Get your words ready! The theme for the 2025 SLO NightWriters Golden Quill Writing Contest is “Risk.” Submissions are due June 30.
All submissions must be previously unpublished. The contest is open to writers 18 years old and over residing in the United States and Canada. First-place winners in each category will receive a $350 cash prize and publication in the 2025 issue of “The NightWriter Review.” Second-place winners in each category will receive a $150 cash prize and publication in the 2025 issue of “The NightWriter Review.” Third-place winners in each category will receive a $50 cash prize and publication in the 2025 issue of “The NightWriter Review.” Entry feeis $20 for SLO NightWriters members and $25 for nonmembers. Get all the rules and submit at slonightwriters.org/golden-quill.
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Morro Bay Maritime Museum is launching a hands-on educational program this summer. Join them on Museum Mondays June 16 to Aug. 11, from 10 a.m.-12 noon for nautical-themed activities for the whole family. Designed for children ages 6-13, each class will feature a STEM component and an arts & craft component.
• Summer STEM Program Schedule:
• June 16: Boat Safety USCG
• June 23: Codes & Messages
• June 30: Design/Parts of a Boat
• July 14: Why Are You Happy? Whale Project
• July 21: Build a Canoe
• July 28: Sea Shanties
• Aug 4: Knot Tying
• Aug 11: Beyond the Horizon, Painting a Boat on the Horizon
To register, morrobaymaritime.org.
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Cayucos is celebrating its 150th year anniversary of its founding. The Cayucos Historical Society is putting on the opening event, June 7 at 6:30 at the Cayucos School. The lighthouse at Piedras Blancas is also celebrating its 150th year, so the evening will start with a presentation about the history of the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse. Followed by the movie “The Redemption of the Monster of Piedras Blancas. Free admission, but donations would be appreciated. The event is sponsored by the Cayucos Historical Society.
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Free programs at the Los Osos Library 2075 Palisades Ave. 805-528-1862.
• Bears Book Club – Tuesday, June 10, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
“The Personal Secretary” by Marie Benedict. Drop in. Adults.
• Derek Hood Magic Show – Wednesday, June 11, 3 – 4 p.m. All ages.
• Reptile Ron – Friday, June 13, 3 – 4 p.m.
Join us for a fun interactive event with Reptile Ron and his exotic animal friends from around the world! All ages.
• Summer Reading Program Kickback Party – Saturday, June 14, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Kick back with a good book for summer reading. Come get a reading log, play lawn games, make chalk art, color a bookmark, and more. Bring a blanket and relax on our lawn.
• Let’s Talk! – Wednesday, June 18, 6 – 7 p.m.
Join us for a TED Talk viewing followed by discussion. This month – Kelly McGonigal: How to make stress your friend. Adults.
• Nintendo – Friday, June 20, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Master your gaming skills and make new friends with our Nintendo Switch. We will provide one Switch for up to four players at a time, feel free to bring your own too. Games include Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, and Just Dance.
• Fiber Arts Circle – Saturday, June 21, 11 a.m. – noon
Join us for our monthly Fiber Arts Club. Bring your project and enjoy camaraderie with like-minded sewers, stitchers, knitters, and anything fiber arts.
• Build it Challenge – Friday, June 27, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Build creations with Keva Blocks, GeoMags, stacked cups and more. Will yours be the tallest, widest, most colorful, or something else entirely? Build it, tear it down, build it again. For ages 5+
• Collage for Kids – Saturday, June 28, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Emily Emanuel will facilitate this fun and creative workshop for kids ages 8 – 12. No sign up needed.
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The Cal Poly Music Department will host its 2025 Summer Music Camp for California high-school-age instrumentalists and vocalists July16-19. Applications are being accepted through June 15. Participants can stay in residence halls while they engage in a variety of opportunities, including rehearsing with faculty and students in a choir, percussion ensemble or string chamber group; having private lessons with Cal Poly instructors; sampling music classes; and much more! For prices and registration, go to music.calpoly.edu/summer-camp.
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Upcoming free youth programs at the Morro Bay Library – 625 Harbor St, (805) 772-6394.
• Summer Reading Kick-Off Party – Saturday, June 7, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Come get a summer reading log, dress up in a fairytale photobooth, make a fortune teller, draw some chalk art, color a tote bag and more.
• Star Wars Party – Wednesday, June 18, 3 – 5 p.m.
Join us for an afternoon of trivia, crafts, games and more. Star Wars costumes and t-shirts are encouraged!
• Nintendo Switch – Wednesday, June 25, 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, Super Smash Bros, and Just Dance.
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People Helping People Rummage Sale at South Bay Community Center, 2180 Palisades Ave. Los Osos on Friday, June 6 from 12 – 4 p.m. and Saturday, June 7 from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Come find your treasures. One third of proceeds will be donated to the Community Center, 1/3 will go to support People Helping People, and 1/3 will be donated at the 20th annual Needs N Wishes Holiday Fundraiser that benefits both the SLO Noor Clinic and 40 Prado Homeless Service center.
