showcase. The gallery is located inside Hancock’s Academic Resource Center in Santa Maria.

about comedic timing, workshop your sets, and get ready to rock that mic. Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m. through May 7 my805tix.com. Central Coast Comedy Theater Training Center, 2078 Parker Street, suite 200, San Luis Obispo, 805-858-8255.

THE THANKSGIVING PLAY Good intentions collide with absurd assumptions in this wickedly funny satire, as a troupe of well-meaning, but hilariously misguided teaching artists scramble to create a school pageant that can somehow celebrate both Turkey Day and Native American Heritage Month. ThursdaysSaturdays, 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays, Sundays, 2-4 p.m. through May 19 $20-$40. 805-786-2440. slorep.org/shows/thethanksgiving-play/. SLO Rep, 888 Morro St., San Luis Obispo.

TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL Art Central is excited to present “Too Cool for School”, an exhibition showcasing Cuesta College students’ remarkable artwork. It celebrates the passion and creativity found within our local student community. Artist reception will be held Friday, May 3, from 5-7 p.m. during Art After Dark. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. through May 17 Free. 805-747-4200. artcentralslo.com/portfolio/ too-cool-for-school/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

FINE ART ACRYLIC PAINTINGS BY HEMA SUKUMAR “The world is full of vibrant colors and hues. As a person and

artist, I am drawn to color.” Features work on canvas, paper, and metal. Mondays, Wednesdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. through May 29 Free. 805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

MIXED MEDIA ART BY BRIAN JOHNSON

Johnson is a passionate artist, known for abstracting reality. His work all starts from photos and embodying “The Sublime.” Mondays, Wednesdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. through May 29 Free. 805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

MOSAIC GARDEN POLE Create a mosaic garden pole using custom ceramic pieces,

tiles, do-dads, and broken plate pieces. You’ll learn how to prep the pole, which adhesive to use, how to break pieces, and grout and mount your pole. Preregistration required. All skills welcome. May 3, 4 p.m. $275. 805-286-5993. creativemetime.com.

Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay.

PORCELAIN CERAMICS BY THOMAS BROWN Brown’s constant endeavor in the subject of ceramics is to produce new, exciting colors and versions of crystallineglazed pieces that are “well made, beautiful, and functional.” Mondays, WednesdaysSundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. through May 29 Free. 805-772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

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.

FIRST FRIDAY First Friday of every month facebook.com/firstfridayoldtownorcutt/. Historic Old Town Orcutt, S. Broadway and Union Ave., Orcutt.

FREE BOOK SUNDAYS FOR AGES 0-17

Visit the Youth Services Desk on the first Sunday of each month to receive a coupon for a free book of your choice from the Library Bookstore. For ages 0-17. First Sunday of every month Free. 805-9250994. cityofsantamaria.org/services/

departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

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.

MOTHER’S DAY SPRING CLASSIC

Features live music, food, drinks, and 100 to 150 classic cars. May 12 , 11 a.m.-6 p.m. my805tix.com. Pioneer Park, 1150 W. Foster Rd., Orcutt.

RAISE THEM UP: 50TH ANNIVERSARY

The North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center is excited to extend a warm invitation to you for its annual fundraiser, Raise Them Up 2024, marking its 50th anniversary celebration. Ticket sales are currently active; secure your spot now. May 4 6-8:30 p.m. $125. sbcountyrapecrisis.org/raisethemup/. Presqu’ile Winery, 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., Santa Maria, 805-937-8110.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

MOMS 4 MUTTS This Mother’s Day weekend, Arrowsmith’s will be donating 20 percent of all takings to the Santa Ynez Humane Society for the duration of the event and there will be cats and dogs outside on the front patio looking for their fur-ever home. May 11 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 805-686-9126. arrowsmithwine.com/ events. Arrowsmith’s, 1539 Mission Drive, Solvang.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

OPENING DAY AND SPIRIT’S BIRTHDAY

Learn about America’s wild horses and burros. Take a staff-led sanctuary walking tour. Meet Spirit, model for the animated film Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron . Enjoy eclectic locavore food, pourings from local wineries, and flamenco music from guitarist George Quirin. May 4 3-6:30 p.m. $200 for adults; $75 kids ages 6-17; CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 18

SANTA MARIA“CITY CRUISE”

MOTORCYCLE

COWBOYS THE FLYING COWBOYS

Hot Stuff

free for ages 5-and-under. 805-737-9246. returntofreedom.org/visit/. The Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary, 4115 Jalama Rd., Lompoc.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

ADVENTURES WITH NATURE: OCEANO’S BEAVERS Join State Park Docent Dan to learn about the beavers’ physical adaptations, their role in our country’s westward expansion, and their local history. Enjoy an easy paced walk around the Oceano lagoon as we search for evidence and signs of beaver. RSVP by calling. May 11 , 10 a.m.-noon Free. 805474-2664. Oceano Dunes Visitor Center, 555 Pier Ave., Oceano.

