Sun, April 1, 2026 by New Times Media Group, San Luis Obispo

Mike & Nick: funny sci-fi crime [20]

Caught on camera

New evidence based on bus video footage led to mistrial, guilty plea in deadly forklift crash case [6]

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

The evidence collected and produced by law enforcement can change the outcome of a criminal case. New evidence introduced in the vehicular manslaughter case against David Baskett caused a mistrial and eventually led to plea deal. Baskett recently pleaded guilty to operating the forklift that killed 39-yearold Tiffany Ann Peterson and received a year of probation for the crime. Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood writes about the case, the new evidence, and the sentence [6] Also, find stories about Pea Soup Andersen’s potential demolition [4]; an Orcutt comic book artist who’s excited for the upcoming local comic con [18]; and where to find heirloom tomato varieties, flowers, and more [22]

Camillia Lanham editor

•U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) issued a statement on March 27 after the Senate passed funding for all elements of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) except for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) border security operations. “For months, we’ve been clear: no blank checks for Trump’s lawless ICE and Border Patrol,” Padilla stated. “Senate Democrats stood united and have successfully blocked additional funding for Trump’s mass deportation effort. … We have all seen the harm and the fear that this administration has inflicted on communities across this country—rogue, masked agents terrorizing communities, detaining and deporting children and veterans, and even killing United States citizens.” In response, people across the country are demanding accountability through peaceful protests, Padilla continued, while adding that “the fight is far from over.” On March 23, Padilla voted against U.S. Sen Markwayne Mullin’s (R-Oklahoma) confirmation to serve as secretary of the DHS. “Over the past year, we have witnessed a lawless ICE and CBP—agencies that have operated without accountability or restraint. It’s one thing to change the name at the top of the agency; it’s another thing to change the agency’s practices and policies,” Padilla stated. “We need real change. We need reform. And we need leaders who will push back against Donald Trump and Stephen Miller ’s cruel and destructive mass deportation agenda.”

•Gov. Gavin Newsom convened national and state leaders in Sacramento on March 26 “to advance solutions for boys and young men,” specifically to address challenges ranging from disconnection and declining workforce participation to worsening mental health outcomes, according to Newsom’s office. “At a time when too many boys feel isolated and without direction, California is creating opportunities for connection and clear pathways to succeed,” Newsom stated. Supporting boys early in school and at home “is key to reducing this mental health crisis,” State Sen. Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) said in a March 26 statement. Since 2019, more than 667,000 new apprenticeships for young Californians were created—exceeding Newsom’s goal of creating 500,000 apprenticeships by 2029, according to his office.

•On March 27, U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-California) joined U.S. Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan), Todd Young (R-Indiana), and John Curtis (R-Utah) to introduce the bipartisan Public Integrity in Financial Markets Act of 2026. The bill prohibits federally elected officials and government employees from using insider information to bet on a prediction market contract. “The prediction markets industry can’t be left alone to self-police,” Schiff said in a March 27 release. “That’s why we need strong rules to protect against elected officials exploiting insider information to profit on prediction markets. I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort to crack down on this insidious form of insider trading.” Schiff’s office stated in its release that, “as noted in multiple news reports around the Iran war strikes,” elected and government officials at all levels are privy to confidential information that could appear on a prediction market. The proposed legislation would ban them from using material nonpublic information of any kind on any event contract. “Recent activity in prediction markets has raised real concerns that individuals with access to sensitive, nonpublic information could exploit that advantage for financial gain,” Sen. Young said in a March 27 statement. “Our bill will prohibit elected officials, staff, and executive branch employees from trading prediction market event contracts based on information acquired as part of their official duties. This is a sensible step to protect taxpayers and promote integrity in government.” m

ALL THINGS MUST PASS: Pea Soup Andersen’s closed its 1924-established Buellton location in January 2024, during the first week of its centennial anniversary. Buellton officials are now in talks about plans related to the building’s proposed demolition.

Historical landmark policy complicates Pea Soup Andersen’s demolition

Pea Soup Andersen’s future demolition hinges on how Buellton decides to preserve parts of the more than 100-year-old building.

Designated by elected leaders as an official city landmark in 2020, the restaurant has been closed since early 2024. That year also marked its centennial.

For Buellton to approve the shuttered eatery’s demolition, staff told the City Council at its March 26 meeting that certain preservation measures may need to be taken—depending on the outcome of a “historical resources report” in progress, to mitigate “the loss of a local historic resource.”

The council could consider approving the removal of different parts of the existing Pea Soup Andersen’s building and allowing its owner to transport them to other areas, City Manager Scott Wolfe explained.

“It’s a considerable amount of work,” Wolfe told the council, “[but] the property owner has indicated a willingness to do it.”

Councilmember Hudson Hornick asked Wolfe what kind of future development the site owner is hoping for.

“We don’t have any kind of plans, or an application, or anything of the sort,” Wolfe replied. “Our primary concern with that site [tonight] is less what it’s going to turn into and more … [the] removal of that building.”

What staff was looking for, “at this point,” Buellton Planning Director Andrea Keefer said, was direction from the council on whether staff should explore the possibility of relocating some of the existing building to a large grass median (known as median 3) in the Avenue of Flags corridor.

“Obviously with the Avenue of Flags specific plan, the approved design style is art deco, and this building is clearly not art deco,” Keefer told the council. “So, that is basically the crux of our question here—given the building that it is.”

Hornick said he wouldn’t support simply “lopping off a piece of the building and plopping it” on the median.

“I think it’s a cool idea to honor Pea Soup [Andersen’s], ... but … I’d be worried about piecemealing median 3 alongside this, and whatever is potentially coming on the Pea Soup Andersen’s site,” Hornick said. “I would like to have clarity on at least what the developer’s thinking on that site.”

Mayor David Silva said he would like to see “more creative ways” to pay homage to the 102-year-old building’s legacy.

Moving forward with the median 3 proposal, in his view, would lead to “an affront to our business community—to have forced them to go through the art deco [protocol] and then say, ‘We’ll add this Danish cottage in the middle of the street.”

While Councilmember Elysia Lewis said she’s not a fan of the city’s art deco design policy for the Avenue of Flags corridor, she’s also not a fan of the median pitch.

“We’ve had a multitude of discussions about art deco. I’ve made it pretty clear that it’s not my favorite choice. However, that is the choice we have gone with and changing it at this point in time would negatively impact people who have already started developing or interested in developing,” Lewis said. “While I’m a huge supporter of preserving whatever we can, I don’t think that is the place for it to go if we do preserve it.”

Councilmember John Sanchez said the relocation proposal “just doesn’t make any sense to me.”

“It’s a nice thought, but what I think we have to come up with is another plan for the preservation. Maybe some kind of plaque, but not to move an old building to another site,” Sanchez said. “It would never work. It would never pass any kind of inspection, and it couldn’t be built back to state standards.”

Hornick asked Wolfe for clarification on the existing building’s condition, in relation to its owner’s application to demolish it.

“I was under the impression that the building was questionable in terms of its resiliency, of standing upright?” he asked. Wolfe confirmed that was correct.

The council directed staff to return with alternative preservation proposals ahead of the restaurant’s anticipated demolition, although there’s no clear timeline on it yet, Planning Director Keefer said.

“If I had to pull out my crystal ball, I’d say maybe three to six months,” she estimated, “and that’s being generous.”

—Caleb Wiseblood

SBCAG wants more people to use its guaranteed ride home program

Thousands of people commute on public transportation every day in Santa Barbara County, but there even more who could make the switch. For some, fears of delayed buses

or family emergencies mean residents drive themselves to work.

But officials want more of the workforce to use public transportation and vanpool to reduce traffic congestion. An initiative from the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), the guaranteed ride home program, is a backup option for unplanned circumstances. It reimburses commuters for buying an Uber or Lyft home, plus a 15 percent tip.

“We see this as a perfect time to remind people of their transit options and vanpool or carpool around the county,” Aaron Bonfilio, SBCAG’s director of multimodal programs, told the Sun. “The cost of fuel has gone up a lot, and we’ve seen a lot of additional interest in using buses or trains or even biking to and from work, and so this program is meant to help support that.”

For the first time in more than a decade the SBCAG board of directors has a chance to expand the program, Bonfilio said. If approved on April 16, the program will see three main changes.

Individuals could receive $300 per year in reimbursements, up from $220. Instead of four rides per year, they’d be able to request refunds for 12, and lastly, road closures caused by natural disasters would be covered.

“We’re very excited to have more participation with these changes from all over the county,” Bonfilio said.

With funding from Measure A and the state, SBCAG sets aside $5,000 every year for guaranteed rides home. In 2025 the organization issued a little more than $1,700 for 32 reimbursements, according to a staff report. Bonfilio said SBCAG needed to give residents more opportunities to use the program.

To request reimbursement, commuters must make an account on smartride.org. They select from eligible reasons including personal or family illness, unexpected overtime, bus cancellations, a flat bike tire, and natural disasters. Once approved, SBCAG sends a check in the mail to cover the expense. Most residents who currently use the program commute to the Santa Barbara area from their homes in North County or Ventura County, Bonfilio said. He hopes once the program grows, it’ll encourage more people to take longer trips on transit.

“We hope that these changes will help get the word out and increase utilization,” Bonfilio said. “Our hope is to make a small program like this available to really move the needle on who can take advantage of the transit systems.”

After incorporating feedback from two advisory committee meetings on April 1 and 2, Bonfilio and his team will seek approval from the SBCAG board of directors at the April 16 meeting. Visit sbcag.org for more information. —Madison White

Steve Bridge’s sons are witnesses in felony fraud case

Receipts for fixing leaky pipes and installing lights are at the heart of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s investigation into Lompoc Councilmember Steve Bridge’s invoices.

In late 2025, Bridge was arraigned in Santa Maria Superior Court for eight felony counts, including forgery, identity theft, grand theft, and fraudulent use of a contractor’s license.

A total of 15 criminal counts—including both felony and misdemeanor charges—made it into an amended March 11 complaint. It was updated amid ongoing preliminary hearings in Santa Barbara County Superior Court’s Lompoc division to determine whether the case goes to trial.

April 2 will mark the fourth day, starting at 10 a.m., of the preliminary hearings, which began on March 19.

The District Attorney’s preliminary hearing brief, filed on March 17, outlines its investigation into three separate city of Lompoc rebate applications that Bridge filed for contract work completed by “Turner Construction.”

“No such business exists, and any work performed—if performed at all—was done by Bridge and his son, Scott Turner, neither of whom is a licensed contractor,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Brian Cota wrote in the brief. “The use of ‘Turner Construction’ was designed to create the false impression that a licensed contractor had been involved.”

