Issues and Ideas

A wave of lockdown mandates in March of 2020 halted many aspects of life as we knew it. It was especially true for the restaurant industry, which dove deeper into digital technologies to stay competitive and in many cases, just to stay alive. Here's the story of two sisters -- one tech savvy and the other not so much -- who run their own eateries in Cambria, California.

The first and only sheep's milk ice cream is produced on the Central Coast. That makes it doubly ewe-nique: the only sheep's milk ice crem, and it's made from ewe's milk. Negranti Creamery in Atascadero has been in business for just over 10 years. Father Ian Delinger got the scoop (pun intended) from founder Alexis Negranti.

As part of the KCBX Arts Beat, we're taking a look at how three local music organizations survived the pandemic: Festival Mozaic, the SLO Symphony, and Infinite Music. In our 3rd episode of KCBX's 12 part series 'Beyond the Furrows" reporter Francisco Martinez explores how labor trafficking affects farmworkers and what’s being done locally. The Land Conservancy of SLO County is starting to assess usage potential for the Santa Rita Ranch along Highway 46. You’ll hear from Around Downtown's Bettina Swigger as she speaks with Erica Crawford of the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce. Finally, we’ll join Fr. Ian Dellinger as he explores sheep milk ice cream on Playing With Food.

On this episode of Issues & Ideas, hear the second part of "Beyond the Furrows", our 12 part series on farmworkers in Santa Barbara County. Also, learn more about the health risks of smoke from wildfires and get some advice on how we can prepare for this wildfire season. And, during the pandemic lockdown, restaurants had to scramble to adopt digital technology in order to keep their businesses open. We’ll visit with the Makela family at their Santa Barbara County olive ranch. And finally, RISE and Stand Strong, two local nonprofits providing services for sexual and intimate partner violence, have merged to create the Lumina Alliance.

On Issues & Ideas we're exploring the history of farmworkers' rights in California, and how that history affects people on the Central Coast. We're also taking a look at redistricting on the Central Coast, and some of the challenges being faced. And, we explore the possibility of wind turbines in Morro Bay, and the reaction of some in the fishing industry. We’re checking in with Healthy People Healthy Trails is a community initiative in Santa Barbara County to promote health and well-being through the use and enjoyment of nature. Meteorologist John Lindsey reports that a serious decline in the sea star population has led to a massive die-off of the kelp forests along the Northern California coastline. And finally, the San Luis Obispo City manager Derek Johnson talks about job strategies and city projects.

On today’s show, we’ll hear the story of a large area of Santa Barbara open space that will remain undeveloped, as "Save the San Marcos Foothills" has reached its goal to purchase the 101 acre site, west of hwy 154. San Francisco International Airport has an impressive showcase of the arts in galleries throughout the airport. Local author Corinne Ardoin shares her quest for publication- and for a better understanding of her relationship with her heritage. And finally, daikon is growing just outside of San Luis Obispo as a cover crop for a vineyard and Playing With Food's Father Ian checks it out.

“Daikon, Japanese for ‘big root’ and a mild-flavored white radish, is growing just outside of San Luis Obispo. But it’s not destined for the local sushi joints. It’s nurturing vineyard soil. And Playing With Food got and inside look.

Join correspondent Tom Wilmer reporting from Santa Barbara County for a visit with the Craig, Cindy and Chad Makela at their organic olive ranch in the rugged hills above Refugio State Beach.

On this week's Issues & Ideas, we’ll learn how the San Luis Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation has provided services and resources to people in need in San Luis Obispo County since 1992. We'll also hear from Luke Schwartz, transportation manager of the city of San Luis Obispo about the possibility of some of the downtown street changes- including parklets- becoming permanent. And finally, you’ll hear the story behind Two Broads Ciderworks, and learn why they source local fruit for their ciders.

Join correspondent Tom Wilmer for a visit with Tim O’Brien, assistant director and curator of exhibitions at the SFO Museum. SFO showcases the arts, science, pop-culture, anthropology and aviation history in 28 galleries located in terminals throughout the airport.

