Nominations Now Open for Morro Bay Chamber Awards Gala
The Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 70th Annual Awards Gala, scheduled for November 7. The Chamber will present awards for winners in four categories: Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Living Treasure
and Nonprofit of the Year. Nomination submissions close August 30 and cover the January 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, timeframe.
“The Annual Gala signifies a time to recognize and honor valued businesses and citizens who have gone above and beyond in their contributions
to the community,” Chamber officials said.
The theme at this year’s Gala is “Seaside Soirée: Celebrating Seventy Years,” and takes place from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the Morro Bay Community Center on 1008 Kennedy Way.
Nominees who have previously received awards will not be considered. To make a nomination, go to https://www.morrochamber.org/events/gala-seaside-soiree.
Kai Shave Ice Grand Opening
Looking for a new treat with a little aloha spirit to cool you down in the summer heat? Kai Shave Ice, a Hawaiian-inspired shave ice shop, will hold its grand opening Sunday, July 19, at 255 Morro Bay Blvd. in Morro Bay from 12 to 4 p.m.
The celebration kicks off with an official ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce, welcoming Kai Shave Ice as the newest member of the local business community. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to be part of this milestone moment and enjoy the first tastes of Kai’s signature shave ice creations. At 2 p.m., the festivities continue with a live performance by Hālau Hula Na Mele o ke Kai, a talented ensemble of traditional Hawaiian hula dancers and musicians. Their performance will bring the spirit of the islands to the shores of Morro Bay, honoring the Hawaiian roots and culture that serve as the heart and soul of Kai Shave Ice.
“We wanted to bring something truly special to Morro Bay — a taste of aloha that the whole community can enjoy,” said the owners in a press release. “Kai Shave Ice is more than a business — it’s a place where families, friends, and neighbors can come together, cool off, and experience the warmth and joy of Hawaiian culture right here on the Central Coast.”
Kai Shave Ice offers a vibrant selection of premium shave ice featuring bold, tropical flavors crafted with quality ingredients, capturing the authentic taste of Hawaii. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Tourism Board fund Renovations at Vets’ Hall
The Cambria Tourism Board (CTB) announced the successful completion of renovations to the Cambria Veterans’ Memorial Hall, a cherished community landmark that serves both residents and visitors throughout the year.
The Cambria Tourism Board contributed $60,000 to the Veterans Hall Renovation Grant, supporting improvements that enhance the facility’s functionality, accessibility, and long-term value as a community gathering space.
“The Cambria Veterans’ Memorial Hall has long served as a venue for community meetings, celebrations, cultural events, and visitor-related programming,” said CTB in a press release. “The recent renovations ensure the historic facility can continue welcoming guests while honoring the service and sacrifice of local veterans.”
The Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) recently recognized the Highway 1 Tourism Alliance and the Cambria Tourism Board for their partnership in completing the project.
In a formal letter of appreciation, Harry Farmer, board president of the CCSD, noted that the renovations “enhance both the functionality and aesthetic quality of the facility, ensuring it remains a welcoming, safe, and accessible space for residents and visitors alike.”
As the destination marketing organization for Cambria, the Cambria Tourism Board is committed to investing tourism-generated funding into projects that enhance visitor experiences while providing lasting benefits for the community.
“Improvements to community assets, such as the Veterans’ Memorial Hall, help preserve the character and authenticity that make Cambria a unique destination along the Central Coast.”
Planning Effective Year-End Giving Campaigns
Annual appeal campaigns are more than simply sending a fundraising letter and hoping for results. In this session, Rob Grayson, Creative Director at Boone Graphics, will guide attendees through the process of planning and executing a direct mail piece as part of a comprehensive year-end fundraising strategy.
Spokes for Non-Profits presents Planning Effective Year-End Giving Campaigns on July 29 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. via Zoom. The cost is $45 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Learn how to plan and execute a direct mail piece as part of a successful year-end fundraising strategy, from donor segmentation and outreach to effective messaging, imagery, and production coordination.
Topics include:
• Creating a plan and setting goals for a successful year-end fundraising campaign
• Segmenting donor lists and organizing targeted donor outreach
• Crafting direct mail appeals and engagement pieces with strong messaging and imagery that connect with donors at different giving levels
• Managing campaign production, including working with printers and mail houses
Instructor Rob Grayson brings more than three decades of experience spanning nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and creative direction. A graduate of University of California, Santa Barbara, he began his career as an HIV Counselor, a role that led to a 24-year career in nonprofit leadership and development. During that time, he worked as both a development officer and consultant for dozens of nonprofits. He now serves as creative director for Boone Graphics, where he leads Studio B, the company’s in-house design studio.
