Democracy in action 

Did you vote? Don't freak. It's a little early for the Nov. 6 general election (however, the vote by mail period starts Oct. 8 and the last day to register to vote is Oct. 22). I am talking about SLO County's first ever Cocktail Month! All September long, you sampled creative, crazy, and cool-as-heck craft cocktails featuring locally distilled spirits. You've (hopefully) voted for your faves online at slococktailmonth.com. Now, it's time to see who shall be crowned cocktail king or queen! Winners will be announced at the Grand Cocktail Event to cap off the competition at the Paso Robles Fairground on Saturday, Oct. 6. The event includes live music, hors d'oeuvres from participating restaurants, samples of the collaborative craft cocktails, and entertaining bartender demonstrations. That said, voting is our civic duty, and I highly encourage every reader to go to slocounty.ca/gov now to find out all the info they need to vote (like, for reals this time). Just don't vote after you've had a few.

The SLO Cocktail Month award event will be held at the Frontier Pavilion; 2198 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles. For more information, go to slococktailmonth.com. Δ

Hayley Thomas Cain is voting. She can be reached at [email protected].