ADVENTURES WITH NATURE: OSO FLACO LAKE Join State Park Docents Cheryl and Sally for a guided walk to learn about the fascinating plant and wildlife communities. Meet at the Day Use Parking Lot at Oso Flaco Lake. Moderate walk: 2 miles. RSVP by calling. May 4 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free. 805-474-2664. Oso Flaco Lake, 3098 Oso Flaco Lake Road, Arroyo Grande. COMMUNITY NATIVE GARDEN MONTHLY VOLUNTEER WORKDAY Volunteers accomplish a variety of tasks including pathways maintenance, litter patrol of the garden perimeter, weeding, irrigation system expansion/repairs, pruning, and plantings. Volunteers should bring work gloves, a hat, drinking water, and tools related to the above activities. First Saturday of every month, 9 a.m.-noon Free. 805-710-3073. Nipomo Native Garden, Camino Caballo at Osage, Nipomo.

DONATION-BASED YOGA FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, EMTS, AND CARETAKERS Class schedule varies. Contact empoweryoga805@gmail for details and reservations. ongoing 805-619-0989. empoweryoga805.com. Empower Yoga Studio and Community Boutique, 775 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach.

Spread the word!

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

how my mind and body ages.” Series sponsored by Unity Five Cities. Details from chris@peacefulpoint.com. Over Zoom. Wednesdays, 6-7:30 p.m. through Nov. 20 Love offering. (805) 489-7359. unity5cities.org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

BEYOND MINDFULNESS Realize your potential through individualized meditation instruction with an experienced teacher via Zoom. This class is for those who wish to begin a practice or seek to deepen an existing one. Flexible days and times. Certified with IMTA. Email or text for information. Mondays-Sundays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sliding scale. 559-905-9274. theartofsilence.net. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

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

CENTRAL COAST DIALYSIS ORGAN

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

COFFEE CHAT SLO Join Smart Share Housing staff and other community members for coffee and snacks. Learn more about Smart Share’s three programs, including HomeshareSLO, ADU-SLO, and Co-Living Collaborative. All welcome. May 8 , 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. 805-2155474. smartsharehousingsolutions.org. Waterman Village at the Rosa Butron de Canet Adobe, 466 Dana Street, San Luis Obispo.

DAILY QIGONG PRACTICE For the early riser or commuter, every weekday morning. Maintain or improve concentration, balance, and flexibility. Includes weekly Friday 3 p.m. class with more practices. Led by certified Awareness Through Movement teacher. MondaysSaturdays, 6:10 a.m. and Fridays, 3 p.m. $35/week or $125/month.

646-280-5800. margotschaal.com/qigong. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

explores personal, cultural, and social identity. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. Free. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

QI GONG FITNESS ONLINE Qi Gong is a gentle but powerful way to strengthen body, mind, and spirit. Great for balance. Instructor: Gary West, through Adult School, San Luis Coastal Unified School District. An online class. Wednesdays, 9:35-10:35 a.m. through May 22 $90. 805-549-1222. ae.slcusd.org/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo. THE SAN LUIS OBISPO OUT OF THE DARKNESS WALK Check-in and event activities begin at 10 a.m.; walk starts at 11 a.m. This event raises awareness and funds for suicide prevention. May 11 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. afsp.org/SLO. CalPoly University Union, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo.

SLO COUNTY YOUNG ADULTS WORSHIP NIGHT Open to SLO County. May 3 , 6:30-9 p.m. Free. Arise Central Coast, 1775 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, 805-543-3162. SLO WOMEN PILOTS FUNDRAISER The SLO 99s are holding a scholarship fundraiser to promote women in aviation. Professor Paulo Iscold will be talking about a “black box” that he has made that will allow aerobatic pilots to record their maneuvers and play them back on a computer. May 9 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. 805-544-0775. ACI Jet, 4751 Aviadores Way, San Luis Obispo, acijet.com.

SUNDAY EVENING RAP LGBTQ+ AA GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM)

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.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Looking for a fun and educational opportunity this summer? Join the aquarium’s Volunteer Team. No marine science experience is necessary. There are lots of ways to get involved. Check out website for more details. Tuesdays. through Sept. 30 centralcoastaquarium.org. Central Coast Aquarium, 50 San Juan St., Avila Beach, 805-595-7280.

WE HEART AG Please join We Heart AG for its fourth annual volunteering event. Meet at Heritage Square Park in the Village of Arroyo Grande at 9 a.m. for orientation and then head off to our volunteer jobs. Email weheartarroyogrande@gmail.com with questions. May 4 9 a.m.-noon Free. Heritage Square Park, 201 Nelson St., Arroyo Grande.

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

AGING GRACEFULLY WITH PREVENTATIVE CARE

FUNDRAISER: JEWELRY SALE Jewelry sale by Central Coast Women’s League (CCWL). With more than 500 pieces of jewelry pre-owned, vintage, and contemporary. Prices from $2-$200. Affordable elegance. Something for everyone. All proceeds benefit local charities. May 4 , 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 805539-9374. 1700 Block, San Luis Dr., San Luis Obispo.

