New Times, Dec. 4, 2025

Neighborhood watch

Some Oceano residents worry that the fumigants used in neighboring fields are making them sick [8]

BY BULBUL RAJAGOPAL

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Editor’s note

The battle over what chemicals should be allowed in California’s farm fields is one that has raged for decades. And Oceano’s Karl Kempton has participated in that fight for at least four of those decades. Residents in his neighborhood say they are getting sick from fumigants used in the fields that surround them, but the California Department of Pesticide Regulation states that the chemicals in question—known carcinogens that include chloropicrin and 1,3-D—are used safely. Staff Writer Bulbul Rajagopal speaks with the county, the state, and local residents about the issue [8] Also in this issue, read about the embezzlement charges filed against the Gala Pride and Diversity Center’s former executive director [4]; a new book from a prolific local children’s author and musician [24]; and a winery blending two counties [30].

For nearly four decades, we’ve documented the heartbeat of San Luis Obispo County. Your support maintains this continuity, protects local storytelling, and keeps a trusted community voice standing strong for the years ahead.

Loving Memory of Bill Richardson

Bill a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away dressed up in his Hawaiian shirt, peacefully and on his way to the beach on September 8th.

Bill lived most of his life on the Central Coast. He loved his family very much and was always

helping them. His many careers include 44 years as a Social Worker. He spent many years as a councilman and as a Mayor for Pismo Beach. His recreational activities included being a sailor, an avid tennis player, hiker, coach, and world traveler with friends and his beloved wife.

He was a very friendly and positive person, always helping with community projects. He is survived by his wife of 33 years and his family of 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 8 greatgrandchildren. He will be missed by many.

MAKE SLO FAST!

Tom Falconer, Dennis Flately, Edward Barnett, Bernadette Miller, Joe Brice

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Former Gala executive director charged with multiple embezzlement counts

Gala Pride and Diversity Center’s disgraced former executive director Dustin ColyerWorth now faces four counts of grand theft by embezzlement after the nonprofit accused him last year of siphoning its funds to his personal accounts.

The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office, which filed the charges and issued an arrest warrant against Colyer-Worth on Nov. 17, announced on Dec. 1 that he posted a $20,000 bond with the SLO Superior Court.

The 46-year-old Santa Cruz resident is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 10.

“The alleged taking was long lived and involved many transactions that we believe to be fraudulent,”

Assistant District Attorney Eric Dobroth said.

According to the DA’s Office complaint, the theft of money and personal property exceeding a value of $950 took place from Nov. 29, 2022, to Oct. 1, 2024. Dobroth told New Times that he

couldn’t comment on why his office broke down the allegation into four separate charges.

“Embezzlement of funds is crime that we take seriously,” DA Dan Dow said in a press release. “It inflicts real financial harm, but its deeper damage is the broken trust and the lost opportunities when the money intended for our community is diverted into private pockets.”

Gala began publicly talking about money troubles when board president Julia Thompson posted a letter on Instagram on Sept. 30, 2024, declaring that the group was in a “critical financial situation” and needed help from the community.

Initially, the board attributed the crisis to a drop in donations since Gala saw contributions and grants fall from around $213,000 in 2021 to almost $66,000 in 2022.

Two days later, the Gala board uncovered evidence that it said pointed to Colyer-Worth

Cambria’s Fiscalini Ranch

is updating management plan for first time in 20 years

We

Our

The Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) is moving forward with the first update to the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve Management Plan in more than 20 years.

The 437-acre coastal preserve stretches along the Pacific Ocean, with rolling grasslands, dense groves of Monterey pines and oaks, and cliffside trails that offer sweeping views of the bluff and ocean below.

“Updating the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve Management Plan is an essential step toward ensuring the long-term, sustainable stewardship of one of Cambria’s most significant public assets,” CCSD General Manager Matthew McElhenie told New Times in an email.

District staff say the existing plan, adopted in 2003, has grown outdated and questions have periodically arisen with regards to maintenance responsibilities, staff and volunteer roles, contracting procedures, and how work on the preserve should be prioritized.

“An updated plan will allow the district to clearly define operational roles and responsibilities, establish appropriate maintenance and oversight expectations, and align these duties with the financial realities of the CCSD, particularly given the limitations of the district’s finances,” McElhenie said.

The board voted unanimously on Nov. 13 to begin the amendment process. Any revisions must be approved by two outside partners: Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, which holds the

stealing the nonprofit’s money, according to a second letter published on Oct. 14, 2024.

The second letter also said that Colyer-Worth had been moved from his executive director post to a part-time role in June 2024, and that the board fully severed ties with him in September 2024.

“We’re very happy that charges have been filed and hope that Dusty is prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” Thompson said.

She said that the SLO Police Department’s investigation found that Colyer-Worth stole $46,000 from Gala. In the wake of the embezzlement, the nonprofit eliminated both its staffed positions but has since hired a handful of new staff to fill different roles.

“We’ve worked very hard to maintain our services, and there was a very heavy emphasis on volunteer work for the board of directors,” Thompson said.

She previously told New Times that Gala hadn’t conducted an audit since 2018 and planned to do so after discovering Colyer-Worth’s alleged theft. According to the California Registry of Charitable Trusts, only nonprofits generating more than $2 million in revenue are required to undergo audits. Thompson didn’t say when the next audit would be performed.

Gala created a financial committee and hired a third-party bookkeeping service to handle finances and develop stronger oversight policies instead of leaving money-managing to the executive director and treasurer.

Colyer-Worth relocated to Santa Cruz after he parted ways with Gala. He works as the outreach manager for the local Diversity Center. ColyerWorth also spoke at a Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce event in January called “Elevating LGBTQ-plus Inclusion: Increasing Revenue, Retention & Respect.”

“As the director of engagement and inclusion for the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, he has strengthened bonds between the business community and social justice,” his biography on the Diversity Center’s website read. “In his most recent role as the executive director of the Gala Pride and Diversity Center, Dusty brought his dedication to supporting and empowering the LGBTQ-plus community to the forefront.”

The Diversity Center didn’t respond to New Times’ requests for comment by press time.

“I am aware that Dusty is working in Santa Cruz but not aware of whether the organization knows about the recent charges filed,” Thompson said. “They were aware of media coverage last year when we first came out with the accusation.” ∆

—Bulbul Rajagopal

conservation easement, and the California State Coastal Conservancy, which helped fund the land purchase and trail system.

Under the original agreement, the CCSD owns and manages the coastal preserve, while the Friends organization serves as the easement holder responsible for ensuring the land is protected. Because the management plan functions alongside that easement, both Friends and the conservancy must concur with any updates.

Friends Executive Director Kitty Connolly said most of the document still functions well, but parts no longer reflect current on-the-ground conditions.

“One of the things the management plan touches on is how to manage the cattle on the land,” Connolly said. “Nobody has cattle on the land

anymore, so there are certain parts of the management plan that have gone out of date.”

California State Coastal Conservancy Project Manager Tim Duff confirmed that the agency is aware of the revision and expects to review language as it moves forward. He said the plan is intended to evolve, unlike the conservation easement, which is recorded to title and remains permanent.

“It’s 20 years old, so I think it’s due,” Duff said.

He added that the conservancy has suggested the district address climatedriven changes—including sea-level rise, heavier storm impacts, and accelerated bluff erosion—in the updated plan.

District board members acknowledged during the Nov. 13 meeting that reopening the document is sensitive and will require careful collaboration.

“This board has been gifted with a certain amount of responsibility, along with the ad hoc committee, to find a sense of balance moving forward with regard to funding the care of the ranch,” CCSD board member and Vice President Harry Farmer said.

“Let’s hope we all have enough reverence for Mother Earth and the quality of life she brings. … We have a priority for caring for the ranch in a cooperative fashion.”

Board member Michael Thomas noted the preserve is “the No. 1 tourist draw in Cambria,” underscoring the importance of maintaining its ecological integrity and public access.

The board voted unanimously to direct the general manager to begin drafting proposed revisions for review by all parties.

Often, private investigators can be called as expert witnesses to testify in criminal cases. Blumenthal and Covello said during the hearing that Powell acting as an investigator could also make her a trial witness before the jury.

“I’m really going to urge you to think about whether it’s in your best interest to interview witnesses because it puts you in a situation where you are separate from a defendant,” Covello told Powell. “Depending on how that person perceives you, it could result in other complications. You might want to protect yourself, so someone doesn’t think you’re harassing them.”

During the hearing, Powell told the judge that she doesn’t need an investigator to file subpoenas and interview witnesses.

Powell, who called the court hearings “educational” and said the judge was “amazingly clear,” told New Times after the hearing that she’ll soon submit the necessary documents to request an investigator.

“I’ve given much more study on the law; it’s been fascinating,” she said.

Powell added that she’s studying the law using AI tools like Grok, Chat GPT, and other applications that pop up on her phone. She purchased a new cellphone after the DA’s Office seized her phones to search for evidence.

Judge Covello denied Powell’s motion to order the DA’s Office to return her devices after Blumenthal talked about the potential for evidence tampering. The prosecutor also said his office possesses discovery spanning 5,300 pages.

four treatment ponds have collected sludge without any full-scale removal.

“As the solids accumulate in the ponds, it reduces efficiency, reducing the plant’s ability to break down additional solids,” San Miguel CSD General Manager Kelly Dodds explained in an email to New Times. “If the solids levels are allowed to build too much, the solids start carrying over in the plant effluent, affecting the effluent quality.”

The Machado facility, located on Bonita Place, has been treating San Miguel’s wastewater since 1944, but has not seen major upgrades since 1999. In July, the San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission approved a long-anticipated expansion that will more than double the plant’s treatment capacity, from 200,000 gallons per day to at least 500,000, meeting state requirements for 30-year growth projections.

The facility must complete dredging before it can build new infrastructure. The district is moving forward with a request for proposals (RFP) for a contractor to dredge and press an estimated 125 dry tons of sludge from two of its ponds.

According to a Nov. 20 staff report, San Miguel has struggled to stay on top of its sludge since the district was formed nearly 25 years ago. The last contracted dredging occurred in 2007-08, but only two ponds were cleaned before budget constraints forced the district to halt the project. Since then, sludge has been removed only incrementally—about 20 percent per year—using pumps that can’t handle dense material and a drying basin with limited storage.

“We will work through it until the first quarter of 2026 and eventually bring it to the board for discussion and consideration for adoption,” McElhenie said.

—Chloë Hodge

Gaea Powell contemplates help from investigator in election fraud case

Choosing to represent herself in the election fraud case where she faces nine charges, former Arroyo Grande mayoral candidate Gaea Powell may get help from a private investigator based on feedback from a San Luis Obispo Superior Court judge.

“I’ll take his advice, and he’ll give me an investigator,” Powell told New Times after the Dec. 3 preliminary hearing. “I’ll still be doing my own investigations, but I won’t interview witnesses.”

The SLO County DA’s Office charged Powell for reportedly filing false nomination papers for her candidacy and voting fraudulently during her 2022 and 2024 campaigns for Arroyo Grande mayor. She also allegedly committed the misdemeanor of failing to provide written notification within 48 hours to the secretary of state, the local filing officer, and each of her fellow mayoral candidates of receiving or expending $2,000 or more in a calendar year.

Presiding Judge Timothy Covello expressed concern at the latest hearing after Deputy District Attorney and prosecutor Ben Blumenthal informed the court that Powell planned on being the investigator in her own case.

In addition to a slew of motions Powell filed, she also requested public records from the city of Arroyo Grande, the county Clerk-Recorder’s Office, and the county Administrative Office. The judge denied those motions because such requests must be made before a civil court instead.

In September, the judge granted Powell’s waiver to represent herself in the criminal prosecution, but he shot down her request for an advisory counsel and/or an interpreter who’d translate legalese into common terms for her.

At the December hearing, Powell’s renewed motion to appoint an advisory counsel was also denied. Covello repeated his concern that Powell is confused about the role of an advisory counsel.

Powell also filled out another waiver during the hearing after Blumenthal pointed out that her previous waiver form was incomplete and missing a signature.

“I haven’t seen any indication that you need that [advisory counsel] guidance,” he said. “The court is comfortable with your ability to represent yourself. You’re clearly capable of doing this; don’t take that to mean … it is advisable to do this.”

Powell’s next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 23, 2026.

—Bulbul Rajagopal

San Miguel CSD prepares to remove decades of ‘sludge’ from wastewater ponds

Months after the Machado Wastewater Treatment Facility received approval for a $54 million expansion, the San Miguel Community Services District (CSD) is preparing to clean up more than 20 years of accumulated sludge to prepare for the upgrades.

For nearly two decades, two of the facility’s

“With the plant creeping closer to capacity over the last 25 years, and the inadequate ability to remove sludge independently, it is recommended that the district contract for the dredging and pressing of sludge from treatment ponds 3 and 4,” staff wrote in the report.

Getting rid of the dense material will increase the facility’s efficiency and protect the ponds that receive the treated water, which percolates back into the groundwater basin.

The treatment plant is permitted through the State Water Resources Control Board, and that permit includes on-site sludge management, Dodds said.

New Times reached out to the State Water Resources Control Board but did not receive comment before publication.

“When removing sludge from the treatment plant, the district works with other regulatory agencies to ensure that the environment and public are protected during transportation and disposal,” he said. “The district generally disposes of the sludge at a landfill, which is under tight regulation. Any sludge we deliver undergoes extensive testing for regulated contaminants before it can even be loaded onto trucks.”

Cost estimates for the project have not yet been released, but funding is expected to come from wastewater revenues and, pending approval, state grant funding tied to plant construction.

Residents near the facility may notice temporary odors and increased truck traffic during the project.

“Neighboring homes may experience some odors, but they dissipate quickly once work stops each day,” Dodds said. “Trucks will be routed away from neighborhoods whenever possible.”

The RFP is scheduled for release soon, with proposals due Dec. 19, and a potential contract award in early 2026.

REACTALLIANCE.ORG

CenCal Health Board of Directors –Open Position Announcement

CenCal Health is currently seeking a dedicated individual to fill one (1) vacancy on its Board of Directors. The open seat is for a Consumer Classification representative — specifically, a Medicare recipient residing in San Luis Obispo County.

Term Duration: January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027 (2-year term)

If you are passionate about community health and interested in serving, we encourage you to reach out.

Contact:

Paula Bottiani, Clerk of the Board at: pbottiani@cencalhealth.org

Ms. Bottiani will gladly provide you with an application form and answer any questions you may have.

Please Note: All appointments to the CenCal Health Board are made by the County Board of Supervisors.

Something’s adrift

Some Oceano residents allege fumigants used by nearby farms are making them sick, but county and state officials say otherwise

BY BULBUL RAJAGOPAL PHOTOS BY JAYSON MELLOM

Poet Karl Kempton is familiar with slowburning change.

From 1986 to 2005, he fought against methyl bromide drift emanating from a commercial strawberry farm in Oceano near the home Karl still shares with his wife, Ruth. “We started to notice the correlation between spraying and symptoms,” Karl said. “Headaches, dizziness, lethargy. We didn’t realize until later that our daughter had two cases of pneumonia, both of which were caused by drift.”

He and Ruth, both in their 80s, have lived in the same house on Grell Lane for nearly 45 years.

The farm’s changed. With methyl bromide banned in 2005 and ultimately retired from all California strawberry fields by the end of 2016, new owners transformed the 28acre South County plot into the organic, pesticide-free Halcyon Farms.

But Karl is now elbow-deep in another fight—one that’s laced with classified carcinogens like chloropicrin and 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) used as soil fumigants by farming operations in southern San Luis Obispo County and neighboring northern Santa Barbara County.

Almost colorless, the chemicals are applied to soil before crops are planted to boost soil health and combat pests. These fumigants break down into elements naturally used by plants like carbon, chlorine, nitrogen, and oxygen. Once dissipated, they don’t leave a residue in the soil, subsequently leaving no trace in the plant either.

But chloropicrin and 1,3-D are severe irritants. After application, they don’t necessarily stay where intended and can drift in the air. According to research in the 2017 Journal of Integrative Agriculture, exposure to chloropicrin and 1,3-D can potentially lead to environmental damage and health issues.

Short-term inhalation of 1,3-D after a tank truck spill caused mucous membrane irritation, chest pain, and breathing difficulties, according to a report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Chronic long-term side effects of exposure include skin-sensitization. Two cases of histiocytic lymphomas and one account of leukemia were reported in emergency response personnel exposed to concentrated 1,3-D vapors during cleanup of the same tank truck spill.

Chloropicrin—once used in concentrated form as tear gas by German forces in World War I—can irritate the nose, throat, mouth, and lungs. It can also cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Last June, the Kemptons were among 33 Oceano neighbors who believe they were exposed to fumigant drift from farms that surround the unincorporated town. Symptoms included migraine headaches, nausea, respiratory issues, and indications of the flu.

“Crows and owls no longer were seen in a resident’s trees,” Karl said. “For nearly a month up to … April 20, eastern Oceano and western Halcyon residents reported no honey bee activity.”

For months, Karl has alerted his neighbors and friends living within a mile of commercial agriculture operations about possible fumigant spraying and pesticide applications.

He said he’s newly optimistic thanks to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s rollout of a statewide notification system called SprayDays. It provides information online and through email and text message notifications sent 48 hours before the intended use of soil fumigants and 24 hours before the intended applications of other restricted pesticides on farms within a square mile.

County and state officials don’t agree with Karl’s assessment of the issue and are working to assure the community that the current regulations around chloropicrin and 1,3-D are enough to keep health risks at bay.

Cal Poly Strawberry Center Chair Gerald Holmes told New Times that fumigants are expensive to apply, are injected deep into the soil, and are not sprayed above ground using spray rigs. Per state regulations, farmworkers aren’t allowed in fields during and after fumigation for several days.

Holmes also serves on the steering committee that worked on a Department of Pesticide Regulation-commissioned report conducted by the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST).

“According to the CCST study, more than $100 million has been spent on research into fumigation alternatives,” Holmes said. “Strawberry farmers have invested more resources than any other farm group in the world in the search for solutions that address problems related to soil-borne pests and diseases.”

The Strawberry Center also studies chloropicrin and related fumigants as part of integrated disease management research. Researchers like Holmes found that chloropicrin when combined with 1,3-D is highly effective at eliminating charcoal rot and a type of fungal disease in strawberries.

“Our work also looks at how to reduce total fumigant use while maintaining plant health and yield,” Holmes said.

Many farmworkers, social justice and environmental groups like Californians for Pesticide Reform, and people living near ag operations like Karl want the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to phase out chloropicrin and 1,3-D.

Karl hopes that if he keeps pushing the issue, one day maybe state officials will ban pesticide and fumigant use on farms.

“I know I’m not going to be able to, or even a group of us, stop this chemical strawberry production. This is about alerting people,” he said. “Before March of this year, the Ag Commissioner’s Office was telling everybody everything is safe beyond 50 feet of a field. … There has been enough pressure on the state that they’re admitting drift is possible up to a mile.”

Speaking up

This year, there was hardly a full month where the Kemptons feel they haven’t been sick in some way from chemical drift.

In frequent emails to the county Ag Commissioner’s Office and South County Supervisor Jimmy Paulding, Karl has repeated similar symptoms.

“Here we are again. After the rains, pesticides applied. We have no idea where. Residents across Oceano complaining of symptoms of exposure,” he wrote in a Nov. 27 email. “My wife and I had onset of near sick headache same time two days ago. I’ve been headachy all week.”

Ruth, a retired wheatgrass grower, told New Times she counts her blessings whenever she’s healthy. The 83-year-old uses an under-the-tongue homeopathic remedy called Nux Vomica to keep the “hangoverlike” nausea in check.

“It helps, it levels you, but I can’t drive a car, I can’t go anywhere,” she said. “My days are precious to me. … I just stay home. My constitution is different than his [Karl’s], like my diet is different, but we both have symptoms that are so similar. … It’s not a really pleasant way to live.”