To qualify for the city rebate programs, the paperwork needs to include a licensed contractor’s license number.

According to court documents, when county District Attorney Investigator Ronald Murillo interviewed Bridge about the rebate applications he filed for work completed by him and his son Turner, Bridge admitted that he found “a contractor’s license number on the internet that had ‘Turner’ in the name” to create false invoices.

“Bridge knew that the work needed to be performed by a licensed contractor, and he knew that had not occurred,” Cota wrote.

Another summarized takeaway from Murillo’s interview with Bridge included the direct quote: “They needed a receipt to document the work that was done, so I ginned that thing up.”

The license number Bridge used belonged to Turner & Associate in Escondido. That license expired in 1994.

“He further acknowledged that ‘maybe that’s fraud’ and that it was ‘probably a little shady,’” Cota wrote about Murillo’s interview with Bridge.

“Whatever disputes may exist regarding the facts or the law in this matter, one point is beyond debate: Those statements—made about the manner in which Bridge obtained public funds—are words no sitting member of the Lompoc City Council should ever utter,” Cota wrote.

According to court documents, Bridge received about $5,000 each for two city lighting rebate program applications and about $900 from a city leak repair rebate program.

The work tied to each application, spanning across different dates and Lompoc locations in 2024 and 2025, was recorded as completed by “Turner Construction,” as Bridge listed with the expired Turner & Associate license number.

One of the Lompoc locations with recorded repair work was Certain Sparks Music, a music studio and storefront co-owned by one of Bridge’s sons, Brandon Bridge. He currently serves as a Lompoc Planning Commissioner.

On March 23, the court granted both of Bridge’s sons on the witness list “use immunity,” according to court documents. This order “does not grant immunity for the crime of perjury.”

“Bridge’s position as a council member placed him squarely within the class of officials ‘charged with’ responsibility over the public monies he misappropriated,” Cota wrote in court documents. “Bridge was not merely a public officer—he was a member of the legislative body that created, funded, and exercised ultimate authority over the rebate program from which he stole.” m

—Caleb Wiseblood

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Caught on camera

BY CALEB WISEBLOOD

Nearly two years after pleading not guilty to vehicular manslaughter, Santa Maria resident

David Baskett agreed to plead guilty to killing a local resident while driving a forklift.

Baskett’s March 24 plea followed new evidence that Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorney Ryan Clausen said contradicted what the 83-year-old originally told Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) officers.

“The defendant intentionally provided false information to SMPD at the time of the crash,” Clausen wrote in court documents.

On May 2, 2024, Chumash Casino bus driver Alberto Paz was heading south down Skyway Drive around 3 p.m. when an obstacle in the road ahead forced him to switch lanes.

Moments later, Paz saw in his rearview mirror a pickup truck run into the same obstacle he’d just maneuvered away from—8-foot-long steel blades sticking out from a 21-foot-long forklift at the corner of Hangar Street and Skyway.

The forklift prongs were elevated 4 feet from the ground when they sliced through the truck’s windshield, hit passenger Tiffany Ann Peterson in the head, and killed her instantly, according to court documents. She was 39.

Her father, Charlie Peterson, the truck’s driver, 65 at the time, was injured but survived the crash.

“The front of the truck was thrown into the air, eventually coming to a stop further down Skyway after it hit a fire hydrant,” court documents stated.

When authorities arrived that afternoon, SMPD officers questioned Baskett and asked him to show them where the forklift he’d been driving was at the time of the crash.

“The only information SMPD officers had at the time regarding the exact location of the forklift came from [the] defendant,” Deputy District Attorney Clausen said in court documents.

The speed limit on Skyway Drive is 55 mph.

In June 2024, the Chumash Casino Resort provided video footage from bus driver Paz’s shuttle “which shows the forklift’s position moments before the crash,” according to court documents.

“When you compare the location of the forklift in the video to the location where defendant positioned it for SMPD’s photographs and measurements, the forklift was clearly positioned by defendant farther back from the roadway than it had actually been at the time of impact,” Clausen argued in court.

Paz described the truck as traveling behind him “at a similar speed” to the bus, roughly 52 mph, according to Clausen.

“Based on … the video from the Chumash bus, the statement of the bus driver, and the testimony of the defense expert, … I requested that SMPD use the same forklift to create accurate demonstrative evidence showing the forklift in the same position it was in on the video,” Clausen wrote.

The bus’s video footage the Police Department used to reconstruct the crime scene on Feb. 26 wasn’t available to officers the day of the fatal collision, court documents explained. On March 2, Judge O’Neil ruled that Baskett’s defense didn’t get adequate notice about the new reconstruction evidence and granted the defense’s motion for a mistrial.

‘The defendant intentionally provided false information to SMPD at the time of the crash.’

—Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorney Ryan Clausen

The District Attorney’s Office asked the Police Department to conduct a reconstruction of the scene after a Feb. 20, 2026, pre-trial proceeding where county Superior Court Judge Karen O’Neil determined that the pickup truck’s speed before crashing “may be relevant” to a jury trial, along with testimony from an expert witness on behalf of the defense.

“At that [Feb. 20] hearing, defendant’s expert estimated the speed of the truck the victim was in at over 76 miles per hour based on measurements that SMPD took on the day of the crash,” Clausen said in court documents.

“The people’s argument was that the disclosure did not violate the rules of discovery and that the reconstruction would not be used except to rebut a potential defense argument,” Clausen told the Sun via email. “However, the defense argued that they would not be able to competently represent the defendant without more time to review the new information. Based on that representation from the defense, we could not have proceeded with trial.”

Less than a month later, Baskett pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter as part of a plea agreement with the District Attorney’s Office. Along with his year-long probation sentence, he was ordered to complete a traffic safety course and 100 hours of community service and is forbidden from driving any heavy equipment.

The Sun reached out to Baskett and his defense attorney, Adrienne Harbottle, for comment, but did not receive a response from either before press time.

“The maximum sentence for the crime he is

charged with would be one year in the county jail,” Clausen told the Sun via email. “I cannot speculate on what the judge would have sentenced him to had trial continued.”

Formerly a Santa Maria Public Airport District board member, Baskett was listed in court documents as the CEO of International Emergency Services Inc., a company located at the airport.

On the day of the collision in 2024, Baskett was driving a CAT TL1255 telehandler forklift to “move items” at the airport’s hangars that belonged to International Emergency Services Inc. The 21-foot-long forklift model was a rental, and Baskett was on his way back to Quinn Rentals in Santa Maria when he drove up to merge onto Skyway Drive from Hangar Street, according to court documents.

Since June 2024, Baskett has been engaged in an active civil lawsuit against the Santa Maria Public Airport District that stemmed from the fatal collision he was convicted of. Not long after the crash, according to Baskett, his air operations area (AOA) badge was revoked, and he was unable to re-enter the hangar where he was working that day.

“I have now been shut out of the AOA for more than 50 days since the lockout, which started less than two hours after the tragic accident,” Baskett wrote in his complaint on June 26, 2024.

“This case is about the violation of civil rights of an elected official, a tenant, and a veteran,” he continued. “Each day the unjustified lockout continues is another day of harm.”

Baskett last amended the ongoing lawsuit this year on Jan. 14. Along with accusing the airport of violating his civil and tenant rights, Baskett accused the Airport District of theft, destroying private property, breaking and entering, and breach of lease agreement.

Baskett’s experience as an elected official isn’t limited to his former role on the Airport District’s board. His current term on the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District’s board ends this December. He was elected in 2022.

Kenny Klein, public information officer for the school district, told the Sun via email that meeting the eligibility requirements to serve on the board includes not being legally disqualified from holding civil office.

“A person is legally disqualified if they have been convicted of certain offenses. While we are unaware of the specific terms of Mr. Baskett’s plea agreement, disqualifying convictions generally include certain felonies, not misdemeanors,” Klein explained, “or crimes involving the member’s official duties.”

There’s no official process to remove an elected member like Baskett from his position if, hypothetically, his peers on the school board were to want to vote him out of office, as “the board has no authority to remove another elected official from the board,” Klein said. m

Reach Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood at cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.

ELECTED OFFICIAL: Recently convicted of vehicular manslaughter, David Baskett was elected in 2022 to the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District board. His four-year term ends this December.

Squirming around

Up your composting game with help from some red wigglers

BY MADISON WHITE

Hundreds of worms can work wonders for a garden from right inside the living room. One pound of red wigglers—roughly 500 to 1,000 worms—can fit in a vermicomposting bin the size of a foot stool, churning organic waste into healthy compost.

In an average composting environment, the mixture needs to be turned over regularly to make sure it’s getting enough air. Worms do that job on their own just by living in the material and wiggling around.

The Santa Barbara County Resource Recovery and Waste Management Division sells vermicomposting bins at the Public Works office for a discounted rate of $50 compared to the regular $70 price tag. Program specialist Elizabeth Braun oversees the department’s backyard composting program and the countywide vermicomposting campaign.

“[Worms] eat the food scraps, and then their poop is called black gold—really valuable, nutrient-rich droppings,” Braun said. “It’s really, really valuable for gardening.”

Add organic waste every week and change out the “bedding” monthly with new dried leaves or newspaper to keep the worms happy. They’ll reproduce on their own.

“It’s keeping everything really cyclical. It’s saving landfill space. It’s ultimately saving money. Your bill is always going to be cheaper if you can reduce the amount of trash.”

Cities and the county try to make sorting waste as accessible as possible. Small kitchen scrap bins are available at no cost for Santa Maria residents at the Utilities Department (2065 E. Main St.) or the Parks and Recreation Department (615 S. McClelland St.). Residents in unincorporated areas can visit the county Public Works office to pick theirs up at 620 W. Foster Road in Santa Maria.

Even commercial businesses and schools can get food scrap bins, plus signs and training for staff, Braun said. When communities see organics diversion more often, it’ll become normalized.

Get your worm on

To learn more about how to properly manage all kinds of waste, visit lessismore.org or follow on Instagram @less.is.more.sb. Submit questions online at lessismore.org/ contact-us. Buy a vermicomposter at 620 W. Foster Road in Santa Maria and get a 10 percent discount on worms at the nearby Growing Grounds Farm (820 W. Foster Road).

Passersby in Old Orcutt on April 18 can learn more about the county’s composting and recycling programs during the Earth Day festival.

Braun said the biggest challenge in North County is that people don’t know their kitchen scraps and yard waste should be diverted into green bins instead of the trash can, mandated by SB 1383. When organic materials end up in landfills, they release methane, a greenhouse gas 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide, Braun said.

Contents of residents’ green bins are taken to the Engel and Gray composting facility in Santa Maria and then to local farms.

“You’re creating this really nutritious compost that’s fantastic for crops that are grown at our local farms that feed us,” Braun said.