HARMFUL EFFECTS OF TODAY’S MARIJUANA ON THE DEVELOPING BRAIN OF TEENS With keynote speaker Laura Stack, a best-selling author. Event will be held in the SLO High School Theatre. Sponsored by SLOMERF with support from TUPE. May 7 5-6:30 p.m. johnnysambassadors.org. San Luis Obispo High School, 1499 San Luis Dr., San Luis Obispo, 805-596-4040.

HEALING DEPRESSION SUPPORT

GROUP A safe place to share life experiences with those who have depression or have had and recovered from the devastating effects of depression. Mondays, 6-7 p.m. through Dec. 30 Free. 805-528-3194. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo.

LET THERE BE LESBIANS This party is a space for queer people and allies. For ages 18 and older. May 4 8 p.m. my805tix.com. Bang the Drum Brewery, 1150 Laurel Lane, suite 130, San Luis Obispo, 805 242-8372.

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.

“We can’t stop getting older, but we can shift our thinking about it.” Moving from “I can’t do anything about it” to “I have some control over

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

Alcoholics Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of folks from all walks of life who together, attain and maintain sobriety. Requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Email aarapgroup@gmail.com for password access. Sundays, 7-8 p.m. No fee. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo. TEEN MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP Learn more about mental health and coping skills to help you through your journey towards wellness and recovery. Thursdays, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. 805-5406576. t-mha.org. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo. TRANS* TUESDAY A safe space providing peer-to-peer support for trans, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and questioning people. In-person and Zoom meetings held. Contact tranzcentralcoast@gmail.com for more details. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. GALA Pride and Diversity Center, 1060 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, 805-541-4252.

VOLUNTEER SOLAR INSTALLER TRAINING WEBINAR WITH SUNWORK Learn the basics of installing solar energy systems and water heater electrification by volunteering with SunWork. May 11, 9 a.m.-noon. 805-229-1250. sunwork.org. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo. NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY 28TH ANNUAL CRUISIN’ MORRO BAY CAR SHOW Full details available online and at check-in. May 2-4 my805tix.com. Ocean View Garage, 936 Main St., Morro Bay. CAYUCOS ANTIQUE STREET FAIRE Mark your calendars. Features more than 90 vendors to choose from plus local antique dealers. Dealers from all over California converge for a fun-filled treasure hunt of unique, one-of-kind merch. Free entry and parking. May 5 7 a.m.-3 p.m. No admission fee. 805-751-3737. facebook. com/CayucosAntiqueStreetFaire. Cayucos Beach, 10 Cayucos Dr., Cayucos. CO-DEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS MEETING Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) is a Twelve Step recovery program for anyone who desires to have healthy and loving relationships with themselves and others. Meeting is hybrid (both in person and on Zoom). For information, call 805-900-5237. Saturdays, 1-2:15 p.m. Free. thecambriaconnection.org/. Cambria Connection, 1069 Main St., Cambria, 805-927-1654.

SOCRATES: DISCUSSION GROUP Group members present interesting and thought provoking topics of all sorts. Topics are

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 19 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE from page 16

SOLAR SYSTEMS

SunWork Central Coast hosts its next Volunteer Solar Installer Training Webinar on Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants of the webinar will learn the basics of installing solar energy systems and water heater electrification. Those who complete the training are eligible to volunteer with SunWork Central Coast. Admission to join the webinar is free. Visit sunwork.org for more info.

—C.W.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE from page 18

selected in advance and moderated by volunteers. Vaccinations are necessary. Enter through wooden gate to garden area. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. 805-528-7111. Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main St., Morro Bay, coalescebookstore.com/.

FOOD & DRINK

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/.

FRIDAY NIGHT FUN Karaoke with DJ Nasty. With Beer Bucket specials. Kitchen stays open late. Come out and sing your favorite song. Fridays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, 805-623-8866.

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.

SIPPIN’ SUNDAYS Every Sunday, come cozy up inside the tasting room and listen to great artists. Sundays, 1-4 p.m. Free. 805-937-8463. cottonwoodcanyon.com. Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard And Winery, 3940 Dominion Rd, Santa Maria.

TACO TUESDAY Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, 805332-3532, winestoneinn.com/.

THURSDAY EVENING BAR TAKEOVER Call venue or visit website to find out about featured vintners. Thursdays stellerscellar.com. Steller’s Cellar, 405 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt.

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

AUSTRALIAN WINE WITH MARK

DAVIDSON Taste and learn about classic and contemporary Australian wine. Mark will be talking through the presented wines whilst showing media and answering questions. This relaxed introduction to one of the world’s greatest wine-producing areas is a unique event in the SYV. May 9, 7-8:30 p.m. $30. 805-686-

9126. arrowsmithwine.com. Arrowsmith’s, 1539 Mission Drive, Solvang.

GAME NIGHT (INCLUDING DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS) Come and play the games provided or bring your own whilst enjoying a beer, wine, coffee, or cheese plate. Join in the Dungeons and Dragons game too if you like (over 21s, no gambling allowed). First Thursday of every month, 6:30-9 p.m. through June 6 Free. 805-6869126. arrowsmithwine.com. Arrowsmith’s, 1539 Mission Drive, Solvang.

