Carol Tangeman

On today's show we’ll learn about the union that more than 200 workers at Alphabet—the parent company of Google—have announced they're forming with the Communications Workers of America. This winter, the butterfly sanctuary in Pacific Grove is empty, and monarchs across the Central Coast and North America are disappearing while federal protection is still years away. You’ll hear from Santa Barbara filmmaker Heather Hudson, who recently released her third film—a tribute to surf pioneer Marge Calhoun. We'll speak with the head of SLO Village, a local organization helping to keep seniors living independently in their own homes. And finally, we explore the way San Luis Obispo is using lights and activites to attract people to the downtown core.

On the December 21 edition of Issues & Ideas, we'll hear a report on how some GOP lawmakers in California oppose business shutdowns because they say there’s no evidence they reduce COVID-19 cases or spikes. And, you’ll hear about how the pandemic is impacting the fishing industry on the entral Coast and beyond, as KCBX speaks with a Central Coast fishing industry official and two academic researchers. Lake Tahoe has finally received a measurable amount of snow, and more is forecasted, but the pandemic has buried the tourist economy there. The rainy season is upon Monterey County and because of this summer’s major wildfires, the season brings a significant risk of debris flows. We have a report on how COVID-19 has affected one Central Valley family. We’ll also hear from a San Luis Obispo business owner about current challenges and opportunities—and the risks her family took during the pandemic to help their business stay afloat. Finally, we’ll learn about a new "un-textbook" written about the Channel Islands.

In this episode of Issues & Ideas, we learn about a year-long San Luis Obispo Tribune investigation into substandard housing in San Luis Obispo County. We also hear from Dawn Ortiz-Legg, chosen by California's governor to represent SLO County District 3 after the death of Adam Hill. Julie Rodewald talks about the local chapter of the League of Women Voters and how the recent national election broke all records in SLO County. Finally, we meet the newest lion at the Santa Barbara Zoo—a cub named Pauline—and hear how the zoo is dealing with all the operational changes of 2020. 

On this week's edition of Issues & Ideas: Chris Lambert created the podcast "Your Own Backyard," about Kristin Smart and the nearly quarter-century-long unsolved case of her disappearance from San Luis Obispo's Cal Poly campus.

Rick Stollmeyer co-founded the San Luis Obispo-based company Mindbody. Earlier this year, Stollmeyer stepped away from his role as CEO of the tech company and transitioned to board chair. He's written a book on entrepreneurship, with business advice based on his experience over the years with Mindbody. Garrett Olsen of the San Luis Obispo County Food Bank gives us an update and shares the challenges of providing food for community members in need during a pandemic. Finally, Father Ian Delinger takes us to Loo Loo Farms in Paso Robles to explore their edible flowers on "Playing With Food."

On this episdoe of Issues & Ideas, we hear from a SLO County infectious disease physician who is a key player in paving the way out of the pandemic shutdown; and from SLO supervisor Lynn Compton, who gives an update on the current status of the county's reopening plan. A founder of Lighthouse Atascadero talks about how the nonprofit has helped young people fight addiction since 1994, and how its programs have grown over the years. We’ll follow Father Ian as he hunts for local wild yeast in “Playing With Food,” capturing some yeast near a patch of poison oak and baking with it. And finally, we learn more about a fatal shark attack earlier in the month in waters off a state beach near Watsonville.

On this episode of Issues & Ideas, the SLO Chamber of Commerce's Jim Dantona speaks with SLO County health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein—not just about public health issues, but Borenstein's personal path to the job that, before the current pandemic, was not often in the public spotlight. We visit with a retired pilot, Captain Karen Kahn, one of the first female pilots hired to fly with a commercial airline, and learn more about a nonprofit—where Kahn is a mentor—that teaches Santa Barbara-area youth all aspects of aviation and, ultimately, how to fly a plane. Tom Wilmer speaks with Christine Johnson, executive director of the Central Coast Aquarium, about the Avila aquarium and the planned Morro Bay expansion. Finally, Monterey County organizations pick up the phone to check in with people during the shutdown. 

Animal shelters across the state are seeing a reduction in the number of dogs and cats in their kennels. Eric Anderson, the manager of San Luis Obispo County's Animal Services division, talks with KCBX via Zoom about the impact of the pandemic on animals in our community.

KCBX's Greta Mart has a conversation with Mindbody CEO Rick Stollmeyer about that company's decision to layoff or furlough a third of its employees. We hear from Col. Charles Bell, commander of Fort Hunter Liggett, about how the rural base community is trying to protect itself from an outbreak of COVID-19. From our colleagues in the Central Valley, we get a feel for what it's like to work in a Fresno emergency room during the pandemic. Finally, KCBX correspondent Brian Reynolds has a conversation with first-time novelist Jessica Winters Mireles.

