Cover Story
Exchange of needs: A new affordable housing alternative in SLO pairs income-affected individuals with homeowners in need of help with chores
When SmartShare Housing Solutions began its HomeShare SLO program in 2017, the goal was to provide San Luis Obispo County with an alternative affordable housing option. Through the program, homeowners with an extra bedroom are matched with a qualified tenant—shared housing seekers are required to undergo a background check, provide proof of income, and have…
Carbajal holds virtual ceremony to recognize new U.S. citizens
While congratulating newly minted American citizens, U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) also reminded those who attended his virtual Citizenship Recognition Ceremony about their duty to participate in democracy. “By becoming a U.S. citizen, you too will have a voice in how our nation is governed. As a citizen you can serve on a jury,…
Dawn Ortiz-Legg promises ‘fresh perspective’ as new 3rd District supervisor appointee
After getting the nod from Gov. Gavin Newsom on Nov. 20 to serve as the appointed San Luis Obispo County supervisor for the 3rd District, replacing late Supervisor Adam Hill, Dawn Ortiz-Legg told New Times that she’s ready to get to work to represent South County residents. “It’s bittersweet,” Ortiz-Legg said by phone on Nov.…
Paso police chief talks state COVID-19 curfew enforcement
California counties that reverted to the purple tier of the state’s reopening guidelines, including San Luis Obispo County, are subject to a limited stay-at-home order that went into effect on Nov. 21. A curfew requires that all gatherings with members of other households and activities conducted outside the home cease between 10 p.m. and 5…
Rosanne Seitz’s exhibit at Art Central in SLO depicts out-of-the-way locales
Go to there Rosanne Seitz’s exhibit of landscape paintings remains on display at SLO’s Art Central Art Supply, 1329 Monterey St., and online at artcentralartsupply.com/places-of-quiet.php through Tuesday, Nov. 24. For more info, visit artcentralartsupply.com, call (805) 747-4200, or email artcentral93401@gmail.com. Hippocrates said, “Nature itself is the best physician.” He was certainly onto something. Disappearing into…
Joliene Bakery creates professional French pastry at The Creamery with a nod to owner Chloe Fertel’s happy place
Indulge Treat yourself to Joliene Bakery in downtown SLO’s Creamery Marketplace at 570 Higuera St., Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call (805) 439-3373, visit jolienebakery.com, or find the shop on Instagram and Facebook @jolienebakery for more information on what’s baking. Light streamed through a wall of windows on a chilly Monday…
The Queen’s Gambit makes chess exciting and genius lamentable
THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT What’s it rated? TV-MA What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Netflix Creators Scott Frank and Allan Scott helm this TV miniseries about orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon (Isla Johnson as young Beth, and Anya Taylor-Joy as teen and young adult Beth), whose prodigious…
Better without Airbnb
My wife and I have used Airbnb quite a bit over the years, both as hosts and as travelers. We know the benefits of the original idea: 1. Hosts can make some extra money by renting out part of their property, like a bedroom or mother-in-law’s quarters, etc. 2. Travelers can stay in real neighborhoods,…
The Last Black Man in San Francisco
What’s it rated? R When? Screening and streaming Saturday, Nov. 21, at 6 p.m. Where’s it showing? SLO’s A Satellite of Love during a SLO Motion Film event Co-writer Joe Talbot directs this story, co-written by Ron Richert and the film’s protagonist Jimmie Fails (who plays himself), a young black man in San Francisco who…
Thanks, Jeff Heller
Instead of criticizing City Councilmember Jeff Heller’s solitary stance against Morro Bay’s policy on vacation rentals by owners (VRBO’s), I applaud him for taking a stand against an industry that can come into our town and change residential areas into tourist-serving zones (“Neighborhood character,” Nov. 5). I moved here in 1979, and I rented from…
The Operative
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2019 Where’s it showing? HBO Writer-director Yuval Adler (Bethlehem, The Secrets We Keep) helms this story based on former Israeli intelligence officer Yiftach R. Atir’s 2016 book The English Teacher: A Novel, about Rachel (Diane Kruger), a young Western woman recruited by the Mossad to work undercover in Tehran, Iran.…
Pick it up, people!
