For the fifth year in a row, Surfrider SLO is coordinating Hands Across the Sand in Avila Beach. Come join hands with your friends and neighbors to say yes to clean energy and no to more Offshore Oil Drilling on May 16. At the East side of Avila Pier (off Front Street). Free registration starts at 11 a.m., speakers start at 11:30 a.m., and the line starts at 11:50 a.m. The local Hands Across the Sand gathering is in conjunction with events around the country to raise awareness about the dangers of offshore drilling and to call on leaders to end our oil dependence and move America into a clean energy future. At noon, participants will join hands for 15 minutes to form a line along the beach/ shoreline.
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Don’t miss Penny’s All American Café 6th Annual Pancake Eating Contest on Saturday, May 16 at 3:30 p.m. The event will benefit Hospice SLO. Penny’s is located at 1053 Price St. in Pismo Beach. Penny’s extends invitation to both competitors and spectators alike. There is no entry fee for anyone who wants to enter. The winner of this year’s contest will win $300—the largest cash prize ever—as well as their name on the “Pancake Wall of Fame,” and a picture with the “Official Pancake Eating Contest Championship Belt.” Former champion, Tommy “The Red Eyed Muncher” Healey, will be returning to competition for the first time after his controversial disqualification last year. Ahead of the competition, Penny’s All American Café has been selling jars of its popular Jalapeño Strawberry Jam. Through donations and jam sales, Penny’s All American Café has raised more than $3,545 for Hospice of SLO. A speaker from Hospice of SLO will be on hand during the event to speak on all that they offer to our community. Hospice serves SLO County residents dealing with a life- limiting illness through providing in-home respite care, emotional, spirtual, practical and non-medical support; grief counseling support through group and individual counseling services; education about dying and death for professionals and the community through classes, workshops, trainings, book groups and outreach programs. For more information, call 773-3776.
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The 5th Annual SLO Tweed Ride takes place Sunday May 17, 1 p.m. at Triangle Park in SLO. A tweed ride is a leisurely bike ride through town, where cyclists are expected to dress in traditional early 20th century attire (tweed, wool, knickers, hats, moustaches, oxfords, etc) and organizers are hoping to hear some accents in there as well. The Crustacea Jazz Band is lined up for the day for the fifth year in a row. Any bicycle is acceptable for the ride, but classic vintage bicycles are highly encouraged. Beverages and picnic goodies are also welcome to celebrate on in the park after the ride.
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California’s Central Coast will be a hotbed of wine industry talent May 28-30, 2015 during the International Chardonnay Symposium taking place in the oceanfront communities of Pismo Beach and Avila Beach with grand tastings at The Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa and The Cliffs Resort in Pismo Beach, California. The foremost gathering of Chardonnay producers, The International Chardonnay Symposium will feature some of the world’s bellwether wine talents including winemakers, sommeliers, and chefs. For more information, in all the events or for tickets, visit thechardonnaysymposium.com.
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The AAUW’s 20th annual Book Sale takes place Saturday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Arroyo Grande K-Mart parking lot. Thousands of books in almost every genre will be available at bargain prices: hard cover, paperback, audio books, DVD’s, cookbooks, coffee table books, children’s books, special books, and many, many more.
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The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) is inviting residents and trail users to attend the second community meeting on the Edna Price Canyon Trail. A presentation of issues and ideas from the first community meeting will begin at 5:30. Time after will be used for an engaging mapping exercise to brainstorm priority alignments and trail design options for the Edna Price Canyon Trail. The workshop takes place Tuesday, May 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Los Ranchos Elementary School Library, 5785 Los Ranchos Road, San Luis Obispo.
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Aaarrgh! Ahoy all ye pirates, the 8th Annual Morro Bay Mermaid and Pirate Parade is set for Saturday, May 30 and kids and parents are invited to don their mermaid, pirate or sea creature costumes and join the fun. Sign ups start at 10 a.m. at Target Rock. The parade kicks off at 10:30 and will walk the planks of the Harborwalk about a half-mile to Dockside Too, where prizes will be drawn, booty bags handed out and a free lunch. The parade is sponsored by Morro Bay Senior Citizens, Inc., and the generosity of Dockside Too. For information, contact Morro Bay Senior Citizens office at 772-4421 or email to: .
