The English language skills of some featured artists in the Latino exhibit may be weak, but their work cuts across such barriers.

Around 40 years ago, Kelly Lipton’s father made an impulse buy while on a fishing trip in Morro Bay: a small 1940s home overlooking the ocean.

Q: I’ve heard it’s possible to get good compost from worm manure. Is this true? — Curtis Reinhardt, Shell Beach

Despite all the training they get ahead of time, veterans will tell you there’s no way to truly prepare anyone for war.

Randy Stromsoe’s enthusiasm radiates like the rays from his highly polished silver and pewter work.

In April 2009, when Vince and Janet Marino moved to Morro Bay, just half of their lot was planted, with grass, palm trees, and one giant bird of paradise. The other half had been cleared by the previous owner, who had planned to build a second house there.

Q: Gardening books say to clean up the garden, then sit back and relax. Is this true? — Donna Hoppe, Cambria

Every year, Josh LePell travels to Brazil — not to lounge on the beaches, but to look at slabs of stone.

Whenever Halloween approaches, people often associate cemeteries with zombies digging out of their graves or transparent souls wandering through tombstones.

Artists and writers are often asked, usually to their amusement or annoyance, the often unanswerable question: “Where do you get your ideas?”

When Suzi Bliss opened The Sanitarium bed and breakfast in San Luis Obispo, some questioned her choice of names.

The Master Gardener Program is accepting applications, with the deadline quickly approaching on Dec. 1. If you want to learn about joining it, please visit us during our open house at the University of California Cooperative Extension Auditorium, 2156 Sierra Way, SLO, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10.

Author Wendelin Van Draanen knew she wanted her 14th Sammy Keyes mystery to take place at a cemetery. On the other hand, she knew that in order to write about cemeteries, she would have to visit some — and she’s spent most of her life avoiding graveyards.

To celebrate the Day of the Dead, Dia de Los Muertos, ceramicist David Gurney put his own spin on the Mexican holiday.

Eleven years ago, Carrie Davison knew two things: She knew she wanted to relocate to the Central Coast from Southern California to pursue her teaching career, and she knew she wanted to buy a house on one of the wide older streets leading to the ocean in Shell Beach.

Q: How do I protect my garden from rodents? — Sean Capelli, San Luis Obispo

A little over two years ago, interior designer Jennifer Alderman moved to San Luis Obispo from New York City. Having left much of her furniture behind, she began to poke around local shops.

‘Clothing Optional,” the featured artists’ exhibit at Gallery at Marina Square, celebrates the human figure as the Friday Life Group displays 16 paintings and drawings.

For some empty-nesters, building a new home means downsizing. Rex and Betty Hendrix had other ideas.

Thinking of doing a little re-landscaping this fall? Wishing your landscaping could thrive with less work and water?