Native Plants for Pollinators
On Sunday, November 19, from 2-4 p.m., the Los Osos Valley Garden Club hosts Master Gardener Peggy Burhenn as she discusses how gardening with native plants benefits our local pollinators. A certified California Naturalist, Burhenn will explain what steps you can take to make your garden more welcoming to pollinators, review which native plants are the most beneficial, which ones will grow well in your garden zone, and how to care for them. A member talk on Gardening for Native Bees in the Sand will be given by Cindy Roessler prior to Bernhenn’s presentation.
The meeting takes place at First Baptist Church of Los Osos, 1900 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos (cross street Lariat Drive) and is free and open to the public. No signup/registration is required to attend. If you have any questions, email club president, Wendy McKeown at info@lovgardenclub.org. Photo credit: Tom Burhenn
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A Christmas tradition returns with a local theater group with the 10th Anniversary stage production based on an iconic holiday movie.
San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre (SLO REP) will perform “A Christmas Story,” written by Philip Grecian, and immortalized in a movie of the same name.
Performances are at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays during the run. No performances on Thursday, Nov. 23 or Friday, Dec. 1.
Tickets are $20-$40 and available online at: slorep.org, or call (805) 786-2440.
The story revolves around Ralphie Parker, a 9-year-old boy in the Midwest during the 1940s, who wishes for, then schemes towards having a Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas.
Ralphie pleads his case to his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself at Goldblatt’s Department Store. The consistent response: “You’ll shoot your eye out!”
A Christmas Story has been a SLO Rep holiday tradition since 2013.
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The San Luis Obispo Vocal Arts Ensemble is celebrating 47 amazing years of making beautiful choral music for audiences in San Luis Obispo County and around the world! Under the musical direction of Founder Gary Lamprecht, along with accompanist Judy Robertson, Vocal Arts has some very special concerts planned for audiences in SLO County this winter season.
The holiday concerts will kick off the season in style with “Dona Nobis Pacem”
bringing hope and joy to audiences of all ages. The shows are a wonderful treat for the whole family. Enjoy classical choral music, holiday favorites and a couple of offbeat surprises.
All shows will end with a rousing sing-along of holiday favorites. The shows are Wednesday, November 29 at Trilogy in Nipomo, Saturday December 2 at the Mission San Luis Obispo, and December 10 at Cuesta College. Children’s tickets are just $10! These shows sell out each year so folks are encouraged to make their plans early. Parking is free at the Cuesta and Trilogy shows.
• Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 7:00PM Trilogy Monarch Dunes
• Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 3:00 PM Mission San Luis Obispo
• Sunday Dec. 10, 2023 at 3:00 PM Harold J. Miossi CPAC, Cuesta College
Tickets: $40 Premium Reserve Seating (Mission Only), $35 Preferred Reserve Seating (Mission Only), $30 Reserve Seating and $10 Children age 6-12. Order tickets online at vocalarts.org or call 805-541-6797
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The San Luis Obispo 47TH Annual Holiday Parade: “out of this world!” on Friday, December 1, 2023, at 7 p.m. Participants are encouraged to incorporate elements of space exploration, intergalactic adventure, and cosmic wonder into their entries.
The Annual Downtown SLO Holiday Parade has drawn thousands to downtown San Luis Obispo since 1976. Held on the first Friday in December, the parade has become a much-loved holiday tradition along the Central Coast for locals and visitors alike. Nearly 90 decorated floats, marching bands, vehicles, dancers, and more will march in the parade. Information regarding the route, accommodations, and more can be found at DowntownSLO.com/Parade. The parade will happen rain or shine.
This holiday season, visit Santa at Santa’s House, ride the Classic Carousel, take family photos in front of the 20-foot tree, walk through animated lighted displays, experience a music-synced light show, and more!
Holiday Plaza & Santa’s House Opening Day Celebration takes place on Nov. 24 at noon where attendees can watch Santa ride into Mission Plaza on a firetruck and enjoy a live performance from the SLO County Band.
Celebrate the opening of all the fun in the Plaza.
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Runners take your mark before the feast. Thanksgiving morning at 8:30 a.m., community members are invited to participate in the SLO County Turkey Trot, presented by the SLO Food Bank and Running Warehouse.
The event offers two in-person locations: participants can stroll along the picturesque Avila Beach Promenade and Bob Jones Trail or savor the ocean view starting at the Pismo Beach pier. For those unable to attend in person, virtual participation is an option, whether through walking, running, or hiking at a location of their choice or by showing support in spirit.
Participants will also receive a commemorative event t-shirt and the opportunity to fundraise to support holiday proteins for their neighbors in need.
“The SLO County Turkey Trot isn’t just about a fun morning; it’s about making a positive difference,” organizers said. “It brings attention to food insecurity in our community and raises essential funds to provide nourishment and hope to individuals and families during the holiday season. This year, the SLO Food Bank will distribute over 4,000 turkeys, turkey breasts, and hams, along with hundreds of thousands of pounds of the other nutritious foods needed to create a holiday meal.”