In this edition of Issues & Ideas, researchers at UCSB have made a breakthrough in using gene-editing technology to create sterile male mosquitoes. We’ll visit Edna Contemporary, a fine art gallery tucked behind Basalt Interiors in downtown SLO; as part of KCBX's Arts Beat, Lauren Walike talks to owner Sheryl Daane Chestnut. It’s time for summer camp, and experts say that in addition to COVID-19, racial justice movements of the past year could lead to a revamping of current camp culture. U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hunter Liggett in southern Monterey County is on target to reach their goal of Net-Zero energy resiliency to critical facilities by 2022 via a new micro-grid. The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce's Jim Dantona speaks with Mark Lisa, CEO of Tenet Health Central Coast, about how healthcare on the Central Coast is changing as a result of Covid-19. Note: Tenet Health is a financial supporter of KCBX. And finally, we’ll learn about the Coastal Dunes California Writers’ Club, which brings together published and yet-to-be published authors so they can share knowledge and encouragement.

Correspondent Tom Wilmer reports from U.S. Army Reserve Garrison Fort Hunter Liggett in Monterey County for a conversation with Commander Colonel Charles Bell.

Bell shares recollections of his accomplishments and challenges at Fort Hunter Liggett as Garrison Commander for the past 24 months. He also shares insights about his new assignment in Salt Lake City, Utah as Chief of Staff for the 76th Operational Response Command.

The Central Coast Queer Archive Project collects oral and video histories of the local LGBTQ community and you’ll hear about the current state of the project. The EPA has awarded the Santa Barbara City College Foundation a grant for a project that will connect students and residents to a network of edible gardens. You’ll hear from local experts about vaccine hesitancy and how to talk to friends and family who are still undecided about the vaccine. Dr. Consuelo Meux has a conversation with the founder of Honor Flight Central Coast California, which takes veterans to Washington D.C. And finally, you’ll learn about the work done by the El Camino Homeless Coalition.

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hunter Liggett in southern Monterey County is on target to reach their goal of Net-Zero energy resiliency to critical facilities by 2022 via a new micro-grid.

Hunter Liggett is slated to become the first U.S. Army installation in America capable of generating and distributing electricity off-grid for a minimum of 14 days across the entire cantonment.

Join correspondent Tom Wilmer as he visits with Fort Hunter Liggett Garrison Commander, Colonel Charles Bell; Nicole Bulgarino, executive vice-president for Federal Solutions at Ameresco, the project design-build firm that specializes in clean energy technologies; followed by a conversation with Colonel James Handura, Commander and District Engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District.

On this edition of Issues & ideas, you’ll hear about the UC Santa Barbara marine scientists who are currently on an international expedition to help them understand how the ocean will respond to climate change. The western monarch butterfly’s population has declined 99% percent since the 1980s, but you can learn to help them recover in your own garden. We’ll hear from Santa Barbara emergency physician Dr. Jason Prystowsky about what could be done to foster trust between marginalized communities and medical institutions. Father Ian takes us with him as he learns about Olive leaf Tea. Finally, members of The Molly Ringwald Project, a popular local 80s dance band, talk about performing again after the pandemic.

On this edition of Issues & Ideas, you’ll hear more about the three lawsuits the non-profit Friends of Oceano Dunes has filed against the California Coastal Commission, following the landmark decision to phase out off-highway vehicular use at Oceano Dunes. There is a Walk for Kristin Smart being organized to commemorate the anniversary of her death in May, 1996; we’ll check in with some students who plan to attend.

On this week's show, learn how sheep work to help prevent fires on the Central Coast. Also, after a wildfire in Santa Cruz County destroyed close to 1,500 structures, a local group experiments with fungi, which they say has the ability to remove and even heal toxic burn scars. You’ll hear about the traveling nurses who administer vaccines at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo. Latinos make up the majority of the population in Fresno County, but they only account for about 36% of people who have received at least one dose of the vaccine; we’ll explore some of the reasons why Latino residents are hesitant. There's a new monthly series of Zoom events put on by NAACP SLO County, called "Know Your Rights", and we’ll take a closer look. Finally, Cal Poly grad and author of the award-winning novel, “Prospects of a Woman”, Wendy Voorsanger shares insights about her work chronicling exceptional women throughout California's history.

Learn about the author and editor of the book "Voices of the Grieving Heart", where forty writers share their journeys through loss, grief, transformation and healing. You’ll meet Monty the penguin, a new social media celebrity from the Santa Barbara Zoo who’s featured in a new children's book. You’ll hear from Heidi McPherson of the Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County. And finally, we'll head to Fort Hunter Liggett, where an 80th anniversary Open House is planned for later this month.