I recently moved to Grover Beach and I love it, especially the beach. Although it seems to be the consensus here, I’m confused about one thing. I see children playing and digging holes in the sand, and I’ve seen dogs pooping in that same area. Most dog walkers I see pick up their dogs’ poop.…
Woman’s federal lawsuit details alleged rape and stalking by a former Paso Robles police officer
Editor’s note: New Times chose not to use the alleged victim’s full name to protect her privacy. On a day in late December 2017, then Paso Robles Police Sgt. Christopher McGuire ushered city resident J.G. from her home to her detached garage, and allegedly asked her to lock the door behind her. Afraid, J.G. obeyed…
Dear Trump supporters,
Biden won. The election is over. Despite the concerted efforts of Trump and his enablers to convince you that there was widespread election fraud by the Democrats, there is no credible evidence to support those charges. Trump’s Homeland Security appointee, who oversees election security, stated, “There is no evidence that any voting system deleted or…
Cuesta College nursing students graduate and provide essential health care services amid the pandemic
Kelly Maguire was just a few months away from completing Cuesta College’s registered nursing (RN) program when COVID-19 first started making its way around the Central Coast. As cases trickled into San Luis Obispo County in March, Cuesta closed its campus and canceled in-person classes. In an effort to limit person-to-person contact and reserve personal…
The rest of the story
In his opinion piece “Dig a Little Deeper” (Nov. 5), Mr. Fonzi mentions how Democrats lobbied and filibustered against the Civil Rights Acts of the early 1960s. He fails to mention the fact that those Southern Democrats, also known as Dixiecrats, eventually joined the Republican party. Richard Nixon and Barry Goldwater created a strategy to…
Woke on the warpath!
Oh, no! Once again, our local “woketariat” is in an uproar! This time, the irritated and indignant insurgents have fixed their sights on Cuesta College Trustee Pete Sysak, and on Paso Robles school district Clerk Chris Arends and demand their banishment for the usual liberal litany of “-isms.” What has our youthful cadre of activists…
The ARTery in Atascadero seeks artists for its annual Under $200 Art Show
The ARTery in Atascadero is accepting submissions for this year’s rendition of its annual Under $200 Art Show, an unjuried showcase open to all skill levels. Artists hoping to participate can submit their artworks through the end of November. There is no entry fee. The ARTery is seeking one or two original art pieces from…
Paso Robles blues
Back when I was a wee shredder, being a police officer sounded neat-o. They were heroes, protectors, good guys. When we played cops and robbers, everyone wanted to be the cops. Not so much lately. These days, many view the police with a jaundiced eye. How can we trust those enlisted to protect and serve…
The Nipomo Artists hosts open studio event that accommodates social distancing
The Nipomo Artists presents its Socially Distanced Open Studio event on Saturday, Nov. 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at various locations throughout Nipomo and Arroyo Grande. Visit nipomoartists.com for a map and list of the event’s featured locations and respective addresses. This group show and sale will include paintings, jewelry, ceramics, sculptures, and…
SLO County to pay settlement in complaint against late Supervisor Adam Hill
San Luis Obispo County and a former legislative aide to late 3rd District Supervisor Adam Hill have settled a recent workplace complaint that accused Hill of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. A heavily redacted copy of the former aide’s complaint states that Hill made unwanted sexual advances and behaved inappropriately toward her…
LilA Creative Community in Arroyo Grande holds Handmade Holiday Outdoor Market
The LilA Creative Community in Arroyo Grande hosts its Handmade Holiday Outdoor Market on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will feature a wide variety of media created by local artists, and all items on display will be available for sale. Attendees of the event can also participate in several…
Grand jury report details failures that led to Paso Unified’s financial crisis
It took a number of serious miscalculations and failures in leadership to get the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District into the unfortunate financial situation it’s in today. That’s according to a recently released SLO County grand jury report that details what led to the district’s second financial crisis since 2012, which the report says…
Paso continues to have the highest COVID-19 cases
On Nov. 16, San Luis Obispo County reverted back to the state’s purple tier in California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, a response to a rapid surge in positive COVID-19 cases. The county has had more than 5,400 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. As of Nov. 18, 757 of those…
SLO extends city night hiking program for a year
Outdoor enthusiasts may continue to use San Luis Obispo city open space after dark this winter. On Nov. 17, the SLO City Council unanimously voted to extend a two-year-old pilot program that keeps Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve open until 8:30 p.m. from November to March. The program first passed in 2018 as a way…
Upside Ska plays a Nov. 19 streaming benefit concert for the Morro Bay National Estuary Program
Who’s your favorite old-school ska band? I’m not asking about 2 Tone, ska punk, or Third Wave ska; I’m talking about all the way back to the late ’50s and ’60s, back when Bob Marley was a clean-shaven lad singing “Simmer Down” with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. I’m talking about Desmond Dekker, Prince Buster,…
Pismo Beach bars contractor from work after allegedly botched project
In a move that was described by all parties as “very rare” and “extraordinary,” Pismo Beach City Council banned a Santa Maria-based engineering contracting company from working on city projects for the next five years, the result of a recent project that city staff say was repeatedly delayed due to the company’s shortcomings. At a…
Tianna Arata’s attorneys say DA’s office should be disqualified from case
Attorneys for local activist and protest leader Tianna Arata filed a motion to disqualify the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office from prosecuting the case against Arata, citing District Attorney Dan Dow’s personal and political bias. The motion filed on Nov. 17 alleges Dow is publicly aligned with right-wing conservative political organizations and fundamental…