Data from the SLO County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office showed that chloropicrin and 1,3-D have been applied in fields in and beyond Oceano.

From January to September 2025, South County-based Talley Farms and BlazerWilkinsonGee in Nipomo combined applied roughly 3,300 gallons of Telone II—a brand of multipurpose liquid fumigant with the active ingredient 1,3-D—across around 340 acres of farmland. According to data, the farms used Telone II to treat soil that eventually bore carrots and napa cabbage.

Over the same time period, to produce strawberries and summer squash, BlazerWilkinsonGee, Eat Sweet Farms, Wish Farms, Santillan Farms, BuenaVentura Ranch, Berry Valley Farms, Vazquez Farming, Mesa View Produce, Agro-Jal Farms Enterprises, LC Farm Service, and JMC Farming combined applied nearly 125,000 pounds of Tri-Clor EC fumigant with the active ingredient chloropicrin across almost 635 acres of soil in the Oceano and Santa Maria areas.

Some of these farms are near where the Kemptons live, with one of the closest operations being an Eat Sweet Farms operation less than a mile away on Highway 1 and Tierra Nueva Lane that uses chloropicrin.

Some of the Kemptons’ neighbors, like Robert and Melanie Sachs, claimed that while they’d noticed some symptoms themselves, they didn’t chalk them up to being drift-related until they spoke with Karl.

“My eyes would begin to burn outrageously, and then 20 minutes, half an hour later, it would sort of subside,” Robert said. “The only other time I would say I noticed that is, unfortunately, driving through the agricultural fields along the 227 up to San Luis Obispo.”

For his wife, Melanie, the move to their Oceano home roughly a decade ago marked the onset of the worst bout of eczema she said she had ever gone through.

“At first I thought, ‘What am I eating differently?’ or if I’m in a garden, ‘What am I touching differently?’ It was so completely random, I couldn’t really say,” said Melanie, a former educator in the spa and beauty industry. “Then I started to wonder if it was actually sprays. … In Eastern medicine, lungs and skin are very closely connected.”

Contacting the county Ag Commissioner’s Office—the bridge between constituents and the state that’s responsible for protecting the environment and the public’s health and safety—hasn’t gotten them anywhere, according to the Kemptons and the Sachses. “When I’ve spoken with them, they’re completely cordial and basically say, ‘We can do nothing; this is a state decision,’” Melanie Sachs said.

Former competitive swimmer 41-year-old Holly Hetherington, who lives off 21st Street in Oceano, told New Times that she and her family began experiencing strange health issues almost as soon as they moved to the area four years ago.

A lifelong athlete who also played water polo growing up, Hetherington surfed, kayaked, and hiked multiple days a week. She described herself as the healthiest she had ever been 10 years ago when she was pregnant with her son.

Now, Hetherington dedicates a lot of time to tracking the days she, her son, and her aging parents fall sick. She also monitors a Facebook group called San Luis Obispo Coalition for Pesticide Reform, where locals report potentially drift-related symptoms and post the feedback they receive from the county.

“My son had a swim meet, and he was struggling just to do one lap,” she said. “My son is a very strong swimmer. It was really weird to see him in the pool trying to race, and he could barely get his arms out of the water.”

Hetherington said there were days she also felt lethargic, so much so she couldn’t get out of bed and missed work as a massage therapist. Her mother has had three severe falls since the family moved to Oceano—a result of offbalance walking because of dizzy spells.

“We’ll be dizzy for three or four days, maybe a week at a time, and then we’re fine,” Hetherington said.

In September, she noticed her usually active dog suddenly became sluggish, spending three days lying around the house. Despite keeping all their doors and windows closed and running multiple air purifiers in their house, Hetherington and her son are still compelled to spend time outdoors because of

yard work and just being a boy who likes to play. Their house is directly in the middle of two farms, and about half a mile away from the operations along Highway 1.

Hetherington has spent thousands of dollars on private doctors for consultations and blood work trying to find the reason for the health issues. She’s always hit dead ends.

“There’s a special doctor in Santa Maria who deals with environmental chemical exposure, specifically for field workers, where if they’re experiencing symptoms, you can go there and get panels, but you have to be a field worker,” she said.

College freshman Christian Guerrero avoided doctors altogether when he was a Grell Lane resident in Oceano, but he said he experienced sore throats, runny noses, and unusual headaches. He started paying more attention to health issues a year ago.

“For me, someone who doesn’t get headaches a lot, it was weird, and then we found out that they had been spraying. So it’s easy to make the connection between the two,” he said of the soil fumigant application. “They spray at night, and at night I sleep with my window open most of the time in my room.”

Once, a headache hit Guerrero so severely, he missed his morning classes at Arroyo Grande High School but managed to make it in time for an important AP test later that day. He opted not to go to the doctor because he never did in the past when he got similar symptoms. Since he moved out of Oceano for college, Guerrero’s health has changed.

“I am not having headaches, I am not having random, long-lasting symptoms of a runny nose or a slightly sore throat,” he said. “Generally all of those symptoms have disappeared.”

Those who still live on Grell Lane, like the Kemptons, must grapple with other challenges. Karl’s insurance, for instance, doesn’t pay for the $150 blood tests he’d like to take when symptoms flare up.

“When calling in a complaint with symptoms from long-distant drift exposure to [the] county Agriculture Office, their questions asked remain restricted to decades-old questions, ‘Did you smell or see anything? Did you get a blood test? Did you see your doctor?’” he said. “One cannot see nor smell long-distant drift unless epic. And everyone has a different response or responses. Many symptoms don’t appear until days after exposure.”

Clearing the air?

A peer-reviewed study from 2019 determined that the U.S. lags behind other agricultural nations in banning pesticides. Chloropicrin is banned in 43 countries, while 40 countries have banned the use of 1,3-D, according to the consolidated list of banned pesticides compiled by Pesticide Action Network.

In California, the DPR partnered with the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to install mandatory buffer zones between 1,3-D application areas and workers laboring in adjacent fields. The new regulations also include ongoing evaluation of exposure risks and build upon restrictions that went into effect in 2024 to protect residential bystanders.

If approved by the Office of Administrative Law, the DPR’s new rules will go into effect in January 2026. The regulation is still under review.

DPR spokesperson Amy MacPherson told New Times that 1,3-D is still in use based on results from the multi-phase independent study commissioned by the department and conducted by the California Council on Science and Technology.

“The study found that there is no drop-in replacement for 1,3-D,” she said. “Additionally, the study looked at 1,3-D use in the European Union and found many countries that restrict these fumigants still allow their use under permit systems. California employs a comparable system to require review applications before they can occur.”

Pest management, MacPherson added, is critical to maintain food supply and to protect public health in California. The department works on mitigating risks from pesticide use and streamlining the availability and adoption of safe, effective, and sustainable alternatives.

“We take public input seriously and are committed to protecting the health of all Californians, including farmworkers,” MacPherson said. “DPR evaluates all pesticides for human health risks before they can be used in California, with a focus on protecting the most sensitive populations, including children. Our air monitoring network is located in areas with the highest pesticide use to collect information on realworld exposure conditions.”

But air monitoring doesn’t take place in SLO County. The DPR picks counties and communities for air monitoring depending on where pesticides and fumigants are most used, how many vulnerable people live nearby, how wind affects pesticide drift, and whether they already have effective equipment in place.

Two SLO County communities, Oceano and Callender, are included in the department’s analysis but fall low on its priority list compared to areas in Kern, Tulare, Monterey, and Fresno counties and the Santa Maria Valley.

Oceano and Callender ranked 28 and 30, respectively, for organophosphates (primarily used as pesticides). Callender also placed the lowest on the list of the 30 communities picked by the state department for highest fumigant use.

Neighboring Santa Maria showed greater agricultural pressure and environmental justice concerns, and more detections, prompting air monitoring in the area.

Local officials find Karl’s complaints difficult to respond to.

Fourth District Supervisor Paulding said there’s little that can be done to help them because of the limited authority awarded to the ag commissioner under state law. Chloropicrin in its gaseous state is more difficult to sample using conventional pesticide drift testing methods, he added.

“Had there been any tarp failures or offgassing at a measurable level, staff believe these events would have resulted in multiple complaints from residents who live closer to the field in question, which has not occurred to my knowledge,” Paulding said. “At one point, DPR assessed that the symptoms Karl reported do not align with typical chloropicrin exposure, which tends to cause acute, not lingering, health issues.”

SLO County Deputy Ag Commissioner CeRae Speidel told New Times that the office has received 51 calls so far in the calendar year complaining about drift or to ask questions about what chemicals were being used.

Once a complaint is lodged, the Ag Commissioner’s Office starts an investigation that involves interviews with the person complaining, the grower, and the pesticide or fumigant applicator. Subject to all the laws and regulations, growers can use the concerned chemical if it’s legally registered and labeled appropriately as a pesticide or a fumigant.

Calls have been increasing in general as more housing developments crop up near ag operations, according to Speidel.

If a medical doctor examines someone who they believe has been exposed to pesticides or fumigants, they’re required by law to report that to the DPR within 24 hours. The department then flags the county where the exposure incident allegedly took place, requiring an investigation.

“I can tell you right now that probably 95 percent of them are from people who are using cleaners in their home and they mix bleach and Lysol or something like that. Depending on how they’re using those products since they have an EPA registration number, they could be considered a pesticide if they’re using them for disinfecting versus cleaning,” Speidel said. “We’ve conducted four investigations in relation to Karl and one other person concerned, and we didn’t find any violation to pesticide laws or regulations in our investigation.”

Grower-Shipper Association of Santa Barbara and SLO Counties President Claire Wineman told New Times that she feels confident and reassured by the regulations in place for chloropicrin and 1,3-D.

“I just want to re-emphasize that there’s a robust regulatory process,” Wineman said, “and that with the best available technologies, these materials are still very important to commercial agriculture production.”

Regulation response

Wineman’s response is one that Californians for Pesticide Reform Campaign Director Mark Weller is accustomed to, even though the nonprofit isn’t in touch with the Central Coast chapter of the Grower-Shipper Association.

“We have heard the same line from other Grower-Shipper groups, and just about every other Big Ag group. They say things like: ‘California has the most restrictive regulations on pesticides in the

world, so there is no need to worry,’” he said. “Of course, to be registered in the European Union, the pesticide companies have to submit evidence that their products are safe. They have not been able to do that with 1,3-D and chloropicrin.”

Unlike following what’s called a precautionary principle, Weller said, the standards are completely reversed in California and the broader United States—people must first prove pesticides and fumigants are dangerous before they’re banned.

“As with tobacco companies a generation ago, pesticide companies do their own science and they present that,” Weller said. “Those are usually the studies the government uses to decide whether or not to register or approve the use of these pesticides.”

Californians for Pesticide Reform—which pushed for the nation’s first pesticide alert system, SprayDays—criticized the DPR’s new proposed rules at a Nov. 18 statewide farmworker community press conference.

Instead of banning 1,3-D, the group said, the department is creating weak regulations.

“That’s one of our biggest concerns, because the regulation is supposed to keep our exposure to 1,3-D to a level that is actually 14 times higher than what our own state toxicologists say is safe,” Weller said.

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) toxicologists calculated a safe exposure level based on the most recent health protective science: 3.7 micrograms per day, or 0.04 parts per billion (ppb) in the air. But the department went with 50 micrograms or 0.56 ppb as the “target” concentration—also supported by Dow Chemical, which makes 1,3-D-based fumigants.

Weller thinks it’s a realistic long-term goal to achieve bans on carcinogens like 1,3-D and chloropicrin, and in the meantime, he said that ag commissioners can expand buffer zones for fumigants that currently exist around schools from a quarter mile to a mile. The nonprofit also thinks that the state can provide incentives to growers who have fields near schools to start farming organically, at least in those areas.

“They just choose not to [grow organically] because it’s cheaper,” Weller said. “They can make more money because you can sometimes get three fields’ worth of strawberries in a year rather than just two, for instance.”

Current regulations don’t allow fumigants to be used within a quarter mile of a school site Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fumigants also can’t be used when school classes are scheduled or when day care facilities are open within 36 hours following fumigation. Implemented in 2018, these regulations also require annual notification from the grower to nearby schools.

To Californians for Pesticide Reform, the regulations assume farmworkers only work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., that people aren’t exposed to 1,3-D before or after work, or that it could affect kids living near fumigated fields and retired adults in homes where the chemicals drift.

“DPR has failed miserably, and we believe—by ignoring OEHHA’s finding— purposely, to protect farmworker communities from cancer,” Weller said. “It not only ignores OEHHA’s scientific findings, by allowing such harm to children who are overwhelmingly Latino and Indigenous, it is racist.”

COMPLETE TESTING & REPAIR

Fiber folk

Step inside, and the world slows down.

Rae Odom’s new Morro Bay Yarn Shop is filled with soft yarns, vibrant colors, and the promise of quiet afternoons spent creating. It’s a place to make, to learn, and to share in the joy of fiber arts.

Odom’s journey to opening her own yarn shop began with a lifelong love of trying new hobbies and a desire to find something that truly stuck. Knitting became her anchor, a way to relax and focus her thoughts while creating something tangible and beautiful.

“I wanted to build a place where people can slow down, try something new, and enjoy the process of making with their hands,” Odom said. “Fiber arts are not just about the finished project—they’re about connection, creativity, and finding a little calm in a busy world. I can’t wait to share that with the Morro Bay community.”

That philosophy shapes everything about Morro Bay Yarn Shop.

Shelves are lined with thoughtfully chosen yarns from around the world—soft Danish merinos, rustic Portuguese wool, rich Spanish blends, and beautifully dyed American fibers.

Rae has curated her collection with intention, choosing brands known for quality, traceability, and humane production.

Whether someone wants lace-weight delicacy or super bulky coziness, there’s something to spark inspiration.

Many of the shop’s color selections are inspired by Odom’s family and friends.

of people in mind that have different color palettes for when I was choosing the colors.”

This personal touch creates a selection that feels intentional and joyful.

But as beautiful as the yarn is, Odom is most excited about the people who will gather around it.

The shop will offer group classes, private lessons, and plenty of opportunities for both seasoned makers and beginners to come together and share in the joy of fiber arts. Odom hopes to let the offerings evolve organically as she gets to know the community.

“I want to leave room for once I meet people in the community, to see where the need is and where people’s excitement lies and to cater the classes to what people want to be doing,” she said.

Alongside yarn, the shop carries handmade knits by Odom and books, tools, kits, and accessories for a plethora of fiber projects.

Promote!

“I basically only wear chartreuse and maybe some brown,” she said. “But there’s other people in my life, like my mother-in-law, she loves teal and purple. So I kind of had a couple

Odom is particularly excited to carry local fibers from Outlaw Valley Ranch, which works with Navajo-Churro sheep raised in Santa Maria, as well as international brands like Retrosaria Rosa Pomar from Portugal and Knitting for Olive from Denmark. And even Kelbourne Woolens, a U.S. brand focused on reviving American wool through locally sourced, traceable fibers.

Morro Bay Yarn Shop is now open at 739 Napa Ave., welcoming makers Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Follow along at @morrobay.yarnshop on Instagram.

Fast facts

• A new website, SLO Pet Hub, recently launched to serve San Luis Obispo County’s animal community. The free platform brings together more than 350 local pet businesses, from veterinarians and groomers to boarding facilities, alongside community events, lost-and-found pet listings, breed groups, and service dog resources. Users can rate businesses, share pet-friendly spots, and even earn rewards for participating. Designed to connect pet owners, animal lovers, and local businesses, SLO Pet Hub aims to be the go-to site for everything pet-related in the county. Learn more at slopethub.com.

• The Basin Street Regulars will host their annual holiday concert and party on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Pismo Beach Veterans Building, featuring the Riptide Big Band playing Hot Swingin’ Jazz and an opening set by Brad Lusk. A holiday jam session kicks off at 11 a.m., and guests can enjoy catered lunch from Burgers and More Tickets range from $10 to $25, with the meal and Champagne included only at the $25 level. Dinner reservations are due by Dec. 9 through My805Tix, and more details are available at basinstreetregulars.com. ∆

Reach Staff Writer Chloë Hodge at chodge@newtimesslo.com.

INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY REPORTING

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Diablo must be decommissioned

In her Nov. 13 op-ed (“California’s body politic is missing connective tissue”), SLO County supervisor and former PG&E employee Dawn Ortiz-Legg stated, “Recent proceedings at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) transmission planning process noted that keeping Diablo open till 2030 will save $3.2 billion.”

While I agree with her point that some of the disconnected, myopic silos of our state and federal regulating agencies create a big problem, I ask her to please cite where in the current CPUC case she derives this $3.2 billion savings? And please explain why, if continued operation is saving $3.2 billion, California ratepayers will pay almost half a billion dollars every year for the next five years (above market costs) to make up for the fact that PG&E spends more to operate Diablo Canyon than it can sell its power for in the CAISO marketplace?

The CPUC approved an additional rate increase of $722.6 million just to keep Diablo operating through the end of 2025.

Life is serious, but we can solve more problems with humor

We seem to have forgotten something important in our public life. The world is serious, but it is also absurd. We are surrounded by real problems, real responsibilities, and real consequences. Yet somewhere along the way we convinced ourselves that the only respectable way to face them is with a furrowed brow and a lecture. It is not working. Humor reaches people in a way moral sermons never will.

Californians already pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country— nearly double the national average— according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Ms. Ortiz-Legg also fails to mention the multi-generational cost burden of storing toxic, highly radioactive waste for untold eons on a site riddled with earthquake faults that will continue long after PG&E receives the last dollar of ratepayers’ money.

Dangerous, decrepit Diablo must be decommissioned. The Parcel P site and infrastructure should be converted to a truly clean energy facility, retaining current PG&E employees in new capacities. The remaining 12,000 acres of Diablo lands should be conserved for tribal and public use in perpetuity under the plan submitted to the California Legislature by the California Natural Resources Agency as mandated in SB 846.

Julie Mansafield-Wells Los Osos

Laughter disarms. It opens the door to honest conversation. It creates the kind of human connection that facts alone cannot achieve.

We live in a culture that is too earnest for its own good. Everything becomes a crisis, a battlefield, or a reason to scold. It is no wonder people tune out. The human mind can only take so much proclamation before it shuts down. George Carlin understood this better than anyone. Give people a moment of levity and the whole room relaxes. Suddenly they listen. They might even think!

Life is serious. It demands effort and responsibility. That is exactly why joy matters. Joy is not the opposite of seriousness. It is the proof that life is still worth caring about. Emma Goldman captured this perfectly when she proclaimed that “if I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution.” She understood something basic. A movement that forgets how to laugh is a movement that forgets why it exists. So let us keep perspective. Let us argue hard when it matters and refuse to take ourselves too seriously in the process. Let us remember that humor is not trivial. It is a tool for clarity, humility, and human connection. If we want to reach people, we should meet them where they live. And people live in the space between struggle and laughter.

Ian Journey Pismo Beach

Californians are blind to the state’s water issues

My dad was the geotechnical engineer who designed and built Lopez Dam. I was at the dedication, along with my brother, in 1969.

Speak up!

Afterward, on the drive home to San Diego, my dad went into great detail about the extreme difficulties that the entire engineering community was constantly facing while growing the water capacity for California, for Californians.

The entire engineering profession is consistently facing the endless “expanse” of personal opinions on how to manage all of the endless requirements and critical needs to the entire population of California. The

vast majority of people have absolutely zero understanding of the severity the state has in supplying sufficient water to the evergrowing population.

That majority only choose to complain and accuse. Excuse me: bitch and moan. All the while blindly watering their lawns, washing the dishes, taking showers, and on and on. With zero thoughts of where all of that water is coming from.

Eventually everyone will find themselves praying for water.

