Juror #2 is gripping [18]
Western monarch numbers dwindle in places like Pismo Beach, prompting a proposal for the endangered species list [6]
BY LIBBEY HANSON
DreamHome
More than 4.5 million Western monarch butterflies once landed along the California coast to spend their winters, a number that has declined by 95 percent since the 1980s, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The pollinators have a 99 percent chance of being extinct by 2080. Recently, the service recommended the placing the butterfly on the list of threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Staff Writer Libbey Hanson from the Sun’s sister paper, New Times, speaks with Fish and Wildlife, State Parks, and local volunteers about the butterfly, its issues, and how to protect it [6]. Also this week, read about the Oceano Community Services District closing the book on providing fire services [4]; a linoleum printmaker honors the wild world in Lompoc [16]; and a new tasting room in Los Olivos [20]
Camillia Lanham
• On Dec. 19, 2024, the U.S. Senate approved U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal ’s (D-Santa Barbara) bill to rename the post office on E. Battles Road in Santa Maria in honor of Larry Lavagnino, the city’s former mayor and City Council member. “Every community should be so lucky to have a Larry Lavagnino,” Carbajal said in a press release. “A community champion such as Mayor Lavagnino is well deserving of recognition that will stand the tests of time—and I am proud as Santa Maria’s representative in Congress to be the author of this legislation that will help cement that recognition.” The bill passed the House on Dec. 4 and now awaits President Joe Biden’s approval. Lavagnino, who served as Santa Maria’s mayor from 2002 to 2012 and as a council member from 1996 to 2002 said he was humbled by the recognition. According to the press release, during Lavagnino’s time as mayor, the city added a new library, multiple fire stations, a new transit center, and police department building; expanded the city’s wastewater treatment plant; and widened the Santa Maria River bridge and Highway 101. He was also able to help secure more than $46 million in federal funding for Santa Maria River levee improvements. “I know there are many more deserving of this recognition, but I am also very excited for my entire family,” Lavagnino said in the release. “I only wish my mom and dad were around to witness this.” Lavagnino’s son, Steve Lavagnino, currently serves on the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors.
• President Joe Biden signed the American Relief Act into law on Dec. 21, providing funding for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) disaster loan program. With the funding, the SBA can resume processing financial relief applications from those impacted by Hurricanes Milton and Helene and more than 200 other declared disasters across the country that were waiting in a backlog caused by a lack of funding. “The SBA’s disaster loan program plays a vital role in helping communities recover by filling market gaps and providing resources survivors need to rebuild stronger,” SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman said in the release. More than 21,000 individuals and businesses impacted by the disasters were expected to receive details about their loan offers within 48 hours of Biden’s signature, according to a press release from the SBA. As of Oct. 15, 2024, the program had exhausted its funding, the release said, which prevented the SBA from continuing to accept and process disaster loan applications. Visit lending. sba.gov to learn more about what’s available or to apply for a disaster loan. In April 2024, the president declared a major disaster for California for severe flooding, landslides, mudslides, tornadoes, and storms from Jan. 31 to Feb. 9, 2024, in nine counties, including San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.
• On Christmas Eve, Gov. Gavin Newsom joined other West Coast governors in requesting a federal fishery disaster declaration to support the albacore fishing industry. According to press release from the governor’s office, last year marked the worst season for the West Coast North Pacific pole and troll albacore fishery in more than 20 years. California’s albacore fishery declined by 71 percent in volume and 65 percent in value. Newsom, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek submitted the request to the U.S. secretary of commerce. If approved, the federal fishery disaster declaration would begin the process of providing relief to fishing communities financially impacted by the decline in albacore fishing, according to Newsom’s office. m
LAFCO approves SLO County’s takeover of Oceano fire services
San Luis Obispo County is officially responsible for delivering Oceano’s fire services now that the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) approved divestiture of those services from the Oceano Community Services District (OCSD).
Following LAFCO’s Dec. 19, 2024, approval, the county, which has partnered with Five Cities Fire Authority (FCFA), took over fire services on Jan. 1 and will provide Oceano fire protection and emergency services through the Grover Beach and Arroyo Grande fire stations.
DIVESTITURE APPROVED: Following the Dec. 19 Local Agency Formation Commission decision, SLO County entered into a contract with the Five Cities Fire Authority to take over fire protection and emergency services for Oceano starting Jan. 1.
A minimum of two personnel per engine and response times of seven to 11 minutes from the Arroyo Grande Fire Station and seven to nine minutes from Grover Beach ensure that Oceano residents will receive the same level of service they currently do, according to a county staff report.
“When the OCSD announced it could no longer provide fire protection services, there was considerable concern about the future of fire services in the area,” LAFCO Executive Director Rob Fitzroy said during the Dec. 19 meeting. “However, through collaboration between LAFCO, the county, OCSD, and the FCFA, we’ve reached a solution that not only preserves the quality of service but also ensures the fiscal responsibility of the county.”
The contract will cost the OCSD, as it was required to transfer property tax revenue, impact fees, rent revenue, and additional general fund revenue to the county as of Jan. 1.
“OCSD property tax revenue will be approximately $1.3 million,” the county staff report stated. “Additionally, the Public Facility Fire Fees that are collected by the OCSD will be transferred to the county.”
A one-time transfer of $2.5 million in assets and liabilities from OCSD to the county and two lease space agreements between the parties are also required.
“This agreement represents a significant milestone for Oceano and the broader region,” Fitzroy said.
Some OCSD board members and community members are unhappy with the agreement.
In both 2020 and 2022, Oceano voters shot down the idea of paying a flat parcel tax of $180 per parcel owner annually to help maintain rapid response times from the FCFA. Due to the failed tax measures, the OCSD opted to pull out of the joint powers agreement it had with Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach for fire services.
During a June 26 , 2024, OCSD board meeting, district board member Shirley Gibson said “the most concerning consequence” of the failed tax measures and the county taking over services is the fact that response times will now be longer than they were when all three stations were running. The fire station in Oceano isn’t operating.
“Those additional minutes are extremely significant to a critically ill person, and I hope that no one has to go through that,” she said.
While board members and residents expressed concerns about the plan during various OCSD board meetings over the last year, LAFCO reported that it didn’t receive any protests during the protest hearing.
“This agreement is a win for the Oceano Community, ensuring stable fire services while
minimizing fiscal impacts for the county,” Fourth District SLO County Supervisor Jimmy Paulding said during the Dec. 19 LAFCO meeting. “The collaborative efforts of the county, the OCSD, and the FCFA have made this transition possible, and we are confident this will continue to benefit the residents of Oceano and South County.”
—Samantha Herrera
Santa Barbara County supervisors approve path for wine business improvement district
With Temecula’s wine industry as a guidepost, the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association aims to increase local wine sales and tourism by more than doubling its revenue.
From September 2022 to September 2023, Temecula’s wine industry visitation increased by 18 percent, thanks to its wine business improvement district (BID), according to vintners association Chief Executive Officer Alison Laslett.
“We could see Temecula pulling ahead when they had their wine BID,” Laslett told the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 17, 2024.
It’s the vintners association’s second attempt to establish a countywide wine BID—a special district where assessments on specific businesses help pay for marketing efforts. The first effort petered out at the end of 2020, but at the Dec. 17 meeting, supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution of intent to establish a countywide wine BID; request the consent of the county’s cities; set a public meeting for Jan. 14; and a public hearing on Feb. 11.
Laslett said a 1 percent assessment on direct-to-consumer retail wine sales in all wine tasting facilities in the county could generate an estimated $1.5 million to $1.6 million for the vintners association that would enable the organization to bring recognition and visitation to the region in a way that it hasn’t been able to do in the past.
“We are constantly scrambling to keep up with ourselves,” she said. “In California, there’s Napa, there’s Sonoma, and then Paso and Santa Barbara are constantly vying for third place.”
Napa’s wine association, Laslett said, has $10 million to spend, Sonoma’s has $6 million to $8 million, and Paso Robles’ association has about $2 million. By contrast, the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association’s annual budget is right around $600,000, she added.
Money from the wine BID would be spent on marketing the county, brand awareness, events, community engagement, government education,
and industry education. Legally, funding must be spent on programs and activities that provide specific benefits to the payor, vintners association consultant Gina Reed from Civitas Advisors told supervisors.
She explained that a wine BID would work similarly to tourism business improvement districts. The state has 114 such districts, two of which are in the county: one for the Santa Ynez Valley and one in Solvang. They are “essentially the same thing, except for hotels; we are focused on the wine businesses and except for hotel rooms, the assessment is focused on direct-to-consumer wine sales,” Reed said, adding that it’s “becoming an increasingly popular funding mechanism in the wine industry.”
Since January, Civitas and the association have been doing outreach and consensus building with the industry. More than 50 percent of the businesses that would have to pay the assessment signed onto the petition in favor of forming the wine BID, which is more support than the association received in 2020.
One of the wine BID’s most vocal opponents, Steve Pepe of Clos-Pepe Vineyards, spoke at the Dec. 17 meeting and repeated an argument he made against the BID in 2020: that the majority of wineries in Santa Barbara County that are small mom-and-pop operations don’t support it.
Pierre LaBarge IV of LaBarge Winery told supervisors that he was one of those who didn’t support the BID when it was initially proposed. He wasn’t a member of the vintners association at that time either. After some reflection, LaBarge said, he took the time to listen to association board members about what a BID was and how it would impact the industry.
“Here we are a few years later, and I serve as the president of the association,” La Barge said. “We are making some of the best wines in the world, and we deserve a strong and well-funded association to help us in such a competitive market.”
He added that 59.1 percent of businesses that would be impacted support the BID, and the association expects to have closer to two-thirds support in the near future.
“That is a mandate,” he said.
One of the things that makes Santa Barbara County wine country so interesting is the same thing that can make it such a difficult area to market, Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann said. It’s diverse, with several different micro-climates, wine varieties, wineries, vintners, and American Viticultural Areas.
“To get almost 60 percent to agree on something is really quite extraordinary,” Hartmann said. “I think that this is really, really important for the wine industry and for our county.” m
—Camillia Lanham
ATTENTION all former SMJUHSD
Special Education Students born
2000!
All records for any Special Education student that was born within the year 2000 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 2000 not picked up by June 1, 2025 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 2000!
