Issues & Ideas

SLO County's Regional Road Safety Plan, the Morro Bay Bird Festival, and Playing With Food- local coffee Oct 29, 2024

John DiNunzio, Transportation Planner with SLOCOG, speaks with KCBX’s Marisa Waddell about the county’s Regional Road Safety Action Plan. The Morro Bay Bird Festival is in January of 2025, and Bob and Robbie Revel talk about how to best enjoy the festival. Fr. Ian, of Playing With Food, is sharing his exploration of coffee produced on the California Coast.

Winter weather forecast; Avila Beach, California- a book; and the band Fruition Oct 22, 2024

Retired meteorologist John Lindsey chats with KCBX’s Kim Foster about what to expect- weather wise- this coming winter. Paul Karlen and Lisa Wilkerson, the creators of a new book called Avila Beach California, talk about the project- calling it a ‘labor of love’. The band Fruition will be performing at SLO Brew Rock soon, and band member Kellen Asebroek spoke with KCBX’s Brad Kyle.

Melanie Senn's novel 'Murray', Pete Kelley- restaurateur and author, and blending art with jazz. Oct 08, 2024

SLO Women’s Rugby celebrates 20 Years of breaking barriers. Local writer and freelance reporter Melanie Senn talks about her new book- Murray: A Novel. Fort Hunter Liggett is leading the energy independence charge with micro-grids. Pete Kelley, owner of the "Pete's" Central Coast restaurants from 1977 to 2007, talks with KCBX's Carol Tangeman in this interview from the archives, recorded in 2022. Morro Bay ceramicist Ross Hale blends sculpting with jazz, and talks about his aspirations for the project.

'Sideways', Hope on Park, Playing With Wine, and a sonic journey through a wine harvest Oct 01, 2024

The movie Sideways celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Evan Kleiman of KCRW explores the movie’s lasting effects on the Santa Ynez Valley. Correspondent Tom Wilmer enjoys a conversation with second generation winegrower Austin Hope. Fr. Ian plays with wine. Former KCBX news director Benjamin Purper takes us on a sonic journey through a Central Coast wine harvest.

Peace Love & Pets- ASAP Cats, and the Central Coast Bioneers Conference Sep 17, 2024

On Peace, Love & Pets, host Robin Coleman and Jessica Wiebe, of ASAP Cats, share ideas and information about how we can help homeless cats on the Central Coast live better lives. Also, the upcoming Central Coast Bioneers Conference includes a tour of green energy buildings. Andy Pease of In Balance Green Consulting talks with Carol Tangeman about the Conference and the tour.

Extreme heat, a family history, equitable housing, and the Goleta Pipeline Sep 10, 2024

Extreme heat can be life-threatening for many Californians without air conditioning in their homes, and renters in California can’t force landlords to install air conditioners. Also, California schools must now adjust sports practices and games when it’s too hot outside. KCBX correspondent Tom Wilmer visits with Victoria Newhouse and Quince Williams, architectural historians and NYC architects who discuss social equity, architecture and hope for the future of affordable housing in a new book- Housing the Nation. KCBX's Brian Reynolds speaks with author Dianna Jackson about her new book From Beloit to Clark Gable in Three Generations. She traced her great grandfather’s journey across the United States to California’s Central Coast in the mid 1800s. An oil spill in 2015 devastated the Santa Barbara community and its ecosystem. The Pacific Pipeline Company has gotten the okay from the county for a major step toward resuming operations. Rosie Bultman from KCSB-FM on the UC Santa Barbara Campus speaks with Brady Bradshaw of The Center for Biological Diversity.

Local grass fed beef, the CA Cadet Corps., a forgotten Chumash island, and the resilient Bishop pine. Aug 26, 2024

On Playing With Food, Fr. Ian meets a local cattle-woman whose family has been raising grass-fed beef for six generations. Correspondent Tom Wilmer visits with Major Tate Burns, who shares insights about the California Cadet Corps. UC Santa Barbara hosts a nine week course where students team up to create an original documentary about the coast. Finally, we’ll learn about the Bishop pine, which has fashioned its own way of surviving the ages in California.