John Gizienski Northridge

Let’s get rid of nuclear power and weapons

On the controversies surrounding Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, it would be most wise to move things rapidly toward decommissioning and safety protocols as this aging dinosaur becomes more susceptible to a serious accident. The machinery is becoming more brittle and weak, further increasing the chance of a serious accident, and let’s not forget the chance of a large seismic event someday in our future.

Please shut this plant down and make serious solutions to stabilizing the spent fuel pool. Someday, we can relax and move on to cleaner and safer energy production as California rids itself of nuclearpowered energy.

Furthermore, the U.S. should also seriously lead the world in decommissioning nuclear related missiles, bombs, and weapons before the inevitable occurs.

John Edwards San Luis Obispo

BY GIANNA PATCHEN AND ANDREW CHRISTIE

Diablo still owes us

OK, we were wrong.

Last time we wrote this column, we said that on Nov. 6 the California Coastal Commission was deciding if PG&E would get its permit to extend Diablo Canyon nuclear plant to 2030. This hasn’t happened, yet.

Action was almost—but not quite—taken. After a 10-hour commission meeting, the decision was postponed to Dec. 11. In the meantime, commission staff and PG&E are reworking the permit conditions because the commissioners were not happy with the initial proposal.

As you may recall, PG&E is applying for a coastal development permit for the plant’s extension. In the initially proposed mitigations, PG&E offered to preserve a small portion of the 12,000 acres of undeveloped coastal lands around the plant after its closure, leaving the majority of land without concrete protections—scant mitigation in comparison to the plant’s devastating marine impacts.

State Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) and Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay), joined by multiple environmental groups and members of the public, called for all 12,000 acres of the Diablo Canyon lands to be protected. The commission agreed.

Several problems arose during the November meeting: The initial two-phase mitigation proposal required less than 10 percent of lands be conserved if the plant closes in 2030, and less than 20 percent of the land if the plant operates beyond 2030. It would take many decades to mitigate the impacts of either extension. This dependence on Diablo Canyon operating through 2045 is uncertain and far

beyond the statemandated 2030 closure. In short, the proposed mitigation was inadequate to begin with, and a large chunk of the minimal conservation may never happen.

PG&E brought an interesting excuse for why it can’t conserve all the land: The 5,000acre section called South Ranch is owned by Eureka Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of PG&E. This provoked a dialogue between Coastal Commission Vice Chair Caryl Hart and PG&E executive Tom Jones. Jones argued that a conservation easement would present complications and extra expense because PG&E would have to pay Eureka the difference between the fair market value and the value of the land under an easement, so the easement should be postponed for whoever purchases the land.

Vice Chair Hart noted the intriguing idea that PG&E paying its own subsidiary constitutes an “extra expense.” She emphasized that “now is the time” for the conservation easement, so PG&E should find a way to do so.

It’s safe to assume that the timing and extent of the conservation easements are key points of discussion right now between PG&E and Coastal Commission staff. The commission needs to also include protections for Wild Cherry Canyon and hang tough on this point: All easements must be an enforceable condition of PG&E’s permit prior to any sale of the land. After more than 20 years of waiting, Diablo Lands conservation cannot be postponed any longer.

Let’s not forget, land conservation alone is not enough. Even if all 12,000 acres are conserved, it would take 34 years to indirectly mitigate five more years of environmental damage from the plant’s use of ocean water for its cooling system. However, this timeline could be reduced by adding a permit requirement to fund the restoration of coastal wetlands and estuaries that would directly mitigate the plant’s impacts on sea life. Per the Nature Conservancy’s Conservation Assessment of West Coast Estuaries, marine estuaries “often serve as wildlife ‘nurseries’ because they’re so conducive to supporting young life.” This important piece of Diablo’s mitigation cannot be dismissed.

A final decision is expected at the December commission meeting. We have urged the commission to require the maximum amount of land and marine conservation in compensation for Diablo’s ongoing impacts to coastal resources.

This is not the only Diablo permit in the works. The commission meeting is just three days after the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board’s public comment deadline for Diablo’s discharge permit.

At that Nov. 6 commission meeting, SLO County Supervisor and former PG&E employee Dawn Ortiz-Legg urged the commission to accept the smallest and cheapest amount of conservation PG&E offered. Later, she took a thinly veiled swipe at Sen. Laird and Assemblymember Addis, bemoaning “local state legislators [who] used their influence to suggest to the Coastal Commission that local control does not matter.”

She may wish to explain what she meant to the rather large group of SLO County residents who have asked for full conservation of the

Diablo Canyon Lands for more than 20 years, including many local speakers at the November Coastal Commission, several dozen local organizations who helped draft the conservation framework for the Diablo Canyon Lands, the Diablo Canyon Decommissioning Engagement Panel, and the 75 percent of SLO County voters, who passed the DREAM Initiative expressing residents’ desire to see all the Diablo Canyon lands conserved (which PG&E endorsed at the time; currently, not so much).

It seems pretty clear where the locals stand on conserving Diablo Canyon Lands. ∆

Gianna Patchen is chapter coordinator for the Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club. Andrew Christie served as chapter director from 2004 to 2023. Send comments in response to letters@newtimesslo.com.

Should Cambria try the zero liquid discharge

Toxic relationship

Dear @aboozybear, how (allegedly) could you? You’re breaking our collective hearts!

The SLO County District Attorney’s Office has charged former Gala Pride and Diversity Center Executive Director Dustin Colyer-Worth, whose Instagram handle is really a boozy bear, with four counts of grand theft by embezzlement for allegedly stealing from the LGBTQ-plus nonprofit. Dick move, Dusty. Dick move.

Colyer-Worth served as executive director for two years and apparently swiped $46,000—possibly more—from the now financially struggling organization. The full amount won’t be known until after a forensic audit. What’s crazy is he’s moved to Santa Cruz and is working for The Diversity Center there as manager of outreach. I sure hope they have better oversight than Gala because Dusty’s outreach may turn into enrich.

Under his bio on the Diversity Center website, he brags about approaching “life and work with a passion for building authentic and meaningful connections.” In his role as Gala executive director, he took credit for “supporting and empowering the LGBTQ-plus community.”

Ha!

Yo, Santa Cruz Diversity Center, do you know about these allegations? Your man Dusty posted a $20,000 bond with SLO County to keep him out of jail until his Dec. 10 arraignment.

After the embezzlement was discovered, Gala eliminated two staff positions and is struggling to stay afloat, and not just because Colyer-Worth may have sticky fingers. In 2021, the organization received contributions

and grants of about $213,000, which fell to less than $66,000 in 2022.

Way to kick an organization when it’s down, @aboozybear, whose Instagram has a lot of photos of expensive looking cocktails. Alcohol costs money!

In a letter posted to Instagram, Gala Board President Julia Thompson wrote, “We’re very happy that charges have been filed and hope that Dusty is prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Hopefully Colyer-Worth will be forced to pay restitution, though that might be difficult if he’s in jail or out of work. Meanwhile, Gala needs financial help. Any Richie Riches out there?

Speaking of toxic relationships, human beings and planet Earth are currently on the rocks. I mean, let’s face it. We’ve poisoned our environment so thoroughly that we’ve essentially poisoned ourselves.

DDT, lead, asbestos, CFCs, mercury, phthalates, PFAS—we use these things, discover they’re harming us, ban them, replace them with alternatives, and then discover the replacements are also dangerous.

One function our government is supposed to do is regulate companies profiting from these dangerous substances, but the government frequently seems excruciatingly slow to react. It took 10 years after the publication of Rachel Carson’s 1962 science book Silent Spring to ban DDT, a legacy that continues to pollute our environment.

Strawberry fumigant methyl bromide was banned way back in 2005, but the government allowed farmers to continue using it by special permit until 2016. Now, according to some South County residents surrounded by agriculture, its replacements—chloropicrin and 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D)—are making them sick.

Oceano resident Karl Kempton claimed, “We started to notice the correlation between spraying and symptoms. Headaches, dizziness, lethargy. We didn’t realize until later that our daughter had two cases of pneumonia, both of which were caused by drift.”

Karl and his wife, Ruth—both in their 80s—have lived in the same house for almost 45 years. The Kemptons are among 33 Oceano residents who believed they were exposed to chloropicrin and 1,3-D drift.

Meanwhile, county and state officials say current regulations around chloropicrin and 1,3-D make these carcinogens safe to use. Um, Germany used concentrated chloropicrin as tear gas in World War I, but hey, nothing to see here!

Look, it’s natural to look for a scapegoat for ill health, but farming chemicals are clearly dangerous. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 20,000 agricultural workers suffer from pesticide poisoning each year. The U.S. Government Accountability Office puts the number higher … much higher, at 300,000.

So, what’s the government doing about it? The California Department of Pesticide Regulation now has a statewide notification system called SprayDays that provides

warnings to people within a square mile of a farm before the intended use of soil fumigants and other restricted pesticides.

“Hey, everybody, vacate your home for a few days or seal your windows and stay inside. Or just don’t breathe!”

Is that enough?

Oceano residents Robert and Melanie Sachs probably don’t think so. They didn’t know what was making them sick until they spoke to Karl.

“My eyes would begin to burn outrageously, and then 20 minutes, half an hour later, it would sort of subside,” Robert said. “The only other time I would say I noticed that is, unfortunately, driving through the agricultural fields along the 227 up to San Luis Obispo.”

Melanie said the move to their Oceano home roughly a decade ago marked a terrible bout of eczema.

“At first, I thought, ‘What am I eating differently?’ or if I’m in a garden, ‘What am I touching differently?’ It was so completely random, I couldn’t really say,” she said. “Then I started to wonder if it was actually sprays.”

She said contacting the county Ag Commissioner’s Office was no help.

“When I’ve spoken with them, they’re completely cordial and basically say, ‘We can do nothing; this is a state decision,’” she said. Sorry, humanity, but Earth’s just not that into you anymore. Earth to humans: “You’re poison. Get off me.” ∆

The Shredder is torn between eating and saving the Earth. Explain the way to do both at shredder@newtimesslo.com.

Hot Dates

CAL POLY CHORAL

All four Cal Poly choral ensembles will be joined by the choirs of local high schools during the Holiday Kaleidoscope concert at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, at the Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo. There will be traditional favorites, new works, and sing-alongs. Tickets are $12. Head to music.calpoly.edu for more info.

—Angie Stevens

ARTS

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

COASTAL WINE AND PAINT PARTY

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

COSTA GALLERY SHOWCASES Features works by Ellen Jewett as well as 20 other local artists, and artists from southern and northern California. Thursdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. (559) 799-9632. costagallery.com. Costa Gallery, 2087 10th St., Los Osos.

FOREVER STOKED PAINT PARTY Join us at the gallery, for a few hours to travel on a creative paint journey. You will receive as much or as little instruction as you prefer. No artistic experience is necessary. Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. $45. (805) 772-9095. foreverstoked.com. Forever Stoked, 1164 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay.

FREE DEMONSTRATION:

CONSTRUCTING THE FIGURE WITH GERIMI BURLEIGH Gerimi Burleigh, a master artist of figure drawing, is giving a free demonstration at Art Center Morro Bay. Get more details at the site. Dec. 6 3 p.m. Free. (805) 772-2504. ArtCenterMorroBay.org. Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., Morro Bay.

GALLERY AT MARINA SQUARE

PRESENTS CAROL ASTAIRE: OIL PAINTING See luminous ocean paintings by Carol Astaire inspired by many years exploring California’s coast by kayak and on foot. Gallery is open daily. Through

Dec. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 7721068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

GALLERY AT MARINA SQUARE

PRESENTS JEFF ODELL: OIL PAINTING Morro Bay plein air artist Jeff Odell captures 30 years of coastal beauty with lush, textured oils. Gallery is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Through Dec. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

GALLERY AT MARINA SQUARE PRESENTS SANDRA LISI: BLOCK PRINTING & SMALL WORKS See hand-carved woodblock and linocut prints on display, featuring illustrations of the Central Coast with bold colors and beautiful compositions. Gallery is open daily. Through Dec. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare. com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

INK AND CHAOS Experience the beauty of Alcohol Ink and the chaos that makes this medium so unique and organic in the way only Judy can do. Dec. 5 , 12-5 p.m. Free. (805) 286-8380. artwithjudyann. com. Art With Judy Ann Studio Gallery, 2024 Main Street, 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.

SUCCULENT CHRISTMAS WREATH

WORKSHOP Create a living succulent wreath with our expert team! All materials included and no experience

needed. A festive, friend-friendly workshop. Space is limited, so register early. Dec. 6 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $65. (805) 927-4747. cambrianursery.com/events/. Cambria Nursery and Florist, 2801 Eton Rd., Cambria.

YOU’RE INVITED! GALLERY RECEPTION AND ATRIUM PARTY FOR ARTISTS

JEFF ODELL, CAROL ASTAIRE, AND SANDRA LISI You’re invited to join us for snacks, art, and conversation! Meet our artists showcasing oil paintings, landscapes, seascapes and hand-carved block prints. Dec. 13 3-5 p.m. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

“THE PASSENGER” AND “VE” HAND PULLED PRINTS Susan Lyon’s hand pulled Varied Edition Artwork ranges from linocuts to hand pulled solar prints and photography. Colorful and fun. Dec. 6 2-5 p.m. Free. (805) 440-7152. Pocket Gallery on Pine, 8491/2 13th Street, Paso Robles.

3 ARTISTS RETROSPECTIVE REVEAL Susan Lyon, Maryanne Nucci, and Kathy Madonna invite you to visit their Retrospective Show including original photographs, charcoals, watercolors, etchings, linocuts, and mono prints. Saturdays, 2-5 p.m. (805) 440-7152. cottontailcreek.com/susanart. Pocket Gallery on Pine, 8491/2 13th Street, Paso Robles.

ART AFTER DARK - FIRST SATURDAYS Featuring Sam DiMaggio, segmented wood turning at it’s finest! Please join us to explore our fabulous gift giving options for your loved ones. Dec. 6 , 6-9 p.m. Free. (805) 286-4430. parkstreetgallery.com. Park Street Gallery, 1320 Park St., Paso Robles.

ARTFUL HOLIDAYS AND 2026 DECOR

Everything you need to give the gift of art to those you love, decorate for the Holidays, and enhance your home for years to come! Through Feb. 28, 2026, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. (805) 286-4430. parkstreetgallery.com. Park Street Gallery, 1320 Park St., Paso Robles. FIGURE DRAWING - SATURDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS AT FIELDWORK Join us for figure drawing every Saturday and Wednesday for ages 18 and over. All skill levels are welcome. Bring your own materials. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-noon and Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m. $20 + model’s tip. fieldworkart.org. Fieldwork, 4307 El Camino Real, Atascadero, (971) 645-2481.

HOLIDAY ORNAMENT WORKSHOP

Create three ornaments using a variety of pre-cut glass shapes and speciality glass bits. After firing, a bale will be glued to the back. Dec. 14 , 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $65. (805) 464-2633. glassheadstudio.com. Glasshead Studio, 8793 Plata Lane, Suite H, Atascadero.

INTERMEDIATE SILVERSMITHING:

ORNATE STONE SETTING Learn to bezel set larger cabochon stones with ornate borders and components to make a larger ring. All tools will be provided, must take my other workshops. Dec. 9 6:30-8:30 p.m. $200. (805) 464-2564. Golden State Goods, 5880 Traffic Way, Atascadero.

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO

PLAY Don’t miss this live radio play that brings Frank Capra’s beloved story to life as if it were being performed live at a 1940s radio studio. With actors portraying multiple characters, sound effects created right before your eyes, and the warmth of a timeless tale, this heartwarming production captures the spirit of the season. Through Dec. 14 $12.56-$28.62. my805tix.com. Plymouth

Congregational Church, 1301 Oak Street, Paso Robles.

LINOLEUM BLOCK PRINTING

WORKSHOP Discover the timeless art of linoleum block printing in this fun, beginner-friendly class with instructor Brad Golden. Supplies are included. Dec. 12 6-8:30 p.m. $100. bradgolden.com. Studios on the Park, 1130 Pine St., Paso Robles, (805) 238-9800.

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE Paso High Theatre Company proudly presents Shakespeare In Love Dec. 5 , 7:30 p.m.

$15. (805) 769-1500. pasoschools.org/ phtc. Paso Robles High School, 801 Niblick Rd., Paso Robles.

WRITERS WANTED Novelists, screenwriters, poets and short story writers welcome. This group meets in Atascadero twice a month, on Thursday nights (email jeffisretired@yahoo.com for specifics). Hone your skills for publication and/or personal development. First Thursday of every month, 7-9 p.m. Unnamed Atascadero location, Contact host for details, Atascadero.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

“ONE VISIT” POTTERY CLASS This is a great class if you are looking to try out pottery! Throw on the wheel or paint pre-made pottery. Get a student discount with a valid school ID. Fridays, 6-7:30 p.m. $75. (805) 896-6197. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, anamcre.com.

ART AFTER DARK Art After Dark features an art opening of world-class artists. Refreshments will be served. First Friday of every month, 5-8 p.m. through March 7 Free. slocountyarts.org/art-afterdark. SLO County, Various locations countywide, San Luis Obispo.

CENTRAL COAST COMEDY THEATER IMPROV COMEDY SHOW An ongoing improv comedy program featuring the CCCT’s Ensemble. Grab some food at the public market’s wonderful eateries and enjoy the show upstairs. Second Friday of every month, 6-8 p.m. $10. centralcoastcomedytheater.com/shows/. SLO Public Market, 120 Tank Farm Road, San Luis Obispo.

CREATIVE KIDS HOLIDAY PLAYDATE Join for the second year of Creative Kids Holiday Playdate! There will be fun and festive activities for kids ages 4 to 12 at an affordable cost. Dec. 6 , 1-4:30 p.m. $10. (805) 747-4200. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

CREATIVE KIDS: AFTER SCHOOL WITH CAROLINA LUNA The Creative Kids series focuses on a different medium each week as a way to see what subject(s) sparks your child’s interest! Wednesdays. through Dec. 17 $25. (541) 480-5068. i0.wp.com/artcentralslo.com/ wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CK-AfterSchool-Fall.jpg?fit=1275%2C1650&ssl=1. Art Central, 1329 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.

HOLIDAY SUCCULENT WREATHS Create a long-lasting succulent wreath in a hands-on holiday workshop with artists Jayne Devencenzi and Kathy Stewart— perfect for gifting, decorating, and learning simple, beautiful design. Dec. 7 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $95. (805) 541-1400. slobg. org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Gardens, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd, San Luis Obispo.

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

dress a loom, and much much more. Mondays, 1-4 p.m. $75 monthly. (805) 4418257. Patricia Martin: Whispering Vista Studios, 224 Squire Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo, patriciamartinartist.com.

MOBILE CLAY CLASSES Offering handbuilding, throwing, and ceramic decorative arts. All ages and abilities are welcome. Call for more info. ongoing (805) 835-5893. hmcruceceramics. com/book-online. SLO County, Various locations countywide, San Luis Obispo.

THE NUTCRACKER Civic Ballet presents its 48th season of Lorilee Silvaggio’s The Nutcracker. Don’t miss this holiday tradition, performed live with OperaSLO’s Grande Orchestra. Dec. 12 7 p.m., Dec. 13 2 & 7 p.m. and Dec. 14 2 p.m. $32-$84. (805) 544-1230. Cal Poly Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo.

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

United Church of Christ (Congregational) of San Luis Obispo, 11245 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo.

STEPPIN’ UP TO THE MIC: CONTRA DANCE CALLING WORKSHOP SERIES

Learn to lead contra dances from the best callers across California. Year-long workshop series for new and aspiring contra dance callers, with opportunities to call. Dec. 13 1-3 p.m. $120. cccds.org/ stepup. Odd Fellows Hall, 520 Dana St., San Luis Obispo.

