Big, Bad & Ugly Surf Contest 2009
by Kevin Cole

Morro Rock by Dennis Young

USCG Surf Boats by Malcolm Riordan

Great Blue Heron by Nan Carder

Thoughtful by Chuck Abbe

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Atascadero Writers Group

Caretaking Closeness  by Betty Finocchiaro

Dear one
it is happening again
You cling to me       Read More

The Elements of Life by Lucille Bosco

The planetary stars and their mythological characterizations appeal to our sense of generosity of Spirit and play during the festive month of December. It begins with the Sun in Sagittarius, a mutable fire sign whose quality is infectious with optimism. Read More

Frustrated Local Writer by Rose Marie Zurkan

Rose Marie is trying something a little different, serializing a book she has written — "The Evil Men Do." Each month she will be sharing a chapter with you. As the months go by, you will be able to go back and re-read previous chapters if you wish to. This book is presented here exactly as she has written it. We welcome your thoughts on both the book itself and the process we are trying. So — jump in! Read More

Genie's Pocket by Jeanie Greensfelder

Felled

A head cold chops down
my take-for-granted life,
levels me to tea and toddies.  Read More

Great Shots by Jerry Kirkhart & Steve Corey

Our photo editors bring you some of their favorite coastal images for the month. This month's featured local photographers are Don Henderson, Jerry Kirkhart, Linda Tanner, Kris Hiemftra, Anita Ritenour, Alice Cahill, Aiden Briggs, Marlin Harms, Beedie Savage, Steve Corey, Sam McMillan, Dawn Beatty, Mimi Ditchie, Dagmar Collins, Linda McDonald, Don Quintana, Howard Ignatius, Jim Radford, Cheryl Strahl, Giancarlo III, Michelle Maani, Sandy Harris, Patrick Diriam, Ronnie Goyette, Mike Baird, Sylvia Sanchez, Dave Lawrence, Mike Viera, James Crawford, and Beth Sargent. See More

Mostly Music by Dawn Starr

Local musician Danny Pelfrey sat in on saxophone with Tower of Power's superlative horn section during their recent performance at Castoro Winery. Founded in 1968, Tower of Power is known for their upbeat "urban soul music." Danny used to be a regular member of the band, but now only occasionally plays with them.   Read More

One Poet's Perspective by Jane Elsdon

The Tutelege* of Trees

Some of my best friends are trees. All of my life they have been. We lived in a rural area outside of New Haven, Indiana for most of my first thirteen years. It was a tall apple tree in my back yard that first whispered to me, Look again. I'm not only an apple tree. I'm a pirate ship. Climb aboard. I did.   Read More

Opera SLO by Kathryn Bumpass

Following on from the success of The Carmen Project this past October, Opera San Luis Obispo continues its commitment to arts collaboration with seasonal performances of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet. The Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo will once again join forces with the Opera San Luis Obispo Orchestra, the Los Osos Middle School and Morro Bay High School choruses, both directed by Colleen Wall, to perform this beloved ballet in December. Read More

Practicing Poetic Justice by Deborah Tobola

In our zeal to incarcerate our way out of social problems, America has become the "incarceration nation." The New York Times recently published an editorial by Nicholas D. Kristof, which examines life (without the possibility of parole) sentences for thousands of non-violent offenders, imposed under federal mandatory minimum drug laws. He notes that "America now imprisons people at more than five times the rates of most Western countries." Read More

Shutterbugs by Cheryl Strahl

It may have all started when a submitted photo of my dog's nose appeared in the Tribune in June, 2008.    I was ecstatic . . . I was published!   Little did I realize that I had started on an incredible photographic journey. To this day that journey continues to amaze me! Read and See More

Valencia Peak Panorama by Howard Ignatius