🌱 How you can help shape SLO County’s mental health priorities
Hello again San Luis Obispo! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How you can help shape SLO County’s mental health priorities
- How a new court ruling could reshape Lopez Lake water priorities
- Which Central Coast holiday events are worth bundling up for?
Also on today's calendar: Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward live in San Luis Obispo, CA and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Saturday: Foggy in the morning, with a high of 71 and low of 59 degrees.
- Sunday: A couple of morning showers, temps: high: 66, low: 57.
- Monday: Clouds giving way to some sun, with a high of 68 and low of 55 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Behavioral Health Department Calls for Public Comment on Integrated Plan (ca.gov) — San Luis Obispo County’s Behavioral Health Department is asking residents to review and comment on its draft Behavioral Health Services Act Three Year Integrated Plan for 2026–2029, available through January 21, 2026. Local feedback will shape funding priorities, services, and housing-related behavioral health programs before the plan goes to the Board of Supervisors and state officials early next year. 
2. Ninth Circuit Reaffirms Traditional Balancing Under Fish & Game Code Section 5937 (jdsupra.com) — A recent Ninth Circuit ruling in San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper v. County of San Luis Obispo vacates a strict preliminary injunction over Lopez Dam operations, signaling that fish protections must be balanced with residential, agricultural, and municipal water needs. For local residents, this means future decisions on Lopez Lake releases will weigh ecosystem health against the community’s water supply rather than automatically prioritizing fisheries.
3. Holiday events light up San Luis Obispo County through New Year's (kcbx.org) — San Luis Obispo County is packed with holiday and winter happenings, from New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunges in Avila Beach and Cayucos to the Cambria Christmas Market and Hearst Castle twilight tours. January brings the Morro Bay Bird Festival and SLO Cal Open surf contest in Pismo Beach, with many events free or low-cost for locals.
4. Moby, Pengu, and many other pups are looking for their forever homes (ksby.com) — Animal lovers in San Luis Obispo County can meet Moby, a playful Pit Bull mix at the county Animal Services Shelter, and Pengu, a young Plott Hound at Woods Humane Society. Both are among many pups hoping locals will stop by the Oklahoma Avenue shelter noon to 4 p.m. to find a new best friend.
5. Early released planned for Nipomo child pornographer (calcoastnews.com) — A Nipomo man convicted of possessing and distributing child pornography is now listed as eligible for parole in March 2027, far earlier than his eight-year sentence might suggest. San Luis Obispo County authorities made the original arrest, and he is currently incarcerated at a state facility in the county.
📸 Around San Luis Obispo
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
San Luis Obispo
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward live in San Luis Obispo, CA
Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo, 333 Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo
7:00 pm
Tuesday January 13
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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San Luis Obispo Master Chorale
Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo , 1 Grand Ave , San Luis Obispo
7:30 pm -
Writing Across Walls Holiday Letter Writing Party
The Gala Pride & Diversity Center -1-Library (20), -1-Front Room (20) [TV]
1:00 pm -
Nature Lights
San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden , 3450 Dairy Creek Rd , San Luis Obispo
5:00 pm -
Rain - A Beatles Christmas Tribute
Harold J. Miossi Cultural and Performing Arts Center (CPAC) at Cuesta College , CA-1 , San Luis Obispo
7:00 pm -
The Gala Center is Closed - Christmas - New Years
Gay & Lesbian Alliance , 1060 Palm St , San Luis Obispo -
GPDC Paid Holiday
Gay & Lesbian Alliance , 1060 Palm St , San Luis Obispo -
Big Gay Holiday Party
The Gala Pride & Diversity Center -1-Front Room (20) [TV]
3:00 pm
Saturday December 20
Sunday December 21
Monday December 22
Wednesday December 24
Saturday December 27
📣 San Luis Obispo Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Nataly Lola at Peacock Cellars (Holiday Tunes!)
Peacock Cellars Tasting Room & Farmstead , 1543 Los Berros Rd , Arroyo Grande
1:00 pm -
Branch St. Deli and Pizzeria — Kielo Smith Music
Branch Street Deli and Pizzeria , 203 E Branch St , Arroyo Grande
5:30 pm -
Saturday Night Improv at the Bunker
The Bunker SLO , 810 Orcutt Rd , San Luis Obispo
6:15 pm -
The Gala Center is Closed - Christmas - New Years
Gay & Lesbian Alliance , 1060 Palm St , San Luis Obispo -
GPDC Paid Holiday
Gay & Lesbian Alliance , 1060 Palm St , San Luis Obispo
Saturday December 20
Monday December 22
Wednesday December 24
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making San Luis Obispo PatchAM possible:
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
Raven was LOST on December 10, 2025 in Santa Maria, CA 93454 near E Bunny Ave , 711 Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact… (Nextdoor Foothill) - All northbound lanes of US 101 at Wadsworth Ave. in Pismo Beach were closed due to fallen power lines, but the lanes have since reopened.
12:50PM on Dec 18: All northbound lanes of US 101 are closed at Wadsworth Ave. in Pismo Beach due to fallen pole and wires. (Nextdoor )
- Whole Foods Market, Inc. posted a job opening for Grocery Team Member (Stocker, Inventory, Floor Service, Customer Service) - Part Time in San Luis Obispo. Apply here.
- Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Bakery Wrapper / Clean Up in San Luis Obispo. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near San Luis Obispo here.
Ok San Luis Obispo! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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