TEEN NIGHT POTTERY IS LIVE Join Teen Night Pottery, for ages 14 and over. Teens will be taught to throw on the potters wheel, sculpt, or paint a pot. Snacks will be provided. Fridays, 6-7:30 p.m. $35. (805) 896-6197. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

WALT WHITMAN GAY MEN’S BOOK

CLUB This club reads, studies and discusses books chosen by the group which relate to their lives as gay men. All are welcome. Second Monday of every month, 7-9:30 p.m. Free. galacc.org/ events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

WHITNEY PINTELLO: SOLO SHOW On display now through mid-April. ongoing slogallery.com/. SLO Gallery, 1023 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

AGHS THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS: ALICE BY HEART Alice by Heart is a touching musical inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Dec. 5 7-8:30 p.m., Dec. 6 7-8:30 p.m., Dec. 7 2-3:30 p.m., Dec. 11 , 7-8:30 p.m., Dec. 12 , 7-8:30 p.m. and Dec. 13 7-8:30 p.m. $23.50. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

EVERYDAY IMPROV: SKILLS FOR LIFE

These interactive, welcoming workshops use the tools of improvisational theater— like play, spontaneity, and “yes, and”—to build real-life skills for communication, confidence, and connection. Dec. 7 6-7:30 p.m. $15 each or $75 all. theagilemind.co/. Women’s Club of Arroyo Grande, 211 Vernon St., Arroyo Grande, (805) 270-5523.

THE STUDIO OF PERFORMING ARTS

PRESENTS: TIS THE SEASON Tis the Season is an annual holiday extravaganza with special guest appearances, dancing, singing, and everything needed to get in the spirit! This is a family-friendly event. Dec. 13 , 1-2:45 & 6-7:45 p.m. $28.50. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY? Enjoy 90 minutes of hilarious improvised comedy and song all based on audience suggestions. Cast members will include Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis, Ryan Stiles, and Joel Murray. Dec. 8 7:30-9 p.m. $63-$89. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

WORKSHOPS AND MORE AT THE LAVRA Check the venue’s calendar for storytelling workshops, lectures, movie nights, and discussions held on a periodic basis. ongoing thelavra.org/ home. The Lavra, 2070 E. Deer Canyon Road, Arroyo Grande.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

ART WORKSHOP - BLOCK PRINT

HOLIDAY CARDS Join CalNAM and local artist Angelina LaPointe for an art workshop planning, carving, and handprinting a linoleum block print holiday cards. Dec. 14 , 12:30-4:30 p.m. $65. calnatureartmuseum.org/news/holidayblock-prints-2025. California Nature Art Museum, 1511-B Mission Dr., Solvang.

JAZZ VESPERS

First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo presents the ninth annual Christmas Jazz Vespers on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 7 to 9 p.m. This concert will feature the Dave Becker Quartet with special guest Kathryn Loomis on vocals. Tickets are $33.98. All proceeds will benefit the SLO Noor Foundation Health Clinics. Get more information at my805tix.com.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

CAMBRIA CHRISTMAS MARKET

Celebrate the 14th Annual Cambria Christmas Market, which opens on Nov. 28, and goes until Dec. 31. The market is closed on Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 24, and 25. More information is available at the link. Through Dec. 31, 5-9 p.m. $27-$45. (800) 966-6490. cambriachristmasmarket. com/. Cambria Pines Lodge, 2905 Burton Dr., Cambria.

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

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

CENTRAL COAST WOOD CARVERS

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

CLASSICAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Enjoy a Classical Christmas Concert with amazing opera singers from the San Francisco Opera and local musicians

Peter Girardot-Tenor and Eileen Meredith-Soprano. Dec. 7, 2-3 p.m. Free. (650) 704-0615. St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, 962 Piney Way, Morro Bay, sttimothymorrobay.org/index.html.

CO-DEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS

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

LILIJA VINTAGE GRAND OPENING + HOLIDAY SEA & GREEN PARTY + ESTERO BAY KINDNESS COALITION FUNDRAISER Don’t miss the grand opening of Lilija with the Sea + Green Holiday Party. Enjoy funky DJ tunes and guest artists. A portion of the proceeds will go to Estero Bay Kindness Coalition. Dec. 12 , 5-8 p.m. Free. (805) 935-9046. sea-n-green.com. Sea + Green, 2380 Main St., unit F, Cambria.

MAIDEN TO CRONE SISTER CIRCLE

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

MORRO BAY METAPHYSICIANS

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

MORRO BAY MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

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

OPEN YOURSELF TO THE GIFT OF GOD’S LOVE Enjoy engaging sessions with Father Art Stevens as he guides us

into how we can accept God’s invitations for abundant life. RSVP at the link. Dec. 13 , 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (805) 528-0654. stbenslososos.org/community-graceevent/. St. Benedict’s Church, 2220 Snowy Egret Ln., Los Osos.

POKÉMON CARD TRADING Meet, compete, and trade with other collectors your age! All attendees will receive one card of their choosing from the librarian, while supplies last. Dec. 13 1-2:30 p.m. Free. (805) 528-1862. sanluisobispo. librarycalendar.com/event/pokemoncard-trading-20294. Los Osos Library, 2075 Palisades Ave., Los Osos. PUMPKIN PATCH Our Pumpkin Patch is officially open for the season! All of our pumpkins are thoughtfully grown by 46 Ranch and come in various sizes. Mondays-Sundays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 927-4747. cambrianursery.com/ events/. Cambria Nursery and Florist, 2801 Eton Rd., Cambria.

SENSORY PLAYTIME Let your little ones, ages 1 to 5, lead the way in this open-ended playtime! We also have early literacy tips for caretakers. Dec. 6 , 10-11 a.m. Free. (805) 772-6394. sanluisobispo. librarycalendar.com/event/sensoryplaytime-20296. Morro Bay Library, 625 Harbor St., Morro Bay.

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

WHIMSICAL WINTER WONDERLAND Step into the Whimsical Winter Wonderland at Cambria Nursery—where the magic of the season comes to life through light, design, and imagination. Through Jan. 15, 2026 (805) 927-4747. cambrianursery.com/events/. Cambria Nursery and Florist, 2801 Eton Rd., Cambria.

WITCHY AROMATHERAPY & OIL BLENDING WORKSHOP Join for a fun and magical workshop where you can explore the world of witchy aromatherapy and oil blending using dōTERRA essential oils. Dec. 6 12-1, 1:30-2:30 & 3-4 p.m. $17.91. my805tix.com. Health With Integrity, 80 North Ocean, Cayucos, (805) 235-7978. CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 18

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NORTH SLO COUNTY

“WHEN HOPE WAS BORN” LIVING

NATIVITY The story of Jesus’ birth told under the stars of downtown Templeton. There will be a narrator, actors, music, and animals. Dress warmly. Bring a chair. Dec. 14 6-6:30 p.m. Free. (805) 434-1921. templetonpres.org/christmas-2025/. Templeton Park, 550 Crocker St., Templeton.

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

CHRISTMAS AT THE RANCH Enjoy a ride on a real steam-train as you travel to Santa’s Village for food, games, magic, pony rides, a marketplace, Santa, and more! Fridays, Saturdays, 4:30-9 p.m. through Dec. 21 $15-$40. (805) 540-3214. christmasatthemargarita.com/. Santa Margarita Ranch, 9000 Yerba Buena Ave, Santa Margarita.

CUESTA CONCORD CHORUS

PRESENTS: A VERY MARY CHRISTMAS

Cuesta Concord Chorus and Orchestra present A Very Mary Christmas, featuring Featuring Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Regina Coeli and The Coronation Mass. Dec. 7 3 p.m. $22 suggested donation. (805) 546-3198. Templeton Performing Arts Center, 1200 S. Main St., Templeton.

FIRST SATURDAY Browse handcrafted goods, and enjoy music by Katie Chappell and wine from Herman Story & Desparada. Dec. 6 , 6-9 p.m. Free. (805) 238-9800. studiosonthepark.org/events/ first-saturday-10/. Studios on the Park, 1130 Pine St., Paso Robles.

HAMBLY LAVENDER FARM GUIDED

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

HEART TO HOME Please join us for our Annual Holiday Market. Handcrafted gifts will be available, made by the families of Santa Lucia School. All proceeds go to the scholarship fund. Dec. 6 , 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (805) 434-2217. santaluciaschool. org/hearttohome. Santa Lucia School, 1460 Plum Orchard Lane, Templeton.

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR Over 20 vendors will sell handmade treasures at this fundraiser for the Friends of the Santa Margarita Library. There will be a bake sale, operation Santa, and blood drive. Dec. 6 , 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (805) 438-5955. Santa Margarita Community Hall, 22501 I St., Santa Margarita.

HOLIDAY HARMONY SOUND HEALING

Experience Holiday Harmony, a restorative sound healing with Rev. Elizabeth. Sacred crystal bowl vibrations and affirmations will elevate your spirit, harmonize your energy, and inspire. Dec. 9 6-7 p.m. and Dec. 10 2-3 p.m. (805) 391-4465. awakeningways.org/event/ holiday-harmony-sound-healing-withrev-elizabeth-evening/. Awakening Ways Center for Spiritual Living, 7350 El Camino Real, Ste. 101, Atascadero.

OUT & SAVVY HOLIDAY CONCERT & INTERACTIVE BRUNCH Celebrate the season with delicious food, wonderful WLW community, and joyful holiday music! Advance tickets are required. Dec. 7 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $76.83. my805tix. com. Mirazur Restaurant, 1365 2nd St., Los Osos, (805) 439-0058.

WHITE TARA EMPOWERMENT Join Rinpoche Thepo Tulku for White Tara Empowerment with musical inspiration by Nicole Cassingham. Experience healing, compassion, and spiritual guidance in a day of transformation. Dec. 13 , 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (805) 391-4465. awakeningways.org/event/white-taraempowerment-with-rinpoche-thepotulku/. Awakening Ways Center for Spiritual Living, 7350 El Camino Real, Ste. 101, Atascadero.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

49TH ANNUAL DOWNTOWN SLO

HOLIDAY PARADE Join Downtown SLO for the largest holiday parade on the Central Coast! Information regarding the route, accommodations, and more will be published soon! Dec. 5 Downtown SLO Holiday Parade!, Downtown SLO, San Luis Obispo, (805) 541-0286.

AERIAL SILKS CLINIC Silks is a great way to learn flipping safely! Build memory, strength, coordination, confidence, and endurance at the Clinic. For ages 7 to 17 years old. All levels are welcome. Dec. 6 1-3 p.m. $25/ 1st child, +$10 per additional sibling.. (805) 547-1496. performanceathleticsslo.com/ saturday-event-clinics. Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

CARE CREW Calling all crafty, caring, pet-loving kids! Care Crew members will have the opportunity to join us in filling Kongs, making pet toys, and creating artwork. Sundays, 2-3:30 p.m. $5. (805) 543-9316. woodshumanesociety.org. Calling all crafty, caring, pet-loving kids! Care Crew members will join us in filling Kongs for our canines, crafting pet toys, and creating art. Sundays, 2-3:30 p.m. $5. (805) 543-9316. woodshumanesociety.org/youthprograms. Woods Humane Society, 875 Oklahoma Ave., San Luis Obispo.

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.

A CHRISTMAS STORY Packed with holiday mischief, childhood dreams, and nostalgic charm, A Christmas Story captures the magic of the season with wit, warmth, and plenty of laughs. Saturdays, 2-4 & 7-9 p.m., Sundays, 2-4 p.m., Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m., Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. and Fridays, 7-9 p.m. through Dec. 19 $28-$47. (805) 786-2440. slorep. org/shows/a-christmas-story-2025/. SLO Rep, 888 Morro St., San Luis Obispo.

COME SEE SANTA The Grover Beach Library is sponsoring Come See Santa at the Exploration Discovery Center. Dec. 6 10 a.m.-noon Free. (805) 473-1421. Discovery Center, 867 Ramona Ave., Grover Beach.

A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS ON THE RANCH Gather your friends and family for an afternoon filled with holiday tunes by the Monte Mills Band, wood-fired pizza, wine, ice cream, and twinkling lights! Dec. 6 3-6 p.m. $35. (805) 706-8034. exploretock.com. La Lomita Ranch, 1985 La Lomita Way, San Luis Obispo.

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

importance to the development of this area. Tours are led by docents and meet in front of the church Sundays, 2:30 p.m. and Mondays-Saturdays, 1:15 p.m. Free. (805) 550-7713. missionslodocents.org.

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, 751 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.

HANDSPRINGS AND AERIALS

TUMBLING CLINIC Build your skills at our Handsprings and Aerials Clinic! Even beginners can start working on the fundamentals of these Intermediate skills. All levels welcome. Geared towards ages 5 to 17 years. Dec. 13 1-3 p.m. $25/ 1st child, +$10 per additional sibling.. (805) 547-1496. performanceathleticsslo.com/ saturday-event-clinics. Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

HOLIDAY MARKET AND BARN LIGHTING WITH THE LAND CONSERVANCY The Land Conservancy is excited to invite you to our first Holiday Market during our annual Barn Lighting and enjoy local vendors and live music! Dec. 4 4-8 p.m. Free. (805) 544-9096. lcslo.org/events/ barn-lighting-holiday-market/. Octagon Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis Obispo.

HOLIDAY SALUTE: VETERANS

RESOURCE FAIR Join for a heartwarming day of appreciation and fun at the Holiday Salute: Veterans Resource Fair! We’re honoring our veterans with a special celebration, featuring free tri-tip sandwiches for all veterans (because you’ve earned it)! For everyone else, it’s just $10 for a delicious meal, so come hungry and ready to show your support! Dec. 6 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. my805tix. com. SLO Elks Lodge, 222 Elks Lane, San Luis Obispo.

HOLIDAYS AT THE JACK HOUSE Step into the Holidays! Take a free guided tour of the Jack House & Gardens to see this Victorian gem, in all its holiday splendor. Dec. 7, 1-4 p.m. and Dec. 14, 1-4 p.m. Free. (805) 781-7305. slocity.org/JackHouse. The Jack House, 536 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo. KIDS’ PARTY PARADISE: WINTER KINGDOM Drop your kiddos off at Kids’ Party Paradise for pizza, movie, and gymnastics fun while you get an evening off! For ages 4 to 13 years; no experience is necessary. Dec. 13 5-9:30 p.m. $50/ 1 child, $70/ 2+ siblings. (805) 547-1496. performanceathleticsslo. com/kids-party-paradise. Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

NATURE LIGHTS SLO Botanical Garden’s holiday tradition, Nature Lights, features magical displays, live music, local chefs, and an artists’ market. Fridays, Saturdays, 5-8 p.m. through Dec. 27 $18-$28. (805) 541-1400. slobg.org/naturelights/. San Luis Obispo Botanical Gardens, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd, San Luis Obispo.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE continued page 19

HOLIDAY PRINTS

Solvang’s California Nature Art Museum will host an Art Workshop Sunday, Dec. 14, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., where participants can make linoleum block print holiday cards with Angelina LaPointe of Sidecar Press. Tickets are $65. More details

at

Hot Dates

PAWS TO REMEMBER Remember your cherished pets with light, love, and community. Free to attend. Donate to have your pet’s name read aloud in tribute. Dec. 10 6 p.m. (805) 544-2266. hospiceslo.org/events. Woods Humane Society, 875 Oklahoma Ave., San Luis Obispo.

PICTURES WITH SURFER SANTA This year, make a splash with the SLO Swim Center for underwater family photos with Surfer Santa. Dec. 6 2:30-4:30 p.m. $5. (805) 781-7288. sloswimcenter.org. SLO Swim Center, 900 Southwood Dr., San Luis Obispo.

REINDEER RUN The SLO County Friday Night Live Reindeer Run is a 5k fun run that promotes wellness and healthy lifestyles among youth and families in San Luis Obispo County. Participants, volunteers, and spectators are encouraged to dress in their favorite holiday attire and kick off the winter season. Dec. 6 9 a.m. $33.98. my805tix.com. Mitchell Park, 1445 Santa Rosa St., San Luis Obispo.

SLO PUB TRIVIA MEETUP GROUP Trivia lovers wanted! Join for Study Hall trivia with Mr. Perez, every second Wednesday. All ages over 21 are welcome. RSVP with the link. Second Wednesday of every month Free. meetup.com/slo-bartriviagroup. Oak and Otter Brewing, 181 Tank Farm Road, suite 110, San Luis Obispo, (805) 439-2529.

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

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

ART IN THE PARK HOLIDAY MARKET Beautiful handmade holiday items and gifts for yourself. See all the wonderful work of local artists and crafters alike. Dec. 6 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (805) 473-5472. arroyogrande.org/events. Heritage Square Park, 201 Nelson St., Arroyo Grande.

BEGINNING BALLET FOR ADULTS Enjoy the grace and flow of ballet. No previous experience needed. Wednesdays, 5:15-6:15 p.m. $12 drop-in; $40 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.

BESO HOLIDAY COMEDY NIGHT Enjoy a stellar line-up for the Holidays bringing the world famous comedy store to you! Regular store perfomers will include Nicole Becannon, Chris Walsh, Mary Jayne, Robo, Eric Amador and Host Ezra Paco, all coming to the lush Beso Cocina. Dec. 4 8 p.m. $28.62. my805tix.com. Beso Cocina, 1050 Willow Road, Nipomo.

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.

CLIENT APPRECIATION DAY Celebrate current and potential clients and introduce team members. There will be refreshments, a raffle of four great prizes, gift bags, mini chair massage demos, and more! Dec. 6 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (805) 556-8232. Remedy Spa, 569 Five Cities Drive (in Pismo Coast Shopping Plaza), Pismo Beach, info@remedycentralcoast.com.

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.

HOLIDAY HARMONY WELLNESS: AYURVEDA, QI GONG, SELF-CARE A calming workshop with gentle Qi Gong, Ayurvedic guidance, and practical self-care tools to support digestion, energy, and stress relief through the holidays and winter. Dec. 6 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $45. (805) 440-4561. Shell Beach Veterans Memorial Building, 230 Leeward Ave., Pismo Beach, pismobeach.org.

HOLIDAY MAKERS MARKET AND BOOK SIGNING Get ready for the biggest holiday shopping day of the season and join at the Oceano Depot. Dec. 13 , 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. vaco805. org/events. KIM ROSE, 1340 SCOTT LEE DR, OCEANO, (916) 798-6809.

HOLIDAY PARADE AND JINGLE BELL DASH Join in the holiday fun at the annual Holiday Parade and Jingle Bell Dash in the beautiful village of Arroyo Grande. Dec. 7 4-7 p.m. Free. (805) 473-5472. arroyogrande.org/events. Historic Village of Arroyo Grande, Branch and Short St., Arroyo Grande.

HOLIDAY PARTY: THE SPA AT THE CLIFFS Get ready to unwrap seaside pampering, festive surprises, and exclusive event-only specials! Enjoy holiday cheer and live music, festive bites and refreshments, spa tours and giveaways, and complimentary valet parking. Dec. 4 , 6-7:30 p.m. Free. my805tix.com. The Cliffs Hotel and Spa, 2757 Shell Beach Rd, Pismo Beach, (805) 773-5000.

LUNCH & LEARN: WHAT’S YOUR STORY? Business owners, learn how skillfully telling your company’s story will increase your revenue at this free lunch event. Get a jump on 2026! Dec. 10, noon Free. teeling-marketing-services-lunch-learn. eventbrite.com/. South County Regional Center, 800 W. Branch, Arroyo Grande, (805) 489-1488.

DJ STEPH WEST

ENTERTAINMENT

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.

POINT SAN LUIS LIGHTHOUSE TOURS

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

SOCIAL GROUP FOR WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS Call for more details. Second Saturday of every month, 10 a.m. (805) 904-6615. Oak Park Christian Church, 386 N Oak Park Blvd., Grover Beach.