Precision Construction, Strategic Pet Recovery, and "Whose Waters?" Aug 20, 2024

On today’s Working Lunch, Karl Vaillancourt and Stephanie McDonald of Precision Construction chat with host Jim Dantona of the SLO Chamber about their projects: including the world’s first hyperloop, the first rocket landing facility on the West Coast, and their restoration work on the historic Ahwahnee Hotel. On Peace, Love & Pets, host Robin Coleman and Shawn Dienhart of Strategic Pet Recovery share stories of reuniting lost pets with their owners. We’ll also take a look at the exhibit "Whose Waters?" at the SLO Museum of Art. It combines photography, painting, filmmaking, and more to tell stories about how surf culture affects people of color.

KCBX Special: Central Coast locals remember Woodstock Aug 12, 2024

In mid August of 1969, half a million young people gathered on a farm in New York for the Woodstock Music & Art Festival. Enjoy an hour long trip back in time 55 years to this legendary event. Five years ago, on the 50th anniversary, eight Central Coast listeners who attended the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival shared their experiences. Hear their stories once again, along with the iconic music of those three days of peace, love, mud, and crowds at what became simply known as Woodstock.Listen along as Central Coast locals remember their time at Woodstock: how they got there, their experiences during the festival and how the seminal gathering impacted their lives in the ensuing decades.

Natural disaster resilience and preparedness, Infinite Music, and Resonance choral ensemble Aug 06, 2024

Scott Jalbert, director of the SLO County Offices of Emergency Services, joins KCBX’s Kim Foster in a discussion about how each of us can become more resilient and prepared for natural disasters. On the Nonprofit Story, host Dr. Consuelo Meux focuses on Infinite Music, an educational nonprofit that provides youth, especially those in underserved communities, the chance to experience the transformative power of music through education, appreciation, and performance. The group Resonance has been producing a cappella choral music on the Central Coast since 2012. They join KCBX’s Craig Russell for a conversation and some music ahead of their upcoming performances.

The fentanyl problem, Housing Authority of SLO County, and what is an olallieberry? Jul 29, 2024

KCBX’s Stu Soren sits down with Patrick Hanly for a discussion on the issue of fentanyl. Hanly is a former US prosecutor, and a current criminal defense attorney. Correspondent Tom Wilmer visits with Scott Collins, Executive Director, Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo County. And finally, olallieberries have long been grown in Avila Valley and Cambria. But few actually know what they are.

Cal Poly's Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Edible SLO's upcoming culinary event, and the Central Coast Cider Festival Jul 23, 2024

Associate Professor Thomas Katona shares insights about Cal Poly’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship with correspondent Tom Wilmer. We’ll get a preview of Edible San Luis Obispo Magazine’s upcoming culinary celebration called ‘Summer House’ in a conversation with Fr. Ian of Playing With Food. The 6th Annual Central Coast Cider Festival is August 24th in downtown Atascadero, and you’ll hear from some of the organizers.

Festival Mozaic, SLO County Animal Services update, and the importance of sea otters Jul 16, 2024

KCBX program director Marisa Waddell talks with Lloyd Tanner of Festival Mozaic about what it’s like to be an arts administrator who puts together a multi-day event at venues all over San Luis Obispo County. On Peace, Love & Pets host Robin Coleman checks in with Dr. Eric Anderson of SLO County Animal Services to get an update on the shelter, services offered, and some regulations for dog owners. Also, research has found that sea otters on the Central Coast are having a stabilizing effect on the ecosystem. KCBX's Beth Thornton visited a slough in Monterey County with a volunteer scientist.

Lahaina's devastating fire, Rantec's family friendly workplace, and the book Living & Loving Unapologetically Jul 09, 2024

Connie Framberger shares her story of Maui’s devastating fire with KCBX’s Brian Reynolds, and offers advice about how to help the residents recover. On Working Lunch, SLO Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jim Dantona chats with Vinay Clauson and Thane Atkinson of Los Osos based business Rantec. Join correspondent Tom Wilmer for a visit with Harpreet Ghumman of Arroyo Grande as she shares her life journey and her new book: Living & Loving Unapologetically.