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Celebrated author, Lucy Jane Bledsoe, will be at the San Luis Obispo and Atascadero Libraries on Saturday. June 14, to celebrate Pride Month. The events are presented in partnership with AAUW and the Friends of the Atascadero Library.
· Atascadero Library: June 14, noon – 2 p.m.
· San Luis Obispo Library Community Room: June 14, 4 – 5 p.m.
Bledsoe is the author of several works of fiction for both adults and children, including “A Thin Bright Line,” which was a Lambda Literary Award and Ferro-Grumley Award finalist. She is the winner of numerous literary awards including the American Library Association Stonewall Award.
Books will be available to purchase at this event. Attendees will have a chance to win a book.
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The Cal Poly Digital Transformation Hub (DxHub), powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), has a free, weeklong Artificial Intelligence (AI) summer camp on the Cal Poly campus this summer.
The camp, running Aug. 3-7, is for 100 California Community College students, and applications are being accepted until June 7 at dxhub.calpoly.edu/ai-camp. Those selected for the CCC camp will be notified by June 14. All lodging, meals, and camp participation costs are covered for participants. Only transportation to and from San Luis Obispo and parking, if applicable, is required by selected participants.
Current CSU undergraduate and graduate students in all majors were welcome to apply — no prior AI experience required. The same is true for participants in the CCC camp — all majors are welcome, and no AI experience is required.
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Join the dance party and documentary premiere of “That’s So Drag” –– an electrifying night honoring the art, beauty, and power of drag. It all takes place at The Libertine, 1234 Broad St. SLO. They are We’re rolling out the pink carpet for the first public screening of our behind-the-scenes documentary, followed by a high-energy dance party featuring beats that’ll keep you moving all night. Come dressed to impress – because That’s So Drag! Tickets are $9.34 and are available at my805tix.com.
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City Farm SLO launch their Summer Farm Stand, a great opportunity to get the best produce while supporting City Farm SLO and its tenant farmers. The farm stand is open every Wednesday from 1- 5:30 p.m. at 1221 Calle Joaquin Road, San Luis Obispo. It offers produce grown regeneratively on farm plots, maintained
and harvested by students, community members, and City Farm staff. Additionally, they will feature produce from their tenant farmers, who operate plots across the 19-acre site. Proceeds directly support local organic farmers and help fund City Farm’s educational programs including farm field trips for K-5th graders, therapeutic horticulture for children and young adults with disabilities, and leadership development for underserved teens.
For more information, got to cityfarmslo.org/community-tours.
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The Seven Sister Gallery, 601 Embarcadero Ste. 8, Morro Bay, presents Metal art by Trudi Gilliam. Trudi draws inspiration, for her one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted pieces, from the wild landscapes in which she travels and lives. As an avid fan of the ocean, and to get an even closer perspective of the sea and marine life, she received her scuba certification while living on St. Croix, where she has spent more than 25 years. Today Trudi shares time between St. Croix, the Central Coast of California, and her home in Montana. She creates her sculptures using copper, brass, nickel/silver, and found objects. This new series of whales and birds uses copper and sea glass. Call (805) 772-9955, for more information.
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The League of Women Voters SLO County is participating in the NAACP SLO County’s Eighth Annual Juneteenth celebration on June 14, 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., in Mission Plaza San Luis Obispo. This year’s theme is “We’re Still Here – Standing Together. Activities include musical performances, speakers, a gumbo cookoff, freedom lounge and more. For more information, go to juneteenthslo.com.
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers announced the end of slavery in Galveston.
Today, Juneteenth has evolved into a national celebration with parades, festivals, educational events, and family gatherings, honoring African American history and progress. The holiday symbolizes the end of slavery and highlights the resilience and contributions of African Americans. Juneteenth gained federal recognition when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. This acknowledges Juneteenth’s importance and provides an opportunity for national reflection and celebration.
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Take part in the Monday Club’s Summer Sippin’ – Walk Around Tasting Event at 1815 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo. Doors open at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 8. Enjoy wine and beer tastings, music by Terry Lawless and nibbles by Del Monte’s Debbie Collins, a sip and spin wine raffle and raffle baskets. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at themondayclubslo.org.
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Enjoy featured Photographer Cathy Russ at Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero suite 10, Morro Bay through June 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Russ is a streetscape/landscape photographer living in Morro Bay. Her pursuit of streetscape/landscape images have taken her around the world for well over 30 years. The visual artistry of her photographs is born of a keen eye for the unusual and a life-long passion for the outdoors. This passion shines throughout Cathy’s work and has attracted a wide audience.
Russ’ style is unmistakable. Her talent for rare captures of amazing images fills her portfolio with a sense of passion, inspiration and the extraordinary. Her success derives from the patient pursuit of unique moments, the magic, and energy of the streets and outdoors. View her work at cathyrussphotography.com.