STORYTELLERS

Storytellers is a magical original dance production created by FLEX Performing Arts and brought to life through the efforts of an incredible team of visionaries. Dec. 5 7-9:30 p.m., Dec. 6 7-9:30 p.m. and Dec. 7, 2-4:30 p.m. $20$67. (805) 489-9444. flexperformingarts. com/storytellers. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

TREE LIGHTING AND SNOW EVENT

Enjoy the season at the Tree Lighting and Snow Event! There will be twenty tons of snow, Santa Tree Lighting, Bouncetown, free S’mores, a horse carriage ride, and more. Dec. 14 5-7 p.m. Free. (805) 473-5472. arroyogrande.org/events. Elm Street Park, 1221 Ash St., Arroyo Grande.

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

FESTIVAL OF TREES HOSTED BY

ALTRUSA OF THE CENTRAL COAST The Festival of Trees is back. Come and see the trees and buy raffle tickets for $1. Dec. 13 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Santa Maria Town Center, 142 Town Center East, Santa Maria.

THE HOLI-DRAG SPECTACULAR Get ready for a night of sparkle, sass, and holiday cheer at the Santa Maria Civic Theatre! Our fabulous queens are lighting up the stage with laughter, lip-syncs, and larger-than-life performances that will leave you jingling all the way. Dec. 6 7 p.m. $23.27. my805tix.com. Santa Maria Civic Theatre, 1660 N. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY SOLVANG JULEFEST Solvang Julefest is a month of lights, celebratory happenings, and holiday cheer. There will br a tree lighting ceremony, parade, Santa visits, outdoor Christmas markets, New Year’s Eve event, and more! Through Jan. 4, 2026, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (805) 465-7298. solvangusa.com. Downtown Solvang, Citywide, Solvang.

FOOD & DRINK

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

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

MORRO BAY MAIN STREET FARMERS

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

WOOD-FIRED PIZZA NIGHTS & LIGHT

DISPLAYS Enjoy exclusive access to 3+ million lights when Cambria Christmas Market is closed, with wood-fired pizza, salad, drinks, and live music—crowdfree and magical! Vendors, Santa, train, and market food are not available these nights. Those are only part of the Cambria Christmas Market. Dec. 8 5-8 p.m. and Dec. 9 , 5-8 p.m. $35. (805) 927-4200. cambriapineslodge.com/ pizza-light-displays. Cambria Pines Lodge, 2905 Burton Dr., Cambria.

NORTH SLO COUNTY

BOARD BOSS: LEARN THE ART OF CHARCUTERIE (WITH WINE!) Build a gorgeous charcuterie board with expert guidance, premium ingredients, wine, and fun extras—plus a giveaway entry and special discounts. A delicious, handson experience! Dec. 14 2-4 p.m. $90. (805) 237-1245. exploretock.com. McPrice Myers Wine Company, 3525 Adelaida Rd., Paso Robles.

CLUB CAR BAR TRIVIA WITH DR. RICKY Teams of one to six people welcome. Visit site for more info. Wednesdays, 7-10 p.m. my805tix.com. Club Car Bar, 508 S. Main St., Templeton.

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

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. SLO Public Market, South Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo.

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

SLO GRANGE PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Join the SLO Grange Hall for a good old-fashioned pancake breakfast. Pancakes, bacon, eggs, juice, and coffee will be served, and proceeds will benefit local non-profits. Second Sunday of every month, 8-11 a.m. $10. (805) 543-0639. slogrange.org. San Luis Obispo Grange Hall, 2880 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

THAT’S SO DRAG BRUNCH: HO HO

HOLIDAYS Don’t miss this event, for ages 18 and older. Dec. 7 11 a.m. $21.13. my805tix.com. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 548-2337.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY MONTHLY FERMENTATION CLASSES

New topics each month with a thorough demo and explanation of the process that creates nonalcoholic, probiotic, and nutrientdense 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/. Join to expand your knowledge of the fermentation process and get started fermenting at home. We alternate between demonstration and hands-on classes. Second Sunday of every month, 3:30-5 p.m. $30-$50. (805) 8016627. kulturhausbrewing.com/classes/. Kulturhaus Brewing Company, 779 Price St., Pismo Beach.

TRIVIA NIGHT Join BrainStew Trivia for a hilariously witty evening of trivia in Pismo. Teams of 1 to 4 people. Prizes awarded to the first and second place teams. Kitchen is open until 7:30 p.m. for brain fuel. Beer, cider, wine, and nonalcoholic 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. ∆

Arts

Tchaikovsky’s finest

A magical and beloved holiday tradition returns when the Civic Ballet of SLO presents Lorilee Silvaggio’s The Nutcracker in the Performing Arts Center of San Luis Obispo on Friday, Dec. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 14 ($32 to $84 at pacslo.org).

“Clara is about to have the night of her life, and so will you,” the Civic Ballet announced. “Join Uncle Drosselmeyer, Mother Ginger, and the Sugar Plum Fairy as Clara travels to the Land of Sweets on a very special Christmas Eve.”

This annual production has been going on for 40 years, and even after choreographer and Civic Ballet director Lorilee Silvaggio’s death in late 2020, the tradition has endured … usually to sold-out audiences—so don’t wait till the last minute for tickets.

“Lorilee Silvaggio’s The Nutcracker is filled with all the pageantry, magic, and wonder that have made this one of the most enduring holiday traditions around the globe. Featuring a full live orchestra, sterling production values, and San Luis Obispo County’s finest dancers, this is a ballet experience you won’t want to miss,” organizers announced.

The OperaSLO Grand Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Brian Asher Alhadeff will perform Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic score that has become synonymous with the holiday season.

Figure it out

Artists have always been drawn (no pun intended!) to the human figure. Drawing people allows artists to tell stories and explore human emotions.

The thing is, figure drawing is notoriously difficult and requires a lot of theory and practice. Art Center Morro Bay to the rescue.

The venue is hosting Constructing the Figure with Gerimi Burleigh, a free demonstration on Saturday, Dec. 6 (3 to 5 p.m.; no reservations needed … just drop in). Burleigh is an LA-based writer, art director, and master of figure drawing.

“I work mostly in the toy industry as a product/packaging designer, but after dark, I sweat and bleed comic books,” Burleigh explained in his bio. “In 2005, I co-created the animated series Alien Racers for MGA entertainment and co-wrote a 90-minute special for Cartoon Network. In 2009, I self-published my first graphic novel, Eye of the Gods. I’m currently working on a new comic book series, Morningstar about Lucifer’s fall from heaven, told as a Western.”

Burleigh will demonstrate the steps he takes when constructing three-dimensional figures by first starting with simple stick figures.

Art Center Morro Bay is located at 835 Main St., and is open daily from noon to 4 p.m. See artcentermorrobay.org or call (805) 772-2504 for more information. Δ Glen Starkey

BY GLEN STARKEY

Life is beautiful

Prolific musician and writer Diane Arkenstone releases a new children’s book

Diane Arkenstone’s new children’s book begins simply: “There was once a young girl, who saw the world for what it was, beautiful.” Titled The Robe of Rainbow Feathers, it’s a deeply charming story of a young girl who lives in a small house with a big garden full of flowers and trees and animals and birds.

Buy the book

Local author Diane Arkenstone’s new children’s book, The Robe of Rainbow Feathers, is available on amazon.com. You can learn more about the Arroyo Grande resident on her website, dianearkenstone.com.

Like all good stories, it has a beginning, a muddle (as American writer Peter De Vries famously quipped), and an end. In this case, the muddle is when the little girl meets an old man on her way to town, who tells her “very bad news of things in the world, of a war and death and many terrible and sad things.” Soon, the young girl’s happy disposition sours as she ruminates on the world’s troubles. Her path forward is learning to see the world’s beauty again. Spoiler alert! In the end, the young girl is an old woman reflecting on her beautiful life before she transitions to the next phase.

“My mom had passed, and I was just channeling grief, and this story just came out, and I thought, ‘Gosh, that might make a nice little story or a book or something,’” Arkenstone said, explaining her book’s message during a recent phone call from her home in the Arroyo Grande area. “It’s pretty much a circle of life. You grow up and then you pass on. But it gives children hope that it’s not the end, that maybe there’s something else, maybe it’s heaven, maybe it’s whatever it could be, but the energy of the consciousness of the soul and spirit moves on or lives on. You can’t really destroy energy, but that’s hard to explain to a child.

“So, it’s that, and then the legacy that she left, the good things that you do in life, that kind of keeps you alive in the hearts of people that you’ve touched—a story like that. And, of course, take care of the Earth. It’s very precious.”

There’s certainly a lot to unpack for a young child, and this is a terrific book to read to a very young kid or give to a child learning to read.

THE OPTIMIST Prolific musician and author Diane Arkenstone releases a new children’s book just in time for Christmas.

Another of its most important lessons is that when we feed our minds positive things, we have a positive life, and when we feed our minds negative things and dwell on the negative, we have a negative life. It’s an important lesson not just for children but for everyone.

“I think in the future that’s going to be the same thing with medicine,” Arkenstone elaborated. “Not necessarily medicine we’re going to take but how our minds will help heal the body with the good thoughts and the good energy. I think that there’s a lot to that. Experiments have been done that if you have two plants and you yell at one, call it bad names, it doesn’t do well, and the one that you love and say good words to does do well.”

Arkenstone is perhaps best known as a musician with dozens and dozens of recordings both under her name and as Celtic duo Enaid & Einalem. She’s also released albums under Ah Nee Mah, Earth Trybe, and The Marquis Ensemble. This year alone, she released 10 New Age albums. The trained opera singer and multi-instrumentalist plays guitar, keyboard, wood flutes, dulcimer, synthesizers, percussion, metal drum, and kalimbas. She’s been releasing music since 2000.

In recent years, she’s turned some of her impressive energy to children’s books and titles such as Tippy Tap Toes, It Happened on Cherry Street, Little Leaf’s Big Adventure, her current book, and coming up, Barnyard Lyrics and Fairytale Limericks due out soon. She also released a book of poetry designed for young adults called The Lucky Ones: Poems about life, love, and wonder. Calling her prolific is an understatement.

The Robe of Rainbow Feathers is a project encompassing more than just the charmingly illustrated book. Designed for children ages 3- to 6-years-old, the story will be available in three formats—the book (53 pages with 946 words), a forthcoming audio book, and as an animated short film. The project’s collaborators include Brooklyn illustrator Anja Silbar, Mexican animator Isaac David Quesada, and director Wesley Price from SLO’s The Sauce Pot Studios that produced the film, which is narrated by Arkenstone. Local violinist and composer Vince Cimo wrote and played the score for the animated short.

Arkenstone is local through and through, born in Paso Robles, and raised on a ranch.

“Then we moved to Templeton and I went to

went to school that was off of Vineyard Drive,” she said. “It was awesome. We’d ride our horses to school. The woodshop class made a place to tie up the horses for us, which was great.”

Arkenstone left the Central Coast for a while and taught music to children in Los Angeles for 20 years, and though she doesn’t have any kids herself, she developed an affinity for them, which led to her love of storytelling.

“I just absolutely love children and have a lot of nieces, nephews, and stepchildren, so it was just stories to tell them, and they turned into books,” she explained.

Arkenstone certainly found a complementary illustrator in Silbar, whose artwork for the book is colorful and whimsical and lively.

“She’s absolutely fabulous,” Arkenstone gushed. “She does a lot of work for The New York Times and all sorts of things. This is the third book she’s done [with me] and she’ll be doing the next one that’s coming out.”

Their collaborative process is a mix of Arkenstone explaining her vision and simply letting Silbar read the text and develop ideas on her own.

“It’s a little bit of both. I’ll send her the manuscript or the words and tell her, ‘This is a vision that I see,’ and then she just runs with it, and then we make little refinements along the way.”

Though Arkenstone currently doesn’t have any plans for readings, she donates copies of all her books to local libraries. She wants to share her positive message with as many children as possible.

“We had a sun dial on our lawn, and it said, ‘Let others tell of storms and showers, I’ll only count your sunny hours,’ and I’ve always lived by that. I think that’s so powerful because when you speak of positive things and you are positive, it really uplifts your own self; it’s an attractant for people around you. People like positive things. And that’s pretty much the story.

“All the children’s books I’ve written are about positive things in life.” ∆

Contact Arts Editor Glen Starkey at gstarkey@ newtimesslo.com.

Wicked long

Jon M. Chu directs this second part of the film adaptation of The Wizard of Oz spinoff Broadway musical, Wicked, which explores Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the future Wicked Witch of the West, and her relationship with Glinda (Ariana Grande), the Good Witch of the North. (138 min.)

WICKED: FOR GOOD

What’s it rated? PG

What’s it worth, Anna? Full price

What’s it worth, Glen? Matinee

Where’s it showing? Bay, Colony, Downtown Centre, Fair Oaks, Park, Stadium 10

Glen Watching this two-part, four-hourand-57-minute movie really makes me wish I could have seen the two-and-a-half-hour stage production. Other than a cash grab, I don’t see a lot of reason to have broken this into two parts and doubled its runtime. That being said, the story itself is a very inventive reimagined prequel to The Wizard of Oz (1939). Providing a backstory for the classic characters as well as alternative motivations for their actions is compelling viewing, and Chu and his cinematographer, Alice Brooks, as well as his army-sized art and special effects departments, have made a real spectacle, though I personally prefer the practical effects of the original film to all the CGI effects. Of course, when you have as many animal characters as Wicked, CGI is the only ethical choice, and I did enjoy the animal liberation angle. Look, my review isn’t going to change anyone’s mind about whether to go or not, and if you saw Part 1, in for a penny, in for a pound.

Anna I hear what you’re saying regarding runtime. This would be quite the marathon if you tried to watch the films back-to-back. Each of the films on their own can be a long time in a theater seat, and I’m not sure how they could have crammed the entire storyline together, but I too wish I could’ve seen the stage production. It’s a wonderful story of friendship, of the consequences of

COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT

What’s it rated? TV-MA

When? 2025

Where’s it showing? Apple TV+

Ifirst heard about this from comedian Tig Notaro’s podcast Handsome Notaro is a producer on the film, but more importantly, she was a friend to the late Andrea Gibson and Andrea’s wife, Megan Falley. The two were Denver area poets, and Andrea lost their life this past year to terminal ovarian cancer.

This quiet film explores Gibson’s reflections on life, readings of their poems, and small moments shared between the two partners as well as their tightknit friend group. Earning Sundance’s

how we treat others, and how the narrative of power can influence the world around us. While in the first film we watched Elphaba and Galinda (now Glinda) meet and become unlikely friends, in the second part we watch as their separate lives are thrown back together as Elphaba tries to expose the Wizard’s (Jeff Goldblum) secrets. Glinda may believe the Wizard to be good at heart, but Elphaba knows he’s hiding dark secrets. I can’t say I loved this second half as much as the first, but it carried the same great music, costuming, and heart as the first.

Glen Aside from the two leads, Goldblum was a standout. He was born for the role, mixing the right amount of smarminess with hubris to paint a portrait of a weak man in a position of power who exploits the masses. Hmm. Art imitating life again? It was fun watching how the Cowardly Lion (voiced by Colman Domingo), The Tin Man

Festival Favorite award, the documentary is an intimate portrayal of navigating not just death, but what life leading up to it looks like. While Andrea wanted to at least see their 50th birthday, they didn’t quite make it to that milestone. However, they were able to see the premier of the movie and passed a few months before its wider release.

Unless you run in circles of artists and poets, you may not have exposure to Gibson’s work— and while I wholly encourage you to watch this, I even more strongly encourage you to watch further videos of their spoken-word readings. They truly had a rare beauty in how they saw the world. (104 min.)

—Anna

(Ethan Slater), and The Scarecrow (Jonathan Bailey) come to be, and the film wisely avoids showing any more than a flash or a shadow of Dorothy (Bethany Weaver) because let’s face it: Judy Garland is unreplaceable. It’s certainly big screen-worthy, but I’m miffed at the two-part, five-hour presentation. Anna Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible also stands out to me. She seems to be the brains behind the Wizard’s wild ideas, and ultimately, it’s her magical abilities that bring Dorothy to Oz. It’s a very slick, highbudget film and it shows in every meticulous detail—but I too don’t need five hours’ worth. I wish they would’ve extended the first film a bit, tightened it up, and given it to us in one wonderful dose. ∆

Arts Editor Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Split Screen. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.

HARRY POTTER: WIZARDS OF BAKING

What’s it rated? TV-PG

When? 2024-present

Where’s it showing? HBO Max

Whoever imagined this match-up certainly had nerds like me in mind. Do you like baking shows? Check. Do you like Harry Potter? Check. Well, Warner Bros. has managed to eke another production out of the magical series while putting the London set to use. Hosts James and Oliver Phelps, who played George and Fred Weasley throughout the movies, keep the banter flowing as chefs scramble to make magical creations.

Chefs are paired up by their various specialties and are asked to incorporate “magical” elements into each creation—think

Judges Carla Hall and Jozef Youssef are often joined by past cast members such as Warwick Davis, Bonnie Wright, and Evanna Lynch to help judge. Things like popping candy, glowing ingredients, and molded chocolates all add to the intricate creations that the chefs must brainstorm, create, and then assemble all in a short amount of time. The competitions take place on the various sets and stages of the films, and viewers get behind-the-scenes looks at the production. Most impressive are the creations these chefs come up with, and with two seasons now out, there’s plenty to binge if wanted. (12 approximately 42-min. episodes) ∆ —Anna

BY GLEN STARKEY

A holiday miracle

Up+Adam’s Jingle Jam returns to help a family in need

Editor’s note: Find a longer version of the music column online at newtimesslo.com.

’Tisthe season for podcaster and media personality Adam Montiel’s annual Up+Adam’s Breaking and Entering Christmas and Jingle Jam. It’s pure holiday magic when Montiel quietly makes Christmas happen for one anonymous family in need.

“Breaking and Entering Christmas is my favorite kind of local story,” Montiel explained. “The family stays anonymous, the impact stays here at home, and for one night a year this community quietly turns heartbreak into holiday.”

Montiel’s listeners nominate families, then he and his crew rally the community and deliver everything: decorations, gifts, groceries, and even cash ornaments on the tree.

Last year’s family was a 76-year-old grandmother raising her two grandkids after they lost both parents. Part of their gift was a newer, more reliable car.

In addition to donations from the community, Montiel raises funds with a concert, and this year’s Jingle Jam is on Thursday, Dec. 11, at Libertine Brewing Company in downtown SLO (doors at

6:30 p.m., show from 7 to 11; $10 to $30 at my805tix.com).

“Jingle Jam is like the Avengers of SLOCal musicians teaming up for good,” Montiel said. “Every ticket, every riff, every raffle item helps us build a full Christmas for a family that has had an impossible year.”

The lineup is epic this year with singersongwriter Kenny Taylor, Brianna Lee and Josh Barrett from indie pop band B & The Hive, Michael Venia of alt rock act Carbon City Lights, genre-jumping singer-songwriter Jon Milsap of The Vibe Setters, awardwinning singer-songwriter Josh Rosenblum, soulful singer-songwriter Dan Curcio of Moonshiner Collective, KB of soul and R&B act IMVA, and headliner the Damon Castillo Band.

“After more than 20 years on the air here, I have never seen anything pull this community together for the holidays like Breaking and Entering Christmas,” Montiel said. “It proves what I love about SLOCal: We show up for each other, and we do it with heart, music, and a whole lot of holiday magic.”

Donations are still needed, so if you can help, visit adammontiel.com/breaking-andentering-christmas.

Live Music

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

BLUES AGENDA JAM AND SHOWCASE

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

FOREVER GREEN LIVE AT THE MERRIMAKER Enjoy this free show! Dec. 5 8-10 p.m. facebook.com/ events/847271561023923. The Merrimaker Tavern, 1301 2nd Street, Los Osos, (805) 534-1007.

OPEN MIC NIGHT Each Wednesday, enjoy this Open Mic Night in the downstairs dining area. Grab some friends and show off your talents. Food and drink service will be available.