Summer pet tips, 'Lives Well Lived'- the book, and Playing With Food- Bao buns Jun 25, 2024

Listen to a discussion about pet summer safety with Robin Coleman of Woods Humane Society and Dr. Dorian with Vetama Mobile Veterinarian Care. It’s Peace, Love & Pets. Filmmaker Sky Bergman has just published a book as a companion to her documentary “Lives Well Lived”. She and KCBX’s Brian Reynolds discuss the benefits of intergenerational connections. On Playing With Food, Fr. Ian attempts to make Bao buns with the owners of Bing’s Bao Buns in the SLO Public Market.

Dr. Jill Stearns of Cuesta College, 'Oldest San Francisco', and the UCSB Koegel Autism Center Jun 11, 2024

The SLO Chamber of Commerce’s Jim Dantona visits with the Superintendent and President of Cuesta College, Dr. Jill Stearns. Award-winning Oakland-based author, Alec Scott, shares insights about his book 'Oldest San Francisco’. Student reporter Ashley Segat speaks with Dr Anna Krasno from UCSBs Koegel Autism Center.

The Live Oak Music Festival, comedian Kathy Griffin, rattlesnakes and more Jun 04, 2024

KCBX's Beth Thornton visits Girls Inc. in Carpinteria, a girls’ leadership program and a place for after-school care. The non-profit is prepared to serve as a community gathering space during extreme heat events. KCBX’s Sal Espana speaks with comedian Kathy Griffin ahead of her Central Coast appearance. KCBX reporter Alyssa Toledo speaks with journalist Mark Follman, whose Mother Jones article, published for the tenth anniversary of the Isla Vista mass killings, features a conversation with the killer’s mother. The Live Oak Music Festival is coming up, and Steve Ahlgrim and Kathy Johnston produced this audio story of the festival. You'll hear from Emily Taylor, Professor of Biology at Cal Poly, and the author of the book "California Snakes and How to Find Them".

Chumash Marine Sanctuary, The Heat Beat, Farm to School, Santa Barbara cruise ship restrictions, and sea otter tools May 21, 2024

If the federal government approves the designation this summer, the Chumash Marine Sanctuary would be the first marine sanctuary in the U.S. to be nominated by, and named after, an Indigenous tribe. This week on our series The Heat Beat, Beth Thornton reports that taking precautions can save lives and minimize visits to the ER. Local farmers are giving school lunches a complete makeover thanks to a relatively new program of farm-to-school. KCSB student reporter Annabelle Hurst spoke with Ted Morton of Santa Barbara Channel Keeper about the changes the city recently set in place for visiting cruise ships. And finally, when sea otters lose their favorite foods, they can use tools to go after new ones.

The Heat Beat, filmmaker Sky Bergman's 'Mochitsuki', Your Brain on Art, and a Certified Music Practitioner May 14, 2024

In the first part of our four part series called The Heat Beat, Beth Thornton reports on how communities can prepare for heat waves and save lives. Filmmaker Sky Bergman speaks about her latest film- Mochitsuki, which explores the ancient tradition of preparing Mochi to celebrate the Japanese New Year. The authors of ‘Your Brain on Art’ talk about their research and book with UCSB student reporter Brandon Yee. Violinist Brynn Albanese brings live music to hospital patients across the Central Coast as a Certified Music Practitioner.

Recycling textiles, sustainable water solutions, the Tall Poppy Syndrome, and an inclusive community of kids on wheels. May 06, 2024

On this week’s show, you’ll learn about a recent workshop on recycling textiles. Organizer Dave Cross of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce speaks with KCBX’s Beth Thornton. On this month’s episode of Working Lunch, host Jim Dantona speaks with Janette Garrett and Jeff Szytel of Water Systems Consulting about providing solutions for sustainable water use. KCBX’s Brian Reynolds chats with author Dr. Doug Garland about his book and podcast “The Tall Poppy Syndrome”. A local youth sports team is opening the door for LGBTQ+ youth in athletics, and they are doing it on wheels.

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