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Morro Bay native daughter and professional dancer, Michele Soulchild, will lead a beginning Hip-Hop Master Dance class from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14 at Pacific Dance Center, corner of Morro Bay Boulevard and Piney way in Morro Bay. Cost is $10. Soulchild, who grew up Michele Garman, is the daughter of PDC’s Karen Garman. A 2004 MBHS graduate, she left for Los Angeles right out of school and is now a dancer, teacher, and choreographer who has worked with Will Smith, Rihanna, Rosero McCoy (Disney Channel, Austin and Ally, Shake it up, Sing Off), and Toni Braxton, as well as numerous up and coming new artists, Bella Thorn, Zendaya, and Rashan among others. Karen Garman said her daughter comes home regularly to help her keep current with what’s happening in the world of dance and teach these master classes. “I’m lucky to have her support,” said Karen.
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The 15th Annual Lost at Sea Memorial ceremony at the Cayucos Pier is set for 3 p.m. Monday, May 25. Organizers have set up a chance to fly in a vintage C-47 cargo plane for a “lost-man formation” flyover the pier with the Estrella Warbirds Museum folks. Seats are $200 a person and can be purchased from Trudi O’Brien by calling (805) 440-3480 or email to: . They need at least seven of the 14 seats filled to fly. The plane will leave from the Warbirds Museum at the Paso Airport at 2:45 p.m. on Memorial Day. If for some reason the plane is unable to fly, your money will be refunded. The flight is a fundraiser for the Warbirds Museum and will help keep the plane flying. The Cayucos Lions and Rotary Clubs, Morro Bay Rotary and the Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Organization sponsor the event. Local veterans will speak and a wreath will be cast upon the ocean. The touching ceremony commemorates military members, fishermen and all others who have been lost at sea.
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The teVelde Conservatory of Music, located in San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande, announced an expansive slate of summer music camps for children of all ages and experience levels. Space is limited. For more information on all music class and camp schedules and registration, see: www.teveldemusic.com or call (805) 543-1064.
• School of Rock: Ages 9-13, June 22-July 3, weekdays 12:30-2:30 p.m. A comprehensive performance camp and intensive learning for bass, guitar, keyboards, and vocals. Students will get a feel for all aspects of performing a classic mainstream song, e.g. a Beatles tune and enjoy a 3:1 teacher/musician ratio. Held in SLO and Arroyo Grande.
• School of Rock II: Ages 9-16, July 20-31, weekdays 12:30-2:30 p.m. A band camp to focus on a student’s two favorite instruments and allow them to study performing in a band, working with other musicians and a teacher on all aspects of band work, as they rock out with more hard rock songs, e.g. Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out.” San Luis Obispo location only.
• Singer/songwriters: Ages 9-16, July 20-31, weekdays 12:30-2:30 p.m. A.G. only. Children will spend two weeks using the innovative “Garage Band” computer program to turn a poem into a full-blown song — from writing the lyrics, creating chords, learning the vocals and adding instruments to put it all together and record the original song.
In addition to the camps, there are on-going lessons available at the teVelde Conservatory of Music in jazz and classical piano, violin, drums, voice, and college-level theory and composition.
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The Estero Bay Republican Women’s Federated, with members from Los Osos, Morro Bay and Cayucos will hold its monthly luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 21 at The Outlook at Morro Bay Golf Course. Lunch is $22 for members. On the program is Steve Frank of California Political Mews and Views. Frank will speak on “The Engineered Drought.” See: www.facebook.com/capoliticalnews for more on Frank. The club is looking for new members who share a Republican platform and an interest in politics. Call membership chairwoman, Carolyn Atkinson at 528-6208 or email to: .
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Time is short for artists to enter a new show, “Local Vistas,” at Art Central in SLO. J-PEGS of your work must be sent to: by Monday, May 18. Art turn-in date is Wednesday, June 3. The show opens with a reception from 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 5 at the gallery, 1329 Monterey Street, SLO and runs through June 30. Local Vistas showcases artwork of any medium inspired by our local landscapes.