Wednesdays, 6 p.m. Free. (805) 995-3883. schoonerscayucos.com. Schooners, 171 North Ocean Ave, Cayucos.

SERENADE AT THE BOAT PARADE

Experience some holiday magic afloat! The Morro Bay White Caps with the SLO County Band will serenade the dazzling boat parade with festive melodies, providing spectacular community cheer. Dec. 13 6-8 p.m. Free. (805) 459-9543. morrobaywhitecaps.com. Morro Bay S. T Pier, 1185 Embarcadero, Morro Bay.

TRIBUTE TO LAURA NYRO AND THE 5TH DIMENSION Performers include Cambria’s own Jack Roberts, local fave Donna Phillips, Bay Area balladeer Zoe Fitzgerald Carter, and SoCal singers Jason Luckett, Jeanne Newhall, Naomi Nektare, Toots Prichard, and Pi Jacobs. Dec. 7, 2-5 p.m. $20-$25. my805tix.com. Cambria Center for the Arts Theatre, 1350 Main St., Cambria.

Fun at the Fremont

Three shows and eight acts are teed up at the historic Fremont Theater this week starting with altrockers The Frights on their Ready When You Are Tour on Friday, Dec. 5 (doors at 7, show at 8 p.m.; all ages; $33.96 at prekindle.com).

The San Diego band, now signed to Epitaph, sort of just fell together.

“A couple of months after graduating from high school, Mikey Carnevale (vocals/guitar) and Richard Dotson (bass) got together as The Frights to play a one-off 30-minute set as sort of a joke,” their bio explained. “The feeling they got from the crowd in their hometown of San Diego inspired them to become a ‘real’ band almost in spite of themselves.”

Liily and Buddha Trixie open. If you’re in the mood for something decidedly heavy, check out Texas metalcore and nu metal act Memphis May Fire on Tuesday, Dec. 9 (doors at 6, show at 7 p.m.; all ages; $46.32 general, $106.06 to $168.38 VIP at prekindle.com). Anthems like “Miles Away,” “No Ordinary Love,” “Beneath the Skin,” “Vices,” “Stay the Course,” and “Carry On” have amassed close to 100 million views on YouTube.

Rain City Drive, Nevertel, and If Not For Me open.

Get weird then go rural

Good Medicine presents The Surface Walkers at Club Car Bar on Friday, Dec. 5 (8 p.m.; all ages; free). Influenced by sci-fi, fantasy, psychedelia, and technology, the group blends psychedelic rock, drum and bass, funk, orchestral film scores, EDM, metal, and progressive textures. They say they’re in development as a feature film and are available for licensing as a rock musical.

Good Medicine and Numbskull present Two Runner at The Siren on Sunday, Dec. 7 (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $21.32 at goodmedicinepresents.com).

Two Runner is songwriter Paige Anderson and fiddler Emilie Rose, a “folk duo [that]

NORTH SLO COUNTY

FESTIVAL MOZAIC PRESENTSNOTABLE DINNER: DVOŘÁK QUARTET

Join Scott Yoo and the Festival artists for an interactive musical exploration of Dvořák’s Piano Quartet. Dec. 6 3 p.m. festivalmozaic.org. Paso Robles Inn, 1103 Spring Street, Paso Robles.

FRIDAY NIGHT DJ Weekly DJ series, with a different DJ every Friday. Presented by friends at Traffic Record store in Atascadero. Come listen, dance, drink, and unwind every Friday. All ages event; no cover charge. Fridays, 7-10 p.m. (805) 460-6042. ancientowlbeergarden.com. Ancient Owl Beer Garden, 6090 El Camino Real, suite C, Atascadero.

HARMONY FOR THE HOLIDAYS Don’t miss this holiday show, featuring a cappella versions of new and favorite festive songs. Dec. 7 12-2 p.m. Free. (805) 736-7572. ccharmony.org. Hope Lutheran

Church, 8005 San Gabriel Rd., Atascadero. KELLYTOWN CHRISTMAS IN KILLARNEY Listen to live Irish music, rockin’ pub songs, and lively fiddle tunes. Christmas songs too! Food and drink available. Dec. 6 5-8 p.m. Free. (805) 7888990. WeAreKellytown.com. Blast and Brew, 7935 San Luis Ave., Atascadero.

LIVE MUSIC WITH MICHAEL PETERS AT MCPRICE MYERS WINES Enjoy Michael Peters’ classic country and western tunes with McPrice Myers wines and Alba Provisions snack boxes. Walk-ins are welcome, however reservations are encouraged! Dec. 14 , 4-7 p.m. $25 tasting fee waived with $75 purchase. (805) 237-1245. exploretock.com/ mcpricemyers/search?date=2025-1214&size=2&time=16%3A00. McPrice Myers Wine Company, 3525 Adelaida Rd., Paso Robles.

RESONANCE PRESENTS: “AND

emits a ray of unprocessed realness through their well-crafted songs and instrumental skills,” their bio explains.

Local soulgrass artist Miss Leo opens.

Also at The Siren

Definitely Dead (A Celebration of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead) comes to Morro Bay on Friday, Dec. 5 (7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; $18.48 at tixr.com). Catch the songs and the vibes.

Saturday, Dec. 6, see Damage Inc. (The Ultimate Metallica Tribute) (8 p.m.; 21-andolder; $24.30 at tixr.com). This band seems to know the entire Metallica catalog!

Finally, John Németh brings his Memphis-style psychedelic soul and blues on Wednesday, Dec. 10 (6:30 p.m.; 21-andolder; $18.48 at tixr.com).

“As a teenager in the early ’90s growing up in the muddy potato fields of Idaho, John Németh was drawn to the hard-edged hiphop sounds and rock bands of the day, until a friend, Tom Moore, introduced him to the Junior Wells and Buddy Guy classic ‘Hoodoo Man Blues,’” his bio explained.

NIGHT SHALL BE NO MORE” Join this Christmas season for Resonance Presents: “And Night Shall Be No More: Music of Hope and Expectation”, the third annual Christmas concert, hosted by Steinbeck Vineyards and Winery. Enjoy a beautiful afternoon of sacred choral music followed by a reception with complimentary wine, small bites, and caroling. Dec. 7 3 p.m. $30. my805tix. com. Steinbeck Vineyards and Winery, 5940 Union Road, Paso Robles.

SINGING HANDS CHILDREN’S CHOIR

A unique performing arts group that performs across the state for deaf festivals, service organizations, churches, fairs, and other outlets. New members always welcome. Registration open weekly. Mondays, 5-6:30 p.m. $45 tuition per month. singinghandschildrenschoir.com/. Singing Hands Children’s Choir and Performing Arts, 1413 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles.

A VERY MARY CHRISTMAS Cuesta Concord Chorus presents “A Very Mary Christmas”, featuring Mozart’s Regina Coeli and Coronation Mass followed by inspirational music for the holidays. Dec. 7, 3-5 p.m. (805) 539-7888. facebook. com/CuestaConcordChorus. Templeton Performing Arts Center, 1200 S. Main St., Templeton.

SAN LUIS OBISPO CAL POLY CHOIRS: HOLIDAY KALEIDOSCOPE All four Cal Poly choral ensembles will be joined by the choirs of local high schools. There will be traditional favorites, new works and singalongs. Hear it for yourself! Dec. 5 7:30 p.m. $17 and $22 general, $12 students. (805) 756-4849. music.calpoly.edu/ calendar/choirs/. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo. LIVE MUSIC continued page 28

CAL POLY JAZZ COMBOS SHOWCASE

Cal Poly’s jazz combos will perform classic jazz repertoire as well as original student compositions. Dylan Johnson will be the director. Dec. 4 , 7:30 p.m. Free. (805) 756-2406. music.calpoly.edu/ calendar/jazz/. PAC Pavilion, Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo.

CAL POLY SYMPHONY FALL CONCERT: SYMPHONY AND THE BIG BAND The Cal Poly Symphony will team up with the University Jazz Band in a program that explores the intersection of symphonic and jazz traditions. Dec. 7, 3 p.m. $17 and $22 general, $12 students. (805) 756-4849. music.calpoly.edu/calendar/ symph/. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.

CENTRAL COAST YOUTH CHORUS:

WINTER CONCERTS Join in the celebration of the holidays as the three choirs of the Central Coast Youth Chorus present a repertoire highlighting the glory of the season! Enjoy performances by the Grace Notes Ensemble and the Cantate and Aria Choirs at the beautiful historic First Presbyterian Church in downtown SLO. Dec. 6 3 p.m. and Dec. 7 3 p.m. $10-$17. my805tix.com. First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo, 981 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 543-5451.

CHRISTIAN SANDS TRIO Celebrate the season with pianist Christian Sands and his trio, blending dynamic originals and beloved holiday classics in an unforgettable festive performance. Dec. 11 7:30 p.m. (805) 756-4849. calpolyarts. org/20252026-season/christian-sandstrio. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT St. Timothy’s Catholic Church is presenting a Christmas Concert for the public. There will be homemade refreshments. Dec. 7, 2-4 p.m. Donation-based. (563) 299-9245. Kitty

Green, 2280 Glenn Street, Los Osos.

CHRISTMAS JAZZ VESPERS WITH THE DAVE BECKER QUARTET & KATHRYN

LOOMIS The First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo is pleased to present their 9th Annual Christmas Jazz Vespers. This concert will feature the Dave Becker Quartet with special guest Kathryn Loomis on vocals. All proceeds will benefit the SLO Noor Foundation Health Clinics. Dec. 14 , 7-9 p.m. $33.98. my805tix. com. First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo, 981 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 543-5451.

COMBOPALOOZA! The award-winning Cuesta Combo program will be giving a potluck of a concert with all eight combos showing off their best. Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m. $7. (805) 546-3198. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

CUESTA CONCORD CHORUS PRESENTS: A VERY MARY CHRISTMAS Cuesta Concord Chorus and Orchestra present A Very Mary Christmas, featuring Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Regina Coeli and The Coronation Mass. Dec. 5 7:30-9:30 p.m. (805) 546-3198. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

CUESTA HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA

Enjoy festive pieces performed by the longstanding and revered Cuesta Wind Ensemble, internationally recognized Cuesta College Chamber Singers, Cuesta Jazz Bands, and Cuesta Combo program! Dec. 6 7:30 p.m. $30 VIP, $25 General, $22 Senior (65+), $10 Student w/ID. (805) 546-3198. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

FESTIVAL MOZAIC PRESENTSCHAMBER MUSIC WITH SCOTT YOO Scott Yoo is joined by violist Maurycy Banaszek, cellist Alexander Hersh, and pianist Anna Polonsky for an afternoon of chamber music. Dec. 7 3 p.m. $45. festivalmozaic.

org. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

FESTIVAL MOZAIC PRESENTSNOTABLE INSIGHT: BEETHOVEN TRIO

Scott Yoo and the Festival Artists will take you on a “museum docent’s tour” of Beethoven’s opus 3 String Trio during this one-hour event. Dec. 5 , 5:30 p.m.

$35. festivalmozaic.org. United Methodist Church, 1515 Fredericks Street, San Luis Obispo, 543-7580.

THE FRIGHTS LIVE Dec. 5 , 8 p.m. $33.96. fremontslo.com. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 546-8600.

MEMPHIS MAY FIRE Hear Memphis May Fire perform live at the Fremont. Tickets are available at the link. Dec. 9 7 p.m. $42.40. fremontslo.com. The Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 546-8600.

RING IN THE SEASON CONCERT SERIES

Head to SLO United Methodist Church for the second chorale music concert in the Ring in the Season concert series. Tickets and more information are available at the link. Tickets are $10 for students and children under 12. Dec. 13 3 p.m. $30. SLO United Methodist Church, 1515 Fredericks St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 543-7580. Don’t miss the final concert in the Ring in the Season Concert Series. Tickets and more info can be found at the link. Dec. 14 , 3 p.m. $30. First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo, 981 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 543-5451, fpcslo.org.

SCOTT YOO STRINGS MASTER CLASS

The Music Department and Festival Mozaic will co-present Scott Yoo for a strings master class. He will coach Cal Poly students on their performances. Dec. 4 11:10 a.m.-noon Free, parking permit required. (805) 756-2406. music. calpoly.edu/calendar/special/#yoo. Cal Poly Davidson Music Center, Room 218, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

SLO COUNTY TRUMPET ALLIANCE:

TRUMPET HOLIDAY JOY! Join us as the legendary San Luis Obispo County Trumpet Alliance presents the most spectacular Holiday Brass extravaganza of the season! Dec. 14 , 2 p.m. $20 General, $10 Student w/ID. (805) 546-3198. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

SOLEFFECT AT THE MARK Sōleffect’s dynamic 7-piece band brings uplifting originals and soulful spins on favorites— perfect for a night out in the heart of SLO. Dec. 13 7-10 p.m. Free. facebook.com/ events/2595229837497748/. The Mark Bar and Grill, 673 Higuera St., Sal Luis Obispo, (805) 439-4400.

TIS THE SEASON WITH BEN FOLDS Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter Ben Folds, famed for Ben Folds Five and solo work, will bring his acclaimed, genre-spanning concert experience to San Luis Obispo this holiday season. Dec. 6 7:30 p.m. (805) 756-4849. calpolyarts. org/20252026-season/ben-folds. Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo.

UP+ADAM’S BREAKING & ENTERING

JINGLE JAM 2025 Join broadcaster Adam Montiel and an all-star lineup of SLO CAL artists for a holiday concert that makes a real difference. Jingle Jam is the live benefit show that fuels Up+Adam’s Breaking & Entering Christmas, a 12-year tradition where Adam and his crew quietly deliver a full Christmas for a local family who has faced an impossible year. Dec. 11 7-11 p.m. $14.70. my805tix.com.

Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 548-2337.

A VERY MARY CHRISTMAS Cuesta Concord Chorus presents “A Very Mary Christmas” concert featuring Mozart’s Regina Coeli and Coronation Mass, followed by inspirational holiday music. Dec. 5 , 3-5 p.m. (805) 539-7888.

facebook.com/CuestaConcordChorus. Cuesta College Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

CENTRAL COAST HARMONY CHORUS INVITES SINGERS TO JOIN FOR HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES Men and women are invited! No prior experience is necessary - just a love of music. Call or email for more information. Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. through Dec. 18 $20. (805) 736-7572. ccharmony.org. Nipomo Senior Center, 200 E. Dana St., Nipomo.

CHRISTMAS MARIACHI FESTIVAL

FEATURING ESTRELLA DE MÉXICO

Enjoy an evening of Christmas posada, carols, songs, actors, folkloric ballet, and featuring the largest mariachi in the world! Dec. 14 , 6-8 p.m. $34-$55; Premium $65.50. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

CHRISTMAS MARIACHI FESTIVAL

FEATURING MARIACHI PLATA DE WNMU Enjoy an evening of Christmas posada, carols, songs, actors, and folkloric ballet featuring the esteemed Mariachi Plata from Western New Mexico University. Dec. 14 6-8 p.m. $34-$55. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

KARAOKE AT SLO COUNTY’S ONLY

FILIPINO CAFE Join for all day, all ages karaoke hosted at SLO County’s only brick and mortar Filipino cafe, Lumpia Bros Cafe. Enjoy karaoke, filipino dishes, acai, and coffee. Tuesdays-Saturdays-6 p.m. through Dec. 31 Free. (805) 202-8473. Lumpia Bros Cafe, 1187 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach.

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.

THE LOUNGE AT BESO An upscale afterhours nightclub experience. With limited capacity and a dress code. For ages 21 and over. Fridays, 10 p.m. my805tix.com. Beso Cocina, 1050 Willow Road, Nipomo. RING IN THE SEASON CONCERT SERIES See the first chorale music concert in the Ring in the Season concert series. Tickets are available for purchase at the link. Dec. 11 , 7 p.m. $30. Trilogy at Monarch Dunes, 1645 Trilogy Pkwy, Nipomo. SOLEFFECT AT MULLIGANS IN AVILA BEACH Enjoy stunning coastal views, tasty bites, and our signature blend of rock, funk, reggae, and soul. The perfect afternoon to relax, sip, and groove. Dec. 7 2-4 p.m. facebook.com/ events/653577204463917/. Mulligans Bar and Grill, 6460 Ana Bay Road, Avila Beach, (805) 595-4000.

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS HAPPY HOUR WITH THE TEPUSQUET DUO Hear as Missy and Klancy of the Tepusquet Tornadoes bring their signature acoustic style to Presqu’ile for a golden hour set made for slow sips and long conversations. Dec. 5 , 7:30 p.m. presquilewine.com/. Presqu’ile Winery, 5391 Presqu’ile Dr., Santa Maria, (805) 937-8110.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY CHRISTMAS MATTERS HOLIDAY CAROLERS Head to downtown Solvang on Saturdays leading up to Christmas for the performances of the Christmas Matters Holiday Carolers. These talented singers fill the air with joyful holiday tunes as they roam the quaint Danish downtown village of Solvang. Dec. 6 , 5-8 p.m. and Dec. 13 , 5-8 p.m. solvangusa. com/solvang-events-calendar/. Downtown Solvang, Citywide, Solvang. ∆

DECEMBER 13,

3PM HAROLD J. MOSSI CPAC AT CUESTA COLLEGE

Celebrate the holidays with “The Joyful Sounds of Christmas,” featuring beloved carols, festive arrangements, and Jennifer Freyr’s ehchanting “O Holy

Meanwhile at Rod & Hammer …

SLO Brew Live at Rod & Hammer Rock only has one show this week, but for Dead fans, it’s must-see. Grateful Shred plays on Friday, Dec. 5 (doors at 7 p.m.; all ages; $39.05 at ticketweb.com). It’s basically a supergroup of LA’s coolest musicians.

New cover, year’s last show

Local duo, Forever Green (twin sisters Cara and Christi Brown), just released a new cover song—Cat Stevens’ (now Yusuf Islam) “The First Cut is the Deepest.”

“It was a hit for artists like Rod Stewart and

Sheryl Crow,” the Browns explained in an email. “Our rendition is a deliberately strippeddown version, using only acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies. The focus is on highlighting the song’s poignant lyrics and showcasing the creative synergy of our twin sister duo offering a fresh take on a familiar classic.”

The Browns’ vocal harmonies are remarkable. Can anyone blend their voices together like twin sisters? Hear for yourself when they play their last show of the year at The Merrimaker on Friday, Dec. 5 (8 to 10 p.m.; 21-and-older; free).

Tribute

Songwriters at Play is at it again with a tribute to Laura Nyro and The 5th Dimension at the Cambria Center for the

PHOTOGRAPHER NEEDED

New Times Media Group is looking for its next photographer—someone with a knack for capturing the candid, an expert in the art of taking environmental portraits, and a passionate advocate for photojournalism.

Arts Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 7 (2 p.m.; $25 presale at my805tix.com).

Nyro wrote a lot of hits for other performers such as “Eli’s Coming” (Three Dog Night), “And When I Die” (Blood Sweat & Tears), “Stoney End” (Barbra Streisand). The 5th Dimension also recorded many of Nyro’s songs, including “Wedding Bell Blues.”

Performers at the concert include Cambria’s own Jack Roberts; Central Coast singer-songwriters Donna Phillips and Steve Key; Bay Area balladeer Zoe Fitzgerald Carter; and SoCal singers Jason Luckett, Jeanne Newhall, Naomi Nektare, Toots Prichards, and Pi Jacobs.

Also expect to hear 5th Dimension pop standards such as “Workin’ on a Groovy Thing,” “Up, Up and Away,” “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” and more from Nyro’s catalog.

Christmas kickoff

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I had the chance to see Akusaa Powell for the first time. Born in Dallas, the singer-songwriter and guitarist is the daughter of Argentinian immigrants, so she grew up around a rich fusion of Latin and American music. She plays a mix of her originals as well as R&B, soft rock, and Latin jazz covers, and she frequently performs with her husband, Warfus “Moon” Powell, keyboardist for smooth jazz ensemble Urban 805.