Todos los registros de cualquier estudiante de Educación Especial que haya nacido dentro del año 2000 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 2000 que no hayan sido recogidos para el 1 de junio de 2025 serán destruidos. Si tiene alguna pregunta, o para programar una fecha/hora de recogida, comuníquense con:
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
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)
We're
Cluster crisis
U.S. Fish and Wildlife proposes to place the monarch butterfly on the endangered species list after years of declining numbers
BY LIBBEY HANSON
Afew visitors shielded their eyes from the sun on a warm December day as they peered into the eucalyptus trees at Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove trying to spot a cluster of orange and black wings.
But the trees and sky were fairly empty.
Two monarchs fluttered around at about eye level by the small white trailer near the grove where visitors can get more information about the insect or purchase a souvenir.
“That’s not normal,” said Valerie Glahn, who has volunteered at the grove for eight years. “I don’t think they realize it’s winter.”
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), more than 4.5 million Western monarch butterflies once flocked to the California coast in the 1980s to overwinter—Natural Bridges State Park and Pismo Beach being two of the largest overwintering grounds on the West Coast. Huddled close together, the insects form clusters in eucalyptus, pine, and oak trees for warmth and protection from November through February.
Amid decades of lost habitat for breeding and overwintering, pesticides, and climate change, the vital pollinator’s numbers have declined by 95 percent, leaving the Western monarch species with a 99 percent chance of extinction by 2080, according to the FWS.
To combat the butterfly’s looming disappearance, on Dec. 12 the FWS proposed to protect the insect by placing it as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. This listing would designate approximately 4,395 acres of critical habitat for the monarchs in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Ventura counties.
California State Parks Information Officer Jo Biswas said via email that Pismo’s butterfly grove has experienced the decline since State Parks started surveying butterfly numbers in 1997—a time when they were reported to be at 100,000. This November, the survey reported roughly 400.
The clustered butterflies had scattered within a month when usually they would stay together until February.
“This year they never got into their normal overwintering clusters,” she said. “This season they are flying around.”
Typically, monarchs start breeding in January and February when the cold season passes, Glahn said, but this year they had already started to breed in December. She equated this behavioral change to the warmer weather and pointed to a visitor wearing shorts and a T-shirt.
“The cues are telling them it’s fall,” she said.
With the butterflies laying eggs too early in a habitat that’s already lacking milkweed, Glahn said she worried this year could even be the last migration.
“Usually when I volunteer it’s happy, but this season has been doom and gloom,” she said.
Listing the monarch as a threatened species could be a years-long process, but the first step was proving that there’s a reason to even propose it, FWS Media Officer Gilkeson said.
“How that works is our biologists have done a big analysis over a period of time, looking at all the information that’s available out there about monarchs, determining that, yes, they do meet the definition of a threatened species,” she explained.
The FWS’s submitted threatened species proposal opened a 90-day public comment period, which closes on March 12, 2025.
“We encourage people with information and comments to submit them to us, and our biologists will go and look at all of those comments and determine and incorporate them as necessary,” she said.
Based on the biologists’ review and comments from the public, Gilkeson said, the monarch will either be listed as threatened or the rule could be withdrawn.
“It could even go endangered if the population were to quickly decline,” she added. “It usually doesn’t happen, but it could be endangered.”
FWS Media Officer Joanna Gilkeson said that it can be hard to imagine why the monarch needs to be placed on the endangered species list, especially when they can seem so common in everyday life. But the FWS has seen the insect’s numbers consistently declining over the past 10 to 15 years.
“In the mid ’90s, there were really large amounts of butterflies counted, both on the West Coast in the Pismo Beach area, and along the coast,” she said. “But there’s been a pretty steep decline, and fewer and fewer monarchs counted at their historic overwintering grounds in those area.”
When counting the monarchs, Gilkeson said they use the clusters.
“That’s how they’re counted, right? It is when they’re congregating in the overwintering clusters because it’s the only time when they’re all sort of in the same place, and we’re able to get a handle on what their population is,” she said.
With fewer and smaller clusters throughout the years, Gilkeson said the service is attributing the decline to land conversion as humans build on critical habitat that naturally grows milkweed—what monarchs eat and lay their eggs on.
“Humans changing the land has affected their food supply and basically their ability to reproduce,” she said. “They require the milkweed plant to lay their eggs, and that’s the only food that they eat. So, the less milkweed available, the less they’re able to reproduce and survive. And so it’s just kind of like a vicious cycle.”
Pismo Butterfly Grove volunteer Glahn said this winter is the second lowest season there, after seeing its lowest numbers at about 200 in 2020.
But Glahn said that this year is more unusual than that. On Thanksgiving, the grove saw more than 400 butterflies, but she said by the end of December it had maybe 200.
“Usually when they cluster, they stay,” she explained.
According to Gilkeson, the official decision to place the monarch on the threatened species list will be made in late 2025, or possibly early 2026.
“We try to aim for a year out from the initial proposal. I think that will get a lot of comments on this one, so it’ll be interesting to see how long it takes all of our biologists to go through those comments, because they do read them all … and use that to build the final rule,” she said.
In the meantime, FWS and California State Parks encourage the public to learn more about the monarch and suggested ways to help with its conservation.
“The unique thing about monarchs is that there are lots of things that anybody could do to help, right?” Gilkeson said. This includes planting native milkweed and flowering plants.
“You want some blooming in spring and summer and fall—so there’s an ongoing source of food for monarchs,” she said.
Gilkeson also said that residents can dim their outdoor lights at night or place them on timers, to not distract or confuse the monarchs.
“You know how moths are drawn to light?” she said. “There are studies coming out talking about how it distracts [monarchs] from being able to pollinate and to gather nectar at night. So, it’s actually impacting their ability to do their jobs, and their ability to gather the energy resources— the food that they need.”
State Parks Information Officer Biswas said that State Parks plans to continue working with the FWS and other partners to help the monarch and continue educating the public about the history and conservation status of the species.
“Similar to other ‘charismatic’ species like giant sequoias, humpback whales, grizzly bears, and bighorn sheep,” Biswas said, “monarchs help crystallize public attention on the need to preserve California’s biodiversity for future generations.” m
Reach Staff Writer Libbey Hanson from the Sun’s sister paper, New Times, at lhanson@ newtimesslo.com.
LOOK UP: The Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove is one of the largest monarch overwintering sites on the West Coast, but the species has declined by 95 percent since the 1980s.
PHOTO BY LIBBEY HANSON
Health care for all
Noor Foundation offers free health care for those without insurance throughout the Central Coast
BY SAMANTHA HERRERA
After he relocated from Afghanistan to the Central Coast, Dr. Ahmad Nooristani was surprised by the lack of health care available for people without insurance. In an effort to change that, he founded the SLO Noor Foundation to offer free health care for the uninsured.
SLO Noor Foundation Practice Manager Barbara Alarcon said the company has been active in the community for a little more than a decade and has primary care doctors who see patients from San Miguel down to Santa Maria.
Alarcon said the SLO Noor Foundation applied for a grant in 2022 that allowed the nonprofit to bring health care to different areas of the Central Coast, and it began operating mobile clinics.
“We purchased a mobile RV, and we are contracted to be at [certain] sites,” she said. “We signed a contract with People’s Self-Help [Housing] and public libraries that allow us to set up shop there for a day or a half day to see patients. We pretty much go anywhere that will allow us.”
For women in Santa Maria, Alarcon said they can connect with the Mobile Women’s Health Unit, which provide free Pap smears. For SLO County residents, SLO Noor refers residents to a center that does free Pap smears and STD testing, as it doesn’t have the funding to offer those services full time.
The foundation also offers those without insurance the ability to access medical, vision, and dental care with little to no wait at its brickand-mortar office at 1428 Phillip’s Lane, suite 203, in SLO. Open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., people can call (805) 4391797 to set up an appointment.
The company connects community members to laboratory testing, mammograms, radiology, physical therapy, health education, dental exams, oral surgery, dental X-rays, eye exams, glaucoma care, cataract exams, and more.
With more than 20 years in the health care field, Alarcon said she started working at the SLO Noor Foundation because it works to help people “when they’re at their lowest.”
The company has one paid nurse practitioner, and the rest of the providers and staff are volunteers who come from different fields and help make its mission possible, she said.
“We have students here that are training for different clinical hours and different programs; we have retired folks that have done their clinical work or retired doctors in the community that come in and give some free practice to our patients,” she said.
Every cent the foundation receives is given back to
patient care, Alarcon said, which means SLO Noor can help everyone who comes through the door.
“I’ve worked at 10 different offices in this area, but when you have a patient that walks in through your front door and they don’t have any health insurance and they have something crazy going on and they’re scared and you’re able to grab that person and give them all the resources that they need, give them the support and padding they need, and then figure out what’s going on with them and make them better, there’s not much else out there that’s as fulfilling,” she said.
Feeling fulfilled when seeing the impacts that health care can bring to those who need it is a universal experience at the SLO Noor Foundation, Alarcon said.
While the company serves those without insurance, it understands that health care is hard to come by for everyone. In a way to further help the community, the SLO Noor Foundation can help those in between doctor appointments fill needed prescriptions.
Alarcon said she wants to emphasize that the clinic is a safe space, and it won’t ask for identification if a community member doesn’t feel comfortable providing it.
“I think that the environment that we are moving into come January, that security people have had may no longer be there, or it might be wavering, and I don’t want it to mean people are no longer getting health care,” she said. “I want them to know—specifically in the political environment we’re moving into—that we are here, we will keep our doors open, and we will continue to keep their information and their health care safe.”
Highlight
• Former Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne is poised to become the new CEO of the Northern Santa Barbara County EconAlliance. Osborne, who served on the nonprofit’s board from 2016-18, will take the reins in early January from EconAlliance co-founder and Initiatives Director Victoria Conner, who is retiring from the organization. The new CEO will be introduced at the organization’s annual dinner and Future Forum Jan. 8, at The Craft House at the Corque in Solvang. EconAlliance’s mission is to build awareness, advocacy, support, and appreciation for Northern Santa Barbara County industries and communities. Visit econalliance.org for more informaiton. m
Reach New Times Staff Writer Samantha Herrera, from the Sun’s sister paper, at sherrera@ santamariasun.com.
WOMEN’S HEALTH MATTERS: Partnering with Cal Poly, The SLO Noor
Women’s Mobile Health Unit offers health care to women in Santa Maria.
What’s the most important local story of 2024?
50% That it’s over.
25% The Lake fire.
25% The Santa Maria Riverbed cleanup.
0% Lompoc’s City Council shakeup. 4 Votes
Vote online at www.santamariasun.com.
