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

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Peregrine Falcon Image on Banner by Cleve Nash

Atascadero Writers Group

Like Fishy Paper Dolls
by George Asdel

Seven Sunfish swim
like odd fishy paper dolls
cut from thin paper
by a master of the art
sing loudly as they pass by  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. Read More

Genie's Pocket by Jeanie Greensfelder

In June

Jacarandas bloom,
leaving nearby trees
green with envy.  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 Barb Ignatius, Jen Lawrence, Cheryl Strahl, Mike Baird, Bob Canepa, Michael Peterson, Linda Tanner, Marlin Harms, Mimi Ditchie, Jeff Carvalho, Dagmar Collins, James Crawford, Fred Moore, Mike Vieira, Don Henderson, Bill Bouton, Alice Cahill, Anita Ritenour, Giancarlo, Michelle Maani, Dave Johnson, Steve Corey, Jerry Kirkhart, Dave Lawrence, David Pasillas, Rick Derevan, Aprille Llipton, Sylvia Sanchez, Don Quintana, Howard Ignatius, and Beth Sargent. See More

Mostly Music by Dawn Starr

Listening to Dawn Lambeth's rhythmic, joyful jazz vocals, one would be surprised to learn that she initially had no plans to become a musician. Her unique vocals emphasize simple but pure jazz and swing from the 1920's, 30's, and 40's. Her humble, gentle countenance belies the fact that she has received admiring reviews from jazz historians and hosts of NPR music programs, and been compared to such greats as Jo Stafford and Maxine Sullivan, and enjoyed national and international airplay.  Read More

One Poet's Perspective by Jane Elsdon

My awareness of the need for a new mythology was initially stirred most notably in the late eighties when Joseph Campbell's compelling series appeared on PBS.  It was in the early nineties when I met Beverly Ensing, an expert Rolfer and a self-taught painter. She told me of the Jungian dream work she was doing with a Chumash nun. It turned out that I was doing the same thing almost at the same time with the same inspiring woman and a women's group. Read More

Opera SLO by Kathryn Bumpass

Each summer Opera San Luis Obispo sponsors a 2-week camp for youngsters 8-16 years of age interested in the musical stage. The campers will meet from 9am until 3pm daily, July 22 – August 2, concluding with a full performance on Friday, August 2, at the United Methodist Church. Read More

Practicing Poetic Justice by Deborah Tobola

Some cultural problems seem so intractable, their solutions so ephemeral, that we'd rather not think about them.  For example, how do you stop the revolving door of incarceration? If the recidivism rate is 70%, that means seven out of 10 people who are incarcerated will get locked up again. Read More

Shutterbugs, Featuring Mimi Ditchie

In the 80's I got my first really great 35mm camera. It was a Canon AE-1 Program and I just loved it. I took a correspondence course by mail through the infamous "New York Institute of Photography." It helped me to learn the basics of photography and every weekend I was off to photograph something new.  Read More

Valencia Peak Panorama by Howard Ignatius