She’s a stylish entertainer who wouldn’t be out of place on a Vegas side stage or lounge. See Club Akusaa at Los Osos’ Costa Gallery (2087 10th St.) on Sunday, Dec. 7 (1 to 3 p.m.;

We’re looking for a curious soul who’s interested in capturing the images that will help us tell the stories that our community needs to hear, a photojournalist who can encapsulate the essence of the news with a single image. Our next photographer should understand why local journalism is important, shoot with an eye for details big and small, believe in honesty and integrity, and have the ability to hit a hard deadline.

This is a part-time, assignment-based position (with hours that vary from week to week) that shoots photos for two weekly newspapers, the Sun and New Times, with a coverage area that stretches through San Luis Obispo County and Northern Santa Barbara County. Other assignments may include shooting photos for our Menus Magazine. If you’re into AI, no need to apply! If you think using Adobe Photoshop is the only way to craft a perfect image, you’d best look elsewhere.

Please send a resume, cover letter, and a portfolio of published images to crucker@newtimesslo.com.

all ages; free), during the gallery’s Christmas KickOff opening. They’re also holding a toy and canned goods drive for SLO Foster Care, so if you have a new unwrapped toy or some food you’d like to donate, it would be welcome. Happy Holidays! ∆ Contact Arts Editor Glen Starkey at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.

Flavor

BY MADISON WHITE

Co-fermenting

A Templeton farm brightens the horizon for a Santa Barbara County winery

Blending wine is very common, but not the way Michelle Vautier does it.

She owns CrossHatch Winery and uses a method called co-fermentation. Instead of blending wines after they’ve fermented, her grapes—usually two or three varieties—are picked from their separate vines on the same day and start fermenting together right away.

“I’m the only winery on the Central Coast that I know of that exclusively focuses on cofermentation,” Vautier said. “A lot of wineries will do one or two in their whole library.”

CrossHatch head winemaker Ryan Carr started the label with his wife, Jessica, in 2011. Vautier met them after moving to Santa Barbara in 2020 and bought CrossHatch a few years later, still working closely with the Carrs.

The label is inspired by the creative technique of crosshatching. Artists who crosshatch draw intersecting lines to create depth, texture, and shading, as seen on the winery’s labels created by local artist Thomas Van Stein.

“I feel like co-fermentation is kind of a play on that,” Vautier said. “I ferment [varieties] together, and so they together, like lines and shades, create that product. You will never taste the same wine.”

Though there’s a lot of technical processes involved, she sees co-fermentation as a more playful way of winemaking than traditional blending. Even if she were to use the same percentage of each grape, Vautier said that she could never re-create a co-fermented blend.

“Just like me. I feel like I’m a cofermentation,” she said.

When she was growing up, she split her time between Argentina, where she was born, and Miami. She later lived in the Bay Area and then the Central Coast. Vautier speaks English and Spanish fluently and said she doesn’t feel like she’s from one specific place.

“Living in both cultures and being immersed in those two cultures throughout my whole life, I’ve been able to create that, so I feel like that’s what I always say with wine, it creates that intimacy,” she said. “You

In the valley

CrossHatch Winery’s tasting room is open Thursday through Monday from noon to 5 p.m. at 1090 Edison St., suite 104, in Santa Ynez. Visit for happy hour Thursday and Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. and make reservations (optional) at crosshatchwinery.com. Follow @imaginefamilyfarm on Instagram for the latest updates from Templeton.

MANIFESTED CrossHatch Winery owner Michelle Vautier has always enjoyed learning about wine from producers all over the world but didn’t imagine it could be her job. Yet, in 2020, she moved to Santa Barbara, beginning her path toward the wine industry.

feel close to the process, the wine, the story, and that’s because it is just so intertwined together through the winemaking process.”

Vautier recently celebrated the release of her malbec, a variety she’s wanted to make since she joined CrossHatch, partly because of its connection to Argentina. After looking for vineyards that grow malbec, she settled on co-fermenting 60 percent malbec with 20 percent syrah and 20 percent cabernet sauvignon that were all grown in Santa Ynez and Los Olivos. There are 200 cases in the 2023 vintage.

“It’s not your traditional malbec in any way, and that’s why I call it mi versión, which means ‘my version,’ because there aren’t a lot of co-fermented malbecs out there, let alone with these varietals,” she said.

Ultimately, she wants to have fun with wine. Vautier left her tech career after almost 20 years because the wine industry kept pulling her toward it.

Wine was part of the Argentinian culture she grew up with, and with a passion for traveling, she’s explored wine regions all over the world. She’d always

return with bottles of wine to share with her friends at dinner paired with stories from her journeys.

“When I was traveling, I would end up in any vineyard talking to anybody who would talk to me about wine,” Vautier said.

Eventually, Vautier plans to have her own vineyard. Nearly a year ago she bought a 40-acre property in Templeton, Imagine Family Farm, where she’d like to plant 5 acres of grapes. On one hand, it’s a scary endeavor, but on the other, she said she’s excited to learn how to plant her own vines. Right now, she’s in the soil-testing phase to decide which varieties will flourish.

“When I saw this property, I fell in love.”

The farm produces apples, pears, peaches, cherries, and berries. In the spring, peonies grow to the size of Vautier’s head. Chickens also run around, and a hive of bees make honey. It’d make a good event space for CrossHatch, too, she added.

“It kind of creates a whole new era and full life cycle of the land, the fruit, the wine, the community, bringing everything into one place,” she said.

One of the reasons Vautier was drawn to the Central Coast was the community of small-production winemakers. She likes the

UP AND DOWN 101

At Imagine Family Farm in Templeton, which Michelle Vautier bought almost a year ago, she grows fruits and flowers, makes honey, and raises chickens. In the future she hopes to have an estate vineyard on the property.

camaraderie in Paso Robles, where she can call up winemakers for their suggestions.

“Most of them are owner-winemaker driven. It’s a true representation of what I feel winemaking is,” she explained.

But that side of the industry brings its own challenges. For her and other small wineries off the beaten path, business relies on local support and capturing the attention of visitors.

“I’m so thankful for our local community, that they definitely keep us going,” the owner said.

Now with her farm in San Luis Obispo County and her tasting room in Santa Barbara County, she hopes to put down roots in both regions and continue experimenting with co-fermentation.

“I need to play. I don’t want to be stuck in one thing,” Vautier said. “The tasting room in Santa Ynez is kind of my foothold within the Santa Barbara County. The farm, Imagine Family Farm, will be the foothold across the Paso, Templeton area. … Maybe my next co-ferment is from two different [places], something from Santa Barbara and something from Paso.” ∆

Reach Staff Sun Writer Madison White, from New

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San Luis Obispo, CA 93403

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO Courthouse Annex, 1035 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93408 Juvenile Court

CASE NAME: Rocc Dennis Collins Jr. CASE NUMBER: 25JD00047001

1. To: Veronica Rochelle Paramo and anyone claiming to be a parent of Rocc Dennis Collins Jr. born on 07/16/2011 at Twin Cities Community Hospital, Templeton, California

2. A hearing will be held on February 4, 2026 at 1:15pm in Dept. 12 located at Courthouse Annex, 1035 Palm St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93408. *This hearing will be held remotely. If you wish to appear by telephone, your attorney in this case must notify the Court on the day of the hearing, prior to the hearing calendar. If you wish to appear in person, notify your attorney in this case. If you do not have an attorney and you wish to appear for the hearing, you must contact the court.

The remote hearing will be confidential. You must not record the hearing, allow others to listen to the hearing, or disclose to others what occurs during the hearing. Participants who violate confidentiality may be subject to criminal and civil sanctions.

3. At the hearing the court will consider the recommendations of the social worker or probation officer.

4. The social worker or probation officer will recommend that your child be freed from your legal custody so that the child may be adopted. If the court follows the recommendation, all of your parental rights to the child will be terminated.

5. You have the right to be present at the hearing, to present evidence, and you have the right to be represented by an attorney. If you do not have an attorney and cannot afford to hire one, the court will appoint an attorney for you.

6. If the court terminates your parental rights, the order may be final.

7. The court will proceed with this hearing whether or not you are present.

Date: November 19, 2025 /s/ Myranda Morales, Deputy Clerk

November 27, December 4, 11, & 18, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2025-2247 (11/12/2025)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as ERIKA’S COASTAL SWEETS, 1474 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420. San Luis Obispo County. Erika Stone (1452 Seabright Ave., Grover Beach, CA 93433). This business is conducted by An Individual /s/ Erika Stone. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 11-12-2025. hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk, M. Maltby, Deputy. Exp. 11-12-2030. November 20, 27, December 4, & 11, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2025-2290 (01/18/2006)

New Filing

The following person is doing business as ROCK VIEW REALTY, 1795 Sage Ave., Los Osos, CA 93402. San Luis Obispo County. Aaron Ronald Anderson (1795 Sage Ave., Los Osos, CA 93402). This business is conducted by An Individual /s/ Aaron Ronald Anderson. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 11-19-2025. I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk, M. Katz, Deputy. Exp. 11-19-2030. November 27, December 4, 11, & 18, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2025-2341 (10/01/2015)

on 10-15-2025. I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina Cano, County Clerk, M. Maltby, Deputy. Exp. 10-15-2030. November 13, 20, 27, & December 4, 2025

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2025-2092 (08/07/2025) New Filing The following person is doing business as WALMART #2099, WALMART PHARMACY #102099, WALMART VISION CENTER #30-2099, 180 Niblick Rd., Paso Robles, CA 93446. San Luis Obispo County. Walmart Inc. (1 Customer Dr., Bentonville, AR 72716). This business is conducted by A DE Corporation /s/ Walmart Inc., Geoffrey Edwards, Secretary. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Luis Obispo on 10-15-2025. I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the statement on file in my office. (Seal) Elaina

PUBLISHED

SIERRA BONITA, SCOTT STREET, AND FALLBROOK COURT ROAD

REPAIRS PROJECT NO. 22-14C

SEALED BIDS will be received by the Public Works Department of the City of El Paso de Robles until December 18, at 2:00 p.m. for Sierra Bonita, Scott Street, and Fallbrook Court Road Repairs, DPW Project No. 22-14C. Please be certain that any bid submitted is sealed and addressed and noted as follows: City Clerk

City of El Paso de Robles

4305 Second Wind Way Paso Robles, CA 93446

Sealed Bid for Sierra Bonita, Scott Street, and Fallbrook Court Road Repairs, DPW Project No. 22-14C

Following the closure of the bid submittal period, bids will be publicly opened and read for performing work as follows: Furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, and performing all work necessary and incidental to the construction of the project known as Sierra Bonita, Scott Street, and Fallbrook Court Road Repairs, DPW Project No. 22-14C, according to drawings and specifications prepared by the City of El Paso de Robles and according to the Contract Documents. The work shall include, but is not limited to, lowering and raising of utilities, monument perpetuation, dig-out repairs, placement of HMA leveling and surface course, key cut tapers and striping, and applying Type II slurry and crack filing. Contractor to provide all necessary work plans, permits, and inspections necessary, all as shown on the plans and/or as specified herein.

Project is to be completed within Ninety (90) WORKING days from the date specified in the Notice to Proceed. The Contractor shall pay to the City of El Paso de Robles the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), for each and every calendar day’s delay in finishing the work in excess of the calendar day completion time.

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

Copies of the Bid Documents are now on file and available for public inspection at Public Works Department at 4305 Second Wind Way, El Paso de Robles, California. Interested bidders must obtain copies of the documents electronically. The Contract Documents will be available electronically, at no cost, at DemandStar Paso Robles, CA. Use the link DemandStar Paso Robles, CA. to navigate to the City’s website for out to bid projects. To download the Bid Documents, the user must register as a user on the site. It is the responsibility of each prospective bidder to download and print all Bid Documents for review and to verify the completeness of Bid Documents before submitting a bid. Any Addenda will be posted at DemandStar Paso Robles, CA.

It is the responsibility of each prospective bidder to check DemandStar Paso Robles, CA. on a daily basis through the close of bids for any applicable addenda or updates. DemandStar Paso Robles, CA. sends email notifications to ONLY those registered on the City’s website. The City does not assume any liability or responsibility based on any defective or incomplete copying, excerpting, scanning, faxing, downloading or printing of the Bid Documents. Information on DemandStar PasoRobles, CA. may change without notice to prospective bidders. The Contract Documents shall supersede any information posted or transmitted by any other vendor besides the City.

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

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

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

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

All bidders shall be licensed under the provisions of the Business and Professions Code to do the type of work contemplated in the project. In accordance with provisions of California Public Contract Code Section 3300, City has determined that the Contractor shall possess a valid Class A (General Engineering) License at the time that the bid is submitted. Failure to possess the specified license shall render the bid non-responsive. The successful bidder will be required to furnish a payment bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, as well as a faithful performance bond, in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price. The bonds shall be on the forms included in the Contract Documents.

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

Date: November 26, 2025

By:Ditas Esperanza, P.E. Capital Projects Manager

Publication Dates: -November 26, 2025 -December 4, 2025

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

WHO: San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors

WHEN: Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. All items are advertised for 9:00 a.m. To find out placement of this item on the Board of Supervisors Agenda, go to the County’s website at www.slocounty.ca.gov on the Wednesday before the scheduled hearing date.

WHAT: Hearing to consider the (1) annual review of the County growth rate for new dwelling units for Calendar Year 2025, (2) establishment of a growth rate for Calendar Year 2026, and (3) amendment to Growth Management Ordinance (Title 26 of the County Code) for consistency with county housing objectives and to encourage housing production (County File Number: LRP2025-00003); Exempt from California Environmental Quality Act.

County File Number: LRP2025-00003

Assessor Parcel Numbers: Countywide Supervisorial District: All Districts

Date Accepted: N/A

WHERE: The hearing will be held in the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 1055 Monterey St., Room #D170, County Government Center, San Luis Obispo, CA. The Board of Supervisors Chambers are located on the corner of Santa Rosa and Monterey Streets. At the hearing all interested persons may express their views for or against, or to change the proposal.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: You may contact Dominic Dal Porto, Planner, in the San Luis Obispo County Department of Planning and Building, 976 Osos Street, Room 200, San Luis Obispo, California 93408, ddalporto@co.slo. ca.us, (805) 781-5710. The staff report will be available for review the Wednesday before the scheduled hearing date on the County’s website at http://www.slocounty.ca.gov

ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION: This project qualifies for the General Rule Exemption under CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), because annual review of growth rate limits is an ordinance requirement. The resolution adopts growth rates for new dwelling units that are consistent with the ordinance and amends the ordinance to ensure consistency with County housing objectives and encourage housing production. Therefore, this project is covered by the General Rule Exemption that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. A Notice of Exemption has been prepared pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15062 (ED25-0244)

COASTAL APPEALABLE: No

**If you challenge this matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this public notice or in written correspondence delivered to the appropriate authority at or before the public hearing**

DATED: November 26, 2025

MATTHEW

PONTES

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

& EX-OFFICIO CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS By /s/ Niki Martin Deputy Clerk December 4, 2025

COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & BUILDING

SUBDIVISION REVIEW BOARD

WHO County of San Luis Obispo Subdivision Review Board

WHEN Monday, January 5, 2026, at 9:00 AM: All items are advertised for 9:00 AM. To verify agenda placement, please call the Department of Planning & Building at (805) 781-5600.

WHAT A request by Peter Nelson for a Vesting Tentative Parcel Map to subdivide an existing 35-acre parcel into three parcels of varying sizes (Parcel 1: 4.75 acres, Parcel 2: 5.68 acres, Parcel 3: 24.94 acres) for the purpose of sale and/or development. The proposed subdivision is to use the existing access from Squire Canyon Road. The site is characterized by a level to steeply sloping topography and open space areas to the north and south. Parcel 2 is improved with an approximately 2,576 square foot single family residence served by an on-site well and septic system. Parcels 1 and 3 will need individual septic but have access to the 4 on-site wells. The area of disturbance is estimated to be approximately 4.70 acres. The proposed project is within the Residential Suburban land use category and is located at 35 Squire Canyon Road, San Luis Obispo. The site is approximately two miles west of the community of Avila Beach, in the San Luis Bay Inland Sub Area North of the San Luis Obispo Planning Area.

Also, to be considered at the hearing will be the adoption of the Environmental Determination prepared for this item. The Environmental Coordinator, after completion of the initial study, finds that there is no substantial evidence the project will have a significant effect on the environment, and the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report is not necessary. Therefore, a Mitigated Negative Declaration (pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq., and CA Code of Regulations Section 15000 et seq.) has been issued on November 17, 2025, for this project. Mitigation measures are proposed to address Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Land Use and Planning, and Mandatory Findings of Significance are included as conditions of approval.

County File Number: N-SUB2022-00034

Supervisorial District: District 3

Assessor Parcel Number(s): 076-271-058

Date Accepted: 8/14/2024

WHERE

The hearing will be held in Katcho Achadjian Government Center, Board of Supervisors Chambers, 1055 Monterey Street, Room #D170, San Luis Obispo, CA. The Board of Supervisors Chambers are located on the corner of Santa Rosa and Monterey Streets. At the meeting all interested persons may express their views for or against, or to change the proposal.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A copy of the staff report will be made available on the Planning Department website at www.sloplanning.org. You may also contact Blake Maule, Project Manager in the Department of Planning and Building at the address below or by telephone at 805-781-4163.

Nicole Turner

Secretary

Subdivision Review Board

December 4, 2025

COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & BUILDING NOTICE OF TENTATIVE ACTION / PUBLIC HEARING

WHO County of San Luis Obispo Planning Department Hearing WHEN Friday, December 19, 2025 at 9:00 AM: All items are advertised for 9:00 AM. To verify agenda placement, please call the Department of Planning & Building at (805) 781-5600.

WHAT A request by Curtis and Vali Nemetz of Valeska Nemetz, Inc. for a Minor Use Permit (N-DRC2025-00034) to allow the construction of a 4,344 square foot single story single-family residence with a 987 square foot attached garage, three decks totaling 1,531 square feet, an attached 1,200 square foot accessory dwelling unit with a 735 square foot garage, a pool, and other related site development. The proposed project will result in 35,732 square feet of ground disturbance on 1.01-acre parcel. The proposed project is within the Residential Rural land use category and is located on Paseo De Caballo, approximately 250 feet north of the City of San Luis Obispo. The subject property is within the San Luis Obispo sub-area of the San Luis Obispo planning area.

Also to be considered is environmental determination. The Environmental Coordinator finds that the previously adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration for Tract 2292 ED 98-500 is adequate for the purposes of compliance with CEQA because no substantial changes are proposed in the project which will require major revision of the previous Negative Declaration, no substantial changes occur with respect to the circumstance under which the project is undertaken which will require major revision of the previous Negative Declaration, and no new information of substantial importance has been identified which was not known at the time that the previous Negative Declaration was adopted.

County File Number: N-DRC2025-00034

Supervisorial District: District 2

Assessor Parcel Number(s): 073-333-011

Date Accepted: 10/27/2025

WHERE

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

TO REQUEST A PUBLIC HEARING

This matter is tentatively scheduled to appear on the consent agenda, which means that it and any other items on the consent agenda can be acted upon by the hearing officer with a single motion. An applicant or interested party may request a public hearing on this matter. To do so, send a letter to this office at the address below or send an email to pdh@ co.slo.ca.us by 12/12/2025 at 4:30 PM. The letter or email must include the language “I would like to request a hearing on N-DRC2025-00034.”

If you challenge this matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this public notice or in written correspondence delivered to the appropriate authority at or before the public hearing.