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Protect the creek
San Luis Obispo County doesn’t really care about protecting the dunes or Arroyo Grande Creek
BY BONITA ERNST, LUCIA CASALINUOVO, AND ALLENE VILLA
If San Luis Obispo County genuinely cared about the natural habitat of the Arroyo Grande Creek, it would oppose the Wildlife Habitat Protection Plan (WHPP) recently released by State Parks’ Off-Highway Vehicle Division. Vehicle crossings of the creek on Oceano Beach cause significant environmental harm, and the WHPP does nothing to mitigate these ongoing issues. During a public presentation, Ronnie Glick, the State Parks chief biologist, stated, “We do these projects to sustain OHV use,” a declaration that starkly contradicts the WHPP’s stated purpose of protecting wildlife. This statement reveals the true priorities of State Parks, underscores its failure in conservation, and undermines any hope for a better environmental stewardship.
In December 2023, the Oceano Dunes State
Paulding needs to prioritize the environment before it’s too late
Jimmy Paulding is a legacy politician with legacy ideas about the environment (“Environmental groups are threatening South SLO County’s water security,” Dec. 19). Stuck in the past, oblivious to the world around him. It would be interesting to know the last time he left his desk and took a walk outside to feel an actual breeze on his face or smelled the earth after a rain. Our biosphere is collapsing and our planet overpopulated, with the global south taking the brunt of its consequences. Until global warming and runaway climate change has melted the ice caps entirely and the ocean is lapping at his doorstep, until industrial agriculture has failed due to the destruction of the jet stream, until his family misses its first meal, and his neighborhood is overrun by armed looters trying to find resources, it appears Mr. Paulding won’t understand. When he does, it will be too late.
At one of my two jobs, on the outskirts of SLO, I
Vehicular Recreation Area (ODSVRA) gained national and international attention when vehicles and individuals became stranded and were rescued while attempting to cross the creek. This incident illustrates the dangers posed by unrestricted vehicle access and the lack of enforcement at this critical crossing. Despite the risks, State Parks rangers often stand by as vehicles cross the creek under hazardous conditions, demonstrating that signage alone is inadequate to protect the ecosystem or public safety.
A federal injunction now requires San Luis Obispo County to submit a plan to release water from Lopez Dam into the creek. Increased water flow at the creek’s mouth, where vehicles cross to access ODSVRA, will only exacerbate the environmental and safety challenges. The California Coastal Commission declared Oceano Beach off limits to vehicles in 2019, but the county failed to support this decision. In a subsequent legal case, Judge Coates ruled that the county—not the Coastal Commission—
have the opportunity to walk across a small bridge over a small creek I didn’t even know existed. In the summer I make a point of looking at a section with deeper pools of water in it, and to my surprise have seen trout in it about 8 inches long.
As someone who usually struggles with making sense of the world or has any hope for the future, these small trout inspire me, as do the gurgle of the water, the sycamore leaves floating in it, and the sun reflecting off the water. How these fish have survived is beyond me. Can we not help them?
Jimmy Paulding’s naivety about how close our natural world to collapse is similar to German Jews during WWII. Even as they were being herded into boxcars to be sent to concentration camps, many Jews were convinced the Nazis were simply relocating them to the countryside for jobs. Until steelhead trout and the overall environment are put first, we should refuse to get in the boxcar Jimmy Paulding is insisting we get in through piecemeal proclamations, locutionary acts, and nonbinding meaningless resolutions.
Shanti Harris San Luis Obispo
holds responsibility for setting land-use rules. By enforcing its Local Coastal Plan, the county could protect the creek’s mouth and ensure that endangered steelhead can reach the ocean.
In January 2024, the California Appeals Court issued a “stay” prohibiting creek crossings under high water conditions. However, this measure remains unenforced, and the county continues to acquiesce to ongoing destruction. For decades, San Luis Obispo County has been both a witness to and accomplice in the degradation of Arroyo Grande Creek’s natural habitat.
We urge the Off-Highway Vehicle Division and San Luis Obispo County to take immediate and decisive action. The most effective solution is to prohibit vehicle access south of Pier Avenue whenever Arroyo Grande Creek flows at or above 12 inches. This measure would reduce harm to the ecosystem, align with habitat protection goals, and ensure compliance with federal conservation mandates. m
Bonita Ernst, Lucia Casalinuovo, and Allene Villa are Oceano Beach Community Association members. Send comments for publication to letters@ santamariasun.com.
The smell of Musk
Elon Musk. It sounds like the name of a fine Italian fragrance. But don’t be fooled, as it really reeks of roadkill skunk.
This gazillionaire, who just bought a presidency, is not interested in the welfare of “the people,” rather in furthering his own enormous wealth and ego. Constitution be damned, the combination of Trump and Musk can buy whatever laws they personally want to impose on our country.
Wake up, folks. What happened to “government of the people, by the people, for the people”? (A. Lincoln). It seems to have perished. Thomas Lott Atascadero
Murder endorsed by Americans is dangerous
Recently, certain segments of our society have elevated two murderers to the status of champions of their causes. Daniel Penny killed a homeless, mentally ill man with a choke hold, and Luigi Mangione killed an executive of a health insurance company.
This occurs in the context of polls taken over the last few years finding that large percentages of Americans say that violence may be justified and necessary to achieve their political goals. More Republicans than Democrats and Independents agree, none in the majority but enough to be significant.
Penny is idolized as an icon of masculinity by Fox News and deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal in legislation introduced by 10 House Republicans (HR 10330). Mangione is idolized as a messenger for those angry at the negligence and profiteering of private health insurance companies.
Those propagating such adulation are, in effect, not only distracting from our undone work on homelessness, mental illness, and health care, but also legitimizing dangerous and ineffective reactions to them.
Those who are working against the stigmatization of the homeless and mentally ill and for providing shelter and psychological care as human rights, and against the extractive capitalist model of health insurance and for our collective commitment to health care as a human right, e.g., Medicare for All, are showing the way to a more peaceful, secure, satisfying, and robust future. It’s time to reject reactionary propaganda and bear down on our demands for justice, compassion, and rationality.
David Broadwater Atascadero
In 2020-21, an estimated 2,000 Western monarch butterflies were counted at overwintering sites. In 2022-23, that count hit 300,000.
But this winter is expected to be super low, with the count ongoing and a little less than 200 counted at Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove this year—and more than 10,000 counted last year. So what do we do?
Propose the species to be listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act! Hopefully this time around goes a little differently than the last go around.
In 2014, monarchs were also petitioned for a listing. But in December 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided that while a listing might be warranted, there were other listing actions that took precedence on its national priority list. Umm, what?
In December 2024, the service decided to propose listing the monarch as threatened. So I guess we will see what gets national priority.
The service estimates that the monarch could go completely extinct by 2080, so as long as there are two fluttering around maybe there’s time?
Meanwhile, in California, monarchs aren’t listed under the state’s Endangered Species Act, either. But it is identified as a species of greatest conservation need in the State Wildlife Action Plan, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Wow, everyone. We’ve been talking about protecting monarchs for what seems like forever, but we haven’t managed to make the species a priority quite yet. Except for telling everyone to plant milkweed!
Slow clap! Let’s not wait until it’s too late.
The Santa Barbara County Vintners
Association is trying to get ahead of the curve with its latest attempt at creating a special district to help pay for local wine industry marketing efforts. Although it wanted the county to set precedent by becoming the first wine business improvement district in the state, local wine peeps weren’t ready for it in 2020.
Now, California has at least three districts that assess fees on tasting rooms to pay for marketing efforts to increase tourism in their respective regions. Surely, Santa Barbara County can be the fourth?
It sounds like the argument is similar to what it was more than four years ago. Santa Barbara County is battling against industry Goliaths for recognition: “Our little association is really fighting giants,” Keith Saarloos of Saarloos and Sons said. The association can’t generate the revenue it needs to market the county wine industry the way it should.
The argument against it is also similar:
Consumers don’t want to pay a fee. And the efforts won’t benefit the county’s mom-and-pop operations, which don’t need it because most of their customers are local, according to Steve Pepe of Clos Pepe Vineyards.
Things got a little testy at the county Board of Supervisors hearing on Dec. 17, with a handful of winemakers pushing back on Pepe and his arguments, including Tim Snider from Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard
“We are at the same time, kind of the big guy in this scenario … but we’re also mom-and-pop. That’s what we are, and that’s what this region’s all about,” he said. “There is an assertion that only the large wineries are going to benefit. And that, as has been stated, is pretty flatly false.” m
The Canary is always ahead of the curve. Send tips to canary@santamariasun.com.
Hot Stuff
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY
ARTS
SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS 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. Everybody Can Dance, 628 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria, (805) 937-6753, everybodycandance. webs.com/.
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) 925-0994. cityofsantamaria.org/services/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.
RIDE THE CYCLONE: THE MUSICAL
When six teen choir singers meet an unexpected fate on a roller coaster, their afterlife takes a surprising turn. With the help of a mechanical fortuneteller, they’re given a chance to harmonize their way back to the world of the living. Jan. 10-26 my805tix.com. Santa Maria Civic Theatre, 1660 N. McClelland St., Santa Maria.
VALLEY ART GALLERY: ROTATING
DISPLAYS Featured artists of Santa Maria’s Valley Art Gallery frequently display their works at the airport. Check website for details on monthly exhibits and full list of the gallery’s artists. ongoing valleygallery.org. Santa Maria Airport, 3217 Terminal Drive, Santa Maria.
A DEEPER LOVE: NEW PAINTINGS
INSPIRED BY CORAL REEFS A vivid duo exhibition that highlights a collection of paintings by husband and wife team David Gallup and Nansi Bielanski Gallup. Through Feb. 1 calnatureartmuseum.org. California Nature Art Museum, 1511-B Mission Dr., Solvang.
THE VISUAL FEAST OF ROLAND
PETERSEN Enjoy viewing a collection of Petersen’s vivid, colorful paintings. Through Jan. 5 elverhoj.org. Elverhoj Museum of History and Art, 1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang, (805) 686-1211.
WINTER BREAK ART CAMP (AGES 7-12) Let the Art Spot help bring artistic expression into your child’s life during the school break. Jan. 2 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Jan. 3 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $85 per day or $355 for full five-day enrollment. (805) 325-8092. artspotonwheels.com. Art Spot on Wheels, 320 Alisal Road, unit 306B, Solvang.
WINTER CELEBRATION AT GALLERY LOS OLIVOS Visit site or contact venue for more details on the show and its participating artists. Mondays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through Jan. 31 (805) 688-7517. GalleryLosOlivos.com. Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos.
