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Coast News

Pismo Pays for Downtown Parking Study

bk72n.AuSt.76By Theresa-Marie Wilson

Hundreds of thousands of people flock to Pismo Beach every year and the city council would like to see the vacation destination attract even more people, but parking congestion is an ongoing problem.
The council unanimously gave the green light to enter into a contract with Walker Parking Consultants to generate ideas to meet the swelling parking demand. The consulting firm will develop the Downtown Parking Enhancements Plan at the cost of $75,000.
Funding is through the Parking Enterprise Fund, which means the scope of work has to be within the paid parking area downtown. That means a study including other areas of the city would have to come at different time. Continue reading Pismo Pays for Downtown Parking Study →

Coast News

Day of Service to Spruce Up Community

Volunteers paint benches at the Prado Day Center during the Day of Service project last year.
Volunteers paint benches at the Prado Day Center during the Day of Service project last year.

By Theresa-Marie Wilson

About 500 people are expected to lend a hand sprucing up areas in the community during the Mormon Church’s Just Serve Day of Service on April 25.
Formerly known as Helping Hands, the Just Serve Day of Service is for churches, civic organizations, and government agencies to link arms to strengthen local communities with meaningful service projects that will help those in need, beautify communities, and create connections. Day of Service organizers are working with JustServe.org, an Internet company that matches faith, nonprofit, community and governmental organizations that need volunteers with volunteers willing to help. Continue reading Day of Service to Spruce Up Community →

Coast News

Business and Community Help Support a Sick Child

teddy-bear-toy-thermometer-temperatureCoworkers, business owners and customers at Old Juan’s Cantina in Oceano recently came together to help an employee with medical costs incurred when his daughter became ill.
The coworkers of longtime bartender Kyle Batty decided to contribute to his online fundraising effort to defray the unexpected medical costs incurred when his young daughter became severely ill. The servers pooled all of their tips for the day, the kitchen staff gave cash, and owners Eva and Adam Verdin matched the total with a donation of their own. This effort inspired customers to leave extra generous tips, and one even wrote a check for $500. In all, $5,900 will be given in support of the Battys. Jack’s Helping Hand is assisting the family as well, with gift cards to help cover travel and hotel expenses. Continue reading Business and Community Help Support a Sick Child →

Coast News

Latina Outreach Presents Fiesta Latina

COmm CN LatinaBy Theresa-Marie Wilson

The Latino Outreach Council (LOC) will present the 2nd Annual Fiesta Latina on Friday, April 24, at the Edwards Barn in Nipomo. The evening of dinner and dancing begins at 6 p.m. with a no host wine and beer, a silent auction, a gourmet Mexican cuisine dinner and live entertainment with the Mariachis Mexianisimo. After dinner, guests are invited to stay and dance to Latino-flavored music provided by DJ Rawger Entertainment.
Tickets to the Fiesta are $60 each and it includes the dinner, wine and entertainment. Tickets can be purchased from any member of the Latino Outreach Council, or by phone at (805) 598-6083 or send an email to .
Fiesta Latina is a Latino Outreach Council event that celebrates the Latino/Hispanic culture of music and dance while raising funds for the Latino Outreach Council’s Scholarship Fund.  For more information about the LOC’s 2nd Annual Fiesta Latina or to be a sponsor, contact Chairperson Jacqueline del Valle Vitti Frederick at or (805) 929-1120.

Coast News

Congressional Art Competition Announced

UK-Fine-Arts-Competition-for-ChildrenLocal high school students have a chance to show their artwork in the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC.
Rep. Lois Capps is seeking entries for the 2015 annual Congressional Art Competition. The competition offers all high school students in the 24th Congressional District the opportunity to have their winning work of art hang for one year in the U.S. Capitol, where thousands of visitors will see it.
“This annual art competition is a wonderful opportunity to support young artists across the nation,” Capps said in a news release. “I am always impressed by the artistic talent of our students on the Central Coast, and I encourage all high school students in California’s 24th District to enter the competition for a chance to showcase their artwork in our nation’s capital.”
Completed work must be submitted to one of Rep. Capps’ local offices no later than 5 p.m., Friday, April 24.
The winning student will receive two round-trip airfare tickets to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception for the new artwork display at the U.S. Capitol in June of 2015.
For detailed information on competition guidelines and framing instructions, and for entry forms, visit https://capps.house.gov/serving-you/art-competition.