In addition to composting, the county also leads efforts for recycling. The biggest misconception is how to deal with plastics. As a rule of thumb, the firmer plastics numbers 1, 2, and 5 can be recycled, Braun explained. Soft plastics like chip bags should be thrown in the trash.

“People think we just don’t recycle things, which couldn’t be further from the truth,” Braun said. “We’re trying to recycle as much as possible and pull out as much value.”

Braun also wants residents to know the county has great waste management systems in place, if they’re used correctly.

“We’re in a really wonderful area of the world to have our waste managed and not to have it ending up in the environment and causing a lot of pollution and being eaten by birds or ending up in our oceans,” Braun said. “If you’re managing your stuff correctly, then you’re doing a great job.”

Highlights

• Learn about the impacts of parental media use with First 5 Santa Barbara County during its third annual virtual Ed Talk. The event will be held over Zoom on April 30 from 10 to 11 a.m. Register for the free event at countyofsb.org/4010/Ed-Talk. “The irony of all of us staring at screens to talk about screen time is not lost on us,” organizers said in press materials.

• Downtown Fridays returned to Santa Maria on March 27 but

in a new location due to construction. It’s now held on a closed-off part McClelland Street stretching from the library to Boone Street. Weather permitting, the event features food trucks, vendors, face painting, and live music every Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. m

Reach Staff Writer Madison White at mwhite@santamariasun.com.

The City of Santa Maria Utilities Department is providing City residents with a FREE landscape burlap and three MPR1000 Rotator sprinklers and anti-leak sprinkler bodies. This promotion is to remind all homeowners, gardeners, and landscapers to Go Green in the Spring by pulling weeds and collecting clippings to spruce up landscaping, planting drought-tolerant plants to conserve water, and regularly checking irrigation sprinklers and outdoor faucets to address any leaks. Promotion is available in April while supplies last. Call to reserve today.

DOING THE DIRTY WORK: In a vermicomposting bin, hundreds of worms churn food scraps and yard waste to make nutrient-rich compost for gardening.

What is North County’s biggest ongoing issue?

46% Revitalizing downtown Santa Maria.

27% Water rights.

27% Representation on city councils.

0% The Northern Branch Jail. 11 Votes

Vote online at www.santamariasun.com.

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Tangled web

Lompoc Councilman Steve Bridge’s fraud case moves forward, exposing layers of alleged deception

BY RON FINK

In 1808 Sir Walter Scott wrote, “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!”

The preliminary hearing for Lompoc City Councilman Steve Bridge for multiple felonies and a few misdemeanors related to the receipt of reimbursements from the city of Lompoc has produced just such a tangled web concerning how he and his family conduct business. These actions are related to utility rebates for work performed for the Odd Fellows Lodge and a music business co-owned by one of Bridge’s sons.

Bridge was originally charged with complaints alleging submittal of altered or false documents to the city of Lompoc to support utility reimbursement for electrical upgrades and water leak repairs. The District Attorney later amended the filing to add “failure to secure workers compensation insurance by an unlicensed contractor”; those employees, it turns out, included his sons.

As the case proceeded in court, his sons were summoned to testify to various charges involving their father. As they were questioned, it appears that they also may need legal representation for their involvement in the alleged crimes of their father.

The Santa Maria Times reported it this way, “Deputy District Attorney Brian Cota’s line of questioning suggested potential involvement by Scott Turner and Brandon Bridge in the financial practices under scrutiny,” (“Questioning extends to Bridge’s sons Friday, prompts call for legal representation,” March 20).

Concerning the allegation that Bridge had personally benefited from the Utility Rebate program, the Times report said that Randall Sena, owner of Certain Sparks Music, “confirmed that a city credit of nearly $4,917 appeared on the Certain Sparks utility

account, which he had personally confirmed with the city, for an amount that Bridge, a cosigner on the music school’s bank account, paid to himself,” (“Invoices, rebate filings are focus of Bridge preliminary hearing Thursday,” March 20).

To further complicate matters, the Times reported, “It was also noted that in efforts to respond to the prosecutor’s subpoena ahead of the hearing, Sena reached out to Bridge who largely completed the task— including producing the legal declaration, which Sena simply signed and submitted to the District Attorney’s Office.”

Qualification for a rebate on projects like these requires submitting invoices by a licensed contractor; neither Steve Bridge nor his sons are licensed contractors, and the contractor ID number they submitted had been issued to someone else and had been expired for more than three decades.

Noozhawk has reported that “Steve Bridge’s attorney, Michael Scott, asked whether Brandon Bridge had been told that the work needed to be done by licensed contractors. The son answered no,” (“Case Against Lompoc Councilman Focuses on Invoices, Other Documents,” March 24).

Brandon Bridge is a city planning commissioner, and as such he should be familiar with the use of the city of Lompoc website to acquire such information.

The city conservation webpage, which has a rebate application form for both water leaks and lighting upgrade projects, clearly states, “To qualify for this rebate, the lighting (or leak repair) project must be performed by a contractor with an active license, in good standing with the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB).”

How this case will finally play out and whether Steve Bridge or his sons will be found guilty of anything are open to debate. One thing is certain though: Based on testimony in court so far, this appears to be tangled web of actions weaved to deceive. m

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

WRITE

NOW! We want to know what you think about everything. Send your 250-word letter to Sun Letters, 801 S Broadway Suite 3, Santa Maria, CA 93454. You can also fax it (1-805-546-8641) or e-mail it (letters@santamariasun.com). All letters must include a name, address, and phone number for verification purposes; may be edited for space or clarity; and will be posted to santamariasun.com.

Community organizations’ actions may vary from mission statements

I read, with no small degree of amusement, Shirlee Heitman’s letter (“Get educated about local community organizations,” March 26) in response to my commentary published in the March 12 edition of the Sun (“Know before you vote”).

Ms. Heitman takes me to task for my characterization of local nonprofits Indivisible Santa Maria, MICOP, CAUSE, and the Fund for Santa Barbara as activist organizations and proceeds to declare that I am “non-informed,” which she attempts to remedy by quoting the mission statements of each organization.

Mission statements are interesting things. Lofty and aspirational, they purport to indicate the true direction and goals of their organization, much like the campaign promises and pledges we so often hear from those who aspire to elected office. Like campaign promises, mission statements are largely used to increase membership and support as well as for fundraising purposes.

And like campaign promises following an election, the actions we see from the successful candidate may vary widely from what was promised. Those promises are often forgotten. And so it goes with nonprofits and their mission statements.

My characterizations of the local activist organizations contained in my earlier letter were based on years of careful observation of those organizations’ actions, not the promises contained in their mission statements. I remain solidly behind them.

I also remain solidly behind Maribel Aguilera as the superior choice for 5th District supervisor. Roy Reed Santa Maria

The case for renewable energy

Trump’s war on Iran inadvertently makes a case for renewable energy.

Without the free flow of tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, we have a crisis. Twenty percent of the world’s oil and gas passes through this strait. This exposes the depth of our dependence on fossil fuel.

Since the Industrial Revolution in the late 1700s, the use of coal, gas, and oil has become our main source of energy in all aspects of life. It pollutes our planet.

The growing number of high-tech and AI companies use even more of our resources, especially potable water as coolant. This will become scarce in a warming Earth. These companies create unique problems by re-opening old nuclear plants and building new nuclear reactors, their choice of power. Its volatile, hazardous waste cannot be disposed of in normal landfills.

We’ve known about the threat of a warming planet for decades. Already we have lost our four seasons to extreme temperatures, creating chaotic weather events. Order is essential for life; seasons create that order.

Wars were never fought for the acquisition of solar, wind, and thermal resources, nature’s nonpolluting gifts. Further, mainstream media, by omission, censors information about the threat of climate change. But climate change has arrived— and we must partner with nature’s resources now, to stem our disastrous path toward global suicide. Shirley Schaffer and Sarah Newfeld-Green Grover Beach

The Santa Maria Joint Union

High School District

Special Education - Child Find

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

Staff | Special Education | Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (smjuhsd.k12.ca.us)

El Distrito Escolar de las Escuelas

Preparatorias de Santa Maria

Educación Especial - Búsqueda de Estudiantes

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

Staff | Special Education | Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (smjuhsd.k12.ca.us)

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Shady officials Opinion

What’s happening with our elected officials? We’ve got one who just pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter and one who’s being tried for fraud, forgery, and so much more.

enough of a crime to lose your spot as an elected official. And that nerve is still embroiled in a lawsuit with the airport after its actions in response to the deadly accident, which Baskett said violated his rights. His rights?!

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After two years of proclaiming that he did nothing wrong and casting blame on his victim, David Baskett, a former longtime Santa Maria Public Airport District board member and current Santa Maria Joint Union High School District board member, decided to make a deal in light of new evidence.

But the 83-year-old man was only charged with a misdemeanor and sentenced to a year of probation for taking the life of someone half his age when he pulled a forklift out onto Skyway Drive with the forks 4 feet off the ground— that’s 4 feet higher than they should have been. The prosecutor didn’t mince words about Baskett’s actions throughout the case and what he originally told Santa Maria Police Department officers.

“The defendant intentionally provided false information to SMPD at the time of the crash,” Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorney Ryan Clausen wrote in court documents.

A few seconds before the deadly crash, a Chumash Casino Resort bus video captured the forklift and had to swerve to avoid it.

“When you compare the location of the forklift in the video to the location where the defendant positioned it for SMPD’s photographs and measurements, the forklift was clearly positioned by defendant farther back from the roadway

In Lompoc, City Councilmember Steve Bridge seemed to think he had the right to city rebates—so much so that he allegedly falsified receipts and fraudulently used a contracting company’s name and license number to get those rebates. And then supposedly admitted to it when talking to the District Attorney’s Office about the whole thing.

“Bridge knew that the work needed to be performed by a licensed contractor, and he knew that had not occurred,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Brian Cota wrote in court docs.

“He further acknowledged that ‘maybe that’s fraud’ and that it was ‘probably a little shady.’”

Apparently, Bridge said, verbatim: “They needed a receipt to document the work that was done, so I ginned that thing up.”

I don’t know why anyone would admit that to the office that’s going to prosecute them for a crime.

A “little” shady? Forgery, identity theft, fraud. Very shady.

And it’s a family affair! Bridge’s sons are also mired in the mess. And both are testifying as witnesses with the potential of self-incrimination, so they both got a limited immunity from a judge.

What’s happening?

“Bridge’s position as a council member placed him squarely within the class of officials ‘charged with’ responsibility over the public monies he misappropriated,” Cota wrote.