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.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

ANCIENT PEAKS OCEANFRONT

WINEMAKERS DINNER Ancient Peaks Winemaker Michael Sinor and Executive Chef Eddie Ruiz welcome you to this exclusive and intimate evening. May 8 , 6 p.m. my805tix.com. SeaVenture Restaurant, 100 Oceanview Ave., Pismo Beach, 805-779-1779.

FIESTA AT FIN’S 100 percent of the price of your dinner is donated by Fin’s to 5Cities Homeless Coalition. Fin’s employees donate their time and their tips as well. May 7, 4-7:30 p.m. my805tix.com. Fin’s Restaurant, 25 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach, 805-473-3467.

MONTHLY FERMENTATION CLASSES

New topics each month with a thorough demo and explanation of the process that creates non-alcoholic, probiotic, and nutrient-dense fermentations. Leave the class confident and prepared with recipes to make your own at home. Limited seating; reserve spot prior to class by phone/email. Second Sunday of every month, 3:30-5 p.m. $30. 805-8016627. kulturhausbrewing.com/classes/. Kulturhaus Brewing Company, 779 Price St., Pismo Beach.

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

kulturhausbrewing.com. Kulturhaus Brewing Company, 779 Price St., Pismo Beach.

MUSIC

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

CINCO DE MAYO SENIOR PROM The Santa Maria Senior Citizens Club presents Cinco de Mayo Senior Prom with Riptide Big Band and vocalists Bob Nations and Mitch Latting. Students from the local high schools will join. Funding by a grant from Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County. May 5, 1:30-4 p.m. Free. 775-8135186. RiptideBB.com. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

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

LIVE CONCERT WITH FORT VINE Fort Vine will be having a concert at Unity of Santa Maria (Chapel of Light). This dynamic duo describes their music as having a feel good indie folk vibe. The concert is on a free-will offering basis. Everyone welcome. May 4 6 p.m. Free; donations gratefully accepted. 805-7202556. Unity Chapel of Light Church, 1165 Stubblefield Rd., Orcutt.

MOTHER’S DAY REGGAE FESTIVAL Enjoy live music, shopping, wine, food, and more. Featured reggae artists include Ras Danny and Soul Fyah. May 12 , 1-5 p.m. $15. 805-806-0287. my805tix.com/e/mothersday-reggae-fest. Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard And Winery, 3940 Dominion Rd, 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.

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.

SELENA: THE SHOW A tribute to the music of Selena. May 4, 5-10 p.m. my805tix.com/. Blast 825 Brewery, 241 S Broadway St., Ste. 101, Orcutt, 805-934-3777.

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

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.

MUSIC continued page 20

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

805 CALI TEJANOS Visit site for more info and tickets available in advance online. May 3 my805tix.com/. FCB, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc, 805-810-0714.

COLONEL ANGUS An AC/DC tribute. May 11 7 p.m. my805tix. com. FCB, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc, 805-810-0714. LOS GRANDES DE TIJUANA Visit site for tickets and more info on the show. May 4 8 p.m. my805tix.com. FCB, 110 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc, 805-810-0714.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

LUCRECIA GS3events presents this live music event with alternative rock, post-hardcore, and other genres. May 5 6 p.m. my805tix.com. Fuego in Grover Beach, 1187 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach, (805) 710-6477.

THE MAGICAL MUSIC OF MOTOWN Don’t miss this superband with internationally acclaimed artists who faithfully recreate the dynamic performances of: The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Martha and The Vandellas, The Four Tops, The Jackson Five, Smokey Robinson, and many more Motown legends. May 4 , 7:30-10 p.m. $53-$63. 805-489-9444. clarkcenter.org/shows/magical-music-of-motown/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

MARIACHI REYNA DE LOS ANGELES One of the world’s top mariachis kicks off the Cinco de Mayo weekend. Formed in 1994, Reyna was the first female Mariachi to reach international stardom with original compositions, arrangements and interpretations of mariachi classics, along the way breaking stereotypes around the genre. May 3 7:30-10 p.m. $39-$59. 805-489-9444. clarkcenter.org/shows/mariachi-reyna-de-losangeles/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

MUSIC FOR GENERATIONS: A TRIBUTE TO GARY LAMPRECHT Visit site for tickets and more info. May 2 7-9 p.m. my805tix.com/. Trilogy at Monarch Dunes, 1640 Trilogy Pkwy., Nipomo.

TALENTDREAMS SPRING PICNIC AND MUSIC IN THE VINEYARD A fundraiser with food, wine, live music, and more. May 4 1 p.m. my805tix.com. Malene Scene Airstream, 7767 Orcutt Road, Arroyo Grande.

