Speakeasy, Feathers, Fedoras — Los Osos Cares Fundraiser
honored at the Los Osos
Cares Fundraiser
It was a dark, cold and gloomy day in February, when Los Osos Cares received a phone call at the Resource Center for assistance. An elderly woman named Sally (not her real name) was struggling with past due bills, while facing medical challenges. She had been in and out of the hospital and was bedridden. Her family was helping as much as they could, but
Sally’s utilities were about to be shut off due to nonpayment. With no utilities, Sally would not be able to survive in her home and had nowhere else to go. Her social worker reached out to Los Osos Cares (LOC) and their “Womenade Program” for assistance.
“Unfortunately, the amount owed exceeded Womenade’s assistance limit, but the dedicated LOC Resource Center volunteers were not about to give up,” said Mary Meserve-Miller, LOC’s new executive director. “Together, they combined a small grant from the LOC Resource Center Program with another grant from Womenade, to not only pay the utility bills, but also provide medically necessary nutrition and a few personal necessities for Sally.
“Sally’s family felt that this assistance would help them get back on track and be able to maintain her care in her home. LOC didn’t know anything, except the facts about Sally’s case, until the payments and purchases were made, but when her full name and address were given, it was discovered that Sally had been one of LOC’s generous donors in the past.”
Meserve-Miller and her executive assistant, Jenna Feliciano, are busy preparing for a fun-filled “Feathers and Fedoras Speakeasy Gala” on Monday, March 23 at the Morro Bay Theater. The costume 1920s theme gala starts at 4:30 p.m. and includes a showing of the movie “Chicago,” a no-host bar, gourmet appetizers and desserts, red carpet photographed entry, and silent and live auctions. Tickets are $25 each or two for $45 at Losososcares.com.
The mission statement of LOC is “Creating a culture of care by building community, identifying needs and providing immediate assistance and referrals to address the needs of the underserved in Los Osos, Morro Bay, and Cayucos.”
Los Osos Cares was started by Linda Quesenberry along with Reverend Caroline Hall in 2016 to help folks in the community. Linda retired in 2024; she will be honored at the fundraiser with the very first “Linda Award” honoring LOC’s Volunteer of the Year.
Local Duo Release Second Album
Two musicians with ties to the Central Coast have released their second studio album. Rock duo, The Taproots, dropped “Comedy Of Fools” available for streaming now.
Following their critically acclaimed, “Tales Of Wonderland,” this album offers another collection of original, lyric-driven compositions. Drawing from musical styles of Americana, Rock, Country, Reggae and Folk, this new recording blends both traditional rock instrumentation with more traditional instruments such as ukulele, pedal steel, accordion and mandolin.
The Taproots feature singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tom Walters, of Morro Bay, and award-winning vocalist Nicole Cassingham, best known for their weaving of multiple musical influences with strong harmonies with compelling storytelling.
Walters cut his first track on vinyl with Weird Al Yankovic in college, followed by an album for international release with the duo Iverson and Walters through Eagle Records in Nashville. He has since performed in an array of bands ranging from acoustic roots to modern jazz, sharing stages with such artists as Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Country Joe McDonald, Bryan White, Maria Muldaur, and others.
Nicole Cassingham is a singer and ukuleleist. She grew up performing in musical theater and at then at numerous fair venues and competitions on the West Coast. In college she joined a jazz ensemble with George Lewis and other bands, going on to record the full-length album, Mood Swing, in the California alternative rock group, Monkey Wagon. As a trained music therapist, Nicole also works with people who have mental illness, developing wellness and skills through music.
Lyrics and full album credits are available at taprootsmusic.com
Spring is Blooming at Cambria Nursery
Cambria Nursery is welcoming spring on California’s Central Coast with fresh plant arrivals, fun hands-on workshops, and locally made honey that reflect the spirit of the season.
As peak planting season begins, guests can explore a wide variety of citrus trees, vibrant camellias, spring décor and small-batch honey, sourced from the Nursery’s sister property, 46 Ranch in Templeton.
For those who like the sweet side of life, Cambria Nursery is introducing small-batch, locally harvested honey from Templeton’s 46 Ranch to the Farmstand. Made in collaboration with Sierra Honey Farm, this golden honey reflects the diverse coastal blooms of California’s Central Coast, offering a naturally floral flavor and a true taste of the region.
The hives are located at 46 Ranch, where regenerative farming practices focus on improving soil health, increasing biodiversity, and caring for the land for future generations. Through cover cropping, thoughtful grazing, and reduced soil disturbance, the Ranch supports a healthy ecosystem that benefits pollinators and native plants alike.
Throughout the season, Cambria Nursery will host a series of hands-on workshops, designed for gardeners and creatives of all experience levels. These workshops offer an opportunity to learn new skills, gain confidence, and connect with others who share a love of plants and design.
•Succulent Mushroom Workshop on Saturday, March 21 at 11 a.m.
• Guests will create a mushroom-inspired succulent arrangement
• $45 per person, includes all materials
• Space is limited and tickets must be purchased online in advance
Additional workshops will be announced throughout the season. Full workshop details and registration can be found at cambrianursery.com.
Pet Portraits Help Fund Food Pantry
Amy Marlan Photography is back with its third annual Pet Portraits with a Purpose fundraiser for the New Life U-Pick Pantry in Pismo Beach. In its first two years, more than $6,000 in session fees and dog food donations were raised for the pantry. This year, PETS Hospital in Orcutt is matching every donation dollar-for-dollar — doubling the impact for the first time in the fundraiser’s history.
For every $175 pet portrait session booked through the Pet Portraits with a Purpose fundraiser, Amy Marlan Photography donates $150 to the grocery-store style pantry.
For Pet Portraits with a Purpose, Marlan meets with each client before the session to learn about their pet’s personality and discuss their vision. Each participating pet owner will receive a custom metal pet luggage tag and a sWAG bag from the fundraiser’s business sponsors: UPS Store Nipomo, Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic and Holistic Family Healthcare, who are also donors to the pantry.
Following the session, clients have the opportunity to select artwork of their pet for their home.
“I employ a variety of techniques to help your pets feel comfortable and safe so that the session is enjoyable for them. I have been called the ‘fur whisperer’ on more than one occasion,” said Marlan.
Pet Portraits with a Purpose runs through March 31. To book a session, go to https://www.amymarlan.com/PPP.
The New Life U-Pick Pantry was founded in 2020 by New Life Community Church and inspired by Gina Nicola, New Life pastor and community outreach director. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist who serves adults, teens and families through its counseling center. There, she saw many struggling with hunger — and that food insecurity was profoundly affecting their mental health and ability to function in life.
The pantry is distinctive in that it operates like a grocery store with fresh produce and refrigerated items where users shop on their own. It utilizes a point-based system that allows anyone with a photo ID to select what they need.
“We’re trying to help people shop with dignity by selecting what they need instead of receiving a pre-packed bag of groceries. We want to help them feel seen and loved through the difficulty of not having enough food,” said Nicola.
When the pantry opened, it served 100 families. Today it serves more than 40,000 people a year.
The New Life U-Pick Pantry is located at the New Life Community Center on Crest Way in Pismo Beach. For pantry hours, donation needs, and volunteer opportunities, visit newlifepismo.com/pantry.
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. Or maybe you know someone who is. Submit your awesome local efforts for publication to EditorEBN@gmail.com.