On this episdoe of Issues & Ideas: We learn more about a STEAM—science, technology, engineering, the arts and math—program for middle school students offered by the Foundation at Hearst Castle. And a nationwide shortage prompts distilleries in San Luis Obispo County to turn production over to hand sanitizer. We hear more about a nonprofit organization called 'School on Wheels' that tutors homeless children in Santa Barbara County. And Father Ian takes us on an educational tour of Central Coast olive groves and olive oil producers. 

On this week's episode of Issues & Ideas, we hear how the pandemic is affecting the hospitality industry in Monterey County, and operations at the SLO County airport. Cal Poly journalism lecturer Kim Bisheff talks about the current media landscape, and suggests ways we can find news outlets we can trust. We visit Atascadero Lake to witness the installation of a new bioswale project and learn how it will improve water quality. And we hear about the hundreds of 'catch-and-eat' rainbow trout just planted in the lake. 

In this episode of Issues & Ideas: Learn how the San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe Council is helping local residents better prepare for fire.

Also, hear about REACH, which is the new iteration of the Hourglass Project, a year-old "action tank" focused on forming a viable plan to create new jobs and economic development across the Central Coast. 

Fifty years ago, in August of 1969, half a million young people gathered on a farm in New York for the Woodstock Music & Art Festival. To mark the anniversary, KCBX shares the stories of San Luis Obispo County residents who were there. 

Fifty years ago, in August of 1969, half a million young people gathered on a farm in New York for the Woodstock Music & Art Festival. KCBX is sharing the stories of San Luis Obispo County residents who were there. 

Fifty years ago this month, half a million young people gathered on a farm in New York for the Woodstock Music Festival. KCBX shares the stories of San Luis Obispo County residents who were there. 

Fifty years ago this month, half a million young people gathered on a farm in New York for the Woodstock Music Festival. This week and next, KCBX shares the stories of San Luis Obispo County residents who were there. 

The nonprofit Arts Obispo and a group of community members propose to install a bronze statue of Theodore Roosevelt in San Luis Obispo’s Mitchell Park. But first, the city needs to decide if a formal monument policy is needed.

In the Central Coast city of Santa Maria, there is a community college-based conservatory that teaches students everything they need to pursue a professional career in theater. For decades, the Pacific Conservatory Theatre has offered a two-year vocational program, and alumni include stars like Robin Williams and Kathy Bates.

Every summer, a San Luis Obispo nonprofit puts on a kid's camp focused on an art form not usually considered a favorite of the under-18 set—opera. But as Carol Tangeman discovers, the region's professional opera company offers a whirlwind experience that gets local kids singing.

As part of this summer’s Festival Mozaic, renowned pianist Christopher O’Riley will push the boundaries of classical music by performing songs of the rock band Radiohead, alongside visual interpretations from photographer Bryn Forbes. So the question is: why Radiohead?

The 44th annual Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration starts Friday, and continues throughout the weekend at Alameda Park. Saturday's parade up State Street is the largest single day event in Santa Barbara County. It's been a tough year for the Santa Barbara community, and this year's parade may be a welcome celebration. 

We head to Paso Robles for a visit to Studios on the Park, a non profit Arts Center where residents gather under one roof to create and sell art. The North County Arts scene has grown and evolved over the last 30 years, just as the region’s wines and restaurants have made it a popular tourist destination. Carol Tangeman reports.

The Arts Beat is made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County.

These days, many consider the arts scene in Paso Robles to be thriving. A new downtown mural adds to a blossoming of public art. But it hasn’t always been so. 

March is National Youth Art Month, and in the Central Coast town of Cambria, a month-long show at the historic Old Grammar School is bucking the trend of art disappearing from public schools.

What is a life well lived? 40 people with 3,000 years of collective life experience answer that question in a new documentary film produced by San Luis Obispo resident Sky Bergman. 

A recent New York Times article named the San Luis Obispo Mission and Bubblegum Alley as “the top tourist draws in San Luis Obispo.” Local arts groups hope that someday the downtown might earn an official state designation as a “Cultural District,” highlighting more than history and kitsch. 

Progress has stalled on a planned new San Luis Obispo County animal shelter, as two cities voted this week to opt out of an agreement to share the cost of a new facility. 

While the struggle over health care continues in Washington D.C., a San Luis Obispo County doctor follows his dream by providing top quality care - at no cost to the patient.