KCBX Central Coast Public Radio will bring together local musicians and community members for the second annual Central Coast Sessions: A Benefit for KCBX Public Radio on Saturday, November 7, from noon to 10 p.m. at The Rock in San Luis Obispo. The all-day benefit will celebrate local music and community while raising funds to help sustain KCBX’s current operations and programming. One hundred percent of ticket sales will directly benefit KCBX.
In 2025, the inaugural Central Coast Sessions event was created in response to the elimination of federal funding for public media, which went into effect last October. Since then, KCBX has continued to operate as a 100% community-funded public radio station, and the Central Coast Sessions event is returning for its second year.
The 2026 lineup features 10 local bands performing throughout the day, including Carbon City Lights, Damon Castillo Band, Dubwise Collective, Cate Armstrong Band, Electric Lavender Train, The Funk Junket, Sol Arc, Partita, Bigfoot County, and The New Analog. A full schedule of set times is available on the ticketing page at My805Tix.
In addition to live performances, attendees can participate in a raffle featuring dozens of goods and services donated by local business partners. KCBX-branded merchandise and vintage Live Oak Music Festival apparel will also be available for purchase. An exclusive Rod & Hammer spirits tasting will be offered as an add-on for attendees age 21 and over, and The Rock’s restaurant and bar will sell food and beverages throughout the day.
There will also be opportunities to commemorate the late Hank Hadley, former operations manager at KCBX, and Frank Lanzone, who served as the station’s president and general manager since 1980. Hank and Frank will be remembered for their lasting impact and dedication to KCBX and celebrated for their lifelong commitment to public radio as they are honored throughout the day.
“Central Coast Sessions is a celebration of community through music and the resilience of KCBX. After 51 years on the Central Coast, KCBX is here to stay, thanks to your support,” said Katelyn Schiavone, director of community engagement and events at KCBX. “We hope you will join us alongside hundreds of fellow listeners, supporters, and music lovers of the Central Coast to make a difference in your community by supporting public radio while having fun with your friends and neighbors.”
General admission tickets are $25 and are available through My805Tix. Attendees are invited to spend the full day enjoying music and community at The Rock’s campus, or they can drop in and out throughout the event.
Neuroscience Symposium
Adventist Health will hold the 4th Annual Central Coast Neuroscience Symposium, The Clot Thickens: Advances in Stroke Care, for healthcare providers in San Luis Obispo County and surrounding areas on Oct. 30 from 8:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Embassy Suites by Hilton, 333 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo.
Registration is required. Interested parties can learn more or register at AdventistHealthCentralCoast.org/Symposium. Led by distinguished experts, this interactive conference will deliver evidence-based updates to enhance the healthcare provider’s knowledge of stroke — from triage to surgery, endovascular therapy, bedside care, and more.
Guest speakers include local experts Mikayel Grigoryan, MD; Ben Hendricks, MD; Jason Turner, MD; and Michelle Jcosn, DNP, MSN/Ed, CNRN; along with renowned experts Maxim Mokin, MD, University of South Florida; Kasra Sarhadi, MD, John Muir Health Walnut Creek; and Ethan Winkler, MD, PhD, from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences.
Participants will increase their knowledge of the assessment, management, and care of stroke patients and learn how to apply these concepts to their clinical practice. Approximately 7-10 exhibitors from various backgrounds will be present at the exhibitor booths to enhance the learning content and experience. Continuing Education Credits are available.
Wiggle Waggle and Half off Pet Adoptions
Woods Humane Society is near the end of special adoption event featuring half-off all pet adoption fees, sponsored by Subaru of San Luis Obispo, from Friday, through Sunday, October 25. The adoption promotion comes as an early kick-off to Woods’ annual Wiggle Waggle Fall Festival held at Woods in San Luis Obispo on October 24, from 12-3 p.m. It is free to attend.
“Wiggle Waggle Fall Festival is the ultimate pet celebration on the Central Coast,” said Woods Humane Society CEO Emily L’Heureux in a press release. She adds that the organization expects more than 900 people and more than 200 dogs to attend. “We can’t think of a better way to spread the joy of Wiggle Waggle than to help remove barriers to adoption so that more dogs and cats can find loving homes in time to join in the fun.”