Hot Stuff

CIRCUS THRILLS

The American Crown Circus and Circo Osorio will perform for five nights at Lompoc Airport from Thursday, April 2, to Monday, April 6. Talent from Las Vegas and around the world will execute jaw-dropping aerial and acrobatic acts. Admission is $30. Visit americancrowncircus.com for tickets and showtime information.

—Angie Stevens

ARTS

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

BALLROOM, LATIN, AND SWING DANCE

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

DANCE CLASSES There are weekly dance classes, from ages 2 to adult, at KleinDance Arts Mondays-Saturdays, 4-8 p.m. (805) 268-2530. kleindancearts.com. KleinDance Arts, 1954 S Broadway, Suite J, Santa Maria.

DANCE CLASSES: EVERYBODY CAN

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

FREE BOOK SUNDAYS FOR AGES 0-17

VALLEY ART GALLERY: ROTATING

DISPLAYS Featured artists of Santa Maria’s Valley Art Gallery frequently display their works at the airport. Check website for details on monthly exhibits and full list of the gallery’s artists. ongoing valleygallery.org. Santa Maria Airport, 3217 Terminal Drive, Santa Maria.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

“BESTIES” ARTIST DEBBI GREEN AT GALLERY LOS OLIVOS APRIL 1- 30 Debbi

Green has painted local farm animals,

along with not-so-wild animals and birds in her solo exhibit at Gallery Los Olivos.

Mondays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through April. (805) 688-7517. GalleryLosOlivos.com. Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos.

BETWEEN EARTH & SKY EXHIBIT

Featuring 20 dazzling photos of bright and beautiful birds amidst the backdrop of California wildflowers, Between Earth & Sky showcases some of local photographer Deborah Kalas’ most spirited work. Mondays, Thursdays-Sundays. through April 20 calnatureartmuseum.org. California Nature Art Museum, 1511-B Mission Dr., Solvang.

“WHEN THE EARTH WHISPERS BACK: NATURE’S HOPE” Woman Painters West, an organization of juried professional woman artists (100 + years old) were invited to exhibit at this museum creating paintings that answered their theme. See 48 paintings juried from 100 entries on view at the museum. Through Sept. 16 Canatureartmuseum.org. California Nature Art Museum, 1511-B Mission Dr., Solvang.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

THE CHAIR AUCTION The LVAA presents The Chair Auction, a creative exhibition and month-long silent auction where artists transform everyday chairs into unique works of art. April 2-26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (805) 737-1129. lompocart.org/ events. Lompoc Valley Art Association (Cypress Gallery), 119 E. Cypress, Lompoc. STORY PAINTINGS WARMING HEARTS: AN INTERACTIVE READING Michael Corob will lead an interactive reading from Story Paintings Warming Hearts, sharing joyful paintings, one-page stories, audience questions, and a creative drawing activity. April 4 , 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Free. (805) 737-1129. lompocart.org/events. Lompoc Valley Art Association (Cypress Gallery), 119 E. Cypress, Lompoc.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

AS YOU LIKE IT AGHS Theatre Company presents As You Like It. April 2 7-9 p.m., April 3 7-9 p.m. and April 4 7-9 p.m. $17. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

CELEBRATE POETRY MONTHS WITH THE SLO COUNTY POET LAUREATE CALEB

NICHOLS Delight in Caleb’s poems and share yours at this free event, hosted by the Coastal Dunes Branch of the California Writers Club. April 4 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. coastaldunescwc.com. Nipomo Library, 918 W. Tefft, Nipomo, 929-3994. CLARK CENTER PRESENTS: BEST OF THE SAN FRANCISCO STAND-UP COMEDY COMPETITION The San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition is a highly esteemed event that brings together the finest comedic talent from all corners of the country. April 10, 7:309:30 p.m. $39-$59, Platinum $65; Senior Discounts. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter. org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

GROOVE Groove is an electrifying dance concert showcasing the incredible talent of The Studio of Performing Arts Dance Teams, featuring performers of all ages and an exciting variety of dance styles. This high-energy show celebrates a full year of dedication, passion, and hard work. April 3 7 p.m. and April 4 , 2 & 7 p.m. $15. my805tix.com. The Studio Black Box Theater, 835 W. Grand Ave, Grover Beach, (805) 473-0377.

ROB SCHNEIDER: RESCUE HUSBAND

A stand-up comic and veteran of the award-winning NBC sketch comedy series

Saturday Night Live, Schneider continues his world-wide standup tour. April 4 7:30-9 p.m. $49-$129. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

SLO POET LAUREATE CALEB NICHOLS PRESENTS AT THE NIPOMO LIBRARY IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL POETRY MONTH Celebrate Poetry Month with a reading by the San Luis Obispo County Poet Laureate, Caleb Nichols, at the Nipomo Library. April 4 noon Free. (805) 929-3994. coastaldunescwc.com. Nipomo Library, 918 W. Tefft, Nipomo.

WILD ABOUT HARLOE: HARLOE ELEMENTARY TALENT SHOW Come and see all of the talent that Harloe Elementary Roadrunners have on display this year. April 2 4:30 & 7 p.m. $8. (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.

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.

ACTOR’S EDGE: ACTING CLASSES

Actor’s Edge offers film and television acting training in San Luis Obispo, plus exposure to Los Angeles talent agents. All ages and skill levels welcome. Classes

available in SLO, LA, and on zoom. $210 per month. actorsedge.com. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

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

ALL LEVELS POTTERY CLASSES Anam Cre is a pottery studio in SLO that offers a variety of classes. This specific class is open to any level. Teachers are present for questions, but the class feels more like an open studio time for potters. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. $40. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, anamcre.com.

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.

CERAMIC LESSONS AND MORE Now offering private one-on-one and group lessons in the ceramic arts. Both hand building and wheel throwing options. Beginners welcomed. ongoing (805) 8355893. hmcruceceramics.com/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

CLAY BABY HANDPRINTS Offers a unique experience of pressing your baby’s hand/ foot into clay so parents can cherish this time forever. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays $55. anamcre.com/babyhandprints. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

DATE NIGHT POTTERY Bring your date and throw a cup on the pottery wheel. Next, texture a clay slab and press into a form creating a personalized piece. Guest are welcome to bring drinks; venue provides aprons. Pieces are fired, glazed, and ready in two weeks. Saturdays, 6-7:30 p.m. $140. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

FAMILY FRIENDLY WORKSHOP: LARGE PLATTER CLASS Fun for all ages. Instructors will guide you in creating large platters and decorating them. Create pieces together for your home. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $50. anamcre.com. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

FIRST FRIDAYS Visit SLOMA on the first Friday of each month for exhibition openings, music, and wines provided by regional winery partners. Admission is free and open to the public. First Friday of every month, 5-8 p.m. Free. (805) 543-8562. sloma.org/events/ first-fridays/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo. FREE DOCENT TOURS Gain a deeper understanding of the artwork on view with SLOMA’s new docent tours. Every Saturday, join trained guides for interactive and engaging tours of SLOMA’s current exhibitions. Saturdays, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. (805) 543-8562. sloma.org/visit/tours/. San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

LEARN TO WEAVE MONDAYS An opportunity to learn how a four-shaft loom works. You will get acquainted as a new weaver or as a refresher with lots of tips and tricks. This class includes getting to know a loom, how to prepare/dress a loom, and much much more. Mondays, 1-4 p.m. $75 monthly. (805) 441-8257. Patricia Martin: Whispering Vista Studios, 224 Squire Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo, patriciamartinartist.com.

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. PAINT A PREMADE POTTERY PIECE! Drop into the studio to pick out and paint a premade piece! There is fun for all ages, and prices are based upon size. Mondays, Wednesdays-Saturdays, 2-7:30 p.m. $30-$75. app.acuityscheduling.com/ schedule.php?owner=22676824&appoin tmentType=35974477. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMERICAN CROWN CIRCUS

PET PORTRAITS Create a one-of-akind tribute to your furry friends, while enjoying a fun day with your human pals!

April 11 12-4 p.m. $60. (805) 747-4200. artcentralslo.com. Art Central, 1329 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

SATURDAY FAMILY POTTERY CLASS

This family-friendly open studio time is a wonderful window for any level or age. Saturdays, 11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. $40. Familyfriendly open studio welcomes all ages and skill levels. Book online in advance. Bring an idea; we assist with wheel or handbuilding! Saturdays, 1:30-3 p.m. $40. anamcre.com/. Anam Cre Pottery Studio, 1243 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.

WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?

This timeless drama challenges audiences to confront the complexities of love, communication, and the human desire for connection, making it a profoundly unforgettable experience.

Fridays, 7-9 p.m., Saturdays, 2-4 & 7-9 p.m., Sundays, 2-4 p.m. and Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. through April 9 $28-$47. (805) 786-2440. slorep.org/shows/whos-afraidof-virginia-woolf/. SLO Rep, 888 Morro St., San Luis Obispo.

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

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.

GALLERY AT MARINA SQUARE

PRESENTS ALAN COHEN, ASSEMBLAGES & SCULPTURE Discover whimsical sculptures crafted from driftwood, tackle and reclaimed treasures, transforming beach finds into unique birds, crabs, whales, fish and more. Through April 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 OCEAN’S EDGE - A PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP EXHIBITION

Explore beautiful coastal photography featuring dramatic waterscapes, golden sunsets, and bright landscapes from across California’s Central Coast and the Pacific Ocean. Through April 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (805) 772-1068. galleryatmarinasquare.com. Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay.

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

AHC ATHLETICS FINAL FORE GOLF

TOURNAMENT Support Allan Hancock College Athletics at the 5th Annual Final Fore Golf Tournament. This 18-hole event will have food, drinks, raffle prizes, and a Final Four watch party. April 6 11 a.m.-6

p.m. ahcbulldogs.com. Santa Maria Country Club, 505 W. Waller Lane, Santa Maria.

ANDROID PHONE CLASS First Thursday of every month Oasis Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt, (805) 937-9750. CENTRAL COAST CORVETTE CLUB

Open to Corvette owners and enthusiasts. First Thursday of every month, 6 p.m. Free. (805) 934-3948. Home Motors, 1313 E. Main St., Santa Maria.

EVERYTHING EDIBLE PLANT SALE AT THE GROWING GROUNDS FARM

Everything Edible is a gardening plant sale extravaganza! We will be selling all the plants you will need for your summer garden at our Farm. April 10 10 a.m.-3 p.m., April 11 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and April 12 , 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. (805) 934-2182. Growing Grounds Farm, 820 W. Foster Rd., Santa Maria, t-mha.org.

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

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

FREE BOOK SUNDAYS FOR AGES 0-17

Visit the Youth Services Desk on the first Sunday of each month to receive a coupon for a free book of your choice from the Library Bookstore. For ages 0-17. First Sunday of every month Free. (805) 925-0994. cityofsantamaria.org/services/ departments/library. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. GROUP WALKS AND HIKES Check website for the remainder of this year’s group hike dates and private hike offerings. (805) 343-2455. ongoing. dunescenter.org. Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, 1065 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe.