LOMPOC/VANDENBERG
THE LOMPOC VALLEY ART ASSOCIATION’S CYPRESS GALLERY FEATURES “CALIFORNIA WILDS” Angelina LaPointe, a printmaker living and working in Lompoc, will showcase her collection “California Wilds.” LaPointe says her prints illustrate California’s diverse animal life and distinctive landscapes. Jan. 2-26 (805) 291-9317. Cypress Gallery, 119 E Cypress Ave., Lompoc, lompocart.org.
SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY
DANCE FITNESS ART AND CULTURE FOR ADULTS Discover dance as a form of artistic expression and exercise, using a wide range of styles and genres of music (including modern, jazz, Broadway, ethnic). Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m. $10 drop-in; $30 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.
DIY MACRAMÉ WITH LADONNA Have local macramé expert Ladonna guide you in making your own vintage macramé from a pattern first published in 1976. Visit site for tickets and more info. Jan. 11 1-4 p.m. $55. (805) 270-4083. theplantedparlour.com. The Planted Parlour, 592 W Grand Ave., Grover Beach.
SECOND SATURDAY IMPROV MEETUP
Play short-form games and share smiles in the supportive environment of improv. Second Saturday of every month, 2-4 p.m. through Dec. 13 improvforgood.fun/. Flex Performing Arts Studio (Studio D), 1820 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach.
SAN LUIS OBISPO
ALL AGES SCULPTING WITH JOHN ROULLARD John a retired school teacher who patiently guides potters of all ages to sculpt and work on details and design. Saturdays, 1:30-3 p.m. $40. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
ALL LEVELS POTTERY CLASSES Anam Cre is a pottery studio in SLO that offers a variety of classes. This specific class is open to any level. Teachers are present for questions, but the class feels more like an open studio time for potters. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. $40. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, anamcre.com.
ARTIST RIKI SCHUMACHER AT ART
CENTRAL GALLERY Schumacher’s work
is pensive and introspective, inspiring one to take a solitary walk on a cloudy day. Wander in to reflect on her “delicious, wistful landscapes.” Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. Free. (805) 747-4200. artcentralslo.com/galleryartists/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
CAPTURING THE MAGIC OF COWBOY COUNTRY An equestrian photography exhibit featuring authentic cowboys and cowgirls horse wrangling, galloping, and traversing the foothills of the majestic Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming in winter. Through Jan. 15 (805) 423-6427. The Photo Shop, 1027 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo.
CERAMIC LESSONS AND MORE Now offering private one-on-one and group lessons in the ceramic arts. Both hand building and wheel throwing options. Beginners welcomed. ongoing (805) 8355893. hmcruceceramics.com/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
FAMILY FRIENDLY WORKSHOP: LARGE PLATTER CLASS Fun for all ages. Instructors will guide you in creating large platters and decorating them. Create pieces together for your home. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $50. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
FIRST FRIDAYS Visit SLOMA on the first Friday of each month for exhibition openings, music, and wines provided by regional winery partners. Admission is free and open to the public. First Friday of every month, 5-8 p.m. Free. (805) 5438562. sloma.org/events/first-fridays/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY AND ART
Owen and Kyoko Hunt from Kyoto, Japan offer classes for Japanese calligraphy (Fridays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.), a Japanese art
ENVISION YOUR FUTURE
Personalize your own treasure chest of hopes and dreams by collaging your inspirations and aspirations onto a wooden chest at Craft and Create on Jan. 10 for Vision Chest Craft Night. The $65 workshop includes supplies and runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Find Craft and Create: A DIY Lounge by Art Spot at 446 Alisal Road, suite 11, Solvang. Visit craftandcreatesolvang. com to reserve your spot or call (805) 697-7482.
—Camillia Lanham
called “haiga” (Fridays, 10-11:30 a.m.) and more at Nesting Hawk Ranch. Fridays $45. (702) 335-0730. Nesting Hawk Ranch, Call for address, San Luis Obispo.
JULIE ALPERT: STRANGE MAGIC As you step into Strange Magic, artist Julie Alpert’s first solo show in California, you’ll know one thing for certain: “Life is being lived.” Through March 2, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 543-8562. sloma.org/ exhibition/julie-alpert-strange-magic/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
LEARN TO WEAVE MONDAYS An opportunity to learn how a four-shaft loom works. You will get acquainted as a new weaver or as a refresher with lots of tips and tricks. This class includes getting to know a loom, how to prepare/dress a loom, and much much more. Mondays, 1-4 p.m. $75 monthly. (805) 441-8257.
Patricia Martin: Whispering Vista Studios, 224 Squire Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo, patriciamartinartist.com.
PICKET PAINTING PARTY Decorative picket purchasing opportunities are available to show your support and help fund maintenance and educational programs in the Children’s Garden. Second Saturday of every month, 1-4 p.m. $75 per picket or 2 for $100. (805) 541-1400. slobg. org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.
SATURDAY FAMILY POTTERY CLASS
This family-friendly open studio time is a wonderful window for any level or age. Saturdays, 11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. $40. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, anamcre.com.
VIRGINIA MACK: BEGINNING
WATERCOLOR This is a watercolor class designed to let you jump in and try out this engaging medium through experimentation. It’s designed for beginners and those with watercolor experience who wish to expand their knowledge of painting in watercolors.
To enroll please contact Mack via email: vbmack@charter.net Wednesdays, 1:30-3:30 p.m. $35. (805) 747-4200. artcentralslo.com/workshops-events/. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.
WHITNEY BEDFORD: THE WINDOW The Window intricately bridges the natural, the historical, and the imagined. Through Feb. 16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 543-8562. sloma.org/exhibition/whitney-bedford/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY CALL FOR ARTISTS: AQUARIUS 2025 WATERMEDIA EXHIBIT Aquarius 2025 presented by Central Coast Watercolor Society seeks California artists working in all watermedia for this prestigious annual juried exhibit. Submissions open Dec. 1 and close on Jan. 5. Exhibit runs Feb. 20 through Mar.31, 2025 at Art Center Morro Bay. See website for full info. Through Jan. 5 $25-$65. ccwsart.com/aquarius-2025prospectus. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 772-2504.
COASTAL WINE AND PAINT PARTY Listen to music while enjoying an afternoon of creativity, sipping, and mingling. The party includes a complimentary glass of wine and canvas with materials. Saturdays, 12-2 p.m. $55. (805) 394-5560. coastalwineandpaint. com. Harmony Cafe at the Pewter Plough, 824 Main St., Cambria.
COSTA GALLERY SHOWCASES Features works by Ellen Jewett as well as 20 other local artists, and artists from southern and northern California. Thursdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. (559) 799-9632. costagallery.com. Costa Gallery, 2087 10th St., Los Osos.
FINE ART PAINTINGS AND SMALL WORKS BY ARDELLA SWANBERG Swanberg is a mixed media artist and teacher who has been painting and teaching on the Central Coast for almost 40 years. Through Jan. 29 Free. (805) 7721068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.
FOCUS ON BIRDS, BRIAN JOHNSON, AND ARDELLA SWANBERG: ARTISTS RECEPTION AND ATRIUM PARTY Come meet the artists, be inspired, and enjoy food, refreshments, a tree-filled atrium, and all the businesses in Marina Square.
Jan. 11 3-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.
FOCUS ON BIRDS: A GROUP WILDLIFE
PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW Come discover what all our bird friends in the Estuary have been up to. Through Jan. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.
FOREVER STOKED PAINT PARTY Join us at the gallery, for a few hours to travel on a creative paint journey. You will receive as much or as little instruction as you prefer. No artistic experience is necessary. Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. $45. (805) 772-9095. foreverstoked.com. Forever Stoked, 1164 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay.
GALLERY AT MARINA SQUARE
PRESENTS MIXED MEDIA PAINTINGS BY BRIAN JOHNSON Stop by to see Johnson’s mixed media abstract art that incorporates inks, gels, and mirrors. Through Jan. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.
MIXED MEDIA PAINTINGS BY BRIAN
JOHNSON Johnson creates mixed media abstract art using inks, gels, and mirrors. Through Jan. 29 Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.
PAINT YOUR PET Come paint your animal, whether that’s a dog, cat, horse, or chicken. No painting experience is necessary. Jan. 11 , 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $60. (805) 394-5560. coastalwineandpaint. com. Harmony Cafe at the Pewter Plough, 824 Main St., Cambria.
THE PLEIN AIR TEAM Acrylic artist, Nancy Lynn, and husband, watercolorist, Robert Fleming, have an ongoing show of
originals and giclee prints of Morro Bay and local birds. ongoing (805) 772-9955. Seven Sisters Gallery, 601 Embarcadero Ste. 8, Morro Bay, sevensistersgalleryca.com.
UNCORK YOUR CREATIVITY: COASTAL WINE AND PAINT PARTY Offering a unique opportunity to sip wine while painting stunning ocean-inspired landscapes. All materials included. Saturdays, 12-2 p.m. $60. (805) 394-5560. coastalwineandpaint.com. Harmony Cafe at the Pewter Plough, 824 Main St., Cambria.
WINTER FAIRE AND JURIED CRAFT
SHOW A collection of festive holiday treasures curated by the Morro Bay Art Association. Through Jan. 6 Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 772-2504, artcentermorrobay.org.
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
FIND MAGIC
Seattle-based artist Julie Alpert’s life-sized art installation at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art infuses a routine living space with colors, textures, shapes, and whimsy. Her site-specific installations and works on paper bridge the gap between reality and expectations and transport viewers back to a time where they can play as children do, according to SLOMA. See Alpert’s first solo show in California, Strange Magic, through March 3 at 1010 Broad St. in SLO. Visit sloma.org for more information. —C.L.
0-17. First Sunday of every month Free. (805) 925-0994. 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.
PHOTOS WITH SANTA CLAUS Visit the mall this holiday season to meet Santa Claus and take a photo with him. Contact mall management for dates and details. ongoing Santa Maria Town Center, 142 Town Center East, Santa Maria.
NISSER ADVENTURE A scavenger hunt for the mysterious Solvang Nisser (Christmas elves) who have hidden themselves throughout downtown Solvang. Hunters of all ages may stop by the Solvang Visitor Center for a list of clues, and return after finding the elves to receive a special Solvang keepsake.
Through Jan. 5 Downtown Solvang, Citywide, Solvang.
SOLVANG JULEFEST 2024 Julefest returns with a full slate of holiday events happening across downtown Solvang. Check website for the annual tradition’s lineup. Through Jan. 5 solvangusa.com. Downtown Solvang, Citywide, Solvang. SOLVANG TREE BURN Considered to be one of the largest fire safety demonstrations along the Central Coast. Check website for updates on the event’s date (weather permitting; TBA). Jan. 3 5-7 p.m. visitsyv.com. Old Mission Santa Ines, 1760 Mission Drive, Solvang.