Regular adoption fees, which range from $65 for senior cats to $200 for puppies under 5 – months of age, will be cut in half during the adoption event, which will also run during the festival itself.
Wiggle Waggle Fall Festival features an afternoon of canine carnival fun for families and their leashed dogs, including doggie costume contests, a stuffed animal pull, a dog agility course, a new lure course, and photos with Santa Paws. More than 30 local vendors make up the Pet Fair area, including A Dogs Life Collar Scarves, California Canine, Celeste and the Dogs, Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital, Costco, Hollywood Mobile Grooming, Howell’n Good Doggie Dentals, Mutts For The Bay, Oggie’s Treasure Chest, Paso Market Walk, Pet Communicating, Sassy Cap & Co., Savannah Reifers Pet Caricatures, SLODOG, SLOdoggies, Subtly Unique, Thousand Hills Pet Resort/Gentle Touch Pet Training, and Vineyard Kennels. Delicious local food will be available from Old San Luis BBQ Taco Truck, Yabba Dabba Dogs, Woodstock’s Pizza, and Paradise Shaved Ice food trucks.
Non-Profits and Digital Landscapes
Spokes Symposium 2026, 2 to 5 p.m., November 6. brings together nonprofit leaders from across San Luis Obispo County for an afternoon of learning, conversation, and connection.
“Let us be clear: this is not another presentation about how to incorporate AI into your organization’s workflow,” reads a press release. “Instead, it’s an opportunity to come together around something increasingly important: how we protect our organizations, teams and clients in a rapidly changing digital landscape.”
The event will explore questions like:
• What is AI, and who has access to our inputs?
• How does the data brokerage economy work?
• What should we consider before we implement AI practices?
• What AI safeguards and legal protections exist in California?
This year’s Symposium will center on AI and Digital Safety for Nonprofit Organizations, with technologist and consultant Clara Fulks sharing the AI literacy skills nonprofit leaders need to help protect their organizations, teams, and communities from digital harm.
The program will include interactive small-group activities and conclude with a networking hour featuring passed hors d’oeuvres and drinks.
The Symposium is designed for SLO County nonprofit leaders, ideally CEOs/Executive Directors and Board Presidents. Attendance is limited to two people per organization.
Learn more: https://www.spokesfornonprofits.org/spokes-nonprofit-symposium-2026/Tickets are $45 – $75.
Free Health Services Oct. 25 in Templeton
Adventist Health and community partners will provide free health services and resources to community members on Sunday, October 25, during the Second Annual Free Health Clinic in Templeton.
“Access to routine dental, vision and preventive health services can be challenging for individuals and families experiencing financial or other barriers to care,” a press release reads. “The Free Health Clinic brings multiple services together in one location, helping connect community members with care, resources, and support close to home. The event reflects Adventist Health’s mission of living God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness, and hope through practical service to the community.”
At last year’s clinic, more than 70 Adventist Health team members helped serve over 1,000 community members. This year, healthcare professionals, volunteers, and community partners will again come together to expand access to essential services and provide practical support to local individuals and families.
Services and resources are expected to include Adult and pediatric dental services, including root canals, fillings, cleanings, and extractions; vision exams and free prescription glasses; Breast cancer screenings; WIC sign-ups; haircuts; fresh produce; Activities for kids – Bounce houses, pizza, games, and more!
All services will be provided at no cost. at Templeton Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church 930 Templeton Hills Road Templeton.
Free Coats for Kids
Up to 6th Grade
Y
oung Readers Collective is collaborating with Oceano/Five Cities Elks Lodge #2504 for their Operation Warm: More Than a Coat event on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Grover Beach Community Library, 240 N. 9th St.
While children through 6th grade receive a warm coat, Young Readers Collective will be there giving away Free books for children and their families “because every child deserves the opportunity to discover the magic of reading.
“We’re grateful to partner with organizations that care about our local families and work together to make a difference in our community,” Young Readers Collective said in a news release.
Is your business, including non-profits, supporting our community? Maybe you’re launching a new business, or you’re making updates to your current business model, or re-opening. Perhaps you have a job opportunity, or have been doing some volunteer work, or are collaborating with another business or a non-profit.
