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

Fat Cat and the Crows

Some crows were teasing the cat
We see you're getting fat
Come get this fish
or sit if you wish
She pounced and knocked them flat.      Read More

The Elements of Life by Lucille Bosco

The Cosmic Energies of 2013 have been relentless for those who have been in pursuit of truth over fiction, connection over conflict and love over hate. Death and rebirth are the verbs for the month of November. Transformation is the noun with Thanksgiving as a gift that keeps on giving for the rest of the year. 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

At the Watch Store

Time is broken

Three men bend over desks
fitted with wells for screws and discs.      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 Sylvia Sanchez, Linda McDonald, Bob Canepa, Marlin Harms, Mimi Ditchie, Dave Johnson, Steve Corey, Rick Derevan, Heather Craig, Mike Baird, Elizabeth Haslam, James Crawford, Jim Radford, Howard Ignatius, Linda Tanner, Fred Moore, Rob DeGraff, Don Quintana, Patrick Dirlam, Alice Cahill, Don Henderson, Michelle Maani, Aprille Lipton, Beth Sargent, Cheryl Strahl, Dave Lawrence, Anita Ritenour, Jerry Kirkhart, and Beedie Savage. See More

Mostly Music by Dawn Starr

Although he did not realize it at the time, playing with the Lester Lanin Orchestra at the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana was one of the highlights of Mike Swan's professional music career. This was one of a number of international music venues where Mike performed that had a formative influence on his varied musical repertoire.  Read More

One Poet's Perspective by Jane Elsdon

Thanksgiving Haiku: Human Nature

Gather together
Together we fill our needs
Yes, it is enough   Read More

Opera SLO by Kathryn Bumpass

A romantic liaison between two artists, a painter and a singer, a charged political background, and a brutal antagonist who desires to kill the one and bed the other – it's Puccini's tale of sex and violence, one of his most frequently performed operas, Tosca. Even in its own time Tosca was regarded as an unusually violent story, the more so because its most dramatic moments – an attempted rape, torture, murder, execution by firing squad and suicide — all take place on stage. Read More

Practicing Poetic Justice by Deborah Tobola

I'm looking for justice in my own hometown. An ex-con tells me I should check out a certain warehouse in downtown Santa Maria on a Saturday night. Read More

Valencia Peak Panorama by Howard Ignatius