Cover Story
Still here: New Times publishers talk about how the news business has changed in 35 years and weathering the pandemic
During the darkest days of COVID-19 in 2020, New Times publisher Alex Zuniga was often one of the only staff members in the paper’s downtown office in San Luis Obispo, putting the finishing touches on another lean pandemic issue. In an odd way, the scene looked a bit like Zuniga’s first days and weeks at…
County to open safe parking site near jail
San Luis Obispo County unveiled a new safe parking site for unhoused residents at an Aug. 10 Board of Supervisors meeting—but its “barren” location in an unshaded dirt lot near the SLO County Jail is drawing backlash. “This plan will fail. The unhoused won’t go. It will be a waste of money,” said Paul Hershfield,…
The Suicide Squad
What’s it rated? R When? 2021 Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Galaxy, Park, Stadium 10, and HBO Max Writer-director James Gunn (Super, Guardians of the Galaxy) helms this outrageous new installment of the Suicide Squad franchise. I can almost imagine Gunn’s pitch to Hollywood’s money people: “We airdrop a bunch of homicidal reprobates into an…
Santa Maria Raceway to shut down
Central Coast residents will soon lose a venue that has operated in Nipomo for decades. Santa Maria Raceway, home of Stadium805, is planning to cease operations, owner Nick Duggan announced in an Aug. 9 Facebook post. The raceway has hosted stock car races for more than 40 years, and after a series of different owners,…
Grammy Award winners The Mavericks and Los Lobos co-headline Vina Robles Amphitheatre on Aug. 14
I’d be hard-pressed to name two more genre-hopping, inventive, eclectic bands than The Mavericks and Los Lobos, who share the bill this Saturday, Aug. 14 at Vina Robles Amphitheatre (7 p.m.; all ages; $45 to $55 at vinaroblesamphitheatre.com). The definition of “maverick” is an “unorthodox or independent-minded person,” which sums up The Mavericks nicely. Ostensibly…
Internationally renowned artist Mark di Suvero installs sculpture, new paintings at SLOMA
See the work The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (1010 Broad St., SLO) presents the work of internationally renowned artist Mark di Suvero in what amounts to the artist’s largest-ever exhibition of recent phosphorescent paintings at a museum. SLOMA members are invited to the museum for an artist’s reception on Aug. 13 (5 p.m.;…
GATO365 Learning Center gives kids a path to math
Math didn’t come easyily to Immanuel Williams, who now teaches math boot camps and a computer science academy for students through his company, the GATO365 Learning Center. The Cal Poly statistics lecturer’s story begins with him “not being particularly good at mathematics” in elementary school, he said. Williams received poor marks in math, and his…
Wind is not the answer
The plan to construct a wind farm offshore of Morro Bay is based on a whole lot of hope and not much credibility. It all looks good on paper but there are many faults and drawbacks. Starting with the construction issues, construction will take some considerable time and that means many construction workers will move…
Bribery charges against former Supervisor Adam Hill
The bribery charges against the late Adam Hill, former 3rd District county supervisor, are small local versions of all the stewing garbage left behind by a defeated ex-president. In the 1970s, during a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, one agenda item was to consider subdividing a large agricultural parcel between Atascadero and Morro Bay.…
Our future looks very diverse. So should education
The recent Tribune editorial “Calm Down. SLO County Schools aren’t teaching children to hate white people” is a great example on how to logically and candidly respond to the absurd hysteria (in SLO County and elsewhere) that has surrounded critical race theory (CRT) since its inception 40 years ago. A lot has changed since 1971.…
Failure to lead
In a month, Californians will have an opportunity to send a message to Democrats across the nation that regular Americans, (meaning those without special privilege of wealth or political influence beyond their individual ballot) are fed up and are holding them accountable. I refer to the recall election for Gov. Gavin Newsom. The San Luis…
Monika’s Macarons in SLO creates works of edible art that are an ode to the founder’s family
Cooking with art Monika’s Macarons is located at 1127 Broad St., suite A. For current hours, visit macaronsinslo.com. Follow the bakery on Facebook and Instagram @monikasmacarons. Follow food blogger Nancy Waltz on Facebook and Instagram @cookingwithasideofsunshine. Macarons and macaroons derive from the same Italian word maccherone—meaning paste, pasta, or pastry—but they are completely distinct cookies.…
Room for Cream Films premieres new short at Maven in Cayucos
Maven, a new leather studio and boutique in Cayucos, is hosting a short film screening event on Friday, Aug. 20, starting at 7 p.m. with an opening reception (the screening is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.). The film being shown, The Advertisement, was written by Maven’s owner, Emma Thieme, and directed by Alex Raban,…
Art Central hosts free figure-drawing demo with artist David Limrite
On Sunday, Aug. 15, artist David Limrite will be leading a free figure-drawing demonstration at Art Central Art Supply in SLO, from 1 to 3 p.m. Limrite will be demonstrating how to create an expressive figure drawing from a live model, while using oil paint sticks. Admission is free, but registration is requested by emailing…
Same as it ever was
I don’t like to speak ill of the dead—they can’t defend themselves—but can we all agree former 3rd District SLO County Supervisor Adam Hill accepted bribes? When he committed suicide, he was under FBI investigation, and now that cannabis magnate and Natural Healing Center owner Helios Dayspring pleaded guilty to giving Hill $32,000 for favorable…
SLO Rep partners with TMHA to host upcoming one-man show, Every Brilliant Thing
The SLO Repertory Theatre presents its production of Every Brilliant Thing, a one-man show starring Kevin Harris and directed by Suzy Newman, starting on Friday, Aug. 27, and running through Sunday, Sept. 12. Written by Duncan Macmillan and Johnny Donahoe, Every Brilliant Thing has been described as a funny, poignant play that shines a light…
Local pediatricians urge vaccinations as COVID-19 cases soar
With schools on the verge of reopening amid “skyrocketing” COVID-19 cases, a panel of local pediatricians and physicians convened via Zoom on Aug. 10 to answer questions from the public about the pandemic, vaccinations, and youth, in a discussion hosted by the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education. “I think we protect the kids…
Nine Days asks important philosophical questions about what constitutes a life well lived
NINE DAYS What’s it rated? R When? 2020 Where’s it showing? Galaxy, Palm Theatre What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Writer-director Edson Oda in his feature-length debut helms this supernatural drama about Will (Winston Duke), a reclusive man who conducts interviews with human souls to determine whether they should…
Paso school district passes ban on teaching critical race theory
Clapping, booing, whooping, and argumentative outbursts from the audience peppered Paso Robles Joint Union High School District’s Aug. 10 meeting. “We want to get through this in an orderly process, so no cat-calling, no interrupting the speaker,” school board President Chris Arend said after a disruptive outburst during public comment about an agenda item considering…
Tig Notaro: Drawn
What’s it rated? Not rated When? 2021 Where’s it showing? HBO Max I’ve been a fan of Tig Notaro and her particularly tonal, dry comedy for a long time, so any TV special she puts out, I’m going to watch. Drawn adds in the element of animation, something I wasn’t sure was working for me…