Join Major Christopher Lauff, Commander, USAG HHC at Fort Hunter Liggett as he shares details about the May 15 open house.

An array of activities for the public include a WWII C-47 fly-in along with an Coast Guard helicopter, and a hands-on chance for kids and adults to fire rifles and machine guns in the virtual reality lab.

Joe Ping, Senior Training Instructor shares insights about how military training has evolved through virtual reality. Join correspondent Tom Wilmer at U.S. Army Reserve base Fort Hunter Liggett in Monterey County to learn the rest of the story. 

Wendy Voorsanger, Cal Poly grad and author of the award-winning novel, Prospects of a Woman talks with correspondent Tom Wilmer. Voorsanger shares insights about the book, and her work chronicling exceptional women throughout California's history featured on her blog She is California.

Bacon and ham are carnivore favorites. They do take time and care to make. Both are made at one of California's oldest butcher shops, in Arroyo Grande, and Playing With Food got an inside look.

On Issues & Ideas, we'll hear from retired SLO County Clerk Recorder Julie Rodewald, about how we can take part in choosing the way we vote in the future. You'll also learn about an group that supports downtowns across the nation: the National Main Street Organization. Finally, you'll learn about making ham and bacon at one of California's oldest butcher shops, in Arroyo Grande.

On this episode of Issues & Ideas, we learn about the threat to California’s underwater kelp forests, and the Central Coast kelp forest “guardian” — the sea otter. There’s a new guidebook “Sequoia and Kings Canyon: Hiking, Camping, Waterfalls and Big Trees”; and we’ll learn from the author where the best lesser known trails can be found. A local teacher and author launches an updated version of his novel, Armenia’s Fingerprint, coinciding with the 106th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, which occurred on April 24th, 1915. The SLO Chamber's Jim Dantona speaks with Joe Tarica and Ray Riordan of the San Luis Obispo Tribune. And finally, we’ll hear from international author and filmmaker Helena Norberg-Hodge. She's a pioneer of the local economy movement.

A gray wolf made a brief appearance in Monterey County last week, and experts say spreading awareness about this protected wolf is essential in minimizing wolf-livestock conflicts. A new audio production called "Voices of the Earth" presents thoughts about the environment from across the ages. EcoSLO continues to advocate for the environment after 50 years on the Central Coast. We hear from Cal Poly president Jeffrey Armstrong about covid testing on campus, and visions for the future.

Correspondent Randi Hair reports from Templeton, California where she visits with Eric Alexiev who spent his formative years on the central coast. His father was born and raised in Bulgaria and Eric was immersed as a kid with the cuisine, culture, and stories shared by his father, Alex Alexiev, and Bulgarian friends at the dinner table. The capital city of Sophia and Bulgaria were ingrained in Eric’s thoughts as he grew up.

On this edition of Issues & Ideas, we take a look at a new virtual art exhibit in San Luis Obispo, which documents the local Black Lives Matter Movement. In Santa Maria, local artists and advocates are working together to bring new art to public spaces. Santa Barbara community members gathered in solidarity with the Asian Pacific Islander community last month, after the violence in Georgia. San Luis Obispo County Public Health Director Penny Borenstein looks back at lessons learned about the COVID 19 pandemic. And finally, we check out the 36th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Join correspondent Tom Wilmer for a conversation with Dr. Penny Borenstein, San Luis Obispo County's Public Health Director about dealing with COVID-19 over the past year, and best hope scenarios looking in to the near-term future.

Underwriting support provided by Nashville's Big Back Yard economic initiative focused on rural communities in the southwest quarter of Tennessee and the Shoals Region of Northern Alabama.

With artisan salami being rare, we are lucky on the Central Coast to have the only artisan salumiere between San Francisco and San Diego. Alle-Pia has been providing us with delicious salumi for 10 years, and Playing With Food got to see how it is done.

On this episode of Issues & Ideas: the Harold J. Miossi Art Gallery at Cuesta College is using virtual reality to bring the art to the people. We’ll take a look at some new trends in the local green building industry. The Foundation at Hearst Castle has an ongoing educational STEAM program aimed at inspiring and empowering young students from underserved communities. Finally, on “Playing With Food” you’ll get a closer look at a local artisan salumiere.