SAN LUIS OBISPO THE ALUM RIDGE BOYS AND ASHLEE AT THE HISTORIC OCTAGON BARN CENTER An evening of old-time mountain music from the Blue Ridge with The Alum Ridge Boys and Ashlee at the Historic Octagon Barn Center, with an old-time jam before the show. May 7, 7-9 p.m. $20 advance; $25 door. 805-235-2874. eventbrite.com. Octagon Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis Obispo.

BRASS MASH FIRST FRIDAY Enjoy live music from Brass Mash. Tickets available online in advance. May 3, 6-10 p.m. my805tix.com/. Liquid Gravity, 675 Clarion Court, San Luis Obispo. CAL POLY GUITAR RECITAL Cal Poly Music Department student guitarists present this free recital. May 3 7 p.m. Free. 805-7562406. music.calpoly.edu/calendar/free/. Cal Poly Davidson Music Center, Room 218, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. CAL POLY: ALL THAT BRASS The Cal Poly Brass Ensembles present “All That Brass.” The free, public concert will be at San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church. May 7 7:30 p.m. Free. 805756-2406. music.calpoly.edu/calendar/free/. San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church, 1515 Fredericks Street, San Luis Obispo. CINCO DE MAYO WITH METALACHI For ages 18 and over. May 5 6 p.m. SLO Brew Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo, 805-543-1843, slobrew.com.

CUESTA WIND ENSEMBLE SPRING CONCERT The Cuesta Wind Ensemble performs a concert featuring music of Tichelli, Brahms, and more in the beautiful CPAC. The closing concert of the season, conducted by Jennifer Martin. May 8 , 7:30 p.m. General $15; student with ID; $10. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN Visit site for tickets to the event and more info. May 4 my805tix.com/. Humdinger Brewing (SLO), 855 Capitolio Way, suite 1, San Luis Obispo, 805-781-9974. MUSIC FOR GENERATIONS: A TRIBUTE TO GARY LAMPRECHT Visit site for tickets and more info. May 4 3-5 p.m. my805tix.com/. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

RIFF TIDE: MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU There’s a new stage set up, a fabulous fire-filled ambiance, excellent drink menu, and fantastic music from Riff Tide on the patio. May 4 , 6-9:30 p.m. Free show. 805-457-4677. debiredmusic.com. Liquid Gravity, 675 Clarion Court, San Luis Obispo. SLO SYMPHONY 2023-2024 SEASON Enjoy the SLO Symphony’s 2023-24 season, featuring classic works by Brahms, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky, local composers Stefan Podell and Meredith Brammeier, with the Forbes Pipe Organ, SLO Youth Symphony, and guest soloists Gilles Apap, Andrew Balio, and Salome Jordania. May 4 7:30-9:30 p.m. $12-$82. 805543-3533. slosymphony.org. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San

ARTS BRIEFS

PCPA’s Little Shop of Horrors debuts in Santa Maria with Solvang performances to follow

The Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) presents its production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria through Sunday, May 12. This iteration of the hit sci-fi comedy musical, with songs by lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken, opened in late April.

The show’s director and choreographer, Keenon Hooks, in press materials described Little Shop of Horrors as a story that “continues to capture our hearts with its dark humor” and cited its various incarnations over the years, including Roger Corman’s original 1960 film, which inspired the stage musical, and the popular 1986 screen adaption of the musical starring Rick Moranis.

“We follow the journey of Seymour Krelborn, a guy who grew up with nothing and believes he also doesn’t have much worth,” Hooks said about the show’s plot, which follows Krelborn as he begins caring for a strange new plant at the flower shop he works at.

Alexander Pimentel plays Krelborn in the show, and Diva LaMarr voices the mysterious plant—with a horrific appetite for human blood—that brings him fame and fortune. Other cast members include Molly Dobbs, Billy Breed, George Walker, Brezae Weeks, Etasha Caston, Marisa Moenho, Michael Gould, and Andrew Missael Banderas.

Hooks said that the show’s theme of improving one’s self-worth makes some of the characters people “many of us can relate to,” especially in a post-pandemic world.

“We’ve all had doubts and questions when we were stuck, not being able to live our lives and pursue our dreams. But the worth is always inside us, even when we don’t get to show it,” Hooks said. “It takes time to find ourselves, and a lot of that time comes from our choices. Our choices define us, but what constitutes us to make the choices we make?

“You might surprisingly find a little bit of yourself onstage at times, and I urge you to embrace those feelings,” Hooks added. “I look forward to sharing this journey with you all, and hope it leaves you not just entertained but a better person who believes in their own values and selfworth.”

This summer, PCPA will hold outdoor performances of Little Shop of Horrors at the Solvang Festival Theater. The summer version will run Thursday, June 13, through Sunday, July 7. For tickets and more info, call the PCPA box office at (805) 922-8313 or visit pcpa.org. m

Team rocket

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

There’s no difference between cloud nine and a makeup chair for actor Rico Anderson, who’s no stranger to performing under prosthetics in sci-fi projects like The Orville and Star Trek: Renegades

“Even when I’m not playing these alien characters … I still pinch myself,” Anderson said. “I’m living a dream I’ve had ever since I was a little boy. … Ever since I was 6, I wanted to be an actor.”