JUNK JOURNAL BOOK CLUB Combine the love of crafting and reading into one club! The book for April is The Maidens by Alex Michaelides. Registration is required, for

TAKE A SEAT

The Lompoc Valley Art Association will hold a Silent Chair Auction from Thursday, April 2, until Sunday, April 26, at Cypress Gallery in Lompoc. Artists will transform these everyday objects into personal creative interpretations through an array of approaches. Visit lompocart.org/events for more information.

—A.S.

patrons 18 and older. April 4 3-4:30 p.m. Free. (805) 925-0994. cityofsantamaria. org. Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria.

SMKA 2026 KART RACING SEASON

Participate in this local kart racing series, featuring kid karts, LO206, and two-cycle classes, delivering competitive sprint racing, driver development, and familyfriendly events for all skill levels. April 12 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $10. smka.org. Santa Maria Karting Association, 3951 S Blosser Rd, Santa Maria, (805) 464-6114.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

CALIFORNIA POPPY DAY Enjoy free admission at CalNAM. Purchase native plants, and meet adoptable bunnies and guinea pigs from BUNS. April 12 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. (805) 688-1082. calnatureartmuseum.org. California Nature Art Museum, 1511-B Mission Dr., Solvang.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

AMERICAN CROWN CIRCUS: CIRCUS

OSORIO The American Crown Circus and Circo Osorio is set to bring five days of

thrills, stunts, and family-friendly fun to Lompoc! April 2 7:30 p.m., April 3 , 5:30 & 7:30 p.m., April 4 , 3:30, 5:30 & 7:30 p.m., April 5, 3:30 & 5:30 p.m. and April 6 7

p.m. $30. Lompoc Airport, 1801 North H St., Lompoc.

LOMPOC ART WALK Lompoc transforms into a celebration and showcase of local artists during this monthly event, which features live music, art, exciting exhibitions, performances, and a variety of unique vendors. First Thursday of every month, 5-8 p.m. Old Town Lompoc, H and I St., Lompoc.

THE VILLAGE TREASURE CHEST This event is for the whole family. There will be vendors selling their wears, music, facepainting, and some kind of food booth. Come out and spend part of your Saturday supporting local vendors. First Saturday of every month, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Vandenberg Village Community Services District Office, 3745 Constellation Road, Lompoc, (805) 291-6370.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

37TH ANNUAL EGG HUNT AND FESTIVAL Join the 37th Annual Egg Hunt and Festival at Elm Street Park. April 4 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. (805) 473-5472. arroyogrande.org. Elm Street Park, 1221 Ash St., Arroyo Grande.

ADULT SOFTBALL Let’s play ball! The City of Arroyo Grande’s Adult Softball League is a fun and competitive program offering leagues for Coed Teams and Men’s Teams. Sundays, 3-9 p.m. through May 17 $671. (805) 473-5474. arroyogrande.org/709/ Adult-Sports. Soto Sports Field, Ash Street, Arroyo Grande.

BEGINNER GROUP SURF LESSONS AND SURF CAMPS Lessons and camp packages available daily. All equipment included. Starts at $70. (805) 835-7873. sandbarsurf.com/. Sandbar Surf School

Meetup Spot, 110 Park Ave., Pismo Beach.

BEGINNING BALLET FOR ADULTS Enjoy the grace and flow of ballet. No previous experience needed. Wednesdays, 5:156:15 p.m. $12 drop-in; $40 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.

COMMUNITY NATIVE GARDEN

MONTHLY VOLUNTEER WORKDAY

Volunteers accomplish a variety of tasks including pathways maintenance, litter patrol of the garden perimeter, weeding, irrigation system expansion/repairs, pruning, and plantings. Volunteers should bring work gloves, a hat, drinking

water, and tools related to the above activities. First Saturday of every month, 9 a.m.-noon Free. (805) 710-3073. Nipomo Native Garden, Camino Caballo at Osage, Nipomo.

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.

DONATION-BASED YOGA FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, EMTS, AND CARETAKERS Class schedule varies. Contact empoweryoga805@gmail.com for details and reservations. ongoing (805) 619-0989. empoweryoga805.com. Empower Yoga Studio and Community Boutique, 775 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach. EGG-STRAVAGANZA This family friendly event includes egg hunts, bounce houses, cames, crafts, and more! April 4 , 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. (805) 773-7063. Dinosaur Caves Park, 2701 Price St, Pismo Beach. MULTICULTURAL DANCE CLASS FOR ADULTS Experience dance from continents around the earth, including from Africa, Europe, and more. Described as “a wonderful in-depth look at the context and history of cultures of the world.” Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. $10 dropin; $30 for four classes. (510) 362-3739. grover.org. Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach.

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

OCEANFRONT EASTER BRUNCH BUFFET Gather with family and friends, unwind by the sea, and celebrate the season in true Cliffs style. Get details about the buffet and tickets at the link. April 5 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $55.40-$130.39. my805tix.com. The Cliffs Hotel and Spa, 2757 Shell Beach Rd, Pismo Beach, (805) 773-5000. 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

Just as young noble Jane is ready to tie the knot, she's whisked away by "The Nameless Piratess," the most infamous lady pirate on the seas! Together, they set sail on a wild quest to unearth a witch's treasure on a treacherous island. But here's the real question: Will Jane be rescued, or will she ditch her bridal gown for a swashbuckling pirate's hat and chase after enchanted riches? Yo-ho-ho, the plot thickens!

more details. Wednesdays, Saturdays pointsanluislighthouse.org/. Point San Luis Lighthouse, 1 Lighthouse Rd., Avila Beach.

QI GONG FOR LESS STRESS AND MORE

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

QI GONG: MINDFUL MOVEMENTS FOR LESS STRESS AND MORE ENERGY

Balance your mind, body, and spirit with Qi Gong — gentle stretching and strengthening movements that promotes physical wellbeing and inner peace. This is geared towards all fitness levels and ages. Mondays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. $14 per class or $55 for 5-class card. (805) 440-4561. balancedlivingayurveda.com. Shell Beach Veterans Memorial Building, 230 Leeward Ave., Pismo Beach.

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

WEEKLY WATER SAFETY LESSONS

Facility advertised as open and safe. Give the office a call to register over the phone. Mondays-Fridays $160-$190. (805) 4816399. 5 Cities Swim School, 425 Traffic Way, Arroyo Grande, 5citiesswimschool.com.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

30-DAY BREATH AND RESET JOURNEY

FOR WOMEN Wired at night, drained all day? Reset your body in 30 days. Focus on breath practices to calm stress, sleep deeply, and restore lasting energy. Registration is required. Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 10-11 a.m. (805) 235-7978. charvetgratefulbody.com.

Live Webinar, online, SLO County.

BEYOND MINDFULNESS Realize your potential through individualized meditation instruction with an experienced teacher via Zoom. This class is for those who wish to begin a practice or seek to deepen an existing one. Flexible days and times. Certified with IMTA. Email or text for information. Mondays-Sundays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sliding scale. (559) 9059274. theartofsilence.net. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

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

CENTRAL COAST DIALYSIS ORGAN

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

COASTAL ECOSYSTEM DAY Join Beaver Brigade, Sea Otter Savvy, and Pacific Wild Care for an interactive day of exploring our coastal ecosystem at SLO Botanical Garden. April 4 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. (805) 541-1400. slobg.org. San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo.

DAILY QIGONG PRACTICE For the early riser or commuter, every weekday morning. Maintain or improve concentration, balance, and flexibility. Includes weekly Friday 3 p.m. class with more practices. Led by certified Awareness Through Movement teacher.

Mondays-Saturdays, 6:10 a.m. and Fridays, 3 p.m. $35/week or $125/month. (646) 280-5800. margotschaal.com/qigong.

Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

DANCING IN THE PLAZA: SALSA

EDITION Enjoy free salsa lessons in the plaza at the SLO Public Market, where you will learn beginner-friendly salsa, perfect for anyone looking to try Latin Dancing. April 4 1-2:30 p.m. Free. nexusslo.com.

Nexus SLO, 3845 S Higuera St.( Lower Level), San Luis Obispo, (805) 904-7428.

PET PORTRAITS

A one-day Pet Portrait workshop led by artist Linda Cunningham will be held on Saturday, April 11, from noon to 4 p.m. at Art Central in San Luis Obispo. Participants can spend the afternoon creating a personal tribute to their furry friends using hand-painted papers. The class is $60 and is open to ages 15 and older. Visit artcentralslo.com for tickets and additional details.

DEATH CAFE (EVERY 1ST TUESDAY ON THE MONTH) At Death Café, curiosity and community converge for open, thoughtful conversations about mortality, loss, and our shared human experience. Donations to Hospice SLO County are always appreciated. First Tuesday of every month, 11 a.m.-noon Free. (805) 544-2266. hospiceslo.org/services/deathcaf%C3%A9. Hospice SLO County, 1304 Pacific St., 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.

FUNCTION AT OCTAGON BARN Enjoy community fun, dancing, a sound plunge, organic snacks & BBQ appetizers, prizes, and more. April 4 6-9 p.m. $30. my805tix.com. Octagon Barn, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis Obispo, (805) 459-9584.

HEALING DEPRESSION SUPPORT

GROUP A safe place to share feelings of depression with those who suffer and those who have recovered to a full, healthy outlook on life. Mondays, 6-7 p.m. Free. (805) 528-3194. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo.

MAWTINI: ARAB AMERICAN

NARRATIVES OF HOME AND BELONGING

PRESENTS LIVE VERBATIM THEATRE

Join us for an evening of food, theater, and meaningful conversation as we experience the oral histories of our local Arab American community. April 9 5-7 p.m. $55.40. my805tix.com. San Luis Obispo Library, 995 Palm St., San Luis Obispo. MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION (ONLINE) Zoom series hosted by TMHA. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon Transitions Mental Health Warehouse, 784 High Street, San Luis Obispo, (805) 270-3346.

PARKOUR CLINIC Parkour offers a path to social confidence. Come flip with flair in a safe, nurturing environment at the parkour clinic, for ages 7 to

17 years. April 4 , 1-3 p.m. $25. (805) 547-1496. performanceathleticsslo.com. Performance Athletics Gymnastics, 4484 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

PROJECT SCIENTIST ON NASA PUNCH MISSION COMING TO CAL POLY TO UNVEIL IMAGES OF SOLAR STORMS

Project Scientist Sarah Gibson will be showing images from PUNCH’s four small satellites that are now making global, 3D observations of the sun’s outer atmosphere as it transitions into the solar wind that fills the solar system. Come see the spectacular photos from the mission and learn about the huge eruptions from the sun that drive the recent auroras. April 8 7-10 p.m. Free. centralcoastastronomy.org/calendar/ why-auroras-are-appearing-in-newplaces-learn-about-new-discoveriesfrom-nasas-punch-mission-on-april-8th/. Cal Poly Advanced Technologies Lab (ATL), 1 Grand Ave., building 007, San Luis Obispo, (805) 756-1111.