Ysabel Eighmy Secretary, Planning Department Hearing December 4, 2025 COUNTY OF

NOTICE OF

WHO County of San Luis Obispo Planning Department

9/5/2025

WHERE

(ca.gov)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A copy of the staff report will be made available on the Planning Department website at www.sloplanning.org. You may also contact Eric Tolle, Project Manager, in the Department of Planning and Building at the address below or by telephone at 805-781-5600. TO REQUEST A PUBLIC HEARING This matter is tentatively scheduled to appear on the consent agenda, which means that it and any other items on the consent agenda can be acted upon by the hearing officer with a single motion. An applicant or interested party may request a public hearing on this matter. To do so, send a letter to this office at the address below or send an email to pdh@co.slo.ca.us by 12/12/2025 at 4:30 PM. The letter or email must include the language “I would like to request a hearing on N-DRC2024-00040.”

If you challenge this matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this public notice or in written correspondence delivered to the appropriate authority at or before the public hearing. Ysabel Eighmy

Secretary, Planning Department Hearing December 4, 2025

COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & BUILDING NOTICE OF TENTATIVE ACTION / PUBLIC HEARING WHO County of San Luis Obispo Planning Department Hearing WHEN Friday, December 19, 2025 at 9:00 AM: All items are advertised for 9:00 AM. To verify agenda placement, please call the Department of Planning & Building at (805) 781-5600.

WHAT A request by Michael Tutt for a Minor Use Permit / Coastal Development Permit (C-DRC2025-00026) to allow an existing singlefamily residence to be used as a vacation rental. The proposed project is within the Residential Suburban land use category and is located at 2079 Willow Drive, in the community of Los Osos. The site is in Estero Planning Area of the Coastal Zone. Also to be considered is the determination that

Supervisorial District: District 2 Assessor Parcel Number(s): 074-263-051 Date Accepted: 8/7/2025

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A copy of the staff report will be made available on the Planning Department website at www.sloplanning.org. You may also contact Monserath Casillas-Rios, Project Manager, in the Department of Planning and Building at the address below or by telephone at 805781-5600.

TO REQUEST A PUBLIC HEARING

This matter is tentatively scheduled to appear on the consent agenda, which means that it and any other items on the consent agenda can be acted upon by the hearing officer with a single motion. An applicant or interested party may request a public hearing on this matter. To do so, send a letter to this office at the address below or send an email to pdh@co.slo.ca.us by 12/12/2025 at 4:30 PM. The letter or email must include the language “I would like to request a hearing on C-DRC2025-00026.”

If you challenge this matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this public notice or in written correspondence delivered to the appropriate authority

Applications to make minor changes to the properties at the addresses listed below have been received by the City.

1. 1140 Iris St ARCH-0874-2025; Minor Architectural Review of a new detached dwelling above a new garage/ storage area on a lot with two existing detached dwellings, one of which is listed on the Contributing List of Historic Resources. The proposed project location is within a Special Considerations Overlay (R-2-S) due to the proximity of the railroad. This project is categorically exempt from environmental review (CEQA); R-2-S Zone; Tom di Santo, applicant. (Eva Wynn)

2. 920 & 930 Rachel Ct. ARCH-0529-2024; Minor Development Review of four new residential units (two duplexes) located on a parcel having an average natural slope gradient of sixteen percent or more. The proposal includes a request for an exception to a hillside development standard regarding retaining wall height, as well as the removal of one tree (TREE-0520-2024). This project is categorically exempt from environmental review (CEQA); R-2 Zone; Will Ruoff, applicant. (Ethan Estrada)

3. 680 Industrial Way. DIR-0902-2025; Request to perform night work for a maximum of two (2) nights between December 16, 2025, to December 23, 2025, from the hours of 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. for 6-inch core drilling to expose existing underground utilities. This project is categorically exempt from environmental review (CEQA); PF and C/OS Zones; Alvaro Baeza, applicant. (Jacob Hughes)

4. 199 Chorro St.  DIR-0879-2025; Request for a fence height exception for a 6-foot wooden fence along the street-yard property line and within the setback of a corner lot in the R-1 zone, where 3-feet is the minimum standard. This project is categorically exempt from environmental review (CEQA); R-1 Zone; Austin Della, applicant.  (Eva Wynn)

The Community Development Director will either approve or deny these applications no sooner than December 15, 2025.The Director’s decision may be appealed, and must be filed with the appropriate appeal fee within 10 days of the Director’s action. For more information, contact the City of San Luis Obispo Community Development Department, 919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, stop by Monday and Wednesday between 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday between 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., or call (805) 781-7170, weekdays, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

December 4, 2025

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION

PUBLIC HEARING

The San Luis Obispo Architectural Review Commission will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, December 15, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. Public comment, prior to the start of the meeting, may be submitted in writing via U.S. Mail to the City Clerk’s Office at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 or by email to advisorybodies@ slocity.org.

PUBLIC HEARING ITEM:

• Review of a residential development consisting of 43 units, a sign program, tree removals and compensatory plantings, and site improvements. The project includes a 50% density bonus and various concessions/waivers/reductions related to compensatory plantings, parking space dimensions, and building height and setbacks. A fence height exception is also requested to allow a combined retaining wall and guardrail height of up to 11.25 feet along a portion of the southerly property lines. The project is categorically exempt from environmental review. Project Addresses: 137 and 175 Crandall Way; Case #: ARCH-0364-2025; Zone: R-4; Reliant Group Management, applicant

Contact: Hannah Hanh – (805) 781-7432 –hhanh@slocity.org

The Architectural Review Commission may also discuss other hearing or business items before or after the item(s) listed above. An action of the Architectural Review Commission is typically a recommendation to the City’s Community Development Director, Planning Commission or City Council, and therefore is not final. Please note that any court challenge related to the recommendation on this item may be limited to considering only those issues raised at the public hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence received prior to the public hearing.

Report(s) are typically available one week in advance of the meeting and can be viewed on the City’s website, under the Public Meeting Agendas web page: https:// www.slocity.org/government/mayor-and-city-council/ agendas-and-minutes. Please call The Community Development Department at (805) 781-7170 for more information, or to request an agenda report.

December 4, 2025

COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & BUILDING

NOTICE OF TENTATIVE ACTION / PUBLIC HEARING

WHO County of San Luis Obispo Planning Department Hearing

WHEN Friday, December 19, 2025 at 9:00 AM: All items are advertised for 9:00 AM. To verify agenda placement, please call the Department of Planning & Building at (805) 781-5600.

WHAT Hearing to consider a request by John Waterman for a Lot Line Adjustment (N-SUB2025-00050/ COAL 25-0012) to adjust the lot lines between two existing legal parcels. The purpose of the proposed Lot Line Adjustment is to reconfigure the lot lines between Parcel 1 (56.8 acres) and Parcel 2 (32.2 acres), resulting in Parcel 1 (37.1 acres) and Parcel 2 (51.9 acres). The adjustment will align the shared boundary with an existing intermittent stream to consolidate related agricultural structures and uses onto separate parcels, creating a more logical division of land to support continued agricultural operations and residential uses. Both parcels are within the Agriculture land use category and located in the San Luis Bay Inland Sub Area South of the South County Planning Area, approximately 2.4 miles northeast of the Arroyo Grande Urban Reserve Line, at 4235 Huasna Road in the unincorporated area of Arroyo Grande, California. The County Map Number assigned for this Lot Line Adjustment is COAL 25-0012.

A Class 5 Categorical Exemption (ED25-0239) was issued on November 18, 2025

County File Number: N-SUB2025-00050

Supervisorial District: District 4

Assessor Parcel Number(s): 047-091-005, -016

Date Accepted: 10/30/2025

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A copy of the staff report will be made available on the Planning Department website at www.sloplanning.org. You may also contact Lane Sutherland, Project Manager, in the Department of Planning and Building at the address below or by telephone at 805-788-9470.

TO REQUEST A PUBLIC HEARING

This matter is tentatively scheduled to appear on the consent agenda, which means that it and any other items on the consent agenda can be acted upon by the hearing officer with a single motion. An applicant or interested party may request a public hearing on this matter. To do so, send a letter to this office at the address below or send an email to pdh@co.slo.ca.us by 12/12/2025 at 4:30 PM. The letter or email must include the language “I would like to request a hearing on C-DRC2025-00026.”

If you challenge this matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this public notice or in written correspondence delivered to the appropriate authority at or before the public hearing.

Ysabel Eighmy

Secretary, Planning Department Hearing

December 4, 2025

CITY OF ATASCADERO

Public Safety Facilities Temporary Fire Station #1 Project No. C2021B01(T1)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT

The City of Atascadero will receive bids for the “Public Safety Facilities Temporary Fire Station #1” at the Atascadero City Hall, 6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero, CA until December 18, 2025 at 1:30 P.M., when they will be publicly opened.

Proposals received after said time will not be considered. Proposals shall be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly marked with the project title, bidder’s name, and address.

The Contractor must possess a valid CLASS A CONTRACTOR’S LICENSE at the time of award. This project is subject to the payment of Prevailing Wages, therefore the Contractor shall pay all wages and penalties as required by applicable law.

Per SB 854 (Stat. 2014, Chapter 28), no contractor or subcontractor may work or be listed on a bid proposal unless registered with the DIR. Every bid must be accompanied by a certified check/cashier’s check or bidder’s bond for 10% of the bid amount, payable to the City of Atascadero.

Bid packages will be available by November 25, 2025 to download for a fee of $22.00 on the City website, www.atascadero.org or at www.QuestCDN.com using project number eBid #9971348.

Question may be directed to the City of Atascadero at 805-470-3180 or dprice@atascadero.org

Run Dates: December 4, 2025 and December 11, 2025

CITY OF PISMO BEACH STATE OF CALIFORNIA

NOTICE TO PROPOSERS

PROPOSALS will be received electronically by the City of Pismo Beach via the City’s e-Procurement Portal PlanetBids, until 2:00 p.m., on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 for performing work as follows:

OWNER’S

ADVISOR FOR DESIGN BUILD CENTRAL COAST BLUE

The City of Pismo Beach (City) is interested in acquiring the services of a qualified firm to serve as the Owner’s Advisor (OA) for the City’s Advanced Water Purification Facility, aka Central Coast Blue (Project). The City is the Owner of the Project.

The scope of services includes leading the development of the design-build RFQ/P and rating criteria, ensuring alignment with project goals and risk management best practices; assisting the City in the creation of a design-build RFQ/P and rating criteria to achieve the selection of the DesignBuild Entity (DBE); advising the City on risk identification and mitigation strategies relevant to procurement; strategizing with City staff and providing recommendations to overcome potential issues and obstacles both forward-looking and as they present themselves; actively participating in design build progress meetings and assisting the City with reviewing of submittals, schematics, cost reports, maintaining an overall project schedule, and reviewing the design documents at various stages to confirm specifications and project scope is met; confirming that all work complies with grant requirements; preparing regular progress reports and communicating proactively with the City.

All questions must be submitted in writing through the PlanetBids Procurement Question/Answer Tab via the City’s e-Procurement portal, on or before the Question & Answer Submission Date and Time. All questions submitted and answers provided shall be electronically distributed to all proposers who have selected to “follow” this RFP on the City’s e-Procurement Portal.

Proposals must be submitted online using the City’s electronic bidding platform which can be accessed at www.pismobeach. org/bids.

ERICA INDERLIED CITY CLERK

November 27 & December 4, 2025

ADMINISTRATIVE PERMIT PUBLIC HEARING

The City of San Luis Obispo’s Zoning Hearing Officer will hold a public hearing at 2:30 p.m. or later on Monday, December 15, 2025, in Conference Room 1, at 919 Palm Street, to consider the following: 1. 328 Marsh St. MOD-0869-2025; Request to modify Minor Use Permit A 4-10 to remove Conditions No. 1216 related to the concurrent sales of motor fuel and alcoholic beverages. This project is categorically exempt from environmental review (CEQA); C-R Zone; Mission Station, Inc., applicant. (Mallory Patino)

PLEASE NOTE: Any court challenge to the actions taken on these public hearing items may be limited to considering only those issues raised at the public hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City of San Luis Obispo at, or prior to, the public hearing. December 4, 2025

copy of the full text of the Ordinance is available for review by contacting the City Clerk at 805-473-5400. /s/ Jessica Matson, City Clerk December 4, 2025 CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE

DEVELOPMENTS

This Ordinance Summary is published in accordance with the provisions of Government Code Section 36933. On November 25, 2025, the City Council voted 4-0 to introduce an Ordinance amending sections 16.20.180 and 16.32.060 of the Arroyo Grande

at the City Council Chamber, 215 E Branch Street, Arroyo Grande, CA.

A certified copy of the full text of the Ordinance is available for review by contacting the City Clerk at 805-473-5400. /s/ Jessica Matson, City Clerk December 4, 2025

CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE GRANTING TO PHILLIPS 66, LLC A PIPELINE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN PIPELINE FOR THE TRANSPORT OF OIL, AND OTHER SPECIFIED MATERIAL, IN THE CITY OF ARROYO GRAND

This Ordinance Summary is published in accordance with the provisions of Government Code Section 36933. On November 25, 2025, the City Council voted 5-0 to introduce an Ordinance granting Phillips 66, LLC a Franchise Agreement to construct, operate, and maintain pipeline for the transport of oil and other specified material in the city of Arroyo Grande.

The City Council must vote again to adopt the Ordinance. That action is scheduled to take place at a Regular Meeting of the City Council on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the City Council Chamber, 215 E Branch Street, Arroyo Grande, CA.

A certified copy of the full text of the Ordinance is available for review by contacting the City Clerk at 805-473-5400. /s/ Jessica Matson, City Clerk December 4, 2025

Free Will Astrology

by Rob Brezsny

Homework: Could you heal someone else by teaching what healed you? Newsletter.freewillastrology.com

ARIES

(March 21-April 19): Here are two of your birthrights as an Aries: to be the spark that ignites the fire and the trailblazer who doesn’t wait for permission. I invite you to embody both of those roles to the max in the coming weeks. But keep these caveats in mind: Your flame should provide light and warmth but not rouse scorching agitation. Your intention should be to lead the way, not stir up drama or demand attention. Be bold and innovative, my dear, but always with rigorous integrity. Be sensitive and receptive as you unleash your gorgeous courage. In my vision of your future, you’re the wise guide who inspires and includes, who innovates and reflects. You fight for interdependence, not dominance.

TAURUS

(April 20-May 20): Here’s a key theme: microdoses of courage. You don’t need to summon splashy acts of epic heroism. Subtle rebellions against numbness and ignorance may be all that’s required. Your understated superpowers will be tactful surges of honesty and gentle interventions in challenging transitions. So be brave in ways that feel manageable, Taurus. Don’t push yourself to be a fearless warrior. The trembling truth-teller is your best role model. As an experiment to get started, say yes to two things that make you nervous but don’t terrify you.

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20): Your inner ear contains three canals filled with fluid. They act like gyroscopes, telling you which way is up, how fast you’re moving, and when to stop. Your ability to maintain your balance depends on their loyal service. Without them, you couldn’t orient yourself in space. Moral of the story: You stabilize yourself through constant adjustment. Let’s make this a metaphor for your current assignment. Your ability to remain poised, centered, and grounded will require ongoing adaptations. It won’t work to remain still and fixed. You will have to keep calibrating and adapting.

CANCER

often, it’s how the power and virtue come fully alive and thrive. Many people don’t like this fact of life. They are fixated on the delusion that more is always better. In the coming weeks, Libra, I invite you to be a connoisseur of lagom. To do it right, you may have to strenuously resist peer pressure and groupthink.

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In Bangkok markets, elderly women sell caged birds. Why? For the specific purpose of releasing them. Those who buy a captive sparrow or dove immediately open the cage door and let the creature fly away in a symbolic gesture of compassion and spiritual aspiration. It’s a Buddhist act believed to bring good karma to the person who sets the bird free. I invite you to imagine yourself performing this sacrament, Scorpio, or perhaps conducting an actual ritual with the equivalent purpose. Now is a fun and fertile time to liberate an outdated belief, a conversation you keep replaying, or a version of yourself that’s no longer relevant. Take your cue from the signs that appear in the Bangkok market: Letting go is a form of prayer.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The world’s oldest known musical composition is the Hurrian Hymn No. 6. It was discovered etched on clay tablets in Syria, dating back to 1400 BCE. When finally decoded and performed, it revealed harmonies that still resonate with modern listeners. Your projects in the coming months could share this timeless quality, Sagittarius. You will have an enhanced power to bridge your past and your future. A possibility you’ve been nurturing for months or even years may finally ripen into beautiful completion. Watch for opportunities to synergize tradition with innovative novelty or deep-rooted marvels with sweet, breezy forms of expression.

CAPRICORN

(June 21-July 22): Let’s extol the value of productive confusion: the disorienting state when your old maps no longer match the territory. Your beloved certainties shudder and dissipate, and you don’t know what you don’t know. This isn’t a failure of understanding, but the ripe precondition for a breakthrough. The caterpillar doesn’t smoothly or instantly transition into a butterfly. First it dissolves into chaotic goo and simmers there for a while. Conclusion: Stay in the not-knowing a little longer.

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22): Coffee from Java, orchids from Iceland, and grapes from Vesuvius, Italy: What do these bounties have in common? They flourish in the extra fertile soil created by volcanic eruptions. The molten lava that initially leveled everything in its path later cooled and became a repository of rich nutrients. I expect a milder version of this theme for you, Leo. Events and energies that at first cause disruption will eventually become vitalizing and even healing. Challenges will lead to nourishment.

VIRGO

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Gardeners in Japan spend years training bonsai trees to grow into elegant shapes. The process requires extraordinary patience, close listening, and an intimate relationship with an ever-changing life form. I invite you to approach your current projects with this mindset. You may feel tempted to expedite the growth that’s unfolding. You might feel pressure to “complete” or “optimize.” But the flourishing of your work depends on subtle attunement, not brute progress. Pay tender attention to what wants to emerge slowly. Tend to it with care. Time is your collaborator, not your enemy. You’re weaving lasting beauty.

LIBRA

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The Swedish concept of lagom means “not too much, not too little, but just right.” It suggests that the best option may be in the middle rather than in the extremes. Yes, sometimes that means an uneasy compromise. But more

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I’m taking a risk here by urging you cautious Capricorns to at least flirt with the Finnish tradition of drinking alcohol at home alone in your underwear with no intention of going out. I’m certainly not encouraging you to get so hammered that you can’t safely wander outdoors. My point is to give yourself permission to celebrate your amazing, mysterious, beautiful life with a bout of utterly uninhibited relaxation and totally indulgent contentment. I authorize you to be loose and free and even slightly irresponsible. Let your private pleasures reign supreme.

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the Quechua language, the word ayllu refers to a kinship system not just of people, but of animals, ancestors, dreams, and nature. To be aligned with one’s ayllu is to live in reciprocity, in the ongoing exchange of care and meaning among the entire web of life. “We belong to what we love,” the Quecha elders say. Aquarius, I believe you’re being asked to focus on your ayllu. Who or what comprises your circle of belonging? Which beings, places, and unseen presences help weave the pattern of your treasured destiny? Whom do you create for—not as audience, but as kin who receive and answer your song? As you nourish your connections in the coming weeks, pay special attention to those who respect your idiosyncrasies. It’s not your birthright to simply fit in. Your utter uniqueness is one of your greatest gifts, and it’s your sacred duty to give it.

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20): In Yoruba cosmology, the divine spirit Oshun presides over rivers, love, beauty, and sweet water. But her sweetness isn’t a weakness. It’s a sublime power, as evidenced by how her waters once restored life to the barren earth when every other force had failed. You Pisceans are now channeling extra strong currents of Oshun energy. Your tenderness is magnetic. Your imaginative flourishes are as valuable as gold. And your love, when rooted in your sovereign self-respect, is healing. But don’t let your nurturing be exploited. Choose wisely where you share your bounty. The right people will honor your flow, not judge it or try to change it. Your duty is to be uninhibitedly yourself and let your lyrical truths ripple freely. ∆