Anderson is one of several actors slated to appear at this year’s RocketTown Comic-Con in Lompoc.

While his television portfolio includes parts as humans in NCIS, Grey’s Anatomy, Entourage, Weeds, and other titles, as a lifelong comic book and sci-fi fan, he especially enjoys playing creatures from outer space.

“I love playing characters in general, but to dip into that type of play is almost like an actor’s dream, in terms of really being able to transform.

… It’s the ultimate form of nerdy make-believe,” Anderson said. “I love the idea of being able to play a monstrous looking character.”

The prolific actor doesn’t mind the wait during prosthetic and makeup applications, which he said have taken up to four hours in his experience, for these roles. Sometimes he takes that downtime to go over his lines or chat with those around him.

During many film and TV shoots regardless of genre, Anderson often catches himself in reflective moments, staring out “into the void,” which he

knows can sound “a little melodramatic.”

“I always remind myself to take a moment when I’m on set … in between shots, to take in my surroundings, and really self-congratulate myself for where I currently am,” Anderson said, “and what I had to do to get there—the hard work of auditioning—and just being able to survive.”

The relief of nailing an audition and seeing a role through is something fellow actor Scott Butler, also a featured guest at RocketTown, can relate to. He fondly remembers his flight home to Los Angeles after finishing filming on the second season of AMC’s Lodge 49, shot in Atlanta, Georgia.

“I went home thrilled because it was my first network show. … I’d been working so hard to get there and I finally cracked it,” said Butler, who mostly acted in indie projects before taking on the role of Oliver on Lodge 49

“Oliver’s extremely sort of overly friendly, wanting to please you, a little bit like a puppy dog,” said Butler, whose more literal dog-like creature roles in sci-fi and horror flicks have required him to “slink down on all fours and scurry toward the camera.”

While some film and TV buffs who attend RocketTown will recognize Butler for his acting, other enthusiasts might be more familiar with his work in the video game industry. He’s worked as a lead artist and in other capacities, including art director, on various video game projects since the late 1980s.

Born and raised in England, Butler has lived in California since the early 2000s when he transferred from his job at Sony PlayStation London to Sony’s San Diego office. In 2008, the Great Recession left Butler and others at the company out of work, which led him to give acting a shot.

He decided to sit in on an acting workshop shortly after losing his job. It was the first time he had tried

acting in decades, after a traumatic school play experience scarred him, he said half-jokingly. Butler still recalls the ill-fated production, in which he played Jesus. He was 7 years old.

“I remember waiting on the wings for my first line, and I ran up the steps, way too eager to get on the stage, and I tripped on my tunic that was too long,” Butler said. “I landed on my belly, slid across the stage like a seal, went down the other steps on the other side, and ended up between the legs and under the chair of the school principal.

“All the parents that were there burst out laughing. … I got nicknamed flying Jesus after that.” m

Reveal your nickname to Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood at cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RICO ANDERSON

BEHIND THE MAKEUP: Actor Rico Anderson has worked on various sci-fi and crime drama projects over the course of his career. His portfolio includes roles on episodes of The Orville, S.W.A.T., NCIS , The Shield, and other shows.

CREATURE FEATURE: While working on Star Trek: Renegades, actor Rico Anderson said his alien makeup and prosthetic application process took about four hours each day of filming.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RICO ANDERSON

PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTT BUTLER

MANY HATS: In the realm of pop culture, Scott Butler is best known for his acting, including on shows like Lodge 49, and video game work, as he’s worked as a lead artist and art director on several titles since the late 1980s. Monopoly Go! is one of the latest games he’s worked on.

Don of the undead

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Ready or Not, Scream 2022) co-direct this horror film about a group of kidnappers who snatch a mob boss’s daughter, Abigail (Alisha Weir), sequestering her in a secluded mansion as they await their payday, only to discover she’s infinitely more dangerous than they are. (104 min.)

Editor’s note: Glen and Anna Starkey took the week off from Sun Screen.

Caleb: Teen actor Alisha Weir has a knack for playing children endowed with special powers they use to ward off mean-spirited adults. In 2022’s Matilda the Musical, Weir’s Matilda Wormwood used her telekinesis to punish her ruthless headmistress Miss Trunchbull for countless cruelties. When some career kidnappers in 2024’s Abigail in which Weir plays a young ballerina hostage with an appetite for human blood and the vampiric traits to acquire it—meet their gruesome ends at the hands and teeth of the film’s title character, the carnage feels justified because they get what’s coming to them. The gore is also cartoonish in all the right ways. Shortly after Abigail’s captors become privy to their target’s true self, there’s a sequence where some goons walk in on the 12-year-old in a tutu and pointe shoes dancing with a headless corpse to music from Swan Lake. It’s scenes like this that owe as much to Bugs Bunny as Dracula’s Daughter, the 1936 film Abigail’s directors have cited as a major inspiration.