Q YOUTH GROUP (VIA ZOOM) This is a social support group for LGBTQ+ and questioning youth between the ages of 1118. Each week the group explores personal, cultural, and social identity. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. Free. galacc.org/events/. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

SAN LUIS OBISPO WEDDING AND EVENT EXPO Whether you’re engaged and planning your dream wedding or organizing a special event, this is your one-stop destination for all things wedding and event planning. April 12 12-4 p.m. $12. (805) 980-1985. centralcoastbride.com. Madonna Expo Center, 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo.

SLO NOONTIME TOASTMASTERS CLUB

MEETINGS Want to improve speaking and leadership skills in a supportive and positive environment? During COVID, we are meeting virtually. Contact us to get a meeting link for info. Tuesdays, 12-1 p.m. Free. slonoontime.toastmastersclubs.org. Zoom, Online, Inquire for Zoom ID. SLO PHILATELIC SOCIETY The SLO Philatelic Society (SLOPS) meets at the SLO Senior Center on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Visitors are welcome. First Tuesday of every month,

SATURDAY APRIL 11TH 11:30 A.M. (VIP) & 12:30 P.M. (GA) TO 4:30 P.M.

NATION’S PREMIER LAGER

AT FIG MTN BREW

APRIL 24

Margarita Ranch SLO Tease: Fellowship of the Tease

APRIL 24

Fields Brewhouse, Atascadero Mawtini: Arab American Narratives presents Live Verbatim Theatre

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 22-24

1-3 p.m. SLO Senior Center, 1445 Santa Rosa St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 540-9484, slocity.org/seniors.

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.

SLO RETIRED ACTIVE MEN: WEEKLY COFFEE MEETING SLO RAMs is a group or retirees that get together just for the fun, fellowship, and to enjoy programs which enhance the enjoyment, dignity, and independence of retirement. Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. $10 coffee meeting. retiredactivemen.org. Madonna Inn, 100 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo.

STAY YOUNG WITH QI GONG Qi Gong boosts energy and vitality, reduces stress, improves balance and flexibility, and, best of all, is fun. Join instructor Devin Wallace for this Crows End Retreat outdoor class, which is held in a beautiful setting. Call or email for location and to reserve a spot. Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m. $12. (805) 709-2227. Online, See website, San Luis Obispo.

SUNDAY EVENING RAP LGBTQ+

AA GROUP (VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM)

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

TEEN MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

GROUP Learn more about mental health and coping skills to help you through your journey towards wellness and recovery. Thursdays, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. (805) 5406576. t-mha.org. Hope House Wellness Center, 1306 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo.

TOUR THE HISTORIC OCTAGON BARN

CENTER The Octagon Barn, built in 1906, has a rich history that The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County looks forward to sharing with visitors. Please RSVP. Second Sunday of every month, 2-2:45 & 3-3:45 p.m. Tours are free; donations are appreciated. Octagon Barn Center, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis Obispo, (805) 544-9096, octagonbarn.org.

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

TWO-LEVEL CASINO RUEDA POP-UP

WORKSHOP Join our two-level Casino Rueda workshop at Nexus SLO and sharpen your timing, teamwork, and flow! April 5 2:30-3:30 p.m. $30. nexusslo.com. Nexus SLO, 3845 S Higuera St.( Lower Level), San Luis Obispo, (805) 904-7428.

NORTH COAST SLO COUNTY

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/.

CO-DEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS (CODA)

MEETING A Twelve Step recovery program for anyone who desires to have healthy and loving relationships with themselves and others. Meeting is hybrid (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.

LEARN TO SAIL AT MORRO BAY YACHT

CLUB! Learn to sail at the Morro Bay’s only sailing school: Morro Bay Yacht Club. These sessions are led by competent, responsible sailing instructors. Expect a great experience, with the goal of each student being comfortable in commanding their own sailboat. There’s a focus on teamwork, developing leadership skills, and having fun. Through Aug. 9, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $450. my805tix.com. Morro Bay Yacht Club, 541 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, (805) 772-3981.

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY Head to Food Truck Friday, with wine bottle specials and local food trucks every Friday at the Wine Stone Inn. Fridays, 4-9 p.m. through April 24 Free. (805) 332-3532. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, winestoneinn.com/.

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT COSTA DE ORO

Featured vendors in the series include Cali Coast Tacos, Cubanissimo, Danny’s Pizza Co., Chef Ricks, and more. Call venue for monthly schedules. Fridays (805) 922-1468. costadeorowines.com. Costa De Oro Winery, 1331 S. Nicholson Ave., Santa Maria. FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS AT WINE STONE INN Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, (805) 332-3532, winestoneinn.com/.

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

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

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

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/.

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.

FOOD & DRINK

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS BAR TAKEOVER THURSDAYS Join us Thursdays to meet and chat with the winemaker of the flight we’re featuring that week. Thursdays, 4-7:30 p.m. $15-$30. (805) 623-5129. Steller’s Cellar, 400 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt, stellerscellar.com.

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

TACO TUESDAY Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m.

Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, (805) 332-3532, winestoneinn.com/.

TAP THURSDAY Head to Tap Thursdays at the Wine Stone Inn every week, featuring $5 draft beers and $5 Cava’s. Thursdays, 3-9 p.m. through April 16 Free. (805) 3323532. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, winestoneinn.com/.

THURSDAY EVENING BAR TAKEOVER

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

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

WINE BINGO WEDNESDAYS Join Wine Bingo Wednesday at the Wine Stone Inn –– the original bingo night in Old Orcutt. The event will occur weekly with the purchase of an adult beverage. Wednesdays, 5-8 p.m. through April 29 (805) 332-3532. Wine Stone Inn, 255 W. Clark Ave., Orcutt, winestoneinn.com/.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

EASTER BRUNCH AT ROBLAR Join for our annual Easter celebration at the winery, with an incredible spread crafted by our Executive Chef alongside all your favorite Roblar wines. April 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (805) 686-2603. roblarwinery.com. Roblar Winery, 3010 Roblar Ave., Santa Ynez.

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

HEAD GAMES TRIVIA AND TACO

TUESDAYS CLASH Don’t miss Head

Games Trivia at COLD Coast Brewing Company every Tuesday night. Teams can be up to 6 members. Earn prizes and bragging rights. Kekas will be serving their delicious local fare. Fun for all ages. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Free. (805) 819-0723. coldcoastbrewing.com. COLD Coast Brewing Company, 118 W Ocean Ave., Lompoc.

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

MONTHLY FERMENTATION CLASSES

New topics each month with a thorough demo and explanation of the process that creates non-alcoholic, probiotic, and nutrient-dense fermentations. Leave the class confident and prepared with recipes to make your own at home.

Limited seating; reserve spot prior to class by phone/email. Second Sunday of every month, 3:30-5 p.m. $30. (805) 801-6627. kulturhausbrewing.com/ classes/. 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) 801-6627. kulturhausbrewing.com/classes/. Kulturhaus Brewing Company, 779 Price St., Pismo Beach.

TRIVIA NIGHT Join BrainStew Trivia for a hilariously witty evening of trivia in Pismo. Teams of 1 to 4 people. Prizes awarded to the first and second place teams. Kitchen

is open until 7:30 p.m. for brain fuel. Beer, cider, wine, and non-alcoholic options available. First Thursday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m. Free to play. (805) 295-6171. kulturhausbrewing.com. Kulturhaus Brewing Company, 779 Price St., Pismo Beach.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

CELEBRATE EASTER WITH PIADINA’S FARM-FRESH EASTER BRUNCH BUFFET

Celebrate Easter Sunday with a farm-fresh buffet at Piadina, the on-site restaurant at Hotel SLO, crafted by executive chef Ryan Francher. Little ones can look forward to cake pops and face painting. April 5 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $38- $72. Piadina, 877 Palm St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 592-1510. 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 GRANGE PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Join the SLO Grange Hall for a good oldfashioned 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.

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.

MUSIC

SANTA MARIA VALLEY/LOS ALAMOS

FRIDAY NIGHT MUSIC AT EL VINERO

Celebrate the first Friday in April with live music from Savannah Creech! Enjoy wine tasting, by the glass or bottle. April 3 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. (805) 354-0260. elvinero.com. El Viñero, 130 N. Broadway Suite A, Orcutt.

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

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

LIVE MUSIC AT STELLER’S CELLAR

Various local musicians rotate each Friday. Fridays, 6-8:30 p.m. Free.

Steller’s Cellar, 400 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt, (805) 623-5129, stellerscellar.com.

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

MUSIC LESSONS AT COELHO ACADEMY

Learn to play piano, drums, guitar, base, ukulele, or violin, or take vocal lessons. (805) 925-0464. coelhomusic.com/ Lessons/lessons.html. Coelho Academy of Music, 325 E. Betteravia Rd., Santa Maria. SPRING FLING DANCE Santa Maria Valley Senior Citizens presents a Spring Fling dance, with the Riptide Big Band and

vocalists. April 12 , 1:30-4 p.m. Free. (775) 813-5186. RiptideBB.com. Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave., Santa Maria.

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

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

ABRA CADABRA Attention all ABBA fans! Circle April 7 on your calendars because ABRA Cadabra, Vancouver’s renowned ABBA Tribute band, is coming to Solvang. April 7 7:30-9 p.m. $72. (805) 686-1789. solvangtheaterfest.org. Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang.

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

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY WIND ENSEMBLE SPRING CONCERT Welcomes you to join them for their free Spring Concert. April 12 , 3-4:15 p.m. Free. syvwindensemble.org. St Marks in the Valley, 2901 Nojoqui Ave, Los Olivos, (805) 688-4454.

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS

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

LOMPOC/VANDENBERG

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

SOUTH COAST SLO COUNTY

CLARK CENTER PRESENTS: SHINE ON THE LIVE PINK FLOYD EXPERIENCE

Enter the sonic universe of Pink Floyd with SHINE ON: The Live Pink Floyd Experience.

April 11 7:30-9:30 p.m. $45-$59, Platinum $69; Senior & Student Discounts. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

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.

MOON COIN PRODUCTIONS INC.

