Judy Mora and her daughter Amy Beeman are a formidable shopping duo for whom the thrill of a department store sale pales in comparison to the lucky tag sale find.

In four decades of painting, Duane Armstrong has produced more than 7,000 works of art — including many that are on display nationwide as well as Asia.

In 2003, Ben Kulick was preparing to move from Las Vegas to San Luis Obispo, the town where he was born and raised. As he shopped for potential homes, one stood out from the rest: a 1970s bungalow that he lived in when he was a student at San Luis Obispo High School.

Q. I’ve heard that indoor plants actually clean indoor air. Is this true?

Carlin Soule couldn’t believe how quiet Cayucos was on New Year’s Day.

A prominent county arts organization is reaching out to North County art lovers. On Jan. 7, Arts Obispo launches “First Saturdays: Wine and the Arts,” a monthly art walk featuring stops at a handful of Paso Robles galleries and wineries. The program builds on previous wine-and-arts events organized by Studios on the Park and other businesses.

Having your artwork laid bare to the public eye while still in progress is an unnerving experience.

After establishing his Nipomo-based tropical plant business, Pacific Sun Growers, in 1979, Ben Trogdon wanted to live near his workplace. The lot that he and his wife Robin purchased was part of a large eucalyptus grove. They lived in a trailer house on the property during the two years it took for them to clear an opening and build their house.

Q. What tasks should I be doing in my garden in January? — Philomena Reid

Bryan Coppedge got the idea for his business while helping his grandparents prepare for a big move. As they weeded through decades of accumulated belongings, he had an epiphany.

Tom Peck initially resisted entering anything in the Winter White exhibit at Studios on the Park.

When Pierre Rademaker designs a logo, he usually begins simply, with pencil and paper. This appreciation for the human touch in all manner of design influenced his decision to restore the 1915 San Luis Obispo Craftsman home he shares with wife Terri.

Q: My Christmas poinsettias usually look good well into the New Year. Will they bloom next year if I plant them in the garden? — Jan Hendrickson, Pismo Beach

I remember three things about a quick afternoon visit to Innsbruck, Austria, during a family bus tour of Europe in 1999.

Holiday shoppers seeking oneof-a-kind gifts by local artisans and artists have several options in San Luis Obispo. Among them:

How many times have you seen or heard that the big evergreen tree in the front yard was once “Our Christmas tree?” It’s rewarding and fun to plant your living tree after it has served its purpose as the center of your holiday festivities. And, after all, you’re recycling a tree rather than consuming one.

Q: There are worms hanging out of my oak trees, and the leaves on the trees look terrible. What’s happening? — Nelda Amspacher, Arroyo Grande

While some kids were clamoring for trips to Disneyland, Gail Johnson spent many happy childhood vacations perusing art galleries and museums.

It’s easy to see why director Peter Jackson chose to film the fantasy trilogy “The Lord of the Rings” in New Zealand.