SHŌGUN

What’s it rated? TV-MA

When? 2024

Where’s it showing? Hulu

ABIGAIL

What’s it rated? R

What’s it worth, Bulbul? Matinee

Bulbul: Directors Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett take Abigail to an old haunt: the locked-room— rather, a locked-mansion—thriller. They put their characters through this test in Ready or Not and Scream (2022), now putting Abigail’s victims Joey (Melissa Barrera), Frank (Dan Stevens), Sammy (Kathryn Newton), Dean (Angus Cloud), Peter (Kevin Durand), and Rickles (William Catlett) through the same wringer. Meant to guard Abigail for 24 hours before their ransom arrives, the criminal group instead deals with a vampire child. It triggers their senses of fight or flight but a darker shadow looms over the bloody manor—who exactly is Abigail’s undead don of a father? While the film teases the audience with the possibility of his reveal, it cuts through the tension with the occasional joke and oneliner that makes Abigail a fun weeknight watch.

What’s it worth, Caleb? Matinee

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

Caleb: It’s delightful watching Abigail pull her keepers apart, but these characters aren’t fleshed out enough for my taste. I get that they’re supposed to be cannon fodder, but comparable crooks like Home Alone’s Harry and Marv served the same purpose much more memorably. Each member of the kidnapping team has their own superficial skill (Dean is the getaway driver, Sammy is the computer hacker, Frank is the tough guy with a thick Boston accent, etc.), but that’s pretty much all we get. By default, the most sympathetic character in the movie is Joey because … she has a son … and, in true SpiderMan villain fashion, turned to a life of crime to

support him. I doubt she’s the only parent in the bunch, but she’s the only one who shows Abigail some semi-motherly compassion before the vampire stuff starts. It feels tacked on just to give us at least one person to root for who isn’t undead.

Bulbul: Joey definitely became the formulaic Final Girl but she doesn’t receive the same level of depth and care as Samara Weaving’s character in Ready or Not. The characterization seemed rushed, and makers of this film seemed too caught up in the premise of a vampire-ballerinaunderworld heiress. Yet we never get to know who Abigail is and why her dad turned her. We get clues about her past through a sinister sculpture of her and her dad, and an ancient

tapestry that shows Abigail frozen in time. It’s a far cry from 11-year-old Kirsten Dunst’s portrayal of the little vampire in Interview with a Vampire, but unlike Dunst’s Claudia, Abigail appears to enjoy her life as an eternal girl. Maybe she copes with her fate by playing with her food. Abigail piqued my curiosity of the titular character, but I doubt a sequel is in the works to answer my questions. m

New Times Staff Writer Bulbul Rajagopal and Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood wrote Sun Screen this week. Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey wrote the miniseries reviews. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.

Created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks and based on James Clavell’s sweeping 1975 historical fiction novel, Shōgun tells the story of shipwrecked English sailor John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), the powerful Japanese warlord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) who takes him in, interpreter Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), and Toranaga’s many political rivals. It’s about a foreigner in an unfamiliar culture who slowly grows to understand that what at first seemed barbaric has its own beauty, honor, and value.

It’s stunning and culturally fascinating. Like Blackthorne we are at first aghast at the hierarchies, customs, and brutality of feudal Japan, where “honor” and even small transgressions demand seppuku —ritual suicide. But honor means everything, as does allegiance to one’s feudal lord. As Toranaga navigates the political uncertainties of his time, we come to appreciate his shrewdness while also questioning his willingness to sacrifice his vassals for his cunning climb toward power.

The cast and acting are amazing, with Sanada and Sawai as standouts—the subtleties of their performances are mesmerizing. If you happen to be old enough to remember

STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: In 1600, English sailor John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) becomes embroiled in a power struggle in feudal Japan, assigned Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai) as his interpreter, in Shōgun, streaming on Hulu.

the original 1980 miniseries with Richard Chamberlain as Blackthorne, rest assured, this update is even better. (10 53- to 70-min. episodes) —Glen

BABY REINDEER

What’s it rated? TV-MA

When? 2024

Where’s it showing? Netflix

Wowza, this one’s a ride, even more so because it’s based on Richard Gadd’s true-life stalker experience. Martha (Jessica Gunning) seemingly wandered into his bar one night, and her eager laugh and undying attention feeds something in Donny he desperately needs. He’s a prop comic, and not yet good at being a commanding presence on the stage. Martha’s a cheap date, always ordering Diet Cokes, which Donny supplies on the house in order to keep her compliments coming.

Things start to get weird, and Martha, who’s a fair bit older than Donny, starts to veer into the delusion that Donny’s her boyfriend. She’s soon overbearing, diving straight into stalkerland: hundreds of text messages day and night, following Donny around town, inserting herself into every nook and cranny she can.