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The Literacy Council for San Luis Obispo County needs volunteer tutors throughout the county. To volunteer, see the website at: www.sloliteracy.org for more information. There will be two upcoming training sessions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, June 6 and 13 at the SLO City/County Library, corner of Palm and Osos streets in SLO. Cost is $25. Call (805) 541-4219 for information.
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The League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County will hold its 2015 Annual Meeting and luncheon Saturday, June 6 at the Upper Crust Trattoria in San Luis Obispo. The members’ business meeting begins at 11 a.m. Members will adopt a budget and program for 2015-16 and elect officers and directors for the year that begins on July 1. Lunch is at 12:45 p.m. Keynote speaker is Dr. Sam Blakeslee, founding director of the Institute for Advanced Technology and Public Policy at Cal Poly. Blakeslee is a former State Assemblyman and Senator and will discuss the Institute’s Digital Democracy Initiative. The local League is currently focusing on Civil Discourse and the promotion of meaningful and respectful discussion at public meetings and in political discussion. For more information call the League at (805) 782-4040, email to: or see the website at: www.lwvslo.org.
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“Morro Bay Estuary — Celebrating a National Treasure,” a traveling art show is now hanging in the Los Osos Edward Jones office of Deanna Richards, 1236 Los Osos Valley Rd., Ste J, now through June 12, after a successful 5-day showing at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art that ended May 4. A last-look reception will take place from 5-7 pm Friday, June 12 at Richards’ office. The art show is a collaboration between the Morro Bay Art Association, the Historical Society of Morro Bay, the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, Richards and the Morro Bay National Estuary Program to celebrate the NEP’s 20th anniversary. Artwork includes paintings, contemporary and historical photographs, and other 2-D works, as well as “Bay Story,” a series of videos that showcase the people whose lives are intertwined with the estuary.
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The Los Osos Library is hosting a few special events in May sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Los Osos Library is at 2075 Palisades Ave., call 528-1862 for more information.
• Make ‘n’ Take: 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 20. May Flowers is the theme for the creative craft at the third Wednesday of the month art activity day. Perfect for children 5-up. Free.
• Author Talk: 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 27. Part of Asian-Pacific American Heritage month, Nieves Villamin, author of “Bittermelons and Mimosas,” will discuss her work and Filipino lives in California. Free.
• Taiko Drumming: 3 p.m. Saturday, May 30. Part of Asian-Pacific American Heritage month, Ichimi Daiko of SLO will perform taiko drumming. Free.
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The Filipino Community of Los Osos and Vicinity is having its traditional Memorial Day Weekend barbecue fundraiser, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 24 at the Ralph’s Market on LOVR in Los Osos. Donaityon of $9 a plate gets half a chicken, rice, salad, and beans. Also, lumpia egg rolls and pansit noddles will be available. For more information and ticket reservations call Albert Calizo at (805) 550-3635, or 528-4998; or Josie Galo at (805) 215-0934 or 528-0954. Proceeds benefit the club’s scholarship program.
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International artist Robert Reynolds will discuss his approach to art and show several individual works at the next meeting of the Central Coast Watercolor Society, set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 26 at United Methodist Church (Wesley Building), 1515 Fredericks St., SLO. Free and open to the public.
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SWAP will hold a wildflower walk through the Elfin Forest of Los Osos at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 16 with Dirk Walters. Meet at the north end of 15th Street off of Santa Ysabel. Wear comfortable shoes, long sleeves and pants to avoid poison oak and mosquitoes. Park carefully, avoiding driveways and mailboxes and no. The easy paced walk will last 1-1/2 to 2 hours.
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The Annual “Bands on The Run” 10K and 5K benefit run is set for Saturday, May 23 at Morro Bay High School. The event benefits the MBHS and Los Osos Middle School music departments, music education, and a scholarship fund overseen by the MBHS Music Boosters. Register online at: www.morrobaybotr.com or call (805) 225-6040 for more information.