Five Cities News

AVILA BEACH- Anime Five Cities will bring the Central Coast’s first anime and Asian pop culture convention to the Avila Beach Community Center from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28.

Guests of honor will include members of AniMaid Cafe and published Central Coast artist Irene Flores.

Admission is limited, so those planning to attend are advised to sign up soon, organizers said.

The “family-friendly event” will feature an exhibits area, live performances, a cosplay costume contest, panel presentations and imported Japanese snacks, an event spokesman said.

The convention is designed to bring the fun and excitement of anime and Asian pop culture events from California’s metropolitan areas to residents of the Central Coast, the spokesman said. More: http://www.timespressrecorder.com/articles/2010/08/19/ae/ae53.txt

Source: TPR

The Arroyo Grande Rotary Club is proud to announce that nearly 2000 people attended the 2nd Annual Central Coast Chili Challenge Festival  on Sunday, August 8, 2010, at Biddle Park.  “The turnout for the Chili Challenge was incredible,” says Peggy Hoobery, AG Rotary Club President.

The Grover Beach Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that the 19th Annual Stone Soup Music Faire and Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, August 28 and 29, 2010 at the Ramona Garden Park in Grover Beach! It’s estimated this year’s Festival will draw thousands of people from all over the Central Coast and state.

People of all ages will enjoy the variety of entertainment the Stone Soup Faire offers this year. Musicians will be performing all day Saturday and Sunday.

PISMO BEACH - A Central Coast Barista has created a drink that is giving her international recognition.

Jessica Ontiveros works at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Pismo Beach.

Her unique take on a classic cappuccino landed her in her district's competition.

She won the district competition, then the regional contest, followed by the national competition, finally landing her in Vietnam for the international competition.

While in Vietnam she had to pull a shot of espresso, make a classic cappuccino as well as show off a signature drink.

Her "Cosmoccino" helped her win the top prize.

Ontiveros says, "I started messing around with like steaming different stuff in my milk. And I ran into raspberry sugar that we had in the back from the holiday season and threw that in the pitcher before steaming my milk. And when I started steaming it, it turned pink...