Joe Amaral is the featured poet of South County Poetry's next monthly reading and open mic event on Sunday, March 24, at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Arroyo Grande. Amaral's The Street Medic, a collection of poetry informed by his full-time job as a paramedic, won the 2018 Palooka Press Chapbook Contest. Amaral was also the recipient of the Gold Quill Award for Poetry last year, as well as the Ingrid Reti Literary Award in 2014.

Complimentary snacks will be available for guests starting at 5:30 p.m. Amaral will read at 5:45 p.m., which will be followed by an open mic session. Attendees are welcome to bring their own poetry to read. Admission to the event is free.

The church is located at 301 Trinity Ave., Arroyo Grande. South County Poetry hosts readings on the fourth Sunday of each month. Call (805) 473-2416 to find out more. Δ