The series soon becomes uncomfortable, but my advice is to hold on—there’s brilliance here, and you must watch beginning to end to see it through. I admire Gadd for diving back into this painful part of his life, but I especially commend Gunning as Martha. She managed to make a seemingly outrageous

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

WHAT BIG TEETH YOU HAVE: Kidnapped Abigail (Alisha Weir) turns out to be more dangerous than expected for the group of criminals now trapped in a mansion with her, in Abigail, screening in local theaters.

character whole, to take sadness into beautiful nuance, and to make us feel for someone who’s utterly broken. (seven 30-min. episodes) m

BAMBI: Richard Gadd stars as Donny Dunn, a fictionalized version of himself, in this dramatized true crime story based on Gadd’s own experiences being harassed by an obsessive stalker, in Baby Reindeer, streaming on Netflix.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Grape stampede

Local vintners pour their wares during Santa Barbara Zoo’s Roar and Pour

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

Lompoc winemaker Eric Wilson is on a first-name basis with two of the Santa Barbara Zoo’s most famous felines.

“The lions, Ralph and Felicia, are always the first stop for us,” said Wilson, whose 2-year-old daughter is obsessed with animals. “We have an annual zoo membership and visit often, so I know my way around.”

The penguins and otters are among Wilson’s other favorite inhabitants of the Santa Barbara Zoo, where he’ll be pouring some wines on May 4 as part of the venue’s Roar and Pour tasting event.

Wilson, winemaker at Longoria Wines (based in Lompoc, with tasting rooms in Lompoc and Santa Barbara), is one of more than a dozen vintners set to participate in Roar and Pour. Guests of the event will have access to unlimited wine tastings

and can walk around the zoo at their leisure.

With a 5 to 8 p.m. time frame, Roar and Pour also offers its attendees a rare evening experience at the zoo, as it’s usually closed before dark on a regular day.

“What better wine to enjoy a sunset with than Golden Hour?” said Wilson, who will be pouring glasses of Longoria’s Golden Hour pinot grigio at the event, alongside a pinot noir and a rosé.

Wilson described the pinot grigio as bright, full of tropical fruit notes, and “the perfect wine to stroll with.”

“It will pair perfectly with the exotic experience of the zoo,” said Wilson, who described Longoria’s whole wine lineup at the event as “fresh and delicious as well as diverse, so there’s something for everyone.”

Representing Santa Maria’s Ca’ Del Grevino, Sales Manager Jeff

Fernandes—who’s excited to visit the zoo’s red pandas and meerkats— plans to pour two reds and two whites at Roar and Pour.

“My process for curating a wine list is based on the setting and the time of year,” said Fernandes, who prepared Ca’ Del Grevino’s selections for Roar and Pour with warm weather in mind. “I believe a nice 20 percent neutral oak chardonnay that tastes like green apples or semi-sweet riesling with notes of pears and pineapples would be the perfect way to cool off on a lovely evening at the zoo.”

Pouring wine is just one of Fernandes’ tasks the manager plans to accomplish at the event.

“There are a few animals I want to see. … My mom loves big cats,” Fernandes said, “so I promised a couple of videos of them.”

Dean Heck, owner of Lavender

Welcome to the jungle

Find out more about Roar and Pour at sbzoo.org. The wine tasting event, open to ages 21 and over, highlights several Central Coast-based wineries and will be held at the Santa Barbara Zoo on Saturday, May 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is $95. VIP tickets are $130 each. Proceeds from the event will benefit the animals of the Santa Barbara Zoo.

Oak Vineyard in Buellton, is “looking forward to sharing some of our French Burgundian style—very dry wines—with some of the locals from Santa Barbara,” the vintner told the Sun

Others slated to pour at Roar and Pour include wine industry professionals from Arthur Earl Winery, Brick Barn Wine Estate, Cutruzzola Vineyards, J Dusi Wines, Melville Winery, Riboli Family Wines, Summerland Winery, Turiya Wines, Lumen Wines, and more.

Guests of Roar and Pour will get their own souvenir wine glasses to receive tastings in and take home after the event ends. Aside from getting to stroll through the zoo’s

ALL ABOARD: Attendees of Roar and Pour on May 4 get the opportunity to ride the Santa Barbara Zoo’s iconic train with their wine glasses in hand.

RAISE A GLASS: Vintners from wineries based in Santa Maria, Lompoc, the Santa Ynez Valley, and other areas will participate in this year’s Roar and Pour, a festive gathering with unlimited wine tastings for guests at the Santa Barbara Zoo.

TO PINOT: Representatives of Lumen Wines in Los Alamos will be pouring pinot noirs and other wines

Sunday, May 12th

Build Your Own Omelet, Eggs Benedict, French Toast & Pancakes Brunch 8:00-3:00 and Dinner 5:00-9:00 Call for Reservations (805) 927-5708

exhibits freely, attendees can also take their libations onto the venue’s iconic train to enjoy to the beach … and a stone’s throw away from [the zoo’s animals].

“It’s exciting to drink great wine when you’re right next to an animal that could kill you in a second,” Henry said with a laugh. “Everything tastes better when you’re in the wild.” m

Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood loves pinot and penguins. Send comments to cwiseblood@ santamariasun.com.

ANIMALS TO ADORE: Along with its featured wine tastings, Roar and Pour grants its guests access to the Santa Barbara Zoo’s exhibits throughout the event. Patrons will be able to stroll around the zoo and visit its various animal inhabitants.