LOMPOC/VANDENBERG
LOMPOC ART WALK Lompoc transforms into a celebration and showcase of local artists during this monthly event, which features live music, art, exciting exhibitions, performances, and a variety of unique vendors. First Thursday of every month, 5-8 p.m. Old Town Lompoc, H and I St., Lompoc.
THE VILLAGE TREASURE CHEST This event is for the whole family. There will be vendors selling their wears, music, facepainting, and some kind of food booth. Come out and spend part of your Saturday supporting local vendors. First Saturday of every month, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Vandenberg Village Community Services District Office, 3745 Constellation Road, Lompoc, (805) 291-6370.
SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY
ARGENTINE TANGO DANCE LESSONS This beginning dance class teaches the essentials of Argentine Tango. No partner or previous experience is needed. Sponsored by Arroyo Grande Parks & Recreation. Mondays, 5:30-8 p.m. through Feb. 24 $12 per class. (805) 473-5473. arroyogrande.org. Women’s Club of Arroyo Grande, 211 Vernon St., Arroyo Grande. Join this beginning class to learn the
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 12
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY
Hot Stuff
essentials of Argentine Tango. No partner or experience is required and sign ups are through Arroyo Grande Parks and Recreation. Mondays, 5:30-8 p.m. through Feb. 24 $12. (805) 473-5473. arroyogrande. org. Woman’s Club Community Center, 211 Vernon St., Arroyo Grande.
BEGINNER GROUP SURF LESSONS AND SURF CAMPS Lessons and camp packages available daily. All equipment included. ongoing Starts at $70. (805) 835-7873. sandbarsurf.com/. Sandbar Surf School Meetup Spot, 110 Park Ave., Pismo Beach.
BEGINNING BALLET FOR ADULTS Enjoy the grace and flow of ballet. No previous experience needed. Wednesdays, 5:156:15 p.m. $12 drop-in; $40 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.
BODY FUSION/EXERCISE AND FITNESS
CLASS Do something good for yourself and stay fit for outdoor sports, while enhancing flexibility, strengthening your core to prevent lower back issues, improving your posture through yoga, and more. Tuesdays, Thursdays, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. (970) 710-1412. Avila Beach Community Center, 191 San Miguel St., Avila Beach, avilabeachcc.com.
BUTTERFLIES COMMUNICATION IN COLOR: GUIDED INTERPRETIVE
TALK Butterflies come in a multitude of colors, shapes, and sizes. RSVP with the phone number provided to come and learn about butterflies’ adaptations with Docent Peggy. Jan. 11 11 a.m.-noon Free. (805) 474-2664. centralcoastparks.org/ awn/. Oceano Dunes Visitor Center, 555 Pier Ave., Oceano.
COMMUNITY NATIVE GARDEN
GATEWAY TO PAINT
Drew Davis hosts an oil painting workshop for “super beginners” on Jan. 11 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Drew Davis Fine Art Studio in San Luis Obispo, 393 Pacific St. Davis is a contemporary impressionistic painter who mostly works in oil and acrylic and is inspired by the California coast, including the Golden Gate Bridge featured in Baker Beach Day. No prior painting experience is needed, and all materials will be provided. Tickets are $105.50 and available at my805tix.com.
—C.L.
Q YOUTH GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM) This is a social support group for LGBTQ+ and questioning youth between the ages of 11-18. Each week the group explores personal, cultural, and social identity. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. Free. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
SLO NOONTIME TOASTMASTERS CLUB MEETINGS Want to improve speaking and leadership skills in a supportive and positive environment? During COVID, we are meeting virtually. Contact us to get a meeting link for info. Tuesdays, 12-1 p.m. Free. slonoontime.toastmastersclubs.org. Zoom, Online, Inquire for Zoom ID. SLO PHILATELIC SOCIETY Stamp Collector? The SLO Philatelic Society (SLOPS) meets in the SLO UMC Conference Room on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Visitors welcome. For more info, contact SLOPS at slostampclub@gmail.com. First Tuesday of every month, 1-3 p.m. (805) 801-9112. San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church, 1515 Fredericks Street, San Luis Obispo.
MONTHLY VOLUNTEER WORKDAY Volunteers accomplish a variety of tasks including pathways maintenance, litter patrol of the garden perimeter, weeding, irrigation system expansion/repairs, pruning, and plantings. Volunteers should bring work gloves, a hat, drinking water, and tools related to the above activities. First Saturday of every month, 9 a.m.-noon Free. (805) 710-3073. Nipomo Native Garden, Camino Caballo at Osage, Nipomo. DONATION-BASED YOGA FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, EMTS, AND CARETAKERS
Class schedule varies. Contact empoweryoga805@gmail for details and reservations. ongoing (805) 619-0989. empoweryoga805.com. Empower Yoga Studio and Community Boutique, 775 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach.
MULTICULTURAL DANCE CLASS FOR ADULTS
Experience dance from continents around the earth, including from Africa, Europe, and more. Described as “a wonderful in-depth look at the context and history of cultures of the world.” Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. $10 drop-in; $30 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WATCH AND CLOCK COLLECTORS, CHPT. 52 Come join a friendly meeting of watch and clock collectors. Members bring watches and clocks to show, plus there are discussions of all things horological. Second Sunday of every month, 1:30-3 p.m. (805) 547-1715. new.nawcc.org/ index.php/chapter-52-los-padres. Central Coast Senior Center, 1580 Railroad St., Oceano.
POINT SAN LUIS LIGHTHOUSE TOURS A docent-led tour of the buildings and grounds of the historic Point San Luis Light Station. Check website for more details. Wednesdays, Saturdays pointsanluislighthouse.org/. Point San Luis Lighthouse, 1 Lighthouse Rd., Avila Beach.
QI GONG FOR LESS STRESS AND MORE ENERGY Experience the energy of Qi Gong through simple standing movements promoting flexibility, strength, relaxation, and increased energy. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, Qi Gong revitalizes and enriches your life. An outdoor class overlooking the ocean. Wednesdays, 4-5 p.m. $14 per class or $55 for 5-class card with no expiration. (805) 440-4561. pismobeach.org. Margo Dodd Gazebo, Ocean Park Blvd., Shell Beach.
SOCIAL GROUP FOR WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS Call for more details. Second Saturday of every month, 10 a.m. (805) 904-
6615. Oak Park Christian Church, 386 N Oak Park Blvd., Grover Beach.
WEEKLY WATER SAFETY LESSONS Facility advertised as open and safe. Give the office a call to register over the phone. MondaysFridays $160-$190. (805) 481-6399. 5 Cities Swim School, 425 Traffic Way, Arroyo Grande, 5citiesswimschool.com.
ZOO TO YOU The zoo is coming to you at the discovery center. Come check out the animals. Jan. 4 Free. (805) 473-1421. Exploration Discovery Center, 867 Ramona Ave., Grover Beach.
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, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church SLO, 650 Pismo St., San Luis Obispo.
CITY FARM
SLO’S YOUTH
EMPOWERMENT
PROGRAM Check site for more info on programming and summer camps. ongoing cityfarmslo.org. San Luis Obispo, Citywide, SLO. DAILY QIGONG PRACTICE For the early riser or commuter, every weekday morning. Maintain or improve concentration, balance, and flexibility. Includes weekly Friday 3 p.m. class with more practices. Led by certified Awareness Through Movement teacher. Mondays-Saturdays, 6:10 a.m. and Fridays, 3 p.m. $35/week or $125/ month. (646) 280-5800. margotschaal.com/ qigong. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo. FREE TOURS OF THE MISSION Tour San Luis Obispo’s Spanish Mission, founded in 1772. Come learn its history and about the development of this area. Tours, led by docents, are free at 1:15 p.m Monday through Saturday,
and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Sundays, 2-3 p.m. and Mondays-Saturdays, 1:15-2:15 p.m. Free. (657) 465-9182. missionsanluisobispo.org. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, 751 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
HANDSPRINGS AND AERIALS CLINIC Children can build their skills and begin working on intermediate fundamentals. All levels are welcome. Jan. 11 1-3 p.m. $25. (805) 547-1496. performanceathleticsslo.com. Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
KIDS’ PARTY PARADISE: NEW YEAR SOIREE
Children ages 4 to 13 can enjoy pizza, movies, and gymnastics. No experience is necessary. Jan. 11 5-9:30 p.m. $50. (805) 547-1496. performanceathleticsslo.com. Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
MELLOW YOGA FOR EVERYONE Stretch into yourself under the beautiful oaks and fresh air of this idyllic country setting. Suitable for all levels, these classes emphasize the gentler side of yoga and adapt to participants’ needs.
Tuesdays, 5-6 p.m. $14 per class or $55 for fiveclass card with no expiration. (805) 440-4561. balancedlivingayurveda.com. Tiber Canyon Ranch, 280 W Ormonde Rd, San Luis Obispo.
METAPHYSICAL/SPIRITUALITY BOOK CLUB
A weekly book discussion, on a wide variety of titles from the general subject of metaphysics, spirituality, and comparative religion. By invitation. For more information, contact David Higgins, email: davidhiggins67@gmail. com. Location revealed to those invited.
Wednesdays Free. rationalmetaphysics. com. Private location, TBA, Location not to be published.
MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION (ONLINE MEETING) Zoom series hosted by TMHA. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon Transitions Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 270-3346.
PUPPY SOCIAL HOUR Puppies (10 weeks to 5 months old) will learn appropriate play style with other pups, acceptable manners with people, tolerance for gentle restraints, confidence with the approach of friendly strangers, and more. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. $25. (805) 543-9316. woodshumanesociety.org/training/. Woods Humane Society, 875 Oklahoma Ave., San Luis Obispo.
SLO RETIRED ACTIVE MEN: WEEKLY COFFEE MEETING SLO RAMs is a group or retirees that get together just for the fun, fellowship, and to enjoy programs which enhance the enjoyment, dignity, and independence of retirement. Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. $10 coffee meeting. retiredactivemen.org. Madonna Inn, 100 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo. SLO SKIERS MONTHLY MEETING SLO Skiers, a local nonprofit, sports, and social club for adults has monthly meetings. Meetings are free and annual membership is $65. Events held year around, with ski trips and other events (indoor and outdoor). First Tuesday of every month, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free; annual membership $65. (805) 528-3194. sloskiers.org. Rod & Hammer Rock, 855 Aerovista Pl., San Luis Obispo.