PRESENTS: ABRA CADABRA, A TRIBUTE TO ABBA Attention all ABBA fans! ABRA Cadabra, Vancouver’s renowned ABBA Tribute band, is coming to Arroyo Grande for the first time! April 9, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $59-$69. (805) 489-9444. clarkcenter.org/. Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande.

PAT KELLEY, DYLAN JOHNSON, AND SUNNY WRIGHT AT PUFFER’S OF PISMO

Hear Pat Kelley on guitar, Dylan Johnson on upright bass, and Sunny Wright on vocals. April 11 7-10 p.m. $5. (805) 7736563. puffersofpismo.com/. Puffer’s of Pismo, 781 Price St a,, Pismo Beach.

REEL TO REAL AT MULLIGANS Find your groove with a pre-Easter sunset over the beach and listen to Reel to Real at Mulligans with energetic ‘80s and ‘90s alternative sounds. April 4 5-7 p.m. (805) 505-4000. Mulligans Bar and Grill, 6460 Ana Bay Road, Avila Beach.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

BURLEY THISTLES Burley Thistles is an alternative rock band known for their authentic guitar-driven sound lyrics and memorable songs. April 4 , 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Frog and Peach Pub, 728 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 595-4764, frogandpeachpub.com.

CABARET 805 SHOWCASE SPRING 2026

Indulge in delicious desserts and beverages while being entertained by the talented performers of the Cuesta College Community Programs Cabaret Class. April 10, 7 p.m. $20. Cuesta College Auditorium (5401), Hwy 1, San Luis Obispo, (805) 546-3185.

CISCO ADLER LIVE AT LIBERTINE Raised on the beaches of Malibu and Maui, Cisco Adler is a multi-platinum, Grammynominated producer, songwriter & artist with billion of streams to his credit. Hear Adler live at Libertine! April 3 7 p.m. $28.62. my805tix.com. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 548-2337.

CUESTA MUSIC CONSERVATORY AWARD AUDITION CONCERT Join for this special concert featuring students auditioning for the Cuesta Music Conservatory Award! April 10, 7:30 p.m. $10-$25 suggested donation. (805) 546-3198. Harold J. Miossi CPAC at Cuesta College, Highway 1, San Luis Obispo. KELLY RYAN STAND UP COMEDY SHOW AT LIBERTINE Kelly Ryan has been headlining all over the country and featuring for acts like Anthony Jeselnik, Bert Kreischer, and Whitney Cummings. This is a benefit show to support a local comic that was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Proceeds and any additional tips and donations will go directly to her. April 10, 8 p.m. $28.62. my805tix.com. Libertine Brewing Company, 1234 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, (805) 548-2337.

LOVESTORIES PRESENTS : 360° W/ ELYSIAN MOON, JUNGLE HAÜS, AND MCKENNA An experience, where organic meets limitless potential through the lens of electronic music. Taste the sound waves and break a sweat as we dance to the evolution of music through a universal groove. This is where,

ARTS BRIEFS

Valley Art Gallery presents its latest show

A multigenerational art exhibit is next on the agenda for the Valley Art Gallery. See paintings in distinct styles from three family members at the Santa Maria Public Airport from April 6 through the end of May. An artist reception will be held on April 18 starting at 11 a.m. inside the airport near Pepper Garcia’s restaurant.

Orcutt resident Lynnae Lane (pictured left) has taught children’s art classes for more than 25 years. She’s been part of the Valley Art Gallery for around eight years and will be showcasing her colorful acrylic and watercolor works during the show.

Also in the show is Lane’s son, Jevon Woodworth (pictured center) of Los Osos, who uses mixed media and likes to use paint pens for intricate designs.

“Jevon paints incredible depth in his paintings using his unique layering style of many colors and with his own special techniques,” according to press materials.

The third artist in the show is Lane’s sister, Holly Silver (pictured right). Recently retired, Silver paints every week and knows her way around the color palette. The Nipomo resident creates peaceful landscapes and whimsical florals.

The sisters grew up with creative parents, too, making art a family affair.

Santa Maria Public Airport, where the paintings are hung, is located at 3217 Terminal Drive. For more information about the gallery, visit valleygallery.org.

Photography exhibit highlights Lompoc’s

Filipino history

Learn about how Filipino pioneers shaped Lompoc’s history at an exhibit inside the public library’s Grossman Gallery. The exhibit, “Manongs of the Central Coast: Forming Communities Across Generations,” will be featured in the gallery through April, including a public discussion on April 3 at 6 p.m.

Bing Aradanas, a project contributor, was raised in Lompoc by Filipino parents. Photos depict some of the invisible history of how Filipinos who immigrated between 1924 and 1964 influenced the Central Coast, Aradanas said in an email to the Sun

“Through photographs, oral histories, family documents, and multigenerational narratives, the exhibit highlights the contributions and resilience of the Manong generation— Filipino men who immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century and helped shape the region’s agricultural, hospitality, and retail industries,” according to press materials.

The exhibit was originally shown in Santa Barbara a couple of years ago and is making a resurgence in Lompoc. It’s sponsored by the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation.

Located at 501 E. North Ave. in Lompoc, the Grossman Gallery is open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. On April 3, the gallery will remain open until 7 p.m. for the talk with Aradanas. m

Fanatics

An Orcutt artist is ready to geek out at Santa Maria Comic Con

BY MADISON WHITE

Chuck Jones and Bill Peet aren’t necessarily common household names, but their work begs to differ. Jones was the animator of Looney Tunes and Peet was an artist for many an early Disney project.

To “geeks” like Brett Nance, those guys are more than household names. They’re legends.

Nance grew up drawing, and by the time he was in middle school, he dreamed of having an artistic career.

“Pretty much anything that I tend to do on my own somehow revolves around being a geek,” Nance told the Sun about his artwork.

His drawings will be on full display at the Santa Maria Comic Con and Card Show on May 2 and 3, an event that outgrew its old location and moved to the Fairpark this year. Besides the RocketTown Comic Con in Lompoc there wasn’t much action in North County.

“This area I kind of feel had previously been starved for that type of thing,” Nance said.

The illustrator first discovered the world of comic cons after college. At a 2006 convention in San Diego, Nance brought his self-published comic, S.P.a.Z.—The Legend of the Super Dorks, about a group of kids who believe they’re superheroes but have no actual powers.

Rapper Chuck D sat at a nearby booth. He’d made a comic book called Public Enemy, also the name of his hip-hop group with Flavor Flav.

“Throughout the day, he was right behind me, and everybody’s lining up to take pictures with him,” Nance said. “I joked with him that my butt’s in every picture, so that was cool. That was kind of one of my first celebrity type things. And Stan Lee walked right past with his whole entourage.”

Nance even met Craig McCracken, creator of Powerpuff Girls, and gave him a copy of S.P.a.Z

“That type of stuff sticks with me because it was my first exposure to that,” the cartoonist said.

Aside from getting to meet famous people in the comic world, artists go to conventions to try to sell their work. Nance will bring his wallet-

sized sketch cards and his fan art prints to the Santa Maria Comic Con. He expects his prints of Freddie Mercury to sell out, like they almost always do.

Though Nance sold his last copy of S.P.a.Z a few years ago, he’ll bring other books he’s illustrated, like Miserable Mom: The Dos and Don’ts of Sending Your Kid to College and The Adventures of Captain Candy

There are plenty of young fans who attend comic cons, too. Nance likes to offer complimentary swag and always does free sketches for kids. He’ll draw their favorite character in his signature style.

At the end of the day, participating in comic cons is all about building community. It can be a “beast” of a weekend, he said, with lots of preparations before hundreds of visitors flow through the vendor booths. For Nance, it’s worth the effort to connect with others who appreciate the same things.

Communities of fans are called fandoms, which show up in swaths at conventions and represent different types of nerds, Nance explained. Sports, pop culture, science fiction, fantasy.

For instance, some people dive into the world building of a series, and others fixate on characters, dressing up like them in “costume play,” aka cosplay.

“Outside of doing the art itself, I actually really enjoy tabling, talking to people about the art that I do, or even just geeking out with them,” Nance said.

He likes to nerd out on Star Wars, Doctor Who, the Muppets, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, to name a few.

No shortage of sketches

See more of Brett Nance’s work at panblancoart.com or on Instagram @panblancoart. Buy tickets for Santa Maria Comic Con by visiting santamariafairpark.com/events.

When it’s not comic con season, the artist takes illustration and design gigs. As a stay-at-home dad, Nance prefers smaller contracts that work with his family’s schedule.

One of the last big projects he worked on was for Awakening Giantz, a Santa Maria organization that supports adults impacted by the foster care system. He and a handful of other local artists helped bring their stories to life.

“We treated it as a way to empower them to own their story,” Nance said. “We were telling some tough stories but in a lighter, more readable way with comics.”

Nance’s own introduction to drawing was a result of childhood trauma. At 7 years old he was hospitalized for six weeks, bedridden for most of that time. He got his hands on some art supplies and has been drawing ever since.

The Orcutt native studied animation at Allan Hancock College and then went to the Art Institute of California in LA. Nance describes his illustration style as “cartoony but with elements of semirealism.” He likes to build worlds based on real settings and create characters with a goofy edge.

“I always thought it was cool, whether people thought it was or not.” m

Reach Staff Writer Madison White at mwhite@ santamariasun.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LYNNAE LANE

PHOTO COURTESY OF BING ARADANAS

WHO’S NEXT? At comic conventions, Orcutt-based cartoonist Brett Nance enjoys making complimentary sketches for kids of their favorite characters.

Jim Je rey, 2025

Wayne Angeloty, 2025 Wyatt Stapp, 2025

Petra Stevenson, 2025

Danna Joy Dykstra-Coy, 2025

Sci-fi meets crime comedy

WOh, and an orange tabby cat called Kingpin (coplayed by Fozzie and Ferris).

ritten and directed by BenDavid Grabinski (Happily), this crime comedy adds a sci-fi twist to the typical violence and quippy dialog. Crime lord, Sosa (David Keith), is celebrating his son Jimmy Boy’s (Jimmy Tatro) release from prison with a series of parties throughout the night. Two of his men—loan shark Nick (Vince Vaughn) and triggerman Quick Draw Mike (James Marsden)—are longtime friends … but Mike has started an affair with Nick’s wife, Alice (Eiza González). Things get weird when Nick from six months in the future (also Vaughn) shows up and enlists Mike to help him with one more thing, setting off a wild and exceedingly dangerous night. (107 min.)