This class is online; link will be sent with registration acknowledgement. Register at spokesfornonprofits.org.
City Farm SLO Opens Nominations for Inaugural Event
City Farm SLO is now accepting nominations for the inaugural Rooted in SLO Award, a new annual recognition celebrating women and nonbinary leaders whose work has strengthened agriculture, food systems, education, and community well-being throughout San Luis Obispo County. Nominations are open through August 1. For more information and to submit a nomination, go to cityfarmslo.org/hoedown.
The award will be presented during City Farm SLO’s 2nd Annual Farm Games Hoedown on Saturday, August 15, from 5:00–8:30 p.m. at Rancho Toro y Oso in San Luis Obispo.
The inaugural award coincides with the United Nations’ International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognizing the essential role women play in feeding communities, stewarding natural resources, and shaping the future of agriculture. While farming has historically been male-
dominated, the number of women farmers in California has grown by 13% over the past decade, reflecting a new generation of leaders bringing innovation, collaboration, and resilience to the field.
“As a female-led farm, City Farm SLO sees firsthand the incredible impact women have across every part of our local food system,” said Kayla Rutland, executive director of City Farm SLO, in a news release. “This award is about recognizing the people who quietly and consistently make our community healthier, more connected, and more resilient. We know those leaders exist throughout San Luis Obispo County, and we’re excited to celebrate them.”
The Rooted in SLO Award seeks to recognize women and nonbinary individuals whose contributions extend beyond their own organizations. Nominees may be farmers, educators, nonprofit leaders, advocates, or community builders whose work reflects a commitment to
sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, education, and strengthening the local food system.
Ideal nominees demonstrate one or more of the following:
• Leadership within the agricultural or broader community, including quiet or behind-the-
scenes leadership.
• A commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and agricultural education.
• Lasting contributions that have strengthened farming, food access, or community well-
being in San Luis Obispo County.
All nominees will be recognized during the Farm Games Hoedown, where the award recipient
will be announced live.
To ensure nominees can attend the celebration, each nomination includes the purchase of a discounted Nominee Guest Ticket for $75. Nominees will be honored guests at the event, and the individual or organization submitting the nomination will be recognized as their nominationsponsor. Up to two discounted nominee tickets are available with each nomination. Community members, businesses, nonprofits, schools, and agricultural organizations are encouraged to nominate deserving individuals from across San Luis Obispo County.
SLO Rep’s Business of Acting Class
SLO Rep presents The Business of Acting with Erik Stein running Sundays from August 30-October 4 from 5 – 7 p.m. for people 15 and older. The cost is $225.
The class is all about the side of an acting career that almost nobody teaches auditions, agent representation, headshots and resumes, and how to navigate the acting and performing profession. The class is taught by Erik Stein, actor and resident artist, artistic associate, and former casting and recruitment director of PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre. This is a rare chance to learn directly from someone who has sat on both sides of the casting table and who genuinely wants actors of all ages and stages of their career to walk away with real industry tools and knowledge.
What will be covered across six classes:
• Audition Checklist & Finding Monologues/Songs
• Headshots/Resume & Building Relationships with Decision Makers
• Where do I fit in the Industry? and should I take this job?
• Where do I want to live? and combined auditions
• Agents and managers interviews
• How to make yourself valuable as an actor and navigating the peaks and valleys of life as an actor.
For more information and to register, go to slorep.org and click the education tab.
Paso Author Publishes Memoiron Faith and Cancer
Central Coast Resident Tony Ventimiglio has released his memoir drawn from six years of living with Stage 4 prostate cancer.
Ventimiglio lives in Paso Robles with his wife, Andrea. In 2020, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer. “It’s A Glorious Day: A Memoir in Reflections” is drawn from his personal journals — written while he was living the experience rather than assembled in comfortable hindsight. It is a book about what it looks like to face a serious diagnosis with faith, resilience, and an unwillingness to quit.
“This book is for anyone who has ever been handed something they didn’t ask for and had to figure out how to carry it,” Ventimiglio said in a press release. “For me, that was a Stage 4 diagnosis. I wanted people to know they are not alone in the fight.”
“It’s A Glorious Day” is available now on Amazon in hardback, paperback, and Kindle. A second book, “Glorious Days On The Dirt Road: Reflections Along the Way” is scheduled for release August 6 of this year. For more information, go to tonyvent.com.