STAY YOUNG WITH QI GONG Qi Gong boosts energy and vitality, reduces stress, improves balance and flexibility, and, best of all, is fun. Join instructor Devin Wallace for this outdoor class which is held in a beautiful setting. Call or email before attending. Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m. $12. Crows End Retreat, 6430 Squire Ct., San Luis Obispo.
SUNDAY EVENING RAP LGBTQ+ AA GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM) Alcoholics Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of folks from all walks of life who together, attain and maintain sobriety. Requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Email aarapgroup@ gmail.com for password access. Sundays, 7-8 p.m. No fee. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.
TEEN MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP Learn more about mental health and coping skills to help you through your journey towards wellness and recovery. Thursdays, 4:30-6 p.m. (805) 540-6576. t-mha.org. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo. TOUR THE HISTORIC OCTAGON BARN CENTER The Octagon Barn, built in 1906, has a rich history that The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County looks forward to sharing with visitors. Please RSVP. Second Sunday of every month, 2-2:45 & 3-3:45 p.m. Tours are free; donations are appreciated. Octagon Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis Obispo, (805) 5449096, octagonbarn.org.
TRANS* TUESDAY A safe space providing peer-to-peer support for trans, gender nonconforming, non-binary, and questioning people. In-person and Zoom meetings held. Contact tranzcentralcoast@gmail.com for more details. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. GALA Pride and Diversity Center, 1060 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 541-4252.
NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY
BREATHE AND STRETCH One must be able to get down onto the floor and back up again, with ease, in order to participate in this 55-minute session. It’s specifically designed to enhance mobility and strength. Please bring a mat and some water. Mondays, 9-10 a.m. $10 per session. (415) 516-5214. Bayside Martial Arts, 1200 2nd St., Los Osos.
CENTRAL COAST SLIM DOWN Take control of food without suffering. Learn a step-by-step
Hot Stuff
process to take control of overeating, cravings, and feel peace with food. Build the habits, mindset, and your unique path with results that stick. Hosted byTami Cruz (Certified Health/Life Coach) and Dana Charvet (Coach/Fitness Trainer). ongoing Call for pricing info. (805) 235-7978. gratefulbodyhealthcoaching. com. Grateful Body, 850 Shasta, Morro Bay.
CENTRAL COAST UECHI-RYU KARATE-DO Uechi-Ryu Karatedo is a traditional form of karate originating from Okinawa, Japan. Focus is on fitness, flexibility, and self-defense with emphasis on self -growth, humility, and respect. Open to ages 13 to adult. Beginners and experienced welcome. Instructor with 50 years experience. For info, call 805-215-8806. Tuesdays, Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m. Morro Bay Community Center, 1001 Kennedy Way, Morro Bay, 772-6278, morro-bay.ca.us.
CENTRAL COAST WOOD CARVERS Learn the art of wood carving or wood burning. Join Central Coast Wood Carvers in Morro Bay at St. Timothy’s. Open for beginners, intermediate, or advance. Learn a wide range of techniques and skills. Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, 962 Piney Way, Morro Bay, (805) 772-2840, sttimothymorrobay.org/index.html.
CITIZENS FOR ESTERO BAY PRESERVATION: MONTHLY
FACE-TO-FACE MEET-UPS Representatives from “Citizens for Estero Bay Preservation” will be on hand to discuss current news and events surrounding efforts to stop the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Morro Bay and the industrialization of the Embarcadero and waterfront. “No Batteries by the Bay” yard signs available. Email preserveesterobay@gmail for more info. First Tuesday of every month, 10-11 a.m. Free. Buttercup Bakery and Cafe, 430 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay.
CO-DEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS MEETING Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) is a Twelve Step recovery program for anyone who desires to have healthy and loving relationships with themselves and others. Meeting is hybrid (both in person and on Zoom). For information, call 805-900-5237. Saturdays, 1-2:15 p.m. Free. thecambriaconnection.org/. Cambria Connection, 1069 Main St., Cambria, (805) 927-1654.
PALI KAI OUTRIGGER RACING CANOE CLUB Join, train, and race with these Sunday morning demonstrations. Enjoy getting in a canoe and on the water. These sessions are a great way to make new friends and stay in shape. Sundays, 9-11 a.m. through March 1 Three practices for free. palikai.org/joinus/. Coleman Park (Morro Bay), 101 Coleman Drive, Morro Bay, (805) 772-6278.
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.
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.
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, (805) 332-3532, 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.
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
MONTHLY FERMENTATION CLASSES New
QUEEN NATION
Soul-Centered Living
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11
YSLASH Carocha’s Gallery & Art Studios, Morro Bay
SUNDAY, JANUARY 12
JANUARY 11
TUESDAY, JANUARY 14
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16
The Musical FRI-SUN, JANUARY 10-26
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18
creates non-alcoholic, probiotic, and nutrient-dense fermentations. Leave the class confident and prepared with recipes to make your own at home. Limited seating; reserve spot prior to class by phone/email. Second Sunday of every month, 3:30-5 p.m. $30. (805) 801-6627. kulturhausbrewing.com/classes/. Kulturhaus Brewing Company, 779 Price St., Pismo Beach.
TRIVIA NIGHT Join BrainStew Trivia for a hilariously witty evening of trivia in Pismo. Teams of 1 to 4 people. Prizes awarded to the first and second place teams. Kitchen is open until 7:30 p.m. for brain fuel. Beer, cider, wine, and non-alcoholic options available. First Thursday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m. Free to play. (805) 295-6171. kulturhausbrewing.com. Kulturhaus Brewing Company, 779 Price St., Pismo Beach.
SAN LUIS OBISPO
DOWNTOWN SLO FARMERS MARKET
Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. Downtown SLO, Multiple locations, San Luis Obispo.
PIÑATAS ON THE PATIO What is more festive than a piñata? Join for some brunch drinks and a couple of good hits to a piñata (or two). Good times and goofy prices promised. Turns will be determined on a first come, first served basis. First Sunday of every month Free. Rambling Spirits, 3845 S. Higuera St. (inside SLO Public Market), San Luis Obispo, drinkramblingspirits.com.
SLO FARMERS MARKET Hosts more than 60 vendors. Saturdays, 8-10:45 a.m. World Market Parking Lot, 325 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo.
SLO GRANGE HALL PANCAKE
BREAKFAST Join the SLO Grange Hall for a good old-fashioned pancake breakfast. Pancakes, bacon, eggs, juice and coffee; all for a low suggested donation price of $10, with proceeds to benefit SLO Grange Hall 639. Second Sunday of every month, 8-11 a.m. $10. (805) 543-0639. San Luis Obispo Grange Hall, 2880 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.
MUSIC
SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS
HAPPY HOUR MUSIC SERIES Enjoy live music at the winery most Friday evenings. Check site for concert schedule. Fridays presquilewine.com. Presqu’ile Winery, 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., Santa Maria, (805) 937-8110.
LADIES NIGHT OUT Music by DJ Van Gloryious and DJ Panda. Features delicious daiquiri specials. Thursdays, 8 p.m.-midnight Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, (805) 623-8866.
LIVE MUSIC AND FOOD BY LOBO
BUTCHER SHOP Check out live music every Friday night from a variety of artists at Steller’s Cellar in Old Orcutt. Dinner served by Lobo Butcher Shop between 5 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 5-9 p.m. Varies according to food options. (805) 623-5129. stellerscellar.com. Steller’s Cellar, 405 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt.
MUSIC AT ROSCOE’S KITCHEN Live DJ and karaoke every Friday and Saturday night. Featured acts include Soul Fyah Band, DJ Nasty, DJ Jovas, and more. Fridays, Saturdays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, (805) 623-8866.
MUSIC LESSONS AT COELHO ACADEMY
Learn to play piano, drums, guitar, base, ukulele, or violin, or take vocal lessons. (805) 925-0464. coelhomusic.com/ Lessons/lessons.html. Coelho Academy of Music, 325 E. Betteravia Rd., Santa Maria. SUNDAY NIGHT FUN End the weekend with some good vibes. Music by DJ Van Gloryious. Sundays, 8 p.m.-midnight Roscoe’s Kitchen, 229 Town Center E, Santa Maria, (805) 623-8866.
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.
2 -
FOR BIRDING’S SAKE
Celebrate Morro Bay Bird Festival month by checking out the Gallery at Marina Square’s Focus on Birds group photography show, featuring Gregory Siragusa, Jessica Weiss, Cathy Russ, Grant Kreinberg, Karen Peterson, Dominic Hartman, and Alice Cahill, whose owl is pictured. Find the birds and bird habitats, countrysides, and oceansides where winged wildlife lives, thrives, hunts, and sings at 601 Embarcadero, suite 10, Morro Bay, starting with the opening reception on Jan. 11 from 3 to 5 p.m. Visit galleryatmarinasquare.com for more information.
—C.L.
SLOFunny Comedy Show, Hosted by Wyatt Cote FRIDAY, JANUARY 24
NIGHTLY LIGHT AND MUSIC SHOWS
This holiday-themed, choreographed light and music display, which is free to attend, entails two different shows that will alternate on the hour each evening. Through Jan. 5, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 p.m. solvangusa.com/things-to-do/solvangjulefest/. Solvang Park, Mission Dr. and First St., Solvang.
WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS
Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Brick Barn Wine Estate, 795 W. Hwy 246, Buellton, (805) 686-1208, brickbarnwineestate.com.
LOMPOC/VANDENBERG
KARAOKE AT COLD COAST BREWING
CO. Pick out a song, bring your friends, and get ready to perform. Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m. COLD Coast Brewing Company, 118 W Ocean Ave., Lompoc, (805) 819-0723, coldcoastbrewing.com.
SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY
KARAOKE EVERY WEDNESDAY A weekly event with barbecue offerings and more. Wednesdays, 4-8 p.m. Rancho Nipomo BBQ, 108 Cuyama Ln., Nipomo, (805) 925-3500.
SAN LUIS OBISPO
BRASS MASH: FIRST FRIDAY First Fridays are magical nights filled with the vibrant energy of our all-horn band. Join the festivities at Liquid Gravity and immerse yourself in the unique fusion of your favorite rock and pop songs. First Friday of every month, 6-10 p.m. my805tix.com. Liquid Gravity, 675 Clarion Court, San Luis Obispo.
LIVE MUSIC FROM GUITAR WIZ BILLY
FOPPIANO AND MAD DOG Join “Guitar
Wiz” Billy Foppiano and his trusty side kick Mad Dog for a mix of blues, R&B, and more. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (805) 544-2100. Bon
Temps Creole Cafe, 1819 Osos Street, San Luis Obispo, bontempscreolecafe.com/.
NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY
BLUES AGENDA JAM AND SHOWCASE
A rockin’ blues dance party at Niffy’s Merrimaker every first, third, and now fifth Wednesdays. The Blues Asylum house band welcomes local, visiting, and newcomers to the blues groove. Spirits, beer, and wine, with outside food welcome. Every other Wednesday, 7-10 p.m. Free. (805) 235-5223. The Merrimaker Tavern, 1301 2nd Street, Los Osos.
DEJA VU Enjoy live tunes from five talented Central Coast-based musicians. Jan. 4, 2-5 p.m. Free admission. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312, thesirenmorrobay.com/.
HAZARD CANYON A four-piece Americana/ country cover band based out of SLO County. Jan. 4 7:30-10:30 p.m. Free admission. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312, thesirenmorrobay.com/.
HEART AND SOUL SONG CIRCLE All voices are welcome, no matter how you think you sound. It’s about showing up, expressing yourself, and feeling the transformative power of rhythm and song in the collective energy. Jan. 3 4:30-6 p.m. my805tix.com/. Central Coast Body Therapy Center, 2005 9th St., Los Osos, (805) 709-2227.
LIVE MUSIC WITH GUITAR WIZ AT LUNADA GARDEN BISTRO “Guitar Wizard”
Billy Foppiano plays a wide range of music, including blues, R&B, classic rock, and more. Second Sunday of every month, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (805) 900-5444. Lunada Garden Bistro, 78 N. Ocean Ave., Cayucos. THREE 4 ALL A Central Coast-based power trio. Jan. 3, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Free admission. The Siren, 900 Main St., Morro Bay, (805) 225-1312, thesirenmorrobay.com/. m
Noelle & The Deserters with Anna Hillburg and Mary Simich
THURSDAY, JANUARY 30 Club Car Bar, Templeton
February 2025 Central Coast Cooking Show
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 Idler’s Home, Paso Robles
JANUARY
Nature of YOU: Ether
Tomb Dweller, Utter Scorn, Ritual Of Despair
JANUARY 29
Nectar, Atascadero
ARTS BRIEFS
The Western Monarch Trail places new educational site
The Western Monarch Trail continues its steady advance along the Central Coast of California with a set of educational panels and a native flower garden that just touched down in San Luis Obispo County.
San Luis Obispo’s Mission Plaza joins sites like Carpinteria Creek, the Nipomo Native Garden, and Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove as a food source for the insect and an information space for the community.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed listing the butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, according to a press release from the Central Coast State Parks Association.
The association collaborated with the Xerces Society and the city of San Luis Obispo on the panels—sponsored by the Thomas E. and Mary Kathryn Eltzroth Fund. They aim to help locals and tourists learn about the butterfly’s ecological and cultural significance, including identifying overwintering and nectaring locations for Western monarchs and providing information about population restoration efforts. The native plant nectar garden around the panels highlights the flowering plant species that benefit the monarch and other pollinators, the press release states.
As part of efforts started in 2021 on establishing a Western Monarch Trail, the association placed more than 10 educational panels in overwintering habitats along the Central Coast to protect the migration route of the butterflies. The project was handed over the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation in March 2024.
To learn more about the Western Monarch Trail, visit westernmonarchtrail.org.
SLO REP presents Shakespearean comedy Twelfth Night
San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre’s Academy of Creative Theatre presents its production of Twelfth Night from Jan. 10 to 19.
The ensemble of local students offers a fresh interpretation of one of Shakespeare’s classic comedies, SLO REP said in a press release. Set in Illyria, the comedy about love, identity, and mischief tells the story of Viola, a shipwrecked young woman who disguises herself as a man and enters the service of Duke Orsino.
Directed by Shannon Peters, the production emphasizes themes of love, gender, and self-discovery.
“We are thrilled to offer this opportunity for students to engage with one of Shakespeare’s most joyous and complex plays,” SLO REP Managing Artistic Director Kevin Harris said in the release. “Twelfth Night is a beautiful exploration of love, identity, and the confusion that comes with it.” Find tickets at slorep.org or by calling the box office at (805) 786-2440. Performances run Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. m
Arts Briefs
Pressed to impress
Local printmaker honors diverse wildlife and ecosystems in her California Wilds show at Cypress Gallery
BY EMMA MONTALBANO
With every deliberate carving and layer of ink, local printmaker Angelina LaPointe attempts to transform the beauty of the state’s ecosystems into tactile art that celebrates the diversity and charm of the natural world.
“In California, we live in a really special, beautiful environment, and not everybody gets to be out in it,” LaPointe explained. “I love to be able to transport those experiences back into people’s houses, into little pieces of art, so that you can have them in your life and remind you that you live in a beautiful place.”
Her California Wilds art show will be on display at the Lompoc Valley Art Association’s Cypress Gallery from Jan 3. to 26. The exhibition features wildlife and landscapes that LaPointe has encountered throughout the state.
“I’m always amazed by the colors that you see in nature when you stop and look, so I did a lot of exploring of colors,” she said. “I used California Wildlife to explore that. I’m particularly thinking of garibaldi—the really, really bright orange, like, traffic cone-colored fish. I got a chance to see some of those in person this summer, snorkeling off of Catalina Island.”
To capture these wonders of nature, LaPointe uses a complex printmaking process that involves carving intricate details into blocks of linoleum, which are then inked and pressed onto paper like large stamps. When exploring with color, as she did for this month’s showcase, she carves out additional blocks that will be layered on top of one another to create the final piece.
“I’m very intentional about how many colors I use because every time I add a color, that’s more work, so I build up very slowly and intentionally,” she said.
When studying printmaking and book arts at UC Santa Barbara, LaPointe developed a strong appreciation for the finality of each step in the process.
“You have your plate, you have your paper, and you have your ink, and you can make little tiny changes to each one to affect the final end product,” she said. “Once I carve something, I can’t go back. It is what it is. Unless I want to start over, I’m stuck with my decisions, and I sort of like that.”
If she had to choose one favorite step in the process, it would be carving because that’s
when she feels her artwork truly starts coming together. Even so, she emphasized that she appreciates every single step of block printing.
“There’s a problem-solving aspect to every stage of the process,” she explained. “They’re not big, insurmountable problems. They’re like little questions that I get to ask myself at every stage of the process.”
LaPointe noted how she has always loved high-contrast art, drawing inspiration from comic books, punk rock posters, and even minimalistic black-andwhite illustrations. As a kid, she acquired a collection of children’s books at her local library book sale that remain valuable to her because of the techniques used by artists to create simple yet bold designs.
“There’s a lot of really cool, simple
Prints to ponder
Lompoc Valley Art Association features block prints from local printmaker Angelina LaPointe until Jan. 26. Visit lompocart.org to find out more. The gallery is located at 119 E. Cypress Ave., Lompoc. More of LaPointe’s artwork can be found on her Etsy shop at etsy.com/shop/TheSidecarPress.
printmaking techniques that were used in those books, where they only printed in one or two colors with a black outline,” LaPointe said. “I’m often thinking about those kids’ books and how they simplify the design when I’m putting together prints. It’s something that’s really inspirational to my practice overall.”
She explained that because printmaking is so detail-oriented, she makes both technical and conceptual challenges for herself to ensure that the craft never feels boring. For the California Wilds exhibition, LaPointe challenged herself to create an installation that includes many prints that work together to make one larger piece of art.
“I have to make little challenges for myself every time to keep myself moving forward and to keep my work moving forward,” she said.
For the last few years, LaPointe has focused on nature and wildlife, using daily sightings and encounters with different landscapes and animals as muses for her pieces. She wants people who look at her art to feel “joy and appreciation for the beautiful place that we live in.”
“I am trying to make small daily reminders for people that this [world] is beautiful and exceptional,” LaPointe said. m
Contributor Emma Montalbano can only draw stick figures. Send tips to emontalbano@ newtimesslo.com.
FILE PHOTO BY CAMILLIA LANHAM
The
VISION AND
and U-shaped tips, Angelina LaPointe carves intricate designs into linoleum blocks, which she uses to make her prints.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANGELINA LAPOINTE
CAT AND MOUSE: In her nature artwork, Angelina LaPointe explores interactions between wildlife and its surroundings, including predator-prey relationships.
CATALINA CARVINGS: While snorkeling off the coast of Catalina Island, Angelina LaPointe swam with garibaldi fish and harbor seals, inspiring her to create artwork depicting this experience.
Heavy conscience
Clint Eastwood (Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino) directs this legal thriller written by Jonathan A. Abrams about journalist Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult), who’s selected to serve on the jury of a highprofile murder trial. As the trial begins, he realizes he may have been involved. (98 min.)
Glen: Clint Eastwood is a terrific, gifted, and wholly adept director, and this new thriller explores the moral quandary Kemp finds himself in. The recovering alcoholic has a baby on the way with wife Allison (Zoey Deutch). His life has turned around and his future is bright. However, he just happened to nearly relapse in the bar where the victim, Kendall Carter (Francesca Eastwood), had a fight with her boyfriend, James Sythe (Gabriel Basso), the man now on trial for her murder, on the very night Kendall died. After leaving the bar without drinking, Kemp realized he hit something with his car. He got out, looked around, saw nothing, and assumed he grazed a deer that ran off. Now sitting in the courtroom hearing the evidence, he realizes it might not have been a deer after all. So begins a series of choices he makes as he weighs putting an innocent man in prison versus saving himself from detection.
JUROR #2
What’s it rated? PG-13
What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s
Anna: What are the chances, right? While a whole lot of things have to first go wrong and then go right for Kemp to be in this situation, he wields a secret that comes with more power
THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT
What’s it rated? PG-13
When? 2024
Where’s it showing? Netflix
Writer-director Tyler Perry (Madea’s Family Reunion Dairy of a Mad Black Woman) helms this World War II drama based on Kevin M. Hymel’s 2019 WWII History magazine article, “Fighting a Two-Front War,” about the 855 Black women of the 6888th Central Post Directory Battalion, who joined the war effort to alleviate the three-year backlog of undelivered mail.
The film follows young Lena Derriecott (Ebony Obsidian) after the loss of her young love overseas as she joins the army in a mix of fury and grief. She and fellow recruits are commanded by Maj. Adams (Kerry Washington), a career military woman who runs a tight ship despite the ever-present racism and sexism that comes from above.
Adams has finally been given a mission overseas and six months to accomplish it—getting mail to soldiers that has long been moldering in airplane hangars. The task seems insurmountable, and the unit has been set up to fail. Little do those men know how much these women will accomplish and how far the touch of humanity will reach.