MIKE & NICK & NICK & ALICE

What’s it rated? R

Anna: We meet present-day Nick; his wife, Alice; and Quick Draw Mike at a party celebrating the release of Jimmy Boy from a six-year prison stint after someone in the organization ratted him out. Poppa Sosa (Keith David) is pissed and determined to find out which cog in his wheel caused the upset. We can tell right away that Nick has a grudge against his wife, but why? We don’t know just yet. When we learn that she and Mike are a thing, it gets a little clearer. Present Nick is stuck on revenge while future Nick has the clarity that only time and regret can bring. When all four finally come together to carry out future Nick’s plot, things get wild. Maybe I needed something silly like this, but I really enjoyed it. It’s the type of fun Vaughn is so good at bringing to the screen.

What’s it worth, Anna? Full price

What’s it worth, Glen? Full price

Where’s it showing? Hulu

Glen: Since Project Hail Mary is dominating the box office, we decided to check out this brand new straightto-streaming comedy, and I’m happy to report, it’s surprisingly fun thanks in large part to Vaughn and Marsden’s easy chemistry. Vaughn has the heavy lifting to do, playing present and future Nick, who we learn has become something of a changed man. Obviously, you have to suspend your disbelief to buy the idea that Alice’s friend, Symon (Ben Schwartz), is such a genius that he built an operational time machine, and that Nick happened upon it and used it, but if you can ignore that and just enjoy the ride, the story is filled with colorful and hapless criminals like Dumbass Tony (Arturo Castro), Roid Rage Ryan (Lewis Tam), and a cannibal hitman called The Barron (Dolph Lundgren).

BAIT

What’s it rated? Unrated When? 2026

Where’s it showing? Prime

Creator Riz Ahmed stars as Shah Latif, a struggling actor who has bungled his biggest audition yet as the new James Bond. After his ill-fated try at the part, a quick-thinking and desperate Shah decides to make a public appearance outside of the auditions to get his name in the papers, and perhaps a second chance at the part. His scheme works, kind of, and soon his family is peppering him with questions.

The show leans into Ahmed’s Pakistani roots and the British culture surrounding them. Ahmed knows how to play earnest, and his Shah is no exception. He’s clearly invested in the storyline and his character as the creator and lead of the show.

Soon public backlash and racism show their ugly faces, and Shah’s world becomes increasingly complicated as he tries his best to trip his way to success. Enlisting the help of his cousin, Zulfi (Guz Khan), as his “security guard,” Shah navigates a world with a talking severed pig head (voiced by Patrick Stewart), MI5, and a real sense that he is teetering on the edge of mental breakdown. This six-part series has heart and laughs, and

Glen: His easy wiseacre charm is on full display, and I did appreciate his character arc from present to future Nick. Shout out to Keith, who’s gobbling up the scenery as Sosa, who’s black, but who’s “son,” Jimmy Boy, it white. Aside from Nick and Mike, Sosa has surrounded himself with real dumb-dumbs, including his son of choice. A lot of the laughs come from their idiocy. These are no criminal masterminds. Turn off your brain and join the fun.

Anna: Future Nick is much more reflective, a changed man who wants to right the wrongs he put into place. Don’t get the wrong idea—he’s still got a sniper rifle and lots of guns and good aim. He just wants to make sure he helps his friend survive another day. m

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

BE KIND REWIND

What’s it rated? PG-13

When? 2008

Where’s it showing? Bay Theatre on Monday, April 6 (doors at 5, show at 5:30 p.m.; $10)

BL AST AST FROM THE FROM

Writer-director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind ) helms this charming 2008 comedy about Jerry McLean (Jack Black), a conspiracy theorist and bumbling video store clerk who accidently erases all the store’s tapes after he becomes magnetized. The struggling store is already imperiled, housed in a building condemned as a slum and with just 60 days to upgrade before it’s razed to make way for a high-end development.

with a total runtime 144 minutes, it’s bingeable in a single night. (six approximately 25-min. episodes) —Anna

Jerry and his fellow clerk, Mike Coolwell (Mos Def), decide they’ll re-create all the films with their own video camera and cheap special effects, starting with Ghostbusters , requested by Miss Falewicz (Mia Farrow), a friend of the vacationing store owner. When another customer asks for Rush Hour 2 they re-create it with help from Alma Sykes (Melonia Diaz), a local young woman. Their mostly ridiculous versions of the films charm their customers, so when store owner, Elroy Fletcher (Danny Glover), returns, he joins in the scheme in a bid to save his business.

It’s a feel-good story of a community coming together, and

it’s got an ending that will leave you cheering. Great acting all around, and a jolt of nostalgia for those who

from

witnessed the transition

VHS to DVD. (102 min.) m —Glen

PLAY ACTING: After bungling an audition as the new James Bond, struggling actor Shah Latif (Riz Ahmed, center) tries to make his family proud by finagling another shot at the role, in Bait, streaming on Prime.

REMAKE: (L to R) Alma (Melonia Diaz), Jerry (Jack Black), and Mike (Mos Def) are video store clerks who reshoot accidently erased tapes to keep the business alive, in the 2008 comedy classic Be Kind Rewind, screening on April 6, at the Bay Theatre in Morro Bay.

CRIMINAL MASTERMNIDS: A crime boss, an affair, a double cross, and a time machine lead present and future Nick (Vince Vaughn), his wife Alice (Eiza González), and Alice’s lover and Nick’s former friend Mike (James Marsden) on a madcap adventure, in Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice, streaming in Hulu.

Eats

Vine vibes

Find some extraordinary tomato plants at Tomatomania in Los Olivos

BY MADISON WHITE

Mark Donofrio believes the best tasting tomato is homegrown, freshly picked, and still warm from the sun.

“I think it’s the best fruit in the world,” he said.

Gardening has been in his blood since he was 4 years old. Mother Nature always amazed him, and now he’s made a career as a farmer, operating on The Starter Farm’s 5 acres in Santa Ynez.

Today he’s best known as a flower grower, but Donofrio once worked for Tomatomania, a traveling seedling sale that’s been popping up throughout California and other select states for more than two decades. The event continues to expand, and this year’s local festival on April 11 and 12 will look a little different than years past.

For one, it outgrew its previous Santa Ynez location, so this year it’ll set up at The Bakery Farmstand in Los Olivos. Donofrio, who helps organize the Central Coast pop-ups, is introducing new flowers (including edible ones) and tomato seedlings for people to buy. Restaurants in town plan to create cocktail and food specials that fit with the theme.

“There’s a sense of excitement that I kind of really like about it,” Donofrio said. “It’s a really fun event.”

Pepper plants will also be for sale, ranging from sweet specimens to spicy chocolate habaneros. For a colorful pop, Donofrio’s starter flower packs will be available to beautify visitors’ yards and gardens.

To complement the sale, the farmer will also lead three classes that weekend. He’ll share expertise in the basics of starting a garden, how to fix mistakes, and how to plant specialty

flowers, the main attractions at The Starter Farm.

Perhaps the true lure of Tomatomania is that shoppers can find tomato varieties that nurseries don’t typically carry. Global inventories feel endless because people are constantly breeding new varieties, but not all of them will grow well in Central Coast weather. Donofrio selects seedlings for the sale that will do well in the local climate. This year, festivalgoers will see more than 70 kinds of tomatoes. At other Tomatomanias there can be hundreds, he said.

Attendees can expect seedlings that’ll grow into multicolored yellow, green, orange, and red fruits of all sizes. The plants will be in 4-inch pots, ready to be transferred to a garden bed or into the ground.

Each seedling has helpful information on its label: days until maturity, hybrid or heirloom, appearance, and how long the plant will produce fruit, information that helps shoppers choose the best plants for their environment.

Tomatomania’s 2026 tomato of the year is Sart Roloise, a Belgian heirloom with yellow coloring and a tropical sweetness.

“It’s gorgeous,” Donofrio said. “It’s fruity but also has a nice balance of meatiness to it as well. And it’s hands down, in the past two years, the No. 1 tomato that people have loved in a taste test.”

And as an established name in the Central Coast agricultural industry, he’d know. Donofrio worked for Tomatomania for five years as the director of operations and education but branched out on his own path in 2009. The New Jersey native moved to California as an actor, working in

Grow your own

Experience Tomatomania on April 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Bakery Farmstand in Los Olivos, located at Santa Barbara and Olivet avenues. For more information, visit tomatomania.com. Catch up with Mark Donofrio at thestarterfarm.com or on Instagram @thestarterfarm.

the entertainment industry and later owning a restaurant with a friend in LA. That was when he discovered a nearby community garden in the same neighborhood as his restaurant. Donofrio said growing produce there saved his life.

“We were growing vegetables, and I was bringing them in for the restaurant, which was kind of neat,” Donofrio said.

A couple of years later he bought his own plot in Santa Ynez, The Starter Farm, where he grows tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, herbs, and leafy greens. Donofrio realized that his flowers were selling quicker than his tomatoes, so he pivoted to being predominantly a cut flower farm.

The combination works because he’s a “big permaculture guy,” planting flowers alongside produce for a more sustainable farm.

“The flowers are great because they attract all the beneficial insects that eat the bad insects on your vegetables,” Donofrio explained. “I try to encourage people to always intermix.”

Santa Barbara County is a great market for cut flowers. He supplies certain supermarkets, florists, wedding designers, and other event coordinators.

“I like the fact that something that I grow is there at people’s happiest times, like their weddings and anniversaries,” he said. “But it’s also there to celebrate people’s lives at funerals.”

Flowers from The Starter Farm are freshly picked, and every stem is usable, the farmer said. They’ll last longer than if people bought from

the “big guys” like the international cultivators that supply grocery chains. Plus, Donofrio’s flowers are simply different.

“We try to grow flowers that the larger growers in the world are not doing. We may grow lisianthus, but we grow a brown color lisianthus,” he said. “I’m constantly on the internet at nighttime looking for, like, new varieties of marigolds.”

He found a grower in Washington who breeds marigolds, and that’s opened a whole new world for The Starter Farm this year. Donofrio is also bound to get new ideas from a trip to the Netherlands, where

he’ll have the opportunity to see experimental flowers in greenhouses. Fun and games aside, farming is a year-round job. As much as he loves Mother Nature, the grower said she’s kicking his butt this year. Heavy rains brought in a fungus, which is hard to kill using the organic methods he prides himself on.

But, if there’s one thing Donofrio loves, it’s digging in the dirt. He said he’ll be growing plants on The Starter Farm until he can no longer pick up a shovel. m

FRESH FRUITS: At Tomatomania, shoppers can find seedlings for peppers, flowers, and tomatoes that they can take home and grow in their garden. They’re all specialized for growing in the local climate.

STARTING AS SEEDLINGS: Farmer Mark Donofrio selected around 70 varieties of tomato seedlings to sell at this year’s Tomatomania event in Los Olivos.

STATELY STEMS: At The Starter Farm in Santa Ynez Mark Donofrio grows specialty flowers that he supplies to local markets, florists, and event designers.