Help alleviate hunger in San Luis Obispo County. Register now at https://slofoodbank.org/trot.
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Join the Morro Coast Audubon for the Society MCAS November Virtual Community Zoom Program, “The Dinosaurs Amongst Us”presented by Kim Adelson, President of Black Hills Audubon Society on Monday, November 20, at 7 p.m.
Virtually all paleontologists agree that birds evolved from dinosaurs, and most even go so far as to state that birds are, in fact, living dinosaurs. The flood of new data coming from newly discovered fossil beds – primarily from China – has only solidified that position. Come learn about the structural and behavioral similarities between birds and the more “classic” dinosaurs they evolved from. We guarantee that you will not only be surprised as to how dinosaur-like birds are, but also how very bird-like dinosaurs were. You will never think about T.Rex in the same way again!
Kim Adelson was a professor of psychology for almost 30 years. Before she switched fields so as to better study behavioral evolution, she earned a master’s degree in evolutionary biology. Paleontology has been one of her avocations since she was a child. She is currently president of the Black Hills Audubon Society, where she also chairs the education committee.
All MCAS Zoom Community Programs are free and open to the public. All ages are welcome. No signup/registration required to attend.
Send questions via email to Wendy McKeown, programs chair at wendy@morrocoastaudubon.org
Photo Australian Cassowary (public domain photo)
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Free upcoming November programs at the Morro Bay Library – 625 Harbor St, (805) 772-6394.
• Make a Pie Garland – Wednesday, November 22, 3 – 5 p.m.
Get ready for feasting by making a decorative pie garland with us! For school age kids.
• Teen Crafts & Snacks: Buy Nothing Day – Saturday, November 25, 2- 4 p.m.
Book swap and repair fair! Bring a garment to mend or a book to swap. Come on down for an afternoon of spending nothing. For ages 11-18.
• Nintendo Switch – Wednesday, November 29, 3-5 p.m.
Master your gaming skills and make new friends with our Nintendo Switch! We will provide one Switch for up to 4 players at a time – feel free to bring your own too. Games include Mario Kart and Just Dance.
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The City of Paso Robles is set to dazzle residents and visitors with a radiant display of lights this holiday season at the annual Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony. This cherished tradition also symbolizes Cancer Support Community – California Central Coast’s 11th Annual Paso Lights of Hope, aiming to honor those affected by cancer while lighting up Paso’s Downtown City Park.
On the evening of Friday, November 25, the festive season officially kicks off when Mrs. Claus illuminates the breathtaking display. These lights will grace the park nightly, infusing warmth and hope into the community throughout the holiday season.
In an effort to make this year’s display even more vibrant and impactful, Paso’s Lights of Hope will adorn seventeen trees, offering a unique opportunity for sponsorship.
Paso’s Lights of Hope is a collaborative endeavor between Cancer Support Community, the City of Paso Robles and the Paso Robles Downtown Main Street Association. For those interested in participating and helping to illuminate the path toward CSC’s vision: “so that no one faces cancer alone,” sponsorship opportunities are available. You can learn more and get involved by visiting www.lightsofhope.org, calling (805) 238-4411, or emailing events cscslo.org.
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The following are free events brought to you by the Los Oso Library 2075 Palisades, Ave, 805-528-1862.
• Mini Weaving – Friday, November 17, 2 – 4 p.m.
Learn how to weave with Librarian Emily! We’ll make miniature tapestry weavings together and learn more about how cloth was made in the past and how it’s made today.
• Teen Crafts & Snacks – Saturday, November 18, 2 -4 p.m.
Come on down for snacks and creativity. This Saturday we’ll be getting ready for next week’s feasting by making a decorative pie garland! Whether you love pumpkin, pecan, apple, cherry, or another pie flavor we’ve got you covered. For ages 11-18
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The Cal Poly Arab Music Ensemble will give its fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in the Performing Arts Center.
Among the features of the ensemble’s season opener will be the world premiere of “Tahiyya” (“Salutation”) by Ken Habib, the ensemble’s director.
The concert opens with a suite of instrumental and vocal pieces selected from Arab art and popular music and celebrated across the Eastern Mediterranean, including classic examples of the muwashshah, a genre of poetry and music that arose in 10th century Andalusia in the southern Iberian Peninsula.
The program also includes a Romanian folksong and a Turkish instrumental piece that reflect the historical interconnectedness of West Asia, North Africa and Europe.
The Arab Music Ensemble is an orchestra and choir with vocal and instrumental soloists. Its membership represents a range of majors on campus and professions off campus. The dance troupe has a similar composition and has collaborated with the Arab Music Ensemble since its formation in 2006.
Tickets are $15 and $20 for the public, and $10 for students. Event parking is sponsored by the PAC. Tickets are available at the Cal Poly Ticket Office between noon and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To order by phone, call 805-SLO-4TIX (805-756-4849).
For more information, visit the Music Department’s calendar website, or email music@calpoly.edu or call 805-756-2406.