The film’s pretty cheesy, but it tugged at my heartstrings
than any one jury member should have. He’s got the choice of confessing, which he discusses with his lawyer and AA companion, Larry (Keifer Sutherland), swaying the jury to find Sythe innocent, or putting an innocent (of this crime, anyway) man in prison. Things get complicated when it’s revealed that there’s a retired detective (J.K. Simmons) on the jury who starts to poke into the circumstances of the crime and finds that the likelihood of a hit and run may outweigh a domestic assault. While Kemp manages to mitigate that threat, it doesn’t stop prosecutor Faith Killebrew (Toni Colette) from pursuing the truth and alerting Kemp’s wife, Allison, to the fact that his incident with the deer all those months back may not have been so innocent. It’s pretty gripping. Glen: It’s also complicated by Killebrew’s political ambitions. She’s up for reelection, and she’s hoping a conviction in this case will assure she remains district attorney. Meanwhile, Sythe’s public defender, Eric Resnick (Chris Messina), is overworked and frankly doing a poor job of proving an alternate theory to the DA’s domestic violence argument. Why couldn’t it have been a hitand-run? Why not more thoroughly challenge the state’s eyewitness, who couldn’t possibly have seen clearly that night? Like 12 Angry Men (1957), we witness the machinations in the deliberation room. The jurors are tired and want to get it over with, and most initially favor
must battle time and racism to deliver a three-year backlog of mail during World War II, in The Six Triple Eight, streaming on Netflix.
because of the extraordinary true story it’s based on. This one will give you all the feels and is well worth it. (127 min.)
—Anna
conviction. I sympathized with Kemp up to a point. Obviously, the right thing to do would be to tell the truth, but as his AA sponsor Larry explains, with his previous DUIs and history as a drunk, no one will believe he left the bar sober, and it was all a simple accident. It truly is an impossible situation with no easy answer. Anna: It certainly brings to light the uncomfortable truth: Justice in the hands of human beings is flawed and imperfect. There are no winners here. The film does a great job
THE MADNESS
What’s it rated? TV-MA
When? 2024
Where’s it showing? Netflix
Created by Stephen Belber (Tape Drifting Elegant), this gripping thriller explores race relations, social and mainstream media, wealth distribution, big tech, political influence, and ultimately conspiracy. Colman Domingo stars as Muncie Daniels, an on-the-rise CNN pundit on the cusp of getting his own show. He travels to a rented cabin in the Poconos to get away from the media circus and begin working on a book, but he stumbles upon a murder, for which he’s now being framed. Muncie is a complicated character who’s struggling to reconnect with his ideals as well as his estranged family: wife Elena (Marsha Stephanie Blake), son Demetrius (Thaddeus J. Mixson), and daughter from a previous relationship, Kallie (Gabrielle Graham). As the noose around his frame job tightens, his family is endangered. Of the multiple law enforcement agencies with Muncie in their crosshairs, only idealistic but irreverent FBI Agent Franco Quinones (John Ortiz) seems willing to hear him out.
Throw in a huge tech company with its eyes set on controlling politicians, a white supremacist organization called The Forge, and a gun-fanatic libertarian/antifa organization
at conveying the discomfort of it all. While the circumstances are certainly ginned up for the big screen, the fact is that wrongful convictions happen all the time. Eastwood’s direction pays homage to 12 Angry Men while subtly marrying the consequences of conscience and selfpreservation. It’s definitely worth a watch. m New Times Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Sun Screen. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
TORN ASUNDER: District Attorney Faith Killebrew (Toni Collett) speaks to Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult), a conflicted juror in a high-profile murder case, in director Clint Eastwood’s legal thriller, Juror #2, streaming on Max.
called Profane Discord, and you have a lot of players up against one smart, resourceful, but outnumbered man. (eight 43- to 58-min. episodes) m —Glen
RACE AGAINST TIME: Major Charity Adams (Kerry Washington), leader of the all-black all-female 6888th Central Post Directory Battalion,
IN THE CROSSHAIRS: Colman Domingo stars as media pundit Muncie Daniels, who stumbles upon a murder and now finds himself both a suspect and at the center of a conspiracy, in The Madness, streaming on Netflix.
Vineyard values
Strange Family Vineyards opens new tasting room in Los Olivos, blending wine, botanicals, and family
BY EMMA MONTALBANO
Born from a desire to reconnect with the land and grow something meaningful, Strange Family Vineyards is evolving from a household passion project into a boutique winery, specializing in pinot noir and chardonnay.
As part of their commitment to building connections with the local land and community, the family opened a new tasting room in Los Olivos, bringing the tasting experience closer to their vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills. Family values are woven into every aspect of their business, co-owner
Shamra Strange explained, which takes visitors beyond tasting.
“It’s bigger than a glass of wine,” Strange said. “It’s actually a way of living, a way of communicating, a
‘It feels like an extended family. We started as a family, we grew the family, and people feel like they’re a part of the family.’
—Shamra Strange, Strange Family Wines co-owner
way of relating to the land. I think that our intentions with starting out, which was to build and bond as a family, grew into building and bonding as a community.”
The newly opened tasting room, located at 2933 Grand Ave., offers a selection of Strange Family Vineyards’ wines as well as a variety of nonalcoholic botanical elixirs. According to Strange, stepping into the space feels like walking into a “modern old-world apothecary” thanks to its earthy and moody aesthetics. She emphasized that their focus on the environment as a theme is reflected in more than just the appearance of the tasting room—it’s ingrained in the way Strange Family Vineyards operates. The family strives to produce
Bubbles and botanicals
Call (805) 315-3662 or visit strangefamilyvineyards.com for more info on Strange Family Vineyards. The tasting room, located at 2933 Grand Ave. in Los Olivos, is open seven days a week. Reservations are recommended but not required.
quality and sustainable wines through organic and regenerative farming practices.
“I think there’s a movement, and you can feel it in our tasting room,” Strange said. “We’re leaning into something that’s really important, which is the environment.”
Just as they nurture the land, Strange noted that it’s also important for the family business to nurture relationships within the community. To do so, they
host events and workshops, such as writing salons and holiday craft sessions, in partnership with other local businesses.
Strange said that the company started as a family venture, and over the years, the family has expanded with the people they’ve hired and the customers they’ve acquired.
“I think there’s a feeling when you come into Strange—and we hear
EARTHY ELEGANCE: Strange Family Vineyards co-owner Shamra Strange emphasized that she enjoys creating warm and welcoming spaces, noting that she sourced most of the family winery’s room decor from small businesses on Etsy.
COZY CORNER: In addition to the main tasting room, Strange Family Vineyards’ new space also features a secluded room called the Bubble Lounge, which is used for special tastings and events. EATS continued page 22
2025 DINE OUT SANTA MARIA STYLE
January 10 - February 9
The following restaurants have special deals on select items all throughout Restaurant Month! Check them out between January 10th to February 9th for exclusive deals.
Maya Mexican Restaurant
110 S. Lincoln Street, Ste 106
Santa Maria CA 93458
(805) 287-9920
Huckleberry’s Breakfast & Lunch
335 E. Betteravia Rd.
Santa Maria CA 93454
Cielito Lindo Mexican Grill
1130 E. Clark Ave #160 Orcutt CA 93455 (805) 938-7958
(805) 250-4116
Capuno's Lutong Bahay
2025 S. Broadway, Ste. B
Santa Maria CA 93454
(805) 287-9442
A Mi Manera Mexican Cuisine & Mariscos
1701 N. Broadway Santa Maria CA 93454 (805) 347-7748
Blast 825° Brewery
241 S. Broadway St, Ste 101 Orcutt CA 93455 (805) 934-5777
Cool Hand Luke's
1321 S Nicholson Ave.
Santa Maria CA 93454
(805) 928-6196
Straw Hat Pizza
1822 N Broadway
Santa Maria CA 93454-1449
(805) 347-1942
California Hot Dogs
1311 Nicholson Ave.
Santa Maria CA 93454
(805) 998-0265
Beso Cocina
1050 Willow Rd. Nipomo CA 93444 (805) 931-7177
Me-n-Eds Pizzeria and Craft House
560 E. Betteravia Rd, Ste. A Santa Maria CA 93454 (805) 925-7992
this all the time—that it feels like an extended family,” Strange said. “We started as a family, we grew the family, and people feel like they’re a part of the family.”
Having been part of the Strange’s journey for many years, Mary Andreasen, manager of Strange Family Vineyards, shares in the values of inclusivity and community building. She emphasized that creating a welcoming space for everyone, regardless of their preferences, has always been a priority.
“We want everyone to
have a seat at the table,” Andreasen noted. “That’s why we introduced the nonalcoholics, because some people just don’t drink, or maybe somebody’s pregnant, or a designated driver.”
Andreasen joked about sounding cliché when she said that no one is a stranger at Strange Family Vineyards.
“Everybody is a friend here,” she said, “and everyone belongs.” m
Contributor Emma Montalbano wants to know what you value at emontalbano@newtimesslo.com.
the front door to the inviting living room with a stone fireplace and large windows, allowing in
the natural light, immediately you feel warmth and coziness. Features mostly hard surface flooring including real hardwood and tile. There are 3 bedrooms and a hall bathroom that is tastefully updated with tile shower/tub and an amazing vanity. The main bedroom has a stunning bathroom with a spacious walk-in shower and double sink vanity. The kitchen has granite counter tops, and stainless steel cook top and sink. As if that wasn’t enough–the family room allows for emphasis on entertaining guests, offering a wet bar, wood burning stove, and a bathroom with a shower. Exiting through slider to the sizable backyard, you will be impressed– from the concrete patio to the fruit trees and raised garden beds, the opportunities are endless. Also walking distance to schools! (388CR) $687,990 Listing Agent - Regina Cosma, Lic. 01703042, 805-310-8180
raised garden beds, the opportunities are endless. Also walking distance to schools!
Listing Agent - Regina Cosma, Lic. 01703042, 805-310-8180
HELP WANTED
Advertising Sales Pro Wanted
The Sun, Santa Maria’s premier community newspaper is expanding its sales department. The Sun is owned by the New Times Media Group which includes its sister paper New Times in SLO. The Sun is a proud, active member of the Santa Maria community contributing comprehensive local news, and entertainment coverage for northern Santa Barbara County. We are seeking energetic and self-motivated individuals looking for a career in advertising sales. As part of The Sun team, you can build a career in an exciting industry, enjoy a small office atmosphere, a wonderful work environment and be a part of a company that makes a difference in our community. These are full time positions. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and reliable automobile. Sales experience preferred. Competitive compensation base on your sales
